Happy Friday! Hope everyone is having a spooky Halloween.

I’m sorry I’m late. RAH (romance author husband) has been in the hospital. He’s home now and we’re hoping we’ll recover soon. He’s resting semi-comfortably now and I should be catching back up soon.

In the meantime, I want to make you aware of a new anthology written by a group of wonderfully talented ladies–Alluring Tales: Hot Holiday Nights

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Alluring Tales, Hot Holiday Nights

Avon Red
November, 2008
ISBN-10: 0061463175
ISBN-13: 978-0061463174
Genre: Contemporary
Trade Paperback

The holidays are heating up—with seven wickedly sensual stories guaranteed to spice up those chilly winter nights!

A determined lady comes home, burning for her girlhood crush—a sexy lawman who totes a big gun. . .
A creative ad man’s passion is aroused when he sees his buttoned-up coworker in a revealing new light—dressed in sizzling red satin on a giant billboard. . .

A professional dominatrix wishes upon a star, and her fantasy appears—an insatiable alpha male in biker boots who’s literally out of this world. . .

A tall, dark, handsome warlock finds himself obsessed with his “familiar”—a sleek and sexy cat-woman who turns out to be the purr-fect lover. . .

She was always hot for big brother’s best friend—and now her erotic dream is here in the taut and tempting flesh. . .

A pair of fugitive lovers finds themselves warm and toasty in a sultry Caribbean paradise—and ready for some red-hot fun in the sun. . .

Enjoy and have a wonderfully spooky night!

I started reading romances back in the late 80′s. Men were tough and strong but women were coming into their own. Vikings, pirates and cowboys dominated the landscape. You could still find a good Civil War or Colonial romance. Contemporary romances beyond Silhouette and Harlequin (back when they were two separate companies) were few and far between.

Time periods aside, this was the beginning of the modern romance without the requisite scenes where the hero raped the heroine. At the time, some people liked the new direction of the genre, feeling it more uplifting and fresh and modern…while some traditional readers from the 70′s found the change jarring. I don’t think it’s necessarily that they were into rape; they were simply used to what they were used to.

Which brings me to today. I received an email some time ago from a reader who thanked me and the “new generation” of romance writers for creating characters that were more multi-dimensional and real. For writing storylines that were imaginative and daring. For not being afraid to push the envelope.

Personally, I loved the email because I do focus a lot on my characters. I frequently don’t “play it safe” with plots. My editors have sometimes hammered me for pushing too hard on that envelope. I push back with the idea that no one wants to read what they’ve basically already read. Yes, some tenants of romance are constant, but new elements and resulting outcomes in a romance can lead to something totally new for a reader. Robin Schone broke new ground years ago with The Lady’s Tutor. Love it or hate it, I think JR Ward did also with the more mainstream elements she’s brought to the Black Dagger Brotherhood novels.

Which gets me to a recent reader comment and my question. So I received reader feedback that they found an element of one of my books unromantic (Lucan and Anka for those of you reading the Doomsday Brethren novels), that breaking apart two committed characters and putting them through fire was frustrating and if I didn’t solve it quickly, she would cease to read my books. Sadly for this reader, Lucan and Anka’s storyline will not receive resolution in SEDUCE ME IN SHADOW or POSSESS ME AT MIDNIGHT. I will, however, have forward progress of their storyline. The relationship is integral to the overall story of the entire Doomsday Brethren, and I can’t change that without changing the whole series. They were forced into the magical equivalent of a divorce. Like any divorced couple, navigating your relationship after the break isn’t easy, and I felt I’d be doing a disservice to Lucan and Anka if I put happy-smiley faces on them both, shoved them back together to live a happily ever after that I never really explained. In other words, I’m sorry to lose this reader, but I’d rather be true to the characters, story and situation.

But my question is, do you think romances should have a “pretty pink bow” wrapped around them, as they had through the late 80′s and the 90′s–and as this reader clearly prefers? Or have our changing times changed the genre again so that it’s more acceptable—or even welcome—to include elements that aren’t traditionally romantic?

By the way, I’m sorry for missing Manly Monday. I’ll make it up to you sometime when you least expect it!

It’s a light news day this week.

A few new discoveries in terms of DECADENT being available in various ebook formats. It’s now available as from Sony for their ebook reader and in a Mobipocket format.

The reprint of Strip Search is now available for pre-order at Amazon, which tickles me. I haven’t seen the final cover yet, but I’m sure I will soon.

I’m making good progress on POSSESS ME AT MIDNIGHT. Just about to wrap up chapter 2. It’s going well so far. I’m getting really comfortable in the world now, and love the hero and heroine of this book. I’m really hoping to make this one sigh-worthy.

Need to get a little more page count in today. Spent my morning seeing High School Musical 3: Senior Year. The movie wasn’t awful but by the time I got home, it was late. Football cut into my afternoon…so now I have to make up for lost time.

On Tuesday, I’m going to have my eyes looked at. I’m hoping to have Lasik done sometime this year. I’ll keep you posted.

Next Saturday, I’ll be signing books at the Barnes & Noble in Lewisville, Texas from 2-4. If you’re in the area, some out and see me. Always looking for friendly faces.

Thanks, everyone, for your participation on my Whatever Wednesday topic. I’m so thrilled to have so many comments and so blessed that you all were willing to take the time to participate. I have another thought provoking for this coming Wednesday, so pop back in!

I think that’s about it for the week. Hope it’s a good one for everyone!

I meant to do this yesterday, but I’ve been writing like a mad woman. I’m thinking that’s okay with most of you. :-)

Normally, I feature my upcoming book, a friend’s book, or one I’ve been reading. But my next print release is SNEAK PEEK in January, I haven’t arranged anything for this week and I’m not reading a lot right now because of my deadline schedule…so time for Plan B. I have a little news, but I’ll save that for Sunday.

I don’t often talk about the writing and business side of publishing, but I’ve recently been asked (as I frequently am) how long it took me to sell my first book and how long an author should work on a first book. Since I know some of you are aspiring writers, I’m going to tell you what I think:

It took me 7 years to sell a book. 5 years of that I was writing my first book. I wrote 2 more manuscripts before I sold anything. Since selling the first time, I’ve sold everything I’ve ever completed and have only 2 unsold proposals on my hard drive. One has never seen the light of day; I’m not sure I want to write the book, frankly. The other is for the continuation of my Strictly historical series. This is a book I’d actually like to finish, but I don’t know when I’d have time. I digress, anyway…

The point is, write on the book until it’s done AND you feel comfortable with it. Until you believe it’s the best product possible. There’s no time limit, no expiration date. Learn to write before you worry about selling. It only gets harder the deeper into your career you get.

Recently, I wrote a newsletter article about a related subject for my local chapter of Romance Writers of America. I’ll reprint it for you here. These are things I’ve learned over the last decade. I hope, if you’re writing, that it’s helpful to you.

Seven Guideposts of Success

The other day, I received one of those catalogs with the gorgeous landscapes and the inspirational sayings underneath. You’ve probably seen these hanging in offices here and there.

I personally never paid much attention to them. In fact, they seemed somewhat silly, since I keep all those beliefs inside. But when I received this catalog, I glanced through it and realized that many of these saying apply to writers, whether you’re getting started on your first manuscript and wondering if you can do it, or you’re multi-published author staggering under deadlines and wondering how you’ll manage and if it matters anymore. (You’d be surprised how often I talk to people in both situations.) But after 24 books, in 4 genres for 5 publishers, translated into a half dozen different languages over the course of 10 years, I’ve realized that these people with their pictures have it right!

1. Believe and Succeed: We cannot change yesterday. We can only make the most of today, and look with hope toward tomorrow.

Wise words. If your last contest or last book release didn’t go as well as you wanted, that’s in the past. If you’ve been flailing, procrastinating, angsting, etc…that was yesterday. You make today what it should be and think about the fact that everything you do now sets you up for tomorrow.

Yes, I know it sounds simple. If you’ve been struggling, how do you just wake up one day and change everything, especially your attitude? Remember the next principle:

2. Success: Some people dream of success…while others wake up and work hard at it.

Okay, y’all, this is my soapbox. What separates you from the others is your willingness to work for what you want—and not apologize for it. For 10 years, I woke up at 5:30 every day, went to a full-time job, came home and did the dinner/family thing with a small child, then started writing at 9pm. I was often criticized for being overly-ambitious, a bad mother, stretching myself too thin, etc. During those 10 years, I wrote and promoted 18 books, with a year and a half off in the middle to strategize a new career plan an implement it. I gave up a social life, TV, being the volunteer mom, etc. Because I knew what I wanted and wasn’t veering from that path. When people talk about giving up writing because they’ve been at it for the last (fill in the blank) number of years and nothing is happening, I always ask one question, “How bad do you want it?” Yes, we’ve all considered throwing in the towel. But I maintain it’s not always the most talented that survive; it’s the most persistent.

The next two go together for me and, I think, define principles that have guided me for the past 2 years in particular. And they have yet to let me down:

3. Excellence: Success is a direct reflection of the effort, pride and passion with which a person lives.

What I’ve taken out of this is, don’t ever say anything is “good enough”. Don’t settle. Don’t rest. There’s always someone else as talented as you, yet hungrier. If you don’t bring you’re A game to the table, others will—and they’ll succeed at your goals.

4. Passion: There are many things in life that will capture your eye, but very few will capture your heart. These are the ones to pursue. These are the ones worth keeping.

This particularly helpful when you’re wondering what to write, trying to decide between that book of your heart or that book of the market. Unless that book of your heart is completely unmarketable (a midget and a bearded lady in an 18th century Russian circus), then write the book of your heart. Always. Never invest your time in something you can’t be 100% behind. Lack of passion shows to editors, reviewers and readers. In my career, I’ve written 2 books of my heart that I believed I was writing for me and would never sell. But I wrote them because I had to. Not only did both sell, they both completely changed my career. Passion shows.

So let’s say you’ve worked hard and believed in yourself, demonstrated your excellence and passion—and you achieved your goal. You’re there, right?

NO!!!! Don’t make me get on my soapbox again…

5. Achievement: Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow.

In other words, unless you want to be a 1-hit wonder, be abandoned by your editors and readers for being the “same”, you have to keep growing. With every book I write, I start with a challenge in mind. Likely, no one will ever know that challenge but me. But it’s my way of growing and stretching and making myself reach for new heights. And it’s not about sales goals or things I can’t control. It’s…can I write a good book with these seemingly difficult elements? I don’t know until I try.

The sad reality of life is that, even when you’ve worked hard, had conviction, acted with passion—done all the right things, you may not achieve your goals. That’s when you remember this:

6. Embrace Change: Temperatures will rise and fall. Winds will shift. Leaves will drop and buds will form. And with every transition new beginnings will be revealed.

This is another way of saying 2 things that I’ve clung to in tough times: Everything happens for a reason (though you probably can’t see at that moment) and when one door closes, another opens. Don’t give up when things get tough!

In my career, I’ve had to start over not once, but twice. Start from scratch. Reinvent myself. Find a new publisher, convince them I was capable and willing to work hard and could capture a readership. This saying will apply to you, whatever your goals, if you don’t succeed the first time—or even the tenth:

7. Bring it on: You may have to fight a battle more than once to achieve victory.

Translation: you can’t win if you give up.

Funny, how a catalog can be full of sayings that can change your internal barometer and, thus, the course of your life. But if you believe in your success, embrace passion, do your best to excel, grow, change as needed and learn to fight, I believe you’ll achieve your goals.

Even if you aren’t writing, some of these are great words to live by. Bless those catalogs!

So I want to ask you a question… I heard from a reader who said to me, “Anytime I see an author excerpt her book a lot, I know the book is going to be terrible because she’s trying to generate interest that won’t exist after the book is released.”

I have to be honest. This struck me as a REALLY odd statement. I excerpt books I’m excited about. I excerpt because fans and readers ask for it. I excerpt because I know it torments y’all just a bit, and that’s loads of fun for me. I never once thought that excerpting would be construed as some way to generate false interest.

So my question to you is, what do you think of advance excerpting? Do you like it or not? Think it’s the mark of a bad book? If you don’t like it, what would you rather see?

Love to hear from you all on this! Happy hump day…

Think of this as visual blogging. Not a lot of reading necessary. I just began POSSESS ME AT MIDNIGHT, Doomsday Brethren 3, today, and already my head is filled and spinning. So instead of my semi-sizzling verbiage, you get a hunk. Somehow…I don’t think you’ll mind.

Have a great week!

Oh, hell. I just can’t seem to get my act together this week. Or last… It’s been a crazy month or two, in fact. Trying to get better…promise. I purchased a new monitor, then decided it was just a tad too big for the space and returned it. Now I’m having trouble getting everything hooked up again. I’ll get there. I’m stubborn that way. It just might take me a while.

I’ve got a couple of bits of news to share. The first (and best) is that I finished SEDUCE ME IN SHADOW, book two of the Doomsday Brethren series, on Wednesday! This was a really tough book, and think I worked harder than I ever have, but it’s in to my editor, and I’m just waiting on her reaction. This hero and heroine are quite different from Marrok and Olivia. The story itself is totally different. For those of you who have written to tell me your Doomsday Brethren favorites, they’re all here, so you’ll see more of Ice and Bram. Shock has more tricks up his sleeve. Lucan and Anka…yes, you’ll get more on that situation too. As the book winds its way through production, I’ll keep you posted. Currently, we’re on schedule for a 10/09 release.

Next, DECADENT is now available in a Kindle version! It’s only been a year since the book released (LOL), but for those of you who have been asking for an ebook, here’s one version. I haven’t seen any others yet, but if those come up, I’ll post about it.

The reissue of STRIP SEARCH is also available here for pre-order at Amazon.com. The book will be re-released next July with a spiffy new cover, which Berkley is currently finalizing.

Not much else here. I’ve been a little under the weather this week, but did go to the fair with the family on Friday and had a lovely day. I’ve been reading and sleeping, chatting with friends–gearing up to begin POSSESS ME AT MIDNIGHT, the third book in the Doomsday Brethren series. I start tomorrow.

I’ll be back tomorrow with a hot Manly Monday…and I hope a working monitor.

Hi, gang! I know I’ve been horrifically absent. This Manly Monday is going to be on the quick side. I have 1 chapter left to write in SEDUCE ME IN SHADOW. The book is already past due, and I’ve promised my editor she’ll see it on Wednesday. So I’m racing frantically to THE END. Please bear with me a bit longer. This second book in the series if a bit more complicated to write, and the characters are so totally different than Marrok and Olivia. I really want to get this right for y’all.

As soon as I’m finished with SEDUCE ME IN SHADOW, I’ll be jumping right into book 3, POSSESS ME AT MIDNIGHT. I’m anticipating a very interesting experience, given the characters I’m dealing with…

Other than that, I’m looking forward to more Fall weather and going to the state fair in a week or so. The fact Christmas is only like 75 days away has me reeling. I’ve bought 1 gift so far. We need a new roof on our house, the carpet cleaned and a few other odds and ends, so I gotta pay attention to that. I haven’t even updated my iPod in weeks — no time. So you aren’t the only ones neglected. I’m hoping after Wednesday to come back and chat with you about a few of the things running through my head. I appreciate your patience with me. Almost done!

Until I am…like our friend above says, Have a Great Week!

Happy Sunday! In addition to THE LADY AND THE DRAGON now being available in print, I’d like to share another new Samhain print book with you.

ORDER PRINT AT MY BOOKSTORE AND MORE
ORDER PRINT AT AMAZON
ORDER PRINT AT BARNES AND NOBLE
ORDER PRINT AT BORDERS
ORDER PRINT AT POWELL’S

The Seduction of Widow McEwan by Melissa Schroeder
Jameson McEwan, known to almost everyone as Jamie, is happy with her lot in life. Married young to a powerful older man, she has had little romance and very little experience with men—other than ordering them around on her ranch. She’d actually been in love with her first husband not knowing he had seen it as an arranged marriage. After that heartbreak she is reluctant to even think about a marriage based on love again.

Seth Conner has always wanted Jamie. From the moment he met her, his best friend’s older sister has been a bit of an obsession for him. Even at the age of sixteen he knew he wanted her, but she was married to another man. And, sensing her reluctance, he never acted on his desires even after she became a widow. That is, until she says she’s marrying another man. He decides he has waited long enough.

Jamie never expected to find herself in bed, tied up and shivering with desire, especially not with Seth. But through one night and day filled with passion, she finds him as addictive as liquor. She knows it will never last. She is older and has too much responsibility. But, when he refuses to take no for an answer, she begins to think that maybe things could be different.

But someone is hell bent on making sure the two of them never find happiness and will do anything—including murder—to keep them from succeeding.

Explicit sex, spanking, seduction by a younger man, a little bit of bondage for fun, and a whole lot of teasing guaranteed to make ya hot under the collar and enough passion to give your spurs a twirl.

Short and sweet, with moments of nice sexual tension between Jamie and Seth, THE SEDUCTION OF WIDOW McEWAN leaves you hoping that Seth will get his widow and become the new husband of her heart. ~ Kate Garrabrant, RRT

This is a refreshing, exciting read and a must read too. ~ Valerie, Love Romances and More, 5 hearts

The Seduction of Widow McEwan was a delight to read. From the beginning until the end, I was caught up in the spell-bounding rapture that Melissa Schroeder had created…This couple will take you on a wild roller coaster of a ride filled with many twists and turns that posed a threat their friendship and possibly their lives. And, let’s not overlook the sizzling chemistry that sparked between them. The passion that burned between Jamie and Seth was lusciously hot and tantalizingly sweet to the touch. The Seduction of Widow McEwan is one great romantic, historical story that I won’t soon forget. ~ Contessa, Fallen Angel Reviews, 5 angels

Melissa Schroeder gives readers a truly impassioned tale with THE SEDUCTION OF WIDOW MCEWAN. I loved that Seth’s carried this torch for Jamie all these years. There’s just something very sweet and pure about a man who can love with that sort of devotion. I had to really admire Jamie and her determination to run her ranch on her own – which was unheard of at that time. Ms. Schroeder brings a wealth of emotion, humor, suspense and passion to this tale which will thrill historical readers. ~ Chrissy Dionne, Romance Junkies, 5 ribbons

Ms. Schroeder has again presented us with a quick paced, solid plot which proved to be captivating. Her characters were graphic and believable. Her main characters were so loving, and the sensual scenes so mesmerizing, that I could not put this book down. The book is a great way to spend an afternoon and the ending, as well as the target, will shock you. Great book! ~ Brenda Talley, The Romance Studio, 5 Hearts

The Seduction Of Widow McEwan is easily the best of the Leather & Lace stories. ~ Mrs. Giggles

Oh…sounds fabulous! I’ll be grabbing this and hoarding it for my after-deadline reading binge.

In the meantime, the winner of last Wednesday’s blog a print copy of THE LADY AND THE DRAGON is: Eva S. Contact me via the form on my site with your address to claim you book!

Have a great week! I’m on the last week of deadline push, but I’ll do my best to find someone manly for tomorrow’s blog.

I’m super excited to share the print release of THE LADY AND THE DRAGON with you because, as many of you know, this year I celebrated my 10th anniversary as a published author. I couldn’t think of a better way than to reissue my first published book ever. I updated it and added a little spice specifically for the Samhain release. This has always been one of my favorite stories.

A Runaway Heiress
Lady Christina Delafield was as bold as she was beautiful. When her overbearing grandfather threatened to tame her in a Swiss finishing school, Christina stowed away on the first ship leaving London harbor, determined to make her own way in life. But the mysterious captain of the Dragon’s Lair was a seductive reason to relinquish her independence–and embrace desire.

A Gentleman Pirate
Drexell Cain had lived for four years as the merciless Black Dragon, the scourge of the seas. Bent on rescuing his brother from the British Navy, Drex would do anything to return him to his wife and son in Louisiana–even kidnap the Lord Admiral’s granddaughter for ransom. A lovely blonde stowaway was an unexpected complication, until he discovered her real identity–and her passionate claim on his lonely heart.

You can see the book video and read an excerpt here. 

REVIEWS

5 out of 5! “Historical romance at its best. Filled with gripping romance combined with a well-written plot and realistic emotions, THE LADY AND THE DRAGON was consumed in one sitting.” ~ Romance Junkies

Recommended Read! “THE LADY AND THE DRAGON is one of the best first books I have ever had the pleasure of reading, and I guarantee you it will be one I will save to read again and again in future years. I am proud to name this book my Recommended Read for the month!” ~ Ck2s Kwips & Kritiques

5 of out 5! “I was absolutely entranced by The Lady and the Dragon! I loved this story and recommend it heartily. Pick up your copy today!” ~ Fallen Angels Reviews

“Shelley Bradley weaves a suspenseful tale with a wonderfully complicated plot that kept me reading long after midnight. The characters were vividly real and their interaction with each other very entertaining. Rife with subplots and antagonists, this is a story that stays with the reader long after they have finished the book. Her story is passionately romantic and gripping. If you want to read a novel that picks you up and sweeps you away into another world as real as any, then THE LADY AND THE DRAGON is one not to be missed.” ~ Historical Romance Club

It’s currently available at MBAM, Amazon.com, B&N.com and Borders.com. They’re all either showing the old cover or no cover, but the book is the same.

To win a copy of the book, leave a comment here. I’ll pick a winner on Friday night. Good luck!