We Love Lisa Kleypas discussion

Looks like we may have the first in her new series out this year! AAR's message forum is posting a release date of Nov 2010 for the first book. Woo hoo! And here is the blurb about the series

The Friday Harbor series of contemporary romance/women's fiction novels is set in San Juan Island just off of the Washington State Coast. The San Juan Island setting is romantic and varied, with rocky shores, sandy beaches, rich woodlands and pasture land, and the prosperous Friday Harbor area. The series is centered around the Nolan family, consisting of two brothers and a sister, the owners of an island vineyard and restaurant. The Nolans' mother Jessica has just passed away, and a mysterious stranger attends the funeral. He reveals that he is an illegitimate child Jessica had given birth to, and given up for adoption, before she married. This family secret leads to many new questions and challenges, which test the bonds of love and loyalty, and ultimately show the Nolans what family is all about.

Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor
This will be a novella in hardcover, not a full length book.

Rainshadow Road

UK Amazon has it posted as 'Christmas Eve'

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Christmas-Eve...

Wow! That sounds great. Thanks for the 411, KarLyn.

I thought LK was on record saying this will come out in early 2011, so I wont be surprised if the date changes. But it would be cool if it did come out in November!

Awesome!!!!!!

Wow! That sounds great! Thanks for the info, KarLynP! ^_^ Well, if it's called "Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor" the latest it should come out is December, I'd think. I hope it's not a hardcover novella like Wallflower Christmas though. I always prefer the full length books.

Lady Jayne wrote: "Wow! That sounds great! Thanks for the info, KarLynP! ^_^ Well, if it's called "Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor" the latest it should come out is December, I'd think. I hope it's not a hardcover nov..."

Oh I agree! But I can't imagine her starting a new series off with a novella (knock on wood, salt over my shoulder, fingers crossed...) I too hope the title will mean it will be a Christmas release, and from the title I will assume the heroine's name will be Eve.

Woohoo!!! I didn't think (I don't know why) that this series would come out for at least another year. This is exciting, but I agree with everything else...I DO NOT want to see a novella be the first story in the series. We will have to keep watching to see what happens...Let's think positive thoughts/vibes that it will be a full length book.
Ally

KarLynP wrote: "But I can't imagine her starting a new series off with a novella (knock on wood, salt over my shoulder, fingers crossed...) "

Well, I hope LK doesn't start off the series as a novella but Kresley Cole's Immortals After Dark series started with a novella in an anthology. So, that's why the thought entered my head. And because releasing 3 full length books in a year seems like a mighty feat. But I believe in LK's brilliant writing abilities that it will be a full length book! ^_^ I guess if an author is sufficiently inspired, the story will just flow. And Friday Harbor sounds incredibly inspiring (not that I've ever been there, but description sof it soudn stunning). And LK sounded in her interviews last year like she was taking her Friday Harbor "research" very seriously and was already very inspired. ^_^

*positive vibes for full length book*

I posted LK's thoughts on the Friday Harbor series (during its conception) in the Lisa Kleypas News thread but think maybe it's more appropriate here, just to remind ourselves (and excite) ourselves of what to possibly expect from this new series. I'm so excited! *jumps up and down* ^o^

LK: “Kati, my husband and two children and I went to the San Juan Islands, just off the coast of Washington state, and it’s one of the most beautiful locations in the world. Orcas and dolphins swimming by the coast, mountains and oceans and island scenery . . .and the most fascinating mix of people. Millionaires with yachts, working-class, and all kinds of artistic, literate, music-loving people . . . lavender farms, amazing restaurants . . . . it’s going to be a series, four books to start with, and maybe more if I have more stories to tell. And I’m planning to write it in third person POV, so I can show the viewpoints of many characters. I wish I could clone myself so I could start it right now! *g*”

“Keira, isn’t Friday Harbor wonderful??? It has so much personality . . . I’ll be very busy wandering around with my little notebook and pen . . . and stopping at every restaurant, of course *g* I’ve only begun to get a sense of the place and the people. I always start by researching the history of a place, and I’ve already read about the “Pig War,” the eleven-year clash between the British and Americans, who were fighting to claim the San Juan islands . . .and it was started because of a pig that wandered into a neighbor’s yard and was shot! Thankfully, the only casualty in the entire war was the pig. Hee!

So I’ll do a lot of reading and exploring–and the fun thing about writing contemporaries is you get to talk to real live people for research! *g*

But you’ve hit the nail on the head . . . it’s the island mentality I’m going to have to capture. Very different from all the other places I’ve become familiar with! Thank you for your sweet words . . . I do like to notice details about people and language, and hopefully show how that connects them to a particular place. I’m so excited that you felt the same way I did about the San Juans!!!”

KarLynP wrote:"And here is the blurb about the series:

The Friday Harbor series of contemporary romance/women's fiction novels is set in San Juan Island just off of the Washington State Coast. The San Juan Island setting is romantic and varied, with rocky shores, sandy beaches, rich woodlands and pasture land, and the prosperous Friday Harbor area.The series is centered around the Nolan family, consisting of two brothers and a sister, the owners of an island vineyard and restaurant. The Nolans' mother Jessica has just passed away, and a mysterious stranger attends the funeral. He reveals that he is an illegitimate child Jessica had given birth to, and given up for adoption, before she married. This family secret leads to many new questions and challenges, which test the bonds of love and loyalty, and ultimately show the Nolans what family is all about."

I love the sound of this location. It sounds so romantic with vineyards, beaches and woodlands. *sighs* I'm excited that she's once again exploring the different dynamics of family. I already foresee that I am going to become attached to the Nolan family. I love books that involve family, like the Hathaways, Travises, and Julia Quinn's Bridgerton series.

I have been to the San Juans and Friday Harbor many times as I have a lot of family and friends who live in the Seattle area. It is breath taking and majestic, hands down. A fantastic setting for a series.

The big tourist draws include Orca whale watching, also known as killer whales. (Think ‘Free Willy’.) It is also heavily linked with Native American history and culture, so I am hoping for some mixed-blood heros or heroines in this series. We will just have to wait and see!

KarLynP wrote: "I have been to the San Juans and Friday Harbor many times as I have a lot of family and friends who live in the Seattle area. It is breath taking and majestic, hands down. A fantastic setting for..."

Thanks for sharing that. Oh, some mixed blood with Native American heroes/heroines would be good. ^_^

Thanks for sharing this, I'm excited there's a new series coming out :)

As I watch the winter Olympics, I keep thinking of this series! Vancouver is only a hop and a skip away on the Canada side. I am excited for it too!

Oh, you say that now Vale, but just imagine a whole new Jack to meet!!! :-)

Thanks for sharing!!! I am definitely excited for this series!!! I hope it does come out in November though!

FYI on New LK Contemp, Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor!!!

UK Paperback release date 4 Nov 2010 and there's a cover:

At The Book Depository:
http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/book/...

At Amazon UK:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Christmas-Eve...

US Hardcover release date is 9 Nov 2010 (No cover yet):

At the BD:
http://www.bookdepository.com/book/97...

US Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Eve-a...

The paperback is 320 pages and the harback is 224 pages.

So it's for sure coming out in hardback first?
Anyway you can find out when paperback release date is or is it to early for that? I think I might actually like this one I didn't care much for the travis series, but this sounds better somethin like Nora Roberts Quinn Brothers trilogy (can't think of the name).

Is the Travis series through? Or is she going to have 2 contemps going? That might mean we won't be seeing anymore historicals.

UniquelyMoi *~*Dhestiny*~* wrote: "Is the Travis series through? Or is she going to have 2 contemps going? That might mean we won't be seeing anymore historicals."

This would be a nightmare, even if it's for a little while. Hopefully she's got somethin in the works and just hasn't let the cat outta the bag yet (fingers crossed)

I agree, Creeker! I depend on her to keep the historicals coming. I need them! LOL

I just can't imagine that there won't be more historicals !!!

From LK's website on Joe:

"Q: Are you ever going to write a book featuring Joe Travis?

A: I had only planned my Texas books as a trilogy, and I've been so surprised and touched that so many people are interested in Joe! Although I'm not currently planning to write his story, I would say it's a strong possibility in the future."

Re. Historicals:

"Q: Do you like writing contemporary or historical romances better?

A: I absolutely couldn't choose. Each is incredibly rewarding. I think the historical romances are more fun to write, but with the contemporaries, I've been able to become a little more issue-oriented, and that has been rewarding in a multitude of ways."

But no sneak peaks yet as to any upcoming historicals.

Has anyone else noticed the differences in the description of the book from websites like amazon to the sneek peak at the back of "Love in the Afternoon"?

http://www.amazon.com/Christmas-Eve-F...

This descriptions tells a much different story than the one in the back of LITA. Anyone else catch that?

I agree someone has it wrong. B&N has the same summary as Amazon. I hope she posts something soon about the book! :)

I didn't sneak a peek. LOL

UniquelyMoi *~*Dhestiny*~* wrote: "I didn't sneak a peek. LOL"

I did :)

I am posting this twice in LK News and here.

http://media.us.macmillan.com/video/o...

The US cover for Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor.

Someone just sent me this link... this answers the question about the plot of her new book and the reason for the length of it and the confusion of website descriptions. Enjoy!

http://likesbooks.com/boards/viewtopi...

I really don't know why she thinks that readers prefer Christmas stories in novella hard covers. Did I misunderstand? $16 for a novella? Yeeeegads.

Interesting! Thanks for posting Ariana! So the first book will only be a novella, not a full book. I think $16 is steep for any short book, but dang - it is Lisa Kleypas so I will most likely buy it (or try to get it quickly used.)

BTW, the next book in this series is called Rainshadow Road and has a release date of June 2011.

According to her post, most readers prefer Christmas stories to be in novella, hard cover format.

UniquelyMoi <---------- not this reader.

LOL!!!

UniquelyMoi *~*Dhestiny*~* wrote: "According to her post, most readers prefer Christmas stories to be in novella, hard cover format.

UniquelyMoi <---------- not this reader."

Must be all those readers who call romance trashy and hide their (trashy) books when company comes over. lol

Must be! LOL

KarLynP wrote: "Interesting! Thanks for posting Ariana! So the first book will only be a novella, not a full book. I think $16 is steep for any short book, but dang - it is Lisa Kleypas so I will most likely buy ..."

Damn, damn, damn! Her new publisher is pulling the same stunt her old publisher did with A Wallflower Christmas. I guess I'll have to do the same I did back then: take an afternoon off, read the book at the bookstore and go home. I'm sorry, but I simply refuse to pay that much for a novella!

It's one thing to do this mid series, as an extra little something, but to kick off a series this way? Nope, not ok with me.

Not to mention that the hardcover format would screw up my bookshelf. All my books have to "match", LOL.

Amen to that, Dina!

I'm going to look at it like this, the rest of the series is going to be so ridiculously phanomenal that it will make up for the first book! :) I hope...

I'm tossing up whether to order the UK paperback, which is a bit cheaper, or the UK hardback (I do love the cover).

As for this comment:"this length and format seems to be what many readers prefer for a holiday read"...maybe this is what her publishers tell her? *shrugs*

I was thinking the reason was that it looks nicer as a holiday gift, maybe. I don't think readers prefer it! I<------Don't!! LOL (Definitely not right! ^o^) Or as Pamela said, maybe it's the ones who want to hide their "trashy" romances and if they were holding a hardcover without the jacket, people wouldn't know what they were reading?

I'm with y'all on liking my books to match. Though sometimes I feel like I just have to let it go. I haven't decided whether to get my Wallflower Christmas in paperback now since I already have it and there are so many other books I want to buy. Darn, publishers changing formats!!! *shakes fists*

Lady Jayne, I'm so glad you said that about the Wallflower Christmas. I'm having the same internal debate. To paperback it, or not to paperback it. That is the question!

*in another (evil) "Jane's" tone*
Decisions, decisions. ^_^

LOL!!! Muah-ha-ha!!!

Ladies, don't you find it much easier to read a book in hardback as opposed to paperback? Sometimes I find the print so small in paperback that I have to use a bar magnifier, and all I use are mild reading glasses, nothing strong. Personally I love large print books the best; I seem to read so much faster and since I read a lot, it is so much easier on my eyes.

Peg, in my case, HC is very difficult because I have a partially paralyzed hand. The HCs being so stiff, so large and heavy makes my fingers and hand cramp up.

For me, paperbacks are the way to go and I only read HC when it's a series I just can't wait for, like the Black Dagger Brotherhood. It has to be good enough to be worth the pain! LOL

Gee, I am so sorry to hear about your hand. I can understand how paperbacks are easier for you to handle. I like them too but sometimes the print is so tiny to me. I know it doesn't bother others though. I have a mixture of paperbacks, tradebacks, hard covers and large print. You have to see my small apartment -- books in cases in the dining room area and bathroom hallway in book cases neatly(about 10) but in those large plastic roller carts with drawers in the bedroom about another ten! I am hopeless! But what a great addiction!!!

Wow! You might just have more books than I do! I have two bookshelves in my walk in closet double stacked, then I have shelves on the walls that start just above the book shelves and go to the ceiling.

I agree, the print in paperback is so tiny sometimes that's it's hard to read! And why do they charge so much for trade paperback? That's ridiculous. It's the perfect solution for me, but way toooooo expensive.

some large print books at doubleday are 19, 20 and 21 dollars. forget barnes and noble and amazon, they go for like thirty and more! that is why a lot of times i buy used from thriftbooks and betterworldbooks, they don't charge shipping either.