And I’m back again with another exciting day with the Five Golden Braids Blog Tour. In case you missed yesterday’s post, the Golden Braids are five retellings of Rapunzel by five different authors, each unique in tone, setting, and moral. This collection has something in it for every reader. And don’t forget that several of the authors will be giving away paperbacks of their books for US entrants only, and you can find out more on Kendra’s blog. You will also find the full schedule here as well!!
Before we dive into an exciting interview, let’s learn a little bit about Meredith’s story.
Book Description:
Never allow a stranger to buy you anything. Never reveal what you truly are. Above all, never, ever allow your hair to be cut.
In a plague-ravaged world, people will stop at nothing to find a cure. Rebekah is a young norn who is on the run for her life. Charles, a man desperate to heal his ailing wife, wants the life-giving magic contained in Rebekah’s hair.
When Rebekah’s path crosses with Martha, a mother who has lost her daughter to the same man, secrets will be revealed. Buried fears will be resurrected, and the conflict between norns and humans may cause devastating havoc. Will Rebekah and Martha find a way to help both human and nornkind, or will Rebekah’s pursuer capture her? Will the plague be eradicated, or is a more sinister plan at work?
Things are not how they appear in this story of finding a place to belong. Rebekah’s Refuge is a tale of sacrifice, love and courage. You will meet many individuals, human and norn alike, who bear scars, scars that cannot be seen. A tenuous thread binds their destinies together, but threads, like hair, can easily be cut. Only those who listen can find the courage to fight. Rebekah’s Refuge is a tale of desperation and hope, a story of turmoil and healing.
Now, Meredith is here to tell us a little bit about one of her characters, a fascinating young man named Frederick who has a very unique problem.
Character Spotlight for Frederick
by Meredith Leigh Burton
Frederick Ingalsall is an affable young man. He is a talented pharmacist and runs a successful general store. Townsfolk swear by his headache powders and tonics, and they enjoy the food he prepares as well. Frederick often prepares commonplace sandwiches and other food, so he is delighted when customers come into his store and order unusual items. He enjoys experimenting and preparing new concoctions. He has an obsessive desire to help those afflicted with illness.
Frederick has good reason to be drawn to the career of pharmacist. His adopted mother suffers from an incurable illness, and Frederick tries to help alleviate her pain.
When Frederick hears about a town called Wickson that is under quarantine because of a plague, he becomes deeply distressed and longs to help them. However, things are not what they seem, and Frederick may be harboring secrets of his own. The arrival of a mysterious young norn at his store might change his life forever. Frederick has known one other norn in his life, a norn who fascinated him and made him smile. Perhaps he even loved that norn, and perhaps she loved him. However, that norn has disappeared. Now Frederick has met another norn, and he suddenly realizes that he must find a way to help the one he loves, even if this means revealing a terrible mistake in his past. But, evil forces are at work, and Frederick may find that certain deals are hard to break.
About the Author:
Meredith Leigh Burton is a voracious devourer of fairy tales. She is a motivational speaker, teacher and writer. She attended the Tennessee School for the Blind and Middle Tennessee State University, where she received a degree in English and theater. Meredith hopes to convey through her writing that people with differences can contribute much to the world. “Snow White” has always been her favorite fairy tale. Meredith has written another fairy tale based on “Snow White” entitled Hart Spring, which can be found in her anthology, Blind Beauty and Other Tales of Redemption. She resides in Lynchburg, Tennessee.
Find her online at: Goodreads || Amazon