I hope you enjoy getting to know Renee! We also have a giveaway going on so be sure to enter.
Hello Renee, and welcome to Passages to the Past! Thanks so much for stopping by today to talk about The Test of Gold!
To begin, can you please tell us a little about yourself and your writing?
Like many authors, I started out as a voracious reader. My parents had to force me to go outside during summer vacation because I’d rather sit inside and read. Once I discovered historical fiction, I was hooked for life.
What inspired you to write The Test of Gold?
I read about the true story of Consuelo Vanderbilt, an original “dollar princess,” whose mother forced her to marry the Duke of Marlborough at the age of eighteen.
What research did you undertake when writing The Test of Gold?
I read many books about the Gilded Age, researched Charles Worth of Paris ballgown designs, and studied Gilded Age menus for a start.
What would you like readers to take away from reading The Test of Gold?
That, as you’re growing up, it’s important to follow your heart and not be dissuaded by other people to become something you’re not.
What was your favorite scene to write?
I think the wedding scene may have been my favorite scene.
What was the most difficult scene to write?
I actually didn’t have any in this story. But there was definitely a difficult scene in the next book, More Precious Than Gold.
When did you know you wanted to be a writer?
Sometime around 2004, I read St. Patrick’s Confession, in which he mentions that he had the privilege of baptizing a beautiful Irish princess. That was my inspiration for my first book, set in ancient Ireland, A Secret Hope.
What does your daily writing routine look like?
Since I’m still working as an RN and have three grandchildren, I have to write in fits and bursts!
What has been your greatest challenge as a writer? Have you been able to overcome it?
Always wondering if my writing is any good!
Who are your writing inspirations?
Diana Gabaldon, Thomas Clavell, Anya Seton, Francine Rivers, Larry McMurtry
What was the first historical novel you read?
The first historical novel that impacted my life was Katherine, by Anya Seaton. I still reread it every so often.
What is the last historical novel you read?
I’m currently reading All Things Left Wild, by James Wade. I love me a good Western!
What is something people may not know about you?
I wanted to be a nun all through grade school until I discovered boys in high school.
What appeals to you most about your chosen genre?
I love living vicariously through my characters and going down the rabbit hole of research.
What historical time period do you gravitate towards the most with your personal reading?
I love ancient history, medieval history and the Tudor/Plantagenet eras.
What do you like to do when you aren't writing?
Read! And collect pottery and glass.
Lastly, what are you working on next?
I’m working on the 3rd book in this trilogy, Threads of Gold.
The Test of Gold by Renee Yancy
Publication Date: March 15, 2021
Vinspire Publishing
Paperback & eBook; 350 pages
Series: Hearts of Gold, Book One
Genre: Historical Romance
Heiress Evangeline "Lindy" Lindenmayer has been groomed since childhood to marry into the British aristocracy as her mother's ultimate ambition is a royal title for the family name. But literature fascinates Lindy far more than ballgowns, and she spends all her free time in the library, the only room in the Fifth Avenue mansion where she can safely indulge her passion for reading and find refuge from the prying eyes of her mother.
Jack Winthrop is studying for the ministry at Union Theological Seminary and has been invited to use the Lindemayer's library for his studies. His sole experience of upper-class young women has occurred at his uncle's church, where he has found these young debutantes universally featherbrained. When he meets Lindy, he is pleasantly surprised to discover she has wide-ranging interests and is highly intelligent. Although cautioned by his uncle to stay away from her, he finds Lindy a kindred spirit and over animated discussions of books and life, they fall in love.
But to reach happily ever after, Lindy will need to challenge her mother's long-laid plans, and weathering the approaching storm will take more backbone than she even knew she had.
Amazon (Kindle) | Amazon (Paperback) | Barnes and Noble | IndieBound
About the Author
Renee Yancy is a long time history and archaeology nut who has been living vicariously through historical fiction since she was a young girl. Now she writes the kind of books she loves to read—stories filled with historical and archaeological detail on every aspect of living in a different time period, interwoven with strong characters and a tale full of pathos and conflict. She wants to take you on a journey into the past so fascinating that you can’t put the story down.
When she’s not writing, Renee Facetimes with her twin grandbabies, and lives in Kentucky with her husband and two mutts. She enjoys reading, antiquing, and collecting pottery.
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Blog Tour Schedule
Monday, April 5Guest Post at Novels Alive
Tuesday, April 6
Review at Pursuing Stacie
Wednesday, April 7
Feature at Reading is My Remedy
Thursday, April 8
Review at Reading Is My SuperPower
Friday, April 9
Review at Novels Alive
Feature at View from the Birdhouse
Saturday, April 10
Interview at Passages to the Past
Sunday, April 11
Feature at The Lit Bitch
Monday, April 12
Review at Historical Fiction with Spirit
Tuesday, April 13
Review & Excerpt at Passages to the Past
Wednesday, April 14
Feature at Coffee and Ink
Review at The Enchanted Shelf
Giveaway
Enter to win an eBook of The Test of Gold by Renee Yancy! Two eBooks are up for grabs!The giveaway is open to the US only and ends on April 14th. You must be 18 or older to enter.
The Test of Gold
I like reading author interviews. In this one there were a few good spots. I like the part about wanting to become a nun. Then, later in high school, changing her mind because she began to like boys.
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