Back to Top

Category: Risky Book Talk

Posts in which we talk about our own books

Gail’s Winners and Lord Langdon’s Kiss Giveaway!

Updated on by

First of all, Gail would like to thank everyone who participated in the fantastic discussion of epilogues last week. She also asked me to announce the winners of her giveaway. Congratulations to Beth Elliott and Linda, who have won Kindle or Nook versions of The Captain’s Dilemma, the Regency romance which Gail has recently reissued with a lovely new epilogue.

This week I’m celebrating the reissue of my Regency, Lord Langdon’s Kiss, which unlike The Captain’s Dilemma, needed a lot more work than the addition of an epilogue. Lord Langdon’s Kiss was my first book, and although I’m proud that it sold, I’ve learned a lot in the fifteen years that have passed since I wrote it. In this version, I tackled an issue I’d shied away from the first time around and found that it helped me torture the hero a little more. That’s always a good thing. I also pruned out a lot of redundant introspection, cutting about 17,000 words. Maybe I can make a novella out of the chopped bits.

llkAnyway, I feel very happy about the revisions and I’m pretty sure I kept everything that people enjoyed about it the first time around. I’m hoping my favorite review is still true.

“Lord Langdon’s Kiss is a fine Regency romp that will satisfy lovers of the genre like ice-cold lemonade on a hot afternoon. This is what Regency romance is all about.” (Four hearts) — The Romance Reader

I think the digital revolution has been a wonderful boon to the traditional Regency genre. It’s helped make many previously published Regencies available to new readers, and also opened up a market for new traditional Regencies, filling the void left when the major publishers ended their Regency lines.

Have you discovered or rediscovered any good traditional Regencies lately? Please share, for the chance to win a copy of Lord Langdon’s Kiss on Nook or Kindle.

Elena

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Posted in Giveaways, Risky Book Talk, Winners announced | Tagged , , , | 12 Replies

Can “sweet” and “romp” describe the same book?

Updated on by

I just sent off the heavily revised (and 16,000 words lighter!) version of Lord Langdon’s Kiss to my critique partners and beta readers. I’m starting to look at new cover art and thinking about a topic that concerns many authors, especially those who self publish: keywords. These are the (often invisible) words that help customers on a website find what they’re looking for, beyond general categories like “Historical romance”. They could include words that describe the tone of the book, like “sexy”, “funny”, “dark”, etc…

So I’ve been thinking about how to describe a book which has no sex scenes other than kissing, but does have sexual tension.

Some of the terms I’ve seen that readers use when looking for Regency romance without sex scenes include “sweet”, “clean” and “decent.” I have a lot of problems with the latter two, because I don’t believe sex is dirty or evil. Readers who use such terms might not like the sexual tension in Lord Langdon’s Kiss and they definitely won’t like most of my other books.

So that leaves “sweet”, which I also take issue with as it implies that “spicy” stories are all about the sex. But that pet peeve aside, what do people really mean by the term “sweet romance”? Obviously, no sex scenes. However, a lot of the old traditional Regencies, the ones that were as much comedy-of-manners as romance, didn’t even sexual tension, or even sexual awareness. So if there’s physical attraction and/or a hot kiss or two, is the story no longer “sweet”?

So I’d love to know. What do you think “sweet” means?

And here’s a bonus question. The Romance Reader described Lord Langdon’s Kiss as a “fine Regency romp”. I’ve seen “romp” used to describe traditional Regencies before, but recently it seems to imply a fun and sexy read. If I use the word “romp” anywhere, will it mislead readers into thinking this book is sexier than it really is? Because I don’t like to disappoint!

And here’s a Wordle I created using this blog post. That site could be addictive!

LLKWordle

Elena
www.elenagreene.com

Posted in Reading, Risky Book Talk, Writing | Tagged , , | 17 Replies

Signs of Thaw

Updated on by

snowdrops in sparkly snow

So we’re dealing with yet another cold snap in upstate NY. I’m ready for spring, even though I haven’t gotten out onto the ski slopes yet, due to my daughter’s college search and a three week long sinus/flu/something-or-other. I can still enjoy spring skiing. That means having to adapt to snow that goes from ice in the morning to slush in the afternoon, but it also means shorter lift lines and warmer weather. So come on spring!

I do get a sense of thaw in the surge of creativity I’m feeling and seeing all around me.

I’m close to finishing some rather major improvements to Lord Langdon’s Kiss, my first book which I plan to reissue in April. I’m also brainstorming a bunch of new story ideas. When I ran the free promo for my sexy novella, Lady Em’s Indiscretion, a reader asked if I planned to put it out in paperback. I replied that it seemed too short; I’d have to write a couple more and make it into an anthology. She and others really liked the idea, and that same evening ideas for a prequel and sequel poured into my mind. I’m also starting to think about new full-length stories, possibly a series.

I’m not the only one. I was so happy to hear that Amanda is coming back from a rough patch. I’m also delighted that Gail has been able to spend more time on her writing—you’ll hear more about that from her later. Another friend has a new book out, and yet another is getting ready to launch a steampunk series.

This all makes me very happy.

How about you? What is everyone up to? Any signs of spring in your life?

Elena
www.elenagreene.com

Posted in Risky Book Talk | Tagged , | 4 Replies

Featured 99 cent ebook – The Lady from Spain by Gail Eastwood

Updated on by

The Lady from Spain by Gail EastwoodSpy, innocent, or something else?

Posing as a Spanish widow for safety’s sake, Falcarrah Colburne returns to England on a dangerous personal mission. Lord Danebridge, the handsome lord she meets upon her arrival, makes certain that she will need his help, for the government has assigned him to learn if the lady is a spy. Falling in love is not part of his plan for unraveling her secrets. After he has lied to, stolen from, and spied upon her, can he hope to win her trust or divert her from her dangerous path? Can she give up the road to revenge for the risky road of love?

* A Holt Medallion Finalist *

“A sparkling jewel of a Regency romance…another wonderful love story full of cleverly plotted intrigue…topped off with an intensely powerful resolution.” — (4 1/2 stars) Romantic Times

Buy at: Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Apple ~ Kobo ~ Smashwords

Gail EastwoodGail Eastwood started writing her own “books” as a hobby at age seven. Through a variety of careers including reporter, rare books dealer, and freelance journalist, she never gave up the dream of becoming a novelist. She lives in her native state of Rhode Island with her husband, two adult sons, and one lazy cat, where she also teaches writing classes and workshops. She holds a degree in Humanities/Comparative Drama and Sociology from Case Western Reserve University. Spending time with her family, indulging in Renaissance and English Country dance, and pursuing her interests in historic costuming, reading, theater, and the beach infringe on her writing time. Her favorite travel destination is, no surprise, England.

Learn more and connect with Gail at:
Gail’s website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter

For a complete listing of titles offered in this sale, please visit the Risky Regencies 99 Cent Sale Page.

Posted in Risky Book Talk | Tagged , , | 2 Replies