First-thanks for the lively discussion- this was a great thing to come across during my Google search. I truly appreciate all of the feedback.

I admit I did fiddle with the police procedures- but I figured I could since Kyra basically does live in a futuristic police state. Her world is very different from our own politically, legally, and environmentally. (If that sounded like I was “explaining away a flaw” just shoot me- I hate people who do that).

Balancing the romance in the first book was very hard– and I know that I didn’t meet the standard in a lot of respects– it was hard to justify Kyra hooking up with a guy when she should be at searching out a serial killer. I think the balance in book 2 is better- because they are more established and she’s dealing with a cold case that gave her room to develop her relationships a little. If you guys check out- be sure to let me know. The best way to improve is to figure out the areas that need it!

The comparison to the JD Robb series was a HUGE surprise the first time it happened. I guess because when I started creating the series– Kyra was set in modern day Chicago– she got moved to New Orleans and into the future during the plot process for book 1. I love gadgets and technology.

I do see the similarities and differences in the two series. I didn’t start reading the In Death series until after I found it was Nora Roberts… My mom tossed me a book one day and told me to read it. I honestly can’t remember if it was before or after I’d written the rough draft of Still Waters. Some things (like credits, robots, space travel) just seem to be the most logical jump in our world.

I do enjoy the darkness of Eve’s character in the In Death Series– she’s so complex and her past makes her so very human at the most base level. I also enjoy the fact that Rourke reformed for her… going straight after a life of criminal behavior is the best way to demonstrate love– or at least it was his best way.

At the most– if anyone had asked me during the submissions process how the Kyra series and In Death were similar– I would have answered: “They both have tough female cops.”

If any one author really influenced my interest in futuristic and science fiction work it would have to be Robert Heinlein. I read all of his books when I was young. In fact, I read him more than I did the Harlequin romances I stole from my mother’s bedroom bookshelf. It was absolutely fascinating to read as he built up a world that was both familiar and alien. I couldn’t wait to get there and I’m still waiting on my hover car and a gateway to the stars.

As far as mysteries go– I’d say my biggest inspiration would come from Elizabeth Peters. She writes historical romance with a tiny dash of romance in them. I love the Amelia Peabody series the best. What could be better than dashing men, intriguing villians on the back drop of 1920′s Egypt?

Re: Cover — LMAO — and MY biggest concern was the seemingly HUGE bulge on his crotch. Which is his just the shadow of his zipper open promise!

Re: Cobblestone Press
Yes- I’m the co-founder of Cobblestone Press. Sable Grey and I opened the publisher in June of this year and we are really pleased with what we’ve accomplished so far. I will not bring Kyra to Cobblestone- she’s pretty snug in her home at Loose Id.

I hope my little intrusion doesn’t damper your conversation- I really enjoyed it.

I typed in 5 1/2 inch circumference! You’d be surprised (or not) what that pulls up.

Ouch.

Hmm. I haven’t measured anyone lately but in doing a quick referential google search it seems that measurement is a pretty common size. It seemed large to me because I had just measured my wrist and it’s 6.5 inches around

Ahhh, no, no, wait, he’s talking circumference, not diametre! 13 cm would be monstrous in diametre, but probably pretty average in circumference, right?

Karen – I did do a google search to see if Lee was inspired by JD Robb and saw nothing. She stated that it came organically from her love of tech things. Maybe she has never read JD Robb before. I remember when Deidre Martin’s first book, Body Check, came out shortly after Rachel Gibson’s hockey book, both heroines had “Hockey for Dummies” and a similar setup but I didn’t feel either were inspired by the other as the books were released within months of each other.

I kind of liked the cover but thanks for noticing, jmc, the weirdness of the head angle. It is weird. I don’t remember them a) kissing in the rain or b) him being soooo much taller than her.

Still, I quite liked this one.

I skimmed the review (sounds like an ebook that I should buy) but I keep getting distracted by the cover

Lol JMC! That was exactly my reaction! No, I’m not liking the cover much.

I recently read my first Deanna Lee, and I really liked it, it was an Aphrodisia book.

I didn’t realise she owned Cobblestone Press, I must take a look at some of the books there.

Jane, I think authors are probably afraid that eventually what they read will bleed onto their own work. I’m willing to bet that she didn’t even realise she was doing it, what I want to know is why her editor didn’t pick it up, or maybe she hasn’t read Robb.

Or maybe neither of them noticed anything amiss…

You have to look twice — but there’s some nekkid in there.

But the story sounds interesting; I’m off to read an excerpt.

Incidentally, Deanna Lee is one of the owners of Cobblestone Press so I’ve been wondering if she’s moving this series there.