Interview with Delilah Marvelle – & giveaway!

Delilah Marvelle is a much-loved historical romance author whose latest novel, Forever a Lord, is one piece in a big puzzle that she’s been laying out for readers over her Rumor series. Delilah is here today to give away Forever a Lord to one lucky reader.

Welcome, Delilah!

Thank you so much for having me!

1. Tell us more about the puzzle of your Rumor series. Should readers start with the first book, Forever and a Day? Or can they read them out of order and still put the pieces together?

When writing a series, I like to give readers more than just the series. I want it to be an experience. Although I write each book as stand alones, they all happen at the same time, and so by reading them in order, starting from Forever Mine (the prequel) all the way through Forever a Lord, it will give you what I call a puzzle piece experience.

Each book you read, you will learn something about the previous character you didn’t know and see a much larger part of the story until you finally get the last pieces of the puzzle and see the entire story I wanted to share. It’s like seeing a fourth of a painting until you get to see the whole painting unveiled. It’s something I love to do. It lends to a flavor and experience that immerses one in the world and makes it feel more personal and interactive.

2. What a wonderful way to write a series! Forever a Lord features a hero who’s a bare-knuckle boxer. What’s the most interesting piece of information you learned about historical boxing when you were doing research?

What fascinated me the most was how the men of the 1830s had to train their hands to take hits without breaking them. I’d have to say the most interesting piece of information I learned was how men strategically built calluses on their knuckles by training on trees. Yes. Trees.

Trees were everywhere and they cost a man nothing. Think of a tree being used like a punching bag. Men would actually knock the bark off with their knuckles in order to pad their hands well with scars and calluses alike. Other men used axes to strengthen their swing and their muscles. Either way you look at it, these men were badass. And yes, they defined the hero I saw in my head, lol.

3. You have some awesome book trailers and even a video newsletter. (I’ve embedded the trailer for Forever a Lord below so you all can see how amazing it is.) They’re the highest quality book trailers I’ve ever seen. Do you have friends in Hollywood?

I wish I had friends in Hollywood! Lol. But I do know a lot of people who are insanely creative and have worked on a lot of amazing projects. So in my book, they are like Hollywood. The fabulous team from Expand Your Brand stepped up to help film my book trailer. Shane Phillips (director) and Cale Henderson (Editor) were just very involved in bringing my vision to life.

The best part? I got to roll up my sleeves and dig into making it. I involved the local Regency historical group, Victorian group, and took care of costuming, actors, location and every detail outside of filming itself. It was amazing and I’m looking forward to creating my next book trailer with the Expand Your Brand team.

4. Where on earth did you get that GORGEOUS dress that you’re wearing in your author photo? Please tell me you put it on whenever you write to get yourself in the mood.

I love that dress! The dress I bought when I visited Scotland. I came across a little kilt shop in Edinburgh and saw it in the window and simply couldn’t walk away from it. It’s all hand stitched and is what I call the ultimate princess dress. Because it’s an actual Scottish wedding gown. It was a present to myself and I always wear it during extra special occasions (like getting into the mood, lol).

5. Totally unrelated to writing: You’re a trained chef who won $10,000 in a cookie contest. As a cookie fiend, I absolutely must know what kind of cookie you made that won you such a prize. And can you share the recipe?

Haha, the cookie was White Chocolate, Coffee and Toffee. This was before coffee became big and Starbucks took over the world 🙂 Which is why I think it won. Because at the time, it was unique.

And I’d love to share the recipe! Similar recipes can be found all over the web, but know I was there first, lol

White Chocolate and Toffee Coffee Cookies

1 cup butter, at room temperature
1 ½ cups sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 cups flour
2 tablespoons instant coffee powder
¼ cup Toffee chips
1 teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
1 cup white chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350.

Cream butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla. Add flour, coffee powder, baking soda and salt and mix. Add chocolate chips and toffee bits.

Roll into small balls and set on baking sheet. Bake at 350 for 8-10 minutes, depending on how chewy or crunchy you like your cookies.

Giveaway!

I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m totally trying these cookies out this week! Delilah’s giving away a copy of Forever a Lord to one person who leaves a comment here. I’ll randomly choose a winner on Monday December 24th.

Good luck!

Forever a Lord

He’s a fighter, not a lover. But that’s about to change…

Lady Imogene Norwood lived a sheltered life of quiet respectability and routine…until she debuts at her first Season. There she meets the wild and broken Lord Atwood among London’s elite. And the very shy English rose suddenly realizes that a little chaos might just be what her heart desires.

Lord Nathaniel James Atwood doesn’t believe true love exists. Since scandal tore him away from his family at an early age, he has spent his life fighting for what he wants. That attitude made him a rising star in bare-knuckle boxing, and now leads him back to London to reclaim the life that was stolen from him. But upon meeting the innocent Imogene, his beliefs are trounced…as guarding his heart against her proves to be the fight of his life.

Buy it at Amazon.com | B&N | IndieBound | Book Depository