Blog Tour: Author Guest Post, Book Review and $25 Giveaway: The Viscount's Vow by Collette Cameron

Hi everyone! Welcome to The Viscount's Vow by Collette Cameron's blog tour stop here at Journey with Books. We asked Ms Collette Cameron to do a Guest Post for us and luckily she agreed. So I want to thank Ms. Collette Cameron for taking the time to write a Guest Post. 

There will be a giveaway for all of you! All you have to do is take the time to read this post and give your comments down below.

Ten Must Haves When Writing 

by Collette Cameron

Ten things? Only ten?

Let me preface this post with a disclaimer. These are things I think are important. You might not. Though how anybody writes without a beverage of choice nearby, is beyond me. But, to each his own.  By-the-way, that was not the first thing.

From personal experience, because I didn't have them with my first book, critique partners and beta readers are fundamental for every writer at every stage of your writing. I’m convinced I’d have had much less rewriting with my first novel had I had critique partners.

A writing schedule is important too. How many hours a day or days a week can you commit to writing?

And, do you make sure to get that word count in before tootling over to Facebook or Twitter, which brings up my fourth thing; a time limit for marketing and social  media. Both will suck you dry, and what you really want to be doing is writing.

Though Pinterest is so much fun...

Okay, let’s switch to practical for a few minutes. A good chair. I’m only saying that because I've been sitting too long today and my tushy is getting sore. I know some of you write curled up on the couch or in an armchair or on the floor, but this gal needs her desk and computer which means an office chair. Oops, just slipped in a couple more and you didn't even notice.
Sly, huh? *Wink*

In my case, I need good blinds I can close because my writing desk is right in front of a window.  I have a fabulous view of my backyard, and I love watching the bird visiting my feeders, but the window faces west which means afternoon sun. And...my neighbor parades around naked in front of his upstairs windows all hours of the day.  Let’s just say, he does not inspire me to write romance, so, whoosh down goes the blind.
What am I up to? Seven?

I need sticky notes. At any given time, there are several plastered on the edges of my computer screen— I only have eight up right now. That’s a slow day for me. I jot notes to myself constantly while writing. I have my writing Bible, character questionnaires and several references books within arm’s reach too. My favorite is The 1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue.

Shoot, I just went over the allotted ten.  Well, I’ll count critique partners and beta readers as one, so I’m good.  Just out of curiosity, what can’t you write without?

Book Blurb:

Amidst murder and betrayal, destiny and hearts collide when scandal forces a nobleman and a  gypsy to marry in this Regency Romance.

Half Romani, half English noblewoman, Evangeline Caruthers is the last woman in England Ian Hamilton, the Viscount Warrick, could ever love—an immoral wanton responsible for his brother’s and father’s deaths. She thinks he’s a foul-tempered blackguard, who after setting out to cause her downfall, finds himself forced to marry her—snared in the trap of his own making.

When Vangie learns the marriage ceremony itself may have been a ruse, she flees to her gypsy relatives, declaring herself divorced from Ian under Romani law. He pursues her to the gypsy encampment, and when the handsome gypsy king offers to take Ian’s place in Vangie’s bed, jealousy stirs hot and dangerous.

At last, under a balmy starlit sky, Ian and Vangie breech the chasm separating them. Peril lurks though. Ian’s the last in his line, and his stepmother intends to dispose of the newlyweds so her daughter can inherit his estate. Only by trusting each other can they overcome scandal and murderous betrayal.

Book Excerpt:

Wedding Reception Scene

“You didn't eat much, wife.”

They were alone on the dance floor. Ian deftly twirled Vangie around his aunt's smallish ballroom, mindful of the interested eyes watching them.

Stealing a glance at the smiling and nodding onlookers, he suppressed a frown. He felt like a curiosity on display at Bullock's Museum. He wished others would take to the floor, so he could dispense with the devoted bridegroom facade.

The twelve courses at dinner had been tortuous. His wife hadn’t taken more than a dozen bites nor said as many words. He'd tried to eat the succulent foods Aunt Edith had gone to such efforts to have prepared, but his anger made everything dry as chalk and every bit as tasteless.

“I'd not much appetite, my lord.”

He chuckled. “Don't you think you might address me by my given name, wife?”

“Why?” she asked pertly. “I've known you but four days, certainly not long enough to be so familiar with you.”

He lowered his head, breathing in her ear, very aware every eye in the room was trained on them. He'd give them something to gossip about. “Because I want you to, wife, and you did promise to obey.” 

He nipped her ear.

She jumped and a tiny yelp of surprise escaped before she clamped her lips together. Her eyes were shooting sparks again, only this time they were directed at him. 

“What's my name, wife?”

“Please, don't call me that. I too have a name, as you well know.”

Drawing her closer, her breasts pressing against the breadth of his chest and cresting the edge of her bodice, he murmured, “Indeed, but Evangeline sounds . . . angelic, and we both know you're no such thing.”

“Pardon?” She stiffened, trying to shove away from him. “I don't under—”

His head descended again. “Say it, or I'll trace your ear with my tongue.”

He grinned as her breath hissed from between clenched teeth. She stumbled, her fingers digging into his shoulder and hand. A very becoming flush swept across her face.

“Will you cease?” Her worried gaze careened around the room. “We're being watched.” 

Voice husky, he said, “Say my name, sweeting.” Giving her a gentle squeeze, he started to dip his head, caressing her elegant neck with his hot breath.

“Ian, your name is Ian,” she gasped breathlessly, twisting her head away.

The Viscount's Vow is the first book of Ms. Collette Cameron that I have ever read. I haven't read her other books but I must say that I was really entertained and I enjoyed the time I spent reading this wonderful romance.

So for starters, I would have to say that I loved the book cover. It was simple but it does its job and that was to pick my interest as a reader.

The plot of this book was simple really, it was not the first book I've read that has this kind of theme which is the I'm-here-for-revenge-but-we're-forced-to-get-married-because-we're-caught-in-a-compromising-situation. But what I greatly appreciated was how well written it is. I loved the fact that Ms. Collette Cameron owned it. That was all I really ask on my reads really. I think originality-wise, books were bound to repeat plots or themes from time to time especially in historical romance genre but owning it, putting your own twist and touch thus making it original and new and making your readers really enjoy and fall in love with it was something only great authors do and I really think Ms. Collette Cameron was one of those great author.

I fell in love with the characters. I think if you've read it, falling in love with them was inevitable. I enjoyed Vangie and Ian's journey to falling in love and how they overcame everything that came their way. Vangie was simply charming. Her innocence and her strength was admirable. Ian was a dark character first. He was brooding and short-tempered but it was understandable because he was full of rage because he though Vangie the reason his brother and father died.

The romance was really good. I felt their love for each and I was rooting for them all through out the book. Ian and Vangie's chemistry is sensually hot. I enjoyed their conversations and interactions.

The flow of the story was good too. It was nice and easy. It wasn't hurried. I think it was smooth and just right.

Verdict:

I loved The Viscount's Vow and I recommend this book to all the readers who loves their Historical Romance with a bit of angst and a lovely heart-felt sexy and sensual romance from two adorable characters. Ms. Collette Cameron is definitely on my list of authors to watch out for!

BOOK TRAILER

About the Author

A life-long Oregonian, Collette Cameron was born and raised in a small town along the northern Oregon coast. Today she makes her home in a rural community, 30 minutes west of Portland. Her Victorian farmhouse sits on a one-acre certified wildlife habit, interspersed with a plethora of gardens: English, rose, butterfly, rock, water, and of course, vegetable.

A voracious reader of romance since her teens, she even named her daughter after a heroine in her favorite romance novel. An enthusiast of times gone by, and anything related to romance, she writes Historical Romance, with a dash of inspiration, a pinch of humor, and a liberal portion of suspense.

Having dabbled in interior decorating in her youth, Collette returned to school, graduating summa cum laude from Oregon State University, and went on to obtain her Master's Degree in Teaching. She is member of Romance Writers of America, Rose City Romance Writers, The Beau Monde, and Love Faith and Hope, Inc., and a whole slew of other author/writer groups.
Some of Collette's favorite things include unique blends of coffees and teas, trivia, Cadbury Milk Chocolate, inspirational quotes, and scented candles. Her Christian faith, husband, three adult children, and five miniature dachshunds round out her life quite nicely! When she's not teaching or writing, she enjoys amateur photography, bird watching, gardening, interior decorating, rock-hunting, boating or fishing on the Columbia River, and reading of course.

To connect with Collette, please visit:
www.collettecameron.com or http://blueroseromance.com/

She can also be found on:

Facebook:  http://facebook.com/collettecameronauthor
Pinterest:  http://pinterest.com/colletteauthor/
Google+:  https://plus.google.com/110459897284342875390/auto
LinkedIn:  http://www.linkedin.com/pub/collette-cameron/60/17a/667
Twitter:  http://twitter.com/Collette_Author

Giveaway:

Collette will be awarding a $25.00 Amazon gift card and an ecopy of Highlander's Hope, the first book in the series, to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour.

To make it easier for you guys, just answer this question:

What do you look for in a Historical Romance for it to be on your GREAT READS LIST?

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