Vicki Hopkins's Blog: Leighton Family Saga, page 8

The Year In Review & The Year Ahead

It’s difficult to phantom that another year has flown by. It’s time to say goodbye to 2016 and welcome 2017.

This past year has been a busy one with the release of The Price of Passion, a Portrait of Perfection, and A Christmas Mission. In addition, I did new covers for The Legacy Series and continued to update the old text with updated versions.

The poor and trampled upon The Price of Innocence continues to receive its critics on Amazon, but strangely enough, on other retailers, it does far...

Lady Isabella in Editing – February 1, 2017 Release

Lady Isabella is in editing! Release is scheduled for February 1, 2017. I have been editing using Grammarly and ProWriting, checking the placement of commas, rewriting sentences, fixing grammar, and will soon send it off to an expert editor who knows better than software programs. Victory Editing has been booked to do the final pass in early January. Afterward, my first lady of scandal will be released in eBook and Print. I may do audio as well.

Since all of my ladies of disgrace will be in r...

I See the Finish Line

When I’m almost finished with the first draft of a book, I start to get giddy. Especially when I think to myself — this is a good story. Even if some readers do not enjoy it, I’ve learned that if I enjoy it, it usually comes out okay. However, if I write something and struggle with the process, it doesn’t do as well. I suppose it has to do with inspiration, though I don’t often understand the muse that drives writers.

I have two more chapters to complete! It’s currently at 35,000 words, so I’...

Update on Lady Isabella

In the past week, I’ve been diligently working toward the finish line of Lady Isabella.

Written in the first person, I often enjoy this point of view. I realize that it keeps the thoughts of other characters hidden, but I needed to explore the emotions and inward thoughts of this young character.

Currently on Chapter 14 and reaching 28,770 words, I’m hoping to bring this book to the final closing by the end of December. Muse willing.

In the meantime, here is a peek into the chapter titles to...

The Love/Hate Relationship for The Price of Innocence

My recent promotion on The Price of Innocence has once again skyrocketed the book into bestseller sales ranks, giving it more exposure than usual. It appears that I am having a repeat of my 2012 experience when I participated in May with a free giveaway.

Since this book was first released in 2009, I have consistently advertised it as historical fiction, with romantic elements. It is not historical romance. If you’re looking for traditional feel-good romance, that is not The Legacy Series. If...

My Visit to Lyme Park (fictionally known as Mr. Darcy’s Pemberley)

My visit to Lyme Park while visiting Manchester UK this October was for the purpose of taking my book,Blythe Court, and standing in front of the estate and snapping a picture. Lyme Park is on the cover, as well as “The Cage” on a hill in the background. Of course, most of my readers are probably more interested in the fact that Lyme Park was Mr. Darcy’s Pemberley in Pride & Prejudice with Colin Firth.

Getting to Lyme Park is fairly easy coming from Manchester. I took a train from Piccadilly S...

My Visit to Elizabeth Gaskell’s Home in Manchester

Today I had a wonderful and inspirational experience visiting the home of Elizabeth Gaskell in Manchester, UK, at 84 Plymouth Grove. Her most memorable works were Cranford (1851-53), North & South (1854-55), and Wives & Daughters (1865). She also authored many other works over the years such as short stories and novellas.

After arriving at the home, I was greeted by informative volunteers placed in each of the rooms ready to give visitors the background on the house and the fascinating lives...

Ladies of Disgrace – New Book Blog

As some of you may know from my past endeavors, I like to do book blogs as I write. They are informative tidbits of information regarding my research behind the book and also a therapeutic respite for me while writing.

I’ve decided to start a blog elsewhere to track my journey and hope that you will come and join me as I work my way through the various characters of fallen women in different eras. I’m stretching a bit and jumping into the 1930’s to give you Lady Isabella. While living in the...

Feminine Accomplishments (1872 Style)

“An English lady without her piano, or her pencil, or her fancy work, or her favorite French authors and German poets, is an object of wonder, and perhaps of pity.” (The Habits of Good Society: By Unknown Author, originally published 1872. Copyright 2012 Forgotten Books).

Chapter VI is another fascinating look into life in 1872 as penned by someone who lived during the time period. In order to be a member of good society, young ladies should possess a skill besides dancing. Women are discoura...

Dancing (1872 Style)

A lady – beautiful word! — is a delicate creature, one who should be reverenced and delicately treated. It is therefore unpardonable to rush about in a quadrille, to catch hold of the lady’s hand as if she were a door-handle, or to drag her furiously across the room, as if you were Bluebeard…” (The Habits of Good Society: By Unknown Author, originally published 1872. Copyright 2012 Forgotten Books).

Recently on my author Facebook page, I’ve been posting videos of period dramas with romantic...