Dariel's Fridays with Friends Feature: Interview and Excerpt with Vallory Vance

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!)
Editor: Khriste Close
Beta Readers: Online Critique Circle
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 didnt 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 wouldnt 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.

Now available from All Romance , Amazon and Smashwords

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Comments

barbara said…
Great interview and sexy excerpt! Congrats on the release Val!

I already have Cheers but wanted to stop by and say hi. :)

bimmergrlmd at gmail dot com
Dariel Raye said…
Thanks for stopping by, Barbara :-)
Anonymous said…
Hi Barbara, thanks for stopping by!