Spotlight on Guest Author Victoria Cornwall

A special post today from guest Victoria Cornwall as her debut novel The Thief’s Daughter published by Choc Lit is out this week! Good luck with the book Victoria!

Victoria Cornwall grew up on a farm in Cornwall. She can trace her Cornish roots as far back as the 18th century and it is this background and heritage which is the inspiration for her Cornish based novels.

Following a fulfilling twenty-five year career as a nurse, a change in profession finally allowed her the time to write. She is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, the Historical Novel Society and contributes to a blog called Novel Points of View.

Victoria is married, has two grown up children and a black Labrador, called Alfie. She likes to read and write historical fiction with a strong background story, but at its heart is the unmistakable emotion, even pain, of loving someone.

The Thief’s Daughter is her debut novel and the first in her series of Cornish based novels.

I asked Victoria some questions :-

When do you write?

Thank you for having me on your blog today, Morton. When I am writing a book I tend to write in the afternoon. I would like to be able to say its everyday, but due to other work commitments it is when I can sneak away. When I am in the “researching phase” of a new book, it can overlap into the evenings too. Of course, there is also the promotion aspect of being a writer, which also eats into your time, so when I am able to sneak away and actually write, it feels very satisfying to actually produce something.

How do you get your mind into the period and place you are writing about?

Research helps a lot, but I often walk my dog, Alfie, before I sit down and write. The quiet time I have with him helps me to empty my brain of the humdrum of daily life, think about the plot and the scene I want to write next. By the time the walk is finished I know what I want to say and am itching to get on with it.

Can you tell us a little about your book?

The Thief’s Daughter was inspired by several things. I have been a huge Poldark fan ever since I watched the 1970s TV series. The series introduced me to Winston Graham’s books, which I adore and have read many times. I am one of those people who have had the old TV series on video tape and DVD. So I guess it was inevitable that one day I would want to write an 18^th century Cornish romance. I have even met the original Ross Poldark, Robin Ellis, who wished me well for The Thief’s Daughter.

I was born and bred in Cornwall, and I love the North Cornish coast. It was while I was walking the coastal path that I came across Pepper Cove, a narrow, rocky inlet that was once used for smuggling spices into Cornwall during the 18^th century. I have changed its name in the book but it still features heavily in the novel.

So I had the time period, the location and the Cornish history to help form my plot. All I needed was a back-story for my hero and heroine. The heroine, Jenna, feels obligated to pay her brother’s debts so he can be freed from debtor’s prison. The debtor’s prison idea was inspired by a small pub in Bodmin, called The Hole In The Wall, which is located on the site of an 18^th century, debtors’ prison. There is a plaque on the outside wall stating the dates the prison was in use and I have often walked by it.

My hero, Jack, was inspired by Graham’s hero, Ross Poldark. However, Jack may wear a tricorn hat and have dark, brooding looks, but the similarities end there. Jack is on the side of the law and he will do anything to bring the men he is after to justice. Unfortunately, a pretty young woman enters his life, whose loyalty to her brother leads her into terrible danger which he is unable to ignore. Suddenly, the line between crime and justice is no longer as clear as it was before he met her.

Thank you for having me on your blog, Morton. I have thoroughly enjoyed myself and chatting about what inspired me to write The Thief’s Daughter had made me want to start on my next book.

The Thief’s Daughter is published on 3^rd January, 2017 to buy it click here for the Choc Lit website.

Thank you, Victoria. I was fortunate to read an advance copy of the novel and can say wholeheartedly to readers that they have a real treat to look forward to. I loved the book, especially the hero. I only tend to read at bedtime, but found myself sneaking time in the day to read this one. The cover is lovely too!

About The Thief’s Daughter

Hide from the thief-taker, for if he finds you, he will take you away …

Eighteenth-century Cornwall is crippled by debt and poverty, while the gibbet casts a shadow of fear over the land. Yet, when night falls, free traders swarm onto the beaches and smuggling prospers.

Terrified by a thief-taker’s warning as a child, Jenna has resolved to be good. When her brother, Silas, asks for her help to pay his creditors, Jenna feels unable to refuse and finds herself entering the dangerous world of the smuggling trade.

Jack Penhale hunts down the smuggling gangs in revenge for his father’s death. Drawn to Jenna at a hiring fayre, they discover their lives are entangled. But as Jenna struggles to decide where her allegiances lie, the worlds of justice and crime collide, leading to danger and heartache for all concerned …

Published on 3 January 2017 by Choc Lit.

You can contact Victoria on the following links :-

Website: www.victoriacornwall.com

Twitter: @VickieCornwall

Facebook: www.facebook.com/victoriacornwall.author

Instagram: www.instagram.com/victoria_cornwallx

Pinterest: uk.pinterest.com/vickiecornwall