Intrigue Authors

NEW INTRIGUE AUTHORS BLOG

2012-01-11T18:05:00.002-05:00

Please go to http://intrigue-authors.blogspot.com/ for the NEW Intrigue Authors Blog.

Calling Intrigue Authors

2005-10-25T12:59:00.000-04:00

What's happened to the intrigue authors' blog? Are we all too deep in deadline hell? Maybe that's a good sign.

I've been seeing questions about Intrigue's direction again. Isn't it interesting how often this question comes up?

When I sold my first book to Intrigue, my editor was very excited about the romance in my story. She indicated that many Intrigues were heavy on plot and that the romance often suffered. In my limited experience, that attitude has definitely changed.

As Patricia said a couple of months ago, the emphasis now seems to be on dark stories with plenty of action and constant danger. I love dark stories, the darker the better for me. And I've found that action begets action. Once I'm in the 'zone,' writing a suspense-filled action scene seems to lead to the next action scene and the next. It can be great fun to see how many ways the hero and heroine can tempt capture or death and still survive.

I recently received one of the most meaningful compliments I've ever received on a book. Someone said that although she knew the hero and heroine would survive and be together at the end of the book, she couldn't put the book down because she was scared to death that they might not survive. How great is that? Intrigue readers know they're going to get their happy ending, but they love to be held in suspense up until the last possible moment.

I'm enjoying writing edgier books, with badder villains and more hair-raising escapes, but I also love the romance. To me the most fun in writing Intrigues is the interweaving of the romance and the suspense. While the books are more plot-driven than they used to be, I don't want to sacrifice one bit of the romance. That wonderful 'aww...' ending when it's obvious the hero and heroine will live happily ever after is what I live for, in my reading and my writing.

Big Sky Bounty Hunters mini-series

2005-09-08T09:31:00.000-04:00

Anybody out there reading the Big Sky mini-series?

It's off to an exciting start with Amanda Stevens's GOING TO EXTREMES, and I'm anxious to read Jessica Andersen's BULLSEYE (1, I'm a fan of Jessica's medical thrillers, and 2, her hero, Jacob, plays a key supporting role in my book, so I want to see if I got the essence of his personality right).

The last three books in the series are
WARRIOR SPIRIT by Cassie Miles (October)
FORBIDDEN CAPTOR by Julie Miller (November)
RILEY'S RETRIBUTION by Rebecca York (December)

At www.eHarlequin.com, they're having a discussion on the series--guessing who mystery villains are, heroes they like/love, and so on.

What do you guys think?

Julie Miller
www.juliemiller.org

Conference Photos

2005-08-09T10:46:00.000-04:00

I've put up some conference photos on my own blog at www.rebeccayork.blogspot.com

Ruth

RWA Conference in Reno, NV--Julie Miller

2005-07-23T16:07:00.000-04:00

Okay, so how many of you are going to be in Reno, Nevada, next week, attending the ROMANCE WRITERS OF AMERICA conference? Authors and readers and aspirings alike. I know some of you are doing workshops. Such as?

I'm heading out there and dive into things almost as soon as I arrive. It should be fun!

Julie Miller

The changing world of Intrigue -- Patricia Rosemoor

2005-07-06T00:24:00.000-04:00

Several lists are afire with the fact that Intrigue might be heading in a new direction. I personally think Intrigues have changed directions several times over these many years since I sold my first book to the line back in 1985. But then, the times have changed and so have what readers are looking for in their entertainment. Even so, there were no overnight changes. They came a bit at a time until they evolved into what we write now. And I expect they will evolve forever.

My first Intrigues were very much romantic mysteries filled with clues, clues, clues. My first Intrigues were pretty spicy, but I soon let the heat take a back seat to the mystery. Then we were asked for more romance in our Intrigues and they heated up again. Traditional was the hallmark. Now it's not. The heroines are stronger. The danger is darker. For me, the darker the better. Especially if it's paranormal.

In GHOST HORSE, my July Eclipse/Intrigue, my heroine Chloe Morgan is drawn into a gothic story of a ghost horse who leads her to the truth of a friend who disappeared. I was able to cast doubt on hero Damian Graylord (it's a gothic -- a hero-in-doubt is traditional!). Is Damian really divorced or did he kill his wife? And who is making all those noises in the attic over Chloe's bed. Very fun to write.

As a reader, how have Intrigues changed for you? Do you feel the backlist still works or do you want something fresh? What would you like to see in an Intrigue?

Patricia Rosemoor

Virgin Blog -- Adrianne Lee

2005-07-02T03:29:00.000-04:00

Okay, this is my first time. I am just dipping my fingertips into the blogging waters and swirling them a bit. Want to be sure whatever ripples I create don't cause any tidal waves before I venture in completely.
Life has give me a few good slams in the past couple of years and I don't have an Intrigue coming out any time soon. But, I am working on a couple of romantic suspense ideas and have visions of a new contract in the near future.
Adrianne Lee

www.adriannelee.com
http://adrianneleeu.blogspot.com/ (coming soon)

Julie Miller--Author workshops and public speaking

2005-06-30T10:28:00.000-04:00

Hey, all--a new topic comes to mind today as I'm preparing for a luncheon presentation I'm giving today.

As a speaker/workshop presenter--what are the things you enjoy discussing the most/least? what's the scariest/most stressful part of presenting and what is the easiest for you?

As someone attending a workshop or author panel--what kind of things do you like to know from an author? Craft tips? Publishing secrets? Details on their stories? How s/he got started? Other?

Personally, I find it hard when I'm not given any guidelines beyond 'we want you to speak for 20-30 minutes--about whatever you want.' It's easier to structure a talk when you know the audience's expectations. But I love it when I get good, interesting questions from the audience--ones that are pertinent, but maybe not on issues that have been talked to death.

Julie Miller
www.juliemiller.org

MUSIC FOR INTRIGUES--Amanda Stevens

2005-06-28T10:34:00.000-04:00

I know a lot of writers who listen to music while they work. I can't do that. I need absolute peace and quiet (sometimes hard to come by at my house), but I do get inspiration from music. I often pick a 'theme' song for my current WIP, and while I don't have it on as I write, I'll give it a listen throughout the day to evoke a certain mood. I even sometimes choose a song that I think would make a great soundtrack if my book was made into a movie (wishful thinking).

I'll admit my tastes are a little offbeat. For romance, I love New Wave music from the eighties (Images of Heaven, Send me an Angel...to name a couple of my favorite songs). For dark, dark, dark stories, there is nothing like Skinny Puppy to evoke a nightmarish mood. For anyone not familiar with this band, their music was just used on the new TV show "The Inside". Also Massive Attack (Flight of the Phoenix, Mission: Impossible, Stigmata, Moulin Rouge) can really get the adrenaline going.

Does anyone else use music for inspiration? What songs/artists are a natural fit for your Intrigues?

Amanda Stevens
www.amandastevens.com

Paranormal in Eclipse--Rebecca York

2005-06-25T21:55:00.000-04:00

Under Amanda Stevens' original post on Eclipse, Patrizia has asked a question about paranormal elements. <>

I'm doing it. But I've been writing for Intrigue since 1991.
Can someone who's come on board in the past few years answer the question?

My guess is that they would have discouraged it a few years ago. But it would be more likely now that paranormal is so popular.

Ruth/Rebecca York

ECLIPSE--Amanda Stevens

2005-06-25T14:45:00.000-04:00

I asked this question in the comments section of Julie's post below, but I decided to open up a new topic in case some might not see it because I'm really interested in some feedback. For those of you who have written and read Eclipses, are they also edgier (re: the discussion on the new direction for Intrigues) or more traditionally gothic--the creepy old house, hero in doubt, etc? Are paranormal elements required?

I love gothics, with or without paranormal elements, so I'm thrilled to hear they're so hot right now.

Amanda Stevens
www.amandastevens.com

Envelope Pushing--Julie Miller

2005-06-24T14:31:00.000-04:00

I've had a lot of people (esp. aspiring writers) ask me about the "new direction" Intrigue is taking. I guess they're getting that response on submission requests and rejections--either it does or doesn't meet the "new direction" Intrigue is taking.

While I haven't heard anything corporately about Intrigue guidelines changing, I do get a sense from talking to other authors and in my own writing that there are some subtle changes--all directly related to marketing. One, they're definitely looking for young voices since they really want to pull in and keep younger readers--I think that's another reason we can push some of the content as well--younger readers have been exposed to a lot more technology; the news is in their faces from a lot of sources; younger readers tend to take more chances/be more flexible; and they tend to like more action/steam/danger/unpredictability than veteran readers who are used to seeing a line a certain way.

I know the more books I write, the more the editors trust my judgment--for example, in my first books, the H/h got together pretty quickly. In one of my recent books, they didn't meet until Ch. 3. My characters can curse more now than before, if the situation calls for it. Some of my stories are getting more mainstream, but they still have that satisfying ending (still a must for me).

I don't know how much I push the envelope, content-wise (though I've dealt with some pretty traumatic issues, created some unusual characters, made up plausible technology, litter the place with dead bodies , etc.)

As far as specific trends, they come and go. But right now I think paranormal and Gothic are hot (hence, the success of the Eclipse sub-series).

Just some thoughts.

Julie Miller
www.juliemiller.org

HOW FAR IS TOO FAR--Amanda Stevens

2005-06-24T10:26:00.000-04:00

I think the farthest I've ever pushed the envelope in an Intrigue was in CONFESSIONS OF THE HEART. My heroine, a heart transplant recipient, finds out her doner was a female serial killer who manipulated her lesbian lover into removing the hearts of her victims, and the hero is an ex-cop who was once tortured, then seduced by the killer. He even married her (obviously, the serial killer was bisexual). One reviewer said 'the whole thing was just creepy and bizarre'. Not sure she meant it as a compliment, but it's one of my favorite reviews.

I was really surprised that I was allowed to do this story. The creepy aspects aside, it was understood from the beginning that the heroine wasn't 'cured'. Her body could reject the new heart at any time, she was prone to infections, had to take tons of medications daily, and there was a good chance she would need another transplant down the road. It was definitely not a happily ever after scenario. After I'd written the book, I kind of wondered if I'd bitten off more than I could chew in an Intrigue.

Which brings me to my questions. Do you think the majority of Intrigue readers like it when we 'push the envelope', or do they prefer a more traditional mystery? How far is too far?

Amanda Stevens

PUSHING THE ENVELOPE

2005-06-21T18:47:00.000-04:00

I feel like I've pushed the envelope in each one of my Intrigues. As a new author, I figured I wouldn't be able to get away with anything. But in my very first Intrigue the hero watches his house blow up with his wife in it--he thinks, and then I switch to a secondary character's POV to show the hero's anguish.

In my 2nd Intrigue the hero calls a really nasty guy a 'son of a bitch' and my editor said 'we don't usually allow that but in this case I think it's appropriate.'

In SEEKING ASYLUM, coming out in August, my hero has to go undercover in a mental hospital and receive treatments and shock therapy. Plus he's psychic. He's pretty darn messed up. I really thought that one would be nixed.

And... in the anthology coming out in November I got to use 'crap'!!!!(Geez, I sound like the writers of NYPD Blue, don't I?) And, I have an ambiguously gay sex scene from the villain's POV which is just this side of very explicit. I was really surprised it got to stay in. Probably because I never actually mention the sex of his partner, but it's pretty obvious from the descriptions. :)

Click on mallorykane.com to visit my web page.

Just a drop-in

2005-06-20T18:53:00.000-04:00

Hello and sorry for my absence . . . I was off sailing around the lovely islands serving absolutely no purpose. Not so different from my regular life (where I also have little purpose), just different scenery. I did treat myself to the Internet cafe on board the ship. Now, I can spend money with the best of them, but sticking my credit card in the machine to pay a small fortune for some web time is not my idea of fun spending. But one morning I decided it was worth it, so I took my coffee and went down to watch the sunrise and send an email to my daughter.

There's a husband and wife there, obviously upset. He's got red eyes, she's sniffing, but I try to mind my own business and write my email. I'm a really lousy typist. Never learned. But, I have pointlessly long fingernails, so I suppose I do make a bit of noise. A few expensive minutes go by and the man comes over to me and says . . .

"Excuse me, but we don't know how to work the Internet, can you help?"

I look into his sad, teary eyes, and say, "Sure, what do you need?"

"Well," he sniffs, "we've had a death in the family, so we need to find a flight from St. Bart's back to Wisconsin. How do we do that?"

So, with my credit card securely slipped into the slot, I start searching all the travel sites while his wife man's the communal printer. I go to the airline sites, everything I can think of, all the while, he's weepy and she's sniffing. Finally, after $65.00 in charges, the cheapest thing I can find is around $800.00. The information spits from the printer.

The wife says, "Honey, we can't afford that much for plane tickets."

So I say, "Ma'am, once you get home, you can send a copy of the obituary and/or the death certificate to the airline and I'm sure they'll give you some sort of bereavement fare."

He says, "Really?"

"Yes," I tell him. "They are really quite accommodating."

His eyes brighten. "Even when it's your cat that died?"

So, I'm pretty much out $65.00 and last I heard, they were putting Fluffy in the neighbor's deep freeze until the ship returned to the US.

Welcome to summer!

Kelsey

www.KelseyRoberts.net

FILM AT ELEVEN, July, 2005

pushing the envelope--Rebecca York

2005-06-20T16:07:00.000-04:00

Patricia, I'm answering you in a new window. as I said over on the CNN loop, I was astonished when I did UNDERCOVER ENCOUNTER as part of the New Orleans Confidential series, and the editor told me to have the heroine be a cop and go under cover in a bordello. I never would have dared come up with that plot on my own. But I loved writing it.

At the moment, I am writing a vampire book, THE SECRET NIGHT. I am finished the book and editing it. And I'm worried about the first scene. The vampire hero is a private detective and he has been hired to stop a bunch of low life bikers from partying in a graveyard. As I've written it, he scares the spit out of them, and they leave. But he doesn't bite anyone on the neck or anything really heavy. What do you all think? How far can I go? As I wrote it, the reader doesn't even know he's a vampire until chapter two. Am I safer leaving it that way? Or should I write it the way I'd write it if it were one of my single-title Berkley books?

Darn--I forgot to change the font color. And the size. Sorry. Anybody know how to block one of these messages? Every time i try that, the whole message goes away.
Ruth/Rebecca

Pushing the envelope -- Patricia Rosemoor

2005-06-19T17:51:00.000-04:00

We hear a lot of talk about pushing the envelope but I'm wondering what you all think that means. Any examples of things you've read (or written) that suprised you (especially since it actually stayed in your ms.).

I'll go first. In my December Silhouette Bombshell, my heroine is trapped in a room privy to a sex scene/blood drinking (yes, vampire) scenario in the next room. It turns out the vamp wasn't drinking from a man but another woman. I was seriously nervous that I might be asked to change that, but not a word . . .

Patricia

Julie Miller--Just Dropping By/Satisfying Endings

2005-06-19T15:41:00.000-04:00

Hey, everyone!
Haven't been by for a while so I thought I'd check in. You know, sometimes I don't think my life could get any busier, then, voila!, there's always something more to do. So I apologize for not getting here sooner. There's always something interesting to discuss, and I'm afraid I'll get distracted (I think my self-discipline has gone on summer vacation :) Even though work and family and life haven't taken a break!)

I do think one of the newer trends in romance novels, especially in a more mainstream line like Intrigue, is the idea that a 'satisfying' ending is just as acceptable as a 'happily-ever-after' ending. Sometimes, because of the plot and character demands, timeline of the story, etc., it just isn't realistic for every story to have the H/h get married/pregnant/propose/etc., that have been the staple of romance novels for years. I DO think it's important that they H/h make a commitment by the end of an Intrigue, since it is a series romance line. The reader (and I, the writer) wants that sense of closure--that security or reassurance--that everything will turn out okay for this couple that we've invested however many hours of our lives in. That commitment/security is a happy ending for me--what's being referred to now as a satisfying ending. Personally, I don't like it when the complete, traditional ending is tacked on to a book, when it seems forced or out of character for that completion to occur.

My best example is in my Intrigue, UNSANCTIONED MEMORIES. The heroine is a rape survivor, and much of the story deals with her recovery from the trauma, and learning to trust a man (and herself) in a relationship again. The hero is a man bent on vengeance, who initially deceives the heroine (not good for trust issues) in order to accomplish that goal. Of course, part of his character journey is to learn that vengeance won't bring back the loved-one he lost, it hurts to deceive someone he cares about, taking care of the living is more important than taking care of a memory, that positive emotions are more healing than negative ones, etc. For me, both characters had too far to go emotionally for them to be at the HEA point at the end of 300 pages. Instead, the story ends with them going to bed together for the first time, and him making the promise that they'll go through counseling together. They acknowledge that sex and a relationship won't be smooth sailing for them, but--the commitment to stick with a relationship through this healing/growth process gave me a sense of satisfaction. U MEMORIES is part of my Taylor Clan mini-series, and they do eventually get married in the last book of the series. But those characters needed that time.

So, yeah, imo, that satisfaction/security must be there at the end of a romance or romantic suspense novel. Sometimes, they do get to a wedding or delivery of a baby or a marriage proposal, sometimes, they don't. For me, without that commitment at the end of the story, it's not a romance novel to me. It might still be a good book, but if I'm writing or reading romance/romantic suspense, then that's a guarantee I want--a satisfying ending, or a believably traditional ending if it fits.

My long-winded thoughts.

Okay, now I really must get back to work!!

Julie Miller
www.juliemiller.org

HEA Problem--Rebecca York

2005-06-16T13:54:00.000-04:00

I have an interesting problem. My hero is a vampire. And now I'm at the end of the book trying to figure out what kind of ending I can get away with. Do I have to turn the heroine into a vampire so she can live forever? Or can I get away with their staying together and seeing what happens?

Heroine Problems

2005-06-16T12:27:00.000-04:00

How often do you guys write a story where the heroine is not immediately in danger, or where she is set up as the 'protector?' Do you find it difficult to reverse the traditional roles of hero and heroine and still have a compelling story? In the story I'm working on the heroine will be in danger--lots of danger--as the story progresses, but at the beginning she is an FBI agent and it's the hero and his toddler son who are targeted.

Mallory Kane

When do they meet? Rebecca York

2005-06-15T12:10:00.000-04:00

This is the second time I've tried to edit a post and erased it! Arg!! I used to make sure my h/h met in the first chapter of an Intrigue. Now I might hold off a bit--if I need the story to start earlier than right before their first meeting. What are you all doing?

International Waters Hello - Kelsey Roberts

2005-06-12T04:17:00.000-04:00

Hello from the high seas. Okay, I wish I meant that figuratively, but thanks to tropical storm Arlene, it is very rough here in the Caribbean. I know, you're thinking I shouldn't complain, I am, after all, on a cruise. Yes, I am, the annual family obligation cruise. This is when my mother, my sister and I all gather at sea and pretend we don't have a Loralie Glimore - Emily Gilmore kind of relationship. The water could never get as rocky as the relationship between the three women in my family. So, forgive me for not sharing the great threads being discussed by the insightful Intrigue Ladies, but the Internet Cafe is a happening place and getting computer time is close to impossible.

Have a great week!

Kelsey Roberts
http://www.kelseyroberts.net

new rules? Rebecca York

2005-06-10T18:03:00.000-04:00

I have a question. Do you feel that the rules for Intrigues are changing? Are you writing scenes and situations you wouldn't have been able to write a few years ago?

Villains and Heroes--Mallory Kane

2005-06-10T17:19:00.000-04:00

Love the Evil Overlord list, Ruth!

The closest I came to villain explaining everything was in A PROTECTED WITNESS when the real killer finally captured my heroine and she wanted to know why he'd killed her father and her husband. He explains, but at the same time two other bad guys are doing things (one's fighting with the hero) and the hero is struggling to get to them because of course, being the hero, he's figured it all out ... well, most of it anyhow.

As for heroes in doubt -- I LOVE them. The masters (Christie, Mary Stewart's Ivy Tree, Dick Francis, Phyllis Whitney) can stay in the protagonist's head and still make sure the reader doesn't quite know everything. I love that!!! I aspire to that! Although probably not in Intrigue.

Mallory Kane

Villain Explaining Things at End--Kara Lennox

2005-06-08T17:29:00.000-04:00

Rebecca--Unless I'm reading an Agatha Christie book, it really bothers me to have a villain explaining the whole scenario at the end. It seems unnatural. (And hey, let's face it, real bad guys don't usually spill everything when they're caught. They say, "Hey, I didn't do anything," even if the smoking gun is still in their hand. Or they say, "I want my lawyer, now.")

As a writer, I try to reveal as much of the puzzle as I can in bits and pieces along the way, so that when the ultimate bad guy is caught, he doesn't have to go into a long monologue--but maybe he can provide that one final piece of the puzzle that allows everything else to click into place.

Kara Lennox
BOUNTY HUNTER HONOR, Harlequin Intrigue, June 2005
www.karalennox.com

More Evil Overlord--Rebecca York

2005-06-05T21:06:00.000-04:00

I found a version of the Evil Overlord list at the address below.

http://omega.med.yale.edu/~pcy5/misc/overlord1.htm

Rebecca York

Evil Overlord--Rebecca York

2005-06-05T20:51:00.000-04:00

Did any of you ever read the "Evil Overlord" list--a list of what not to do if you were an evil overlord? (Like tattoo all your bad guys with the same mark so the cops could easily identify them. Or sit around explaining how well your nasty plans worked out before you kill the h/h?)

I'm at the end of an Intrigue and caught having the bad guy do a lot of explaining. Of course, a lot of it is lies because he's trying to get the h/h to hate each other before he kills them.

Have any of you gotten trapped with a lot of explaining by the bad guy at the end of the book?

Rebecca York

HERO IN DOUBT--Amanda Stevens

2005-06-05T15:11:00.000-04:00

I love to write in the heroine's POV. In fact, I could quite happily write the whole book without ever going into the hero's head. Sometimes those pesky heroes just get in my way (although I probably shouldn't admit that!). It's very difficult for me to write a hero-driven book because I always identify much more closely with the heroine. It's always her story for me no matter what else is going on. Woman-in-jeopardy stories are my absolute favorite and they lend themselves beautifully to a hero-in-doubt.

Amanda Stevens

Another day at the keyboard--Julie Miller

2005-06-05T13:39:00.000-04:00

On my lunch break--thought I'd check in to see if I could get this process right today--hooray!

Sang pretty at church this morning--we have a little Andrews Sisters-style trio--during the summer months, the choir goes on vacation and various church members volunteer to do special music. That got me up early, home early, at the keyboard early--busily trying to finish up my current wip.

I don't write too many heroes in doubt--in doubt to the heroine, at first, perhaps--but I love to write in the hero's pov, so it's hard to make him appear genuinely evil or dangerous when we can get into his head and see what his motivations are.

I do love to write reluctant heroes, though--those guys who either don't think they have the right stuff, but who step up because of necessity--or those dark, tortured guys who've given all they have already. Dark and tortured is a favorite of mine--it's such an emotional journey to see someone dig deep into the well inside them to find one more scrap of something to fight with. My current wip, SEARCH AND SEIZURE, features that type of hero. He's lost everything he ever cared about and doesn't give a damn about much of anything. But there's that scrap of something inside him, that part of his broken soul that remembers what justice and fighting for the underdog is all about. And, hey, with a scrappy heroine who won't let him quit around, he comes a long way to save the day and fall in love. Absolutely, a favorite storyline of mine!

Julie Miller

Hero in Doubt--from Rebecca York

2005-06-04T19:20:00.000-04:00

Patricia, I have trouble writing a hero in doubt story because I'm always rooting so strongly for the h/h to get together. Sometimes I manage to write a story that's sort of a hero in doubt. The heroine thinks he's a bad guy. But when you get into HIS head, you're pretty sure he can't actually be bad.
Rebecca York

Villains--from Rebecca York

2005-06-04T18:16:00.000-04:00

Okay, I'm playing with color. I can barely read this against the white background. I assume it's going to look great against the black.

Ann, I am also fascinated with villains. I love creating dark evil people who will stop at nothing to achieve their goals. So what does that say about me? I hope they're an outlet for the dark impulses that everyone has to keep in check to function in society.

I have more room to develop complex villains in my Berkley single titles than in my Intrigues. I like to give my villains a reason for their current behavior. Because they suffered in their childhoods, their motivation is understandable. In CRIMSON MOON, my 100th book, my bad guy's parents sent him to an upper-class prep school where he didn't fit in. He suffered at the hands of the bigger boys and also his classmates. Then he started figuring out ways to get even. And he continued the pattern into his later life. Of course,a miserable childhood is not an excuse for their immoral actions. I'm currently writing an Intrigue, NIGHT TERRORS, where the villain is a 500-year-old vampire--which has given him lots of room to develop his self-serving personality. The book's due in July, so I assume it will be out in April next year.

Rebecca York

Giving this a try

2005-06-04T14:34:00.000-04:00

Hi All!

Blogging is a new thing for me as well, technology isn't my strong suit. It takes me the better part of a week to reset the digital clocks if the power goes out.

I'm not sure what to share, so, let's just start with the day's happenings . . . it's birthday party centeral around here. I obviously had a slight mental breakdown and agreed to a pool party/sleepover for my daughter's 8th birthday. Simple, right? Except that sunny south Florida hasn't been sunny for the better part of a week and it's still raining with no end in sight. So, I'm thinking I have about 2 hours to come up with games to play - it's that or force the children to watch the boxed set of The West Wing . . .

Thanks to multi-talented Particia for setting this up for us!

Enjoy,
Kelsey
http://kelseyroberts.net

Julie Miller tries again!

2005-06-04T14:14:00.000-04:00

Hey, gang-- Julie Miller here.
I'm a blog virgin (sounds like something medievel!), so I sure hope this shows up at the right place!

I'm hip-deep in deadlines for the next few weeks, so I might not get to post much right away. Last month we had some bad storms come through central Nebraska and we took some damage to the house--so I've been doing clean-up, repairs, and spending lots of time on the phone! I had to get an extension on a deadline (my next PRECINCT book, featuring A.D.A. Dwight Powers!) that I'm finishing up--this weekend, I hope! But, of course, that creates a domino effect on subsequent deadlines, so I'll be playing catch-up to get things back on track.

SEARCH AND SEIZURE (The Precinct in question) features two very nasty, vengeful villains and a couple of secrets I won't divulge here. Like Ann said, some villains just stay with you--and in this case, they really are driving the story. But I love the challenge that presents to the hero and heroine, and how much smarter, tougher, bigger, badder they have to be in order to uncover and defeat those bad guys. IOW, this book is really appealing to my dark side. Good catharsis!

After this, I'll lighten things up a bit and work on my next Blaze--one with a military theme--BASIC TRAINING. It's a follow-up to my award-winning Blaze, MAJOR ATTRACTION. Yummy heroes!

My next release, though, is a Signature Select anthology--CORNERED. Three suspenseful novellas by Linda Turner, Ingrid Weaver et moi. My story, "A Midsummer Night's Murder" was a grand adventure to write--sort of Agatha Christie meets Cliffhanger.

Whew! Well, I can see this might become addictive fun. I'll try to be good, but I'm sure I'll be back soon. Thanks, Patricia, for getting us started!!

Julie Miller
www.juliemiller.org

Villains with Ann Voss Peterson

2005-06-04T11:39:00.000-04:00

There comes a time, I guess, when all authors must join the world of the blog...

I'm Ann Voss Peterson. I write romantic thrillers for Harlequin Intrigue, both legal and otherwise. My upcoming Intrigue, an intense and edgy thriller entitled Marital Privilege, will be in stores in October. Check out an excerpt at annvosspeterson.com. I also enjoy dabbling in a little paranormal in the 3-in-one Intrigues and upcoming series I'm writing with Rebecca York and Patricia Rosemoor. Thanks for setting up the blog, Patricia!

I find myself fascinated with the villains in my stories. Maybe that's an indication that I'm a little warped, or maybe it's a healthy outlet for the dark, twisted part of my personality (healthier than actually committing those atrocities). But I love the way a strong, complex villain pushes the hero and heroine to heights they wouldn't achieve on their own. So much so, that I am now writing a three-book series revisiting the villain from my 2002 Harlequin Intrigue, Accessory To Marriage. Serial killer Dryden Kane is in prison, but that didn't stop him from haunting me until I continued his story. The books will be in stores next summer (June, July and August, 2006). The titles aren't official yet, but I'll definitely let you know when they are!

The other reason I've been thinking about villains is my recent viewing of Revenge of the Sith. It was a little disturbing to realize how satisfying I found Anakin's slide into darkness. But then Shakespeare's tragedies were always my favorites, too.

Don't get me wrong. I love stories with happy endings. I write stories with happy endings--for the hero and heroine. But there's something about seeing the story through the villain's eyes (which would make it a tragedy, of course) that gives me a vicarious thrill.

So that brings me to my topic. I'm curious about other people's thoughts about villains. What kinds of villains do you like? What do you think a great villain brings to a story? Do you love to hate villains? Who are some of your favorite fictional villains?

-Ann
Ann Voss Peterson

I'm here, too!

2005-06-04T11:25:00.000-04:00

Amanda Stevens here (waves to everyone). I've never actually blogged myself, but I do love reading them (especially Manolo's Shoe Blog).

I've been an Intrigue author for a number of years and still love writing them. My next release is The Edge of Eternity (Nov., 2005) which is part of the Mists of Fernhaven ghost series with B. J. Daniels and Joanna Wayne. We're following up with an Amityville Horror type series entitled Cape Diablo, which will be out in 2006.

To get back to Patricia's original post, I, too, love the hero in doubt. I've been in love with Mary Stewart's Raoul de Valmy for years!

Amanda Stevens

Longtime Blogger, First-time Intrigue Blogger

2005-06-04T11:04:00.000-04:00

Hey, this is great! I sort of got lost as to who set this up and got it going, but it's very cool!

I've been blogging on my own site, http://karalennox.bravejournal.com, for well over a year, and also at www.romancingtheblog.com for a few months. Since I mostly blather about really stupid stuff (like what I ate for lunch), I'm not sure I have anything left to say! But I do feel privileged to be part of this wonderful group of authors.

My final Intrigue (at least, for the foreseeable future) is out in June, BOUNTY HUNTER HONOR, so I guess I should mention that!

All best,
Kara Lennox
www.karalennox.com

I LIKE THIS!

2005-06-04T10:43:00.000-04:00

I agree, Susan. This is going to be very neat. I hope we can connect with Intrigue fans from here. I have a feeling we're going to have a lot of fun. I'm supposed to be writing, so naturally I'm here checking out our new blog instead. :)

I look forward to blogging with you guys!

Hey, check out the way you can make a link. My name (below) is a link to my mallorykane.com site. :)

Mallory Kane

Blogger newbie

2005-06-04T10:41:00.000-04:00

I know, I know, I'm waaayyy behind the times as a blogger. But now, my fellow Intrigue Authors have reeled me in and shown me the light! Look, Mom! I'm blogging!

Hi!
I'm Elle James a new Intrigue Author. I have a book called Shadows of the Moon due out March 2006. It'll mark my first in the Intrigue line. I'm truly excited to be included in this prestigious group and look forward to blogging with everyone! (Now that I know how!) My first book published came out this year with Dorchester's Love Spell line. It's a romantic comedy called TO KISS A FROG. Yeah, it's a bit different than my dark and sinister Intrigue, but I love variety! Hope you'll come by and see me at my website, where, by the way, I've added a blog! I like writing paranormal whether it's dark or light and humorous, and I love heroes with baggage! Mine have it!

thrilled to be here

2005-06-04T10:40:00.000-04:00

I'm thrilled to join the Intrigue authors at our new blog. I've been writing for Intrigue since the early 90's. And for the past three years I've been writing single titles for Berkley. When I first started my career, I wrote straight romances. But I wanted more action and adventure in the stories I was writing, so I switched to romantic suspense--and found my real career. I love writing stories about a man and a woman falling in love against a background of danger and suspense, where the risks are high and one false move means the end of their love--and their lives.

I also love adding paranormal elements to my stories. Early on, I wrote what I called "stealth paranormals" for Intrigue--where the reader couldn't tell that the hero was, for example, a 1,500-year-old space alien until way into the story. Now Intrigue lets me come right out with the shocking revelations. So in SPELLBOUND, my February Intrigue, you find out pretty quickly that my hero is suffering under a voodoo curse that . . . Hum, maybe I'd better not tell you, in case you haven't read the book.

Rebecca York (aka Ruth Glick)

New Intrigue Blog

2005-06-04T09:46:00.000-04:00

Hi,
This is going to be so cool. A place for Intrigue authors to blog. I'm way not enough tech savvy to set this up, but Patricia is brilliant and did it for us. So thanks, Patricia.

Right now, I'd like to mention a few things. Readers keep asking me where to find the rest of the Heroes Inc. series--well those books are at Blaze. The mini-series was conceived as a cross-line series and UNCONTROLLABLE is a June 06 Hereos Inc. book.

Also, for a big paranormal romantic suspense, please try ON THE EDGE, from Harlequin SIgnature. You can read an excerpt at my wite at www.susankearney.com

Susan Kearney

Patricia Rosemoor -- Welcome to the Intrigue Authors Blog

2005-06-04T02:11:00.000-04:00

The Intrigue Authors welcome you to our new blog pages. We're all new at this, so it may take some time to get going, but once we do, we hope you'll enjoy visiting on a regular basis.

I'm Patricia Rosemoor and I've been writing for Harlequin Intrigue since 1986. I was a prodigy, of course. I've always had a fascination for "Dangerous Love." I write various combinations of romance and suspense depending if I'm writing a Harlequin Intrigue or Blaze or Silhouette Bombshell.

One of the things that has always fascinated me is the "hero in doubt" -- you know, the guy who sends all kinds of thrills and chills to the heroine. She wants him but maybe he's not really a good guy . . .

How do you all feel about that kind of hero?

Patricia Rosemoor
GHOST HORSE, July Eclipse