Sue Grimshaw: Random House: Choosing a Title/New Books/Giveaway!

Happy Holiday season to everyone – and thanks once again to Romance Books ‘4’ Us for hosting Loveswept once again.

Giveaway Alert: Comment and you may win a copy of the four books (ebooks) shown below: 4 winners will each receive one of the books! Put your email address in the text box with your comment, please. Giveaway ends 5 Nov at midnight ET.

Today’s topic, which I hope you’ll find interesting, because it is one of my favorite things to do, is choosing a title. I thought I’d share by example giving you the inside scoop of how we decide on titles for our books.

It may or may not surprise you that there is not a big mystery behind it – at all. Our main concern is that we choose titles that depict the story. Though there are other parameters we feel are necessary in the process as well like --- the titles need to be sexy, indicate a romantic story, indicate a genre and so on ---- it’s not nearly as difficult as you may think.

Let me show you a few examples -- I think sometimes images help explain things better than words, don’t you? Especially when the images are of our Loveswept romance covers

This month we have some really fun new stories –

 

Wild Nights by Tina Wainscott – Since the book is part of a series, The Justiss Alliance, we wanted the titles to be different but reflect a similarity for branding purposes, to be easily recognizable indicating that it is part of the series: Wild Hearts; Wild on You ; Wild Ways and now, Wild Nights – and the cover works so well with the title, don’t you agree?

For Stacey Kennedy’s next Club Sin book Freed, the title just called out to both the author and I – the story is about allowing yourself to love again and this title seemed to fit the story perfectly.




 

Debut Regina Cole launches her first Flirt romance in her Sinful Skin series, Draw Me In – since the hero and heroine love art and both work at a tattoo shop we thought the title was a no brainer complimenting the cover image.

A Cowboy’s Christmas Promise was a title that took a little bit of brainstorming. Maggie and I started with Mistletoe Promise but realized quickly that it was only a working title. A Cowboy’s Christmas Promise is the second book in the Whisper Creek series which includes a very strong western theme, and cowboys! Nice title revision, don’t you think – and I adore this cover:



Although I’m only highlighting a few of our November releases be sure to check out these authors stories too – I know you’ll not want to miss these heartfelt stories:
Want It by Jennifer Chance
Until You Find Me by Amber Hart
What a Lady Demands by Ashlyn Macnamara
A Cursed Bloodline by Cecy Robson

                        
Happy Romance!!

Sue Grimshaw ∙ Category Specialist & Editor at Large - Penguin | Random House Publishing Group | BBD - Loveswept, Flirt
sgrimshaw@randomhouse.com
http://www.romanceatrandom.com/
http://www.facebook.com/RomanceAtRandom
Twitter - @SueGrimshaw or https://twitter.com/SueGrimshaw
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Sue Grimshaw: Random House: What Makes Romance Go Round and Round

Giveaway Alert:  Sue Grimshaw is giving away 3 ebook copies of Desired (by Stacey Kennedy) so be sure to leave a comment AND your email address. Giveaway ends 5 August.

Industry trends in romance are cyclical -- cover looks change from year to year, storylines have their ups and downs, even the telling of a story has its transitions -- whether to tell it in first person or third. Romance readers may be loyal to the genre but they do like it when we change things up a bit.

I know as a reader, I too enjoy variety. Most of us have our favorite sub-genres, and contemporary seems to be it these days, but we do like to read other types of stories too.

Remember the strength of paranormal romances just a few years ago? Although I still enjoy reading them there are many more stories that are grabbing my attention.



Fifty Shades of Grey certainly drove reader interest to erotic romance - Loveswept's USA Today's bestselling author Stacey Kennedy has benefited from that trend and continues with her Club Sin series, DESIRED, -- just released last month. BDSM and dungeons are hot!




 New Adult continues to appeal to readers and really has become more of the norm. Readers now are looking for younger heroes and heroines. Cecy Robson will benefit from this trend with her Loveswept release, ONCE PERFECT, on sale in October -- "His life was never easy. Hers wasn’t supposed to be this hard. They come from different worlds, but fate lures them together in a way neither expected in Cecy Robson’s raw, steamy series debut." The more angst an author can incorporate into her story the more appealing it will be to readers today.

But, there is room for sweet and sassy too! Lauren Layne has defied odds within the NA genre with ISN'T SHE LOVELY - - her next release in September, BROKEN, is sure to win readers hearts too. Who can resist a girl with secrets, a guy with scars, and a love that could save them both. Now that's romance!









Smart, clever writing is always appealing to romance readers and Cassie Mae follows Lauren's footsteps with, THE REAL THING, on sale this month. If you like wit you'll adore both of these authors, very smart and talented storytellers.

As mentioned earlier, contemporary trends are hot - really hot, and they come in a variety of stories too. I think that is the biggest challenge for us all -- to keep things the same but different. For example:
How many billionaires can a romance reader read? A lot, especially if we keep the story and characters unique  - perfect examples of this include New York Times bestselling author Tracy Wolff's recently released, ADDICTED.

Laura Marie Altom's, CONTROL, also has that special touch to endear readers to the H/h from the start . . . Liam Stone is equally as fabulous as Ethan, but maybe not quite as wealthy.

SEALS continue to appeal to fans, and when wrapped in small town settings you're sure to have success, like Claudia Connor's, WORTH THE FALL.

And readers are still very sports minded. Hockey resonates with romance fans, which always sort of baffles me as in real life few have a full set of teeth! But, they are very resilient and maybe that is what makes them so hot - Sawyer Bennett's, ALEX, will release in October and he definitely fits the bill. Alpha heroes rule!!




Every month readers have a vast variety of romances to choose from -- and the trends are almost organic. The trick is to be able to monitor what is working and what doesn't and hope that you've got a strong enough idea of what readers want.

Bottom line - a good book is what sells, and that could mean something different to you than to me, but whenever I find wonderfully written characters I'll follow them anywhere and I think readers do too.

So - whatcha' reading?

Don't forget to leave a comment (with your email address) for a chance to receive one of 3 giveaway copies of Desired by Stacey Kennedy!

Happy Romance!
Sue Grimshaw ∙ Category Specialist & Editor at Large - Penguin | Random House Publishing Group | BBD - Loveswept, Flirt
sgrimshaw@randomhouse.com
http://www.romanceatrandom.com/
http://www.facebook.com/RomanceAtRandom
Twitter - @SueGrimshaw or https://twitter.com/SueGrimshaw
Flirt  Loveswept
Pinterest  Google+ 

Sue Grimshaw: Random House: Updates for Loveswept and Flirt Romances

Hi everyone -
Sadly, I'm a few days too late for any sassy April Fool's Day jokes so I guess I'll just have to deal with that. :)

I don't know about you but I've been finding so many fabulous romances to read I don't know where to begin. Loveswept's line keeps getting bigger and better with a variety of hot fun! And Flirt has the savviest of authors exploring young love in a new fresh style---below are some of our new releases this month and a few upcoming books to keep your eyes on -- ready?

GIVEAWAY ALERT:
Oh! And, I don't want to forget the giveaway -- three lucky winners will be able to choose an eBook mentioned in this post, your choice -- Good luck! Details below!

Hugs,
SueG
Sue Grimshaw - Category Specialist and Editor at Large - Penguin / Random House Publishing Group / BBD / Loveswept, Flirt

Author Julie Cross
Julie Cross is best known for her magical Tempest series, a young adult science fiction trilogy --- Julie has now broken out into the world of New Adult partnering with Loveswept and her March 25th release of THIRD DEGREE- listen to this:
Fans of Monica Murphy and Tammara Webber will savor this novel about coming of age in the heat of the moment from Julie Cross, the internationally bestselling author of the Tempest trilogy.

I used to be "Isabel Jenkins, child prodigy." As lame as that sounds, at least it was an identity. But now I'm not sure what I am. I just failed the most important exam of my life-the emotional readiness test required to get into a medical residency program-and it turns out my parents can't stand each other. Now I'm trying to figure out how to pick up the pieces of my life, and that means re-enrolling as a college freshman, but this time I'm shutting the books and majoring in being eighteen.

But so far, my roommate hates me and I'm not into the party scene. The only good thing about school has been getting to know my insanely hot RA. Marshall Collins makes me wonder about everything I missed while I was growing up too fast. Pretty soon we're hanging out constantly, but for the first time, I find myself wanting more than a no-strings-attached physical relationship. And the lesson I really need is one Marsh definitely can't teach me: love. Because I'm going to be alone forever if I don't learn fast. Ladies, Marshall is to-die-for and Izzy is a hoot - together sparks ignite and this is such a romantic story *Sigh*

Readers are saying:
 "I loved every. Damn. Second of Third Degree. Isabel and Marshall are so intense yet so lost at the same time, and that's exactly what I love about this novel."-New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Emma Hart.
"I love a book that makes me forget all about the real world and sends me on a journey with its characters."-Turning Pages
"With quirky characters, laugh-out-loud moments, and a touching romance, Third Degree is a refreshing entry in the New Adult genre. I can't wait to read what Julie Cross comes up with next!"-Roni Loren, bestselling author of Need You Tonight.
"I fell for quirky, brainy, socially awkward child prodigy Izzy and even more so for her sweet, compassionate, and hot RA, Marshall. I was rooting for their happily-ever-after and was sighing with satisfaction by the end."-Christina Lee, author of the Between Breaths series.
"Loved! Fans of Huntley Fitzpatrick's My Life Next Door and Tammara Webber's Easy will fall hard for this book."-Krista Ritchie, co-author of the Addicted to You series.

This is a book not to be missed! http://www.randomhouse.com/book/237829/third-degree-by-julie-cross . On Sale 3/25/14

****

Author Lori Adams

Lori Adams is a Wattpad phenomena, you can catch her now releasing her series on the mega-site beginning with  FORBIDDEN - the first in the Soulkeepers trilogy featuring Sophia and Michael - so romantic! Listen to this:
Lori Adams puts a twist on paranormal romance with the first novel of The Soulkeepers, a series that blends ancient legends and new myths with an enchanting mix of thrills, humor, and high drama.

When Sophia St. James learns that she'll be moving from Los Angeles to a podunk town somewhere in Connecticut for her senior year of high school, she isn't expecting an otherworldly encounter. But there is more to Haven Hurst than meets the eye: it's home to a family of Guardian Angels, and she is the only one who can see them in spirit form. Sophia soon realizes she wants to see much more of Michael, an irresistible yet volatile Guardian who seems drawn to her too. As Michael battles his forbidden desire for the beautiful young newcomer, one of Hell's most notorious Demon Knights arrives. Handsome and charismatic, Dante has come to claim the reincarnated soul of his lost lover trapped in Sophia. Cursed with the demon of Persuasion living inside him, Dante will use his seductive charms to lure Sophia into a dangerous game that ends with the kiss of death-unless Michael, who has captured Sophia's heart, can now capture her soul.

 Once readers start this series they are guaranteed to be addicted.

 "A perfect blend of fantasy, humor, romance, and thrills, Forbidden had me laughing, biting my nails, and swooning all over the place."-Cassie Mae, author of The Real Thing. http://www.randomhouse.com/book/232242/forbidden-by-lori-adams
On Sale 4/15/2014

****

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Tracy Wolff
Flirt readers were all starry-eyed with Z in SHREDDED, the hot snowboarder with lots of attitude and the woman who saved him from himself, Ophelia. But, I too was aghast with the ending as Ash receives news of a tragic event.

SHATTERED continues this awesome Extreme Risk series with Ash and his brother, learning how to cope without their parents and with each other and the guilt Ash is carrying --- but there's always a smart women and her name is Tansy, together they heat up the sheets and heal one another on a Make A Wish trip to Chile! Just in time for Spring skiing. http://www.randomhouse.com/book/235381/shattered-by-tracy-wolff

****

 
Of course, Loveswept has a month of its own beginning with A PROMISE OF MORE by Bronwen Evans - the second book in her Disgraced Lords series, following  A KISS OF LIES.  

Advance praise for A Promise of More:
"Bronwen's historical romances always make the top of my reading list!"-New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Jen McLaughlin.
"A page-turning, sensual adventure."-New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Boyle.

http://www.randomhouse.com/book/227836/a-promise-of-more-the-disgraced-lords-series-by-bronwen-evans. On sale 4/15/2014
**** And on Laura Drewry's funny, heartwarming Loveswept debut, PLAIN JAYNE, a man and a woman learn the hard way that a little bit of love makes staying friends a whole lot harder.
    ****
JUST ONE NIGHT finishes up the Stiletto series penned by none other than the sassy wordsmith herself, Lauren Layne.
On Sale 4/22/14

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And we end the month with Juliet Rosetti's, A TANGLED THING CALLED LOVE - the third in her crazy Evanovich-esque, The Escape Diaries -- a series you don't want to miss.
http://www.randomhouse.com/book/232157/tangled-thing-called-love-by-juliet-rosetti. On Sale 4/29/14
**** May brings so much more - look for:
Laugh by Mary Ann Rivers

Wild Ways by Tina Wainscott
Against the Cage by Sidney Halston
And more! Visit us on the links below and please join our street team and win free books!

Details here - http://readloveswept.fancorps.com/login

Loveswept

Flirt https://www.facebook.com/readloveswept?ref=hl

http://www.romanceatrandom.com/ features books from all over the romance community; visit me on https://twitter.com/SueGrimshaw and Romance at Random loves to see you on  Facebook; and believe it or not, I'm on Pinterest and Google+.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS: 

Leave a comment below (along with your email address) and you'll be entered for the awesome prizes that Sue is giving away! Don't forget to thank her for taking time out of her busy schedule to visit us today. :-) Leave your comments by 4/9 for a chance to win!