Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Celebrating A Sexy New Anthology From Lori Foster, Susan Donovan and Victoria Dahl

Today on our Cyber Launch Party Blog, we're celebrating the release of THE GUY NEXT DOOR,  three sexy new spring-fling novellas from three of today's hottest contemporary romance authors and featuring a never-before-published novella from Lori Foster and a prequel to Lori's upcoming Men Who Walk the Edge of Honor series.


Lori Foster first published with Harlequin in January 1996. Her second book launched Temptation Blaze and her 25th book launched Temptation Heat. Since those early days, Lori has routinely had 6 to 10 releases a year. She's a Waldenbooks, USA Today, Publisher's Weekly and New York Times bestselling author with over 80 titles published through a variety of houses, including Berkley/Jove, Kensington, St. Martins, Harlequin and Silhouette.

Lori believes it's important to back to the community as much as possible, and for that reason she ran special contests in conjunction with a publisher, facilitating many first sales for new authors. She routinely organizes events among authors and readers to gather donations for various organizations.

Along with her good friend, Dianne Castell, Lori hosts a very special annual "Reader & Author" event in West Chester Ohio. Proceeds from the event go to benefit worthy causes, including the Hamilton County YWCA Battered Women's Shelter, the Animal Adoption Foundation, and The Conductive Learning Center for children with spina bifida and cerebral palsy. CLICK HERE for details on this year's Reader & Author Get Together!

Click here for Lori Foster's Complete Booklist

WEBSITE *** NEWSLETTER *** FACEBOOK *** TWITTER

THE GUY NEXT DOOR

This anthology featuring a never-before-published novella from Lori Foster and a prequel to Lori's upcoming Men Who Walk the Edge of Honor series.

Three sexy new spring-fling novellas from three of today's hottest contemporary romance authors!

Ready, Set, Jett! by Lori Foster

A vacation from her no-strings romance with her sexy next-door-neighbor. That's what Natalie Alexander needs to get her head—and heart—together. But her solo trip south turns into a disaster—until gorgeous Jett Sutter turns up with another challenge.

Gail's Gone Wild by Susan Donovan

Single mom Gail Chapman insists on chaperoning her teenage daughter's spring-break trip to Key West. But she never expects to face temptation—in the hunky form of Jesse Batista, the mysterious man in the cottage next door.

Just One Taste by Victoria Dahl

All-work-and-no-play businessman Eric Donovan won't be distracted by a "businesswoman" who's all wrong for him. Beth Cantrell owns a women's erotica shop! And she has a juicy little secret. Can she tempt him to put pleasure before business for once?

BUY THE BOOK *** READ THE EXCERPT

WIN - Leave Lori, Susan and/or Victoria a question today at their Cyber Launch Party and your name goes in the hat for a copy of THE GUY NEXT DOOR autographed by Lori Foster!  Please leave your email address so we can contact you if you are today's winner!  Good Luck!

72 comments:

  1. Good morning Lori!!! And Happy Release Day to all three of you!!!

    I love this cover and I love how Lori's story in this anthology is a taste of her upcoming series (Men Who Walk The Edge of Honor) which we have all been waiting for!!!

    Lori, tell us how this story connects with the series and can you give us any inside scoop on the new series? Can you tell how excited I am about it!!! Been waiting too, too long!!!

    Susan and Victoria - welcome and congrats on a great new release. Please feel free to tell us about your story in this anthology and what's going on in your world!

    Enjoy your release day and your cyber launch party and best of luck with the new book - I hope it's a huge bestseller for you guys!

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  2. Congratulations on the new release!

    My question is for all the authors, how long does it take you to write a book? As a follow-up, do you write on a set schedule or just whenever the mood strikes?

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  3. Good Morning all! I am so excited about a new Lori Foster book! She is my favorite author! I look forward to find new authors as well:) I love the anthologies because it does introduce me to newer authors or ones:) Best of luck ladies! I am sure it will be a hit!
    Lori:) Are there going to be any more Watson boys?

    Have a beautiful day!

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  4. Hi Lori -- So looking forward to your new series! I've already added the first two to my amazon wish list, waiting for the third to be available there. LOVE the hot guys! Are there plans for more books in this series, or just the three listed on your site (plus your anthology prequel)?
    Best of luck to all three of you ladies with this new book!
    -Kris

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  5. I forgot my email address: bdulin12@netscape.net

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  6. I forgot my email as well! xiaguan@att.net

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  7. Congrats on the new release! Did you know who the other authors where before you started writing your story?
    greenduckie13 at gmail dot com

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  8. Hi Lori, Susan, and Victoria congrats on your launch party. I can't wait to get my book and read it. Lori you are my favorite author and I love all your books. I'm looking forward to my summer reading this year.
    At Lori, what inspires you to write the stories that you do?

    my email address:thewilliams20@comcast.net
    Tina

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  9. Lori -- love your books! How do you come up with the character names? Are they based on people you know! Thanks!

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  10. Also forgot email-- was just so excited about book! ronnadrane@Homtail.com

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  11. congrats on the release of The Guy Next Door! it's already preordered, because I love all your stories and won't miss the new ones :)
    what's it like to work out the perfect cover with three different authors and stories? do you all have a say in choosing it?
    wish you all the best, Ina

    inale87 at gmx dot at

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  12. Congrats on the new books cant wait to read it!
    where to do find all the men for your front covers?

    elizabeth_14@hotmail.co.uk

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  13. Good morning, ladies. Just wanted to say I love reading your books and look forward to getting this anthology soon.
    My question for Lori is...How in the world did you get interested in the fight world?
    Nancy McSorley
    gracetwice61@aol.com

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  14. Happy Release Day!

    Do you come up with stories and then fashion characters to live them or do you get an image of a great character in your head then build a story around them?

    tigmode@live.com

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  15. Good Morning, Can't wait to get my hands on this book.

    Do you get choice to who the other authors you will be published with?

    Kdalziel@yahoo.com

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  16. Morning everyone! I was all set to jump on here promptly at 10, and then the delivery guys for new furniture showed up, along with the cable guy, and the woman who does a more thorough clean once a week came in. LOL. Chaos!

    DeNita, THANK YOU! Yes, I'm soooo excited about the new series, and I've got my fingers and toes crossed that readers will enjoy reading it as much as I loved writing it.

    My novella in the "The Guy Next Door" features the sister to the heroine in the first single title of the new series. Confusing? I know.
    An explanation of relationships is on my "Related Books and Series" page: http://www.lorifoster.com/books/related.php

    Jett and Natalie hook up, almost at the same time that Natalie's sister, Molly, is being kidnapped.

    In the 1st single title, "WHEN YOU DARE," Dare MacIntosh rescues Molly from human traffickers.
    I know that sounds way serious, and of course it is, but anyone who's read me knows that I keep things quirky, fun and sexy. ;-)

    The 2nd book is about Dare's friend and partner, Trace Rivers, in TRACE OF FEVER, and the 3rd is for the newest recruit to their elite team, Jackson Savor, in SAVOR THE DANGER.

    HQN gave me *super* hunky covers for the heroes, so I'm really jazzed. And very soon I'll share a mouth-watering video that they made for me. :-)

    Thanks to everyone who is visiting today!
    Hugs,

    Lori

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  17. bdulin12 - I write as often as I need to, for as long as I need to, to meet my deadlines. :-) If I get done with time to spare, I always start the next book because it's fresh in my mind. Usually about halfway through my current book I know what the next book will be.
    There's no set rule for me, but most times I can write a novella in a month or less, and a single title in 3 months or less. But a lot depends on what's going on in my life, too.
    I never, ever skip time with my wonderful little grandson, and every Sunday is family day (my sons and grandson all come to visit and hang out) and sometimes I have a new book out while I'm writing on a current deadline, so promo for one overlaps writing on another. It can get nuts!

    Lori

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  18. xiaguan - thank you oodles!
    As of right now, no more Watson boys planned. :-) But I never say never. My muse jumps around like a rabbit on speed, so it's anyone's guess what I'll be doing. I'm usually as surprised as the editors. LOL

    Hugs,

    Lori

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  19. Oops. I answered while my hubby was signed in, so it looks like my reply came from Al. LOL. Hope that doesn't confuse anyone!

    Lori

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  20. Hi Kris,

    Yes, I know there will be at least one more, because I'm writing on it now. :-) Since I'm only 150 pages into it, I can't really say much. I'm still watching for the direction it takes, and I don't yet know if it'll lead to another book in the series, or if my muse will jump ship and go in a whole new direction after that. ;-)

    Hugs,

    Lori

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  21. greenduckie - I knew. The way it usually works for me is that an editor will contact my agent with the details - advance $s, delivery date, release date, and who else in the book.
    Not sure if that's how it works for everyone though. :-)

    Lori

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  22. Hey Lori,

    What made you decide to have My Man Michael take place in the future?

    Love your books!! And can't wait for the new ones this year!!

    superduck202@hotmail.com

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  23. Hi Tina. Thank you! I'm so flattered. :-D
    Inspiration... well, it differs from one series to the next. This series was conceived while I watched "Taken" with Liam Neison. (or however you spell his name.) In that movie, he rescues his daughter from human traffickers... but he sort of looks past all the other women held captive in his search for his daughter.
    That broke my heart. I wanted the hero (Liam) to free everyone as he found them. So... that got my mind churning and the next thing I knew, I had the plot (or at least, the opening) for WHEN YOU DARE. From each book, a new book/idea/character/scene is born.

    Hugs!
    Lori

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  24. ronnadrane - Um... I actually suck at coming up with names. More often than not, I decide on a name by ruling out what I've already used. LOL
    After 80 some books, I've tripped up a few times and used the same first or last name twice.
    The names just don't matter to me, much. I'm all about the characterization.

    Hugs,

    Lori

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  25. Ina, I have cover approval, which means HQN comes up with a cover, I see it, and only if I hate it (I mean really, really hate it) do I say anything. That hasn't happened lately. Most publishers have an entire art dept working on covers, and they know a whole lot more about what readers want in a cover than I do. I trust their instincts.
    But on occasion, I've gotten a cover that I just couldn't live with. And I nicely ask for it to be replaced. :-)

    Lori

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  26. Elizabeth,
    Finding the models and shooting the covers is strictly up to the publishers. All I do is okay the final product.
    Basically, my input on a book is writing the story. :-) Publishers handle the title, artwork, the blurbs, the distribution, the promo, etc...
    Good thing, since I'd rather be writing than doing any of the other stuff.

    Lori

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  27. YAY....Happy Release day. I am so excited about this book, 3 of my favorite authors wrapped up in one package!!!

    My question is....do you have one book that you have written that hasn't been published yet or a concept tha tyou have that you are dying to get out there?

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  28. Hi Nancy. Fighting! UFC. MMA... one of my favorite topics. Have you ever watched a UFC event? They're fabulous!
    I've been a fan since the inception of the sport, back when it was no holds barred, without weight classes, and done tournament style. I like how they've refined things now. I think it has helped to develop the absolute best athletes.
    I guess I got interested because back in the olden days, the "grapplers" always won. Grappling is a form of wrestling, and my boys were wrestlers, so...
    Now the athletes have a well rounded arsenal of kicking, boxing, grappling, wrestling... they're awesome on their feet and on the ground. It's an amazing sport.
    :-) Yes, I remain enthusiastic! LOL

    Lori

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  29. TigMode - the way it works for me is that I get a scene in my head, complete with characters, and I start with that. The rest sort of rolls out as necessary.
    Quite often, I'll have several scenes worked out and although I can see the characters, I don't yet have names for them. LOL.
    Names are not my forte!

    Lori

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  30. For Anonymous - sometimes, yes, I get to pick the authors. If I have a request, I can always put it in and see what the editors think.
    On my benefit books (where proceeds are donated to great causes) I've gotten to pick the other authors.
    Usually though, the editor puts together a mix of authors and lets the others know about it. Then it's up to the author to decide if she wants to sign a contract or not.

    Lori

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  31. Hi Alexis,

    Well, there's no reasoning with my muse. The muse said Time Travel, so I went with it. :-) I don't know why. That sounds lame, but that's how it works with me.
    I don't argue with the muse. LOL.
    I really enjoyed writing that book and might do another one day - but I would make sure next time that readers knew upfront (like in big letters on the cover! LOL) that it was TT. ;-)
    Hugs,

    Lori

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  32. Hi Lori,
    I really enjoy your books.The characters are ones that I wish were in my life. The question I wanted to ask is:Do you hate to see the end of the book you are writing? I look so forward to a new story and then feel a little sad when I finish it(usually in one day..LOL)

    Michelle koonie2888@gmail.com

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  33. Hope, I wrote TEN books before I sold, so yeah, I have several on a shelf gathering dust. That's a good place for them, too. LOL

    Hugs,
    Lori

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  34. Lori, I am a huge fan! I can't wait to read this next series!!! I was wondering out of all the books you've written what is your favorite or most memorable?

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  35. oops forgot email. Lol rachaelpergler@ymail.com

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  36. Hi Michelle!
    Well, don't throw things at me, but usually by the time I finish a book I'm sooo done with them I just want the characters to go away. LOL. Around 5 books in a series is all I can stomach writing. I get SO fed up with the area, the people, that I want - NEED - to move on.
    I think it's a wonderful compliment when the readers want more, but for me as an author, it's very different. ;-)

    Hugs,

    Lori

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  37. Hi Rachael,
    Hmmm... well, out of the 80+ I do have some favorites.
    "When Bruce Met Cyn," because Cyn broke my heart.
    "My House, My Rules," (novella) because Sam was so macho, he cracked me up.
    "Playing Doctor," (novella) because Axel is a real sexy hoot.
    "Causing Havoc," because Havoc (Dean) was such a family guy without realizing it.
    And "Jamie," because I got to explore the world of remote viewing. Fun stuff!

    Lori

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  38. Hi Everyone,

    Thank you DeNita for throwing this party for us! Much appreciated.

    I'm really excited about this anthology, because I don't do a lot of them and it's always nice to add a little spice into my writing routine. This is actually the second anthology I've done with Lori, the first being the 2003 JINGLE BELL ROCK, published by Kensington Brava. But it's my first time writing with Victoria. I was thrilled to be contacted by HQN last year to work on this project -- had a great time working with the HQN editors.

    I have always felt a great kinship with Lori, since she was the very first author to write a blurb for me. Lori's recommendation was on the cover of my first book, KNOCK ME OFF MY FEET, which came out in December, 2002. Thanks again, Lori!

    I had a blast writing "Gail's Gone Wild" for this anthology. I set out to create something short, light, and breezy based on a real trip I took with my teenagers to Key West. (Except I didn't experience nearly the vacation excitement that my fictional character did ... trust me on that.) :)

    I'll check in later. Please feel free to ask me questions ... Talk to everyone soon.

    -Susan Donovan

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  39. I remember giving you that quote, Susan. The editor wrote me to say she had an amazing new talent and wanted me to read the story. When I finished, I had to agree with her! I've loved watching your career take off. Very much deserved!

    Hugs,
    Lori

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  40. Three great authors. Love the cover.
    csdsksds[at]gmail[dot]com

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  41. Hi Lori! I am excited to read this new book. It looks so good! But of course your books always are. So my question is, when you first started writing did you ever have moments when you thought you must be crazy thinking you could really be a writer? I just wonder if all writers have those moment or just me, lol!

    Have a wonderful day!!

    alinaduffer AT hotmail DOT com

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  42. What a great compilation of authors!

    I am looking forward to Victoria's story as I know it will be a lead into her new contemporary series set in Colorado. I loved her Tumble Creek trilogy.

    jenma76 at hotmail dot com

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  43. Oh Alina, I STILL think I'm crazy. LOL. Every day I wait for my career to go down the toilet. I live with the reality that things can change almost overnight, so I take nothing for granted.
    I am blessed - BEYOND blessed - to get to do what I do, and to have wonderful readers who actually enjoy my work.
    Big hugs!

    Lori

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  44. Hi Lori,

    Congratulations on your new books and the upcoming series. I'm also a fan of the movie, Taken, and I'm looking forward to finding out how that inspiration is incorporated into the books. My question is regarding another series you wrote. I really enjoyed the MMA stories, even though that is not a sport that I had watched in the past. I'm a big sports fan and I wondered if you think you will write another sports themed series in the future or was it just MMA that inspired you? Thanks.

    jend451 at gmail dot com

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  45. Hi jend451.

    Thanks so much. Other than MMA, I've never been into sports much - unless it was something my boys were involved in, like HS wrestling, track, etc... If they played, I enjoyed watching.
    But professional football, baseball... nope.
    So... I might someday write more MMA stories, but I can't really see me branching out into any other sports.
    Then again, I never say never.
    :-)

    Lori

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  46. Happy Release Day. I love anthologies. Congrats on the new series, Lori. I was sad to see the Fighter series end, but I'm happy that I have a new one to look forward to.

    janie1215 AT excite DOT com

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  47. Thanks Janie. I hope you enjoy the new series even more than the fighters. :-)

    Lori

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  48. I am looking forward to reading this new anthology. Two of my favorite writers and a new one to try. I have to say that whether it is your choice or the editor's choice, most anthologies I have read with a fave author in it have stellar, complementary writers with them.

    Question for all three of you, when you do series and the like, do you get reader mail telling you that there are errors from one book to the next? How do you deal with it?

    I know you all work incredibly hard, as do the editors, so I figure any tiny changes are like human memory...we never remember an event later exactly the same way.

    *hugs* to you all, and keep writing wonderful storied for me and all your other loyal readers!!!

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  49. And I also forgot my email...*sighs*

    sh0mehardwork @ gmail . com

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  50. When you are approached to do an anthology what particular qualities about it make you want to participate or decline?

    lenikaye@yahoo.com

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  51. Congrats on the new release. i don't have a question that's not already asked. But I do love the cover :) and the stories sound great.
    elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net

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  52. I don't have a question, either! I do love to read anthologies, though. It give me a taste of new authors.

    Congrats on your new release.

    Tracey D
    booklover0226 at gmail dot com

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  53. My question is where do you get the idea for your books from?

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  54. Congratulations on the Anthology guys.
    How do you decide who to include when the decision is made to produce an anthology?

    marypres@gmail.com

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  55. Hi Leni,
    Well, I hate to say this, but $s come to mind real quick. :-) These days I can pretty much do an anthology whenever I want. So if I was pressed for time, it'd take more than the regular bucks to convince me to work more overtime.

    That said, sometimes I've jumped on board because it's for a holiday book and I love writing those, and sometimes because a favorite author was involved. (Instance - when I got in CHARMED, Jayne Ann Krentz was in it, and I adore her work!)

    Great question!

    Lori

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  56. Hey Lorraine,
    I can't speak for the other authors, but my ideas come from anywhere and everywhere. Someone says something, I see a spot in the news, a movie, a car accident, two people walking in the mall hand in hand... one little thing will get the wheels turning and before I know it, I have a chunk of plot. :-)

    Thanks for the great question.

    Lori

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  57. Hi Marybelle,
    Other than when I do my benefit anthologies for charities, the decision of who is in an anthology is decided by the publisher and/or editors.
    I think there are as many reasons for a grouping of authors as there are authors! :-)

    Lori

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  58. I'm off the computer for the night. Thank you DeNita and everyone else who came out to visit today!

    Happy reading!

    Lori

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  59. Greetings and Salutions Lori!
    I was wonderin if you prefer writing anthologies or novels better?
    The cover forthe guy next door looks really good! I really liked the Buckhorn Brothers!
    Thanks for sharing your work!!

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  60. Hi Everyone ...

    I decide to do an anthology based on a couple things -- if I have time, the $$ involved, and the concept and pub house. HQN came to me and asked me to do this project and I jumped at it. I loved the "spring break" theme and was quite flattered that the editors at HQN were fans of my books.

    And yes, my books do occasionally contain errors and someone will write in to let me know, and I appreciate it. As a former newspaper reporter, the idea that there's an error in something I've written makes me want to smack myself. (An error meant an automatic 'F' back in J-school.)

    I get my ideas everywhere and nowhere. Some ideas just form out of the ether in my mind, and some ideas come from the world around me. But the people in my life know anything's fair game so they'd better watch what they say and do!!

    Thanks for all the great questions and comments.
    -S

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  61. How do you decide who to ask to join you in an anthology collection?

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  62. I love anthology's & this one looks like great fun.
    Question: When you create your main characters do you have a picture in your mind or something you ripped out of a magazine to visualize how they look?

    sallans d at yahoo dot com

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  63. The book looks great! I don't know if this questions was asked. What genre do you like to read?

    beckerjo(at)verizon(dot)net

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  64. Hi Eli,

    Yes, I get reader mail all the time telling me about every error in every book. LOL. I try so hard to catch them all, as does my editor, I'm sure. But after you've written a book, read it a dozen times, read it a dozen times more, your eyes start to see what should be there instead of what IS there. Know what I mean?
    I have to say that the majority of the mail I get is very nice, even when pointing out errors.

    Hugs!

    Lori

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  65. Hi Di,

    When I write, I always have a visual in my head, and sadly, there is no one in existence who looks like my characters to me. LOL. It can make it tough for the art dept to get it right, so on the cover, I just hope for a "mood" that conveys the character's traits. Does that make sense?
    If I was trying to be too specific, like "straight blonde hair, deep blue eyes, strong nose, muscular, tall, tattoo, hairy chest..." Well, the art dept could spend forever trying to find *just* the right one. So instead, if they give me a guy on the cover that reflects the tone, I'm happy.
    And my tone is almost always bad ass, big, capable, caring, and sexy. LOL

    Hugs,

    Lori

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  66. Morning JoAnna,

    Overall I love reading historical, but currently I'm very into Kresley Cole's Immortals After Dark. I didn't think I loved paranormal so much, but her books NEVER disappoint me. I'm a book behind on the series right now because I've been so busy, and she just had another come out, so I need to get caught up!

    Lori

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  67. Ms Lori ... as you go thru different scenarios with different genres and names .... your books are as awesome and enticing as they're hot! !!

    =)

    Silliehappyvamp@aol.com

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  68. Can't wait for the release of the anthology ....

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  69. No .. thank u! ! Ms lori .... :)

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  70. I can't wait until I get this book it sounds great. What is the hardest part of writing a book?

    sstrode@scrtc.com

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