Judith James - Author of of Highland Rebel

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Why do we read romance? It takes up a huge chunk of the fiction market but you’ve all heard the snarky stereotypes. Desperate lonely unhappy women clutching at any romance they can find in a harmless and slightly amusing attempt to fulfill their fantasies and bring some excitement into their lives. Bodice rippers, fluff, cookie cutter fantasy…has romance become a dirty word? According to some critics of the genre and some of the stereotypes of romance and romance readers you might think so. I certainly don’t. I’ve taken the liberty of borrowing a definition from the free library and including it below. http://www.thefreedictionary.com/romance

ROMANCE

1.

a. A love affair.

b. Ardent emotional attachment or involvement between people; love: They kept the romance alive in their marriage for 35 years.

c. A strong, sometimes short-lived attachment, fascination, or enthusiasm for something: a childhood romance with the sea.

2. A mysterious or fascinating quality or appeal, as of something adventurous, heroic, or strangely beautiful: "These fine old guns often have a romance clinging to them" (Richard Jeffries).

3.

a. A long medieval narrative in prose or verse that tells of the adventures and heroic exploits of chivalric heroes: an Arthurian romance.

b. A long fictitious tale of heroes and extraordinary or mysterious events, usually set in a distant time or place.

c. The class of literature constituted by such tales.

4.

a. An artistic work, such as a novel, story, or film, that deals with sexual love, especially in an idealized form.

b. The class or style of such works.

This certainly sounds respectable enough, even exciting and uplifting, and of course it has a fine tradition going back millennia. The works of Ovid are surely romance, as was Dr Zhivago and Le morte d’arthur. I’m at a loss to understand why the romance novel has such negative connotations for some people. Is it because in modern day romance the focus is on romantic love and a happy ending? But all genres have their conventions and I would argue a happy ending too. Would readers follow a mystery that didn’t get solved? A thriller where the hero failed in his goal? Most fiction involves a quest of some form or other, and the reader generally embarks on the journey with the expectation of seeing the quest fulfilled. So the quest may be to solve a mystery. It may be to save oneself or even the planet, but isn’t love an integral, even core motivation of the human condition? Psychologists can tell you how important it is to healthy human functioning from birth to death. It’s right up there with food, water, shelter and sleep. Not all humans will solve a mystery, battle supernatural forces, build an empire, fight crime or save the world. For most, if not all of us, these stories are fuel for fantasy, but most of us will be in relationships and strive to find a partner who loves us and who we love.

Not all romances serve the same purpose. There is variety to suit every taste. Maybe you just want a snack. A light entertainment to read on the plane or at the beach. Maybe you want heartier fare, something to involve you, challenge you and make you think. Maybe you want action, mystery or adventure, a little adrenaline boost. Modern day romance has something to suit every taste, but I would argue it offers something more. Whether you write romantic mystery, paranormal, science fiction or suspense, you are making the statement that despite all that’s happening, it is human connection, caring and love that is of paramount importance.

I love writing historicals, in part because I love the history, and in part because I love contrasting the large often unstoppable events of the day with the fragile human struggles of two people in love. They may have very little control over the major events shaping history, but they can control how they deal with those events, and they can change the course of their own lives. In my new book, Highland Rebel (in stores, September 1), Catherine and Jamie are caught between opposing loyalties and have to decide for themselves what’s really important if they ever hope to be together. To me history is a fantastic backdrop for the human story, and there is no human story more powerful, universal, or timeless than the quest for love. That’s why I write romance, and that’s why I read it. Well ok…maybe for the ah…intimate parts too.

I’d like to take a moment and thank Night Owl Romance for hosting me here today, and all of you for stopping by. Please feel free to comment in any way you like, but I like to finish with a question and the one for today is this. Why do you read romance, and why do you think some people are so biased against it?

Highland Rebel by Judith James, in stores September 1, 2009!

Amidst the upheaval of Cromwell's Britain, Jamie Sinclair's wit and military prowess have served him well. Leading a troop in Scotland, he impetuously marries a captured maiden, saving her from a grim fate.

A Highlands heiress to title and fortune, Catherine Drummond is not the woman Jamie believes her to be. When her people effect her rescue, and he cannot annul the marriage, Jamie goes to recapture his hellcat of a new wife...

In a world where family and creed cannot be trusted, where faith fuels intolerance and war, Catherine and Jamie test the bounds of loyalty, friendship, and trust...

About the Author

Judith James has worked as a legal assistant, trail guide, and counselor. Living in Nova Scotia, her personal journey has taken her to the Arctic and the West Coast. Her writing combines her love of history and adventure with her keen interest in the complexities of human nature and the heart's capacity to heal. For more information about Judith, please visit http://www.judithjamesauthor.com/

Loucinda McGary - Author of The Treasures of Venice

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Two lucky winners will get both books from the publisher.

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I want to say a huge THANK YOU to the wonderful folks here at Night Owl Romance for asking me to guest blog today about my newest romantic suspense, The Treasures of Venice. This story is a bit unusual because it not only has a few paranormal elements, but it also features a dual storyline.

When I first came up with the idea for The Treasures of Venice, I’d read the libretto for the opera “Jewels of the Madonna.” Well, you know how operas often are, overblown and tragic. And I’m afraid this was the case with “Jewels of the Madonna,” which I’m sure works just fine since it’s an opera, but not so fine for a romance novel. So I started thinking of a different storyline for stolen jewels.

I’d seen a picture in a magazine (I think it was The Smithsonian) of a portrait of a beautiful, young Renaissance woman named Gianna Tournabouri and thought she’d make a wonderful heroine. But she was obviously wealthy. Why would she need to steal jewels? Then I realized that, just like in the opera, someone else did the actual stealing. Someone who loved her, and I knew who!

Soon, I had a whole scenario in my mind for star-crossed lovers and stolen jewels, but it was set in 1485 Venice. Huh? I don’t write historical romances. How could I turn this story into what I did write, contemporary romantic suspense?

Back to the drawing board, or in my case the old ‘what if.’ What if the jewels were never found until now? What if the person who uncovered the whereabouts of those jewels got into big, big trouble? Okay, that covered the suspense angle.

What about the romance?

There had to be a modern day couple, but not just any couple. What if they were the reincarnated lovers from 1485? What if history was repeating itself?

And what better way to show that than a dual storyline? The biggest surprise of all for a seat-of-the-pants writer like me is that the two storylines fit together so well with almost no effort on my part. My two sets of lovers, Serafina and Nino, and Samantha and Keirnan became very real to me, and their similarities were eerie and for the most part, totally unplanned. I guess some things really are just meant to be!

I hope you enjoy reading The Treasures of Venice as much as I enjoyed writing it. Which couple do you think will appeal to you more, Serafina and Nino in 1485? Or Samantha and Keirnan in present day?

About the Author

Loucinda McGary took early retirement from her managerial career to pursue her twin passions of travel and writing, and sets her novels of romantic suspense in the fascinating places she has visited. She was a finalist in the 2006 Romance Writers of America Golden Heart contest in Romantic Suspense. She lives in Sacramento, CA. For more information, please visit http://loucindamcgary.com/.

OUR LEGACY – The Splendor of Romance - Author Lynda Coker

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Have you ever wondered, as a Romance Writer, what legacy you’ll leave behind? Of course, there will be the collection of stories you’ve written over the years, but what will they say about you, as a person? What feelings will they engender in your readers? What attitudes will they foster? Just because we make things up, create time and circumstances out of ‘thin air’; does this relieve us of the responsibility to consider what we leave in our wake?

Romance… What is its essence? If you look the definition up in a dictionary, the list goes on forever. No wonder the word means different things to so many. Have you considered deeply what it means to you? We should, because whether we realize it or not, it will show in our writing. For the sake of this blog, I’m assuming that we all write for the love and joy of the creative process, and not just the monetary rewards, although we enjoy those, as well. *smiles* If, however, the opposite is true, then the point of this blog is moot. A writer who writes strictly for commercial profit will, of course, write whatever is selling ‘hot’ at the moment.

In general, society often gives voice to their concern over the moral breakdown permeating our culture. On the other hand, they think nothing of strengthening its progression by the very act of being a consumer of products that advance that breakdown. As writers, we can be guilty of the same thing by fueling the fires of decay with the words we choose to immortalize in print.

Romance, as I perceive it, goes much deeper than unsolicited feelings. True, feelings are involved, but romance that leads to love is much more profound. It is a link with another individual that includes principles, values, and that change and grows over time.

Have you ever considered what deductions your child or grandchild will make about romance and love from reading your work? Humm… That thought can keep you up at night! *winks*

Have you ever bought a box of cereal, opened it, only to find it half full with cereal and the rest just air? To me, that is what it’s like to read a romance lacking real character depth, one filled with sexual antics far removed from the kind of emotional experience that lingers in your mind and heart long after the story ends.

Perhaps we can all consider more closely our Legacy, and in so doing, help to revive The Splendor of Romance.

What does ‘Romance’ mean to you?

Lynda Coker

THE OCEAN BETWEEN – www.thewildrosepress.com

www.lyndacoker.com

http://blog.lyndacoker.net

http://romancewriterandreader.ning.com

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Purchase The Ocean Between from the Wild Rose Press

Ebook: $6.00

Print: $11.99

Harvest Time

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Contest Rules: There will be two winners for this post and two prizes - Hanna Rhys Barnes is giving away A limited edition Widows Peak Visa gift card worth $15 and a copy of the book on release. One prize per winner.

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Hanna Rhys Barnes

Hi Night Owls. Thanks so much for inviting me. Who would have thought this day would arrive so soon. Less than thirty days until the release of my first book, Widow’s Peak. As you can imagine, excitement abounds.

I’m a relative new comer to the romance field, both as a reader and a writer. The first romance that I ever read was Kinley MacGregor’s A Dark Champion. I fell so in love with the writing and the characters that over the next few months I read everything she had written. Disappointed, that there was nothing more to read at the time, I picked up a specially priced copy of Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Fantasy Lover. Well of course I fell in love with the writing and the characters and there were plenty of Dark Hunter novels for me to devour, but I also began to read others as well.

I read classic contemporary authors. I tried a few category authors, and some cozies. I read a few romantic comedies and even tried a few romantic suspense authors. But no matter what, I always wanted to come back to the historicals. Specifically, medieval historicals.

After only two years of reading, I said those classic words. “I can write this stuff.” So I launched off into my first romance novel. At least I thought it was a romance novel. Knowing nothing about the craft or the industry, I began to submit to contests and even a few editors. I was soundly rejected. Good thing I have rhino-skin.

Many of the contest judges kept telling me that my book wasn’t a historical romance, but more a historical novel. “What are they talking about?” I thought to myself. Fortunately, one of the editors that I submitted to was kind enough to actually show me where I went wrong. She suggested I join an organization like RWA. So I did. My RWA chapter taught me how to write romance, so I went back and rewrote one entire manuscript.

I tentatively submitted my baby again, bracing for the worst. But one day, as I was sitting in the dentist chair, I got the call. Someone liked my novel and wanted to buy it! After much hard work the time has come. I am about to harvest the fruits of my labors.

Widow’s Peak is truly the book of my heart. My first born. Though Laine and Amye were not the first characters to ask me to tell their story, they are the ones that spoke most powerfully. They touched my heart. I hope they will come to mean as much to you as they do to me. Here’s an excerpt:

Morning sun streamed in through the open windows as Amye sat next to the young man’s bed, silently reading her book of poetry. The small volume was the last gift Thomas gave her before leaving for Outremer. He must have spent a fortune to have a cleric copy the poems and bind the pages together in the leather cover. The parchment corners were worn smooth from the many times she had read through it. Amye did not know all of the men who penned the words, but they ardently expressed the love that she and Thomas had shared.

In the few moments he was conscious, the young stranger seemed to be in some pain. She had worried when he became fevered in his sleep, but now his deep full breaths told her he rested comfortably. He was quite handsome, almost angelic looking. The two-day growth of beard covering his swarthy face matched the dark curly hair that fell just to his shoulders.

She had ordered him brought to a guest room where she and Sela had washed his body, and then Amye dressed his wounds with healing ointments. It was then she noticed the tattoo.

A crescent moon, the mark of the Saracens.

The same mark Sir Edward had carried when he brought her Thomas’ ring. Only this moon surrounded a symbol she had never seen before. A scripted letter M with an arrow at the end. What were the two men doing in that tree?

It had been obvious to her from the first he was no knight. His body was well muscled but lean, rather than bulky. And unlike a knight, his hands were smooth with only small calluses on the fingertips. The belongings on the horse they found confirmed him as a troubadour.

Though they had never really met, she remembered seeing him at summer court one year. His bags held a book of songs and some scraps of parchment on which had been penned some verses of lyric poetry. Also, a beautiful psaltery carefully wrapped in a black velvet sack. The finely made stringed instrument must have cost a king’s ransom. The clothing he carried was of the highest fashion. He must have been on his way to one of the courts to the south. Entertainers of his quality hardly ever stopped this far north.

“My Lady, where am I?” The quiet, deep voice startled her from her musings, and she looked into stunning green eyes. She’d not noticed the vibrancy of their color before. But as he peered straight at her, Amye’s heart began to pound so hard she thought it might leap from her chest. She took a deep breath as she stood and the beating slowed.

“You are awake. This bodes well.” She put down the book and moved toward the bed. “I am Lady Amye de Barnard. You fell from my tree and were brought to the castle so I might tend your injury.”

“I thank you, my Lady Barnard, for your aid. I am Alain de la Vierre. Most call me Laine.”

“Yes, I know.”

The troubadour looked at her askance.

Amye walked over to the bedside table and held up his book of songs. “I beg your pardon, but I had to search your things. I could not have a thief or a rogue loose in my home. I have charges to consider.”

“And how, my lady, can you tell I am not a rogue?” He arched a brow to emphasize his question.

“A rogue would not write in such a civilized manner. That aside, I have seen you at King Henry’s court. You are a very fine court troubadour. You must sing for us when you recover.” Amye felt a heated blush rise to her cheeks as a smile spread across his face.

“At your leisure, my lady.” He tried to sit up but with a slight touch, she pushed him back against the pillow.

“Stay. You are still too weak. You have been unconscious for more than two days. I worried your injury might be too great for you to recover.” A sharp breath as he grasped at his side made Amye fold back the bed cover to check the cause of his discomfort.

“Your wound was quite severe, so I thought it best to close it. I need to see to your stitches.”

Surprise crossed his face. Though obviously still in pain, he smiled. “It seems I was most fortunate to fall from your tree and not some other.”

Amye picked up a cup from the bedside table and held it to his lips. “Drink. This should help ease the pain.”

He drank until she pulled it away. “My lady, does the king know you have such a fine brew wife. He would surely steal her away. I have never tasted such a fine ale in all my years. This house does boast a most delicious drink.”

“Thank you.” She helped him sit up so she could unwrap the binding. “You lost a bit of blood and though I could find no broken bones, there might be a more severe internal injury.” She removed the sticky brown moss she used to draw the bad humors from wounds and inspected the neat row of stitching underneath. Careful not to separate the newly healing wound, Amye pressed two fingers to the surrounding skin. It was cool to the touch, not hot as it had been when she had first stitched it closed. “‘Tis healing nicely. I think we might do without the poultice now.” She covered the wound with a clean cloth and rewound the binding around his chest.

“Are you hungry?” She helped him lie back, and he let out a deep breath once he rested on the bed. “I shall send for some gruel. I think you could stomach that now.”

“My lady, might I meet your lord to thank him for saving my life?”

“Master de la Vierre, there is no lord at Edensmouth. My husband died in Outremer, eight years ago.”

Hanna Rhys Barnes is one of those people with an evenly balanced right and left brain. She has a BA in English, but recently finished her final year as a high school math teacher. She loves to cook and was a pastry chef in a former life.

A member of RWA’s national organization and of several local chapters, she currently lives and works in Portland, OR, but occasionally visits her retirement ranchette outside of Kingman, AZ

Hanna’s Debut Novel, Widow’s Peak, is due to be released September 23, 2009 from The Wild Rose Press. She is currently working on Book 2 in the series, Kissed By A Rose.

Becoming One with the Story by Author Terry Spear

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Contest Info: Comment on this post to be entered to win a set of Terry Spear Books! 3 lucky posters will each get a copy of Heart of the Wolf, Destiny of the Wolf and To Tempt the Wolf from the publisher.

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Woohoo, I’m excited to be here on the Night Owl Romance blog, where not only owls have a nighttime existence, but wolves do too!

Some might say I have wolves on the brain. I do. :)

A friend of mine, and fellow Sourcebooks author, Sharon Lathan, was talking about writing regencies and how she immerses herself in the regency period while she’s creating her stories.

I joined a wolf pack. Not literally, of course. But I do read about them all the time, check out every wolf-related news story I can, watch wolf studies, and conduct other forms of research in an attempt to understand them better. It’s fun using wolf characteristics in my werewolf characters, and keeping their human sensibilities as they’re wearing their wolf coats.

My mother shook her head when I made her listen to recorded wolf howls of various aged wolves one night. Who needs to listen to music to get in the mood when you can listen to a chorus of wolves? I was also listening to rain falling on a river to better imagine an Oregon rainfall in Seduced by the Wolf (in stores in Spring 2010). :-)

When I’m teaching students in my online writing courses, I try to convey that as we write our scenes, we need to be one with the character, feel what he or she feels, see what he or she sees. Be part of the setting just like they should be. And hopefully when our readers read our stories, they will feel as though they are there also, living through that character the whole time.

I felt that way when I read Jack London’s White Fang and Call of the Wild. I felt I was the men who were in peril, and the wolves, when it was their point of view.

Reading for me is a way to connect with fictional characters who capture my heart. And I hope my characters do that for my readers, too.

So if you love my stories, or haven’t given them a try, I hope you’ll read To Tempt the Wolf (in stores now!) and let me know what you think!

Again, thanks to Night Owl Romance for having me on your blog!

Terry Spear

“Giving new meaning to the term alpha male.”

To Tempt the Wolf—In Stores September 1

In this third in the series, wildlife photographer Tessa Anderson must prove her brother innocent of murder charges. But when she discovers a gorgeous naked man barely alive on her beach, she's got a new world of troubles to deal with, not least of which is how he affects her with just a look, a touch, or a whispered word.

Hunter Greymore is a lupus garou, a grey werewolf. Hoping to keep a low profile at Tessa's cabin on the coast, he's drawn into her life—and into her bed. His animal instincts war with his human half, but in the end, the only thing he can do about this fascinating, adorable woman is to leave her forever

—unless she becomes one of them.

About the Author

A retired lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army Reserves, award-winning author Terry Spear has an MBA from Monmouth College. An eclectic writer, she dabbles in the paranormal as well as writing historical and true life stories for both teen and adult audiences. Spear lives in Crawford, Texas. Her 2008 Sourcebooks Casablanca release, Heart of the Wolf was named a Best Book of the Year by Publishers Weekly. Destiny of the Wolf and To Tempt the Wolf are in stores now, and more are on the way: The Legend of the White Wolf (February 2010) and Seduction of the Wolf (August 2010). For more information please visit www.terryspear.com

Dog Days of Summer by Joyce Moore

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These truly are the dog days of summer, so my thoughts naturally wander to—what else? Dogs. I’ve decided it’s a genetic thing. I, and all my family, love dogs. The breed doesn’t matter, as long as they pant and eat and have soulful eyes. My daughter has two dashounds. My sister has a lab. I have a boxer, and did have two. As kids, we had boxers, cocker spaniels, and through the years, unidentifiable breeds, but we loved them all.

I, like other dog people, never wear black. Before I hand my canvas grocery bags to the checkout girl I brush off the bottoms, and always vacuum my car before picking up a friend for lunch. Even considering all his, life just isn’t right without a dog to greet you when you come in from work, or the gym, or the library. They can tell where you’ve been by sniffing your legs. And the sound of car keys will bring them running. As you might suspect, my love of dogs spills over into my books. There’s always a dog in my novels.

In my latest release, Jeanne of Clairmonde, the dog belongs to the queen of France. I won’t spoil the story by telling you what happens, but Jeanne does not make a good impression on the queen OR her dog. On the contrary, it just adds to Jeanne’s troubles when she’s already had enough, dealing with a handsome squire and imprisonment in an English prison.

Jeanne recently finaled in the Royal Palm Literary Awards contest sponsored by the Fla. Writers’ Assn. You can read excerpts and reviews of Jeanne of Clairmonde at her website, www.joycemoorebooks.com.

Contest Notes:

Leave a comment below on 8/21/2009 to be entered in a drawing for a free digital copy of Jeanne of Clairmonde. Joyce Moore will be drawing the winner’s name on August 25^th, and will announce the winner on her Journal page of her website the same day. Good luck and happy reading.

The Daddy Issue by Melissa Beck

Posted by Diana Coyle in

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Hi and welcome everyone! It's Thursday and I can't wait to tell you about the book I picked for this week's reviewer showcase. So sit back and relax for a few minutes while I talk about: The Daddy Issue by Melissa Beck. I really enjoyed reading this story and I couldn't help but fall in love with Gretchen and Daniel.

Daniel, being a successful businessman and honored with the title "Chicago Bachelor of the Year," has everything in life that he could hope for. Well, honestly, he doesn't have everything to make his life complete. He doesn't have a family of his own that he can go home to at night. There's no one to greet him at the door after having a busy day at work. He really lives a lonely life. Yes, he could buy anything he desires or ask any woman out that tickles his fancy, but he knows deep down they're only interested in him because of his status and money.

During his Businessman of the Year reception, he receives the shock of his life. While mingling with the guests, he runs into an acquaintance from years ago that he met through his girlfriend at the time, Gretchen Parks. Charlotte just can't help but show off the picture of her best friend, Gretchen's daughter, Amy. He figures that Gretchen met someone special and decided to get married and have a baby. But when Charlotte explains that Gretchen never married and Amy is just 4 years old, Daniel just doesn't know how to handle the thought that Amy may very well be his. Once he really looks at her picture, he notices that she undoubtedly has his mother's eyes. Why hadn't Gretchen contacted him to let him know they have a child together?

He does the next best thing he could think of, he flies out to Ohio and wants to ask Gretchen to her face if Amy is very well his daughter also. Is he ready to become an instant father to Amy? Is now the right time to think about settling down finally and does he have a shot at rekindling the relationship he once had with Gretchen? Would Gretchen even take him back? All of these questions can be answered when you read this wonderful story.

If you would like to find out more about this talented author and see what else she has available for purchase, you can visit her at: http://www.melissabeck.com/.

That's it for me everyone! I hope you enjoy the review and please feel free to drop Ms. Beck a comment or two. Please note: The week of August 27 there will not be a blog posted on Thursday. My next reviewer showcase entry will be available the following week on September 3. Until then, enjoy the rest of the summer and see you all on September 3!


The Daddy Issue

Author(s): Melissa Beck Website

Genre(s): Contemporary
Review Date: Jul 26, 2009
ISBN: 978-1601544643
Print Book Price: $13.99
E-Book Price: $6.00
Publisher: Wild Rose Press
Street Date: Out Now

The Daddy Issue - Book Excerpt

Score: 5/5

Daniel Nicholson, Businessman of the Year and Chicago Bachelor of the Year, is exactly where he wants to be in his life. He has everything going for him and he’s worked hard to achieve everything he has. Since his disastrous divorce though, he refuses to be tied down to anyone or even married to them. No one is going to get in his way of being as successful as he is.

But during his Businessman of the Year reception, his world seems to turn upside down in a matter of minutes. He runs into an acquaintance he met some years back in Chicago while he was dating Gretchen Parks. Charlotte fills him in on how Gretchen is doing and just how wonderful of a mother she is. He assumes, since it was five years ago that he dated Gretchen, that she must have met someone and moved on with her life. When Charlotte explains that Gretchen never married and that Amy is four years old, the news hits him like a ton of bricks. Calculating in his head, he realizes that this could very well be his daughter’s picture that he’s looking at. Seeing the resemblance of his mother’s eyes in Amy’s picture just about sucker punches him in the stomach. Could Amy be his daughter? But how could it be since they used protection that night?

Doing what he thinks is best, he finds out where Gretchen and Amy live and flies to Marydale, Ohio to find out once and for all if this child is truly his. If so, why hasn’t Gretchen contacted him to tell him the news? But the question really is what is he going to do when he finally confronts Gretchen and asks her if Amy is his daughter? Is he really prepared to hear the truth? Is he ready to accept his responsibility if Amy is his child? Could this be the connection back to having Gretchen in his life?

Ms. Beck penned a wonderful story within these pages. Her mastery of her characters’ emotions were penned with such intensity I felt as if I was one of the characters feeling everything that was going on firsthand. I hoped that Daniel was Amy’s father and that this would fill in the gaps he was severely suffering from in his lonely life. Yes, he could have any woman he wanted, but they ultimately were all just after his money and the notoriety that came with being associated to Daniel. It was time that he settled down, but this time it would be for all the right reasons. I’m new to Ms. Beck’s writing, but after reading this story, I’m definitely a fan now!


Book Blurb & Info for: The Daddy Issue

The last souvenir small-town girl Gretchen expected from her Chicago vacation was getting pregnant from one night of delight. The sexy, successful CEO she hooked up with told her he wasn't interested in a family, so she never revealed what had happened.

Five years later, Daniel is at the top of his game in both business and womanizing, but he's shaken off his pedestal when a friend hints that he might have a daughter. Daniel heads for the boondocks to uncover the hidden truth—and pick up where he and Gretchen left off. But his fast-paced lifestyle can't compete with Gretchen's idea of a hometown father and husband. When Daniel's career beckons him back to Chicago, he's faced with the decision of his life—go back to his wild bachelor ways or surrender to his sensual desires and stay and build a family.

280 Pages, Sensual


Review available at: http://www.nightowlromance.com/nightowlromance/reviews/Review.aspx?daoid=3915

RESEARCH CAN BE MURDER by KYLIE BRANT

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I think the worst writing advice I’ve ever heard is that old adage “write what you know”. What I know is not all that interesting. Oh sure, I’ve got some good material based on experience that might make an entertaining short story. If someone wants to know how to make dinner for seven with only a jar of salsa, three chicken breasts and a box of Cheerios, I’m your gal. Or for those wondering what happens when the kids decide to put the dog in the dryer (on air fluff, thank God) so I wouldn’t figure out they’d let her outside after I’d told them not to…again, I know that sort of thing.

It’s just not the kind of experience that lends itself to writing dark romantic thrillers.

How can I write what I know when my business is murder? Writing about it that is. It’s an area where one usually isn’t encouraged to go out and get some first hand experience!

Luckily, the Internet makes research easy. Before I start each book I usually buy two or three non-fiction titles online (if I don’t have subject appropriate ones in my own research library). I read these as I’m writing. I search the Internet for valid information. And very early in each book I start reaching out to experts in the area.

My books tend to have a law enforcement / forensics slant. Most police departments and FBI field offices have Public Affairs numbers staffed with veteran officers. That always provides me a good place to start. I approach them with a list of questions and invariably they refer me on to another detective who has specific experience in the subject matter I’m interested in. Waking Nightmare, my September release, takes place in Savannah. I was referred to a very helpful sergeant detective who not only answered my police procedural questions, but described the very distinctive police headquarters building in a way that helped make my story more descriptive. I’ve also received tremendous help from lab managers in the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s regional forensics lab.

My November release, Waking the Dead, features a forensic anthropologist heroine. I’m not quite sure what made me think it was a good idea to write about cleaning skeletal remains, extracting DNA from bone and the feeding habits of dermestid beetles. But searching online I discovered several forensic organizations and some have searchable members lists. I made several contacts, a couple of whom helped quite a bit over the course of a book.

Expert contacts lend credibility to the story and give me information specific to the plot lines that I often can’t find in books. I know I’m not going to get everything right, but I certainly strive to!

I don’t often travel to the place I set the book first, but I did for Waking the Dead. I have a sister in Oregon who’s very outdoorsy and she and her husband drove me to McKenzie Bridge, where we hiked the Willamette Forest and crawled through caves. She also introduced me to a friend of hers who told me about the perfect cave for my story J. When I was walking through the forest the entire final scene of the book just unfolded in my mind. It was a wonderful thing!

Over the years I’ve talked to FBI agents, ex-CIA agents, SWAT officers, police detectives, forensic lab technicians, forensic anthropologists. . .the list grows with every story. I’m consistently amazed at how generous people can be with their time.

If you’ll excuse me now, I need to contact someone about a severed thumb…for research, of course!

http://www.kyliebrant.com/

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Note From NightOwlRomance - http://www.nightowlromance.com/


The Mind Hunters Series by Kylie Brant


Purchase: Waking Midnight - Book 1 - Out 9/1/2009

Purchase: Waking Evil - Book 2 - Out 10/06/2009

Purchase: Waking the Dead - Book 3 Out 11/03/2009

The Lighter Side of Darnkess: Anna DeStefano's Dark Legacy Blog Tour

Posted by Night Owl Reviews in

83 comments

What fun to be talking about my paranormal romantic suspense debut at Night Owl Romance! Because even though my contemporary paranormal world doesn't host creatures of the night, there's all kinds of spooky things in Dark Legacy's dream theories and secret government testing facilities and covert psychic weaponology to keep you on the edge of your seats.

I'll be talking the rest of August and into September about the dream imagery and sinister plot twists in Book One of my Legacy series from Dorchester. There's even a secret society of psychic watchers tracking my heroine and her psychotic twin sister, determined to either help the twins control their powers or to neutralize them before they fall into the hands of evil. But I know Night Owl regulars will understand that eerie alternative realities like these aren't all that keep us up 'til all hours, devouring a new novel...

It's the lighter side of darkness we crave most, I think. The human aspect that an author threads through the fantastical stories we love. The everyday relationships and choices that characters have to make, that make even the most paranormal situations feel real to us. These are the themes that have inspired my classic romances for Harlequin and Silhouette, and they're the heart of Dark Legacy.

Not only do the twins in Dark Legacy have to face the bad blood that's festered between them for ten years, but their mother is the source of much of their conflict. We're talking family dynamics gone wrong, on a whole new level. In the end, each of these characters must choose the solitude of keeping secrets and protecting herself, or the freedom that comes with trusting and letting love in, no matter how much you fear you'll be hurt again. And Dark Legacy's heroine, Maddie, has to take it one step further. To protect her family and their legacy, she must learn how to trust her hero with her heart—and with every imperfect, broken thing inside her that Maddie's feared no man will ever be able to accept.

Relationships are the lighter side of dark novels for me, and I’m assured that Dark Legacy most definitely lives up to it's title ;O) It's dark and spooky and spine tingling and a thrill ride from page one. But because I write romance, it's much much more. As always, I'm writing a story where the light gets to win in the end, no matter the obstacles I throw in characters' way or the cliff hanger I wrote to tempt you to join me on the next leg of my "dark" journey (hint, hint). In my stories, love—light—will always conquer all.

So, when you're being a night owl, what keeps you reading? What makes a story worth your late-night hours? What do you crave most in the novels you take to bed with you???

Leave a comment, and you'll be in the running to win a signed Dark Legacy ARC! I'll be giving away two to Night Owl friends today.

For more information about Dark Legacy's blog tour, where at every stop you'll find chances to win ARCs, Dream Flutters jewelry and more through the month of September, visit www.annawrites.com/bog!

Also on my blog, I'm giving away an XOXO butterfly purse to one August commentor, winner to be announced on August 25^th, Dark Legacy's drop date. And at the end of September, one lucky blog visitor will win a COACH Butterfly purse! Don't miss any of the fun ;o)

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Night Owl Romance Note

Purchase Dark Legacy

Publishing Vs Writing

Posted by Kimber Chin in Contemporary Romance, Kimber Chin

2 comments

Some of my writing buddies and I were talking about a recent author's decision to 'quit writing.' Many of us couldn't wrap our brains around the concept. Writing is such a part of us that we couldn't conceive of never tapping away at a keyboard ever again. We could, however, understand never publishing again. Publishing is work. Writing is pure joy.

I'm fortunate. Because I have a non-writing job that I love and will never ever quit, I don't publish for the money. I publish because every once in a while (usually once a year or so), I'll write a story I think readers will find interesting. The story usually offers something that I haven't yet seen in the romance genre.

So I'll take it past that wonderfully exciting first draft stage, complete about 11 more drafts, send it to my test readers, my pre-editor, my publisher, my editor, my copy editor, and eventually offer it up to my reader buds. I brave the reviews and reader feedback (not everyone gets these 'different' novels) because I believe there is a fellow reader out there in romance land looking for a story like mine.

I'm thrilled when my ideas are scooped. I have many, many ideas. When another (often more talented) writer gets there first, I have one less idea I need to take through that long and often challenging process. Sometimes my novel is so far along in the process, I'll release it anyway (once the publisher accepts it, over a year before hitting online shelves, publishing is a done deal).

Publishing also gives me an excuse to yap about the romance novels I love (just finished Marriage Mart by Kelly Kirch – wow, wow, wow, a must read for any Regency Romance lover) and to hang out with my romance reading friends.

Oh, and of course, I share stories readers ask for. Reader feedback is important to me. Becky asked me for Gregory's story so I wrote Gregory's story this summer (tentative release date 2011). Sharon asked me for Tavos' story. His romance, Flawless, is being released February 2010.

I publish only for others. I write, however, for myself. I'm a visual creature. When I attend any seminar, I take notes. Heck, when I have coffee with friends, I take notes. Something about putting words on paper connects them to my brain.

That connection is needed. Writing is like dreaming for me. Dreams come from my brain but I don't have much control over them. I don't know what will happen. When I write, I don't know how the story will end (other than the happy ever after). I don't know what my characters will do or say or why they do or say what they do. The hubby laughs at me because, at the end of the writing day, I'll rush up to him, all excited, and say 'you'll never believe what happened in my book today.' He thinks I should know. I don't.

I can't imagine giving up that joy. I'll always write.


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Kimber Chin also offers a free short story every week on http://businessromance.com/ .

Between the Lines by Jasmine Aherne

Posted by Diana Coyle in

2 comments

Hi everyone and welcome to this week's reviewer showcase. I have to tell you, there are so many great books out there to choose from and it's so hard to pick just one to tell you about each week! I'm extremely lucky to have the opportunity to review for some authors on a repeat basis and others for the very first time. There are so many talented authors in this field and it just makes my job harder to pick which one will make it in that week's showcase.

Having said that, let's get this party started this week by me telling you about: Between the Lines by Jasmine Aherne. I loved this story from the start. The author molded Victoria Langston into a successful New York attorney who was smart and beautifully sexy. Tory knew what she wanted in life and she wouldn't let anything get in her way to achieve it.

When Aaron Cooper, a successful suspense and thriller writer, entered the picture, I couldn't help but fall in love with his character too. He was a smart and attractive man and let's not forget to mention that he had a British accent. Need I say more ladies? ;)

I really enjoyed seeing these two alpha characters come together and begin to reassess their lives. It was fun watching them get to know each other and I anxiously awaited the decision as to if they were going to take their professional relationship a step further. Ms. Aherne is a talented author that you should definitely look into. I'm new to her work, but I can assure you I'm definitely a big fan of hers now!

If you would like to learn more about Ms. Aherne and her writing, please visit her at: http://www.jasmineaherne.com/.

Well, this closes another week of our showcase. I had fun telling you about this new story and I hope you all enjoy the review. Please feel free to leave a comment or two for Ms. Aherne. Until next Thursday, I wish you all a wonderful week and see you all soon!

Between the Lines

Author(s): Jasmine Aherne Website

Genre(s): Contemporary
Review Date: Jul 26, 2009
ISBN: 1442189177
E-Book Price: $5.98
Publisher: Wild Horses Press
Street Date: Out Now

Between the Lines - Book Excerpt

Score: 5/5

Smart and sexy Victoria Langston is a successful attorney working and living in New York City. While at work one day, she receives a phone call from her cousin, Mel Saunders, who works at Taylor & Wit Literary Services in London. Mel asks if Tory could do her a favor. That favor being if Tory could help out Mel’s client, Aaron Cooper, who is a suspense and thriller writer, by answering some legal questions that will help him to mold his new main female character in his work in progress that will be set in New York. Although Tory’s schedule is tied up, she agrees to meet with Aaron anyway and answer any questions he has so he can write his new bestseller.

When he enters her office to meet her for the first time, neither is prepared for the attraction they feel toward each other. Tory reminds herself that Aaron is only staying in New York for two weeks, three at max, to get his book written. He lives in England and continually travels around the world to write his books. Obviously, she doesn’t want a meaningless fling to happen so her best bet is to keep things on a professional level. But, after deciding to go to dinner together the next evening to work on his legal questions, Aaron and Tory are in for the biggest surprise of their lives once they start to get to know each other.

What comes of their dinner together? Is Tory able to help Aaron with his book? How do they deal with the attraction they feel for each other? Are they both willing to work at a long distance relationship together or do they decide to cut their losses early on before anyone gets hurt?

I really enjoyed reading this story from Ms. Aherne. The storyline was fun and creative and her characters were easy to fall in love with. I immediately liked Tory because she was a down to earth person that just wasn’t certain what she was missing out of her life. She was likeable and easy to relate to on so many levels. I was also drawn to Aaron because he too was easy going and well traveled so falling in love with him wasn’t a hard task to accomplish. I had hoped from the very beginning they would act on their attraction to one another, but I understood their hesitancy due to their circumstances. Ms. Aherne grabbed me from the first page and held my attention the entire time. This was definitely a story that I couldn’t put down. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and would highly recommend it. After getting a taste of how this talented author writes, I would love to read more from her in the near future. This is definitely one you shouldn’t pass up!


Book Blurb & Info for: Between the Lines

Attorney Victoria Langston loves her job, but realizes she's missing something in her life. She just doesn't know what it is yet.

Author Aaron Cooper is pleasantly surprised when he meets Tory. The moment he sets eyes on her, he knows he wants her.

The two begin a whirlwind relationship, but where can it possibly go? She lives in New York and he lives in England. As the two get to know one another better, they discover that their feelings run deeper than either wants to admit. Will Tory and Aaron be willing to forget their pasts and give each other a chance? Or will old relationships get in the way of something wonderful?



Review available at: http://www.nightowlromance.com/nightowlromance/reviews/Review.aspx?daoid=4050