Let Us Talk Tote

  by Mary Brady

Many of you already know the SuperRomance authors are giving away this lovely Coach tote and you know there are SuperRomance novels to be included in the bag, but did you know there is so much more dimension to this giveaway? 

Firstly, can anyone tell me if "firstly" is a word?--never mind, never mind. Anyhoo, that cutest ever, small snap purse has a clasp sometimes called a "kiss clasp"! How apt for Super authors to give away a little kiss. Perhaps the clasp is named so because it makes a cute little smacking sound when closed. One lucky winner gets to find out if that's true. Lame? Oh come on, it gets better.

Click here for contest link

More books other than the eight shown have been added as well as other items. Maybe authors will pipe up here or in future blogs to let you know what books and other treasures they have included just for you. Of course, surprises are wonderful, too, and the winner of this tote should be prepared for wonderfulness. 

I added Winning Over the Rancher and two fun "beach" bracelets.
  

Winning Over the Rancher

Anyway and anyhow, if you have not yet entered, please use this Spring into SUMMER link or look for this lovely green Spring into Summer link in the lower section of the sidebar.

Read! Read! Read! and enjoy the summer (or for some of us, the coming summer, or some of us the fall). I think, and I believe most authors would agree, each of you deserves a Coach tote, so enter and may the winner be you. 

Now, close your eyes for a moment, imagine you with the stuffed tote slung casually over your shoulder and tell us...where is the first place you will take your new tote???

How do I love thee?

By Karina Bliss

One of the toughest jobs when you're writing a romance is getting the declaration of love right. It's got to pack an emotional punch and it's got to be true to this couple and this story, it's got to carry the theme and it's got to convince readers that these two will be together forever.

All my favourite romances do this brilliantly. I challenge you to read any one of these without giving a happy sigh...

“Look at what's happened to me, facing this and telling you – I'm a shambles; Jesus, I feel like I'll be crying for the next century.” He bent his head, pressed his tear-wet cheek to her dry, cold skin. ”But I'm here. I'm not hiding anymore. Princess-I'm asking you. Come back to me. You're my life.” Laura Kinsale, Seize the Fire.

“You feel this, don't you?”

“Desire? It is fire and madness in me. I want you very much.”

He shook his head impatiently. “I don't mean that.”

Abruptly he brought his hands up into her hair. His long, clever, lock-picking fingers held her face as if she were infinitely precious. He kissed, once, just upon the threshold of her mouth. “We got a rare amount of wanting between us. That's fine. That's good. I want you more than I've every wanted anything in this world.”

She would have looked away if she had not been held so closely. When a man so hard and secret opens his heart, there is no way to reply except with honesty. “I have never wanted anyone else.”

“But it's never been just wanting, has it? Not even the first time.” He shook his head impatiently. “Tis' the rest of it. You and me, we belong together. We always have.”

Joanna Bourne – The Black Hawk

His expression would have made most men back up a few steps but Mary crossed her arms. “I'm not marrying someone who doesn't love me.”

“Hellfire!” he roared and jerked her up against him. “Not love you? Damn, woman, you've been wrapping me around your little finger since the first time I set eyes on you! I'd have killed Bobby Lancaster in a heartbeat for you, so don't you ever say I don't love you!”

As a declaration of love cum marriage proposal it wasn't excactly romantic, but it was certainly exciting. Mary smiled up at him and went on tiptoe to loop her arms around his neck. “I love you, too.” Linda Howard, McKenzie's Mountain.

She kissed him. “Now I want you to say something wonderful to me right before you tear this shirt off my body.”

He rolled her onto her back and, looking into her eyes, said, “Mel, you're the best thing that's ever happened to me. I'm going to make you so happy, you won't be able to stand it. You're going to wake up singing every morning.”

Robyn Carr, Virgin River

Davy bent and kissed her, all that heat on her mouth, in her mouth, everything she was afraid she'd never have again and she grabbed onto his shirt and said, “Don't leave me.”

“I'm not going to.” He bent to kiss her again, and she grabbed his shirt tighter.

“I mean ever, don't ever leave me.” She tried to swallow some of her desperation. “I'm sorry, I know this is a huge turnoff-”

“Yeah,” Davy said close to her mouth. “I hate it when women want me.”

“-but I really need you forever, the whole thing, for always-”

“You got me,” Davy said and kissed her again.

Jennifer Crusie, Faking It.

Which romances give you that declaration of love happy sigh? 

Hopefully, my new release, A Prior Engagement, hits the right notes for you. Read an excerpt here. And remember to enter our Spring into Summer giveaway where a host of happy sighs await the lucky winner. Enter here. 

My Tribute to the Class of 2013

Even if you've never taught school, you probably are aware of our "dirty little secret."  Yes indeed, we do have favorite classes.  I was in education for 30 years before retiring four years ago.  And, although I loved all of my classes, there are a few that hold the dearest places in my heart.  One stands out from all the rest--the class of 2013.

When I had these kids in Language Arts, they were only 8th graders, and 8th graders by nature are quirky, which only adds to their lovability.  But this group had another unique quality that set them apart.  They were huggers--all of them, girls and boys alike ... a trait you generally don't find in 13 and 14-year-olds.

Now, I, too, had always been a hugger, but in 2007, I was diagnosed with breast cancer.  I had a bi-lateral mastectomy with reconstruction, and for a couple of years, I gave up hugging anyone except my immediate family.  After reconstruction, it takes a good while for things to have a normal feel, and, honestly, I thought my fake breasts would feel like hard lumps pushed against anyone else.  So I didn't push, but instead gave impersonal hugs from arms' length.

And then the class of 2013-to-be came along.  The first day of school, they were excited about finally being the upper classmen at our middle school.  Some of the girls hugged me in the hall before we went into the classroom.  More of them hugged me when we got in the door.  A couple of the boys hugged me.  And then, some of them hugged their classmates.  I was astounded!  I'd never seen a group so demonstrative with their affection, but I expected it to have passed by the next day.

It didn't.  The next day, more kids hugged me, and though I was still hesitant, I responded with more warmth.  Day after day, the hugs came, and not just for me.  There were hugs for everyone.  The superintendent came in the classroom?  He got hugs.  The principal?  Yep, hugs for him, too.  That year was a 10-month hugfest.  I forgot about feeling weird to other people.  These kids didn't care--they loved me anyway.  Within a couple of weeks, I was doling out the hugs as naturally as ever.  And at the end of that year, when they hugged me goodbye, words couldn't express what they'd done for me.  Only a tight bearhug would do.

We live in a small town, and I frequently run into those kids.  They're still huggers, and it still delights me.

This Satuday evening, they'll graduate from high school.  I smile at that because I have no doubt their entrance into the adult world will make it a warmer, better place.  I look forward to sharing it with them.

((((hugs))))

Real Life

When I was at the Romantic Times Convention two weeks ago in Kansas City I heard someone observe that Facebook posts can seem too contrived. It's true, I suppose--depending upon who's posting and what they're showing. It's like the Christmas letter you get every year from that one family where everyone is doing so swell and no one suffers from any disease be it physical, mental, emotional, spiritual...you get my drift (no pun on snow at Christmas intended)!
I've been dealing with some interesting things in my life lately. By "interesting" I mean challenges, triumphs, sorrows...life. They're not on my Facebook page or in my Tweets, but they are very real in my day.
As an author I promote my brand, my type of book. On Facebook I have an author page devoted more to writing and reading, and my personal page...well, it's not so personal anymore. I've removed photos that were too intimate or about my kids. I'm being more careful, aren't we all? But in doing that, I can see how someone might read my posts or tweets and think "she has the perfect life." I'm incredibly blessed, yes. But I'm a real woman with a heart that pumps blood and love for my own. I struggle with so many of the same issues we all do. I'm human.

Real Me, on the Real Appalachian Trail

I'd like to think the evidence of my humanness is in my books. When I read a novel I love, it's because I connect with the characters. The author has reached my heart. And as I read the book, I know the author understands my darkest fears, my still-kept secrets. Her Facebook page and website might be all glittery unicorns and faeries, but I know she too, is human. And like me, she has hope for a happy ending and the strength to write one.

Getting Real with TV

by Liz Talley

Recently a writer friend sent me a link to something another author wanted to do in order to bring more attention to books revolving around reality TV shows. She'd read one of my books - A Taste of Texas - in which I have a chef heroine who is working toward a cooking show on The Food Network, and thought I'd be a fit. And since I'm always looking for a way to get my books in readers' hands, I was happy to participate.

Now, you may be thinking "Oh, no. She's going to try and make us go to the site and look at her dumb ol' promo." Nope. I'm not. This is more of a "what that got me to thinking about" posts.

Which is....reality TV.

Isn't it strange how huge reality TV has gotten? When I think of my "gotta watch" shows I record each week, several of them are reality-based. I watch The Biggest Loser, American Idol and Duck Dynasty. Those are my particular faves, but think of how many you may watch. I'm betting the average American has at least one reality show he or she watches.

When I was growing up, dramas were king. Well, at least in my earliest years. I watched Little House on the Prairie (will still watch the reruns) and Emergency. Which led me into the sitcoms - Happy Days, Three's Company and Laverne and Shirley. Which led me back to campy fun dramas/soaps - The Love Boat, Dukes of Hazzard, Falcon Crest and Fantasy Island. The only reality show I watched was Donny and Marie and That's Incredible. And, okay, The Laurence Welk show at my Grandmother's house. But there wasn't a focus so much on reality TV. And the 80s and 90s were pretty much the same.

I'm not sure why it's become so desirable to look into the lives of our fellow Americans. Maybe it's because it makes us feel better about our own lives? I mean, Here Comes Honey Boo Boo makes me feel pretty good about myself.

So as far as my favorites go - The Biggest Loser always inspires me, and it helps Americans take a hard look at how we live and eat. The day after I watch TBL, I eat healthy and exercise. Too bad it doesn't come on every day. I'd look amazing :) American Idol is something I always watch, mostly because I LOVE singing competitions and I love to watch some kid from Podunk, Iowa, get his/her spot in the light. Humble beginnings and big dreams get me every time. Duck Dynasty? Well, I live in the same area they do. My guys duck hunt, our family is somewhat similar (sans the beards) and we pray before every meal. In other words, they're our kind of people. And though the show is coached for certain aspects, there is enough reality there to make me laugh, sigh and commiserate with the Robertson family.

So what are your favorite reality TV shows? Tell me what you love and why :) (And if you want to see the promo for the reality books, here's the link. http://stacyjuba.com/blog/2013/05/10/interview-with-so-you-think-you-can-dance-winner-benjischwimmer-books4realitytvfans/ There's a cool interview with a SYTYCD winner.