My newest release, HARD AS NAILS, is just about ready to hit the shelves…unless you order from B&N online, in which case it’s shipping. A few people have asked me about the title. Apparently some folks think it’s sexual. [Ahem] It really relates to central feature that ties the three novellas together - a house rehab project in Washington, D.C. No, really. It’s about the house.
After questioning the title, the next thing people ask about is the fact this is an anthology. Some readers aren’t big novella/anthology fans. That makes me sad since I love them. Love writing them. Love reading them. I actually toyed with making this a single title with two subplots. Problem was, I loved all three guys and hated the idea of only one of them being the hero. Yeah, I know they’re fictional. I really do. I’m not sitting in my house having tea parties with them. I swear. Still, it was just one of those things where I couldn’t chose and where the intersecting plots worked as novellas…at least I hope you think so.
The one thing you may not know is that HARD AS NAILS is a follow-up to the very first novella I ever had published. That one was in the anthology WHEN GOOD THINGS HAPPEN TO BAD BOYS with Lori Foster and Erin McCarthy. Readers asked for stories for the two secondary characters - and I love and thank you for that - so I wrote them. It got me wondering. What secondary characters would you love to see get their own stories? Do you have favorite characters you just wish an author would use as the star in a new book? If so, what characters from what books by what author? I’m curious to see if your answers match mine. 
I’ll be giving away a copy of the book that started it all, WHEN GOOD THINGS HAPPEN TO BAD BOYS, to a person randomly chosen from those commenting. One entry per person. The winner will be posted in the comments between Saturday and Monday. You are eligible to win any time up until the winner being posted.
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The first thing that came to my mind, after seeing the title is STRENGTH… STRONG.
Oh well… GOOD LUCK with the book!! Plus I love anthologies!!
by Laurie G
on June 20th, 2008 at 7:47 am
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I think it is a good title and I, also, thought strength when I read it.
I really like anothologies a lot….I think they are fun and I have found some of my favorite authors while reading anothologies.
Good luck with the release of Hards as Nails.
by Lori T
on June 20th, 2008 at 8:23 am
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I like novella/anthology books because they are so different than regular full lenght novels and though there short they usually back a punch. Congrats on the new release of Hard as Nails.
by Ivette
on June 20th, 2008 at 9:14 am
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Okay, I admit it, the title had me guessing wrong also.
I happen to like novellas/anthologies as sometimes I don’t care to get into a full length novel as my time is limited and not only do novellas/ anthology books allow me the pleasure of finishing a story, but has helped me discover new and interesting authors.
by Shari C
on June 20th, 2008 at 10:14 am
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I liked the name and didn’t think it was sexual, I also enjoy reading anthologies.
by Dina
on June 20th, 2008 at 10:31 am
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How ironic that you would post about When Good Things Happen To Bad Boys. I just pulled out that book last night and read some of it. I must be a sign that I need to run out and get Hard As Nails. LOL
I love anthos. I like being able to follow the characters through a specific time frame.
by Patty L.
on June 20th, 2008 at 10:53 am
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I do love anthologies and connected stories. It’s fun to read a story and see characters that just shout for their own stories to be told (I don’t like it to distract from the main action–that can be a tricky balance sometimes.) I’m blanking on some specific examples right now of stories still untold, but some related books I really enjoyed were Lori Foster’s about the Winston and Buckhorn brothers, or the Sawyer siblings or connected stories in the Bad Boys stories… BTW, please don’t include me in the drawing–I’ve already got and loved WGTHTBB 
by fedora
on June 20th, 2008 at 11:04 am
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I see the title as a cute play on words. It fits the stories and suggests a little hanky panky. Don’t tell me it’s not sexual, HelenKay! I like it better if it is.
I also love anthologies. Sometimes I’m just really in the mood for short and sweet. Too few authors can deliver a well-developed, satisfying romance in this format. Can’t wait to read this one.
P.S. I love blue collar heroes. Nails and hammers and toolbelts, drool.
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I like anthologies. I also didn’t think the name was sexual.
by Rebekah
on June 20th, 2008 at 11:51 am
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I love anthologies!!! Sometimes a secondary character needs their own story… I know that I have read a few books and questioned… what about so and so or what happened to this couple… and I hate not knowing!!! 
by Colleen
on June 20th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
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Good title!!! 
by Karen B
on June 20th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
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I really like anthologies so keep them coming. As for the title, I was wrong on my thinking, lol. Go figure!!
by RobynL
on June 20th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
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I like anthologies.
Don’t have any favorite characters.
by Estella
on June 20th, 2008 at 3:26 pm
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I like to read anthologies too. I guess some secondary characters would be siblings or best friends. I do not have any favorite characters.
by acdaisy77
on June 20th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
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I love anthologies! 
They are great for me to read during the long trips to the hospital and while waiting for the doctor.
by Susan
on June 20th, 2008 at 4:37 pm
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I don’t buy anthos very often unless it’s an author I absolutely love. I prefer single-author anthos.
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Hi HelenKay!
Great post - I’m a huge fan of anthologies- I’ve discovered a lot of my favorite authors that way. I’m also *so* excited for Hard as Nails!
by limecello
on June 20th, 2008 at 5:11 pm
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Two of my favorite secondary characters are Anne Mallory’s Faye and St. John. I’m hoping they’ll get together in a future book. Another fan of anthologies here.
by Jane
on June 20th, 2008 at 5:23 pm
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The great part about anthologies is you don’t have to commit tons of time to them. Many times I want a shorter read and I love the idea of finding new authors this way too.
by catslady
on June 20th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
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Okay, so maybe the title has two meanings
Jane named some secondary characters she wants to see in a future book. I haven’t read Anne Mallory. Have to go check her out. Anyone else have secondary characters they want to see in a book?
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Even though I know that authors will give secondary characters a story even if the book I’m reading isn’t marketed as a series I am often surprised when it happens. If I like a story I am usually caught up in what’s going on in it and it’s rare that I think of the next book.
by Maureen
on June 20th, 2008 at 6:15 pm
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Why I love reading series. I know that those secondary characters will hopefully someday have their own HEA. Right now I’m waiting for some of Suzanne Brockmann’s Troubleshooters to finally have their own book.
by Ann M.
on June 20th, 2008 at 7:52 pm
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I like anthologies because I can pick one up in the evening and finish a story before bedtime. Too many times I get engrossed in a full length novel and stay up ’til the wee hours because I want to know what happens.
by Stacie Mc
on June 20th, 2008 at 7:58 pm
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Good luck with the release of Hards as Nails. I like to read anthologies . I have found new authors while reading anothologies.
by Emma
on June 21st, 2008 at 11:44 am
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I read a review of Hard as Nails, and it sounds like you have written a real winner! Congrats! I am adding it to my TBR list!
by cheryl c.
on June 21st, 2008 at 5:35 pm
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Anthologies are a tough sell these days–and they aren’t all that fun to edit if you’re on that side of things. Still, there are times when a really GREAT story needs only a few words to tell, so by skipping anthos you’re missing out on good stuff.
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Great cover and the book looks great. I love anthologies!!!! Good luck with the release!!!!
by Becky
on June 21st, 2008 at 11:28 pm
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Oh, I love well-written secondary characters. Some of the best are Lisa Kleypas’ Wallflower series. Now she started a spin off of that with “The Hathaways”. She’s planning on writing a book for each sister and the brother too.
by brownone
on June 22nd, 2008 at 11:05 am
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Thanks for all the great feedback! 
And the winner is…Jennybrat. Congratulations!!!! Email me and I’ll get that book out to you.
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Congrats, Jennybrat, you lucky woman you!
by azteclady
on June 23rd, 2008 at 3:40 pm
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wtg jenny b
by kh
on June 24th, 2008 at 12:23 am
