Lindsay McKenna | Researching blog

I love research. It gets me out in the field and I meet some of the most remarkable people in those professions. Research, to me, is more fun than writing the book! I get to travel, learn something new and look at what I’m being educated about and how it might fit into a brewing plot in my head.

Every writer, in my opinion, should write what she or he knows. No matter how much your experience, you’re going to run out of books based upon your life knowledge. And then, moving to topics that make you salivate, is the next step.

For example, using DANGEROUS PREY, my HQN that is coming out in December, 2008, will give you some helpful information. It is a book where the hero is a raptor rehabilitator.

I can tell you that I’m not an expert on raptors or how to help them when they get injured. Sometimes kismet occurs and a writer gets lucky. I’m a member of the Flagstaff, Arizona Arboretum . I was up there about two years ago to do some photographing of their flowers.

Imagine my shock and surprise when I saw this gorgeous blond haired woman with a hawk on her glove walk by! Stunned, I followed her. That woman was Susan Hamilton who is the owner of High Country Raptors. She is licensed in the state of Arizona to care for injured or sick raptors (hawks, owls and falcons). She was putting on an educational program for those visiting the Arboretum. Mesmerized, I went over there and simply sat and listened. The birds she had were incredible! And she had plenty of helpers.

Susan gave a wonderful, enthusiastic talk about raptors and why we should never kill them. They are necessary for the balance in our environment. They eat mice, rats and other vermin which we don’t want around or in our homes. They do a lot of good. As I watched her and her helpers with all these raptors, a book popped into my mind and DANGEROUS PREY was hatched!

It took two years of driving up to Flag to be with Susan to learn how she cared for her raptors, the mews, the feeding, what they ate, their feeding schedule and a hundred other things that were necessary to give these birds a good, stable life. I always looked forward to going up there and have gotten to hold some of the birds on a gauntlet. It was a thrill.

One raptor in particular stood out. That was Luna. She is a European Eagle-Owl and eventually became the feathered heroine in my book. This female is seven pounds with a five foot wingspan. She’s the largest owl in Europe and is larger than our own Great Horned Owl. I’ve gotten to work with her a lot and I fell in love with her gentle growling sounds she’d utter when you hold her on the glove.

Another thing I had Susan do was read my rough draft manuscript when I was done. I wanted her to spot any inconsistencies or mistakes I’d made long before the book went to press. This is another area that’s helpful to a writer is having an expert’s eyes on the information. That way, I don’t get letters from upset readers who have spotted an error.

On my web site, http://www.lindsaymckenna.com/, on the front page with the cover of DANGEROUS PREY are four URL addresses. These go to my blog. While doing the research on the raptors, I took plenty of photos. If you go over there you’ll meet Susan and her birds.

No author wants mistakes in her book. If you are doing research, be sure to have the expert read your manuscript for errors. It’s a helpful process. I can say that Susan Hamilton became my friend over the years that we conspired together on my book. This is one of the many wonderful things that happens during research work. Even better, I have an understanding of the raptors that I love so much. And I also have a great admiration and respect for the 2,500 raptor rehabilitators here in the USA. They give up untold hours of time, their own money, to ensure these raptors can be returned to their wild life once more. Truly, they are heroes and heroines in my eyes.

Tara Taylor Quinn | Pie Day

Today is pie day. For my entire adult life the holiday season has started with pie day. It's the day before Thanksgiving. And I am the pie maker. Doesn't matter where Thanksgiving is happening, I make the pies. Conveniently, it's worked out that where ever Thanksgiving was happening, pies have been needed. I make four of them. Whether dinner is for five or fifteen. Four pies. Two pumpkin. A pecan. And an apple.

I can still remember the first time I made an apple pie. I was a young adult. In an apartment. I don't know why I had to make an apple pie. I'm fairly confident that I had a reason. Just not one worth remembering apparently. But I do remember the process. Clearly. I was an adult. A woman. I could follow directions. I could make a pie. That's what women did. I had a great cookbook that I got from I have no idea where. I probably knew that back then, too. Today I can tell you that I still have that cookbook. So, whoever gave it to me (probably my mother) thank you.

On that holiday more than twenty years ago, I opened the book to apple pie. And I followed the directions. Literally. To a 't'. That's me. I take everything literally. And when I don't know how to do something, I take it step by. I read one sentence of instruction, complete it and go on to the next. I did precisely that with that pie. I remember being in the kitchen. I remember what the tiny kitchen looked like. I can remember studying and smelling my concoction as it appeared. Every step of the way. Reading and re-reading instructions. Double checking my result.

Satisfied that all seemed fine, I happily, and with a huge amount of relief, delivered my pie to the oven. Set the timer. And waited. Aromas started to waft. To fill the small space. Great aromas. I'd done it. I'd made an apple pie.

The next day, Thanksgiving, I couldn't wait for dessert. To share my creation with everyone. I was a woman now. A cook. They'd all see. I cannot remember what the table looked like. I can't remember who all was sitting there. I can't remember what we ate, what anyone wore, or even what the room looked like that we were in. What I can remember is a table with bodies sitting all around it. And the pie. Oh yeah, I remember that pie.

I had a little trouble cutting it into pieces. I couldn't get the knife to go smoothly through. Couldn't get the pieces to come apart in a clear slice. I forgave myself. I was woman - not perfect. I'd learn to cut.

I served. And then I sat. My own piece of pie lay untouched before me as I waited for all to take their first bites. I watched for reaction. People chewed, and smiled through their chews. Nodded. And chewed. It must be okay, I thought. They were so busy enjoying my wonderful pie that they'd tell me about it when they were done. They didn't want to talk with their mouths full.

I figured I might as well fill my mouth, too. That way when they told me how great the pie was, I'd have an empty mouth with which to accept their praise. I took my bite. I chewed. Once. And stopped. All I can say, as I look back on that moment, is that those people, whoever they were, must have loved me an awful lot. Or at least were nice enough to not want to hurt my feelings. I, suddenly, wasn't all that fond of myself. Nor was I feeling kindly toward me. As soon as that slimy, slightly sharp edged thing hit my tongue, I spit the pie out. Right there in front of everyone. And announced to the table that everyone else was welcome to do the same. I can't remember if anyone did. Or if everyone did. What I remember was the one Thanksgiving in my life where there was no dessert. And it was all my fault.

I didn't know what had gone wrong. I stared at my pie. Dissected it. Tried not to cry. I couldn't look up. And then I remember this voice - it was feminine, though I can't remember to whom the voice belonged. It said only five words. Softly. In question form. And I remember every single one of them. Clearly. In order. "Did you peel the apples?"

What? My head flew up. I hadn't read anything about peeling apples. I went for the cookbook. Opened it to the proper page. See, there was no place there in the directions that said to peel apples. No place. It didn't say to peel apples. I did just what the directions said. It didn't say to peel apples. Well, the voice said, (or some rendition thereof) you just kind of know you have to peel the apples first.

Maybe that's why the whole four pie tradition started. If one is screwed up, there's always another one to offer. A chance to redeem yourself.

And if all four pies are great. I've got another reason to be thankful on a day of giving thanks.

It occurs to me that perhaps the whole four pie thing comes in to play this holiday season where my work is concerned as well. I've decided that that's why there are two books out this holiday season. If you don't like one, I've got another one to offer you. There's "The Holiday Visitor" - a holiday love story. And "At Close Range." A suspense novel. They didn't even put romance on the spine on that one, though, for those who like romance, there is a romantic element there. I'd like to think that with both stories I'm offering you award winning apple pie reading pleasure. And like that first pie, I'm sitting here waiting for your reactions.

I've got the pie thing down. I'm fairly confident that when my house is full on Thanksgiving day with many family members, from out of town and in town, I will be serving up four delicious pies. I've had more than twenty years of practice. And actually, I'm not making all four of the pies. We started a new tradition last year. Tim and I and my mom gather in the kitchen. We have all utensils and ingredients before us. We listen to me ask who wants to make what kind of pie. And then we have a race to see who finishes first. In this race, it is best to finish last. Whoever finishes first has to start on the dishes.

Today is pie day. The official start of the holiday season. Today I'm thinking about all of us, striving in a difficult year to face our challenges successfully. While there might be changes in some of the lavishness this year, I look forward to the holidays with a new awareness of just how important they are. Whatever surface trappings are or are not there, what remains is the point. To love and be loved. To find the joy. And to remember to be aware of and thankful for the things that we have that cannot be taken away.

With that in mind, I wish all you a successful holiday season.

And to the one I love with all my heart who will not be with me on Thanksgiving day, I pray that you are healthy, happy, and feeling loved.

Tara Taylor Quinn
tarataylorquinn.com

Sara Reyes | Stress Release...finding a new author

In the US, today is Thanksgiving. A national holiday known for feasting on turkey (or not), being with family (or not), watching the Cowboys lose (or, sigh, sadly not). The official day before the start of Christmas shopping madness, otherwise known as Black Friday. So, of course it is also the time for stress. From family, from indulging too much in rich foods, from anxiety about the economy, to, well, just stress. So, what a better stress reliever besides a good long walk...why, a book of course!

My recent reading kick involves the discovery of Max Alan Collins. I knew him as the author of the graphic novel the movie ROAD TO PERDITION was based but recently I've discovered his many forays into other works including the movie -- "The Last Lullaby," then the books and stories TLL was based on -- the Quarry books. So I asked Pat to find as many books as she could by Collins and I was off. It's a joy to discover the depth of MAC. He ranges from a garage rock band to comic strips to graphic novels to video games to a slew of novelizations to his own series of mysteries: Heller, Quarry and the Brandy Borne series written with his wife Barbara Alan. Then the Wyatt Earp in the 20th century saving a foolish young son of an old friend. Don't you just love it when you uncover a new author with a huge backlist? It's like being young again and running across a great book in the library. Then finding out you have a treasure trove of books to uncover. All goes well until you find out the author died 20 years before and there is a limit to the books she wrote. Okay, so I still haven't forgive Elswyth Thane. So sue me!

Anyway, reading to relieve the stress is my topic for today. I know that when I need a good outlet I like to read space operas or thrillers. It's the fast paced story, a fast read, unrelenting action. So much I can skip over the inconsistencies and not mind too many minor lapses of logic.

So while the turkey is roasting or digesting, what do you read?

Sara Reyes
DFW Tea Readers
Join us for our Readers Gathering in November 2009 -- Readers 'n 'ritas

Cynthia Eden | Let Your Inner Demon Out

"Let your inner demon out"—That’s what Cara Maloan, the heroine from my new Kensington Brava release, MIDNIGHT SINS, would really like to encourage all women to do.

Cara thinks ladies should start living for themselves, doing what they want—and having one heck of a good time.

Something you should probably know…Cara’s a succubus. Yep, she’s an immortal demon who gains power from sneaking into a man’s dreams and stealing his sensual energy. Hey—it’s a job, someone has to do it. :-)

Cara is absolutely one of the most interesting characters I’ve ever had the pleasure of writing. She was fun—definitely fun—but, the lady also had her hang-ups. You see, she’s a sex demon at heart, but Cara wants more than fleeting pleasure from a man. She wants love, and love isn’t something that a succubus usually gets to experience.

Ah, such is the twisted fate of my characters. When I write about my characters, I love to think in terms of opposites for them. Vampires with blood phobias…sex demons who want love…a vampire hunter who finds her perfect lover in—ahem—a vampire. Opposites.

But don’t worry too much about Cara…I gave her a good hero. She just has to get him to love her. And, of course, she has to prove that she’s not guilty of murder. Because someone is killing in the city of Atlanta—and that someone is setting Cara up for the crimes.

Falling in love, proving her innocence, catching a killer…all in a day’s work for my demon.

Now don’t you want to let your demon out? With Black Friday shopping almost upon us, whether you like it or not—she may come out. Especially once you start fighting for those parking places and those sale items…

Happy hunting! And Happy Thanksgiving to those in the U.S.!

Cynthia Eden
http://www.cynthiaeden.com/
MIDNIGHT SINS—Available 11/25/08 from Kensington Brava
Let your inner demon out…

Sara Bennett | Angst or Not

Thanks for inviting me to blog! My name is Sara Bennett and I write historical romance for Avon. I have to confess that I tend to write books that have a lot of angst in them. I try not to. I tell myself that I’ll lighten up, write one of those bubbly, sunny books. But no matter how I try the angst creeps in. Before I know it the hero has suffered some terrible trauma or the heroine is struggling with the memory of a miserable childhood. For some reason my creative voice tends to dwell on the darkside.

My November book is called Her Secret Lover, and is the final in my series of Aphrodite books. Aphrodite is an infamous courtesan living in Victorian London, and she has lots of angst in her life. The first three books (Lessons in Seduction, Rules of Passion and Mistress of Scandal) told the stories of Aphrodite’s three daughters and some of the issues covered are, well, dark. The next book (A Seduction in Scarlet) deals with widowhood, the expectations of others, assassination attempts . . . yes, there are some angsty subjects in this one as well. Now I’m saying goodbye to Aphrodite, but I believe I’ve written a wonderful farewell in Her Secret Lover, a rollercoaster ride of suspicion and mistrust and misunderstandings and, you guessed it, angst.

I’m looking forward to my next series, beginning in June 2009, and I’m going to try for lighthearted. Maybe this time I’ll manage it.

Come and visit me at http://www.sara-bennett.com/ I have contests, updates, and excerpts.

Sara Bennett

Christie Ridgway | Conveniences, Contrivances, and Coincidences

Hi! I’m Christie Ridgway, the author of Unravel Me, a sexy contemporary romance (find info and an excerpt at www.christieridgway.com) and tireless reader of romance novels. I was reading a delicious historical last week and in it the hero and heroine were forced by rain to seek a room at an inn. Guess just how many rooms were available?

You know, right? It was one. Just the one room which forced these two who are battling their attraction into even closer proximity. Sure it was a convenient tool for the author. A contrivance. At best we could say it was a coincidence that the stars of the book just happened upon this particular inn that only had a single room to rent. But I didn’t care! As a lover of romance novels, I understand that every turn of fortune like this serves to make the tension tighter, the characters’ emotions more turbulent, the reader-enjoyment just that much deeper. One room at the inn, I read, and then I smiled to myself and wiggled into my comfy chair, prepared to be entertained by what all that means.

It’s not so different from a football game, I’m realizing (I say this as the um, proud owner of a new big screen TV which apparently is dedicated solely to that sport, according to my husband and two sons). You know one guy is going to throw the ball or another is going to run with it and lots of guys are going to fall down. When you think about it, that’s just as predictable as any convenience, contrivance, or coincidence you read in a romance novel. But it’s the process that makes each game different, the testosterone in my house will tell me. And I get that, because it’s the how our hero and heroine get to their happy ending that is just as interesting to me as the how those two hours of football time play out for the men who share my world.

So I’m no longer shaking my head over the couch time spent by my husband and sons on this year’s football season. I think I’m getting it now. A first down is a first kiss. A tackle is that tango on the dance floor. Fourth and goal is that one room available at the inn. Each moment toward the end line (whether in football or a romance novel) is part of the pleasure of the experience. This Thanksgiving weekend, when the guys are gathered around those 65 flat inches of screen, I’ll be snuggled nearby with my current read, enjoying our parallel (though they would never believe it!) experiences.

And if you need something to read during those long hours of football, I hope you’ll check out Unravel Me. Set in Malibu, California, a lovely widow rebuilds her life and finds romance with the help of a studly younger man. They don’t share a single room at an inn, but they do share some steamy moments in a shower and then move on to discover a deep and satisfying love.

Christie Ridgway
christieridgway.com

Sandi Shilhanek | Trying a New Author

This last Wednesday our book dinner group got together. As always is there any better way to forget the horrors of the day job than by getting together with some of your closest friends to discuss not only the book or author of the night, but also what made the day so horrific.

This time our author of the hour was Linda Howard. Of course who can resist Linda Howard and the chance to visit with her even if it’s over the phone, so we had new members to join our group for dinner. Overall the group tried really hard to be on their best behavior so that the newbies wouldn’t be scared off. I would say that for the most part we were very well behaved, though I can only behave for so long before I just have to blurt something!

O.K. I digress Linda Howard was awesome. How could she not have been? I think it’s really hard to find an author who really appeals to a group as diverse as ours, and if I remember correctly everyone in the group had something they wanted to ask or just tell Linda.

Every time I leave the book dinner I go home inspired to dig through my TBR and see if there’s an unread book by the author who we chatted with. If there is nothing by the author then I have to hit the store and buy the book we discussed.

What inspires you to try a new author or a book by an author you might have read in the past and not been particularly impressed by?

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Sandi