Guest Post: Veronica Bale

Hello everyone. I’m thrilled to be here at Bookaholic Confessions today. Thanks so much, Holly, for having me!
My name is Veronica Bale, and I love romance … I know, don’t we all? I read romance. I write romance. I watch as many rom-coms and rom-dramas as I can fit into a day (more Outlander, anyone?). And now, the latest add-on to my obsession with all things romance: My Scottish historical romance novel A Noble Deception has recently been released by Boroughs Publishing Group.
I could go on about my obsession with romance until I’ve written another novel, but I’ll spare you all that. What I’d really like to talk about instead is the lessons I’ve learned on my journey as a writer. Because one cannot turn writing into a long-term career if one does not constantly learn and grow. It’s a bit harrowing to think about, admittedly: you’re never done, never the best you can possibly be. There’s always something new to learn. But it’s also incredibly rewarding. In my journey as a writer, I’ve learned a lot. Surprisingly, though, many of those lessons have come when I’ve least expected them.

 

Most recently, I’ve learned a great deal by getting involved with book blog Coffee Time Romance and More. Originally, I joined the Coffee Crew as a book reviewer, and at the time, I was simply looking for ways to contribute to the online community of book lovers, and get my name out there as an author. I also thought that, by writing regular book reviews, I might make some connections in the publishing industry, and I would be able to share my reviews with my own blog followers. I had not expected to find anything more profound than that. After all, I’ve read enough romance over the past twenty-odd years to know what my tastes were … right?

 

Wrong. Oh boy, was I wrong! What I hadn’t realized (and what I’m sure our lovely host Holly can attest to) is that there is an amazing depth and diversity of sub-genres in the romance genre. Shapeshifter, paranormal, urban fantasy, steampunk, you name it! And so many of these sub-genres merge and converge and blend in ways I wouldn’t have pictured on my own. The imaginations of the authors I discover each week never cease to astound me. In sub-genres I don’t typically read, such as fantasy, I’m finding new worlds I never thought I’d enjoy. And for those I do read a lot of, like historical and contemporary, I’m in awe of how these authors manage to keep well-trod tropes and themes fresh and exciting. From being a book reviewer, I’ve learned to try new things, to be brave enough to cross boundaries, and to adopt new styles – both in what I read and what I write.

 

If you’re thinking of expanding your horizons, why not visit us at Coffee Time Romance and More and see if book reviewing might be for you. Looking for ways to contribute to an online community but not sure if you have the time to dedicate to book reviewing? When you’re not busy chatting with Holly here at Bookaholic Confessions, stop by and visit us at Book Lovers Unite, our Google+ community. Here, you might find the latest from our Indie Author Feature, a series we’ve cooked up which is dedicated to showcasing self-published authors.

 

If there’s one thing we writers know, it is that we must never stop learning. There are always improvements we can make – to ourselves, to our craft, to our careers. And one of the best ways we can learn is by being active, and getting involved in online communities. The community you choose is not important. Just pick one, and give it a try. The fun part is getting to see how much you can learn when you try something new.

 

About Veronica

 

Veronica Bale is a freelance writer, book reviewer, Coronation Street junkie and author of cracking-good love stories set in the Highlands of Scotland. She lives in Ontario, Canada with her husband, son and three spoiled cats. When she’s not writing, Veronica likes running, reading, or spending time with her family. What Veronica loves most about being an author is hearing from her readers.

 

Visit her online at http://www.veronicabale.com

 

 

 

A Noble Deception

 

THE ONLY THING MORE DANGEROUS THAN A LIE IS LOVE.

 

Forced to wed a landless knight in order to protect her home, Moira MacInnes intends an annulment of her marriage to the arrogant Lachlan Ramsay as soon as possible. Falling in love wasn’t part of the plan.

 

Scotland 1455 – The Douglas clan is at war with their king. To protect his lands from confiscation, Lord John Douglas, the dying Earl of Kildrummond, must find an heir that doesn’t carry his name.

 

A landless knight, Lachlan Ramsay expects no more of life than battles, blood, and the occasional warm bosom. But when Lord John makes him his heir, Lachlan has a chance at something he never dreamt of—a home. There’s just one condition: He must marry the earl’s bastard daughter, the fiery, eccentric Moira MacInnes.

 

Lachlan has no desire for a headstrong, sharp-tongued wife. Moira has no need for an arrogant, too-handsome husband. To save Kildrummond they will marry and seek an annulment immediately upon the earl’s death. But deception is never simple, and passion once inflamed is impossible to ignore. Soon they will no longer be deceiving the earl but themselves.

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A huge thank you to Veronica. ♥

Click here to get your copy of Noble Deception in paperback or download the ebook now.

 

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