And the winner is!!! Rebecca Vickery! Of one bouncing newly minted book: To Tempt the Wolf!
Thanks to everyone who came by and commented!!! But don't despair if you didn't win! Today I'm at Star Crossed Romance with a 2 book giveaway!
http://star-crossedromance.blogspot.com/2009/08/guest-terry-spear.html
Review of To Tempt the Wolf by Lynda Scott
"Ms Spear has created a fast, adventurous novel full of sexy romance. The chemistry between Hunter and Tessa is apparent right from their first encounter even though both try to fight it. That's something we've come to expect from a writer of Ms Spear's caliber. She has a deft hand creating very human, very sensual characters that step right off the page."
http://star-crossedromance.blogspot.com/2009/08/review-to-tempt-wolf.html
Thanks to everyone who came by and commented!!! But don't despair if you didn't win! Today I'm at Star Crossed Romance with a 2 book giveaway!
http://star-crossedromance.blogspot.com/2009/08/guest-terry-spear.html
Review of To Tempt the Wolf by Lynda Scott
"Ms Spear has created a fast, adventurous novel full of sexy romance. The chemistry between Hunter and Tessa is apparent right from their first encounter even though both try to fight it. That's something we've come to expect from a writer of Ms Spear's caliber. She has a deft hand creating very human, very sensual characters that step right off the page."
http://star-crossedromance.blogspot.com/2009/08/review-to-tempt-wolf.html
To Tempt the Wolf~~First Contest! Comment and have a chance to win a free copy of the book!!! I just received my books so it's time to celebrate!!!
Here's the cover for Seduced by the Wolf, coming in April!
Isn't he gorgeous??? *sigh* Okay, back to the topic: Researching Romance.
Not only do I research romance concerning the everyday person, but I research romance between wolves. Have to if I’m to make my werewolf world real.
So here are some romantic notions you probably have heard about, but what do the experts say according to Stacey Colino of Real Simple Magazine, not verbatim, of course...
Does absence make the heart grow fonder? If the couple have brief absences not very often…a day spent with the girls, a night out with the boys, then yes, the yearning to get back together can be stronger. But long periods of absence make the heart wander. According to experts.
Yet when we’re writing, it can create conflict when the reader is dying for the couple to get back together. Every moment spent together can create conflict also, but some apart time can be good, too, to add that much needed strife.
Saying I love you all the time can get tiresome and boring. Hmmm, not according to experts, if you really mean it and it’s not a goodbye message as in “Have a nice day.” Saying I love you with meaning, really means something.
Now in a fictional romance, the “I love you,” can’t come early on or we have a resolved love story too soon. So in our fictional stories, a meaningful “I love you,” must come nearer the end.
Playing hard to get: Experts say, nope, not the way to go. Even in fictional stories, I don’t really care for heroes or heroines who “play” hard to get. If a deeper reason motivates them not to make a commitment, that’s what makes the story a winner. In real life, same thing. Playing a game with relationships is not romantic.
Being Best Friends: Now experts had mixed opinions on this. Yes, some said or you can’t trust your partner. No, some said as you need to have other friends to really share things with. I’d say it was a little of both. In fiction, the same thing. The story is deepened when we have the hero/heroine confiding in their friends as to the feelings they have concerning their partner, when they haven’t been able to express it with the partner. It allows us to see this other side of our characters when they’re with their friends.
And last, you can learn to love somebody. Maybe, according to some experts. No, according to others. Maybe it depends on the couple?
But then there is the wolf equation. Thought I’d forgotten about them, didn’t you? Never. :)
Wolves are romantics too. They have a courtship phase like many animals do. But with them, and that’s why I think they’re so special just like any species like them, they stick with their mate for life. Now how romantic is that? Pretty darned so, I’d say. And you know what else?
Not only do I research romance concerning the everyday person, but I research romance between wolves. Have to if I’m to make my werewolf world real.
So here are some romantic notions you probably have heard about, but what do the experts say according to Stacey Colino of Real Simple Magazine, not verbatim, of course...
Does absence make the heart grow fonder? If the couple have brief absences not very often…a day spent with the girls, a night out with the boys, then yes, the yearning to get back together can be stronger. But long periods of absence make the heart wander. According to experts.
Yet when we’re writing, it can create conflict when the reader is dying for the couple to get back together. Every moment spent together can create conflict also, but some apart time can be good, too, to add that much needed strife.
Saying I love you all the time can get tiresome and boring. Hmmm, not according to experts, if you really mean it and it’s not a goodbye message as in “Have a nice day.” Saying I love you with meaning, really means something.
Now in a fictional romance, the “I love you,” can’t come early on or we have a resolved love story too soon. So in our fictional stories, a meaningful “I love you,” must come nearer the end.
Playing hard to get: Experts say, nope, not the way to go. Even in fictional stories, I don’t really care for heroes or heroines who “play” hard to get. If a deeper reason motivates them not to make a commitment, that’s what makes the story a winner. In real life, same thing. Playing a game with relationships is not romantic.
Being Best Friends: Now experts had mixed opinions on this. Yes, some said or you can’t trust your partner. No, some said as you need to have other friends to really share things with. I’d say it was a little of both. In fiction, the same thing. The story is deepened when we have the hero/heroine confiding in their friends as to the feelings they have concerning their partner, when they haven’t been able to express it with the partner. It allows us to see this other side of our characters when they’re with their friends.
And last, you can learn to love somebody. Maybe, according to some experts. No, according to others. Maybe it depends on the couple?
But then there is the wolf equation. Thought I’d forgotten about them, didn’t you? Never. :)Wolves are romantics too. They have a courtship phase like many animals do. But with them, and that’s why I think they’re so special just like any species like them, they stick with their mate for life. Now how romantic is that? Pretty darned so, I’d say. And you know what else?
When momma 
has the babies, he might still be the alpha male, but SHE is in charge. :)
So what do you think makes for a romantic relationship?
Terry Spear
has the babies, he might still be the alpha male, but SHE is in charge. :)So what do you think makes for a romantic relationship?
Terry Spear
“Giving new meaning to the term alpha male.”
To Tempt the Wolf is coming Sep 1!!
NOR Reviewer Top Pick~5 Hearts!!
Top Pick~~Novel Thought!!
Romance Studio~~5 Hearts!!
I've read it's okay for your H & H to be apart, but they must think of each other. That's what I've done in my WIP.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Terry. Loved the pics and the cover.
Lynnette Labelle
http://lynnettelabelle.blogspot.com
Hi Terry,
ReplyDeleteHubby and I have been together for 36 years. A 2 year engagement and the rest married. Our secret...we were in lust, then in love, became best friends, the love grew and matured, and we are still best friends, lovers, and in lust with each other. LOL Hopefully, like the wolf, we have mated for life.
Your book sounds great and love you cover.
Thanks, Lynnette! I couldn't have been happier with the new cover!! They're all beautiful! I so agree, with your romance comment too! If they're off running around and the hero or heroine is out of sight and out of mind, then we've lost that romantic connection. So thinking of them helps to maintain that connection. Thanks for dropping by!!! Good luck with your WIP!
ReplyDeleteAh, Rebecca, you and Hubby would make the perfect wolf couple. :) That's so refreshing to hear, and see, I knew couples could be best friends and lovers and in lust and it would work! :) Hehehe...some experts, what do they know! Thanks about the book and cover!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat article Terry. And NICE cover!
ReplyDelete~La-Tessa
www.LaTessaMontgomeryAuthor.com
I think trust and friendship are the two key components to any relationship. You have to have something to fall back on when you're lust for each other is satisfied.
ReplyDeleteLove the cover.
Great cover, Terry~
ReplyDeleteI think that respect is even more important than love. Without mutual respect, whatever love there is won't last and neither with much else.
Thanks, La-Tessa!!!
ReplyDeleteI so agree, Beth, and yes, Robin, respect is sooo important. If you don't respect the person you're with, I can't imagine you would truly love them!
SEDUCED BY THE WOLF.
ReplyDeleteNOW THAT IS ONE HANDSOME MALE!
LOOK AT THE PERFECT FORMATION OF HIS FACE. BEAUTIFUL EYES, PERKY EARS AND LONG ELEGANT NOSE.
OF COURSE THE PECKS STANDING BEHIND HIM AIN'T BAD EITHER........
TERRY, IF SEDUCED BY THE WOLF IS AS GOOD AS MY COPY OF HEART OF THE WOLF, THEN YOU HAVE ANOTHER SALE AND A SATISIFIED READER.
MARVELOUS COVER! BUT THEN ALL YOUR WOLF COVERS ARE GREAT.
GOOD LUCK.
JACLYN VIEIRA DI BONA
LOL, Jaclyn, thanks so much for coming by to take a peek at Leidolf, and his human counterpart too. :) Thanks again!
ReplyDeleteI think a little apart time is OK, especially if it will eventually lead to fireworks later =)
ReplyDeleteruth m
Hmm, yes, the fireworks! Always much welcomed!!! :) Thanks for dropping by Ruth!
ReplyDeleteI like the give and take aspect. I recently attended a wedding where the minister said it's not 50/50. It's 100% from the bride and 100% from the groom. Having that kind of communication and emotional support from one's mate, I think is vital to the relationship.
ReplyDeleteOooh, I like that idea, Renee, and I wholeheartedly agree!
ReplyDeleteAnytime I'm away from my DH for a few days, be it a writer's conference or a week at the lake with the girls, I may not think about him constantly while I'm gone, but I'm always ready to go back home to him. ALWAYS!!!
ReplyDeleteYes, I have to agree, GREAT cover. Yum! :)
ReplyDeleteLoved your topic, very enlightening, Terry. Thanks for sharing that with us. I think making it a point to spend alone time with your partner at least once a month, like a special date night no mattter how busy your schedule is, helps to keep the romance alive. It's a must. The stresses of the outside world can so easily overtake your relationship and pull you apart if you don't make your time together a priority.
Wow oh wow, Terry! That is one hot cover! Whew!
ReplyDeleteAs for me, I never listen to the experts, about anything--certainly not romance and love--I'd rather read Judi, Marie, Terry, Cindy, Linda, Cheryl--I'm trying not to leave anyone out here, but I realize the Casa Author list has grown too long to list them all but you get the idea. Pat yourselves on the back, ladies! You are the experts! :-)
Amelia
That's good to hear, Cheryl! I'm sure your hubby thinks so too. LOL
ReplyDeleteAnd Jessica, I so agree! It's important to set aside work, and family and have special "night's out/in" with your partner even if it's just to share a pizza and to play a game or watch a movie you both want to see. A special time to reconnect. :)
LOL, Amelia, thanks! Yeah, I agree. Sometimes the experts really don't know what they're talking about like we do!!! :) LOL, love it!
Terry, gorgeous bookcover for another wonderful story. Being apart is hard for a couple who love each other. But then when they are back together, it's honeymoon again.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mona! Yeah, I so agree. It can make things fresh again. I like the idea of a honeymoon again. :) Thanks for dropping by!
ReplyDeleteI don't think there is one answer to what makes romance.
ReplyDeletePart of the fun of writing a romance for me, is figuring out what will make THIS unlikely pairing fall in love. Which goes to what they need to complete them and carry them into the next stage of growth in their lives.
Lovely cover. Lovely article - some fascinating thoughts to ponder. And those wolves - they're the real romantics.
ReplyDeleteI agree, MM!
ReplyDeleteAnd, Sheila, You are sooo right!!! LOL
Yay Terry. Can't wait for your new book...Such a fan!! I love "wolf" books. Something about them makes me sigh.
ReplyDeleteI think a good romance is so totally based on characters...I love that getting to know you period and the slow slide to trust. I don't know..I like the adventure and the way of getting there I suppose.
Congratulations!! rachie2004 @ yahoo (dot) cOM
Thanks so much, Rachie! I so agree...the trust issue is so important. If you can't trust the one you think you love, what's left? And getting to know each other...can be so...romantic. :) Hope you like the next book!!!
ReplyDeleteTerry, this is a fantastic post! I am sorry to be chiming in late. I LOVE your wolves and was talking you up to my RWA group yesterday. Wolves are the coolest creatures and I love how you keep your shapeshifters as pure wolves.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the romantic "facts." I am so glad you brought up the I Love You expression. We never can hear it enough and I am sticking to that belief!
Can't wait for the next books. The cover is fantastic! So much to look forward to, and I sure hope you never stop.
Sharon, thanks so much!!! And I was thinking about what you said, and one thing that's really important is to tell your whole family that you love them, not just the significant other. I tell my kids that before we end a call, and they're the same way and when we're busy and don't say it, it feels like something was missing. :) It's not just a goodbye, but "I really care about what you're doing, and about you." Thanks for reminding me!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos.
ReplyDeleteMy dh and I met on my first (and last) blind date. I was still in High School. He said he knew as soon as he saw me. It took me a bit longer, but only a couple of weeks.
We married after he graduated college and have been together more than 30 years. He's my friend, my lover, my bastion---and keeps me from taking myself too seriously.
Yeah, we're in it for the long haul.
Wow, Gywnlyn, that's so special. I loved how he knew right away. :)Thanks so much for sharing! I knew not only wolves could stick it out for the longterm! :)
ReplyDelete