Interview with Rachel Hauck about her book,
To Love A Prince (True Blue Royal Book 1):
Alexis: What inspired you to start writing royal romance stories?
Rachel: I’ve been a fan of the British royal family since Prince Charles married Diana. After her death, we didn’t hear much about the Windsors in America. Then Prince William married Kate and I knew the “royals were back.” She was so poised and beautiful. After William and Kate’s wedding, I came up with my first royal wedding series.
Alexis: What is To Love A Prince about and how is it different from your previous royal romances?
Rachel: At the core, I think To Love A Prince is about second chances. It’s different from my other royal romance based on the journey of the characters’ themselves. They drive the story.
Alexis: Tell us about your story’s heroine Daffodil Caron. What does she look like/sound like/act like?
Rachel: Daffy is sweet, funny, artistic. She grew up with the princes from the House of Blue when her mother worked for the queen. But a secret separated them for almost twenty years. When we meet her, she’s living her best life. Or so she thinks. But love has other ideas.
Alexis: Describe the setting for this story. What makes it special to your main characters?
Rachel: Most of this story takes place in a small hamlet called Dalholm. It’s fun, quaint and beautiful. The hamlet is special to the prince because it’s the location of Hadsby Castle where he spent his childhood summers. Dalholm is also the place where Prince Gus and Daffodil discover their real purpose.
Alexis: Tell us about your story’s hero His Royal Highness (HRH) Prince Augustus. Describe his looks, personality and heart.
Rachel: He’s a very broken man when the story begins. But he’s lived through controversy throughout his life and knows how to survive. He’s very self-deprecating at the start.
Alexis: Is there anything about Daffodil that Prince Augustus does not like?
Rachel: There’s nothing he doesn’t like about her.
Alexis: Why did the media used to label Prince Augustus as “Prince Pudgy” when he was a child? How did he feel about this cruel label? In what ways has he changed now that he is an adult?
Rachel: He’s never liked the moniker, but it’s made him stronger. I also think it made him empathetic to others who struggle. Being a prince didn’t shield him from pain and teasing.
Alexis: After going for such a long time without seeing each other, what happens to their head and heart when Prince Augustus and Daffodil reconnect? Give insight into their thoughts and feelings.
Rachel: Prince Gus and Daffodil have a really great meet-cute on a beach. The thing I loved about the connection was she reminded him of who he really was and how important he was to the people of Lauchtenland. He reminded her of her childhood and of her dream to make a difference in the world.
Alexis: Give us a hint of how romantic love begins to bloom between Prince Augustus and Daffodil.
Rachel: Daffodil works for the Royal Trust and she’s sent on a mission to Hadsby Castle the same time as Prince Gus. From there, fun and love ensue.
Alexis: What threatens to destroy this new romance between old friends?
Rachel: Daffy has a secret about the queen and through no fault of her own, the news gets out.
Alexis: What do you want readers to remember most about this story?
Rachel: I’d love for readers to be engrossed in a fun, romantic story that’s full of hope.
Alexis: If you were Daffodil’s best friend, what would you say to her about her romantic relationship and everything that a woman will have to overcome when she decides to love a prince?
Rachel: She was born for it. It’s her destiny.
Alexis: Thanks for the interview, Rachel! Would you like to share closing comments?
Rachel: Thanks for having me! I’m honored!
~*~
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.
~*~
Back cover blurb for To Love A Prince:
An enchanting new royal romance from NYT bestselling author Rachel Hauck.
Flash forward eighteen years, and Daffy’s living a sweet, non-royal life. A skilled art curator for the Royal Trust, she has friends, a flat in the heart of the capital city, and a handsome, successful boyfriend. The last person on her mind is Gus, the prince she once called her best mate.
HRH Prince Augustus is no longer “Prince Pudgy,” as caricatured by the press—he’s charming and gorgeous, possessing a world-famous smile. But after he’s jilted at the altar, then dumped by his second fianceé, the spare heir to Lauchtenland’s ancient House of Blue finds solace on a Florida beach.
A year as a regular bloke allows him to rethink his purpose. He’s half decided his calling is to pour pints at a tiki bar rather than serve his country and the Family.
But a wild Frisbee toss down the beach changes his destiny.
Despite his long hair and beard, Daffy recognizes her prince. She reminds Gus of his heritage and assures him that he’s needed in Lauchtenland.
When Daffy and Gus find themselves on assignment at Hadsby Castle in preparation for his brother’s wedding ball, their friendship blooms into affection.
Then secrets are exposed, and Gus must choose between his past hurts and his future hope. And Daffy must trust her heart to forever love a prince.
~*~
Buy Rachel’s book on Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes and Noble, or Kobo
~*~
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
~*~
Enter this book giveaway contest for your chance to WIN a copy of this book by filling out the entry form on the Rafflecopter widget below:
Deliberate commitment and steadfast faith in Christ.
ReplyDeleteIt would take a lot of self-evaluating to be sure that it is truly the man, and not the idea or the money or his material possessions, that you're in love with.
ReplyDeleteS. Daisy