Victoria Barbour's Blog, page 8

Promised to the Highlander: A visual interlude with Kate Robbins

As you might know, I love Kate Robbins. Not only is she my friend and crit partner, but she is the creator of one of my favourite romance heroes in, well, life. :) Ever since I first read the early copy of her newest release, Promised to the Highlander, way back in December or January, I've been waiting to host her on my blog. And because she's a dear friend, she willingly jumped into my plan to try something different with blogging. 

Here's how it works: I've asked her a one word question and she has to answer it with a very short sentence (think tweetable) and an image. 

Feast your eyes on where her visual inspiration comes from!

PTTH? A love triangle. Get out yer tissues.

Taken from Kate's visit to Scotland.

Fergus? (The hero) Fearsome and virile—mrrrrowwwwrrrrr.














William? (Fergus' brother) Sweetness! The lassies love him.














Nessia? (Heroine) One tough cookie.














Inspiration? Scottish history; love the politics!














Scotland? Have only scratched the surface of my fascination.














Love? Chemistry! 














Longing? Physically painful—I don’t recommend it.

Kate? Raunchy wench.

Click Kate's dram of whisky to see her bio. 

Amazon? A tangly snarl to figure out. 

Click this cover to go directly to Amazon.com and Promised to the Highlander

So what did you think of my blogging experiment? Would you like to see any future author interviews done this way? Let me know in the comments. 

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Romance Weekly: June 10, 2014

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A big thanks today to the wonderful Kim Handysides for these questions that are guaranteed to send my mind in spin.

1. What’s your ideal: alpha or beta and why?

This is difficult. The love of my life is a Beta hero, but there’s no denying the instant allure of a strong Alpha when he walks into the room. For a while there I was thinking of my current hero as more of a Beta with Alpha qualities, but then I heard the term Gamma. What’s a Gamma hero? Picture an Alpha without the arrogance, an Alpha who’s able to have a conversation about feelings. That’s a Gamma. And now that I think of it, most of my heros that I thought were Alphas are more like Gammas. All that being said, I think we each have an idea of who’s an alpha and who’s a beta. Here’s a couple of pics of my choice of Alpha, and Beta. Enjoy! 

2 .Do you have a male buddy or mate you use for confirmation or inspiration when crafting your heroes? 

No. All my guy friends are betas (even the ones who might think they’re alphas.) And while this is cliché, my best guy friend is my husband. And I think there’s always a bit of him that creeps into all my heroes.  But this makes me wonder. 

Let’s answer this question: Can a woman be just friends with an Alpha? You know, true friends, when you’re not only being his friend cause you secretly lust after him? I’d love to see your answer in the comments.

3.What does any hero have to do to win your heart?  

Again there’s the difference in real life and writing life. For me, when I was looking for the man I wanted to have a real relationship, the key thing I was looking for was someone that I could have good conversations with. I wanted intellect and stimulation. Er. Linguistic. Er. My mind has wandered. I’m quitting now….

So after you answer my question above, don’t abandon our lovely RWW blog hop. Make the rounds and see what everyone else has to say. And you can start with the lovely Jo Richardson. 

  

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Romance Weekly: June 3, 2014

This week's questions come from... ME! Who knew when I created them several months ago that it would coincide with a very important discussion in the romance community, namely, the respect, or lack thereof, that is often associated with our genre. If you have a chance you should check out this awesome interview on this topic by one of my favourite authors, NYT Bestselling superstar Eloisa James.

Anyway, on to our questions!

1. Have you always written romance?

Yes, along with other things. But when I look at my earliest stories, they are definitely romantic. I like romance. I like the idea of people falling in love, of exploring what attracts them, and keeps them apart. No matter the genre, most stories have a romantic element. The different with romance is that you know you'll be rewarded for sticking with the tale with a satisfying happily ever after. I like that. A lot. The notion that romances are formulaic is wrong. The only thing formulaic about our books is that you know the hero and heroine will overcome. The rest of the story, the plot, the conflicts, it's left to the author's wild imagination. 

2. How do you deal with critiques about the romance genre?

I try and put on a pro-active face. I like to tell the naysayers to read some romances before making blanket statements. I'm not going to go out and say—hmmm. issue. I was going to talk about a certain type of book that isn't my cup of tea, but I just realized I'll read anything.— Ok. Revision. What right do I have to criticize someone else's preferred style of writing or reading? I have no problem with people dissing a specific book, or author, because they didn't like it, but to apply a broad statement of inferiority over one genre based on personal preference smacks of intolerance to me. I'm not a fan of Rap music. Am I out there telling the world that Rap is a terrible form of music? Heck no. Because there are a few rap songs I really enjoy. And even if there weren't, it's not up to me to be the music police. 

Anyway, the question was about how I deal with it. I tell people that romance novels make up the largest fiction sales in the world. Romance readers come from all socio-economic groups the world over. Even men read romance. And it's a valid form of artistic expression. In the end, if someone really wants to argue with me about it, I just walk away. I don't have time to waste on negativity.  

3. What's the one thing about our genre you'd like people to know?

There are many, many damn fine romance novels in the world. We are writers just as any other writer. We obsess about story, and character development, and dialogue, and plotting just like any other author out there. This notion that all romance novels are the same is false. There's no us and they when it comes to writing. There is just a community of authors. Sure, I get excited to meet other writers who are publishing romance, but I also love my author pals who write literary fiction, sci-fi, fantasy, kids, mystery, thriller, erotica, etc etc. In fact, I belong to an awesome local writers group (Shout out to my fellow Scribe Wenches) that are made up of many genres. We support each other, share each others joys and frustrations, and regardless of genre, we respect each others work. Trust me. The same issues that keep a romance author up at night are keeping literary authors and historical fiction authors and fantasy authors up at night as well. Stop dissing us because we love a bit of love. ;)

Why not show Ms. Amy Jarecki some love now and pop over to her blog to see her responses? Also, she has a brand spankin' new book out. Click on the cover here and you'll go right to her Amazon link. 

And hey, here's another reason to love romance novels! The covers make you very very happy. Yes indeed.

Romance Weekly: May 27, 2014

Many thanks to my awesome historical romance pal Kate Robbins for asking this week's questions. Also, you'll see more of Kate in my blogging in the weeks to come as she launches Book 2 in her Highland Chiefs series. She's my gal, and my crit partner, so I have to make sure I show her lots of love. Now, enough Kate gushing. Time for her questions. 

1. How much of yourself do you write into your characters? Or do you write characters completely opposite to you?

I think all my characters, even the secondary and male characters, have a bit of me in them. It's not planned, but if I'm creating them, delving into their thoughts, making them speak, then I think it's inevitable that a bit of me comes through. I've never set out to create a character that is representative of me, but I think I can find elements of myself in all my heroines. Elsie Walsh has my height complex. Daphne Scott has my reading addiction. Fiona Nolan struggled with her weight and loves folk music. And Grace Nolan is a regency romance reading, Dungeons and Dragons playing geek. Still, they are their own characters. I work hard to make them as well rounded as I can. And there's plenty in their lives that holds no reflection to me. Still, the one thing they all have in common is that I'd like to be their friend. 

2. Has your writing helped you see events in your own life clearer?

My novels haven't, but some of my short fiction (all unpublished) has. I like using short stories and essays to help figure out my past. Maybe that's why they're all unpublished. I don't journal. But I write poetry and short stories as a means to contemplate the complexities of life. Funny story. A little off topic, but I'll keep it short. Before meeting the man that would become my husband, I wrote all kinds of poetry. Deep, soul searching, wacky stuff. And then I fell in love. And all of the poetry I tried to write was full of love and joy and beauty, I hate those poems to this day. I met my husband 11 years ago and it's no coincidence that I haven't written any poetry in 11 years. 

3. Have you written a character with more of your personal characteristics than any other? What are they?

Oh. I should have paid attention to all the questions before I started writing, since I sort of answered this in question one. Still, no one character is more me than any other. In fact, I work to make sure that no character is too like me. So far. Although I have an idea for another series of contemporary novels that the character is much like me. Who knows when I'll write those though. ;) 

Thanks Kate for this week's questions. And thanks to all 24 Romance Weekly authors who are posting this week. Now click click click your way over to Mishka Jenkins' page to see how she answered these questions! 

Where's my happily-ever-after? - Blog Hop (Soap Opera edition)

Many thanks to the lovely Deb Nam-Krane for inviting me to be a part of her delicious Soap Opera blog hop. 

I have to confess that these days I don't watch much TV. But growing up, the stories (what we called soaps) were always a part of life.

My best friend adored Santa Barbara, especially Cruz and Eden. She was obsessed, and we both longed for the long golden hair and California tan of Eden and her sister, Kelly. (I just blew my own mind right there by remembering Robyn Wright's character name) I found it hard to get excited over the romance though, because to my 15 year old self, Cruz was too old for me to get excited over. 

I think my first soap hero crush might have been Frankie on Days of Our Lives. Or maybe it was Joey on One Life to Live. It's hard to remember. Both shows held my attention. My grandmother is responsible for bring One Life to Live, and All My Children, into my life. Just as she introduced me to romance novels, she was also my gateway into ABC soaps. It was amazing to watch how much she loved bad-boy Todd on OLTL, while also cheering for Max (they were both involved with Blair). But her truly favourite show was All My Children. Tad, Adam, Noah (sigh), Mateo, she loved them all. No matter where she went, she made sure she taped her story. I can still recall the day she decided she was done. I think she was about seventy-six at the time. They'd gotten too silly for her. 

My other grandmother still follows what I call the Young and the Useless. My dad calls it the Young and the Hopeless. But my mother and her mother are addicted to Y&R. If I got in the car right now and popped down to Mom's, I bet I'd find her and Dad watching it. They might not realize it, but it's their after supper ritual. My father pretends that he's not watching, but for someone who doesn't watch, he sure knows all the characters and what's happening. 

I've never had the addiction the way others have. And yet, perhaps mine is the most inexplicable. I'm not addicted to a show as much as I'm addicted to a couple. And not just any couple. For me, they are the most romantic, most tortured, most compelling couple of any soap. I'm talking about Sonny and Brenda on General Hospital. I'm not even sure how I became enamoured. I do remember an aunt of mine coming to my parent's house when she'd get off work to watch GH after work. That was my only exposure to the show. And yet, the moment I first saw the sparks fly between Sonny and Brenda, I was hooked. I didn't care about anything else that happened on that show. But put either of them on the screen, and I was spellbound. 

Confession time. From time to time, I'll go on youtube and watch random Sonny and Brenda scenes. In case you don't follow GH, there are times when Vanessa Marcil, who plays Brenda, quits the show, or gets fired, or whatever. I stop watching. And then, I'll hear a rumour that she's coming back, and like the addict I am, I'm tuning in. 

Why? Because I'm still waiting for my darn happy ending. The romance writer in me craves it. And those producers know it. What soap couple has ever gotten a real happily ever after? It drives me nuts, and yet, it's what pulls me back every time I hear that there might be a chance for Sonny and Brenda to finally grow old together. I know. It'll never happen. But a girl can hope, right? 

So here's a question. What soap couple draws you into the story over and over and over again? Who do you wish the writers would just stop torturing us with and let them grow old happy and content without dying, possession, amnesia, the mob, bombs, psycho twins, and witchcraft tearing them apart? 

I'm going to give away an ebook to one random commenter. :) 

And now, a little Sonny and Brenda. Just to make me sigh. 

Announcing the Passionate Kisses Romance Box Set!

Cover Reveal for Passionate Kisses! Click on the image to head to our Facebook page and give us a like. :)

I've been dying to share this news with the world, but of course, had to wait until all the pieces were in place. But I can now tell you that Against Her Rules is part of an upcoming contemporary romance box set. You'll have to wait till June 23rd to get your hands on it, but hey, that gives us lots of time to talk about it!

We're calling our set Passionate Kisses: Ten Sizzling Contemporary Romances. I have to say that I'm in love with the cover. What do you think? 

I'm thrilled, and let's be honest, a little humbled, to be part of this set with so many awesome authors. In the meantime, if you're book blogger/reviewer and would like to get your hands on an ARC copy (we would want a review ready to go on launch day), we have a signup form here. I believe we're talking the first 100 registrants. 

So that's my news. It's been a wild couple of weeks full of planning, and I imagine the next month will be equally as busy. I'll be sure to pop on and share more news with you as we proceed, :) 

Sarah Hegger: The Bride Gift

The lovely Sarah Hegger

A huge welcome to Sarah Hegger today. Sarah is one of the awesome authors responsible for the Romance Weekly blog I do each week, and she's just released her debut novel, The Bride Gift. 

I had a chance to sit down with Sarah this week and ask her about her awesome historical romance. Why not take a look at our conversation!

Click on this cover to go to Amazon.com 

Welcome Sarah! Can you tell us about “The Bride Gift” in two or three sentences? (I love this question because it forces us to get to the heart of the story.)

The Bride Gift is essentially about a woman trying to control her destiny in impossible circumstances. She finds her champion in just the sort of man she swore she would never marry. She learns that life does not always give you what you want, but with a bit of courage, you can get what you need.

Tell us a bit about your hero, Guy. Is there anyone you could compare him to?

Guy of Helston was a great character to write. Totally non-verbal, he’s big and bad and a total warrior on the surface. Beneath that is a man of honor and integrity who will do anything for those he loves. I suppose he is most like Wolverine from The X-Men.

Who would you cast to play him in the movie version?

It’s a bit predictable, but Hugh Jackman comes the closest.

Yum! Although I think your hero on the cover looks like Jake Gyllenhaal. What is it about him that stirs Helena, your heroine?

His sheer alpha maleness gets to her at first. And then she discovers the gentle man beneath that and she’s a goner.

What do you like best about your heroine?

I like the contrasts. Demure on the outside, but she has a mouth on her like a soldier. She looks like a damsel in distress, but has the heart of a true warrior. 

Who would you cast to play her?

Kate Hudson, only with long, long, long hair.

Was there anything in this book that surprised you when you were writing it?

I’m such a planner that I don’t often get surprised by my books as I write them. But the ending, and I’m not going to give away too much. I had an entirely different idea planned, but Helena wouldn’t go there.

This is your first novel. Can you tell us a bit about how it came to life?

It started years ago as a novel called Forgotten Bride. I never managed to finish it and last year, I was clearing through old files and discovered it again. It has changed a lot from that first draft. In Forgotten Bride, Helena was just that. She was married at a young age to a man who put her in a castle and went on with his life. When he decided it was time to discover her again, Helena was not happy and barred him from his own castle. That was the seed and the rest of it germinated from there.

This is how it ended up:

It’s 1153 in the period dubbed ‘The Anarchy’, King Stephen and Empress Maud are not the only ones embroiled in a fierce battle of the sexes.

Determined to control her own destiny, willful Helena of Lystanwold has chosen just the husband to suit her purposes. But, when her banished guardian uncle attempts to secure her future and climbs through her bedroom window with a new husband by a proxy marriage, she understandably balks. Notorious warrior Guy of Helston is everything Helena swore she would never marry; a man who lives by the sword, like the man who murdered her sister.

This marriage finally brings Guy close to his lifetime dream of gaining lands and a title. He is not about to let his feisty bride stand in his way. A master strategist, Guy sets out to woo and conquer his lady.

Against a backdrop of vengeance, war and betrayal, Guy and Helena must learn to forge a united front or risk losing everything.

What’s the allure of the early 12th century for you?

I write both historical and contemporary. What I like about the historical writing is that fantasy element. There is something unashamedly romantic about knights and ladies. The reality was very different, but that’s why I write romance. I get to build the fantasy.

Who is Sarah Hegger and what can we expect next from you?

I have another medieval coming out in September this year called Sweet Bea. It’s the first in the Sir Arthur’s Legacy Series. Next year, my three contemporary novels, The Willow Park Romances, will hit the shelves. There is more detail on all of these on my website.

This is the official bio and it’s pretty much who I am.

Born British and raised in South Africa, Sarah Hegger suffers from an incurable case of wanderlust. Her match? A hot Canadian engineer, whose marriage proposal she accepted six short weeks after they first met. Together they’ve made homes in seven different cities across three different continents (and back again once or twice). If only it made her multilingual, but the best she can manage is idiosyncratic English, fluent Afrikaans, conversant Russian, pigeon Portuguese, even worse Zulu and enough French to get herself into trouble.

Mimicking her globe trotting adventures, Sarah’s career path began as a gainfully employed actress, drifted into public relations, settled a moment in advertising, and eventually took root in the fertile soil of her first love, writing. She also moonlights as a wife and mother.

She currently lives in Draper, Utah with her teenage daughters, two Golden Retrievers and aforementioned husband. Part footloose buccaneer, part quixotic observer of life, Sarah’s restless heart is most content when reading or writing books.

She is always delighted to hear from you. Sarah can be reached at any and all of the following places:

Website

Facebook

Twitter

 

 

I’m a big fan of dialogue. Can you share a quick snippet of one of your favourite dialogue passages with us?

This passage is right in the first chapter and is how Helena discovers she is married.

Her shoulders slumped suddenly, as if the weight became too much to bear. All the fight seemed to rush out of her on a sigh. “I have been so worried about you. I thought you might be dead.”

Her voice quavered on that last sentence, and Guy’s guts tightened. Sweet Jesu. Please, no tears. He couldn’t abide the tears.

“There now, sweet Nell.” Roger lowered himself onto the bed beside her. He gathered the girl into his arms. “Whist now, Nell. All is not lost and I came as fast as I could. Hush now, sweeting.”

Guy shifted his weight, uncomfortable at witnessing such a private scene.

Her eyes flew to him. Her mouth dropped open. “Who are you?”

Guy would as lief be strung up by his toes than answer her question. This was Roger’s idea, not his.

“Er, Nell.” Roger drew back from her gently. “May I present Guy of Helston?”

“The ‘Scourge of Faringdon?’”

Guy clenched his fists. The name was like a curse he never escaped.

“Nell,” Roger admonished, “he does not like to be called such.”

“Then he should not have earned it,” the lady snapped. “What is he doing in my bedchamber?”

“He is your . . . husband.”

 Where can we buy The Bride Gift?

The Bride Gift is available now on Amazon.

 

Thanks so much Sarah for stopping by! I can't wait to see your next book out in the world!

 

Romance Weekly: May 20, 2014

I can't believe this is my first blog for for May. Not sure how things went off the rails, but here I am, back again and ready to join those awesome authors who make up Romance Weekly. This group of romance authors have been so helpful to me, not only in getting me to blog, but in all the support they offer. So a big shout out to you all today. Also, thanks to Carolyn Spear for today's questions! 

1. If someone could observe you writing without you knowing they were there, what strange practices would they catch you doing?

First of all, stop creeping around and watching me work! If I'm in public, it's fair game, but if I'm working in my car, as I often am, then you're either peeping in my window, or worse, lurking in my backseat! Just stop! Okay. Now that I've got that off my chest, here's what they'd see. I make faces when I'm writing so that I can describe my characters. I also tend to play with my hair a lot. I spent too much time online looking at pretty clothes and underwear so my characters can look nice. And I bite my lips. 

2. Other than a creative outlet, how does writing benefit you?

It keeps me sane. I wonder what I'd do if I didn't write? There are so many stories and voices in my head that if I didn't let them out on paper, who knows what I'd be like. Perhaps I'd walk around talking to myself all the time. I love writing, and my style of writing (Pantser) comes from me creating a form of self-entertainment. I'm always surprised by what my characters are saying and doing, and it keeps me interested. When I was a teenager and writing teen romances, I wasn't writing them for my friends. I wrote them for me. Because I wanted to read the story I was writing. It might be cliche to say that if I didn't write, I wouldn't be me, but I think it's true. 

3. How do you feed your muse?

I live life. It's that simple for me. I do what I always do. Hang out with friends, talk to people, pay attention to the world around me, escape to books and movies. I have sad moments and happy moments. And all of that messy business of life gives me the experiences and motivations to develop characters that are real and stories that are surreal. 

So there we have it. Another week is done. Now pop on over to see how the lovely J.J. Devine answered these questions (and check out her book right here!) 

Romance Weekly: April 29, 2014

1. What is the most unusual thing you've ever done in the name of research while writing your book?

The most unusual thing I've ever googled while writing was "Can you have sex while suffering from a concussion." Turns out the answer is yes. My google search history is full of crazy things. Because I write contemporary romance, I haven't really had to do anything too odd. It's my search history that gets most of the oddities. Other fun searches have included "Best songs to strip too" and I also google a lot of fashion things since I'm not really a stylish gal myself. 

2. Name a non-fiction book you've read for research that you wouldn't have read otherwise (not including writing craft books.)

I've read a lot of history books in general for grad and undergrad school. When I started working on my regency novel, I had a pretty good grasp on a lot of things since that was the period I studied. But I did order an awesome book called What Jane Austen Ate and Charles Dickens Knew. The title still bothers me, but I won't get into it now. It was a useful book to really get into the day-to-day life of the eighteenth century.

3. If you could travel anywhere to do research on a book, including back in time, where would you go?

Without a doubt I'd go back to 1815. I'd start in London, try and weasel my way into a ball, finagle an invite to a country house gathering and then book passage on a ship and make my way to Newfoundland. 

Click on the cover to go to Amazon. :)

Fun questions this week thanks to Dani Jace. And I'm super excited to pass the blog hopping torch this week to Collette Cameron. You know I'm a sucker for a good regency. Here's another book now to add to my TBR pile. :)

Romance Weekly: April 22, 2014

1. What  ages are your characters?

Depends on the book. Sometimes they're in their 20s, others their 30s. It depends on the story, honestly. And then there's my current work-in-progress about Aunt Ida, which takes place on her 98th birthday. In Play Me we have a romance between an 85 and 82 year old, even though it's not the primary story. I think characters come in all shapes, sizes, and ages. Everyone has a compelling story to tell.

2. What special things or places inspire you to write?

The obvious place is Newfoundland, of course. But conceptually, the act of falling in love inspires me. The subtle things that transform attraction into something deeper. I find it interesting when people fall in love with surprising partners. Maybe it's because my husband, who I now know is my ideal match, is so far off the kind of guy I was attracted to in my early 20s. I find it interesting that our soul mate can be so far removed from what our brain, and libido, ever imagined. And yet, there's that moment when something deep in your soul goes "BING!" the moment you meet them. That's what inspires me. Finding that moment. 

3. What is the one message you hope women will receive when they read your stories?

That romance doesn't have to be over the top gestures, although it can be that too. Romance can be the way a man holds your hand. It can be that joke he tells that only you find funny. It can be a simple gift of candy, or a lavish display of chivalry. Romance is what speaks to your heart, whether it's simple or complex. Sometimes I think we're all expecting flowers and chocolate and fancy dinners and jewellery as the ultimate "romantic" gestures. I know I do, when it comes to flowers and fancy dinners. But I've learned over time that there's more to love, and romance, that just those things. And I hope my characters show my readers just that.

Now, how about clicking this link here and going to visit Katherine Givens to see how she's answered these questions. And don't stop there. Follow the whole Romance Weekly gang and show them so love. :)  By the way, isn't her book cover beautiful??? If you click the book cover, you'll go to Amazon's page where you can buy her book. I haven't read it yet but I'm about to pick it up. I'm a sucker for a beautiful cover.