All about the novel A Duke Makes a Deal
Who is Matilda Madison?
Matilda Madison aka Melinda Michaels lives in Pennsylvania. A lover of history, she finds an immense amount of joy in knowing useless facts, exploring historical places and drinking copious amounts of tea. When she’s not writing she can be found researching obscured time periods for her books or her own amusement, refurbishing old furniture and baking.
What is A Duke Makes a Deal about?
When nouveau-rich Clara Woodvine attends her first high society ball, she’s expecting it to be the most wonderful night of her life. Unfortunately, it turns out to be the worst. When Clara overhears her would-be fiancé has bet her and her dowry away in a card game to the Duke of Combe, aka the Divorced Duke, all hopes for a happily ever after seem lost.
Silas Winters, the Duke of Combe, has spent over a year brooding in misery after the end of his toxic marriage. Saddled with crippling anxiety and the reasonability of recovering Clara’s reputation, Silas proposes a marriage based on friendship and nothing more. Clara accepts, but only on the condition that she understands this is a marriage of convenience because Silas is determined never to love again
Interview
What was your inspiration for A Duke Makes a Deal?
I think a major theme in the Romance genre is main characters who take care of one another and with the idea of self care, I thought it would be interesting to have a hero who took care of his own mental health, without putting that emotional burden on someone else.
What drew you to writing?
I’ve always used writing as a way to decompress from stress. Creating characters and situations came pretty quickly after learning how to put my feels down on paper.
How did you choose which character to centre the story around?
With romance, the center couple is always the most important.
What was your process for writing A Duke Makes a Deal?
I’m fairly disciplined in my day to day writing. After I write out a chapter outline, I’ll then write for about four hours in the morning, five days a week. With a chapter outline written, I rarely get lost in my work.
What is your approach to world and character building?
I usually start with a scene that’s all vibes. I’ll write it down and forget about it, but if it sticks with me for a week, I’ll start a character analysis (eye color, likes dislikes, personal history, etc.) and if I can get through several pages, I know I have a story on my hands.
How would you describe A Duke Makes a Deal in five words?
Anxious hero wins a wife.
Did you have a favourite moment in the book to write?
Yes! I liked writing out the process my hero learns to handle a panic attack. It’s a technique I use myself, so I enjoyed explaining it.
What was your favourite book growing up?
The Hobbit and I still read it once a year.
Do you have a favourite genre to read?
Romance!
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