By Frances Fowlkes
In my debut novel, The Duke’s Obsession, my heroine uses a combination of mathematics and numerology to calm herself and bring a sense of order to her chaotic world.
My heroine wasn’t aware of numerology itself, as the term wasn’t coined until the beginning of the twentieth century, or roughly ninety years after the story is set. But what my heroine did know, was that numbers and their links to coinciding events was an ancient practice—one that had been in use since before Christ by Pythagoras, the great Greek mathematician himself.
The art of Numerology, a practice that today is widely associated with the paranormal and the divine arts, was once seen as an extension of mathematics, a belief even practiced in the early Christian churches before the First Council of Nicaea in AD325 classified it as a civil violation and grouped it with the arts of mysticism and magic.
Numerology contains aspects from various ancient cultures, teachers, and philosophies, and as such, can have multiple interpretations. When writing The Duke’s Obsession I pulled from a variety of different sources, selecting the interpretation I felt best represented the emotions being displayed within my pages, but my favorite source relied heavily on biblical symbolism.
So, what do all those numbers mean? Here are a few possible interpretations:
One—Unity
Two—Witnessing, Opposites, Choices
Three—Divine completeness and perfection, Holy Trinity
Four—Creation
Five—Grace, Preparation
To my character, numbers meant reason and logic. They were factual and unchanging. Two plus two always equals four and for my heroine, that brought with it a sense of familiarity and peace. It was something that remained unchanged and that idea was comforting.
Do numbers bring you a sense of calm? A buzz of excitement? Or are you more like me, who upon hearing a mathematical equation, runs in the opposite direction?
About the Author:
Frances Fowlkes lives in South Carolina with her high school sweetheart, three red-headed sons, and a spoiled standard poodle. When not writing about ardent heroes or strong-willed heroines, she enjoys spending time with her family, playing with makeup, and planning her next vacation.
Check out Frances Fowlkes’ newest release, The Duke’s Obsession.
Book Synopsis:
London 1818
An American Heiress Who Must Swallow Her Pride
Miss Daphne Farrington despises three things: England’s dreary weather, the grimy streets of London, and most especially the English aristocracy. Despite her misgivings, she must persuade the very English Duke of Waverly to save her family shipping business. If only she could ignore the way he makes her pulse race whenever she’s near him.
A Duke Who Must Overcome Her Prejudice
Edward Lacey, the Duke of Waverly, is convinced that the lovely Miss Farrington, with her penchant for numbers, is the woman he’d like to make his Duchess. But unless he can convince her that not all English lords are callous, calculating rakes, a dark secret will ruin his chance at happiness.
Purchase The Duke’s Obsession:
Connect with the Frances Fowlkes:
I do not know a lot about numerology but I am ocd about numbers. I do not like odd numbers and will set my alarm for even numbers like 8:04 and will gas up my car for an even amount 🙂
Congratulations on your book! I am adding to my Amazon wish list because I have backlog of books I’ve promised to read already…but I will get to it this summer on the deck!
My husband is an accountant and does math for fun, but I am not sure he buys into numerology. The only thing I am pretty certain of when it comes to numbers is that everything happens in threes.
Thank you so much for hosting me! It’s an honor to be here!
Ann–it’s funny you mention even numbers, because I’m the opposite–I prefer the odd ones. (Probably because I am odd.) I always round up to 5–my favorite number.
Denise–Thank you for adding me to the TBR list! The Duke’s Obsession is a super fast read!
Robin–I have to agree. I have noticed a correlation between events happening in threes–especially deaths. Crazy.
I have a favorite number, but there’s no real reasoning behind it. But like you, when the need comes to put numbers together, I’m outta here. 😉
I think numbers can be calming in some odd way – I’ve always been drawn to the number 10 oddly lol.
Sarah–it’s funny how numbers can be soothing to some and bring anxiety to others. I get a rash every time my kids need help with their math homework! 10 is a nice even and complete number. And one my heroine counts to all the time. 🙂
Liz- I seriously hide when numbers are required. Tipping is awful. Forcing myself to figure out how much I have to put down in order to fill at least that 15% is a nightmare for me. Thank heavens for calculators and tipping charts!
I don’t know if it’s a favorite number, but if I don’t want to do something I do it by counting in 10’s and then before you know it, it’s over. 🙂
I know nothing about numbers and how they work but it sounds interesting to learn.
Rosey–What a fun idea! I’ll definitely have to try counting by tens the next I’m dusting or doing the laundry to see if it makes the time go by faster!
Becca–I don’t anything about numbers either. Other than the fact that I need them for my bank account. 🙂
Numbers can be fun and can be complicated! But, number 8 is my favorite I guess it’s because it was known of being a lucky number for Chinese people.
Numbers can be calming, doing simple addition or multiplication can calm me down when I need to.
Numbers definitely do not bring me a sense of calm. They stress me out!
I’m not a numbers kind of girl. I like several others get stressed out by numbers. LOL
Looks really interesting! I used to love reading Nancy Drew books and they often included numerology stuff.
I do Soduko to relax so numbers do help me relax somewhat. The game pretty much makes me focus on something other than what is going on.
I love the study of numbers from a biblical perspective. Have you read any of E.W. Bullinger’s books? They’re kinda old, but loaded with amazing revelations in the Word. Have you read the Bible Code? Obviously I’m excited about this subject. God has so many amazing revelations in His Word, we get to search and He’ll reveal.
Melisa–I haven’t read any of E.W. Bullinger’s books. I’ll have to pick one up and but it on my TBR list. Neither have I read the Bible Code. Interesting stuff! Thank you for the suggestion!
Jennifer–My husband plays Sudoku. He says it relaxes him, but then, he’s an engineer and numbers are his second language. To me, they are a foreign one!
I don’t find math relaxing, I’m much more of a reader. But I don’t hate it, either.
I’m a reader! I did not enjoy numbers or math at all in school!
Math and I do not mix well, which is odd since I’m such an orderly, organization-obsessed person.
I am going to look for your book – I love these kinds of stories! 🙂
That is quite an interesting and intriguing concept for a book. I am not big on numbers or know much about numerology, but it does sound like a great read
This is very interested. My favorite number is 7, but that’s b/c it is God’s number of completion 🙂
Numbers and I do not agree…. I’m not sure this book is one that I could even keep up with! My husband is the numbers guy around here!
Ashley–I consider the book anti-number friendly. After all, it was written by a gal who has to use a calculator or tip-chart to calculate a tip. And don’t even ask me to count back change. I’m terrible.
Toni–the number 7 is an awesome number–and one that has a whole lot of significance in the Bible! 🙂 It’s a wonderful # to have as a favorite!
Veronica–I’m a little biased when it comes to determining whether this book is a great read. I, personally, think it’s an awesome one and definitely worth a try! THANK YOU!
Megan–I’m a super organized freak myself. I’d love to have an Ikea house–all the organizational goodness! 🙂 I’m thrilled you like stories like this!
Amanda–Alas, I really stunk at #s in school too. I somehow managed to scrape by, but I NEVER want to attend another math class. EVER. 🙂
I love playing suduko, it’s been quite a while since I played. I was addicted to the game, as far as numbers goes I’m not a fan.
As a kid I was fascinated with numbers and still remember getting a book from the library on numerology. Love the tricks.
I was into numerology when I was younger…it’s always fun to try and get some sense of what the future has in store for you.
I love books that take me back into history and London is one of my favorite places to travel (via a book!) I will have to check this one out.
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I don’t consider myself a ‘numbers person’, however, I do understand the appeal of numbers. I think they bring more certainty than words (as you stated, 2+2 always equals 4). It’s funny though – numbers can be manipulated too. I’m thinking of the financial scandals we have seen over the last 25+ years.
Numerology is something I haven’t ever explored, but I’m interested in hearing more about it.