Welcome my friend and author Vallory Vance to my site again with her new book, "Deja Vu." Enjoy the interview, and comment with your email address to enter the giveaway :-)
1.
What 3 things
would you like readers to know about you?
I’m a mom
and feel that this is one of the greatest joys of my life – my kids are nutty,
ranging from teen to toddler. And they are the absolute funniest people I’ve
ever met!
I’m a wife
of eighteen years and for those contemplating marriage, this is work. 24 / 7,
no days off so think about this before you say I do.
I’m an HR
professional working in the Dallas / Fort Worth metroplex and the thing I try
to impart to recent grads is this – understand the statement behind your email
address! Sexxythong@email.com is not
what recruiters want to see.
2.
LOL! Such a
colorful example J Tell us about your books. Genre, titles, any favorite
characters? What can we look forward to from you in the near future? WIP’s,
upcoming releases
To date, I
have published contemporary romances within the sub-genre of interracial
romance. One of my favorite couples has been Ethan Holden and Lena Spencer of
Music for her Soul. They are finding their way back together again after a ten
month separation and the things that Ethan gives up to make this happen, make
me smile! My most recent publication, Déjà Vu, is the first installment of The
Rose Collection and begins with the story of Darcey St. Claire and Vincent
Guidry. Darcey is a little different from other romantic heroines I’ve
encountered and I’m very interested in how she’ll be received.
3.
Is there a common
thread in your books? How do your values show up in your writing? What do you
want readers to take from your writing?
I think the common thread is
that Love isn’t different. Yes, there are obstacles that we must all face, but
genetic background isn’t necessarily the biggest hurdle. Sometimes, I think my view of the world comes
from an idealistic place that centers around marriage and courtship with
someone of a different race in some of the US’s largest metropolitan areas.
Maybe if we’d fallen in love somewhere else, my experience would be different?
I don’t know. Please let me know your thoughts.
4.
What are some of
the best social media, marketing, and publicity tips you’ve come across?
This has
been so hard for me because I don’t know. I’d love to hear what other writers
have found successful. I maintain a blog, which I love and keep updated. I post
to Yahoo groups. I’m trying Goodreads. I’m putting together a proposal for a
local coffee shop to sell the print copies of my book, so it’s all up in the
air.
5.
What are some
things you know now about writing and being an author that you wish someone had
told you at the very beginning?
Great
question! I wish someone had told me that there was something besides writing
the work. Even for the indie author, there are others involved. There is the
beta reader, the editor, the proofreader, and those involved in marketing not
to mention the cover designer!
6.
Along that same
line, what are some of your favorite resources?
Yay! A
chance to give my shout outs to those who have helped me along the way:
Cover
Designer: Tatiana Vila at Vila Designs
(Also nominated for a 2012 Swirl Award for Best Cover!)
And as far
as research for character names go – Census Data! Find real names at http://www.ssa.gov/oact/babynames/
by decade and by State.
7.
Yes, I had
another author friend ask about your cover a few months ago. Fantastic job and
great resources for everyone! What lifts your spirits when you’re discouraged?
We’ve talked a bit about negative reviews. What’s the best advice you can give
an up and coming author on dealing with them?
I’m the
worst when it comes to dealing with negative reviews. In the perfect world, I
would say to glean what is constructive and use that to fine tune your next
work. However, this is an imperfect world and my professional advice is to move
on and continue to improve your craft. But as I am an imperfect person, raised
by man who categorically takes no BS, I give you his advice - call the BSers on
their BS!
8.
What tips can you
offer towards building and maintaining a strong support system as a writer?
While it may
seem that this life contains so many connected with social networks – Twitter
followers, Facebook fans and Blog followers, it is important to strengthen
those ties with those that can actually give us a hug! That’s going to be so
important in the months following publishing.
Giveaway to one
lucky commenter an ebook of Cheers, the prelude to The Rose Gold Collection
Déjà Vu Summary
Darcey St. Claire is never surprised when a
man is attracted to her. In fact, her style revolves around that assumption.
From her short skirts to her thigh-high boots to her flirty laugh, Darcey flits
along the edge of provocation to sell the overpriced services of the Hayden
Court Hotel and afford her the spot as top Sales Manager.
So the lustful looks Vincent
Guidry cast in her direction didn’t faze her. It was the feeling of déjà vu creeping up her spine that
made her run at breakneck speed away from the handsome former quarterback.
And she wouldn’t
have ever sought him out again. Not for herself. But there was someone else to
consider…
Excerpt
“Shouldn’t
you get back to Morgan? She’s probably frantic by now.”
“Since
when do you care about Morgan?” He leaned closer filling the space with the
scent she’d missed. She allowed herself one deep breath before swinging off the
couch. This wasn’t going to end well if she stayed with his hands on her bare
skin.
Walking
quickly to the bar, she deposited the glass and turned around. He had swiveled
in the chair, reclining back with his legs spread wide. “Does it bother you
thinking about what Morgan and I may have been doing while you’ve been away?”
Even in the low light, she could see his condescending grin.
“No,
Vincent. I told you. This was fun but that’s all it was.” She skated past him.
The door was so close.
So
close.
She
grasped the handle and pulled. Nothing.
“We
can have fun again, Darcey.”
Sandwiched
between his hard length and the cool glass of the door’s window, her elbow
jutted into the dense muscles of his stomach. “Oh, oh,” she moaned quietly in
time with the scrape of his nails up and down her arm.
Not
going to end well.
She
jerked the handle back again, this time with both hands. Nothing. Her head
dropped back onto her shoulders and she could see his forearm resting against
the glass.
“I
told you I wanted to talk to you.” He spoke in a low breathy whisper while the
hand that wasn’t barring her exit lifted the hair from her neck. She made
another feeble attempt to open the door and then her hands dropped heavily to
her sides.
“Did
you wear this for me? You know, I love this color on you.”
Had
the choice of the dark rose babydoll style dress been an unconscious cry for
attention from him? Gentle kisses peppering over the back of her neck sent an
electric jolt down her spine and the self-analysis came to an abrupt stop. She
stilled her body so he could continue.
“This
is what you were hoping for?” He smoothed his hands down her hips to the hem of
the dress and his nimble fingers scrunched it up to her waist.
Find me online at:
- Introducing the Women of the Rose Gold Collection - Deja Vu
- Something sweet with a little sizzle - In The Moment - 3rd Edition
- From Amira Press - Music for Her Soul
- Vallory V - A Romance Author Blog
Comments
I already have Cheers but wanted to stop by and say hi. :)
bimmergrlmd at gmail dot com