When authors collide... discussion

These two friends of mine are debating about who has the quintessential quirky romance novel. Because they agree to disagree, they will present their arguments here and you will decide for them.

Conctact them for free e-books through Smashwords. When they get 25 reviews from you between the two the argument is decided and the loser has to giveaway a $25.00 GC from Amazon to one lucky winner we will draw at random, as well as admit to the winner she is right!

Feel free to ask them any questions, comment on their work, or just call them crazy.

The definition of a Quirky Romance is where the two main love interests follow a different beat of music than normal people who fall in love.

Let the fun begin.

Hi, I'm Emma Jean Hoffmann and I think my novel better fits the above description a of quirky romance then Jacy Oliver's because my MC, Megan, is kooky in the way she embraces living alone in the security of her apartment, her strange shopping habits, love of a laptop on it's last legs and a gay BF who writes alien/space erotica novels.

She meets the hot acting star, Ian, America's Prince Charming of the supernatural world who the world drools over, but falls in love with him because off screen he's a geek just like her and she hates the franchise that made him famous. (And romance novels in general)

She marches to a very different beat and feverishly hopes Ian will join her.

In Afterglow's Embrace

Hey everyone I’m Jacy Oliver and my book All Shook Up is a classic model of a quirky romance. Kate is the very classification of an unpredictable romantic character. When faced with any situation, that has a clear simple answer, Kate mystifies the reader, by complicating her predicament and choosing an alternative decision. Just when you think Kate has got it together somehow it all falls apart.
The hero of the story and Kate’s ultimate true love Coulter tries to steer her onto the straight path but this is what brings the two characters together making them click. Cole falls in love with Kate for her individual style and take on life. Making All Shook Up a great example of a quirky romantic read.
All Shook Up

I have to admit, you never how Kate in ALL SHOOK UP is going to react to something, there is no rhyme or reason. She gets upset over about the price of shopping, but when Cole needs her to act like his pretend fiancee to meet his parents, she's takes a game-on attitude. She's quirky in her reactions, but wants to be normal.

My Megan doesn't want anything to do with being normal, she wants to be a geek and wants a guy that goes along with her. She converts Ian into going along with her, the complete opposite of Kate and Cole.

Well, I am casting my vote for ASU. This book has all the requirements because the characters fake an engagement, then fall in love. I personally would classify In Afterglow's Embrace as SCI-Fi romance.Maybe the question should be why isn't there sci-fi romance.

Well there is SCI-Romance, better known as Space Opera, but I'm curious why you would think In Afterglow's Embrace is SCI-FI? LOL

First off Emma I loved reading In Afterglow’s Embrace and I recommend it to anyone who is still enamored with the Twilight series. And you are right Megan is a good example of a quirky character. However the fact that Megan doesn’t want to ‘be normal’ and makes decisions based on that fact is what limits her as a unique character. You know her choices will be off beat and in character for her.

Yes, Kate craves normalcy, and acceptance. These two things are what motivate her. It’s her personality that gets in the way always messing things up for her, causing her to second guess herself, to say things out loud that she only means to think and heaven forbid if you get a few drinks in her. You never know what will come out of her mouth. Yes she agrees to help Cole but only after she freaks out and only agrees because she feel like she owes Cole for helping her. Okay and lets face it Cole’s a hot millionaire with a smile that flaunts sex, and maybe Kate wouldn’t mind a taste. All these things make Kate a great example of an original romantic character.

Kyla wrote: "Well, I am casting my vote for ASU. This book has all the requirements because the characters fake an engagement, then fall in love. I personally would classify In Afterglow's Embrace as SCI-Fi rom..."

LOL--maybe with all the talk of alien sex by Megan's BFF Mike and the Star Trek convention they go to. Not to mention the cameo by William Shatner it does have a bit of a sci-fi edege...LOL...which I liked very much being a Star Trek fan myself...calling Chris Pine...Oh Chris.

Jacy, I loved All Shook up too, I did forget to say that.

Megan is certainly a character who you know what will do any situation. Once she makes up her mind, she isn't likely to change it. She never wavers until the end. But it's the extreme polarity of her decision. There is no gray, no compromise, she's extreme black or white.

For a geeky girl she is ruthlessly extreme in her decisions, but she rarely makes her decisions for the normal reasons you expect.

Which is why I think Megan is quicker, I guess her geekiness.

I must admit you have a point, you never know what Kate is going to say, what comes out her mouth. And despite Cole's mysterious persona, never explaining things to Kate until the last moment, Kate keeps rolling right along with him, definitely up for the challenge. It must be the tooth--paste-ad smile.

Can we share Chris Pine, LOL.

I like Star Trek too, and if a convention ever came to Pittsburgh, I'd go because by BBF is a huge fan. He is gay, but he doesn't actually right.

Him forcing me to go see the first movie, led to that scene and I laughed as I wrote it. I guess that scene ranks right up there with Jacy's roller coaster scene.

I think my Star Trek encounter, epitomized the definition of a quirky swerve the readers would never have guessed.

Emma wrote: "Can we share Chris Pine, LOL.

I like Star Trek too, and if a convention ever came to Pittsburgh, I'd go because by BBF is a huge fan. He is gay, but he doesn't actually right.

Him forcing me to ..."

The fact that Mike also writes alien sex novels is a nice quirk...but is it quirky enough. It's certainly geeky enough...LOL

Now throw in a girl obsessed with the long dead King of Rockin' Roll, and the fact that she see's him everywhere in Vegas, believing they are signs. There is quirkiness for you.

Hi girls!

I read both books and loved them and have questions for both of you:

Emma, why do you think Megan is quirkier than Kate? She's a geek, but she's strait forward about everything, she's the rock in the book until the breakup scene.

Jacy, I was wondering, at what point was it too late for Kate? She didn't handle the car problem well in the beginning, but I got the impression she might have have handled a Cole rejection, since she was prepared for it.

Both books were great!

Emily wrote: "Hi girls!

I read both books and loved them and have questions for both of you:

Emma, why do you think Megan is quirkier than Kate? She's a geek, but she's strait forward about everything, she's t..."

Emily wrote: "Hi girls!

I read both books and loved them and have questions for both of you:

Emma, why do you think Megan is quirkier than Kate? She's a geek, but she's strait forward about everything, she's t..."



Emily wrote: "Hi girls!

I read both books and loved them and have questions for both of you:

Emma, why do you think Megan is quirkier than Kate? She's a geek, but she's strait forward about everything, she's t..."

Hey Emily thanks so much for the question. No Kate doesn’t handle the car problem very well, but she was blindsided by the situation it wasn’t until she got all the way to Vegas and to the dealership that she learned of the problem. So she was stuck! She goes into the fake relationship with Cole with her eyes open, realizing that Cole is a player and there’s no future there. I think that the point where it’s too late for Kate, is after Cole tells her that he really has feelings for her. She tries to keep it together, when she thinks Cole has outed there ‘fake engagement’ to one of his ex’s but ultimately she falls apart. It goes back to her wanting to be normal but just being Kate gets in the way of it.

Don’t you think the fact that Megan is so black and white, breaks the rule of a quirky character? She does have a cute geeky quality to her that makes you fall in love with her, and you understand why Ian wants her and even wants to emulate that in himself. But you never really think what will she do next. Which I think is a must for a quirky character.

Jacy wrote: "Don’t you think the fact that Megan is so black and white, breaks the rule of a quirky character? She does have a cute geeky quality to her that makes you fall in love with her, and you understand..."

Jacy:

I think Megan's extremeness makes her a quirky character, it's so definite. No she is very predictable up until the end. I think it's the depth of her extremeness that makes her so quirky. She knows she's going to get hurt, she tells Ian he's going back to Chloe. She steels herself against that day and when it happens she has a plan. I do think that's the definition of a quirky character, what woman does that?

Yes, you have no idea what's going to happen between Kate and Cole. Even when they get married, you're still not sure until the end. I loved that, but does that really make her quirkier than Kate?

Kate wants and hopes she'll get Cole. Megan is sure Ian is just a fling until the very end...she prepares

Jacy wrote: "Emily wrote: "Hi girls!

I read both books and loved them and have questions for both of you:

Emma, why do you think Megan is quirkier than Kate? She's a geek, but she's strait forward about every..."

I know and I just answered that to Jacy's comment. I just thought she was quirky in her extremeness and that if she hadn't worked with Ian. Seeing his geeky and weird side, she would never have fell for him. She was not into onscreen hotness that most of America fell in love with. She liked that he was vulnerable and insecure.

Thanks Emma and Jacy!

Both are great books and I will leave reviews next week for both.

I'm leaning towards Jacy on this though. I think she's right, her Kate and even Cole (because I was never sure what his agenda was until he married her.) you could never predict what they were going to do. But you knew Megan and Ian were going to wind up together in that traditional romance sense.

But I'm going to ask you both another question if you don't mind:

Kate eats cereal and milk after bar hopping and even gets Cole to. Megan eats a pizza sandwich, slapping one piece on top of the other.

Do you two do those things in real life?
And if not, how do you come up with such things?

Emily wrote: "Thanks Emma and Jacy!

Both are great books and I will leave reviews next week for both.

I'm leaning towards Jacy on this though. I think she's right, her Kate and even Cole (because I was never s..."

Thanks Emily I'm leaning towards Jacy too!

And yes I eat way too much cereal! And it's usually at three o'clock in the morning.That's close enough to breakfast time right?

Emily wrote: "Thanks Emma and Jacy!

Both are great books and I will leave reviews next week for both.

I'm leaning towards Jacy on this though. I think she's right, her Kate and even Cole (because I was never s..."

Do you two do those things in real life?
And if not, how do you come up with such things?


LOL, yes the pizza sandwich is an Emma tradition. But depending on what pizza it is, forget napkins and grab a towel, it gets really messy.

Now how do I get you to lean back towards me...LOL

Wow, Emma I'm impressed. Here I thought I had it in the bag. i'm going to have to put my fighten' gloves back on. As our editor would say 'go ahead and pat yourself on the back...LOL. Let the fun begin.

Kate has insecurities but she's not defined by them. That’s what makes her such a great original character. Yes many times they get the best of her and she reacts to them. But others times she holds them back and we see a different side to her. She defines quirky: a person who marches to her own beat. Although we may not know what Megan feels is right until she acts upon them, once we do it gives a better insight to what she may do next. I will agree with you Emma that this gives her individuality, but does it truly stack up against all of Kate’s?

You have nothing in the bag, I'm doing the ole rope-a-dope here. (Thank you Will Smith for being so sexy!) This is a twelve round fight and I'm going to knock you out.

I agree Megan and Kate are on different ends of the spectrum and you just helped me make my argument.

Quirky is a character who marches to her own tune and is ruled by nothing. She makes the rules. Even if Kate can overcome her insecurities, they still may rise up to grab and guide her actions. Megan is free of all that so she can march to her own tune.

Emma wrote: "You have nothing in the bag, I'm doing the ole rope-a-dope here. (Thank you Will Smith for being so sexy!) This is a twelve round fight and I'm going to knock you out.

I agree Megan and Kate are o..."

Twelve rounds huh? Bring it Hoffmann. I'm ready for you...LOL.


I think quirky is a character who is individual whether it’s letting you’re insecurities rule you or by making your own rules. If you make your own rules and then stick by them does that really make you all that eccentric? I think it makes you somewhat predictable, we may not know what Megan is thinking but as her character progresses we get a sense of who she is and that mysterious persona lessons and we understand her better. Kate still has us guessing at the end.

I’d like to switch gears a bit if that’s okay Emma. And talk about our characters Romances.
Kate tries to live a very structured and organized life. That is what takes her to Las Vegas she needs a cheap dependable car that will fit her budget and needs. Most of the time Kate succeeds at this. It isn't until she gets in Cole's Ferrari that her life is flipped upside down that we see Kate's individuality truly come out.
Cole adds depth to Kate's Character, adding to her originality. Although Cole is a well-mannered business man together he and Kate create the perfect quirky romance. They fake an engagement, then fall in love and decide to get married. And who else in the city of lights would you go to, to elope besides Elvis.

Ding, ding...LOL

Yes, if you make your own rules and stick to them you can be eccentric if those rules seem strange to the rest of the world. Because Megan lives in an offbeat world, making her eccentric.

Kate is eccentric but desperately trying to live in the acceptable world.

Jen, I'm fine with switching gears..

Megan lives in her own little bubble. She has no interest in joining the normal outside world. Ian is the actor who plays America's favorite Prince Charming with fangs.

When Ian breaks up in real life with his co-star, he turns to Megan for advice and friendship. They fall in love as he tries to protect her from his world. (Hollywood isn't normal either.) He fails and her worse nightmare comes true.

And you may have Elvis, but I have William Shatner...

Emma wrote: "Jen, I'm fine with switching gears..

Megan lives in her own little bubble. She has no interest in joining the normal outside world. Ian is the actor who plays America's favorite Prince Charming ..."

Too bad you didn't have Chris Pine...or even Keith Urban...then I might let you win. But Elvis is the King.

Cole and Kate's romance spins from a vindictive step-mother who tells Cole’s father the two are in love and planning to elope. So to help Cole out Kate agrees to be his fake fiancée. This act starts the couple down the road on a very humorous quirky romantic journey.

Yes C and k's relationship is put to the metal, by the outside forces surrounding them.

But how that can really top Megan? America's favorite Prince Charming with fangs on film, knocks on her door and she doesn't want him for his fictional hunkiness? She wants him for the nerd he really is. And, she goes into it knowing she's a rebound, nothing, and when he's done with her, it will break her heart, and she does it anyway.

And readers...Elvis or William Shatner?

Kate doesn't like one thing or the other about Cole and I think that's what is great about Kate she lets her emotions guide her. She could care less that Cole is a million dollar businessman with a fancy car. She knows she has feelings for Cole and she lets them guide her (however hard she tries to deny it). And the same with Cole he likes her spunky attitude and her quirky ways he falls in love with all of her just the way she is.

Jacy wrote: "Kate doesn't like one thing or the other about Cole and I think that's what is great about Kate she lets her emotions guide her. She could care less that Cole is a million dollar businessman with a..."

I'll be the first to admit the power and beauty of ASU is that Kate is both the character most likely to grab Cole's undivided attention and the one who you would think least likely.

But, Kate doesn't make Cole change to follow her quirky beat, he is always dragging her with him.

Megan shows Emil/Ian what he should be, who he really is, and in the end he marches to her tune.

True Cole drags Kate into his world but it doesn't change her. She even tries fighting him tooth and nail on somethings.

It's Cole who is changed by Kate. He enters her world without thought or quarrel. Cole could have any woman he wanted, and many throw themselves at him, even with Kate by his side. Col is sure of his love for Kate, and only sees her.

I envy Kate that. She found a man that was willing to lose himself in her, but keep his own identity. Now that is quintessential.

I know you haven't published the sequel to this yet. But let me ask you this: Kate will never change, but do think Cole will?

It may have started in ASU, but do think he can really ever change, stop being the perfect businessman his father demands he be?

And would Kate want him too?

Just an FYI the sequel to ASU which is titled 'Don't Be Cruel' is set to come out a month from today January 15th. Thanks for that lead in Emma.

I think you will be surprised at what Kate does in Don't Be Cruel, she may not change but she come to some conclusions, that define her character.

As for Cole he will always be cut throat businessman, it's in his blood. So no I don't think Cole will change. And I know Kate wouldn't want him to. To survive they will definitely have to come together and talk things through

What about Megan? Emil/Ian changed for Megan would she ever change for him?

Oh you wench! LOL

I think it's perfect that Cole doesn't completely change. Sort of an ingrained resolution in him, set by his father. But it is like his world softened a little when Kate came into his life. Like she was he needed.

No, I don't think Megan would ever change. That goes against her adamant character. She would never ask or force Emil/Ian to change, she just sees the potential in him to be the man she wants. Deep down, she knows he is that man, even if it takes him out the limelight and puts him the afterglow of it. It's his choice, even though she never demands he makes it.

Much like Kate. I don't think Kate would ever make Cole look back and see who he really is. The surfer forced to be a businessman.

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When I caught wind of this debate, I just had to jump in. Here is my open invitation to theses two:

Dear Idiot #1 and 2,

I caught your debate on Goodreads and was intrigued enough to enough to see what all the fuss was about. I downloaded both and read them over last week, and let me say: I have no idea why you two would seek to draw attention to yourselves this way.

You may both be talented writers, but it's clear you both are rather delusional, amongst other mental deficiencies, which only mars your stories...

Emma, what I can I say? They have support groups for those obsessed with Twilight. You need to find one and quickly. I don't know if you know this, but even Stephanie Meyers has abandoned her series. Twilight is over, and I hate to tell you this but even the actors have given up on it, and each other. Not to mention, they got back together briefly, which invalidates your plot/fantasy. So basically, we can deep six your book, but we won't, just for the purpose of smearing it across Cyberland.

Jacy, I had a real problem with your book. Girl, Elvis is dead and I hope most of his fans have found a new obsession, because when Elvis when to Los Vegas it resulted in the sort of mind blowing travesty the Federal government should have stepped in to prevent. I'm talking about the sort of heinous misjudgment that could upset the natural order of the universe and end life as we know it. Someone should've retired Elvis few jelly donuts before he got to that point. You deserve to be hung and quartered for even thinking about introducing him in your book. It should be a crime resurrecting a sad, pathetic American icon in a book for the mere hope his name might sell a few books! We don't need to be reminded, we need to forget.

Emma, you're just as bad. I meant what the hell! Even Priceline killed off William Shatner, I'm not sure who is worse. Elvis or Shatner. But Shatner never could act, and as he became rounder and more arrogant, what few acting skills he owned gone as fast as warp speed. You should be ashamed of yourself for even thinking that was a good idea.

But, having looked at what was suppose to be your criteria for a quirky romance, I managed to somehow overcome these horrible absurdities and try to judge you books fairly. And while I think you both are complete idiots of the first order, I will try to actually debate the merits of your badly flawed books tomorrow on Goodreads, if you have the courage to accept my challenge.

Sincerely,
The reviewnutt,
Your 1234567 fan.

I'm here you big condescending jerk!
bring it! Twilight hasn't died, it's not over, it will never be over. It will live on.

Emma wrote: "I'm here you big condescending jerk!
bring it! Twilight hasn't died, it's not over, it will never be over. It will live on."

Why in the world you would think this debate of yours is a good idea, I'll never know, but let me tell you both I have to admire your bravery while questioning your intelligence. Isn't it enough to put yourselves out there where you leave yourselves open to criticism, especially from people like me? Are you outside your little minds?

Well, you asked for it and now you're going to get it.

Emma, you're idiot number one. You certainly triumphed Jacy on this one. I mean even Priceline realized William Shatner was pathetic and killed him off. Did you really think it was a good idea to bring him back? Explain yourself...

Well okay, I here. Were you dropped on your head as a baby, who doesn't have at least an appreciation for Elvis.

No but I'm thinking you are...I appreciate Elvis, he just didn't know when to quit. Much like Sylvester Stallone.

Jacy Oliver, that makes you idiot number 2...
Your book should be condemned just because you put in Elvis. Of all the pop culture references you could use, why pick the King of Rock and Roll in his saddest moment of existence when he's being paraded around Los Vegas as a sad advertisement for the fat and pathetic. Can you explain that to me? That totally makes me automatically question Kate's judgment.

reviewnutt wrote: "Emma wrote: "I'm here you big condescending jerk!
bring it! Twilight hasn't died, it's not over, it will never be over. It will live on."

Why in the world you would think this debate of yours is a..."

Well unlike my fellow author, Megan is not enamored of William Shatner. he is just comic relief, fodder to entertain her and more importantly, take away her BF when she really needs him...

Emma wrote: "reviewnutt wrote: "Emma wrote: "I'm here you big condescending jerk!
bring it! Twilight hasn't died, it's not over, it will never be over. It will live on."

Why in the world you would think this d..."

Brad Pitt could have done that my dear, there is no way anyone wants to see Shatner in book, and especially on the bridge of the Enterprise again.

Which brings me too this question: why did you need a celebrity anyway? Your book is full of them.

reviewnutt wrote: "No but I'm thinking you are...I appreciate Elvis, he just didn't know when to quit. Much like the Sylvester Stallone.

Jacy Oliver, that makes you idiot number 2...
Your book should be condemned ..."

If Emma is idiot # 1 and I’m #2 that makes you the king of the idiots. You should really try immigrating from your parent’s basement and live in the real world. Elvis is an icon of Las Vegas, in all his forms. Are you sure you read my book? You’re missing the point of it. Yes it makes reference to Elvis, in Las Vegas pretty sure that’s appropriate. It adds originality which is what I was going for.

Jacy wrote: "reviewnutt wrote: "No but I'm thinking you are...I appreciate Elvis, he just didn't know when to quit. Much like the Sylvester Stallone.

Jacy Oliver, that makes you idiot number 2...
Your book s..."

Las Vegas was originally created by by Bugys Siegel. Should we celebrate that? I think not, go try again. If that's originality, you fail.

I will say this though, for dusting off the whole Pretty Woman plot, you managed to create a rather unique charter in Kate. The size 14 thing didn't escape me. Nor did the quick recovery from dumping her stuff on the counter and starting to cry, to seizing adventure and jumping in Cole's Ferrari.

Did you make Kate quirky on purpose, or was that an accident...

reviewnutt wrote: "Emma wrote: "reviewnutt wrote: "Emma wrote: "I'm here you big condescending jerk!
bring it! Twilight hasn't died, it's not over, it will never be over. It will live on."

Why in the world you would..."

It was comic relief! I couldn't make fun of Twilight openly, that violated the whole concept. Besides, that whole scenes was one of my favorites.

reviewnutt wrote: "Jacy wrote: "reviewnutt wrote: "No but I'm thinking you are...I appreciate Elvis, he just didn't know when to quit. Much like the Sylvester Stallone.

Jacy Oliver, that makes you idiot number 2......"

I didn’t say Elvis founded Las Vegas I said her became a part of it. If you condemn Elvis you condemn every other music artist who has made a home there. So no YOU fail. Try again.

You imply that I don’t didn’t know what I was doing as an author. This maybe may be my first ride on the merry-go-round, but I knew exactly what I was doing, thanks for asking. And thanks for calling Kate a hooker.

Emma wrote: "reviewnutt wrote: "Emma wrote: "reviewnutt wrote: "Emma wrote: "I'm here you big condescending jerk!
bring it! Twilight hasn't died, it's not over, it will never be over. It will live on."

Why in ..."

And this is why I asking myself why you participating in this debate. If I read your book as your attempt to understand your fascination with Twilight, while making fun of yourself for it, it would have been a great read. But no...

You try to pass it off as a quirky romance, which it is definitely not. It is a humorous parody and works. But since you entered this little contest, I would say it's a failure as a quirky romance.

Jacy wrote: "reviewnutt wrote: "Jacy wrote: "reviewnutt wrote: "No but I'm thinking you are...I appreciate Elvis, he just didn't know when to quit. Much like the Sylvester Stallone.

Jacy Oliver, that makes yo..."

Yeah, let's shoot Wayne Newton while we are at it. I'm so in favor. I didn't say Kate is a hooker, but the plot plays out the same way doesn't it? She's out of Cole's league (class), but he grabs her and she has to choose to play ball. To me, that's compelling part of your book. (Once I trained my mind to to block out all Elvis references.)

And how do I know if you knew what you were doing? You made the bad decision to include Elvis, for crying out loud...

I just want to say you're such a jerk! Where do you get off judging these two like this. Who invited you to the party? You are just mean and it's clear you're not interested in doing anything but criticizing people. These two authors worked hard, and they both wrote great books. Why can't you see that...oh that's right, you're a stupid male!

reviewnutt wrote: "Emma wrote: "reviewnutt wrote: "Emma wrote: "reviewnutt wrote: "Emma wrote: "I'm here you big condescending jerk!
bring it! Twilight hasn't died, it's not over, it will never be over. It will live ..."

I think it works on both levels, I do. Sure, there are hyper dramatic parts in it, but that only makes fun of me(Megan). It is still a romance novel and works.

Emma wrote: "reviewnutt wrote: "Emma wrote: "reviewnutt wrote: "Emma wrote: "reviewnutt wrote: "Emma wrote: "I'm here you big condescending jerk!
bring it! Twilight hasn't died, it's not over, it will never be ..."

I agree, it's what I loved about it. She used the three day thing to represent the three month blank page section in New Moon, even. Give her credit, you jerk!