Smitten by Books

Today I want to welcome Victoria Alexander to the blog. Victoria has been kind enough to stop by for a virtual sit down on the heels of her latest release, Desires of a Perfect Lady. I must say this is one of my favourite storylines, the reunited, star-crossed lovers. In Desires, the grievances are real and heartfelt.

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Hi Victoria, can you tell us a little about Desires of a Perfect Lady and what inspired this story?

Desires is about a woman, Olivia, who has had an awful marriage she was essentially forced into who now thinks she is at last free only to discover her late husband is still trying to own her from the grave. In order to claim her inheritance she has to complete three of his collections. To do that, she is forced to turn to the man who broke her heart. I think it’s also about betrayal and forgiveness and growing up.

I’m fascinated by the mindset of obsessive collectors who collect for the sake of ownership. I don’t think that’s a trait that’s suitable for a for a main character but it works well for a villain. I also wanted to have a hero who had made a serious mistake that he needed to atone for. Sterling was wrong, he screwed up royally and now he has to work to make up for it.

I absolutely adore a lovers reunited story. What aspects of the star crossed lovers storyline appeals to you the most?

I love star crossed lovers, the whole idea that two people who were meant to be together are torn apart both by forces beyond their control and by their own flaws. I also love the prospect of second chances. Of making amends for what’s gone wrong.

Desires of a Perfect Lady is the second installment of your latest series. How fond are you of writing series? What is the easiest part of it and what is the hardest?

I like writing series and I like reading them. As a writer, I invent minor characters that often capture my imagination and then I want to explore them by giving them their own stories. Writing a series is like meeting up again with old friends.

The hardest part is keeping in mind whatever you say about a character in book one has to hold true for book two or three or whatever. However, that makes it easier in the next book because you’ve already set up the character.

Many readers complain about them and some authors go through agonies trying to avoid them—how do you avoid the saggy middles?

I really don’t think about a middle as such.  I write my books in four parts. The first and second parts set up the story and starts to push it along,. The third part has to continue that momentum until the last part where all the threads I’ve woven have to come together and be resolved.

How could Sterling not have read her letter? I have to admit I was quite angry with him for that—although, understandably not as angry as Olivia.

I was angry with him too. He didn’t read the first letter because he was devastated and heartbroken by what he thought was Olivia’s betrayal and his pride was hurt as much as anything else. He assumed the first letter was telling him what he already knew and he had no desire to read it. The second and third letters came when his father was dying and the last thing he wanted to do was think about Olivia, so he simply set them aside and forgot about them. He had moved on with his life or at least that’s what he thought.

Desires of a Perfect Lady
Author: Victoria Alexander
Publisher: Avon Books
Pub. Date: March 30, 2010
ISBN-13: 978-0061449482
384 pages

Olivia Newbury and Sterling Harrington were certain that their love would last. But neither counted on the interference of her father or the scheming of neighbors. Filled with doubt and broken promises, the two part ways, certain of the others’ betrayal. Now, ten years later, Olivia finally has the chance to live life on her own terms. She will never forgive Sterling for not coming to her rescue, but that won’t stop her from making sure he knows what he missed.

Sterling Harrington, Earl of Wyldewood, rarely questions his decisions. Finding out how wrong he was about Olivia has shaken his very foundation. Determined to make it up to her, Sterling comes to her aid–whether she likes it or not. The pair form a reluctant team as the search for answers that put their very lives in danger. But once they unravel the mystery, will they go their separate ways? Or will they take this second chance at a love that was meant to be forever.

Can you tell us anything about the next book in this series and when we can expect to get our hands on it?

It’s Sterling’s brother Quint’s story and continues the search for the lost city of Ambropia. But, honestly, at this point I have no idea when it will get written. I’m currently working on a book called The Perfect Mistress about a widow who inherits the scandalous memoirs of her great-grandmother and decides to sell them because she’s almost broke.

Do you think you will ever write anything other than historical romances? Perhaps, contemporaries or romantic suspense?

Probably not suspense because I’m not very good at it. But I have several contemporary ideas I’m playing with and I fully intend to write those at some point.

Can you tell us about the first time you found out you hit the New York Times bestseller’s list. Is it as unforgettable and exciting as one would imagine?

It’s a huge thrill and very, very cool. Aside from the ego boost and a certain sense of validation, it makes your non-writing friends realize that you’re not just playing around.

Unfortunately, the first time came when I was deep in the angst of trying to finish a book. So it was “oh wow, this is fabulous!” and then back to work.

I believe I heard this is your last Avon title. After so many books and years with Avon, what does it feel like to move on? What will you miss the most about Avon/HarperCollins?

I’ve written for Avon for about twelve years and a total of 19 books (including 2 reissues of older books originally written for Leisure) and 3 novellas. And Avon recently acquired the rights to two of my older books from Leisure—The Princess and the Pea and The Emperor’s New Clothes. Avon has an extensive backlist of my titles so I really feel I always be a part of Avon/Harper Collins.

The book I’m working on now—The Perfect Mistress—will be my first title for Kensington. I’m very excited about the book and about, what is for me, a new adventure.  Everyone I’ve met at Kensington has been wonderful and we are all very eager to work together. This is a new chapter in my own story and  I’m looking forward to it with a great deal of enthusiasm and excitement.

As for moving on, change is always hard. Moving on is at once very scary and really exciting. As for what I’ll miss most—it’s the people I’ve worked with. They are professionals. I have made some wonderful friends at Avon as well and I have no doubt we will continue to be friends.

Victoria, thank you so much for stopping by and sharing with us. And to your future success at your new home at Kensington.

To celebrate Victoria’s release, I’ll be giving away a copy of Desires of a Perfect ladies to 2 (two) lucky commenters.