So, a little story if I may…
I sold my first book three years ago last month. At the time I thought, maybe I should give writing a real chance. Which was easy enough because I was on bedrest anyway and had a lot of time to spend. I sold that book despite my unfamiliarity with the rules and a big stroke of luck. That book sort of broke me, helped me begin to make a name for myself.
Writing can be a long and lonely path filled with fabulous high points and really low points. So when I picked up that very first, second-hand laptop and wrote Triad, I had NO earthly idea what I was getting myself into. Certainly, I’ve been very fortunate and I’d never trade this path in, but it’s hard sometimes.
Early last week I said to my buddy and partner-in-mayhem, Megan via IM - “you know, I’m just so sick of being on the verge of breaking. When do I reach the point where I accept it isn’t going to happen and just be happy with what I have?” (and she said, “NEVERRRR, We’re Spartans!” which is why I adore her so).
I hit this spot where I wasn’t necessarily sad, but I just felt sort of bleh and uninspired. I usually feel so passionate about writing but I think I was just in a big old rut. I had multiple submissions out in NY and despite selling two multiple author anthologies and doing very well for myself with Samhain and Ellora’s Cave, I had yet to break through and get a single title deal. I kept having these, ‘oh so close!’ moments, which, sigh, look, it’s better than you suck we hate you, but oh almost but not quite is pretty bad after you hear it a few times.
Then as the days of last week began to pass, I hit my sweet spot in my current project and I felt like I really began to get my characters and understand them. I had that moment of book clarity and I truly fell in love with the book. To top that off, I got a most excellent cover for my January release and I thought, “well, you know, I have things pretty darned good”
And then…
I got a phone call about forty minutes after I posted to my blog on Thursday. It was my agent and she told me I’d just sold to Berkley Heat. I nearly fell over. After much squeeing on both ends and a lot of “OMIGOD!” on my end and “holy ****!” I hung up and realized I’d achieved something I’ve wanted so painfully it’s made me cry at times. I’ve wanted to write for Berkley forever and I can honestly say they’re a dream for me.
I called my husband and sort of blurted out the news (lucky man was in a meeting, LOL) and had to get off the phone because the other line was ringing and my daughter was talking loudly, demanding to talk to daddy and I couldn’t hear anything and I got about three steps to go downstairs and I had to stop and sit as the tears really hit.
I’m so fortunate. I have this dream. I have a beautiful, wonderful family and a husband who has been nothing but unerringly supportive of me and my writing. I have the most wonderful agent in the whole world who has been so supportive and has believed in me when I wasn’t sure I believed in myself and I have fabulous friends who did the happy dance along with me. I’ve been moved and humbled by the amount of love and well wishes being sent my way.
So now I can announce it in public and I’m still bowled over. I was telling people it felt like my agent was going to call me and say, “just kidding!” But thank god it’s 70 Days of Sweat and I’ve been working my booty off becuase I’m nearly done with Standoff and when I finish that I’ve got to get working on Battlefront because it’s due at the end of January! But I can do it. I can. OMG, I can!
Essentially, I suppose the moral of the story is - keep writing. It will happen. I know I’ve told myself this a thousand times and there were days I thought they were empty words. But I kept writing and wow, I’m just a goofy tool, but a lucky, goofy tool.
I’ll start freaking about selling through and whether anyone wants to read a super hot, futuristic, menage with BDSM flavor next week. For now? I’m savoring.
Anyway, I’ll do a contest to include you in my savoring. In two weeks (November 26) I’ll choose a winner at random - book of their choice in any format available from my backlist - and all you need to do is tell me what you’re reading right now.
THE WINNER IS: Comment #6 - Eva S~! Eva, email me with your title and format choice and if you choose a paper title be sure to send me your mailing address!
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Lauren, that’s GREAT! Congratulations 
I’d actually read about this at Angie W’s blog, and I’m thrilled for you. And glad that you perservered. See, it pays not to give up.
I’m reading Meljean Brook’s “Demon Angel” and am loving it. A richly layered story. I’m looking forward to the other stories she’s written in the series.
by Stacy ~
on November 12th, 2007 at 6:44 am
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Um, actually, I took a mini-break from romance to read “His Dark Materials” by Philip Pullman. My last romance was “A Passion for Him” by Sylvia Day and it was HOT!!
by Sharmi
on November 12th, 2007 at 8:07 am
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CONGRATULATIONS!!
I’m reading Meg Cabot’s Queen of Babble in the Big City & Jacquie D’Alessandro’s Sleepless at Midnight.
Happy Thanksgiving!!
by Laurie
on November 12th, 2007 at 9:13 am
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Great news about Berkley, congratulations! Let’s see, I just finished a short story, “Pol Pot’s Beautiful Daughter” by Geoff Ryman - an interesting story about forgiveness. Now I’m reading “Her Last First Date” by Susan Mallery - very good and emotional. So far it’s an “A”. 
BTW, love your Chase brothers, mmmm mmmmm.
by Laidybyrd
on November 12th, 2007 at 10:29 am
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Congrats! Right now I’m reading INTO THIN AIR by Cindy Miles - she’s awesome and sent me a signed copy of it and I’m loving the book! 
by Wendy
on November 12th, 2007 at 11:14 am
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Congratulations! I’ve just finished “Kiss of Crimson” by Lara Adrian and while I wait for her next book I think I’ll read a historical, ” Love Letters From a Duke” by Elizabeth Boyle.
by Eva S
on November 12th, 2007 at 12:32 pm
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That is fabulous news, Lauren! Congratulations!!!
I am reading Hunting the Demon by Jaci Burton.
by Little Lamb Lost
on November 12th, 2007 at 1:10 pm
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Congratulations Lauren!
Currently I’m reading Janet Evanovich’s “Wife for Hire”. It is very funny and since a cold has me feeling pretty puny (I hope I spelled that right) I need funny. I have several Christmas books that I need to get started on pretty soon if I want to get them all read before Christmas. I think next up will be A Very Merry Christmas (Lori Foster, Janice Maynard and Gemma Bruce).
by Laura J
on November 12th, 2007 at 1:38 pm
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Congratulations on the terrific news, Lauren! I’m reading Count To Ten by Karen Rose.
by Susan
on November 12th, 2007 at 2:06 pm
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Congrats to you, Lauren. I’m am reading “Darkest Dreams” by Jennifer St. Giles. After that I will be reading “Beyond Seduction” by Stephanie Laurens.
by Jane
on November 12th, 2007 at 2:16 pm
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Congratulations Lauren. I’ve finished debbie macomber books called Back On Blossom Street and Knit Together Discover God’s Pattern For Your Life and her christmas story called Where Angels Go . All her books are great stories. I am now reading Love Inspired book series called A Tiny Blessings Tale . Their are six books in this series.They are all very good stories.I am waiting for the last book to come out in December 2007.It is call A Holiday to Remember by Jillian Hart.
by Emma
on November 12th, 2007 at 2:29 pm
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That is just so cool, Lauren, big congrats. I am reading Creation in Death, by JD Robb.
by Cathy M
on November 12th, 2007 at 3:43 pm
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Congratulations Lauren.
I am reading The Border Lord’s Bride by Bertrice Small.
by Estella
on November 12th, 2007 at 3:49 pm
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Congratulations! I’m currently reading J.D. Robb’s Creation In Death.
by Mary C
on November 12th, 2007 at 7:20 pm
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big congrats Lauren You deserve it. I am reading Caine’s Reckoning by Sarah McCarty.
by Pamk
on November 12th, 2007 at 7:24 pm
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Congratulations, Lauren!
I am presently reading ‘Touched by Fire’ by Catherine Spangler.
by Shari C
on November 12th, 2007 at 7:51 pm
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In between books right now. Most recently read is Catch a Mate by Gena Showalter - very sweet and sexy!
by allison
on November 12th, 2007 at 8:53 pm
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Wow! A big hearty congratulations! Woohoo! Are you still dancing and on cloud nine? Boy I would be!
Anyway, I am reading THE MORGUE THE MERRIER by Rosemary Laurey, Karen Kelley, and Dianne Castell. I rushed out at bought this book after reading about it so much on many different blogs! Also, I am reading THE PERFECT STRANGER by Alsion Kent. I won this book in a contest. They are both wonderful books! I just recently started reading two books at a time, don’t know why? Do you do that?
by Michele L.
on November 12th, 2007 at 9:45 pm
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Stacy - thank you! Angie made me a bit weepy with that post. I’ve heard so many great things about Meljean’s books, I need to move them up in my huge TBR pile.
Sharmi - I absolutely love Sylvia’s books!
Laurie - thank you! How was Jacquie D’Alessandro’s book? I really like her.
Laidybyrd - Thank you! And thanks for the kind words about my Chase boys!
Wendy - what’s that one about?
Eva - thanks! I love Lara Adrian’s vampires!
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Little Lamb - Oh yum! I love Jaci’s books.
Laura - Janet Evanovich always makes me happy, I think she’s got a great sense of humor
Susan - Thanks! Oh I’ve got two Karen Rose’s in my TBR pile.
Jane - I love the cover on the new Laurens. I need to pick it up.
Emma - thank you. It sounds like you’re starting the holiday season off in a great spirit.
Cathy - Aww, thanks! I finished Creation in Death night before last. Another wonderful installment.
Estella - thanks so much!
Mary - thank you and yep, that one is a winner
Pam - thanks, hon, that means a lot! Loads of folks are reading that one just now.
Shari - thanks. I’ve heard several folks mention that one, I need to check it out.
Allison - I like Gena Showalter a lot!
Michele -Thank you very much! I am indeed still dancing on cloud 9 and yes, I do indeed read more than one book at a time.
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wtg lauren, reading many blazes and cherry adair.
by ki m h
on November 12th, 2007 at 11:48 pm
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Awesome news Lauren! Congratulations! So happy for you! I just finished reading Elementals by Liddy Midnight which was very good. Not sure what I am going to read next. Maybe I will start on my pile of Christmas themed stories.
by Cherie J
on November 13th, 2007 at 12:16 am
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What awesome news! I’m very happy for you so let me wish you the biggest CONGRATULATIONS!! This is a big moment in your life but being the great author that you are, I and all your other fans were just waiting for this moment to happen. There were no IF’S in our minds, just the WHEN’S.
Right now I am reading Greywalker 2: Poltergeist by Kat Richardson and Dark Hunger by Christine Feehan.
by April
on November 13th, 2007 at 2:37 am
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Congrats Lauren! I would definitely read a super hot, futuristic, menage with BDSM. I just finished Fairyville by Emma Holly and getting ready to read Good Girl Gone Bad by Karin Tabke.
by Amy S.
on November 13th, 2007 at 8:18 am
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Congratulations Lauren.
I just finished reading Caine’s Reckoning by Sarah McCarty and I’m Your Santa by Lori Foster, Karen Kelley and Dianne Castell.
Right now I’m reading Sexy Beast III by Kate Douglas, Lacy Daines and Morgan Hawke.
by Christy H.
on November 13th, 2007 at 10:50 am
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Congrats Lauren! I am reading Lora Leigh’s Forbbidden Pleasure
by Lisa W
on November 13th, 2007 at 12:09 pm
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Congratulations! I’m reading Feeling the Heat by Rhonda Nelson.
by Minna
on November 13th, 2007 at 1:50 pm
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I just received The Meeting of Anni Adams by Lonnie D. Story so will be looking at this one.
by RobynL
on November 13th, 2007 at 2:57 pm
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just finished atlantis awakening, by allysa day/ GREAT book!
and fixing to read
holidys are hell , kim harrison,lynsay sands,marjoie lui, vicki pettersson.. &
underneath it all lori borrill
over the moon
by tami
on November 13th, 2007 at 10:17 pm
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Congratulations Lauren!
Sometimes I read two books at a time and right now that’s what I’m doing. The one I started first is MOST LIKELY TO DIE by Lisa Jackson, Beverly Barton, and Wendy Corsi Staub the three writers all write parts of the story, I’ve never read a book like this before, so far it’s really good. The other book is THE BORDER LORD’S BRIDE by Bertrice Small, it’s the second in the series and is really good.
by Dena
on November 14th, 2007 at 3:28 am
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Congrats Lauren.
I just finished Alexa Darin - Kisses Dont Lie.
Have Deb Macomber’s new Christmas book to start.
by Pat L
on November 14th, 2007 at 11:19 pm
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Congratulations Lauren! Right now I’m, reading THE MORGUE THE MERRIER. It been a pretty good book. I should be finishing it today. Then I will dig through my TBR pile.
by Tammy G.
on November 15th, 2007 at 4:21 pm
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I just finished ‘A Wanted Man’ by Linda Lael Miller and I am starting on “The Monk Upstairs” by Tim Farrington. I highly recommend “The Monk Downstairs”, and I hope “Upstairs” is just as good. 
by Angie T
on November 15th, 2007 at 10:31 pm
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Congratulations Lauren. I am currently reading an ARC of Divorced, Desperate and Delicious By: Christie Craig. This is a must read. The characters are amazing and so funny. This book is a real page turner that will keep you up all night to find out what happens next with Lacy and Chase. I highly recommend this book to every one who loves a real page turner with hilariously funny and sexy characters.
Hugssss
LindaH
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Kim H - oh I just recently went on a Blaze binge too! I so love Jill Shalvis!
Cherie - I love Liddy! Good choice and I just so happen to know someone who’s got a holiday themed novella coming out from Samhain (snort, book pimp, who me? - BTW, on the holiday theme thing - Lori Foster’s holiday antho is fab and also, Samhain’s The Perfect Gift are both really excellen!)
April - oh thank you so much! Truly, words like that mean so very much.
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Amy - I loved Fairville!
Christy - loved the Lori Foster antho!
Lisa - thank you!!
Minna - I’ve heard a lot of great stuff about Ronda’s book.
Robyn - How is that one?
Tami - Oh I am so jealous - I really need to grab that anthology!
Dena - I’ve got Most Likely to Die in my TBR pile and I’ve been itching to read it.
Pat - I just picked up Kisses Don’t Lie at a conference a few weeks ago!
Tammy - Oh that one seems to be a popular one! I have to say how much I love Rosemary, she’s such a wonderful, sweet person and she’s a total hoot!
Angie - I’ll check out the Farrington books!
Linda - I’ll keep an eye out for the Craig book when it comes out, thanks for the rec!!!!
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Your welcome Lauren. I loved this book just got done reading it today. It was so good. I can’t wait to read more by this author.
Hugssss
LindaH
by ReadingIsSoMuchFun
on November 17th, 2007 at 10:50 pm
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Congratulations, Lauren!! How thrilling! I’m currently reading one of Amy Fetzer’s old Desires–Re-enlisted Groom.
by Fedora
on November 22nd, 2007 at 12:01 am
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Lauren it was really good,you should move it higher up! I’m reading an anthology now,WILD THING.I got it because it has Bastiens story in it from the Atlantis series by Alyssa Day. Then it’s the next one in the series ATLANTIS AWAKENING.
by Dena
on November 22nd, 2007 at 6:03 am
