| By Robin Kaye | July 10, 2009 |
I
I’m writing the fourth book in my Domestic Gods series and for the life of me, I can’t come up with a title. Titles are the bane of my existence. The only title that ever came easily was Romeo, Romeo – it was a no-brainer since my hero’s name was Nick Romeo. The titles for Too Hot to Handle and Breakfast in Bed (the second and third books in the series) were penned by my editor and a team of very talented people who get paid to write titles and back cover copy. Yeah, that would be my definition of the job from hell. Give me a 100,000-word book to write any day.
I was happily going about my business, writing my book, when I received an email from my agent requesting a title and back cover copy for the fourth book. I shrugged my shoulders and gave her a call to tell her I’d get it to her right after my wonderful editor tells me what it is. Unfortunately, that didn’t work for her; she needed it now.
So, the pressure is on. I need a title and I thought I’d have a contest to get some help with my dilemma. I’m having a drawing and giving away an ARC (Advanced Readers Copy) of Romeo, Romeo and a copy of Too Hot to Handle and all you have to do to enter is give me a title.
To help you on your quest, here’s a little bit about the as yet untitled book four.
Every woman wants a man who is as good in the kitchen as he is in the bedroom…as long as that man is straight. If Gina Reyez has to put down hard earned money, she bets every penny that Ben Walsh is gay. The man owns an art gallery, his spotless apartment is something right out of Architectural Digest, and he’s the first metrosexual cowboy Gina’s ever met, all of which isn’t a problem for her until he proposes marriage.
Ben Walsh needs a wife even though a wife is the last thing in the world he wants until his grandfather’s 80th birthday party when Ben is given the ultimatum of a lifetime—he must be married and settled in a year. If not, the family fortune will be off limits and the only home Ben has ever known—all he has left of his parents’, a ranch in Three Whores Bend, Idaho—will be sold to ski resort developers. He proposes a marriage of convenience to Gina and doesn’t bother correcting her false assumption about his sexual preference. If she thinks he’s gay, she won’t look for more than what the prenup offers.
Gina accepts the marriage proposal in order to have the one thing she’s always longed for, a home of her own. One that can’t be taken away unlike the apartments she, her mother, and her sister had while growing up. A girl who has never stepped foot out of the six boroughs of New York—the sixth being Miami—finds herself flying to Boise, Idaho and taking a trip Three Whores Bend. Ben’s family ranch is Gina’s definition of hell, where she’s expected to use an outhouse and bathe in a hillbilly hot tub. After a freak spring snowstorm turns a day hike turns into a nightmare, they take shelter and the only thing that’s dry is an old wool blanket. Going skin-to-skin to conserve body heat, it doesn’t take long for Gina to realize that Ben is not gay.
The test Gina and Ben face is making their marriage look real to Ben’s spry old grandfather. When Ben’s Grandfather signs the deed to the Ranch over to Gina things get more and more complicated.
So there it is. Any ideas for a title are greatly appreciated and will enter you into the drawing for a copy of Romeo, Romeo or Too Hot to Handle. I can’t wait to see what amazing titles you come up with. Let the contest begin!
July 10th, 2009 at 2:55 am
It’s 2:30 a.m. and I stopped by to say hi knowing I’d probably not get a chance tomorrow. And what do I get? An assignment. Shoot me. Please.
How about For Love or Money? No? Okay. Faux Bride? Range Rover Cowboy? (The name of that town is stuck in my mind! No fair.) Around the Bend? Goin’ ‘Round the Bend? Three Whores Bend, One Virgin Shrieks? (Yeah, yeah. Stop being silly. It’s late (or early, depending on your mindset.) That’s my only excuse. I want to sing Home on the Range in the worst way–aloud.)
Okay, I’m tapped (lucky you!) and heading for the rack. Titles are really not my forte either, sweetie. I’m sorry. I’m dying to read THTH so remember, I need TWO copies, and after all this angst, please don’t run out before I get there! (Not that I don’t deserve it with my horrid contributions.)
{{{Hugs}}}
July 10th, 2009 at 7:57 am
Hmmm, titles are always tough..but fun.
How about something like Under the Covers Or Uncovered? Playing on Don’t judge a book by it’s cover type stuff seeing as she’s judging him and then later on they’re hiding the truth.
July 10th, 2009 at 8:46 am
Gwynlyn~ Honey, you just crack me up! And how did you know Ben drives a Range Rover? I really love ‘Round the Bend’ Lord knows they drive each other crazy!
As far as Romeo, Romeo and Too Hot to Handle goes, I have some good news and some bad news…
The good news is that both books have completely sold out and are going for a second printing. They will supposedly hit the warehouse on August 8th.
The bad news is Sourcebooks only has a few copies of Too Hot to Handle and none of Romeo, Romeo on hand to bring to the Sourcebooks signing at Nationals. I’m doing my best to get my hands on as many copies as possible to donate to the Literacy Signing. So far I’ve found 20 of Too Hot to Handle and have come up empty with Romeo, Romeo.
Worse comes to worse, Sweetie, I’ll send them to you once I get more or we’ll have to meet up somewhere.
Hugs…Robin
July 10th, 2009 at 8:48 am
Melanie~
Great idea! I like Under the Covers, it kind of goes along with Too Hot to Handle and Breakfast in Bed.
July 10th, 2009 at 8:53 am
As always, great storyline, Robin. Here’s a few ideas.
You may be too young to remember it, but one of the hair dye companies (I think it was Clairol) had a slogan years ago. Does She, or Doesn’t She–only her hairdresser knows.
So how about ‘DOES HE, OR DOESN’T HE’ (like women in this case)
OR
You could go with a slightly naughty one–’HARD TO TELL’. (I assume that’s how she figures out he’s NOT gay.)
OR
You could continue with your Domestic God-style title and make it something like ‘MAN AROUND THE HOUSE?’ (Putting MAN in italics with a big question mark at the end).
That’s all I’ve got. It’s too early for my brain to work this hard. Maybe I’ll have a few more for you by the end of the day.
I’m counting the days till you, Pat, Laura, I can serenade all of DC together.
July 10th, 2009 at 8:56 am
Good morning!!
What fun, Robin!!
Before I put on my thinking cap, which doesn’t do too well with titles, to bad Theresa isn’t here, she’s great, let me say your covers, especially all together, are gorgeous!! Kudos!!
How about…Out of the Frying Pan, into the Flames.
Okay, I can hear the groaning going on out there. Another, well, I’ll have to get back to you because my brain won’t work until I’ve had at least one cup of java….
~Caro
July 10th, 2009 at 9:29 am
How about, Mr. Perfect.
July 10th, 2009 at 9:30 am
Hi Robin,
Congratulations on EVERYTHING! Your publisher selling out of your first two books is an amazing feat, and I’m so happy for you.
As for a title, how about:
Idaho Stud (you know, like Idaho spud…)
Best of luck!
-Jamie
July 10th, 2009 at 9:32 am
Robin,
I’m drinking more java to think about this, but the only thing that comes to mind right now is “Between a Rock and Hard Place.”
-Walt
July 10th, 2009 at 9:32 am
Hi ~
Love the premise. How about something completely backwards for the title: No Sex, Please.
Congrats on the second printing! Christi
July 10th, 2009 at 9:58 am
Robin–Love the story concept. My title proposal is
STRAIGHT TO THE HEART, a subtle play on the gay misunderstanding.
Good luck with your new book!
Best–Adele Dubois
July 10th, 2009 at 10:00 am
Home On The Range
Me Casa Su Casa
Home Is Where The Heat Is
July 10th, 2009 at 10:13 am
Wow, Robin, these suggestions are great! I love the new theme and especially Three Whores Bend LOL. Only you, my dear….Okay… mine isn’t as cleaver… but I deliberately wrote out titles before looking at the other suggests…. how about
Married and Unsettled in a Year….
or Married and Settled in a Year
or Married and Settled in Three Whores Bend
Congrats, Robin!!!!
July 10th, 2009 at 10:29 am
I was thinking about “Home Is Where The Heart Is” myself, but when browsing the comments I saw Kelly’s. I think it absolutely brilliant: “Home Is Where The Heat Is”.
July 10th, 2009 at 11:17 am
Wow- great suggestions! I’m making a list and will send it to both my editor and agent!
Laurie~ I can’t wait until Nationals too! If anyone wants to find us, we’ll be the loudest group in the bar!
Thanks everyone for all the congratulations.
Donnell- The name for Three Whores Bend came from a true story. When I lived in Boise, Idaho I worked for a man who had a church in a small town that was once a booming mining town during the Gold Rush in the 1860’s in the wilds of Idaho. This town was just shy of a ghost town – it had maybe 15 people living there.
On one of our annual Charlie Brown Christmas Tree cutting trips–my boss was in charge of the mountain landing strip and we’d cut the trees that tried to overtake the airfield–I found an old diary written back in the day by a miner. I read it and one of the stories he told stuck with me all these years.
The whores would descend on this mining town every payday for obvious reasons. There was another mine over the pass that the whores would also service. One day when they were making the trek, a freak spring blizzard hit and three of the whores froze to death. Well the men had to bring the bodies down from the pass so they formed a makeshift toboggan and piled them like logs on top and tied them down to secure the bodies.
Handling the toboggan was no easy feat since the steep path followed a raging river, the river and path make a sharp left turn and unfortunately, the toboggan didn’t. The bodies flew off a cliff into the river and were never found.
When I was trying to come up with the name of a fictional mining town, I remembered that story and named it Three Whores Bend.
July 10th, 2009 at 11:22 am
Hi Renee~
When are you coming back to the states, my dear? I’d love to meet up in New York again. I miss you!
Hugs…Robin
July 10th, 2009 at 1:14 pm
Hi Robin, I so want to meet up with you again too!
Actually my trip to New York was due this June, but my husband unexpectedly had various health problems and I didn’t want to leave him alone, obviously. He’s well now, fortunately. I’ve postponed it, but it’s in the pipeline.
*hugs*
Renée
July 10th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
Wahoo nice way to wake up all those brain cells !!!
What about :
- 5 stars cowboy
or
- Why I married a traight guy
Great contest !!
July 10th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
Robin, what a fantastic story! Thanks for sharing. To learn you lived in Boise (gorgeous place by the way); to find that diary. You may not have known it then, but that seed was planted in your subconscious and so was this story. — Love the name Three Whores Bend. I played a *real life* Cripple Creek Madam in a Murder/Mystery Weekend here in Colorado, while my good friend played a suffragette. Dressed in austere black, her job was to point her finger at me and call me *that woman*. My standard line when the constable asked me about a particular man was to say, “I believe we’re acquainted.” So I probably would feel right at home at Three Whores Bend LOL.
July 10th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
Robin,
What a fun task you’ve set for us. Many congrats on your huge success with Sourcebooks and my best wishes for much more with this one
I always look to two places when I’m working on a title:
1) symbolism/threads that reoccur within the story that can be metaphors for something greater
2) theme
I don’t have the benefit of either of these, but if you post a few I’d love to play around with it.
Also, is there something he does, a character quirk, besides his metrosexual nature that makes her think he’s gay? Maybe a title could be a play off that one thing–like a spot of irony that magnifies the bigger picture.
July 10th, 2009 at 2:35 pm
How about Blanket Agreement alluding to the way she finds out she’s wrong about him and the deal to marry so the land doesn’t get sold?
July 10th, 2009 at 2:47 pm
how about Every Penny? kinda cheesy but i like it
July 10th, 2009 at 4:41 pm
Robin,
Because I love you–and you’ve forgiven me for those abysmal suggestions–I will only cry a little if I must wait for THTH. My friend, however . . . Eh, I’ll handle her for you. LOL Actually, she will be as happy for you as I am with your obvious success. And, no matter what name you choose for #4, put one aside for me, please. There is only so much “good girl” left in these bones to go around! *g*
July 10th, 2009 at 4:44 pm
P.S. As to the Range Rover? Piece of cake. Metro-sexual needs 4×4 = Range Rover. (Which is EXACTLY why you wrote it that way in the first place!)
{{{Hugs}}}
July 10th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
Hmm…
Naughty or Nice
Cooking up a storm
Recipe for Romance
Menu for Romance
The Proposal
Out of Six Boroughs
The Ultimatum
Skin To Skin
As Good as He Gets
July 10th, 2009 at 5:02 pm
Ugh. You know how bad I am at titles!!
No Place Like His
City Lover, Rancher Husband
Fake It Til You Make It
His Home, Her Heart
Love, Love on the Range
(Okay, getting silly now!)
Love “Three Whores Bend” BTW. Can’t wait to catch up in DC!
July 10th, 2009 at 5:27 pm
Wow, this sounds like a book I’m gonna HAVE to read. Love the plot. Several things come to mind but most of them seem cheeky and, from the looks of the above books, cheeky wouldn’t reall fit. Personally I like the sexual undertone of this one.
Once upon a Cowboy
July 10th, 2009 at 6:32 pm
Gwnlyn – No apologies necessary! As a matter of fact, my agent loved your suggestions and asked about you. She said if you were unagented, she’d love you to submit something to her. Email me and I’ll give you her information if you’re interested.
LA- The series is about Domestic Gods, men who are as good in the kitchen as they are in the bedroom. They cook, clean, take care of their women and look great doing it. The recurring theme of the book is the quest for home. Ben wants to save what is left of his and not lose it. Gina wants to buy one, but what they both don’t realize is that a home is just a house unless you fill it with people that you love. Does that help?
Elizabeth- Wow those are great! I love Cooking up a Storm!
I spoke to my editor today and told her what I’m doing. I’m going to send her the list tomorrow and she’ll pick one out. I don’t know if it’ll be the final title, but she’ll definitely bring it to the table where all those lovely people think up titles and it will be enough for my agent. Keep the ideas coming, I’ll announce the winners (drawn by the handy dandy randomizer) tonight before midnight. Good luck everyone!
July 10th, 2009 at 6:50 pm
I suck at titles, too… but the two above that really spoke to me were Mr. Perfect and Blanket Agreement.
I also keep coming to The Inconvenient Truth (apologies to Mr. Gore)
I’ll try to think of more. Mind blank right now.
July 10th, 2009 at 7:31 pm
Still thinking about this…
Strange Bedfellows
Surprised by the Man
…or why not just just…
Confessions of a Domestic God
(Yes, I stink at titles, but it’s fun to ponder them!)
July 10th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
Robin,
After how much I enjoyed Romeo Romeo, I know the subsequent books are going to great. I had planned to get Too Hot to Handle at RWA. I’m not great at naming books but here goes
Home on the Range
A Mid-winter Night’s Dream
That’s it. I’m out.
Kate
Kate
July 10th, 2009 at 9:29 pm
Wanting s’more
Perfect ranch dressing
Man of the house
More than meets the eye
Needs and Wants
Lasso of Love
Seeking Security
Ranch Hands
(ok, this is degenerating…..I’ll stop)
July 10th, 2009 at 10:03 pm
LOL, I’m way too late for the contest, but wanted to say this sounds like one hell of a story!
July 10th, 2009 at 10:18 pm
Cindy~
You’re not too late. I’d love to hear your ideas!
July 10th, 2009 at 10:47 pm
What great covers. I always judge a book by the cover. So sad. So true.
Titles:
The Marriage Test
The Heart of the Matter
Cowboy’s Heart
Saddled and Seduced
July 10th, 2009 at 10:55 pm
Thanks everyone for fabulous ideas. I’ve made a list and will send them off to my editor and agent. I can’t believe how many great title ideas you came up with. Thanks for all your help.
I used the randomizer to pick the winners and they are:
Joy and Emmanuelle! Congratulations!
Please email your snail mail address to Robin@RobinKayeWrites.com
Make sure you let me know which book you’d like. Too Hot to Handle or the ARC of Romeo, Romeo. I look forward to hearing from you.
July 11th, 2009 at 3:10 am
Thaaaaaaank you !!!!!
July 11th, 2009 at 3:58 pm
Wow! Thank you!!!
July 13th, 2009 at 4:32 pm
Sorry for dropping by late, however, I’m thrilled Ben gets his own story. Congrats on this wonderful series!
Gail