Post-Blog Tour Update!

My publisher DORCHESTER is teaming up with Dear Author to offer a special discount on VEXING THE VISCOUNT and several other exciting favorites! Visit Dear Author for all the details!

There have been a few changes in my blog schedule for the next few days. Here's where I'll be in cyber-space:

Sunday March 8th: Unusual Historicals If you're always looking for non-Regency romances, here's a chance to hook up with some terrific options.

Monday March 9-13th: BookTalk with J & J Books, interviews and contests in one convenient place!

Thursday March 12th: LoveIsAnExplodingCigar How Freudian is that!

In real life, I'll be heading for Seattle on Monday to speak at Eastside RWA! This is a literary homecoming for me. Eastside is where I really got my start. This upbeat, craft-oriented group set my feet on the path to publication and I owe them big-time! I'll get to spend time with my e-critique partner and attend my old critique group as well. I love these writers and time spent around their kitchen tables as we read our current WIP and sipped madeira is one of my favorite writing memories.

I'll be taking my laptop, so I'll be sure to stay in touch!

Two-fer

Today I'm beside myself. Yep, blogging in two places at once. Well, sort of. One post is at Much Cheaper Than Therapy--a fun romance blog and there's an opportunity to win a copy of VEXING THE VISCOUNT over there if you leave a comment or question.



The other is at The Chatelaines--the group blog I share with a terrific circle of historical writers. I'm using that post as a chance to talk about some things that are important to me and about what the definition of masculine really is. (Along with sharing a bit of Friday eye-candy!:))

Hope to see you both places!

Why Am I Blue?

When I was first diagnosed with colon cancer last November, I was a little embarrassed. This is not a trendy cancer. I can't remember ever hearing about colon-cancer walk-a-thons. I was afraid to ask if there was an 'awareness' ribbon (think what color it might be!) Imagine my relief when I found out it was this lovely blue!

But like all cancers, it's a serious problem and one everyone needs to learn more about. Here's why ...

1. Colorectal cancer is the #2 cause of death in the U.S.

2. This year in the United States, colorectal cancer will kill as many people as breast cancer and AIDS combined.

3. Over 150,000 Americans will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer each year.

4. Colorectal cancer often has no symptom at all until it’s at an advanced stage.

5. Colorectal cancer is 90% preventable when detected early.

6. You can reduce your risk through regular screening.

7. Beginning at age 50 (or earlier if you have a family history), everyone should be screened for colorectal cancer.

Tomorrow is WHY AM I BLUE DAY. Please wear blue to help raise awareness for colon cancer. Today, I'm blogging over at RomanceBuyTheBook with Michelle Buonfiglio about the importance of colon cancer screenings. Michelle lost her father to the disease and her mother, and several brothers have all battled it. But don't go over expecting gloom and doom. Michelle knows how to have fun with any subject so prepare for some irreverent bum jokes!

Bottoms up!

New Christmas Anthology

My editor just sent me this jpg of the cover of our totally fun holiday anthology! USA Today BestSeller Jennifer Ashley and Alissa Johnson join me for a fabulous Christmas ball. All our characters are attending Lord and Lady Hartwell's annual fete. Everyone who is anyone will be there--and YOU are invited too! If you'd like a sneak peek, I just posted the first chapter of my novella My Lady Below Stairs at www.emilybryan.com

LUST IN TIME!

Did you miss out on my 50day/50blog VEXING THE VISCOUNT Tour? Despair not! Today I'm giving an encore performance over at Lust In Time!


Pam and I had a lovely visit about VEXING THE VISCOUNT, the Romantic Times Reviewers Choice award that DISTRACTING THE DUCHESS is up for, and writing in general. As always, I'll be popping in to answer questions, so be sure to leave me a note letting me know you dropped by.

BECAUSE . . . one lucky commenter at Lust In Time will win a signed copy of VEXING THE VISCOUNT!

TTYS,
Emily

Meeting a New Hero . . .

I normally don't have an actual picture for my heroes as I write them, but this shot of a young Colin Firth was so like the image of the newest hero that had blossomed in my mind, I thought I'd share it with you. This pic captures the essence of Greydon Quinn. (I'm using one of the names entered by a reader in my PLEASURING THE PIRATE Name contest last October. And yes, I wrote and got her permission first!)

Quinn is a typical Regency hero--a hopeless romantic, charming enough to be a bit of a rake, and a rugged man of action when the occasion calls for it. He has just one tiny flaw. He's a little . . . dead.

Your eyes are fine. You read me correctly. Greydon Quinn is a ghost.

How he became one, and more importantly, what he intends to do about it, are the main plot threads in the new story I'm playing with. I thought I'd invite you along for the ride as I "flesh out" (pardon the ghost pun!) this proposal.

So far, I've tinkered with Quinn's backstory, figuring out what led him to his current predicament, and started writing my first chapter. It's a way for me to explore Quinn's special circumstances before I lay out how my story will proceed.

Music sets a mood for me. I've chosen the music I'll write this story to. It's Rachmaninoff's 3rd Piano Concerto. It was popularized a few years ago in SHINE, a fascinating movie starring Geoffrey Rush (Captain Barbossa for you PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN fans.) I love this piece because it has alternating episodes of melancholy and lightning wit, just the kind of wide swings of mood I need as a backdrop. If you're interested in hearing a bit of it, pop over to my MySpace page. I've set this up as my profile music. Please "friend" me while you're there!

I'll keep you posted on my progress with Quinn!

If you're an aspiring writer, you might want to get a jump on my process. Visit www.emilybryan.com and click on my WRITE STUFF link. There are several pages of material just for YOU!

Looking for adventure?

Daisy Drake, my heroine in VEXING THE VISCOUNT, is dying for an adventure. Lucian's treasure hunt sounds like just the thing! But why should Daisy and Lucian have all the fun? If adventure and romantic treasure is on your "Gotta Have!" list, here's your jumping off point.

NightOwl Romance put together a totally fun Web Hunt, teaming up with a terrific slate of 14 authors (and they were nice enough to include me!). 4 lucky winners are going to walk off with a whole treasure chest of goodies. Check out the prizes and learn how to enter at http://www.nightowlromance.com/nightowlromance/2009webhuntmarch.asp

Enjoy!