RACHEL VAN DYKEN
~Author of The Ugly Duckling Debutante~
Hi Rachel! Welcome to the blog, lets just dive in and discuss your novel!!!
What inspired you to write The Ugly Duckling Debutante?
I've always written contemporary romance but my heart has always been owned by Regency and historical. I remember sitting at school one day (I was a school counselor at the time), I had just had a discussion with a few jr high girls about self esteem and was getting frustrated because they were beautiful girls believing the lie that they weren't attractive b/c they didn't meet a certain standard. As I sat in class after our meeting my mind began working...haha.... I wrote the first two chapters that day at work during my break. A regency romance based off the old fairy tale "The Ugly Duckling," naturally I added my own twists and I know that some who read it wonder how the girl believed herself to be ugly that whole time, but if you know something to be true your entire life, it takes more than a few people telling you otherwise for you to start to believe them. It was such a fun story to write, and the next two books in the series have been just as fun!
Did you have to do any traveling or major research to write your novel?
OH my goodness! I DID so much research! I have an entire binder for my regency romance research as well as several books on language back then! I carry everything with me when I go to Starbucks to write, and it looks like I'm getting ready to write a research paper!
What authors or books have inspired you?
I love Julia Quinn. When it comes to historical romance, she's brilliant! I also really appreciate Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer.
If you could pick a song that encapsulated The Ugly DD, what would it be and why?
hmm probably Christina Perri "A Thousand Years," I say that because the love between Nicolas and Sara is so strong once she accepts herself and once he also learns to love selflessly.
Can you share any future plans with us?
OF COURSE! I just released my sequel to Ugly D. its entitled "The Seduction of Sebastian St. James," and picks up where Ugly Duckling leaves off. I'm currently writing the third book in the series "The Redemption of Lord Rawlings," and have two more books coming out this spring! I've been busy writing and reading- trying to get the books out before they burn my brain.
**Awesome! Thanks for stopping by today Rachel, Im looking forward to reading Ugly D and wish you the best of luck with the series....and ps- Ive got to say I adore the cover of the book, so pretty!!
Author Bio:
Rachel Van Dyken is a Graduate of Northwest Nazarene University, with a degree in Social Sciences with an emphasis in industrial psychology and a minor in Spanish. She is also a Post Graduate of California Coast University receiving a MBA with an emphasis in Human Resource Management. She resides in Nampa, Idaho and counsels children. Starbucks is a daily must, spiders make her scream, and she loves chocolate but is allergic, of course. Nate, her husband makes her laugh so hard she cries and they share their Pacific Northwest home with a very loud snoring boxer named Sir Winston Churchill.
Rachel loves to read almost as much as she loves to write. Although she loves to write contemporary romance, her heart will always be with historical and regency romances. Glittering balls and dangerous rakes hold her captivated like chocolate and Starbucks.
GIVEAWAY
Thanks to Rachel today I have one Ebook copy of The Ugly Duckling Debutante to give away to readers. To enter please just leave a comment with link to email or profile page. Winner will be drawn 2/18/12.
The Ugly Duckling Debutante
by Rachel Van Dyken
by Rachel Van Dyken
September 26th 2011 by Astraea Press
Since childhood Sara has lived with the reality of being ugly. Something her awful family never ceased to remind her. After her sisters run off to Gretna Green, she's left with one choice--go to London and take their place for a Season. It's up to her to marry well and save her family from financial ruin. A distant aunt decides it's in her best interest to sponsor Sara for the season and help her snag a husband by any means possible. Nicholas Devons, Earl of Renwick, is a retired rake and consequently bored with life. He's given up beautiful women and carnal pleasures. Desperation makes him decide to give his massive fortune away and marry the first country girl he sees. Lucky for Sara she's that girl. Unlucky for Nicholas, he's to be her new tutor in the ways of the ton. Two waltzes, one masquerade, a violent carriage ride, and two duckless ponds later.... and all that's left is a fun twist on one of the oldest stories ever told.
Find out more about Rachel on the Web~Goodreads
sounds like an interesting read!! thank you for the giveaway!!!
ReplyDeletecyn209 at juno dot com
I'd love to read it! Thanks for the chance to win!!!
ReplyDeletealiasgirl at libero dot it
Oh, this sounds like so much fun! I love the story of the Ugly Duckling (I actually have a post of it on my bedroom wall), and to combine it with Regency romance is brilliant. Umm, and anyone who likes Julia Quinn gets an A+ sticker.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to win!
celialarsen(at)gmail(dot)com
Sounds interesting. Thanks for the giveaway. erins826 at gmail dot com
ReplyDeleteThanks for the giveaway! It sounds like a really neat story. The interview was fantastic, too!
ReplyDeleteSilly me, forgot my e-mail address...
ReplyDelete[email protected]
Thanks so much for hosting me! And good luck to everyone ;)
ReplyDeleteGreat interview. Awesome song. I haven't seen Breaking Dawn yet so I hadn't heard it. I love it. Gave me the chills.
ReplyDelete(not an entry)
PS LOVE the title and cover. Well done! :) Very romantic and lovely.
ReplyDeletePPS The video made my heart tighten for my beloved Jacob.
ReplyDeleteLOL-Juju you crack me up...:)
ReplyDeleteChristina Perri! I love her!!
ReplyDelete"but if you know something to be true your entire life, it takes more than a few people telling you otherwise for you to start to believe them."
It's scary how true that statement is. But what a wonderful way to pick up inspiration for a story. I don't think the message of girls who don't fit the standard ideal of beauty can still be beautiful can be shared too much.
Please enter me: missie at theunreadreader.com
thanks for the chance to read this novel :)
ReplyDeletekarenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com
Wow this sounds so good, and love love love the cover. Plus that song is one of my favs. I have misse you a ton girl. I am finally back! Thanks for the giveaway, and hope to get back in communication with you soon! Have a great week.
ReplyDeleteForgot to give you my email:
ReplyDelete[email protected]
Also love the new look!
it sounds amazing!
ReplyDeleteand beside, i love the cover *-*
thanks for the giveaway!
and for making it international (:
andiiblogs(at)hotmail.com
The Ugly Duckling was one of my childhood favorites. I would love to read a retelling. Great interview! Awesome giveaway. Thanks Tina.
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