BLURB:
Amidst murder
and betrayal, destiny and hearts collide when scandal forces a nobleman and
a gypsy to marry in this Regency
Romance.
Half Romani,
half English noblewoman, Evangeline Caruthers is the last woman in England Ian
Hamilton, the Viscount Warrick, could ever love—an immoral wanton responsible
for his brother’s and father’s deaths. She thinks he’s a foul-tempered
blackguard, who after setting out to cause her downfall, finds himself forced
to marry her—snared in the trap of his own making.
When Vangie
learns the marriage ceremony itself may have been a ruse, she flees to her
gypsy relatives, declaring herself divorced from Ian under Romani law. He
pursues her to the gypsy encampment, and when the handsome gypsy king offers to
take Ian’s place in Vangie’s bed, jealousy stirs hot and dangerous.
At last, under a
balmy starlit sky, Ian and Vangie breech the chasm separating them. Peril lurks
though. Ian’s the last in his line, and his stepmother intends to dispose of
the newlyweds so her daughter can inherit his estate. Only by trusting each
other can they overcome scandal and murderous betrayal.
EXCERPT:
Armstrong’s
Ball Scene
Noticing
the numerous pairs of eyes watching him escort Miss Caruthers onto the polished
floor, a wry smile touched Ian's lips. “I haven't danced with any other ladies
this evening. No doubt the rumormongers are hissing envious conjectures as to
why I've asked you.”
She
shot him a startled look before glancing around the ballroom. “Why did you?”
“To
see if what I'd heard was true.”
Ian
watched for a reaction.
She
opened her mouth then closed it. They waltzed around the dance floor for a few
moments in silence. The string quartet was quite satisfactory. Ian allowed the
lilting strains to soothe his troubled spirit.
“What
did you hear?” Miss Caruthers’ soft question reminded him of his purpose.
“That
you are an excellent dancer.”
It was true. She moved with natural grace,
following his lead, all the while holding herself in a most proper stance. He
had to acknowledge she was a superb actress. Her gaze remained fixated on a
spot above his left shoulder, except for one brief instance when she'd flicked
her cobalt-blue gaze upward, and unintentionally met his eyes.
“Is
that all?” she asked softly.
He'd
never seen eyes that dark blue before. “All?”
“You've
heard nothing else about me?”
Her
eyes held the perfect combination of trust and innocent curiosity. So
convincing was she, that when their gazes fused, a peculiar jolt stabbed the center
of his being. What was it? Something foreign, tantalizing, rousing from
dormancy and flickering to awareness.
Startled
by his train of thought, he stiffened. Good God, now he was waxing sentimental
poppycock. Even so, he continued to stare into her seemingly guileless eyes.
How could someone so jaded appear so innocent? He couldn't very well tell her
what he knew, now could he?
“Is
there something else you would have me know?”
Furrowing
her smooth brow, she stared at him. “No.”
Was
that confusion in her eyes? She looked away first. That irked him.
Man,
control yourself. She's not even flirting with you.
He
could better understand Geoff's fascination now. Miss Caruthers was skilled in
her art. Most skilled. He would have to guard himself well. He sensed her
siren's allure, the tentacles of desire winding their way about his reasoning,
holding him in an imperceptible, yet impenetrable grip. It was almost as if
she'd cast a spell, bewitching him.
What
drivel. He was having difficulty concentrating, though, too aware of the
voluptuous woman in his arms, their bodies moving as one to the music. No
wonder the young blades were lined up, waiting for the smallest morsel of
attention from her. Ian could almost believe she was as diffident and unsure of
herself as she pretended. Both qualities were designed to stir the primitive
male.
He
tamped down the protective response she roused in him with her seductress's
wiles. “You truly are an exceptionally graceful dancer,” he murmured in her
ear.
“Thank
you, my lord.”
His
nostrils flared at her intoxicating perfume. He tilted his head a bit closer to
hers and drew in a deep breath. Something citrusy. Maybe orange blossom? And
lightly floral. Lily of the Valley. He recognized the scent. A myriad of the
graceful, nodding white flowers blanketed the grounds near Somersfield's pond.
Ian
ignored good sense and drew her lush form closer. Her décolletage and his
height advantage gave him an excellent view of her ample cleavage. A diamond
pendant was nestled in the valley between her creamy breasts. It gently
caressed the sloping mounds as she swayed in time to the music. He imagined his
finger doing the same.
Blood
rushed to his loins. He'd been too long without a woman. Not since
Amelia.
. . . Damn, had it really been eight months? He caressed Miss Caruthers’ spine
with his thumb. One slow stroke. She shuddered. Was that a gasp? Perhaps she
wasn't as poised as she affected.
Excellent.
It
was better to catch her off guard if he was to succeed with his plan. Why then,
didn't his scheme of vengeance fill him with the same sense of satisfaction it
had before meeting her?
INTERVIEW:
- Where
did you get the idea for the novel?
Vangie and Ian’s story actually
started to demand to be written while I was writing Highlander’s Hope. Vangie and Yvette, the heroine in Highlander’s Hope, are cousins. As I
wrote the first book, the second story just came to me. I had to keep telling
Vangie and Ian to wait their turn!
- Your
title. Who came up with it? Did you ever change your title?
I knew the title for this book even
before I started writing it. I’m sure that’s because I already knew so much of
the story, and I knew I had a viscount vowing vengeance.
Gee, a bit of alliteration in that
last bit there. Sorry.
- Why
did you pick this genre? What do you like about it?
I love historical romances; they’ve
always been my genre of choice, especially Regency. So when I decided to write
a romance, it was only natural I’d choose the genre I love the most. I’m also a
history buff, so while I enjoy a good contemporary, my heart and mind prefer
historicals.
- Since
becoming a writer, what’s the most exciting thing to ever happen to you?
Hmm, I guess getting my first
royalty check. What’ I’m really looking
forward to in having a print novel of my book in my hand. That’s supposed to
happen in November.
- What
book are you currently reading or what was the last book you read?
I just finished Something About Her by Jeannie Reusch. I wonderful Regency, of course!
- What
is your writing process?
Before I start a book, I complete a
goal, motivation, and conflict chart for my heroine and hero. Then I fill out a
questionnaire for each of them that I created. It has over 50 questions. It’s
how I really get to know my characters. I also make notes of any major plot
points or specific things I want to include in the novel. I’m a pantser, so I
don’t know exactly what the entire story looks like, but I have a general idea.
I have a writing room in my house
where nearly all my writing occurs. I have to have quite when I write and one
of my doxies, Ayva, is usually on my lap or sleeping on a nearby chair.
- At a
book signing, do you just sign your name or do you write a note? How do
you come up with stuff to say?
I haven’t had a book signing yet, darn it.
I’m planning on one just as soon as
I get the print novels for Highlander’s Hope this fall. I plan on having a couple
of short phrases to include with my signature. I think it’s more personal and
more meaningful.
- What
is something people would be surprised to know about you?
I sleep with my dachshunds! Okay,
not exciting enough?
I collect thimbles. Ridiculous I
know. It’s my sister’s fault. She gave me six for Christmas over thirty years
ago and the blasted collection has grown to over two hundred.
That’s just embarrassing to admit.
- How do
you react to a bad review?
Everyone is entitled to their
opinion. If there’s something in the review I can use to help me become a
better writer, I’ll use it, but if the review is just bullying, I ignore it.
- How
did you celebrate the sale of your first book?
Well, I didn’t actually celebrate
the first sale, but I did go buy some lovely boots and a new purse with part of
my first royalty check.
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
A life-long Oregonian,
Collette Cameron was born and raised in a small town along the northern Oregon
coast. Today she makes her home in a rural community, 30 minutes west of
Portland. Her Victorian farmhouse sits on a one-acre certified wildlife habit,
interspersed with a plethora of gardens: English, rose, butterfly, rock, water,
and of course, vegetable.
A voracious reader of romance
since her teens, she even named her daughter after a heroine in her favorite
romance novel. An enthusiast of times gone by, and anything related to romance,
she writes Historical Romance, with a dash of inspiration, a pinch of humor,
and a liberal portion of suspense.
Having dabbled in interior
decorating in her youth, Collette returned to school, graduating summa cum
laude from Oregon State University, and went on to obtain her Master's Degree
in Teaching. She is member of Romance Writers of America, Rose City Romance
Writers, The Beau Monde, and Love Faith and Hope, Inc., and a whole slew of
other author/writer groups.
Some of Collette's favorite
things include unique blends of coffees and teas, trivia, Cadbury Milk
Chocolate, inspirational quotes, and scented candles. Her Christian faith,
husband, three adult children, and five miniature dachshunds round out her life
quite nicely! When she's not teaching or writing, she enjoys amateur
photography, bird watching, gardening, interior decorating, rock-hunting,
boating or fishing on the Columbia River, and reading of course.
To connect with Collette,
please visit www.collettecameron.com or http://blueroseromance.com/
She can also be found on:
Buy Link:
GIVEAWAY:
Collette will be awarding a $25.00 Amazon gift card and an ecopy
of Highlander's Hope, the first book in the series, to a randomly drawn
commenter during the tour.
The more they comment, the better their chances
of winning. The tour dates can be found here:
