I hope everyone’s holiday has been great. It’s always exciting when a friend does good, and Elisabeth Naughton has done fabulous. You can read how it came about below. So a warm and magical welcome to Elisabeth.
**Dec. 31 addition: Congratulations, Hayley E. Lavik! You’ve won a copy of STOLEN FURY!**
The Birth of A Book
Thanks so much to the girls at Magical Musings for having me as a guest today. I’ve been reading this blog for years, and I have to tell you…it’s a real thrill to be asked to participate.
For those of you who didn’t hear me screaming from the rooftops this morning (and how could you miss it???), my debut romantic suspense, STOLEN FURY, releases today from Love Spell. Take one smart and sassy archaeologist, pair her up with a swindling, sexy, bad boy thief, send them on a run-for-their-lives search for three ancient and valuable Greek relics and watch the sparks fly. The book is being compared to both Romancing The Stone and Indiana Jones (which couldn’t thrill me more), and Publisher’s Weekly recently called it a “Rock solid debut.”
Pretty cool for a debut author. But you want to know a little secret? I never intended to write this book.
Years ago, when I was toiling as an unpublished writer, I wrote a book about two underwater archaeologists looking for a lost Aztec statue. The heroine in STOLEN FURY, Lisa Maxwell, was a secondary character in that unpublished novel. From the moment Lisa came onto the page, she was a force to be reckoned with. Smart-mouthed, quick-witted, opinionated and stubborn beyond belief. I’ll never forget one conversation between her and the heroine of that book, in which Lisa simply tossed out the words, “I don’t believe in love.” It was done so casually, it was as if she were saying she didn’t like green beans or brussel sprouts or…Swiss cheese. And yet, it stuck with me.
Fast forward a couple of years. I’d just finished a pretty dark RS and was in serious need of light and fun and sexy. I knew I was at a crossroads. What was selling in RS then? Dark and twisted serial killer stuff. And while I’d just finished a book like that, I knew deep down inside that wasn’t the kind of book I wanted to be writing for the long haul. Enter Lisa. Out of the blue. And her memorable line, “I don’t believe in love.”
She was not a heroine I wanted to tackle. She was 38. Single. Never been married. She was way too snarky and someone I knew I’d never be able to handle. And her story wasn’t the kind of story that was selling. But, to her credit, she was just pushy enough to wedge herself into my brain so I couldn’t write anything else. And so a book was born.
STOLEN FURY was the result. When I finished it, I knew I had something special. Something different. Something I could see myself writing again and again. Friends have since asked me what it was about this book that garnered me a GH final in 2007, an agent, and finally a sale, and the only answer I have is that I think I finally found my niche. I found the kind of story that fits my voice and keeps me excited about writing. And I know for a fact I will never say “I won’t write so-and-so’s story,” again. Because sometimes those are the best stories a writer can pen.
Is there anything you’ve told yourself you will NEVER do? Be it a story to write or a sport to play or even….a plane to jump out of? And if there is, have you ever given it a shot? I’d love to hear your results. Distract me from the excitement (stress!!) of release day and share your stories! One lucky commenter will receive an autographed copy of STOLEN FURY in a random drawing!
***
Oh…and before I forget…In honor of STOLEN FURY’s release, I’m running a FUN, interactive contest on my website. Are you searching for Fortune & Glory? (And who isn’t in this economy?) Simply go to www.elisabethnaughton.com/fortune.html to enter and play. Embark on your very own quest, partner up with a sexy treasure hunting guide and enter to win a $100 VISA gift card!
