Character Interview | Get the inside scoop on Donald from @RuthACasie's #medievalromance series
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    • Sep 16, 2020
    • 10 min read

Character Interview | Get the inside scoop on Donald from @RuthACasie's #medievalromance series



Previously Recorded

Welcome to this special edition of The Inside Scoop. I am your host and moderator, Justin Case. In our continuing effort to bring you information about the people portrayed in Ruth A. Casie’s The Stelton Legacy, we’ve been able to pull off yet another great coup. Today our guests are Lord Donald Eden and his wife, Lady Andrea Ricard Eden.

Their story is thrilling and filled with adventure and an ancient prophecy. Unknowingly, each had been selected by some strange force for the parts they had to play in the race against time and evil. We have much to cover tonight, and I hope we can get to the essence of their story. Let me set the stage for you.

Lord Donald is the youngest brother of Lord Hugh Eden, the Earl of Sagamore. The progression of the earldom is a story in itself. Our producers are in discussion with Gareth Eden, Lord Donald’s father and hope to have an interview with him shortly. But I digress.

Tonight, we meet Lady Andrea Ricard Eden, a young antiquities scholar who stumbles upon an ambiguous family prophecy that she is adamant about untangling.

Lord Donald, a young man who is on his way home to England from Châlons, France. When his business associate asks him to escort his niece Andrea to Amiens he cannot refuse. It’s a short stop on his way.

One moment, please. I’m getting instructions from our producer. (Listens to instructions over his earpiece). Ladies and gentlemen. I’ve just been informed our guests have arrived at the studio.

There is a lot of hushed activity here. The crew is doing the final sound checks. Our guests are being escorted to the stage. Yes, I see them now. They’re walking toward us. Lord Donald is a bit younger than I expected. He is tall and has a broad chest and wait… He has a bow and quiver. I understand he goes everywhere with it, but I hadn’t expected him to bring it here. I’ll see if we can coax him to demonstrate his expertise.

Lady Andrea is a slip of a thing. She is shorter than her husband, but not overshadowed by him. They’re laughing and holding hands. The atmosphere is very relaxed. I’m being given the final count down.

(Justin rises as his guests’ approach.)

Justin: Lord Donald, Lady Andrea. It’s good to meet you.

(Donald removes his bow and quiver and sets them aside. Chairs scrape the floor, feet shuffle.)

Justin: Lady Andrea please sit here next to Lord Donald.

(Everyone settles in their seats. The air is ripe with anticipation.)

Justin: Thank you for granting us an interview. Everyone here at Inside Scoop is excited you’re with us.

Donald: My lady and I are happy to be with you today.

Justin: I see you’ve brought your bow and quiver. Can we impose on you for a demonstration later?

Andrea: (She pats her husband’s arm and speaks to Justin) I can think of no other reason why my husband brought it.

(Lord and Lady Eden smile and chuckle)

Donald: I have so little time for exhibitions and tournaments and I truly enjoy the sport.

Andrea: And I’m glad you do. (Turning toward Justin) He saved both our lives with his skill.

Justin: (Turing toward Donald) M’lord? What happened?

Andrea: On our way to Amiens we were accosted in the woods at the River Avre.

Justin: (Papers rustle as Justin goes through his notes then looks toward his assistant.) Lord Donald, I.. I don’t see anything about you and Lady Andrea being attacked.

Donald: (Puts his hand over Justin’s to stop the paper shuffling) The incident is over. The thieves and their master are gone. (Donald sits back and lets out a deep breath) Andrea found a treasure map and wanted to find the relic. We had no idea anyone else knew about its existence let alone were following us.

(Andrea squeezes Donald’s hand, her face full of encouragement.)

Justin: Please, go on.

Donald: The thieves thinking Andrea an easy target, ambushed her while we crossed the river. I was able to get her to safety. They tried to steal her satchel. I was able to… stop them. Permanently.

Justin: Lady Andrea. Why was the treasure so important?

Andrea: I helped my Uncle Claude, Donald’s business associate. When we traveled I would explore libraries. I enjoyed meeting people and reading old documents. Some of the illuminations are so beautiful. An old soldier wanted to sell a document. He had been seriously injured during the Crusades and never returned home. I had every intention of buying the document sight unseen if only to give him enough money for a proper funeral. The document I bought was ancient and contained my family name. I had to follow the map. (She leaned forward) I had to.

Donald: Yes, Andrea. You did a fine job. In our quest we were able to return Alain Abadia’s personal items to his mother. Lady Abadia thought they were lost to her forever. Alain had gone on a trek to find his father who had fallen in the Crusades.

Andrea: You’re right, of course. That poor woman. Both her husband and son lost to her. She waited for years for get closure. She went to great lengths. She even had a chapel constructed in the Amiens cathedral, but she was still lost. Bringing her Alaine’s personal items did give her peace.

Justin: I understand when you stayed with Abbess Simone at the Saint-Médard Abbey you suspected her of being corrupt. You’ve asked for time to make a statement.

(Donald looked at Andrea who gave him an encouraging smile.)

Donald: Thank you, Mr. Case. Andrea and I stayed overnight at the abbey on our way to Amiens. I stayed there from time to time when I traveled and knew Mother Simone to be a kind, caring and understanding person. Trustworthy.

Justin: And that wasn’t the case?

Andrea: At first it didn’t appear so. The questions she asked made me uncomfortable. In the morning, I found that someone had rummaged through her belongings while I slept. All signs that warned us.

Donald: We thought she was the culprit. I was deeply disturbed by the idea she would be involved with anyone who would harm Andrea or me. But that wasn’t the case.

Justin: That’s a relief.

Donald: Yes, it was. You see, the villain had told her his intentions during holy confession. She was sworn by her oath to god not to say a word.

Justin: How did you find out the truth?

Andrea: His Excellency Guillaume de Mâcon, the bishop of Amiens told us at our wedding.

Justin: Your wedding. I thought Lord Donald was a consummate bachelor and that you, my lady had no intention of marrying.

Andrea: Uncle Claude spoke about Donald all the time. Donald was an excellent archer. Donald was wonderful with clients. Donald could make anyone buy my uncle’s goods. I was certain that when I finally met him I would either love him or hate him.

Justin: Oh? (Justin raised his eyebrows)

Andrea: (Turned to Donald) From the moment we met at he’s brother’s winery in Châlons I made up my mind I wanted him.

Donald: (Donald only had eyes for his Andrea) I’m a very lucky man.

(Justin coughs to remind them they aren’t alone. They both turn toward Justin.)

Donald: Why don’t you bring your audience outside. I’m sure your staff can set up a target and I can teach you how to pull a bow.

Justin: Me? (He points to himself astonished)

Donald: Yes, you. Come, man. It’s not that difficult. I took the liberty of having your men set up a target for us. Unfortunately, your radio audience will not be able to see us. Before we move outside, do you have any other questions?

Justin: No, Lord Donald. Thank you both for speaking to us. (He turns to the audience.) I am so sorry you will not be able to watch us at the butts. Thank you for coming today. You can find out more details about Lord Donald and Lady Andrea’s quest in Donald: Sons of Sagamore. You can find out more about Donald’s brothers, Lords Hugh and Graham in their books that are available at Amazon. This family is very interesting. I’ve spoken to my staff to make arrangements to Interviews both brothers. Until next time.

(Lord and Lady Eden and Justin stand to leave for Justin’s lesson)

Justin: Lord Donald, is there anything special I should wear? (They head toward the door)

Donald: (Stops mid step) Actually, Justin. I have just the thing.

Follow Up:

Lord Donald certainly did have ‘just the thing’ for Justin to wear!


Title: Donald – Sons of Sagamore

Author: Ruth A. Casie

Genre Medieval Romance, Historical Romance

Publisher: Dragonblade Press

Book Blurb:

They surrendered their hearts only to find it would cost him his life for her to succeed.

Andrea Ricard, an inquisitive scholar of antiquities travels with her uncle to help him with his trade business. When she finds her mother’s family name on a piece of a map associated with the location of a rare relic, she is compelled to find it. Nothing will get in her way to unearth its secrets.

Donald MacDougall Tyler Eden has enjoyed carefree life, but over the last year he has found satisfaction working with his brother Hugh, who has a successful investment business. He has forged a close relationship with one of their business partners, Andrea’s uncle. On a visit to Hugh, Donald meets Andrea and is smitten. When Andrea finds that an antique in Hugh’s collection contains another piece to her mysterious map she is more determined than ever to find the relic. Donald is drawn into her adventure and volunteers to accompany her on her quest.

Andrea has only told Donald half-truths for fear he would not join her. The relic is surrounded by mystery and prophecy. A disgraced soldier with hopes of repairing his relationship with the king has found out about the relic and is just as determined as Andrea to secure it for himself.

Andrea and Donald’s belief in what’s right as well as each other will be tested on a journey filled with adventure and hardships as they race across the vineyards of the Champagne region in France, up the east coast of England to an ancient church in Bamburgh.

Can Andrea and her MacDougall warrior resolve the mystery, face the prophecy, vanquish the villain… and find their happily ever after.

Excerpt:

Too warm for a fire at this time of year, garden flowers filled the grate and perfumed the air with a subtle fragrance. Large windows flanked the hearth with a wonderful view of the vineyard and the Marne River beyond.

The pleasant room also had floor to ceiling bookcases along two adjacent walls, with a desk in front. A long, narrow table laid with wine decanters and goblets stood against the third wall. Above the table was a tapestry of the vineyard.

He observed his brothers and their families. Every so often someone burst into laughter. At other times, the women spoke only to each other, much to their husbands’ mock irritation. So much had changed over the last year.

After laying vacant for decades, the earldom had been restored to his oldest brother. Hugh had a successful investment business and was one of the wealthiest men in England.

His brother, Graham, assisted Hugh and Charlotte with issues here at Charlotte’s childhood home. Together with Isabella, the love of Graham’s life, things were set right at the winery.

Donald lifted the goblet to his lips, savoring the rich, fruity wine and shifted his gaze to Graham.

Working together, Graham and Isabella had developed this new, unique wine that won prizes and was in high demand.

In one year, everyone’s life had changed. His as well. No more tournaments. Although archery was his passion, there was no longer any time to enjoy the sport, especially the competitions.

Initially, he worked with Hugh’s partner, John Heustis, to resolve the issues concerning the vacant earldom. Much to his surprise, and everyone else’s, he had a knack for working with people. Hugh and John gave him a share of the business.

What had Graham said at Hugh and Charlotte’s wedding? His brow wrinkled as he searched his mind. Words flashed by until one fell into place. Destiny. Destiny made them brothers; fate made them friends. That was the truth. The three of them had a bond the King of England envied.

Donald’s last task before he returned to England was to arrange a meeting for Hugh. His brother’s longtime friend and business associate, Claude DuClare was traveling with his niece from Troye to Paris. When Hugh mentioned he and Charlotte would be in France, DuClare suggested they meet at the winery.

“You are deep in thought.” Hugh stood before him and poured more wine into his goblet.

“Me? I do not have a deep thought in my body.” Donald took a sip of wine. “This is a tasty vintage.”

“Of course, you don’t.” An innocent smile spread across Hugh’s face.

“Excuse me m’lord.” A servant stood at the threshold. “Monsieur DuClare and his niece, Mademoiselle Andrea Ricard.”

“Hugh,” DuClare said as he walked into the solar, a striking woman at his side.

The close friends embraced. “I’m glad you could join us here. Let me introduce you to my wife, Charlotte, Graham’s wife, Isabella, and her grandmother, Jeanne Marie.”

“A pleasure to meet you.” After a short bow to the ladies, he turned to Graham and Donald. “Gentlemen.”

“I’d like to introduce you to my niece, Andrea Ricard.” DuClare indicated the woman at his side.

“Mademoiselle.” Both brothers tilted their heads in acknowledgement.

“Come. Sit. Some wine?” Donald offered, but didn’t wait for a response. He poured two goblets and handed them to their guests.

“Donald mentioned you were coming from Troyes,” Hugh said. “I hope business went well.”

“I was not there on business. Andrea was.” DuClare savored the wine.

Donald had been staring at the girl over the rim of his goblet, unable to take his eyes from her. Her features were appealing, but not overly striking. She carried herself with assurance. Her expression was pleasant, and her eyes were alive with intelligence as she scanned the room, taking everything in.

“And what business is that?” Donald said, his voice warm and low.

“Donald, stop being so, so… Donald.” Charlotte turned toward Andrea. “Don’t pay any attention to him. He really is quite likeable once you get to know him. How long will you be staying in Châlons?”

“Andrea and I leave for Paris tomorrow. I would much rather stay here. However, John scheduled a meeting in Paris with the minister of trade,” DuClare said.

Claude and Andrea joined the others in a pleasant conversation. Donald was impressed the way Andrea joined the chatter and quickly became part of the group. She debated her position with enthusiasm. Most women, except his sisters-in-law, yielded to the perceived authority whether they believed them or not. Confidence shone through every action, everything she said. He knew there was something special about her the moment their eyes met, and he wanted to learn more.

Buy Link:

Releases early October

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Author Biography

RUTH A. CASIE is a USA Today bestselling author of historical swashbuckling action-adventures and contemporary romance with enough action to keep you turning pages. Her stories feature strong women and the men who deserve them, endearing flaws and all. She lives in New Jersey with her hero, three empty bedrooms and a growing number of incomplete counted cross-stitch projects. Before she found her voice, she was a speech therapist (pun intended), client liaison for a corrugated manufacturer, and vice president at an international bank where she was a product/ marketing manager, but her favorite job is the one she’s doing now—writing romance. She hopes her stories become your favorite adventures. For more information, please visit RuthACasie.com or visit her on Facebook, @RuthACasie, Twitter, @RuthACasie, Instagram RuthACasie, or Pinterest RuthACasie.

Social Media Links:


Facebook private reader’s page, Casie Café: https://www.facebook.com/groups/963711677128537/

Email: mailto:ruth@ruthacasie.com

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