If you told me to name my top three turn-ons, I wouldn’t need to pause for breath before answering. Great hands. Nice smell. Sexy voice. The latter is a big one for me, and I’m staggered to learn some women are capable of hearing Jason Mraz sing “After an Afternoon” without spontaneously dropping their panties. Years ago, I worked for the marketing department of a large corporation. My job required…
Earlier this year, I got a wallop of freedom I wasn’t looking for when my husband of 13 years decided he wanted to split up. I haven’t blogged much about it, mostly because I write romantic comedy and…uh, well, divorce isn’t very romantic or funny. But I’ve been muscling through like always, and am actually doing great now. One advantage of my new freedom is that I’ve acquired a surprising…
Right now, I’m in New York City for my first ever national convention of the Romance Writers of America. In addition to packing an assortment of fancy dresses and more shoes than any human could possibly wear in a week, I also brought a ridiculous collection of technological gadgetry. I have with me a camera, an iPod, a laptop, an iPhone, and a Kindle. Several of those devices can not…
I’ve been part of the same book club for more than ten years. We’ve read good books and bad ones, classic literary works and racy erotica. We’ve supported each other through marriages and divorces, births and deaths. We’ve laughed together, cried together, and on one memorable occasion, watched our founding member strip off her shirt in the throes of a hot flash and continue the meeting in her bra. Good…
The Debutante Ball is thrilled to welcome Delilah Marvelle to take a spin around the dance floor. Deb Tawna is particularly excited, since she’s had the opportunity to meet Delilah in person through Rose City Romance Writers, and can assure everyone Delilah is as funny, sweet, smart, and gorgeous as you might guess from her words and pictures. Delilah Marvelle is a two-time Golden Heart finalist, an RT Book Reviewer’s…
I write romance, so it’s no coincidence I often see life through a filter of heaving bosoms and greased abs. It’s not just the love scenes (OK, it’s mostly the love scenes). Aside from that though, there’s a parallel between finding a great agent and achieving the elusive happily-ever-after. The thing you think you want isn’t always what you need. That’s a common romance novel theme, whether it’s a guy…
I wasn’t feeling very inspired by this week’s topic of “favorite quotes,” so I took off my pants. What? That’s not what you do for inspiration? I got some new jeans, and quite by accident, discovered something printed on the waistband: As a romance author, I feel obligated to point out that in order to see this meaningful message about following your heart, you have to remove your clothing. I’ll…
When I was two, my parents decided to give me a sibling. I was intrigued by the idea and relentless with my questions. How would they get the baby? Where would it come from? How long would the whole thing take? My parents dodged my questions at first. Then one day I was standing in line at a crowded Dairy Queen with my very pregnant mother. “I know where the…
Love. Hope. Passion. No life is happy without all three. No book, no matter what the genre, is complete without it. Even a mystery. It’s like humor, though. Depending on the genre, there needs to be less of it, more of it, some subtlety or none at all. It’s a delicate balance, and it’s obvious when a book misses the mark. I made Lydia single in Posed for Murder, with…
Our theme this week, in honor of Valentine’s Day, is “love hurts.” The thing is, (and shh!–don’t tell my fellow Debs)… I don’t think love hurts. Go ahead and call me Pollyanna if you must, but as I get older, I’ve learned to count my blessings and let the rest of it go. (Besides, if you must nickname me after a character in a Disney movie, just do what everybody…
