The Viscount's Vow by Collette Cameron -- Interview and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. 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.

Please enjoy this chat we had with Collette:

Why do you write in your genre? What draws you to it?

I love reading historical romances, especially Regency, and I’m a history nut. So, when I decided to start writing romance, it was only natural I’d begin with Regencies. The Regency era was tumultuous, full of change, but chock full of romance. And the expressions they used (twiddle poop, bumblebroth, Friday face) I think are charming.

What research (or world-building – for fantasy/paranormal/Sci-fi) is required?

I’m a stickler for historical accuracy, and what gets by me is nailed by my critique partners and beta readers who are also Regency authors.

I research everything from the expected: clothing, food, transportation, lexicon, and entertainment, to what kind of soap, cooking utensils, and medicines were used during the Regency era. I’ve researched pets, bed linens, cosmetics, signet rings, sidesaddles, carriages, horses, farming practices, childbirth, diseases, furniture, and even cook stoves. Oh, and how to address people with honorifics (you know dukes, earls, dowager viscountesses) ...that’s really tricky if you haven’t done your research.

Personally, I want to read a book that’s historically accurate, though if it’s a great story, I can easily overlook mistakes. I’m sure readers have found a few in mine, despite my best efforts. That’s where I pull out the fiction card. Historical accuracy is wonderful, but the bottom line is the story is made up.

Name one thing you learned from your hero/heroine.

In The Viscount’s Vow, I learned humility from Ian. His heritage has made him a privileged, confident, even arrogant man. He’s humiliated and enraged when he’s forced to marry Vangie, but it’s his willingness to live humbly with the Romani to win Vangie back, that stole my heart.

Any odd or interesting writing quirks, habits or superstitions? Not really. I like complete quiet when I write, and I do my best writing in my shabby chic writing room, but I don’t have any rituals or objects around me to inspire me. Of course, my entire writing room was designed for inspiration, so perhaps that’s why I write best there.

Plotter or pantser?

Pantser! I have an author friend who calls me a linear pantser. I write beginning to end, and I always have some specific plot points I want to include, but I never know exactly where I’m going or where I’ll end up when I write a book. I love how my characters have minds of their own and often decide to do something I hadn’t anticipated. It’s never boring being a pantser.

Look to your right – what’s sitting there?

A blue sticky note pad with a note to register for Nationals and Romantic Times. I’m trying to decide if I want to do both this year; I’ve never attended either. I’m a bit of a chicken when it comes to attending conventions.

Anything new coming up from you? What?

I just finished The Earl’s Enticement, the third book in my trilogy, and will be sending it off to my publisher this week. I have a stand-alone that’s been bugging me to write it, and another book that’s been insisting it get its turn. I’m thinking about attempting to do both at once. Not sure yet though. I need to make up my mind this week.

Do you have a question for our readers?

Of course! I love asking readers questions.

What is the one thing you think makes a good romance novel, and what is one thing that ticks you off if you read it in a romance?

About the Author:

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/.

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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.

Buy the book at Amazon.