Elizabeth Boyle's Blog, page 33

You Asked 'Em

…And I am going to answer them. You may, or may not know, but I asked my wonderful and enthusiastic Facebook friends if they had a question or questions for me, what would they be? Bless their hearts, they flooded me with a tide of questions for me to answer on my blog.

Quite frankly, I was sitting down to blog and getting a bit stumped. It could be that I am nearing my deadline, so I am just a bit focused, ahem, elsewhere. Happily, these questions have certainly refreshed the blog well, and I will probably use them for my Monday and Saturday blogs for a while. Or until you all are a bit stumped and beg me to write about something different.

I'll start right off with the questions from Sheri Fridley:

Where do you get ideas for your characters's names?

I get names from all over. I actually collect them–I have a small notebook and I write names down as I hear them, see them, read about them in the paper or a magazine. I'll ask the clerk in the grocery store how they pronounce their name and how they got it. (Embarrasses my kids to no end!) Then I also have a stack of naming books, including my fav, A World of Baby Names by Teresa Norman. I also have several books on British place names and surnames (English Surnames) and their origins, which makes it easier to find the best names for the nobility, since many of their surnames and titles are based on specific places.

Finally, I've also donated naming rights for characters for charity auctions. This has helped raised a lot of money for autism research and family support, and gives me the challenge of putting a character into a story with a name that may be a little unusual. Good example? Jamilla Kounellas in Love Letters from a Duke. She became Princess Jamilla, and the inspiration for the Bachelor Chronicles's Nannies. I may never have come up with that idea without Jamilla's generous donate to FEAT, and a great name.



How many books did you write before one was published?

I wrote five books over a five year period. Writing is definitely a craft that takes time, talent and most of all, practice.

What were those first books? Two historicals, A Crusader's Heart, and The Spanish Blade, and two contemporary comedies, Debutante on Work Release, and When A Star Falls. After being kindly rejected all over the place, I settled in and wrote Brazen Angel which won the Dell Diamond Debut and went on to be published and eventually won the RITA for Best First Book. I can honestly say that if I hadn't written the four books prior to Brazen Angel, I would not have sold that book.

(BTW, my first three Brazen books are currently out of print, but I will be bringing them out as e-books later this year.)

Frappe or latte?

12 ounce double shot nonfat latte with one raw sugar.

Thank you, Sheri, for these awesome questions. Come Monday, I will answer more questions from this Facebook post.

©2011 Elizabeth Boyle Blog. All Rights Reserved.

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Five Things about Megan Crane~Caitlin Crews

This Thursday brings us the two-fer special via women's fiction author, Megan Crane, who, when she whips off her trade book exterior, transforms into the wonderful and sexy, Harlequin Presents author, Caitlin Crews. I so want a secret identity. Will work on that while you get to learn Five Things about Megan Crane/Caitlin Crews:

1) Favorite indulgence: Anything and everything chocolate. [image error]The darkest and most sinful chocolate, please. From modest chocolate bars you can buy in the supermarket to over-the-top truffle creations or molten chocolate desserts in restaurants. I love it all!

2) The last book you read: I read an ARC of Nalini Singh's upcoming Archangel's Blade on my recent trip home from RWA in New York. IT WAS AMAZING. I savored every word. I couldn't breathe through certain scenes. I cried a little bit. As a writer, I don't understand how she can be so consistently good. As a reader, I simply worship her and kind of want to go live in one of her boldly-imagined worlds. The book will be out in the fall and if you haven't read her yet that means you have ample time to get caught up. You won't regret it!

3) If you could go on a date with one of your heroes, which one and why? Oh, I love them all, I really do. At least while I'm writing them. [image error] But I'd be particularly interested in a date with either one of my current heroes, in either Megan Crane or Caitlin Crews form. Tommy Seer in I Love the Eighties is an Eighties music legend and delicious in every conceivable way. AND he can sing! And Lucas in The Disgraced Playboy I just love. He's scandalous and, as someone called him on Twitter, "insufferable and hot." And I'm crazy about him!

4) Most played song on your iPod: "Already Gone" by Kelly Clarkson. I am perfectly okay with that.

(Megan/Caitlin, you are among friends. We are all okay with that.)

5) Coolest celeb you've ever met (other than me): I was once in a bar with George Clooney. He was all of four feet away. It is as if a light shines upon him. He is, in fact, far more attractive off-screen than on. I AM NOT KIDDING.

(EB: I believe you. He always glows in my dreams.)

Thank you for dropping by Megan-Caitlin. Go check out Megan's books, her blog and all things very hip at her website, or if you want to travel the world with sexy heroes, go visit her at her Caitlin Crews site. Or just get to know this wonderful author with a split personality and a secret identity (to boot!) via her books, Megan Crane's I Love the Eighties or Caitlin Crews' The Disgraced Playboy.

©2011 Elizabeth Boyle Blog. All Rights Reserved.

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Fav Summer Things

I had planned this blog to have a bunch of pictures of all my favorite things: the flowers in my yard, a big bowl of Rainier cherries, the beach near my house–all the stuff that makes summer so much fun. Excerpt there is one problem this year.

Summer has yet to arrive in Seattle.

Here was the view from my windshield on Saturday as I sat and waited for the ferry on my way to Hood Canal:

Believe it or not, there is a ferry boat arriving at the end of the dock, but it was nearly impossible to see through the fog and rain until you drove right up to the end of the dock. It cleared a bit by the evening and I decided to sit out on the deck and enjoy the evening–but I had to fetch a blanket so I didn't freeze out there. Sigh. I went back inside and finished watching Season Three of the Lark Rise to Candleford series, or as the boys call it: One of your bitties in bonnets things. I miss my evenings of watching the stars come out . . . and when I could watch a good chick flick in peace.

But on the plus side of our miserable summer–when we go swimming, the pool feels warmer and it has yet to be crowded. LOL!

So, today's blog question and contest is: What is your favorite thing about summer?

Prize: Well, since no one claimed the prize box of books (people, you have to check back and send me your address!!!), I am going to offer that up again. Really a cool box of mostly autographed historical romances. If no one claims this, it may just go on vacation with me. Or worse, my mother and aunt are going to spot it in my office and claim it.

This is how you enter for a chance to win:

1) Leave a comment below. If you are reading this on Facebook, you can only enter at my actual blog. http://elizabethboyle.com/blog/?p=1302. Facebook does not allow contests via their site.

and/or

2) Tweet the following: @ElizBoyle hopes one of you can take home this box of books. http://elizabethboyle.com/blog/?p=1302

Do both and you are entered twice! I'll give you all until midnight, PT, Saturday, July 23rd to get your entries in.

Make sure to check back here Monday July 25th to find out if you won.

Last week's winner: Emily T, blog commenter #19, you've won the box of mixed books from RWA. Please email me your address before Monday, July 25th, to collect your prize.

©2011 Elizabeth Boyle Blog. All Rights Reserved.

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Five Things about Robyn DeHart

I was struck with a huge case of cover envy the other day when I saw Robyn DeHart's e-novella release, Her Gentleman Thief. It is just stunning and sexy and all about the romance, which I adore in a cover.

So I asked Robyn, who I met several years ago, to drop by because: a) I like her; b) she writes great books; and c) I knew I shouldn't be the only gaping in envy at this cover. Or alone in reading the story. So with my usual flourish and a wave, Five Things about Robyn DeHart:

1) Favorite indulgence: Chips and queso, it's a Texas staple and the very first thing I learned the PointsPlus value on Weight Watchers!

2) The last book you read: Honestly I don't remember the last one I read, but I am currently reading Suzanne Enoch's The Care and Taming of a Rogue and I just love it. But she's a comfort read for me. I always know just what I'm going to get from an Enoch book and I've loved all of them.

(EB: I always LOVE to know who is someone's "comfort" read.)

3) Favorite place to shop online: Definitely Amazon. Even if I don't actually buy it there, it has such a massive inventory on just about everything. It's my go-to spot to look up whatever product I'm shopping for. I even order my oldest daughter's special hair product there.

4) Favorite dessert: Anything with custard, except Tiramisu because of the coffee, without the coffee, that would be a perfect dessert. Notice that I keep talking about food. Hmmm…

5) Most played song on your iPod: Okay so I went and checked and it's actually a song from the DonJuan DeMarco soundtrack – that's my go-to album for writing love scenes. I'm not sure what this says about my writing process. And the song in second place is a song from a Veggie Tale CD that I don't use for love scene inspiration. I'm just gonna leave it at that.



(EB: Yes, I think we should best leave that there!)

Robyn's latest historical releases include, Treasure Me, and of course, the aforementioned and most envied, Her Gentleman Thief. You can find more about Robyn DeHart at her website, and my favorite place to drop by and find out what's happening, The Jaunty Quills blog.

©2011 Elizabeth Boyle Blog. All Rights Reserved.

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Summer Book List

I may lose my knitting mojo during the summer, but for some reason, I crank through the reading pile. Coincidence? I think not.

But this summer I've got a dilemma. I am in the process of finishing up a book which means . . . I tend to avoid reading historical romances for a bit. I just like to keep my head focused on my story and not have someone else's words invading the process. So I am diving into my stash and reading all over the place. Here is what is on my list or currently being devoured:

The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross

The Discovery Witches by Deborah Harkness

The Rosetta Key by William Dietrich

The Traitor's Tale by Margaret Frazer

Elizabeth I by Margaret George

Revelation by C.J. Sansom

A Second Helping by Beverly Jenkins

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling. (Hoping to finish a reread of this before Friday!)

As you can see, I am indulging my love of Tudor England with two of the books, a few mysteries, some paranormal, a dash of steampunk, and the wonderful humor and love that Beverly Jenkins puts into her stories. Love her writing! Come September, I will go into a full on, devour a pile of wonderful Regency romances that I have stacking up, but right now, I am flirting with the eclectic.

What is on your summer reading pile? If you haven't got enough to get you through Labor Day, how about a box of books from the RWA National conference to add to your list? This week's box has historicals, contemporaries and some great paranormals so make sure you enter for your chance to win by:

1) Leave a comment below. If you are reading this on Facebook, you can only enter at my actual blog. http://elizabethboyle.com/blog/?p=1274. Facebook does not allow contests via their site.

and/or

2) Tweet the following: @ElizBoyle wants to add to your summer reading with a great sweeps for readers. http://elizabethboyle.com/blog/?p=1274

I'll give you all until midnight, PT, Saturday, July 16th to get your entry in.

Make sure to check back here Monday July 18th to find out if you won.

Last week's winner: Susan P, blog commenter #2, you've won the box of books from RWA. Please email me your address before July 18th to collect your prize.

©2011 Elizabeth Boyle Blog. All Rights Reserved.

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Desperately Seeking My Mojo, Sort Of

Somewhere in the last few weeks, I've lost my knitting mojo. This has not happened to me in years. Like probably lots of years. But I haven't picked up my needles for a week and I can't seem to find the mojo to get motivated to finish the projects I have patiently waiting for me.

I would be worried if this hadn't happened before. It used to be that I would knit from September to about the end of May and then pack it all up, garden, play and enjoy the long summer days that are a Seattle staple. I mean it gets light at about 4:00 in the morning and isn't dark 'til nearly 10. You can just live outside in the sunlight–when the clouds and rain don't obscure it, but that is a subject for another blog. But this summer knitting malaise hasn't hit in years so I am sort of at a loss as to why it has hit–and I'd be in a tizzy over it if I could work up a real tizzy over missing it.

But I can't, 'cause that is what happens when you lose your mojo.

If anyone doubts that I've really lost it, consider this: I went to New York–which has some of the best yarn shops in the world and didn't set foot in one of them. I even walked past the doorway of a shop that I've always wanted to go see. Walked. Right. Past. Come September, I'll kick myself over this, but right now? Not so much.

That doesn't mean I don't have anything to do with my spare time–I've been picking berries, making jam, tending my flowers, going to the beach with the kids, and of course, writing when I can find a spare moment or a babysitter. The husband has a remodeling project that he's getting amped up to do, and there is a family reunion on the horizon. Though none of those things offer that end of the day bit of zen that knitting gives, so I can feel the tug, just not enough to compel me to pick up the needles. Besides, there are robins outside calling and a sunset to watch, so I just find a different sort of occupation for that end of the day silent sorting out that a few rows of knit and purl can provide.

And I have to suspect that I am not alone in my summer-interruptus.

So I have to ask, does anyone else have something they love dearly, a daily practice, that sort of fades to the back of the closet come summer?

©2011 Elizabeth Boyle Blog. All Rights Reserved.

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Five Things About Lavinia Kent

I am fascinated by all the authors who are writing e-reads, like Lavinia Kent, who is releasing The Real Duchesses of London novellas, so I asked her to drop by and share five things about herself you and I might not know. That and I liked her book trailer. So without further ado, Five Things About Lavinia Kent:

1) Favorite dessert
: Really good Key Lime Pie.

2) Most played song on my iPod

: It varies enough that I can't answer.

3) Secret passion (hobby, collections, sport, thrill seeking): Reality TV. I love it, particularly Bravo's Real Housewives. It what made writing Kathryn, the Kitten, the first of my The Real Duchesses of London novellas so fun.

(EB: I swear, writers can find inspiration in the wildest places!)

4) Coolest celeb you've ever met: Living in Washington, DC, I've had several brushes with the political types, but my favorite encounter ever was probably shaking hands with Sting at a restaurant in Boston years ago. My boyfriend at the time was working as a sous chef and when he called me to say Sting was there I broke all speed limits driving over.

(EB: Okay, Lavinia, that is the coolest celeb mentioned yet. I would have driven from Seattle to shake his hand. Then I would have probably begged him to sing Roxanne to me and not let go of his hand until he did.)

5) Best advice my mother/grandmother/cool funky aunt/sister/college roommate
gave me about men: I am sorry but I can't repeat it – not even among friends. It was very technical.

(EB: Not. Even. Going. To. Ask.)

So there are Lavinia's Five Things. Her first novella in her The Real Duchesses of London series, Kathryn, The Kitten, is available now. For more information about her other books, please visit her website: LaviniaKent.com. And since I couldn't resist, here is the fun trailer for her series:

©2011 Elizabeth Boyle Blog. All Rights Reserved.

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RWA/NYC: Sights

I will be entirely honest: I tend to choose my RWA conference attendance by virtue of where the conference is taking place. San Francisco? Oh, yeah. Orlando? Not so much. No offense to Orlando, but here is the real deciding factor: what is there to see and do in the host city that is just outside the hotel door and doesn't require a rental car. And in NYC, there is everything.

As evidenced from the view of hectic Times Square from my hotel room:

Amazing huh? And I love this HUGE billboard. This poor fellow was trapped out there all week. LOL.

Since my train trip from Seattle to NYC was cancelled and I had to fly, the only seats I could get on my airline got me into the conference a day earlier. Which meant: extra day for sightseeing. So off I went to Ground Zero:

The new Trade Center is going to be gorgeous. Here it is, over half way done. And the surrounding memorial and park like space will be amazing.

From there, I wandered over to Wall Street and the Stock Exchange:

Where you find this amazing juxtaposition of the old New York and the thriving modern NYC:

To go see Lady Liberty, you can take a tour boat to Liberty Island (hours in line and always overbooked), a Circle Line tour (three hours long) or a new way to get there: The Beast. Though you only get to see her from the water, she is an inspiring sight. And besides, isn't that how so many people first saw her? From the railing of a boat as they were about to begin a new life. Though I doubt their boats looked like this:

Yes, I know there is something slightly at odds with going to see one of my country's most enduring symbols of liberty via a hopped up tour boat that does 45 mph and harasses everything in its path. But then again, maybe that isn't such an oxymoron after all. Especially when you end this bouncing, wind-whipped tour with rats in your hair and breathless sense of "Do it again! Do it again!" Actually, it was kick ass fun.

Truly, I love going to see both the Statue of Liberty and the view of NYC from the harbor–and have done it every time I've gone to New York. How can you not? It is breathtaking.

Even after the conference began, I ended up getting out to Central Park via the Avon party, which was held at the Boathouse. Isn't this a lovely setting?

And my new tradition for any RWA conference (and a good deciding factor whether or not to go: Is there a great ball game close at hand?) And the answer was found at Yankee Stadium on a sunny afternoon that was well spent with a hot dog and some great pitching–although not exactly conference pitching to an editor or agent.

And the best part of going to RWA, all the free books! I've brought back tons to giveaway. And so here is the prize: a box of books from the RWA conference. Most of them are autographed–double bonus!

Two ways to enter for a chance to win:

1) Leave a comment below about what you'd sneak out of an NYC conference to go see. If you are reading this on Facebook, you can only enter at my actual blog. http://elizabethboyle.com/blog/?p=1235. Facebook does not allow contests via their site.

and/or

2) Tweet the following: @ElizBoyle has come back from #RWA11 with a great giveaway for readers. http://elizabethboyle.com/blog/?p=1235

I'll give you all until midnight, PT, Saturday, July 9th to get your entry in.

Make sure to check back here Monday July 11th to find out if you won.

©2011 Elizabeth Boyle Blog. All Rights Reserved.

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Five Things about Lorraine Heath

I met Lorraine Heath years ago in Denver on a bus trip to a booksigning. I found her to be one of the nicest people I had ever met. She is also one of the smartest and savviest writers I've ever met as well. While shy and reserved in person, once you get to know her, she's definitely someone you want to know and more importantly, read.

So without further ado, here are five things about Lorraine Heath.[image error]

1) Favorite indulgence: Massages. My favorite kind is the 4-hand where two massage therapists work their wonderful magic.

2) The last book you read: Anna Campbell's Midnight's Wild Passion; absolutely loved it. Think it's her best yet.

3) If you could go on a date with one of your heroes, which one and why? The Duke of Ainsley. Not only has he earned a reputation as one of London's greatest lovers but when he gives his heart, he gives it unconditionally.

4) Secret passion (hobby, collections, sport, thrill seeking) Carousels. Love riding them, love collecting carousel music boxes.

5) Coolest celeb you've ever met: Penn & Teller—know that's two but they kinda go together. (EB: Hey, Lorraine, I met one of them as well–in line at Disneyland. But sadly, I've never figured out which one is Penn and which one is Teller.)

Lorraine Heath's new book, Waking Up With the Duke is available now. Want to learn more about Lorraine and her other books? Visit her website at LorraineHeath.com.

©2011 Elizabeth Boyle Blog. All Rights Reserved.

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Out of the Office

When I worked in an office in the real world, we had OOF. The Out Of Office Notice. So this week I am officially OOF–off to the Romance Writer's of America National Conference. Publisher's meetings, agent lunch, all kinds of adventures, laughs and hijinks.

Just what you would expect when you put 2000 romance writers under one roof.

But I came with an accessory this year, my oldest son. So if anything, he is keeping me out of trouble–and out touring the city and keeping him fed–which seems to be all a tweener boy wants to do–well, that and video games.

Good news–conference is always a bonanza of free books, and the kid packed light, so I have slated the empty space in his suitcase for a ton of books to giveaway in the coming weeks! Thought you would get a kick out of that.

No contest this week, but next week–watch out . . .

CONTEST WINNER

I wanted to pop in real quick and say a quick congrats to Jennie G, commentor #11, who is last week's winner. Jennie, email me via my Contact page and let me know your address before next Monday.

©2011 Elizabeth Boyle Blog. All Rights Reserved.

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