February Author

Kissed by Literature: Welcome back, Grace!  This time you’re here with a different book, HIS RIGHTHAND MAN.  I actually remember reading this one when we were part of a critique circle together.  I’d never gotten to the end, and oh my, was I not disappointed.  In your own words – since they did write the story – what is this about?

Grace M. DeLeesie: Hi! Good to be back. I love this book, “His RightHand Man”. I think it truly shows how a strong a woman’s will is to protect her loved ones.

Angela of Rom takes the place of her sickly brother in the Arohian army, where she comes face-to-face with Captain Konner of Hoyts, also known as the Giant of Hoyts. Over the months of training and pretending to be male, Angela befriends Konner and starts to fall in love with him. Konner, however, believes her to be a him, and that is only one of the obstacles in their way of their HEA ending.

KBL:  Fascinating.  Would you call this a romance or a fantasy?

GMD: Honestly, I think it is both. I created the world in which this book takes place but it is also a love story; therefore I call it “fantasy romance”.

KBL:  Did you need to do a lot of research for this book? 

GMD: I had to research the art of archery. I didn’t know terms like “notch” or a “sharp” bow verses a “long” bow. Also, how they cared for their bows and made their arrows. It was very interesting.

KBL:  Do you hold a special place in your heart for your characters?

GMD: I love Angela and Konner together. They are both such strong characters, and the more they fight the more they love the other. I couldn’t imagine them being any other way.  

KBL:  Which character has been your favorite to write about?

GMD: Oh, a tough one! There are so many great characters introduced in “His RightHand Man”, but I think my favorite would have to be Angela. She’s got this strength about her and, no matter what, follows her gut.

KBL:  How do you come up with the names of your characters?

GMD: Konner has always been a favorite boy’s name for me; I changed the “C” to a “K” because I love the nickname “Kon”. Angela just fit with who she is; it’s girly but determined too. Her two sisters, Philipa and Shawndra, are actually dedications.

KBL:  Here is your chance, readers, to fall in love with Angela and Konnor for yourself.  Grace will be giving away a copy of HIS RIGHTHAND MAN to one of you.  All you need to do is comment here before April 1^st – and no, this is not an April Fools Joke – and make sure to leave your email address.  Grace will choose the winner on April 1^st.  Good luck, and may the romance steal you away.