By Myla Jackson
July 2nd, 2009
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Recent comments from: · kh · Michele L. · MJ

There’s nothing scarier or more exhilerating than starting a new book. The brainstorming is the fun part. I love to get together with my sister, Delilah Devlin, and toss out ideas until something gels. That’s what gets the juices flowing and the imagination running wild. I love starting a new story!

Then the scary part comes in. Opening up the word document and staring at a blank page. All that white! Where do I start? Where will the story go? Who are my characters? I don’t know anything!!! It might surprise you to know that most writers get the heebie jeebies starting a new book. That little self-doubt monster creeps up and bits us in the butt. Can I do it again? Can I write another book that will capture the reader’s interest? Wow, it’s daunting!

But then I put my fingers to the keyboard and start typing. My motto is “You can’t revise a blank page, but you can revise crap!” I draw on my experiences for the emotion, my imagination for the situation and my determination to get it done. Somehow the words come, the story builds and my characters come alive!

God, I love writing!

Hope you have a happy day.

By Kathleen OReilly
July 1st, 2009
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Recent comments from: · Kathleen OReilly · Leslie Kelly-Parrish

There are a few days in July when my parallel universe (aka family life) stops, and I move into the shadowy universe, the world of pink and happy, where romance writers congregate and discuss their art, brainstorm plots, whine over the state of publishing, and dissect characterizations (usually this is 2D characters, although it has been known for actual author character dissections *cough* assassinations* cough* to occur as well).

Since today is July 1, RWA National (Romance Writers of America) is nigh, and I made out my to-do list, and because I also needed a topic for blogging, I decided to combine the two.

1. Lose ten pounds
2. Write another hundred pages so that I could drink with editor and not lie about manuscript-progress
3. Buy two new outfits. I’m at that in-between stage where I don’t like my fat clothes — they’re too baggy — but I’m not skinny enough for my skinny clothes, and I haven’t bought new mediumly-skinny clothes because I think it’s a defeatist attitude telling myself that I will NEVER lose that additional fifteen pounds, and I don’t want to be defeatist, but I think there’s defeatist and then there’s practical. I keep telling myself that either a) I go to National baggy b) I go to National naked or c) I buy clothes.
4. Make handout for talk. AUTHOR PLUG: 5:45 Friday: Kathleen O’Reilly and Julie Kenner, plot and character, yin/yang, be there, or be square!
5. Think of cool promo for Goodie Room. Something flashy, classic, cool, cheap to make, and can be made in less than five hours.
6. Sleep
7. Pack powdered-sugar donuts. Truly, the breakfast of RWA champions!
8. Inspect hose for runs (the downside to working in sweats is that you have no idea the state of real clothes until it’s sometimes too late).
9. Make to-do list for family.
10. Buy groceries so said family will not starve, but honestly, it’s not like they all couldn’t stand to fast for a few days. It’s supposed to be very healthy.
11. Explain to DH the buttons on dishwasher.
12. Sleep.

So, any other list-makers out there? What’s on your list? And oh, yes, HOT UNDER PRESSURE will be on the shelves in July 28!

By Guest Blogger
June 30th, 2009
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Recent comments from: · Leslie Kelly-Parrish · Stacy ~ · Marial

by guest blogger Leslie Parrish

I got my start writing for Harlequin Temptation and currently write books for the Blaze line, under the name Leslie Kelly. So, as you can imagine, I’m not a close-the-door-on-the-intimate-stuff type. The love scenes in my books are detailed, sexy and fun. I have no problem giving the reader what she wants in the way of sensual content and the bedroom door is always flung wide open.

But here’s the thing, I’m now writing dark romantic suspense. The lines aren’t as clearly drawn in this sub-genre. There’s no instant clue (like the bright red cover or the “Blaze” logo) as to whether or not a book is going to contain a lot of sexual content. Readers eventually come to expect a certain content based upon an author’s previous work…they rely on the name. I guess there’s really no other way to do it.

Some authors are great at writing instilling their suspense novels with lots of sexy content. Some go much lighter on it. Some don’t include it at all.

Me?

Well, to be honest, when I set out to write the Black CATs trilogy, I didn’t know what I was going to do. I knew for certain that the books would not have as many love scenes as my typical Blaze—primarily because they were very plot-heavy and twisty and I wouldn’t have the room. There were sub-plots among sub-plots, some that would wind through all three books. Plus, I was writing about characters with a lot on their plates. Romance and sex were on the back burner for them at the time. (Besides, I just have never bought into a couple crouching down for some behind-the-wall nookie while they’re hiding from a psychotic serial killer. ‘Scuse me while I roll my eyes!)

Thinking about it further, I knew I didn’t want to be as sexually graphic in these books. Don’t get me wrong—the bedroom door is definitely not closed. Nor, however, did I have room for 20+ page love scenes. (Ahem, yes, there have been one or two over the years.)

So, less sex, Less graphic.

Which meant one thing to me: More sexual tension. Loads and loads of it. I wanted these books to be so thick with it that by the time the characters do have sex the reader would be reaching for a cigarette in utter relief.

Now, I’ve always liked writing sexual tension. It’s easy to do in light romantic comedies—banter, flirtation, physical awareness, all that comes into play. In a dark suspense—verging on thriller, to be honest—there’s less of that. Oh, I can’t write an entire book without a little banter between the hero and heroine. But you just wouldn’t see brooding FBI Special Agent Dean Taggert exchanging heavily-loaded sexual innuendo with super-competent Sheriff Stacey Rhodes. Yes, they desire each other, and yes, they both know it. (Stacey comes right out and confronts him with this mutual attraction very early in FADE TO BLACK, book 1 of the trilogy.) That tension, though, isn’t couched in flirtation, innuendo, physical comedy or Blaze-like heat. It’s much more subtle…a shared, quiet moment during a hot, awful day of dealing with death and violence. A hand of support that suddenly becomes more. A look of compassion that turns into one of tenderness…want.

That’s the kind of tension I was looking for.

All of that played into each Black CATs book. More, though, each also contained a layer of excitement. Adrenaline-pounding action, with two strong, attractive people working together to combat evil, seeing each other as equals in every way and wondering if their compatibility would extend to the bedroom.

It did. Oh, it most definitely did.

I’ve been told by people who’ve read them that though these books don’t contain nearly as much sex as my Leslie Kelly titles, the sexual tension actually surpasses them. I count that as a good thing. That bedroom door might only be halfway open, rather than flung wide…but that’s okay. Because the tension mesmerizes the characters—and the reader—until all they can think about is walking through that door.

Well…that, and the serial killers. I guess they’re thinking about them, too.

But that’s another topic.

What about you? Do you see a lot of romantic suspense/thrillers with heavy sexual content, or with none at all? Which do you prefer?

By Guest Blogger
June 26th, 2009
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Recent comments from: · Jennifer Shirk · Kit Donner · Valerie Bower

by guest blogger Kit Donner

As an English lit major, the classics have always been inspiring. My love of words and writing began with classics like “Frankenstein,” “Catcher in the Rye,” “My Antonia,” and of course, “Pride and Prejudice.” Wordsworth’s, Keats, and Longfellow’s poetry soon followed. In the romance genre, I have long loved Amanda Quick (I like to think I was her first fan and discovered her) and Teresa Medeiros; both have influenced my writing historical romances.

Another inspiration is the time period in which I write. Nothing else calls to me (and a million other fans – readers, writers, movie-goers) like the Regency period. There are a myriad of reasons for the love of all things Regency but for me, it’s more about a feeling, a desire to have lived during that time, even without hot showers or smooth roads. I know many share my feeling, if only for believing they would find their own Mr. Darcy there.

Also, my sister, Kim. She is a writer/producer for a video and film company and is an absolutely terrific writer. I go to her for all my writing needs. (When she’s done being a newlywed, she’ll finish her fiction novel on the Boer War.) You know, she was the one in Senior English Comp class where Miss Heath would hold up her paper as an example of the way the rest of us should write. I would slink down in my seat, assured everyone wondered why one sister was a much better writer than her twin sister. I remember now my main stumbling block was transitions. Yes, that horrible word that took me a long time to figure out what it was and how to use it. I can’t say everything followed swimmingly, but it was a start.

Stephen King. I read his non-fiction book “On Writing” recently, which changed everything I knew about writing and has already made me a better writer. I was amazed at the knowledge and wisdom he shares in this book. Now when I write, his words hover over my shoulder making sure I use the “LY” minimally among other “potholes.” The book is my inspiration because he laid it all on the line, left nothing hidden, told me all his secrets about being a good writer, and even left some blood on the pages. I know- a hard act to follow. His words of wisdom really are like MasterCard®: priceless.

Lastly, what inspires me to write is my own desire to tell a story filled with romance, passion, humor, and intrigue. You know what they say, write the book you would want to read. And that’s what I’ve done. I wrote my first book, “The Notorious Bridegroom,” complete with spies, colorful secondary characters, and protagonists to root for, set in 1803, when Napoleon planned to invade England.

Do I write for posterity? I never really thought about it. I’m not trying to write a classic for book clubs to pore over. I just wanted to write a good romantic story with adventure and maybe make the reader laugh along with the hero and heroine as they journey on their way to a happy ending.

What is your inspiration? Why do you write?

By Lauren Dane
June 25th, 2009
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This year has meant a lot of wonderful experiences, including the most crowded release schedule I’ve ever had. Since January of this year I’ve had six books release with another on August 4. It’s all very exciting, seeing years worth of hard work finally coming to fruition. I’m proud of it.

But boy do all these releases mean I have a lot of promotion to do. Not just big stuff like ads and getting things printed and designed, mailings, etc. But the smaller details like keeping my website updated. I’ve spent the first part of this year feeling like I was forgetting something, and I most assuredly have. LOL.

Stilll, like I say, it’s all very wonderful. I’d love to post my book video for Laid Bare, my upcoming release from Berkley Heat, but this particular blog dashboard hates me and I can never make it work even though it promises me it will. So you can click here - Laid Bare Book Video and it’ll take you where you need to go.

I did get lovely news - In August’s RT Magazine, Laid Bare gets 4 1/2 stars and a Top Pick!

In a word, this book is amazing. All three characters are magnetic and thoroughly realistic. They’re expertly woven into a roller-coaster story that will have you crying one moment, aroused the next and laughing with glee at each triumphant step along the way. With menage and some mild M/M scenes, this is Dane’s best story yet!

I can’t complain about reviews like this one!  Thanks to Bella and RT.

I’m also going to be running a contest on my blog for Laid Bare’s release!  Again, the widget doesn’t want to play here, grrr. So you can pop over to my blog to get all the pertinent details.

That’s about it really. Working on my next book for Samhain, then the next book for Heat. In there somewhere I go to DC for RWA National. This will be my first one and I’m excited to meet all the people I’ve only known online and to see all my friends I only get to see at conferences.

I’ll see you all next month. Have a great June!

By Denise A Agnew
June 23rd, 2009
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Recent comments from: · Pat L. · Colleen · Fedora

Book 3 in the Heart of Justice series

This month the third book in my Heart of Justice SWAT series, UNDER HIS PROTECTION, was released by Liquid Silver Books www.liquidsilverbooks.com. It’s been a crazy month for me, so I’m a little flustered. :) But I do know that many readers enjoy the allure of a hot SWAT guy. So to tantalize your tastebuds, I’m giving you a mini excerpt of this new story. Here’s a series overview, blurb and that mini excerpt. Enjoy, and at the end of the excerpt, I’ll have a question for you and a contest!
**
Adopted and taken under the wing of SWAT officer Justice MacGilvary when they were teens, Mick, Trey, and Craig learned the meaning of truth, integrity and a desire to protect the innocent. When Justice died in the line of duty, each man worked that much harder to carry on the lawman’s SWAT traditions. Their affection for each other runs as deep as if they were blood brothers. Dace Banovic, another SWAT team member, is one of their close friends. When these men encounter four very special women, they discover nuances within themselves they never expected. Capacity to love, strength in any storm, and heated passion more intense and thrilling than any dream.

In UNDER HIS PROTECTION:
SWAT sniper Trey MacGilvary likes his women wild and hot…
Trey’s adventurous streak once served him wrong, now it makes him dangerous to criminals and devastating to female hearts. Englishwoman Olivia Scott’s quiet life as a librarian is about to fall apart…With nothing more exciting to cogitate on than which video to rent on a Friday night and which pie to create for the local bake off, Olivia isn’t prepared for violence. When Trey rescues her from a man’s brutal attack, he vows she’ll be under his protection from that point forward. The enthusiasm and unpredictability of his life stirs erotic passions within her that threaten to reinvent the woman she always thought she was. Trey attraction for the plucky, bookish woman boils sky high but he’s not in relationships for the long term. Still he battles with emerging feelings he never thought he’d have again for a woman. After all, she’s returning to England in six months. There’s no way they can forge a lasting relationship, even if they wanted to. As a vengeful criminal resurfaces with revenge in mind and promises to harm everyone he loves, Trey’s skills as a sniper, a brother and a lover are tested. As danger closes around her, Olivia must find a core of strength she never knew she had, and capture a red hot passion she never hoped to find. Read the rest of this entry »

By Jackie Kessler
June 22nd, 2009
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Recent comments from: · Estella

Enough with reality. Time for a little fantasy. Just a touch of make-believe to make this Monday extra special.

You’re the heroine of your own story. That’s right: you’re the star of your own book (or movie, or television show…whatever works). What is your HEA? This doesn’t have to be a romantic HEA — it could be a major goal achieved, or something wonderful happening to you or being given to you. Or something else entirely.

So, heroines: what’s your HEA?