Devil DeVere by Victoria Vane

Please welcomeVictoria Vane author of The Devil DeVere Series.

Victoria will give one randomly chosen commenter a download of her first erotic historical romance A Breach of Promise. Don't forget to leave a comment

The Devil DeVere Series

By

Victoria Vane

INTERVIEW:

1. What or who inspired you to start writing? 

My only inspiration was a story that I woke up with one day that wouldn't leave my head until I wrote it. My greatest fear when I finished was that it would never happen again. Thankfully it did! 

2. How did you come up with ideas for your books? 

I have never sat down and asked myself "what am I going to write". The ideas spring from my subconscious- usually after I have read something I found interesting and usually something historical in nature. 

A WILD NIGHT'S BRIDE, however, came to me after watching the HANGOVER movie. I thought how fun it would be to make it more of a romance and set it in the 18th century.

3. What components are necessary for the genre of this novel?

Lots of historical details and some really steamy love scenes! LOL!

4. What expertise did you bring to your writing? 

Nothing  whatsoever! I had never taken any kind of creative writing class, nor did I have the slightest clue what I was doing. I simply wrote the story that was playing in my head. I have since worked very hard at honing my craft, but feel very strongly that the most important part of writing, the actual story telling, cannot be taught.

5. What would you want your readers to know about you that might not be in your bio? 

There's probably a lot more that I wouldn't want them to know! For example, I have a number of quirks that seem to get worse as I grow older. I'm very much an introvert and could probably be quite content as a recluse, although you would never know it in meeting me.

6. As far as your writing goes, what are your future plans? 

I began my writing career with historical fiction and only began writing erotic historical romance by necessity when my publisher dropped me and my agent quit the business but now I am really enjoying myself.

I would like to reach a point in my career that I can be successful  in both genres (under different names, of course). 

Given the recent success of my Devil DeVere series, however, my immediate plans are to continue the series with a number of spin off books. After that I have three longer romance novels to write. I hope to accomplish all of this over the next 12-18 months. 

After that, I will reassess according to my successes and failures. (Hopefully the latter won't exist!)

7. If you could be one of the characters from any of your books, who would it be and why?

That's an interesting question and I hope I give an equally  

   interesting answer when I say – Ludovic DeVere.  

While I have always been a very "girly" girl, a part of me has always wondered what it would be like had I been born a man, and 

although DeVere is a very flawed character, he is also incredibly

fascinating – rich, powerful, handsome, intelligent, witty, charming… 

the list goes on. Who wouldn't want to try that on for size? 

8. Do you belong to a critique group? If so how does this help or hinder your writing? 

No, I do not belong to a critique group. That method does not work for me. I do, however have a beta reader whom I trust implicitly.

9. When did you first decide to submit your work? Please tell us what or who encouraged you to take this big step? 

I did it completely on my own. When I finished writing my first novel (THE HIGHEST STAKES as Emery Lee) I had no clue what to do. I didn't know any writers and knew nothing about writing groups so I sought help on the internet. I read about query letters and started writing and submitting them. Six weeks later I got a response from an interested editor. That was January 2009. The rest has been a roller coaster ride.

10. What is the best and worst advice you ever received? (regarding writing or publishing). 

My first agent basically thought my first  romance, A BREACH OF 

PROMISE, sucked and would not submit it.  She told me it would not 

sell , that I had too many characters and kept pushing me to follow 

the formulas i.e. hero and heroine must meet on page one, etc.. 

My second agent would not pitch A WILD NIGHT'S BRIDE because 

she said it was not funny but lewd.  I disagreed! I believed in my 

stories, so I submitted them on my own. Both sold and are doing 

very well. IN fact, A BREACH OF PROMISE has received several 

reviewer  "top picks" as well as a book of the month nomination and 

my DeVere series is really taking off. Thank you very much!

11. Do you outline your books or just start writing?

I begin with only the vaguest possible outline because my characters dictate the story. I just write what they tell me!

12. Do you have any hobbies and does the knowledge you've gained from these carry over into your characters or the plot of your books? 

Horses are a lifelong interest and very much a part of my work. My first novel is very equine-centric as it is set in the world of 18th century horseracing. My romances take place in the Georgian era when horses were almost a necessity to life so my intimate knowledge of them has come in handy on several occasions.

13. Do you have an all time favorite book? 

Not really. I have many favorites. If I had to choose one, it would probably be BLACK BEAUTY by Anna Sewell as it still makes me cry!

14. Have you started your next project? If so, can you share a little bit about your book? 

I have finished the first draft of my next project and am now awaiting my editor's notes. It is a full-length Georgian era historical romance with darkly erotic undertones called DANGEROUS DESIGNS and will be released early 2013 by Entangled Publishing under their forthcoming Scandalous historical imprint. In many ways this novel is my homage to the works written in the 18th century when virtue&vice and evil &innocence were predominant themes. 

15. What is your favorite reality show? 

I generally watch less than an hour a week of television as I would much rather read. Last year, however, my husband got me addicted to master chef and I enjoyed American Idol when Steven Tyler was a judge. He's just the kind of over-the-top character that I love.

16. Who is your favorite actor and actress?

I loved Daniel Day Lewis for Last of the Mohicans, my all time favorite movie. I also loved Russell Crowe in Gladiator, Richard Armitage for his velvety voice, Hugh Jackman just to look at and Jude Law in almost anything. Recently Robert Downey Junior has become a favorite for his totally over-the-top portrayal of Sherlock Holmes. I love intense characters. As for actresses, I can't think of any whose work I seek out.

17. If you were a casting director for the film version of your book, who would play your lead roles? 

Although I have never seen him in a comic role, I would love to see Richard Armitage as DeVere. DeVere is very quick witted and extremely funny. I could see Jude Law as Ned and perhaps Henry Cavill as Hew. I'm not so sure about the women, but perhaps Kate Winslett as Diana. 

18. Anything else you might want to add?

By nature I'm a rebel and a rule breaker and don't see myself ever writing "formula" romances. Expect the unexpected from me.

ABOUT VICTORIA VANE

A lover of history and deeply romantic stories, Victoria Vane combines these elements to craft romantic historical novels and novellas for a mature reading audience. Her writing influences are Georgette Heyer for fabulous witty dialogue and over the top characters, Robin Schone , Sylvia Day, and Charlotte Featherstone for beautifully crafted prose in stories with deep sensuality, and Lila DiPasqua for creative vision in melding history with eroticism. Ms. Vane also writes romantic historical fiction as Emery Lee.

Please comment with name and email for a chance to win an e-book copy of A BREACH OF PROMISE

BLURB:

(Book #1) A WILD NIGHT'S BRIDE:  What happens when a struggling actress and a grieving widower come together in a night of unbridled debauchery orchestrated by a bored and machinating rake? With the devil in charge — there will surely be hell to pay!

(Book #2) THE VIRGIN HUNTRESS:  Desperate times call for devilish measures…Lady Vesta Chambers is accustomed to getting what she wants, but when the object of her passion has eyes for another, it’s time to take matters in hand!

(Book #3)  THE DEVIL YOU KNOW :  When dealing with the devil it's easy to be burned…especially when passion ignites the flames…

Beautiful, respectable, and dutiful, Lady Diana Palmerston-Wriothesley has long resigned herself to her loveless marriage …until her husband's gambling pushes them to the brink of ruin. Viscount Ludovic, "The Devil DeVere", is a man accustomed to taking what he wants according to his whim until he encounters a woman who won't be had at any price. But will a single night of heavenly passion damn them both forever?

(Book #4) THE DEVIL'S MATCH: Once burned twice shy… but when old flames come together…passion reignites...

EXCERPT:
BOOK ONE:

DeVere, on the other hand, evinced no such qualms. He had already loosened his cravat and was stripping off his coat.

"As I said earlier, there is no need," Phoebe insisted. "A couple of buttons and a raised petticoat are all the business requires."

"How delightfully unromantic you are, my dear!" He chuckled. "But while most men would be charmed to comply with your simple wishes, I have quite another game in mind. One that most definitely requires you to disrobe."

"But what if I don't want to?"

"Oh but you will," he said with a smug smile.

She glared. "You are very sure of yourself!"

He studied his buffed fingernails. "I am sure of Ned. Thus, we must put on a convincing show."

Her brows came together in a deep scowl. "What do you mean? What has Ned to do with this?"

"Everything. And at any moment, I expect him to burst through that door like a raging bull."

BOOK TWO:

"But it is so large and swollen, is it painful?

"No, just uncomfortable. Now, may we stop discussing my …" the appropriate word for feminine ears failed him.

"Phallus?" she offered. "That is what the grooms call it."

"Why are you eavesdropping on grooms?"

"I used to watch the stallions leaping the mares."

"You what!" Hew almost choked.

"Well, how else is a girl with no mother supposed to get any education? Although I doubt Mama would have told me very much. So there's really no reason to be timid, Hew. I already know all about the mating process. And to the best of my knowledge, the stallions never 'ignored it until it went away.' Please feel free to relieve yourself of it. I would even help you if you would like. I'm not the least afraid for I have seen much larger ones."

BOOK THREE:

She wanted him too. He could see it in the rapid rise of her breasts. He could smell her budding arousal and would relish bringing her to full bloom. God, how he loved this dance! She had taken the first tentative steps, yet she still fought her desire, refused to give in to it, but he would lead her now. He was a master…and a ruthless bastard.

He moved behind her, his fingers riffled gently through her hair. He closed his eyes to inhale her faint rose scent mixed with womanly musk. He dipped his head, letting his breath tickle her ear. She shivered. He whispered low and sultry. "Do you wish me to name the ways I can please you? I am delighted to comply if that excites you...although it would please me far more to demonstrate."

BOOK FOUR:

DeVere rose and came to her, perching himself on the arm of the settle. "My honorable and straitlaced brother could never satisfy a woman like you, Diana. He could never plumb the depths of your passion...unlock your secret desires."

His voice was low and seductive, and the flickering blue fire in his eyes heated her insides. Diana fiercely tamped down the smoldering sensation that threatened to reignite feelings she'd struggled to suppress. "And what would you know of my wants and desires after four years?"

"A great deal." He gave her a slow, confident smile. "Given that I was the one to unleash them."

Diana averted her face with a bitter laugh. "Thus you presume to have an exclusive claim to me?"

"Has any other exerted one?" he asked softly. He reached out a hand and traced a long, manicured finger along her jaw. "You are still unwed, Diana. Have you taken another lover in my absence?"

"It is none of your business whether I have or not, and you are grossly impertinent to ask."

He laughed long and low. "I think I have my answer."

She glared at him, and thus they remained, silently challenging one another for an interminable beat. Then suddenly his mouth was on hers, taking, possessing, as if it was indeed, his singular privilege.

Diana leaned into him, teasing his lower lip with her tongue and sucking it eagerly into her mouth before sinking her teeth into it. Hard. Savoring the coppery taste of his blood.

"What the hell!" DeVere jerked back with a cry. He touched his lip and examined the crimson stain on his fingertip, his expression a mix of outrage and bemusement.

"You took without invitation," Diana said. "It was a warning not to do so again."

AUTHOR INFORMATION:

A lover of history and deeply romantic stories, Victoria combines these elements to craft romantic historical novels and novellas for a mature reading audience. Her writing influences are Georgette Heyer for fabulous witty dialogue and over the top characters, Robin Schone , Sylvia Day, and Charlotte Featherstone for beautifully crafted prose in stories with deep sensuality, and Lila DiPasqua for creative vision in melding history with eroticism. Ms. Vane also writes award nominated romantic historical fiction as Emery Lee (http://authoremerylee.com)

CONTACT:
victoria.vane@hotmail.com
 Web: http://authorvictoriavane.com
Blog: http://victoriavane.wordpress.com
Twitter: @authorvictoriav

BOOK VIDEO:
Link  http://youtu.be/LrOuTtsByf8
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