Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Ask Janice anything! (and you just might be rewarded - there's a giveaway!)

THE WINNING NAMES HAVE BEEN DRAWN AND THEY ARE:
Janice's "Conversation Hearts" guest soaps: Tee
Laurie's "Love Your Heart" makeup bag, pen and pin: Amy S
Go Red! pens and red dress pins go to: Kathy, Jodi, Maureen and Marie
Congrats to all of the winners! Please contact me with your mailing info at ljodamron@gmail.com by Sunday!




I'm so pleased to have Janice Maynard as guest blogger today! Janice is here to celebrate her latest release, HOT MAIL, with fun conversation and prizes!
Here's an excerpt from HOT MAIL to start things off:
Jane had always struck him as a calm, self-possessed female, not at all prone to hysteria. But what had transpired this evening would upset anyone, and all things considered, he thought she was handling herself pretty well.
She shivered hard. He realized that the frigid air pouring through the busted-out window had filtered to the back of the shop. He could handle it, even without his coat, but Jane was in a vulnerable state. He glanced down at her feet and cursed as he realized for the first time that her slender feet were bare.
He ground his teeth, trying to remember that she had dealt with a lot tonight and didn’t need him berating her. Biting back his scolding words, he stood, took the cup from her, and set it aside.
When he scooped her up in his arms, she flailed wildly. “Put me down.”
He grunted and nearly dropped her. “Be still, for godsakes.”
She continued to struggle, traces of pink blooming on her cheekbones. Her expression was mortified. “I’m too heavy, Ethan. Don’t be ridiculous.”
He had already reached the foot of the staircase leading up to her apartment. “You’re tall,” he said, breathing heavily. “There’s a difference.”
Her foot hit the wall as he moved up the stairs. He muttered an apology and hitched her a bit higher in his arms. Her bare toes struck him as sexy, and the thought made him uncomfortable, especially considering the fact that her left breast was nestled against his chest. He could smell her soap and a faint trace of perfume.
Where her head rested on his shoulder, strands of her hair tickled his chin. It was disconcerting as hell.
On the second floor, he thought about setting her on her feet, but he’d made it this far, so he might as well finish his chivalrous posturing. He spotted her bedroom through an open door and managed to maneuver through it without doing any further damage to his cargo.
He dropped her on the bed and ignored his aching back. Instead, he turned to the dresser and yanked open a drawer. “Where are your socks?” He tossed the question over his shoulder and froze when the first thing his hand touched was a hot pink bra.
He dropped it like it was a poisonous snake and moved one drawer down. “Jane?”
“One more,” she said. Her voice sounded stronger, and he thought she might possibly be laughing at him.
He sighed in relief when he found a pair of wool hiking socks. As he replaced the drawers, his mind flitted back to a beautiful spring day when he and Jane had hiked in the Smokies. They’d laughed and talked, and at the top of a steep incline, they had simply paused to savor the view.
His chest tightened as awareness slammed into him of how much he had missed those fun-filled times with Jane. She was easy to be with, and he had always felt comfortable and relaxed around her.
But somehow... not today.


Janice is kindly offering up the pictured set of "conversation heart" guest soaps for giveaway here! Aren't they the cutest? Conversation hearts play a part in HOT MAIL, so these are perfect as a prize!










I'm celebrating with some goodies from the "Go Red" store on the American Heart Association website, to raise awareness for women's heart health. One winner will receive a make-up bag, a Go Red! pen, and red dress pin, and there will be some other goodies tucked inside. Four additional winners will receive pens and pins.










To be entered for the prizes, all you have to do is ask Janice a question! Don't be shy, she'll answer them all! Well, unless it's just too private, in which case you'll get a "No Comment!" Can't think of a question or someone else already asked your question? Just leave a comment for Janice, tell her which of her books are your favorite, which of her heroes you think is the yummiest, etc.
Thanks bunches for stopping - and please send your friends - the more the merrier when there's a party, right?
Laurie

50 comments:

Anonymous said...

Suite Fantasy and the novella in Wildest Dreams are 2 of my favorites - the novella was my first of your work I had read and I was hooked. I have several others on my tbr.

My question is: who are your favorite authors and any books in particular that you will never forget? For me the gutwrenching ones or very funny ones always linger in my memory.

Pat L.

Lori Foster aka L. L. Foster said...

Hey Janice, GORGEOUS cover and terrific excerpt! Sounds super-yummy!

Lori

Laurie D. said...

Janice is having problems posting this morning and asked me to post this for her - hopefully the problem will clear up for her very soon!

Mornin' Chickies! Laurie - Thanks for having me! :) Hey, Lori!

Pat L. - Well, it's no secret that I love Lori Foster's books any and all. I was reading her long before I ever knew who she was!!

But other than Lori, my absolute favortie author is Susan Elizabeth Phillips. I can't wait to get her new book.

My favorite book of all time is Outlander by Diana Gabaldon...

Anonymous said...

Testing...

Anonymous said...

Now we're cookin' ... :)

Laurie D. said...

You've made me think about my favorite Susan Elizabeth Phillips book, Janice! It's AIN'T SHE SWEET - one of the few times I've actually cried while reading was while reading this book. Sugar Beth's emotions are so excellently written that I could actually feel her pain and heartache.

You know I adore Lori too, but I have to admit that I've never read Diana Gabaldon.

Tee said...

Janice there is not a book of yours I have not loved. Hot Mail was too good to even put down and I give it five roses.

The one thing that I kept wondering while reading it though! Do your characters have any qualities of anyone you know?

Unknown said...

Hi Janice!!! Question...
Well, when I first saw the title, I misread it - I thought it said "Hot Male". Did you ever consider that as the title?

BTW - luv the soaps - too funny!

Anonymous said...

Tee - My characters are probably conglomerates of people I've met... I don't think I consciously describe any one individual. And maybe they are the kinds of people I'd "like" to know... does that make sense??

I'm so glad you liked Hot Mail!

Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Kathy - Hot Mail was definitely considered as a title, but both Hot Male and Hot Mail were titles the publisher suggested. Turthfully, I wasn't a big fan of either one. Though at the moment I can't remember what title I had on that book to start with! Maybe it will come to me...

sonya said...

Janice - This books sounds GREAT - I have it on my list to buy. Unfortunately, I'm not buying as quickly these days. Keep on writing - I have enjoyed all of your books that I've read.

Anonymous said...

hot cover. what awesome gifts.

when did u first get the writing bug and found out u were good at it

kh

Mariee said...

Hi Janice
Great excerpt!
My question: Is there another genre you would like to write for if given the chance?

Lisa F. said...

Hi Janice! I want to know how you continue to produce excellent love stories while on the go so much? I think it's great that you have so many other activities but how do you keep track?

Anonymous said...

Sonya - Thanks for your kind words about my other books! And believe me, I understand about the book budget. I think everyone is doing some belt tightening these days!

KH - I started writing stories in elementary school. Our school had an annual "arts" fair, and when I won a red ribbon in the third grade for a short story I wrote, after that I was hooked!

Marie - I adore historicals and have dabbled with the idea of writing one, but don't know if I'd be any good???

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the compliment, Lisa! Many days in this last year I have asked myself if it's time to slow down and stay home more. Our "on the go" lifestyle has been a little overwhelming, even for me. But I think it really makes me focus on those days when I AM at home! I know I have to buckle down and can't goof off. So I tend to produce a lot of pages in one day rather than a few over a lot of days.

Plus, all that running around exposes me to interesting people and places - always fodder for the writing.

Part of it is that I like to spend time with my hubby, and when he's on the go, I often tag along. But I can usually get some work done, even then. Thank heavens for laptops and e-mail. :)

Anonymous said...

Kathy - I just re-read my post to you. That should have said "Hot Male" was considered... they both were... :)

Judy F said...

Hey Janice. Sorry I am late. Can't post at work anymore... I don't get it... LOL

I love your books. You are such a sweetie.

What are you working on now?

Asylumgirl said...

Hi Janice! What are some of your favorite romantic songs and movies?

Congrats on the release of Hot Mail! I've heard a lot of good things about it.

Deidre

Anonymous said...

Judy - Those meanies at your office! What are they thinking??

I am actually working on three brand new things at the moment, but I don't want to jinx a sale, so I'm going to keep mum about it for a little longer. I'm not really superstitious, but I hate to blab about something and then find out that an editor hates my wonderful idea. :)

As soon as I have something to tell, I will!

But in the meantime, Mating Game comes out in July.

Anonymous said...

Deidre - I am not necessarily a country fan in general, but I love a lot of Keith Urban's songs, especially his romantic ballads...

Some of my favorites are "Making Memories of Us", Raining on Sunday", and "Tonight I'm Gonna Cry".

Movies... hmmm... lots of the classics new and old: The American President, Casablanca, The Wedding Date, You've Got Mail, Shakespeare in Love, How To Lose a Guy in 10 Days, ... Im drawing a blank, but I love romantic comedies...

Karin said...

Janice, I have enjoyed the books of yours that I've read and I still have a few on my list to read so that I can say I've read them all.

Looking through the other questions to you and your answers, I noticed that Hot Mail was your publisher's idea as a title and not yours. So, my question is how often does that happen? Are there any other of your titles that you aren't very fond of?

Laurie D. said...

Janice, you definitely are one of the busiest women I know - I never fail to be amazed at the way you balance work and family, with family always coming first. Some of your favorite movies are mine too - especially The American President. I've always thought that it would be an excellent book!

I'm loving the questions - so many I would never have thought of! I totally stink when it comes to questions. I do have a couple though - what is a typical "work" day like for you? Is there a particular time of day that you prefer to write or do your best work? Do you ever bounce ideas off of Charles or ask his opinion?

Maureen said...

Hi Janice,
I'm wondering what you are working on right now.

Barbara said...

Hi Janice-

Received Hot Mail in the mail last week and am looking forward to reading it. Missed you at RAD by the way (you too Laurie).

My question is about your latest release as Elizabeth Scott "Free Pass". I am very reluctant to buy this one based on the subject matter. Why did you choose to write this particular book? What was the spark that gave you the idea I guess is what I am really asking.

If you don't want to answer "Elizabeth Scott" questions then just tell me to go away.lol

Also curious as to what else we can expect from both your personas in 2009.

Anonymous said...

Karin - Unless you are a very big name author like Lori, for instance, the publisher will have the final say in titles. But thus far, they have always asked for my input. We usually go through 20 or 25 titles for each book. I did get to keep my title, Suite Fantasy. And my agent came up with Improper Etiquette.

I didn't particularly dislike the title "Play With Me", but I didn't think it captured the book.

Titles are surprisingly hard! Especially because some of them may have been used recently.

Anonymous said...

Laurie - On a "writing day", I usually deal with e-mail while I watch the Today Show. Then I buckle down around 10AM and work until five. If Charles is out of town, I may keep going, especially if the story is flowing. I am a night owl. :)

I can't write with music, but sometimes I keep the TV on mute...

I definitely bounce stuff off Charles, especially in the planning stages. I don't use a critique partner, but my agent reads all my stuff before we turn it in.

Anonymous said...

Maureen - I just turned in a proposal today which means I now have to wait to hear back whether or not they want to buy an idea.

I am contracted for a novella that will be out in 2010, so I need to get started on that!

Anonymous said...

Barbara - I have been amazed at the strong reaction Free Pass generated. But before I get to that, let me say that it was probably "Elizabeth Scott's" swan song. NAL wanted me to write some straight erotica, which I did, but the books have a narrower market and did not sell as well as my Janice books.

That said, NAL wanted me to use the same name on all my books and I said an adamant "No". My Janice books are romance. The Elizabeth books are fantasy-based. And what I mean by that is, they are certainly not something I would ever do, nor any women I know. They are the kind of literature a husband and wife might enjoy to spice up the bedroom, but they are certainly not a marriage manual! I am 100% in favor of monogamy and always will be.

The three Elizabeth Scott books I have written (www.myspace.com/authorelizabethscott) are not meant to be romance, although there are many romantic parts. Their audience is women (or men) who enjoy reading sexual fantasies -- emphasis on the word "fantasy".

Hope that clears things up! And thanks for asking... :)

Jane said...

Hi Janice,
Congrats on the recent release of "Hot Mail." How did you come up with your pseudonym?

limecello said...

Janice - congratulations on the new release! I love your books that I've read :)
Hm - lots of book questions already - so I'll go random.
What's your favorite animal?
And ... ok - do you have a favorite book or story you've written?

Anonymous said...

Jane - It's my middle name and maiden name. :)

Anonymous said...

Limecello - Hmmm - favorite animal... love puppies, of course, who doesn't... and I am fascinated by whales - does that count??

Believe it or not I think Hot Mail is my favorite story. Why? Because the setting and characters are so real to me. The town is actually Sevieville near Gatlinburg but with a fictional name, and I know a lot of really fun single people who are just like you and me - hoping to find that lifetime love. :) So, Hot Mail is their story...

Unknown said...

Is there a genre you haven't written in, but would like to?

Anonymous said...

Amy - I've dabbled with the idea of a lighthearted paranormal. Nothing scary, just fun and different. But don't know if I can sell it...

Laurie D. said...

What a great turn out today - I loved all of the conversations! Thanks everyone for stopping! We'll keep the comments running until tomorrow evening so everyone has a chance at the prizes!

Thanks for your time today, Janice! I took some time out for a birthday party for my mom this evening - today's her 79th!

I hope everyone had as much fun as I did - I'll be checking in frequently tomorrow (ssshhh, don't tell my boss!)

Anonymous said...

Laurie - Thanks so much for having me! And wow - 79! That's quite a milestone... next year you'll have a big bash, for sure...

Good night...

Jodi said...

Hi Janice!
There's not a book that you've written that I haven't liked. I still have Hot Mail and Free Pass in my TBR pile, but that's because I just got my order from Amazon!
My question: what do you feel is your greatest accomplishment? (writing or non-writing)

Laurie G said...

Hi Janice,

Congrats on all your books. I'm always awed by writers who are able to balance their time with family, friends and writing!

How do people react to you where you live? Do most people know that you are a published author? Are you asked to give inspirational speeches at the high school? or for professional women's groups? Library talks? Book signings?

Have you had to deal with obnoxious people too?

Anonymous said...

Jodi - By far my "greatest accomplishment" if you want to call it that (ack!)- sounds braggy. Ha! But I would have to say my two daughters. Number one - we all like each other. :) And number two, they are independent, motivated, kind, smart, and all around cool people. I can't take credit for all of that. They each have made choices that were mature and they are both wonderful young women. I love them bunches.

I'd also have to say that marriage is an accomplishment. It isn't easy to stay maried for a long time, and I am grateful to have such a wonderful hubby and that we have been able to work out the occasional differences between us and still love each other and be best friends.

I do consider the switch from teaching to writing an accomplishment. This was a dream I've had all my life and to now be doing it full time is very gratifying.

I feel very blessed!

Anonymous said...

P.S. to Jodi -

Mucho thanks for ordering Hot Mail and Free Pass!!

Anonymous said...

Laurie - I live in a very conservative area... and I keep a low profile as far as interviews, etc. It's also a place where I literally know no one who reads romance. There must be some, but there are no reader groups, or other romance authors, etc. It's a university town, so maybe no one has time. Ha!

I do speak to other romance groups, but nothing like you mentioned. My books have explicit sex scenes, so it's easier for me to avoid offending people if I fly below the radar!

Wendy said...

Eek! I think I'm the only one who hasn't read your books. Better get on that! :)

Anonymous said...

cool thanks

kh

Laurie D. said...

Janice,

I loved the response to Jodi's question on your proudest accomplishments! Spoken like a true wife and mother!

Your family is incredibly close and I know they all support your work - do your daughters read your books? Just curious. If I wrote the sort of books that I read, my family would be behind me 100% but I doubt that my girls would read my work - our preferences are so very far apart. And it's doubtful that I would even tell my mother! She's very religious and very modest and while she knows I read romance, she doesn't know how steamy I like it! She acts like Harlequin has gone to the dark side - and I'm not even talking about the Blaze line! I should get her a couple of the Inspirationals to try.

Anonymous said...

Wendy - Funny! you made me laugh... :)

Anonymous said...

Laurie D. - My girls don't read my books, thought they insist on having one as soon as a new one comes out. I think it might be a little weird for them with the sex stuff, thought they are 100% proud.

I think if I move to something less hot they might read that... although they are both so busy like many of us, finding time to read is tough.

Anonymous said...

This has been lots of fun! Thanks again to the lovely Laurie for having me. :)

I'm signing off...

Janice

P.S. Laurie will announce prize winners, and I will mail my prize next Tuesday...

Fedora said...

Janice, so sorry to have missed your visit! Thanks for taking the time to hang out! And Laurie, thanks for setting this up! Congrats, Tee, Amy, Kathy, Jodi, Maureen, and Marie!

Jodi said...

Thanks for the great stuff! I have been so under the weather this week that it came at the perfect time! Hugs!