The Mistress of Pennington’s by Rachel Brimble

Please welcome Rachel Brimble author of the Mistress of Pennington’s

Rachel Brimble will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

The Mistress of Pennington’s

by Rachel Brimble

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GENRE: Saga/Romance

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INTERVIEW:

What expertise did you bring to your writing?

I’m a completely self-taught writer. I left school at 16 and went straight to work in a bank for 10 years. It wasn’t until my youngest daughter started school that I embarked on my life-long dream of becoming a published novelist. As far as expertise, I know about falling and staying in love (I’ve been happily married to my fabulous hubby for 20 years), I’m a mum to two beautiful girls, a dog owner, a feminist and a believer in equal rights.

All of this ‘expertise’ can often be found in my novels!

As far as your writing goes, what are your future plans?

Ooh, so many! I have two files full of story and/or series ideas for both contemporary and historical novels. I love to think that I’ll continue writing for as long as I’m physically and mentally able as I can’t imagine doing anything that gives me so much happiness and satisfaction. Of course, I’d also love to hit the bestsellers lists, earn my fortune and travel the world on a cruise ship as I write…

If you could be one of the characters from any of your books, who would it be and why?

I love women who make things happen so many of my heroines have this aspect to their personalities so it’s hard to name one as I love and admire all of them. I suppose the heroines most like me are Elizabeth Pennington, Cat Forrester (appears in many of my Templeton Cove novels) and Marian Cohen (who appears in ALL the Templeton Cove books).

They are determined, have known hurt and bereavement yet have picked themselves up and are fiercely protective of their loved ones.

If you were the casting director for the film version of your novel, who would play your leading roles?

This is an easy question to answer as I’m a very visual writer and begin each book scouring the internet for pics of my hero, heroine and villain (if I have one). For The Mistress of Pennington’s, Elizabeth Pennington would be played by Niamh Walsh and Joseph Carter would be played by Josh Lucas.

Do you belong to a critique group? If so how does this help or hinder your writing?

I have had the same three critique partners for years now and I’d be lost without them – they are amazing writers and people. We exchange a chapter at a time during our first drafts so any changes, suggestions and ideas can be hammered out in the beginning stages. It works so well for all of us and I really encourage any aspiring writers to grab yourself some critique partners as it’s so good to have someone there for you when the work is tough.

What is the best and worst advice you ever received? (regarding writing or publishing) the

Best – ‘Give yourself permission to write a crappy first draft’ This was from my friend and all-round fabulous writer, Julie Cohen. Once I took this advice on board, my output quadrupled, and I have relished the first draft of my books ever since.

Worst – ‘Give up writing, you’ll never be published’ This was from a first chapter contest judge. I have no idea if this person was having a bad day, but who says that to someone pursuing their dreams? Of course, I’d love to meet up with him and her today…

Do you outline your books or just start writing?

I’m very much a plotter and start with character sketches for my protagonists, then a chapter plan, then a 3-4 page synopsis. Once all of that is done, I’m confident to embark on the first draft. I write from beginning to end without looking back. The hard part comes in the following drafts!

Do you have an all time favorite book?

Not an all-time favourite book but I do have several all-time favourite authors who have never let me down – Nora Roberts, Jill Shalvis, Philippa Gregory and Alex Grecian. The only book I’ve read more than once is Gone With The Wind – I’ve read that three times so far so maybe that’s my favourite book!

Have you started your next project? If so, can you share a little bit about your book?

Pennington’s book 2, The Suffragette At Pennington’s, is sitting on my editor’s desk and I should receive any revisions very soon and I’ve started Pennington’s book 3. I am only three chapters in but loving this book as much as I did the first two. The Mistress of Pennington’s covered women rising in business, book 2, the suffrage movement and book 3 will cover divorce in the early 20^thcentury.

What is your favorite reality show?

The only reality shows I watch are Strictly Come Dancing and I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here – both UK shows. My teenage daughters, however, watch a LOT more than two, lol!

BLURB:

Elizabeth Pennington should be the rightful heir of Bath’s premier department store through her enterprising schemes and dogged hard work. Her father, Edward Pennington, believes his daughter lacks the business acumen to run his empire and is resolute a man will succeed him.

Determined to break from her father’s iron-clad hold and prove she is worthy of inheriting the store, Elizabeth forms an unlikely alliance with ambitious and charismatic master glove-maker Joseph Carter. United they forge forward to bring Pennington’s into a new decade, embracing woman’s equality and progression whilst trying not to mix business and pleasure.

Can this dream team thwart Edward Pennington’s plans for the store? Or will Edward prove himself an unshakeable force who will ultimately ruin both Elizabeth and Joseph?

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EXCERPT:

Her gentle study drifted to his mouth and back again. ‘Did you love her? The woman you once worked with?’

Joseph stared, as disquiet whispered through him. ‘Why do you ask?’

‘I find it implausible that a man who holds women in such high regard has not known what it means to love one. You have been in love. I see it in your eyes. Unfortunately for you, they’re very revealing.’

He ran his gaze over her face and hair. Every sound muted. The amber glow of the few lit candles danced over her skin, turning it pearlescent. ‘I was married. To a wonderful, caring woman. A woman who worked beside my father and I every day after we were married.’

Her voice softened. ‘What happened to her?’

‘She died.’ He would tell her no more, the shame of his failure burned like acid in his chest and he quickly stood, wanting the intensity to ease, her justified scrutiny to end. ‘Will you try on a pair of gloves?’

He brushed past her and breathed deep as he approached a box of his finished gloves. Lifting a pair of soft kid, perfectly stitched and the exact green of her eyes, the pale cream stitching the colour of her skin.

When he turned and walked back to his bench, she had sat in his seat. She carefully watched his approach, her eyes unreadable.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Rachel lives with her husband and two teenage daughters in a small town near Bath in the UK. Since 2007, she has had several novels published by small US presses, eight books published by Harlequin Superromance (Templeton Cove Stories) and four Victorian romances with eKensington/Lyrical.

In January 2018, she signed a four-book deal with Aria Fiction for a brand new Edwardian series set in Bath’s finest department store. The first book, The Mistress of Pennington’s, will release in July 2018.

Rachel is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and Romance Writers of America, and was selected to mentor the Superromance finalist of So You Think You Can Write 2014 contest. When she isn’t writing, you’ll find Rachel with her head in a book or walking the beautiful English countryside with her family. Her dream place to live is Bourton-on-the-Water in South West England.

She likes nothing more than connecting and chatting with her readers and fellow romance writers. Rachel would love to hear from you!

Links:

http://rachelbrimble.com/

http://rachelbrimble.blogspot.com/

https://www.facebook.com/rachelbrimbleauthor/

https://www.facebook.com/groups/RachelsReaders/?fref=ts

Amazon Author Page:

https://www.amazon.com/Rachel-Brimble/e/B007829ZRM/

Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1806411.Rachel_Brimble

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

Rachel Brimble will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f2712