A reluctant heiress resigned to her fate… Mary
Elizabeth Edwardes has one of the largest fortune’s in England, but has no
desire to leave her quiet country existence… and even less to acquire a husband
she cannot choose for herself.
A dissolute nobleman bent on retribution… Trapped
in a duplicitous existence since scandal destroyed his fortune and family name,
Lord Hadley Blanchard has spent the better part of a decade posing as a
disaffected exile while spying and seducing in the service of the English
Crown.
A dangerous game of seduction, and intrigue… When
summoned from abroad by a former lover, Lord Hadley perceives an opportunity
for vengeance at last. By employing the full measure of his seductive charm, he
woos the ward of the man who destroyed his life, little knowing that winning
Mary’s fortune will mean risking his own treacherous heart.
I have obtained the above information from Ms. Victoria's website!
I am happy to say that Ms. Victoria has joined me for a day to answer some..... Devilish questions!
Tell us what you’ve been up to since
the last time you were here?
Golly,
where to begin? 2012 was a roller coaster year for me. I wrote my little heart
out with 5 titles in my award-winning DeVere series (A Wild Night's Bride, The
Virgin Huntress, The Devil You Know, The Devil's Match, and more recently my
illustrated prequel vignette, Devil in the Making), all of which will soon be
available as audio books. I also wrote my Dangerous Liaisons' inspired
Treacherous Temptations that just released.
In this book, who was your favorite character to write and why?
In this book, who was your favorite character to write and why?
I truly love all my characters, but the one that was
most fun to write was the wanton, wicked, and consummate schemer Lady Barbara
Blanchard.
What was your favorite scene to write and the toughest?
What was your favorite scene to write and the toughest?
I
think it was probably the scene in the music room when Hadley and Mary first
meet. I hope that reader's empathized with poor Mary who felt so much like a
fish out of water only to be bullied by a little French fop. I love how Hadley
rescued her before he even knew who she was.
The love scenes are always the toughest for me. I
agonize over them and take days to write them. I try so hard to convey the
passion and sensuality of a love scene without drowning the reader in purple
prose. It can't be avoided altogether but I do try.
Can you tell us a little bit about your new book? Can you share a never before seen snippet?
Can you tell us a little bit about your new book? Can you share a never before seen snippet?
Treacherous
Temptations is a very dark Georgian set romance that was very much inspired by
Dangerous Liaisons. While the plot differs somewhat, like D.L., it begins with
a pair of licentious conspirators who set out to debauch an innocent girl. Lady
Barbara Blanchard, like the Marquise de Meurtiel, is a wicked schemer who
manipulates a former lover to achieve her nefarious ends. Hadley, like Valmont,
is a jaded rake who ends up falling in love with the woman he had intended to
ruin.
How do you go about picking character
names? Do
you have to get them just right and make sure they fit with the characters
personality? Is there any characters you found hard to name?
Names are always tough. I wish I could tell you
there was a science to it but there really isn't. In trying very hard to stay
true to my period, I have made a list of first and last names that were common
in the 18th century. I usually go to that list when I have a new
character and randomly pair up the names until one sounds right to me. The
matching is almost like playing the card game concentration! Occasionally,
however, the name just comes to me out of the blue and I just know it's the
right one.
For new readers, what book of yours
would you recommend they start with and why?
I
think it all depends on the reader's mood as all of my books are very different
in mood and tone.
A
BREACH OF PROMISE is a stand alone novella
that is light, witty and VERY steamy. The first two books of the DeVere series A
WILD NIGHT'S BRIDE and THE VIRGIN HUNTRESS are best
described as romantic ,comedic romps, whereas the third book , THE
DEVIL YOU KNOW is dark and erotic with elements of mystery and
intrigue. THE DEVIL'S MATCH is
intensely emotional and erotic and brings the DeVere series full circle. All of
these book should be read in order as there is an overriding character arc. TREACHEROUS
TEMPTATIONS is a full length stand alone that is once more dark and
erotic with heavy notes of intrigue.
Do you have any little rituals you do before or during your writing process?
I
would call them habits more than rituals but yes. I always listen to music when
I write and it has to match the tone of my story. I also have to have a
constants caffeine supply. Coffee in the morning and coke zero in the
afternoon/evening. I also like to keep a stash of chocolate handy- preferably
Ferrero Rochers!
What’s the weirdest thing you got inspiration from?
Maybe
it's not so weird, as unusual but the Hangover movie largely inspired A WILD
NIGHT'S BRIDE, along with a historical account I had read about an orgy called
the Otaheitian Feast of Venus that was really held at King's Place
brothel.
Do you have a favorite cover? Which one and why is it your favorite?
Do you have a favorite cover? Which one and why is it your favorite?
I really do like them all but my two favorites are THE DEVIL YOU KNOW and TREACHEROUS TEMPTATIONS which both
happen to feature the same male cover model, Brooks Johnson.
What’s coming up in the future?
So
very much! The DeVere series is coming to audio book and I'm excited to share that I have also established
a Devil DeVere fan site with gorgeous character portraits and scene depictions to go with all the
excerpts. http://thedevildevere.com You can expect at least three more DeVere
titles this year and two or three more next year. I am also working on my very
first contemporary romance series that I hope will be published in 2013.
Lastly, if TT is a hit, I would love to bring the wicked Barbara and Lord
Barnesley back for another book!
What do you hope readers take away
after reading one of your books?
I
hope they will experience a feeling of total immersion in the story and feel
like they had a wonderful and realistic romantic escape.
Quickies
You’re granted 3 wishes, what would they be?
Quickies
You’re granted 3 wishes, what would they be?
DeVere, DeVere and DeVere. LOL!
What’s the last line you wrote from your current WIP?
"Holy
shit!" In hot pursuit were two humungous and ravenous grey wolves.
What’s your motto? Do or die!
What’s your guilty pleasure? Ferrero Rocher chocolates
What are you hiding in your night stand? ;) I don't have a night stand!
Boxers, Briefs or Commando? Commando baby!
Top or Bottom? Do I really have to choose?
Pj’s or nude? Mostly nude. I've been having peri-menopausal hot flashes!
Hairy chests or smooth? I like some hair. It's manly.
Sexiest feature on a man? Depends entirely on the man. It could be anything from his dimpled chin to his big strong hands, (although I do like a great butt).
Favorite
book? Too many to
list!
Favorite tv show? Currently-Downton Abbey
Favorite color? Red
Favorite tv show? Currently-Downton Abbey
Favorite color? Red
Here is a teaser.....
Lady Blanchard turned to Mary and smiled archly. "Dancing is the premier mark of gentility in any woman, my dear Mary, and the minuet is foremost amongst the dances. Thus, you must master it—along with the sarabande, gigue, bourée, and gavotte, before you may attend any of the balls."
Mary's stomach dropped. "All of them? But I have no experience of this kind of dancing."
Lady Blanchard regarded her with raised brows. "Do you mean to say you've never danced?"
"Only country dancing, my lady. Never like this. I fear it is well beyond my ability."
The countess waved her hand. "Nonsense, child. You have the benefit of a master's tutelage and must simply apply yourself." She glanced to the clock with a frown. "I am expecting someone. I leave you now in Monsieur Gaspar's capable hands."
In dismay, Mary watched the countess depart.
"Mademoiselle?" The dancing master flourished a bow and then offered his arm and an indulgent smile on painted lips. Yet an hour later found him tearing at his periwig and Mary near to tears.
"Non! Non! Et non!" cried the Frenchman. "You must rise on the toe and sweep the foot. Thusly." He demonstrated with exaggerated patience. "And the arms, they are too stiff!"
"Like this?" Mary rounded her arms and began the steps again.
"Par blue! Elle se deplacer comme une vache! You move like the cow and the figure, it is all wrong! It is zed."
"Zed?" Mary repeated blankly.
"Oui, zed!" he insisted.
"I don't comprehend you, monsieur," Mary cried in growing frustration. "I've told you already I have no French."
Throwing up his hands in Gallic fashion he shouted, "Zed! Zed!" as if bellowing would bring enlightenment. "Etres vous simple? It is the last letter of the English alphabet! Comprenez? Zed! S'il vous plait dancez la figure maintenant."
"I'm sorry, Monsieur Gaspar. Would you please show me once more?" Mary asked, flustered beyond despair and on the verge of tears.
"Perhaps, monsieur," a deep-timbered, cultured, and slightly accented voice arrested the dancing master's impending tantrum, "the difficulty lies not so much in the student's lack of aptitude, but in the instructor's method of tuition."
Mary turned to face her would-be rescuer, a vision that stole her breath. Tall and elegant, he was dressed in hues of richly embroidered satin, bedecked with yards of frothy lace, and jewels that would be the envy of any woman, yet paradoxically, there was nothing effeminate about him. He advanced into the room with a languid gait to halt before them, flicking over the Frenchman with inscrutably dark eyes and an expression of frigid hauteur.
It was his eyes that first entranced her, deep-set and piercing indigo-blue beneath straight, dark, brows, that seemed starkly incongruous compared to the fashionable white powdered wig. To Mary, his face was a fascinating study of contrasts, at once strong, proud, and distinctly aristocratic. Yet, the imposing vision he presented was somehow softened by a generous mouth and the most fascinating dimple in his chin. Mary was next riveted to that dimple, and then lastly to the softening curve of his mouth when the stranger inclined his head to her alone, as if the dancing master were completely beneath his notice.
It was an intentional snub that made the Frenchman tremble with indignation. "I will have you know, monsieur, that I am le maitre-de-dance to the very Princesses Royales!"
"I should never make such a confession, were I you," the stranger drawled.
The frenetic little Frenchman puffed his chest. "You think it an idle boast?"
The gentleman chuckled, a low, warm, rumbling sound. "No indeed, monsieur, for I have seen how execrably they dance!"
***
Where can your fans find you? (Web site
and social media links)
victoria.vane@hotmail.com, Web: http://authorvictoriavane.com , Blog: http://victoriavane.wordpress.com
Twitter: @authorvictoriav, Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5319795.Victoria_Vane
Twitter: @authorvictoriav, Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5319795.Victoria_Vane
Is there anything else you like to add……?
Yes.
If you read my books, expect the unexpected!
ABOUT VICTORIA VANE
A lover of history and deeply romantic stories,
Victoria combines these elements to craft romantic historical novels and
novellas for a mature reading audience. Her writing influences are Georgette
Heyer for fabulous witty dialogue and over the top characters, Robin Schone ,
Sylvia Day, and Charlotte Featherstone for beautifully crafted prose in stories
with deep sensuality, and Lila DiPasqua for creative vision in melding history
with eroticism.
AWARDS & ACCOLADES 2012:
THE DEVIL DEVERE SERIES-
Library Journal Best E-Book Romance 2012
LR Cafe Best Series Nominee 2012
LR Cafe Best Series Nominee 2012
A Wild Night's Bride
• Night Owl Reviews Top Pick
• Amazon Top 100 Best seller
• Amazon Top 100 Best seller
The Virgin Huntress
• Night Owl Reviews Top Pick
• Night Owl Reviews Top Pick
The Devil You Know
• Night Owl Reviews Top Pick
• The Romance Reviews Top Pick
• LR Café Best Historical Romance nominee 2012
• Night Owl Reviews Top Pick
• The Romance Reviews Top Pick
• LR Café Best Historical Romance nominee 2012
The Devil's Match
• Night Owl Reviews Top Pick
• The Romance Reviews Top Pick
• LASR Reviews Book of the Month December 2012
• Swept Away by Romance Best Historical Romance of 2012
• LR Café Best Author Nominee 2012
• Swept Away by Romance Favorite Author 2012
• Night Owl Reviews Top Pick
• The Romance Reviews Top Pick
• LASR Reviews Book of the Month December 2012
• Swept Away by Romance Best Historical Romance of 2012
• LR Café Best Author Nominee 2012
• Swept Away by Romance Favorite Author 2012
A Breach of Promise , December 2011 Ellora's Cave• Night Owl Reviews “Top Pick”
• Reading Romances 5 flames and “Pen Award”
• TBR Pile 5stars/Book of the month winner September 2012
• LASR Erotic Reviews 5 STAR/Book of the Month Nominee
• The Romance Studio 5 Sweetheart Nominee
• TRS CAPA Nominee 2012
***Giveaway Information***
Ms. Victoria is giving away a Treacherous Temptation Giveaway Pack... This will be a tour wide giveaway!
Good luck!
Good luck!
And remember... Always keep it Dirty, Smutty & Hussy!
