HOW CONTINUITY SERIES WORK (from Evelyn:) A Continuity Series is a series of books written not just by one author, but a group of authors, all working off the same basic idea. If it is an editor-proposed continuity, as Family Secrets is, the editors put together a "bible" similar to that a television series uses, which lists the basic plot and all the characters, as well as stressing the connections between the books and the continuity elements that must be included so that the series makes sense. The authors therefore have to work very closely with the editors, and with each other. In the case of Family Secrets, we put together an e-mail list so that we could ask questions and share ideas. As for how to PURCHASE a continuity series, that too is a little different from the normal romance novel. The first three books, as listed above, will be "prequels" from the Silhouette Intimate Moments line in February, March, and April of 2003. Then Silhouette will release a 3-story anthology, in May 2003. Then the series itself starts in June. Below is a better description than I could offer, again borrowed from Heather, at eharlequin.com. The prequels are books leading up to the continuity series and which readers must purchase separately. The anthology consists of three short stories (novellas) that all center around the series and generally introduce some of the characters we might see later on. The "Direct" (which many readers also refer to as "bonus books") are what readers who subscribe to the entire series will receive as an extra bonus for subscribing. There are two ways in which readers can purchase a continuity series. 1) They can buy each individual book as it comes out every month (meaning it takes a whole year to get them all)...or 2) they can subscribe to the entire series, in which case they get the 12 book series plus the 4 direct only books -- 4 consecutive shipments of 4 books each. (Also, the Anthology usually comes as a free gift to those who subscribe to the entire series.) |
Want to know more? Want to chat about THE PLAYER? Check out the bulletin boards at eharlequin, here! |
The Family Secrets Series: Silhouette Intimate Moments Prequels: THE CINDERELLA MISSION by Catherine Mann, Feb 03 THE PHOENIX ENCOUNTER by Linda Castillo, March 03 THE IMPOSSIBLE ALLIANCE by Candace Irvin, April 03 Silhouette Anthology: BROKEN SILENCE May 03 THE INVISIBLE VIRGIN by Maggie Shayne A MATTER OF DUTY by Eileen Wilks INVITING TROUBLE by Anne Marie Winston Silhouette Single Titles: ENEMY MIND by Maggie Shayne, June 03 PYRAMID OF LIES by Anne Marie Winston, July 03 THE PLAYER by Evelyn Vaughn, Aug 03 THE BLUEWATER AFFAIR by Cindy Gerard, Sept 03 HER BEAUTIFUL ASSASSIN by Virginia Kantra, Oct 03 VERDICT OF LOVE by Jenna Mills, Nov 03 BILLIONAIRE DRIFTER by Beverly Bird, Dec 03 FEVER by Linda Winstead Jones, Jan 04 BLIND ATTRACTION by Myrna Mackenzie, Feb 04 THE PARKER PROJECT by Joan Elliot Pickart, March 04 THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY by Ingrid Weaver, April 04 CHECKMATE by Beverly Barton, May 04 Silhouette direct: RIPPLE EFFECT by Vickie Taylor, June 04 UNCHARTED WATERS by Linda Castillo July 04 CLOSE QUARTERS by Judith Lyons, Aug 04 RACING HEARTS by Lilian Darcy, Sept 04 |
Released August 2003 (still available through eharlequin.com) What a treat! I don't know when I've had so much fun working on a book as I did with the Family Secrets series from Silhouette Books. I've got a prologue posted, as well as the beautiful new cover. Also, for those of you interested in the series (and WOW, is it cool!), here is some information I've borrowed from several other people: a description of the series, by Heather Lester at the eharlequin site, a timeline put together by Cathy Mann of Silhouette Intimate Moments fame, links to the websites of some other authors who are involved, a bibliography of books I used to manage the political elements in The Player (I'm no politics geek), reviews, and an explanation of how continuity series work, again from Heather..... |
Yvonne Jocks Von Jocks EvelynVaughn |
The Player (Family Secrets #3) (formerly Decoding Proteus) |
Released August 2003 (still available through eharlequin.com) What a treat! I don't know when I've had so much fun working on a book as I did with the Family Secrets series from Silhouette Books. I've got a prologue posted, as well as the beautiful new cover. Also, for those of you interested in the series (and WOW, is it cool!), here is some information I've borrowed from several other people: a description of the series, by Heather Lester at the eharlequin site, a timeline put together by Cathy Mann of Silhouette Intimate Moments fame, links to the websites of some other authors who are involved, a bibliography of books I used to manage the political elements in The Player (I'm no politics geek), reviews, and an explanation of how continuity series work, again from Heather..... |
The Family Secrets Series: Silhouette Intimate Moments Prequels: THE CINDERELLA MISSION by Catherine Mann, Feb 03 THE PHOENIX ENCOUNTER by Linda Castillo, March 03 THE IMPOSSIBLE ALLIANCE by Candace Irvin, April 03 Silhouette Anthology: BROKEN SILENCE May 03 THE INVISIBLE VIRGIN by Maggie Shayne A MATTER OF DUTY by Eileen Wilks INVITING TROUBLE by Anne Marie Winston Silhouette Single Titles: ENEMY MIND by Maggie Shayne, June 03 PYRAMID OF LIES by Anne Marie Winston, July 03 THE PLAYER by Evelyn Vaughn, Aug 03 THE BLUEWATER AFFAIR by Cindy Gerard, Sept 03 HER BEAUTIFUL ASSASSIN by Virginia Kantra, Oct 03 VERDICT OF LOVE by Jenna Mills, Nov 03 BILLIONAIRE DRIFTER by Beverly Bird, Dec 03 FEVER by Linda Winstead Jones, Jan 04 BLIND ATTRACTION by Myrna Mackenzie, Feb 04 THE PARKER PROJECT by Joan Elliot Pickart, March 04 THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY by Ingrid Weaver, April 04 CHECKMATE by Beverly Barton, May 04 Silhouette direct: RIPPLE EFFECT by Vickie Taylor, June 04 UNCHARTED WATERS by Linda Castillo July 04 CLOSE QUARTERS by Judith Lyons, Aug 04 RACING HEARTS by Lilian Darcy, Sept 04 |
Want to know more? Want to chat about THE PLAYER? Check out the bulletin boards at eharlequin, here! |
Introducing FAMILY SECRETS , the story of an investigation into genetic engineering conducted in the 1960s. The US government sponsored genetic experimentation, with the goal of creating children with superior skills, whether they be intelligence, athletic, or otherwise. Children were actually born, but after The Coalition tried to steal them for evil purposes, the children were given up for adoption and sent into hiding -- but not before their memories were erased. These children are now adults, with no knowledge of their "specialness." For a long time, the children were believed dead, but when the ultimate April Fool's joke -- the theft of a hundred billion dollars from the prestigious World Bank -- kicks a series of events into motion, both the US government and The Coalition realize the children are alive -- out there somewhere, living breathing time bombs. Compliments of: heather_ehqnhost@yahoo.com |
from Evelyn: So where does THE PLAYER fit in? By book #3, the oldest of the genetically-engineered children--now 35--has discovered hints of his secret past. He enlists the help of his friend, White House advisor Matt Tynan, to do some research. Plaboy Matt, in turn, enlists the help of his wholesome assistant, Carey Benton. Only when it's too late to turn back does he realize how dangerous this could be for both of them, and for their hearts! I had a great deal of fun researching the West Wing for this book, and it was wonderful imagining Matt as the most charming womanizer in DC! But most of all, I enjoyed sharing the characters and story with so many other great authors.... |
HOW CONTINUITY SERIES WORK (from Evelyn:) A Continuity Series is a series of books written not just by one author, but a group of authors, all working off the same basic idea. If it is an editor-proposed continuity, as Family Secrets is, the editors put together a "bible" similar to that a television series uses, which lists the basic plot and all the characters, as well as stressing the connections between the books and the continuity elements that must be included so that the series makes sense. The authors therefore have to work very closely with the editors, and with each other. In the case of Family Secrets, we put together an e-mail list so that we could ask questions and share ideas. As for how to PURCHASE a continuity series, that too is a little different from the normal romance novel. The first three books, as listed above, will be "prequels" from the Silhouette Intimate Moments line in February, March, and April of 2003. Then Silhouette will release a 3-story anthology, in May 2003. Then the series itself starts in June. Below is a better description than I could offer, again borrowed from Heather, at eharlequin.com. The prequels are books leading up to the continuity series and which readers must purchase separately. The anthology consists of three short stories (novellas) that all center around the series and generally introduce some of the characters we might see later on. The "Direct" (which many readers also refer to as "bonus books") are what readers who subscribe to the entire series will receive as an extra bonus for subscribing. There are two ways in which readers can purchase a continuity series. 1) They can buy each individual book as it comes out every month (meaning it takes a whole year to get them all)...or 2) they can subscribe to the entire series, in which case they get the 12 book series plus the 4 direct only books -- 4 consecutive shipments of 4 books each. (Also, the Anthology usually comes as a free gift to those who subscribe to the entire series.) |
The Player The Prologue Washington D.C. Monday, June 2 5:34 am Freakish or not, Carey Benton adored Monday mornings. She gladly left the still-gray summer morning to descend deep into the Eastern Market Metro station with other industrious "Hill Rats." A mix of students, lawyers, and lobbyists, most of them wore business dress similar to hers. Most of them looked sleepy, even grumpy at the new workweek. But Carey didn't feel sleepy. Hearing the echoing rush of an approaching train from the platform ahead, she sped her step. After two long, quiet days, she was about to ride back to the heart of the free world. And after two days, Carey would see Matt Tynan again. She knew better than to base her day-to-day happiness on any man; she was twenty-five, not thirteen! And she certainly shouldn't stake it on someone like Matt, even if he was the closest thing to male perfection she'd ever known. He was ten years older than she was. He was a charming slut-puppy. Worse, he was her boss. But those, rationalized Carey as a Blue Line train squealed to a stop, were reasons not to pursue a romance with the President's top troubleshooter. She had no such delusions... so why not enjoy the scenery? The doors slid open and she merged into the crowd to board, excited, alive... happy. Plexiglass windows reflected the train's interior back at her. She faced a workday of at least ten-hours, probably longer, and she was happy. How many women could say that? She noticed her reflection in the train window--tall and slim in a modest linen suit, long brown hair... pulled back? Embarrassed, Carey quickly tugged the pink scrunchy from her long brown hair and pocketed it. Ponytails were for Kansas City, not the White House. * * * 5:45 am "WDCN traffic and weather every fifteen minutes," blared Matt's shower radio over the massage-strength spray. Matt, ducking to rinse shampoo out of his hair, groaned. Then he spit, because he was brushing his teeth while showering. To keep the schedule he had, a man had to multitask. Not that he had anything against traffic or weather. But it got in the way of the real news, and it meant he was running late. For him, anyway. He liked to get into the West Wing as early as possible, especially on Mondays. He'd be more efficient if he brought dates back to his condo instead of getting a hotel room, he mused, opening his mouth to catch the pulsing water, then spitting again. It would save a significant step in his morning commute. He killed the water, dropped his toothbrush back into its cup, slid open his frosted-glass shower door and grabbed a towel. He had good reasons not to bring women home... not his high-rise apartment seemed particularly homey. He'd long ago determined not to never mislead women that he was offering more than he ever had or ever would. Matt loved women, and he really loved sex. But he avoided commitment at all costs. As his father and grandfather proved, men in his family weren't any good at it. Why mess up someone else's life to prove otherwise? Without the shower, the radio screamed out its prediction for muggy weather. Matt toweled his hair, swiped on some antiperspirant, then grabbed his electric razor. As he strode into a bare bedroom, a second radio detailed the usual crises for the Beltway over the razor's whine. God, Matt loved Mondays. They were like the whistle at the start of a game. His game. Now came the real stuff. Bond market--bad. Stock market--worse. April's World Bank Heist hadn't ruined the economy but, despite White House cautions against fear, panic still might. Small banks had begun to fail and corporations were downsizing, all on President Stewart's watch. Matt listened intently while he shaved and, with his free hand, scooped socks and briefs out of the drawer of his bureau and tossed them onto the neatly made bed...neat only because he hadn't used it since the maid came on Saturday. His date had been particularly friendly, but he should've come home last night, no matter how late it was. Or start bringing them home with you. Matt imagined the hassle of trying to get any woman, much less an heiress, dressed and out of his apartment before the sun had actually risen. He chuckled with dark humor as he finished shaving. Right. National news--iffy. He ditched the razor, yanked on his underwear, and stepped into the walk-in closet for the rest of his clothes. Nobody in their right mind could blame the President either for the floods in the southwest or the latest rumors about secret genetic research labs...but this was DC. Matt's job as a troubleshooter, aka advisor, included worrying about people outside their right mind, and he needed a plan to deal with them before he hit the office. Button-up shirt. Charcoal slacks and jacket. Tie. International news--not great. The Heist had hurt the European Coalition even worse than the States, making for cranky allies. The government of Rebelia still dominated the old Eastern bloc, its dictator too dangerous to be ignored. Combing his damp, dark hair as he walked, Matt stepped into his shoes en route to the bathroom and silenced the shower radio. His return trip took him past the bureau for his wallet and keys, but he hesitated inside the bedroom door until he heard the magical announcement--"a word from our sponsors." Then he switched that radio off, too. He had four minutes to get down to his car before anything else important would be said. He caught his mobile phone out of its charger on his way into the kitchen, flipped it open, and said, "Florist." While the ringing started, he squinted woefully into the refrigerator's barren interior. Damn. He shut the refrigerator while the florist's answering machine picked up. On his way out, he identified himself, asked that a dozen pink roses be sent to his date's hotel room with the usual note, then thumbed the "end" button as he locked the door behind him. Okay, so he didn't encourage commitment. That didn't mean he had to be an ass. And asking his staff to do his romantic follow-ups for him would be way out of line. It wasn't like Carey Benton couldn't; Matt had never had a more competent assistant. And it wasn't like she wouldn't. In fact, Matt suspected that Carey would do more for him than any boss should rightly ask...though that might be wishful thinking. Still, some things a man shouldn't delegate. Just the temptation to delegate was probably a bad sign. He'd liked the heiress just fine... but Matt still felt relieved to be heading back to the office. On the elevator to the parking garage, he called ahead to the drive-through bagel shop and placed his order. He even remembered Carey's favorite pecan cream cheese. He reached his Volvo and turned on the radio just in time for the next announcement of "WDCN traffic and weather every fifteen minutes." * * * 6:08 am Was it Monday? Unable to sleep, Violet Vaughn Hobson sat up in bed for a long while, then stood and wandered to the window of her second-story, generic downtown motel room. She drew the curtains to look out at the unnaturally white, still-lit Washington Monument, half-visible in the distance. Traffic seemed busy out there. She supposed it must be Monday. She shook her head, frustrated with how time was beginning to blur for her. She was aging, sure, but hardly old. Yet so much had happened.... After twenty years of silence, Violet's bizarre past life had resurfaced. It began in April, when she recognized the preternatural brilliance behind the World Bank Robbery as that of her stolen son, Gideon--the youngest of her and Henry Bloomfield's five precious experiments. Then she saw that financial wizard Jake Ingram had been hired to head the task force investigating the robbery, and she recognized her oldest son as well. Jake hadn't known it at the time, but his genius was just as preternatural--and just as dangerous. Since then, Violet had contacted Jake and convinced him of his fantastic origins and his danger. Only a few days ago, he'd located his twin sister, now called Gretchen. And Gretchen was newly married! Married as their scientist parents--both sperm donor and surrogate mother--never were. In love.... Two down, three if you counted Gideon. Two to go. A lifetime had passed since Henry's murder, since Violet had tried to buy their children's safety by sending them off to new identities and new lives. But the past was crashing back, full of mistakes and guilt and love.... It had been love, hadn't it? How much precious time had Violet wasted, adoring her older employer from afar? How much of their lives had been misdirected into their job? And why-- Violet's eyes abruptly focused on a man across the street, looking up at her window. She stepped quickly behind the drapes. Was he watching her? After a minute of steady breathing, to calm her racing heart, she peeked out--and was relieved to see the man wave at a clearly different window, then head into a café. He was no enemy spy, trying to use her to get to the children. But spies were out there, all the same. Violet's twenty years of peace were clearly over. The past was back with a vengeance. She must focus on the future. She had too much to do before any of her and Henry's children--whom the press in ignorance had dubbed the Extraordinary Five--would be safe. She had too much to make up for. But sometimes Violet still woke early and, instead of making plans, simply wished she could go back in time. She wished she could change things so that her own love story could have ended more happily than it did. But some wishes never came true. Read The Player by Evelyn Vaughn August 2003, from Silhouette Books |
Some of the books that helped me in researching life in the White House for The Player included: Caroli, Betty Boyd. Inside the White House: America's Most Famous Home the First 2000 Years. Carville, James and Mary Matalin. All's Fair: Love, War, and Running for President Morton, Andrew. Monica's Story (really--it was very useful). Stephanopoulos, George. All Too Human: A Political Education. Woodward, Bob. The Agenda: Inside the Clinton White House. -- The Choice -- Shadow: Five Presidents and the Legacy of Watergate |
Some Reviews! "Tightly focused on a touching love story, Evelyn Vaughn's THE PLAYER (3) reveals just enough about the Proteus experiment to intrigue readers and keep them wanting more." (ROMANTIC TIMES) Vaughn really makes the setting come to life, plunging the reader into this world and the political process... Action, suspense, political drama, and information that pushes the series forward are all juggled with ease. (ALL ABOUT ROMANCE) |
WOO-HOO! THE PLAYER placed in the top ten of the Waldenbooks/Brentano's Bestselling Romance list! Thank you to everyone who bought a copy! Week Ending Aug. 23rd, 2003 THE PLAYER was #4! Week Ending Aug. 16th, 2003 THE PLAYER was #6! |
