Brooke Winmill is the author of The Secret Heir of Lachsford: He's Concealing a Dukedom; She's Stealing His Heart, a historical romance set in Scotland.
Brooke has a degree in Journalism, Art & Spanish, four energetic young children and one easy-on-the-eyes husband later, a lot has changed. She's found her love for reading and writing historical fiction novels.
Brooke has a soft spot for small-town America, dark chocolate, beautiful architecture, flowers, and the comfort of warm chocolate chip cookies on rainy days. She currently lives in a small town in Cache Valley, Utah, with her family.
Question and answer time:
1. Where did you grow up?
I grew up in southern California in a place called Thousand Oaks. It's located near the coast but surrounded by beautiful farmland and mountains. Lemon, avocado, lime, and orange orchards are everywhere out there. It was such a beautiful place to grow up.
2. What’s a scene or character that felt like it wrote itself?
The first several chapters came SO quickly. The setting, the clothing, the sounds, the weather--it all appeared in front of me like a movie. The tension between Callan & Caileigh was strong at the end of the first chapter. A big swoon on that one. The writing was very smooth those first few chapters in. The engagement between characters felt so natural and real. It was kind of like the move, "The Man Who Invented Christmas". The story about how Charles Dickens wrote The Christmas Carol in only six weeks. I could see and hear the characters in my mind. It was amazing.
3. What odd or unexpected place has given you inspiration?
I remember being at Cold Stone one night with family and getting inspiration from a man that walked in the store. His facial features were strong and unique. I also have watched interactions between people and their facial expressions. I'll write things down that draw inspiration for one of my characters. People watching is where I get most of my inspiration. Their expressions and behaviors and personalities draw me in. I also gain a lot of inspiration from traveling places or looking at pictures online of places I find beautiful, such as quaint shops, farmers markets, flower shops, etc.
4. What smell, sound, or small moment gives you nostalgia?
The smell of dill reminds me of my grandpa.
The smell of freshly baked bread is my absolute favorite comfort smell.
The sound of rain brings me so much joy, I bake chocolate chip cookies for my kids every rainy day.
5. What legacy do you hope your workbooks or otherwise—leaves behind?
I just hope to give glory to God through my writing. He loves the arts, the sciences, cultures, diversity, all learning.
My hope is to provide wholesome stories for young and advanced readers to enjoy. Something that will bring greater light to their lives through my writing.
I wanted to write something that my children can read & feel entertained by in a wholesome way.
The Secret Heir of Lachsford can be found on Night Nook Books and Amazon.
Social Media handles:
Instagram: @BrookeWinmillNovel
Facebook: @BrookeWinmill
