Terri B here — Please join me in a warm welcome for longtime author Deborah Cooke who many of you know as Claire Delacroix!

I probably should confess early that I’m not much of a numbers person. I don’t remember numbers very well. When someone asks my age, for example, I have to figure it out. Fast. Because it’s a dumb thing to not just know. It’s the same with my books – whenever I’ve asked how many I’ve written, I have to work it out. It’s not like I’ve never worked it out before. I just don’t remember numbers. So, it stands to reason that I’m not one of those people who get worked up about birthdays that end in zeroes, or reaching certain ages, or even achieving specific anniversaries.

The strange thing is that next April will be the 20^th anniversary of my selling my first romance novel. This isn’t strange in itself – what’s strange is that I can’t help reflecting on this milestone. As you may have guessed, this isn’t at all like me, which is also interesting.

   In April 1992, Tracy Farrell called me from Harlequin Historicals to offer for my medieval romance, THE ROMANCE OF THE ROSE. Even after all these years, that’s one call I remember very clearly. I as lucky because she called the first time when I was out, and left a message. So, I had a squeal and a bounce around the house – because I knew she wasn’t calling to reject my manuscript – then called back with my best professional voice. She was in a meeting but her assistant, Angela Catalano, whispered “it’s such good news”. It turned out that Angela had been the one to pluck my manuscript out of the slush and fall in love with it.

In almost twenty years, I’ve had a lot of career milestones. Let’s do the obvious ones first. I’ve published (give me a second here to count) eleven medievals with Harlequin, six with Dell, six with Warner, all under my pseudonym Claire Delacroix (http://www.delacroix.net) . I’ve published four time travels with Berkley and four contemporary romances with Berkley under another pseudonym Claire Cross. I’ve published a trilogy set in a post-nuclear pre-Apocalyptic future featuring fallen angel heroes with Tor as Claire Delacroix. Currently, I write Dragonfire (http://www.deborahcooke.com) , a contemporary paranormal romance series featuring dragon shape shifter heroes, with NAL – there are six titles in print and two more coming in 2012 – as myself, as well as a spin-off YA series called The Dragon Diaries (http://www.thedragondiaries.com) , also with NAL, also as myself. We can add that up together – that makes forty-one books in print plus another four that will be printed by the end of 2012. Forty-five novels. I think there are about six novellas, as well. (http://www.delacroix.net/novella.html) It’s been busy!

My books have been USA Today bestsellers, and my medieval, THE BEAUTY, was my first book to land on the New York Times List of Bestselling Books. I’ve had great reviews and horrible ones, been nominated for awards and even won a few of them. So, there have been lots of stories, and I’ve worked with a lot of smart editors who have taught me a great deal – both about the business of publishing and about my writing.

I call those the obvious milestones, because they’re the ones you’d expect from a career as a writer. But the two things that I didn’t think about in April 1992 are the things that have been the most important to me. First off, readers. Of course, books have readers and when you write a book, you hope that someone will read it. But I never expected to build such relationships with readers. I never expected to hear from so many readers, in letters and cards and emails. I never expected them to share their stories with me, or for them to be so very supportive of me and my work. Readers, and my relationships with them, have really become the heart of what I do.

The second thing I never expected was to develop so many very good friendships with other writers. I’m honoured to know so many talented and funny women, women who are smart and irreverent and practical and generous. I became one of those statistics very early on – it’s said that some percentage of romance writers are divorced. I don’t remember the percentage (it’s a number) but it’s high and I’m part of it. My first marriage ended between that call in April 1992 and the publication of that book in March 1993. I was blessed to have so many romance writers at my back, women I had only recently met but whose kindness and faith in happily-ever-after helped me through that transition. They were the first to cheer when I married again. (We do love our HEA’s, don’t we?) This summer, I decided to commemorate those friendships by inviting many of those women to guest on my blog, or to swap blogs with me. It’s awe-inspiring how many writers I know and admire – including Terri Brisbin, who invited me here today and will visit my blog in September.

There’s a line in a song by Mary Black: “we’ll never see what lies ahead if we keep on looking back”. I believe that’s true. I think it’s part of the reason that I don’t generally build lists of milestones – I’m too busy looking ahead, trying to figure out where I’m going and what adventures are in store. Can I publish another forty-five books in the next twenty years? Maybe! But one thing is for certain – it’s the stories, and the readers, and the writers who are my friends who will be with me every step of the way. That’s exciting.

Onward to the next twenty years!

  So, tell me, are you someone who keeps track of milestones? Do you commemorate birthdays that end in zeroes, or anniversaries, or other milestones? How do you celebrate, if you do, and what is your focus? Add a comment here today for a chance to win a signed mass market copy of THE BEAUTY BRIDE. It’s the first book in my Jewels of Kinfairlie trilogy and a title I’ve recently re-published in a new digital edition. You can read more about it, right here!

Deb, thanks so much for visiting us today and for offering a prize! I am such a big fan of all your work and am now addicted to your new Dragonfire romances. . . Anyone who posts through Wednesday, August 17th is eligible for the book prize. Terri B.

The winner of Jane Porter’s contest is Na. Please email me at JanetteKenny@gmail.com with your full name and mailing address so we can get your book and goodies mailed to you.

Thanks to all who entered and commented.

Hooking the reader with a strong opening should be the goal of every writer. If you’re like me, when I’m shopping for a book, I read the back cover copy first. If the story idea interests me, then I move to the first two or three pages of the book. If I want to keep reading I buy the book. If I don’t really care, I put the book back on the shelf.

In thinking about this, I took a look at the back cover copy and the first paragraph of my soon-to-be-released book, If The Ring Fits. I think the back cover is intriguing so I took a look at the first paragraph:

The sound of rushing water jolted Mary Karen Vaughn from a sound sleep. Still she resisted the urge to open her eyes.She’d been having the most delicious dream, and she wasn’t ready for it to end. Instead of a quickie–like they’d shared at last years’s Christmas party–she and Travis had made love for hours.

An okay opening….but not as strong as this one from Susan Elizabeth Phillips in her book, Natural Born Charmer:

It wasn’t every day a guy saw a headless beaver marching down the side of a road, not even in Dean Robillard’s larger-than-life world.

This week I’m asking you to share the first line or paragraph from one of your favorite books. Everyone who does will be entered into a drawing to win my book, Undercover Millionaire. I’ll announce the winner, Sunday night at 9 pm CT.

Can’t wait to see what you post!

10. You came here expecting to read something, right? Don’t give up now!

9. You like Top 10 lists (or you don’t but you want to see where this one is going. It is going somewhere fun!).

8. You want to win a free book or books—lots of books (then keep reading!).

7. You like videos (then keep reading!).

6. You like being the first to know stuff.

5. You want to know something about that awesome book featured above or about my little parenthetical notation!

4. You saw the following You Tube link when you skimmed the post and are only just now going back to read the text. If you’re reading in order (thank you!), please click below to see the trailer for my September release, Lord and Lady Spy. There are NO spoilers in the trailer.

3. You want more reasons? I know, I know. I did promise you ten.

2. If you sign up for my mailing list you will be automatically entered to win one of three (3) signed copies (signed to you personally) of Lord and Lady Spy. I’ll choose three newsletter subscribers on September 6 and email them that they’ve won.

1. You like Julia Quinn. Okay, that came out of nowhere right? But not really. Let’s just be honest. We Jaunties are trying to entertain you here, but we also want you to buy our books. I want you to buy my book (see above), but I also want you to LIKE me on Facebook. Why? Because then I can convince you I’m so fun and my books are so cool and you’ll so want to buy them. And if I have a lot of LIKES maybe my publisher will do an ad or something for me on Facebook, and I’ll sell more books!

So when I get 2000 LIKES on my Facebook page I’m going to put up a contest tab and choose one person who enters to win the entire set of Julia Quinn novels signed by Julia Quinn. Yes, that’s 21 books, people. All signed by Julia Quinn.

So LIKE me and get your friends to like me and watch the trailer and join my mailing list and, oh yeah, buy my book.

See, I could have just said all that up front, but isn’t a Top 10 list more fun?

It’s my pleasure to welcome Jane Porter to the Jaunty Quills. Flirting With Forty aired as a Lifetime movie staring Heather Locklear.  Her latest modern lit is She’s Gone Country, and A Dark Sicilian Secret from Harlequin Presents is out now. 

I spent an amazing week in Sicily this past April and it was one of my favorite trips ever.  I went with my family and absolutely fell in love with Sicily’s history, architecture,  culture, and warmth.  We had perfect sunshine all week and each day began with a glass of fresh squeezed orange juice…red orange juice from the blood orange.  I don’t think I’ve ever tasted juice so sweet and thinking back, that’s what I remember…

We also visited Mt. Etna, one of the most active volcanoes in the world, while in Sicily and just this past week, there was news that it had erupted.  That blows my mind because I was walking around on it  just a few months ago. 

There’s just so much to see and experience in Sicily.  The sun.  The blue sky.  The sparkling sea.  And sweet, ripe, juicy oranges.

I was raised in a farming community in Central California, with three different orange in our garden and I loved how Sicily was all about fresh produce and fish and the most delicious pasta.  Sicily has the same earthiness as my home town which made me feel right at home… and it’s the perfect romantic setting!

I’ve written two books set in Sicily, one set in the northeast near and around Palermo, and one on the west coast around Catania, and I will definitely write more now.  Sicily is magic!

Jane will giveaway a copy of The Sicilian’s Defiant Mistress, a $10 gift card from Starbucks and fun Jane Porter goodies to one lucky commenter.   The winner will be announced on Sunday in a separate post.

Visit Jane’s website for information about her current projects, her backlist and exciting news.

Are you a risk-taker or a safe-walker? Do you try new things, push yourself, push your boundaries?

In spite of being thought of as a bold woman by many who know me, I tend to color within the lines. I don’t like change very much although I love to encourage it in other people and situations. I like to know how to do things and to keep doing them rather than finding new things to do.  I tend to lag behind when it comes to learning new things — but once I decide to try it out, I’m a fast learner. In reading, I like to read mostly historical romances and don’t veer much from those.

That being said, I think I’m changing a bit — on purpose — this year. I’m hitting one of those ‘five-years’ post health crisis marks and I’ve decide it’s time to operate outside my comfort zone. I’m beginning in a small way and working towards bigger things…or maybe it’s the other way around?

  As I’ve met with readers and chatted about my newest release, MISTRESS OF THE STORM, I’ve been hearing: “This isn’t the usual Terri Brisbin historical romance!”.  . . to which I reply – “nope, it isn’t!” With the encouragement of my first editor at Kensington, the memorable Kate Duffy, I pushed myself into the darker regions of romance, with non-customary heroes and heroines who were not perfect, cookie-cutter or usual for me. These men and women were fallible and failures,  gifted and cursed and not always what romance readers expected to read. But, I did not write this trilogy to take the east way out, which is what Kate feared I would do. She loved that the books would be a departure from my comfort zone and a way to tell a more complex, edgy story.

Earlier this year, I began working on an idea for a new project — something similar to what I’ve been writing (historical setting), but in some ways very, very different. Although I’ve included paranormal elements in books I’ve written before, this new project IS paranormal! And it’s a series of very connected stories that will each be based on what comes before — the story of a quest, involving four different couples, paranormal powers, a really excellent bad guy (or gal or one of each!) and a journey that will be dangerous and perhaps even deadly to all those involved.  Out of my comfort zone, out of my knowledge bank (aka lots of researching) and out of my scope of practice (new worlds to build…and maybe destroy)!

And I am excited and enthusiastic about it! There are lots of new ideas, new characters, new settings, new history and much more for me to work on and  each day I wake up with scenes and voices in my head.

So, maybe moving outside my comfort zone is a good thing?

Rock-n-roller coaster at WDW!

Soon, the fam and I are doing the Disney World thing. I am so looking forward to the familiar, the rides and attractions I like the most and the ones I’ve missed on recent trips. And I’ve decided to TRY to step outside my comfort zone there, too, and try something new.  There’s been one ride there that I haven’t ridden before. One that my kids always go on without me even though I’m usually a roller coaster rider. Although I’ve gone on the Tower of Terror, Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Splash Mountain and even the dreaded Expedition Everest, I have avoided one . . . the Rock ‘n Roller Coaster at Hollywood Studios.   (I’m really hoping that this is just an interpretation of the ride!!)

I decided that: 1) it won’t kill me, 2) it will scare me half-to-death, 3) I may enjoy it, 4) I may lose my voice screaming like a girl, 5) my kids WILL make fun of me no matter what, and 6) it won’t kill me. Based on those possibilities, I’m going for it. Waaaaay outside my comfortable area, but something I’m willing to try.

I’ll let you know if I carry through and if I survive!

How about you? A risk-taker or safe-walker? In life or in your reading habits? Do you like to try out new things, new authors, new romances? Or do you stick to the tried-and-true — in your comfort zone?  Please post a comment and I’ll pick two people to get a copy of  a ‘different’ book I’ve read along with a WDW treat! Warning: the WDW trip isn’t here yet so I won’t be sending out these prizes until the beginning of September…but it will be worth it! LOL!

   Terri is still celebrating the release of MISTRESS OF THE STORM, the final book in her STORM series, and A STORM OF LOVE, a digital rerelease of a novella about how it all began. She’ll be making appearances and also presenting a talk about romance book covers in August. Stop by her website for more info, times and places.

My latest release from Harlequin Desire is The Rebel Tycoon Returns. It is the second book in the Texas Cattleman’s Club (a long-running Desire mini-series). Macy and Chris both grew up in Royal, Texas and if I learned anything from the five years I spent living in Texas its that life there is different. Macy was the head cheerleader, beauty queen who only had to whisper a desire and her father gave it to her. Chris was the son of a wildcatter from the wrong side of the tracks but he had the smarts, the good looks and the football playing skills to wow Macy and for a short time she and Chris were one hot item. But then Macy in her shallowness dumped him because he didn’t have enough money to run in her circles. But that’s the past and present day Macy is dealing with body image issues and Chris has more money than Midas.

These characters were so much fun for me to write because I share something in common with each of them. The first one is Macy and I have battled my entire life with my weight and have been heavy and thin by different turns but it doesn’t matter what’s on the outside, inside I always feel like the fat girl. Macy’s issue is beauty because she was once a beauty queen but a horrible car accident left her scarred and though her daddy’s money paid for the best plastic surgeons so that she is that pretty girl once again–Macy still sees the scars when she looks at herself.

For Chris he grew up poor–something i did as well. And though he has enough money to hold his own with the wealthiest residents of Royal, he still feels he’s lacking and that makes him just a bit arrogant and edgy being back home.

In both of these characters cases they are dealing with not feeling like the people they present to the world. That’s something I think many of us deal with everyday. I’m not sure about you, but I always try to look the part when I leave my house. If I’m doing an “author event” I like to look like a successful writer. If I’m going to a PTA function, well then I try to look like the picture perfect mom and the burden of looking right falls to my husband and kids as well. But at home is the only place that I’m really me. Crazy curly Medusa hair, jeans and a ruffly blouse (its odd how much I love ruffles!)

What about you? Do you wear a “mask” in public? Where do you feel most comfortable?

So there we were at dinner last night, in a restaurant, and I figured I’d ask the kids what qualities they thought would be important in a spouse.

“Is this going to be one of those icky talks?” our daughter asked.

“Hey, a little respect,” I answered. “Daddy and I have been married almost 20 years. We still love each other. That’s special. You’re lucky to have us as role models. So? Answer the question.”

My dearest son: “A good sense of style.” (This from the boy who has to be reminded to put on a clean shirt.)

My daughter: “Attractiveness.” (She is quite beautiful herself. She is known as Her Loveliness in our household. That, or Princess.)

“Okay,” I said, “those are, um, a good start. After all, you need to find the other person attractive. I thought Daddy was very cute the first time we saw each other.”

“Don’t talk about it,” Dearest Son said.

“I second that,” our daughter said. “Change of subject, please.”

“Excuse me?” said I. “Where do you two think you came from?”

“I’m done,” Dearest Son said, pushing his plate back.

“Please stop. I feel sick,” Her Loveliness echoed.

Clearly, this was just waving a red flag in front of the parental units. I turned to McIrish. “Wanna make out?” I asked.

The screams and eye-covering that followed were such fun to behold!

So tell me…when have you embarrassed your kids? Or when did your parents embarrass you?

Ellie!  Congratulations, Ellie, for winning a copy of my September release Lucky Girl!

Carole is the winner of Caitln Crews novel, The Disgraced Playboy. Please send your full name and email address to me at JanetteKenny@gmail.com and I’ll forward on to Caitlin.