Suzanne Brockmann and Ed Gaffney

In the final installment of my interview with Suzanne Brockmann we find out  what its like being married to another author, what’s next in the Troubleshooters series and her new series Final Destiny.

BEING MARRIED TO AN AUTHOR
Author Suzanne Brockmann is married to novelist Ed Gaffney, and they have collaborated on numerous projects, from the off Broadway play Looking for Billy Haines, to the upcoming movie The Perfect Wedding, which they co-wrote and produced. Before I sat down to interview Ms. Brockmann at the 2011 NJRWA conference, she introduced me to her parents, her son Jason and husband Ed.  Throughout the conference I got to see this family in action. Their love and support for one another in every smile, gesture and word is nothing short of extraordinary and it was exciting to be a part of that energy.  In seeing this, I had to ask what it’s like living and working so closely with her husband. READ THE FULL ARTICLE AT B&N HEART TO HEART BLOG

ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT WAS A LABOR OF LOVE

Author Suzanne Brockmann is a gay rights activist with a strong commitment to working towards a time when everyone has the freedom of choice. For many years she has worked with several organizations, including MassEquality, to achieve this goal.

Before the book All Through the Night was even a thought in her head, there were significant political happenings in the state of Massachusetts. One state, she said “where people can marry the person they love.”  At the time, a ballot to stop marriage equality was initiated and going up for a vote in the state legislature. Ms. Brockmann and her husband Ed Gaffney joined forces with MassEquality to educate the legislature about a subject that is very important to her.  Suzanne said, “I’m a mother of a young man who is gay and I love that kid and I deserve the right to dance at my son’s wedding and he has the right to spend the rest of his life with the person he loves and to have that relationship be recognized. So a lot of what we did with MassEquality was to make it personal, to not keep silent, to say, I love my son and he’s gay.” READ THE FULL ARTICLE AT B&N HEART TO HEART BLOG.

“Redefining normal”. These are her words. And as I spent an hour talking to her about her life and work I understood that it takes a huge commitment to not only entertain but to slowly introduce and bring to the forefront of her reader’s consciousness the issues that she most cares about. READ FULL ARTICLE ON B&N HEART TO HEART BLOG.

Suzanne Brockmann

I spent an amazing weekend at the NJRWA ( New Jersey Romance Writers of America) conference with authors Suzanne Brockmann, Rachel Gibson, Brenda Novak, Victoria Alexander, Sophie Jordan, Kristan Higgins and Eloisa James (just to name a few).  This is one of the biggest romance writer’s conferences of the year offering two days of networking, workshops, meetings with agents and editors and a book signing with the proceeds going to literacy. Geared to both published and non-published but aspiring authors, it has something for everyone. I’m a reader, not an author, but with that much talent in one place I felt motivated and inspired. Everywhere I went there were authors talking about their work, dreams, desires and how to be better at what they do; you could feel the passion and commitment vibrating through the walls.

A conference like this takes a lot of people and a year to plan. Conference Chair Marlo Berliner and Assistant Chair Ruth Seitelman did a fantastic job of making this year’s conference successful. With workshops like “ Making Your Hero Sound Like a Man” presented by author Cindy Kirk and author Hope Tarr’s workshop “ No One Cares You Had a Muffin: Making the Most of Social Networking Sites to Brand Your Books” – there was something for everyone.

Rachel Gibson

I attended many of the workshops to get a feel for what was being shared and what writers wanted to know. One of my favorites was “Who Killed the Sentence?” presented by The Grammar Divas – trust me, they’re shaking their heads as they read this post. But I learned a great deal and promise to buy Diana Hacer’s grammar book, A Writer’s Reference  .

I also attended author Mary Burton’s workshop on “Unraveling Romantic Suspense”. I was fascinated by her process, research and the intricate details an author needs to know in order to commit murder and create a villain that a reader can both hate and be fascinated by.

I spent some time with Kristan Higgins, who is one of the funniest people I’ve had the good fortune to talk to, and now I know why I love reading her books. Her sense of humor and ability to tell a story carries the listener along seamlessly enveloping them in the moment. She told a great story about being invited to attend an autopsy  — and, well, being the kind of author she is, she thought ‘why not, could come in handy someday’.

I interviewed Suzanne Brockmann (my interview will be posted next week) and was inspired by her energy and love of life. Talking to her about her books and the arc of her characters was like taking a master class. Her zeal, love of family and commitment to social issues infuses the room with energy. She was the keynote speaker and her generosity of spirit was exhilarating.

Victoria Alexander

What’s really amazing is the camaraderie between the authors. They are all there to refine or teach their craft, give or get encouragement, and most importantly share information and ideas. Sitting down with authors Cara Elliot, Leanna Renee Heiber, Elizabeth Kerri Mahon and Hope Tarr gave me a fascinating look into the process of not only writing a book but marketing it as well; an author’s work doesn’t end on the last page.  I sat at the same table as Rachel Gibson and Sophie Jordan as well as un-published authors as we talked about the state of the romance market. And in every hallway or empty room I’d see authors like Victoria Alexander or Eloisa James talking to un-published or newly published authors about everything from character motivation to finding an agent.

As a lover of books, experiencing and sharing time with these women (my apologies to the three or four men who were there) was like standing at the edge of a cliff watching a glorious sunrise – the excitement was that palpable.

This weekend I got a glimpse into how it all begins and that got me to thinking about the books I read. Now it’s clear in my mind – right now I’m reading a book that started with an author alone in their room staring at a blank page and it makes the gift of reading all the more precious.

Article originally posted on the B&N Heart to Heart Blog.
(You can view pictures from the conference at the “B&N Romance Readers” facebook page.)

In Caris Roane’s Guardian of Ascension series you get two for the price of one – warrior vampires with wings. These are not the angels you’d find painted on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, in fact, they come from another dimension. Featuring an interesting and unique mythology the Guardian of Ascension series will draw you in with the strong female characters and exciting alpha heroes.

As you’ll see, this is not the only series to combine vampires and angels, after all if angels are the new black, winged vampires are the Little Black Dress with high heels.

Releasing tomorrow is Sylvia Day’s A Touch of Crimson,  the first book of her new Renegade Angels series. Again, these are no ordinary angels with white flowing robes and halos. After all, can you really keep your halo in place while you’re taking names and kicking ass?  The ass whooper would be the hero who is a powerful angel and head of an elite special ops group. Their mission is to protect human kind from fallen angels who have become vampires.

I wasn’t aware that vampires lived in the same zip code as fallen angles, but I’m sensing a trend here.  Personally, it’s got me hooked.

The Lost Angel series by Heather Killough-Wadlen starts with the first book Avenger’s Angel.  In this series, four Archangels are rewarded for their continuous service and loyalty by being given their perfect soul mate. Unfortunately the other angels become jealous – oh my, can you imagine one of the seven deadly sins alive and kicking inside the pearly gates? To prevent a revolt the archangel’s soul mates were driven from the heavens. But once you’ve found the one person who completes you, it’s not likely you’d give her up – so the four archangels do what anyone in love would do – they go down to earth, became mortal and begin the search for their one and only.  For almost 2000 years they walk the earth as mortals  – one as a famous rock singer and a vampire, another  as an actor, the third as a policeman and the forth as a fireman. Interesting – yes?

The Fallen is also a relatively new series by Cynthia Eden. The first book, Angel of Darkness features an Angel of Death who refuses to do his job – that is he declines to take a soul – and with poor job performance there are consequences; he becomes a fallen angel. Of course the soul he refuses to take is the heroine’s – and so begins the dance.

I just finished reading Envy , the third book in J.R. Ward’s Fallen Angels series. What’s particularly special about this book is the main protagonist Jim Heron. An ex- special ops officer, Jim is now a fallen angel charged with saving seven souls. He’s in the fight of his life and the fate of the world hangs in the balance. If he can save seven souls from evil the world will be safe. If he fails and they walk on the dark side, so goes the world. Each book in the series features a new soul to save and a new battle between Jim and the evil demon Devina. Jim’s an interesting angel, he has all the emotional trappings of his mortal/human life and with the balance of each soul and the world in his hands his growth as an individual and in his relationships is the dynamic thread that holds this series together.

Good versus evil is a story as old as time. Angels, demons, devils and vampires have been around forever. They never go out of fashion. The combinations of mythologies and back stories for these angels are ever intriguing, ever robust. It’s a new way into  paranormal romance and has definitely become the popular look this season.

Original article posted on the B&N Heart to Heart Blog.

“Welcome! If you’ve found us, you must be looking for some hot paranormal apocalyptic action. We promise fierce heroes, tough heroines, no holds barred fights, serious stakes, unnatural beasts, supernatural thrills, and steamy sex. Who says you can’t rock out at the end of the world?”

The first time I read these words I thought to myself –“well that’s a big promise to live up to”.  Now, after reading the first two books in the series, Nightfall (Dark Age Dawning Series #1) and Midnight (Dark Age Dawning Series #2), I must say Ellen Connor has kept that promise and more.

If you’re looking for a cute, sweet or fun romance, this ain’t it kids. Midnight is a no holds barred, tension-filled, action packed, gritty post-apocalyptic romance where the world has changed beyond all recognition. Immediately you are brought into a world where survival is paramount, the characters are compelling, the action is riveting and the stakes are even higher.

Dr. Chris Welsh was a scientist, a man who devoted his life to clear rational thinking, observation and research. Nothing in his life prepared him for living in a post-apocalyptic world. He’s spent the last three years on his own traveling, surviving the best way he can in a harsh landscape where continued existence is only guaranteed through endurance, strength and the ability to out run or out think whatever’s chasing him. The world has changed and so has he – he’s become a solitary man who keeps his own council, relying on his intuition, cunning and strength, with little hope, no home and no family.

When Chris finds himself in the settlement of Valle de Bravo, he finds for the first time in a long time, people working together in a community. Although he wants no part of it, he’s amazed that anything remotely looking like a thriving society can exist in a world that has become a barren wasteland filled with danger.

Rosa Cortez is in charge of the Valle de Bravo settlement. Her word is law and her law is harsh. It has to be. Outside the gates are skinwalkers and hellhounds and raiders just waiting to take over. Inside the gates there are people who vie for power and want to take her place. Through it all she must maintain her position of authority while finding a way to continue to feed, clothe and house the people under her protection. It’s a fine line to walk; life and death decisions are made daily, and keeping a disparate group of people working and living together while fighting off potential enemies can take a toll on anyone. But Rosa is up to the challenge and her heart and soul — her very existence, is about making this work.

Midnight is filled with tension that sizzles and crackles. The harsh reality of living, juxtaposed with the hope for a better life, is beautifully done. With well drawn and interesting characters, and revealing emotional dialogue, the action is brought to life one page at a time giving us a clear understanding and belief in these people and their struggle.

Rosa is an amazing Alpha heroine with the unenviable position of balancing power while keeping it. Her strength and courage are only matched by her tenacity, and her tenacity is borne from the love she has for these people and their chance to not only survive but to thrive in a world gone mad. It’s a chance at a new beginning for everyone, including herself.

Chris was once a beta man who out of necessity has become an alpha man, allowing him to be a hero who can stand beside the woman he loves while giving her the support she needs to lead her people.

The beauty and delicacy with which the words and phrases are combined to describe the harsh and ugly world and actions of the characters are what amazed me most about this book. The prose immediately gives us a clear understanding of the beauty, cruelty, severity, simplicity and complexity of this world and its characters.  In one of Chris’ first encounters with Rosa his feelings are simply described but allow us to know so much about him: “He’d been alone and wandering for more than three years. So much space, almost all of it deserted. The number of times he’d touched and held another living being was so small. Rock was rock. The air was air. He felt more in common with the elements than with these people. The draw of coming back into their fold was undeniable. And terrifying.” Each word is like a pebble dropped into a still lake rippling out and forever changing the landscape.

Midnight is the second book in the Dark Age Dawning series and can definitely be read alone. I loved the first book Nightfall (see my review here), but I think Midnight is a stronger book. The immediacy of the action and the uniqueness of the hero and heroine are not only exciting but compelling. The language pops and the action electrifies. And through it all the romance is interwoven and vital.

This is a series that has taken hold of my imagination and won’t let go and is definitely a recommended read.

Original article first posted on the B&N Heart to Heart Blog.

One series I’ve yet to read is J.D. Robb’s In Death series – but I was curious so I read Marisa’s blog to find out more. What really surprised me were the comments. Almost everyone was raving about Marie Force’s Fatal Series – Fatal Affair , Fatal Justice, Fatal Consequences and the recently released novella Fatal Destiny; which by the way is now a free e-read for a limited time only

I haven’t read this series, but from the rave reviews I had to quickly download the first book to find out what everyone was talking about. It’s a romantic suspense series featuring Washington, D.C., Metro Police Detective, Sergeant Samantha “Sam” Holland and Nick Cappuano. After reading the blurbs for the later books I realize that Sam and Nick are the thread that holds the crimes/procedurals together; and as they deal with each crime their relationship grows. I’m so in on this one and can’t wait to start reading it.

I also got to thinking about all the other series that I haven’t read but that everyone raves about. I know – I’m opening myself up to the whole “What? You haven’t read that yet?” situation. But I’m going to be a big girl and openly admit – Hi, My name is Maria and I haven’t read:

Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Dark Hunter series – yes I’ve heard all about Ash and Simi and Nick –but I have no context. So when Marisa goes on and on about the immortal ancient warriors with 21st century attitudes who fight creatures that prey on mankind, ancient Gods and Goddesses who enjoy playing games with both the warriors and mortals, the quirky and fun characters, exciting action and interesting mythology, then even I’m thinking, ‘Why haven’t I read this series before?’

Another series Marisa is always going on about is Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton series; it’s one of her favorites. Of course she’s got all eight books and I made her cart them over to my house so that I could start reading The Duke and I. Now I can’t wait to find out about all the Bridgerton brothers and sisters, the Mallet of Death scene in the Viscount who Loved Me and of course the infamous Lady Whistledown.

I really enjoy Angela Knight’s Mageverse series but I’ve yet to read her Time Hunter series – which surprises the heck out me since I’m the go to ‘time travel girl’. So I’m definitely going to start with the first book in the series, Jane’s Warlord . I mean how can I resist a time traveling warrior sent back 300 years to protect an innocent from being killed by a time traveling murderer. I mean let’s face it, the very idea of going back in time to change the future is more then intriguing. Besides, it’s Angela Knight, and she knows how to tell a story.

Article originally published on the B&N Heart to Heart blog.

Do we really want to know that Cinderella is having a hard time keeping the castle clean? Or that Prince Charming  would rather have a few drinks with the boys instead of rushing home to his beloved? In the film  Sex and the City 2   was it essential we learn that Big’s idea of a good time was sitting on the couch watching  TV? When Carrie begins to wonder if the ‘za za zoom’ she’s been waiting for all her life is  fizziling, it made me anxious and a bit sad, and that’s not the feeling I’m going for when I think about my favorite heroes and heroines. Let’s face it, we don’t want to see a couple we’ve grown to love, finally grab onto to their happily ever after only to start complaining and worrying about their relationship; particularly if their living in a luxury apartment on Park Avenue or in a castle in “Once Upon a Timeville”.

However, when it comes to certain couples I’m all about wanting to know what happens after the Happily Ever After. There are a few authors who get it right– some who really know how to keep the hero and heroine interesting, romantic and dynamic AFTER they’ve obtained their ride off into the sunset. These are the authors who know how to make the ‘growing pains’ of the relationship a vehicle for  the protagonists to have realizations about themselves and in turn make them even more dynamic.  It’s a hard thing to do – balance the reality of ‘life together’ while keeping the love alive.

New York to Dallas, J.D. Robb’s latest book in her In Death series, gives us a great example of how to do the AFTER, after the Happily Ever After.  For over ten years this long standing series (now with thirty-three books) has continually given us an intimate look into the anatomy of the relationship between Eve Dallas and Roarke. And with each new book we see their ‘Happily Ever After’ as a work in progress that becomes more fascinating as time goes by.

One of the significant imperatives in this series  has been Eve’s abusive and traumatic childhood. (SPOILERS AHEAD FOR THOSE WHO HAVE YET TO READ THE SERIES) She was abandoned by her mother and raised in Dallas,Texas by a father who physically, sexually and emotionally abused her. The abuse only stopped  when eight-year-old Eve killed her father. She has since gone on to become a Lieutenant in the NYC police department – a woman of strength and courage with the conviction and confidence to protect the innocent at all costs.

New York to Dallas becomes a pinnacle book in the series when Eve takes on a case that brings her back to Dallas and throws her into the madness that was her childhood. Her equilibrium, hell, her whole life is thrown into a tail spin when she has to face her past head on. And through it all Roarke is by her side – loving her, helping her, comforting her. Throughout the book many long standing questions are answered, but more importantly Eve and Roarke have to hold on to each other in order to get through the madness. Their relationship, a relationship they have been working on for over two years, becomes their lifeline. The love they have for each other is what is needed to get through.

On Goodreads I was discussing how much I enjoyed this book,  how J.D. Robb continually keeps this relationship alive. And New York to Dallas is the culmination of everything Eve and Roarke have done in their relationship up to this point. With tender moments, agonizing soul searching (well as much as Eve and Roarke can agonize), and a vulnerability that express why and how these two love each other; combined with the crime procedural we’ve come to expect in an In Death book; J.D. Robb masterfully gives us the exact right blend of both the inner workings of a loving committed relationship AND the inner workings of a depraved mad man.

It’s not easy for an author to continue to play out what happens in a relationship with two long standing characters; but here we find the author digging deeper into why Roarke and Eve love each other and how they continue to sustain that love.

I had a discussion with Angela James, the Executive Editor of Carina Press on Goodreads after she posted this comment:

I’m still mulling over my thoughts about this book. I enjoyed it, as I often enjoy these books, but one thought that I can’t shake, now that I’m done, is the idea that this series is going to have to draw to a conclusion now. A lot of the large, overarching story threads that have been interwoven are being given answers, and I feel that, as far as the interpersonal/relationship conflicts go, not just with Eve and Roarke, but the secondary characters as well, that these have all been pretty well tied up. So further books are either going to need new interpersonal conflicts, new secondary characters, or are going to have to rely pretty solely on the mystery conflicts to drive them. Since the heart of these books has always been how the characters weave into the stories, I find it difficult to imagine the series going on much longer.

My response was:
I really hadn’t thought that this series would ever end, UNTIL you mentioned it. And honestly? What you said makes a lot of sense. Should I start my mourning period now? My first thought after reading this one was, J.D. Robb is fearless. My second thought? I love that she can write a romantic suspense series that continually shows what happens after the HEA – and do it well. The dynamic, chemistry and even occasional tension between Eve and Roarke have become what I look forward to when reading an In Death book. Will there be no tension or dynamic now that several of the big story arcs have come to a conclusion? It’s a good question. Where DO they go from here? You’ve made me ponder something I was avoiding.

Angela responded:

I feel like I should apologize, Marisa!

I responded:
No apology necessary just be prepared to hold my hand and pat my back as I weep profusely if the series should end.

Angela responded:

We can hold a wake and comfort each other!

J.D. Robb has been keeping Eve and Roarke’s love alive for 33 books and I’ll always want more. Their Happily Ever After is combination of  a fierece and abding love that will carry them through both the best and worst that life has to offer. New York to Dallas gives us a look at a hero and heroine who have such a powerful love for each other that nothing – nothing – will tear them apart.

(Article first published on B&N’s Heart to Heart Blog)