July and August are great months for romance. One of our favorite romance authors, Christina Dodd, has back to back releases – Into the Shadow and Into the Flame. Haven’t got the books yet? Well, no worries, Christina is visiting with us today; so sit back and enjoy the eloquence, savvy and humor that is Christina Dodd. Today Christina takes us to the movies. Oh, and one lucky poster will win a copy of Into the Shadow!
Romantic Adventure Movies by Christina Dodd
When you fill out the application to become a Romance Writer, it goes something like this:
That’s right. The answer to that one is filled in. Why, you ask? Because Romancing the Stone is the quintessential romantic adventure movie, with not only a legendary jewel, a scarred villain, great sex, and a cynical anti-hero, but a heroine who’s a romance writer. Does it get any better than that?
I love romantic adventure movies; they’re fun, they’re fast, they sparkle with dialogue and sexual tension — and they’re surprisingly hard to find. Hollywood has always thought that romance and adventure are oxymorons, mostly because they believe that women are ill-suited to adventure. If they do include a woman, it’s the woman’s job to run during the chase scene, twist her ankle, fall down, make the hero rescue her, and thus put him into the hands of the villains. The reason there aren’t more romantic adventures showcasing vibrant, intelligent, coordinated women is because men run the studios. There’s a word to describe these men. The word sounds like oxymoron. But it isn’t.
The Bourne Identity: I suppose it’s not strictly a romance, but few writers or directors use a female character so well. Marie is drawn into the adventure because she’s desperate for money and Bourne will give it to her — if she helps him. She doesn’t realize what she’s getting into, and once she does, she yells, is scared, wants to run away, but she doesn’t run, she doesn’t fall down and twist her ankle, she comes up with better plans than Bourne does, and in the end, she gets Matt Damon. Does it get any better than that? Of course, the second movie totally screws up the romance, but as a stand-alone movie, The Bourne Identity works big-time.
Last Of The Mohicans: Talk about smoky, glorious sexual tension between Cora and Hawkeye, teamed with some of the best adventure and most romantic lines ever delivered in a movie. Cora: “What are you looking at, sir?” Hawkeye: “I’m looking at you, miss.” And Hawkeye to Cora when she’s about to be captured by the Indians: “You be strong, you survive… You stay alive, no matter what occurs! I will find you. No matter how long it takes, no matter how far, I will find you.” Added bonus — the sound track is fabulous.
Casablanca: I know, it doesn’t end like a traditional romance, but the love story makes my heart ache, and I had to include it. According to the DVD extras, the last scene wasn’t even written while they were filming, and Ingrid Bergman didn’t know which man she was going to end up with until she filmed that scene.
Oh, and of course, Romancing the Stone.
I drew my inspiration for INTO THE SHADOW from my favorite romantic adventure movies. The story starts in the remote Himalayas where Karen Sonnet is seduced, rescued, then kidnapped by the mysterious Warlord. She’s brave and clever — and irresistible. He’s harsh, tortured — and she draws him like the promise of salvation. They fight battles, with each other and against unimaginable villains. INTO THE SHADOW moves from the elegance of a spa in Arizona to cruel winter in the highest peaks of the Sierra Nevadas, never stopping to let you draw breath. And that’s why I love romantic adventures. They leave you breathless. So tell us, which romantic adventure movies are your favorites? Which ones leave you breathless?
Make sure to check out our videos of Maria visiting Christina at her beautiful home. Just go to the tab Authors A-L to find Christina’s videos. Also check out PJ’s Review of Into the Shadow.
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Candice
on Jul 6th, 2008
@ 10:23 pm:
too funny because I love Romancing the Stone! To me it’s not just romantic action flick, but also a comedy
MMmmm let’s see what else, what else? If I wanna watch a romantic movie… I would pick… lol all I can think of are scenes from Romancing the Stone now – oh geez. I’ll have to come back to that later, or does Practical Magic count?
-Candice
Christina Dodd
on Jul 6th, 2008
@ 11:34 pm:
Thank you so much for having me here at Romance Novel TV. It’s like a second home. A second home where I can make mistakes and they’re filmed and put on the ‘Net … not that I’m cranky or anything.
It was great writing this blog, because I got to watch a bunch of romantic adventure movies and call it work. That was a lot of fun!
heidenkind
on Jul 7th, 2008
@ 12:30 am:
*fangrrrl sqee* Yay, I’m so excited! Ms. Dodd, you’re one of my favorite authors. I remember very clearly the moment I read the first page of the first book of yours I ever read–The Runaway Princess–and I thought to myself, oooo this is going to be good!
I just started Into the Shadow today and so far it’s great!
You pretty much covered most of my favorite romantic adventure movies with your list. Romancing the Stone is a great movie. I would have to add The Illusionist, even though it’s not strictly an adventure movie–I just really love it. And The Mummy. And if I can vote for cartoons, I just watched Princess Mononoke and loved it!
Meg
on Jul 7th, 2008
@ 3:52 am:
I’d have to say that my favorite is “The Princess Bride” just because it has comedy, adventure and romance all wrapped into one. It’s the perfect combination and just highly entertaining overall. Ms. Dodd, your books are fantastic and I can’t wait for the next one to come out (I read “Scent of Darkness” and “Touch of Darkness” when they first came out and I’ve been anticipating this release for a while). Keep up the good work!
Westley: Hear this now: I will always come for you.
Buttercup: But how can you be sure?
Westley: This is true love – you think this happens every day?
keoweegirl
on Jul 7th, 2008
@ 4:24 am:
Good Morning, Christina! Wonderful to have you here with us. I love romantic adventure movies and Romancing the Stone is right up there with the best of them. Last of the Mohicans is too! I own both the movie and the soundtrack and watch/listen to them often. That scene you quoted is one of my favorites, along with their first kiss, the entire waterfall scene and the heartwrenching final scene with the younger sister. The intensity of Hawkeye’s words and the love in his eyes when he says “No matter how long it takes, no matter how far, I will find you” simply takes my breath away. Every single time.
Into the Shadow would make a fabulous romantic adventure movie. If that call from Hollywood were to come, who would you want cast in the roles of Karen and Adrik?
~PJ
Marisa
on Jul 7th, 2008
@ 4:26 am:
HI Christina, we so glad you’re back!
You had me at Jason Bourne – I love the scene where Jason is dying Marie’s hair. It is very reminiscent of Out of Africa where Robert Redford is washing Meryl Streep’s hair. Another great movie; it’s not strictly romantic adventure, but it does have romance and it does have adventure. My favorite scene? When they are on safari and she shoots a lion, the adrenaline is pumping and she bites her lower lip. He looks over at her in surprise and awe, walks quietly to her, pulls his handkerchief from his pocket and dabs the blood from her lip. He knows then, that this is a woman of quiet strength and dignity.
I LOVED Into the Shadow, I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. I can definitely see how you were inspired by romantic adventure movies. Move over Jason Bourne/Matt Damon, Adrik is a hero with so many complex layers that he is intriguing from the start. I wondered how you were going to make Adrik the hero he turned out to be. Was Adrik a hard character to write?
Margay
on Jul 7th, 2008
@ 4:46 am:
I absolutely LOVE Last of the Mohicans! It has everything – great leading men, a wonderful love story, action, incredible fight scenes, the pulsating music, and of course, the most powerful lines ever said to a woman! I got chills just reading them in your post. I also love the Pirates of the Caribbean movies for the same reason. And Romancing the Stone is another one of my favorites – Michael Douglas at his best!
Gannon
on Jul 7th, 2008
@ 5:30 am:
Hey Christina!! I’m so thrilled that you’re here today. Romantic adventure –absolutely! You named all of my favorites, and Meg added The Princess Bride, which is another frequently watched movie in my home. Of course, Romancing the Stone is one that I watch often. I love when they go to the village to find a car. “Joan Wilder? The Joan Wilder??” Last of the Mohicans… *big sigh*. I think of this movie practically every day. Much of it was filmed in my neck of the woods, and every time I see a beautiful view of the Blue Ridge I think, “Cue the music.” Love, love, love everything about that movie. Normally, Daniel Day Lewis doesn’t do much for me (although he is a phenomenal actor), but he was so hawt as Hawkeye!
As you know, I completely devoured the ARC’s of Into the Shadow and Into the Flame. Marisa has even asked me to review Into the Flame. Yay!!! Adrik is such a complex, tortured hero. He broke my heart, but in the end it was healed by his love for Karen. Watching them get their HEA–what a ride!–was so gratifying. Brava, Christina!
Maria Lokken
on Jul 7th, 2008
@ 6:35 am:
Yeah!!! Christina Dodd in the house! Welcome! And I soooo loved Into the Shadow…. romance, adventure, hawt hero — yes please, Hollywood make this a movie. We need more romantic adventures.
After reading your blog, I went directly to Google and searched “romantic adventures”, and you’re right, they don’t make a whole lot of them. And what is listed under romantic adventure leaves a lot to be desired.
If I go back a ‘couple of years’ – I’d have to say “Father Goose” starring Cary Grant and Leslie Caron, and “African Queen” starring Humphrey Bogart (Charlie) and Katherine Hepburn (Rose).
Charlie: We can’t do that!
Rose: How do you know? You never tried it.
Charlie: Well, yeah, but I never tried shooting myself in the head neither.
A most unlikely romance – but it works.
MaryKate
on Jul 7th, 2008
@ 6:44 am:
It’s Xtina! Hey girl! We’ve missed you! Congrats on two super HAWT back-to-back releases. Life is good for we readers! I have to say, this is my all time favorite series you write. You really were born to write paranormals, I think. You do it SO well!
Let’s see, favorite romantic adventures? How ’bout the Lord of the Rings trilogy? Arwen and Aragorn’s love story? Faramir and Eowyn? Sam and Frodo (just kidding).
Or how about National Treasure? That’s a dilly of one, and the heroine in the story is as smart or smarter than the hero. LOVE that!
Anyway, I’m just SO darn glad to see you Xtina! Welcome back.
Buffie
on Jul 7th, 2008
@ 6:52 am:
OMG, it’s 8:30 a.m. and I feel like I am so late in posting!!!!!! The dh, boys, and I were at the Braves game last night — 17 innings, but we won! So it was dang hard dragging my sorry @#$ out of bed, but then I remember La Dodd was in the house and that was better than any energy drink!!!!
Welcome, welcome, welcome back Christina!! I am so happy that you are visiting with us today. I SO can’t wait to get my hands on INTO THE SHADOW. Can’t wait, can’t wait, can’t wait.
I loved your post about romance adventure movies. Romancing the Stone is one of my all time favorite movies. I still have it in VHS. Yep, VHS. Guess I really need to find the DVD version. That movie is my go-to movie. Ya know, the one you pull out when nobody else is home, the one you pull out when you have had a awful day and you just want to laugh, the one you pull out when the PMS has hit an all-time level and all the males in my house have scattered. I love the opening part, where Kathleen is writing the ending of her book. I love the description of the “bad guy” . . . the man who killed my family . . . and stole my bible. Love it!
Totally love Indian Jones . . . we have all the movies and can’t wait for the latest one to come out on DVD. We did go see it at the theatre and thought it was fabulous. I still think Harrison Ford is something else!
And Bourne. OMG! I can watch that movie with the dh and drool of Matt all in one. Fabulous, fabulous. I wonder if they will ever do another one. The ending of Bourne Supremecy sure leaves the door open.
Now it is my turn to admit to those movies you mentioned that I haven’t seen. I know ladies, I really need to watch them. The Last of the Mohicans, all of the Star Wars movies, Charade, and Casablanca.
What about National Treasure? I think it is a definite adventure movie, and there is a little romance thrown in there. It is a great movie!
Isabel
on Jul 7th, 2008
@ 7:00 am:
Dear Christina,
I loved Into The Shadow! I read it in one sitting 4th of July evening –after a wonderful afternoon meal with family! It was soooo good and I can NOT wait for August. The wait is pure agony. LOL
I’m off the Napa Valley with my DH.
Tammy
on Jul 7th, 2008
@ 8:12 am:
Hi Christina,
It’s way to early here too (10:15 am). But i may be coherent enough to type (big maybe)!
I haven’t gotten Into the Shadow yet, but it’s on my list, it sounds marvelous!
::ok off to get something to eat and maybe some more sleep::
Maria Lokken
on Jul 7th, 2008
@ 8:12 am:
Hey Buffie – you’re right Charade is a great romantic adventure. Of course, Cary Grant again, and who can resist Audrey Hepburn…
Sarah Schroeder
on Jul 7th, 2008
@ 8:32 am:
I have this odd soft spot for Dead Again… though not so much any more since the break up of the stars of the movie. I guess it is the thought of two people coming back to each other.
CrystalGB
on Jul 7th, 2008
@ 9:09 am:
Hi Christina. I love your books. Some of my favorite adventure movies are Romancing the Stone, Jewel of the Nile, The Mummy movies, National Treasure and National Treasure II.
Christina Dodd
on Jul 7th, 2008
@ 9:14 am:
Good morning, everyone! It’s a beautiful morning on the west coast, and I see you all have been awake for hours.
Candice, Practical Magic was a good romance, but the adventure all happened between the sisters. But what great actresses.
heidenkind, You named one of my favorite books, RUNAWAY PRINCESS. Oh, sure, it’s one of mine(modesty has never been my strong suit.), but I love love love that story! I just added Princess Mononoke to my queue. Yes on The Mummy, but really yes on The Illusionist. I saw it and now I want it for my b’day. That one scene where he grabs her … wowza.
Meg, I’m glad I was able to torture you for a year while you waited for INTO THE SHADOW.
I was betting The Princess Bride got mentioned a lot. Whenever I hear Peter Falk’s voice, I want him to tell me a story.
keoweegirl
on Jul 7th, 2008
@ 9:24 am:
I’m back from the gym and checking in before I head to the pool. Yes, I know, I have such a tough life.
Some terrific movies being named here. Why don’t they make great romantic adventure movies anymore? I’d sure go see them. Love The Princess Bride and all the older movies being mentioned.
Maria, I adore Father Goose! I own that dvd and watch it often.
Buffie, you sure picked the right game to go to yesterday!
Christina Dodd
on Jul 7th, 2008
@ 9:27 am:
Hi, PJ, Thank you for the great review of INTO THE SHADOW. Everyone, if you haven’t read it, you should. PJ is the kind of reviewer authors dream of — articulate, intelligent, and most important, she liked my book!!! And hon, if a call came from Hollywood, I’d faint and the only words on my lips would be, “Matt Damon. Matt Damon.”
Marissa, thank you for letting me visit! Adrik wasn’t hard to write. I knew who he was when I plotted the series, the kid who rebelled against his father’s old world discipline, the one who loved to fight and screw and change. I also knew he had to have the hardest road back and he needed one helluva woman. The book, as you can tell, was so much fun. I want to write INTO THE SHADOW again.
Oo, Margay, I forgot Pirates of the Caribbean! But just the first one!
Christina Dodd
on Jul 7th, 2008
@ 10:31 am:
I interrupt this blog for some wonderful book news! INTO THE SHADOW is #1 on the Borders and Barnes and Noble romance bestseller lists!!!
Pamela K. Kinney/Sapphire Phelan
on Jul 7th, 2008
@ 10:36 am:
I have Into the Shadow, just hadn’t time to read it yet (got my own writing been doing). Yours was one of two books I had to get though. LOL Love my paranormals.
Favorite romantic adventure films?
Star Wars: Episode IV, V and VI–you believe in Leia’s and Han’s love. Something Lucas didn’t do with Anakin and Padme.
Indiana Jones and Raiders of the Lost Ark plus the fourth Indy film that just came out. Sorry, but Harrison even older is eye candy for me. And it completes him and Marion.
Romancing the Stone and its sequel.
Dead Again-romance doesn’t die and love the twist in this film.
The POTC films.
Lord of the rings films-between Aragorn and his Elvish beloved. (yeah, yeah, the books didn’t go into the romance part, though I am a big LOTR books fan too).
Princess Bride.
The Mummy and Mummy 2. Even scorpion King. Anyone going to see Mummy 3 coming out August 1st?
Superman films (him and Lois).
Pamela K. Kinney, also writes as Sapphire Phelan
Maria Lokken
on Jul 7th, 2008
@ 10:45 am:
Oh – la – la Christina. Congratulations!!!! Right where it belongs!!!!!!
Buffie
on Jul 7th, 2008
@ 11:00 am:
Congratulations Christina!!! That is some fabulous news. I bet you will hear that again next month with Into the Flame
cheryl c.
on Jul 7th, 2008
@ 12:04 pm:
I have to agree with all your choices for romantic adventures! I also liked Lord of the Rings and Pirates of the Caribbean.
Into the Shadow sounds wonderful! I love stories involving tortured heroes who are saved by the love of a good woman!
Christina Dodd
on Jul 7th, 2008
@ 12:13 pm:
Gannon, Yes, that scene where the bandits recognize Joan Wilder is the best. The whole movie is so steeped in archetypes — the mousy writer who lives in a dream world and is forced by her loyalty to her sister into a world of violence, where she meets the love of her life, a none-too-savory but gorgeous man who might rescue her, or might leave her to die … I think I need to watch it again.
Oo, and I can’t wait to read the review of INTO THE FLAME!
Maria, Thank you for welcoming me to Romance Novel TV! Guys, Maria and I had a great time when she came here and did my interview. Only she knows how bad I am at making canned announcements.
No, wait. She did a video and showed the world. Someday I will get her for that. Be afraid, Maria. Be very afraid.
Christina Dodd
on Jul 7th, 2008
@ 12:22 pm:
Whoops, I was so busy making threats, I forgot — Good call on both those movies. I loved Father Goose, but Cary Grant really was the best at the romantic adventure hero. And I forgot about African Queen. Another movie I need to watch again!
MaryKate, It’s great to see you again, too! LOTR is my all-time favorite. I named my kids after the female leads. And Peter Jackson definitely ramped up the romance. But I respectfully submit that it’s mostly a guy movie — altho Viggo Mortensen can plant a kiss on me anytime. That definitely ranks as one of the all-time best kisses ever.
Buffie, thank you for the welcome. It sounds as if you’re busy, and you’re right about description of the “bad guy” . . . the man who killed my family . . . and stole my bible. It was so silly, and so good, at the same time!
MaryKate
on Jul 7th, 2008
@ 12:37 pm:
Yeah, I’ll buy that LOTR is mostly a guy movie, but there are these great girl power moments (Eowyn. “I am NO man!”) and the women in the movie are SMART and not EEEEVIL, which I appreciate.
Christina – What are you reading these days? Ladies, Christina pimped two of my favorite authors to me: JR Ward and Elizabeth Vaughan back when Squawk was still up and running. What are you reading these days that we can be jealous of (other than your fellow Squawker’s stuff?)? Any new authors whose work you’re loving?
And, has Lisa K. given you any indication that she’s going to write another contemporary? And if so, is it Jack’s???? Sorry, I know I’m manipulating your very good friendship with Lisa, but hey, you know you don’t want to keep that secret, do you?? Of course not.
What? I’m shameless, I know. But hey, if you don’t ask, you don’t know?? Right?
Buffie
on Jul 7th, 2008
@ 1:11 pm:
What, Mary Kate shameless . . . nevah!
Buffie
on Jul 7th, 2008
@ 1:12 pm:
Christina, can you tell us a little bit about what you are currently working on?
Buffie
on Jul 7th, 2008
@ 1:20 pm:
I got a question for all you ladies out there. What is your favorite book by La Dodd? And you can’t pick the current one!
For me, it is RULES OF SURRENDER. I totally love all of the Governess series, but there was just something special about ROS. Come on, what is not to love about some deliciously hot hero who does not conform to society’s rules, who has spent years traveling amoung the Bedouins. Wynter is one of my all time favorite heros. The interaction between Charlotte and Wynter is priceless I tell, priceless.
Rachel
on Jul 7th, 2008
@ 1:24 pm:
Hi Christina – I’m late to the party because I was up all night reading Into the Shadow – WOW – what a great book! And Adrik, be still my beating heart. I totally get how Romantic Adventure movies inspired this book, I mean you had my pulse racing constantly and the chemistry between Adrik and Karen… I love your dialogue and turn of phrase.
Congratulations on being # 1 on Boarders and B&N, so well deserved.
I can’t think of any romantic adventure movies that have not already been named. But, absolutely the first Bourne movie did leave me breathless.
heidenkind
on Jul 7th, 2008
@ 1:37 pm:
Favorite Christina Dodd book? Hmmm, that’s a really difficult decision. I think I’ll pick In My Wildest Dreams, with Celeste and Throckmorton (GREAT name, btw)–the book based on Sabrina. That movie is like a big two-hour long spoonful of comfort food, but I enjoy IMD even more.
Maria Lokken
on Jul 7th, 2008
@ 1:40 pm:
Christina – I’m over here shaking in my sandals and shorts.
But just so everyone knows – Christina has a gorgeous home with incredible, and I do mean incredible views – it’s a wonder she puts pen to paper, I’d just look out the windows all day.
However, much to my chagrin, Miss Dodd didn’t pursue an acting career and decided to write …and we thank her very much for that.
keoweegirl
on Jul 7th, 2008
@ 1:41 pm:
Buffie, that’s a tough question to answer. I’ve loved so many of Christina’s books but if pressed, and the Darkness Chosen books are excluded, I guess I’d choose Candle in the Window. But there are a whole lot of books that would come in a very close second!
Maria Lokken
on Jul 7th, 2008
@ 1:45 pm:
Yeah Buffie – tough choice… where to go, La Dodd’s historicals, contemporaries or paranormal… hmmm, if pressed, I loved the three books in the Fortune Hunter Series – Trouble in High Heels, Tongue in Chic, Thigh High.
Christina Dodd
on Jul 7th, 2008
@ 2:47 pm:
Isabel, I am so envious about going to Napa Valley. I’m going with the DH in August after the RWA conference, and I can’t wait. A little wine, a little massage, a little dancing, a little … whoops! Never mind that. But it’ll be fun.
Sarah, I love Dead Again! I thought I was one of the only people who even knows the movie. It was so clever, and I love to rewatch it and pick up the clues …
Crystal, The thing about the Mummy is Brendon Fraser. Did you see him in George of the Jungle? An incredibly stupid movie which my whole family truly enjoyed, and there’s Brendon, running around without many clothes at all. I loved it. So sue me. I’m shallow.
Danielle
on Jul 7th, 2008
@ 2:55 pm:
I have to agree with Maria. I loved the Fortune Hunter series. The funny thing was that I actually read Tongue in Chic first, then Trouble in High Heels, then Thigh High. But my absolute favorites are definitely the paranormal ones. There is just something about bad guys aka rakes aka shapeshifters that ooze sensuality and sex! It really isn’t romantic adventure, but I love Jerry Maguire “You had me at hello”. I love that quote. Although, I went to see The Last of The Mohicans with Daniel Day Lewis in theatres back in high school and when the blond chick jumped off the cliff, I started bawling. A really good romantic comedy if you haven’t seen it is Because I said So with Mandy Moore and Diane Keaton. Absolutely funny!
Christina Dodd
on Jul 7th, 2008
@ 2:58 pm:
Pamela, I forgot about the Superman films. It’s so dumb that he takes off his glasses and becomes Superman and no one notices, but OTOH, it also proves that we’ll suspend belief as long as the end result is worthwhile.
MaryKate, I just read a couple of great books. One was by Eve Kenin, DRIVEN. Teresa Medeiros recommended it. It’s a futuristic and a grim, dark, cold world, but she’s a wonderful writer. She also writes historical gothics as Eve Silver, so I’ve got one of those up next. Obviously, I love gothics. The other one which apparently everyone in the world except me has already discovered is the Patricia Briggs Mercy Thompson series. I just read the first one, MOON CALLED, and loved it. The good news — these are both series with more books out, and I’ve ordered them! I can’t wait!
What about the rest of you? Does anyone have a kickass recommendation?
Christina Dodd
on Jul 7th, 2008
@ 3:06 pm:
Buffie, thank you for asking about the new title. It’s called DANGER IN A RED DRESS, and it’s the fourth and final installment in the Fortune Hunter series. And I loved RULES OF SURRENDER, too. He’s just so … so … politically incorrect. The Sheik and Yul Brenner all rolled into one. He was so much fun to write!
Rachel, So Adrik kept you up all night? I love a man with staying power.
Danielle, I had a heck of a time not listing some romantic comedies as romantic adventures, because frequently they’re both (Romancing the Stone.) I decided that was a completely different blog, but thank you for the recommendation of Because I Said So. I’ll go put it on my queue right now!
Danielle
on Jul 7th, 2008
@ 3:07 pm:
Christina, Death Angel by Linda Howard is a must read! I absolutely love that book. I am patiently waiting until the end of this week when I can buy your new one Into The Shadows. I live in a small town in Northern Michigan where there is 1, yes count them, 1 stop light. LOL. So I have to drive at least 35 miles to get to the nearest Wal-Mart! I have been waiting a whole year for this book and I can’t wait! I am sooooo excited! But seriously, Linda Howard’s Death Angel is superb!
Gannon
on Jul 7th, 2008
@ 4:12 pm:
Christina, congrats on the #1 ranking on the Borders and Barnes and Noble lists. Woo hoo!!!!
Buffie, tough question because I would totally pick the Darkness Chosen series, but I’ll have to second what PJ said and choose Candle In The Window.
Sarah, I love Dead Again, but I haven’t seen it in ages. Another movie I like is A Knight’s Tale with Heath Ledger. A little action, a little romance, and some great rock music.
Molly
on Jul 7th, 2008
@ 4:18 pm:
Christina,
I also read Adrik’s story in one day. Amazing! I am embarrassed to admit that while I normally can’t wait to read one of your books, I didn’t pick up the first two Darkness Chosen books until early spring this year. I have been SO turned off in the past by paranormals being unrelentingly dark, I was just afraid! Silly me. I should have guessed that your signature humor would shine through. Love the Russian redneck jokes! I SO appreciate your characters. I feel like I know them as well as my best friends by the end of the book. You certainly have some magic going! Even though I am not traditionally a paranormal fan – I AM a fan of your paranormals. In fact, they are my new favorites, with Fortune Hunters a close second. Wow.
Movies. Mummy, Romancing the Stone, Princess Bride, POTC 1. Basically the same as we’ve seen today. I picked up a couple I haven’t seen yet, too. Thanks!
I can’t tell you how much fun I’ve had reading your books. This month marks two years since I read my first romance novel, having been a dedicated Sci-Fi and sometime mystery/suspense reader. Now I see very little reason to read outside the Romance genre. I’ve read over 600 novels in the past two years and averaged a book a day for over a year now. I think I spend more $$ on books than gasoline now. Can you believe it?
Tammy
on Jul 7th, 2008
@ 4:19 pm:
The other one which apparently everyone in the world except me has already discovered is the Patricia Briggs Mercy Thompson series. I just read the first one, MOON CALLED, and loved it. The good news — these are both series with more books out, and I’ve ordered them! I can’t wait!
That series seriously rocks she’s starting a secondary of it as well the first part of that is in the anthology Shifter, the full length book is called Cry Wolf and coming in a month – too long in my opinion.
I’d recommend Blue SMoke & Murder by Elizabeth Lowell or ANY of the Drake sisters series by Christine Feehan, or the Dark Hunter Series by Sherrilyn Kenyon (Ash’s story is coming in Aug 736 pages hardback – can’t wait!!)
keoweegirl
on Jul 7th, 2008
@ 4:33 pm:
Christina, thank you so much for your kind words regarding my review of Into the Smoke. You make reviewing very easy by writing such an incredible story.
~PJ
Danielle
on Jul 7th, 2008
@ 5:02 pm:
Molly I know exactly what you mean! That is why I am so glad about joining the coffee time romance review team. It makes everything so much easier financially. I read between 2 and 4 books a day and it was getting very expensive. keoweegirl, reviewing is a lot easier when you have a wonderful author, isn’t it!
Christina Dodd
on Jul 7th, 2008
@ 5:08 pm:
DEATH ANGEL is on my list of buys! And thank you, Danielle, for driving 35 miles to get my book … okay, I suppose you pick up a few other things while you’re at Walmart, too, but I do enjoy the fantasy that you’re doing it just for moi.
CANDLE IN THE WINDOW was always my mother’s favorite, too, and last year, sixteen years after it was first published, the re-print hit the New York Times extended list at the same time TONGUE IN CHIC was on the top fifteen New York Times List. That was one of the most thrilling moments of my life.
Molly, Thank you for the kind words about Darkness Chosen, and I’m glad you came over to romance. I had help with the Russian redneck jokes. As soon as I asked, Elizabeth Bevarly and Teresa Medeiros, both from Kentucky, started spouting them like Russian rednecks were common in their state. Who knows? They may be.
Tammy, thanks for the info about Patricia Briggs. The first book was fun!
RomanticBookworm
on Jul 7th, 2008
@ 6:19 pm:
Hi Christina Welcome to Romance Novel TV
. I have not read any your books yet but they are on my radar and I think I am going to start with your paranomals as I was searching them on Amazon and then went to your site and read the excerpt on your site for the first book and it sounds Great so you are definitely on my radar .
If you like Paranormal I definitely recommend Kelley Armstrong’s Otherworld Series and there are 8 books out already
. The First book is called Bitten and the Second book is called Stolen you should definitely check them out 
.
Nicole
on Jul 7th, 2008
@ 6:22 pm:
Hi Christina! Into the Shadow was fantastic, absolutely worth the wait. Picked up the right after work and started reading one time! I’m counting down the days until Into the Flame is released, can’t wait to get my hands on it!
Movies:
Lord of the rings, Last of the Mohicans, Pirates of the Caribbean, National Treasure, The Mummy, Indiana Jones, Bourne Identity, A Knight’s Tale, Princess Bride, Lady Hawke, The Mask of Zorro, 50 First Dates (ok I couldn’t resist the last one, Adam Sandler trying to pick up Drew Barrymore day after day just made it for me)
Fave La Dodd book, hmm, it’s a toss up between My Favorite Bride, Candle In The Window and Touch of Darkness.
AndreaW
on Jul 7th, 2008
@ 6:32 pm:
Hi, Christina! I totally agree with Romancing the Stone, To Catch a Thief, Star Wars … but have never seen Last of the Mohicans. :gasp: I know! I must rent this, or better yet, BUY it since everyone is recommending it.
Huge congrats on your new release AND its #1 status at B&N and Borders! Can’t wait to see how it places on the NYT and USA Today lists!!
As for Buffie’s question: My favorite LaDodd is Rules of Engagement. I just loooooove Devon. *sigh* In My Wildest Dreams is a very, very close second.
cheryl c.
on Jul 7th, 2008
@ 6:33 pm:
Other romantic adventures that I liked were Spiderman, Zorro, Batman, the Mummy, Ladyhawke, and all the Star Wars movies.
orannia
on Jul 7th, 2008
@ 7:01 pm:
Apologies for being late! Christina – I’m so looking forward to reading Into the Shadow….and Into the Flame. I have some theories, which no doubt will be proved wrong!
I love all your romantic adventure picks – I have the soundtrack to Last of the Mohicans (or as I call it – Hawkeye) and I love it! (I have to change the name of the movie in my head as I read the book first and…well, let’s just say I wish the plot hadn’t been modified as much as it was. Saying that, I do love the nod the screenwriters gave to the original book [I'm trying so hard no to spoil it for anyone]. Let’s just say, the scene under the waterfall – the look between two of the secondary characters….WOW!
Oh, and whoever mentioned The Princess Bride – definitely!
orannia
Danielle
on Jul 7th, 2008
@ 7:36 pm:
Nicole I have to agree with you about 50 first dates. It is more of a comedy but there are scenes that make you grab your honey and be happy for what you have! A few other good ones, Story of Us. If you are a married couple it is a must see movie. Brings a lot of married problems to the forefront and makes you appreciate what you have. The Notebook was good and another really super good Nicholas Sparks movie is A Walk To Remember (grab the kleenex for this one!) It is almost 10 pm here in Michigan and I have to be up at 4 am for work so I am going to bed soon. Thank you Christina for chatting with me. gotta go, that produce truck won’t unload itself in the morning. lol
Christina Dodd
on Jul 7th, 2008
@ 8:35 pm:
It’s 7:30 on the west coast, so I think we’re winding down. I’ve celebrated with a half bottle of champagne (I’d drink the whole thing, but I just can’t and my husband hates champagne), but it has been a lovely day and I’m glad I celebrated with you. I am still putting movies on my queue (I forgot Mask of Zorro, which is not my favorite movie but anything with my guy Antonio is very, very good) and I didn’t mention LadyHawke, which makes me ashamed. Absolutely one of my fav movies of all time!
orannia, so glad to see you here! Your theories are probably right, and I always get that thrill when mine are.
Danielle, definitely go unload your produce.
Thank you for having me here on Romance Novel TV. I appreciate all the input and the good wishes, and I’ve filled my queue, which is good. Thank you, Marissa! Thank you, Maria! I love this place and I always send people here to watch their favorite authors (that would be me.)
Take care, all! Please do join my mailing list for news, and I look forward to hearing from you in August!
Christina Dodd
http://www.christinadodd.com
For the wild at heart!
Gannon
on Jul 7th, 2008
@ 8:39 pm:
Thanks for chatting with us today, Christina. As always, it was a real treat!
Cheers,
Gannon
Marisa
on Jul 7th, 2008
@ 8:46 pm:
Ah.. Christina – you’re fabulous and we loved having you spend the day here. Thanks so much for your time, caring, attention, great good humor and as they say in my house – suave ( pronounce sua vey). Love your books, honestly, if you wrote for the phone company, I’d have a subscription.
Looking forward to Into the Flame! But till then enjoy the success of Into the Shadow.
keoweegirl
on Jul 7th, 2008
@ 9:09 pm:
Thanks for hanging with us today, Christina. Congrats again on the much deserved success of Into the Shadow!
Candice
on Jul 7th, 2008
@ 11:28 pm:
Congrats on being #1!!!! Shocked by ending-can’t wait for Into the Flame!
=^)
Candice
ps – your Fortune Hunter series is excellent!