I Need A Title

Remember those “How I spent my summer” essays we had to write in grade school? If I had to turn one in today, it would consist of only one word: writing. With a deadline looming for my third Harlequin American, I spent July and August in a writing marathon with the extremely talented Roxanne St. Claire, author of the popular Guardian Angelino and Bullet Catcher series; Kristen Painter, whose awesome Blood Rights, hit store shelves this month; and one of Siren Bookstrand’s best-selling authors, Lara Santiago. With all that talent in one room, we had to be successful, didn’t we? And we were, each of us meeting tight deadlines in a summer of writing, writing, writing.

Now that Book Three is in the hands of my editor, it’s title time, and I’m afraid my creative well has run dry. So, I’m turning to you for help. Can you help me name my latest Harlequin American Romance? Here’s a little blurb about the story to get you started:

His childhood sweetheart is the last person single dad Mitch Goodwin expects to see when he walks into family court determined to retain custody of his four-year-old daughter. But the prosecuting attorney’s carefully structured world quickly crumples. Following a playground mishap, a bad-tempered judge permits the doting father only supervised visitation with his child…under the wary gaze of former rodeo star Amanda Markette, the one woman whose trust Mitch fears he’ll never win.

Having spent her formative years on the professional rodeo circuit, Amanda dreams of a home without wheels and a husband who makes family his first priority. That man is definitely not career-driven Mitch Goodwin, rumored to become the county’s next District Attorney. The lanky teen she fell in love with one long-ago summer has grown into a devilishly handsome man, but his demanding job has already cost him one marriage, and Amanda vows to keep her distance.

So, there you have it. Ideas, please?

Just keep in mind that Harlequin American titles are usually short—3 or 4 words, tops. And it’s strictly first-come, first-served. If two people suggest the same title, the first one to show up in the comments section of this blog gets the credit.

I haven’t submitted any ideas to my publisher yet, but these title suggestions have already been made:

His Rodeo Surprise
Rodeo Reunion
His Rodeo Girl
Dude Ranch Reunion
Lassoing His Rodeo Girl
Rodeo Star Reunion
Rodeo Daughter Reunion
A Rodeo Star for Hailey
Custody Courtship
The Prosecutor’s Pride
Cowgirl Princess

Of course, I don’t get the final say—that’s up to the editorial staff. But if your suggestion passes muster and Harlequin chooses it as the title of this book, I’ll send you an autographed copy of the book when it’s released next June.

As an added plus, all the names of those who comment on this blog with title suggestions for this new book between October 10th and October 15th, 2011 will go into a random drawing. I’ll pull two names out of the proverbial hat (aka random number generator). Those two winners will each receive one autographed copy of my current Harlequin American’s: The Officer’s Girl and The Daddy Catch. Shipping addresses must be US or Canadian only.

Note: Offer void where prohibited. Prizes will be mailed to North America addresses only. Odds of winning vary due to the number of entrants.