Welcome to my RITA® award celebration! Hosted by the Romance Writers of America®, the RITAs celebrate outstanding romance novels and novellas. I’m so thrilled to be a finalist in the Romance Novella category, and I’ve asked my fellow RITA® finalists to come tell you more about themselves and their books. I hope you meet some new favorite authors!
Today we welcome Victoria Dahl!
Victoria Dahl lives with her family in a small town high in the Utah mountains. During the summer, she hikes and drinks margaritas (usually not at the same time.) During the winter she likes to curl up with a book and a cup of hot cocoa and think about all those poor, freezing skiers working so hard out in the snow.
Victoria has published over twenty books and novellas, including three USA Today bestsellers, and several of her books have been nominated for the prestigious RITA Award for excellence in the romance genre. Whether she’s working or relaxing, you can find Victoria on Twitter (@VictoriaDahl) being inappropriate twenty-four hours a day.
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1. Which of your books has been nominated for a RITA, and in what category?
“Too Fast to Fall” in the Best Novella category
2. How do your hero and heroine meet, and what are their first impressions of each other?
Nate Hendricks is the deputy who pulls Jenny Stone over for speeding. To be specific, at the opening of “Too Fast to Fall,” he’s pulling her over for the sixth time. Needless to say, after two warnings and three tickets, Nate thinks she’s reckless and infuriating, and Jenny thinks he’s a humorless cop who’s out to get her.
3. What are their best and worst characteristics?
Jenny might be a little reckless, but she’s always cheerful. Her worst characteristic is a tendency to run at the first sign of trouble in her life, but she’s also fun and kind.
Nate’s really cares about other people, but he can sometimes be a little harsh. Only for their own good, of course. 😉
4. Where is this book set, and what makes the setting special?
This story is set in Jackson, Wyoming, one of my favorite places in the world! It’s special to me because it’s a lot like my own town in Utah. Places like this are a fascinating combination of people who otherwise might never come into contact: ranchers and farmers and rich ski bums and chefs and extreme sports enthusiasts and environmental activists and cowhands, and we’re all in one small town.
So far, there are three full novels and three novellas in this Jackson series, with another three books scheduled to come out, and there is never a shortage of characters for me to draw from.
5. Is this the first time you’ve been a RITA finalist? If not, what books have previously finaled?
This my fourth Rita nomination, I’m amazed to say! I was previously nominated in the Historical category for A LITTLE BIT WILD, and in the Contemporary category in 2010 for both TALK ME DOWN and LEAD ME ON. I’ve never won a Rita though, so I’m really hoping I can destroy all of my fellow nominees this time around.
6. Have you read any of the other books that are finalists in your category? If so, which ones?
Now I feel terribly guilty. Can we stop this emotional roller coaster??? Unfortunately, I haven’t had time to read any of the other finalists, because I’ve been on deadline since the announcement and I will be for a few more weeks. I hate that, because novellas are my favorite, but I really try to avoid reading romance when I’m on deadline. And there’d be too much second guessing when reading the best of the best!
7. What was the first thing you did when you found out you were a RITA finalist?
I got on Twitter. But that’s actually the first thing I do when I find out anything.
8. Do you write in genres other than the one you finaled in? If not, are there any genres you would love to write in?
Yes, I do! I started out writing historical and paranormal and then slowly migrated to contemporary. I’ve got an erotic historical novella in the works right now, but I’ve been saying that for two years, so don’t believe me.
9. If you win the RITA, who’s the first person you’ll thank in your speech, and why?
Oh, my gosh, this is a tough one, but I guess I should be thinking about it. I’ll probably thank my critique partner, Jennifer Echols, first. She loves my novellas so much, and I love her.
Speed-dating round
What’s the most beautiful place you’ve ever been?
Jackson, Wyoming!
If you could bring one of your heroes to life for a day, who would you choose?
Jamie Donovan from Bad Boys Do.
Which of your characters is most similar to you?
Molly Jennings from Talk Me Down.
If you weren’t an author, what would be your dream career?
Professional jigsaw puzzler.
What kind of dessert are you hoping they’ll serve at the award ceremony?
I can’t be there, but I suppose I hope you guys get something good. 🙁
What’s the best compliment a reader could give you?
That my story helped her work through something in her own life.
How would you describe your books?
I’m a bit of a mix. Sometimes angsty and sometimes ridiculous. But always hot.
For Jenny Stone, driving is her escape – from her past, her problems, her quiet life in Jackson Hole. But after Deputy Nate Hendricks stops her -again- for speeding, she could lose more than just her license. She could lose her heart.
Nate seems to think that Jenny should replace her love for fast driving with something even more…heart pumping. And despite her need for speed, Jenny’s never been one for defying the law.
Giveaway!
Enter using the Rafflecopter form below. Winner will be announced on Monday July 21. Make sure you come back tomorrow for another interview and another chance to win!
I have read V. Dahl but none of the nominated novellas.
I have signed up for the newsletter.
I have read several of the authors nominated & I’m really hoping to see some of them at RWA in San Antonio!
Congrats to all of the authors nominated! 🙂 Thanks to you all for the escape you provide your readers.