A Rip in the Veil
A Rip in the Veil is the story of a Alexandra Lind, a young woman who brusquely has her entire life turned upside down due to a most involuntary time travelling experience that lands her in 1658. The only potential upside to this traumatic event is Matthew Graham, even if at times she finds him excessively old-fashioned – but then, he would be, wouldn’t he? Alex is very attracted by this new acquaintance but is less enamoured by this her new life, finding it dismally lacking in modern comforts and far too exciting. Being chased across the moors by soldiers, having to fend off highwaymen and Matthew’s unsavoury brother – nope, that’s not her cup of tea.
This is the first book in a new series of time-slip novels, at what point did you decide to make this a series of books?
Given the adventures Alex and Matthew live through, one book would not be enough. This became apparent to me halfway through the first book, because I kept on being struck by inspirational flashes that had very little to do with what was happening in A Rip in the Veil, but clearly had major potential for future stories. Also, Alex and Matthew grew on me, and I was very curious as to how their life would develop.
When did your passion for history begin?
I was fortunate in that I grew up with a mother who very early on encouraged me to read whatever I got my hands on. One such reading experience was Mary Renault’s Fire from Heaven about Alexander the Great. I was around nine or so at the time, and this in combination with an inspiring history teacher who really had the knack of breathing life into events such as Hastings, Agincourt and Bosworth Field had me permanently hooked.
The book is set in the 17th century, so tell us about the research you conducted for this.
The seventeenth century has always been something of a pet interest, given the religious tensions that swept through Europe at the time. I find it fascinating - and unfortunately eerily applicable to our time – how people professing belief in a common God could go to such extremes to kill each other off. A lot of my reading has therefore had religion as a starting point, and early on I was drawn to the story of the National Covenant in Scotland, a document stating that the Scots would allow no one – not even their sovereign – to meddle with their Kirk. To get a better feel for the main political characters of the time, I’ve read a number of biographies of Charles I, Oliver Cromwell and Charles II, and of course I’ve read a lot about the Civil War as well. Crucial to my writing – and my interest in the period – is Antonia Fraser’s excellent book about women in the seventeenth century, and then of course I had something of a field day reading Adrian Tinniswood’s The Verneys, a book about the adventures and misfortunes of the Verney family based on their surviving letters. Imagine that, surviving letters – lots of them – from the seventeenth century!
Your husband's family originated from Scotland, hence the setting for the book, can you expand on this for us?
My husband’s ancestor was a young boy when he and his mother came to Sweden. On his mother’s side, young John was related to the Stuarts, his mother being the daughter of the Baron of Balram and an Elisabeth Stuart. As far as we can make out, John’s mother, Joneta Belfrage, fled her home country due to religious persecution, but it is unclear as to why she was persecuted. Her husband was dead, it seems her parents were dead as well, and I suppose things were very desperate for this young widow to flee to Sweden. She never remarried, but her son did well for himself, had twelve children and was elevated to the Swedish peerage in 1666, this based on his noble Scottish lineage. Personally, I am intrigued by Joneta; she must have been a very brave and resourceful woman, and we know very little about her. In one of my WIP’s she has a minor role, as does her son.
How did you contrast the two times in history, given that the heroine is from the modern day and Matthew is from 1658?
One of the obvious points of contrasts is religious beliefs. Matthew is a devout man, and he finds Alex flippant and borderline heathen when it comes to faith issues. Likewise, Alex’ legal status in her new life (a chattel, more or less, due to her gender) is a bit difficult for her to accept, while Matthew considers this perfectly normal. Then of course we have the sheer unfamiliarity of daily tasks; Alex has never plucked a chicken, gutted a lamb or boiled her linen before.
You have been influenced by Philippa Gregory and Diana Gabaldon, in what ways have you been inspired by their work?
What I like about both of these authors is that their historical facts are always correct. Always. I have gone to great lengths to ensure mine are as well. Philippa Gregory has a couple of very intense “boy meets girl” scenes (or “old man meets girl” scenes – poor girl) where she creates a great deal of tension with an economic approach to vocabulary. Diana Gabaldon has an excellent ear for dialogue and for unforgettable intimate scenes. I love the effort these two writers expend on building all of their characters into flesh-and-blood people, and this is something I have tried to emulate in my writing by creating a little backstory for most of my characters - even when there is no need to share this background with the reader.
As this is the first a series, what can you tell us about the next installment?
The first book is very much about Alex finding some sort of foothold in this her new existence, ably supported by Matthew. In the second book, it is Alex that has to come to Matthew’s rescue. Just as in the first book, Like Chaff in the Wind is a combination of fast-paced adventure and love. Alex cannot imagine life without Matthew, and she is willing to go to the end of the world and beyond to see her man safe.
Do your reading and writing interests extend beyond historical fiction?
My reading interests most definitely do. On my TBR list I have books such as The year of the Gadfly by J Miller, the latest Nicci French, and The Summer Without Men by S Hustved. My writing, however, is very much centered around historical fiction. I love the research and the intricacy of weaving my imaginary characters into a background of real events.
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
Writing A Rip in the Veil and the ongoing work with other books in the series is an absolute joy. I have poured blissful hours into this endeavour, and I hope some of the love and energy I have expended in writing it will come across to my readers. I believe I have created a novel that will allow people some hours of escapism, and I’d recommend to curl up somewhere, have tea (or coffee) and something to nibble on at hand, and allow yourself to be swept away. Enjoy!