Happy Wednesday, everyone! I’m really excited today because we have a special guest blogger…and once again, I’m bringing you a debut author (like I did with Diana Peterfreund last summer) that I’m really excited to introduce to you. Her name is Lori Borrill. 
Lori and I first met at eHarlequin years ago, before she’d sold. She was always so gracious, so curious and so sweet…discussing writing on the board with her and offering my advice (for what it was worth!) was a pure joy. I was so thrilled when her book sold to Blaze! I’m proud to share the shelves with her, you know?
I have to give credit where credit is due, though–Leslie came up with the brilliant idea of asking Lori to guest blog. I know our readers love discovering new readers through Plotmonkeys…I know that many of you discovered both me and Leslie for the first time through the blog. 
So here’s a message from Lori, who will join us for comments today, and a sneak peek at her cover. Isn’t he yummy? Makes me think that when the Plotmonkeys were holed up in Nashville working on our computers, we were missing something essential…a half naked man with six pack abs. Hello!?
The book is out in bookstores right now (if you click the cover, you’ll hit the link to Amazon, where you can read an excerpt)…so run, don’t walk, and give Lori’s book a try!—————————————————————————–
The Terror of Selling
I did it. I sold a book. I accomplished what all authors dream of from the moment we decide to take our writing seriously. I weathered all those rejections, the nasty contest results, the months and months of waiting on submissions, and came out the other end a real live published author.
So, how does it feel?
Terrifying.
Writing anything takes guts. Even a letter to the editor involves sticking your neck out and telling a large audience what you think of something. Writing hot, sexy romance filled with tons of explicit love scenes? That takes balls the size of Australia.
I really hadn’t thought about it back when I was writing stories in the quiet of my home office. I’d surrounded myself with a group of great writers who do what I do and aren’t shy about calling a duck a duck, if you get my drift. We’d pass chapters back and forth telling each other, “This is hot!” and then look for ways to make it even hotter, because we were having fun exploring our wild side, letting our hair down and going for broke.
And then a Blaze editor calls and says she loves it. I’m going to be a published author. I hit the big time and all this stuff I wrote is going to be in the stores. I run around telling everyone, and why not? It’s big news!!
Then that first acquaintance walks up. Maybe she’s a coworker, a little league parent or someone from my kid’s school. I’m friendly with her, had always considered her very nice. But until today, I never noticed how really puritan she looked. Kinda prudish. In fact, now that I’m paying attention, she’s only a couple knee-highs short of looking exactly like my old Sunday school teacher. I hadn’t told her about my book, but word got around and now she’s approaching me, pleasantly smiling, asking when it’s coming out because she can’t wait to read it. My eyes dart to the little silver cross around her neck and my voice takes on that shaky Mary Tyler Moore tone. “Ohhhh, geeeee. That’s nice, but please don’t feel obligated on my account. It’s not for everyone, you know, he he he…aheh…ahem.”
But she insists. Because that’s the way she is. She’s sweet, she’s nice. She does favors for people, volunteers for Meals on Wheels and finds homes for stray puppies. And because she’s so sweet, she wants to read all 247 pages of my book, including the part where the hero engages in self-gratification while he talks dirty on the internet to the heroine. Except in the book I don’t word it that subtly.
Then my seventy-year-old aunt calls wanting to know exactly when the book will come out because she’s planning to buy a copy for all the ladies in her quilting group. They’re all asking about it, especially Myrtle, who loves reading romance and would even read that Nora Roberts woman if it weren’t for the love scenes.
And now I’m beginning to wonder why I didn’t take a shot at children’s books instead.
Now, I don’t want to give you the wrong impression. I’m not the least bit ashamed of what I write. I love romance. I love hot romance. It’s the reason I write it. But I have to admit, I write it for an intended target audience, an audience that doesn’t include Myrtle or buttoned-up Sunday school teachers.
Of course, I don’t want you to get too worried about me. Though I’m admitting some fright, I’m capable of going from Ohm’gosh! to F.U. pretty quickly under the right circumstances. But it does drill home how much it takes to be a writer. Not only do you have to master the craft, find your voice, capture a publisher’s interest, produce against deadlines and grow a skin thick as asphalt, but underneath it all, you need a tremendous amount of courage. I think it’s why as writers, we mentally cling to those readers who take the time to tell us they like our stories.
For me, feedback is barely beginning to trickle in, and so far the comments have been interesting. The reviewers were kind, which is a big relief. But some of those advance copies I sent out have produced colorful results, particularly the ones that went out to friends and family who were sort of “owed” a copy even though they’d never read a romance in their lives.
One friend said simply, “Wow.” That’s it. Just, “Wow.” Which, of course, leaves you wondering did she mean, “Wow, this really sucks?” or “Wow, I’m amazed this stuff is so good?” or “Wow, I’ll never be able to look you in the eye again?”
I didn’t ask.
Then there’s this one: “Great book! How cool that you set it in San Francisco!”
Okay, so here’s some advice. If you want an author to know you’re reaching deep down in the bottom of the kind words well, grasping through the empty wasteland in the hope of scrounging up some semblance of a compliment, tell them you loved the setting.
I had one friend who gave it to her sixteen-year-old daughter to read first, and I immediately stopped complaining that Harlequin makes me throw a condom in every love scene. I guess they are smarter than me when it comes to some things.
But all in all, it’s been pretty positive, and I realize this experience I’m going through is that rite of passage that transforms me from a rookie into a battle-scarred veteran. I suppose if we want to jump with glee while holding that glossy book in our hands, we have to take the risks that go with it, so here I am, ready to suck it up and enjoy the thrill from those readers who love my work and wince over the ones that don’t.
And as far as the terror is concerned, well, that the stuff that keeps our hearts beating, right?
By all reports, Julie Leto was a sweet child once, somewhat shy, preferring to play quietly in her room making up stories. However, being raised with three brothers in a loud, primarily Italian household did have its influences and Julie discovered her inner tough girl. That’s probably why most of her heroines kick serious butt. Writing sassy heroines has worked out, as she’s sold nearly thirty books to three publishers featuring strong, confident women. Julie lives in Florida with her husband, daughter, spoiled dachshund, enormous guinea pig and a wide range of relatives all within driving distance.
ANOTHER WILD WEDDING NIGHT
Hard to Hold
Love Me If You Dare
Wild For Him
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Hi, Lori, WELCOME!
And welcome to our world, LOL. In the end, those curious people stop buying or asking about the books and then you feel as if you aren’t a published author. YOU ARE!
Woo Hoo!
This business isn’t for the faint hearted. The good news is, you’re published and nobody can take that away from you! And once you find a standard FU in your head for them that you can say out loud, you can ignore and really enjoy. It only gets better from here. And harder.
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Oh and did I mention I can’t wait to read your Blaze?
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How exciting Lori! I love the Blazes, and can’t wait to check yours out.
Soooo, do you have a website yet? You know it’s only a matter of time. Readers are going to want more – we’re such demanding creatures LOL.
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Congratulations Lori! Can’t wait to read your book and the many more books to come.:D
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Congratulations Lori- I was already told that I had to make a bookstore run today, so I will be sure to pick up a copy!! Besides, I fell in love in San Fransico, so that makes it doubly good!!:love2:
You will be fine. They will either be totally shocked and never speak to you again, or more than likely, your aunt and her friends will have a blast. I have found that little old ladies (hahaha) have the dirtiest minds going and can tell the best raunchy jokes. Everyone forgets not only were they young once, but they discovered sex. Ok, just kidding on that part. I hope.:devil: they will probably be your biggest fans!!
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Hi Lori and congratulations:cheer: on your first book.
I think I would share the same fear as you about people reading my book and turning up their noses at the love scenes. We know in private they love’em just as much as we do.:devil:
About the condoms. I feel the same way you do about having to mention them every time their is a love scene. You could always venture backand write a hot historical. Condoms hadn’t been invented yet.:happy2: I love historicals probably just for that reason.
But, I can understand Harlequins motives for the condoms. I have two daughters and lord with all the STD’s out there and unplanned pregnancy we need to preach safe sex any way that can be taught.:thumbsup2:
I’ll look for your book today. I have to make a run to the store.:doggie::doggie:
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Welcome Lori! You’re right. It is a rite of passage. My mother is from a strict Pentecostal family and when I sold my first book, she (who never has and never will read a word of what I write because she isn’t a reader) sent copies to all thirteen (yes, THIRTEEN) of my aunts. Needless to say, there are still weekly prayer meetings held in my honor. Anyway, it’s tough and it never goes away, but it’s so worth it to hear that one sincere reader tell you that she LOVED it. Then you know you’re doing something right. I keep reminding myself of this as I sit and worry over the release of my second vampire book (very little sex–it’s more mystery–but I’m still getting the prayer meeting on account of I must still be possessed by the devil since I not only write about orgies, I also write about creatures who drink blood). Anyway, it just hit the shelves yesterday and I’ve been a nervous wreck. I ate the last two Kit Kats last night (my comfort food) and a pack of Teddy Grahams, and I still wasn’t feeling better. Needless to say, I’m hitting Sam’s today to invest in a case of Kit Kats to get me through the month. The point? Not only do writers have an unlimited well of creativity, we have unlimited angst. Thank the Powers That Be for chocolate (and really great writing friends)!
Keep up the good work and I can’t wait to read your book!
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Congratulations Lori! I’m looking forward to checking it out and what a great cover too.
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Okay, I’m here and wow!! What a great thing to wake up to! And I think the first words out of my fingers need to be a huge THANK YOU to the PlotMonkeys, four of the most down-to-earth women in publishing, for inviting me on their blog today. This is really an honor and most appreciated.
Carly, only one thing about your post bothered me. You mean I can’t say FU out loud? Hmmm, I guess I’ll have to look for a Plan B.
Stacy, yes I have a website at http://www.loriborrill.com, thanks for asking.
Maria and Ev, thanks for the welcome and support!
Yolanda, I loved the cover too. My joke has been that the only error in the cover art is that in the book, when Logan’s chatting on his laptop, his spare hand isn’t exactly on his forehead.
Gigi, you are officially the first person I’ve met who reads historicals to avoid condoms. LOL!
Lori
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Welcome to the Jungle, Lori! It’s great to have you here to share you with our friends and readers! :wink:
And a big, huge, CONGRATULATONS on the release of your first published book! Whoo-hoo!!! I love the cover, and I’ll be on the look out for the book when I’m in stores this week!
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Lori — I didn’t realize you’re a Californian! What part do you live in? I’m in the San Bernardino area (Southern California). :)
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Congrats and welcome! I’ll make a special trip to B&N today to pick it up. And Kimberly’s new book as well.
I’m also going to copy and paste your post into an e-mail for my husband. Yesterday morning he was ripping me a new one, asking what I was so afraid of. Why didn’t I want to show the book that I have almost completed to anyone. I looked at him and said, “The sex.”
I got the blank stare. “The sex? What’s the problem? It’s perfectly natural!” I’m thinking, well, yeah, but your parents had a major hissy when we started living in sin. What are they (and all those other busy-bodies) going to say when I actually put it in print and its out there for the world to read?
Thank you, thank you for verbalizing what I couldn’t really put into words yesterday and also for making me see that I’m not alone in my fear and that if I want this I need to push through it and do it anyway!
And thanks to all the authors who give us those great stories that we love so much and risk yourselves in the process!:thankyou::thankyou:
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Welcome Lori….geez, I am looking forward to buying the book, if only for the cover (once I get the cover tease, then I read it…not really, but I love a hot cover). He kinda looks like hubby would look like, if he worked out…very pensive….I will look for it and definitely read it!!! Thanks, Julie for bringing us another, I am sure, great author!!!:D
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WELCOME Lori! We are so glad you were able to be here today and your blog made me lol!
Wish I could say all those weird reactions from people will change, but honestly, they don’t. You just gotta make friends with the realization that there always have been and always will be booger eating morons who insult you to your face and don’t even realize it. (Or do realize it and just don’t care.)
The F’em philosophy is really the only one to have.
Here’s a comeback to the first person who says you wrote porn:
“Oh, really? You mean it’s like all the other porn you read?” :wink:
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Kimberly, congrats on your release!! Just think how quickly you’ll be getting into heaven with all that praying going on!
Susan, thanks for stopping by, and thanks again to you, Janelle, for having me. I’m just north of San Francisco in the beautiful Sonoma County wine country.
Jodie, in a way, I think it’s a blessing our husbands don’t get it. Mine keeps wanting to hand the books out to everyone, and I keep telling him he needs to READ it first. He still hasn’t. He’s not a reader. But he did get through the opening love scene and his comment was that if he’d written it, it would have ended up pretty raunchy. I think that’s why they don’t think it’s a big deal. In their world, we’re competing with Penthouse and coming out pretty tame.
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Katie….um…can I meet your husband? (just kidding). But I do have to say, my first reaction was that the model looked like Stephen Colbert (Don’t know if anyone here watches the Colbert Report on Comedy Central? He comes on after The Daily Show). I’ve been tempted to send him the book and make the joke of it, because the guy has such a big ego, he might actually put the book on TV. LOL!
ROTFL Leslie. I am definitely keeping that line!
You know, one thing nice about subsequent books is that my list of “obligatory” hand-outs will greatly diminish. I mean, with your first book, you’re sort of required to give free copies to family and friends. It’s a first book thing. But all the books that come after that, they’re on their own.
Though my mother says my dad is now a die hard fan of Blaze (at the age of 78) and that it’s a good thing because they’d spent a ton of money on his penile implant a few years ago, and now they’re getting their money’s worth. That’s the point where this ballsy Blaze author covers here ears and goes, “Lalalala, too much information!!”
Lori
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Congratulations, Lori! Wishing you many more published books in your future for all of us readers to enjoy.
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:thumbsup2: Welcome
Very interesting read
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Welcome Lori. There’s a joke (to long to put here) but instead of saying FU in the punch line it’s a very nice southern belle “How nice”. Means the same thing so…in case you need it for the “Sunday School” teacher here you go.
I’m so excited for you. Everytime a new author publishes, especially one that a plotmonkey recommends it’s exciting. I’ll be out looking for your book. :)
Enjoy this, bask in it, you deserve it cause you did it. You made it through everything to get here. Then for those of us who are readers, (and writers trying to make it happen), get back in the chair and write us some more. Congrats!!!
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Shari, Qua and Vicki, thanks so much for stopping by!
Vicki, actually my next book is set in Atlanta. She’s a California girl trying to adjust to the south. I’m definitely going to have to remember “how nice”. LOL!
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Lori: Okay, it would be my husband, IF he worked out and was about 17 or 18 years younger (remember, there’s lighting angles going on there…you just see a shadow of the guy who looks very pensive writing on his laptop). LOL! I don’t see the Steven Colbert connection. Although, Steven and my husband are both nerds (I love the male characters that are nerdy, executive types). LOL! Would my husband probably write me an email with “Dear Lover” probably not. He’d probably not address the email at all. I put it on my Wish List….looks awesome! BTW, I love Sonoma….
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Welcome Lori! I can’t wait to read this book! Congrats on the release!
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LOL Katie. I hope the PM are okay with me cross-promoting, but when you mentioned nerds, I had to say that I’m guest-blogging at The Writing Playground tomorrow, and the blog I wrote for it is titled, “To All The Nerds I Love” LOL! I have a not-so-secret crush on Alton Brown (Food Channel), Adam Savage (Mythbusters) and, of course, Grissom from CSI. (Actually, to tell the truth, my fantasy is a threesome with Grissom, Warrick and Nick
).
My goal is to get really good at writing Blaze’s so someday I can pull off a bungling nerd hero that all the women love. But I don’t think I’m quite there yet.
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Oh, Lori, if you are an FU outloud person, by all means go for it.
My personal favorite is:
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hi welcome. congrats on teh book, it looks really hot. good luck on everything.:cooldance::cheer:
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Lori! 26 comments already! I was hoping to be #1, then I pop over here and get a very rude awakening LOL!!
I like to think that I’m partially responsible for you getting published seeing as I “forced” you to submit Private Confessions to Blaze, but alas, your amazing writing and sizzling sex scenes get the credit. From the first day we talked, I knew you would get published and I’m absolutely thrilled to see your name on a Blaze.
As for readers, I always worry about the reactions of my family and friends when I let them read something of mine (which is rare). LOL on the setting comment. The vaguest response I ever got was “I like that your hero wore track pants” after I’d asked a friend “what did you think of the story?”
I like that he wore track pants? Out of 300 pages, that’s the ONE positive thing you could come up with?!!
Anyway, to the Plot Monkeys–thanks for bringing Lori as a guest blogger! And Julie…I’m still upset with you for stealing my assassin idea…..
Leeanne
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Lori…you are so HYSTERICAL! What is the website where you’ll be tomorrow!? I don’t know any of those guys except Alton (I am GastroPorn kinda gal). From there, I have huge crushes on Tyler, Dave Lieberman, Bobby Flay and Dave Chierello. Geez, a man who is hot, can cook…whew! Is Nick from CSI the guy who was from that show a long time ago called “SAVANNAH”? If so, I had a crush on him for the longest, longest time! Holy Cow!
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Welcome Lori :wave: I picked up your book yesterday and boy is it HOT.
I really had a hard time putting it down last night. The perfect book to keep you warm on a long chilly night.
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Leeanne: Partially responsible??? I’d say closer to 100% And thanks for coming by! Can you believe this party? The PMs really are the bestest! And now I’m wondering why you aren’t putting all your heros in track pants. That’s obviously quite important. LOL!
Katie, there’s info on my blog at http://www.loriborrill.blogspot.com
Jennifer and Kim thanks for the warm welcomes, and Ardie, I’m glad you’re enjoying the book. Now you can see the source of my terror, LOL! I didn’t exactly hold back on those love scenes. (For me, at least).
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Carly, yes, I’m a FU out loud person. I recall Leslie and I once sharing stories about the language in our respective households and it’s effect on our children. It wouldn’t be a problem if my son’s elementary school didn’t expect him to clean it up while he was there. I mean,
already!
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lol Lori…I definitely remember that conversation! I can’t say I’ve cleaned up my act, though I do try. I’ve taken to saying things like BALZac and mother humpin’ whenever I can catch myself.
On the positive side, my kids are so used to it that they weren’t shocked by Eddie Murphy’s “Delerious”. Honestly…I hadn’t remembered *quite* how bad it was until we were watching it! Hilarious…but the f bomb was flying all over the place. (They did love the “I got some ice cream” bit.”)
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LOL Leslie. I remember that routine, though I haven’t seen it in years. “I’ve got some ice cream and you don’t have any because your daddy’s on welfare…” Something like that? It came along with the bit about homemade McDonald’s burgers.
My Dh is DYING to show my son Fast Times at Ridgemont High. My son is 10 and has memorized so many lines just from hearing them from us. (It’s the epitome of our high school years). Dh says with the DVD we can just skip the sex scene at the football field. And I go, “And the one with Brad in the bathroom, and the one in the pool house, and the one….”
It’s funny how you get selective memory until you’re stitting there with the kids.
PS: No, he hasn’t seen it yet, skipped scenes or not. lol!
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I LOVE Delirious. Just a note of caution – don’t watch Raw with your teenage son!! That was the one I didn’t remember being quite so bad. And it wasn’t the language that was embarrasing – it was most definitely the content. The ice cream bit is a common joke around my house. The 11 year old doesn’t get it, because he’s not seen it, but he’s definitely heard our rendition of it a hundred times.
Went to B&N and picked up Private Confessions and Dead and Dateless. Can’t wait to soak in the tub tonight and start reading!!
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Jodie—yes, I remember Raw being a lot more RAW, but mostly what I remembered about Delirious was the ice cream and Aunt Bunny fallin’ down the steps. Which my kids loved. The, uh, “GI Joe is swimming through the water…” had slipped my mind…oy…
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Hi Lori, it’s Donna from Healdsburg! :wave: How great to see you here as a guest blogger. This is a quite coincidence as I just finished reading Private Confessions before I got on the computer. Great job Lori! This book starts out really HOT & keeps going. The wait for the book was worth it.
I will be chatting up this book on my Dream Team blog at eHarlequin & in other threads there. Little old ladies reading your books is a given, in some circles I are one!!! 
Every month I have a deposit from Social Security & I carry a Medicare card to prove it!! I love HOT, sexy love scenes! Keep it up.
Some of the comments here today are priceless! Thanks to Lori, Leslie & the others that made me laugh. Thanks Plotmonkeys for introducing everyone to Lori. :)
Take care,
Donna M
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Lori, good luck on the Fast Times decision! If it’s any comfort, you can think you’re doing the best culturally and still be in for a shock.
We’re a big Broadway family. We’ve taken the kids to NYC a few times and seen a bunch of shows. The youngest was in first grade the first time we took her to see a show, and it was Les Miserables (which she adored!) She borrowed my CD and listened to it all the time.
Then I get a call from her teacher. Though there’s no such thing as “show and tell” anymore, my kids have never had any problem waving their hands like Horschack screaming Mr. Kotter, asking if they can get up and perform. So the 6 year old gets up there and performs…
Lovely Ladies.
The prostitute song from Les Mis.
I about died.
You’d think that was the end. But noooooooo!
The next year, she saw Man of La Mancha. And she came home from school one day and told me she’d sung for her class again. I immediately got tense but figured since there’d been no call from the teacher, maybe she’d sung The Impossible Dream.
No.
She sang “Aldonza The Whore.”
I still can’t believe the teacher never called on that one and I can only hope it’s because she didn’t understand the lyrics!
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Leslie – OMG – :happy2: :happy2: That is too funny!
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OMG Leslie. Do NOT take her to see Rocky Horror Picture Show. (“T-t-t-t-touch me, I want to be dirty…”) LOL!!
Donna, thanks for coming by! I’m so glad you liked the book. And as far as being old, you may have passed SS age, but any Blaze babe is light years from old!
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OMG, Leslie! That is TOO funny!:coffee::coffee::coffee:
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The little brat has seen some of it, Lori!
Her sisters brought movies & a portable dVD player to watch during the long flight to Ireland, and sometime in the middle of the night, somewhere over the Atlantic, they put on Rocky Horror. I think the youngest saw about half of it before Bruce realized what they were watching and made them stop.
(I’m sure the loud Irish children sitting behind them on the Aer Lingus flight–none of whom seemed capable of remaining in their seats without whomping on the back of *mine*–enjoyed it, too.)
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OMG, Leslie. That’s hysterical!
A friend of ours has a daughter in 2nd grade. She was dancing to Christina Aguilerra over Christmas in a way slightly questionable for a 7 year old. Before I could stop the words from my mouth, I spouted out, “Gee, maybe you should get her a pole for Christmas.” (This is one of the reasons I don’t drink anymore).
Thank GOD they’re good friends and took the comment in good spirits. Although, come to think of it, we haven’t gotten that annual super bowl invite yet. Hmmm……
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I am laughing way too much today from all these posts! Leslie, I can’t believe the show and tell prostitute song story!! I almost peed my pants reading it. LOL!
I was one of those kids who liked to push the limits of show and tell. When I was 6 I had these tiny leather pants and I used to sing “You’re the One that I Want” (from Grease) to my family, and then once, to my class. I’d sing both Olivia Newton John and John Travolta’s parts. I think my parents still have it on tape somewhere. I was pretty damn good.
Leeanne
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Oh, and I forgot about the show and tell where instead of showing or telling I decided to do a gymnastics routine as Nadia Comaneche (is that how you spell her name? I have no clue). Anyway, I tried to vault off some kid’s desk and ended up splitting my chin open and needing a ton of stitches.
I was way more adventurous as a kid than I am now. I kind of miss the days of being absolutely fearless. Maybe that’s why all my heroines are tough, sassy bad girl types….
Leeanne
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Hi Lori!
Congratulations on selling your first book. I will pick it up from my bookstore. It sounds great:cooldance:
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Lori, congrats on the book! I am going to amazon.com to buy it right now. I can’t wait to read it!
I loved your post. As a person who is currently working on her own romance novel in hopes of getting it published, it is nice to hear from people who have been there. I can’t wait to see the reactions I will get from some of the people I know.
Oh by the way, I am with Carly. My favorite saying is
but FU works just as well and can work very well.
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Oh, Leeanne. I need a copy of that video of you in tight leather pants. I’m thinking trailer for your first Blaze.
Barbara, thanks for stopping by!
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Wow! Looks like I turned my blog day over to the right person!
There was a party and I was missing it!
I just got back from out of town, but picked up PRIVATE CONFESSIONS at my grocery store on my way in. As soon as I’m done judging RITA entries, it’ll be next up!
Stephanie, we’ve all been there…some just not so recently. Someday, we monkeys will spill our first call stories.
Lori, you’ve been awesome…getting up early and hanging out all day. May you sell many, many books!
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Stephanie, good luck on that novel! On the FU and Bite Me front, I’m actually doing some work in front of the mirror, trying to get an expression that says it for me. I figure if I can crinkle the left brow just right and flatten the lip line…
And no, the irony is not lost on me with the fact that I guest blog on the PlotMonkeys site and the conversation ends up dominated by issues like FU vs Bite Me and children singing porn.
(Leslie, if you haven’t seen it yet, I suggest the movie, “Little Miss Sunshine”. You’ll have a riot over the talent competition).
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Lori- I have been to the bookstore and returned triumphant with a copy of your book. It is obvious the serial shoppers have already hit the racks- there were only 2 copies left. I love the serial shoppers- they pick up the whole line, regardless of author, and then come back looking for more by that author when they like the books. I think they do more for new authors in the long run. besides us of course.:thumbsup2:
Penile Implant?? the whole image is now permanently burned into my mind!! How do you survive it???:oops:
There is also the “isn’t that just the sweetest thing” said with a southern accent that can be used in so many ways.:thumbsup:
Love the threesome from CSI- have you been hanging out at RBTB with Vivi by any chance??:devil:
Damnit Kimberly- you couldn’t have posted BEFORE I went to the bookstore???:cry:
Lori- let her watch Rocky Horror!! I see a big career as a Madam in her future!!:devil:
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Julie, I owe you all a big thank you for having me! I’m having fun avoiding my WIP all day.
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LOL Ev. And thanks, when I was making the list of the many ways I’ve turned this blog smutty, I’d forgotten the penile implant reference.
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DH also gets upset when I use the FU bomb, so for polite society, I use “FORNICATE”.:lol:
Last semester in college, my 21 year old daughter had to write a play. She did alright. The research included going to websites that sold sex toys. DH told me one night he had “cleaned all that porn off the computer”. I almost had a coronary. I told him it was for a class, and he almost had apoplexy!! I don’t think I have ever seen him so embarrassed. Thankfully she was already done with the play.:doh:
Which she got an A on, and her instructor has a friend he wants her to submit it too. :thumbsup2:
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Ev: I wanna see that play.
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Yolanda – see you on Thursday – if it doesn’t snow
Hoping for snow early Friday so I can call out and do some writing
while at Borders will buy Lori’s new book and reward myself with a good hot read after pages are done!!!
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Leanne–did you go out for “You’re The One That I want?” lol!
Sucks that that show came on how, when all of us who truly apreciated Grease when it came out are too old to go for it.
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WELCOME Lori!!! :wave:
I really enjoyed reading your blog entry. I love reading romance. I would love to be able to write it too, but I’ll leave that up to you guys – the experts. I’ll just sit back and enjoy the fruits of your labors.
I wanted to add that when my coworkers and friends ask me what I like to read and I say “Romance” they sometimes go all crazy on me. You read romance – like it’s a dirty word. I think they picture me in a dark room reading porn. I can’t imagine what you as the author go through.
I admit it to anyone who asks. I love reading romance – it’s one of my favorite forms of relaxation. I pick up a good book and get swept away in the love story, the characters, and yes, the sex. The hotter the better.
Congrats on the new book and I’m gonna pick up a copy on my next bookstore shopping trip.
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Carolyn, thanks for stopping by. You know, there are stigmas attached to every genre of fiction. When I think of sci-fi fans, I can’t help but remember William Shatner on SNL, “You ever kissed a girl?” I’ve been chastized for my love of Stephen King and Dean Koontz. Even Oprah’s high-brow book club got slammed when that guy lied about his life story.
I think it’s just people’s favorite past time to judge, no matter what we do. And the only thing we can do in response is choose between FU and bite me. LOL!
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Lori- I want to see it too!! She won’t let me read it, the poop head.:devil:
I am a Star Trek fan myself, it’s on as I type. We are just a bunch of geeks here, and I love my romance and sci-fi/fantasy.
Just remember that word- FORNICATE!! It can be used in sooo many ways.:cursing:
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Lori, were we separated at birth?
I mean, we talk the same smutty language, both like Star Trek, worship at the altar that is Stephen King…I think you’re my twin. Only skinnier. And younger. As for that, all I can say is…:biteme:
You’ve been so wonderful, I think everyone has had a terrific time today!! I can’t wait to dive in to Private Confessions and am proud to share the title “Blaze Babe” with you!
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Uhhh…I don’t know about the skinnier part. I’ve never exactly said how old that picture is. LOL! It is funny, though. I was thinking we could hook up my son with your daughter in about 15 years, become mosters in laws, laugh while their own children do smutty things to embarrass them, and admittedly blame the gene pool.
But seriously, you and the other Plot Monkeys have been incredibly generous letting me blog here today. I’m sitting here trying to think of an appropriate way to thank you all and nothing seems good enough. (Sorry, I can’t afford Mustang convertibles for all).
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damn, i love mustangs.
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It’s truly been a pleasure having you here, Lori! I’ve been laughing at all the posts, too! :happy2:
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Hi Lori & Welcome :wave:
Congrats on your book
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I think Lori has set a new Plotmonkey comment record (for a non-Friday contest day). I have never seen so many comments!!!
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Lori, I have that bite me look down just ask my family. I am just not quite sure what it looks like since I can never seem to recreate it in front of a mirror.
Julie, sometime I would love to hear all the plotmonkeys’ stories of starting out.
Very entertaining posting, everyone! It has made for interesting and fun reading!!!
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Congrats, Lori on your first book! I’ll look for it on the shelves. I’m a fellow Californian, but, in the SFV area of LA. I’ve received my Medicare card, but, love the Blazes! No matter what the age, one can still remember how it felt to fall in love, or be in love. My fave book memory was, when I was in a UBS, a shopper asked me if I had any author recommendations. When I mentioned Leslie’s books (at that time, the Temptations), she said, “oh, I NEVER read any of those RED cover books!” I said, “well, that’s why books are so great–one can read whatever type one wants to read”. At that point she dropped asking for any more recommendations–LOL.
Patricia A.
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I just had to come back & enjoy more stories from Lori & the rest of us who love the Plotmonkeys. A very enjoyable day with some really good laughs! Thanks Lori, the Plotmonkeys & the rest of my fellow posters!!
Have a great evening.
Donna M
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Patricia, I had dinner with the Harlequin sales force last night and they verified that many, MANY of our readers are older. The older they are, the hotter they like the books!
Stephanie, I think you just came up with our next Saturday chit-chat question!!!
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Boy, I keep thinking everyone’s gone to bed but I come back and there’s more. This is fun. I feel like it’s my birthday or something.
Cherylann, Stephanie, Patricia, thanks for joining us! And Julie, I’m actually really thankful to read that lots of Blaze readers are older. This is my first book at the age of 44, and I’m already wondering how many years I’ve got ahead of me before I’m too old for the audience and have to move on to Next!
(Personally, I think we need to age a little bit to get over ourselves enough to have this kind of fun.)
I’m looking forward to hearing your call stories.
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Hey Everyone!
I actually have already read Lori’s book and loved it!!!! I of course remembered her talking about it here on the plot monkeys site and saved it to my Borders wish list.
The minute I finished i had to e-mail Lori and tell her what a fantasic job she did!! well and also to find out when her next book was coming out!! (August 2007 i think she said)
Lori is was a great book. Actually it’s my favorite this month.
Trish
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Just remember you are only as old as you feel. So, don’t worry, Lori, I have a feeling you will be writing Blaze for many, many years to come.
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Hi Trish! I was wondering if I’d see you this evening!
“Actually it’s my favorite this month.” Hmmm, that falls under the mysterious comment category. (Did she read more than one book this month? We don’t exactly know…) LOL! Just teasing. (Trish and I also share day jobs in that thrilling world of insurance, thus I know she comes embedded with a sense of humor.)
Stephanie, thanks for the perk!
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Geez, I go away for two hours and there are more than 70 posts! Lori, you’re obviously a huge success!
Leslie, it scares me how similar your sense of humour is to Lori’s—maybe you were separated at birth or something….it’s freaky.
Leeanne
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Actually Lori, I’m reading the antho now and i’ve finish 3 of the others.
That show you how stressed I am with claims!!! UGH!!!!!!!
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Hey–Tricia?! Is this the same Tricia who works with Lori and was the name inspiration for Private Confessions? Lucky girl! LOL!
I’m still waiting for someone to use my name in their book but nobody ever has a Leeanne that’s spelled the same way as me. Too many e’s and n’s, I think. Gets confusing.
Leeanne
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No, Leeanne. That’s a different Tricia. But I do have an affinity for Trish’s in insurance. LOL!
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AWESOME turnout today! Thanks so much everyone, this was lots of fun!
Hope you’ll come back…lol!
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Ditto what Les said! Lori set a Plotmonkeys record!
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Thanks again, ladies! I’ve definitely concluded the PlotMonkeys readers are pretty much the best! See you on the boards and thanks again for making this a really fun day.
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Lori, congrats on becoming a published author! And thanks for an illuminating post. I loved it!
:wave:
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Your site is perfect!