Name Rachel De Lune
Age 32
Where are you from
I live in the South West of England, near Bristol.
Fiona: Tell us your latest news?
Well, my second book, Forever More is released next month! For me, that’s great news and I get to celebrate my going to the Leeds for the amazing author event that is being hosted by Hourglass events.
Fiona: When and why did you begin writing?
Probably about 5 years ago now. It started as scribbles and notes of what I’d love to read and quickly morphed into a real story. When I say quickly, it was probably two years to write the first draft! It was about 18 months ago that I met my publisher and since then, I write a lot more religiously.
Fiona: When did you first consider yourself a writer?
Probably when my first book came out. Before More (my debut novel), I wrote a novella that was published together with four other authors. That was a turning point for me as it showed that I could write something other than the story that I’d been working on for years.
Fiona: What inspired you to write your first book?
I was first inspired to write by reading so many amazing stories by fabulous authors. I would speed read on my kindle and ignore everything until I got to the next chapter. Then the next! I loved the escapism that reading provided, but I wanted a story that was more real to me. There was something in the back of my mind saying ‘what if’, and that something turned into Izzy, my lead in The Evermore series.
Fiona: How did you come up with the title?
Well, More was born out of the theme of the book. The story is about wanting and deserving more from life. Once I thought about that title, nothing else would work. As I write HEA, I wanted to carry the theme of more throughout the rest of the series, and so Evermore series really spoke to me.
Fiona: Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
I write stories that I would like to read and I hope my readers enjoy them as well. If they want to take anything more than enjoyment away from my words, that’s up to them!
Fiona: How much of the book is realistic ?
I love reading and have read A LOT of erotic romances over the years. However, I wanted a story that reflected real life. Something that readers could relate to. Izzy is a normal, married woman. Seb is a normal guy she meets in a bar. In that sense, it’s very realistic.
Fiona: Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
Not really. It’s more from my imagination and the starting point of ‘What if?’ I do love high heels and my husband cooks. Yes, I’m married, happily married.
Since starting to write, ideas have popped into my head from lots of different places. Reading, going to the shops, meeting a friend for coffee… Sometimes, an idea will literally just pop into my head.
Fiona: What books have most influenced your life most? a mentor?
Tiffany Reisz wrote The Original Sinner series. This has got to be one of my favourite collections. She has inspired me to write and every time I read The Siren (book 1) I have the urge to write. Tiffany is a fantastic storyteller.
Other books that have influenced and inspired include J.R Ward – The Blackdagger Brotherhood. This series continues to go from strength to strength and she really is a master at multiple POVs.
I also love Jodie Ellen Maplas, her This Man trilogy launched as I was writing one of the first drafts of More.
Fiona: What are your current projects?
I’m starting to write the third book in the Evermore Series. This will be Jess’ story and is a stand-alone story, but we do get to see Izzy and Seb as well.
Fiona: Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members.
Stephy from TRP. She is my publisher and without her, More and my little dream of sharing my book with people just wouldn’t have happened. She’s incredibly supportive and I certainly wouldn’t be thinking about my fourth and fifth book without her.
Fiona: Do you see writing as a career?
Maybe sometime in the future! At the moment, I have a day job that pays the bills. I fit my writing in around working and being a Mum and wife. I write for me. It’s my escapism. It started that way and it’s grown into something that I love. If I’m every successful enough to earn money from it, that would just be a bonus.
Fiona: Can you share a little of your current work with us?
Forever More – (Not the final draft and subject to change!)
I sit on the bed I ought to share with my husband, in my room, in my house, but this isn’t my home. Even after ten years. A home is made up of more than a place to reside and a few belongings. A home is full of love, warmth and memories that bring a smile to your face, even when you feel lost or scared.
It’s dark outside but it must be close to dawn. I’ve sat for hours, motionless, purposely blanking my mind. I can cope with sitting. I’m the first to overanalyse everything, to over-think and replay everything in a loop in my mind, but I can’t bear to replay the memories of what happened last night. It’s as if my mind begins to shut off when I edge closer, thinking about Seb’s words. “Izzy, I can’t deal with you still being with your husband. I don’t want you if you keep going back to him. I deserve better. I deserve more.”
My body is on autopilot as I walk downstairs. I survey all of the rooms and belongings: the DVDs, the mismatch of tea cups lining a shelf in the kitchen. I look at it all, and I’m struck that these aren’t our things. They are my things—my random mix of bowls and plates, my pictures on the walls, my table in the living room, my cushions. I hadn’t seen it before, but this house in Bath isn’t our home. It’s my house that I’ve worked at turning into a home, but it’s neglected by Phil.
I continue through the entire house. I can count Phil’s possessions on one hand. Only a pair of trainers in the hall and a few dirty shirts in the laundry show he’s still living here. It would be so easy to take everything of Phil’s and pack it up. How can I stay here, though? I don’t want to be here. This isn’t where my heart is. I want to be with Seb. I take a deep breath and fill my l chest. My scream echoes around the empty rooms, filling the air with grief and sadness.
My lungs drain of air and give voice to everything I’m afraid to admit to. My marriage to Phil is over. I’ve ruined my relationship with Seb. I’m scared. Three pivotal facts that are at the root of the emotions that have worn me down and made it hard to think straight. My world has changed over the last few months. My perspective has tilted—changed for the better—thanks to Seb. Finally speaking up for myself in my empty marriage was the starting point. Asking Phil for more than unsatisfactory vanilla sex only drove more distance between us. Having an innocent drink just to escape my empty house also led me to Seb. I never intended to meet a man who could give me everything I dreamt of—the love and attention I’ve been starved of for years, the freedom to surrender and explore my sexuality and my darker fantasies, previously locked away in my online world. But I did meet him and he opened my eyes to just how miserable my life was before.
Fiona: Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
Apart from finding the time to write it!! I’m trying to work on improving my plotting and development side to my work. I never really thought that my words would be released to the world. I just scribbled down my story and went with it. I’m learning now that I need to plan more to improve. However, I find that really difficult as I my characters develop as the words are hitting the page!
Fiona: Who designed the covers?
I had really specific covers in mind for Izzy and Seb’s books so I actually designed these myself. The flowers have a meaning to them in both books so I went and purchased them all and took the photos so I could get the exact flowers. However, going forward I think I might need some help!
Fiona: What was the hardest part of writing your book?
The edits. The first draft is great. You get your ideas down, you love your characters, it’s great. Then you re-read and start to tear your hair out at what you wrote. I end up going over and over the words until I hate everything about it. It’s at that point that I find the hardest.
Fiona: Do you have any advice for other writers?
Keep writing and practice your craft! I’ve been fortunate enough to have some fantastic critique partners and a fabulous developmental editor. They have taught me a lot about character motivation and writing clearly and concisely. I’m working on that now and I have an inner editor sat on my shoulder to keep me company. She often sounds like my editor in my head!
Finally, don’t give up. It can seem a daunting experience getting everything ready to publish, and that’s just the books side, not to mention the marketing and promotion. But you can do it. The author community online has been so welcoming to me, you’ll find the support you need to make your dreams a reality.
Fiona: Do you have anything specific that you want to say to your readers?
Thank you and I love you. I still get emotional when I read reviews. It’s such an overwhelming feeling to know that people have read my words and enjoyed them so much they want to tell me about it and leave me a review. I can’t thank the people who have spent money and time on my words how much that means to me.
Fiona: Do you remember the first book you read?
I didn’t read a huge amount as a child. However I do remember reading my Dad’s books as a teenager – he loves Wilbur Smith and I still smile remembering how much I fell in love with River God and The Seventh Scroll. I also loved Thomas Harris and of course, Harry Potter. I’m getting to re-live these through my daughter now.
Fiona: What TV shows/films do you enjoy watching?
My husband and I both love our American shows. Criminal Minds, NCIS, Vampire Diaries, Greys Anatomy… I try and limit what I watch as it takes time away from writing.
Fiona: Favorite foods / Colors/ Music
I love chips (with lots of vinegar) and cheese. Individually and together!
Fiona: Do you have a blog/website? If so what is it?
Here are all my social links:
Facebook page – http://www.facebook.com/racheldeluneauthor
Twitter – https://twitter.com/Rachel_De_Lune
Pinterest – http://www.pinterest.com/RachelDelune
Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14108784.Rachel_De_Lune
Amazon author page – http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00ZS3RVKQ
Newsletter sign up http://eepurl.com/bckw0r
Synopsis for ‘More’
Miserable and dejected in her marriage, Isabel Fields encounters a stranger in a bar promising an opportunity to change her life. Nonetheless, she must make a decision she thought was reserved for other women.
Sexual dominant, Sebastian York, specializes in igniting passion in his lovers, but women always come and go, and he’s never had a woman to call his own.
Leading Izzy, a natural submissive, on a journey of sexual awakening, their casual arrangement soon grows too confining. Seb satisfies everything Izzy has craved and she instinctively bows to his dominant personality, fulfilling his every desire.
Their casual arrangement ignites Isabel’s long-buried passion and touches her heart, but Izzy struggles with the emotional turmoil that plagues her soul.
Sacrifices will have to be made by both, putting their love to the test. Izzy stands to lose the marriage she dedicated years of her life to, but has a chance to gain a relationship she’s always longed for. All depends on whether Sebastian proves to be the love of Izzy’s life, or leaves her wanting more…
Available for Sale at:
Smashwords – https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/579428
Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/dp/B015QILEC8
Global link http://mybook.to/More_RachelDeLune
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/more-rachel-de-lune/1122683627?ean=2940151008891
https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/more-31
https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-more-1893954-340.html
Synopsis for Forever More
What if you had everything you wanted within your grasp, but let it go?
Isabel Fields stands on the brink of a new life. She has the Dominant/submissive relationship she craves with the man she loves, but her past continues to haunt her.
With Isabel, Sebastian York can release the sexual Alpha Male he’d always tempered. He doesn’t intend to let her go, even when she bolts in panic. Together, both could experience the freedom to explore their relationship and sides of themselves previously stifled.
Their love is tested when issues of trust rising from Izzy’s past marriage and her damaged heart take their toll. They may have fallen in love, but that doesn’t guarantee it will be forever more.
Izzy and Seb have two choices: grow stronger together or be pulled apart by the past.
authorsinterviews 
Thanks for interviewing me! It was lovely to meet you. Hugs R