Author Interview + Giveaway With Rachel McMillan - The Bachelor Girl's Guide to Murder

Today is a very exciting day! I am thrilled to introduce you to Rachel McMillan! The mastermind and creator of some of my favorite characters....Miss Merinda Herringford and Miss Jemima Watts. Since I happen to share the same name as Rachel (which is the best name ever of course)...I am using our initials RM and RD throughout the interview.

After you read the interview, make sure you enter at the end of the post for your chance to win a copy of The Bachelor Girl's guide to Murder! (You can find my review HERE.) 

Welcome to Bookworm Mama, Rachel!

RD: Let's start with the important questions first! 

Cats or dogs? 

RM: I LOVE THEM BOTH!  But I would have to say dogs: I would love to have a basset hound with those big droopy ears. I would name him Toby.

RD: The Great Mouse Detective...Yes!

Coffee or tea? 

RM: Tea!

Chocolate or Vanilla? 

RM: Vanilla!

RD: My kind of woman!

Favorite show to binge watch?  

RM: I really, really love the British series Foyle’s War. I always find something new.  But, basically any BBC series: I have a massive collection of British drama and I love anything with corsets and lace and tea and accents and a swoon-worthy hero ;)

RD: Oh BBC...my ultimate downfall! Foyle's War is a good one for sure!

Now down to business...

Where do you call home? 

RM: Toronto, Canada!

RD: My second author interview...And my second Canadian hehe!

Can you describe yourself in one sentence? 

RM: Ummm… I can use words: anxious, quirky, quick-witted, self-deprecating, dreamer, hopeful, talkative, workaholic ( tough question lol)

RD: Hey that works! 

What is your favorite snack/beverage while writing? 

RM: I love chocolate and tea and popcorn

RD: Popcorn is always a staple in our house.

What are some interests that you enjoy outside of writing? 

RM: THEATRE! I love to go to the theatre. Here in Toronto, of course, but I also love to travel and see theatre elsewhere: I’ve seen shows in Chicago, London, New York and even a few in Austria. I’m a theatre buff.  I’m a bookworm. I read a lot! I have a bit of a commute to my day job and am always reading on the subway.  I love to watch the Toronto Blue Jays. Big baseball fan :)

RD: You are officially my favorite person EVER!!! Love the theatre!

Other than being in possession of the best name ever...Is there anything specific about yourself that you are proud of?  

RM: I am pretty proud of the fact that after an entire lifetime of scribbling I finally worked up the courage to show someone my writing! Three years ago I finally submitted chapters and a query letter to an agent (and ended up signing with that agency). For years I was too scared. I enjoy writing so much I thought  that if I showed someone and they said I didn’t have potential, one of my favourite things would be taken away from me.  Instead, it turned out to work out really, really well. I took one moment of insane courage and look what happened! It just takes one step.

RD: I would say that is definitely something to be proud of! And good advice too. I am so very glad you took that step.

What inspired you to write a detective novel? 

RM: I have been a Sherlock Holmes fan since I was a little kid.  My agent and I had been shopping a straight historical novel and getting no traction.  She heard that romantic suspense was a hot genre with publishers and suggested I try to do something with Sherlock Holmes. This is what I came up with.

RD: Oh Sherlock...He is one of the greats for sure!

Why did you pick this specific time period and location?  

RM: I am from a small town in Ontario but always loved visiting the big city. I moved to Toronto for university and stayed for work. It has always fascinated me and I love it so much. I knew that I wanted to write it into fiction. In keeping with the spirit of Sherlock Holmes, I thought of writing it set in the Victorian period. But, for those of you who know ( and love) Murdoch Mysteries, you know that Toronto already has a very capable Victorian-era detective. I have always loved the Edwardian period---so much was happening in Canada and across the world ( the final Herringford and Watts book in this series takes us into the First World War). I also loved how things were changing for women.

RD: Ooooooh...So much excitement right now!

Are you more like Jem or Merinda?   

RM: I get asked this question a lot and so I went to my family and friends and most are divided down the middle. Some same Jem, some say Merinda.  I think most women ( and myself) have a balance of both. Personally, though I have a romantic streak like Jem, I am a fiercely independent person like Merinda.   We also share a passionate curiosity for the world around us and we love both love Toronto.

RD: I would agree with that for myself! (Except the Toronto part, I have never been...But would love to visit!)

What words of encouragement would you like to share with your readers?   

RM: I once described myself as fitting in about as well as an Edwardian lady in trousers.  I just never really felt I fit in.  But, the Bible is full of instances wherein God uses those who colour outside the lines. He uses Marys and Marthas, sure, but also Deborahs and Esthers. Be content and strong in who you are. If He wanted you to be someone else, He would have made you that way.

RD: That is so good, and so very true. Thank you!

Thanks so much Rachel! It has been a pleasure having you on the blog today! 

Rachel McMillan is a keen history enthusiast and a lifelong bibliophile. When not writing or reading, she can most often be found drinking tea and watching British miniseries. Rachel lives in bustling Toronto, where she works in educational publishing and pursues her passion for art, literature, music and theater. 
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Don't forget to enter the Giveaway!

I am so in love with this series that I just had to do a giveaway!

Contest ends May 12th at midnight Pacific Time. Contest open to US and Canada!

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