Then Came the Thunder Three Willows Book One Rachael Huszar - Genre: Historical Fiction/Western Fantasy
Interview with Rachael Huszar
Welcome to JB’s Bookworms with Brandy Mulder, tell us about your newest book.THEN CAME THE THUNDER is my debut novel and the first book of the THREE WILLOWS series. It’s the story of Jessalyn Joy, a recently widowed schoolteacher, trying to find her place in the small town that her husband called home. She is helped (and equally hindered) by her students, the assistant preacher, and a mysterious stranger who comes to town and ends up renting her spare room. As if that weren’t enough disruption, Jessalyn finds herself knee-deep in the mysterious livestock attacks happening at Three Willows’ ranches, and that are getting closer and closer to home.
Writing isn’t easy. What was the most difficult thing you dealt with when writing THEN CAME THE THUNDER?
I think the hardest part was basically accepting that I’m a beginner. Taking that very first step to tackle the blank page is a hard one that anyone in a creative field has surely dealt with. The best piece of writing advice I received from one of my colleagues was “you can edit a bad page, but not a blank page.” I’d say starting is 75% of the battle.
Tell us a little bit about your writing career.
I’m a full-time graphic designer and am just beginning to pursue my writing with the publication of THEN CAME THE THUNDER. I do very much hope to continue, though!
They say Hind-sight is 20/20. If you could give advice to the writer you were the first time you sat down to write, what would it be?
There’s going to be lots of videos/articles telling you that because you’re a new writer, the first things you create will be automatic garbage. Don’t be afraid to think you’ve made something good.
Amen to that!
There’s a scene at the heart of THEN CAME THE THUNDER when two characters split from the group and go sleuthing. Making sure they get the information they needed without making it too easy was a difficult balancing act for me!
Are themes a big part of your stories, or not so much?
I think that themes can often come out of a story, rather than be put into one. I take a lot of time in developing my characters and experimenting with their interactions. Figuring out why certain people are together and what, in the long run, they need from each other, is often how I end up finding a theme. I have noticed that familial ties and tension comes up frequently in my work.
What are you working on now?
Right now, I’m working on revisions for the second book in the THREE WILLOWS series, featuring several returning characters from THEN CAME THE THUNDER and some brand new ones, including my favorite villains ever.
Is there a release date planned?
THEN CAME THE THUNDER releases on July 2nd, 2021, and I hope the sequel might be ready towards the end of the year. Fingers crossed.
Who is your favorite character from your own stories, and why?
Roger Shaw, the nervous, bumbling, motor-mouthed assistant preacher. He’s so much fun to right and he and I share a similar sort of internal feverish madness, and tend to get way too excited about folklore and new romance novels.
Most writers were readers as children. What was your favorite book in grade school?
Growing up, my favorite book was DRAGON RIDER by Cornelia Funke. Dragons, assorted mythological creatures, a quest, a found family, what more could you ask for? Even now, at 30, the story has stayed with me. Give it a read, or I highly recommend the audiobook!
What are your plans for future projects?
Writing has become much too much a part of me to even think about slowing down! I’m hoping to move on to one of the ideas I have in the hopper once the THREE WILLOWS series has concluded. It might be anything from ghosts, to a retelling, to high fantasy with birds. We’ll see…
Is there anything you would like to add before we finish?
Thank you so much for letting me stop by! It was a pleasure!
You're welcome. Good luck with the THEN CAME THE THUNDER release, and thank you for being with us today.
Excerpt
A throat-clearing sound brought Jessalyn’s attention back to the man who was looking at her with an expectant eyebrow raised. She’d been quiet for too long. “Right,” she said. “Please come in.”
Samuel Brooks dipped his head like a gentleman and crossed the threshold into her home. He removed his hat and ran a hand through his slightly wavy light brown hair. Something about the way he moved bothered Jessalyn. He stepped smoothly, effortlessly, without any of the hesitation one would expect to read in a stranger entering uncharted territory. Yet he was already looking past her, at the space he had been assigned to live in, and he seemed comfortable. He filled it up, like water pouring from pitcher to glass, easily taking shape as if he was always meant to be there. Jessalyn felt her lips tighten. She straightened her spine, the way she commanded her students’ attention. He still had about two inches on her. Damn. Opportunities, Jessa. Opportunities.
"This is the house," she said, gesturing to their surroundings. "You'll take the spare room, just over here, beneath the stairs. You're welcome to use any of the common spaces. You are responsible for your own meals and washing." While she spoke, Samuel Brooks followed along, but was mostly looking at her. She fought back an urge to roll her shoulders again. "Rent will be due on the first of the month. If you have any questions about the town, I will do my best to answer them. Regarding work, there are many ranches that are always looking for extra hands. I'd be happy to put in a word for you, if you like." Jessalyn reached the end of the speech she had prepared for this morning.
Samuel Brooks took a moment, then said, "I'm sorry, this is overwhelming. I feel like this entire town is bending over backward to curry favor with a man they just met."
From his demeanor of comfort, Jessalyn hadn't expected this sort of a reaction at all. "We like to be hospitable here in Three Willows. Anyone who comes here ought to feel welcome. We're glad to have you," she said, echoing Ebenezer's token greeting.
Samuel's mouth turned up in a crooked grin. "You know, it's gotta be the third or fourth time someone has said that to me. But coming from you, it doesn't seem like there's an ounce of truth in it."
Jessalyn stiffened. She did not appreciate being analyzed. "Did you need my help at all with your bags, or...?" If Samuel Brooks was the sort of man who needed a clear boundary set, she was more than happy to do that.
Yet still, he grinned. "No, I'm all right. Again, thank you, uh... Jessalyn, was it?"
"Ah-"
"Do you prefer 'Lyn?'"
"No, I think-"
"Or just 'Jessa?'"
Jessalyn flinched. No one had ever shortened her name as a sign of endearment until she'd met Amos. She'd never been dear to anyone until she met Amos. Hearing that nickname come from another man's mouth sent chills up her spine. She hated hearing it. "I think ‘Mister Brooks' and 'Miss Joy' will suit us for the time being," she said coldly.
"That right?"
Was there nothing she could say that would wipe the smile off this man's face? "It's the name I'm most used to hearing. I'm 'Miss Joy' to my students."
Samuel stuck a hand in his pocket and leaned back. "Right, right. The good mayor mentioned you were the schoolteacher." He chuckled, shaking his head at the floor.
"Something funny?"
"I was just remembering my teacher. Missus Hughes. Old, crotchety woman, armed with a ruler at all times." He set his pack down and nearly doubled over, shaking his fist in a pantomime of brandishing a ruler, then laughed again at his own impression. Straightening up, he said, "Maybe if I'd had something as nice to look at as you, I would have paid more attention in class."
Jessalyn stared at the man in a mixture of shock, horror, and anger. Did he think at all about the words that left his mouth? Was he such a free spirit that he imagined he was liberated of all consequences? Perhaps his days in the desert burnt away his knowledge of manners. "Mister Brooks-"
"I really wish you'd call me Sam."
"Mister Brooks!" Jessalyn was nearly shouting. Shouting at a stranger in the middle of her own house. Ridiculous. "Do you require anything else from me at the moment? If not, I'd like to resume my work."
"Just one last thing."
"And that is?"
"An answer."
"I beg your pardon?"
"Why the sudden desire to take on boarders?" Samuel asked. "Are you so hard up for money in this paradise town of yours?"
"I don't think that's any of your business, Mister Brooks."
"Isn't it?" Samuel spun in a slow circle, taking in the house again. "Young woman, whole house to herself? How am I to know I'm not being set up? Maybe I'm lodging with the Black Widow of Three Willows and tomorrow morning will find me with my throat cut and my pockets emptied." He lifted his hands and wiggled them like spider legs.
"I am doing you a favor-"
"You're doing me a service. There's a difference. I am paying you, you know. You have to see how suspicious this looks."
This man was a clown. A rude clown. Heat rose in Jessalyn's chest as she listened to him. This wasn't how this was supposed to go.
Amos wouldn’t have fought back. A hospitable lady of town wouldn’t have fought back. But Jessalyn couldn’t stop herself. "No more suspicious than a man who moves to a town with nothing but a horse and a name and manages to sweet talk his way into my home."
Samuel narrowed his eyes, the grin drifting to one side, sly. "You don't trust me."
"I do not know you, Mister Brooks."
"Well, there'll be plenty of time to remedy that."
That was it. "I think not," Jessalyn said in her strongest reprimanding tone. "Mister Brooks, I have acquiesced to providing a roof for your head, but this does not entitle you to a window into my personal life. We are not friends. We are not even familiar. Keep your distance." With that, she flew up the stairs to her own room and slammed the door.
A low whistle echoed throughout the house.
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