Got Gorn?

A couple years ago at RT, I visited with a horror writer who introduced me to the term "gorn." It was his word for "Gore Porn" -- gratuitous gore that just goes for the gross out and isn't intrinsic to the plot. Sort of like gratuitous sex that doesn't advance the plot or deepen the characters. IMHO, it needs to be cut.

Today, my friend Elisabeth Naughton is talking about how she differentiates between mindless blood and violence and B & V that is important for the story. My blog is now yours, Elisabeth.
_______________________________________________
Thanks so much to Emily for having me here today!

The other night The Saw was on TV. I’m not a fan of gore, so this movie holds no appeal for me. My husband, on the other hand, has watched every Saw movie out there and always wants to “share” what he’s seen when the movie is over. He asked me recently – “Why don’t you want to watch it? I’ve read the stuff you write. Remember, RT called your last book ‘bloody and violent’”. Okay, that’s true. RT did call ENTWINED “bloody and violent” but they also gave it 4 ½ stars so the reviewer obviously didn’t have a problem with the battle scenes in the book. Of course, my husband’s comment got me thinking – what is the difference? Isn’t violence and bloodshed, well, simply violence and bloodshed?

The answer is probably dependent on your personal violence threshold. Yes, there’s a lot of action, suspense, and yeah, quite a bit of bloodshed in my recent Eternal Guardians book, ENTWINED. But it’s not gore for shock-value sake. It serves a purpose, as does every scene in my book. And in the end, readers walk away with an impression of a great love story amidst an ongoing war – NOT the specific violent scenes within the book.

I love movies that have graphic battle scenes – Gladiator, Braveheart, Lord of the Rings, Saving Private Ryan – so long as the characters are fighting for a cause. Violence and gore that holds no purpose – only to show the twisted mind of the villain – isn’t entertainment in my opinion. For me it’s all in how it’s presented and what the characters are after that keeps me riveted to my seat. And that’s not to say I don’t like psychological thrillers. Just a few nights ago we watched an old 90’s movie, The Copycat Killer, with Holly Hunter and Sigorney Weaver. The killer was gruesome and ruthless, and from the psychological aspect, it rivaled The Saw. But the film maker didn’t have to show the gore to get the suspense across to the viewer, and I had no problem re-watching that movie beginning to end.

For me, bloody and violent isn’t a bad thing. It just depends on how that blood and violence is presented. It also depends what else is going on in the story and what I’ll remember when it’s all over. How about you? How do you feel about violence in books and movies? I’ve got a copy of ENTWINED, book 2 in my Eternal Guardians Series to give away to one winner today! And for those of you who didn’t hear, MARKED, book one in the series, is a free book download from Barnes and Noble right now, so pop over and pick up a free copy of this book!

________________________________________
Thanks so much, Elisabeth. And thanks for letting us know about the free read! Here's the link for the free download of MARKED. You don't need a pricey e-reader. This'll work with your computer.

Be sure to leave a comment or question for a chance to win a copy of Elisabeth's ENTWINED!

Rita Finalists!

I'm happy to report that my publisher Dorchester is well represented in this year's crop of Rita contenders. First up is Elisabeth Naughton's STOLEN FURY for Best First Novel and Romantic Suspense!



This title was edited by Leah Hultenschmidt, who's also my fabulous editor.








My fellow Chatelaine, Joy Nash has made it to the finals for her A LITTLE LIGHT MAGIC in the Contemporary Romance category!

Alicia Condon was the editor.






In the Novel with Romantic Elements category we have Gemma Halliday's Scandal Sheet, also edited by Leah.

In the paranormal romance category, Marjorie Liu's THE FIRE KING got a nod. Christ Keeslar is the editor.


















My fellow A CHRISTMAS BALL author, Alissa Johnson was named a Regency Historical finalist. Another Leah Hultenschmidt title!



You can find all these wonderful titles at Dorchester!

I'm off to the NECRWA conference in Framingham, MA. Have a great weekend!

Last Minute Treat!

Elisabeth Naughton's winner is: Amber Leigh Williams! Congrats!

Special Announcement! The winner of my December Contest is Laura E of Biloxi, MS. She'll receive a signed copy of A CHRISTMAS BALL!

A new contest has started on my website www.emilybryan.com in connection with a new FREE online novella called A DUKE FOR ALL SEASONS! Enjoy!

Today, Friday, is my regular posting day on The Chatelaines, so I hope to see you there!

Happy New Year (especially to my readers in Oz who have already popped the cork on the new decade!) Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas season and now are looking forward to 2010. I had a lovely time with family and friends, but today, I have a treat for you! Elisabeth Naughton is here!

Her latest romantic suspense STOLEN SEDUCTION is on sale NOW! I love her fast-paced, intelligent and sensual style and bet you will too. Here's a post from her. Take it away, Elisabeth!

________________________________
Happy New Year!

It’s a total thrilled to be here ringing out 2009 with all of you. Big thanks to Emily for having me here today!

I can’t think of a better way to start 2010 than with a stack of awesome books. I’ll admit, I’ve been a slacker in the reading department lately – between a book deadline, the holidays and the release of STOLEN SEDUCTION, book three in my Stolen Trilogy, I’ve been too busy to read. But now I’m not. Now I’m rewarding myself for all of my hard work with…what else? A trip to the bookstore.

What’s on my to-buy list? I’m a sucker for romantic suspense, so I can’t wait to get my hands on Stephanie Tyler’s Hard To Hold. Larissa Ione has a new release in the end of January that I’m salivating over – Ecstasy Unveiled. There were a BUNCH of Dec. 29th releases (along with my book) that I’m adding to my list: Susan Elizabeth Phillip’s paperback release of What I Did For Love, Cynthia Eden’s, Eternal Hunter, Helen Scott Taylor’s The Phoenix Charm and (Jan 1) Carry Lofty’s Scoundrel’s Kiss. And, of course, I still have my copy of A Christmas Ball I can’t wait to read. Even though Christmas is over, this one will be up first.

How about you? What’s on your to-read list to start off 2010? I’ve got a copy of STOLEN FURY, book one in my Stolen Trilogy, to giveaway to one lucky commenter.

Emily hopping in here: Did you see that? Leave a comment for a chance to win STOLEN FURY! It's a great read.

And in case you’re interested in my new release, here’s a little bit about STOLEN SEDUCTION:

The individual who collects all six statues and deciphers the code locked within will be awarded controlling interest in Roarke Resorts.

YOUR PARTICIPATION IN THIS ENDEAVOR IS A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH.

Hailey Roarke was never interested in her family’s fortune. That’s why she became a cop. But with her father and now her cousin dead, she’s suddenly on the wrong side of a police interrogation. The only way to clear her name is to solve the riddle before the real killer. Without getting killed herself.

Detective Shane Maxwell can’t deny the spark of lust he feels every time Hailey is near. But the woman is clearly hiding something. Trusting his gut—and the heat in her eyes—he joins her on an elaborate global treasure hunt staged by her late father. Caught between a sizzling seduction and a maniacal murderer, for Hailey and Shane the biggest reward of all will be making it out alive.

To read an excerpt go to www.elisabethnaughton.com.

AND…before I forget…I’m hosting a BIG contest on my website through January 15th. Click the widget below to enter for a chance to win $100 Amazon Gift Card!




May all your dreams come true in 2010!!

Back at you, Elisabeth. Thanks so much for seeing the New Year in with us! I can't wait to get the third title in your Stolen series.

Super Stocking Stuffer Sale!

Dorchester is having a super blow-out STOCKING STUFFER SALE!

What happens when an artistic duchess mistakes Her Majesty's spy for her next nude model? He drives her to distraction, of course!

For a limited time, you can buy DISTRACTING THE DUCHESS for only $2.99! This is the book that got a nod from RT BookReviews Reviewers Choice, Bookbuyers Best and CORWA Award of Excellence. I call it 'a Victorian romp' and it's just plain fun!

And here's the best news. The sale includes more than my book! You can also get Christie Craig's DIVORCED DESPERATE AND DELICIOUS, Angie Fox's THE ACCIDENTAL DEMON SLAYER, Alissa Johnson's TEMPTING FATE, A TASTE OF MAGIC from Tracy Madison, TEKGIRL by AJ Menden, Elisabeth Naughton's STOLEN FURY, Helen Scott Taylor's THE MAGIC KNOT, and BETWEEN LIGHT AND DARK by Elissa Wilds!

Don't you just love a bargain? Shop from home and pay less than 1/2 the cover price! (Even the Anti-Shopper can get behind this deal!) Be sure to order by December 16th to ensure Christmas delivery.

Ho, ho, ho!

PS. Today I'm at THE BOOK OASIS, 311 Main ST, Stoneham, MA signing all my titles. 10:30am-12:30pm. Of course, there'll be chocolate! If you're not in New England and your heart is set on a signed copy, THE BOOK OASIS can hook you up at 10% off. They ship anywhere!

SkyKeepers is a Keeper!

Today I'm guest blogging at Elisabeth Naughton's Blog and giving away a copy of VEXING THE VISCOUNT to someone who leaves a comment at Elisabeth's. But I wanted to share a little here about my friend Jessica Andersen's new release, SKYKEEPERS.

Have you seen Jessica Andersen's Nightkeeper series?

It's one of the freshest paranormal ideas I've read in a long time. She's taken the Mayan calendar and an ancient doomsday prophecy and come up with a race of beings who alone are capable of beating back the Mayan demons and saving the world. Jessica's stories are sexy, adventurous and magical! She has a new release in the series called SKYKEEPERS. I think you'll love it. Check it out!

Back Cover Blurb:

Ancient prophecy holds that 12/21/2012 will bring a global cataclysm. Mankind’s only hope lies with the Nightkeepers, modern magic-wielding warriors who must find their destined mates and fulfill the legends to defeat the rise of terrible Mayan demons.

In Skykeepers, Michael Stone is a man with a dark secret that has skewed his magical abilities dangerously toward the underworld. Seeking redemption, he sets out on a perilous mission to save the daughter of Ambrose Ledbetter, a renowned Mayanist who died before he could reveal the location of a hidden library. The Nightkeepers must find the library before their enemies gain access to its valuable cache of spells and prophecies.

Sasha Ledbetter grew up hearing heroic tales of an ancient group of powerful magi who were destined to save the world from destruction. She never expected that her bedtime stories would come to life in the form of Nightkeeper Michael Stone, or that she’d hold the key to the warrior’s survival. As Sasha and Michael join forces to prevent the imminent battle, sparks of attraction ignite between them, and they’re forced to confront the unexpected passion that brings them together … and also tears them apart.

And here's an excerpt!

He’d thought he’d steeled himself for the familiar kick of attraction, the lust that hadn’t faded with their becoming lovers. But need hit him hard the moment he saw her stretched on her tiptoes to return a bowl to a high shelf, her midriff-cropped tee riding up, yoga pants riding down, the two exposing a strip of her taut, strong abdomen, with the soft lines of muscle on either side of her navel, where a trio of freckles drew his eye.

She turned slowly, and when she met his eyes, he saw a reflection of the burning heat that churned in his gut. “Well?” she said softly.

His body moved almost without conscious volition around the pass-through and into the kitchen, where he stopped close enough to catch her light scent over the cooking smells, close enough to distinguish the heat of her body from that of the stove. “What’s cooking?”

She handed over the mug she’d been sipping from. “It’s something I’ve been playing with.”

He knew she had magic in the kitchen, knew she wielded flavors with the deftness of a trained chef and the inspiration of a mage, but still he was unprepared for what hit his taste buds the moment he took a sip. Sensations exploded across his neurons in a blaze of heat, texture, and taste that had him sucking in a breath. There was chocolate, yes, but it was more savory than sweet, taken away from the realm of dessert by a mix of peppers and salt, and things he wouldn’t even begin to match with chocolate, but that somehow matched perfectly. He sucked in a breath. “Holy crap.” Took another sip and rolled it around in his mouth, closing his eyes briefly as the flavors changed subtly, the peppers mellowing to something else. “Nice,” he said, and this time his tone was one of reverence. “Very nice.”

“That,” she said with evident satisfaction, “was exactly what I was going for.”

Eyes still closed, he felt her trying to take the mug back, and tightened his fingers on it. “Leave it,” he said. “I’m at your mercy. Anything you want. Just ask.”

He’d said it partly in play, but also because he remembered what she’d told him back in the beginning, on her first day at Skywatch. I cook when I’m happy or sad, when I’m celebrating with friends or all alone with my thoughts. Which of those things applied now?

He felt the air shift, felt her indrawn breath as his own, but instead of “we need to talk” or any of the female warning signs experience had taught him to expect, she surprised him by leaning in and touching her lips to his.

The kiss was as unexpected as the hint of pepper and spice he tasted amidst the chocolate on her lips, in her mouth. Setting aside his mug, he deepened the kiss, relieved to let it be easy even though a small part of him said it shouldn’t be so easy, that he was skimming the surface of something he needed to be diving into. But then she shifted her hands, sliding them up his chest to link behind his neck and tug him closer, pressing her body to his, and the vibe went true, singing inside his skull with the warm sparkle of red-gold magic.

“Come back to bed,” he said against her mouth. “We’ve got a few more hours to burn.”

***

Here's what reviewers are saying about SKYKEEPERS:

“… intricate and compelling … I can hear their voices, feel their thoughts, and yes, music plays. Seriously, there is a soundtrack going on in my mind and I see her world in Technicolor.” Romance Novel TV

“An exciting, romantic and imaginative tale … guaranteed to keep readers entertained
and turning the pages.” Romance Reviews Today

“… a compelling and passionate lovestory.” (4 1/2 stars) Romantic Times Magazine

Check out the video trailer. Then I urge you to head for the nearest bookstore and pick up a copy of SKYKEEPERS! You'll thank me.

FMI, check out www.JessicaAndersen.com. Her website is a fantastic peek inside her richly imagined world.

Odds and Ends Friday

Well, as you've probably guessed, the Prize Patrol did not surprise me yesterday. No, I'm not despairing, whatever this pic of the mythical Ariadne might suggest. It's just as well. I've heard most of the folks who win the lottery or otherwise experience such a windfall are usually bankrupt within five years. (Still would have liked a chance to beat the odds!)

Lots of readers were interested in my Agent Dance post this week. I happened upon this listing of agents compiled by Publisher's Weekly and thought it might be worth re-posting here.

Top Ten Romance/Women's Fiction Agents:

1. Roberta Brown
2. Kimberly Whalen
3. Laura Bradford
4. Jennifer Schober
5. Kevan Lyon
6. Natasha Kern
7. Pamela Harty
8. Emily Sylvan Kim
9. Deidre Knight
10. Karen Solem

I'm delighted to see my agent, Natasha Kern, in that number. If you're wondering where to begin looking for an agent, a list compiled by Publishers Weekly is not a bad place to start.

Yesterday, I received notice from Dorchester that they'd sold the foreign rights to my Irish lovestory, ERINSONG, to a Spanish publisher! So far, my work has been translated into German, Dutch, Italian, Russian and now Spanish! Very exciting!

I've been doing some housecleaning. No, not in my condo. On my website. I'm really quite a minimalist when it comes to decorating, but my website gets cluttered as I find new things I want to include. Every now and then, I have to take it down and clear away the excess. And I'm tickled to share that I finally have a fancy drop down menu navigation bar instead of using a system that seemed to swell and crowd the page. Check it out and let me know what you think. Like my current WIP, my website is always under construction! And as long as you're there, please be sure to enter my Christmas in August Contest!

Today, I'm doing a bit of cyber-trotting. I'm at The Chatelaines for my usual Friday post on that group blog. If you haven't ever visited me there, the hysterical banner alone is worth the trip! I'm blogging about my inspiration for my current WIP STROKE OF GENIUS.

And tomorrow, I'll be at Elisabeth Naughton's Blog where I'll be giving away a VEXING THE VISCOUNT to one lucky commenter. So please mark your calendars and spend a little of your precious Saturday with me.

Have a lovely day! Be kind to yourself. You deserve it.

What are you planning for your weekend?

Playing Santa!

I've been priviledged to have 3 lovely guests this past week and today I get to announce the winners for their give-aways.

A week ago Monday, romantic suspense author Elisabeth Naughton was here, talking about her latest release, STOLEN HEAT. Elisabeth has received glowing reviews for her work from the bible of the industry, Publishers Weekly! The winner for that day is MARY from San Benito, TX. Congrats!



Then on last Thursday, debut author and my WisRWA Chapter mate Ilona Fridl visited to share the news about her 1920's set SILVER SCREEN HEROES. Gangsters and bootleg hooch and silent movies, oh my! Ilona's winner is CHEEKY GIRL!





And last but definitely not least, yesterday Caroline Fyffe dropped by to share some booksigning tips and introduce us to her WHERE THE WIND BLOWS, a sort of "Lonesome Dove meets Little House on the Prairer" story. (Caroline, I have no idea why blogger turns your cover blue. For those of you looking for it in the bookstore, the book is actually more in tones of fall.) The winner of Caroline's book is HEATHER D from Georgia!



Giving away things is so delightful, I can't stop here! Please pop over to my website and enter my CHRISTMAS IN AUGUST contest. It's free. It's easy. And it's fun. The winner (who will be announced Sept 1st) will win his/her choice from my backlist. (As a side note: I got into trouble the other day when I said if there was anyone out there who'd read everything I'd written besides my mother, I'd do a backflip. My beta reader Marcy sent me an email demanding pics of the flip! I think I appeased her with a promised peek at the new WIP.) Anyway, please pop over and enter!

And here's my question for the day: Times are tough and authors and publishers are looking for ways to reward faithful readers. Several publishers are starting to give away e-versions of a title from an author's backlist prior to a new release. Is this something that interests you? Would it make you more likely to try a new author? To buy their new release? What do you think?

Stolen ... Readers' Hearts!

I read Elisabeth Naughton's STOLEN FURY back when it first came out. What a treat! This smart, sexy book has everything--an archaeological treasure, a kick-butt heroine with a PhD, a totally hot thief she's forced to team up with (oh, darn!), and a fast-paced adventure. Looks like Publisher's Weekly agrees with me. Here's what they had to say:

"A rock-solid debut...Naughton's intelligent adventure plot is intensified by the blazing heat that builds from Lisa and Rafe's first erotic encounter."
--Publisher's Weekly

Now Elisabeth has a new title out--STOLEN HEAT--and she's here today to talk about it with us. As usual when I have a guest, my words are in BOLD and my guest is speaking italics. or regular text. Take it away, Elisabeth!

Big thanks to Emily for having me here today!

I thought it might be fun to talk about reunion stories, since my current release STOLEN HEAT, is just that. For those of you who haven’t heard about the book, here’s a short blurb:

Antiquities dealer Peter Kauffman walked a fine line between clean and corrupt for years. And then he met the woman who changed his life—Egyptologist Katherine Meyer. Their love affair burned white-hot in Egypt, until the day Pete’s lies and half-truths caught up with him. After that, their relationship imploded, Kat walked out, and before Pete could find her to make things right, he heard she’d died in a car bomb.

Six years later, the woman Pete thought he’d lost for good is suddenly back. The lies this time aren’t just his, though. The only way he and Kat will find the truth and evade a killer out for revenge is to work together—as long as they don’t find themselves burned by the heat each thought was stolen long ago…

I’ll admit it, I’m a sucker for reunion stories. I love the nuances, the chance to make something right, the knowledge that nothing in this life is static, especially love. Of course, reading a reunion story and writing one are two very different things, and as I learned through the course of writing STOLEN HEAT, a reunion story is one of the toughest stories one can write.

Why? Because the writer not only has to explain what’s happening now – the plot, the characters, the emotions – he/she also has to explain what happened then. And how what happened in the past impacts what happens now.

STOLEN HEAT was no exception. The present day suspense plot in this book is deeply rooted in what happened between Pete and Kat in the past, and it took me several tries to get this book right. Those “tries” also included one very long call with my agent where she said, “This isn’t working,” and a whole lot of eyebrow pulling on my part. But the end result is something I’m very proud of. And I’m thrilled to know readers are falling in love with Pete and Kat the way I did.

After I finished STOLEN HEAT, I swore I’d never write another reunion story. That lasted, um…two books. I’m now working on another one, though in many ways this one is very different. But at the core is the same second chance at love you find in STOLEN HEAT. Of course, I’m already losing eyebrows, and in a few weeks I may be asking myself, “What on earth were you thinking?” But I know when this book is done, I’ll feel the same thing I did when I finished STOLEN HEAT. That it was worth it. That reminding readers second chances DO happen is important. That we all would benefit by remembering the loss of love is never final.

How about you? Do you like reunion stories? Any stand out in your mind as real keepers?

In honor of the release of STOLEN HEAT, I’m giving away a book! One lucky commenter will have their choice of either STOLEN HEAT (book 2 in the Stolen Trilogy) or STOLEN FURY (book 1, which released in Jan 2009)

(Emily hopping in for a moment here.) Did you catch that? Everyone who leaves a comment is in the running for one of Elisabeth Naughton's terrific books!So let us know you're here!
***
Bio:
A previous junior-high science teacher, Elisabeth Naughton now writes sexy romantic suspense and paranormal novels full time from her home in western Oregon where she lives with her husband and three children. Her debut release, Stolen Fury, was a 2007 Golden Heart Finalist and has been heralded by Publisher's Weekly as "A rock-solid debut." When not writing, Elisabeth can be found running, hanging out at the ball park or dreaming up new and exciting adventures.

Visit the author’s website at www.elisabethnaughton.com!

To enter her “Big” STOLEN HEAT Release Contest for a chance to win $100 VISA gift card and other daily prizes, go to Stolen Heat Contest

Thanks for coming by, Elisabeth. Ok, everybody! Leave those comments and questions for a chance to win STOLEN HEAT or STOLEN FURY!