Saturday, August 25, 2012

What does my new cover have to do with my brother's birthday?

Years ago, I went to a medium. She told me my brother was helping me with my writing career from the other side. She saw several books with blank pages that she said I would fill.

At that time I was just thinking about a writing career. My secret desire was to be a published author. I don't recall ever sharing that with another living person...but perhaps the nonliving heard about it somehow? This talented medium also said someone on this side of the veil named Richard would help get me started. Well, I kept thinking I'd find a publisher or agent named Richard, but I never did.

What actually happened was my zany friend Dick suggested I write a story about tattooed butts. Another friend (our beloved buxom Dalton Diaz) fell in a hole and twisted her ankle, resulting in a couple paramedics taking her to the hospital. These two inspirations resulted in my first paperback Heaving Bosoms.

Now, fast-forward ten years. The above cover was just delivered to me. It's the first in a trilogy which is a spin-off of the Strange Neighbors series. This mass market paperback will be released sometime in Spring of 2013. Don't worry. I'll let you know when I have an exact date. (grin)

Well, getting back to my brother. Today would have been his birthday. He died in 1997. Usually every August 25th his widow will call and we'll talk about my brother and cry. I hate that tradition. I'd much rather remember him my way...with every book I write. I know he would have been proud. Hell, he would have been amazed. I was his "baby sister."      

I wrote one book based (very loosely) on my brother and sister-in-law's real love story. It's called Death by Delilah, and I'm sure I must have either dedicated it to him or acknowledged him in it somehow. I don't remember now and I have an appointment I need to rush off to, so I won't be able to look it up until later.

I had hoped that book would be in a a paperback someday, along with a couple others.  Immortally Yours was to be a prequil. Then Death by Delilah and the last story would be Giggles by Gabby. (My editor didn't like Life by Lizette, but hey, I could retitle that one and call the three together, Immortally Yours someday...maybe. Just a thought.

How do you feel about anthologies? Love 'em? Hate 'em? I'd like to know! 

13 comments:

Sherry said...

I love 'em..

I love knowing the whole story..

Hot Ash Romance Novels said...

Thanks for 'voting' Sherry! It's great to know I'm not the only one.

Mai said...

I love them! Give me a series where I can love and follow them :-)

And yes your dear brother is right there with you.

Mai

Hot Ash Romance Novels said...

Thanks, Mai!!

Maggie Nash said...

I love them too :-) And a lovely story. I know my Dad is helping me and encouraging me too. I can feel him. Of course he tells me not to make the stories so explicit LOL...and I really love that cover Ash :-)

Hot Ash Romance Novels said...

Thanks, Maggie!

I'm glad you can feel your dad's presence. I've stopped fearing death so much now that I believe they're over there.

Cindy Spencer Pape said...

Great cover, Ash, and great "origins" story. I've also lost an older brother, and I know he would be tickled to bits by what I write--anything to shock the stuffy relatives. :-)

Hot Ash Romance Novels said...

Ah! You have stuffy relatives too. Mine are sweet, but too intellectual for my stuff. I have one second cousin who reads and loves it.

Dani said...

I love anthologies. I also love the cover for your book. I can't wait to read it either. I find it neat that your brother is helping you from beyond.

Hot Ash Romance Novels said...

Thanks, Dani! I'm excited about this new series.

Dalton Diaz said...

So half of me is going, "Awwwwwww". The other half has my head in my hands, wondering if I'll ever live that down. LOL!

I love that your brother watches over you.

jean hart stewart said...

Interesting...and I'm totally convinced those who love you still love you when they die. They're out there watching over you...

Jax Cassidy said...

I love anthologies. I love writing them. I'm sure they'll all get picked up! Congrats on your mass paperback release! That's truly awesome :)

*HUGS* It's sad to lose a loved one but your love and memories only grow stronger...