trueromance

On sale September 1st, Can’t Stand the Heat by Louisa Edwards — this is a Sue’s Must Read!

The book : DOUBLE PLAY, out now in mass market, Berkley

Setting:Santa Barbara, California, where the fictional major league baseball team The Heat play.

Subgenre: Contemporary Romance

Hero:Pace Martin, MLB pitcher

Heroine:Holly Hutchins, reporter

One sentence summary:
With the end of his career looming, the last thing ace pitcher Pace Martin needs is a distraction, even if it comes in the form of a tough, beautiful, tell-it-like-it-is writer who sees past his defenses.

Scene you like most and would never cut:
This is a tough one, a little bit like asking which kid I like best. Even though I know which one, I don’t always like to admit it. J (Kiddin’ !) Favorite scene … where Pace kidnaps Holly just a little bit, and inadvertently takes her along to the field where he’s coaching some teenage boys. Long story short, Holly takes a baseball to the forehead, and not only gets to see Pace whip off his shirt for her to use as a pillow, but manages to get a kiss out of the deal as well.

Thing your heroine would never be caught dead doing/saying:
Holly thinks of herself as a bit of a badass, which isn’t necessarily true. But she would never be caught dead turning from a challenge, which is how she manages to get into half the scrapes she does.

Your hero, is he a boxer or brief kind of guy:
Prefers commando but will go boxers …

Ancillary character you had the most fun with:
Probably Wade O’Riley, the Heat’s catcher, and Pace’s best friend. He’s a bit of a bad boy, and when I finished Double Play, I knew I was going to have to write Wade’s story next.

Your heroine’s favorite hobby:
Definitely putting her nose in where it doesn’t belong. And she’s good at it !

Your hero’s favorite hobby:
Sex. Is sex a hobby ? Pace would like to think so.

What you think readers will like best about this book:
Hopefully the heat between the characters, the fun between the characters and the journey between like and love itself.

The person that readers want you to write about but you haven’t yet:

I have gotten emails on Wade, lots of them. Poor Wade won’t know what hit him when I’m finished with him.

What’s next:

Well, Wade’s story in February 2010, called Slow Heat. Look for that, and the third Wilder brother, TJ Wilder, in Instant Temptation, April 2010. Thanks for reading !

So, do you like Sports Romance books? Leave a comment and let’s talk romance, sports, baseball and heroes - I’ve got five copies of Double Play give away. Batter up!

Debbie Macomber

I was born in the Chinese Year of the Rat, and over time I’ve discovered that some years take on themes. For me this is the Year of the Big Surprise.

To be fair, I knew about Cedar Cove Days, which was actually two years in the making. What came as a wonderful surprise was the overwhelming success it has been. Tourists from 36 states and three countries came to visit our small berg situated on the Kitsap Peninsula in five of the most beautiful, sunshiny days of August. More than thirty buses toured the series sites. The tourists met the characters, shopped, danced and shared a mug of beer in Wayne’s (my husband’s) Beer Garden. Port Orchard (aka Cedar Cove) rolled out the red carpet for our guests and put our best foot forward.

Simultaneous with Cedar Cove Days, 92 PACIFIC BOULEVARD (the ninth book in the Cedar Cove series) and the Cedar Cove Cookbook were launched. The cookbook is surprise number two. I readily admit I’m a frequent eater, but I never dreamed that one day I would publish a cookbook. Although in retrospect, it makes perfect sense. I love to cook almost as much as I love to eat. And the cookbook . . . oh my, it’s just plain fabulous, even if I do say so myself. I’m proud to have my name on it and the Cedar Cove characters are eager to share their family’s favorite recipes.

In line with another career surprise is my children’s book (written with my friend Mary Lou Carney) titled THE TRULY TERRIBLY HORRIBLE SWEATER . . . THAT GRANDMA KNIT. Every knitting grandma will identify with this story, as will every youngster. My grandson, Cameron, can stand up and take a bow for inspiring this surprising off-shoot in my writing career. The book is sure to bring a smile and hopefully touch hearts as a grandmother and grandson learn lessons from one another

A hometown festival, a cookbook, a children’s book, three surprises already.

But wait, there’s more.

Surprise number four is a movie. The Hallmark Channel has done an incredible production job on bringing my 1996 Christmas book MRS. MIRACLE to life, starring Doris Roberts. Anyone who knows me well is aware that I’m something of a Christmas nut. All I can say is that someone needs to pinch me to remind me this is really happening. The movie debuts December 5th on the Hallmark Channel, and you can bet Mrs. Miracle, along with Shirley, Goodness and Mercy, my Christmas angels, will be there to view it right along with my family and me.

Certainly that’s it. There couldn’t possibly be more. Or could there? By heaven (and I used that word by design) there is. A non-fiction book titled ONE SIMPLE ACT will be released in early November. I never thought when I launched my fiction career that I would write anything beyond the stories that blossomed in my imagination. And yet, as I’ve raised my family and matured as a woman, I have learned such valuable lessons along the way, about giving back, that I felt compelled to share them with my readers.

So now you can see why I’m calling this the Year of the Surprise. My wish is that you will find enjoyment and pleasure in each one of these fun projects. Cook, eat, read to your children or grandchildren, set yourself up in front of the television and then tuck yourself into bed with a good book. That sounds like heaven to me, and hopefully to you, too.

So what are your Holiday plans?

Don’t miss viewing Debbie’s exclusive interview on Borders True Romance.

Professional Bloggers Sarah & Jane launch the day with a discussion on crafty romance books . . .what do we mean by crafty romance books?  Stay tuned & find out!

Don’t miss our Guest Author Blogger for tomorrow — I’ll give you a hint, she’s among our Twenty Wishes.

Until tomorrow, Happy Romance!

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Sarah: I grew up surrounded by craftiness. My mother sewed, smocked, crocheted, knitted, and quilted. I have a box of baby clothing that she knitted for me before I was born - most of it yellow because she didn’t know if I would be a boy or a girl. I have quilts in various places in my home that she made, including the guest book for my wedding, which is a quilted wall hanging of individually signed squares from everyone who attended.

Jane I’m amazed at the number of romance readers who love crafts. One reader and author, Kelly Maher (link has a content warning for adults), came to give a knitting lesson to editor Angela James at RWA National Conference. We get hits from people at ravelry.com over at Dear Author. There is a strange synergy between women who craft and women who read.

I’ve sewed all my life. My first sewing class was in 4-H and I made a ladybug pincushion that strapped onto my wrist. I wonder where that thing is now…I took a break from crafting when I went off to college, but when I bought my first home, I went out and got a sewing machine. Whenever I am in a reading slump, I love to turn to the sewing machine.

Before I had my child, I also loved to bake. I have a number of cookbooks but my favorite is the Pie and Pastry Bible by Rose Berenbaum. I also think its neat to see romance books feature crafty characters. There are a slew of chefs. Jessica Bird has the story featuring a bad boy celebrity chef.  Louisa Edwards’ book, Can’t Stand the Heat, is about a food critic and a celebrity chef.  Abby Green’s September HP, Mistress to the Merciless Millionaire,  has a model who loves to knit (and accidentally stabs the hero with one of her knitting needles). Jo Goodman’s Never Love a Lawman’s heroine is a seamstress in the old west.

Sarah I’m not so crafty with the fabric goods. I can knit - so long as we’re going in a straight line back and forth. I can cross stitch and love patterns involving salty sayings and absurdity. But I spent many summers as an art teacher at various summer camps, and so I have a love of paper crafts, beading, jewelry making, weaving, tie dying, pottery - including throwing on the wheel, which is a bear on your arm muscles if you’re not used to it - die cutting, screen printing, and making signs that say “GO YELLOW TEAM.” This weekend, in fact, I’m in West Virginia at the summer camp where 15 years ago I finally convinced this stubborn guy that we should be together. Now we’re back at the same camp for a family weekend with our two children, his parents, and his sister. I bet my mother in law, also an uber-crafty woman, and I will be spending a lot of time in the arts and crafts building.

Because of that diverse interest in random crafty arts, some of my favorite books are those that involve some sort of art. I love Nora Roberts’ Born in Fire because of the glassblowing scenes, and how the fire of the glass oven matches the heroine. I enjoy books that match a craft or an art to a character - like Marie Bostwick’s “A Single Thread,” which is a series set around a quilt shop in Connecticut and the women who find themselves there. There’s a deep connection between women, reading, crafting, and community - both reading groups and crafting groups can form incredibly durable bonds among the women who join them.

The genuine respect folks have for things that were made by hand is similar, I think, to the respect with which people treasure their favorite books. Whether it’s a quilt, a dress, a picture or a book, the painstaking effort that went into that creation in turn fosters a community of those who do similar work, and those who enjoy and celebrate it. So it’s no surprise that books about crafting and art are so popular in the romance community.

Are you a crafty reader? What’s your art of choice? And do your favorite books feature similar crafts and creations?

Can I just say that I am loving this new gathering of readers and writers (and booksellers!) in Romancelandia! I’ve forgiven Sue, Sarah, and Jane for creating yet another daily diversion that takes me from my writing, and am delighted to be part of it today.

When I received the invitation to guest blog, I was given a list of questions. Some were puffballs like “Is your hero a boxer or brief kind of guy?” (I think he lets the situation dictate his underneeds, but in at least one scene, he’s in boxers) and “Your hero’s favorite hobbies?” (Slaying baddies, melting hearts, solving crimes, natch) and “Scene you would never cut?” (Two words: Shed scene. Trust me on this one!) and “Most fun ancillary character?” (Brandy the BFF bartender).

All great questions, but when the email arrived, I admit I skimmed the list, expecting, dare I say hoping for that one question that usually gets the universal eyeroll or a flippant response…

Rocki, where do you get your ideas?

Guess what? With my new release, HUNT HER DOWN, I can finally answer that with something better than “The idea bank. I’m overdrawn.” For once, I can tell you that some of the elements of the story came from real life, real experiences, real places, and yes, it’s true…one real live man named Gallagher.

The hero of HUNT HER DOWN, Dan Gallagher, is based on living, breathing, smokin’ hot hunk of human male who walks this earth today. I wish I could give you his occupation, address, and cell phone, but I haven’t seen him in, oh, thirty-some years. A boy named Jimmy Gallagher sat next to me in third grade, teased me with the occasional sideways glance of Irish green eyes, broke my heart when he tossed a thick lock of honey gold hair, and curled my toes with an imperfect, crooked smile. If you’ve read any of the Bullet Catcher books, you’ll recognize all those traits in fictional, grown-up Dan Gallagher, transformed from a heartbreaking boy into the heartstopping Bullet Catcher I fantasize my childhood crush turned out to be.

Oh, yeah, I know. The real Mr. Gallagher is probably fat, bald, and reclining in his Barcalounger with an Iron City in one hand and remote in the other, but, hey, that’s why I write fiction.

But that boy isn’t the only real-life inspiration in Hunt Her Down. At the center of the tale is a Chinese cookie fortune that has been stored in the heroine’s jewelry box for fourteen years. Seem preposterous? Not to me. I’ve got one in a silver box upstairs, next to an ultrasound picture taken the day I got the fortune, in 1992. Just like in the book, my fortune says: In as much as love grows in you, so beauty grows in you. I thought it meant I was having a girl; instead I had a beautiful boy…and inspiration for this novel.

Then there’s that teenage boy himself, Quinn in the story, Dante in real life. My son has introduced me to a lot of slang, the love of fast cars, and the joy of watching Top Gun twenty or more times. All in the book. And speaking of Top Gun, who would Maverick be without Goose? In HUNT HER DOWN, Goose is an Australian Shepherd based on a four-legged friend named Rojo, who happens to belong to a neighbor, and is my own dog’s boyfriend. (Don’t ask.)

Much of the story is set in two locations dear to my heart: Marathon, Florida, a tiny fishing town in the Keys where we have vacationed many times, and Miami, a city I once called home and the backdrop for many books. In Marathon, I’ve spent long and happy days at Sombrero Beach…exactly where Quinn is kidnapped and Goose is left to roam. And I’ve taken quite a few boat rides through the canals of Miami’s Coral Gables where that incendiary shed hides in the mangroves of my imagination.

Even my favorite secondary character has a “real” inspiration – Brandy Istre was the winner of a “Get Your Name In A Book” contest I participated in at last year’s Heart Of Dixie Romance Readers Luncheon. (Hi Brandy!)

So, next time you ask an author “Where do you get your ideas?” — don’t settle for smarty-pants answer and a look skyward. Just ask about elementary school.

All right, it’s time to spill. Who’s the heroic hottie who lives in your memory? Share the name of one blast from the past and what you remember about him (now don’t go hunting him down on google, ladies!) and three commenters will win an autographed copy of HUNT HER DOWN!

Bullet Catchers:
Hunt Her Down
Now You Die
Then You Hide
First You Run
Take Me Tonight
Thrill Me To Death
Kill Me Twice

Sue welcomes Keishon as our Borders True Romance Guest Blogger!

My name is Keishon and I’ve been an avid reader for 16+ years and counting. The first book that I started with was by VC Andrew and the book was, FLOWERS IN THE ATTIC. Then I moved onto reading romance by Victoria Holt where I read her entire backlist. I’ve then went on to read some great writers in romance that include but is not limited to Meredith Duran, Kathleen Eagle, Connie Brockway, Judith Ivory and Laura Kinsale. You can find me at avidbookreader.com where I’ve been blogging since 2006. I review books, mainly mystery, fantasy and romance and occasionally discuss issues that pertain mostly to readers.

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The first romantic suspense novel that I read and enjoyed was Meryl Sawyer’s UNFORGETTABLE (1997) that featured an amnesiac heroine who was being accused of a crime from her past. Her only ally is a hot and sexy hero who saved her life and who seems more than willing and able to help protect her and love her. I remember reading that book cover to cover without stopping and it featured one my least favorite tropes: amnesia. I literally run in the other direction when it comes to stories featuring amnesiac characters but in UNFORGETTABLE, it worked.

Since my introduction to romantic suspense, I’ve went on to read some good ones and some bad ones. As a romance reader, I’ve come to expect the romance part of the story to be more significant than the suspense but I prefer a good balance of both. Another problem with writing romantic suspense is creating an air of danger that suddenly disappears towards the end. That’s a bad move. When you have great atmosphere build-up and then the danger crescendos into nothingness – that thunk you heard was the book hitting the wall.

As a reader of romantic suspense, I have a few requirements that must be met for my utter enjoyment. First, the villain. He must be well matched for our hero or heroine. The story is more gripping when you have a villain who seems to be both smart and cunning. My motto is: a good villain is a smart villain. I don’t do well with the other kind.

Second thing for me is motivation. What drives the villain in the story is just as important to me. It is so easy to write about serial killers and terrorists. In romantic suspense, you have to bring something different to the table because readers are savvy and don’t like feel as though they are rereading the same book over and over again.

Another must for a good romantic suspense is smart characters. It’s so easy to mock stupid people in romantic suspense books especially those characters who walk right into danger without thinking. I assess the characters’ skill set. Do they all have to be a commando killing machines? Weapons experts? Expert in any field seems to be necessary in this genre and this usually doesn’t bother me but it can be distracting at times.

I’m a fan of authors who do things differently rather than follow the play by play book of how to write endings where the killer confesses everything before being shot to pieces. I also enjoy an out of the box ending because I love being surprised as a reader.

When reading romantic suspense, I want to be just as engaged in the mystery as well as the romance. We all realize that most romances developed under extreme circumstances usually don’t last long but in fiction, we’ll make an exception to that. It really doesn’t bother me when you have quickie romances in romantic suspense but please, don’t end the story with the hero asking the heroine to marry him after knowing each other after 48 hours. Need I say it? It’s just not believable.

Who are some of the popular writers of romantic suspense today? Starting with writers I’ve read, Karen Rose has shown that she can definitely write rich and complex stories and can balance the elements of romance and danger very well. Be warned that her stories can be somewhat gruesome and violent. I’m rather discriminatory when it comes to reading in this genre because not everybody gets it right.

Most of the romantic suspense novels I’ve read and enjoyed were written back in the 90’s where you had Olga Bicos’s books like RISKY GAMES and PERFECT TIMING that still, surprisingly, reads very well today. I also enjoy Karen Rose where COUNT TO TEN and DIE FOR ME were fast reads. I’ve heard good things about Kate Brady’s debut, ONE SCREAM AWAY. I’ve also enjoyed Sandra Brown’s PLAY DIRTY and RICOCHET. But enough about what I like, what authors do you enjoy in romantic suspense?

Tawny emailed me this week & I so loved the music to this trailer that I wanted to share it with you —  what do you think?  Does it make you want to buy Tawny’s book?

Leave a comment & let us know.

Host of Borders True Romance Blog, Sue Grimshaw tells you about some of her favorite books — find out why she’s put them on her Must Read list!

Summer of Two Wishes by Julia London - in stores now.  Julia writes a emotional story about a husband, presumed dead, returns from war to find his wife remarried.  He still loves her, she still loves him & leaves the decision up to her to choose who she wants to be with.  This book really makes you think!

Bridegroom by Linda Lael Miller - Gideon’s story of the popular Stone Creek series — if you’ve not ever read one of Linda’s books now’s the time to give it a try.  Linda writes romance at it’s best.  The year is 1915 & Lydia does not want to keep her betrothal to the local banker.  Gideon, undercover agent, rides into town to save the day.  What is thought to be a marriage of convenience turns out to be something else entirely.

Ain’t Too Proud to Beg by Susan Donovan - on sale 11/3 - Josie now 35 figures she’ll never meet her man, but, thanks to her poorly behaved labradoodle she meets the man of her dreams — how handy that he’s a dog groomer too!

Tell us what you’re reading this week?  Why did you choose the book you did?  Are you a character driven reader or plot driven — which is most important to you when reading a book?

Until tomorrow,

Happy Romance!

From New York Times bestseller Karen Marie Moning comes DREAMFEVER: the latest thrilling installment in the Fever Series featuring, sidhe-seer MacKayla Lane in her epic battle against the Fae. Author of the beloved Highlander Series, Moning has won multiple awards, including the prestigious RITA and AUDIE awards. She is the first author to ever release a Soundtrack based on a fiction series. Learn more about BLOODRUSH: the Official Fever Soundtrack, and the latest developments in the Fever World at karenmoning.com.

Hi Sue, and thanks so much for inviting me to blog today! I’m delighted to be here, and to celebrate the release of my latest book, will be giving away a copy of Dreamfever and BloodRush to one lucky winner! Now, onto the questions…. (they were fun, Sue!)

Setting: Dublin, Ireland, the Temple Bar District, Barrons Books & Baubles, an ancient abbey, and the Hall of All Days.

Subgenre: Urban Fantasy, with a healthy dose of eroticism.

Hero: Ha! Wouldn’t you like to know?

Heroine: MacKayla Lane, formerly pink Mac, now black-and-a-little savage-Mac. The girl’s gone dark.

One sentence summary: “What if you were the only person who could save the world, and you’d rather have a life?”

Scene you like most and would never cut: When Mac is recovering from being Pri-ya.

Thing your heroine would never be caught dead saying: “Oh, Jericho, I trust you completely!”

Your hero, is he a boxer or brief kind of guy: He’s a get-totally-naked…er, male.

Ancillary character you had the most fun with: Dani!

Your heroine’s favorite hobby: Previously painting her nails and sunbathing, now racking up the kills.

Your hero’s favorite hobby: You’re assuming there is one…hero, that is.

What you think readers will like best about this book: That there’s another one after it, LOL. Sorry, on a serious note, I think they’ll like how much heart it has. It’s a story that makes you feel deeply. The journey is dangerous and Mac’s surrounded by constant temptation and deception, but although it’s sometimes heart-wrenching, it’s also heart-warming.

The person that readers want you to write about but you haven’t yet: Jericho Barrons. Oh! Wait…I have been writing about him! LOL. From the emails I’ve been getting, from fans who want more JZB, including a book told solely from his point of view, you’d think I haven’t told them anything at all. (There’s no greater compliment—thank you, readers!) Then there’s Ryodan, Christian MacKeltar and I suspect once DREAMFEVER IS out, people will also want more of Dani.

What’s next: SHADOWFEVER: the conclusion of the Fever Series, but don’t worry, I have no intention of leaving the Fever World. That’s where my next series begins.

Thanks again for having me! I’d love to drop by again in the future. Meanwhile, keep your flashlights handy and—as always—stay to the lights!

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Karen has offered a very cool giveaway for today: a signed copy of Dreamfever and the Official Fever Soundrack CD: BLOODRUSH. Leave a comment and you’re entered to win!