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Introduction
I found Vicki’s books late into 2023 and picked up the final installment of her Tales From Tottenbridge series that follows several different couples from a small town and their tales of finding romance. I immediately loved her witty and humorous writing style, but also her ability to hone in our individual insecurities as well as grief and loss. She takes serious stories and allows those characters to shine through their sense of humor and kindness.
She has a new book coming out on June 4, 2024 called “Flock and Roll” and is part of a series of books by a group of amazing authors that all center on the small town of Tuft Swallow. Each book is released separately and features a different cast of characters from the same amazing town.
Flock and Roll
Rowena Swan, Tuft Swallow’s reigning crochet queen, is living her best life—or so she thinks. She’s got a thriving Etsy store, her independence, and a firm resolve NOT to pine over her brother’s hockey-playing best friend, Brody Flockhart. But when he returns to their quirky small town, sidelined by injury and questioning his future, long forgotten sparks reignite.
In a move to spend more time with the woman he’s always loved, Brody convinces Rowena to join a roller derby tryout—with him as her coach. The snag? Rowena sets her own challenge, and he has to learn to crochet.
As they navigate the ups and downs of small-town life, roller rinks and crafting circles, will Brody realize he can’t find true happiness in fame and fortune? And will Rowena see that she’s worthy of love, just as she is?
Get ready for a swoon-worthy romp where love, laughter, and logic unravel. After all, what’s a few dropped stitches between friends?
Interview with Vicki Hilton
Q: Let’s get started with an introduction. Can you tell me a little about how you first got into writing and what it felt like publishing your very first book?
A: As a kid I was an avid book reader, and when I hit my teens, particularly my mum’s eighties bodice ripper romances! My mum was a great storyteller and made up an incredible series of fairy stories she’d tell me when I couldn’t sleep, I truly believe that this gave me a real grounding in story structure. I studied film at University which included script and comedy writing and although I had the burn to write, I listened to everyone who told me I’d never make a living. Instead, I went into insurance! Fast forward a few years and I came up with an idea for an historical romance which I sat on for almost twenty years. There’s nothing like a healthy dose of fear and procrastination! Finally, though, I put on my big girl pants and re-wrote the story as A Country Quandary, the first book in my Tales from Tottenbridge trilogy. If I’d known the rush of hearing how much other people relate and enjoy my stories, I’d have bitten the bullet and published long ago. Hearing about a reader’s connection to my characters makes my heart explode with joy.
Q: What are some of your favorite hobbies (other than writing)?
A: I was that annoying theatre kid and I still indulge heavily to this day. I’m involved in a local musical society, and when I’m not prancing around on stage in lycra and heavy makeup, I sing in a band. In fact, the two things are pretty similar! Other than that I can be found feeding birds (a weird later-in-life obsession) and hanging out with my family and pets.
Q: What book (other than your own) do you recommend to everyone that they have to read?
A: That’s such a tough question! Just one book? For me, it has to be Pride and Prejudice. I’m such an Austen junkie.
Q: Can you tell me a little bit about your writing process? Note taking; favorite place to write uninterrupted; etc?
A: Sure! I’m a heavy plotter. I can’t start a book until I know where it’s going at every chapter. Whether I stick to the plan is another matter, but I usually end up with a 20k word outline before I begin. When I sit down to write, I light a candle, grab a huge coffee and pop in my airpod. I find it really hard to concentrate so I blast my ears with gentle piano music to write.
Q: Can you share a little bit with us about the Tuft Swallow Project?
A: I spotted a call-up in a Facebook group for authors who were interested in writing a rom com in a shared world series. Bearing in mind I hadn’t actually completed the first draft of A Country Quandary at this point, I thought, why not? LOL. To my amazement, my application was accepted and I joined the Tuft Swallow craziness. We lost a few writers along the way, but getting to know the other authors, and building a totally nutso world for all our stories was an incredible experience. I particularly like the character cameos we all managed to squeeze in. Shh… don’t tell, but there may be a round-two of Tuft Swallow tales in 2025.
Q: Which one of your books was your most favorite to write?
A: Power Moves! This story just flowed for me. I love the characters. The plot, in true Vicki Hilton style, gets a little silly, but it’s sweet and swoony…with the all important spice. It also dovetails into the Tales from Tottenbridge series. It’s currently available to download for free when you sign up to my newsletter at vickihilton.com. PLUS Power Moves will get its own spin-off series in 2025! Think Magic Mike meets Vanderpump rules in a small English town… what could go wrong?
Q: What comes next for your writing projects? Will there be a new small town series or maybe a stand alone book?
A: I’m currently battling with a stand alone book that is enjoying its fourth re-write LOL. I wrote a French billionaire romance for Harlequin a couple of years ago, but never sent it for consideration. I couldn’t leave the characters behind though, so I continued work on the story. But I was never happy with it. Now, I feel like I’ve found my groove, hit my stride with my writing and story style, and I’ve started again. This time I LOVE the story and it’s way more on-brand. I also have an incredible illustrator working on the cover so there’s no going back now! The French Mis-Connection will be with you in late August (hopefully). After that, I’ll release a Christmas short/novella, then get into the thick of writing the Power Moves series. I’m not a full-time writer, so my unrealistic release schedules often come back to haunt me, but this is the plan… I think… today. #lovemylife
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