Kay Stockham in the lair

Welcome back to Kay Stockham in the lair, here to talk about her latest, Simon says Mommy. I lobbed a few questions her way, but I'm sure you'll have others.

Tell us about your latest, is it part of a series?

Simon Says Mommy is book four of a five book series with Harlequin Superromance. It's part of my Tulanes of Tennessee series and tells the story of eldest brother, Ethan Tulane. The gorgeous bachelor finds himself struggling to keep his head above water when he adopts a son, Simon, about the same time he lands a major promotion at work. But when Ethan hires a nanny to care for Simon, the doctor discovers exactly how complicated life can get. But Megan's appearance in town isn't as innocent as she tries to make it seem.

What brought you to write romance?

I can't imagine writing anything else. For as long as I can remember, my stories have always been about a boy and a girl falling for each other and all the complications that surround the process.

What are you reading now? Favorite author influences?

I'm reading The Time Traveler's Wife, Suddenly One Summer, Once Bitten, Twice Shy and Fire In Fiction.

As to favorite influences... Where do I start? There are so many. I love characterization and deep, meaty, emotional stories. I want to fall in love right along with the heroine. In order to keep from missing someone, I'll just say I love/read any author who can give me those things. ;0)

What’s your writing process?

I don't recommend my process to anyone. Why? Because I write. Rewrite. Polish and revise. Rewrite again. Scrap about a third or half. Rewrite that... You really wanna follow my process? LOL I write a "crap draft" the first time around. Think about it, mull it over, whine to my CPs that nothing works and then dig in again. I have to get all the surface-y stuff out of the way first but eventually I get to the bones of the story.

Hobbies? Hidden Talents?

Lots of hobbies. I like to craft and do things like that but I'm not an expert at any of them. I LOVE to travel. Hmmm...wish I could claim your talent for ripping phone books in half, Donna, but you've never shared your secret with me.

LOL - Believe it or not, I was teaching that technique to my nieces this weekend. Bring me a phone book and I'll show you the key. Just make sure it's not the current phone book . So what’s up next for Kay?

Up next is the last book in the Tulanes of Tennessee series titled SHE'S THE ONE, on shelves March, 2010, and I've also been offered another four book contract with Superromance for a new series set in Montana.

Woohoo! Congratulations! How do you chose your themes?

Don't hate me but I can honestly say I don't choose them, they choose me. When I write I get characters first, sometimes a situation. From there I sort through worst-case scenarios etc. It isn't often that I "get" the theme until the first draft is completed. Once it's done, however, I go back through and tighten and heighten the themes to add more impact and emphasis.

How does Superromance differ from the other lines?

Superromance is different in that the storylines are "deeper" (that's a quote from my editor). Whatever the situation, whatever the story, whatever the conflict/problem, with Superromance you explore the issue to its deepest level.

Any words of advice for those wanting to write for Harlequin/Superromance?

Read the lines, write, write, write, and really get to know your characters. Good luck

As this is the fourth Tulanes of Tennessee book, Kay has agreed to give away a copy of each of her books. That's FOUR prizes, and thus FOUR winners. Visit Kay's website at www.KayStockham.com and list the four heroines of the Tulanes of Tennessee series. Kay will pick four random winners from those with the correct answers. Good Luck!

Kay Stockham in the lair

sponsored by Donna MacMeans

Hey, Bandits! I so love blogging with you guys. I feel very wicked wearing my bandit mask! A huge thanks to Donna for letting me come play today.

Sunflowers. Anyone else love them as much as I do? Sunflowers are some of my favorite flowers. Big, small, red, yellow, orange. Doesn’t matter, I love them all. They’re so bright and cheery and happy.

So, when I was writing the wedding scene for my latest release with Harlequin Superromance, HER BEST FRIEND’S BROTHER, I decided to have my non-traditional heroine carry some non-traditional flowers—sunflowers. Yeah, she also had the roses and greenery and all that jazz but I love the cover and how the art department at Harlequin included the sunflowers in her bouquet.

HER BEST FRIEND’S BROTHER is about a girl, a guy, and the chaos and tensions that come when said girl and guy get together and the pregnancy test turns positive. That alone is scary enough but put yourself in my heroine’s shoes. Luke wants to do the right thing even though
he’s living in California and Shelby’s a Tennessee girl through-and-through. But if their relationship fails, Shelby stands to lose way more than a husband. She’ll also lose her life-long best friend, her best friend’s family and the only stability she’s ever known and all the qualities in life she holds most dear. Regrets? Oh, yeah, she has loads of them. Because that’s how things work in situations where blood is thicker than water. No matter how it’s played, divorce is never pretty and Shelby ought to know, seeing as how her parents hold the record in the county courthouse for the most marriages (and subsequent divorces)—to the same person.

The book also deals with some sticky, mother-daughter relationship issues. My poor heroine has her hands full trying to rein in her flamboyant mother, especially when the woman tosses herself atop a casket wearing 4-inch, open-toed stilettos! Shelby and her mother have never seen eye to eye and growing up, Shelby had to be the adult since her mother proved incapable of it. And no, I don’t hate my characters—but torturing them this way sure is fun! The end result is a story I hope you’ll love as much as I do.

Up next from me and the Tulanes of Tennessee series is SIMON SAYS MOMMY which will be released in September, 2009. After that comes Alexandra Tulane’s story, which is the last in the series. I don’t have a title for it yet but it will be released in the spring of 2010.

But back to HER BEST FRIEND'S BROTHER. One of my best friends and I have known each other since bad teeth, bad hair, acne and first crushes.. We've shared school lunches, had sleepovers and listened to each other cry over some silly things. Do you have a best friend or someone you talk to, someone who has shared those things with you? Tell me a little bit about them. I'll choose a winner from those who post a comment and they'll win their choice of ANOTHER MAN'S BABY or HIS SON'S TEACHER, books one and two in the Tulanes of Tennessee series.

To watch a video book trailer of HER BEST FRIEND'S BROTHER (and see the gorgeous hunk of a hero!), read excerpts, sign up for my newsletter or chat along with me on my blog and maybe win a weekly prize drawing, surf to www.kaystockham.com . But first, share your comment on your best friend and, possibly, win a prize!

March -- Coming Attractions & Contests

Before we proceed to our coming attractions round-up, the Romance Bandits are THRILLED to make a very special announcement.

The Romance Bandits are sponsoring an RWA National Scholarship to cover the cost of the conference early registration fee (value = $425, the RWA member price) for one winner to attend the 2009 conference in Washington, D.C. The scholarship is for the registration fee only. The fee will be paid to RWA directly.

To apply, please provide the following information: your name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, if youʼre published or unpublished, if you have ever attended an RWA National Conference before, and a short explanation (no more than 150 words) about why you want/need the scholarship. Applications will be accepted until April 15. The winner will be contacted by the end of April.Please e-mail all the required information in the body of your e-mail to Joan Kayse at JoanieT13ATgmailDOTcom.

Now, on to what's up this month!

Tomorrow (March 2) our very own Christie Kelley will celebrate the launch of EVERY TIME WE KISS, which Romantic Times gave a 4 star review, saying Christie's "well on her way to capturing readers' hearts". Come and join in the fun with Romans, cabana boys, Sven the Swedish Masseur and plenty of those colourful drinks with umbrellas in them!

March 3 - Multi-talented, multi-genre author and wannabe witch, Jennifer Lyon, will be here to talk about BLOOD MAGIC, the first in her new dark paranormal series about witches and the extremely hot and hunky Wing-Slayer Hunters who love them.

RITA winning author Linnea Sinclair will join us to talk about her February release, another exciting sci-fi romance, HOPE'S FOLLY on March 4. Romantic Times awarded Hope's Folly a 4.5 TOP PICK calling it "a roller-coaster ride in the extreme."

On March 5, creator of the fabulous Gardella series, Colleen Gleason will be here to chat about her new release AS SHADOWS FADE.

RITA-winning historical romance author Sophia Nash is great fun and her visit to the lair on 6th March promises to turn into a party. She'll be talking about her new release LOVE WITH THE PERFECT SCOUNDREL and giving away a signed copy to one lucky commenter!

Debut Avon author Miranda Neville joins us on 10th March to talk about her new historical romance NEVER RESIST TEMPTATION. Originally from England and now a U.S. resident, Miranda has led a really fascinating life which will keep our visitors to the lair intrigued.

On March 16, best selling author and 2008 RITA finalist, Kay Stockham, will be here to talk about her new Harlequin Superromance, HER BEST FRIEND'S BROTHER, another in the Tulanes of Tennessee series. Romantic Times gave her latest a 4.5 TOP PICK calling this "a heartwarming and delightful tale of love."

We're excited to welcome Joanna D'Angelo to Romance Bandits on March 21. Joanna is a writer/filmmaker who co-produced and directed WHO'S AFRAID OF HAPPY ENDINGS? - a witty and revealing documentary about romance writers and the world of romance fiction.

On March 27, Jaye Wells takes us into her world of Urban Fantasy with the series debut book: RED-HEADED STEPCHILD.

And to round off the month in spectacular style, NYT bestseller and RWA Hall of Fame member JODI THOMAS is here on March 31. Woohoo, give us a cowboy any day, Jodi!

CONTESTS!!!!!!

Anna Campbell's I Heart Historical Romance contest is giving away four signed historical romances by Amanda McCabe, Anna Campbell, Nicola Cornick and Donna MacMeans. Just email Anna on anna@annacampbell.info and tell her what your favorite historical romance is and why. The contest closes on 30th April. For more details, please visit her contest page.

FRIEND US ON FACEBOOK!

The Romance Bandits facebook group has more than 400 members and we're still building. Join us! Invite all your friends! Sven will roll out the welcome massage table to greet you at the door.

Kay Stockham: Romance from the heart

interviewed by Donna MacMeans

Many years ago, I remember sharing Golden Heart anxieties with Kay as we both waited to hear if we made the finalist cut. Then Kay received the call from Harlequin and her writing career has taken off like a rocket. Known for her powerful emotion-packed Superromances, Kay delivers on her tag line "romance from my heart to yours" by tackling gritty topics like breast cancer and past sexual abuse. In the process she's been nominated for the Holt medallion, Book Buyer's Best, and last year - a RITA. Please welcome Kay Stockham to the Lair.

Kay, as a group that has either recently received "the call," or will in the near future, we always love a call story. Can you share yours?

Ah, memories. I got the call of February 11, 2005, about 1:34 - not that I remember or anything. I was curling my hair after a morning spent baking cupcakes for my daughter's Valentine's Day party at school. My husband gave me the phone and said, "It says Harlequin." My heart stopped. Seriously. I knew there was NO reason for anyone from Harlequin to be calling unless it was THE call. Johanna Raisanen, associate editor for Superromance, was on the other end, and sure enough those were the first words she said. She wanted to buy Saving Grace which would later be retitled MONTANA SECRETS. I was her first crier. LOL. After managing to explain that they were happy tears, she laughed, congratulated me again and said that she'd call back later after I'd had a chance to process things. LOL. She called back, we talked and the rest is history. Ten sales later, I'm on my third editor but Johanna will always hold a special place in my heart because she was the first one to really "get" my writing.

Ah, an insightful editor. I'm glad Johanna recognized your talent. MAN WITH A PAST was nominated for a RITA in 2007. What was that like?

It was thrilling! Thank goodness for Caller ID because the day the calls went out, I picked up the phone, looked at the screen and immediately sat down. I had to. No way was RWA calling me about the RITAs, right? LOL I received a lot of emails congratulating me, flowers from my agent, champagne from my publisher. Such a great, great time. Oh, and the dinner out with my editor and the other RITA noms from Superromance - it was fabulous! We had such a great time. Super had a wonderful showing last year, holding four of the eight spots. The downside for me was having my RITA flag stolen. I "still" get angry whenever I think about it. I want it back! Sigh. RWA told me they'd replace it at the SF conference and I'm going to guard that flag like it was 24 kt gold. If anyone even so much as looks at it twice, they're going to have one angry woman to deal with.

LOL - I doubt that will be your last RITA flag, Kay, but a warning for any banditas that might be nominated in 2008. Guard your flags! Of course, we have the heavily armed Cassondra watching our backs so maybe that won't be a concern.So what do you have on tap for this year?

My recent project has been The Tulanes of Tennessee series with Harlequin Superromance.

The first book in the five book series debuted yesterday with ANOTHER MAN'S BABY. (I laugh every time I type that - for two reasons. One: I'm still psyched that the series I pitched almost two years ago is going to be one on the shelves. Two: my father HATES the title. LOL Every time he sees it he shakes his head and scowls.)HANNAH'S CHOICE in the POWER OF LOVE will be released in June.

And after that is HIS SON'S TEACHER in July 2008. It features a recently divorced, overweight school teacher desperate to find her inner diva and take her dream vacation to Paradise Island, and Nick Tulane, the black sheep of the Tulane family introduced in book 1. We find out exactly what kinds of secrets Nick is hiding and, boy, they're doozies! Following them are Luke (March 2009, Ethan (July 2009) and Alexandra (November 2009).

Good Heavens, girl - When do you sleep! That's quite a line-up. Can you tell us more about the POWER OF LOVE?

Absolutely! The POWER OF LOVE anthology is the brainchild of NYT Bestselling author Lori Foster. Lori and Dianne Castell put on this great reader/author event every June and they pick a local charity to receive the proceeds of the event. The idea snowballed and Lori wanted to do something special for the Battered Women's Shelter. She chose twelve lucky authors to contribute novellas to THE POWER OF LOVE and the authors and their agents have ALL donated their earnings to the cause. Each of the novellas for THE POWER OF LOVE focus on women being empowered in their lives, and I am so thrilled to be asked to be a part of it. Hannah's Choice is my contribution, and begins with Hannah Pruitt jumping off a bridge to retrieve a large bag she's seen a man dump into the canal. Given her past, Hannah is suspicious of what might be inside. She's no longer a victim and jumping in just proves it. Hannah's come home to Orchard, Ohio to face her past and the man she was too afraid to love, but the question is whether or not she's strong enough now to make the right choice.

One of the absolute wonders of publishing a book is fan mail. With your emotional stories, I'm sure they've touched many hearts. Are you receiving lots of fan mail?

I'm not sure I'd say "a lot" but I get my fair share. I love the letters and notes, too. I keep every one of them and post some of them on my website under my Reader Comments section. I've only written a couple authors about their books, so I feel very special to be on the receiving end of those notes. Which makes me wonder... We all know blogs are supposed to end with a thought-provoking question so here's mine:
How many of you have written an author to tell them how much you've enjoyed their book? And if you haven't, why not? I'd love to hear the different views on this. To help entice comments, I'll choose a name from those who post and they'll receive an autographed copy of ANOTHER MAN'S BABY.
Enjoy your day! Here in Ohio we're still digging out of the snow. I'll be popping in to chat and hope you'll keep me company.