Romance author Rachel Brimble is back with a new interview. Today she’s chatting with me about her new historical romance, Victoria & Violet.
During her virtual book tour, Rachel will be giving away a $20 Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner’s choice) gift card. To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit her other tours stops and enter there, too!
Bio:
Rachel lives in a small town near Bath, England. She is the author of 28 novels including the Ladies of Carson Street trilogy, the Shop Girl series (Aria Fiction) and the Templeton Cove Stories (Harlequin). Her latest novel, Victoria & Violet is the first book in her new Royal Maids series with the Wild Rose Press and released 17th October 2022.
Rachel is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association as well as the Historical Novel Society and has thousands of social media followers all over the world.
Welcome back to Reviews and Interviews, Rachel. Please tell us about your newest release.
Victoria & Violet is the first book in my brand-new Royal Maids series and is set in the court of a young Queen Victoria. The story revolves around Victoria’s relationship with her new housemaid Violet and how they bond over the dreadful treatment of their horrible mothers.
The romance in the book follows Violet’s burgeoning love for handsome courtier, James Greene who is struggling with his own familial obligations and expectations. Expect plenty of drama, intrigue & romance!
What inspired you to write this book?
Victoria & Violet is my 28th novel and for many years I have wanted to write a book that included real characters and events, but I was just too afraid to write it for fear of what I could and couldn’t do with regard to fiction vs fact. In the end I took the leap and loved absolutely every minute of writing it and think that Victoria & Violet is my best work to date. The reviews so far have been fabulous. Long may they continue!
The inspiration came from my love of TV period dramas and British royal history – I wanted to combine the two but concentrate on the servants equally as much (if not more), than the royals. Soon I knew I wanted to write a series about the servants to the queen or queen consort.
Excerpt from Victoria & Violet:
“What awaits me is marriage,” he said. “But I am not a man any woman should want for a husband so it’s something I will avoid for as long as possible.”
The curiosity in her eyes made his confidence falter, and James lifted his fingers from her arm. No doubt she thought him pathetic for fearing something that so many longed for. But Violet did not know him or what he might be capable of. Of the nasty, volatile temperament passed down through the men in his family for generations.
“Better marriage than imprisonment with a mother who has controlled and belittled you your entire life.” She smiled wryly, her gaze sad. “Better a son who will one day marry than a daughter shackled to a mother who wishes her to scheme and spy upon the only person who has made her feel human, liked, and worthy of a modicum of respect for the first time in months.”
He stilled. “Do you speak of the queen?”
Mistress Parker swallowed before looking at Victoria where she stood a few feet away. “What would you like to do if not marry?” she asked quietly.
James stared at her profile, unsure of her thoughts or disposition. “Stay at court where I am happy. Work hard. Rise within the hierarchy as a single man.”
“I want to paint.”
Had he heard her correctly? “Paint?”
She softly smiled as she faced him. “Yes. I dream of my landscapes hanging in every gallery and every grand house in the country. If you think yourself an oddity in this mercenary world, whatever must you think of me? Good evening, Mr. Greene.”
James stared after her as Violet disappeared amongst the mass of finery, his heart heavy for the sadness that emanated from her, yet his inquisitiveness about her had only deepened. He looked at Victoria as she laughed with Melbourne and others in her circle. Could it be that the queen saw the same spark of something special in Violet Parker that he did?
What’s the next writing project?
I started this series in Victoria’s court because the Victorian era is my favorite and I wanted to start where I am the most comfortable. I will soon be submitting the next book to my editor and this one is set in the court of the Prince and Princess of Wales who will eventually become Edward VII and Queen Alexandra – watch this space…
What is your biggest challenge when writing a new book? (or the biggest challenge with this book)
The biggest challenge for me while writing any of my books has been the middle – even though I am an experienced novelist and a huge plotter, every time I get to around 40-45,000 words I ground to a horrible halt. The good thing is, I know now to trust the process and I just keep writing. I honestly believe the best thing to do is get the entire book written from beginning to end and then you can clean up the messy bits in the following drafts.
If your novels require research – please talk about the process. Do you do the research first and then write, while you’re writing, after the novel is complete and you need to fill in the gaps?
I do a lot of research before I start writing as this give me scene ideas, regardless of whether the people I am writing about are real or not. I spend a lot of time reading non-fiction books and watching documentaries as well as visiting our local history center which has the most amazing archives.
Once I start writing, I usually come across spots where I realize I need deeper research and will make a note and continue. Once I’ve finished the book, I will go back and fill in the blank spots!
What’s your writing space like? Do you have a particular spot to write where the muse is more active? Please tell us about it.
I am lucky enough to have my own home office which I love after writing at the kitchen table for many years. I have a beautiful, big white desk (which is incredibly cluttered right now as I am balancing two writing projects and studying for a history degree!), on the wall in front of my monitor are two corkboards which hold pictures of my works in progress – the characters, their homes/workplaces etc.
Another wall is the window looking out onto our back garden and the other two walls are floor-to-ceiling bookshelves containing my own books, research books and an array of novels yet to be read!
What authors do you enjoy reading within or outside of your genre?
My favorite historical romance authors are Julia London and Julia Quinn. My favorite historical fiction authors are Philippa Gregory and Alison Weir. Outside of historical, I love Nora Roberts for contemporary romance/romantic suspense, Jodi Picoult for women’s fiction and Alex Grecian or S J Samson for (historical) crime.
Anything additional you want to share with the readers today?
I would love to just mention my First Chapter Critique service which is growing from strength to strength – it is a service for aspiring romance or women’s fiction authors who would love for me to look at their first chapter and critique the first 3,500 words as well as supplying a report on dialogue, setting, characterization, etc., which will enable them to go away and revise their entire book as they see fit. For more details, go to my dedicated website page here: https://rachelbrimble.com/first-chapter-critique-service/
Links:
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Thank you for coming back to Reviews and Interviews!
Hi Lisa!
Thanks so much for having me here today – I am looking forward to chatting with your visitors 🙂
Thanks for hosting!
Fantastic interview and excerpt, Rachel, Victoria & Violet sounds like a book that I will enjoy sharing with my mom!
Thanks for sharing it with me and have a magical day!
Very nice cover, this sounds great.
This sounds like a book that I am really going to enjoy.
Thank you for sharing your interview, bio and book details, I have enjoyed reading this post and I am looking forward to reading your stories. Your writing space sounds lovely, are you able to read or write when it is noisy or do you require peace and quiet or white noise as I do?
The book sounds wonderful. Great cover!