Thanks everyone for the kind words on my last post…it means a lot. Anyway, today I am thrilled to welcome author Elisabeth Naughton, whose latest release, STOLEN HEAT, is in stores now!
Here’s a little bio on Elisabeth:
A previous junior-high science teacher, Elisabeth Naughton now writes sexy romantic suspense and paranormal novels full time from her home in western Oregon where she lives with her husband and three children. Her debut release, Stolen Fury, was a 2007 Golden Heart Finalist and has been heralded by Publisher’s Weekly as “A rock-solid debut.” When not writing, Elisabeth can be found running, hanging out at the ball park or dreaming up new and exciting adventures. Visit the author’s website at www.elisabethnaughton.com
And here’s the blurb for her latest release:
Book Two in the Stolen Trilogy
On Sale: July 28, 2009
ISBN: 978-0-505-52794-3
His past tore them apart. Her lies thrust them back together. Now a killer’s out for revenge, but the biggest threat for both may just be the heat they thought they’d already lost…
Antiquities dealer Peter Kauffman walked a fine line between clean and corrupt for years. And then he met the woman who changed his life—Egyptologist Katherine Meyer. Their love affair burned white-hot in Egypt, until the day Pete’s lies and half-truths caught up with him. After that, their relationship imploded, Kat walked out, and before Pete could find her to make things right, he heard she’d died in a car bomb.
Six years later, the woman Pete thought he’d lost for good is suddenly back. The lies this time aren’t just his, though. The only way he and Kat will find the truth and evade a killer out for revenge is to work together—as long as they don’t find themselves burned by the heat each thought was stolen long ago…
“Exciting, action-packed and fast moving, this story seamlessly alternates from the present to the past. A first-rate mystery, it has well-developed characters and a suspenseful and satisfying climax. A fine romantic thread winds through it all.”
–RT BOOKReviews
“STOLEN HEAT is an awesome combination of deadly suspense, edgy action and a wonderful romance with characters that you’ll laugh, cry and yell with. I had a great time reading it and I’m definitely looking forward to more of Ms. Naughton’s books.”
–Wendy, Night Owl Romance
And now here’s Elisabeth…
Thanks so much to Jennifer for having me here today!
Today wraps up my two week blog tour for the release of STOLEN HEAT, the second book in my Stolen Trilogy from Dorchester LoveSpell. I often wonder if readers think I’m just rambling about random topics, but I love talking books, so I’m thrilled to be here and everywhere spreading the word about this fun book.
I am an adventure lover at heart, so it makes sense all my books have some adventure element to them. Indiana Jones, Romancing the Stone, The Mummy, Goonies, National Treasure, Lord of the Rings…these are the kind of movies you’ll find in my movie closet and they’re the movies my family tends to watch over and over. (I’m slowly turning my kids into adventure lovers as well). When I read, I gravitate toward action/adventure books that are fast paced and emotionally satisfying. Since the release of my Stolen books, I’ve been thrilled to hear of other romance authors who are writing romantic adventure books and growing this subgenre of romantic suspense.
So what, really, is the difference between romantic adventure and romantic suspense? I get asked this a lot, and though the two genres tend to blend together, there are a few distinct differences.
1) 1st Difference:
- In a romantic suspense, the main characters are intent on solving a crime, and as a result, generally involve law enforcement of some kind, and spend the entire book chasing a bad guy.
- In a romantic adventure, the characters may still be intent on solving a crime, but they’re often the target, not the other way around. They’re on the run from some dark force and don’t necessarily have to be law enforcement personnel (in fact, they’re often not).
2) 2nd Difference:
- In a romantic suspense, the focus is on the whodunit aspect. These books are often dark, intense, and often scary.
- In a romantic adventure, the focus is on the adventure. The tone is often lighter, less intense, and the entire book opens itself to more lighthearted moments.
3) 3rd Difference:
- In a romantic suspense, the plot is the central aspect of the book, and the characters are there to enhance a complex plot.
- In a romantic adventure, the characters are the central aspect of the book, and the adventure is there to enhance the characters.
Both types of books – romantic suspense and adventure – can seem similar, and both genres can blend together easily, which is why they’re shelved together. Both can be fast-paced, both can have whodunit elements, both can be intense in places. The difference is where the writes shifts the focus and how the story plays out. What’s driving the story? Is it the characters and their experiences, or is it the plot and the characters’ reactions?
My first book – STOLEN FURY – was very much a romantic adventure in every way, shape and form. STOLEN HEAT has more of the traditional romantic suspense elements – complex plot, whodunit aspect, it’s darker and more intense – but at the root it’s still an adventure. The characters are still looking for a treasure, they’re still on the run, and they’re still very much the focus of the book. I write the type of books I want to read, so it makes sense no matter what I write, there’ll always be a sense of adventure in there somewhere.
How about you? Are you a fan of romantic adventure? What was the last adventure book or movie you enjoyed?
To be entered into Elisabeth’s BIG STOLEN HEAT Release Contest go to www.elisabethnaughton.com/stolen_heat_contest.html. You could win a $100 VISA gift card and a whole host of other daily prizes!
Thanks Elisabeth for being my guest!
Readers, be sure to check out her website and her books!
And feel free to answer her questions…any adventure lovers out there?