Author, Megan Walker talks about the inspiration behind her new historical romance novel, Lakeshire Park.
OFFICIAL BOOK DESCRIPTION OF LAKESHIRE PARK
Brighton, England 1820
Amelia Moore wants only one thing–to secure the future happiness of her younger sister, Clara. With their stepfather’s looming death, the two sisters will soon be on their own–without family, a home, or a penny to their names. When an invitation arrives to join a house party at Lakeshire Park, Amelia grasps at the chance. If she can encourage a match between Clara and their host, Sir Ronald, then at least her sister will be taken care of.
Little does she know that another guest, the arrogant and overconfident Mr. Peter Wood, is after the same goal for his own sister. Amelia and Peter begin a rivalry that Amelia has no choice but to win. But competing against Peter–and eventually playing by his rules–makes Amelia vulnerable to losing the only thing she has left to claim: her heart.
GUEST POST BY AUTHOR, MEGAN WALKER
I’m so excited to share Amelia’s story with readers. She and Peter were so fun to have in my head, and I love revisiting their love story!
I started really writing about three years ago, after needing to escape some difficult circumstances in my life. I didn’t have control over so many important things, and after listening to advice given to me to write out my memories and feelings, I decided that I needed a break from writing about hard things. I wanted to create a world where I could give someone everything they wanted and watch them change from hopeless to completely happy.
And so, while doing dishes, and showering, and before I’d drift off to sleep each night, my mind took me to the Regency era—because who doesn’t love Mr. Darcy? I wanted a heroine with a Cinderella-like feel. I wanted her to come from nothing but have the potential to have everything. She would be an average girl with average desires for her time, who put her family above all else.
That is how I met Amelia Moore. Hopeless, strong, determined, and with nowhere to go. I saw myself in her, and I wanted her to be free of the constraints of her circumstances.
But as is the terrible job of all writers, I had to make her work for it. So, in walked Peter Wood, or Trouble, as I like to call him. My sweet, adoring, though aggravating hero, who is in his own way both intimidated and utterly fascinated with Amelia as he grows to know her. These two have had the funniest conversations in my head. I have so many ‘deleted scenes’ that I love, but just didn’t fit in the novel at that time. I can’t wait to someday share one or two with readers who fall in love with this couple as much as I have.
Another favorite character of mine is Amelia’s sister Clara. I have three sisters whom I love and adore and would literally do anything for. They have been my rock through every tragedy, every hard decision, and have stood beside me through the happiest and best times too! Clara is a culmination of what it means to have a sister, or any sibling, friend, close family member, who is devotedly loved. And you can’t NOT love Clara.
And of course, there is Peter’s sister Georgiana. We’ll just say she is a delightful creature who loves her brother but has had a challenging life. She has some growing up to do . . . but don’t we all?
A major theme of Lakeshire Park, if you haven’t already guessed it, is family. My family is so important to me, and I think that part of me as a person seeped into my writing. I loved writing relatable family relationships, both the good and the challenging, because every family setting is different. Even back in the Regency, families were diverse and unique. (Whether they wanted to claim so or not.)
I hope you all enjoy Lakeshire Park! I’d love for you to connect with me on social media!
ABOUT MEGAN WALKER
Megan Walker was raised on a berry farm in Poplar Bluff, Missouri, where her imagination took her to times past and worlds away. While earning her degree in Early Childhood Education, she married her one true love and started a family. But her imaginings of Regency England wouldn’t leave her alone, so she picked up a pen and wrote her first novella, A Beautiful Love: A Regency Fairy Tale Retelling which was published in 2019. She lives in St. Louis, Missouri, with her husband and three children. Lakeshire Park is her debut novel.
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Photos Courtesy of Megan Walker.
Hello Megan Walker,
Your book sounds delightful! 😀 Since reading all Jane Austen’s novels and Juvenilia a few years ago, I’ve also fallen in love with the Regency Period. 🙂 The plot of the story sounds unique and lovely! I look forward to reading your novel and I’ve added it to the top of my To-Be-Read List! 😀