The HEA Cafe

I’d rather be researching

Darlene — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 13:53:32 +0000

I don’t know who said it first, but I remember the author’s quote, “I don’t enjoy writing. I enjoy having written.”

I feel exactly the same way. I just finished another manuscript, Castaway Dreams. I’m thrilled I finished writing my sixth novel, and it motivates me to begin the next one. However, I’m taking time to refresh my research first. My books have been set in Florida and the Caribbean, but this next one (Working Title: “The Hot Pirate’s Secret Baby”) will have most of its action in England in the early 19th C. I’ve got some great research books on hand, but some of them I read five to ten years ago and they deserve a second look.

I also have a couple of new purchases for research that I’m enjoying. One is Amanda Vickery’s Behind Closed Doors–At Home in Georgian England and Georgette Heyer’s Regency World by Jennifer Kloester.

This latter book has me worried. It’s so enjoyable that I’m fighting the urge to re-read my Heyer collection. I know that if I start spending hours with the Divine Georgette and Hero and Arabella and Sophy and Mary and all her other wonderful heroines (not to mention the heroes!) that I’ll never get to spend time with my Hot Pirate.

So it’s back to work for now, and if I find myself weakening I’ll remember how much I “enjoy having written” and that a new novel is lurking in my brain awaiting its day in the sun.

Author Lyn Cote Needs You to Name the Kitties!

Lyn — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 15:20:24 +0000

Lyn Cote here-In the manuscript I just turned in, I have two golden tabby kittens that my heroine and her two little nieces adopt.
I need names for them. Will you help me?

These are all photos of the type of kittens. I always call these golden tabby. Maybe that’s not their correct name but it will serve my purposes.

So what should I name them??? Please leave your suggestions through Sunday, the 12th.

I need to let my editor know no later than September 13th.
The person who comes up with the winning names for the orphaned, adopted kittens will receive a copy of my latest Love Inspired Romance, Shelter of Hope.

The book that these kittens are in is titled, DADDY IN THE MAKING and will be released in April 2011. I know it’s hard to remember but I’m always writing a year ahead.

Here are the directions to join the fun & perhaps win a signed copy of Shelter of Hope.

Drop by my blog http://strongwomenbravestories.blogspot.com/2010/09/name-kitties.html
and leave a comment with your name suggestions & your email written like this l(dot)cote(at)juno(dot)com. Deadline Sunday the 12th!

And there’s a really cute kitten video there too. Join the fun!–Lyn

Another take on Dorchester’s change of course

Lyn — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 07:50:13 +0000

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!

The Bride and the Buccaneer wins Beacon

Darlene — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 20:39:02 +0000

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.

The Right Heroine For the Job by Misty Evans

Misty Evans — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 11:30:29 +0000

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 .