Spotlight & Giveaway: Royally Yours by Emma Chase

Posted October 30th, 2018 by in Blog, Spotlight / 51 comments

Today it is my pleasure to Welcome author Emma Chase to HJ!
Spotlight&Giveaway

Hi Emma and welcome to HJ! We’re so excited to chat with you about your new release, Royally Yours!

 
Hi! Thrilled to be here!
 

Please summarize the book for the readers here:

Royally Yours tells the story of Queen Lenora – crowned at just nineteen years old – and her love affair with the man who will become her husband, devilish adventurer, Edward Rourke.
 

Please share the opening lines of this book:

No woman is born a Queen, no matter the title attached to her name at birth.
Kings are crowned. But queens . . . queens rise.

 

Please share a few Fun facts about this book…

  • Royally Yours was not originally planned when I outlined the original 3 books – but once the idea came to me, I HAD to write it.
  • Lenora and Edward’s love story was inspired, in part, by the song Feels Like Home, by Edwina Hayes.
  • This book is a true standalone, with almost no mention of the characters or events that occur in Royally Screwed, Matched, and Endowed. BUT—if you’ve read those stories—there are names, places, relatives, and other wonderful “Easter eggs” that you’ll recognize and enjoy in Royally Yours.

 

Please tell us a little about the characters in your book. As you wrote your protagonist was there anything about them that surprised you?

Lenora Pembrook was raised to be a Queen. Because of how she was brought up, she’s not necessarily an affectionate person—she’s also beautiful, fiercely loyal, strong willed, thoughtful and stubborn. What surprised me most about Lenora is there’s a delightful innocence and vulnerability to her that was so wonderful to explore. It made her very relatable and sympathetic at times, and complimented the more protective side of the hero, Edward Rourke, beautifully.

Edward Rourke is the former heir to the Duke of Anthorp title, that he gave up when he left Wessco ten years ago to explore the world and find a greater meaning to his life. He comes home due to a family obligation and discovers the purpose he’s been searching for in being a partner, lover and husband to Lenora. Edward is strong and outspoken, and wickedly playful and sexy at times. He’s not at all threatened that Lenora is in a more powerful position than he is, and he’s supportive and very protective of her. What surprised me in writing Edward is that he’s become my favorite leading male character.

There’s an addictive, poignant beauty in Edward and Lenora’s love story that was a joy to write.

 

If your book was optioned for a movie, what scene would you use for the audition of the main characters and why?

The scene when Edward and Lenora first meet, when they don’t know who each other are, is a sweet, playful scene. I would use this as an audition, because there’s an instant chemistry between the characters that should be palpable between the actors who are portraying them.

I flinch when I wiggle my toes.
“It’s not broken, but you’ve twisted it good.” He glances up and down the field, then he turns those penetrating green eyes back on me. “Looks like I’ll be carrying you.”
I am not a blusher. Or a giggler. I don’t get flustered. I fluster everyone else.
Yet the thought of him carrying me with those impressive arms makes my insides go all gooey and my cheeks flush like they’re on fire.
“That won’t be necessary.” My voice is breathless, because I can’t seem to get enough air. “I’ll wait here and you can have them come fetch me with the maintenance buggy.”
On cue, a blast of thunder booms overhead—the kind that shakes the ground and sounds like the sky is cracking.
Thanks, God. Thanks a lot.
“No, this storm’s going to be a nasty one. I won’t leave you out here all alone.”
“That’s very kind, but I’m perfectly—”
It’s a very strange thing to not being listened to. To be overruled. Is this what everyday life is like for everyone else?
I don’t like it at’all.
He lifts me effortlessly in his arms, cradling me against his chest. His shirt is clean, soft cotton and smells like earth and fresh grass. I don’t know what I’m supposed to do with my hands, so they stay folded in my lap as he walks us into the forest.
“That was a hell of a horse you were riding.” His rich voice has a hint of teasing to it. “You may want to stick to something smaller until you get better at it.”
“I happen to be an excellent rider.”
The fact that he thinks I’m not, prickles me more than it should.
“Excellent riders usually know to keep their hands on the reins.” He winks.
“I’ll try to remember that,” I reply dryly.
Another blast of thunder comes and lightning bursts in the sky. He dips his head, leaning in closer.
“Are you staying at Anthorp Castle, then?”
“Yes. The Duke and I are good friends.”
There’s a glint in his eyes as he nods, as though I’ve said something amusing.
“And you?” I ask. “You seem to know the property well.”
“Aye. It’s been some time since I’ve been back, but I was raised here.”
“Oh?” I take in his clothes, his hair, his gruff demeanor. “Were you . . . one of the groundskeeper’s children?”
His lips slide into a devilish grin and he’s definitely laughing at me now.
“No.”

 

What do you want people to take away from reading this book?

I want readers to feel the full range of emotions that I experienced while writing this story. There are heartbreaking moments, dramatic moments, sexy, sweet, funny moments—and (I hope) a joyful, thoroughly satisfying conclusion. I want readers to feel that Edward and Lenora are the beginning of the Pembrook dynasty and the desire for a passionate, devoted, epic love, that we see the characters experience in the later books (Royally Screwed, Matched & Endowed), has been passed on to them from Queen Lenora and Prince Edward.

 

What are you currently working on? What other releases do you have planned?

I’m currently finishing the second, standalone book after Getting Schooled – Dean Walker’s (Garrett’s best friend) story. It’s very sexy and fun – a true, 100% rom-com.
It will release in Audiobook first (with ebook and print to follow), in 2019.
 

Thanks for blogging at HJ!

 

Giveaway: 1 Signed Paperback of Royally Yours (includes bonus short story, Royally Raised, in print for the first time). Open internationally

 

To enter Giveaway: Please complete the Rafflecopter form and Post a comment to this Q: What grabs your interests first or most about a book? The author, genre, synopsis, cover, reviews – or something else?

 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Excerpt from Royally Yours:

Prologue

No woman is born a queen, no matter the title attached to her name at birth.

Kings are crowned. But queens . . . queens rise.
They lift themselves from the depths of tragedy and heartbreak that always seem to follow them. They break the chains of society, and they soar through their triumphs and joys.

They are forged by the burn of betrayal and they are shaped by the constant, cold clash of wills.

Still they rise, and then . . . they reign.

For good or bad, in sickness and in health, until death do they part.
The vestiges of that reign are the true inheritance of the descendants. For most, that birthright is duty, tradition and loyalty.
But the two of us were different. Right from the start, and in every way.
Passion that could tear the whole world down around us. Love that would not be ignored or denied. Devotion that would last beyond a lifetime.
These would be our legacy—our gifts to the ones who would follow in our footsteps. It would be scored on their bones and branded on their souls.
We just didn’t know it then.
Every dynasty has a beginning. Every legend starts with a story.
This is ours.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
 
 

Book Info:

Princess Lenora Celeste Beatrice Arabella Pembrook had an unusual childhood. She was raised to be a Queen—the first Queen of Wessco.

It’s a big deal.

When she’s crowned at just nineteen, the beautiful young monarch is prepared to rule. She’s charming, clever, confident and cunning.

What she isn’t…is married.

It’s her advising council’s first priority. It’s what Parliament is demanding, and what her people want.

Lenora has no desire to tie herself to a man—particularly one who only wants her for her crown. But compromises must be made and royals must do their duty.

Even Queens. Especially them.
**
Years ago, Edward Langdon Richard Dorian Rourke, walked away from his title and country. Now he’s an adventurer—climbing mountains, exploring jungles, going wherever he wants, when he wants—until family devotion brings him home.

And a sacred promise keeps him there.

To Edward, the haughty, guarded little Queen is intriguing, infuriating…and utterly captivating. Wanting her just might drive him mad—or become his greatest adventure.
**
Within the cold, stone walls of the royal palace—mistrust threatens, wills clash, and an undeniable, passionate love will change the future of the monarchy forever.

Every dynasty has a beginning. Every legend starts with a story.
This is theirs.

Royally Yours is a standalone story and a spinoff of The Royally Series.

Book Links: Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Kobo | Google |
 
 

Meet the Author:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Emma Chase writes contemporary romantic comedies filled with heat, heart and laugh-out-loud humor. Her stories are known for their clever banter and sexy, swoon-worthy moments. Emma’s novels have been translated in over twenty languages around the world.

Emma lives in New Jersey with her amazing husband, two awesome children, and two adorable but badly behaved dogs. She has a long-standing love/hate relationship with caffeine.
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | GoodReads |
 
 
 

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51 Responses to “Spotlight & Giveaway: Royally Yours by Emma Chase”

  2. Mary Preston

    The cover first, especially an author I love to read. Then I explore further – blurb, genre, first page…

  4. Sonia

    I look at the cover because i do judge a book by it’s cover:) then i read the synopsis.

  6. janinecatmom

    If I am at a book store, it’s usually the cover that gets my attention first. But online, it’s the synopsis or a a favorite author’s newest book.

  7. Pennie M

    Sometimes it is the author and sometimes it is the synopsis. Sometimes it is just a recommendation from a trusted source.

  9. Jacqueline

    Sometimes it’s the author (I have several that I 1-click on every new release). Other times it is the synopsis or reviews.

  10. JenM

    If I know the author, I will typically at least read the synopsis. For authors I don’t know, recommendations from bloggers I trust will usually get me to check out the book.

  11. jaimerlong

    It all depends. I will generally blindly one-click authors I have read and loved! Also, recommendations from friends is another big factor in choosing my next read.

  30. CelineB

    Usually the author then any buzz I’ve read about the book whether it’s the description, positive reviews, or friends talking about wanting to read it.

  31. Marsha Bachmeier

    Initially it’s the cover that grabs my attention. Once it’s got that, then it’s the synopsis is what keeps my attention or loses it.

  32. Caro

    A mix. The first thing I see it’s the cover, so that usually draws me in (or not), but also the author is a big plus and the blurb has to be engaging.

  33. Marcy Meyer

    Covers definitely grab my attention. I follow several authors, and I will buy their books without even reading the blurb or reviews. Sometimes I find books through blog posts with giveaways that I want to enter.

  40. HEATHER SCULLY

    I would say, it’s all of those things. But also friend and author recs, as well as similar reads. If I like something in the vein, then I’m more likely to try it. ❤

  41. Nicole (Nicky) Ortiz

    It’s usually the blurb and excerpts
    Thanks for the chance!

  42. erinf1

    definitely the blurb. I won’t lie, I’m a total cover slut, but if the blurb doesn’t catch me, I move on. Thanks for sharing!

  43. Anita H.

    It’s a combination of the cover and the blurb that draws me in, especially with a new-to me author

  48. Ellen C., ,

    Synopsis is probably most important. Even if I like an author, if the story line doesn’t interest me, I won’t buy it or read it.