Vicki Hopkins's Blog: Leighton Family Saga, page 6

Is Historical Romance in a Rut?

As some of you may or may not know, I also have a historical romance website to help authors market the genre. It’s not that popular but is gaining in popularity, and I regularly post on it my thoughts or historical romance news.  You can find me a Historical-Romance Books. This morning I posted about the historical romance genre as a whole because of what I’ve noted. If you’ve read any of my books, you know I don’t exactly follow the cookie cutter of the genre and am all over the place with...

My Inspiration for Lady Charlotte

I had a great time writing Lady Charlotte, which is a tit-for-tat relationship between Albert Beckett and Charlotte Rutherford.  Cedric, Charlotte’s cousin, thinks her behavior is an embarrassment to the extended family and sets out on a bid to reform her ways. He chooses Albert Beckett to take on that task, who you will soon find out spouts an awful lot about what constitutes good society.

So, where did I get all this stuffy fluff about behavior?  It’s from a book that I’ve used quite a bit...

Where Are the Poppies Now – Tales From Those Who Bought Poppies

I was one of the lucky ones to purchase a poppy from the Tower of London. As you know, I dedicated Lady Grace to my fallen cousins who lost their lives in World War I. I’ve been able to replant the poppy on this wonderful website! Please visit, comment, and read their story of where the poppy has been planted.  Find my Tower poppy at:

https://www.wherearethepoppiesnow.org.uk/the-poppy-map/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Source: Where are the Poppies Now – Tales from those who bought poppies

Readers’ Favorite Honors J.D. Burrows for Conflicting Hearts

As you may or may not know, I’ve written one contemporary novel, Conflicting Hearts, under the pen name of J.D. Burrows. I entered the book into the annual competition at Readers’ Favorite and received a Finalist Award under Fiction/Social Issues. Here is the press release regarding the acknowledgment. There is an awards ceremony in November in Miami, but I’m not sure if I’ll be able to attend. It looks like great exposure.

Reader’s Favorite recognizes “Conflicting Hearts” in its annual inter...

How Reviews Help Authors

Marketing is a pain.  It’s expensive.  It’s a time-consuming task. It’s necessary to get visibility in a saturated marketplace.

My biggest obstacle in releasing a new book is the lack of reviews that plague me on Amazon for months on end.  Without reviews, I cannot market.  Without marketing, I cannot sell in a saturated marketplace.  Amazon is the toughest place to obtain reviews. Star ratings are plentiful on iTunes in comparison.

When I say that the best way to thank an author is to write...

Lady Grace Has Been Released in eBook

 Released!  Lady Grace.  Thank you, everyone!

 

As a young woman of twenty-one, Grace did not think it unusual to marry a man of forty. Although she wed a kind and respectful individual, something remained absent from their relationship. Before she could fully understand her growing despondency and restless emotions, England declared war on Germany. Like a jigsaw puzzle turned upside down, the pieces of Grace’s life scatter in different directions. When her husband leaves for France to fight...

Lady Grace – eBook Release Date 8-1-17

Lady Grace is on track for release in eBook form on August 1.  I will be uploading it to Amazon and Draft2Digital on July 29th.  Once distributed it will be available for sale.  The print version is in the works and audio will follow.  Below is the “dreaded” synopsis.  I term it as such because I hate writing them!  As always, thank you for reading and supporting me as an author.

 “As a young woman of twenty-one, Grace did not think it unusual to marry a man of forty. Though she wed a kind a...

Ladies of Disgrace Teaser Trailer

I rarely know if these do any good as marketing tools, but I sure have fun making them!

For a much clear version, visit my Author Updates on Amazon. 

Emotionally Involved

As I’ve been editing and rewriting portions of Lady Grace this past weekend, I have realized that I am emotionally involved in this book. Naturally, as a writer that often happens when you create characters and bond with them. It certainly did to some extent with the Legacy Series since I had so many lives that I followed on paper for twenty plus years.

Lady Grace, however, has been an emotional journey. I don’t think that I have blubbered so much penning and reading my story. It finally dawn...

Building a Story Around History

My life would be so much easier if I just wrote in the twenty-first century where I’m familiar with everything around me.  I can see why contemporary authors often pound out book after book of modern love stories.  Unless they are focused on some particular subject, research is pretty much quick and easy. I’m sure in some cases, it’s not needed.  The only book I’ve been lucky enough to write with little effort is my one contemporary romance.

However, I apparently love to torture myself by pic...