Race and Romance

I've been thinking about race in romance novels lately. I don't really care what ethnicity the characters I read about are. Diversity is a trend I enjoy (and it is alive and well in paranormal romance), but I'm not personally offended by the fact that there aren't a huge amount of minority characters in books about twelfth century England. I'm a historical-accuracy-first, diversity-for-diversity's-sake-later kinda girl.

I tripped across a review the other day where the reviewer stated a character seemed flat and the historical romance would have worked better for her if he'd had a different & more developed background. The reviewer was then attacked in the comments and all but called racist because the book was about an interracial couple and the aggressive commenter believed the reviewer was trying to imply the heroine should have stuck to her own kind.

I didn't see that. I'm inclined to think the reviewer just thought the character was flat. (And having read the book, I tend to agree.) But I don't read interracial romances or their reviews looking for socio-racial commentary. In the same way I don't read romance looking for post-feminist messages.

I can't help but think there will always be people who will get upset with me for the way I handle race in my books. I feel fortunate that a portion of my upbringing was based in Hawaii, where the concept of race is handled differently than it is in the continental US, and the rest of my childhood was spent in Alaska where the sense of being a winter culture is more dominant than attention to racial divisions. I come from a wonderful multi-ethnic family and I don’t think I would worry how my books will be received from a diversity standpoint, except I know some readers are extremely sensitive to racial tones in novels and I don’t particularly want to piss people off with my books. The goal is to make people laugh, you know?

The heroine of The Naked Detective is Chinese-American. She is mistaken for Lucy Liu at one point and the hero even thinks how much she looks like the actress. It's weird that after seeing that reviewer get crucified I feel like I need to point out that he doesn't think that because he is a racist jerk who thinks all Chinese-American women look like Lucy Liu. It's just that my heroine bears a freakish resemblance to Lucy Liu. Like, hardcore spitting image. (I might have been watching Chicago when plotting this book, but I admit to nothing.)

And if she doesn’t seem terribly Chinese to readers, this might be because she was raised by foster parents in New Jersey, so her sense of culture is somewhat warped. She is not meant to be a commentary on Chinese-American women any more than the heroine Lucy of The Ghost Shrink is meant to be a commentary on blonds.

But I have a feeling someone is going to be offended in spite of my intentions. And on this issue it's virtually impossible to tell people they're being oversensitive about without catching even more hell. It's one of those topics I find frustrating with a side of helplessness. What're ya gonna do?

Moral of the story – please don’t take offense. Just laugh. That’s what the book is for.

Gettin' Yer Giggle On

Good morning (afternoon, time of day of choice), darlings! In the exciting week of excitedness (<--yeah, I'm making it a word) for all things Nekkid! we have the nod from Mrs. Giggles on the latest Karmic caper:

The Naked Detective is another fun entry into the author's Karmic Consultants series, which is shaping up to be one big ball of prime entertainment so far.

Prime entertainment! Prime! I'm all aflutter. Here's the linky goodness if you'd like to peruse the whole review: CLICK ME!

**Travel update: My time in New Zealand is dwindling, which is cause for much sadness since I haven't had nearly enough time on the North Island. However, also cause for much rejoicing because it means Thanksgiving is coming! Soon to be returning stateside...

~Vivi

Jack-in-the-Box Books

Inspiration for books can crop up in the most unexpected places. And just keep popping, no matter how you try to shove it back in the box.

Take my new release, The Naked Detective. The original kernel of an idea for the story came from a bit of banter between the hero and heroine of The Ghost Exterminator. Jo offers to strip naked to perform a ghost extermination for Wyatt –if I had a nickel for every time someone propositioned me that way. ;) She then comments that there are other Karmic Consultants who work in the nude. Thus, Ciara, the Naked Detective was born. Human lo-jack, but only when she’s stark nekkid. I’d played with the idea of giving Ciara a book of her own, but my original series plan didn’t include that story in the arc, so I shoved the idea into my Maybe Someday file and forgot about it.

Fast forward a few months when I’m chatting with my editor about cover art and series arcs for the Karmic Consultants series. She asked if I was ever going to do anything with that naked chick and when I said I wasn’t planning it as a full length book, she lobbied for giving Ciara a novella. The idea appealed and I started mulling it over, but how was I going to squeeze Ciara’s story between The Sexorcist & Karma’s without messing up the series arc?

That afternoon, I got a call from an old friend. We hadn’t talked in years, but by the end of the conversation I had plans to meet her in Atlantic City that weekend for a concert and whatever trouble we could find on short notice. The weekend was an exercise in spontaneity, anything unexpected was fair game. It was that Friday night over blackjack at the Borgata when I realized a weekend getaway was the perfect way to give Ciara and her FBI stud Nate a chance to get to know one another outside of their normal boundaries (and without mucking up my series plan). My naked psychic and her Fed handler were going to Atlantic City, baby. America’s Playground wouldn’t know what hit it – and Ciara, who has a tendency to call for help rather than try to muddle through on her own, would have no one to rely on but Nate.

The Naked Detective was my jack-in-the-box book. The idea just kept popping up. Every time I shoved it back in the box, it would spring back out again until I finally gave in and wrote it.

Those who’ve enjoyed the Karmic Consultants books will see nods to some of their favorites, but if you’re just jumping into the series this one is a playful and lighthearted paranormal vacation of a novella – whether you’re on holiday or need one.

Where’s your favorite place for a spontaneous getaway? Or favorite place to read about escaping to?

The Naked Detective Release Day!

Happy Release Day! The Naked Detective has arrived in all her nekkid glory!

The “gift” that makes Ciara Liung the FBI’s prized secret weapon makes her existence more like a curse. Unable to bear human contact, she lives as a hermit, immersing herself in the water that gives her peace and amplifies her power.

Her new FBI handler, though, only believes what he can see. The problem? Her gift—the ability to psychically locate stolen jewels—only works in the nude.

Special Agent Nathan Smith can’t believe he’s expected to babysit some psychic finder. Psychic…right. An undercover op gone wrong may have left him a desk jockey—and Ciara’s charms are more distracting than he cares to admit—but he’s a field agent at heart. She’s working some kind of angle. It’s just a matter of time before he unravels it.

Sent to Atlantic City to recover a ruby necklace for Monaco’s royal family, both finder and Fed are pushed outside their comfort zones, and discover more than they ever believed possible. And when a trap is sprung, they realize they stand to lose much more than a sparkly stone…

Warning: This book contains gambling, go-go dancers, public indecency, and every brand of trouble a troubled psychic can get into in America’s Playground.

Click to read an excerpt! ** Click for buy links!

Since my online-ness is challenging from the road (a fact I have whined about repeatedly, I know) I’m doing all my wild and crazy blog touring for The Naked Detective today. 24-Hour Blog Tour! So I am many places all at once. Ready? Okay!

1. I’ll be at the Samhain Café (mid-afternoon EST) sharing excerpts and chatting with anyone who happens to drop by. (So drop on by, boys and girls!)
2. I’m at the Damned Scribbling Women blog, talking about gambling and risk taking in life and in love.
3. I’m at the Samhain blog, talking about the gigundous ruby necklace that inspired the bling found between the covers of The Naked Detective (and there are photos!).
4. And I’m at the Ruby Slippered Sisterhood, sharing synopsis-writing tips and a sneak peek inside the synopsis I used when I sold The Naked Detective.

(Anyone inclined to send me good internet juju for today is warmly encouraged to do so. Wish me luck finding connectivity!)

Naked Newsflash & Win an ARC!

It's Naked Detective week, boys and girls! And what better way to launch the release frenzy than with a sparkly new review! Literary Nymphs reviews have obliged us with a lovely 4.5 Nymph review!

Observe, the awesome:

The Naked Detective is the 4th book in Vivi Andrews’ Karmic Consultants series and it’s slated for release on November 16, 2010. It’s another great addition to this fun and fast paced series and it had me chuckling on the very first page.

For the full review, CLICK HERE.

And for a chance to win a copy of The Naked Detective before it hits stores, just leave a comment here by midnight (Pacific) and tell me one of your stories about 1) Gettin' Nekkid (let's keep it PG-13 folks), 2) Atlantic City, or 3) Dunk Tanks.

And if you're wondering "Why dunk tanks?", check out the excerpt of The Naked Detective HERE.

Naked Clash

Do you like the cover art for The Naked Detective? (Over there in the sidebar... sadly still having trouble getting pics to load to the flipping blog from here.)

Did you know that you can vote for The Naked Detective (or one of three other really gorgeous covers) over at the Embrace the Shadows Cover Clash this month? Well, you can, boys and girls! Yes, you! Just hie yourself on over to: http://embracetheshadows.wordpress.com/2010/11/01/novembers-clash-of-the-covers/ And let the voting commence!

Also today, in honor of The Ghost Exterminator's PRINT RELEASE (squee!) I'll be (trying really hand to find an internet connection that is somewhat reliable for) visiting the Samhain Cafe today in full on promo mode. Which means... excerpts! Random chatting! And... perhaps... a giveaway? Perhaps? I might be talked into it. (Provided I can find a good connection. Cross your fingers!)

The Early Word on the Naked Detective

The Naked Detective doesn't hit the digital shelves for another three weeks but we have our first review, ladies and gents! The Long & Short Reviews have given this Karmic Consultants novella 4.5 Stars! Check it out!

This is a fun adventure, and there are a couple of really interesting twists to the story that make this such a great reading experience. This is a terrific story for those who like the romantic “caper” stories, with just a light brush of danger and lots of sensuous heat thrown in.

Are you psyched, boys and girls? (Me, too!) With a 4.5 Star Review, The Naked Detective is up for Book of the Week at Long & Short Reviews, alongside many other excellent books. Go, check 'em out, see if you see a few to add to your TBR queue and vote for a favorite here:

http://www.longandshortreviews.com/LASR/recentrev.htm

And, in unrelated news, what are you doing for Halloween? Anything exciting? Anyone feeling daring and want to go as Ciara from The Naked Detective? Just strip nekkid and drag along your closest Federal Agent to be Nate.

A Mish Mash of Awesomeness!

This week has been awesomeness stacked on top of awesomeness. I almost don't want it to end! Here, boys and girls, in my beloved Bullet List format, is the Compendium of Awesome for the last couple days...

• Serengeti Lightning is currently #4 on the MBaM Bestseller list! (And if you're really a list junkie like myself, you can click around the site and check out the category bestseller lists - like the uber-sexy shape-shifter list which includes all three Serengeti novellas!)
• The Naked Detective is now available for pre-order at Amazon! Psychics! Public nudity! Stolen gems! Studly Feds! What more could you ask for in a rollicking ride of a novella? Click now and in the middle of the night on November 16th, the Kindle elves will sneak into your house and insert the Karmic Consultant-y goodness onto your digital bookshelf. Long live the Kindle elves!
• And... we're keeping the original title for my December angels & demons release! So when I said to look for "a book by me" from Carina Press Dec 6th? Now I can officially command my reader-minions to seek out No Angel, the first story in a new world where angels and demons rub elbows with movie stars and politicians. And where Christmas morning takes on a whole new meaning...

Are you psyched? Cuz me? I'm psyched.

We Have Art!

Samhain is so sweet to me. On the morning after a fabulous release day, I wake up to find some sexy Naked Detective cover art! The awesomeness of this week just keeps on coming. Look!

Is that, or is that not, a gorgeous cover, ladies and gentlemen?

Let's Get Naked!

We interrupt our regularly scheduled Serengeti Lightning gab-fest to bring you this late breaking news: The Naked Detective has a Coming Soon Page and official release date!

Can I get a woot woot, folks?

November 16th we meet the next Karmic Consultant, Ciara Liung, a young lady with a penchant for nudity and finding stolen jewels. Behold! The nakedness: http://samhainpublishing.com/coming/the-naked-detective (And if you click through, I do believe there is even an excerpt link all fired up and ready to be read...)

In a little over two months, the Atlantic City adventure begins. Are you ready to get naked?