Fairy Tale Retellings, Book Two (standalone)
Historical Romance (Medieval)
Date Published: 04-10-2024
Little Red Riding Hood reimagined with a dark and realistic twist.
Princess Blanchette’s world shatters when the Black Wolf tears apart her castle and everything she holds dear. All she clings to is the vow she made to her grandmother on her deathbed.
Hailed as the people’s champion, Sir Rowan Dietrich liberates the capital in a quest for vengeance. He takes Winslowe Castle with an army at his back and his wolf, Smoke, at his side.
United by a shared cause and powerful attraction, Rowan and Blanchette embark on a journey of self-discovery and redemption—a path filled with loss, transformation, and ultimately, the healing power of love.
Can Norland’s resplendent princess, with her captivating beauty and spirit, tame the fabled Black Wolf?
Inspired by the fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood, Red Kingdom is a passionate historical romance about the enduring quest for love and the longing for a world at harmony.
*Red Kingdom is a standalone installment in a series of reimagined classic fairy tales. Due to adult content and themes, it is not intended for readers under the age of 18.
What you can expect from Red Kingdom...
Dark, Medieval Setting
Enemies to Lovers
Slow Burn
Broken Alpha Hero
Strong Heroine
Wolf Companion
He Falls First
Redemption
Warring Kingdoms
Interview with Rachel L. Demeter
Have you read anything that made you think differently about fiction?
I’m an avid Stephen King fan. His memoir and instructional writer’s book, On Writing, shaped the way I approach my stories and think about the reader’s experience. I highly recommend the book for any aspiring writer. It’s a no-nonsense guide and a fun insight into King’s process—exactly what you’d expect from a mind like his.
How do you select the names of your characters?
I have an ongoing list of names that I love the sound of. When I’m selecting a character’s name, I’ll narrow that list down, then research the top contenders. I like to choose names—especially for my main characters—that have symbolism or meaning. After all, what’s in a name?
Do you hide any secrets in your books that only a few people will find?
Secrets, huh? Well, Red Kingdom has “Easter eggs” that only readers of Beauty of the Beast (the first installment in my Fairy Tale Retellings series) will be savvy to. If you want to know what they are, you’ll have to read both!
What was your hardest scene to write?
I feel the most pressure when I’m writing the sex scenes. There’s just so much build up, you know? Don’t get me wrong—they’re a ton of fun and some of my favorite parts to write… but I always feel like I must “perform” and can’t let the reader down…
Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book?
My goal from the beginning with my Fairy Tale Retellings series was that each book can be enjoyed as a standalone. However, I include overarching characters, settings, and themes in all of them. I think that element adds a special and unique layer for readers of the series.
But ultimately, I’m striving to maintain the heart of each fairy tale while overlaying my own dark, realistic creative take.
What were your goals and intentions in this book, and how well do you feel you achieved them?
My intention with Red Kingdom was the same intention I’ve had with every book I’ve written: tell a story that’s true to me and is reflective of who I am while writing it. I’d indigested a TON of Game of Thrones and medieval history while writing Red Kingdom, and those inspirations come through strongly in the writing. I wanted to accurately reflect the era—a time of brutality, but also one of hope. I feel I achieved that end, and I think readers agree that I don’t backdown from describing the brutal reality of a medieval world at war.
What inspired you to write Red Kingdom?
My love for history and Game of Thrones. There’s just something wonderfully dark and alluring and macabrely beautiful about the medieval era. It was a time of contrasts: of chivalry and treachery, religion and brutality, despair and hope. And that dichotomy makes an immersive backdrop for fiction.
Can you tell us a little bit about the next books in your Fairy Tale Retellings series or what you have planned for the future?
I don’t want to say too much about the books I have planned for my Fairy Tale Retellings series so as not to spoil anything… but a secondary character from Red Kingdom will be a MMC in a future book.
I’m also planning a new series entitled “Gothic Retellings,” which will feature stories like The Phantom of the Opera, Wuthering Heights, and Frankenstein.
What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
Immersing myself in the medieval setting! I also enjoyed taking the fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood and the challenge of putting a dark, realistic spin on it. Since this series is not fantasy, I couldn’t use a werewolf for the MMC. So, instead, I created a knight with the façade “The Black Wolf”—and added an actual black wolf as his companion/sidekick. Then, of course, the FMC Blanchette has her red riding hood, the death of her grandmother, and so on. It was a lot of fun!
Thank you for having me on your blog today, Nancy!
You’re welcome! Thank your for taking time out of your busy day to stop by for a visit!
About the Author
I live in Sunny California with my dashing husband, who inspires my romance novels every day!
Writing has always been an integral part of my identity. Before I physically learned how to write, I'd narrate stories to my mom, and she'd record them for me.
I graduated from Chapman’s film school, where I often received the feedback on my scripts, “Your stories and characters are great, but this reads like a novel!” That’s when I realized my true calling.
In my free time, I frequent reptile expos, lift double my body’s weight, and indulge in dinosaur trivia.
I'm passionate about writing stories that explore what it means to be human and to be loved. My books focus on hope, courage, and redemption in the face of adversity.
Contact Links
Purchase Links
Read FREE on Kindle Unlimited
1 comments:
Thank you so much for the amazing interview!! 🙏🥰🥰
Post a Comment