sponsored by Donna MacMeans
I've known Lisa for several years and knew that if her everyday humor and charm were captured in a book - she'd have a hit on her hands. I didn't have long to wait. Lisa's debut book, TEXAS HOLD HIM, hit the bookshelves this month. Romantic Times Bookreviews says "It's a luscious, fast-paced adventure with appealing characters and great scenery." Luscious. I like that. Please join me in welcoming Lisa Cooke to the lair.
Thanks for inviting me to Romance Bandits today! I’m so excited to be here and to talk about my new release, TEXAS HOLD HIM. I love historical romances, and my favorites are definitely the ones that add humor to the mix. When I write a book, I always think about what types of personalities will give the best potential for a passionate romance and a giggle or two (or three or four).
The hero in TEXAS HOLD HIM
is a Texan (of course) named Dyer Straights and a Southern belle who needs a sizable amount of money to pay a blackmailer so she can save her sick father from prison. Dyer is the best gambler on the Mississippi and Lottie agrees to give him a night in his bed in exchange for poker lessons. The ensuing scenes were a blast to write. Lottie had never handled cards in her life and her questioning of the logic of the game exasperates the hero to no end. Of course, there’s much more to the book than poker games, but the banter betw
een my hero and heroine entertained me enormously as I tapped away at my keyboard.My next book is a story about an 1890’s Appalachian midwife who suddenly finds herself with three fiancés. A MIDWIFE CRISIS will be released in February of 2010 with Leisure historicals. And yes, it’s got a few giggles in it as well, or did you already figure that out by the title?
Luckily, I found an editor who loves humor as much as I do. When Leah Hultenschmidt of Dorchester Publishing called me this summer, I almost fainted. I remember looking at the caller ID and seein
g “Dorchester” and thinking, they must have the wrong number. When she told me she wanted TEXAS HOLD HIM, I could have swallowed my tongue. I’ll never forget her telling me that I had impressed her and Alicia Condon (senior editor). Then she added, “Well, actually, you’ve impressed quite a few people here.” What a cool thing to hear on a hot summer day. She said she laughed out loud at the poker lesson scenes. When I heard that, I knew I’d found my editormatch from Heaven.
So, how about you? Do you enjoy a good chuckle when you read, or do you prefer serious stories? Is it something that changes according to your mood or do you pretty much stick to one type of book?
Leave a comment and you might win a copy of TEXAS HOLD HIM for yourself. Anyone up for a few lessons from a sexy riverboat gambler?
Thanks for stopping by and happy reading!
Hey - if any of you are headed for the Romantic Times Convention in Orlando, Florida this week, be sure to stop by and visit Lisa, Christie, and I. To read more about TEXAS HOLD HIM, visit Lisa's website at www.lisahistoricals.com
89 comments:
mine
Hi, found this blog and so glad I did! I prefer serious historical romances in general, but I find every now and then, the mood strikes me to indulge in a light-hearted romance romp. I love your titles!
Texas Hold Him sounds like just the ticket for a 'sittin' on the deck' read! I will certainly look for it next I am out shopping~
Virginia! Way to nab that rooster!
Hi Lisa nice to meet you! Welcome to our Lair. Your debut book sounds like a fantastic read and I would love to read it. To me it depends on the mood I am in as to what I want to read although I enjoy a good laugh in about any book. Sometimes I just need a good comedy to read and other times I want to read more to the mystery side.
lol - congrats on the GR, Virginia!
Hi Lisa- thanks for visiting with us today! I'm definitely fond of humor in books - it's so great when the characters are witty and smart. I could also use some humor right now - I found out this morning that my paper needs to be 15 pages longer... and is due Friday. :P (And I'm working on another one due tomorrow.)
Texas Hold Him is also a very cute title - Congratulations on the new release!
And your second book sounds quite interesting as well - three fiancés? Goodness!
Drew - I have to say - Lisa is the queen of witty titles. I wish I had that talent.
No surprise that I like humor in my romance. I write what I like to read - and I did enjoy Lisa's book. Am looking forward to the next.
Virginia - As a tax accountant, I NEED the humor *g*, but I've read some great serious books by the banditas.
Limecello - hugs on the 15 pages. I don't suppose you're allowed to do dialogue. This is for your business class? Soon it'll all be worth it.
Hey, Virginia, way to go!!!! Congratulations!
Lisa, huge congratulations on the release of your first book, Texas Hold Him.
I'd love to hear your call story!
By the way, as a woman who's never met a pun she didn't like (in fact, I'm thinking of going to China to see the pundas), I ADORE your humor! Dyer Straits? Midwife Crisis? Give me moreeeeeee!!!!
Donna, thanks for inviting Lisa here today. Oh, I wish I was going to RT. Good luck to our Banditas who are up for awards, Donna and Jeanne! We want more bling in the lair, gals!
I second Anna's motion to hear your call story! I love the teaser in your post.
Love both of your titles -- did you come up with them, or did Dorchester assign titles for the books? I'm intrigued by both of them, darn it. At this rate, my TBR pile -- if laid out end to end -- will soon reach the moon!
Hi Lisa,
Congrats on your debut release. I like both serious stories and comedies. I can also appreciate humor in a dark story where it's used to break the tension between the hero and heroine.
Congrats on the GR, Virginia.
Hi Lisa! Welcome to the lair. You sound like our kind of gal and of course any friend of Donna's is a friend of ours.
Your books sound like a lot of fun. Love banter when it's done right. Best of luck with your debut and I hope you're having a great time at RT!
Congrats Virginia have fun with him
Hi Lisa it is really nice to meet you and yes I could do with some poker lessons from a sexy riverboat gambler I am not very good at poker.
I love a book that makes me laugh but I guess I choose the books to read depending on what mood I am in and that of course can veery from time to time but I love historicals and I will be adding your book to my must get list.
Thanks Donna for inviting Lisa and you Guys have lots of fun at the convention.
Have Fun
Helen
I love humor in books!! Jill Shalvis, Rachel Gibson and Sandra Hill are autobuys for me because their humor brightens my day.
Congrats on your release. I love the title and the book's premis. My SIL has taught our family the game of Texas Hold Em so we have lot's of fun when we get together with our poker chips. I'm TERRIBLE at bluffing!!
Lisa, I LOVE books with humor, and Texas Hold Him had me laughing out loud in places! The dialogue was great and there was loads of sexual tension - other things I really enjoy in a book. ;-)
You have a real winner with this one! I can't wait for your next book.
And speaking of winning books... I've got to get hold of Donna MacMeans newest too! I've heard such great things about her stories. Next on my list, for sure!
Hugs to all,
Lori
Welcome to the lair, Lisa! Congrats on your first release - Texas Hold Him sounds fabulous!
I love humor in books so your stories sound right up my alley *g*
What inspired you to write a poker playing hero? Did you discover any fun tidbits while researching this story?
Hi Virginia, Congratulations on grabbing the rooster! I like all kinds of stories too, but I find I can't write totally serious stories. I guess my life is just too funny
Lisa
Hi Drew, I think TEXAS would be great on a deck! And thanks for the comment about my titles. I actually came up with that title and wrote the book to fit it. My brain is weird.
Lisa
Limecello, good luck on the papers. I remember those days and I'm glad now I write for fun.
Lisa
Thank you, Anna.
I'm afraid I have a habit of entertaining myself when I write ;-)
Lisa
Hi Treethyme,
So far Dorchester has allowed me to keep my titles. Luckily, my editor shares my sense of humor. She's a neat lady. Thanks for dropping in
Lisa
Hey Jane, thanks on the congrats. I agree that humor in the right spot is a good tension breaker in a serious story too.
Lisa
Thanks Christine! Yes, Donna is awesome and her books are great! We're flying out in the morning for Orlando and I know we'll be thinking about all of you (and the rooster) while we're there ;-)
Lisa
Hi Helen, it's good to meet you too. I hope you enjoy Dyer's lessons (not all of them are about poker *grin*)
Lisa
I've heard nothing but good things about this book, and can't wait to read it! It's on my summer list--schools out in four weeks!--and I know I'll love it.
I read all sorts of books but gravitate towards humor and a bit of mystery. Did you start out writing historicals?
Hi Laurie, my heroine isn't very good at bluffing either. Of course, she's not aware of that (so don't tell her LOL)
Thanks for droppin in
Lisa
Hi Lori!
Your quote sure looks good on my cover LOL! Thanks for the great help you've given me. I'm looking forward to seeing you at your June get-together. I know it's going to be fun!
Lisa
Lisa, congratulations on your debut book! It sounds like an interesting read - as does your follow up book. Love the title!
As far as a preference...sometimes, when I am in a dark mood, I might want to read a book to suit that mood, but usually I just read because I love reading, not because of the mood I'm in - I guess you could say I'm always in the mood to read. But I do like humor in my books, especially when it's unexpected - like in the middle of a crisis when tensions and tempers are running high and the situation looks pretty dire. I think that's one of the reasons why I love Lost so much. There they are, fighting for their lives on a daily basis, forever trapped in these mysterious circumstances and pretty dark situations, and then Hurley cracks some kind of joke or Sawyer (and now Miles) calls somebody by a flippant name or something and you laugh out loud because it's unexpected but, oh, what a relief. And since I come from a family that has always gotten through bad situations with humor, I truly appreciate that gift in my reading/entertainment.
Margay
Hi Lisa, I LOVE humor in my romance stories. After reading your description of Texas Hold Him, I can't wait to read the book. Congrats on the release.
Sarah Tormey
Hi Beth,
I decided to write the story while watching the World Poker Tour on TV. I thought a play on Texas Hold 'em would be a cute title for a romance book. I did learn a lot and I keep waiting for someone to correct me on some of the poker rules my hero explains to my heroine. But, Poker in 1870 had a few different rules--not many. Some people also think that Texas Hold 'em is a new game. Nope. It was around back then too.
I swear, I did my research ;-)
Lisa
Hi Gillian,
I didn't start with historicals. My first book was a time travel about involving a knight. The only thing worth keeping was the title LOL (ONCE A KNIGHT IS ENOUGH) My next one a psychic suspense. SMALL MEDIUM AT LARGE did get me an agent, but it still hasn't sold. TEXAS was my 5th novel and I'm now working on my 9th.
Lisa
Hi Margay, my family always handled everything with humor too. It's much more fun to laugh than to cry. (causes fewer wrinkles too)
Lisa
Thank you, Sarah. I hope you enjoy TEXAS HOLD HIM! I had a blast writing it.
Lisa
Hello Lisa,
I enjoy all types of books. If I stuck with just one type, I'd get bored. As for humor in a book, I love a could laugh through the book. Books don't have to be all serious. Texas Hold Him sounds very interesting. Would love to win a copy. Have a great day.
Hi Lisa. Your book sounds good. For me, it depends on the mood I am in but I do enjoy books with humor.
Hey Lisa! Great to see you at the Bandits. Most of the time I like to read something humorous but a good story always holds my interest.
Hope Bandits is flying off the shelves!!!
Margaret
Good morning, Lisa!
I love a book that mixes humor into a good, fast-paced read. Susan Elizabeth Phillips is my personal deity for the way she combines charming, witty dialogue with a big, wide-open heart. I can't wait to grab a copy of Texas Hold Him, if only because any author who names a hero Dyer Straights deserves my patronage. :-)
Thanks for swinging by the lair today, Lisa! And thanks to Donna for bringing her by!
Hi Housemouse88-- I enjoy any book that's well written too. But humor will always score points with me :-)
CrystalGB- I think sometimes a book can change my mood. Maybe that's why I like a good giggle
Thanks for commenting
Lisa
Hi Margaret-- I must confess I'm new to this site, but I will definitely become a regular. What a great group of Bloggers!
Lisa
Virginia, you must tell us how you wrested the GR from Lime !!
Hello, Lisa. I love the sound of this book. The title is priceless, as is the title of your next one.
I read all levels of humor, so this would be right up my alley. When I am in a funk I will reach for books that I KNOW will make me feel better. And your hero's name alone cracks me up.
Good snappy dialogue makes the pages fly by. The only problem is when you reach the end of the book and you want more! Can't wait to read your book.
And Donna MacMeans's latest is wonderful. Run don't walk to the bookstore and pick it up. Loved it, Donna!
Thanks, Susan-- I was afraid I would have to change the hero's name and was really glad when my editor let me keep it. She thought it was great, but I didn't know if my tongue in cheek humor would have to be tamed ;-)
Lisa
Hi Louisa--I saved Donna's book, THE SEDUCTION OF A DUKE for this week. It's packed in my suitcase right along with my sunscreen and fuzzy slippers. I know it'll be a treat!
Lisa
It definitely depends on my mood which type of story I'm going to enjoy at the time. Sometimes I want to be entertained and have a good laugh and then a fun story is the way to go.
Lisa! Welcome to the Lair.
Your books sound great and I'm really pleased to see humour making a come-back. I've added you to my 'to buy' list. There are too few romantic comedies out there, these days. Yay that you cracked the market wide open!
I read a variety of things, from gritty romantic suspense to romantic comedy. Thanks to all the fabulous guests that the Banditas bring to the Lair, my TBR mountain is expanding all the time.
Sometimes my mood dictates what I read. Other times, I'm on a charge to read every book by a certain author *g*. And other times, I just can't wait for a particular book and that jumps to the head of the queue.
Like today, for example, the Amazon pigeon arrived, bringing with him Tawny's Coming on Strong, Beth's A Not-So-Perfect Past and Donna's The Seduction of a Duke. They've leapt to the top of the pile!
I think if your characters entertain you or move you, then, they're likely to move a reader too!
Hi, Lisa,
Your titles are fabulous! And your books sound wonderfully funny. I'm really looking forward to reading Texas Hold Him. My reading mood varies so much that I usually have several books going at once - one slow, one fast-paced, one funny...
I also sold to Dorchester recently (to editor Chris Keeslar), and it's great to meet another debut Dorchester author here.
One reason I'm looking forward to reading your book is the poker! I love the intricacies of card games, although I rarely play them. I once wrote a historical where my heroine was expert at piquet. Loved learning about the game, although I don't think I'd have the concentration or memory to play it.
Have fun in Orlando!
Haw. Haw. Haw. Lisa, welcome to Thar Lair. I read your interview here and rushed off to your website to read the excerpt. It had me guffawing. Wish I could see the hero's jaw drop at her "Agreed!" in person.
And a midwife with three fianes? Heh. Are they all widows of her former clients? :)
Lisa,
I can't wait to read THH! Sounds great. I love dark books that have humor to release the tension. Wish I could write funny. Maybe you need to teach a humor writing workshop. :-)
Hi, Lisa! Huge congrats on your debut! I'm definitely a fan of humor in historicals (or any other genre, really!)--I'll be looking forward to reading Texas Hold Him! I'm assuming that your second title is not at all related! Do you have ideas for future books bouncing around already?
Congrats on the GR, Virginia!
I like humor as long as it makes sense for the characters and the situation.
Maureen, I agree the mood makes a differnce, but I am consistant with one thing--I love an alpha male!
Lisa
Hi Anna, the Amazon Pigeon? LOL I love that. That bird leaves droppings on my porch too. And my TBR pile is getting so big I think it's evolving into a wal-mart!
Lisa
Hi Barbara! Welcome to the Lollies! I haven't met Chris but I've heard great things about him. Dorch has great editors and production staff. Do you have your cover yet?
Lisa
Hi Keira- Widowers? I wish I had thought of that! LOL. My poor heroine's family picked her fiances for her, and quite an interesting lot they are. Of course, the hero is none of those, but that's what made it so much fun.
Thanks for stopping in!
Lisa
Hi Karen! Thanks for stopping in today and cograts on your release and the great reviews you're getting. Hope STARJACKED sells like crazy!
Lisa
Hi Flechin1--No, my second book is set in Appalachia and isn't connected. I've got too many books bouncing in my head! LOL. I'm trying really hard not to start another until after the RT convention this week, but I'm taking my laptop, so anything is possible. I love "playing" with a new hero ;-)
Thanks for stoppin in
Lisa
I agree, JCP- humor in the wrong place can ruin a scene. Luckily, editors are there to catch most of those mess ups *smile*
LIsa
Lisa - Didn't I tell you? The rooster is coming with us! Oh, he'll visit the first poster - because as you all know - I'm so not an early riser *g* but he's flapping down to Orlando to check out the male competition.
Treethyme - Lisa should be at Lori's reader event in June (right, Lisa?) so we'll be seeing you in a month or so. We'll be the ones glowing with a Florida suntan *g*.
Helen - I can't imagine you in any mood other than a great one (unless it's in an exhaustive state after playing with the grandkids). But a dark mood? Never --
Lisa! I just loved TEXAS HOLD HIM and was actually mad when it ended. Oh the final scenes were wonderful and satisfying, but I was having so much fun with your characters and the sensual world you'd built that I hated to leave it. LOL Can't wait for the next one.
I know this will come as a shock to anyone who knows me, but I'm one of those people who just loves humor built into her romance. (Okay, so no one is shocked.)
Life is dark enough--give me the laughs! But they have to be natural laughs and I still need all those other wonderful, deep emotions that romance writers are so gifted at creating.
You do this in spades, Lisa! (Note the clever poker reference here, please.)
Real quick, let me brag on Donna's latest, too. I just finished THE SEDUCTION OF A DUKE and also hated when I got to the end of it. Love your Duke, Donna! He's my "brand" of hero!
Susan Gee Heino
LOL Anna - You know, I've read Lisa's book (check out the quote on the back) but I never caught the pun of Dyer Straits until you mentioned it. I got caught up in the character without putting the first and last names together. D'oh.
Welcome to the Lair, Lisa!! And big congrats on your first book! The humor sounds wonderful--luscious, in fact! :-) And book two sounds just as fun. How great that you found the perfect editor for your work. That phone call from Leah sounds like a dream come true!
*Dyer Straights* LOL!
Donna and Lisa and Christie and everyone, have a blast at RT!!
Have a fun day with the GR, Virginia!
Anna Campbell. Pundas? OMG, this must stop! ROTFL!
Louisa - Thanks for the love on Seduction of the Duke! I really loved the twist in the ending of that book, but then...after it sits at the publishers a few months and you wait for it to hit the shelves...you start to wonder if it was as fun as you remember. Thanks for boosting my confidence that it's well recieved.
Barbara - Congratulations on the sale -- Woohoo!
I generally read several books at the same time too although it's generally because I put them down and can't remember where I put it. But you do it purposefully? Do you try to read in the genre you write, or do you avoid messing up your voice by reading in the same period/genre?
Hi Donna, I remembered the rooster is going with us, but I didn't know if you wanted to surprise everyone with the mischief he is sure to get into!
And a big thanks to you, for the quote on my book! It looks Awesome! And another thanks for inviting me to blog today. This is a great site!
I'm going to Lori's event. Do you think our tans will last that long?
Lisa
Thank you, Susan! I can't wait until your release, MISTRESS BY MISTAKE hits the shelves. If it has only half of your wit between the pages, it's sure to be a great hit!
Thanks for dropping in
Lisa
Thanks for the welcome, Kate. Yeah, I got really lucky with my editor. I'm going to meet her this week in Orlando. It'll be fun to actually talk to her in person.
Lisa
Welcome to the Lair, Lisa!
The first thing I like about a book is the characters. If it is a serious book or a humorous book, I need to care about the characters. Second is fast paced dialogue, which lends itself to humor, too!
Life is pretty serious, anything that lightens our load is a boon these days!! Oh and Maverick was one of my favorite movies!
Congratsulations Virginia
Your book sounds great I love the cover.
Penney
This sounds like a really fun read! I enjoy and appreciate humor in stories, and I love historicals. Congrats on your first release! It sounds like a winner. :-)
Cheryl (Cheri)
OMG, any book that has a hero name Dyer Straights clearly is moving to the top of my TBR pile. Hilarious! And I can't wait to read the poker scenes and discussions of logic. *LOL*
You guys have fun at the RT convention! One of my pirates is there and I hope she runs into you guys!
Welcome, Lisa! Love the titles
and character names! You have given
me my first laughter of the day! I
look forward to getting a copy of
THH into my hot, little hands!
G'day to all the Banditas & Buddies! Congratulations to Virginia on the GR! Wow, Drew, Donna & Lime: you all were close!!
Pat Cochran
Lisa - No, I don't have my cover art yet. I'm waiting with something between anticipation and apprehension... hoping I'll love it.
Donna - I hop from book to book according to my mood. My attention span got screwed up when my kids were small, and I've never recovered! Also, sometimes when I'm reading a really suspenseful book, I simply *have to* put it down. For example, I've been reading No More Lies by Susan Squires, and I'm right at the black moment. (I skimmed ahead to see). It's a wonderful book, and I raced through it without touching anything else, but I can't bring myself to finish it yet. I'm chicken - just don't want to feel all that overwhelming emotion right now. (I also leave the room during the most suspenseful parts of movies...)
As for reading in my genre, it depends which genre. I write both paranormal and historical. I don't read a lot of paranormal, but I devour historicals. (Seduction of a Duke and Texas Hold Him (which I just bought today) are high on my TBR heap.)
I just read my first humorous romance novel. I usually enjoy serious books but I think I will through in a lighthearted book every so often to keep things interesting.
Barbara - Hope you enjoy THE SEDUCTION OF A DUKE. It's the sequel to THE EDUCATION OF MRS. BRIMLEY. They're stand alone books, but I know some people like to read in order. Thanks for giving it a try.
I am going to chime in here and say how much I loved The Seduction Of A Duke fabtastic book if you haven't read it go get it.
Lisa I would willingly take any lessons the sexy riverboat gamble wants to give LOL
Have Fun
Helen
I have to agree: Seduction of a Duke was WONDERFUL! I would recommend it to everyone, and not only for the fact the hero and I share a first name....
And I read Lisa's excerpt. "Oh, look, they're all the same color!" *LOL* I emailed my favorite bookstore and requested they save me a copy. Hilarious! I think I might start it tonight after I get home from the gym.
My favorite books are ones that make me laugh and cry - a little humor is always desired.
Hi Susan, I loved Maverick too, but then I'm a die hard Mel Gibson fan (even if he does manage to get himself into trouble-- a lot)
Lisa
Thank you, Penney. Dorchester does do a nice job with covers.
Lisa
Thanks Cheri, First releases are scary. It's kind of like walking naked through McDonalds. All your secrets are suddenly exposed and you can't help but wonder if your buns are holding up with the competition ;-)
Lisa
Thanks, Ms Hellion. I hope you enjoy THH. I have a special affinity for pirates! One of my earlier books was a time travel with pirates and all sorts of fun stuff.
Ahoy!
Lisa
Thank you, Pat. I hope you like THH and I'm glad I gave you a chuckle ;-)
Lisa
Hey Helen, Dyer's lessons are interesting on many levels LOL. He gives the phrase "higher education" a new meaning.
Lisa
True, Catslady, any book that can make you feel something is a good one.
Lisa
Lisa, welcome to the Lair! 'Texas Hold Him' sounds like my kind of read. I adore humor in all books, not just romance. I can't abide the oh-so-serious "literary" fiction. I like my literature sprinkled with humore, thank you very much! *g*
Your second book sounds wonderful as well. I think I've found a new keeper for the shelf. Thank you for being with us!
And Virginia...hope you were kind to the Golden Rooster today!
Thank you, Caren. I've really enjoyed my day in the lair and I plan on getting to know the rooster better this week. (That little rascal ;-)
Lisa
Helen & MsHellion - You guys are the best. Thanks for the love for Seduction!
Lisa - LOL on walking naked through McDonalds. If I were to do that it would give new meaning to the "Big Mac". Not at all appetizing *g*.
Woohoo Virginia! nice grab on the rooster!
Welcome, Lisa, and congratulations on your sales!
I LOVE funny books. I love serious books too, but I write dark, and SO wish I could write funny. I guess it's normal to love what we don't do well--it's such a relief to read something funny after writing angst.
So bring on the laughs. And I love your premise too. I like poker, and my dad was really, really good at it, so I can't wait to read this.
Donna, thanks for bringing Lisa to visit with us!
Hi, Lisa.
Great blog. In answer to your question about humor in books, it really depends on my mood whether I want a few chuckles or a white-knuckled read. I've heard so many wonderful things about your Texas Hold Him. I'm looking forward to reading it.
Best wishes for continued writing success!
Patricia
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