Lori Devoti, paranormal romance and urban fantasy author

Do you all read Ms. Snark? I have her blog on Kinja so I scan it as I scroll through what is happening in blogdom and frequently the blurbs are intriguing enough for me to click through. Well, today, she had what I thought was a hoot of a letter. I think ALL authors have met this letter-writer, truly.

Anyway, this person writes in and wants to know the best way to approach an author at a signing, and basically to turn the conversation to him/herself and her POD book–that he/she sincerely believes the author will enjoy. Here is Ms. Snark’s reply…

Oddly enough the author is not at the reading to help you. He’s there to sell books. All communication with him will be improved if you are holding a copy of his novel, paid for, and you tell him you’ve read it and liked it. And you actually have.

Read the whole blog here.

Something you learn early on once you sell a book–many people all of a sudden look at you with this predatory gaze. They may hate romance, they may think you personally write drivel, but they believe with all their hearts that you know some secret to getting published, and by golly you are REQUIRED by some unwritten law to share it with them.

First, there ain’t no secret. Second, if there was why would I share it with someone I have never met, who doesn’t write in my genre, and who didn’t even bother to say hi in person, much less buy one of my books? (Okay, I am thinking back on a particular instance.) Nope, just sends me a strange (pushy) email asking for me to divulge said nonexistent secret.

These emails, by the way, are why the delete button exists. And why everyone should forget ever feeling guilty or the need to be polite at all costs. There is a secret to remember once you are published. ;-)

Lori

I thought about writing about my ketchup addiction, but since that is far from new, here is my latest–The Dog Whisperer. Have you all seen this show? You have got to see it–hie thee to the National Geographic Channel and become amazed.

The star is Cesar Milan. Cute, no? Okay, but that is only a small part of his appeal. I have had a dog since birth—usually multiple dogs. My family is dog crazy–at times emphasis on crazy. But I have never seen anyone handle dogs with this man’s ease.

I discovered this show just a few days ago and was immediately smitten. My husband from his superior NY-Times-reading-height made fun of me, citing gibberish about Cesar not REALLY knowing what he was doing, blah, blah, blah.

Had he seen the show? Did he think he could in mere minutes change how any of these dogs behaved? Yeah, well, then get out of my kitchen, ’cause Cesar is talking and you are seriously getting in between me and my viewing pleasure.

Then just a few minutes ago, I found this in my email box. Ha! Vindicated. Take that ye of little faith. And to the truly stubborn…keep tossing those pieces of chicken at your howling pooches…but for me it’s ssst all the way. :)

Lori

Ever wanted to pick the brain of a NY Times bestselling author? Well, here’s your chance. Allison Brennan, author of The Prey, The Hunt and The Kill, will be answering questions on Plotspot NEXT week starting the 18th. And she is going to let all of us know the secrets of her plotting–or not plotting as it may be.

So, don’t miss it! To join Plotspot, go here…

In remembrance of everyone we lost, and the little pieces of us that died.

Hug someone you love.

I am bumping this post, because I wrote this too early the other morning when my mind was occupied with other things, and I wasn’t sure that I got across what a fun read this is. Plus, it pushes the envelope of the “expected.” This is why I don’t do reviews..I stink at them.

I just finished reading Getaway Girl by Michele Hauf. This is going to be one of the last Bombshells. (sigh)

Anyway, I thought I’d talk about it because it is different–always a good thing when so many books start to blend one right into the other. I am horrible at writing synopses for reviews so here is the back cover copy off Amazon…

Jamie MacAlister has a need for speed. Now she’s making a break from the illegal racing circuit to run a professional driving service. That’s right…Jamie is a getaway girl.

Her first assignment: help rescue a kidnapped woman. Suddenly, though, Jamie’s taking a wild ride through the streets of Paris with bad guys in hot pursuit. To further complicate things, her own people–the good guys?–have just double-crossed her. What’s the world coming to when the very sexy Sacha Vital, perhaps the baddest of all bad guys, might be the only one she can trust?

Maybe fate will decide, because Jamie’s not about to put on the brakes for anyone….

There were a number of things that made this book different. First there was the protagonist’s (or heroine if you want to read it like a romance) chosen career–getaway driver. I thought this was a really unique and interesting choice. I also liked that (unlike what the cover would lead you to believe) the protagonist (Jamie) doesn’t dress like you might expect her to–Doc Martins and short school-girl type skirts being her preference.

The basic theme of this book is a shell game–think you can trust this person? No, no, no. Try again. And Jamie goes through a lot of twisting and turning trying to decide who she can really trust–the book ending with at least one character (the woman who sets up her jobs) still not clearly defined in my mind–although I would say if Bombshell wasn’t going bye bye she might have gotten her own book.

Another major thing that made this book different is the hero (to look at it like a romance). There is a scene early on where he does something rather unexpected of a hero (still in romance land) and I’d really love to hear what anyone else who has read the book thought of this. Did it upset your romance-reading sensibilities? (Remember, this isn’t a romance…) Or did it fit the character to a T? I think Michele Hauf was doing what she felt was right for the characters and I applaud her for not wimping out.

On Michele Hauf–have any of you read her other books? This was my first, but I will definitely read more–starting with her November Nocturne release. And, if you want something a little different, I definitely recommend Getaway Girl.

One comment on the back cover copy–the “illegal racing” bit makes you think she was drag racing or something. Not so. Instead it was more a case of her working for who she knew were the bad guys and thinking she is switching to work for the good guys–but are they?

Since I’ve posted a couple of negative media mentions of romance and chick lit, I thought I should show the positive side too. CNN just published such an article Here it is.

Of the authors mentioned, I have to give my plug to Marian Keyes. Have you all read her books? Her books are so not the stereotype. One of my all time favorite books was Rachel’s Holiday–I had a slight quibble with the ending, but still love, love, loved this book. It is one of the best examples I can think of of the untrustworthy narrator–and how people lie to themselves. If you haven’t read it–try it.

Charming Jo

No self-respecting cowboy would let himself be bossed around by a woman. But Levi Travers never claimed to be respectable. . .

With a ranch to run, a sister to watch over, and a fence that needs building before roundup, Joanna McCaine hasn’t time for anything but work. And the only interest she has in men at the moment is finding one desperate enough to swallow his pride and come work for her. 

Travers has a way with women; a “way” that usually involves charming them out of their corsets. But his new lady-boss doesn’t even wear a corset. She’s heard the stories about him and has made it perfectly clear that she can’t be charmed.

Of course, that was before he defended her honor, before he saved her from a mad bull, and long before he ever kissed her. Or she kissed him.
 

Ask For It  

A MATTER OF DANGEROUS INTRIGUE…

As an agent to the Crown, Marcus Ashford, the Earl of Westfield, has fought numerous sword fights, been shot twice, and dodged more than any man’s fair share of cannon fire. And yet nothing excites him more than the primitive hunger his former fiancé, Elizabeth, arouses. Years ago, she’d jilted him for the boyishly charming Lord Hawthorne. But now, the elegant widow is his to defend, and he will do so while tending to her other, more carnal needs, showing her the depth of a real man’s desire…

…AND UNDENIABLE PLEASURE

Dangerous secrets led to the murder of Lady Hawthorne’s husband. Secrets she now holds in a diary many would kill to obtain. But to entrust herself to the protection of the most seductive man she’s ever known? Outrageous. Unthinkable. Irresistible. For it was Marcus’s strong passions and burning desire that frightened her into abandoning him years ago—and her answering craving has never waned. Now, he means to be at her service, in every sense. And perhaps the only sensible course isn’t to resist temptation, but to surrender to it completely…

A sexy CPA goes undercover as a male stripper in the mobster’s Vegas club to nail a Mafia kingpin. The perk? The club’s owner. Sure she’s got some unsavory connections, but how can anyone with those legs be all bad?

She’s got a head for business, but is out of practice in the pleasure department. If anyone can strip her of her inhibitions it’s the new guy who’s stirring her wildest g-string fantasies. But besides the sizzling sexual chemistry they have in common, they both have secrets. They learn quickly that, with the mob closing in, what gets exposed is as irresistible as it is dangerous.

PLANET MAIL

As far as job hazards go, Douglass Fraser didn’t think crash landing on an alien planet and spending your recuperation being erotically pleasured by three gorgeous men was in the United Planetary Parcel Service’s courier handbook. There certainly wasn’t a section on what to do when a very sexy king wants you to have his baby and save his world.
Marcus Blood Axe isn’t only a descendant of ancient Viking space travelers; he’s also a ruler dealing with a shortage of fertile women and no heir. Surely the gods are on his side when Douglass drops out of the sky and into his bed, giving him a last chance to stop his people’s death spiral into extinction.
Despite the exquisite pleasures to be found in the king’s arms, Douglass wants more from Marcus than to be his brood mare. When another woman claims to be pregnant with Marcus’ child, it’s past time to get back home to her beloved son. Now the war Marcus wages is one of sensual passion designed to convince his Earth woman that she’s worth everything to him…even if it means giving up what he cherishes most.

“Treasure Hunters”: Mercenary/treasure hunter Rick Bronson is ready to hunt down his next treasure—erotic e-books hidden away when erotic romance was banned by the Conservative Censorship Committee. His first order of business is securing the help of literary antiquities expert Samantha Tremain. She’s considered one of the foremost authorities on erotic literature in the galaxy, a veritable bounty of carnal knowledge that Rick intends to enjoy to the fullest. Now two people who couldn’t be more different race across the galaxy on a daring quest for untold riches. Together, success is within their grasp…if they can just get past the hands-on research.

I’m blogging at Romance Unleashed today–yes, still on Hyperion and Dear Abby. But I found a sweet little email form in case you want to write Dear Abby an enlightening letter of your own.  Check it out!!

And Happy Labor DAy to all!!!

at eHarlequin. Paranormals are buy one get one half price and there is free shipping for Labor Day weekend. AND the first Nocturnes are available to order now. Check it out.