Lori Wilde - An Author Interview at the HBS Author's Spotlight

Today our blog puts the Spotlight on Author Lori Wilde. She writes Romance novels. Lori is the author of several romance series including Cupid Texas Series, Twilight Texas Series, Stardust Texas Series, and The Wedding Veil Wishes Series.

Author: Lori Wilde

Author Genre: Romance

Website: Lori Wilde
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Twitter: @loriwilde
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Amazon Author Profile



Author Description:
Lori Wilde is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over 80 romance novels. She is a three-time RITA award nominee, a four time Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice nominee and has won numerous other awards. She earned a bachelor's degree in nursing from Texas Christian University and holds a certificate in forensics. She is also certified yoga instructor.

Her books have been translated into 27 languages and featured in Cosmopolitan, Redbook, Complete Woman, All You, Time and Quick and Simple magazines. She lives in Texas with her husband, Bill.


SPOTLIGHT Questions and Answers with the Author

Congratulations on your book: How the Cowboy was Won. What do you have on the drawing board next? Can you tell us the timeline for its release and give us a little tease?

Thanks for the questions, James. My next release is a novella that's part of an anthology from Kensington. A Wedding on Bluebird Way (out May 29th) The anthology features a B&B in Serendipity, Texas and a wedding at the Bluebird Inn that goes awry when the bride-to-be takes off on her uncle's Ducati.

My novella features the widowed inn owner, Felicity Patterson, and retired Colonel Tom Loving, who's comes to town for his niece's wedding. When word gets around that the Bluebird Inn is jinxed, Felicity's business is in jeopardy. Tom--who feels responsible for his niece ditching the groom at the altar--sticks around to help Felicity bring the bluebirds--and the lovebirds--back to Bluebird Way.

You have a good following on twitter. Since you started before the social media buzz, what impact has social media relationships had on your current success? How did you build your following in your niche? How much has it changed your book launch process?

Social media has made it far easier to connect with readers. That's exciting. The downside is that if you aren't vigilant, you can spend far too much time on social media. It's harder to find a balance in today's world between writing, social media, and carving out a healthy lifestyle.

Social media gives authors a platform to build their brands, and as an author, it's important to remember to stay on brand when building your readership. That doesn't mean you can't discuss some topics that aren't on brand. But you have to understand why readers come to your site and make sure you give them what they want.

As far as book the launch process goes, social media is super important. I still do live appearance and there's nothing like it, but social media helps get the word out.

You do a book signings, interviews, speaking and personal appearances. When and where is the next place where your readers can see you? Where can they keep up with your personal contacts online?

I will be in Kansas City this upcoming weekend, March 30th, at Avon's KissCon, It's always loads of fun. Check it out here.  (Check Lori's profile for contact links.)


You have great covers. They carry a theme and your brand with them. How does your book cover creation process work? Do you hand over the basic theme or do you have more of a hands-on approach? Do you get your readers involved in its development?

Avon has a wonderful art team. I'm so lucky to be with them. Here's how the cover process works for me. My editor asks what I would like to see on the cover. I send them six or seven ideas. The art, sales and marketing departments work together to come up with a winning concept. They will send sample mock-ups to my editor, agent and me. We discuss. If we have a difference of opinion, I will often take the choices to my readers on social media and get their input. Creating covers is an art, not a science. Sometimes the prettiest covers aren't the ones that sell the most books.

Many of your novels have been converted into audio books. What has been the impact on your regular sales? Has the audio books gained a new audience for you?

Most of my audio book audience are people who have visions issues, or those who don't have time to sit and read, but they can listen as they go about their business day. It's lovely to be able to capture those readers.

You have written several novellas. Can you tell us if they had an impact on the sales of your novels? Are shorty’s one of your styles of writing or are they created to give readers a sample of your work? Do you feel short reads are a product of our email and smart phone age?

I feel like novellas are a form all their own. Some stories just don't fit well into the length of a novel. Novellas fill that niche. It requires a different set of writing skills to write short, and still tell a great story. I believe short reads have always had their place, and while attention spans seemed to have shortened in the age of technology, there are still plenty of readers who love long meaty reads. I think it's great that there is room for both.

I like the idea of Author bundles. You are a part of a novel collection called A Wedding on Bluebird Way being released in May. What was the main objective of bundling your works with other romance authors? How did you put something like that together?

I was approached by Kensington to create, and headline, the anthology, A Wedding On Bluebird Way. The editor and I brainstormed the concept and each of the stories. She picked the other writers in the anthology. It was a fun process. I loved working with Kensington on this project.

What is your primary genre? What has been your best marketing approach to this group?

My primary genre turned out to be small town contemporaries with a western flair. At one time I was writing romantic adventure, along the lines of Romance the Stone, but my career took off when I followed the market and started writing small town. Part of my success might come from the fact that as a Texan, and a country girl, that milieu just fits. I've always wanted to write a thriller, and in fact, I've done some romantic suspense. I even got a certificate in forensics to learn more about death investigation. Fingers crossed that one day I get to add that to my resume.

As far as marketing goes, what has helped my career the most is to write as many books as I can write while still keeping the quality up.

What has been your experience in giving your books away free? Have you been involved in any other type of giveaways and how did that work out? What was your main goal in doing this? Did you run into any obstacles?

My main form of advertising these days is to giveaway free books. I donate books to charities, have sweepstake giveaways, and reward loyal readers with free books. I have done a few giveaways where I've given away other things, but when it comes down to it, readers want books. My thought process is that if I can get them to read one of my books, maybe I can hook them.

The Tucson Festival of Books 2018 was a great event, enjoyed by thousands. A Book festival is a unique selling situation. How did you prepare for the festival? Did it meet your goals? If you had to do something different next year, what would that be?
I thoroughly enjoyed the Tucson book festival. I've been going to book festivals for over twenty years, and I have to say this is one of the best run festivals I've ever attended. To prepare, I did some research on the topics we were speaking on, but that's about it. I think the best way to sell books in person is to simply sell yourself. Smile. Be genuinely interested in people. Be kind. It's worked for me so far.





Author's Book List
How the Cowboy Was Won - Cupid, Texas
Return to New York Times Bestselling Author Lori Wilde’s beloved town of Cupid, Texas, where wedding fever is in the air . . . and two best friends discover that sometimes the perfect match is standing right in front of you . .

Ember Alzate is a fantastic matchmaker with one big problem: she can’t find the perfect mate for herself! Alzate family legend says that when she kisses “the One” she’ll hear a mysterious humming in her head. Well, Ember’s kissed a lot of guys and she’s never heard a thing. Now, instead of searching for herself, she vows to find her best friend, Ranger Lockhart, a bride. It’s clear this smart, sexy man just needs to meet the right gal.

Ranger’s returned home to Cupid with marriage on his mind, but he’s not interested in the parade of women Ember pushes under his nose. His thoughts keep returning to his best friend—with her combustible combination of curves and sass. No one compares to Ember, but what’s it going to take to convince her she’s the woman for him?


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Cowboy, It's Cold Outside - A Twilight, Texas Novel
Everyone in town knows that Christmas in Twilight has a way of bringing lovers together . . . but will its magic bring this pair from “I won’t” to “I do”?

Wearing a too-tight “Santa Baby” costume held in by a double pair of Spanx, Paige MacGregor runs headlong into a gorgeous, grey-eyed hunk of a long, tall cowboy. And not just any cowboy, but country-western star Cash Colton, visiting Twilight to perform in a charity concert. Most women would melt at his feet, but Paige knows all too much about self-assured men with cocky attitudes, so she tells him to get lost.

Cash is in town, nursing his own broken heart, but Paige has knocked him off his feet. He’s convinced she’s perfect—someone to inspire his music and share his now-empty bed. True, he’s not marriage material, but he’s determined to convince her that they’re perfect together—at least for a while. But what he doesn’t count on is falling in love with the one woman who isn’t about to give him the time of day!


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Million Dollar Cowboy - A Cupid, Texas Novel
New York Times Bestselling Author Lori Wilde returns to Cupid, Texas with a heartwarming story of a cowboy who comes home to the family ranch for a wedding filled with surprises…

The illegitimate son of a Texas ranching dynasty, Ridge Lockhart left home ten years ago with one goal: to become more successful than the father who never accepted him.

Mission accomplished, but now he’s back at the Silver Feather Ranch for a wedding—three days of best man duty until he can hightail it out. Then he spies Kaia Alzate, and suddenly leaving isn’t quite so appealing.

Kaia Alzate grew up the daughter of the ranch foreman, servants to the mighty Lockharts in the mansion. Back then, she followed Ridge around like a puppy. Now, she’s fighting the attraction she feels for this sexy CEO. She’s determined not to make a big mistake—but when Ridge takes her in his arms she’s stunned…could he be the man she’s waited for all along?


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A Wedding for Christmas - A Twilight, Texas Novel
The whole town is ready for the holidays: The Cookie Club is baking, Main Street glitters with lights, the carolers sing . . .There’s even a Christmas wedding.

When bodyguard Ryder Southerland sees his best friend’s sister Katie at an L.A. Christmas party, he mistakes the slinky blonde for a celebrity stalker and tackles her. Then they tackle each other . . . at his place. The next morning, Katie’s gone, and Ryder tells himself it’s for the best. It isn’t. Now, one Christmas later, Ryder’s falling for the woman he’s been missing in the town he hasn’t missed at all . . .

Katie Cheek’s outgrown the romantic fantasies she had about Ryder when she was fifteen. Katie’s packed their hot night away in a box labeled “fling”—or tried to. But Twilight’s bad boy is the best man in her brother’s wedding. And up-close and personal, Ryder’s impossible to ignore. So Katie can either go into hiding—or surrender to Christmas magic.


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Love of the Game - Stardust, Texas Series Book 3
A sexy sports superstar discovers his body isn’t the only thing that needs healing in this newest Stardust, Texas novel from New York Times bestselling author Lori Wilde.

With major league good looks and talent, Dallas Gunslingers relief pitcher Axel Richmond was living the good life. Even if the roar of the crowd could never distract him from the loss of his young son. But now with an injured shoulder and his career on the line, Axel is stuck recuperating at a ranch in Stardust, Texas . . . striking out only with his gorgeous physical therapist.

Kasha Carlyle has one week to get Axel back in action or she can kiss her much-needed job with the Gunslingers goodbye. And any chance to seek custody of the orphaned half-sister she never knew existed. She quickly learns that Axel’s guarded heart also needs healing . . . requiring all kinds of sneaky plays and sexy moves in extra innings.


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I'll Be Home For Christmas - A Twilight, Texas Novel
Christmas in Twilight, Texas, is all merriment and mistletoe. The Cookie Club is whipping up their most festive sweets, the townspeople are scrambling to get their holiday shopping done, and Joe—a hometown guy with a restless heart—is dreaming about the woman he wants to kiss most . . .

. . . And who happens to be staying at his sister's place over the holidays, while Joe's sister is away. But Joe isn't quite sure he wants to be a living Christmas present to runaway law student Gabi Preston.

Joe thinks the sassy sweetheart he nicknames "Trouble" won't inconvenience anything but his healthy sex drive. But when he discovers the reasons Gabi escaped from her life, he aches to give her everything she's never had. As the magic of the season draws them together, the gift of love is the only one worth giving…


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Rules of the Game - Stardust, Texas series Book 2
A jilted bride meets a superstar baseball player in this newest Stardust, Texas novel from New York Times bestselling author Lori Wilde

Just uttering the word "wedding" makes Jodi Carlyle break out into a cold sweat. So a year after she'd been dumped at the altar, and two days after turning the big 3-0, she decides to break some rules—by dressing to the nines, hiring a limo,and crashing a swanky wedding . . .

. . . Where she catches the eye of the Dallas Gunslingers' new star hitter Jake Coronnado. He's hot. He's sexy. He sticks by her side all evening. He's the perfect fling. After a wild weekend, where they do everything and then some, Jodi thinks she'll never have to see him again . . . hey, she's even told him her name is Gwendolyn! But she thinks wrong.

Because guess who's the best man at Jodi's sister's wedding? And guess who's still as seductive as ever? And guess who's determined to turn their one-night fling into happily-ever-after?


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Back in the Game - Stardust, Texas series Book 1
New York Times bestselling author Lori Wilde welcomes you to Stardust, Texas . . . where dreams come true and love is always right around the corner

Wanted: ghostwriter. Must be female, a baseball fan, and have a great pair of legs.

Ex-pitcher Rowdy Blanton never saw a woman he couldn't conquer or a team he couldn't beat. And now that he's off the field he's ready to tell all about when he played the field. So he chooses Breeanne Carlyle to do the job—she's got the requirements, but more important, there's something about her that makes him want to be a better man.

Convinced there's more to Rowdy than a good fastball, a wicked smile, and a tight pair of pants, Breeanne can't help but be tempted. After all, it's boring always being the good girl, and Rowdy dares her to be just a little bad. The stakes are high, but win or lose, this time Breeanne's breaking all the rules playing the game of love.


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Christmas at Twilight - A Twilight, Texas Novel
It's Christmas in Twilight, Texas. The Cookie Club is baking, the town is decorated, and Delta Force Operator "Hutch" Hutchinson has finally, reluctantly, returned home . . .

. . . only to get pepper sprayed by the delicious- looking stranger who's taken over his house. She says her name is Jane, and she immediately sets down ground rules. Top priority: no touching. For Hutch that isn't easy—he was wounded in action, but one part is still working very well.

Then Hutch learns the truth. Jane harbors a frightening secret—she's really Meredith Sommers, on the run from a dangerous ex-husband and desperately in need of the safety Hutch can provide. In that moment, he vows he'd do anything in his power to protect her. And as Christmas approaches, they discover that their love can conquer the past and overcome any obstacle—but what price will they pay?


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Love with a Perfect Cowboy - A Cupid, Texas Novel
New York Times bestselling author Lori Wilde returns to Cupid, Texas, and asks the question: Do you ever forget your first love?

Melody Spencer had long-ago wiped the dust of Cupid, Texas, off her cute shoes . . . and done her best to forget the chiseled jaw and strong arms of cowboy Luke Spencer. Their families might be part of a long-time feud, but he was her very first love, even if it turned out they never wanted the same things.

But now Luke's come striding back into her life, tempting her with the memories of long, lazy evenings and hot, passionate kisses. And he has an ulterior motive—as Mayor of Cupid, he knows Melody's business savvy can help save their beloved hometown. His smooth talking might get her to Texas, but that doesn't mean he'll get her in his bed. Still, people do say love can be more perfect the second time around . . .


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Somebody to Love - A Cupid, Texas Novel
New York Times bestselling author Lori Wilde invites you back to Cupid, Texas, where love is only a heartbeat away . . .

Sexy cowboy-scholar Jericho Chance always knows exactly what he wants and how to get it. And after sauntering back home to Cupid, he’s shocked to discover that he wants Zoe McCleary. After years from home, he takes one new look at his bubbly best friend, with her lightning smarts and luscious body, and it hits him like a bolt: she’s his somebody to love and he’s not leaving town again without her.

Settling down always seemed like a time waster to Zoe, a man magnet with a trail of broken hearts behind her. She’s not meant to settle down—but how can she resist someone as persuasive as Jericho? There’s no way they can ignore the explosive chemistry seething between them . . . even if it means risking their friendship . . .


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All Out of Love - A Cupid, Texas Novel
From bestselling romance author Lori Wilde comes All Out of Love, the sizzling second book in her Cupid, Texas, series, set in a town where every wish for love comes true.

Millie Greenway and her friends have tried for years to keep the Cupid legend alive in their hometown, but she’s not getting much help from her granddaughters. Lace Bettingfield knows the legend is bogus. As a teen, she left a letter at the Cupid statue and got nothing in return but humiliation. But now the guy she dreamed of is back in town, Lace begins to wonder if the tale might just prove to be true.


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Love at First Sight - A Cupid, Texas Novel
Welcome to Cupid, Texas, where every wish for love comes true…

In her sexy new series of romance novels, New York Times bestselling romance author Lori Wilde, introduces a town where the residents are more than likely to fall in love at first sight.

Passion has been notably lacking in the life of sensible Natalie McCleary. But when ex–Navy SEAL Dade Vega roars into Cupid on his motorcycle, and she stumbles on him stark naked and soaking wet, she suddenly understands what it means to be struck by love. Dade feels it too.

Will he stick around and give them both a happy ending or will this footloose loner move on and leave her heartbroken?


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Once Smitten, Twice Shy - Wedding Veil Wishes
Legend claims this antigue Irish wedding veil can grant your heart's deepest desire. But be careful what you wish for...

Wedding videographer Tish Gallagher is at the end of her rope. Her business is about to go bust. She's just spent her last buck on nonreturnable (but oh so fabulous) shoes. And her most sustainable relationship is with a pint of Haagen Dazs. So she makes a wish on the lucky wedding veil to get out of debt...and sees the man she never stopped loving, her ex-husband, secret service agent Shane Tremont. Sure, their chemistry was off-the-charts sizzling hot, but their clashes were legendary, and no amount of longing will change that.

When her dream job of recording the first daughter's wedding appears out of the blue, Tish knows it's her only shot to get out of the red. Just one teensy glitch: Shane is the groom. From the moment they see each other, she knows nothing's changed--the same old black magic is still between them, as irresistible and potent as ever. But he's promised to another and Tish has been burned before. Will she always be...ONCE SMITTEN, TWICE SHY?


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There Goes the Bride - Wedding Veil Wishes
Legend claims this antique Irish wedding veil can grant your heart's deepest desire. But be careful what you wish for…

The moment Texas socialite Delaney Cartwright touches the veil, she knows she can't go through with her wedding. And it's not just because she envisions a stranger's dark eyes and irresistible lips the second her fingers hit lace. But she can't simply call the whole thing off. The nuptials to her nice, predictable childhood friend are the social event of the season (not to mention that her mother would freak). To fan the flames of this dying ember, Delaney abducts her fiance for a night of passion...and grabs the wrong guy! It isn't her fault that Detective Nick Vinetti of the oddly familiar eyes and lips has crossed her path--and looks game for all kinds of sexy fun.

Now Delaney hatches an outrageous plan to get out of marrying: she'll hire her own kidnapper. With an altar to avoid and a cop to dream of, this runaway bride is hoping a little Irish magic will unveil the true destiny of her heart.


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Valentine, Texas - Wedding Veil Wishes
Growing up in Valentine, Texas, can make anyone believe in happily ever after. But newly declared recovering romantic Rachael Henderson has decided that love stinks. After having not one but two grooms ditch her at the altar, she announces her disenchantment in an uncharacteristic act of rebellion. She feels liberated...until she's arrested by Sheriff Brody Carlton.

Once upon a time, being hauled against the taut, rippling body of her first crush would have had Rachael planning the wedding of the year. Now it spurs her to created Romanceaholics Anonymous, a twelve-step program for love addicts. Soon all of Valentine is divided as die-hard romantics clash with antilove cynics. But when Rachael starts fantasizing about a lust-filled affair with Brody, she goes against everything the program stands for. Should she protect her fragile heart...or find a way to have her wedding cake and eat it too?


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