Talking with Amber Leigh Williams on Madam Rebelle:
Tell us about your latest book, who are the main characters and what we can expect when we pick it up.
Madame Rebelle is a historical fiction novel based in 1940s Champagne, France. Edmee
Guillon has vowed to save as many refugees as she can from the German Army. But
when a dying stranger in a German uniform asks her to hide him in the network
of caves beneath her family's vineyard, she struggles to believe his claim that
he is French. She's already risking her life, her home and the people she loves.
Will saving this mysterious man's life be the tipping point?
Taking the story from a concept to
a published book is a long and involved process. How does that usually work for
you?
Madame Rebelle went through several revisions before it was ready for
publication. This was my first historical fiction novel so it took me a while
to learn how to tell Edmee's story. After the second draft, I realized that I
didn't have to change my writing style in order to make the world of World War
II France come to life. I followed the same parameters I do when writing
suspense. In almost every scene, there's danger and a ticking clock lurking in
the background. It keeps the pace moving and helps convey the urgency and
immediacy of the time period.
Which of your books would you
recommend for readers to choose first if they’re new to you and your books?
I write contemporary romance,
romantic suspense, and historical fiction. If you enjoy contemporary romance, I
recommend starting with my free novella, About That Summer, or A
Place With Briar, the first book in my hometown series.
If you love romantic suspense, I
have three series starters you can try – Coldero Ridge Cowboy (Fuego,
New Mexico trilogy), Escape to the Bayou (Southern Justice trilogy), and
Colton's Last Resort (Coltons of Arizona series).
If you prefer historical fiction, Madame
Rebelle is my first stand-alone novel. It would be a great place to start!
We are very curious about your
writing process. What is a typical writing day like for you?
For me, a typical writing day
doesn't really exist. I'm a homeschool mom so my day revolves around the kids'
schedules. I find little chunks of time to do writing sprints so if they're
taking tests or if they're at D&D Club at the library or they're at soccer
or softball practice, I'll find time to write then. I've learned to write
anywhere. Most of my daily word count typically happens at nighttime after the
kids go to bed. I brew myself a big pot of ginger peach tea and write until 1-2
in the morning before turning in and starting it all again the next day. I’ve
always been a night owl and I work well even when things around me are chaotic
so as crazy as my schedule sounds, it works.
What trope have you not written
yet but want to?
The unreliable narrator is one of
my favorite mystery/suspense/thriller tropes. I'd love to explore that
narrative and see what comes of it. I'm also a sucker for a dual timeline story
split between past and present.
How do you approach character
development in your stories? Do you have any specific techniques or methods
that you find particularly effective?
Every character has a secret, and
at some point in the story they either have to tell someone that secret or it’s
revealed by other means. How they respond to their secret becoming known tells
the audience what kind of person they are on the inside.
At its core, Madame Rebelle
is about making a choice – do I risk my life and the life of everyone I love to
do what I believe is right or do I go along with an oppressive regime to save
everything I know? Every character from Edmee to Christian to the soldiers in
the town square to her cousin Jacqueline each respond to this question in their
own way.
What do you believe sets your
writing apart from others in your genre, and why should readers choose to read
your books?
I don't believe in character
archetypes. You see that in Madame Rebelle because Edmee will always do
what's right but she struggles when the right thing requires secrets and lies
and she’s forced to tread the gray area that exists between good and evil.
I strive to leave readers with a
prevailing sense of hope at the end of my books because while the FMC and MMC
often face their greatest fears and challenges, they always find some way to
overcome them.
Can you discuss any upcoming
projects or books that you're currently working on? What can readers expect
from your future works?
Next spring, my next suspense Colton Storm Watch
will be published with Harlequin Romantic Suspense. I also get to introduce
a five-book series about five brothers living in Shatter Pointe, North Carolina.
The first two books are completed and should be published in 2026-2027. You can
find out more about Madame Rebelle, these books and more at my website: www.amberleighwilliams.com
GENRE: Historical Romance
Rebel.
Smuggler. Spy.
Champagne,
France 1943
Meet
Madame Rebelle. Edmee Guillon is a smuggler. She hides people from the German
troops surrounding her ancestral home. When a dying man in a German uniform
seeks refuge at Maison Boutet, Edmee struggles to believe his claims that he is
French. Her life, the maison and the people she loves are already at stake. Can
she take the chance that this mysterious spy is who he says he is? And which
side of this war is he really on?
Christian
Vovk has been betrayed by someone inside his resistance organization. He knows
asking the striking young war widow to hide him will put her in certain danger.
However, Christian can help Edmee save as many refugees as she can. Falling in
love with her will hinder his duty to the operation that brought him to her
doorstep in the first place. When love and duty become inevitably tangled, will
Christian sacrifice one for the other?
Amazon
Ebook: https://a.co/d/b7e849S
Amazon
Paperback: https://a.co/d/cIS1iOp
Amber’s
Website:
https://amberleighwilliams.com/madame-rebelle
Excerpt
Two:
The muscles of her face were taut. “I know that.”
Christian subsided into silence.
“Is the gun something you stole?” Edmée wanted to know. “If
it’s German—”
“It’s not,” he said. Would she really know the difference if
he lied? “Are you going to tell your uncle you've hidden me here?”
“I have to cover my tracks outside the cave,” she claimed,
avoiding his probing stare.
He gripped her wrist before she could leave. When her gaze
seized on his, it took him a moment to realize what he needed to say. “Be
careful.”
Her lips firmed. “Take your aspirin. I won’t bring anymore
wine.” She eyed the gun in his waistband. “I shouldn’t let you keep the gun. It
would be stupid of me.”
“You cannot leave me undefended.”
When she wavered, he tugged her closer, leaning in. Did she
know she smelled of the woods—of untamed things? “You should have one.”
Her brows came together. “A gun?”
“The supply runs. They’re dangerous.”
“So is carrying a gun.”
“Oui, but it’s the couriers, the messengers, the runners…
They’re the ones arrested first.”
“So which one were you?” she wondered. “A courier or a
messenger?”
Enter to win a $25 Amazon/BN
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Website:
https://amberleighwilliams.com
Instagram:
https://instagram.com/amberleighwilliams
Facebook:
https://facebook.com/amberleighwilliamsbooks
Amazon
Author Page:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0030VZW2C?ccs_id=972a6661-be68-4275-b311-8f8e0b259f83
Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2713894.Amber_Leigh_Williams
Bookbub:
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/amber-leigh-williams
1 comment:
Thank you so much for featuring MADAME REBELLE and Amber Leigh Williams.
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