VICTORIA ROBERTS-Interview and Giveaway with the Author

TRC: Hi Victoria and welcome to The Reading Café. Congratulations on your upcoming new series The Bad Boys of the Highlands and your first novel TEMPTATION IN A KILT.

Victoria: Thank you so much for having me, Sandy. I love the opportunity to meet new people.

TRC: We would like to start with some background information. Would you please tell us something about yourself?

Victoria: I’m fortunate enough to be the mother of two beautiful kids and the wife of a supportive husband. Like many authors, I have a full-time day job and write every spare moment of the day. Home is in Western Pennsylvania while I dream of Scotland daily. *sigh*

TRC: What challenges have you faced as an author?

Victoria: Being a debut author, every step is a challenge. Between querying, synopsis writing, hooks, marketing, copy/edits, reviews and much, much more, everything is new. Sometimes it’s a little scary getting your feet wet in something you virtually have minimal knowledge on. I still find myself fighting this internal battle.

TRC: Many authors develop their love of writing at an early age. What or who sparked your interest in writing?

Victoria: As a child, I did not like to read. I could not find topics that interested me. As an outlet, I wrote. I was sixteen years old and penned my first young adult novella without ever having read a single romance novel. I guess you could say I had the romance writing bug at an early age and didn’t even know it. But when my mother (an avid reader) gave me Flowers in the Attic, I discovered a new love. I could not turn the pages fast enough and I was hooked. That was the moment that defined the purpose of curling up with a good book.

TRC: Writer’s Block is a very real phenomenon for many authors. How do you handle the stress and anxiety of writer’s block?

Victoria: This is very real. And yes, I think every author deals with writer’s block at one time or another. I always walk away and come back to my manuscript within a few hours. On the rare event that doesn’t work, I take a few days off and forget about it. In my experience, I find coming back with a “fresh” perspective is sometimes the best way to go. And don’t be discouraged if you find out your scene doesn’t work. I’ve cut scenes, added and switched things around until it made sense.

TRC: TEMPTATION IN A KILT is the first novel in your new Bad Boys of the Highlands. Please tell us about the premise of the storyline?

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Victoria: Temptation in a Kilt is about life and relationships. Don’t get me wrong. I’m all for love, but I favor a story so much more when there are realistic obstacles that get in the way. It makes the journey that much more enticing.

My hero and heroine have family issues of their own. In order for Ciaran and Rosalia to grow as individuals and then eventually as a couple, they need to overcome personal demons as well. They feel their life is directed down one path with duty and responsibility and yet, they’re sort of confused with the nagging feeling of “how can something so wrong feel so right?”

TRC: The character of Rosalia is heartbreaking. Her sense of worth and self-esteem issues are very real for many of today’s women. What or who was the inspiration behind Rosalia?

Victoria: Rosalia’s character is meant to be an inspiration. I don’t know of any woman who doesn’t have some type of self-esteem issues no matter how large or small they may be. I loved the moment when Rosalia takes hold of her life and becomes her own woman, basically finding herself. I think every woman wants to find that inner peace.

Although Rosalia was my great-grandmother’s name, her character is based on a mix of women that I know—from her shyness, her stubbornness, the relationship she has with James (her best friend.)

TRC: Aiden and Aisling are already an established couple. Have you considered writing a pre-quel to tell their love story?

Victoria: No. I personally do not like prequels because they are usually never as good as we want them to be. I’m still an original Star Wars fan. The first three were the best.

TRC: What plans do you have for the next installment in the Bad Boys of the Highlands series? Will we see Declan fall for a certain black-haired beauty?

Victoria: Ah, you know me too well! X Marks the Scot is the next book in the series and is scheduled for release in February 2013. And yes, I can confirm that Declan MacGregor and Lady Liadain Campbell will have their fifteen minutes of fame. Declan was so much fun to write. For those of you who have read Book 1, you’ll understand why. No spoilers here.

TRC: Why a novel of the historical Scottish Highlands?

Victoria: Strong alpha-males fighting for a cause, finding a single chance to love… With such brutality in that day and age, love is the light at the end of the tunnel. Between the Vikings, English and clan wars, Scottish history provides a fine backdrop for a steamy romance. Don’t you think?

TRC: How many books do you have planned for the series?

Victoria: There are three books in this series.

TRC: Did you face any challenges or difficulties getting your novel published?

Victoria: I think every author faces challenges and I am certainly no different. When I finished my first manuscript, I entered a contest with the publisher of my dreams. And it turned into a nightmare. Although the publisher did not question my story content, I was pummeled on my hook—or lack thereof. What separates me from the other authors? What makes this story different? Why would I buy this? I bombed. For three days, my family avoided me like the plague. My CP (critique partner) wanted to kill me. And I was literally hanging on by a thread. It came down to one question. “Am I a quitter?” Low and behold, one month later, the same publisher had another contest. Some may say I’m a glutton for punishment. I did not think twice and jumped in—head first. I entered. I won.

And I will never forget the publisher’s words, “Victoria, I love your voice! Send me a full!” After several months of checking my e-mails about ten times a day, the moment I had waited for finally arrived. My jaw dropped and I believe for a brief time my heart even stopped. Not only was the publisher interested in my manuscript, but I was asked to pitch the series!

TRC: How much research was involved with writing this particular series due to the historical nature of the Scottish Highlands?

Victoria: There was a significant amount of research involved, but of course there are fictional characters and situations as well. That’s what makes writing fiction so much fun.

TRC: Have you ever been to Scotland?

Victoria: Isn’t THAT the question? No. All of my love thus far has come from books, DVD’s, internet and living vicariously through some of my chapter mates. One day. *sigh*

TRC: Many authors bounce ideas with other authors, or between family and friends. With whom do you bounce ideas?

Victoria: I am blessed with a phenomenal CP (critique partner.) She is the only one I discuss my ideas with, unless of course I have hunting or fishing questions and those go to my husband.

TRC: On what are you currently working?

Victoria: I am currently working on Book 3 which is Laird Alexander MacDonell and Lady Sybella MacKenzie’s story. Alexander was Rosalia’s cousin from Temptation in a Kilt.

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Victoria: For those aspiring authors, never give up your dreams. I will leave you with my daughter’s infamous line in handling every sort of rejection. “Don’t be upset. They’re blinded by your awesomeness.”

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food
Pizza or anything Italian

Favorite Dessert
Cheesecake

Favorite TV Show
Game of Thrones

Favorite Movie
Titanic

Last Movie you Saw
Madagascar 3—hey, I have kids.

Dark or Milk Chocolate
Milk Chocolate

Favorite Flower
Cymbidium Orchid

Do you have any pets?
We have a mixed lab named Zoe.

TRC: Thank you Victoria for taking he time to answer our questions. We wish you all the best in your writing career. Good luck with the release of Temptation in a Kilt. Keep us in mind for the second novel in the series.

Victoria: Thank you so much Sandy and to the folks at the Reading Café for having me. This was a lot of fun. I always love to hear from readers. Please visit my website at Victoria Roberts Author. Take care everyone and happy reading!

Victoria Roberts and Sourcebooks has graciously offered 2 copies of TEMPTATION IN A KILT forThe Reading Cafe giveaway.

1. To be eligible for the giveaway, you must be a member at The Reading Cafe. If you are not a member, please register using the log-in at the top of the page, or by using one of the social log-ins.

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3. Giveaway open to continental USA and Canada only.

4. PLease answer one of the LIGHTNING ROUND questions.

5. Giveaway from September 1-4, 2012