Q&A with Victoria James: The Best Man's Baby

I am so happy to be chatting again today with my dear friend, the lovely Victoria James, on the release of her third book, THE BEST MAN'S BABY. When Victoria and I first started sharing work, the partial of this book was one of my first impressions of her writing, and let me say: I was hooked. The opening scene grabbed me right away, and set the momentum that carried through the rest of the book. So without further delay...

Florist Claire Holbrook has always played by the rules her entire life, but breaks them to spend one night with sexy lone wolf Jake Manning, a man she's adored since she was a teenager. Six weeks later, things get complicated when she discovers they created a bond that will last a lifetime

Jake has never played by the rules. Getting Minister Holbrook's daughter pregnant wasn't part of any life plan, but he won't run from his responsibilities. He'll step up and be the best man he can, even if he doesn't have a clue where to begin. The more time he spends with Claire, though, the more he wants her, and the harder it is to get close, because that would mean sharing the one thing he hasn't with anyone--the truth and his heart.

AMAZON || B&N || Goodreads

Welcome, Victoria, and huge congrats on your newest release! Can you tell us a little about THE BEST MAN'S BABY?

The Best Man’s Baby is book two in my Red River Series.  It’s about two opposite people facing the repercussions of what was supposed to only be a one night stand. Claire is the ultimate good-girl, and Jake…well, he’s the town bad-boy. Their journey to HEA is filled with self-discovery, passion, laughter and heartache. They are both really strong-willed characters, neither of them willing to back down and surrender their beliefs. But they’re also both holding onto some painful memories, and Jake has a secret past that he must finally confront before moving on with Claire.

There were several memorable moments in the book, and I have a few choice favorites. Do you have a personal favorite?

I have two favorites…the first is in chapter one and I’d really hate to give it away, but it involves Claire finally getting up the nerve to do something impulsive and taking charge of her life. Unfortunately for Jake, it’s a little embarrassing ;-) 

My other favorite was the epilogue…I know people either love them or hate them, but as a reader and as a writer, I adore epilogues. And I really wasn’t ready to say goodbye to Jake and Claire yet, especially as a happy couple.

Were there any parts of this book that were more challenging to write?

While so much of this book was light-hearted, there was a darker side to it. When Jake has a confrontation with his brothers and then finally opens up to Claire about his past, I found myself struggling.  He was such a great hero to write-I really felt for him, and all the pain that he kept buried for so many years. So when he finally opens up to Claire and bares everything, completely vulnerable in front of her…well, he broke my heart. He’s the bad-boy with a true heart of gold. Lucky for him, Claire was the perfect woman to help him heal ;-)

When you began the Red River series, did you have Jake and Claire's story in mind, or did it evolve as you wrote book one?

It definitely evolved. I knew that Claire and Holly were these childhood best friends, and of course the two of them had their crushes on the brothers, but that was about it. Jake and Claire’s characters were really dynamic and just came to life as I wrote A Risk Worth Taking, and I remember getting really excited by the prospect of writing their stories. 

The town of Red River is so charming. Was it inspired by a real place that holds special meaning to you?

Yes, Red River was inspired by a little fishing village I have been going to with my family since I was a child. It’s quaint, and everyone knows everyone…it has a lift-bridge, just like the one in Red River, and it’s on the shores of Lake Erie. Now that I have my own family, my husband and I take the kids a few times throughout the year.

This is your second book in the Red River series, and you have one more planned. Any hints into what we can expect in book three?

Ah, book three…I just turned it in a few weeks ago. If you follow my blog you’ll know that the youngest Manning brother proved to be the most difficult to write. There is a lot of angst and heartache in book three-of course with a HEA…but the journey to get there was a rough one. All the favorites are back of course, and there is another wedding in the book (probably not who anyone is expecting!) along with some brand new characters. I think I’ve left Red River and the Manning’s in a very good place…

Sadly, the Red River series will end with the third book. What can readers expect to see from you after that?

Right now, I’m working on another Indulgence. It’s a little different for me-no small town setting or scenario.  This book is set in France...in a castle. Brand new characters, new families, new setting, glamour…I’m kind of in love with it at the moment ;-)

Thank you so much for chatting, Victoria!

For more information on Victoria and her fabulous books, follow her on twitter @VicJames101, on Facebook, or at www.victoriajames.ca

Q & A with Tima Maria Lacoba, author of Bloodgifted.

I’m thrilled to have the very lovely Tima Maria Lacoba join us on The Hot Pink Typewriter today. It just so happens (ahem) that today is the official launch of her first book, Bloodgifted. Huge congrats, Tima!

I’ve had the pleasure of reading her release – a paranormal romance with a unique twist (not least that she’s introduced me to my first Aussie vampire!). I do like a bit of originality. So here’s Tima to share some insight into her wonderful book. After deciding to go indie even after being offered a publishing contract, she’s one brave author! 

Q) Tell us a little something about yourself.
A) Well, I’m a trained archaeologist and high school teacher who happens to write paranormal romance/adventure/thrillers. And since I’ve always been fascinated by vampires, naturally I fell intothat genre. And, since I’m a Roman-Britain specialist, I somehow had to incorporate that historical period into my debut novel, Bloodgifted. But, more about that later. I live on the Central Coast, an hour’s drive north of Sydney (in Australia). It’s where most Sydneysiders spend their summer holidays – the equivalent of Torquay in the UK. So, I don’t have far to the beach, where I can go for long walks and plot the next chapter in my Dantonville Legacy series. 

Q) What attracted you to writing romance? And why Paranormal Romance as a sub-genre?
A) Who doesn’t like romance? I think most women (and quite a few men, although they won’t admit it publicly) enjoy reading romantic stories. And, (from a female perspective) there’s something strangely compelling about a man who carries a dark secret that could either destroy him or save him. Naturally, it’s the heroine’s role to do the latter. To me, nothing is darker that the vampire with his (or her) mesmerising eyes and deadly seductive charm. I can understand why PNR is so popular. 

Q) Have you ever written in any other genres? Why or why not?
A) No, not yet, although this current series I’m working on does contain an element of history which I’ll be exploiting later – as a historical novel in its own right. I’ll be combining my love of history with the paranormal. Can’t think of a better marriage! 

Q) How long have you been writing and what prompted you to begin?
A) I started writing Bloodgifted, Book 1 of The Dantonville Legacy series, three and half years ago. Actually, it took me only ten months to complete the first draft, and the rest of the time was spent on redrafting, editing and polishing. The story came together in my head during lunch with friends at a beachside café, when one of them asked why I looked so young for my age, and that she wanted the same moisturiser! I laughingly replied ‘vampire blood!’ And the seed was sown. 

Q) Have competitions ever played a role in your writing journey?
A) Definitely! Competitions are a great way to hone your skills as a writer, for not only do they expose your work to the public (for reader-centred comps) but seasoned professionals with publications to their credit. You find out how your work compares to others – whether it’s up to standard. I was fortunate enough to have been shortlisted in both national and international competitions. Each time I received some excellent feedback that enabled me to further improve my manuscript. 

Q)  Can you tell us about Bloodgifted?
A) Bloodgifted is the story of primary school teacher, Laura Dantonville who stopped ageing at twenty-four. (Every woman’s dream!) She has no idea she is the granddaughter of a cursed Roman soldier who was turned into a vampire more that eighteen hundred years before, and that her slow ageing is the result of her unusual bloodline. In fact, her blood contains a rare gene coveted by vampires for it enables them to daywalk. When she does learn the truth, she becomes the epicentre of a power struggle between two rival vampire groups, each intent on claiming her for themselves. Alec Munro, the Princeps or Prime Elder of the vampire community in the city, leads one of those groups and Laura must accept him as her guardian in order to protect both her family, and humanity, from those who would use her to wipe them out. 
Q)  Why opt for indie-publishing rather than purse the traditional route?
A) As you know, Linds, I had a long and hard struggle with that one. Originally I intended to indie publish as I liked the idea of being in control of my own creation, but I also appreciate the amount of work that goes into publishing, publicity, marketing…etc. And, I really loved having an editor assigned to me. That’s the one thing indie writers struggle with. So, when I was offered a traditional publishing contract, the temptation to accept was enormous. After weighing up the pros and cons, I decided to go indie. I’m not sure how much to mention here, but if anyone’s interested in reading more about my exact reasons for declining that publishing contract, they can find it on my blog at http://timamarialacoba.blogspot.com 

Q)  Do you have a writing process?
A) Oh no, not at all. I try to write something each day – even if it’s only some editing – but I have no set regime. Since I’m a full time carer, my writing gets slotted into whatever time I have left, which can mean a late night sometimes, or very early in the morning. 

Q) Where do you get your ideas from?
A) My fevered brain. I blame all the daydreaming I did at school and university during lectures, but at least now it’s come home to roost! Who says you can’t make a living from your imagination? 

Q) What’s the most rewarding aspect of writing for you?
A) Living vicariously through my characters! Lol! Their lives are much more interesting than mine. But, it’s also the joy of creating a world where people face are faced with extraordinary, and sometimes frightening situations, yet come through it and reach their happily-ever-after. Real life isn’t always like that. I read somewhere, that the great English novelist, Jane Austin, once remarked that although she didn’t get her romantic happy ending, her female characters always did. 

Q) What constitutes a ‘hero’ for you?
A) That’s a tough question! Mmmm… *rubbing chin, rolling eyes up to the ceiling, thinking*… For me, a hero is someone who selflessly does the right thing in spite of the temptation to do otherwise; someone who is motivated by love, rather than ambition, or greed, or their own flawed desires. 

Q) Tell us about Laura and what makes her a unique heroine?
A) Laura is an ordinary young woman, thrown into an extraordinary and frightening situation. It’s how she deals with it, and with the knowledge of her strange inheritance and the difficult choice she has to make, that is the crux of the story. Will she accept her filial duty or run and hide from it? Laura’s youth and longevity comes with a price, and now the time has come for payment! 

Q) Define what you understand by HEA.
A) I guess I’m the old-fashioned kind who likes the traditional happy ending, where all loose ends are tied up, all questions answered and true love conquers all, even if it takes several books to achieve it. As I see it, there’s enough sadness and tragedy in the world without subjecting our characters to it. I like to let the reader enjoy a happy and fulfilling ending; it’s good for both body and soul. 

Q) What readers do you think Bloodgifted will appeal to?
A) Anyone who loves romance. But, as there are a couple of hot love scenes in the book, I’d suggest from sixteen and up. I’ve had great responses from women of all age groups who’ve read the ARCs, as each can find something in Laura with which to identify. 

Q) What’s next after Bloodgifted?
A) I’m currently writing Book 2 in the series – Bloodpledge. It continues where the first book left off, and I hope to complete it by the end of this year for a possible Christmas release. Fingers crossed. 

Thank you so much for joining us today, Tima – it’s been an absolute pleasure. Here’s wishing you lots of success. 

The paperback of Bloodgifted is available now through Amazon.com But if you're a lover of eBooks, you've just got a short three week wait until that release. 

You can also follow Tima on Twitter @FatimaLacoba

Guest Post and Giveaway: A Cowboy and a Pastry Chef Walk Into a Barn, by Melissa Cutler

Today The Hot Pink Typewriter warmly welcomes Harlequin Romantic Suspense author Melissa Cutler. I had the pleasure of meeting Melissa last summer, and she is as exuberant and fun in person as she is on the page. We're delighted to have her. Be sure to leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of TEMPTED BY DANGER!

A Cowboy Doctor and a Pastry Chef Walk Into a Barn…

And from the cover art of my latest Harlequin Romantic Suspense release, COLTON BY BLOOD, you can tell that the cowboy doctor ends up carrying his lady love back out as danger closes in on them. What kind of danger, you ask? You’ll have to read the book to find out. Luckily, it’s on sale right now (digitally) for $1.99 at all e-retailers. What a bargain!

I’m Melissa Cutler and I’m thrilled to be a guest on The Hot Pink Typewriter talking about Dr. Levi and Kate. This is a story near and dear to my heart, with characters who are haunted by their respective pasts and only learn the healing power of love—as well as the healing power of bread pudding with whiskey sauce and fresh peach ice cream—after Levi is summoned to the deathbed of his estranged father on a wealthy, secluded Wyoming ranch he’d never been welcomed at before. Kate is the pastry chef at the ranch and she’s instantly drawn to the enigmatic doctor, as he is to her.

Here’s the blurb from the back cover:

Rising romantic suspense star Melissa Cutler reveals more secrets from the Coltons  of Wyoming… An unsolved murder haunts those who live and work at Dead River Ranch. When called to care for the ailing Colton patriarch, Dr. Levi Colton must face the father who never claimed him. He's not looking for distraction, but he finds it in Kate McCord, the irresistible pastry chef. Beneath her sweet smile are scars from her own tragedy—and a determination for justice.

As a wildfire forces them together with an unknown killer, Levi and Kate must confront an attraction that flares hotter than flames. They edge closer to the truth, discovering that the secret that links their pasts could lead them straight into the killer's trap.

Enjoy this scene from COLTON BY BLOOD:

“Can I try it now?” he asked.

She glanced his way to see him holding a spoon over the crème brûlée, waiting for her to give him the green light. “Dig in.”

A satisfying crunch filled the air as he broke the spoon through the burnt sugar shell. He gave a thumbs-up as he chewed. “That’s amazing. May I make a request?”

“Name it.”

“You know how last night Jethro ordered dessert at every meal?”

She combined the dough ingredients and got busy mixing. “Mmm-hmm.”

“You’d better double that order.”

Elation flooded through her. “You’ve got yourself a deal. Anything else?”

“Yeah, on a related topic. Please tell me this ranch has a gym.”

Her grin was so wide, it hurt. When was the last time she’d smiled so much? “It does. Around the corner from the infirmary I told you about last night.”

“Good.” He shoveled a heaping spoonful of crème brûlée into his mouth.

She turned the dough out onto her kneading board. “Do you live in Wyoming?”

“No, Salt Lake City. I went to med school there and it made the most sense to stay for my residency.”

Good to know. She could crush on him all she wanted because he didn’t even live in the same state as her. All she had to do was keep her desires to herself until he left. She pushed a lock of hair away from her face with the back of one floury, doughy hand. “You had quite a drive yesterday.”

“You’re telling me. I did my undergraduate work at the University of Colorado and I made the drive from there to Dead to visit my mom every chance I got. I’d forgotten how tiring it is to drive distances like that.” He walked across the room to the sink and grabbed a paper towel, then wet it. “You didn’t grow up in Dead, did you?”

“No, Cheyenne.”

“Didn’t think so. I would’ve noticed you.” Then he was in her space, reaching the paper towel to her forehead. “You have flour in your hair. Hold still.”

Keeping her head steady, she looked sideways at him.

His brows furrowed in concentration as he wiped the paper towel over her hair, yet a hint of amusement remained. “You need a scrub cap.”

“Like doctors wear?” At his nod, she added, “I usually wear something but I forgot today.” That wasn’t true, precisely. Kate’s hair was so impossibly unruly that she normally wore a bandana while she baked, but it made her look like a chubby-faced pirate wannabe. With Levi as company this morning, vanity won out over practicality.

“I think the water from the paper towel turned the flour into glue. Oops.” He held the afflicted lock of hair out and wrapped the paper towel around it, then pulled.

“It’s been a long time since a boy put glue in my hair. This is like kindergarten all over again.”

He tucked the damp hair behind her ear. “Crème brûlée blowtorch notwithstanding.”

COLTON BY BLOOD is in stores now:

Amazon || B&N || Audible Audio Books || iTunes

Giveaway: Today, as a thank you for stopping by the blog, I’m giving away a backlist book of mine to one commenter (U.S. resident only, please). TEMPTED BY DANGER was my June release, and I know you’ll love it! Since COLTON BY BLOOD has lots of yummy desserts throughout the book, to enter to win, just let me know what your favorite dessert is.

My thanks to The Hot Pink Typewriter for hosting me today. I love hearing from readers and am really easy to find at www.melissacutler.net, on Facebook (www.facebook.com/MelissaCutlerBooks ), and Twitter (@m_cutler). And you can always email me at melissa@melissacutler.net or sign up for my newsletter (http://www.melissacutler.net/newsletter/ ) to find out about my latest books and upcoming events.

Bio: Melissa Cutler knows she has the best job in the world, dividing her time between her dual passions for writing sexy contemporary romances and edge-of-your-seat romantic suspense for Harlequin, Penguin, and Kensington Books. She was struck at an early age by an unrelenting travel bug and is probably planning her next vacation as you read this. When she's not globetrotting, she's enjoying Southern California's flip-flop wearing weather and wrangling two rambunctious kids.

Guest Post: Helen Lacey Talks About Heroes + Giveaway

hosted by: Jennifer Faye

The Hot Pink Typewriter is pleased to welcome Helen Lacey. Helen, thanks so much for joining us. And congratulations on your newest release!

When a hero comes along……

I think the first hero I fell in love with was Gilbert Blythe from Anne of Green Gables. I was nine years old and adored the way he would do anything to get Anne’s attention. Of course, the fact he later spilled his heart out and got it crushed, gave up his job so that she could be close to her family and then later became a doctor, really cemented what a wonderfully generous and loyal man he had grown into. Later I discovered Mr Darcy, Mr Wentworth and Rhett Butler….but I’ve never forgotten Gil. 

Now, when I set out to write a new book, one of things I always work out is what are the most significant qualities of my hero and what will make readers fall in love with him? Of course he has to have flaws (Even Gilbert Blythe was stubborn and often self-righteous). Because even though a romance novel is essentially the heroine’s journey and as a reader we walk in her shoes for the duration of the story, she has to fall in love with the hero, and he needs to be worthy of that love.  Remember the movie Sabrina? (The Harrison Ford version) Here was a man who was a ruthless, impatient, sarcastic, dismissive, money-driven workaholic. He was described as the worlds only living heart donor and his brother said his idea of a committed relationship was letting his date order dessert. Doesn’t sound particularly lovable, right? And yet, when pushed and at his lowest ebb, he was prepared to give up a business deal worth billions of dollars to ensure Sabrina was protected and would get what he believed she wanted – which was his younger brother. So, he was prepared to lose what most important to him….money and power….and that vulnerability is what made him the kind of man worthy of Sabrina’s heart.

If pride is your heroes Achilles heel, bring him to his knees. If distrust is what he feels most, force him to take a leap of faith. If fear of commitment runs through his veins, make him commit to the heroine because if he doesn’t there will be consequences. Pushing him will test his flaws and showcase his strengths. 

When I wrote Date With Destiny I had a hero who was afraid of rejection…so I forced him to pursue the heroine in a short time frame because if he didn’t he believed he would lose her forever. This tested his fear of not being good enough (stemming from a childhood issue and previous rejection from the heroine) and it also highlighted his strengths, like his integrity and compassion. Once I worked out who this man was I was able to build the story around him and endeavoured to create a hero who was not only the kind of man the heroine would fall in love with, but one that readers would fall in love with too.

So, give him flaws. Give him weaknesses. Pile on the imperfections. And then make him work hard to be worthy of the heroine’s heart. Because we know the ending will be a happy one, but the journey is what keeps readers turning the page.

I have a copy of my August Harlequin Special Edition Date With Destiny to give away to one commenter.

 Date With Destiny

Financier Grace Preston did fourteen-hour days in New York City. She didn't do small towns in Australia. Not since she'd fled almost twenty years ago. But when a personal trauma sent her home-with a secret she couldn't reveal-the last person she needed was her first love.

Local cop Cameron Jakowski had loved Grace for most of his life. But he wanted marriage and family and she didn't. He was small town, while she was big city-and lived half a world away. But for now she was right here-a walking, talking temptation. One he managed to avoid...until he made one mistake. He kissed her. And reawakened the passion that could change their lives...forever.

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Buy Links:

Mills & Boon UK | Harlequin US | Amazon 
Amazon UK | B&N | Powell's Books | BAM | IndieBound

About Helen:

Helen Lacey grew up reading Black Beauty, Anne of Green Gables and Little House on The Prairie. These childhood classics inspired her to write her first book when she was seven years old, a story about a girl and her horse. Although, it wasn’t until the age of eleven when she read her first Mills & Boon, that she knew writing romances was what she wanted to do with her life. Her parents’ love of travel meant she saw much of the world in those early years and she feels fortunate to have had a diverse and interesting education over several continents.

She continued to write into her teens and twenties with the dream of one day being a published author. A few years and careers later, including motel operator, florist, strapper, dog washer, and retail manager, she got the call from Harlequin Special Edition. She loves writing about tortured heroes, both cowboys and CEO’s, and heroines who finally get the love of the man of their dreams. She now works part time in her sister’s bridal shop, where she gets to meet fascinating people, some of whom might one day end up being in one of her books.

From Welsh parents and a large family, she lives on the east coast of Australia in a small seaside town at the southern most point of The Great Barrier Reef, with her wonderfully supportive husband, many horses and three spoiled dogs.

Connect with Helen:

Website    Blog      Facebook    Twitter     Goodreads 

Don't forget to comment in order to entered to win a copy of Date With Destiny...