Christina Brooke Winners

Thanks to everyone who stopped by to chat with Christina Brooke!  The two randomly selected winners of a copy of Christina's July release, HEIRESS IN LOVE are:

GAMISTRESS66

and

HEARTOFTEXASBOOKS

Congratulations to you both!  Please send your full name and mailing address, with "Christina Brooke Winner" in the subject line, to theromancedish (AT) gmail (DOT) com.

Today's Special -- Jenn LeBlanc

Today we welcome author Jenn LeBlanc to The Romance Dish. Jenn has combined her love and passion for photography and romance novels in a very unique way -- creating an illustrated romance novel. Doesn't that sound fabulous? Personally, I think it is a great idea! THE RAKE AND THE RECLUSE is Jenn's first illustrated romance novel. Please give Jenn a very warm welcome!!!



Hello my lovelies! Thank you to my gracious hosts for having me. I thought I would bring a little list, but then I couldn't decide between a list of things a photographer can't forget to take to the studio, and what an author mustn't forget when writing a love scene. So I combined the two.


So the list is: TEN STEPS TO SHOOTING A LOVE SCENE:


1. Camera. So important. The lens you use even moreso. You want a lens that will give you the right—I'm going to throw two tech terms out here...feel free to use them anytime to sound smarter—depth of field and bokeh. DoF is how much of the image is actually in focus, bokeh is the way the lens handles the blur (Canon has WAAAY better bokeh than anyone else).


2. Light. This is incredibly important, without it, there are no images. But the placement, direction and intensity of the light will show the mood and focus of the image and drive the viewer. A well-placed shadow...can be of paramount importance. This image in broad daylight? Totally different type of image. I like to shoot in the dark with just the modeling lights. It makes the world go away, and brings the mood where we like it.

3. Atmosphere. There are going to be a great deal of people in this scene. It's difficult for two people, who are strangers, to 'get it on' in front of a room full of other strangers...ok there are some exceptions to that, however, in general the sex you have while others are watching is not the sex you have when alone. This is why it is so important that the studio has a great atmosphere, and everyone is comfortable. Set the stage, use the right fabrics, the right costumes, make everything perfect so it all falls away and all we see are the people.

4. Direction. Hero looking into her eyes: sexy, hero looking at her mouth: smoldering hot, hero looking at her chest: randy. Hero needs to know what I want out of a scene. Just like in a real relationship, communication is key. If I say on your knees, you better hit it.

5. Hands. Hands are SO VERY IMPORTANT. You use them everyday—you know. But hands, next to eyes or mouth, are the most expressive part of a person. They should show emotion; tension, caution, care, urgency. Make sure if a hand is in the image it has something to hold onto, even if it's only metaphorically.

6. Comfort. Shooting a love scene is similar to dating in real life. We don't just jump into bed, we start out with the clothes on, the table and the wine, maybe some candles, (I did write a historical—so no, I'm not kidding) we bring out the riding crop and the fake horse, (still not kidding) and all the other stuff before we start getting anybody in bed.


7. Temperature. Here I have to apologize to Derek for freezing his nipples off. My studio in February is quite terribly cold. It's rather large, and while not drafty, it is not well heated. When you add water...well. I'm sorry D.

8. Chapstick. Yes. And it better not be bright pink or your male model might end up with a nickname like 'Cherry'. Just saying.

9. Oil. Stop. It's for the skin, because nobody likes to look at dry flaky skin and those lights are HOT and tend to dry out skin rather quickly.


10. Shot list. Two beautiful people making beautiful pictures tends to make a person forget what they are doing. Make sure there is a list...and then stick to it. Mostly.


There you go. I hope you enjoyed my list and my images. If you'd like to learn more please by all means track me down on twitter or facebook and for updates follow my blog. If you are interested in my novel, The Rake and the Recluse, is available now from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, All Romance and iBooks through your iThingy.

Now that I've told you my list of steps to shooting a love scene, what are your top requirements for reading a love scene?

One random commenter will receive an e-copy of THE RAKE AND THE RECLUSE.

~ Buffie

Today's Special - - Christina Brooke

Today, it's my pleasure to welcome back one of our favorite Aussies, Christina Brooke.  Christina is a former corporate lawyer who lives in Queensland, Australia with her husband, two sons and dog.  Writing Regency historicals as Christine Wells, she was the first Australian to win RWA's Golden Heart Award and was a 2009 RITA finalist.  Christina and I had a chance to catch up at RWA National recently and talk about all the exciting changes in her life.  One of the biggest is a new publisher, new nom de plume, and wonderful new series of books! 


Please join me in welcoming Christina to The Romance Dish as we explore this exciting new chapter in her writing life.






PJ:  Welcome to The Romance Dish, Christina and congratulations on the release of HEIRESS IN LOVE! It’s been getting terrific reviews...and I loved it!  Will you please tell our readers a bit about the story?


Christina: Hi PJ! Hi Dishers! Thank you so much for having me with you today. I love visiting the Dish.

Here is the blurb for HEIRESS IN LOVE:

When the Ministry of Marriage arranges a match, all that matters is power, wealth and prestige. In the business of marriage, there is no room for love. But even the most prudent plans can go awry…


A Convenient Marriage


Jane, Lady Roxdale, has endured one marriage of convenience decreed by the Ministry of Marriage. While she deeply regrets her late husband’s death, she is relieved to be free at last. But when a dissolute rake threatens everything Jane holds dear, she must contemplate marrying a second time…


An Inconvenient Passion


Disgraced libertine Constantine Black inherits his cousin Roxdale’s land and title–while Roxdale’s prim widow is left all the wealth. Constantine is not a marrying man, but wedding Jane is the only way to save the estate from ruin. Jane resists the smoldering heat between them, desperate not to fall in love with an unrepentant rake. But for the first time ever, Constantine wants more than seduction. He wants all of her–body, heart, and soul…

PJ:  I thoroughly enjoyed Jane and Constantine’s story and was fascinated by the Ministry of Marriage. It’s such an original concept and I don’t recall ever seeing it’s like before. Did anything in particular inspire it?

Christina:  Thank you! I’m thrilled you enjoyed it and found the Ministry idea intriguing. It’s always difficult to pinpoint how an idea evolves. I wanted to create my own Regency world, much like the worlds paranormal authors create. Sometimes we forget when we read historical romance that generations of forebears stand behind our aristocratic heroes and heroines—and not just that, but different families have shared history too. Almost everyone knew everyone else in the ton. There were alliances, feuds, scandals and rivalries between clans. So I wanted that sensibility in my novels.

Some traits seem to run in families, so I enjoy playing on that as well—The Westruthers tend to be highly intelligent, subtle yet ruthless and so confident of their social standing that they think anything they do must be acceptable—they can get away with behavior that other, lesser mortals can’t. The Blacks are charmers and rogues. They have a lot of guile and they use it to the full. The deVeres are a bit on the rough side, graceless and plain-spoken. The men are warriors and the women tend to be tomboys and misfits. Of course, there are family members who buck the trend, too, so it’s all good fun.

You might like to check out my website’s Members Only section to take the quiz about which family you belong to! http://www.christina-brooke.com/members-only/

To tie it all together, I decided that the heads of these and other families would set up a formal organization to arrange and approve dynastic marriages. And so the body nicknamed The Ministry of Marriage (M.O.M.) was born. I like the idea of marriage and romance being of such importance to these nobles that they create a cross between a corporate board and the NFL draft to deal with them! It never happened, of course, but it’s fun to imagine.

So while I do have a few secondary characters running around in these novels, all of them are focused on the courtship and marriage between my hero and heroine.


PJ:  You’ve introduced so many intriguing characters in this book and I do love a multi-book series. How many books will there be in this series? Do you plan to write the stories of both the girls and the boys who were raised by Montford?

Christina:  That’s a good question! I had six Westruther books in my head from the start—one for each of the three girls and three boys who are cousins as well as wards of the Duke of Montford.

I can guarantee there will be at least three books in this series and they will be the girls’ stories: Jane’s story (HEIRESS IN LOVE) followed by Rosamund (MAD ABOUT THE EARL, January 2012) and then Cecily will meet her match in A DUCHESS TO REMEMBER ( July 2012). What happens after that is in the laps of the publishing gods to some extent, but I would love to write another trilogy for the Westruther men. I’ll keep you posted!

PJ:  I'l keep my fingers crossed!

Speaking of Montford (you know I have to ask), will we find out the history between him and Lady Arden? I can’t be the only one begging for their story!

Christina:  Haha, no you’re not alone. My agent was aghast when I threatened to marry Montford off to a governess! What I can tell you is that Arden and Montford’s, um, situation will not be resolved in the first three books of the series. They are circling one another still. The cold-as-ice Montford has to learn a few lessons about love before he can have his own happily ever after. Poor man, he keeps arranging these practical marriages for his wards, but they persist in falling in love!

PJ:  I am so looking forward to watching him thaw!

I already have the release date for MAD ABOUT THE EARL marked on my 2012 calendar.   Can you tell us anything about Rosamund's story?  (Christina recently released the cover of MAD ABOUT THE EARL.  Isn't it gorgeous?)

Christina:  The beauty of the family, Lady Rosamund, will make a match in MAD ABOUT THE EARL. That is out on January 3 next year, so I hope all your New Year’s resolutions will include a pledge to rush out and buy it! Trust me, it will be a terrific hangover cure

MAD ABOUT THE EARL is a Beauty and the Beast meets Cinderfella story. The exquisite Lady Rosamund Westruther is determined to be the perfect wife to Griffin deVere, Lord Tregarth, but her beast of a betrothed is the only man in England who doesn’t want her! Circumstances conspire to force Griffin to claim her hand after a longstanding betrothal. It’s then that the fun starts, because Rosamund refuses to wed him until he has learned to be a gentleman and courted her properly.

And for a delicious little teaser, there’s a bonus excerpt from MAD ABOUT THE EARL in the back of HEIRESS IN LOVE.

PJ:  HEIRESS IN LOVE is the debut book of Christina Brooke but you’re no stranger to publication. Writing as Christine Wells, you’ve published four books, including one that was a 2009 RITA finalist. Why the name change? Should fans of Christine Wells expect a different type of writing from Christina Brooke?

Christina:  St. Martin’s were passionate about this new series and it seemed like the right time to break away from the more suspense-driven historical romances I had been writing as Christine Wells. Creating the Ministry of Marriage series feels like coming home to me. These are the kind of books I love to read—sensual, emotional romance against the backdrop of family relationships, with a vein of humor and sexy banter throughout.

PJ:  It was wonderful seeing you recently at the RWA National Conference in New York City. I hope you had a good time! Do you enjoy travel? What’s your favorite getaway spot? What city/country have you never visited but would most like to?

Christina:  Thank you, I always have a ball at RWA and of course, I love catching up with you!

I am not a seasoned traveler by any means but I’m always excited to fly to the U.S.A. to see more of your beautiful country and to catch up with dear friends. Predictably, I love England. I feel like it was my home in another life—perhaps because I grew up on a diet of English literature and theater, period drama and clever BBC television shows like Rumpole of the Bailey and Yes, Minister and To the Manor Born. By contrast, I think Japan is a fascinating country and I want to go back for an extended visit when my children are older (and when the elder one will eat something other than macaroni cheese!).

I’ve never visited Egypt and I would love to go, if only to view the sites in one of my favorite mystery series, Elizabeth Peters’ Amelia Peabody mysteries. Perhaps one day!


Time for a quick six!

Vanilla or Chocolate?

Chocolate

Beach or Mountains?

Beach girl all the way. How could I be anything else with the world’s most gorgeous beaches on my doorstep?

Blonde or Brunette (heroes)?

Brunette, but the occasional blonde is good for variety

Pop or Rock (music)?

Depends on my mood. Rock, probably

Dogs or Cats?

Both, although I own only a dog at the moment. Too many allergies in the family for cats.


Early Bird or Night Owl?

Early Bird for work, Night Owl for pleasure—in other words, why not burn the candle at both ends!

PJ:  Christina, thank you so much for visiting with us today.  It's always a pleasure to host you here at the Romance Dish and we wish you all the best with your new name and new series!  

Christina:  Thanks so much for having me, PJ and the Dishy Dames! And now for my question to all of you.

If you were a heroine in one of my novels and your marriage was being arranged, what is the one quality in a husband that you would insist on?

Two lucky commenters will each win a copy of HEIRESS IN LOVE!  Christina's giveaway is open to all commenters with no address restriction. 

For more information about Christina Brooke, visit her website, like her on facebook, follow her at twitter and friend her on Goodreads. You can also find Christina at Romance Bandits. 

Beverley Kendall Winner

Congratulations to our three winners from Beverley Kendall's guest blog!  The following people have won a digital copy of Bev's novella, ALL'S FAIR IN LOVE AND SEDUCTION:

BARBARA E

MARIA

MARYBELLE

Also, Barbara E wins an entry into Bev's grand prize drawing for an iPad2!  Visit Bev's website for more info on the iPad2 contest. 

Winners, please send your email address to us at theromancedish (AT) gmail (DOT) com with "Bev Kendall Winner" in the subject line and please tell us us if you want your novella in mobi (Kindle) or ePub format.

Jane Graves Winner

The two winners of a copy of BLACK TIES AND LULLABIES by Jane Graves are

LANEY 4

and

RUNNER 10

Thanks to everyone who stopped by to visit with Jane.  Laney4 and Runner10, please send your full name and mailing address to theromancedish (AT) gmail (DOT) com.

PJ'S RWA WINNERS

Thanks to everyone who came along on my journey through this year's RWA National Conference.  I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did!  Congratulations to the following winners:

East Side West Side, All Around the Town 

 LAURIE G 

Laurie guessed 500 photos and the actual number I took was 493.  I usually take much more than that but I left my good camera at home this time.  Good guessing, Laurie!

Conference Highlights - Part Two

ROSE MAY

RWA Recap - Part Three

TAMI BROTHERS

RWA Recap - The Final Chapter

DEB

To claim your prizes, please send your full name and mailing address to theromancedish (AT) gmail (DOT) com.

Review -- The Sins of Viscount Sutherland

The Sins of Viscount Sutherland
The Lords of Sheffield Square—Book 1
By Samantha James
Publisher: Avon
Release Date: May 31, 2011

Claire Ashcroft wants revenge. Her brother, Oliver, was killed in a duel and she wants the man responsible for his death to pay. So, Claire comes up with a plan to settle the score. She pretends to be a widow and intends to make the disreputable Viscount Sutherland fall in love with her so she can then break his heart. What she doesn’t realize is that the viscount has no intention of falling in love—he only seeks to have her in his bed because his heart was broken and closed off years ago.

Grayson Sutherland has been down the path of love and was burned, but not in the usual way. He has since gone from mistress to mistress and that’s the way he likes it: no strings attached. When he meets Claire, he is instantly captivated by her beauty and delighted to discover she is a widow. Her innocent manner clashes with her widow status and that intrigues him even more. But when all secrets are revealed, who will win?

I have enjoyed Samantha James’s books in the past and am a huge fan of The Secret Passion of Simon Blackwell (which was one of my favorite books of 2007), but unfortunately The Sins of Viscount Sutherland was a miss for me. And it’s a shame because it was an interesting storyline and I really liked Gray! You all know that I love me some sexy rakes with dark secrets and he fit the bill quite nicely. However, I didn’t care for Claire at all. To me, she just wasn’t a likable character. As I continued reading, I kept hoping and hoping that she would grow on me, but she never did. Her behavior changed from composed to angry so often and so quickly that I found myself wondering what Gray could possibly see in her. And just when I thought she was finally going in the right direction—bam!—she’d do or say something that made me want to strangle her again. I can easily forgive a heroine if she starts off that way and matures through the course of the book, but Claire was acting that way until almost the very end. And it’s hard to root for someone like that. I can only hope that Ms. James’s next book will feature a heroine I can connect with. In the meantime, I recommend giving this book a pass.

~Andrea

Stock Up Saturday Reviews

Can’t Hurry Love
Book 3 in the Three Kisses Trilogy
by Christie Ridgway
Publisher: Berkley
Release Date: July 5, 2011


Vowing to her dying mother to take care of her younger sisters, Giuliana (Jules) Baci has always put her sisters’ needs first. Now that both sisters are happily married, Julies is ready to make some difficult decision about the family winery, Tanti Baci. She has given herself a one-year deadline to make the winery profitable or sell it. With that year just about up, the three sisters plan a huge wedding vow renewal event in hopes of saving the winery. As the event draws near, Jules hopes a secret she has been keeping will not come out. There is only one other person in the valley who knows the secret – Liam Bennett.

Liam Bennett cannot believe that after a decade of heartache and sorrow, he is still in love with Jules. With her back in the valley and working at the winery, images of young love haunt Liam daily. Though years have passed, the spark and passion of their love lingers (and sizzles) between Liam and Jules. Liam is not ready to give up Jules again. That is one mistake he is determined not to repeat.

When secrets of their relationship are revealed, Liam and Jules are forced to face their past and see the possibilities of a future. Between much loss and angst grows a love of a lifetime.

This book is a fabulous end to the Three Kisses trilogy. Full of emotion and passion, Ms. Ridgway delivers yet another wonderful read. While CAN'T HURRY LOVE can be read on its own, I would highly recommend you read CRUSH ON YOU and THEN HE KISSED ME so that you can understand the family dynamics.


~ Buffie

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Vampire in Atlantis

The Warriors of Poseidon, Book # 7

By Alyssa Day

Publisher: Berkley Sensation

Release Date: June 7, 2011

The most unexpected of all allies to Poseidon’s warriors has proven to be the fiercest---Daniel, a vampire and Nightwalker Guild mage. But even the strongest alliance can be destroyed when an eleven-thousand-year-old desire is reborn…

Daniel is an eleven-thousand-year-old vampire who has spent most of that time protecting humans from other nightwalkers, as well as being an ally of the Warriors of Poseidon. Daniel has also spent those many millennia mourning the loss of his first and only love, Serai, who was swept from his life when Atlantis sank beneath the waves.

Serai of Atlantis, a princess of Poseidon has spent the last eleven thousand years in magical stasis---locked in a crystal pod in Atlantis in order to ensure and protect the future of the Atlantean race. But due to a disruption from the Emperor---one of the lost gems of Poseidon’s trident which is now being used by a dark sorceress---Serai’s crystal pod shatters and she is free. Shortly thereafter she finds herself face to face with her long-lost love, Daniel who has been magically transported to Atlantis. Can these two lovers reclaim the love they once knew while they battle an evil that threatens all they hold dear?

Alyssa Day’s Warriors of Poseidon is such a fun series, and it is possible to read it out of order and not be lost---I started in the middle, even with my anal tendency to read a series in order. Serai and Daniel are such a romantic couple---eleven thousand is a heck of a long time to wait for your love, but true love, in this case, really does conquer all. This passage says it all:

“My heart has waited for you all of my life. I feel like I’m learning what a kiss is for the very first time, and I want to learn it with you,” he said, and she fell.

Fell out of doubt, out of insecurity, out of shyness.

Fell into love.

Now that’s what I call one romantic hero. I fell for Daniel as hard as Serai did. Plenty of heat, humor, suspense and romance---Vampire in Atlantis has it all. If you haven’t read this series yet, I urge you to get started. Those warriors of Poseidon put the ‘S’ in sexy!

~ Gannon

Hot Dish for July

In honor of the All Star baseball game earlier this week, I am saluting the boys of summer -- professional baseball players -- in this month's Hot Dish.

While researching all the sexy men of baseball (and believe me, there are quite a few sexy players!!!), I stumbled across this photo and thought it would be perfect for the Hot Dish. Ladies, this is Gabe Kapler.

Gabe has played professional baseball for almost a decade. But I'm not going to list all of baseball stats here. That's not what this blog is about.

Instead, let's discuss the picture.

Personally, I think it is the perfect picture of a hero in a romance novel. Yes, he is handsome, but look closer. The muscles I see tell me he can keep me safe in the cradle of his arms. The squareness of his jaw tells me he is a determined man, never stopping until he gets what he wants. His eyes tell me he is sensitive and longs to be loved by the right woman. And his hands ... do you see how BIG his hands are? *blinking innocently*

So tell me ladies, what do you see in this picture of Gabe that would make him the inspiration for a hero we would all love?

~ Buffie

Today's Special - - Beverley Kendall

It's our pleasure today to welcome Beverley Kendall back to The Romance Dish!  We first met Bev as the creative force behind the successful website, The Season and then as a talented author of historical romance.  Bev is with us today to talk about historical heroes and about her new e-novella, ALL'S FAIR IN LOVE AND SEDUCTION.  Welcome back, Bev!

With her seduction she hopes to gain his affections

For Miss Elizabeth Smith, sharing her first kiss with the charming Lord Derek Creswell is nothing short of a dream come true...that is, until she is spotted by one of the most influential gossips of the ton. With scandal nipping at her heels, to avoid total social ruin, Elizabeth must present a fiancé by the end of the Season. But when the viscount proves reluctant, Elizabeth is forced to employ a seduction of a different sort...

With his seduction he is determined to ruin her

Viscount Derek Creswell believes Elizabeth set out to trap him into marriage. After all, her sister attempted the very same thing with his brother six years before. Now the delectable Miss Smith expects a betrothal and a ring, while Derek finds her ruination infinitely more appealing...

But as Derek sets out to seduce only her body, Elizabeth is intent on claiming his jaded heart.

The Ten Ways Historical Heroes Most Differ from Contemporary Heroes


I love a great hero. I like a hero with a bit of an edge. Even better if he’s ostensibly cold because then you know the heroine is going to thaw him well and good.

Although I started my romance reading life devouring contemporaries, historical romance heroes have a special appeal. Perhaps it’s because they do not have to be politically correct. Or perhaps it’s because despite their gender and societal advantage, they all manage to treat the heroines as their equal.

Who can resist a man born in a time when women and children are considered property but who treats the like the treasures that they are? A man who isn’t expected to abide by such terms as fidelity, but gladly does for the woman he loves?

I can’t. And that’s why I write about them.

But here are five ways historical heroes differ from their contemporary counterparts:

1. The London Season made wife hunting like shooting fish in a barrel.

2. They have titles.

3. Having another man dress them is considered normal.

4. They still manage to be uber-masculine while not holding down a job or having a notable career.

5. They can manage ‘tight’ breeches with aplomb.

So what is it about a historical hero that appeals to you? Comment and enter to win a digital copy of my new novella, ALL’S FAIR IN LOVE & SEDUCTION—I’m giving away 3 copies. You can choose from mobi (Kindle) or ePub format.

Also, one winner will receive an entry for my grand prize drawing to win an iPad 2.

I’d like to thank the fabulous ladies on The Romance Dish for having me on their blog. PJ it was great seeing you in NYC. Looking forward to seeing you all in GA in October. 

Thanks for being our guest today, Bev!  Find out more about Beverley and her books at her website, on Facebook and Twitter.  You can also check out The Season Blog here and follow them on Twitter.   


ALL'S FAIR IN LOVE AND SEDUCTION can be purchased at The Season for $0.99 or for $1.49 at Barnes and Noble here and at Amazon here .

RWA Recap - The Final Chapter

Saturday: my final day in New York City.  As I said in my first post, RWA National had been exciting, educational, thoroughly exhausting and oh so fun.  Though I was running on fumes by Saturday morning, I still had eight hours left and I planned to make the most of them.  Most of my farewells had been said Friday night before heading for bed as people would be leaving for home at different times on Saturday but after saying good-bye to my roommates and depositing my luggage at the Bell Stand I decided to cruise the 8th floor lobby one last time.  I'm so glad I did!  I ran into Eloisa James who was waiting for Connie Brockway who I hadn't managed to connect with during the conference.  I knew I'd be seeing Eloisa in a few months but I hadn't seen Connie since 2006 in Atlanta and was afraid I would be leaving without seeing her again.  So glad that wasn't the case! 

For those of you living in the southeastern United States, Eloisa will be the Keynote Speaker at this year's Georgia Romance Writers' Moonlight & Magnolia's Conference in Atlanta.  She will also be signing books at the conference literacy signing (open to the public) on Saturday, October 1st and will have a "meet and greet" (also open to the public) immediately preceding the booksigning.  For more information, check out the GRW Moonlight & Magnolias Conference website. 

After visiting a bit with Connie and Eloisa, I headed out into the city for a little exploration.  I hadn't really had a chance to get out and about much during the conference and I wanted to take advantage of the beautiful Saturday morning to venture off the beaten path.  My first stop was the lovely Bryant Park.  If I lived in the city, I think I'd be spending quite a bit of my time there.  It's like an oasis of calm in the midst of noise and chaos.  I bought some delicious Greek Yogurt with honey and settled in to enjoy my breakfast while absorbing the sights and sounds of the park.

My wanderings took me to Madison Avenue, Library Way (very cool name!) and the famed Fifth Avenue. 

I also stumbled across a street fair - a really big street fair!  It went on for ten blocks!  Delicious smells, quirky jewelry and just about every tee shirt design imaginable.  What fun for a Saturday morning!

Saturday's lunch was again at Junior's but this time at their Grand Central Station location and my lunch companion was the wonderful Stacey Agdern, romance buyer for Posman Books.  I had so much fun visiting with Stacey that I forgot to take a picture of her!

After more exploring, I slowly worked my way back to the hotel then enjoyed a farewell slice of cheesecake before leaving for the airport.  And yes, it was definitely as delicious as it looks!

Before I sign off, a few more highlights from my week at RWA11:

Goddess-in-Training SuzyQ's drink of choice:  True Blood, of course! 

Goddess-in-Training Marcail (Cail), the inspiration for the heroine in Karen Hawkins' new historical, SCANDAL IN SCOTLAND.

It was a joy to have the beautiful and talented Jennifer Haymore back with us this year after her courageous battle with cancer!  Her new book,CONFESSIONS OF AN IMPROPER BRIDE, comes out July 26th.

I spent a fair amount of my standing-in-line time pimping Emily March's wonderful new Eternity Springs series.  I love these books!

I was lucky enough to have one-on-one time with both Teresa Medeiros and Christina Dodd.  I'd love to tell you what went on in each of their "inner sanctums" but at conference, "what happens in the author's room, stays in the author's room!" *grin*  Christina's next book, SECRETS OF BELLA TERRA, comes out August 2nd.


PJ & Christina Dodd



With a quick wit and a ready smile, Susan Andersen is always a joy to be around.  Her next book, PLAYING DIRTY, comes out July 26th.

I was delighted to meet Paula Quinn, the wonderful creator of Highlanders I'd love to claim for my very own.  Her new book, TAMED BY A HIGHLANDER, was released July 1st.

Lady Liberty, M&M style!











That's it for this year's RWA Recap.  Thanks for coming along with me on my journey.  I hope you enjoyed the trip as much as I did.  Let's do it again next year!

What was your favorite highlight of this year's RWA journey?  I'll choose a random commenter to win some goodies from my RWA stash. 

~PJ

Today's Special - - Jane Graves

It's our pleasure to welcome Jane Graves to The Romance Dish.  Jane is an award winning contemporary author and seven time finalist for RWA's Rita Award.  Her newest release is BLACK TIES AND LULLABIES (check out Gannon's review here) which was released July 1st.  Jane's blog topic today is "Make Me Laugh," which is very appropriate as her books always make me laugh!  Please give her a very warm welcome!











Make Me Laugh!

I love hanging out with funny people. If you have a genuine sense of humor, come sit next to me, because the best feeling on earth for me is to laugh myself silly. I have several wonderful friends who are so hilarious they make me practically wet my pants. Aside of my occasional need for Depends, I consider their humor to be no less than a gift from God. And I try my best to return the favor as often as I can.

The funniest people I know share one thing in common—they don’t hesitate to laugh at themselves. I don’t care what’s happening to you--most of the time, life just ain’t that tragic. Smile and the world smiles with you. Frown, and you’ll clear a room faster than a fire alarm.

I’ve often been asked to explain the secret behind writing funny stuff, and for me, there’s only one answer: It’s all in the way you view the world. Let’s say you come out of a public restroom with eight feet of toilet paper stuck to your shoe. Somebody points it out to you. If you turn ten shades of red and rush back into the restroom, you might not see things from a comedic point of view. If, on the other hand, you ask a friend to take a photo of it and you use it as your Facebook profile picture, you probably don’t have much trouble finding humor wherever you go. And if you’re a writer, you won’t have much trouble putting it on the page.

I adore Larry the Cable Guy. Why? Because he’ll go for jokes that a lot of comedians are afraid to tell. With humor, you have to be fearless. It’s not that you should try to offend people, but if there’s something out there that’s true, everybody knows it’s true, and it’s also funny as hell, say it. People will laugh, and that’s not a bad thing. It just says we’re all in this together. And what does Larry the Cable Guy say after a joke where everybody’s laughing, even though they “know” they shouldn’t be? He says, “I don’t care who you are, that there’s funny.” And he’s right. In other words, you can get all huffy about it, or you can recognize the universal truth in it (and the humor) and let go with a laugh.

So what makes you laugh in a romance novel? Is it banter between characters who are smart and witty? Out of control situations that escalate wildly beyond a character’s ability to manage them? Fish out of water who have no clue how to behave in the crazy world they find themselves in?

In my book that’s on the shelves right now, BLACK TIES AND LULLABIES, the comedy arises when I force a hero and heroine together who view the world from totally different places and appear to have absolutely nothing in common. They were secondary characters in a previous book of mine, HOT WHEELS AND HIGH HEELS--irreverent, multimillionaire playboy Jeremy Bridges and his tough, no-nonsense bodyguard, Bernadette Hogan. I’ve actually had readers tell me, after reading their interaction in HOT WHEELS and before reading BLACK TIES, that I must have lost my mind by making them the hero and heroine of their own book. How in the world, they say, is that ever going to work out? But you and I both know that opposites do attract, and the fun comes when you take two highly dissimilar people, toss them together in a book, and then watch the fireworks as they fight their way toward their happily ever after.

For my readers, laughter is the best medicine. I just fill the prescription. I wouldn’t say all my books are uproarious comedies—they vary quite a bit in that regard—but you’re going to find at least some humor in every one of them. To me, life is so full of it that I couldn’t keep it from slopping over to my writing if my life depended on it.

So...if you and I ever happen to cross paths sometime in the future (hint: I’ll be the one with a smile on my face and a glass of Cabernet in my hand) and you have a great sense of humor, feel free to sit down next to me and make me laugh. I’ll try to return the favor!

Oh, one last thing—would you also watch for my next book coming out in just a few months? HEARTSTRINGS AND DIAMOND RINGS hits the shelves on September 27. Don’t take this wrong, but I hope it makes you wet your pants.

Jane is giving away two copies of her current book, BLACK TIES AND LULLABIES to two random commenters so ask questions, leave comments about the blog or tell Jane what makes you laugh in a romance novel.  Good luck!

Review -- The Devilish Montague

The Devilish Montague
The Rebellious Sons, Book 2
By Patricia Rice
Publisher: Signet Eclipse
Release Date: July 5, 2011

An Inconvenient Marriage of Convenience

He thinks he can save all of Europe from a tyrant. She's just trying to rescue a stolen parrot. Marriage is the farthest thing from their minds---until they realize they each have what the other wants...

Blake Montague is recovering from war injuries he incurred while fighting on the Continent. When he approaches the Secretary of State for War about a position in the War Office, Blake is denied. In fact, he is basically told to forget all about code breaking and war and get married. But since Blake is the youngest son of a baron, he must marry for money. A marriage of convenience that will give him the funds that he needs to buy a commission. One night at the Duke of Fortham's mansion Blake finds just the woman he needs....and wants.

Jocelyn Carrington misses her family's estate. Harold, Viscount Carrington, her wretched older brother lost it in a foolish wager with Blake's father. Wanting nothing more than to have her home back, Jocelyn agrees to marry Blake when his father agrees to give them the house. But Jocelyn and Blake are both in for a surprise where their marriage is concerned. First, Jocelyn steals a profanity-spewing parrot named Percy from the Duke of Fortham, but it's justified because Percy belongs to Jocelyn's younger brother Richard. Then Blake is subjected to multiple "accidents", which lead him to believe that maybe someone thinks he would be better off dead. These newlyweds have quite a bit to deal with, including their growing feelings for each other, which neither one is planned for.

I'm a big fan of the marriage of convenience trope and The Devilish Montague is just that but with a delightful twist. Jocelyn and Blake are thrust into this marriage, each hoping to gain something they want. Blake needs the money that Jocelyn brings in order to buy his commission, and Jocelyn wants her family estate. Ah, if only it was that simple. Jocelyn and Blake do move into her family's estate, but her mother, brother and a menagerie of pets also take up residence. I thought Blake would lose his mind with such a zany band of misfits under one roof, but his patience and caring are evident, and that just made me fall in love with him. It's no wonder Jocelyn falls for him just as hard as he does for her.


So he sought the one solace he longed for---her beautiful mouth. Jocelyn's sweet, eager kisses sang songs in Blake's misbegotten soul. His wife had become like a drug in his veins, one he could not resist. He despised weakness and would work to overcome this once---later, when he was less frustrated.


Laugh-out-loud funny, charming, and utterly delightful, The Devilish Montague is the perfect book if you're looking for an escape. It has romance, intrigue, humor, and engaging characters---what's not to love??

~ Gannon


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Due to a death in her family, Trish Milburn will not be blogging with us this month.  We extend our sincere sympathy to Trish and her family and look forward to welcoming her back at a later date. 

~Andrea, Buffie, Gannon and PJ

RWA Recap - Part Three

I awoke early (again) and hungry Friday morning so I wandered over to Junior's for some breakfast.  It was a beautiful morning and I was lucky enough to snag a table on the front deck where I enjoyed some quiet time, a huge cup of coffee and a delicious breakfast.  I had discovered during the week that Junior's was a great place for lunch and dinner - and dessert - so I wasn't at all surprised that their breakfast rocked.  Once again I was blessed with a terrific waiter.  Thanks, Napoleon!

Friday was filled with more publisher book signings and workshops.  Here are a few more smiling faces.



Vicki Lewis Thompson



Karen Hawkins

Vicky Dreiling & Debra Mullins



Anne Gracie, Jo Beverley & Cara Elliott

By Friday afternoon I had mailed six pre-paid flat rate boxes of books and swag home from the conference (for lots of great giveaways!) but I still had lots - LOTS - of books from the day's signings and was wondering how I was going to get them home.  Enter my angel, Kim Castillo!  She and her husband came to my rescue.  Without them, our prize coffers here at the Romance Dish would have about 80 fewer books.  Thank you, Kim!

After an afternoon of signings and visiting, I joined my three roommates for dinner, again on the deck at Junior's (What can I say?  I love the place!) before returning to our room to get ready for the Golden Heart/Rita ceremony. 



Comfort food!

Unlike past years when dinner was served during the ceremony followed by a dessert reception afterwards, this year they served dessert and coffee only during the awards.  I didn't mind so much that we weren't served dinner but I really missed the post-awards reception.  Instead of everyone gathering in one place to congratulate the winners, mingle and chat, people scattered to the four winds immediately following the last award.  Consequently, there were many people I missed seeing in their Rita finery and only had the opportunity to congratulate three Rita winners (two Friday night and one Saturday morning).  I hope they re-institute the reception next year.  A lot of people missed it.  Like me. 

The ceremony itself was terrific.  Meg Cabot rocked as Mistress of Ceremonies (Has anybody ever noticed how much she looks like Tina Fey?) with impeccable timing and a great sense of humor.  Many of the acceptance speeches were memorable; some humorous, some poignant and others overflowing with enthusiasm.  It was, all in all, a very good night. 

Joan Kayse, Christina Brooke, Susan Sey & Inara Scott



Tiffany Clare, Maggie Robinson & Miranda Neville

Apologies to Tiffany's friend (far left).  I can't remember her name.  I'm so delighted that I got to spend more time with Tiffany and Maggie at this conference!

Katiebabs (a/k/a KT Grant) and PJ.  Kate runs her own blog, we were fellow reviewers at RNTV and now she's a published author.  So happy for her writing success!

Harlequin SuperRomance author Kay Stockham and PJ.












Keri Stevens



Kate Douglas



Gabriella Edwards & PJ



Jodi Thomas - I got to hold her Rita!



PJ with Kris Kennedy



Manda & Santa



PJ & Karina Cooper

Toni Blake/ Lacey Alexander

PJ & Joanne Lockyer

Anna Sugden & Trish Milburn

Tiffany Clare rocked the (mythical) red carpet in one of my favorite looks.

Check out her gorgeous hair accessory!

You can't have glamorous dresses without fabulous shoes. Here are a few of the shoe highlights from RWA in New York City!

Rita night is filled with glamour, excitement, laughter and tears. Farewell hugs are dispensed in abundance and "See you next year!" is heard time and time again.  People are brimming with enthusiasm and creativity; anxious to return to their writing and take the world by storm while at the same time filled with the bittersweet emotions of saying good-bye to friends old and new.  I didn't want to leave the party but I still had to figure out how to fit all my "stuff" back into my suitcase so I decamped to my room sometime after midnight to work my packing magic.



The conference was officially over but I still had one day left in NYC.  Stay tuned for the final chapter of my RWA Conference Recap!

Earlier, I mentioned the huge drinks served in the hotel bars.  (A couple are pictured below.) What's your favorite drink for those special celebrations? 

I'll choose one random commenter to win a signed book from my RWA conference stash.

~PJ