Victoria Bradleigh
1. I hear you have a cat in your romance, Trick or Meet? Tell us about the book.
Trick or Meet: A Halloween Romance is a later-in-life, slow-burn, small-town, steamy Halloween romance. Hannah, the main female character, has a cat who, despite being all black, is named Ghost (her daughter Olivia’s idea!).
Trick or Meet Blurb: In Holidaze, New York, nearly every day’s a holiday–but Halloween is the best time of year for practical, straight-laced Hannah. Her work as a ghostwriter picks up, her candy addiction becomes socially acceptable, and the line between the living and the dead is so thin, she can feel the spirit of Justin, her late husband, in a way she can’t the rest of the year.
Scott is only in town temporarily to research the town’s Halloween celebrations and urban legends–yet soon after they meet, it’s Hannah he can’t stop thinking about. He gets his nose out of the books long enough to tempt Hannah fully back into the land of the living–but does their romance have a ghost of a chance for happily ever after?
Trick or Meet is available for purchase at Amazon and/or to read for free in Kindle Unlimited at https://www.amazon.com/Trick-Meet-Halloween-Romance-Holidaze-ebook/dp/B0BKMKT6SM/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2UNCEWP3QFDS6&keywords=trick+or+meet+victoria+bradleigh&qid=1695332264&sprefix=Trick+or+meet%2Caps%2C107&sr=8-1
2. Why did you add a cat to this book?
Hannah was widowed young, and besides her daughter, Ghost is the one other living tie to her late husband. Although Hannah continues to move on, including finding a new love in Trick or Meet, Ghost is a much-loved reminder of a person and a life she loved and still misses.
Since childhood I’ve always had cats, and they’re such a comforting, steady link to different phases of one’s life. When I was finishing kindergarten, we adopted a tiny kitten that my sister named Marbley (she was all black like Ghost and looked like a little marble)–and she lived until a few months after I graduated from college! Marbley was with me through all the highs and lows of childhood, adolescence, and adulthood, and was such an affectionate and loyal friend to the end.
My husband and I currently have two cats, a two-year-old orange cat named Fuzz Aldrin who followed me home last November, and a 16-year-old cat named Sophie who we adopted from an animal rescue organization in February. She was supposed to become Fuzz’s best friend but, probably due to their age difference, Sophie didn’t get that memo!
3. What other books have you written?
Trick or Meet is my first book in my Holidaze Love series. The books are stand-alones so you can read them in any order, but they all take place in the small town of Holidaze, New York–where every holiday is celebrated with the excitement it deserves!–and some of the same characters make appearances in all the books.
Kiss Kringle, my second book in the series, is a Christmas romance, and I’m now working on a Thanksgiving romance. Every book features a pet or animal of some sort. Kiss Kringle has a very sleepy dog named Blitzen, and my Thanksgiving romance will feature a couple of pet turkeys.
I also have at least one female character in each book who has a traditionally male job. Trick or Meet has a handywoman named Laura who can fix anything, and in Kiss Kringle, Nico’s aunt is a police officer and Marianne’s great aunt was one of the first female commercial pilots in the U.S.
I would describe the Holidaze Love series as light, contemporary, small-town, later-in-life, medium-steam holiday romances.
4. How do you promote your books?
The most successful promotion for me has been offering Trick or Meet free for a day through Fussy Librarian (https://www.thefussylibrarian.com/). Over 1,000 copies of the Trick or Meet e-book were downloaded that day, and I also got some reads through Kindle Unlimited. I highly recommend Fussy Librarian for both authors and readers!
5. Where can readers learn more about your books and connect with you online?
Feel free to visit my website at https://www.victoriabradleigh.com/, where you can find out about my books, email me, or sign up for my newsletter–I love to connect with readers!
Victoria’s Blog Commenters Contest:
I would also like to offer one free, signed paperback copy of Trick or Meet to one lucky person who comments on this blog interview. Happy Halloween!
MARCIA: Thank you, Victoria, for your interview and your contest offer. An autographed paperback book is a great prize! I love holiday romances, and I’ll definitely read yours! Happy Halloween!
MONTHLY BLOG EBOOK CONTEST! Would you like to win a Marcia James’ ebook? Visitors to this pro-pet blog can join in the fun, comment, and/or share photos of their pets for a chance to win one of my ebooks!
Each month, I’ll randomly pick one commenter to win. To leave a comment and/or a photo, click on the word “Reply,” which is just below the social media icons for THIS interview. (Don’t scroll past this interview to the next interview.) Go Pets!
Hi, Victoria! Thank you for being my October interviewee. I LOVE holiday romances and look forward to reading yours! By the way, I really like your book covers. Have a wonderful October and Halloween!
Thank you so much, Marcia! Such a pleasure to be interviewed for your blog! 🙂 I must credit Albatross Book Co ( https://www.albatrossbookco.com/services ) with the cover design for “Trick or Meet” – they did a great job! Thanks again!
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Hi Victoria, your Holidaze Love series sounds very appealing to me, I look forward to reading them. I really like when pets are part of the story, they just add an extra element that makes the story more engaging. This is Bandit looking cute.
Hi Julie, Thank you so much! I know personally I’m always more likely to read a book when there’s a pet in it. 🙂 Bandit is adorable!!
I loved reading Trick or Meet Victoria! The story you shared here about Marbly and how cats create a ready link to different times in our lives makes this dog lover a little more fond of cats! Looking forward to reading Kiss Kringle! Fun titles!
Hi, Chris! Thanks for stopping by Victoria’s interview! I’m more of a dog-lover than a cat-lover, but I love when books include pets of (pretty much) any kind. I’m not a fan of snakes, though. 😉 Happy Halloween!
Hi, Chris! You won an ebook of mine! Congratulations! I’ll email you to explain how to get your ebook. Have a Happy Halloween!
Hi, Julie! Bandit is definitely cute! Thanks for stopping by. Have a wonderful Halloween!
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My beautiful baby’s name was Janey. She lived 16 years, and she passed away this past Friday. She was a stunning, strong dog.
Fuzz Aldrin and Sophie look very beautiful in their photos.
Hi, Florence. I’m so sorry to hear about Janey’s passing. It’s unbelievably cruel that our pets have such a short life span, but I know Janey will live in your heart forever. Sending prayers and hugs.
Hi Florence, I am so sorry about the loss of Janey — my deepest sympathies. 🙁 She looks like a beautiful and sweet dog. 16 years is an amazing lifespan — you obviously took excellent care of her. Sending hugs.
I have to add this to my “Must Read” list! I love Halloween and the idea of a love story wrapped up with my favorite holiday sounds great! I also wish I could convince my husband to get a cat! I love them but he isn’t a big fan!
Hi, LeAnn! Thanks for dropping by and commenting on Victoria’s interview. I’m allergic to cats, so we don’t have any, but there are so many cute ones out there. I especially like Maine Coon cats. I hope your husband has a change of heart and falls for a kitten. Have a Happy Halloween!
LeAnn–Congratulations! You won a signed paperback copy of Victoria’s Trick or Meet!! I’ll email you to let you know how to get the paperback. Happy Halloween!
Thank you so much, LeAnn!! Keep working on your husband, maybe he’ll come around purr-fectly!
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Hi, bn100! Thanks for stopping by. 😉 I hope you have a Happy Halloween!
Books sound interesting – and there’s way more dog books than cats. I love them both – but kitties need love too!!!
Hi, Nancy! {{waving across town}} I agree that there seems to be a lot more dog books than cat books. I do like the cat mysteries, though. Cat detectives seem sharper than dog detectives. 😉 Have a great weekend!