Welcome to the launch of my Journal, which is a fancy way of saying blog. I thought long and hard about what I’d like to accomplish here. Of course I plan on discussing my journey through the writing process, and I’d love to do author interviews. I also plan on doing artist interviews. Artist interviews? Yes! I love art and have found much inspiration from art, as many writers do. Lastly, I’d like to give away as much free stuff as I can! Who doesn’t like free gifts? With that said, I start my first post.
Growing up in a household where my mother was constantly reading, I quickly developed a love of books. Some of my favorites were Tess of The D’Urbervilles and a small leather-bound poem called Evangeline. Wonderful, emotional stories, but lets face it, a bit depressing. Who would have thought I could find a book with that same emotion, that same sense of true love but with a Happily Ever After? I still remember the first romance novel I read. A book borrowed from an older cousin (Thanks Cherish!) when I was a mere impressionable teenager. From the moment I opened Guardian Angel by Julie Garwood, I was fascinated.
Entering college, I found more interest in romance novels than in my classes. Soon enough, my own stories began to clog my head. It wasn’t until I was working that I finally decided to try and write my own book. Now, seven years later, one of those nagging stories I’d put to paper (or rather computer) is finally getting published. Wild Heart, a historical romance with paranormal elements, will be released by Kensington in November of this year.
To celebrate the sale of my book and my website launch, I’m giving away a few paperbacks to three lucky people. Books that influenced me in some way or another, and books that most definitely have a Happily Ever After. What books, you ask?
Anne of Green Gables was one of the first books I read that had light romance. Who wasn’t rooting for Anne and Gilbert even at their tender ages?
Once I was a little older, I found Jane Eyre. Wuthering Heights be damned! In Jane Eyre, much to my surprise, I’d finally discovered a classic that had a Happily Ever After!
And of course then there was Julie Garwood’s Guardian Angel, the first romance I read. The book that hooked me on romance so much, that I decided to write my own.
So, if you’d like a chance to win a paperback copy of these three books, all you have to do is leave a comment and your name. Tell me your favorite book, or a book that influenced you. Check my next post for the three winners!
Congrats on the book sale! I’m so happy for you!
~Harris.
Congratulations on the book deal, Lori! Just thought I’d drop by and say hello. You needn’t put my name in the hat for a free book. But I put a link to your new blog on my own at http://www.joannawaugh.blogspot.com
Welcome to the World Wide Web, Lori! Can’t wait to read your book 🙂
Welcome to blogging, Lori! And congrats once again on your sale!
How funny – your reading history is so similar to mine. I also read AGG and Jane Eyre at tender ages, and then again and again for the “lovey bits”. And Julie Garwood was my first real introduction to romance, although I don’t think I ever read GUARDIAN ANGEL…
Congrats Lori on your sale!!
I’ve never read Julie Garwood but my editor just told me I write my historicals like her. LOL.
I’m so happy for Leo to be coming.
Big hugs and congrats and welcxome to the world of blogging hon :-). Can’t wait to pick up Leo’s tale in print. I too adored all the Anne books and found myself cheering when they finally got together at the end of Anne of The Island. I stayed away from romance as a teenager though (with the exception of some of the paranormal stuff by Christopher Pike- some of those had a touch of teenage romance) becuase I didn’t believe in that gushy stuff after dating so many idiots. But then I met Phil, picked up a Western by Linda Lael Miller, and found myself hooked. Tons og happy hugs and congrats my friend 🙂
Welcome to the blogging world…or as I like to call it…a place to procrastinate. 🙂
To be compared to Julie Garwood is a compliment all of its own. The first romance I ever read was THE SECRET. So we are kindred spirits.
Good luck with the blog and do be careful not to get sucked in to the enormous black hole of the interent. LOL
KIM
Hey Lori! I’m so happy for you! Okay, I’ve read “Guardian Angel” but sadly I’ve never read the other two classics. Now I will. I promise.
This is the second comment I have tried to post so I must be doing something wrong, so hopefully you won’t have a ton of these from me but I wanted you to know that I am so proud of you, and I can’t wait to read your book when it comes out in November. I have never read “Guardian Angel” but I will and my favorite romance novels are “The Vineyard” and “Timepiece” I couldn’t pick between the two. Good luck with the blog and I promise to tell everyone about it.
Hey Lori! I too would like to congratulate you on your success again. I cannot wait to read Wild Heart!!! I’m so glad we had the opportunity to meet in college and share our interest in Julie Garwood novels. I have gotten out of reading in the last few years since having kids; but, I look forward to begin getting lost in a good romance novel again. When I was pregnant w/ Emily and we were on vacation, I did get a chance to start reading Going Home by Nora Roberts which contains three novels and I truly enjoyed reading it. I also have read another book of hers and have enjoyed her books.
In high school, I also enjoyed reading Gone With the Wind and Jane Eyre.
At any rate, good luck w/ Wild Heart and your future books. I really hope that you continue to enjoy writing and find success in it.
Molly Hillman
Hey Laurence. Congratulations! I will be sure to read your book when it comes out.
Let me know where I can get it.
Lara
Wild Heart is a great name! I loved Anne and Gilbert- sigh. And Guardian Angel, no doubt. I’m excited to read your blog.
Hey Lori! I can’t wait to read more! You are my favorite writer!!!! Please send me a signed copy of your first edition! 🙂
Hi Lori, I just read your current entry and I thought buying the candle is a very good idea to get your mind into your writing. When I want to decorate a room, I search for ideas in magazines before I decide what I want to do, alot of times I will take bits and pieces from some photos I found and my idea and the room comes out great. Good luck with the current book you are writing, it sound really exciting and I can’t wait to read it.
Hi Lori, I loved the interview you did, it made me want to run out and look for one of her books to read. I am going to send my husband since I am having surgery it will give me lots of time to read. I think that the interview is a great idea and it will get people interested in new books and let them know about the person who wrote it at the same time. I wish you both the best and I will tell everyone about both of you. Love Sherry
p.s. my e-mail is angel2801@comcast.net