I am delighted to welcome Victoria James onto my blog today, author of A Risk Worth Taking, recently released by Entangled Publishing, as well as The Billionaire’s Christmas Baby, also from Entangled, with both accruing excellent reviews.
As an author, Victoria James is new to me, so I am quite excited by the prospect of getting to know Victoria a little better, as she climbs elegantly into the hot seat for a round of twenty questions…
Thanks so much for having me, Aurelia!
Oh, and if you're in the US or Canada, make sure you scroll all the way to the bottom. You do not want to miss out on the chance of winning an awesome prize!
1) I see that you have always known you wanted to be a writer, even at a very young age, but how did you go about turning your dream into a reality?
I just started writing! I joined some different online writing communities, and read up on what to do/not to do. Then I wrote (some really horrible manuscripts) submitted them, got rejected. But I was fortunate enough to receive feedback on what wasn’t working. I’d apply that feedback to the next manuscript and then pursued acquiring an agent. I was lucky and signed with a great agent not too long later. Shortly after I signed with Entangled.
2) Do you have a particular writing style or ritual?
Coffee must be present. Playlist must be on-I have a unique playlist for each book. That’s it! Then, just write.
3) Is there a book or an author that has particularly influenced you in your writing?
The first romance I ever read was by Judith McNaught. I devoured all her historical romances.
4) Is there one piece of writing (or life?) advice that has stuck with you, or that you would like to share?
Never give up! I know that has been said so many times, but it’s true-you never know if that next manuscript is going to be ‘the’ one. Also-don’t take critiscim personally. You have to get used to it at every stage-as an unpublished and published author.
5) Can you tell us three things about yourself that we probably don’t already know?
My parents immigrated to Canada from Italy in the 1950’s.
My zodiac sign is Cancer.
I’m a total sap, yet I rarely cry.
6) What five luxury items or gadgets would you hate to be without?
My iPhone, laptop, eReader, coffee maker…those are the important ones!
7) Congratulations on your recent release of A Risk Worth Taking, what was your inspiration for writing Holly and Quinn’s story?
Thank you! I wrote this book a few years ago and I’ve re-written it once before it was bought by Entangled. Someone very close to me had suffered through many losses and I was in awe of her and her husband’s strength and faith. People who go through really traumatic losses and go on to live life to the fullest really inspire and humble me. I find that kind of strength of character admirable, and I’m desperate to see people who’ve gone through so much receive the best possible happily ever after-in real life and in fiction.
Small-town settings are always my favourite to read and write. We have a place we go to regularly to that is on Lake Erie, Ontario, it’s in a small town, and every time I go I’m inspired. We take the country roads to get there and I find it so scenic and so relaxing (well, if the kids are sleeping in the backseat. If they’re awake, it’s not really a relaxing ride). Red River is loosely based on this town-including the old lift bridge that Holly mentions in the book.
8) Did the story flow from your finger tips or did some scenes take a bit of cajoling?
This one flowed, for sure.
9) How long did it take for the initial spark of the story to make it onto the page and then onto the publisher’s desk?
This book had a bit of an evolution. I can’t remember how long it took me to write it the first time around-I’m guessing around two months. Then when it was rejected, I re-wrote it. Then sold it to Entangled.
10) Do you have a favourite paragraph or sentence from your story that you would like to tantalise us with?
As an author, Victoria James is new to me, so I am quite excited by the prospect of getting to know Victoria a little better, as she climbs elegantly into the hot seat for a round of twenty questions…
Thanks so much for having me, Aurelia!
Oh, and if you're in the US or Canada, make sure you scroll all the way to the bottom. You do not want to miss out on the chance of winning an awesome prize!
ACT ONE – all about you…
Victoria James is a romance writer living near Toronto, Canada. Victoria is a mother to two young children, and one very disorderly feline. Victoria attended Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario and graduated with a degree in English Literature, where she met and then later married, her own hero. After Queen's, Victoria earned a degree in Interior Design. After the birth of her first child she began pursuing her life-long passion of writing. Her dream of being a published romance author was realized last February, 2012, when Entangled Publishing bought her manuscript. Victoria is living her dream-staying home with her children and conjuring up happy endings for her characters.
1) I see that you have always known you wanted to be a writer, even at a very young age, but how did you go about turning your dream into a reality?
I just started writing! I joined some different online writing communities, and read up on what to do/not to do. Then I wrote (some really horrible manuscripts) submitted them, got rejected. But I was fortunate enough to receive feedback on what wasn’t working. I’d apply that feedback to the next manuscript and then pursued acquiring an agent. I was lucky and signed with a great agent not too long later. Shortly after I signed with Entangled.
2) Do you have a particular writing style or ritual?
Coffee must be present. Playlist must be on-I have a unique playlist for each book. That’s it! Then, just write.
3) Is there a book or an author that has particularly influenced you in your writing?
The first romance I ever read was by Judith McNaught. I devoured all her historical romances.
4) Is there one piece of writing (or life?) advice that has stuck with you, or that you would like to share?
Never give up! I know that has been said so many times, but it’s true-you never know if that next manuscript is going to be ‘the’ one. Also-don’t take critiscim personally. You have to get used to it at every stage-as an unpublished and published author.
5) Can you tell us three things about yourself that we probably don’t already know?
My parents immigrated to Canada from Italy in the 1950’s.
My zodiac sign is Cancer.
I’m a total sap, yet I rarely cry.
6) What five luxury items or gadgets would you hate to be without?
My iPhone, laptop, eReader, coffee maker…those are the important ones!
ACT TWO – all about your new release…
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| Scroll down for an excerpt and buy links |
When tragedy strikes, high-powered designer Holly Carrington steps up to raise her orphaned niece. But to secure the baby's future she must return to her hometown and face the memories of all she has lost. Can small-town bachelor Quinn convince Holly to give up her big-city dreams and risk her heart, or will they set themselves up for heartbreak...again?
7) Congratulations on your recent release of A Risk Worth Taking, what was your inspiration for writing Holly and Quinn’s story?
Thank you! I wrote this book a few years ago and I’ve re-written it once before it was bought by Entangled. Someone very close to me had suffered through many losses and I was in awe of her and her husband’s strength and faith. People who go through really traumatic losses and go on to live life to the fullest really inspire and humble me. I find that kind of strength of character admirable, and I’m desperate to see people who’ve gone through so much receive the best possible happily ever after-in real life and in fiction.
Small-town settings are always my favourite to read and write. We have a place we go to regularly to that is on Lake Erie, Ontario, it’s in a small town, and every time I go I’m inspired. We take the country roads to get there and I find it so scenic and so relaxing (well, if the kids are sleeping in the backseat. If they’re awake, it’s not really a relaxing ride). Red River is loosely based on this town-including the old lift bridge that Holly mentions in the book.
8) Did the story flow from your finger tips or did some scenes take a bit of cajoling?
This one flowed, for sure.
9) How long did it take for the initial spark of the story to make it onto the page and then onto the publisher’s desk?
This book had a bit of an evolution. I can’t remember how long it took me to write it the first time around-I’m guessing around two months. Then when it was rejected, I re-wrote it. Then sold it to Entangled.
10) Do you have a favourite paragraph or sentence from your story that you would like to tantalise us with?
"Holly, do you know what I want to do right now?" Holly swallowed. Hard.
"Take a hot bath?" He shook his head and took a step closer. She could barely breathe.
"A hot shower?" He shook his head again and his eyes dropped to her mouth. Her lips parted involuntarily.
"Coffee?" she managed to whisper as she heard the beep signaling the brew cycle had finished. He shook his head again and stood a few inches away from her.
"I want to kiss you," he said, his voice deep, and then he gently took her wrist and tugged her toward him."I want to kiss you and taste you and never stop."
11) Over to you, what can you tell us about A Risk Worth Taking, to make us rush out and buy it?
If you love emotional, passionate romance with a sexy hero who has a heart of gold then this is the book for you ;-)
12) What can we expect from you next? Is there something you are working on right now?
My next book in the Red River series is out in July-this will be Jake’s story. I’m working on the third book in the Red River Series-tentatively scheduled for November, 2013.
13) Plotter or pantser?
Panster!
14) Secret Seven or Famous Five? (please tell me you know them!?)
Never read them!
15) Digital books or print books?
It’s a tie!
16) Tea or coffee?
Coffee, coffee, coffee.
17) Cats or dogs?
Both, but we have a cat.
18) Extrovert or introvert?
In between. If I had to pick, I’d lean toward introvert.
19) Save or spend?
Depends on my mood!
20) Facebook or Twitter?
Twitter!
And that’s a wrap!
Thank you so much for taking part, Victoria, I wish you every success with your new release. A Risk Worth Taking is already queued on my Kindle, and I cannot wait to get stuck into it.
Thanks so much for having me here, Aurelia!
To follow Victoria, and to keep up with her latest projects, you can visit her at:
If you love emotional, passionate romance with a sexy hero who has a heart of gold then this is the book for you ;-)
12) What can we expect from you next? Is there something you are working on right now?
My next book in the Red River series is out in July-this will be Jake’s story. I’m working on the third book in the Red River Series-tentatively scheduled for November, 2013.
QUICK FIRE ROUND – it’s pop quiz time…
13) Plotter or pantser?
Panster!
14) Secret Seven or Famous Five? (please tell me you know them!?)
Never read them!
15) Digital books or print books?
It’s a tie!
16) Tea or coffee?
Coffee, coffee, coffee.
17) Cats or dogs?
Both, but we have a cat.
18) Extrovert or introvert?
In between. If I had to pick, I’d lean toward introvert.
19) Save or spend?
Depends on my mood!
20) Facebook or Twitter?
Twitter!
And that’s a wrap!
Thank you so much for taking part, Victoria, I wish you every success with your new release. A Risk Worth Taking is already queued on my Kindle, and I cannot wait to get stuck into it.
Thanks so much for having me here, Aurelia!
To follow Victoria, and to keep up with her latest projects, you can visit her at:
Website Twitter Facebook Goodreads
Excerpt…
“You were eighteen years old, for crying out loud. Forgive me if I had a policy against kissing teenagers.”
“You were chicken.”
Quinn’s eyes were burning as he stared at her. “Chicken?”
She nodded vigorously. And then had the utter nerve to flap her arms. “As in Bok, Bok.”
“First you make me feel bad for everything you went through. And you know what? I do. And you know what else? I think you’re the bravest damn woman I’ve ever met. You’re the sexiest, hottest woman I’ve ever known and, hell, if you want me to kiss you, Holly, just ask.”
He did get a bit of satisfaction when her mouth dropped open. But Ella stirred in his arms and Holly reached to get her. Conversation over.
“I think it’s time I get her to bed,” Holly whispered, looking flushed.
Quinn turned, ready to leave, but then paused. “I never kissed you the way I wanted to because I knew that if I did I wouldn’t be able to stop. I wouldn’t be able to get enough of you. And if I had thought for one second that you meant what you said that night, I would have come after you,” he said. He turned, opened the door, and stepped out onto the porch, the damp night air cooling his hot skin. He took a deep breath and made a decision.
He wasn’t going to lose Holly a second time.
ISBN-13: 9781622660728
Publisher: Entangled Publishing, LLC
Publication date: 3/11/2013
Victoria James is currently on tour with A Risk Worth Taking and one lucky winner will walk away with $100 Coach gift card, to be given away at the end of the tour to one U.S. or Canadian winner.
Buy it now…
ISBN-13: 9781622660728
Publisher: Entangled Publishing, LLC
Publication date: 3/11/2013
Blog Tour Giveaway...
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