Rachel L. Demeter's Blog: Rachel L. Demeter's Blog
January 26, 2017
Beauty of the Beast Release Date & Blurb!
Exciting news! I am overjoyed to announce the release date and blurb for my dark & realistic Beauty and the Beast retelling - the first book in my new Fairy Tale series. I feel such a deep passion for this story, and I can't wait to share it with all of you, my lovely readers!! Stay tuned for the cover reveal next week.
Release Date: March 15th
Genres: Historical Romance, Fairy Tale Retelling, Series, Adult, Gothic Romance
Blurb:
The world’s most enchanting and timeless love story—retold with a dark and realistic twist.
A BEAST LIVING IN THE SHADOW OF HIS PAST
Reclusive and severely scarred Prince Adam Delacroix has remained hidden inside a secluded, decrepit castle ever since he witnessed his family’s brutal massacre. Cloaked in shadow, with only the lamentations of past ghosts for company, he has abandoned all hope, allowing the world to believe he died on that tragic eve twenty-five years ago.
A BEAUTY IN PURSUIT OF A BETTER FUTURE
Caught in a fierce snowstorm, beautiful and strong-willed Isabelle Rose seeks shelter at a castle—unaware that its beastly and disfigured master is much more than he appears to be. When he imprisons her gravely ill and blind father, she bravely offers herself in his place.
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
Stripped of his emotional defenses, Adam’s humanity reawakens as he encounters a kindred soul in Isabelle. Together they will wade through darkness and discover beauty and passion in the most unlikely of places. But when a monster from Isabelle’s former life threatens their new love, Demrov’s forgotten prince must emerge from his shadows and face the world once more…
Perfect for fans of Beauty and the Beast and The Phantom of the Opera, Beauty of the Beast brings a familiar and well-loved fairy tale to life with a rich setting in the kingdom of Demrov and a captivating, Gothic voice.
Release Date: March 15th
Genres: Historical Romance, Fairy Tale Retelling, Series, Adult, Gothic Romance
Blurb:
The world’s most enchanting and timeless love story—retold with a dark and realistic twist.
A BEAST LIVING IN THE SHADOW OF HIS PAST
Reclusive and severely scarred Prince Adam Delacroix has remained hidden inside a secluded, decrepit castle ever since he witnessed his family’s brutal massacre. Cloaked in shadow, with only the lamentations of past ghosts for company, he has abandoned all hope, allowing the world to believe he died on that tragic eve twenty-five years ago.
A BEAUTY IN PURSUIT OF A BETTER FUTURE
Caught in a fierce snowstorm, beautiful and strong-willed Isabelle Rose seeks shelter at a castle—unaware that its beastly and disfigured master is much more than he appears to be. When he imprisons her gravely ill and blind father, she bravely offers herself in his place.
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
Stripped of his emotional defenses, Adam’s humanity reawakens as he encounters a kindred soul in Isabelle. Together they will wade through darkness and discover beauty and passion in the most unlikely of places. But when a monster from Isabelle’s former life threatens their new love, Demrov’s forgotten prince must emerge from his shadows and face the world once more…
Perfect for fans of Beauty and the Beast and The Phantom of the Opera, Beauty of the Beast brings a familiar and well-loved fairy tale to life with a rich setting in the kingdom of Demrov and a captivating, Gothic voice.
February 14, 2016
Finding Gabriel 99c Valentine's Day Sale!
♥ Happy Valentine's Day, my lovely readers! Wishing you all lots of love and happiness this holiday! XoXoXo.
As a special treat, Finding Gabriel is temporarily only .99 pennies ;-)
The sale lasts through March 8th and can be found at the following retailers. ♥
Amazon
Amazon UK
iBooks
Much ♥!
Rachel
As a special treat, Finding Gabriel is temporarily only .99 pennies ;-)
The sale lasts through March 8th and can be found at the following retailers. ♥
Amazon
Amazon UK
iBooks
Much ♥!
Rachel
December 22, 2015
Author Interview at I Read Indie!
Thank you, Mandy, for the fantastic author interview! It was lots of fun answering your questions! :-)
Check out the exclusive interview here!
Check out the exclusive interview here!
November 12, 2015
A Kindled Winter has Released!
A Kindled Winter, my heartfelt and steamy holiday romance, is now released! This one was a complete joy to write! I hope Jeseca and David's love story brings warmth, laughter, and happiness to each of your hearts.
Wishing everyone a beautiful and safe holiday season.
Check out the Book Trailer.
Purchase Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
The Blurb:
A week before Christmas, Jeseca Reed sets off for Blue River, Oregon—her childhood home and a vault of tender memories. However, fate takes an unexpected turn when she’s left stranded in the mountains’ vast, untamed wilderness. Desperate and alone, she seeks shelter at a cottage and finds herself in the arms of a mysterious stranger.
Dr. David Drake was once a renowned cardiovascular surgeon. But a devastating tragedy has left him scarred both inside and out, unable to use his hands to operate again. For the past five years, his Blue River cottage has been his sole escape—a safe haven where he can shut out the world, bury himself in his grief, and reunite with his son’s memory.
Together they are summer and winter. Fire and ice. And yet a poignant connection forms between them. Jeseca awakens David and thaws his heart with a romance hot enough to melt snow. But before David and Jeseca can fully embrace each other, they must wade through darkness and confront the ghosts of their pasts …
Equal parts steamy and heartfelt, A Kindled Winter brings the spirit of the holidays to life with a passionate story of second chances and healing love.
Happy reading and much ♥!
Rachel
Wishing everyone a beautiful and safe holiday season.
Check out the Book Trailer.
Purchase Links:
Amazon US
Amazon UK
The Blurb:
“Christmas, my child, is love in action. Every time we love, every time we give, it’s Christmas.” — Dale Evans
A week before Christmas, Jeseca Reed sets off for Blue River, Oregon—her childhood home and a vault of tender memories. However, fate takes an unexpected turn when she’s left stranded in the mountains’ vast, untamed wilderness. Desperate and alone, she seeks shelter at a cottage and finds herself in the arms of a mysterious stranger.
Dr. David Drake was once a renowned cardiovascular surgeon. But a devastating tragedy has left him scarred both inside and out, unable to use his hands to operate again. For the past five years, his Blue River cottage has been his sole escape—a safe haven where he can shut out the world, bury himself in his grief, and reunite with his son’s memory.
Together they are summer and winter. Fire and ice. And yet a poignant connection forms between them. Jeseca awakens David and thaws his heart with a romance hot enough to melt snow. But before David and Jeseca can fully embrace each other, they must wade through darkness and confront the ghosts of their pasts …
Equal parts steamy and heartfelt, A Kindled Winter brings the spirit of the holidays to life with a passionate story of second chances and healing love.
Happy reading and much ♥!
Rachel
September 24, 2015
Finding Gabriel Paperback Release!
Very excited to announce the paperback release of Finding Gabriel! ♥ The back cover came out just beautifully and really captures the heart of the story!
AMAZON
Much love!
Rachel
AMAZON
Much love!
Rachel
September 8, 2015
15 Random Facts about Moi! :-D
Originally posted at the lovely Romance Novel Giveaways. ← Visit to enter the Giveaway and win a bundle of Romance books!
1. Creating worlds and characters has always been in my blood. Well before I physically learned to read or write, I’d dictate stories while my mom would jot them down for me.
2. I began my college career as a philosophy major (with an emphasis in metaphysics), but changed to film and media arts (specifically, screenwriting) about halfway through. Even though I’m primarily a novelist now, film school deepened my passion for crafting fiction tenfold. It taught me to concentrate on plotting, dynamic characters, and effective pacing, as well as the importance of visual storytelling. I wouldn’t trade my college education for anything in the world. ♥
3. My love affair with darker stories and characters began when I was a child. I loved Gothic tales (The Phantom of the Opera, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, etc.)—and the villains in Disney movies were often my favorite characters!
4. During college I wrote an edgy TV pilot entitled The Red Light District, which was chiefly based on a porn studio and actor. As part of my research, I spent a day at an actual porn shoot. And yes . . . I got to see and hear everything. While sitting only feet away. The experience was truly eye-opening and one of a kind—and the actor and actress were some of the nicest, most interesting individuals I’ve ever met.
5. I’m seriously an organizational freak. I plan my days out months in advance, and draw up detailed plot outlines and character sketches before ever beginning a new story. Though, I can certainly veer away from ritual and be a “pantser” when the manuscript calls for it.
6. I’ve been Richard, my amazing high school sweetheart, for over eleven years. We began dating during our freshman year and have been together ever since. He’s truly my soul mate and greatest inspiration . . . I’m so grateful to have found him at such a young age! :)
7. My list of favorite foods is highly diverse: French fries, yellow squash, broccoli, baby carrots, donuts, chunky almond butter, tuna, avocados, and chocolate, chocolate . . . and then some more chocolate.
Did I mention I ♥ chocolate? ;-)
8. What’s in a name? Everything! A ton of thought goes into the selection of my characters’ names. I always ensure their meanings symbolize the story in some way. For example, in Finding Gabriel, Ariah means “lioness” in Hebrew—and she, indeed, behaves very much like a mother lioness when it comes to protecting her loved ones. Plus, she is blonde and quite fierce at times. “Gabriel” represents one of the archangels in the Old and New Testament. (Though the story itself contains no religious undertones.)
9. When I was ten years old, my house was sieged by the SWAT Team. Rifles, handcuffs, surveillance of our house for several months prior . . . the whole nine yards. Long story short: my cousin and I had taken shirtless (and 10000% innocent) pictures of each other holding a Barbie doll . . . and an employee at Costco misinterpreted the photos, to put it mildly . . .
10. Aside from writing, some of my other hobbies include: playing the violin, singing (soprano), health and fitness, cooking, softball (pitcher), animals, and video games (yes, I’m a bit of a dork at heart).
11. Ariah Larochelle, the heroine of Finding Gabriel, was inspired by my mom (who is my personal heroine).
12. I have an entire kitchen drawer dedicated to GUM! :-P
The infamous gum drawer.
13. Extensive research went into Gabriel’s mental state and self-inflicted disfigurement to ensure its authenticity and detail. My dad is a surgeon, and his medical expertise proved invaluable.
14. I’m terrified of airplanes and upside down rollercoasters. Though, strangely enough, regular rollercoasters don’t rattle me the least bit.
15. A Kindled Winter, my steamy and heartfelt holiday romance (which will be released in November 2015), is my first contemporary novel and beta hero. Writing this story was an intensely personal experience due to the subject material.
Much ♥ and thank you for reading!
1. Creating worlds and characters has always been in my blood. Well before I physically learned to read or write, I’d dictate stories while my mom would jot them down for me.
2. I began my college career as a philosophy major (with an emphasis in metaphysics), but changed to film and media arts (specifically, screenwriting) about halfway through. Even though I’m primarily a novelist now, film school deepened my passion for crafting fiction tenfold. It taught me to concentrate on plotting, dynamic characters, and effective pacing, as well as the importance of visual storytelling. I wouldn’t trade my college education for anything in the world. ♥
3. My love affair with darker stories and characters began when I was a child. I loved Gothic tales (The Phantom of the Opera, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, etc.)—and the villains in Disney movies were often my favorite characters!
4. During college I wrote an edgy TV pilot entitled The Red Light District, which was chiefly based on a porn studio and actor. As part of my research, I spent a day at an actual porn shoot. And yes . . . I got to see and hear everything. While sitting only feet away. The experience was truly eye-opening and one of a kind—and the actor and actress were some of the nicest, most interesting individuals I’ve ever met.
5. I’m seriously an organizational freak. I plan my days out months in advance, and draw up detailed plot outlines and character sketches before ever beginning a new story. Though, I can certainly veer away from ritual and be a “pantser” when the manuscript calls for it.
6. I’ve been Richard, my amazing high school sweetheart, for over eleven years. We began dating during our freshman year and have been together ever since. He’s truly my soul mate and greatest inspiration . . . I’m so grateful to have found him at such a young age! :)
7. My list of favorite foods is highly diverse: French fries, yellow squash, broccoli, baby carrots, donuts, chunky almond butter, tuna, avocados, and chocolate, chocolate . . . and then some more chocolate.
Did I mention I ♥ chocolate? ;-)
8. What’s in a name? Everything! A ton of thought goes into the selection of my characters’ names. I always ensure their meanings symbolize the story in some way. For example, in Finding Gabriel, Ariah means “lioness” in Hebrew—and she, indeed, behaves very much like a mother lioness when it comes to protecting her loved ones. Plus, she is blonde and quite fierce at times. “Gabriel” represents one of the archangels in the Old and New Testament. (Though the story itself contains no religious undertones.)
9. When I was ten years old, my house was sieged by the SWAT Team. Rifles, handcuffs, surveillance of our house for several months prior . . . the whole nine yards. Long story short: my cousin and I had taken shirtless (and 10000% innocent) pictures of each other holding a Barbie doll . . . and an employee at Costco misinterpreted the photos, to put it mildly . . .
10. Aside from writing, some of my other hobbies include: playing the violin, singing (soprano), health and fitness, cooking, softball (pitcher), animals, and video games (yes, I’m a bit of a dork at heart).
11. Ariah Larochelle, the heroine of Finding Gabriel, was inspired by my mom (who is my personal heroine).
12. I have an entire kitchen drawer dedicated to GUM! :-P
The infamous gum drawer.
13. Extensive research went into Gabriel’s mental state and self-inflicted disfigurement to ensure its authenticity and detail. My dad is a surgeon, and his medical expertise proved invaluable.
14. I’m terrified of airplanes and upside down rollercoasters. Though, strangely enough, regular rollercoasters don’t rattle me the least bit.
15. A Kindled Winter, my steamy and heartfelt holiday romance (which will be released in November 2015), is my first contemporary novel and beta hero. Writing this story was an intensely personal experience due to the subject material.
Much ♥ and thank you for reading!
September 7, 2015
Cover and Blurb Reveal for A Kindled Winter!
Beyond excited to share the cover and blurb for A Kindled Winter, my heartwarming and tender/emotionally stirring contemporary holiday romance! ♥ And what better time to start feeling the holiday spirit than during a scorching hot summer!? This story is my first modern day novel and beta hero. :-D It's set for release on November 1 under Black Lyon Publishing, LLC, and was a complete joy to write!
“Christmas, my child, is love in action. Every time we love, every time we give, it’s Christmas.” — Dale Evans
A week before Christmas, Jeseca Reed sets off for Blue River, Oregon—her childhood home and a vault of tender memories. However, fate takes an unexpected turn when she’s left stranded in the mountains’ vast, untamed wilderness. Desperate and alone, she seeks shelter at a cottage and finds herself in the arms of a mysterious stranger.
Dr. David Drake was once a renowned cardiovascular surgeon. But a devastating tragedy has left him scarred both inside and out, unable to use his hands to operate again. For the past five years, his Blue River cottage has been his sole escape—a safe haven where he can shut out the world, bury himself in his grief, and reunite with his son’s memory.
Together they are summer and winter. Fire and ice. And yet a poignant connection forms between them. Jeseca awakens David and thaws his heart with a romance hot enough to melt snow. But before David and Jeseca can fully embrace each other, they must wade through darkness and confront the ghosts of their pasts …
Equal parts steamy and heartfelt, A Kindled Winter brings the spirit of the holidays to life with a passionate story of second chances and healing love.
Much ♥ and thank you for reading!
“Christmas, my child, is love in action. Every time we love, every time we give, it’s Christmas.” — Dale Evans
A week before Christmas, Jeseca Reed sets off for Blue River, Oregon—her childhood home and a vault of tender memories. However, fate takes an unexpected turn when she’s left stranded in the mountains’ vast, untamed wilderness. Desperate and alone, she seeks shelter at a cottage and finds herself in the arms of a mysterious stranger.
Dr. David Drake was once a renowned cardiovascular surgeon. But a devastating tragedy has left him scarred both inside and out, unable to use his hands to operate again. For the past five years, his Blue River cottage has been his sole escape—a safe haven where he can shut out the world, bury himself in his grief, and reunite with his son’s memory.
Together they are summer and winter. Fire and ice. And yet a poignant connection forms between them. Jeseca awakens David and thaws his heart with a romance hot enough to melt snow. But before David and Jeseca can fully embrace each other, they must wade through darkness and confront the ghosts of their pasts …
Equal parts steamy and heartfelt, A Kindled Winter brings the spirit of the holidays to life with a passionate story of second chances and healing love.
Much ♥ and thank you for reading!
September 3, 2015
Guest Post: 5 Reasons why we Love a Tortured Hero
Posted at the lovely Long and Short of it Reviews.
There is something genuinely captivating about a damaged hero or heroine. Here are some possible reasons as to why our love for the Heathcliffs of the world remains so strong and sure:
1) Redemption and the beauty of hope.
Redemption is a beautiful, powerful force. It reminds us that change is possible and nurtures the prospect of hope. We all yearn to better ourselves, to grow as individuals, to overcome seemingly impossible odds … and the tortured hero’s journey symbolizes this concept.
2) Stories that feature a tortured hero often lend themselves to a more dynamic read.
Stories that focus on the trials and tribulations of a tortured hero/heroine often bear higher emotional stakes. More pages are dedicated to characterization. These stories tend to delve further into backstories, have greater obstacles, and contain profound character arcs. Consequently, the subject matter, themes, and overall tone are typically deeper and more complex than that of a “casual read.” This is simply a phenomenon that comes with exploring the darker territories of the human psyche.
3) For the love of the “bad boy.”
Tortured heroes commonly boast “bad boy” behaviors. They are ruthless, gruff, and naughty rule breakers. Stories (especially romance novels) are a form of fantasy escapism—and who wouldn’t want to escape into the arms of a man who’s ready to rock your world?
4) Genuine love.
Romances that feature a tortured hero truly probe the boundaries of compassion, sensitivity, and unconditional love. Because of the hero’s (or heroine’s) imperfections, the love interest must learn to love and accept him in spite of discovering these things. And when you truly know and love someone . . . well, there’s the magic of romance.
5) The tortured hero is just plain sexy.
Low, sardonic whispers. Dark secrets. Penetrating eyes. Mesmerizing stares. Mystery, danger, and intrigue = sexy in one deliciously masculine package.
Finding Gabriel truly embodies my passion for the tortured hero. I had yearned to create a pair of imperfect, emotionally and physically scarred protagonists whose deep affection for each other could triumph over seemingly impossible odds. And Colonel Gabriel de Laurent is very much a haunted soul. His twisted past has hardened his heart and driven him to the brink of desperation. Ariah’s gentle nature and ability to persevere presents the ideal counterpoint to his darkness. Though, like Gabriel, she also suffers from a tragic past.
Thank you for reading! ♥
There is something genuinely captivating about a damaged hero or heroine. Here are some possible reasons as to why our love for the Heathcliffs of the world remains so strong and sure:
1) Redemption and the beauty of hope.
Redemption is a beautiful, powerful force. It reminds us that change is possible and nurtures the prospect of hope. We all yearn to better ourselves, to grow as individuals, to overcome seemingly impossible odds … and the tortured hero’s journey symbolizes this concept.
2) Stories that feature a tortured hero often lend themselves to a more dynamic read.
Stories that focus on the trials and tribulations of a tortured hero/heroine often bear higher emotional stakes. More pages are dedicated to characterization. These stories tend to delve further into backstories, have greater obstacles, and contain profound character arcs. Consequently, the subject matter, themes, and overall tone are typically deeper and more complex than that of a “casual read.” This is simply a phenomenon that comes with exploring the darker territories of the human psyche.
3) For the love of the “bad boy.”
Tortured heroes commonly boast “bad boy” behaviors. They are ruthless, gruff, and naughty rule breakers. Stories (especially romance novels) are a form of fantasy escapism—and who wouldn’t want to escape into the arms of a man who’s ready to rock your world?
4) Genuine love.
Romances that feature a tortured hero truly probe the boundaries of compassion, sensitivity, and unconditional love. Because of the hero’s (or heroine’s) imperfections, the love interest must learn to love and accept him in spite of discovering these things. And when you truly know and love someone . . . well, there’s the magic of romance.
5) The tortured hero is just plain sexy.
Low, sardonic whispers. Dark secrets. Penetrating eyes. Mesmerizing stares. Mystery, danger, and intrigue = sexy in one deliciously masculine package.
Finding Gabriel truly embodies my passion for the tortured hero. I had yearned to create a pair of imperfect, emotionally and physically scarred protagonists whose deep affection for each other could triumph over seemingly impossible odds. And Colonel Gabriel de Laurent is very much a haunted soul. His twisted past has hardened his heart and driven him to the brink of desperation. Ariah’s gentle nature and ability to persevere presents the ideal counterpoint to his darkness. Though, like Gabriel, she also suffers from a tragic past.
Thank you for reading! ♥
August 29, 2015
Author Interview at Book Obsessed Chicks
Thank you to the lovely Kimberly Rocha for interviewing me on her blog! She posts phenomenal reviews and content, so be sure to give Book Obsessed Chicks some lovin'!
1. Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Thanks for having me on your lovely blog, Kimberly! I live in beautiful Sunny California with Teddy, my goofy lowland sheepdog, and my high school sweetheart of eleven years. Richard and I began dating during our freshman year and have been together ever since. He’s truly my soul mate and greatest inspiration. I’m so grateful to have found him at such a young age!
I graduated from Chapman University’s film school with a BA in Screenwriting. Even though I’m primarily a novelist, film school deepened my love for crafting fiction tenfold; it taught me to concentrate on plotting, dynamic characters, and effective pacing, as well as the importance of visual storytelling. I wouldn’t trade my college education for anything in the world!
Aside from writing like a madwoman, my interests and pastimes include researching history (especially nineteenth century France and the Middle Ages), reading, singing, cooking, health and fitness, playing the violin, video games (I’m truly a bit of a nerd at heart!), philosophy, and animals.
Check out the full interview on Book Obsessed Chicks.
1. Tell us a little bit about yourself.
Thanks for having me on your lovely blog, Kimberly! I live in beautiful Sunny California with Teddy, my goofy lowland sheepdog, and my high school sweetheart of eleven years. Richard and I began dating during our freshman year and have been together ever since. He’s truly my soul mate and greatest inspiration. I’m so grateful to have found him at such a young age!
I graduated from Chapman University’s film school with a BA in Screenwriting. Even though I’m primarily a novelist, film school deepened my love for crafting fiction tenfold; it taught me to concentrate on plotting, dynamic characters, and effective pacing, as well as the importance of visual storytelling. I wouldn’t trade my college education for anything in the world!
Aside from writing like a madwoman, my interests and pastimes include researching history (especially nineteenth century France and the Middle Ages), reading, singing, cooking, health and fitness, playing the violin, video games (I’m truly a bit of a nerd at heart!), philosophy, and animals.
Check out the full interview on Book Obsessed Chicks.
