Interview with Virginia Heath…..
For those who don’t know already, could you tell us about yourself and your book(s) please?
I write witty, slightly racy Regency romantic comedies and have done for the last few years. Nine book babies are out in the wild, three more are working their way through the system and will all be out by 2019. Before I wrote books, I was a history teacher, which has come in very handy!
Where did/do you get your ideas from?
I have an odd brain, so they pop into my head. One book came as a result of a snippet in a history documentary, another from a door knob and my Wild Warriner’s series is my homage to my favourite film- Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.
Are any of your characters based (however loosely) on anyone you know?
Officially I should say no- but yes! Constance Stuart in Her Enemy at the Altar, the six-foot redhead who slammed doors was loosely based on my daughter. Lovett, the poor-drinking, incorrigible butler from The Discerning Gentleman’s Guide, is a dear family friend who also happens be called Lovett and Cassie Reeves from A Warriner to Rescue Her shares many of my quirky traits. There are others, but as they were baddies, I’m afraid they are top secret.
How do you pick your characters names?
Sometimes they just come to me, other times I use baby naming websites for Christian names and I usually use Google maps for place names to give my dukes, earls and viscounts. Although, I always try to put a little bit of Essex in my books because I’m an Essex girl. So far, I’ve used Rainham, Aveley, Redbridge, Bulphan, Upminster, Ockendon and Hadleigh.
Can you share your writing process with us, in a nutshell?
Bearing in mind I’m weird, I don’t plot or spend hours agonising over the story. Instead, I see it like a film running through my head, so I type what I see as I see it. Odd, I know. I write full time, so I never work evenings or weekends. I write 9 till 5 Monday to Friday when the house is silent, then I turn into a pumpkin and become Mum again at all other times.
Who are your top 5 favourite authors?
Nora Roberts
Tessa Dare
Julie Ann Long
Penny Vincenzi
Susan Mallery
If you could meet any author, who would it be and what would you ask them?
Oscar Wilde was a genius and seems like such good fun. Any man whose last words are ‘Either this wallpaper goes, or I do’ is someone I would want to spend time with.
Were you a big reader as a child?
Yes, I devoured books. I still do.
When did you start to write?
I knew I always wanted to, but at first it seemed like a pipe dream. Working class daughters of a porter and a waitress didn’t write books. Later, as a teacher, the desire to do it was strong but I never had the time. So I quit my job Christmas 2014 and took the plunge. I gave myself 2 years to get published before I need to go back but managed it in under 18 months. Even if I hadn’t got a publishing deal, it would have been unlikely I went back to a proper job. Writing, it turns out, was what I was meant to do. Which is probably why I am so prolific.
If you could re-write the ending to any book what would it be and what would you change?
Tess of the D’Ubervilles- too miserable. Gone with the wind- too miserable. Love Story- too miserable. Can you tell I like a happily ever after?
Is there a book you wish you had written?
Montana Sky by Nora Roberts. A page turning, heart-pounding, cracker of a romance. Absolute perfection.
If you wrote an autobiography, what would your title be?
Eyes on the Stars- my favourite quote is from Theodore Roosevelt “Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground.” I’ve always been a dreamer who chases her dreams but I’ll never forget where I came from.
If you could invite any fictional character for coffee who would it be and where would you take them?
I’d take Mr Darcy on a romantic holiday to the Caribbean. Aside from the fact where were meant to be, that man needs to take a chill pill.
What are you working on right now?
I’m currently working on book 3 of my upcoming King’s Elite series about a sexy group of Regency spies, which is fun. They are chasing an evil smuggler but, inevitable, get a bit waylaid by my heroines.
Do you have a new release due?
I do! Today! A Warriner to Seduce Her, the final instalment of my Wild Warriner quartet is released today. Like all my books it can be read as a standalone, and follows the story of Jake Warriner- a charming ladies’ man with a dark secret. It’s a rom-com/romantic suspense set in Regency England.
What do you generally do to celebrate on publication day?
A bottle with bubbles in a nice meal in a restaurant. And a trip to the bookshop to take a surreptitious picture of me with my book.
How can readers keep in touch with you?
Links:
Website: https://www.virginiaheathromance.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/virginiaheathauthor/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/VirginiaHeath_
Is there anything else you would like us to know?
A Warriner to Seduce Her Blurb
A sensible schoolmistress… Awakened by the notorious rake!
In this The Wild Warriners story, schoolmistress Felicity Blunt feels old beyond her years―and desper-ately dull. Meeting confirmed rake Jacob Warriner brings her gloriously alive, and yet no matter his al-lure she must remain immune to his obvious charms and unashamed flirtation. But is Jacob merely a mischievous scoundrel? Or is there much more to this Warriner than meets the eye…?
Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions, Virginia 🙂
A Warriner to Seduce Her
A sensible schoolmistress… Awakened by the notorious rake!
In this The Wild Warriners story, schoolmistress Felicity Blunt feels old beyond her years―and desperately dull. Meeting confirmed rake Jacob Warriner brings her gloriously alive, and yet no matter his allure she must remain immune to his obvious charms and unashamed flirtation. But is Jacob merely a mischievous scoundrel? Or is there much more to this Warriner than meets the eye…?
Purchase –
http://www.myBook.to/Warriner4
Author Bio –
When Virginia Heath was a little girl it took her ages to fall asleep, so she made up stories in her head to help pass the time while she was staring at the ceiling. As she got older, the stories became more complicated, sometimes taking weeks to get to the happy ending. Then one day, she decided to embrace the insomnia and start writing them down. Fortunately, the lovely people at Harlequin Mills & Boon took pity on her and decided to publish her romances, but it still takes her forever to fall asleep.
Social Media Links –
https://www.facebook.com/virginiaheathauthor/
https://twitter.com/VirginiaHeath_
https://www.virginiaheathromance.com/
Giveaway –
Win 3 x E-copies of A Warriner to Seduce Her (Open Internationally)
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