Aphrodisia Authors :: Blog

So last month, I talked about how I wandered into stores in the gorgeous State of California and joked about how I *didn’t* look like the cover model on my December release Breathless.

Comes my March release from Harlequin Blaze and I trot myself all over town from drug store to grocery store to discount super store to sign the books on the shelves.

Thrilling indeed. One chain has four copies in each store, another only 2, but hey…I’m there on the shelf with some of the best authors Harlequin has to offer. I’m pumped, I’m ready and armed with my little gold “autographed copy” stickers that fit perfectly under the Blaze logo.

In stores March 1

I like to introduce myself and get permission to sign books. So, in the third store of the afternoon, I take the copies to the Customer Service desk and hold up the top copy.

“This,” says I, “is me and I’d like to sign them all.”

The customer service lady looks at POSSESSING MORGAN, then at me, then back to the book. A look of chilled horror comes over her expression.

The penny dropped. “No, no! This isn’t me.” I point to the gorgeous brunette on the cover. “I wrote it. I’m the author.” I point bravely to my name.

I thought she was going to crumple to the floor. Not, as you may think, with the thrill of meeting an author in her drug store, but with relief that she didn’t have a nutjob on her hands.

Yes, she thought I was saying I was the cover model. Now, seriously, how nutty do I look? I’m just glad she didn’t call for security, because she admitted that she was wondering how the hell to handle me.

The next store I went to I decided not to bother anyone who worked there and just signed the books I found on the shelf. Yes, I wondered if I was on a security camera and had visions of being kicked out of the store for defacing their inventory.

But now I’m wondering if I should change my hair to dark brown.

To celebrate the release of Possessing Morgan I’ll be giving away one copy to someone who comments here today…and shares a moment of total miscommunication with a stranger. I’m sure we’ll come up with some doozies!

During the first weeks of January, my dh and I chose to leave our rainy, dreary home to venture south for some sun. Our destination was anywhere the sun was shining in California.

Huh. (We bumped into every rainstorm they had! Not to mention snow going over Mt. Shasta.)

First stop, Burbank (signed a copy of Breathless in the downtown B&N)where we had a ball going to the Jay Leno Show. Understand, this was the first week all the kerfuffle started with Jay, Conan O’Brien and their network. All the way south we wondered if Jay would be there come Monday.

He was. The show was great, and Bill Cosby (another fave) was his guest. Mr. Cosby is a wonderful storyteller: rambling, touching and very funny.

But rather than try to negotiate the freeways in any downpours of rain, we chose to head to the desert. I found copies of Breathless, Built and Pure Sex in a Borders store and B & N.

Clerks in bookstores are always so nice to me…mostly because I joked about the cover of Breathless this time. My joke?

Hold up the book, say “I’m her…well, not her, (move finger to bottom of book and point out my name) I’m HER. Not on my best days did I ever look like the photo.”

Still available (signed in bookstores all over California!)

Lots of chuckles about beautiful cover art…and then, like magic those clerks warmed up, felt comfy and let me sign away. One person asked me for identification and I have to wonder how often they get impostors coming in to sign books, but once I handed him my card, he believed me. Luckily he didn’t ask me to quote any of the love scenes because I tend to write those in the zone and rarely remember them clearly.

Everywhere we went I stopped at bookstores and signed whatever stock they had. What a wonderful way to spend my vacation.

I have to add that I swung into a Borders store in San Francisco and the clerk ran away to get the Customer Service Rep…who proclaimed her love of romance authors. Seems she recalls about 30 of them descending on the store during the Romance Writers of America conference in 2008. She told me we’re the nicest bunch of authors she’s ever met. (I have to say she’s right.) She was thrilled to have me stop in. (Hey, I’m tickled pink to see my books on the shelves so we’re even!)

I’m counting down the weeks now to the release of my Harlequin Blaze, Possessing Morgan. I’m thrilled!

Possessing Morgan will be available March 1 everywhere!

In stores March 1

Here it is January 6 and I’m already watching the clock. Not the time per se…but the time when the sun sets. I’m so ready for the days to get longer! Strolling after dinner in daylight is so much more pleasant than wandering around in the dark. Our neighborhood has ditches and no sidewalks or curbs. It’s very easy to twist an ankle.

My poodle pup leaped (they leap like deer!) Into a ditch a few weeks ago and nearly pulled me off my feet. He’s now getting used to a harness type lead that means he pulls against his own weight.

Jackson the poodle pup at 7 months

Seriously, I start watching as early as this. Pfft! In another two weeks I’ll be telling myself I’m seeing a real difference! Whether it’s true or not. I lie to myself on a regular basis, so what’s one more?

I’m pleased to say that I’ve now got excerpts posted on my site for my newest release, BREATHLESS. One excerpt for each novella, so go have fun and get a little breathless. www.bonnieedwards.com

I’ve also posted my cover for my upcoming Harlequin Blaze, Possessing Morgan as well. I’m getting seriously excited about the release of that one, too. As I get nearer to release day I’ll send out a reminder in my newsletter.

In the meantime, I’ll be watching the sky and counting off those extra minutes of sun.

Happy 2010 to everyone and just so you know, this year I’ve got a couple of goals (I don’t like resolutions because they can be pie-in-the-sky stuff.) One is to keep my website updated more often, and to actually send out newsletters on occasion. OH, yeah, and to lose a little weight, use the treadmill more, laugh more often, and love a lot.

If you can think of any more for me, let me know!

Bonnie Edwards

I don’t know why I get ranty at this time of year, but I tend to.

One year I posted about Blue Christmas and how some people just grind their teeth waiting for the holiday to be over. A New Year beckons and they can start fresh, their painful memories of Christmas past behind them for another too-short year.

Like many people, I have elderly folks in my life. They live in a Manor (aka retirement home with nursing staff) and like most of these places, there will be a Christmas party.

There will be a volunteer on a piano or organ. There will be red and green crackers at the tables and festive table centerpieces. There will be a trimmed tree that sparkles with twinkly lights. There will be eggnog and fruitcake.

There will be Santa.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I like Christmas as much as the next person. I took my pup for a picture with Santa this year because the proceeds went to my local SPCA. I smile and laugh at little children in the mall with Santa. I sing carols. I hum along to canned Christmas music in the mall.

I even love The Little Drummer Boy and play it every year. There’s something about giving your best and doing your best that resonates with me. And Porky Pig’s version of Blue Christmas cracks me up every time I hear it.

But Santa in an old age home? Oh, please. He walks in ho-ho-hoing and tossing teddy bears hither and yon. He speaks to these residents as if they’re 3 ½ years old.

Last year was my first experience in this place for this party. I was appalled. But eerily, I think I was alone in that reaction. My dh was fine with Santa patronizing every lady and gentleman in the place.

If these people could smack that elf upside the head they would. If they could run the other way, they would. If they knew what the hell this guy was saying they’d spit in his eye.

It’s undignified to treat people like children when they’ve worked all their lives, raised their own families, then found themselves so infirm that they have to put up with some stranger in a red frigging suit yelling at them and clapping his hands when they try to look past him and scream in silence to be freed.

Just because people are confused about what day it is, or who their loved ones are, doesn’t mean they’ve reverted to childhood. It means they’re confused and/or forgetful… or medicated.

It does not mean it’s okay to clap in their faces and ooh and aahh at them like little children.

The elderly people in my life didn’t much care for the frivolity of Christmas even in their best years. Why force them to put up with it now?

Why can’t there be a lovely meal? Some carols playing? A dignified remembrance of the Christmases that came before? A slideshow from family members perhaps? Old home movies playing from the different families? Warm fuzzies would work for me. I’d be touched and very pleased to walk down memory lane with residents.

End of rant. See you again with a new one next Christmas.

My latest book is now out on the shelves and I’ve blogged all over the net about it for two whole weeks.

Here now, I guess I should be all rah-rah about it again. So, here goes: Breathless is now available everywhere. Please go buy it and make my Christmas bright. (Just don’t clap in my face or toss me a teddy bear – I’m not old enough for that . . . yet.)

Here’s wishing you the joy of the season, the love and warmth of family and friends and the happiest New Year you can imagine.

Thanks so much to all the Aphrodisia readers who keep coming back to this blog and our site to cheer us on!

And please share your own warm fuzzy Christmas memories. One lucky commenter will win an autographed copy of BREATHLESS to keep you warm all the way through January. Check back in the comments section on the 10th when I announce the winner…maybe two…what the heck, tis the season of joy and generosity.

The days surrounding release of a book are hectic to say the least. Reviews come in, guest blog spot reminders show up in your inbox and your addiction to your book’s Amazon rank rears its ugly ugly head. (I fool myself that I’ve got this one beat, but it never really goes away. If you’re an ex-smoker, it’s like the scent of outdoor cigarette smoke…alluring but oh-so-bad for you.)

So, here I am taking up a blog day to share some of my reviews on my newest anthology, BREATHLESS.

It’s been twenty-two months since THIGH HIGH came out so I’m particularly pleased by the review of BREATHLESS that came in from You Gotta Read Reviews and got their highest rating! Rating: You Gotta Read

Reviewer: Sashet
In Bonnie Edwards first release in almost two years you don’t have to worry that she’s lost her magic touch. Each story in this book will have you wanting to turn on the air conditioning no matter how cold it is outside. She takes you on the gamut of emotions, worry, fear, determination and most importantly shell make you fall in love with her too sexy for a woman’s good heroes.

So, if you like your books scorching hot run, don’t walk, to your nearest bookstore and pick this one up. Because this one – You Gotta Read!

From Harriet Klausner: (5 Stars)
These three fun erotic novellas are tied together by undergarments and plenty of sex. . . .

I’ll be back on my regularly scheduled day to blog here, which is the 6th of each month. In the meantime, please enjoy your Thanksgiving and not gain a pound!

And may there be no injuries come Black Friday. Shopping should be good for you!

Just the other day, I received my author copies of BREATHLESS my next Aphrodisia anthology . It’s been nearly two years since THIGH HIGH hit the shelves…and now….those of you with a SONY e-reader will get two for the price of one! By what miracle of modern technology is this possible you ask? (I don’t know – don’t have a clue)

My editor has informed me that to celebrate my new release, people will get a free electronic copy of THIGH HIGH if they buy BREATHLESS for their SONY e-reader. How cool is that?
My thanks go out to the fabulous Janice Maynard (Mating Game) for her kind generosity in reading BREATHLESS and offering this quote for the cover: “Hot, sexy, and mysterious.”

Also, for the first time ever, I’ve got teaser pages from another of my books in the back of BREATHLESS. (Did I mention how fabulous my editor is?) For those people who want to see more of Perdition House, and how the series began, you can get a peek at MIDNIGHT CONFESSIONS.

So much for not having much to say for this post! I’ve covered three books at once and this all leaves me BREATHLESS. (groaner, I know)

BREATHLESS is available for pre-order at your favorite bookstore or web retailer now! And for those of you (like me) who still love paper, BREATHLESS will be on store shelves the first week of December. And I couldn’t be happier or more excited.

It’s soooo good to be back!

Life’s sweet, enjoy it,
Bonnie

It’s been so long since I’ve had a book out on the shelves that I’ve forgotten the timing on events leading up to release. There’s a sequence to a writer’s to do list that has little to do with production of the book itself.

I always ask reviewers if it’s okay to send them an electronic version. I don’t send to many places. I have about 5 reader/review sites I prefer. Mostly because they’ve been kind to me in their reviews on previous books. I usually check with review sites a couple of months before release. Soon, I’ll be receiving advance notice of reviews. I’m a little nervous…it’s been awhile.

Some writers send author copies to bookstores, but for me the cost of shipping is prohibitive so I don’t. Sometimes I send cover flats and we’re blessed with Kensington because they’re so generous with them.

My very favorite thing is talking one on one with readers. I get to do this in a couple of ways. My favorite way is during booksignings and I’m involved in one this weekend at the Emerald City Writers’ Conference on Saturday at the Bellevue WA Hilton, from 4 to 6 p.m. If you’re in the area, please stop by! We have tons and tons of signing authors.

My next favorite thing to do is drop into bookstores and sign stock. I’ve had fabulous moments with readers in stores that way. Susan Lyons and I made it something of a habit back when Aphrodisia was still new and our books were releasing back to back and were on shelves everywhere. What fun we had. Once I even hugged a reader because she had an armful of Aphrodisia books at the cash desk as we walked in.

So, on the way down to the conference, I’ll stop into bookstores on the I-5 and say howdy to anyone who’ll talk to me. I’m not fussy. I don’t care if it’s the old guy in the trenchcoat reading a Playboy. If I’m lucky I’ll get a chance to laugh and point.

If I’m really lucky I’ll get to speak with someone who reads our books and enjoys them. That would make the whole trip worthwhile.

My next Aphrodisia, BREATHLESS will be released in the last week of November…I’m already counting down the days.

Bonnie

September is a month of renewal for many people. Renewed routine, renewed dedication to work, renewed gym memberships. After all, outdoor sports may be curtailed in the coming winter. Summer’s end brings routine back into our lives and turns our thoughts to cozy evenings.

For me, this month will mean a flurry of working to deadline on my next book for Aphrodisia. We’re tossing around titles at the moment, flitting from one to another as they come to me. I don’t know as yet, whether the marketing folks have considered a short list my editor likes or not.

I’m also looking forward to meeting my editor in person for the first time at a conference in early October. Maybe we’ll share a drink and a few chuckles and find the perfect title for my story about three log home builders. Ahhh! Those O’Banion men have stolen my heart. I hope they steal the hearts of readers, too.

I’m also deep into revisions on another book. So, two at once, using the same kind of energy. I’m looking forward to the challenge.

Another thing I need to prepare for are the classes I teach in the fall. For eight weeks, I teach writing for two hours one evening a week.

Still a few weeks away, the course is beginning to take up space in my mind. Not the course so much as the unknown students. Will I have a couple of earnest and talented romance writers? A scriptwriter who wants to try his hand at novels, perhaps. Some “almost there” literary and Science Fiction or Fantasy writers who want to find the push to complete their first or third manuscript. A poet or two who wants some creative energy to spark a new direction?

Or will I have another writer who doesn’t actually write, but who has the entire story in her head… and loves to talk about it endlessly. (I got points last time for not letting her go on for too long and not looking bored when I stopped her.) Please folks, if you’re going to take a writing class, write. Otherwise, it’s a lot of hot air. Honest.

One of the things I’ve done lately to prepare myself for my upcoming challenging weeks, is get a new pup. Pup, you say? How can the added work of training a pup prepare you for the challenge of finishing your 4th draft of one book, your 3rd set of revisions on another book, and prep for a teaching gig?

Easy. My days are now spent with a smile on my face. I’m happier, more active, and more productive because of this pup than I’ve been in a year. He makes me laugh, he makes me move. He lessens the time at my computer, thereby making me work differently while I’m there. He brightens every moment of my day.

And wouldn’t you be a more cheerful, productive person if you had this little guy hanging on your every word?

I’ve had the same desk setup for nearly 20 years and it’s killing me. Okay that may be a tad over the top, but the strange ergonomics have wreaked havoc on my body.

It’s time for a change. My keyboard sits too high, so my chair seat is too high, which puts my legs and shoulder at risk, because naturally my mouse is also too high. I’ve managed to deal with this for a lot of years and a lot of books.

But, sadly, my body’s had enough. It’s forcing me out into the world to go shop for a new desk. One that fits. One that has drawers to hide the paper that floods my desk. One that’s pretty and new and smells not of wood and lemon wax, but chemicals and glue. (Did I say it had to be cheap…no? Sorry, it has to be, ahem, less than expensive.)

Hold on, that’s my editor calling offering me tons more money so I can buy a better desk that smells of red cedar…hm, I could have sworn I heard the phone . . .

But I digress. . . I’ve dealt with this weird body pretzeling situation by many other means over the years. I’ve done yoga to stay limber, I go for massage therapy (not the feel good, happy, stress-relieving variety; I mean the elbow in the back, pinching the trigger points variety).

I’ve bought a new chair, added a back rest. I’ve put my feet up on my desk, with my keyboard in my lap.
I’ve walked for miles, stretched, danced, you name it. All because I refused to see that my desk was the root of the problem.

My daughter was with me while I tried on desks at the store and came up with the brilliant observation that if I’ve done this well with my career under these circumstances, then imagine what I can do when I get everything to fit right?

That sounded quite pithy in the lust of shopping, but now, I wonder if it isn’t the same logic that says new running shoes help you run faster.

At any rate, I plan on getting a new desk and repositioning it to face the room. I’ve hated staring at a wall for 20 years (my desktop is on wall-mounted brackets). I tried to take a picture of my wall, but it doesn’t look all that great. I mean, it’s blank and stares back at me.

I hope this new set up translates into more books, better ideas, hotter characters and more creative storylines.

I’ll let you know next month! Ah, I can feel the relief now.

My next Aphrodisia release is BREATHLESS an anthology linked by underwear above the waist this time. By the time BREATHLESS hits the shelves in late November, it will have been 22 months since Thigh High came out.

I feel like I’ve been in hiding! Which is, of course, wrong. I’ve been here all the time, writing, blogging, tweeting and generally keeping my finger on the pulse of publishing. Thankfully, romances are selling well in these dark economic times. Everyone enjoys a happy ending!

Since Thigh High released, I’ve been to conferences in San Francisco, New York and visited Toronto (home of my other publishing house). I’ve worked on several proposals, have had editorial staff change a couple of times and written two and 3/4 books.

I have been here, working hard, writing hard, and rewriting harder than I ever have. But still, I feel like I’ve been in hiding. A gift from a family member will tell you how they see me in here:

So, now with a handful of months left before BREATHLESS comes out, I get to crank up my marketing skills. I’ll be writing ad copy for a couple of different ads I’ll run. I’ll send out electronic advanced reading copies for review.

My editor generously sent me tons of cover flats! I always staple excerpts inside them and give them away. I’ll also hand them out at a book signing in Bellevue WA in October at the Emerald City Writers Conference. I’m so looking forward to it!

For the first time in a long while, I’ll feel as if I’m out of my writing cave. After being in here for this long, it’ll be great to stretch other writing muscles because ads are different to write than anything else in publishing.

I’ll also be editing and tweaking my first newsletter, so if you haven’t signed on yet, please do! You can find the sign up at www.bonnieedwards.com I’m just about ready to send it out, so I’d love to send the first one to as many people as I can.

And since this blog is appearing on the first Monday of the month, I get to let you know that the Aphrodisia authors chat is on tonight at 9.p.m. Eastern at www.writerspace.com Hope to see you there! Please stop in and join the fun.

Life’s sweet, enjoy it,
Bonnie Edwards