Maya Rodale's Blog: Maya Rodale's Blog, page 27

Saturday Sneak Peek!

Straight from the pages of The London Weekly's latest, greatest column, The Tattooed Duke…

Happy families are all alike; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way. We know that all the Wycliff Dukes have been scandalous in their own, rakish way, and we know that none have managed the unique, strange  scandal of the current duke's bizarre, foreign proclivities. Adventure seems to follow the duke no matter where he goes, be it in Tahiti or Fleet Street. He was seen Wednesday last emerging from St. Brides Lane with the limp form a female, helpless  and unconscious in his arms. Had she been ravished? Murdered? What has become of her? 

Like it? Tell your friends! I've got a set of signed coverflats for one lucky share-er!

The Heroine Questionnaire: Hope Tarr

I'm thrilled to have romance author Hope Tarr visit my blog today! She's a fellow New York City gal and one of the co-founders of Lady Jane's Salon–in addition to writing sexy romances.  I'm so excited for her newest release, Tempted (available now!) and for her upcoming reading at Lady Jane's on March 5th. And her take on my heroine questionnaire!





Romance Author Hope Tarr


What's an essential quality in a heroine?

Fortitude under fire. Add some 'grace' and we're all good.

What's a heroin-esque quality you wish you possessed?

 More of the aforementioned fortitude under fire.

Who's a heroine you admire (either real or fictional)?

 Historically, Sojourner Truth. She integrated the fight for civil rights with the fight for women's rights when very few people were making that connection. Her "Ain't I a Woman" address is as brilliant today as it was in 1851.

 My personal heroine is Esther Mechler, founder and president of the nonprofit, Marian's Dream: Philanthropy for Animal Advocates founded in 1981. I've know Esther for coming on fifteen years and have served on the Marian's Dream board for three. I can't say enough about this great organization–95% of the money we take in goes directly to grassroots groups working to end unwanted cat and dog litters by providing low- and no-cost spay/neuter programs to some of the very poorest communities in this country and Mexico. This amazing woman has devoted her life to helping animals and the people who care about them, and I'm blessed by her presence in my life. You can find Marian's Dream online at www.MariansDream.org as well as on Twitter and Facebook.

What's an important lesson you've learned from romance novels?

 Other people treat us the way we treat ourselves. Don't settle for crumbs in your relationships be they with a romantic partner, family member, or friend. Expect and, if necessary, demand the very best from others as well as from yourself. You'll be a lot more likely to attract the proverbial whole loaf and maybe just a Happily Ever After beginning, too.

Tell us about the heroine of your new book!

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Hope Tarr's newest release, Tempted.

I'd love to! Christine Tremayne, the heroine of TEMPTING, is my hands down favorite heroine from the fifteen books I've done. I could say she's "plucky"–she is. I could add that she's smart and kind, caring and brave, resourceful and responsible. She's all of those things but then so are a lot of other romance heroines. I love Christine above all for one reason.

 She really knows who she is.

A dairy maid who's taken a wrong turn and wound up in a London brothel, still she never acts the victim. She agrees to let the hero, Simon send her first to a finishing school and then lastly to tutor her so she can better herself and provide for her younger siblings. But once they fall in love, once he "ruins" her and offers to marry her out of obligation, once she realizes she's in danger of becoming his creation and losing herself, she takes a stand and she doesn't back down.

"These past months, I've let you mold me into your notion of what a proper lady should be. I've worked so hard to please you, I've lost sight of who I really am, Christine Tremayne, the dairyman's daughter and proud to be so."

Huzzah, Christine!

Coming soon to a city near you!

Before I was a romance writer I was an aspiring rock star. I'm very happy with my career switch–earlier bedtimes, carrying paperback novels instead of amplifiers–and I still get to go on tour! Not only that, but I'm going on tour with a bad ass, long-haired, pierced and tattooed man! Okay, okay, he's fictional. But still…my rock n' roll dreams are sort of coming true and I hope I'll see some of y'all on my travels!

Behold: The Tattooed Duke Tour Dates! 

•February 25th: Fresh Fiction "Chocolate Angels" Tea with my dear fellow authorsCaroline Linden and Katharine Ashe. Dallas, Texas.

•February 27th:  Katy Budget Books with Caroline Linden and Katharine Ashe. Houston, Texas.

•March 1st: WORD Brooklyn with the super fantastic Eloisa James and Sarah Maclean! Brooklyn, NY.

•March 3rd: Girls Night Out at Schuler's Books with a bunch of romance authors! Lansing, MI.

•March 13th: Lady Jane's Salon. Via Skype! Denver, CO. 

•March 14th: Booksigning at the Public Library Association Conference. Philadelphia, PA. 

•March 17th: A special edition of Lady Jane's Salon at the Liberty State Fiction Writers Conference.  I'll be reading along with Sarah Maclean and Katharine Ashe. Conference attendees only. 

•March 17th:  Booksigning at the Liberty State Fiction Writers Conference.  5:30-7:00 pm. Open to the public, huzzah!

•March 28th: Lady Jane's Salon. Raleigh/Durham, NC.

•April 10th: Lady Jane's Salon. Naperville, Il.

Chapter Four: Competition For Our Heroine!

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The story continues! Charlotte and James are calling upon Miss Leona Montrose–but is he looking for a wife or is there another more nefarious reason? Hmm…New to this novella? Forget what happened last week? Check out chapters one, two, three.

We debated betwixt a dark haired hero or a blonde one. The votes were split and I'm deciding in favor of blonde as tribute to particular hero I just happen to know (XOXO, baby!).

~Chapter Four~

They could hear the cacaphony from the front door step. Charlotte cast a wary eye at James, taking in his dark blonde hair with just the faintest curl, and his tall and lean but muscular frame. He glanced over and caught Charlotte's eye and smiled, revealing a crooked grin and just one dimple. When, Charlotte wondered, had he become so…so…so…knee weakeningly handsome.

More importantly, when did she start thinking inane things like knee weakeningly handsome? Good lord.

James knocked on the door again. It would be a marvel if anyone could hear the rap of the doorknocker about the din of the most discordant and horrendous piano playing in the history of…music. Or sound.

Finally, a grim faced butler answered and showed them to the library where Miss Leona Montrose waited, seated upon a faded green velvet settee with a stack of books beside her.

"Miss Montrose," James said warmly after Charlotte had performed the introductions. Miss Leona  smiled shyly in response. James then kissed Miss Leona's hand, lingering far longer than was necessary or proper and Charlotte thought No. No. No.

She suspected she might want knee weakingly handsome James to herself after all. After she had made that wretched list and introduced him to the most beautiful bluestocking in London.

"I shall ring for tea," Miss Leona said. She did just that.

"Perhaps we should invite your father to join us?" Charlotte suggested. Nothing like a madman to minimize the romance.

"Excellent idea, Charlotte," James murmured and she felt a rush of pleasure.

"Indeed. He can't very well play the piano whilst taking tea with us in the library."

They made polite chatter about the weather–it was a perfectly fine day–until Lord Montrose ceased his musical endeavors, using the term musical loosely of course, and joined them for tea. James and Leona carried on a charming conversation in which they discovered they both enjoyed reading ______ , they both took their tea with _______ , shared a common fear of _______ and a mutual love of ________.

Charlotte sipped her tea trying to ignore a wretched, sinking feeling in her stomach. James and Leona were getting along marvelously. She tried not to appear very sullen or glum or otherwise give herself away. She was forced to set all that aside and make polite chatter with Leona and her father when James excused himself for a moment.

Where did James go? Next week, dear readers…  

In the meantime, fill in those blanks! 

How you know adventure awaits…

I have invented a new word for an old feeling: Afraizy. It's a combination of afraid and lazy. Or afraid and crazy.

It's the feeling you get before you get on a horse. Before you go to a party where you're not sure if you know anyone. Before you do something mad and daring. Before you take a step outside of your comfort zone. Before the duke is about to kiss you on the terrace at a ball when you might be caught at any moment—oh wait.

It is accompanied by some terrific excuses of why you should not do those things (it's dangerous, I'm on deadline, It just isn't done, Everyone will laugh at me. I'll be ruined…). But like the wicked duke and that moonlit kiss, life is much more thrilling and pleasurable if you say yes.

Here are some times I've felt Afraizy:

Before my first date with my (now) husband. It was a cold Tuesday in January, I had work to do, we had just chatted once at a party like, a month earlier, I hated going on dates, I had nothing to wear….but I went. And had the best first date ever.

Before I get on a horse. Yes, the horse could take off at a gallop—in fact it has, and I just reigned her in. Yes, the horse could fall while I'm on her. I've survived that, too. I could fall off. Been there, done that. I'm always scared before I climb onto a horse, but I've had magical experiences, like swimming in the Caribbean Sea with horses or taking a trail ride with my husband—who then proposed in the middle of it.

Before I self published Dangerous Books For Girls. Yes, I had published before, but nothing like this. I had never before made a video detailing my crazy ideas. I hadn't put a book out there without the support of a behemoth publisher behind me. I reminded myself that my crazy ideas had footnotes and had even been nominated for an award in my master's degree program. The positive response has been amazing.

Once I identified this feeling as a sign that I'm growing and moving beyond my comfort zone, I realized I do not feel it often enough! Obviously, I must now launch myself into all manner of afraizy inducing situations. It'll make for a much more interesting story!

Have you ever felt afraid or crazy to do something–roller coasters, cold calls, first dates–and then been so happy you did it? 

Life Lessons From Lady Jane

Once upon a time I went out for drinks with three people I didn't know very well in the spirit of "networking" and "not being a complete social pariah." We met in a dark and smoky bar and made polite chatter until…Oh, until…

During a discussion of Ron Hogan's Serious Literary Fiction reading series I wondered aloud if a romance reading series existed. The immediate reply was that we should start one. Immediately. Two months later, the very first Lady Jane's Salon happened and lordy, has it been happening ever since! Tonight marks the celebration of not just our third anniversary but our national take over. Kidding. Not really.

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Salon founders Hope Tarr, Ron Hogan, Maya Rodale, Leanna Renee Hieber

Other intrepid romance lovers have teamed up with the LJS NYC crew to launch Lady Jane's Salons around the nation so now there are satellite salons in Denver Colorado, Raleigh/Durham North Carolina, and Naperville, Illinois. Not to mention those extra special salons when Lady Jane hits the road (I'm talking about you, New Jersey Fiction Writers!). We pledge allegiance to the Romance Novel…

But I digress…In the spirit of some "heroine how to" here are some pearls of wisdom from  Lady Jane's Salon:

1. Go out. Meet new people. Just because. Three years ago Hope Tarr, Leanna Renee Hieber and Ron Hogan were just some people I was going to meet. Now we're the creators of a national reading salon. Wow. We've all met tons of new friends through the salon, too. It's a really welcoming place.

2. Don't be afraid to voice those silly thoughts. What if I hadn't blurted out that question? What if, instead, I voiced the thought internally, reviewed it, dismissed it as stupid and sipped my drink? Heroines speak up.

3. Hatch that mad scheme and run with it…before things like doubts and logistics bog you down. We immediately began planning. Within seconds of the idea. It was mid December. We set the date for the following Valentine's Day, which gave us enough time to pull it off (we hoped) but not so much that we would procrastinate forever.

4. If you can, have a team. We've all had other stuff going on in our lives. So we pick up the slack when necessary. Our first advice to satellite salons is "do not go it alone."

5. Share the love. One of our favorite aspects of LJS is that we give back in the form of romance novels (each month we collect a batch for charity) and each year we give a cash donation to an organization dedicated to helping women. This year it's for Women In Need.

6. Never stand in the path of romance readers and writers. Our love and our pride is too great to be minimized or stopped!

[image error]TONIGHT! Lady Jane's Salon Third Anniversary Event! Featuring Eloisa James, Lisa Dale, and Sarah Wendell of Smart Bitches Trashy Books. Sponsored by Chambord Vodka.

Saturday Sneak Peek! In which there is nudity…

Coming soon from the pages of The Tattooed Duke…

***

Eliza  saw the Duke in the bath, as expected. But it was no ordinary sight.  His hair was wet and slicked back from his face, showing off strong, hard features. His mouth was full, and firm and not smiling. Even in this pose of relaxation, he put her in mind of a warrior: always aware, always ready.

 The water lapped at his waist, and she saw his chest was a wide, exposed expanse of taut skin over sculpted muscle. As Eliza stepped toward him, and saw more of the man illuminated by the burning embers in the grate and the flickering of candles, she saw that his chest was covered in inky blue-black lines. Tattoos, like the drawing she'd glimpsed on his desk earlier.

 She gasped. His eyes opened.

"Hello Eliza." The duke's voice was low, smoky and sent tremors down her spine. The window was slightly ajar and the cool breeze made the candle flames dance wildly, casting slate colored shadows, making the room seem like some strange, magical, other world.

"Your Grace," she murmured and bobbed into a curtsey.

"Have you come to join me?" he asked in a rough voice, and she could not tell if he was serious or bamming her.

"My wages don't cover that, either, Your Grace," she replied, not yet having mastered her subservience, but she was rewarded for her impertinence when his mouth curved into a grin.

***

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Chapter 3: Unsuitable Brides

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The saga continues...

If you're late to this party, you may want to check out Chapter One and Chapter Two before proceeding directly to Chapter Three in which Lady Charlotte presents James with a list of hopelessly unsuitable brides (graciously contributed by my wonderful readers!)

 

~Chapter 3: Unsuitable Brides~

A few days later…

Charlotte's heart pounded as she handed over her Select List of Candidates For The Position Of Mrs. Archer-Rhodes to James, who had come to call. She had discovered it was tricky business selecting a spouse for someone else, especially when she did not quite believe he really was in the market for a bride. That was the sort of thing gentlemen did not just declare. She hoped his response to the ladies her list might shed some light on his situation.

She watched with bated breath as his eyes scanned the page.

"Gladys Overton?" James inquired, with a lift of his brow. "Really?"

Charlotte arched her brow in response and dared him to mention that although Miss Overton had many admirable qualities, she also had some very crooked teeth.

"She has a dowry of twenty thousand pounds," Charlotte told him, glad to relate that tidbit of information and perhaps glean if James was marrying for financial reasons.

"Ah," he said, non-committally. He did not see her frown, for his eyes were still on the page. "And Violet Eddington?"

"A tender, sensitive soul. She's quite emotive," Charlotte said, sipping her tea.

"A crier? Are you attempting to fix me up with a crier?" James fixed her with a hot, questioning gaze. Why did that make her pulse race? It was just James for lord's sake.

"I was not sure of your preferences, James. If a sweet, delicate flower is not to your liking, you might prefer the next on the list. Lady Chelsea Ridings is an accomplished equestrian."

His mouth tugged into a grin and he asked,  "What do I feel that the term "accomplished equestrian" harbors untold horrors?"

Because it did. Lady Ridings was horse mad. She always smelled faintly of the stables. Her conversation was dominated by bits and bridles and the antics of her beloved gelding, Reginald. Horse mad, indeed. But what else could she be with a name like Ridings?

Charlotte declined to mention any of that.

Charlotte wasn't sure if she wanted him for herself, but she knew she didn't want to lose him. Not just yet. If he were fixated upon unsuitable women, she'd have time to decide and may just become more appealing by comparison. Strategy, that was.

"Lady Millicent Strange? Isn't that your imaginary friend?" James question, and Charlotte laughed.

"Was. When I was seven. And it was just to test your memory. There is also Lady Leona Montrose. She's a bit of a bluestocking and her father is a bit…touched."

"Touched?"

"Eccentric if one is being polite. Barking mad or utterly cracked if one is not," Charlotte said bluntly, never having mastered subtlety.

"She sounds like she's needs a savior," James murmured. And Charlotte thought, No. Oh, no. No.

"Shall we call upon her now? I have the afternoon free," James asked with the most rakish of grins and how Charlotte say anything but yes?

 

Question: It occurs to me that we have not described our hero! Tell me, what does he look like? Dark hair, eye color, etc…

The Best Romantic Comedies

The Husband and I –yet again–struggled to find a movie we could agree on. Instead, our evening's entertainment was reviewing the list of Top 100 Movies Of All Time Ever and the Top 100 Romantic Comedies. I had seen about 14 and 95, respectively. To the surprise of no one. I thank the lord for Bromances because we can agree on those…if only Hollywood made more! But when it's just my viewing pleasure…I love romantic comedies since they're the cinematic equivalent of romance novels.

~My All Time Most Favorite Romantic Comedies In Order~

Roman Holiday~Audrey Hepburn is a princess Acting Out and Gregory Peck is a newspaperman reporting undercover on her scandalous behavior. Um, I realize now that this has massively influenced plots of my books! (like this one).


The Proposal ~ I just adore the sham engagement plot and when two characters despise each other but must pretend to be in love. What this says about me, I'd rather not know. But Sandra is in fine form and Ryan Reynolds is delicious. (And now that I think of it, this has similarities to this book o' mine. I think this means I am justified as defining Rom Com's as research).


The Princess Bride ~ As you wish.


When Harry Met Sally ~ Gotta love the romantic comedies about dating and love. It's like girls's two favorite activies in one: talking about dating and love and watching movies about dating in love. Most romantic line: "Promise me I'll never have to be out there again." "You'll never have to be out there again."


Shakespeare In Love ~ Rare historical romantic comedy. A delight!


French Kiss ~ Love the heroine's arc in this one. She starts out prim and perfect, everything goes wrong, and she learns to loosen up. Not the biggest fan of the French-ness of it but the rest of it is fantastic.


Miss Congeniality ~ Sandra Bullock plays a frumpy FBI agent who gets a makeover to go undercover in a beauty pagent. Hilarity ensues. There was one week in my life when I watched this Every. Day. It was not the peak of my social life.


The 40 Year Old Virgin ~ A super sweet romance and wickedly funny.


Legally Blonde ~ I applied to law school, that's how much I loved this movie.


Strictly Ballroom ~ A rebellious rogue dancer, ugly duckling heroine, hilarious secondary characters. Oh, and ballroom dancing, Australian accents, and new steps ; )

What are your favorite romantic comedies? 

Heroines speak up

The other day, I did not say anything when one sales woman was horribly rude to her co-worker, who had been so helpful to me. I very much wish I had done so, but I waffled in the moment, debating if it would make her day, or make the Mean Lady even worse. In the end I slinked off, kind of ashamed with myself.

[image error]Even when it comes to speaking up for myself, I often let the opportunity pass me by.  The last time I ordered a double espresso I was served an amount more akin to a quarter of an espresso, but I didn't say a word. Not only did I end up undercaffeinated, I also ended up annoyed with myself for not saying anything. And then I was too tired to stay up til midnight on New Years. Grrr! Yeah, it's just a coffee (a very small coffee, argh) but if it's hard when the stakes are small, what about when it's an issue that really matters?

I was thrilled to see that an article about an older brother defending his younger brother to their father making the most popular list on the Huffington Post for two reasons. First, because it's just a great story of someone speaking up kindly in the moment and second, I think popularity of the post showed how much we support that kind of human kindness.

Why is it so hard? I don't know about you, but I don't like to be a bother. Or the moment goes by so fast. Or I don't think of anything until later, which makes me think that speaking up is as much about living in the moment as it is about identifying and articulating thoughts and feelings.

My new dare: Next time, say something. I reckon it's what a romance heroine would do.

Question: When was the last time you wanted to speak up, but didn't?