New release: When Edinburgh Dreams

I am sooo in love with the Reese family. Edinburgh aka Eddy is third in line and is ready for you to read. He's handsome, sensitive, prone to wanting to strangle his sister, and an artist that just wants to be left alone.

Eddy’s talent has always been his art. To pursue it, he travels down a path that he knows his family will not approve. So, he avoids them. But dodging his family isn’t easy. His sister has other plans for him, which includes giving free art lessons to her women’s shelter residents. And he will agree, because he knows she will not stop hounding him otherwise.



Escaping from her abusive husband, Bailey takes her young son to a local women’s shelter. Thrilled to discover they have classes, she and her son take a drawing lesson and meet Eddy. He is compassionate, easygoing, and everything that her husband is not. She quickly becomes attracted to Eddy, and her son adores him. But with a violent husband on the loose and a vulnerable son, Bailey quickly smothers her feelings.



Eddy is intrigued by Bailey, but she continuously pushes him away. And yet, he can feel the connection between them. Just when he thinks she might finally allow the walls she erected to come down, his sordid past comes to light, and a wedge is plunged between them. Even still, Eddy will do everything in his power to help Bailey, even defend her against her abusive ex. But with damage done, Eddy must become the man both his family will approve of and the man that Bailey deserves, or he risks losing her forever.

Get Eddy today!

Seriously, you need Eddy!

The Heroine

Last time, I wrote about heroes. Today, it’s heroines. As with the men in the books we love being the most handsome we can imagine, the women are beyond beautiful, at least to our hero, but what else is she? Do you see yourself in her? Or what you’d like to be? Does the adventure in her soul speak to you?

I love a feisty heroine, one who follows her heart, sometimes foolishly, regardless of the consequences. I love that she is intelligent (except when it comes to him and then all thought leaves her, especially when she is in his arms). I love that she can find valor and honesty and bravery, even though she may be shaking in her boots. I like that she can be tough when she needs to be but still maintain her femininity.

Whatever the heroine is to you, she is so much more to the man who is falling in love with her. To him, she is a wonder, at turns surprising him, beguiling him, frustrating him. She is a blessing and a curse at the same time. She is the one who forces him to see himself as he truly is-an honorable man who has no choice but to love her as she is.

And isn’t that the way it should be?

Happy reading!

Marie

Need Recommendations for New Romance Reader

I recently met a young woman who had read a Jade Lee, Harlequin Blaze romance. It was the first romance she’d ever read. She probably picked it up at one of the hotels or bars here on the island. Many have a spot where tourists can take a used book to read. Anyway, this young woman said she liked Jade’s book and wanted me to recommend other romances that she might like because, as she put it, “I don’t really know what my taste is.”

So, I need help. This young lady is a Science Professor at the University. My guess is she is late twenties. She is married and living in the Virgin Islands. She also has a grant to conduct scientific research. And she has just discovered romance novels. The book she read was The Tao of Sex which involved a Sex Goddess and a Dragon. As a Blaze it was hot. She didn’t seem to mind the heat, but said she loved the plot.

My question to you is, can you recommend any recently released (within the last year) romances that you think she might like? I’d love some suggestions as I offered to go with her to Undercover Books (the bookstore here) and help her choose some romances. So all recommendations are not only welcome, but definitely needed :-) Thank you for your help!



Alexis

"My Hero"

What do you love about your heroes? Of course, they must be the most handsomest men you’ve ever imagined but what else? Are they charming and witty? Silent and sullen? Prone to laughter? Or sudden rages?

I like my heroes to be a combination of everything. He must be strong and self-reliant, brave and fearless in the face of danger but above all else, he should be able to find humor in a situation, especially with the heroine, the woman he is destined to love. Yes, she can (and should) drive him to the brink of madness but in the end, he should realize she is the only woman in the world who can make him feel this way.

She changes him in ways he never thought possible, changes his whole outlook on life, changes……everything. The changes that take place in our hero, the love he finds though he might think himself undeserving, is worth every risk, every dangerous or humorous moment, every bit of trouble the heroine puts him through. And isn’t that one of the best things about romance and falling in love?

Happy reading!

Marie

Review: Firewalker by Allyson James

Allyson James has once again captured the essence of magical myth and matched it with some tough characters who don’t know when to quit. This romantic urban fantasy, set in the deserts and mountains of the Southwest, is woven together more beautifully than any Southwestern blanket.

Janet Begay, our local Stormwalker is back, and the first item on her to-do list is to save her dragon boyfriend, Mick. She drags local Sheriff Nash Jones with her because he is immune to magic and she just may need him, but saving Mick is just the beginning.

Janet has no doubt Mick loves her and will do anything to protect her, but as she discovers new powers, she starts to doubt Mick won’t kill her, literally. Of course, he will have to stand in line. There are so many who are fearful of Janet’s burgeoning power, including Dragons, Kachina gods, the Coyote Trickster god, and even a resurrected human, that Mick may have to fight them all off only to find he has to do the deed himself.

But the cast of creatures isn’t limited to a Stormwalker, gods, and Dragon. It includes such magical being as Changers, Witches, Demons, Skinwalkers, a talking Magical Mirror who’s a bi-sexual (if he could have sex that is) and a Null, not to mention some humans thrown in for good measure. After all, humans are the ones who will most likely be hurt if things go south.

But the world James builds is more than simply creatures in a harsh setting. This story has great action, intellectual puzzles, smart dialogue, hot sex, and good humor. It keeps you on the edge of your seat from the very first scene. The individual characters are flawless in their uniqueness, the magic superb, the plot fascinating, and the ending completely satisfying.

The only downside to this book is it’s the second in a three part series and now we have to wait for the third, Shadowwalker. My suggestion is buy Stormwalker and Firewalker and read them very slowly (if you can) so you won’t have to wait too long for Shadowwalker (coming in June). Trust me. Even if you’ve never read urban fantasy, you will really enjoy this action romance.

Alexis

I Got A Contract!

I got a contract!

I sold a book!

For those of you who write, who struggle over each word, who’ve taken classes and learned your craft, who’ve given up sleep and spending time with family and friends to pour every ounce of your energy into writing your masterpiece, well…..these are the words you want to say. Say? More like yell, scream and shout all while doing the happy dance.

For those of you who submit, submit, submit and wait patiently (or impatiently like me) and risk rejection, who wear your hearts on your sleeve and admit to the world “Yes, I’m a writer.” only to answer the inevitable question “Are you published?”, this is the moment you can say “Yes!” It’s what we writers work for, wait for, hope for, yearn for. And, in my humble opinion, there are no sweeter words in the English language.

I’m thrilled to say (yell, scream and shout!) these words. Whiskey Creek Press has contracted with me for my historical western romance entitled Touch the Flame (love those cowboys!). I have not been assigned an editor yet, but still...being able to say those words is a dream come true! Soon, I will have a second romance novel to share with readers. I can’t wait!

Happy reading (and writing)!
Marie

Historical Romance, Take Me Away

Have you ever picked up a historical romance and found yourself immediately thrown back in time? From the words written, you might envision the rambunctious golden age of piracy, the horrors of the Civil War, the polite social rules of Regency England or the dangers of the Wild West.

A good writer will weave bits and pieces of historical fact into their story to make it real for the reader. It’s thrilling when an author can make you see and hear what life had been like during those times and places (I’m a self proclaimed history buff).

With my nose in a book, the real world ceases to exist beyond the pages and for a while, I am there, in the past, experiencing everything the author wants me to experience. I might see myself as a saloon girl (the one with the heart of gold), waiting for the hero to make an honest woman out of me or hunting for buried treasure alongside dashing pirates or dancing with a handsome Duke.

When I finish the story, I’m right back here in the present with dishes and laundry and a job. And that’s okay. There are always other stories, other places, other times to get lost in. And isn’t that one of the reasons we read historical romances? To escape into the past? To live in a time not our own?

Happy reading!

Marie

Riveting Romance

“Alexis.” “Alexis.” “ Alexis!”

“Huh? Oh, what?”

This is how the start of a conversation usually goes between me and my husband if I’m reading a romance novel. For some reason when I delve into a great romance, I don’t hear anything. Many people may not find this surprising, but for me, anything that requires concentration requires silence, pure, uninterrupted silence. Whether I’m writing, preparing class, or going over my budget, I need complete quiet, no music, no lawn mowers, no people talking in the background.

But when reading a romance novel, all bets are off. I can read in the airport, the doctor’s office, standing in line waiting to buy tickets to the ballet. I can even read in front of the television. I start off by reading during commercials and before I know it, I’ve missed the last half of the movie!

Does anyone else experience this complete shut out of the real world while reading a romance? Or is my experience just a little out of the norm? Please, do chime in on this. I’d love to hear if you find romance novels as riveting as I do.

Alexis

A Place to Read

Having just moved, I find myself in a quandary as to where will be the most comfortable place to read. Of course, not everything is unpacked nor all the furniture in its place; however, that doesn’t preclude me from wishing to get comfortable with the next book from my “to be read” shelf.

I could always go outside and lay in the sun, but I have found over the years this is not a good idea. In addition to the obvious risks, I discovered I’m one of those people who can sit still for long periods of time. Yes, I’m a portrait artist’s dream. The only problem with this ability to remain motionless is it usually results in a very serious sunburn. It is one thing to get a burn while being active. It is a completely different experience to do so while remaining perfectly still!

So, where will my comfort area for curling up with a good book be? I don’t know, but I’m open for suggestions. Where is your favorite place to read? Do you have a comfy chair or is a lounge chair by the pool more your style? Let me know :-)

Alexis

Don't Bother Me . . . Please

This cat knows how to relax. For him it means nothing more than an afternoon nap on his back, but for some of us two legged creatures, relaxing can be difficult, especially when under the stress of deadlines, jobs, family responsibilities, etc. Unfortunately, I’m not one who can meditate or enjoy a good massage; however, I can enjoy a good romance novel.

What I do to relax is take a day to read. I sit down with a great romance novel and read all day. I do nothing but read. Forget about the laundry, Monday’s lesson plan, or the bills that need to be reviewed and just relax with a good story. When I allow myself this indulgence (not often), I usually have the book finished by dinner. I always take a day to read whenever I have to work an event on the weekend or help a friend move. I take the only day of my true weekend and read. It’s as if I’ve been away from work a week. I feel completely refreshed by Monday. Of course, I’ve traveled back in time, gone to Scotland, and fell in love, so of course I feel as if I’ve been away from work for a long time.

We don’t often treat ourselves to a guilty pleasure, but it seems there are a lot more expensive and time consuming addictions than reading romance novels. Are there tasks you push aside when you want to read? I’d love to know I’m not alone in shirking my daily chores once in awhile for a good read. Do you ever take day and tell your loved ones not to bother you so you can read? Do tell.

Alexis

When you just want to read.

Have you ever had the experience of reading a great romance novel and in the middle you have to put it down? Then every time you try to get back to it, it seems there is some other responsibility that has to take precedent over finding out how the heroine and hero finally fall in love? This has happened to me recently and made me very frustrated.

I’m reading Jennifer Ashley’s book, Lady Isabella’s Scandalous Marriage. It is a wonderful book, as usual for this author, and I expected to read it in a couple days, but alas, the best laid plans of mice and men and me often go awry (apologies to Robert Burns). First it was the forty college essays I had to review so I could post the final grades for my students. Then it was preparing for a completely different class for a new University. I was able to sneak a few pages here and there while my computer loaded information from my designated websites, but it has been very frustrating. I’m dying to find out how Mac and Isabella are going to reunite while a Mac impersonator throws illogical hurdles in their way. But I just moved and I have to take care of address changes, water service, cable not working, etc., etc., etc. Ugh, how frustrating!

Have you ever had this happen? What makes you put down a good book and deal with the real world first? What tears you away from a love story to face reality even though you know you deserve the break? Please share. Misery loves company :-)

Alexis

Cover Complaint

One of my followers wrote me about a complaint she had regarding some of the historical romance covers. I decided to share her thought and see what you think.

Covers, as a topic of conversation among romance readers, is not a new one. The recent (last 7 years or so) trend of showing only a body without a head, has been discussed numerous times on many blog sites. And the old “clinch” covers are, thankfully, far and few between now. But what this follower takes issue with is the tastefully done historical cover where the hero, heroine, or both is standing proudly against all odds. They appear beautiful, determined, heroic, and . . . modern?

Yes, modern as in present day. I would have to agree. I have seen some of these covers and despite the period costume, there is something too modern about the facial features. Now, who is to say that a particular face hasn’t been around the human race for eons and could very well be historically accurate? But sometimes historically accurate is not enough. If I’m reading a medieval romance and I come across the “f” word, it immediately throws me out of the period. That’s not to say the word did not exist back then because actually it did, but to today’s reader it is a contemporary word.

So, I think perhaps this follower has a point. She said when she sees historical romance covers with modern faces she just can’t get past it and buys a different book. When writers create fiction, their first duty is to suspend your disbelief. If the cover has one thinking “Macy’s” instead of “village market day,” the suspension fails.

Have you ever noticed a historical romance cover with a modern face? Has it bothered you or made you think twice? We’d be interested to know.

Alexis

Why Do Women Read Romances?

The other day I was talking with a gentleman who is one of those distant relatives, the kind that is related by marriage twice removed or some such nonsense. I had a Johanna Lindsey novel in my hand as I had been devouring it and was quite taken aback when he asked me “Why do women read those things?”

It surprised me because it has been years and years since I’ve met someone with that attitude toward romances and I’m afraid I had become quite rusty in my response. My world consists of people who value romance novels and see the writers of such as almost heroes, or rather heroines. So this question caught me completely off guard. I stumbled through what I hope was a fitting reply, but realized I definitely need to update my arsenal for other people I may encounter who are ignorant of the beauty of romance novels.

If you have an idea for a good response, would you share? Maybe I could practice possible comebacks for that rare occasion when I run into a person who simply doesn’t get romance novels. All suggestions are welcome!

Alexis

Guest: Wendy Ely, Win a Free Book!

This week my guest is Wendy Ely. Her second book CONFESSIONS has just become available. One lucky commenter will win a downloadable copy of her book! Welcome Wendy.

Alexis suggested I talk about how I came up with the plot for my novel but honestly, I can’t remember where I got the idea for CONFESSIONS. I’ve racked my brain since the date was set for her blog and the closest I’ve come was this: My mom came from a family of 9. My maternal grandmother kept the two boys and got rid of the 7 girls. My mother had been sold at age four. That premise with the other details swirled together and now we have CONFESSIONS.

What I do remember clearly is an incident that happened to me while writing CONFESSIONS. I had been in a relationship with a guy and we were getting ready to take the next step~ move in together. One morning, after staying the night with me, he got up for work as usual. He woke me long enough to kiss me goodbye. The man left. He went to work (he’d been a store manager) put the keys in the safe, went home to pack his things, and left town with no word to anybody. I was in the middle of CONFESSIONS at the time and had already written the big emotional scene between Chelsea and Jordan. When my boyfriend left, I was so upset; I had a million questions whirling through my head. After my two week depression, I took all my anger and rewrote some of the scenes. All of my feelings were fused into those pages. It’s crazy to know I experienced something I had already written about, but his disappearance turned out to be a blessing in more ways than one.

The conclusion to my story is: He ended up emailing me three months later and asked if I’d move to Boston with him. I told him to go to… well, it wasn’t a nice word. What about the conclusion to Jordan and Chelsea’s story? Well, you’ll have to see for yourself but I’ll share the scene I’ve talked about in this blog.

Scene from CONFESSIONS:

His presence seemed to be intruding on the living room. Earlier, he had been so welcome here, now it seemed he’d become a stranger in her sacred space. She wanted him to leave so she could curl up and cry alone until she reached her state of denial.
“What are we going to do now?” She didn’t want to be having this conversation. She wanted him to walk out the door so she wouldn’t have to feel anymore. Feel the loss of her child, feel the love for him, or feel the sadness of what she’d done.
“Damn it all to hell.” His voice boomed through the room.
“Jordan, I’m sorry,” she whispered, tears streaked down her face.
“Stop saying you’re sorry! I’m tired of hearing it. If you hadn’t sold our baby we wouldn’t be here right now. We’d be home. We’d be happy. We would be a family.” His strong voice flung out as if a bomb had gone off.
“Are you ever going to forgive me?” She shrank farther into the chair.
“I have every right to be angry with you, Chelsea. Do you know what I went through when you disappeared?” He took a few steps toward her.
“No,” she said, lowering her voice. “I won’t even pretend I do.”
“I went through hell.” His fist banged into his chest.
“As if I haven’t gone through anything.” The words shot at him like bullets.
“You?” He spat. “What have you gone through? Missing your daughter? You, darling, chose this! I didn’t.” He stomped over to the window and looked outside.
She kept her legs curled up in the chair, as if it would shield her from the hurt she’d caused him. It seemed like they had come so far in mending the issues between them, now they were taking ten steps backward.
“Jordan, please.” She swiped at the tears trickling down her cheeks.
“Please what? Please forgive you? Please accept my daughter is gone? Please forget about my love for you? You might be able to, but not me!” He turned to her, his eyes blazing with fury.
She shot up from the couch. “Forget? You think I can forget you? Look at this.” She undid the zipper on her jeans to reveal the tattoo. “Remember this? I can never forget you with this branding on me! I can’t even look in the damn mirror without remembering!”
“I hope it haunts you like it did me for ten years.” His voice lowered but didn’t lose an ounce of anger. “I didn’t know what happened to you. I didn’t know if someone abducted you, or if I did something wrong to make you leave.”

***
To read more of CONFESSIONS or find out more about the author visit www.lyricalpress.com/wendy_ely

Do You Buy E-Books Online?

My first guest blogger, Laura Breck had her first book, SECRET VEGAS LIVES, published by Red Rose Publishing. Her next book, SCANDALOUS L.A. DESIRES, will also be published by this well established epublisher. I have always been an old fashioned book buyer. You know the kind. I'm the one who hears about a book coming out and goes to the book store to buy it, only to leave with three more books than I planned on. Yup, that’s me. But with so many romance writers publishing with epublishers, I realized I was behind the times. So recently I bought my very first book from an epublisher. It was sooooo easy, I couldn’t believe it! That made me wonder if I was the last to discover the ease of buying from epublishers. Have you bought a book from an epublisher? How many ebooks have you bought electronically?

ANNOUNCEMENT: I have another guest blogger coming to Happily Ever After Thoughts next week! Her name is Wendy Ely and her new Romantic Suspense, CONFESSIONS, came out this week by Lyrical Press. She’s actually going to give away a copy of her book to one lucky commenter, so be sure to stop by next week.

What to read next?

Wow, what a great blog last week with guest blogger Laura Breck. Thank you everyone who commented. The winner of the goody bag was Hannah Howell! Congratulations, Hannah.

Since I’ve already read Laura’s book, I was looking at my “To Be Read” shelf and wondering what to read next when I decided to expand my horizons and see what others might recommend. So that’s my question for this week. What have you read recently that you just couldn’t put down and think I should read? I’m open to all possibilities as long as it’s romance and it is available for purchase now. Give me the name and author of the book and a little about the story to wet my appetite. Whichever commenter’s book I choose will win a $10 gift card to Barnes and Noble so she can buy her own next book. Don’t be shy. I need some suggestions!

A Good Idea! And a Goodie Bag Contest!

It is my pleasure to welcome my first guest Laura Breck, to Happily Ever After Thoughts. Laura's new romance SECRET VEGAS LIVES just came out and it is fantastic! She has included an excerpt of her book and is giving away a prize to one lucky commenter, so don't forget to comment! Laura, take it away!
~~~~~~~~~~

Sometimes, a good idea deserves a 102,000 word book written around it. That’s how SECRET VEGAS LIVES grew from a suggestion to a novel.

I lived in Las Vegas for three years at the turn of the century. It’s a wonderful city; good, caring people flock there from around the world. I chose to base my first romance/mystery novel there because it’s such a popular place, and nearly everyone can relate to it and to its Sin City patina.

The “sin” is what gives SECRET VEGAS LIVES its mystery - Antonio’s decadent addiction that, in Vegas, could be any one of a hundred legalized indulgences! The idea of creating a book around this sin came from a friend at a bachelorette party, late one night/early one morning, somewhere on the Vegas strip. “You should write a book about this,” she said. And I did!

I love telling a story that can sweep a reader away, take them completely out of their life and immerse them in whichever city they choose to visit; Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, San Antonio, Chicago. And I write a sweet/spicy romance. Sweet, because I believe in a physical relationship between two loving, committed adults, and that’s what I promote in my books. Spicy, because I like to write detailed love scenes, something to steam up a reader’s windows.

SECRET VEGAS LIVES focuses on Dr. Valerie Kane, an eminent psychologist who is at the wrong place at the right time, and is mistaken for a blackmailer by crime novelist Antonio Daniato. They both swear they’re not the blackmailer, but their suspicions keep them from exploring the intense attraction between them. When they learn to trust each other, the passion is red-hot. But there’s a reason they’re being blackmailed, and when they learn each other’s secrets, their perfect romance is torn apart.

The places in the book are real, and I’ve visited them, so my research consisted of remembering what the restaurants looked like, and doing a little online research to make sure they were still in business. My heroine in SECRET VEGAS LIVES volunteers at a shelter. Since each of my books is partnered with a charity in the city in which it’s set, in Las Vegas a portion of the proceeds will be donated to The Shade Tree Shelter, a shelter for women, children, and their pets. Read more about The Shade Tree on my website LauraBreck.com.

Here is a scene from SECRET VEGAS LIVES that I love.

Valerie looked at the lapel of Antonio's tuxedo. "I hoped you wouldn't do anything rash."

"You give me too much credit, princess. I'm not ethical like you."

She looked into his eyes, disappointment knotting her stomach. "You would have caused a scene here tonight?"

"If not here, then somewhere. Yes, I would have."

She blinked, fighting back tears. How could someone be so cruel? He would have ruined her reputation on nothing more than circumstantial evidence. She hadn't misjudged him. He was a bastard.

He snapped, "Don't look at me that way."

"What way?" Her throat closed, tears were imminent.

His voice dropped low, sensual. "As though your sexy blue eyes can see right into my soul."

Uncertainty gripped her, the room closed in. "Imagine how surprised I am to find you have no soul."

"Ouch." He flinched. "You've got claws, princess." His smile flashed evil.

She wanted to wipe it off his face--with her lips. She choked on the desire, zinged with energy, amazingly alive. Like she hadn't felt in days, like she never felt with Troy. Guilt, fear, passion, anger. The conflicting emotions warred with her sanity, and panic swamped her.

"I can't do this, Antonio..." Her voice broke and she gasped for breath.

She broke away from him and ran. The opposite direction from where her boyfriend's big, safe arms would protect her. In the empty lobby, she veered toward an exit, then changed direction and darted around a corner where a couch sat hidden in a dark alcove between two potted palms.

She sat and began the steady breathing technique and pressed the reflexology spot on her wrist which together should hold off anxiety. Then gave up and dropped her head into her hands and broke down crying.

"Cara mia,no." He sat next to her, his warm arm wrapped around her shoulders, comforting. He stuffed his handkerchief in her fingers. "You know I'm not worth crying about."

She sat bolt upright and glared at him, allowing her anger to emerge, effectively preventing the panic attack from overtaking her.

"You arrogant bastard."

"That's one of my best features."

"I'm not crying because of your cruelty, I'm crying because of mine! I never act this way. Something about you brings it out in me." She tried to shrug off his arm, but he wouldn't budge.

"Should we analyze it? We've got a couch right here," he wiggled his eyebrows at her.

"You are not funny!" She dabbed at her eyes with his handkerchief. She must be a mess. Her makeup running, her eyes red, and her nose sniffly.

He laughed. "You're sexy when you're mad."

"Don't. Don't try to laugh this off. This is the cure I need to get you out of my system."

His face sobered. Quietly he said, "How can I be in your system when I've never held you." He tightened his arm around her, with the fingers of his other hand he caressed her jaw. "And I've never tasted..." His lips pressed hot against her neck, his tongue teased her skin.

"Wait," she murmured breathlessly.

He continued his assault. "And we've never really kissed," he whispered, nipping her ear with his teeth. The bite sent waves of passionate chills down her body.

Oh, God, what was she doing? They were in the middle of Caesar's Palace and she'd arrived with another man.

"No." She straightened her arms and pushed him away, looked into his beautiful brown eyes and almost lost her willpower again.

"Yes. It's going to happen." He smiled his charismatic, irresistible smile, "Runny mascara and all."

She broke free and stood, catching her breath. How was he able to make her lose control? Her knees shook with excitement and her libido commanded her to fling herself onto his lap and let him kiss her senseless.

"Antonio." He sat there patiently waiting for her, so handsome it made her ache to touch him. His smile was too confident, as though he knew there wasn't a woman capable of resisting him.

She took a step toward him...

Just as her boyfriend came around the corner.

Sometimes ideas for my books come from dreams, some pop into my head while reading other books, and once in a while, as with SECRET VEGAS LIVES, someone blurts out an idea for me at a completely unexpected moment!

I’d love to hear how you’ve found ideas for your books, or what plots you’ve found in romance novels that you’ve found ingenious. Please leave a comment, and one lucky person will be drawn at random to receive a goodie bag of my promo items.

Thank you so much to Happily Ever After Thoughts for hosting me today, and I’ll be around to answer any questions. I appreciate everyone’s stopping by, and I look forward to reading your comments.

Happy Reading!
Laura
LauraBreck.com
SECRET VEGAS LIVES is available at RedRosePublishing.com

Characters’ Names Starting with the Same First Letter

commenter from Maryland contacted me to ask if other readers find this annoying in romance novels. She says she is a very fast reader and when multiple characters’ names start with the same first letter, she has to slow down and confirm which character it is. For her, it gets frustrating. I can see where this might be an issue for very fast readers. Do people who read slower care about the first letter of the characters' names? Do other fast readers find this to be a distraction? Where do you stand?

Does Setting Matter?

This weekend I read a book from one of my favorite authors. It was a paranormal set in San Francisco, mostly in Chinatown. I love visiting San Francisco and have even enjoyed the Dim Sum experience, but for some reason I just couldn’t connect with the environment. Maybe it was the big city. I’m a rural/suburban girl at heart. I still thoroughly enjoyed the book, but not as much as her others and I know it was the setting and my own personal bias. In the historical genre publishers have slowed down on westerns. In all genres publishers have been more open to settings around the world than they used to be. I wonder where that leaves futuristic romances with whole new worlds which could be either. Have you ever found setting effects your connection to the story? Have you ever thought about where the book takes place before buying it?

What types of Romance do you like the best?

When I started reading romance novels, which was further back than I care to put in writing, I read only Historical Romances. For decades I did this with one exception, Sylvie Kurtz. She was writing for Harlequin Intrigue at the time and was part of my critique group so I bought her books and devoured them. Finally, in the past few years I have expanded to Fantasy Romance, Contemporary Romance, Paranormal Romance, and (dare I say it) Erotic Romance. Again, it is because I know the authors and it has opened up whole new worlds for me, in some cases literally! If someone were to ask me what my favorite sub-genre of romance is today, I would be hard pressed to give a definitive answer. What types of romance do you like best . . . or can you say?