Interview with Author Valerie Bowman and Giveaway

Today I am happy to welcome debut author Valerie Bowman to RFTC. Valerie is celebrating the recent release of her book Secrets of a Wedding Night and has stopped by to answer a few questions. Before I share the interview with you all, let's get to know a bit about Valerie.

Valerie Bowman grew up in Illinois with six sisters (she’s the youngest) and a huge supply of historical romance novels. After a cold and snowy stint earning a degree in English at Smith College, she moved to Florida the first chance she got. She now lives in Jacksonville with her two rascally dogs. When she’s not writing, she keeps busy reading, traveling, or vacillating between watching crazy reality TV and PBS. Valerie loves to hear from readers.

Places to find Valerie:

| Site | Blog | Facebook | Twitter |

First off, can you tell us a bit about you?
Sure! I grew up in Illinois, the youngest of seven sisters —yes, ALL girls—went to college in Massachusetts where I majored in English and minored in history, and now live in Florida with my two dogs who are prominently featured on my Facebook page. I'm scared of spiders, I adore cake, and I watch only two television shows, Hoarders and Downton Abbey. I know, weirdly different, huh?

Did you always want to be a writer?
Yes. I wrote my first 'book' in Kindergarten. It was called The Three Little Chickens. One of the chickens worked at KFC and almost got cooked. Ah, the drama. I wrote some short stories when I was a pre-teen and I tried my hand at writing my first book in the 8th grade. I got about half way through. I didn't get serious about creative writing again until 2007. I still have The Three Little Chickens. ; )

What kind of writer are you? Panster or Plotter?
I'm a plotter. I find that if I can get the basic plot elements down before I begin, the rest is just a matter of typing quickly.

Where do your ideas come from?
Anywhere and everywhere really. When I wrote my debut novel, SECRETS OF A WEDDING NIGHT, I actually came up with the title first (it just came to me one night) and I brainstormed a plot that would go with that title. I often get ideas when I'm driving or while I'm sleeping. I have to wake up and quickly jot them down before I forget.

A la Twitter style, can you describe your book (or series) in 140 characters or less.
Lily is rumored to have written a scandalous pamphlet. Secrets of a Wedding Night has scared the ton’s young ladies from the marriage mart. Recently jilted Devon issues her a challenge: write a retraction or prepare to be seduced!

What are some of your favorite kinds of stories to read?
I love anything historical especially romance, but I also love true crime. Go figure!

Do you have a favorite book and if so what is it?
All of Judith McNaught's Regencies are favorites of mine, especially Once and Always.

What are the scenes that are the hardest for you to write?
Any scene that begs for description is the hardest for me to write. Like if I'm describing a country home or a ballgown. Those details are in my head but I find it difficult to put them on paper adequately. The easiest for me is dialogue. Love, love, love it!

If you could have dinner with any three authors, who would you choose and why?
Ooh, this is a tough one to answer but I'd have to say, Jane Austen, Georgette Heyer and Lisa Kleypas. How fun would that be! I'd love to get their different perspectives on the evolution of the Regency romance novel. Though I suspect I would spend the entire evening asking Jane Austen overly personal questions about life in the early 1800's.

Last question, are you working on anything right now?
Yes! I just finished the manuscript for book three of my Secret Brides trilogy and am working on two related novellas and a new trilogy. The new trilogy is based on fun romp plays which are my absolutely favorites! Stay tuned!

Thank you so much for having me!

HOW TO STOP A WEDDING

Young, widowed, and penniless, Lily Andrews, the Countess of Merrill,has strong opinions on marriage. When she spots a certain engagement announcement in The Times, she decides to take action. She will not allow another hapless girlto fall prey to a man—particularly the scoundrel who broke her heart five years ago. Anonymously she writes and distributes a pamphlet entitled “Secrets of a Wedding Night,” knowing it will find its way into his intended’s innocent hands…

HOW TO SEDUCE A WIDOW

Devon Morgan, the Marquis of Colton, desires a good wife and mother to his son—someone completely unlike Lily Andrews, the heartless beauty who led him on a merry chase five years ago only to reject him. When Devon’s new fiancé cries off after reading a certain scandalous pamphlet, he vows to track down the author and make her pay. But when he learns it’s his former fiancé Lily, he issues a challenge: write a retraction or prepare to be seduced—to find out how wonderful a wedding night can be…

Purchase: | Amazon | Kindle | Barnes & Noble | The Book Depository |

Check out the Secret Brides trilogy:

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1 lucky winner will win themselves a copy of  Secrets of a Wedding Night

To Enter:

• Leave a comment answering the question: If you were going to write the story of your life, what would the title be?
• Fill out the Rafflecopter form below.
• International Shipping Available

Good Luck =)

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