Ah, fall is in the air. October abounds with its images of pumpkins and turning leaves and little ones dressed as lions and witches and bears, oh my!Yes, October can be a fun month with all the Halloween parties, but everyone knows it can have a dark side, too—just like love (you knew I was going to connect the two somehow, didn’t you?). So I’ve come up with a frightening, thinky theme for October’s IMHO: "Love is Scary!" Each guest author will take a look at her hero/heroine's emotional barriers to love.
For October, I’m doubling your chances to win a tote.
I’m shaking up the contest by splitting up the winnings, so I’ll be giving away two tote bags at the end of the month, not just one! Each bag will hold two of October’s guests' books and one of my own critically acclaimed historical romances, plus a $20 gift certificate to Amazon.com (so you can buy the other books). Details on the contest are up on my contest page.
My first guest host to discuss our theme is Deb Stover, multi-published, award-winning, cross-genre author of romance, and Romantic Times Book Club Career Achievement Award winner. Once Upon a Time, as Deb Stover says, she wanted to be Lois Lane, until she discovered Clark Kent is a fraud and there is no Superman (say it isn’t so, Deb!). Deb’s firm belief that individuals with disabilities must be included in society as people first is reflected in her novels. She strives to write characters readers will love, and imperfection is a fact of life.
Since publication of her first novel in 1995, Stover has received dozens of awards for her cross-genre fiction. Her latest, The Gift, will be released October 27th, 2009 and is Deb’s donation to the “Love is Scary” tote bag.
A gift turned nightmare drives Beth Dearborn to abandon all she holds dear, until fate demands she face Ty Malone, danger, and destiny....
Fresh Fiction proclaims, “This book is vintage Deb Stover!” Lisa Jackson says The Gift is "A blend of romance and mystery with just the right twist of the paranormal . . . a real page-turner."
Sounds scary, in a good way!
IMHO: Welcome, Deb, and I’m really excited to have you here. Why is love so scary for your hero and heroine?
DS: Well, TJ, my heroine in The Gift, Beth Dearborn, thought growing up reliving other people's deaths was frightening. Seriously, experiencing a murder victim's demise through his or her viewpoint and senses has to be the most terrifying experience a human can imagine. Right? Especially having to repeat the experience every time she encounters a spirit who died a violent death….
And it is frightening. Terrifying, in fact. It drives her to drink and she tries to bury her empathic gift, to avoid those spirits who might engage her "services" to solve their murders. Things are going pretty well, too. She's drifting through life, clean and sober, relatively safe….
Then she encounters a new kind of terror. Something she didn't anticipate. An emotionally threatening, bone-rattling, status-quo-shaking, nerve-wracking man who touches far more than just her hormones.
Beth has always handled men. Casual relationships are easy. No biggie. Love 'em and leave 'em. No problem. But Ty Malone dares her to take risks. Lots of them.
Not only will she have to face the gift she's spent years trying to bury, but now she has to open her heart as well. And that's the most frightening of all.
And what's Ty's story? He married his childhood sweetheart. They had three perfect children, a picturesque farm, and were destined to happily-ever-after. Until one day his fairy-tale world came to a devastating end when his wife simply vanished. He knew she drank on the quiet. Did that have something to do with her disappearance? Did she meet with foul play? Did she abandon her family, as local gossip claimed?
Beth Dearborn rocks his world, dares him to care again, and challenges him to face truths he'd rather leave buried. They're on the same side, she says--both seeking the truth.
Then why must they both face their greatest fears before they can find the love neither of them even know they want…?
IMHO: Whoo hoo, Deb! Those sound like great reasons to be scared to fall in love.
Okay, IMHO readers, let's have some fun with Deb. For a chance to win Deb’s book and two others, plus a $20 Amazon gift card, leave a comment for her in which you tell her about the "scariest" date you or someone you know ever went on.
Enjoy!
44 comments:
No scary dates (that I can remember; I haven't dated in 40 years) but I can't wait to read the book!
Great blog, TJ and Deb.
I'm keeping my own counsel about the scary dates (VBG) but wanted to say I can't wait to read Deb's new book. I was a big fan of your historicals!
Congratulations on the RT Top Pick.
No scary dates for me either.
Deb's book sounds good, no scary dates for me!
Wanted to say how glad I am to see Deb's name out on a new book.
My scariest date was the blind date I went on with my husband. Been together 26 years now.
No scary dates for me either.
I love historicals and I really enjoy Deb's books. I'm looking forward to reading this one!
Carol M
Scariest date had nothing to do with the date, everything to do with the weather. Boyfriend lost control of the car, jumped the median, and we proceeded to swerve back and forth across four lanes of highway. Thank heaven it was late and traffic minimal.
When he finally had control, the idiot asked me why I didn't scream. My reply, "Would it have helped?" He'd been braced for screaming, it seems, while I thought it stupid to distract him with useless noise. Yep, we parted ways soon after.
Hi, Deb, Hi, TJ. Love the name of this blog... IMHO.... What a great qualifier! I can remember the scariest date I ever had. I was in college and a man asked me out, and proceeded to drive by our intended agreed upon outing. I lived in a small town named Farmington NM and he kept going out toward the bluffs. (Not a good thing, and lots of seclusion). I said where are we going and he winked. I, on the other hand, said, you know what, my folks aren't at home -- wouldn't that be more comfortable. He whipped the car around and drove to my place, and as intended my parents were there. I said... Darn they're home and so am I... Later, loser and I was out of that car in a flash.
Scary dates, hmmmmm, too long ago since I dated. I'm sure there were a few. I must say though that I was one of the lucky ones to get Deb's book early to read it for review and it absolutley rocked! I recommmend getting it as soon as it hits the bookstores! Kathy
Never had a really scary date, but did have a few uncomfortable ones. It has been a long time since I dated though, so maybe my memory has softened some of the edges!
clynsg at yahoo.com
Hi Deb! Great premise for the book!
Scary dates? A sorority sister was dating a policeman and he offered to let us ride in the patrol car (so technically it was HER date). Apparently he wasn't off duty and had to respond to a call, leaving us in the car in an iffy part of town while he chased down the drug dealers.
Thanks, all. The only scary date I can remember was in 1976. A gorgeous young Airman took me to see YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN. We were happily married for almost 29 years, so I must not have been very frightened. I can't believe none of you have had scary dates! Oh, Heather did. Drug dealers. I think there's a plot in there somewhere....
~Deb
No need to enter me, babe. I'm dropping in to say thanks for the e-mail. I've got this posted at Win a Book for you.
Don't know of any truly scary dates. But I have a friend who dated (before her marriage this last weekend) scary looking guys-does that count?
joderjo402 AT gmail DOT com
I've never been on a scary date. My friend did have a date with a creepy guy who always turned the conversation sexual. She couldn't get away from this guy fast enough.
I can't think of any scary dates for me! But it has been many years since I went on a date, but if any of them where scary I am sure I would remember! This was a great post and your book sounds fantastic! Thanks for sharing with us today!
What a great topic! I've had one scary date--floating down the Purgatory river in a truck. My date said we'll cross when we hit bottom. OY! Needless to say, I NEVER went out with that boy again. It's funny now, but I'll never tell my kid about this one.
No scary dates for me. I love the sound of your book
I have been married so long I can't remember dating! Can't wait to read your book.
Deb Stover is just the best...I had two scary dates. One went wierdo and tried to rape me, I got out of it. The other wanted to kill me after he kissed me, scared his wife would find out. I didn't know he had a wife....Scary as it gets. Keep writing Deb!!!
Lov ya
Debby Brown
P.S. This is my daughters email
Good lord, Debby. I'm hoping your luck got better after that...*shudder*
My scary date wasn't really scary, in the "scary" sense. I got "set up," literally, on a blind date with a guy my friends all thought would be great for me. It scared me later to realize at the end of the day that THIS is what they thought of me! What a yutz he was! Which made me . . . what? A yutzee?
Anyway, keep leaving your comments for Deb, but let me just say how wonderful it is to see her back in the publishing game, and I really want to thank her for stopping in and visiting with us today. Thanks, Deb!
Come back next week as we welcome urban fantasy debut author Jessa Slade!
TJB
Hi Deb & TJ,
Not any scary dates that I can
recall, it's just scary at how long
it has been since I went out on an
actual date! Of course, Honey does
not mind that I haven't dated in over 48 years! LOL (Except for our
occasional nights out together!)
Pat Cochran
Been a long time since I dated and thank goodness can not remember any real bad one's if you discount the usual roaming hands thing. I did have a friend though who went out with a guy who had a foot fetish, he was always wanting to handle her feet that's kind of creepy
My "scariest" date was one that my sister and her first husband set me up on. The guy seemed okay when I first met him, but then, on the actual first date, he brought his buddy along - for moral support, I guess. Let's just say, it was such a turn off, there wasn't a second date.
Margay
Hi TJ and Deb,
Ohhh, the scariest date was with a supposed CIA Agent. Charming, even handsome, but there was something about him that was errie, I'd call and a service would pick up and with a bunch of clicks and clacks, he'd finally come on the line...one day I checked his wallet....lots of different ID's. He was gone for awhile, I moved back to CO and that was that...sometimes I wonder what he's doing, but then, I don't really want to know. He knew way too much about me...that's the scary part...that and his multiple ID's.
Ciao
~LA
No scary dates for me. It's been a long time for me.
My oldest daughter did date a guy who had many snakes, poisonous ones too.
Glad I came to this bog and discovered a new author.
Very interesting book.
Didn't go out on dates before my DH whom I married, no scary date memories!
delilah0180(at)yahoo(dot)com
Leslie Ann, use that guy in a plot. Definitely...
Debby, I'm really glad you're happily married now. No more dating for you!
Chrys, I can see I will have to screen your dates in the future. :) I think the river was aptly named!
After my husband died, I only dated one guy, and I'm still seeing him, so I guess I'm in favor of Romance and long-term relationships. Dating is too scary. LOL!
Thanks for all the kind words about my resurrection, all. Making a comeback is scary, too. Feels like Ricky Nelson's "Garden Party" song.
Love,
Deb
Lord, I haven't had a date in over 30 years! But I can tell you that I have been ANXIOUSLY awaiting this book for months!!! I have always loved Miss Stover's books and this one sounds just like my cup of tea!! I can't wait to read it. I know I will NOT be disappointed.
mlawson17 at hotmail dot com
I never had any scary date either. I was pretty lucky. I met my husband when I was 19 so I didnt do the dating thing very long.
aliciahall(AT)yahooNOSPAM(DOT)com
Don't remember any scary dates. I met my husband while in high school. Have been married for 56 years. Can't wait to read your book.
My scariest date was with a guy I had met online. He started talking marriage and kids right in the first 10 mins of dinner. I couldn't get out of there fast enough. Luckily he doesn't know my home address or number so he can't become a stalker!! Oh well, another fish in the sea I guess.
bsyb100 at gmail dot com
No scary dates for me either. I lead a pretty dull life. I do enjoy fall and Halloween.
Sounds like my kind of book. I love the paranormal genre wheter it is just a touch of it or it is deep and heavy. Will be looking for this one.
Hi TJ and Deb,
I have to say that my scariest date ever was when I went to dinner with a man I met out west and he told me that I was the complete image of his late fiance who had died in a plane crash. That wouldn't have been so bad except that he was calling me by her name by the time salad was done. Sad but scarier more then anything else. I slipped to the ladies room where I called for a ride and was gone.
Carol L.
Lucky4750@aol.com
I didn't go on this date, thank god. My friend went on a date with one guy, and they went back to his place. Where he proceeded to show her the collection of guns and knives underneath his bed. And demonstrated how to use them. On the first date. Needless to say, a second date never happened.
danunepthys(at)hotmail(dot)com
No scary date for me, thankfully.
throuthehaze at gmail dot com
Thank you all for your supportive comments regarding THE GIFT, and to TJ for inviting me to join you here. Happy reading!
~Deb
www.debstover.com
No scary dates in my past. Just some real bad relationships that I never should have been involved in!
Thanks ~ megalon22{at}yahoo{dot}com
Hi, Deb! Nice to see you back writing. I always enjoyed your books, and I'm looking forward to THE GIFT!
No scary dates for me either. Unless you count the time I went to see "Fright Night" with someone. ;-)
karenwitkowski AT aol(dot)com
The Gift sounds like a very good read. Look forward to it.
No real scary dates. I didn't date much and my husband proposed before we even dated. Actually that's pretty scary.
Good luck with your release and I hope to see many more from you.
Most of my dates have been scary; I wouldn't have have it otherwise! I guess I should define "scary", imho, as tall, dark (or blonde), handsome, and unpredictable. The element of surprise essential. Looking forward to reading your new book!
Great interview. The Gift sounds good. The scariest date I ever went on was with a guy who tried to take me out into the country to his family's hunting cabin. I had to talk him out of this and was so glad when I convinced him to take me home.
My scariest date was very, very scary. It took me quite awhile to get rid of him! On our first date, he showed me the handgun he kept in his glove compartment and informed me that he made his own bullets! He fancied himself to be some type of law enforcement informant (this was imaginary). I am a tall, strong woman, but he was much bigger and stronger! I did my best to be pleasant until I could ease out of the relationship!
gcwhiskas at aol dot com
Post a Comment