1--What is the title of your latest release?
UNLEASHED HOLIDAY
2--What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?
When an old rival reappears right before the holidays, a professional dog trainer must decide if the melting frost between them can make up for their ruff past.
3--How did you decide where your book was going to take place?
My hometown is incredibly quaint, and I thought a fictional town that mirrors the charm of it would be the perfect setting.
4--Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life?
100% Although I’m not sure she’d want to hang out with me! (She’s a bit of an introvert.)
5--What are three words that describe your protagonist?
Driven, optimistic, conflicted.
6--What’s something you learned while writing this book?
There are three quarrelsome goats in UNLEASHED HOLIDAY, so I spent time getting acquainted with a crew of goats on a local farm. I absolutely fell in love with them! I knew goats were adorable thanks to social media, but my hands-on research showed me how clever and dog-like they are.
7--Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?
I always edit as I write. I’m a pantser – I wish it wasn’t the case – and sometimes my characters surprise me and force me to rethink plot points.
8--What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?
Cupcakes! But I’m a huge cupcake snob so not just any type will do …my favorites are Magnolia in NYC and Georgetown Cupcakes – a spot I’ve been going to since they had one tiny shop on a side street in Georgetown.
9--Describe your writing space/office!
It’s usually messier than it should be! The walls are a lovely deep steel blue/grey, and they’re covered with dog-centric art. My desk is situated between two windows, and I often find myself staring outside when I’m stuck.
10--Who is an author you admire?
Ohhh my gosh – there are so many! Too many to pick just one. Let’s just say I admire authors who support other authors … this business can be so tough, which makes allies who get it even more important.
11--Is there a book that changed your life?
Hands down, the Little House series. It kicked off my love of reading.
12--Tell us about when you got “the call.” (when you found out your book was going to be published)/Or, for indie authors, when you decided to self-publish.
I missed the call – my phone was on mute because I was writing! My agent had to email me, and it started with the most beautiful first line: “we have an offer.” I was over the moon excited!
13--What’s your favorite genre to read?
I’m a mood reader so I don’t have a favorite. Obviously romance leads the pack, but I’ll do suspense, horror, historical, non-fiction … it just depends on my vibe at the moment.
14--What’s your favorite movie?
Again, favorites are tough for me, but I will ALWAYS stop and watch Notting Hill and The Devil Wears Prada. Unbeatable movies!
15--What is your favorite season?
Okay, this “favorite” question is easier for me: fall, which I hope comes through in the pages of Unleashed Holiday! I was excited to write a Christmas book, but I also wanted to include the fall holidays, because I love them.
16--How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
My birthday falls right around Thanksgiving – and occasionally on it – so unfortunately I’ve had a lifetime of playing second fiddle to a turkey. It sort of gets wrapped up with the rest of the holiday. (Bitter? Who, me?)
17--What’s a recent tv show/movie/book/podcast you highly recommend?
I love the podcaster Michael Hobbes – all his shows are phenomenal. He’s been a part of You’re Wrong About with Sarah Marshall, and he currently cohosts Maintenance Phase with Aubrey Gordon, and If Books Could Kill with Peter Shamshiri. They’re so good.
18--What’s your favorite type of cuisine?
Gotta go with Italian. Bread, garlic, pasta – give it to me!
19--What do you do when you have free time?
I love dance fitness, so I try to sneak in dance-y workouts in my basement. And hiking with my dogs whenever possible.
20--What can readers expect from you next?
I’m currently working on a book about someone in the wedding industry and I’m having so much fun with it. Grumpy-sunshine, here we come!
When an old rival reappears right before the holidays, a professional dog trainer must decide if the melting frost between them can make up for their ruff past, from the USA Today bestselling author of Dog Friendly.
Chelsea Higgins is doing just fine. She’s heading into the holidays at the helm of a thriving dog training business, and she’s got a mellow senior dog at home to keep her warm at the end of the day. What more could she need? Enter certified gym bro Andrew Gibson: Chelsea’s former nemesis, and now the newest neighbor in her business complex, who also wants to expand into the vacant space Chelsea’s been eyeing for months. Who cares if it’s the season of joy? Let the turf war begin.
When an unfortunate (and literal) run-in with Andrew’s lawless dog leaves Chelsea with a bum wrist, the two strike a deal: Andrew will help Chelsea rehab the injury if she’ll work with him to train his adorably uncivilized boxer.
Their typical bickering soon turns to bantering, and Chelsea finds herself inexplicably drawn to the man she thought she had nothing in common with. As she gets to know Andrew and his parents, she realizes she needs to refocus on her own family, especially with a milestone Christmas speeding toward them. But Chelsea can't help wondering if she and Andrew are training for keeps, or if this unexpected Christmas gift is just too good to be true.
Romance Holiday | Romance Comedy [Berkley, On Sale: September 26, 2023, Trade Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9780593437414 / eISBN: 9780593437421]
Victoria Schade is a dog trainer and speaker who serves as a dog resource for the media and has worked both in front of and behind the camera on Animal Planet, as a co-host on the program Faithful Friends, and as a trainer and wrangler on the channel’s popular Puppy Bowl specials. She lives in Pennsylvania with her husband, her dogs Millie and Olive, and the occasional foster pup.
Photo Credit: Jeff Reeder
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