Interview with historical romance author Collette Cameron

Today's focus is on historical romance author Collette Cameron, and her latest novel The Viscount's Vow.

Collette will be awarding a $25 Amazon gift card and an e-copy of Highlander's Hope, the first book in the series, to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. For a chance to win, leave a comment below. And if you'd like to increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit other tour stops and leave comments there, too!

Bio:

Multipublished historical romance author Collette Cameron has a BS in Liberal Studies and a Master's in Teaching. She only teaches part-time so she has time for her greatest passion: writing. Collette’s been married for 30 years, has 3 amazing adult children, and 5 dachshunds. Collette loves a good joke, inspirational quotes, flowers, the beach, trivia, birds, shabby chic, and Cadbury Chocolate. You'll always find dogs, birds, quirky—sometimes naughty—humor, and a dash of inspiration in her novels. Her motto for life? You can’t have too much chocolate, too many hugs, or too many flowers. She’s thinking about adding shoes to that list.

Welcome, Collette. Please tell us about your current release.

The Viscount’s Vow is a Regency with a twist; the heroine is part Roma (gypsy). Though part of the story takes place in London, a good deal of it is set in a Romani encampment.  

Evangeline Caruthers is the last woman Viscount Warrick, could ever love—a Jezebel responsible for his brother’s and father’s deaths. Vangie thinks Ian’s a foul-tempered blackguard, who set out to ruin her, then found himself snared in his own trap. He’s the last in his family line, and his stepmother’s determined to dispose of the newlyweds so her daughter can inherit. Only by trusting each other can Ian and Vangie overcome scandal and murderous betrayal.

What inspired you to write this book?

While I was writing my first book, Highlander’s Hope, which is about Vangie’s cousin Yvette, I kept getting ideas about a story for Vangie. Some of the plot elements I’d already created in Highlander’s Hope, so it was only natural to take it a step further and write Vangie her own romance.  

Excerpt:

Wedding Reception Scene.

“You didn't eat much, wife.”

They were alone on the dance floor. Ian deftly twirled Vangie around his aunt's smallish ballroom, mindful of the interested eyes watching them.

Stealing a glance at the smiling and nodding onlookers, he suppressed a frown. He felt like a curiosity on display at Bullock's Museum. He wished others would take to the floor, so he could dispense with the devoted bridegroom facade.

The twelve courses at dinner had been tortuous. His wife hadn’t taken more than a dozen bites nor said as many words. He'd tried to eat the succulent foods Aunt Edith had gone to such efforts to have prepared, but his anger made everything dry as chalk and every bit as tasteless.

“I'd not much appetite, my lord.”

He chuckled. “Don't you think you might address me by my given name, wife?”

“Why?” she asked pertly. “I've known you but four days, certainly not long enough to be so familiar with you.”

He lowered his head, breathing in her ear, very aware every eye in the room was trained on them. He'd give them something to gossip about. “Because I want you to, wife, and you did promise to obey.”

He nipped her ear.

She jumped and a tiny yelp of surprise escaped before she clamped her lips together. Her eyes were shooting sparks again, only this time they were directed at him.

“What's my name, wife?”

“Please, don't call me that. I too have a name, as you well know.”

Drawing her closer, her breasts pressing against the breadth of his chest and cresting the edge of her bodice, he murmured, “Indeed, but Evangeline sounds . . . angelic, and we both know you're no such thing.”

“Pardon?” She stiffened, trying to shove away from him. “I don't under—”

His head descended again. “Say it, or I'll trace your ear with my tongue.”

He grinned as her breath hissed from between clenched teeth. She stumbled, her fingers digging into his shoulder and hand. A very becoming flush swept across her face.

“Will you cease?” Her worried gaze careened around the room. “We're being watched.”

Voice husky, he said, “Say my name, sweeting.” Giving her a gentle squeeze, he started to dip his head, caressing her elegant neck with his hot breath.

“Ian, your name is Ian,” she gasped breathlessly, twisting her head away.

What exciting story are you working on next?

I just finished The Earl’s enticement, the third book in the trilogy, and am actually starting two books. One is another Regency about a character mentioned in The Viscount’s Vow and introduced in The Earl’s Enticement and the other book is a paranormal inspiration. Both of those books have been pestering me to write them and neither wants to wait for the other, so I’m going to attempt to write two at once. Should prove interesting!

When did you first consider yourself a writer?

I finally really considered myself a writer when I finished my first book, though it was nowhere near ready to submit for publishing. The finished product though confirmed to me I could write a novel. Then when it was accepted for publication, well...I confess to doing the happy dance while squealing loudly!

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like?  If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

I’m not quite a full-time writer, though I’m getting there. I substitute teach and up until last year, was pursuing a full-time teaching position. I’ve been doing long-term subs (in fact I’m finishing up one November 1^st) but the more I wrote, I realized as much as I love teaching, I love writing more.

So, after discussing it with the hubby, we decided I should pursue my dream of full-time writing. I plan on doing a minimal amount of subbing, just to keep my license current and stay in touch with my teacher friends, and concentrate my time and energy on writing.

On days I don’t teach, I try to be at my computer by 8:00 am, though I rarely make it. Days I teach, I spend a couple of hours each evening writing.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

Hmm, I have to have complete silence to write. I can’t even have background music. I’ve tried, but because I’m also a musical person, I end up either singing or stopping to listen. I also always have one of my doxies, Ayva, with me. Half the time she insists on being in my lap, and I end up with a numb rear-end.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

An interpreter or an interior decorator! I actually am a certified interior decorator but life took me in another direction, which I’m very grateful for.

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

I do love to hear from my readers. Feel free to email me with questions or comments.

You can connect with me through these avenues:

Website | Blue Rose | Facebook | Pinterest | Google+ | LinkedIn | Twitter  

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