Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Blind Redemption by Violetta Rand Interview



Historical Romance
Date Published: June 25, 2014

   
The past is something he’d sooner forget…
Aaron McNally hates his past. Banished from his home for betrayal, he trades his tartan for a Norwegian title and sword to win back his honor.
She has a warrior’s heart…
It’s difficult for Kara Dalgaard to act like a lady, even when her father demands it. After the handsome Jarl Aaron McNally arrives at her home recruiting for the king’s army, she’s forced to participate in a cruel deception to humiliate him.
Drawn to his strength and passion, she quickly regrets what she’s done. But duty comes before happiness.

Aaron wants a second chance at life—and Kara is everything he’s dreamed of. But the past always has a way of catching up with you. Will Kara trust him or condemn him to a life of loneliness?


Violetta Rand

Violetta Rand holds a bachelor's degree in Environmental Policy and a master's degree in Environmental Management. Serving as an environmental scientist in the state of Alaska for over seven years, she enjoys the privilege of traveling to remote places few people have the opportunity to see.
Violetta has been "in love" with writing since childhood. Struck with an entrepreneurial spirit at a young age, at five, she wrote short stories illustrated by her best friend and sold them in her neighborhood. The only thing she loves more than writing is her wonderful relationship with her husband, Jeff. She enjoys outdoor activities, reading whatever she can get her hands on, music, and losing herself in the worlds she enjoys bringing to life in the pages of her stories.

Embracing Romance: http://embracingromance.com/

Interview:

What inspired you to write your first book?
The moment I picked up my first book.  My favorite childhood game—library.  When I finally mastered the art of writing at five years of age, my best friend and I teamed up, wrote/illustrated books, and sold them in our neighborhood. There's nothing like self-publishing, right?

Do you have a specific writing style?
Definitely edgy and no thrills. My agent and editor tell me I have a strong voice tinged with angst. So if that's a style, I'll stick with it.

How did you come up with the title?
The Blind Series opened up an endless world of possibilities for strong book titles. For my latest, Blind Redemption, since Aaron McNally seeks redemption, it just seemed the natural way to go.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
Overall, although political and religious conflicts suffuse the past and present, it's how we come together that matters--everyone has something valuable to offer the world. The Viking Age is a great era to explore these conflicts and showcase realistic resolutions.

 How much of the book is realistic?
The foundation of all my stories is history, so I'd say very realistic. So much about the Viking Age is unknown, so I'm very careful when I fill in the gaps. I also strive to capture the religious spirit of the Vikings--exploring how they felt and communicated with their gods.

Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
Sure, like most writers, the personalities of my characters are eerily similar to my family/friends/peers. Some of the social issues addressed in my books reflect experiences I've had throughout my life. Which ones? I'll never tell.

What books have most influenced your life most?
Romance…
Outlander Series
Pride and Prejudice
Beyond the Highland Mist
Other…
Shadow Castle
The Pillars of the Earth
Shogun
Kepler’s Witch

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
Victoria Vane has been my greatest teacher--her unwavering support helped shape my career.

What book are you reading now?
Manzikert 1071-The breaking of Byzantium (David Nicolle)

What would you like my readers to know?
In June 2015 my latest writing adventure/fantasy comes true. The first book in my New Adult series, The Devil's Den, releases with Random House. More news to follow soon.
Also, without readers, I'd be completely lost.

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