Monday, October 10, 2011

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.

16 comments:

  1. This is the story you read at Deep Dish. I loved it! I'm not so great at titles, so I won't even try, but good luck!

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  2. Courting His Rodeo Star


    I actually like His Rodeo Girl a lot.

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  3. Courting the Cowgirl. I like Rodeo Reunion, too.

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  4. I'm in the midst of Fast Draft so don't have any new ideas...Good luck with it! Sounds like a cute story!

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  5. Maria, thanks for stopping by! I'm so glad you enjoyed the exerpt I read for our RWA chapter.

    Kristen, that one has definite possibilities!

    Wynter, I'm lovin' this 'courting' theme!

    Judy, write like the wind!

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  6. I really like the original title you had, Rodeo Daughter, but that's been turned down already, right?

    And I also like His Rodeo Girl.
    Hugs,
    L

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  7. Another good suggestion, Lara. Many thanks!

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  8. I like the "courting" idea, but I'm going to put another contender in the ring: Back in the Saddle. The idiom refers to something you stopped doing and began again, so I thought of Mitch and Amanda's new relationship in these terms.

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  9. Monica, Another great idea! Thanks!

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  10. Oh, computer woes. Priscilla Horn wasn't able to log on and leave a comment, but she emailed me with her suggestion. It's:
    A RODEO RICHOCHET
    Thanks, Priscilla, for the suggestion and for your persistence.

    If anyone else is having trouble leaving a comment, you can email me at leigh@leighduncan.com and I'll post your suggestion for you.

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  11. Robin Allen, a member of the Washington Romance Writers, wrote to say she was having technical issues today. Here are her title suggestions:

    My title ideas were:

    Roping His Rodeo Girl (and it could always be Ropin')
    Love's Rodeo
    Wrangling Love
    Lassoing Love
    The Lawyer Lassoes Love

    More tongue-in-cheek: Hogtying Her Hotshot Lawyer

    I liked Courting the Cowgirl, too!

    Great work, Robin. Though I doubt Hogtying Her Hotshot Lawyer will fly, it gave me a good laugh this morning.

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  12. Another Washington Romance Writers member, Karna Bodman, wrote in with her suggestion for
    QUEEN OF HEARTS. Karna says:
    How about QUEEN OF HEARTS? The cover art could say it all – with a picture of a Rodeo Queen on a horse and a handsome guy in the scene as well. (And even though there may be other books with that title – no problem-- because we all know that you can’t copyright a title).

    Thanks so much for another great title suggestion, Karna!

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  13. How about Rodeo Redux? As in they are brought back together.
    Marian

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  14. What great titles! Thanks for another terrific suggestion, Marian.

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  15. Hmmm, titles are hard. How about Sweetheart Rodeo?

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  16. Anita, I agree--coming up with a great title is hard work! I like your suggestion!

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