Victoria and Violet

 

 

Victoria & Violet

by Rachel Brimble

GENRE:   Historical romance

When Violet Parker is told she will be Queen Victoria’s personal housemaid, she cannot believe her good fortune. She finally has the chance to escape her overbearing mother, a servant to the Duchess of Kent. Violet hopes to explore who she is and what the world has to offer without her mother’s schemes overshadowing her every thought and action.
Then she meets James Greene, assistant to the queen’s chief political adviser, Lord Melbourne. From entirely different backgrounds and social class, Violet and James should have neither need nor desire to speak to one another, yet through their service, their paths cross and their lives merge—as do their feelings.
Only Victoria’s court is not always the place for romance, but rather secrets, scandals, and conspiracies…

Excerpt:

“She…” Violet hesitated, feeling foolish carrying out the queen’s instructions when James was quite clearly busy and not at all happy. “She suggested we take a picnic.”

“A pic…” His eyes widened before his cheeks mottled. “It’s December!”

“I can pack some hot soup and bread. It will be…fun.”

“Fun? I can’t take myself off for a picnic when there is so much to do. What on earth will the workers think of me?”

His mood made her decidedly uneasy, but she could not defer on the queen’s request. She lifted her chin. “I’m sorry, James, but if the queen commands it, we cannot refuse. Besides, it will be last time you will see me for a while.”

He dropped his hand from his hair, his dark eyes boring into hers. “What are you talking about?”

“I have to go home. My mother claims my father is ill. Not that I believe a word of it, of course. But still, I must go.”

“Your mother is exerting her power again?”

“I have little doubt.”

He exhaled heavily, his gaze softening. “Give me an hour and I will come. Where shall we meet?”

“In the folly.”

“Very well.” His gaze dropped to her lips before he reached around her toward the door and opened it. “You should go.”

He stood so close, Violet could see flecks of blue in his eyes, smell the subtle maleness of him. Her treacherous heart swelled with silly, dangerous love. She forced a smile and ducked under his arm and through the open doorway.

About the Author:

Rachel lives in a small town near Bath, England. She is the author of 29 novels including the Ladies of Carson Street trilogy, the Shop Girl series (Aria Fiction) and the Templeton Cove Stories (Harlequin). Her latest novel, Victoria & Violet is the first book in her new Royal Maids series with the Wild Rose Press and releases 17th October 2022.

Rachel is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association as well as the Historical Novel Society and has thousands of social media followers all over the world. 

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Q&A With the Author

What did you enjoy most about writing this book?

Oh, definitely the scenes with Victoria! I was so nervous about writing a book with real characters and events but once I started, I threw myself into it and loved every minute. The reviews have been amazing so far, so it seems readers are enjoying it, too!

Do you have any other books you are working on that you can tell us about?
I am about to send book 2 (the next after Victoria & Violet) of the Royal Maid series to my editor so with that done, I will either dive straight into book 3 or spend some time on a new Edwardian project – I haven’t decided yet, haha!

Can you tell us about what you have planned for the future?

See above – this is as far as my writing plans have gone so far. I usually have a couple of projects on the go as well as editing and/or promoting another book so I’m always busy. Oh, and I’m working through the second year of a History degree too 😊

How long have you been writing?

I wrote short stories and articles for a year or so before I started writing my first novel in 2005 – I was thrilled when that book was accepted by The Wild Rose Press in 2007 and I haven’t looked back since. Whichever novel I decide to work on next will be my thirtieth, which is hard for me to believe.

Anything more you would like to say to your readers and fans?

Well, I most definitely want to thank all my fans who have bought my books over the years and continue to send me the most wonderful emails and messages via my social media accounts – it brings tears to my eyes when I know my books are really moving people. It’s what I live for!

I would also like to let any aspiring romance writers know about my First Chapter Critique service – I would love to work with you to make 2023 the year YOU become published! You can find all the details here: https://rachelbrimble.com/first-chapter-critique-service/

Website: https://bit.ly/3wH7HQs

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Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Victoria-Violet-Royal-Maids-Book-ebook/dp/B0B6T47ZX5/

GIVEAWAY

Rachel Brimble will be awarding a $20 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

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