I'll be doing the odd guest post (some with giveaways) around the web on The Devil of Jedburgh over the coming weeks, so I thought I'd keep a handy list here for anyone interested in reading different aspects around the book. I'll update this post as my scheduled blogs go live.
For now...
Breaking the Rules at RomancingThePast
Sunday, 22 January 2012
Monday, 16 January 2012
Read a good book lately?
Or several?
AAR's 16th Annual Reader Poll starts today if you want to have your say and vote for your favorite books of 2011 in a number of great categories.
Here's the link: http://www.likesbooks.com/ballotannualpoll2011.html
AAR's 16th Annual Reader Poll starts today if you want to have your say and vote for your favorite books of 2011 in a number of great categories.
Here's the link: http://www.likesbooks.com/ballotannualpoll2011.html
Tuesday, 29 November 2011
The Devil of Jedburgh has a cover!!
In need of an heir, Arran has finally agreed to take a wife, but when he sees Breghan's fragile beauty, he's furious. He will not risk the life of another maiden by getting her with child. Lust prompts him to offer a compromise: necessary precautions, and handfasting for a year and a day, after which Breghan will be free.
For a chance to control her own future, Breghan makes a deal with the Devil. Passion quickly turns to love, but Arran still has no intention of keeping the lass, or making her a mother. He loves her too much to lose her.
But when a treasonous plot threatens queen and country, Breghan has to prove only she is woman enough to stand by his side.
Thank you, Millennium Promotions, for this stunning cover.
The Devil of Jedburgh releases 12 Feb 2012
Monday, 3 October 2011
Researching Fiction on Fiction
Our reading experience would be incredibly boring if writers only wrote what they knew. There may be the odd cop, neurosurgeon or serial killer who may be a dab hand at writing, but not enough to keep us reading on the edge of our seats on a permanent basis. Which means, most writers write what they don't know. Which means a whole lot of research.
And I've been thinking...
With my historical stories, I take research seriously. I tend to devour biographies of the period, read historical anals that have most fortunately been digitised in these times, and get my teeth into all sorts of other research material.
But with contemporaries, is it another matter? Now, it's all very well if you can go and live with the wolves for a year or have the time and clout to shadow a detective around for a year (Castle, I'm looking at you). I don't know of too many authors who have that kind of time, and I don't know of too many businesses that have a 'Bring your writer acquaintance in for the day' programs.
Which makes it kind of hard for the average writer to get real life experience. Of course, there's all kinds of serious research that can still be done, but it's just so much more fun to watch TV for research. So what if they get it wrong? Their millions of viewers don't seem to mind.
I somehow doubt any viable police force will allow a writer the kind of access to the offices, inside info and crime scenes that Richard Castle has on Castle.
I somehow doubt that many police forces rely on medical examiners to actually solve their case for them (Body of Proof) each and every time.
And I somehow doubt than many hospitals are as dysfunctional as Grey's Anatomy.
But that's just it... I somehow doubt, but I don't really, really know. And to be honest, I don't really care. Most of the shows would be boring as hell if they were realistic.
Which brings me back to the hot pickle question on my mind today. Do we want more realism in our books than we're prepared to laugh off in TV?
And I've been thinking...
With my historical stories, I take research seriously. I tend to devour biographies of the period, read historical anals that have most fortunately been digitised in these times, and get my teeth into all sorts of other research material.
But with contemporaries, is it another matter? Now, it's all very well if you can go and live with the wolves for a year or have the time and clout to shadow a detective around for a year (Castle, I'm looking at you). I don't know of too many authors who have that kind of time, and I don't know of too many businesses that have a 'Bring your writer acquaintance in for the day' programs.
Which makes it kind of hard for the average writer to get real life experience. Of course, there's all kinds of serious research that can still be done, but it's just so much more fun to watch TV for research. So what if they get it wrong? Their millions of viewers don't seem to mind.
I somehow doubt any viable police force will allow a writer the kind of access to the offices, inside info and crime scenes that Richard Castle has on Castle.
I somehow doubt that many police forces rely on medical examiners to actually solve their case for them (Body of Proof) each and every time.
And I somehow doubt than many hospitals are as dysfunctional as Grey's Anatomy.
But that's just it... I somehow doubt, but I don't really, really know. And to be honest, I don't really care. Most of the shows would be boring as hell if they were realistic.
Which brings me back to the hot pickle question on my mind today. Do we want more realism in our books than we're prepared to laugh off in TV?
Monday, 26 September 2011
Release Day for Second-Guessing Fate
It's finally here. My romantic comedy, Second-Guessing Fate, releases today! I hope you'll stop by a while, check out the gorgeous cover, read the blurb and the first couple of chapters I've linked to in the excerpt.
Can she outwit fate?
Gemma is on a collision course with heartbreak. At least, according to the fortune-teller her best friend drags her to see. Gemma doesn't believe a word of it, but when other predictions start to come true, she begins to suspect that gorgeous, gray-eyed Nick is the man foretold to break her heart before she can find her soul mate. Too bad she's never met a man she's wanted more, because now she has to get him to dump her before she falls too hard.
Read an excerpt
Can she outwit fate?
Gemma is on a collision course with heartbreak. At least, according to the fortune-teller her best friend drags her to see. Gemma doesn't believe a word of it, but when other predictions start to come true, she begins to suspect that gorgeous, gray-eyed Nick is the man foretold to break her heart before she can find her soul mate. Too bad she's never met a man she's wanted more, because now she has to get him to dump her before she falls too hard. Nick has plans of his own. He's ready to settle down with Ms. Right, and everything points to the beautiful Gemma. He's determined to prove to her that he's the perfect boyfriend—even if she does seem to be trying her best to scare him off…
Read an excerpt
Available from most places where ebooks are sold, including
Saturday, 24 September 2011
The Party is Over...
Thank you to everyone who came along to join in the fun and share your stories and preferences on heros and themes.
And so, without further ado, the party bags go to....
1) Shadow : You've won Second-Guessing Fate eBook + $20 (or £20 if in UK) Amazon gift voucher.
2) Rachael Johns : You've won Second-Guessing Fate eBook + $15 (or £15 if in UK) Amazon gift voucher.
3) Gina Rossi : You've won Second-Guessing Fate eBook
Please email me so I can send your prize and don't forget to specify your preference of ebook format and whether you're in the UK or USA for those who've won gift vouchers.
You can email me at... claire.robyns @ googlemail.com (without the spaces)
And so, without further ado, the party bags go to....
1) Shadow : You've won Second-Guessing Fate eBook + $20 (or £20 if in UK) Amazon gift voucher.
2) Rachael Johns : You've won Second-Guessing Fate eBook + $15 (or £15 if in UK) Amazon gift voucher.
3) Gina Rossi : You've won Second-Guessing Fate eBook
Please email me so I can send your prize and don't forget to specify your preference of ebook format and whether you're in the UK or USA for those who've won gift vouchers.
You can email me at... claire.robyns @ googlemail.com (without the spaces)
Wednesday, 21 September 2011
Pre-Launch Party! Fun! Giveaway!
Second-Guessing Fate releases on Monday and I've decided it's not too early to start celebrating with some giveaways. Let's party!!
I'm giving away 3 party bags:
1) Second-Guessing Fate eBook + $20 (or £20 if in UK) Amazon gift voucher so you can splash out on your favourite authors.
2) Second-Guessing Fate eBook + $15 (or £15 if in UK) Amazon gift voucher.
3) Second-Guessing Fate eBook
Can She Outwit Fate?
Gemma is on a collision course with heartbreak. At least, according to the fortune-teller her best friend drags her to see. Gemma doesn't believe a word of it, but when other predictions start to come true, she begins to suspect that gorgeous, gray-eyed Nick is the man foretold to break her heart before she can find her soul mate. Too bad she's never met a man she's wanted more, because now she has to get him to dump her before she falls too hard. Read more...
Party Games:
What's your favorite theme/trope in romance? eg Reunited lovers
Tall, Dark and Dangerous OR Blue-eyed Boy Nextdoor? Or something else entirely?
Truth and Dare: d. Think back to your first ever hand-holding boyfriend without giggling hysterically.
t. Who dumped who and can you remember why?
The giveway will be open until Saturday 24th morning (GMT) when winners will be announced. To participate, please just leave a comment (you don't have to play along with the party games) and don't forget to check back on Saturday to see if you've won - it's not always possible to track you down through your profile
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