This week is going to be special with two posts about this book. The first being an interview with the author, my review will come later.
BOOK DESCRIPTION
An expert at winning a woman's hand. A woman who cannot be won.
Lord Featherstone has the world on his shoulders. Or at least his world. With two brothers and a failing estate he must make funds somehow. But what happens when he falls for a woman? Will his tactics work when the situation is so close and personal? Everyone thinks Lady Loveluck is a wealthy widow. What they don't know is that she is on the brink of hiring herself out as a Governess in order to pay for her next meal. The only thing keeping her from employment is a growing reputation as a matchmaker. As long as she never falls for another man, as long as she doesn't allow herself to be fooled into marrying, she will be just fine. But she never counted on being caught up in the beguiling tactics of London's renowned and not so secret matchmaker for men.
AUTHOR INTERVIEW
Your hero Lord Featherstone is a matchmaker, an unusual profession for a man. Why has he chosen this profession, and what qualities make him excel at his job?
Lord Featherstone is in an uncomfortable position as the heir and estate title holder, to care for a large estate. He has little funds. The estate is crumbling around him, and he has few available options to earn money as a noble. So, he uses what he does have, which is an understanding of women (or so he believes) and a skill at helping men be more appealing to the opposite sex.
Lady Loveluck appears to be a wealthy widow, but appearances can be deceiving. What is her backstory and current social situation?
Her husband gambled away their money including her dowry and then died, leaving her with an estate that requires funds to upkeep. She, like Lord Featherstone, has very few options as a noblewoman of ways to earn money. She turns to matchmaking.
What was the most challenging and intriguing part about writing the story of Lord Featherstone and Lady Loveluck?
It was challenging to bring them together at just the right time. There are quite a few “Almost together” moments, but finding the exact right time to let their true feelings show and to encourage trust between them was difficult to master.
To Win Her Hand is the first book in the Gentleman’s Match series. Can you share if another of Lord Featherstone’s brother’s will be next for his matchmaking services?
I am so happy about the coming books in this series! We will be focusing on one of his brothers next. I hope to bring in the Vicar’s brothers from The Foibles and Follies of Miss Grace as well. I have lots of brothers going on in my books at the moment. Love them!
What is your writing routine? How do you manage to self-publish and traditionally publish?
I write every morning until I meet a specific word count goal. Then I work on all the other various tasks of running a writing career. Managing both self and traditionally published schedules is challenging. My life is dictated by deadlines, either self-imposed or to respond to a publisher. But I wouldn’t change a thing. Sometimes I need to force myself to take a break and that is always good for me.
What fun things can we expect from you in the future?
I have a lot of historical romance series in the works. I also have two fun historical fiction titles coming from my publisher. I’m enjoying every minute.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jen Geigle Johnson is an award-winning author, including the GOLD in Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Awards and LDSPMA Praiseworthy's top award for Romance,
Jen has more stories circulating in her brain than can possibly be told. She discovered her passion for England while kayaking on the Thames near London as a young teenager. History is her main jam. Her literary heroes include the greats: Jane Austen and Charles Dickens. But she has modern sensibilities as well.
Six children and an inspiring husband keep her going and make certain she doesn't stay glued to a keyboard or lost in obscure fascinating details of old castles.
Now, she loves to share bits of history that might otherwise be forgotten. Whether in Regency England, the French Revolution, or Colonial America, her romance novels are much like life is supposed to be: full of adventure.