TWRP BLOG TOUR - Last Day : Developing Unique Characters

WELCOME to the last day of TWRP's Valentine Blog Tour. Leave a comment on any of the blogs to enter to win a weekly prize. (other blogs on the tour listed below). But first, give it up for.....


LILLY GAYLE!!


Developing Unique Characters

Creating imaginary people who’re completely believable is probably one of the hardest things for a writer to accomplish. Because no good story starts out with a character who wants to find a wife or husband just because it seems like the thing to do at the time. There has to be an underlying reason or a plot that forces the hero and heroine together. And every character, especially the hero and heroine, needs motivation for what they do or some goal they wish to achieve. And that’s where the hard part comes in. Creating a make believe person’s personality.

But how creative can a writer get? Heroes and heroines need certain qualities for a book to sell and some publishers want their books to follow a certain formula.

I recently had a historical manuscript rejected by a New York publisher because the hero was a Beta hero.

Beta? Huh? The hero is an Irish immigrant who boxes! But…he wasn’t rich or powerful. And with some publishing houses, that’s what they want—that’s what they believe women want—a hero who follows the “formula” for success. They want rich powerful men, or men with exciting careers like an FBI agent, senator, CEO, or cop. But sometimes, readers want something different.

I guess that’s one reason I love The Wild Rose Press. Their only requirement for a romance is that it have a happily ever after. The hero doesn’t have to be rich or powerful and the heroine doesn’t have to “need” him. So, the door is wide open to creativity. Of course, there are still certain reader expectations. The hero can’t be a jerk throughout the entire book, and he can’t be too hideously deformed. But, there’s room for that Beta character or even a disabled hero.

One of my favorite non traditional heroes is Robert McBain from Lyn Stone’s The Highland Wife, a Harlequin Romance. The book is set in Medieval Scotland and the hero is deaf. He travels to the Highlands for an arranged marriage with Mairi MacInness. He thinks she knows he’s deaf. She thinks he is ignoring her. It’s a great story with some truly unique characters.

So, what books have you read recently that stray from the traditional expectations of what makes a hero or heroine?


Bio:


Lilly Gayle lives in North Carolina with her husband of thirty years, her youngest daughter who's still in college, a dog, a cat, and various critters both dead and alive the cat occasionally drags through the doggie door. When not writing or working as a mammogapher, she spends time with her husband at the beach. Out of the Darkness, a paranormal romance is her first published novel. A historical, Slightly Tarnished should be released sometime next year.

Join her at her:

Blog/Website: http://www.lillygayleromance.blogspot.com/

BLURB for Out of the Darkness (Paranormal Romance):

Here research could cure his dark hunger if a covert government agent doesn't get to her first.

Vincent Maxwell is a vampire with a conscience seeking a cure to his dark hunger. But when a scientist looking to create vampire soldiers captures and kills a fellow vampire, Vincent seeks out Dr. Megan Harper, a research scientist who discovered a link between a genetic light sensitivity disorder and vampirism. Dr. Harper could hold a key to a cure and the answers to Gerard’s death. But getting close to the beautiful scientist could endanger both their lives.

When Megan meets Vincent she believes he suffers from xeroderma pigmentosum, the genetic disease that killed her sister. Sensing a deep loneliness within the handsome man, she offers friendship and access to her research files. But she and Vincent soon become more than friends and Megan learns the horrifying truth. She's entered the dark and unseen world of vampires and Vincent is her only hope of survival.

Excerpt for Out of the Darkness:

Vincent didn’t spare her a second glance as he opened the basement door and stepped down.

The sound of his boot heel striking wood echoed up the steps as he disappeared into the darkness.

“But—” Megan switched on the light and hurried after him.

”The first thing you need down here is a table and some chairs,” he said when he saw the stacks of unorganized data and reams of paper scattered across the floor. “Do you mind if I bring the ones down from the kitchen?”

“No.” She turned back toward the stairs. “I’ll help you bring them down.” It would give her something to do while she sorted through the confused thoughts and emotions tumbling around inside her head.

Vincent touched her arm and heat shot straight to her belly, turning her insides all warm and fuzzy.

Warm and fuzzy was not good.

Warm and fuzzy made her think of more than just heated sex. It made her think of cozy
evenings snuggled up under a blanket and shared feelings. It made her long for an emotional connection she couldn’t risk. Not with Vincent. Not with a man who could potentially die a slow, lingering death.

“I’ll get it.” He let go of her arm and stepped back. “You start going through those papers and find that report you wrote comparing XP to vampire myths and legends. I’d be interested in seeing if you still have it.”

He turned to go back up the stairs and Megan shivered. Why had Steve mentioned the vampire report to Vincent? And why was Vincent so interested in seeing it?

Vincent the Vampire.

Buy link for Out of the Darkness: http://www.thewildrosepress.com/out-of-the-darkness-p-4039.html

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TODAY's Blog Tour Itinerary

Wednesday, February 23rd - Blog Topic - Developing Unique Characters

--Meet author AJ Nuest at http://amielouellen.wordpress.com/

--Meet author Lynne Roberts at http://authorjenniferjakes.blogspot.com/

--Meet paranormal romance author Maeve Greyson at http://www.ajbooks.blogspot.com/

--Meet author Amy Corwin at http://lynneroberts.blogspot.com/

--Meet contemporary and paranormal romance author Jill James at http://maevegreyson.blogspot.com/

--Meet romantic suspense author Kat Duncan at http://amycorwin.blogspot.com/

--Meet contemporary YA an adult romance author Linda Kage (ME) at http://www.jilljameswrites.com

--Meet paranormal, and historical romance author Caroline Clemmons at http://www.katduncan.net/writeabout

--Meet historical and paranormal romance writer Lilly Gayle at http://lindakage.blogspot.com/ (HERE)

--Meet Amie Louellen, author of fun and whimsical contemporary romance at http://carolineclemmons.blogspot.com/

--Meet erotic western historical author Jennifer Jakes at www.lillygayleromance.blogspot.com

TWRP BLOG TOUR - Day Three : Meeting Your Significant Other

WELCOME to the third day of TWRP's Valentine Blog Tour. Leave a comment on any of the blogs to enter to win a weekly prize. (other blogs on the tour listed below). But first, give it up for.....

Jennifer Jakes!!

Meeting My DH

Long, long ago, (or about 18 years) in a land far away (or about 3 hours depending on traffic) – a land full of Blizzards (the edible kind because the land was Dairy Queen) – a lonely maiden (lonely, yes – maiden, eh, not so much) spied her white knight as he arrived on his trusty steed (OK, it was an 18-wheeler…………….)

Wait. Stop. This is getting too difficult. Here’s the real story.

I was the manager of a Dairy Queen in a small town. Twice a week our supply truck came down from the city. One day one of the workers came up front all breathless to tell me I had to come see the new driver because he was gorgeous. So I casually walked back to the freezer and Wow! – yes, he was gorgeous. When our eyes met it was truly one of those zinger moments. So like the intelligent (translation – scared stupid) woman I was, I ran. Not literally. I had to work. But since I’d been burned so many times before by good-looking, smooth-talking men, I decided then and there I didn’t want the gorgeous delivery man. (No matter how badly I did)

One problem with that plan. Turns out he wanted me. And he was persistent. No matter how many times I shot him down. No, you didn’t, you think. OK, an example is in order. We had been playing the cat and mouse game for about 3 months. One day he comes inside, looking all sexy with his clip-board and dark hair and hazel eyes and………….Oh, sorry. Anyway, he stops at the office door and asked, “What do you want first? The frozen food, the dry goods – or me?” Without blinking I answered, “The frozen.”

Ouch! But he still didn’t give up. And after a couple more months I realized he wasn’t trying to be a silver tongued devil, laying on the charm. He was just friendly. And a goof-ball. (He still is by the way). But he was honest and sweet and funny. And so loyal that I wonder if he’s part canine. After a string of cheater boyfriends, this man was exactly what I needed. So I did what any intelligent woman would do. I stopped running and let him catch me;)

So I have a question for all the readers today. What is it about your significant other that makes him (or her) perfect for you?

Bio:

After trying several careers—everything from a beautician to a dump truck driver—Jennifer finally returned to her first love, writing. Maybe it was all those Clint Eastwood movies she watched growing up, but in her opinion there is no better read than a steamy western historical.

Married to her very own hero, she lives on fifteen acres along with two beautiful daughters, two elderly horses, two spoiled cats and two hyper dogs.

During the summer she does Civil War re-enacting and has found it a great research tool, not to mention she has continued appreciation for her microwave and hot water heater.

Join her at her:

Website: http://www.jenniferjakes.com/
Blog: http://authorjenniferjakes.blogspot.com/
Facebook: Jennifer Jakes
Twitter: @erotichistory


Jennifer is the author of:

RAFE'S REDEMPTION

BLURB:
He rode into town to buy supplies, not a woman.

For hunted recluse Rafe McBride, the raven-haired beauty on the auction block is exactly what he doesn't need. A dependant woman will be another clue his vengeful stepbrother can use to find and kill him. But Rafe's conscience won't let him leave another innocent's virginity to the riff-raff bidding. He buys her, promising to return her to St. Louis untouched. He only prays the impending blizzard holds off before her sultry beauty breaks his willpower.

She wanted freedom, not a lover.

Whisked to the auction block by her devious, gambling cousin, and then sold into the arms of a gorgeous stranger, outspoken artist Maggie Monroe isn't about to go meekly. Especially when the rugged mountain man looks like sin and danger rolled into one. But a blizzard and temptation thrust them together, and Maggie yearns to explore her smoldering passion for Rafe.

But when the snow clears, will the danger and secrets that surround Rafe and Maggie tear them apart?

EXCERPT:

Maggie wanted freedom, not a lover…

Oh, Lord. He was going to kiss her. She shouldn’t want this. She was confused enough.
Respectable women didn’t kiss men they barely knew, certainly not men who made them have wild, exotic dreams.

It was crazy. He was making her want crazy things. Making her not give a damn about her reputation or her virginity. Or her long-awaited freedom. All she could think about was that dream, and the way his sinful mouth had felt. The table was only a step away, and honey was just as sweet as peach juice…

She swallowed hard and looked up into his hooded eyes.

“Maggie,” he groaned. “Don’t be scared. I’d never hurt you.”

Her mouth parted to object, but firm lips covered hers, hungry, demanding. She gasped, shocked at his hunger, but even more at the illicit response coursing through her. An aching heat unfurled low in her stomach, pulsed between her legs. Oh, yes. It started just like in the dream.

He deepened the kiss, coaxed her lips with his warm tongue. Long, languid strokes teased the inside of her mouth, encouraging, tempting before he pulled back to nibble the corners of her lips.

Oh, God. Is this what all kisses felt like? Hot, lethargic? Melting her like molasses over warm bread?

“Kiss me, Maggie,” he breathed.

***********************************************

TODAY's Blog Tour Itinerary

Wednesday, February 16th - Blog Topic - Meeting Your Significant Other

--Meet author Amy Corwin at http://amielouellen.wordpress.com/Meet

--Meet contemporary and paranormal romance author Jill James at http://authorjenniferjakes.blogspot.com/

--Meet romantic suspense author Kat Duncan at http://www.ajbooks.blogspot.com/

--Meet contemporary YA an adult romance author Linda Kage (ME) at http://lynneroberts.blogspot.com/

--Meet paranormal, and historical romance author Caroline Clemmons at http://amycorwin.blogspot.com/

--Meet historical and paranormal romance writer Lilly Gayle at file:///C:/Users/Kat/Writing/Promo/www.jilljameswrites.com

--Meet Amie Louellen, author of fun and whimsical contemporary romance at http://www.katduncan.net/writeabout

--Meet erotic western historical author Jennifer Jakes at http://lindakage.blogspot.com/ (HERE)

--Meet author AJ Nuest at http://carolineclemmons.blogspot.com/

--Meet author Lynne Roberts at http://www.lillygayleromance.blogspot.com

TWRP BLOG TOUR - Day TWO : Where Creative Ideas Come From

WELCOME to the second day of TWRP's Valentine Blog Tour. Leave a comment on any of the blogs to enter to win a weekly prize. (other blogs on the tour listed below). But first, give it up for.....




LYNNE ROBERTS!!


Where Creative Ideas Come From

I don’t often read horror or even suspense... okay, that’s an understatement. My kids make fun of me, but I avoid all things horror like the plague. I blame it on my over-active imagination that doesn’t end when the movie/book does but continues on in the what-if mode.

Suffice it to say, that although I deeply admire Stephen King, I do not often read his work and when I do, it’s during daylight hours. At this point you might be asking what Stephen King, or horror, has to do with Creative ideas… I’m getting to that.

In one of his books, I think Lisey’s Story, Mr. King revealed the theory of a creative pool that exists in an alternate universe. All writers ultimately draw their ideas from this pool. And all writers create realities with their words to feed this place, or places like it. (It’s been a long time since I read the book.)

This concept has always appealed to me because sometimes as you’re writing it feels like your discovering, rather than creating a story. The characters become like people you want to get to know, rather than people you’re creating. You become a literary archeologist, dusting away the fluff and useless data to get to the story, to flesh out the characters.

Yeah, by necessity, I think a writer’s mind is a little twisted, at least mine is. But writers are prone to asking the what if question. We need to see beyond the surface of things, to look beyond what is and ask what is possible.

Everything a writer sees, hears, smells or experiences goes into the subconscious where it lies dormant until the writer needs it.

For me, I’m most likely to get ideas for books, scenes or characters when my brain is on autopilot. I think this is when I’m less likely to think and more to wonder. I call the tread mill my muse because that’s where I get the majority of my ideas. The second place is in the car when I’m driving. (Scary huh?) If you ever see me furiously writing something down at a red light, you’ll know why.

You see, the question, where do creative ideas come from, can easily be answered by one word: Everywhere. But that wouldn’t have been nearly as fun.

I think, though, that it’s what the writer does with these ideas after they get them that is truly important. Even the best idea would be lost in bad writing or sloppy grammar. Most writers want so much to share their stories that they study, constantly strive to improve the craft so readers will enjoy them.

Have you ever read a book that had an awesome concept, but you couldn’t get into the story because of the writing?

Or

Have you come across a book with an okay premise, but the writing was so good the story swept you up anyway?





Bio:

Lynne Roberts wrote her first story out of frustration at the age of 11 because Gone with the Wind just couldn’t end with Rhett and Scarlett not together.

She’s a hopeless romantic and a sucker for a happily ever after.
She’s been writing professionally since 2005 and, after reading some very talented authors, attempted her first erotic romance in 2009.

A hopeless coffee-addict, when she’s not writing, editing or on Twitter—which isn’t often—you can find her in the garden, reading or with her five children. Sometimes all of the above.

Lynne currently lives in sunny California. You can learn more about her on her website and blog. She’d love to hear from you.

Lynne's books include the two erotic romances, AFTER HOURS, and FIRST DATE.

Join her at her:

Website: http://www.lynneroberts.net/
Blog: http://lynneroberts.blogspot.com/
Facebook: Lynne Roberts
Twitter: Lynne_Roberts

And here's a sneak peek of her story, CREATIVE LICENSE, available at Samhain Publishing.

Product Warnings

Contains balmy ocean breezes, coffee as seduction, the creative use of melted chocolate, and naughty shower lovin’ that gives new meanings to the term “shower head”.


Excerpt:

The computer screen blurred. Lily blinked to refocus her tired eyes on the deposition and sighed in relief when the phone rang. She loved her job, loved working for a law firm, but staring at a computer screen for hours took its toll.

Blowing a strand of dark hair out of her eyes, she reached over a stack of law books. “McPherson.” Lily glanced at the clock as her stomach rumbled. She’d worked through lunch again. Damn.

The other end of the line was silent for so long, she thought the caller had changed his or her mind. “Hello?”

“Yes, hi.”

The rich, masculine voice sent chills down her spine and knotted her stomach. Eyes closed, she gripped the phone so hard it hurt. Even after all these years, she knew that voice. “Caleb?”

A low, sexy chuckle rumbled through the line. “You remember me.”

Oh shit, why was he calling her now? Memories of the most erotic night of her life flashed through her mind. Lily opened her eyes, reminding herself the most embarrassing morning of her life had followed. “How did you get this number? Never mind.”

Despite the deep breath, the receiver trembled in her hand. “Can I do something for you?”

An intake of breath and then a pause. “We have a slight problem.”

Lily’s stomach churned acid. None of their problems had been small, not for the twelve hours and twenty-two minutes they’d been married. “Yes?”

Caleb cleared his throat. “It seems the annulment didn’t go through.”

“Oh, shit.” I’m in a bad movie. This has got to be a joke. She leaned against the back of her chair. “What do you mean it didn’t go through?”

“We’re still married, sweetie. The annulment was never processed.”

Married? “Why?” Lily rubbed the ache growing between her eyes. “No. I don’t care. Just get it processed.”

“It’s too late now. We’ve been married too long.”

“We are not married.” Lily tried to swallow past the tide of rising panic.

“The state of Nevada would disagree, sweetheart.”

She could almost see that sexy grin, those sparkling green eyes. She definitely remembered what they did to her. She’d been chocolate under the heat of his sun. “I am not your sweetheart.” She reached for a notepad. Who to call? Certainly no one in the firm. Though they were all professional and talented, people talked. She couldn’t let it get back to her family or… Oh, God. Stewart. “I’ll file for divorce in the morning.”

“Um, about that.”

She didn’t have the patience to wait out the pause. “What?”

“I was wondering if we could delay that a bit.”

A pain in her hand alerted her to the death grip she’d taken on the phone. She was suddenly glad she’d skipped lunch. “Delay? Why?”

“I need a favor.”

“Well you’re out of luck. I’m fresh out of favors.”

“Lily, please listen.”

His voice had lowered to almost pleading. Something in her heart softened. What’s wrong with me? I don’t owe this man anything! He’s a stranger. “You call me out of the blue to tell me we’re still married and now you need a favor?” It came out a little more acerbic than she’d meant.

His chuckle sounded nervous. “I guess that pretty much sums it up. You’re not married or anything, are you?”

Lily closed her eyes. “No. I’m not.”

“Well.” He cleared his throat. “Except to me.”

“Not for long. Thank you for letting me know about the clerical error. I’ll handle it from my end. Good-bye.” Lily set the phone in its cradle. Quite a feat when she wanted to slam it down. She stood and walked toward the window, leaned against the sill and stared out at the tops of the trees and below them to the expanse of grass. Interns didn’t usually merit an office with a window, let alone a window facing the courtyard. It was one of the benefits of almost being engaged to her boss’s son.

Ah, Stewart. He wouldn’t mind that she slept with someone in Vegas, though he’d be a bit irritated she hadn’t been smarter about keeping it quiet. But in his eyes, marrying a divorceé was socially unacceptable. No one could ever find out about what happened in Vegas. It had been a mistake, a horrible mistake.

She closed her eyes and the image of waking next to a naked Adonis filled her mind. His long blond hair had spread over perfectly sculpted shoulders, his head cradled by well-muscled arms. A silk sheet covered his lower back to mid-thigh but had only served to tantalize the imagination of her sleep-fogged brain. For a moment, she’d been tempted to explore the promising hills and valleys of his body and then she’d moved to touch him and seen the gaudy fake diamond ring on her left hand.

She still could only remember flashes of their night together; falling into his arms, the silky warmth of his skin next to hers, his lips. She opened her eyes in an attempt to wash out the images that had tinted her fantasies in the three years since. An ache built in her lower abdomen as she remembered the sound of his voice. She couldn’t recall standing in front of a minister and saying I do, but the documents didn’t lie. “Shit.” Caleb Anderson might be a talented artist and sexy as hell, but he wasn’t in her ten-year plan.

Behind her, the phone rang again and she sighed, turned and picked it up. “Macpherson.”

“Lily, please, listen,” Caleb asked.

“You have three minutes.”

“It’s… Damn it, Lily. It’s a long story.”

“Three minutes,” she repeated. The sound of Caleb’s sigh into her ear sent shivers down her body.

“I need you to…come out here for a few days.”

Her jaw dropped open.

After a long pause, Caleb cleared his throat. “Are you still there?”

“Is this a joke?”

“No. It’s not. If you’ll let—”

“No. Absolutely not. You’re crazy.”

“Please. I know it’s inconvenient—”

“Inconvenient? That’s an understatement. Why would I fly across the country?”

“Because it could make a permanent difference in my career, in my life. Listen, it’s complicated but…” he paused and his voice thickened. “My patroness did a background check, she found out I was married. I panicked. She wants to meet you.” The words came out in a rush.

“I appreciate your position, but…” Lily hesitated. She could vividly remember the passion with which he described his art. It had been one of the many things that had kept her by the bar ordering drink after drink until her memory faded to black.

“I’ll pay for your air fare and—”

“It’s not that.”

“Then what? Lily, I need your help. Please. It’s my one big chance. It would only be for a couple of days.”

A couple of days. That’s what got her into this mess in the first place, but something inside of her softened further. She did have some vacation time coming and she’d heard San Francisco was beautiful in the summer. Holy heaven, I’m considering it.

She had to admit, part of her hesitation was the memory of his skin on hers and the fear she’d tumble back into bed with him in a heartbeat. She’d done it in her fantasies enough times. Would that be so bad?

No, it would be so good. That was the problem. She took a deep breath. “I’ll think about it, Caleb.”

“Thank you.”

She hung up the phone, buried her face in her hands, and then grimaced. “I’ve just had my first argument with my husband.”

***********************************************

TODAY's Blog Tour Itinerary

Wednesday, February 9th - Blog Topic - Where Creative Ideas Come From

-- Meet contemporary and paranormal romance author Jill James at http://amielouellen.wordpress.com/

--Meet romantic suspense author Kat Duncan at http://authorjenniferjakes.blogspot.com/

--Meet contemporary YA an adult romance author Linda Kage (ME) at http://www.ajbooks.blogspot.com/

--Meet paranormal, and historical romance author Caroline Clemmons at http://lynneroberts.blogspot.com/

--Meet historical and paranormal romance writer Lilly Gayle at http://maevegreyson.blogspot.com/

--Meet Amie Louellen, author of fun and whimsical contemporary romance at http://amycorwin.blogspot.com/

--Meet erotic western historical author Jennifer Jakes at http://www.jilljameswrites.com/

--Meet author AJ Nuest at http://www.katduncan.net/writeabout

--Meet author Lynne Roberts at http://lindakage.blogspot.com/ (HERE)

--Meet paranormal romance author Maeve Greyson at http://carolineclemmons.blogspot.com/

--Meet author Amy Corwin at http://www.blogger.com/www.lillygayleromance.blogspot.com

TWRP BLOG TOUR - Day One : The Signifance of First Lines

WELCOME to the first day of TWRP's Valentine Blog Tour. Leave a comment on any of the blogs to enter to win a weekly prize. (other blogs on the tour listed below). But first, give it up for.....




AMY CORWIN!!

Award-winning author Amy Corwin is the romance author of
--Vampire Protector (A Contemporary Paranormal Romance, Published by: The Wild Rose Press, Black Rose Line, 2010),
--The Necklace (A Regency Romantic Mystery Published by: Highland Press, 2010),
--The Bricklayer's Helper (A Regency Romantic Mystery Published by: The Wild Rose Press, English Tea Rose Line, 2010),
--I Bid One American (A Regency Romantic Mystery Published by: The Wild Rose Press, English Tea Rose Line, 2008),
and
--Smuggled Rose (A Regency Romance, Published by: Cerridwen Press, Cotillion Line,2007).


And now a word from AMY!!!!




Opening Lines, Who Needs ‘Em?

The importance of a novel’s opening versus the ending is just as impossible to answer as that old question: “which is more important to the integrity of a house, the foundation or the roof?” For me, the foundation is as important as the roof to the integrity of a house. And the opening of a novel is just as critical as the ending.

The opening encourages (or discourages) a potential reader to buy and read your book. The ending convinces the reader to buy (or not buy) your next book.

So if you only want to publish one book, you might apply most of your efforts to the opening lines. If you intend to write more than one, then you’ll have to make both the opening line and the ending the best they can possibly be.

So what makes a killer opening?

Not that I have all the answers, but I like to try to making opening lines multi-task. Ideally, I want my openings to do all of the following.

1. Set the tone for the book. Funny if the book is funny, gritty if the book is gritty. If I can make the reader laugh at the first sentence, I've hooked ‘em.


2. Set the scene. Where are the characters? What are they doing? Although I rarely do this, a lot of books start out with a sentence about the weather. It was a dark and stormy night... And it actually works for many writers.


3. Introduce the hero or heroine. Most of the time, I try to start in the point of view of the character who “owns the book”.


4. Create a question the reader has just got to get answered. I write a lot of mysteries, so a great question is, who just died? There’s only one question I don’t want my reader to suffer through and that’s: What the heck is going on? If I’m confusing the reader, it's not working.

So, how about a few examples?

I Bid One American

Here is the opening line from my historical romantic mystery, I Bid One American.

Despite his belief that White’s Club guaranteed Nathaniel Archer, current Duke of Peckham, freedom from the machinations of unmarried women, he could not concentrate on a simple game of cards.

This line sets the stage by introducing the hero, Nathaniel, his location at White’s, and his predicament. He’s relentlessly pursued by women to the point where he’s not even sure if he’s safe from them at a men’s club. I also hope it conveys a touch of the wry humor that pervades it.

The Bricklayer’s Helper

In another opening line, I present a question to grab the reader: why is Sam hurrying? Here is the first sentence in this historical romantic mystery that also involves the Archer family introduced in I Bid One American.

The sky glowed with morning as Sam passed St. Mary Magdalen’s, hurrying toward Crown Street.

And here are a couple of opening lines from other authors. These two are probably my favorite lines of all time.

Victor Gischler
From Gun Monkeys

I turned the Chrysler onto the Florida Turnpike with Rollo Kramer's headless body in the trunk, and all the time I'm thinking I should've put some plastic down.

This crime/suspense novel has a strong humorous element and the first sentence says it all. You know:

--The hero is driving a Chrysler, he's in Florida on the turnpike, a dead guy is in the trunk, and you can guess the hero has a less-than-honest background.

--You also know the guy sounds like the type who plans ahead, but somehow, he’s gotten into trouble that prevented him from handling the situation with his normal expertise. Finally, the dry wit firmly settles the reader into the tone of the book.

P.G. Wodehouse
From Leave it to Psmith

At the open window of the great library of Blandings Castle, drooping like a wet sock, as was his habit when he had nothing to prop his spine against, the Earl of Emsworth, that amiable and boneheaded peer, stood gazing out over his domain.

P.G. Wodehouse is a brilliant humorist and is the creator of Jeeves, that annoyingly capable butler. His first sentence sets the scene at Blandings Castle, on a nice day (because the window is open) and we are introduced to the amiable and boneheaded Earl of Emsworth in a dry, witty tone that prepares you for the wildly funny tale ahead.

Conclusion

All-in-all, great opening lines are exceptionally difficult to write. At least I certainly find it difficult.

But, if you can write a first sentence that introduces your character, sets the tone, sets the scene, gets your reader asking questions, and mentions the weather your reader won’t be able to put it down.


Bio:

Amy Corwin is a charter member of the Romance Writers of America and has been writing for the last ten years and managing a career as an enterprise systems administrator in the computer industry. She writes Regencies/historicals, mysteries, and contemporary paranormals. To be truthful, most of her books include a bit of murder and mayhem since she discovered that killing off at least one character is a highly effective way to make the remaining ones toe the plot line.

Amy’s books include the two Regency romances, SMUGGLED ROSE, and LOVE, THE CRITIC; three Regency romantic mysteries, I BID ONE AMERICAN, THE BRICKLAYER’S HELPER, and THE NECKLACE; and her first paranormal, VAMPIRE PROTECTOR.

Join her and discover that every good romance has a touch of mystery.

Website: http://www.amycorwin.com/
Twitter: http://twitter.com/amycorwin
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AmyCorwinAuthor
Blog: http://amycorwin.blogspot.com/

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Blog Tour Itinerary

Wednesday, February 2nd - Blog Topic - The Significance of First Lines

--Meet contemporary YA an adult romance author Linda Kage (ME!) at
http://amielouellen.wordpress.com/

--Meet contemporary, paranormal, and historical romance author
Caroline Clemmons at http://authorjenniferjakes.blogspot.com/

--Meet historical and paranormal romance writer Lilly Gayle at
http://www.ajbooks.blogspot.com/

--Meet Amie Louellen, author of fun and whimsical contemporary
romance at http://lynneroberts.blogspot.com/

--Meet erotic western historical author Jennifer Jakes at
http://maevegreyson.blogspot.com/

--Meet author AJ Nuest at http://amycorwin.blogspot.com/

--Meet author Lynne Roberts at http://www.jilljameswrites.com/

--Meet paranormal romance author Maeve Greyson at
http://www.katduncan.net/writeabout

--Meet author Amy Corwin at http://lindakage.blogspot.com/ (HERE)

--Meet contemporary and paranormal romance author Jill James at
http://carolineclemmons.blogspot.com/

--Meet romantic suspense author Kat Duncan at
http://www.lillygayleromance.blogspot.com/