trueromance

Escapist Literature and Romance – What Are We Escaping From, Exactly?

Elizabeth Vail, AnimeJune from Gossamer Obsessions

“Escapist” is often a word associated with genre fiction, particularly with romance. However, the actual definition of what “escapist” means is a topic of heated debate in romance circles, especially when it comes to the amount of fantasy in romantic narrative. How much is romance literature dependent on fantasy? The answer varies from reader to reader, but in general, romance fans fall into two camps.

Camp #1 understands the definition of “escapist” as just that: an escape from a stressful, dreary reality into a world where the rules of realism can be bent for the purposes of personal entertainment. These readers are willing to support an historical, science-fictional, contemporary or paranormal setting, as long as the positive fantasy of the romance between the main characters takes first priority.

In this camp, readers love Medievals for the epic battles and chivalry but can easily do without descriptions of the personal hygiene of the period. Or they love Greek tycoons so long as they don’t have to read scenes of them actually, you know, ‘earning’ their fortunes working long hours at the Greek office. Camp #1’s motto is, “We get enough real life in real life – romance should take us away from that.”

However, there is definitely a sense of the “personal” in the “personal entertainment” here. One reader I chatted with on a message board said, “Oh, I wouldn’t read a romance with a bald hero. I don’t find that attractive at all.” But which is more important: that the reader finds the hero attractive, or that the heroine finds the hero attractive? To that reader, the importance of fantasy actually trumps the narrative itself.

This leads to the mindset of Camp #2, where the term “escapist” raises more than a few hackles. It carries a whiff of the “bored housewife porn” stereotype. “We don’t need to escape from anything!” members of Camp #2 exclaim. “Our lives are awesome! We’re teachers, mothers, professors, lawyers! We take romance seriously! It is literature!”

I’ll admit I fall into Camp #2. I also used to think the term “escapist” was demeaning, that it implied the romance genre placed more importance on titillation than on a gripping, well-written narrative. Although as I came to read more and more romance, I learned there can be a different definition for “escapist.” Reading an excellent romance, I do escape – moreover, I am transported from the library/bus/armchair where I’m reading and dropped into a vivid, fully-realized world.

As a member of Camp #2, however, I need a little of that “dreary real life” to experience that true escape, that full immersion into the world the author creates. In order for members of Camp #1 to escape, they need a world they ‘want’ to exist. For members of Camp #2 to escape, they need a world they’re convinced ‘could’ exist. I need meticulous detail, whether historical or paranormal. I need realistic drama. And yes, I need a little darkness and suffering and realism. I need to believe that world is real before I explore it, something I can’t always accomplish with a wallpaper historical with too-good-to-be-true characters.

That’s not to say there aren’t grey areas – followers of Camp #1 are just as unlikely to tolerate a TSTL heroine, whether she’s an anachronistic lady-journalist in 1820s Britain or a meticulously researched World War II nurse with a morphine addiction. And I’ve yet to hear a Camp #2 gal complain about the convenient popularity of sexually-enlightened dukes with perfect teeth whose sweat naturally smells like Old Spice.

What I’m ultimately saying is that I believe romance ‘is’, at its heart, escapist literature, and that “escapist” isn’t a dirty word. Despite the differences in expectations, desires, and preferences between Camp #1 and #2, I think we all read romance – I think we all read books ‘period’ – for the same reason, because they transport us somewhere else, somewhere we’ve never been. Whether it’s to a gritty apocalyptic future where we can explore the flaws in the human condition or an idealized English countryside where a duke can marry a serving-girl, is really up to whichever book we pick up.

Elizabeth Vail
Check out my blog at:
http://gossamerobsessions.blogspot.com/

AWAKENED BY A KISS
By Lila DiPasqua

Three classic fairytales—“Sleeping Beauty,” “Puss in Boots,” and “Little Red Riding Hood”—cleverly retold with enough sensual twists to prove wickedly ever after does exist…

Sleeping Beau – Five years ago, the notorious rake, Adrien d’Aspe, Marquis de Beaulain, was awakened by a sensuous kiss—and experienced a night of raw ecstasy that was branded into his memory. Years later, he spots his mysterious seductress—and this time, he has no intention of letting her go…

Little Red Writing – Nicolas de Savignac, Comte de Lambelle, has been assigned by the King to uncover the secret identity of the author writing scandalous stories about powerful courtiers. He never expected his investigation would lead to his grandmother’s house, or to a ravishing woman who would stir his deepest hunger…

Bewitching in Boots – Elisabeth de Roussel, daughter of the King, is accustomed to getting what she wants-and she wants Tristan de Tiersonnier, Comte de Saint-Marcel, an ex-commander of the King’s private Guard. A recent injury has forced Tristan to leave his distinguished position, but Elisabeth is determined to make him see he’s every bit the man he once was-and more than man enough for her……

Setting: 17th century France – when the genre of fairy tales was born!
Subgenre: Historical Romance
Heroes: There are 3 yummy heroes in this collection:
Adrien d’Aspe, Marquis of Beaulain,
Nicolas de Savignac, Count of Lambelle, and
Tristan de Tiersonnier, Count of Saint-Marcel.
Heroines: Catherine, Countess of Villecourt,
Anne de Vignon, born into minor nobility but impoverished
and
Elisabeth, daughter of the King.

One sentence summary:
AWAKENED BY A KISS is the first in my Fiery Tales series of three classic fairy tales, “Sleeping Beauty,” “Puss in Boots,” and “Little Red Riding Hood”, wickedly retold!

Scenes you like most and would never cut:
The love scenes in this book. They’re scorching hot, yet there’s as much emotion as there is heat. Try as they might, these characters can’t hold to simply a physical encounter. Their hearts are as engaged as their bodies. I love writing passionate, emotionally charged scenes.

Things your heroines would never be caught dead doing/saying:
Catherine would never be caught dead gossiping. Having felt its sting, she despises gossip. The cruel gossip surrounding her late husband’s death was humiliating and difficult to endure.

Anne would never say, “I want to quit writing!” She believes strongly in using her writing to help women – to be their voice in speaking out against the injustices inflicted by the men who have authority over them.

“Women shouldn’t fence” is something that would never pass Elisabeth’s lips. She is as passionate about fencing as she is about the only man who won’t give her the time to day, beyond what duty dictates, the gorgeous ex-commander of the King’s private Guard, Tristan.

What are your heroines’ occupations, or if unemployed, what should they be doing:
Catherine is a lady, a widow, a woman who is set to remarry, that is until she crosses paths with the very man whom she surrendered her innocence to five years ago. She’s just realized that the beautiful stranger in whose arms she experienced a night of raw ecstasy happens to be Adrien, the bastard son of the King.

Anne is the secret author of books about powerful courtiers. Her volumes have caused quite a stir among the upper class – especially with the men!

As the favorite daughter of the King, Elisabeth’s many siblings want to knock her from her perch and gain the King’s favor. She spends her time surviving the intrigue at court, protecting her younger sister, and wishing she wasn’t so under the spell of the impossible Tristan de Tiersonnier.

What are your heroes’ occupations, or if unemployed, what should they be doing:
Adrien is the bastard son of the King. He spends much of his time doing two things, first, keeping his distance from his powerful father whom he is always at odds with and second, trying to forget the mysterious beauty who has haunted his every erotic dream for the last five years.

Nicolas is in the King’s private Guard. He is on his first mission for the King – to discover the identity of the author writing telltale stories about prominent men of the realm. He’s narrowed down the suspects writing under the nom de plume Gilbert Leduc to the three sisters living at his grandmother’s house.

Tristan is the ex-commander of the King’s Guard, but a recent injury has forced him to leave his distinguished position. Elisabeth sees him as every bit the man he once was—and more than man enough for her.

What you think readers will like best about this book:
It’s a fresh take on classic fairy tales. I think they’ll like my sexy rakes and the strong heroines. This book is romantic, fun and super steamy.

What’s next:
I have a second Fiery Tales collection, THE PRINCESS IN HIS BED, being released in Nov. 2010. It features more scorching fairy tale retellings —“The Emperor’s New Clothes,” “The Ugly Duckling, and “The Princess and the Pea,” scandalously retold and renamed, “The Marquis’ New Clothes”, “The Lovely Duckling” and “The Princess and the Diamonds”. This book is based on fairy tales by Hans Christian Andersen. I also have a full-length Fiery Tale due out Oct. 2011.

About the Author:
At age fourteen, Lila’s best friend sneaked a romance novel out of her grandmother’s house. After devouring it, Lila was hooked on romance novels for life. Today she lives with her real-life hero husband and three children and is a firm believer in the happily-ever-after. She loves history and enjoys traveling. She has been to four continents so far. She writes wicked and witty historical romance for Penguin/Berkley. Her debut novel, AWAKENED BY A KISS is featured in Doubleday as well as Rhapsody Book Clubs. To learn more about Lila and her books, visit http://www.LilaDiPasqua.com

QUESTION: What is your favorite fairy tale or movie adaptation of a fairy tale?

GIVEAWAY – A signed copy of AWAKENED BY A KISS to a random commenter.

KISS ME IF YOU CAN by Carly Phillips

Setting: NYC

Subgenre: Contemporary

Hero: Sam Cooper “Coop”

Heroine: Lexie Davis

One sentence summary: What do you get when you bring together one free spirited traveler, a settled city dweller, an off the wall grandmother and her cast of friends and secrets …. A story of a woman finding out what’s most important in life, a man who learns to let go, and a comedic trio of elderly folks trying to both hide and recapture their youth. Fun for everyone, I hope!

Scene you like most and would never cut: The scene at the jewelers where “Lucy” and “Ethel” tie up “Ricky” in an attempt to get him to return “Lucy’s” wedding ring, “Ethel’s” bracelet, and they inflict their form of “torture” on their former partner.

Thing your heroine would never be caught dead doing/saying: “I want a house, a family, a white picket fence, 2.3 kids and a dog!”

What celebrity is your hero like: Nathan Fillion from ABC’s Castle (and Joey from OLTL for those who remember him like me!) … but Coop’s more like him as Castle.

What celebrity is your heroine like: Stana Katic also on Castle as Kate Beckett - note as she appeared in season one! Add a touch of Lisa Loeb and her funky glasses and you have Lexie!

What is your heroine’s occupation, or if unemployed, what should she be doing: web designer - although anything she could do on the road would suit her fine!

What is your heroe’s occupation, or if unemployed, what should he be doing: he’s a crime beat reporter for a NYC newspaper though he should pursue his dream of crime writing full time!

What do you think readers will like best about this book: It’s light, it’s fun, it’s breezy and yet I hope the characters and their imperfections and needs draw readers in deeper.

The person that readers want you to write about but you haven’t yet: There’s always a leftover character in a series … and it makes me sad but sometimes it’s time to move on.

What’s next: I’m very excited about next year’s schedule (2011) - beginning with leading a Harlequin MORE THAN WORDS Anthology in May 2011 and then the beginning of a brand new series for Berkley. The first book (and series name) is tentatively (but probably)- SERENDIPITY, named after the fictional, upstate NY town where the stories are set. The first book will be released in October 2011 and feature the town, its landmark Harrington Mansion, the estranged Barron brothers, and a vibrant cast of characters from both sides of the tracks. The tone of the stories will be deeper, more like my earlier works, CROSS MY HEART and SEALED WITH A KISS, and the hero and heroine of the first story share an unfulfilled attraction from the past. He’s a bad boy returning to his hometown to make up for past mistakes. I’m so excited for this new series!

I love to hear from readers – what do YOU love in a contemporary romance? Light stories? More serious stories with more depth? Sensual? One where the hero and heroine share a past? First meet? What’s your taste in modern day contemporary romance? 1 random poster will be chosen to win a $25 Borders Gift Card!

Chosen, by Jeanne C Stein, available August 31

Setting: Sunny San Diego. What better place for vampires? Especially ones like mine who have adapted to sunlight.
Subgenre: Urban Fantasy
Hero: Well, none yet exactly.
Heroine: Anna Strong– it’s her story.

One sentence summary: It’s been almost a year since bounty hunter Anna Strong became a vampire, but as she’s about to discover, her greatest powers have yet to be unleashed…

Scene you like most and would never cut: That’s a tough one because usually the scenes I like most, are the ones that have little to do with the story line. For instance, introspection and Anna’s constant battle with the dual sides of her nature feature prominently in my books. Coming to understand why she is the Chosen One is an important part of that process.

Thing your heroine would never be caught dead doing/saying: She would never be caught eating real food (can you say projectile vomiting) or taking up archery for a hobby (an accident with a wooden arrow could have dire consequences).

What celebrity is your hero like: Well, the most recent romantic interest for Anna is a male model (think Eric Northman from True Blood–the short haired Eric)

What celebrity is your heorine like: A combination of Kate Beckinsale in Underworld and Yancy Butler in Witchblade.

What is your heroines occupation, or if unemployed, what should she be
doing: She was a bounty hunter as a human and still has that business with a human partner who as yet does not know she’s a vampire. Since she was no wilting violet as a human, she’s certainly not one as a vampire.

What you think readers will like best about this book: Anna Strong will appeal to fans of Buffy (though she’s a vampire, not a slayer). She combines the physical attributes of a vampire with the desire to retain her connection to humanity. I like to think she has the qualities most women and girls find inspiring: loyalty, strength, a strong moral compass. Her appeal to men is honesty, sexual equality, protectiveness.

The person that readers want you to write about but you haven’t yet: Culebra–the shapeshifter who runs the Mexican bar where vamps go to feed safely. Humans are paid to be donors. Because I thought the need for human blood is an important part of the vampire mythos, I had to come up with a way to let my protagonist get her fix without becoming a predator. Culebra has his own interesting back story which has yet to be shared. But it soon will be,

What’s next: After Chosen, the seventh book, Crossroads, is scheduled for a 2011 release. Anna hears about a Shaman who has the ability to restore a vampire’s humanity. Anna will have to make the biggest decision of her life.

If you write about vampires, immortality is a subject you give a lot of thought. It goes with the territory. Besides needing to drink blood to survive, the one constant in all vampire mythos is eternal life. In fact, it’s what distinguishes vampires from other supernatural creatures—while a werewolf, for instance, emphasizes what is mortal in us—primal urges—a vampire emphasizes what is immortal—never ending life.
As I get older, the thought of immortality sounds better and better. For the first time in my life, I may have more years behind me than ahead of me. It’s scary. I think back on all that’s happened in my lifetime. Wonders of space and technology, both for good and bad, are opening up new frontiers. Who wouldn’t want to be around for a hundred or a thousand more years to see what will be accomplished?

But at what cost?

My protagonist, Anna Strong, a newly turned vampire, has a human family. She was turned by accident and trick of fate. Now she deals with the ramifications. She knows she will have to face the loss of everyone she has ever known and loved. Can she ever regain the warmth of a family? Or will her existence be reduced to mere survival?
As a vampire, as a woman, Anna seeks satisfying relationships, sometimes with other vampires. But vampires more often seek relationships with humans and not just as a convenient food source. Perhaps vampires recognize that having a finite life span enables mortals to have deeper, more meaningful relationships than immortals with unbounded lives.

So my questions to you are: Can vampires fall in love? Can they really care for each other? Power and control are part of the makeup of a vampire. Does being forced to associate with such beings make eternal life more of a curse than a blessing?

I’d love to hear your thoughts. Please post a comment. One of you will be chosen at random to receive a complete set of Anna Strong books as well as a $25.00 gift card to Borders and a surprise or two as well.

“The Amoveo Legacy”

Setting: Present day on the misty summer shores of Rhode Island.
Subgenre: Paranormal Romance
Hero: Malcolm Drew
Heroine: Samantha Logan

One sentence summary: The Amoveo People an ancient race of dream-walking, telepathic, shape shifters, made up of ten different animal clans, whose very existence depends on finding their one true soul-mate.

Scene you like most and would never cut: My absolute favorite scene is when Samantha and Malcolm come face to face for the first time. She’s spinning around in her new art studio with pure, childlike joy. Although the freedom of the moment is fleeting, it’s a crucial experience for both of them.

Thing your heroine would never be caught dead doing/saying: Samantha would never be caught dead belonging to a Country Club. She’s a no nonsense woman who has no interest in social climbing. It’s the complete opposite of everything she believes in.

What celebrity is your hero like: Alexander Skarsgaard—from “True Blood”. He’d be absolutely perfect to portray Malcolm. His hair would have to be a deeper auburn but the build is spot on. Yummy.

What celebrity is your heroine like: I’d have to say a younger Jennifer Aniston.

What is your heroine’s occupation, or if unemployed, what should she be doing: She is an artist but like most artists makes her living as a waitress.

What is your hero’s occupation, or if unemployed, what should he be doing: He runs the family Import/Export business—trading primarily between the USA and Italy.

What you think readers will like best about this book: I think Samantha is a heroine that most women can relate to. She’s a beautifully flawed woman with a familiar set of insecurities.

The person that readers want you to write about but you haven’t yet: I dropped a few crumbs about Dante and Kerry in Book 1. I’ve been getting emails about a possible romance between the two of them. I hope readers will hang on until Book 2 comes out…I don’t think they’ll be disappointed.

What’s next: What’s next? Ah…that is the Million Dollar Question. Book 2: Amoveo Heart is finished and I am currently working on Book 3 in the series. I hope that readers will hang in there and check back to my website—from time to time– so they can find out what’s going on with this unique species of shifters.

Additionally, my favorite charity to support is ASMBA-STAR—a great charity for Vets and their families. Each year I donate a portion of my book proceeds to ASMBA-STAR. As a matter of fact, I have unique contest running all summer long for US Military Families.
How do you enter?

Send an email to sarataneyhumphreys@hotmail.com with a picture of you and your family member in uniform. Tell us a bit about what branch he/she serves in, where you’ve been stationed, challenges you’ve faced, experiences you cherish, and so forth.

2nd Annual Military Families Contest:

Once a week, beginning Memorial Day weekend, Sara will choose one entrant to be highlighted on her blog. These weekly entrants are contest semi-finalists. Three winners will be selected over the Labor Day weekend, with prizes awarded as follows:

Second Prize: A $25 Amazon Gift Card, a signed copy of “The Amoveo Legacy” and a Team Amoveo T-Shirt.

First Prize: A $50 Amazon Gift Card, a signed copy of “The Amoveo Legacy” and a Team Amoveo T-Shirt.

Grand Prize: A book signing event at their local bookstore with the winner as Sara’s special guest of honor; FIVE free signed copies of “The Amoveo Legacy” (1 for them and 4 of their friends); a $100 Amazon Gift card and a Team Amoveo T-Shirt.

Spread the word about this contest. You can support our veterans and their families by purchasing a copy of “The Amoveo Legacy” or by donating directly to the ASMBA STAR Foundation.

Thank you for your support and for your service to our country!
Read my article about in contest in The Huffington Post

You can go to http://sarataneyhumphreys.com and click on CONTESTS to find out more! Do you have a family member who serves in our Military? If so…tell me about them! I’d love to hear their story.

Silver Anniversaries…who doesn’t love them? They’re such a wonderful symbol of longevity and commitment. Which is why I was so pleased to realize that “The Greek’s Pregnant Lover” would be my 25th release with Harlequin. It’s easy for an author (and talking to my friends and colleagues, I know I’m not alone) to get so caught up in the writing and the detritus of being an author that milestones pass by without so much as a speed-bump on the road to jar you into slowing down and noticing.

Because 2011 would be a year of several milestones for me (the long awaited release of my next Children of the Moon book, the release of an “issues” book that had personal significance for me (July HP - “The Shy Bride”), my 25th Harlequin release (Aug Presents), my 50th book - that comes in September, and hitting the USA Today national bestseller’s list for the 1st time), I committed early on to take time and enjoy. I’ll be having several give aways on my Facebook group page [http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lucy-Monroe-Fans/338069119152] and am planning some special time with family to celebrate both the USA Today landing and my “Silver” book with Harlequin. The fact my second grandchild is due any day adds to the excitement, let me tell you.

Setting: “The Greek’s Pregnant Lover” is set primarily in Greece, though there is some time spent in Seattle, Washington as well. Greece is one of my favorite settings for my Presents, but I often mix it up with some time in the States, preferably in one of my favorite cities (Seattle, New York, Boston, Portland).

Subgenre: Contemporary Series Romance - Harlequin Presents

Hero: Zephyr Nikos (ex-patriot Greek who started his life on the streets of Athens and along with his best friend Neo Stamos, built a real-estate empire in the US worth billions)

Heroine: Piper Madison (American interior designer who specializes in commercial properties)

One sentence summary: Harlequin did it best with their tagline for the book cover: no strings fling…to a wedding ring?

Scene you like most and would never cut: When Piper tells Zephyr she may be preggers. He’s flummoxed, as is she and that makes for some dry humor - but the poingnancy as he shows a side he’s never let her see, the man who will *never* be like his own parents and abandon a child - brought me to tears too.

Thing your heroine would never be caught dead doing/saying: Dressing like a frump. This woman is aware of fashion and maintains her fasion sense (like my currently preggers youngest daughter) on a budget - she’s not tycoon like Zephyr - right through the watermelon-in-the-belly stage.

What celebrity is your hero like: Rodrigo Santoro (though Zephyr is Greek not Brazilian of course)

What celebrity is your heorine like: A blonde Sasha Alexander

What is your heroines occupation, or if unemployed, what should she be doing: Interior Designer

What is your heroes occupation, or if unemployed, what should he be doing: Real Estate Mogul

What you think readers will like best about this book: The gorgeous alpha hero with a tender heart under all that ruthlessness and the deep emotion.

The person that readers want you to write about but you haven’t yet: I keep a list, seriously. I get a lot of reader letters asking for characters’ stories. Currently highest on the list is Roman Chernichenko (whose story comes out in September) closely followed by a couple that are already married in one of my earliest Harlequin Presents. I continue to get letters every year asking for their “pre-quel” though the book hasn’t been on the shelves for five-plus years.

What’s next: My 50th Book! Yep, I’m pretty jazzed about that fact. “Close Quarters” happens to release on the 7th anniversary of my first published novel too. It is the last book (for a while) in my Goddard Project series for Brava and introduces my new series, the Atrati (a mercenary group that does a lot of black-ops work for the federal government but is not officially under their aegis). The book is set in Africa (and the research was immense!) and was tons of fun to write, despite the emotional depth it took me to - or maybe because of it.

So, back to the “Silver” book…you all know I want to do something special with my family to celebrate. Any ideas, or suggestions? My brain is fuzzy from writing like a mad woman so I have some time to spend with my daughter when she “pops”. If not a suggestion, I’d love if you’d simply share your favorite way to celebrate milestones. From bubble baths with a good book to taking a trip, I want to hear it all.

And if you read someday about a heroine doing that very thing in one of my books…well, *everything* is research as my mentor Meg Chittenden always says.

Hugs,
Lucy

Question of the day - What was your favorite anniversary? What made it special?

GIVEAWAY is from Harlequin to 3 randomly chosen winners

All winners, email SueG, sgrimsha@bordersgroupinc.com, with your snail mail so we may send you your prize — Good Luck!

Sunday’s Post - Deb Stover was right, that is Heather Graham in the photo

Tuesday Winner - Laurie G

Wednesday Winner (must live in US) - Jami Gold

Thursday Winner (must live in US) - Janese Leon

Friday Winners - Cheryl Lynne; Anne; Wendy Marcus

Saturday with Lisa J - LisaLilmissmolly

& next week we’ve got a GREAT line up of stars

2day, Sunday with Karyn

Monday is Lucy Monroe

Tuesday with Sara & later with Jeanne Stein

Wednesday Carly is in the house!

Thursday is Lila DiPasqua

Friday with Elizabeth
&
Saturday with Leigh from Book Lovers Message Board
Another smashing week!

See you soon,
Happy Romance,
SueG

HARLEQUIN BLAZE LINE: WORTH A LOOK, WORTH A READ

If you are looking for a light, sexy read, then these books will be right up your alley. Blaze is a spin off of Silhouette Temptation, launched in August 2001 with Vicki Lewis Thompson’s ‘Notorious’.
It started with 4 titles a month at approx 250 pages, it is now at 6 titles a month with around 200 pages.

What I like about this line, it is more or less wide open, the stories can be light, funny, a little silly, or be dark, with crime and suspense thrown in the mix. Even some paranormal as with the ‘Love at First Bite’ mini-series. Hey, they even do occasional Blaze Historicals (of which I wish there were more of!) But the main thrust of the books (no pun intended) is hot, wild sex, and lots of it. Usually with twenty somethings looking for adventure, and ultimately finding love. That pretty much wraps it up.

But one cannot argue with the success of the line. They are hip, contemporary, throwing in references to BlackBerry and Nickelback songs, Certain current TV shows or movies, which means there will really be no reprint of these books say, 5 years from now. And at 200 pages, you can usually polish one of these off on a long plane trip, an afternoon at the beach, or over a couple nights of heavy reading, or one night even if you like to burn the midnight oil.

Toying with the idea of writing a romance, maybe submitting a manuscript? I can’t think of a better place to start than BLAZE. Check out the writing guidelines for Blaze Pretty straightforward, they are open to pretty much anything, and ‘Heroes and heroines should be in their early 20s and up.’ Personally, I wish there were more ‘and up’, but maybe that is because I am not exactly a spring chicken. Maybe a few late thirties characters with a little more mileage on them, or carrying baggage a seasoned luggage handler wouldn’t want to touch. Or what about, *gasp* some characters in their early 40’s? In all the Blazes I have read, I have only come across a few heroes/heroines in their mid-to-late 30’s. I LOVE that every book is different. Some are formulaic, but the majority are original and unique. Of the few I read lately, one was very gritty, about living on the street and finding teenage runaways, another was slap-your-thigh funny, another had sexy fairy tale twists.

The first sex scene usually appears about page 40 or 50, first we have to establish the hero and heroine and their busy lives and the many people that populate it (in the guidelines: secondary characters and subplots contribute to the richness of story and plot action we look for in a successful Blaze novel. ) The sexual attraction crackles and snaps and they act on it, many times throughout the book, usually with interesting results, whether bondage, food sex, sex toys and games, you name it. But, its not porn.
Really!
Usually these scenes are done with a sense of playfulness, eroticism without being full-bore erotica, though it comes close sometimes. It must be a fine line to walk. And I guess the real pull here is though the hero and heroine act on the physical pull between them, many times in fact, ultimately they get their HEA. They fall in love. Don’t expect marriage though, (it rarely happens) or ‘baby epilogues’. Not in these books. And that is fine, who rushes to the alter nowadays anyway? Not too many.

I will admit I only came to romance reading in the last three or four years, surprising for someone on the dark side of 40. And I read almost exclusively Historicals only. Since branching out and blogging, I have been introduced to more sub-genres and authors than ever before.

And Blaze has caught my attention. They are my guilty pleasure. Late night reading with some chocolate. And the occasional glass of wine.
I started trolling second hand books stores to pick up some older titles. There are a lot of lovely ladies writing for this line, stop by the Blaze blog to visit. Lots of giveaways and some fun posts.
The covers are gorgeous. and usually pretty accurate to the story within. Check out the cover for Ambushed, by Vicki Lewis Thompson.
Wow. I read this, and enjoyed it immensely! The ‘blaze’ is certainly alight in this book! And Gabe is to die for.

Blurb on Book: Morgan O’Connelli hated the restless lifestyle she’d had as a child. All she wants now is to create a real home in small-town Wyoming. So first she hangs up her real-estate agent shingle…then she promptly borrows the horse of the hottest cowboy in town!Cutting-horse champion Gabe Chance is blown away by the feisty redhead who unexpectedly lands right in his bed…and, soon enough, his heart! Morgan’s perfect for him in every way. Until he realizes that while she’s turned out to be everything he never knew he wanted, he’s got everything someone in her profession has ever wanted…his family’s ranch.And that’s a legacy he’s just not willing to give up–not even for the sexiest woman he’s ever fallen for….

Go ahead, check out Blaze today, there is something for just about everyone who loves all the different sub-genres out there!

Have you ever read Blaze? If you have, what do you enjoy the most about them? Or what does not appeal to you about this line? What would you like to see in a Blaze? Anything you would like done differently? Recommend some Blaze books!

Visit Karyn Gerrard at the Romanorum

She also does occasional book reviews for “The Season” Blog

RUNNING SCARED

RUNNING SCARED was a lot of fun to write. Why? Because of the characters, and, oh, yeah the plot. Though the love story is between Daegan O’Rourke (one of my favorite heroes!)and Kate Summers, the plot spins off Kate’s son, Jon, and his birth about fifteen years ago.

Have you ever had a secret you couldn’t share with a soul? Not even your best friend? That’s what’s going on here; it’s the secret of Jon’s birth. You see, Kate was given this baby, a child she needed to mend an open hole in her heart from the loss of her own daughter, but she had to keep his birth quiet. And she did. For fifteen years and now, her boy, unique in his own right, sees his own death, at the hands of a stranger.

When Daegan O’Rourke slips into Hopewell, Oregon, all of Kate’s fears congeal. She knows her sexy neighbor has a few secrets of his own and that Jon is at the heart of them. She’s frantic that all hell about to break out and she’ll lose her child!

RUNNING SCARED is a book I’ve rewritten. (It was originally titled WISHES.) My publisher wanted me to “ramp up the suspense” in the book and give it more of an edge. I was more than willing and, boy, did I have a great time reworking the book. (This is every author’s secret dream.)

I had to reacquaint myself with the characters and found myself falling in love with Daegan O’Rourke all over again. Though he grew up in Boston, he fell out of favor with his family–that can happen when you’re an unwanted son born to a beautiful mistress-and he headed west to put on his western gear. He’s had more than his share of hard knocks in his life, has skirted the law and, in my opinion, become a real heartbreaker with his killer good looks, sexy smile and wicked sense of humor.

As I reworked the book, I realized that I’d forgotten how much I’d enjoyed all the scenes with Jon and that he had a touch of ESP. Man, it was fun to meet and play with him again. And Kate, talk about a mother-bear, a woman who would lay down her life for her child and, of course, lie and hold secrets for him. An interesting woman; one I’d like to meet in real life.

This is one of the books that taught me that characters really make the story. The better and deeper the character -the more layered he/she is- the better the book. I learned that black and white often merge into gray and that good vs evil is often a state of mind.

People ask me if my characters resemble myself and my answer is always the same: “NO WAY!” In a situation of fight or flight, trust me, it’s flight every time for moi. (Well, truthfully I would die and probably kill to save my children–but that’s about it and please, God, that I never be put to that test! However, Daegan, Kate and Jon are in it for the battle. Trust me.

Also, people ask me if my characters are based on real people, again the answer is “No.” Aside from a few cameos of friends who got a real kick out of being a peripheral character, all of the people in my book live on the pages and in my head exclusively. Well, until they’re in yours!

If you’re curious (well, and even if you’re not) I just wrapped up my next project which is DEVIOUS, another New Orleans book featuring Detectives Montoya and Bentz and I got the word today that my editor loves it. (Yays all around! DEVIOUS will be out at the end of March 2011.) I’m now writing the next “wicked” book with my sister, author Nancy Bush. WICKED LIES, the sequel to WICKED GAME will be available in June of 2011. (I’d better get crackin’ on that one, eh? Remember Justice, the killer in WICKED GAME. Hate to tell ya, but he’s BaAck!)

For now, I guess the question I think is provocative for RUNNING SCARED is just how far would you, as a person, go for love. Not only the romantic love of your life, but for your children as well. Did Kate do the right thing when she accepted an infant, some cash, and disappeared? What do ya think?

2 randomly chosen commenters will receive a new book from Kensington — Good Luck!

If you want to learn more about my books, go to www.lisajackson.com or my fan page on facebook!

Confessions of A Category Addict – Part 4

This week, we bring the series to a close with the last three imprints.

I’m going to start off with Silhouette Special Edition (by the way, my first one was 1988, Summer Shadows by Pat Warren). I really enjoy this line. It is a straight forward contemporary romance that is longer than the shorter ones we talked about last week (Desire, Presents, Blaze) but there isn’t any fluff added to it to increase the word count. The stories in this line are romantic, emotional, rich and memorable. Some past Special Edition authors include Nora Roberts, Lisa Jackson, Susan Mallery, Debbie Macomber (The Navy series) and Lindsay McKenna.

Special Edition is all about the romance but because the story is told on a bit bigger of a canvas, there is more room to really explore the characters and see where their place in life is – with their job, their family and their community. I asked Senior Editor Gail Chasan the “which television show or movie is a Special Edition” question, and here is her response.

“Brothers and Sisters is one I always list, in terms of tv shows. I would love to add Modern Family, in that perhaps it doesn’t have the plot of a typical Special Edition inherent in it but it does have the family focus—with a very contemporary spin—at its core. In terms of movies I used to list Dan in Real Life, which is a couple of years old. There is a new one, Life As We Know It, with Katherine Heigl and Josh Duhamel where they inherit a baby together which struck me as the perfect Special Edition.”

The next imprint is Harlequin’s newest – Nocturne. This imprint is the paranormal line. The types of stories are the same as in mass market paranormal – vampires, werewolves, shape shifters, angels, etc. The heroes are dark and mysterious and uber sexy. The pages sizzle when he and the heroine get together and there’s an element of danger involved. There’s world building and mythology.

For television shows, I think True Blood. For movies, I think Dracula, adult Twilight and The Lost Boys.

I am ending this series on category/series romance with the “Mother of Series Romance,” Harlequin Romance. This imprint is the oldest, with Harlequin Romance #1 being published back in 1949 – The Manatee by Nancy Bruff (source: Romance Wiki). As a point of reference, the July 2010 Harlequin Romances end in #4182 — that’s a lot of romance!

What can I say about Harlequin Romance that you wouldn’t know about this line? This line is about love and romance and happily ever after. I picked them up because I knew they had the same feel for them as Presents, except when the hero and heroine entered the bedroom, there was a “fade to black” moment. They are sweet books with the focus on the emotions. These books take place anywhere from a cattle station in the Outback to the ballroom of a palace to the boardroom.

What was always special about Harlequin Romance is their authors were in it for the long haul, writing for the line for 30 + years and producing three to four books per year. Picking up a Betty Neels or Jessica Steele book was like catching up with an old friend.

When I tried to put a movie to this series, immediately, I thought of Sabrina. Other movies would be The Wedding Date (if the hero was a billionaire and not a gigolo) and The Holiday. A lot of those old movies where it was about the courtship and romance come to mind – The Philadelphia Story, High Society and Roman Holiday.

Harlequin Romance is Romance.

Thank you for taking a journey down series romance lane with me.

What series romance lines/imprints are you interesting in trying? Does associating each imprint with a movie or television show help you to get a better picture of what each imprint is about?

3 lucky commenter’s will be randomly chosen to win a free book! Happy Romance!

& don’t miss Friends & Family 7/16-19/10: