RedHotRomance

Last Tuesday I got the kind of phone call I never once dreamed I'd hear--Kensington's publicist calling to ask me if I could fly to LA on Thursday to tape the Geraldo At Large show for a piece on erotic romance, or, if that wouldn't work, could they come to my home to tape an interview! I remember blinking a couple of times to make sure I was awake and then saying, "Sure. No problem." I told her I'd prefer to go to LA as our house is very much in the midst of a remodel and barely suitable for human habitation, much less a film crew. Mary said she'd call back with travel details etc. When she finally called back, it was with an apology to tell me another author who lived close to a studio in Manhattan would be much more convenient to interview. I actually was relieved--Sunny Chen, the author who was selected, is beautiful and articulate and a much better representative of this growing genre than I could ever hope to be. Plus, I'd gotten all the fun out of bragging about my chance to go on TV without having to actually pack my suitcase. Not a bad deal. It was not without a certain amount of trepidation, however, that I watched the Geraldo at Large program on Thursday night. I mean, the man is known for his sleaze appeal, sort of a National Enquirer mentality...I could only imagine what he might do with something so ripe for attack as erotic romances for women. Well, I was pleasantly surprised. Not by Geraldo--he got in his sexist dig with the question, "Are women just hornier today?"--but with the wonderful tone of the interview done by reporter Laurie Dhue who referred to our books as "empowering for women." Sunny was absolutely wonderful, as was Liz Maverick who was also interviewed...but I still got my brush with fame. When the covers of books scrolled across the screen--impressive on our 50" HDTV-- there was Wolf Tales! In fact, I counted at least three times my cover made the screen, along with The Hard Stuff and Pleasure Beach, Champagne Rules and more...it was wonderful. Then at the end of the segment, what did Laurie hold up but a copy of my newest release, Sexy Beast! I just sat there and grinned, especially when my husband turned to me and said, "Congratulations. That was cool." Yep. Definitely cool. There is a video clip in the archives at http://www.geraldoatlarge.com/video-archive.php that shows almost the entire program for anyone who is interested. I think I'm going to link to it from my website! This week Geraldo, next, the world--right guys?

I remember watching old movies about Hollywood where the star would take a call from their agent...the waiter would bring the phone to the table in a classy restaurant and everyone waited while the "Important Star" took their important call. So, with that background in mind, picture this: I'm driving home when my cell phone rings. Now, we live in a mountainous area where it's easy to lose a connection, so I take a look at my phone, see that it's my agent and pull over to park in front of a winery. The "wow" moment came a few minutes later, as I was talking to my agent about the new stories Kensington wants...we're talking options and money and contracts and all of a sudden, I had my WOW moment. This was better than the movies...it was all about me! My career, after twenty long years, is beginning to grow. Wolf Tales has been in the top ten in erotica at Barnes and Noble for two months now. Sexy Beast, my newest book, debuted at #7 and is currently at #4 in erotica. Wolf Tales is #3 after two months...and it's spent more time at #1. Unfortunately, none of this feels real. However, what does feel real is my own, personal "wow" moment. I wouldn't trade that for anything.

It is almost Valentine's Day and that brings a lot of happy memories including one that is particularly poignant for me. It was 21 years ago tomorrow that our son was born. Poor guy, having to put up with having his birthday not only on what is the holiday of love, but often in the middle of a week when most of his cronies were out of school (the local school system takes a week break in February around President’s Day).

But now he’s going to be a full-grown adult. Able to buy beer and all that. And some young lady is very likely to find it romantic that he shares his birthday with hearts and flowers.

So what are we going to do for his birthday since we’re going down to LA to help him celebrate? We’re doing what everyone wants to do for their birthday (at least in my family)…

We’re going to DISNEYLAND!

Cheers,
Janet/Cricket

Over on a writer's chat group, there is a raging debate about sex in YA novels. Should it be there? Does it reflect reality? Do teenagers put the books down and run off to have sex asap?

My take on it? I think teens are gonna do what they're gonna do. And I don't think it was any different in 1986 when I was a freshman in high school. Not only did I not date in high school, I didn't kiss a guy for the first time until college. Not because my parents forbade me, just because, well, it didn't happen. And frankly, looking back on it, 18 in college felt right.

So, reading a YA book with sex in it (Forever by Judy Blume, anyone?) or without sex in it was all the same to me. Just figured the ones with sex were living the cheerleader's lives. ;-) And the other ones were about geeks like me (who would, of course, turn into gorgeous erotic romance authors after college).

Your thoughts?
;-) Bella Andre

http://www.BellaAndre.com

Happy Birthday Baby


Buying a great birthday present for my hubbie is always a challenge. He likes gadgets, but getting one step ahead of him on the purchase is the challenge. Recently, we purchased a new vehicle. It comes with three months of XM radio and an MP3 jack. Since my husband had already purchased the MP3, I bought an extension for XM.

Okay, I’d taken care of the big present, but I wanted to give him something besides a card with a receipt for XM. Something more visual, something tangible, something hands-on!
And there it was, the perfect present, at eye level and on the grocery store shelf.

Vibrates! Comes with battery! Shower safe!

My husband and I had heard the rumors and the discussions on cable shows about Gillette’s Venus Vibrance. A vibrating handle designed especially for women? Totally different from the men’s Mach3 handle! Ohhhh, this I had to buy.

When a man’s wife writes erotic romance and his birthday is in February, he has a right to expect something besides underwear with hearts on his birthday, right?

I purchased a birthday card with a birthday sentiment to match my Vibrance and secured my surprise in a colorful present bag filled with Hersey kisses and a DVD of one of his favorite comedy films, Hot Shots.

The cost? $30.
My husband’s reaction – PRICELESS

BJ McCall

I was all set to blog about something writing related when I got a phone call and a wonderful change in plans--our daughter in law is in the hospital, in labor with their first baby. Her mom called me--Carol's over in Hawaii with the kids awaiting what will be her very first grandchild. Doug and I are old hands at this--we have two grandchildren with our daughter and son-in-law and enjoy every minute we can with them. There's nothing more exciting than bringing a new baby into the world. Jon and Melanie are the models for the cover of my book, Cowboy in My Pocket. When the book was released, they weren't even married. Now they're married and about to become parents for the very first time...and I just read what I've written and realize I'm babbling. :-) I'll be sure and post when the baby arrives and what they name her...and I REALLY hope the doctor was right and this is a little girl, because if she turns out to be a boy, he'd better like pink! I'm supposed to be writing today. I can tell right now that's probably not going to happen.

Okay, I guess because I was one of the first authors to actually publish a NASCAR romance which was Racing Hearts, with http://Liquidsilverbooks.com in 2004, people want to know what I think about the relationship between NASCAR and Harlequin. I honestly have to tell you, despite all the press that questions this partnership, I think this arrangement between Harlequin and NASCAR is just smart business. There was a comment about the sensuality level when Pamela Britton’s In the Groove was released last week. Specifically, one reviewer questioned if the fact the door was closed on the sex was affected by the NASCAR relationship. This is what I have to say about that; it makes sense that a business relationship with NASCAR might affect the level of sensuality on a book, but really is this any different than any other publisher/line we write for?

IMHO, no.

Some editors/lines have their little nuances about what they like and don’t like, and we usually end up revising based on this anyway. Some lines want hotter sex scenes; some want less, some want none. Additionally, I don’t think you need to necessarily HAVE to open the door on sex to portray intimacy in a book, do you?

I write for an erotic publisher, sex, and the foreplay leading to sex have always been important to me, however, could I write a book closing a door on sex and still make it good? YOU BET!!! I think I could and I don’t think it would change my literary voice at all. I actually think it takes a talented author to write a good closed-door-on-sex book and make it great, like I felt In The Groove was. Honestly, I don't think In the Groove would have been any different because Pam's voice is Pam's voice.

What do you think? Can you enjoy a good book without sex?

Men are visual creatures. I’m aware of this. Just like I’m aware of music playing at Starbucks when I’m writing. In both instances, this awareness hums along slightly below my consciousness — until something jolts it to the forefront. Like today, when the barista cranked the music up two notches higher than usual. Or when, hours later, Gary walked in, looked at me, then did a double-take.

I'd met Gary in December at a singles ‘networking’ function. I’d bought a little black dress for the occasion — my first step in implementing New Year’s Resolution #3: Get in Touch With My Inner-Diva. It was clingy and sexy, yet classy and sophisticated. I felt like Cinderella. And my many Prince Charmings stepped forward to slip me business cards, instead of slippers.

Gary was one of them.

Two weeks later, I attended a party at a friend’s house wearing the same little black dress. Same Cinderella experience, though on a smaller scale. Gary showed up. (Aren’t the odds of running into the same guy, in the same dress, in a person’s house similar to those of finding a $1 million lottery ticket stuck to the bottom of your shoe?!). He pressed another business card into the palm of my hand.

Today, I was sitting at Starbucks, in my working attire — baggy army fatigue-like pants and a shapeless fleece sweatshirt. Glasses. No makeup. Bed-head hair — the matted, lopsided kind. While pondering deep thoughts, such as why, at page 156, my heroine and hero in my erotic romance still had not managed to have sex, I looked up from my computer. And there was Gary, standing between the whole milk and half-and-half canisters.

“Hi,” I mouthed.

He did a double-take before returning my greeting, and then walked over.

I laughed. “Yeah, I know. I look different.”

He smiled. “Yeah.”

“I bet if you’d seen me like this — no makeup, glasses, messy hair — you wouldn’t have invited me out to dinner.”

He shook his head. “No. I still would have asked you to dinner. But only if you were wearing that dress. That black dress.”

I didn't know whether to feel complimented or insulted.

Is that really all it takes? Are men really that ... basic? I wish I were bold enough to find out. To not comb my hair. Not shave my armpits. Wear my oldest, most outdated glasses. And don my little black dress.

You really think Prince Charming would be standing by to take me out?

I'm wondering, because if ever there was a day in which inspiration would refuse to appear, it's today. Baby's been sick for four days with stomach virus. Husband woke up with huge fever and cramps. Guess who's been taking care of them both?

And yet, I have to give myself serious props, because any spare moment I get (like when they both decide to actually take a nap), I'm butt to the chair, fingers to the keyboard.

Oh yeah, and I'm writing sex scenes today. First one came out pretty good, if I do say so myself.

How do you deal with writing when life gets in the way?
;-) Bella