Author Interview with Vicky Dreiling

July 15, 2011

As part of the Forever Romance - How to Seduce a Scoundrel blog tour, The Hope Chest Reviews had the priviledge of hosting an interview with historical romance novelist, Vicky Dreiling.

Vicky is the author of two historical romances, How to Marry a Duke and the newly released, How to Seduce a Scoundrel. They are the first two books in a planned trilogy set in Regency England. Welcome to The Hope Chest Reviews, Vicky. You are a self-described historical romance junkie. What are your top 5 all-time favorite books in the genre? That's a tough question, but I'll tackle it. In no particular order, here are my top 5 all-time favorite historical romance novels: Flowers from the Storm by Laura Kinsale, Whitney My Love by Judith McNaught, Mr. Impossible by Loretta Chase, Lord Perfect by Loretta Chase, and Slightly Scandalous by Mary Balogh. There are so many others, too!

Since you are a confirmed Anglophile, I have to ask: Did you stay up all night to watch the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate?

Yes, I stayed up all night to watch the Royal Wedding. I loved it all (including the fascinators!) and wish the royal couple a long and happy marriage.

Your first novel, How to Marry a Duke was a historical take on The Bachelor TV show. Did you have a similar inspiration for your new novel, How to Seduce a Scoundrel?

Yes, I found inspiration in yet another contemporary source. My daughter and I went to see the movie He's Just Not that Into You. I was fascinated by the vulnerability of the characters as they waded through the tricky dating waters. The film reminded me of the how-to book The Rules. Then it occurred to me that it would be great fun if my heroine Lady Julianne wrote a similar how-to pamphlet for single ladies of the ton. I love writing fun plots and characters.

Hawk and Julianne are both wonderful characters. Do they bear a resemblance to anyone you know in real life or are they strictly figments of your imagination?

Thank you for your kind words about Hawk and Julianne. I love them both. For the most part, my characters are strictly figments of my imagination-more about that in a moment.

In fiction, there are certain character types that we all recognize. Male character types include rebels, charmers, knights, professors, lost souls, and chiefs (CEOs, Dukes, and Earls). Female character types include librarians (shy girls), the boss, the spunky kid, the crusader, and the nurturer. To make the characters unique and three-dimensional, I look for the opposite qualities, those personality quirks that often manifest themselves in moments of extreme stress for the characters. For example, on the surface, Hawk appears to be a well-adjusted, happy-go-lucky charmer without a care in the world. Even Julianne, who has known Hawk all her life, believes this of him, until the cracks in his armor start to show. As the conflict in the story builds, the defense mechanisms that Hawk has relied on for over a decade begin to fall apart. Similarly, Julianne at first appears to be just the spunky kid, but beneath her bravado, she harbors insecurities, because of her father's rejection. Knowing the characters' past is the key to who they are when the book opens.

Now to answer your original question, I did not base any of my characters on other people. But, I share several personality traits with Tessa, the heroine of How to Marry a Duke. Like Tessa, I'm gregarious and start conversations with complete strangers. I also share Tessa's nurturing tendencies.

I see that the title of your next book and the third in the trilogy is How to Ravish a Rake. Can you give us any hints about who the main characters will be and what might be in store for them?

I'm currently writing How to Ravish a Rake, which is slated for publication in spring 2012. This is the story of shy, good girl Amy Hardwick and the charming rake William Darcett, Hawk's younger brother. Will's renowned reputation resulted in the scandal sheets nicknaming him "Devil Darcett." Amy has sworn to avoid the "devil" at all costs, but circumstances conspire against her. A case of mistaken identity results in a steamy encounter in a darkened library. Horrified by her unprincipled behavior, Amy is glad to have escaped .... Or so she thinks. Now she's tempted the one man who is determined to bedevil her.

Thank you so much for visiting with The Hope Chest Reviews today, Vicky. It has been a pleasure interviewing you, and we wish you all the best. 

Thanks so much for inviting me to guest blog. May the magic romance fairies be with all of you!

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