Book Lovers Inc.
Romance Novel Reviews, Author Interviews, Commentary
Guestpost by Ann Stephens + Giveaway
We are very happy to welcome author Ann Stephens here at Book Lovers Inc today. She writes Historical Romance novels and her latest novel, Her Scottish Groom was released last week. Today She will tell us how being published feels and what it will or will NOT change in your life. Please give her a warm welcome. And be sure to answer her question at the end for your chance to win.
“Before Enlightenment, carry water and chop wood. After Enlightenment, carry water and chop wood.”
Sometimes it’s a tedious process. I wonder if I’m EVER going to finish this story, this chapter, this scene. For awhile, I thought this was just me. It’s not. One writer of multiple books commented in an email how frustrated she is with her current work-in-progress, the final book in a trilogy that actually sounds pretty darn good. And a Very Big Name writer has confessed in my hearing to putting her head down and crying when the words wouldn’t come.
Why then do writers continue to put themselves through this angst? It makes us cranky and jealous of other seemingly flawless books and we just want to crawl into bed and pull the covers over our heads forever. Well, for starters, holding that finished book is amazing. Not because ooooo, ahhhh, all of a sudden you’re graced with a golden aura or anything. Getting published will not do any of the following:
About the book:
Infuriating, Imperious. . .
Proud Scottish lord Kieran Rossburn doesn’t relish the idea of a marriage of convenience, but he’ll do what he must to preserve the family estate. Worse, the bride he’s been saddled with–the daughter of a crass, unrefined, American merchant–is far too weak-willed for his tastes. Or so it seems at first. . .
And Entirely Irresistible. . .
After a lifetime under the thumb of her domineering parents, Diantha Quinn can’t believe she’s being shipped across the ocean to be locked away yet again. Now, to gain any sort of power in her life, she must resist Kieran’s seductions and keep the marriage in name only. Yet how can she keep from falling in love, when she is wed to the most tempting man in all of Scotland?
Praise for Ann Stephens’s To Be Seduced
“An engaging and breathtakingly romantic tale. I savored every well-crafted word!” –Celeste Bradley, New York Times Bestselling author
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Hello, Ann! Congratulations on the release of "Her Scottish Groom"! I am so in love with the characters and story line for this book–it's at the top of my wish list : )
The timing of your question is amazing! Just this morning I was thinking of the love of my life, with whom I did not have an "HEA". I was thinking of how I could take our story and expand it and develop our characters and give us our happy ending. The other day, I commented about "my best first kiss". I said that my best kiss was the first time that I kissed the love of my life, and each first kiss when we saw each other after being apart. I met the love of my life when I was sixteen. He was a friend of a friend, and at first I thought he was just a smart-aleck. He thought that I was a snob! However, it didn’t take me long to realize that he was more, much more! He was tall and slim, and he had thick, wavy golden blonde hair and the most beautiful green eyes ever! He smelled better than any man I’ve ever met, and for years I could think of him and instantly smell his scent. Witty, warm, somewhat of a cowboy, and like me, Southern to the core. He put me on a pedestal, and he never thought that he would be accepted by my family. I have never been treated with such protectiveness and respect, but he had a short fuse and very low self-esteem. He liked to "make the rounds" with his friends, and we definitely had different lifestyles. However, the love was always there! We saw each other off and on throughout the years, but we never had our “HEA”. He married once and divorced, and I have never married. Neither one of us has children. I will always believe in first love and second chances. You are never too old to love and be loved in return : )
US Resident, GFC Follower, Subscriber
gcwhiskas at aol dot com
Love the question! I'm currently writing on more than just one book (all fiction), but what I'd really like to get published one day is my biggest project, a sci-fi trilogy!
Following on GFC!
danaan at gmx dot at
Lovely post and congrats for the release!!!
I'm a translator but I also like writing (but I don't think I'd like to be published, is more of a therapy), so I'm always eager to read books from the authors I love. Anything sci-fi, historical romance, chick lit and paranormal is fine!
aliasgirl at libero dot it
GFC follower from italy
I would write a sci-fi about a influenza pandemic, since my hobby is following them.
twoofakind12@yahoo.com
Congratulations on your release!
What a great question. I love to read but am not very good at writing. If I was, I would love to publish a paranormal story about my twin sister and I. It would include lots of mischief and antics on the path to her finding true love.
gfc follower
rjofus(at)gmail(dot)com
I would never call myself a writer but if I could write it would be a paranormal romance. I love shifter stories with lots of danger and suspense. Great question!
Stacie
GeishasMom73 on twitter
Virginia, thank you for telling us about your young love. I also enjoy second chance stories — I'm working on one at the moment. Of course the best one would be if you got a Happy Ever After of your own someday. I do hope that comes to pass for you.
Ann
Birgit, keep writing and learning! Sci-fi/fantasy is my favorite genre after romance, so I wish you the best of luck! Thank you for stopping by today!
Thank you for the congrats, Reading Mind. Your job as a translator sounds interesting — do you speak many languages?
How interesting that you journal. One of my mentors is a firm believer in the value of writing just for oneself. And I can't tell you how valuable letters and diaries are to anyone who writes about history, fictional or factual!
Ann
debbie, I think following pandemics has to be one of the most unique hobbies I've ever heard! Have you read The Stand by Stephen King?
Thank you for taking time to leave a comment!
Ann
You're a twin, ChrisS? How cool! I've got cousins who are identical twins — if you and your sister are anything like them, I just bet your story would have plenty of mischief and lots of laughs.
Thank you for stopping by today!
Ann
Hi, GeishaMom! I don't read a lot of paranormals, but my youngest devours them, lol! Some of her favorites are the Breed series, by Lora Leigh. (Loved Leigh's Dangerous Games, myself.)
Thank you for taking the time to comment!
Ann
The Gothic style post apocalyptic book I've been working on here and there for years.
misusedinnocence@aol.com
Good for you, misusedinnocence! As a screenwriter in my crit group says, Write On. Keep making time for that manuscript, and thanks for taking time to comment. 🙂
I'm a romance reader and have been since my teens; I would write romance be it historical, paranormal or romantic suspense!
I would write a historical paranormal. I haven't come across that many and those are my two favorite genres.
I am really looking forward to reading this book. I have had it on my wishlist for months now. It looks so good.
iqb99@yahoo.com
I've actually been writing a children's book for a few years now. You would think that writing a children's fiction wouldn't be that hard but it is, ebcause you want to affect your audience in a new and unique way.
PelicanJL[at]hotmail[dot]com
I have a lot of things I'd like to get published, especially my series about the war between good and evil as fought by different factions of angels.
Margay1122ATaolDOTcom
Most definitely fiction; & fantasy romance at that..my fav genre. Not that I have a hope of such. I have absolutely no imagination which maybe why I love reading SFF & fantasy romance so much.
Looking forward to reading your books!
thumbelinda03@yahoo.com
Hi Diane! I agree, you can't go wrong with a good romance. 🙂
Thank you for stopping by!
Ann
Good for you, Patricia. I know a couple of people who work on kids' books, and it is a challenging market to write for. I wish you well in your endeavor, and thank you for the comment!
Ann
Margay, thanks for reading my post & answering. Your series sounds like fun! Take care and don't forget…write, edit, write some more, LOL!
Ann
Why, thank you Linda — good luck in the drawing. There are so many talented writers in fantasy romance, I can see why you enjoy it!
Ann
Congrats on your new release. I'm looking forward to reading Her Scottish Groom.
If I could publish any book I wanted today, I'd go with a SciFi Romance with Steampunk elements and a lot of humor. I think it would be a lot of fun to write.
Barbed1951 at aol dot com
It would be a work of fiction, but has roots in non-fiction. Something that needs an HEA, but did not get one in real life and affected a lot of people. I'm not a writer, so I keep that idea aside and love the work that all you authors produce!
books (dot) things (at) yahoo (Dot) com
I would love to publish a paranormal romance of my own. I just love the genre so much!
angeldream3[at]gmail[dot]com
Ann I love Highland Romances! I added Her Scottish Groom to my wish list!
I'm currently working on a Paranormal. The characters were in my head begging to have their story told and wouldn't stop until I put them on paper.
cbandy10(at)hotmail(dot)com
Thank you, Barbara! I hope you enjoy reading Her Scottish Groom as much as I enjoy writing it. Steampunk is gaining popularity in leaps and bounds, and it's a fun genre. I hope you get to write your story some day.
Ann
Hi, Melissa! I like your take on a book, since there are so many people who don't get their HEA. It's a pleasure meeting an enthusiastic romance reader! After all, people like you are one romance writers write for!
Ann
Thanks for your comment, Amy. You know, I started writing historicals because it's also my favorite genre as a reader…so you never know.
Ann
I'm so flattered, Cindy! Thank you! I know exactly what you mean about characters who won't leave you alone till you write their story. I think for writers, hearing voices may be a requirement, LOL.
Good luck on your paranormal!
Ann
I think a contemporary and there would definitely be some rescuing involved – I'm a sucker for a rescue tale – both emotional and physical.
I would publish my parents story: if only for our family to keep & cherish. They have had remarkable lives.
marypres@gmail.com
I would love to try to write a book. It has been my dream. I would like to do paranormal or romance. Please enter me in contest. I would love to read this book. Tore923@aol.com
Hi, Kaetrin, and thank you for stopping by today. Yes, there's just something about the idea of being carried out of danger by a strong, handsome hero. 😉 Yummy!
Ann
Marybelle, what a thoughtful idea! Knowing family stories like that means so much down the years. I have a few stories in my family tree that I wish had been told more fully.
Hi Tore! If you want to write, you should try it. I can promise your first efforts will need to be re-worked — like everything else, writing is a skill that takes practice. But try writing every day to see if you love it.
Thank you for taking the time to comment.
I'd publish "To Kill a Mockingbird." The royalties on that must be great! Oh, you mean I have to write it, too? Hmmmmm…I don't think I'm clever enough (or focused enough) to do that. I'll just appreciate all the wonderful books actual authors offer us! Thanks for your column.
ROTFL, LSUReader! Indeed, you would have to have written it. I think it's the only book Harper Lee wrote, but it's a masterpiece.
Is LSU short for Louisiana State University by any chance? One of my kids is interested in going there.
Ann
IF I could publish a book today, I would probably publish an Urban Fantasy novel with strong romance elements in it because I love reading this genre and it never ceases to amaze me how authors come up with the plots and twists in these books!
Congrats on the new release! I will definitely check it out as I also love reading highlander stories too! 🙂
chibipooh(at)gmail(dot)com
If i could publish a book it would be an historical romance i just can't get enough of them!
elizabeth_14@hotmail.co.uk
Hi Winnie! Sounds like you have a good idea of what kind of book you like. And on behalf of authors everywhere, thanks you. No matter what genre, most of us try to think of original characters and good ways to torture them. 😉
Ann
I always enjoy meeting new historical romance readers, Elizabeth! Thank you for stopping by today.
Ann
Congratulations, Ann! Love the Buddha quote 🙂
Thank you, Cheri! The quote strikes a chord with me as a good reminder to stay focused on the tasks at hand.
It was so nice of you to take time to leave a comment. 🙂
oooh, definitely a historical romance!! my fave genre 🙂 Thank you for the contest!
inthehammockblog at gmail dot com
I'm discovering that I have multiple-personality-disorder when it comes to books I read. I like so many different types that I can't decide which is my favorite. Right now I'm on a contemporary romance kick. 2 weeks ago it was Highland romance (SO HOT). And the week before that it was defiantly Urban Fantasy. But I guess the glue to it all is a good romance–a solid, believable romance that isn't "I lust after you so I must love you."
Thanks for the interview. I've added your book to my wishlist for my next purchase.
akbabcock at gmail dot com
You're welcome, Carrie, although I have to thank the Book Lovers for inviting me. It's been fun to meet so many readers!
Thanks for leaving the comment!
Congratulations on your release!
I would write a historical becouse it´s my favorite genre.
welzen@hotmail.com
If I could, I too would write a Historical Romance book with plenty of naughty bits in it. I love a book when it is "spiced up". Oh, and it has to have a good story line as well.
I would write a super smexy paranormal romance or western romance. =)
folksohana(at)gmail(dot)com
I'd love to have enough information to write a biography of my grandparents or a genealogy of my family.
meredithfl at gmail dot com