How Hot Do You Like Your Romance?
When it comes to romance, some people like ’em hot and others not. How much heat do you like in the romances you read? Do you like every little explicit detail or implied sensuality? Take the poll and let me know!
When it comes to romance, some people like ’em hot and others not. How much heat do you like in the romances you read? Do you like every little explicit detail or implied sensuality? Take the poll and let me know!
I’d love to have dinner with Nora Roberts. And Stephan King. In fact, I’d like to have a meal or even just coffee with any author. It’s why I love going to book festivals and writing events. Often it doesn’t matter what they write or if I’ve ever heard of them. I still love to hear them talk about writing, their books, their characters etc.
I’m no Nora Roberts or Stephan King… etc… but perhaps some people out there might be interested in asking questions about my writing, books, characters etc. So I’ve gone ahead and turned on the Ask the Author option at GoodReads.com for the next few days and you can ask a question. Wonder why Tess’ favorite lingerie is Carine Gilson, over La Perla and other couture options? Although I don’t want to give any spoilers, I’d be happy to answer questions about the Valentines and their world, writing, publishing etc. All you have to do is visit my GoodReads profile and scroll down to “Ask the Author” and ask your question.
It’s not as exciting as lunch with a mega-super-star author, but it can still be fun! And if you’re not on Goodreads or aren’t a friend of mine there yet, please connect with me!
Over the weekend I watched a few Youtube interviews of Nora Roberts (I’m a big fan of the J.D. Robb books) because I think her writing pace and story telling are awesome. It made me think of a research project I’d done for a short book about her and the inspiring quotes I’d discovered. Here are couple I saved:
I love this comment about writing love and murder:
“It’s just as much fun to murder someone off as to marry them off.” Houston Chronicle
With 200 books, I’m not sure anyone has as many stories rattling around in their head as Roberts, but I know I have quite a few and would love to be able to start writing and just keep going:
“I always have stories running around in my head. Once I start putting them down on paper, I just keep going; I just keep writing.” Book Reporter.
This one is posted at my computer! When asked by Claire E. White at Writers Write about how she writes love scenes, Roberts said
“Exactly the same way I approach writing any other scene. Action, reaction, motivation, emotion, all have to come from the characters. Writing a love scene requires the same elements from the writer as any other.”
In the end, writers write:
“You’re going to be unemployed if you really think you just have to sit around and wait for the muse to land on your shoulder. That’s not the way I work. I build a story.” WTOP.
I thought I’d give an update on what’s going on in Jenna’s world.
First… HUGE THANK YOU to all of you who have read ‘Til Death Do Us Part! And an extra hug to those of you who’ve left a review on Amazon or comment on Facebook. Writing is a lonely venture. It definitely is a challenge to the ego; one minute you think you have something great and the next minute it’s horrible. It’s you who validates the work and lets me know that my stories are enjoyable.
It’s nearly summer, so I’m working with my assistant on a great summer reading special. You’ll need to stay tuned for that.
As far as the Valentines are concerned, I do have more mystery, mayhem and romance planned for them. I’m currently trying to decide if their next adventure will involve a mystery being solved by Daniel and Kate, or if I should give Daniel and Kate their own story, with Jack and Tess as supporting characters. Or maybe I can just throw them all together. Perhaps you have an idea about that. Let me know. Anyway, while it may be some times before you get the next Valentine story, please know that they have more stories coming in the future.
Did you know that in November 2012, I won entry (one out of five writers) into a Harlequin pitch contest? Through that I was asked to send the first three chapters and after that the whole transcript. But by June 2013, I stopped hearing and wasn’t sure what that meant. But then in January and again last week, I heard that the assistant editor and senior editor were going to be talking about it. Of course they can still say no. Or maybe they’ll say they like it, but want some changes. So, fingers crossed!
I haven’t forgotten the Delecoeurs, who are going to get mixed up in gold and lost treasure, but I think I’m going to do something completely different for my next project (unless Harlequin calls in which case I’ll do what ever it wants me to 🙂 ) I have an idea for a story involving two women who where adopted from Romania as small children and who return to investigate their roots. I’m researching all sorts of folklore surrounding Romania… yes, including vampires…. but also much, much more. What I haven’t figured out yes is whether it will be better as a new adult story. I’m also going to attempt to learn some Romanian. If anyone has any suggestions on the best way to do that, short of going to live there, let me know. I was going to try Duolingo, but it’s Romanian course isn’t available yet.
Thank you to all the Jack and Tess fans who have followed and continue to follow their journey. I’m so grateful for you and your support!
With a name like Harte and book series called Valentine, it’s no wonder Valentine’s Day is popular around here. And to celebrate, you can get Deadly Valentine, Book One of the Valentine series for free now until Feb. 14, 2014. Plus, you can get the next two books in the series, Old Flames Never Die and With This Ring, I Thee Kill at a discount of 30% off (only $1.99) also until Feb. 14, 2014.
The Valentine books follow the lives of Tess Madison, a French-lingerie loving, chocolate connoisseur and her handsome leading man Jack Valentine. It’s just the right mixture of mystery, romance and fun!
And if you enjoy them, the fourth book, ‘Til Death Do Us Part, is in it’s final stages of editing. I’ll be giving away the first few chapters on Friday, February 14th. Watch for details, here, on Twitter or Facebook for a release date.