It’s almost here – hot summer read season! And am I ever ready for it! We Canadians are a hearty bunch, but it just seems as if this winter has lasted FOREVER. And I can’t think of anything better than sitting on the beach (in between taking my kayak out for a spin or two), catching a few rays and settling down with a good book.

And we’ve got some great ones to get you started. Look what’s in store for you this month…

Debbi Rawlins starts us off with DELICIOUS DO-OVER, the second of her Spring Break books. You know that expression, ‘Youth is wasted on the young.’ Well, Debbi’s heroine is the perfect age – old enough to go after what she wants, and young enough to know what to do with him.

Next up is our Uniformly Hot! title, HIGH STAKES SEDUCTION, by Lori Wilde. Lori’s hero is a Navy Security Specialist. But even he’s getting a little hot under the collar keeping the sexy heroine under constant surveillance.

Then Kathleen O’Reilly launches her brand new miniseries, Harts of Texas, with JUST SURRENDER… Two Texas siblings find the adventure of their lives (and yes, it’s a woman), when they go to New York to meet the sister they never knew they had.

But that’s not the only miniseries starting this month. Tawny Weber introduces readers to the 24 Hours: Blackout miniseries this month with JUST FOR THE NIGHT, a delightfully dark (get it?) reunion romance. The tagline for this miniseries says it all – No lights. No power. And no holding back….

Candace Havens continues her Stonegate miniseries with TRUTH AND DARE. This time, Candace’s intrepid heroine is investigating a cold case murder. But her dealings with the victim’s son are hot, hot, HOT!

And Lisa Renee Jones brings the month to a exhilarating conclusion with the final book in her Texas Hotzone miniseries, BREATHLESS DESCENT. Sorry girls. There won’t be any more hotties falling from the sky for us Blaze readers. At least, not any time soon.

Before I get to the craft section, I’d like to wish a hearty congratulations to Jillian Burns, Leslie Kelly and Cara Summers – all finalists in the Oklahoma RWA’s Readers’ Choice Award contest. Way to go, ladies!!!

As for the Blaze Authors’ Pet Project, we’re quickly approaching the first month where we’ll see some of our Furry Friends. And I’ve got great news! Both of the cats showcased in June (Irish in Sam Hunter’s MINE UNTIL MORNING and Brionne in Leslie Kelly’s TERMS OF SURRENDER ) have already found homes! We’ll be sending an autographed copy of ‘their’ book to their new owners, to remind them that their newest addition is famous.

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And now, on to craft. One of the things editors look at very carefully are opening chapters. These few pages have a lot to accomplish – they have to showcase your voice, set up the plot, and make the reader identify with at least one of the characters. And, of course, they have to grab a reader’s attention and not let go!

And it all starts with a fantastic first line. The best of these will stay with you, long after you’ve finished the book. We’re all familiar with Dickens’ “It was the best of times…” opening from A Tale of Two Cities, as well as James M. Barrie’s “All children, except one, grow up.”

One of my favorite first lines was from a Kimberly Raye book (I think it was TALL, TANNED AND TEXAN) published a few years ago. The line? “She needed really good sex in a really bad way.” It’s the perfect opening for a Blaze, right?

But even more recently, I was reminded of how important first lines are. Last November, everyone in Ontario got to participate in the ‘Bring Your Kid to Work’ day. All over the province, Grade 9 students were going to work with a family member, learning just what it takes to make it in the real world. I brought my niece in with me to discover the wonderful world of publishing. She’s an avid reader and by the end of the day, she was warning me not to get too comfortable – she was taking my job.

Where’s this going, you wonder? I’m getting there, really. So, there I was, walking her through the revision process when she picked up a manuscript on my desk, read the first line, and promptly killed herself laughing. The line?

“For a girl who isn’t about to get laid, you’re spending an awful lot of time obsessing over your underwear choices.”

Pretty cool, eh? My niece certainly thought so. That great bit of dialogue comes from Tawny Weber’s JUST FOR THE NIGHT, available this month.

And now it’s your turn. For a chance to win 1 of 3 sets of the May books, tell us your favorite first line. The more entertaining, the better.

And finally, I’d like to send a cyber-hug to all of those people whose lives have been turned upside down by this wicked weather we’re having. They’re in our thoughts and prayers.

Sincerely,

Brenda Chin
Senior Editor
Harlequin Blaze

…give us a great excuse to stay inside and read! And trust me – you’ll want to have lots of time this month to satisfy your Blaze craving. We’ve got a great lineup in store for you.

But before I get to that, I’d like to say a big congratulations to Jill Shalvis, whose novella in the Blaze hot summer read– BORN ON THE 4TH OF JULY — is nominated for a RITA award! For those of you who don’t know, the RITA awards are the Academy Awards for the Romance Industry. So, way to go Jill! We’re all behind you…

Now, let’s get back to the books you’ll want to put on your shopping list…

Debbi Rawlins starts us off with the first of her two Spring Break books, SECOND TIME LUCKY. Haven’t we all wished we could go back and re-do a few things? Well, Debbi’s heroines aren’t waiting any longer. They’re going to relive all the fun (and sex!) of Spring Break. But things don’t exactly work out as planned… Watch for the sequel, DELICIOUS DO-OVER, next month.

Joanne Rock brings readers the Uniformly Hot! book this month with HIGHLY CHARGED! The hero is the first of our Navy boys, and also happens to be an explosives expert. This skill comes in handy when the heat between him and his sexy neighbor gets particularly volatile…

Kira Sinclair is back in the schedule with WHAT MIGHT HAVE BEEN. Can sex be better the second time around? Kira’s heroine is about to find out. Lucky, lucky girl…

Next, Isabel Sharpe continues her Checking E-Males miniseries with LONG, SLOW BURN. Isabel’s heroine is turning the big 3-0 and needs a man–fast. So she turns to e-dating. But the only guy who catches her interest is the one at home…

It sure looks like this is the month for duets. Like Debbi Rawlins above, Candace Havens is introducing SHE WHO DARES, WINS, the first of her two book series featuring heroines who work at the mysterious Stonegate Agency. These women can handle just about anything…except the sexy guy they’ve been hired to protect. Look for Truth and Dare next month.

And finally, I’m proud to introduce Blaze’s newest author, Meg Maguire. Meg’s first book, CAUGHT ON CAMERA, is an absolute delight! According to Romantic Times magazine, ‘…their banter (the hero and heroine’s) is charming and laugh-out-loud hilarious.’ And I couldn’t agree more. Welcome to Blaze, Meg. We’re thrilled to have you.

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I was hoping to bring another Pet Project on board this month, but it’s taking a little longer than expected. I’ll keep everyone posted.

And now on to the craft discussion (or in this case, the business of writing). Since the whole Romance industry is still buzzing about the recent RITA award nominations, I thought I’d talk a little about contests.

For writing groups, contests are a fantastic source of income. Contests, dues and conferences are the main ways a group can bring in some much needed cash. And for new writers, contests can offer all kinds of wonderful opportunities.

But to get what you need out of a contest, here are a few things to think about.

1) What stage are you at in your writing, and what do you really need to get from a contest?
If you’re just starting out, you might be further ahead looking at contests that offer feedback from people who are in a position to know. If you’re close to being published, you’ll want to find a contest judged by an editor or agent, someone who can help you finish those last steps to publication.

2) What exactly is being judged?
If you’re going to enter a contest, make sure you’re entering the right thing. While offering a cute scene sounds like fun, will it actually accomplish anything? Yes, it will show your voice, but not much else. Just something to consider…

3) And finally, who will be judging the contest?
Will the contest judges have the expertise to actually help you? Are they published authors, who understand the romance industry? Are they editors or agents, who can actually buy or represent you? And are they those judges the people you want to see your manuscript? For instance, do you want an Inspirational editor judging something that you’ve targeted as erotica? Don’t laugh – it happens.

Now, this is just my opinion. However, I think contests can be really beneficial to an aspiring writer…if they do their homework. After all, it’s your money.

For a chance to win one of two sets of the April line-up, tell us about any contest experiences you’ve had. Or just say ‘Way to go, Jill!’ Both will get you in the draw.

Happy Spring!
Brenda Chin
Senior Editor
Harlequin Blaze

Spring officially returns this month and let me tell you, for those of us in the Great White North, it can’t come soon enough. We’ve had a wicked winter this year, and according to Environment Canada, it’s not over yet. Still, there are signs that the cold is coming to an end – I’ve had grackles and gold finches at my bird feeders (both species fly south for the winter). This morning, a skunk ambled across the street in front of our house (although given the way he was walking, he’d either gotten into some whiskey or was still half asleep). And, of course, the red-hot March Blaze books are on the shelves.
Check out the great books this month…

Nancy Warren gets things started with FACE-OFF, a 3-in-1 Blaze Encounters with a theme that’s irresistible to those of us above the 49th Parallel – HOCKEY! And what a cover! Suddenly, the phrase ‘Hockey Night in Canada’ is taking on a whole new meaning….

Next up is Jennifer LaBrecque with the Uniformly Hot! title this month – IN THE LINE OF FIRE. This soldier can handle just about anything–except the runaway bride who needs him to be her hero. Oh, and to drive the getaway car.

Kathy Lyons follows up with IN GOOD HANDS, a sequel to her previous book, TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS. Kathy’s high-powered attorney hero has a little problem – dangerous high blood pressure. Good thing for him that he’s sleeping with a new age healer who knows how to make him feel very, very good.

Michelle Rowen is back in the lineup with INEVITABLE, a wonderfully magical story. What do you get when you take two hostile co-workers (who secretly want each other!), and give them a leaky bottle of lust potion? A lot of great sex! Only they can’t seem to stop once the potion wears off….

Lisa Renee Jones is up next with HIGH OCTANE, the second book in her Texas Hotzone trilogy. This series is really cool – three books about hot guys who like to live on the edge. What’s not to like?

And Jillian Burns finishes up the month with PRIMAL CALLING, a sexy adventure set in Alaska. After all, who can resist enjoying every moment of those long, long nights?

Well, there you go. Another fantastic month! And let’s face it, during some of those chilly Spring evenings, you’re going to need something to keep you warm….

I’ve decided to forego the Craft section of the blog this month in order to share some exciting news. As most of you know, August 2011 is Blaze’s 10th Anniversary. And to celebrate, we’ll be publishing Special Collectors’ Editions of those six novels –books written by The Original Sexy Six (authors who had books out in the first few months of Blaze). As a bonus, we’re adding the author’s very first Blaze story to each volume!

So, in August, look for:
THE BRADDOCK BOYS: TRAVIS and THE PLEASURE PRINCIPLE by Kimberly Raye
HOTSHOT and GOING FOR IT by Jo Leigh
UNDENIABLE PLEASURES and YOU SEXY THING! by Tori Carrington
COWBOYS LIKE US and NOTORIOUS by Vicki Lewis Thompson
TOO HOT TO TOUCH and EXPOSED by Julie Leto
EXTRA INNINGS and IN HIS WILDEST DREAMS by Debbi Rawlins.

So Happy Anniversary to us! And thanks to all of you for your support over the years. As a thanks, we’ll give away a set of March Blaze books to one lucky commenter.

Sincerely,
Brenda Chin
Senior Editor
Harlequin Blaze

I’m sure I’ve mentioned before that here at Harlequin, Valentine’s Day is our biggest day of the year. We even put out a Romance Report, telling all about the state of love and romance in the world today. It also includes a list of the top ten hottest celebrities – always good reading.

Even better – this is the month when all the the series focus on the day dedicated to love–Valentine’s Day! And Blaze is no exception. So, here’s what Harlequin and Cupid are bringing you this month…

First up is our Valentine Collection, NOT ANOTHER BLIND DATE…by Janelle Denison, Leslie Kelly and Jo Leigh. And it features…you guessed it – Valentine’s Day Blind Dates. But these aren’t just any blind dates…. In Jo Leigh’s story, the heroine gets set up by her ex! How pathetic is that? Luckily, it turns out to be the best date–and best sex–ever! As an aside, I’d like to say ‘welcome back’ to Janelle Denison. We’ve missed you.

Next up is our second Uniformly Hot! title of the year, BREAKING THE RULES by Tawny Weber. This strong, hunky hero has major control problems. Good thing the heroine has no problem wrapping him around her little finger–while making him think it’s his idea, of course…

Cara Summers has a Wrong Bed book this month with TAKE MY BREATH AWAY…. What’s a girl to do when she finds an unconscious man on the verge of hypothermia? Keep him warm, of course. And body heat’s always the most expedient method…

Rhonda Nelson is back with another Man out of Uniform in THE WILD CARD. I loved this hero – he takes honor to new levels. And he’s totally out of his element when dealing with the feisty heroine. This one’s a lot of fun.

Isabel Sharpe introduces her new miniseries, Checking E-Males, with TURN UP THE HEAT. Three friends take on the thrilling world of on-line dating with very, sexy results…

And finally, Karen Foley finishes up her It Takes a Hero miniseries with HEAT OF THE MOMENT. This guy is so hot, the heroine will follow him anywhere–including Afghanistan! She’s a woman who knows what she wants. And she’s strong enough to take it.

Great lineup, isn’t it? And I’ve made things easy for you. You can just cut and paste the list and send it to your sweetie, on the off chance he hasn’t even thought of Valentine’s Day yet. (I know mine hasn’t. ) After all, Blaze books are much more satisfying than chocolate!

And now on to the craft portion… I’d like to talk about conflict (it seemed timely, especially considering how many guys will be running into convenience stores to buy flowers at the last minute.) In Blaze, we strive for two tier conflict. First of all, there has to be internal conflict between the characters. This could be a secret one character is keeping, an agenda, etc. It has to be substantial, though–not so simple that if you put the two characters in a room and they talked, it would be over. It has to create a true, believable black moment, in which the two protagonists will have to look at their lives so far and make changes.

The second type of conflict is external. This is the story that’s going on around the characters. It could be secondary characters creating problems, a business going under, a war going on. However, it too needs to be big enough that it can directly threaten the lives your characters are leading. It has to be serious–at least to them.

The best books have both of these conflicts. And they should escalate at the same rate as the romance. For example, once a couple has been intimate, the secret the hero is keeping from the heroine becomes that much bigger.

One of the most common reasons books are rejected by all the Harlequin series is lack of believable conflict. And, as always, it goes back to your characters. If you create real, living protagonists, their conflict has to be just as believable…and individual to them. Not an easy feat, I know. But it makes for a fantastic story.

And finally, I’d just like to update everyone on our Pet Project. We’re moving full steam ahead, getting cats from the Furry Friends animal shelter into Blaze books from June 2011 to February 2012. If you’re in the Toronto/Barrie area, I’ll be at an adoptathon at the PetSmart on Mapleview Drive, giving away copies of some of our Valentine books for a small donation. Drop by and see me if you can.

So that’s it! If you’d like to win 1 of 2 sets of the February book, let me know about your favorite type of conflict
(in books, that is. )

And I hope that Cupid is good to all of you.

Sincerely,

Brenda Chin
Senior Editor
Harlequin Blaze

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First of all, I’d like to thank all of you for your enthusiasm for this venture. It’s amazing to see what can happen when we all come together to make a difference. And I believe we will.
Our first shelter, Furry Friends (furryfriendsshelter.org) is absolutely thrilled to be involved with such a wonderful group of writers. They’ve had a great response so far, and that should only increase as the Pet Projects get better known.

So, I just thought I’d give you all an update on what we’re doing.

One of the shelter volunteers sent me a list of the cats who have been waiting their forever homes…well, forever! Many of the authors have generously decided to feature these animals in upcoming books, mentioning their availability in their Dear Reader letters. When these cats get placed, an autographed copy of ‘their’ book will go with them. Pretty cool, eh?

So, go to the Blaze Authors Pet Project link at the top of the page to check these beautiful animals out. And then find…

And if you’re in the Barrie, Ontario area around Valentine’s Day, come to the PetSmart Adoption Center on the 12th to see me and get a free copy of The 2011 Blaze Valentine Collection, NOT ANOTHER BLIND DATE… by Janelle Denison, Leslie Kelly and Jo Leigh. And maybe even find a furbaby of your own. You know what they say – every life should have 9 cats.

This project is still pretty new for all of us, and we can use all the help we can get. If any of you have thoughts about other ways we can help these rescue organizations, I’d love to hear from you.

Sincerely,
Brenda Chin
Senior Editor, Harlequin Blaze

It’s that time of year again – the season for fresh starts, making new plans…and snuggling up by the fire with a good book. I don’t know about you, but after all the holiday rushing around, I’m dying to just relax. If you feel the same, the Blaze authors have six New Year’s treats in store for you…

Check out the fantastic lineup this month!

Kate Hoffmann gets the month off to a super sexy start with her Forbidden Fantasies story, Into the Night. Kate’s heroine avoids an unwanted marriage proposal by running away to a tropical island with a sexy stranger. Don’t you wish all of our problems could be taken care of so easily?

Then Rhonda Nelson re-launches the Uniformly Hot! miniseries this month with The Rebel, the first of three books featuring soldiers in the US Army. This one has it all – a fantastic hero, a heartwarming romance and a bulldog named Atticus who steals the show!

Wendy Etherington is up next with another one of her South Carolina specialties – Irresistible Fortune. The hero, Gavin Fortune, might be a treasure hunter…but it’s the heroine, Brenna, who wins the ultimate prize.

Kira Sinclair follows with Caught Off Guard, her long awaited sequel to her first book, Whispers in the Dark. The heroine, Anne, has a family she’s avoiding, a stalker she’s running from and a bodyguard she can’t keep her hands off of. What’s a girl to do?

And for those who haven’t satisfied their appetite for men in the military yet, check out Jill Monroe’s SEALed with a Kiss, the sequel to her SEALed and Delivered. And, as you can guess, the hero is a Navy SEAL. Do you really need any other reason to pick this up?

And finally, Lisa Renee Jones introduces her Texas Hotzone miniseries this month with Jump Start. This series features three ex-military buddies who launch their own skydiving business. And, as you can guess, these guys are so hot women don’t seem to mind jumping out of a plane now and then…

I hope you don’t mind, but I’m going to skip the ‘Craft’ section this month to talk to you about a new venture the Blaze authors are undertaking. It’s the Blaze Authors’ Pet Project.

Since most of the Blaze authors have multiple pets (I have six myself), this is a subject near and dear to our hearts. And we thought you might feel the same.

Throughout the year, we’ll be showcasing animal shelters and rescue organizations throughout North America, places we think do a fantastic job. If you’re in the market for a new bundle of fur of your own, or just want to help out somehow, be sure to check these places out.

And the first Blaze Author Pet Project is… (drum roll please)

Furry Friends

The Furry Friends Animal Shelter is a non-profit, no-kill organization dedicated to providing shelter and love to abandoned, lost or rescued animals in Barrie, Ontario. They provide care to almost 1,000 animals each year – mostly cats and kittens, though they also care for abandoned dogs. They are a registered charity funded by generous donors and supporters and operated completely by dedicated volunteers.

I can personally attest that this is a great organization. I got two of my little furbabies from them – both were healthy, happy, well-adjusted kittens. And since then, I’ve been lucky enough to see some of the great work they do first-hand. If you’re interested in finding out more about this wonderful charity, check them out at www.furryfriendsshelter.org. You’ll be glad you did. And be sure to watch for some of these furry friends making their Blaze debut in books starting in June 2011.

Not a bad way to start off the New Year, is it? First, by indulging in 6 great books and second, by spreading the word that love doesn’t just happen in romance novels.

For a chance to win one of three (yes, three!) sets of January Blaze books, let us know what you think about our Pet Project.

Wishing you all a happy and prosperous New Year,

Brenda Chin
Senior Editor
Harlequin Blaze

We can judge the heart of a man by his treatment of animals. Immanual Kant

Can you believe the big day’s almost here? Are you ready? I think I am, but that could just be me being delusional. It happens at this time of year. (H) Another thing that happens more in December are Christmas photo ops. And so, the Blaze authors and I thought we’d entertain you with pictures of our kids, celebrating the holidays.

Our furkids, that is.

So check out all the little darlings below. Animals and children are the only creatures I know of that can be naughty and nice at the same time. And we love them all the more for it.

There’s something about this time of year that brings out the best in people. And that’s why I’d like to tell you all about something we’re starting up in January. We’re calling it the Blaze Authors Pet Project. Since most of the Blaze authors have multiple pets (I have six myself), this is a subject very dear to our hearts. And we thought you might feel the same.

Throughout the year, we’ll be showcasing animal shelters and rescue organizations across North America, places we think do a fantastic job. If you’re in the market for a new bundle of fur of your own, be sure to check some of these places out. You’ll also meet some of the pets needing forever homes in a few of our Blaze books, starting in June 2011.

So keep posted. I’ll be making the official announcement in my January blog. And in the meantime, I wish you all the happiest of holidays.

Brenda Chin
Senior Editor
Harlequin Blaze

Can you believe the holidays–and all the craziness that comes with them–are here already? The decorating, the parties, the endless trips to the mall… Heck, I usually need a holiday after the holidays.

If you’re like me, you could use a break. And I can’t think of a better way to get in the Christmas mood than with one (or all) of the December Blaze books.

Check out the goodies that Santa left a little early…

First up is our Christmas anthology, It Must Have Been the Mistletoe… by Kate Hoffmann, Rhonda Nelson and Tawny Weber. These three lucky sisters get waylaid by seriously sexy men on their way home for Christmas. (They must have been on the nice list!) And don’t miss Tawny’s linked online read, Naughty is Nice, available at eHarlequin.com.

Tori Carrington finishes up their Private Scandals miniseries this month with Private Parts. The hero in this story thinks he’s getting a special gift this year. Only the woman in his arms has something closer to a Trojan horse in mind…

Jennifer LaBrecque winds up her Alaskan Heat miniseries this month too (at least for now – more coming in 2011) with Northern Escape. Check out the holiday pageant, the Chris’moose festival…and the fireworks when it’s discovered that the town darling, chef, Augustina ‘Gus’ Tippens, is living a secret life…

And then Joanne Rock puts the finishing touch on the Lose Yourself… miniseries with Under Wraps. What’s a girl to do when she finds herself a suspect in an embezzlement scam? Why, clear her name, of course! Even if doing so takes her to an erotic resort–with a man who thinks naughty is the way to go…

Heather MacAllister has a delightful holiday treat in store for readers with A Man for All Seasons. Heather’s heroine, Marlie, gets the ultimate gift from her best friend Ty – a date with the 12 Sexy Men of Christmas. Unfortunately, Marlie wants to be nestled all snug in Ty’s bed …

And finally, Samantha Hunter concludes the month—and the year!– with I’ll Be Yours For Christmas. Sam’s heroine, Abby, isn’t waiting for Santa to bring her what she wants—she’s going after it herself. And what she wants is a fling with her longtime friend Reece.
Christmas is wonderful, isn’t it?

That leads right into our craft discussion for this month –seasonal setting.

As an editor, one of the things I’ve tried to do is link the timing of a story to coincide with the time of year the book is being published. So, Christmas stories are published around Christmas, Valentine’s Day stories come out in February and books that happen during long summer days come out in July or August.

However, as an author, the choice you make about timing can really mess with a publishing schedule. Sometimes an author will have to wait as many as two years to get a Christmas book in the schedule. Other times, we’ve asked authors to change the season from Christmas to Valentine’s Day to take advantage of a scheduling opportunity. And it’s not just the holidays to think about but the seasons as well.

For established Blaze authors, this isn’t really an issue. Even before we go to contract, the authors and editors have an idea of when we’d like to see their book out, and then the author sets the timing appropriately. But for somebody new coming into the line, well, it’s not so easy.

The simplest thing to do would be to avoid tying a story to any particular time period. However, by doing that, the author would miss out on the great opportunities for depth settings offer. After all, aren’t we all checking out book stores and TV guides, looking for something that will get us in the Christmas spirit, something that will inspire us to look beyond the commercialism?

Personally, I love seasonal books. Nothing gets me in the holiday mood faster.

So now, I’m asking you. Do you care what time of year a book is set, or if it coincides with the time you’re reading it? Is there any particular time of year you like best?

All comments will go in a draw to win one of two sets of the December Blaze titles. Good luck! And be sure to drop by on December 24 to see how some of the Blaze babes get their furkids ready for Santa!

Wishing you all the happiest of holidays.

Brenda Chin
Senior Editor
Blaze

Those of you who frequent the Blaze Authors blog regularly know it’s a pretty cool place to hang out. Well this month—actually, this week—Harlequin has a treat in store for you too! We’re launching our first ever Editorial week– aka So You Think You Can Write–on eHarlequin. It starts today and runs through Friday. For those of you who love the books, you’ll find chats, podcasts and blogs from some of your favorite Harlequin authors (and even a few editors ). And if you’re an aspiring author, there will also be a daily writing challenge, as well as a lot of other great opportunities. So be sure to come by and check it out at www.soyouthinkyoucanwrite.com.

The other exciting news, of course, is that I have 6 more fantastic books for you to enjoy this month.

Debbi Rawlins gets the month off to a great start with The Real Deal. This second story in the Lose Yourself… miniseries introduces a homebody heroine who decides to take on the Big Apple. She’s armed only with a copy of Erotic New York. And she’s not afraid to use it…

Next up is the second book in Tori Carrington’s Private Scandals miniseries, Private Affairs. This book has it all – sex, betrayal, sex, first love, sex and secrets. Oh, and did I mention sex? Hot and heartwarming, this book will definitely warm you up when the weather turns colder.

Jennifer LaBrecque continues her Alaskan Heat miniseries this month with Northern Encounter. And I have to admit – this is my favorite book in the series. Of course, that could have something to do with the hot, hot, HOT, half-Inuit guy on the cover.

Kathy Lyons has the Forbidden Fantasy title this month with Taking Care of Business. You know how they say that mixing business with pleasure is a bad idea? Well, it’s working out very well for this heroine…

Lori Borrill ushers in the holiday season a little early this year with her Blaze Encounters, One Winter’s Night. If you’ve ever wondered what might happen at an office Christmas party, you’ll want to pick up this book. Let’s just say it’s very inspiring….

Then Michelle Rowen rounds out the month with her second Blaze novel, Touch and Go. When a woman finds herself stranded with the hottest guy ever—the one she’s wanted forever—it’s her chance to indulge, right? Unfortunately, there are…complications. Don’t miss this sizzling, slightly paranormal adventure.

And now on to the Craft segment. This month, we’re going to talk about one of my favorite things—men!

In Blaze, we tend to feature what I affectionately call ‘extraordinary, ordinary guys’. Now, like most romance heroes, these fellows are definitely larger than life. However, they’re still average guys – cops, firefighters, security guards, doctors, etc.—the kind of man a person like me could meet anywhere. These heroes are attainable. And that’s a key to Blaze.

Last month, we learned that we have to identify with the heroine, that we have to become the heroine. So, if we’re the heroine, shouldn’t we end up with a guy we could possibly get? I’ve never heard of anyone shacking up with a sheik, but I do have a lot of friends that tied the knot with cops.

It all comes down to realism. It is much easier for a reader to fall into our stories if we’re not making her suspend disbelief along the way. And when she reaches ‘The End’, we hope she closes the book thinking ‘Hey, maybe I’ll be just as lucky…”

Have you ever noticed that writers tend to give their readers same kind of hero in every book? Now, I’m not saying they that these heroes aren’t different – they probably look different, act and react differently, come from different situations, do different jobs, etc. But underneath all that, there’s something strangely familiar. I once told Vicki Lewis Thompson that all her heroes had the same soul. Regardless of whether he’s a nerd or a cowboy, there’s always something about Vicki’s hero that tells me ‘I know this guy’.

At the RWA conference in Orlando this year, I attended a wonderful workshop on heroes given by Vicki, Rhonda Nelson and Kira Sinclair. And one thing they said really stuck with me – that when a writer comes up with her hero, she’s often thinking about her ideal man. Only she’s not thinking of his looks—it’s about his character.

We were challenged to come up with the three most important character traits our own perfect man would have. And it varied around the room…which is why there are so many wonderful heroes out there! (Who’d have guessed that I value a man’s sense of humor far more than, say, his protective instincts? Then again, I take care of myself pretty well, thank you very much. )

So, now it’s your turn. What three character traits do you look for in a hero? Inquiring minds want to know. Everyone who answers will be entered in a draw to win a set of this month’s books.

And don’t forget check out www.soyouthinkyoucanwrite.com. On Tuesday, Leslie Kelly, Tori Carrington and I will be discussing what makes a great sex scene. There will also be blogs from Kate Hoffmann and Jill Shalvis, Blaze editor Kathryn Lye has at least one podcast, and our newest Blaze babe, Meg Maguire, will tell us how she got into writing romance. It’ll be a blast!

See you there.

Brenda Chin
Senior Editor
Harlequin Blaze

Well, it’s October. And where I come from that means one thing—it’s Thanksgiving (and a long weekend!) Of course, October’s great for a lot of other reasons—the fall colors are at their peak, the harvest is still going strong and Indian Summer is bound to show up any time now. It just seems the perfect time to enjoy—and give thanks for– everything nature has to offer.

And on that theme, I’d like to say first that I’m very grateful that I have the chance to work with such warm, wonderful and talented authors. Blaze authors are the best!

And I’m also very thankful for our loyal readers, whose enthusiasm for our books keeps us going. So, as a little ‘thank you’, I’ve got three new Blaze miniseries for you to enjoy this month.

First up is Leslie Kelly’s ANOTHER WILD WEDDING NIGHT. For those of you who didn’t know, Leslie was the imagination behind Blaze Encounters. She launched the miniseries with ONE WILD WEDDING NIGHT in January 2008 and it was a huge success. So, she’s doing it again – with another bride, another groom…and a whole lot of other people enjoying wedding night activities…

Now, for the first new miniseries this month–Private Scandals by Tori Carrington. In the first book, PRIVATE SESSIONS you’ll meet the powerful Metaxas family—Ari, Bryna and Troy. When these three find their business—and their lives—on the brink of ruin, how far will they go to fix things? (Hint—it involves a bedroom. ) Don’t miss PRIVATE AFFAIRS in November and PRIVATE PARTS in December.

Nancy Warren has the Forbidden Fantasies title this month with THE EX FACTOR. Most fantasies involving sex with an ex usually end with the poor guy begging his former lover to come back. However, Nancy’s hero is the kind of guy who’ll have the heroine begging for something else entirely!

The second new miniseries this month is Alaskan Heat. In this sizzling trilogy, Jennifer LaBrecque invites Blaze readers to Good Riddance, Alaska—a place where the men are hot, and the women can’t get enough of them. First up is NORTHERN EXPOSURE in October, followed by NORTHERN ENCOUNTER in November and NORTHERN ESCAPE in December. I’ll bet you can’t read these stories without checking out what it costs to take a trip up to the Land of the Midnight Sun.

The final new miniseries this month is called Lose Yourself… This trilogy, written by 3 different authors, is all about running away and finding yourself…in a hot guy’s bed! Jo Leigh starts it all off with SHIVER, a book filled with things that go bump in the night. Of course, that could just be the hero and heroine having fun. It’s the perfect autumn indulgence!

And finally, Jillian Burns rounds out the month with more of her mouthwatering military men in SEDUCE AND RESCUE. When Col. Ethan Grady meets free-spirited Lily, he doesn’t know what to do with her. But he’s definitely got ideas…

Fantastic line-up, isn’t it?

But we’re not done yet. Last month, we started a discussion about the craft of writing and got some fantastic insight into that elusive thing, author voice. This month, I’d like to talk about another crucial element in writing a Blaze – the character development of the heroine.

One key to writing a book for Blaze is to create a heroine that readers will identify with—immediately! We have to see ourselves in her, the first time we’re in her point of view. That way, we BECOME her, which allows us to vicariously experience all the sexual thrills in the story. It also gives us the supreme satisfaction of falling in love with the hero. And we should.

Identification is particularly important in Blaze because of the sexual nature of the stories. If we don’t ‘become’ the heroine as she indulges in an incredible sexual experience, then we become voyeurs, simply watching. And that’s, well…not so good.

So who is a Blaze heroine? She’s somewhere between 25 and 35, at the age where she can handle being on her own, but is still looking to ‘make it’. She doesn’t have children or aging parents so she’s free to be a little selfish, to explore who she is and what she wants. And that’s sexually, as well. She’s got a strong sense of who she is, but she’s still a little unsure, a little vulnerable (hint – it’s that vulnerability that we identify with). But we can see her potential immediately—we see that she’s going to be the woman we’d like to become. And by the end of the book, she is.

So, to get the discussion going, tell us what kind of heroines appeal to you. And what is it about them that helps you identify with them (no deep, dark confessions, please. (H) )? I’ll admit, I have a great weakness for former tomboys…but maybe that’s because I still am one.

And, to celebrate our 3 new miniseries, I’m offering a set of October books to THREE lucky winners. Just add the phrase—I’m thankful for_____ (you fill in the blank)—to win.
Good luck. And happy Autumn!

Brenda Chin
Senior Editor, Harlequin Blaze