The HEA Cafe

Perhaps you haven’t heard but Dorchester, a notable romance publisher, has decided this week to end print publication and go to ebooks exclusively.

Today I had a conversation with a twenty-something woman. She didn’t know about much about electronic books and how the industry is changing. I thought that interesting since she is in the younger generation.

I wonder if publishers will themselves begin to push readers into buying ereaders like IPad or Nook or Kindle. That’s something to think about!

If you want to read what a ebook writer has to say about this drop by JA Konrath’s blog. http://jakonrath.blogspot.com/2010/08/beginning-of-end.html

The times they are a-changing!

I wasn’t sure what I’d blog about this month, until I opened up my emails on Monday. There I found an announcement that I’d won the Historical category of the FCRW (First Coast Romance Writers) Beacon Award for my Regency era “road novel”, The Bride and the Buccaneer.

I must say, I’ve had worse Mondays.[g]

I had to spend a lot of time researching Bride but it was all worth it in the end.  Even more so now with this lovely award.  It helps keep me focused on the need to get my next manuscript done, and I’m already plotting the one after that.  And frankly, the recognition from a Florida RWA chapter also feels very special.

If you’d like to read an excerpt and reviews of The Bride and the Buccaneer, you can visit my website.

This month, PROOF OF LIFE, Super Agent Series, Book 3, is released in print. CIA Deputy Director Michael Stone is the hero. Some of you will remember Michael from OPERATION SHEBA, the first book in my Super Agent Series. He was involved in a love triangle with counterterrorism expert Julia Torrison and a rogue spy named Conrad Flynn. Conrad won Julia in the end and a lot of readers were upset Michael ended up alone. He’s such an awesome guy (totally based on my hubby) and his UNhappy ending in OPERATION SHEBA left me unhappy, too. I had to give him his own story and a fantastic heroine to match.

Dr. Brigit Kent is Michael’s new love interest in PROOF OF LIFE, Super Agent Series Book 3. She’s also his newest enemy. Writing a heroine who could grab Michael’s attention was challenging. Writing one that could keep him on his toes was extra tough. I was halfway through the first draft before I understood Brigit and all her secrets. I couldn’t sleep, I couldn’t focus. Her elusiveness drove me crazy, but in the end, it helped me keep Michael guessing about her as well. I had to give in and stop trying to figure her out while I was writing before I could uncover all her secrets. Luckily, it all worked and my editor loved how Brigit kept Michael and the reader guessing about her true identity and her past.

Knowing your characters backwards and forewords typically makes for the best storyline. Especially in a romance, where the characters must grow and change and come together in the end. Once in awhile, though, you get a character who refuses to divulge everything up front. That’s okay. Whether you’re a writer or a reader, give that character a chance. He or she just might surprise you and be the perfect hero or heroine for your story.

Misty Evans loves her heroes tough, her heroines tougher and her stories full of action and fun. Visit her at www.readmistyevans.com and chat with her on Twitter @readmistyevans .

WATERMELON COWBOY

Short Story by Lyn Cote

(Copyright 2010 Lyn Cote)

“Hi, are you a cowboy?” Danny asked.

Sarah stood behind her freckled, about-to-enter-kindergarten son. Affectionately she finger-combed his red curls. On the way home from her new job and Danny’s new daycare, they’d stopped at the roadside produce stand.

“Well…” The tall, good-looking man in denim eased out of his lawn chair, then stood up by the weather-beaten stand. “Do you think a watermelon needs roping?”

“But you got on a cowboy hat.” Danny pointed to the battered straw hat shaped like a Stetson the man wore.

“No, this is my melon hat. Always wear it when I work the melon patch and this stand.”

“Oh.” Danny’s voice showed his disappointment.

Sarah sighed inwardly. She knew all about the kind of disappointment that comes when appearances were deceiving. Her six-year marriage to Danny’s father had been an unfolding story of disillusionment. The only things genuine she’d gotten out of the marriage were debt and Danny.

“What can I get for you, ma’am?” the Watermelon Cowboy asked.

To read the rest, visit

http://strongwomenbravestories.blogspot.com/2010/07/summer-gift-to-my-readers-short-story.html

Missing royals. Double agents. Hidden doors and secret treasures underneath a palace… 

I’m currently working on LAUNCH, Super Agent Series, Book 4. This story takes place in Russia and features CIA Chief of Operations Ryan “Smitty” Smith from OPERATION SHEBA, SAS Book 1. Ryan must help Anya Radzoya, the missing princess from the last of the Russian Imperial houses, who steals the launch key to a nuclear missile In order to stop the Russian president from starting a second Cold War. 

Every Super Agent book requires massive amounts of research. I’m only a hundred pages into the story and already I’ve had to learn about the following: 

Russian history, beginning with Nordic founder in 862 AD

Russian foods

Common Russian phrases

Nuclear launch keys

The architecture, layout and history of the Great Kremlin Palace complex

Russian Imperial houses

Imperial jewelry 

Since Anya is a genetic scientist, I’ve also had to research and study genes, DNA and genetic counseling. While I managed a B+ in Biology 101 and never blew up the chem lab in school, I still failed to grasp much of the science surrounding genes. Thank goodness for the Internet and good old fashion text books. I’ve crammed a lot of hefty scientific facts and theories into my overloaded brain in the past few months and constantly double check them on occasion to be sure I’m correct. 

In the third Super Agent book, Proof of Life, Brigit, the heroine, made this observation: “The intelligence community considered information only as reliable as its source. If the source was bogus, so was the intel.” 

I believe the same thing holds true for authors and readers. Readers consider stories only as reliable as their authors. While I make up some elements in my stories, I put as many facts in them as I can. I want to be accurate and trustworthy as an author while still spinning a fun, over-the-top adventure for my readers. Doing my research is a critical part of that process and one I hope readers enjoy. 

Misty Evans does her research in her pajamas with a giant mug of coffee within arm’s reach and her favorite playlist blasting in the background. For more information about her Super Agent Series, visit www.readmistyevans.com and come chat with her at www.twitter.com/readmistyevans. Her latest print book, PROOF OF LIFE, Super Agent Series, Book 3, is now available for preorder http://www.amazon.com/Proof-Super-Agent-Misty-Evans/dp/1605047937/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1277494700&sr=8-2 .