I am exhausted. While it’s wonderful to meet people and talk books, I want to go home and write!

I met some lovely people and waved to a lot more. I went to the Series Romance game this morning and had a great time, and got books. I met Caitlin Crews and Lynn Raye Harris and we had fun on a quiz. I like being a reader. You get stuff.

After two publisher dinners yesterday I ended up at the bar, carousing, and when I’m in the mood, I can do a good carouse. Especially with this kind of company. Had a lovely lunch with Monica Burns and Joey Hill, but if I told you what we talked about, I’d have to kill you.

Sometimes I think people will catch me out. After all, I’m not a real writer, am I? I discovered that’s a very common feeling among authors, even the big ones. They feel they’re not really writers, that this fun they’re having won’t last. And of course, in some cases that happens.

But people like my books and I did well at the book signing today. The RT book signings are amazing. Three hundred authors and then some in the same room. All talking, all signing their books. But we’re in alphabetical order. You can find your favorite erotic romance author next to your favorite inspirational order, and the chances are that they will be getting on like a house on fire.

Authors come from all over the world to be at those signings. They’re amazing. We can sign and then meet some of our own favorites. There is nothing to compare with them. Of course, at the end of the three hours, most of us have lost our voices, but after that, we just have to party and enjoy ourselves!

I went and pitched a new book to some people. I hadn’t meant to do it, but it was fun to do and, amazing to me, the people wanted to see my stuff. See above for explanation! So keep your fingers crossed for me. I’d upload some pictures, but I didn’t take as many as I should have done and I take a lousy photo, but I do have some.

These days I don’t go to as many panels as I used to, because of other commitments, but they are awesome, offering a wide selection of craft, industry, and fun reader panels. It was a joy to see one of my favourite writers, Susan Elizabeth Phillips talking about her work process, and the series writer game was also a lot of fun. And our team won the wooden spoon prize, which was worth having!

Apparently this year’s RT was the biggest ever, with more than 2,000 attendees. And when it comes down to the wire, that’s why I attend. Airfare from the UK is expensive, and RT can, on the surface, look expensive, but I think they have it right. It’s the combination of fun and industry, and the massive number of attendees that makes it the most worthwhile convention for me. I could attend smaller cons, but I wouldn’t reach that number of people. I wouldn’t be able to chat to my editors and to potential future editors and agents and also be there for people who read and enjoy my books. And I have such a good time there.

If I hadn’t written for publication ten years ago, I’d have never seen and experienced all the fantastic things I have in this time.

Well, the first day of RT has passed and I’m still here and still standing.

There is nothing quite like RT. Enthusiastic readers treating themselves to a vacation, enthusiastic aspiring writers and jaded writers, editors and publishers all crowding together in one huge hotel.

Actually, no. Because you can’t help but get enthused and excited by such a great bunch of people. Honestly, jaded though I sometimes get with the publishing world, RT is something else.

So, what did I do? I reconnected with my lovely friend and roommate Desiree Holt, and we went to various events. The panel I was booked to appear on, about pseudonyms and should you use them, went beautifully, ably chaired by Celeste Delaney. We told our avid audience that they should think carefully before using a pseudonym and be careful to create it properly. For most writers, writing under more than one name, even if you let people know it’s really you, includes creating two identities, two websites, two sets of promotion plans, so it has to be good. Writing under a pseudonym to keep your real identity private could be because you have small children or work in a profession where they might not like your name associated with what you do. Although, saying that, my husband teaches at a school whose patron is the Queen, and he told them about it, so if the Queen is okay with me writing erotic romance, then other people maybe should be less prissy!
I was fortunate enough to be invited to a reception for the booksellers and librarians at the suite of Kathryn Falk and Kenneth Rubin. That was fun. Packed, but the food was great and the company even better.

The Ellora’s Cave ball was a blast. We had a great demo from The Geek Squad, a hip-hop troupe who intimidated me into not even trying to dance, but I did get my ten seconds of fame when I walked across the stage on the arm of a cute Caveman. I sat next to a lovely lady who turned out to be Lynn Raye Harris, so it was great to catch up with her at last.

After that I went to bed. Actually, I didn’t. I met with Susanna Kearsley in the bar, to discuss the panel we’re to be on the next day, and she, Lauren Willig, and Molly O’Keefe had a blast. Business over, we set to discussing the “trumps” game. You pick a gorgeous man, and he is your starting card. Then you pick another one, and decide if he trumps your original. Believe me, the more Cosmos you drink, the more fun it gets.

In case you’re wondering, Richard Armitage and David Gandy came up tops. If you don’t know them, look them up. You won’t be sorry. Tell you what, I didn’t take any pictures yet, so here’s a picture of David Gandy instead.

This just in…

Earth Day is April 22, and All Romance Ebooks is celebrating with a free ebook a day for the 21 days leading up to this special event.

~ Staring April 1 and running through April 21, be sure to stop by every day to get your free book.

~ Go here to begin!

~ Be sure to bookmark that page so you can go back each day. Have fun!

Consider yourself flashed.

I have some very sad news.

Sometimes the writing community can keep a secret. Quite a few of us have been praying for Penny Jordan, who was taken into hospital over Christmas.

Last night, the last day of 2011, Penny died. She had terminal cancer and she’d been ill for some time.

That’s the official announcement. I’m unutterably saddened by this news. I didn’t know Penny well, but she was a stalwart of the RNA, a great writer and an example to us all. She never lost her sense of humou, or her kindnes, or her amazing elegance. The last time I saw her was at a distance, when she gave a talk to the RNA conference. That was when I learned she was ill, when she arrived and left in short order, where she’d usually have lingered and chatted.

The first time I met her was at an RNA chapter meeting, a convivial lunch. I had one book out with a tiny epublisher, and I’d scraped membership. I still felt like an interloper. She held her hand out, shook mine. “Hello, I’m Penny Jordan.” I felt like an honest-to-goodness writer for the very first time.

The last time we had a good chat, she told me about her Internet village, where she played and wrote stories. She had high hopes for it. Penny was always looking forward. She was kind and chatty with everyone she met and always encouraged new authors, never lost her sense of the new and the exciting.

She wrote for the Mills and Boon Presents line all her career, the one whose bedrock is millionaires and secretaries. That was where she started and she was still writing for the line when she died. She worried about her deadlines in hospital.

She also had books with Mira and a series of family dramas. She wrote under another name, too, Annie Groves. She was Caroline Courtney, who wrote historical romances, and she was Lydia Hitchcock and Melinda Wright. She clocked up an amazing total of 251 books in her career.

Penny was a career author. She started work as a secretary and worked for a number of years, so she knew what that area of work was like before she gave it up to write full time. She started out in the seventies, and she moved with the times, first writing the waif secretary/brutal boss books, and then softening the characters as the readership demanded. She never lost sight of what her readers wanted, and they loved her for it. She has a new book out this month, The Reluctant Surrender.

She never responded to bad reviews or good ones, setting an example many writers, including myself, should remember more often. As well as her work with the RNA, she had her own writing group, where she mentored writers and introduced them to agents and publishers. That’s paying forward in a big way and something she didn’t have to do, but she loved doing it. She also did a lot of work with local charities.

She sold more than 70 million books in her career, worldwide.

Goodbye, Penny. We will miss you.

This just in…

Her fans never doubted it for one second!

International publisher Samhain Publishing® recently announced that author Lorelei James has been ranked on the New York Times Bestseller list and the USA Today Bestseller list.

~ She’s on the NYT list for eBooks (15), the combined New York Times print/ebook Bestseller list (29), and the USA Today Bestseller list (81) for eBooks and print books with her eBook romance, Cowboy Casanova. The novel is only available in eBook format at the present time.

~ “This remarkable achievement will come to no surprise to Lorelei’s passionate fan base,” said Christina Brashear, president of Samhain Publishing. “With this, her twelfth book in her Rough Riders series, Lorelei continues to appeal to both long-time and brand new readers. We’re proud to be a part of her success.”

~ The rank of 15 on the New York Times Bestseller list for eBooks is the highest ranking to date for a digital-first publisher.

~ The New York Times’ eBook bestseller lists in fiction and nonfiction are compiled from weekly data from publishers, chain bookstores, independent booksellers and online retailers, among other sources.

~ The USA Today Bestseller list is different from the NYT model, in that it combines both eBook and traditional print books in the same list.

~ Congrats, Lorelei!

Consider yourself flashed.

This just in…

Enjoy this early Christmas present from Jade Lee – a free copy of her 2003 ebook Almost an Angel.

~ Just head on over to this page at Jade’s website.

~ Fill in the required information. And be sure to read the quick instruction Jade gives you there.

~ Wait for your confirming email with a coupon code and links for your free book!

~ It’s that easy! Offer good until December 31, 2011. Be sure to pass the info on to all of your friends.

~ Merry Christmas!

Consider yourself flashed.

This just in…

eBook readers are in for a very special treat from Berkely/NAL…especially if you love Nora Roberts and their out-of-print Signet Regency line.

~ In January 2012, Penguin Group (USA)’s Berkley/NAL division will launch InterMix, a new e-initial eBook imprint.

~ InterMix will introduce original works from new authors as well as publish favorite titles from beloved authors such as Nora Roberts that are available as eBooks for the first time.  InterMix will be focused on eBooks, though some titles might also eventually be published as physical books.

~ With the January 2012 launch, eleven classic books from Nora Roberts titles that have never before been available as eBooks will be released, including such popular series as Cordina’s Royal Family and The Donovan Legacy and several novels featuring fan favorites the O’Hurleys.  Additional Nora Roberts eBooks will be published throughout 2012, with the second group including seven of Roberts’s beloved novels about the MacGregor family available in April.

~ The eBooks published by InterMix will encompass a wide range of genres, including women’s fiction, romance, mystery and thriller, and science fiction/fantasy.  Every InterMix title, whether brand new or previously available in print, will receive fresh cover art, newly designed interiors, and creative marketing, publicity, and advertising campaigns.

~ In February, InterMix will revive the renowned Signet Regency line with the release of six popular romance titles that have never before been published as eBooks. Three additional Regency-set romances will be released each following month throughout 2012.  And later in the year, InterMix will bring back four novels in the classic Guinevere Jones series from bestselling writer Jayne Ann Krentz, writing as Jayne Castle, that have long been out of print and have never been available as eBooks.

~ InterMix titles will be available wherever eBooks are sold, in a variety of formats compatible with all major eReaders.

Consider yourself flashed.

This just in…

Sourcebooks has some great deals for you this month!

~ Cover Me by Catherine Mann will be $0.99: October 4 through October 17

~ Mr. Darcy’s Obsession by Abigail Reynolds will be $2.99: October 3 through October 9

~ Wickedly Charming by Kristine Grayson will be FREE: October 3 through October 9

~ They are also available at Barnes & Noble and Sourcebooks.

~ Watch those dates, it’s not all month long! So hurry!

Consider yourself flashed.

This just in…

More freebies from Samhain!

~ Call Me by Lena Matthews available October 1 to October 31 for your Kindle or your Nook.

~ Sold to the Highest Bidder by Donna Alward available October 1 to October 14 in Kindle and Nook formats.

~ Nine-tenths of the Law by L.A. Witt available October 15 to October 28, also in Kindle and Nook formats.

~ Please be mindful of the dates, they change throughout the month!

Consider yourself flashed.

This just in…

Eleven of your favorite authors have released today their Entangled anthology to support breast cancer research with their writing. Now it’s your turn.

~ Authors4theCure is donating all proceeds from the sale of their paranormal anthology to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. BCRF-funded research has helped save lives and improved the quality of care and rate of survival for tens of thousands of breast cancer patients in the past decade.

~ Included in the anthology are:

Lori Brighton
Michelle Diener
Cynthia Eden
Jennifer Estep
Misty Evans
Nancy Haddock
Liz Kreger
Dale Mayer
Michelle Miles
Edie Ramer
Allison Brennan

~ Entangled releases today and is available in ebook format at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords and other online retailers.

~ $2.99. We can all band together for that. What else do you need to know?

Consider yourself flashed.

This just in…

Eleven authors have banded together to support breast cancer research with their writing. Authors4theCure, which includes award-winning and New York Times bestselling authors, as well as two breast cancer survivors, is donating proceeds from the sale of their paranormal anthology, Entangled, to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF).

~ Entangled includes ten suspense-filled paranormal stories (plus one novella) from an impressive list of talented authors:

Lori Brighton
Michelle Diener
Cynthia Eden
Jennifer Estep
Misty Evans
Nancy Haddock
Liz Kreger
Dale Mayer
Michelle Miles
Edie Ramer
Allison Brennan

~ Stacia Kane contributed the foreword and the book’s formatting and cover art were also donated to the project.

~ BCRF-funded research has helped save lives and improved the quality of care and rate of survival for tens of thousands of breast cancer patients in the past decade. Their research has revealed that the “cure” is a mosaic made up of as many approaches to diagnosing, treating, preventing and surviving as there are different types of breast cancer. The anthology is also a mosaic made up of many stories donated for this worthwhile cause.

~ Entangled will release September 12, 2011, and will be available as an ebook at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords and other online retailers.

~ The ebook price is a mere $2.99, so let’s all do our part and donate!

Consider yourself flashed.

This just in…

The old saying about what’s old is new again has never been truer with the re-release of Nicole Jordan’s long out-of-print novels in electronic formats. Brand new covers give her stories from the ’80s and ’90s a sexy, new look.

~ We’ll just let those covers speak for themeslves.

Velvet Embrace  Desire & Deception  Moonwitch

Tender Feud        Lord of Desire

~ Nicole’s westerns are also getting a sleek, modern makeover.

Wildstar              The Outlaw         The Hearbreaker    The Savage

~ All of the books will be available in various e-formats, including Kindle and Nook.

~ September is right around the corner, and that’s when you can order your very own copies!

Consider yourself flashed.

This just in…

Karen Ranny‘s closet is overflowing with books. What a problem to have, right? But enough is enough and Karen is ready to clean out that closet full of books and dole them out to readers.

~ Only, there’s a small catch. Of course, you say! But it’s an easy catch. Honest!

~ Since Karen is a late bloomer at Facebook, she needs more Likes from fans and potential new readers. So be sure to Like her and pass on the news! Entry No. 1.

~ If you’ve already found Karen at Facebook, then how about becoming a subscriber at her blog, Warm Fuzzies, where you’ll get Karen’s news before anyone else. Entry No. 2.

~ You’ve already done both of those? Then leave Karen a comment at her blog saying so during the week. Entry No. 3.

~ Each Monday at Karen’s blog there will be a contest post, and you have until the following Friday to like, subscribe, or comment.

~ Then Karen will choose a winner each Friday until all of her overflow books have been awarded to readers.

~ You can enter all three ways by doing one entry a week or enter all at once for three entries that week.

~ Winners will be announced on Fridays, and so on until all the books are gone!

~ The small catch? Karen isn’t going to announce which book will be drawn. There’s too many for that. She’ll start with the most recent ones first, then go to the older ones.

~ Good luck!

Consider yourself flashed.

This just in…

Avon Publishing is hosting a Debbie Macomber-inspired online writing contest, and aspiring writers who participate in the “Make Your Dreams Come True” contest may find themselves enjoying an “American Idol”-type moment. That story won’t write itself, so what are you waiting for???

~ The winner will receive a cash prize of $500, and the winning entry will be published in the back matter of the paperback and e-book edition of Family Affair, Debbie’s mass market publication, which goes on sale in July 2012.

~ In addition, the grand prize winner may also be offered an Avon Impulse publishing contract!

~ “This is a great opportunity for a new voice in romance to be discovered,” says Liate Stehlik, Senior Vice President and Publisher of William Morrow/Avon Books. “It’s the publishing equivalent of ‘American Idol’ – entries will be reviewed by Avon editors, and the winner will be picked by Debbie Macomber herself. The possible exposure is amazing: the author is beloved by readers around the globe, and this short story could be read by millions of her fans.”

~  Three finalists will receive a collection of Avon Romances (approximate retail value: $100).

~  To enter, complete the entry form at www.familyaffaircontest.com.

~  Story requirements and other rules are also listed at that website.

~  The contest is now ongoing and the last entry will be accepted on September 30, 2011, 5:00 p.m. ET. So get to writing!

Consider yourself flashed!

This just in…

There have been problems at Aspen Mountain Press for a while now.

~ The owner, Sandra Hicks, had some kind of personal crisis and left the company in the hands of four managers, who were trying to bring the company around. They were in the process of doing this when Sandra returned.

~ On 6 August 2011, the four managers resigned. I don’t know if it was a disagreement or if the company is too far gone or what, but them’s the facts.

~ I’ve heard from more than one author that they haven’t seen any royalties for some time, and the royalty checks they have received are very low, which is a shame as this company started on a burst of enthusiasm five years ago, and many of the authors who used to be with Triskelion signed on.

~ They recently signed some interesting new authors for the Aurora Regency line, too, although their definition of Regency seems to include the Wild West of America.

Consider yourself flashed.

This just in…

There’s a variety of men in kilts from Sourcebooks authors just waiting for you!

~ Through July 18, 2011, these Highlanders are on sale for $.99 at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

~ Awaken the Highland Warrior by Anita Clenney (Nook format)

~ Highland Hellcat by Mary Wine (Nook format)

~ The Highlander’s Sword by Amanda Forester (Nook format)

~ Wild Highland Magic by Kendra Leigh Castle (Nook format)

~ Highland Rebel by Judith James (Nook format)

~ Don’t tarry, there’s only four more days left!

Consider yourself flashed.

This just in…

Samhain Publishing is offering three terrific ebooks at no charge during the month of July!

~ Starting July 1 and running through July 31, you’ll have plenty of time to get your copies, but watch the dates – each one has a different ending date!

~ Giving Chase by Lauren Dane is available July 1 to July 31 both for Kindle and the Nook.

~ Lord Demon’s Delight by Gia Dawn is available July 1 to July 14, again in both Kindle and Nook formats.

~ And Lights, Camera…Monsters by Lila Dubois is available July 15 through July 28 at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

~ Happy reading!

Consider yourself flashed.

This just in…

Get ready for some great ebook deals from Sourcebooks!

~ All of the following deals will be available wherever ebooks are sold.

~ New York Times Bestselling Author, Grace Burrowes has the next book in her delightful regency romance series in stores this month: The Soldier. During this exciting time: The Soldier will be  $2.99 for 2 weeks (06/07/2011 – 06/20/2011) and The Heir at $0.99 for 5 weeks (05/02/2011 – 06/06/2011)—so get them both while you can!

~ In honor of Terry Spear’s latest, Heart of the Highland Wolf, hitting stores, Seduced by the Wolf will be FREE during the first week of publication of Heart of the Highland Wolf. Terry’s werewolves act like real wolves—including mating for life!

~ Have you ever met a hero that can purrrrrr? Find one in The Cat Star Chronicles, the out of this world sexy series by Cheryl Brooks! Book 7, Virgin, is in stores now! To celebrate, you can download Outcast for FREE during the first week of publication of Virgin! 06/07/2011 – 06/13/2011 only.

~ It’s Hannah Montana meets Project Runway! Get the first book in this great middle grade series, The Allegra Biscotti Collection, for FREE this week only, and meet Allegra Biscotti, a fabulous and famous fashion designer—only no one knows because she’s actually Emma Rose, and still in junior high! If you love this book, don’t get your threads in knot—book 2, Who What Wear! is now available.

~ Have you ever wondered what would happen if you could find out HIS side of the story? Matt Dunn, a women’s fiction author who just so happens to be a guy, tells all in The Ex-Boyfriend’s Handbook, which is free this week, in honor of Ex-Girlfriends United hitting stores! Did I mention he’s British?!

~ Christmas in June? Dating Mr. December by Phillipa Ashley is free for one week! Love her awesome wit, hilarious scenarios and super sweet love stories? Her brand new US release, Wish You Were Here is now available!

~ Did you know Georgette Heyer wrote two Gothic Regency Romances? The Quiet Gentleman is dark, moody, and not what anyone expects! Still craving the frothy, effervescent tone of Heyer? Get one of her most beloved, Cotillion, for free this week!

~ All books are available as of today’s date, June 7, but if you find they’re not, please be patient and give the retailers time to get everything ready!

Consider yourself flashed!

This just in…

Read an Ebook Week is here, and Sourcebooks is offering a few freebies to help you along!

~ Four very diverse ebooks are available for immediate download in PDF and ePub formats.

~ Best Little Stories from the Civil War by C. Brian Kelly

~ Immigrants by Howard Fast

~ Highest Stakes by Emery Lee

~ Wild Sight by Loucinda McGary

~ All books are available through Saturday, March 12.

~ Check out this page for all information.

Consider yourself flashed!

Olivia Gates has a new book out with Silhouette Desire. It’s called “To Tempt A Sheikh” and it’s the second in her trilogy The Pride of Zohayd.

Olivia is presently a bit busy. She’s a doctor in Cairo. All our thought are with her and we hope to hear from her soon. I met Olivia at Romantic Times a couple of years ago and we had dinner together. A delightful, lively and stunningly beautiful woman, she is probably, of all Harlequin authors, most qualified to write shiekh books.

So because she can’t do her own promotion right now, here’s the details.

He rescued hostage Talia Burke from his royal family’s rival tribe and swept her into his strong embrace. But Prince Harres Aal Shalaan soon discovered there was more to the brave beauty than he knew. Talia held information vital to protecting his beloved kingdom…and she had every reason not to trust him.

Marooned together at a desert oasis, Talia couldn’t resist Harres. Yet even as his sizzling seduction entranced her, his loyalty to his family and country would always make them enemies. Falling for the sheikh would be her heart’s greatest mistake…but she feared it was already too late….

And just look at that cover!

Here’s the webpage at eharlequin:

http://www.eharlequin.com/storeitem.html?iid=23098&cid=230

This just in…

Pamela Clare has some exciting MacKinnon’s Rangers news…

~ Release dates for the Brothers MacKinnon trilogy are set.

~ Surrender will be re-released with a new cover in December 2011.

~ Then Untamed will hit the shelves again in January 2012.

~ Connor’s book, tentatively titled Defiant, has a release date sometime in February 2012.

~ Squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!

Consider yourself flashed.

This just in…

Update!

There have been some pricing issues with the various parties participating in the Jane Austen celebration Sourcebooks is hosting today.

~ Due to those glitches with the handling of the free versions of the Austen books, Sourcebooks is extending the offer through tomorrow, Friday, December 17.

~ iBooks and Google books currently have all correct pricing information for those readers obtaining the ebooks through them.

~ Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Sony are currently working to get their prices adjusted. They should be correct shortly.

~ Sourcebooks.com will also have all books and the illustrated versions available if you prefer to go straight to the source.

~ Dominique Raccah, Sourcebooks Publisher and CEO, gives an explanation of what can happen when good ideas just don’t pan out the way they’re planned. Check it out at the Sourcebooks Next blog.

Consider yourself updated and flashed!

This just in…

Sourcebooks is celebrating Jane Austen’s 235th birthday with a very special offer for readers. This is a celebration you don’t want to miss!

~ The world’s leading publisher of Jane Austen fiction is offering a unique deal to readers who want to celebrate Jane by reading special editions of all six of Austen’s beloved novels in a 21^st century format.

~ For one day only, Thursday, December 16, Jane’s birthday, special e-book editions of Pride and Prejudice, Emma, Sense and Sensibility, Northanger Abbey, Persuasion and Mansfield Park will be available for free.

~ These celebratory editions include the full novels, plus the legendary color illustrations of the Brock brothers, originally created to accompany the books in 1898.

~ In addition to the Jane Austen classics, readers can also enjoy the bestselling Austen-inspired novels listed below. These  e-books will be free on December 16th in honor of her birthday:

Eliza’s Daughter by Joan Aiken
The Darcys & the Bingleys by Marsha Altman
Mr. Darcy Takes a Wife by Linda Berdoll
What Would Jane Austen Do? by Laurie Brown
The Pemberley Chronicles by Rebecca Ann Collins
The Other Mr. Darcy by Monica Fairview
Mr. Darcy’s Diary by Amanda Grange
Mr. & Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy: Two Shall Become One by Sharon Lathan
Lydia Bennet’s Story by Jane Odiwe
Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy by Abigail Reynolds

~ All available wherever e-books are sold.

Consider yourself flashed.

This just in…

The Harlequin Historical authors are spreading the giving spirit of the holiday season, something you don’t want to miss!

~ Beginning December 1 visit the web page of each participating HH author listed here. You will be asked to take part in an activity – visit a Facebook page, find an ornament, comment on a blog, as examples – that author has chosen especially for her day in the contest.

~ For each day you participate, your name will be entered into a Grand Prize drawing.

~ At the end of the month on December 23, one day from the calendar will be randomly selected. One of the entrants from that selected day will be randomly selected….

~ To win what, you ask? A brand new Kindle 3-G filled to the gills with historical books! So the more days you visit, the better your chances at owning a Kindle!

~ Here’s the page you need to begin with. Bookmark it!

~ The contest is open to readers from the U.S., Canada, UK, Australia, Ireland, and New Zealand.

~ Good luck!

Consider yourself flashed.

I have Raelene Gorlinksy’s permission to pass on the following information. This was an internal memo, but it will affect all readers.

“In December, we will be rebranding (renaming) and relaunching the Cerridwen Press romance books under the Ellora’s Cave umbrella. They will become a new line on the EC website, clearly defined as sweet through sensual romances – not erotic. Most romance readers do not stick to just erotic romances, they read non-erotic also, so we need to make them more aware of our books. Plus, for authors who write both EC and CP under the same pen name, your author page will then list all your books in one place.

The site will include a gateway page explaining/defining the line, making it clear it is not erotic. And we will still provide a breakdown for readers by subgenre: contemporary, historical, paranormal, etc., including Cotillion (traditional sweet Regencies). The Cerridwen books to be moved to the new line are romances and the stories with romantic elements (for example, a mystery series with a continuing romantic subplot). For books we consider non-romances, we will return the rights to the authors effective December 31, 2010.

The www.cerridwenpress.com URL will continue to exist and will be a pointer to the www.ellorascave.com site. We will provide more information (line name, exact relaunch date, and so forth) as it becomes set.”

As a writer for Ellora’s Cave, I think this is a good move. My books sometimes verge on the non-erotic, because I let the characters dictate the heat, and it will give me more freedom to go where the story leads. I think it will give the publisher more cohesion.

This just in…

Have I got some freebies for you! Well, some of you anyway. If your ereader uses the EPUB format, read on. You’re going to love this!

~ Kobo Books has 20 — count’em, 20! — free ebooks on their website.

~  You do have to create an account to get them, but I know what you’ll do to get free ebooks!

~ Pamela Clare, Elisabeth Naughton, Christie Craig, Gemma Halliday, Kate Angell, Melanie Jackson, Jennifer Ashley, Joy Nash, Liz Maverick, Elizabeth Rolls, Brenda Jackson, and so many more…

~ If you don’t mind a few non-romance books, you can download those too!

~ So head to Kobo’s Free Books page — after you sign up at their homepage — and get to downloading!

Consider yourself flashed.

Final Update: If I have this right… ONE. THOUSAND. ONE. HUNDRED. FIFTY. DOLLARS!

WE DID IT!!! WE DID IT!!!

Our current goal is 260 comments… but I’m holding on hope that more people will step in with donations (of any amount) if we hit higher numbers! <3

Keep it coming! And to think, this started as a ten dollar drive. Rock on, Lovelies!

From $10 to $1,100!!! Incredible!!! (Also, shout out to Mara who already donated $50. As did I – you get this nice email from the UN Foundation, signed by Ted Turner. Which the wonderful Shiloh has gotten to, as well as Liza. And an amazingly beautiful other contributor.) Now please comment to make sure Ali, Courtney, Bree, Vivian, Stacy, Tigris, Carly,  HelenKay, Lauren, Donna, and Jennifer have to step up as well! Well, Ali, Courtney, Bree, and Vivian are done for. Cheers, everyone!) Likari, Ann Marie, and our very on C2 stepped in as well! And the very kind and generous Magdalen. And Shelli – and so many more.

Today is Social Good Day. You can see hashtags on twitter with #SocialGood

YOU have the power in your hands to make sure a minimum of $975 on my/our part gets donated to (RED). Please make it happen.

Most of you know about Mashable, which is actually a company/something I know less about. Social media opinions are for another post. (RED) is an organization I’ve kept on my radar for a while, because of my interest in ONE.

(RED) Video

The Global Fund (where all (RED) money goes) invests 100% of (RED) funds into HIV/AIDS programs in Africa. I’m totally cool with giving them my money.

Need or want more reasons to feel good about this?

Why you should feel good about supporting the (RED) cause today:

• Thirty-three million people in the world have AIDS. Twenty-two million live in Africa.
• Every day 3,800 people die in sub-Saharan Africa from AIDS.
• It costs just 40 cents per day for the life-saving medicine someone living with HIV/AIDS in Africa needs to help them live a healthy and productive life.

I’m poor- I have no job and have law school loans, but this is important to me. I wish I could give more… but here’s what I’m going to do. If 10 people comment on this post today, I’ll donate $10 to the (RED) fund. [And let's hear it for optimism, because if there are a whole slew of comments, I'll re-assess that amount.]

I included a [multiple links] of the (RED) video too, as WordPress hates me and strips my video code. Anyway – come on Romance Community, I know we can do something awesome. Help me give away my money – and now I challenge you. What are you going to do?

Oh – and here’s something else totally easy for you to do – and where I got/ganked the idea – comment on these blogs, and they’ll donate too! *I copied this list from My Aim is True – wanted to give credit.

• Bake It Pretty – Amanda is one of my favorite clients and best friends! Get inspired to bake some yummy treats.
• Yuping Liu-Thompkins – Yuping, a super smart friend of mine who’s an expert in internet marketing and customer loyalty
• Reina Communications – my good friend Michelle (this meetup was her idea!) and one of my awesome clients, we are going to Blogworld together in a few weeks! Vegas baby! Look for some videos from that adventure.
• Greater Good Life – Michelle’s personal blog about how easy it is to live well, be generous, and do social good
• Powerful Learning Practice – social media enhances education; over 4,000 teachers have been impacted by their brand of professional development. My mom runs this company, I am so proud to be a part of what they’re doing. They’re up for an Open Leadership award too! They’re donating $5 per comment, so please leave one and make a difference.
• OBX Design Works – William Dodson, a talented Web designer and blogger in the Outer Banks of North Carolina
• JASE Digital Media – a local digital media design consultancy that employs some of the area’s best designers (hi, Keith!); their blog offers up lots of good tips and resources on social media
• My Aim Is True – [This is Bake It Pretty's personal blog]

Really – all you need to do is comment. And you’re doing something awesome. Now get chatty. [*ETA here is "edited to add."]

*ETA!!! You guys!!! The most awesome Shiloh Walker told me if I get 50 comments, she’ll donate $50. Please! Take our money!!!

**ETA #2: O.M.F.G.! I said to a friend earlier today (when there were only 7 comments for like the longest time, it seemed) that I’d cry if we didn’t hit 50 today. Well I just got a message from Ali, one of my favorite people, who told me that if we get 75 comments, she’ll donate $50 as well. Now I might cry because this is getting to be more awesome than I thought.

And – since we’re nearing 50, which is way more than I thought, I am for sure committing myself to a $25 donation… and we’ll see if my guilt complex pushes me to $50 as well. (I mean, I’ve got to match these incredible ladies, right? So please- spread the word!)

**So to recap: I pledged $10 if I could get 10 comments today. Shiloh messaged to tell me if we hit 50, she’d donate $50. How amazing is that? And I just got word from Ali that if we get 75 comments, she’s donating $50 as well.

At this point, I’ve changed my commitment to $25, and am contemplating $50. How about, if we hit 100 comments, I’ll do $50 as well, so there you go. Simple – 100 comments, and a minimum of $150 gets donated!

***ETA 3: You guys. I might cry. I’m sniffly right now, with good reason. Courtney Milan, who is all around incredible, told me if we hit 100 comments, she’ll throw in $50 as well. That’s $2 per comment that  someone else will be donating!!!

I have no words. And won’t be using asterisks anymore. If you see in the comments, Mara said [she? they?] would donate $50 as well if we hit the 100 comments today goal. Honestly – this is for an amazing cause. And it takes so little effort!

WOW! And the hilarious and great Bree, half of the much loved writing team that forms Moira Rogers told me to put her down for $50 as well if I wanted. And I do. So I did.

! Vivian Arend asked if I wanted to put another $50 down for her. Of course I  have no problem spending other people’s money, so now she’s listed too. This makes me so happy.

Stacy is also getting in on this – come on, if we hit 150 comments, she’ll donate $50! Talk!

And now Tigris Eden has promised to contribute as well if we make it to 150 comments!!! Whee!!!

YES!!! The great Carly Phillips is joining this fabulous cause! She’s also setting the goal at 150 comments!

I have no words, really. HelenKay Dimon is a fabulous author, a fabulous person, and well, pretty much all around is fabulousity. And as incentive to make you comment and spread the word, she’ll go in $50 too if we hit 150. Not a bad deal, right?

Awesome! Liza has said she’ll contribute $10 to the cause as well. <3 Every little bit helps!

More more more!!! Lauren Dane, who is all kinds of fantabulous and awesome as well, is going in with $50 if we meet the next comment goal!

Whee! We haz VOLTRON! Heh – Donna stepped in as well, the other writing half of Moira Rogers – see? I told you that Moira Rogers is awesome! She’s in for another $50!!! <3

I LOVE THIS WOMAN! I think all? Most of you know Jennifer Haymore has been dealing with cancer. She just finished her radiation today. And she just told me if we hit the next level, she’s in for $50 – come on! Help this woman meet her goal!!!

Yes!!! And the duckies have stepped up! The most lovely, kind, and generous c2 has pledged $75. I wheedled her into it. She’s so beyond awesome.

Then, Likari stepped in with $50.

And Mean Marie, Ann Marie, who obviously isn’t that mean, is coming in with another $50 if we meet our goal.

As is Magdalen, with another $50 – BUT only if we hit 256 comments (or more) – how fun, right?

And  – Jackie is now issuing the challenge of 260 comments. For $25.

Shelli Stevens is in with another $50.

And and and!!! You guys are so awesome! Will have a complete list later!

Result? 260 comments = $975 donated to (RED) – come on romance community! Show me you care! (For those of you keeping track, Mara, Shiloh, Liza, and a beautiful silent contributor and I have donated already so that is $225 – and we’re depending on your comments to bring in the rest!)

This just in…

I’m very excited because one of my favorite authors has a new book coming out in just a few days!

The Bite Before Christmas will be released by Kensington Brava on September 28th. This is Ms. Betts first venture into the paranormal world of vampires and her first release with Brava. All three stories take place around the Christmas holiday and I’m sure will not only be sexy, but will be the light hearted humor that Ms. Betts known for.

You can check out a couple of excerpts here and here.

Vampires and Christmas? Who knew!

In Heidi Betts-s collection of holiday novellas, vampires turn to Angelina Bertolli-vampire matchmaker extraordinaire-to help them find that special someone to curl up with under the mistletoe

--All I Vant For Christmas-

Connor loves trimming the Christmas tree, baking gingerbread cookies, and hanging the mistletoe. But his vampire siblings won-t help. His friend Angelina sends party planner Jillian to the rescue. But when Jillian, who-s mortal, discovers she-s decking the halls for a family of vampires, will she run-or will Connor have a beautiful woman to share the holidays with?

-A Vampire in Her Stocking-

When Vivian learns that her secret crush Nick is terminally ill, she-s heartbroken. Confiding in Angelina, Vivian refuses to turn Nick into a vampire. Deciding to play Santa, Angelina changes Nick and leaves him wrapped in a red bow on Vivian-s doorstep-

-It-s A Wonderful Bite-

Although Angelina is happy with her boyfriend Sergio, she-s ready for a commitment. After drinking eggnog and watching It-s a Wonderful Life on Christmas Eve, Angelina falls into a dream where she is mortal and Sergio isn-t interested in her. Talk about the nightmare before Christmas! But Santa must have checked his list twice because this Christmas Angelina-s wishes are coming true-

This just in…

Have your friends and family been acting a little more strangely than usual lately? Then you need iPhone’s new app to make sure you’re not the next one to be turned…

~ The Zombie Survival Guide Scanner is your assurance to survive the coming zombie apocalypse. Based exclusively on Max Brooks’ internationally bestselling survival manual, The Survival Guide: Complete Protection from the Living Dead, this might be your only chance to avoid being one of those living dead.

~ This new app is the tool that will save you from infection before zombies bite. Be sure to check it out here.

~ Available for free from iTunes, this app will let you scan anyone. Calculating in a matter of seconds, it will immediately tell you if someone is infected with the zombie virus or not — and if they are infected, by how much.

~ Brooks has been developing this for months. Finally, there is something out there that could save millions of lives.

~ More info on this life-saving app here and here. Even watch a video. Your life may depend on it. Spread the word.

Consider yourself flashed.

Romance Writers of America ended their week-long conference in Orlando with laughter, tears, and love, all emotions that these authors and friends use to create their compelling romantic novels, which ultimately led them to be nominated for RWA’s Golden Heart and RITA Awards.

Everyone knows romance authors have a way with words of love, grief, vulnerability and anxiety, happiness, sadness, and, of course, romance, but who knew they’re capable of rocking a room with laughter??

From light chuckles to roaring out-loud guffaws to a few unexpected tears, the 2010 Golden Heart and RITA winners gave conference attendees a night to remember for months to come. Most joked they appreciate the fact their husbands and children have learned over the years to leave the family writer alone as they work their magic, while one winner tugged her hero husband onto the stage with her to show her love and appreciation for his support to the audience.  And there were plenty of tears of joy and triumph shed by winners during their acceptance speeches.

Even emcee Sabrina Jeffries contributed to the fun with her running dialogue and attempts to heist one of Nora Roberts’ numerous RITA statuettes, lamenting the romance queen will never miss the loss of one of her golden beauties.

Here is a list of the 2010 RITA and Golden Heart winners:

RITA Award:

Best Young Adult Romance – Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles

Best Inspirational Romance – The Inheritance by Tamera Alexander

Best Novel With Strong Romantic Elements – The Lost Recipe for Happiness by Barbara O’Neal

Best Romance Novella – The Christmas Eve Promise in The Night Before Christmas by Molly O’Keefe

Best Contemporary Series Romance – A Not-So-Perfect Past by Beth Andrews

Best Contemporary Series Romance Suspense/Adventure – The Soldier’s Secret Daughter by Cindy Dees

Best Historical Romance – Not Quite A Husband by Sherry Thomas

Best Regency Historical Romance – What Happens In London by Julia Quinn (Julia Quinn was also inducted into RWA’s Hall of Fame for winning three RITAs in the same genre category)

Best Paranormal Romance – Kiss of a Demon King by Kresley Cole

Best Romantic Suspense – Whisper of Warning by Laura Griffin

Best First Book – One Scream Away by Kate Brady

Best Contemporary Single Title Romance – Too Good To Be True by Kristin Higgins

GOLDEN HEART:

Best Young Adult Manuscript – Unchosen by Erica O’Rourke

Best Inspirational Manuscript – Unforgiven by CJ Eerniss Chase

Best Novel With Strong Romantic Elements Manuscript – A Place At The Table by Patricia O’Dea Rosen

Best Contemporary Series Romance Manuscript – Fake Fiancee, Real Love by Cat Shield

Best Contemporary Series Romance: Suspense/Adventure Manuscript – See Jane Run by Angela Platt

Best Historical Manuscript – Between Heaven and Hell by Jacqui Nelson

Best Regency Historical Manuscript - A Most Improper Gentleman by Elisa Beatty

Best Paranormal Romance Manuscript – Bloodborn: Book One in the Light Blade Series by Kylie Griffin

Best Romantic Suspense Manuscript – The Yard Man by G. Jillian Stone

Best Contemporary Single Title Manuscript – Songbird by Lizbeth Selvig