Meet Jennifer Delamere author of A Lady Most Lovely

I am delighted to have Jennifer Delamere visit with us today to tell us a little bit about herself and her fabulous new novel, A Lady Most Lovely, set in London, England.

The youngest child of a Navy pilot and a journalist, Jennifer acquired a love of adventure and an excitement for learning that continues to this day. She’s lived in three countries and traveled throughout the United States. Her debut novel An Heiress at Heart was chosen by Grand Central Publishing to be the first inspirational romance for their Forever imprint and was a 2012 RITA® Award finalist. Her follow-up novel, A Lady Most Lovely, earned a starred review from Publishers Weekly. Jennifer loves reading classics and histories, which she mines for the vivid details to bring to life the people and places in her books.

Jennifer, please tell us a little more about yourself. 

I was raised in a military family, so we moved a lot when I was young, including a short time spent in Panama. I currently live in North Carolina, and like many writers, I have a “day job.” I edit educational materials for standardized school testing. I’ve been a Christian since high school, when a friend invited me to her church’s youth retreat. Ever since then, my love for God and His Word has influenced every major decision in my life.


Tell us about your latest book.

Margaret Vaughn is the wealthiest heiress in London—or so everybody thinks. Saddled with debts and facing financial and social humiliation, she finds an unlikely savior in Tom Poole . . . After surviving a shipwreck and amassing a fortune in the gold fields of Australia, Tom Poole is the toast of London society. Yet despite his new found fame, he’s never forgotten his own humble beginnings. When he learns of Margaret’s plight, he offers her financial assistance—but his interest is not strictly business. This rugged adventurer now seeks a different kind of gold. Although many men pursue Margaret’s hand because of her beauty and lands, can Tom convince her it’s her heart he’s after?

Is there any scene in your book that came from a real-life happening?

There are two, actually. The first is the story of Tom’s horse surviving a shipwreck and swimming seven miles to shore. That actually happened off the coast of Australia in the 1800s. The second is the funeral for the Duke of Wellington. In a suspenseful scene in A Lady Most Lovely, Tom must cross town quickly to help someone whose life is in danger, but the streets are choked by millions of people who turned out for the funeral procession.

What inspired you to write this particular book?

It’s a follow-up to An Heiress at Heart, although each book stands alone as a complete story. I love “marriage of convenience” plotlines, and I found it worked well for telling Tom and Margaret’s story.

What are you working on right now?

I’m finishing the final book in this trilogy. The hero is James Simpson, a lighthearted and loveable rogue who thinks he is a confirmed bachelor. No one will be more surprised than he is at the woman who finally steals his heart!

Ooh, that sounds like fun. Where do you get ideas for your books?

I often start with some tidbit from history and build from there. For example, An Heiress at Heart was partially inspired by a true story about a medieval Frenchman who for a time was able to successfully impersonate someone else.

That's really interesting. What are your favorite themes to write about?

I find that I keep returning to themes of forgiveness and putting the past behind. Although the events of our past inform and shape who we are, they do not have to dictate our future. Psalm 103 says that God throws our sins as far away as the east is from the west and remembers them no more. With God we can always find a new beginning if we so choose.

Is there anything else you’d like to tell us? Maybe a writing tip or advice for aspiring authors?

When I was first starting out, a fellow author gave me this tip, which I have followed with great success: Don’t worry about what is or is not trending—just write the book you want to read.

Where can fans find you or your books on the internet?

For book excerpts, ordering links, to subscribe to my mailing list or read my blog, visit my website: www.jenniferdelamere.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/jennifer.delamere

Twitter: @JenDelamere

Jennifer, thank you so much for visiting with us today at ICFW. And congratulations on that awesome PW review! 

Thank you so much for inviting me!

Blog readers, you can click through the links I included in the introduction to read the review and to purchase the book from The Book Depository that offers free international shipping with no minimum order. 

But...Jennifer is also giving away a copy of A Lady Most Lovely right here. This giveaway is open internationally!  

Please leave a comment or question for Jennifer, if you'd like a chance to win, and please leave your email address so that I can contact you if you do. I'm sure she'd love it if you'd like her FB page, too. I know that I always appreciate it when people like mine ~wink~  

The blessed recipient will be announced in the comments on Sunday, so if you prefer not to publish your email addy be sure to check back and then email me through my website: SandraOrchard.com

 
Sandra Orchard is an award-winning author of inspirational romantic suspense with Harlequin’s Love Inspired Suspense imprint, and Revell Publishing. She is an active member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America and The Word Guild (Canada). A mother of three grown children, she lives in Niagara, Canada with her real-life-hero husband and now writes full time…when not doting on her young grandchildren.  You can learn more about Sandra’s books and bonus features at www.SandraOrchard.com or connect at www.Facebook.com/SandraOrchard