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Archive for February 2007

Excerpt (Corrected)

Monday, February 26th, 2007
Karen Kelley Icon

February 26, 2007 • 3 Comments
I forgot I was supposed to blog today. Some people are right brain–some left brain. I’m scatter-brained.

Since I’m not quite prepared how about an excerpt?
Close Encounters of the Sexy Kind

She’d made it. She was on Earth.

And she’d met Sheriff.

A sound on her door drew her attention. Just like last night. Maybe it was Sheriff again.

“Are you decent?” he called out.

Decent? Was he asking her if she was suitable to copulate with? She wasn’t sure about all the customs. Maybe it was best to ask if your partner would be a worthy mate.

She thought she might be a decent partner. Yes, she was almost sure of it.

“Yes, I’m decent.” She sat tall in the bed, her body tingling with anticipation.

His gaze was fixed on the tray he carried as he balanced it and the cups while pushing on the door at the same time. When he looked up, his eyes rounded. The tray dropped from his hands, splashing brown liquid on the floor and breaking the white cups.

“I thought you said you were decent,” he croaked.

“Wouldn’t I make a decent partner to cop…have sex with?”

“No!”

“No?” Her bottom lip puckered.

“I mean yes…but no. Damn it, I thought you meant you had your clothes on.” He bent and picked up the cups and tray. “I have to get a mop.” Grabbing her dress off the back of the chair, he tossed it to her. “Would you please put that on before…before…”

“Before what, Sheriff?”

“Before you find yourself with more trouble than you bargained for. I’m only human.” He turned but before he left called over his shoulder, “And my name is Mason not Sheriff.”

Close Encounters of the Sexy Kind coming April 2007.

Hey, My fabulous editor just sent me some extra copies of Close Encounters of the Sexy Kind. I’ll give one away today. Just answer one simple question. Go to my website www.authorkarenkelley.com and tell me what the last sentence Kristi Ahlers wrote when she reviewed this book. Hint: Look under News Alert on the opening page for a link to the reviews. One winner will be chosen at random and their name posted here in the comments section tonight at 9pm central, and on my blog tomorrow morning. The winner will have until March first to contact me. If she doesn’t (yes, that does happen)then I’ll do another drawing.

e-mail your answer to kskelley@classicnet.net

Best of luck!

Karen Kelley
Available Now! Hell On Wheels/Brava
Available Now! Texas Bad Boys/Brava
04/07 Close Encounters of the Sexy Kind/Brava
www.authorkarenkelley.com

Comments (12)
Categories : Karen Kelley

Excerpt

Monday, February 26th, 2007
Karen Kelley Icon

I forgot I was supposed to blog today. Some people are right brain–some left brain. I’m scatter-brained.

Since I’m not quite prepared how about an excerpt?
Close Encounters of the Sexy Kind

She’d made it. She was on Earth.

And she’d met Sheriff.

A sound on her door drew her attention. Just like last night. Maybe it was Sheriff again.

“Are you decent?” he called out.

Decent? Was he asking her if she was suitable to copulate with? She wasn’t sure about all the customs. Maybe it was best to ask if your partner would be a worthy mate.

She thought she might be a decent partner. Yes, she was almost sure of it.

“Yes, I’m decent.” She sat tall in the bed, her body tingling with anticipation.

His gaze was fixed on the tray he carried as he balanced it and the cups while pushing on the door at the same time. When he looked up, his eyes rounded. The tray dropped from his hands, splashing brown liquid on the floor and breaking the white cups.

“I thought you said you were decent,” he croaked.

“Wouldn’t I make a decent partner to cop…have sex with?”

“No!”

“No?” Her bottom lip puckered.

“I mean yes…but no. Damn it, I thought you meant you had your clothes on.” He bent and picked up the cups and tray. “I have to get a mop.” Grabbing her dress off the back of the chair, he tossed it to her. “Would you please put that on before…before…”

“Before what, Sheriff?”

“Before you find yourself with more trouble than you bargained for. I’m only human.” He turned but before he left called over his shoulder, “And my name is Mason not Sheriff.”

Close Encounters of the Sexy Kind coming April 2007.

Hey, My fabulous editor just sent me some extra copies of Close Encounters of the Sexy Kind. I’ll give one away today. Just answer one simple question. Go to my website www.authorkarenkelley.com and tell me what the last sentence Kristi Ahlers wrote when she reviewed this book. Hint: Look under News Alert on the opening page for a link to the reviews. One winner will be chosen at random and their name posted here in the comments section tonight at 9pm central, and on my blog tomorrow morning. The winner will have until March first to contact me. If she doesn’t (yes, that does happen)then I’ll do another drawing.

Best of luck!

Karen Kelley
Available Now! Hell On Wheels/Brava
Available Now! Texas Bad Boys/Brava
04/07 Close Encounters of the Sexy Kind/Brava
www.authorkarenkelley.com

Comments (3)
Categories : Karen Kelley

TV Romance

Friday, February 23rd, 2007
Jennifer Apodaca Icon

I’m late! I finished my book last night which is a huge relief! But now I’m trying to catch up and clear off a pile of stuff on my desk. It’s just one of those days…

Let’s talk about something fun. Anyone else watch Grey’s Anatomy? I just became a fan over the summer and now I am hooked! And of course, I’ve been following the Will-Meredith-live-or-become-a-dead-narrator saga. I won’t reveal the outcome in cases some of you haven’t seen it yet.

There was a scene last night that caught my attention. It was Derrick’s ex-wife, Addison watching Derrick with Meredith, and said, “He never loved me like that.” And I was right there with her, feeling her sadness, and feeling the love that Derrick has for Meredith.

And I got to thinking, it seems rare that TV shows are able to really show love like a romance novel. I watched a made for TV Movie of Nora Robert’s book ANGELS FALL. It was okay, but I’m sure the book was better. I haven’t read that book—I’m more of a JD Robb fan, and I LOVE Roarke!

I could write a whole blog just on Roarke and why I think he should dump Eve for me!

But back to my point, I know TV has limitations compared to books where e can use descriptions and reveals characters inner thoughts. But Grey’s Anatomy works really well within the TV format.

What about you? What TV shows or movies do you think do a good job making the viewers feel the romance?

Comments (7)

Checking In :)

Friday, February 23rd, 2007
Lucy Monroe Icon
Categories : Lucy Monroe

Book Club #4

Wednesday, February 21st, 2007
Sylvia Day Icon

There have been some comments to me about two books a month being too much for a lot of participants to keep up with. So we’re going to taper it down to one Book Club selection a month. Yes, this means only one winner a month as opposed to two, but I understand that schedules and wallets are tight. This will also allow more time for the Canadian winners to receive their books. We’ve had two Canadian winners so far and both had long waits for their books to arrive. :) We’ll continue with Katherine O’Neal’s THE ART OF SEDUCTION until the next meeting of the club.

If you’ve read it and would like to comment on it, please do. Also I’d love to hear your recommendations for next month’s book — genre, anthology or not, etc.

Questions to keep in mind while reading:

SD Book ClubFavorite line

Favorite scene

And if you haven’t yet, you can sign up to be notified when a Book Club post goes up, by filling out the form below.


 

Comments (14)
Categories : Sylvia Day
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To The Movies

Tuesday, February 20th, 2007
HelenKay Dimon Icon

This month’s Vanity Fair is the Hollywood issue. On that point, alone, it’s worth a look. Inside, in addition to the actors you’d expect to find, are a few interesting articles. One is on Judith Regan of the infamous now-canceled “confessional” book by the equally infamous O.J. Simpson. That one is…well, long. Apparently there is quite a bit to say about Judith Regan.

There’s also a short story by NYT bestselling author Linda Fairstein about her run-in with Hollywood biggie Harvey Weinstein and her desire to get a movie option on one of her books. In addition to being a significant author, Fairstein was a sex crimes prosecutor in New York for about 30 years and inspired Law & Order, SVU. In other words, she knows what she’s talking about. Fairstein and Weinstein met a few times. Fairstein kept hoping for that option. Then she got an email from someone named Susan on behalf of Harvey Weinstein. Fairstein got excited. She set up a lunch with Harvey Weinstein through Susan. Then, right before the lunch, Fairstein wanted to make sure she had some personal facts on Weinstein correct, including the pronounciation of his name. Susan’s email response said: “Harvey pronounces his name Wein-steen…just like the movie producer.”

Yeah, Fairstein thought she was setting up a lunch with The Harvey Weinstein. Instead, she was setting up a lunch with Harvey Weinstein, 81 years old, and the former tuxedo king of America who was kidnapped in 1993 by an employee and held for ransom. The story is cute and pretty funny. Fairstein’s honesty is refreshing. She ends the story with: “I still don’t have a movie deal, but I spent an afternoon with a genuine hero.” Pretty cool.

This got me thinking – what book would I like to see made into a movie? If I were in charge of The Harvey Weinstein’s lunch calendar, who would you want me to slip in there? One book that instantly popped into my mind was The Givenchy Code by Julie Kenner. it just seems like movie material.

What about you? Give me some thoughts. I’ll randomly select from someone commenting – that person gets a $20 Amazon gift certificate to buy whatever book or movie she wants!

Comments (45)
Categories : HelenKay Dimon

Snow Days

Monday, February 19th, 2007
Gemma Bruce Icon

It’s the middle of February and we just had our first “snow” day last week. Schools were closed. No one was on the roads.
In the scheme of snow days, it was a bust. I live in New Jersey where six inches is a piece of cake. (I hear you chortling.) Twelve inches is a “Snow Day”. What we got last week was barely an inch with a freezing rain glaze.
Puny, but I’m always grateful for a snow day, especially one where you don’t have to shovel. I’d just finished correcting the galleys of my next mystery, and I’d finished the first draft of my next Brava book several days before. So far, It’s titled, Who’s Playing the Field? It’s about a baseball player and a sports journalist. Think Hepburn and Tracy but contemporary, young, hip and hot. I was tempted to get started on the edit, but I really need a few weeks off before I can approach an edit with a clear mind.
So I did the next best snow day thing. My daughter and I scraped the ice off the car windows and drove to the mall. No lines, no one in a hurry. The clerks were actually glad to see us. We had a blast. Then we took ourselves out to lunch.
Now this isn’t something that happens often, spending the day with your seventeen year old with lots of mutual oohs and ahs at the shoe selection without one argument.
Of course, as soon as we got home, she disappeared into her room to IM for the rest of the day. I picked up a romance and curled up on the couch. Another thing that doesn’t happen often these days. Seems with all the writing, it’s hard to schedule reading for pleasure.
I guess I’ll have to thank that puny snow day for the opportunity to kick back and enjoy. What do you do on those snowy winter days? What kinds of books make you feel warm and toasty?

Comments (5)
Categories : Gemma Bruce

It’s all about the prezzies!

Wednesday, February 14th, 2007
Dianne Castell Icon

Well, it’s the big V Day! And as romance readers and writers this is our day too! We get to celebrate romance, falling in love and staying in love. It takes hard work to do that last part. No relationship in or out of books survives without nurturing and constant attention.
We’ve all given lots of prezzies over the years to underline how much we truly care. In books the hero brings flowers, the heroine bakes or wears sexy lingerie or wears the lingerie while baking. In one of my books the heroine gave the hero land to build a runway so he’d fly back to see her. In another the hero gave the heroine a gun to keep her sleazy ex at bay.
So the question today is… What do you think was the best present you gave the hero in your life? Or what was the best present from your favorite book?

Have a fun day. Hugs and valentines, Dianne

PS: I have calendars with my upcoming covers. Anyone wanting a calendar just email me at DianneCastell@hotmail.com with your snail address.

Comments (8)
Categories : Dianne Castell

Why I love February!

Tuesday, February 13th, 2007
Katherine Garbera Icon

This is my first official post on the Brava authors blog because even though I think I’m technically savvy, I’m not.  February is one of my favorite months and not just because of Valentine’s Day!  I met my husband in February and we had our very first date on Feb. 12.  We were young (18 and 19) and went to a concert at Disney called Valentine Heartbeat.  He gave me two dozen roses and a huge box of yummy chocolates and I have to say I was smitten.

He was the romantic guy I’d been waiting for.  We had a great time at the concert and ten months later he asked me to marry him.  I’ve never regretted it.  He’s still romantic even after 17 years of marriage. 

The other reason I love February is that my youngest child was born on the 20th.  He’s this smart, funny little guy and he’s going to be 10!  I can’t believe how fast the time has gone and I think that it is probably time for me to stop saying I still haven’t dropped my post-pregnancy weight.  I mean he’s ten.  Way past the baby stage!

I’ve been busy working on my September Brava release…Sex With A Stranger.  My heroine, Jane, unfortunately didn’t marry the kind of guy my hubby is.  So divorced and disgusted she’s decided to head to Vegas and make some changes in her life. You know do a little wild living.  And my hero Liam O’Roarke (he’s one of Andi’s brothers–from Body Heat) is just the guy to help her with her wild living. 

I am having a lot of fun writing about Sin City and these two characters.

Okay, now it’s your turn, what do you love about February?

 Kathy

Comments (9)
Categories : Katherine Garbera

A Sneak Peek

Monday, February 12th, 2007
Jamie Denton Icon

You know one of the best things I love about writing for Brava? I mean, aside from being in the company of such stellar authors with amazingly superb storytelling abilities? And an editorial staff that, IMO, walks on water? Well, it’s the covers. I think Brava has some of the best covers out there. I have no complaints whatsoever in what the art department does for me, especially how they manage to completely capture the tone of my stories to absolute perfection.

I couldn’t have been more thrilled with my cover for THE MATCHMAKER. In my opinion, the geniuses in the art department couldn’t have nailed the tone of the book any more perfectly. The cover was dark, even mildly creepy, but not in an “eewww” sort of way. More like an errily creepy tone. Like I said, above, absolute perfection.

Last week my editor sent me the first copy of my cover for my next release and I couldn’t be more thrilled. Once again the art department has worked it’s magic for REMAIN SILENT, my next romantic suspense from Brava due out later this year. It’s dark and definitely has that “suspense” feel to it.

Take a look and let me know what you think.

Remain Silent/Nov 07

Oh, and that small print that’s a little blurry, it says, “Some secrets should go to the grave.”

So what do you think? What are some of your favorite Brava covers to date?

Comments (10)
Categories : Jamie Denton