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 1st) 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:
