Marie Force, Guest Blogger :: Going Digital

I’m going to tell you a secret. Are you ready? I don’t own an e-reader, and I have no plans at the moment  to buy one. But am I a fan of e-books? You bet! I love the get-what-I-want-when-I-want-it aspect of e-books, and yes, I do believe e-books are eventually going to take over the world. Okay, maybe not the whole world, but definitely the publishing world.

If I believe this to be true why haven’t I yet invested in an e-reader? More than anything, I just haven’t gotten around to it. I’ve been writing my face off for the last few years and spend most of every waking hour with my eyes on a screen, whether for book writing or work. So when I have some time at the end of the day to relax I want to step away from the screen and pick up a book. I’ve actually read quite a large number of e-books, but I read them on my computer, not on a special device.

I expect that will soon change because I want it to be even easier than it is now. The iPad came out to much fanfare, and as a long-time Apple girl, I’m intrigued. But I felt no burning need to go out and get one right away, mostly because I needed a new laptop more than I needed an iPad. I got the new laptop earlier this month so can the iPad be far behind? Or perhaps the Kindle? Or maybe the Nook? So many choices!

Now that I have brought an e-book into the world, I’m even more convinced that they are the wave of the future. We all want what we want when we want it. Authors are no different. Carina Press, the new all-digital arm of Harlequin, bought Fatal Affair on Feb. 18. It was released to the reading public on June 21. Four months. That’s about 14 months fewer than the usual publication cycle. I got the same editing, proofing, marketing, and publisher attention as I get on my print books. It just took a third of the time. I have to say, I really like that! And I know readers do, too. Working with the wonderful professionals at Carina has made a true digital believer out of me. I did have one reader ask me earlier this week when Fatal Affair would be out as a “real” book. I refrained from mentioning that I already consider it a “real” book. :) I realize this format won’t please all the people, but it will please many people.

So what are your thoughts about e-books? Here to stay? Do you own an e-reader? If so, which one and why did you choose that one? Do you think e-books will ever replace printed books? I’ll give a copy of Fatal Affair to one respondent.

About Fatal Affair

On the morning of the most important vote of Senator John O’Connor’s career he is late—again. His best friend and chief of staff, Nick Cappuano sets off to O’Connor’s apartment expecting to roust him from bed and hoping he is alone. But what Nick finds is that O’Connor, the handsome, amiable Senator from Virginia, has been brutally murdered, and Nick’s world comes crashing down around him. Complicating the disaster, the detective assigned to the case is none other than Sam Holland, Nick’s one-night stand from six years earlier, the woman who broke his heart and haunts his dreams. With six years worth of unfinished business hanging between them and more than a few scores to settle personally and professionally, Nick and Sam set out to find the senator’s killer while trying—and failing—to resist the overwhelming attraction between them that seems to have only grown over the years.

It soon becomes clear that the senator’s past holds secrets that not only led to his death but now endanger Nick and Sam as well. Working together to find a killer and to rediscover the love they thought they lost long ago, they must put the past behind them and build a future that offers a world of new opportunities for both of them—including an offer from the Virginia Democrats for Nick to finish the last year of John’s term.

And about me:

Marie Force’s first romantic suspense, FATAL AFFAIR, will be out June 21, 2010 from Carina Press. Book 2 in the Fatal Series, FATAL JUSTICE, is coming soon from Carina. She is also the author of LINE OF SCRIMMAGE and LOVE AT FIRST FLIGHT. Of LINE OF SCRIMMAGE, Booklist said, “With its humor and endearing characters, Force’s charming novel will appeal to a broad spectrum of readers, reaching far beyond sports fans.” Wild on Books said, “LOVE AT FIRST FLIGHT by Marie Force is most definitely a keeper. It is an astounding book. I loved every single word!” A third contemporary, EVERYBODY LOVES A HERO, is due out Feb. 1, 2011. Since 1996, Marie has been the communications director for a national organization similar to the Romance Writers of America. She is a member of RWA’s New England, From the Heart and Published Author Special Interest Chapters. While her husband was in the Navy, Marie lived in Spain, Maryland and Florida, and is now settled in her home state of Rhode Island. She is the mother of two children and a feisty dog named Brandy. Find her at www.mariesullivanforce.com, on her blog at http://mariesullivanforce.blogspot.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/Marie-Force/248130827909 and on Twitter at twitter.com/MarieForce. Marie loves to hear from readers. Contact her at marie@marieforce.com.

Tagged as: Carina Press, Fatal Affair, Marie Force