Writers Who’ve Influenced (and Entertained) Me

By Linda Lovely

Over the years—okay, decades—I’ve loved hundreds of mystery, romantic suspense, and thriller novels penned by a host of female and male authors. However, I have to credit four women authors for having the greatest influence on my approach to developing characters and plots for crime novels. These authors are Sue Grafton, Sara Paretsky, Susan Isaacs, and Janet Evanovich. 

Independent Heroines Succeeding in ‘Male’ Careers. Both Sue Grafton and Sara Paretsky ably demonstrated that heroines could be whizzes at jobs traditionally reserved for men.  Sue Grafton’s character, Kinsey Millhone. and Paretsky’s character, V.I. Warshawski, are both private investigators, PIs, capable of going toe-to-toe with bad guys without a male protector. They are mentally and physically tough. Unlike the heroines in crime novels in the Agatha Christie tradition, these modern heroines aren’t old-maid snoops, who solve mysteries by flitting around the edges of a case asking questions that “real” professionals considered meddlesome.

Like Sue Grafton & Sara Paretsky's
heroines, Marley Clark can go
toe-to-toe with villains.

Heroines Millhone and Warshawski helped assure me that the heroines in my novels could thrive in any occupation. As a result, my Marley Clark, the heroine in my Dear Killer and No Wake Zone mysteries, is a retired military intelligence officer; Nexi Ketts, the heroine in Dead Line, is a forensic accountant, and Riley Reid, a former FBI agent is security director for a university in my romantic suspense novel Dead Hunt. These ladies run marathons, know martial arts, and kick butt. Yet that doesn’t make them any less sexy and attractive.  

‘Older’ Wisecracking Heroines. Susan Isaacs’ heroine in After All These Years, Rosie Myers holds down a traditional female occupation—she teaches English literature. But Rosie breaks with a variety of mystery tropes for heroines. For starters, she’s older. I don’t remember her exact age, but she’s been married 25 years, so she’s around 50. However, age has only sharpened her razor wit and perspective. Yep, she can feel sorry for herself when her husband dumps her for a younger woman. Nonetheless, when she becomes the chief suspect in his murder, she quickly bounces back and shows her gumption again and again. I often found Rosie’s interior dialogues hysterical, including her thought process when she tried to decide whether or not she should pull out the knife sticking in her husband’s chest. She knows her strengths and can laugh at her weaknesses.

When I started playing with the idea of writing novels, I was over fifty, and I loved the idea of giving a fellow baby boomer one of the lead roles that are often reserved for younger women, who don’t have their elders’ knowledge and haven’t learned that laughing at their own foibles can improve one’s mental health. My Marley Clark character is 52 and like Rosie can laugh at herself—but is still quite capable of outwitting the villains.

Zany Sidekicks & An Ensemble Cast. Who knew Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum humorous mystery series, which started out with One for the Money would now boast 24 titles. The most recent is Hard Core Twenty-Four. Evanovich is a brilliant comedic writer, but I doubt her series could have enjoyed this longevity if she hadn’t populated her books with an ensemble case of zany characters. My favorite is Stephanie’s sidekick Lula, a reformed, oversized prostitute who hasn’t reformed how she dresses or some of her views. Lula’s various attempts at dieting are hilarious, and she’s a perfect foil for Stephanie in action scenes.  My second most favorite character is outrageous Grandma Mazur, who considers visitations and funerals a primary entertainment, and isn’t afraid to pack heat. 

My Brie Hooker Mysteries
feature an ensemble cast of
colorful characters, an idea
prompted by Janet Evanovich's
Stephanie Plum novels.

I’ve attempted to follow Evanovich’s lead in creating a diverse cast for my new humorous Brie Hooker Mystery Series. While Brie is a vegan, she lives with her Aunt Eva, a dedicated and somewhat cantankerous carnivore on a 400-goat dairy. Brie’s best friend, Mollye, owns a woo-woo store that sells all manner of supernatural objects and herbs in addition to her unique pottery. Mollye also does palm and tarot readings. Then there are Brie’s suitors—a legal moonshiner and a veterinarian. Picked Off, my newest release, also features a colorful former Las Vegas dancer who is now the owner of a pro-football team after her older husband dropped dead.

Making Ideas & Characters Your Own. I think all of my characters are unique. They’ve sprung from my imagination. But I doubt they would be as interesting if I hadn’t loved and laughed with these authors’ characters before I began creating my own.      

The Art of Balancing Light And Dark

As a sensitive person, balancing the positive and negative influences and emotions in my life is extremely important. I’m not talking about situations that arise where I have no control, instead I mean the way I choose to spend my time and channel my energy.

As well as being a romance reader and writer, I’m a true crime junkie—wrongful convictions, serial killers or unsolved murders fascinate me. I listen to true crime podcasts regularly whether it be in the car, washing dishes or hanging clothes on the line.  My star sign is Libra—we crave justice and balance. So while I find these criminal cases fascinating, I also work up a healthy dose of righteous anger as I ponder the injustices of the legal system and life in general.  

Which is why my other passion—reading, watching and writing romance, is so important. Romance novels are referred to as escapism. Some are critical of this—as though something that provides joy and a guaranteed happy ending is somehow a lesser form of art. But I don’t see it this way. Escapism is the appeal. A way to feel good when there’s so much in the world to bring us down.

When I pick up a story I want to laugh, cry and occasionally be so scared I’m hiding under the covers! That’s why I love romance fiction so much. Despite dark and dangerous events, I know I’ll get tummy-flutters from a developing romance and a happy ever after. And if the author can make me laugh—even better.

I’ve always gravitated towards stories that master the intricate balance of both light and dark, which is a difficult task. No matter the medium—be it movie, television or book—making your audience experience emotions at opposite ends of the spectrum is no easy feat. But if you can take them on a journey that makes them laugh-out-loud as well as sob-like-a-baby, it’s well worth the effort.

I’ve discovered how tricky this juggling act can be. I write small town contemporary romance and naturally gravitate towards humour. My characters often take control and come up with some cracking one liners that take me by surprise, but I’m also tackling the seriously non-funny, topic of dog fighting in my novel, Animal Instincts. I almost didn’t write this story, fearing I couldn’t do it justice. How could I have hilarious moments in one chapter and animal abuse in another? Some days I could pull my hair out trying to meld the two. But it is possible. It’s certainly made things difficult, but I couldn’t have told this story any other way.

There are a number of movies, TV shows and books I’ve drawn inspiration from and here are just a few.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

This is my favorite show of all time. The themes explored are often dark, with life and death battles fought in most episodes, but it never fails to make me laugh out loud at the kooky characters and witty dialogue.

Santa Clarita Diet

A suburban mom suddenly craving human flesh and brains should be gross and horrifying, right? Well, it is gross at times, but it’s also hilarious with everyday situations we can all relate to, as well the wackier hijinks that could only arise when living with a zombie in your family.

Stephanie Plum novels by Janet Evanovich

Down on her luck and desperate for cash, Stephanie Plum takes a job as a bounty hunter for her sleazy bail bondsman cousin. She’s completely out of her element tracking down criminals, but it makes for great reading.

There are many funny scenes and lines in these books. I’ve actually only read the first few so far, but there are over twenty books in the series now. Between scenes with car explosions and shoot-outs, the heroine and her wacky family and friends provide plenty of laughs.

“You deserved to get run over. And besides, I barely tapped you. The only reason you broke your leg was because you panicked and tripped over your own feet.”

“When I was six years old I sprinkled sugar on my head, convinced myself it was pixie dust, wished myself invisible, and walked into the boys' bathroom at school.”

Which books, movies or TV shows would recommend for their ability to combine the perfect mix of light and dark? I’d love to hear your recommendations!

Lauren James is a country girl at heart. Raised on a small property surrounded by animals, it's no surprise she writes small town romance with lots of love for creatures great and small.

Having failed fabulously at painting, sewing and playing guitar, she finally found her creative outlet in writing strong, quirky heroines, and tough, handsome heroes with gooey animal-loving centers.

Lauren lives on the outskirts of Melbourne, Australia, with her beloved rescue greyhound, Daisy.

You can contact Lauren via her website, Facebook or Twitter.

Summer Time and the reading is easy?

By: Marcia King-Gamble

 http://on.fb.me/1GF28CG

With summer right around the corner,  I’m embarrassed to say that while I have a long list of   ‘Must Reads,’ it’s more like ‘Must Get To.”

Don’t get me wrong, the desire to read is there and it’s very strong. I want to read each and every one of those books on my nightstand. In fact I’m dying to. My challenge is time, and the formidable stack competes with my writing energy.

So what to do? Miss those deadlines or get through those books.

Top of the list is Susan Elizabeth Phillips’ Heroes are my Weakness. Yes, I know, considering this book was released last summer, I am coming to the party late.  But never would be out of the question. I love this talented author’s writing, and a more gracious lady you will never meet. Just about anything she pens becomes a favorite, and a good read to take to the pool with me.

Since I live in Florida, reading takes place beach or poolside, especially in the summer when temperatures soar.

Okay, so you didn’t ask, but I will tell you. What keeps me so busy this summer?  Writing of course. I’ve committed to a box set with seven other authors.

 For those of you who don’t know what a box set is, it’s a themed storyline that the authors all contribute to. Eight of us will write individual novellas but the stories are all packaged as one.   You get eight different voices and eight different stories and all at an affordable price. They are quick, easy reads. 

Women supposedly like Bad Boys (can you tell me why?)  So my colleagues and I bring you ‘Bad Boys on Holiday.’ These are hot guys on vacation stories. Can the heroines reel them in? Here is a wonderful Hawaiian sunrise to put you in the mood.

The cover’s not done yet, or I would share it with you. Be assured the moment it’s ready, you’ll get a sneak peek. My novella, titled Islands Apart and set on Oahu (Hawaii) – a place where I lived way back when - has a delicious bad boy, hero, Caden - A disgraced football player who thinks he’s about to be dropped from the team.  He’s having one last good time with his boys before the  real world intrudes.

My heroine, Livvy is a full figured software developer in search of her missing brother. She is pretending to be the quintessential party girl while looking around.   Their paths cross when Caden rescues Livvy from an overzealous 'player,' - not the athletic kind.

Our challenge is to keep these fast paced stories flowing and not make the romance seem forced. 

Second on my list of projects, is a novel that’s done but needs a bit of sprucing up. I’ve reworked this book so many times, to suit so many publishers, that I can probably recite each page line for line.  It’s a story that needs to be told and I’m bound and determined to do so.

The heroine, Juliette Sanders, is a divorced single parent, raising a twelve year old daughter, Halle - the result of in vitro fertilization.  Currently in remission for cancer, Halle’s only hope is a stem cell transplant. Juliette is obsessed with finding the anonymous donor.

My hero, Alexander Neal is in recovery after losing his wife and unborn twins in a tragic accident. The last thing he expects to hear is that a stranger has his child.  As a struggling grad school student, he sold his sperm. Now he is faced with the tough decision of  whether to get involved. This is one of my bigger books and one I am especially proud of.

So most of my reading will take place this fall.  Top of my list is a Janet Evanovich Stephanie Plum escapade. Having lived in New Jersey, her books keep me spellbound and laughing till my sides ache.  I’m finishing up Beverley Gail Eikli’s Reluctant Bride right now. It’s a historical and I am loving it.

The unread pile ranges from Sophie Kinsella to Emily Giffin, and a personal favorite (one of the reasons I started writing) talented author, Rochelle Alers.

Do you have a “Must Read” this summer - Share! Share! Share!

Marcia King-Gamble is a National Bestseller of 30 novels and 5 novellas. She hails from a sunny Caribbean island where the sky and ocean are the same mesmerizing shade of blue. Marcia currently lives in the USA.

She is a former travel industry executive and a self proclaimed globetrotter.Visit her website at www.lovemarcia.com

Summer Giggles

Ahh, summer. Vacations. Time off. A chance to escape work-a-day worries and lose yourself in a good book. Given that our blog is “Romancing the Genres,” it’s not surprising that several of my fellow genre-istas have named spicy romances as favorite summer reads. And I wholeheartedly agree that a hot novel is très apropos for lounging on a sunny beach. Yet what’s summer without laughter? That’s why humor is a must for my top-of-the-list escapist reads.   

Even better, I can have my cake and eat it, too, since romance and humor co-exist quite nicel. My favorite escapist reads add supense/thrills to the humor, romance combo. Janet Evanovich has the formula down pat with her Stephanie Plum series. How can you not laugh at the image of Stephanie’s sidekick Lulu on the Atkins diet, her pockets stuffed with pork chops (I think I remember that correctly) being chased down the street by dogs? Along with the giggles Evanovich delivers not one but two hunks—the mysterious Ranger and the sexy Joe Morelli—and ample suspense.

Other romance authors with comedic gifts include Cindy Sample, Ann Charles and Jennifer Cruisie. Sample’s Dying for a Date features a single soccer mom with a knack for going on blind dates with men who soon become stiffs (not in a good way). Charles' debut Nearly Dead in Deadwood is a hoot, again with a single mom trying to make a living and manage romance despite dead bodies and ghosts. Sample and Charles both have continued the hijinks with fun follow-up titles. Cruisie’s Faking It is another of my favorites. It features a hero and heroine who meet in a closet while breaking into a house to steal (for noble reasons, of course). I also need to put in a plug for Blue Ridge Fear by Robin Weaver, scheduled for release later this year. I had an opportunity to read an advance copy and loved Weaver’s ability to blend her main character’s witty observations with real suspense.

I need to tip my hat to some male authors as well. Carl Hiaasen, Donald Westlake, and Dave Barry know how to make me chuckle every time.

So what books do you pick up when you want a summer pick-me-up that includes laughs? I want to keep as many of those authors around as possible.