Interview of Author Vicky Burkholder

Today it's my pleasure to present an interview of romance author Vicky Burkholder.



Latest Book: The Emerald Key

Buy Link: http://www.liquidsilverbooks.com



BIO:
Vicky Burkholder resides in Pennsylvania near the area where her ancestors settled in 1741. She lives in a three-generation home and is lucky enough to have two other writers in residence. At various times in her life, she has been a journalist, writer, editor, teacher, short-order cook, computer specialist, DJ, and librarian. Her writing spans the fantasy, science fiction, paranormal and romance lines from YA to adult. No matter the age or genre, all of her books have a touch of romance in them and have to have a happily ever after ending. Vicky can be reached through her blog: http://www.vickyburkholder.com/

Q: What’s your writing schedule like? Do you strive for a certain amount of words each day?
A: I squeeze in writing after I get done with my day job (I’m an editor!) during the week and as much as possible on the weekends. And once a year, I go on a four day writer’s retreat with my local RWA group – and that’s when I get most of my writing for the year organized.

Q: How much of yourself is hidden in the characters in the book?
A: At least a little. Actually, there’s a lot of them I wish was me! I’d love to be able to flick my fingers and have things happen.

Q: Of all your characters, who’s your favorite, and why?
A: It depends on what book I’m working on at the time. Still, if I was forced to say, I’d have to go with Betzl – a secondary character in my first book, Akashan’te. Betzl wasn’t even supposed to have a name. He was just a servant, but he decided differently and turned out to be a lot more than even I knew.

Q: Do you eat comfort food/listen to music when writing?
A: I listen to music – either New Age instrumental, or easy listening (especially oldies like Peter, Paul & Mary) or Josh Groban. I like it soft and mellow.

Q: How do you choose names for your characters?
A: I decide on their personalities and do searches for names that fit those meanings. I also ask my grandkids for ideas!

Q: Give one advice tip to an aspiring author.
A: Grow a thick skin. This is not a business for people who are easily discouraged. You have to be able to take rejection and poor reviews in stride. Yes, it hurts. Cry a little. Rant a little. But then, get back to work.

Q: If you could give a younger version of yourself advice, what would it be?
A: Start sooner! I always wanted to be a writer but let life get in the way. It was all good experience which I have used in my work, but still… start sooner!

Q: What genre would you like to try writing that you haven’t yet tried?
A: A cozy mystery. I love them and my crit partner writes them so well. I’d love to see what I could do with one.

Q: How many stories are swirling around in your head? Do you keep a mental list, a computer file, or a spiral notebook filled with the ideas?
A: Believe it or not, I have 132 stories either completed or nearly completed (I’ve been at this a while) that I’m working on. All are organized into computer files as well as paper files with details on spreadsheets in a spiral notebook.

Answer all these, please.
Q: What is your favorite holiday and why?
A: Halloween – it’s just a couple of days from my birthday and I always had fun with it.

Q: What are two things people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I was the first female DJ on my college radio station (up ‘til then, girls weren’t allowed to do that sort of thing – we weren’t smart enough! Hah! We showed them!).

Q: As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A: A teacher – and a writer. Managed to become both.

Q: Favorite food.
A: Soup. Especially ones like Chicken corn soup, ham-bean soup, minestrone, and my dad’s beef vegetable soup. They have to be thick, stick to your ribs, and homemade.

Q: Favorite drink.
A: Mint green tea, iced or hot. Love it. Or a good apple cider.

Q: Hot summer days or chilly winter nights?
A: Chilly winter nights, but only if I can stay in with hot cider/cocoa and warm fuzzy blankets.

Q: What is the top thing on your bucket list?
A: Going to the big island of Hawaii.

Q: If you could have a super power, what would it be?
A: Splitting myself into more than one of me so I could get everything done I need to!

Tell us where to find you: website(s), publisher’s page(s), blog(s), Facebook page(s), etc. List them all!
Blogs: http://www.vickyburkholder.com
http://www.victoriaallenromance.com/
http://thewholeshebangsite.wordpress.com/
Twitter: Vicky Burkholder
FB: Victoria Allen
Publisher: Liquid Silver Books – wa Vicky Burkholder
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave – wa Vicky Burkholder & Victoria Allen

BLURB:
For centuries, four women have held the keys to Lemuria, a land where magic is the norm. They and their protectors are all that stand against The Brotherhood, a group of exiles who want nothing more than to go back, and control Lemuria and the gateway.

Cassandra Richards, keeper of the emerald key has grown up knowing about her powers but not about the amulet she wears or why it is suddenly so important. Stalked, kidnapped and threatened with a horrible death, she must turn to the one man who scares her more than the Brotherhood. They’ll just take her body. Nicodemus will take her soul.

Nic wants nothing more than to protect Cass but he can’t do that if she won’t let him. Nor can he deny the pull she has over him, but he’s not sure if he’s under a witch’s spell, or something deeper. Both Nic and Cass struggle to deal with their powers and their attraction while on the run from a stalker with murderous intent.

Bound through time to protect the key to magic, Nic and Cass discover that true power lies not in control, but in the magic of love.

EXCERPT:
He reset the alarm and took the laptop into the bedroom where he sat it on a dresser. Soft music came from the bathroom and his blood heated. How had he gotten so lucky to find this woman who fit him so perfectly? In all his travels, in all the world, he’d never met anyone like Cass; never been drawn to another woman as he was to her.

He did a quick check of the cabin, ensuring all the locks were secure, including the new ones he’d installed. He also made certain his guns were loaded and close to the bed. The sword he placed atop the headboard. Finally satisfied he’d done everything he could to ensure their safety, he entered the bathroom, and stopped.

The vision in front of him stole his breath. Cass leaned back in the tub, her long auburn hair fanned out on the ledge. Candles gave the room a soft glow and he inhaled the aroma of lavender and vanilla. Her eyes opened and she smiled at him. He forgot to breathe.

Nic stripped out of his clothes. A week ago, he would never have thought of allowing a woman to see him naked, but Cass had shown him that his scars didn’t matter. He watched as her eyes widened, not certain if the gold flames he saw reflected there were from the candles, or something deeper within her.

The tub was large enough for two but when he approached, Cass shifted forward so he could sit behind her. He eased down into the warmth and wrapped his legs around her. Her hair floated on the water and he gathered up the length.

“I haven’t washed it yet,” Cass said.

“Allow me. Shampoo?”

She handed him a bottle and he squeezed some of the thick liquid into his hand. He massaged the gel into her scalp, rubbing her head all over. His hands moved down to her neck and shoulders where he worked the knots out of tight muscles. Her mews of satisfaction forced a groan from him. Finally, he rubbed the lather through the rest of her hair.

“Rinse?” he asked.

She removed the faucet head and passed him the hand-held sprayer he used to rinse her scalp. Finished, he pulled her back against him and ran his hands over her chest and belly, working his way lower.

***

Cass sighed as she leaned back. This was what it was like to be held by a man who loved her. To feel his solid strength at her back, his hands soothing her, his need obvious.


Anything else you’d like to add?
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