No More Cyber-Launch Parties

Good morning, Blog Buds! I've decided to take advantage of this review-free Sunday to make a couple of Enduring Romance blog announcements.

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First, I've decided not to host anymore Cyber-Launch Parties. I love them. They're such a blast. However, I've developed Tendinitis, which I hear can develop into Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. I have to take care of my hands and limit the time I spend on the computer. As some of you know, I'm an aspiring author working against a self-imposed deadline for a novel, MANIC KNIGHT, and the deadline is September 1st to launch that puppy into Queryland. Also, I'm a Homeschool Mom, as a lot of parents in Alaska are, and our homeschool year starts August 18th. So, yanno, I have very busy hands anyway. Cyber-Launch Parties require a lot of keyboard time. However, if my fellow reviewers want to throw Cyber-Launch Parties, they're certainly welcome to it!

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Secondly, I'm cutting back to one book review per month. I'm already committed to A NOBLE SACRIFICE by Ciara Gold and HERETIC QUEEN by Michelle Moran this month, but starting in September with MAKE IT HOT by Gwyneth Bolton it's one book review per month only. In case you haven't noticed though, Robyn at Stonehenge has started doing *two* books a month. So, yanno, there'll still be plenty of love floating around Enduring Romance.

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Thirdly, Robyn at Stonehenge, that little go-getter, is taking over Tuesday News. Thanks, Robyn! My hands just couldn't take it. Hope she takes good care of hers.

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Lastly, to facilitate 'secondly' I'm sending some of my books to my fellow reviewers. Authors, if your book is reviewed by someone other than me, it doesn't mean I don't love you or your books anymore. It means they're generously helping me out so your book gets reviewed in a timely manner. Otherwise, I'd be booked through Summer 2009!

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Okay, I can't resist posting one last Reason Why I Pass on Some Novels' like I used to do for Tuesday News.

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FAKE HEROES

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I grew up with brothers, enjoyed hanging out with guy buddies, happily married a long, long time, and I have a son. I *know* what real men are like and I like them that way! My husband is my hero and I know what is required to make a hero. Please don't insult what little intelligence I have. Devestatingly handsome Romance novel heroes with washerboard abs who are able to seduce the heroine to the heights of ecstacy (without needing to be seduced themselves) after running all night through snake-infested swamps, battling fangore beasts, and still smell nice do *not* impress me.

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Cover art which features nicely sculpted male buttocks, however, does.

Then, I'll get whiplash. Geez, how'd Susan Grant's next novel, WARLORD'S DAUGHTER, get in here? (Kimber rubs sore neck.) Okay, I admit there's an element of fantasy! For the record, I can personally attest that ALL of Susan Grant's heroes know how to change diapers. That's how she single-handedly drew me back into the Romance genre after two decades of boycotting it.

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The point is, I think authors should find out what really impresses real women about real male heroes and build on that. Don't just make assumptions based on what's selling hot right now. The readers I know will gag from the Endless Parade of Sameness. Most Romance novel readers are over 25, which means they're experienced with real Romance and real men. And if they're moms, which the majority of over-25s probably are, they're going to be even more discriminating. Like I always say, "If he won't change diapers, I don't care how sexy he is. He can chase a parked bus for all I care!" This extends to small, helpless animals too. One of the ways my husband won me over was how he handled a cat he didn't like. The cat adored him.

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Have a good Sunday, Blog Buds.
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