Article and Interview by Elise Cooper
You Lucky Dog and A Princess By Christmas by Julia London are two novels people might want to read. During this depressing year, these two books will make readers smile.
You Lucky Dog delves into the bond between dogs and humans. The hero and heroine are an unlikely pair and would never have found each other if their dogs hadn’t been mixed up in a dog-walking situation and wanted to be together. It is reminiscent of the beginning of 101 Dalmatians, when the two main characters are brought together by two dogs who fall for each other and bring their people on doggie dates until they fall in love as well.
The story begins with a dog switch. Two Bassett Hounds, happy-go-lucky Hazel, who belongs to Max, and depressed Baxter, who belongs to Carly, find themselves with the wrong owner. Through a series of unfortunate events, their dog walker is put in jail for selling weed, and the dogs get mixed up with the wrong owner because they look so much alike. Carly ends up figuring out that her dog is the wrong one and goes to find Max to swap the dogs. Baxter is smitten with Hazel, and Carly realizes she may have found the key to her puppy’s happiness. For his sake, she starts to spend more time with Hazel and Max, until she begins to understand the appeal of falling for your polar opposite.
One of the heart-warming parts of the book is a character with autism. Max’s brother, Jamie, who is on the autism spectrum is currently dependent upon their father’s care. Max is a professor, and he uses dogs to study how brains work through people with autism. Because Max’s dad needs a break from being a full-time caregiver to Jamie, Max decides to take Jamie on a trip to a dog show so that his dad can go on a much-needed fishing trip. The problem with this, however, is that he doesn’t have anyone who can take care of Hazel. He asks Carly who agrees. What happens next is pure chaos, and hilarity ensues with the two mischievous pets.
The other book, A Princess By Christmas, shows London’s diversity. This story is more of a mystery intermingled with romance. Hollis Honeycutt has lived a life of mourning for three years. She has turned her dear deceased husband’s newspaper into the sauciest source of fashion and gossip. But still feels lost after her sister became the princess of another country, and her best friend moved to the countryside.
Hollis gets a reprieve on loneliness after her sister and best friend have returned to London as part of a delegation that will be working on peace talks between fictional countries Alucia and Wesloria. But danger lurks because there are rumors of a coup that will kill the Weslorian king. Because of her newspaper, Hollis hears of these rumors and decides to work with Marek Brendan who is part of the Weslorian trade council. Sparks fly between Marek and Hollis and they grow closer. He even confides in her his devasting secret and the fact that he is hard of hearing.
As with all her books, London has great banter between the characters. It will make readers laugh. Also, when the three women get together the dialogue is very compelling and fun.
Whether a romance mystery or a romantic comedy, London is able to write entertaining plots and captivating characters.
Elise Cooper: In A Princess By Christmas how did you get the idea for a peace treaty?
Julia London: I borrowed a little from the Israeli-Arab conflict because they had disputes over land. Queen Victoria, as many US Presidents, tried to bring all the factions together.
EC: How would you describe Hollis?
JL: She was a fixture in the first two books. As a widow, she is trying to make her own way. In this book she comes into her own. She had lost her mother, husband, and figuratively her sister and best friend who moved. Now, she is trying to figure out her place in the world. She can be stubborn, lonely, uncertain, and wants to be in love again.
EC: How would you describe Marek?
JL: Taciturn, a loner, a survivor. He is also kind and lonely with poor social skills.
EC: How would you describe the relationship between Marek and Hollis?
JL: As a heroine she must move forward. She made the decision she liked Marek and decided to go for it.
EC: How does Christmas play into the story?
JL: I wanted to have it as a holiday setting with all the traditions. There is some symbolism because that time of year can be both sad and joyful, which is how Marek and Hollis felt.
EC: What about the Gazette?
JL: I put in the columns at the beginning of each chapter in italics. It was done to move the plot along. Hollis wanted to get away from the gossip but could not. As with some periodicals today, the public wants what it wants.
EC: In both these books you have handicapped characters?
JL: In the princess book I made Marek hard of hearing and in the dog book I had an autistic character, Jamie. I wanted to give them personality traits beyond the average character. I think it added more of a dimension to the stories. I based Jamie somewhat on my young granddaughter who has autism. It does change the way the family looks at their life. Someone always has to be around. I used my own experience, but also did some research on adult autism.
EC: Why Bassett Hounds in You Lucky Dog?
JL: I had many dogs in my life including this breed. As I was writing this book, my brother got a Bassett Hound puppy. I forgot how much I love them.
EC: How would you describe their personality?
JL: Goofy, adorable, stubborn and funny. My brother’s other dog will chase rabbits, but the Bassett Hound will do the barking and will never leave the porch. As a child my dog did something similar where it would only chase to a point.
EC: Now for the humans: How would you describe Carly?
JL: Ambitious, goal-oriented, driven, and an over-achiever.
EC: How about Matt?
JL: Laid-back, a thinker, very smart, and loyal.
EC: What about your next books?
JL: I am starting a new series around a matchmaker who helps the elite during the Victorian era find their special someone. It will start out with Marek’s sister, Princess Justine, eight years after this book.
My next romantic comedy has not been started but will come out 2022.
EC: THANK YOU!!
