Elizabeth Boyle's Blog, page 24

January 20, 2013

Winners!

Thanks for entering my Downton signing blog drawing. Wow, is that a mouthful–but it was also a prize box full of fun, courtsey of my fellow signees at Powell’s in Beaverton. Hope to see many of you at my upcoming signings, and I promise for you who are far afield, that I will continue to put together prize packets for you as well.



The winners are:



Karin
Manuelita
Lisa
Tami

I have sent each of them an email notifying them of their win.


Didn’t win but would still like a signed copy of Along Came a Duke? I signed a big pile of books at the Beaverton store and I know they would be more than happy to ship right to your door. Perhaps autographed copies for your Mom, Reader’s Group or favorite friend for Valentine’s Day? Give them a call: 503-228-4651 and order your own signed copies.


 

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Published on January 20, 2013 12:09

January 12, 2013

Downton Contest!

I came back from Powells in Portand with two shopping bags of books and goodies to give away to all of you. All in all, I’ll be giving away four boxes of treasures, which will  include autographed books from the signing, a Powells mug, a Downton t-shirt and bookmarks and such so you can have a virtual signing experience!


To Enter: Post a comment below and let me know who is your favorite character on Downton Abbey. That’s it. I’ll be collecting entries on Twitter and Facebook, so if you drop by over there, you can add to your chances to win. If you post on Twitter make sure to use my name (@ElizBoyle) in the tweet so I can track your entry.


Contest runs from January 12, 2013 through Midnight PST January 18, 2013. Winners will be announced here on the blog Saturday, January 19, 2013.

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Published on January 12, 2013 03:30

December 17, 2012

Does it Count?

This time of year, work and Christmas consume me. Baking, writing, making gifts. So it is no surprise that my library card is laden with books about crafts.
I actually bumped into a friend at the library as I was checking out my mountain of sewing books and she just shook her head.
"How can you have time to sew?" she asked. More like demanded. She tends to think I do too much.
But this time I had to confess the truth. "I don't have time," I replied. "But reading the books makes me feel like I've indulged myself in a craft I love, but have no time and right now, no spot in the house, to do it."
Oh, how I love reading about sewing and canning and gardening ...
Anyone else share my love of nonfiction books that allow us to vicariously indulge in crafts, projects and talents we haven't the time, space, or the skills for?
My choice for "sewing"? Sew Retro: 25 Vintage-Inspired Projects for the Modern Girl & A Stylish History of the Sewing Revolution
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Published on December 17, 2012 10:13 Tags: crafts, nonfiction, sewing, writing

December 6, 2012

Honors and Awards

The end of the year can bring all kind of lists and awards and honors and this year is no exception. Along Came A Duke has been nominated by Romantic Times for Best Love Laughter Historical of 2012. I am thrilled that Preston and Tabby’s story was nominated as I personally found it great fun to write.


But wait, there’s more! Even more thrilling is to be included in King Country Library System’s list to Best Books for 2012. Here’s the real thrill: Along Came a Duke is the ONLY romance novel listed. Be still my beating heart. This is the country’s largest and most honored library system and to be chosen by them is an honor. Makes this lifelong KCLS patron doubly proud.

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Published on December 06, 2012 15:04

December 4, 2012

Series Characters

I started reading a new book in one of my favorite mystery series, Heartstone and in the first chapter discovered that one of the secondary characters had died, off screen and prior to the opening of this book.

I felt bereft. Now granted, this wasn't a major character, nor someone who had spent a lot of time on the pages, but I LIKED this character and had to stop reading for a moment and mourn their loss.

How is it that we get so involved in a series, so embodied in these characters that their misfortunes, their loss is ours as well? As a reader, it hurts. As an author, I understand the reasoning for doing this--shaking up the status quo, reasons that may as yet unfold in the greater arc of the series, but as a reader I have to stop and mourn.

I know this character was no more than ink on a page, but to me, they were alive. I suppose that is the joy of good writing and the secret happiness that is reading.

What series do you love for all those secondary characters who quietly steal into your heart?
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Published on December 04, 2012 09:27 Tags: series-sansom-shardlake-reading

October 25, 2012

Readers n Ritas! Look out Dallas!

If you are in the Dallas area, or feeling adventurous, there is still time to sign up for the Fabulous Readers & Ritas weekend, November 9th-11th, 2012, sponsored by Fresh Fiction. I’ll be there–ready to meet all of you, taking part in the panels and generally hanging out and having fun. There will raffle baskets, giveaways and goodies galore, as well as a great roster of authors.


If you can make it, make sure to introduce yourself to me! Sign ups, information and a list of participating authors can be found on the Readers & Ritas website.


If you are planning on attending and need goodies for your bookstore, library patrons or bookclub, make sure to contact me ASAP so I can pack enough surprises for everyone.

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Published on October 25, 2012 20:03

September 14, 2012

The Queens of Romance Tea

Coming Sunday, September 23rd, join Elizabeth, Susan Wiggs, Yasmine Galenorn and Teresa Meyers for a delightful afternoon chat about Regency Romance, Urban Fantasy, Contemporary Romance and Steampunk, (with a touch of romance). The event, part of Northwest Bookfest, is free, but reservations are required.

From last year's tea: Susan Mallery, Elizabeth Boyle and Lisa Kleypas



Gather up a posse of friends, grab your questions and come laugh with the Queens of Romance.

To hold your spot, email: parkplacebooks@integra.net or call 425.828.6546. Refreshments provided by Costco.

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Published on September 14, 2012 11:49

August 21, 2012

A Scandalous Price

Avon loves to pick out a few ebooks each month and offer them at the crazy, ridiculous price of $1.99. So this month you can get one of my favorites, Memoirs of a Scandalous Red Dress for just $1.99.


This was the book everyone wanted me to write–Pippin and Dash’s book. Their first meeting in This Rake of Mine, on a smuggler’s beach, caused quite the stir. I got email after email after email, all saying the same thing: Write Pippin and Dash’s book. I also got one letter that scolded me for having a young girl of 15 being kissed.


But didn’t we all dream of being kissed like that at 15? By a truly bad boy. Kissed so our toes curled up in our shoes and we never, ever forgot it?


I took my time getting to their story–there were other books to write first: Love Letters from a Duke, Confessions of a Little Black Gown. Then I sat down to write their story. And I knew two things–I hadn’t told the entire story of their past encounters and their love story would be one of second chances found. This book encompasses their 20 years of trying to find a way to be together. And since it is a romance, I don’t think you need to be told how it ends.


Get Memoirs of a Scandalous Red Dress in your favorite format for only $1.99.



· Kindle from Amazon

· Nook from Barnes and Noble

· Kobo e-readers

· Sony e-readers

Read an excerpt


 


 

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Published on August 21, 2012 08:25

July 16, 2012

Looking Back: Something About Emmaline

Since Avon Books has my electronic backlist on sale right now, I thought it would be fun to look back at the titles that are being offered for $4.99. Over the next 6-8 weeks, I am going to pick a book and look at the inspiration behind it, the characters and perhaps some of the challenges behind writing it.


I had to start with one of my favorites (yes, an author can have a favorite), Something About Emmaline. This was the first book in the Bachelor Chronicles series. Something you might not know is that this series was inspired by a traffic sign. Yes, an exit sign off the highway, which read: Sedgwick Rd, Tremont Rd. I thought those were amazing hero names, and thus came to life, Baron Sedgwick.


I had my hero, but the real kernel of inspiration for this book came while watching the movie, The Importance of Being Earnest. Of course, I could blame Colin Firth’s presence on the screen, because he is such an inspiring sight, however the entire plot line of the story intrigued me—the idea of a man with two identities—the solid, country gentleman and his alter ego, his made-up “brother” Ernest, the rakish, man about town. The secret identity and grand lie stuck in my brain and began to rattle around. I kept seeing my hero, Alexander Denford, Baron Sedgwick, the solid, dependable, rather boring sort of fellow who wanted to keep the status quo, but I could just never see him being the rakish devil-may-care kind of Corinthian that an “Ernest” character would require.


Then I realized what I really loved about the plot was the weigh[image error]t of that huge lie, and the great lengths to which Alexander would have to go to when it started to unravel. Suddenly, I saw it—Alex didn’t make up a brother, he made up a wife—because he was tired of everyone pestering him to get married. And in a flash, Emmaline was born. His perfect English wife—reliable, respectable, sickly and therefore, never seen. Alex had his perfect life without anyone trying to match him up since he was already “married” to Emmaline.


Now of course, I couldn’t leave him a happy man, so I therefore had the great joy of creating his Emmaline—I knew that from the moment she stepped into his life, a living breathing, hot blooded wife, she would have to turn everything in his orderly existence upside down, whether it was intentional or just part of her quirky and slightly mad character. Much of the inspiration for her character came from another of my favorite movies, Auntie Mame, with Rosalind Russell. At times, I almost felt sorry for Alex as he scrambles to stay one step ahead of his unraveling deception. Okay, maybe I didn’t feel all that sorry him—because it was tremendous fun to tell his and Emmaline’s story.


Two side notes: My working title for this book was The Importance of Being Emmaline. The powers that be changed it to Something About Emmaline. Whatever the title, the book is a rollicking good time. Secondly, the picture on the right is from the manga version of the story. This was my first book translated into Japanese and one of two of my books that were also done in a manga version.


Get your digital copy of Something About Emmaline on sale for $4.99 from:


· Kindle from Amazon

· Nook from Barnes and Noble

· Kobo e-readers

· Sony e-readers


Or you can read the excerpt here.


P.S. Have you read Something About Emmaline? What was your favorite part?

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Published on July 16, 2012 14:48

June 25, 2012

In the Throes

I am in the throes of finishing my book, so I haven’t been blogging as much as I like. I’ve got a great list of blogs I plan on doing this summer–behind the scenes looks at my previous books, spilling hints about upcoming projects, but right now, I have only one thing to do:


Finish the book. Oh, and this blog post.


Because I promised a winner.


Without further ado, the winner for the contest is: Diane Nelson, who commented on June 21, 2012 at 2:59 pm. Congratulations, Diane, and thank you to everyone who made such great comments about audiobooks.


Sigh. Now it is back to crunch time. The book HAS to get done. Even this weekend while I was stuck trapped having a lovely time with family obligations, in my head I was writing.


So the rest of this week you will find me, head down and buried in pages–revisioning, cutting, adding, laying it all out on the floor and walking my way though the story like a giant story board. Dumping scenes that don’t work, combining scenes that would work better together. At this point I have nearly all the pieces, it is just getting them in the right places.


Thought this picture from my Pinterest collection was perfect:



Hope your week is less frantic!

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Published on June 25, 2012 07:31