Kate Noble's Blog, page 32

Five Things in February

February is here! And with it, loads of happenings, announcements, and thankfully, no groundhog shadow! (Because I just do not know how much more snow my friends in the Northeast can take.) So, without further ado, I give you Five Things for February:

1. Valentine's Day

I'm not a huge 'hearts and balloons' Valentine's Day person. In fact, in my experience, little, thoughtful gestures mean a helluva lot more. When I was in college, my mom would send us a big box on Valentine's Day, full of chocolate, underwear (which, let's face it, is not on the top of your to-buy list in college) and Romance Novels. I loved getting this box. Even if I was in the middle of a big project or a midterm, I would relish the chance to read something NOT on any curriculum. Honestly, I liked getting this Valentine's Day present better than any flowers or candy I've gotten since. I encourage everyone to spread a little love on Feb. 14th. Of course, I encourage everyone to spread a little love every day of the year, but remembering to do so on a specific day can't hurt, right? (FYI, the valentine's box from mom was suspended when we discovered 2 times out of 3, I had already read the romance novels she sent me. Oh, and got a boyfriend.)

2. The Summer of You is coming out in mass market!

This is technically a March Thing, as The Summer of You is being re-released in mass market (and at the mass market price of $7.99) on March 1st, but I want you all to be prepared for the awesomeness to come! Because to celebrate the re-release, I'm I'm having some of my favorite writers visit the blog the week of the release. So, from Feb. 28th- Mar. 4th, we will be beset upon by such illustrious personages as Sarah MacLean, Christie Ridgway, Miranda Neville, Liza Palmer, Megan Crane, and (drumroll please) Jane Porter!

We're gonna talk books, summertime (as a nice respite from the snow that blankets 97% percent of this country) and what we write and why, and anything else that pops into our heads at the moment. Its going to be wild!

Oh and did I mention the potential for giveaway goodness? MARK YOUR CALENDARS.


 


 


 

3. You Like Me! You Really Like Me!

I now have a Facebook Author Page — not just a profile. I would be honored if you would come by an "Like" me. I will be using my current profile less frequently moving forward until, eventually, my Author Page becomes the Facebook hub for all my latest news,events, and updates. (So come on over to where all the fun is!)


 


 

4. The Regency's Bicentennial.

On Feb, 6th, 1811, Britain's Prince George was officially named Prince Regent, becoming imbued with the powers of the monarch while his insane, poryphrific father George III still lived and refused to retire. Prince George reigned as Regent until his father's death in 1820, when he was officially crowned George IV. These nine years,1811-1820, became what we now call the Regency period, typified by an explosion in art and literature sponsored by the Regent, extreme spending on building palaces, wars being fought on two fronts, and the nascent beginnings of the Industrial Revolution.

Oh, and they had pretty dresses.

All of my books have taken place in (or very very close to) the Regency period. We romance novelists frame it in our mind with the era of Jane Austen (although truth be told she began writing a little earlier, and might safely be called Georgian), the era of drawing room manners and the social politics of the Ton.

Granted, on Feb. 6th, 2011, most of us were engaged in a different celebration, i.e. that of Doritos and car commercials, occasionally interrupted by the Superbowl, but some of us raised a glass of maderia instead of a can of beer, and quietly toasted that period in history that we love so dearly.

FYI, for an excellent digestable primer on What Happened in the Regency, go to Candice Hern's Regency World website.

I said five things, didn't I? Ok, um…

5. Glee is awesome. Which I don't think I have to tell anyone, but it bears repeating. And finally, after a too-long holiday absence, Glee is back! (All new episodes in Feb! Eeee!) What did you think of the superbowl episode? I loved "She's Not There" by the Zombies number (by the football team dressed as zombies, of course), and Destiny's Child's "Bills, Bills, Bills", done by the Warblers.


 


 

Ok, lots of writing this week, until next — Happy Reading!

A Pretty, Pretty Post

One of the questions I get asked most often (aside from 'Is your hair naturally curly?' — the answer to which you can find in my FAQs) is "How do you create your heroes?"

Creating a hero can be pretty complex, from their mannerisms to their backstory, I write pages and pages of exploratory background, watch them interact with their families and heroines before they become fully realized. But, when it comes to how they look…. well, I have a little help.

From some very pretty men.

For Max from Compromised, I thought of him as arrogant, but vulnerable when you get under his skin. He has a way with words that makes me smile, almost as much as when he gets one-upped by his heroine Gail. Who better for this than

 


 


 


 


 


 


 

Marcus from Revealed is the ultimate nice guy, but with a swashbuckling soul. So I started with my celebrity tall-boy crush (my love for him knows no bounds, I even saw License to Wed) and mixed in a little from in his Horatio Hornblower days.

You have to admit, pretty awesome combo, right?


 

Recalitrant. Gruff. Dreamy. That's Byrne from The Summer of You. And in my mind it is also

 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 


 

For my upcoming Follow My Lead, my hero Jason is an often exasperated, but ultimately charming Duke. With red hair. And that red hair and decided charm comes courtesy of

 


 


 


 


 


 

What can I say? Sometimes the life of a romance novelist is very hard. We are constantly searching for inspiration.

Happy Reading until next week!

Progress on the Pile

First of all the big news of the week is that I now have an Official Facebook Author Page!  Come 'like' me here to get all the latest as-it-happens info about where I'll be guest blogging and having signings as we count down to the release of FOLLOW MY LEAD on May 3rd!

While May is getting closer and closer, I find it hard to believe we are not yet at the end of January — I feel like the holidays were a hundred years ago. (Although, my credit card knows otherwise.)  Over the holidays though, what with all the airport delays and blizzards and what not, I got to glut myself on reading.  For fun.  Which NEVER happens anymore.

And I have to say, that the current crop of romance novels that I've filled my greedy hands with are exemplary.  Are we living in a new age of just damn good writing? Maybe — but I can certainly tell you what I've enjoyed of late:

Kieran Kramer

When Harry Met Molly

This is the first in her Impossible Bachelors series, and therefore there is a lot of set up to get through, but once the story gets rolling, its rolling!  Molly and Harry ahve disliked each other for years, but need each other to get out of various jams.  While I enjoyed watching them fall for each other, I most enjoyed watching the evolution of the relationship between Molly and the four mistresses.  (And yes, I said mistresses.)


 


 


 


 

The Wild Marquis

Miranda Neville

Bibliophiles Unite!  What a fun historical romance, set against the background of a rare books auction.  And Miranda Neville knows her stuff, having, in another life, worked at Sotheby's in the rare books section.  (I love it when I get a good romance, and I learn stuff too.)


 


 


 


 

Rachel Gibson

Not Another Bad Date

Lest you think I'm living in the past, I do occasionally throw in a contemporary here and there.  And I do love Rachel Gibson, because her heroines consistently make me laugh.  This one is about a curse. Kind of.  And second chances with first loves.  Sort of.  And football.  And its made of total awesome.


 


 


 


 

Proof by Seduction

Courtney Milan

I'm a little late jumping on the Courtney Milan bandwagon (writing gets in the way of reading, unfortuantely) but I have to say, even after reading all the hype, Ms. Milan did not disappoint.  She has crafted a tale of a true scientific skeptic, and the gypsy fortune teller who makes him question everything. (I adore an unconventional heroine, and this one is no fainting high-society virgin.) A mismatched pair that couldn't be better together.


 


 


 

Lots of work for me this week, as I gear up for the re-release of THE SUMMER OF YOU in Mass Market on March 1st (so soon!  Eep!)  Until then, happy reading — and if you've read any of the books mentioned above, let me know what you thought!

Toys!

All writers have toys.  I don't care if you are as prolific as Nora Roberts or as reclusive as the late JD Salinger, as a writer, there is something on your desk that you use to distract you when you need a break – that will then get put away when you need to concentrate.

Of course, my biggest toy is my computer… with its internet connection, there is no end to the "research" that can take me away from writing (and contrary to what some might say, I *do* need to know the details of the latest celebrity breakup.  Really.  I do.  For research.)

But I'm slowly amassing a small collection of more analog toys, and the more I sit at my desk and type, the more they develop personalities of their own.

The Dancing Man.

Or the dancing woman.  This little posable figurine is meant to be used for figure drawing in art classes, but I'm thinking of painting a small tutu on it and having my own reenactment of Black Swan.

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

The Pinatas.

I had a small obsession with the video game Viva Pinata.  Yes, it's geared toward children.  It still took me almost two years to beat the darn thing, so I think I got my money's worth.  These were given to me by someone who was geeky enough to know that when the game first came out, these toys were in kids' meals at fast food restaurants.  Ebay is a marvelous place, isn't it?  Don't worry about the Sparrowmint in the middle. Horstachio's his buddy, and will protect him from the Cocadile.

|

The FuBall.

A stress ball should be in every writer's arsenal.  There are times when your agents/editors/characters/downturningmarket/family/gasprices frustrate you to the point where the only thing that can make you feel better is to squeeze the living daylights out of something.  The fact that this one is emblazoned with a particularly succinct abbreviation is just bonus.

|

|

|

The Tardis.

This is my piece de resistance.  My favorite plastic thing ever acquired that just sits on a shelf.  My Tardis surrounded by weeping angels.  I don't move this one around much – after all, the angels can't move as long as you are looking at them, so I find it best to keep the delicate balance in place.

|

|

|

|

What about you?  Any fun toys on your desk that distract you when you need (or don't need) distracting?

Lots of writing for me this week, hopefully putting the finishing touches on one project, so I can clear my plate to work full steam ahead on another.  Of course, this means lots of procrastinating and playing with toys.  Until next week, everyone, Happy Reading!

Two Zero One One

Hello everyone!  How were your holidays?  Mine were great, filled with family and food and sinus congestion.  But now that they're over (and I can breathe through my nose again), we can focus on what is really important.

Its 2011!

Granted, its only three days old, but I thought that was enough time to warrant a year-to-date round up of what I've learned in 2011:

has an awesome .  So you don't have to wait for the cart to come around when you need another water!  You just touch the screen, and Bam!  Water.  It's almost as amazing as, um, a faucet.


Taking down the tree is less labor intensive than putting it up.  Vacuuming up all those needles, however…

And the most important thing I've learn in 2011…

Clean your computers.  Else, when the TSA decides to swab it (because MacBooks look so very, very evil) it could come back as having dangerous dust particles on it, which causes the TSA to decide you look particularly nefarious, and give you a pat down.  Which was nice.

Traditionally, the New Year is not a time for round up lists, but resolution lists.  But resolutions are tricky: I have learned that if the resolution is too large, or if there are too many of them, you will give up altogether and quickly resort to your previously established behavioral patterns.  So they have to be small things, some might even say silly things, which you CAN do without changing your life beyond recognition.

So I have decided on my two little resolutions, which will hopefully make my life a little better.

In 2011, I will:

Floss daily.

No, seriously.  Flossing is not only going to make my dentist happy, but it's supposedly good for heart health (how, I don't know, but that's what they said on the TV.  And the TV wouldn't lie to me.)

(Yes, I always floss while wearing bright red lipstick.  Why do you ask?)

In 2011, I will also:

Write daily.

'Um, but you're a writer,' I can hear you saying.  True, I am a writer.  And I do write the majority of days.  But there are days that I'm travelling, or days that I'm researching, or days that I have just sat in the WORST RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC EVER and I don't want to do anything but drink a glass of wine and go to bed.  And the biggest lesson I have learned in 2010 is that the more those days pile up, the harder it is for me to get back into my writing.  So, to make my life easier, I will write daily.  Even if its just a page, or a paragraph.  To keep my head in the game.

That said, I should probably get to it.  That's all for today, happy January, happy 2011, and happy reading!

Reflections, and Giveaway Winner

First things first:  The winner of my final Kate Noble Books Make Excellent Holiday Gifts Giveaway is:

MICHAELENE!

Congratulations Michaelene!  I will be emailing you with the details, but for now, revel in the fact that you won a copy of The Summer of You!  A last minute gift for a forgotten friend, or even better, for yourself.

It seems crazy, but somehow, Christmas is mere days away.  Again.  Wasn't it just 2009?

Now, I don't know what the holidays mean for you, but for me they mean getting up super early to get to the airport, mix with the masses of humanity, travel several hours to multiple cities, get a cold, be snotty and miserable, all so I can be welcomed into the bosom of my family where they will give me hot cocoa and NyQuil, thus curing me of my cold and my general Grinchiness. Then, after some madly rushed and oddly nostalgic trips to the mall (I worked in retail in high school), we do some off-key singing at church followed by opening our stockings the next morning, which generally consist of Legos and chocolate oranges.  Then we sit down to a baked-egg breakfast, and put together our small Legos before we can open any presents – a tradition begun many years ago, when as children, we managed to tear through the presents in less than 10 minutes flat.  After that, we sit around in pajamas for the rest of the day, and reflect.

Reflect with full bellies on how lucky we are to have them.

Reflect with our new gadgets on their necessity, or lack thereof.

Reflect on what we have, and what we actually need.

Reflect on our families, and how much peace can be found in their general madness.

And so, on this Christmas Eve Eve Eve, I am reflecting on the wonderful things that have come my way this year:

– I had a book published, and another one on the way.

– I was a finalist for a RITA Award (which was beyond awesome).

– I recently accepted a new contract with my wonderful editors at Berkley Sensation, so you can expect more Kate Noble books in the coming seasons.

– I have a huge stack of books that I get to read, and maybe you'll get to, too.

– I have all of you guys, who listen to me on a weekly basis say random things about my writing life that I am sometimes shocked you find interesting… because to me, I'm pretty boring.

– I joined Twitter.

– I have a great family.

– I have a great boyfriend.

All in all… my belly is pretty darn full.

I hope you and yours are having a marvelous holiday season.  I'll be back after the New Year, so everyone have a Merry Christmas, and get ready for a fabulous 2011!

Giveaways: Winner of Revealed, and contest open for The Summer of You!

Well, we are in the home stretch now.  Soon enough, we will all be gathered around the tree with our various and extended families, drinking spiked eggnog and making small talk with that aunt we haven't seen in five years, while trying to beat our brother at Super Mario Bros. on the Wii.  It's quality time.  I'm really looking forward to it.

And we are in the home stretch of the Kate Noble Books Make Excellent Holiday Gifts Giveaway.  Last week's giveaway is now closed.  The winner of a copy of REVEALED is…. Little drummer boy drumroll please….

JULIE!

Congratulations, Julie!  I will be emailing you shortly, but in the mean time, think about who you want me to send the book to (within the US) and how you would like me to sign it.  (And if you want the book for yourself, I won't tell.  Self-gifting is an important part of the holidays.)

Thanks to everyone who entered, and if you didn't win, you are more than welcome to re-enter now, in the final Giveaway of this holiday season!

This week's book:  THE SUMMER OF YOU.

My baby.  Precious and innocent and sweet.  (well, not that innocent, of course…).  If you want to enter for a chance to win a copy of The Summer of You, remember the following:

1.     I'll sign the book and send it to whomever you like (within the US), so even if you have read the book before, here's a perfect opportunity to share the love.  Heck, since I'm paying for postage, you don't even have to worry about that.

2.     To enter the contest, send me a message through my Contact Page (don't leave a comment on the blog – I don't see your email address that way and I can't write you back letting you know if you've won! D'oh!)

To win, all you have to do is tell me who said the following very Christmassy message:

Goodbye, Cornelius. I hope you find lots of tinsel. Goodbye, Hermey. Whatever a dentist is, I hope someday you will be the greatest.

And here's a hint:

The winner will be chosen at random on Wednesday Dec. 23rd!

I have a super-busy week in front of me, finishing up everything before I get to relax for a second or two over the holidays.  So until next week, happy reading everyone!

Speedy Christmas, Giveaway 1 Winner and Giveaway 2

Man, Christmas is coming fast this year!  I'm behind on cards, on shopping, on everything – and December is just rolling past.  It's like an unstoppable, very cheerful freight train.   But continue on we do, so let's get to it!

Thank you to everyone who entered the first Kate Noble Books Make Excellent Holiday Gifts Giveaway!   The winner of the copy of Compromised is….. (drumroll please)…..

ROSA!

Congrats Rosa – remember, your copy of Compromised can be autographed to whomever you wish and mailed to whomever you wish – perfect for the holidays!  (And if you want to give the gift to yourself, don't worry, I won't tell J)

Thank you so much to everyone who entered the first week – you are all welcome to enter again in this week's Kate Noble Books Make Excellent Holiday Gifts Giveaway!  Which starts…. Now!

This week's book: REVEALED.

My second child – the quirky, gifted one.  (Revealed was a RITA Finalist this past year in the Regency Historical Romance Category.)  I'll sign however you want, and ship it anywhere in the US.  To enter the contest, just leave me a message through my contact page, with the answer to the following incredibly Christmassy Question:

Who said: "I must stop Christmas from coming!  But how?"

Oh, and here's a hint:

The winner will be announced a week from today, on Wednesday Dec. 15th!

Lots of work (and shopping! And cookie-making!) this week.   Until next Wednesday, happy reading everyone!

*Cough* KateNobleBooksMakeExcellentHolidayGifts *Cough*… And Giveaway!

Well, the turkeys have had their day.

Now it's the tree's turn.

I'm generally not an overly ambitious Christmas celebrator.  I'm not a Scrooge, mind you, but all too often I'm the one that ends up travelling for the holidays, and therefore decoration is low on the list.  As is shopping – unless its online and with free shipping, so it will go where I need it to be without me having to wrap and pack it and lug it across country.  No, generally, my holiday spirit is confined to a Starbucks peppermint mocha, (Mmm…. Peppermint mocha….) and secretly replacing my workout playlist at the gym with the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.   But Not This Year!

This year, I went crazy!

I bought a tree!  And hung stuff on it!

My tree.  It needs candy canes.

And yes, I'm still going to be travelling, and doing the majority of my shopping online, but I am feeling the Christmas spirit this time around.  (No, not the Christmas spirits… although I should probably pick up some eggnog, now that you mention it.)  And as such, I've decided to have a Kate Noble Books Make Excellent Holiday Gifts Giveaway! (Even late Hannukah gifts…) It's very simple:

There are three weeks left until Christmas.

Each week, I'm going to give away one of my books.  SIGNED to whomever you like, and POSTED to whomever you like (within the US), so if you're giving it as a gift, you don't even have to pay for shipping!

THIS WEEK'S BOOK:  COMPROMISED.

My debut book.  My first born.  To enter, all you have to do is send me a message through my contact page, with the answer to the following question:

Where is this quote from?

"I never thought it was such a bad little tree. It's not bad at all, really. Maybe it just needs a little love."

That's it!  The contest will be open until Wednesday, Dec. 8th, 2010, when the next contest will be posted.

More writing for me this week, and holiday-izing.  And eggnog.  Happy reading everyone!

Big Before Thanksgiving News!

Happy Turkey Day everyone!  I have big news, but a few pieces of business before the coolness:

1.     I'm over at Sarah MacLean's blog this week, helping celebrate her latest release, 10 Ways to be Adored when Landing a Lord.  I'm giving away a signed copy of The Summer of You, so leave a comment and you could win!  Drawing is Wednesday 11/24, so there is still time!

2.     There will be no December Read-Down-the-Pile Giveaway, because I've already managed to get through my 6 books for the month of November (as stipulated in the boyfriend challenge).  While I'm proud of me, this is unfortunate for you, so I've decided to have a December Kate-Noble-Books-Make-Excellent-Holiday-Gifts Giveaway!  Details will be up the 1st of December, so stay tuned.

And now, the awesome news:

I have cover art for the next release: Follow My Lead.

Feel free to squeal.  Its ok, I'll wait.

…

…

Are we ready?  Ok, here it is!

I think it's absolutely lovely – I love the mischievous smile on her face, and that lavender dress…

Sigh.

But what is it about, you ask?  Well, here's the cover copy:

Jason Cummings, Duke of Rayne is feeling the weight of his responsibilities – one of which is to get married.  Being the most sought-after bachelor in London can be trying, so who can blame him if he seeks refuge from the voracious hordes of young debutantes at the decidedly female-free Historical Society?  Female-free, that is, until Winnifred Crane marches up to the door, demanding entrance.

Despite her prowess as a historian, Winn is denied membership the Society.  So she daringly offers an unusual bargain: if she can prove the authenticity of a certain painting, she'll be granted recognition, fame, and respect.  But to do that, she must go abroad. And to go abroad, she must have an escort, even a stubbornly unwilling one…

Jason has no desire to accompany Winn on her adventure across Europe, but even he is not immune to Winn's passion for her profession.  As the journey proves more difficult than planned, they must work together to stay one step ahead of their rivals…. and the closer they get to the proof Winn seeks, the closer she and Jason become.  But as their adventure turns dangerous, can Jason keep this headstrong bluestocking safe?  And what will become of their growing bond when the adventure ends?

And a release date:  May 3rd, 2011.

(Which is much, much closer than it feels.)

OK, have a happy Thanksgiving everyone, enjoy your families, your turkey, your overly thorough TSA screening, and I'll see you next week.  Until then, happy reading!