Keeping Warm Between the Covers
"Dear God, it's you!" he exclaimed.
And it was. The very woman who had disrupted his thoughts all day long was seated there on the dusty floor, a book open on her lap. She was wearing a drab gown, the color of dead moss. Still, her fawn colored hair was not tucked under a cap, but pulled up stylishly on her head. She looked prim and proper and untouchable. And with every fiber of his being he wanted to touch her.
Flustered, she slammed her book shut and sent a dust cloud into the air around her head. Another sneeze, and she struggled with her skirts as she scrambled to her feet. He chuckled at the delightful sight of one perfect ankle, but reached out a hand to help her. She did not take it.
"What are you doing here?" she asked quickly, glancing around, probably for a way to escape.
"I think I should ask you the same thing. Am I interrupting your reading hour?"
"No, I just—" she noticed the clock on the mantle. "Oh no! I had no idea it was so late!"
"Don't worry. I'll see that you don't get into any trouble."
"Oh, I doubt that," she replied. Smart girl.
That’s an excerpt from my recent Regency historical, MISTRESS BY MISTAKE. My heroine has found a book that she truly can’t quite seem to put down. (Trust me; we wouldn’t either, if we stumbled upon this little volume in our dashing host’s library.)
I love getting lost in a good book, don’t you? Especially when there’s a chance that, in my distraction, I might be found out by a smoldering-eyed lord with a penchant for seduction. Yeah, that’s my kind of reading hour!
And it’s a darn good way to keep warm as winter swings into full force here in the states. Brrr, as I type this my fingers are creaking with cold. The wind keeps knocking out my satellite connection for the internet. The dogs stand at the door with their little legs crossed saying, “No way! We are not going out in this.”
So, what to do that will get the blood flowing and pump up the heat index on a blustery day like today? Crawl inside the covers of a good book!
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
MISTRESS Release Day
Golly, that headline sounds like I've been keeping some woman and I'm finally letting her go. That's not what I meant! But that is the theme for what I was going to write about today.
Today is the official release date for my debut Regency Historical Romance, MISTRESS BY MISTAKE. Yay! So exciting! It is also a day my husband has been seriously dreading.
You see, my husband is a good man. He's a dedicated man. He's a man of deep conviction. And he's a minister. Now, he's always been very supportive of my writing efforts but it wasn't until just recently he realized truly and intimately what exactly it is that I write. He tried to read my book.
MISTRESS BY MISTAKE is a fun, sexy romp. That's what it says right on the front cover and I assumed most people understand that means the book is, well, fun and sexy. My husband admits that he read the cover, that he’s heard me talk about the book, but he says he always thought “sexy” just meant, er, “sexy”. He honestly didn’t realize it meant “SEXy”, as in, it gets specific about who’s doing what to whom when and where. And how—I most definitely include the how.
My husband rather wishes I didn't, just on the not-so-off-chance that one of his parishioners might buy the book and also misinterpret "sexy" only to have a coronary at page three when things for my hero and heroine start to get a bit, er, "SEXy". The dear man really does care about his parishioners.
But this has been a lesson to me. Sometimes we can be so very precise in what we say or write, and yet still be misunderstood. When I wrote the title for this blog entry, I referred, of course, to the fact that today is the day my novel, MISTRESS BY MISTAKE, is released onto the shelves of a bookseller near you. I can easily see, however, that someone might read that header and assume it means something entirely different.
So, at the risk of being further misunderstood, let me sum up what I am trying to say:
I’m very excited that my brand new slightly-obscene romance novel, MISTRESS BY MISTAKE, will be available to the public today! Rush out now and buy a copy. If, however, you decide to actually read the copy, please don’t be surprised to find that it is chock full of hot sex. And a lot of really funny things happen along with all the sex, too.
I am not, however, releasing some woman that I’ve held in captivity for illicit purposes. I will, though, send a free copy of my book to some random person who finds this neglected blog and posts a comment today! Just make sure I know who you are and how to contact you.
And may you have a happy release of your own at some point today!
Today is the official release date for my debut Regency Historical Romance, MISTRESS BY MISTAKE. Yay! So exciting! It is also a day my husband has been seriously dreading.
You see, my husband is a good man. He's a dedicated man. He's a man of deep conviction. And he's a minister. Now, he's always been very supportive of my writing efforts but it wasn't until just recently he realized truly and intimately what exactly it is that I write. He tried to read my book.
MISTRESS BY MISTAKE is a fun, sexy romp. That's what it says right on the front cover and I assumed most people understand that means the book is, well, fun and sexy. My husband admits that he read the cover, that he’s heard me talk about the book, but he says he always thought “sexy” just meant, er, “sexy”. He honestly didn’t realize it meant “SEXy”, as in, it gets specific about who’s doing what to whom when and where. And how—I most definitely include the how.
My husband rather wishes I didn't, just on the not-so-off-chance that one of his parishioners might buy the book and also misinterpret "sexy" only to have a coronary at page three when things for my hero and heroine start to get a bit, er, "SEXy". The dear man really does care about his parishioners.
But this has been a lesson to me. Sometimes we can be so very precise in what we say or write, and yet still be misunderstood. When I wrote the title for this blog entry, I referred, of course, to the fact that today is the day my novel, MISTRESS BY MISTAKE, is released onto the shelves of a bookseller near you. I can easily see, however, that someone might read that header and assume it means something entirely different.
So, at the risk of being further misunderstood, let me sum up what I am trying to say:
I’m very excited that my brand new slightly-obscene romance novel, MISTRESS BY MISTAKE, will be available to the public today! Rush out now and buy a copy. If, however, you decide to actually read the copy, please don’t be surprised to find that it is chock full of hot sex. And a lot of really funny things happen along with all the sex, too.
I am not, however, releasing some woman that I’ve held in captivity for illicit purposes. I will, though, send a free copy of my book to some random person who finds this neglected blog and posts a comment today! Just make sure I know who you are and how to contact you.
And may you have a happy release of your own at some point today!
Monday, November 30, 2009
Love... thankfully.
Wow. It’s a busy time of year, isn’t it? For those of us in the states, we’re probably still finishing up those Thanksgiving leftovers. We probably gathered with family and friends to eat, well, pretty much everything in sight and then whined about it afterward. I don’t know which is more uncomfortable, the way I’ll feel after a long day of gluttony or the way I’ll feel after several days cooped up with relatives!
Not that I don’t love each and every one of them dearly, of course. I do, I do! I’m really looking forward to spending time with all my wonderful family as we go through this holiday season. But you know sometimes love is easier when it’s at a healthy distance and not sleeping on the pull-out for days at a time.
This is why I love reading (and, of course, writing) romance. Sigh. I get such a warm, fuzzy feeling every time I get to “The End”. Good has triumphed, struggles are all in the past, and our happy couple can ride off into the sunset and make babies. Babies who won’t spit up on their beautiful clothes or interfere with their vibrant love life, of course. Any evil in-laws have been vanquished and grumpy siblings have had a change of heart. We just know all will be well for this couple and their days—and nights—will be full of harmonious bliss.
I’ve got a whole pile of this “rescue reading” set aside to get me through the holidays, as a matter of fact. I hope you do, too. We all need something to shine a light at the end of the tunnel for us because, let’s face it, as dear and special as this season is, life isn’t always full of smiling pilgrims and turkey dinner.
In the past twelve months, our family has seen two funerals, three strokes, cancer, job loss, Alzheimer’s, school troubles, a broken arm and more than one broken dream. There will definitely be a shadow hovering over this year’s feast days. But love will be there, too.
This is why we need romance. Love really does conquer all things. Our rational, grown-up brains know that the hero and heroine will eventually have to face more trials, but for that one final page of the book we can live in their moment of un-shadowed joy. We trust that after all they’ve been through so far, they will surely survive what’s to come.
And that’s just like real life. As we laugh and squabble and pass the peas, we know that love has brought the family this far and love will keep it going. Life might not be perfect, but love is. Thankfully.
Not that I don’t love each and every one of them dearly, of course. I do, I do! I’m really looking forward to spending time with all my wonderful family as we go through this holiday season. But you know sometimes love is easier when it’s at a healthy distance and not sleeping on the pull-out for days at a time.
This is why I love reading (and, of course, writing) romance. Sigh. I get such a warm, fuzzy feeling every time I get to “The End”. Good has triumphed, struggles are all in the past, and our happy couple can ride off into the sunset and make babies. Babies who won’t spit up on their beautiful clothes or interfere with their vibrant love life, of course. Any evil in-laws have been vanquished and grumpy siblings have had a change of heart. We just know all will be well for this couple and their days—and nights—will be full of harmonious bliss.
I’ve got a whole pile of this “rescue reading” set aside to get me through the holidays, as a matter of fact. I hope you do, too. We all need something to shine a light at the end of the tunnel for us because, let’s face it, as dear and special as this season is, life isn’t always full of smiling pilgrims and turkey dinner.
In the past twelve months, our family has seen two funerals, three strokes, cancer, job loss, Alzheimer’s, school troubles, a broken arm and more than one broken dream. There will definitely be a shadow hovering over this year’s feast days. But love will be there, too.
This is why we need romance. Love really does conquer all things. Our rational, grown-up brains know that the hero and heroine will eventually have to face more trials, but for that one final page of the book we can live in their moment of un-shadowed joy. We trust that after all they’ve been through so far, they will surely survive what’s to come.
And that’s just like real life. As we laugh and squabble and pass the peas, we know that love has brought the family this far and love will keep it going. Life might not be perfect, but love is. Thankfully.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
First-Ever Newsletter!
Hello! This is the first-ever Susan Gee Heino Newsletter. If you'd like to be added to my first-ever mailing list, just drop me a quick note at susan_gee_heino@yahoo.com and you'll get the second-ever newsletter delivered right to your inbox! Someday.
Now, keep reading for a chance at Free Stuff.
Love’s Busy Sometimes!
My Golden Heart winning debut novel, MISTRESS BY MISTAKE, comes out on December 1st! Yay, can you believe it? Finally!
It should be in bookstores everywhere, but in case you have trouble finding it, talk to your bookseller. They really do like to know what people are looking for. Or, if you don’t mind the shipping and handling, you can find it at http://www.amazon.com/ and they’ll send it right to your house. (The ISBN number is 978-0-425-23151-7 and the cover price is a doable $7.99.)
Reviews!
I won’t usually bore you with these, but since this is all new and exciting for me, I’d like to share a couple of the wonderful reviews MISTRESS BY MISTAKE has been receiving.
“Heino debuts with a delightful love-and-laughter story about an independent heiress and a dashing nobleman who discover the power of love while surrounded by mayhem and madness. I dare you not to laugh out loud!” --RT Reviews, 4 stars, HOT
“Sparkling with superbly crafted characters, humor, and deliciously sexy romance, Heino’s debut, winner of RWA’s Golden Heart award, is splendidly entertaining.” --Booklist
Booksignings
To celebrate my first-ever release (and to hawk it to the masses) I will be making a few, select public appearances. (No, not on Oprah or Leno. Sorry. It’s not that kind of book.)
Monday, Nov. 30, 5-8 pm Local Author Spotlight Booksigning Event
Marysville Public Library, 231 S. Plum Street, Marysville, OH 937-642-1876
In conjunction with Uptown Marysville’s annual Christmas Walk
Saturday, Dec. 5, 12-3 pm Multi-Author Booksigning
Barns & Noble, 9455 Civic Center Blvd., West Chester, OH 513-755-2258
“Romancing the Holidays” with 20+ bestselling romance authors
Guest Blogging
Wanna know what I’m thinking about? I’ll be visiting these popular romance and readers blogs on the following dates. Drop by and leave a comment if you can!
Tuesday, Nov. 17 RomConInc
http://www.romconinc.com/index.php/conversations/blog/5
Monday, Nov. 23 Romance Bandits
http://www.romancebandits.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, Dec. 2 Mama Writers
www.mamawriters.com/blog
Wednesday, Dec. 2 Romance in the Backseat
http://www.ritbs.blogspot.com/
Online Interview
If you still need more of me, Terry Kate with Romance in the Backseat will be posting an interview with me (from the cyber-backseat and not the real one, unfortunately) on her site Nov. 29-Dec. 1st. http://www.romanceinthebackseat.com/
More to Come
DAMSEL IN DISGUISE will be my next release, scheduled for August 2010. It follows the story of one of the characters from MISTRESS and I hope readers will be excited to find out what happens next. A “teaser” for it is included at the end of MISTRESS and I’m very eager to introduce that fun, slightly more suspenseful story.
Free Stuff!
If you email me with the correct answer to the following question before Nov. 30th, I’ll put your name in a drawing. On Monday, Nov. 30th, I’ll randomly draw a name and contact you if you win!
The Prize? A twenty-five dollar gift card to Barnes & Noble plus an autographed copy of MISTRESS BY MISTAKE.
The Question? How many stars did RT Reviews give me in their recent review?
(Hint: the answer’s right here in the newsletter somewhere!)
Happy Holidays!
If you don’t hear from me before the holidays, may they be joyful and full of fun. Until my next, second-ever newsletter, I hope your life is never too busy for love!
Now, keep reading for a chance at Free Stuff.
Love’s Busy Sometimes!
My Golden Heart winning debut novel, MISTRESS BY MISTAKE, comes out on December 1st! Yay, can you believe it? Finally!
It should be in bookstores everywhere, but in case you have trouble finding it, talk to your bookseller. They really do like to know what people are looking for. Or, if you don’t mind the shipping and handling, you can find it at http://www.amazon.com/ and they’ll send it right to your house. (The ISBN number is 978-0-425-23151-7 and the cover price is a doable $7.99.)
Reviews!
I won’t usually bore you with these, but since this is all new and exciting for me, I’d like to share a couple of the wonderful reviews MISTRESS BY MISTAKE has been receiving.
“Heino debuts with a delightful love-and-laughter story about an independent heiress and a dashing nobleman who discover the power of love while surrounded by mayhem and madness. I dare you not to laugh out loud!” --RT Reviews, 4 stars, HOT
“Sparkling with superbly crafted characters, humor, and deliciously sexy romance, Heino’s debut, winner of RWA’s Golden Heart award, is splendidly entertaining.” --Booklist
Booksignings
To celebrate my first-ever release (and to hawk it to the masses) I will be making a few, select public appearances. (No, not on Oprah or Leno. Sorry. It’s not that kind of book.)
Monday, Nov. 30, 5-8 pm Local Author Spotlight Booksigning Event
Marysville Public Library, 231 S. Plum Street, Marysville, OH 937-642-1876
In conjunction with Uptown Marysville’s annual Christmas Walk
Saturday, Dec. 5, 12-3 pm Multi-Author Booksigning
Barns & Noble, 9455 Civic Center Blvd., West Chester, OH 513-755-2258
“Romancing the Holidays” with 20+ bestselling romance authors
Guest Blogging
Wanna know what I’m thinking about? I’ll be visiting these popular romance and readers blogs on the following dates. Drop by and leave a comment if you can!
Tuesday, Nov. 17 RomConInc
http://www.romconinc.com/index.php/conversations/blog/5
Monday, Nov. 23 Romance Bandits
http://www.romancebandits.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, Dec. 2 Mama Writers
www.mamawriters.com/blog
Wednesday, Dec. 2 Romance in the Backseat
http://www.ritbs.blogspot.com/
Online Interview
If you still need more of me, Terry Kate with Romance in the Backseat will be posting an interview with me (from the cyber-backseat and not the real one, unfortunately) on her site Nov. 29-Dec. 1st. http://www.romanceinthebackseat.com/
More to Come
DAMSEL IN DISGUISE will be my next release, scheduled for August 2010. It follows the story of one of the characters from MISTRESS and I hope readers will be excited to find out what happens next. A “teaser” for it is included at the end of MISTRESS and I’m very eager to introduce that fun, slightly more suspenseful story.
Free Stuff!
If you email me with the correct answer to the following question before Nov. 30th, I’ll put your name in a drawing. On Monday, Nov. 30th, I’ll randomly draw a name and contact you if you win!
The Prize? A twenty-five dollar gift card to Barnes & Noble plus an autographed copy of MISTRESS BY MISTAKE.
The Question? How many stars did RT Reviews give me in their recent review?
(Hint: the answer’s right here in the newsletter somewhere!)
Happy Holidays!
If you don’t hear from me before the holidays, may they be joyful and full of fun. Until my next, second-ever newsletter, I hope your life is never too busy for love!
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Love's Funny Sometimes
So, I was taking a shower the other day (I do that periodically) and I had this really brilliant idea for brushing off the old, dusty, pitifully neglected blog here and making it sing. It was going to be a really great idea, something that would provide me endless blog topics and plenty of room to let my natural wit and bubbling charm flow over and out into the world. People would come flocking to my blog and would read, walking away with smiles on their faces and insight in their heart.
But then my daughter came in crying because her pet rat suddenly died and I got out of the shower amidst that chaos and was thrust into action as Brave and Stoic Mom who gives hugs, dries tears, recites platitudes, answers deep theological questions, digs holes, and pulls shoe-boxes / coffins out from under her bed just when they are all needed most.
By the time the drama was somewhat at low tide I had forgotten my brilliant, witty blog idea. Rats. Oh, sorry. That mild exclamation was probably in bad taste, given the previous paragraph.
But it has been far too long since I’ve tended the blog. Facebook and Yahoo! Groups have seen plenty of me, however. I do have intentions of resurrecting the old blogspot, though, so perhaps I will. All I have to do is remember that shower idea.
I do recall, fortunately, that it was about Love. Since I write romance novels I figured that topic was appropriate. So, I’ve updated the site to reflect my new goal of blogging about the many splendors of Love. Primarily, I’m planning to explore the particularly laughable splendors of it.
You see, I do believe that Love IS Funny Sometimes. What I need now is some examples of that. You know, some of those funny little moments where if it wasn’t for Love you’d probably pull your hair out or just go flipping crazy. In my life, it’s not really a question of thinking up examples of that but more like slogging through the veritable swamp of them and picking just one or two to highlight here.
So, that’s what I’ll be doing. At some point. Maybe. Doesn’t that sound like a brilliant idea for a blog? Yeah, that’s what I thought.
But then my daughter came in crying because her pet rat suddenly died and I got out of the shower amidst that chaos and was thrust into action as Brave and Stoic Mom who gives hugs, dries tears, recites platitudes, answers deep theological questions, digs holes, and pulls shoe-boxes / coffins out from under her bed just when they are all needed most.
By the time the drama was somewhat at low tide I had forgotten my brilliant, witty blog idea. Rats. Oh, sorry. That mild exclamation was probably in bad taste, given the previous paragraph.
But it has been far too long since I’ve tended the blog. Facebook and Yahoo! Groups have seen plenty of me, however. I do have intentions of resurrecting the old blogspot, though, so perhaps I will. All I have to do is remember that shower idea.
I do recall, fortunately, that it was about Love. Since I write romance novels I figured that topic was appropriate. So, I’ve updated the site to reflect my new goal of blogging about the many splendors of Love. Primarily, I’m planning to explore the particularly laughable splendors of it.
You see, I do believe that Love IS Funny Sometimes. What I need now is some examples of that. You know, some of those funny little moments where if it wasn’t for Love you’d probably pull your hair out or just go flipping crazy. In my life, it’s not really a question of thinking up examples of that but more like slogging through the veritable swamp of them and picking just one or two to highlight here.
So, that’s what I’ll be doing. At some point. Maybe. Doesn’t that sound like a brilliant idea for a blog? Yeah, that’s what I thought.
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