Okay, it’s official…

Posted in Romance on July 11th, 2008 by Cynthia Eden

I am going to be starting a romance book club. My partner-in-crime friend (that’d be Ashley) and I are teaming up to get our club going. We’re planning big–and, by big, I mean once we figure out a cool name for our club, we’ll create a MySpace page for it. So, if you ever feel like checking in and seeing what our book club selection for the month is, well, all you have to do is punch a few buttons on your computer.

When I told the hubby that we were forming a romance book club, he blinked and said, “Why–are you gonna force the members to read your books?” Ah, tempting, but no. (Besides, I don’t like the word “force.” Encourage, maybe, but not force.) The club will be set up so that each member can select a different book (one this month, one that–you can see where I’m going here). And, yes, we will be open to long-distance members (another benefit of the MySpace page). Long distance folks will be able to post comments on the MySpace blog to let us know what they think of the reads.

Ashley and I plan to vary things up–historicals, contemporaries, romantic suspense, and, of course, paranormals. But all the books must be romances and they MUST have happy endings. This is very much not Oprah’s bookclub. I don’t want to cry and I don’t want to feel like I’m an emotional wreck after reading a book–I just want to smile and think, “Damn, that was good.”

And, in other news, Hellboy 2 opens today (woo-hoo!). For your viewing pleasure, a Hellboy 2 trailer:

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Unusual Heroes

Posted in Romance on July 9th, 2008 by Cynthia Eden

I’m over at The Bradford Bunch today, talking about unusual heroes.  Come on by and tell me your favorite “unusual” guy…

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PR Talk

Posted in Romance on July 8th, 2008 by Cynthia Eden

This Saturday, I’ll be talking about Internet PR at my Gulf Coast Chapter RWA meeting.  I’m in the process of preparing my handouts now, and as I’m organizing the info, I’m kinda overwhelmed by just how many PR opportunities are available for writers on the Internet.  (Cause, yeah, if you look, you can find a ton of places to promote books.)

I’ve found MySpace to be, far and away, one of my best time investments.  Thanks to MySpace, I’ve been in contact with readers, booksellers, reviewers, other authors–it’s an absolutely fabulous place to network.

I’ve been considering getting a Facebook account, but I haven’t fully decided on that one yet–gotta see how much time I have available in the coming months.

I think blogs are also a great way to communicate and generate book buzz.  Doing guest blogs–all that requires is a post!  Simple.  And you get to “talk” with new people.  Easy.

I’m also all about Yahoo groups (and Google, too).  There are so many Yahoo book groups out there–filled with readers and writers.  One of my favorite new groups is The Haunt–a paranormal group that is always lively.  🙂

Oh, yeah, the Internet is full of opportunities.  And, ahem, that means I’d better get busy preparing my presentation!  Got lots more to write!

If you have a favorite Internet promo method you’d like to share, feel free!

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And, in other news, the latest Secrets Volumes are available!!!  Secrets, Volumes 23 & 24 are available now!  Can’t wait to read ’em!  And congrats to the authors in those anthologies!

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Superman, In Reverse

Posted in Romance on July 7th, 2008 by Cynthia Eden

Hmmm…not so sure my title up there makes sense, but well–let’s just go with it, okay?  At night, I’ve been trying to run a mile on the treadmill (trying, failing–and pretty much walking that mile), but because I like to be entertained during my exercises (if I can call ’em that), I watch DVDs.  My favorite exercise choices? Buffy (Zoe, you knew I’d say that!) and Lois & Clark.

Now, I could easily write forever about how Buffy inspires me.  Five minutes of Spike, and I have an influx of paranormal ideas.  🙂

Today, though, I won’t rant and rave about Buffy, I’ll talk about Lois and Clark instead.  I’ve been a fan of Superman and Lois Lane for as long as I can remember.  And, if I had to choose between Clark Kent and Superman, I’d choose Clark, hand’s down.  Can’t help it–I love the smart, quiet type.  (What about you?)

As I was watching an episode the other night, I realized I’d love to read a book or watch a movie in which the Superman equation was flipped–I’d like for the heroine to be the one with the secret identity, and I’d like the hero to be the good-looking, smart, but sometimes in-need-of-saving character.  Is that too much to ask?  And if you know of such a book/movie, please tell me!  I’ll put it on my reading/watching list!

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Lightning…

Posted in Romance on July 6th, 2008 by Cynthia Eden

Quick drive-by post…lightning hit the house yesterday and, of course, knocked out the modem and router so I’ve been without computer access. But, new machinery is up and running so normal programming should resume tomorrow.  🙂

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