Look out for: New E-Publisher, Astrea Press | Seeking Submissions

Be on the look out for a brand new e-publisher which will be launching in Febuary 2011. Catering to the wholesome reader, Astraea Press will provide quality romance and fiction reads. They are also accepting submissions, so if you fit the bill, send your manuscripts! 

Astraea was formed in 2010 when two friends saw the need for a non-erotic e-publisher that offers wholesome reads but still maintains the quality of mainstream romance. The first titles for Astraea will be launched in February 2011.

With over six years experience in the publishing industry and avid readers, owners Stephanie Taylor and Jane Paxson look forward to working with their authors, having fun, and bringing you the best books available.
Astraea is a royalty paying publisher, NOT a vanity press!
What we offer:

• Working one on one with our cover artist to develop a cover you can be proud to display
• 50% royalties on AstraeaPress.com site sales
• Individual, customized marketing plan for each author to help your sales that combine with our own marketing efforts for your book
• Direct communication lines between owner, editors, cover artist, and authors. No middle man here!

Seeking Submissions
Astraea Press is currently seeking manuscripts between 15,000 and 100,000 words. What we are looking for:Check out our website, www.astraeapress.com, for more details!

• Any genre of romance or sub-genre of romance
• Young Adult
• Fiction of all shapes and sizes
• Clean manuscripts with no language and no graphic sex

'The Countess' by Lynsay Sands -Review-

Read an excerpt: here

   Witty and wonderful, “The Countess” grabs you instantly and refuses to let go until you fall in love. With enchanting protagonists, strong and endearing secondary characters, a fresh plot line, and some delicious dialogue, you’ll find yourself head over heels in no time at all.

   What’s a lady to do when she finds her ‘husband’ lying cold and unmoving on the library floor? Put him on ice and keep his death a secret, that’s what; At least until she finds a rich husband for her sister.

Recommendation of the Week: 01/16/11 - 01/22/11

'Tempting The Marquess'

by Sara Lindsey

Read an excerpt: here

"The Weston siblings have been blessed with Shakespearean names and an affinity for impropriety. Prepare to fall in love while discovering how the Westons are won.
While Olivia Weston loves matchmaking and romantic novels, she intends to make a suitable match. But first she wants an adventure, and when given the opportunity to visit a reclusive widower living in a haunted castle, Livvy can’t possibly resist.

After his wife’s death, Jason Traherne, Marquess of Sheldon, shut his heart to everyone but his son, and until now he has succeeded in maintaining his distance. But there’s something about Livy – her unique blend of sweetness and sensuality – that tempts him beyond all reason.
Though there’s nothing suitable about the feelings he inspires in her, Livvy can’t help falling for the marquess. But can she persuade him to let go of the past and risk his heart again?"Source

My Thoughts: I loved the first book in this series. 'Promise Me Tonight' ends where this book begins and if theres nothing I love more than chocolate, it's a recluse hero with a dark past and his heart padlocked. Olivia was so much fun in Book 1 of the Weston series, and I know that she will be the heroine we love to love in her own book. Can't wait to read this one!

Read a review of 'Tempting The Marquess' at Book Binge: here

This is your Recommendation for the Week of January 16th, 2011 thru January 22nd, 2011

Until Next Post<3...

Guest Post:"Novels Translated To Film: A New Trend in Television?"

Romance Novels Translated To Film:

A New Trend in Television?

Guest Byline: Wendy Lau is a writer based in New York City who has a true love for romance stories whether it is through novels or movies. She is a guest blogger for My Dog Ate My Blog and writes on Online Universities for Guide to Online Schools.

In one form or another, romance is a subject with a following. Why have great romance novels just end there? Why not expand and translate it to film or made-for-TV movies? Clearly, there is little reason not to, and that is why there is a growing trend of romance novels translating to motion picture.

Think Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert, Eclipse by Stephanie Meyer, Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden, The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger and, of course, Sex and the City by Candace Bushnell. People just can't get enough of good, old fashion romance.

Sex and the City is a great example. What started out as a collection of essays published in 1997 turned into an HBO television series with a long run, from 1998-2004. Then for the television series' 10th anniversary in 2008, the movie came to life. It didn't end there: in 2010, the movie had a sequel.

Some of the bestselling American authors of romance novels are also getting a second chance with their great love stories.

Debbie Macomber's single novel Mrs. Miracle is a Hallmark Channel movie. Her novel This Matter of Marriage also made it to made-for-TV movie.

A number of Nora Roberts' books have also become made-for-TV movies on the Lifetime Movie Channel. Collections featured include Angels Fall, Montana Sky, Carolina Moon, Blue Smoke, Northern Lights, Midnight Bayou, High Noon and Tribute.

Danielle Steele's novels have also turned to romantic made-for-television drama, including No Greater Love, Vanished, Zoya, Mixed Blessings, Once in a Lifetime, Message from Nam, Heartbeat, Secrets, Changes and Daddy. Her novel Family Album aired on NBC as a two-part miniseries.

While there are times when the translation to a movie or television series doesn’t always match up in full to the romance novel, some appreciate that you can cut to the chase. Reintroducing the love story gives it new life. It also creates discussion, encouraging those who have seen the story but have not read the story to pick up the book.

Just look at Eat, Pray, Love for example. The book was on the New York Times' bestseller list for 187 weeks. This was a book Oprah also enjoyed for which she devoted two episodes of The Oprah Winfrey Show to. Just before the movie premiere, Oprah brings in Julia Roberts, who starred in the movie to discuss her role and her adventurous travels for the movie. All of this gives the romance story another chance for more romance story lovers to re-experience the story or experience the story anew.

Great romance is never-ending! It doesn't matter if the romance originates from a book or film, if there is a good love story to tell, just share it!
--
Thanks for stopping by and sharing Wendy. What an interesting post. I LOVE when a great book (especially a historical) gets transformed to film. If a director can do it justice, it's even better. Check out THIS post I did a while back where I showcased some of my favorite historical romance films-most were based off of novels by Jane Austen, Edith Wharton, or influenced by hundreds of books on the subject of British aristocracy!

Recommendation of the Week: 01/09/11 - 01/15/11

'The Bridal Season'

by Connie Brockway

"Letty Potts has gotten into a few fixes in her twenty-five years, but this is her worst predicament yet. A petty schemer by necessity, the struggling music hall performer has decided to go straight.
But after narrowly escaping the wrath of her partner in crime, she finds herself at Paddington Station with nothing but the gown she's wearing ... and another woman's train ticket clutched in her hand.
Now masquerading as the redoubtable "Lady Agatha," of Whyte Wedding Celebrations, Letty arrives in the backwater burg of Little Bidewell, where she is to arrange the nuptials of a young society bride.
Amid the dizzying whirl of pre-wedding festivities, nobody suspects Letty's secret ... except the sensual and aristocratic Sir Elliot March.
A war hero who has forsworn love, Elliot senses something decidedly amiss about this outspoken young woman. Yet she awakens a passionate yearning he'd thought was lost to him forever.
Soon a desperate masquerade embroils them both in a web of scandal and danger as Letty's past catches up with her — threatening their lives ... and a love without peer."Source

[Read an excerpt: here]

My Thoughts: I haven't read a Connie Brockway, but I'd love to start with her The Rose Hunters series. This is the last book (as of now- I think) and perfect incentive for me to pick up the first book,'My Pleasure'. You guys know I love a war hero ;), and the plot looks yummy! It's on the radar for-sure.

Read a review of 'The Bridal Season' at The Romance Reader: here

This is your Recommendation for the Week of January 9th,2010 thru January 15th, 2010

Until Next Post<3...

Coming Soon: Anticipated Releases for January 2011

Okay, one more time for the hell of it,

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

It's a new year, and a new crop of fabulous reads are waiting to enchant the heart and delight the spirit. And as you hopefully can't tell, I've partaken in a few spirits myself last night, so excuse the occasional derailments of my train of thought =)

Anyway, this is a specifically amazing month for release. I am so excited to see that some of my favorite authors (and some new-to-me and debut authors) will supply us with the goodreads.

My fav, Victoria Alexander is coming out with a new release I am bound to devour in 2 seconds flat, Beverley Kendall will follow up her amazing debut book with the heroine's brother's story, my love-Sabrina Jeffries will give us another Hellion to mush over as she gets her prince charming, and a few others have plenty in store.

Here are the Anticipated Releases for the month of January 2010

 
January 3rd- This is release day for debut author Vicky Dreiling! I read the blurb and excerpt and had to have more. Can't wait till this is in my TBR pile. A classic prose! I can't wait to see the newbie's spin on it.

New Month (New Year), New Material: January 2011

Oh Gee's,
Let me join in the chorus: Happy New Year everybody. I hope your 2011 surpasses your 2010 in all thing!
Now that that's out of the way, It's time to acknowledge the amazing year I've had! Ask me 9 months ago what I thought 'Not Another Romance Blog' would amount to, and I probably would have rolled my eyes and said something smarmy. I never expected to meet so many amazing readers, writers, and other bloggers, I never thought I would have obtain the 411 on so many amazing books I would have otherwise missed, I never thought I would actually reach a substantial amount of followers. But you guys proved me wrong. I started this blog and it's just become way more than I thought possible. It's my outlet, the place I go when I have to get my feelings out about a specific novel, the place I came to announce to the world I am just as crazy as everybody else ;). I am just really happy I've been able to connect with a few of you, get the opportunity to read awesome books, and haven't been given some letter of cease and desist.