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Devon Vaughn Archer...Finding His Destiny...
by Wayne on June 8th, 2008, 11:01pm
This month, Kimani Romance author Devon Vaughn Archer's 4th release, DESTINED TO MEET, goes on sale. Devon joins us this week as our special guest. Feel free to ask questions and leave comments about his work. Of course, he'll been dropping by to interact with readers.
DESTINED TO MEET
Courtney Hudson didn't date, didn't go barhopping and definitely didn't do one-night stands. But when she decided to bust loose for one night, who would have guessed the beautiful young widow would end up in the bed of a sexy, brown-skinned brother from Alaska?
Detective Lloyd Vance had moved to the lower forty-eight to escape a troubled past. And after a single, sizzling night of passion with Courtney, he knew he had made the right move. But then tragedy struck, and Lloyd and Courtney got caught up in a twist of fate that threatened to destroy their burgeoning affair.…
MEET THE AUTHOR
In 2005, R. Barri Flowers added romance fiction to his writing repertoire. Writing as Devon Vaughn Archer, Barri was one of the first two male authors to write for the wildly popular Arabesque romance line. His novel, Dark and Dashing, which appeared in the two-novels-in-one volume, Slow Motion, received rave reviews and became a Black Expressions Book Club selection.
Barri has a BA and MS from Michigan State University, which is where he met his college sweetheart, marrying seven months later. They currently live in the beautiful Pacific Northwest in Oregon, which Barri considers a natural setting for his romance and mystery novels. Visit Barri at his website at http://rbarriflowers.homestead.com or email at BarriBorn2Write@cs.com.
eHarlequin.com Community Host
Inquiring minds...
Hi Barri,
Welcome to our community! You're in a small but significant percentage of romance writers who just happen to be male, which makes me wonder if you get a lot of questions about that from your readers?
ps I think it's very cool because we get to hear that all important male point of view from an authentic voice. And that's not to say that women can't write from the male perspective authentically...but, well you know what I mean
Jayne
Community Manager
"We cannot really love anyone with whom we never laugh." ~ Agnes Repplier
Welcome...
Devon
Welcome to our boards...
As the other male who signed at the time you did and who shared the SLOW MOTION 2-in-1 volume with you, it is a great pleasure to have you here this week. I'm sure that others will be dropping by during the day...
I look forward to hearing about your writing, your current releases and your upcoming projects.
wj
Great Title
Hey Barri,
Glad to see you here. i could use a little bit of Alaska right now. It's 96 in NJ and I've just come in from my daily 2-mile walk.
Will certainly pick up Destined to Meet and spend the night with it.
Shirley H.
Shirley Hailstock
http://www.geocities.com/shailstock
Devon Finding His Destiny ...
Hello, friends;
I am delighted to be the special guest this week in the Kimani Forum.
I have had a wonderful reception to my latest Kimani romance, DESTINED TO MEET, including seeing it as #5 on the Harlequin Top Ten Books About Love.
Indeed, I do often get asked about writing romance novels as a male.
I am honored to lend my voice to this exciting genre, following in the footsteps of such authors as Richard Paul Evans, Nicholas Sparks, Eric Jerome Dickey, Robert Waller, and Ken Casper.
With respect to writing romances, I believe that men are equally capable as women of writing great love stories, just as women can write mystery or thriller novels as well as men.
If you are a romantic at heart and have the ability to express such feelings in your characters while telling a compelling tale, then you have the right tools to write romance fiction, irrespective of gender.
As a big fan of romance novels, I love being able to use my own imagination and creativity to write them as well.
I look forward to answering questions and sharing my thoughts on DESTINED TO MEET and upcoming books and events.
Best,
Barri w/a Devon
I have this book in my to be
I have this book in my to be read pile and I can't wait to read it. Congratulations on Destined To Meet being #5!!
Tiffany
BJBC
My Shelfari Page
DESTINED TO MEET
I often tell people that writing is the greatest profession in the world--and I mean it.
What a wonderful thing to be able to create characters and give them personalities, lives, loves, and conflict to round things out.
With DESTINED TO MEET, I came up with the idea to have my heroine and hero come from very different walks of life and cross paths fortuitously before sparks give way to flames and destiny takes over from there.
I look forward to hearing what readers think about the chemistry between the two and the circumstances that causes their romance to take a detour while also being responsible for affording them the opportunity to bond on an emotional and intellectual level.
Best,
Barri as Devon
Hi Barri
Hi Barri, your new release is now officially on my TBR list.
I am very glad that both you and Wayne are writing for Kimani. Personally, I find it exciting to read this genre from the male perspective. Like someone mentioned earlier, it's not that women can't write excellent male leads; but I enjoy experiencing the male voice (and insight that comes with it) straight from the source, so to speak.
Congrats again.
~La-Tessa
www.LatessaMontgomeryAuthor.com
DESTINED TO MEET
Barri
Can you tell us a bit about DESTINED TO MEET?
wj
The Male Perspective
Hello, La-Tessa:
Thanks for dropping by.
Nice to know that DESTINED TO MEET is on your TBR list.
It's great to be writing romance fiction as a male author, along with Wayne. SLOW MOTION, a volume in which we both contributed complete novels, broke new ground in bringing male written romance to the table for Kimani.
I agree with you that though female writers are certainly able to write from the male perspective as are male writers from the female point of view, there is no substitute for a male understanding other men and how they think in terms of the POV.
I had fun writing DESTINED TO MEET with a strong hero in Lloyd Vance, a police detective from Alaska.
I hope you enjoy the read.
Best,
Barri as Devon
Sounds great
Best of luck with the new release, Devon! It sounds great. Can't wait to read it.
Gwyneth
Gwyneth Bolton
http://www.gwynethbolton.com
Hightower Honors: Four brothers on a mission to protect, serve and love
Book two MAKE IT HOT available September 2008
DESTINED TO MEET
Thanks, Gwyneth.
DESTINED TO MEET was an exciting book to write, following on the heels of my previous Kimani title, CHRISTMAS HEAT.
Best,
Devon
The Story Within DESTINED TO MEET
Hello, Wayne:
DESTINED TO MEET is a fish out of water love story with some interesting twists and turns.
When children's book author and widow Courtney Hudson agrees to go out to a club with her cousin Phoebe, little did she imagine a night of passion with a sexy Alaskan detective, Lloyd Vance.
Only the night is also marked by tragedy when Phoebe is killed by a hit and run driver. Further, Courtney learns that Lloyd once dated Phoebe, making Courtney leery as to whether he can be trusted.
As she comes to know Lloyd better, Courtney begins to believe he is the real deal, but with the cloud of Phoebe's death hanging over their heads, Courtney wants to see justice served first and foremost, and fears that the distraction of romance and passion could impact Lloyd's ability to do his job.
Lloyd Vance came to Lake Barri to work for the city's police department and escape his own past marked by child abandonment and unfulfilling relationships.
When he happened upon the gorgeous woman named Courtney at club, he never knew she was the cousin of Phoebe, whom he'd gone out with a couple of times. Phoebe never affected him the way Courtney has.
Now he was investigating Phoebe's death and searching for the hit and run driver. At the same time, Lloyd is falling in love with Courtney and hoping that a serious relationship doesn't hinge on his ability to solve the case.
Well-meaning family and friends are only too happy to give advice and/or try to steer them toward one another or in other directions.
In the end, Courtney and Lloyd discover what it means when early lust gives way to all consuming love and togetherness in a union that could only be their destiny.
Devon
Couple Questions for Devon
Why the pseudonym?
Are there any other genres you write or want to write?
Would your advice for getting published be different for a woman or man?
Looking forward to reading Destined to Meet, will feature it and a review on my blog.
Michelle
Michelle Monkou
Gamble On Love
Kimani Romance; Oct. 2008
Thanks
Thanks for telling us about your new release Devon. I am also interested in your reasons for using a pen name. As an aspiring author, I struggle with the decision of using my given name, or a pen name.
(Also, do you go by Devon or Barri)
~La-Tessa
www.LatessaMontgomeryAuthor.com
Hi Barri/Devon! I look
Hi Barri/Devon! I look forward to reading Destined to Meet. I haven't read it yet, but it's in the pile.
I read Christmas Heat and enjoyed it. Iove stories with children.
See what I read last year - Star's Reading Lounge
http://www.myspace.com/kimanipress
http://www.myspace.com/kimani_tru
Destined To Meet
I have read Destined To Meet and love it This book was good from beginning
to end and the instance attraction they felt for each other. You have a children author and a Alaska Man. Make for some HOT fun and believe me that have plenty HOT FUN...lol The secondary charcter in the book I would love to see have there own story.
This is a great book and I can't wait to read what you have coming out next,
Questions:
What are the following books about and when will they be release:
1. Tempted By Her Neighbors
2. Christmas Diamonds
3. Kissing The Man Next Door
Thanks
Louise
Barri, Devon, and Advice on Getting Published
Hello, Michelle:
Great questions.
I can answer the first two together.
In fact, I write bestselling mystery/thriller novels, true crime books, and criminology/sociology books under my own name. These include the legal thrillers, STATE'S EVIDENCE (Dorchester, 2006) and JUSTICE SERVED (Dorchester, 2005).
JUSTICE SERVED was a finalist in the 2005 Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Awards.
Because I am well associated with books related to criminality, I wanted to establish a new identity in separating my romance fiction.
Hence, the pseudonym Devon Vaughn Archer.
As Devon, I am proud to have become the first male author to write a solo romance novel for Kimani Press with the Arabesque title, LOVE ONCE AGAIN.
With respect to advice on getting published, it would be the same for men and women:
** Read as many books as you can in the genre in which you would like to be published.
** Rewrite your project as many times as it takes to get it in tiptop shape.
** Find a reputable agent who shares your vision.
** Don't take rejections and constructive criticism personally; instead use to motivate to improve your craft to publication standards.
Best,
Barri
Use of Pseudonyms in Fiction
Good day, La-Tessa:
I referred to using a pseudonym in my last post.
Adding to that, if you write in different genres, having a pen name or more than one makes good business sense.
Most publishers do not like to publish too many books in a short span by the same author, even if in different genres, as it could affect the bottom line.
There is also the concern of alienating fans if the same author of romance novels, for example, wrote sci fi or cozies as well--again potentially having an impact on sales.
Separating genres by pseudonyms can often solve these issues.
Many top selling authors (including a number of romance writers) have successfully employed pseudonyms--such as Nora Roberts as J.D. Robb, Jayne Ann Krentz as Amanda Quick and Jayne Castle, Linda Lael Miller as Lael St. James, and Stephen King as Richard Bachman.
There have also been a number of male romance writers who have successfully used female pseudonyms, such as Harold Lowry writing as Leigh Greenwood and Tom Huff as Jennifer Wilde and Beatrice Parker.
In recent times, most such writers, including myself, openly embrace their pen names, while still relying on to differentiate genres and allow for getting out more than one book in a given period of time.
I go by Barri, by and large, but am also comfortable with Devon when in blogs, at book signings or conferences, in which I am promoting books as Devon Vaughn Archer.
Best,
Barri
KISSING THE MAN NEXT DOOR and CHRISTMAS DIAMONDS
Hello, Louise:
I am happy to hear that you enjoyed DESTINED TO MEET and CHRISTMAS HEAT.
The books, TEMPTED BY HER NEIGHBOR and KISSING THE MAN NEXT DOOR are actually one and the same. The editor liked the latter name better, hence it is now the title of this book.
KISSING THE MAN NEXT DOOR will be published in May 2009.
When her teenage son chooses to live with his father and new wife on the other side of the country, hairstylist and part time lounge singer Mackenzie Reese looks forward to being on her own again. That is until the handsome new neighbor moves in and causes havoc in her life in more ways than one.
Ian Kelly is a radio disc jockey and part time musician who moves to Cheri Village, Vermont, with his Labrador Retriever, Otis. He hadn't counted on having a beautiful and sexy next door neighbor to spar with and fall for hot and heavy.
After a failed college relationship and divorce from an unfaithful husband, Mackenzie had all but given up on men, wanting only to enjoy her freedom. But Ian causes her to rethink this.
There are problems right off the bat when his dog gets into her garden and he fails to take it seriously. Things get even crazier when, as a favor to an old friend, Ian steps in as the piano man for Mackenzie's lounge act. The two end up being a good fit as musicians.
In spite of a clash in personalities at times, there is also undeniable chemistry, to go with a strong romantic attraction, resulting in plenty of steamy passion.
Just when it seems as if they may be onto something serious, Mackenzie's fifteen-year-old son, Ryan, shows up, deciding he's not happy living with his father and new wife, and wants to move back in with her.
How will this affect Mackenzie's budding relationship with Ian? Will he get along with her son? Or will they be at each other, spelling doom for Mackenzie's feeling that Ian was definitely the one?
The last thing Ian wanted or needed was a hotheaded teenager to contend with while pursuing a dream relationship with Mackenzie. But that's exactly what he must come to terms with as she now becomes a package deal.
Can Ian handle it? Or will he back away from commitment as he has done all his life?
You will have to wait a few months to find out how it all comes together for Mackenzie and Ian.
CHRISTMAS DIAMONDS will be published in December 2009.
Jeweler Chase McCord lost his wife, Sharon, two years ago after a long battle with heart problems. He had pretty much given up on ever finding love again and someone to share his bed and zest for living-till he meets Paula Delaney, an interior designer, who's doing some work on his home in Silver Moon, Washington.
Not only does Paula captivate Chase with her beauty and skills, she seems to get him as few people have since his wife died. He wants to pursue things with her and see how they go, though still on the back of his mind is the fear of love and lost again.
One thing Chase knows for certain, and that is he would go to the end of the earth and back if that's what it took to find true love again.
Paula Delaney had dreamt of being given a diamond engagement ring for Christmas ever since she was a little girl and listened to stories from her grandmother, who came to America from South Africa as a young woman and got engaged on Christmas Day, with her boyfriend presenting with a diamond ring.
Alas, the marriage lasted less than a year as Paula's grandfather was killed during the war. Her grandmother was devastated but held onto wonderful memories about the romance and ring till her own death.
Paula had hoped to one day find her own knight in shining armor and experience a similar thrill at with a Christmastime diamond ring engagement and a summertime wedding.
Coming off a bad relationship, she had begun to think it simply wasn't in the cards. But after going to work to modernize the kitchen and Great Room of her latest client, Chase McCord, and falling for in the process, Paula begins to believe for the first time there is real hope that she might be able to follow in her grandmother's footsteps--only the love and marriage would live on for decades.
Now if only they can each get past their insecurities and she passes the test as an interior designer.
I love the Christmas season and as such, am looking forward to writing CHRISTMAS DIAMONDS to follow in the footsteps of my recent holiday Kimani novel, CHRISTMAS HEAT.
Barri/Devon
Kimani Press MySpace
To Kimani Press authors and readers:
Kimani now has a new and exciting presence on MySpace, to extend the means to network and discover current and upcoming novels by Kimani authors, events, instant message, and more.
Claritta Stinson is the eHarlequin’s Kimani Press curator for MySpace and a wonderful person who is committed to making it one of the best writer and reader sites on MySpace.
Add the KP MySpace to your friends list at:
http://www.myspace.com/kimanipress
Spread the word as well about Kimani Press MySpace!!!
Best,
Barri
Book Signing of DESTINED TO MEET in Orange County, CA
Hello, friends and fans:
For those of you who live in Orange County, California, I will be signing copies of DESTINED TO MEET and CHRISTMAS HEAT, as follows:
WHEN: Sunday, June 22, 2008, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
WHERE: Barnes & Noble Booksellers Orange ,
791 South Main Street, Suite 100, Orange, CA 92868
CONTACT: Community Relations Manager, (714) 558-3029
Hope to see you there!!!
Best,
Devon