A New Adventure in Publishing

I've been working on a new publishing project the past few weeks and finished it up last night. I have self-published my first short work titled The Timeless Earl.

You know me, I can't get away from historicals but this novel is a bit different. While it is Regency in essence, it also crosses genres, incorporating a little steam-punk/time travel for flavor. I think it is a bit more humorous than the historicals I generally write but includes the usual sexiness.

Lord Melvern is the first nerd I've written, but the heroine,  Millicent, is more than able to lead him in the right direction.

So where am I going with this? It is all part of a series titled Body of Knowledge. The stories will incorporate a group of scientists and intellectuals and inventors who are well ahead of their time.

Next up? The All-Seeing Eye. Isadora Chapman has the ability to read thoughts, including those of the man she loves. The man who doesn't know she exists.

The Timeless Earl is available at Amazon, Barnes/Noble and Smashwords.

My Writer Friends: Restrained and Willing by Tiffany Bryan

I just got off the phone with one of my Ellora’s Cave pals, Tiffany Bryan.

After we caught up, we got to talking about her new book, Restrained and Willing. Please note that WILLING is in all CAPS AND BIG BOLD RED LETTERS.

You don’t want to miss this one.

Here’s the blurb:

Heather has met every personal goal she’s ever set. Except one. To make all the sizzling erotic fantasies she penned in her diary a reality. And the only man who can make that happen is the handsome, dominant hunk featured in every one of those thong-soaking scenarios. The only thing standing in her way is Pierce himself and his convoluted views on commitment.
Pierce loves women, but he’s never been in love. Everything changes when he finds and reads Heather’s diary. Page after page of raw, hot disciplinary sex between the two of them starts his lust raging. She’s the one person he shouldn’t want, but he soon discovers she’s the one he needs.

And here’s the buy link:

http://www.ellorascave.com/restrained-and-willing.html

A Good Cry

I cry. I like crying. I especially like the crying that comes from happiness.

I get teary when I see videos of dogs going bonkers when their soldier owners come home from the war.

I get teary when Ty Pennington moves the bus and the family opens their front door.

I get teary when I see little kids talking about the 9-1-1 call that saved their sisters’ lives. Or parents. Or dogs.

Yep, I like crying. I also like the crying that comes from reading a good book. I love it when the heroine writes a letter to the hero telling him why she has to go. I love it when the hero sheds one tear in his lonely bed because he knows he screwed up. I love it when Gilbert Blythe is on his deathbed and Anne is reading him the dedication from her book, Avonlea Vignettes. And what does Gilbert respond?

Gilbert Blythe: Anne, There's not going to be any wedding anymore.
Anne Shirley: You're gonna get well, Gil. I know you are.
Gilbert Blythe: I called it off. It wouldn't be fair to Christine. There would never be anyone for me but you.

Sob! Wail!

Crying over romance novels might be my favorite crying of all. I love the happily ever after but it is all the sweeter to see the H/H overcome hardship and misunderstanding and hurt and failure – because then we know love conquers all. And crying makes it all better until then.

Crying is wonderful. Except when I watch Old Yeller. Then crying sucks.

Bucket Lists and Writing Goals

I was just staring at my keyboard when a question popped into my head. What would I like to be doing right now if there were no obstacles to the doing? You know, like money, time, family intrusions, job…

I’ll answer that later.

But it did remind me of another time when I asked the same question. It was several years ago when I asked myself, “Why aren’t you writing?” I was home alone (my husband was traveling,) and the stir of feelings about writing the great American romance swept over me again.

It had always been my wish to be a romance writer. I blame Kathleen Woodiwiss. She wrote the most stirring romantic epics. I know some readers think she is overblown and prosy but something about her writing spoke to me. Every time I cracked open Ashes in the Wind, I could see Cole Latimer with his Hardee hat and long sideburns. And of course, the street urchin coming off the steamboat that we would learn was our heroine.

I read Ashes in the Wind and the Wolf and the Dove at least once a year. I would love to write like her. Or Mary Balogh. Or Eloisa James. Or Loretta Chase. Wow, am I off subject.

So it really came down to having a dream and then having the will to go forward.

The first year, I started my own story with a dashing sea captain and the former whore he had purchased at a slave market. Sadly, that book will never see a publisher’s emblem. But my goal wasn’t to actually get the story published. My only goal, and I repeated it to myself nearly every day for a year, FINISH THE BOOK.

No matter what it took, I knew I had to get through it. I had to write THE END.

So it took me a full year and 112,000 words, but I got it done. At the time, there wasn’t a better feeling. It was the feeling of accomplishment. Since then, there have been better feelings – contracts, book covers and release days.

Oh and by the way, today is release day for One Last Night – go check it out at Ellora’s Cave.

So my point is, if you want to write you have to write. Just like if you want to win Powerball, you have to play. Writing one chapter won’t cut it. Writing one book probably won’t cut it either. I have started sixty-six stories and of those, I’ve only finished nineteen and they aren't all published yet.

Some people say they have to write or they would die. If I didn’t write, I would find something else to do. But I must admit, there is nothing more satisfying then penning a tale, exciting readers and knowing that I finished what I started. Oh, and the sweet feeling of knowing that IT IS GOOD.

So why am I asking the same question today? I just marked a big thing off my bucket list last weekend. I now have to add something to it. So what should it be?

One Last Night purchase link: http://www.ellorascave.com/one-last-night.html

Regency: Two Hundred Years Later

Writers love reviews. We absolutely adore fans and readers who write great reviews and we appreciate fans who write poor reviews, if they explain what it was they didn’t like, get or appreciate. Just so you know, I hate hit and run reviews. It’s like a kick in the groin. A thief in the night. A head fake. Like did you really read my book?

I read all of my reviews. The thrill of it hasn’t grown old yet. Maybe someday.

I also tend to read reviews of books by other writers and that is really what this blog is about. I have a cadre of historical writers I consider stellar and read everything they put out. I’m especially interested in their bad reviews. I’m always astounded by this. Writer X got a “1” for that book? You’ve got to be kidding me!

Firstly, this caliber of writing is always top notch. Most of these women are best sellers, multi-published and vastly more experienced then I will ever be - probably. So, I think, by default, they should get a 3. Yes, there may be beefs with plot or characterization and I’m okay with that but the writing itself is usually outstanding. Good word choices and grammar are consistent. The edits good. The typos limited.

I very much disagree with a writer receiving a one because the reviewer didn’t like the topic of the book. Why I find this unfair is because blurbs and plot summaries will reveal this ahead of time. Even knowing the publisher is a big clue as to what you might be about to read. There are one or two topics that I absolutely can’t stand reading and if it is revealed, I won’t read the book, even if it is a favorite author. No, torture will not reveal this information.

So, why was I compelled to write a blog about reviews? I read a recent one where the reviewer starts off by proclaiming that she is a Jane Austen and Regency fan and this book is not what she expected from the genre. Again, not my book, but an author I enjoy immensely.

There are writers who can mimic Jane Austen with some degree of accuracy. This author has never claimed to do so – only that she writes titillating Regency tales. I guess I’m miffed for this writer to be slammed because she wasn’t Jane Austen-ish enough. Most modern day Regency writers aren’t trying to mimic Miss Austen. They are trying to find their own voice and write the story that is living in their heart and brain.

That’s the story that should be judged - the story that lives in us because we love the history and romance and dreams that only Regency can give us.

Miss Austen’s stories are painted with the broad stroke of her actual existence. Ours are painted with the whispy strand of what we see as a possibility.

One Last Night: Release Day Coming Up

One Last Night releases on April 10th from Ellora's Cave Publishing. This is the start of a new series currently called Mad Duchesses. Each story features a duchess facing a changed future and a surprising (and sometimes inappropriate) love interest.

A dark past and unrequited love make John’s life difficult until he is offered the chance to spend one night with sensual, widowed duchess Lucinda Aversham. Pleasure he can provide, but one night with the woman he loves won’t be enough. Neither will living a half existence as he watches her from afar.

Lucy wants to experience a night of exquisite passion. She doesn't want to know the man’s name or see his face. She wants to know pleasure—in any way her mysterious lover can provide.

When an unwelcome note from her one-time lover arrives, Lucy knows she must have him again. But she could lose everything if she is exposed.

Here's the link:

http://www.ellorascave.com/one-last-night.html

Cover by the wonderful Dar Albert.

One of my favorite things: David Gandy

Yes, it’s true. I’m close to being the world’s worst blogger. Not only can I not think of topics on a regular basis, I’m also routinely distracted by Sam and Dean and Dexter and Raylan Givens and Seeley Booth and David Gandy.

And speaking of David Gandy, have you stopped by Ebay to see the auction items for Blue Steal Appeal?  Just type in David's name and several items show up. If you are like me, anything with David would be fun. How about a fashion shoot - A WHOLE DAY - and a meet and greet with David? Check the link below: 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/251241134626ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1431.l2648

You can also read all about Blue Steel Appeal's auction items at British Vogue: http://www.vogue.co.uk/blogs/david-gandy/2013/03/blue-steel-appeal-fashion-auction

And support Blue Steel Appeal by tweeting: #SupportBSA

And in personal news, I have release day info. Check back in a few days for the latest.