Comments on: Meet Michele Matrisciani, Editorial Director HCI Books

By: Meg Manganiello

Meg Manganiello — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 01:57:35 +0000

I'vebeen reading romance novels for a number of years now , I actually devour them. I have never written a review before, but this novelwas so good I had to let people know to get it...Three Nights of Sin. It has been a while since I have read a book so good that I just want to read it again to make sure I didn't miss anything. Anne Mallory has written 2of the best characters that I have ever read. Even the supporting characters are written well enough for you to KNOW who they are. I laughed out loud and I cried. I refuse to tell the story because I hate it when people create spoilers, just know that with this book you are getting your moneys worth . I'mnow going to go buy the rest of Anne Mallory's novelsand if they are only half as good, they will still be wonderful. Three Nights of Sin will stay on my bookshelf forever and I know I will keep rereading it until the book falls apart. Romance Lover

By: Norma Huss

Norma Huss — Sat, 01 May 2010 18:04:44 +0000

This love story idea makes me think of my parents. They met and married in the 1920s. My mother is still alive, but her memory isn’t that good anymore. But I do remember the stories.

She was living as a live-in housekeeper/mothers helper to a teacher. He traveled, working on the railroad. The school (small) had a program. My mother sang a song (in blackface-sorry about that). He fell in love. But at just 18 to his 24, she wouldn’t marry without her parents’ permission, and she was a little afraid of his ‘bedroom eyes.’ They traveled across the mountains to ask her parents who had been 23 & 24 when they married. They decided one of that mature age was ok. Evidently it was. He died at 94, she is now 100.

Love the idea of ‘real’ love stories. I’ll be looking for them in the bookstore!

By: michele matrisciani

michele matrisciani — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 18:11:49 +0000

I thought writing the blog entry was fun, but meeting you all (albeit virtually) is even more fun! Thank you for all your good wishes, promises of support, and for sharing your personal stories. (I didn’t mind the shout outs from Julie and Judith, either.) As Vella mentions above, TV is flooded with reality stories, and with one recent statistic I heard reporting that sadly 40% of the people in the U.S. read one book or less last year, it would be a dream to be able to help people find the magic in books again, and if that means taking a cue from TV trends, then I hope we’re giving people what they are obviously telling us they want!

By: Vella Munn

Vella Munn — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 17:19:08 +0000

Wow Michele, how exciting. TV is filled with ‘reality’ shows so obviously the public (aka readers) are drawn to glimpses into people’s lives.

While reading your informative blog, I kept thinking about my grandparents’ love story. Sadly, my grandfather died at age 38, leaving his widow with three small children to raise before social security. I’ve long cherished the hundreds of letters they wrote each other during the last year of his life (I suspect he was murdered) when financial circumstances separated Grandpa from his family. I’ve started writing about the family tragedy as a memoir but now I’m wondering if the focus should be on their love for each other. Nana never remarried.

Sigh. Now I’m going to spend the day thinking about my ancestors instead of meeting my deadline.
Vella
p.s. Your project is going to rock!

By: Olivia Rupprecht

Olivia Rupprecht — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 13:39:52 +0000

What great well wishes and comments all around, thanks everybody! And Nancy, that is a terrific story about you and your husband. You should submit it and your resume to Michele, see what she says.

By: Nancy Cohen

Nancy Cohen — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 13:09:30 +0000

What a cool concept! I do believe in Love at First Sight. On our second date, my husband said he believed something permanent would come from our relationship. We’ll be married 34 years this December. Our relatives fixed us up as a blind date while I was in town job hunting. In between interviews, I walked into a place just on chance…and they hired me for the position I wanted. Was it Fate? Maybe. It’s such fun to hear the stories of how other couples met. Wishing you success with the launch!

By: Linda Barrett

Linda Barrett — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 12:44:53 +0000

This endeavor sounds wonderful, and I bet it turns out that way. To echo Kasey, it’s thrilling to see a publisher expand an entire genre with a little creative thinking…Hmm.. make that a lot of creative thinking and a lot of work

Looking forward to meeting Michele and Olivia on the beach in Florida…

Linda

By: Judith Arnold

Judith Arnold — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 22:58:58 +0000

As Julie said, working on this project has been wonderful. Not only did I fall in love with my couple as I wrote about them falling in love with each other, but I learned a great deal about how a new imprint gets created and launched. Michele and Olivia included us authors in much of the decision-making.

Julie says, rightly, that working with Michele and Olivia has been a dream. I’ve got to add that being involved in a project with Julie and Alison has also been a dream.

I hope readers enjoy the books as much as I enjoyed writing mine!

By: JulieLeto

JulieLeto — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 20:19:29 +0000

First, I have to say that working with Olivia and Michele has been like a dream. My couple was fabulous and went above and beyond to make sure I had the information I needed when I needed it, which was usually right away! The book itself was a challenge, but I’m pretty happy with the outcome (I only say pretty happy because I haven’t done revisions yet, LOL!) I certainly used every tool in my writer’s toolbox to work it, but bending and stretching the brain isn’t a bad thing. I’m very curious to see what readers think…both romance readers and non-romance readers. And I can’t wait to read the other two!!!

By: Patricia Rice

Patricia Rice — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 19:48:11 +0000

I’m just plain flat out thrilled to see a publisher willing to experiment with the new and different and who recognizes the value of talented writers! I’ll be snatching up the books when they hit the stands and cheering from the sidelines.