Friday, June 22, 2018

Stranded in Love by Victoria Grant


This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Victoria Grant will be awarding 3 signed paperback copies of the book to randomly drawn winners (North America Only) via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

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

I’m a romantic person, I always have been, always will be. Writing romances is fun and exciting and I love it! I won’t deny I’m a girly girl, I love satin and lace and all things pretty and sparkly, as well as having doors opened for me. I know there are lots of readers out there who love that, too. I always write happily ever afters, never a cliffhanger, but only after I’ve put my leading characters on the wild ride of that roller coaster of love.:-)

What research is required?

There’s always some research required for every novel, the type and depth of it depends on what I need to know more about – either a character’s job description or something specific about a location I want to use as a setting, or even how to prepare a certain recipe. I usually enjoy doing research for my novels and I always learn something when I’m sorting through the facts.

Name one thing you learned from your hero/heroine.

That you should always recharge your cell phone battery before heading out for the day, and it doesn’t hurt to keep a recharge cord in the car, just in case. And, more importantly, never give up fighting for what you want.

Do you have any odd or interesting writing quirks, habits or superstitions?

I listen to music to inspire me. I usually write to either big band tunes or oldies from the 1960s & 70s. When I write love scenes, or other tender moments, I like to listen to classical music without vocals, as it helps me reach those deeper emotions that I need to get onto the page.

Are you a plotter or pantser?

I’m a big time plotter. For my Calderone Family Romance Series, I had a lot of fun creating spreadsheets for the entire family (including their likes/dislikes, birthdates, what car they drive, etc.), I even have a seating plan for the Calderone dining table – just so I can see at a glance where each character sits - it has to be the same for every novel or it would be too confusing for the reader (and me!). I also have spreadsheets for each individual novel focusing on plot lines and family dynamics, which I may never use, but it helps that I know it.

Look to your right – what’s sitting there?

On my desk to my right sits my cell phone, my ereader, and a framed photograph of me and my husband taken on our wedding day. Just beyond that is a bookshelf that is overflowing (I guess it’s time for another trip to Ikea!). On the top of the bookshelf is a pretty butterfly infuser lamp, my favourite teddy bear, and more books (including Stranded in Love).

Anything new coming up from you? What?

Yes, lots! Stranded in Love is Book #1 in the Calderone Family Romance Series focusing on the only daughter in the family, Laney. Book #2, Write to Love, will be available next year. It’s the story of Noel, the youngest brother and playboy of the family, and the problems that develop when he meets feisty KC Dunlop, a newly published murder mystery author.

I’m currently finishing Book #6, the final book in this series, which tells the story of their parents, Eve and Boyd, and the difficulties they had to deal with to find happiness.

Do you have a question for our readers?

I’d like to ask your readers to take a chance on a new author because Stranded in Love is a sexy, fun, ‘can’t put it down’ romantic comedy that’s getting some wonderful reviews, and each subsequent novel in the Calderone Family Romance Series will be just as exciting to read. And I’d love to hear from your readers, so please drop me a line and let me know how you liked my debut novel.

Thanks for letting me be part of your Blog today!

If a gold medal was awarded for Worst Day Ever, Laney Calderone would win it today, hands down. She’s just discovered she's pregnant, her fiancĂ© abruptly dumps her when she tells him, and her new car refuses to start as a brutal snowstorm hits Toronto.

Good Samaritan Tyler Hammond offers to take her home; however, with the heavy snow falling and his patience dwindling, Laney’s gold medal day isn’t over yet.

Storms intensify both outside and in as Laney finds herself inexplicably attracted to this tall, dark and very handsome but infuriating stranger.

Can Laney fight her unwanted yet increasing desire for this man long enough to get through the relentless storm? And will Tyler let her walk out of his life as easily as she came into it?

Read an excerpt:

Tyler took Laney into his arms and pulled her close. The music changed to that unforgettable jazz melody she knew so well, and out of the corner of her eye she noticed Stephen on the balcony with the band leader, a devilish grin on his face. Up to his old tricks again.

“You look ravishing tonight, Ginger.” Tyler whispered in her ear. “Did I ever tell you red is my favourite colour?”

Laney tried to move to the rhythm except her feet would not obey. She felt clumsy and self-conscious dancing with Tyler with so many people watching, especially her family.

“You feel a little tense, my love. Relax and enjoy.”

She closed her eyes wishing she could walk away, but that wasn’t going to happen. Tyler held her tight and guided her effortlessly around the floor. The mesmerizing scent of his cologne reverberated through her senses and she surprised herself when she realized she was smiling. The Tyler Trap, she thought. You’ve gotten stuck in it again, you idiot!

With a deep sigh, she let herself surrender and leaned into him. He smiled and pulled her even closer. It didn’t matter to her anymore who saw them, who noticed they were so close; she didn’t care.

As she floated around the hall Laney became immersed in her surroundings. The Christmas tree lights twinkling, the distant chatter and laughter of the guests, the captivating tune, and the wonderful feel of this amazing man in her arms.

Laney wanted to freeze time again. This man, this music, this moment. She rested her chin on his shoulder and let him take complete control. They moved as one, oblivious to every eye on them as they soared in the clouds, leaving all the other guests back on Earth.


About the Author:
Born in England to a Monty Python-loving dad and a Lawrence Welk-loving mum - tea drinkers all - we moved to Canada when I was seven. "Say book, say look" my new classmates would hound me just so they could have a good chuckle at my accent. But being incredibly shy, this was a great way for me to make friends.

My love of words and a creative imagination prompted English teachers to urge me to write for a living, especially after I got a letter from the Prime Minister who thanked me for writing to him! So cool for a twelve-year-old!

Through the years, I wrote while I earned a living as an Administrative Assistant in various companies; then I owned a Wedding Coordination business for six years (talk about romance!), all the while being happily married to the love of my life. These interesting jobs plus wedded bliss gave me oodles of ideas for romantic plot lines, tall, dark and handsome heroes and feisty, beautiful heroines, and, of course, the happily ever afters.

I currently live in Mississauga and spend time with family and friends, and struggle daily with the wine and chocolate that somehow magically appear in my house...

And, amidst the endless cups of strong tea, while the dead parrot sketch and Cole Porter songs whirl around in my brain, I write. I will always write romances because I love creating fascinating characters whose lives I can make completely miserable before I give them their happily ever after.

Victoria

Social Media Links:

Website: https://www.victoriagrantromance.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/victoriagrantromance
Twitter: https://twitter.com/VGrantRomance
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17693887.Victoria_Grant
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ca/551c125bfc1823dfb5f031b29b2212
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vgrantromance/
Amazon Author Page: https://authorcentral.amazon.com/gp/profile

Buy Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Stranded-Love-Victoria-Grant-ebook/dp/B07995YY8Q
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/stranded-in-love-victoria-grant/1127888894
Chapters: https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/home/search/?keywords=stranded%20in%20love%20victoria%20grant#internal=1

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