Before we get into the business of celebrating the official "on sale" date for my eighth Intrigue, Bachelor Sheriff, I need to do a little clean up from the last launch part, back in August. I drew winners of $10 gift cards from the book store of your choice--and if I'm not mistaken, nobody responded! What is with y'all not claiming your prizes? :)So again, the winners from the One Tough Marine launch were Genia, Carla, Laryssa and Lisa G. I need y'all to email me at paulagraves (at) charter.net (delete spaces and use the @ sign) to let me know which online bookstore you'd like a $10 eGiftcard from.
And now, to the new book...
I've been preselling Bachelor Sheriff quite a bit (see here, here and here), so you know it's out this week, and many of you have probably already purchased it through Amazon or eHarlequin. (Thank you!) It hits the shelves today, but its already a national bestseller—Bachelor Sheriff hit #7 on the Borders Group series bestseller list.
So, with all that good news, let's get this party started!
Bachelor Sheriff features a couple of former high school classmates who didn't exactly run in the same circles: he was a star football player with an exciting college and maybe pro career ahead of him, and she was the socially awkward braniac hiding a dark family secret. She had a crush on him he never knew about, but ten years later, the playing field between them is suddenly a whole lot more even. She's an up and coming lawyer, while his bright future in football blew up with his knee, leaving him to make his way in life as a sheriff's deputy.
If you think there's a little bit of myself in this book, you'd be right. I was quite the nerd in school, the go-to girl for homework help but definitely not the girl you'd take to the prom. And yeah, I had my share of crushes on star athletes. So it was easy to get into Melissa's head for that aspect of the story.
But I also explored an issue I've never had any personal experience with—domestic violence. Melissa's past is tainted with abuse, and one of her passions is providing legal and emotional support for battered women. In doing research for this story, I was surprised to find that not all abusers are a lost cause. Yes, recidivism is rampant, but men who truly seek help and deal with the sources of their abusive behavior can and do change. Not as many as we would wish, but I found it interesting my assumption that abusers never change isn't entirely the truth. This discovery affected how I dealt with Melissa's family situation. (How's that for a teaser?)
So, let's talk about Bachelor Sheriff! I'll give two commenters chosen at random a $20 eGiftcard to the online book store of your choice, and all you have to do is answer this question: if you were going to pull from your past to create a book character or story situation, what would it be? A traumatic childhood experience? A lost lost love? A road never taken? Dish, folks!
14 comments:
Oh it would definitely be a long lost love. I was crazy about this guy when I was in high school and my mother didn't approve of his family, he had a brother in prison. She had it in her head he'd never amount to anything. Well, flash forward years later. I'm divorced from a man she hated, and my young love became the president of a bank. Go figure.
Just wanted to say "Happy Launch!" My copy is on my Nook! I can't believe your 8th already!!!
I would have to merge lost love with soldiers in times of war.
I experienced this during the Vietnam War both personally and through friends of mine.
Hi, Paula!
Congratulations on the new release!! It sounds awesome and I'll be picking up my copy tomorrow!
For me it would definitely be a lost love. I'm a sucker for the reuniting of lovers. And you hit at my weak spot with the jock/brainiac combination! *sigh* Especially if said brainiac is now a sexy nerd! LOL! Or even better, the heroine travels a road never taken and meets up with that long lost love...hmm...I liiike...
Another HOT hero from Paula G !! Can't wait to get my hands on him. One Tough Marine is still on my TBR stack. Mom, drat her, has already read it and says it is terrific!
I think I might like to explore the fate of being the best friend to the prettiest girl in school. That was my fate. I was the brain and my friend, Janice, was the tall pretty one. Lots of guys asked me out in hopes of getting to her. And I brushed off a lot of guys because I thought that was what they were after. There are a couple of good possibilities there for some romances ten years later when one of the guys could perhaps realize he went after the pretty one when the brainy one was a better choice or perhaps Miss Brainy Girl could run into one she brushed off only to discover she was the one he wanted all along!
Congrats on the Borders listing! I just know the USA Today and NYT list are next !!
Aw, Linda, your story makes me feel kind of sad. :(
I have one of those lost love stories--well, mine never quite made it to full blown love story, although I did love him. But he graduated and I was only fifteen when we met. I wish I could track him down to see what he's doing now, but so far he seems to be avoiding Facebook. ;)
Thanks, Mary! I tell you what--the GH class of 2004 is rocking these days--Angi's first book out from Intrigue this month, your newest from Carina, Tessa and Tawny and Trish and Carla and I saw Shane Bolks just sold a new one.... That was a successful GH year.
Ellen, I know what you mean about wartime love stories. I don't read a lot of historicals, but some of my favorites have been Gayle Wilson's books that incorporate the Peninsular war waged in Spain/Portugal by the English and the French. The high drama and high stakes make for a great backdrop for a passionate romance.
Naima, did we just give you the plot for your next book? :) I know I'm taking notes for my own ideas folder!
Thanks for the congrats--and congratulations again for your recent sale to EC!
Thank you Louisa! And I love your story idea--I know you mostly do historicals, right, but maybe you could adapt that for the 19th century...a bluestocking and a dashing young viscount who'd grown up in the same circles, only he always preferred her prettier, more flirtatious and vibrant friends...
It could work!
Woot! Go, Ghophers, go! I have yours, Angie's, Tawny's and Trish's. Need to check out the others!
whoo loved this new one, can't wait for more coming next year (man thats a LONG time to wait). Have really enjoyed the cooper series. Keep up the good work
Thanks, Nancy! I know it's a while to wait, but I have to write them first! Actually, the first two are written, and book number three is about a chapter and a half from the end, so I'm nearly there. And then I have about a week to catch up on some reading before I have to start writing my October 2011 book. Yikes!
If I could create a book character or story situation, it would be the road never taken. I would have gone on a date with one of my guy friends back in high school when I possibly had the chance.
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