The Best Man’s Baby by Victoria James

It is my pleasure to interview Victoria James, author of The Best Man’s Baby. Welcome to Room With Books, Victoria!

First let me give you a little background on Victoria.

Victoria James always knew she wanted to be a writer and in grade five, she penned her first story, bound it (with staples) and a cardboard cover and did all the illustrations herself. Luckily, this book will never see the light of day again.

 In high school she fell in love with historical romance and then contemporary romance. After graduating University with an English Literature degree, Victoria pursued a degree in Interior Design and then opened her own business. After her first child, Victoria knew it was time to fulfill the dream of writing romantic fiction.

 Victoria is a hopeless romantic who is living her dream, penning happily-ever-after’s for her characters in between managing kids and the family business. Writing on a laptop in the middle of the country in a rambling old Victorian house would be ideal, but she’s quite content living in suburbia with her husband, their two young children, and very bad cat.

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 Victoria loves connecting with readers, you can find her online at:

Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Website

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1.  Tell me a little about The Best Man’s Baby and what inspired you to write it?

The Best Man’s Baby is book two in my Red River Series.  It’s about two opposite people facing the repercussions of what was supposed to only be a one night stand. Claire is the ultimate good-girl, and Jake…well, he’s the town bad-boy. Their journey to HEA is filled with self-discovery, passion, laughter and heartache. They are both really strong-willed characters, neither of them willing to back down and surrender their beliefs. But they’re also both holding onto some painful memories, and Jake has a secret past that he must finally confront before moving on with Claire.

I’m not really sure what exactly inspired me to write it, other than the characters themselves. They played a large role in the first book of the Red River Series before I even knew what their story would be. Jake and Claire were really dynamic in that book…and before I knew it, the plot for The Best Man’s Baby was ready to go.

2.  When you start writing do you have the story outlined or do your characters dictate what will happen?

Because I sell on proposal, I do have most of the story mapped out. I tend to stray from the outline as the story progresses. Sometimes the characters have a mind of their own and I just go with the flow!

3.  Have you ever had arguments with your characters and who usually wins?

They always win!

4.  What is one thing about you your readers would be surprised to know?

I’m a total wimp when it comes to scary movies…can’t watch them!

5.  If you could write with any other author who would it be any why?

Judith McNaught. I adore all of her historical romances and became hooked on the genre after I read her books. I’d love to write a historical romance book with her expertise!

6.  When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I always wanted to be a writer!

7.  When did you decide to write and what prompted you to start?

I started writing when my son was born (six years ago).  But my writing was very sporadic because I had a new baby, and a full time business, and no maternity leave.  We also moved quite a bit in the last eight years.  But I would write when I could, not losing sight of the goal of publication.  When my daughter was born (2 years ago) I started querying agents and my current agent rejected the manuscript that I’d submitted but told me to send something else along.  Fast forward to a year later and another house move and I did just that-and she offered me representation.  I then sold to Entangled, Indulgence a few months later.

8.  What music inspires your writing?

I make a playlist for each book. Sometimes even before I start the book, I’ll add some songs that I think would be perfect for the mood of that book.

Fun Facts:

What is your favorite breakfast? I’m not a huge breakfast fan…but coffee is a must!

What is your favorite color? Blue

What is your favorite movie? So hard to pick just one…The Pursuit of Happiness is one of my favorites.

What is your dream car (details please)? A Range Rover! Many of the heroes in my books drive one. I’m happy to live vicariously through them 😉

How can my  readers find you? Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Website     Amazon / B&N

Thank you for the interview, Victoria, and I wish your all the best with The Best Man’s Baby. Patricia, Room With Books

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Florist Claire Holbrook has always played by the rules her entire life, but breaks them to spend one night with sexy lone wolf Jake Manning, a man she’s adored since she was a teenager. Six weeks later things get complicated when she discovers they created a bond that will last a lifetime…

Jake has never played by the rules. Getting Minister Holbrook’s daughter pregnant wasn’t part of any life plan, but he won’t run from his responsibilities. He’ll step up and be the best man he can, even if he doesn’t have a clue where to begin. The more time he spends with Claire, though, the more he wants her, and the harder it is to get close because that would mean sharing the one thing he hasn’t with anyone–the truth and his heart.

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Excerpt:

He stood behind her and whispered in her ear. “I’m not leaving.”

She sighed and turned around to look at him. They were standing a few inches apart, and for what had to be the hundredth time in two days he wondered how he’d never noticed her eyes.

Big and bright, but with a soul that hinted at such emotion and fire, it filled him with the need to see how deep it went.

“What are you doing here?”

“Helping.”

“You have never been back here in all the years I’ve been in business.”

“Things are different now. We’re having a baby.”

“Shhhh!” He bit back another grin as she turned her head around wildly to make sure no one had heard.

“Listen, you’re not getting rid of me. I’m here to help. Then when you’re finished, I’m going to take you out for dinner.”

He saw her cheeks flush, then she shook her head. “I have a long day ahead of me. No time for any distractions.”

“Perfect, so afterward you’ll need some time to relax. I’ll take you out to your favorite restaurant.”

“You don’t even know what that is.”

“Then you can tell me.” It was simple, really. He didn’t understand why that would upset her.

“You should know what it is. In the Claire Holbrook world, the father of my child should know my favorite restaurant,” she whispered.

“Just tell me and we’ll go,” he said with a shrug.

She shook her head, her ponytail swinging back and forth with the motion. He wondered what she’d do if he pulled her hair free, letting his hands run through it as it tumbled around her shoulders. He stared at her mutinous expression. She’d probably try to deck him.

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