Susanna Carr's Blog

Artist’s Date #11: Revisit a tourist attraction

Susanna — Wed, 16 May 2012 08:00:56 +0000

One of the first places I visited when I moved to the Pacific Northwest many years ago was Snoqualmie Falls. This weekend I revisited the national park and I was surprised by how many things I forgot about the experience. Like, I knew the waterfall was big, but it still made an impact when I saw it again. I forgot the sound of the waterfall and that the crashing waves at the bottom would look like smoke. And it was a surprise that I would feel the mist on my skin from the observation deck. It was only when I wiped the moisture off that I remember I had to do that the last time I stood on the deck.

After my first visit I remember the big picture, but I was more aware of the details after my second visit. Who knows what I will see the next time I visit.

Monday contest

Susanna — Mon, 14 May 2012 08:00:16 +0000

I always see advertisements suggesting books as gift ideas, but when was the last time you received a book as a gift? (Not a gift card but a book.) I enjoy reading but I think that might be why people hesitate to give me a book as a gift. They’re not sure if I’ve already read it.

If memory serves me right, the last book that was given to me as a gift was Escaping into the Open: The Art of Writing True by Elizabeth Berg. It’s a non-fiction book about creativity and writing exercises. A fellow writer gave it to me a few years ago because she found it helpful. I did, too!

CONTEST

Answer the question in the comment section for a chance to win!

Question: When did you last receive a book as a gift? What was it?

Prize: a $10 Amazon.com e-mail gift card

Contest rules, guidelines and fine print can be found here. Contest ends Thursday, May 17, 2012, midnight Pacific Time. I will choose a winner using random.org and contact the winner on Friday.

Good luck!

Naming Suddenly Sexy

Susanna — Fri, 11 May 2012 08:00:19 +0000

The working title for Suddenly Sexy was Bad Girl Fantasies. This didn’t really fit with Harlequin Blaze so I was asked to come up with some more title suggestions.

Creating a title can be tough. You need to think of something that:

is 5 words or less
offers an idea of what the story is about
suggests the tone of the story
editors can use as a starting point when they write the back cover copy

I’m a little shy to show my title suggestions. You never realize how dorky you are until you create a book title! I had to come up with a list very quickly and it developed into a stream-of-consciousness activity. The list I sent it was:

Dare to Bare
Everything She Wants
Her Wildest Fantasy
Hot Temptation
Out of Bounds
Suddenly Sexy
Take a Risk
Touch Me, Tease Me

I admit some of these titles were not my best ideas. Fortunately, the editors went for Suddenly Sexy. Not only was I relieved that I didn’t have to come up with another list, but I also liked the title. It’s fun and explains the story.

You can find out more about Suddenly Sexy here.

Countdown to the RITAs: The Doctor’s Deadly Affair by Stephanie Doyle

Susanna — Tue, 08 May 2012 08:00:43 +0000

Dr. Camille Larson is a surgeon and a germaphobe. She’s also prickly, difficult and socially inept. She wishes she didn’t have so many fears, but most of all she wishes she was normal. She has no idea why Dr. Wyatt Holladay would be interested in her.

Wyatt used to like it things easy. It was only when he struggled with alcohol that he realized he had taken a lot for granted and had been living a shallow existence. Once he was surgeon but now he decided to work in diagnostics. He solves medical puzzles and Camille is asking for his help in understanding why two of her patients died. Soon he would have to use his deduction and observation to protect Camille from a series of escalating crimes.

Camille is an intriguing heroine but I really liked Wyatt. He knows he has his work cut out for him if he wants a relationship with Camille but he accepts her for who she is. When she has to deal with one of her greatest fears, he doesn’t dismiss it. He’s there for her and helps her through the aftermath. Wyatt is patient but he has his moments of deep frustration when Camille tries to push him away. What he wants most of all is to provide a safe and comfortable environment for Camille, which makes him a hero in my eyes.

The Doctor’s Deadly Affair by Stephanie Doyle is a Harlequin Romantic Suspense. It’s nominated for the 2012 RITA in the Best Contemporary Series Romance: Suspense/Adventure category.

Suddenly Sexy giveaway

Susanna — Sun, 06 May 2012 21:42:37 +0000

Visit HarlequinJunkies Romance Reviews for a chance to win a signed copy of SUDDENLY SEXY! Contest ends tomorrow evening, May 7.

Suddenly Sexy exclusively on Harlequin.com

Susanna — Fri, 04 May 2012 17:14:08 +0000

Suddenly Sexy is already available as an Adobe EPUB book on Harlequin. Get it before it hits the stores! You can order and download it here. This book will be available in digital format from other online booksellers on June 1.

Countdown to the RITAs: Doukakis’s Apprentice by Sarah Morgan

Susanna — Thu, 03 May 2012 08:00:57 +0000

Polly’s family business has been bought by the ruthless Damon Doukakis and Polly’s only goal is to keep her employees from being laid off. She’s required to work with Damon for the next three months, but he has some preconceived and unflattering ideas about her. Damon is always in control and takes self-discipline to a different level, but Polly has a special way of getting under his skin.

One of the traits I liked about Damon was his focus on meeting his responsibilities and protecting his own. It was his strength and his flaw. The same could be said about Polly. I loved that she was independent. She had to be self-reliant at an early age and doesn’t know how to accept help. Her independence was also her strength as well as her weakness.

And when Damon and Polly were together, the sparks flew! They are a dynamic couple and it was a fun read. Doukakis’s Apprentice by Sarah Morgan is a Harlequin Presents and it is nominated for the 2012 RITA in the Best Contemporary Series Romance category.

Artist’s Date #10: Watch a Foreign Film

Susanna — Wed, 02 May 2012 08:00:43 +0000

Writing something down is how I learn, remember and communicate. But sometimes I need to get out of that comfort zone and find other ways to convey a thought or emotion. The best way for me is watching a foreign film.

: One of my favorite Bollywood movies

The first time I watched a Bollywood movie the subtitles weren’t working properly. Unfortunately, I don’t know Hindi. The people who were watching the movie with me were deeply engrossed with the story and kept forgetting to explain what was happening. This could have been a very frustrating experience (and it was a struggle!) but I was surprised at what I understood without subtitles. I saw the romance unfold with a gesture, the swell or absence of music, and the use of color.

These days when I watch a Bollywood movie I pay closer attention to visual cues and the use of music. I try to remember these techniques when I’m struggling with the “show, don’t tell” rule. If you want to watch a film in a different language for an artist’s date, I recommend a Bollywood movie. They are big, bold and colorful!

Countdown to the RITAs: A Mother’s Homecoming by Tanya Michaels

Susanna — Tue, 01 May 2012 08:00:19 +0000

Pamela Jo doesn’t want to return to her hometown but it’s a step she must take as part of her recovery with alcoholism. She has to face her past. She thought that meant visiting her estranged mother. She had no idea it would include the husband and child she had walked away from thirteen years ago.

Her ex-husband Nick isn’t happy to hear that Pam is back in town. His first instinct is to protect their daughter from her. He wants Pam out of town as soon as possible, but the daughter finds out that Pam has returned and wants to get to know her.

The love Pam and Nick shared is obvious throughout the book. They were best friends and high school sweethearts but faltered from the stress as teenage parents. Nick realizes he had made mistakes in their brief marriage and that he still loves Pam. But how he and his daughter hope for a future with Pam when she has to take it one day at a time?

This was a heartwarming romance about two imperfect and unforgettable characters. I
also enjoyed the emphasis on family and community. At first I wasn’t sure if I was going to like the heroine. She had abandoned her husband and child, made a series of disastrous choices in the hopes of becoming a famous singer, and had only recently started getting her life back on track. However, the author really made Pam a sympathetic and strong woman.

A Mother’s Homecoming by Tanya Michaels is a Harlequin American Romance. It is nominated for the 2012 RITA in the Best Contemporary Series Romance category.

Monday Contest

Susanna — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 08:00:31 +0000

A few weeks ago the Romance Writers of America announced the finalists for the 2012 RITA Awards. I was surprised that I had read only one of the nominated books! I have a feeling I’m missing out on some great love stories so my summer reading will be based on the shortlist. How many of the RITA nominated books have you read?

CONTEST

Answer the question in the comment section for a chance to win!

Question: How many of the RITA nominated books have you read?

Prize: a $10 Amazon.com e-mail gift card

Contest rules, guidelines and fine print can be found here. Contest ends Thursday, May 3, 2012, midnight Pacific Time. I will choose a winner using random.org and contact the winner on Friday.

Good luck!