10/28/2015

Get Lost in the Highlands!

Folks, please help me welcome a friend of mine who also write Scottish stories! Although, Vonda’s stories take place a few centuries earlier than mine. Let’s get to know Vonda Sinclair!

 WHO IS VONDA?
Vonda Sinclair’s favorite indulgent pastime is exploring Scotland, from Edinburgh to the untamed and windblown north coast. She also enjoys creating hot Highland heroes and spirited lasses to drive them mad. Her historical romances have won an EPIC Award and a National Readers' Choice Award. She lives in the mountains of North Carolina where she is no doubt creating another Scottish story.

STOLEN BY A HIGHLAND ROGUE (HIGHLAND ADVENTURE 8)
When Chief Dugald MacKerrick's ancient and priceless jeweled dagger is stolen, he follows the suspected thief and abducts his young wife to use as leverage to get his dagger back. During his mad dash back into the Highlands, he is incensed to realize he's attracted to his beautiful captive who is more trouble than she's worth. To his further annoyance, this blond Frenchwoman isn't who he thinks she is. She's Camille Bouchard, cousin of the Countess of Draughon, and has no connection to the thief. But maybe the real prize isn't the dagger at all, but the lass.

Camille isn't sure she wants to be rescued from the Highland rogue who has kidnapped her. She likes his bold, take-charge attitude and his determination to reclaim his dagger. Much to her dismay, after a few stolen moments of passion, she finds herself falling for the kilted devil. But Dugald's destiny as chief is to marry the daughter of another chief, not the illegitimate daughter of a Frenchman. How can she possibly give him up once this adventure is over?

FIND VONDA:
Website
Newsletter
Amazon Author Page 
Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads
Group Blog
 
AND NOW…

ALEXA: How often to you get lost in a story?
VONDA: I would love to read a lot more than I do but unfortunately there's not always time for that. I have a lot of responsibilities and things that keep me busy outside of writing so I try to spend as much free time as possible writing. Of course, reading inspires me to want to write more so I have to fit a little in a few times per week.

ALEXA: What’s your favorite “love” word?
VONDA: Love is my favorite "love" word. :) It's the most powerful force in the universe and the reason I write romance.

ALEXA: What’s your favorite movie of all time?
VONDA: Dirty Dancing. I think this was an iconic movie for a generation. It contained romance, fun, excitement and many life lessons about standing up for what you believe in, coming of age. To not be judgmental. How you can do things you never dreamed possible. How the best things in life can come from unexpected places.

ALEXA: Fairy Tale or Action Adventure?
VONDA: Both combined and merged into a story that is highly romantic and filled with adventure… that's what I write.

ALEXA: What is your favorite trait about your hero in Stolen by a Highland Rogue?
VONDA: Dugald is incredibly determined to reclaim his valuable dagger. I admire that sort of perseverance. It isn't the monetary value that's important to him. This dagger is very special and ancient. It has been in his clan for generations. He feels he let down his late father when the dagger was stolen. He was not guarding it carefully enough. And now he may have prevented his future children and descendants from having it. Despite his willingness to do almost anything to get the dagger back, including kidnapping, he shows compassion to his hostage.

ALEXA: What does it mean to love someone?
VONDA: To accept someone unconditionally and not place any sort of judgment on things they do. To understand that person, or at least try to. To accept them, imperfections, flaws and all because no one is perfect.

ALEXA: High Heels or Hiking Boots?
VONDA: Hiking boots for hill walking in Scotland. :)

ALEXA: How did you come up with the idea for your book?
VONDA: For Highlander Unbroken my upcoming novel, the idea for a dark, troubled Highland hero came to me while listening to the song Demons by Imagine Dragons a few years ago. I then had to figure out how to work it into my series. Once I discovered Maili's brother Neacal MacDonald, first introduced in My Captive Highlander, had a tortured past, literally, I had to write about him. For my novella, Stolen by a Highland Rogue, since my second book (My Wild Highlander) came out I'd wanted to write a story about Camille, a secondary character and the French cousin of the heroine (Angelique). Camille seemed to be a fun person who used weapons and wasn't afraid of a little adventure and danger. She has faced dangerous men in the past, so I knew being kidnapped wouldn't faze her. She would stand toe to toe with the braw Highland warrior and tell him off for abducting her. It was a fun story to write.

ALEXA: Describe an absolutely perfect day.
VONDA: A sunny day in Scotland touring an amazing castle, or hiking to a beautiful place and taking a thousand photos. My recent trip (September '15) to visit Castle Tioram in Scotland comes to mind. It was about 20 to 30 mile drive from our hotel out to the ruin on the remote west coast. My friends and I stopped at several places along the way to take photos of beautiful old bridges, lochs, rivers and mountains. The drive for many miles along a single track (one lane, two way traffic) was tedious and tiring, but once we arrived and saw the castle ruin in the distance on a tiny island in Loch Moidart it was all worth it. We walked a short distance across a sand bar, which the tide sometimes covers over. It was amazing and wonderful to visit the castle that inspired the setting of My Captive Highlander and Highlander Unbroken. Castle Tioram was a MacDonald of Clanranald stronghold for centuries. It was abandoned hundreds of years ago but stands as lingering history that you can see and touch. I felt so fortunate and grateful to get to sit on the rocks for a short while and simply look at it and take hundreds of photos. We were not allowed inside because of the danger of falling masonry, but walking around it was fantastic.

ALEXA: What drew you to write in the genre(s) you do?
VONDA: A major love of Scotland. I think I'm obsessed with the country and I don't know why really, other than it's so amazingly beautiful and has a rich history. There's something about Scotland that resonates in my soul. Getting to visit Scotland and explore it is something I treasure.

ALEXA: What inspires you daily?
VONDA: Readers! I always get more inspired and motivated to write when readers contact me and let me know they're enjoying my stories

ALEXA’S GOTTA ASK, VONDA’S GOTTA ANSWER:
WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE ACTOR/ACTRESS & WHY? This is difficult for me to answer because I don't watch that many movies. One favorite that comes to mind is Johnny Depp. I like his versatility and how he always plays unusual and interesting characters. I think he's incredibly talented at what he does.

ALEXA: Got a question you’d like to ask your fans?
VONDA: Do you read Scottish historical romance and if so what is your favorite thing about it?

Thanks so much for visiting us, Vonda! Folks, get busy leaving comments or answers to Vonda’s question. Why? Because she’ll be giving away Celtic earrings and a postcard souvenir from Scotland along with a tote bag swag pack. (North America ONLY.)

 
Note: Please leave an email address for notification. Offer void where prohibited. Prizes will be mailed to North America addresses only unless specifically mentioned in the post. Odds of winning vary due to the number of entrants. Winners of drawings are responsible for checking this site in a timely manner. If prizes are not claimed in a timely manner, the author may not have a prize available. Get Lost In A Story cannot be responsible for an author's failure to mail the listed prize. GLIAS does not automatically pass email addresses to guest authors unless the commenter publicly posts their email address.

 

50 comments:

  1. Vonda what made you want to be a author and to write historical romance books about Scotland

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    1. Hi, Leigh, I think the desire to write came from a few years of reading every romance book I could get my hands on. LOL One day I thought maybe I could do this too, so I gave it a try. As for Scotland, I first fell in love with books by Karen Marie Moning and also attended local Highland games. The rest evolved from there. :)

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  2. I do love to read Scottish historicals. I love anything Scottish and hope to visit one day. I love learning history. I am fascinated with castles as well and when I get to read about a castle I have seen pictures of its just really exciting.

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    1. That's great, Cindy! I'm glad to hear you're such a fan of Scottish historicals. I am too. Hope you get to visit Scotland soon.

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  3. have always loved Scottish Historicals--love the Scots!

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  4. Love Scottish historical romance... Scotland is in my soul also... I love the stories of the highlanders because they have a strong sense of truth,loyalty and love... they aren't afraid to stand up for what is theirs or for who they want to be theirs... and I especially love Vonda's stories... :) for while I am reading her stories I am their in Scotland and I can always find a piece of myself in her female characters that I love...

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  5. I love Scottish Historical Romance. I love the castles, the language, and the characters. I hope to one day be able to travel to Scotland. You are an amazing author!

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    1. Wow, thank you so much, Ann!! I'm so glad you're enjoying my books and I hope you get to visit Scotland soon!

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  6. I love Highlander historical romance. Why? I am a history nut but don't really care if the jargon used is era correct, I read for the storyline. This genre is usually action packed and quick moving. There is nothing like a man with a brogue in a kilt.

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    1. I agree with you, Jan! LOL Love that Scottish brogue, along with kilts.

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  7. I love Scottish Highlander stories. I am Scottish. yenastone at aol dot com

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  8. I love Scottish romance. It's my genre, because it really gets my imagination going, and going to Scotland is my biggest dream. I love your books. :)

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    1. Oh thank you so much, Kathy! So glad you enjoy my books! I hope you will visit Scotland!

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  9. I too have a Scottish obsession, and was so lucky to have visited there twice. Hoping to go back very soon! Men in kilts, bagpipes, brogue, did I mention kilts?
    jnellciesielski@yahoo.com

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    1. Aye! All my favorites too. :) So glad you've visited Scotland! You know how awesome it is.

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  10. I love Scottish Historical Romance. What makes this Genre special to you? I've never been but wish with my every breath to be able to.
    silvatrend8553@aol.com

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    1. There is just something about Scotland, braw warriors in kilts, the harsh and beautiful landscape, nonstop adventure, and wild romance. It just gets my imagination going. :) I hope you will get to visit Scotland. No place like it.

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  11. Love the Scottish historicals. Have read a few of yours so far and have enjoyed them. dproctor@tds.net

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  12. Love the Scottish historicals. Have read a few of yours so far and have enjoyed them. dproctor@tds.net

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  13. My favorite thing about Scottish romance since I am of Scottish ancestry I love true history mixed it with a fictional romance. Of course I love the gaelic in the books since I have learned some gaelic, plus my braw honorable highoander with a sexy brogue too! I love they are protective and family oriented of course the beautiful Highland setting I can almost smell the heather, thistle and fresh rushes!
    bmassabrook@gmail.com My question is who was the first author you read that writes Scottish historical romance? I have read and love all your fabulous books!
    Slainte Mhath,
    Barb

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    1. Wow! Thank you for reading all my books, Barb! I appreciate it so much!! I think one of Johanna Lindsay's books was the first Highland book I read, way back in the day. And then I read several by other authors. The Highlander series by Karen Marie Moning were the books that really made me addicted to Scottish romance. Even though hers are mostly paranormal, I couldn't resist her hot Highlanders. :)

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  14. Just wanted to thank you for all the photos you posted of your recent trip to Scotland. It means the world to others to see the Highlands through other eyes. I felt like I was there with you. Except for the day you hit the swarm of midges.....ew.

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    1. LOL! Yes, you don't want a visit from the midges. They're out for blood. :) I'm so glad you're enjoying all the photos. I love posting them on FB. Thanks!

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  15. I definitely read Scottish historical romance...because, well, who wouldn't want to be stolen by a highland rogue?!? :) I would love to visit Scotland in person. Lisa lgplemmons@yahoo.com

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    1. LOL! Exactly! I do hope you get to visit Scotland in the near future. It will steal your heart and you might run into a rogue. :)

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  16. yes, the highlander

    bn100candg at hotmail dot com

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  17. Hey Vonda, I'm so excited to hear about your latest book! When is the Kindle release date? I checked on both Amazon sites, but didn't see it. Will it be up for pre-order? Thanks :-).

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    1. Hi, countrygirl! Thank you!! It isn't up for preorder yet but it should be soon. I don't have a release date yet. I'll announce both on FB and also in my newsletter when I know. Thanks so much for your interest in it! :)

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  18. I definitely read Scottish romances-I love the fierceness of the warriors, and the women, both. The scenery, the atmosphere, all of it. I especially love the time travel romances that end up in the Scotland of old.

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    1. I'm glad to know you're a Scottish romance fan! I also love those fierce warriors, and the women who keep them in line. :)

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  19. Yes read Scottish romances and one day to scotland....something resonates in the soul. .waving from over the mountain

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    1. I'm so glad you enjoy Scottish romances, Dawn! Scotland is in my soul too. Waving! :)

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  20. I truly enjoyed reading this. Vonda's books are amazing, adventurous and romantic. To answer Vonda's question, yes I read Scottish romances and my favorite thing about them is the highlander hero. I love the interesting clan way of life, the code of honor in a highlander and the 'that's my woman' sexy attitude. No one encompasses all of that and the beautiful descritive scenery like Vonda does.

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    1. Wow thank you so much, Star!!! So glad you liked reading my interview. :) I also appreciate you reading my books!!

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  22. I love Scottish romance and have been reading it ever since I picked up the first one! I've loved Scotland as long as I can remember, so I'm drawn to the books for that reason, most specifically for the accents, the scenery, and the men in kilts. jmcgaugh (at) semo (dot) edu

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    1. Awesome! So glad you enjoy reading Scottish romance. It's addicting. LOL

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    1. Thank you, Angi! You guys have an awesome blog! :)

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  24. Sounds like another great read coming up.

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  25. Thanks so much to everyone who commented and entered my contest! The winner, chosen at random, is silvatrend8553@aol.com . I've sent you an email. Thanks also to Alexa and the other authors for having me on their wonderful blog!

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