BECOMING A PROFESSIONAL WRITER, OR THE FINE ART OF STARING INTO SPACE
By Elizabeth Hoyt
www.elizabethhoyt.com

“I don't think I could be a writer,” my Youngest said to me the other day.

My motherly instincts immediately went on the alert at the possibility that my offspring was putting herself down. “Oh, I think you'd be a fine writer!” I gushed.

“No,” said the child. “I can't type fast.”

I blinked. “Writers do more than type, you know.”

“You don't.”

The encouraging smile on my face may have slipped a bit. “I'm doing more than typing when I'm at my computer. I'm—”

“That's right!” exclaimed Youngest in the voice of discovery. “Sometimes you stare into space!”

Sadly, the creative process is often misunderstood, and not just by my too-astute child.

“But where do your ideas come from?” intelligent, educated people cry, as if there was discount store for writing ideas that no one had ever told them about. The fact is that writers make things up for a living. And what's worse, they often do it in their pajamas.

This sometimes leads to Career Envy. “Weren't you going to do some work today?” my husband will ask on his way out the door, juggling a laptop, briefcase, and files.

“I am working,” I will reply with great dignity.

“You're sitting in your nightshirt, holding a cold cup of coffee, and chewing on a fingernail,” he'll say.

“And your point is?”

This is how great literature is created! Is it my fault that sometimes I think best while popping bubble gum? Or that a latte and muffin at the coffee shop encourages the creative process? Can I help it if my mode of work involves staring into space for long periods of time, sometimes followed by an afternoon nap?

It's hard, sweaty labor, but somebody has to do it. Just be glad it isn't you. :0)

• Click here to visit Elizabeth's website and view her bookshelf

Pleasure for Pleasure - Eloisa James

Hi there! This is Eloisa James, writing to tell you about my upcoming book, Pleasure for Pleasure. The story of my curvy, witty heroine, Josie, has been hotly anticipated since she was introduced three novels ago. The fact that Josie marries the rakish Earl of Mayne (a hero who already has his own fan club) will delight readers.

This novel is for every woman who's ever struggled with her weight, who's ever taken an insult to the heart, who's ever dreamed of a man who would love her curves – Pleasure for Pleasure will be a huge pleasure for her! If you'd like more information, and to read a couple of excerpts, please stop by www.eloisajames.com. One fun thing to know -- in the month of December, readers will be stopping by my Bulletin Board (on the website) and telling me which chapter they wish had been in the book, but wasn't. We'll put up a vote -- and then I'm going to write the winning chapter! If you read Taming of the Duke, you might like to check out the extra chapter for that book. You'll find it in my Readers' Pages.

Wishing you a wonderful holiday: peaceful, safe and joyous.

Eloisa

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The Gilded Web
Mary Balogh

The Gilded Web - Mary Balogh

This is a republication of a book first published in 1989--the first in the Web trilogy. Web of Love and Devil's Web will follow over the next two years. This first book is the story of the elder brother of a family of three--Edmund Raine, Earl of Amberley--and Alexandra Purnell.

Dominic Raine, Edmund's younger brother, has arranged for two of his friends to "kidnap" his headstrong twin sister when he believes she is about to elope with a rogue. However, the friends bungle the job and kidnap the wrong woman. And so Alexandra Purnell, a young lady brought up in a strictly moral and religious household, finds herself gagged and tied to a bedpost in the Earl of Amberley's house for the whole of one night until he finds her there early the next morning. Both he and Dominic are prepared to do the honorable thing, and both offer her marriage. But Alexandra, although she is bullied into betrothing herself to the earl, is about to show some spunk for the first time in her life. There may be an engagement, but she is determined there will never be a marriage.

A note from Mary Balogh:

Dear Reader: The younger brother of an earl would have no title unless one were conferred upon him by the crown for some notable service. However, in the Web trilogy, the Earl of Amberley's younger brother is Dominic Raine, Lord Eden. I wish I could tell you that there is a reasonable explanation, but there is not. I can't remember my reasoning but can only conclude that in 1989 I knew no better! I held to my resolve not to do any rewriting of my older books and so have left the error as it is. Please forgive the rather ghastly error!
• Visit Mary's website for her latest news

A Duke Of Her Own
Lorraine Heath

A Duke of Her Own

A dashing duke. .
A wealthy heiress. .
An infuriating chaperone. .
A scandal that will leave one of the ladies with. .

Lady Louisa Wentworth knows she'll never marry well--her family's impoverished state has ensured as much. Resigned to spinsterhood, the proud beauty has agreed to chaperone a wealthy American heiress who seeks a titled husband through the turbulent waters of London society.

The dashing Duke of Hawkhurst must marry wealth for the sake of his family. This well-heeled young American, Miss Jenny Rose, would do quite nicely. But the girl's infuriating chaperone seems determined to keep them apart. And worse still, Hawk finds himself far more attracted to the intoxicating Lady Louisa than to her innocent charge!

A romantic subterfuge is called for--as desperate Hawk plots to draw the heiress into a compromising position, making marriage a necessity. But when it's lovely Louisa instead who falls into his sensuous web, this game of hearts take a passionate and most unexpected turn...
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A note from Lorraine Heath:

Dear Readers: A Duke of Her Own begins a new series--Rogues and Roses--with all new, never-before-read-about characters. Each of the rogues has a grand scheme to marry well that won't go quite as planned. Ruining the plans of these dashing men has been quite fun. You can read an excerpt for A Duke of Her Own at my website www.lorraineheath.com . For a bit more fun, be sure to stop by in December when several of the other Avon Authors and I will be hosting a Holiday Recipe Ring. My contribution is "Strawberry Delight," a scrumptious salad that is just wicked enough to serve as a dessert as well.  Warm Regards, Lorraine

Must Love Mistletoe
Christie Ridgway

Bailey Sullivan can't stand Christmas, even though her family's business is a store specializing in the perfect holiday. But now her hometown's chief supplier of rooftop Rudolphs and treetop angels is in danger of going under—it's up to Bailey to save the shop.

She has it all planned: She'll arrive on December 1 and be gone by Christmas. Plus there's always spiked eggnog to ease the pain. But "Humbug" Bailey's not the only one home for the holidays. Finn Jacobson—legendary local bad boy-turned-Secret Service agent and Bailey's long-lost high-school sweetheart—is once again the boy next door. Only this time he's all grown up , and the sparks are flying faster and hotter than ever!

Bailey believes in true love about as much as she believes in Santa Claus. But as the holiday draws closer, she's starting to think about one thing she'd like to find under her tree . . .

• Read what happens when Ms. Scrooge encounters the Bad Boy of her Christmases past.

Nip, Tuck, Dead
Lori Avocato

Ex-nurse-turned-insurance fraud investigator Pauline Sokol's willing to risk anything to put a bad doc out of business—even her best friend Goldie's near-perfect proboscis! Her cross-dressing compadre has agreed to get his shnozz bobbed so Pauline can pose as his private nurse and gain entry into Highcliff Manor—a posh plastic surgery "spa" making an illegal killing with their repeat clientele. But when a super-rich "frequent flier" is unexpectedly widowed—and a receptionist who knows too much is given the boot . . . off a nearby cliff!—Pauline realizes she's stuck her own nose into something really nasty. Despite the pleasant distraction of the hunky Dr. Neal—and the unexpected appearance of her sexy cohort, Jagger—Pauline can't shake the feeling she's being closely watched. And if she's not careful, she'll be the next one who goes under the knife!
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A note from Lori Avocato:

Hi All, Well it's almost that time of the year when we wrack our brains for ideas of what to buy for Christmas gifts.  I'm sticking with gift cards for my teens.  If you don't buy them what they want--you might as well just throw your money out the window!  So, if your shopping for someone who likes to read, why not buy a book?  The recipient will spend hours of travel to some exotic place, worry along with the characters or maybe fall in love with the characters or laugh along with them.  A very memorable gift. I'm so grateful for having the opportunity to write The Pauline Sokol Mystery Series as Pauline is named after my late grandmother, who died on her birthday--and A Dose of Murder, the first book in the series came out Sept 28--my grandmother's birthday!

Lord Of Seduction
Paula Quinn

A note from Paula Quinn:

Dear Readers,

Lord Of Seduction hits the shelves on December 1, so spend the holidays with the Risandes. Join Lady Tanon as she becomes the bride of a fierce Welsh prince and embarks upon a journey into the wild lands of Cymru... and deep into her heart. Which will be more perilous? Visit PaulaQuinn.com for some excerpts in this conclusion to the Risande trilogy. While you're there enter my December contest for a chance to win my "Wyfyrn" collection. See site for details.

Happy Holidays,
Paula Quinn

• Visit Paula's website for an excerpt of Lord Of Seduction