Welcome Rebecca DeMarino, author of To Capture Her Heart, to Author Spotlight!

Tell us a little about your new book . . .

I’d be happy to! Here’s a synopsis of my second novel in The Southold Chronicles:

In 1653 Heather Flower, a princess of the Montauk tribe, is celebrating her wedding feast when a rival tribe attacks, killing the groom and kidnapping her. Though her ransom is paid, she is nonetheless bound by her captors and left to die—until she finds herself rescued by handsome Dutch Lieutenant Dirk Van Buren.

Still tender from her loss, Heather Flower begins to heal in the home of Englishman Ben Horton, a longtime friend of her people. But despite Ben’s affectionate attentions, she can’t stop thinking about the handsome Dutchman who saved her from certain death. Can she find peace again among her own people? Or will her growing affection for her rescuer draw her into conflict with everyone she loves? Will she choose loyalty or love?

How can readers find you and your books?

Readers can find me at my website, www.RebeccaDeMarino.com and I’d love to connect on Facebook. Also, I love Pinterest, so catch me there, too!

What is the smartest writing advice you ever got?

It is three-part: read twenty (at a minimum) books in the genre you wish to write, study the craft (classes and craft books) and join a writer’s group.

I’m inspired by…

Many authors, but especially Jane Kirkpatrick. She writes with such grace about strong women in history. I’ve always loved her books, and she is a gracious and encouraging friend. She is truly the author who has had the most impact on me as a writer.

My great adventure has been…

Right now, having turned in book #3 of The Southold Chronicles, I’d have to say starting out to write my first novel in 2008 to give Mary Horton a voice in her 17th century world, and turning that book into a three-book series! It’s been such an adventure researching and writing all three books, and To Capture Her Heart was a delight because as a writer I could slip into Heather Flower’s world and walk—as the saying goes—in her moccasins!

If I could go anywhere, it would be…

Mowsley, England. My ninth great-grandparents, the Hortons, came from Mowsley to Southold, Long Island, and whenever I’m back in Southold I feel so connected—I feel my roots. I’ve been to England, but never to Mowsley, and I want to see if I feel that same connection there. Something tells me I will.

If your house were on fire, what one thing would you save?

Pictures! In 2012 there was a forest fire raging directly across the road from our house and I was faced with grabbing things quickly and evacuating. Fortunately, the fire was contained before it could jump the road. Family pictures that could not be replaced and paintings from the wall were my main concern, but I grabbed my computer, too. Thankfully most of the important things on my computer (including many of our digital pics) are stored on Dropbox, but still I didn’t want to start over with a new one.

What has been your most surreal, “pinch-me-I’m-dreaming” moment so far?

You might be surprised, Suzanne, but it was when I had the opportunity to sit with you, author Dan Walsh, the Revell editors and Joyce Hart at the Carol Awards in 2012. I had just signed my contract with Revell that year and my first novel would not release until 2014. I remember when you and Dan won your Carols and I looked around the table—it was definitely a “pinch me” moment! It was so nice to be included!

If you could give your ten-year-old self one piece of advice, what would it be?

That there is nothing that can happen to you that you cannot endure if you keep your eyes on God and take His hand.

If a picture paints a thousand words, what are you doing on that picture?

I’m on a swing, in a white dress, with a big smile and flying high over the picket fence toward the clouds.

[Tweet “There is nothing you cannot endure if you keep your eyes on God & take His hand. @RebeccaDeMarino”]

To Capture Her Heart Book Launch

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