Elizabeth Boyle's Blog, page 22

Have You Met: Felicia the Geeky Blogger

‘Cause I just love meeting people online and then sharing their fun with the world, I thought wouldn’t it be a kick to feature bloggers, readers and romance addicts every Friday, so everyone can find MORE places to share their love of books. Felicia of The Geeky Blogger’s Book Blog kindly and nicely agreed to go first. So please give Felicia a warm welcome and then make sure to go visit her blog and friend her on all your favorite social media haunts.

With further ado, please meet Felicia.

Did you have a nickname growing up? This all sprang from a combination of my name and a very bad book bag choice made in the 2nd grade (bright yellow with a giant flea–it was the 70s don’t judge): Flea, FleaBag, FleaPot . I am still called many of these to this day.
What is the very first romance novel that you read? Island Flame by Karen Robards. I went on a major Pirate kick afterwards devouring books by Marsha Canham, Laura London, Heather Graham! I am still a little disappointed I didn’t fall back in time and become a Pirate Bride!
What new to you authors are you crazy about? I am late to the game on these two but now I devour them: Sarah MacLean and Tessa Dare! The good thing about coming into authors late is the amazing backlist you have to choose from.
If you could choose any 3 authors to gossip with over lunch, who would they be? Oh gosh this is so very hard! I would say Jonathan Maberry, Heather Graham, and Karen Robards because they all seem very fascinating to me. They are all eclectic writers! Plus if we could have a Zombie Virus Creating Dr/FBI Team with special Abilities/Serial Killer Ghost Mashup –I wouldn’t be opposed.
Name three books on your keeper shelf and why: A Knight in Shining Armor/Wishes by Jude Deveraux (and a copy to give to people): those two books are hands down what sealed my love of Historical Romance with a twist. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen: I am obsessed with Darcy. The Stand by Stephen King: no matter how many times I read it, I find something new! I know I cheated but really I can’t read AKISA without reading Wishes afterward.

Felicia, Thank you so much. I have always LOVED pirate romances, and Marsha Canham was always one of my must-reads. Her books are so wonderful. And I’ve never read Jonathan Maberry. See, I knew this was a great idea to invite you–we got to crush together on great reads AND find new ones! Thanks for stopping by.

Want to find out more about Felicia?

Web: http://geekybloggersbookblog.com

Twitter: @thegeekyblogger

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/geekyblogger

TBT: ONCE TEMPTED

Have you ever wondered what goes on to inspire a story or what goes into writing a book? Well, watch my blog in the coming months for my THROWBACK THURSDAY series of stories about how my books came to life. I’m beginning with the first book I wrote in the Danvers series: Once Tempted. While this book is listed chronologically as the 3rd Danver’s book, I actually wrote it first.

The idea for Once Tempted came out of my desire to write a “treasure hunt” book. I’ve always found the idea of hidden treasure enthralling, so as I mulled over the various types of hidden treasure my characters could go hunting for, I happened upon this quote from Arthur Wellesley, first Duke of Wellington:

All the business of war, and indeed all the business of life, is to endeavor to find out what you don’t know by what you do: that’s what I called ‘guessing what was at the other side of the hill.’

That line led to the birth of my hero, Major Robert Danvers, an exploring officer in Wellington’s army. As often goes with inspiration, as I started to see my hero fighting in far away Spain, I then recalled an exhibit of Spanish treasure from the Atocha I’d seen years earlier. Spanish treasure! Those words enticed me. So I decided I wanted my treasure to be legendary and very, very old, and thus was born El Rescate del Rey, The King’s Ransom.

With that decided, I didn’t think much about my Spanish treasure until I was literally stuck on the tarmac of O’Hare Airport during a lightning storm. Suddenly the story of Caliopa and Alváro unfolded in my imagination. I broke into my carry-on to find paper and pen and wrote the entire legend in the time it took the storm to pass. Sometimes it’s really amazing the treasures you uncover as a writer when you dig into writing a book or find yourself stuck on a tarmac.

Again, in writing, it is often a sort of synchronicity of pieces: a treasure exhibit, a line from a biography, and a literature degree that left me with a profound love of myths. None of them are truly connected, but they all came together for this story. I have come to believe that nothing in life is inconsequential. It all has value eventually. Just keep your eyes and imagination open.

5 Things About: Elizabeth Boyle

I used to do these Tuesday 5 Things interviews all the time, but got out of practice. My bad! But because so many of you have asked me to continue doing them, I’m gathering them in as I write this. In the past we found out 5 Things about some of my favorite friends and authors, including Katharine Ashe, Sarah MacLean, and Laura Lee Guhrke (who like so many authors, can’t count and answered way more than 5 questions! LOL), who all agreed to take a list of crazy questions from me and give up 5 of their secrets.

In the coming weeks, I’ve got Lorraine Heath and Elizabeth Hoyt coming, along with Melissa McClone. Watch this space on Tuesdays and you may soon find your new favorite author.

So to start this off anew and to be fair, I am taking the 5 Things Challenge myself. So without further ado, 5 Things About Elizabeth Boyle.

How do you pick the names of your Heroes/Heroines? This is hard to say, because so many of my heroes and heroines start as secondary characters in other books. I love naming secondary characters because I just put together a fun sounding name and don’t think twice about it–then all of a sudden I have to write a book about that person and THAT is their name. But on the other hand, when I have to name a hero or heroine out of thin air, I suffer all kinds of angst over getting the RIGHT name. So I think the first way is probably the best.
Where is the strangest place a story idea came to you from? An exit sign on a freeway. It is for streets named Sedgwick, Tremont, and Clifton. All of a sudden I saw three heroes with those names and eventually wrote books using all three. Baron Sedgwick: Something About Emmaline, Lord John Tremont: This Rake of Mine; and The Earl of Clifton: How I Met My Countess.
What’s your strongest/most productive writing habit? Using a playlist. I am like Pavlov’s dog–I put together a playlist for each book, and when it begins I go right into the story. It really helps when I have to put down one story to do edits or proofs on another. I queue up that playlist and I am back into that story world in the blink of an eye.
If you could choose any 3 people in history to meet, who would they be? Jane Austen, Elizabeth I, and Lady Jersey. While the first two are sort of obvious choices, Lady Jersey would be my ticket to getting a voucher to Almack’s.

I cooked for weeks after reading this book!

What new to you authors are you crazy about? Jane Perrine. Her cozy hometown stories from Butternut Creek, Texas warm my heart. And Liza Palmer because her stories have this tremendous heart and depth to them. Why isn’t everyone reading her?

Go questions for me? Ask them below and I’ll answer them on future blogs! Promise.

A New Look AND A Contest!

Welcome to the redesign of my website! Isn’t it lovely? I love all the elegant touches and fun things CrocoDesigns has added and tucked in around the pages. Make sure to take time to look around and follow the links–you’ll never know what you will find!

Definitely don’t miss the newly posted excerpt from THE VISCOUNT WHO LIVED DOWN THE LANE, (coming to a bookstore or ereader near you on October 28th! Available for preorder now!) and don’t forget to enter the contest below!

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Good luck and thank you for looking around my new site!

A Week of Giveaways!

While I will be posting winners over on my Facebook page, I thought I would have an easy spot for people to check and see if they won right here.

Winners:



Monday Facebook Drawing:

Winner: Rita Gerstheimer

Prize: Print copies …

12 Days of Wishes Grand Sweepstakes

Welcome to my 12 Days of Wishes Grand Sweepstakes!

First I’d like to thank some of my wonderful author friends who have contributed to the Grand Prize box including Grace Burrowes (the iPad!), Jane Porter (the wonderful set of Montana Born books and goodies), Jessie at Avon Romance (books galore!), and then I am going to fill it out with all kinds of wonderful goodies from the contest closet.

So get your entry in, make sure to take advantage of the Bonus Entries, share the news with your friends, and good luck!

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The 12 Days of Wishes

So here it begins–The 12 Days of Wishes giveaways in celebration of my new Rhymes with Love book, If Wishes Were Earls. No matter if you are on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, prefer to read blogs, or just want to enter directly, everyone will have a chance to enter something between now and January 4, 2014.

Make sure to bookmark this page so you can check back daily to see where you need to go to enter to win for the daily prizes, and don’t forget to enter the GRAND SWEEPSTAKES daily.

12 Days of Wishes Schedule:December 23rd Facebook Flash Contest – Enter to win a Harriet Pendant Watch and a box of books and goodies.

December 24th Moonlight, Lace, and Mayhem

Twitter Flash Contest Watch my Twitter feed today for details on how to enter to win a box of books and goodies!

December 26th (Boxing Day) DeeAnna Raybourn’s Blog What exactly is Boxing Day?

December 27th A Dream within a Dream

Pinterest Flash Contest – Repin THIS from my If Wishes Were Earls pin board for a chance to win a box of books and goodies.

December 28th Michelle and Leslie’s Book Picks

Facebook Flash Contest – Drop by and comment for a chance to win a box of books and goodies.

A Harriet Pendant Watch

December 29th Last Day for Newsletter signup. My December 31st newsletter will have an exclusive contest for newsletter subscribers, but you have to be subscribed by today to be included.

Twitter Flash Contest Watch my Twitter feed today for details on how to enter and win!

Monday, December 30th If Wishes Were Earls Release Eve Facebook Party. Join Elizabeth and her surprise author guests for mayhem, fun and frivolity as we count down the hours to the release of her new book. Giveaways, revealing questions answers and general fun will prevail. RSVP now!

Fresh Fiction Blog and giveaway. Details coming.

Tuesday, December 31st Newsletter Contest – You must receive my newsletter to enter this contest.

Wednesday, January 1st Contest to be announced.

Thursday, January 2nd Contest to be announced.

Friday, January 3rd Facebook Flash Contest – Drop by and comment for a chance to win a box of books and goodies.

Saturday January 4th Happy Birthday, Elizabeth! Drop by Smart Bitches to enter an Avon Romance sponsored drawing for an iPad!

Last day to enter the GRAND SWEEPSTAKES!

And A Big Thanks…..[image error]

I have had so much fun putting this together–and when I asked for friends and fellow authors to send in goodies for prizes–WOW!–they have been amazingly generous.

Take Jane Porter and Tule Publishing who sent 12 copies of the Montana Born: A Copper Mountain Christmas Anthology, along with all kinds of Montana Born goodies.

Or Grace Burrowes who is providing the iPad for the Grand Sweepstakes.

And Maya Rodale, who sent a large box of her books–all of them great reads.

Along with Caroline Linden, who also sent copies of her latest book, Love and Other Scandals.

And lest I forget, Avon Romance, who have provided a number of these opportunities to win, along with books and goodies for the prize boxes.

Also supplying prizes: Liza Palmer, Caitlyn Crews, Susanna Carr, Melissa McClone, Shelia Roberts, and lots of other friends.

A Free Stocking Stuffer

Just in time for the holiday and to celebrate the upcoming release of my new Rhymes with Love book, If Wishes Were Earls, I am making my short e-story, Cynders & Ashe FREE! This is my thank you to all of you who have supported me over the years, the dear readers who write such lovely reviews on Amazon and Goodreads, and to all of you who just love a great romance!

Besides, Cynders & Ashe is perfect for the holidays with its wonderful costume balls and hot romance.

Download your free copy now:

Amazon
Apple
Kobo
Nook
Sony

Save the Date: December 31st

Here is the Save the Date card that tells the story of Harriet and Roxley’s wild romance:

Feel free to lift them and Pin them or Share them on Facebook or Twitter! Spread the news!

5 Things About Kay Thomas (+3 More!)

When Kay Thomas and I discovered we had the same release dates coming up for our new stories (hers: Hard Target, mine: Have You Any Rogues) we sat down and interviewed each other and shared our thoughts about writing and life. Ok, Kay came up with all the questions, but I did all the hard work. Teehee.

EB: What’s the one thing you wish you had known before you started writing?

KT:The more you write, the more addictive it becomes. If I had know this beforehand I might have taken up, oh, I don’t know—marathon walking or scrapbooking instead. I can’t imagine not writing today, but part of that is because I’ve been doing it for so long.

I’ve heard people talk about characters that just won’t leave them alone, and I never understood that whole concept until writing the Elite Ops series. Hard Target was an addictive writing experience for me. I loved the characters, the location, the adventure, the growth arcs, and the relationships.

While this first book didn’t write itself, the story came much easier than others I’ve written in the past. For the first time I could hear the characters talking in my head and they wouldn’t let me rest, till I wrote down what they were saying. Currently, I’m working on Book 2 in the Elite Ops series and I’m happy to say that I’m having a similar experience with “hearing” those characters’ voices.

EB: What do you like to do in your “spare” time?

KT: Free time?? Hmm… I’m not sure I’m familiar with this concept?

Joking aside. My ideal “free day” would include: making pancakes, (well okay, eating the ones my husband makes since I don’t cook much) sitting around with my family and having breakfast together, watching an old movie or renting a new one, playing a game of dominos (we have ongoing tournaments at our house), and of course, reading a good book in front of the fire, or lying in the hammock.

EB: Do you have a particular writing regimen?

KT: I hesitate to call what I do a regimen. It doesn’t feel quite that structured…but during the summer and on holidays I write early in the morning while everyone is asleep at my house. During the school year, I write after my son goes off to school. I’m more productive on story in the mornings. I use the afternoons for email, publicity, etc. Or that’s my goal. In an attempt to manage my time better I read a great book a few years ago called “Never Answer Email in the Morning”. I got some great tips, but ultimately I’m not sure the lesson took.

EB: Do you outline an entire book before writing it?

KT: Sadly, no, though I could spare myself much grief and gnashing of teeth if I did. I’m a “pantser” who is trying to become more of a plotter in the interest of saving myself time and aggravation (ie – not writing myself into corners). I usually have an idea of a story before I start a project, but I generally have to just sit down and start typing before the bulk of the plot comes. There’s a magic for me about my fingers hitting the keyboard. I can’t “talk it out” in terms of plotting. I have to “write it out.” That’s where my stream-of-consciousness-writing comes in.

I use a storyboard with sticky notes to keep my thoughts in order. It’s not terribly organized looking to anyone but me.

Still, I can keep the pace hopping, even when I don’t know exactly where I’m headed. That’s why I’m working hard at becoming a bit more plotting-oriented before I start, so I don’t write myself into that corner I was speaking of earlier! But the challenge for me is keeping the story fresh if I’ve plotted it too much beforehand. For me, if I plot the storyline too thoroughly before I write it, that joy of the discovery isn’t there as I type, and it comes across as flat on the page…not new. So it’s a balance for me to plot enough to have a destination, but keep the reins loose enough to go wherever I need in order to still enjoy the ride.

EB: Is there one book you find yourself reading over and over?

KT: Black Ice by Anne Stuart.[image error]

I adore her entire Ice series, and no one writes a bad boy hero like Anne Stuart.

EB: How do you do your research? Do you travel or do it online?

KT: These days I do most of it online. In writing my second book, Bulletproof Texas, I had a terrifying experience when I insisted on learning how to rock climb myself because my character was going to climb in the book. The equipment at the rock climbing gym malfunctioned, and I fell about 12 feet—flat on my back—in front of my husband and child. That scared them both worse than it scared me. For the record, my agent had begged me not to do this. I’ve now learned my lesson and do any “extreme research” online only!

Hard Target—my first book in the new Elite Ops series—takes place in extraordinarily remote locations in Mexico and one area in particular where drug cartels are quite active. I have no desire to do a live research trip there, but on-line I’ve made a wonderful discovery. You can find English speaking expat bloggers in pretty much any place you’d like to set a story, along with YouTube videos that can “take you” almost anywhere.

EB: What do you like best about your hero, Leland? What drove you crazy about him?

KT: I love that Leland Hollis is willing to do whatever it takes to keep Anna Mercado safe, even if it means driving her away. Her safety is far more important to him than her thinking he is a nice guy. When the book opens Leland is rethinking a lot of things in his life. He’s disillusioned with the career path he’s chosen and knows that he doesn’t have all the answers. Basically, he’s looking for redemption and finds it in helping Anna and her son. That kind of searching humility is very appealing to me, and the whole badass-southern-boy-with-a-heart-of-mush persona makes me melt.

The thing that drove me crazy about him was something I did to myself when I created his character. When the book opens Leland is recovering from a drug bust gone horribly wrong and he’s wearing one of those walking boot casts. I’ve had to wear one of those myself, and I thought at the time that I was being oh-so-smart in “writing what I knew.” What I didn’t consider was how awkward that boot would be if one was on the run from a Mexican cartel, traipsing through the jungle and um…having sex.

EB: What’s your best advice for aspiring writers?

KT: Don’t give up on your dreams. When those rejections come (and they will…it happens to everyone) send out another query or request immediately. Then go have that chocolate bar, glass of wine, long hot bath, or all of the above to soothe the hurt feelings. I’ve always thought that I got published initially because I was too stubborn to give up.

EB: What’s next for you? Can you tell us a little about it.

KT: Book 2 in the Elite Ops series (working title: Personal Target) is about a case of mistaken identity and a very personal vendetta against former SEAL/CIA operative, Nick Donovan. From Dallas to Mexico, across the African Savanna, to the shores of the Mediterranean it’s a race against time for Nick to save the woman he loves but lost years before.

You can find out more about Kay Thomas and her wonderful romantic suspense novels at her website.