Can love for his beautiful, aristocratic captive rescue Miles from
his
lust for revenge?
Before residing in Australia, Vanda's birthplace
and early childhood years were spent in Papua New Guinea. At the age of eleven,
a holiday in England sparked an interest in the days of old. Castles, ruins,
and discovering Jane Austen novels inspired a life-long interest in all things
historical, a passion that later kick-started Vanda's desire to write
historical romance.
And now Vanda is here talking about her latest release, The Pirate Lord, published by Random House, which is available for pre-order now.
Vanda, thank you so much for being here today.
How long have you been writing?
Fifteen years! Before that, I’d dabbled here and
there, jotting down my story ideas. When my family moved to the Gold Coast in
January 2000, I joined the Hearts of Gold (HOGs) critique group. I struck
critique group GOLD! What an amazing group of people and writers they are.
What advice would you give a new writer just
starting out?
If you’re truly passionate about being a writer,
then I’d like to share this quote with you. I’ve kept it close to my desk for
the last fifteen years. It inspired me and made me determined never to give up
my goal of publication.
‘You have
to find something that you love enough to be able to take risks, jump over the
hurdles and break through the thick walls that are always going to be placed in
front of you. If you don’t have that kind of feeling for what it is you are
doing, you’ll stop at the first giant hurdle.’
Tell us something about your newest release that
is NOT in the blurb.
The Caribbean island scenes in The Pirate Lord were inspired by actual
places and locations my husband and I visited some years back. I thrive on historical
research and kept written notes, photos and video footage of places we visited.
On Dominica, we walked through a lush green tropical rainforest to find a
breathtaking hidden jewel . . . Emerald Pool and its beautiful waterfall. I
knew then, that this location was perfect for a pivotal love scene in my book.
When you read it, you won’t be disappointed. Promise!
Are you working on anything at the present you
would like to tell us about?
I’m currently writing a Scottish historical. I
visited the Isle of Skye in June 2013 and explored Dunvegan Castle, the
ancestral home of the Chiefs of Clan McLeod for 800 years. I tell you, I was
lost in history and castle heaven! Visit UNDER THE QUILL for a mini synopsis.
Have you ever eaten a crayon?
Oh my goodness! This question takes me back to
when I was in Grade 1 (yes . . . a very looooong time ago). It wasn’t me who ate the crayon but rather a boy
in my class. And he didn’t stop at eating one crayon. I still remember his
name, but such is six degrees of separation, it’s highly likely one of you
reading this will know him. What happens in Grade 1, stays in Grade 1!
What is your favorite flavor of jellybean?
Could we swap jellybeans for peanut M&Ms, or
maybe chocolates with orange centers?
What is your perfect pizza?
Embellish the pizza with olives and anchovies and .
. . Voila! Then again, it leaves me feeling so thirsty that I need a jug of
water on hand.
What was the last thing you dressed up as for
fancy dress?
This is an easy one! At last year’s RWAus
Conference I dressed as a pirate for the cocktail party. Little wonder, given
I’d prepared to pitch The Pirate Lord to
several publishers and Literary Agent, Alex Adsett!
Have you ever made your own Ice cream?
Yes! I was twenty-one at the time and made a batch
of fig ice cream for this guy I had started seeing. He said he loved it, so
what did I do? I made him another batch! A few years into our marriage . . . yes,
he asked me to marry him . . . he confessed to not liking the ice-cream. At the
time, he didn’t have the heart to tell me. Twenty-six years of wedded bliss and
we still laugh about it.
You are walking to work. There is a dog drowning
in the canal on the side of the street. Your boss told you if you are late one
more time you're fired. Do you save the dog?
I’ll be honest here. I’m a cat person, but if I
saw a dog, or any animal for that matter, in need of saving, I wouldn’t
hesitate for one second. I’d choose a life over a job any day.
BLURB:
A
family tragedy steeped in deceit and betrayal saw Lady Eloise Blakely vow never
to fall victim to a man's charms, let alone invite him into her bed. Until fate
swept her aboard a pirate's ship and into its captain's embrace.
Yet when he reveals a dark secret, her lover becomes her enemy . . .
Ten years ago, Miles Zachary Fenton was framed for murder. For so long he has
fought to clear his name and reclaim his dukedom. Now, when both appear to be
just within reach, he is forced to abduct a meddling beauty, one who wreaks
havoc with his emotions and complicates his plans . . .
EXCERPT:
Eloise
strolled back to her hiding spot. A movement to her left had her head turning in
that direction.
A man
stood at the foot of the terrace steps. Their eyes met. It was not so much his
presence that disturbed her, but rather his attire, illuminated well enough by
the sconces placed intermittently up the balustrade.
Knee-high
boots, breeches, and shirt melded into one stark splash of black. Ebony hair,
neatly tied in a queue, fell past his collar. A wide black satin mask concealed
the upper portion of his features, leaving only the tip of his nose, mouth and
jaw exposed. He glanced surreptitiously to his left, toward the gardens, then
back at her, past her shoulder, and re-settled his gaze on her face.
She
called down to him. “Who are you? State your name and business!”
He
ignored her demand and began a purposeful ascent, stopping three steps below
her. His eyes, hypnotic coal pools, filled her with a sense of foreboding. In
spite of her adamant words, she thought herself mad to single-handedly confront
the masked stranger.
She stood
her ground. “Who are you? This is a private celebration and you’re trespassing.”
“My business
is not your concern.”
His
clipped words and icy stare unsettled her. Conversely, a moment’s warmth
infused her when she focused on his strong jaw and bronzed complexion. An
indication of a life spent under the sun.
Lips
neither full nor thin drew her gaze. Her skin flushed hot with the direction of
her thoughts. Even more so when she beheld his raw, provocative regard.
Humiliation
evoked anger, and with it a resurgence of her confidence. His stillness
lessened his threatening guise, and already she’d tired of his masked charade.
“I—”
“Gather
your skirts, about face, and concern yourself only with the evening’s indoor
amusements. Whatever the cause for celebration.”
At the
suppressed irritation in his tone, Eloise raised her chin. “I hear the voice of
an educated gentleman. Nonetheless, you lack manners when addressing a lady.”
His glare
pinned her where she stood. With slow predatory steps, he moved to stand but a
breath away.
Eloise
tensed. Her position at the top of the stairs, wedged between the rhododendron
and the wall, lost all advantage, for it was he who now peered down his regal
nose at her. Oddly enough, she experienced a perverse combination of fear and
an inexplicable giddy awareness.
“You’d do
well to pretend you never saw me,” he warned.
Eloise
tilted her chin a little higher. “And if I don’t?”
His gaze
held hers and suddenly dropped to her mouth. He raised a steady hand and, with
his index finger, traced the outline of her lips.
Eloise
drew back and moved to sidestep him. He captured her left wrist. Despite her
attempt to withdraw it, he refused to let go. Commanding her gaze, he leaned
over and pressed his lips to the back of her gloved hand.
His mouth
lingered long enough for heat to penetrate the thin silk. Eloise retracted her
hand the instant he released her. “Touch me again, and I’ll scream.”
He
flattened his palm on the wall beside her head and leaned in close. “And risk
your reputation by being caught in the embrace of the Devil himself?”
BUY LINKS:
AUTHOR BIO:
Before residing in Australia, Vanda's birthplace and early childhood
years were spent in Papua New Guinea. At the age of eleven, a holiday in
England sparked an interest in the days of old. Castles, ruins, and discovering
Jane Austen novels inspired a life-long interest in all things historical, a
passion that later kick-started Vanda's desire to write historical romance.
Vanda has studied and worked in the field of Education, teaching Literacy and
Numeracy to children and adults. She's also worked as a PA, a recruitment
consultant and now in home furnishings.
Her two children, of whom she's immensely proud, have flown the coup and are
successfully making their own way in the world.
Vanda and her husband live on the Gold Coast in Queensland where they enjoy
walks along world-renowned beaches or a quiet getaway to the lush hills of the
Hinterland.
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:
