I'm thrilled to announce the release of my dear friend, the late Sharon Donovan's, newest and sadly, last, book Kiss Of Death, starring her best loved creation, the gorgeous Oliver.Sharon was working on this story before she tragically passed away in April 2012 following further heart problems and complications. Her editor, The Wild Rose Press's Lori Graham has worked closely with her family and friends to get the finished story edited and published as part of the Wild Rose Press Red Christmas series, and we are thrilled that after Lori's hard work, it is released just in time for Christmas, a wonderful gift for a friend or family member's Kindle or book reader - or for yourself.
I am delighted to have Lori herself on my blog to tell us a little more about Sharon and her writing.
HL: Good morning Lori. It's such an honour to have you here today to talk about Sharon's new book. I'm curious to know, how did you first come to be Sharon's editor?
Lori: Sharon first came to me with a short story she had written for an inspirational line. She was surprisingly timid in her approach. The piece she had written had a lot of technical issues but the plotline was so cute, I couldn’t resist. It took us longer to finish that story than I anticipated but when she submitted again, I was happy to contract her again. Sharon was so creative and so eager that working with her was a joy. We worked on a couple of short stories with her confidence increasing with each story. It wasn’t until she came to me with the idea to do Her Biggest Fan that we started to talk about personal things and I came to know her. I was shocked to discover she was blind but it also explained so many things I had wondered about during our editing phases. Because she was so determined and the storyline was very inventive, I couldn’t resist taking on the challenge and partnering with her in that first full length novel. We had our bumps but, it was such a fun journey, I have never regretted it.
HL: What it was like to work with her, especially considering how much she had to cope with, and did her zany sense of humour come across .
Lori: Like I said, for a long time, I had no idea what she coped with. Her upbeat attitude overrode everything else around her. I always loved hearing from her because that positivity made it a joy to simply talk to her, let alone work with her. During the course of time, Oliver was introduced into our lives. This “concierge” on her website truly is the picture of her humor. His clever quips and blatant innuendos were a joy and I can’t tell you the number of times I laughed out loud when I would “visit” her there.
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| Oliver - (c) Sharon Donovan |
HL: Oh yes, Oliver *sigh*. He had all the ladies who visited her blog in a swoon with his shameless flattery, and yes, who could help but smile at his "naughty but nice" comments and innuendos. (And I had the enviable job of "dressing" him for the blog.) What an amazing character she created!
I'm sure everyone would love to hear more about any funny things that happened or were said between you.
Lori: I can’t even begin to count the number of times she cheered me up, whether it was her personally or her wit and caring through Oliver’s “voice.” The thing I will also remember about her, though, was the caring she shared. The first time she was in the hospital for the heart issues, I had been sending her flowers, cards and notes (knowing her family would share them with her). Because she was in ICU for so long, it never occurred to me to do anything else—until the day I picked up the phone and heard her voice. With everything going on for her, I could hear the smile on her face as we talked. We talked several times after that. The funny thing is she made the comment she was only in the hospital to gather information for a new suspense idea she had. I sure wish we could have seen Oliver as a doctor. I can only imagine how wonderful he would have been in that role.
HL: Ah, Dr Oliver wouldn't that have been something! And yes, I know just what you mean about the smile in her voice. I was lucky enough to speak to Sharon on the phone myself a few times, and her voice was like the sun coming out from behind a cloud! What do you think readers will love about this book?
Lori: Kiss of Death…oh my where do I start? It might surprise you to know I actually rejected this story the first time around. Let me surprise you further by saying she thanked me for doing so. I hated to reject it. However, it just wasn’t quite there and I was pretty detailed in the information I sent her. It was what she needed, though, to get the creative juices flowing and flesh out some areas that needed some work. It occurred to me after she died that I would never get to see what she did with it. I was so thrilled when I talked to her family and they asked me to finish it. I feel so blessed and honored to have been allowed to play a role in the final phases of Kiss of Death. While there were areas that I had to write and do the editing work without her, it definitely stays in her voice and you can feel her presence on every page.
Normally, when it is time for a manuscript to go to format/galley/publication, I am pretty ready for it to move along. (By that time, an editor has read the story multiple times and is ready for a new challenge.) With this one, it was really hard to let it go. It actually took me two days to hit the send button but, in the end, I knew we had a deadline we had to meet to get it out this Christmas.
I truly hope you enjoy this last installment of Sharon’s journey with Oliver. I know how much Sharon valued each reader who came through her life. I can’t tell you the number of times she shared how humbled she was when people actually read what she wrote. So on her behalf, thank you and I hope you enjoy Kiss of Death.
HL: Lori, thank you so much for sharing your lovely memories of Sharon with us, and I can well imagine how hard it was to finally let this story go. I'm sure Sharon is looking down from Heaven smiling and wishing she could send Oliver round with a tray of champagne, so before we find out more about Kiss of Death let's raise a toast to Sharon Donovan and Oliver, and to Sharon's wonderful editor Lori Graham!
KISS OF DEATH
BLURB:
Santa Must Die.The words in Camille Lafayette's dream are a chilling prelude of events to come. She sees herself as the killer, and when the murder is actually committed, she becomes the prime suspect.
When handsome Detective Oliver Sharone turns up at her New Orleans family home, he is searching for answers. The evidence against her seems damning. An image captured on the victim's camera resembles Camille, and the red feather mask worn by the murderer came from her shop.The instant chemistry between Camille and Oliver is an added complication, which grows deeper as they work together to discover the truth. It becomes a race against time to find the real murderer before he not only loses his heart completely, but the killer strikes again. And this time the victim could be Camille herself.
Excerpt:
He flashed his badge and offered a cheeky smile. “Detective Oliver Sharoné, New Orleans P.D., Homicide. Are you Camille Lafayette?”
Lulled by the patois of Cajun French in his voice, Camille just stood there, mouth agape. Now that she could clearly see him, he had the most dazzling smile she’d ever seen.
“Ma’am?” His lyrical voice was music to her ears. A rush of hormones surged through her, leaving her weak in the knees. Feeling a burning gush of desire, she forced herself to nod, running her tongue through a very dry mouth and pushing out the words.
“Yes, I’m Camille Lafayette. Is there a problem, Detective?”
Thunder and lightning crashed and collided, wilder and wilder, echoing the primitive beat of her heart. Silhouetted by roiling thunderclouds, Detective Oliver Sharoné looked like a dark and dangerous warrior. Dizzy and lightheaded, feeling drunk with emotion, Camille was as highly charged as the electrical storm. “May I come in for a moment, Ms. Lafayette? I would like to ask you a few questions in regard to a murder I’m investigating.” Camille’s breath caught in her throat. A bolt of panic surged through her. Shaken by the impact, she stammered for words and said nothing. Her pulse fluttered wildly in the hollow of her throat. This sexy cop was about to turn her world upside down.
More details on The Wild Rose Press Site HERE
Sharon was one of the authors on The Author Roast and Toast
Her blog is http://sharondonovan.blogspot.co.uk/
Her website is http://sharonadonovan.com/
Her blog is http://sharondonovan.blogspot.co.uk/
Her website is http://sharonadonovan.com/
***********************
CONTEST
To win a copy of 'Kiss Of Death' just answer this question in the comments section.
Where does Camille Lafeyette live?
(The answer is in the post)
The winner will be announced on 10th December
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(I'm also featured on Nancy Jardine's Blog today with a little more about Sharon)
http://nancyjardine.blogspot.co.uk/
(I'm also featured on Nancy Jardine's Blog today with a little more about Sharon)
http://nancyjardine.blogspot.co.uk/
Good morning, everyone! This is really a special day for me - one last chance to really honor Sharon. She was such an incredible woman with her wit, her ambition, her empathy, her creativity and more. We may have lost her in our everyday life but she will always remain in our hearts and in the work she left behind. Enjoy "Kiss of Death"
ReplyDeleteYou're so right Lori, this is a very special day and I'm so thrilled and honoured to have you talk about Sharon here on my blog. She was indeed an incredible woman and a dear, dear friend. As you say, she lives on in her wonderful stories, and of course in our hearts.
ReplyDeleteAn awesome tribute to an awesome friend. Sadly, Sharon and her positive attitude are no longer with us, but through Kiss of Death, Oliver will finally get his lady. Thank you Lori and Lyn for keeping Sharon's memory and legacy alive.
ReplyDeleteHi Liana, thank you so much, I know how highly Sharon thought of you She and Oliver were such a class act! I miss her dreadfully but I'm sure she's still with us in spirit, and no-one with such courage and such a zest for life, could ever be forgotten!
ReplyDeleteEvery time I read something a person has written about Sharon, I am struck with the fact that she touched so many. I remember once on the roast I pushed her into a pile of cow pies, she immediately told me not to do that. Then she threw my boobs to whales so they would float about their blowholes! She has the best sense of humor and she will always stay in my heart. Lyn and I have pins that we all had, three friends together and we always will be. I find myself a bit jealous of all the others I have had to share her with. Weird huh? Love you Sharon!!
ReplyDeleteHi Mary. Yes the three of us used to have such fun on-line, didn't we! I think of the three of us every time I look at that pin I know the three of us are still connected, three girls, one silver, one copper and one gold. She used to call us 'The Golden Girls'
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful and touching tribute! It's clear Sharon meant something special to all who knew her. It sure sounds as if she had more than her share of obstacles but it's always wonderful when you hear about someone rising above and beyond. Thanks for the spotlight on Sharon's book - I'll have to check out the "Oliver" books. Oh and Camille lives in New Orleans:)
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful post and tribute to a wonderful author and person.
ReplyDeleteKuddos to all of you, and to Lori for finishing Sharon's book. I look forward to reading it, although I must admit, it may take me awhile to get past my tight chest.
The answer to the question is:
New Orleans
Thanks again for sharing such wonderful memories. My heart goes out to you all for the loss of your good friend.
~Donna
Very touching tribute to a person that sounds like she was amazing! TO have such a positive outlook and personality even with all that she suffered through - awe inspring :)
ReplyDeleteAnswer: New Orleans
Alyssa
hesperialovesbooks(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Maria, Donna and Alyssa, thanks so much for stopping by and adding your comments. I'm so glad you liked the post, Sharon really was the most amazing and inspiring person and I think everyone who knew her felt she enriched their lives!
ReplyDeleteBy all I've heard about Sharon, I know she must have been a very special person. I'm sad that I'll only know her through her work, but grateful to have that. Thank you for sharing this beautiful tribute.
ReplyDeleteThe answer to the question is: New Orleans, LA.
Hi Sandra
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by - yes Sharon was very special. A real inspiration with her courage and complete lack of self pity - and such a witty sense of humour!
Lovely tribute. It looks really good!
ReplyDeleteHi Lisa
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for visiting my blog and for your kind comment. Yes, Kiss Of Death is really a wonderful read!
Glad everyone stopped by. I enjoyed "visiting" the city in question during the editing of the book and, of course, time with Oliver is always a plus. I can just see Sharon sitting on the veranda with her red mask and long flowing gown... :)
ReplyDeleteIt's wonderful to have you share Sharon's special release day with us, Lori, thank you so much. Sharon really loved and admired you and she'd have so enjoyed this celebration of her latest book. Yes, I too can visualize Sharon sitting on the verandah, with the scrumptious Oliver pouring her a sparkling glass of her favourite wine!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely tribute. I didn't know Sharon but judging from her friends and her wonderful editor, Lori, who worked so hard to help preserve her legacy, she must have been a great person. Your post was very inspirational. I am a new Wild Rose Press author with a book scheduled to come out in 2013,and I am so impressed with the dedication of the editor, representing a company who would go to such lengths. I am proud to be associated with TWRP. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteCamille's city is New Orleans.
Marilyn Baron
Hi Marilyn,
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by my blog and your kind comments. Congratulations on your forthcoming TWRP release. I'm a TWRP author too, and you're right, the editors are so supportive of their authors and Lori is amazing. Sharon is so sorely missed by everyone who knew her, but she lives on in her stories and her best loved character, Oliver.
How wonderful how to have this published about Oliver, and I love the name she gave him, "Oliver Sharone."
ReplyDeleteYes, Sharon is, and always will be missed, but through her writing her spirit lives on and any of us who have the pleasure of owning some of her works can always keep her with us, beside us, inside us.
I raise my cup of lemonade to you, dear friend, Sharon!
Hello Miss Mae, my friend, how lovely to have you stop by. You're so right, Sharon will always live on as long as we who knew and love her, remember her and have her amazing books to read.
ReplyDeleteJoing you wth a glass of lemonade in a toast to Sharon!
Ah, thank you for the kind comments. I appreciate them. Now to be totally fair there were a few times Sharon and I didn't see eye to eye. She felt passionately about her characters and how they should sound. Once they took on life in her mind, she was a strong advocate for them. We got quite good at compromise. :) I did love that about her though because once you were a friend, you were a friend for life.
ReplyDeleteOh Lori, that was certainly true of Sharon - once a friend, always a friend and she had so many who truly loved her! I think all we authors are a bit possessive of our characters, and will argue for them with our editors, after all, they're our 'babies'- but Sharon was wise enough to know that it takes an editor's unbiased eye to point out the flaws and make our star shine!
ReplyDeleteLove the book cover. I am so looking forward to her book. I did not know her very well but; she touched my heart first by giving me a book of hers just because I gave her well wishes when she was sick I think it was a year ago or so. Just that touched my heart and she had an instant fan. And then I read the book and knew this is an author I would read and reread. And then I found her fun blog with all the wonderful authors. I feel blessed to have had a piece of her in my life. I will never forget her.
ReplyDeleteSue B
katsrus(at)gmail(dot)com
Hi Lyn and Lori.
ReplyDeleteAn awesome tribute to Sharon and so well deserved. She was a great lady.
Mega sales I hope.
Best wishes
Margaret
Hi Sue
ReplyDeleteOh that's so like Sharon, she so appreciated every message she received, and loved her readers. Was the book she sent you 'Charade Of Hearts'? That was the first one featuring Oliver. 'Kiss Of Death' is just as good too. Yes, she was a joy to know and will alway be remembered.
Hi Margaret, thanks so much for stopping by. Yes, Kiss Of Death deserves to be a great success, like all Sharon's books, it's a great read.
ReplyDeleteI was moved to tears by this blog post. I'm sorry to say I didn't know Sharon, but it's obvious how cherished she was. Lori, you're a very special person, and I'm sure you touched her life greatly. What a tribute to finish her book. I am definitely going to get a copy. Sounds like a wonderful read. Thank you for sharing the details of your journey with this amazing woman.
ReplyDeleteShe sent me the ebook of Her Biggest Fan. Later I won a paperback copy of it. So I have an autographed one too. Love that book.
ReplyDeleteSue B
Sharon is missed by so many. Truly an inspirational person.
ReplyDeleteHello Ally, thank you so much for your lovely comment. To know Sharon was to love her, she was that sort of person, and as generous in helping other authors promote their work as she was talented herself. She is missed by so many people, but as has been said so many times, will never, ever be forgotten.
ReplyDeleteYes, 'Her Greatest Fan' is brilliant isn't it, all her books are so good and all so different. It's difficult to choose a favourite. Mine was Charade of Hearts, but now, having read Kiss Of Death I'm torn between the two!
ReplyDeleteHi Patsy, thanks for stopping by, and yes, she is missed so much and as you say, she was such an inspirtion!
ReplyDeleteThis is SO fabulous of you, Lori, to do this, and you, Lyn, as I highly suspect you of being there in the mechanism somewhere! And oh boy, Oliver Sharone,' Sharon, you minx! You know I would have rolled my eyes and said, 'oh, puhr-LEESE!' And then we'd have giggled loads. :-)
ReplyDeleteMiss you so much, Sharon. Keep on smilin' and shining down on us.
Jane x
Hello Jane, thank you so much -I know you and Sharon shared a lot together and miss her like we all do. I don't know if you know the story of how we found 'Kiss Of Death' on her computer? Mary and I were in her room. Her sister had tried to unlock the computer but couldn't find the right password. Mary and I tried various things and then it came to me in a flash, I typed it in and we found the manuscript almost immediatly. Sharon was certainly shining down on us that day, she wasn't going to let Oliver's next story go untold!
ReplyDelete