by Lila DiPasqua

Many of you are aware that my dear husband, Mr. D, became quite popular last year with his famous Romance Husband (RH) interviews.  The idea was his.  After being a guest on my blog, and that post going viral, he saw just how interested romance readers are in learning about the man behind the romance authors we love.

I’m blessed. My husband has been so supportive of my career. He reads my books, gives great feedback, and enthusiastically tosses out many ideas over our coffees at Starbucks.  Some ideas have been awesome—like his RH interviews (seriously, you must Google “Mr. D’s RH interviews” because they’re hilarious).

Yet, other ideas he’s had were not so great.  🙂

He suggested I point out these “gems” that didn’t make the cut in UNDONE (historical romance), my latest book in the Fiery Tales series, and let you decide.

So, here are Mr D’s suggestions I vetoed in my steamy, romantic Rapunzel retelling:

  1. More cannon fights. There is only one cannon fight in the entire book. And it’s kind of brief.  Mr. D, “More cannon fights can only make a romance novel better!” [Lila: Ah, no. No, they wouldn’t.]
  2. There aren’t pages of descriptions and details about Spanish ships. Mr. D read up on Spanish galleons for me and according to him, “Who doesn’t want to read tons of facts about big ships? Right? Hello? ….” [Lila shakes her head.]
  3. There are no dungeons. Mr. D feels, “Dungeons ought to be in every book, because dungeons are cool.”  [Lila: Nothing says romance like some pestilence. *shudders* ]
  4. “There’s not a single skull-shaped watch in the story.” We discovered one in the Louvre Museum during our trip to Paris. It was circa the time period of UNDONE and it was amazing. [Lila: Maybe next time, honey.]
  5. Lastly, the book is not in Comic Sans—Mr. D’s favorite font.  [Lila: Yes, I’m pleased to confirm it isn’t. 🙂 ]

Here’s what I *kept* in UNDONE:

  1. A strong, smart heroine who has a heart-wrenching secret she’s had to bear for a long time. She’s guaranteed to tug at your heart.
  2. A hero, Simon Boulenger, who is a tall, dark, and sinfully deliciously privateer.  The chemistry between him and Angelica is powerful.  And distracting. He’s on a deadly mission.  And he isn’t without his own inner torment. The things he’s been involved in tortures his soul.
  3. Intense emotion. UNDONE is the most emotional, passionate love story I’ve ever written. These characters are flawed and real. Some readers and reviewers have found UNDONE so moving, it’s made them cry, as they cheered on Simon’s and Angelica’s happily ever after.
  4. My signature scorching hot love scenes. 😉
  5. My favorite theme—the healing power of love—sure to bring a satisfying sigh when you finish the book.

If you want something fresh and different, if you like extra heat in your historical romance novels, I hope you’ll try my twist on Rapunzel—UNDONE.

 

UNDONE

A Fiery Tale

Lila DiPasqua

HISTORICAL ROMANCE

ISBN: 978-0988035010

Inspired by the tale of Rapunzel, Lila DiPasqua offers a new steamy, emotionally charged historical romance in the acclaimed Fiery Tales Series . . . Rescuing this beauty from the ‘tower’ is only the beginning . . .


Maintaining her ruse as a commoner, and trusting no one has kept Angelica safe. But a chance encounter with a handsome stranger lands her right where danger lies. Now, this sinfully handsome man with arresting blue eyes and a polished manner thinks he’s saved her life, when in fact he’s placed her in great peril. She’s intent on keeping him and everyone else at arm’s length. Yet, the smoldering attraction between them is difficult to deny. And impossible to ignore . . .

As commander of a number of privateer ships, Simon Boulenger dresses and speaks like an aristocrat, and has obtained wealth. But he is still not a noble. Or an officer in the King’s Navy. His lifelong dream to elevate himself from his station of birth and attain a respectable place in society is dead. Worse, he’s ensnared in a deadly scheme, and must get out. But how is he to stay focused on his dangerous mission when the mysterious beauty has him utterly intrigued? He can’t afford the distraction any more than he can resist the carnal hunger she stirs. Simon soon discovers that she’s not only a passionate soul mate, but a woman born into privilege. A woman he can never have. But they’re in too deep. Their hearts are at risk . . . as well as their lives.

 BIO:

Lila DiPasqua is a multi-published author of wicked & witty historical romance for Penguin/Berkley, as well as self-published works and is best known for her critically acclaimed Fiery Tales series.  Her books have been featured on Doubleday and Rhapsody Book Clubs. She lives with her husband and three children in Canada, and is a firm believer in happily ever after.

 

Visit www.LilaDiPasqua.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LilaDiPasquaAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/liladipasqua

 

Buy UNDONE on:

Amazon  ~  Smashwords  ~ Barnes and Noble

NOTE: UNDONE is a Rock*it Reads book.

Rock*It Reads is made up of traditionally published authors committed to bringing high standards and professional quality to their self-published works. Whenever readers see the RIR logo, they know the book they are purchasing is held to an excellent standard of quality. We are Authors You Love with Stories that Rock. You can visit our site and check out more great reads at http://www.rockitreads.com/

 

QUESTION : What makes a book a keeper for you?

Giveaway:  One lucky winner will win a copy of UNDONE. Open international. 

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By Authors, Giveaways, self-publishing84 Comments on On the cutting room floor….

84 Replies to “On the cutting room floor….”

  1. Lila, I have enjoyed your husband’s reviews. They are hysterical. I agree with all your vetoes. I book is a keeper for me if it makes me feel something, either sadness, joy, anger, or something in-between, if I really like the hero/heroine and/or secondary characters, and the premise of the book and author.

    1. Hi Joanne, Thanks so much for the lovely comment about Mr. D’s RH interviews. He has waaaay too much fun doing those. LOL I love your criteria for a keeper novel. 🙂

  2. Your husband sounds hilarious and I love how close you seem and how supportive he is.
    A great story and intense emotions make a book a keeper for me, but I love most the banter between the two main characters. I love witty, funny banter… but as long as I feel their connection I’ll love it.
    off to Google “Mr. D’s RH interviews” lol

    1. Oh, I love witty banter between the hero and the heroine, too. There’s plenty of that in the Fiery Tales series—plus that all-too-important emotional connection. I hope you enjoy the RH interviews! 🙂

  3. Mr. D’s suggestions are fun and I think my husband would want to add battle scenes which seem to be in all his favorite books and movies. I do not care for battle scenes but a keeper for me has characters who have had tough times and learned from them. They are not perfect but they know what they want and work for it. It also has to be a story that has me turning the pages to find out what happens next.

    1. Great list, Maureen! The hero and heroine in UNDONE have definitely been through some serious tough stuff. Thanks so much for stopping by to share. 🙂

  4. First of all, Rapunzel is my favorite fairy tale. I was so envious of her long hair (mine was short and curly)
    I don’t have a lot of space to keep several books so I am selective in my keepers. They made an impact on my thinking, I enjoyed reading them, and will re-read them if I find the time.

  5. An enjoyable and unique post. Wonderful. A book with memorable characters and a plot that keeps me reading forever and thinking about the novel for a long time.

  6. A keeper book for me is one that when things are down or boring I can grab the book off my bookshelf and reread it and enjoy it as much as the first time.

  7. Love lila’s books. Also very much love fairy tales. Love here stories and can’t wait to check out this book. Thanks for the giveaway.

  9. I remember those interviews and thought they were brilliant something different!! You are lucky to have such a male. Mine likes to sabotage my efforts of writing.

    1. Thank you for the compliment! Please keep writing. The bottom line is, if writing is your passion, you should keep doing it. Wishing you all the best!

  10. I agree with you on the not included parts – men! A book with characters that have humor even with anything else that is going on – and can be open with their heroines/heros.

  11. I love historical romance books that have delicious love scenes, with lots of humor! example: (What I Did For a Duke) Something about the characters just want to make a person keep reading! I also like Julie Anne Long, Judith McNaught, Monica McCarty, Anna Campbell, Anne Mallory, and Maya Banks.

  12. I’ve read Mr. D’s RH interviews and found myself smiling after reading them. I’d love to read more of them. Anyway, on to the question. What makes a book a keeper for me is the relationship between the H and h. If there’s tension, longing, love and, of course, steamy loves scenes, it will probably end up on my keeper shelf. A book can have really steamy love scenes and no story and leave me cold. If I don’t like the H and/or h or the story line, I’ll pass on that book and/or author.

    I’m really looking forward to reading UNDONE!

  13. Maybe your husband ought to give writing a try with the male point of view – cannons and dungeons and big ships 🙂 I think it’s wonderful how involved he is. I’ve been hearing wonderful things about this story and it sounds like something I would enjoy.

    1. LOL. Shhhh. Don’t give him any ideas. He already thinks of himself as a blogging celebrity. 😀 Thank you for the lovely comment about UNDONE!

  14. Mr. D sounds special. I have to admit I’m curious about the skull-shaped watch.

    Re the question…Characters make a book a keeper for me. I want characters who stick with me long after I’ve finished the book, because I cared about them that much.

  15. I really enjoyed Mr. D’s interviews. He is a real hoot. A book is a keeper for me if it has the right chemistry between the characters, great plot that doesn’t leave any holes, and humor that keeps me enthralled. I am looking forward to reading UNDONE.

    1. Thanks so much for the compliments! I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed Mr. D’s interviews. Thank you for stopping by to leave such a lovely comment.

  16. i really have enjoyed reading your husbands posts. its nice to know the other side of what we women love to read

  17. I think what makes a book a keeper is how much sticks with me. It’s actually very variable because a book could speak to me more because of some event that was going on in my life at the time. So I guess a lot of it comes down to how much I emote.

    Thanks so much for the giveaway.

  18. When I read a book and I don’t want to sleep because I want to know what happens next, that’s when I know the book is a keeper. Especially if I finish the book is less than a week.

    1. Oh, I so know that feeling. You just *know* you should go to bed, but you convince yourself to stay up for one more chapter. Then one more after that… 🙂 Thanks for sharing!

  19. Looks like I have to do some googling and find these hilarious interviews. A book becomes a keeper when it elicits an honest emotion from me, or in other words, makes me feel.

    1. That’s so true, Julie! You’ve got to be invested emotionally in the characters to keep caring and reading. Hope you enjoy the interviews! Glad you stopped by. 🙂

  20. those are some awesome suggestions… do you have pictures of the watch??
    i need to have the right kind of heroine… awesome chemistry… and humor is always good.. i need to laugh with books..
    thanks for the chance to win!

    (and i agree, there should always be more dungeons.. lol)

  21. Love the cover of your book, sounds awesome. Love Mr. D’s sugestions but not sure they work in a romance noval, just a little will work though. My husband would want lots of fight scenes.

  22. OOoh….. I always love your husband’s blogs and questions. 🙂 He’s hilarious… (intentionallly and unintentionally….) 🙂

    But I do like Comics Sans Fonts too. 🙂 Maybe just not for romance books….

    1. Yes, I have to agree. There is a time and a place for Comic Sans, but romance novels are not it. LOL! Thank you for the delightful comment, May. 🙂

  23. A keeper for me is a book that has a plot that surprises me, scorching chemistry between the leads and humor. When I become emotionally vested in the characters and I don’t want the book to end (that’s why I love series romance) then it’s a keeper 🙂

    1. A plot with surprises—check. Scorching chemistry between the leads—check. Humor—check. Hope you’ll try one of my Fiery Tales books. 😀 I’m so glad you dropped in to chat with me!

  24. Hahaha, your husband cracks me up! Loved your post Lila, as always entertaining. I have ordered a print book from Amazon and…I….can’t….wait!! I check the mail box every day hoping it has arrived.

      1. I am thinking he is hoping you will continue to be a writer for the rest of your lives, so he can have fun and get all this attention from women all over! =)

  25. Once I’ve finished a book, I know it’s a keeper if I want to immediately read it again.

  26. Hi Lila! Congrats on your new release. It totally cracked me up that your dh’s favourite font is comic. I’m sure all of your readers would have just LOVED reading your book in that. 😉 Sounds like a fabulous read. I love those emotional, heart twisters –and of course the hot love scenes.

    1. Thanks so much, Bev! He’d have everything in Comic Sans if he could. 😀 But it doesn’t quite say “romance” does it? LOL Thank you for having me here today. I just love my visits at The Season!

  27. A keeper is a book I enjoyed so much that I’d like to read it again and again for craft and technique study or simply to experience the vivid words and phrases again. Loved this post, and love your sense of humor.

  28. A “keeper” is one that makes you think about it months after you finished reading it.

  29. im enjoy about this blog and mr d suggestion. he is very support to you. my husband justxlookin at me and said. . yeah of course blah blah. he never like reading.. and i think reading a book is a medicine to all of my life. when ive got stress, happy or sad. i really love the cover, the hero heroine, the story. so i think i will keep read till the end of time.

    1. Oh, you are so right when you say reading is like medicine. The best kind of medicine! Once you’re a book lover, you can never stop loving books. And that’s a great thing. 🙂 Glad you came by!

  30. I am also a fan of the RH interviews Lila! Those were pretty hilarious!

    What makes a book a keeper is when after I’m done reading it, I can’t wait to read it again and again. Plots may range but definitely one of them is a steong heroine, a tortured hero, and a happily ever after romance…

    1. Thank you for the wonderful comment about the RH interviews! UNDONE definitely has a strong heroine, a tortured hero and a happily ever after to enjoy. 🙂 Glad you stopped by, Zeee!

  31. I really enjoyed reading your blog post Lila, sounds like you have a really wonderful husband!
    Your new book “UNDONE” looks really good. I love the idea of a book based on Rapunzel, that’s different to read in a romance novel!

    In answer to your question, I find alot of my “keeper” books have great heroes. I must be a sucker for an outstanding hero.
    🙂

    1. Oh, I love a wonderful hero, too. They definitely make or break a romance. Thank you for the sweet comment! I’m so happy you enjoyed the post. 🙂

  32. Fun post. A book’s a keeper if it has good writing, strong characters, and a happy ending.

  33. I love a book that just grabs my attention and doesn’t let go until the very end. I have to read fast and furious the first time around and then I can enjoy it the 2nd, 3rd and who knows how many times afterward.

  34. The story and characters must grab me. Their flaws, their heartbreak, their dreams, their fears must become important to me. I must care what happens to them. the story must be engaging and multilevel. I like it when a story takes a turn I didn’t expect. Something a bit out of the ordinary about the characters or plot always helps. I have to feel the author cared about the characters and the story, making it something he or she is proud of. By doing this, the author is respecting and appreciating the readers. I am tired of getting towards the end after enjoying a book and the build up to the finale, then having the author seemingly get bored with writing it and rush through the ending. As a reader, I feel cheated.
    I have many keepers. I liked the sense of humor, the setting, the characters, the plot, and the way the author handled them. I do reread them when I can. If I really like a book, I will read through it as fast as I can to find out what happens. It takes another reading or so to slow down and savour the nuances of the story.

    1. Oh, I love your answer! And I love to write those “out-of-the-box” different kind of romances. It’s so important to me to put in unexpected twists and fresh spins. To grab the reader, yank them in and hold them enthralled for the duration of the novel. Thank you for stopping by! 🙂

  35. A keeper book is one where I keep thinking about the characters and the story when I’m not reading and after the story ends. One where I have a warm fuzzy feeling whenever I think about it.

    hankts AT internode DOT on DOT net

    1. That’s absolutely true. I just love it when that happens. When you think about those characters long after you’ve read “The End”. 🙂

  37. This was a wonderful feature. It was fun reading about your husband’s suggestions, especially about the font. ^_^ (I am also glad it is not in Comic Sans, though it would be interesting to read a steamy scene in that font. ^_^)

    I like a story that keeps me thinking afterwards — maybe it’s an intriguing character or situation or the way the conflict was resolved.

    1. I am LOL over the Comic Sans and a steamy scene. You’re right. They don’t exactly go well together, do they. lol Thank you for the delightful comment. 🙂

  38. Hi, Lila! I absolutely love your writing style and stories! You are just fantastic!
    Well, considering I physically *can’t* get rid of any book I own *COUGHtheyarelikechildrentomeCOUGH* all of the books I own are keepers 😉 BUT books that I usually like to revisit involve deep, tortured heroes, strong, stubborn heroines and memorable love scenes 🙂

    1. *blush* Thank you sooo much for the lovely compliment, dear Chelsea! I think we’re kindred spirits. I can’t get rid of my books, either. 🙂 Oh, I love your list! By the way, you’ve just described UNDONE. *winks*

  39. Waving Hi lila.
    Congrats’s on the release of undone love the cover it would look beautiful beside Princess in his bed, Awakened by a kiss, Midnight dance , I am saving a spot for undone.
    I have a number of keeper books Authors that are a must pick up. I love to be taken to an other place & time. Must have a HEA with a wee bit of trouble or mischief along the way .
    I do love the fairy tale Lila just Crank’s the heat up …
    Have a good one ann/alba

  40. What makes a book a keeper for me…….It has to be a witty, funny, sad, tender,thrilling,intriguing,can’t put down story, that catches and carries my attention and imagination along without drawing the plot out to extremes, or leaving it so unsettled and rushed to end it! I also love the epilogues where everything is tied up nicely and the hero and herione live happily. The hot sex scenes and the (can’t live without) covers don’t hurt either.

    1. Oh, your list is awesome, Joy! I definitely have a very special epilogue in UNDONE. 😉 ….and some hot sex scenes and a pretty lovely cover, too. Hehehe

  41. I LOVE your books Lila!!!! I’ve read them all. I’m reading Undone now on my kindle… and enjoying it very much… Ladies… you will be enthralled. I’d love to win a print copy… This is a keeper… :-)))
    For a book to be a keeper for me, the characters have to be well-developed AND I have to REALLY connect with them.
    Oh, and by the way, Lila, your hubby is a hoot!!!!

  42. Hi Lila,
    First I have to tell you that Mr. D’s interviews are hysterical and he definitely has the personality for it. 🙂
    Yes, on your vetoes . 🙂 It’s probably a man thing with lots of big guns and dungeons. lol
    I love your Fiery tales Lila. A keeper book for me is where I can connect emotionally with the characters. It’s as if I’m right there along their journey. I want to live through it with the characters until their HEA. 🙂 And that’s what happens every time I read one of yours. Thanks for the post Lila.
    Carol L.
    Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com

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