Welcome to the blog, Rachel. I’m so excited to have you here today.

I’m super honored to be here! Thank you for the invite to chat with you 🙂

What was your favorite part about getting to know – and write – Kate and Rhett’s characters from your new release, The Mobster’s Daughter? Did they surprise you or teach you an important lesson along the way?

I was just talking about this to my best friend because it actually took me a bit to get to know these characters—I would say about a third of the way into the first draft. But after that, I realized I had more in common with Kate than all my other heroines. We’re both a bit on the shy side, struggle with confidence, and possess a deep love for music.

All your books are set in the 1920s. What do you love most about this era?

I love SO much! There are many layers to this era from the women’s suffrage to the great depression with the prohibition mixed in along the way. Having just emerged from a world war, society was on the brink of change. Fashion became more expressive, music faded from ragtime to jazz, and silent films replaced with talking pictures. There’s just so much to the Roaring 20s, that I don’t think I could ever exhaust it all in my stories.

Definitely! 🙂 I love that there’s so much to be explored through stories.

If you could be one of your characters for a day, who would it be and why?

Hmm. This is a tough one! I love the idea of being a journalist during the 1920s like Elissa from Above the Fold, but I don’t think I’d be able to pass up being one of the first radio broadcasters for KDKA (which was the first radio station in the entire world) To be part of history! I really think that would be exciting.

I love that! And I just saw your beautiful new cover for Above the Fold. GORGEOUS!

Can you share a piece of writing advice or encouragement that has helped you in your journey?

Not all rejection is a bad thing. In fact, I got rejected by a leading publishing house in the industry and that certain rejection led me to dig deeper into my writing. Their reasons for passing on the story was because they felt they could “pick it up and place it anywhere.” That I needed to convince them “Why Pittsburgh? Why that era?” And they were SO right! It was actually the reason why I started researching and writing about the Roaring 20s. So that rejection set me on the right path.:)

I’m so grateful God uses those hard moments to teach and challenge us. I love hearing how He strengthened you and your writing through that early rejection. Thanks for sharing that with us.

What first inspired the idea that became your “Undercurrent of Secrets” book? I love steamboats and can’t wait to read it.

My publisher was accepting proposals for a new series of books set at historical landmarks. So I talked to my husband about some ideas and he was the one who actually found the Belle of Louisville. I just loved the idea of a moving historical landmark. And then the story blossomed from there.

Yes! I heard about the Belle of Louisville not that long ago and hope to visit that area soon. And I love how your hubby helped your brainstorm ideas. 🙂

Thanks so much for joining us today, Rachel! Is there anything else you’d like to add? Any upcoming projects you can share with us?

I recently signed a contract for another time-slip for the Doors to the Past series (same series as Undercurrent of Secrets) and it’s titled In Spotlight and Shadow. This one will take place in a 100-year-old theater. So I’m busy writing that story which will release February 2023.

Yay! That sounds great. Congratulations! Looking forward to reading it! 🙂

GIVEAWAY!!

Rachel has graciously offered to give away one copy of any of her books – Reader’s Choice! Enter below and it could be YOU! 😉

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks for entering! Contest is open to US residents only and ends March 1, 2022 . The winner will be notified by email. Happy Reading, everybody!