Welcome to History Undressed, good friend and fellow Scottish romance author, Victoria Roberts! I'm excited to introduce you to Victoria and her debut novel, TEMPTATION IN A KILT, the first in her Bad Boys of the Highlands series. Leave a comment for a chance to win a print copy! Enjoy!
Eliza, thank you so much for having me today. I’ve
been a huge fan of History Undressed for
some time, and I’m thrilled to be a guest!
~What was the
deciding factor for you in writing a Scottish romance?
I don’t think there was ever any question of the
genre. When I was introduced to romance novels several years ago, I fell in
love with Scotland. I think the first Scottish historical I read was one of Hannah
Howell’s and I couldn’t get enough. Between the clan conflicts, the lovely Scottish
brogue, the bonny Scottish Highlands, gigantic steeds, brawny Highlanders in
kilts wielding broadswords, I wanted to bring my love of Scotland to life in
the pages of a romance novel.
~Your
books are very well researched and true to life, but not in a way that readers
feel you're trying to teach them a history lesson. Readers get a good taste for
history and the real-life settings and only adds to the flavor of the book.
You’ve captured the essence of the Scottish culture in your characters, their language,
their clothes, their morals, actions. What is your research process like? How
do you decide what stays and what goes?
Thank you for the compliment! I think you’ll all
agree with me. Life is hard enough. I honestly don’t want to teach anyone a
lesson. I want to give readers an escape from the everyday burdens of day jobs,
raising a family, etc. Who wouldn’t like to put the kids to bed and take a
little adventure in the Scottish Highlands with a handsome laird?
As far as the research, I determine the year and the
setting and then find out everything I can about that area in that timeframe.
Whether it’s via the internet, books, clans, maps, Scottish folklore, etc., I
try my best to stay true to historical accuracy. But I do write fiction. I also
have a large support group via Celtic Hearts Romance Writers who have many
experts in historical research and the Gaelic language.
My editor once told me, “A little Scottish flare
goes a long way.” I definitely agree with that. My CP (critique partner) has an
amazing ability to keep me on track.
~What
is your favorite bit of history you learned while researching Temptation in a
Kilt?
The history of King James VI of Scotland/King James
I of England, the only son of Mary, Queen of Scots is very interesting. He was
very vocal and active in witch hunts and personally supervised the torture of
woman being accused of witchcraft. But this played more of a part in my second
book. For Temptation in a Kilt, I
think the most intriguing part was the history between the MacGregors and the
Campbells. Both clans have a long history, but I focused on their life and
struggles at Glenorchy.
~Which
scene is your favorite in the book and why?
I actually have several, but this is one of my
favorites. In this scene, Ciaran and Rosalia are speaking about Ciaran’s leman.
Ciaran broke the
silence and spoke quietly. “She means naught to me.”
A tear fell down her
cheek and she wiped it away. “It doesnae matter—truly,” she whispered.
He reached out and
gently brushed her arms. When she closed her eyes to avoid his probing gaze, he
raised her chin with his finger. He did not speak until she opened her eyes.
“It matters to me,” he said solemnly. He wiped her tears with his thumb. “I
told her we were done when I returned to Glenorchy. She wasnae pleased. I
didnae know she was there, Rosalia. She saw ye and Aisling and threw her body
upon me.”
She could not help but
smirk. “Her verra bare body, my laird.”
He paused for a moment,
a spark of some indefinable emotion in his eyes. “I didnae notice, Rosalia. All
I saw was ye,” he whispered, slowly bending his head toward her.
I don’t know what it is, but I love a strong
Highlander who is able to lower his defenses and show his love who he truly is.
I still sigh every time I read Ciaran’s last line.
~What
was the hardest scene to write? Why?
Without giving away any spoilers, the hardest scene
for me to write was when the women were taken. The original draft was very
dark. I really tortured and demeaned my characters. You’ve heard of actors
“getting into their role?” I placed myself emotionally into those scenes as a
wife, mother, etc. I’d ask myself, “What would I do if…” My editor did not want
to cut the scene, but I had to lighten it up—a lot. As a result, I had to write
and reread several times before I was comfortable and satisfied with the scene.
~What
piece of advice would you offer to writers in the historical romance genre?
Write. Write. Write. Practice makes perfect. I would
give that advice to any aspiring author.
~What
is your writing schedule like?
I try to write Monday through Friday, 1000 words/day
or I shoot for 5000/week. I really strive to meet my daily goals and give
myself the weekends off. Of course sometimes life intervenes and it doesn’t
happen the way I would like, but I think setting reasonable goals is important.
~What
writer was most inspiring to you on your career path to becoming an author?
I don’t have just one. I would have to say it’s a
mix of Lynn Kurland, Karen Marie Moning, Hannah Howell, Brenda Joyce and
Sabrina Jeffries.
~What’s
next for you?
X
Marks the Scot is the second book in the Bad Boys of the Highlands series and is
scheduled for release in February 2013. I am currently working on Book 3 in the
series.
~Is
there anything you'd like to share with readers? A question you want to pose to
them?
Books are a means of escape. Where is your favorite
escape/setting and why?
Eliza, thank you so much for having me. This has
been great fun and I’m honored to be here with you and your readers today. As a
thank you, Sourcebooks will give away copies of Temptation in a Kilt to two lucky commenters (US and Canada, only
please.)
Happy
Reading!
Victoria
www.victoriarobertsauthor.com
She’s on her way to
safety
It’s
a sign of Lady Rosalia Armstrong’s desperation that
she’s
seeking refuge in a place as rugged and challenging
as
the Scottish Highlands. She doesn’t care about
hardship
and discomfort, if only she can become master
of
her own life. Laird Ciaran MacGregor, however, is
completely
beyond her control…
He redefines dangerous…
Ciaran
MacGregor knows it’s perilous to get
embroiled
with a fiery Lowland lass, especially one as
headstrong
as Rosalia. Having made a rash promise
to
escort her all the way to Glengarry, now he’s stuck
with
her, even though she challenges his legendary
prowess
at every opportunity. When temptation
reaches
its peak, he’ll be ready to show her who he
really
is…on and off the battlefield.
Praise for Temptation in a Kilt:
“Roberts’s debut features appealing
characters and an interesting background
of ancient clan feuds and spurned lovers.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Well written, full of intrigue and a sensual,
believable romance, this book captivates
the reader immediately”
—RT Book Reviews/4 stars
ABOUT THE AUTHOR...
Victoria Roberts writes
sexy, Scottish historical romances about kilted heroes and warriors from the
past.
An avid lover of all
things Scotland—simply, she writes what she loves to read. Prior to ever
picking up a single romance novel, she penned her first young-adult novella
(never published) at sixteen years old. Who knew her leather studded motorcycle
hero would trade in his ride and emerge as a kilt donning Highlander wielding a
broadsword?
Victoria lives in western
Pennsylvania with her husband of nineteen years and their two beautiful
children—not to mention one spoiled dog. When she is not plotting her next
Scottish romp, she enjoys reading, nature and antiques.
