Q&A With Royaline Sing

Royaline Sing has a software engineering job and on top of that she is a historical romance author. Her debut novel is Betting On A Duke’s Heart. Royaline is part of the 23 for 23: A BiPOC reading challenge. Royaline is also participating in the 23 for 23 challenge as reader and would like to share the same with you all.

Hosting authors include: Andie J Christopher, Denise Williams, Farrah Rochon, Jayci Lee, Kennedy Ryan, Kimberly Lemming, Liana De La Rosa, Mia Hopkins, Mia Sosa, Mona Shroff, Priscilla Oliveras, Sara Desai, Sabrina Sol, Taj McCoy, Tif Marcelo, Tracey Livesay, Xio Axelrod, QB Tyler, Rebekah Weatherspoon

Q: Royaline was writing something you always wanted to do since you were a kid, or did you find this out while working for software engineering? 

A: As a kid, I loved to read. I was the kid who walked with her nose in the book and trusted the other people walking by to ensure she did not fall into a pothole. Luckily,I was always surrounded by a crowd including my teachers, my family and perfect strangers who did that. I was so immersed in the Hindi cinema and the love stories, which mostly are without the spice so it was a family affair, going to watch the Madhuri and Shah rukh and Kajol romances. And I loved the cheesy, over the top but wholesome romantic stories.

So, as kids would do, I started making up my own books. I was probably ten. As my first fiction work, I have a notebook-length movie script, featuring my favorite movie stars. It hasn’t seen the light of the day (And it won’t). But I am glad I found the thread again and was able to finish this book to share with the readers now.

Q: Would you like to talk about Betting On A Duke’s Heart and how you came up with the concept?

A: I cut my historical romance teeth on Stephanie Laurence, Tessa Dare and Julia Quinn books. (There are too many faves to name). I fell in love with the dukes, more as to their attitude and how hard they would fall once tamed by an apt partner. (It doesn’t have to be a duke of course.). combined with my love of horses which I cannot ride due to health issues, my love for Mahabharat, the Indian mythology, and a heroine who would not let him have his way, the story for THE BETTING ON A DUKE’S HEART emerged. I was like, what if he is so horse mad and she has the perfect horse he wanted, but she won’t have him without love? Having Dina as originating from Indian origins as well was further enticing for me to see them from two separate cultural angles (and incorporate my favorite desi things like food and apparels!).

Here is a short book description:

Aetius White, the Duke of Saxton, couldn’t save his father, but he’ll be damned if he won’t save the man’s dream. He’ll acquire a Triple Crown–winning horse at any cost, even marriage. Luckily, the lovely lady in mind loves challenges as much as he. Certainly, he can win her heart without losing his own…

Hell will freeze over before Miss Dina Campbell agrees to marry a horse-mad man who wants her dowry of a prize stallion, no matter what her father wants. The duke may be handsome, but he’ll have to prove he is a suitable match for her before she’ll even consider the offer. And there’s no way this love-averse man will ever succeed with the wager that she has planned… 

Q: Are you currently writing the sequel to Betting On A Duke’s Heart, or is what you’re writing now a completely different story with different characters?

A: I am writing sequel(s), yes! Though they will be different stories and different backgrounds and hopefully continue to include diverse heroes and heroines. I am currently actively finishing the stories of the Viscount Westbrook who is a rake who has helped the hero of BETTING ON A DUKE’S HEART and also the Duke of Ashland who is the grumpy friend in their group. Hopefully I can share these with readers soon!

Q: Out of all the genres you’ve chosen to write in, what fascinates you about historical romance? 

A: The romance! As I said I am raised on Hindi cinema or Bollywood as more popularly known. The movies have it all, insta love, shallow love, dramatics, and all full on with families involved. Families are always there. The angst, the struggle and the obstacles they have culturally are very similar to the historical romance. One glance, one touch and an entire romantic song can be imagined (in the books the narration). It’s the softness, the rules, and the need to know the people behind those tight-laced gowns (or sarees) that fascinates me the most!  

Q: If there were other genres you wanted to explore writing in which ones would they be and why?

A: Probably a contemporary rom-com. If I can’t have a full on romance, I definitely want humor. 

Q: If Hollywood were to get the rights to Betting On A Duke’s Heart, who would be your dream cast for your characters? 

A: This is tricky especially because Dina is Indian (or half-Indian) but I always imagined my fave stars while I was writing the book. Hritik Roshan would be my pick for Aetius (he looks amazing on a horse, better yet without a shirt as the book demands, ahem). For Dina, while originally I had a mix of different personalities in mind, over the last few years, she looks more and more like Priyanka Chopra to me. She’d perfectly essay the confidence, the sass and the sexiness. I can only wish!