Guest Author & A Giveaway: Lynn Raye Harris

Today we have Lynne Raye Harris guesting! She lives in Alabama, and with the terrible beating Mother Nature has doled out to the state, it’s uncertain how much time she’ll be able to spend here. I know her power is cutting in and out – she had a generator as of Saturday… but… So – good thoughts to everyone in Alabama – and of course all the other places affected-  and remember to donate if you can. To the Red Cross, or your charity of choice. Just remember to check Charity Navigator, please! But on with lighter and happier things: the guest post!

Thanks for having me here today, Lime! And even if I don’t quite remember it as well as I should, it was a pleasure meeting you at RT in Columbus. Yes, it was. Don’t tease me. <g>

1. What’s your writing process?
The zillion dollar question! I wish I had a definable process, but in truth it’s a bit of a mess. I think it’s stabilizing though as I write more and more books for Harlequin. Basically, I start thinking about something. And then I write an opening scene. Then I delete the scene. Then I write another one. Then I write some more. Then I delete a bunch and write some new stuff. Eventually, I get happy with the opening 3 chapters or so and then I write the rest with less deletion and more forward motion. By the time I reach the end, there’s not a lot of rewriting going on. Then I send it to my editor. If I’m lucky, I have very little revisions. If I’m not lucky, I have a lot more work to do.

2. What’s the best admonishment your mom ever gave you, or that you’ve ever given a kid? e.g. “If you keep making that face it’ll freeze like that.” or… “If you walk from the kitchen to the table with a fork in your mouth you’ll stab yourself through the throat and die.”
Probably the one about not running with scissors. I think that’s a pretty good one in general. You’re never too old for that one.

3. If you have to listen to a song 24/7 for four days, which one would you choose?
Depends on what I’m working on. When writing Presents, I like angsty stuff. Right now, I’d probably choose Adele’s “Rolling in the Deep” or Christina Perri’s “Jar of Hearts.” But then there’s also Rascal Flatts with “Here Comes Goodbye.” So angsty!

4. Winter Olympics, or Summer? And which sport/event?
Summer. Equestrian. Though in truth I like a lot of the winter sports better than the summer ones. But I was a rider as a kid, and I wanted to be in the Olympics on the Equestrian team someday. Little did I know (probably a good thing) that I was never going to have the kind of money it took to be an Olympic equestrienne. :/

5. What’s your favorite hair care product? Shampoo, conditioner, and other?
LOL! You do ask the most fun questions. I am a slave to Redken’s Hot Sets. I can actually keep a curl in my hair if I use it before using the curling iron.

6. What’s the best promotional event/tool you’ve ever done or used? What did you like most, and/or what was most effective?
Hmm, it’s hard to quantify what works and what doesn’t with promotion, but a couple of my favorites have been the RT convention and the big red bags that I had made up with Kimberly Lang. People love those bags! They hold a lot, and they’re sturdy. I also like bookmarks because people always seem to want them. I did postcards, and while I like the way they turned out, they didn’t seem to be nearly as popular as the bookmarks have been. Probably my biggest favorite, however, is the excerpt book that I did with Kimberly Lang and Kira Sinclair. Linda Howard gave us a cover quote, which still tickles me pink every time I think about it. It’s kind of awesome to be one of Linda’s favorite writers, you know?
😉

7. What is the super power you would most like to have? Least like to have?
I think I’d like the ability to be invisible when I want to be. I know a lot of men might like X-ray vision, but I find that one creepy. Would not want!

8. What’s the most unique/strange silly skill you possess? e.g. being double jointed, being able to find north in any location
My husband would say I have a photographic memory. It’s not quite true, but I do seem to remember a lot that he does wrong, so maybe that’s why he thinks so. <g> I do have an excellent sense of direction, though if you set me in the middle of nowhere and didn’t orient me, I doubt I’d find north on my own (unless it was a sunny day). But give me a couple of reference points and I know where I am. It’s a handy skill to have.

9. If you had to become a bear, which type would you choose?
LOL! Um, a grizzly, because then the other bears would leave me alone. I think.

10. Would you shave your head for $50,000.00? If yes, would you do it for a lesser amount/ what’s your minimum? If no, how much would it take for you to go bald? And then… would you do anything with your hair?
I’m saying no, but who knows if the hard cash was right there? I really, really don’t think I’d look good without my hair. That’s something I’m rather attached to. If I were to ever shave it, though, I’d donate it to Locks of Love. 🙂
And speaking of being charitable (thanks for that segue, Lime!)….

Though no one in my current book (The Devil’s Heart, Harlequin Presents, April 2011) shaves their head for a good cause, my hero is dedicated to taking care of disadvantaged children. Naturally the heroine has no idea that Marcos is so warm and fuzzy and cuddly at first. As far as she’s concerned, he’s the devil incarnate. This is why:

A diamond, and a deal with the devil…

Francesca D’ Oro was just eighteen when darkly sexy Marcos Navarre swept her up the aisle—then fled before the ink on the marriage licence had dried. Marcos might have given Francesca a jewel for her finger, but he stole another: the Devil’ s Heart—a dazzling yellow diamond he believed belonged to his family…

Years later Francesca, no longer so youthfully naïve, is determined to reclaim the precious gem! But she’ s forgotten that Marcos lives up to the treasure’ s name— and dealing with the devil is always dangerous!

And if you like reading about Marcos and Francesca, I have another book out next month! Behind the Palace Walls features Prince Alexei Voronov and Paige Barnes. This book was originally released in the UK as Prince Voronov’s Virgin – it was the #1 selling book on the Mills & Boon site for 3 weeks, and sat on the bestseller list there for 6 weeks. It’s all sold out at Mills & Boon, but you can get a copy of Behind the Palace Walls on eHarlequin right now, or you can wait until June and buy in stores!

‘Kiss me,’ he growled… ‘And make it believable.’

Alone and scared on the dark streets of Moscow, staid, bespectacled Paige Barnes has no choice but to comply with the  handsome stranger’ s command…

Little does Paige know she’ s been rescued by Alexei Voronov—a Russian prince and her boss’ s deadliest rival. Now he has Paige unexpectedly in his sights, Alexei is prepared to play emotional Russian roulette to keep her close and discover her true motives. But in his splendid gilded palace his game of chance spins out of control and passion takes over…

It’s only when she’ s back home that Paige realizes she’ s pregnant with the Prince’ s baby…

To celebrate all things Lime, today I’ll give away a copy of The Devil’s Heart, one of the aforementioned tote bags (seriously, you could put a compact car in it if you could lift it), an excerpt book, and several bookmarks, postcards, and romance novel trading cards to one lucky commenter!

Lynn Raye Harris is a USA Today bestselling author who writes glamorous, sexy romance for Harlequin Presents. To learn more about Lynn and her books, visit her at www.LynnRayeHarris.com. You can also follow her on Twitter at @LynnRayeHarris and visit her author page on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/AuthorLynnRayeHarris

I have one of the large red bags – got it at RT10 and it’s great for conferences – you can fit so many things in it! Currently mine’s the home to many books. It’s perfect. So – have questions for Lynn? Questions? Do you read Harlequin Presents? Why or why not? Willing to give one a try?

0 thoughts on “Guest Author & A Giveaway: Lynn Raye Harris

  1. Barbara Monajem

    LOL. I’ve read the titles of a lot of Presents. I admit to being addicted to reading the titles. I guess I should get past the covers some day!

    My mom told me never to run with a lollipop in my mouth. She was right — it results in massive guilt, lack of concentration, clumsiness, and a scraped knee.

    Reply
  2. StacieDM

    Hello Lynn!
    It’s a funny coincidence that yesterday I received my order from Harlequin and it contained two of your books. The Devil’s Heart and The Prince’s Royal Concubine are sitting on my TBR shelf now.

    I think what I really enjoy about Harlequin Presents books is being given a great story that I can finish in a few hours. I’m not always able to commit to a larger book because of time. I’m not a fast reader so books less than 200 pages are great when I want to read a book in one sitting.

    Reply
  3. Lynn Raye Harris

    Hi, Barbara! You should definitely give Presents a try. 🙂 I grew up on them and though they can be quite intense, I think they are fabulous stories packed into a short length. The titles go through phases, but I think we’ve left behind the off-putting phase for a while. *g*

    Hi, Stacie! Thanks so much for ordering my books! I’m so thrilled to hear that. 🙂 I so agree with you about Presents! They are intense, quick reads that give you a very romantic and emotional story in a small bite. Hope you enjoy TPRC and TDH!

    Reply
  4. Kelly

    Hi Lynne,

    I actually have Prince Voronov’s Virgin on my TBR pile as I ordered it really early from the UK. I’m looking forward to reading it as I really like Russian heros. I find something really sexy about them! 🙂

    Reply
  5. Stacie

    Hi Lynn,
    Very strange that there is another Stacie here as well. 😎 We must just be pulled towards Presents! I was at RT this year in one of your sessions (I think it was you). I was the one who got up to leave for a pitch session. I still don’t know why everyone was laughing 🙂

    I like Presents because it is the fantasy, the fairytale, the taming of the beast. The ultra rich always seem so emotionally distant or at least fighting their emotions. I love it when the heroine brings him around and cracks his tough exterior.

    P.S. I love tote bags 😉

    Reply
    1. Lynn Raye Harris

      Hi, Stacie! Two of you who spell your name the same! That is a neat coincidence. Hey, awesome you were at my workshop at RT. I only gave the one (with two other writers). I vaguely remember someone having to leave and go pitch, LOL. Hope your pitch went well!

      I love Presents for all the reasons you just said! It’s Beauty and the Beast. Love, love, love!

      Reply
  6. runner10

    Hi, Lynn!
    I’ve been praying for everyone effected by the tornados in the south.
    I love Presents novels. Jane Porter is one of my favorites.

    Reply
    1. Lynn Raye Harris

      Hey, Runner10! Jane is one of my favorite HP authors too. In fact, I just got her newest UK release in the mail a couple of days ago! Can’t wait to read it. Thanks for your prayers. I was lucky, but others not so much. 🙁

      Reply
  7. Chris Bails

    i have read a few of the harlequin presents. i wait until i find something i like and give a few chapters a try. i get some harlequin from my aunt and if looks good i will try.

    my question for you is do you ever use from everyday life, like friends and family situations or names? just curious.

    [email protected]

    Reply
    1. Lynn Raye Harris

      Hi, Chris! I do use things from my life, but they usually just spark ideas. I never use real names — or at least not real names of anyone I know. Too risky. Everything I do is part of who I am, so I can’t help but use real life stuff — but nothing I ever write is autobiographical. Something may spark the seed of an idea, but usually the finished product has nothing to do with whatever the seed was. 🙂

      Reply
  8. lidia c

    Hi there Lynn!

    HPs are my all time favorite line from Harlequin. I’ve been reading them for many, many years. I actually like the titles of the old HPs much better. The newest titles are OK because they are finally begin to move away from the “millionaire’s,” “billionaire’s,” etc… So many of those sounded similar that I always had to double check to ensure that I didn’t order a book that I already had.

    Looking forward to reading your newest releases!

    Reply
    1. Lynn Raye Harris

      Hi, Lidia! You and me both! HPs were what I grew up on, and I love them so much. I’m honored to get to write them now. I like the new titles too. I hope you enjoy my latest books! 🙂

      Reply
  9. Desere

    Hi Lynn,

    I hope you have a fabulous time at RT did you see lots of new things while in LA and did you and Kimberly Lang get into lots of fun trouble lol! I saw pictures of the bags and they are just too beautiful and your right you can fit just about anything in there but anything will look good in there because all eyes will be on the gorgeous bag so no one will care what you have in there lol.

    I am a complete addict when it comes to present books and even more so when it comes to yourself and Kimberly Lang , seriously once I pick one up there is no getting me to put it down and even after I have done with it I still wish it could continue and that the story would never end but lucky for me I know that you will always come up with another masterpiece for us to read in no time.

    I am so looking forward to the Devil’s Heart whenever I hear the title I cant help but think of one of my favorite movies of all time and a very handsome actor , Romancing the Stone with Michael Douglas I have seen the movie over 10 times and I simply can never get enough of it and I have a very strong feeling that once I read the Devils Heart I am going to feel the same way about it as I feel about RTS.

    I loved your post thank you so much for vising and thank you to Lime for hosing you. Thank you for the amazing giveaway you are so very generous to offer such a lovely prize and I thank you for the chance to win.

    Take Care
    Desere

    Reply
    1. Lynn Raye Harris

      Hi, Desere! Thanks so much for coming by and for all the nice things you said! You always tell me nice stuff, and I am really grateful! 🙂

      It’s funny you mention Romancing the Stone — I love that movie! I originally called the diamond in my book Corazon del Fuego, the heart of fire, but when I saw a waterfall that had del Diablo in the name, I knew I’d found my diamond name! And then I remembered the Devil’s Fork in the movie and thought it was only too fitting. 🙂

      RT was fun, and we did lots of stuff. Neither Kim or I had ever been to LA, so we did as much touring as we could. It was a great time! 🙂

      Reply
  10. Becky Ward

    I love reading Presents. I have always read them. To me they have a good storyline for the length of them.

    Reply
  11. Desere

    Hi Lynn,

    I am always telling you nice things just because they are simply the truth and I think everyone deserves to hear nice things!

    Really RTS is one of your favorites as well that is so nice I am honored to have something in common with such a lovely and brilliant writer as yourself.

    I like the heart of fire very much but del Diablo is so much more passionate I love it! It is very fitting I can definitely tell I am going to love this book of yours and it is definitely going to be one of those that I keep re-reading over and over!

    I am very glad to hear you and Kim had such a nice time and I am very glad you both made it back safe and sound

    All the best
    Desere

    Reply
    1. Lynn Raye Harris

      That’s the truth, Desere — everyone deserves to hear nice things! You’ve reminded me that I need to write some fan emails to some authors I’ve enjoyed recently. 🙂

      Reply
  12. Betty Lewis

    Hi Lynn and Lime,

    Desere told me you were her, so I came to say hi.

    I’ve been reading Presents for years. My first romances were Barbara Cartland, but I quickly graduated to Harlequins and I’ve been reading them ever since, from all the different lines. Your newest sounds great. I’ll have to check it out.

    Thanks for the great interview.

    Reply
  13. Kim in Hawaii

    Aloha, Lynn! My thoughts were with you and your fellow Alabama writers this past week. We had a terrible storm last night and two water spouts popped up near the Reef Runway.

    It was great to see you at RT! I brought home several excerpt books which were quickly gobbled up by the military spouses at the base library.

    You are “na ka oi” – see you at RWA!

    Reply
    1. Lynn Raye Harris

      Aloha, Kim! Thanks for thinking of us here in Alabama. 🙂 I remember one waterspout off of Kapolei when I was there! Scary stuff!

      It was great seeing you too, and I’m so glad the spouses liked the excerpt books. 🙂 Can’t wait for RWA!

      Reply
  14. Danny

    I think I’d rather be a panda, they’re by far the cutest and they seem pretty mellow. 🙂

    Reply
  15. Nas

    Hi Lynn,

    I enjoyed The Devil’s Heart tremendously and hope to enjoy Behind the Palace Walls too!

    Congrats on it being No 1 on M&B for three weeks and on the bestseller list for six weeks, wow!

    Reply
  16. Liza

    Some of the first romances I read were Presents. My grandmother actually subscribed until about 3 years ago(she is 92) and she would give me her books once she finished reading them. I’ve always enjoyed the line and still read it to this day.

    Lynn, keeping all of AL in my prayers. It kills me to see the destruction on the news. My church has groups going to each area to help out.

    Reply
  17. Lynn Raye Harris

    Thank you, Liza! The destruction is just awful. So many people are working so hard to help those who are affected. I’m glad your church is helping too!

    Love hearing that you got the books from your grandmother! That’s how I got my first ones too. 🙂

    Reply
  18. habrewer

    Hey Lynn,

    What a great interview, I enjoyed it. You know I love your books.

    I wanted to stop by and say hello and I’m so glad you and your family survived the devastation that hit Alabama.

    Reply
  19. Lynn Raye Harris

    The winner of the signed book, tote, and goodies is Liza (super scientific, aka Random Number Generator, method used)! Thanks so much for commenting, everyone! And thanks to the adorable Limecello for having me here! 🙂

    Liza contact me at lynn AT lynnrayeharris DOT com with your details!

    Reply
  20. Pingback: Lynn Raye Harris’s Winner « Limecello

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