Virginia is one of the most delightful online writing friends I've made. She's another one that I followed each week on Six Sentence Sunday, because I have such a crush on her heroes. They're sexy, strong, protective--and when they use those Spanish endearments? *swoons* We've had many email conversations where we've managed to figure out Facebook, and I'm tickled whenever Virginia considers me a guru (I'm SO not!) Without further ado, please welcome the lovely Virginia Kelly to Friday Friends!
Of all the characters you've created, which one is your favorite? (Characters, don't be worried. We know she loves every one of you!) Why do you love them best?
Nicholas Romero, the hero of my first ever published novel, To The Limit. Nick is still in my thoughts. I often catch myself providing him with a new scenario and new dialogue. Why? I’m not sure, since all my guys are favorites and Nick certainly found his happily ever after. But Nick holds a special place. He’s a native Spanish speaker, like me. He’s a diplomat, but also a soldier. He’s tough, loyal, and very much devoted to family. And did I mention that he has black hair and blue eyes? He also has a fabulous voice with the most delicious, very slight, accent.
Oh yum! I like that idea of coming up with new scenarios/dialogue for your fave character. What's your go-to "writing avoidance" technique? (I can't seem to get enough of these.)
I would say clean the house, but my house isn’t clean enough for me to claim that as a writing avoidance technique. I think email and Google (searching for random bits of information that I promise myself I’ll remember, then forget) are the best ways to avoid writing. Oh, and watching television (Supernatural, Justified, Longmire, and new favorite, Arrow, among others).
I'm a Longmire fan too, and the workouts that guy does on Arrow are so. . . inspiring. *fans face* If you were able to go on a writing retreat, where would it be? (I've got my bags packed, no matter where you pick. . .)
A mountain cabin in the Fall, when the air is crisp and leaves are at full color. Oh, wait, that would be writing avoidance since I’d be out hiking. Hmm… Any place a few good writing friends could meet to exchange ideas, critiques and generally have some writer fun. Let’s do it! :-)
I am so there! What's the word you love to use (and abuse and overuse, so you have to take it out of your book during edits)?
And. I am the queen of And at the beginning of sentences, something my 7th grade English teacher told me was a no-no. I also like Okay as a response in dialogue. Way too may Okays in my dialogue.
I love using And at the beginning of sentences! Name the first thing you'll do when you make a million dollars from your books.
Go back to Italy for a nice long stay.
That sounds wonderful--and my bags are still packed from the writing retreat! Next is a lightning round we'll call The Tasty Ten, where we get to know you in a speed dating kind of way:
Coffee or tea? Café au lait
Drafting or revising? Neither. I like it when the story just flows. Okay, [sigh] it never just flows, :-( so I guess it’s revising.
Twitter or Facebook? Neither. Pinterest is my love.
Winter or Summer? Fall. I’m really not a contrarian, but summer in the South is miserable and I hate really cold weather.
Cowboy or pirate? Cowboy. And a few select highwaymen ;-) [Donna says: Yay!]
Baseball or football? Soccer.
Pecs or abs? What’s wrong with both?
Soldier or sailor? Soldier.
Beer or wine? Wine. White.
Biter or licker? (Hey! I'm talking ice cream cones here!) Licker :-)
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Author Bio
An RWA Golden Heart® finalist, Virginia Kelly’s first book was published as To the Limit and finaled in several contests such as the Holt Medallion, The Golden Quill and The Aspen Gold.
Virginia has always loved adventure novels, but romance is at the core of her stories—romance with the adrenalin rush of danger. Against the Wind, a full-length novel, and Dancing in the Dark, the prequel novella to In the Arms of a Stranger, are about dangerous men and the adventurous women willing to take a chance on them.
Traveling is a passion that came early in life. Her first airplane ride was a trip over the Andes Mountains in Peru at the ripe old age of two months. Her travels provide the settings for her novels, whether it’s a fictitious Latin American country based on Peru, the country of her birth, or Florida and the American South where she now lives.
A graduate of the University of Alabama with a master’s degree in Library Science, Virginia is an academic librarian. She tries to include a librarian in all of her books as either the heroine or as a minor character. Having taught high school and college, she has a great appreciation for teachers and often uses that as the profession for her heroines.
Social Media Links
Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads ~ Pinterest
Book Blurb of Dancing in the Dark
What if you discovered all you ever wanted were the things you left behind?
Covert CIA agent Matt Kincaid is back in tiny Walton Springs, only to find Janey Blackmon waiting to ask him a favor. Matt's not there to reminisce with the girl he's never forgotten...and he's definitely not there to divulge government secrets about her missing brother. Ten years...and Janey hasn't forgotten the love of her life...or that he abandoned her on prom night. Bound by duty and honor, he was shipped out to parts unknown by Uncle Sam. But she knew he'd go because adventure is in Matt's blood. Being stuck in a small town with plain Jane the librarian wasn't ever in his plans. Trapped by a flood, with no phone or power, desire tempts them both. Will passion--and Matt's offer to recreate prom night--lead to a future together? Or are they just dancing in the dark?
A novella prequel to In the Arms of a Stranger, coming October 28, 2013 from Entangled Publishing.
Excerpt
He was leaving in two weeks, no choice, no way to…do what? Make promises he couldn’t keep?
“That’s okay, no biggie,” he hurried to say. “I understand if you don’t want—”
“I want to dance with you.” Only she said it like she wanted much more than a dance.
If she didn’t stop him, could he stop himself? Again?
Yes.
He was a damn clandestine officer. He could keep his hands off Janey Blackmon.
Not if they were dancing. “There’s only elevator music,” he said, suddenly desperate for an out.
“We’ll make do.”
That was exactly what he was afraid of.
“This is a nice song. Come on, Matt. You asked,” she said, backing into the dining room.
He followed through to the living room, tempted by the thought of holding her. He prayed the song would end. He prayed it wouldn’t.
There she stood, this woman he’d wanted as long as he could remember. Rain beat against the windows, thunder rumbled in the distance. The town was flooding, but he didn’t care. The whole damn place could wash away as she smiled up at him, a little hesitant, a little shy. Like she was afraid he’d refuse.
He couldn’t.
He held out his arms in the dance position and she glided in.
She smelled like heaven, she felt…he didn’t have the words. Like a gift. Like… No, he didn’t have the words.
Book Buy Links
Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Kobo ~ iBookstore
Thanks for allowing me to visit today, Donna. You've been such a good friend since we met online. And (notice the first word of the sentence) you are my Facebook guru, really. :-)
As a little bonus, Entangled Publishing is running a giveaway because the October Ignite series covers are now up. The prize is a $15 book gift card. You can check it out and see the cover for my October release, IN THE ARMS OF A STRANGER, at my Facebook page: http://facebook.com/VirginiaKellyAuthor. The giveaway is on until Sunday.
Again, thanks for allowing me to visit.
Posted by: Virginia Kelly | October 11, 2013 at 08:11 AM
Hi, Virginia, nice to meet you. I love the sound of your heroes (especially Nick Romero...yum!) and the excerpt was fab!
I often go back and dream up new scenarios for my favorite characters too. Even though I move on to new writing projects, sometimes it's just hard to let them go :)
Posted by: Mae Clair | October 11, 2013 at 08:14 AM
Virginia, thanks for being here! I'm glad you consider me a Facebook guru -- I think I gave up on it for about 2 months before my stubbornness kicked back in so I could figure it out. I'm happy to share what I've learned so you don't have to be frustrated!
Oooh, that sounds like a wonderful giveaway! I'm really looking forward to the new book. I LOVED the prom scene in this novella. :)
Posted by: Donna Cummings | October 11, 2013 at 09:31 AM
Mae, he does sound yummy, doesn't he? He's the only one I haven't gotten to read yet -- well, except for the new one. :)
It IS hard to let go of the favorite characters (Hey, you guys, settle down -- you are ALL my favorites!) So it's kind of fun to think, "What are they doing now?" and let my brain kind of drift into new scenarios.
Posted by: Donna Cummings | October 11, 2013 at 09:33 AM
Hi, Virginia, what a nice surprise to find you here! You are a wonderful writer with great heroes--especially Nick Romero. I remember how thrilled our RWA chapter was when we learned you were a Golden Heart finalist. I wish you all the best with your new books.
And Donna, what a thoroughly entertaining interview!
Posted by: Elizabeth Ann Smith | October 12, 2013 at 02:47 PM
What a small world! I didn't know you knew Virginia -- and I'm a little jealous that you've gotten to read Nick. LOL
I'm so glad you enjoyed the interview. It makes Fridays a little bit more fun. :)
Posted by: Donna Cummings | October 12, 2013 at 08:30 PM