Monday, February 15, 2016

A SPY'S DEVOTION ~ Character Interview with Melanie Dickerson

It's my pleasure and privilege to bring you Melanie Dickerson, YA, Medieval, and Regency Romance author extraordinaire.  She has brought along two lovely characters from her new novel A Spy's Devotion, book 1 of the Regency Spies of London series, and has been kind enough to share them with us! Enjoy!


In England's Regency era, manners and elegance reign in public life--but behind closed doors, treason and intrigue thrive...

Nicholas Langdon is no stranger to reserved civility or bloody barbarity. After suffering a battlefield injury, the wealthy, well-connected British officer returns home to heal—and to fulfill a dying soldier’s last wish by delivering his coded diary.

At the home of the Wilherns, one of England’s most powerful families, Langdon attends a lavish ball where he meets their beautiful and intelligent ward, Julia Grey. Determined to maintain propriety, he keeps his distance—until the diary is stolen and all clues lead to Julia’s guardian. As Langdon traces an evil plot that could be the nation’s undoing, he grows ever more intrigued by the lovely young woman. And when Julia realizes that England—and the man she is falling in love with—need her help, she finds herself caught in the fray.


Will the two succumb to their attraction while fighting to save their country?



Dear Miss Grey and Mr. Langdon, 

What is your first reaction when you meet a fetching lady/handsome gentleman? Blush? Stutter? Run? Flirt? Engage them in intelligent or witty conversation? Start an argument to see them flustered? Offer a helping hand? Ask a friend about them?

Julia Grey: Of course, I would never speak to a gentleman to whom I had not been properly introduced. I would never want to make anyone ill at ease, so I would do my best to engage him in conversation on an appropriate topic.

Nicholas Langdon: Whenever I meet a young lady, I always ask her to dance. I enjoy dancing, as it is an acceptable way to make a lady’s acquaintance and to speak with her, without the risk of dying of boredom if the lady should prove to be less than enjoyable to converse with.

Are there any children or pets in your life? What do you love about them?

Julia: There is a precious little boy that I sometimes encounter in Cheapside when I visit my former music master. His name is Henry Lee, and he is the dearest boy and takes care of his sickly mother and younger sister, even though he is only eight years old himself. He knows I will always give him a few shillings, so he greets me every Tuesday on the street. But he has made me quite suspicious that he is acquainted with Mr. Langdon as well, though I cannot think how the two could know each other.

Nicholas: It is a little-known fact that I visit with my old school chum John Wilson every Tuesday at his Children’s Aid Mission, a place where children may go for a safe place to play and get a meal. I know several of the regulars, including Henry Lee, who nearly gave me away to Miss Grey when the three of us happened to meet in Bishopsgate Street.

What are your hobbies?

Julia: I enjoy playing the pianoforte and composing my own musical compositions. I also enjoy reading and daily walks to Hyde Park.

Nicholas:
I enjoy riding, dancing, shooting, reading, and other country life pursuits.

Any current romantic interests?

Julia: There is someone, Daniel Dinklage, whom Mr. Langdon often teases me about. But I do not believe Mr. Dinklage’s mother will ever approve the match, for I am poor and not the sort of attachment she is hoping for. She expects her eldest son to marry well.

Nicholas: Not at the moment. I am a second son and cannot expect a large inheritance of my own. My father hopes that I shall make my fortune in the army, and I have already been thrown over by my first fiancĂ©e for a wealthier—and much older—man. So marriage is not on my horizon at present.

What is your worst fear?

Julia: One of my worst fears is angering my uncle, who is also my guardian, as I do not wish him to ever think I am not extremely grateful for all that he has done for me in taking me in as part of his family. And I have seen his temper, and it is not something I wish to see again. Another fear is that I shall have to make my own way as a governess, since a governess is quite alone in the world, having no one with whom she might form an equal friendship, and very little chance of ever getting married and having a family of her own.

Nicholas: After having experienced war and severe battle injuries, I do not think there is much else to fear, besides losing one’s heart to a woman who would later prove herself unworthy and unfaithful, and I have already experienced that as well.


 Melanie Dickerson is an award-winning author who earned her bachelor’s degree in special education from The University of Alabama. She has taught in Georgia, Tennessee, Germany and the Eastern European country of Ukraine.

A member of American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and Romance Writers of America (RWA), she now spends her time writing and taking care of her husband and two daughters near Huntsville, Alabama.


You can purchase A SPY'S DEVOTION at Amazon or Barnes & Noble and add it to Goodreads.



Natalie here, thank you so much for coming by, Melanie, and for bringing along your characters! I'm so happy readers get a chance to meet Julia and Nicholas here on the Sweet South Blog.


Tweetable:
Propriety meets political intrigue in A SPY'S DEVOTION. (Click to Tweet)


Comment fodder:
Ladies -- How would you react if you learned your husband/boyfriend/gentleman you admired was involved in a political intrigue trying to save your country from sabotage?


Winners of the 20 Book Valentine's Day Giveaway are Bonnie Roof, Julianna Rowe, Annie JC, and Kim (kamundson44). CONGRATS!!! I'll be getting in touch with you shortly!

1 comment:

  1. What a fun interview! The interaction between Julia and Nicholas is so entertaining. I loved the book! Thank you for sharing, Natalie and Melanie!

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