HelenKay Dimon

A friend sent me this link. The subject on the email said, “About VLBB” which, of course, is my clever code for Viva Las Bad Boys! when I’m too lazy to write the whole title out. If I’m not feeling quite as lazy, I type VIVA. Somehow my friend figured out my secret (lazy person) acronym.

But that’s not really my point…

Thinking this was a review and hoping it wasn’t some hideous comment on how much VIVA sucked or something equally enjoyable, I opened the email. The link does mention VIVA, but it’s not technically about VIVA. It’s an article titled Confessions of a Bookstore Cashier. It made me chuckle. Seems a teacher tried to use her educator’s discount to buy my book. Frankly, I think that shouldn’t be a violation of policy. In fact, buying any of my books with any discount or none at all should be encouraged. The good news here is that the teacher went ahead and read the book despite being denied the discount. Not sure if the teacher eventually liked VIVA or not. Again, the important thing is that someone bought VIVA. I’m in favor of people buying VIVA.

Word is Oprah picked another book. The title hasn’t been announced, That happens in January 26th. But, and this is my favorite part, the unnamed book is selling on Amazon. It is referred to like this:

Oprah Book Club #56 (Paperback)
by None
List Price: $14.95
—————————————————————-
Price: $8.97 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping on orders over $25. Details
You Save: $5.98 (40%)

In case you care, it’s available for pre-order in hardcover, paperback, audio CD and large print.

I must admit I find this a little silly. Love that Oprah is picking books and giving previously under-represented titles a shot at superstardom. Think it’s odd people are ordering a book when they don’t know what it is – what if they read it in 8th grade and hated it, hmmm? Further think it’s interesting that there are stacks of books in an Amazon warehouse somewhere ready to ship once this is announced. Meaning loads of people know what the book is, and no one is talking. Someone needs to spill it…

This book isn’t on my TBR pile, but it might be soon. At the very least I must find it and page through it next time I’m in B&N. It’s Remove Child Before Folding: The 101 Stupidest, Silliest and Wackiest Warning Labels Ever. by Bob Dorigo. Here’s an excerpt in case the title didn’t give this one away for you.

USA Today listed some of its favorite warning labels from the book. My favorite from that list is:

“Caution: Not to be used for navigation” — on a small paper cocktail napkin showing a map of waterways in Hilton Head, S.C.

The publisher’s website provides another winner from a child’s scooter — “This product moves when used.” Wow. Really, how stupid are we as a society?

Damn lawyers…

I’m blogging over at Brava today and talking about the book Mr. Wrong: Real-Life Stories about the Men We Used to Love. Come on, you know you want to go see what’s in that one. It’s a title that just calls out to you, doesn’t it?

Come over to Brava and say hello.

Meryl Sawyer is one of those authors. She’s a bestseller. Writes romantic suspense, which I love. Her books are everywhere. Yet, despite all that, I haven’t read her. Until now…

Her newest, Kiss of Death, is on my TBR pile. The blurb for this one sounds kind of standard. It goes like this:

In the secluded guesthouse of a lavish California estate, Whitney Marshall has finally found refuge. . .a place to heal after the painful end of her marriage. Until her newfound peace is shattered by the arrival of the property’s distractingly handsome heir, Adam Hunter—and she finds herself drawn into a deadly game of danger and desire.

Adam Hunter needs Whitney’s help to prove that his uncle—the estate’s original owner—was murdered. But as the two begin to unearth the truth about Cal Hunter’s shadowy past, it’s Whitney’s own life that is suddenly on the line. Because someone nearby thinks she knows too much. . .

The blurb at RT makes the plot sound a bit more original, what with the firebomb reference and all:

Despite his skepticism, cop turned P.I. Adam Hunter agrees to investigate if anything happens to his wealthy uncle, Calvin. So when his uncle dies two months later, Adam doesn’t take the cause of death at face value. Starting over after a nasty divorce, Whitney Marshall takes over her cousin Miranda’s dog-service route. Part of the job includes living in the caretaker’s cottage on the now-deceased Calvin’s estate and taking care of his prize-winning dog, Jasper.

When the caretaker’s house is firebombed, Adam and Whitney assume the perpetrators were after Miranda, who’s now missing. But who would be after her? Plus, there are still major questions surrounding Calvin’s death and the state of his finances. Adam and Whitney are at the center of a brewing storm; if they can’t chart a safe course, they may be swept away.

Sounds like a good place to start my Sawyer reading.

I have commented before that parnormal romance is not my favorite thing. Having said that, since every other romance seems to be of the paranormal variety, I ended up reading a heap of them in 2006. Liked far more of them than I expected. There are even more sitting on my TBR pile for 2007. One of those is Succubus Blues by Richelle Mead. This book comes out in late March ‘07. I received an early copy…yeah, sometimes I get lucky.

Admittedly, my initial interest in this came from wondering what exactly a succubus was and how it fit into the romance genre. For the paranormally uninformed (like me), it’s a demonic female spirit. Or so this site says. It’s also a swiss goth band. Happy to report that Mead’s book appears to be about the former and not the latter.

The publisher site (Kensington) describes the book this way and kindly includes a definition section:

Succubus (n.) An alluring, shape-shifting demon who seduces and pleasures mortal men. Pathetic (adj.) A succubus with great shoes and no social life. See: Georgina Kincaid.

When it comes to jobs in hell, being a succubus seems pretty glamorous. A girl can be anything she wants, the wardrobe is killer, and mortal men will do anything just for a touch. Granted, they often pay with their souls, but why get technical?

But Seattle succubus Georgina Kincaid’s life is far less exotic. Her boss is a middle-management demon with a thing for John Cusack movies. Her immortal best friends haven’t stopped teasing her about the time she shape-shifted into the Demon Goddess getup complete with whip and wings. And she can’t have a decent date without sucking away part of the guy’s life. At least there’s her day job at a local bookstore—free books; all the white chocolate mochas she can drink; and easy access to bestselling, sexy writer, Seth Mortensen, aka He Whom She Would Give Anything to Touch but Can’t.

But dreaming about Seth will have to wait. Something wicked is at work in Seattle’s demon underground. And for once, all of her hot charms and drop-dead one-liners won’t help because Georgina’s about to discover there are some creatures out there that both heaven and hell want to deny…

The blurb was the second reason this one went on the TBR pile when some other paranormals didn’t. The tone reminds me of chick lit (even though we are not supposed to use that term anymore) without being too cutesy. For me, that’s a good thing. And, more importantly, the blurb doesn’t sound like every other paranormal novel cover blurb I’ve read.

I also like the cover. Here it is:

All About Romance is conducting its Annual Reader Poll. Like last year, AAR posts interim results for your viewing pleasure. You can vote by going here.

I will say upfront that I always get a chuckle out of the fact books (or authors) appear on both the “Best” and “Most Annoying” lists. I know different people have different tastes. But, come on, it’s a fact that’s worth a chuckle. Also love to see nominations for a book in categories that sound as if they should be opposite of each other, suggesting the book’s readers are either confused or schizophrenic…or someone is having friends stuff a ballot box maybe? Nah, I’m sure people don’t give falsely positive reports of their friends’ books or falsely negative reports of people for whom they feel a tad negative. Right. [You should sense sarcasm here]

And, is it just me or do historical romance novels seem to be disproportionately represented? Makes me wonder about the whole historical-romance-is-dead hokum we hear all the time. Someone seems to be buying and reading them. Whether read or not, people are nominating them for these AAR categories. Interesting. Almost as interesting as the number of titles I look at and think, “gee, I meant to buy that one.”

While this likely says more about me than I should disclose in public, the categories I check first are Most Disappointing Romance and Worst Romance. I know I’m not alone on that. Happy to report none of my work appears on either. The interim lists for those categories look like this:

Most Disappointing Romance

Angels Fall
Autumn in Scotland
Cold as Ice
Dangerous Temptation
From London With Love
Into the Storm
Morrigan’s Cross
Murphy’s Law
Never a Lady
On the Way to the Wedding
Pleasure for Pleasure
Prince Kidnaps a Bride
Scandal in Spring
Stolen Bride
To Distraction

Worst Romance

Extreme Bachelor
From London With Love
Highlander in Her Bed
His Dark Kiss
Island
Knight Before Christmas
Lady’s Code
Love at First Bite
Love Is Blind
Stolen Bride
Three Little Secrets
Too Wicked To Wed
Until the Knight Comes

The Poll is worth a look or two. Go check it out.

Romantic Times did an article on all of the changes at Harlequin/Silhouette. Thought I’d take a weekend break from my TBR pile to set out the changes. Here they are:

1.The Harlequin NASCAR series launches in February. The introductory titles are by Gina Wilkins, Nancy Warren, Debra Webb and Roxanne St. Clair. The series will consist of four titles every three months (release dates in February, May, August and November). For the mathematically challenged – and you know who you are – that’s sixteen NASCAR titles a year. As I’ve said before, those are likely sixteen titles per year I won’t read. Not a NASCAR fan. However, I do think it’s interesting that these authors are authors I view as writing different types of books.

2. Harlequin Everlasting launches in February. For those expecting Harlequin Epic, this is it. The name changed. These are the romance novels that follow a couple over a long period of time. There will be two books per month, with the first four being by Kristi Gold, Linda Cardillo, Margot Early and Eleanor Jones. Frankly, I am stumped by this category. I just can’t see a regular diet of Everlasting. For the authors’ sakes, I hope I’m alone in that feeling.

3. Harlequin Next will now consist of two releases per month instead of four. This answers the question of whether or not Harlequin is dropping this line. Apparently not, but it is being streamlined with new covers, etc.

4. A new continuity line called Mediterranean Nights will launch in June. Guess where the stories take place… There will be twelve titles and they follow “action aboard a cruise ship” according to RT. I am strangely intrigued by this.

5. Arabesque will launch a four-month miniseries with titles by some real heavy-hitters: Gwynne Forster, Sandra Kitt, Kayla Perrin and Donna Hill.

6. Kimani Romance joins in the continuity fun with The Lockharts: Three Weddings & a Reunion starting in August and including one title per month through November.

7. Mira is increasing its number of paranormal/urban fantasy titles. I can only assume Mira just woke up to this trend. Seems a bit late to the party to me, but what do I know.

8. Silhouette Intimate Moments is now officially Silhouette Romantic Suspense. For those wondering about the percentage of romance to mystery – stop it. Really, the percentage question drives me absolutely nuts. But, if you really want to know, the guidelines say the focus is on romance with a hint of suspense. That says it all. You do not need percentages. You don’t. Think about it.

9. Steeple Hill launched a new miniseries in January and will continue it for six books. Love Inspired will go from two to four books per month, showing that the inspirational market continues to thrive. And, starting in October ‘07, Love Inspired will release a historical line with two books per month. The time periods will be anywhere from biblical times to WWII. Have to admit this doesn’t do anything for me, but others seem to like it.

10. Harlequin plans on increasing the number of titles available as ebooks. Harlequin also is working on releasing six titles per month to the MP3 market.

That’s a lot of change. All of this suggests, at least to me, that Harlequin continues to try to find its footing. I’m skeptical about some of the choices, but I figure the marketing people at Harlequin/Silhouette know what they’re doing. At least I hope that’s true.

This one is a testament to the power of Romantic Times. I’ve seen numerous books by author Kimberla Lawson Roby. Kept saying, “gee, I should pick one of hers up.” Never did. Then I saw this article in RT about her newest book, Love & Lies. Here’s the part of the article on Roby that sealed the deal for me:

Pastor Curtis Black, the character who has driven four of Roby’s books, including this months, Love & Lies, (Morrow), is not your typical romance hero, or even like rogues of Regencies. Black is a corrupt minister, who, throughout the series, has impregnated a 17 year-old girl while married, and blackmailed church deacons.
…
Love & Lives focuses on Black’s third wife, Charlotte, whom readers love to hate, and Charlotte’s best friend, who is dealing with a problematic live-in boyfriend.

Now, I have to say that this doesn’t sound like a romance to me. But, the idea of a guy this icky who is loved by so many readers – yeah, I have to see that for myself. I also know that Roby is a NYT bestseller and won Female Author of the Year at The 2nd Annual African-American Literary Award Show. Impressive accomplishments. Again, I want to see what I’ve been missing.

Love & Lies is a January hardcover release. The back cover reads like this:

Truth and Lies…

At long last, the Reverend Curtis Black appears to be living the straight life. The all-too-human preacher is a bestselling author now, and he and wife, Charlotte, are raising two adorable children. But the ever-suspicious Charlotte doesn’t trust that Curtis has put his womanizing past behind him. While’s he on the road promoting his latest book, she knows that there just needs to be one extra-devoted fan in his flock for him to stray.

Secrets and Lies…

Still, Charlotte is no angel herself, and she’s been keeping plenty of secrets from Curtis while he’s been away. For one thing, their daughter, Marissa, is behaving bizarrely, reminding Charlotte a bit too much of the man with whom she had an affair five years ago–an affair Curtis won’t let her forget.

Then there are the disturbing visits from her so-called brother-in-law, a man once involved with drugs and the law. Curtis has forbidden the family to see him, but the man simply keeps turning up on Charlotte’s doorstep, no matter how hard she tries to keep him away.

Charlotte believes with all her heart that things will be better once Curtis comes home.

Love and Lies…

But Charlotte should be careful what she wishes for. She thinks love is enough to untangle the web of lies she and Curtis have woven for themselves. What she doesn’t know is that when her husband finally returns, she’ll have some tough decisions to make if she wants to save her soul and salvage her marriage.

Since this is hardcover, and since I’m trying out this author, and since Black is introduced in earlier books, I decided to back up and start closer to the beginning. Instead of Love & Lies, I put Casting The First Stone on my TBR pile. This appears to be the first Curtis Black book. The info on Roby’s site about this one goes like this:

What happens when the pastor of a prominent Baptist church becomes corrupt through money, power, and women? And how does his wife maintain her sanity during the process?

A fresh insightful voice in African-American fiction, Kimberla Lawson Roby has won raves from readers and critics alike. Reviewer’s Bookwatch called BEHIND CLOSED DOORS “a truly uplifting account of struggle and adjustment.” Eric Jerome Dickey, bestselling author Milk in My Coffee, praised the “unforgettable characters” of HERE AND NOW, and called Roby “a true writer, a storyteller at the top of her game.” Now Kim Roby is back with the powerful story of a woman torn between salvaging the marriage which has given her both happiness and heartbreak, and savoring her first sweet taste of independence…

Tanya Black has everything a woman could want: a fulfilling career, a beautiful daughter, an elegant home and a handsome, charismatic husband who is pastor at a prominent Baptist church. And yet, Tanya can no longer deny that the calm surface of her life hides a growing turbulence. Her husband Curtis, once a supportive partner and passionate lover, has grown remote, and Tanya has the uneasy feeling that her comfortable life is about to change forever.

When Tanya uncovers disturbing truths about Curtis, she is plunged into a bittersweet journey of discovery. For while she learns painful new lessons about love, betrayal and sensual temptation, she also discovers, within herself, the wisdom to celebrate the victories that are hers alone.

Reading that, Curtis Black sounds soooo bad. The idea that he keeps coming back in novel after novel is amazing to me. But, that’s why this one is on the TBR pile. I’m curious to see how Roby pulls this off.

While performing one of my usual bookstore scans, I stumbled across a book called Bride and Doom by Deborah Donnelly. This was one of those titles that just jumped off the shelves and tapped me on the shoulder. The inside cover sets out Donnelly’s other books, all with equally compelling titles: You May Now Kill The Bride; Death Takes A Honeymoon; May The Best Man Die; Died to Match; and Veiled Threats. They all kind of carry a zing. The last two (which I think are the first two in the series) are my least favorite, but they still carry a message.

These are part of the Wedding Planner mystery series. I haven’t read any. It looks as if I’m starting at the end, but I’m thinking that’s not a problem. Each book looks as if it includes a self-contained mystery…at least I hope that’s true. Also, from the titles, covers and back cover copy, they sound witty. I like witty. I know writing witty is hard. I know writing witty and including a death or two is even harder. So, I’m in for a try.

The cover:

The back cover copy:

If anyone can make a bride happy, it’s wedding planner Carnegie Kincaid. There’s only one problem: this time she’s the planner and the bride.

The nightmare begins at a party for Carnegie’s client, a sexy Goth rocker marrying a Seattle home run king. When murder strikes and Boris the Mad Russian Florist is charged with the crime, Carnegie steps up to the plate to clear him—despite the objections of fiancé Aaron Gold, who has suddenly become a full-time sports nut. With baseball, bimbos, and one explosive secret threatening Carnegie’s safety, this wedding planner needs a new plan. Or else the bride could be next up—to die.

I have mentioned my dislike for athlete heroes, right? If not, I’ll go ahead and say they are not my favorite. I love sports. Don’t love sports characters in novels for some reason. But, having said that, I don’t think that’s a big point in the book…at least I hope not. We’ll see.