As a debut author, everything is new for me. Between working through editorial comments, copy/edits, galleys, ARC's (Advance Reader Copies) sometimes it's a little unnerving because you don't know what to expect. Since Temptation in a Kilt is virtually ready to go for its September 1st release, I now swim the uncharted waters of editorial and reader reviews. That being said, when I received an e-mail from Sourcebooks on vacation and they advised me that RT Book Reviews posted a review of Temptation in Kilt, my eyes widened, I literally froze and my stomach knotted tighter than a kid caught with his hand in a cookie jar.
I read the following caption from my publisher.
RT Rating: 4 Star Review
"Roberts' debut novel will charm fans of Scottish romance. Her love of Scottish history and Highland heroes is quite evident in the fast-moving plot. Well written, full of intrigue and a sensual, believable romance, this book captivates the reader immediately. Definitely an author whose next book will be eagerly awaited by her readers."
My family was thrilled. My sister and brother-in-law were so excited and my Dad's eyes bordered on tears. He gave me a hug and said, "Your mother would be so proud of you."
Thoroughly ecstatic, I truly thought that was the end of it. Imagine my complete surprise when I started getting e-mails from my chapters telling me I was in September's issue of RT Book Reviews. I assumed it was the review that Sourcebooks told me about and gave polite thank-you's to my writing clan. When one of my chapter sister's said that I polluted the pages of RT in a good way, I rushed out to Barnes and Noble and bought the latest issue.
It all started on page 17 where I was listed in First Books in a New Series Launch.
BAD BOYS OF THE HIGHLANDS
Temptation in a Kilt
That was awesome. Who doesn't love seeing their name in print? As I scrolled through the magazine, my breath hitched on page 32.
OMG! Is that MY book cover in the corner? WHAT is going on?
The caption says, "K.I.S.S. (es) for SEPTEMBER Knights in Shining Silver."
Among the heroes of Tessa Dare, Eloisa James, Kieran Kramer, Anna Randol, Nina Rowan, Sara Luck, and Margaret McPhee is me, Victoria Roberts. There were cute captions such as "Eloisa James' James Ryburn knows a confident woman isn't The Ugly Duchess."
I kept reading to find "Victoria Roberts' hero, Ciaran MacGregor, embodies honor, sensuality and Temptation in a Kilt."
OK. By this time, I'm jumping up and down. I didn't know this was going into the magazine. And then came page 38.
Tears strolled down my cheeks and all I could say was, "I did it, Mom!"
To some, this may seem trivial. To me, it meant the world. I finally found myself on this side of 40-ish. The memory of my mother on her deathbed holding my hand and talking to me about my book, so proud, so loving, telling me she would be there for me. Always. It touched a special place in my heart. So this is for you, Mom!
In honor of my first good review and in memory of my Mom, I will give away a signed ARC and a Bad Boys of the Highlands t-shirt to one random commenter. Just tell me your favorite memory of your mother. Winner will be announced Monday, August 6th. (US and Canada only, please.)
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