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Anneka R. Walker | 20 Questions: BARGAINING FOR THE BARRISTER

March 16, 2022

1–What is the title of your latest release?

BARGAINING FOR THE BARRISTER, a Matchmaking Mama Romance book 1

2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?

Louisa Cox is tired of fortune hunters pursuing her dowry. So when a league of matronly matchmakers offers to find her an eligible suitor, Louisa eagerly accepts. Paul, the man who is selected to be her future husband, is a complete stranger. But he has one thing in his favor: he is unaware of her fortune. Bargaining for the Barrister is a Regency Romance with an abundance of humor and heart.

 

3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place?

I fell in love with images of a castle in Yorkshire during my research (stalk me on Pinterest to see my saved pins!) and knew I had to set a story in the same countryside.

 

4–Would you hang out with your heroine in real life?

Absolutely! Louisa radiates positive energy. She can see the bright side of any situation. Everyone needs a Louisa in their life.

 

5–What are three words that describe your hero?

Selfless, loyal, determined

 

6–What’s something you learned while writing this book?

I learned a great deal about studying and practicing law in the early 1800s as well as the fascinating history behind adoption. The short of it is, we have come a long way! And I always relearn the purpose of love and the importance of relationships. Everyone needs somebody! Life is too hard to do it all alone.

 

7–Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?

For me, editing a first draft of a novel is like the mixing part of making cookies. You start with the wet ingredients, which are the beginning of a story and the pillars throughout, and whip them together as much as you need to create a solid foundation. But once you start adding in the dry ingredients (the details) you have to wait until the end to stir. In the case of cookies, it’s because you don’t want to over stir. But in the case of a book, you will never finish drafting if you’re always editing those finicky details.

And yes, if I can use a cookie analogy to describe something, I will!

 

8–What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?

I should say cookies after my last answer! But I’m going to go with dark chocolate in any form (a bar, hot chocolate, brownies…need I go on?).

 

9–Describe your writing space/office!

My desk is an unglamorous white folding table pushed against the wall. Above my desk is a six-foot-long bulletin board filled with inspiring quotes, children’s macaroni crafts, and chore charts. On the floor beside my desk is an overflowing basket of library books and an equally uncontained basket of piano music. Beside the baskets is my leather reading chair with matching ottoman. It’s seen better days, but that’s because it’s had a lot of love by a family of seven who are all book lovers. The office is divided by a bright window, and opposite my desk is an upright piano flanked by two matching bookshelves. I love my bookshelves. I don’t think any room is complete without them. Except for maybe the kitchen, and even that is up for negotiation. I’m a transitive writer. I write at my desk, in my chair, on the living room sofa, in the toy room, on my bed, on my front porch, and if I ate too many cookies and dark chocolate, on my exercise bike.

 

10–Who is an author you admire?

I have so many authors I adore! Several are historical writers who have left a legacy behind, but I am also blessed to know inspiring writers who happen to still be alive! One of those writers is Sarah Eden. I fell in love with her books during some rough pregnancies and her charming stories made morning sickness endurable. The first time I met her, she was assigned to be my mentor during a first chapter critique at a conference. I about fell out of my seat because I was so honored to meet her. I was equally shocked when she laughed at my quirky humor and praised my work. The next few times I saw her at conferences, she always asked me about my story and encouraged me. Not all famous people are likeable, but Sarah Eden is as wonderful as her books!

11–Is there a book that changed your life?

 

God’s word inspires me. So many verses in scripture have changed me. I often weave universal truths I’ve learned, like honesty, integrity, forgiveness, and of course love, into my books. In my opinion, the best stories have morals and strong characters.

 

12–Tell us about when you got “the call.” (when you found out your book was going to be published)

I was agent-less, and it was the first book I had submitted. It went straight to the slush pile (think bottomless pit of unread manuscripts). Needless to say, I wasn’t expecting anything promising. I had spent years attending classes and working up my courage for this moment, but what were the chances they’d pick my story over someone else’s? The news came in the form of an email and my heart stopped. I re-read the email again. And again. They wanted MY book! Seconds later, I started laugh-crying and jumping up and down. Dreams do come true.

 

13–What’s your favorite genre to read?

I’m a multi-genre girl for reading and writing. If I had to pick one, I would say historical fiction romance.

 

14–What’s your favorite movie?

Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (hence why I wrote Brides and Brothers that released last year!)

 

15–What is your favorite season?

Summer! I do not tolerate cold well. And my birthday is on summer solstice, so it’s meant to be.

 

16–How do you like to celebrate your birthday?

My husband teases that it’s not birthDAY but birthWEEK to me. Any excuse to keep celebrating! I love doing something with my kids and ending the day with my husband on a date.

 

17–What’s a recent tv show/movie/book/podcast you highly recommend?

I loved Hallmark’s Wedding Veil trilogy. I’d recommend some Kdramas, but beware . . . the episodes end in cliff-hangers, and they’re addictive! My favorite recent reads are Summerhaven by Tiffany Odekirk and The Slow March of Light by Heather Moore. A writing podcast I could recommend is Between the Lines.

 

18–What’s your favorite type of cuisine?

Italian

 

19–What do you do when you have free time?

These days, I am usually at a ball game or a dance competition. Once school’s out, it’s time to pack up my laptop and turn the show over to my kids. In the summer, we love to hike, ride bikes, and camp. I’m a girly-girl married to an outdoorsman, so my husband tries his best to balance me out!

 

20–What can readers expect from you next?

I have four more releases this year! May 3-Horses, Hounds, and Happily Ever After (over 20 novellas only 99 cents and all proceeds go to All Seated in a Barn for charity), June 21-To Kiss a Wallflower, a Timeless Romance through Mirror Press. September-The Dreaming Beauty, my second book in my Enchanted Regency series through Covenant Communications. October- The Holly and The Ivy, a Christmas anthology through Covenant Communications.

And coming 2023-Matchmaking Mamas 2, a sequel to BARGAINING FOR THE BARRISTER.

BARGAINING FOR THE BARRISTER by Anneka R. Walker

Matchmaking Mama Romance #1

Bargaining for the Barrister

 

Louisa Cox is tired of fortune hunters pursuing her dowry. So when Lady Kellen offers to help her find an eligible suitor, Louisa eagerly accepts and makes a list of what she wants in a husband. The man selected is barrister Paul Sheldon. He may be a complete stranger, but he has one thing in his favor: he is unaware of her fortune. What Louisa did not anticipate was his curious behavior—or being so attracted to him.

When Paul catches wind of the matchmaking organization his mother and her friends are establishing, he pities the fellow who will be caught in their scheme—until he realizes he is to be their first victim. Horrified, Paul determines to thwart his mother’s plans by whatever means necessary. After meeting his intended, however, his increasing desire to be near her threatens to disrupt his convictions. Louisa is everything he could want in a wife, and when an unexpected adventure sets in motion the very plan he had determined to halt, he almost wishes his mother’s plot could succeed. But Paul harbors a secret and a past that make it impossible for him to give Louisa the life she deserves.

 

Romance Historical [Covenant Communications, On Sale: March 7, 2022, e-Book, ISBN: 9781524421496 / ]

Buy BARGAINING FOR THE BARRISTERKindle | BN.com | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Amazon DE | Amazon FR

About Anneka R. Walker

Anneka R. Walker

Anneka Walker is an award-winning author raised by a librarian and an English teacher turned judge. After being fed a steady diet of books, she decided to learn about writing. The result was a bachelor’s degree in English and history. When she isn’t dreaming up a happy ending for a story, she is busy living her own with her husband and adorable children.

Matchmaking Mama Romance

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