 Today I'm proud to welcome multi-published author Virginia Barlow! It's launch day for her new historical romance, A Gamble of Hearts! So exciting! Congratulations, Virginia! I'm astounded at the rate this talented, prolific author turns out books. Her next one, If Wishes Were Jelly Beans, releases next week! Amazing! We'll learn about A Gamble of Hearts -- one great excerpt coming up! But first, let's get to know Virginia a little better. 1)What sort of books did you enjoy reading as a child? Did you have a favorite book or series? I read The Little House on the Prairie series probably ten times. I loved those books! Oh, I loved the Little House books, too. 2) What sort of books do you enjoy reading nowadays? I read romance or self-improvement for the most part. Occasionally I read paranormal fiction. 3) Around what age did you realize that you liked to write? And when did you know that you wanted to write books? I didn’t decide to write until I was in my twenties, but by then I had tiny children and didn’t have the time to write. 4) What’s the first thing you wrote that you remember being proud of? When I was in high school I wrote a short story for the Pen and Quill Literary Club, My story won second place. I wrote for the high school newspaper. 5) Tell us about the creative force within you. What inspires you to write, to create? I like to create stories in my head and make up plots first thing in the morning or right before I fall asleep at night. 6) What’s your writing space like? My writing space is a wonderful little office with pictures of my children, the little gifts they give me, a bookshelf with my book stock, and fairy tale themed items like a gold pumpkin, A picture of a knight in armor receiving a lady’s favor, and roses. A lovely, inspiring space! 7) Do you have a favorite time of day to write? Any habits or little rituals that put you in a writing mindset? I like to write in the afternoon and evening, when it’s quiet. To get in the right mindset, I often pour a glass of wine and pace. 8) Time to talk about Gamble of Hearts (rubbing hands together). Are there any interesting tidbits you’d care to share with us? I came up with the idea of Gamble of Hearts one day at a redlight. I have no idea why. LOL. 9) Now let’s hear about Gamble of Hearts. This story takes place in Regency England. A powerful duke loses his only nephew to a card shark and cheater. The Earl of Hargrove. Seeking revenge, the duke learns the games and lures the earl to a high stakes game where he loses everything. Only when the duke comes to collect does he discover the earl has a sister. And he used the sister to ante up for the final hand. With no other relatives to care for her, the duke becomes her reluctant guardian and sets out to find her a husband -- only to fall for her himself. 10) I comprehend -- actually, I can't quite comprehend -- that you have two book launches within a week. Still, I can’t help but ask – do you have anything waiting in the wings? Yes. I have a Christmas in the Castle book entitled Once Upon a Christmas Castle coming this holiday season. That sounds lovely! I love the title! 11) Is there anything else you’d like to share with us? I would like to say thank you to all my readers and to my family. They keep me going in the right direction. Thank you for sharing your time and talent with us today, Virginia! Congratulations again on A Gamble of Hearts. Wishing you a great book launch! And now, time for A Gamble of Hearts by Virginia Barlow.  The Highest Stakes Come With the Gamble of Hearts! When a powerful duke arrives to collect his winnings from her brother, Lady Amora Hargrove discovers she is one of them. Following her brother's arrest, she becomes the duke's ward and falls for him hard and fast. Problem is, the duke has a violent hatred for gamblers, and she possesses a natural ability. Something he can never discover, or she will lose him forever. The Duke of Ravencroft exacts revenge for his nephew's death and gains a ward. Irresistibly drawn to the villain's sister, he must play and gamble with their hearts or lose everything. Excerpt from A Gamble of Hearts He stared at her mouth as he ran a thumb over her bottom lip. “I have wondered for days what you taste like. You asked if I thought your mouth resembled a rose petal, and I have decided I must know the answer.” Her lips parted in anticipation, and she dared not breathe for fear the spell would break. He leaned close, blocking the moonlight above her as his warm lips covered hers. Afterward, she would always equate the scent of magnolias with her first kiss, for they surrounded her along with the duke’s heat beneath the magical night sky. He slid his firm mouth over hers, searching and applying gentle pressure while his hands caressed her face. She could not believe this was happening and leaned against him, wrapping her arms high around his neck. His embrace comforted her as no one else had, and for the first time since Nathan dragged her to London, she felt safe. With a groan, he tipped her head to the side. “Open for me.” She opened her mouth to ask what he meant but never got the chance, for his tongue slid between her lips and stroked along hers, sending shivers of delight through her body. She trembled against him, wanting each moment to last for an eternity. The taste of him in her mouth intoxicated her, and she could not get enough. Her blood sang, and heat filled her belly. Amazon B&N Goodreads BookBub  About the Author I have always loved reading romance novels. I used to sneak them from my mom’s room as a young girl and read them while she was gone. As I grew older, my reading and tastes expanded to sci-fi, dystopian, paranormal, and fantasy. I considered becoming an author in my late twenties, but as a busy mother with toddlers; I didn’t have the time. Later, in my fifties, I gave it a try and have enjoyed every word of it since. I recently signed my thirteenth contract and am doing my happy dance as I type this. My husband of forty-one years is my greatest support as are all my kids. Most of them are grown and carving out lives for themselves. They are the beat of my heart and with every grandchild; the rhythm gets stronger. I enjoy every moment of my life.     If Jelly Beans Were Kisses -- Release Date April 19!
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