Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Wanted: Book Title

Maven Darcy BurkeI’ve mentioned a few times over the last several weeks that my next book is in need of a title. I’ve currently dubbed it The Tale of Gideon. I clearly need help. Let me tell you about the book and then you can post your suggestions (please, please have suggestions!) in the comments. The person who submits my favorite title (not necessarily the one I’ll pick, mind you) will receive the fabulous Sex and the Immortal Bad Boy, signed by my pal Stephanie Rowe.

Here’s the most current draft of the story blurb:

Cate Bowen would rather dirty her hands, literally, than consider marriage or any other feminine trade. Defining herself as an archaeological scholar is more than her life’s dream, it’s her absolute purpose. When Lord Gideon Bradshaw controls the means with which she can achieve what she desires, she’s forced to accept him as her partner. He doesn’t know the first thing about science or following the rules, and his arrogance may prove to be her downfall, both professionally and personally.

Lord Gideon Bradshaw ought to be the most envied man in England. With wealth, social standing, and a reputation any buck would kill for, why is his life an empty pit? A rundown Welsh estate and an independent termagant who would rather dig for lost treasure than shop on Bond Street shouldn’t entice him. But the temptation of something—and someone—to call his own is more than he can resist.

I’m still working on it, but hopefully this gives you the flavor of the book. This is book two (the Spare) in a trilogy about three siblings raised with silver spoons in their mouths who court scandal. In the first book, Her Wicked Ways, the youngest sibling (the Deb), Lady Miranda, flaunted Society’s dictates and found herself exiled to the country where she became entangled with a highwayman and an impoverished altruist. Book three is about the eldest sibling (the Heir), the Earl of Morley whose icy façade masks a violent interior that threatens to ruin their family forever. Fun stuff, right?

The Tale of Gideon is essentially Moonlighting meets Secrets of the Dead (yeah, that’s my high concept, so hands off! *g). If you aren’t familiar with Moonlighting, you should maybe not be reading this blog (kidding). In all seriousness, it’s one of the great romantic comedies (TV show) of all time. Now lest you think TTOG is a comedy, look at part two: Secrets of the Dead, a great documentary program on PBS about, well, the dead. Okay, this is what their website says:

Part detective story, part true-life drama, SECRETS OF THE DEAD unearths evidence from around the world, challenging prevailing ideas and throwing fresh light on unexplained events. Using the most up-to-date science in the laboratory and in the field, scientists and researchers examine the missing pieces of each puzzle, completing the picture of what had been merely an assemblage of suppositions.


Keep in mind that in TTOG, “up-to-date” is 1817!

Your turn! Hit me with some great titles!

8 comments:

B.E. Sanderson said...

Since it's part of a trilogy, how about wording the new title similar to the first book? Something along the lines of His Wicked Desires, His Wicked Wants, His Worldly Ways...

Now, in a less-serious light:

The Duke & the Dirty Girl
History: She's Diggin' It
Digging Up Love
Love Amidst the Ruins
Give a Lord a Bone

Back later when I can think better.

Bill Clark said...

The Archaeology of the Heart

Treasure is Where You Find It

The Science of Love

lacey kaye said...

B.E., those are some of the best titles EVA. OMG. You made me spit tea all over myself. Give a Lord a Bone? AND we get to call it GLAB?

I *love* it. I'm still cracking up.

But in all seriousness, His Wicked Wants is soooo good. Although I do like His Wicked Desires, too.

GLAB...hilariousity.

Jackie Barbosa said...

First, yay! You found the high concept. And it's genius, pure genius, I say!

I'm with Lacey. _Give a Lord a Bone_ made me LMAO, and I like B.E's. _His Wicked Something_ idea a lot. How about _His Wicked Needs?

Oh, and B.E. You done won a query critique from me. Email me at jackie at jackiebarbosa.com to claim your prize, k?

Vicki said...

Okay, I'm not saying these are great, but here you go.

Clandestine Sins
Wicked Nights

Darcy Burke said...

OMG, Give a Lord a Bone is the Best.Title.Ever. (Sorry everyone, that'll be tough to beat.)

Thanks for all the ideas! Lots to work with so far...

lacey kaye said...

test

B.E. Sanderson said...

Thanks everyone. =o)

Sorry about making you spit tea, Lacey. Those titles were a product of too little sleep and too much blood in my caffiene system. ;o)

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