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'You've Got Mail' about 'Dangerous Liaisons' and nursery rhymes

Special for USA TODAY
"Take the Key and Lock Her Up" by Lena Diaz.

Today's featured authors: Lena Diaz, author of Take the Key and Lock Her Up; Vivienne Lorret, author of Winning Miss Wakefield; and Colette Auclair, author of Jumped. We're talking writing inspirations.

Lena Diaz, author of Take the Key and Lock Her Up

Three things that helped inspire my new release and/or writing:

Turning 40, breast cancer, and creepy nursery rhymes. Um, OK, I admit these are odd things to lump together, especially as inspiration for writing my latest novel, so let me explain.

Around the time that I turned 40 (no, I'm NOT going to admit how long ago THAT was), my sister was diagnosed with breast cancer. Watching her struggle (and win!) at such a young age was a light bulb moment for … my husband. Seeing how fragile we are and how short life really is, he insisted that I do something special on my birthday — begin pursuing a dream I'd had for many years, the dream of becoming a romance novelist. Because of his love and support, I am now celebrating the release of my ninth romantic suspense novel, Take the Key and Lock Her Up.

Where do the creepy nursery rhymes come in, you ask? The Deadly Games Thrillers series uses titles of children's games and rhymes for each book. For this latest installment I spent hours (days?) combing through websites and books of rhymes and games, trying to find a title that sounded appropriately creepy. When I read "take the key and lock her up" as one of the verses of "London Bridge Is Falling Down," I immediately knew that could be an awesomely creepy and cool title, so I built the book's plot around the title.

Here's the blurb about Take the Key and Lock Her Up:

Detective Emily O'Malley just stumbled upon a killer's lair—and the remains of a woman he kept locked away for years. But this killer isn't done yet. More women are missing, and all clues point to Devlin Buchanan—the man who seems to know just a little too much. Emily's instincts are rarely wrong, and now they're telling her this sexy, mysterious man is hiding something big …

As a trained assassin for EXIT Inc.—a top-secret mercenary group posing as an international tour company—Devlin "Devil" Buchanan isn't afraid to take justice into his own hands. But when the hot new detective on his trail gets too close to the organization and a contract is placed on her life, Devlin does the only thing he can: he turns rogue agent and kidnaps her to save her life.

With EXIT Inc. closing in and passions running hot between them, Emily and Devlin must work together to find the missing women and clear both their names before time runs out … and the key to freedom is thrown away.

Find out more at www.lenadiaz.com.

"Winning Miss Wakefield" by Vivienne Lorret.

Vivienne Lorret, author of Winning Miss Wakefield

Three things that helped inspire my new release and/or writing:

What if? The inspiration behind Winning Miss Wakefield began with a what if scenario: What if I took an irredeemable rake and paired him with an innocent heroine who was recently cast out of society? Salivating at the challenge, I began by writing down every one of Bane's flaws: gambling, womanizing, and a ruthless pursuit of revenge. By description alone, my sister hated him. I was determined to change her mind. Thankfully, I did.

Usher. Wanting to get in the mind-set of my hero, I started listening to music that I thought would appeal to the modern-day rake. Usher's Scream epitomizes that, I think.

Glenn Close and John Malkovich in "Dangerous Liaisons."

Dangerous Liaisons. John Malkovich takes the role of irredeemable rake to an unsurpassable level in Dangerous Liaisons. He can't resist the challenge of a good wager, but doesn't realize until it's too late that Glenn Close has been playing him the whole time.

Here's the blurb about Winning Miss Wakefield:

She's got nothing left to lose …

With her fiancé suddenly engaged to another and her reputation in tatters, Merribeth Wakefield needs a bold plan to reclaim her life. She must be brave. Confident. She must … kiss a rake? The suggestion is ludicrous! Yet when Merribeth finds herself alone with the dark and brooding Lord Knightswold, suddenly the plan doesn't seem so farfetched. So she does something she never thought she'd do—she kisses him.

But he has everything to gain …

The Marquess of Knightswold—Bane to most—has no use for the affections of women. Well, none lasting longer than a single night. A plot for revenge weighs heavy on his mind, leaving no room for romance. But then a shy, witty miss borrows a kiss from him in a darkened room, and everything he thought he knew about innocent debutantes vanishes along with her.

When a twist of fate brings Merribeth within Bane's grasp, he'll have to resist her charms—or risk losing everything—for the sake of his heart.

Find out more at www.vivlorret.net.

"Jumped" by Colette Auclair.

Colette Auclair, author of Jumped

Three movies/TV shows/books that have inspired my writing:

You've Got Mail. When I come across this movie, I'm physically incapable of changing the channel. I adore Nora Ephron's writing and characters. And when book shop owner Kathleen and retail mogul Joe finally get together in the park at the end ("Don't cry, shop girl"), I cry so much, I need IV saline to rehydrate.

Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris. I need to keep up with my smart and funny characters, so I read from this essay collection — especially the one about Sedaris learning to speak French. The beauty of Mr. Sedaris is that he'll make me guffaw aloud, then annihilate me with a powerful insight into what it's like to be human.

Match Me If You Can by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. One of my favorite books by master storyteller SEP. Annabelle, the lovable klutz who inherits a matchmaking service for seniors, paired with Heath, the high-powered, high-testosteroned sports agent, is a sure-fire recipe for a battle of wits. It's fun, sharp, and tender, and I'm a sucker for an ending where the hero has to go off and be grumpy before he realizes he's in love.

Here's the blurb about Jumped (book two in The Aspen Valley Series):

A young woman in the equestrian fashion business finds herself head over heels for her ex-husband. Thoroughly enjoying herself at her best friend Melissa's wedding, Beth is shocked when she is seated next to her ex-husband, Finn, at the reception. Determined to not let this fluster her, Beth strikes up a conversation only to learn Finn isn't the same man she walked away from.

Relieved the reception is over, Beth is looking forward to a relaxing weekend against the beautiful backdrop of sunny Aspen at Amanda and Grady's estate. Little does she know Finn will be partaking in the weekend activities. But just as Beth decides to keep as much distance between her and Finn as possible, Finn has a terrible accident and Beth is stuck being his bedside nurse. Over the course of the weekend, Beth and Finn discover that the wounds of their failed marriage are not all that's left. There are sparks…and hope. But just as they decide to give it another try, Finn confesses a huge secret that could destroy everything he's fought to get back—Beth, their relationship, and another chance at love. Will Beth turn away, or will she take a leap of faith and say "I do" once (again) and for all?

Find out more at www.coletteauclair.com.

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