December 19, 2006 • Print This Post
UPDATE: CLICK THIS LINK FOR THE WINNERS NAMES!
My very first book for Kensington Brava was a Christmas novella. I was so excited to get the call from my agent telling me I’d been invited to be a part of the 6-pack anthology JINGLE BELL ROCK.
I’d been dying to write for Brava for months, and had even received a query from an editor there asking if I’d be interested in writing for them. She’d read my gIRL-gEAR books and thought I’d be a good fit.
Of course I was interested! And when the opportunity to write A BLUE CHRISTMAS came along, I jumped. Not only was I being offered the chance to write for Brava, my story would be included in a collection with several author friends I’d known for years.
Writing Blue and Jessie’s story was the first time I’d let myself go, knowing I wasn’t working within the same restraints I had been, and the novella turned out to be the steamiest thing I’d written to date. I think I caught my editor off guard! She called after she read it, and told me that she’d passed it around the office to check with the other editors to see if they thought it needed to be toned down. But everyone agreed that it was good to go, and I was thrilled.
What I love so much about the physical relationships in Brava is how no matter the emotion of the moment, the story in the end is all about love. Blue *thinks* his initial seduction of Jessie is about revenge, poor deluded man! In their case, they had a previous relationship, but in my other stories, where the characters are meeting for the first time, those intimate encounters are still based in their growing emotional commitment to one another.
Due to an early shipping mix-up of author copies of JINGLE BELL ROCK, I ended up with tons - and I’m quite sure most everyone who wants one already has one, especially considering there were six authors involved and we all received multiple copies to share! But if you don’t have a copy and would like one, I have TWENTY of them left on my bookshelf and will give them all away now. I’ll even send one to a friend if you have a copy already and would like to share the wealth!
All you have to do is post in the comments and tell me that you’d like a copy and whether it’s for yourself or for someone else. I’ll draw names on Saturday, December 23rd, 8:00 p.m.ish central. They won’t ship out in time for Christmas, but then love knows no seasonal bounds!
And since today is my usual Tuesdays with Alison Q&A, feel free to ask me questions!
Posted by Alison Kent @ 10:00 am • Filed under: Alison Kent
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Hi Alison, I would love a copy of this book! I’ve never been able to track down a Brava book in any bookstore in Ireland. It’s a travesty!lol. And I really want to read about Blue and Jessie, I love steamy relationships
Milady Insanity Says:
[...] Alison Kent on Brava Authors [...]
Alison,
Please enter me. Somehow I have missed buying this anthology even though it includes so many authors that I love. I would love to win a copy! My question for you is:
Do you have a favorite holiday book? Movie?
Happy Holidays! Zara
Hi Alison!
I already have it, but just wanted to tell everyone if you don’t have it, GET IT!! You will not be disappointed!
cool alison , great to see you here/ same here angie, have it already, so everyone go out and get it. it is great
I’d love a copy of JINGLE BELL ROCK!:grin: I didn’t realize that was your first book for Brava.:shock:
When you are part of an anthology are you in touch with the other authors involed?
Susan - It will depend on whether or not the stories are connected and share elements. In the two I’ve done for Brava, we all wrote independent stories. I’ve done one for Blaze and we did share settings and mentioned one another’s characters, so did have to do some brainstorming!
I’ve never written for a Brava six-pack - was it tough to do what you wanted to do with the plot, characers, etc., in the shorter-than-usual format?
I would love a copy. I just, in the past week read the last of your books in my tbr pile. I’ll be picking up your most recent book after the holiday madness had settled.
Hi Alison ~ I would love to be considered for a copy.:smile:
My question is have you always wanted to write the hotter books?
I have a copy, but have a friend who would love one.
Thanks a bunch.
I would love a copy! I will read it and then share it with my book buddies. We swap books back and forth. Such fun!
HelenKay - It was my first time to write a story that short, and then I did it a second time with the Beach Blanket Bad Boys anthology. In Jessie & Blue’s story, I probably should have taken more pages for the closure, but I didn’t want to go over the word count first time out! Plus, there’s not a whole lot of story there, so I found it a lot easier in both short stories to write about characters who already knew each other! Big shortcut doing that, no need for getting-to-know-you conversations!
I would love a copy; please and thanks.
I’d love a copy of JINGLE BELL ROCK!:grin:Thank-you for offering it as a gift.:wink: I think that is so cool.:cool:
Zara - This is SO lame I know, but I had never watched IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE all the way through until last year. I’d seen bits and pieces and was bored, but I finally sat and watched it all, and loved it! Watched it again the other night. I can’t think of any holiday books in particular, but I’m still a sucker for Rudolph - Bumbles Bounce!
I would love a copy of Jingle Bell Rock! I love your books but have not read this one!
I do agree about Rudolph - he is my Christmas hero!
Oooh, I haven’t read this one. I looked for it at my local bookstore last week and either they were sold out, or they didn’t have any copies. May I have one? Thanks for the offer!! Have a Happy Holiday.
Hi Alison! I would love a copy of this book! Happy Holidays!
Alison, I would love a copy of Jingle Bell Rock!
I would love to be in the drawing for this book. I haven’t read your Brava books (Blaze read here, sorry to Brava) but I’m willing to give them a shot to get my hands on a book that has a novella by you.
How long do you take to write your novellas versus your novels? Do you prefer the shorter length or the longer? Oops, two questions…
I’d love a copy. =D
I have a copy of the book, but it’s not signed (hint, hint). I actually pulled it off of my TBR pile about 2 weeks ago and read it. Loved all of the stories. Another Brava winner!
Wow, you’re very generous. I would love a copy.
Merry Christmas! May I have a copy, please.
I would love a copy for myself. You’re Great.
Please send a copy my way! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! Don’t eat too much.
I’ld love a copy for myself.
Happy Holidays
Dawn - I like writing both because each is fun in its own way, but it’s great watching a big book come together, especially when it has so many threads and elements to wind up! A big book can take from 2 - 4 months, but then so can a shorter Blaze. It pretty much depends on how cooperative the story is!
I would love a copy. Since my birthday was the 14th it would be cool! have a wonderful holiday.
Alison, I never read it, so I would love a copy. Your writing is great.
Alison, I have never read it and would love to be entered into the drawing………..Thank you so much……..
This is so generous. I would love to read this book. Never have won anything on your blog at all either.
Oh, if there are any left I would love a copy. Thanks for the chance.:mrgreen:
Hi Alison,
Pleae enter me in your contest to win your book, “Jingle Bell Rock”. I am so excited about winning this book!
I have a collection going of Christmas books. Your book would be a great addition!
I already have, “Santa Baby” by Jennifer Crusie, Lori Foster, and Carly Phillips, “Visons of Sugar Plums” by Janet Evanovich, “Tis the Season” by Vicki Lewis Thompson, “Christmas Party” by Janelle Denison and Stephanie Bond, and couple others. I love Christmas romance novels!
Merry Christmas and have a happy New Year!
Allison,
I would love to get my hands on a copy of Jingle Bell Rock. Too bad I can’t snag one for mom, too. I’m just not sure which one of us would love this book more.
I already have a copy, so please don’t enter me, but I did want to say how great of an anthology this is (no surprise there!) and you wrote a wonderful story. Weren’t there connecting stories?
Stacy - No connected stories in JBR. Mine was set on Blue’s Christmas tree farm, Donna’s was about strangers stranded on a train (I think), Janelle’s about a doctor, Nancy’s about a Secret Santa gift exchange, Susan’s about a broken radiator. I don’t know what Lori’s was about, but those were the others!
Happy Holidays to Alison and everyone. Add me to the list.
I’d love a copy! Merry Christmas!
I would love to win a copy
I’d love a copy of JBR. Holiday romances are some of my favorites.
Hi Alison, I would love to have a copy of JINGLE BELL ROCK! Thanks for the chance at winning one! Happy Holidays!
Please enter me! I would love a copy of Jingle Bell Rock! Have a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.:smile:
I don’t have this book. I would love to have one.
I would certainly love one, since I don’t have it. . . and it would be for me. Luckily I don’t know anyone who would want any of the books I own because I’m not a sharing person!!!! LOL
Happy Holidays y’all!!
Lois
Hi, Alison. I don’t have this book and would like to try to win a copy of it. Thanks.
Happy holidays to you and your loved ones.
Hi Allison!
I already have this book and loved it. I would love a copy to give to a friend. Happy Holidays everyone!
I’d love a copy, which I will pass on to my DIL after I’ve read it! Merry Christmas!
I would love a copy of JBR. After I read it (several times, I’m sure), I will share it with other 6th grade teachers at my school.
I absolutely love Jingle Bell Rock!!! Your story is definitely steamy!
Since I already have the book, I would love for you to send my sister a copy.
Yes, would love to have a copy of Jingle Bell Rock. I would share mine with my neighbor as we both are avid readers and usually enjoy the same type of stories.
Wishing you a Wonderful Holiday Season and a Happy and Healthy New Year.
Christmas books are my favorite to read! Please include me in your drawing!! “Blue Christmas” is an awesome story!
Everyone who posted prior to THIS COMMENT asking for a copy gets one! I found another box in the garage! It’s up to you to send me your address though! There are too many of you for me to hunt down. If you asked for a copy for a friend, send me their address. And put JINGLE BELL ROCK GIVEAWAY in the subject line of your email! Congratulations to all forty-something of you! If you post after this comment, you’re not eligible. Only those of you who posted before!
Fantastic Alison
Thank You
Happy Holidays
Thank you very much and how generous that we all get one:smile: Happy Holidays!
Alison,
This was super sweet. Have a real safe and happy Christmas. Thank you so much.
Alison
Thank you so much for the wonderful Christmas gift you gave us all. I am going to enjoy it so much. I hope you have a terrific Christmas.
Alison,
That is so sweet and generous of you! Thanks so much for the gift! Merry Christmas!
Hugs, Zara
Sqqqqueeeeeeee
Thank you very much. That is so wonderful of you to do and a great Christmas surprise.
Happy Holidays to you and everyone!
Alison, I wish you and your family a happy healthy holiday and new year and to all my fellow bloggers.
You have been so generous to all of us. Am sending you an email with my friends addy. Thanks, again.
Thanks, Alison. I hope you and your loved ones have a great Christmas and New Year.
Thank you so much for being so generous and giving us all a copy of JINGLE BELL ROCK!
Happy Holidays, Alison, and everyone!
Wow, what generosity. You’re a doll; thanks so much.