I Have Moved! Please Follow!

I have decided that I would rather blog on Blogger for a variety of reasons. Therefore, I’ve moved this entire blog and all posts to that platform.

Please follow the link below.  If you have subscribed here, please follow the subscription link to transfer.  Re-enter your email address to subscribe.  This blog will remain on WordPress, but any further posts will continue on Blogger.

I have some exciting news in my first post, so come on over to my new site! Hope you enjoy.

Vicki Hopkins

FOLLOW ME TO BLOGGER BY CLICKING HERE

The Price of Innocence Updates

UPDATE:  11/18/11 – I am struggling with the wisdom of giving into Amazon.  If you wish to purchase The Price of Innocence, it is available for overnight shipping through Barnes & Noble.  Until I decide what to do with Amazon’s strong arm twisting my own, please purchase the book elsewhere.  Thanks!

Recently, I’ve been blogging about Amazon on my professional author’s blog.  It’s a place where I dump my thoughts about the industry and my journey as a writer.

Due to changes in the way Amazon handles my books through my printer/distributor, Lightning Source, it has become necessary to re-release The Price of Innocence on Amazon through their print-on-demand company, CreateSpace. As of today, the book’s availablility in the United States is 5-8 weeks for delivery and 4-7 weeks in the United Kingdom and Canada. As a result of the reclassification, which merely has to do with the way they stock for shipping, my sales have plummeted in the print version.  Unfortunately, many other independent authors and small publishers are being reclassified and scrambling to find solutions.

As a result, I’ve had to pull out the current book, dust it off, and ready it for redistribution through Amazon only, if I want to get the availability to return. Worldwide distribution will remain with Lightning Source. Because I’ve made a few tweaks, due to some slap-on-the-hands recent reviews, some of the historical points have been corrected, as well as a few dang-darn lingering typos. I also put the entire book through Grammarly, though I had it professionally edited by a service. More problems were flagged, which have since been corrected. The end result is a dusted-off text that was re-released last night on Kindle and Smashwords. The print version, heaven willing, will be for sale in early December in time for Christmas on Amazon worldwide. Because I own the ISBN numbers, it will show as released through Holland Legacy Publishing.

There are advantages to using print on demand, rather that stocking books in a warehouse. In addition, ebooks give you such wonderful flexibility to upload corrected versions. In all of my frustration with the big A’s tactics to gain more market share with their own POD service, I have to look at the bright side — I was able to polish The Price of Innocence a little more for my next generation of readers.

As far as the print version for The Price of Deception, the proof is on the UPS truck. As soon as I receive, read, and am satisfied, I’ll hit the release button. A few days later it will be up on Amazon through Lightning Source. I refuse to surrender moving all of my books to CreateSpace until I’m forced to do so. Lightning Source is my preferred printer by far in the way of quality and distribution.

That’s it for now!

Update on Print & eBook

I’m pleased to report that the eBook version of The Price of Deception has been fully distributed and is available on Smashwords, Barnes & Noble, Kindle, and iBooks, plus many others.  The print version has hit a snag with the cover upload with my printer, but I’m working to rectify that problem.  It should be listed on Amazon and elsewhere for sale worldwide no later than December 1.

In the meantime, I’ve been teaching myself to use PowerPoint to make book trailers. To keep your appetite hungry, below is the latest for The Price of Deception.  Hope you enjoy.

Off To The Presses

The Price of Deception is off to the presses at Lightning Source.  I’m hoping it will be available for purchase in the next two weeks.

The Kindle version and other eBook formats have been selling and feedback is slowly trickling back to me via word of mouth and through one Amazon review. So far, so good.  People are pleased with the story and somewhat shocking ending.  Whew!  It’s such a nerve-racking experience releasing a book.

The Price of Innocence is currently lagging in availability on Amazon.  If you want to know why, please click HERE and read the current tactics of Amazon. I’ll be dealing with the problem in the next few weeks. If you wish to purchase book one, then I encourage you to visit Barnes & Noble or Book Depository, who can give you a quicker turnaround of that volume.

Other than that, I’ll be posting some tidbits in the next few weeks about some of the topics I researched for The Price of Deception for your reading enjoyment. Periodically, I’ll be working on book three, The Price of Love, tying up the loose ends of the story.

Other projects I have in the burner include my first paranormal romance, Radcliffe. Visit the website by CLICKING HERE for more information on that goodie.  I’ve also created a blog to pen my journey on the dark side.  You can find a link to the blog HERE.

That is all the news for now!  Thank you to my faithful readers and those who enjoy my stories.  I cherish you all, for without you, I’d be home doing crossword puzzles rather than creating worlds.

Regards,

Vicki

eBook UP! Drum Roll Please . . . I give you – “The Price of Deception”

The Price of Deception

Happy to report that The Price of Deception is now available on Smashwords (who will also distribute it to Barnes & Noble, Sony, Apple, Diesel, etc.) and  on Kindle.

It’s always exciting and terrifying to release a book.  I can only say . . . I hope you enjoy the story!

Print will probably be available in the next two to three weeks.

As always, thank you EVERYONE for your support.  A special thanks to my beta readers and editing help.  Without you guys, I would sink.

Regards,

Vicki

P.S.  I’m exhausted!

Release Update

Release is just around the corner.  I’m in the final stages of cleaning up the last bit of editing.  The Price of Deception will be in your hands, or on your Kindle or other eBook reader, very soon.  Here’s the scoop:

eBook

Hopefully, if all goes well, I’ll have uploaded The Price of Deception to Smashwords and Kindle by Monday, October 17th.  The book will soon be available to purchase for $2.99.

Print

The print version will be uploaded, along with my cool new cover, to Lightning Source (my POD printer) by October 24th.  I’ll wait for a proof of the book, which usually takes a week.  After I review and sign off, it should be on Amazon within the first week or two of November.  Once I click “OK” distribution happens pretty quickly.

I’m very happy to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  It’s a tremendous amount of work getting a final product out the door.  Writing a story is the easy part.  Editing is the irritating part.  Formatting for eBook and the printer is the tedious part.  In the end, I get to present to you a story, which I hope you will like.  I’m really pleased with how this book turned out and am very excited to see the story continue to Book Three of the series, The Price of Love.

If you don’t have a Kindle, you can always download the application to your PC for free!  Below is a link to Amazon.  Works great for me!

All my best,

Vicki

Kindle Applications for PC

Introducing . . . My Cover

Thanks, once again, to wonderful Robin Ludwig for a gorgeous cover rendition.  I highly recommend her work.

Lost Hearts

Le Baiser (The Kiss) (1868) by Carolus-Duran

The Price of Deception has been an interesting journey to pen.  It is filled with raw emotion, moral choices, devastated spouses, and conflicted characters. I frankly couldn’t write the story any other way, because when people love, emotions are high and hearts are vulnerable.

The moral choices in 1886 were much different than they are in the 21st century. Moral compasses pointed in various directions due one’s place in society, education, and religious background. In the 19th century, poor moral choices carried dire consequences, such as sexual disease.  Divorce was nearly impossible (except for adultery), the reason to marry wasn’t always for love, happiness in matrimony wasn’t easily attainable, and childbirth was risky.

Different values and thought processes motivated men and women. Religion weaved itself into the psyche of society more than it does today in both the Protestant and Catholic beliefs.  Confrontations were face to face, and breakups didn’t happen through text messages or email. Emotions from the heart were expressed verbally, violent tears were shed, hearts were crushed, and prices were paid as a result of one’s actions and choices in life.

A few weeks ago, I watched a TV series on NetFlix entitled The Brammel Series about a woman doctor in the Victorian era. This line was spoken in one of the episodes: “None of us chooses who we lose our heart to.”  

You’ll discover that Suzette and Robert possess a desperate love in The Price of Deception.  It will be a love that will cost them both a hefty price, all because they have lost their hearts to one another.  You will also discover that Jacquelyn and Philippe have lost their hearts to those they loved through infidelity and betrayal.  In the end, will you think it was worth the price for all involved?

You’ll just have to wait for The Price of Love, book three, to find out!

At the present time, I’m still in heavy editing.  My book is still out to a few beta readers waiting for comments. At the moment, I am hoping and shooting for a November 2011 release.  I don’t wish to rush it, though I know some are waiting anxiously to find out what happens.  You’ll just have to be patient.

Immortalizing My Family

On Facebook today I paid tribute to my mother.  It would have been her birthday – September 21, 1912.  She died, however, February 1, 2000.  Her maiden name was Nora Ethel Holland.

It never dawned on me since I’ve started this blog that perhaps many of you don’t know the background of the names chosen in my book or that my publishing company is named after the legacy of my family name – HOLLAND. The crest shown in this post, is the Holland crest, though I have seen similar variations elsewhere.  Researching the origin of the name in England has been a fascinating study.

My immediate family did not come from nobility (though I love to fantasize they did).  They were simple people – bricklayers, brick makers, and builders by trade. I’ve been very fortunate over the years to trace my roots back to 1792 researching information on the Internet. The majority of our family lived in Leyland/Salford/Manchester, UK. Through my search, I’ve discovered Holland relatives that are spread throughout the world from Australia, New Zealand, Spain, France, Canada, UK, and the US.  We’re everywhere, all from the line of three brothers: Henry, Thomas, and Robert, all of which had plenty of children (thanks to the absence of birth control), who now have children and grandchildren.

What names are in the Legacy series that belong to some of my relatives?

1. Robert Holland was my grandfather’s name, who named one of his sons, Robert Holland (my uncle).
   Robert Holland  was my great uncle’s name, who named one of his sons Robert Holland.
2. Mary Holland (Robert’s mother in the series) was my grandmother’s name.
3. Thomas Holland (a name you’ll see in the second book) was my great grandfather’s name.

Because Holland is the main character in the Legacy series, my publishing company is also named Holland Legacy Publishing, in honor of my family and my cherished English ancestry.

So today, on my mother’s birthday, I’d like to honor her and the legacy of the Holland name!  My close Holland cousins got a real kick out of me using our grandfather’s name and that of my uncle.  I was pleased to do so.  I loved them all and have always been fascinated with my heritage.  It’s who I am .

(Hopkins by the way, is my former married name. I have no “Hopkins” in my blood.  Tkacz is my maiden name. My father’s heritage is Ukraine, which at the time was part of the Austrian empire.  I’ve often toyed with the idea of changing my name to Vicki Holland.  There may still be time!)

Facts or Fiction

As most of you know, some time ago I started a blog regarding the facts sprinkled throughout The Price of Innocence and also my other novel, The Phantom of Valletta. The blog originated on Tumblr, but when I started this site, I began to migrate the posts to WordPress.  I did research for both books regarding setting and historical facts. There were aspects of life in 19th century France that I touched upon regarding marriage, morals, sexuality, laws regarding prostitution, burial practices, picture-window morgues, treatment of the homeless, the early charity efforts of St. Vincent de Paul, etc.

I confess that there are statements in the story that are not 100% true.  Why?  Because I took creative liberty in a few areas, which I’m doing as well with The Price of Deception.  A review called out my error in mentioning King Edward VII having visited the brothel, the Chabanais, during the timeline of my story.  He was actually the Prince of Wales at that time and visited the Chabanais between 1880-1890.  My story was set in 1878, just after the brothel opened.   So, yes, the timeline is off, but I used his reference as a means of emphasizing the importance of the clientele under Madame Laurent’s roof (or the real Madame Kelly who founded the brothel).  If I had kept it historically accurate, my readers would have never known that royalty actually came through its doors at one time. I thought that a worthy note to pass along.

You may be wondering too, why I don’t use the full name (or “Le” in French) for the Chabanais.  It’s actually a registered  US Trademark name, so I decided not to infringe upon its use (smart legal move on my part).  The name is used in conjunction with a model, call-girl company based on the history of the brothel.  It’s a risqué site, but if you want to check it out it’s at http://lechabanais.com.   That is why I don’t use the full name anywhere.

Caricature of Edward VII

There are other call outs in a review regarding funeral parlors and charities.  The Daughters of Charity were very much involved in the help of the homeless under the auspices of St. Vincent de Paul, which I reported in an earlier blog.  There were no state institutions to help the poor; the church did all the work. They fed the poor and help the destitute on the streets of Paris, as much as they could.

As far as funeral parlors in 19th century Paris, there was a rather large central funeral parlor (or parlour, if you prefer)  at that time, by the name of Centquatre.   It provided all Parisians the right to a funeral and was termed the “factory of mourning,” that employed 1,400 people. They provided coffins, funeral carriages/hearses, and black horses.  It was the place to leave on the way to the grave. It’s been recently converted into an art center, of all things, a few years ago (link above).  So, yes, there is a slight tweak in my book regarding the death of Suzette’s father.

As far as The Price of Deception, it’s not as in-depth historically as the first book.  I did do research on the following:

• Divorce laws for England and France
• How women handled their menses
• Referenced a few Victorian thoughts on childbirth and pregnancy
• Sugar plantations in the West Indies and those once involved in the transportation of slaves
• Difference in burial practices between England and France
• The ossuary at Père Lachaise cemetery in Paris
• The laws of dueling and how they were conducted
• The use of wet nurses
• And when the Orient Express began service throughout Europe

I’ve taken liberty in The Price of Deception regarding divorce laws.  I had to, or otherwise my goal wouldn’t have been accomplished the way I wanted to end this particular volume in the series.  Eventually, the divorce needed would be granted on the one basis that was historically allowed–adultery, but that won’t be evident until Book Three.

So yes, I’m an author that takes some creative liberty as a means to an end.  Why?  Because I’m not writing a history book, I’m writing an romance set in the 19th century.  The facts I choose to weave in my book are my choice and they have a purpose.  I don’t really expect my readers to hit the history books to make sure each paragraph is historically accurate.  However, I realize there are those that require some element of perfection or otherwise I wouldn’t be posting this blog.

Am I perfect in my research?  No, I’ll admit my mistake between barrister and solicitor (which can be corrected in the text).  Next time, I’ll get it right.  I only ask my readers that if you find something not 100% accurate and you know it isn’t, I’d prefer that you accept there are reasons behind my madness and that it doesn’t necessarily mean I don’t know my facts or haven’t done a good job in my homework.

Anyway . . .

My beta readers are reading The Price of Deception at the moment.  I’m going through the text again with a fine tooth comb using a new awesome editing tool entitled, Grammarly.  Very cool site.  I highly recommend it.

That’s it for now!  I’ll keep you posted as I get closer to release.  Once again, thanks to all my readers for your support.

All my best,

Vicki