A new Historical Romance from debut author Vicky Dreiling
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| How to Marry a Duke By: Vicky Dreiling Published By: Forever Released: January 2011 |
BLURB:
Tristan, the Duke of Shelbourne is a man with a mission: find a wife he can tolerate as long as they both shall live. No love is necessary—nor desired. But how to choose amid a dizzying array of wealthy-yet-witless candidates? Hire London’s infamously prim and proper matchmaker. Then pretend she’s not the most captivating woman he’s ever met...
Helping a devilish Duke create a contest to pick his perfect mate is the kind of challenge Tessa Mansfield relishes. Her methods may be scandalous, but she’s determined to find the notorious bachelor more than a wife—she’ll bring him true love. Yet when Tessa watches the women vie for the Duke’s affections, she longs to win his heart herself. And after a stolen kiss confirms Tristan’s desire, Tessa knows she has broken a matchmaker’s number one rule: never fall in love with the groom.
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*squee* I'm so happy to say that Vicky Dreiling has taken the time to answer a few questions for us...
Ali: Vicky, welcome to Simply Ali and CONGRATULATIONS on your fabulous debut release of How to Marry a Duke! I'm so glad I got to meet you this past weekend during your book signing at Katy Budget Books :) You're so awesome and sweet, that even without the fact that I'm currently in the middle of and loving How to Marry a Duke, I'm already a fan for life ;)
Vicky Dreiling: Ali, thanks so much for stopping by my book signing at Katy Budget Books. It was great getting to meet you in person!
Ali: I loved meeting Tristan in the first scene and watching the girls try to get his attention, lol... I think from there, I just feel harder for Tristan. Tristan makes a perfect hero and I just love him for Tessa. For you, what makes a great hero?
Vicky: I love drop-dead gorgeous rakes who have a dry sense of humor and are a bit cynical about life. As readers, we anticipate that these alpha heroes will undergo an extraordinary transformation during their journey with the heroine. At the same time, however, a hero must have positive characteristics that demonstrate the hero has a core sense of honor. In HOW TO MARRY A DUKE, Tristan’s greatest strengths are his sense of duty and honor. But these same characteristics are also his greatest weaknesses. As his forbidden attraction for Tessa grows, he gradually realizes that there are shades of gray to the meaning of honor and that following his heart trumps duty.
Ali: What draws you to writing Historical Romance?
Vicky: I bought my first romance by accident in the supermarket. I saw a paperback with a beautiful cover and the words New York Times Bestseller emblazoned across the top. On a whim, I picked it up and tossed it into my basket. I didn’t know it was a romance until I got home and started reading. That book was Judith McNaught’s ALMOST HEAVEN. I couldn’t put the book down and have been hooked on historical romance ever since then.
Ali: I'm happy to see that you already have an upcoming release this July, How to Seduce a Scoundrel (I just LURVE this title, hehe)! Will this be in the same setting as How to Marry a Duke or will we be introduced to new characters?
Vicky: HOW TO SEDUCE A SCOUNDREL will be on the shelves in July 2011 and features two characters from HOW TO MARRY A DUKE. Tristan’s best friend and sister are the stars. Hawk, the charming rogue, reluctantly agrees to act as spunky Julianne’s unofficial guardian for the season. He’s certain she’ll pose no trouble at all. J I love the cover!
Ali: Now for the question that makes my mouth water and has me headed to the nearest sweet shop... what's your favorite dessert? ;)
Vicky: I used to travel frequently to London for business and always ordered scones with clotted cream. Yum!
Ali: Vicky, thanks for taking the time out to answer some questions and many happy sales to you!
Vicky: Thank you so much for featuring HOW TO MARRY A DUKE on your blog!
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Here's a peek at Vicky Dreiling upcoming release, How To Seduce a Scoundrel... both a hot cover and title ;)...
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Hachette Books and the author have generously offered THREE of you your very own copy of How to Marry a Duke
Leave a comment WITH YOUR EMAIL to enter. Leave a comment letting me know what question you'd like to ask Vicky Dreiling.
- Open to US and Canadian residents. NO PO BOXES.
- You don't have to be a follower, but you'll get an extra entry if you are! Let me know in the comment if you're a follower.
- Only one prize will be sent per household.
- Drawing ends February 5th, midnight CST time.
- Winners will be notified by email and will have 72 hours to respond before I draw another winner. Please check your spam folder as winning notices get lost sometimes :)
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BONUS ~ BONUS ~ BONUS
I have an extra signed copy of How to Marry a Duke by Vicky Dreiling that I bought at the signing... this will be sent out by me and is OPEN INTERNATIONALLY :)
Read an excerpt of How to Marry a Duke on Vicky's website here and let me know what you thought of it. Leave the comment WITH YOUR EMAIL to enter.
- Open INTERNATIONALLY. NO PO BOXES.
- You don't have to be a follower, but you'll get an extra entry if you are! Let me know in the comment if you're a follower.
- Drawing ends February 5th, midnight CST time.
- Winners will be notified by email and will have 72 hours to respond before I draw another winner. Please check your spam folder as winning notices get lost sometimes :)
24 comments:
I loved the excerpt! I can't wait to read this book.
I would love to know what Vicky has to have on her desk while writing? Is there something that just has to be there that helps her concentrate? Even if it's just a cup of coffee...
miztik_rose@yahoo.com
I'm an old follower.
How did you get started writing romances. I am always curious of the road that brings a writer to authorship.
Can't wait to read this book.
jwalker711@gmail.com
I cannot wait to read this series and reading that except only makes me want to read it more. I love the "bachelor" premise. Thanks for the giveaway. I just can't enough how much I want to read this. It looks so good.
iqb99@yahoo.com
Blog follower
I've been curious how authors who write historical-romances, especially in the Regency or there about periods, how they choose names.
Especially names for that era. I imagine that is tricky.
I'm a follower
Raonaid (at) gmail (Dot) com
Congrats on your debut release, Vicky. What genres do you read and who are some of your favorite authors?
I'm a GFC follower.
janie1215 AT excite DOT Com
Vicki, what kind of research did you have to do on your book... research about the regency period specific things?
Please enter me in the giveaway.
justpeachy36@yahoo.com
Hi Ali and Vicky,
I also cannot wait to read this book. I have heard so many good things about How To Marry A Duke.
Is there a genre you'd like to try Vicky ? And is this going to be a trilogy ? I am a GFC follower under Lucky47.
I loved the excerpt on Vicky's web site and absolutely loved Tristen's sense of humor.
Carol L
Lucky4750@aol.com
Hi Mary,
My desk is usually littered with papers. At the moment, the printed manuscript for How to SEDUCE A SCOUNDREL is on a tray next to my desk along with revision notes from my editor. The one thing I must have while writing is my iPOD and headphones. When I wear them, I'm immediately in the writing zone. Sort of like Pavlov's dog - LOL.
Jeannene, I started out as a reader, but the writing bug bit me very early. When I was 10, I started keeping a diary and did so through my sophmore year in college. Kids came along, and I stopped writing. But I was so hooked on romance novels, I decided to write one for grins. I might never have gotten serious if not for a friend. When I confessed my hobby, she told me she'd seen a notice for a romance writing class at a surburban branch of a local university. I signed up on the spot, and that led me to join Romance Writers of America.
Hi Danielle, thanks for your kind words and good luck in the contest.
Raonaid, every writer is different, so I can't give you a one size fits all answer to the character name question. In addition to giving them first and last names, historical writers also have to invent title names. I looked through a baby name website and asked a friend to help me. I loved Tessa and insisted on alliteration for the heroe's name. My friend chose Tristan, and I said, "Perfect." For the secondary characters, I just gave them names that fit the time period. I actually intended to change Hawk's name, but my writing friends said no. They associated his nickname with him and refused to let me change it LOL.
Thank you, Jane! Very nice of you.
Justpeachy36 (Love that by the way), I've researched the Regency time period for a number of years, and have invested quite a bit in research books. I also traveled to London frequently for business and visited period homes to get ideas of how the houses looked. Also, I took a boat trip down the Thames, which is where I came up with the idea for a scene on a barge (and yes, I had to research barges). I also have researched the mores of the time period. The bachelor plot is meant to be cheeky (pokes gentle fun at modern dating practices), but I worked hard to ensure that everything else was as historically accurate as possible. In one review, someone questioned whether so many could fit in a drawing room, but having toured them, I concluded it was possible. I did fudge a bit on space considerations during an opera scene, for the sake of plot. However, the guests are coming & going, so I felt comfortable with my decision. Hope that answers your question.
Carol L, thanks for your kind words. I write historical romance because that's what I love to read. I'm not discounting other genres in the future, but for right now, I will continue to write Regency-set historicals.
Ooops - forgot to answer Carol L's question - yes, this is a trilogy.
Jane, I primarily read Regency-set historicals and some Victorian. I also have read some Young Adult books. My favorite authors are Loretta Chase, Mary Balogh, Sarah MacLean, Sophie Jordan, Kieran Kramer, and Janet Mullany to name a few!
Great interview. I loved the excerpt. Sounds wonderful. What beautiful book covers.
I would like to ask "Who is the biggest supporter of your writing?" "What is the most interesting comment you have received from a fan?"
Crystal816{at]hotmail[dot}com
This book sounds so good can't wait to read it! I was just wondering whats next you will be writing about? everything else was asked I wanted to know :) Great giveaway Thank you so much for the chance !Im a GFC follower too.
tishajean@charter.net
Hi Vicky,
Since you were inspired by a cover, do you get to say what kind of cover goes on your books?
I'm a GFC follower, so I would love to win the book!
headlessfowl at gmail dot com
I like the humor in the excerpt. :)
I'm a GFC follower!
headlessfowl at gmail dot com
I'm wondering if there was a particular reason that Tristan wants to wed at this time.
I am a GFC follower
I read the excerpt and it's a fun first meeting between the hero and heroine.
mce1011 AT aol DOT com
I can't wait to read it!
The question I would as would be: Why romance novels? There are so many other genres, mystery sci-fi, etc. Why romance?
Tricia.perau@gmail.com
oh and I'm a follower too!
tricia.perau@gmail.com
This sounds like a good one!
justforswag(AT)yahoo(DOT)com
Thanks so much for the contest!! the book sounds so great!!
How does Vicky come up with names for her characters??
nicolemarielum @gmail.com
Great excerpt, whet my appetite for more! Thank you som much Ali for your generosity for including international readers too, you are awesome! :-D
+1 old and loyal follower of your blog
and I would like to ask Vicky what historical period is her favourite, or which one does she find the most intriguing/exciting and why?
Thank you :-)
stella.exlibris (at) gmail (dot) com
I follow as Renee G on GFC and would love to ask her what characteristics she has in common with her female leads.
rsgrandinetti@yahoo(dot)com
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