Jennifer’s Random Musings

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Wishing everyone a happy and safe New Year with lots of fun and plenty of good reads!

 So, what was your favorite read of 2007?

What are you looking forward to in 2008?

*Sorry thought this posted, but it didn’t.

The Long and Short Reviews website is having a cool contest!  To celebrate their half-year anniversary and the upcoming New Year, they’re hosting a cool contest where you can win autographed books.  Click Here for more info.  The contest ends January 12, 2008

Here is an awesome Trailer for Tawny Weber’s DOES SHE DARE? 

Tawny Weber’s new release, Does She Dare?, is officially out in January, but it has already been spotted in stores!  
Tawny agreed to an interview to tell us more about Does She Dare?, her writing, and more. 

Please tell us about your latest release.
DOES SHE DARE? is such a fun story about what happens when you make a really HOT birthday wish.  Isabel Santos is a goal setting list-maker with just one problem… she’s sick of her barren love life.  So, like any good goal-setter, she creates a plan –The Man Plan.  With it, she figured she’d spice things up, get lucky and have some fun (while staying in control of the situation).  Instead of staying in control, though, she gets the one guy guaranteed to make her LOSE control – Dante Luciano, bad boy extraordinaire and her long-time fantasy man.   Dante is in town just long enough to pay off a debt and be on his way.  But when he gets his hands on her Man Plan, he’s determined to make it come true.       

What inspired the story?
Actually the story inspiration came from DOUBLE DARE (my May 07 Blaze).  Isabel had a small part in that story, basically as Audra’s conscious.  That sane, practical voice of reason that kept my bad girl from going off the edge.  That got me thinking… what would it take to really make this practical, goal-setting, eye-on-the-prize type of gal crazy? 

What is your favorite part of being a writer?  Least favorite?
I love meeting my characters, watching their stories unfold.  Creating and exploring their inner conflicts, the emotional issues they have to overcome to grow as ‘people’ is always fascinating to me.  The love story, setting sparks and bringing two characters together is wonderful.  And, well, hot sexy love scenes definitely add to the fun of writing LOL.   

My least favorite thing about writing is the anxiety.  Does the editor like it, do the readers like it – that kind of thing.  Waiting and knowing so much is out of my hands is stressful, as is promotion because there is no way to gauge if I did enough until it’s too late to change.   But those drawbacks are the same in almost any career, aren’t they?    

Is there anything you would like to write, but haven’t?  For example, any other genre you’d like to try?
I love paranormal.  Light, of course, in keeping with my voice.   I actually have a light-hearted para with my agent right now.  It’s a sassy story of a Witch whose powers suddenly return as her idiot husband asks for a divorce.  She gets a little peeved ends up banished to a small town, where she has to deal with some kooky characters, a sexy handyman and…  Oh yeah, save the town from evil LOL.  This is definitely a direction I’d like to expand my writing into.   

Who has inspired you as a writer?
I’ve read romances as long as I can remember and always had a secret wish to write.  But I never tried.  One summer my husband and I were talking and I admitted my secret.  He immediately told me to get to it then, since that was my dream.  And he’s still inspiring me – he’s my real life hero.  As far as writing inspiration, I’d have to say Vicki Lewis Thompson.  She was the first author I read who brought both humor and hot sex into a story in the perfect balance.  That’s my goal as a writer, to make the reader smile and laugh, heat things up and give them a “oh yeah, I want to try that” feeling, and touch them emotionally all at the same time.   

What would you like to tell aspiring writers?
I think writing is the most amazing job in the world!  I hope anyone who wants to write will give themselves the encouragement to do so – and not give up.  It’s challenging to turn writing into a career, but RWA is an amazing tool, one I think every romance author can benefit from.   

Which of your characters would you like to switch places with? For how long?  What would you do?
Oooh… good question.  Let’s see…  Audra from DOUBLE DARE would be fun because she’s so naughty (and looks great in Posh Spice style clothes LOL) and Isabel from DOES SHE DARE? is my kind of gal with her Man Plan and determination to make her dreams come true.  But I think if I had to choose, I’d pick my Delaney, who is the heroine from my Nov 08 Blaze, RISQUE BUSINESS.  She wins this incredible makeover, wardrobe and all (and catches the eye of a VERY sexy erotic suspense author).  Oh yeah…  I want that!   

Who are some of your favorite authors?
Vicki Lewis Thompson, Nora Roberts & Jennifer Crusie are my all-time favorite auto-buy authors.  Each of them brings such intense voice and power to their writing.   

Describe yourself in 3 words.
Empowering, neurotic, determined  

What is next for you?
I have some fun appearances tied in with DOES SHE DARE? coming up in January.  On the 7^th I kick off The Man Plan discussion on eHarlequin.com.  Since Isabel in DOES SHE DARE? used her own Man Plan to snag her hottie hero, I think it’ll be a lot of fun – and would love it if you all stopped by!  I’m also am teaching a Dreams to Reality workshop online at FTHRW.com with my CP, Beth Andrews.  In November of 08 my next Blaze will be out – it’s a fabulously sexy makeover story called RISQUÉ BUSINESS.     

You can find out more about Tawny by visiting her website 

To celebrate the release of DOES SHE DARE?, Tawny is offering one lucky commenter a “Man Plan Package” full of goodies…to enter you just have to leave a comment answering the questions below. 
I will randomly choose a winner and announce it here on the blog January 1. 

I asked Tawny if there were anything she’d like to ask readers and here is what she said:
If you could make a plan for anything you wanted… what would it be?  A man, a job, a size 5 pair of jeans that fits “just right”?  We’re heading into the New Year… what dream would YOU like to see come true?

Sundial by Carrie Lofty

Available now from The Wild Rose Press
Winner: “Through the Garden Gate,” contest; Vintage (1950s-60s) 

Amber Schulman stepped into a lush English garden in 2007, only to arrive in breathtaking Sorrento, Italy–in 1958. The only person who understands her confusion is fellow time traveler Mark Lacey, a New Yorker who comes from the land of cassette tapes and Reaganomics. His dark, world-weary eyes beckon her with secrets and sensuality. But why does he seem familiar? 

Trapped in the past since he was a teen, Mark wants nothing to do with another whining newcomer. But the blue-eyed Aussie might be able to answer the one question that haunts him: Do I ever get back to 1987? From soccer to samba to sex, Amber tempts him with a zeal for life and love, pulling him free of his lonely isolation. 

But getting home may prove easier than they imagined. How will their love endure if Amber returns to her time–and Mark to his? 
CLICK HERE TO READ AN EXCERPT 

You can find out more about Carrie and her work by visiting her website at http://www.carrielofty.com/ or visit her personal blog, Salome’s Corner
You can also join her Yahoo! group. 
Stop by Unusual Historicals if you enjoy romances set in unusual times and places. 

Carrie also has a release due out next year that I can’t wait for!
WHAT A SCOUNDREL WANTS, a hot, swashbuckling adventure that picks up the story of Will Scarlet where the Robin Hood legends leave off, will be a Dec ‘08 Zebra Debut release.

The winners of the Marly Mathews giveaway are:

Winner of a download of a download of Doorway to the Stars:  Eva S

Winner of a download of The Promise: Angela

Winners please e-mail using the addy in the sidebar!

And readers, don’t forget there is still time to enter The Jaunty Quills giveaway (see link in sidebar for info)!

Mo B. AKA CrazyMo from New Jersey 

I first met Mo online at NovelTalk chats a couple of years ago and she has quickly become a good friend even though we have never met in person.  She is a big fan of historical romances and kindly agreed to be in my Reader Spotlight!

Why do you love romances?
I love romances because they show the very natural growth of a relationship from first meet, to budding awareness, to falling in love. And they show how two different individuals face and overcome obstacles in life to find a way to be together whether those obstacles are internal or external via family, culture or political times.

Do you remember the first romance book that you ever read?
I started out reading Harlequin romances when there was just one line and fell in love with those written by Barbara Cartland. Then I went to the longer stories. My first single title romance was probably HEARTS AFLAME by Johanna Lindsey or SKYE O’MALLEY by Bertrice Small. I’ve been reading romances for almost 40 years so its hard to remember LOL

What are some of your favorite genres of romance?
My heart belongs to the historicals LOL but I also read paranormals and contemporaries. Give me a strong heroine and a hunky hero and I am happy LOL

Do you read other genres other than romance? If so, what?
Not really. I really love that HEA (Happy Ever After) ending that romances give me. After a long day of work I want to be entertained with a love story….not depressed or forced to think about serious matters…subjects mostly found in the mainstream fiction or non-fiction genres.

Who are some of your favorite authors?
Oh Lordy…that could take all day and then more My favorites change thru the years. I used to read Judith McNaught, Catherine Coulter, Julie Garwood, Linda Lael Miller, LaVeryle Spencer, Susan King. But many either left writing totally or went to other genres that I didnt like as well as I liked their historicals. Authors that remain favorites are Bertrice Small, Terri Brisbin, Madeline Hunter, Eloisa James, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Linnea Sinclair, Annette Blair, Carly Phillips, Susan Grant and many more.

What books are on your keeper shelf?
Keeper shelf? More like a keeper room LOL I have every book written by Terri Brisbin as well as many of Carly Phillips’ books. I have all of Annette Blair’s witch books which are awesome even if they ARE contemps LOL I have kept the entire Skye O’Malley series written by Bertrice Small as well as the Orphan Trail series by Linda Lael Miller.

If you could switch lives with any character in a book who would it be and why?
Hmmm…I guess the one female character that has stayed etched in my mind and heart would be Skye O’Malley. A very strong woman, she survived many challenges in life. Even spending time in an Ottoman harem didnt break her spirit and she was a noble adversary to Queen Elizabeth I. And in the end she came out on top and lived a long happy life as matriarch to a big family, outliving several husbands and living to see grandchildren grow up to have their own kids.

What influences your reading choices? Author, blurb, excerpts, cover, reviews, etc.
Author, if already known to me. If it’s a new-to-me author, rarely do reviews count at all. Mostly word of mouth by friends who read similar books or if I’ve met the author in a chat and the promo blurb sounded appealing, then I’ll buy. If standing in a bookstore…the cover will catch my eye and make me pick the book up…but its the back cover blurb that will get me to buy it.

Have you discovered any good new-to-you authors lately?
Yes…tho I hear she isn’t a new author LOL I just found Monica McCarty’s Highlander books. Read one and immediately went out and got the other two in the series  

I’ve also found two new authors…Cara Carnes and Marly Mathews. IMHO they bear watching. As does Patti Fischer.  

Where is your favorite place to read?
Usually at my desk while also on the computer LOL

When you aren’t reading, what else do you do for fun?
LOL what don’t I do is more like it I am publicist and online assistant to romance authors Carly Phillips, Linnea Sinclair, Susan Grant, Annette Blair, Alexis Fleming and Linda Bleser through CSA Author Publicity. I love promoting their work!

When not doing that, I am found over at Noveltalk.com as their Chat Coordinator. We do author chats every Wed and Thurs nights. I also moderate the monthly chats done by New Jersey Romance Writers at Noveltalk. NJRW is my local writing chapter and I am also busy writing my first book, a Scottish medieval. My love affair with romance is life-long  

Thank you Mo for the interview!! 

Readers, if you are interested in being spotlighted (interviewed) contact me!!!