Luv Lubker

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Tell us a little bit about yourself, your hobbies and interests.

I live in Texas. I loved reading about animals when I was a child - I was always a researcher - and had many pets including hermit crabs, fish, underwater frogs, gerbils, chickens - no cats or dogs. I just learned to ride a bike when I was about to turn 25 but have been able to ride a unicycle since I was 7. I am also a Raw food chef.

When and why did you start writing books?

I have researched the Victorian era for over 10 years - Charlotte Bronte and the literary world of the day for 3 years and Royals for 7. I love Queen Victoria's eldest daughter Vicky's story and it makes such a good story - and there were parts which I "read between the lines" and felt they needed to be told.

What made you decide to tackle writing as a career?

Reading Clare McHugh's book "A Most English Princess" and wanting to tell my version of Vicky and Fritz's story. Wanting to tell his part of the story from his perspective.

Which one of your books or characters is your favourite?

Fritz and Vicky are my favorites. She is so fascinating with her broad range of interests and talents - she was an amazing landscape artist, sculptor, knew all about plants (knew the English, German and scientific names for all the wildflowers in her area), equestrian, target shooter, etc. etc. Fritz is a very interesting character in that he was a military man as most Princes were, but his diary accounts are very human and caring and not military first. His kind nature and tender heart is part of the story I want to tell.

Which one of your books was the hardest to write and stretched you the most as a writer?

I feel uncomfortable writing the bad guys sometimes - getting into their head is rather nasty - and also writing the intimacy scenes can be embarrassing sometimes - or rather letting my family read them is!

Who is your favourite author and book?

The Bible. Some of my favorite fiction authors are Charlotte Bronte, Anne Bronte, Wilkie Collins, Brian Jacques, Lucy Maud Montgomery, M. I. McAllister, Trenton Lee Stewart, Elizabeth Gaskell, Jean Craighead George. I love Queen Marie of Romania's memoirs The Story of My Life - it's a memoir that reads like a novel (her style makes me think of Lucy Maud Montgomery).

What book are you reading right now?

Listening to Rilla of Ingleside by L.M. Montgomery, The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Prisoners Dilemma by Trenton Lee Stewart, reading Dearest Child: letters of Queen Victoria and her eldest daughter Vicky 1858-1861 - the time period of my first book.

Where do you get your inspiration for your books?

From the letters and diaries of the people I read about - memoirs and other books from the time and modern biographies. I am inspired in style or specific scenes or topics I model on by the writing of books I mentioned above.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

Riding my bike, learning German, spending time with my family, reading, making Raw food.

Do you have any new books in the works?

Yes - I've started books 2, 3, 4, and 5 in my 6 book series. "Under a Cloud", "Under the Sword", "Under His Heel", "Under His Thumb", "Under the Purple" are my planned titles.