Harlequin's 2008 Report Card & Things that make you go hmmmm...
Publisher's Weekly posted an article yesterday about revenue at Harlequin rising 2.2% and operating profit increasing 11.2% in 2008. Hopefully, this stalwart publisher will continue to weather the storm well. It's great to hear some good news from the front lines!
While fighting my way through the blog jungle this morning, I stumbled across this thought provoking video on Books, Boys, Buzz. Definitely something that will make you go hmmmm...
Bestselling author Nalini Singh explains the origins of her new GUILD HUNTER series -Penguin
A GOOD CAUSE! Participate in an online silent auction for Stacie Holeman, an uninsured patient diagnosed with Stage III Breast and Ovarian Cancer. The auction starts Friday, February 27th, at 7:00pm CT and concludes Saturday, February 28th at 8:00pm CT. Items on the auction block include a literary gift basket from TKA, Gilmore Girls autographed memorabilia, handcrafted jewelry and much, much more! - Support Stacie
Update: This post is now closed. Agent 24-7 will be back soon to answer more questions. Thanks to everyone who participated in our very first post! Remember to look in the comments section to see the questions and answers.
Today, we are thrilled to reveal a brand-spanking new blog feature! We know you have HUNDREDS of burning questions about publishing -- from what genres are hot right now to how to write a "can't say no" query letter. Well, the Knight agents are on the case!
Here's how it works: Submit your questions in the comments section throughout the day. One of our top-notch secret agents will take a brief break from her covert assignment, no doubt entangled in negotiations with some high-powered editrix, to answer two randomly selected questions after 3pm ET. The answers will be given in the comments section. You can check out who our agents are by visiting the TKA company website. But not so fast! Of course, we can't tell you who's the top secret agent of the day. Then what would be the point of the "secret" in Secret Agent? You'll just have to guess...but we'll NEVER tell.
Agent 24-7 has kindly agreed to check in from her undisclosed location and take our inaugural "Secret Agent" post by the horns. So ask away while you can...
Remember to check back after 3pm ET to see 24-7's answers!
With all the conversation of what will become of the beloved printed book, one artist has found a way to preserve it forever. Check out these amazing sculptures by Barbara Alexandra Szerlip. You can read the accompanying article on this artist and see more of her work at HuffingtonPost.com.
Right: La Marquise, 16" x 12" x 12", mixed media, 2006.
Left: The Story Emerges from its Pages, 15.5" x 13" x 10", mixed media, 2006. Private Collection.
The e-novella teaser to Nalini Singh's upcoming GUILD HUNTER series, ANGELS' PAWN is officially on the market! Now available in Kindle and Mobi Pocketformat. More formats will be available soon. Here's the 411: ANGELS' PAWN introduces readers to a world of beauty and danger where angels and vampires coexist. The novella is the prequel to Nalini Singh's Guild Hunter series. In Atlanta, a vampire hunter is caught between two rival factions and the angel who is manipulating them both. Her only assistance comes from a vampire who may have his own reasons for helping her...
Congrats to Deidre Knight, author of RED FIRE, and Beth Cornelison, author of UNDER FIRE, who are both finalists in the New England RWA's Bean Pot Readers' Choice Contest. These ladies are...on fire!?! LOL. WTG, Deidre & Beth!!
UPDATE: The winner of the February 24th edition of "Take Home Tuesday" is Lisa F. Congrats! I know you will enjoy this red-hot release! Please email your physical address to contests(at)knightagency(dot)net. Thanks to all our participants. See you next Tuesday!
Leave your name in the comments below to enter the book giveaway for WICKED HOT by Charlene Teglia (St. Martins Griffin, July 2008) The winner will be announced tomorrow morning.
The struggle between good and evil is about to get…Wicked Hot Edana is a succubus—a breathtakingly beautiful demon who offers men their most decadent fantasy in exchange for their souls. No one can get close to her without being destroyed..until she meets Eli and Dal. Both men are Nephilim, immortal warriors who bind and banish demons. Edana’s mission is to arouse their lust and steal their souls before they can destroy her—she never expects to fall in love. Shared by two virile lovers and lost in a world of sensation, Edana begins to fall for one of the warriors, jeopardizing her mission. Only he has power to save her, but first she must give him power over her heart—and her destiny…
Since I don't have one of those DVR thingies, I had to suffer through the Oscar telecast (well, actually I did a fair amount of channel surfing). Really, I just wanted to stare at Jennifer Aniston's face as Brangelina sat a few giant leaps and one good lunge away (I know, cheap shot). But anyways, as I was watching it occurred to me how many of the great cinematic films of our time are actually based on movies. This year, The Reader and Slumdog Millionaire were both based on books by Bernard Schlick and Vikas Swarup, respectively. Another Best Picture nom, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, is based on a short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald. It's a time honored tradition that great books will find their way to the big screen. My question is which medium usually turns out better? The book or the movie?
Oftentimes, if I've seen the movie, I'm wary of reading the book and vice versa. There is something that always ends up lost in translation. Like some of my most beloved characters ending up lost and forgotten on the director's cutting room floor, or maybe a scene that is rendered unrecognizable on the big screen. Even the seemingly indomitable Harry Potter falls flat in the movie theater. I actually found myself drifting off in the middle of the last 5 hour Potter film...or was that 6 hours? Then there's the converse situation, a book totally lacks the impact and focus of the movie. My first bad movie/book experience happened years ago when at around 12 years old I decided to read the book version of my favorite movie, Mary Poppins by P.L. Travers. Total and utter disappointment. But really, how can you go from the delightful Julie Andrews singing merrily about spoonfuls of sugar and dancing on rooftops to the paperback version? That's a hard act to follow. So what, if any, movie have you seen that was equally as good on paper as it was on the big screen?
Famous Books on the Big Screen:
Breakfast at Tiffany’s – Truman Capote
Ben-Hur - Lee Wallace
The Color Purple – Alice Walker (I have easily watched this movie a hundred times...the book...eh, not so much)
The Godfather - Mario Puzo
Gone with the Wind - Margaret Mitchell
Girl with a Pearl Earring - Tracy Chevalier
Count of Monte Cristo - Alexandre Dumas
The Witches of Eastwick – John Updike
The Bonfire of the Vanities – Tom Wolfe
The Joy Luck Club – Amy Tan (wait, I think I possibly loved both the book and the movie equally!)
Holes – Louis Sachar
The Secret Garden – Frances Hodgson Burnett
The Chronicles of Narnia – C.S. Lewis
Carrie – Stephen King (never read the book, but I just can't fathom it leaving me as enthralled as the prom scene with that bucket of pig blood...I get the heebie jeebies just thinking about it)
Interview with a Vampire – Anne Rice (hmmm...since Brad Pitt was in it, I'm going to say the movie was much better ;))
The Notebook – Nicholas Sparks (never read the book, but this is definitely a 5-Kleenex movie)
Twilight – Stephanie Meyer (please don't shoot me Twilight folk, I've only read the book)
Princess Diaries – Meg Cabot
Confessions of a Shopaholic – Sophie Kinsella
*Insert the name of any John Grisham novel you could possibly think of*
Melissa Mayhue Chat Transcript Available & Kindle 2 in the Spotlight
Melissa Mayhue was kind enough to stop by the TKA chat room last night. She dished about what's in store for her DAUGHTERS OF THE GLEN series and how she comes up with her awesome ideas. - Chat Transcript
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"Why do Kindle owners hate books?" is the question a recent article on MSNBC.com asked. With the advent of Kindle, and now the sleeker, pencil-thin Kindle 2, books are seemingly becoming obsolete...well if you have $400 laying around to drop on this fancy-schmancy technology. MSNBC.com interviewed an unlikely Kindle owner to find out why she decided to forgo traditional books. Ah, the lure of technology is strong! Perhaps if the as the cost comes down, we'll all be Kindled. What do you think? - MSNBC article
Chat with Melissa Mayhue and Win an Autographed Set of the DAUGHTERS OF THE GLEN Series!
Melissa Mayhue will be chatting online with TKA this Thursday, February 19th @ 9pm ET. During the chat, she will give away an autographed set of her DAUGHTERS OF THE GLEN series, as well as dish about her upcoming books and journey to becoming a published author. This is an event you definitely don't want to miss!
WHAT: Online Chat with Melissa Mayhue
WHEN: Thursday, February 19th @ 9pm ET
WHERE: The TKA Chat Room
HOW DO YOU CHAT: 1. Click on this link: http://client1.addonchat.com/sc.php?id=115545 2. To enter the chat room, fill in a username and password (passwords are not pre-set, you can enter any name/password combination) 3. Click Login *Computers must be Java enabled to chat.
Authors and best buds Gena Showalter and Jill Monroe were recently interviewed by The Oklahoman. Check out the interview below!Click here for the feature story.
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Bestselling author Nalini Singh is running a book extravaganza on her blog to celebrate the impending March release of the first book in her new GUILD HUNTER series. The ANGELS' BLOOD Countdown Contest will feature TONS of prizes, including a $100 gift certificate to the online bookstore of the winner's choice. Click here to visit Nalini's blog for more details!_________________________________
IN TWILIGHT'S SHADOW by Patti O'Shea has been nominated for a Hughie Award for Favorite Unique Paranormal. Congrats Patti!
UPDATE: The winner of the February 17th edition of "Take Home Tuesday" is Jeanne Ryan. Congrats! I know you will enjoy both of these awesome books :). Please email your physical address to contests(at)knightagency(dot)net. Thanks to all our participants!
RWA's Houston Bay Area Chapter awarded Melissa Mayhue's SOUL OF A HIGHLANDER second place and Robin Owens's KEEPERS OF THE FLAME fourth place in their "Judge a Book By Its Cover Contest." In honor of their win, we are giving away both these titles in today's edition of "Take Home Tuesday." Remember, Melissa Mayhue is chatting online with us this Thursday @ 9pm ET. She'll be giving away an autographed set of her ENTIRE series. Click here to bookmark the chat room!
Leave your name in the comments below to enter the book giveaway for SOUL OF A HIGHLANDER (Pocket Books, June 2008) by Melissa Mayhue and KEEPERS OF THE FLAME (Pocket Books, January 2008) by Robin Owens. The winner will be announced tomorrow morning.
Nine years ago, Faerie Magic saved Mairi MacKiernan at the cost of her dreams of happiness, snatching her from her life in 1272, and depositing her in the twenty-first century. Now, she must save the last Daughter of the MacKiernan family...who was murdered in 1295. Transported back in time at her request, Mairi finds herself captured by the same evil men as before! Is this the price the Faerie magic requires of her this time?
Ramos Servans has dedicated his dreams to service as a Guardian, but when he discovers the evil unleashed on the Mortal Plain by his father and their people, he swears he will atone by ridding the world of Nuadian deceit. Part of his mission involves rescuing a lovely Highland lassie, and in the passion that grows between them, Ramos and mairi find a new dream.
But falling in love can be dangerous when Faerie Magic is involved. Dreams may not be the only cost..._________________________
Two sisters born to serve… The sorcerers of Lladrana have already Summoned three women to help fight the evil attacking their world. Yet their fourth Summoning brings the unexpected—twin sisters. And ones with strong ties to Earth.
Both have a special gift to heal. But while Brigid Drystan has explored that gift through unorthodox means, Elizabeth has poured herself into getting a medical degree and denying her powers.
Now, stuck in a strange land, fighting a plague sent by the Dark to weaken Lladrana, they must use all their resources to save lives. And one twin will risk her own on an experiment that might doom them both.…
Tunnel of Love Week Guest Blogger: Jessica Andersen
UPDATE: This contest is now closed. Congrats to our winner Rebecca Chastain. Please email your physical address to contests(at)knightagency(dot)net! Leave a comment and enter to win an autographed copy of Dawnkeepers!
On Valentine’s Day, many of us turn our thoughts to love and romance, and reaching out to the people we care about. And I find myself thinking more than usual about the concept of marriage. Or, as the guy in the Princess Bride calls it, “Mawwiage…” My Novels of the Final Prophecy are paranormal romantic thrillers about the Nightkeepers, modern-day men and women who find themselves caught up in a series of ancient Mayan prophecies surrounding December 21, 2012. To fight the coming apocalypse, these descendants of ancient magic users must find their destined mates, unlock their hidden powers, and defend the barrier separating the earth and underworld. But while many of the Nightkeepers’ rituals parallel those of the ancient Maya, their marriage rituals diverge. In the ancient Mayan empire, marriage was less about love and more about negotiating bride prices and work debts, and determining whether the omens were propitious. The Nightkeepers, though, are all about love matches. . . or at least spontaneous combustion. Because while they might be crazy-hot for their destined mates, these modern men and women aren’t too keen on having their relationships determined by destiny and prophecy. And while three couples now wear their mated marks, only one mated pair is married. . . and they met and married long before they knew who- or what- they are.
Which gets me thinking about what sort of a wedding Strike and Leah from NIGHTKEEPERS would have, or Nate and Alexis from DAWNKEEPERS. And it makes me think back on some of the better weddings I’ve been to. Probably my favorite was held this past summer- the bride had apparently been envisioning her wedding since girlhood… and she’d always seen herself wearing bright red. So she did! The groom’s rather traditional parents took it pretty well- they were just happy their son was wearing shoes this time. But at the same time, the ceremony wasn’t at all lighthearted- it was two people very much in love, promising to make a life together. I’m not much of a girly girl, but it moved me. So, as we look Valentine’s Day in the teeth, tell me. . . what are some of the best marriage rituals you’ve seen or heard about? Have you been to a really great wedding? Do you know of a really esoteric marriage ritual you’re willing to share? On this Valentine’s Eve, let’s talk mawwiage!
The fine print. (Okay it’s not fine print, really, more just added info.) FMI on NIGHTKEEPERS, DAWNKEEPERS and other upcoming NOVELS OF THE FINAL PROPHECY, as well as more on the Maya, the 2012 end-date, and other cool stuff, please visit
Tunnel of Love Week Guest Blogger: Katherine Garbera
UPDATE: This contest is now closed. The two winners are Erika Lynn & Karin. Congrats!! Please send you physical addresses to contests(at)knightagency.net. Find what you love to do. Find your passion. Know what makes you want to get up in the morning, that's all you need.—Condoleeza Rice
From my earliest memories I've known two things: 1. I love to make up stories and entertain people and 2. I can't resist a happy ending.
The fact that I had this knowledge was a nice start to my career as a writer but if it hadn't been for the support and encouragement of my parents, I wouldn't have gotten to where I am today.
Doing what you love isn't something that's embraced here in the U.S.A. Most of us find work doing what pays the bills or supports the lifestyle we want. And we live our lives in a quasi state of happiness. I'm saying we but to be honest this isn't me.
I had a job as a secretary at Walt Disney World. It was a nice job with nice people but I had no passion for it. I was a hard worker and excelled at my tasks always earning praise from my superiors but there was no sense of satisfaction from the job I was doing.
I took a leap of faith and started writing. I'm often asked why do I write romance and this goes back to my number 2. I love happy endings. I love the thought that two people are going to fall in love and be happy. And without that I'm not interested in a story. I love to read but I need to know the characters who's lives I've gotten tangled up in are going to be happy. That they are going to get a life together to have kids and build a family.
When I started writing romance novels I realized exactly what Condoleeza Rice is talking about. I have never had to "make myself" go to the computer and write. I long to be at my computer writing. When I'm not, I'm cranky and a bit out of sorts. Writing is so much more than a job to me, it's a part of who I am and I'm so grateful I figured that out at an early age.
What about you? Do you do what you love?I have two prize packs today for two randomly drawn lucky blog participants. The pack includes SEX WITH A STRANGER and BODY HEAT from Brava along with some Valentine's Day chocolates!
Did you know that romance author extraordinaire Melissa Mayhue is chatting with The Knight Agency next week? She'll be giving us the skinny on her time-traveling series, DAUGHTERS OF THE GLEN, which is set in present day America and Medieval Scotland, and you'll be able to ask questions about her writing process and journey to becoming a published author. Also, Melissa has generously agreed to give away an autographed set of her entire series to one lucky winner during the chat. The series includes: THIRTY NIGHTS WITH A HIGHLAND HUSBAND, HIGHLAND GUARDIAN, SOUL OF A HIGHLANDER and A HIGHLANDER OF HER OWN. (Photo: Edinburgh Castle)
Make sure to mark your calendars for this awesome opportunity! To learn more about Melissa, visitwww.MelissaMayhue.com. WHAT: Online Chat with Melissa Mayhue WHEN: Thursday, February 19th @ 9pm ET WHERE: The TKA Chat Room
UPDATE: This contest is now closed. Congrats to Estela!Please email your physical address to mariageraci1(at)gmail(dot)com.
Got Bunco?
When I first came up with my idea for a story involving a group of women who played Bunco, I really had no notion where I was going to take it. Romance? Women's fiction? (For those of you who might not know what Bunco is, let me quote one of the characters from my book. As Shea says, "It's a dice game. A REALLY fun dice game.") Writing about a group of women who meet regularly to roll the dice, drink frozen margaritas, and gossip, seemed like a natural recipe for women's fiction. But I knew I wanted a strong romance in the stories. The kind of romance that I enjoyed reading- fun and sexy with a mouth watering hero and a happily-ever-after ending. The kind that left you feeling upbeat and happy. Sort of like the feeling I get when I play Bunco.
Bunco has been a part of my life since I first began playing it back in 1992 when I lived in Austin, Texas. It was a way to socialize with other women, laugh, and let your hair down. And there were also prizes. Think of a guy's poker night, except with the occasional exchange of recipes.
Over the years, I've played in several Bunco groups. None more near and dear to me than my current group, The Bunco Broads of Tallahassee. We've been together now for 10 years. We meet on the first Wednesday of every month and most times there is a "theme." February's theme is usually Valentine's Day or Mardi Gras, depending on who hosts. In years past, February prizes have included "couples" gifts- like gift certificates to restaurants or movies or Victoria's Secret.Last Wednesday, my group met at Cheryl's house. Cheryl is from New Orleans, so whenever we do February Bunco at her house, there is no question of the theme. It's Mardi Gras all the way!
But I digress... Back to that romance. I'm a firm believer that women need other women in their lives. They need to laugh and engage in the kind of mindless socialization that takes them away from the pressures of everyday living- If only for a few hours every month. For me, playing Bunco is like reading a good romance novel. There's nothing like pure escapism to warm the soul. Or the love life.
Finding romance for Kitty Burke, the main character in my first Bunco book BUNCO BABES TELL ALL hasn't been easy. Kitty's convinced that all she needs is her friends to make her happy. It's going to take a little shaking up (and a hot new guy in town) for Kitty to realize that woman cannot live by Bunco alone. To celebrate my new web site I'm running a contest. Go to www.mariageraci.com and take a sneak peak at the excerpt to BUNCO BABES TELL ALL. Tell me who Kitty's idea of the perfect man is and you can win a $25 gift certificate to Victoria's Secret. Leave your answer in the comment section right here. I'll close it off on midnight, Friday and randomly select from the correct answers. Good Luck and Happy Bunco-ing!
UPDATE: Willa is the winner of an autographed copy of DANGEROUS by Monica Burns! Thanks to everyone who participated. Willa, please email your physical address to contests(at)knightagency(dot)net.
I love language. There’s something about it that can span the distance between crude and harsh to something so exquisitely beautiful that it can make your heart weep. In historical romance, language between lovers is part of what evokes strong emotion in the reader. When a hero says something passionate in a historical romance, the language can make a reader feel as though they’ve been swept up off their feet. Take for instance, the following words…
"I sometimes have a queer feeling with regard to you—especially when you are near me, as now: it is as if I had a string somewhere under my left ribs, tightly and inextricably knotted to a similar string situated in the corresponding quarter of your little frame. And if that boisterous Channel, and two hundred miles or so of land come broad between us, I am afraid that cord of communion will be snapt; and then I've a nervous notion I should take to bleeding inwardly. As for you,—you'd forget me."
When I first read these words, I was a teenager, and the moment Edward Rochester said them to me, I was his. Heart, body and soul. Jane Eyre, Charlotte Bronte’s masterpiece, is a brilliant illustration of evocative writing in historical romance. Bronte’s writing depicts Rochester as strong, bold, dynamic and tortured. The passion and the depth of feeling Edward has for Jane is so beautifully expressed with the words above. It shows his love is potent, real, and strong, and it never fails to capture my heart and soul whenever I read those words. What woman doesn’t fall in love with a man who declares his love for her with such passion, such raw adoration as to assure her that she’s the most exquisitely beautiful creature he’s ever held in his arms?
Ciarán Hinds, Samantha Morton in the 1997 BBC production of Jane Eyre
Several of the core values of any romance are love, empowerment, the offering of hope, a happy ending and the ability for a reader to escape their problems for a few hours. Obviously, this holds true for historical romance, but for me as a writer it offers a lot more. Historical romance allows me to write prose as bold, sweeping and lush as Rochester’s confession of love without writing purple prose.
While the sentiment of love doesn’t change from one era to another, language does. Rochester’s speech, as Bronte wrote it, would definitely sound out of place in one of my Chicago-set paranormal books. It would have to be rewritten to conform to the language we use today. For this reason, historical romance remains my favorite subgenre to write. It gives me the opportunity to explore my love of poetic lines and speeches with greater freedom than I can in my present day paranormals.
Historicals, such as my most recent release DANGEROUS, give me the chance to write a speech or a description that hopefully displays how much I love the written word and its power. As a reader of historicals, I know I love a man in breeches, a man who can sweep me off my feet and carry me off to the bedroom, a man who can use a sword to defend my honor. But the best part of historical romance for me is the language. It’s the hope that when the hero speaks, he’ll say something like Edward said to Jane in a way that sends my heart slamming into my chest and sends tingles of shock across my skin. So share a line or passage from your favorite historical romance that is memorable for you and why. Everyone who leaves a comment will be entered to win an autographed copy of DANGEROUS! The winner will be announced tomorrow morning.
Okay, so, the lovely Jia from The Knight Agency emailed me and asked me to blog. I know she’s lovely because I just met her this past week, and now that I’ve met her, and she’s all lovely—I couldn’t turn her down.
Which means here I am, workin’ my last brain cell to come up with something to amuse, enthrall—electrify you.
So how’s that workin’ out?
Yeah. Same here.But wait! I have an idea. A Valentine’s Day idea (cue swelling strains of violins and drum beats, emphasizing a moment of dawning lost brain cell recovery). Okay, so it involves some blatant promo, but if you read this (all the way through. No cheating allowed), I promise you could win something cool.
So here we go. I write a series called the “Accidental’s”. It’s a trilogy (and just recently became a quad of stories—is it called a quad?), about three BFF who’ve all been accidentally turned into some sort of paranormal creature or another. Marty Andrews was in The Accidental Werewolf. So yeah, she was accidentally bitten and thus, shazam!—turned into a werewolf. Nina Blackman is my heroine in Accidentally Dead, a dental hygienist who’s accidentally bitten by a vampire, and probably the single most cranky candidate for anger management on the planet. And lastly, Wanda Schwartz, in The Accidental Human—sweet, gentle, sorta OCD who’s in deep horse puckey. I can’t tell you what happens to her because the book doesn’t release until March, 3, 2009 (insert more blatant promo here). Oh, and Wanda’s story is still paranormal. Figure that out with a title that has the word “human” in it, why don’t ya?
Now, the men in these women’s lives are not only patient (OMG—they’re like Job times a million), but hunky and totally willing to try and make the eternal accidents they’ve created, right. Real stand up guys.
First, there’s Keegan. He’s Marty’s man. Owns a multi-million dollar cosmetics company, and he’s also the alpha male of his werewolf pack. Oh, and he’s loverly to look at and despite the fact that he was attacked by Marty’s poodle when he was in werewolf form, he loves her dog.
Then there’s Greg. He’s Nina’s squeeze, and if Keegan can be called patient, Greg should have that word hyphened on his name because he deals with Nina. Nina’s cranky, has a potty mouth, and gives new meaning to the phrase “let’s get ready to rumble”. Greg’s a vampire, lick-a-licious, and the leader of his vampire clan.
Finally, there’s Heath—Wanda’s prey… er, potential love interest. Heath has the hardest job of all—winning a woman who’s just been diagnosed with a terminal illness—an illness he has no clue she’s got. They meet when he answers Wanda’s ad to sell cosmetics. Dudes, I know! A man who wants to sell cosmetics is just plumb lunacy. But there’s a reason, and in order to find out exactly why an off the chain hot guy like Heath has resorted to selling makeup—(insert more bold promo here), ya gotta read the book. Though, here’s a little tidbit on Heath. He’s human, too. Aha! I just know you’re all wondering how Wanda and Heath’s story can be paranormal if they’re both human (promo, promo, promo). But Heath has a secret—a big one. He’s also got a great sense of humor and more optimism in his little pinky than most have in their entire bodies.
So here’s how this all ties into Valentine’s Day—tell me, what do you suppose these poor men are going to go through every single year in an effort to make up for the life altering changes they’ve wreaked upon their women? And we’re not talkin’ just fifty years worth of making up—they’re immortal—that means they gotta do this forever. Seriously, what kind of gift can you come up with that’ll evah make up for turning someone into a vampire or a werewolf?
Is a box of candy ever going to cut it when you can’t even eat those chocolaty morsels of goodness because your diet consists of nothing but O positive? Do flowers really say, “Shoot, punkin’, I’m sorry you have to eat raw cow and shave your legs twice a day—forevah.”?
Does an expensive dinner with a wine you can’t pronounce the name of make up for the fact that you’re never going to be able to watch daytime television again? Will a cuddly teddy bear with a big red bow on it make your knees all soft butter-like when you’re battling hormonal mood swings to rival any bi-polar?
Yeah. Thus, this leads me to my question—I want you guys to tell me what kind of gift you think could possibly make something so earth shattering all good. A trip around the world—a Lamborghini—maybe a yacht?
So go on, hit me with your best shot—and see below for the contest rules :).
And here are the contest deets—I’m giving away a signed copy of the second in my series titled, Accidentally Dead. But that’s not all—I’ll personally buy TWO books by any one of the Knight Agency clients and have them shipped directly to you.
Uh-huh—so take a peek at some of the fab authors like Nalini Singh, Candace Havens, Gena Showalter, Deidre Knight and bunches more. Go here:
All you have to do to be entered and add to your TBR pile is this—leave me a comment in the comments section with your answer, and that’s it!
One winner will be chosen at random Tuesday, February 10, 2009. The books chosen by the winner must already be published or available for pre-order. To find out if you’ve won, check out my blog where I’ll announce the winner here http://www.dakotacassidy.net/
Good luck, and heartfelt thanks for the support you’ve given the “Accidentals!”
Lucienne Diver is a woman of many talents, including uber successful agent and up-and-coming author. In a Q&A session with My Favorite Author, she talks about how writing informs her agenting -- giving her a unique perspective into the mind of a writer. Her sophomore novel, VAMPED, will be released this May. Click here to visit My Favorite Author.
Also, if you looking for a few belly laughs, check out Lucienne using her sharp wit to obliterate common myths about agents on Crossed Genres.
Jessica Andersen's DAWNKEEPERS will be featured in the first meeting of the Black Dagger Brotherhood book club, a live online chat to be held on Feb 16th, hosted by Twisted and Vhiscious, with guest appearances by JR Ward and Jessica Andersen. Read the book and let's discuss it! More info is available on the message boards of jessicaandersen.com and jrward.com.
Romance Novel TV is having a fantastic celebration in conjunction with the digital phenomenon, Samhain Publishing. Angela James, Samhain's executive editor, and ten authors are participating.
TKA is proud to have a number of authors writing for Samhain, including Deidre Knight. Today, Angela James kicks things off with some little-known facts about Samhain (has about 50 employees based in Macon, Georgia...who woulda guessed?), and gives an amazing interview where she talks about Deidre's upcoming April release, BUTTERFLY TATTOO. Check it out below.
So, join us for the festivities! The ten guest authors will be dishing about fun facts their readers don't know about them, and Samhain is giving away free e-books! Click here to visit Romance Novel TV.
I'm sure you've noticed the tell-a-tale red and white teddy bears lining the aisles of your neighborhood drug store, Hallmark commercials promoting those cutesy singing cards or any of the other millions of reminders that Valentine's Day is fast approaching. We're getting in on the action on the TKA blog with a week-long celebration starting Mon., February 9th that will feature guest bloggers Dakota Cassidy, author of the upcoming release THE ACCIDENTAL HUMAN; Monica Burns, the author of DANGEROUS; Maria Geraci, author of the upcoming book BUNCO BABES TELL ALL; Katherine Garbera, author of BARE NERVE; and Jessica Andersen, author of the P.E.A.R.L.-nominated NIGHTKEEPERS. Besides great posts, there will also be plenty of contests! You don't want to miss it.
Also, if you're not signed up for our agency newsletter...you just might want to consider taking the leap. We have a special Valentine's Day edition coming out and it's full of great industry info as well as an exclusive contest for our newsletter members. Click here to sign up! Or check out an example, click here for our January newsletter.
UPDATE: The winner of February 3rd's Take Home Tuesday is Audery A! Congrats! Next week, we'll be skipping Take Home Tuesday. Instead, we have the fabulous "Tunnel of Love Week" planned in honor of Valentine's Day. It will feature wonderful guest bloggers and plenty of great contests -- so make sure to check in on the festivities!
Leave your name in the comments below to enter the book giveaway for A HIGHLANDER OR HER OWN by Melissa Mayhue (Pocket Books, January 2009). The winner will be announced tomorrow morning.
Also, don't forget to mark your calendars for Melissa's upcoming chat, Thursday, February 19th @ 9pm ET! Melissa will be giving away an autographed set of the entire DAUGHTERS OF THE GLEN series!!! Click here to bookmark our chat room. TEXAS, PRESENT DAY. Ellie Denton’s world has spiraled out of control. A strange new birthmark, animals talking to her, and her mother’s ex-husband laying claim to the family ranch have her thinking life can’t get more complicated. But Ellie doesn’t know the birthmark’s connection to her Faerie ancestors. Complicated takes on a whole new meaning with her innocent wish to find her true love. SCOTLAND, 1304. Caden MacAlister has more trouble than he can handle. With his brother held for ransom and the laird missing, the last thing he needs is another problem. But the Fae have other plans.A mysterious woman shows up in his stables, sent by Faerie Magic to find her true love. Fighting his attraction, Caden insists she’s meant for one of his brothers. With his history, he has no desire for a woman in his life—especially a woman sent by the Fae.Only the magic of the Fae can determine whether Ellie will find a Highlander of her own...
