Welcome, Jennifer, tell
us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
There are of elements of me in all my characters; I think
that’s unavoidable. But I also enjoy exploring personality traits that are not
in my personal arsenal. For example, Rosalyn in The Captain’s Daughter is
a lot like me in that she is an earnest individual with a generally positive
outlook on life (even though in the book she gets dealt some hard knocks). On
the other hand, Julia, the heroine of my next book, The Heart’s Appeal, is a take-charge person who doesn’t hesitate to
jump into any situation, even dangerous ones. I’d say that is a trait I admire
rather than fully own.
What is the quirkiest
thing you have ever done?
There was a 1920s-themed restaurant in my town, and a friend
of mine and I decided to have dinner there dressed in 1920s clothes. Our dates
were bemused, but they played along. We got plenty of friendly comments from
the other diners, too. It was a lot of fun to toss my boa over my shoulder
while enjoying a cocktail called the “sidecar.” And it wasn’t even Halloween!
When did you first
discover that you were a writer?
I wrote my first short story when I was around 12 years old.
It wasn’t that great, but my mother encouraged me to keep at it. She was a
journalist, so I think she enjoyed seeing her love for writing passed along to
her daughter.
Tell us the range of
the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I love nonfiction, especially history books. I’m sure that’s
why I write historical fiction. The “research” part of it is just pure fun for
me. I also enjoy historical fiction set in a wide variety of eras and
countries. In general, I gravitate toward stories that are not flat-out depressing.
I’ve read some contemporary fiction too, and I find the most enjoyment in those
that have a lot of good-natured humor in them.
How do you keep your
sanity in our run, run, run world?
By taking time every morning to pray. I lift my plans,
challenges, and burdens to God. There is a favorite poem of mine that ends, “I
had so much to accomplish, / that I had to take time to pray.” (I recommend
checking out the whole poem; it is easily found via internet search.) The world
does try to run you around in circles, but it doesn’t have to succeed. It’s
important to take time every day to “unplug.” Something else I do is get out in
nature whenever possible, even if it’s just a short walk at a nearby park.
Nature can be a wonderful balm to the soul.
How do you choose
your characters’ names?
Since my books are set in England ,
I use a lot of names typical to the U.K. There is plenty of variety
there, because English surnames reflect the many different people who have come
to the British Isles over the centuries—the
Saxons, Norman French, Norse, and more. I also use names I find in books
written during the nineteenth century.
What is the
accomplishment that you are most proud of?
I am thrilled to have recently completed my fifth contracted
novel. When I started the writing journey in earnest, I never thought I could even
get this far. But now I feel as though I am just beginning.
If you were an
animal, which one would you be, and why?
Probably a cat, especially if I was in a good home. They are
smart, independent, and can be very affectionate—if, perhaps a bit prone to
mischief every now and then. The drawback to being any animal, though, would be
not being able to read! That would be sad indeed.
I so agree. What is
your favorite food?
I’m a huge fan of foods from around the world—especially
Indian, Mexican, and Greek. But the one thing I would be incredibly sad to live
without is cheddar cheese. Hmm….maybe that’s why I’m such an Anglophile!
What is the problem
with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
My greatest problem was—and still is—gauging the time I need
to write. I must balance writing with a “day job,” and also, it generally takes
me longer to do a task than I expect. (I think that’s the perfectionist in me.)
So I’m learning to take any estimate I make and double it! Organizing time is a
challenge that I still struggle with, but I am working hard to get better at it.
Tell us about the
featured book.
The Captain’s Daughter is the first in the London Beginnings
series. It will follow the lives of three sisters who each come to London independently in
order to find a new life. The series explores many fascinating aspects of London life in the 1880s,
including the theater, the burgeoning art scene, and expanding career
opportunities for women.
When a series of circumstances beyond her control leave
Rosalyn Bernay alone and penniless in London ,
she chances upon a job backstage at a theater that is presenting the most
popular show in London .
A talented musician and singer, she feels immediately at home and soon becomes
enthralled with the idea of pursuing a career on the stage.
A hand injury during a skirmish in India has forced Nate Moran out of
the army until he recovers. Filling his time at a stable of horses for hire in London , he has also spent
the past two months working nights as a stagehand, filling in for his injured
brother. Although he’s glad he can help his family through a tough time, he is
counting the days until he can rejoin his regiment. London holds bitter memories for him that he
is anxious to escape. But then he meets the beautiful woman who has found a new
lease on life in the very place Nate can’t wait to leave behind.
Please give us the
first page of the book.
Rosalyn crouched as low as her sturdy walking gown would
allow, hiding behind the hedgerow. When she’d left the orphanage to begin her
life as an adult, she’d anticipated some hard times. But never could she have
imagined herself in the predicament she faced now.
She held her breath, although she knew it was impossible for
him to hear her. The thunder of his approaching carriage, its wheels rattling
through the ruts frozen into the road after a week of rain followed by frost,
was deafening.
No, it was the sight of her that would bring the carriage to
a stop. What would happen then, if he took her back to Russet Hall to face
wrongful accusations of theft—or worse, what she would have to do to buy his
silence—she could not allow herself to imagine. Not if she wanted to keep her
courage.
Overhead a crow screamed. Startling at the sound, she nearly
fell over into the prickly hedgerow. Worried that any nearby sound would draw
attention in her direction, she crouched even lower. The crow flew away, the
noise of its call replaced by the blood rushing to her ears as her heart rate
increased with every turn of those swiftly approaching carriage wheels.
In seconds the carriage would pass her hiding spot.
Shivering from both cold and fear, Rosalyn reminded herself that despite how it
might look, she now she had an advantage of sorts. Mr. Huffman had assumed
she was headed for Bainshaw, which had the closest and busiest railway station.
However, once his carriage had passed out of sight, she could backtrack to the
crossroads and head south toward Linden .
She’d fled the house in the dark gloom just before dawn. It
had taken her four hours to reach this point, carrying all she owned in a
carpetbag that had grown heavier with each step she’d taken. She’d counted on
putting in a good distance before she was discovered missing, thinking no one
would look for her before breakfast, but it appeared she’d miscalculated.
With unrelenting speed, the carriage approached. The
pounding of hooves and the rattle of the wheels drowned out every other sound.
Somehow Rosalyn was able to scrunch down even lower, squeezing her eyes shut—as
though by some childish logic he would not see her if she couldn’t see him.
The carriage rolled past, not even slowing down. Rosalyn
nearly cried out with relief, then clapped a hand over her mouth. She stayed
crouched behind the hedgerow for several long, agonizing minutes, listening as
the sounds of the carriage gradually receded.
Interesting. How can
readers find you on the Internet?
My webpage: www.jenniferdelamere.com
Twitter:
@JenDelamere
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/jendelamere/
Thank you for having me on your blog today!
And thank you,
Jennifer, for sharing this new book with me and my readers.
Readers, here are buy links to the book.
The Captain's Daughter - Christianbook.com
The Captain's Daughter (London Beginnings) - Amazon
The Captain's Daughter (London Beginnings Book 1) - Kindle
The Captain's Daughter - Christianbook.com
The Captain's Daughter (London Beginnings) - Amazon
The Captain's Daughter (London Beginnings Book 1) - Kindle
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15 comments:
I would love to read this book. Thank you for the opportunity.
Melanie Backus, TX
This book has such a beautiful, rich cover.
Dianna (TN)
New author to me and this cover is beautiful and the book sounds great. karenskrayons(at)gmail(dot)com
This book looks great!
Abigail in VA
Sounds like a good read.
This book looks and sounds very intriguing. Thanks for the fun interview!
Winnie from Utah
I would love to read this book. The cover just draws you into the book.
marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com
Maryann
Illinois this sounds like a fantastic book. now on my to read list. wonderful interview
quilting dash lady at Comcast dot net
This sounds highly interesting! :)
Many Blessings, Amada (pronounced: a.m.a.th.a), NM
I read Jennifer's very first release and remember really enjoying it! Looking forward to more by her.
Patty in SC
I look forward to readingthis book.Thank you for sharing.
Connie from KY
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
I'm excited to read this series!
Caryl K in TEXAS
Enter me in your awesome giveaway!!
Conway SC.
Would love this book! Paula from Missouri!
You are a new author to me, and I would love to win your book. Thanks!
Evangeline from North Carolina
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