Thursday, July 11, 2013

Book Tour ----- Blind Allegiance ----- Violetta Rand









BLURB:  
It’s a risk of a lifetime loving a man you’re supposed to hate…

Betrayed by a brother she hardly trusted before the bloodthirsty Viking, Jarl Randvior Sigurdsson, attacks her home, Noelle Sinclair is conveniently bartered as a means to save her cowardly sibling’s skin. Forced to leave her homeland and accompany the petulant Viking to the untamed wilderness of central Norway, Noelle is ever-aware of the burgeoning dangers around her—including her weakening resolve to resist Randvior.

Should Noelle surrender to his resplendent charms and seduction, or fight with every ounce of strength she possesses to get home?








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ABOUT THE AUTHOR


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 ancient worlds she enjoys bringing to life in the pages of her stories.







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 GUEST POST BY VIOLETTA


What books/authors inspired you to become a writer?

The first book to really grip my imagination as a child was a fantasy story, Shadow Castle by Marian Cockrell. I loved it and carried it with me wherever I went. It had beautiful illustrations. For my ninth birthday, I asked for two gifts, a thesaurus (weird) and Lord of the Rings. Every year, my brothers and sisters gathered in front of the television to watch the animated version of The Hobbit. I can’t express the effect it had on me. Reading Lord of the Rings altered my mind.
I’ve always written. Short stories and poetry at first, later, I wrote fantasy adventure in middle and high school. I used to pass around my handwritten stories to all the students and attached comment sheets to the folder.
At twenty, I submitted a manuscript to a small Texas publisher and was offered a contract. The company went bankrupt prior to its release date. I was heartbroken. Years after, I continued to only write poetry and short stories to share with friends and family.
Three years ago, cancer hit close to home. I needed an outlet for my frustration. I began reading more, in every genre, fiction and nonfiction. The Pillars of the Earth and World Without End (Ken Follett) resurrected the serious writer inside me. I began exploring the possibilities of getting published. I discovered romance.
It’s incredible to think I never read a romance novel until three years ago.
I went to the bookstore and randomly selected four novels. Need I say how fortunate I was to pick up Outlander (Diana Gabaldon) and books by Karen Marie Moning and Jackie Ivie? Historicals won my heart.
My debut novel, Blind Allegiance, incorporates all the inspiration I’ve received throughout my lifetime from friends and writers. Pieces of my soul are in those pages and possibly the spirit of the writers I so deeply admire.






Thanks for sharing that with us, it is always interesting to see how authors got their start! 




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EXCERPT


Cringing from his brutal words, Noelle finally burst. Through the blur of tears, she saw a warrior of tremendous proportion storm across the hall. He seized Brian’s arm and pried his fingers loose from her hair. She heard a loud snap as he curled Brian’s arm behind his back. Her brother stumbled and hollered, then dropped to his knees.

“Say it,” the colossal warrior demanded, visibly applying more pressure to his hand.

Brain tried to wrestle him down, but the stranger was larger and stronger—controlled him with little effort.

Although she detested her brother, her first instinct was to protect her own flesh and blood. Yet, it seemed a fitting punishment. Let Brian suffer the same mortification she felt whenever he embarrassed her, which happened too often.

Brain quit struggling. “Mercy,” he begged.

The Viking released him, and Brian staggered to his feet as gracelessly as a drunk.

“Is this how you treat your own kinswoman?” her rescuer asked.

“She’s faithless—no blood of mine. We’ve made our bargain Norseman, take her.”



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GIVEAWAY



Violetta will award a $25 Amazon Gift Card to one randomly drawn commenter.


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11 comments:

  1. Thanks for hosting Crystal, nice to be here.

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  2. I do like finding authors at the beginning of their published journey. It's exciting.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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    1. Hello Mary, new writers like to be found. Thanks for visiting.

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  3. The story sounds very exciting.

    Kit3247(at)aol(dot)com

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  4. I love the cover art. Did you collect them in your research?

    fencingromein at hotmail dot com

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    1. Hello Shannon. Ramona Lockwood designed my cover. Unfortunately, I don't own the artifacts. Thanks.

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  5. Although this book is set in a time period I know little about and seldom read, I think I would enjoy this book.

    kareninnc at gmail dot com

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    1. I hope you read it. Please let me know what you thin after you finish. Thanks Karen.

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  6. So did you base any characters off real people? Either modern day people you know or historical figures?

    andralynn7 AT gmail DOT com

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  7. I can't wait to read this book. It sounds awesome!
    Thanks :-)
    Lori

    lorih824 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete