I am utterly amazed at those who manage to blog every day. Alas, my life is just not that interesting…most of the time. When it is, I’ll be writing all about my adventures and posting them here.
We’re kicking off the new year with two awesome authors and the usual crowd of romance lovers at Lady Jane’s! Join me on Monday January 4th to hear historical and paranormal author Kathryn Smith and Crimson Series author Liz Maverick.
The fun starts at 7:00 at Madame X. More details are available here.
My grandmother, Ardie Rodale, recently passed away peacefully after a long illness. While it’s incredibly sad, I’m consoled by focusing on many warm, happy memories of her, as I think she would have wanted anyone who knew her to do.
In 2007, we both had books out—The Heir And The Spare and Everyday Miracles—and we went on tour to promote them. We did radio interviews from her office, and we traveled to Ohio and Kentucky for book signings, talks, more radio interviews and even a TV appearance (check out the picture here), and stops at gift shops. It was a wonderful, whirlwind trip where we got to know each other as people and writers, not just as family. That was a gift.
My grandmother read my romance novels. I once gave her the first 80 or so pages of The Rogue And The Rival before it was published and she called me up demanding more. I half-jokingly offered her a version with the sex scenes cut out and she said “Absolutely not.” Hee Hee! She was a funny, spunky old lady and she will be missed.
I’m looking forward to family time this holiday more than usual. I hope y’all enjoy a happy holiday and New Year.
I met Caroline at RWA last summer at the Avon author’s party. We bonded over being petite, brown haired girls and, oh yeah, writing romance novels! I also picked up a signed copy of her delightful book A View To A Kiss and now I’m loving her latest, For Your Arms Only. Isn’t that a fantastic title? Also fantastic–her answers to the same six questions I always ask.
1. If you could have any super power, what would it be?
Today I’m thinking I would control the weather, since we are getting that dreaded “wintry mix”, otherwise known as rain and snow at the same time. Blech. But overall, I think being able to teleport myself (or others), like Apparating or similar, would be the coolest. No more airport delays, ever!
2. Who is your favorite hero of fiction?
Rhett Butler. Good and bad at the same time, and looked just like Clark Gable. He partied with hookers while the city burned. He was a blockade runner. He played cards with the Yankees who put him in jail. And he had the balls to walk out on Scarlett! Oh my…..
3. What is one of your most romantic moments?
Huh. That’s fairly personal… Like when Bob Eubanks on The Newlywed Show asked where was the most unusual place people had had sex, and the person answered, “That’s be up the butt, Bob.”
4. Of the places you’ve traveled to, which is your favorite?
I haven’t traveled enough to have a good answer for this. Germany was awesome (but not the Eastern part–yes, when I went, there were still two Germanys, and the East was dreadful, to my teenaged eyes). Got my first drink there that came to the table ON FIRE. Score!
5. What’s your most used curse word?
What the $@#%^! kind of question is that? Who the #$^! do you think you are? I mean, it’s too $@?! hard to choose just one…
6. Please take a moment of shameless self-promotion
Shameless, hmm…. My new book, For Your Arms Only, is an RT Top Pick for December, *and* it was named a Reviewer’s Choice Nominee for Best British-set Historical Romance.
It’s the story of a decorated army officer who waked up injured after Waterloo to discover he’s not only presumed dead, he’s been accused, and all but convicted, of treason as well. He becomes an anonymous spy, trying to clear his name, but after five years he’s sent home, still under a cloud, when his older brother dies. His last spy mission is to track down a missing man from his hometown, but the man’s daughter doesn’t want his help. She’s heard all the dreadful stories of treason, but slowly realizes those don’t square with the man she comes to know. And as they work together to find her father, they inadvertently locate the key to the accusations of treason.
I also have a special FREE bonus for this book, a companion short story. It is not independent of the book, but doesn’t really have spoilers. It’s on my site, along with an excerpt from the book: www.carolinelinden.com
In the end, it was inevitable that my publisher would reject my title: The Sinfully Seductive Rakish Rogue’s Mysterious Midnight Mistress of Pleasure. Fitting it on a mass-market size book in a readable font size was an insurmountable challenge. Instead, the new title is….
Well, first let’s talk about how books get titles!
An author submits a title with her book. The editor must confer with her collegues, discuss with her boss, and then they tell sales who might reject it on the premise that it won’t sell…or the buyer from Barnes & Noble or another big buyer might refuse to buy copies if they don’t think the title is right.
True story: My first book, It’s My Pleasure, was originally called The Pleasure Revolution. It was changed to suit the buyer from a major chain, which shall remain nameless.
The editor might request additional title suggestions from the author. She dutifully complies. More discussion ensues. And eventually it’s decided after, like, a dozen people (some of whom may not have even read the book) have had their say.
True Story: My first title for The Rogue And The Rival was Love Among The Ruined. My editor didn’t like having the word “ruined” in there, and we agreed that it should match the first book. Good call on her part.
Moral of the story: Do not get attached to a title. However…
True story: I came up with the title The Heir And The Spare as I sat down to write the book. Also, I made up the title of my new novel, and they kept it!
As I was saying, the new title is…
A Groom Of One’s Own
I absolutely love it! Check out the GORGEOUS cover and read a lil’ bit about my delightful new novel!
Lady Jane’s Salon is throwing you a party to celebrate! Salon co-founder and HQ author Hope Tarr will be reading from her latest, Twelve Nights. Senior HQ editor Brenda Chin will give present and salon regular and local author and reviewer Stacey Agdern will read from her Hanukka Novella, because we absolutely must celebrate the holidays, too!
All the details are available here.
Blog
