Hello. Although I've written over 40 books for three different publishers, I'm very excited about the release of my first Super Romance "Because of Jane." The book is out now. Long ago, when I first knew I wanted to write romance novels, Super Romance was one of my favorite lines. I loved reading the longer, more complex stories and I knew that I wanted to one day write one. In 1993, I sold two books to Avalon then went on to write another Avalon and two books for Leisure. I finally settled nicely into the Steeple Hill Love Inspired family and I still write for Love Inspired.
But I had this idea that didn't quite fit Love Inspired. It was longer and had a big subplot with lots of quirky characters. So I was very happy when it finally landed on Wanda Ottewell's desk and she actually liked the story. This book went through a lot of revisions but I'm happy with the final product. This is the story of life coach Jane Harper, a rigid kind of uptight therapist who travels to a farm in Arkansas to help former NFL quarterback Lenny Paxton get organized. Lenny had a very public meltdown and he has retreated to the place he loves to regroup and get his life back. But he doesn't need a petite little life coach to help him do that. Jane has different ideas. Curing a ladies' man like Lenny will win her points and give her a national exposure. Lenny doesn't want to be exposed but soon he wants to get to know Jane a little better.
I had fun writing this warm, wholesome story. It's both funny and sad, but I hope readers will enjoy reading it. And I hope to continue writing for both Love Inspired and Super Romance. This line offers a lot of diversity and I appreciate my editors at Harlequin allowing me to write in my own sweet and heartwarming style in both lines. Please let me know what you think. I love hearing from readers. If you post a comment, we'll enter your name for a drawing to win a copy of "Because of Jane."
52 comments:
Congrats on your first Super!
Congratulations on your first Super. The warm realistic, heartwarming stories of Supers are very much looked forward to!
Congrats on your first super, Lenora. I can't wait to read it...I have two friends who are life coaches and this story intrigues me.
Lenora, I am so glad you are expanding my opportunities to read your writing! So interesting. Looking forward to this Super and more from you.
This sounds very interesting. I'm not sure what a life coach is. I think you have just made me realize another reason that I like Super Romance is the diversity of jobs the heroes and heroines have. This hasn't hit the stores yet. I think it's scheduled for sometime this week.
Congrats on your first Super, Lenora, and on snagging a really sweet cover too!
Hi Lenora, your story sounds very promising. I love a "wounded" hero. Congrats on your first super romance.
Congrats from here too. Wow, i bet these two go through some stuff to get their happy ever after... just my kind of story!
Hi Lenora,
Welcome to Supers! I forget why I was poking around on Amazon, but I saw the cover for this book a few weeks ago and immediately added it to my mental wish list. It's a beauty.
The way you've described the story and characters makes me want to read it even more. I'm a huge fan of sports heroes.
Thanks!
I enjoy the length of Harlequins. They usually take me 1-1.5 hours to read, although now that you mention the length of a SuperRomance, I'm thinking they take closer to the 2-hour mark. Still, I find this so much easier to read than a bigger book. Sometimes I don't start a book until the day winds down around 10 pm, so I want to be finished "at a reasonable time". I just can't seem to put down a book when I'm engrossed in it at 1 am, so I certainly don't want a book twice this length!
Thanks for "sharing the love". I don't think I've read any of your books YET, but then again, I didn't start keeping track until just over a year ago when I started blogging. I'm looking forward to checking out your "sweet and heartwarming style" - sounds purrrrfect!
Congratulations on your first SuperRomance . "Because of Jane" sound wonderful.
Hi Lenora, what an intriguing setup for your first SuperRomance. I bet it's a great story and I'm looking forward to reading it. The cover is beautiful, too.
Hello, Lenora! Congrats on the release of your first SuperRomance "Because of Jane." Both SuperRomance and Love Inspired are terrific book lines, offering a wide and varied perspective of love, romance, and family life. Common elements, presented in differing, but always enjoyable and enlightening, levels of romantic involvement.
Hi Lenora,
Congrats on your first Super Romance. I bet it is fun to write for two different lines. Wishing you success in both lines. Because of Jane sounds like a wonderful story.
Lenora, this story sounds wonderful. Can't wait to read it. The cover is great! Congratulations on your first Super!
Can't wait to read it!! Congrats on your first SuperRomance!
Congratulations on your first Superromance.
Because of Jane is in my TBR books. I'm going to have to pull it out and read it. I'm sure it will be a great read since I really enjoy your Love Inspired stories.
Good Morning all!
Lenora, can't wait to read Because of Jane!
Laney, did you just say it only takes you 2 hours to read a super? If I could read that fast maybe I wouldn't still be on our November books--though I'm loving Beth Andrews' A MARINE FOR CHRISTMAS :)
Okay, don't forget to comment all you lurkers out there. Lenora is giving away a copy of BECAUSE OF JANE. Guess I'll be reading it in March or April .
Congratulations It sounds amazing I am so curious after a recent excerpt I read that I am just dying to read this one!
All the best
Desere
Welcome to the Supers line-up, Lenora. The cover is beautiful and the story sounds very interesting. I'm curious, what happened to your big, complex subplot? Still there?
Deb
Hi, Lenora! Can't wait to read Because of Jane. I've enjoyed your Love Inspired titles. Like you, the Supers have always been one of my favorite lines but so is Love Inspired. Aside from length and the obvious faith element in the LI titles, do see them as similar or very different lines?
Congrats on writing for two lines!
Hello, everyone. Thanks for the comments. Deb, the big sub-plot is still there! It really was an important part of Lenny's story. One thing I've learned writing for a different line, the editors at Harlequin are willing to work with writers to create the best story possible. I appreciate that. I also appreciate all of you!
Thanks for making me feel so welcome here. Now back to work on my next Super!
Patricia, the LI and Super lines are a bit different from each other. LI is inspirational so there is a strong faith element in those stories. Since Super is more mainstream and secular, I tone down the faith element but still write in a way that shows some of my characters' faith struggles. With Super, I have room for a more complex story so I use my "southern voice" more in the Supers. Also with Supers, each writer can bring a different level of sensuality. Mine is light-handed since I'm known for writing sweet romance. But it's up to each author on how she handles that. Hope this answers your question.
Congratulations on your first Super, it really is a great cover, and I love an athletic hero, especially one who's struggling just a bit.
Hi Lenora--Forty books? What a great accomplishment. Your story sounds wonderful and I can't wait to read it!
Thanks, Jeannie. Summer, I love the cover, too. It turned out great.
Hi Lenora,
Congratulations on your first Super! I love your cover and sound of your story.
I met you in Shrevport at a writer's conference. I sat behind you in a workshop. We had the same reading glasses. Walmart special. I never had the chance to show you since things got busy We must think alike. LOL
Welcome to Supers.
Linda
Hi, Linda. I recognize your name. Funny about the glasses. I have several--I lose them all over the house! I think I finally broke my Wal-Mart glasses.
Sorry I'm so late to wish you a happy first Super release month! Had an emergency root canal this morning that was so rough I had to come home, take meds and sleep till 2:00. Thankfully, he was a cute dentist :)
I'm so happy that you are writing for Superromance. You have such warmth and fun in your sweet stories and will snuggle in nicely. Of course, I have my own motives for having you write in Superromance. Nothing like a good friend and chaptermate sharing shelfspace with me. Love you, love you, and so glad you are a Super author (not that you weren't super before!)
Liz
Congrats on your first Super!
Liz, (Amy) you are so sweet. Sorry about the root canal. And yes, you do have a very nice dentist!!! You're right about having another Super author in our chapter--it's nice to share this with someone who "gets" it. I'm so happy to be a part of your amazing journey to publication. It's been fun watching you flourish. Hope you feel better. Thanks for stopping by.
Congrats on your first SuperRomance! The story sounds great!
Congrats on the release of your first Super Romance, Lenora.
Congrats on your first SuperRomance! I enjoy the longer stories and am looking forward to reading it.
Congrats on your first Super!
I love your Love Inspired books so I know I'll love your Supers. I'm going to have to add this to my list buy.
Glad you're with Supers too Lenora!!
I read the excerpt on eHarl and was hooked. Can't wait to see what happens next.
Marcie
Thanks everyone for visiting with us today. I had a great time reading all of the comments.
This sounds like a fun book to read. I'm watching the Oregon v. Auburn football game right now so I'm ready to read a book about a football player!
Hi Lenora! Your book sounds great and I can't wait to read it! Have a great night!
Congrats on your first sale to the Super Romance Line. It sounds like a great story. Thanks for sharing Lenora and I love your Love Inspired books!
Congrats.....can't wait to read this one. Have read Hometown Princess...have Risky Reunion on shelf to read next and want to read your books featuring Ga. since I live in Ga. Keep up the great writing!!
Hi Lenora, that's really interesting hearing how you got involved with Super. It's helping me to understand the line a bit more. And Because of Jane sounds really interesting! Another one for my TBR list! Good luck with your future writing.
I love Supers and Love Inspired, and just love it when authors write for two lines.
Here's to many more sales, Lenora.
I'm adding this as a PS ~~ because I already have a copy of Because of Jane don't put my name in the drawing.
Oh help, yet another "must read" to add to my TBR pile! Any suggestions for how to get a couple of extra hours in the day!
I've read some of your other books and am looking forward to reading Because of Jane. :)
I have written several reviews on your books and enjoyed reading them. I am looking forward to reading more of your wonderful stories.
Oh yeah! I've read your work for the Steeple Hill line and I really enjoyed it so this Super should be cool! I love the idea of a former football player hero, I'm a HUGE football fan in case you didn't get that from my blogger id. ;-)
XOXO~ Renee
Hi. It's amazing how many women love football. I thin we have a lot of closet sports fans here. I love UGA, LSU, the Falcons and the Saints. My loyalties are sorely divided! Thanks for all the comments and thanks to those of you who've read my books!
I'm really looking forward to reading your new book! I've read some of your Inspirationals and loved them!
Good luck with your new book!
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