• authors,  films,  my view,  romance

    Love Between The Covers

    I’m loving the idea of this documentary: Love Between The Covers and I can’t wait to see how it turns out. Being a romance lover and novelist I’m all for women supporting women and there are now 4 days left if you’d like to get on board and support this Kickstarter project too. You can check out the details here.

    Best,
    Kwana

  • my view,  romance

    Feeling Guilty?

    So thanks to a post over at Dear Author my curiosity was riled up and I couldn’t stop myself from watching the POV  documentary: Guilty Pleasures. I have to say though it does have its uplifting moments I think it gives a bleak view of some of the romance readers out there. I did not see any of the vibrant women of the romance world that I know there but still, it’s interesting and worth a watch and available online until Aug 12th. I say check it out and please report back if you do. I myself am not feeling guilty at all.

     

     

    Best,

    Kwana

  • jack,  jane austen,  my view,  Nana,  romance

    Super Romance

    What’s Jack up to? Jack is full and content though a bit sad after a lovely weekend visit from Nana where he was spoiled silly. He really does love her like crazy and she is just nuts for him. It’s too cute.

    How was your weekend? Did you watch the Superbowl on Sunday? I watched quite a bit, that is until the last installment of Emma came on PBS at 9 then I was off. Though I know the story it was much more exciting than the Superbowl for me.
    Did you watch? If you didn’t you can watch it online here.

    Or at least take the: Bachelors of Highbury Quiz. I scored with Mr. Knightley. My Mr. Knightly!

    Best,
    Kwana
    P.S.
    Congrats Saints! I wonder will Kim get her ring now?
  • romance,  writers,  writing life

    Golden Apple

    Happy Friday! You and me made it another week. Whew. Yeah baby! Don’t be tardy for the party. Ooooo Ooooo. About 6 of you will get that. The rest will think I’m cra-a-zy. Please excuse me. How dreadful. LOL.

    Well, I am happy it’s Friday as you can tell. Last night I had a very un-dreadful night slipping out of Freshchester, as my dear friend calls it, and heading down to the city to celebrate some very fine people in the romance writing industry at my local RWA/NYC chapter’s Golden Apple Awards.

    The honorees were:
    Lifetime Achievement: Kathleen E. Woodiwiss

    Author of the Year: Patt Mihailoff-
    Go Patt!!

    Editor of the Year: Brenda Chin(Harlequin)
    Publisher of the Year:Harlequin

    Agent of the Year:Miriam Kriss
    (The Irene Goodman Literary Agency)
    Bookseller of the Year: Clove Lake Book Store (Staten Island)
    Librarian of the Year: Jeanne Sylvester (Nutley Public Library)
    What a wonderful night for an industry that I love. Big congrats to all the honorees!

    Best,
    Kwana
  • jack,  Richard Armitage,  romance,  series

    Look of Love

    What’s Jack up to? Dear Jack’s in trouble for snatching a juice pouch and going on the run with it. Thanks for the fine mess to clean up, Jack. I needed a little more work to do.

    How much to I love my local library? Thissssssss much. Why? Because I got to watch this over the weekend in between the dust, heat and baseball. So much fun.

    And how much to I love sweet smiles, deep voices and happy endings? Thisssssss much!!!

    And how much do I love crazy fans that make YouTube videos that show how much they love the above but not in a creepy way. Thissssss much too!!!

    Have a great day. Hopefully it’s not a heat wave where you are. They say it’s the last day for it in New York. I sure hope so. I’m running on E right about now.

    Slight Spoiler Alert Here!

    This behind the scene is really lovely. Warning Spoiler Alert too!!

    Best,

    Kwana

  • Books,  historicals,  jack,  romance

    Talking Historicals

    What’s Jack up to? Hold only your hats. Jack is a city dog for the weekend. He’s gone off with Nana for a couple of days to be spoiled and seduced by the bright lights of the big city. I hope he does well with real heights and doesn’t come home with too much of an attitude.


    I thought we’d talk historical romances this weekend and literary escapes. Although I write contemporary I have a big time love of historical romances. BIG TIME!

    And during Hell Week this past week one one the things that help me get though was Lisa Kleypas’ DREAMING OF YOU. I loved it! I think I got the recommendation from Kristie and Katie at Ramblings on Romance you can check them out here. It’s a great blog and a wonderful resource.

    Now I hear from PIC Megan, a wonderful historical writer herself, that it’s a book that brings out strong opinions. You either love it or hate it. I really loved it. It gave me just the escape I needed for Hell Week. Now I need something for Hell Week Part Deux because it still ain’t over yet. Can you believe that? Sigh.

    What are your favorite Literary escapes? Come on and share. Don’t be shy. We’re all friends here. I hope.

    Best,
    Kwana

    PS- Scroll down for Ask The Agent. It’s a goody!

  • jack,  movies,  romance,  writing

    Dreams of the heart

    What’s Jack up to? Today he’s being and sweetheart and doing his best to be a model lap dog. Sitting by my side and not even messing with the keyboard while I type. Good dog, Jack! Now, are you feeling ok?

    What is it about Romantic comedies that we girls love so much? I mean honestly, you walk into the theater knowing the ending before your first bite of popcorn. But still, we gush and smile and get all melty inside as some girl goes through all the emotions we daydream about in ninety minutes.

    I know I’m little late to the reception, but this weekend I saw the movie 27 Dresses with my daughter. I’m not going to give a movie review because, really, do you care what I think? Me, more than anyone else, knows that art is subjective. That said, it was just what the doctor ordered. A cute romantic comedy to make you walk out hoping for happily ever after. A perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

    But it sort of made me think, is this the feminist way? Should I be taking my daughter to see these stereotypical views of what a woman should want? Of what love could be? Make her think that she can find happiness in the arms of a man? My answer is, sure. Why not? As long as I school her about self respect and not being blind when it comes to love, then it’s all good.

    If not for the great romance story, she may grow up thinking that relationships should be all blinged and sexed out like a rap video. No long walks, no late night conversations, no long gazes and definitely no hand holding.

    I say let her dream that love is real, because it is. Sometimes you just have to suspend cynicism for a moment and let your heart show you the truth.

    All this is to say, that I’m starting a new book and it’s shaping up to be a romantic comedy. Me, a comedy? Hopefully I can keep my own cynicism in check!

    I actually dreamed of the concept in my sleep, woke up and immediately pulled out my notebook because I was so excited. It’s something different from anything I’ve ever tried. But right about now, my heart and mind really wants to believe in the happily ever after. We’ll see how it goes..

    Best,
    Kwana