https://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2024/11/nbtm-tour-on-this-christmas-i-thee-wed.html
The author will be awarding a digital copy of A Lilli By Any Other Name to a randomly drawn winner.
Author Interview: Virginia Barlow
1. How did you choose your genre? What made you write this book?
I enjoy writing historical romances very much. Although I have written other genres, historical is my one true love. I wrote this book as a fun twist on the groom leaving the bride at the altar. Arranged marriages and marriages of convenience are fun tropes to use, and I had a good time writing On This Christmas I Thee Wed.
2. Writers write what they know, and must observe the world. Are you a firstborn, middle or last child and how does this shape your view of the world?
I am the third child of a family of ten children. So, I am more of a higher-class middle child. LOL Coming from such a large family has shaped my views on poverty, sharing, understanding others’ needs, and making do with circumstances. I feel responsible for my younger siblings and look up to the older two, and somehow it all makes sense.
3. Where is your favorite place to write?
My favorite place to write is my office. It is pale pink and has roses climbing a trellis. On a shelf, I have a pumpkin, a glass slipper, and a Beauty and the Beast rose. I love my creative space. It is my second favorite place to be. The first is, of course, being with my husband.
4. How do you feel about killing your darlings, and what do you do with the remains?
Sometimes, you have to kill your darlings to create the right amount of tension in the story. As for the remains, sometimes they are reincarnated, sometimes they serve a lesson, and sometimes they are just rewards for the character’s life.
5. You are introduced to your favorite author. Who is it, and what is that one burning question you must ask them?
Julie Garwood has and always will be my favorite author. If I had an interview with her, I would ask about her research and how she came up with her story ideas. Her older stories feature very alpha males who are often quite arrogant, but they have a soft spot for the heroine who is quite charming. I enjoy her storytelling very much.
6. Inquiring minds want to know…tell readers something about you that no one knows.
I served as a volunteer EMT for eight years. I was a lieutenant in the local fire department and when I quit, I was an EMT Intermediate Advanced which at the time was one step below being a paramedic.
7. You are stranded on a deserted island with only a backpack for company. What three items are in your survival pack?
The three items in my backpack would be water, a Costco size box of protein bars, and a good book. A very fat one titled Being Stranded On a Deserted Island For Dummies.
8. If you could have one superpower in your existence, what would it be?
The one superpower I would have would be teleporting because I could be in all the places I needed to be at once.
9. Favorite snack?
My favorite snack is a veggie tray because I feel like I’ve grazed on something healthy when I am done and I don’t have any of the sick feeling sweets and chips bring.
10. Indy 500 – Do you know how to get where you’re going or do you drive the speed limit?
I tend to get where I am going, and slow drivers test my patience. LOL
ON THIS CHRISTMAS I THEE WED
Virginia Barlow
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GENRE: Holiday Historical Romance
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BLURB:
Bartered to Viscount Hudson Becker by her father, Lady Lavinia Holbrook escapes her arranged marriage and travels to her Godmother, the Duchess of Chauncy to seek asylum. Determined to put men and marriage behind her, she is unprepared for the duke’s interest or his heated kisses. The Duke of Chauncy believes love is a weakness and refuses to take a bride despite his mother’s scheming. When the duchess makes a wager he will marry by Christmas, he considers the matter a lark. Until Lavinia gets under his skin, and he rethinks his position on love and happy ever afters.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Excerpt:
She nodded to soothe his anger before answering him. “I wager ten thousand pounds you will be wed by Christmas. I will have Cecil hold the money.”
His glare could have melted solid stone. “And if I refuse to take this wager? I will not marry, Mother. That is my final answer.”
She shrugged. “If you are so insecure in your conviction, you do not wish to place a paltry ten thousand-pound wager. It is just as well. I would have won without much effort, anyway.”
He leaned back in his chair and stared at her. “You forget for a wedding to be legally binding, both parties must consent to certain terms. And since I have no such intention, I will accept your wager and give Cecil my money to hold, as well. But rest assured, you will not be the victor. “He rose to his feet and threw his napkin on his empty plate.
“Your Graces, Lady Lavinia Holbrook and Lady Victoria Beaumont.” Cecil stepped aside and allowed the two women to enter the room.
Lavinia wore a pale blue muslin day gown that drew out the unusual shade of her eyes. Her curly blonde hair was plaited and tied behind her back with a matching ribbon. She strolled into the room beside Lady Victoria dressed in an emerald-green muslin gown with her fiery red hair in a similar plait. They were stunning. Arabella shot a discreet glance at her son. He stood as if turned to stone with his gaze on Lavinia.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Virginia Barlow has been a dreamer her whole life. She loves reading, traveling, and roses. She will dive headfirst into any romance she can get her hands on in any genre. Although her first love is Regency Romance and always will be. Something about the era calls to her soul like a siren’s song rising from the depths.
She loves to write steamy romances whether fantasy, historical, or contemporary, all are liberally spiced with adventure and sensual, seductive heroes. Her heroines are just as compelling with equal parts intelligence, sass, and backbone. They give as good as they get whether saving their man’s life or responding to his heated kisses, they’re all in.
The most important thing in Virginia’s life is her family, and spending time with them. When she is not bouncing a grandbaby in her arms or handing out popsicles, she is writing and dreaming up her next love story. Virginia has published fifteen romance novels with another two on the way and has half a dozen more circling around inside her head eager to make their debut.
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19838312.Virginia_Barlow
https://www.virginia-barlow.com/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/3046288755596817/
https://www.instagram.com/virginia.barlow/
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank you so much for hosting today.
It’s a pleasure to have you here Virginia! Congratulations on this exciting release!