Tag Archives: Victoria Roberts

X Marks the Scot by Victoria Roberts-Guest Post and Giveaway

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X Marks the Scot by Victoria Roberts-Guest Post and Giveaway

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Click HERE for our review of X Marks The Scot by Victoria Roberts

It’s wonderful to be back at The Reading Café today. Thanks so much for having me.

Today is Release Day for X Marks the Scot, and I’m so happy to be here to share it with you. The second book in the Bad Boys of the Highlands series starts off where Temptation in a Kilt left off. Declan MacGregor is charged with escorting the bloody Campbell’s sister to the English court. And he’s not happy.

Declan was so much fun to write, especially since he’s the biggest bad boy of the series. His character was loosely based on Ian Somerhalder’s character on The Vampire Diaries, Damon Salvatore. Although Declan sometimes takes it a bit more over-the-top than Mr. Salvatore, deep down, the man has a big heart and I’ll think readers will recognize that, too.

On the other hand, Lady Liadain Campbell has had enough of men and their games. When she’s thrown together with the infamous MacGregor rogue, sparks fly, tempers flare and attraction is hard to resist, even though she tries.

X Marks the Scot Blurb:

He was a Highland Rogue—Wicked with a Bow and Arrow and Just as Wicked with the Ladies.

Declan MacGregor hadn’t a care in the world beyond finding a soft bed and a willing woman…until he had to escort Lady Liadain Campbell to the English court. The woman needles him at every turn, but he can’t just abandon her to that vipers’ nest without protection.

She Never Asked for a Bodyguard…

Liadain wasn’t thrilled to be left in the care of her clan’s archrival. It was as if the man never had a lady tell him no before! And yet as whispers of treason swirl through the court and the threat of danger grows even sharper, her bitter enemy soon becomes the only one she can trust…

Excerpt:

“Get up, ye whoreson.” 

Praying he was still in an ale-induced state and only dreaming, Declan MacGregor of Glenorchy slowly opened his eyes as he felt the prick of cold steel against his throat. A man with graying hair at his temples stood a hairbreadth away from the bed, dagger in hand. 

A muscle ticked in the man’s jaw. “Get up,” he said through clenched teeth. 

The blonde in the bed next to Declan—what was her name?—gasped and tugged up the blanket to cover her exposed breasts. Her eyes widened in fear. 

“Ye defiled my daughter,” the stranger growled. 

Declan raised his hands in mock surrender. “I assure ye that I didnae.” He stole a sideways glance at the woman and silently pleaded for his latest conquest to come to his aid. 

“Papa?” The fair-skinned beauty sat up on the bed. “What are ye doing here?”  

Glancing at his daughter, the man spoke in clipped tones. “This whoreson had ye and will wed ye.”  

“Now just a bloody minute. I…”  

Whipping his head back around, the enraged father glared at Declan, repositioning the dagger—much lower. Feeling the contact of the blade, Declan took a sharp intake of breath while the woman sprang from the bed as though it was afire. Hastily, she grabbed her clothing and started to don her attire.  

He silently chuckled, realizing the irony of the moment. What would Ciaran think? Declan had chosen to remain at court to escape his older brother’s scrutiny, now only to be thrown deeper into hot water. In fact, it was scalding.  

The fair-colored lass rolled her eyes at her father. “Really, Papa, ye must cease your attempts at matchmaking. I donna wish to wed him.”  

She pulled on her father’s dagger-held hand, thankfully removing the blade from the most favorite part of Declan’s anatomy. He breathed a sigh of relief when he reached down and felt that his most prized possession was still intact.  

What the hell had he gotten himself into? The gods knew he had needs, but if he wasn’t more selective of the women he bedded, the fairer sex would surely be the death of him.  

He needed to escape.  

Declan threw back the blankets, stood, and quickly tossed his trews into the air with his foot. While father and daughter were huddled in deep conversation, he donned his trews, pulled on his tunic, grabbed his boots, and simply walked out—unnoticed and unscathed. 

Praise for X Marks the Scot:

5/5 – Reviewer Top Pick
“Enthralling Highlander romance. One of the best Highlander stories I’ve ever read. This is one author who just keeps on getting better.”

―Night Owl Reviews

“For a complex story brimming over with pride and passion, betrayal, trust and most of all the power to make a bad boy a hero, pick up this read.”

―RT Book Reviews/4 ½ Star Review

Victoria RobertsAbout Victoria Roberts:

Victoria Roberts writes sexy, Scottish historical romances about kilted heroes and warriors from the past. She was named by RT Book Reviews as “one of the most promising debut authors across the genres” and is also a 2012 Reviewers Choice Nominee for Best First Historical novel for her debut, Temptation in a Kilt.

Her second novel, X Marks the Scot, will be released February 2013 and the third, To Wed a Wicked Highlander, September 2013.

Victoria is a member of Romance Writers of America®, Celtic Hearts Romance Writers, Western Pennsylvania Romance Writers, as well as a contributing author to the online magazine, Celtic Guide.

Victoria lives in western Pennsylvania with her husband of nineteen years and their two beautiful children—not to mention one spoiled dog. When she is not plotting her next Scottish romp, she enjoys reading, nature, and antiques.

Celtic Guide: www.thecelticguide.com

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SOURCEBOOKS is offering a copy of X MARKS THE SCOT to one lucky member at The Reading Cafe

1. Please register using the log-in at the top of the page or by using one of the social log-ins.

2. If you are using a social login such as Twitter or Facebook, please leave your email address with your comment.

3. Please answer the question: WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE BAD BOY?

4. Giveaway open to USA and CANADA only.

5. Giveaway runs from February 5-10, 2013

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COVER REVEALS and MORE-December 13, 2012

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COVER REVEALS for December 13, 2012

 

 

TITLE:  Tiger Magic

AUTHOR:  Jennifer Ashley

SERIES:  Shifters Unbound

RELEASE DATE:  June 2013

 

 

 

 

TITLE: Possessed by Desire

AUTHOR: Elisabeth Naughton

SERIES: Firebrand

RELEASE DATE: January 2013

 

 

 

 

TITLE: To Wed A Wicked Highlander

AUTHOR: Victoria Roberts

SERIES: Bad Boys of the Highlands

RELEASE DATE: September 2013

 

 

 

INTERNATIONAL POSTER for THE WOLVERINE

 

TITLE: The Wolverine

RELEASE DATE: July 2013

Starring Hugh Jackman, Will Yun Lee, Svetlana Khodchenkova, Hiroyuki Sanada, Hal Yamanouchi, Tao Okamoto, Rila Fukushima and Brian Tee, the film has now been revealed to, contrary to early reports, take place after the events of X-Men: The Last Stand. Based on the celebrated comic book arc, The Wolverine finds Logan, the eternal warrior and outsider, in Japan. There, samurai steel will clash with adamantium claw as Logan confronts a mysterious figure from his past in an epic battle that will leave him forever changed.

The Wolverine hits theaters on July 26, 2013.

 

TITLE: The Twice Lost

AUTHOR: Sarah Porter

SERIES: Lost Voices #3 (YA)

RELEASE DATE: July 2013

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X Marks the Scot by Victoria Roberts-a review

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X Marks The Scot by Victoria Roberts- a review

X MARKS THE SCOT (Bad Boys of the Highlands #2) by Victoria Roberts

X MARKS THE SCOT is the second storyline (February 2013 release) in Victoria Roberts’s Bad Boys of the Highland series.

At the end of Temptation in a Kilt, the Laird MacGregor had killed the “Bloody Campbell” for abducting and threatening his wife, child and extended family. But the fact that Campbell’s half-sister is now without protection and a guardian, the MacGregor clan must make arrangements to escort the woman to King James’ court until the time comes when James decides what will be done with Lady Liadain Campbell. And it is Declan MacGregor who will volunteer to be the traveling companion and guardian to the beautiful Liadain. Until the King choses a suitor, Declan finds himself reluctantly attracted to the heir to the Campbell Castle, but that still does not stop his roguish ways.

Declan MacGregor has always been the family bad boy. Known as the third son, his prospects in life left little with regard to the MacGregor clan and its’ holdings. Bedding down any available female and partaking in heavy drinking and ‘wenching’ it was only a matter of time before Declan would find himself in trouble again. But Declan’s skill with a bow and arrow, would win him the King James’s archery competition and the prize was the Campbell Castle and wedded bliss with the Lady Liadain. Although a tepid friendship had slowly developed, a forced marriage was something neither one had considered. But to their surprise, someone from Liadain’s past would be the instigator behind the King’s declaration of marriage between the couple, and although on the surface it looks like betrayal and revenge, Declan will soon discover that Liadain is risking her life the longer she stays at King james’s court.

Meanwhile, King James’s enemies were devising a plan to remove the monarch ‘permanently’ from the throne and what better way to frame Declan MacGregor than to use his prowess with a bow to send King James to an early grave. But Liadain will discover a secret at Campbell Castle that could either win Declan his freedom or kill them all.

The relationship between Declan and Liadain is slow to build. At the end of Temptation in a Kilt, Declan had already attempted to slit Liadain’s throat when he was under the mistaken belief she was partly responsible for the abduction of his nephew and sisters in law. And Declan’s penchant for hurting Liadain continues, when in a drunken stupor he mistakes her for an intruder in his own bedroom. Declan’s lack of respect for his new wife becomes rather apparent when he all but calls her a whore because of her past and the local wenches continue to avail themselves to Declan for services of the sexual kind. Liadain is a strong woman who is not willing to go down without a fight and when her husband is imprisoned for treason, it will be Liadain who embarks on a mission to clear her husband’s name knowing that the man may never accord her the love and respect in reverse.

I like Victoria Roberts’s Bad Boys of the Highland series. I found myself emotionally drawn to the characters as well as their imperfections and personality quirks. Declan believes himself to be without the support of his family and clan, and will go about working towards a self-fulfilling prophecy of the useless son with his disruptive behavior and wenching ways. The women, each with their own failings and insecurities, are otherwise strong and supportive of the men who have promised to love and protect with their lives. In the end, it will be the women who have control of their men’s hearts and souls. Victoria writes an amazing story of love and revenge, betrayal and hurt.

READING ORDER
1. Temptation in a Kilt
2. X Marks the Scot
3. To Wed a Wicked Highlander (Sept 2013)

LINKS TO PRE-ORDER: Amazon / Barnes and Noble /

Copy supplied by Netgalley

Reviewed by Sandy

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Victoria Roberts-Interview and Giveaway with the Author

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VICTORIA ROBERTS-Interview and Giveaway with the Author

 

 

TRC: Hi Victoria and welcome to The Reading Café. Congratulations on your upcoming new series The Bad Boys of the Highlands and your first novel TEMPTATION IN A KILT.

Victoria: Thank you so much for having me, Sandy. I love the opportunity to meet new people.

TRC: We would like to start with some background information. Would you please tell us something about yourself?

Victoria: I’m fortunate enough to be the mother of two beautiful kids and the wife of a supportive husband. Like many authors, I have a full-time day job and write every spare moment of the day. Home is in Western Pennsylvania while I dream of Scotland daily. *sigh*

TRC: What challenges have you faced as an author?

Victoria: Being a debut author, every step is a challenge. Between querying, synopsis writing, hooks, marketing, copy/edits, reviews and much, much more, everything is new. Sometimes it’s a little scary getting your feet wet in something you virtually have minimal knowledge on. I still find myself fighting this internal battle.

TRC: Many authors develop their love of writing at an early age. What or who sparked your interest in writing?

Victoria: As a child, I did not like to read. I could not find topics that interested me. As an outlet, I wrote. I was sixteen years old and penned my first young adult novella without ever having read a single romance novel. I guess you could say I had the romance writing bug at an early age and didn’t even know it. But when my mother (an avid reader) gave me Flowers in the Attic, I discovered a new love. I could not turn the pages fast enough and I was hooked. That was the moment that defined the purpose of curling up with a good book.

TRC: Writer’s Block is a very real phenomenon for many authors. How do you handle the stress and anxiety of writer’s block?

Victoria: This is very real. And yes, I think every author deals with writer’s block at one time or another. I always walk away and come back to my manuscript within a few hours. On the rare event that doesn’t work, I take a few days off and forget about it. In my experience, I find coming back with a “fresh” perspective is sometimes the best way to go. And don’t be discouraged if you find out your scene doesn’t work. I’ve cut scenes, added and switched things around until it made sense.

TRC: TEMPTATION IN A KILT is the first novel in your new Bad Boys of the Highlands. Please tell us about the premise of the storyline?

LINKS TO ORDER:
The Book Depository
Amazon Kindle
Amazon Paper Books
B&N Nook and Paper Books

Victoria: Temptation in a Kilt is about life and relationships. Don’t get me wrong. I’m all for love, but I favor a story so much more when there are realistic obstacles that get in the way. It makes the journey that much more enticing.

My hero and heroine have family issues of their own. In order for Ciaran and Rosalia to grow as individuals and then eventually as a couple, they need to overcome personal demons as well. They feel their life is directed down one path with duty and responsibility and yet, they’re sort of confused with the nagging feeling of “how can something so wrong feel so right?”

TRC: The character of Rosalia is heartbreaking. Her sense of worth and self-esteem issues are very real for many of today’s women. What or who was the inspiration behind Rosalia?

Victoria: Rosalia’s character is meant to be an inspiration. I don’t know of any woman who doesn’t have some type of self-esteem issues no matter how large or small they may be. I loved the moment when Rosalia takes hold of her life and becomes her own woman, basically finding herself. I think every woman wants to find that inner peace.

Although Rosalia was my great-grandmother’s name, her character is based on a mix of women that I know—from her shyness, her stubbornness, the relationship she has with James (her best friend.)

TRC: Aiden and Aisling are already an established couple. Have you considered writing a pre-quel to tell their love story?

Victoria: No. I personally do not like prequels because they are usually never as good as we want them to be. I’m still an original Star Wars fan. The first three were the best.

TRC: What plans do you have for the next installment in the Bad Boys of the Highlands series? Will we see Declan fall for a certain black-haired beauty?

Victoria: Ah, you know me too well! X Marks the Scot is the next book in the series and is scheduled for release in February 2013. And yes, I can confirm that Declan MacGregor and Lady Liadain Campbell will have their fifteen minutes of fame. Declan was so much fun to write. For those of you who have read Book 1, you’ll understand why. No spoilers here.

TRC: Why a novel of the historical Scottish Highlands?

Victoria: Strong alpha-males fighting for a cause, finding a single chance to love… With such brutality in that day and age, love is the light at the end of the tunnel. Between the Vikings, English and clan wars, Scottish history provides a fine backdrop for a steamy romance. Don’t you think?

TRC: How many books do you have planned for the series?

Victoria: There are three books in this series.

TRC: Did you face any challenges or difficulties getting your novel published?

Victoria: I think every author faces challenges and I am certainly no different. When I finished my first manuscript, I entered a contest with the publisher of my dreams. And it turned into a nightmare. Although the publisher did not question my story content, I was pummeled on my hook—or lack thereof. What separates me from the other authors? What makes this story different? Why would I buy this? I bombed. For three days, my family avoided me like the plague. My CP (critique partner) wanted to kill me. And I was literally hanging on by a thread. It came down to one question. “Am I a quitter?” Low and behold, one month later, the same publisher had another contest. Some may say I’m a glutton for punishment. I did not think twice and jumped in—head first. I entered. I won.

And I will never forget the publisher’s words, “Victoria, I love your voice! Send me a full!” After several months of checking my e-mails about ten times a day, the moment I had waited for finally arrived. My jaw dropped and I believe for a brief time my heart even stopped. Not only was the publisher interested in my manuscript, but I was asked to pitch the series!

TRC: How much research was involved with writing this particular series due to the historical nature of the Scottish Highlands?

Victoria: There was a significant amount of research involved, but of course there are fictional characters and situations as well. That’s what makes writing fiction so much fun.

TRC: Have you ever been to Scotland?

Victoria: Isn’t THAT the question? No. All of my love thus far has come from books, DVD’s, internet and living vicariously through some of my chapter mates. One day. *sigh*

TRC: Many authors bounce ideas with other authors, or between family and friends. With whom do you bounce ideas?

Victoria: I am blessed with a phenomenal CP (critique partner.) She is the only one I discuss my ideas with, unless of course I have hunting or fishing questions and those go to my husband.

TRC: On what are you currently working?

Victoria: I am currently working on Book 3 which is Laird Alexander MacDonell and Lady Sybella MacKenzie’s story. Alexander was Rosalia’s cousin from Temptation in a Kilt.

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Victoria: For those aspiring authors, never give up your dreams. I will leave you with my daughter’s infamous line in handling every sort of rejection. “Don’t be upset. They’re blinded by your awesomeness.”

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food
Pizza or anything Italian

Favorite Dessert
Cheesecake

Favorite TV Show
Game of Thrones

Favorite Movie
Titanic

Last Movie you Saw
Madagascar 3—hey, I have kids.

Dark or Milk Chocolate
Milk Chocolate

Favorite Flower
Cymbidium Orchid

Do you have any pets?
We have a mixed lab named Zoe.

TRC: Thank you Victoria for taking he time to answer our questions. We wish you all the best in your writing career. Good luck with the release of Temptation in a Kilt. Keep us in mind for the second novel in the series.

Victoria: Thank you so much Sandy and to the folks at the Reading Café for having me. This was a lot of fun. I always love to hear from readers. Please visit my website at Victoria Roberts Author. Take care everyone and happy reading!

 

Victoria Roberts and Sourcebooks has graciously offered 2 copies of TEMPTATION IN A KILT forThe Reading Cafe giveaway.

1. To be eligible for the giveaway, you must be a member at The Reading Cafe. If you are not a member, please register using the log-in at the top of the page, or by using one of the social log-ins.

2. If you are using a social log-in such as Twitter, please leave your email address with your comment as Twitter etc does not allow for email address info.

3. Giveaway open to continental USA and Canada only.

4. PLease answer one of the LIGHTNING ROUND questions.

5. Giveaway from September 1-4, 2012

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