WELCOME TO THE BLOG, WENDY! :)
Wendy Vella is a lover of all things romantic. She started reading her first Georgette Heyer book at a young age and instantly fell in love with the Regency era. Writing is something she has always found time for; she penned her first novel at eighteen though she says it will never make an appearance further than the closet in which it currently resides.
After having her two children Wendy then joined RWNZ and started honing her chosen craft by entering competitions with some success and attending conferences. Her Clendon and Readers Choice award-winning historical romance The Reluctant Countess will debut in Jan 2013 with Random House in their Loveswept line.
She has an addiction to reading and loves a wide range of genres while her first love will always be historical. She relishes novels steeped in Romance and excitement with feisty heroines and delicious heroes, especially when they are set amongst the treacherous waters of London society.
Wendy is a sucker for a happy ending having secured her own. She has been married to her own dark brooding hero for 28 years and shares her home with two wonderful children, two dogs and anyone else who happens to be visiting at the time. Born and raised in a rural area in the North Island of New Zealand, Wendy loves the beaches and lush green rolling hills of her homeland and is proud to call herself a very patriotic Kiwi!
Where to Find Wendy:
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The_Book_Queen: Hi Wendy! Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Wendy: Firstly thanks so much for having me on your wonderful blog site. [You are very welcome! :) ]
Born and raised in the North Island of New Zealand I grew up in a family who pretty much crammed everything they could into each day. We camped, played every sport known to man, read, laughed, fought, and generally had a great time. I have two children who have managed to make it through their teenage years without my husband or me disposing of them and are now fairly exceptional adults I must say. I’ve been married for 28 years to a wonderful man who understands my need to either be reading, talking or writing. Occasionally he’ll introduce himself to me again and that’s usually the signal to put the book down or close my laptop! My love of reading came from my parents and older sister. Mum gave me my first Mills & Boon (to broaden my mind of course) and I remember thinking what an arrogant bastard the hero was, but of course I then fell in love with the story as much as he did with the heroine. I then moved onto Georgette Heyer and that was pretty much it for me. The Regency Era captured my imagination from that moment on. I loved the scandals and intrigues and the decadence that was so much a part of that era.
TBQ: If you couldn't write, what would you have done? Any great dream jobs that you had—or still have? :D
W: I would probably have been a policewoman. I actually enrolled and went through the procedure but then I fell in love and started traveling and I never got back around to it. [Wow!]
TBQ: Your debut novel, The Reluctant Countess, comes out Jan 14th (Congrats!). Can you tell us a little bit about this book, and why readers are going to love it?
W: The Reluctant Countess is set in the Regency Era. It’s a story about two people Patrick and Sophie who were born into different classes, but are destined to meet amongst the intriguing and often wicked world of London society. It’s about trusting another person when you have never had reason to before and about overcoming your past in order to secure your future. It’s a Cinderella style story with plenty of quirky characters to move the story along. There are misunderstandings and passion, laughter and adventure, and of course there is a very happy ending.
TBQ: Are there other genres you would like to write about? Or perhaps other settings, time periods, etc?
W: I quite enjoy writing contemporary and have dabbled a bit so I may pursue that later. I also love Scottish History around 1700’s. [Oooh--I'll happily read both should you write them! :D]
TBQ: I know we all hate this question, author and reader alike. :) But I have to ask: What are a few of your favorite books and/or authors?
W: Georgette Heyer and ‘These Old Shades,’ as this was the first Regency I ever read.
Julia Quinn and the Bridgerton Series.
Eloisa James and ‘This Duchess of Mine’ from the Desperate Duchesses series.
Lisa Kleypas ‘The Devil in Winter’ from the Wallflower series.
I love contemporary as well and I’ve only just joined the ranks of Nora Roberts devoted fans in the past few years and now I can’t seem to get enough of her books. I thought ‘Angels Fall’ was outstanding, the dialogue was brilliant. [Love Nora, she's one of my go-to comfort reads to this day! :) Quinn, James and Kleypas are also favorites of mine. Is it horrible I've yet to read a Heyer novel? *ducks*]
TBQ: Have you ever fallen for a hero, either from one of your books or from another author? If so, who is he and what drew you to him?
W: James Alexander Malcolm MacKenzie Fraser from the Outlander series is my favourite literary character. He’s such a wonderful man. Big and strong you never doubted his integrity and honesty and he rarely compromised his beliefs no matter the consequences. He was sometimes shy and had a naiveté that I would say was rare considering the times he lived in and challenges he faced. His love for Claire was a wonderful thing to experience, (sigh) and of course there is also the fact that he was wearing a kilt and spoke with a thick Scottish brogue. [Yes! That's all I have to say on the matter, just yes! :D ]
TBQ: What's next-- Can you tell us a little bit about your upcoming releases or WIP?
W: I’m working on a series with three sisters who have fallen on hard times. It’s different writing a series because you have to be pretty aware of details from one book to the next. But I’m enjoying the challenge.
SPEED ROUND:
A day on a secluded island OR a day at the spa?
Secluded Island
Reading a spicy romance novel OR a sweet “my-heart-skips-a-beat” one?
Spicy
Which would you rather have an affair with: a sexy highlander OR a devilishly handsome English lord?
If I can’t have both, then I would go for the English lord. There’s just something about an English Lord, they’re façade is usually brooding and handsome but once the right woman gets hold of them they fall like a pack of cards. [When it comes to fantasy sexy men, being greedy is always allowed. :D But I agree with you completely, love watching them fall hard!]
Hot summer days OR cold winter nights?
Cold winter nights
Where would your dream house be: in the city, where all the action is OR nestled in the mountain where you can enjoy the quiet and the wilderness?
Nestled in the mountains.
If you could live in any time period, past or future, which one would it be?
The Regency Era – 1811 - 1820
Cover Lover OR Blurb Fan?
Cover Lover
Steamy Novella OR Sweet Novel? (aka, Quickie or Slow Build Up?)
Steamy Novella
And finally, tell us 3 unique/wacky/fun things about yourself:
-I used to sing in a band, not that I was terribly good but it was great fun.
-I have this thing about liking things even. Even numbers, even number of pegs on the line, the spine of all my books in a nice even line.
-I’m one of those silly road cyclists that wear form fitting lycra, which believe me is not flattering on anyone!
The_Book_Queen: Thanks so much for stopping by, Wendy, and please know that you are welcome back anytime! Do you have any questions for our readers—something to spark a good discussion?
Wendy:
Hero’s always intrigue me and I would like to know whether people really love a sensitive, new age kind of guy, or like me, someone who’s a little rough around the edges.
Tell me about your favorite heroes?
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The Reluctant Countess by Wendy Vella Publisher: Loveswept (Jan 14th, 2013)
Genre: Historical Romance
From rising romance star Wendy Vella comes a Cinderella story of whirlwind passion between a dashing earl and a beautiful countess—and the secret that threatens to tear them apart.
Regal, poised, and elegant, Sophie, Countess of Monmouth, is everything that a highborn lady should be. But Sophie is hiding a past that is far from royal. When Patrick, Earl of Coulter, realizes that her story doesn’t add up, he resolves to find out the truth of what Sophie and her sister-in-law are concealing. Although Sophie has every reason to avoid him, the handsome and charismatic Patrick awakens something wicked deep within her soul . . . a powerful need that Sophie must stifle in order to protect her place in society.
Despite Sophie’s humble background, the raven-haired beauty has won Patrick’s heart. But what Sophie needs now is an ally. Viscount Myles Dumbly, the disgruntled former heir of Monmouth, is determined to expose Sophie as a fraud to recapture his lost inheritance. Soon Patrick is drawn into a fight for both their lives. Somehow he must find a way not only to rescue Sophie from poverty once and for all, but to keep her in his arms forever.
Regal, poised, and elegant, Sophie, Countess of Monmouth, is everything that a highborn lady should be. But Sophie is hiding a past that is far from royal. When Patrick, Earl of Coulter, realizes that her story doesn’t add up, he resolves to find out the truth of what Sophie and her sister-in-law are concealing. Although Sophie has every reason to avoid him, the handsome and charismatic Patrick awakens something wicked deep within her soul . . . a powerful need that Sophie must stifle in order to protect her place in society.
Despite Sophie’s humble background, the raven-haired beauty has won Patrick’s heart. But what Sophie needs now is an ally. Viscount Myles Dumbly, the disgruntled former heir of Monmouth, is determined to expose Sophie as a fraud to recapture his lost inheritance. Soon Patrick is drawn into a fight for both their lives. Somehow he must find a way not only to rescue Sophie from poverty once and for all, but to keep her in his arms forever.
Where to Buy*:
More Info:
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Thanks so much for being a guest today, Wendy! :) I loved interviewing you, and I hope the readers enjoy it as well. I look forward to reading your debut with Loveswept, and I'll be keeping my eye out for your future books as well! :D
Hero’s always intrigue me and I would like to know whether people really love a sensitive, new age kind of guy, or like me, someone who’s a little rough around the edges.
Tell me about your favorite heroes?
Personally I'm drawn to more of the rough-around-the-edges type in books, but I have an open mind; if the author does the hero well, I'll fall in love with just about any type! :D What about you?
Personally I'm drawn to more of the rough-around-the-edges type in books, but I have an open mind; if the author does the hero well, I'll fall in love with just about any type! :D What about you?
Enjoy!
Until Next Time,
*TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!
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