Destiny Rhodes is an independent woman, who feels cursed with bad luck. Things get even worse when her brother, who enjoys a drink or two, forfeited her home, Doom Bar Hall, in a card game. He lost their home to none other than Divers O’Roarke – a man who she is not on good terms with, to say the least. Whilst he’s determined to get her out of the picture, Destiny is no doormat, refusing to give up her home to this handsome, yet very frustrating man.
The dialogue was witty and faced-paced. Destiny and Divers are polar opposites, which created wonderful chemistry between them. Whilst Destiny is a wonderfully feisty character, Divers is harder to read, choosing to keep his cards close to his chest.
There were many twists and turns along the way, keeping the reader hooked. The Cornish setting was intriguing: a place teeming with smugglers and excise men. This added a unique dimension to the novel, and I found myself completely immersed in Destiny’s story.
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel and can’t wait to read more of Shehanne Moore’s books! A riveting read that will have the reader hooked from start to finish, O’Roarke’s Destiny is a perfect novel for those who enjoy a suspenseful, sizzling romance.
As part of today’s post, fabulous romance author Shehanne Moore has kindly agreed to join us to answer a few questions about her books and writing process.
Now, for the questions . . . .
IB: What first inspired you to write historical romance?
SM: I have always been fascinated by the past. When it comes to us living in the present, we are here because of everything our ancestors lived though, war, plague, famine, disease, you name it in fact. But no matter the many differences between their lives and ours, certain things have always held good. The way they thought, the things they wanted and needed are not so far away as all that. So when it comes to the past, I prefer to write stories set there and I guess I settled for the romance tag because it was easier when I set out to get a romance book published. Let’s face it we all like a bit of it in our lives.
IB: You have a reputation for creating suspenseful plots. When you write, do you start with a solid plan, or invent new twists as you go along?
SM: Oh gosh, if only. The honest truth? I don’t have a scooby. I just have a scenario. Let’s just say that with Destiny I was having the Tuesday night wine night with a very good friend and we’d just put our house on the market that day and sold it, that day too to the first viewer who bought it on the spot without even wanting to see round it. He knew how long we’d lived in that house and thought it might be painful. So my friend was pretty gobsmacked and I said, ‘I should have flung myself in along with it.’ And that was where the idea for Destiny came from. But all it was, was an idea. I started to write it without the least notion of where it was going except that I fancied Cornwall as a location and I had some notion of the book opening at the point where this has chastely worked for a good while and now the hero has decided to get married. And like the voice whispered, ‘Stuff that. How about there’s past between them?’ So then, the hero who had a completely different name from in the book was exactly what he said. A house and garden designer. But after a few chapters he told me he didn’t like any of this, end of. And that is the shambles I work with every time. I don’t have a clue ever what the next chapter will be, where any of it is going, anything. At least I looked on the bright side of this one. It wasn’t as bad as in the Viking and the Courtesan where there was never meant to be a Viking at all. No time travel. Nothing. When I get really stuck as I did with Splendor I ask myself what are the goals and what would be this kind of person’s next move. That was simply for her to run up even more debt. It led to the whole of the next bit.
IB: If you could spend a day with one of the heroines in your books, which one would it be and what would you do?
SM: Well now Ada, that is a very interesting, excellent question in fact, especially if any one of them is out to smooth over whatever they’ve been up to. And not wanting get in a fight, or indeed for them to get in one with one another, as I hear the chorus of, ‘Me! Me!’ I have to say each one of them has something to offer the unsuspecting ‘day with them tripper’. ALL of it good of course…ahem. As the then fiancé of Splendor found out, a day with her, involved her dressing as a man and being challenged to a duel. You’d also need deep pockets to fund her shopaholic problems. Though I suppose if that day was in debtor’s prison, that problem wouldn’t arise. Brittany now, from a book I am about to re-release, that day would involve nonstop drinking and clubbing–fine if you can keep up– and as with Malice, who would only be interested in wrecking your marriage, it could involve several sudden disappearances. Sapphire, would be a possibility. Although in the past she’s been known to plant stolen goods, she is totally reformed. Kara? Alas? And Fury? In addition to the fact both refrain from belting me in the jaw? Well I suppose a day on a pirate ship with Fury would be all right provided she dropped the airs, graces and conditions. And same goes for Kara, so long as the trip round a Scottish glen didn’t involve getting her son back. Destiny…..? I guess a few hours might be all right, so long as you let her set the table and didn’t touch any of the dishes. AS for my forthcoming heroine? I am not even going there.
IB: You are known for being very supportive of emerging writers. What tips would you give budding romance authors who want to succeed in publishing their stories?
SM: Never stop believing in yourself and the story you want to tell. Publishing has changed beyond all recognition. Research on that. Yes, it is wonderful to have the agent/traditional publishing house but don’t waste years on that path. Even if it is granted it is may not be ‘everything’, just as going out on your own is not ‘nothing.’ Be realistic. Realistic too in what you can comfortably output. Be true to yourself in terms of your voice. Learn the craft and never give up.
Question 5: Is there anything new on the horizon, book-wise?
SM: Indeed, in addition to the rerelease of the Writer and the Rake, which I got my rights back on, Wryson’s Eternity, the follow up to O’Roarke’s Destiny is in the final editing and proofing stages.
IB: Ooh, I can’t wait (I’ll be downloading Wryson’s Eternity to my Kindle the day it’s released!).
Thank you so much Shehanne for being here today. It’s been fascinating hearing about your books and writing process.
Shehanne’s books are available from Amazon and lots more on her own site Cornish Rogues | shehanne moore
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