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Saturday, January 18, 2014

Interview with Author Vanessa Kelly and Giveaway


Vanessa Kelly is an award-winning author who was named by Booklist, the review journal of the American Library Association, as one of the "New Stars of Historical Romance." Her sensual, Regency-set historical romances have been nominated for awards in a number of contests, and her second book, Sex and The Single Earl, won the prestigious Maggie Medallion for Best Historical Romance. Vanessa's next series, The Renegade Royals, is due to hit the shelves on Nov. 26 with Lost in a Royal Kiss. Book one in the series, Secrets for Seducing a Royal Bodyguard, will release in January, 2014.

Find Vanessa at:

First off, can you tell us a bit about you?
Hi, Dani! Thanks for having me on today! For readers who don’t know me, I write award-winning, Regency-set historical romance for Kensington, and I also write USA Today bestselling contemporary romance and romantic suspense with my husband, under the pen name of VK Sykes.

A la Twitter style, please describe your book (or series) in 140 characters or less.
The Renegade Royals: bad-ass spies, soldiers, and high-stakes gamblers who are all the illegitimate sons of England’s royal princes. Mayhem, adventure, and romance guaranteed.

What types of scenes are your most favorite to write?
I enjoy writing dialogue between the hero and heroine. I LOVE it when they talk to each other—whether they’re arguing, laughing together, or trying to figure out how to get out of whatever trouble they’re in. When I’m writing dialogue, I find I can easily slip into my characters’ heads and really move the story forward.

What are the things that influence you the most as a writer?
I get a lot of inspiration from other books, especially history, biography, romantic suspense, and historical mystery. I tend not to read any other historical romances when I’m writing a first draft, because I don’t want another romance writer’s voice creeping into my head. I’m also really influenced by movies and TV shows, especially in terms of thinking through high concepts.

What are some of your favorite characteristics to find in a hero?
I like smart heroes, guys who are as good with their brains as they are with their bodies. Heroes who like words, even though they might be the strong, silent type by choice. I do like alpha heroes, but I want them to have a solid core of compassion and kindness—even the bad-boys. My heroes tend to usually want to do the right thing.

Tell me, is there anything that we would be surprised to learn about you?
Probably that I write romance with my hubby, which I mentioned in question one. And, perhaps, that I used to work in professional theatre? I worked behind the scenes, but I met a lot of interesting actors and stage people over the years, from Avery Brooks, who played Capt. Sisko on Deep Space Nine (he was one of my teachers at theatre school) to John Nelson Reilly from The Ghost and Mrs. Muir.

If you could live inside any book, which one would you choose and why?
Well, since I’m a wimp, I’d probably choose a contemporary romance by either Jill Shalvis or Kristan Higgins. I wouldn’t want to live in a time without antibiotics and modern medicine. I would make one exception, however—I’d love to live in the world of the Amelia Peabody mysteries, which are primarily set in late 19th/early 20th century Egypt and England. Elizabeth Peters created the coolest world in these books!

If you could spend the day in the shoes of any of your characters, who would you choose and why?
Probably I’d like to be Justine Brightmore, the heroine of Confessions of a Royal Bridegroom, book two in The Renegade Royals. She’s smart, disciplined, and uber-competent, which I really like—kind of a Regency Mary Poppins. Plus, she gets to hook up with Griffin, one of my favorite heroes. I also love Lady Vivien Shaw, the heroine of Secrets for Seducing a Royal Bodyguard, but she has an awful family and she’s being pursued by a stalker. I’m not into that level of drama in my personal life!

If you were stranded on a desert island and could bring only three items, what would you bring and why?
My iPad with a rechargeable power source, an emergency medicine kit (see question 7), and a satellite phone. I know, I’m so boring, but being stranded on a desert island—even with a fabulous hero— has never been a fantasy for me!

Last question, are you working on anything right now?
I just finished up Tall, Dark, and Royal, the second novella in The Renegade Royals series. It’s Dominic Hunter’s story, which has been a thread throughout the earlier works. I hope readers will be pleased with how Dominic finally achieves his HEA. I’m also about to start book 3 in The Renegade Royals, and I’m also working on a new contemporary romance series for Grand Central Publishing, with my hubby.


If you could bring only one book to a deserted island, what would it be? One person who comments will win an ARC of Confessions of a Royal Bridegroom.



Accomplished spy Aden St. George prefers to stay away from the frivolous ton, especially after the way his mother was used by the Prince Regent. But his latest mission compels him to guard unconventional, vibrant Lady Vivien Shaw. Rescuing her from kidnappers was easy. Resisting her beauty is not. Duty demands he keep an eye on her—and naturally, his lips soon follow. For someone who views entanglements as a weakness, this is pure, delicious folly…

Though grateful for Aden’s help, Vivien has secrets she must keep hidden. Yet with her abductors still at large, she needs Aden’s protection almost as much as she craves his touch…

Purchase: | Amazon | Kindle | B&N | The Book Depository |


Check out the The Renegade Royals:
 


Check out what's up for grabs.

Up For Grabs:
  • 1 ARC copy of Confessions of a Royal Bridegroom

To Enter: 
  • Leave answer Vanessa's question: If you could bring only one book to a deserted island, what would it be?
  • Please fill out the Rafflecopter form.

Good Luck! 

Special thanks to Vanessa Kelly for sponsoring this giveaway.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

75 comments :

  1. Styxx by Sherrilyn Kenyon :)
    I tried to find right words to describe how I felt after reading, but for some books you can't simply words to find,you feel the story with your heart and soul,there is no need for words :)

    Thank you for the wonderful interview,I enjoyed while I was reading :)

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    1. There are books like that for me too, Bube. So amazing that they're hard to describe!

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  2. The Duchess War by Courtney Milan

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  3. The Bible. Always wanted to read it....maybe it would help.

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    1. I think the Bible could provide a lot of comfort in a situation like that, Sue!

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  4. It would have to be a huge anthology. One book just wouldn't do!

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  5. Almost any Lucky Harbor book by Jill Shalvis.

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  6. I would bring: Confessions of a Royal Bridegroom, because I haven't read it yet and I'm sure I will love it!!

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    1. Betty, that is so sweet of you! I hope you do love it!

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  7. The Nerd Who Loved Me by Vicki Lewis Thompson :) Love all of her nerd books

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    1. I must confess I've never read the Nerd Series, but I have a friend who swears by them, Cindy.

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  8. Like Kim, I would also bring a survival guide.

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  9. Oh man. I like Kim's response! I think I would need a pleasure reading book, though. So I'll go with Wizard's First Rule by Terry Goodkind. It's a book I have re-read many times and could do so many times more.

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  10. Harry Potter books <3

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  11. dummy's guide to survival :) Thanks for sharing!

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  12. Have to be the Bible

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    1. Lots of comfort and good news in that choice, Debbie Lou!

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  13. I would also have to bring a survival guide, Without it I wouldn't last more than 2 days!!

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  14. so hard..ugh..how to get off deserted island for dummies :)

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  15. That's the easiest question of all time for me: Fyodor Dostoyevsky, Crime and Punishment.

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  16. I would have my Kindle with me, since I am assuming being stranded means I would not have time to plan. So I would hope to be able to find a way to make a solar charger! Then I would be able to read until I starved! :D

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  17. I don't know, I don't think I could just pick one, I think like Vanessa I would need my tablet with my reading apps on it and a generator (solar powered or water powered). I also think that will be the only way I would read all the books I have and not be able to buy more free ones to add on to my TBR list.

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  18. The Tiger Prince or The Magnificent Rogue both by Iris Johansen. It would be tough for me to choose because I really liked all of her historical romances.

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  19. Twenty years ago, as a graduation gift, my mother bought me a beautiful edition of Shakespeare's Complete Works. This would be the book I took with me. It has everything...comedies, history, tragedies, and beautiful sonnets. I'm sure it would keep me entertained.

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    1. Good choice, Michelle! I got one of those for graduation, too. It has beautiful illustrations and is just a treat to sit down with.

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  20. I would bring Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. I won't ever get tired of Jamie Fraser

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  21. Anne Rice's Complete Vampire Chronicles. Loved the series from the moment I read the first book.
    Love the sound of this book. You had me hooked with mayhem, adventure, and romance.

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  22. I would bring pride and prejudice



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  23. Survival for Dummies - that should help me get by.

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  24. Although I would like to read something by one of my favorite authors, I would probably be better off with a book on how to build a boat.

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  25. I would bring an anthology of Jane Austen novels.

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  26. It would have to be Kathlene Woodiwiss, "Shanna"~!!!! I'll LOVE it forever!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you so much for the opportunity for a great book of yours. Connie

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  27. I have to vote for a survival guide since I can't bring a loaded Kindle and a solar charger.

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  28. Bible or survival guide or one of Christine Feehan's Carpathian books.

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  29. I would probably choose The Bride by Julie Garwood since it was my first romance novel and I still enjoy it.

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  30. I would probably bring Ransom by Julie Garwood. It has a special place in my heart since it was the book that first got me into historical romance. :)

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  31. I would bring The Wedding by Julie Garwood.

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  32. There is absolutely no way I could choose just one book to read over and over again, I can never choose a favorite, it's just too hard. I love just about every book I read and there are so many out there I haven't read yet that I don't ever read books over again. So yeah, someone else's suggestion of a survival guide sounds perfect. :D

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  33. Well, I suspect you would rather have an answer different than THE BIBLE. That would be the first book choice, because it has a bit of everything in it -- history, poetry, love stories, etc. -- and it would be a comfort on a deserted island.
    I don't tend to re-read many books, so not sure what I would want to have to read over and over -- probably tho I'd chose a romantic suspense of some kind [maybe even a historical romantic suspense] as that genre is more my favorite.

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    1. Not at all, Donna! I think The Bible is a splendid choice for a deserted island, for all the reasons you mention.

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  34. This is a tough one since I can't even name my favorite book! It changes all the time depending on my mood. But I think that the In Death series will always be my top 3.... now if only I can figure out which one!

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  35. Vanessa that is an evil question. There are so many books I'd want to take. But if I had to chose just one I'd take Paradise by Judith McNaught.
    I just finished Secrets for Seducing a Royal Bodyguard and it was really good. I can't wait for the next one.

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    1. It is kind of evil, isn't it? So glad you liked SECRETS, Lori!

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  36. I would bring anything by Gena Showalter.
    Thanks for the chance to win!

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  37. I would bring Gentle Rogue by Johanna Lindsey. I love, love that story, and I could read about all the Malory's over and over.

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  38. A photo book! I wouldn't mind looking at pictures of my family and friends if I am to be stranded on an island

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  39. "2000 Kisses" by Christina Skye. Thanks for the chance to enter this giveaway.

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  40. I would take Saving Grace by Julie Garwood!

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  41. I'm looking forward to reading The Renegade Royal series. And even though oine book would never do I'd go for Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series.
    Carol L
    Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com

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  42. I would bring Lisa Kleypas' Hathaway series - I would take the entire bundle because I can't just pick one of the series!

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  43. Ladies, thanks so much for stopping by to chat with me - you're the best!

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  44. Probably one of my comfort reads & one that isn't too short. Big Stone Gap by Adriana Trigiani.

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  45. Hi Vanessa!

    When I was first married the first "big purchase" my husband and I made were the Great Books of the Western World and they still proudly sit in our bookcases all these years later. If I was stranded on a deserted island any one of those books would be wonderful to have with me but deciding which book would be my problem! How do you choose between Aristotle, Cervantes,Homer, Plato and Swift just to name a few?,

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  46. It would have to be Jamie, by Lori Foster. I love that book.

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  47. Thank you, Vanessa. If I were stranded on a desert island and could have only one book, it would be "How to Build a Seagoing Raft". Good luck with your projects!

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  48. Persuasion - Jane Austen. I don't even know how many times I have read and re-read that book.

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  49. Gone With the Wind--you should see how many copies I have from 1936, plus other years

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  50. Oh wow, that is a tough decision. If this was a real life situation, then definitely some sort of HOW TO books on survival. Thank you for the giveaway!

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