Do You Dig Digital?

No I’m not talking television – I know why I love my ereader. And it’s not just because it’s pink ... boy do I love it! It’s my own little special friend. I love having it tucked inside my handbag (great for waiting around at school run!)

I love the instant access of downloading. That I have a bevy of books to choose from. I’m chuffed by the increasingly great selection of ebooks now available too.

It also gives me great joy to tidy up my cyber book shelves – yes I am a collection-a-holic! I like having my cyber files in good order (OCD – maybe?)

So I just wondered what others think? Does the ereader or kindle get a special place in your heart and why? Are you newly addicted or hesitant to try? Keen for colour or happy with grayscale E-ink? Personally I'm happy with the length of battery time E-ink gives me - though gorgeous colour covers could tempt me to upgrade ...

So how does downloading grab you – better that trudging out in the rain to get that book you’re itching for?

I'm all ears. And incase your need some new e-reading - plug time - read more about Nanny Behaving Badly here!

Lazy Sunday dreaming

It's still a little chilly here in the UK and most of us won't have been brave enough to take off our woolly socks and jumpers yet. So here's a scene from sunny Lindos, on the Greek island of Rhodes, the setting of Embrace launch title Storm's Heart by Rachel Lyndhurst.

Not bad, eh?
Writers are always looking for inspiration and love to hear what their readers are looking for, so where would your dream romantic destination be? Tell us where you'd like see some passion explode!

Don't forget, there's still time to win a signed paperback copy of Storm's Heart over at Rachel Lyndhurst's blog. 

Storm's Heart is also available to purchase as eBook or paperback here.

Enjoy your Sunday!

Kate Allan answers "5 Little Questions"

Kate Allan is joint author of "The Lady Soldier" with Michelle Styles. Here she answers our "5 Little Questions".

Kate, how did you choose that title?

Michelle and I wanted something dramatic that really said what the
book was about and kicked about all sorts of ideas but the one that
seemed to grab the most attention was The Lady Soldier. People don't
expect ladies to be soldiers so they're immediately intrigued.

What changes - if any - do you think will happen to romance writing
in the 21st century?

I'm hoping with the ebook revolution more romance will be available
wherever you are in the world. UK readers have ended up having to
import US paperbacks in genres they want to read because UK publishers
just don't publish enough romance.

So you've got a launch title out with Embrace. What's next on your agenda?

I've nearly finished my current work-in-progress which is a short
novel and then I plan to go back to a longer novel I have been working
on for a while.

Any tips for newbie writers?

Don't be afraid to write the book you want to read. That's all I do
and then it's fingers crossed other people might like it too.

Where do you get your inspiration?

From books mostly, and real life. However, there's one scene in The
Lady Soldier involving dramatic use of gunpowder for which my
inspiration came primarily from an episode of Hornblower. Seeing how
drama and suspense works in film or television and trying to apply it
to your novel can be a great tool.

Rachel Lyndhurst goes Greek with "5 Little Questions"

Rachel Lyndhurst, author of "Storm's Heart", gives us the lowdown on writing for Embrace with her "5 Little Questions".

How did you come up with 'Storm's Heart'?                                      

Some inspiration from a Tad Williams chapter heading and a bit of a pick ’n’ mix brainstorm with my editor, Jane Holland. You really don’t want to know its working title … *cringe*

          What do you think may happen to romance in the future?      

Romance writing isn’t going to disappear. Trends will shift and storylines will need to adapt to changes in society as they do now, but I think the biggest changes will come with new technology. Kindle sales are already exceeding paperbacks on Amazon, I believe, and it looks as if digital publishing is the future. As a result of this we can expect to see prices dropping and more books being sold as a consequence. So, watch out authors, you’re going to need to write faster!

So what's next?                                                             

I’m furiously bashing away at another contemporary romance, which I hope will be ready to submit soon, and there’s another one on the back-burner that I’ve started and am finding hard to leave alone. I’m also trying to stay focussed; there are so many projects I want to get stuck into, but not enough hours in the day!

 

Tips for newbies?  

Take constructive criticism gracefully, learn from it, apply what you’ve learned and never give up. Also remember that every writer feels scared and doubts themselves sometimes.

         Who is your dream hero?

         Well, apart from Him Indoors, obviously, it would have to be David Gandy. Always!
 

Judy Jarvie answers "5 Little Questions"

Judy Jarvie, author of "Nanny Behaving Badly" answers our "5 Little Questions":

1. "Nanny Behaving Badly" - great title! How did you choose it?
    Originally I'd called the book something much less catchy. It went through several rewrites and then - ping. Nanny Behaving Badly struck and stuck. I love the title and I think it really sums it up!

2. What changes - if any - do you think will happen to romance writing in the 21st century?
Tricky question - I'm loving the kindle and ipad revolution. I once said I wasn't that struck on ereaders - until I got one over a year ago. Instantly hooked and absolutely loving it. All my friends have them now - it's catching on. It can only get bigger and bigger! Here's hoping romance reading will grow and grow!

3.  So you've got a launch title out with Embrace. What's next on your agenda?
I'm busy writing away! I'm so so happy with Nanny Behaving Badly. Now I want to improve and up my game ... watch this space!

4. Any tips for newbie writers?
Keep at it - set backs happen and just push through (I was published by a small indie US publisher and then everything fell away). Happily I didn't stop the writing. It was tough at the time but I've never lost the passion. Keep writing and growing! Opportunities pop up - so keep upping your game so you're ready for them!

5. Who is your ideal hero?
I won't name names (though everyone knows I'm fixated with a few stars, Gerard Butler to name only one). I guess I like the whole alpha exterior, gruff and rough. But I'm a sucker for a beta guy at heart. I like a guy who can laugh, banter and seduce with his whispered words. I think alpha and beta traits can combine for a killer package - I guess I like my heroes grounded and realistic! They're tough, they take no nonsense - but get deeper and the soft centre makes me melt!

You can buy "Nanny Behaving Badly" on Amazon Kindle. 

Sally Clements answers "5 Little Questions"

Sally Clements is the author of the stunning 'Bound To Love' which is available for download as a Kindle, an epub ebook, and also in paperback.


We asked Sally "5 Little Questions" and here are her replies:

So Sally, "Bound to Love." How did you choose that title?

My hero Jake, and heroine Tempest are tied up fairly early on in Bound to Love, and even though they aren't an obvious match, they are bound to love each other, so that's where my title came from!
 

What changes - if any - do you think will happen to romance writing in the 21st century? 

I think the method of delivery is shifting, because e-books make reading romance so convenient, but I believe that the challenges that face couples in finding their happy ever after are eternal. I'm looking forward to reading a lot of new, exciting writers!
 

Now you've got a launch title out with Embrace, what's next on your agenda? 

I'm expecting news in the next week or two on another new release (fingers crossed!), plus I'm waiting to hear how I did in the Romance Studio's Capa's awards. I'm a contender in the category 'favourite author'. And in May I'm waiting to hear how my first novel, Catch Me A Catch, does in the Joan Hessayon Award from the RNA. It's a very exciting time!
 

Any tips for newbie writers?
Keep writing. Take all advice and criticism from people you respect and really consider it carefully. Remember, if someone takes the time to advise, then something in your writing prompted it, and don't take it personally. Have belief in your writing!

 

What do you think of your cover?

I absolutely love it, the cover factory are fab!

 

Secrets revealed!

Rachel Lyndhurst is being hosted by the Minxes of Romance blog today. Check out their questions and some revealing answers!

The Secret to Ebook Sales - and a Giveaway!

That's a tantalising blog post title, isn't it?

I've just been over on KarenG's blog, Coming Down The Mountain: From Reclusive Writer to Published Author, which also promised to pass on the secret of selling ebooks. And for a moment, on landing there and eagerly beginning to read, I thought she had the secret, that she knew how to sell ebooks and could tell us all ...

Only she didn't. Well, KarenG gave us the rather useful formula 'cover and price' and asked everyone else what they thought.

Fair enough. It's a hard nut to crack.

Here are some initial thoughts: personal recommendations, blog interviews and tours, twitter campaigns, facebook status updates and author pages, readings and other public appearances, reviews on romance sites, promos on the same, giveaways like this, mentions on Goodreads and other reading sites.

But there must be more.

So how about we have a fantabulous brainstorming session this very day on behalf of our lovely new Embrace authors - Sally Clements, Rachel Lyndhurst, Judy Jarvie, Maggi Andersen, Cody Young, Michelle Styles, Kate Allan and BL Bonita - and see if between us we can't discover THE SECRET TO EBOOK SALES!

Any ideas and suggestions accepted, however bizarre or difficult to swallow.

And best of all, there's a free copy of one of our Embrace launch titles on offer to one of our idea-spinners, to be randomly allocated by my random selecting machine on Wednesday noon GMT!!

So let's have your ideas ...

Embrace Books Has Launched!!!

It's just after midnight here in the UK and is now February 14th 2011, which means it's Embrace Books launch day!

Now all those pre-purchased Amazon Kindle titles will be whizzing through cyberspace on their way to - hopefully! - hundreds of eagerly waiting Kindles and ereaders around the world.

So please come in, we've been waiting for you to drop by. Take a drink, whatever you feel like, and start chatting. Tell us what you're drinking, what you're wearing, which Embrace titles you're after or have already bought.



I'm on the champagne cocktails, and can hardly walk in these incredibly high heels. Mind the balloons and streamers ... !!

It's the first few moments of Valentine's Day. And Embrace Books is live!

LAUNCH WEEK ROMANCE PARTY!!

Embrace Books launches tomorrow, Monday 14th February, which - appropriately enough - is Valentine's Day in some parts of the world.

To celebrate our launch, the Embrace blog will be hosting a week-long cyber romance party, with Embrace authors weaving in and out, talking about their books.

So you're all invited to grab a drink on your way in, join one of the authors' groups for a chat, then join in with the fun by leaving a comment.



Tell us about your fabulous party outfits, the cocktails you're drinking, the delicious hors d'oeuvres, canapes and petits fours, and any famous writers you jostled in the queue for the restroom!!

And please do tell us if you've bought one of our superb, ground-breaking launch titles. They're all up for grabs on Kindle, e-Pub and in some instances as paperbacks!

Red Velvet: sexy, sophisticated romance

After Dark: intense, page-scorching romance and erotica

Embrace Regency: daring, unconventional Regency and Georgian romance

Embrace Historicals: bringing the past vividly to life

Find our new Red Velvet page at Salt

The fabulous Red Velvet line of sensuous, contemporary romance at Embrace now has a browsing page at Salt.

Find our Red Velvet launch titles HERE!

Date for your Diary - We Launch on Monday!!

Blog Frenzy Begins

Hi. I'm Judy Jarvie and along with all the other Embrace launch authors I'm completely besides myself with excitement about the forthcoming launch of Embrace Books.  To be honest I'm counting down the days like a kid with an advent calendar.

 

To this end I'll be out and about touring the blogs of some lovely writer chums (starting from today) and talking about my new releases - in particular Nanny Behaving Badly from Embrace.

 

Please pop by on the blog tour or visit my blog - and find out reasons why I'm so intrigued by sassy firemen and nannies who sometimes like to err on the naughty side. Are you and your Kindle counting down the days too?

Judy 

 

Blogging With A Hot Fireman and A Feisty Nanny

Rachel Lyndhurst - Tuesday 1 February

http://rachellyndhurst.blogspot.com/

Sarah Grimm - Thursday 3 February

http://www.authorsarahgrimm.blogspot.com/

Marcy Bassett-Kennedy - Monday 7 February

http://marcybassettkennedy.blogspot.com/

Suzanne Jones - Thursday 10 February

http://suzanne-sj.blogspot.com/

Amber Leigh Williams, The Cozy Page - Monday 13 February

http://amberleighwilliams.blogspot.com/

Sarah Grimm – Tuesday 14 February

http://www.authorsarahgrimm.blogspot.com/

Marcy Bassett-Kennedy – Friday 18 February

http://marcybassettkennedy.blogspot.com/

The Minxes of Romance – Wednesday 23 February

http://minxesofromance.blogspot.com/

Suzanne Jones – Thursday 29 February

http://suzanne-sj.blogspot.com/

Rachel Brimble - Thursday 3 March

http://rachelbrimble.blogspot.com/