Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Guest Blog & Giveaway with Linda Wisdom

Today Linda Wisdom is here guest blogging. This year she's is celebrating her 30th Anniversary as a published romance author. Congrats Linda and Thanks for stopping by!!!
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Many thanks to Anna’s Book Blog for having me here to talk about my years as an author.

Once upon a time there was a little girl who knew she wanted to write books. She wrote stories all through her school years and only took a short break when she was first married. After a few years she knew she wanted to write again and decided it was time to return to her writing.

It took some time, change of name and locations, using her ballet class for atmosphere for her first book, but the time came when that book was finished and she immediately began a second book. Once it was finished, both books were sent to a brand new category romance line called Silhouette Books and they were immediately contracted. A more than fitting date for ‘the call’ was that her books, Dancer in the Shadows and 14 Karat Beauty sold on her wedding anniversary.

And that was just the beginning for me. Did I scream when my agent told me Silhouette wanted my books? Yes. In fact, I’m sure the whole office building heard me. I was even asked if I wanted to write under my own name or use a pseudonym. I knew I wanted my name on my books.

And barely two months later I was fired for selling the books. I wasn’t upset about it. I saw it as my chance to see if writing would turn into the career I wanted it to. I always figured I had my ex-boss to thank for where I am today.

I felt such joy when I received flats of my book. It was that first step of becoming real. But the true step was the first time I went into a store and saw MY book on the shelves! I did the Snoopy dance and told everyone “that’s my book!” I was so pleased to see my fruit of my labor there and to know people would buy it. True, I hoped people would buy it, and luckily they did. I’d achieved a dream I’d had since the day I could hold a crayon and print words.

Of course, back then in the Dark Ages, I used an IBM Correcting Selectric, and used the phone and mail system for communication. I didn’t know another author and I’m sure I stumbled a lot. I didn’t meet other authors until I attended the first Romance Writers of America Nationals conference and I knew I was among people who’d understand me. Talk about a rush!

I think one of my funniest memories from back then was while I loved saying “I’m a writer”, my mom would murmur “honey, that sounds like bragging.” My husband just teased he was Mr. Linda Wisdom. Then one day my mom and I were having lunch out and she looked across the restaurant and saw a woman reading my book. Mom was up like a flash and over to the woman with “My daughter wrote that book. Would you like her to sign it for you?” Would you really tell a writer’s mom you might not want it signed? :} My dad was great at handing out bookmarks where he worked and my husband got a lot of teasing for his back problems.

All I knew was that I was doing what I truly loved. I could draw on past experiences and even used my single friends’ bad dates. Trust me, they gave me some fun ones too.

Who knew taking a ballet class would give me the idea for a book that would start it all for me? And that it would start me on a path to writing over 80 books.

It’s been a roller coaster ride, literally filled with ups and downs. I’ve made a lot of good friends along the way, met some incredible people, and wrote a variety of books that I’m very proud of.

Dancer in the Shadows still makes the rounds. In fact, an agent in Japan contacted my agent because a comic book publisher was interested in contracting for that book and others in my backlist to be comic books and mobile downloads.

So the nice thing is, that first book isn’t forgotten. What about you? How long have you been a romance reader and do you remember your first romance book?

Linda


Hex in High Heels, Book 4 in the Hex Series,
In Stores October 2009!
In this sexy, funny paranormal romance by bestselling author Linda Wisdom, it's all beautiful witch Blair Fitzpatrick can do to keep a lid on her talent for revenge spells, but things are about to get a lot more complicated...

Blair loves running her vintage shop and hanging out with witchy friends Stasi and Jazz. She's forever had a crush on hunky carpenter Jake Harrison, whose Were nature (he's a Border collie) makes him loyal, lovable, and fierce when need be. Just as sparks are beginning to fly, Blair is served with a big surprise when Jake's mother shows up along with his pack leader, who threatens to make Jake heel! When the alpha does the unthinkable, Blair is pushed over the edge. No one messes with her boyfriend-to-be, even if he does shed on the furniture!



About the Author
Linda Wisdom has published more than 70 novels with 13 million copies sold worldwide including traditional, paranormal, humor, action/adventure romance, and romantic suspense. Her bestselling books have been nominated for Romantic Times awards and the Romance Writers of America Rita Award. She lives with her husband in Murrieta, California. http://www.lindawisdom.com/

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Giveaway- Open to U.S. & Canada

Sourcebooks is offering one lucky winner a set of the Hex Books. Which include: 50 Ways to Hex Your Lover, Hex Appeal, Wicked by Any Other Name & Hex in High Heels. To enter leave a comment along with you email address. Winners will be announced on October 14th. Good Luck!!!

63 comments:

  1. WHat a great giveaway! Please enter me.
    dftrew(at)gmail(dot)com

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  2. It was in the late 90's when I picked up and read my first romance book. It was an Historical Romance by Rosemary Rogers called The Wanton, which I really enjoyed.

    At the time I wasn't the avid read as I am now. So, It wasn't until 2004 when started reading on a regular basis. I was reading fantasy which lead me back to Romance. I have been reading Romance now for almost six years.

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  3. Congrats on 30 years!!

    I have been reading romance for too many years to count. I think the first romance novel I picked up was Patricia Rice's Merely Magic.
    I have now learned about paranormal romance and I just cant get enough of it. I spend most of my time reading PR but I still like a Historical every now and then.

    aliciahall0605(AT)yahoo(DOT)com

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  4. I love the titles to all the books! If read all together they rhyme lol. I'm in!

    lilibethramos@live.com

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  5. Anna,

    What a wonderful blog. :) I have only recently discovered Ms. Wisdom and have the first book in this series on my shelf. :)

    I would love to have the entire set. :) Please enter my name in the drawing.

    I first started reading Romance when I was about 14 and I was fascinated with American Indians. I read everything by Cassie Edwards. :) Then a few years later I discovered Knights and Ladies and devoured everything in the Historical Romance section - Suzanne Barclay was one of my all time favs.

    As soon as the PNR wave hit - I grabbed a board and jumped on with both feet. LOL I love PNR.

    Thanks.

    Michelle
    kweenmg at yahoo dot com

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  6. Georgette Heyer made a big impression on me in my early teen years! Those books are still good reads! Thanks for an enjoyable and insightful interview. Please enter my name in the drawing.
    gcwhiskas at aol dot com

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  7. Hi Linda,
    congrats on 30 years of following your passion! That is amazing...truly.

    I've been an avid romance reader for about 7 years now. I think my first was Outlander by Diana Gabaldon, but I credit Little Women by Louisa May Alcott for my love of reading at a young age.

    I have to admit I have never read one of your books before, so would love to win the set and get caught up on what I've been missing :)

    Here's to 70 more published books!!!

    cldivineATyahooDOTcom

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  8. Congratulations to Linda on 30 years of success!
    What a great guest post, especially for us aspiring writers.

    Anna, I would love to enter your giveaway. I'll be happy to provide a link to your wonderful contest on the sidebar of my blog as well. Thanks for the opportunity!

    - Lori (mrshedgy@yahoo.com)
    www.psychoticstate.blogspot.com

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  9. Congratulation on 30 years. My 1st Romance novel I read was oddly Linda Wisdom's 50 Ways to Hex your Lover, after checking the fiction and Sci-Fi genre sections of the store, I gave up and asked where it was, they said it was in the Romance.
    cydneyjules AT gmail DOT com

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  10. Wonderful giveaway! Great guest blog today!
    Amy J
    djsfoxylady@gmail.com

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  11. Thanks all for coming by!

    I always think it's interesting to see what interests someone in romance.

    I remember reading Victoria Holt's gotic romances.

    Linda

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  12. A friend of mine got me into reading romance by introducing me to Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark-Hunter series!

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  13. Hi Linda!! Congrats on your 30 yrs!!
    My first romance book that I read was about 5 years ago (yes I'm new to really reading for fun). Now I'm a reviewer lol, that's strange huh? Anyway the first book I read was Christine Feehan's Dark Gold, a paranormal romance. But then I found Amanda Scott a scottish historical romance writer and fell in love with her work. I've always been a huge fan of the paranormal, way before I actually enjoyed reading, so I am sure I would very much love your books! I'm also what you call a cover art snob- and your covers are very attractive and would definitly catch my eye :)
    It's so great to have found you on Anna's blog!
    Crystal Adkins
    Crystal72206@yahoo.com

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  14. These books look like so much fun; love the covers!

    I'm a newbie to romance - I'm in my late 30's and only started readig romance last year after I read Twilight - I have a lot of Romance reading ahead of me!

    pspinney AT cox DOT net

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  15. I think I've been a romance reader for about 5 years and my first book was Dance With The Devil by SHerrilyn Kenyon.

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  16. Hi Linda and Anna! What a great story, thanks for sharing it!

    I've been thinking about this, and I think some of my first romance reads were the later Little Women and Little House on the Prairie books. From there, I think I was 12-13 or when I read my first erotic romance -- Forever, by Judy Blume. *sigh*. Haven't looked back since!

    ~bella
    b42bella AT gmail DOT com

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  17. I love the covers! The first romance I read was The Paper Marriage by Bronwyn Williams

    throuthehaze at gmail dot com

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  18. I have been reading romance novels for 27 years. I started reading them as a preteen.
    Linda's books sound great.

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  19. I've only read romance for a few years (mostly paranormal romance) but I would say my first romance was probably Outlander by Diana Gabaldon.

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  20. It was quite recently actually...maybe 2ish years ago when I first trekked down the romance isle at B&N. I picked up Christine Feehan's Dark Guardian and devoured it. I have a deep love for anything paranormal and the romance was such a wonderful addition. I'm definitely planning on reading anything with romance in it. What can I say?? I love a good love story - hot and steamy and sweet and romantic - I love them all.

    Thank you for the generous giveaway. I've been meaning to start this series for a while now =)

    mishtakes AT gmail DOT com

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  21. Congrats Linda on 30 yrs!!

    my older sister got me into romance novels,but I don't remember the name of the first book I read.

    This sounds like a great series,please count me in for the giveaway

    elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net

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  22. Congrats on 30 years!
    Great titles- Count me in.

    the.distant.light@gmail.com

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  23. Congrats, Linda! 30 years is a milestone!

    My first romance novel was a contemporary: Lilian Peake's Mist Across the Moors by Mills & Boon! I stopped reading romances for many, many years but read the Time article on Julia Quinn and got excited about reading romances again!

    delilah0810(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  24. Hi Anna and Ms. Wisdom!

    I have read all of my life, I was one of those kids who hid a flashlight under her pillow and read romance, comic books, suspense, whatever I could find. Sometimes, I sat up in the hallway outside my bedroom and read by the glow of the nightlight, lol. I was 10 years old when I read my first romance.

    I started out reading the old Dame of all romance, Barbara Cartland, I couldn't get enough of the Lords, Dukes, and Ladies..bursting bodices and rakish scoundrels, then moved on the contemps in the Harlequin line. An exact title? I'm afraid I've read to many to be exact, lol.

    Please include me in your giveaway, looks a great boxes set! And I love the titles!

    Thanks for a great giveaway!!

    Dottie :)

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  25. I have been reading romance for 54 years. I don't remember the name of the book, but it was by Barbara Cartland.

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  26. I've been reading romances for about 25 years and the first book I remember vividly is Kathleen Woodiwiss' A Rose in Winter. Great book full of angst and a truly great hero.

    Congrats on such a long career and here's to many more years to come!

    joderjo402 AT gmail DOT com

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  27. More than 70 novels. That's amazing. Congrats.
    aliens72a@gmail.com

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  28. Please count me in.

    I first started my love for romance when i read Never Too Much by Lori Foster.

    cindyc725 at gmail dot com

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  29. Congrats on your 30 years, Linda! I really enjoyed your blog and enjoy your books. :)

    Thanks for a fantastic contest!

    karenwitkowski AT aol(dot)com

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  30. Thanks all! It's fun to see where you all began reading romance. And how lucky there's so many choices out there now.

    Probably the only romance author I never read was Barbara Cartland, although I met her years ago.

    Linda

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  31. Please include me. I have been wanting to read these.

    bacchus76 at myself dot com

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  32. My first romance was when I was in my early teens. I cannot remember, but I can still remember the storyline and the cover. I have always been a romance girl and probably always will be.

    I would love to be entered. This series sounds very fun.

    latomli (at) yahoo (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  33. Haha, I love the part about Linda's mom going up to the lady in the restaurant.

    And my favorite romance... does the Thorn Birds count as a romance? If not, I read Rosemary Rogers' Sweet Savage Love shortly afterwards.

    Please enter me into the giveaway as well!

    Marian - mdperera at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  34. I have been reading romance since my teens back in the 80's..Please enter me. cfisher/at/gmail/dot/com

    ReplyDelete
  35. would love a chance to win this, pls enter me.

    sensitivemuse at gmail dot com

    I don't read romance. Period. I recoil when I read some bodice ripping content. However I've loosened up a bit and tolerated a bit of romance in the novels I'm reading. As long as it's tasteful I'll swallow it, bitterly. :P

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  36. oh I have been wanting to get these books!! I am crossing my webbed toes that I win! LOL!

    Froggy
    froggarita@gmail.com
    http://froggaritavillesbookcase.blogspot.com
    A Blog with Bite!
    http://blogwithbitereviews.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  37. These books look awesome! Would love to win them.

    bittahsweetharmony@yahoo.com

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  38. I've always loved romances. It started with historical romances and now I like read all kinds of romance genres. Sorry I don't remember my first romance book that I read.

    jen4777[at]hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  39. What a great giveaway and guest blog! These books look really interesting. Count me in.

    Megan
    Megala872@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  40. What a fun guest blog this was! I love the story about her mom! Guess it is ok for her mom to brag but not her. I have been a reader for so long I cannot remember what my first romance book would have been! I would love to add these to my collection though!

    kherbrand at comcast dot net

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  41. Great post. I love Linda's covers. I didn't start reading romance until I was through college. Now I like it with a paranormal twist

    zenfoxflowerATyahooDOTcom

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  42. I would love to get my hands on these.

    I can't believe Linda got fired for selling the books? How awful was that place? They didn't deserve her.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Great blog and great story!

    jennifer(dot)thorburn(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  44. Thanks for the great giveaway!! These books sound so cool!!

    jbbird(at)duo-county(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  45. WOW. I want to check these out.

    mojo09226@yahoo.com

    Monica

    ReplyDelete
  46. I would love to be entered! thejoyofthejoyofcooking (at) hotmail (dot) com

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  47. Thanks for allowing all of us this chance!
    Cute covers on the books also.

    amberbb@interchange.ubc.ca

    ReplyDelete
  48. What a fun giveaway! Thanks for hosting it.

    I'd definitely geek out if I saw a book by me sitting on a bookstore shelf. I'd probably announce it to everyone that walked past.

    -Lizzy
    Cornucopiaofreviews@gmail.com

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  49. These books sound so good! I love chicklit. Thank you for this giveaway and please count me in.

    chinook92(at)gmail(dot)com

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  50. Definitely enter me! I love books with witches in them :-)

    goodbooksandgoodwine[@]gmail.com

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  51. I love the designs of the covers and have been wanting to read this series. Happy Anniversary!

    Thanks
    heidivargas [at] live dot com

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  52. My library doesn't have these and I've been wanting to try them since the first one cameout. I'd love to win!

    Ladytink_534(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  53. Please enter me. I have been hearing great things.

    I first started reading romance novels when I was about 10-11. They were actually what got me into my love of reading. Although I read more YA, romance novels will always hold a special place in my heart.

    neverendingshelf@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  54. What a great story about Laura's beginnings! And the good old Selectric's, we had those in our typing room!
    I remember my first romance, it was a historical romance (making it seem somehow educational) called Freedom's Flame!
    Would love to win Laura's books, thanks for the chance.
    JHolden955(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  55. Hi Great interview!! I've been wanting to read this set of books seems like forever!! Congratulations!!

    mlawson17 at hotmail dot com

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  56. Wonderful giveaway! Count me in, please. Thanks!

    gevin13{at}gmail{dot}com

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  57. I reallly want to read this series, what a great contest!!


    van

    Littopandaxpress(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  58. Hi Anna :)
    Thank you for having Linda Wisdom here today & thanks to Linda for sharing as she reflected upon her 30 year writing career.
    My first romance novel was Outlander by Diana Gabaldon.
    :)
    All the best,
    RKCharron
    xoxo

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  59. I've been wanting to read this series!!

    jennsicurella at verizon dot net

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  60. Enter me in to win please. Thanks!:)

    kalynnick AT yahoo DOT com

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  61. please count me in..thanks

    flower_child_23(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  62. Oh WOW !!!!!!! I would so love to win this set of the Hex Books.

    Awesome giveaway. Please enter me.

    Thanks so much

    cherdon@sympatico.ca

    ReplyDelete
  63. This sounds like an absolutely awesome series! Please enter me.

    Shadowofwonder47[at]yahoo[dot]com

    ReplyDelete

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