Live to Love on the Edge Blog

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Historical Romance

I’ve always had a rocky relationship with historical romance; there are some that make me gnash my teeth and want to throw the book at the wall. First, historical romance better be accurate. It drives me crazy when me (a so-so history student at best) spots inaccuracies. Second, there are social mores and cultural practices (arranged marriages, compromised virtue) that I have a hard time dealing with, feminist that I am. While I’m aware that these things are very real parts of history, that doesn’t mean I want to read about them in romance novels. There are others that I adore (Catherine Coulter, Amanda Quick anyone?)

I want high concept historical romance. I’d like to avoid virgins b/c they play into a lot of the cultural practices that turn me off. What I’d really like are well written, well-researched stories about intriguing periods of history that feature characters caught up in the thick of events. Susan Carroll does this with her brilliant book The Dark Queen. I devoured it b/c the writing was brilliant, the story exciting and the characters memorable. I’ve been reading Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series as well. I’m about ten years behind the curve, but those books are amazing. I’m currently reading a narrative non fiction about the Medici’s called Medici money. It’s about how the Medici family made their money in trade (gasp) as a banking family before they were patrons of the arts. I’m sure that would be a brilliant historical romance topic.

Hope this gives everyone some insight.

C.

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Guest Blog Post #1

Hi guys:

I got your question Cynthia. What would it take for a romantic suspence query to peak my interest enough to ask for more?

Well that’s a two part question that you’re asking. The reason I say this is because I look for content first, meaning what your story is about. But in finding out what your story is about I also pay attention to how you pitch it. I swoon when I find someone who not only knows how to tell a good story, but can explain it well. Too many times I get letters from people comparing themself to multi-published, best selling authors. The trouble with that is it doesn’t give me a fair overview of your work. Then they give me a ho-hum plot that I’ve read before many times.

Now to brass tacks: I’d like to see romantic suspense that are heavier on the suspense side with a strong romance vein running through it. The main focus of the story would be suspense with strong romantic elements. I’m open to a number of topics, but to give you some idea about what I’m into these days, I’ve been addicted to shows like 24 and Prison Break, The Shield and The Closer. Of course they’re mostly suspense with lots of action, but if I had my way, Jack and Audrey would find a way to be together, Michael and Sarah would have some hot and heavy on-the-run sex, Dutch would find someone other than Vic’s wife to date and Brenda would dump the FBI guy and have a hot fling with an actor. And if you have no idea what I’m talking about, my apologies for launching into geek-speak.

Also note: I’m not looking for romantic suspense authors at the moment b/c I have some fabulous ones on my list already. But if a query comes in that is really fresh and exciting, I will take a look.

Hope this helps and keep those questions coming.

C.

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Special Guest Blogger – Caren Johnson

We’ve got something special this week! Literary Agent Caren Johnson (my agent FYI), will be blogging with us all this week. Here’s a chance for all you pre-published authors or anyone who has wondered how this publishing biz works to ask.

Here’s some info about Caren:

  • Caren Johnson recently began her own literary agency, Caren Johnson Literary Agency. She began her agenting career four and a half years ago when she started an internship at Peter Rubie Literary Agency. She stayed at the agency for three years, the first year as an intern and two years as an agent. She then left to join Nadia Cornier at Firebrand Literary where she stayed for a year. She recently made the switch to agenting on her own so she could work more closely with her authors in building their careers. She would like well organized, well crafted stories in the areas of romance (particularly romantic comedy in the vein of Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Jenny Cruisie and Kelley St. John; and historical in the vein of Susan Carroll, Diana Gabaldon, and Lauren Willig—high concept only please!), Teen fiction (in the vein of Caridad Ferrer/ Adios to My Old Life, Scott Westerfeld/ Uglies Trilogy) and commercial fiction (in the vein of Christopher Moore/A Dirty Job, Carl Hiaassen/ Nature Girl). For the moment she’s full up with wonderful paranormal romance (Caridad Pineiro, Lee Roland) and romantic suspense (Caridad Pineiro, Dianna Love Snell) authors so if an author submits in this genre, she will be more critical than she normally is. She is only accepting queries via email so send to caren@carenjohnson.com.

    • FYI — We’ll have Stacy Boyd, my editor at Harlequin, guest blogging the week of Feb 5! More on Stacy to follow.

    I’m also lining up some other editors and agents to join us during the rest of the year.

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    And now for something completely different . . .

    You know I write Vampires.

    You know I write sexy women’s fiction.

    I also write romantic suspense and love it! My next romantic suspense is out in August and is a sequel to MORE THAN A MISSION. Here’s a little trailer for it.

    Click on navigation bar at bottom left to control video.
    [kml_flashembed movie=”http://home.att.net/~rtsmedicalsystems/secretagent.swf” height=”320″ width=”320″ /]

    For a larger version of the video, please visit my Videos page.

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    Fashionably Late Fashion Friday

    Sam and Friends at Madame Toussauds in NYCI just received a Delia’s catalog in the mail and I noticed they are ready for spring. So am I. They have tons of lovely spring dresses. Now floral prints are okay… to a point. Also single colors, pastel yellows, and greens seem to be the most popular. Navy is also a big one.

    The theme seems to be the styles of the past. Wide straps, baby doll pattern form. So if you are planning your spring vacation these cute spring dresses are definitely a YAY! in my book.

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    New Years Resolution Update

    Maybe you’ve noticed the progress bar to the right of the blog. Maybe you didn’t. It’s a bar that’s measuring how much progress I’m making in keeping to my New Years Resolution to lose weight. I decided to put it up on the site for a couple of reasons. First, I hope it keeps me honest and keeps me off the sweets wagon. Second, I know a lot of you had the same resolution and maybe seeing how I’m doing will help you reach your goals as well.

    I do have some hints to help with the diet.

    First, we know why diets usually fail. Diet food is so damn tasteless. I’ll give you a quick recipe later on for a quick snack or meal that isn’t tasteless and will satisfy. I think that’s a key to staying on a diet — learn to make food with lots of flavor so that you feel satisfied after eating.

    Remember to drink lots of water. It helps wash out the byproducts of burning all that fat and keeps things moving along.

    Next, try to increase your activity, even if only a little bit each day. A fifteen or twenty minute walk at a nice clip will really help. Can’t do that much at one shot. Do 2 ten minute segments. Studies have shown that the effects of exercise are cumulative (but 20 minutes is key for aerobic health).

    Last, but not least, don’t give up just because you blow one day. Nobody is perfect, so don’t be so hard on yourself if you don’t stick to your diet. Just don’t do it too often.

    Anyway, here’s that tasty snack/meal. I can’t take credit for all of it. The basic idea for the soup came from something on HGTV. I think the garlic bread thing came from Giada’s Everyday Italian, but regardless, it’s tasty and relatively low fat.

    The Soup:

  • Plain Ol’ Campbell’s Tomato Soup (to keep it low fat, made with water and not milk. If you want to use milk, use skim or low fat milk).

    • One of the following:

  • Chopped or minced Jalapeno peppers
  • Your favorite chunky tomato-based salsa

    • Here’s how easy it is:

  • Make the soup as per the instructions on the can. When the soup has been thoroughly heated, add either the jalapenos or the salsa to your taste. If you like it hot, add a lot. You know what you like.
  • Warm the soup a little more.
  • For an extra-special treat, while the soup/salsa is at a low low simmer, toss in a handful of cheddar cheese and stir until creamy. Want to keep it lower fat? Use the 2% Cracker Barrel. It’s quite good.

    • While the soup is warming: Toast a slice or two of a good quality bread. Peel a clove or two of garlic. Once the bread is toasted, take the garlic and scrape it across the toasted bread. The roughness of the toast will grate the garlic. The final result — an oil-free tasty garlic bread!

    Saturday is a full day for me. I’ve got my monthly NJRW meeting and other running around.

    Hope you all have a great weekend!

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    You and me!

    I had a delight in the mail last night — pictures from my friend Elsie. She runs the East Brunswick Borders Readers Group and she is amazing! Talented and such an artist. Whenever she comes by, she brings some wonderful goodies. As I write at the desk in my office, I have a beautiful water glass she had etched with my name for one of the group’s wonderful Book Flings.

    Elsie and CaridadCaridad vamping it up

    Here’s Elsie and me at the the annual NJ Romance Writers Booksellers Luncheon. If you’re a bookseller in the area and would like to attend, please visit the website and contact the President or PAN Liaison. Their e-mails are right on the site.

    I know I’ve met many of you at signings and if you have a snapshot, please send it on so we can all get to know each other better.

    If you haven’t had a chance, snap a picture of you reading a book (hopefully one of mine) in your favorite location and send it on.

    It’s been so nice “talking” with all of you and I’d like to think that this blog is about more than me. It’s you and me getting to know each other. It’s about US.

    Just a quick note for those of you who have said you’re interested in writing.

    On January 22, I’ll have a guest blogger for the entire week— Caren Johnson from the Caren Johnson Literary Agency (and my agent). She’ll be here to talk about the publishing industry and answer any questions you might have. Here’s Caren’s bio:

  • Caren Johnson recently began her own literary agency, Caren Johnson Literary Agency. She began her agenting career four and a half years ago when she started an internship at Peter Rubie Literary Agency. She stayed at the agency for three years, the first year as an intern and two years as an agent. She then left to join Nadia Cornier at Firebrand Literary where she stayed for a year. She recently made the switch to agenting on her own so she could work more closely with her authors in building their careers. She would like well organized, well crafted stories in the areas of romance (particularly romantic comedy in the vein of Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Jenny Cruisie and Kelley St. John; and historical in the vein of Susan Carroll, Diana Gabaldon, and Lauren Willig—high concept only please!), Teen fiction (in the vein of Caridad Ferrer/ Adios to My Old Life, Scott Westerfeld/ Uglies Trilogy) and commercial fiction (in the vein of Christopher Moore/A Dirty Job, Carl Hiaassen/ Nature Girl). For the moment she’s full up with wonderful paranormal romance (Caridad Pineiro, Lee Roland) and romantic suspense (Caridad Pineiro, Dianna Love Snell) authors so if an author submits in this genre, she will be more critical than she normally is. She is only accepting queries via email so send to caren@carenjohnson.com.

    • Plus, starting on February 5 I’ll have Stacy Boyd, one of my editors at Harlequin blogging with us all week. I love working with Stacy. She has been incredibly supportive and has really helped improve my writing. I hope you’ll drop by to talk with her. Here’s Stacy’s bio:

  • Originally from LaGrange, Georgia, Stacy Boyd is a voracious reader who turned her love of stories into a degree in studying people (aka, cultural anthropology) from New College of Florida. She’s been with Harlequin Enterprises since 2001 and has edited for both Harlequin and Silhouette series romance as well as for the LUNA Books trade imprint. She’s the winner of the 2004 PASIC Editor of Merit award, and her author base consists of many talented writers, including a New York Times bestseller, a Nebula Award winner, RITA nominees and Waldenbooks bestsellers. She currently lives in Hell’s Kitchen, NYC, with her husband and son.
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