Today I am interviewing Historical Romance author, Collette Cameron. I've only known Collette for about six
months, but in that time she has bowled me over with her sweet and
caring personality. Not only that, she has the most amazingly decorated "shabby-chic" writing space that
absolutely matches her and the Historicals she loves to write (see pics below in the About Collette section).Today Collette is talking about her new release, Highlander's Hope, now available from Soul Mate Publishing and most booksellers on the web.
Blurb
She was an independent heiress, disdainful of marriage.He was the nobleman who vowed to make her his own.
Not a day has gone by that Ewan McTavish, the Viscount Sethwick, hasn’t dreamed of the beauty he danced with two years ago. He’s determined to win her heart and make her his own.
Heiress, Yvette Stapleton, is certain of one thing; marriage is risky and, therefore, to be avoided. At first, she doesn’t recognize the dangerously handsome man who rescues her from assailants on London’s docks, but Lord Sethwick’s passionate kisses soon have her reconsidering her cynical views on matrimony.
On a mission to stop a War Office traitor, Ewan draws Yvette into deadly international intrigue. To protect her, he exploits Scottish law, declaring her his lawful wife—without benefit of a ceremony. Yvette is furious upon discovering the irregular marriage is legally binding, though she never said, “I do.” Will Ewan’s manipulation cost him her new found love?
Interview
What are your roots?
I'm from a small town along the northern Oregon coast. I still love the beach—especially walking
along the shore in the early morning hours and hearing the call of the seagulls
overhead. I like the pounding waves and
billowing wind of a winter storm too—as long as I’m snuggled up inside with a
cup of piping hot coffee or tea and a good book to read. Oh, and a few fresh-baked chocolate chip
cookies.
Has your own family story impacted your writing
at all?
at all?
There are a few tidbits of my family story interspersed
throughout my books. I had a cousin I was extremely close to. We were best
friends our entire lives until she died of brain cancer. Yvette, the heroine in Highlander’s Hope,
has a cousin, Vangie, she’s best friends with. I’ve used a few family names for
characters, mostly middle names, and there’s a fire in my third story. I lost
my grandparents and a foster brother in two separate house fires, both of suspicious
origins. I name a character in my second book the same name as my puppy, and I
have a dachshund named Kiki in my third book to commemorate a favorite pet that
died last October after I fed her a dog treat that contained tainted chicken
jerky.
How do you describe yourself as a writer?
I’ve changed my writing style since I began
writing two years ago. In the beginning, I just sat down and wrote whatever
came to mind. There was a lot of unnecessary back story, flashbacks, and irrelevant
scenes. I tended to be wordy too. And talk about flowery prose. The adverbs and adjectives I cut—sometimes
two or three in a single sentence. Ugh
I still am more of a linear pantser (Borrowed that term from
you Maggie!) than a plotter, but now I complete a Goal, Motivation, and
Conflict table for my hero and heroine. I also fill out a questionnaire for
each of them. It’s over 50 questions, but it really helps me develop them as a
character by completing it. I make a list of basic plot points and important
details and facts I want to include in the story.
I tried sitting down and creating an entire outline for my current
WIP. It didn’t work for me because my stories write themselves as I go along.
My characters take me places I didn’t know I was going and introduce me to
concepts I hadn’t expected. Just this
morning while taking the dogs out I had an insight on the scene I’m
writing. The doxie’s came in, and I
added the new bit. I love the sudden inspirations that come from out of
nowhere.
It’s ironic that, as a writer, I’m more of a
“fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants” kind of person; because in all other areas of
my life, I am a highly organized planner. Maybe writing is how I express the
carefree me.
I’ve only written Regency so far, but I think there’s
something magical about creating a story and developing characters based on an
authentic time period. I can tap into the history, culture, and customs as if
they occurred yesterday. The Regency era was a tumultuous time, a time of
tremendous transition and change, and it appeals to the historian and romantic
in me.
I think the Regency era (Georgian and Victorian too) tap into
the romantic gene that most women have. I liken it to when girls are little,
many of them dream of being princesses.
Regency lets us grown up girls be a “princess” in our imaginations for a
brief moment in time.
Why was it important for you to write this particular novel?
Highlander’s Hope is my debut novel. The whole concept of
writing a book was overwhelming to me. Add the steep learning curve necessary
to get acquainted with the industry, and I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to do
it; to write a novel, and then actually get it published.
The sense of exaltation I felt when I typed “The End” is
something I’ll never forget. Never mind that it wasn’t really the end. There
were months of rewriting, editing, and polishing ahead of me. Still, I proved to myself I could write a
book. It was the beginning of a new adventure
for me. I’m middle-aged and I do see
myself writing for the rest of my life.
What was hard for you in writing this novel?
Having to cut half of the original manuscript was a
nightmare . The novel I finished had 156,000 words. (All those adverbs and adjectives, you know.) The
published novel will be approximately 83,000 words.
I jumped in and started writing Highlander’s Hope before I knew what I was doing. My writing
was too flowery, too wordy, point-of-view was all over the place, and back flashes? Let’s
not even go there. We’ll never get back here—
I’m much more ruthless now with cutting. One of my critique partners is fabulous at
pointing out my flowery prose and suggesting cuts. She’s my writing equivalent
to a personal trainer, but instead of making me do another set of sit ups, she
makes me cut words and phrases. And yes
it’s hard sometimes, and a whine a bit about it, but if it will strengthen my
story I’ll do it.
Are there themes that recur in your work?
Dogs, birds, flowers, blue roses in this trilogy, and my
quirky sense of humor. I always have a
subtle inspirational theme too. With the expected external and internal
conflict and dark moments, I want my hero and heroine to be people of strong moral
character.
What are you working on now?
I’ve started the third book in my Blue Rose Series, The
Earl’s Enticement. The second book, The
Viscount’s Vow will be coming from Soul Mate Publishing too.
What would you like to write in the future?
I have a six book highland saga that I’m anxious to
start. I’m toying with a historical
paranormal trilogy, and I even have an idea for a couple of contemporary
romances. I think before I do any of
those though, I’ll have to write a stand-alone novel. That story I
actually know from beginning to end.
If you had to give one piece of advice to women who are
searching for something more in their relationships, what would it be?
Well, after thirty years of marriage, I can honestly say
you can’t rely on someone else to make you happy. They can only enhance your
happiness and give your life a deeper dimension of meaning. So, don’t focus on
what you don’t like about yourself or your circumstances, or even your
relationship. Instead, embrace the good, what you do like, what is working—
And ignore the little stuff. It really doesn’t matter.
Excerpt
Peeking at him from beneath her lashes, she reached up to straighten her bonnet. It hung askew off the side of her head, like a giant drooping peony. She shoved it back into place but the moment she removed her hand, it flopped over once more.The stranger's unrestrained laughter filled the carriage.
“Oh, bother it all.” Yvette’s patience with both her rescuer and the silly bonnet were at an end. She had no choice but to remove the dratted thing to reaffix it. Several strands of hair tumbled to her shoulders when she removed the cap from her head. Suppressing a shriek of annoyance, she placed the hat beside her. She then set about securing the wayward curls. Pinning the last strand in place, her eyes met those of her companion.
Momentarily forgetting her unanswered questions, she stilled, as did the world around her. The air hung suspended in her lungs. Her eyes widened in disbelief, her stunned gaze riveted on his face. “You exist?” Her voice was husky with awe.
Raising an ebony eyebrow, a flicker of humor softened the nobleman’s features. “So it would appear.”
A voice, deep and dark, caressed Yvette’s heightened senses. She stared. Her gaze roved across his handsome features returning, as if compelled by some unseen force, to his eyes.
Those eyes. Fringed by thick lashes, the mesmerizing turquoise pools gazing back at her sent her senses reeling in recognition. Her mouth dropped open. No, it couldn’t be.
“Am I dreaming?” Giving a quick shake of her head, she lowered her eyelids for a moment. Lud, but she was befuddled. "Who are you?
My Review
This book surprised me on several levels. Though it takes an approach that appears
typical for many historical romances these days—Scottish Hero, Regency
Historical, and Virgin Heroine— nothing is completely as it seems.
This very independent heroine is escaping a determined and violent suitor, and
she has had persistent and sensual dreams of the hero for years. Both of these
elements play into a nice mystery plot for the reader to unravel. Bravo to author Collette Cameron for carrying
this off.
There is a lot to love about this book. The descriptions provide good detail about
the era, the dress, and the landscape through the heroine’s eyes. This helps
build a welcome and expansive picture in the readers mind. The addition of the
mystery plot adds a wonderful twist to villain Edgar’s motivations, while
providing plenty of external tension to keep the reader turning the pages. From the midpoint of the novel to the end, I
couldn’t put it down wondering who would die and how the HEA would be
fashioned. I stayed up way past my usual 1am to 2am time and dearly paid in
lost sleep the next day. But it was worth it!
What makes this book really work, however, are the
characterizations Ms. Cameron provides throughout her story, including
secondary characters like the caustic Mrs. Pettigrove and the many individual
men who are loyal to the hero and both teasing and protective toward the
heroine. Most of all I fell in love with
the hero and heroine, in all their complexity. From silly missteps to serious
consequences, and from individual insecurities to assured self-confidence, I
willingly went on their relationship journey with them.
The heroine, American Yvette Stapleton, is independent and
prepared. Not only is she well-educated and speaks several languages, but she
is also physically prepared to fend off rogues and ruffians with a combination
of knives, guns, and her martial arts training.
That is definitely unusual for a Regency novel and the way the author
introduces and uses these skills throughout the novel is excellent. The hero, Scottish Lord Ewan McTavish, is the
perfect combination of Regency Lord and bad boy rogue. I fell in love with Ewan from their first
meeting and was pulling for Yvette and Ewan to get together permanently. Learning,
along with the heroine, exactly who Ewan is and why she has dreamed of him all
these years is a journey well worth taking.
This is not your average love story, nor your average hero
and heroine. The characters’ flaws offer many opportunities for smiles and
giggles, as well as a tear or two for lost opportunities. The love story builds on strong independence
for each character, as well as intelligence and loyalty to family. This book
stands up to the publisher’s moniker. Yvette and Ewan are definitely soul mates.
This book was time well-spent as I followed this couple on their journey of building
trust, discovering loyalty, and finding friendship. In the end, all of these
qualities ensured a fulfilling forever love.
About Collette
A life-long Oregonian, Collette Cameron was born and raised in a small town along the northern Oregon coast. Today she makes her home in a rural community, 30 minutes west of Portland. Her Victorian farmhouse sits on a one-acre certified wildlife habit, interspersed with a plethora of gardens: English, rose, butterfly, rock, water, and of course, vegetable.A voracious reader of romance since her teens, she even named her daughter after a heroine in her favorite romance novel. An enthusiast of times gone by, and anything related to romance, she writes Historical Romance, with a dash of inspiration, a pinch of humor, and a liberal portion of suspense.
Having dabbled in interior decorating in her youth, Collette returned to school, graduating summa cum laude from Oregon State University, and going on to obtain her Master’s Degree in Teaching. She is member of Romance Writers of America, Rose City Romance Writers, The Beau Monde, and Love Faith and Hope, Inc.
Some of Collette’s favorite things include unique blends of coffees and teas, Cadbury Milk Chocolate, inspirational quotes, and scented candles. Her Christian faith, husband, three adult children, and five miniature dachshunds round out her life quite nicely! When she’s not teaching or writing, she enjoys amateur photography, bird watching, gardening, interior decorating, rock-hunting, boating or fishing on the Columbia River, and reading.
Contact Collette on the Web: Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Google+ | Linked-In | GoodReads | SoulMate Author Page | Pinterest
* * * Giveaway * * *
Collette will be awarding a gift basket that includes a gift card, blue rose tea cup, blue rose soap, vintage looking cameo pendant, shortbread, tea, and other yummy goodies to a randomly drawn commenter during the tours.
Follow the Rest of the Tour
I am the first stop on this tour, so you have lots of chances to follow the rest of the tour and get to know Collette better. Also the more places you visit and comment, the better your chance at winning her wonderful gift basket.
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5/20/2013 Maggie's Meanderings 5/20/2013 SECOND STOP Book 'Em North Carolina 5/27/2013 Christine Young Romance Writer 6/3/2013 Sharing Links and Wisdom 6/10/2013 Andi's Book Reviews 6/17/2013 JM Stewart, Contemporary Romance Author 6/24/2013 Samantha Holt 7/1/2013 Bunny's Review 7/8/2013 Krystal Shannan - Where Love and Destiny Collide 7/15/2013 Jianne Carlo 7/22/2013 Musings From An Addicted Reader 7/29/2013 Straight from the Library 8/5/2013 Romantic Historical Lovers |
