What season is it, anyway?

It may be December to you, but what month is it for a novelist?
Weird question, right? But time plays strange tricks when you’re writing a book that might take place during an entirely different season – or in another climate.
Embarrassing problem for us Southern Californians: We forget that people in other places have to wear coats in the winter. Of course, sometimes the problem is subtler than that. I once described a heroine in Austin, Texas taking a sweater along on a summer night in case she got cold. My cousins who live in steamy Austin found that extremely funny.
In case you’ve never been to the LA-Orange County area, it’s a semi-desert climate where temperatures can drop as much as 40 degrees. We hardly ever have hot nights.
The time shift can be tough on readers, too. I’ve had books come out in entirely the wrong season. While it may be pleasant to huddle in front of the fire and read about sunny summer weather, I’m sure it’s disconcerting to hear sleigh bells in July. Of course, our friends in Australia and New Zealand are probably used to that!
I’m actually a little surprised to realize that my February release, The Doctor’s Little Secret, is – get this – set in February. That’s a rarity, believe me.
The editors at Harlequin have my sympathy. It must be tough to schedule four books a month, planning well in advance. Sometimes a book that’s slated for a particular month gets delayed, and another has to be moved up to fill the slot. I’m sure they try to take the seasons into account, but they don’t have magic wands.
Of course, in writing a trilogy like the one that starts in February, I have to think ahead about the months and how they’ll affect the storylines. The second book, Daddy Protector, which comes out in May, takes place during June and July. The third, Twin Surprise [September release],starts in October and ends on New Year’s Eve.
Wait! They’re actually coming out at the right times of the year, or as close as humanly possible.
Maybe those editors ARE superwomen.
In any event, if you’re shivering right now, hope you’ve at least got a good book to read in front of the fire. And some chestnuts or marshmallows roasting. Happy holidays!

HELLO

Hi everyone,
Just checking in, too. A Harlequin American blog—that’s exciting and I’m happy to be a part of it.
I have an American, Once A Cowboy, coming out in February. There’s a real sexy cowboy on the cover. I’ve never had a cover quite like this one and I’m anxious to see how readers will like it.
Right now I’m trying to finish a book, Christmas shop and decorate. There isn’t enough hours in my day.
Take care, Linda Warren

My Name is Shelley and I'm a Wrestling Parent

Right now I feel like I'm two people. By day, I'm Shelley Galloway, Harlequin American Author. I spend my days writing as much as I can, cleaning up the house, running errands...pretty much doing all the things I thought and hoped I'd be doing back when I was young and dreaming about growing up. I do 'girlie' things, too. I get my nails done. I needlepoint. I really like the Hallmark channel.
I also have become a high school wrestling fan.
Yep, my fifteen year old is a high school wrestler. I now spend my evenings worrying about pins and headlocks, ringworm and 'alpha weight'. Sweaty gymnasiums suddenly don't smell too bad to me. I've got a year's supply of Selsen Blue and Lysol in my bathroom. And, I found myself standing up and cheering next to my husband when my kid won a really tough match that involved blood!
Never in a million years would I have thought I'd be excited about these things.
I guess that's why life is so good, huh? Thank goodness we get to do things we'd never thought we'd ever do. Like cheer for a certain sweaty boy who's now taller than me.
And spend my days thinking of another story to tell.

Shelley

A newbie happy to be here!

Hello, everyone.

This is my first experience posting my own blog entry, so I hope I'm doing this correctly!

I'm thrilled that Harlequin American Romance Authors now have their very own blog.

A little background info about this brand-new author:

I made my first sale a year ago, to Harlequin American, and my first two books came out recently.

THE SHERIFF'S SON was a September 2006 release, and--to both my surprise and joy--it hit the Waldenbooks Series Romance Bestseller list. All due to its adorable cover, for sure! If you haven't seen it, check it out at my website: www.barbarawhitedaille.com

The second book, COURT ME, COWBOY, is a November release and out now. I'm so computer-clueless I can't even call myself technically challenged--but if I've done this correctly, you should see the cover above.

Both books are set in the fictional town of Dillon, Texas, a small community where everyone knows everyone else's business--and most don't mind sticking their noses into it, too! All in a good cause, of course.

THE SHERIFF'S SON is about childhood sweethearts who were torn apart and are now reunited. Not such a good thing for my heroine, who is about to lose control of her wayward seven-year-old son, her beloved business, and her deepest, darkest secret.

COURT ME, COWBOY is the story of a couple whose whirlwind relationship resulted in a marriage destined for failure. Then they discover they're pregnant.... Compromise might be an option--if they can survive the courtship they never had first time around.

As you might imagine, I've been living in a wonderful daze for the past three months!

Now it's time to come down out of the clouds, get caught up on my Harlequin American reading, and drop by here often to see what's happening.

Hope you enjoy our new blog!

All the best,

Barbara

Cops, kids and a new trilogy

I’m delighted to participate in the new blog for Harlequin American Romance authors. I’ve been writing for the line for more than twenty years and love the stories that combine family, romance and a touch of humor.

My last series – the five book s of Downhome Doctors – focused on a small Tennessee town in desperate need of physicians. My latest trilogy, which begins in February with The Doctor’s Little Secret, has a pediatrician hero (as you might guess from the title!) and a policewoman heroine.

The three books in the trilogy focus on police officers and the women and children in their lives. Plus there’s a subplot about old and new scandals in the police department in a fictional California town called Villazon. The second and third books will be Daddy Protector, in May, and Twin Surprise, in September.

Years ago, when I wrote for a newspaper called the Orange Coast Daily Pilot and later for The Associated Press in Los Angeles, I spent a lot of time around police departments. It was fascinating to hear the stories and points of view expressed by the officers. In addition, a friend of mine who works for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department reads my manuscripts and helps keep me accurate.

Funny note: Recently when I served on a jury (in a lawsuit over a traffic case), the judge asked if any of us had law enforcement connections, presumably to make sure we didn’t know anyone who would be testifying. I explained the situation, since in a sense I do have such a connection. The judge (a woman) and many of the potential jurors were delighted to meet an author, so hopefully some of them are reading this blog!

I look forward to hearing your reactions to my new trilogy. You can read more at my website, www.jacquelinediamond.com.

Happy holidays!

Hello from Victoria

Hi. I just joined the HAR loop and the blogger community. I don't know much about blogging - I've been listening to Karen/Kara talk about it and generally avoiding it because I can see how it could get time consuming, and frankly, I don't need another time-killer because I'm really good at creating multiple projects and just goofing off on my own! However, I'm glad to be here.

I'm working on a new series set in fictional Brody's Crossing, Texas. The first book, Temporarily Texan, is finished and will be out in July 2007. I'm working on the second book right now about an avante garde hairdresser named Scarlett who gets stuck in Texas on her way to California and the small town lawyer who confronts her about bad hair potential lawsuits. I just finished a series of seven HAR books set in Ranger Springs, Texas (Hill Country.) In my other life, I've written historical, paranormal and short contemporary romance for other publishers.

I'm also a new grandmother (6 month old Lilly) and work part-time at our business managing the financial aspects of the company with the help of my assistant. I'm from Kentucky originally, but married a Texan and ended up here because -- well, that's what Texans do. They return to Texas ASAP. Didn't know that! I thought I was going to live in Colorado forever.

I won't be online much next week because I'm having some minor eye surgery on Tuesday. Nothing serious, but I didn't want anyone to think I was ignoring the blog, although I'm rather bad about remembering to log on and do things. Maybe Karen can remind me. TTY later.

My projects

Happy December 1! I live in St. Louis and we got hit with 2-3 inches of freezing rain and then some snow on top of that. So basically everything is shut down.

I talked with my agent today, firming up my new 3-book deal for Harlequin American. In November 2007, I'll have 2 books out, one with the NASCAR driver (this isn't an American) and then a book I must finish by March 1, tentatively titled Picture Perfect. That will be out the same month and deals with a globe-trotting photojournalist who falls in love with his next door neighbor, a girl who has never even been out of her town.

Out right now in stores, though, is The Wedding Secret, my December release and the second book in my American Beauties continuity series. Romantic Times just gave me 4 stars, so I'm thrilled.

Here's the teaser: After landing a plum position at the hottest talk show in the country, Cecile Duletsky is ready for just about anything. Anything but a complicated relationship, that is. When she meets gorgeous Luke Shaw at her sister's wedding, though, Cecile feels a powerful attraction. What would it hurt to spend one fabulous night with him? Whatever Luke wants, Luke gets. After Cecile disappears from his bed, Luke's not entirely sure how to react. But that's before he shows up for work and meets Cecile--his new employee--in the boardroom. Just being her boss isn't enough…and he's determined to make sure the next time he walks down the aisle, Cecile's on his arm.

Michele