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| Photo credit: Dawn Biggs |
PJ here! I recently had the opportunity to do a Q & A with one of my favorite historical romance authors, Victoria Alexander. Victoria has a new holiday book out that I'm looking forward to reading. (Some of you recently won copies that should be winging their way to you soon!) It sounds like another winner from this lovely lady whose stories never fail to make me smile. Hope you enjoy the interview - and the book - and for those of you who are long-time fans, be sure to pay close attention to Victoria's response to my final question!
Hello, Victoria. Thank you for taking the time to chat with me today. You have a new holiday book, What Happens at Christmas. What can readers expect from this story?
Fun I hope! I really think we should all read for fun. And
especially at Christmas—for a good laugh or at the very least, a smile. J
What Happens at Christmas is about the widowed Lady
Lydingham, Camille, and her attempt to prompt a proposal from the perfect price
by giving him a perfect Christmas. To do that she needs a perfect family and
hers is anything but perfect. Fortunately, they're out of the country so she
replaces them with a troupe of actors. Unfortunately, they're not very good.
Even worse, her first love shows up and manages to get a part in Camille's
Christmas production. Grayson Elliott swears he only wants to help. Well, one
thing leads to another, including chaos and confusion and this will be a
Christmas no one will ever forget.
Oh, it sounds delightful!
Many of your earlier books are set in England during the Regency but this one has a Victorian setting. What draws your interest to these places and times?
Many of your earlier books are set in England during the Regency but this one has a Victorian setting. What draws your interest to these places and times?
.JPG) |
While I've written a number of books set in the Regency, my most recent books have moved into the Victorian era. What Happens at Christmas is set in 1887. I love the Regency for its manners and social customs and political climate. But a Victorian setting lets my characters get on a train and send a telegram. There's a lot to be said for progress. A late 19th century setting also opens the way for all sorts of new story lines and characters. And the clothes—especially the hats—were fabulous! I've always been a sucker for a grand hat. J
I've included a photo (at left) of a hat I won from Victoria in a charity auction several years ago. Isn't it awesome?
If you could spend Christmas anywhere in the world, where would you go and with whom?
I have always wanted to spend Christmas in Vienna. I have no
idea why. I've never been to Vienna.
It's just one of those ideas that came to mind when I was a kid and is
still there. And I'd want to be there with my kids, because family is one of
the best things about Christmas, and with my husband because he's the love of
my life and my best friend. But I'd want to spend New Year's Eve in Paris
because, well, it's Paris. J
Last year, I watched a Travel Channel program about Christmas in Vienna. It was gorgeous; straight out of a fairy tale!
The explosion of social media has opened the door between reader and author wider than ever before – with readers looking for a more personal connection with the authors whose books they enjoy. How has this “new world” impacted your life as a published author?
The explosion of social media has opened the door between reader and author wider than ever before – with readers looking for a more personal connection with the authors whose books they enjoy. How has this “new world” impacted your life as a published author?
It's made me a lot busier. I'm trying very hard to keep up
with it all and I'm focusing my efforts on facebook. I'm doing more personal
blog type stuff on my website too. And I have to confess—I'm really enjoying it.
I've learned how to do video clips at my desk so I'm starting to talk more than
just put up posts. And I'm having fun.
I also did a diy book trailer that can be seen either on my facebook page or youtube.
(or here at The Romance Dish!)
(or here at The Romance Dish!)
This took me back to my television roots and I relearned
video and audio editing. So I'll do it again.
Where can readers find you on the internet?
What’s next?
Last, because I always have to ask, any plans to write a story for Becky Shelton?
LOL! Someday I will definitely write Becky's story but right
now I'm having too much fun with the folks at Millworth Manor.
Thank you, Victoria!
Okay, readers. If you had unlimited funds and could spend Christmas anywhere in the world, where would you go and who would you take with you?
Okay, readers. If you had unlimited funds and could spend Christmas anywhere in the world, where would you go and who would you take with you?
I love Victoria's books. I'd want to spend Christmas in Italy. And I'd have to have all of my 7 kids and their families with me. It would be quite a clan .
ReplyDeleteCarol L
Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com
Sounds like a fun clan, Carol! Do you have room for one more? ;-)
DeleteI love Italy!!! I would spend any time of year in Italy!!!
DeleteChristmas means family, so I'd love to gather everyone up head to my parents. A wonderful time with family up at the coast.
ReplyDeleteIt's been a long time since my entire family was together for Christmas. That would be my dream too, Mary.
DeleteThat's the problem with going anywhere for Christmas. I love having my kids at home for Christmas.
DeleteThank you for the great interview, Victoria and PJ. I enjoy Victoria's stories because she always has a witty way with words and scenarios and she tells a wonderful love story.
ReplyDeleteIf I could go anywhere in the world for Christmas....well, I'm a homebody and love being home or my parents' for Christmas. BUT, I would like to see what Christmas Day would be like in Denmark. We have celebrated it several times in a Danish way, but more of an American-Danish way.
I'm a holiday homebody too but what fun it would be to go "back to your roots" for a Christmas celebration. You still have family in Denmark, don't you?
DeleteYes, I do have family there. Sadly, my dad only has one first cousin still living, but all of the "children" keep in touch and we usually have visitors every 3 to 5 years. I wish I had the money to return for a visit. :)
DeleteMy mother's roots would take me to Italy. My father's would take me mostly to the old west. :)
DeleteI'd love to go to Ireland or Germany. (sigh)
ReplyDeleteChristmas in Germany. I picture lots of snow, horse-drawn sleighs, hot drinks and streudel. All good things in my book! :)
DeleteEither would be amazing!
DeleteI lived in Paris for a number of years and it's a beautiful place to be at Christmas. The lights along The Champs d'Elysees are breathtaking. Our family spent Christmas in different cities in Europe each of which was delightful. However, I am a warm weather person which is why I live in southwest Florida. I've always loved to cruise the Caribbean. If I had the funds, I would love to take my sons and grandchildren on a cruise for Christmas. Of course, the little ones would miss being in their own homes for Santa and such, but I'm sure the cruise lines do special things to make up for it.
ReplyDeleteVictoria, I want you to know that I recently read and loved "What Happens at Christmas." It is a beautiful story with a strong hero and heroine. I actually sighed when I put it down. I love your novels and can't wait for your next one. Congratulations on all of your successes and all the best!
I have friends who take a family cruise every other Christmas and they all love it, kids included! I lived in southwest Florida for 20+ years but never could get used to a warm Christmas. The rest of the year was great but on Christmas day I always missed the snow and cold of my childhood holidays in Michigan. I was usually over it by the 26th! LOL!
DeleteConnie--thank you!!! I'm really happy with how it turned out. But there were moments when I wondered how I was going to get these characters out of this mess. :)
DeleteMy son, bf and I would be heading for the British Isles for a month or so......LOL You did say unlimited funds right? England, Ireland, Scotland and maybe even coast on down to Australia to take a peek at the land down under.
ReplyDeleteI truly enjoyed What Happens at Christmas but that was really no surprise. :-)
LOL! Yes, Dianna, unlimited funds! Sounds like a great trip!
DeleteThank you Dianna! Yeah, that limited funds thing does tend to squash some of my grander plans. :)
DeleteI LOVE Victoria's books! As to where I'd go, I think I'd go to Scotland and take my husband and children. It's such a beautiful place, from pictures I've seen anyway. I would like to stay for a month and just go everywhere! I think I could truly fall in love with that country!
ReplyDeleteScotland is high on my bucket list. I've fallen in love with the country through so many wonderful books that I've read and photos I've seen. One of these days, I'd like to experience it in person.
DeleteThanks you, Brittany! Scotland is on my list of places to visit. But then there aren't many places in Europe that aren't. :)
DeleteOh, I'm one of the lucky ones to have won her book here and very much looking forward to reading it. I would love to either take a cruise (to anywhere) or rent a condo somewhere. Somewhere that we all (as many family members that would want to come) could get together to play games and talk and eat and enjoy!
ReplyDeleteThat sounds lovely, catslady, especially the eat and enjoy part! ;-)
DeleteCruises are such fun and the most relaxing vacations we've ever had. Probably because when you're at sea, there are no sights to see and nothing you absolutely have to do. That works for me. :)
DeleteI'd head to the UK... but just so some readers know, Ashville, NC and the Biltmore are pretty darn inspiring at the holiday season!!
ReplyDeleteI'll second your recommendation of the Biltmore. I live 90 minutes from there and have been many times. It's gorgeous but never more so than at Christmas.
DeleteI went to the Biltmore a few years ago with Stephanie Laurens and Samantha James. It was fabulous! Ya gotta love a house where the Renoir bedroom actually has a real Renoir!
DeleteI'm going to agree with everyone here about the Biltmore. I live 45 minutes from it and have visited during all the seasons. Christmas is so beautiful when all those trees are lit. :)
DeleteI would like to go to England since that is where my mother is from. It would be cool to celebrate Christmas there with my parents, daughters and their significant others and celebrate with minced pies, pasties, and carols, etc.. I would love to visit castles and English authors' museum homes.
ReplyDeleteA Charles Dickens Christmas in England would be magical. :)
DeleteI'd go to Scotland, and I'd take all my family and my closest friends.
ReplyDeleteYou can take me too!
DeleteI would like to go to Australia or New Zealand for Christmas. I would take my hubby, who is my best friend, and my brother and his family.
ReplyDeleteProbably too warm for me for Christmas but we are hoping to make it to Australia in the next few years.
Delete*waving madly* Hi, Victoria!! Congrats on the new release!! Love the interview...especially this part:
ReplyDelete"Someday I will definitely write Becky's story but right now I'm having too much fun with the folks at Millworth Manor."
Squeeeeee! There is hope!! LOL!
There's always hope! I definitely haven't written Becky off. Someday . . . :)
ReplyDeleteI would start in England and end up in Scotland and hit everywhere in between. I'd have to take someone who loves medieval stuff as much as I do for them to enjoy it as much as me. Couldn't very well drag my DH with me as it would bore him senseless. I guess I could leave him to do his own thing while I roamed around out of the way castle ruins and battle fields.
ReplyDeletei'll take my book club girls anywhere with snow!! probably to south korea, since we're currently on south korean movies fever :D
ReplyDeleteI recently read Victoria's Effington Family & Friends series - I was sad to come to the end.
ReplyDeleteIf I could go anywhere for Christmas (and bring my whole family) it would be to a castle or great-house in England or Ireland - I'd love to experience a very old fashioned, traditional Christmas