2008 September | Brava Authors

Archive for September, 2008

A variety of books…or going out of my comfort zone!

Posted by: Cynthia Eden | Comments (9)

Wednesday, September 24th, 2008

If you asked me to name my favorite romance sub-genre, I’d immediately say paranormal romances (of course!). I write paranormals because I love to read them. Every month, I buy a stack of paranormals and greedily devour each one. I also love romantic suspense stories (um, that’s why suspense creeps into my stories), and those new releases generally go right on my TBR list.

But, I realized something…over the last few months, I’ve pretty much read exclusively in these two sub-genres, and because of that, I’ve been missing some awesome books.

So, I know it’s time for me to charge out of my comfort zone. I stared participating in a book club last month (a great way to get me out of the previously mentioned comfort zone), and this month’s read was a historical. Yes!!! One read–and I’m dying for more. And I’m thinking of experimenting. I won’t stick to my safe stories set in the Middle Ages (I used to love those!), but I’ll try westerns, regencies, whatever I can get my hands on. Because it is so time for me to find more great books.

I’m also vowing to read more sci-fi romances. More sexy contemporaries. I want to find new authors, and I want to find books that keep me up nights reading.

Do you have any recommendations for me? Or, are you like me…and are you ready to get out of your comfort zone?

Categories : Cynthia Eden

Comments (9)

And now for my first cover

Posted by: Emma Lang | Comments (11)

Monday, September 22nd, 2008

I’m excited to be able to share my very first Brava cover for The Education of Madeline. And so without further, ado, here is the most fabulous cover evah…

Just look at those eyes! Aren’t they deep and amazing? I could stare into them for quite some time without realizing what I was doing.

Whatcha think?

The Education of Madeline

Plum Creek, Colorado 1872

The Right Man Comes Along

Madeline Brewster practically owns Plum City, Colorado. But at thirty-two, she knows she has missed any chance for happiness. Until she finds a tall, strong, handsome Irishman on the wrong end of the hangman’s noose. Suddenly this unconventional woman comes up with an outrageous idea . . .

Teague O’Neal has rugged cheekbones, tousled black curls, and eyes as blue as the sky, even if he is caked in Colorado mud. The men insist they caught him horse-thieving, and there’s something desperate about him that says he’d do anything for a buck.

Maybe it was pure chance, or maybe it was something more that brought Madeline and Teague together. But one thing’s clear, between a woman who has just about everything she could ever want, and a man who’s lost that and more, they might find something in between worth living for . . .

Categories : Beth Williamson

Comments (11)

Losing Sleep….and happy to do so.

Posted by: Mary Wine | Comments (5)

Tuesday, September 16th, 2008

Hello everyone! It’s my first blog here at Brava Authors. I’ve been turning ideas over in my head but keep getting distracted by the book I’m working on. I tend to become absorbed with my stories. In fact my wonderful, understanding husband has been know to notice when I’m in a particularly dark part of a story because my mood is just down. I woke up at four this morning because I left off a scene last night and my brain refused to linger in slumber while my hero was waiting for me to resolve things.

But I love it. Truth be told, the chance to write is something that still makes me giddy. I get excited when I fire up the lap top and pull up my work in progress. I start listening to period music in the car, this is such a hit with my kids! Okay, maybe they’re just good sports too…lol. As for the lost sleep? I’ll catch up on that when the book is finished. My husband always knows when I’ve finished a book too because I’m in bed early. Right now, I’m writing a third Scottish historical. Set in the first year of James the first. I do love highlanders! Kilts and swords. Sigh. The first book is titled ‘In Bed With A Stranger’ and it will be coming your way this June. Thanks for stopping by!

Mary Wine

Categories : Mary Wine

Comments (5)

Book Give Away

Posted by: Karen Kelley | Comments (24)

Monday, September 8th, 2008

Good Morning!

September has started off with a bang! First, my wonderful editor offered me another three book contract. I am so jazzed that I’ll get to write this new series. These guys are to die for (fanning myself). Hot sexy alien men who shapeshift, and they’ve come to Earth looking for three very special women. LOL Do they ever turn their worlds upside down! These books will be packed with lots of sexual tension, lots of romance, lots of comedy and lots of….welll, y’all know me.

I was also notified that Close Encounters of the Sexy Kind won first place in the Greater Detroit Booksellers Best contest Erotic category, it also took second place in the Passionate Plume, 2nd place in the Lorries, and was a finalist in the Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award. This is the first book in my Planet Nerak series which is still available. I’m thrilled that my Planet Nerak series has been so warmly received. I want to thank everyone who has written to tell me how much they’re enjoying this series.

I also signed with a fabulous agent a few months ago, and I can’t say enough good about him.

To celebrate all my good news this year, I’m going to give away a copy of The Bad Boys Guide To The Galaxy. Just make a comment, say hi, whatever you want, and you’re entered. Must be 18 or older. This contest ends at midnight tonight and you’ll be notified tomorrow because I’m not even staying up until midnight.

Karen Kelley
The Bad Boys Guide To The Galaxy/Kensington Brava
Book Three in the Planet Nerak series Available Now
www.authorkarenkelley.com
www.myspace.com/authorkarenkelley

Categories : Karen Kelley

Comments (24)

The Cover Story

Posted by: Jill Shalvis | Comments (44)

Thursday, September 4th, 2008

Hi there, long time no see! I trust everyone is well and reading like fiends? I’m in the middle of a romance reading spurt myself, and in my humble opinion, there’s nothing like a good book to make everything good.

Well, a good book AND maybe some junk food. Say like cookies. The other day I was taking a writing break and sitting on my deck reading and eating. A neighbor stopped by, took one look at the half naked man on the cover and wrinkled her highbrow. Or high brow. Whichever. “I like books where the covers are more tasteful,” she said.

What she meant was, she liked her sex on the inside, thank you very much, and she’d rather no one know what that she was reading it in the first place.

And that’s okay. I get that. In fact, my first two Bravas were like that. All cozy on the outside, and a little spicy hot on the inside. And then they were reprinted in mass market, and well . . . Maybe you’d better see for yourself.

Get A Clue, original in trade, and then the reprint:

I got lots of mail on the cover of this one.

And then came Aussie Rules, first the original . . .

and then the sexier reprint:

I’m guessing the hotter covers sell better or we wouldn’t be seeing them. My Sexy series out last year, SMART AND SEXY, STRONG AND SEXY, SUPERB AND SEXY, all had pretty hot covers, and they did well, proving the point, I’m thinking.

Next February I have a new series coming out, starting with:

Oh, wait. That’s not quite right, though I LOVE it. Sorry. Let’s reshoot him without my wonderful editor in the shot:

There it is. Not quite as overtly sexy as my past series. Which brings me to my question of the day. What do you want on your covers? Sexy? Subtle? Gorgeous men? Scenery? What? Inquiring minds want to know.

Oh, and I’ll draw a few names from those of you who comment and give away books from my backlist, including the very sexy covered SEXY series, or the more subtle covers of some of my others. Your choice. Now spill!

UPDATE: I randomly drew winners, and they are . . .
Amelia, Aideen, and Antonia Peace! (Funny that it was totally random and yet they all start with A’s!)
Anyway, hit the link to my site and email me from there with your snailmail and a few book choices!

Categories : General, Jill Shalvis

Comments (44)

Readers First

Posted by: HelenKay Dimon | Comments (16)

Wednesday, September 3rd, 2008

Harlequin is launching a website where readers can give input directly to the editors and publisher. The site isn’t live yet. When it is, you’ll be able to access it through www.TellHarlequin.com. You can read more about the venture here.

Honestly, I think this is pretty cool. It’s a way of saying “we care” to readers. Sure, it could have some problems, but it’s pretty innovative and shows great promise. We’ll have to see how it works when the site goes up.

Until then, I have a question: If you could tell authors, editors and publishers something you’ve been wanting to say, what would it be? Do you have suggestions, concerns, thoughts…?

To get the conversation going, I’ll give away a copy of one of my books – winner’s choice – to a person randomly selected from those commenting. Any title, including the upcoming holiday antho TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT, is available except for HOT AS HELL since I don’t have it yet (Sorry!). Comment with your thoughts and you’ll be entered. I’ll pick a winner by Thursday and post the person’s name here.

UPDATE: I’m very sorry for being a day late, guys. I got to revising a story and lost all track of time. But, we have a winner…Stacy!! Congrats!!! Email me and I’ll get your choice out to you.

Categories : HelenKay Dimon

Comments (16)

Places

Posted by: Gemma Bruce | Comments (4)

Monday, September 1st, 2008

I just moved from a three story house to an apartment. It’s great. But that’s not the point. The other day I found myself singing show tunes in the shower. This in itself isn’t so weird, except that in the old house I always did villain dialogue in the shower. In fact the major scenes for my latest villain in Sudden Death Sudoku (Sept) were created in the shower or in the car.

So this sudden change has left me a little bereft of bad guy talk. And it also got me to thinking about setting as character. Why would one place inspire villains and another Little Mary Sunshine? Sure a gothic castle creates a mood, so does a rodeo, but what about all those other places where novels exist? And what about when bad things happen to good places?

I like to write about are small towns where the old and the new meet, and mix or lock horns. Lots of stuff in small towns. What about you? What places do you like to read about?

Categories : Gemma Bruce

Comments (4)

Email
Confirm Email
I prefer Text format