Guest Author, Victoria Alexander
by sue on Dec.05, 2009, under Book Chat
Believe, by Victoria Alexander
Setting: Fantasy medieval
Subgenre: time travel
Hero: Sir Galahad
Heroine: Tessa St. James
One sentence summary: A thoroughly modern American is trapped in a legend she doesn’t believe in, in a time period she doesn’t like with a larger than life hero and finds herself in the greatest adventure of her life.
Scene you like most and would never cut: Hard to say—I like them all. The ones I don’t have already been cut.
But I think my favorite is when Galahad discovers his fate. When he learns he will not be remembered for the real life man he was but rather as a figure in a legend. And when he realizes he will lose the woman he loves to that world in which he never existed, where he is nothing more than a character in a children’s story.
Thing your heroine would never be caught dead doing/saying: I love the middle ages.
Your hero, is he a boxer or brief kind of guy: No idea. He’s a knight of the round table—boxers vs briefs just don’t apply. I suspect, Galahad would look down his nose at anyone who dared to ask and politely inform them that his undergarments were no one’s business but his own. And then he’d grin.
Ancillary character you had the most fun with: Vivian, consort of Merlin. She’s been with Merlin for centuries but she wants what she wants and will do what is necessary to get it. And if people get hurt along the way—it’s not her problem.
Your heroine’s favorite hobby: She collects vintage children’s Christmas books.
Your hero’s favorite hobby: Rescuing fair maidens, I suspect.
What you think readers will like best about this book: The fantasy of becoming part of a legend. Of meeting people who never existed and seeing a different twist on a familiar tale. For example, when Tessa sees the round table and says it’s round so that all sitting there are equal, King Arthur likes the idea but explains the real reason why his table is round. He tells her a king, above all else, must be able to see the eyes of those giving him advice.
Oh, and the cover is fabulous!
The person that readers want you to write about but you haven’t yet: I’ve had readers ask me to continue the story of Galahad and Tessa. What happened to them after I wrote: The End.
What’s next: Next is Desires of a Perfect Lady (Avon, March 30, 2010) about a widow who thinks she’s finally free but learns her late husband has set her a nearly impossible task. To gain her independence she must turn to the man who once broke her heart.
Question of the Day: Tessa is a huge fan of the Greek myths and legends and not at all fond of the Arthurian legends. So who would you rather meet? The gods and goddesses of Olympus and the heroes of Greek mythology or the knights of the round table? Why?
When I was a kid, I was a huge myth and legend junkie. I devoured every book in my school library that had anything to do with myths and legends from around the world. Being able to play with the Arthurian legend and meet those characters—if only in my head—was really a childhood fantasy come true for me.
Related posts:
- A special letter from Victoria Alexander for her new release, Believe . . . Dear Readers. Going back to a book you wrote more than ten years ago is like returning to a place you always loved but haven’t visited for a while. Or like renewing an acquaintance with an old friend you’ve lost touch with. Sure, things have changed through the years. You’re...
- Guest Blogger, Victoria Roder The Search for a Soul Mate Werewolves, vampires, shape shifters, oh my! On the rise in popularity, Paranormal Romance comes in as many varieties as shape shifters. What type of hero can make your skin tingle with a glance, a masculine scent, or the danger behind his mysterious secret?...
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December 6th, 2009 on 2:19 am
Believe sounds like a wonderful story. I think I’d take the knights over the Greek gods because the Greek gods sound really scary and the knights were all that is honorable and chivalrous.
December 6th, 2009 on 2:14 am
Hello Victoria,
I think i would have to pick the Knights of the Round table i love that era.
Your book sounds great cant wait to read this book 
December 5th, 2009 on 7:08 pm
I think I would like to meet the Greek Gods & Goddesses. I would like to asked them what it was like to be powerful and immortal.
December 5th, 2009 on 5:18 pm
Hello Victoria, what a wonderful post! I am all for the Knights of the Round Table. All that chainmail and armor, oooh la la!
December 5th, 2009 on 4:54 pm
I pick the Greeks (and the fact my long-time boyfriend is Greek-American has absolutely nothing to do with it–okay, maybe a little). But like Calila, if I woke up in King Arthur’s time, I’d be happy to check them out.
I know I’m in the minority, but I prefer the original cover with John DeSalvo. In fact, I picked up the book because he was on the cover and thoroughly enjoyed it. I have most of Ms. Alexander’s other books and was very excited to be able to meet her at the RT Booklovers’ Book Signing last April in Orlando.
December 5th, 2009 on 4:57 pm
The original cover was beautiful! iN FACT, i HAVE IT HAB
December 5th, 2009 on 5:01 pm
whoops–
one more time.
The original cover was beautiful. It’s always been one of my favorites. In fact, I have the artwork hanging on the wall in my office.
And I love the new cover too! I’ve been really lucky with covers for this book. The cover gods have smiled on Believe twice.
December 5th, 2009 on 4:44 pm
While I’m sure the Knights of the Round Table are — mostly — a more honourable bunch (and I live in Merlin country), I’m certain that the Gods would be cleaner and have better teeth.
I’ve never hankered for life in a freezing castle.
December 5th, 2009 on 2:50 pm
Knights of the round table hands down. The Greek gods/goddesses played with mortals (Hello, paging Odysseus!). Give me knights any day over sociopathic mountain dwellers with superpowers!
December 5th, 2009 on 1:51 pm
I vote for Knights of the Round Table…they seem more galant to me and well, frankly, more honest. The gods and goddesses were pretty shady and it seemed like the legends only got punished.
Plus I’m kinda partial to a cute knight
December 5th, 2009 on 1:19 pm
Greek and Roman mythology was always a favorite of mine. I remember reading Edith Hamilton’s “Mythology” over and over again. Great column–thanks for visiting.
December 5th, 2009 on 12:45 pm
I’m probably more familiar with Greek mythology because they cover that in English lit classes but I think the Knights are sexier, lol
I’m a huge Anglophile anyhow. Happy holidays!
December 5th, 2009 on 12:42 pm
Hi Victoria,
The knight of the round table. I’ve always enjoyed those stories.
December 5th, 2009 on 12:17 pm
Thank you all for your nice comments.
Okay, I have to confess–I’m torn. I love the romance of the Arturian legend but I’ve never been to Greece and really want to go. So Greek gods have a great deal of appeal.
December 5th, 2009 on 11:43 am
This book sounds awesome but then again I love ALL your books!!
For me, it would have to be the knights because in my head Ioan Gruffudd from the King Arthur movie who played Lancelot IS Lancelot…and now I’m remembering Hugh Dancy played Galahad. Yuuuuuuummmmm!
December 5th, 2009 on 9:54 am
Hmmmmmmm Knights at the round table — I like their outfits better
More tangible than the Greek Mythology.
Thanks for being here today — Believe is one of those books everyone should buy for the holidays!
December 5th, 2009 on 9:53 am
I have to go with the gods and goddesses of Olympus and the heroes of Greek mythology because I have been fasinated with them my whole life. Now if I magically got transported and ended up around the knights of the round table…I wouldn’t be too disappointed, LOL. But I’d still choose the greek gods.
December 5th, 2009 on 9:29 am
Hi, Victoria! The cover of “Believe” is absolutely gorgeous! My choice is the Knights of the Round Table. Why? I was enchanted when I read “The Once and Future King” by T.H. White. I loved the movie “Camelot” with Richard Harris, Vanessa Redgrave and Franco Nero. Redgrave and Nero began an intense affair in 1966 during the filming of Camelot. She bore him a son, but they later parted ways. Forty years later, they reunited and married in 2006! Guinevere and Lancelot did end up together : )
December 5th, 2009 on 2:50 am
Hi Victoria, great post I love What a Lady Wants, it had me LOL a lot. I can’t wait to get my hands on Believe, it sounds awesome! I think I would like to meet the knights of the round table myself! For some reason I have always admire knights.