THE LADY OF GALWAY MANOR - Jennifer Deibel - One Free Book

Welcome, Jennifer. Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters. It really depends on the character. In my first book, A Dance in Donegal, there is a lot of me in the main character, Moira. In my subsequent books, I can’t say that I intentionally add parts of myself to the characters. If anything, I might include insights, experiences, or thoughts I’ve had a various times in my life.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done? Oh goodness, I’m not entirely sure. Once, for hat contest, I strapped a Christmas tree-topper to my head with silver fabric ribbon. I won. I’m also known for going sort of over the top on school spirit week dress-up days. I can also be found dancing in public to music—much to the dismay of my children. (Don’t tell them, but that’s half the reason I do it. ;) )

When did you first discover that you were a writer? Looking back, I’ve always been a writer. I remember getting my first journal/diary in about third grade. Ever since then, I’ve been writing. The first time I remember having an inkling that I might have some skill as a writer was during a descriptive writing assignment in high school. We were asked to write directions on how to change lanes for someone who’d never driven before. While my classmates simply said, “Turn your blinker on and move over,” I was giving details step-by-step instructions including where the turn lever was and which way to move it to indicate your direction. Then, in college, a professor made a note that I should consider a career involving writing.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading. Oh, there’s a wide range, and it’s getting wider. My default is historical romance, but I enjoy contemporary romance, women’s fiction, and I’ve just recently gotten into suspense/romantic suspense thanks to authors like Jaime Jo Wright, Natalie Walters, and Terri Blackstock.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world? What a great question! I’ve recently starting taking a short, relaxing stroll in the evenings through our neighborhood. We have a greenbelt running throughout and just walking for leisure, enjoying God’s creation, and listening to a devotion or Scripture-based prayers has done wonders for my stress level. I come back and enjoy some stretching, and it just sets the tone for a good, restful night, which helps me start the next day more strongly.

How do you choose your characters’ names? Some might say I put as much thought into my character’s names as I do my own kids’ names! The meaning of names are hugely important to me, so I typically research was names were common in the county of Ireland where my story is set, and in the right time period. I look for names that are unique, interesting, and hold a good meaning to them, and aren’t too strangely spelled.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of? Oh, goodness. Raising three children who love Jesus is something I’m immensely grateful for— but I know that is only by the grace of God.

My debut novel, A Dance in Donegal, won the Kipp Award for Historical Romance around the same time The Lady of Galway Manor hit the Parable Group’s bestseller list, where it remained for two straight weeks.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why? I used to say a dolphin, but given how much I get seasick, that would probably be a very miserable existence. So, I think I’d like to be a dog that lives on a small farm in a mountain town.

What is your favorite food? I love pizza, and I love chocolate cake. Given the choice, I’d choose the cake first every time. J

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it? When I was trying to finish up The Lady of Galway Manor before the deadline, I hit a roadblock where I felt the story was done, I’d filled out as much as I could, but I was still massively short of my required wordcount. My wonderful agent encouraged me to simply take the number of words I had left I needed to write, and divide them by the number of chapters I had. It was so much easier to fill in a couple hundred words in each chapter than trying to think of several thousand words-worth of story in one chunk to add to the end.

Tell us about the featured book. The Lady of Galway Manor is my favorite story I’ve written so far, and it was so much fun to write!

In 1920, Annabeth De Lacy’s father is appointed landlord of Galway Parish in Ireland. Bored without all the trappings of the British Court, Annabeth convinces her father to arrange an apprenticeship for her with the Jennings family–descendants of the creator of the famed Claddagh Ring.

Stephen Jennings longs to do anything other than run his family’s jewelry shop. Having had his heart broken, he no longer believes in love and is weary of peddling the lies the Claddagh Ring promises.

Meanwhile, as the war for Irish independence gains strength, many locals resent the De Lacys and decide to take things into their own hands to display their displeasure. As events take a dangerous turn for Annabeth and her family, she and Stephen begin to see that perhaps the “other side” isn’t quite as barbaric and uncultured as they’d been led to believe–and that the bonds of friendship, love, and loyalty are only made stronger when put through the refiner’s fire.

Please give us the first page of the book.

Galway City, Ireland

April 16, 1920

No one ever tells the truth about love.

The stories and fables paint a glowing portrait of valiant acts and enduring romance. Love, it is said, is the most powerful force in the world.

Stephen Jennings knew better.

He watched the pair from behind the polished-glass case as they huddled together, giggling and fawning over one another. Stifling a groan, Stephen slid his hands into his pockets and leaned on the stool behind him. His fingers curled around the worn paper in his right pocket, its presence both a comfort and an annoyance.

“This one here, lad.” The gangly man gestured to the top shelf of the glass case. “We’ll take it.”

The rusty-haired lass swooned. “Oh, Charlie, do ya mean it? In earnest? Oh!” She squealed and threw her arms around her beau’s neck.

“Very good, sir.” Stephen removed the silver ring from the case and buffed it carefully with a polishing cloth. He started with the hands that encircled a heart, then moved to the crown that topped it. How many times had he recounted the tale of the Claddagh? More than he cared to tally. With any luck, the lovebirds wouldn’t ask him to regale them with the legend today. When the ring was sufficiently shined, he handed it to the gentleman.

Fingers trembling, the man took the ring. A foolish schoolboy grin spread across his face. His lass clapped incessantly, still giggling. The man glanced at Stephen out of the corner of his eye, the all-too-familiar twinkle of delight mixed with mischief gleaming in it.

Oh no. No. Not here.

The man sank to one knee. “Maggie, you know I love you.”

Maggie erupted into hysterics. Stephen gritted his teeth, jaw aching from the movement, and pasted on his best smile—though he feared it came across more as a grimace.

“You know I love you,” Charlie repeated. “And I couldn’t wait another second before askin’ ye . . . will you marry me?”

Unintelligible sounds gurgled from Maggie’s lips as she yanked him off the floor and kissed him hard, then held out a trembling hand.

“Is that . . . is that a yes?” The man’s puppy dog expression rivaled that of any begging canine in the alleys.

Good heavens, man, are ye daft? Stephen fought the urge to roll his eyes, while ignoring his own painful memory that surfaced unbidden. Not now.

“Oh, aye, Charles! Yes! Yes! A thousand times, yes!”

“I love you!” they declared in unison.

How can readers find you on the Internet? Readers can find links to my social media, sign up for my newsletter, and get information on all my books on my website at https://www.jenniferdeibel.com

Thank you, Jennifer, for sharing this book with me and my blog readers. I love books set in Ireland both historical and contemporary.

Readers, here=s a link to the book.

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=The+Lady+of+Galway+Manor+Jennifer+Deibel&i=stripbooks&crid=1GQ7Y86YZTA9V&sprefix=the+lady+of+galway+manor+jennifer+deibel%2Cstripbooks%2C608&ref=nb_sb_noss_1 

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