Blogging at Lady Scribes today

Ever use paperdolls when costuming your characters? http://ladyscribes.blogspot.com/. Stop by and let me know where you get your costuming ideas from. Thanks.

Robin Lee Hatcher at LadyScribes

I thought I would share that today on the Lady Scribes, our guest is bestselling historical and inspirational novelist Robin Lee Hatcher. The author of more than sixty novels, Robin has won two RT Career Achievement Award (Americana Romance and Inspirational Fiction), the RWA Lifetime Achievement award, The Christy Award for Excellence in Christian Fiction, and two RITA Awards for Best Inspirational Romance. Her latest novel, Fit to be Tied, is a historical inspirational romance set on a ranch in Idaho in 1916.

Please stop by and leave a comment. Thanks! www.ladyscribes.blogspot.com

Love at First Sight? You tell me.

Each month the writers at LadyScribes introduce a topic for critique. This week we are asking for scenes where the Hero and Heroine first "see" each other. Not meet, but "see" or "notice" the other. It can be from either the Hero's POV or the Heroine's. With a 500 word limit it can only be one of them. If you have a scene you want critiqued, head on over to ladyscribes and post it. The rules are in today's blog. It is not a contest, just a way to get some honest and friendly feedback on your writing. The critiques will be posted next week and each entry is anonymous. Hope to see you at http://ladyscribes.blogspot.com/

Congrats Maria

Congrats to Maria I Morgan. Her name was drawn by Lucy Balch and has won an autographed copy of her book, Love Trumps Logic. Maria, send me your address at amy.detrempe@gmail.com.

Spotlight on: Lucy Balch

Author of: Love Trumps Logic
Publisher: Second Wind Publishing
ISBN: 9781935171270
(Release Date): February 2010
(Genre): Historical Romance
Available from Second Wind Publishing and Amazon.


When suitors are baffled by Miss Fiona Fairmont's scientific turn of mind her mother tearfully predicts that her daughter will be doomed to spinsterhood—until Lord Henry Featherstone comes along. Nicknamed "the Mad Scientist," Henry appreciates Fiona's mind as well as her face. Fiona thinks she's found the perfect husband in Henry until notorious Lord Albert Beaumont crashes through her neatly laid plans.

AMY: Thank you for joining me. What else would you like to share with us regarding your book?

LUCY: If you enjoy strong, independent-minded heroines, you’ll like Fiona! Beau is the George Clooney of his era, with enough charisma for ten men and an almost pathological avoidance of marriage—until he meets Fiona.

AMY: Were there any surprises that came about while you were writing Love Trumps Logic, or did your story stick with the plan you had set?

LUCY: There were definitely some changes, but most of them were small. For instance, Lady Wolfrey, who initially was a courtesan, became a respectable lady late in the edits—things like that.

AMY: What inspired you to write this book or these particular characters?

LUCY: I love Regency romances and wanted to write one. I also love homeopathy and hoped to write a book that could combine the two loves. I think I can honestly say that I’ve written the only romance novel that has the word ‘homeopathy’ in it.

AMY: Tell the readers about your writing journey and how you ended up with your publisher.

LUCY: I had shelved Love Trumps Logic, my second book, and was working on my third book. My sister called to tell me that she had heard about Second Wind Publishing on National Public Radio. She thought I might want to submit my book one more time (I had gotten only rejections up until that point). I sent in Chapter one, with almost zero expectations, and got the word back that they wanted to see the full manuscript. On St. Patrick’s Day, 2009, I got the word that Second Wind Publishing wanted to publish my book!

AMY: If there is one piece of advice you could give an unagented / unpublished author, what would it be?

LUCY: If you love to write, never give up! And never stop learning the craft of writing.

AMY: Besides Love Trumps Logic, which we highlighted here, have you published other books or are there some that are yet to be released?

LUCY: Love Trumps Logic is my first published novel. I’m hoping to release another book by the end of this year.

AMY: How can we find you on the internet (facebook, twitter, myspace, blog, website addresses)

LUCY: My website is http://www.lucybalch.com. I also blog twice monthly on Wordpress with Second Wind Publishing, and guest blog on Goodreads and Facebook whenever I get a chance to.

AMY: Is there anything else you would like to share with the readers?

LUCY: You’re not to late to enter my contest. To celebrate the release of Love Trumps Logic, I’m running a contest that will end March 10th. Simply go to this link to enter:
http://secondwindpub.wordpress.com/2010/02/24/prizes-and-giggles-and-games-oh-yes-2/

AMY: Is there anything you would like to ask the readers?

LUCY: I’d love to hear feedback, once you’ve read Love Trumps Logic. Feel free to contact me on my website. While you’re there, take one of my quizzes!

AMY: Readers, are there any questions you would like to ask Lucy Balch?

Lucy Balch has been generous enough give away an autographed copy of Love Trumps Logic. I am sorry but this is limited to U.S. residents only, due to the cost of postage. If you would like a chance to win the book, simply comment and leave your e-mail address. A winner will be picked and announced Saturday night. Good luck.

Agent Interview

Stop by ladyscribes.blogspot.com today. Melissa Jeglinski of the Knight Agency is offering query and submission advice.

I'm in the Romance Section. Where are the Inspys?

Like all markets, the Romance genre is difficult to break into. That is doubly so for the Inspirational Romance Market. There are dozens of publishing houses that print romances, but only a handful who publish inspirational. And, it doesn’t stop with the publishing. Once a book is released, it doesn’t automatically appear on the shelves in the romance section, regardless of the publisher. Just take at look at the aisle of books at your local book store. The romance section contains hundreds of selections, anywhere from contemporary to historical; from time travel to vampires; from Jane Austin to chick-lit. Now step over to Religion/Christian Friction section. It is probably the same size, if not smaller than the entire Romance Section. And, the novels are listed by author’s last name so you need to read almost every type of book offered to find the two dozen or so romances among the bunch, unless you are already looking for a particular author.

To me it just doesn’t seem fair. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good romance, secular or inspirational. You will find me in both sections every time I am lucky enough to spend time in a bookstore, so this is not about one over the other. It is about why Inspirational romances are segregated. As they are romances, why can’t they be shelved in the regular romance aisle? It seems as if only Inspirational Romances are separated out from the other romances. Does anyone know the reason why? Paranormal/Sci-Fi Romances are with romances and not Sci-Fi, and Wild West Romances are not put with Westerns. I could continue to list examples but I am sure you get the idea.

So, is there a reason why Inspys are segregated? And, do you agree with the practice of not shelving Inspirational Romances with all of the other romances? It is simply something I have wondered about. Not passing judgment, just curious.

Regencies - Too Much or Too Little

I am over at http://Ladyscribes.blogspot.com today. Please stop by. I would love your opinions on what is too much or too little with regard to explaining the era in a Regency Romance.

Powerful Prayfule Sunday 2/28

Sorry for the late post, I've been working on getting a new blog template and the day got away from me. I never did figure out how to get the dates of posts fixed so I will worry about it tomorrow. Of course, if any of you have a clue or idea on how to fix the problem I would love to hear it.

So, today is the last day of February. Already two months have passed in the new year. Two very snowy months. But, soon the white will melt, our yards will get a long drink and become saturated and muddy in spots. But soon the flowers will bloom. Can you tell I am anxious for it to arrive. I cannot wait to be outside in the sun and warm air.

This February did bring the Winter Olympics, which I enjoyed watching when I could. It is great to see citizens of countries competing against each other countries and, for the most part, with good sportsmanship. Today part of the sermon was on citizenship. The majority of people are proud to be a citizen of the country they were born in. Unfortunately borders separate us and sometimes the differences are more important than what we share in comment. But, there is a citizenship that unites up. The moment you were baptized in the name of the Lord he claimed your life, heart and soul and you became a citizen of heaven. Isn't that nice to know that that no matter how pleasant your citizenship on earth may be that there is a much better citizenship awaiting you.

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ - Philippians 3:20

Join me once again as we pray for each other. I welcome any and all cares and concerns and hope that all the readers add their prayers to mine.

As a side note, I may not have a post next Sunday. My son's basketball team is going to State and we will be gone most of the weekend. I am not sure I will make it back in time to post my Powerful Prayful blog.

Congrats K. M. Weiland

Norm Brown drew K. M. Weiland's name and they are the winner of Carpet Ride. Please send me your name and address to amydetrempe (at) gmail (dot) com and I will get the information to Norm. Congrats!

Stop by LadyScribes

LadyScribes, the blog I belong to with my critique group, has a great interview with author Laura Lee Ghurke posted today. She shared a bit of her writing process. Stop by if you get the chance. ladyscribes.blogspot.com

Spotlight on: Norm Brown

Author of: Carpet Ride
Publisher: Second Wind Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-935171-08-9
Release Date: August 2008
Genre: Mystery/Suspense
Available from Second Wind Publishing and Amazon


Near the end of their honeymoon trip across Oregon, Sam Stanley, his new wife Lynn, and her one-year-old son Andy, traverse a steep mountain road in a rented RV. In the middle of a blind curve they run over a long roll of carpeting angled across the road. Sam barely manages to avoid crashing down the mountainside. When he walks back up the road to move the obstacle—it’s gone.

Upon returning home to Austin, Sam learns that the crushed body of a business executive from Boulder, Colorado has been found at the site of their reported accident. The Oregon police suspect Sam in the obvious hit and run death; there is no roll of carpet. When deadly “accidents” continue in Texas, Sam realizes they were all supposed to die on that mountain.

AMY: Thank you for joining me. What else would you like to share with us regarding your book?

NORM: At the beginning of the story, newly-wed Sam feels almost literally on top of the world. When knocked down and targeted by an unknown enemy, he discovers courage and strength he never knew he possessed. Carpet Ride is the story of Sam’s evolution from vulnerable victim to desperate defender of his little family.

AMY: Were there any surprises that came about while you were writing Carpet Ride, or did your story stick with the plan you had set?

NORM: When I first started writing Carpet Ride, I intended to have a single point of view character, Sam Stanley. As the story developed, I discovered that Sam needed help. He couldn’t be in Austin and Boulder at the same time. So I brought in his best friend, John Canton, as a rather reckless volunteer to help solve the murder of the Colorado man. I was surprised how John naturally took over a large part of the story-telling. I think the two intertwined plots came together nicely at the end.

AMY: What inspired you to write this book or these particular characters?

NORM: The opening scene occurred to me when my son and I were traveling on vacation in a rented RV through the Coastal Wilderness of Oregon. While negotiating a frighteningly narrow curve on a high, lonely mountain road, I couldn’t help but imagine what would happen if something blocked the way. Like most novels, it started with that simple question: What if?

AMY: Tell the readers about your writing journey and how you ended up with your publisher.

NORM: Like most everyone else, I collected quite a pile of form rejection letters from agents and publishers. I also entered portions of my unpublished manuscript in several contests. It was very encouraging to become a finalist in two of them. The contest judges provided some good feedback that you don’t get from form letters. In another online contest put on by Gather, I met the gentleman who was just beginning to form a new publishing company, Second Wind Publishing. Carpet Ride became one of their first publications.

AMY: If there is one piece of advice you could give an unagented / unpublished author, what would it be?

NORM: If you believe in your book, refuse to become discouraged. You never know what can happen.

AMY: Besides Carpet Ride, which we highlighted here, have you published other books or are there some that are yet to be released?

NORM: I am currently working on a new novel, tentatively titled, Finders Weepers. It’s not a sequel to Carpet Ride, but does feature a couple of important characters from the first book.

AMY: How can we find you on the internet?

NORM: Readers can contact me through my website: www.normbrownauthor.com
I’m also on Facebook as Norm Brown.

AMY: Is there anything you would like to ask the readers?

NORM: The nicest compliment I’ve heard concerning Carpet Ride was from several people who said that they really “connected” with the main characters. What makes you, as a reader, really care about what happens to a fictional person in a novel?

AMY: Readers, are there any questions you would like to ask Norm?

Norm Brown has been generous enough give away an autographed copy of Carpet Ride. I am sorry but this is limited to U.S. residents only, due to the cost of postage. If you would like a chance to win the book, simply comment and leave your e-mail address. A winner will be picked and announced Saturday night. Good luck.