Welcome back, Lorri. Why
do you write the kind of books you do?
Growing up reading Regency romance novels, I was enamored
with the rules of the le bon ton and
the chivalry of the era. I think novels should be an escape from everyday life
(hence my tropical settings). Also, I believe in writing romance books that allow
readers to empathize with a character through their comical mishaps and
dramatic misunderstandings. It should depict a fallible human heart, one that
can be made whole again by a merciful creator and remind us that we have hope
for the same.
Besides when you came
to know the Lord, what is the happiest day in your life?
Hands down, it was the day I married my husband. God has
blessed me with a soul mate, who is supportive and very loving. My favorite
line of my husbands was when I asked him if it was unhealthy that we don’t
argue much and he said, “When you’re in the trenches up against toddlers (or now
teenagers), you don’t have time to pick lint off each other.” I love him.
How has being
published changed your life?
I’m still pretty new to all this since my first book just
released in January, but it’s been wonderful. I have an awesome publisher. Misty
Beller and Wild Heart Books have been great to work with and have made the
process of being published a rewarding experience. I never anticipated how much
writing novels would bring me closer to people. I now have friends I’ve never
even met face-to-face all over the United States other countries. I’ve
been reconnected with friends who’ve moved away and distant family members
who’ve become part of my launch team. I feel truly blessed.
What are you reading
right now?
I usually have five or six books going at a time.
For research I’m reading Tales
of Tortola and the British Virgin Islands by Florence Lewisohn, A History of the Virgin Islands by Isaac
Dookhan, (You can probably guess where my next novel will take place), and The Definitive Book of Body Language
because my heroine of book four is very observant.
For spiritual growth, I’m reading Love and Respect by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs because my husband and I
mentor young couples. I’m also reading Frequency
by Robert Morris.
For fun – I just finished Freedom in the Mountain Wind by Misty Beller a wonderful book about
a woman helping to fulfill her father’s dream of walking in the steps of
explorers Lewis and Clark. I also have on my nightstand The Tea Chest by Heidi Chiavaroli which is a timeslip linking back
to the Boston Tea Party.
I’ve read Misty’s
book, and Robert Morris is my pastor. What is your current work in progress?
The Captain’s Quest
features Priscilla’s journey (who is the close friend of Lottie from The
Merchant’s Yield.) Priscilla boards her brother’s ship only to
discover, too late, that her brother has been relieved of command, and the ship
has sailed. The new captain will not let an unexpected passenger keep him from
fulfilling his critical naval mission. Tobias refuses to put the needs of one
person above that of his crew until a sea squall knocks Priscilla overboard.
I can hardly wait for
that one. What would be your dream vacation?
My dream vacation would be a Caribbean
trip with friends. On my bucket list is to travel to all the islands mentioned
in the Beach Boys’ song “Kokomo .”
During the day, I’d get to relax and read on the beach and take romantic
strolls with my hubby, but then get to enjoy the social comradery of dinner
with friends. My husband’s company does this sort of thing as a rewards trip
for his top sellers and producers, and it’s always been a great bonding experience.
It was on one of these trips that I was introduced to a little island called
St. Kitts, which became the setting for The Merchant’s Yield.
James and I have
cruised in the western Caribbean twice, and that is the setting for my
contemporary novel Never Say Never. How
do you choose your settings for each book?
I initially chose the Leeward Islands because the Boston area where I live
was buried under a record snowfall. We couldn’t even see over the walls of
white that we’d shoveled to get down our walkway. I needed an escape, and so I
traveled to the Caribbean in my stories. Now,
I enjoy researching the various islands and finding one that stirs my
creativity.
If you could spend an
evening with one person who is currently alive, who would it be and why?
My goodness, this question has wracked my brain. Other than
my parents who live in the Southwest and I don’t get to see as often as I’d
like (besides I couldn’t choose one over the other), I’d love to meet Debbie
Murphy. Many people won’t know who she is, but Debbie is one of my devoted
readers who’s been with me since I started my blog. She’s had a rough couple of
years dealing with loss and family health issues, but even though she had so
much going on, she’s been a great encouragement to me. I’d love to meet her in
person and tell her face to face what a blessing she is.
I hope you get to
meet her sometime. I have a number of fans I’d like to meet face-to-face.
Occasionally, it happens. What are your hobbies, besides writing and reading?
Besides writing, I also dabble in painting. For a while, I
was an art teacher at Metrowest
Christian Academy
for grades 1st through 5th and enjoyed seeing the kids proudly display their
art projects. Now I help with my church’s set design for Vacation Bible
School and putter around
with a paintbrush. I particularly like painting portraits, and my favorite
artist is American artist, Mary Cassatt, who often painted mothers and children
as her subjects.
What is your most
difficult writing obstacle, and how do you overcome it?
Time. I have had to squeeze in writing time wherever and
whenever I can. I work for my husband’s business and I have three boys who I
still have to cart to sports practices every night (at least up until the
pandemic). I’ve been known to sit in the bleachers or on the floor of a
wrestling room with my laptop typing away.
What advice would you
give to a beginning author?
Stay the course!
The writing industry is tough and competitive, but if you stick with it, honing
your writing, learning from critiques, and building a readership, whether it be
through a blog or other means, God will use you and your gift.
Tell us about the
featured book.
It was a marriage of
inconvenience, but life has a wicked sense of humor.
Leeward Islands for
a dance. But her one courageous act lands her in a compromising position.
Forced to wed a stranger, Lottie leaves the only home she’s ever known to
reside on the isle of St. Kitts.
Nathaniel Winthrop’s troubles are mounting, and the rumors of him being cursed are spreading. Due to the dwindling sugar crop, he risks everything to start his own shipping company. The last thing he needs is a wife, especially one with a weak constitution. Yellow fever has already claimed the lives of his mother and siblings. He must guard his heart against falling in love with this gentle beauty, knowing island life will be a death sentence.
No longer under her mother’s scrutiny, the newfound freedom of the island rejuvenates Lottie’s spirit. If her days on this earth are limited, then it’s time she lives life to the full. Now it’s up to her to prove that even though Nathan was coerced into marrying her, she’s the one he can’t live without.
Charlotte Amelia Etheridge has cowered to her mother’s sharp tongue and endless
demands for the last time. In a fleeting moment of rebellion, she recklessly
asks a foreigner from the
Nathaniel Winthrop’s troubles are mounting, and the rumors of him being cursed are spreading. Due to the dwindling sugar crop, he risks everything to start his own shipping company. The last thing he needs is a wife, especially one with a weak constitution. Yellow fever has already claimed the lives of his mother and siblings. He must guard his heart against falling in love with this gentle beauty, knowing island life will be a death sentence.
No longer under her mother’s scrutiny, the newfound freedom of the island rejuvenates Lottie’s spirit. If her days on this earth are limited, then it’s time she lives life to the full. Now it’s up to her to prove that even though Nathan was coerced into marrying her, she’s the one he can’t live without.
Sounds wonderful. Please
give us the first page of the book.
“Of course, the islander would come.”
Charlotte Amelia Etheridge stiffened at Mama’s acidic tone.
She followed her mother’s gaze to the entrance of the Middleton’s modest
ballroom where guests arrived in hordes of navy and formal black jackets
bobbing amid a sea of colorful gowns. They filled the ballroom with boisterous chatter
and a bouquet of expensive perfumes and colognes.
Mama flicked her fan in sharp increments. “Even dressed in
English finery, he appears barbaric and uncivilized.”
Lottie focused on the landing where Nathanial Robert
Winthrop bowed to Lord Gibbons and his wife. His large frame and broad
shoulders dwarfed Lord Gibbons’s, making the average-height man appear slight
in stature. Winthrop ’s
hand tossed back the coattail of his fitted charcoal jacket and tucked into his
right pant pocket. He exuded a relaxed, casual self-assurance that uniquely
contrasted with the pretentious lords and ladies of the Quality surrounding
him. Their grandiose displays sought approval, a favor they would be
hard-pressed to receive from her mother, for Lady Etheredge’s acerbic tongue
could elevate or cut down a person with a single remark.
Mama nodded in the direction of the gentlemen. “I will make
certain Lord Gibbons reserves a dance for you. His mother owes me a favor.”
A favor. The jab struck its soft target, but Lottie had
numbed to most of her mother’s verbal attacks.
“There she is now.” Mama stepped away to speak with Lady
Gibbons.
Lottie plucked at the sides of her skirt and searched for
Priscilla, her closest friend. The large mirrors reflected shimmering light from
the overhead multi-tiered chandeliers and exposed her abandoned position. A
retreat to the retiring rooms to freshen up might be in order.
Captain Anthony Middleton eyed her.
Lottie paused mid-step.
He weaved through the cluster of people to her side.
This was it. Her pulse leapt. How long had she fancied
Pricilla’s handsome elder brother and dreamed of this moment?
“If it isn’t Little Lottie Ethridge.” The deep rich tone of
Anthony’s voice sent a wave of tingles up her arm.
Lottie fought to subdue a grin she knew would cross the
lines of decorum.
The boyishness in his face had disappeared, and he exuded
virile sophistication in his navy captain’s jacket and highly polished boots.
“It has been an age.”
She longed to say something witty like how she practiced in
front of the mirror while he’d been at sea, but all that came to mind was,
“Indeed.”
How can readers find
you on the Internet?
Website: www.lorridudley.com
my weekly blog: https://lorridudley.com/blog/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/lorridudley14/
Readers, here are links to the book.
The Merchant's Yield (The Leeward Island Series) - PaperbackThe Merchant's Yield (The Leeward Island Series Book 2) - Kindle
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17 comments:
I was there in the ballroom with Lottie & her mother. I love when a book draws me in like that! Thank you for sharing. Stay safe.
Robin in NC
Thanks for the fun interview and giveaway. She’s a new-to-me author.
Mindy from NJ
Such a beautiful cover. I’ve had this on my want to read list on Goodreads. Thank you for the interesting interview. Blessings from WV.
Thanks for the chance. From Texas
I only recently discovered this book and thought it looked SO good! Can’t wait to get ahold of it😉
Elly -Indiana-
Would love to read this one!
Melanie Backus, TX
New to me author too! Love to read this.
Beth from IA
Thank you to those who've said they've read The Merchant's Yield, and I hope the rest also enjoy it. Thank you for reading my interview and big hugs to Lena for the blog post. Best wishes to the winner! Blessings!
Hello Lena and Lori! I'm looking forward to reading The Merchant's Yield.
Caryl K in TEXAS
Beautiful cover. Thanks for the chance. FL
I thoroughly enjoyed The Duke's Refuge. Would love to read this one as well! Thanks for the opportunity!
Diana in SC
The description sounds wonderful. Thank you for sharing.
Connie from Kentucky
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
Thank you, Lena and Lorri, for this delightful interview! I always enjoy getting to know more about an author. Lorri, all the reasons of why you write books exactly describes what I look for and love when I read a book! I have the first book in this series, and am so looking forward to reading The Merchant's Yield! It sounds amazing!! Thank you for the chance to win a copy of this book!!!
Alison from MI
nj(dot)bossman(at)gmail(dot)com
Enter me in your awesome giveaway!!
Conway SC.
Alison, I'm so glad to hear that why I write is what you look for when you read a book. I'm hoping you enjoy "The Merchant's Yield."
Diana, thank you for reading "The Duke's Refuge." I think you'll enjoy "The Merchant's Yield" also. I appreciate all your posts and likes on Facebook.
Thanks for all the lovely comments. If anyone wants to take a peek at my storyboards for "The Merchant's Yield" or for "The Duke's Refuge" on Pinterest that I used for character and storyline inspiration you can check them out here:https://www.pinterest.com/lorridudley14/the-merchants-yield/ & https://www.pinterest.com/lorridudley14/the-merchants-yield/
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