Get a sneak peek at the pretty, back cover art for DOUBLE PLAY!

When I first saw this back cover art, I gasped. I love it; it's so pretty and the perfect finishing touch for the cover. While the front exemplifies Sophie Pope, the main character, the back cover art gives a taste of David Savage. The vlog is the only place I'll be posting it, so here's your chance to see the back cover before it releases in January!

Enjoy!

Romance Rant

Just in time for Valentine's Day, right? ;)

Let me confess something. Six or seven years ago I would not have pictured myself as a romance writer. I knew that I loved to write those sweet, swoon scenes into the YA novels I was writing, but I didn't consider that my genre. And another confession--I sort of agreed with a lady in my ward then who called LDS Romances "literary fluff."

But friends, hold on to your pitchforks a moment. I was ignorant. I hadn't read a lot of LDS romance at the time--honestly, I think my only interaction with the genre was a couple books I found in a bargain bin when the LDS Bookstore went out of business in Laramie. So. Yeah.

Since then, not only have I broadened my horizon and found a lot of amazing romances out there--both in the LDS niche and out--but the category itself has come a long way. Romance, as a genre, has had a big surge. It's become a lot more popular in recent years, and much of the writing in the genre is just as superb as any other--which is why it shocked me to come upon a blog post throwing it into a big pile with pornography.

Um. EXCUSE ME??

The site (which, most the time, I actually applaud for the awareness they're spreading about pornography and how it actually affects people and relationships) published a post with some statistics that ran along the lines of a percentage of males and females read romance novels, read sexually explicit magazines, or visited sexually explicit chat rooms or forums.

Based on that right there, I am in the percentage of people who do one of those three things. (Pssst. If you don't know me, I read romance novels, not the other two.)

Now this is not the first time this site has spouted this stat. Last time I ranted on my sweet SILs Facebook post on it. That's not nice. This time I'll say what I think here on my own space.

In case you are among the masses of people who don't know this: Romance DOES NOT EQUAL Pornography.

Yes. There are genres of romance that are sexually explicit. (It's called erotica.) There are novels all along the spectrum--"sweet" romances, which are clean (no sex, usually not even implied), to the erotica, and everything in between. When the site spouts this stat, lumping all romance in there,  it's like saying (as a dear friend and fellow romance writer put it), "##% of people have watched a movie, watched a pornographic movie, or viewed pornography online." Because yes, certainly there are movies out there that are pornographic, but certainly not ALL.

I know. I shouldn't get hung up on that one line of a message that's, in general, good. But as a romance writer, I'm just insulted. This is degrading to me. I do not write pornographic books. I know dozens of other romance writers who do not. I know of hundreds--thousands--of awesome, lovely romance novels out there. (Anybody heard of a certain lady, Jane Austen? Romance novelist.) Many of us care a great deal about how women are portrayed in the books we write. We fight to overcome cliches of the genre and misconceptions people have. We work to make our characters people our readers want to really know, to make the conflicts real so they resonate with people. To insinuate that our work is just the same as the trash out there that degrades women (and men too!) and makes them objects is the worst thing you could say to me about what I do, and I will (obviously) take it personally.

One more time before I leave you at that: Romance DOES NOT EQUAL Pornography.

Thank you. Rant over. *steps down from soapbox*

**Now Availiable** A LADY AND A SPY by Ranee` S. Clark

It went live last night on Amazon. :) I'm still working on the paperback formatting and Smashwords though. 

Buy it Now

Blanche Audley's old-fashioned grandfather cut off her mother after she married Thomas Audley and his millions of "new money," and for the last ten years since her parents' deaths, Blanche has lived under the gloom of his disappointment. So when she recklessly loses a thousand dollars to Etta Channing in a game of baccarat, she will do anything to keep her foolish actions from him. Except he oversees every penny she spends of the wealth her father left her, leaving her no way of paying the debt without his knowledge.

Until Etta offers her a deal. Alexander Whealdon, one of the most eligible bachelors in town, needs a companion to shepherd his younger sister through her first season. Etta wants Blanche to take the position and use it to infiltrate the household and pass along information that will help Etta get her hooks into the reserved Mr. Whealdon. It seems like an easy way to pay off the debt and save face at the same time. But the more Blanche sees of Mr. Whealdon's playful side, not to mention his surprising generosity, the less she wants to help Etta win him over.

Backing out means humiliating herself and disappointing both her grandfather and Mr. Whealdon, not to mention losing Miss Whealdon's trust and friendship, but if she goes through with her promise to Etta, she will lose what might be her last chance for love.

If you would like to review A LADY AND A SPY for your blog, Amazon, or Goodreads, please follow THIS LINK and fill out the form.

Top Five Novellas You Should Read Now!

Have I mentioned how smitten I am with novellas lately? They are SO perfect for me. I'm now officially off maternity leave and am working on editing projects -- which translates into not a lot of personal reading time. But a novella? I can pound out one of those in between! I love that they're popular. Keep 'em coming people! 

So here's a list of the ones I think you should read:

One.
Okay, is anyone surprised that I'm listing my own first? It's good, people! My mom says so. ;)

After Lord Dersingham spurned her last season, Iris Colburn promises to never allow him back into her heart, despite his excuses, his long-standing connection to her family, or the fact that she once loved him.
But upon her return from Paris, Iris finds it is more difficult than she expected to keep Lord Dersingham at arm's length. His presence at nearly every social function Iris attends reminds her more of their blissful past than the sting of his rejection. Worse, she fears she is falling for him again.
If it wasn't for his outrageous behavior, that is. He asks Iris' father for permission to court her -- again -- but then showers attention on the disreputable Miss Halliday.
Iris doesn't know what kind of game Lord Dersingham is playing, but with her heart and her pride on the line, she will do anything to win.

Read the first chapters!

Valentine's Day Re-Run!

This month's "what I posted last year" are some fantastic Valentine's Day posts I did for a series called "My Favorite Romance."

First, Sarah Eden melted my heart with her favorite romantic moment.

My Favorite Romance: Sarah M. Eden

And next, because the men in my life always crack me up!

My Favorite Romance: The Guys

And another because I love how my friend Kristin thinks of the one I never would have thought of.

My Favorite Romance: Kristin Baker

And one more, because first kisses are fantastic.

My Favorite Romance: Five First Kisses

Actually, just go read the whole series. There's 14 great posts.

Oh, and Happy Valentine's Day guys!

Preview the first two chapters of A CONTEMPTIBLE AFFECTION

Chapter One

London

June 1816

It does not signify, Lady Iris Colburn insisted, but her jaw remained clamped shut as she watched Dominick lead a tall girl with shining brunette locks out onto the floor for a country dance.

Lady Lettice Morgan, Iris’ best friend, stiffened beside her. Lettie had enough sense not to comment, but Iris knew the thoughts running through Lettie’s mind. The same ones plagued Iris’. Dominick had danced with this unknown girl twice now. Why was he singling her out when everyone knew he would propose to Iris?

A CONTEMPTIBLE AFFECTION Launch Extravaganza

So maybe you guys have noticed some really crazy stuff going on around here. Like me publishing my Regency novella, A CONTEMPTIBLE AFFECTION. Here's the pretty cover:

And the blurb: 

After Lord Dersingham spurned her last season, Iris Colburn promises to never allow him back into her heart, despite his excuses, his long-standing connection to her family, or the fact that she once loved him.

But upon her return from Paris, Iris finds it is more difficult than she expected to keep Lord Dersingham at arm's length. His presence at nearly every social function Iris attends reminds her more of their blissful past than the sting of his rejection. Worse, she fears she is falling for him again.

If it wasn't for his outrageous behavior, that is. He asks Iris' father for permission to court her -- again -- but then showers attention on the disreputable Miss Halliday.

Iris doesn't know what kind of game Lord Dersingham is playing, but with her heart and her pride on the line, she will do anything to win.

I'm in the mood to throw confetti and give away things. Like, well, obviously, copies of A CONTEMPTIBLE AFFECTION (both ebook and paperback) and, in honor of me attempting to write regency, I'm also going to give away something from a true master.

The Next Big Thing

Have I ever extolled the many virtues of Kaylee Baldwin? Well, she's my critique partner and totally awesome. And she tagged me for a post called "The Next Big Thing" about your current WIP.

Where did the idea come from for the book?

I have always loved historical romances, but never considered myself one of those people who could pull it off -- until I wrote a half-historical, half-contemporary romance about a girl who travels back to 1909. Once I realized that, oh yeah, I am a historian and I can do this, I took a stab at Regency.

The inspiration actually came from a scene in a Georgette Heyer book -gah, can't remember the name, but I know it's one of my favorites. One of the love interests talks about always intending to offer for the heroine. She doesn't end up with him, but it got me thinking. How would a girl respond to a guy who's been charming and in her life, wooed her a time or two, but never made the big step until it was too late for him. Eventually the characters all evolved into a crazy different story!

Excerpt from DARK DAYS OF PROMISE by Shaunna Gonzales

It seems like SO long ago that I helped edit DARK DAYS for Shaunna, but I am SO excited for her that it has been published this week by Desert Breeze Publishing!

Thirty-four year old Vicki Laramie must learn to trust before she can love, but she might die trying.

While Vicki’s children grapple with the death of their father -- a man whom she’s successfully fabricated as loving, a lie her rebellious teenager recognizes -- she must find a way to support her family and find a role model for her boys. She never intends to fall for Staff Sergeant Chase, her best friend’s son, who suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). She’d much rather choose a safer man to love, but her children have a voice in the decision she makes. With two deaths to deal with, a suitor after her money, a rebellious son, and Sergeant Chase’s repeated attacks, she can only hope to survive the danger she faces. If she doesn’t, her children will be left without either parent. 

Cover art provided by Shaunna Gonzales

Don't you just LOVE the cover. I do. I really really love it.

In celebration of DARK DAYS' release, I get to share an excerpt with you!

Author Interview: Krista Lynne Jensen, "Of Grace and Chocolate"

Me: This question is becoming a habit for me, but since you know so many of my favorite people in the world (My best friend, Brook Grant; my aunt, Arlene Brimhall; my cousin, Donna Banks . . . to name a few!) I feel like it' especially pertinent to you. Would you like to be my best friend? :)

Krista: I love friends. I'm flattered you asked! Brook, Arlene, and Donna are some of the best people I know. If you lived closer we could go to lunch. At Rib & Chop! Yum. {And I would also join your writing group, whether you wanted me or not. :D}

Me: Really I'm just jealous that although you live in a fairly isolated part of Wyoming, like me, you still have an in-person writing group, which I don't. How did you get involved in your group and what is it like being a member? Are your writing tastes vastly different or eerily similar?

TBR Notice: Deeanne Gist

A Bride Most Begrudging & The Measure of a Lady by Deeanne Gist 
I read "Maid to Match" by Ms. Gist because my mom recommended it and I LOVED it. Ms. Gist just writes a good romance--a good historical romance, which I always drool over. I noticed these two books at my local thrift store, and when I recognized the author name, snatched them babies right off the shelf.
Buy the books.

Variety Excerpt: "Dark Days of Promise" by Shaunna Gonzales

I am SO excited about today's Variety Excerpt from Shaunna. I got to help Shaunna as a beta-reader for "Dark Days of Promise" way back, so it's so exciting for me to see the fruits of Shaunna's labors be successful. "Dark Days of Promise" will be released on September 21, 2012 by Desert Breeze Publishing, but because Shaunna's such a good writing friend of mine, we get a sneak peak to whet your appetite!

TBR Notice: Courting Miss Lancaster

Courting Miss Lancaster by Sarah M. Eden
Do I really need to explain this choice? Have you not read my reviews of Sarah's books yet? Have you been paying attention here at all?? "Courting Miss Lancaster" is the last of Miss Eden's books I have left to read. I keep trying to shuffle it to the bottom of the pile since I expect it will be another year before there's another one to horde and giggle over. I should savor it. Somehow it keeps climbing back to the top . . .
Buy the book.
Learn more about Sarah.

Variety Excerpt: From "Small Deceptions" by H. Linn Murphy

Francesca Kennington merely wants to be left to her studies, despite her mother's best efforts to saddle her with a rich husband. Then she meets a mysterious gentleman, who leads her on a romp through the ballrooms and countryside of Georgian England. Their romance blossoms but secrets cause Francesca's house of cards to tumble. She must find a way to put her life back together, while still following her heart.

Excerpt: 

Chapter 1—Mr. Hedge

Larks trilled in the hedges, filling the warm breezes with song. It was a languid, cerulean afternoon, dotted only with a very few shreds of cloud. A russet-headed and bespectacled young lady strode rapidly down the lane, muttering to herself and occasionally swiping at the weeds at the side of the road with a stick she had found. One could almost say she stomped pettishly, punctuating her angry diatribe with swipes of her stick.

Variety Excerpt: From "To Finish The Dance" by Serena Casey

Serena Casey grew up in the wild and beautiful Upper Peninsula of Michigan, the setting for "To Finish The Dance" as well as the novel she's writing now. She and her husband and their two lazy, non-mousing cats live just a bike ride from the shore of Lake Superior. She's been writing since she was old enough to put stubby pencil to lined paper but has only pursued it in a serious fashion for the last five years.


The following excerpt is from her novel "To Finish the Dance."


COMMENTARY

I wrote most of "To Finish the Dance" during two weeks in 2006 while recuperating from a health crisis. It had always been difficult to find good romances that weren't explicit but focused instead on the love story itself, so I decided it was time to write one!

It was an incredible experience. I did most of my writing between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m. each night. It simply gushed out of me like a geyser, and I felt like I was just there to take dictation. I'm still not sure I'm the one who wrote it! :)

The story takes place in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, a very rural and secluded area that's sometimes a few years behind the rest of the world. I have lived there all my life and always felt it would be a wonderful setting for a love story. Especially since it's where I married my own high school sweetheart and we're still going strong over 26 years later.

The main characters in the novel, Joe and Lucy, were childhood best friends and high school sweethearts, but they have not seen each other for over twenty years. This excerpt takes place immediately after they go to lunch to catch up on each other's lives. I hope you enjoy it!

Serena Casey

My Favorite Romance: Jane Eyre

I know there's probably a few people out there who are falling over at the thought I'd praise anything about Jane Eyre. Especially in a blog series on romance and in the same sentence as "favorite." In case I haven't shocked my readers enough over the couple years I've been writing here, brace yourself. I don't like Jane Eyre. I've read it twice and can't make myself love it. Gah! I HATE it. Me, being the conservative, moral person I am--still all for Jane and Rochester shacking up until the mad wife kicks it. I can't help it. *hangs head in shame* Or seriously, why doesn't he just divorce her and still take care of her? Plllleeeeaassseee??

I digress.

My Favorite Romance: Sarah M. Eden

There's a few authors I can count on to provide me with a good, spine-tingling romantic moment. I'll try not to go on and on about how Sarah is one of them. So of course I asked her opinion on favorite romances and got exactly what I expected: 


My husband hates buying me Valentines Cards. Hates. Why? you ask. Because I am ridiculously particular about romantic sentiments in written form. I consider this both a weakness and a major failing. I cannot stand cheesiness. I melt at sincere, heartfelt expressions of love. I also get embarrassed really easily. (Just ask my critique group--this last week my face was redder than my hair at one point because I'd say something that embarrassed myself. It was actually very entertaining.)

My Favorite Romance: Mandi Slack

I "met" Mandi when I asked her to participate in an interview after I reviewed "The Alias." Her book had some wonderful romance, and one pretty darn romantic scene that included a gun. This Wyoming girl can't help but love that. So here's a scene from Mandi's latest WIP, "Basachi Sky." (Can I say, I can't wait??) 

My Favorite Romance: Rachel Rossano

Living Sacrifice

(an inspirational speculative novel)

By Rachel Rossano

Introduction -

This selection is told from Zezilia Ilar’s perspective. She is in love with her teacher, Hadrian Aleron.

In a world where some people have “talents” (the ability to speak mind to mind and move matter with an invisible energy), Hadrian and Zezilia are the two strongest Talents. They have been experimenting with a technique called commisceo, a linking of minds.

Right before the beginning of this section, Hadrian left Zez behind in the main camp to complete a mission in secret without severing the connection. Too late, they discover the dramatic side effects of commisceo-linking over a great distance. Zez goes after him. As the excerpt begins, she is traveling via horseback toward him.

Notes -

- ConProp is the term for a violently abrupt severing of all mind connections. Zezilia has the rare ability to perform it at will. However, she has been known to throw men several feet with the backlash.

- Italics indicate mind to mind speech.

Excerpt -

Zezilia Ilar

He was close. My entire body tuned into his location. His pain filled my senses, causing echoes in my own head and leg. At least the compression of my chest had eased and the sensation of isolation was decreasing. Then I spotted him. He sat under a pine tree, leaves and needles in his hair and clinging to his cloak. His eyes closed, his head lay back against the trunk, exposing his throat.

I drew my mount up a few feet from him and dismounted, tying the leads to the low branch of a neighboring pine.

“Why didn’t you ConProp?” he demanded before I turned around. I heard him rise to his feet as the pulled muscle in his left leg complained. “You could have ConPropped ages ago. I have asked you to at least four times.”

“Seven.” I turned to face him. “You begged me to once, asked me twice, and ordered me four times, which brings the total to seven.”

His face drew into haggard lines. Pain pulled the features taut and exhaustion haunted his eyes. He looked as though I could push him over with one finger. I wondered if he could even stand on his own considering how he still clung to the tree.

“I can so stand on my own.” Pushing off, he stepped forward. He could stand. However, he couldn’t hide the wince of pain from the pulled muscle. He straightened to his full height and frowned down at me. “Now, tell me. Why didn’t you ConProp?”

“I couldn’t.”

His frown deepened.

“Somehow I knew if I did, I would lose you.”

His face didn’t change but his eyes softened slightly. “Are you sure it wasn’t the commisceo speaking?”

“No, but I wasn’t about to try it to find out.” I stepped over to where I could see him more clearly in the dim light of dawn as it crept through the trees. “What happened to your horse?”

He grimaced, shame flickering between us. “He bolted.”

“The side effects of the commisceo?”

He nodded while examining my face with his eyes. “Are you all right now?” The concern in his voice caused my chest to warm. It was foolish since I already knew he cared for me as a brother, but it did all the same.

“The isolation sensations still linger, but I can breathe again.”

He nodded. “Let us not try that again, okay.”

I laughed. I couldn’t help myself. It was a relief to have the ordeal over with. I never wanted to experience that fear again. Abruptly my laughter transitioned into a sob. I tried to stop it, but the emotion won. Before I could get a hold on the pain, I was crying tears of release. Hadrian stepped forward and gathered me against him. I buried my face in the front of his cloak and struggled to regain my composure.

Relax and let it go. His warm and gentle thought soothed my fear that he would think that I was being childish.  I half feel like crying myself. I thought I was going to burst from wanting to be near you.

His thought passed between us. He stiffened slightly as though regretting admitting it, but he didn’t withdraw.

I was afraid I would lose you, I admitted. That is why I couldn’t ConProp.

I know. His embrace tightened slightly. I felt the same thing.

Then why did you keep telling me to ConProp?

He eased back from me. When I looked up at him, he touched my cheek, brushing aside a tear. I was afraid of losing you. I am going to rescue Eldivo, and I didn’t want you to come with me.

I am coming, I informed him.

He nodded. As much as I don’t like it, I suspected as much.

“So, you know where Eldivo is?”

He stepped away, completely releasing me. Everything within me wanted to catch his hand and pull him back, but I couldn’t. Now was not the time.

Why did I choose this one?

Even now, years after I wrote it, I am drawn to the intimacy and raw emotion between the two of them. The unspoken love sears the page. Their restraint makes the passion all the more powerful.

My Favorite Romance: Kaylee Baldwin

Kaylee is one of the many people I know only online but wish I was best friends with in person. She's the author of Meg's Melody and knows her romance! She's also a ton of fun, as you'll see by her post.

 

It's hard to decide favorite romantic books and scenes! Sometimes I love the funny scene, sometimes the kiss scenes, and mostly the tender scenes (I cried during a Lifetime commercial a few months back-they were doing a series of movies on breast cancer all directed by various Hollywood stars. I ended up not watching any of them, but in the commercial, I believe the girl just had a double mastectemy and was feeling bad about her body, and the husband starts unzipping her hoodie, and it's all tender and sweet and possibly inappropriate for this audience, idk, but I'm getting teary-eyed just writing about it. I love stories when husbands/bf are tender and caring and committed)