Interview with Megan Walker, Author of Lakeshire Park!

Megan Walker was raised on a berry farm in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, where her imagination took her to times past and worlds away. While earning her degree in Early Childhood Education, she married her one true love and started a family. But her imaginings of Regency England wouldn't leave her alone, so she picked up a pen and wrote her first novella, A Beautiful Love: A Regency Fairy Tale Retelling which was published in 2019. She lives in St. Louis, Missouri, with her husband and three children. Lakeshire Park is her debut novel.

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Author Interview:

Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Sure! I majored in Early Childhood Education at Brigham Young University, but in between senior semesters I married my husband, who was set to move to Houston, TX, for medical school. So, through BYU, I had the privilege of completing my student teaching through an inner-city school district in Houston, which was an incredible experience that shaped both my teaching and my life. Coming from small town Missouri, I hardly knew how to drive on a three-lane freeway, let alone eight lanes! I’ll always be a country girl at heart. Now we’re living in St. Louis, MO, and I’m happily raising my three children and writing to my heart’s content.

What do you enjoy doing besides writing?

I love the outdoors, playing board games and sports with my family, reading, baking (though I’m not super great at it) and watching movies and TV shows.

What are some things on your bucket list that you have accomplished, and some you look forward to?

Writing a BOOK! and traveling Europe, seeing the pyramids and the Holy Lands. I have lots more traveling to do … one in particular is to take England with my writing partners. We are READY, we just need time and money, haha!

Do you have images you can share that come close to how you picture your characters? Do you like to find visual inspiration for your characters before or during your writing process?

I have two images, but they were strictly for inspiration and not exactly how I picture Amelia and Peter, so I won’t share them. (forgive me!) But yes, I do like to find visual inspiration for my characters. It’s a very loose interpretation though, almost more like finding a face to fit the personality in my head, and then making adjustments so they REALLY ARE how I picture them. 

What are some songs that you listened to or inspired you while writing your book?

Imagine Dragons Walking the Wire is Amelia’s song. Ed Sheeran’s Dive is Peter’s.

What message would you like readers to ultimately take away from the book?

Don’t ever give up hope. No matter how bad things get, keep going. You never know what tomorrow can bring.

What can we look forward to coming from you in the future?

Right now, I’m working on my second Regency romance novel! My heroine is very different from Amelia, so it’s been fun getting to know her. I’ve also got a novella coming out in August in a series with my writing partners. Stay tuned for details -- I am so excited to share more stories with you!

What is your favorite way to connect with readers?

Facebook and Instagram, though COVID19 is making it hard for me to keep up! I’m going to work harder at posting more, because I LOVE engaging with reader friends. It always brightens my day!!


Thank you Megan! I can't wait to read more of your stories!

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

(Read my review here)

Synopsis

Brighton, England 1820

Amelia Moore wants only one thing—to secure the future happiness of her younger sister, Clara. With their stepfather’s looming death, the two sisters will soon be on their own—without family, a home, or a penny to their names. When an invitation arrives to join a house party at Lakeshire Park, Amelia grasps at the chance. If she can encourage a match between Clara and their host, Sir Ronald, then at least her sister will be taken care of.

Little does she know that another guest, the arrogant and overconfident Mr. Peter Wood, is after the same goal for his own sister. Amelia and Peter begin a rivalry that Amelia has no choice but to win. But competing against Peter—and eventually playing by his rules—makes Amelia vulnerable to losing the only thing she has left to claim: her heart.

Praise for Lakeshire Park:

“…readers will find it easy to invest in practical, business-minded Amelia as she learns to follow her heart. This gentle love story is a treat.”—Publisher’s Weekly 

“An immersive drama…Walker effortlessly amplifies the decorum of Regency England with chic wit and delightful characters.”—Booklist

"Charming, beautifully written, and hopelessly romantic. Sure to be a new favorite."—Julianne Donaldson, best-selling author of Edenbrooke

  

Review: The Noble Smuggler by Sian Ann Bessey

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

Despite living at her father’s inn her entire life, Elizabeth Doyle has always managed to avoid involvement with the smugglers who frequently gather there. Until now. When a handsome smuggler is brought to her with dire injuries, Elizabeth risks everything to hide him—completely unaware that the wounded man is not who he appears to be.

When an opportunity arises to infiltrate the notorious smuggling gang he believes caused his father’s death, Jonas Ainsworth, the Viscount Langton, pretends to be one of them. But when he is wounded midcharade, Jonas’s life is placed in the hands of an unlikely savior: a smuggler’s daughter. Forced to flee before his wounds have fully healed, he does not think he will ever see her again—until she appears on his doorstep, seeking safe haven. Divided by their social standings yet united in their mutual desire to expose the leader of the smuggling ring, Jonas and Elizabeth are undeniably drawn to each other. Neither realizes, however, that they are dangerously close to uncovering explosive secrets from the past—secrets that will alter the course of their lives forever.

My Review

What stood out to me first was the era- late 1700's. The politics of the time come into play along with powdered wigs, but both were used moderately- thank goodness! ;) Elizabeth and Jonas both rescue each other in turn, and their bond forms quickly. They instinctively trust, even before they know the secrets the other is hiding. There is a wonderful sense of anticipation and suspense throughout the entire story as they work together to end the smuggling through more than one avenue, and uncover the mystery behind Jonas's father's death. I especially enjoyed the mother and sister of Jonas and the unpretentious way they accept and embrace Elizabeth into their fold. Elizabeth never aspires to join the upper class, feeling more comfortable with a future as a maid, but her role in undermining the master of the smugglers keeps her uncovering clues with Jonas and his family and friends. All the while the danger mounts from both the smugglers and her unscrupulous father and corrupt magistrate. While I wished for more chemistry and romantic development between Jonas and Elizabeth, the strong plot kept me glued to the pages as I read to the satisfying conclusion.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

Review: Lakeshire Park by Megan Walker

My rating: 5 stars / It was amazing

Synopsis

Brighton, England 1820

Amelia Moore wants only one thing—to secure the future happiness of her younger sister, Clara. With their stepfather’s looming death, the two sisters will soon be on their own—without family, a home, or a penny to their names. When an invitation arrives to join a house party at Lakeshire Park, Amelia grasps at the chance. If she can encourage a match between Clara and their host, Sir Ronald, then at least her sister will be taken care of.

Little does she know that another guest, the arrogant and overconfident Mr. Peter Wood, is after the same goal for his own sister. Amelia and Peter begin a rivalry that Amelia has no choice but to win. But competing against Peter—and eventually playing by his rules—makes Amelia vulnerable to losing the only thing she has left to claim: her heart.

My Review

This book was an absolute delight to read! It had it all for me- conflict, sacrifice, humor, yearning, and interestingly complex dynamics. The relationship between Amelia and Peter started with friction- more antagonistic on her side because of a debacle over a pair of gloves. It was fun to see how their interactions altered over time as she got to know him better and see more layers to his personality. Peter reminds me a bit of Philip from Edenbrooke- charming, loves to laugh, teasing, and full of longing for his secret love, bringing a sense of vulnerability as well. The dynamics of those in the house party kept me on my toes as Amelia struggles to forge a future of security for her and Clara. She has to decide between a guaranteed practicality or a risky choice of love, which she has never believed in due to her parents' example. I loved how everything builds up to the climax and ending where I was satisfied with the resolutions for all my favorite characters.

Highly recommend to fans of sweet Regency romance, especially those who enjoyed Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)

Review: Hooking a Handyman by Brenna Jacobs

My rating: 4 stars / I really liked it

Synopsis

When Zoey returns home to California to live with her ailing grandmother, she's less than enthusiastic when Nana tries to set her up with Harry, the handyman who's been helping her out around the house for years. But then she discovers Harry the handyman is actually Harrison Beckford, the handsome host of the hottest home renovation show on television.

To Zoey, Harry seems too good to be true. He's got the job, the house, the dog, even two adorable kids who Zoey quickly falls in love with. But as she gets swept up in Harrison's glamorous life, Zoey starts to let go of things that have always mattered to her in the past. Her career. Her friends. Soon she starts to wonder: Will fitting into Harrison's life require too much renovation of her own, or will the two of them be able to merge their worlds into a balanced and level whole?

My Review

This book is cute and fun and flirty, although I had a hard time relating to Zoey and her single-mindedness about her career. She falls into a too-good-to-be-true romance with Harry, the celebrity handyman, and his adorable kids. About midway through the book when she starts feeling apprehensive about her conflict of Chicago career or California relationship things get a little deeper as she struggles to figure out how to have both. I appreciated the quote from the self-help book she comes across in the newsroom that helps her gain some perspective, as well as the strong women in her life that support and encourage her. It was interesting to see her character arc as well as Harry's as the obstacles to their relationship make them realize how important they are to each other.

(I received a complimentary copy of the book; all opinions in this review are my own)