NK Chats To… Sarah Rodi

Hi Sarah. Thank you so much for joining me today. Can you tell me about your novel, One Night with her Viking Warrior, and what inspired it?

When her parents are killed at the hands of Danish raiders, a young Saxon girl, Rebekah, becomes the ward of her powerful uncle Cynerik. Alone at the fortress of Ryestone Keep, Rebekah’s only pleasure is riding, until she falls in love with a stable boy, regardless of his lack of status. However, her uncle wishes her to marry his son, Atol, a cold and corrupt young man. Envious of Rebekah’s relationship with Rædan, Atol seizes him and does the unthinkable…
Eight years later, a fleet of Danish ships sails up the river and lays siege to the fortress of Ryestone. The leader of the Northmen is instantly recognisable to Rebekah even though he is much changed. Rædan is back for revenge on those who destroyed his life. Seeing Rebekah at his enemy’s side, and with a daughter too, his anger – and attraction – burns. The Saxons offer the Vikings gold and silver to leave their lands, but Rædan demands something much more valuable – one night with Lady Rebekah…

I wanted to write a story where my characters have endured a lot – and I can’t think of anything worse than being parted from your loved ones and kept captive. These two characters really deserve a chance of finding their happy ever after. I loved creating Rebekah – she is beautiful yet strong – and Rædan is a true warrior yet kind and compassionate.

What’s your typical writing day like and do you have any particular writing quirks or rituals?

I actually work full time on magazines, so I have to fit my book writing in in the evenings. I put my daughters to bed then settle down with a coffee and some peace and quiet and try to write at least a few paragraphs, so I have something to work off the next evening, before I write some more. Chocolate definitely helps with the inspiration!

What are the challenges you found when writing your novel?

I always find the first few chapters the hardest, as you’re laying the groundwork for the plot and the characters’ personalities – basically setting up the story. I spend a month or two getting those first chapters right, and then the rest of the book usually flows quite naturally.

Which fictional character would you like to meet and why?

In my books? All my heroes… they’ve all been different, but swoon-worthy! In someone else’s book? Elizabeth Darcy

What elements make up a good story?

Lots of things – a spark of an idea that is the beginning of your plot, a brilliant beginning, which grips the reader from word go, tropes – such as enemies to lovers or a marriage of convenience or a secret baby (you’ll find them all in my books!), emotion between your characters and really being able to get the reader on your character’s side, conflict – to keep things interesting, and your own unique voice as an author.

From idea to finished book, what’s your writing process like and how long does it typically take you?

It typically takes me four months from start to finish. I usually write a few paragraphs a day at the beginning as I’m trying to work out my conflict and plot and characters’ personalities, and towards deadline day, I’ll be writing all day every weekend and every evening.

Which authors do you admire?

I am a big fan of many of my fellow Mills & Boon authors. Ella Matthews, Lotte R James, Lucy Morris, Melissa Oliver, Lissa Morgan and Sophia Williams. I also love Catherine Tinley and Virginia Heath.

What’s your favourite word and why?

I rather like the word compassion. It’s something all my characters show to make them likeable.

Any other advice for aspiring writers?

The saying ‘write what you love’ is true. I love Vikings and History and romance so it made sense for me to combine all these things in my writing. I believe if you can throw yourself into your characters and settings, you’ll become immersed and the story will write itself! Write a little and often and the words will slowly build up – there’s nothing worse than a blank page, is there? So write anything and you can always edit it later. Don’t give up, keep going, join the Romantic Novelists’ Association and their New Writers’ Scheme and go to the annual conference to get valuable advice. And believe in yourself!

Which comes first for you, plot or characters?

Plot – I like to have an idea for a story first and then the characters come alive withing that plot.

How do you research your novels?

I have to do a lot of research for my historical romances. Obviously the Internet is invaluable, but so are books on Norse mythology and the Vikings and Saxons, and nothing beats visiting somewhere with lots of history. Places I’ve visited for research include Sutton Hoo in Suffolk and Viking Bay in Kent, the Jorvik Viking Centre in York – which was so useful in helping me to imagine what life was like for people back then – and the Holy Island in Northumberland, where the Vikings first invaded England. One Night With her Viking Warrior begins with the Vikings raiding a Saxon fortress (inspired by Holy Island and Bamburgh Castle). Watching TV shows of your favourite time period always helps too – I’m a huge fan of Vikings and The Last Kingdom.

What are you currently working on?

I’ve recently submitted my fourth book for Mills & Boon Historical – Claimed by the Viking Chief, out in May. Here’s a little about it…
Wren has always despised the Danes of the north, since they seized her and took her captive in battle when she was just a girl, tearing her from the arms of her mother. Gifted to the enemy Chieftain’s daughter to be her companion and servant, she is now the thrall of Earl Ingrid, the ruler of Boer. Wren has vowed that one day, she will be a free woman.
Jarl Knud, the Chief of Nedergaard, knows he must make a marriage alliance with neighbouring Earl Ingrid of Boer to keep his people safe from attack. However, his first experience of marriage, when he was a younger man, has left him ashamed – and determined never to fall in love again. On his way into Boer, Jarl Knud catches a servant woman bathing in the moonlight… Wren. Seeing her at the mercy of Earl Ingrid and his men the next day, he is disturbed he wants to rescue her from her plight and claim her for himself. But does he dare to love and risk losing everything again, especially when he knows he stands for everything Wren despises…?

I’m currently writing Book Five – Second Chance With His Viking Wife, which will be out in September, so watch this space!

About Sarah Rodi: 

Sarah Rodi has always been a hopeless romantic. She grew up watching old, romantic movies recommended by her grandad, or devouring love stories from the local library.

Sarah lives in the village of Cookham in Berkshire, where she enjoys walking along the River Thames with her husband, her two daughters and their dog. She has been a magazine journalist for over 20 years, but it has been her lifelong dream to write romance for Mills & Boon.

Sarah believes everyone deserves to find their happy ever after.

Say hello to Sarah via her website and Twitter.

About One Night With Her Viking Warrior:

Her forbidden love is back to claim her!

Once Lady Rebekah shared a life changing night with stable hand Raeden but he disappeared the morning after. Now she’s consort to a cruel Saxon Lord, and when Northmen lay siege to Ryestone Keep, Rebekah’s shocked to see Raeden leading the charge!

This Viking warrior is not the man she remembers, yet she finds herself drawn to him again.

Taken as his hostage, Rebekah must decide: can she trust him with her life…and her dangerous secret?

One Night With Her Viking Warrior was released by Mills and Boon on 22nd December 2022. Click to buy on Amazon UK, Amazon US, Mills and Boon and Harlequin. 

by

Laura

I’m Laura. I started Novel Kicks in 2009. I wanted a place to post my writing as well as give other writers like me the opportunity to do the same. There is also a monthly book club, a writing room which features writing prompts, book reviews, competitions, author interviews and guest posts.

I grew up by the sea (my favourite place in the world) and I currently live in Hampshire. I am married to Chris, have a cat named Buddy and I would love to be a writer. I’m trying to write the novel I’ve talked so much about writing if only I could stop pressing delete. I’ve loved writing since creative writing classes in primary school. I have always wanted to see my teacher Miss Sayers again and thank her for the encouragement. When not trying to write the novel or writing snippets of stories on anything I can get my hands on, I love reading, dancing like a loon and singing to myself very badly. My current obsession is Once Upon a Time and I would be happy to live with magic in the enchanted forest surrounded by all those wonderful stories provided that world also included Harry Potter. I love reading chick lit. contemporary fiction and novels with mystery.