Thursday, February 3, 2011

Free For All Friday! Meet Author Victoria Gray!

      Welcome ! Today we're talking to Victoria Gray. She tells beautiful stories about one of my favorite eras of history.  ANGEL IN MY ARMS has received several rave reviews.  

Settle in with us this morning and find out a little more about this wonderful story, plus what Victoria has in the works;) You can find out more about Victoria at her website www.victoriagrayromance.com
But make sure to come back. You HAVE to see Victoria's puppy, Stewie!! (too cute)

            Tell us about your newest release. 
Angel in My Arms, is the story of Amanda Emerson, a Union spy undercover in Richmond, and Union officer Steve Dunham, the man she enlists in the daring rescue of a double agent from a Confederate prison and imminent execution. As the danger surrounding them thickens, every moment he’s with her jeopardizes their lives, but they discover a passion that’s worth the risk.

               Tell us about your hero and heroine.
Steve Dunham, the hero in Angel in My Arms, is built like a Viking, has a twinkle in his eye, and he’s got guts. Best of all, he’s the kind of man who’s had his share of women, but when he falls, he falls hard and forever. A seasoned Union operative, he faces danger on a daily basis, but when the woman he loves is threatened, he’ll stop at nothing to keep her safe.

Amanda Emerson, the heroine, is a sable-haired beauty who joined up with a nest of Union spies living in Richmond. She’s skilled at deception, but when she falls for the handsome spy she’s drawn into their latest scheme, there’s no way to hide her feelings. Amanda’s gutsy and tender, a woman who doesn’t even realize how beautiful she is. She doesn’t want to fall for Steve – their love puts both in danger – but some tides are too hard to fight.

   Do you have anything in the works?  I’ve just finished a sequel to Angel in my Arms entitled Against All Odds.  I fell in love with two of the characters in Angel, Will and Kate, and had to give them their own story. They become enmeshed in a net of treachery and vengeance even as their love deepens.  I’m also finishing up a historical romantic suspense. 

Who wrote most of the keeper novels on your shelf?  Teresa Medeiros.   
  
            What is the best piece of advice on writing you’ve ever received?  Write the book of your heart. 

           Do you listen to music while you write?  Yes, I enjoy classical music when I’m writing. I have to admit I adore the classic composers…their music is so grand and passionate, and there are no lyrics to distract me. 

            Do you have critique partners? Absolutely…they are trusted “friends” who live hundreds of miles from me, but thanks to the Internet, we communicate as frequently as if we lived next door. I’ve learned so much from working with my critique partners, and I can trust them to be honest with both their positives and their negatives.

             Do you believe in love at first sight?  Yes, yes, and yes! I fell in love with my husband on our first date, and love him every day.

Blurb: 
Amanda Emerson must break her cousin, a notorious double agent, out of a Confederate prison before his imminent execution. She’s a skilled Union operative, but for this mission, she needs a man. Even a man who looks and acts like a Viking warrior.
Caught with Rebel battle plans and set for a hanging, Union spy Steve Dunham isn’t about to refuse the assistance of the sable-haired beauty who shows up at the jail and slips him the keys to his cell. Of course, she’s there for a reason besides saving his neck - he’s the key to her plan.
He may be trading one noose for another, but he won’t forsake her. The spoils of his victory will be her surrender. And the terms of surrender will be sweet.


Publisher:  The Wild Rose Press


Excerpt:
Amanda closed her eyes and savored his possession. How could anything feel as good as his lips against hers? With his arms wrapped tight
around her, she felt as though nothing could penetrate the tender shield of his embrace.
Wanting him was wrong. He was little more than a stranger. A man she’d teamed with for a mission. He was supposed to be nothing more.
But he’d filled her heart.
His handsome face captivated her all the more for its tiny imperfections. A small scar on his chin. The small bump at the bridge of his nose that told the tale of a long-ago break. Another scar, much more recent, on his jaw that looked to be the result of a man’s ring connecting with his flesh and bone.
He was a warrior. Her warrior. Fierce. Tender. Courageous. Protective.
“You’re so beautiful, Mandy.” His lips trailed the column of her throat.
She nestled against his broad chest. He smelled like bay rum and pine and leather. She’d never realized how tantalizing the scents could be. Mingled with his natural essence, the blend of aromas touched something deep and primal within her. She couldn’t resist the scent. Or him.
He took her hands in his. A sly smile curved his mouth as he studied her. “Such sweet temptation. The question is where to begin.”
She’d wasn’t an innocent, but she’d never experienced the heat of a man’s gaze drinking her in as though she were a fine wine to be savored. When Steve looked at her, she felt wanted.
Desired.
Loved.
Ridiculous. He couldn’t possibly love her.
But he hungered for her touch. That would have to be enough. After all, she didn’t love him.
Keep telling yourself that, Mandy.
She couldn’t love a man she barely knew.
Even if she longed for his scent. For his touch. For the moment when he’d claim her.
Even if she prayed he’d come to his senses and leave her before the rebels captured him and dragged him away to prison. Or a noose.



Now here's Stewie!

Thanks so much for being my guest today, Victoria!! And thanks for bringing Stewie:)

18 comments:

  1. Thanks for having me today, Jennifer.

    So, what do you all think about love at first sight? I'll pick one commenter at random to win a free pdf of Angel in My Arms.

    I'll be back later :)

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  2. Stewie is so cute! Congrats on the release, Victoria. I think there's definitely something to lust at first sight, whether it can grow into love is then determined by the next five minutes of conversation, at least for me.

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  3. Hi Victoria,
    I do believe in love at first sight and I like hearing true-life examples of couples for whom it worked out.

    Your story sounds great; I've always enjoyed a good Civil War tale and yours fits the bill. Thanks for the tantalizing titbit of action.

    And Stewie is just precious!! Very hugable :)

    Best of luck with your book.

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  4. Hi Victoria,
    I can't wait to read this one, and I'm so glad you've written another in the series! I'm not so sure about love at firt sight, but I'm a big believer in instant attraction. The first time I saw my husband was my first day at a new job. He was sitting in the supervisor's chair with his feet up on her desk, flipping rubber bands into her coffee cup. I can't say I didn't know what I was getting into!

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  5. Hi Victoria! Thanks for joining me today:)
    Love at first sight - I'm not sure it was love, but the first time I saw my husband my heart definitely did a tap dance. LOL

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  6. I think love at first sight is that feeling you just described, Jennifer...not the deep, enduring love you feel as a relationship grows, but that initial zing that makes you go, "Wow...he's the guy for me."

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  7. I do believe in love at first sight. On our first date, I felt as if I'd known my husband forever and I knew at the end of that night, as we said goodbye, that he'd be someone important to me. Sounds like an excellent story. Great excerpt.

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  8. This is a wonderful book!!!! Steve and Amanda will stay with you long after you finish the book.

    I don't believe in love at first sight, because to me love is an action, not a feeling. But I do believe in instant attraction! Great interview.

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  9. I think love grows like a flower with care and nurturing. Your book sounds terrific, Victoria.

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  10. What a cute puppy! I believe in love at first sight. I first met my husband on a blind date over thirty years ago and still love him to death!

    Love the excerpt too!

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  11. I too am a member of the love at first sight club. My husband asked me to marry him on our first date. I said no, feeling it was too soon. He asked me again three days later, and I said yes. We've been together for 31 years.

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  12. Hi Victoria,
    Great excerpt, can't wait to read the whole story. Yes, I believe in love at first sight, and not only because I like to write about such a phenomenon.

    regards

    Margaret

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  13. Victoria, wonderfully enticing and inspiring at once! Steve sounds absolutely delicious, and Mandy his perfect match. And yes yes yes to falling in love at first sight! Amongst so many moments and kinds of love to savor, first-sight is most certainly the headiest and most glittering. And I'd say the same to any writer--write the book of your heart. Ideally, the books of your heart! :) Congrats and best to you with ANGEL IN MY ARMS!

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  14. Love all your perspectives on love...isn't it wonderful how many love stories we have? :)

    Victoria

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  15. Congratulations on your release! Love the puppy. I remember when mine was that small. They grow up so fast! LOL

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  16. Love your excerpt. And I absolutely believe in love at first sight. Met my husband at a bar 1/26/79. The moment I looked into those light blue eyes I knew he was the man for me. We started dating the nest night and were married 18 months later on 6/7/80. His once dark hair is now silver, but he still has the most beautiful eyes I've ever seen and he still makes me laugh.

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  17. I'm see details of this where ever I go, these days. It's climbing up my tbr list -Best wishes

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