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.)

Finally, my local appliance store was having an out of the box sale that was too good to pass up.  I took the day off and hustled down to the store before anyone else had an opportunity to scoop me.  While perusing the stainless steel miracles I ran into my neighbor who was replacing her 25-year-old stove that had recently cooked its last meal.  Being the polite neighbor, I stopped to say hello, and that was all she wrote.  Twenty five minutes later, I had a complete rundown of the “who and what” of the people who live within a 4 block radius of my house – divorces, marriages, babies, and businesses.  It was fascinating.

Since I had the day off, I thought I should take care of a few more errands that never seem to get done, but before I could put the key in my ignition I was stopped by my local bank manager who was waving a friendly hello and had that “Oh, have I got a story for you” look in her eyes.  Well, what was I to do?  I couldn’t pretend I hadn’t seen her – our eyes had already locked.  So I got out of my car and was regaled for the next thirty five minutes with the most fascinating stories of what’s been happening behind the scenes in our upcoming city council elections.

Once I extracted myself from the conversation I drove to Walter’s Upholstery Shop where I learned I that I could not only get a 10% discount on fabrics from Bunny down the road, but that my neighbor Mabel was also getting new slip covers.

Here’s the point – and it’s not a non-sequitur – I have daydreams every now and again of moving away from the hectic pace of New York City life and moving to a small town in Montana where everyone knows my name and there’s sense of community.  But it hit me – kinda like “I could’ve had a V8” – I already live in a small town and have a sense of community – and I think that’s exactly what attracts me to contemporary romances that revolve around ’small communities where everyone knows your name”.

In Bella Riley’s Home Sweet Home, the small town life of Emerald Lake beckons like a beacon.  This is an idyllic town with a capital I.  Set in upstate NY,  just a mere 2 hour drive from NYC with picturesque surroundings, it’s the kind of place that makes even the most harden NYC club hopping fashionista yearn for the ‘simple life’.  Everything about this town screams “I-am-the-brochure-cover-of-the-most-beautiful-lakeside-community-you’ve-ever-seen.”  But idyllic and beautiful weren’t what Andi Powell had in mind after graduation – her only desire was to move to NYC and grab the brass ring.

After making a splash in the real estate development market, her career was on an upward trajectory until the untimely death of her father.  The grief she suffered and then had to suppress, led to one failed deal after another.   When her last ditch pitch to build a condo community at Emerald Lake catches her boss’ interest, she finds herself in the position of having to sell the idea to the town – a town she hasn’t been a part of for ten years.  Getting the town’s agreement won’t  be easy, particularly when the Mayor is her first and only true love.

The author has created a novel that has a tenderness that captured this romance reader’s heart.  The townspeople are filled with a rich history that invites you in like a warm cup of cocoa on a brisk fall day.  The setting is perfect and the romance is sigh worthy.  This is the first in a series – and as I am a series-kinda-gal, I’m looking forward to the next installment in what to mind is a perfect romance.

Originally posted on the B&N Heart to Heart Blog.

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.

I satisfied my need this week with Jill Shalvis.  I love this author.  She has a way of drawing me into a story and tugging on my heart.  She MAKES me fall in love with her characters.  In Animal Attraction  – the 2nd book in her new series, (did I say the word series? Yes! *fist pump*! )- tall, dark sexy Veterinarian Dell Connelly has what it takes to lure any animal into a giving state of mind.  He’s a whisperer, and his ability to talk to animals and make them feel calm, is the same ability he uses to make almost any human feel at ease.  He has all the attributes any woman would put on her this-is-the-man-I-must-have-a-serious relationship-with list.  Even his receptionist, Jade, the queen of lists, has a special note on her spreadsheet; “Stop thinking about Dell.”  But, like every other woman in Sunshine, Idaho, that’s next to impossible.  While Dell and Jade ‘dance’ around each other, we find they’re both hiding something and it’s preventing them from moving forward – in life and with each other.  Why has Jade run from her impressive job and salary in Chicago and settled at the Belle Haven Clinic in the middle of nowhere?  And why does Dell have a string of one-night stands with no hopes of ever having a relationship?  Animal Attraction isn’t as ‘neat’ as all that, there are a several layers and some very hot moments the reader has to get through before we discover what’s keeping these two from a happily ever after.

The hero has all the strength that’s come to define a romance hero – yet he has none of the hubris that turns me off.  He cares first, last and always, and that’s what makes his character irresistible.  Jade, the heroine, doesn’t have a spine at the start of book, but by the end, her backbone and her ability to love makes her the kind of woman I love to read about..

Animal Attraction will make you warm all over, and with two more books in the series it will have you wondering why the heck you haven’t packed up and moved to Sunshine, Idaho.

If you haven’t read Jill Shalvis before – you’ve got a whole lot of romance to fall in love with.

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.