ABOUT THE BOOK
England, 1820
Rosalind Newbury is counting down the days until her wedding to the Duke of Marlow, a man she has only met twice, and she knows exactly how she wants to spend her time. As a child, Ros created a list of ten things to do before her wedding day. So far, she has done none of them. She is determined to tackle each item, though she’ll have to accomplish them all in secret. After all, a soon-to-be-duchess is not usually allowed to bury treasure in the pasture, eat sweets all day, or learn how to swim. She enlists the help of her best friend, Liza, who brings along her cousin, Charlie, a prodigal son-turned-boxer who has come to the countryside to mend his reputation and learn how to be his father’s heir. Together, the three of them work to complete the list, and as each item is crossed off, an unlikely friendship blossoms between Ros and Charlie. The more time they spend together, the more Ros falls in love with this imperfect man and his good heart. With the wedding looming, Ros must decide to either admit her romantic feelings for Charlie and risk her family’s future or keep her promise to marry the duke and start a new life as a noblewoman.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
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 the rest is history. She lives in St. Louis, Missouri, with her husband and three children.
AUTHOR INTERVIEW
Life Is What It's Called - What sets this book apart from other books of this genre?
Megan Walker - I think Miss Newbury's List stands apart by its premise--this list of things Rosalind wants to do before she weds--and it's cast of characters who each feel lost in their own way, but together, find how to continue forward.
Life Is What It's Called - What inspired you to write this story?
Megan Walker - I started writing Miss Newbury's List at the same time I started Lakeshire Park. Lakeshire Park won out, and I finished it first. I loved the idea of a wayward boxer-gentleman paired with a seemingly-has-it-all heroine, and when I came back to this story after Lakeshire, I played around with the premise a lot before I found where my boxer belonged, (several drafts later), then the list fell into place.
Life Is What It's Called - What will readers like most about this book?
Megan Walker - I hope they like the romance, the unlikely pairing, and the hard decisions these characters have to make that ultimately change the course of their lives. I hope the jokes hit right, and a certain kiss scene is everything my readers dream for. Xoxo.
Life Is What It's Called - What was your favorite scene to write?
Megan Walker - So hard to choose!! I'll say when Charlie teaches Ros how to box, because I feel like that moment is the catalyst for their relationship. That was a scene I could picture super clearly, and it just flowed out of me.
Life Is What It's Called - How is this book similar and different to the other books you have written?
Megan Walker - Same time period! But this time, my heroine already has everything she could ever want--or so she tries to believe. It's maybe more adventurous? Definitely (hopefully) the same tension and angst I loved writing in Lakeshire Park.
Life Is What It's Called - What writing projects are you working on right now?
Megan Walker - I think Miss Newbury's List stands apart by its premise--this list of things Rosalind wants to do before she weds--and it's cast of characters who each feel lost in their own way, but together, find how to continue forward.
Life Is What It's Called - What inspired you to write this story?
Megan Walker - I started writing Miss Newbury's List at the same time I started Lakeshire Park. Lakeshire Park won out, and I finished it first. I loved the idea of a wayward boxer-gentleman paired with a seemingly-has-it-all heroine, and when I came back to this story after Lakeshire, I played around with the premise a lot before I found where my boxer belonged, (several drafts later), then the list fell into place.
Life Is What It's Called - What will readers like most about this book?
Megan Walker - I hope they like the romance, the unlikely pairing, and the hard decisions these characters have to make that ultimately change the course of their lives. I hope the jokes hit right, and a certain kiss scene is everything my readers dream for. Xoxo.
Life Is What It's Called - What was your favorite scene to write?
Megan Walker - So hard to choose!! I'll say when Charlie teaches Ros how to box, because I feel like that moment is the catalyst for their relationship. That was a scene I could picture super clearly, and it just flowed out of me.
Life Is What It's Called - How is this book similar and different to the other books you have written?
Megan Walker - Same time period! But this time, my heroine already has everything she could ever want--or so she tries to believe. It's maybe more adventurous? Definitely (hopefully) the same tension and angst I loved writing in Lakeshire Park.
Life Is What It's Called - What writing projects are you working on right now?
Megan Walker - I'm almost finished with my third regency romance, and I am having so much fun I never want it to end! I'm hoping to share more details soon!!
Life Is What It's Called - What do you want readers to know most about you as a writer?
Megan Walker - My hope as a writer is to bring my characters to life on the page in a way that feels immersive to my readers. I hope my readers go on a journey with my characters and feel entertained, heartbroken, and healed all the way to the happily ever after.
Also, I want everyone to know that I am as imperfect a writer as I am a human, and while I try to keep my books as historically accurate as possible, sometimes funny things require stretching the imagination and anything glaringly off the rocker is solely on me.
Life Is What It's Called - What do you want readers to know most about you as a writer?
Megan Walker - My hope as a writer is to bring my characters to life on the page in a way that feels immersive to my readers. I hope my readers go on a journey with my characters and feel entertained, heartbroken, and healed all the way to the happily ever after.
Also, I want everyone to know that I am as imperfect a writer as I am a human, and while I try to keep my books as historically accurate as possible, sometimes funny things require stretching the imagination and anything glaringly off the rocker is solely on me.
REVIEW
Regency romance readers will enjoy the fresh new approach to Regency Era genre fiction in Miss Newbury's List. The romance focuses on Miss Newbury accomplishing her "bucket" list of things to do before she weds. The reader embarks on fun and amusing escapades as Miss Newbury with grit and determination tries to accomplish each task. Miss Newbury learns more about herself with each task and has to figure out what she really wants. The characters evolve and progress as the story unfolds. Walker does a good job at keeping the reader engaged, entertained, and provides thoughtful insight through her characters about the balance between duty and our own aims at life. She describes several scenes with active detail and humor that readers may find themselves with a smile or a chuckle. Overall, this was an amusing and fun book to read. I think Regency romance readers will enjoy this story and find themselves asking themselves what would they put on such a list. To learn more, click here.
Please note this post is in cooperation with Shadow Mountain Publishing. I received a free copy to review, however, this is my honest opinion. This post contains affiliate links that help support this blog.
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