Today we have the terrific Roxanne Rustand with us. She's written numerous Super Romances for Harlequin and Love Inspired Suspense novels for Silhouette. Her latest release is another Super, and knowing her, it really is. Super, that is :)
This is the release week for my Everlasting "Save the Last Dance" which--along with the other remaining titles in the line--is being shelved with Superromance. It's a bittersweet feeling, seeing it on the bookstore shelf, because I enjoyed the Everlasting line and hoped it would continue. Still, this book gave me a chance to explore the romance of two characters I came to love, and also delve into the complex family relationships that can make or break the chance for success of those happily-ever-afters that we all write about in romance. It was fun to move beyond the starry-eyed beginnings to see what happens next!
In this book, I also loved being back in beautiful northern Wisconsin--one of my favorite places, along with the Rockies. Every fall, a good friend and I head up to Minocqua to visit a mutual friend for a "girls weekend away" where we can explore the quaint surrounding towns, enjoy the beautiful lakes, search out consignment stores, and even hit the occasional end-of-season garage sale. We're such treasure hunters! ☺ And we talk about books, late into the night. All of us have grown children, yet it's like having a big pajama party.
Looking back, I've realized that most of my twenty-three books have been set in places that I love--Montana, Wyoming, Texas, Colorado, Minnesota and Wisconsin. Many involved rugged characters at home in the out-of-doors-- ranchers, horse trainers, veterinarians, or high-adventure types. And most have included four-legged characters based on the menagerie we have had at home. If it has scales, hooves, feathers or fur, we've probably had (or have!) it at our house. Our son's snake Igor actually starred in my first book. ☺ I started a blog this year for authors (and readers!)
to talk about their pets, at http://roxannerustand.blogspot.com, and it's been fun to read some of those stories!As I'm looking back, I've started to wonder. When you pick up a book, does setting matter? Do you love some settings and avoid others? Or do you pick up books based on titles and cover art? The back cover blurb? Do you sample a few pages--or mostly grab favorite authors based on name alone? I'll be giving away a copy of my new release to one lucky commenter today!
25 comments:
Welcome Rox and thanks for being our guest today. That sunset picture is absolutely stunning. Easy to see how such a place can stoke the well of creativity!
(Hey Cindy-I used the word stoke. You like it better now, right???)
Hi, Roxanne! And welcome!
I just blogged yesterday about places that inspire, but I'm very curious to hear about reader reaction to settings. Setting doesn't generally impact my decision about a book, but I imagine it can make a diff to a lot of people.
Love your cover!
Hey Roxanne, good to have you with us. How are your equine friends doing?
Setting definitely makes a difference for me. I enjoy a lot of outdoorsy kind of stuff.My agent tells me that most readers feel fairlly strongly about setting so I guess I'm not alone.
Thanks for joing us and good luck with your beautiful new book.
Hi Lois, Helen and Kim! It's so nice to be here for a visit. I love stopping in here at Riding With the Top Down to read all the wonderful posts.
Helen, that photo with the horses and beautiful building is intriguing. At first I thought it might be the far end of the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, but now realize it probably isn't tall enough. What a gorgeous place! Where is it?
Roxanne
Setting matter to me because I am one of those readers who have trouble imagining. I need it described for me, if not the book wont work out for me.
Please count me in.
cindyc725 at gmail dot com
Hey, Rox, welcome!
Wouldn't it be nice if they kept publishing these books within the Super line? I was so sorry to see Everlasting and Next go by the wayside. I think they needed a little more time, more promotion. I know the readers are out there.
Setting is really big for me. I love Westerns--contemp and historical both. Can't find enough of them.
Cover plays a part in books I choose, along with the back blurb, and - of course - if it's an author I know and like, I'll pick up the book. I never much thought about setting having an influence on my reading, but I have truly enjoyed books that are set close to home where I can recognize landmarks and such. It just never crossed my mind until you brought it up.
I loved the Everlasting books too. They were "big" books within the Harl/Sil family. At least the remaining ones are being put on the shelf.
I've bought a few books in my time based on the setting. If they're set in my home area or the mountains where I went to college, that offers a certain attraction. Or I may pick up a book based on the back blurb and find the setting is a place I've been or have wanted to go and I get a mini-vacation too.
Your girls' weekend sounds like such fun! My website partners and I did that a couple years ago and had a meth lab busted in the room next to ours. Oh joy.
Marilyn
Hi, Roxanne
I have an extensive list of authors who are an automatic buy.
Other purchases are based on friends' recommendations and blogs like RWTTD.
Hi!
I've never given settings a thought before. I don't think I've "run across a setting I didn't like!"
I never used to care about authors until I started to blog. Now I've started to look for certain authors, although I have a few books here that I need to read before buying any new ones....
Laney - it's good to know that our blogging efforts make a diff!
Roxanne, that pic with the carriage in the foreground, I think, is in the area on Mackinac they call Knob Hill.
I'm Southern, and I think a sense of place is in my blood. Setting is important to me. I love books in which setting has the dimensions of a character. Still, the only books I buy because of setting are those with Southern settings. My academic area of specialization is Southern literature, so I have a particular interest.
I too was sad to see the Everlasting Love line go. Nearly all those books were keepers for me.
I used to read lots of romance during my teen years. Finally got too depressed that life wasn't really like that! Have only recently, within the last year or so, gotten back into it..... And have really enjoyed reading again. Many of the books I've purchased are authors from this blog, because of the blog. Any other books that I buy are normally because of the cover art and the blurb on the back. I don't take setting into account. I realize, now that you've mentioned it, that I do enjoy it when they are set somewhere with which I am familiar. But somewhere unfamiliar will not keep me from getting it...
Your book looks really good.... great cover!
I'm ok with most settings. Usually the back blurb and an excerpt help me to decide if I want to read a book.
A cover or title may get me to pick up the book but the back blurb usually sells me on it. I will buy from favorite authors without any thought. And I'm okay with any setting :)
Hey, Rox-- Good cover, speaking of covers! Welcome!
I never used to think I was that attached to covers until I became a Kindle user. I find that so many self-published and barely-published books are put up that I breeze right past because the cover doesn't say, "Well packaged, worth your investment because we invested time and money bringing this product to you."
So, yeah, covers make a big difference in getting me to click through and see what a book is about. Additionally covers do signal me if the book includes elements I like.
I like knowing a book is about a cowboy or set at the shore or filled with animals, etc.
Those visual signals and a cover are what get me to pick up new authors.
Titles help, too. So, sadly packaging is important and authors don't always have control over that.
I ordered this book on the Harlequin website on Friday, I am really looking forward to reading it. I love the Everlasting Love books and try to read as many of them as I can!
Setting does matter as much as subject matter..but it is always nice when the setting is a place you love.
Rox is having trouble posting so I'm posting these responses for her:
I heart book gossip and Kathleen: It's so interesting to see the answers here about the setting used in books...and also very interesting to see that this blog is so popular, and has an impact on leading readers to new authors.
Gun Diva: The first time I really noticed setting was in Slow Heat in Heaven, by Sandra Brown. Have you read it? The setting itself was a strong character. I loved that book!
Marilyn: the drug bust at the hotel must have been great research!
I have many authors who are auto-buys for me. Also a good cover or blurb can get my attention on buying a book!
I would say that usually setting takes a back seat to characters and plot--those would override any aversion I might have to a particular setting. I do sometimes pick up books set in places I'm especially fond of or places that I've been before, just for the chance to "visit" them again. I mostly tend to buy by a combination of author, blurb, and excerpts. And since I've been on the internet more these days, my list of books to acquire is longer and longer!
Congrats on your latest, Roxanne! I really enjoy the Everlasting Love imprint!
Thanks so much for your comments! it was such fun visiting here. I had some trouble posting my responses today, but I hope this one will go through. Thanks, Samantha, for ordering Save the Last Dance. I would love to hear what you think of it!
Best wishes to you all,
Roxanne
I'm also a back blurb read before I buy person.I don't travel a lot so I actually like to be exposed to places I haven't been before. I will also buy by the author's name, never by the cover alone.
Hey Rox
sorry I'm so late posting but i was on the road all day yesterday = 10 hours. Just getting my legs back under me.
The cover is gorgeous!!!
Congrats!
love the sunset picture; sad to see the Everlasting Love line go.
Post a Comment