I have the pleasure of introducing to you to a young debut author with Love Inspired Historicals, Noelle Marchand, and her endearing heroine.
Noelle Marchand’s love of literature began as a child when she would spend hours reading beneath the covers long after she was supposed to be asleep. Over the years, God began prompting her to write by placing ideas for stories in her head. Eventually, those stories became like “fire shut up in her bones” leading her to complete her first novel by her sixteenth birthday.
Now, at the age of twenty-two, that fire of inspiration continues to burn. Her first published novel, Unlawfully Wedded Bride, will be on store shelves October 2011. She is currently working on her fourth novel.
Noelle is a Houston-native who will graduate from Houston Baptist University. She is currently a senior double majoring in Mass Communication with a focus in journalism and Speech Communication. She has gained writing, editorial, and publishing experience by working for HBU’s student newspaper.
Kate O’Brien is the heroine of Unlawfully Wedded Bride and I’ve asked her a few questions…
1) Your younger siblings, Sean and Ellie, have hinted to me that you may be a bit of a workaholic. Is that true? What do you usually do for fun?
I think Sean and Ellie are exaggerating a bit. I just do what has to be done to keep our farm going. If that means I work hard then I work hard. As for fun…I guess I haven’t thought about that much since my parents died. Although since Nathan Rutledge arrived I guess you could say things have become more fun if that means exciting and unpredictable.
2) When did you first realize someone is trying to kill you? Describe how you felt?
Someone’s trying to kill me? Don’t be silly. Is this another rumor started by Mrs. Greene or Andrew Stolvins? If so, I can tell you it isn’t true.
3) What made you choose Peppin, TX as your home? Can you tell us a little about the place?
Well, my family moved to Peppin from Illinois when I was just a child. It is a small town with a very close-knit community. Everyone knows what everyone else is doing almost before they do it. It can be a bit disconcerting at times but good because we all look out for each other.
4) How did you meet Nathan Rutledge? What did you think about him the first time you met?
I met Nathan Rutledge when he showed up at my farm claiming to be my husband. I admit I thought he was handsome. I also thought he was slightly delusional until he showed me the marriage certificate then I saw him in an entirely new light. After all, he gave up his former life as a rancher to marry me and help me with the farm. It was a nice if unnecessary gesture. I may miss him just a little after we get the annulment and he goes back to wherever he came from.
5) Showed you a marriage certificate?! How could you possibly think it was real? You’d have to sign it.
I had. In a moment of desperation when I realized that I needed a husband to get a loan from the bank and save the farm, I’d signed an absentee affidavit. But then I decided to try to find a less drastic way to go about things and never intended to send it. Except Sean found it and sent it off.
6) What are your strengths and weaknesses?
My strengths are that I am a strong, determined, independent woman. My weaknesses… well, some have said that I’m too strong, determined and independent for my own good.
7) What do you value above all else?
Family. My siblings mean everything to me. I’d do anything to keep us together and protect my parent’s legacy.
8) What do you admire about the hero?
He isn’t afraid of hard work. He makes Sean and Ellie laugh. He is also very kind.
9) Why could you never see yourself ending up with the hero?
I’m pretty sure I don’t need a hero. In fact, I’m positive I don’t. I’ve been doing pretty well by myself. I’m not interested in depending on a man so I guess that’s why I couldn’t see myself with him.
10) What’s your greatest fear?
My greatest fear is letting my parents down by not taking care of my siblings. I’ve been doing my best to provide for them. If I’m honest, I’m afraid that won’t be enough.
11) What is the one thing you would never do?
Work at the Red Canteen Saloon. My former beau (if you can call Andrew Stolvins that) has offered me a position several times. I would never accept it.
12) If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
I have a bit of a temper. I suppose it would be nice to be a bit more level-headed.
Thank you Kate for visiting with us today.
If you’d like to read Kate O’Brien’s complete story, look for Noelle’s book in stores this month.
Kate O’Brien can’t believe her ears. She’s been married, by proxy, to a man she’s never met, thanks to her young siblings’ meddling! Kate offers her “groom” room and board at her farm until the annulment is granted—nothing more. After all, what else could this predicament be but a blunder that needs fixing?
Nathan Rutledge arrives on Kate’s doorstep, seeking a fresh start—with a family that needs his help more than Kate will admit. The shadows in both their pasts will be no match for a bright new beginning. But first, he has to convince a woman frightened of love to throw caution to the Texas wind…
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That sounds like such a cute story!! And I love that Noelle is 22 and already pubbed. What an inspiration to other young writers!
I loved the interview with Kate O’Brien. Just reading the interview with Kate makes me want to read this book. I have to find out what happens!!
Congrats Noelle on your first published novel! I’m sure everyone will enjoy “Unlawfully Wedded Bride”. We will be waiting for your next book!
Could you tell us a little about your family? Are you an only child? Do you live on a ranch? Any other authors in your family?
Thanks and God Bless!
Judy B
Great questions, Judy. I suspect Noelle is in classes at the moment, but hopefully will be by a little later on.
Thanks, Jessica. Publishing at a young age is definitely a blessing. It’s also a big responsibility. For instance this weekend I had a paper due Friday morning, a book launch Friday night, another blog interview Sunday, and two exams yesterday! It’s been quite a hectic week but worth it.
Judy, what a great question! My immediate family is very close and we have an amazing (very large) extended family. I am the youngest of three children with an older brother and sister.I’m sure that where I got some of the material for the sibling relationship in my book. I don’t live on a ranch.
I’ve actually lived in Houston, Texas my entire life.I’ve had a little exposure to southern and western culture just because I live in Texas but I’m mostly a city girl.
My extended family is full of artists, actors, singers and a few writers. My sister, Ashley Marchand, is a journalist so I guess writing does run in the family.
I love these questions! Let me know if y’all have any more.
Wow, Noelle, sounds like an artistic gene definitely runs in your family. 🙂
I’m a baby sister, like you. That makes the older sister heroine even more intriguing to me. Have you asked your older sister what she thinks of Kate? I have a vivid memory of talking with my older sister long after we’d become moms ourselves, and hearing her take on our youth/childhood. The difference in perspective was quite startling.
Thanks Noelle for answering my questions! I enjoy getting to know more about authors. I find that I can relate to so many.
You have a great future ahead of you!
Blessings!
Judy
You’re so welcome, Judy!
Sandra, I hadn’t asked my sister but she was on the phone with me when I saw your post so I did.
She said “I definitely identify with Kate as the older sibling in that she tries to take care of everyone and tends to be excessively independent. I like how the book shows that sometimes the older siblings need to be taken care of by the younger siblings too and shown how to have a little bit fun.”
It’s funny but now that I think of it, I can see a lot of my sister in Kate. I’m afraid I’m much more like the trouble making Ellie than the other characters perhaps because she is the youngest.
LOL, Noelle, it’s interesting to hear your sister’s perspective. It’s fun as writers to get into everyone else’s head. 🙂
I wish I would have started writing so young.
Congrats on your success!
Sandra, thanks for telling us about this YOUNG writer……Noelle’s book sounds great and I will be looking out for it.
My pleasure, Jackie. Thanks for stopping by. 🙂
Loree…I’ve thought the same thing at times. But everyone’s journey is so different. The Lord has to take some of us through certain life experiences so we can better write about them. Don’t you think?
With the explosion of online resources in recent years, the opportunities to learn and grow as a writer have certainly helped.
Thanks Jackie and Loree!
Doing this at a young age definitely has it’s challenges but I’m so grateful that all of this has happened. Hopefully, I’ll just keep becoming a better and better writer as time goes by.
Hi! I awarded your blog ‘The Versatile Blogger’ Award!
http://christianbookshelfreviews.blogspot.com/2011/10/my-third-blog-award-versatile-blogger.html
Sandra, what a great way to run an interview. i loved it, and i love your blog! Thanks to Noelle Marchand on GoodReads!
Thank you, Marianne, so happy you stopped by.
Sounds like a delightful book and how wonderful Noelle that you have started your career at such a young age. Doing what you love must be a great blessing from God. Best wishes in your future.
Marianne! Thanks for coming over from Goodreads. So glad that you’re here.
Thanks, Loraine! It is most definitely a blessing from God.
So are all of you! Thank you so much for dropping by. If y’all have any other questions feel free to ask me here or on Facebook, Goodreads, and Twitter etc.
Sounds like an amazing book. Can’t wait to read it.