The Glamorous Life of an Author

by Vicky Dreiling

It is a truth universally acknowledged that authors lead glamorous lives.

Not even close. At least I don’t. Fear not, there are some perks to living the life of an author. Prior to my gig as an author, I actually wore business casual clothes and drove to an office. Sometimes I flew all over the US and to some swanky places in Europe like London and Paris. Eventually, I gave up my marketing gig for the high life as an author. Now I have a different wardrobe. Depending on the season, it might consist of sweats or shorts, but my favorite is my Tinkerbell nightgown. Hey, don’t judge!

As a published author I live for the thrill of…. the UPS man. I love him because he brings my author copies of my books. I’m amazed at how athletic these guys are. I tell myself Mr. UPS is not running away from a scary looking woman decked out in the author height of fashion: A pink bathrobe over sweats (that would be moi).

You might feel sorry for authors. After all we dwell in solitude all the day long or so you might think. I assure you I have friends—you know, the imaginary ones who snatch the metaphorical keys and take over the scene. It’s quite irritating, so I frequently put them in character time out. The last time I did that they revolted. Never fear, I bribed them.

I admit I had my hands full when Colin and Angeline arrived on the scene. Now I knew a few things about the couple. Their families had been close all of their lives, but my budding couple had been at odds for many years after an unpleasant incident at Angeline’s debut. To be honest, they loathed each other until they found themselves in difficult circumstances at the annual house party. Here’s an excerpt from WHAT A RECKLESS ROGUE NEEDS.

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What a Reckless Rogue Needs

The Sinful Scoundrels #2

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Lead to the Perfect Seduction?

Regardless of the ton‘s whispers, Lady Angeline Brenham won’t settle for anything less than true love. After rejecting more than her share of suitable suitors, spinsterhood looms before her—until the devilishly handsome Colin reappears in her life with a proposition. Angeline vows to keep her feet on the ground and her heart in check. That is, until one searing kiss melts her resolve and reignites a burning desire for more.

How about an excerpt from What A Reckless Rogue Needs: 

As Colin drew nearer, recognition dawned. The candlelight burnished her brunette hair and shed a mellow glow over her creamy complexion. He felt as if she’d knocked the breath out of him. Hell, she’d literally done it when he’d tried to give her a chaste kiss beneath the Christmas mistletoe a few years ago. She’d always had a sharp tongue, and he’d remained wary of her with good reason.

Angeline curtsied and regarded him with a shrewd smile. “Bonsoir, mon ami.”

Their relationship had always been closer to adversary than friend, but he’d not seen her in a long time. There was no question that she’d grown even more beautiful.

Angeline offered her gloved hand, and he bowed over it. He flicked his eyes quickly over her generous bosom. Colin mentally reminded himself to keep his gaze a very safe distance above her low neckline. “I suspect you’ve had more than a few Parisian admirers.”

Her one-shoulder shrug was all Gallic. “The French have a proverb: ‘Beautiful grapes often make poor wine.’” A sly expression flitted through her green eyes. “So I avoid the grapes and drink the wine.”

“Clever,” he said.

Angeline clapped her hands twice. “Girls, repair to the drawing room. The marchioness is expecting us.”

He offered his arm to her. “Shall we?”

“I don’t know. You look as if you’re facing a prison cell rather than a drawing room.”

He said nothing, but he’d always dreaded visits to his father’s home. He’d been at Eton when his father remarried, and on his infrequent stays at Deerfield, he’d never felt he belonged. It wasn’t as if they were estranged; it was just circumstances. He’d always felt a bit awkward here, and as a result, he didn’t visit often.

They entered the drawing room to the delighted exclamations of Angeline’s mother—the Duchess of Wycoff—and his stepmother, Margaret, the marchioness. He noted the proliferation of gray in the duchess’s hair, and the fine hair on his neck stiffened. The scandal must have created a great deal of vexation.

“I daresay they make a handsome pair,” the duchess said.

Colin winced. When they were children, their deluded families had concocted the idea of a match between them, all because they were born only a week apart. But that had happened when they were mere babes, before his mother’s death and his father’s second marriage.

“Unfortunately, Colin and Angeline are about as compatible as two spitting cats,” the marquess said.

“Chadwick, please mind your words,” Margaret said. “Oh, look what you’ve started. The girls are hissing at each other. Bianca, Bernadette, you will cease.”

His father had spoken the truth. Beyond the annual house party and the spring season, Colin and Angeline had done their best to avoid each other over the years, though they had not been entirely successful. Despite her outward civility this evening, he knew her capacity for causing trouble, and he could not afford to be distracted. The fate of Sommerall hung in the balance.

Don’t miss Kelly’s review of What a Reckless Rogue Needs HERE

GIVEAWAY TIME

Make sure to leave a comment or questions for Vicky (plus your email).  Vicky has 2 copies of What a Reckless Rogue Needs up for grabs 🙂  

A little about Vicky:  

Vicky Dreiling is a confirmed historical romance junkie and Anglophile. Frequent business trips to the UK allowed her to indulge her passion for all things Regency England. Bath, Stonehenge, and Spencer House are among her favorite places. She is, however, truly sorry for accidentally setting off a security alarm in Windsor Castle. That unfortunate incident led her British colleagues to nickname her “Trouble.” When she’s not writing, Vicky enjoys reading, films, concerts, and most of all, long lunches with friends. A native Texan, she holds degrees in English literature and marketing.

Email: vicky@vickydreiling.com

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Publicist: Melissa Sangiocomo

Grand Central Publishing, Publicity
237 Park Avenue NYC, NY 10017