WELCOME AUTHOR OF: Virtue and Valor: Collette Cameron

Let Us Welcome

Collette Cameron 
Author of:


Thank you so much for inviting me here today! 

Rad-Reader: Where did your idea for this story come from?

Collette:  I introduced Isobel Ferguson and her sweetie, Yancy in my Castle Brides series, but at that time, I didn’t know they would end up sweethearts.

It wasn’t until I wrote TRIUMPH AND TREASURE (Highland Heather Romance a Scot Series, #1) before I realized they’d be perfect for each other.


I wanted both Isobel and Yancy, flaws and all, to be characters readers adored. 

Rad-Reader:  Why would Isobel the character like to argue with men but take the word of a woman instead of asking Yancy the truth?

Collette:  Ah, excellent question!

Isobel foolishly assumed she was being told the truth, and as some women are wont to do, her own insecurities kept her from confronting the other woman.

Isn’t it so true that hindsight is so often clearer, but when characters are in the middle of something, their emotions keep them from seeing what’s right in front of them?

I think challenging men in areas that were generally considered off limits to women intrigued Isobel, but when it came to affairs of the heart, she let doubt guide her, much to her regret. 

Rad-Reader:  I would have thought Isobel knew Yancy’s intentions were real when after the escape from the castle.  She didn’t?

Collette:  You have to understand that she lived in a time period where it was common for a man to court a woman while having a mistress on the side.

Even though he rescued her, and she wanted to believe him, he hadn’t proved himself yet. 

Rad-Reader:  I couldn’t tell whether Isobel’s brother, Ewan, liked Yancy or not?

Collette:  He does. They’re actually good friends, but Ewan is also very protective of his sisters and their reputations.

Even though he and Yancy are chums, he knows Yancy’s been a bit of a rake. 

Rad-Reader:  Is their going to be a book about Harcourt, Yancy’s friend?

Collette:  Yes, there already is! HEARTBREAK AND HONOR, the third book in my Highland Heather Romancing a Scot Series is Harcourt’s story.

He’s one of my absolute favorite heroes! 

Rad-Reader:  What made Yancy continue to pursue Isobel after all of her rejections?

Collette:  He adored her and was convinced she felt something for him to. He’s a stubborn guy!

Rad-Reader:  What was the reason behind Yancy feeling like he needed to get married all of a sudden?

Collette:  Title bearing men were expected to produce a heir. He never expected the title, so marriage hadn’t been on his horizon. But once he came into the earldom, he was obligated to start searching for a wife.

Isobel was his first choice. 

Rad-Reader:  I enjoyed your book, this is the first one of historical Romance for me.  Did you have to study language of the time clothing, food – to make the stories appear more real for people? Or Not?

Collette:  Though works of fiction, I try to make my stories as historical authentic as I can while still allowing for artistic whimsy.

I do research almost everything from clothing to food, to colors, to word origins, to forms of address. Even which plants and animals were native to the setting. 

Rad-Reader:  What is your process for writing?  An outline or have you been writing for a while now and the stories come easier?

Collette:  My first stories were entirely by the seat of my pants. I had a few plot points I wanted to hit, but the rest was just making things up as I went. 

Three or four stories into  my writing career, I started completing a character questionnaire for my hero/heroine as well as a goal/motivation/conflict chart.

By doing so, I was forced to really get to know them. I frequently stray from those initial thoughts, but they give me a place to start.

By the time I’d written six books, I started writing a brief summary of what I thought the story might look like. Again, I had basic plot points that I wanted to hit, but didn’t stick to a firm outline or beat sheet.

I’ve tried a beat sheet for two stories and ended up moving away from it entirely because of the direction the characters took the story. 

Rad-Reader:  The lead female in this story Isobel is a strong female, even besting Yancy at Chess.  Is all of your leading female characters in your books strong like her?

Collette:  I do like a strong female, but I think strength is demonstrated in different ways. Not all of my characters are outspoken or headstrong, though many are.

I try to let the character tell me who she is, and I want to be as true to her personality as I can be. 

Rad-Reader:  How long were you writing before you had a published book?

Collette:  I started writing my first, HIGHLANDER’S HOPE in February of 2011 and it was published in May 2013.

Rad-Reader:  Did they sign or buy for one book or did you have a series already written and you pitched the series?

Collette:  I contracted for the first book and shortly thereafter for the second and third book in the Castle Bride series.

Rad-Reader:  Was there anything special that you did or bought for yourself when you got your first royalty check?

Collette:  I had my daughter take a picture of me with it and then I took my family out to dinner!

Rad-Reader:  How do you come up with your characters for your stories do they come first or the story?

Collette:  Another great question.

My stories are mostly character driven. I might have an idea or a partial idea for a story, but before I fully explore it, I decide on characters.

That’s especially true of my series where I’m introducing secondary characters who will have their own books later. 

Rad-Reader:  Have you ever traveled to Scotland and visited the Highlands?

Collette:  Not yet, but I have a trip scheduled for summer 2017!  
Rad-Reader:  Do you base either of your female or male characters on anyone you know?  Or do you just come up with the personalities as you write?

Collette:  I try really hard not to base my lead characters on anyone I know. 

Occasionally, I’ll create a secondary character and afterward, realize they are much like someone I do know.

A few times, I’ve had readers insist I modeled a character after someone but that isn’t true. I never set out to do that.

I will tell you though, I’ve written four minor characters into stories that were people I was ticked at. They may have suffered a bit! 

Rad-Reader:  What led you to get into writing historical romances?

Collette:  I’ve always been a huge fan of history which is probably why historical's are my genre of choice for reading too.

I read my first historical, a Barbara Cartland book, when I was just thirteen. A friend gave it to me to read. I truly fell in love with the genre, though, when I read THE FLAME AND THE FLOWER by Kathleen Woodiwiss.

As is true of almost all authors, we are readers first, and so when I finally decided to explore writing, I naturally started with historical romances. 

Rad-Reader:  If your books was made into a movie who would you want to play…

Isobel:

Lord Ransbury:



Lord Ransbury:
Patrick Dempsey would make a great Ramsbury!
Rad-Reader:  What is your next project and when is coming out?

Collette:  Scandal’s Splendor, the fourth book in my Highland Heather Romancing a Scot series release November 30, 2016.

That’s the final Ferguson sister, Seonaid’s story. 
Rad-Reader:  Where can our readers buy your books?

Collette:  My Castle Bride Series and Highland Heather Romancing a Scot Series are available on Amazon.

My A Waltz with a Rogue Novella Series and Conundrums of the Misses Culpepper are available at most major vendors. 


Rad-Reader:  Where can our readers find you on the Web?

Collette:  I’m all over the place!
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/collette-cameron-bestselling-award-winning-author-66717a60 


First one to follow us and say, “You Rock Collette!” on our Facebook Page and the goes to Collette’s Facebook and follows her and says the same Wins Our signed copy of Virtue and Valor.
1 Rad-Reader Link: https://www.facebook.com/booksreviewedauthorstoo/


Collette Cameron’s Link:  http://facebook.com/collettecameronauthor





Collette,
Thanks so much for being with us.  You took precious time out of busy schedule to be with us and for that we are forever grateful.  It was funny to hear hubby reading your book because he would be reading and then all of a sudden you would get a burst of laughter.  I would say now what happened.  He would fill me in on another thing Isobel had done to poor Yancy.  All Hubby kept saying was he wasn't the one that said it.  Then continue reading.  So, ladies and gentlemen I know you both would get a kick out of this book.  I gets you riled in so many ways.  Be sure to hit up Amazon you won't want to miss it.  Thanks again Collette can't wait to see you and your son at next years conference. If not sooner. Thanks again,
Char & Pat. 

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