Song for two heroes - or heroines . . . Kate Walker

I’m  on a deadline right know. OK, to be honest, I’m rather over that deadline.  I have too little ti

me left and too much book  to write – so I’m fairly pressured for time. Add into that the fact that I’d forgotten to add in the time I needed to run a writing retreat in Swanwick, Derbyshrire  (that’s pronounced Swannick Darbyshire in Brit English of course, not the way it looks on the page!)

So I’m a bit late getting back  home, unpacked, sorted out, and at the keyboard  to write my blog.  And then of course I had to think of something to write.

Now there’s a problem – I’ve been writing blogs -  my own, Tote Bags, Pink Hearts . . . for so many years that sometimes it’s really hard to think what I should talk about. What would be interesting? What would be current? What would readers Actually want to read about?

It’s a bit like the eternal ‘where do you get your ideas from’ question that  writers are asked so often.  That’s the question I usually answer ‘from life’ when I’m asked it.  Well, it’s true -  life is the  one great source of inspiration that comes at us day in and day out, bringing new events, new people, new possibilities for stories, or blogs – sometimes.

I have an idea for my current story, obviously, which is a good thing  - because of that deadline, obviously, but I’m really a bit apprehensive  about getting to the end of this book , this deadline, and starting tom look around for another brand new  exciting and interesting  idea for next time. 

Because I don’t just have to find an idea for this book, but  this one and another one as well.  Because when I was in London last month   for the annual author party, I was talking to my editor about what

might be coming up and she said ‘I’d really like to see a duet.’  And before I knew what had happened I’d opened my mouth and said ‘Fine. I can do that.’

Fine? What’s fine about it? A duet is two books. Two linked books.   I have to think of not one story that excites me and makes me want to write it. One idea  ‘with legs’ that  will have enough interest and depth to develop into  a full length book – but two s

uch stories – and they have to be linked in some way so that they create a ‘duet’.  Eeek!

I have written duets – and a trilogy before.  So I know it can be done. 

There was The Alcolar Family (just republished as   The Notorious Alcolars in Australia). That came about by accident. I was asked to write a free on-line story for the Harlequin web site  so I created Alex Alcolar  and at the end of his story his two half-brothers  Joaquin and Ramon and his half-sister Mercedes appeared and everyone wanted to  know their stories it seemed. So I set to and The 12 Month Mistress   (Joaquin’s story) , The Spaniard’s Inconvenient Wife (Ramon)  and Bound by Blackmail  (Mercedes).  The link between them was  easy – they were all from the same family.

wrote

Other connected books – duets have happened  almost by accident.

I wrote The Sicilian’s Wife in 2002 as a standalone story. But in the closing chapters of that story, the hero’s  half brother Gio appeared  and soon he was demanding his own story. I wrote it –(he didn’t give me much option – he wouldn’t go away until I did!) And so A Sicilian Husband appeared a year later.

Then there was  the Sicilian Brothers duet  which was actually planned as two linked books. Guido and  Vito Corsentino were inspired by a some emails from an American fan who told me about her brothers  with those names and the names were so great – such obvious ‘hero’ names that I had to write their stories. They appeared in Sicilian Husband, Blackmailed Bride and The Sicilian's Red-Hot Revenge in  2007.

So now I need some new ideas for a new duet. I’d better move away from any more Sicilians – they seem to have had their fair share of  linked stories for a while – do you think?  And Spaniards. The Alcolars have had four books after all.  

But how should I link them?  I’ve done several brothers or half-brothers stories.  There’s even a sister in there.  Family links obviously work well -  but should I write about heroes who are brothers or heroines who are sisters?  Then there’s the possibilities of heroines who work together  - or work for each other. Would that - er  work?  Or heroes who  are best friends – or twins – or . . .

My mind is almost spinning with possibilities but I’m having to shelve the real work on coming up with these new plots until I finish the current story and send it off to my  editor. Then I can start really planning and thinking and imagining.

What about you? Do you like linked stories that form a duet? Or do you prefer a standalone story?

And what sort of links do you like to see in a linked series of books? Family connections?   Brothers? Sisters?  Twins? Friends? Enemies?  Or is there something else entirely, something new that you’d just love to see in a pair of linked books?  Any clever ideas?

In the meantime I’ll  keep my nose to the grindstone and work on – and hopefully finish very soon – this new story. And then I’m going to be brainstorming ideas and plans to see what to write next.  

I just hope I can come up with something soon!

(And if you have any ideas or questions that would create interesting and new blogs, that would be great too!) 

 . Coming next  Destined For The Desert King  which is published in December this year.
  

Then there's the  12 Point Guide to Writing Romance, the newest edition of which is available on Kindle or a revised and updated paperback edition now available on Amazon.co.uk and Amazon.com

Kate Walker's web site is here   and the up-to-date news can be found on her blog or her Facebook page.

Catching up with Carole Mortimer

Can you believe its Autumn already? Although a glance out of the window convinces me it is; it’s currently pouring with rain, which means I’ll be lighting a cosy fire later tonight. Nothing I like more than cuddling up on the sofa with my husband in front of a roaring fire. Usually to watch re-runs of NSIC starring Mark Harmon, but that’s another story!

October 4^th saw the publication of Warrior Alpha the 6^th book in my bestselling ALPHA series.

The hero of this sixth book is Nikolai Volkov. He has appeared in two of the previous books in the Alpha series, so fans of the series will already know him. Nikolai left Russia twenty years ago, barely surviving on the street of London for several months he then falls foul of the Russian overlord of London’s criminal underworld, Dimitri Markovic. Instead of punishing him, as Nikolai expected, Markovic takes the young man into his own family. Twenty years later Nikolai is head of security for the powerful Markovic family, and totally loyal to Dimitri’s son Gregori, the new head of this powerful Russian family.

Tough, hardened, more than capable of taking care of himself, Nikolai’s isn’t in the least impressed when Gregori hires Daisy Redmond to protect him from the assassins sent kill him. The attraction between these two opposite is instant and blazing hot, as they battle side by side in order to keep Nikolai alive.

The 7^th book in the series, Rogue Alpha, to be released December 4^th, is also now available for pre-order.

My cover design lady and I have now chosen and designed the first two covers of my new Regency series, Regency Unlaced. Hey, it isn’t easy drooling over all those Regency heroes and then having to decide which one is right for which story. The pre-order for the first story in the series, The Duke’s Mistress, is now available, with a release date of November 4^th. The covers of this series are spectacular—thank you, Jo.

 I am so excited about the launch of this new Regency romantic suspense series. It’s to be published alternate months with my Alpha series through 2016.

Indie publishing has given me the opportunity to spread my wings, to write more suspenseful stories, and steamier heroes and heroines, than my previous books. Not only that but I get to design the covers, choose my editor and proof-reader, plus the publication date. I go around the house saying ‘I have the POWER’ in my best superhero voice, at which time one of my sons usually pipes up with ‘what about dinner?’. No sense of occasion, that the problem with these young men!

Have a great October!

Carole

Buy Links to Warrior Alpha (Alpha 6): Amazon

Also available on Kobo, ibooks and Smashwords.

Pre-Order buy links to Rogue Alpha (Alpha 7): Amazon

Also available on Kobo, ibooks, Smashwords.

Pre-Order buy links for The Duke’s Mistress (Regency Unlaced 1): Amazon

Also available on Kobo, ibooks, Smashwords. 

Carole Mortimer has written over 200 books in the contemporary and Regency genres.

Carole is Recipient of the 2015 Romance Writers of America Lifetime Achievement Award, a USA Today Bestselling Author, Entertainment Weekly Top 10 Romance Author, 2014 Romantic Times Pioneer or Romance, and in 2012 was recognized by Queen Elizabeth II for her ‘outstanding service to literature’.

She is very happily married to Peter, they have 6 sons, and live on the beautiful Isle of Man.

Website: www.carolemortimer.co.uk

Facebook: www.facebook.com/CaroleMortimerAuthor

Email: contact@carolemortimer.co.uk

Twitter: www.twitter.com/@carole_mortimer           

Waiting for a Hero -- Anne McAllister

A few years back Tallie Savas and Elias Antonides took up residence in my head when her father outfoxed his father, and, as a result, named Tallie president of Antonides Marine. Elias, who had rescued the company -- and the family -- from dire financial straits by dint of unrelenting work, was not pleased.

He didn't like Tallie.  He didn't like her father. He didn't much like his own father, to be honest. He was Feeling Hard Done By, to be sure.  Tallie who Only Wanted To Be Taken Seriously as a business person (her father, despite naming her president, wasn't exactly doing that), felt she had a lot to prove -- to her father, to Elias, to the world.

The sparks that flew between them in The Antonides Marriage Deal only complicated matters.

So did their siblings. They both had plenty of siblings. And cousins. Enough so that I've been writing a bout these Savas and Antonides families for what seems like half my writing life (though it's probably really only been a third!).  If one family didn't have a sibling ready to get hitched, there was always a cousin ready to take the plunge (or be pushed).

Even Peter Antonides, the middle son, about whom I had no intention at all of ever writing a book, because he was already married, for goodness' sake (because he had reinvented himself in Hawaii, called himself PJ, and rescued a damsel in distress by making her his wife), found that she wanted a divorce and he had to win her

back.

But I always thought I'd write about Lukas, the youngest son, because he just seemed like a hero-in-waiting.  (Sometimes they actually line up and pester me, saying, "My turn. Write about me!"

Not Lukas. He was too busy having a grand time elsewhere in the world. He went walkabout, more or less, about the end of his second year at NYU. He went off to deal with a family issue in Greece on his father's behalf (or so he said) that May, and when the school year rolled in September, Lukas was nowhere to be found.

He almost never came back. Only for weddings where he was obliged to put in an appearance.  And never -- he was clear about this -- as the groom.

At first I didn't think anything about it.  When I got his twin sister Martha married off to Theo Savas in The Santorini Bride, he showed up for the wedding, pointed Theo in the direction of Montana when required, and went straight back to wherever he had been before the wedding.  I didn't see him again for a couple of years.

He reappeared for PJ's wedding.  He didn't make an appearance, as I recall, for any of the Savas cousins' weddings. They weren't his cousins, he told me. Only related by marriage. Didn't count. Did I think he had nothing better to do than attend weddings?

Then in Breaking the  Greek's Rules (which appeared in Mistletoe Surprises in the US) he inadvertently re-introduced his cousin Alexandros Antonides to Daisy Cummings when Alex needed a matchmaker.  Lukas didn't need one.  Everyone thought he'd do his duty and get married someday because all Antonides men did Once They Found The Right Woman.

What Lukas never bothered to tell anyone (even me) was that he'd met The Right Woman years ago -- when he was no more than a kid. Trouble was, he hadn't known it then.  Hadn't wanted to know it. And by the time he finally did, it was too late. She'd fallen in love with his best friend.

Lukas wasn't ever getting married.  No book, he told me.  Go away.

And then things changed.  He came back to New York.  Grown up.  Mature. Responsible.  Ready to get on with his life -- which promptly brought him face-to-face with Holly Halloran -- the woman he'd loved and lost. The woman who had every right to hate him and pretty much did.

Lukas never expected to be a hero. But by the time we got to The Return of Antonides, he'd paid almost all his dues.  I figure he deserves a happy ending.  He has the whole book to convince Holly.

On the left is the US Presents cover.  The non-large-print version has an added Christmas novella in it (not mine).

My favorite is the UK version (no novella) because I love the cover.  This is Lukas as I always saw him.  I'm delighted the UK art dept did, too!  Let me know what you think!

A romantic destination – Kandy Shepherd

 A highlight of my visit to England last month was a one-night stay at the beautiful art deco hotel on Burgh Island on the coast of Devon.

The wonderful 1930s hotel on Burgh Island in Devon in the UK

 One of the hotel’s claims to fame is that Agatha Christie was inspired by Burgh Island to write two of her most famous novels—Evil Under the Sun and Then There Were None (originally published with a title considered now to be offensive.)

I thrilled to the idea of visiting this hotel, which is cut off at high tide from the village of Bigbury-on-Sea with no way off the island. It’s where Agatha Christie got the idea of a household of potential murderers cut off from escape and trapped in each other’s presence. The actually hotel and island were the setting of the “Evil Under the Sun” episode of the television series Poirot (Christie’s famous detective). I recognized the setting straight away.

Art Deco splendor 

 Agatha Christie is said to be the best-selling author of all time. What fun it was for me as a writer to stay in the place that so influenced her writing. Our little visit was with both my bridesmaids and their husbands and it was a wonderful (yes, expensive!) treat to celebrate us all being together. Who knows what inspiration the stay will give me for future stories…

The hotel was established in the 1930s with famous celebrities of the time staying there. Apparently they welcomed the privacy and isolation. The rooms are named after famous people who stayed there over the years and are beautifully decorated in the Art Deco style—much of it original. Having a drink in the ancient (1336 AD) Pilchard Inn was also a memorable experience.

Having a drink at the ancient Pilchard Inn was quite an experience

 As you can see from my photos, the weather wasn’t wonderful but we didn’t mind. The rain held off for a walk around the rugged coastline and the rest of the time we spent enjoying the luxury of our surrounding. And the excellent food. The hotel staff were brilliant too. My only regret was that I didn’t get to ride the water tractor, the unique mode of transport that drives through the water with the enormous tires on the sandy bottom of the channel.

This eccentric vehicle is the sea tractor that transports guests to and from the island through the water

 Is it no wonder that Burgh Island came second in the Mills & Boon Romantics awards for most romantic destination?

Is there a romantic destination you’d like to visit—or already have visited? A destination that turned out to be not so romantic after all? I’d love to hear about it. I’ve got an advance copy of my next Harlequin Romance, Gift-Wrapped in Her Wedding Dress, to give away. Make a comment if you’d like to be in the draw. Please include your email address.

Gift-Wrapped in Her Wedding Dress (yes, it’s a Christmas themed novel!) will be released next month on November 1. It’s an intensely emotional story about a brooding billionaire Scrooge and a vivacious party planner. 

The billionaire's Christmas proposal… 

Billionaire Dominic Hunt's Christmas ball is a chance for hard-working party planner Andie Newman to make her name. She's intent on convincing gorgeous Dominic that decking the halls is the way to transform his brooding reputation, but he has an alternative idea—a festive proposal! 

After Dominic unexpectedly helps Andie with her own emergency, she says yes! The engagement is meant to be just for show, but as Dominic and Andie are surrounded by the magic of Christmas, they find their fake feelings are becoming all too real…

Kandy Shepherd is an award-winning author of contemporary romance and women’s fiction. She lives on a small farm in the Blue Mountains near Sydney, Australia, with her family and a menagerie of four-legged friends.

Visit Kandy at her website

www.kandyshepherd.com

Connect with Kandy on Facebook and Twitter

Eye Candy by Katherine Garbera

Hello readers! I'm happy to announce that the print version of Eye Candy is available today.  Here's a little Q & A I did talking about the book.

-What inspired the idea for ‘Eye Candy’?

To be honest watching Great British Bake Off inspired me.  I had written a series for Harlequin Blaze with a bakery in it and a cooking competition, so I thought this time I’d like to do a candy maker.  I’ve dabbled in making truffles and different kinds of chocolate at Christmas so I knew the basics of chocolate making.

 -Are Hayley and Garrett based on anybody you know for real?

No, they aren’t. I never base any of my characters on real people.  I took my love for cooking and used that as a basis for Hayley.  For Garrett I started with the core of him always wanting to be a cop and then questioning if he still wanted that.  What else was there for him?  I also am very close to my own family and wanted to explore what it would be like to grow up in the shadow of parental expectations without them being around so that Hayley could never get a thumbs up from her mom.

 -How do you keep coming up with so many different ideas?

I don’t know! The thing is I really love writing.  I always have different characters or scenes popping up in my head.

 -What do you like to read in your free time?

Mostly romance but I also really love Margaret Atwood and Nelson Demille.  I read a bit of Lee Child too. 

 -Have you always written romance, or have you ever thought about anything else?

I have always written romance but sometimes I write more adventure/thriller plots than just straight romance.  I have thought about writing suspense but I like exploring relationships too much to give up romance entirely.  

 -Did Hayley and Garrett surprise you when writing ‘Eye Candy’, or did you have the story planned out from the start?

It did surprise me.  Originally I had thought of Garrett’s character as sort of Cary Grant in Rear Window.  And it was only when I started delving deeper to figure out why he was home that I uncovered his involvement in the death of a suspect, which took the story in a different a direction.

-Which stories are the most fun: billionaires, tycoons, policemen or cowboys?

I love them all.  What’s the most fun is writing about all these different men because they all have something different that makes them tick.  Money, saving lives, the land, but at their core they are solid men who will do anything for their family and the women they love.

What's your favorite: billionaires, tycoons, policemen or cowboys?

Tell me for a chance to be entered to win an autographed copy of EYE CANDY plus some fun book swag.

Gorgeous dress and fabulous jewels...

Research is one of the best things about being a writer. When I first started writing it involved trips to the library, coming home with piles of books on wherever I had happened to be setting my latest story. Travellers tales, gorgeous coffee table books with photographs of deserted lagoons so luscious that you could almost feel the sand between your toes, lovely houses, background information on trades, crafts.

I had lovely conversations with helpful tourist information officers in London embassies — and always sent them a signed book as a thank you. I had a breathtaking brochure describing all the fabulous houses on Mustique where I set All She Wants for Christmas.

At the moment, tempted by my editor, I working on a new “sheikh” story — working title, The Sheikh’s Temporary Princess — and I’m having an absolute ball on my latest passion, Pinterest.

It’s a marriage of convenience story, always fun, and my Cinderella needs a “princess” dress for her transformation. This is the one I chose. And these are the jewels her prince gives her to wear on this momentous occasion...

Here’s a sneak peek—

Ruby’s heart was racing and in an attempt to slow it, reclaim control of her body if not her life, she closed her eyes. When she opened them again Bram was standing in front of her and her heart rate shot through the roof.

She had only seen in him in the most casual of clothes, a towel, a pair of shorts and a t-shirt, dusty riding clothes, the chinos he’d worn with a loose, collarless shirt to travel into the city. Now he was wearing traditional robes.

Everything was simple, understated. A plain white thaub over which had been thrown the finest camel hair bisht, a fine white keffiyeh held in place by a plain black egal and at his waist he carried a knife in a traditional, curved black and silver filigree scabbard. Simple, understated, regal, he was every inch the desert prince but it was his face that held her, his golden eyes, a jaw strong enough to slay dragons, the seductive curve of a lower lip that she wanted to suck into her mouth.

No, no, no—

‘Wow…’ she said, all faux brightness. ‘Look at us.’

‘Ruby… Rabi…’

She frowned, distracted. ‘Rabi?’

‘It means harvest. For the contract I had to give you an Arab name. I tried to get as close to your own as I could.’

‘Harvest?’

All afternoon Violet and Leila had talked about weddings. Their own, those of their friends. They’d shown her photographs of their children assuming that she would soon be a mother and she’d had to play along, smile as if she couldn’t wait.

The name he’d given her implied fertility, fecundity and the lie was like a cold hand squeezing her womb.

‘Your father will like that,’ she said as he put down the leather case he was carrying. He glanced up, frowning, clearly catching something in her tone. ‘Good choice,’ she added with the smile she’d once practised in the mirror. The smile she used to cover hurt, pain, the spiteful remarks of others. It had been so long since she’d used it that her cheeks creaked a bit with the effort, but it seemed to reassure him and, as he opened the case, she didn’t have to pretend to catch her breath as he revealed the jewels within.

Her gasp was totally real.

‘Oh, my…’ she said, staring at the art deco parure of diamonds and rubies.

At one point, feeling that she had to add something to the dress, shoe, underwear debate she’d suggested that perhaps she needed some colour to offset the silver-grey but Leila had it covered with ruby polish for her nails and colour for her mouth.

‘You approve?’ he asked.

Approve? Was he kidding? ‘It’s perfect… How did you know?’

He smiled. ‘Violet sent me a photograph of the dress, although I have to say it looks a lot better on you than a tailor’s dummy.’

She felt her cheeks warm as he continued to look at her and she said, ‘You owe her, Bram. She must have had a thousand things to do today but she and Leila have overseen every detail.’

‘I’ll repay her when I donate to her charity tonight.’ He turned to the case and picked up one of pair of bracelets that nestled against the silk. ‘Shall we begin?’

She raised her hand without a word and he fastened the wide cuff of diamonds and rubies over her left wrist. Was he taking care not to actually touch her or was that her imagination?

He repeated the performance with her right wrist and no, it was not her imagination. When the

clasp proved awkward she saw that his hands were shaking. No doubt like the Imam who fainted, he was counting the cost of this temporary arrangement but the jewels, at least, could be returned when it was all over.

She held out her hands to look at the result. Hers were shaking, too, she realised and he caught them and held them, held her gaze. If he thought that was going to steady her he couldn’t have been more wrong.

‘Are you going to be all right, Ruby?’ he asked.

‘Fine,’ she managed through a throat that felt as if it had been stuffed with boulders. ‘It’s just that I’ve never worn anything quite so…sparkly.’

He laughed. ‘Shall we try the collar?’

She nodded and he released her hands to pick up a necklace that was a simple V-shaped geometric collar of diamonds and rubies, with clusters of rubies forming hearts down the centre of the V.

It was set dressing, she told herself. Putting on a show to convince his father that this was real.

‘You seem taller,’ he said, as he lifted the collar to her throat.

‘It’s the shoes.’ She lifted the skirt an inch to reveal a barely-there shoe, her ruby painted toenails.

He glanced down and it seemed half a lifetime before he finally looked up. ‘Very pretty,’ he said, his face expressionless, ‘but I’m going to have to ask you to bend forward a little.’

She dipped her head and as his fingers brushed against the back of her neck she struggled to control the shiver that rippled through her body, tightened her nipples into hard buds against the lace that he would see the moment she straightened.

After what seemed like an age with his arms around her, drowning in the scent of clean laundry, warm skin, something that might have been sandalwood, the clasp finally clicked into place. He stepped back and she could breathe again. Too soon…

The backs of his fingers brushed against her skin as he lifted the collar and eased it into place so that the row of hearts was perfectly vertical and the necklace echoed the neckline of the dress where it dipped between her breasts.

‘How does that feel?’ he asked.

‘Heavy…’ There was a heaviness in breasts and low in belly. An ache between her thighs. It had been a long time since she’d shared a bed with a man but with every touch the heat was building.

‘It will soon be over,’ he said, reaching for one of the earrings — long falls of diamonds and rubies.

‘Shall I…?’ she asked, shakily. She was unravelling and if he touched her again…

‘Your hands aren’t steady enough.’

‘If you were wearing this many diamonds you’d be feeling a bit wobbly,’ she said.

‘You’ll get used to it,’ he assured her.

‘I doubt it and you wouldn’t do this for Bibi,’ she said, desperately, her knees, hips melting as women’s bodies had melted since the morning Eve woke up and discovered Adam staring down at her.

‘No, Bibi would come ready gift-wrapped,’ he agreed as he carefully fitted the earrings in place.

And it would be his duty to unwrap her. In her case he was doing the wrapping but it wasn’t going to be Christmas for either of them.

‘Are they comfortable?’ he asked. ‘Not too heavy?’

She shook her head and they brushed against her neck.

Next he took the small, matching tiara from the centre of the case and lifted it onto her head, setting it firmly amongst the ruffle of curls arranged by Violet’s hairdresser before, taking the last item from the case, a curious piece of white gold, scattered with diamonds and rubies arranged in flower shapes.

‘What is that?’ she asked.

‘Give me your left hand.’

She raised it and he took it in his, held it for a moment before sliding the confection over her hand so that the gems sparkled along her thumb and index finger. ‘A double ring,’ he said, continuing to hold it.

‘Did I say wow?’ she asked.

‘I think that’s my line.’

‘No, really. I feel like a queen,’

‘You look like one,’ he assured her.  ‘No one is going to lift an eyebrow when I tell them that when you appeared, unexpectedly, at the fort yesterday morning I knew that I could never let you go. They’ll only wonder why on earth it took me so long to figure it out.’

‘A fabulous dress and a king’s ransom in jewels will work wonders.’

‘It takes more than that.’ For a moment he just stood there looking at her, then seemed to catch himself. ‘Time to go.’

You can see more of Liz's inspiration on her Pinterest page.

To keep up to date with Liz’s releases, “like” her author page on Facebook (where she does regular giveaways) and sign up for her newsletter (for those little extras) at her website http://www.lizfielding.com

Addison Fox: A Passion for Books

I’ve been incredibly fortunate to be involved with an event in the Dallas area for the past decade called Buns & Roses. The event raises money for the Richardson Adult Literacy Center, a resource in North Texas for those who are seeking literacy skills or the ability to read, write and speak English as a second language.

For several years I attended as a reader and then about 6 years ago I was privileged to be invited as an author host. The event is a lot of fun – we have a tea, a keynote speaker (Tessa Dare was this year’s keynote and she was amazing!) and then a book signing. All proceeds from the event go to literacy (including this gorgeous quilt that was part of a silent auction at the event).

As someone who has loved books since before I could read, I know the joy to be found in the pages of a book. It’s such an amazing thing to sit in a room with about 300 other readers, raising money so we can help others find the same joy.

I’m reminded of this every year but it bears repeating. Reading is a gift. And while it so often provides a pleasurable escape for a few hours time, the ability to read provides so much more. Understanding. Education. An ability to function in the world around you.

Reading is a gift in my life I’m deeply grateful for. What an honor it is to hopefully have contributed in some small way so others may experience that same joy.

Thanks for joining me today!

XO,

Addison

Despite early ambitions of being a diver, a drummer or a doctor, Addison Fox happily discovered she was more suited to life as a writer. She lives in Dallas and - thankfully - doesn't have to operate on anyone. You can find her at her home on the web at www.addisonfox.com. Her latest book, THE PROFESSIONAL, will be out October 6th from Harlequin Romantic Suspense. You can visit her at her website at www.addisonfox.com

CRAZY OR NOT, HERE WE COME! AND THE GREAT GIRLFRIEND GETAWAY!

I'm lucky enough to have a little piece of heaven on the Isle of Palms in the famed South Carolina Lowcountry just twenty minutes from Charleston. I'm also a midlist author trying to grow my readership. Two years ago, I told my agent I was going to do a giveaway of sorts to reach out to book clubs. The idea was to hold a drawing form entrants online and from events that I did for a weekend, bed and breakfast style, for one lucky book club. She told me I was either the smartest author on the planet or the stupidest.





But I figured book club members know each other, and for the most part actually like each other, so

how bad could it be right? The winning club was a group of six women from NYC who wanted to wait until one of their members who was very sick got better to claim their prize. The date rolled around for the trip and they forfeited, and the Read Between the Wines book club came that weekend. We had such an amazing time, I wanted to try this year's giveaway with six winners who did not know each other, each of whom would bring their bestie.

It was risky to be sure, but on a beautiful spring weekend this past April, twelve women invaded my house. All different ages, all from different socioeconomic levels, all of them bonding over their love for books. It was truly the most amazing weekend, and it was also a testament to the power of books and the kindness of women.

We were pretty far from the presidential elections when I hosted the first girlfriend weekend, but after being bombarded with candidates who want to rule our world, I can't help but think if everyone just got out of the way and let those women figure things out, this world would be much better off. And they'd probably convert a slew of readers in the process.



So, I'm doing it again, the Great Girlfriend Beach Getaway. If you'd like to enter just click here. Travel IS NOT included, lodging, breakfast and a fabulous time are guaranteed. Y'all come!

CJ Carmichael: How Long Does It Take To Write A Book?

This is one of the questions people most frequently ask me when they hear that I’m an author. I’m not sure why. Maybe they’re hoping it doesn’t take much time and they might be able to squeeze “writing a book” into their calendar next month?

The answer, of course, is complicated. Many factors come into play. How long is the book? (My books range from short novellas of 35,000 words, to longer novels upwards of 80,000 words.) Also, how much research is required to write the book? And what else is going on in my life—are there going to be interruptions for holidays, family-stuff or other writing-related tasks.

Here is a photo of me, starting a new book in June of this year. I had the title (A Bramble House Christmas), and the picture that would be on the cover of the book, and not much else. At the time, I had planned the book to be 40,000 words and I hoped it would be ready at the end of October.

What actually happened, is that despite tons of fun distractions (lake and hiking stuff) the book turned out to be 45,000 words and I just finished the first draft a week ago. I guess I got lucky this time…once I really had time to focus, the story just sort of flowed. Some books are like that. Others are like English Assignments from Hell. But maybe I shouldn’t get too smug. I haven’t had comments back from my editor yet, which means I still don’t know how much time I’ll be spending on revisions.

And that’s the other tricky thing. When people ask how long to write a book, do they mean including revisions, copy edits, etc? Since there can be time lags of weeks or even months between these stages, you can see why it’s a hard question to answer.

So next time you ask an author a question, ask her something easy like… “Where Do You Get Your Ideas?”

***

C. J.’s A Bramble House Christmas will be available October 26 from Tule Publishing. While you’re waiting why not pre-order A Montana Born Christmas—this boxed set of 8 stories is a special holiday price of just 99 cents. And it took about a gazillion combined author hours to write. http://tulepublishing.com/books/a-montana-born-christmas/

Lucy Monroe Recommends: A Perfect Time for a Gothic Wedding

The month of October has thoughts of gothic romance and weddings swirling through my head because my son is getting married on the 25th! And you guessed it, he and his bride have picked a gothic theme. It has been so much fun to work with, especially for my party planner daughter who doesn't mind skulls on the bride's skirt and in the centerpieces. LOL My house has been filled with ravens, black glitter and table cloths in red hues galore. So, it only seemed natural to give you an offering of gothic romance with maybe a little schmaltzy wedding tossed in for good measure.

If you are looking for a gothic tale of romance and love, you couldn't do much better than now in mass market paperback DARK GHOST by one of my all-time faves, Christine Feehan. It should in fact, be exactly what you are searching for. From the back cover: Geologist and woman on the run, Teagan Joanes, comes across a wounded bounty hunter and vampire slayer named Andre. That fateful meeting intertwines their destinies and ignites a passion they cannot ignore.

“The Dark series has always been some of my favorites. This one was one I thoroughly enjoyed. The love scenes are great! Sexy, HOT and drool worthy. Loved the connection between the Teagan and Andre. One of the sexiest Dark ones I have read in a long time.”-Amazon Reader Review

Jennifer Hayward’s new release of the second book in her The Tenacious Tycoon series (from Harlequin Presents) is REUNITED FOR THE BILLIONAIRE’S LEGACY and it features a wedding gone wrong with a modern day twist on the gothic romance, mixing my two themes perfectly if you ask me. From the back cover: After a short but passion filled matrimony, Diana Taylor spends years trying to get her husband, Coburn Grant, to agree to a divorce. She succeeds in her request but one last night of pleasure changes plans when she finds out she is going to have a baby.

“Ms. Hayward has done an incredible job penning this story. With the right words the author brings out the raw emotions her characters feel, giving readers a clear perspective to the renewed romance is edgy and the chemistry just catches fire between the pages…” Goodreads Reader Review

Now for some pure schmaltzy, tear jerker romance with a wedding thrown in for good measure. It's an oldie but goodie. We are going to go back to February of 2002 to look at Susan Elizabeth Phillips novel THIS HEART OF MINE. From the back cover: Molly Somerville’s not-so-perfect life is turned upside down by her long time crush, quarterback Kevin Tucker. The pair battles each other and their attraction as they face life together.

“…a fabulous read. Humor, poignancy, creative plotting, wonderful characters, and superb sexual tension make this book an all-around winner.” - All About Romance Review

Another interesting spin mixing that gothic flavor (BDSM included) with the lovely flavor of weddings and honeymoons from one of my other publishers and new to me author. Meredith Wild’s new release HARD LOVE introduces us to Blake and Erica Landon right as they embark on their honeymoon. Soon, Blake finds himself in the center of controversy and Erica will stop at nothing to clear his name. (From the back cover.)

"Hard Love is suspenseful, sensual and spectacular. The combustible sexual chemistry left me in need of an ice bath and some oxygen, while the emotional twists and turns ruined my manicure. Not that I am complaining, I would gladly beg for another round." - Bookalicious Babes Blog

For those of you who have not yet read my 3 Brides for 3 Bad Boys series: RAND, COLTON, and CARTER, they are going to be on a fall flash sale for two weeks in October. Visit my social media pages for more information on this opportunity to get to know these bad boys.

“These three novellas
star the Denning "bad boy" brothers and a trio of delightful females who heat more than just their blood. Each tale is distinct because the lead couples contain differing personalities and albeit divergent relationships. Though Phoebe trade raises eyebrows even if her motives are pure, fans of erotic romantic anthologies will enjoy Lucy Monroe's passionate love stories due to a fine cast.” – Amazon Reader Review

With more than 7 million copies of her books in print worldwide, award winning and USA Today bestseller  Lucy Monroe has published over 60 books and had her stories translated for sale all over the world.  While she writes multiple subgenres of romance, all of her books are sexy, deeply emotional and adhere to the concept that love will conquer all.  A passionate devotee of romance, she adores sharing her love for the genre with her readers.

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