How We Met

Fridays at the 2BRead blog are for First Alert, but I thought I'd go back and talk about an old first. Like the first date I had with the fella. We spent the night together.

On a band bus with 43 other people in the college marching band. We'd met early on in our freshman year, at the band picnic. He was dating another girl (who became my roommate the next two years) at the time and we all got into the same game of spades. Then we discovered that we were in the same chemistry class. (And I never thought about all the cheesy puns that could be made about "chemistry" until now. Really.) He still exclaims about all the times I walked barefoot to class in the rain. It made sense to me...feet dry better than shoes, and once my feet were dry, I could put on dry shoes and warm my feet up. So we would talk in chemistry class, and walk together to our next class--same building, different rooms.

As the time came for the annual overnight band trip, to the University of Arkansas this particular year, he started talking about band trips and "what happens on the band trip stays on the band trip" but I just couldn't believe he was flirting, because we're exactly the same height (I look taller these days, because he's gone to the Captain Picard hairstyle) and in my experience, guys just didn't flirt with girls who might be taller. Turned out I was wrong. And so we spent the night together on the bus coming back from Fayetteville.

Our romance was entirely too dull for any romance novel, which means it was much more pleasant to live through. Reading this, I'm sure people are asking "But where's the conflict?" Well, there was a little, but very little, and it came later. If we did fit a romance-novel story, it would be the "good friends who discover something more" sort of story.

So what did you and your honey do on your first date? And what kind of romance novel would it be?

Family Stories, Available Now!

Last Monday, I did an errand for my son and realized I was next door to the bookstore where I would soon be holding my book signing for my new release. Even though my book wasn't supposed to be out yet, I thought I would slip in and see where it would be shelved. When I rounded the corner of the romance aisle, I saw three copies of the book already displayed!

At first, I wasn't sure if the books were really there. Over the years, I've done a lot of positive imaging, standing in front of bookshelves and envisioning my book next to some of my favorite authors. A tiny part of me wondered if my active imagination was once again helping me with this writing process.

This time, no imagination was involved. The books were really there!

FAMILY STORIES, for the new Harlequin Everlasting Love imprint, is my first mass market book. I've published others for a more select market -- the libraries and educational markets. Finding the books listed in the library was fun. But seeing the books on a shelf in a bookstore was a much different thrill. Now I can have friends go into a real store and buy the book, rather than selling author copies out of my car trunk. While that's satisfying in its own way, seeing the book on the shelf makes this whole process more valid to me.

I stood in front of that shelf for a few more minutes and then started to leave, planning to come back later with a camera. Then I remembered my sons had convinced me we needed phones with cameras this time. I stopped the nearest stockboy and asked if he would take a picture of me with my book.

He gave me an odd look. I quickly assured him this wasn't just a book that I was buying but one that I had written. I grinned at the look he then gave me. He looked at me and then my book and then snapped a picture of me standing in front of the Romance Series section, holding a copy of Family Stories.

I thought I could include the picture today but the computer-savvy son is off at University and I had to finally quit trying to make it happen. Instead, I'll direct you to the copy of Family Stories listed on the side of our blog. And if you'd like to stop in and pick up your own copy -- at a real bookstore -- well, my next picture is going to be me walking in and not finding any books on the shelves! Because that means somebody bought them!

HOW IMPORTANT IS SEX?

Okay, now that I've got your attention, I'll clarify that. How important is sex, to you, in a romance novel?

That's what I'm wondering about this Wednesday. There are books that offer the specific promise of action between the covers – Harlequin Blaze, Silhouette Desire, Ellora's Cave, and lots of other single title novels. But when you read a romance that isn't specifically represented as being sexy, are you disappointed if the characters don't have sex?

I'm wondering because lately, I've read several books where it felt like the sex was thrown in just because it was required. It's not explicit, so it's not there for the steam factor; but it doesn't really seem to advance the plot or the relationship either. And usually, the hero and heroine have only known each other for a couple of days. The characters' motivations seem realistic in every other respect … but in the real world, it doesn't seem (to me) like they'd be ready to jump between the sheets so fast.

Do we just expect relationships to develop more quickly in a romance because the genre offers a heightened, more intense version of real life? Do publishers ask for lovemaking scenes because they feel they're expected? Or do readers need to know the characters made love in order to feel that they've really connected?

Or … maybe … is sex becoming obligatory in some romances?

Whenever I bring up a subject like this, I feel like Grandma Moses. So let me clarify one other thing: I'm not against sex in books. I'm just not necessarily for sex in all books. If it's not there for the rush of sensuality (which can certainly be fun!), and it doesn't contribute to the story, I just wonder … why is it there?

Sierra Donovan
MEG'S CONFESSION, Avalon, February 2007

This Doesn't Happen Every Day

… Heck, for me, it doesn't happen every YEAR. But I'm pleased to say that with the release of MEG'S CONFESSION, I'm no longer a one-book wonder.

It's a nice milestone, to be sure. Now when I search for myself on Amazon, I find two listings instead of one. And while multi-pubbed writers like Nora Roberts may now chuckle fondly over the memory of the first time they had two books to rub together, it's really nice to see them side by side on the shelf.

When that box filled with copies of my first book came, my husband knew just what to do. He took a picture of me sprawled on the living room floor with those books, while we still had them all together. Then we went out to dinner at Sizzler.

This time, we took pictures of me on the floor with MEG'S CONFESSION, although it was a week or so later. And I doubt I'll hit the living room floor with every book I write. (Our carpet is getting old, for one thing.) But I've heard many times that the pleasure of holding that shiny new book in your hands never gets old.

Surely every book is reason for celebration, whether it's the first book or the forty-third. So, is there anything you do to commemorate a new release? Any special traditions?

She ducked into a confessional and told him her darkest secret.
The trouble is … he's not a priest.

Meg's Confession, by Sierra Donovan
www.sierradonovan.com

Five O'Clock Shadow

My new, sexy, funny romantic suspense (still spine-catagorized as contemporary for whatever reason known to the world of publishing) is now AVAILABLE...

Five O'Clock Shadow Kensington ISBN 0821779788
www.geniedavis.com

First, some promo/reviews; then a little background on the book.

Let's see, RT gave it four and a half stars and all of the reviews so far have been great, which warms my heart, and who knows, might improve my ranking on Amazon.

RT said - "A thoroughly engaging heroine whose witty, first-person voice and palpable love of music make this novel terrific. Davis gives all her characters strong dialogue, unique personality
traits and an amusing, offbeat plot to work their way through. But Jessie's narrative is especially delightful. The song references are great fun and in keeping with the heroine's point of view, while her relationship with the hero is steamy but with an underlying tenderness that makes their love scenes compelling.

Romance Reviews said - "...readers will soon fall in love with the dark, sexy man who captures Jessie's heart. The heart and soul of FIVE O'CLOCK SHADOW, however, is the suspense that pulls you into the story and grips you till the end. I had an inkling of who was
behind the threats, but even then, it isn't really obvious. It is those kinds of red herrings
which mark FIVE O'CLOCK SHADOW as an excellently told tale. Danger and passion fill the pages of FIVE O'CLOCK SHADOW, and if readers haven't picked up a Genie Davis book yet, then I urge them to do so today."

And Booklist said - "Davis' romance is fun and entertaining with a real man's man as the romantic lead..."

Here's MY blurb about the book --
Jessie Adams, indie-rock DJ, part-time musician, and full-time fool for long haired rockers
makes a run for local political office to help save her best friend's music club, and finds danger in a stranger's threats and an intense affair with Chuck, a cop with his own cause. When your life depends on surviving both love and a political campaign, winning is only half the battle.

And now for a little bit of background after the endless promotion:

The small town politics in this book were inspired by my own local run for school board...although no one tried to kill me and I never met ANYONE like Chuck, I'm sure alot of people wanted to kill me for my views about the public schools in my town (not positive) It was also in part inspired by hilarious in fighting on a PTA board ...the sort of stuff that if you put in a book as it happened no one would believe it was true. Improbable! Unlikely! A PTA! That's supposed to be civilized, unlike, say, publishing...oh, I changed the name of my town to a fictious town -- only to find out later (but too late to change!) that such a town by such a name does exist nearby.

Lastly, the back cover copy refers to Waikiki. The book has nothing but a glancing reference to Waikiki. The book was running too long and I cut out a hundred pages prior to turning in the complete manuscript. This is what happens when your publisher does not let you see the back cover copy before they print it...

On Danger's Edge--Counting Your Blessings

It's a Sunday, in fact, Super Bowl Sunday, and today I'm sitting here counting my blessings. It isn't about Super Bowl. No, I'm not much of a football fan, but it is about being grateful. I'm glad God has given me the opportunity to write, to have the life that I have. Oh, it took a while. Part of it had to do with me believing in myself. But I'm grateful for the lessons. I'm blessed in that somehow, the Great One found a way to put the family in my life that I have--for the good and the bad, as we celebrate the good and learn from ours and others mistakes. Life has a way of changing you whether you want it to or not. Sometimes we just need to embrace that change.

Last year was a tough one for me. My husband was deployed and my mother passed away. And there were other, smaller and less important emergencies that happened that my son and I dealt with. The writing helped me. I was able to finish another book. Intimate Deceptions came out in November.

But things has a way of working themselves out. This year has been a year of good things. Intimate Deceptions is getting stellar reviews. I've gotten a Recommended Read from Joyfully Reviewed and the very first Coffee Time Reviewers Recommend Award. Then there was the biggest news of my writing career--my nomination for the Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Awards for Small Press for my book On Danger's Edge, which was reviewed by Romantic Times last year. I'd gotten 4 1/2 stars on it. which thrilled me at the time as well. To me, this was incredible. Yep. The biggest thing in my writing career to date. And yes, I'm grateful. I'm grateful that people are willing to read my writing, much less like it!

And I'm thrilled that I can make a difference to someone, even if it is just a short respite in their everyday lives. And grateful that there are wonderful people that I deal with in this profession.

My husband is home now. I'm thankful for that. And he has a position training troops for combat, one that should keep him stateside for a while--a blessing.

At times like these, I think and pray for all those who have gone through periods like mine. It is my greatest hope that they see beyond the moment--see the greater things that lie ahead. Change isn't always good. And sometimes its fearful.

But there is always a lesson of growth in it.

Many blessings to you all, and have an excellent day--even with the Super Bowl!

~ Lise

How much danger would you face for the perfect romance?

Lise Fuller, www.lisefuller.com, ROMANTIC TIMES REVIEWERS CHOICE NOMINEE for 2006; Pikes Peak Romance Writers 2006 Writer of the Year

~On Danger's Edge, print-03/07, available in e-book, Cerridwen Press, http://www.cerridwenpress.com/, 4 1/2 Stars from Romantic Times

~Intimate Deceptions, available in e-book, Cerridwen Press, http://www.cerridwenpress.com/, RECOMMENDED READS from Coffee Time Romance and Joyfully Reviewed

~Cutting Loose, print-04/07, available in e-book, Cerridwen Press, http://www.cerridwenpress.com/