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Once Upon a Launch Day by Grace Burrowes

I love writing romances novels--love every part of it. I love the drafting, the coming up with each scene, how to open it, how to end it, where to go with it next. I love the polishing and buffing, the peeling back layers of rough draft to find prose that sings and skips along to tell the story.
I love the revisions, the re-crafting of the story line so the characters' development takes twists and turns they didn't see coming--and I didn't either. I love the once-over and twice-over that is copy edits and galleys.

I'm not always so keen on launching the book, though.
Will the readers like those twists and turns? Will the prose work for them to convey the story, or will some of the decisions I've made slow the story down. I'm a word nerd, and we are not exactly a majority of the population.
Will my characters steal into the readers' hearts, or be forgotten by morning?

An author frets, and about some books, we fret more than others.
And then along comes That Book, the book we know--almost for certain--is going to make the cut. One sign of such a book is that it makes me cry. No matter how many times I go over it, there are scenes that twang my heartstrings. Another sign is that it makes me laugh. No matter how many times I buff that prose, there are some lines of dialogue or internal observation that surprise a guffaw out of me.

"Once Upon a Tartan" is That Book for me. Every book is a book of my heart, but these are never-let-me-go characters... Hester and Tiberius are in a tug-of-war over a niece whom both come to love, and they're falling in love with each other as the battle lines are drawn. They're people whose confidence has been betrayed by others. In Hester's case, a former fiance violated her trust, and in Tye's case, family has let him down. That they must navigate their way through disappointment in each other about broke my heart.
And yet, they DO.

And then there's that scene in graveyard between Tye's parents that about makes me howl, so badly do I hurt for my characters, and so proud am I, that they've finally turned toward the love they bear each other.

And then there's the lovely, fascinating setting in the Scottish Victorian Highlands.... 

All of which is to say: My book comes out today. I hope you love it as much as I do. Excerpts for your enjoyment are here.

What's something you love to do, or something you're passionate about? Something that enthralls you in every particular? To one commenter, I'll send a signed copy of "Once Upon a Tartan."


Comments

  1. So looking forward to reading this. Love a book that makes me chuckle out loud (as my family is giving me strange looks)!!

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  2. I love reading books~!!! I love writing them too, but I have to get my reading fix in too, and that means I've got to read this too! :) Congrats and good luck, Grace!

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  3. Always love your books. My friends laugh when I sob happily into the phone, "You have to read this one! I love the hero."

    "You love ALL her heroes," they tell me. "What was that title again? Let me get a pencil..."

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  4. Looking forward to reading this. I love to read, it's my favorite thing to do. I always find a way to read on my Kindle, not matter what I am doing

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  5. Hmmm, passionate. There's my own writing when the ideas are fresh and haven't burrowed in and hidden from me. And then there are my kids, the lights of my life. Yes, my passion is my children.

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  6. I love reading books !!! I'm love the fun of a new story .:)

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  7. My passion is reading!!! I get so involved in a good book sometimes that I lose track of time. Its like I can see and hear the characters in my minds eye and I'm there with them!! Drives my hubby crazy lol!!
    I especially love your books!! The Windhams and the other families have become my obsession!! I look forward to each book!!!

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  8. I love all your books! They all touch my heart. I pre-order your books and can't wait for each one :) Looking so forward to reading Once Upon A Tartan!

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  9. Sharon, I enjoy that, "I'll tell you in another hundred pages, but don't ask me now" moment too. I'm BUSY when I'm reading.

    Terry, odd how we don't lose the need for the read. That's still how I must end each day. MUST.

    Beth, watch out for the graveyard scene... caught me by surprise, and I wrote it.

    Sheryl, if you're an e-reader, you'll want to download "The Bridegroom Wore Plaid" TODAY while it's still a freebie.

    Tory, I found the parenting years were the most fertile ground for emotional insight and plot twists when it came to my writing. Not what I expected but it makes sense, given your comment. We're passionate about our kids, every day, no matter what.

    Rhonda, thanks for those kinds words. I like Julia Quinn's observation about writing romance novels. "We may not change anybody's life, but we change their afternoon." How many professions can say that?

    Kelly, always nice to meet a new reader. If you don't already, you might want to comment on the graceburrowes.com blog. I usually post on Sundays, and give away something--a signed book, and audio book, a favorite movie--every week.

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  10. I am excited to read this book!! I have really enjoyed your others! As for what I am passionate about - my kids. As a mother of 3 each one of their successes and failures I feel right along with them. But, honestly, I am a little OCD in everything so those little moments I have felt everywhere from organizing a party to cheering on my wrestlers...those are terrific moments when it all flows correctly!

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  11. Baking chocolate chip cookies! It's my stress-reliever and I'm still searching for the perfect recipe -- I've tried so many variations -- and since my oven doesn't heat evenly, no two baking endeavors ever yield the same result.

    So, there is uncertainty -- but, since it's always chocolate chip cookies, I see it as a win-win for me.

    Congratulations on the new release!

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  12. I love a book that touches my emotions whether it be giggles or tears. Congratulations on another best seller, Miz Grace. Love the cover, love the premise, love your writing.

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  13. GOOD MORNING, GRACE! MY PASSION...SEWING...WELL, MAYBE, IT'S THE PROCESS OF...I LOVE THE WALKING INTO A FABRIC SHOP AND JUST LOOKING AT ALL THE DIFFERENT TEXTILES, FEELING THE TEXTURES, IMAGINING THE PROCESS OF HOW COLOUR CAME BE A DESIGN...ENVISIONING A PATTERN BEING CUT OUT AND A SILHOUETTE TAKING SHAPE.

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  14. I own all of your books. I am also collecting on my Kindle Fire your ebooks as they come up for sale. I go to lots of used book stores and when someone is looking over the shelves I also ask if they are looking for a special author and if not, I suggest you. Can't go wrong with any one of your stories although The Virtuoso is my special favorite.

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  15. Yeah, as I suspect most people asking this question also love, I love to read. That is the one activity in my life I cannot do without!!

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  16. Congrats on your new release. Sounds great. I love the cover.
    I love to read. I have been an avid romance reader since I was a preteen.
    crystal816[at]hotmail[dot]com

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  17. Passionate about keeping my life as simple, serene as possible, while still enjoying life.

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  18. Congrats on your new book!:)

    I love to read romance books (in fact, I'm starting to consider myself addicted to them coz I try to read a book a day or 5 in a week. I also love to bead (particularly off-loom beadweavingI) and hand embroidery. I consider them my daily therapy.

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  19. Reading! reading reading reading reading!!! I'd be happy to read all day if I could get away with it. I might have to surface every once in a while for food tho....

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  20. Oh, Grace, I know just what you mean. LORD AND LADY SPY was That Book for me. It's so hard to release those books into the world. You want everyone to love your baby like you do. I have no doubt we'll love this one as much as your others. I'm looking forward to it.

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  21. I love all your books Grace and I know this will be no exception. Congratulations!

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  22. Reading a good book, then wanting to read it again because it was so good.

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  23. Lovely covers and excellent stories!

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  24. My favorite books make me laugh out loud and cry so I'm sure I'm going to love your newest as I have your other books!! Some of my passions are reading, cats and games lol.

    catslady5(at)aol.com

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  25. Can't wait to read your new book. I very much enjoyed The Bridegroom word Plaid.

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  26. I am looking forward to reading this one too, Grace. It does sound like a terrific story. Emotional and heart grabbing. I love your writing. :-)
    lisakhutson(at)cox(net)

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  27. Forgot to add my passion. Taking pictures. I love reading. And sewing. Crafting. But taking pictures. I love that.

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  28. reading

    bn100candg at hotmail dot com

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  29. I love reading. And I love playing with the grandkids. I'm looking forward to reading Grace's newest.

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  30. Michelle, if we're going to go overboard on one thing, parenting is a good choice. It pays off for generations.

    Tin, in case you want a second opinion on some of those cookies: G. Burrowes, 21 Summit Avenue, Hagerstown, MD 21740. Writing books is hungry work!

    Carolyn, from your fingers to the TBR piles of zillions of readers... Thanks!

    Juanita, my current manuscript has a sewing heroine, Ima hafta send you some questions about what it's like to be sewing-crazy (and maybe a signed copy of a book?)

    Anne, I love "The Virtuoso" too, and last time I looked, it was discounted to $2.99. Bridegroom is on FREE download today, and I try to keep an eye out for the others as they go on random special. Thanks for all the recommends. I do the same thing for my keeper authors.

    MK--I'm a reader too. MUST, especially at the end of the day.

    KWW-That simplicity stuff is practiced by some of the people I admire the most. Be kind, tell the truth!

    LODY, for years, I considered I wasn't addicted to romance novels because I could limit myself to one a day, EVEN on weekends. You're fine--maybe an author in the making, even?

    Linda, maybe you're a reviewer in disguise? I think I could enjoy that--nose in a book all day, every day. You?

    Shana, maybe it's a mom thing? I love my books, but... and it isn't getting any better. With each launch, I'm just as fretful, just as anxious. Each. One. They don't tell us about this in aspiring author school. Can we get a refund?

    Donna, thanks for the good wishes!

    Kim, the first author I did that with was Judith Ivory, and 25 years later, I still love her books. Love. Them.

    Mary Jo, thanks for stopping by!

    Cats--yes, the Kittehs! I get that nine times over.

    Sue, you'll see Ian and August in this one, as well as Con and Julia. And there's a bunny...

    Krazy, it grabbed MY heart, and I thought I was granted immunity because I'm thinking it up. Cried for the hero, the heroine, the parents... many tissues. I'm the Duchess of Tissues for this book.

    BN--you get the prize for the shortest response! (and the most popular)

    LSU, and THEREFORE, you love reading to the Grandkids, I'm sure. Is there any better use of a book? "Love you forever, like you for always...."

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  31. I love it when a book brings out a variety of emotions in me! I love to get that call from a friend or family member saying, "You've got to read this book.."

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  32. The thing I love to do the most and that I'm the most passionate about is reading. I know, big surprise, but ever since the 3rd grade, when I really learned what it was to be immersed in a story, I've been reading every chance I get. It is something I'll never stop doing, as long as I'm able.

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  33. Reading. All the way. Nothing even compares :-)
    Big congratulations!

    justforswag(AT)yahoo(DOT)com

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  34. Naturally, I LOVE to read! But I am also passionate about many things...whether it is gardening (absent-minded, yes, but I do like seeing things grow), playing word games or looking for little things to send to make my adopted soldiers smile. Thanks for sharing a little bit of your writing journey and good luck with the release!

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  35. Other than reading, which is definitely my favorite thing to do, I like to crochet (although not much lately because my hands have been hurting too much) and I am addicted to watching seasons of my favorite shows on Netflix :)

    Congrats on the new release! Sounds great :)
    June
    manning_J2004 at yahoo dot com

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  36. My passion, besides reading, is music. I love playing music, singing along to the radio, humming a tune in my head for no reason.

    Congrats on the new release!

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  37. The two thinks I'm really passionate about is reading and hockey. I'm a sports nut but I can pretty much watch hockey 24/7 without getting tired of it. The only downside is I can't play myself. And bonus if I find sports romances with a hockey central theme!! :)

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  38. OK - Something I love to do & haven't done for a number of years is going to Walt Disney World with my family. I really miss it!

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