Monday, June 28, 2010

The Birth of A Story...

by Suzanne

In case you're one of the few people on the planet that I haven't told, and trust me, I'm pretty sure I've shouted it from the mountain tops, I sold my first book this month!

Now, this wasn't my first book. Nope, it was actually my ninth. I've been writing seriously for about 15 years. Over that time I've tried my hand at many romantic sub genres. At first it was American Historical...the market fell out from under me. Then contemporary, then contemporary small town, (not much market at the time for those). Then romantic suspense...oh, wait the market went really dark, plot-wise.

Hmmm, what was a girl to do? I'd always had good lusty sexy scenes. So when my CP Jo Davis started writing erotica, I thought...okay, why not give that a try?  Here's where I ran into a problem. I wanted to write an erotica where the sex was integral to the plot. One would not exist without the other. Geesh, exactly how was I going to do that?

As I am want to do in the middle of the night, I picked up a pad of paper and a pen and let my creative forces free write, with a focus on how intense sex could not only be a major part of the plot, but also propel the story forward.

Well first I needed a character. A heroine in need of saving, whether she knows it or not. Next a hero to come save her. Wait. This is an erotica....I can have TWO heroes. Oh boy!! I'm suddenly liking this very much! Okay, so what kind of heroes do I like? Tall, dark, strong, cowboys....no....wait...Lawmen. (Have we discussed how TOMBSTONE is one of my all time favorite movies? Tom Selleck and Sam Elliott in THE SHADOWRIDERS made me drool? How I adored all the bad guys in THE LONG RIDERS? How much I loved the romance and the gunfights in OPEN RANGE?) And hey...a western historical erotic romance? Well, that's taking a unique twist to a genre.

So now I have my cast of characters, my time period, and a spark of a plot. I flesh it out, (pardon the pun), and send the idea to Jo with a "what do you think of this story idea?" e-mail. Her return e-mail was very enthusiastic. I decided I'd give it a try, but if the story didn't hold together, I would put it aside as an experiment gone wrong.

But here's the thing. I fell in love. Yep, with all three characters. I wanted the men...uh...yeah, I wanted the men to capture the bad guy. I wanted the heroine to get justice. I wanted the bad guys to get what they deserved. So, the book kept growing, building, until I couldn't stop. Nope. Had to finish it.

Okay, now I needed some feedback and a title. So after some brainstorming, I came up with a title I loved, The Surrender Of Lacy Morgan. It had so many connotations that fit this story I just had to go with it. Next, I entered Miss Lacy, as she has become affectionately known in the Lair, in a writing contest or two. Dang, if she didn't win both erotica categories! Yippee!! Those contests also garnered her a request for the full manuscript by one big NY publisher and a request for the partial from another--alas, sadly neither panned out.

So here comes my middle of the night what-the-hell moment. I e-mailed a query off to Ellora's Cave. I immediately got a standard auto reply that they'd received my query and it was in the queue to be read and that I'd hear something in 1-3 months. Okay, cool.

Two days later, on Thursday, I get another e-mail that looked like a repeat auto reply, until I reread it. This was from a pre-reader who liked what I'd submitted and put in the queue for the acquiring editors to read. I would hear something in 1-6 months. Okay, even cooler!

The next Monday I receive a very enthusiastic e-mail from an editor who loved what I'd sent and requested me to send the entire manuscript by e-mail for her to read. And she'd be getting back to me in....1-6 months. Okay, super cool!

A month went by.

Two.

Now I was getting worried. Things had been going by so fast, then poof. Did this bode well for Miss Lacy? Was it an ominous warning off the port bow?

Then the week before Memorial Day...two months from when the process started, I see another e-mail from the editor in my inbox. OH NO....poor Lacy is about to be rejected. Because if the editor wanted the story she'd call, right? Isn't that what everyone says?

So, with hands over my eyes, I click open... It's NOT a rejection, HALLELUJAH!, but an apology for taking so long, and a question re: was the story still available?

Well, yes it was! After a deep, calming breath, I replied as professionally as possible, that yes it was and I'd look forward to hearing her thoughts after she had a chance to read it.  (Even if it took 1-6 months.)

A week later, I get another e-mail. She loved the book! The editor not only loved the story, she loved the idea of the other brothers in the book having their own stories, too! But she didn't think she could buy it as is, because, "There was too much story" in it. Would I be willing to revise and resubmit, so that the really good sex in the book be more of the focus?

Here's where some people make a mistake. They say, "No. Take it as it is or not at all."

Blink.



Okay....cut to the chase, after a week or so of e-mails about how I was proceeding, did she have any suggestions, etc. I got another e-mail.

Jillian Bell, the editor with the most excellent judgement and taste, wanted to contract the book for Ellora's Cave! I still hadn't completed the revisions, but I seriously think the professional effort I was making to comply let her know she could work with me and that I meant business when it came to getting my book published.

Okay...I only read the first paragraph of that e-mail, then went calmly into the living room, stepped in front of the baseball game on TV and did my version of the happy dance! Hubby lifted one brow and said..."Uh...I take it you have good news?" "Duh! Yes! They want to buy a book!"

Then after much hugging I made him read the e-mail to be sure I wasn't seeing things. This is where I learned I'd have to change one character's name. Okay...no problem! Hawke became Dakota. Yippee!!!

Next came phone calls to my CP's Sandy Blair and Jo Davis, and of course our Bandita Joanie. Then e-mails to my Texas girls, the Foxes and then the Bandit Loop! Oh yeah, and then my Mom! And after three glasses of champagne from one of the bottles I'd been saving for this occasion, I called my boss, who is my beta reader! Oh yeah, and the girls at work!

Honestly, you know when it really hit me? The next night on my way to work. I started grinning from ear to ear, doing the happy dance in the car at all the stop lights. Yep! I had received the contract by e-mail that day, read it and was going to sign it.

So, the call, wasn't really a call....but
I am a contracted, soon to be published author!

So, tell me what's the best party you ever threw! What was the occassion? Did people cram in and leave the place a disaster? (Uhm...let's make sure Sven and the boys have a reason to complain tomorrow!) Oh....and how do you feel about Western romances...both the regular and erotic variety?

LET'S PARTY!!

107 comments:

limecello said...

Whee! Party is good! ;) Is all for my birthday, yes?

limecello said...

Yay, Suzanne - everyone always loves a good party, but there are few better reasons than this one!
I'm very happy for you :)
I also LOVE Tombstone - it's one of my favorite movies, and if I'm ever channel surfing and it's on, I have to watch it.
And I love Western romances - erotic or not. :) Whee!

Fedora said...

Squeee!!! Yay, Suzanne!!! Huge congrats to you, and like Limecello, I love western romances of all heat levels. Can't wait to read yours!

Happy birthday, Limecello! Hope the GR makes a good celebratory companion today!

Donna MacMeans said...

Well hello Suzanne Ferrell!

I am so thrilled that this book is going to see a cover. i can see you're going to be doing some serious celebrating come this fourth of July. Those fireworks are for you, darling!

Whenever I'm in need of a photograph of a hero for my books - I check out the Western magazines. Tom Selleck is so drool worthy and to die for in his cowboy gear. Those rugged men take my breath away. I love a good Western - esp. historical Westerns and wish NY would publish a few more. Fingers crossed that Miss Lucy will turn the market.

Happy Birthday Lime! That GR loves cake, but he tends to get it all over his feathers. Yeah - he's kind of an erotic rooster that way (grin).

Jane said...

Hi Suzanne,
Congrats on selling your first book. We've got the champagne and strawberries ready. I love Western romances.

Christine Wells said...

Just popping my head up from the cave to say CONGRATULATIONS, SUZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So proud of you Bandita!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey Lime! Happy Birthday and congrats on nabbing that rooster!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Thanks for the congrats, Lime! It's felt like a party for more than a week now!!

And oh yeah on Tombstone! Those steely eyed lawmen,...one of my favorite parts is when Wyatt says, "I'm coming to get the cowboys and I'm bringing hell with me!"

Sigh

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey Fedora!!! Welcome to the party...I'm thinking of serving salsa and chips, fajitas....and of course margaritas...

And those really wanting a western flair, some whiskey along with the champagne!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Thanks, Donna!

I can't wait to see the cover for Miss Lacy's book! Her heroes are named Quinn Halliday and Dakota O'Keefe. And they do put our girl through her paces!

And I'm so excited about fireworks!!

Maybe we could have some in the shape of a cowboy?

Suzanne Ferrell said...

MMMMMMMMmmm, Jane...Champagne and strawberries! One of my favorite combos!! Another is chocolate and raspberries!!

Lots to celebrate today....Whoohooo!!

Helen said...

Well done lime and happy birthday have a great day

Suz

WHOO HOO I am soooo happy for you and I love westerns and I love erotic novels as well WAY TO GO YOU ROCK.

I don't suppose you know when it will be released so I can start a count down LOL.

Let the party begin lots of drinks and nibblies I am so in need of a party (I had to go back to work today YUK).

Have Fun
Helen

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey Christine! We'll forgive you a momentary trip out of the deadline cave for a glass of champagne! You want some chocolate to go with it? I think we can find a cowboy to bring some down to you!!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

OH, Thanks, Helen!!

As soon as I have a release date, you'll be one of the first people to know!! It will be a downloadable book from Ellora's Cave!

Thanks for being such a big fan of mine and all the Bandits!!

Helen said...

Suz

I love your writing I loved Refuge and I know I am going to love this one as well

Whoo Hoo again

I will have a glass of champagne and some strawberries to go with it

Have Fun
Helen

Tracy Garrett said...

Party on, Suz! I'm so excited for you.

"Then after much hugging I made him read the e-mail to be sure I wasn't seeing things."
Mine came as an email ding, too. Guess this really is the 21st century. :D

Tracy Garrett said...

oh...
And I made my dh read the email too--couldn't believe I wasn't seeing things. lol

hrdwrkdmom aka Dianna said...

Woot! Congrats Suzanne, I am so happy for you, I brought some spicy deviled eggs and a cake decorated as boot, best I could do, not a great cake decorator.

Susan Sey said...

SUZ! YAY!!!

Oh I'm so happy for you & this is such an awesome call story! I signed with my agent a lot the same way--I went through some pretty chunky revisions at her suggestions & I probably wouldn't have done them except that I could already see she was seeing my work. Really seeing it. She was taking my vision & helping me make it MORE, rather than DIFFERENT. That makes a difference, I think.

And can I just saw how much I love Tombstone? I saw the picture of those four men striding off the screen this morning & breathed, "Hallelujah." So thanks for that. :-)

Now, parties: my birthday is August 29, which was always a bummer because it was the new school year, & friendships aren't always settled yet. So one year (I was maybe 22?) I threw myself a half birthday party: Leap year's day--Feb 29. Since I only get a half birthday once every 4 years, it was a doozy. Plus I was doing outdoor ed at the time, living in a bitty little Aframe in east tx. Notmuch to do & a bunch of very fit guys with climbing gear....they were rappelling off the roof of my little house all night. :-)

Christie Kelley said...

Love the call story, Suz!! Congratulations again.

I'm so glad you're writing western historical. I love that genre. The first novel I ever wrote was western historical but that book will never see the light of day again.

Now, the most important question: Do you have a release date???? We need to know when this great book comes out!!

Joan said...

Demetrius! Lucien! Marcus!

Shine your shields and sharpen your gladius' I am assigning you Suz duty today!

And yes, I do NOT mean this in a metaphorical way BEG

Woohooooooooooooooooo on your sale! BB's I have read this book and it is fabulous!!!!

I'm bringing sangria, the stuff from the Goddess' own secret stash. We'll have to be vewy, vewy quiet so she doesn't find out....

Oh, and a ten dozen chocolate chip cookies!!!

Barbara Monajem said...

CONGRATULATIONS!! I'm all for erotic cowboys (at least since seeing the pics on your blog). Go, Suzanne!!!

Jo Davis said...

Suz,
Hey CP, I heard there's a PARTY over here!!! I'm still so proud of you I could bust!! I knew LACY was a winner the moment I read the opening pages. :))

Great cowboy pics!! And Tombstone--sigh, great movie! Luv me some sweaty, dusty, lean-hipped cowboys in tight jeans...

And just think--after LACY there are more brothers for us to savor!! :D

Kathy Ivan said...

Hey Suz

Hope I'm not too late for the champagne, darn day job for making me late to the party.

Congratulations again, Suz. Isn't it the most amazing feeling, after all that hard work, to get the validation that it's finally paying off?

Love me some hunky cowboys, too. The pictures are great. Love, love Tombstone, and Tom Selleck and Sam Elliott--whoa, baby!!

Again, congratulations on the sale to Ellora's Cave. You've definitely earned it.

Okay, back to the dreaded day job and then finishing up my revisions--which are due tonight!!! YIKES.

Nancy said...

Whoo-hoo, Suz! A squee, a high-five, and a happy dance! You've broken the logjam! With Kirsten's and Susan's books coming out, too, plus the ongoing releases from our pubbed-before-this-year authors, I feel as if we're all rolling.

Do I detect Michael Biehn on the far left in that photo? *g*

The best party I ever threw? A surprise party for the dh, who had never had one. The police even came, though we missed that because we were out at the diversion dinner while a group of our friends, two of whom were supposedly just looking after the boy, were setting up. One of their sons, spotting the remote trigger for our alarm system and knowing my fondness for Star Trek, thought it was some kind of phaser and hit the button.

Two of the setup squad were on our alarm company contact list and had the disarm code--just not WITH them. Luckily, one of them was an assistant DA. She went out onto the porch to greet the city's finest when they arrived. She said the two responding officers not only thought it was funny but spread the word, so she got a couple of weeks of razzing about breaking into people's house to throw a party.

As we came home from dinner, I had very cold feet, but it was, of course, too late for that. I remember thinking, as the dh put his key in the door, "He really might not like this. Then what? We do have a child, so maybe he won't divorce me."

I didn't really think he might divorce me, but I did think we might be in for one of the more awkward moments of our marriage. After his initial shock, he had a great time. In fact, it's fair to say a fine time was had by all, and I have the pictures to prove it.

The kid who triggered the alarm is now teaching English in South Korea. How time flies!

Nancy said...

Limecello, happy birthday and congrats on the GR. Don't let him near your presents.

Really.

Nancy said...

Donna, Tom Selleck is a GREAT cowboy! I love him in that movie with Sam Elliot and Katherine Ross. Which I'll remember about the time I log off, I'm sure.

The Sacketts?

Anonymous said...

Yay a party, can't wait!

Congrats on you sell of your first book. This has to be amazing! I just can't imagin what you are feeling right now. Its a new baby! Bring on the Margarittias!

I have been so hooked on the western romances lately! I just can't get enough of them!

Kathleen Baldwin said...

Hey girl! Congratulations!!!
WHOoooT! That's my party whistle! tappity-tappity-tap-tap-tap. That's me dancing at this here party. Glug,ka,glug,that's me wishing the champange was right here by my desk instead of over there next to you.
:-) Seriously this is so cool! and so well-deserved.
A toast to you, kid!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey Helen! So glad you enjoyed my on line novel Refuge. So many people have read it and asked for more. Hopefully, I'll be able to get the sequel posted soon or better yet, published!!

And of course have more champagne and strawberries!!

Dianna Love said...

Congratulations Suzanne!! I love to read good news...especially when it comes with great eye candy. ;) Party hard.

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey Tracy! Thanks for stopping by the Lair to celebrate with me!!

Have some champagne!! It's the good stuff!!

Isn't it funny how we don't trust ourselves to see what we've been waiting to see for so long?

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey Dianna! Anyone bearing decorated cake is always welcome to a Bandita party!! Especially in the shape of a cowboy boot!

And thanks for the congratulations!!!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey Susan!!

Sven...bring more champagne and chocolate, Susan's here!!

Isn't it great when your agent or in my case "my editor" (wow, that is still so surreal to see me write that) is so enthusiastic about your work? It makes all the differnece in the world!

By the way, I wrote about the two hero's other adopted brothers, all some sort of lawmen, and my editor is just as enthusiastic about working on "the other brothers' stories" too!! Wahooo!!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Susan: Notmuch to do & a bunch of very fit guys with climbing gear....they were rappelling off the roof of my little house all night. :-)...

Somehow I have a feeling there was a lot more to that story!!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Wooohooo, Joanie!! Shine your shields and sharpen your gladius' I am assigning you Suz duty today!

And yes, I do NOT mean this in a metaphorical way BEG
...I'll take your boys for Suz duty, metaphorically or not, any day!!

And Sangria from the goddess' private stock? NOW it really is a party!!

(So glad you loved Miss Lacy's story!)

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey Christie!

Thanks again for the congratulations! And yes to another Western romance lover!! Uh, wait...another person who loves Western romances. (I don't think this book could take another western lover in it....)

No release date yet, but I'll post it to the Bandits when I get it!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey Barbara! Welcome to the party!!

I'm all for erotic cowboys (at least since seeing the pics on your blog)....

Oh my, there were so many more I could've included, but you know our blog is just this side of PG-13...so thought best to put up the one's that showed off the hard-as-nails attitudes I think western heroes all have. But they're still yummy, aren't they?

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey Jo! Welcome to the Lair and my "coming out" party!! Whoohooo!!

And yes, you did tell me you thought Lacy would sell just on the opening pages. We did hit steamy from the starting block, didn't we? (We, being the royal we...or the we of me and the guys who ride into town!)

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Oh...and Jo? A big thanks to YOU for helping me keep Miss Lacy on track, as well as the mounds of writing advice you imparted to me along the way...hehehe

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey Kathy, thanks for stopping in to my party!! Yikes is right on the revisions and your first deadline!!

Hey everyone...Kathy just sold her first book to Corina Press!! Let's all toast, her, too!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey, Nancy!!

Too funny about the DA and the police! I bet those guys gave her more grief than just for a few weeks over it!

As for Michael Biehn...I do believe if you squint you might be able to see him. He did make one sexy, creepy bad guy in that movie, didn't he?

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Nancy: Donna, Tom Selleck is a GREAT cowboy! I love him in that movie with Sam Elliot and Katherine Ross. Which I'll remember about the time I log off, I'm sure.

The Sacketts?
...

Nope. Tom and Sam were in The Sacketts. Tom, Sam and Katherine were in The Shadow Riders. Both movies were based on Louis L'lamour's books...all of which I've devoured over the years. No one could write, tough-as-nails-with-a-code-of-honor cowboys and women better than Louis!

Gillian Layne said...

Ok, Miz Suzanne--I was cheering and about in tears when I read on the loops that you sold!!! Way to show everyone that persistence (and some smokin' hot characters) always wins!

Do I love westerns? Good grief, being raised in my house, I didn't even know other genres existed until I was in high school. If it didn't have John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, or Sean Connery in it, we didn't see it.

One of my favorite newer westerns is Purgatory. (Ok, 1999 is not recent, darn it, but I'm getting older, so bear with me...) It stars Sam Shepard and Randy Quaid. If you haven't rented it--please do so. I guarantee you will love it!

I threw a party once in high school, when my parents were in Mexico...on our farm...and it was good we (my brother and I) had it the day after they left. Cause it took us a week to clean up. And then we confessed as soon as they got back. Because in a small town, everyone knows everything. And that was the end of my rockin' parties. ;)

Again, huge hugs and congratulations on that sale--please shout from the rooftops when you have a release date! :)

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Ah Virginia! You want that margarita frozen or on the rocks? We have both kinds!

I have been so hooked on the western romances lately! I just can't get enough of them!

Me, too! Wish we could get more of them published to read. Okay...I guess I'll just have write them, huh! :)

jo robertson said...

Suz!!!!! What a great "call" story. Thanks for sharing the deets with us. I'm so, so happy for your sale to Ellora's Cave and that Lacy found a home.

I love western romances, heck, straight westerns too, like Robert Parker's Appaloosa and Elmore Leonard's Valdez Is Coming.

Congratulations on a much-deserved sale, Suz!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey, Kat!!!

Y'all say a big hello to my friend Kat! She's a hoot and I'm thinking from this: Hey girl! Congratulations!!!
WHOoooT! That's my party whistle! tappity-tappity-tap-tap-tap. That's me dancing at this here party. Glug,ka,glug,that's me wishing the champange was right here by my desk instead of over there next to you.
a real riot at a party!!

Thanks again for the congratulations. This has been the best feeling ever!!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey Dianna! Always nice to see you pop into the Lair, especially for a party!

And every party needed eye candy. These guys were more than happy to belly up to the bar...especially with good whiskey around!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey Gillian!!

Thanks for the congrats! I'm soaking them all up today!

One of my favorite newer westerns is Purgatory. (Ok, 1999 is not recent, darn it, but I'm getting older, so bear with me...) It stars Sam Shepard and Randy Quaid. If you haven't rented it--please do so. I guarantee you will love it...

I have seen this movie. It has such a unique twist to the plot. And doesn't that Sam Shephard make such a yummo steely-eyed lawman?

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Oh and Gillian...

Sounds like that was one heck of a good party if it took that long to clean up. I'm surprised in a small town your parents didn't know BEFORE they got home. Mine would've!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey JoMama!!

Grab some chocolate to go with that Diet Pepsi...(Diet Coke would be better) and join the party!!

Thanks for the congrats and yes, I think Miss Lacy has found a very good home with Ellora's Cave.

I love western romances, heck, straight westerns too, like Robert Parker's Appaloosa and Elmore Leonard's Valdez Is Coming.

I did see Appaloosa and loved it. Of course it had Ed Harris and Viggo in it, so what's not to love? But I haven't seen Valdes Is Coming...will have to rent that one! I also loved 3:10 To Yuma.

Beth Andrews said...

SUZ!!! Super congrats on your sale! I am so thrilled for you and can't wait to see you sporting your Pink ribbon in Orlando :-)

And of course, I can't wait to read Miss Lacy *g*

I love Western Romances - I devoured all of Johanna Linsdey's westerns *g*

As for parties...it wasn't the best party I hosted but the most memorable was my son's baptism when we had my family over then made them all leave so my husband's family could come *g* We lived in a very tiny trailer and we both have big families so we couldn't all fit at once!

Okay, I'm heading over to the margarita machine. And I'm taking a couple cabana boys with me for company ;-)

gamistress66 said...

WAY TO GO SUZANNE!! :D You certainly deserve to celebrate. Love westerns. I grew up on western tv shows & movies (my mom has always had a thing for cowboys and passed it on). John Wayne will always be my hero. Tom Selleck & Sam Elliot were wonderful cowboys -- incredible sexy. Congrats again & par-tee :)

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey Beth!! I can't wait to wear t hat pink ribbon, either!! I'm thinking this party will continue once all the Bandits hit Orlando!!

And didn't Johanna Lindsay write some of the best westerns?

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Thanks Gamistress!! It's been a while getting here, but well worth the effort!

And don't Tom and Sam make the sexiest cowboys? Every so often they do a movie for TNT now. I never miss them! (Although I think they could use some better writers!)

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Thanks, Karyn and welcome to the party!

I LOVE western romances and it is erotica to boot?...

Yep, my first step into the erotic romance arena. Two heroes who need the information the heroine is hiding...and the sexy ways they get her to reveal it!

Loucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindy said...

YAY SUZ!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am soooo thrilled for you! I knew as soon as you posted that snippet of Miss Lacy on our private loop that this book was A WINNER!!! I'm so glad a smart editor saw it and agreed!

Any hint of a release date? And how many more brothers are there? (Aunty rubs hands together in gleeful anticipation)

Tombstone has always been one of my favorite movies of all time! What's NOT to love about Kurt Russell, Val Kilmer and Sam Elliott striding down the street in those dusters and cowboy hats?!?! LAWDY it is hot in here and I don't just mean the weather. ;-)

CABANA BOYS! Bring out the industrial size blenders to whip up a fresh batch of strawberry margaritas. It's 5 o'clock somewhere...

AC

Loucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindy said...

OOPS! Forgot to say CONGRATS on the GR, Lime and BIG HAPPY BDAY TO YOU!

We'll add a birthday candle to Dianna's cake just for you.

AC

gamistress66 said...

Suzanne Ferrell said... And don't Tom and Sam make the sexiest cowboys? Every so often they do a movie for TNT now. I never miss them! (Although I think they could use some better writers!)

yes they do! Tom is always adorable (think it's the smile). Generally Sam doesn't do anything for me, but put him in cowboy attire on top of a horse and something happens -- instant sexy. Not sure what it is. Can't comment about the writing -- usually to busy enjoying the scenery to pay enough attention ;)

Kay Thomas said...

Hey Suzanne!!

I'm so excited for you and your sale! You've always been such an amazing cheerleader and encourager for me and so many others. I'm thrilled and so proud to see this happening for you now. Congratulations to you and Miss Lacy! Ellora's Cave is lucky to have you!! I can't wait to read this story!

Cheers!

Joan said...

MORTALS!!! (clap of thunder)

I am missing three of my finest sangrias!

(Looks around imperiously. Gaze lands on a tall, lean cowboy)

You! The one with the lasso! I demand to know....what? Rabbit? Why would I wish to eat rabbit?

Do not turn from me!

(Goddess irately follows Dakota)

limecello said...

Hee - thanks everyone! :D So excited about your book, Suzanne! And now... I want to re-watch Tombstone. The line you quoted is also one of my favorites. <3

Trish Milburn said...

Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Suz, I'm so glad we're partying about your great news today. As a great fan of cowboys and western lawmen of old, I say, "You go, girlfriend!"

Kate Carlisle said...

Sneaking away from the day job ... shhhhhhhh ... just to say........

WHEEEEEE-HOOOOOOO-YIP-YIP-YIPEEEE-I-O-KAI-YAY!!!! (Or some such spelling! *g*)

Suz, I was jumping up and down, laughing and crying as I read your post! I'm so darn thrilled for you and Lacy and I know this is just the beginning of a fabulous career for you!! Can't wait to celebrate in person for real in Orlando! More champagne!!!

Oh yeah, Westerns. Mm-hmm! Just have to add Robert Redford and Paul Newman as Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Those were two beautiful men. Yummers. ;-)

Okay, back to work!

Kate Carlisle said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Susan Sey said...

Suz wrote, re: men rappelling off my roof in honor of my birthday: Somehow I have a feeling there was a lot more to that story!!

Ummm, maybe. But nothing I'm going to discuss on the internets. :-)

Catch me after a glass of wine in Orlando & we'll talk. Plus, I want to hear more about those brothers who are getting their own story next....

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Thanks Cindy!

I knew as soon as you posted that snippet of Miss Lacy on our private loop that this book was A WINNER!!! I'm still humbled at how much y'all liked that scene.

Nancy said...

Gillian, if Purgatory was a made-for-TV movie, I liked it, too.

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Cindy: And how many more brothers are there? (Aunty rubs hands together in gleeful anticipation)

There are five brothers...
Quinn, Dakota, Gabriel, Nicco and Ian....all very sexy...all in need of a woman to fill their fantasies!

Nancy said...

Suz, thanks for the movie correction. My dad loved Louis L'Amour.

I think it's fair to say, however, that Louis never wrote a smokin' scene like the one you shared with us.

Suzanne Ferrell said...

gamistress:Generally Sam doesn't do anything for me, but put him in cowboy attire on top of a horse and something happens -- instant sexy. Not sure what it is.

Now...one thing about Sam...all he has to do is talk. When he was the spokesman for the Beef council...he made meat sexy!!

Nancy said...

Hey, Suz, just had a thought--considerin' what a smokin' scene I've already read from this and what a hot book everyone who has read the whole thing says this is--we might need to rev up the Lair sprinkler system before this book comes out.

Susanna Fraser said...

Congratulations, Suzanne!

Westerns aren't my usual thing, but I've become much more willing to try them since becoming a fan of Firefly. (Odd, I know.)

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey Kay! How's the foot today? (Y'all Kay just had foot surgery last week!)

I'm so excited for you and your sale! You've always been such an amazing cheerleader and encourager for me and so many others.

Aw shucks....it's easy to be a cheerleader for great writers and good friends!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Goddess Sangria!(Looks around imperiously. Gaze lands on a tall, lean cowboy)

You! The one with the lasso! I demand to know....what? Rabbit? Why would I wish to eat rabbit?

Do not turn from me!

(Goddess irately follows Dakota)


Dang it, I told those boys, no ropes or rabbit today!!! No matter how much YOU begged!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Lime: And now... I want to re-watch Tombstone. The line you quoted is also one of my favorites. <3

Want to borrow my copy?

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Thanks, Trish!!!

I'm hoping this party will spark other "call" parties for our other Yet To Be Pubbed Bandits!!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey Kate!!

WHEEEEEE-HOOOOOOO-YIP-YIP-YIPEEEE-I-O-KAI-YAY!!!! (Or some such spelling! *g*)...

I think the day job boss just figure out you were sneaking away!! hehehe

Thanks for the kudos! I'm simply over the moon. But with the sale comes expectations, (revisions, cover art requests, etc...), so have been busy with all the new stuff...which I'm so delighted to have to do!!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Susan: Catch me after a glass of wine in Orlando & we'll talk. Plus, I want to hear more about those brothers who are getting their own story next....

It's a date! And yep....those brothers are going to have some wild adventures....if I have anything to say about it!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Nancy:
I think it's fair to say, however, that Louis never wrote a smokin' scene like the one you shared with us.


Too bad! Just think of how Tom and Sam would've looked in a movie like that!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Susanna: Westerns aren't my usual thing, but I've become much more willing to try them since becoming a fan of Firefly. (Odd, I know.)

Not odd at all. That was like a futuristic western. Like the steampunk my daughter keeps trying to get me to write...and yes, the idea is mulling around in my brain!

Thanks for joining the party...how about a nice cabana boy and margarita?

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Nancy....extra sprinklers? Yep...probably ought to do it before The Surrender of Lacy Morgan hits the Ellora's Cave website. All those campfires being downloaded to the Bandits' computers, not to mention hot heroes, Quinn and Dakota...we could have a fire risk the size of Ermangarde the Dragon eating nachos on mexican night!

Becke Davis said...

Suz, I am so happy for you I could just scream! I'm kind of jealous, too, but in a good way. Oh, I DREAM of this happening some day and when people like you get great news it gives the rest of us struggling writers hope.

I'm sure you'll be announcing when it's available, so I'll be checking back often. I'm very excited to read your debut!!

Gannon Carr said...

CONGRATULATIONS, SUZ!!!! This is, indeed, an occasion for party in the Lair---you know how love the parties you ladies throw. Sexy cabana boys, never ending libations....oh, yes!!

I love the sound of your book, Suz, and can't wait to buy it in the not so distant future. *g*

Anna Campbell said...

SUZ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Happy screams and dances and waltzing with cabana boys and swinging by the chandelier and tickling Sven (I'll get a smile out of him one day, I swear!). CONGRATULATIONS!!! I've loved your writing ever since the glory days of Avon FanLit (remember that, Bandita? Wow, we go back a long way now!). And the bits of Lacy we've seen in the lair have been spectacularly good. I'm not surprised EC leaped at the chance to have you in their stable (hmm, having someone in the stable - sounds like a scene for a western historical - you can thank me later! LOL!). Can't wait to read the whole of Lacy and surrender to your writing magic! YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAYAY!!!!

Anna Campbell said...

By the way, I'm drooling at those lovely photos. I ADORE Tombstone. I had such a crush on Val Kilmer after that movie - I'll be your huckleberry, honey! You gotta love a long, lean lawman!

Anna Campbell said...

Hey, Lime, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!

Gannon Carr said...

Happy Birthday, Lime!

Nancy said...

Suz wrote: we could have a fire risk the size of Ermangarde the Dragon eating nachos on mexican night!

I don't doubt it.

Paolo is already quaking. . . .

But I'm sure Sven would rather mop up excess water than clean up actual ashes. Looking forward to that hot day *g*

Unknown said...

Yay, Suzanne. I was ready to go out and find your story but see I must wait! wah! Oh and anything western with Sam Elliot is a must see for me.

Becke Davis said...

*waves* Happy Birthday, Lime!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey Becke!! Thanks for the kind words!

Oh, I DREAM of this happening some day and when people like you get great news it gives the rest of us struggling writers hope.

I dream of this happening to you and all the other so deserving unpublished writers I know. It was well worth the work and wait! Okay...maybe not the wait!!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey Gannon!! Girl, can't wait to see you at National!!

-you know how love the parties you ladies throw. Sexy cabana boys, never ending libations....oh, yes!!

And today we have some low on the hip jeans-clad cowboys, too!

Gannon Carr said...

And today we have some low on the hip jeans-clad cowboys, too!

See, I told you, Suz, that y'all know how to party in the Lair!!!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey Anna C!! We do love a great party in the Lair, don't we?!?! And I doubt anything can get ole Sven to smile! (I think it's coz he knows how much of a mess we're gonna make!)

CONGRATULATIONS!!! I've loved your writing ever since the glory days of Avon FanLit (remember that, Bandita? Wow, we go back a long way now!)

Yep, you were my biggest fan, even back then!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Anna D:I ADORE Tombstone. I had such a crush on Val Kilmer after that movie - I'll be your huckleberry, honey!

He did make one sexy dying man, didn't he?

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey Laura! Grab a drink and join the party!! And yep, anything with Sam in it is a must for me too!

Joan said...

"Maid!"

Sangria stumbles from the environs of the Lair, her goddess aura a peculiar denim color, her hair rumpled.

"Maid?" she repeats, glancing around at the numerous BB's, Banditas and male servants with glazed over eyes.

"Have you seen Quinn and Dakota?" asks Suz with a sly grin.

"I do not...," Sangria straightens the red bandana around her throat, "I do not," she repeats, "Mingle with underlings."

With a sniff she snaps her finger and crawls onto her hovering cloud. With bare legs hanging the cloud returns to Olympus

Louisa Cornell said...

Happy Birthday, Lime! You get the GR as your birthday present! Aren't you thrilled?


I AM thrilled for you Suzanne and I CANNOT wait to read YOUR BOOK !! (Doesn't that look nice written out like that?)

A Western Historical Erotica ?? YEEEHAAAA Y'all !!! I am SO there!

Any party in the Lair is the best party of the year and launch / call parties are the best! We won't stop until someone gets arrested ! Right, boys? Boys? Boys?

Terri Osburn said...

WHOOOPPPEEEEEE!!!!! I saw Aunty C's note about this on Facebook at work and then our network went down! I couldn't get online. I couldn't get to the party. I was beside myself with anguish.

But I made it now! I am SO excited for you and cannot wait to read this story. I have a writing buddy who is also writing western Eroticas. How about that?! She's going to be excited to hear they might be catching on. LOL!

Biggest party I ever attended was New Years Eve on Bealle St. in Memphis. This also happens to be my birthday and I was sick as heck the next day, but it was totally worth it. LOL!

And thank goodness I didn't have to clean that mess up!

YIPPEEE! (Had to get one more in. You deserve all the happy dancing you can stand, lady.)

http://kriskennedy.net said...

Congratulations Suzanne! I love Westerns, and I like 'em hot. Can't wait!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey, Louisa!! Glad you could make the party!!

Thanks for the kudos, and yep, the Bandits always know how to throw a party...now if we could just keep my cowboys from trailing the Goddess Sangria like runaway cattle...

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey Terry O!

Glad you could catch up with the party. And thanks for the kudos!! Tell your friend to go for it...the more western eroticas the better!

Biggest party I ever attended was New Years Eve on Bealle St. in Memphis. This also happens to be my birthday and I was sick as heck the next day, but it was totally worth it. LOL

I bet that was one heck of a party!!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Hey Kris!!

Thanks for stopping in and for the congrats! I hope you'll love The Surrender of Lacy Morgan when it hits!

Suzanne Ferrell said...

Thanks everyone!!! Y'all have been amazingly supportive of me over the past 3 years and I couldn't think of better people to celebrate my good news with!!!

Pat Cochran said...

I'm so late "for a very important
date!" But I'm happy I'm here to
congratulate you on this special
occasion! WooHoo! (Could you use
backup dancers? I've learned to do a mean Happy Dance!!" )

Congrats, Lime, on the Rooster and
"Happy Birthday!"

Pat Cochran

MJFredrick said...

This just made me smile :)