Wild Card Weekend - Karen Rose Smith

A big Pink Heart welcome to Karen Rose Smith, who is here to chat about her newest release and why taking risks reaps great rewards...

Hi, everyone. I'm so glad to be here blogging with you. My 70th romance will be released this year and I'm excited about that.


Whenever I write a blog, I like to give a few details about myself. I live in Pennsylvania but the Southwest is my favorite place on the planet. The scenery fills me up creatively and spiritually the way nothing else can. Cooking is my favorite hobby and I once won second place in a national Bisquick contest! I find recipes can be as interesting to put together as plots. Early on—in my teens—I wrote poetry and began a book manuscript. Music fed my creative bent then and still does today. Favorite singers? Taylor Swift, Adam Lambert and Josh Groban. What can I say? My tastes are eclectic.

I'd love to discuss my Baby Experts series with you. The fifth book in the series, THE TEXAS BILLIONAIRE'S BABY, will be released at the end of February with Silhouette Special Edition.

Before I go into detail about my new novel, I'd like to tell you a little about an older one. I once wrote about a heroine with a port-wine stain on one side of her face. She was a trauma make-up expert and had to grow out of her own insecurities without make-up in the course of the book. One of my editors then suggested I not write other books with "issues." For a while I listened to the underlying message—don't deal with serious subjects in romances. But as each book was published, I realized the only way to keep my plots challenging as well as interesting for me was to add an aspect to each book that made it unique. Throughout my career, I've mixed more serious books with lighter ones, sensual ones with blatantly sexy ones. With all of them, I try to keep emotion the key driving element.

In THE TEXAS BILLIONAIRE'S BABY, my hero, Logan Barnes, is worried about his toddler son who isn't yet walking. Daniel was a preemie and his mother died to save him. My heroine Gina Rigoletti has returned to Sagebrush, Texas after years away to make peace with her past...as well as with Logan. When she was eighteen she fell in love with him but left him because of a threat from his father and for the dream of a future for herself and her sister. A developmental baby expert now, Logan hires Gina to help Daniel learn to walk. Old feelings come rushing back for both of them.

Gina once left Logan and he can't forget that betrayal. On Gina's part... She holds more than one secret that could destroy the new bond they forge while working with Daniel. After Gina left Sagebrush for college—Logan never knew his father threatened her—she was date-raped.

This romance is about healing the past but also healing a trauma that has never seen the full light of the sun. Gina's love for Logan and his for her becomes the sun Gina needs to let fourteen-year-old wounds heal.

THE TEXAS BILLIONAIRE'S BABY is a book about babies and a single dad...about supportive women friends who are heroines in The Baby Experts series. It's about an old Victorian house in fictional Sagebrush outside of Lubbock that appears to have started a rumor—any women who lives there will find true love. It's about lasting love and new love and the healing power of mutual honesty.

I'm ready to discuss any aspects of my blog. I want to thank all my readers for your support during my career. If you are a new reader, I hope you enjoy the plunge into my booklist and find reading each book a pleasure and an emotional experience.

Have a great day.

Karen Rose Smith

Film On Friday --Casablanca

On my birthday last month, I was allowed to chose which ever film I wanted to watch and it was no contest --Casablanca. Consistently rated one of the best films ever, Casablanca can be one of the films you always hear about but never watch because it can't be as good as they say. But it is. It is a film that stands the test of time.
Despite being rated as one of the best love stories of all time, it is not a romance. But it is emotionally satisfying. Every single time I watch it, tears dripped down my face. My husband has given up and just places a box of tissues near me.

There are so many reasons to watch it.

1. Humphrey Bogart plays the role he was born to play -- the disillusioned casino owner whose gruff exterior conceals a heart of gold. He has to make an impossible choice -- the love of his life who has unexpectedly reentered his life or saving a man who might be able to save the world from Nazi Germany.

2. Ingrid Bergman who plays a woman with an impossible choice. Does she put the love that she has for Rick above the duty and devotion she feels for her husband? Why did she run out on Rick in Paris? And does she deserve his hatred or his love?

3. the clever subplots and the way Humphrey Bogart's character is revealed often through the actions of others. Little asides and the well roundedness of the characters who appear on the screen for only a few seconds. This is a Big Picture which is incredibly focused but it is not a long picture and as such it holds a lot of information for series romance authors.

4. the fantastic script which has given the world so many immortal lines -- from Here's looking at you, kid and Round up the usual suspects to we'll always have Paris and Play it Sam.

5. The score which incorporates As Time Goes By, and La Marseillaise.

6. Claude Rains who plays the dissolute police chief Captain Louis Renault who has an incredible turnabout at the end.

7. The black and white footage that somehow comes to life. Woody Allen famously campaigned to keep the footage black and white rather than being colourised in the 1970s. It may be in black and white but the detail and sense of place is extraordinary. The world of the film is there and it draws you in, right down to the live parrot in the Blue Parrot. There are no special effects or fancy gadgets, just great acting in an incredible setting.


If you want to understand action/reaction watch Casablanca and pay attention to the body language. If you want to see how little details can add so much, watch Casablanca. If you want to see how conflicts can grow and change, watch Casablanca. There are reasons for its enduring popularity amongst filmmakers, and people everywhere.

If you haven't seen it, see it (better still buy the dvd so you can watch it again and again!) and see what the fuss is about. See why it is so highly rated. If you haven't seen it for awhile, grab a box of tissues and watch. You will be glad you did. It reaffirms your belief in the human spirit.

Soundtrack Thursday - Mixing the Old and the New

Today our columnist, Annie West, talks about the joys of combining the old and the new in her summer listening.

Yes, I know a lot of you are shivering in winter temperatures in the northern hemisphere. But here in Australia it's the end of a long, hot summer. A summer just right for listening to music. Usually that's a treat I have to save for after work as I find music, however terrific, interrupts the flow of words and the sound of my characters' voices. But lately I've had a little time between books. Time when I've been busy around the home trying to catch up on chores I really don't want to do in the heat, or in the car, running errands. It's been perfect for listening. And what a treat!

First up I've been sampling my new Christmas acquisition: Ella and Louis the Ultimate Duets. It's a terrific 2 CD compilation guaranteed to soothe the kinks out of tense shoulders, get feet tapping, and ease the pain of long-neglected paperwork. My old recording of Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong is long past its use by date after years of use and this is a terrific replacement. I love the easy relationship that's so evident when these two get together, as well as the great sound.

The flow is relaxed and fun with lots of old favourites including 'I Won't Dance', 'Let's Call the Whole Thing Off' and 'Dream a Little Dream of Me'. These are vintage recordings from the 50s so it's a real blast from the past. I missed Ella and Louis the first time round (they were a little too early for me) but a friend introduced me to them years and years ago and I've been enjoying their music ever since. The lush, rich tones of Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong's outrageously gravelly voice just work so well together. Perfect if you're in the mood for some gentle relaxation.

My other summer treat this year has been a lot newer and came courtesy of my teenagers. A year or more ago I heard music coming from my daughter's room and just had to ask about it. Violins, harpsichord and pop? Vampire Weekend, came the reply. A US band that brought out its first (self titled) album early in 2008, they were unlike anything I'd heard. Helpful information about them being a baroque indie pop band with African influences didn't help. What mattered was that the music appealed. Pop with a unique twist and, I soon discovered, great to listen to.

So this summer, as I've found more time to listen, I've revisited 'Vampire Weekend' and their second album 'Contra' and have found them both upbeat, a little different and fun. I still prefer the first album with its slightly baroque flavour, but it's been a summer of enjoyable listening.

And there are so many other new sounds to discover. Having teenagers with eclectic music tastes is a wonderful education, believe me! I never know what I'm going to hear next, but it's rarely boring. And right now, before I'm looking down the barrel of my next deadline, I have the opportunity to sneak a couple of albums on the CD player myself. Wonderful!

Where do you get your musical discoveries from? Listening to the radio? From family, friends or the net? Or do you prefer staying with old favourites?

Annie's got a mix of old and new this month herself. THE BILLIONAIRE'S BOUGHT MISTRESS is out in the UK in hardback this month. It was previously released in a centenary anthology. And in Australia and New Zealand, FORGOTTEN MISTRESS, SECRET LOVE-CHILD is on the shelves. She can't pick a favourite between them. If you want to find out more about them, or enter her latest contest to win books, visit Annie's website. To buy them, visit UK Amazon or Mills and Boon Australia.

Industry Insider: Editor Lucy Gilmour and Medical Romance!

The eharlequin hosties are at it again - setting up more pitch sessions with editors from several of the lines this year.  The next pitch coming up is for Medical Romance with Mills and Boon editor Lucy Gilmour.  Lucy joins us today with some insight into the line.  Thanks for being with us and welcome to The Pink Heart Society, Lucy!

What are you looking for in Medicals stories? What characteristics define the line?

Do you love drop-dead gorgeous, big-hearted doctors? Here at Romance HQ we definitely do! If you’re a fan of Grey’s Anatomy, ER, Nip/ Tuck, or House then take a peek at a Medical Romance where you’ll find our trademark devilishly alluring docs who will most definitely make your heartbeat race!

As well as the highs and lows, warmth and passions of medical life, Medicals promises heart-racing romance, with the added bonus of pulse-raising medical drama that throws our heroes and heroines together…even when they might not want to be!

For the doctors, surgeons, nurses, paramedics and midwives between our pages, it’s all about overcoming the challenges and obstacles of finding love under pressure in the demanding world of modern medicine. Readers enjoy falling in love with top-notch docs and hot-shot surgeons from around the world, and experiencing love and life in the shoes of smart, caring and beautiful medical heroines. Our stories can be intensely passionate or warm and tender; if you want to write a scorchingly sexy tale – go right ahead…or if you’d prefer to keep it warm and sweet and tiptoe away as the bedroom door shuts, that’s absolutely fine too!

Ultimately we’re looking for a range of emotionally intense reads, from the traditional to the ground breaking and promise our readers contemporary romantic relationships - set against a compelling medical backdrop. In a nutshell, we want to give the women who pick up our stories a big read in a 50,000 word book!

What sort of medical settings are you looking for? A&E/ER? Maternity? pediatrics? Would you be interested in other medical type professions? Naturopaths, physical therapists, chiropractors, researchers, dentists for example?

I would say that we’re open to absolutely any medical specialty. Maternity, paediatrics and the hospital emergency room are always well-loved but we’ve had quite a few naturopaths (often teamed up against the most cynical of alpha hero doctors!) and other different occupations too.

What we really want to see are all those enduringly popular hooks in Medicals (Miracle babies, gorgeous paediatricians, midwifery) given a fresh and contemporary twist. For example, think of the advances that have been made in the medical world in the last ten years with practises such as IVF – isn’t there just a wealth of tales just waiting to be told?

There are some specialties that will always be popular with our readers; surgeons (especially heart-surgeons – very romantic!), children’s & NICU doctors, midwives etc. – we’d love to see more of these, so have a think about what you can do with these themes that hasn’t already been done! And if there’s an area of medicine you’re particularly interesting in then give it a go; as long as you’ve got an intelligent, compassionate heroine and a hero we’ll all be raving about in the editorial office then anything goes! It’s all about finding the romance, the emotion, the drama rather than the edgy realism of medical life – really it’s about the fantasy of a romance between a lovely, smart heroine falling in love with a drop-dead gorgeous doctor.

Can the books be set anywhere in the world?

Of course - absolutely anywhere! We encourage a wide variety of settings, so let your imagination run wild. Use the setting wherever it may be to add flavour, but don’t let it take over. Again, just keep in mind that the essential ingredients of a Medical Romance are your characters, their internal emotional conflicts and that magic of watching the love story between the hero and heroine develop. After all, that’s why readers come to Harlequin Mills & Boon!

The medical detail always seems so precise. Do you have to have a medical background to write the books?

Certainly the books include some medical drama as part of their promise in that it helps to firmly set the stories in the medical world and help us to learn more about the characters. But primarily it should be used to help drive the hero and heroine’s emotional conflict forward.

Some authors do come from a medical background, although increasingly many do not! The internet allows contact with the medical world and a wealth of personal experiences can all be utilized to help you achieve believable and realistic medical drama. Medical details should be kept to a minimum, we don’t need masses of medical drama, what there is should be both contemporary and correct. We are essentially looking for romance writers rather than medical professionals to write our stories.

It’s important to remember all medical drama is within the context of a romance – therefore we are not looking for a great deal of detail. Readers are looking for an escapist read rather than a medical textbook!

What is the biggest mistake you see aspiring authors making?

Within Medicals sometimes we see too much focus on gory medical drama, or on hospital politics or the administrative ins and outs of running GP practices. Remember that first and foremost these are romances – just in a medical setting

Otherwise we see many of the same challenges as with many of our other series’ - character, conflict and clichés! At the heart of all great romances are two strong, appealing, sympathetic and three-dimensional characters. Emotional, character-driven conflict is the foundation of a satisfying romance - conflict spawns tension and excitement. Last but most definitely not least we want new authors to innovate, not imitate – throw those clichés out of the window!

Is there always a medical conflict that plays out along with the internal conflict of the characters?

It can work well to follow one or more patients through the course of the story but medical and emotional conflicts don’t have to run parallel. Just always make sure that even during your medical scenes you’re twisting and pushing your hero and heroine’s conflicts.

Does the Medical line have room for a story more Scrubs than Private Practice? (lighter stories)

We’re open to stories that take whatever tone suits the author’s voice best, be it vibrant, funny, sexy, intense, heart-wrenching, exciting, uplifting, unexpected, warm, community-focussed… If you think about it, even within shows such as Scrubs and Private Practice, different episodes can have very different tones – some are deeply heart-wrenching, and others fluffier, flirty and fun. As I’ve said above, there’s huge scope for variety within the line, which makes it so diverse and interesting to read. If you’ve got a great idea and have strong characters and interesting emotional conflict in place – go for it!

Medical TV shows are enjoying renewed popularity in the US. Are there any plans to have the Medical line go into retail as well as being available as Direct and as ebooks?

Who doesn’t love medical TV shows – McDreamy in Grey’s Anatomy and George Clooney in ER are just some of my personal favorites! If any of these delicious doctors (or others we haven’t mentioned from House or Nip/Tuck…or I know McDreamy v McSteamy has been heatedly debated on the PHS before!) then Medical Romance is definitely the place for you!

For the moment Medical Romances are exclusively available at http://www.eharlequin.com/ and at http://www.millsandboon.co.uk/ either as books you can hold in your hand, or in e-book format. Why not give them a try…we think you’ll enjoy!

What are you looking for in the upcoming pitch session?

We’re most definitely looking for exciting new authors; from the US, Australia, the UK – or absolutely anywhere in the world – what we want are talented writers with unique, fresh voices who create compelling characters and fabulous stories that will keep readers turning the pages!

Thank you so much for having me here at the Pink Heart Society. I absolutely love Medical romances so it’s been a real pleasure to chat about them with you all.

We always love to hear from Medical readers or aspiring medical authors – what are your favourite things about Medical romances? Or are there any questions you’d like to ask that I haven’t covered here?

Wow, Lucy, THANKS for all that great info!  Ok guys, now's your chance to ask Lucy any questions you might have, and also check out the links below for more information about Medicals and the upcoming pitch session at eharlequin!

 

FOR INFO ON THE EDITOR PITCH SESSION COMING IN MARCH:

http://community.eharlequin.com/forums/write-stuff/editor-pitch-harlequin-medical-romance

 

EHARLEQUIN MEDICAL ROMANCE GUIDELINES:

http://www.eharlequin.com/articlepage.html?articleId=552&chapter=0

 

CURRENT MEDICAL RELEASES:

http://www.eharlequin.com/store.html?cid=264

 

MEDICAL LINE PODCAST (and we can't recommend these enough):

http://www.eharlequin.com/images/splash/podcasts/MillsBoonMedicals.html

 

Pink Heart Picks February - Lights...Camera...Discuss!

Welcome to February's Pink Heart Picks Book Club! Last month we had a marvelous time and I'm glad you're here today to discuss this month's pick! And hey, if you haven't read it yet, have a look at the review and comments...because there's still time to grab it from the stores if it sounds like your cup of tea.

Did you notice the play on words in the blog title? Not very subtle, am I? This month's title was Nikki Logan's debut Lights...Camera...Kiss the Boss!

It's always really fun to read a debut and see what the different lines are buying, and Nikki's story is an emotional, modern type story, very city lights and glamour but with a really nice earthiness to it thanks to the gardening aspect. The hero and heroine have past history, but in so many ways they are complete opposites! Ava might have lost her mother at a young age, but she had her father and brother to give her family security. Daniel, however, not only lost his mother but had a horrible childhood thanks to his father. Ava's family kind of became his family, until one awkward, devastating night changed everything. Ava's a mother earth, nurturing kind, while Daniel's only motivation is climbing the corporate ladder to prove he's a success.

Now Ava is at Daniel's mercy...she has to become presenter of a TV show rather than staying behind the scenes, and if she doesn't, she'll be in breach of contract. Dan's job's on the line too, but convincing Ava to do it is the least of his worries. Pressure from above means using tactics he doesn't like...and keeping it from Ava. It means pairing her with a screen-partner with a womanizing reputation (and let me say, he was one of my favourite characters in the book. Love it when things are so not what they seem). It means having feelings for her but not acting on them. For Ava, it means still loving Daniel even when things go wrong. Then it means being very, very angry with him when the truth behind it all comes out.

It all culminates in an awards show surprise that adds that touch of fantasy and glamour and a lot of Romance. I don't want to say more and be too spoilery if you haven't read it, but we all know that when a man has to choose between whatever his goal was and love, and he does it publicly, it's something (remember Notting Hill and the press conference? Grand gesture!).

So what did you all think? I'm really looking forward to discussing it with you!

And now...I also have to announce the March pick!

March might come in like a lion and go out like a lamb, but here it's all about DESIRE. And I can't wait! I had a look at the Desire offerings for March and one story in particular just struck my fancy. We'll come back here on March 30 to discuss next month's read: Secrets of the Playboy's Bride by Leanne Banks!
You can get it through e-harlequin now in either print or e-book, (and you can browse the book first if you like!) and it releases on March 16 in stores.

Happy Reading!

Male On Monday - The Big Three with Pamela Yaye

Welcome Kimani Author Pamela Yaye with this week's Male on Monday!

Idris. Terrence. Boris. The big three. That’s what women everywhere call them. These men are the finest African-American actors around. They are part of the new crop of Hollywood actors who are stealing hearts all around the world. And cashing in at the box office too. I’m going to tell you a bit about these gorgeous, chocolate-brown hotties, starting with the only man I dream of besides my husband (don’t tell!), IDRIS ELBA.

Born on September 6, 1972, this London-born superstar exploded unto the American television scene when he played a corrupt drug-dealer for three seasons on HBO’s smash hit, The Wire. In 2001, he appeared in the critically acclaimed film, Buffalo Soldiers, which was nominated for a half dozen film awards. Over the next five years, Idris Elba kept busy by staring in several television shows and movies. In 2007, he appeared in The Reaping and later that year he played a wayward son in the holiday movie, This Christmas. The small-budget film went on to gross $50 million dollars worldwide.

You may not know his name, but you certainly know his face. All of you will recognize Idris Elba from the 2009 thriller, Obsessed. Co-stars Beyonce Knowles and Ali Larter did a formidable job playing his doting wife, and disillusioned colleague, but there was one reason and one reason only why the movie took in $28 million dollars it’s opening weekend: Mr. Elba’s endearing smile! Not only was he named one of People magazine’s 100 Most Beautiful People, he was featured on the cover of Essence and Ebony magazine that same year.


TERRENCE DASHON HOWARD is a triple threat.

This 41-year-old actor is also an aspiring singer and rapper. He’s a hazel-eyed, creamy skinned bad boy who women just can’t seem to get enough of. His first major role was in the 1995, Mr. Holland’s Opus, and he recently wrapped up filming his 44th film, Little Murder.

I don’t know what it is about this man, but there’s something about him that stops me dead in my tracks. It doesn’t matter if he’s playing a crooked police officer in the movie, Crash or hosting an awards show, the moment he appears on the screen, I sit up and take notice. And I’m not the only one. So, if you enjoy watching compelling, thought-provoking films, check out this Chicago native in Ray (2004), Four Brothers (2005) and The Brave One (2007).

Like all my other girlfriends, I have a HUGE crush on one very sexy, very gorgeous Austrian-American actor named BORIS KODJOE. Whenever my Kimani editor and I talk, his name always comes up. He’s the epitome of the perfect hero. Not only is this former model-turned actor nice to look at, he’s a proud father and husband, who puts his family above everything else. According to what I’ve read, he won’t do any movie projects that keep him away from his family for an extended period of time. In my book, that makes him even more attractive.

Boris Kodjoe made jaws drop when he joined the Showtime drama, Soul food. He played a courier-turned-sports agent with killer charm (and abs!), and the moment he made his debut, the ratings shot through the roof. The show was great before, but Boris made it infinitely better. He’s only been in six Hollywood movies, but who cares when you’ve got a legion of adoring fans and regular TV guest stops on the most popular sitcoms? One day soon, Boris Kodjoe will be a household name. Mark my words: that brother is here to stay!

I love looking at a hot, dreamy man as much as the next girl, and bad boys make me swoon too, but someone who has integrity, morals and good old family values will always be at the top of my list. What about you?

Pamela Yaye’s seventh Kimani release, LOVE ON THE ROCKS, received 4++ stars from Romance In Color this month, and this is what the reviewer had to say:

Pamela Yaye tells a story of destiny in LOVE ON THE ROCKS. Tangela Howard is used to running from her problems and never looking back. Warrick Carver is accustomed to seeing things through to the end. It’s amazing how two people, who, to others, seem so wrong for each other, are so perfect for each other. Pamela Yaye uses her unflappable ability as a writer to tell a story through Tangela and Warrick and to encourage readers to never give up on the one you love.


And check out Pamela’s Kimani Hottie, Marcel Benoit, in her November 2010 release, PLEASURE FOR TWO.