The Duchess Quest: Author Interview and Giveaway
The Duchess Quest (Jordinia #1)
by C.K. Brooke
"Love is destined to find her..."
Dainy doesn't know that she is the lost Duchess of Jordinia, believed to have been assassinated fifteen years ago. Nor does she know that her uncle has implemented an illegal contest to seek her, offering her marriage hand as the reward!
by C.K. Brooke
"Love is destined to find her..."
Dainy doesn't know that she is the lost Duchess of Jordinia, believed to have been assassinated fifteen years ago. Nor does she know that her uncle has implemented an illegal contest to seek her, offering her marriage hand as the reward!
Though at odds, three clashing rivals - including a noble giant, a forest dweller and a thieving rake - voyage together by woodland, prairie and sea to recover the lost royal, notwithstanding the assassins and spies at their tail. Soon, young Dainy is swept into a comically complex romantic quadrangle as each suitor competes to capture her heart. Charmingly romantic and bursting with political intrigue, startling twists and vivid characters, readers of romance and fantasy alike will adore this original yet timeless tale of swashbuckling adventure and unlikely love.
I have received a complimentary copy of this book to review. The opinions here are 100% mine! This post contains affiliate links.
About the Author
C.K. Brooke is a 2015 Shelf Unbound Notable Indie author with a five-star rating by Readers' Favorite. She holds numerous fantasy and romance publications with 48fourteen, Limitless Publishing, and Elphame Press. Her lifelong passion is books - reading, writing, editing, publishing and blogging about them. When not blissing out in literary land, she enjoys infotainment podcasts, singing, songwriting and playing the piano. She lives in Washington, Michigan with her husband and young son. There're tons to check out at the new CKBrooke.com, so come and see what she's up to! Check out her V.I.P. Readers Club (Subscribers get a free eBook!)
Author Links:
Website│Goodreads│Twitter│Facebook│Amazon PageWho is your favorite author? Why?
Hate to be cheesy, but J.K. Rowling, man! Although I'd already started writing books before she was published, she's probably the reason I'm an author today. I remember reading the Harry Potter series for the first time in sixth grade (back then, only four books were out) and realizing in awe, for the first time, how a book could completely suck me out of my reality and blow my world away. I fell in love with reading through her.
Who is your favorite or least favorite character in your book? Why?
My favorite character is Jon Cosmith. One reviewer described him as a "charming bastard," and that's why I love him. He's sexy, flawed, ambiguous, and wickedly funny. As for my least favorite character... It's so hard to dislike anyone, even my bad guys, because they're all dutifully playing out the roles I wrote for them. But I'd have to say, for this particular book, DuBerre and Visidair - the Head of Jordinian Intelligence and his hitman spy - are pieces of work.
How do you handle writer’s block?
I don't get writer's block, just writer's ADD. LOL! I'm never out of ideas. You should see my notebooks overflowing with story concepts I don't have nearly enough time to write out at this stage in my life, with an active preschooler at home. But if I'm ever stuck on something, I just go back to the outline, or follow Joseph Campbell's legendary advice: "Follow your bliss." If I'm writing what I'm passionate about, then the flow will never ebb.
I don't get writer's block, just writer's ADD. LOL! I'm never out of ideas. You should see my notebooks overflowing with story concepts I don't have nearly enough time to write out at this stage in my life, with an active preschooler at home. But if I'm ever stuck on something, I just go back to the outline, or follow Joseph Campbell's legendary advice: "Follow your bliss." If I'm writing what I'm passionate about, then the flow will never ebb.
What advice do you have for young/student writers?
Chase your passion. Follow your bliss. You have to be emotionally, personally and vehemently invested in what you're writing for it to succeed. Don't chase a trend or write for a market - be yourself, and write the story only you can tell. Also, listen to your editors. They know best. *wink*
Explain your revision process.
In the beginning, with this book? Oh, boy, it was a nightmare. I had to rewrite The Duchess Quest dozens of times before it was market-ready. Although I'd been hobby writing all my life, I was a complete n00b in the professional field back then. The book started out with twice the word count, and I had to chisel it down to half its size. That was almost three years ago. Now, having just completed my ninth manuscript (incidentally, the third book in the Jordinia series!), my revision process is much lighter. One could say I've gotten the hang of it by now. :)
In the beginning, with this book? Oh, boy, it was a nightmare. I had to rewrite The Duchess Quest dozens of times before it was market-ready. Although I'd been hobby writing all my life, I was a complete n00b in the professional field back then. The book started out with twice the word count, and I had to chisel it down to half its size. That was almost three years ago. Now, having just completed my ninth manuscript (incidentally, the third book in the Jordinia series!), my revision process is much lighter. One could say I've gotten the hang of it by now. :)
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