Today is, once again, the semi-official something-annual holiday of “Buy a Book Not Written by Courtney” day. And the holiday it is, is Buy Jackie Barbosa’s Behind the Red Door, a single-author anthology which collects three erotic novellas.
Now, I have to admit, novellas are an interesting art form. That is: As an author, you have to tell (a) a complete story (b) with character growth on the part of the hero and heroine without (c) skimping on description. Add in the requirement that the story must be erotic, and you have a further constraint: You have to use a large number of your words for sex. What I sometimes see happening with such erotic novellas is that the characters and/or the plot get lost in the erotic elements. It’s hard not to fall into this trap; you have a small number of words, and so much to accomplish with them. This might make you think that novellas are doomed to be inferior to whole books, that by necessity they must be limited creatures. But this isn’t true. A great novella can be even better than a book–a finely crafted piece of work, every sentence, every word serving double or even triple duty in its service of character, heat, and story. And this means that plot, character, and yes, eroticism, are constantly present–because she weaves them into the story with a deft touch.
Jackie delivers three novellas that fit that bill. The stories have a powerful economy to them. And even though her heroes and heroines have a great deal to overcome, Jackie also manages to weave a thread of sly humor into all their interactions. I don’t want to offer too many spoilers, but let me just say that to find a story that mixes eroticism and emotion in equal measures, and then present it, alongside questions of family feeling, takes a lot. And with BEHIND THE RED DOOR, Jackie does this not just once, but three times. I adore these novellas, and hope that you will too!
In celebration of “Buy a Book Written by Jackie Barbosa” Day, I’m going to be tromping off to neighborhood stores to take pictures in the wild of BtRD. And one lucky commenter will win a copy of the book!
Yay for Jackie! I agree, BTRD is fabulous (and so obviously you don’t need to enter me in any giveaway). I’ll be visiting my bookstore today too – along with Jackie’s book, there are so many great releases today.
Anyone who wants to double her/his chances to win, though, can visit my blog – where Jackie’s chatting with me today about the joys and challenges of writing short. We’re giving away a copy there, too! And I’ll link back to here.
This is so exciting – the first of many, many great print releases from the FanLit crowd!
Thanks for the kind words about my novellas, Courtney. I’m so glad you enjoyed them and thought they were well-crafted. That means a lot to me coming from you (and from Tessa, too!).
I love the short antho’s Kensington puts together of all the same author. They did it with Lacy Danes (Animal Lust) Looking forward to this book too! One story is just the right lenght for the streetcar ride to and from work
I so can’t wait for this book. I love the idea of three stories connected by a brothel. Tiffany is right about Animal Lust. Great anthology.
Congrats, Jackie!!:)
I’m with everyone else. I can’t wait to read this book. My local Borders does not have it out yet (seems like they are always last). So will have to check back tomorrow.
Hi Courtney, Jackie’s blog sent me your way so here I am trying my luck at the giveaway. I LOVE novella/single author anthologies/spicy stories so I will be checking out BTRD sooner or later! Thanks:)
Hmmm. Any relation to Behind the Green Door? Surely not, right?
I like some of the single-author anthologies, and this one sure looks hot, Jackie; the shorts work for me when I don’t have enough time in my day or night to read a longer book because I like to read straight through. Happy Release Day!
Congrats on release day! I love hot books of any length and all of the things I’m hearing about this one add up to a winner!
Woo Hoo!
Congrats, Jackie!! I can’t wait to read BtRD this weekend when I go on vacation. I peeked at a few scenes in the last novella, Sinfully Ever After, and they were…sigh…fabulous.
Behind the Red Door is everywhere I look on the blogosphere! Congrats on its release!
Congratulations on your release, Jackie! Your book sounds great!
This book sounds really AWESOME!!!
Jackie your book sounds so good I’m looking forward to reading it, I like the cover too.
Penney