The Lady and Her Quill by Ruth A. Casie
Renowned
author Lady Alicia Hartley has lost her muse after a bad review. She blames it
all on the author JC Melrose. A chance encounter with a handsome, witty Justin
Caulfield has her heart racing, and her muse seemingly back. Is he her savior
or her worst nightmare?
He
didn’t see the turbulent ocean. He was too busy dealing with a different
tempest.
The
recently retired Captain Justin Caulfield is facing his own demons. As gifted
author JC Melrose, his stories honor men who died at the hand of one man. His
only focus is to avenge their deaths, that is, until he meets and falls in love
with Lady Alicia.
The two authors take on a writing challenge based on
a story of stolen gold taken from the newspaper headlines all to determine the
better writer. While researching the story, Lady Alicia is captured by the
thieves’ ringleader. Can Lady Alicia turn this mystery into an award-winning
story? Can Justin save his real-life heroine? Can they both overcome their own
challenges for a happily ever after?
Buy Link – Amazon
Kindle Unlimited
~~~~
Frequently Asked Questions
What do people get wrong about romance?
At a recent gathering (socially
distanced) I heard those words from men who I believed were progressive,
educated, understanding. They thought they were being cheeky. They thought they
were being brash. They thought they were being funny. When in fact, they
weren’t thinking at all. And rather than correct them, teach them, embarrass
them, I said nothing. I smiled and ate a tasteless sandwich.
And the position isn’t unique to men.
While I didn’t attend a meeting of a woman’s organization I belong to a member
who was there mentioned with regret that she suggested my book for the book
club but was told no one reads those types of books.
In a repressed environment, prior to
the 18th century where women had no rights, women wrote stories from
their heart dreams of independence, control, and freedom. To quote Maya Rodale,
“We are writing stories about women who triumph in a world that doesn’t want
women to triumph.” It breaks away from the accepted norm of the era which is
threatening to those in control and can be linked to the rise in the call for
women’s rights.
Romance stories take you on a journey
as a woman in any era, in any genre finds her fulfilment and a deserving
happily ever after.
What attracted you to your current partner?
I was a single mom with two young
daughters. I had no idea how to socialize other than with other moms, usually
in play groups. I joined a singles group that played softball. I’m not an
athlete, so I volunteered to handle the BBQ. As the season changed, a small
group in my age range broke off. They asked if I would host parties at their
houses. At the time, our local paper had a singles page. I advertised the
parties and if you wanted to come, you had to call for reservations. A
gentleman called to make a reservation for the Super Bowl Party. He came to the
party and called me the following day. He thanked me for the dinner and asked
that I put him on the list for the next party. Then he invited me to the
Philharmonic. During a light supper, I took out index cards of women his age
and went through them to see who he was interested in. He humored me. We spoke
during the week and went out the following Saturday. I took out another bunch
of index cards. He showed no interest in any of them. I was quickly running out
of people to introduce him to. At our third meeting, I took out the cards,
looked at him, then put them away. He took my hand across the table. “I’ve been
waiting three weeks for you to realize it is you I want to be with.” It is 37
years later. He is called Daddy by my girls and our son, and Pop Pop by our
grandchildren. He is my hero in so many ways.
What is the best or worst thing that has ever happened to you as a
writer?
This is a hard question. There are so
many wonderful things. Fangirl moments with Diana Gabaldon, Eloisa James, Nora
Roberts. Included in anthologies with some of the best romance authors. The
first time a person recognized me and showed me my book on her Kindle. A call
that my story made the USA Today bestselling list.
As for the worst, please read my
response to ‘what inspired you to write this book.’
What would you like people to know about you?
Nothing is more important to me. Give
me opportunity and I will tell you all about them My oldest daughter, a
pre-school teacher has rallied during the pandemic to teach 15 three-year-olds remotely.
Her younger sister has just started a cottage cookie business. Her creations
are AWESOME. Her brother is a cyber security engineer (I would proudly tell you
what he does but even his mother doesn’t know – his work is top security). We
have hour grandchildren and cannot wait to see them all for the holiday.
I am passionate about my family, and I
bring that passion into my writing.
If you had to do it all over again, would you still choose to
write books?
Yes, but I wouldn’t have waited so
long. I loved my job at the bank and spent over 25 years there. However, the
creativity and camaraderie I have found in the writing community has been
wonderful, and I find out more about myself with each book I write.
What inspired your featured book?
A combination of things inspired The
Lady and Her Quill. I was so excited when my first book was published. Ok.
I will admit that I get excited when each book is published. It really never
gets old. But with my first book I was so eager and hungry to be part of this
new world. My author friends were enthusiastic, encouraging, excited for me. I
signed books for them and was asked to speak at meetings, in front of readers.
It was exciting and wonderful.
I remember my first 5-star review and
the ones that followed. I diligently read all the reviews to see what worked
and what didn’t. Then there was this 1-star review. I remember staring at the
rating before reading what the reviewer had written. When I got the courage
(yes, it took courage) to read it I was shocked. There was little about the
story in the review but a whole lot about me. It was a personal attack.
I remember the hurt, the fear, the
I’ll-never-write-again feeling. My editor and friends set me on the right
course. But that review lingered in the back of my mind. So… my heroine, Lady
Alicia Hartley is one of those scribbling women of the Regency who gets a
review that attacks her self-confidence and set her in a tailspin… Sound
familiar?
Postscript: Today, I would thank that
reviewer. She made me stronger, more resilient, and much more determined.
Tell me more about the Ladies of Sommer-by-the-Sea.
The Lady and Her Quill is Book 1
of the Regency series The Ladies of Sommer-by-the-Sea
Welcome to Sommer-by-the-Sea, a vibrant village nestled on the
rugged northeast coast of England, 15 miles north of Newcastle upon Tyne. Here,
the world is centered on the country village and the lives of the landowning
and professional families. Sommer-by-the-Sea is populated with aristocrats,
gentry, self-made men, shop owners, local workers, and servants, a
cross-section of the people of the time. Steeped in history dating back as far
as the Vikings, the villagers are proud and celebrate their heritage.
Everyone from the elite summer residents to the year-round
residence keep businesses flourishing and gossip thriving. As with any small
town, there are challenges and successes, secrets, disagreements, and feuds.
There is no shortage of romance, mystery, drama, and even a murder or two.
Graduates of the Sommer-by-the-Sea Female Seminary have a unique
education. Along with the usual studies available, the head mistress has
nurtured each woman’s innate ability and helped them develop into the women
they are today. This shared unique experience has kept the graduates close.
Each lady has her own story to tell as she is called to action and
must demonstrate she is smart, strong and sensible and must challenge the
accepted definition of a “woman’s place.” For these women, arranged or
political marriages will not do. If she chooses a husband, it will be for love,
on her own terms, and with a man who will accept her as a partner.
It is with pleasure I introduce you to The Ladies of
Sommer-by-the-Sea, and their stories.
Book 1 – The Lady and Her Quill
Book 2 – The Lady and the Spy
Book 3 – The Lady and Her Duke
~~~~
About Ruth ~
Ruth A Casie is a USA Today bestselling author. She writes historical adventures from the shores of medieval Scotland to the cobblestone streets of Regency London. Within the pages you’ll discover ‘edge-of-your-seat’ suspense, mind boggling drama, and heart melting emotions embracing strong women and the men who deserve them. Grab your favorite cup of tea, or an ale if you prefer, and join her heroes and heroines as they race across the pages to find their happily ever after. Ruth hopes her stories are your next favorite adventures!
Where You Can Find Ruth:
Website: https://ruthacasie.com/
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Amazon Author Page: https://amazon.com/author/ruthacasie
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