Do You Believe In Magick?

Please welcome my critique partner, Ashlyn Chase, today. Finding a writing buddy is a real blessing for a writer. It's hard to overestimate the value of a fresh pair of eyes on your newly formed work. I've been asked if it's important to find someone who writes in the same genre, shares the same outlook you do. I don't think so necessarily. Ash and I have some striking differences. She's a Wiccan and I'm a Christian. She writes funny contemporary paranormal and I write historicals. She's a life-long New Englander and I've bounced around the country from one coast to the other. But we're both passionate about the craft of writing and determined to help each other hone our skills.

Writing is such a solitary occupation. Finding a critique partner means finding a friend who cares enough to tell you the truth. Priceless!

Ok, Ash, my blog is now yours.
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Witch meant “wise woman” to our Pagan ancestors, as it does to me. I cannot think of any more appropriate term. Laurie Cabot (the official witch of Salem, MA) warned, “Do not teach this craft to fools.” I don’t think I hear that quite enough. There is great power, thus great responsibility, at our wand-tips. Those who are governed by knee-jerk reactions or vindictiveness have no business wielding magic as a weapon. For those who fear modern day Wicca, know that the number one fundamental lesson we are taught is “Harm none.”

A craft is something creative. It’s also something we practice. Authors create and practice their craft each time they write a story—Wiccans may draw a magic circle and put an intention out to the universe as part of practicing their craft. Because I wish to be a wise-woman, I never told a certain ex-friend that I was involved with the craft. She had a hair trigger temper and revenge was something she thought was good to get. Right after Hollywood released, “The Craft” she asked me if I knew where she could learn witchcraft. I told her she should probably realize that Hollywood wasn’t real. I went on to mention that Witches today were more like a bunch of earthy, peace-loving hippies. She quickly lost interest.

In my recent release Strange Neighbors, not only do I have a ghost haunting the apartment building, but an array of paranormal characters who live there. Among them are shapeshifters of various types, a vampire, and two witches who are roommates. The elder is teaching her sometimes foolish younger cousin the craft with an emphasis on responsibility. I had great fun with these characters. So much fun in fact that although they show up in each book, the third and final book in the series features the witches prominently.

Having just finished writing that manuscript, I had to say a bittersweet goodbye to these characters. Meanwhile, I’m delighted to share the fruits of my labors with the world. Book 1 Strange Neighbors is available now; Book 2 The Werewolf Upstairs is coming Feb 2011. And I hope to be talking up book 3 The Vampire Next Door at about this time next year. I’m delighted with my adorable book covers, and hope you like them too.

I’ll be signing Strange Neighbors at the New Jersey Romance Writers conference 10/23—just in time for Halloween. If you can’t make it to that but would like a signed bookplate (or 3) just let me know. I’ll be happy to mail them to you, your book club or bookstore customers. You can contact me via my website.
http://www.ashlynchase.com/
Buy it here!

When all-star pitcher and shapeshifter Jason Falco buys a small apartment building, he sees it not only as an investment but as a place to escape the demands of Major league baseball.
That is, until he meets his tenants—a sarcastic unemployed vigilante vampire; a wereraven with a morbid sense of humor; a super friendly salesman werewolf; and two witches with an owl familiar who work as phone sex actresses. Not to mention a ghost haunting the place and an all too human nurse he’d like to get to know better. But with all the hooting, howling and hollering going on, how’s an all American shapeshifter supposed to sweep a girl off her feet?

Thanks for sharing today, Ashlyn. As you all know I don't do reviews, but I will give recommendations. After living with this story since its infancy, I can heartily recommend STRANGE NEIGHBORS. Ash has filled her world (and her hero's brownstone!)with hysterical characters you're going to love.

If you have questions for Ashlyn, be sure to leave a comment. She's giving away a copy of STRANGE NEIGHBORS to one lucky commenter today!

The Naughty List from Susan Fox

Please welcome my friend Susan Fox to the blog today. We first met at RT a few years ago and hit if off right away. Now as it turns out, we're both writing for the same publisher--Kensington Brava.

Susan Fox, who also writes as Susan Lyons, is the award-winning author of sexy contemporary romance that’s passionate, heartwarming, and fun. She is published by Kensington Brava, Kensington Aphrodisia, Berkley Heat, Harlequin Spice Briefs, and The Wild Rose Press. A resident of both Vancouver and Victoria, B.C., Susan has degrees in law and psychology but would far rather be writing fiction than living in the real world. You can find more information about Susan and her books at http://www.susanlyons.ca./ Susan is also on Facebook.

I know you're going to love her. Take it away, Susan.
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Thanks, Emily, for inviting me to visit. Isn’t it interesting, all the things that have happened in our writing careers since we both participated in that panel at the 2007 RT Booklovers Convention?

Today I’d like to talk about Eat, Pray, Love, because a girlfriend and I just went to the movie. I’d already read the book and enjoyed both. As an author, I have to wonder, when Elizabeth Gilbert wrote that book, whether she had the slightest clue how popular it would become. Personally, I doubt it.

After all, it’s not exactly an earthshaking book. A woman of a certain age realizes that she’s got some relationship problems, and she needs to figure out who she is and what she wants out of life—as an individual, not as part of a couple. How to find the answers? Take a year off and spend four months each in Italy, India, and Indonesia.

Why does this resonate with so many readers, particularly women? Because we have all, whatever our age, reached a point in our lives when certain aspects of our life don’t make a whole lot of sense any more. Maybe it’s a divorce, illness, a job loss, or even good stuff like a lottery win or new job. Something that triggers the realization, “I don’t really know who I am any more, or what’s important to me. And I really need to know.”

Or maybe the resonance is simply because we’d all love to have the wherewithal to explore the world for a year, discovering our own gusto, passion, and spirituality—not to mention, hooking up with a hot Brazilian!

Personally, I love the “finding yourself” theme. It’s at the core of all the stories I write. Of course that theme plays out in different ways in each story. The “finding” may be about how to respect your family but be independent, or how to balance career and personal life; it may be about regaining confidence after a break-up or looking at your opposite sex best friend in a whole different way.

Or it may, as in my October release, “Tattoos and Mistletoe” in the Brava holiday anthology The Naughty List, be about coming to terms with your past in order to move into a bright new future.

Why would you ever want to go home again, when the town treated you like trash? Yet Charlie Coltrane has to return to Whistler this Christmas and supervise renovations on her aunt’s B&B if she’s to inherit the money to open her own tattoo parlor in Toronto. What a surprise that the contractor in charge of the renos is LJ Jacoby, high school geek transformed into the town’s hottest bachelor. LJ’s about to teach Charlie that sometimes you have to confront your past to find your future—and that Christmas really can be the most romantic time of the year.

In Eat, Pray, Love, Elizabeth Gilbert had some hard truths to face and lessons to learn. So does Charlie Coltrane in “Tattoos and Mistletoe.” But that’s the thing about finding yourself: rarely does it come easily. But life is, or should be, about growth. We can all be better people and live fuller lives if we confront our own demons. And as the old expression says, “no pain, no gain.”

Books and movies can inspire us to find the courage to begin our own personal journeys. How many women have found strength to make hard decisions of their own after reading or seeing Eat, Pray, Love? Lots, I bet. And I hope some will after reading “Tattoos and Mistletoe” as well. Not, of course, that everyone has to get all angsty because, after all, Eat, Pray, Love and “Tattoos and Mistletoe” are first and foremost about entertainment. But it’s always very cool, as an author, to know that your story and characters have truly resonated with a reader and perhaps helped them in their own lives.

Today, I’d like to know your “finding yourself” stories. Do you have personal examples, or favorite books or movies on this theme that really touched your heart? Or is there another theme in romance novels and movies that really, really gets to you?

Emily popping in here: Be sure to leave a comment because Susan is giving away an autographed copy of The Naughty List to one lucky commenter!

The Naughty List (containing Susan’s “Tattoos and Mistletoe” plus novellas by Donna Kauffman and Cynthia Eden) releases tomorrow, September 28. Here are some purchase links:
Amazon
Borders
Barnes and Noble
BooksAMillion

A Duke for All Seasons~Chapter 7

Since January, I've had what I like to think of as a "play project" on my website. It's my free online novella A DUKE FOR ALL SEASONS. I went into this with a completely blank slate, thinking I'd add a chapter a month after input from readers about where the story should go.

I apologize for failing to add a new chapter in the month of July. I plead travel to visit family and working like a fiend to finish my current WIP. Guess my contractual obligations come first, but I take my promises to readers seriously too.

Readers have been giving me great suggestions for this story. I like the way Sebastian and Arabella are shaping up and I'm beginning to see a possible resolution for them in a few more chapters (I'm thinking there will be 11 or 12 in all.) Here's a link for the newest chapter.

There's a contest attached to the novella. If you make a plot suggestion, you're entered in the monthly drawing for a copy of STROKE OF GENIUS.

When I started the novella, my motivation was to give back to my current readers and offer new ones a chance to try my work without digging into their wallets. Since then, the value to me has been in the fascinating and sometimes very detailed suggestions from my readers. I always say a book is a conversation between the author and the reader. This is my chance to listen and I love it.

You've probably noticed that there is a cool new little gizmo at the bottom of this post. It allows you to post a link to this blog on your blog/facebook/twitter/ etc, or to send an email to a friend. I'd really appreciate it if you share that link with someone who enjoys reading romance. The more the merrier!

If you've been following the adventures of Sebastian and Bella, here's your chance to share what you think. Do you think "the Ice Duke" will ever thaw? How will Bella escape Fernand's control? Did you share the link with a friend?
Hope you enjoy A DUKE FOR ALL SEASONS.

Christmas Plunder Down Under

If you follow my blog, you're already familiar with The Eclectic Reader . Teddy-ree sent me the pic of this delightful little reading circle when VEXING THE VISCOUNT came out. And she was instrumental in organizing (dare I say it?)Emily Bryan Week (even now that sounds so weird to my Midwestern ears!) a few months back at THE ROYAL REVIEWS, a terrific group Aussie blog.

And now, Teddy's helping me get the word out again by hosting Jennifer Ashley, Alissa Johnson and me at The Eclectic Reader . We're talking Christmas recipes in honor of our upcoming A CHRISTMAS BALL, so please come share your favorite holiday goodie! We're giving away books to 2 lucky commenters, of course.

ttys,
Emily





RSVP at your favorite bookseller!

Day 6 ~ How do you celebrate Christmas?

USA Today Bestseller Jennifer Ashley, Alissa Johnson and I are guest blogging at FreshFiction today.



We're talking about celebrating Christmas in honor of our upcoming release A CHRISTMAS BALL! Ok, I know it's early and you're not in the holiday mood, but if you pop over and leave a comment, I'll share a cup of cyber-wassail with you. And you'll have 3 chances to win a title from our backlists!

Not a bad way to stuff your own stocking!

Jingling all the way,
Emily

12 Days of A CHRISTMAS BALL!

This is it! The first stop in a 12 day blog tour celebrating the Sept 29th release of A CHRISTMAS BALL! Each day, USA TODAY Best seller Jennifer Ashley, Alissa Johnson and I will be be giving away goodies to people who leave a comment and sharing the inside scoop on our three very different stories set at the same glittering ball.

Hope you're up for a cyber-jaunt! Start by clicking over to www.RomanceBuyTheBook.com today. We're talking about heroes and if you follow my blog, you've already heard a little about Ian Michael MacGregor, the head groom who loves the heroine in My Lady Below Stairs. But you haven't met Jennifer and Alissa's heroes, and I promise you won't be disappointed!


So let's roll. And be sure to check back here each day for the new location of the tour, so you won't miss a moment!

ttys,
Emily

PS. If you usually buy your books at an independent bookseller, would you mind doing me a favor? Would you please ask if they intend to stock A CHRISTMAS BALL (ISBN: 978-0-8439-6250-5)? Also, if you use your local library for your reading, please visit my "Free Books" page for all the info you'll need to request that they stock my books! Thanks!

"Libraries will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no libraries." ~ Henry David Thoreau

Why Historical Romance is Hot

My 50day/50blog VEXING THE VISCOUNT Tour moves to Cheryl's Book Nook today. I'm talking about why I love historical romance. Come share your favorites and maybe we'll get a little rumble going if some of you prefer another subgenre. I'm giving away a VEXING THE VISCOUNT to someone who leaves a comment or question.

TTYS,
Emily

Have you had your sex talk?

That's right. Today at Book Reviews by Bobbie, we're talking about S-E-X! In fiction, of course! I'm sharing my literary "first time."






Come on over and leave a comment or question for a chance to win a VEXING THE VISCOUNT!

PS. Today I'm giving you a "two-fer!" I'll also be on Rowena Cherry's Crazy Tuesday from 10AM to noon EST. I'll be joined by Rowena of course, along with Sara Taney Humphreys, Lillian Cauldwell, Kellyann Zuzulo, Brenna Lyons and Mark Terrence Chapman. And we're talking about heroes! Everybody needs one.

TTYS,
Emily

PPS. 2PM Update If you visit Rowena Cherry's Crazy Tuesday you can listen to a recording of our radio broadcast. I read an excerpt from VEXING THE VISCOUNT and you'll learn some fascinating things about the other authors who were with me on the program. A very creative bunch!

Homocidal Saturday

I'm visiting with the gals over at KillerFiction today. I'll be giving away another copy of VEXING THE VISCOUNT to someone who leaves a comment or question.


We're talking about killing the editor. Hope to see you there. I could use more partners in crime!

RT Reviewers Choice Award!

I'm thrilled to share that DISTRACTING THE DUCHESS has been nominated for an RT REVIEWERS CHOICE AWARD! My hero, Trevelyn Deveridge, was tapped for a BEST K.I.S.S. (Knight in Shining Silver) AWARD. The winner will be announced at the RT Convention in Orlando this April, but I'm tickled to pieces even to be nominated! If the RITAs are romance's Oscars, RT REVIEWERS CHOICE is the equivalent of an Emmy.


My 50day/50blog VEXING THE VISCOUNT Tour rolls on today with another chance to win a VEXING THE VISCOUNT. I'll be at www.jkcoi.blogspot.com talking about 4 methods for writing a novel. Hope to see you there!

Fashion--A Woman's Weapon of Choice!

Today I'll be at TheRomance Studio talking about Daisy Drake's use of fashion to gently deceive Lucian Beaumont, our hero in VEXING THE VISCOUNT, into letting her help him find the Roman treasure he seeks. And you've guessed it! It's all about . . . the SHOES!

Come on over and leave a comment or question. You'll be entered in a daily drawing to win a signed copy of VEXING THE VISCOUNT!

PS. Yesterday's winner at WildOnBooks was . . . MARIE! Please contact me through www.emilybryan.com with your mailing info!

Characters in the Round

Happy Sunday! Since there's no football game, you have plenty of time to join my 50day/50blog VEXING THE VISCOUNT tour at www.authorsandbooks.blogspot.com!

AuthorsAndBooks is a terrific group blog that I happen to belong to, so please be sure to bookmark the site. Today, I'm talking about making my characters more real using a web of connectedness with other characters. Oh! and I'm giving a shout out to my sister Cindy today. It's her birthday, so I've done the sisterly thing and embarrassed her on the web!

As usual, I'm giving away a free copy of VEXING THE VISCOUNT someone who leaves a comment or question. So please pop on over to www.authorsandbooks.blogspot.com!

TTYS,
Em

Reading is so much fun!

Daisy Drake, our heroine in VEXING THE VISCOUNT, is seen here reading Mlle. Blanche La Tour's very explicit memoirs of her life as a courtesan. Take it from Daisy. Reading Is So Much Fun!

Today my 50day/50blog VEXING THE VISCOUNT tour is visiting www.ReadingIsSoMuchFun.blogspot.com! I need your help casting my virtual VISCOUNT movie and you'll score another chance to win a VISCOUNT of your own when you leave a comment or question. Hope to see you there!

The Joys of Cyber-Space

It allows me to be in two places at once today. First PLEASURING THE PIRATE is being featured on http://www.DearReader.com this week. If you haven't signed up for this free, fun service, I urge you to try it out. Each week you'll received snippets from a new book, enough to know if you'd like to read more and a chance to visit with the author on their forum. http://www.supportlibrary.com/fm/shelf_main.cfm?win1=FORUMRESPONSE&CFID=81341642&CFTOKEN=66340491 I'll be here to answer questions today and tomorrow. I don't expect I'll have internet access in the hospital the rest of the week, so if you'd like to comment today or Tuesday, that would be grand!

Also, if you'd like a chance to find a Pirate in your stocking, visit http://www.authorsandbooks.blogspot.com today, Dec 8th. I'll be giving away a copy of PLEASURING THE PIRATE to one lucky commenter. So come on over and join the fun!

Have a great day!
Diana (Emily)
http://www.emilybryan.com

TALK LIKE A PIRATE DAY!

Did you know today is International Talk Like a Pirate Day? As you might imagine, I've been celebrating early since PLEASURING THE PIRATE was released last month.The PIRATE COVE on my website is chock full of pirate pick-up lines, pirate booty, and a totally fun pirate name contest in honor of TALK LIKE A PIRATE DAY!

Nip over smartly and join the party. Shiver me timbers, it's all in good fun!

Cyber-hugs,
Emily
http://www.emilybryan.com/