As you know, I’ve been begging some of my favorite authors to come over to the blog and chat for the past few weeks, and I’m so happy to host the fabulous Vicky Dreiling today on her release day for her latest–How to Ravish a Rake! I was lucky enough to read Vicky’s first book, How to Marry a Duke, before it was published…and it made me a very happy camper–it’s a wonderful Regency reimagining of The Bachelor…and I was hooked from the first line. But I’m going to let her tell you the story!
Welcome Vicky!
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This story is about Sarah. In March 2010, I saw this book at Barnes & Noble with a fabulous cover and a great eye-catching title:
Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake
I was hooked immediately and bought the book, which I intended to read while traveling for business. Unfortunately, I forgot to pack the book. I was really disappointed when I realized my mistake at the airport. Meanwhile, my darling daughter came home from college to pet sit for me. After I got home, Amber Rose went back to college, and I searched high and low for Sarah’s book. I couldn’t find it anywhere. Then I realized what had happened. Nine Rules had taken a trip to college. :)
Something else happened. I walked past my overflowing bookshelf, and a pile of books fell off. I looked at the mess and concluded I must do one of the following: A) Buy more bookshelves or B) Buy an e-reader. As luck would have it, Amazon was featuring a sale on Kindles, so I bought one. The first book I ordered for my Kindle was Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake.
I loved Nine Rules. From the first page, Callie grabbed my heart. So yeah, I’m a big fan of Sarah’s books, but there’s more to my story. I started tweeting with Sarah, and of course, I adored her. We had a mutual friend, too – Sophie Jordan. I was also very excited because I’d sold my first book, How to Marry a Duke. Then one morning on Twitter, I got a direct message from Sarah. It said: “I love your first line.”
[Editor's Note: The first line of How to Marry a Duke is: "The belles of the Beau Monde had resorted to clumsiness in an effort to snag a ducal husband." I mean, who wouldn't love that line?]
Huh?
I sent her a DM and said, “You have a copy of my book?”
We sort of scooped my editor! Not long afterward, my editor emailed to let me know about all the fabulous authors who had read my book and given it great quotes. I called her after seeing the list and told her that two of my friends were on there: Sarah & Sophie.
The really great part is that I got to meet Sarah at the RWA conference. She’s just as funny and warm as you have probably guessed. And I can’t wait to read A Rogue by Any Other Name. It’s on my Kindle Fire (I gave the 1st Kindle to my darling daughter LOL).
Oh, yeah, I guess I should reveal that I have a book coming out on today! It’s called How to Ravish a Rake, and it involves a wine cellar, a wedding wager, and a happily ever after. There’s smooching in it, too. :)
SCANDALOUS DESIRES . . .
Amy Hardwick has one last Season to shake off her wallflower image and make a love match. If she can’t, she’ll set aside her dreams of romance and return home to a suitor who can provide security—if little else. What she doesn’t count on is the inappropriate—and irresistible—attention lavished on her in a darkened library by rake extraordinaire Will “The Devil” Darcett . . .
DEVILISH DELIGHT
When Will is caught in a tryst with the ton’s shyest miss, he knows he must offer for her hand. Yet Amy is not the shrinking violet she seems to be. Passion lies beneath her prim exterior and Will is eager to release it. But winning Amy isn’t simply a matter of seduction; first, Will must convince her that he’s mended his wicked ways . . .
Sarah, thanks so much for inviting me to your site, and major congratulations on making the New York Times list with A Rogue By Any Other Name!!!
***
Thanks so much for this wonderful story, Vicky…I’m thrilled that we met! Plus, any friend of Sophie’s is a friend of mine, always!
Vicky and I believe that good friends are absolutely necessary in life…tell us about a great friend of yours in comments, and one lucky winner will receive a signed copy of Vicky’s How to Ravish a Rake (US & Canada Only)!
April 1st, 2012 at 11:12 am
My best and dearest friend TA. She and I bonded not long after we quit working together, though we’d been friends since before I left that job. She bore twins about 17 years ago and one of them died from a heart condition. The odd thing is, I have the very same condition, was born about 20 years earlier, and I survived.
Our friendship and mutual respect only deepened when in September of 2010 I learned that I was pregnant with twins! My girls, thankfully, had no heart problems, but both of us having twins only brought us closer. We live about 400 miles apart, but we’re still very much best friends.
April 1st, 2012 at 12:16 pm
My best friend lives more than a few miles from me, and while we don’t get together often enough.. when we do, it’s like we’ve not been apart for one day.. Does tend to drive the hubbys crazy …
April 1st, 2012 at 12:57 pm
Tory, I loved your story about your good friend TA. Knowing that you have friends in addition to family who are there for you as you are there for them is the best. Thanks for sharing!
Cate S, It’s so wonderful that we have online tools to keep up with our friends so easily.
April 1st, 2012 at 1:16 pm
Hi Vicky! Congrats on the recent release.
The internet is such a wonderful place allowing us to connect and form friendships with others. My blogging other half lives 3000 miles away and thanks to Twitter, email and even meeting in the middle-ish (Denver) we’ve formed a bond. We chat at all hours of the day (Thanks Twitter!) and sometimes have Skype dates (which drop after an hour. lol. I think Skype doesn’t approve our inappropriateness).
Twitter actually introduced me to you. I had seen the blurb for HTMAD and immediately pre-ordered it. I’ve been stalking you since then. :)
April 1st, 2012 at 7:52 pm
Hi Vicky and Sarah!
Happy release day Vicky. Sarah, whenever you have an author “visit” I always love getting to know more about them and as always you have shed a little light on the way Vicky thinks! By the way Vicky I do so love “children” that love to read – just ask my sons!
My best friend is Sheilah. When I was diagonosed with cancer she was always there from me keeping me “on track”. I wssn’t the “normal” cancer patient. The first thing I asked my docter was to cut to the chase and tell me the worst possible outcome! Somehow with my quirky attitude Sheilah always managed to keep me focused.
A few years later when she was diagnosed with cancer the one thing she asked was I be there for her. When her docter came into her room the next day I was there with her. When her docter told her they had to sex up chemo treatments she looked at me and all I said was “I’ll be there for you”. She leaned over picked up her pocketbook and took our her day-planner and told the docter “I have things to do and people to see so let’s see what dates I have available!
Sheilah was told if she was lucky she might live 3 years. She lived life to the fullest and was still always there not only for her family but also to support all her friends. She beat the docter’s odds and lived for 8 more years.
Sheilah, your still my best friend and I’ll always love and miss you.
April 1st, 2012 at 9:07 pm
Jeanne, thank you for sharing your wonderful story about your best friend Sheilah. I’m glad you had more time with her. I know you treasure all the good memories of her. Hugs!
April 1st, 2012 at 9:08 pm
Thanks, Kati! You’re so much fun & I know Jenn is, too. How funny about skype. Try to behave – hah!
Cheers!
April 1st, 2012 at 10:31 pm
I’ve known my best friend for over 25 years. We met as part of a double/triple date of young 20-somethings trying to fix up the “5th wheel” – I was the 5th wheel! Although we live 4 hours apart right now, we always try to see each other at least twice a year – and either she comes to me or I to her whenever Tim McGraw is in town!
April 2nd, 2012 at 12:16 am
I’ve been lucky to have 3 dearest/closest friends during my life so far who I know will be there to share not only the highs but to help me get through the very hardest of lows (& vice versa). One is from grade school/high school (& while we don’t see/talk often, she’s still my oldest & dearest), one met during college (she babysat for my sister who introduced when it looked like I may spend the summer with her, the 2 of us clicked immediately & my sister wondered afterward what she was thinking at the time *g*) & the 3rd about a dozen years ago via work (who has the sweetest & most generous spirit & I’ve often said that I was blessed & lucky the day she came to work there and our friendship formed)
April 2nd, 2012 at 2:11 am
A good friend of mine helped me pack up my things and move across the country.
April 2nd, 2012 at 8:14 am
My best friend lives more than 600 miles away from where I am in NC. We’ve been friends since college, more than 15 years ago. We only get to see each other a few times a year, but whenever we get together, we always have an adventure whether it’s planned or unexpected. One summer, we went to a professional baseball game, and it happened to be on my birthday. I remember the two of us were on our way to pick up the tickets at Will Call, and trying to figure out where the seats might be. We were hoping for bleachers or in right field, but when we picked up the tickets (arranged and paid for by a co-worker of my father’s), they were marked Suite. Both of us stood there with our jaws on the ground, staring at it and at each other because we’d never been in one before, and had no idea how to get there. Eventually we found the place and had a great time because our team won.
April 2nd, 2012 at 6:06 pm
Sarah, I adore your books. They make me so happy! I’ve not ready any of Vicky’s (yet) but I have a feeling I’ll love those too.
My best friend and I met in college. We both had our own group of friends, but somehow by the end of our senior year we found ourselves stuck together more and more. What really bonded us was living together for 3 years after college. Living together will either bond you for life or destroy your relationship, right? I even worked for her at one point. You know it’s true friendship when you can survive her being your boss. She’s married now and expecting her first child next week. Sadly she lives halfway across the country from me now and we only get to see each other about once a year. But it doesn’t matter how much time passes, when we’re together, it’s like not a day has passed. I’m taking my week’s vacation to go see her and the new little one next month. I can’t wait to be an “auntie!”
April 2nd, 2012 at 10:39 pm
My best friend is my older sister, we share a love of books as well as lots of other common interests. Unfortunately, I moved across the country, but we are able to keep in touch in this modern age with Facetime calls, email, texting, and visits whenever possible. She’s very busy at work, so she relies on me to recommend great books to read, and I keep up my end by reading as many great books as possible, and then telling her all about them. Can’t wait to read How to Ravish a Rake and then turn my sister on to it. :D
April 3rd, 2012 at 12:12 pm
My best friend and I met in high school and even though she is over 8000 miles away we still talk all the time. Coming to the States to study & leaving my country(Kenya) has not been easy since I dnt make friends that easy but the bond we shared when were 30mins away from each other is still there and I hope it stays that way forever!!
Congrats Vicki for your release haven’t read any of ur books but will start too:)