Please join me in welcoming author Heather Webber as the guest blogger here today at Thoughts in Progress.Heather’s latest book, “Truly, Madly,” is the first in the Lucy Valentine series and was released on Feb. 2. Heather will be dropping back by during the day to answer any questions you might have and respond to your comments.
Heather has a dilemma and needs your help. Heather tell us about your inscription dilemma.
Do I have a challenge for all of you!
With the release of Truly, Madly last week, I’ve been signing a lot of books, which is wonderful, except for one thing:
I can’t quite seem to come up with a snappy, cute, witty inscription to personalize copies of Truly, Madly.
With my last series, the Nina Quinn mysteries, it was easy. Nina was a landscape designer who often found herself in all kinds of trouble. During signings, I used phrases like “Hope you have fun getting into trouble” and
I’m not the only author who uses phrases or tags. New York Times bestseller Lorna Barrett uses a different phrase for each of her books. For her New Hampshire set Murder is Binding, she writes “Live Free.” For Bookplate Special it’s “Beware of pumpkin smashers” – doesn’t that make you want to read the book or what?
For her Supper Club mystery novel Carbs & Cadavers, JB Stanley writes, “To good food and great friends.” Wendy Lyn Watson, author of I Scream, You Scream: A Mystery A La Mode, writes “May all life's sundaes have cherries on top.” And bestselling author Denise Swanson has a different phrase for each of her 11 (!!!) Scumble River mysteries.
With Truly, Madly I’ve used a lot of the perfectly acceptable “Best wishes” and “Enjoy!” and have toyed with “Love will find a way…” and “Laugh, love…thrill.” But nothing seems quite right. I’d hoped to use a phrase similar to those on Valentine’s conversation hearts (after all my main character is Lucy Valentine) but Be Mine and I’m Yours just sound a little creepy as does Be My Valentine.
It doesn’t help that my book is cross-genre. It has mystery, it has romance, it has paranormal elements—so ideally I’d like a phrase that conveyed all those, but really, at this point I’m not all that picky. If you haven’t read the book yet, here’s a brief blurb:
Love is a mystery. Truly. Just ask Lucy Valentine, a jaded matchmaker with a heart of gold. When she’s thrust into a murder investigation and asks the sexy PI who works upstairs for help with the case, maybe she’ll find the perfect love while solving the perfect crime… (First chapter is on my website!)
So here’s my challenge: Help me find a phrase to personalize copies of Truly, Madly. You never know what might strike my fancy, so be as quirky as you’d like and submit lots of options. I’ll choose a winner later today and that person will receive a copy of Truly, Madly with the winning inscription!
I’m really hoping you all can help me, and I’m looking forward to your suggestions!
~Heather
Are you up to the challenge? Do you have a phrase in mind that would be perfect for Heather to inscribe? Be sure to comment and leave Heather your suggested phrase.
For more information on Heather and her books, check out one of the following links: http://www.heatherwebber.com
http://www.heatherwebber.blogspot.com
http://www.cozychicksblog.com
http://www.deadlydivas.com
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Heather-Webber/...
I am not sure about a phrase, I will have to think about that one. Please don't enter me, I just wanted to drop in and say hi to Heather and show my support. I loved Truely Madly. I can't wait to get my hands on the next book.
ReplyDeleteOh this book sounds wonderful! I just love the premise and I have to have a copy! So, I'll offer my suggestion!
ReplyDeleteThe first thing that came to mind: "I hope you madly love the book! Truly, Heather."
Or..."I hope you truly, madly love the book!"
I tend to favor the first one. SURE HOPE I WIN! Either way this is definitely now on my list of must-reads!
"Unravel the mysteries of your heart!"
ReplyDeleteHi Heather!
ReplyDeleteI'd help you out, but I'm still struggling with my own! I usually end up doing 'Happy Reading,' which is really BORING! :)
Elizabeth
Mystery Writing is Murder
Hi Heather!
ReplyDeleteI'm so bad at caption and coming up with phrases. Here's my attempt:
"Love means reading a good mystery"
Hi Heather, I'm with Elizabeth -- I need to work on coming up with captions for my books (plus I already have TRULY, MADLY, so I can't enter)
ReplyDeleteBut the choices coming in so far are great! You have some clever readers here!
Julie
Hmmm. There was a conversation heart that said "Let's Read", but I bet it's defunct ... and it's not terribly snappy. And your wonderful book (which I already have - so don't enter me in the drawing!) deserves better than that. :)
ReplyDeleteI like Crystal Clear's idea! And I LOVED the book! (So I don't need to win a copy - already have one. But I may need to keep it for you to sign - lol).
ReplyDeleteMason - Thanks for introducing us to Heather. Heather - Your book sounds like an interesting blend of mystery and romance, and I love a good intellectual challenge... hmmm..... how about "Romance is a mystery, but there's truth in love. Enjoy!" Maybe a little cheesy, but I'm a little low on caffeine : )
ReplyDeleteYou probably want something short since the lines will be long at your signings! How about, "Love you to death!" A little dark, I must admit--but it is a mystery!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a fun addition to my TBR list.
ReplyDeleteAs for the inscription, hmmm. How about "I hope you Deeply enjoy Truly Madly?" Oh well - it sounded better in my head. Now that it's written down, I'm not so sure about it!
How about "Remember, avoid using adverbs!" Lol, kidding - they work in a catchy title like this one. Hmmm - so it's got mystery, romance, and the paranormal ... how about-
ReplyDelete"A love story that will rock and shock you out of this world."
Best I can do at the moment. Forgot to put my brilliance cap on this morning. But sounds like a good book - best wishes!
The Old Silly
You all know how to make me feel welcome--thank you. And there are some interesting choices here... Hmmm.
ReplyDeleteBecause I am thoroughly enjoying TRULY, MADLY right now, you don't have to enter me in the contest but I will take a crack at a signing line: "May every day be Valentine's Day!" (Okay, maybe I need more coffee.) Loved hearing how other authors are signing their books, too. :)
ReplyDeleteCongrats on launching what's sure to be a successful and beloved series!
~Cleo
Heather, thanks so much for guest blogging here today. This challenge is really neat. I have to throw my phrase in too.
ReplyDelete"Wishing you magical moments."
Thanks again.
I just came from your website after reading the excerpt. I can't wait to read the book!
ReplyDeleteI love Cleo's suggestion, but here's my own:
"Truly a Valentine. Madly a Murder."
Got here from Facebook - Hi, Mason :) Heather, don't enter me in the contest, I just received my copy of Truly, Madly via Goodreads. But here's my suggestion: "You've just been "matched" with a great book! Happy Reading!"
ReplyDeleteYou just keep making it harder and harder. LOL. I got your book yesterday, but I have to finish the book I'm reading for a group read that has already started. I WILL get your book read in the next few days. I love this idea!
ReplyDeleteHappy Hearts and Homicide
ReplyDeleteHope Lucy is your perfect match for a good time.
Sandyt
Oh goodness, I'd LOVE to win a copy of the book. A phrase, huh? Quirky? Golly. Im assuming you'd like something that would relate to the book, so perhaps I should quick get a free copy t study it, LOL!
ReplyDelete"I hope you truly and madly enjoy this wild romp," Happily, Heather
I truly wish you the madness and mystery of romance!
ReplyDeleteHow about something sweet like "Wishing you love and excitement around every turn"? Or "Here's to a life full of love, rubies and mystery"... Or perhaps "Wishing you a life full of love, good mysteries and a ruby or two"... I'll keep thinking.
ReplyDeleteDon't include me in the drawing since I have my own copy of the book.
ReplyDeleteIt's been too long of a day for my brain to help you out! Hope you get some goodies :)
ReplyDeleteOh, this was so hard. And LOL, Marvin--you cracked me up with the adverbs.
ReplyDeleteOkay, for me it's between two:
Mason's Wishing you magical moments
and Crystal Clear's I hope you truly, madly love the book.
So I guess there's two winners! Send me addresses at heather@heatherwebber.com and I'll get your books out to you.
Thank you ALL so, so much!!!! And I do hope you truly, madly love the book!
Oh YAY! I'm so excited! I'm really looking forward to reading your book, Heather!
ReplyDeleteThis was fun today! A great way for you to get some ideas – very creative!
I'll send an email now! Thank you, Heather!
Can't think of a title. Loved reading the ones others have suggested, though!
ReplyDeleteHelen
Straight From Hel
Heather, glad we could help you out today. Thanks everyone for participating in this challenge. Hope everyone had fun. Good reading everyone.
ReplyDeleteMason, it really WAS a lot of fun! I really enjoyed it, and I'm TRULY looking forward to reading Heather's book! :)
ReplyDelete