Blog Tour: The Viscount's Vow by Collette Cameron (Guest Post + Giveaway)

Love Saves the World welcomes back Collette Cameron who is currently on tour for her book, The Viscount's Vow.

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. (Read my review of Highlander's Hope here.) To visit Collette's other stops, click here.

For this stop, I asked Collette to share about her favorite historical periods. Without further ado, here's what Collette has to say:

My Favorite Period In Historical Romance by Collette Cameron

Historical romance has always been my genre of choice, but I confess, Regency is my favorite and has been since a friend of mine handed me a Barbara Cartland romance when I was all of thirteen. I hear you gasping. Yes, I started reading romance when I was thirteen, but Barbara’s were as sweet as you can get.

So, why Regency you ask? Even if you didn’t, I’m going to tell you, so grab a cup of tea and a few shortbread biscuits and make yourself comfortable. I suppose I should clarify a bit here first. I’m talking about stories set in the Regency era as well as what is classified as a typical Regency romance.

First, the Regency era was a time of tremendous transition, and in my opinion, highly romantic. Hints of social reforms were seen during this time period, and the first nuances of rights for women began to be voiced. More women writers were being recognized, and though society still dictated what a woman could and couldn’t do, many Regency heroines we read about considered themselves equals to their spouses.

Even attire for women was vastly different then it had been just a few years before. I’ve a fondness for empire dresses and the Grecian hair styles of the period. The outwardly decorum conscience peeress who isn’t afraid to let fly with a punch or pull a pistol is just my kind of gal. And the ability to filet a rival with a cut or a glib tongue...? Well, the Lady Patronesses of Almack’s had that down to an art form.

I’m one of those women who adore dressing up. Hair, gowns, jewelry, the more frou frou, the better. Regency is chock full of frou frou, though the men wearing corsets (to shrink parts too large) or pads (to enhance parts too small) doesn’t do a whole lot for me. The elegance and opulence of the haute ton, does strikes a chord in me, though. I suppose at some level, I’m like the little girl who dreams of being a princess, only I do it through reading and writing Regencies.

Regencies have a distinct tone, and those of us who read and write Regency soon learn the lexicon. Ton, beau monde, twiddle poop, bumblebroth, taradiddle, high steppers -- such lovely expressions. The men and woman had a colorful way of speaking, though when I first starting reading Regency, I had no idea what terms like fustian nonsense or pockets to let meant. Now, I have the 1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue which is the greatest resources. I never fail to have a good giggle when I’m looking for a term.

That’s another reason I love the era. I’m a history buff, and reading Regency is reading living history ... At least if the author has done their research. I’m a strong advocate for historical accuracy, but not a fanatic. Give me the gist of a entertaining Regency, and I’m more than willing to ignore a historical faux pas. Oh, another reason I adore Regency -- the French. Everyone who was anyone spoke French, which is ironic considering the wars with the French during the first part of the Regency Era.

What else?

The heroes of course.

I love a dark hero, the reformed rake or rogue which many of the titled nobility were. Okay, so maybe some of them were louts after marriage too, but the romantic in me prefers that they became devoted and loyal husbands. Appearance and dress were of utmost importance (who can resist a hunk in a suit?) but Regency heroes (at least in romance novels) weren’t wimps. Not only were they graceful dancers, many played an instrument and/or sang, and we’ve all heard about the poets of the era. Still, they boxed, hunted, were skilled with both guns and blades, and kept abreast of politics, which were tumultuous given the Napoleonic wars and the Prince Regent, Prinny’s, rule by proxy.

Regency is all polite propriety on the exterior, but boy-oh-boy, were they a naughty bunch behind closed doors. Nearly half of all brides were ... ahem ... in the family way, despite the strictly enforced no touching and chaperone rules. It does make you wonder how they managed. And the affairs? Scandalous! Many are well-documented in historical records.
So know you know my favorite historical period. What’s yours?

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Thank you, Collette, for sharing this!

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About the 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.

Excerpt:

Noticing the numerous pairs of eyes watching him escort Miss Caruthers onto the polished floor, a wry smile touched Ian's lips. “I haven't danced with any other ladies this evening. No doubt the rumormongers are hissing envious conjectures as to why I've asked you.”

She shot him a startled look before glancing around the ballroom. “Why did you?”

“To see if what I'd heard was true.”

Ian watched for a reaction.

She opened her mouth then closed it. They waltzed around the dance floor for a few moments in silence. The string quartet was quite satisfactory. Ian allowed the lilting strains to soothe his troubled spirit.

“What did you hear?” Miss Caruthers’ soft question reminded him of his purpose.

“That you are an excellent dancer.”

It was true. She moved with natural grace, following his lead, all the while holding herself in a most proper stance. He had to acknowledge she was a superb actress. Her gaze remained fixated on a spot above his left shoulder, except for one brief instance when she'd flicked her cobalt-blue gaze upward, and unintentionally met his eyes.

“Is that all?” she asked softly.

He'd never seen eyes that dark blue before. “All?”

“You've heard nothing else about me?”

Her eyes held the perfect combination of trust and innocent curiosity. So convincing was she, that when their gazes fused, a peculiar jolt stabbed the center of his being. What was it? Something foreign, tantalizing, rousing from dormancy and flickering to awareness.

Startled by his train of thought, he stiffened. Good God, now he was waxing sentimental poppycock. Even so, he continued to stare into her seemingly guileless eyes. How could someone so jaded appear so innocent? He couldn't very well tell her what he knew, now could he?

“Is there something else you would have me know?”

Furrowing her smooth brow, she stared at him. “No.”

Was that confusion in her eyes? She looked away first. That irked him.

Man, control yourself. She's not even flirting with you.

He could better understand Geoff's fascination now. Miss Caruthers was skilled in her art. Most skilled. He would have to guard himself well. He sensed her siren's allure, the tentacles of desire winding their way about his reasoning, holding him in an imperceptible, yet impenetrable grip. It was almost as if she'd cast a spell, bewitching him.

What drivel. He was having difficulty concentrating, though, too aware of the voluptuous woman in his arms, their bodies moving as one to the music. No wonder the young blades were lined up, waiting for the smallest morsel of attention from her. Ian could almost believe she was as diffident and unsure of herself as she pretended. Both qualities were designed to stir the primitive male.

He tamped down the protective response she roused in him with her seductress's wiles. “You truly are an exceptionally graceful dancer,” he murmured in her ear.

“Thank you, my lord.”

His nostrils flared at her intoxicating perfume. He tilted his head a bit closer to hers and drew in a deep breath. Something citrusy. Maybe orange blossom? And lightly floral. Lily of the Valley. He recognized the scent. A myriad of the graceful, nodding white flowers blanketed the grounds near Somersfield's pond.

Ian ignored good sense and drew her lush form closer. Her décolletage and his height advantage gave him an excellent view of her ample cleavage. A diamond pendant was nestled in the valley between her creamy breasts. It gently caressed the sloping mounds as she swayed in time to the music. He imagined his finger doing the same.

Blood rushed to his loins. He'd been too long without a woman. Not since

Amelia ... Damn, had it really been eight months? He caressed Miss Caruthers’ spine with his thumb. One slow stroke. She shuddered. Was that a gasp? Perhaps she wasn't as poised as she affected.

Excellent.

It was better to catch her off guard if he was to succeed with his plan. Why then, didn't his scheme of vengeance fill him with the same sense of satisfaction it had before meeting her?

Book Trailer:



Buy Link for the Book:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/The-Viscounts-Regency-Romance-ebook/dp/B00EZ8RBN2

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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/

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