Thanks so much to the girls here at The Bradford Bunch for having me back! For those of you who don’t know me, my name’s Elisabeth and I write romantic adventure for Dorchester. I sold my first book – STOLEN FURY – just this past February and since then have been on a mini writing roller coaster filled with revisions and plotting, book covers and cover copy, promotional ideas and release dates. To say I’m a little overwhelmed is an understatement – especially with all the things outside writing that go into being a published author – but all in a good way. To finally achieve one of your biggest dreams? Amazing. I’m enjoying every single high and low along the way.
So romantic adventure, you ask? Is that another of those blended genres that doesn’t fit in any one traditional slot? You got it. I’ve always marketed myself as a romantic suspense author, but after my agent (yes, the lovely Laura Bradford) started shopping my book around, we quickly learned my version of romantic suspense and NY’s version of romantic suspense vary greatly. What do my books have? Murder and mayhem, chills and thrills, lots of hot sex. What do current NY pubbed RS’s seem to have? Murder and mayhem, chills and thrills, hot or not so hot sex depending on the book…but all with one common characteristic. They’re all dark and twisted. Think serial killers and CSI crime scenes. Is that what I write? Um. Nope.
So what do I write? Well, let me tell you. I just received the cover copy for my January 09 release – STOLEN FURY – and I’m thrilled to share it here for the first time:
DANGEROUS LIAISONS
Oh, is he handsome. And charming. And sexy as all get out. Dr. Lisa Maxwell isn’t the type to go home with a guy she barely knows. But, hey, this is Italy and the red-blooded Rafe Sullivan seems much more enticing than cataloging a bunch of dusty artifacts.
After being fully seduced, Lisa wakes to an empty bed and, worse yet, an empty safe. She’s staked her career as an archaeologist on collecting the three Furies, a priceless set of ancient Greek reliefs. Now the one she had is gone. But Lisa won’t just get mad. She’ll get even.
She tracks Rafe to Florida, and finds the sparks between them blaze hotter than the Miami sun. He may still have her relic, but he’ll never find all three without her. And they’re not the only ones on the hunt. To beat the other treasure seekers, they’ll have to partner up—because suddenly Lisa and Rafe are in a race just to stay alive.
Obviously, not about serial killers and crime scenes. I write books about everyday people thrust into extraordinary circumstances, and this series - my Stolen Series - centers around a Miami antiquities gallery called Odyssey. My sale blurb in Publishers Marketplace compared STOLEN FURY to Romancing The Stone, and my editor’s marketing it to booksellers as “Indiana Jones with all the juicy romance stuff the movie editors cut out.” For years, these “lighter” style RS books were popular in NY – think Nora Roberts’ earlier works like Hot Ice and the plethora of category adventure novels that seem to come and go – but recently it seems NY has tipped toward the dark side. I can’t really remember the last time I picked up a single title RS that didn’t include either a rapist or serial killer or CSI style characters solving a crime step by step. Don’t get me wrong, these are great books written by some phenomenal authors, but they aren’t what I write. And for years I’ve really missed that lighter-variety RS.
There are other authors writing non-cop, lighter-style romantic suspense – Roxanne St. Claire comes to mind – but for the most part, new authors aren’t breaking into the genre right now unless they write dark serial killer/crime scene investigation dramas. Trust me. I know. Before I sold I was so frustrated with the market I tried my hand at it. My agent kindly told me to stick to the light variety. Apparently my voice doesn’t lend itself well to the twisted and creepy. 
And she’s totally right. So I went back to my first love – adventure and romance and everything in between. And it paid off.
For all of you out there who are writing lighter style RS – or those of you writing in a genre that seems to be blending across lines – my advice to you is to keep the faith. There are editors willing to take a chance on something different. And like you hear all the time, the market will at some point shift, so don’t think it won’t. I’m convinced persistence is key in this business, and when you’re writing something you truly love – as opposed to something you’re just trying to sell – you’ll eventually be rewarded. Likewise, the same goes for readers. If the lighter RS (or blended genres) are the books you love to read, make your dollars speak for you. Support those authors taking chances and writing outside the traditional box.
So now it’s your turn to share. What authors/books have you read lately that cross genre lines or go against the norm? Are you finding these from mostly small print pubs or are any coming out of NY? And are any debut authors?
And since I’m so thrilled to be here, I’m giving out a prize! If you comment on this post I’ll put your name in a random drawing. The winner – to be picked and announced next week – gets an autographed copy of Alice Sharpe’s March Harlequin Intrigue – Avenging Angel. Alice is a very dear writer friend of mine, and her Intrigues are a lot of fun! So comment away!
May 3rd, 2008 at 6:32 am
Elizabeth, huge congrats on the sale!
Have a great weekend, everyone.
May 3rd, 2008 at 8:52 am
Congratulations on your first book sale. I think I’m really going to like reading your books…kinda like a adventure/suspense. I love to read a lot of different genres. Your books sounds really exciting. I have gotten a bit tired of the darkness in a lot of suspense novels out today. I still read them but I like variety. When is your book release date? Thanks for the post!
May 3rd, 2008 at 9:05 am
Elisabeth, Congrats on the sale!!!!
Your book sounds great!
Have a great weekend!
May 3rd, 2008 at 9:09 am
Elisabeth, congratulation. I just love the intrigue line of books. I love the suspense and mystery. Count me in on this drawing.
May 3rd, 2008 at 9:39 am
Congratulations, Elisabeth! And I think your blurb sounds awesome!
May 3rd, 2008 at 10:29 am
Yeah, I love Romancing the Stone type stories. There should be more of them.
Congrats Elisabeth with sticking to your guns and selling what you love to write!
May 3rd, 2008 at 11:22 am
Congrats on selling your first book, Elisabeth. I enjoy light romantic suspenses, but I like the darkner ones too, like those by Allison Brennan and Karen Rose.
May 3rd, 2008 at 11:30 am
Thanks, Azteclady.
Nicole, I love dark books too - if I’m in the mood - but I also enjoy variety. And to answer your question, Stolen Fury will be on shelves in January 2009. Thanks for asking.
Stephanie - Thanks.
Virginia, I like the Intrigue books too. I read Avenging Angel. It’s a good one.
Thanks so much, Cynthia!
Vivi Anna, I agree. I’m eagerly awaiting the newest Indiana Jones movie.
May 3rd, 2008 at 11:32 am
Thanks, Jane. Karen and Allison are great writers, no doubt about it. I enjoy their books as well. It’s nice there’s room in the market for a wide variety of RS books, isn’t it? A little something for everyone.
May 3rd, 2008 at 11:58 am
I’m so excited about your books, Eli! I’ve seen Romancing the Stone only a dozen times, Raiders is a definite fave, and I absolutely loved Nora Robers HOT ICE! Perfect. Those are the kinds of books I love to read, but throw in a bit of paranormal, and I’m there.
I write outside the box as well and have just accepted the fact that I’m a bit of a square peg. I write urban fantasy without vampires, werewolves or zombies. No cops or detectives, either. But the urban fantasy super hero genre, which is what I write, is picking up a bit. So I’ve got my fingers crossed that mine will find a home!
Congratulations again, Eli, to a very well-deserved accomplishment.
May 3rd, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Hey Elisabeth, I enjoyed your blog very much and, of course, can’t wait until I can read Stolen Fury (Love the title
) I admire writers following their dreams, embracing their passions — writing something just to check off a sale seems impossible to me!
You go girl!
Karen — looking forward to reading your books, as well!!
May 3rd, 2008 at 1:07 pm
Karen, I have no doubt your book’s going to find a home. It’s just a matter of time. Who doesn’t love an urban fantasy super hero?
Thanks for stopping by!
May 3rd, 2008 at 1:08 pm
Thanks, Alice.
Stolen Fury’s the only title out of the trio I actually picked, but I love them all.
May 3rd, 2008 at 1:37 pm
Congratulations on your sale!
May 3rd, 2008 at 2:15 pm
Thanks, Estella!
May 3rd, 2008 at 6:39 pm
Great Blog, Eli! Man, every time I hear more about your book, I get more excited for you!! The lighter RS stuff–I read Christina Skye and her code name series, and just discovered the Jinx series–Pink Jinx, Pearl Jinx etc. I’m blanking on the author right now. I wish some of the dark and twisted RS were a little less so–I can do without the blow by blow graphic violence scenes.
I think another often overlooked blended genre is the overlap between YA/adult fiction. Several authors are making inroads in this area, and the successful crossover of the Gossip Girls series into television will only help things.
I can’t wait to see your books!!
May 4th, 2008 at 9:46 am
Hey Wavy.
Thanks for stopping by. I need to check out those lighter RS books you listed.
I agree, I think the overlap YA/adult fiction is definitely an area that’s over looked. Considering your strong YA voice and love of adult fiction, it might be a great place for you to focus.
May 4th, 2008 at 10:48 am
Elisabeth! You KNOW I want this book like yesterday, right? heh! I’m so thrilled for you and the blurb ROCKS! Woot!
May 4th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
LOL. Thanks, Marissa
May 4th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
Congrats, looks like another one I need to add to my TBR pile!
May 4th, 2008 at 2:43 pm
Thanks Teresa! The great part about knowing so many fabulous authors is that my TBR pile continues to grow with some great stuff.
May 5th, 2008 at 5:20 am
Everyone knows Elisabeth likes emoticons, right?
Great back cover copy! I’d pick it up. Don’t you love it when they get it right? And the Christina Skye Code Name series was a good example of lighter RS. From LAX, on a 3 hour layover. 
May 5th, 2008 at 10:39 am
LOL, Kendra. I do like emoticons, don’t I?
You should check out the ones they have on the writeminded blog. Now those are fun.
Thanks for stopping by on your 3 hr layover. Ack! Wouldn’t it be cool if we could just flash places like they do in paranormals instead of having to deal with airlines and layovers and all that security?