Hello, friends:
As the author of many Harlequin romances, I have more than one favorite moment that comes to mind.
Perhaps the Harlequin moment that stands out most is when I got the "call," telling me my first book had been accepted.
It was entitled, DARK AND DASHING, and I was filled with glee in becoming a Harlequin author. My mother read Harlequin romances as a girl and I am sure never imagined in her wildest dreams that her own child would someday write such romances for others to enjoy.
I spoke for about ten minutes that day to the editor and immediately felt like part of the Harlequin family.
Another memorable Harlequin moment was when I received an e-mail last December from a sixty-six-year-old grandmother who happened upon my romance, CHRISTMAS HEAT, at a Walmart.
She said that though she wasn't much of a reader, something about the book cover caught her eye. She bought the book and loved it, promising me she would keep an eye out for my future releases.
I couldn't have been more pleased in being discovered this way and making a fan in the process.
Then there was a magical moment in 2006 when I received the Wall of Fame Award from my alma mater, Michigan State University. It was in recognition of my long career as a writer, which included my Harlequin titles. I was only too happy to mention the current one at the time, LOVE ONCE AGAIN.
It was published under the Arabesque imprint, making me the first male author to write a single title for. I am proud of that accomplishment and being fortunate enough to continue writing wonderful, compelling love stories for Harlequin.
One last Harlequin moment to share comes from this past June when I did a book signing at Barnes and Noble in Anaheim, CA, of my latest and previous romances, DESTINED TO MEET and CHRISTMAS HEAT.
Just as a successful signing was wrapping up and the store manager was in the process of removing table with a few books left, a gentleman approached.
He said he had no idea why he was even at the bookstore, suggesting it must have in a sixth sense sort of way been because of the book signing and his wife and sister's love of romance fiction.
He bought two copies of each book and had me sign them with individual messages to his loved ones.
I thought that was terrific and reminded me why I love writing romance novels!
Happy reading!
Devon Vaughn Archer
About the Author:
Bestselling and award-winning crime writer R. Barri Flowers writes romances for Arabesque and Kimani as Devon Vaughn Archer. He is the author of almost fifty books of fiction and nonfiction, along with numerous short stories and articles. His next Kimani release, KISSING THE MAN NEXT DOOR, will be out in May 2009. Check out the author's website and MySpace pages at:
http://www.rbarriflowers.com/DevonVaughnArcher.html
http://www.myspace.com/devonvaughnarcher
Great story!
It has to be an amazing feeling to have someone tell you how much they enjoyed your book! I love reading all these blogs .... very inspirational for those of us trying to break into the business! Thanks for sharing
JodieG
Prepublished and workin' to change that!
A winner of the Big Finish 2 Contest, March 2008!
Participating author in Pass the Plot, Summer 2008
Christmas Heat and your romances!
Dear Barri! You do have a flair in writing romances. The ones you've been doing for the Kimani Romance line have been top notch. Always good to have a male perspective. My best to you from a sister MSU alum, Class of '75. Mary
How cool!
I love the story about the gentleman at your signing and how he was drawn to be there. That is so cool
.
Tawny
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
RISQUE BUSINESS - Blaze, Sept. '08
www.TawnyWeber.com
Inspiring Romances
Hello, Jodie:
Indeed, it has been wonderful having readers tell me they love my romances.
I am also happy to be an inspiration to up and coming authors as I once was myself.
Good luck!
Barri/Devon
Male Perspective In Romances
Hello, Mary:
Thanks for your kind words with respect to my Kimani romances.
I am having a lot of fun writing them and lending my voice to the romance genre.
I agree that having the male perspective in romances is definitely a good thing and gives some balance in presenting love stories that typically involve female and male protagonists and points of view.
Nice to hear that you are an MSU grad too!
GO SPARTANS!!!
Best,
Barri
Sixth Sense at Book Signing
Hello, Tawny:
Yes, that was an amazing thing when the gentleman happened upon the signing at the end, inexplicably to him, and left with four signed books.
I can tell you that it certainly put a BIG smile on the store manager's face!
Devon
Kimani MySpace and Urban Reviews
Hello, all:
On the Kimani Press MySpace page for the month of September, there will be a feature called, "Getting to Know The Men of Kimani Press."
I am amongst those featured.
There will also be a feature of me this month in the Urban Reviews website.
I encourage you to check out both.
Stay tuned as well for my next Kimani release, KISSING THE MAN NEXT DOOR, in May 2009.
Best,
Devon
http://www.rbarriflowers.com/DevonVaughnArcher.html
http://www.myspace.com/devonvaughnarcher
Hi Devon, Your HQ moments
Hi Devon,
Your HQ moments are great. I love the grandmother story and the 6th sense one too.
I've enjoyed your stories - Christmas Heat & Destined to Meet. I need to go back and find Love Once Again. I love reading romance from the male perspective.
See what I read last year - Star's Reading Lounge
http://www.myspace.com/kimanipress
http://www.myspace.com/kimani_tru
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Male Romance Authors
Hello and thanks for your kind words on CHRISTMAS HEAT and DESTINED TO MEET.
As a romantic at heart, I love writing romances as a male in giving readers a different perspective in telling a love story, but with the same emotional intensity, character development, and rich plots as female romance writers.
I hope more talented male authors get on the train and follow in my footsteps and such other bestselling male romance authors as Robert Waller, Nicholas Sparks, Richard Evans, Eric Dickey, and Nicholas Evans.
Best,
Devon
KISSING THE MAN NEXT DOOR
Hello, friends:
I am really exicted about my next Kimani romance, KISSING THE MAN NEXT DOOR.
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?
Find out the answers when the book is released on May 1st 2009!
Best,
Devon Vaughn Archer
:)
Oh, now I have to had more books to my wish list. LOL these "Moments" are dangerous for me. Thanks for sharing your memories with us.
Up to this point, I haven't had a chance to read one of your books. I have read Wayne's books though which I loved.
Curator for Harlequin Historicals My Space , Facebook,