Karen Foley
Lynn Raye Harris
Ellen Hartman
Diana Holquist
Samantha Hunter
Shirley Jump
Dee Tenorio
Jeannie Watt
Welcome Guest Author Lynn Raye Harris!
Love, International Style
Thanks to the Exploding Cigar ladies (geez, I love that!) for inviting me to be here today!
When I first decided I wanted to write romance, I had a firm idea of what kind of romance it would be. Contemporary romance with international settings was not high on my list, even though it was something I’d always enjoyed reading. No, I started with historical romance and wrote a Medieval, a Regency, a Medieval Time-Travel, and then moved on to contemporary suspense with a military theme.
Imagine my surprise to win the Harlequin Presents Instant Seduction contest, which was designed to find writers for the Presents line. I’d always loved Presents, had thought I’d like to write one someday, but it wasn’t high on my priority list. Until I won the contest and had to finish the novel I’d submitted.
Fast forward a year and I’m a Harlequin Presents author with my first book out this month, and two more accepted. I’m working on the fourth right now. And one of the things I really love, besides the high-octane passion and emotion of these stories, is the chance to write books set all over the world.
Spanish Magnate, Red-Hot Revenge actually has four settings, though the bulk of the book takes place in Madrid. It starts in Honolulu, where I lived for 3 years, goes to Madrid, Dubai, and New York, before returning to Madrid again. The freedom to move across that landscape is one of the fun things about writing for the Presents line.
My second book, Cavelli’s Lost Heir, takes place in a Mediterranean kingdom I made up, as well as in New Orleans. The third book, The Prince’s Royal Concubine, take place on a Caribbean island and a Mediterranean kingdom (both of which I made up).
I’m working on the fourth now, and when my hero informed me he was Argentinian, I gleefully ordered books about Argentina. I’ve never been to South America, but I’m so immersed in these travel books and Google Earth that I feel like I can see my hero’s Buenos Aires home, the palms that grow in his courtyard, the traffic that zips down the Avenida 9 de Julio, and that I can taste the beef that’s reputed to be so tender you can cut it with a spoon. I feel like I could dance a tango or ride a horse across the Pampas.
When I sold to Presents, I knew the line was celebrated for its intense emotion and international glamour. But I didn’t quite realize that it also had an international reach. Spanish Magnate, Red-Hot Revenge is out in three different geographical locations this month: the United Kingdom, North America, and India. And next month it will be out in Australia. I’ve enjoyed seeing the different cover treatments, though they usually all feature the same basic photo – except my Indian cover. Apparently my half-naked guy was too hot for that market, so I have a different cover for that one.
So now I want to know what kind of settings you like to read about. What place or culture would you love to explore? Writers, what kind of destinations do you want to write about? Do you have a favorite travel experience? A fantasy travel destination? I’d love to know what everyone thinks about international settings!
For pictures of my cover treatments for each market, come to my website at www.LynnRayeHarris.com. You can find them on the Books page. And for a chance to win a signed copy of Spanish Magnate, Red-Hot Revenge (North American cover), leave a comment on the blog here today. You must be registered to be eligible to win (it’s easy!).
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I love the intrigue...
I had to read a few Presents to judge a contest a while back, and I loved the international settings. There was a lot of wine-making if I remember correctly. Seems you can make wine all over the place. I know you can make it in upstate N.Y. where I used to live, but Italy sure gave the story a little added punch.
I've spent a lot of time in Eastern Europe, and I'd love to see some stories there. Estonia, anyone?
Anyone?
Okay, so maybe not...
Excuse me
Ahem...I'm quite sure upstate NY is just as romantic and exciting as Italy. I would know because I still live here, unlike some.
How's the weather in Philly this week?
;-)
I'm sure you're right,
I'm sure you're right, Ellen! Upstate NY is as romantic as Italy. :) It's all in the perspective and execution, right?
Hi, Diana! I've never been
Hi, Diana! I've never been to Upstate NY, but I have had some wine from there. It's quite good! But if I were writing it, I'd probably do Italy too. :) There are some American settings and heroes in Presents, but not too many. And it doesn't quite interest me enough to write an American setting. Yet. :)
I've been to Poland and Russia, but that's the extent of my Eastern Europe travels!
Welcome Lynn!
What a wonderful first sale story! And I have to tell you, I grew up reading Presents, and haven't read one in a while, but your cover is calling me -- wow. :) I think the Kindle will be downloading a new book today. ;)
I'm envious of your travel. I spent over 30 years here in one place before I met my husband and we started traveling, usually around the US, but once down to the Caribbean (and Canada, but that is less exotic since I am only a few hours from the border). :) I would love to travel more, and wish it was safer in the Middle East because that really is my dream travel itinerary -- I know Turkey is safe, and so is Egypt, and would love to get there, but I would love to explore that entire area. How cool that you lived in Dubai. I think I could easily be a "Persia-file" much in the way other people are with Britain or France, etc. There's something so rich and deep and colorful about that area of the world. And I love the food. *G*
Spain has also been a must-go to spot for dh and me, as well as Germany. Oh, Greece, too. LOL Okay, let's face it, the only places I really don't care about traveling to are the Arctic and Antarctic, LOL.
So, it seems like I should go back to reading Presents, LOL, to enjoy some of that fantasy travel.
Sam
Hi, Sam! I have traveled a
Hi, Sam! I have traveled a lot, but unfortunately not to Dubai yet. :) I've lived in Europe and spent a couple of months in Asia, but have not, alas, been to the Middle East. My parents lived in Turkey for about 4 years. I was too poor to visit back then. :( I regret that I didn't make the most of that opportunity!! My mother has the most fabulous stories about living there. It really sounds amazing.
I grew up reading Presents too! I think I fit in the line even before I realized it myself. I hope you will enjoy my book! (And I am loving my Kindle, though I have to let the hubby have it in the evenings to finish the book I got him; oh, and now he thinks he might want one for himself.)
Definitely read Presents for the fantasy travel!
Welcome!
Hi Lynn,
We sat next to each other at the RWA Literacy Signing. I recognized your cover right away...it's a tough one to forget. ;-)
Your post got me all excited when you mentioned ordering travel books. I've never written an international setting, but, man, if I got to order travel books and deduct them from my taxes, I might be tempted! How do you manage not to spend your whole advance on research??
Congrats on your sales! Great to see you here. :-)
Argh!
I was so busy harassing Ellen at the lit signing, I missed the chance to see you Lynn? Kicking myself...
Sam
PS: Ellen I do deduct travel and travel research items from my taxes, as I use all of the places I visit in books, several times over, since I haven't traveled too much, LOL.
LOL
You were harassing Ellen? You stood right there in front of her and harassed her? Because I was two feet away, LOL! I'm sorry we missed meeting. Wow, how crazy. If we'd been any closer, we'd have bumped into each other. :)
Harassers
It was the tiara. Slap a sparkly piece of jewelry on your head and everyone feels free to make a crack.
Hmph. I liked the tiara. A lot.
;-)
P.S. Actually, in Sam's case, it might not have been the tiara. Sam is a natural harasser, I think. She does it because it's fun. ;-)
*G*
You get me, Ellen, you really get me.
Sigh.
Sam
I remember you! You were
I remember you! You were wearing a tiara. :) That was a fun time at the signing. It was my first, so I was still so wide-eyed. You and C.S. Harris on my other side made it quite pleasant.
Oh yes, deducting those travel books is wicked fun. I *love* that part of writing for Presents. Can't you have a character take a vacation? *g*
So far, much of my research is memory and guidebooks. But I've told the hubby that when I have a little more money, we're going traveling again. I'm thinking I really need to go to Greece. And more time in Venice would not hurt. I suppose a week in the French wine country could be inspirational as well.... ;-)
Lynn, welcome to Cigars and
Lynn, welcome to Cigars and congratulations on your book!! What a hot cover! Whose revenge is it...hers or his? Now I have to pick it up! I love your sale story...I also started out writing historicals, never dreaming I'd one day be writing steamy contemporaries! But they're so much fun...
I agree with the eastern Europe settings...give me a story set in Budapest or Bucharest and I'm there. I'm a sucker for guys with names like Nikko or Konstantin or Velkan!
Congrats again, and can't wait to read your book!
His revenge
Hi, Karen! I got lucky with that cover -- he is quite hot! It is his revenge...this time. One of these days, I want to do a Her Revenge story. :) Isn't it funny how we end up in a place we never expect with our writing! And I have read at least one of your Blazes -- maybe more, but my mind is going at the moment, LOL! Flyboy? Does that sound right?
Mmm-hmm, thinking about this Nikko, Konstantin, Velkin thing. My next hero is named Nico, though. Prince Nico Cavelli (he is out in January!).
Oh yes...Flyboy...yum!
Oh yes...Flyboy...yum!
Flyboy
That was a DELICIOUS cover too!!! OMG! I'm sure it's on my shelf somewhere, still.... :)
Sam
And I actually read Sam's very first Blaze when I lived in Hawaii. :) There was a hot professor, I seem to remember!
How cool!
That was #2, About Last Night... but I am so tickled that you read it! :)
Sam
Why did I think it was your
Why did I think it was your first? Can't remember now, but yes, I read it! And I have more on my TBR pile, but as we all know about TBR piles, they are actually mountains. :)
Setting...
is ultimately less important to me than the characters and story. That said, I do kind of like the exotic locations that the Presents line often features--I remember reading a lot of stories about Greek, Spanish, and Italian millionaires way back when ;) I do still enjoy reading ones that are set in places I haven't been--it's more like arm chair traveling and there isn't that pesky real knowledge to conflict with any inaccuracies there might be. I can just sit back and enjoy the fantasy :) I think the Mediterranean's still a favorite for me. I also love Australia and New Zealand (and can mentally add the accents in--love accents!)
Setting
Hi, Fedora! Yes, it's true the characters are more important -- I absolutely agree with you!! In a Presents, I think that often the character's background/culture will influence him or her, so setting is only important as it relates to a character's being and conflicts. Alejandro could be nothing but Spanish. But Rebecca could probably have been British if I'd seen her that way! She's American because I am, and that's easier for me to write. :)
I love the Australia and NZ settings too -- but I don't dare try to write them with the many fabulous Down Under authors who write for Presents!
Likely locales
First... Congrats Lynn.. It is so exciting to have one of my friends publishing novels. I love it.
As for locales, I have always loved Greek and Italian locales since I was a young girl when I first read Harlequin romances. Also, I like to read about places I have never been. It will be fun to have one of your books set in Brazil or maybe... Africa?
I loved Cape Town and feel it would be a good setting.
Anyway, congrats again.
Cyn
South Africa
I could see that for a setting, Cyn! But I'm not sure I'm the one to do it justice. Perhaps I will have to have a heroine from there someday. I do love those Greek and Italian locales too! I don't have any Greek ideas yet, but my Mediterranean kingdoms are Italianate. I can see a Brazilian setting too -- right now I'm having fun with Argentina, though!
South Africa
Well some points for Cape Town
1. one side has Indian Ocean beaches (slightly yellow sand) and the other side is the Atlantic Ocean (brilliant white beaches)
2. Baboons come down from the mountains
3. Wineries
4. Still has some political unrest
5. I know of at least two of my friends who have already won and lost fortunes there
6. ummm... and the racial divide is still there.. not as bad as before, but do you remember apartheid?
7. and then the cape point is fantastically beautiful. The whole area is beautiful.
Cyn ;-)
Those are some neat points,
Those are some neat points, Cyn!
Alaska!
Welcome Lynn!
Someday, I would love to read romance set in Alaska in the summertime. Or, at least not in the winter. The mountains, the glaciers, the water, the trees, the flowers, the boats, the whales.... This place is absolutely amazing. I think it would be fun for an author to write - and for me to read - a story that takes place in a location that is not featuring the "normal" things everyone thinks of in that location. People seem to think Alaska = cold. LOL - tell that to the people in Fairbanks who pass 90 easily every summer. Heck, even here it was a delicious 70 and sunny yesterday, with a light sea breeze! :-D
Alaska
Hi, Cathy! Alaska, hmm? I could definitely see that! I bet one of these Blaze Babes around here could really steam up your hot summers! I did have some friends who lived there for 3 years (military). They loved it.
I don't really care about
I don't really care about the setting, as long as the characters are believable and the story is well written.
Hi, Estella! That's good to
Hi, Estella! That's good to know, really. So long as the story is good, you'll go with just about any setting -- and that's great!
Hi Lynn
I just finished a Presents that started in Australia and ended in Greece but I like all the different glamorous locations that Presents travels to.
Oz and Greece
That sounds great, Maureen! I do love both those settings. Jennie Lucas just wrote one set in Brazil, which I thought was brilliant. And I'm a big sheikh fan too. Love those desert kingdoms!
Hi Lynn!
Great to see you here at Cigars. :)
I'm very envious of your traveling. Presents seems like a perfect fit for you! I'd love to travel to Italy and Scotland most of all, though there are plenty of states I'd love to see, too. Particularly Wyoming and the west. The Colorado Rockies must be gorgeous... *sigh*
As a writer, I tend to keep my locales as fictional towns, because I haven't traveled much. But I'm trying to broaden my repertoire of settings as my stories call for it. Research is fun. Sometimes, LOL
Best of luck with Spanish Magnate, Red-Hot Revenge and all your future releases!
Cari
http://cariquinn.blogspot.com/
Travel
Hi, Cari! Well, I've been to some great places -- but there are lots of places I haven't been to as well. Until I moved to Hawaii, I'd never been farther west than Dallas. Seriously! There are still a lot of states I'd like to see, and I've never been to Scotland either. I *love* Italy though. And Spain. And even Germany. :) Sometimes I miss living in Europe, but then I remember all the great things that have happened for me since I moved back to the USA and I can't complain.
I love using fictional settings too! When I was writing military suspense, I made up locations. And I just made up my own trio of Mediterranean kingdoms that I used in two books, so that was nice. :)
No need to enter me into the
No need to enter me into the contest...I have the book already.
I absolutely loved it and I can't wait to read your next book, Lynne.
Thank you!
Hi, Tucco! Thank you so much. That totally makes my day. :)
We have a winner!
SilverNightMoon, aka Cari, you have been scientifically selected (which I'm pretty sure means random) as the winner of the signed book! Please email me at lynn AT lynnrayeharris DOT com with your contact details! Yay and congrats!!!
Thanks everyone for the great comments and fun time. :)
Lynn Raye Harris
www.LynnRayeHarris.com
SPANISH MAGNATE, RED-HOT REVENGE, Harlequin Presents, Aug 09 (US/UK)
CAVELLI'S LOST HEIR, Dec 09 UK, January 2010 US
THE PRINCE'S ROYAL CONCUBINE, March 2010 UK
Very cool!
Thanks, Lynn! Looking forward to reading it! :)
Cari
http://cariquinn.blogspot.com/