No, I’m not talkin’ ’bout man fur! Eeewwwww! I’m talkin’ werewolves and other shapeshifters. What is it about these furry guys that turn us on?

I think it’s taking that bad boy persona and ramping it up ten fold. The heroine falls in love with a guy who, with his little finger, could snap the neck that’s just been bared for his pleasure (and hers, I might add). It doesn’t hurt that he has more sex appeal in that little finger than any other man she knows. In addition, she’s guaranteed a hero who will fight to the death for what’s his, a man who loves as fiercely as he hates in true alpha hero style. And in the heroine the paranormal hero finds his reason to keep on going, discovers renewed faith in love and learns that even in the dark world he inhabits there are reasons to laugh.

In my Moon series with Brava, I have two types of werewolves—those who go from man to wolf and those who stop somewhere in between; those who have been cursed, and those who have been bitten. The man who’s under a curse goes from man straight to wolf. Those who have been bitten and thereby turned by another werewolf can, with practice, partially transform or they can go straight to wolf as well. The hero in Daring the Moon (book one), suffers from a family curse first visited upon his great grandfather. Ryder Merrick can control his transformation to wolf except during the three days of the full moon. The heroes in books two and three (Declan O’Connell and Rory Sullivan, respectively), have both been bitten and so their werewolfism (yes, it’s a word! LOL) is a different type than Ryder’s.

If you read (or write) paranormals, what is it that draws you to them?

Daring the Moon, Seducing the Moon, and Taming the Moon are all available now!

How do people fall in love? It’s an endlessly fascinating question, isn’t it? Each couple has their own unique love story.

One that always intrigues me – maybe because it’s happened to me! – is when a really good friendship suddenly changes into something more.

Does anyone remember the song “Tonight I Celebrate My Love For You” by Roberta Flack and Peabo Bryson? I loved that song. They sing about discovering how friends turn into lovers.

Because I love that story line, I chose to write about it in my April Brava, Love, Unexpectedly. There’s a twist, in that one of the best friends, Nav Bharani, has been in love with Kat Fallon pretty much ever since he met her. When they meet, she’s with another guy and doesn’t see – or at least tries not to see – Nav in a romantic light. As neighbors, they turn into best friends and she’s never had such a close friend, male or female. Her track record with lovers is disastrous and, though she’s feeling attracted to Nav, she refuses to act on it. No way will she jeopardize their special friendship.

Nav feels differently. He hates being stuck in the buddy trap. When Kat tells him she’s traveling home from Montreal by train for her baby sister’s wedding, the desperate Nav sees this as his last chance. He’s going all out in pursuit of the woman of his dreams. He decides to revamp his image and play “stranger on the train.” He’s determined to seduce Kat into seeing him in a whole new light, and realizing he’s the man of her dreams.

Their journey across Canada by train—as best friends playing the “stranger game”—is truly one wild ride to love. 

This is the second book in my Wild Ride to Love “planes, trains, automobiles, and a cruise ship” series starring the Fallon sisters. The first book, Sex Drive, came out in December 2009 under the pen name Susan Lyons.

What do you think of the “friends to lovers” type of romance? Can comfort and knowledge of each other thrive side by side with passion and romance? Do you know people who’ve fallen in love this way? What about in books or movies?

In the right corner, wearing red satin trunks and weighing in at 250 lbs of pure muscle and industry history, we have HEA, our alltime heavyweight champion – undefeated by cynicism, divorce rates and statistics on infidelity. In the left corner, wearing purple satin trunks and weigning in at 225 lbs of lean muscle and a new industry convention, we have HFN, with all the romance and none of the certainty for the future.

HEA stands for happily ever after. The concept of course is that two people fall in love, commit to a lifetime together and despite the challenges and obstacles they face, they keep their love alive and their relationship from crashing on the shoals of apathy and dishonesty that account for so much of our divorce rate stats.

HFN stands for happy for now. The concept being that two people fall in lust at least, commit to seeing where things go and may or may not stay together. They’ll probably fight for their relationship, after all, they’ve negotiated the dangerous rapids of romantic conflict and taken the risk to open their hearts – at least part of the way.

My question for you is, if this is your boxing ring and you get to decide with fighter wins the battle for the ending of your favorite books, which is it? Do you want a solid HEA with the certainty this couple is in it for the long haul, or are you okay with the HFN prospect, where the couple is busy enjoying the sharing of bodies and maybe part of their lives, but not necessarily their futures?

I think you all know what I prefer , but the HFN has become more popular, especially in the last five years, that I’m happy to discuss why this ending works for so many readers. Some of the erotica publishers even require it, and are unwilling to buy books with an HEA. I don’t see myself ever writing it, I’m far too fond of my Scooby Doo endings (where most everything gets wrapped up), but I’ve read some really talented authors who do.

It’s your turn: what are your thoughts? What’s your favorite HEA for all time, or even just lately? What’s your favorite HFN? Do you like/not like an ongoing series where it takes several books to reach the HEA? Are your expectations different for different imprints?

Good Morning!

I’m counting down the days until The Jaguar Prince is out.  I have a love/hate relationship when a new book is about to be released.  Ack!  The nerves.   I hope everyone enjoys it and that I’ll be able to entertain you for a little while. 

My wonderful husband created the book video.  I think it’s one of my favorites—-verrrry sexy.  The video.  Okay, he is, too    You can see the video at www.authorkarenkelley.com  I hope you enjoy it, too.   Let me know what you think.

Best Wishes,

Karen Kelley

This week I heard that after launching the Nook eReader, Barnes & Noble.com’s sales increased 32 percent to $210 million. Tommy Dreiling, who was the romance buyer for B & N until last Friday (he’s just been replaced by Jules Herbert), reported that 30% of those ebook sales were in the romance category. So it’s more important than ever for every romance writer to have a strong online presence.

I’ve already noticed that Brava authors are a particularly web savvy group, with your own websites, blogs and Twitter followings, but did you know that one of the best ways to reach your readers is through a fan page on Facebook? Alexandra Nicolajsen, our Digital Content/Marketing Manager, explains:

“Fan pages come up at the top of searches. They can also be linked to other fan pages, thereby cross-promoting. Also, all content is automatically public, and Facebook members can easily suggest them to friends. Some of our biggest authors are using them, and have switched from traditional Facebook pages to the fan page, which is more advantageous.”

Alex’s position was just created so we can be sure Kensington is taking full advantage of all the marketing opportunities presented by the internet, and she’s wonderfully enthusiastic and knowledgeable. She and the rest of our sales and marketing staff would love to know about any signings, book trailers, blog appearances or other promotional plans you’re making. When you let us know in advance what you’re up to, we can include you on the Kensington website and coordinate our efforts with yours. If you send me a quick monthly update, I’ll be happy to forward it to everyone here.

Next week is a meeting to finalize our plans for the upcoming Romantic Times convention. I’m hoping to put together a contest in conjunction with RT, and we’ve got some fun ideas that will involve many of you. I’ll keep you posted!

I like to write about paranormal characters. Okay, correction–I LOVE to write about them. And since signing on with Kensington, I’ve been able to write about some of my all-time favorite paranormals:

Vampires (I love strong, kick-ass female vamps)
Shifters (wolf, white tiger, and, yes, a dragon)
Demons (the badder, the better!)
Witches
A soul-eater (Yes, I said soul-eater! Luis was featured in the EVERLASTING BAD BOYS anthology)
Charmers

And now…I’m writing about an angel. Or, rather, a fallen angel. When angels fall, they can become very bad. (Yes, bad in a good way–hopefully!)

It is so much fun for me to create paranormal characters. With supernaturals, you can imagine anything. No limits.

I read and write paranormals because I truly enjoy that “no limits” aspect. With paranormals, there is always more to the world that meets the eye. As a kid, I was afraid of the monsters in the dark. As an adult? Well, I can’t wait to write about them!

But what about you? What’s your take on the paranormals?

Happy reading!

Cynthia Eden
www.cynthiaeden.com
ETERNAL HUNTER–Available now from Kensington Brava
I’LL BE SLAYING YOU–Available 06/29/2010 from Kensington Brava

One of the things I enjoy as a reader is a series of books. Nothing fills me with glee to get my hands on the next book in a series I enjoy.

As a writer, the same holds true. I love to write a series, to get comfortable with characters and revisit them with each subsequent book. I get many questions from readers as well, asking me when I will write so-and-so’s book.

I’ve even been asked if I’m going to write second generation stories! It’s a compliment, believe me, to have readers identify so much with my characters that they want to find out what happens next.

Now, my first two Emma Lang Brava books are in a series beginning with Ruthless Heart in late June, then the second book Restless Heart in February 2011. There is a character in Restless Heart, Lettie, who deserves her own story (Reckless Heart) and I so want to write it. I’m hoping I will publish it with Kensington in 2011 (stay tuned!).

I know there are writers who truly intend on finishing a series (like me!) who just don’t get the opportunity to do so because of one reason or another. I would hope no one actually abandons a series intentionally, not after involving their readers. I’m worried if I don’t get Lettie’s story written, there will be readers who are in the annoyed category. The last thing I want to do is alienate my readers – after all, we’re not writers without readers. It’s a partnership!

Now for those of you who read series books, tell me, if you wait for a final book in a series for a long time, does it annoy you? Or possibly even push you away from reading it once it finally arrives?

This is my very first public appearance under my new pen name, Susan Fox. After writing short stories, novellas, and single titles under the name Susan Lyons for Kensington Aphrodisia, Berkley Heat, Harlequin Spice Briefs, The Wild Rose Press, Freya’s Bower, New Love Stories Magazine, and Woman’s World (shall I go on? – no, you get the picture), it’s going to take some adjusting to being Susan Fox.

 But I like her. She gets to write for Brava! When Kensington moved the second book in my Wild Ride to Love series from Aphrodisia to Brava, they asked me to come up with a pen name. I wanted to remain Susan because I couldn’t imagine getting used to answering to a different first name. So, because it’s fun and easy to remember and I have a fondness for the animal kingdom, I suggested Fox, and Kensington agreed. So, please join in christening the brand new writer, Susan Fox (yes, she does accept presents – LOL).

 (By the way, I hold in reserve Susan Wolfe and Susan Tyger just in case I have to come up with more new names in the future. So no-one else claim them, okay? Susan Cougar is up for grabs, though!)

 In case you’re wondering, my first Brava, Love Unexpectedly, comes out in April, so I’ll tell you all about it next month. I’ve staked myself a blog spot on the second Wednesday of each month.

 For now, I’m interested in people’s thoughts about pen names. Is it just me who gets confused easily? Personally, I’d rather all writers stuck to one name and the book covers gave the flavor of the story, rather than writers using different names for different types of books. But I think I may be in the minority. How about you?

We, who are dedicated romance fans, are firmly aware of the benefits to reading. We’ve heard the study results that show reading and doing things like crossword puzzles helps to maintain healthy brain activity as we grow older. We’ve each experienced in our own ways the life changing power of the written word.

Now one of my favorite fashion magazines even recognizes the benefits of reading:

Read the article here.

Your turn: post your favorite link to an article about reading or romance, or share your favorite story about how reading has impacted your life in some specific instance or way.

Please don’t be bothered if it takes me a bit to reply to your comments as I’m working on a book that was due much too long ago and trying very hard to come back from a nasty flu turned bronchitis.

Hugs to all,
Lucy

I don’t watch the football.  I don’t understand how my husband can get so excited about a silly game—but I did want to watch the commercials. 

How was I to know New Orleans was playing?  I love New Orleans.  I’ve set books in New Orleans.  Gone there for research.  I figured I might as well watch since I’m working on a proposal that’s set in New Orleans.  You know, kind of set the mood or something. 

By half-time I was getting up during the commercials so I didn’t miss the game.  I had a Budlight in one hand and Doritos in the other.  A couple of times my husband and I bumped knuckles.  We yelled, we jumped up from our seats—we bonded.

That’s what love is all about.  It’s the moments we share with that special person in our lives.  It doesn’t matter if it’s a football game or a romantic movie (and yes, he watches them with me).  Wow, I’m a football wife and didn’t even know it.  Next year I’m adding fritos and chili to the menu! 

In other news, The Jaguar Prince (April), The Falcon Prince (August), and The Wolf Prince (Nov) are available for pre order.  The first two covers are up on my website—verrry sexy!  Check them out at www.authorkarenkelley.com

Hugs,

Karen