A Roundtable Interview with

Victoria Alexander

Interviewed by Tracy Farnsworth

Welcome to Roundtable Reviews, Victoria!  I'm so honored to have you here today and to have been able to read your newest release, THE PURSUIT OF MARRIAGE.

Let's start by having you tell us a little about yourself.

Let's see--I was a television reporter for years until I discovered fiction was a lot more fun than news.  I live in Omaha, Nebraska with two teenagers, a very patient husband and a bearded collie named Sam.  We spent years renovating a 103 year old house and when it was finally finished, sold it last year and moved to a 90 year old house which needs a lot of work so we're starting over.  All this means I live in the midst of ongoing teenage angst, goofy dog adventures and constant remodeling.  Just ordinary, everyday chaos.

What led you to write romance?  And when did you first know that writing was your passion?

I've always written in some form-nonfiction primarily.  But I think most reporters harbor a secret desire to write fiction.  I never imagined I'd write romance because I really didn't read romance until about a year before I started writing.  When I stumbled on my first historical romance I absolutely fell in love.  I not only found what I enjoyed reading but what I really wanted to write.

Ok, the question ALL writer's get - Where do you get the ideas for your books?

Everywhere.  I've gotten ideas from off the wall comments on talk shows, quirky historical facts, antique prints even obituaries.  I have a story I want to do based on an old circus poster and another based on a painting I saw in a museum that I was later told by the curator didn't exist.  Yep-it's a paranormal.

Are you planning any further books in the Regency Series you've currently been working on, or will THE PURSUIT OF MARRIAGE be the last?  I'd love to read more about the Effington Brothers, will they each get their own stories?

Oh, there will definitely be more!  Honestly, I don't feel that I've created a family as much as a community.  And it's a very big community with the Effingtons, the Sheltons, the Westons (HER HIGHNESS, MY WIFE) and the Kingdom of Greater Avalonia not to mention all of their various friends and, of course,  The Ladies Society for the Betterment of the Future of Britain.  <G>

Seriously, I really enjoy the characters I've created and giving them their own books is like revisiting old friends.  I have a Christmas story (A VISIT FROM SIR NICHOLAS) out at the end of November in which the heroine is the daughter of Thomas and Marianne from THE MARRIAGE LESSON.

I have to confess though that it's all very random.  I didn't start out to create an endless series-one book simply led to another.  For example, I just finished a novella-THE TROUBLE WITH CHARLOTTE-that will be out in THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY anthology at the end of October, that is based on a comment made in LOVE WITH THE PROPER HUSBAND about a woman the hero nearly fell in love with.  ("Pity her dead husband chose to return to life."  Marcus winced at the memory.  Who would have imagined after nearly a half dozen years, a man thought to have died in Spain would miraculously return to life?)  I didn't plan it when I first wrote those lines but later I thought what fun it would be to explore that scenario.

Right now I'm working on a book about Prince Alexei from THE PRINCE'S BRIDE.

Tell us about your latest release and the other stories in this series - where did your inspiration come from?

THE PURSUIT OF MARRIAGE is about Cassandra Effington, the twin sister of Delia Effington-the heroine of THE LADY IN QUESTION and Reggie, Lord Berkley, from LOVE WITH THE PROPER HUSBAND.  The sisters are cousins of the heroine in my first book for Avon-THE WEDDING BARGAIN-and made a brief appearance in that book.

In THE LADY IN QUESTION Cassie discovered she had a gift for the refurbishment of houses (which meant I had to do a great deal of research into interior design and style in Regency England).  While her sister, Delia, had never been overly interested in marriage, Cassie had always wanted to make a good match.  However, in THE PURSUIT OF MARRIAGE, we discover she has extremely high standards.  Lord Berkley-Reggie-once told his close friend, Marcus (the hero of LOVE WITH THE PROPER HUSBAND), that the reason women didn't fall at their feet was because they were not dark and dangerous enough.  So his friends have spent the last year giving Reggie a rakish-and totally fabricated-reputation.  Unfortunately, that's not at all the type of man Cassie wants.

The two make a wager that he can find her the Lord Perfect she's looking for and she can find him a Miss Wonderful.  The fun begins when Cassie realizes she doesn't want Reggie to have a Miss Wonderful at all and Reggie discovers the Lord Perfect he's come up with might really be perfect.  <G>

As for inspiration, I think I get it from the characters themselves.  I find characters who make very minor appearances in previous books fascinate me and demand further development.  Cassie and Reggie were both such fun in earlier books that they simply had to have their own stories.  I had no idea it would be the same story until I started working on it but they did seem perfect for each other.

How many books have you written? Do you have a favorite?

16 books, 5 novellas.  My favorite is always the one I've just finished writing.

How can readers and fans get in touch with you?

They can write to me at PO Box 31544, Omaha, Nebraska 68131 or email me at victalex@aol.com or through my website: http://www.victoria-alexander.com.

Of all the books you have written, which story or character is your favorite? Why?

I don't really have a favorite but I can honestly say I've never written a book I didn't like.

Do you have your own list of favorite authors?

I don't get the chance to read as much as I used to but when I do I have authors--many of whom are friends-who never disappoint.  For contemporaries-I love Mariah Stewart, Patti Berg, Susan Anderson and Liz Bevarly.  My historical favorites are Stephanie Laurens, Linda Needham, Karen Hawkins and Christina Dodd.

What is the best advice you have ever received in regard to your writing/career?

A review is just one person's opinion.  Trust your instincts. Publishing is a business.  Food eaten standing up has no calories.  Things are not always larger than they appear.  It's never too early to panic.

Okay, some of those aren't really about writing. <G>

What is the most romantic city or place for you?

Absolutely, without a doubt-Venice.  I've only been there once but it's hands down the most magical place on earth.  Aside from its fascinating history and the intriguing architecture and canals and ambiance there's just something in the air that is unlike anywhere else in the world.  Romance and adventure shimmers just beneath the surface of life there and you have the distinct feeling that this is a place where anything can happen.  Artists and writers have always talked about the light in Venice and it does seem to be different.  Golden.  Almost palpable.  It truly is amazing.

Victoria, it's been a pleasure interviewing you and I wish you all the very best in your writing career.  I'm a long-time devoted fan and look forward to reading more humor-filled, action packed adventures from you!!

Thank you!

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