Jane Porter's Blog, page 23

Featured Author: Christie Ridgway

My featured guest author today is the gorgeous and very talented, Christie Ridgway who happens to be one of the best contemporary romance authors I’ve had the pleasure of reading.

I met up with Christie at the RWA Conference this past week as she was one of the speakers for our Women’s Fiction mini-conference.  She was awesome!  I adore her books, her writing and her sparkling and delightful personality.  Her stories are full of charm and dazzling warmth and it’s always fun to see her.  She’s such a treasure and I’m thrilled she’s taken time to be with us today to talk about writing…

What do you love most about being a writer?

I love telling romantic stories like the ones I’ve enjoyed for so many years. It’s thrilling to be fulfilling the dream I had from a young age.

Are you a plotter or a pantser?

I’m a detailed plotter. I need that foundation in order to feel comfortable about the direction of the story…though I don’t hesitate to deviate when I find I need to.

What’s your typical day like when you’re between writing projects?

Between writing projects (like now) I recover from all that I’ve neglected while immersed in the latest book. That means I clean out my office and clear my desk. I hit the gym extra hard. I reconnect with my family and friends. I also read like crazy…and then new ideas for new projects start to trickle into my brain and then flood it until I’m consumed by the next story.

Do you incorporate any of your own life experiences into your stories?  Do you get asked this question very often?

I often get the typical “How do you come up with your love scenes?” to which I answer, “Um, from my imagination?”

Seriously, though, I think a writer can’t help but put some of his or her life experiences into a story. I wrote about a pair of young brothers in Beach House No. 9 that were a reflection of what my own boys were like when they were small. In my latest book I have the hero in a conversation that’s almost identical to one that happened in my family room (I eavesdrop on the men in my life!) about penguins and krill (they talk about the craziest things!).

Who or what inspired you to be a writer?

I loved to read so I always wanted to be a writer. One of my best friends from high school came to visit when I was a young mother and working part-time in the tech industry. She asked me why I wasn’t pursuing that dream I had for writing romance novels and it fired me up. I joined Romance Writers of America that month, went to a local meeting, and at that meeting was asked to join a critique group that met weekly. I was on my way!

Tell us what your current release is about, in 2 or 3 sentences.

I have a trilogy out all set in the same beach house in a small seaside community in California. The couples meet at that house during what they come to call a “summer of love.” Lots of sunshine and sexiness, but each story has a deep emotional core as well. They were such a pleasure to write.

Name 3 – 5 books you’ve read this year.  Which ones would you recommend to your girlfriends?

I read a lot of books because I write a monthly column about new romances for BookPage, a publication that goes mostly to libraries (they have a web presence as well). My favorite 2013 romances are: DREAM LAKE by Lisa Kleypas, Robyn Carr’s THE WANDERER, and Anne Stuart’s NEVER KISS A RAKE (that one won’t be out until August).

What three words would you use to describe your writing style?

Sexy. Sweet. Vibrant.

Early bird or night owl?

Early bird!

2 things you’ve always wanted to do but never had the courage to try?

How about I lack the talent to try? I think it would be awesome to sing, however, I can’t stay on tune. I did just try stand-up paddle boarding this past weekend and I think we’re going to get one because I’d like to give it a whirl (that said, I only sat and paddled because I didn’t want to look stupid falling off and didn’t want to get my hair wet right then…but hey, maybe I can actually do it. Unsurprisingly, Son2 has informed me it’s unlikely as I’m not fabulously athletic–but I hope to prove him wrong.)

Christie Ridgway is a California native and author of over forty contemporary romances.  A five-time RITA finalist and USA Today bestselling author, she writes sexy, emotional reads starring determined heroines and the men who can’t help but love them.  Married to her college sweetheart, Christie lives in Southern California in a house filled with boys and pets.  She writes as an escape from sports equipment, football on TV, and dog hair.

~~~

Christie, thanks so much for visiting with us!  Readers and friends, do check out Christie’s website to learn more about her fabulous books.  I assure you, you’ll love them!  To celebrate Christie’s visit with us today, I’m giving away, to two lucky winners, a copy of  Christie’s Beach House No.9, a Southern California Starbucks drink card and other fun goodies!  For a chance to win, leave a comment and tell me what book(s) you’re planning to read at the beach this summer!  Contest ends on Friday and I’ll announce winners on Saturday.

Original article: Featured Author: Christie Ridgway

©2013 Janeblog. All Rights Reserved.

Featured Author: Hope Ramsay

I am so excited to have Hope Ramsay as my featured guest author.  I love her writing and am such a huge fan of her books.  Hope writes fun, fresh and warm  stories that delight.  She’s one of my favorite novelists and perfect for a summer read.

Originally from New York, Hope spent many summers visiting family in South Carolina, which inspires her Last Chance books.  Today, while I’m in College Station, Texas with my son Jake for his Aggie Freshman orientation, Hope has agreed to join us to talk about Watermelon Memories!

From Hope:

My Uncle Buck was a giant of a man.  He stood well over six feet and probably weighed close two-hundred-fifty pounds.  His real name was Rupert, but I don’t think anyone other than Aunt Thelma, his wife, ever called him that.  Uncle Buck lived and died in the tiny town of Estill, South Carolina, located in Hampton County.

As a little girl of eight or nine, I thought Uncle Buck was the watermelon man.  I had this impression of him because he would show up at my Aunt Doss’s house with dozens of watermelons in the bed of his beat-up Chevy truck.  He’d bring them a couple of times in July and he’d stash them on Aunt Doss’s back patio, under one of the benches.  I had to grow up some before I learned that Uncle Buck was a boss on one of the picking crews that worked the watermelon fields in Hampton County.

Well, anyway, thanks to Uncle Buck, we had so many watermelons that it t took real dedication to eat them all.  We ate a watermelon every day in the afternoon.  And what we didn’t finish got thrown away, because Aunt Doss’s icebox wasn’t big enough to hold that much watermelon.  Those watermelons were tasty.  And they would cool you down on a hot summer day, which was important, because in those days no one had air conditioning.  Not even in the middle of nowhere South Carolina.

Watermelons are still a pretty big deal in Hampton County, which claims to be the location of the first, ever watermelon festival.  I don’t know if that’s true, but the Hampton County watermelon festival has been happening every summer for 71 years.  It’s got everything you’d want in a small-town festival, too:  watermelon eating contests, seed spitting contests, a street dance, a pet show, a 5K mud run, a couple of watermelon queens, a parade, and a lot of contests.  In short it’s sort of like a southern take on a county fair.

And since I write small town romances set in South Carolina, I was practically required to include a watermelon festival in my books.  So for the Last Chance watermelon festivals I borrowed from the Hampton County festival and then I embellished. . . a lot.  I introduced the fictitious Allenberg County Watermelon Festival in Last Chance Beauty Queen, a story about an ex-watermelon queen who is trying, desperately to live down the experience.  The short story, Last Chance Bride, is about another watermelon queen who runs off with the man of her dreams.

But my upcoming short story, Last Chance Summer is the only one that takes place entirely during the watermelon festival.

It’s the story of Abigail Wright, a war widow with a somewhat precocious four-year-old son, and a slightly senile eighty-year-old grandmother.  She’s taking them both to the watermelon festival for a day of fun.  But fun is a relative term, and Abigail isn’t all that keen on riding the Ferris wheel with her son, or hanging out at the kissing booth with her grandmother.

Only one thing makes it all bearable:  the dulcet tones of broadcaster Grant Trumbull, whose watermelon festival show, complete with interviews of Allenberg County’s quirkiest citizens, is being blasted live through loud speakers all over the fairgrounds.

Abigail has never met Grant, and even though she finds his voice funny and charming, she’s not about to succumb to the matchmaking antics of the Last Chance church ladies.  But her grandmother and young son have other ideas.

The short story will be available on August 6, 2013 in e-book format from Forever Yours.  I don’t have any ability to send an early copy of it, yet.  But to get you in a watermelon mood, I’m happy to give away a copy of Last Chance Beauty Queen, in a cute watermelon tote bag that I made myself.

~~~

Thank you, Hope, for sharing with us today.  I’m so glad you took the time to connect with my readers.  I know that they will love your voice and your stories.

Readers, look for Hope’s books next time you’re stocking up on your reading list and be sure to visit her website to learn more!  I’m also going to double the fun and add to Hope’s prize of Last Chance Beauty Queen by offering up a second copy to a second winner!  For a chance to enter this contest, leave a comment and tell me what’s your favorite summer activity or your favorite summer fruit?  Contest runs through Wednesday night and I’ll announce winners on Thursday.  Good luck!!

Original article: Featured Author: Hope Ramsay

©2013 Janeblog. All Rights Reserved.

Summer Fun: The Good Wife ARC

Happy 4th of July!  I just wrapped up my next Harlequin Presents a few days ago so I’m keeping festivities simple, but do plan on heading down to the pier to watch the fireworks with my sister, Kathy, who arrives tomorrow with her lovely daughter to spend the holiday weekend with us. Can’t wait!

Speaking of summer fun, I started an official Release Day countdown. The Good Wife, Sarah’s story and the third book in the Brennan Sisters series, will be out in just two months from today. I’ve also introduced another pair of sisters in book and I have to say I love them just as much as I love the Brennan girls. Another reason to celebrate! If you’re loving the Brennan Sisters series, I guarantee you’ll enjoy Sarah’s story.  I had a few friends read it recently and it thrilled me to hear their feedback.  I can’t wait to hear what you think!

Is it possible to love someone too much?

Always considered the beauty of the family, the youngest Brennan sister, Sarah, remains deeply in love with her husband of ten years. Boone Walker, a professional baseball player, travels almost year-round while Sarah stays home and cares for their two children. Her love for her husband is bottomless—so much so that her sisters say it will end up hurting her.

Living apart most of the time makes life difficult, especially since Sarah often wonders whether Boone is sharing his bed with other women on the road, even though he swears he’s been true to her since his infidelity three years ago. While she wants to be happy and move forward in her life, Sarah constantly fears that Boone will break his promise. Now with Boone facing yet another career change, tension rises between the two, adding more stress to an already turbulent marriage. Emotionally exhausted, Sarah can’t cope with yet another storm. Now, she must either break free from the past and forgive Boone completely, or leave him behind and start anew…

You can preorder your copy now: Amazon · Barnes & Noble · IndieBound

Part of my 4th of July celebration with my sister includes making fun blender drinks for hot summer days and this weekend, we’ll be whipping up a batch of Princesstinis.  Remember those from The Frog Prince novel?  Here’s the recipe if you want to give it a try!

Princesstini (Raspberry Cocktail)

1 oz. raspberry flavored Vodka

1 oz. Triple Sec

½ to 1 oz. lime juice (depending on personal taste)

1 oz. cranberry juice

Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice.  Shake for a full minute so it gets really chilled.  Pour into a martini glass and serve.

And to wrap it all up with some fun for you, I’m offering up another ARC to one lucky winner!  For a chance to win, leave a comment and share what your favorite summer drink is or tell me about your plans for the holiday weekend.   This will be a shorter contest than last time so be sure to comment by Sunday afternoon at the latest as I’ll pick a winner Sunday evening!

Original article: Summer Fun: The Good Wife ARC

©2013 Janeblog. All Rights Reserved.

Featured Author: Brooke Moss

I have spent the weekend writing furiously to finish my current manuscript and the writing, while incredibly intense, has been rewarding.  I’m ready to take a little time to relax now and tell you about an incredibly talented author and friend, Brooke Moss.

A couple of years ago, I was given a sneak peek at Brooke’s novel, The “What If” Guy.  I so enjoyed it.  Packed with emotion, witty and fun, Brooke’s writing pulled me in right away.  You know me.  I love books with emotion, great characterization and entertaining plots.  Brooke Moss provides all of that and more in her stories and I’m happy to introduce her to you all today.  So without further ado, here’s Brooke Moss!

Thanks for hosting me today, Jane! What an exciting privilege it is to guest post on the blog of one of my favorite authors. I appreciate you, and your lovely readers, giving me their time!

So as I stand here on the debut day of my first ever self-published romantic comedy, Baby & Bump, I can’t help but feel compelled to explain where the inspiration for this story came from. After all, it’s not every day you see a contemporary romance with a pregnant heroine. And isn’t that a little…er…weird?

Well, yeah. Welcome to my world, everybody. Come on in, the water’s fine.

You see, all authors get inspiration for their stories and characters from all sorts of places. The grocery store, through their friend’s lives, television, movies, other books, everywhere! We see typical couples arguing beside the ATM, or waiting for a doctor’s appointment, and a story blossoms in our over-active imaginations. At least that’s what happens to me.

In the case of Baby & Bump, my inspiration came from a comment on my girlfriend’s Facebook page. She was griping about having gone to an OB appointment (she was very pregnant at the time) with one of her usual doctor’s partners—who also happened to be a very hot man. She was lamenting that she felt uncomfortable and stressed out the whole appointment, and asked the question: how could ANY woman endure a pregnancy with a gorgeous, single obstetrician?

And well, that’s when the ball in my mind started rolling. I decided to write a book about a single woman and her highly attractive doctor. And since a topic like this can’t exactly be told without a drizzle of humor, I decided that the only way I would be able to do the subject matter some justice was to make the story a full-on, no holds barred comedy.

I mean, come on. How else can I tackle the subject of stirrups and speculums in a book without making it funny? If you’re a woman, you get why.

And so, Baby & Bump was born. Shortly after that, the crazy cast of side characters were created, and the subject line, location, and plot conundrums were invented. Writing this book was a “labor” of love (pun intended), as I found myself laughing out loud and tearing up over my laptop more than once or twice. I adore these characters, and the tale they had to tell, and I’m hoping that each of my readers—old and new—will enjoy them as much as I did. They’re silly, goofy, flawed, quirky, unique, and very, very human. And I don’t know about you guys, but I like my characters in contemporary romance to be as human as possible. Perhaps that’s why I enjoy Jane’s books so much. They’re so relatable.

I hope to achieve that with my own characters. You’ll all have to let me know how I did…

Now that I’ve rambled on and on about my inspiration for Baby & Bump, how about an excerpt? Here’s a scene where Lexie (our heroine) is having her first obstetrical appointment with none other than the very lovely Dr. Fletcher Haybee. And like my friend said on Facebook…is there anything more uncomfortable than a hot OB?

 

But Dr. Haybee went past handsome. In fact, he went so far past handsome he was down the road and around the bend.

            His doctor’s coat was hanging open to reveal what appeared to be a worn denim shirt and a pair of cargo khakis. He was tan. Not overly tan, like one of those Jersey Beach freaks, or whatever that show was called—not that I ever watched it—but perfectly sun-kissed like he’d spent the weekend outside. Doing yard work. With his shirt off.

His hair was blond streaked with platinum, probably the result of a summer spent on a beach somewhere, and it was tousled into a disheveled “I need a haircut, but I’m too busy wakeboarding and mountain biking to care” look. When he raised his eyes off the manila folder full of my medical facts—height, last menstrual cycle—and, gulp—weight—I noticed that his eyes were the most crystal aquamarine blue I’d ever seen. They were the exact same color of a Tiffany jewelry box. And, as if I weren’t ready to howl like a dog in heat already, when he opened his mouth to greet me, his deep voice positively oozed charm with its Southern accent.

            “You must be Lexie. Hi, I’m Fletcher Haybee. How are you?”

            “I… I… uh…”

My brain had shut off. I was sitting there, naked from the waist down, covered in a glorified quicker picker upper, staring at the best-looking man I’d ever seen.

            “She’s fine.” Candace snickered.

            The lovely doctor’s eyes brightened. “Candace? What’s up? Is this your sister?”

            “Cousin. She just found out she’s pregnant.” Candace nudged me. “Say hello, Lex.”

            “Hello, Lex. Er, Dr. Haybee.” I blinked a few times and focused on the tee shirt underneath his worn denim button down.

Holy hell, it was a vintage Aerosmith tee shirt! If there had been water in the examination room, he could have walked on it.

            “Call me Fletcher.” His accent made my toes, clad only in blue and white striped socks with dancing hippos on the heels (what was I thinking?) curl deliciously. “Any cousin of Candace and Brian’s is a friend of mine.”

            I ignored Candace’s knowing grin as I tried to put on my game face. Well, as much of a game face as I could have without any pants on. “You… you don’t look like a doctor.”

            “Thank you. I take that as a compliment.” He grinned and the corners of his eyes crinkled. I swear to God a ray of sunshine busted through the roof, illuminating him.

            “He’s the best OB in town.” Candace announced proudly. “Remember when I had preeclampsia with Ellie’s pregnancy and had bed rest?”

            I peeled my eyes away from Fletcher. “Uh huh.”

            “Fletcher did all of the appointments in my last trimester at our house.” She beamed. “How many doctors do house calls these days?”

            Glancing back at Fletcher, who was nodding humbly, I replied, “Not many.”

            He laughed, and the deep, rumbling sound made the hair on the back of my neck stand at attention. “That’s just one of the perks of being friends with your obstetrician.”

            I was staring at him. I couldn’t help it. How did I miss this guy through all three of Candace’s pregnancies? Why hadn’t she dragged me to this office sooner?

Say when I wasn’t pregnant and my face wasn’t the same shade of grey as a gas station bathroom?

            Fletcher put down my file and approached me. “Well, Lexie, it’s nice to meet you.”

            “It’s nice to meet you, too.” We shook hands, and I bit the insides of my cheeks.

            “My nurse tested the urine sample you left in the restroom, and as you know, you’re pregnant. Congratulations.” He tucked his hands into his pockets. “Otherwise, your white cell count looked good, and there wasn’t too much protein in your urine, so that’s great. Was this a planned pregnancy?”

            I swallowed and ignored Candace’s eyes probing the side of my face. “No.”

            His expression softened. “Do you want to discuss options? Are you planning to parent the child?”

            “Yes. Of course.” I tucked my hair behind my ears. “I always hoped to have children. Just didn’t plan on doing it alone.”

            Fletcher appeared surprised. “Oh, you’ll be a single mom?”

            “Yes. Unless you’d like to marry me.” I mumbled that last part.

            “Excuse me?” he asked.

            “Nothing!” I squeaked.

I fought the urge to slap myself on the forehead, and looked away from his bright eyes. There was something really wrong with me if I was this attracted to my obstetrician. I mean, within a matter of minutes, he was going to be looking at my crotch, for Pete’s sake. And not in a Fifty Shades of Grey way, either. Argh.

            “I’ll have my receptionist give you some information about some local single mother support groups. That might be a great outlet for you.” Fletcher made a note on my chart, then gestured to the papered examination table behind me. “Why don’t you lay back, and I can do the examination.”

            “Oh, um, okay.” I looked at Candace dumbly, who gestured for me to lie down. A wave of self-consciousness rolled over me.

The last time I’d been partially unclothed in front of a man, I’d been drinking overpriced merlot and watching made-for-TV movies. My buzz had made me feel invincible. I most certainly did not feel invincible on Fletcher’s examination table. I felt unbearably naked, and suddenly aware of every single ounce of cellulite and every single freckle I had on my ultra-white skin. I wish I’d had the good sense to get a decent spray tan before coming to the obstetrician’s office.

Again, thanks for having me here today, Jane, and keep the great books coming! I am honored to possibly share readers with you, and can’t wait to hear what your fans think of Baby & Bump!

About Brooke:

“I write because if I don’t…my head will explode, and ruin the drapes.” ♥ Brooke writes complex, character-driven stories about kismet, reunited lovers, first love, and the kind of romance that we should all have the chance at finding. She prefers her stories laced with some humor just for fun, and enough drama to keep her readers flipping the pages, and begging for more. When Brooke isn’t spinning tales, she spends her time drawing/cartooning, reading, watching movies then comparing them to books, wrangling five kids, mugging on one hubby she lovingly refers to as her “nerd”, and attempting to conquer the Mount Everest of laundry that is the bane of her existence. Brooke is also an avid Autism Awareness advocate, and a passionate foster/adoptive mother, who loves to share her experiences with anyone who will listen. Find Brooke elsewhere on the web at www.brookemoss.com

~~~

Thank you, Brooke, for sharing with us today!  Friends, do check out Brooke’s new release.  To help Brooke celebrate, I’ve got a fun mystery giveaway which includes good books, a $5 Starbucks drink card and lots more fun goodies tucked into a JP reader bag for two lucky winners.   If you love contemporary romances with lots of wit, comment for a chance to win this giveaway.  The contest runs through Thursday and I’ll announce the winner on Friday!

 

 

Original article: Featured Author: Brooke Moss

©2013 Janeblog. All Rights Reserved.

Christmas in June!

It’s almost June 25th…and you know what that means.  Christmas in June!

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Well, okay, not really Christmas, but it’s half year mark to Christmas and I’ve begun thinking about the holidays as I’m plotting my holiday story while finishing my current Harlequin Presents, which should be wrapped up by Monday (or Tuesday).

Last year was so busy with renovations on the house and deadlines for The Good Wife that I didn’t really enjoy the holidays, so I’m going to enjoy this year’s Christmas to the fullest.

I’m starting now, as a matter of fact.  We wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas, and a happy new year….!

How was that?  Feeling festive?  In the mood now?  No???

Alright.  No more carols, and no decorating.  No holiday baking, either.  But I will give a present.  In fact, I will give three.  One grand prize and two runner up prizes that are all wonderful, and should warm your heart and create a happy little glow.

These little holiday goodies are my way of saying…you are amazing.   I value you.  I wouldn’t have my career, or the joy I feel in my work, if I didn’t have readers that made the stories come alive.  You bring my work to life.  Without a reader to love a story, the story is just words.  Words, and words, and words.  But you, you make it real, and special.

Speaking of stories…don’t forget that I’ll have a brand new Christmas story for you this December! We are working on the cover art now and all the deadlines to make sure the book will be finished in time, and I find it very exciting (as well as a little distracting) having a holiday romance in the works!

To help celebrate Christmas in June, I’m giving away three prizes, with the grand prize winner receiving a $25 Amazon gift card, a glass Christmas ornament, an assortment of Christmas feel-good romances, and lots of JP reader goodies tucked into a JP reader tote bag.  The two runner up prizes also include a beautiful glass Christmas ornament, Christmas romances, a $10 Barnes & Noble gift card, and lots of JP reader goodies tucked into a red and white JP reader tote bag.

Enter today to win of the Christmas packages by commenting below.  The comment here on my JaneBlog counts as an official entry, and then on June 25th, December’s 25th’s half birthday, I’ll announce the three winners, in a comment at the bottom.  Please check back and see if your name is one of the winners.  I still have boxes of unclaimed prizes sitting in my office.  (How can you not want a box of wonderful treats…for free???)

Love to you.  I appreciate you.  And happy almost Christmas in June!

Original article: Christmas in June!

©2013 Janeblog. All Rights Reserved.

Special Guest: Sarah Wendell

Introducing Sarah Wendell!

By day Sarah Wendell is mild mannered and heavily caffeinated.  By evening she dons her cranky costume, consumes yet more caffeine, and becomes Smart Bitch Sarah of Smart Bitches, Trashy Books. The site specializes in reviewing romance novels, examining the history and future of the genre, and bemoaning the enormous prevalence of bodacious pectorals adorning male cover models. Sarah is the co-author of Beyond Heaving Bosoms: the Smart Bitches’ Guide to Romance Novels (2009), and author of Everything I Know About Love I Learned from Romance Novels (2011).

Sarah Wendell is a fascinating woman.  I was first introduced to her through her much discussed, and sometimes, controversial site, www.smartbitchestrashybooks.com.   But what I didn’t know, or understand, until I read Sarah’s new book, Everything I Know About Love, I Learned from Romance Novels, was just how much she loves the romance genre.

Sarah Wendell is a romance junkie.  (Like me!  Like so many of you!)

She is also a fan of some of my most favorite authors…Loretta Chase and Georgette Heyer, to name just two, and she has sections in her book that literally warmed my heart (her chapter  ’We Know How to Spot Real Life Heroes and Heroine’ is awesome), so I’ve asked Sarah to talk to us today a bit about who she is as a reader, a writer, and yes, the feared book reviewer.

Sarah, okay–reviewing can’t always be easy, because if you’re honestly reviewing, or giving an honest review, you’re not going to love everything everyone writes.  I know I don’t love everything even my favorite authors write, so it has to take some thick skin.  Was there ever a point you said–I don’t like doing this?  Or were you able to step into big-girl panties from the start, and separate you, the woman/wife/mom from you, the reviewer?

I haven’t reached a point where I have said, “I don’t like doing this,” and I hope I never do. I love what I do, and I love that I talk to readers about books at any hour of the day. That part is wonderful fun. I can separate the job from me as a mom or wife or silly person, but there’s a piece of that role in me every moment anyhow. I can compartmentalize my priorities – i.e. not checking email for the next few hours because ZOO! – but I’m still the reviewer and the mom and the person who likes to makes silly jokes no matter what the priority is at that moment. It’s just a question of what my most urgent task is when I am working.  Plus, I think everyone is reviewing something more and more frequently. We’re invited as consumers to give feedback and stars and comments and reviews for all sorts of services and commerce opportunities. Like I said, nothing is exempt from review, and that goes for books, too. Books most especially, because finding someone whose tastes align with yours is invaluable to a dedicated, curious reader!

What is your perception of social media marketing and how can it help an author’s business goals?

Social media enables a writer to connect directly with her readers. There are few connections more powerful than that- there’s no one between you. For most readers, being able to speak directly to an author whose books they love is a terrific and exciting thing, and never gets old. If an author’s business goals include building a name that is recognizable, social media interaction is a key component – most forms of social media are free to join, and many have readers already there.

How much time should authors spend on social media every week?

As much as is beneficial, but not so much that it harms productivity and creativity. That’s a different amount for every person.

Your advice on how authors should handle negative reviews on social media and review sites?

No one is exempt from reviews. Not the vacuum cleaner, not the restaurants we eat at, not the things we buy, the things we wear, and the things we consume. Everything gets reviewed.

Therefore, no book is exempt from reviews. This is what you signed up for when you published a book: people will review it. They might not like it. That’s ok.

Your enemy is not a negative review from a reader who did not like your book. Your enemy is no review, and no one talking about your book at all.

Let’s switch hats, and shift  from Sarah the critic to Sarah the writer.  Was there anyone or anything that helped inspire you to be a writer?

Email! Honestly. In the beginning of …whoa, I get to say “my writing career,” DUDE THAT IS AMAZING. Anyway, in the beginning, before I found online journals, I’d email rants about crap drivers or how much I hated this one billboard or why my cats were insane to my friends, and receive replies asking for more. Then I found online journals and was inspired by those writers to be more brave and more public about what I thought and what I wanted to say. But initially, it was email – I could type and rant and send and get instant replies. That feedback loop can be addictive.

So let’s talk about your new book!  

Everything I Know About Love I Learned From Romance Novels – by Sarah Wendell

Backcover blurb;  

Take a dashing hero with a heart of gold and a mullet of awesome. Add a heroine with a bustle and the will to kick major butt. Then include enough contrivances to keep them fighting while getting them alone and possibly without key pieces of clothing, and what do you have? A romance novel. What else? Enough lessons about life, love, and everything in between to help you with your own happily-ever-after.

Lessons like…

•Romance means believing you are worthy of a happy ending

•Learning to tell the prince from the frog

•Real-life romance is still alive and kicking

•No matter how bad it is, at least you haven’t been kidnapped by a Scottish duke (probably)

 

Sarah, I bought a copy of Everything I Know About Love, I Learned from Romance Novels, at Nora Roberts’ book store in April and I love it.  It’s creative, fun, inspiring.   I think my readers who embrace romance, would, enjoy it, too.  Can you tell us more about it?

I describe Everything I Know About Love, I Learned from Romance Novels as something of a book-sized party for the romance genre. While the first book, Beyond Heaving Bosoms, was critical and evaluative in nature, EIKAL is all about celebrating the parts of the romance genre that are so valuable to the readers and writers who enjoy it. If I could arrange streamers, balloons, party horns, and confetti to explode from the pages when someone opened it, I would, but I suspect bookstores and libraries would find that especially tiresome. My goal when I wrote it was to rebuke in as many possible ways the idea that romance has no value. On the contrary, the stories and characters of many romance novels offer subtle and sometimes seditious messages about honor, courage, sexual autonomy, self actualization (to use Pam Regis’ term), commitment, and the process of maintaining healthy, happy relationships.

My other goal was to give readers a piece of “Good Book Noise,” which is my name for that sigh when someone finishes a book that makes them feel very happy and intellectually and emotionally sated. It’s a lofty goal, and I can’t ever know for sure if I achieved it with every reader, but so many books have given me that feeling over the years, I wanted to give a piece of it back. Romances that have left me with that wonderful feeling of blissful intellectual satisfaction are among my most treasured books – I still have most of them. And that connection to the books we romance readers love is one of the major parts of the genre that I wanted to celebrate.

So some easy things to answer now!  What’s your astrological sign?

Gemini! My birthday is this week, in fact!

Vampire, werewolf, alien or ghost?

Vampire werewolf alien billionaire viscount secret cowboy tycoon, please.

Best book signing moment?

Every single time someone comes up to me and asks if I would sign their book. It never gets old, it is always so exciting, and I get giddy every time.

Best advice you’ve ever received?

Be Yourself. Always.

————————–

Sarah, thanks so much for sharing with us!  I really enjoyed having you here and know my readers and friends will enjoy this sneak peek into the writing/reviewing world.

Readers, do check out Sarah’s website to learn more about her, and what this talented woman does in the book world.  To celebrate Sarah’s visit on my JaneBlog, I’m giving away, to two lucky winners, a copy of Sarah’s novel Everything I know About Love I Learned From Romance Novels, a Starbucks drink card, a small stack of romances, and lots of fun JP goodies!  For a chance to win, tell me how much emphasis you put on reviews before you buy a book.  Contest runs through Friday, and I’ll announce winners on Saturday.

Original article: Special Guest: Sarah Wendell

©2013 Janeblog. All Rights Reserved.

Featured Author: Thea Harrison

I am trying not to squeal as I write my introduction for the amazing, brilliant, innovative, bestselling Thea Harrison!  My pal, Megan Crane, introduced me to Thea’s work several years ago, insisting that I read Thea’s Dragonbound, telling me I’d love it, that Thea wrote the kinds of stories I was passionate about, stories with strong, sexual, sensual alpha heroes and fantastic heroines with awesome plots and great pacing…and Megan was right.

Thea Harrison is incredible.

I am a huge fan, and “won” breakfast with her at the RWA National Conference in Anaheim last summer through Brenda Novak’s auction.  I was so star struck at breakfast it was tough to eat, so its a tremendous honor to welcome one of my personal author heroes to my blog today.

Readers and friends, may I present to you, the one, and only, Thea Harrison!

From Thea:

I was so excited when Jane Porter asked me to write a post for her blog.  I’ve had the privilege of meeting Jane, and she is as wonderful in person as she is in her writing.

For this blog piece, I thought readers might enjoy hearing about how I first got into publishing.

When I was a young teen and we would travel deep into the country to visit my aunt and uncle, there was not much to do other than visit, play outside or read. My aunt read Harlequin novels, books by Barbara Cartland and other romances.  My uncle read Zane Grey westerns.

I was a voracious reader from the time I was four, so I read everything they had.  That was my first introduction to romances.  As I grew older, I developed the conviction that I could write romances as well.  Then when I was nineteen, I bought my first small, portable typewriter.  I plotted out my book scene by scene, and chapter by chapter, and late at night, when everybody else was in bed, I wrote my first book, A Deeper Dimension.

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This was in 1981, and there was no internet, of course. I had to do my research in the library to discover where to send off my novel.  I mailed it to the Harlequin office in Toronto, and then began an agonizing wait.

While I waited, I wrote my second book, A Damaged Trust (later Harlequin chose a different order of publication than the sequence in which I wrote them).  Finally, after months of waiting, I decided to write the Toronto office to follow up on my submission.

That was when I learned that they had forwarded my manuscript to the Harlequin Mills  & Boon offices in the UK.  Shortly afterward, an editor contacted me about my submission.  She gave me a list of ten revisions that she would like to see in the story. I completed the revisions, mailed the new version off to her, and they accepted my first novel for publication.

To say that I was over the moon would be an understatement.  I could hardly believe my luck.  Still, I truly had no idea just how lucky I was until several years later, when folks at the Harlequin office told me that—at the time I had submitted—they received on average about ten thousand unsolicited manuscripts a year, and typically they took on four to six new authors each year.

I really felt like I had won the lottery!  I went on to publish sixteen romances with Harlequin under the name Amanda Carpenter.

Now I’m delighted to say that I’ve signed with Samhain Publishing to digitize all of the available Amanda Carpenter books under their Retro Romance line.  Samhain will be producing the books, one a month, for the next fifteen months.  You can find the schedule for publication here.

A Deeper Dimension is out now and you can find it at:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Samhain

To celebrate, I’m offering here on Jane’s blog seven digital copies of my first book A Deeper Dimension. The reader can pick her choice of e-book format.

For those who would like a keepsake I’m also giving away three original paperback copies of Rose-coloured Love in which a writer and her editor find their happily ever after.

This contest is international.

To enter, please answer this question:  Do you remember the first romance you read?  If so, who was it?

Please let me know in your comment which prize you’d like.

Jane, thank you so much for having me on your blog. It’s been a pleasure.

Love,

Thea

~~~

Thea, thank you so much for sharing with us!   So happy to have you here today.

Readers and friends, for a chance to enter this fantastic giveaway from Thea, be sure to answer her question here!  Contest runs through Monday night and I’ll announce winners on Tuesday.  Good luck!!

 

Original article: Featured Author: Thea Harrison

©2013 Janeblog. All Rights Reserved.

The Good Wife

I’ve spent the last few days working on final galley edits for The Good Wife and it’s been intense.  I love this book so much.  I love it a lot.  I think it’s my absolute favorite in the Brennan Sisters series.  Maybe my favorite book I’ve ever written, and since I’ve had 43 published, that’s saying a lot.

The Good Wife is Sarah Brennan’s story.  If you’ve read the first two books in the series, you’ve met Sarah already and you know she’s the youngest Brennan, beautiful, smart, and strong.  At least that’s who I thought she was until I sat down to write her story.  That’s when she showed me her true self.  She might be a tough cookie on the outside, but on the inside, she’s vulnerable girl and still madly in love with her husband Boone.  Here’s more about The Good Wife -

Is it possible to love someone too much?

Always considered the beauty of the family, the youngest Brennan sister, Sarah, remains deeply in love with her husband of ten years. Boone Walker, a professional baseball player, travels almost year-round while Sarah stays home and cares for their two children. Her love for her husband is bottomless—so much so that her sisters say it will end up hurting her.

Living apart most of the time makes life difficult, especially since Sarah often wonders whether Boone is sharing his bed with other women on the road, even though he swears he’s been true to her since his infidelity three years ago. While she wants to be happy and move forward in her life, Sarah constantly fears that Boone will break his promise. Now with Boone facing yet another career change, tension rises between the two, adding more stress to an already turbulent marriage. Emotionally exhausted, Sarah can’t cope with yet another storm. Now, she must either break free from the past and forgive Boone completely, or leave him behind and start anew…

The Good Wife is just a couple of months away from release and I’m starting to get super excited.  I can’t wait to hear what you think of this book.  I hope you’ll love Sarah as much as I do.  You’ll also learn what happens with Meg and Jack, and Kit and Jude.  There are surprises in store!

You can preorder your copy now:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

IndieBound

But if you are also eager to  read Sarah’s story now, I’ve a special treat for you!

I have one ARC (ARC = advance reading copy, uncorrected proof) of The Good Wife to giveaway to a lucky reader here on my blog.  Keep in mind, please, that this is an ARC so there will be typos and mistakes.  There will also be some scene changes in here which make it different from the final copy.  If you want to wait and read the final copy, you can pre-order it now using one of the links mentioned above, but if you’re excited about getting a taste of what’s to come, comment below for a chance to win this ARC.

How to enter the giveaway?  Leave a comment and tell me your impression of Sarah from the first two books OR, if you haven’t read the previous books, tell me what appeals to you about Sarah’s story from the blurb.  I’ll pick a winner next week on Thursday, June 13th.  Good luck and I can’t, can’t, can’t wait to hear what you think of my new Brennan Sisters book!

Original article: The Good Wife

©2013 Janeblog. All Rights Reserved.

Featured Author: Laura Drake

Laura Drake is my kind of a writer.  She’s as obsessed with writing as I am, and yet her work ethic blows mine away at the moment.  (I couldn’t imagine waking up that early in the morning to write…read the interview and you’ll see what I mean!!)  I love her passion for her work, her addiction to books (like me, she loves to read!!), and best of all,  Laura is celebrating her first book release.

I think its important to support new authors, and I confess, I’m really excited about Laura’s career.  This girl isn’t a one-book wonder…she’s signed multi-book contracts with two different publishers, with Laura’s next book (a Harlequin Superromance)  out late summer.  Now let me step aside so Laura can take the floor.

Laura, welcome to the JaneBlog, and congratulations on the release of The Sweet Spot!  It’s so exciting to have you here with us during the launch week of your first release!   Can you tell us what you like best about being a part of the writing industry?

The community.  Either online or in person, writers are so open and giving. I’ve met many famous and successful ones, and to a person, they’ve been approachable and kind. I’m moving to Texas next year, 250 miles from a RWA (Romance Writers of America) chapter, and I don’t know how I’m going to make it…I may just have to start a chapter!

Is there anything that has surprised you about writing or publishing your books?

How different the process is, between publishers. I’m writing for two, and they couldn’t be more different in their approaches, and their rules.

A Love as Big as Texas . . .
Charla Rae Denny was the perfect wife with a perfect life, content to keep the home fires burning while her husband, JB, competed as a champion bull rider. Then their son died in a tragic accident-and everything fell apart. Divorced and saddled with a hill of bills and a failing ranch, Charla must now cowboy up to put her life back together.
James “JB” Denny doesn’t stay where he isn’t welcome. So when Charla shut him out of her grieving heart-and their home-a year ago, he took comfort where he could find it. Now after seeing beautiful Charla again, he wants it all back. She can’t work the ranch alone, and deep in his heart he knows he can be the man she needs. But after so much history and heartbreak, can JB convince Charla to take a risk and give their love a second chance?

Some writers like to let plot ideas percolate and grow for a while before they start writing the story.  Would you say this applies to you as well?

Well, I should. Maybe someday, I’ll be able to. But right now, I’m addicted. If I’m breathing, I’m writing.

What’s your typical day like when you’re between writing projects?

Given the answer above, you can probably guess! I have to force myself out of my office to knit, quilt or read.

Was there anyone or anything that helped inspire you to be a writer?

It evolved from my love of reading, and my mother was my role model there. I remember watching her read when I was very little, and wanting time to hurry so I could learn to unlock the secret code of reading!

Do you have a writing schedule or any writing rituals to help you achieve your daily writing quota?

None I’d recommend! I get up every morning at 3 am (weekends too,) pour coffee, and get to work. If it’s a good day, I spend until lunchtime writing. If it’s one of those ‘chip out of stone’ days, I keep my behind in the chair until I make the word count; sometimes 12-14 hours.

Tell us what your current release is about, in 2 or 3 sentences.

When her only son is killed in a tragic accident, Charla Denny retreats to a world of grief and Valium. Her reeling husband takes up with a blonde buckle bunny half his age. Their ranch, which supplies bucking bulls to the Pro Bull Riding circuit, is split up in the divorce. Jimmy gets the bulls, Charla, their valuable semen. It’s a story of forgiveness and rediscovering love at the end of a long dirt road.

What’s are you working on now?

My ‘biker-chick’ novel, Her Road Home, is due out in August from Harlequin’s Superromance line. I’ve agreed to a 3 book contract for stories set in the same small tourist town of Widow’s Grove.

What’s your favorite time of the day and place to write? 

Early morning! My office is upstairs, in one of the kid’s ‘empty nest’ bedrooms. I have a ficus and a palm tree outside my window with birds nesting – including a hummingbird pair! I love listening to them gossiping as the sun comes up.

Name 3 books you hope to read soon.

Jane’s, The Good Woman (It’s next up on my Kindle!)

The Wool series by Hugh Howey

Stephen King’s new one, Joyland

Yeah, I’m eclectic.

What’s your astrological sign? 

Sagittarius. And boy, am I. Klutzy, stick-my-foot-in-my-mouth, loving, physical being, that’s me.

If you could meet one person who has died, who would it be?  What would you want to discuss with him/her?

There are so many! I’ll keep to writers, to try to narrow it down…

I think it would have to be Mark Twain. I so love his subtle humor; I’d love to talk about writing, and what he thinks of this world we live in now. What a conversation that would be!

You’re offered an all-expenses paid vacation to a destination of your choice.  Where would you choose to go and what two things would you want to do there?

Oh, that’s easy because it’s on my bucket list! I want to take that paddlewheel cruise, down the Mississippi. I haven’t spent much time in that part of the country, and I want to see Savannah, Naches, oh yes, and Graceland!

Five favorite things to do on a weekend?

Ride my motorcycle, camp, fly fish, ride my bicycle, and lay under my avocado tree with a cat, and a good book.  Not all at the same time, obviously.

Best advice you’ve ever received?

It came from Randy Pausch (The Last Lecture.) He said, “The brick walls are not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to stop the people who don’t want it badly enough.”

Five things every writer should know?

Don’t stop writing

Don’t stop learning

Always strive to make your next book better than the last

Reach a hand back, to help the next writer

Revel in the process of writing. Because if you don’t, you’re not going to stay with it long enough to succeed.

Three things you know now that you wish you’d known before publishing your first book?

It’s going to take way longer than you think

No one is going to teach you how the publishing process works; you have to find out as you go.

Be patient. It’ll happen.

What does success mean to you?

Gaining a loyal following of readers, who ‘get’ what I write.

A RITA would be nice, too…

Name 5 words that fit your personality according to you.  And 5 words that fit your personality according to your best friend.

Wow, that’s a fun one!

ME:                           My Best Friend (I just asked her)

Determined               Funny

Independent             Loyal

Klutzy                        Dedicated

Thrill-seeker              Unpretentious

Caring                       Orderly

Name 3 – 5 books you’ve read this year.  Which ones would you recommend to your girlfriends?

The Good Daughter  – and no, I’m not sucking up. I just leant it to Jenny Hansen!

Before and Ever Since – Sharla Lovelace’s RITA nomination book

All God’s Creatures – Carolyn McSparren

The Sleeping Night – Barbara Samuel

Me Again – Keith Cronin

Wow, I could keep going . . .

What three words would you use to describe your book?

Emotional, funny, HEA

If you weren’t a writer, what would you be?

Being a writer is it. I tried to become an author for 15 years before selling. This is the best job in the world.

Last thing you do before you turn in for the night?

Kiss the cat. Then the husband.

What or who has inspired you most in life?

My mother and my sister

Why do you write?

To find out what I think.

Laura Drake grew up in the suburbs outside Detroit, though her stories are set in the west. A tomboy, she’s always loved the outdoors and adventure. In 1980 she and her sister packed everything they owned into Pintos and moved to California. There she met and married a motorcycling, bleed-maroon Texas Aggie and her love affair with the West was born. Laura rides motorcycles: “Elvis,” a 1985 BMW Mystic, and “Sting,” a 1999 BMW R1100. In Texas, Laura was introduced to her first rodeo, and fell in love. She’s an avid fan of Pro Bull Riding (PBR, ) attending any event within driving distance, including two PBR National finals. Laura now lives in California with her family. She is hard at work on her next novel. For more information on Laura Drake, please visit: http: //lauradrakebooks.com/

~~

Thanks so much for sharing with us today, Laura!  Friends, don’t miss out on reading The Sweet Spot and to learn more about Laura, be sure to check out her website.  To help Laura celebrate her new release, I’m giving away to two lucky winners a JP tote bag, a copy of The Sweet Spot, two of my books, Odd Mom Out (in honor of Laura as she’s another motor-cycle riding mama like my character, Marta!),  and She’s Gone Country (because the hero, Dane Kelly is also a PBR bull riding champion and I’m a sucker for rodeos and sexy bullriders),  a $5.00 Starbucks gift card, chocolate and lots more fun reader goodies.  Want a chance to win?  Tell me, do you like rodeo events?  Have you ever been to a rodeo?  If so, what is your favorite event?  Contest runs through Thursday night and I’ll announce the winners on Friday.  Good luck!

Original article: Featured Author: Laura Drake

©2013 Janeblog. All Rights Reserved.

Fresh Pick! The Good Daughter

Fun news!  I had an email from Fresh Fiction Friday letting me know that The Good Daughter had been chosen as their Fresh Pick for May 31st.  I am beyond delighted.  If you’d visited Fresh Fiction Friday, you would have seen the cover for The Good Daughter on every page!  Fresh Pick books aren’t based on advertising, but reader feedback, so its really cool that Fresh Fiction readers loved The Good Daughter as much as so many of you.

In case you haven’t read The Good Daughter yet, I’m giving away a signed copy so you can get caught up with my fabulous, passionate Brennan sisters, along with lots of California goodies, too.  Want a chance to win a copy of the book and all the other treats and sweets?  Just tell me what you’re reading now, and/or what book you’re looking forward to reading soon.   That’s it!  It’s a short contest, two days only, with the winner announced sometime during the evening of June 4th so enter now!

And thank you, Fresh Fiction.    You made my day!

» Amazon.com

» Barnes+Noble

» IndieBound

Original article: Fresh Pick! The Good Daughter

©2013 Janeblog. All Rights Reserved.