Hello! I'm running a tad behind this week, so here goes our announcements:
Carrie Lofty's new website is up and running, a labor of love that she put together herself. Props to her husband for kid wrangling over the Labor Day weekend. To celebrate, she's holding a September contest. Register for her Yahoo! Group (aka, the newsletter) and you'll be entered in a drawing for a $25 B&N or Amazon gift certificate.
Also, Carrie's short story "Sundial" received a 5 Angels review from Fallen Angels. "'Sundial' is a wonderful exploration into the emotional effects of time travel [and] an extremely spicy historical, bordering on erotic, yet the passion fits perfectly with this emotional story."
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Carol A. Spradling's COST OF FREEDOM was reviewed by Romance Reviews Today, who called it "not to be missed"! You can read the entire review here.
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Michelle Styles wanted to share this video clip about Judy York, who talks about how she does covers. She mentions Harlequin Historicals and Michelle's TAKEN BY THE VIKING specifically.
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Have a cute picture of your pet? Jacquie Rogers is holding a contest on her website, where you could win books or a $50 gift certificate to eBookIsle.
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Join us tomorrow when contributor Jean Adams will discuss BEATS A WILD HEART, set in Cornwall.
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We'll also draw the winner of Michelle Styles's AN IMPULSIVE DEBUTANTE. Leave a comment for your shot at winning.
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Have a good weekend. If you have an announcement to make for next week, email Carrie. See you next week...
Carrie Lofty received a B+ review from Jayne at Dear Author for her time travel short story, "Sundial":Wow, what a great way to start off my new year’s reading. ... I want to congratulate you on a wonderful, inventive plot. It's one I've never seen the equal of in TT stories.... Your spare economy with words does a great job of painting a picture of not only the location of the story but also of the characters and their thoughts and reactions.
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Join us Sunday when we'll feature contributor Marianne LaCroix of Ellora's Cave. She'll be discussing the print release of Pirate's Mistress, which includes the two novels "Crossed Swords" and "Sea Hawk's Mistress".
We'll also draw the winner for Joanne Rock's two March releases, A Knight Most Wicked and Getting Lucky. We haven't had many commenters, so don't miss your chance to try out Joanne's wonderful writing. Leave a comment for your shot at winning.
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Have a good weekend. If you have an announcement to make for next week, email Carrie! See you next week...
Sorry I'm late! Here goes:
Carrie Lofty's short story "Sundial" has received a solid review from The Good, the Bad and the Unread:
It's like Picasso does time-travel romance. I will be sad if it misses the audience who will enjoy it because it definitely isn't for everyone. It will be a gem for those looking for something unusual. I'll be looking for more from this author.
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Jennifer Mueller's novel Samburu Hills has been named one of Dear Author's best ebooks of 2007.
Also, Jennifer's newest release "Havana Holiday," a novella set in 1930s Cuba, was released this week.
5 stories, 4 days, 3 nights, 2 times the fun, and 1 heck of a good time. Dahlia, Eve, Nora, Alice, and Marianne; when five women who work together in Depression-era Boston save up for a trip of a lifetime to decadent Havana, anything can happen. With seductive Latin men and rich vacationers at every turn who wouldn't enjoy dancing till dawn, the parties, the nightclubs, the beach, the gambling, and there's always more than one side to a story.
Who can ask for more, fun, sun and hot men to tempt and tease?
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Michelle Styles' ninth book, A Question of Impropriety has been accepted by Mills & Boon. It's the story of Diana Clare, who fled back to Northumberland after her fiance was killed in an infamous duel, and Brett Farnham, the Earl of Coltonby, a notorious prince of rakes and who has won the neighbouring estate in a horse race.
It will be out in November 08 in the UK, US date tbd.
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Join us Sunday when our guest will be Harlequin Historicals author Elizabeth Lane, whose book On the Wings of Love received a very good review from Dear Author and was one of their January recommended reads. Elizabeth will do a Q&A, and our own Delia DeLeest will offer her review. Don't miss it!
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Have a good weekend. If you have an announcement to make for next week, email Carrie! See you next week...
We have a winner for Carrie's "Sundial" giveaway: Dev! Contact Carrie by e-mail to give her your email address. Prize must be claimed by next Sunday or another winner will be drawn. Please stop back later to let us know what you thought of her first release. Congratulations!
Delia DeLeest and Jacquie Rogers have been nominated by Long & Short Reviews for best long novels of the year, Delia for It Takes Moxie (ebook) and Jacquie for Faery Special Romances (ebook and print). You can vote here. Good luck, ladies!
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Vicki Gaia's newest release, a contemporary titled Gracie and the Bad Hat is now available through Amazon in print and Kindle. Gracie has been receiving excellent reviews, this one from Kathy Samuels of Romance Reviews Today: "GRACIE AND THE BAD HAT is a heartwarming and charming odyssey through the up-and-down rollercoaster that is love." Vicki has also started her MySpace page.
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Join us Sunday when our guest will be Harlequin author Annie Burrows, who will talk about her newest release My Lady Innocent, set in 15th century England. And don't forget to comment here for your chance to win a copy of Carrie Lofty's debut short story, "Sundial."
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Have a good weekend. If you have an announcement to make for next week, email Carrie! See you next week...
December 19 saw the official release of Carrie Lofty's first short story, "Sundial," winner of The Wild Rose Press's "Through the Garden Gate" time travel contest in the Vintage (1950s-60s) category.
Amber Schulman stepped into a lush English garden in 2007, only to arrive in breathtaking Sorrento, Italy--in 1958. The only person who understands her confusion is fellow time traveler Mark Lacey, a New Yorker who comes from the land of cassette tapes and Reaganomics. His dark, world-weary eyes beckon her with secrets and sensuality. But why does he seem so familiar?
Trapped in the past since he was a teen, Mark wants nothing to do with another whining newcomer. But the blue-eyed Aussie might be able to answer the one question that haunts him: Do I ever get back to 1987? From soccer to samba to sex, Amber tempts him with a zeal for life and love, pulling him free of his lonely isolation.
But getting home could prove easier than they imagined. How will their love endure if Amber returns to her time--and Mark to his?
Carrie stopped by Unusual Historicals to answer questions and officially launch her first published work.
What's the story behind the setting for this short story--1950s Italy? Was it because of the contest or an existing idea?
I first saw the information about the contest, and the Vintage category piqued my interest right away. I would love to read more romances set in the 20th century, particularly very glamorous and fast-moving times such as the '20s and the '50s. I had wanted to set a novel in 1950s Italy, something post-war along the lines of The Talented Mr. Ripley, but I didn't think there would be much of a market for it. When this opportunity came along, I jumped on it.
Have you written a time travel story before? How did this one take shape in your mind?
I'd never considered writing one before. I disliked the concept that time travel would be easy or glamorous or some sort of wish fulfilment. Instead I looked at the idea as a nightmare, with time itself a fierce antagonist. One of my favorite movies is Terminator, where the hero, Kyle Reese, goes back in time to save Sarah Connor--but he had to give up everything to do so. In that story, no one ever got home. The choice to time travel and the mechanism of it meant leaving everything behind permanently. I tried to imagine the terror of such a situation and how people would function.
The other element is that Mark is from 1987 and Amber is from 2007. That's unusual as far as I know, to have the hero and heroine come from different years to a third locale/time that is unfamiliar to them both. Part of the challenge of their love affair was to have them negotiate both their differing worldview and their new surroundings.
What was your favorite part about writing this story, and what part proved the most challenging?
The most challenging was negotiating the parameters of the time travel scenario I'd created--making sure that (most) of it made sense! I wanted to hold fast to the rules I created. The second was just plain time lines. I made a graph to make sure everyone was where they were supposed to be, time wise, and that their emotional development would correspond to their ages and experiences.
The most fun aspect was delving into the '80s. I grew up in the '80s, so reliving the slang and the movies to create Mark's character was a hoot.
"So," he said, clearing his throat. "Am I famous in 2007? As big as Schwarzenegger?"
Amber's self-consciousness spilled into laughter. "No, I've never heard of you."
Yet her denial hid a deeper truth, the pesky feeling of familiarity--something about him she couldn't identify. The question burrowed into the base of her skull, like trying to remember an actor's name without using the Internet.
"And anyway," she said. "Schwarzenegger is the governor of California now."
"No way."
"Way." She grinned, feeling very Wayne's World--her roommate's favorite film. That Mark used '80s slang without irony amused her.
What is your favorite scene in this story?
The finale. *sigh* It really took my breath away when I wrote it. Everything else underwent revisions, but the final scene stayed almost entirely untouched. I'm such a dork that I get weepy every time.
How does this story differ from your upcoming Kensington Zebra Debut release, WHAT A SCOUNDREL WANTS?
The setting and time, for one. WHAT A SCOUNDREL WANTS is set in the pseudo-mythic time of Robin Hood in early 13th century England, so the change of scenery did me for a loop. The heroines are also vastly different, in the Amber is very well-adjusted, adventurous and adaptable, whereas Meg is blind, lonely, and has to struggle out of her isolation. The heroes are both tasty and were fun to write, but Mark's youth meant that he dealt with issues and looked at the world with an immature eye.
The process of writing the two was like night and day. SCOUNDREL was a big, long, tedious struggle, especially with revisions. Single titles are simply ponderous! But "Sundial" was like a dream. It came to me almost fully formed in just a few weeks. I'd give up on the idea of fame and fortune for the opportunity to have a writing experience like that again.
What response have you received about the unusual setting and time period, or to the story itself?
Most people are intrigued, even if it's not on their top list. It's unusual and stands out. I like being one of a kind! As for the reviews, I've already had some pretty heady praise.
Do you plan to write additional short stories for The Wild Rose Press?
I do. My editor, Anna D'Arclon, and I got along very well throughout the quick process of editing "Sundial" (we had six weeks). She's invited me to return throughout the year with other Vintage stories, so I'm excited about that opportunity.
What are you working on at the moment?
I'm about ten days away from finishing the rough draft of the untitled sequel to WHAT A SCOUNDREL WANTS. It follows the heroine's sister to Castile where she meets a former assassin who's gone into hiding as a templar. It will be released one year after SCOUNDREL, so roughly December of 2009.
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Many thanks for dropping by! "Sundial" can be purchased through TWRP's website or via Fictionwise.
Carrie is giving away a copy of "Sundial." All you need to do is post a comment--maybe about what unusual time period or location you would like to read about. The winner will be chosen at random. Be sure to check back next week to find out who has won.
Lisa Yarde's medieval romance LOVE REMEMBER ME has been accepted for publication by Enspiren Press. In the years before the Norman conquest, a Saxon lord's son and a Norman falconer's daughter meet and share a timeless bond, forged by their love of falconry. After years of separation, they reunite and discover their love remains strong, but the Norman conquest of Saxon England threatens their future happiness. Congratulations, Lisa!
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Carrie Lofty's short story "Sundial" was released as an ebook by The Wild Rose Press on Wednesday. It's now #7 on TWRP's bestsellers list! The award-winning time travel set in 1958 Italy also garnered high praise from Margaret Marr of the online entertainment magazine Nights & Weekends:It's a clever, spicy-sweet, and heart-breaking love story... With its heated love scenes and a shattering, unexpected parting, "Sundial" will have you holding your breath, wondering how Amber and Mark can ever be together in their respective futures. If you're a lover of romances and believe in the impossible made possible, you'll enjoy "Sundial" as much as I did.
You can read the complete review here.
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Sandra Schwab has managed to survive revision hell for Bewitched, coming in April 2008. She would like to offer a big THANK YOU to everybody who visited her blog to cheer her on, offer advice on scenes, and help her with tricky research. It was very much appreciated!
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Just in time for Christmas, Jennifer Mueller is giving away a free e-cookbook filled with all the recipes from her various stories--which means food from dozens of times and places! Go to her cookbook page to download your copy!
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Bonnie Vanak's first Egyptian historical The Falcon & the Dove will be reprinted by Dorchester in February of 2008.
What lies beneath the sands of Akhetaten, Egypt? A secret... A secret guarded by an ancient tribe for three thousand years... A secret a courageous sheikh vows to protect from archaeologists... A secret a desperate woman will risk her life to find...A secret that will forever change the lives of a man and woman destined for each other...
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Anne Whitfield has the cover for her newest Victorian historical, Her Shadowed Heart.
Anna Thornton leads a privileged life, but she’s not content. When the dashing Matt Cowan sweeps her off her feet, she thinks her boring existence has changed for the better, only all is not as it seems. Betrayed and faced with family secrets, Anna flees her home. Taking her trusted maid with her, she begins a new life, which is filled with events that will test her strength and self belief.
However, fate sends a man to heal her heart, but will she trust herself to another again? Will the past recede enough for her to see a brighter future?
Her Shadowed Heart will be released by Enspiren Press in 2008 as an ebook and in trade paperback.
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Join us on Sunday when author Annie Burrows will stop by to review A Christmas Wedding Wager by Michelle Styles, which she won several weeks ago. Don't miss it!
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Have a good weekend and a fantastic holiday season. We'll be here all week with more posts on Holidays & Celebrations! If you have an announcement to make for next week, email Carrie! See you next week...
Harlequin Historicals author Elizabeth Lane will be our guest in January to promote her newest release, On the Wings of Love, which is set in the 1910s. She has generously offered a copy for one of our contributors to review in conjunction with her promo day, scheduled for Jan 13th. Let Carrie know if you're interested in receiving the copy. The review must be submitted by Saturday, January 12. First come, first served.
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Michelle Styles has had a great week! A Christmas Wedding Wager has been called "simply enchanting" (Romance Reader Connection), and it received a "B" and a "Recommended Read for December" from Dear Author: "this is the perfect book to get a romance reader in the holiday mood."
In addition, two of Michelle's Roman-set novels have been issued in translation. A Noble Captive has been translated into Italian, titled Nell'Antro della Sibilla, and Gladiator's Honour has been translated into Greek, titled O Monomaxos.
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Carrie Lofty's first published short story, "Sundial," has a release date from The Wild Rose Press: December 19. "Sundial" won TWRP's "Through the Garden Gate" time travel contest in the Vintage (1950s-60s) category.
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Have a good weekend! Remember, if you don't get your announcements to me, I can give you your dues! If you have an announcement to make for next week, email Carrie! See you next week...
Bonnie Vanak's new website is up. Also, Bonnie and her long-time buddy Jennifer Ashley are running a special blog contest to celebrate their fifth year of publishing and to help out debut Dorchester authors. One lucky winner will receive a book from the backlists of Bonnie, Jennifer and Colleen Thompson. Details can be found at either Bonnie's blog or Jennifer's.
Also, Bonnie's December Silhouette Nocturne release, THE EMPATH, received four stars from Romantic Times BookClub magazine and a 5/5 rating from Night Owl Romance. Little Sunshine of Night Owl Romance wrote:
Ms. Vanak's THE EMPATH is a force to be reckoned with as this author has concocted a smooth and sensual story guaranteed to please readers longing for strong characters intertwined with magical and mystical beings. This story is a recommended read and I will definitely be looking for other releases by Ms. Vanak!
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Anna C. Bowling's QUEEN OF THE OCEAN received a B review from Jayne at Dear Author.
Honestly I wasn't quite sure how you'd end it but I enjoyed the heroine's quick witted response and the joy between the two of them. And you even manage to include enough about the villains so that they're not totally two dimensional.
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Carrie Lofty's short story SUNDIAL, the winner of The Wild Rose Press's "Through the Garden Gate" contest, Vintage (1950s-60s) Category, will be published in December.
Amber Schulman stepped into a lush English garden in 2007, only to arrive in breathtaking Sorrento, Italy--in 1958. The only person who understands her confusion is fellow time traveler Mark Lacey, a New Yorker who comes from the land of cassette tapes and Reaganomics. His dark, world-weary eyes beckon her with secrets and sensuality. But why does he seem so familiar?
Trapped in the past since he was a teen, Mark wants nothing to do with another whining newcomer. But the blue-eyed Aussie might be able to answer the one question that haunts him: Do I ever get back to 1987? From soccer to samba to sex, Amber tempts him with a zeal for life and love, pulling him free of his lonely isolation.
But getting home proves easier than they imagined. How will their love endure when Amber returns to her time--and Mark to his?
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Jean Adams' Egyptian time travel, ETERNAL HEARTS, now has a web trailer. ETERNAL HEARTS is coming soon from Highland Press.
Also, Jean's manuscript PRINCE OF SECRETS finaled in the Wallflower Contest sponsored by the From the Heart Romance Writers. The category was "Best Opening Hook," and her MS will be one of three judged by editor Brenda Chin of Harlequin.
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Michelle Styles' latest release, A CHRISTMAS WEDDING WAGER, has received a great review from Loretta over at Barbara Vey's Publisher's Weekly blog:
An intriguing and unusual romantic tale and I enjoyed every page of it. The lovely heroine and the handsome, rich hero involved themselves in a "thrust and parry" fashion towards each other throughout the book. ... The villain fit his role exceedingly well and I wanted to hiss him aloud. My only wish was that the story was longer or that there may eventually be a sequel.
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Join us Sunday when our guest blogger will be Susan Flanders, royal historian.
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Happy Friday, and have a good weekend! Remember, if you don't get your announcements to me, I can give you your dues! If you have an announcement to make for next week, email Carrie! See you next week...
