I’ve been writing for Blaze since the launch in 2001, but in the last few years, my Blazes have reflected what I’ve been writing in single title…paranormal romance. I started with UNDENIABLE in 2004, which featured a reincarnation storyline. I wrote a few contemps in between, then wrote STRIPPED in 2007, which told the story of a hierarchy of witches. My next Blaze, SOMETHING WICKED, finished my St. Lyon witches series and since then, I’ve written three paranormal romances for Signet.

I returned to Blaze at the end of last year, writing a story for a 2-in-1 Encounters called MORE BLAZING BEDTIME STORIES, which will be out in November and will be paired with a wonderful novella written by my BFF, Leslie Kelly. While not technically a paranormal, the novella deals with the concept of an alternate world that exists with ours where fairytales are reality. My story takes place in the “real world” but contains two scenes in the “other” world of Elatyria. It’s a super-fun story, but still had just enough magic to keep me interested. (Though actually, it’s the ABSENCE of magic that drives the story…you’ll see in November!)

So it was with not a little trepidation that I started working on my next project for Blaze–a straight contemporary. It had been so long, I was truly frightened over whether or not I could pull it off. Yesterday, I finished editing the first of three stories that will be released in June, 2010–a 3-in-1 Encounters written entirely by me.

And guess what? I like it!

The story is sexy and fun. It’s got a great heroine, a to-die-for hero…and no magic! No demons or witches or phantoms. Imagine! I finished the second story (first draft) and will be revising it shortly…I hope it’s just as good. Oddly, I don’t know whether or not a story is good until after I’ve edited it. If I think it’s pretty good, chances are my editor will, too. I always know when something is wrong–she, luckily, knows how to fix it.

I wrote last month about how much I adore the diversity within Blaze–how you can get sexy cowboy vampires a la Kimberly Raye or an intelligent historical like MAKE ME YOURS by Betina Krahn (have you read it yet? Because it’s FABULOUS!) but it had been so long since I’d tried my hand at the foundation-type story at Blaze–the sexy contemporary–I wasn’t sure I’d be able to do it again.

As much as I love things that are different, I have to admit that I really loved going back to the roots of the type of story that Blaze started with. Modern love stories with a touch of fantasy…but anchored in reality. My stories are about three couples who are helping to throw a surprise wedding for friends who are deeply in love, but who can never manage to make it down the aisle. Is this something that happens every day? No…but it *could* happen. And that’s what makes the line so fun!

Once upon a time, the name Harlequin Blaze was so named because the books were hot, hot, hot! Sexy premises, sexy dialogue, Sex and the City, sex, sex and sex.

But I think the line is more than that now. I really do. Now, Blaze is so named because it is Blazing Trails…as in, changing the way category romance is written.

Category romance is such because it is easy categorized by it’s subject matter, thereby making it easy for readers to find books that meet their expectations and needs. Want a sweet contemporary that isn’t too long? Pick up a Harlequin Romance. Want a high-stakes romantic thriller? Go to Harlequin Intrigue. Want a hot book? Blaze.

But what if you want a hot book that is also historical? Well, you can still pick up a Blaze. What a hot book with vampires? Blaze. Hot book that celebrates the dying art of the sexy contemporary romance? Blaze. Cowboys? Blaze. Witches? Blaze. Blaze, Blaze, Blaze. It’s like the answer to all your reading needs…all wrapped up in super red satiny covers.

Recently, I had the distinct pleasure of reading one of only two Blazes to be nominated for a RITA this year–Cara Summer’s A SEXY TIME OF IT. This book blew me away. Not only was it sexy to the nth degree, but it blazed a trail of storytelling that had me chained to each and every word. If I blinked, I might miss something…I didn’t blink. It’s a time travel, a suspense, an adventure, a contemporary, a futuristic…it was everything, interwoven in a way that only a master like Cara Summers could pull off. And it really shines a light on what Blaze is all about–everything that makes romance great.

I am rooting for both Cara and Jill Shalvis (nominated in the novella category)…I’m rooting for the line. And I’m hoping that readers are exploring these books on a regular basis…we’re almost like Forrest Gump’s box of chocolates…you never QUITE know what you’re going to get–except for a sexy romance. The rest is as diverse as the universe. And I, for one, couldn’t be more proud to be a part of this amazing line of books!

BTW, today is my birthday. Happy birthday to me! I’m giving away a copy of Cara Summer’s book to people who comment today–tell me what it is about Blaze that you love–as it is still available from Amazon. US residents only, for shipping purposes.

I consider myself incredibly lucky to have cut my teeth at Harlequin, particularly with Temptation and Blaze. When I submitted my first book to Brenda back in…mumble, mumble, mumble…it was pretty hot. I set out to write a book that was really sexy and I knew that I’d succeeded…on one level. But as I went through revisions with Brenda, she kept telling me that the tone changed half way through–that it sounded more like a Super than a Temptation.

For the life of me, I couldn’t figure out why. It wasn’t until she sent me a copy of Vicki Lewis Thompson’s LOVERBOY that I figured it out…about halfway through the book, the sex stopped being the central focus for the characters. Their attraction went on the back burner while they dealt with the plot of the book–namely, the child she’d adopted that was his–and that he didn’t know about. This plot point was key to the book. I couldn’t lose it. But I had to shift the focus back to the relationship. Not JUST the sexual relationship, but since the sex was what drove them back together, it was a big part of who they were.

Of the many lessons I’ve learned, respect for the power of the sexual relationship between a couple is one I try not to forget, even when I’m writing books that aren’t for Blaze. Next week, the third book in my Phantom series, KISS OF THE PHANTOM comes out. This is a super-sexy paranormal contemporary series featuring heroes who are cursed by dark Gypsy magic. This one features a haunted half-Gypsy hero from 1747 and a very modern heroine who is something of a female Indiana Jones. Thanks to all I’ve learned at Blaze (and continue to learn with every book I write) the sexual relationship between the characters is key to the story. The sex has import for them–it is conflict and manna all at the same time. He’s out of time–a passionate man who feels deeply, whether it is anger or wonder or lust. She’s been wounded badly by love, but doesn’t believe in denying attraction when it hits her full force. The magic that binds him to the phantom state allows him to conjure items from nothing–but it comes with a price. The magic is dark and evil. It’s an infection. And the only way to cure him is with the ultimate act of love.

I thought I’d put up the first excerpt here in hopes that you might order a copy from your favorite bookstore–after you’ve ordered all of this month’s Blazes, of course! This is the scene in Chapter 9, when he realizes what the magic does to him when he uses it…

Enjoy!

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I’m so excited to have my first blog post here at the Blaze blog! I’m so fortunate to have been with the line since its inception and was honored to be chosen as part of the launch, I thought it might be fun (not to mention giving you a few hints about our great Blaze contest answers!) to reach back into the history books and tell you all about how Blaze happened…not just to me, but to the world!

In many ways, Blaze was an impetus for my entire career as a published author, even years before it officially launched. I’d written a few books (two historicals and a paranormal ahead of it’s time) but nothing had “clicked” with an editor or agent. I had moved to Georgia and wasn’t happy about it (you do NOT take the Florida girl out of Florida!) so when my Tampa RWA chapter hosted a workshop, I booked the first flight out of town.

The main speaker that weekend was an editorial assistant named Brenda Chin. She gave her speech and mentioned that she was working with an author named Lori Foster who had just turned in a Temptation so incredibly hot and sexy, they were giving it a series flash, “Blaze.” She was actively looking for new books to give that same flash to and in those few words, the direction of my career took a turn toward Toronto. I had an idea that I thought was simply too hot for any publisher at the time. Boy, was I ever wrong.

Lori Foster wrote the first Temptation Blaze, which was her second book, “Outrageous,” and was released in April 1997. The miniseries was sporadic at first, with books placed in the series when an editor ran across something that was edgier than normal Temptation fare. Authors like me got started in the miniseries, along with others like Janelle Denison, Carly Phillips, Julie Kenner and Tori Carrington. The miniseries totally took off and Harlequin decided to make it a series of its own.

I was really lucky to have received a call from Brenda, asking if the Temptation I was working on could be adapted to fit the new line. If I could make the changes (it needed a meatier plot in the longer line) then there was a chance I’d be in the launch in August, 2001. I made the necessary changes and my book, EXPOSED, became not only Blaze #4, but also the first book in the Sexy City Nights miniseries, which was the first for Blaze.

Vicki Lewis Thompson wrote Blaze #1, NOTORIOUS. Jo Leigh’s GOING FOR IT was #2 and Stephanie Bond’s TOO SEXY! was #3.

Since then, there have been a few firsts and I’ve been lucky to be involved. The first concurrent books ever released at Harlequin? Two Blazes–DOUBLE THE PLEASURE by me and DOUBLE THE THRILL by Susan Kearney. The books were released in the same month, featured identical timelines and featured heroes who were twins who switched places. The covers each had one half of a man’s face. The first paranormal Blaze? My book, UNDENIABLE, which had a reincarnation plot. I also wrote the first book to put the line in double digits, #100, UP TO NO GOOD. To say I love this line is an understatement!

But other writers have had some fabulous firsts, too. Stephanie Bond wrote the first first-person Blaze, MY FAVORITE MISTAKE. Susan Kearney wrote the first (and only, I believe) futuristic, BEYOND THE EDGE. Hope Tarr wrote the first historical, BOUND TO PLEASE. Chris Green introduced vampires to Blaze with her book, THE ULTIMATE BITE.

I know there are other firsts…I’m operating off the top of my head here! Blaze has always “blazed” trails, so this is the go-to line for something new.

So, that’s my little history lesson for the day. I wrote this not just to help our readers with the contest, but to share some of the ways Blaze has shaped my career. I’m so proud to be a part of this fantastic line up of authors and books. And I’m so thankful that readers have stayed with us! If it weren’t for the readers, none of us would be able to push the boundaries like we have at Blaze!

So here’s a question…what book was your first Blaze? What book turned you on to the line?