Questions or discussion on a particular book?

[Josh]

I know Stefan is pronounced differently, but I pronounce Stephen and Steven the same. Of course over here we just make up names as needed. *g*

[Andy]

Josh wrote: "the best friend in Loves and Other Strangers is Paul"

Paul should have his own story. I adore Paul, he reminds me so much of a dear friend of mine.

[Josh]

Paul should have his own story. I adore Paul, he reminds me so much of a dear friend of mine

*g*

[Andy]

Josh wrote: "Paul should have his own story. I adore Paul, he reminds me so much of a dear friend of mine

*g*"

Paul should go on a gay cruise and one of those on board is murdered - could be an homage to Murder on the Orient Express... or The Trouble With Harry

[Josh]

You know, I think YOU might be just the person to write Paul's story. *g*

[Andy]

Josh wrote: "You know, I think YOU might be just the person to write Paul's story. *g*"

LOL, nah, he's yours. I wouldn't do him the justice he deserves.

But... if one were to write a story set on a cruise ship and body kept popping up like The Trouble With Harry, would it be infringing on Hitchcock?

[Josh]

Nah. There are no new ideas. Only terrific and satisfying spins on the old ones.

[Andy]

Josh wrote: "Nah. There are no new ideas. Only terrific and satisfying spins on the old ones."

True, I just wasn't sure how much of a used idea needed to be changed w/o infringement. Now I have a plot bunny wanting attention - which doesn't help with the deadline I'm trying to make before my trip.

[Alli]

Josh wrote: "I didn't realize how much I use those names. I know one of the protags in I Spy is named Stephen and the best friend in Loves and Other Strangers is Paul. Funny, I only remembered the positive asso..."


I love them - solid & masculine. The genre is flooded with some pretty "macho" names; I'm sure they're meant to be distinctive, but I find it distracting and if too over-the-top I might pass on the book altogether.

[Leah]

Hi, Josh

I'm reading Fair Game, and got to the "Leslie Mrachek was indeed a crier" section. OMG I had to laugh because I have SO been there when I was teaching college. (Do they really think we can't tell they've copied work when they use words like peripatetic but can't tell you what it means?) (By the way, I'm hooked on FG and you've totally interrupted my writing today!)

[Josh]

I know what you mean, Alli. If the names are too "bookish" it starts interfering with my suspension of disbelief.

[Josh]

Thanks, Leah. I'm glad you're enjoying the story -- even if it is messing up your own day's work. *g*

[Josh]

Hey there, Jorrie! Thanks for the kind words. After a year of experimenting, I'm enjoying getting back to mysteries.

[Murphy]

Josh wrote: "Thanks, Leah. I'm glad you're enjoying the story -- even if it is messing up your own day's work. *g*"

While I have enjoyed your experiments, I am so glad you are getting back to mysteries. They are my favorite.

[S.J.D.]

I came across your Adrien English Mysteries by accident and was reading the 4th in the series when I got my very first contract for my first novel Half Hearts. I was the crazy fan who commented on Liquid Silver SIN about how much I loved you (blushing)
Only thing I could say negative about the series is that it ended. I'm head over heels crazy about Adrien. I'm reading some different stuff right now researching for my next novel, but as soon as I'm done I'm going to start on Partners in Crime.
Any chance we will get to see more of Adrien in the future?

[Josh]

Thanks, Murphy. First and foremost I'll always be a mystery writer. It's a weird balance. My books aren't romancey enough for the hardcore romance crowd, but they're too romancey for the hardcore mystery reader. In fact, it's always surprising to me that there are enough readers with my taste who fall in the middle.

[Josh]

Jorrie wrote: "Josh wrote: "Hey there, Jorrie! Thanks for the kind words. After a year of experimenting, I'm enjoying getting back to mysteries."

I can see why. That said, I've loved some of your other genres, i..."

Jorrie, I enjoy the experiments. I think the experiments make for better writing over all -- maybe pick up a few new readers along the way -- but it's always nice to come home (in a literary sense) for a rest. *g*

[Josh]

Thanks, Sherri,

I see I must check into the SIN list more often. :-D

Congratulations on your first sale! May your sales be many.

Yes, I do plan to occasionally revisit Adrien, however it won't be this year, and it will probably not be next year (judging by the way my schedule filled up).

Thanks for asking.

[Merith]

Josh wrote: "My books aren't romancey enough for the hardcore romance crowd, but they're too romancey for the hardcore mystery reader. In fact, it's always surprising to me that there are enough readers with my taste who fall in the middle."

Maybe we need to make up our own category! For those books that aren't quite romance but are too "romancey" to fit into other categories.

[Arzu]

I just wanted to tell this ... I finished "Fair Game" a few days ago and LOVED it!! Elliot and Tucker are a great couple, loved the fact that they had a history together, separated and now found back to each other!! The plot was great and kept me in suspense till the end. I never guessed that xxx - won't write the name, as I don't want to spoil the book for the readers :)- would be the killer!!

[Josh]

I'm so glad. The book seems to be doing pretty well -- a big relief!

[Arzu]

Josh wrote: "I'm so glad. The book seems to be doing pretty well -- a big relief!"

Did you have any doubts??

[Murphy]

Last I looked, you were still number one on Carina! It is doing pretty good. Your writing is wonderful.

[Josh]

Oh sure! Sometimes certain books just have an energy -- they click with readers in a way that you can't plan for. Sometimes a book takes a while to catch on with readers. Sometimes a book just...doesn't click. Ever. And sometimes you know ahead of time, but sometimes you're as surprised as anyone. I thought Fair Game would probably click, but not in the same way that I know the Holmes and Moriarity stories are going to do well with readers.

[Josh]

Murphy wrote: "Last I looked, you were still number one on Carina! It is doing pretty good. Your writing is wonderful."

Thanks, Murphy. FG has performed strongly from the first, which is especially a relief when it's with a new publisher.

[Patty]

Carina itself has a fresh, clean look. I'm glad they chose to publish FG.

[Josh]

Me too! I'm very happy with them.

[Alli]

:-D What I think works about FG is how it takes quite a while for the reader to see how Elliot's hurt and insecurity has skewed his perception of what really happened between them. Both Tucker and Elliot are so concerned with not showing weakness that they fail to grasp that the other did genuinely care. I think that reluctance to show "weakness" (emotional vulnerability) is actually a problem for both men and women in a lot of relationships. Not just romantic ones.

I didn't want to hijack the other thread so I brought it over here!

I agree with your statement; one of the other things I loved about Tucker was his apology. They were trying so hard to hide their feelings & he was harsh about Elliott's case so it was unexpected and refreshing.

[Josh]

I agree with your statement; one of the other things I loved about Tucker was his apology. They were trying so hard to hide their feelings & he was harsh about Elliott's case so it was unexpected and refreshing.

I think one thing traditional romance novels typically get right is how much people fight over peripheral issues, especially when hurt feelings are involved. Also when sexual attraction is connected. In fact, it's interesting to analyze how many arguments are not at all about the subject that seems to be under debate.

[Jan]

Is there a date for Blood Heat coming out? Or did I miss something during my computerless exile?
Take care.

[Josh]

Nice to see you back, Jan.

I'm not sure of the exact date on Blood Heat yet. The last I heard it was scheduled for sometime in October.

[Jan]

Thanks, Dad really needs to get internet sorted out. I'm looking forward to Blood Heat. It's only 2 weeks 'til October now. Decided to reread Fair Game, it's just as good second time round!
Hope you and yours are all fit and well. Take care.

[Josh]

I'm glad the story holds up.

Yes, if you've got to continue spending so much time away from home, you do need internet access!

[Jan]

It feels very isolating not having it, but at least with the ereader I can take plenty of reading with me!

FG well and truly holds up, no worries there! Thanks.

[Lori K]

I just read "In a Dark Wood". I love the horror/thriller nature of it.

I'm a big fan of Stephen King -(to date myself I will tell you that he and his wife used to do readings in the union of UMO when I was in school there) so Dark Wood was really up my alley...:).

Another Josh Lanyon fav. I have to say that with most authors in this genre, it is really hit or miss. At the risk of sounding like a suck up, I have never read one of your pieces that I didn't like.

[Josh]

Hey there, Lori. That's a story that's pretty much forgotten these days, so I'm glad you found it and enjoyed it. I really enjoyed writing that one. I always wanted to revist the characters.

[Lori K]

Josh wrote: " I always wanted to revist the characters."

Please do!

[Jan]

I'm with Lori, I love the story and would love a revisit. Please!

[Lissa]

Creepy story. I liked it. I heard there's another story coming the end of October. Will that be a creepy one, Josh?

[Josh]

Thanks, Lori. Thanks, Jan. Eventually I'm sure I'll get around to it. I always wanted to make sure Tim was all right. *g*

[Josh]

Lissa, one project has been pushed back to next year with a change of publisher. But in October I've got the next batch of Petit Morts from JCP Books. They're not exactly creepy, but I think they've got a fun Halloween vibe to them.

And then I think Blood Heat should be coming out in the next few weeks. That's book three in the Dangerous Ground series.

And then I just finished the edits on All She Wrote, which I *think* has turned out very well indeed. Of course ultimately that's up to you all, but I'm feeling really good about that one.

[Cat]

Josh wrote: "Lissa, one project has been pushed back to next year with a change of publisher. But in October I've got the next batch of Petit Morts from JCP Books. They're not exactly creepy, but I think they'v..."

Are you talking about Mummy Dearest? *wonders* I saw that one announced on LB Gregg's site with a release date at the end of October *checks* - yes, 29-th October.

[Lori K]

Josh wrote: "I always wanted to make sure Tim was all right. *g*"

There really is so much you could explore with these two. Of course, we think that about all of your characters.

Looking forward to you next projects.

I keep meaning to ask, what is the benefit to an author to do anthologies? So many times, I have been reluctant to purchase an anthology because I only wanted to read one of the stories. Why don't authors just collect their own work? Financially, is it better? What is the draw?

Just curious.

[Josh]

Yes, unfortunately Mummy Dearest fell through. Absolutely no reflection on LB. I'd still love to do a project with her one of these days.

[Josh]

I keep meaning to ask, what is the benefit to an author to do anthologies? So many times, I have been reluctant to purchase an anthology because I only wanted to read one of the stories. Why don't authors just collect their own work? Financially, is it better? What is the draw?

Lori, two author pairings are useful for introducing readers to an author they might not otherwise have tried. (Although that's also one of the disincentives for buying a multi-author antho if the reader is not in the mood to experiment.) The idea of finding new readers offsets (in theory at least) the financial hit of splitting royalties. We authors are always on the hunt for new readers.

As an author, you want to try and find a pairing that's harmonious and complimentary to your own work.

If you're an unknown author you want to try and get paired with a well-known author. If you're a well-known author you want to get paired with an equally well-known author or an author maybe better known in a particular sub-genre you're trying to break into.

It's also fun for friends to pair up with a particular theme.

And I think it's good -- even part of the job -- for well-known authors to occasionally pair with promising newbies. To give them that little boost.

[Lori K]

Josh wrote: "."< And I think it's good -- even part of the job -- for well-known authors to occasionally pair with promising newbies. To give them that little boost.
/i>

Oh man, you are so nice. Made me smile, just like that.

[Josh]

Oh man, you are so nice. Made me smile, just like that.

*g*

[Josh]

Hey, LC, I really enjoy the Dangerous Ground series. It's very...maybe not light-hearted, exactly, but it's strictly for fun. It's action-adventure-romance the literary equivalent of an m/m shoot 'em up buddy show. I have so much fun with it.

[Lori K]

Josh wrote: "Hey, LC, I really enjoy the Dangerous Ground series. It's very...maybe not light-hearted, exactly, but it's strictly for fun. It's action-adventure-romance the literary equivalent of an m/m shoot '..."

I'm really looking forward to the next book in this series.

[Josh]

I'm glad! It shouldn't be long now.