Welcome

Welcome

Vicki Hopkins made her debut in 2009 with the release of The Price of Innocence. Since that time she has written multiple novels in various genres – historical fiction/family sagas, Gothic romance, and Victorian romance. Her tagline is “Taking Readers Into the Romantic Past.”

In 2014, she decided to try her hand at something different and chose the pen name of Nora Covington to cross genre lines. “Romance With Kiss of Suspense” is her new endeavor of novellas, which has been well received.

With Russian blood on her father’s side and English on her mother’s, Vicki blames her ancestors for the lethal combination of her genes that influence her stories. Tragedy and drama might be found between the pages, but she eventually gives her readers a happy ending.

Her passion, besides writing, is researching her English ancestry. To her dismay, Vicki’s DNA test results revealed that 57% of her genetic make-up originates from Eastern Europe, only 21% England, and 16% Scandinavian. Regardless of her results, she is obsessed with her English ancestors. You will find the names of her distant relatives sprinkled throughout her novels.

“When our hearts turn to our ancestors, something changes inside us. We feel part of something greater than ourselves.” Russell M. Nelson
Ladies of Disgrace (Historical Romance)

Three standalone stories – Ladies of Disgrace – with the tagline, “Every Era Has its Fallen Women.” The first book of the series Lady Isabella is set in the 1930’s. Lady Grace is set during World War I, and Lady Charlotte in 1890 (the late Victorian era).

For more information, check out my new blog at Ladies of Disgrace on WordPress. Read the five-star Readers’ Favorite reviews for Lady Grace and Lady Charlotte.
The Legacy Series (Historical Fiction/Family Saga)

From the brothels of Paris in 1878 to the English aristocracy in 1908, follow the saga of one man and one woman who overcome their differences of class to find lasting love. Each character pays the price of innocence, deception, love, and passion until in the end, a broken family is healed from the tragedy of the past.

Available individually or in a box set. The Price of Innocence is permanently FREE. The series is classified as Family Sagas – Historical Fiction With Romantic Elements and Historical Romance
The Leighton Family Saga (Historical Fiction)
Available now or pre-order! Release November 1, 2018

Join me at my new blog, The Leighton Family Saga, which is my new and ambitious project to sweep my readers into another world from 1860 Victorian times in Manchester, UK to the 1930’s. The saga is based loosely on my own family heritage with all sorts of drama, soap opera antics, love stories, family conflict, affairs, and everything else that makes a family saga so much fun to read. It’s a rags to riches to rags story that will sweep you into another time. My preliminary plan includes the following books.
- Toil Under the Sun (Book One)
- Slave to None (Book Two)
- Just to All (Book Three)
- Vanishing Vapor (Book Four)
The first book will be released by Fall of 2018, with the second through fourth to follow in three-to-six month intervals.

Book One Synopsis

Described as hell on earth, Manchester in 1866 was the hub of industrialization in England. Its chimneys rose high above the landscape, spewing out smoke from the factories. While men, women, and children spun cotton in the mills, bricklayers built the workhouses, warehouses, and terraced residences of the city. They were skilled in their craft but also experts in enforcing the rules of their union demands, hoping to escape the bondage of serfdom to gain a better life.

Born into obscurity and a descendant of men who slung mortar from their trowels as a trade, William Leighton, swore that one day he would rise above his poverty-ridden class. The means in which he chose to climb out the slums differed from his brother, who believed that violence was the only way to bring about change and close the gap between laborers and masters.

The clash of siblings in Toil Under the Sun creates the foundation of family and is the first book in a saga that spans three generations.
Nora Covington (Historical Romantic Suspense)

Romance With a Kiss of Suspense by Nora Covington

Stately homes, mysterious characters, and suspenseful romance set in Victorian England from an award-winning author of historical romance.

Thorncroft Manor (Novella 1) Caroline Woodard was convinced that she would die a spinster. Her headstrong personality was not her best quality or an attractive female characteristic to eligible Englishmen – until she met Bramwell Croft, a wealthy mine owner from Cornwall. Caroline finds him to be a brooding and disagreeable man. Instantly, their personalities clash like the tempestuous sea that pounds the rocky coastline. 4.5 Crowned Heart of Excellence – InD’Tale Magazine (March 2015) “There is but one flaw in this otherwise perfect romance – not enough story!”

Whitefield Hall (Novella 2) – As a young lady, Mary Gleadhell chose the occupation of a hired companion rather than seeking love and marriage. When she accepts a new position as company for the mother of the 4th Baron of Warrington, Mary believes she has procured an excellent situation. However, when she arrives at Whitefield Hall and meets her ladyship, she discovers a cold and aloof woman who does not want her companionship.

Blythe Court (Novella 3) – Ann Seddon knew at an early age that her aristocratic parents would arrange an advantageous match on her behalf. Nuptials of convenience blended family fortunes and kept bloodlines pure. After her presentation at court, which marked the beginning of the London season, Ann’s life turns into a whirlwind of tea parties, balls, and husband hunting. Pressured to marry John Broadhurst by her parents, she is plunged into a world of secrets, betrayal, and danger at Blythe Court.

“A wonderfully heartbreaking read that serves a powerful lesson on love.” 4.5 Crowned Heart of Excellence InD’Tale Magazine (June 2015)
“Blythe Court by Nora Covington is a thrilling tale of a rakishly handsome marquess and his lovely lady.” 5 Stars – Readers’ Favorite (June 2015)
Dark Persuasion (Historical Romance)

Award-Winning Finalist in the Fiction: Romance category of The 2012 USA Best Book Awards, sponsored by USA Book News – Described by Night Owl Romance as, “Powerful, haunting, poignant and angst-filled. This is a fantastic read that will stay with you.”

Set in 1890 Victorian England, Dark Persuasion tells a romantic story of regret, restitution, and forgiveness between three individuals who are prisoners of their past. Rival brothers seek to win one woman in a fierce competition, each driven by different motives. Charlotte Grey has no idea of their identity or their sudden interest in courting a blind woman.

When Patrick Rochester is the victor and wins her hand in marriage, he is haunted by grief over his complicity in Charlotte’s blindness. Finally she falls in love and completely trusts him, but the revelation of his true identity threatens to destroy their relationship. In the end, Charlotte learns that love can be blind for everyone–even her.
A Portrait of Perfection (Gothic Romance)

Damon Thorburn had one goal in life – to find the perfect wife. After two failed attempts, Eve Seymour catches his fancy. She embodies everything he has always wanted in the way of innocence, submissiveness, and physical perfection. Eager to marry his new love, Damon quickly removes every obstacle standing in his way.

Eve, starved for attention, is mesmerized by the commanding Baron of Wentworth, twenty years her senior. After agreeing to marry, she becomes a willing pupil, learning the erotic pleasures of the flesh. Her love for Damon tolerates his controlling tendencies.

Nevertheless, eternal love is not always heavenly, especially when a marriage is built upon the crumbling foundation of secrets and lies. Even though Damon controls Eve, he is unable to contain his haunting past created out of desperation. The very thing he once sought to possess has possessed him in return. It is only through betrayal, tragedy, and murder that Damon discovers perfection is an illusion.
The Phantom of Valletta (Gothic Romance)

“Hopkins’ depiction of our small island is masked in Gothic imagery. Valletta is painted as seeping with darkness, threatening to cover all semblance of truth so reality is hidden from view. “

The Malta Times
“Goodbye Paris, Hello Valletta” August 22, 2010

Another chapter in the life of the infamous Phantom of the Opera continues, as he leaves Paris and moves to Malta in search of a new beginning. Clothed in secrecy, he purchases The Royal Opera House in Valletta, which has been destroyed by a devastating fire. The burned-out shell becomes his new obsession, in an attempt to bury the pain of his past. He is determined to resurrect the structure from ashes and return it to glory. A moving story of change, retribution, and love.

A heartfelt thank you to the isle of Malta, who even before the release of this book, found an interest in The Phantom of Valletta. The Sunday Times contacted the author requesting a copy of the publication and subsequently published a book review and interview on August 22, 2010. To read the article, CLICK HERE.
Christmas Novelettes

Each Christmas I try and pen a short novelette around 12,000 words. My first one, released in 2015, is entitled, “A Christmas Oath.” These are just quick stories with a different theme each year and not always meant to be romantic. The holiday seasons have more lessons to be learned than just turkey and presents. I hope you enjoy my new yearly stories. Below is a synopsis of each:

Christmas should be a time of peace on earth and goodwill toward men, but it isn’t for Elizabeth Dutton. When Francis Oldman breaks their engagement, giving her no reason as to why, she sues him for breach of promise of marriage. The jury finds in her favor, and she is awarded £1,000 for damages suffered – the price of her broken heart.

Three months later, while still pining over a lost love, the annual invitation to the Darley’s Christmas Eve party arrives. Elizabeth decides that a new dress and a bit of Christmas spirit might cheer her up. What she hoped would be a pleasant evening, turns into one disaster after another, especially when Francis Oldman walks through the door.

Nevertheless, Christmas wouldn’t be complete without gifts. Before morning arrives, Elizabeth receives the gift of clarity, and Francis discovers that sacrifice can bring miracles. (Released 2015 – Short Read 12,000 Words)

A year and a half ago while on her deathbed, Elizabeth Baker begged her family to do one thing–reconcile with her father. Her daughters, Eliza and Emma, are determined to carry out her wishes regardless of the consequences.

Charles Baker, their father, has doubts that the old man is worth the trouble. He forbade his marriage to Elizabeth, calling him a worthless bricklayer. She defied him, and as a result, her father banished her from the family. Now a wealthy businessman and politician, Charles proved him wrong.

For the sake of his dead wife, he allows his daughters to travel to York to meet their grandfather. When they arrive, their preconceived idea of Sir Davies’ malicious character is proven wrong after they discover a broken and frail man paying for the mistakes of his past. (Released 2016 – Short Read 13,000 Words)

“When our hearts turn to our ancestors, something changes inside us. We feel part of something greater than ourselves.” Russell M. Nelson

Ladies of Disgrace (Historical Romance)

The Legacy Series (Historical Fiction/Family Saga)

The Leighton Family Saga (Historical Fiction)

Nora Covington (Historical Romantic Suspense)

Romance With a Kiss of Suspense by Nora Covington

Dark Persuasion (Historical Romance)

Award-Winning Finalist in the Fiction: Romance category of The 2012 USA Best Book Awards, sponsored by USA Book News – Described by Night Owl Romance as, “Powerful, haunting, poignant and angst-filled. This is a fantastic read that will stay with you.”

A Portrait of Perfection (Gothic Romance)

The Phantom of Valletta (Gothic Romance)

“Hopkins’ depiction of our small island is masked in Gothic imagery. Valletta is painted as seeping with darkness, threatening to cover all semblance of truth so reality is hidden from view. “

Christmas Novelettes

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