Book Title: ONCE PERSUADED, TWICE SHY
Character Name: Emmie
(supporting character)
How would you describe your family or your childhood?
So. Many. Brothers.
What was your greatest talent?
My boss Anne is always talking about my “Machiavellian impulses,” and I’m like 73% sure she means that as a compliment. I would also be great at firing people, if she ever actually let me do it.
Significant other?
Pft, Peter wishes! But no.
Biggest challenge in relationships?
Ensuring that they find my quirks endearing, and not, y’know, frightening. I’m an acquired taste, although I seem to be a fan favorite with early readers of ONCE PERSUADED, TWICE SHY. Go figure!
Where do you live?
The town of Niagara-on-the-Lake! It’s disgustingly cute and I love it.
Do you have any enemies?
So many! But I’m hoping to accumulate more. You’re not important until you have enemies plotting against you. Top of the list right now is someone whose name I’ll withhold for spoiler reasons, but she’s a lying traitor and I hope she’s eaten by wild Canadian geese. Seriously, they’ll eat anything.
Oh, also there’s one particular Canadian goose who hangs around our office, yeah, he’s on my enemy list too. He knows why.
How do you feel about the place where you are now? Is there something you are particularly attached to, or particularly repelled by, in this place?
I love the place I am right now! The historic fort, the hiking trails, the swanky hotels and restaurants, the harbor and boats, and the centuries old history... you mean the physical place I’m in, right? Cause I’m crushing it in my emotional and mental places right now too. Just saying.
Do you have children, pets, both, or neither?
I have a cactus? My colleague Vidya gave it to me. She had a lot of plants to get rid of after her last break-up. She said it was impossible for me to kill… we’ll see.
What do you do for a living?
I graduated from university not too long ago, now I’m the executive assistant to Anne Elliot, who is the Executive Director of the Elysium Theatre, and a town councilor, and an all-around kick-ass boss lady. I’m learning so much from her!
Greatest disappointment?
So, my idea to save the Pumpkin Festival didn’t exactly go according to plan. I really let down Anne that day, and disappointing her is the worst. That’s when I know I’ve disappointed myself. Also getting pumpkin guts and goose poop out of a sweater is like, super difficult.
Greatest source of joy?
Colonel Fairchild gave me his binoculars from his time in the military! Those suckers are amazing.
What do you do to entertain yourself or have fun?
Anne says I watch too much Game of Thrones and it’s “affecting my working relationships.” So, I started watching Succession instead.
What is your greatest personal failing, in your view?
Y’know that name I withheld for spoiler reasons, my number one enemy? I should have seen her treachery coming, then I could have foiled her plan earlier and protected Anne and this town. Also, Anne and Ben! How did I not see them like, actively pining at each other all this time?! Face-palm.
What keeps you awake at night?
My roommate’s snoring. I’m a new grad, I can’t afford my own place yet!
What is the most pressing problem you have at the moment?
See above about the snoring.
Is there something that you need or want that you don’t have? For yourself or for someone important to you?
The power to destroy my enemies. Also, more enemies.
Something I’d want for my boss Anne though? For people to appreciate her more! She does so much for everyone and they just take her for granted, and she lets them! Also, she deserves some serious romance. If her and that Ben guy don’t figure it out, I’m signing her up for a dating app.
Why don’t you have it? What is in the way?
Don’t tell her I said this, but as awesome as Anne is, she tends to get in her own way. At least when it comes to admitting what she wants, or who she wants.
A Modern Reimagining of Persuasion
This modern reimagining of Persuasion is full of witty banter, romantic angst, and compelling characters as it captures the heart of the classic Jane Austen novel.
When Anne Elliott broke up with Ben Wentworth, it seemed like the right thing to do . . . but now, eight years later, she’s not so sure.
In her scenic hometown of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Anne is comfortable focusing on her successful career: filling her late mother’s shoes as town councilor and executive director of her theater company. She certainly keeps busy as the all-around wrangler of eccentric locals, self-centered family members, elaborate festivals, and the occasional attacking goose. But the more she tries to convince herself that her life is fine as is, the more it all feels like a show—and not nearly as good as the ones put on by her theater company. She’s the always responsible Anne, always taken for granted and cleaning up after other people, and the memories of happier times with Ben Wentworth still haunt her.
So when the nearby Kellynch Winery is bought by Ben’s aunt and uncle, Anne’s world is set ablaze as her old flame crashes back into her life—and it’s clear he hasn’t forgiven her for breaking his heart. A joint project between the winery and Anne’s theater forces both Ben and Anne to confront their complicated history, and as they spend more time together, Anne can’t help but wonder if there might be hope for their future after all.
Romance Contemporary [Berkley, On Sale: February 27, 2024, Trade Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9780593440797 / eISBN: 9780593440803]
Will they or Will they Not?
Melodie Edwards has a BA in English literature from the University of Toronto, a Master’s degree in communications from McMaster University and Syracuse University (2023), and studied comedy writing at the Second City Training Centre. Her writing has been featured in Writer’s Digest, GI60 UK Theatre Festival, the Austin Film Festival Playwright Competition, and the Hart House Drama Festival.
She believes the importance of tea and biscuits while writing cannot be overstated.
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