Guess who won Scribbit’s April Write Away contest? You can find out here! I had the privilege of picking the winner but I didn’t know the identity of the author until this morning. She’s one of my favorite commenters here at Antique Mommy and an excellent writer with an unique perspective.
It was a delightful honor to get to read all 56 submissions. And it was hard! Not because there were so many to read but because they all touched my heart in some way and I wanted everyone to win. If you didn’t win, don’t feel too badly. I’ve entered Scriibbit’s Write Away contest before and I didn’t win either!
Congrats to the winner, the honorable mentions and all the people who took the time to submit an essay!
In other writing news…
I have this friend, Kay Thomas, whom I have known for (GULP!) 15 years. I’ve known her since I was seven. I swear. Anyway, it turns out that Kay is an author. And I had no idea until just recently. She has written not one book, but a bunch of them. Kay writes romance thrillers for Harlequin. How did I not know that all this time? About once a year, I see Kay at the Christmas party of a mutual friend, and when I see this face, I’m thinking carpool mom. Who knows what romance and intrigue lurks in the hearts of carpool moms? Apparently not me.
Anyway, Kay has two new books out – “Better Than Bulletproof” and a continuation in that line of intrigue with “Bulletproof Texas”. Her books have been given 4 ½ and 5 stars by star-giving people. That’s good. Anyway, here’s the official synopsis below:
“Better Than Bulletproof” — Gina Rodgers, a struggling advertising artist, has just landed the account of a lifetime when her sister mysteriously disappears and leaves behind a five-year-old autistic son. Even though she has no idea how to deal with her nephew’s overwhelming needs, Gina drops everything in her Dallas job and travels to Mississippi to care for Adam and look for her sister. There she discovers an unexpected ally in the child’s play therapist, Harlan Jeffries, an ex-military sniper seeking redemption through working with special needs children.
“Bulletproof Texas” — The bulletproof action continues in this romantic suspense thriller about a pharmaceutical research scientist and a brooding caving guide who are forced to work together extracting cancer-eating bacteria from a flooding Texas Hill Country cave. As sparks fly and passions rise, so do the dangers when a competitor decides this potential cure shouldn’t see the light of day–and is willing to kill anyone who gets in the way.
If you would like to win an autographed set of Kay’s two new books, leave me a comment telling me this: If you were the star of a Harlequin romance novel, what would your name be?
Mine would be Chenille Robeson.
Your turn.
* * *
UPDATE: Winner! #37, Sarah, um I mean Lynn Little Rock, who writes Beauty In The Mundane.
The contest is officially over but please feel free to leave a comment with your Harlequin Romance name!
Shelly W. says:
Ahahaha. Chenille Robeson. Very funny!
Let’s see, I know that if I were a country singer I’d want my name to be Shelly Gibson, but a romance novel character is another thing. Hmmm. How about Dagmar Ingmarson?
April 21st, 2009 at 10:10 am
Just Mom says:
Angelica Love.
* * *
Well okay Ang, but you’d have to have heaving breasts and ride side saddle on a horse while wearing a bodice.
April 21st, 2009 at 10:19 am
Pam D says:
I’d have to say Lacey Bedenfield (I have NO idea why, either).
April 21st, 2009 at 10:23 am
Vail says:
My name would be Kate O’Brien and I’d have lots of red hair of course
April 21st, 2009 at 10:35 am
Beverlydru says:
Clarissa Gray. I have no idea if it fits a Harlequin romance novel. I would love to win these and see what they’re all about.
April 21st, 2009 at 10:47 am
joysann says:
Joya Brandt – wished that were my name when I was kid. Brandt is truncated from my maiden name.
I don’t need to win Kay’s books. I’ve read them, and I can tell you, they’re exciting.
Hi Kay
April 21st, 2009 at 10:57 am
TeacherMommy says:
Adrianna Harlowe
It just came to me. I’m special that way.
April 21st, 2009 at 10:59 am
Martha says:
Sparkle Masterson
April 21st, 2009 at 11:06 am
Amy says:
I’d be Sam Turner (short for Samantha) and the hero would show up on my ranch expecting a man only to find an raven-haired beauty with a body that won’t quit. Or something like that.
Not that I’ve given it much thought. Ahem.
April 21st, 2009 at 11:15 am
MommyJ says:
Thanks for judging! It was an honor to be an honorable mention!
* * *
I loved your essay MommyJ. It was a beautifully crafted. I loved how at the end you brought it back around showing how in the brokenness of motherhood, in body and soul, we are made whole. It was just lovely.
April 21st, 2009 at 11:18 am
Shoe says:
Monique Vonna Simplex
April 21st, 2009 at 11:37 am
Krista says:
It makes me feel better knowing that you haven’t won either…
I’d be Aurelia Rose. I love the name, but I think it’s a bit auspicious for one of my own children!
April 21st, 2009 at 11:38 am
Lauren says:
I read somewhere that the “formula” for finding your soap opera name (close enough to harlequin, right?) is your middle name + the town you were born in.
Definitely not for the more creatively minded, but if you are stumped for inspiration it works
Hello, my name is: Grace Lafayette
* * *
That formula makes me sound more like a DAR lady and not so much of a bodice buster.
April 21st, 2009 at 11:40 am
joysann says:
formula = Ann St Paul
One could work with that…
April 21st, 2009 at 11:49 am
Carrie says:
I loved the entry you picked for the Write Away Contest – such a beautiful post! Thanks for judging it, even though I didn’t win.
I always wanted my name to be Bernadette…Bernadette Dubuque, I guess, if we’re going with the above formula.
April 21st, 2009 at 11:55 am
Julie says:
If I follow the formula above it would turn out Julie Athens. But I would have loved to have the name Lucy Parker when I was growing up. I don’t know if that would work for a romance book or not but it sounds good to me.
April 21st, 2009 at 12:32 pm
Kay Thomas says:
Hey AM!
Goodness, it seems like yesterday we were in Miss Pickering’s second grade class together! ; )
Thanks so much for running the contest here today and thanks everyone for sharing your fabulous names. Please keep ‘em coming. You’re providing great inspiration.
Happy Reading & Bulletproof Kisses-
Kay
http://www.KayThomas.net
* * *
Uh, you mean Sister Mary Pickering?? ~AM
April 21st, 2009 at 12:33 pm
Donna P says:
My romance name would be “Keely O’Shea”.
That is a great question, and I would love to win these autographed books!!! Love to read and they sound so interesting!!!
April 21st, 2009 at 12:58 pm
grammyscraps says:
My name would be Jordana Stevens..Love the Intrigue books…like a little mystery with my romance.
* * *
Jordana Stevens! A sophisticated brunette who looks good in a trench coat. ~AM
April 21st, 2009 at 1:03 pm
Pam D says:
Oh good grief! I went to The Happy Geek, and now she’s on my blogroll. My EVER EXPANDING blogroll. The one that I need to pare DOWN, because I just don’t have time to read and comment on all of the great writing. And yet, how could I NOT put her on my blogroll after reading that essay? Thanks, Antique Mommy.. you’ve just cost me another 10 mintues a day, minimum. It will be docked from your paycheck. :<)
* * *
Just don’t dock it from the time you come here to visit!
April 21st, 2009 at 2:11 pm
Pam says:
My name would be KEKE. Just Keke, no last name needed because I would be so wildly famous and mysterious.
April 21st, 2009 at 2:20 pm
elaine says:
I’d be Destiny Evermore. Because it’s so goofy sounding.
April 21st, 2009 at 2:34 pm
shayne says:
My formula name would be Shayne Benning. I actually kind of like it. It’s kinda snazzy. I sound like I’m a doctor of some sort. If I ever become a famous something-or-other I may use it.
However, I’ve always had a fondness for Hepzibah. Hepzibah Wilder.
BTW…AM you crack me up. This post was totally unexpected and well…thanks for the laugh…
* * *
Shayne Benning, neurosurgeon and part-time super model.
April 21st, 2009 at 3:21 pm
happy geek says:
Avril Meadows. I’ve had this pseudonym kicking around forever and can’t think of a better place to use it.
Thanks for telling us about the contest. I wouldn’t have even entered if you hadn’t talked about it as I didn’t know about it. But if AM says “write” then I say “yes ma’am”.
It’s kinda fun to have more than three comments on a post:).
April 21st, 2009 at 3:21 pm
AZ Dog Mom says:
I’m not normally a fan of pure romance, but I love when my mystery writers throw some romance into the action and intrigue. Maybe throwing mystery, action and intrigue into romance would make it more my style. ;D
I’d use the name Chloe Grace Mitchell.
April 21st, 2009 at 3:37 pm
Linda Thieman says:
Oh, this is way too much fun to pass up!
My fictional romance name would be Priscilla Maria Galinda. They would call me Prissy for short, and it would be a misnomer!
Linda Thieman, author
The Katie & Kimble: A Ghost Story chapter book series for ages 7-10
http://www.katieandkimbleblog.com
April 21st, 2009 at 3:56 pm
Nancy says:
I would be Diana Parker.
I always wanted to use my middle name (I added an A to it) and Parker would have been what I named my son….if I’d had one.
Diana Parker would be a self confident, successful, jet setting attorney or designer to the stars. Yeah, I dream big.
April 21st, 2009 at 4:08 pm
Margaret says:
Nell Fields, the red headed chief of an important chemical lab who meets a really hard nosed cowboy. Hmmmmmmmm
April 21st, 2009 at 4:17 pm
Linda Thieman says:
My formula name would be Joan Ames. Sounds like someone who is very competent.
April 21st, 2009 at 4:30 pm
Christina Barnes says:
Well, the formula give me the name Annette Decatur, but I’m not loving that one, so I asked my husband and he said it should be Cynthia Broadchest. Which sounds more like a Bond girl than a romance heroine, but hey that’s what happens when you ask the men in your life!
I don’t comment much, but I love your blog AM!
April 21st, 2009 at 6:27 pm
Allison says:
When I was a teen, I wanted my firstborn girl to be named ‘Brooklyn Starr’ (one of a gazillion reasons why teens shouldn’t give birth!). I think the name has quite the Harlequin ring to it! Just not sure that any last names goes with it. It’s like Madonna…stands alone. lol.
April 21st, 2009 at 6:53 pm
The G-Ma says:
My name would be Dierdre O’Donohue, and I would work for a Private Investigator who always called me “Dear” which I would loathe. I would be more clever than the PI and solve his cases, on my own, and then he would say, “Well, Dear, that was an unlikely piece of luck!”
But he would give me a bonus, which I’d save so that I too could become a PI.
* * *
Deirdre is tall, thin, brunette and all business – pretty if not beautiful and whip smart. Do not mess with Deirdre, you will lose.
April 21st, 2009 at 7:46 pm
Roxanne says:
I tried the formula mentioned at the top, but my name would be “Watts Bastrop” and I think that sounds more like a male lawyer who is sort of snively and ends up being the bad guy.
So I pick Chloe Trillingham.
* * *
Any chick named Trillingham is someone who gets a manicure and pedicure once a week. Probably has a little dog she carries around too.
April 21st, 2009 at 8:06 pm
Steffj89 says:
hmmmm not sure what my name would be…the formula gives Elizabeth Ada and I just totally loathe that…but
my lover would be Hunter Richeson a loner cowboy sherriff with more patience for his bevy of dogs than most people who inherits the care of his lil neice when his brother and SIL are in a plane crash
ok can you tell I have really read WAAAAYYYY too many of these things?? I love the intrigue series’
Steff
April 21st, 2009 at 8:13 pm
Ann G says:
Well my momma says she was gonna name me “Anna Marie” and once I found that out I always thought that was so much more alluring than my real name so I’ll go with ‘Anna Marie’!!!
Love your pretend name!!
April 21st, 2009 at 8:56 pm
Shannon says:
So funny! According to the formula above I’d be called Blank Atlanta (never had a middle name!) – and somehow that doesn’t really sound romantic, so I’m going with Alexandra …uh, something-or-other. Alexandra Payne? That sounds kinda mysterious, right?
How cool to have a friend who writes romance novels. And how hilarious that you never knew!
PS I was trying for I swear 10 minutes, to figure out just what a “brooding cRaving guide” was! Ha!
April 21st, 2009 at 9:23 pm
Sarah says:
hahahaha
formula would give me Lynn Little Rock…
I kinda like it!
April 21st, 2009 at 9:24 pm
Julie M says:
I would have to be Aurora Borealis
)
April 21st, 2009 at 9:24 pm
Antique Mommy says:
The absolute best part of this blog is the comments. I can always count on y’all to crack me up or to add a thoughtful perspective to any topic. I adore each of you. Truly.
April 21st, 2009 at 9:47 pm
jamie says:
Sabrina Hathaway…enough said.
April 21st, 2009 at 10:28 pm
Michelle at Scribbit says:
I have a friend whose name is Sonnet which just drips romance doesn’t it?
So call me Sonnet Kincaid. Or maybe even better Sonnet Campbell Kincaid–full names are an even better swoon.
And thanks again for all your wonderful work with the contest.
April 21st, 2009 at 10:39 pm
Janis says:
Amanda Strong. I always like a name that tells a little story in itself.
I’ve already started writing that Harlequin in my head.
April 21st, 2009 at 10:46 pm
Roses ArePink2 says:
Clarissa Skye whose perfect flowing blonde hair and sparkling blue eyes turn heads wherever she goes. Confidently, she catapults from her beloved jeep which has rain streaks making small mud smears through the dust. Her western booted feet belie the daintiness within. Oblivious to her appeal, she . . . .
(awww Clarissa–who is, of course, perfect in every way and totally blind to what her mirror reflects, eventually is made to fall in love with the hunk who is grieving over a past relationship and they eventually grab a couple of high spirited breathtaking horses and ride off into the sunset. Uhh, the prince, I mean cowboy, is named Luke Masterson III. The End.
***
And, just like Farrah Fawsett in that one episode of Charlies Angels, she jumps off her skateboard, over a moving car and then lands back on her skateboard which has emerged from under the moving car — and she keeps going to nab the bad guy. All the while her hair remains remarkably bouncin’ and behavin’…
April 21st, 2009 at 11:48 pm
ChristyCate says:
Ok… love, love, loving the comments.
According to “the formula” I am Marie Paris…
Tonight I’ll go with Andrea (Andi) Willingham…
Ask me in the morning… I can be such the chameleon.
April 22nd, 2009 at 12:08 am
Kathy says:
Leena Notamee
April 22nd, 2009 at 12:22 am
Kerrie says:
Oh, I love those books. I can sit down and read one in about 2-hours time.
My name would be Ashley Phillips, the spry young brunette bone hunter (way cooler sounding than anthropologist) digging for love in the most unusual locals.
April 22nd, 2009 at 1:08 am
Renna says:
Renee Boucher, pronounced boo-shay, and my story would take place in Louisiana, where I would be a beautiful southern belle, who just inherited a massive plantation, and my evil extended relatives are seeking my demise, so they can get their hands on the plantation and all that money that came with it…..oh, wait..you just wanted a name. Right. Renee Boucher.
April 22nd, 2009 at 1:25 am
Brigitte says:
I’ll go with the aforementioned formula version, as I’m not familiar with what a typical bodice-ripper name would be
Ginette Montreal
April 22nd, 2009 at 6:58 am
Naomi B. says:
Faye Charles- If I picked my own…
Which would be the same name I would use as my pseudonym if I were to be a writer of fictional romance novels.
Elizabeth Flint if I go by the formula. Which isn’t so bad either.
April 22nd, 2009 at 7:31 am
Iota says:
Natalie Ackron. Giving lots of opportunities for puns about anachronisms.
It’s actually an anagram of my own name.
April 22nd, 2009 at 9:39 am
Lisa Beth W. says:
The formula would make me Beth Omaha. Sounds a bit Native American. I always wanted long flowing black hair.
April 22nd, 2009 at 11:42 am
Mariah says:
I would have to say Autumn Delaney
That was to be my pseudonymn for my never-to-be-published novel, which is only about 2 chapters done, which I started about 5 years ago…LOL. Anyway, I came up with that name and have been taken with it ever since. Too bad I have no more little girls to name! 
April 22nd, 2009 at 12:43 pm
Andi says:
By formula I would be Harris Houston, which sounds masculine or cool. I named my daughter Evan so I’m ok with that. Maybe change it to Haris, kind of like Paris but I wouldn’t be a bimbo.
I’d live on the Eastern Shore of Md and probably be an artist or a horse trainer with a big, historic mansion on the water. Maybe my neighbor is handsome & suave government official who commutes to D.C. I stumble onto some kind of scandal when I take outside painting or riding at night and notice something going on at his house…
April 22nd, 2009 at 2:34 pm
Common Mom says:
By formula I’d be Lynn St. Clair . . .
My Dad wanted to name me Lindy, so I’ll go with Lindy St. Clair
April 22nd, 2009 at 5:02 pm
meg says:
Hmmm…I am going to have to say Celeste D’letour. I don’t know how to spell that last name but I thought it should sound like a misty-eyed French brunette who has been duped by a string of bad men, and yet she has somehow maintained her purity and innocence. Until page 150, at least!
April 22nd, 2009 at 5:49 pm
Laura J. says:
Hmmm … my “formula” name would be:
Lee Liberty
which I do like, even though there’s a heavy emphasis on the long “eeee” sound going on.
Desdemona LeClair
I have NO clue where that came from, but I think I like it.
April 25th, 2009 at 1:37 am