Vicky Dreiling's Blog, page 21

Adrienne Giordano's First Sale Story!

Many thanks to everyone who responded to Adrienne's exciting first sale story.  Drumroll….We have a winner – Christi Barth. Christi, please contact me at vicky@vickydreiling.com so that I can send you an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of my upcoming debut historical HOW TO MARRY A DUKE.

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I love First Sale Stories. To me, they're magical because you only have a first sale once in your life. This first sale story is linked to yesterday's blog with Amy Atwell. Check it out!  Adrienne's book isn't out yet, but …. Drumroll… I'm giving away one Advanced Reader Copy of my soon-to-be published Regency historical HOW TO MARRY A

DUKE to 1 commenter (US Only, please).  Now please welcome, Adrienne!

Good morning and thank you to Vicky for inviting me to blog.  Let me start by asking a question.  Ready?  Good.  Here it is:

Have you ever been driving along and the drive seems to be taking a lifetime?

Of course you have.

I felt that way about my writing career this past summer.  Like many writers, I was stuck in that almost-there place.  I'm sure many of you have experienced this place. It's the one where you're getting great feedback from editors and agents, but no one is taking a chance on a new writer.

And then my friend Amy Atwell got a book deal from Carina Press.  If you don't know Amy, she's about as smart and savvy as they come.  She was also a Golden Heart finalist in 2008. In my opinion, Amy accepting a deal from Carina Press meant something exciting was going on there.

My problem was that I had sworn I would never sell one of my single-titles to an e-publisher. At some point, I became convinced that if I sold to an e-publisher it meant I couldn't get published the traditional way. I had been hanging on to that conclusion through five years of rejections from agents and publishers.

Here I was on that seemingly never ending road, inching along and getting frustrated.  One night, my hubby and I were sitting on our deck enjoying a beautiful summer night, and I was moaning about my plight.  I told him I thought I should try breaking in with an e-publisher but was conflicted over it.

"Why are you conflicted?" he asked with that she-is-whacked look men manage so effortlessly.

"Because," I said, "If I sell to an e-publisher, I won't be able to hold my book in my hand."

His response?  This is a good one, so pay attention.

"Is it about holding a book in your hand or getting published?"

Whap! There it was. A question so logical it nearly fried my brain.  I wanted the boost of holding a bound book with my name on it, but had I been letting that goal (and my ego) hold me back?

I now know the answer was a big fat yes.

After the conversation with my husband, I sought advice from my writer friends.  Someone suggested I write a category romance because it's a great way to break into the tough romantic suspense market.  That would be a wonderful idea for someone who could manage to bring a first draft in under 100,000 words.  See what I'm saying here?  Category authors have to be disciplined when it comes to tight writing, and I like my words.  Yep, trying to produce a 70,000 word book might kill me altogether.  Just saying.

So, I eliminated the idea that I could write a category romance and went back to possibly submitting to Carina.  The fact that Carina is owned by Harlequin intrigued me.  I started imagining all the things I could learn by being under that monster-sized Harlequin umbrella and the decision became a whole lot easier.

I submitted my romantic suspense, Man Law, to Carina and eight weeks later received THE CALL from Angela James.  Yes, it was fabulous.  When I'm having a bad day, I listen to the voicemail (of course I saved it!) and think about that feeling of accomplishment I got the first time I heard it.  There truly is nothing like it when someone says they want to publish a book you've not only written, but cried over. After all the rejections, and this book had a lot, someone wanted to take a chance on my challenging hero.  Man Law is about security expert Vic Andrews who is, at times, a world-class idiot. But he's also funny in his idiotic ways so he's lovable.  At least I think so. J

This book will be published because I had altered my course.  I changed the plan of attack.  I varied my pattern. Call it whatever you like, but for me, moving my career along meant I had to step away from the routine of submitting to agents and traditional publishing houses.  Change doesn't come easy most of the time, but I think believing in ourselves and the decisions we make, whatever the outcome, can teach us something.

Am I thrilled I decided to alter my course?  Absolutely.  Working with Carina has been a wonderful experience so far and I am grateful for the opportunity.  I'd have been a fool to pass it up.

What about you?  Do you have a success that came from changing your course?]

Adrienne Giordano is a co-founder of Romance University blog, is a member of Romance Writers of America, Windy City RWA, Kiss of Death, and RWA's Women's Fiction chapter. Adrienne's books have been finalists in the 2008 and 2009 Linda Howard Award of Excellence contests, the 2009 Sheila and the 2010 Write Stuff Contest. Her debut romantic suspense novel, Man Law, will be available in 2011 from Carina Press. For more information on Adrienne visit www.adriennegiordano.com or her Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/AdrienneGiordanoAuthor.

Blurb from Man Law:

Man Law One:  No emotional clutter.

Security expert Vic Andrews has no tolerance for emotional clutter.  Working alone, and abiding by his man laws ensures his life remains free of the vulnerability he suffered as a child deserted by his drug addicted mother.  Trouble begins when he develops an irresistible attraction to Gina Delgado and Vic is forced to break a man law by messing with his closest friend's sister.  Gina is also a young widow with three children and has lots of strings attached.  Vic doesn't do strings.

Man Law Two:  Don't get caught.

Vic's cover is blown after he is hired by the government to assassinate a terrorist and the dead man's brother seeks revenge.

Man Law Three:  No personal attachments.

The dead man's brother threatens Gina's children and Vic vows to keep them safe. With Vic's protectiveness in overdrive, Gina begins to lose her resolve in fighting her feelings for him. But she has her children to think about and they've already lost their father to tragedy.  Through it all, the events that bring Gina and Vic together, and the ones that push them apart, leave them wondering if taking a chance on each other is the right thing to do.

Thanks, Adrienne! What a wonderful story and the book looks marvelous. Can't wait for it to debut!

Don't forget to leave a comment for a chance to win an Advance Reader Copy (US entrants only) of  my upcoming Regency historical HOW TO MARRY A DUKE!

Good Girls Who Draw the Line

Update!! We have a Winner for Amy Atwell's LYING EYES. Melissa, please email Amy at:  amywrites@amyatwell.com

Happy Thursday! Please welcome debut author Amy Atwell today! I know Amy very well from a wonderful writer's loop she started. She's a real go-getter, so I wasn't at all surprised when I heard she sold her first book to Carina Press.  Sit back with your beverage of choice and don't forget to leave a comment for a chance to win a digital copy of Amy's fabulous contemporary romantic suspense LYING EYES. Take it away, Amy!

I'm feeling a little like a wolf in sheep's clothing here. I'm a contemporary romantic suspense author, and I'm feeling a little awkward in the tasteful refinement of this blog.  Huge thanks to Vicky for inviting me today as part of my week-long celebration of the release of my debut book, Lying Eyes. In return, I hope to find some common ground between all of us.

I'm a huge fan of historicals. I read them for years before I turned to contemporaries written by Judith McNaught and Lavyrle Spencer.  I even wove a historical thread through Lying Eyes—in this case, mysterious priceless gems that had once belonged to the last of the Romanov dynasty.

But my heroine, Iris, is a modern girl. A forward thinking, practical businesswoman with  a take-no-prisoners attitude about her. She's dynamic and independent. She would never fit Regency Society's definition of how a proper lady should act.  Iris is too outspoken, too determined to chart her own course.

Hmmm.  She's sounding a bit like Miss Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice.

And that's when it hit me that what Iris shares in common with generations of heroines is her refusal to conform (like a sheep) to Society's standards.  Of course, in Iris's case, she's trying to conform.  She has a successful business, she's recently gotten engaged to a lawyer with political aspirations, and she foresees a happy future with a solid man and a safe relationship. She's so focused on conforming to what she believes society expects, she doesn't see the value in just being herself.

Unlike Iris, Austen's Lizzie begins the book fully cognizant of her non-conforming ways.  Her sister may be quiet and demure, but not Lizzie.  Her friend might be willing to bow to society's strictures and marry the foolish Mr. Collins, but not Lizzie. Lizzie knows her own mind and her own value, society be damned.

Another famous historical heroine who refused to conform was Juliet.  Okay, admittedly, it didn't go well for her.  But don't we all, as women, identify with Juliet's struggle to please her family yet not sacrifice her love?  I think every heroine plays out this struggle of whether or not to conform.

I think it's equally brilliant that heroes who are ingrained in their societal ways fall head over heels for these non-conformist heroines.  D'Arcy is tongue-tied in Lizzie's presence. In Jules Verne's Around the World in Eighty Days, Phileas Fogg willingly disrupts his structured life when he falls in love with Aouda, a Parsi woman he rescued in India. And author Dorothy L. Sayers introduces the dashing Lord Peter Wimsey to a woman charged with her lover's murder in Strong Poison.  Of course Wimsey falls in love!

Scarlett O'Hara.  She knew when to use the system and when to buck the system. And that's another key to these heroines.  They're not asocial. They conform to society in many ways, but inevitably, there's something that makes them put on the brakes the back away.

For Iris, she swears she wants to live a sensible life without her father's chaotic schemes. But when one of those crazy schemes leads to her father's disappearance—along with $10 million in gems—suddenly Iris finds herself involved with the kind of people she always avoided.  Worse, she's saying and doing things she would never say and do.  Worst of all?  She's beginning to like it.

Who is your favorite heroine?  Does she have a key moment where she refuses to conform?  (Vicky, feel free to mention in here anywhere that you're giving away a digital copy of Lying Eyes!)

Amy Atwell worked in professional theater for 15 years before turning from the stage to the page to write fiction. She now gives her imagination free rein in both contemporary and historical stories that combine adventure, romance and feature non-conforming heroines. An Ohio native, Amy has lived all across the country and now resides on a barrier island in Florida with her husband and two Russian Blues. Visit her online at her www.amyatwell.com, What's The Story? and Magical Musings blogs, Facebook, Twitter and/or GoodReads.

The Blurb for Lying Eyes: Her jewels were real, but her life was fake.

No-nonsense jewelry designer Iris Fortune yearns for a normal life. But life as Vegas magician Cosmo Fortune's daughter is anything but normal, especially since dear old Dad is also a scam artist. When Cosmo's latest scheme goes awry and he pulls a real-life disappearing act, Iris is left holding the bag.

Now Iris must be a master of illusion—play the poised partner to her politician fiancé while trying to save her father and stay out of reach of Mickey Kincaid, the sexy thief who claims he's only after her jewels.

Detective Kincaid is deep undercover and seeks Iris out because of her connection to Cosmo—he never expected to be so drawn to her. While working with Iris to find the elusive conman, Mickey learns a killer has Iris in his sights, and he must do everything he can to save her, without blowing his cover.

Mickey's put his life on the line before, but never his heart—and now he's not sure which is more dangerous…

Amy, thank you for joining us today!  Everyone, don't forget to leave a comment for a chance to win a digital copy of LYING EYES!

Guest Blog with Miranda Neville

Please join me in welcoming Miranda Neville, historical author of  THE DANGEROUS VISCOUNT.

Miranda, give us a quick overview of  the premise of THE DANGEROUS VISCOUNT.

Diana Fanshawe wants to be a duchess – specifically she's set her sights on Lord Blakeney, the heir to the duke-next-door. To impress Blake, she bets she can win a kiss from his nerdy cousin Sebastian, a notorious woman-hater. Little does Diana know that Sebastian has fallen for her, hard. When he finds out about the bet, he transforms himself into an attractive and eligible bachelor, intending to break her heart as she broke his.

THE DANGEROUS VISCOUNT is part of the series The Burgundy Club that started with THE WILD MARQUIS. Tell us where you came up with the idea for The Burgundy Club and what the club is about.

The plot of The Wild Marquis centers around a rare book auction. The hero, a somewhat dissolute rake, hires the bookseller heroine to help him buy back a family treasure, the Burgundy manuscript. At the end of the book, a group of young book collectors form the Burgundy Club. This was based on the Roxburghe Club, formed after the sale of the Duke of Roxburghe's library in 1812 and still in existence today. Cain, the Marquis of Chase, and Tarquin Compton help Sebastian in his transformation from nerd to hottie.

Excerpt:

Sebastian swallowed hard. "I'm not very good at making myself agreeable in company," he admitted humbly.

Tarquin doubled over with mirth. "The first step to reform is to acknowledge its necessity," he said, when he'd finally recovered. "Luckily you couldn't have a better tutor than me. I shall teach you to cultivate address."

Sebastian nodded.

"And don't grunt at me."

"I do not grunt."

"It's your principal method of communication," Cain said though his laughter.

"That grunt has to go," Tarquin pronounced. "Ladies prefer to be addressed in identifiable words. Better yet, complete sentences."

Sebastian said nothing. Then a warning look made him realize he had, in fact, grunted again. "Yes, Tarquin," he said meekly. "Then what?"

"Then we shall go into dinner and get roaring drunk."

"Why?" Sebastian might not know much about ladies, but he'd always had the impression they deplored insobriety in men. He had a faint recollection of his mother weeping when his sire staggered home reeking of brandy.

"Think of it as a last supper. Tomorrow I'm taking you to my tailor."

Readers like to see characters reappear in subsequent books. What did you find the most fun about writing recurring characters? What surprised you? Did you find it challenging in any way? If so, how?

I love carrying characters over. It's great to have more than one book to develop a character and a treat to revisit old friends. When Cain and Juliana from The Wild Marquis reappeared in The Dangerous Viscount, I gave them both significant roles in the plot, rather than having them just pop in to say hi. There's even a little unfinished business between Juliana and Sebastian that gets resolved.

What surprised me as I finished The Dangerous Viscount was realizing the series was going to be four books instead of three. Diana's little sister Minerva just begged to be the heroine of her own book—and readers seem to agree. Diana's whole family turned out to be a lot of fun. Some of them reappear in the third book, and of course we'll see them in Minerva's story.

One has to be careful maintaining continuity from book to book, but I haven't had major problems yet. As I finish each book and make revisions, I look ahead to the next and see if there's anything I need to adjust

Are there other planned books for this series? If so, can you tell us a bit about the next one and when it will be out?

The third book collector, Tarquin Compton, gets his book next August. He's an exquisite dandy and leader of society with a tendency to be overbearing. I decided the only thing to do with a man like that was to undress him. He finds himself wandering on the Yorkshire moors, almost naked and in company with a governess who hates him.

The Season awarded THE DANGEROUS VISCOUNT a top pick. Romantic Times called it a "…highly entertaining tale of unconventional lovers, eccentric families, daring escapades and sizzling sensuality."

The response to The Dangerous Viscount has been really terrific. It's lovely hearing nice things about the books you've slaved over – you'll find out soon, Vicky. I can't wait to read HOW TO MARRY A DUKE.  Thanks for inviting me onto your blog.

Miranda plans to give away one copy of THE DANGEROUS VISCOUNT,  so be sure to leave a comment!

Cheers!

Congratulations to Marnee – you're the winner!  Email: Miranda@MirandaNeville.com.

We Have a Winner for Tiffany Clare's Contest

Congratulations to Johanna R Jochum.!!! Please contact Tiffany at tiffany@tiffanyclare.com and providing your full mailing address to receive a copy of The Surrender of a Lady.

Thanks again to Tiffany for a great blog and for all who stopped by yesterday!

Cheers!
Vicky

Meet Debut Author Tiffany Clare!

Please help me welcome Tiffany Clare, the author of  The Surrender of a Lady on sale now!  Romantic Times gave her debut novel 4 1/2 Stars and a TOP PICK. Be sure to keep reading because Tiffany is giving away one copy of her fabulous historical romance to one  lucky commenter. (North American entrants only).
Before I grill interview Tiffany, here's a quicky blurb to whet your appetite.
THE PRICE OF PASSION…Sold. With one word, Lady Elena Ravenscliffe's destiny changes forever. Forced into Constantinople's slave market to pay off her late husband's debts and save her son, Elena reinvents herself as Jinan—a harem girl adored by the rich lords who bid on her favors. But one man instantly sees through her façade.
…IS COMPLETE SURRENDERGriffin Summerfield, Marquess of Rothburn, let Elena slip through his fingers years ago. When he recognizes her on the auction block, he pays an outrageous sum to possess her even if it is for a short period of time. But when his deadline looms, Griffin will risk all in a desperate bid to make her his—and his alone…
Tiffany, what is the first romance novel you ever read?
Outlander, Diana Gabaldon. I know it's not strictly romance but after reading it I wanted more happily ever afters. More specifically, I gobbled up Scottish historical romances like no one's business after falling in love with Jamie. He's the hero of heroes.
What inspired you to write THE SURRENDER OF A LADY? 
I had this perfect image in my head of this woman in a veil. I've even included the two pictures that were my focus. There was just something about these pictures that tickled my muse into action. Once I immersed myself in art, research, and the culture (not physically, only through reading) and I knew enough to write the story and do it justice for the setting and time period, I couldn't stop writing Jinan's story.
And what gal wouldn't want to picture themselves dancing seductively in the garb of a harem princess for the man she loves more than life itself? It's every role players' fantasy. LOL Okay, maybe not every role player, but it is pretty dang sexy.
Tell us about the setting. Did you uncover unique or intriguing historical details while researching the novel?
Ah, the setting. For me, setting is another character—it needs to come to life or I'm doing something wrong. It wasn't till I'd written about a third of the book that I realized I didn't know where in the eastern part of the world my harem took place. I finally settled on Greece territory seized by the Turks in the 19th century—it offered a rich and opulent backdrop to the harem. I loved researching the climate, flora, fauna, and especially the food and lifestyle.
Interesting facts I learned: When Barbary pirates seized ships they often took the women aboard (the ones who survived the attack) as prisoners to be sold as slaves. Sometimes those women would end up in harems (this is documented as far back as early/mid 16th century). The Ottoman Empire, Algerian, Moroccan, etc., all had a fascination with white skinned, light eyed beauties also known as Circassian women.

What do you love the most about your hero? And your heroine?
I love that Rothburn knows he's bad. I love that he thinks he's right when he's not, but that his heart is on his sleeve for Jinan. She is his whole world.
My heroine is a survivor. She's given the worst lot in life but she makes the best she can of it. She learns to adapt and grow and open herself up to any possibility. 
If you time-traveled back to Victorian England, what would you enjoy the most? What would you detest? What one modern product would you mourn?
I've always thought of myself as an old fashioned kinda gal. I think I might do well with Victorian England—so long as I was rich and so long as I lived in the more pleasant smelling countryside. What modern amenity do I adore—coffee makers. I'd be lost without my flavored coffee in the morning. Yes, I just so happen to be drinking a cup of coffee right this minute.
Tell us what's next for you?

Asbury and Emma in February 2011 in THE SEDUCTION OF HIS WIFE. And Emma's sister, Abby THE SECRET DESIRES OF A GOVERNESS are coming June 2011.
***Merci Beaucoup, Tiffany! 
Be sure to leave a comment for a chance to win a free book. Tiffany and I regret the contest is limited to North American entrants. To find out more about Tiffany's books and where to purchase them, visit her website at: http://www.tiffanyclare.com/
Cheers!Vicky

Speak Loudly

Wesley Scroggins, an associate professor of management at Missouri State University, recently wrote an opinion piece in the News-Leader of Springfield, MO in which he labeled Laurie Halsey Anderson's Young Adult book SPEAK as a filthy, immoral, and soft-porn novel because the subject matter involves rape.

I read Ms. Anderson's book a few years ago and found it a compelling, honest look at the problem of rape for young women.

As I write this blog, writers and readers are decrying Scroggins for ...

Books & Blogs

First, check out that photo of my first book HOW TO MARRY A DUKE. Several readers have contacted me on Facebook and Twitter to ask when the book will be available. The publication date is January 3, 2011. If you're interested, you can see the back cover copy and some wonderful quotes on Amazon .

Now off to other good stuff. Once again, I've found some really cool links to share.

Amazing Books!

Young Adult

If you're a Young Adult fan (Raising my hand!) or have a teen who loves reading, don't miss S...

And the Golden Heart Goes to…

Every year, I love attending the Romance Writers of America Awards Ceremony for published and unpublished authors. It's as glamorous & exciting as the Academy Awards. This year was especially poignant as my friend and fellow writer Pat O'Dea Rosen won the 2010 Golden Heart for Novel with Strong Romantic Elements with her book A PLACE AT THE TABLE. At my request, Pat graciously agreed to guest blog about where she gets her writing ideas.  I know you'll adore her as much as I do. ~ Vicky

I love newspapers. I began reading Ann Landers' column in the long-defunct Newark (N.J.) Evening News before I understood some of the problems her readers described. The New York Daily News' headlines hooked me early, and the New York Times showed me newspapers didn't need comics to pull in readers. I'd turn the pages of its magazine section and picture myself in the glossy ads. Human-interest stories were and still are my favorite read.

These days, I live in Texas, where a subscription to the daily New York Times qualifies as a luxury item, but subscribe I do. In this mean economy, newspapers have cut the number and depth of the feature stories they run, but the Times' budget still allows for longer, thoughtful pieces.

The heroine of A PLACE AT THE TABLE, my Golden Heart-winning manuscript, was inspired by a Times series on people in unusual medical/hospital jobs. One of the people featured was a social worker/hospital-discharge planner. As I read her story, I remember wondering what kind of person writes detailed instructions about a to-be-discharged patient's on-going therapy, prescriptions, and care? What kind of person chooses to run interference between patients and insurers and between patients and their frightened or exasperated loved ones? As I was reading fact, I spun fiction and decided, with apologies to the real-life planner in the article, that such a person had control issues. I even decided such a person was the adult child of an alcoholic and had been the type of kid to keep track of her mom's AA meetings. Later in the article, when the real-life planner alluded to a relative with an addictive personality, I wasn't surprised and felt free to go deeper into make-believe.

On September 1, the Times did an article about a candidate for public office who makes a point of hugging people to win their approval. His advisors refer to these hugs as "mind melds," and a photo shows the candidate cheek-to-cheek with a supporter. By the time I finished reading, I pictured a boss who manipulates those who rely on her for a paycheck. I don't think my fictional boss uses hugs, but her father might have. Or did he withhold them?

Newspaper stories jumpstart my imagination, and I'm detached enough from the events and people described to go where it takes me. A friend recently confided a secret, and my primitive brain screamed, I'm using that. But I can't. My mind won't travel to worst-case scenarios when a friend's involved, and it refuses to see humor in her dilemma.

The Times' Sunday wedding feature, "Vows," is an auto-read for me and so is "The Boss" feature in Sunday's business section. I read about athletes whose sports I don't understand and devour travel articles about places I'll never visit. It's all fodder.

Pat O'Dea Rosen writes family stories that mix drama and humor–a blend that duplicates dinner conversations at her house. Between two long teaching stints, she spent a decade in the newspaper business, seven of them as a reporter. A newpaper editor once told her: "You know your problem? You think everybody's interesting." She doesn't consider that a flaw. Pat lives in Houston with her husband and two cats. Her grown children live nearby and keep mealtimes lively.

And the Golden Heart Goes to...

Every year, I love attending the Romance Writers of America Awards Ceremony for published and unpublished authors. It's as glamorous & exciting as the Academy Awards. This year was especially poignant as my friend and fellow writer Pat O'Dea Rosen won the 2010 Golden Heart for Novel with Strong Romantic Elements with her book A PLACE AT THE TABLE. At my request, Pat graciously agreed to guest blog about where she gets her writing ideas.  I know you'll adore her as much as I do. ~ Vicky

I love ...

Happiness is Holding Your First Book

I got a package in the mail today. Here's is why I cried.