On my blog today, I bring to you the wonder Rachel Walter with a quick interview as well as a review for her newest novel A Message of Flowers. This post will also be my reveal of the new cover to her novel, if you haven't already witnessed it on one of the other blogs that are on this tour of hers. So, to start things off, I believe that we will do up the interview that I had with Rachel Walter.
- Christopher Chapman
I'm here with Rachel Walter, Author of True Connection, and now A Message of Flowers. Hello Rachel, how are you doing this evening? - Rachel Walter
Not too bad, Chris. Thanks for having me! - Christopher Chapman
So, you've recently released your second novel recently. How do you feel about this?Ignore the second recently...
- Rachel Walter
Like with the first release, it's a bit like a dream.
Christopher Chapman
And with this new Novel, A Message of Flowers, will it be a solo novel or will it be the beginning of a series?
- Rachel Walter
It is a series. When I started writing AMoF, I only intended it to be a standalone. But by the time I had finished, I knew a few characters needed their story.
- Christopher Chapman
Understandable. Now what was the hardest part about writing this story?
- Rachel Walter
Emotionally, it was a scene where Georgina goes to Corbin's house, his dream house. A fixer-upper of a farm. Minus the greenhouse and the main house details, I based it off of my grandpa's farm. That scene brought back a lot of memories from my childhood. I loved it there. The, um.... The "bedroom" scenes, made me very uncomfortable to write. It was very much outside of my comfort zone.
Christopher Chapman
Well, I must say that one would have ever guessed that the 'bedroom' scene was out of your comfort zone. It was very well written.
- Rachel Walter
Thank you. Lol.
- Christopher Chapman
Now with A Message of Flowers, or AMoF as you put it, how were the comma's this time around. Knowing first hand that the comma's gave you hell with your first novel.
- Rachel Walter
Ouiy. My friend the comma. I'm honestly getting better with them, but sometimes I still catch myself tossing them about like I'm throwing candy at parade-goers. I'm not perfect but I am trying.
- Christopher Chapman
Glad to hear that there is improvement. As a writer, there are several rules to follow. Are you a rule breaker? And if so, which rules do you break?
- Rachel Walter
Since I'm not positive what all the rules actually are, I'm willing to bet I break a few.
- Christopher Chapman
The rules of proper grammar.Do you let them slide as your writing, and go back to fix them while you edit, or are you strictly straight on point with things?
- Rachel Walter
In dialog, no, I do not follow that rule. My characters drop g's sometimes, say things like, "y'inz ready?" "I wanna leave." "I'm gonna kick his ass." And so on. As the MC thinks, it tends to be more proper. Sometimes I filter some out or tone it down, because personally I feel it's too much slang or something becomes annoying to me.
- Christopher Chapman
With the release of the paperback version of AMoF, why the cover change?
- Rachel Walter
The original cover is an image I hold dear to my heart. I LOVE that cover. But it was made before I was finished writing, before I knew for sure there would be a series stemming from it. I couldn't manipulate the original to say the things it needed to say or figure out how to make it a full wrap (paperback) design without messing it up. I'm no cover designer. I let that up to professionals.
- Christopher Chapman
I must say that this new cover is spectacular!What can we see next from you, Rachel?
- Rachel Walter
Thanks! Regina Wamba did a breathtaking job on it!
- Rachel Walter
In a few months, hopefully, Soul Promise (The Soul Mates Series) book two - should be done. It's the next installment after True Connection. It picks up right where book ends, but in Henry's point of view. After that, is Pucked. Pucked is a Young Adult Contemporary novel... If you can't guess from the title, hockey will be involved in this one
- Christopher Chapman
It seems that you have a lot on your plate at the moment. With the cover reveal and blog tour for AMoF, and two novels on the go, how do you keep yourself from going insane?
- Rachel Walter
LISTS. Lol. Seriously, I like having things to do. It can get overwhelming from time to time, but honestly if I had less on my plate, I think I'd go batty then.
Christopher Chapman
Okay one last question, Rachel.Rachel Walter
Hit me with it
Christopher Chapman
Can you explain 'Duck Farts'?Rachel Walter - HAHAHA! It's a shot. I'm thinking it's one that "it tastes better when that bartender makes it" vs "I think I need to look that one up" type of bartender. And your tastes of course. I didn't care for it, at all. (Sibling tricks explains that experience.)
Christopher Chapman
Rachel, it's been a pleasure. I wish you the best of luck with all of your writing.Thank you, for taking the time out of your schedule to sit with me and answer a few of my questions - Rachel Walter
Thank you for having me Chris! Wasn't a trouble anytime!
Now a little bit about the novel, as well as an Author Bio for you!
White Carnations - pure love, sweet and lovely.
Daisy - Innocence, beauty, simplicity.
To florist, Georgina Nickols, every flower has a meaning and a purpose. Flowers are something she knows, lives, and breathes. But when they start mysteriously showing up on her porch, she’s unsure of their meaning, and of who is leaving them.
What do these flowers mean to the messenger?
An old friend from high school, Corbin Waylay, moves back to town. When he shows up, he stirs up all kinds of trouble for Georgina. Her life-long friend, Sid Trail, hates him and makes that fact clear to Georgina. But despite the warnings from her friend, she just can’t help the feelings that resurface. The feelings she hasn’t felt for anyone since high school graduation, the feelings that only Corbin can induce.
As Corbin moves closer into her life, it causes a rift between her and Sid. The mystery flowers continue to appear and begin to add to the stresses of life.
Love, secrets, pain, and lies surround Georgina, putting her trust to the test.
When the messenger is finally revealed, will the meaning of the flowers be enough to repair the damage of those hidden secrets?
Forget Me Nots - Remember me forever, good memories, hope.
Single Red Rose - I love you.
Author Bio
Rachel lives in Central Pennsylvania, is a stay at home mom, and has a wonderful husband, total of 4 kids, 3 of which are step kids. She’s a true Pittsburgh Penguins and Steelers fan. She’s an insomniac that loves coffee, Johnny Depp movies and bonfires, dislikes driving on the interstate, bugs of any kind, and a too quiet house. When she’s not playing with the people inside her head, making her family think she belongs in the loony bin or writing, she enjoys spending time with her family, finding new music, new books, helping someone or plotting something equally crazy with her Critique Partners. Be sure to check out her debut YA Paranormal True Connection.
I was so excited when Rachel had finished writing AMoF, not only because she would stop tormenting me with teasers, but because I couldn't wait to read it! I automatically fell in love with several of the characters. They're like people you interact with daily, people that you sort of cannot live without. That's what Rachel's characters were for me, people I couldn't live without!
The storyline was well thought out, and catching. This novel is definitely a page turner. I know I had problems turning away from the words on this novel, I would say put the novel down, but I was actually reading from the kindle on the computer. It's the type of story that you end up reading and predict things early on, but Rachel keeps you guessing with all the curve balls that she throws in there.
This will for sure be a book that is on the top of my recommended books for people who enjoy the romance genre, which isn't normally for me but with Rachel being my Critique Partner I felt an obligation to read it and I'm glad I did, because I fell in love with this novel!
Now for some links to Rachel's stuff, and the cover!!!
Links
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