1.
What do you wish men
understood about women?
Many of us women actually like multi-tasking. It
may look like we’re juggling too many balls, but trust us, we can do it and act
rationally…. Most of the time.
2.
Do you only work on one
book at a time?
When writing the first draft I like to focus on
that one project and make sure I’m ‘hearing’ the characters’ voices and shape
them accordingly. Once I reach the editing stage, I prefer to have more than
one book on the go or else I feel swamped by the intricacies of editing. What I
can’t do is edit one manuscript and write a new book at the same time. That’s a
definite curb on creativity.
3.
Who is your favorite
fictional couple?
Jane Eyre and Mr Rochester. Love often blossoms
in unexpected ways and this couple are a wonderful example of how romance
evolves alongside the characters.
4. Do
you have a favorite quote that sums up how you feel about life?
Live adventurously. An advice given by
Quakers and one I find inspiring.
5. Do
you set daily writing goals? Word count? Number of chapters? Do you get a
chance to write every day?
No goals or word counts. I have an
overall idea of how long I want a book to be, but I don’t set myself daily
targets. With family and other work commitments, I don’t want to set myself up
to fail. It’s hard enough being a writer as it is without forcing the words to
come when they aren’t there. I do try to write or edit every day, including
blogging or writing flash fiction or short stories. If not, I’m reading, which
is something I miss and wish I had more time to do.
6.
What do you like better,
Twitter or Facebook? Why?
I used to detest Twitter.
Really couldn’t work out the 140 character limit. Now I admire those who can
craft so much meaning into so few words. It is a pity there are trolls and
bots, but I’ve learnt a lot about the world around me that is good and
uplifting. FB has lost its appeal and I often miss posts by friends. I’m trying
to branch out into Instagram because I’m also an amateur artist and it suits
the medium well. My daughter loves Snapchat. I’m struggling to keep up!
7.
What are you working on
now?
I’ve a few projects on the go, but the one I’d
like to see published next is another mystery with touch of magical intrigue.
Three talented sisters who struggle with their gifts and keep secrets from each
other. I wouldn’t characterize it as romance between a couple but love plays a
part in the story.
8.
Tell us about your latest
release and where we can find it
My current release, The Women of Heachley Hall, is a blend
of mystery and romance with a dash of history. The house is just as much a
character in the book as Miriam, the woman who is set to inherit it. But first,
she must live in its decaying walls for a year. She doesn’t know why and that’s
the mystery she must solve. The story is a classic tale of love and redemption,
but the twist is something most people don’t see coming.
Author
name: Rachel Walkley
Genre:
Women’s Fiction / Family Saga
Release
Date: 4/5/2018
Miriam has one year to uncover an unimaginable past and a secret that
only women can discover.
The life of a freelance illustrator will never rake in the millions so
when twenty-eight year old Miriam discovers she’s the sole surviving heir to
her great-aunt’s fortune, she can’t believe her luck. She dreams of selling her
poky city flat and buying a studio.
But great fortune comes with an unbreakable contract. To earn her
inheritance, Miriam must live a year and a day in the decaying Heachley Hall.
The fond memories of visiting the once grand Victorian mansion are all
she has left of her parents and the million pound inheritance is enough of a
temptation to encourage her to live there alone.
After all, a year’s not that long. So with the help of a local handyman,
she begins to transform the house.
But the mystery remains. Why would loving Aunt Felicity do this to her?
Alone in the hall with her old life miles away, Miriam is desperate to
discover the truth behind Felicity’s terms. Miriam believes the answer is
hiding in her aunt’s last possession: a lost box. But delving into Felicity and
Heachley’s long past is going to turn Miriam’s view of the world upside down.
Does she dare keep searching, and if she does, what if she finds
something she wasn’t seeking?
Has something tragic happened at Heachley Hall?
EXTRACT
‘Are you sure you’re alright being here alone?’ Ruth asked for the
umpteenth time, as I stood at the kitchen window: my favourite viewing spot.
‘We’re doing really well on the cleaning. There’s no need to unload anything in
the dark, just leave it in the van until tomorrow. And don’t forget, I’ll be
back in a couple of weeks to visit. Half-term.’ She put her arms around my
shoulders and squeezed them.
‘Sure.’ There was no point lamenting the
solitary nature of my occupation. It wouldn’t do me any good to paint myself as
a failure before I’d spent one night in the house.
‘I can’t believe your aunt left it to you
without explanation. Something has to be out there to explain it all. A missing
letter? ’ Ruth picked up a dishcloth and scrubbed a mark on the worktop. Her
boundless energy was infectious and I returned to wiping down the windowpanes.
‘I’ve been over it all countless times in my
head, read the will over and over, and there isn’t a clue to her reasons why
anywhere.’ I chased a smudge of
something around the glass, never quite removing it.
‘Nothing in her personal effects in the nursing
home?’
I
shrugged. ‘Possibly, but according to Mr Porter it’s all gone.’
‘Do you trust him?’
BUY
LINKS
ABOUT
THE AUTHOR
Born in the Midlands, Rachel Walkley grew up in East Anglia
and is now firmly lodged in the North West of England. Her first writing
achievement was her Brownie badge and after that she never let go of the dream
of becoming of an author. Once a librarian and caretaker of books, she’s now a
teller of tales and wants to share with you the secrets that hide in the pages
of her books.
GIVEAWAY
Win an ecopy of The Women of
Heachley Hall!
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