Interview with Rachel Hauck about her book,
To Save a King (True Blue Royal Book 2):
Congratulations on your May 5 book release! Let’s talk about it …
Alexis: Why would you call this book a modern-day fairy tale of hope and rescue?
Rachel: Well, any story with a prince is a “modern-day fairy tale.” But royalty are as human as any of us and life doesn’t leave them alone. In this story, the prince lost the love of his life and the heroine, Gemma, has lost her dream and in her mind, her dignity. Neither one wants love but their unlikely friendship changes everything.
Alexis: Use words to paint a picture of your story’s setting. What is it called? What makes this place special to your characters?
Rachel: The first half of the book is set in middle Tennessee which is lush, green, beautiful and hot. The second half is set in Lauchtenland, my fictional country set in the North Sea. It’s ancient, picturesque, a blend of English, German and Swedish culture.
Alexis: Let’s talk about your story’s heroine, Gemma Stone. Why does she dream of being famous and rich? Who does she love and who does she not like? Describe her looks, personality and heart.
Rachel: She wants to make a difference in the world. She is beautiful and thinks a career in Hollywood will open doors for her. But she loses herself in the shallowness of having to look and act a certain way. She ends up doing something she would never do before.
Alexis: How did Gemma end up running a rescue ranch and raising her friends’ orphaned daughter?
Rachel: She didn’t know it but Imani’s parents made Gemma her guardian should anything happen to them. Since they were young and healthy, no one expected either of them to die. Their short lives left a daughter. Gemma is just home from Las Vegas and the worst experience of her life. She needs Imani as much as Imani needs her.
Alexis: Let’s talk about the hero of our story, His Royal Highness (HRH) Crown Prince John. What are his greatest strengths and worst weaknesses? Describe his looks, personality and heart.
Rachel: He’s military trained, on the brawny side, and has dark hair. He’s very kind and generous and smart. He’s also hurting.
Alexis: What brings Prince John to Hearts Bend? What does he like about that special place?
Rachel: His mother, the queen, sends him on an errand. He likes Hearts Bend because he feels he can be a regular bloke.
Alexis: What were Prince John’s first thoughts about Gemma when they met?
Rachel: He liked her. A lot. But love was not on his mind.
Alexis: What are the themes of this book? Why?
Rachel: The theme is layered but I think it’s about God being with us in our darkest moments.
Alexis: How did your real-life faith in God affect your fictional storytelling in this case?
Rachel: I’m interested in a friendship with God and His purposes on the Earth. In some ways, that desire influences all my stories. But the spiritual journey is unique to each book.
Alexis: What do you want people to remember most about this story?
Rachel: I hope To Save a King is fun, entertaining and hope-filled.
Alexis: Complete this sentence: If I were not a successful NYT bestselling author, I’d try to be a ___________________ because I _____________________________.
Rachel: If I were not a successful NYT bestselling author, I’d try to be a broadcaster because I like talking.
Alexis: Thanks for the interview, Rachel! Would you like to share closing thoughts?
Rachel: Thanks for having me!
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Author Bio:
Rachel Hauck is an award winning, New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author.
Rachel was awarded the prestigious Career Achievement Award for her body of original work by Romantic Times Book Reviews.
A retired member of the American Christian Fiction Writers Executive Board, she teaches workshops and leads worship at the annual conference. She is a past Mentor of the Year.
In the real world, she’s a wife, writer, worship leader and works out at the gym semi-enthusiastically.
A graduate of Ohio State University (Go Bucks!) with a degree in Journalism, she’s a former sorority girl and a devoted Ohio State football fan. Her bucket list is to stand on the sidelines with Ryan Day.
She lives in sunny central Florida with her husband and ornery cat.
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Back cover blurb for To Save a King:
A modern-day fairy tale of hope and rescue from NYT bestselling author Rachel Hauck
After growing up in small-town Hearts Bend, Tennessee, Gemma Stone set off to Hollywood to make her mark in the world.
But her ambition turned into a journey of a “thousand” bad decisions and after twelve years of seeking fame and fortune, Gemma returns home with a limp and a dark secret.
Now she runs a rescue ranch and is raising her friends’ orphaned daughter. She’s keenly aware these defenseless ones are also rescuing her. She just wants to stay hidden in the safe world she’s created.
HRH Crown Prince John has learned a royal title cannot shield him from heartbreak. As heir to the revered House of Blue and married to the love of his life, he believed his future reign would strengthen the royal dynasty of Lauchtenland. Then tragedy changed everything. Can anything save him from his grief?
When he travels to Hearts Bend on a mission for his mother, Queen Catherine, he’s drawn into the local life and cajoled into a three-legged race with the beautiful Gemma Stone during the 4th of July festivities.
While the event has a disastrous result, Prince John and Gemma form a quick friendship—one of two wounded souls finding comfort in one other. However, love is absolutely not an option. John desperately wants to hold onto the memories of his wife, and Gemma refuses to trust her heart to any man. Even a prince.
Then Prince John is called home for an emergency. How can he leave the woman who lifted him from his sorrows? But can Gemma join him on a royal stage and risk her secret coming to light?
With a touch of divine help, Prince John and Gemma just might find the kind of love that saves and ultimately write their very own fairy tale.
To Save a King is book two in the True Blue Royal series.
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Buy Rachel’s book on Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes and Noble, or Kobo
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Connect with Rachel:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/rachelhauck
Twitter: www.twitter.com/rachelhauck
Instagram: www.instagram.com/rachelhauck
Amazon: www.amazon.com/author/rachelhauck
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/rachel-hauck
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Enter this book giveaway contest for your chance to WIN a copy of Rachel's book by filling out the entry form on the Rafflecopter widget below:
The fairy tale aspect sounds so interesting!
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