A HIghlander Comes Riding . . . March 3rd!!

Hi Fierce Friends!
It’s the last week before my new time travel romance, HIGHLAND REBEL, comes out on March 3rd and I am really getting excited! I’ve had some really great reviews this week on different romance websites, and my preorders seem to be going well. I’m at #28 on the amazon fiction Books list for time travels. Since I’m up against every single one of Diana Gabaldon’s books and each of their separate printings, I feel pretty good about being #28.

There’s still time to sign up to be one of my Troubadours – just saunter over to my MySpace and read the last few blogs there, and then email me @ tessmallory@yahoo.com if you have any questions. The prizes range from a free book to a $25 Barnes and Noble gift card, and a Celtic spiral necklace! It’s easy to enter, just read the details at myspace!

Since I've gotten some good reviews, I thought I’d share them with all of you, in the hope that some of you who are reading will think, “Hmm, that Tess Mallory got some good reviews; I think I just might take a chance and buy her new book, HIGHLAND REBEL.” (in the background the song, Take a Chance on Me begins to play).

You see, Fierce Friends, I would really like to be, no, I would LOVE to be on a Best Seller’s list. Wouldn’t that be cool ? Wouldn’t that just really be a terrific thing? “Sure,” you say, “that’s fine for you, but what’s in it for me?” Well, that’s why you need to read my blog over at myspace! Yes, I’m going to be mysterious. That’s just how I roll.

Meanwhile, here are some of the reviews:

From Harriet Klausner :
“The Queen of Highlander time travel romance (see HIGHLAND MAGIC, HIGHLAND DREAM, HIGHLAND FLING and HIGHLAND ROGUE), Tess Mallory writes another whimsical tale as the roguish hero follows his love back to the era he left behind. Part of the pleasure in this delightful entry is the reaction of Ian’s brother Angus to his siblings’ return after his being away over two decades from home . . .”

From Chris at Night Owl Romance:
“Full of historical information, jaunts about the countryside, a few explosions and some rocking romance, Highland Rebel was an enjoyable read. With the secondary romance between Davey and Katie, the story moved along smoothly. With a happily ever after, including a surprising one for Ian and his family, I enjoyed the story very much.”

From Maura at Coffee Time Romance:
“I am not usually a big fan of time travel romances, but Ms. Mallory’s are always an exception. Her characters are realistic despite their situation, and she manages to go from the present to the past with no loss of that realistic feel. Ian and Ellie are wonderful characters, each with flaws and virtues. Ian’s career as a Celtic Rocker is a masterstroke, and Ellie really comes out of her shell in the 1700’s. I also liked the subplot of Katie and Davy’s romance and the secret Jacobites.”

From Kathe Robin at Romantic Times Magazine:
(Sorry, I can’t find the magazine right now, but the gist of it was that she liked it and said it would receive . . . “A warm welcome . . . “ and then gave it 4 Stars!

So, okay, whaddaya say, Fierce Friends? Ready to give Time Travel Romance a shot? After all, don’t we all wish we could somehow be swept back in history to a more romantic place and time, where we could meet a hunky warrior, find true love and save the world? Well, our world as we know it? That’s what my characters always strive to do! It’s adventure, romance, history, humor, fun and a rollicking ride, I promise!

If everyone who reads this blog bought a copy of HIGHLAND REBEL on March 3rd . . . well, hey, maybe one of my dreams would come true and I would be deeply grateful to you, my faithful readers! But even if I don't make any of the lists, I still think you’ll enjoy the read, and I'll still be honored that you chose to read it!

Remember, Love is Timeless . . .
Keep Writing . . . Keep Reading . . . Keep Loving !
Hugs, Tess

Excerpt from HIGHLAND REBEL - Out March 2009

Hey Fierce Friends!
Sorry I've been AWOL. Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas or Hannukah or other holiday and that the New Year holds amazing things for all of you! I've been promising an excerpt from my new time travel romance, HIGHLAND REBEL, which will be out in March 2009 -- but can be pre-ordered now, don't forget! And I'm finally making good on that promise! Here's the actual first paragraphs of the book, which is the second in my Timeless Highlanders Series from Berkley Books. Hope you love Ian as much as Ellie does! Would love to hear from any and all!

Coming from from Berkley Books, March 2009
HIGHLAND REBEL
By Tess Mallory (copyright 2009)

Celtic music sensation Ian MacGregor flashed his now-famous smile at the thousand or more fans cheering as he took his place center stage at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. He wore a traditional MacGregor kilt, knee-high suede leather boots, and nothing else, except a burnished gold band around his upper arm, skimming the lower edge of his Trinity tattoo.

As he grabbed the wireless mike from its stand and welcomed the suddenly hushed crowd, offstage Ellie Graham tossed her dyed black hair back from her shoulders and narrowed her eyes.

Oh, sure, he was Mr. Hunky Hunk, but take away that tousled blonde hair, the sky blue eyes, his bare, muscular chest, the awesome tattoo and devil-may care smile, and what was left?

Just his ruggedly handsome face, amazing voice, and awesome musical ability.

His bare chest gleamed beneath the bagpipes strapped around his torso, and his ragged hair grazed the top of his broad shoulders as his eyes twinkled, promising pleasure to all who dared to meet them.

The pipes’ leather “halter” was Ian’s own creation, fashioned to leave his hands free for grabbing the microphone—or any willing woman who might fling herself in his direction. And there were a lot of willing women in Ian’s life. He was the epitome of a Highland Bad Boy, a Celtic Casanova, a Scottish Scoundrel, a—

Oh stop, a little voice inside her head ordered. You know that Ian is one of the nicest, humblest guys you’ve ever met. It’s not his fault that he’s gorgeous and, well, a man.

Ellie folded her arms across her chest. It was true. Ian was darn near perfect. Then her mouth went dry and her brain functions faltered as Ian took center stage. Dazed again by the sight of him in action, she watched as he raised both fists into the air and gave the sea of adoring fans what they’d all been waiting for with baited breath.
\
“Ard Cholle!” he shouted.

The crowd went wild. Hundreds of women rushed the stage, screaming like banshees. Ellie shivered. She couldn’t deny that she still got goosebumps when she heard Ian give the MacGregor war cry. His rough, rich voice resonated across the vast hall and she took a deep, steadying breath.

Ian grinned widely as his backup band, “Outlaw”, launched into a rock and roll version of “Donald, Where’s Your Trousers?” Ellie couldn’t help but smile. The song was an old one, written as a slur against Scotsmen, but Ian had taken it and made it the national anthem of sexy men in kilts. It had become an instant hit in the UK.

With a loud whoop, he danced across the wide platform, his kilt whirling above his knees, exposing lean, hard thighs. He sang into the microphone, his deep, rich voice seducing every woman in the hall. He moved his trim, muscular body like a man possessed, working the crowd into its usual frenzy, and Ellie knew, with a sinking heart, that she had made the right choice.

There was no way around it. As soon as this last show on the UK tour was over, she had to dump Ian. Until then, she had no choice but to watch the man she loved do his best to give a thousand other women musical orgasms.

Ian sang. Women screamed. Ian shouted. Men shouted back. Ian rocked the crowd, enticing every person there, daring them to dance, to sing, to lose every inhibition they’d ever had. And as he did, the walls of the auditorium seemed to tremble with an intense, frantic energy, with Ian at the center of the maelstrom, inviting everyone to join him, love him, embrace him, as he reached the last verse of the song.

“The lassies love me every one
But they must catch me if they can,
Ye canna put breeks on a Highland man, saying,
“Donald, where's your trousers?”

Ellie closed her eyes at the thought of Ian without his trousers. The crowd whistled and cheered as Ian took a bow and gestured to his band; then the mood changed as the music shifted into something soft and mellow.

She opened her eyes, her throat tight, knowing what came next. She steeled her heart not to feel, not to share the stark emotions that slid across Ian’s face as he raised the microphone to his lips once again. It was one of his own songs, and one that filled Ellie—and probably every other woman in the hall—with an indescribable longing. He called it, “Lass O’ My Heart.”

“Ah, bonny lass, I dinna know yer name,” he sang, “but someday I will find ye…Ye are my heart, though we have never met… my love forevermore…”

The words swept over Ellie painfully, and when he reached the end of the second verse and slid the mouthpiece of the pipes between his lips like a lover’s tongue, her heart beat faster and she ran her own tongue across her lips. What would it be like, to be the woman of Ian’s dreams? What would it take to capture his heart so completely?

A hush fell over the audience as the haunting melody shuddered through the air, bringing first sighs, and then tears to those who watched and listened.
Leave Ian. She’d have to be crazy.

Just six months ago Ellie’s visa had expired and she’d started packing her bags to leave Scotland, when her sister Maggie told her Ian was looking for an assistant for his upcoming tour. She’d ignored the idea until Ian had shown up on her doorstep, irresistibly adorable, and she’d found herself agreeing to take the job.

The prospect of touring the UK with the hottest Celtic band on the planet—a combination of bagpipes, bodhran, tin whistle, drums, electric fiddle, and electric guitar, not to mention Ian MacGregor—had seemed like a dream come true. And it had been, for a while. For the first few weeks, Ellie thought she’d died and gone to heaven, if she believed in such things.

Ellie had been a natural at her new job, her ability to shut out any and all emotion turning out to be really helpful in the day-to-day machinations of booking the popular band across the UK. It had been a thrill to watch the Scottish lads dazzle their fans and know that she had a large part in making it happen. With Ian as the charismatic lead singer, he and the band had taken the UK and Europe by storm, and now there was talk of a U.S. tour. Ellie would be a fool to turn down the opportunity.

That was the problem. She was a fool.

About a week into the tour she had fallen, flat-out, facedown, slam-bang in love with Ian. She’d hid her mounting frustration, along with her growing love, as best she could, cloaking it with an aloof negativity that generally kept Ian at arm’s length. Before each show they met to go over the details of the gig, but that was thankfully the extent of any personal time she spent with Ian.

Oh, they had traveled together in the tour bus, Ellie hidden behind her book, seemingly oblivious to the playful banter around her; they ate together sometimes, and went to after parties held in his honor. But she was always careful to keep everything professional between them, never personal. Which was hard, because Ian had such an easygoing, flirty, likeable nature. He had made her smile more in the last six months than she had in the last six years.

He was dangerous.

Ellie took a deep breath and tried to slow the pounding of her heart. On the other side of the stage, his current girlfriend – Tiffany? Brittany? Something with a “ee” sound – stood, looking bored and impatient.

One thing about Ian, he had a knack for picking the most vapid, selfish, shallow women for his arm candy, which had helped Ellie harden her heart toward him as the tour continued. The sight of Ian with his arms slung around two European models, or groupies, or actresses, had made her realize, again and again, that her crush on the piper was absolutely ridiculous.

Then, to her horror, Ian had actually turned his attention to her, teasing and flirting with her, insisting on talking to her into the wee hours after a gig, alone in his or her hotel room. He’d even taken her hand at times and kissed it. She’d almost fainted.

Terrified that she would succumb to his charm, Ellie knew she had to switch gears and move from being standoffish to becoming completely cold. Once she’d overheard one of the musicians in the band call her the Ice Queen. At the ripe old age of twenty-four she’d been easing out of the ‘Goth’ persona that had protected her from the world since she was twelve. She’d kept her hair dyed black, if only to keep her separate from her twin, but had mostly given up the layers of black she’d worn through high school and college, and toned down the harsh makeup. But as soon as there was a chance her heart might be in danger, Ellie ran back to the shelter of that disguise as fast as she could.

It was easy to revert. Even easier to send Ian careening for the nearest super model. Clad in her favorite black clothing, black boots, wearing lipstick so dark it looked black, with her dyed black hair and heavily outlined eyes, Ellie knew she looked fairly formidable. Not that Ian knew a war was going on. He’d just shaken his head at her ‘new’ style, and, as she had intended, retreated from the fray. Oh, he was still sweet to her, but the flirting had stopped . . . just in time.

Ian began to sing again and glanced offstage, his face brightening at the sight of her. Then he tossed her that rakish grin she had come to both love and fear, and her face grew warm as she fought to keep from smiling back.

Her fingers tightened in the pocket of the overly large black sweater she wore. A Paper crackled. Her resignation letter was short and concise. It didn’t give away even one little bit of her true feelings. If she let down her walls for one instant, Ian would use that amazing smile and those burning eyes to convince her to stay. She would give in and go on loving him from afar, a little bit of her heart shattering daily like the last note of a faulty pipe. Better to fake disdain than to take such a risk.

The lush, poignant notes skirled from Ian’s pipes as if they had a life of their own, and Ellie clasped her hands together, caught in the magic only Ian could create. Tears threatened to fill her eyes and she took a deep breath and willed them away.

She didn’t cry. She hadn’t cried when her parents died, so she sure wasn’t going to cry over a song, even if this was the last time she would ever see Ian like this -- eyes closed, face radiant, caught in the throes of the love that meant more to him than any woman probably ever could.

Then he opened his eyes and Ellie’s throat tightened. He was looking at her again, his gaze tender as he sang the last lines of the song directly to her.

“And when the lass o’ my heart I find…in the heather soft, in yer arms entwined…I will love ye, lass, ‘till the end of time…”

He held the note, his liquid voice hovering in the air above a dazzled audience as Ellie held her breath, the ache in her chest almost unbearable. Then he turned away, and she felt the loss down to the core of her soul as he sang again to his audience.

“Och, my bonny lass, my bonny lass…oh, the bonny lass o’ my heart…”

The final note filled the auditorium like the swelling breath of an angel, and she drew in another sharp breath as the crowd went crazy and roar filled the auditorium. Ian spread his arms and faced his fans, his eyes closed, as if he would take them all into his arms, if only he could.

Ellie took a step back, feeling stunned. She’d made the right decision. She had to get out while she was still alive.

But everybody has to die sometime, right?

More LOLcats, You Lucky Dogs

Well, Fierce Friends, It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and I'm sick with my usual December allergies, so I thought I'd share some LOLChristmasCats with you! Enjoy! Next week, I will have an excerpt from my new book, HIGHLAND REBEL!

Fun With The LOLcats!

Hi Fierce Friends!

Life for a full time writer is CRAZY!! So here's some fun for all of us -- more LOL cats! Be back with more profound and serious thoughts on writing next week. Have a great day!!


































Keep Writing!!! Hugs, Tess

Don't Get Me Riled Up, Y'all

Hi Fierce Friends!
Well, last weekend I attended an awesome SF/F literary conference in Austin, Texas, where I sat on two panels, one for Paranormal Romance, and one about Vampires. They were both a lot of fun. What's amazing is that this conference, which started in 1978, has now included Paranormal Romance in their line-up! To be honest, SF/F conferences are a little, shall we say, a little snobbish when it comes to anything related to the romance genre. So I was thrilled to see they were opening their minds a little to this sub-genre (can something this big even be called SUB anymore?) this year. However, on one of the panels a reference was made to romance that I have heard a million times, but that still upsets me. It was the term, "bodice rippers".

Now, back in the 70s, when romances first started taking off as a genre, there really were such things as '"bodice rippers". Some of Kathleen Woodiwiss and Rosemary Rogers are good examples of this kind of "rape fantasy" romance that was so popular at this time. Of course, I have to also say that those books were extraordinary, even if they did feature women who allowed men to dominate their lives, at least sexually. However, tihngs began to change, probably in the early 90s, maybe earlier, when wimpy heroines became a thing of the past, and while Alpha males are still popular, the heroine now gives as good as she takes in rough and tumble relationships. The hero/heroines in romance have definitely changed.

Now if someone has this opinion (that all romances are bodice rippers) and they read romances, then I would have to respect that, (while I would still question it) however, my experience has been that people who say this do NOT read romances, at least not present day romances. It's amazing to me that someone can disparage an entire genre without reading it. I would never make a disparaging remark about a genre I had never read, but it happens all the time with romance.

So did I vent my ire at the con? Nope. I tried to be nice, I hope that I was. This person was entitled to her opinion, even if it was coming from an uninformed position. But I did point out that "bodice rippers"were from the 70s, and not relevant to today's romances. The person insisted that they were still the same. I said, "I disagree." I did say that romances are like any other genre -- there are good authors and not-so-good authors. Some romances are not that great. Some are amazing. It just depends on who you're reading. In my own humble opinion. One thing for sure -- romances make up the largest sales in paperback books of ANY genre! So there! :)

But I did have a great time, and appreciated the people on the panels who DID have open minds. One of them was Cynthia Leitich Smith, a YA author who loves paranormal romances and wrote to tell me so! So thanks, Cyn! Check out her website, ya'll!

Okay, this was sort of a vent blog, but I guess the real underlying message here is: If you meet me somewhere, please don't call romances bodice rippers! :)

Cheers ! And Keep Writing!

Tess Mallory joins Fierce Romance Blog

Hi, everyone, We are excited to report we have a new member here at Fierce Romance blog, Tess Mallory! Welcome to the blog, Tess. We're thrilled to have you! Please tell us about yourself.

Tess: Thanks! So glad to be here! A little about me, eh? Well, I was born and raised in Texas and live in the Hill Country with my husband of thirty-odd years (and believe me, there have been some pretty odd years-ha) and our three children and their families. I've recently started writing for Berkley's Sensation line and I'm so excited about that! I love all things Irish and Scottish, my favorite music is that of my son, Jordan Mallory (www.myspace.com/jordanthomasmallory) along with Blue October, the Dresden Dolls, Tom Petty, Joni Mitchell, and Mary Black. My favorite authors include Jennifer Crusie, Kim Harrison, and Margaret Weis. I can't wait to see the new Indiana Jones movie, and I love watching LOST, Boston Legal, and the Big Bang Theory, because, after all, I'm a geek at heart!

Vonda: I'm a major LOST fan too! What do you write?

Tess: I've been writing romance novels for the last fifteen years, most of them time travel, but all containing elements of fantasy or science fiction. My newest time travel romance, HIGHLAND ROGUE, is due out May 6th! Other titles are HIGHLAND DREAM, HIGHLAND FLING, HIGHLAND MAGIC, JEWELS OF TIME, CIRCLES IN TIME, MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S MAGIC (The Fairy Bride), and TO TOUCH THE STARS. In the unpublished realm of my life, I write plays, songs, and poetry.

Vonda: Naturally, I love Highland books and time travels! I can't wait to add yours to my TBR stack. Please tell us about your latest release, Highland Rogue. (What a hunky and gorgeous cover, by the way!)

Tess: I'm very excited about the release of HIGHLAND ROGUE. It's the first in a new time travel series from Berkley Sensation unofficially titled "Timeless Highlanders". The series is about three sisters in Texas who end up in Scotland, and are each sent back in time (in three different books) to the past where they fall in love with hunky Scotsmen in kilts! HIGHLAND ROGUE is about the eldest sister, Maggie, who has taken care of her younger twin sisters since their parents died when she was 23. Now she's 33 and feels life has sort of passed her by. Her sisters, Allie and Ellie, surprise her with her heart's desire--a trip to Scotland to work on an archaeological dig! There, in an ancient cairn, Maggie discovers a tri-spiral (triskele) carving on the floor of the cairn, and it sends her back to the year 1711. There she stumbles into the path of a highwayman's horse, and her adventure with handsome outlaw Quinn MacIntyre begins!

Vonda: Sounds like my kind of story. I can't wait to read it! You've had several books published over the years. Please tell us about some of them.

Tess: HIGHLAND ROGUE is my eighth romance novel. I recently learned that my former publisher, Dorchester, is re-releasing the Highland time travel series I wrote for them which includes HIGHLAND DREAM, HIGHLAND FLING, and HIGHLAND MAGIC. These books centered around three women who are best friends, who find their true loves with the help of a mysterious, magical green crystal! They are humorous and were a lot of fun. They should be re-released some time in May, and can be special ordered through bookstores or places online like amazon.com. My other books are very near and dear to my heart and I hope they will be re-released soon as well. My favorite books of all the ones I've written is Circles in Time, which unfortunately, can only be bought used online at the moment! :-)

Vonda: I hope Circles in Time will be re-released too. What do you love most about writing time-travel romance? What do you find hardest?

Tess: What I love the most about writing time travel romance is that it allows me to take an element of science fiction or fantasy (I love both), blend it with history, (which I also love) and center all of it around the conflicts and romance of a man and woman madly and passionately in love with each other-which of course I love! :-) Writing time travel is just great adventurous fun, and writing one always makes me stretch my brainpower, because there are always plotting details I have to double check, and paradoxes to be explained!

Vonda: Absolutely! Time-travel is one of my favorite elements. What do you enjoy most about writing stories set in Scotland?

Tess: I've loved Scotland since I was a little girl-the amazing landscapes, the incredible history, the ancient mysteries, the powerful sense of honor and loyalty inherent in the Scots. Later I grew to appreciate another facet of that beautiful country - those hunky Scotsmen in kilts! :-) The honor and courage and strength of a Scotsman makes him the perfect hero of a romance novel, and I have had a blast hooking my 'girls' up with some of the most heroic!

Vonda: Now you're talking! I'm in love with Scotland and those men in kilts. :-) What are your hobbies?

Tess: I'm a frustrated artist at heart, and have tried my hand at any number of mediums. My favorites, at least right now, are mosaic tiling-which I find extremely soothing and therapeutic, collages, and painting furniture! :-) I also write songs and sing very, very occasionally.

Vonda: I'm learning we have several things in common, Tess. :-) When did you know you wanted to be an author?

Tess: From the time that my father taught me how to read, sitting on his knee on Sunday mornings, reading the Sunday comics, he influenced my life and my love of words. He was a true storyteller and wordsmith in his own right, and he taught me more about the essence of creating worlds and characters than anyone I've ever known. But I think I first thought seriously about becoming a writer when I was in the seventh grade. That was when I tried to write my first book--a western--and I remember the wonder and amazement that I felt when I started actually creating characters on paper! I think I got 4 chapters done before I fizzled out, but I still have my original folder with those pages inside, and I know it was the beginning of my love for writing books. Over the years after that initial attempt, I wrote so many stories and poems, never worrying about the publishing side of things until I was well into my twenties. I remember I "got serious" at the same time that I got pregnant with my first child. My timing was a little off! It would be another ten years before I was able to tackle writing as a career and sell my first children's story to Highlights for Children. Others followed, along with stints spent working for newspapers and also writing plays for community and church theatre. Nine years and three kids later, I sold my first time travel romance to Leisure/Lovespell books.

Vonda: Fantastic story! How did that first sale come about for you? And what was the most important thing you learned (the thing that made all the difference) just before you made your first sale?

Tess: My first book sale to Leisure/Lovespell (Dorchester) came about because I was in the right place at the right time, so to speak. I had read Jude Devereaux's A Knight In Shining Armor and loved it! As soon as I finished it, my mind was whirling with possibilities for a time travel romance of my own! I was so excited about the story of a woman who inherits a necklace, which turns out to be a time travel device from the future! Right after I finished that story--JEWELS OF TIME--I picked up a copy of Romantic Times Magazine and read in a Market report that Lovespell was "looking for time travel romances". Hey! I had a time travel romance! I sent in a query, got a quick response asking for three chapters, and a month later, got a request for the rest of the book! After I sent in the rest--to my shock and amazement--they bought it! It was the thrill of a lifetime! :-)

What made all the difference before the sale, I think, was several things: First, I finished a project, second, I kept abreast of market trends, and third, I took a chance. A first time writer will have a hard time selling an uncompleted book. It's important to have a product in hand, to market. So first, I completed a book. Then, as a reader of romance, I had begun to read magazines geared toward romance writers and readers. I scoured RT and Affaire de Coure, looking for opportunities for my writing. When I "happened" upon the blurb in RT (if anything "just" happens, which I don't believe!) I had all the usual fears that any writer would have--what if my book wasn't what they were looking for? Why should they buy my book? Did I really know what the heck I was doing?--I took a deep breath and mailed off my query, never really imagining that they would buy my book! But as my dad used to say "Faint heart ne'er won fair maiden". I had to be willing to put myself out there, risk rejection, take a chance! Boy, was I glad that I did!

Vonda: Wow that was a fast sale! Please tell us a fun, unusual or quirky fact about yourself. :-)

Tess: Oh, gosh, probably most of my friends would be hard pressed to tell you something about me that wasn't quirky! I'm a quirky kind of girl! Ummm... let's see. Okay, here are a few of my quirkier things: I secretly long to be an actress on a soap opera, I'd love to be a comedian, I have a phobia about mushrooms, I want to get a tattoo of the Totoro "ghosts" really bad, but I'm too chicken, I am obsessed with creating LOLcats, and, oh yeah, I write a humorous column about my long time favorite soap opera, All My Children, for an AMC MySpace site at www.myspace.com/superposteroftheyear.

Vonda: Very cool! Those are quirky things. I've enjoyed getting to know you so much! Anything else you'd like to add?

Tess: Just that I love to hear from romance readers and aspiring romance writers, and that I'm always happy to answer questions about the publishing business, or my books, or writing in general!

Vonda: Would you like to ask blog readers a question?

Tess: Yes! What makes a romance novel a "keeper", in your opinion? What would you like to see more of in romances? What's your all time favorite romance novel and why?

Vonda: Great questions! I want to thank you again, Tess, for joining our blog! We'll very much look forward to your entertaining posts. :-) Everyone please visit Tess Mallory's beautiful website at: http://www.tessmallorybooks.com/ By the way, I love your slideshow header of Scottish scenery!

Please click here to buy Highland Rogue.