The delightful Rachel Fordham has released her second historical romance, Yours Truly, Thomas, with a premise that highlights the somewhat lost art of letter writing. In our world of instant messages, oft times thoughtlessly posted comments, and a million ways to communicate, this novel of simpler times holds much appeal, don’t you think? Rachel shares below about the themes of this story, feedback she has received from readers, and the character that she found it difficult to relate to!

I’m thrilled to have a copy of this story to give away, thanks to the wonderful team at Revell Books. Enjoy this chat with Rachel.

For three years, Penny Ercanbeck has been opening other people’s mail. Dead ends are a reality for clerks at the Dead Letter Office. Still she dreams of something more–a bit of intrigue, a taste of romance, or at least a touch less loneliness. When a letter from a brokenhearted man to his one true love falls into her hands, Penny seizes this chance to do something heroic. It becomes her mission to place this lost letter into the hands of its intended recipient.
Thomas left his former life with no intention of ending up in Azure Springs, Iowa. He certainly didn’t expect a happy ending after what he had done. All he wanted to do was run and never look back. In a moment of desperation, he began to write, never really expecting a reply.

When Penny’s undertaking leads her to the intriguing man who touched her soul with his words, everything grows more complicated. She wants to find the rightful owner of the letter and yet she finds herself caring–perhaps too much–for the one who wrote it.

Bookchat with Rachel

Please share a little about your characters, Penny and Thomas

Penny was raised in Washington DC with money but by the time this book starts she’s part of the working class. Thanks to her education she’s employed at the Dead Letter Office where she spends her day reading mail. Penny is a fun character because on one hand she’s very focused and hardworking but on the other she’s a hopeless romantic clinging to the idea that there’s love out there. When she opens a lost letter from Thomas to Clara she makes it her mission to help these two reunite.

Thomas is much more stoic than Penny. He’s a man carrying around a heavy burden who over the course of the story learns to let it go and to keep living. His transformation occurs as he finds himself in the small town of Azure Springs where he never intended to be.

Describe your book in 5 adjectives

Hopeful, redemptive, romantic, light-hearted, engaging

Letter writing is a dying art. What makes it special/different to electronic communication?

Isn’t it interesting that we can communicate so quickly and easily and yet we give our words so little thought? People post comments so quickly and easily online and act like they aren’t even talking to real people. It’s shocking how callous some people have become, they’ve clearly forgotten how powerful the written word can be. Back in the day the words in letters were poured over. They were spending hard earned money to send letters and it was such a huge means of communication (no phone, no internet) that the letters I’ve read at least had lots of substance to them. If used right the written word can still be powerful, we just have to choose to slow down and make sure our words are the right ones.

When I was in high school I was a stubborn teenager (at times) and my dad would sometimes slide a letter under my door. He’d write about what he wanted for me and what he worried about for me. I was so angry when I’d get them but then I’d calm down and read them again and I’d let his words sink in and eventually be so grateful for them. Those words affected me like no other means of communication could have.

Have you received feedback from readers about letter writing?

Yes! It’s been lovely hearing from readers about their favorite letters. Often it was from a grandparent or loved one and it would arrive right when they needed it most!

What are the major themes in this story?

I think there are two main themes-

Pain is not always the enemy, sometimes it’s a great teacher. I love this message and was grateful that Thomas’s journey let me explore this idea in fiction. He is not the same man at the end that he is in the beginning and it’s because of this hard trial he goes through.

The second more subtle theme is that love doesn’t always look the way we think it will. Penny wants butterflies and hearts and gets some of that but also comes to realize that love can mean sacrifice, worry and vulnerability.

Which character did you enjoy writing most?

Margaret the boarding house owner was in The Hope of Azure Springs and is prominent in this novel as well. She’s always fun to right! She is motherly, sometimes overbearing and always full of love and wisdom.

Which character gave you the most grief?

Penny! I LOVE her but we are so different that it was difficult to relate to her at times. She’s emotional where I’m practical. There were times when I’d have to say, “stop worrying about if you would make this choice, would she?” I came to really respect her and even learn from her impulsiveness.

What emotions did you experience while writing this story?

Hmmm….There’s always a thrill as I start seeing it unfold and by the end there were all the feels as I got to watch these characters I was rooting for come together. I have to add frustration though because this book required a lot more editing than some of the other books I’ve written. It felt like I was doing this giant puzzle and I was constantly having to take it apart and move pieces around and even throw some out. In the end it all came together! That was a great feeling.

What parts of the writing process become easier with each new story? What becomes more challenging?

When I started I knew NOTHING about writing so small things tripped me up and slowed me down. For example with my very first manuscript I swapped out every “ordinary” word for a big never heard of word because it seemed so literary to know words no one knew. I will NEVER do that again! I didn’t know how to keep track of where I was at in a 300+ page document and now I have methods that work. I could go on and on. There were so many things I learned by trial and error that made the process extra challenging. I had no idea at the time there were so many resources out there that could have helped me.

With each story there are unique problems. I had more major plot line edits with Yours Truly, Thomas than with The Hope of Azure Springs so I’m sure there will always be stories that are harder to piece together but at least I understand how to piece a story together now.

The most challenging thing for me now is balancing my time. Prior to publishing I didn’t have to worry about marketing old books or editing a book while writing a new one. There are so many more pulls on my time now. It’s also harder to write a book and ignore the review voices that try to pop up in my head. I miss writing with no thought of how it’d be received.

What is in your writing pipeline now?

I recently turned in my 2020 manuscript- A Life Once Dreamed. I’m so anxious for this story to come out! Agnes teaches school in the Black Hills and claims to have embraced her spinster status. When the new doctor arrives in town he makes it very difficult for her to keep her secrets.

That’s a horrible summary (gah!) but it really is a fun book that tackles some bigger issues of the time and I believe has a lot of heart.

Thanks Rachel!

Rachel Fordham started writing when her children began begging her for stories at night. She’d pull a book from the shelf, but they’d insist she make one up. Finally she paired her love of good stories with her love of writing, and she hasn’t stopped since. She lives with her husband and children on an island in the state of Washington.

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Visit Rachel’s website and blog
Buy at Amazon: Yours Truly, Thomas or Koorong

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