Vicki is a paralegal by day and author/blogger by evening and
weekends. She possesses an insatiable desire to write and holds a fierce determination to succeed as a self-published author.She made her writing debut on the Internet through the medium of blogging in January of 2008, after taking an interest in The Phantom of the Opera. Her blog entitled LESSONS FROM THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA examined the characters, emotions, symbolism, and events in the story.
Since her first post in January of 2008, her blog has received over 50,000 hits from 106 countries worldwide. It's become a favorite in the Phantom community. At the request of many of her readers, she published her blog into book form in May of 2009. It has received acclaim from fans, journalists, and university professors for taking a unique approach to studying the timeless story.
After years of wanting to try her hand at fiction writing, Vicki released her debut historical novel, THE PRICE OF INNOCENCE through Xlibris Corporation in November 2009. Determined to make a statement that self-published authors can produce quality work, she is thrilled over the positive professional reviews and reader comments. Vicki is excited to begin her second novel in a series of three THE PRICE OF DECEPTION which continues the story to a more fulfilling conclusion. She is also working on her own Phantom of the Opera novel, which she hopes to release in the Fall of 2010.
WEBSITE *** FACEBOOK *** MYSPACE *** TWITTER *** BLOG
THE PRICE OF INNOCENCE by Vicki Hopkins is a historical fiction novel, containing romantic elements, set in 1878 Paris, France. It weaves the tale of a young woman who, through cruel circumstances, suddenly finds herself struggling to survive in a city that despises its poor.Her struggles take her on a journey through the shelters of charity to finding her first job as a laundress. The only reprieve from the vain existence of her life arrives each day when she delivers laundry to the most opulent brothel in all of Paris. Behind the doors of the Chabanais, a world of beauty, comfort, and shelter calls to her but for a price - her innocence.
The story is a picturesque glimpse into 19th century Paris life and an emotional journey of one woman driven by survival, rescued out of admiration, and redeemed out of love. It moves its readers to joy and tears, leaving a hunger for the second novel in the series of three.
BUY THE BOOK *** READ THE EXCERPT *** WATCH THE TRAILER
WIN - Leave Vicki a comment or question today at her Cyber Launch Party and your name goes in the hat for an autographed copy of Vicki's THE PRICE OF INNOCENCE! Please leave your email address so we can contact you if you're today's winner!
Welcome Vicki and super congrats on the release of your debut novel!!!
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds fantastic and I really enjoyed the excerpt. You have a successful non-fiction under your belt already, how did that help you while writing your historical and what have you learned from making the jump from non-fiction to fiction?
Enjoy your Cyber Launch Party and I hope your debut novel is only the first of many!
I wanted to show support for a self-published author. Did you always have a love for historical fiction and a desire to try your hand at it?
ReplyDeletelenikaye@yahoo.com
Thanks, for the Cyber Launch Party! My non-fiction actually started as a blog and was written over a period of 18 months. I had many readers begging me to put it into book form, which I did. However, I've continued to blog many more articles since its publication and will be updating the book with a second edition sometime late this year.
ReplyDeleteTaking a jump to fiction was a leap of faith! I had always wanted to write a fiction novel and dabbled at it for many years. Finally, I got serious and just did it! I've been extremely pleased over reader comments on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, I am going to continue with the series to satisfy all those that wish to strangle me over the ending. LOL Book two, The Price of Deception is in the works, but I'm also heavily involved in another fiction novel that is taking precedence.
Hello, Vicki! Congrats on your fiction debut! I was so intrigued by the story line for "The Price of Innocence" and your love of the Phantom, that I had to visit your website! Wow! I am very impressed! I can't wait for "The Phantom of Valletta!!! Best wishes for much success : )
ReplyDeletegcwhiskas at aol dot com
Leni, I went through a period of fascination regarding 19th century Paris and began reading The Secret History of Paris by Andrew Hussey. It was an informative book into the lifestyle of Parisians throughout the centuries. I stumbled upon information about the Chabanais brothel and then studied about legalized prostitution during that time. Having spent so many hours researching the history, it seemed natural for me to write a story set during that time period.
ReplyDeleteThanks by the way for your support of a self-published author!
Thanks, Virginia! Yes, I'm fairly obsessed with the Phantom storyline. ;-)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the new release. Interesting that you describe the book as primarily historical fiction and the romance is incidental, as so many are the other way around.
ReplyDeleteKolists a/t gmail d\t com
Congratulations on your new release. It sounds like a very interesting book. I enjoy historicals so I know I would enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteseriousreader at live dot com
It's a book with romantic elements, set in an historical setting, but it doesn't follow the general rules to classify it as a pure romance novel for the genre. I found early in marketing that I needed to clarify that point. It's also the first in a series of three, so the ending isn't exactly what individuals would term happily ever after - at least not yet! ;-)
ReplyDeleteHi Vicki,
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your debut novel. You must be thrilled. :)
I love the excerpt and thanks for the warning that the HEA is on hold. :)
Carol L.
Lucky4750@aol.com
Your book sounds very interesting, Vicki. I'm quite excited to read more about it and am heading over to do so now.
ReplyDeleteI love books in a series and like to read them close together, how much time to you expect before the other two are released?
Best of luck with your writing and good for you!
Thanks, Sharon, for the well wishes! I hope to release The Price of Deception later this year, perhaps October if all goes well. I'm being hounded by my anxious readers to get on with it! The third will be The Price of Love, which will release sometime next year.
ReplyDeleteHi Vicki, congrats on your release of your debut noval! I love reading authors debut books because I find a lot of really good authors this way! Your book sounds fabulous and I would love to read it! Do you enjoy the research part of writing and what types of books do you read?
ReplyDeletelead[at]hotsheet[dot]com
I was never much of a history buff in my younger years, but when I research for a book I am writing, I love it! Right now I'm writing a setting on the Isle of Malta for my Phantom of Valletta. It's such an interesting city with a rich history. Most of my reading tends to focus on my research, frankly. I get consumed and then pour it into my story lines. As far as novels, I don't tend to read many because I spend my time writing! However, if I do read, I will pick up instructional books on becoming a better writer so I can grow in my craft.
ReplyDeleteI like what I read about your book. I would love to read it, review it and share it with others.
ReplyDeleteI tried to send this using my goodle account but it messed up.
jrs362(at)hotmail(dot)com
The Price of Innocence sounds like an awesome read!
ReplyDeletekissinoak at verizon dot net
this book sounds delightful being set in Paris and a woman facing poverty and how she struggles and survives; a must read by the sounds of it.
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your release.
yourstrulee(at)sasktel(dot)net
Thanks, Robyn. To add some background, over 30,000 women at one time were registered prostitutes choosing the profession in order to survive. Homeless individuals were routinely rounded up by government officials, relocated out of the city, and dumped in the countryside to fend for themselves. The rich considered the poor the scourge of Paris. Women without wealth had very little options for survival.
ReplyDeleteYour book, The Price of Innocence, is by far one of the best books that I've read. I throughly enjoyed the storyline and the way you had the characters interact with each other. Keep up the good work. I cannot wait for the next book. :)
ReplyDeleteSarah
usnsquid1911@yahoo.com
This looks like a great read. You are a new author for me and I eagerly await trying your books. The cover of this book is fantastic!
ReplyDeleterobin [at] intensewhisper [dot] com
Thank you, Robin, and the buttons are significant too! ;-)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Vicki. Your book is on my must read list. I was drawn in by the cover and so intrigued by the trailer. Now that I read your comment to Robin above, I can't wait.
ReplyDeleteLinda
AwesomeMessages@sbcglobal.net
I want to thank everyone for dropping by! If you have any more questions about The Price of Innocence or any future releases, feel free to contact me at: vicki@vickihopkins.com or friend me on my author page on Facebook, MySpace, and/or Goodreads!
ReplyDeleteHappy reading to all.
Yay happy release day i been waiting for this book to come out for a while and that cover is just awesome
ReplyDeletesince your a reader do covers everturn you away from abook if so why and what covers really speak to you
mortalsinn@yahoo.com
Thank you for this post! This book sounds so interesting, I already put it on my wishlist! Thank you sooo much! If this contest is international, please enter me.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes!^O^
Giada
fabgiada @ gmail.com
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteAh, covers! In today's market there are so many six-pack abs and bare bodies that I wanted a cover a little more tasteful. I found the picture on Fotolio and paid for the rights to use it, but to my amazement I have seen the same cover on two other books after mine was released! Popular picture. I probably should add my book is set inside a brothel for the majority of its journey, but is tastefully written - so the bare bodies on the front wouldn't have fit the way I penned the story. I like covers that relate to the story itself. On mine, you see my character, dressed for her first night at the brothel, sitting in the selection parlor - then there is the matter of those buttons.
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