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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Posts
What a wonderful story! I'm so happy for you!
ReplyDeleteOne of my favorite memories with my mom was when we were in her hometown in England together. I loved seeing her eyes light up as she told me about getting candy from that store or going to that place with her boyfriend. And she slipped back into her accent, which always tickles me.
Absolutely wonderful post, Victoria! I teared up a little when you said your dad did at reading your review. I wish those wonderful moments for every romance author. Congratulations on glowing reviews and a wonderful family to share them with. I look forward to reading your book! :)
ReplyDeleteOh, and the favorite memory of my mother is just from the other day, watching my mom race the kids (her grandkids) in the pool. They laughed so hard.:)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Alexa. And thank you for sharing a memory of your mother.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Holly. It must be a Grandma thing. I think most parents love their grandchildren more than their own!
ReplyDeleteI got goosebumps reading this post, along with watery (happy ones) eyes! I am thrilled for you. (At first when you said you took the "clan" on vacation with you, i thought you took the hero of the book, lol). As a reader I get excited reading debut authors. I love to fall in love with a romance book and to look forward to each one that comes out. I've knew about the book coming (I think I heard on Facebook or Goodreads) and been so anticipating it. And been telling others because I love these MIK (men in kilts) reads and many other readers do too so we chat and recommend them on Goodreads and this one was chatted about to look forward to. Sorry on the long long post. Im Just so happy for you as a reader. Bet your mom is smiling huge for you! Congrats!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing. I know how hard it can be. One of my favorite memories of my mother is why I have always loved romance novels. I ask her why she read romance books and she told me they take took her to places she could never go and live like she would never be able to live. She had a book on her night stand the day she passed away. She smiled at me and closed her eyes. I miss her so much.
ReplyDeleteMary Keith
mary@keithpublications.com
humm lets see thei r so many funny things about my mom
ReplyDeleteshe is a magnet for weird people from a group of young men asking her to ride in their f bucket which was a "mini van to some lady licking her icecream cone tos e eif she like dthe flavor i think the funniets was when she came hoem to tell us these stories and she turned about 50 shades of red its rather funny recently she dyed her hair a redish brown and looked at us so seriouslya nd said do u think i got my sexy back
ty for the chance
mortalsinn@yahoo.com
Woohoo, Victoria. Congrats on flooding the pages of RT. How cool is that? You must have been floating around the house. :) Such nice memories of your Mom.
ReplyDeleteMy mom passed away recently at 89. She was very supportive of my writing and I wish I could have published a book before she left us. After she read my first manuscript, she said she really liked the story but skipped the sex parts. :)
Caffey, I don't think my husband would let my hero anywhere near our clan. ;-) Thank you for your support.
ReplyDeleteMary, what a wonderful memory of your Mom. And it's something you'll cherish always.
SiNn,you gotta love when Mom's turn back the clock to tweenies.
Dawn,at least you know that she read your manuscript. It will mean that much more when that baby's in print. ;-)
So proud of you Victoria!!!!
ReplyDeleteYou gave me the courage to do it, Eliza. YOU are my rockstar!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite memory of my mom was when we took a trip to Maui. It was the first time she ever went on a vacation just so she can relax and enjoy herself. She was so happy and excited. She was like a kid in Disneyland. LOL It was nice to see her have so much fun.
ReplyDeleteWhoohoo Victoria! You should be beaming bright! Congratulations on your first release. I can't wait to read it!
ReplyDeleteOh Vicky...love that pic of you and Rita. I was lucky to know her. It's hard for me to pick a favorite.. there are so many.. but I must say that I was eternally grateful to her for driving 2 hours the night my son was born and waiting another hour or so while I spent time with his birthmom and my mom just waited to meet her new grandson. Seeing her hold him and changing him and feeding him as I looked at MY son with his GRANDMA was amazing.
ReplyDeleteand to be funny.. going to Spain and having her say ONE.. Co.. Ca.. Co... la.. loudly and slowly because she thought that would make them understand better was priceless.
Beautiful post! And good for you! Congrats at all the attention this book is getting so early on!! Can't wait to read it.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite memory of my mom is every fall we spend a weekend canning all the fruits and veggies from our garden, we gossip and laugh and eat lots of eating...my mom is the greatest cook and feeding us always puts a smile on her face ( nothing tastes as good as mom's cooking)
ReplyDeleteXia, what a wonderful memory of your mom. And to think her first vacation was Maui! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteJamie, thanks so much. I'm pretty thrilled about it.
Heather, of course your mom would've done that. She's your mom, and now a grandmother. I'm sure she's very proud.
Thank you, J. Carpenter. I'm glad to see people still spend time canning. What great time with your mom!
And the winner is... Mary Keith!
ReplyDeletePlease e-mail me your address and I'll get your Bad Boys package out to you.
Congratulations!
*Winner was chosen via Random.org.