Introducing Vicky Dreiling

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I’d like to introduce you to my dear friend Vicky Dreiling. She’s one heck of a person. I don’t think I’ve ever seen Vicky when she didn’t have a big smile on her face. Of course, she was smiling extra big when she leaned over to me almost a year ago and whispered, “I sold.” She was glowing and for a darn good reason, too. She was about to embark on a wonderful career. I can’t wait to read Vicky’s book. With that said, I’ll turn you over to Vicky.

HOW TO ACCIDENTALLY WRITE AND PUBLISH A BOOK

By Vicky Dreiling

All my life I’ve stumbled upon adventures. An opportunity will arise and I think, “Go for it.” Such is the case with the publication of my debut historical romance HOW TO MARRY A DUKE. One night while watching TV, I happened upon a reality show featuring 25 beauties and one hunky bachelor. I cracked up over the shenanigans and cat fights. By the time that episode of The Bachelor ended, I was hooked. Then an idea for a book popped into my head: The bachelor in Regency England, minus the hot tub and camera crew.

My mother always told me I had a wild imagination, and I guess I proved her right. Of course, I had no clue what I was getting into when I started planning the book. First, I had to conjure up a hero, one who would be desperate enough to hire a matchmaker to find him a bride. Enter Tristan, the Duke of Shelbourne, who is desperate to wed because he has no heir, but he’s at his wits end as every silly belle in the Beau Monde chases him in London ballrooms. Naturally I sent Miss Matchmaker – that would be Miss Tessa Mansfield – in to save the day. She soon discovers the unromantic duke has created strict qualifications for the perfect duchess, Tessa knows the picky duke will probably reject one candidate after the other and makes a daring plan. He has no idea what she’s got in store for him.

Just like the TV show, the bridal candidates form alliances and plots to remain in this wacky courtship to the very end. But another alliance, a forbidden one, is taking place as Tristan and Tessa try to resist their attraction to one another. He’s honor-bound to marry one of the bridal candidates, and she has a ruinous secret.

After I finished writing the book, I realized I needed an agent. I attended a writer’s conference and arrived at the dinner late. There was only one chair left – next to an agent. She asked me what I wrote. I said historical romance and shut my mouth because I thought she was just being polite. Then she asked me what the book was about. I gave her a sheepish look and said, “Um, it’s the bachelor in Regency England.” She whipped out her card and requested the manuscript on the spot. I was tempted to buy a lottery ticket, but I digress. J

That was not the last of our accidental meetings. At another conference, I heard someone call out my name on the escalator. I looked back and there was the agent again. By that time, I figured this had to be fate. I signed with Lucienne Diver and sold HOW TO MARRY A DUKE in a three-book deal.

Yet another accidental circumstance occurred recently. Since I’m a fan of The Bachelor, I keep tabs on when the next season begins. Imagine my surprise when I found out The Bachelor premieres January 3, 2011, the same day that HOW TO MARRY A DUKE debuts. Some things in life are just meant to be.

Do you believe in fate? Have you ever stumbled upon an adventure that you never expected? I’m giving away one copy of HOW TO MARRYA DUKE in a random drawing, so be sure to leave a comment. May the Magic Romance Fairies be with all of you!

Website: http://www.vickydreiling.com/index.php

Book blurb

Tristan, the Duke of Shelbourne is a man with a mission: find a wife he can tolerate as long as they both shall live. No love is necessary—nor desired. But how to choose amid a dizzying array of wealthy-yet-witless candidates? Hire London’s infamously prim and proper matchmaker. Then pretend she’s not the most captivating woman he’s ever met . . .

Helping a devilish Duke create a contest to pick his perfect mate is the kind of challenge Tessa Mansfield relishes. Her methods may be scandalous, but she’s determined to find the notorious bachelor more than a wife—she’ll bring him true love. Yet when Tessa watches the women vie for the Duke’s affections, she longs to win his heart herself. And after a stolen kiss confirms Tristan’s desire, Tessa knows she has broken a matchmaker’s number one rule: never fall in love with the groom.