Blurb:
If a gold medal was awarded for Worst Day Ever, Laney Calderone would win it today, hands down. She’s just discovered she's pregnant, her fiancé abruptly dumps her when she tells him, and her new car refuses to start as a brutal snowstorm hits Toronto.
Good Samaritan Tyler Hammond offers to take her home; however, with the heavy snow falling and his patience dwindling, Laney’s gold medal day isn’t over yet.
Storms intensify both outside and in as Laney finds herself inexplicably attracted to this tall, dark and very handsome but infuriating stranger.
Can Laney fight her unwanted yet increasing desire for this man long enough to get through the relentless storm? And will Tyler let her walk out of his life as easily as she came into it?
Excerpt:
Laney slammed the door shut then lifted the hood. Now, she thought, what exactly is it I’m supposed to be looking for? Her eyes roamed the assorted engine circuitry wishing she could see a flashing neon sign with the words Push this Button to Restart Engine.
No such luck. The heavy, wet snow covered the engine and she shivered again trying to brace herself against the powerful squalls.
“Need any help?” a deep voice penetrated the howling wind.
Laney heaved another sigh as she looked up and saw someone approaching. “No, of course not!” she snapped, in no mood for stupid questions. “I often come out here late at night during raging blizzards to study the complexities of my car engine! Would you like to join me? Perhaps later we could pop into the coffee shop down the street for a latté and scone, just to finish the evening off right.”
A low chuckle escaped the stranger’s lips. “All right, as you seem to have the situation under control, I’ll leave you to it. Goodnight.”
“Wait —” Through the swirls of snow Laney was now very much aware of the man approaching. Her eyes took in his massive shoulders hidden beneath a black leather jacket, and as he got closer, her gaze wandered higher taking in the full lips creased in a smile, a finely chiselled nose and steel grey eyes that seemed to be twinkling, then thick, dark curls which refused to be flattened by the huge, wet flakes.
Victoria, thanks so much for stopping by. Tell us a little about yourself.
It’s a pleasure to be here, thanks for letting me stop by! I was born in England, my family moved to Canada when I was almost 7, and I have a strong love of humour and tea. I enjoy spending time with family and friends, a glass of wine and a good book.
How did you get started writing?
I’ve always enjoyed spinning yarns, even as a child. My parents told me I was always very creative (still am) and I even had imaginary friends. So, it wasn’t a huge leap to try my hand at writing and writing a romance novel interested me the most. I took Creative Writing courses in school and college and always got top marks. I love that I can escape into the pages and create a different world, even if it’s just for a while.
What was the inspiration for your book?
I glanced out of the window one day as the snow began to fall. Huge, wet flakes covered everything so fast and my mind drifted. I wondered what I would do if I got stuck in a wicked snowstorm, miles from home, and my car wouldn’t start - what would happen to me? Where would I find shelter? How would I get home? Would a handsome Good Samaritan come along to rescue me?
What’s a genre you haven’t written in yet that you’d like to?
I would love to try my hand at a murder mystery. I’ve always enjoyed reading Agatha Christie, Martha Grimes and Louise Penny, I’m just not sure I could keep the real clues and the red herrings under control until the last page.
Are there any genres you won’t read or write in? Why?
Science Fiction. I love Star Trek and Star Wars, but this very popular genre doesn’t inspire me to add a contribution. There’s a plethora of talented authors in this genre, so I’ll leave it to them and stay in romance.
What are you up to now? Do you have any releases planned, or are you still writing?
Stranded in Love is Book #1 of the Calderone Family Romance Series. And as Laney, the heroine, has four older brothers, I decided to give each of them their own love story. Book #2, Write to Love, will be released next year, and is the story of Noel Calderone, the youngest brother, and what happens when he meets a raven-haired, violet-eyed mystery author. Book #3 will continue with the brother’s love lives, Charles is next, followed by Stephen then Jamie. To wrap up the series, Book #6, which I’m currently working on, will be about their parents, Eve and Boyd, told partially in flashbacks, to recount their love story.
Stranded in Love is Book #1 of the Calderone Family Romance Series. And as Laney, the heroine, has four older brothers, I decided to give each of them their own love story. Book #2, Write to Love, will be released next year, and is the story of Noel Calderone, the youngest brother, and what happens when he meets a raven-haired, violet-eyed mystery author. Book #3 will continue with the brother’s love lives, Charles is next, followed by Stephen then Jamie. To wrap up the series, Book #6, which I’m currently working on, will be about their parents, Eve and Boyd, told partially in flashbacks, to recount their love story.
Alright, now for some random, fun questions. Favorite color?
Red
Favorite movies?
The Way We Were & Love Actually
Book that inspired you to become an author?
Oh, so many!! Too many to list!
You have one superpower. What is it?
Invisibility
You can have dinner with any 3 people, dead, alive, fictitious, etc. Who are they?
Agatha Christie, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, my Grandmother
Agatha Christie, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, my Grandmother
Last question: Which of your characters are you most like and how/why?
I don’t think I’m like any one of my characters. What I do think is that parts of me (some great, some tiny) come through in all my characters. I’m creating them, placing them in situations, putting words in their mouth, giving them issues and stressors to manage, etc., so my feelings, emotions, wants and needs can’t help but sneak out and come through in their actions and dialogue on occasion.
That’s all from me, thanks for taking the time to stop by!
Thanks for inviting me in! I really enjoyed this interview.
Don’t forget to visit the other stops on the tour.
Author Bio and Links:
Born in England to a Monty Python-loving dad and a Lawrence Welk-loving mum - tea drinkers all - we moved to Canada when I was seven. "Say book, say look" my new classmates would hound me just so they could have a good chuckle at my accent. But being incredibly shy, this was a great way for me to make friends.
My love of words and a creative imagination prompted English teachers to urge me to write for a living, especially after I got a letter from the Prime Minister who thanked me for writing to him! So cool for a twelve-year-old!
Through the years, I wrote while I earned a living as an Administrative Assistant in various companies; then I owned a Wedding Coordination business for six years (talk about romance!), all the while being happily married to the love of my life.
These interesting jobs plus wedded bliss gave me oodles of ideas for romantic plot lines, tall, dark and handsome heroes and feisty, beautiful heroines, and, of course, the happily ever afters.
I currently live in Mississauga and spend time with family and friends, and struggle daily with the wine and chocolate that somehow magically appear in my house...
And, amidst the endless cups of strong tea, while the dead parrot sketch and Cole Porter songs whirl around in my brain, I write. I will always write romances because I love creating fascinating characters whose lives I can make completely miserable before I give them their happily ever after.
Victoria
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