Welcome to the A to Z Challenge. This year I’m blogging about the Behind the Scenes for the Echoes Trilogy – a story a started writing about six years ago.
![A2Z-BADGE-100 [2017]](https://lydiahowecom.files.wordpress.com/2017/04/a2z-badge-100-2017.jpg?w=620){kind=icon}
Happy Monday, folks! This morning I have the fun privilege of introducing you to Nicolette – one of the echoes who masquerade as Princess Rylie. Nicolette was one of the first characters who began forming in my head when I started working on this series, and from the feedback I’ve received, she’s apparently a favorite among readers.
At sixteen summers Nicolette is tall, confident, and kind. Known in the Inner Chamber family for her loyalty and willingness to take blame when needed, Nicolette is a peacemaker to her core and will do whatever it takes to keep the peace. Sweet and soft spoken, Princess Rylie is much more like Nicolette than she is like Raquel.
With more of a laid-back temperament than Raquel, Nicolette enjoys quite indoor activities such as bookwork, mingling with the palace staff, and playing board games. Her forays to the archery field and javelin arena are simply an attempt to try and keep up (at least somewhat) with Raquel’s skills, since they need to stay somewhat equal in their levels of expertise.
At the same time, though, Nicolette isn’t quite or shy. With a ready wit and compelling personality, Nicolette (as Princess Rylie) is able to make friends with anyone, and in any situation. Unless of course she happens to be conversing with a dignitary who lowers himself to flirting and seems to forget that Princess Rylie has brains – then Nicolette is creative at giving the cold shoulder while still being passably polite.
Nicolette is a strong believer in the Path Book, and daily applies the teachings to her life – especially the ones about forgiveness. Although some people seem to think forgiveness comes easily to Nicolette, it is in reality something she’s struggled with. Knowing how important it is though, Nicolette refuses to let herself become bitter, even when she has every reason to.
With dreams of one day ruling Kios side-by-side with Raquel, Nicolette does all she can to learn the laws, the systems, and how to judge wisely. She firmly believes that she, like Esther of old, has been placed in her position for Such a time as this.
Noveltea 
I love Nicolette! She is just wonderful and encouraging. I really love how her love for the God of the Path Book is so evident in her life and in her actions. 🙂
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YAY! I’m glad you like Nicolette. I only sigh though, when I think of the fact that originally both Nicolette and Raquel where just like that. I’m quite happy I learned how to be more original. 😉
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“Nice to meet you, Nicolette,” extends hand for a friendly handshake <<or is that not proper for a princess in the castle? 🙂 🙂 “You sound like a lovely young lady that a lot of people could learn from, myself included!”
Can’t wait to read of both Nicolette and Raquel, Lydia!
-Bekah
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Haha! I’m not sure if shaking hands is exactly appropriate (more like bowing over the hand, or kissing it). I’m guessing Nicolette would be rather confused, but try and play along with it so you didn’t feel awkward. 😉 She loves meeting new people.
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This is an interesting character sketch. This year I am laying out the plot of a new historical fiction novel over my 26 A to Z posts. I’d love to have you stop by.
The Steel Horse Saviors is a story about three civil war veterans who head west in 1866 with their Steam Locomotive to seek their fortune. They encounter a beautiful redhead trying desperately to save her family business that threatens to complicate their plan to escape their past.
Joe @ the Fiction Playground visiting from the A to Z Challenge</>
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Sounds like fun! I will stop over, thanks for the invite. 🙂
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Nicolette sounds like someone I’d like to know in real life! I like that she can be passably polite while discouraging flirting…sounds very diplomatic, which I suppose would be useful for a princess. 🙂 I really enjoyed reading her backstory, it’s obvious that Nicolette and Raquel are quite different and you’ve put a lot of thought into it!
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You know what? Come to think of it, I think I’d like to know Nicolette in real life, too. 🙂 I hadn’t really thought of that before. Raquel on the other hand? Well, she would be handful to know in real life, but I think I’d still want to. 😉
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