Contest winner announcement

Congratulations to Jane! She is this week’s contest winner and has won herself an autographed copy of MEN ON FIRE.

Jane, email me at susan@susanlyons.ca with your snail mail, and I’ll send the book to you.

Happy reading everyone!

Friday the 13th: Lucky or Unlucky?

Yes, today is one of those special days…it’s Friday the 13th. Sure, some folks think this is a day destined to bring bad luck.  But others–well, they like the day.

I like Friday the 13th. 

I think it’s a fun day, a day rife with superstitions, true.  But a day with just a little bit of magic thrown in to spice things up.

Now, there are those individuals out there who literally fear Friday the 13th. They suffer from paraskavedekatriaphobia, and I’m quite sure today is gonna fall under the “bad” category for them.  But really, a day is what you make of it, right?  And why not make today fun? Why not let it be a bit magical for you, too?

Have a great Friday (the 13th!).

Cynthia Eden
www.cynthiaeden.com
HOTTER AFTER MIDNIGHT–mass market re-release 12/1/09
ETERNAL HUNTER–available 01/10 from Kensington Brava

Exiting the Stress Zone

First, happy veteran’s day and a big thanks to all veterans, including my formers students and my dad.

As I write this, I’m about to climb aboard an airplane and head to Washington, D.C., for the national high school journalism convention. I have about 20 minutes before I need to slam my suitcase closed and get out the door.

This blog is the last thing I need to do. Nothing like the last minute. But that’s been life lately. Every time I think I get ahead, life throws me a curve ball. Yesterday I got everything ready to go–and my phone died. Now I have a replacement phone for a replacement phone and the ATT guy swears a new (another refurbished, honestly) one is on its way. So I put my SIM card in an old Go-Phone. It works. Not well, but works.

I’ve also been dealing with my 72 year old mother–whose medications were changed and she then got them all wrong. At 10 p.m.  last night I was putting pills into one of those “morning, noon, evening, bed” containers to get her back on track.

Life has been crazy. I’m hoping that today as I finally get on the airplane with 14 of my students, my good friend and her one student life will calm down. I’m praying we all learn a lot, stay safe and have a great time.

Then when we get back, it’s game on again. The high school newspaper is due to the printer. The yearbook has pages to submit. I have a book due 12/1, and my house is for sale.

Maybe I won’t be exiting the stress zone. But darn it, I’m going to pretend.

Michele Dunaway is an award-winning high school journalism instructor who is receiving the Journalism Education Association’s Medal of Merit Nov. 14. In her other life she writes novels for Harlequin American Romance and is working on the Complete Idiot’s Guide to the World of Vampires.

 

How Flawed Is Too Flawed?

Do you like your heroes to be perfect, a little flawed, or a lot flawed? How flawed is too flawed? And how about your heroines?

At the start of the story, the romance heroine and hero both need to be at least somewhat sympathetic, or we’re just going to hate them and not read any farther. They also need to have some heroic qualities. But if they’re too perfect, then there’s no room to grow, and it seems to me the truly great romances involve character growth.

Depending on the story and characters, a romance may be more “her story” (i.e., she has the most growing to do) or “his story” and sometimes it’s pretty equally balanced between the two.

My November novella, “Too Hot to Handle” in Men on Fire, is an example of the latter. Both my heroine and hero are moderately flawed.

Jade Rousseau has a nice safe, cozy life: a terrific job with the Families First Foundation, loving parents, and two amazing girlfriends. Her only problem is that she hasn’t found the right man, but she knows what he’ll be like: a nice, sweet, conservative, safe guy. The one thing she can’t handle is risk. Her dad, a cop, was almost killed on the job. After that, her traumatized mom convinced him to take a nice safe desk job. So, Jade’s issue (which she doesn’t recognize as one) is that she’s way too risk-averse.

Quinn O’Malley is a firefighter. And not any normal firefighter, but one who has a personal vendetta against fire. It took his parents and kid brother and if he has his say, it’s not going to take any more lives. He’s heroic for sure, but he goes too far and takes too many risks. He has a superstitious belief that he’s invincible and fire will never get him – because, after all, he escaped the fire that took his family. Well, obviously his approach to fire-fighting has some pretty serious drawbacks.

Aren’t Jade and Quinn the perfect couple? LOL. Okay, at first glance, they’re not. And yet, isn’t the perfect mate the one who challenges you to look deep inside and confront your own flaws? To change and grow, no matter how painful that may be, in order to deserve and win true love?

And isn’t that what we, as readers, love to see? Don’t we want to be there every step of the way, rooting for the heroine and hero to find the internal strength to become better people and win the love of their life?

That’s my take on romance. Now tell me, what kind of romances, and what kinds of heroines and heroes do you most enjoy? How many and what kind of flaws are just right for you?

Life happens

And all we can do is roll with it.

I’m writing this at my parents’ house in rural central Texas, on my dad’s computer. If there are typos, that’s why-I’m not used to the keyboard, and the monitor is out of focus. Which is kind of a metaphor for my life these days. I’m not used to it, and it’s all out of focus.

See, my dad was just officially diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Daddy was a nuclear physicist, a brilliant man who knew more about math and science than he could ever communicate to me, but he can scarcely add two numbers together now.  He’s easily confused, gets disoriented and sidetracked from what he was doing.

I would tell him he ought to call the doctor and see if he could get some kind of medicine, but he never got around to it till I called him back after a visit and told him “Call today. As soon as I hang up.” So now, the diagnosis is official, and he’s on a medication patch. It won’t cure what’s already been done, but it will help keep it from getting worse. And I’ve noticed an improvement in his moods.

Now, I have to get my mother in to get diagnosed. Her memory issues aren’t the same as Daddy’s, but they’re there.

It has become apparent that they really need someone to go with them to their doctor’s appointments.  The doctor will ask “How are you doing?” and Mama will answer “Oh, pretty good,” and have to be reminded that only yesterday she was moaning because she felt so bad. Daddy will go on a long, rambling discourse which might get to the point, and might not. So I make the 2-1/2 hour drive and come up when I can.

All the driving and being away from home  does tend to make it difficult to write, but you do what you have to do. I feel lucky to still have both my parents–they’re both over 75–and they are still in the mild stages of the disease where they know who we are, who our children and grandchildren are, even if they can’t always remember whether they took their pills or not. Between my sisters and brother, all of us doing what we can, we’ll get by.

I want this to be an optimistic post, because honestly, I feel pretty good about things. We’re doing okay. Mama and Daddy are doing pretty good. They’re living on their own, hanging in there. And that’s what life does. It happens. It’s what you do with that life while it’s happening that matters, and looking from this end of it, theirs looks pretty good.

They’ve been happily married for more than 50 years, raised four kids to reasonably successful, happy lives. (We all get along with each other–that sounds successful to me!) And even now, we can still have fun and tell stories and laugh with each other. Stories do come to a close, and while it’s sad to know it’s getting close, a happy ending always feels good.

Prize announcement: win 3 hot firefighters!

As the weather chills off in my part of the world, it’s time to think of things that are lovely and warm: crackling fires, steaming rum toddies, and of course . . . hot firefighters!

This week, one person who posts a comment at To Be Read will win a copy of MEN ON FIRE, hot off the press. It has three sexy novellas with firefighter heroes, written by me, Rachelle Chase, and Jodi Lynn Copeland. I’ll announce the winner on Saturday.

And in the meantime, try to keep warm!

A Picture Says a Thousand Words

A picture says a thousand words, but what are these pictures saying?

 

You’ll see the four pictures below and the best caption will win a copy of Divorced, Desperate and Deceived.   So go ahead, get creative, and let’s have some fun.  Write a caption for one, or write a caption for all three.

 

And speaking of words, here’s some words from two reviewers on my November 24^th release.   My hubby is poking me saying, “See I told you didn’t have to worry.”  And he’s right, now I can stop worrying about this book and start obsessing over my next release in June 2010, Shut Up and Kiss Me.

 

RT Book Reviews:

 

Divorced, Desperate and Deceived, 4 ½ stars, TOP PICK

 

The latest in Craig’s Divorced, Desperate and . . . series is fast moving, exciting and suspenseful, with the many delightful characters Craig always provides.  The secondary romance is a wonderful touch, and much of the humor originates with and is provided by the male characters.

 

Though Kathy Callahan’s friends are determined to find her a man, Kathy has her eye on one who seems to have lost interest now that she’s ready to date again.  While her son visits his dad for a month, Kathy hopes to connect with plumber Stan Bradley who, until recently, showed all the signs of being very interested in her.  Only Stan isn’t really Stan; he’s Luke Hunter, an FBI agent in the witness protection program.  Just as Kathy makes her move, so do the bad guys, and she winds up on the run with Luke.  But some of the bad guys aren’t so bad – something that just may save Kathy’s and Luke’s lives.

 

Publishers Weekly:

 

The action only stops long enough for steamy passion in this fast-paced conclusion to Craig’s contemporary romance trilogy (after 2008’s Divorced, Desperate and Dating). Kathy Callahan is the last member of the Divorced, Desperate and Delicious Club to remain single, thanks to her distrust of men and her devotion to her son, Tommy.  Sparks are flying between Kathy and plumber Stan Bradley, but Stan is actually Luke Hunter, an undercover FBI agent hiding out until he can testify against organized crime boss Lorenzo.  When Lorenzo’s men—including hilariously reluctant mobster Joey Hinkle –catch up with him, Luke and Kathy have to flee, unable to trust even their closest friends.  Craig keeps the sexual tension as high as the suspense in the mad dash Kathy and Luke make toward what they hope is safety, and maybe even love.

 

Okay . . . make sure you post your captions.  Here are the pictures:

 

Photo #1:

 

Photo #2:

 

Photo #3:

 

Photo #4:

 

Christie

 

 

Success

“Success – a definition. Success means doing something sincerely and whole-heartedly. And you have to have the help of other people to achieve it.” — Bruce Lee, Striking Thoughts

For Christmas last year, I bought my dh Striking Thoughts. I really love that book, which is why it spends more time on my writing shelf than on his side of the headboard. lol

For Mother’s Day, my youngest bought a chick flick that just hit DVD. She’s my chick-flick buddy. The oldest is my scary movie buddy. So, the youngest and I stayed up and watched the movie and we saw two proposals and two relationships. The first seemed perfect. So sweet. But I knew right then that the relationship wouldn’t last. When I explained it to my hubby, he didn’t get it. So, any guys ready to propose, pay attention. (I’m sure the movie sounds obvious, but I am trying to avoid spoilers. So I’m also paraphrasing, except the italics.)

The character proposing said when I look around at where we are and what we’re doing, I like it. And if that’s what we’re doing when we are old, then that’s good enough.

Um, no. “Good enough” is not good enough, it’s less than. It’s settling for less than what you want. It’s the easy road.

Now if he’d said I’d be happy. Or that’s what I want. Or any variation of, then that would be different. It’s like writing. I want to be writing when I’m 80. I want to be married still to the same man when I’m 80. If I’m living in this same house then, that one might be good enough. lol

Do it with sincerity and your whole heart. Do it with the aid of your spouse, children, friends, family, and colleagues. Then whatever it is, whether it’s anyone else’s ideal or not, you are successful.

“Success is not a destination – Remember, success is a journey, not a destination. Have faith in your ability and you will do just fine.” –Bruce Lee, Striking Thoughts

Success isn’t a starting point either. How many people have you heard say, if I can just _______, I’ll be successful. I’ll be happy. If I win the lottery… If I publish a book…

The problem with that statement is that it’s like saying everything that went before that moment doesn’t matter and everything after that moment won’t be as great.

The truth is, there isn’t one specific moment that is success. It’s all the moments of your life that make the big moments possible and so wonderful. From the time you get up and begin your day to time you go to bed, there are goals you accomplish, people you love and an environment you create.

“The eternal condition of success - A purpose is the eternal condition of success.” — Bruce Lee, Striking Thoughts

I used to hear, “If I could just win the lottery, I could…” I used to find that a fun excercise to imagine. Then I realized, I don’t want to spend my life waiting for that to happen. Are there things I can do and goals I could accomplish if I won? The easy answer is yes. I could help all those I love pay off houses and cars. I could send my kids to a top-notch college. I could have any physical therapy I need. My husband could fish and scuba dive all he wants. We’d be happy.

Until the telemarketers and fundraising people start calling. And people bickering about did they get an equal share like I gave xyz? And, oh, guess what? I realized we haven’t talked in 20 years. Gosh, I just thought I’d drop by.

And I realize, you know what my biggest gripe would be? All these d*mn people are interrupting my writing time!

I am living the life I want to live right now. This is my dream career. I am surrounded by people who love me as I love them. I have goals and will accomplish them, eventually. Life is boring without purpose. I am happy with what I have now. Happy with today. I don’t have to wait to feel successful.

Do you feel successful? What part of your life is successful? What change would you need to enact to put your life on the path you want? Is it a change you can make or one that depends on another person? Am I the only one who sits and thinks about this stuff? lol

Come on, don’t leave me hangin’…

Remember, the more you comment, the more chances you have to win this week’s prize!

Jamie Leigh Hansen
www.JamieLeighHansen.com

What’s your season?

The great contrast in colors has arrived: the sky is gray, very very gray, so very gray (actually, that’s usually what people say about Seattle anyway), but what you don’t expect are the trees turning golden and bright red. Those trees aren’t native to the area, you see.

Mind you, that’s what the Hub reminds me whenever we see a splashy display of deciduous leaves dropping. What’s mostly native are the green conifers, those pines and firs rising high. The splashy displays were brought in from elsewhere, not only in recent years, but when the pioneers first arrived here, hundreds of years ago.

And who could blame them for doing so? It was a long, arduous trip, and they wanted something to remind them of home. So they brought trees, saplings really, and watched them flourish.

But I can’t get over the feeling that maybe we weren’t supposed to have the splashy displays here. We were supposed to have the gray skies and green conifers in the winter, and the blue skies and green conifers in the summer. Having all that beauty of glorious scarlets and golds in the autumn and even the explosion of pink cherry blossoms in the spring are, strictly according to nature, unnatural.

Or maybe not. What’s more natural than flora and fauna spreading to new climates? If they can adapt, they will. If they can’t adapt, they’ll disappear, because they weren’t meant for that climate. So I remind the Hub, this is nature. Those trees, unlike the trees the city keeps trying to plant in New York City (and which keep dying; the pollution will do that), found a place they could flourish.

So those displays of reds and golds and orange leaves are pretty natural for the area. In the same way that humans came here and found it a good place to settle, so did the flora and fauna. There’s something gorgeous to look at in each season, whether it’s the turning leaves in the autumn or the cherry blossoms in the spring, everything in the summer (really, everything that could possibly bloom does so in the summer around here!), and even the grays and whites and even greens of the conifers.

So what’s your favorite season?

eilis flynn
echoes of passion, on sale now

It’s Never What You Expect

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Like Sharon (see her post below), I recently attended a conference. Mine was the wonderful Emerald City Writers Conference. I had a fabulous time (and didn’t come home sick, so I’m one up on Sharon).

Writers, both published and unpublished, often ask whether it’s worthwhile to attend conferences. What will be the benefits, and do they justify the outlay of time and money?

Of course there are all sorts of benefits to be enumerated, but what I’ve learned is that often some of the best ones are things you couldn’t possibly anticipate.

For example, when I signed up for PASIC’s conference in spring 2009, I had no way of knowing that by the time I got there, my editor at Kensington would have left and I’d have a new one – and being in NYC gave me the opportunity to get together with her.

When I registered for the RWA National conference in summer 2009, it never occurred to me that my Berkley editor would also have left. (No, honestly, I’m not scaring them away!) But my new editor was there in DC, and it was wonderful to chat with her.

That brings me to Emerald City. No, this time none of my editors had left. Hurray, because I love the ones I’m currently working with.

But some of us authors got to talking (we weren’t even in the bar at the time) and realized we all felt a similar lack: we wanted high-level critiquing of our near-final drafts before we submitted them. Because I attended that conference, I now have a new support/critique group. Our goals are to help each of us turn in the best book possible and keep taking our writing to the next level. How fabulous is that?

So, I’m a strong believer in conferences. Of course there are stimulating workshops, opportunities to meet and pitch to editors and agents, the chance to connect with old friends and make new ones, but there are also benefits that you can’t possibly imagine ahead of time.

Has anyone else had this kind of experience, whether it’s with a work conference or some other type of event, where you come back with some amazing benefit that you couldn’t have anticipated? If so, doesn’t it feel great?