Eulogy's Secretby Grace Elliot
Premise:
In the four weeks since her guardians’
death, Eulogy Foster has lost everything. Penniless and alone she seeks the
help of her estranged brother, Lord Lucien Devlin. But Devlin throws Eulogy
onto the streets and the mercy of a passing stranger, Jack Huntley. As Eulogy
seeks the truth behind her birth, she is drawn into the world of art and
artists, where her morals are challenged and all is deception.
Jack Huntley: bitter, cynical and betrayed in
love. He believes women are devious, scheming, untrustworthy creatures - and
when he rescues a naïve Miss from being raped, his life is about to change
forever. As his attraction to Eulogy grows, caught in a deadlock with both
denying their true feelings, events take a sinister turn as someone seeks to
silence Eulogy….forever.Author Interview:
* How did you come up with the idea for your book?
Plot ideas come from anywhere or
everywhere, including the most unexpected places. The idea behind "Eulogy's
Secret" sprang from seeing just one word, 'eulogy', on a poster. I saw it
written on a poster for a memorial concert at the Royal Albert Hall and it
struck me as a hauntingly beautiful name for a heroine. A eulogy is a speech or song in praise of the
dead and the story for "Eulogy's Secret" was the result of
brainstorming why a parent would call their child such a sad and enigmatic
name.
I tried different ideas, such as
Eulogy's mother dying in child birth - but that seemed too obvious - and so a darker
and more sinister reason sprang to mind. But to find out what it is, and why it
is Eulogy's secret, you'll have to read the book!
* What is
your favorite scene &/or character?
My favorite scene is quite near the
end of the book. Jack has been shot in a duel by Eulogy's estranged brother,
Lord Lucien Devlin, and very nearly dies. Eulogy is nursing Jack back to health
and finds herself in his dressing room where she spots a portrait. It is the
first portrait Tristan Farrell ever painted of her, which sold for a small
fortune to an anonymous buyer. Thus we learn Jack loved Eulogy before he could
admit it to her or even himself…but hung the portrait in his private rooms so
he could see her everyday.
Even if I say so myself, I love how
this represents male pig-headedness, that Jack won't admit to loving Eulogy for
fear of appearing weak, whilst honesty about his feelings was what she needed
all along.
(Excerpt from when first sees the
painting is attached.)
* Can you share something personal?
Do you collect something or have a hobby?
Writing is a passion and an addiction, so I guess you could
say it has gone way past the hobby stage! I'm incredibly fortunate because not
only am I a published author, but I have another dream job - as a veterinarian.
I work in a companion animal practice on the outskirts of London, within
walking distance of my home. I've worked there for fifteen years, which is
great because I love seeing the animals grow through all stages of their lives.
I am a pet owner myself, currently supporting five cats and a guinea pig - not
to mention my two teenage sons.
If you would like to know more about me then do visit my
blog:
Or follow me on twitter: @Grace_Elliot
Portrait Excerpt:
But before he left, there was one last thing he must do and the ache in his chest intensified. After taking a deep breath Huntley turned to face the portrait, leaning against the tallboy. Even though he had prepared himself, it still robbed him of breath, his dark eyes grew darker and a small vein pulsed at his temple. He could stare at the painting for hours, trying to armor his emotions, but each time it was the same eyes that pierced his soul, and with no more weapon than a stare, made him her prisoner.
He, or rather Chaucer, had come across the picture by chance. A few weeks earlier, to his amazement, rumors circulated in artistic circles that Tristan Farrell was painting again. Out of idle curiosity Huntley had dispatched his man to Red Lyon Square to investigate, only to have Chaucer return bright eyed and burbling on about a stunning portrait of a brown-eyed woman. It amused Huntley to instruct Chaucer to buy the painting, for an anonymous client of course, as an investment in the resurgence of a once great talent. But the moment Huntley saw the piece he knew he could not bear to part with it.
So here he stood, like a priest before an altar. Goosebumps raised on his arms as he gazed at the pale-skinned beauty with softly parted lips and enormous brown eyes, warm and alluring, staring out of the canvas as if taken by surprise. The swirling background of chocolate browns served to heighten the woman’s natural beauty. The piece was unfinished and yet utter perfection. Only an artist of great foresight would stop when he had, capturing the moment when a great artist discovers his muse. Huntley’s instincts had been correct. The model was Eulogy Foster, and the painting as divine as the woman it depicted.
Of course Chaucer was right; it made sound business sense to sign Farrell up to The Gallery before news of his work reached the ton. If the gallery manager was perplexed by the owner’s sudden indecision, he knew better than to mention it. As if it was fate intervening, there soon appeared a hastily scribbled note from Farrell, offering The Gallery first refusal of his future work. Huntley laughed aloud as he read. Even when fighting infatuation, he wasn’t such a fool as to decline an opportunity to make money.
Grace Elliot leads a double life as a veterinarian by day and author of historical romance by night. She believes that intelligent people need to read romance as an antidote to the modern world. An avid reader Grace writes emotionally involving historical romance.
Her debut novel 'A Dead Man's Debt' is now available form good eBook retailers, the Kindle store andwww.solsticepublishing.com.
Grace is addicted to cats and is housekeeping staff to five gorgeous moggies; Widget, Pilchard, Wallace, Gromit and Noni.
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