Hi, this is Caridad’s editor at Harlequin/Silhouette, Stacy Boyd. I’ll be the guest blogger all week. A few days ago, Caridad kindly sent me a list of questions for my first post (I was terribly worried I wouldn’t be able to think of anything to write about) and maybe I’ll end up writing about the daily life of a romance editor or trends in the marketplace. But today, as I was re-reading some proposals from the next books in The Calling series, I remembered just what it was about that first book, Darkness Calls, that pulled me in.
Continue reading “In the beginning”
Super Bowl Sandwiches
We were always sports fanatics. I grew up watching everything and anything sports-related. Naturally, watching led to participating.
My mami, all 5 foot one inches of her, had played tennis and basketball (!!) in Cuba. Mami is the one wearing those mod sixties sunglasses in the picture.
Papi played volleyball on a club team in Cuba that was exceptionally good. Papi is the tall slender one at the right in the photo.
My brother was a great football player. He’s the one hamming it up at the top of the bench.
My sister, Carmen, and I played everything in high school — field hockey (soccer was not a “sport” back then), volleyball, some basketball (I’m vertically challenged), volleyball and softball. Carmen is standing next to my mom and I’m standing next to my dad. Accurate since my sis is a twin to my mom, while I took after my dad — except height-wise. My sis and her family ended up with all the height.
Anyway, being sports fanatics and becoming totally emerged in American culture, one of the biggest sports events was the Super Bowl. Being Cuban, that also meant a ton of food would be available for friends and family who were coming to watch the game.
Here’s one of our favorites for you to try out for your Super Bowl spread!
Continue reading “Super Bowl Sandwiches”
What I love most besides shoes, purses & t-shirts!
So this week I have decided to write about what I love most besides shoes, purses, and t-shirts.
I know you are wondering what could possibly be more wonderful. The answer: Jewelry!!!!!
I love to accessorize with a cute pair of earrings and a nice necklace. My favorite bracelet is the Lucky Brand Jeans bracelet. It is basically a strip of leather that says “Live In Loveâ€. How perfect since Valentines Day is coming up. As well as a cute pair of earrings.
My favorite two pairs of the moment are heart shaped. One pair I own has a stick figure boy and girl and they say “I love you.” The other pair is just hearts a smaller pinker heart inside. I love love. I am not in love though. Sadly. *tear tear*. I AM OUT. And like the bracelet says LIVE IN LOVE!!!
Guest Blogger Stacy Boyd from Harlequin starting February 5
Starting on February 5, I’ll have guest blogger Stacy Boyd who is one of my editors at Harlequin. Please drop by starting on February 5 and talk with Stacy about publishing and of course, Harlequin.
When I was first shopping around DARKNESS CALLS (then titled BORN TO DIE), Stacy and Leslie Wainger were the editors who thought there was still a place left for paranormals. Many of the other houses I tried said that a vampire story would be a tough sell, but Stacy and Leslie believed.
For that — MANY MANY THANKS!! To date, I’ve worked with Stacy on 5 books in THE CALLING series as well as a number of other projects.
So, without further delay, here’s some info on Stacy:
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.
Deleted Bits – MORE THAN A MISSION
**SPOILER ALERT for MORE THAN A MISSION**
Elizabeth Moore has a twin sister in MORE THAN A MISSION — Danielle Moore — known by everyone as Dani. Dani’s first appearance in MORE THAN A MISSION was cut because there was concern that it would immediately give away who was actually the world-renowned assassin known as The Sparrow. I liked the scene because it let me show Dani’s caring for her sister Lizzy Bee and also hinted at the fact that maybe Dani wasn’t the killer that everyone believed her to be.
The scene where Dani is dying in Lizzy Bee’s arms was one of the hardest I’ve ever had to write. There was not only the emotion between the two sisters to deal with, but I also hated to let Dani go as a character.
Which is the reason I was so happy when Harlequin gave the go ahead to do Dani’s story which will come out in August 2007 and is titled SECRET AGENT REUNION.
So, without further ado — here’s a Deleted Bit from MORE THAN A MISSION (also, there’s more Deleted Bits from THE CALLING over at the new site at www.thecallingvampirenovels.com. Check them out since some are rather sexy!):
Continue reading “Deleted Bits – MORE THAN A MISSION”
Thanks to all and some musings on themes in romance
A big thanks to Lois and all the writers involved on the DREAMS & DESIRES project! Another thanks as well to all of you who have dropped by and offered your comments on the topic of abuse.
I think it’s wonderful that by doing something you love — like writing — you can help bring awareness of other issues, either through something like the DREAMS & DESIRES anthology or through the stories you tell.
I’ve often heard the comment from interviewers or others that I write romances, what kinds of issues could I possibly raise?
Continue reading “Thanks to all and some musings on themes in romance”
Reading Romance Can Change the World
First, I want to thank my dear friend Caridad Pineiro for giving me the opportunity to guest on her blog today. Everyone should have a friend like Caridad. She’s the best!
What I’d like to tell you about today is more of a Public Service Announcement than Blatant Self-Promotion, even though I’d like you all to run out and buy a copy of Dreams & Desires, a new anthology which will be released on February 1st from Freya’s Bower. Because by doing so, you can help change the lives of women and children in desperate circumstances.
Dreams & Desires is a compilation of nineteen stories by nineteen authors. The stories range from sweet to spicy to sizzling and cover a variety of romance sub-genres. Not only did all the authors contribute their stories to this anthology but all the editing and cover art were also donated. All of the net proceeds — that’s 100% of the profit — from the sales of the anthology will go directly to a battered woman’s shelter in Florida.
Continue reading “Reading Romance Can Change the World”