She told a lie. He confirmed it. Now they’re secretly betrothed against their families’ wishes…
Lady Octavia Dorchester is the most desired young lady in the Realm. Now that she has twenty years behind her, society has deemed her ready to marry. Although she’s not enthusiastic, she promises to act like a proper lady and look for a good husband—just like her powerful father Lord Roman Dorchester wants.
Lord Gerald Verte has been painfully shy his entire life. He’s never been comfortable in society and lives in the shadow of his older brother, the imposing Lord Tristian Verte. Despite his desires to remain indoors and away from people, he promises his older brother that he won’t shame the family name, no matter how much his anxiety threatens to overwhelm him.
This high-heat romance with a guaranteed HEA is a prequel to Gathering of the Four: Book One of the Serrulata Saga but can be read as a standalone.
Writing Interview questions.
Why did you choose to write your book in this era?
The main book in my series, Gathering of the Four, takes place more than two thousand years in the future, when the Hale-Bopp comet is set to return. When the comet initially appeared back in 1997, I was a teenager and pretty obsessed, so I wrote a short story about the comet giving a young girl powers. Fast forward a few decades and the first book of The Serrulata Saga was drafted. One of my critique partners made a comment about loving Octavia and Gerald and wanting to know more about them, and thus this prequel was born.
Did you find researching this era particularly difficult? What was the hardest thing to find out, and did you come across anything particularly surprising?
Well, this is the best part about writing in the far future, I think. Within a few minor constraints, I was pretty much able to make up what I wanted. In any world - whether based on reality or completely made up - there have to be rules, but I think the farther into the future you go, the more flexibility you have. So, I was able to create this Regency-esque story with nuclear power towers in the background. It was really fun mashing romance and scifi together like that.
Can you share something about the book that isn’t covered in the blurb?
Oooo I don’t want to give too much away and this is a novella so it’s short but I can tell you that Gerald’s experiences with anxiety mimic some of mine. It’s hard being judged by those around you!
If you had to describe your protagonist(s), in three words, what would those three words be and why?
I will admit this is hard because I have to think back to young Octavia and Gerald… and not the age they are now. (I am starting to work on Book Three of the series, which is twenty-five years after Yours and Mine.)
Octavia: strong, willful, arrogant
Gerald: reserved, nervous, compromising
I think these words would best describe how each of these two are at the beginning of Yours and Mine, but if you read my other books, you’ll see not all of these adjectives apply currently.
What was the most challenging part about writing your book?
Keeping track of where everyone was at the time of Yours and Mine so that it aligns with where they are during Gathering of the Four and the sequel, Test of the Four.
(Try and say that three times fast - haha.)
Was there anything that you edited out of this book that would have drastically affected the story, should it be left in?
No. I wrote this soon after releasing Gathering of the Four, so the overall story was still very fresh in my mind. And it was always intended to be a novella, so I had the length in mind from the beginning.
What are you currently working on?
Whew! Lots! I’m putting the finishing touches on my second Serrulata Saga romance, Second Glance. I’ve also sent my third romance out for feedback from my critique partners. This spring, I’m going to start drafting my first horror novella, which will also be in The Serrulata Saga world. Gonna plug my newsletter here, since that’s the easiest way to keep up with everything I have going on (including sales & giveaways).
What would you tell an aspiring author who had some doubts about their writing abilities?
Find folks you can trust to bounce ideas off of. The initial draft of my first book was an absolute disaster and I wouldn’t have been able to publish had I not had critique partners who were firm but kind.
Personal Interview questions.
What do you like to do when you are not writing?
I enjoy running 5k’s. I also love trying new foods, wine, and beer.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
When I was very young, a veterinarian. I’ve always loved animals, but then I got to biology…
What’s for dinner tonight? What would you rather be eating?
If it didn’t affect my waistline and wallet, I’d eat at a new restaurant every night. Alas, I’m not wealthy so I have to settle for the veggie casserole in the fridge.
Either or!
Tea or coffee: Coffee
Hot or cold: Hot
Movie or book: Book
Morning person or Night owl: Morning person when it comes to the day job; Night owl when it comes to writing
City or country: City
Social Media or book: Book
Paperback or ebook: ebook, but only because we don’t have room in our apartment for physical books
GIVEAWAY!
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Thanks for being on the tour! :)
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