About Books

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    What’s in a genre?

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    There was a good post this week over at Romancing the Blog that talked about how people who read romance will read other genres. And how people who don’t read romance tend to turn their noses up at it. And what we can do to change this.

    I started thinking about genre fiction in general and how all categories have their lovers and haters. Fantasy, sci-fi, mystery, romance, chick-lit, etc. According to many people, you shouldn’t write or read any of these — because they’re just genre crap. The only books that are good books are non-fiction memoirs or literary fiction.

    Whatever. 

    I love genre books, whether it’s romance, fantasy, or something in between. I like the conventions of genres — finding the magic ring in a fantasy book, figuring out who the killer is in a mystery, getting a happy ending in a romance novel. I’m not going to pick up a book on the history of ancient Rome any time soon. What I will be getting is the new Parker novel by Richard Stark.

    People who look down their noses at genre fiction (including romance) don’t know what they’re missing — a wonderful time. It’s their loss.

    What about you? Which genres do you love? Hate? Do you ever read outside your comfort zone? Inquiring minds want to know …

  • A sneak peak at Karma Girl …

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    Karma GirlI have cover art … and it totally rocks! I really love the cover for Karma Girl. I think it captures the comic-book and romance/chick-lit spirit of the book at the same time.

    It is just too cool.

    Kudos, kudos, kudos to the Berkley artist or artists who designed this. You are my favorite person right now. 🙂

    This isn’t quite the final version of the cover, though. I think there will be a little more tweaking, plus they  have to add on a cover quote from (drumroll here) … MaryJanice Davidson. Yep, that’s right, MJD of “Undead” series fame is blurbing my book. Hooray!

    What about you? Do you love the cover? Hate it? Would it make you want to pick up the book? Or run away screaming in the store? Inquiring minds want to know …

  • Under their spell …

    spell.jpgToday, I’m giving a shout-out to Hot Spell, a new anthology featuring Emma Holly, Lora Leigh, Meljean Brook, and Shiloh Walker. I recently met Lora Leigh at writers’ event, and Meljean comments on my blog a lot. Plus, it just sounds like a cool anthology. 🙂

    I like anthologies for this reason — you get four authors for the price of one. It’s a great, and relatively cheap, way to try out some new writers and see if you like them. With four stories and voices to choose from, you’re bound to like at least one of them, which isn’t always the case with a single-title book. And, if one of your favorite authors is in the anthology too, that’s an added bonis.

    The only quibble I have with anthologies is when an author is too good — and I have to rush right back to the bookstore to buy something else by her. But, that’s a good problem to have. 🙂

    What about you? Do you prefer anthologies or single titles? Inquiring minds want to know …

  • What’s in a name?

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    The sequel to Karma Girl is coming out in November next year. My agent, editor, and I are trying to come up with a title. Bigtime 2, as I’m calling it right now, is about Fiera, a member of my superhero team, the Fearless Five. She has superstrength and fire-based powers.

    Fiera is a great character. Fun and sassy and very take-charge. She knows what she wants and she goes after it — fireballs and all. I want a title that reflects her character.

    Besides the cover, a title is probably the next most important part of the whole book package. A great title is one that sticks in the mind or tells you in an instant what the book’s about. I want a great title.

    So far, the top three contenders are Hot Mama and Burn, Baby, Burn and Afterburn.

    What do you guys think of these? Would one of these titles make you want to pick up the book? Why or why not? Inquiring minds want to know …

    And , if there are any title suggestions out there in cyberspace, they’d be appreciated, too. 🙂

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    Blurbs, blurbs, blurbs …

    I have cover blurbs! Yeah!

    Authors Rachel Gibson, Candace Havens, and Erin McCarthy have all given a big thumbs-up to Karma Girl. For more, click on the Home page or go to the Books page.

    Thanks to Rachel, Candace, and Erin for taking the time to read the book. 🙂