Desirables ~2~

wow great housekeeping skills Rae.

Chelle- the cowboy books are my favourites too. And lately reading the Billionaires and Babies theme reminded me of the fact that I really like seeing the sometimes ruthless Alpha billionaire brought to his knees by a 20lb bundle of drool and make him refocus his whole life.

Hi Bren - yes, I'll definitely be sticking around - don't know so much about the wisdom bit! I certainly don't feel wise - just lucky (and relieved) to have finally sold.

As to what led me to Desire - I've always loved all the lines which made chosing one to write for somewhat difficult. Over a year ago I submitted something to Desire and got asked for revisions but in the end they passed on the manuscript. I was part way through my next one by then and decided to finish it 'just for me'. This is the one that then sold via winning the Diamonds Down Under blog critique prize. So my only advice would be write something you'd like to read.

Sandra

Just read your comment about one of my Kings books! Thanks so much....I'm glad you liked it. I really had a great time with the Kings......

Maureen

Rea

Thanks for doing my spring cleaning.  I return home today from holiday and planned to get right to it.  Internet access here is limited...

Can't wait to step on that plane in a few hours and get back home with 24/7 access.

wj

Maureen, you're very welcome. I loved this series. I've said it before though, I'm not the greatest reviewer in the world.

Wayne, no problem. Was hoping I didn't step on toes. I just wanted to participate over here a little more. I missed my "Dirty Mothers" and don't tell Wench, but I even missed her.

Sandra, one of these days you'll be answering questions in here like an old pro.

Wench, a Dirty Mother sounds good to me at the moment and hey, it's five o' clock somewhere, right?

Jamie, I'm not ignoring you atm, I'm actually waiting for a reply from MJ, herself, before I comment on your question.

Rae, who'll be back, promise

It's true, MJ's leaving. (Insert sob here)....I'm sure the new head of Desire will do a great job, though and the books will still be hot and delicious....

But oh, MJ we're gonna miss you!

Maureen

That's weird. My post went up twice and there's no delete option anywhere... Anyone able to point me in the right direction to removing my own post?

 

 

Yvonne, the delete post is no problem.  We can delete it but it means that any post after will be also deleted.  So, better to leave it. :-)

wj

I-like-to-read-Desires.I-enjoy-the-ones

that-are-connected-to-the-same-families.

I-am-currently-reading-the-"Fortune"

series.I-preciously-read-"The_Elliotts"-series.

Aurelene

No wonder I was strolling into the old one only to find it deserted! I thought everyone was busy elsehwere...)

OK, bookmarked the new one! Oooh! Nice and shiny place!

 

First, Sandra!!!!

Mega Congrats! You're the first author I know who also got the call face to face in a conference. In my case, it was my first conference ever, but it was in the UK. From my experience, I know there is absolutely nothing to equal the thrill of selling your first book this way, and among the only people in the world qualified to know what it means! Here's to many, many more sales!

Maureen!!!

I LOVED meeting you! Oooh, how I would have loved to have more time with you. I'll be content with ten minutes next conference. Five!!!!!

Jan!!!

I'm so glad you liked my Desert Lords. And you're absolutely right. I no longer say I like that theme or this. ANY theme can be thrilling and captivating in the hands of a skilled and talented author. So, I just read whatever comes recommended and enjoy!

And oh, yes, MJ will be truely and hugely missed.
I so hope she will be very happy and fulfilled in anything she endeavors next!

And an even newer author??? Ooooh, how exciting! Can't wait till she comes here introducing herself.

Come out, come out wherever you are, Newest Desirable!!!

Waving to all the wonderful Desirables I met in RWA! It was a blast meeting you ladies!

This long time lurker is coming out of her corner where she's been polishing the silver. Desires are without my favorite line. What do I like? I like the cowboy stories, the rich guy stories. I don't like the ones that seem too similar to PRESENTS, like the Greek Millionaire's Pregnant Mistress or whatever. Presents has that corner on the market. I don't want to see DESIRE lose it's identity.

 As far as Maureen's "King Brothers" series, can I say, YUMMY? Gave away two of her lastest Desires (High Society Pregnancy) last week with one of my blogs. There are a couple of more coming up in the future!

 Great area. Hope to meet more folks.

Cyndi 

Thanks, Cyndi!!  Very cool to have your books called YUMMY!

Bren....in the rush and frenzy that is conference, it's amazing any of us get a chance to talk! To give her her due, Ola seems like a good talker--Hi Ola! --I was just running to another book signing so couldn't stay. I will say Ola is GORGEOUS!!! Good thing she's so nice!!

Moe 

 

Cindi

Welcome and yes, who is the new desire author..

wj

 

Maureen

I haven't met an author yet who wasn't a good talker. And seems you were in too much of a rush to your other signing that day. The blur must account for your opinion. But I'll jump on the *so nice* part of it.

 

Bren

I had a July release, too. Bummed I'm not on your list!

But on a good note, said release was the first and only book I ever got to see firsthand on the shelves when I was in SF.

 

Cyndi

Welcome! Hope we'll see a lot of you around!  

 

No trace of the new Desire author yet, I see....

Hi all, the new Desire author is an absolutely wonderful, generous hearted, awesome writer from Australia. I don't know if she's on the boards at eHarl at all, in fact I wouldn't be surprised if, with her commitments, she really hasn't had time to be a community member. Her name is Rachel but she hasn't settled on her writing name yet so when we know we'll pass on the info.

 

I'm looking forward to congratulating her in person in Melbourne this coming weekend! Have just returned home from the Romance Writers of New Zealand conference, which was really friendly and lovely. Had a lovely authors' lunch with the Harlequin rep from Sydney on Friday and had the opportunity to congratulate our wonderful Sandra Hyatt in person. So neat to have her there at last.

 

 

Hi, I'm Rachel and I'm popping my head up...

I'm just a lurker on e-Harlequin and never expected people would be talking about me here and saying such nice things (thanks, Yvonne!) until Cyndi dropped me a note. I've targetted my writing to several different lines in the past, so have lurked on lots of boards, but I'm loving the feel of this room and think I'll stick around.

There are heaps of familiar faces <waving>. And thanks for dropping the news here, Jan.

Looking forward to getting to know you all!

WELCOME, Rachel! See, Bren, I wouldn't hold out on you, just I was so excited I engaged gob before brain. Poor Rachel's been so busy with conferences and flu and, understandably, still probably on the ceiling after The Call. Still, she's here now and very pleased we are about it.

Thanks Wayne, Jan and Robbie! This room seems pretty comfy.

(Interesting side note: my photo is my niece holding Robbie's first Desire release. A very young fan <g>.)

 

 

Congratulations, Rachel!! Woohoo!! Desire has another talented author!   I'm very excited for you, hon. Sorry I'm late to the party. I know you're busy and about to head off to celebrate at the Australian conference, but do you know when your story will makes its debut? If not, let us know so we can mark our calendars.   BTW, Rachel, that's a great profile picture. What a smart niece you have - she knows how to pick up a great line and a fabulous author.   Speaking of which, look at that Robbie's sig line - > www.robyngrady.com National Readers' Choice Awards Finalist
> The Australian Millionaire's Love Child - Presents US July 08, Waldies bestseller! WTG, Robbie!! Congratulations on all your wonderful news! That's it! Cyber champagne for all! Gail

Thanks, Rae! Yep, I'm made a vow to myself to stop lurking now so I'm definitely sticking around.

Gail, you sweetie, thanks. It won't be out till 2010, so it'll be a bit of a wait yet. Yes, let's raise a glass to Robbie's bestseller! I LOVED that book.

Melissa, thanks for coming out of deep lurk to say hi. Wish you were coming to Melbourne on the weekend for the conference.

Welcome, RAch....and congrats on your sale!! Like Bren, I want to hear the call story!

Rae......I sooo agree! Ola is just beautiful....and next year, we've got to make time to sit and visit......

Maureen

and Rachel congratulations to you on your sale!  Welcome to the boards and like everyone else, I'd love to hear you call story!

Robbie, congratulations on your book being a best seller! 

Jamie

The pressure to share your call story is building, Rach. If you aren't three-sheets-to-the-wind by the time you finish your second Dirty Mother, I recommend you share with us.

Is it me or is Rachel taking a long time to mow back her breaky???  

 

Sorry, got sidetracked with a long breakfast. Dh is here and
he cooked brekkie and perked coffee, so we took our time <g>.

Okay, the call story.

As I mentioned earlier I've been writing all over the place – from quirky ST to
several category lines. And though all my mss before this one won awards and
contests, not one was actually targeted anywhere specific enough. I was trying
to sell hats to shoe shops.

So one day I was having lunch with the divine Robyn Grady when she suggested I
write something for an actual market. I was shocked. Sell *shoes* to shoe shops?
What a quaint idea. But I could see it had some merit.

I went home that day and started a new ms, aimed at Desire (one of my very favourite
lines to read). Quite a strange experience, writing towards guidelines, instead
of writing the story with the guidelines more as a background voice. In some
ways, it was freeing too.

I wrote and edited and polished and… well, you all know how
that part works.

When I was ready, I decided this was finally the *one* and I queried an agent,
Jenn Schober from Spencerhill. She represented some great Desire authors so I
really wanted her to take me on. Fortunately, she liked the ms, took it on and
then sent it on a trip to NYC to meet Diana V. It was there for a few months,
and then Diana read it and sent it up to MJ to read.

Then Jenn emailed me to say they wanted to buy it, and lots of lovely things,
including that they want to release it into the world in early 2010. I have no
idea what the title will be, or what my pen name will be, or much of anything
really, but I'll let you know as soon as I find out.

Several people here worked on this ms with me – the aforementioned Robbie,
Melissa James (a sweetie), Barb (who’s lurking), Sharon (a treas), and Gail
(waving!). Thanks to all of you!!!