Avon Publishing

Guest Author: Jennifer McQuiston & Giveaway!

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I’m thrilled to be hosting debut historical romance author Jennifer McQuiston on the blog today.  I had the good fortune to read Jennifer’s work before she was published, and I immediately knew she was a talented writer who would be going places.  Shortly thereafter, she sold to Avon Publishing.  Let’s chat with Jennifer and find out about her and her new book, shall we?

You have what some might think is an unusual background for a romance novelist – you’re a vet and an infectious disease researcher.  Did any of your scientific training help you in your new life as a romance novelist?

Well…it may have prepared me for things like research, deadlines, and peer review, but it certainly didn’t help me write a romance novel. My early attempts to write romance were called “stilted” by more than one well-meaning contest judge. I had to re-train myself to write creatively, as all those scientific journal articles had numbed my mind. I do think writing romance has influenced my scientific writing for the better… I recently wrote a book chapter in the new Rickettsiales text on rickettsial diseases that actually uses the phrase “strapping young lumbermen” in the Introduction.

Maybe if more people knew that, it wouldn’t be ranked #2,644,000 on Amazon. 

During my first fumbling attempts to pen a novel, I at least attempted to incorporate some public health and infectious disease research into my writing, but that gradually became less of a focus as I improved as a writer. My first published book, What Happens in Scotland, is actually the fifth book I wrote, and it contains nothing of scientific reality in it. In fact, I am pretty sure some suspension of disbelief is necessary to enjoy it!

People love “the call” stories.  Can you tell us about yours?

 We had gone out on submission with three other books, so I was prepared for about 6 months of radio silence after we went out with What Happens in Scotland in March, 2012. No one was more shocked than me when an offer came in three days later… and then the amazing serendipity of getting more offers and moving to auction. Those days seem like one big blur for me. The coolest part about my call story was that it came the same day that my critique partner, Romily Bernard, got her call. We’d been struggling side by side with countless rejections, so to finally strike gold on the same day was surreal.

Tell us about your new book.

What Happens in Scotland is a rompish “she woke up married” story set in Victorian Scotland. Some reviewers have compared it to The Hangover, and I admit the movie *might* have inspired more than one plot element.

When recent widow Georgette Thorold wakes up in a Scottish inn with a wedding ring on her finger and lacking all memory of how she came to be there, she does what any well-bred lady with a modicum of sense and a distrust of marriage would do: she panics, clocks the wickedly handsome stranger in her bed over the head with a chamber pot, and runs.

James McKenzie, Esquire has either spent the evening protecting a very naïve, and—dare he say it—very drunk young lady from the advances of every disreputable character in the town of Moraig, or he has gone and married a pretty, scheming thief. Not that his own head is entirely clear on the matter, but when the woman in question repays his kindness with a knock on the head, the bill for her room, and the theft of his purse, an embarrassed James is determined to track her down and show her she picked the wrong solicitor to swindle.

As Georgette sets out to discover exactly what happened during her forgotten night, she uncovers a man that seems far more a hero than a rake. But when they finally meet, instead of sweeping her into his arms and kissing her senseless, he serves her with a summons, claiming she is a thief. Now the fight is on, and the only question is was it a night worth remembering? Or a mistake they would both rather forget?

What’s up next in your writing life?

I was fortunate enough to be given a 3 book deal, and so next out of the gate is book #2 in my series, Summer is for Lovers, which will be published September 24, 2013 (but is available for pre-order now).  An unrequited love story set in the seaside resort of Brighton, Summer is for Lovers features a hero some might consider a villain, and an awkward young woman who is the last person he should want.

 

 

Thanks so much for being with us today, Jennifer!  Folks, Jennifer is graciously giving away a copy of her debut book, What Happens in Scotland.  To be eligible to win, just tell us what’s your favorite book made into a movie?  One person who comments will win the book!  And be sure to check out Jennifer’s website and also look her up on Twitter.

Guest Author: Lisa Marie Rice & Giveaway!

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I don’t know about you folks, but sometimes I like to walk on the wild side with my reading – alpha male heroes, erotic story lines, and some danger and suspense thrown in to up the ante.  Sometimes life can be a little tame, so why not mix it up a bit?  So, if you’re looking for that kind of sexy-off-the charts writing with strong heroes, then look no further than Lisa Marie Rice.

Lisa writes erotic romantic suspense, and her reputation as a rising star in the genre is definitely growing.  Here’s what New York Times bestselling author Shannon McKenna had to say about Lisa’s current series, the Protectors Trilogy:

“Edgy, sexy, endlessly exciting, Lisa Marie Rice never disappoints! I can’t get enough of Lisa Marie Rice’s sensual, hard hitting stories!”

And here’s the blurb for this exciting series:

The Protectors—three men, closer than brothers, who looked after each other growing up in a brutal foster home and have had each other’s back ever since. Sam Reston, Harry Bolt, Mike Keillor. Hard men, tough men, who grew up rough and who saw brutality and cruelty close up—particularly to women and children. The instant they were legally able, they took off. Sam to be a SEAL, Harry a Delta Operator and Mike a Marine. Now they run a highly successful security company with a secret side to it—an underground railroad they run to help abused women and children disappear.

They’re making money hand over fist with their new company because they are very good at what they do. But make no mistake—it’s their ability to take women and children away from the heart of darkness and set them up in a new life that makes it all worthwhile.

When each man meets his mate, that protective instinct goes into overdrive.

Doesn’t that sound awesome?  The first book in the series is Into The Crossfire, which introduces the first of three super-hot, alpha males protectors willing to walk through fire for the women they love.


The second book in the series is Hotter Than Wildfire, which was released by Avon Publishing in April.  It got great reviews, including this one from Joyfully Reviewed, who labelled the book as one of their Recommended Reads:

HOTTER THAN WILDFIRE is Lisa Marie Rice at her best. Everything I’ve come to expect and love about her writing, HOTTER THAN WILDFIRE delivers. An exciting storyline with a ruthless villain whose pursuit takes him to the edge of sanity, the man capable of stopping him, and a woman strong enough to face the obstacles in her way keep you on the edge of you seat, while Harry and Ellen’s intense romance will sweep you off your feet.

Lisa would be the first to tell you that she loves to create heroes modelled on the brave, amazing men in the Special Forces units of the military.  In fact, she has a really cool post on her website about Navy SEALS, and why she admires them so much.  So you won’t be surprised to read that she has a new release out this month which features a Navy SEAL as the hero.  It’s a digital novella called Fatal Heat, and it went on sale Oct. 4 from Avon Impulse.

Here’s the blurb for Fatal Heat:

Former Navy SEAL Max Wright is out of the SEAL Teams forever after being almost killed by an Afghani RPG. He retreats to his former XO’s beach house to lick his wounds. He wants to snarl at the world but finds it hard to snarl at his new neighbor, his XO’s beautiful goddaughter, Paige Waring, who also comes with a ridiculously likable, totally undisciplined dog.

As a plant geneticist, Paige has always been focused on her work, but when she and her dog run into Max, she recognizes the lonely, shattered man behind the rugged exterior. To her mind, sexiness always comes with a white lab coat, not with acres of tanned muscle and a tough mind-set.

When Paige’s work becomes the target of criminals and she’s abducted, Max springs into action. Though still terribly wounded, this tough as nails SEAL goes on his last mission—stopping at nothing to save the woman he loves.

I am SO there!  This novella has everything I love in a contemporary romance—a strong but wounded hero, a smart heroine, danger, and lots of steam.  The fact that there’s also a loveable, nutty dog is definitely a bonus!

If you like your romantic suspense with a lot of heat, then I strongly suggest you hop right on over to Amazon or Barnes & Noble and check out Fatal Heat.  And while you’re browsing the internet, be sure to stop by Lisa’s website.  Aside from being a wonderful writer, she’s a fascinating person.  Make sure to read her FAQs, which are both fun and informative.  And don’t forget to check out her Books page for the list of all her fabulous, sexy books!

To celebrate her new release, Lisa will give away one copy of Fatal Heat to one of my readers.  Just tell me what’s your favorite type of hero for contemporary romance—do you love those strong alpha males like Navy Seals (I sure do!), the ordinary good guy, the bad boy in need of reform, or the brainy professor type?  One person who comments will win a copy of Lisa’s novella.

Conference Hijinks And A Fabuloso Review

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Normally on Fridays I do a post on some aspect of the Regency period, but today I’m a little busy.  I’m packing to head out to the First Coast Romance Writers Southern Lights Conference in Jacksonville, Florida.  The conference starts tomorrow, so it’s not too late to drop by for late registration.  We’ve got a great day, with workshops by acclaimed author CL Wilson, and editor Tessa Woodward of Avon Publishing and literary agent Emmanuelle Morgen.  The day also includes a wonderful lunch and a raffle with critiques by a really impressive slate of editors, agents, and authors.

I’d like to share a really nice bit of news:  the first official review of My Favorite Countess is now out. It’s from Just Janga, and you can read the five-star review right here. Janga is one of the smartest bloggers going, so I was thrilled to get such a fabulous review from her.

I’ll be back on Monday with a post about some research I did for my next book.  I think I may have found the inspiration for an old castle that will figure prominently in the story, so stay tuned.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

And Now For This Public Service Announcement

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Do you love to write as well as read romance?  Do you long to spend the day with a group of similarly introverted yet brilliant people who spend way too much time talking to imaginary people?  Then have I got the event for you!

I belong to the First Coast Romance Writers chapter of the Romance Writers of America, and we’re sponsoring a really terrific one-day writers conference on March 12.  If you live anywhere in the vicinity of Jacksonville, Florida, you’ll want to know about the Annual Southern Lights Conference.

The conference theme this year is Light Up Your Career and, boy howdy, can we help you do that!  Check out our keynote speaker, the fabulous C.L. Wilson, New York Times bestselling author of the fantasy books, the Novels of the Fading Lands. We’ll also be featuring local writers Renee Ryan, an award-winning author for Harlequin Romance, and Vic DiGenti, the acclaimed author of the Windrusher Adventurers.  Vic is also the regional director of the Florida Writers Association, so he’ll have lots to tell us about the business of publishing.

Hey, wait!  It gets better.  We’re also featuring Emmanuelle Morgen, an agent with the prestigious Judith Erlich Literary Management.  We’re also very happy to have Tessa Woodward, an editor with romance powerhouse, Avon Publishing.  Both Emmanuelle and Tessa will be taking pitches at the conference and speaking on an industry panel.

And did I mention that we’ll be holding the event at the lovely Marriott Hotel in Jacksonville, and also including lunch?  Then there are all the editor, author, and agent critiques up for raffle, as well as some really swell gift baskets to give away. Really, you don’t want to miss this!

For more info and to register, just click here.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled programming, and thank you for listening!

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