Well, maybe not the ODDEST but I just love it when romance novels turn up unexpectedly!

   I was watching the movie RED and loved it when Bruce Willis’ character clearly was reading the romance novels his love interest was reading so he could talk with her about them! LOVED IT – even if they were a fictional version of Harlequins.

   And I remember the opening of KATE AND LEOPOLD with Meg Ryan and Hugh Jackman — when Kate’s secretary is reading and weeping over a romance novel ! I think that it was one by Christine Feehan – though completely different from the one she described to Kate. And though Kate needed her to do something, she insisted on finishing the last few pages before she could. A true romance reader!

And then, who could forget the wonderfully, campy episode of HIGHLANDER with Adrian Paul, when one of the wives of another Immortal decides to get revenge on him by writing stories based on Duncan MacLeod’s amorous adventures! DRAMATIC LICENSE featured a glamorous romance author doing readings of her work in huge bookstores and having glamorous launch parties thrown by her publisher. For a long time, I thought that must be how a romance author’s life really was! LOL! The fictitious romance novel in the episode was called The Blade of the MacLeod….

So, I just thought I’d ask all of you — where else have romance novels turned up that made you smile? In which movie or tv show? Or mentioned in other types of books?

    When not catching up on movies missed, Terri is busy working on some new projects and a few old ones, too, as she prepares her first four romances for re-release in digit formats. Watch here on the Jaunty Quills and on Terri’s website for updates on the progress!  And, Terri will be signing her latest releases at the upcoming NJRW conference on Saturday, October 22 between 4:00 and 5:30pm. She hopes you’ll stop in and say hello!

……….. Hellion!

Congrats! and thanks to everyone who visited and commented on Tina’s FIRST EVER blog!

Terri B

I’m very excited to welcome my friend and co-Kensington author Tina Gabrielle to the Jaunty Quills blog today. It’s even more special because this is Tina’s VERY FIRST EVER BLOG! Wooohooo! So, please give a warm HUZZAH to Tina as she tells us about writing her wonderful Regency historical romances.

  First let me thank the Jaunty Quills and Terri Brisbin for inviting me to blog. It’s wonderful to be here!

I was a late bloomer. My transition from middle school to high school was…how politely can I phrase it?—awkward. A combination of genetic factors were against me—braces, a stature of five foot zip, and yes, there was that scoliosis brace. I hid beneath baggy clothes and often had my nose buried in a book. It didn’t help that I had two older sisters who were both very pretty and who never had to wear any type of brace, orthodontic or orthopedic. Boys called the house all the time, just not for me.

To my great relief, sophomore year brought change. Both braces came off, for the teeth and the back, and I had a perfect pearly white smile and straight posture. As for being petite, I reached the great height of five foot two inches, but I soon learned that being a petite female has its advantages. Self-esteem came in the form of sports, friends, and academics. Boys called, and this time for me!

Years later, I credited my difficult adolescence in making me not just stronger, but more compassionate toward others. My love of academics remained, and I went on to obtain a B.S. in mechanical engineering and a law degree. I used both my legal background and my life experience when writing IN THE BARRISTER’S CHAMBERS.

My heroine, Lady Evelyn Darlington is the daughter of a barrister and an Oxford professor. She goes through her own awkward adolescence, with her nose buried in legal treatises, pining away for her father’s charming student, Jack Harding. She is a funny-looking girl who follows Jack around like a lost puppy.

Years pass, and Jack is now the top criminal barrister in London. Evelyn has grown into a lovely, mature woman who has a passion for the law. She believes she has found the perfect husband in Randolph, one of her father’s University fellows. But things go terribly awry when Randolph is accused of murdering a Drury Lane actress, and Evelyn finds herself on the hunt for the best barrister to aid him.

When Evelyn shows up in Jack’s chambers, he is stunned to learn the beautiful woman standing before him is little Evie, the professor’s daughter. At first Jack is reluctant to take on Randolph’s case. Jack’s a smooth talking barrister, a jury master, who never mixes business with pleasure. His career is of the utmost importance to him, and although he enjoys the ladies, he has no desire to marry. But Evelyn is persistent, and Jack eventually takes on the case.

Our reluctant hero soon has his hands full trying to handle a murder case and battle his desire for Evelyn. As they travel throughout London investigating the murder, Jack grows to admire Evelyn’s intelligence and tenacity, along with her beauty. Eventually he realizes he wants Evelyn’s heart, not just her body. And for the first time in Jack’s life, he has to convince a woman that he’s the right man for her.

It was a pleasure to write the first book in my Regency Barrister Series about four sexy barristers and the women who wreak havoc in their chambers and steal their hearts. And yes, I loved writing about the ugly duckling that turns into the beautiful swan.

So tell me: What was your most awkward adolescent experience?

To celebrate my Jaunty Quills blog, I’m giving away a signed copy of the first book in my Scandal Series, LADY OF SCANDAL, to one commenter. Contest limited to US/Canada. Good luck!

Tina Gabrielle, an award-winning author, is an attorney and former mechanical engineer whose love of reading for pleasure helped her get through years of academia. After multi-publishing for a prestigious Law Journal, she fulfilled her dream of writing fiction. She is the author of In The Barrister’s Chambers, Lady Of Scandal, and A Perfect Scandal from Kensington Books. The second book in her Regency Barrister Series is scheduled for release by Kensington in 2012. Visit her website at www.tinagabrielle.com

Back at Christmastime, I posted a blog (somewhere!) about the really funny holiday tv commercials. . . I gave Target two thumbs up for their holiday efforts, especially the music in them! Very snappy — and they made the music available for free, too.

So, they’ve really applied their efforts to this season — the Back to School Season — and given Staples a run for their advertising money this summer.

That’s a high standard to beat, too, because every August I run in to hear and see the most wonderful commercial for the most wonderful time of the year:

Staples – classic!

And the updated version –

Staples – updated

And they even go around the world –

Staples Back to School – UK

Or how about this one — featuring one of the stars of GLEE?

Staples – Glee theme

And listen to the music in the background to learn the identity of this not-so-typical dad:

Staples – surprise   (He lives in my area-southern NJ!)

As August approached, I waited to see what the new seasonal commercials would be, but I was a bit detached since my youngest is now in college and the excitement of school supply lists that are needed immediately is over.  And Target came through in a big way — my two favorite ones:

Target – Glitter       The way that teacher says ‘glitter, so much glitter’ gave me the creeps!

And my new favorite that has me singing about denim and Shaun White hoodies:

Target – Denim

Did any of them make you laugh? Is this a happy-happy-joy-joy time of the year in your household or are you sad to see the school year begin? How did opening day(s) go for you? Post a comment and I’ll pick two winners — one will get a Target gift card and one will get a Staples gift card (and a book to each, of course!)

Oh! An extra prize to the person who can tell me who the heck Shaun White is and why I should wear his hoodies? LOL!

      Terri is home and writing again and will have some exciting news in October about her time-travel romances and a new Harlequin series, too! Stop back or stop over at her website to keep up-to-date on her books, events and news. . .

I arrived back from Disney, survived an earthquake (we don’t do those here in NJ!), did the presentation about covers (went REALLY well!) and then survived a hurricane (we REALLY don’t do those very often in NJ!). So, now I can announce the two winners from my blog last week.

The winners – who will each receive a wee Disney giftie and a signed book of mine — are:

“JV”

and

Kay!!

Please email your mailing/shipping info to me at terri@terribrisbin.com and I’ll get the prizes out to you ASAP. Thanks to everyone for posting………….

Terri B

Yes, it appears that romance readers really do give lots of their attention to romance novel covers — even now with digital only releases, the cover remains one of the most important pieces of the marketing puzzle.

So, when I was invited to speak at the Monmouth Museum in NJ tonight and they have an exhibit featuring local artist’ James Avati’s classic cover art from the 50s and 60s, I thought I would talk about romance novel covers. In researching for the presentation, I found some really old covers, some new ones, some good ones and some. . . not-so-good (or ones that don’t hit their mark).

Now let’s step in the time machine and go back, way back to some early romance novel covers –

Ahhhh – The Flame and The Flower by Kathleen Woodiwiss — considered the FIRST modern romance novel by most and it was quite hot for its time. The cover includes both imagery and people but it’s not too suggestive – though the tagline under Kathleen’s name is rather provocative!

This Johanna Lindsey title (one of my favorites) is actually Fabio’s first romance cover! Featuring both the classic clinch and the classic heaving bosoms, it is a classic! (BTW – I’ve been told that the heaving bosom covers were originally designed to. . ahem. . . tempt the all-male sales forces who sold these to all-male distributors!! Could it be true?)

And who could forget these step-backs of Fabio? This first one was quite scandalous and a sign that covers were finally being designed to appeal to the true romance reader – the women! Did you get any of these?

Man of My Dreams?           Surrender My Love?               The Conqueror?

Moving forward, we see that women also like men in uniforms from these more recent covers — all kinds of uniforms!

Of course the main focus of the cover is to tell the reader about the type of story they will get — to set up an expectation for readers. These recent covers give some indication of their type and tone, don’t you think?

Urban Fantasy? Paranormal Romance? Funny Contemporary? And of course what discussion of romance covers would be complete without a big-sword-carrying-Highland-warrior cover, right?

Some covers have errors or don’t really hit their target audience or tone. My favorite is the famous Christina Dodd cover. I’d just read the book when I met her for the first time at the first RT convention I attended — while ‘just’ a reader. She was on the elevator carrying a very-large version of the cover under her arm. Since there was nothing she could do about it — she used it as a promotional tool and it worked. As Suzanne Brockmann did when her buffest, sexiest hero’s book showed him looking like the Pillsbury dough boy! Take a look at both of them:

So – what is your favorite type of cover? Do you like clinches, half-naked men, cartoon-characters or stepbacks? Do you expect the cover to match the story? What is wrong with the Christina Dodd cover anyway? Post a comment and I’ll choose two people to get a signed book and a wee Disney souvenir. (And yes, I am still waaaay behind in sending out prizes but you will get them! LOL!)

   Terri is recuperating from her vacation to Disney World and working hard on her requested revisions so she can move onto the next project! After surviving tropical heat and showers, she is now also recovering from her fit of the vapors at the earthquake that shook her in southern NJ yesterday. It’s always an exciting day in south Jersey – LOL! Visit her website for more info about Terri and her books and upcoming events!

  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.

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.

I don’t know where you live, but here in southern NJ we’ve been having a record-breaking heat wave for over a week. Temps have been in the high 90s and even 100+ degrees for two days, but the worst of it has been the heat index on those days. Because of high dew points (Please check the Weather Channel for info on dew points but just believe me that it’s the reason for how uncomfortable it felt.) it was hard to go outside at all. Or breathe sometimes.

I sought refuge in my office — which is on the lower level of my house, about 5′ below ground and about 10 degrees cooler than upstairs. I lowered the blinds and shades on my windows and hunkered down, drinking lots of iced tea and not doing anything that caused sweating…or more sweating!

I know that the heat wave affected most of the US, so I know I was not alone in suffering through it. And many areas had serious problems – like loss of power and even deaths, so I was lucky.  And I had a couple of days off from work, so it made it easier for me to hide out and try to wait out the worst of it.  So, I resorted to my old-favorites — books and tv.

In between working on my writing commitments (aka revision), I managed to read a couple of books (Lara Adrian’s DEEPER THAN MIDNIGHT and Amanda Quick’s QUICKSILVER) and I caught up a bit on recorded tv shows like TORCHWOOD and LEVERAGE and old episodes of FIRELY).  And I wrote.

I confess — I did spend one afternoon outside — in a pool, sipping something cool while celebrating my hubby’s birthday…. it was the only way to survive out there!

The funny thing was, I went back to look at some old blogs and discovered that just six months ago, we were complaining about the cold and right after that, the snow storms!  And, I dealt with that bad weather pretty much the same way I am dealing with it now — reading, writing and tv! I am a creature of habit, aren’t I?!

And how about you? When weather challenges you, how do you handle it? Gotta a pool for the summer and tickets to someplace warm in the winter? Do you escape for real or escape into stories to avoid the harsh realities?  Post a note, a bit of advice or comment and you’ll be entered in a drawing for a small prize from someplace warm –in summer or in winter — WDW! And a book in case you like to read in times of heat wave or cold spells.

***** The winners from my blog on July 13th are: Chelsea B and Donna Ann. Please drop me a note at terri@terribrisbin.com and I’ll get your prizes out to you! *******

Terri will be writing and reading and getting a special surprise for readers ready over the next few weeks. She’ll share the news as soon as she is able with everyone!  Visit her website at www.terribrisbin.com  for lots more info about her books, her events and her fun news! 

     Each year for the last twelve or so years, my summer has been defined by the RWA Conference. It’s always in July, usually the last week of the month, and I know that once the 4th of July holiday passes, it’s time to hunker down and get meetings and meals and workshops scheduled.  By the time I get home from the conference, August is underway and I can see the end of summer and beginning of the school year approaching. It’s almost comforting in a way to know the flow of my summers.

But this year, it’s all confused! The conference was held a month earlier (hotel renovations) and also a day earlier in the week, too. So events always on Thursday were on Wednesday this year…leading me to miss several things I like to attend. And I know I was not the only one…. I did all that conference planning in May and June and now the 4th of July has passed and . . . .

I am lost!

How do I make it through the rest of the summer?

Well, honestly, I do have some things to do. . . and lots of things I don’t have to worry over now, too. I could write. . . well, I WILL write since I have two projects I need to work on and get into my editors or my agent.

Stories are beginning to swirl in my mind and I need to put words to them and get them down so they begin to make sense. Characters are beginning to speak to me — one actually opened my front door and walked in today, though he or she is not speaking directly to me yet. Scenery, medieval Scotland for the most part, is beginning to scroll across my vision at the oddest times. Celtic symbols are appearing in my dreams.

I guess it’s time to write!

But, I think I’ll also read all the books I put aside when last on my deadline binge of writing, and I think I’ll clean my office, and I think I’ll catch up on all the recorded TV shows I have saved, and I think I’ll. . . .

Ok, nevermind on the cleaning the office thing, but the rest sounds good! And if I really put my mind to it, maybe I’ll make my way down to the shore, the REAL Jersey shore, and spend a day on the beach, wearing my darkest sunglasses and doing what all writers do. . . people-watch! Oh yeah!

So, in this lull between now and the end of summer, what will you be doing? Traveling? Catching up on chores or reading? Prep for school or family things? Is summer all R&R for you or is it just as busy as every other season of the year?  Since I collected more than a few books at the RWA conference, I’ll send out a couple to each of two people who post a comment and I’ll include a book of mine, too!

  Terri is celebrating the release of the final book in her STORM series – MISTRESS OF THE STORM – and the rerelease in digital formats of the connected novella – A STORM OF LOVE. Stop by her website for more info about her upcoming books and events @ www.terribrisbin.com