THE CAPTAIN'S DAUGHTER - Jennifer Delamere - One Free Book

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

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/jenniferdelamere/

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

Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these instructions to be in the drawing. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory or country if outside North America. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Goodreads, Google+, Feedblitz, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link:

Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com