Romance Novel Sluts

And now, some answers to some burning questions that I had for the finalists. Thanks to Jennifer Echols, Viola Estrella, Susan Wiggs, Margaret Carroll, and Alissa Johnson for helping me out. Good Luck in July, ladies.

What about this story is special?

Jennifer Echols on Going to Far: It is YA but it is hot (without going…too far). I tried really hard to write the book I wanted to read.

Viola Estrella about Angel Vindicated:  My heroine, Abby, was so much fun to write. Everyday, I woke up and looked forward to playing around in her head.

Susan Wiggs on Fireside: Fireside is a classic romantic comedy with some dark threads. Bo and Kim are a perfect mismatch–He’s a hard-living athlete type, and she’s a princess. Together, they’re contentious, funny and sexy. The dark texture comes from the storyline of Bo’s son, whose Latina mother has been deported. I took some flak from readers about this storyline, because it’s controversial. However, it adds a layer of realism, dramatizing an issue that effects innocent children in this country. I like to think this story is a fun ride for readers.

Margaret Carroll on A Dark Love: A Dark Love is special because it takes the reader on a ride through the minds of both the heroine and her antagonist. I didn’t want to write a simple ‘woman in jeopardy’ story (that’s been done, really well, countless times). I wanted from the outset to write a cat-and-mouse story where she does this, he does that. Like a game of chess. And I wanted to experiment with three plot lines that would converge into one at the end:  her story, his story, and backstory. I love books that progress the backstory throughout the book (with its own suspense and pacing) and eventually weave it into the present day action. Anita Shreve did this in Weight of Water and Tana French used this concept with In the Woods (to name just two riveting, unforgettable books). So that was my goal, and I hoped that by the end my book, the reader would be turning pages as much to learn the outcome of the backstory (which was the inciting action for the page one opener) as to learn the outcome of the present action scenes.

Alissa Johnson on Tempting Fate: The banter between Whit and Mirabelle–it was certainly fun to write. But there’s also something special in watching two people who have known each other all their lives progress from adversaries to friends to lovers.

If you had to pick the winning book from any category to win the Rita for its category, which book would it be and why?

Jennifer Echols: I hope my critique partner, Victoria Dahl, wins the contemporary single title category with Talk Me Down! I named that book, you know, and I never let her forget it

Voila Estrella: Wow, that’s a tough one. I haven’t read all of them, unfortunately, so I can’t give a definitive answer. I love Kresley Cole’s stories. I think she’s brilliant. I also love Rachel Gibson and Elizabeth Hoyt. Honestly, the list is full of talented authors and I wish them all the best of luck. Yes, even the ones in my category. They’re all on my TBR list

Susan Wiggs: Wow, that’s like saying what’s your favorite chocolate in a box of Godivas! I haven’t read them all, but two that I totally loved were In Care of Sam Beaudry by Kathleen Eagle and Make Me Yours by Betina Krahn. Wonderful reads by reliably excellent writers.

Margaret Carroll: The category I’m watching is Romantic Suspense (no surprise there). I haven’t read any of the books that have been nominated. I’m working on a first draft right now and I usually stick to nonfiction during that time (currently reading Crazy for the Storm by Norman Ollestad and a little every week of Robert Olen Butler’s awesome From Where You Dream). So, if I have to answer without having read any of the current nominees, I’d say Nora Roberts as J.D. Robb for Promises in Death because I’m a huge fan of Nora Roberts and I’ve passed many happy hours in the car with her books on tape. I can tell you which parts of Route 80 I’ve been on during certain scenes of her books (seriously, even years later). And I read the opening chapter of Laura Griffin’s Whisper of Warning on her website and it was so good I rushed out and bought it, and it is on top of my TBR pile – can’t wait to get to it. One Scream Away by Kate Brady looks like one heckuva read, as does Waking the Dead by Kylie Brant. And Karen Rose’s work intrigues me – - Kill for Me is another I want to read. So there. I’m shivering in my ballet flats. Not because I’ve read the books (yet), just because . . . . look at that lineup. They are all so smart. I’m very proud to be included with this group for my debut thriller.

Alissa Johnson: Just one? I can’t! : ) I have a list of favorites.

Emma Thompson keeps her Oscars in the bathroom. If you win the Rita, where will you keep yours?

Jennifer Echols: I would keep it on the top shelf in my office, where I protect everything from the cat: plants, keepsakes my son makes for me, and my tombstone from the National Readers’ Choice Award a few years back.

Viola Estrella: Sleeping with it probably isn’t the best idea, is it? Okay, maybe not. If I have the honor of winning that gorgeous, shiny trophy, I’ll just have to display it in a safe, room temperature area of my house that doesn’t get too much sun and isn’t in the danger zone of flying balls and playing children. Hmm… Maybe the bathroom isn’t such a bad idea.

Susan's First First Book

Susan Wiggs: In my studio, I have a tall bookcase which has every book I’ve published in all formats and languages, starting with the singular A Book About Some Bad Kids. It’s getting crowded! The awards are the crowning glory of the tall bookcase.

Margaret Carroll:  Emma Thompson’s bathroom must be really nice. I don’t think Rita would like ours. So I’d put my award with my other favorite stuff on top of the filing cabinet in my workspace just below the wall where I hang special things. A framed clip of the Publishers Weekly Best Books of 2009 issue with a cover flat of A Dark Love, a framed photo of me and my family at my local Borders standing next to the tower display that first week (woohoo!), a painting of the dunes in the Hamptons where some of my books are set (just to remind me summer always comes back) and – my favorite – a framed painting my daughter did in art class of my very first booksigning – - we’re all in it, even the dog, and she also painted a copy of the book, A Dark Love. It’s close to my desk and I get happy every time I look over that way.

Alissa Johnson: On my desk, at least initially. I’d probably have to move it after the sixth or seventh time I knocked it with my elbow. I need a bigger desk.