YOUR PLANET OR MINE by Susan Grant

YOUR PLANET OR MINE by Susan Grant
(HQN Books, July 25, 2006)

This looks like a fun romp.



Think the grocery store is a great place to meet men?

Hunky interstellar fugitive, aisle 5.

With outrageously false accusations piling up against her famous political family and an ex-fiancé in hot water determined to take her down with him, the last thing Jana Jasper needs is more trouble--especially man trouble. But when she heads to the grocery store for an ice cream fix, not only does the muscled hunk in the frozen foods section ranting about spaceships and invasions look crazy, he looks... familiar.

Cavin of Far Star has never forgotten the girl he met during his weeks spent on that quaint little world, planet Earth, the girl who didn't believe he was real. And now he'll risk his future to save her. All she has to do is take him to her leader. Simple enough plan--although Jana isn't so easily convinced. Hell-bent on charming his way past her defenses, he's determined to stay one step ahead of the galaxy's most feared assassin--and may just capture his favorite Earthling's heart in the process.

Excerpt:
http://www.susangrant.com/books/planet.htm

Cover:

http://a1204.g.akamai.net/7/1204/1401/06050915011/
images.barnesandnoble.com/images/11120000/11126761.jpg


ABOUT SUSAN GRANT
One of the first women in history to attend the US Air Force Academy, a former Air Force instructor pilot, and currently a 747 jumbo jet pilot for United Airlines, New York Times best-seller and RITA winner Susan Grant loves writing about what she knows -- flying, adventure, and the delicious interaction between men and women.

REVIEWS
"...one of the best books of the year!" - Mary Janice Davidson, New York Times bestselling author
“...a cute, quirky otherworldly romance that’s totally delightful to read!” -- Tanzey Cutter
“Veers uncomfortably close to our actual plans to invade your pitiful little planet. Pull this book from the shelves immediately or I shall have it vaporized!” -- General Neppal, Supreme Commander of the Coalition fleet


Website: http://www.susangrant.com

Now Touring: ANGEL WITH ATTITUDE by Michelle Rowen

This story looks like a lot of fun. Angels and Demons--a hot combination.


ANGEL WITH ATTITUDE by Michelle Rowen
(Warner Forever, July 2006)

When you're hot for a demon, you might as well kiss your halo good-bye...

Falling naked into the killer whale tank at MarineLand is always bad news, but it's a real bummer when you've just been kicked out of Heaven. Former angel Valerie Grace is determined to reverse her banishment-Earth's just no fun.

Her best friend is a slightly perverted human-turned-rat, and she's being tailed by a sexy Tempter Demon named Nathaniel, who's trying to lure her to hell with kisses that are almost worth the trip. With the talking rodent sneaking peeks down her shirt and Nathaniel getting more irresistible every minute, this ex-angel has only one hope: find the stolen Key to Heaven and go home.

Then the oddest thing happens-Nathaniel starts to show signs of loyalty and love. And soon Val is asking herself if it is such a bad thing to have the hots for a demon.


Excerpt:
http://www.michellerowen.com/ex-angelwithattitude.shtml


ABOUT MICHELLE ROWEN
Michelle Rowen was born in Toronto, Ontario. As a child she decided that when she grew up she would become a flight attendant, a jewel thief, or a writer. One out of three ain't bad. She is a self-confessed bibliophile, the proud owner of an evil cat named Nikita, Reality TV junkie, and has an unhealthy relationship with all things Buffy the Vampire Slayer.


REVIEWS

Rowen does a delightful job mixing things up with her sassy and sexy characters. She has her own unique spin on life and the afterlife and good and evil, which makes for downright fun reading. 4 stars – Romantic Times

ANGEL WITH ATTITUDE is such a fun story...Michelle Rowen has proven herself to be an ace storyteller with a truly fresh and sharp sense of humor. I'm officially a fan! -- Lani Diane Rich, RITA Award-winning author

An amusing heavenly romance with a hell of a price to pay for not reading it. -- Harriet Klausner


Website: http://www.michellerowen.com

Thrillerfest

I'm back from THRILLERFEST. The first conference of INTERNATIONAL THRILLER WRITERS was held at the spectacular Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix. It was exciting mingling with some of the big names in the thriller field including Sandra Brown, Brad Meltzer, John Lescroart, and Steve Berry. I was on a panel called Beyond Da Vinci with John Case, Robert Liparulo, Katherine Neville, and James Rollins. (see below). I understand why most of them were chosen. I felt like I was there for werewolf relief. But I hope I held my own.

M. J. Rose was on hand to give advice on promotion and publicity. R. L Stine, of Goosebumps fame, was the Friday luncheon speaker. And John Lescroart spoke at lunch on Sunday. One thing I learned is that the top writers in the field have the same insecurities as I do. The most interesting panels were presented by professionals in the Special Ops field. We had demonstrations on knife fighting, street fighting, weapons handling, and a discussion on the anatomy of medical thrillers.

Next year, the conference will be in New York, where I'm sure we'll get a lot more editors and agents.

The beautiful Arizona Biltmore, which was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright

I stayed on for a few days after the conference to write in this gorgeous setting. Here I am on the patio, soaking up the atmosphere and working on a proposal.


My panel: Robert Liparulo, Katherine Neville, me, and John Case. James Rollins is at the podium, so you can't see him.


Here's one of the booksignings--which were held after each session.

Now Touring: WHAT NO ROSES? by Marianne Mancusi

I've always loved time travel stories. And this one looks like a doozie.


And you thought your Valentine's Day was bad?

AND ALL THAT JAZZ

Unless Dora Duncan can stop it, it's going to be another St. Valentine's Day Massacre. A year ago, her (now ex-) boyfriend Nick stood her up at the worst possible moment. That was when she gave up important TV reporting for stories like "Too Stressed for Sex." And though such clips have a certain relevance, things have been a whole lot quieter. Too quiet. Until now.

Now she's gotta go back in time (don't ask!) and stop that very same Nick from messing up the time-space continuum. She has to travel back to a place where everybody speaks easy and cuts a rug-and this Chicago ain't no musical. Here, there are tommy guns and torpedoes, guys and dolls, gin joints, flappers, stoolies, rats and a whole lot more; and prohibition means anything but no.

It's the 1920s. Time for Dora to roar.

Read an excerpt of WHAT, NO ROSES?

Excerpt:
http://www.dorchesterpub.com/Dorch/SpecialFeatures.cfm?Special_ID=2107


ABOUT MARIANNE MANCUSI

When not out exposing scams and righting wrongs, Emmy award–winning TV news producer Marianne Mancusi is probably writing. Her first chick lit novel, "A Connecticut Fashionista in King Arthur's Court," was called "a sparkling debut" by Publisher's Weekly. And Romantic Times magazine awarded four Stars to her 1920s time travel "What, No Roses?", pronouncing it "fast, funny and as bubbly as bathtub champagne." In addition, Marianne has six other adult and teen books under contract, including a teen comedy vampire series from Berkley called "Boys that Bite." She lives in Boston's historic North End.


Website: http://www.mariannemancusi.com

Honk If You Love Paranormal!

The paranormal market is booming. Editors are buying it. Readers are gobbling it up. And I’m loving writing it–and crossing my fingers that the wave doesn’t crest.

I know there are readers and editors who just wandered into this magical land. But I spent years WAITING FOR this market.

As a young reader, my first love was fantasy and science fiction. It all started in fifth grade, when the D.C. Public Library delivered the monthly “book basket” to our classroom–and one of the selections was RED PLANET, by Robert Heinlein.

As soon as the teacher put the books on the chalk ledge below the blackboard, I knew I wanted to read that book–and I dashed up to get it before anybody else could.

RED PLANET hooked me on the genre. And in many of the Heinlein books I read as a young adult, there was a love story. I didn’t find out until years later that there was a whole genre where that romance subplot became the focus of the story.

Back when I started writing romances, any hint of the paranormal was rare. But I wanted to include those elements in my books, since I always loved reading books where people had psychic abilities. Or books about time travel. Or creatures that couldn’t exist in the real world.

I was lucky enough to have an editor at Harlequin Intrigue who would let me include the paranormal in my stories, but only if I was subtle about it.

For years I wrote what I called "stealth paranormal" for Harlequin Intrigue--where the reader didn't find out about the weird twists until she was way into the story and had gotten invested in the characters. (In PRINCE OF TIME, you don't know that the hero is a space alien who's been in suspended animation in Alaska until well into the book. In NOWHERE MAN, you don't learn the hero is a clone being groomed for an army suicide mission until you get to know and like him.)

I longed to make the paranormal the focus of my stories, so I wrote a proposal for a book about telepaths who don’t develop their talents until they link sexually with each other.

My agent sent it out, and nobody would buy it. So I put it away in a drawer, and pulled it out occasionally to fiddle with it. I wasn’t able to sell it until last year, when Berkley published it as BEYOND CONTROL.

Before that, I got into the market with KILLING MOON, my first werewolf book.

I’d been selling steadily to Harlequin Intrigue on a brief proposal. But I was sure nobody would buy a werewolf book from me unless I wrote the whole thing on speculation. It was hard for me to fit that into my schedule, but finally I decided I had to write the book.

While I was writing it, my agent retired. When I went looking for a new one, I wanted someone who would love my werewolf story. My new agent did but told me it might be a “hard sell.” Lucky for me, Berkley was starting a dark paranormal line. Then when they decided to close all their lines in favor of the Sensation imprint, they made KILLING MOON one of the launch books.

I’m still writing for Harlequin Intrigue as well as Berkley. About two-thirds of my Intrigues are paranormal–with the weird elements right up front.

My next one is CHAIN REACTION, in October. It’s about an explosion in a secret weapons lab. The men who are exposed all develop paranormal powers. CHAIN REACTION is the first book in the three-book SECURITY BREACH series. In the next two books, the reader discovers that it’s not just the good guys who have developed special powers.

My current Berkley release is SHADOW OF THE MOON, continuing my werewolf series. I’m thrilled to tell you that it’s made the Waldenbooks’ mass market paperback list, the B&N romance list and the USA Today list. It’s the story of a werewolf journalist and an artist who go underground to investigate the sinister aspects of a private Washington, D.C., club, where the rich and famous can indulge their sexual fantasies. Unfortunately for them, there’s a "mind vampire" lurking in the basement, feeding off their emotions.

I’m finding that the S&M theme of the book is somewhat controversial. Some readers have told me they love it. Others are turned off. How do you feel about the subject matter?

And how do you feel about paranormal in general? You love it? You can take it or leave it? You hope the current boom in this genre is here to stay?

I’d love to hear how other people feel.

Blog Tour: CALIFORNIA DEMON, by Julie Kenner

I'm going to buy this book just for the title. And if the story is half as clever as the title, then it's going to be fabulous.



CALIFORNIA DEMON: The Secret Life of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom
by Julie Kenner
(Berkley Trade, June 2006)

What's a mother to do, when there are only so many hours in the day, and the fate of the world is in her hands?

Kate Connor was a retired demon hunter. Now, after fourteen years busting her tail as a suburban housewife, raising two kids, and supporting her husband's political ambitions, she's rejoined the workforce-and except for a few minions of evil, no one has a clue. She tries hard to keep her home and work lives separate-a good idea when your job involves random slaughter.

Between fending off demon attacks, trying to figure out why the mysterious new teacher at the high school seems so strangely familiar, and keeping a watchful eye on her daughter's growing infatuation with a surfer dude, Kate is the busiest-and most dangerous-soccer mom on the block…

FROM THE DESK OF KATE CONNOR…

• Groceries
• Pay bills
• Gas up the minivan
• Pick Allie up from cheerleader practice
• Clean out nest of evil, blood-thirsty preternatural creatures with a few wooden stakes, some holy water, and a can of Diet Coke
• Self-defense class
• Volunteer at nursing home
• Battle determined demon while making meal
• Put Timmy to bed
• Clean up dishes
• Dispose of demon carcass
• Iron Stuart’s shirt
• Write tomorrow’s to-do list

Excerpt: http://www.juliekenner.com/CaliforniaDemon.htm

REVIEWS

"more witty, funny and poignant adventures from the marvelous Kenner." Combining PTA dangers with demons certainly keeps the characters on their toes and readers chuckling. 4 stars – Romantic Times

While there is a plethora of outstanding romance/dark fantasy sagas currently being released … Julie Kenner's Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom novels are noteworthy in large part because of the author's wit and incredibly intuitive sense of humor. Lines like "Infiltrating a nest of vampires at dusk might be a tad on the treacherous side, but it's nothing compared to telling a fourteen-year-old that she's not allowed to wear eye shadow" will have readers laughing out loud from the first page to the last. If you've changed a leaky diaper, picked up a spilled sippy cup, or purchased a McDonald's Happy Meal within the last 24 hours, this fast-paced, delightfully irreverent amalgam of romance and dark fantasy is for you. – Barnes & Noble


ABOUT JULIE KENNER
National bestselling author Julie Kenner's first book hit the stores in February of 2000, and she's been on the go ever since. Her books have hit lists as varied as USA Today, Waldenbooks, Barnes & Noble, and Locus Magazine. Julie is also a former RITA finalist, the winner of Romantic Times' Reviewer's Choice Award for Best Contemporary Paranormal of 2001, and the winner of the Reviewers International Organization's award for best romantic suspense of 2004. She writes a range of stories from sexy and quirky romances to chick lit suspense to paranormal mommy lit. Her foray into the latter, Carpe Demon: Adventures of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom, was selected as a Booksense Summer Paperback Pick for 2005, was a Target Breakout Book, was a Barnes & Noble Number One SFF/Fantasy bestseller for seven weeks, and is in development as a feature film with Warner Brothers and 1492 Pictures.

Julie spent four years mainlining venti nonfat lattes in order to write, practice law full time, and take care of her kiddo. Then she wised up, quit the practice of law, and settled down to write full time. She now lives in central Texas with her husband, daughter, and a bunch of cats.

Website: http://www.juliekenner.com/

TRIP TO RUSSIA

Well, after ignoring my blog for months, I'm going to start posting again. I had some horrible deadlines that I had to meet. And also, we were doing a lot of traveling.

We've been back from Russia (Moscow and St. Petersburg) for a couple of weeks. And here's a report on the trip:

On the way home we had a horrible connection to make in Frankfurt, since our plane from St. Petersburg was late. We had to RUN to catch the plane--not easy for me. And our luggage--with some of the stuff I bought and a lot of my good clothes--floated around Europe for a day and a half before we got it. We didn't have boarding passes, since they wouldn't give them to us in St. Petersburg. So, when we finally got to the counter, they could only get us on in Business Class. A nice way to come home. (I think we couldn't get the boarding passes because we came into Frankfurt on Lufthansa and left on United.)

I learned a lot on the trip. St. Petersburg is a beautiful city. And Moscow is definitely a world capital. But I think we can be glad that we didn't live through the upheavals in Russia over the past 100 years.

After WWI, for example, the country was having a lot of shortages. To cope with the economic situation, they allowed people to have private businesses like restaurants. The enterprises were successful, but after a couple of years the authorities made all the private enterprises close and often imprisoned or killed the owners. Nice, huh?

I got the sense that the people running the country tried various unfortunate experiments on their population. Like when Khrushchev decided that--the U.S. is really successful growing corn. Let's turn most of our wheat fields into corn fields. But corn wouldn't grow in the USSR, so there were horrible shortages of food and long lines for bread. So that must have been before the shortages you experienced.

Our guide told us some Soviet jokes. One I liked was--
Brezhnev is asked about his relationship with the peasants. He says that relations with them are excellent. "We pretend to pay them, and they pretend to work."

I think I've got a lot of good material for a future suspense novel. But as I was driven around cold and sometimes wet Moscow and St. Petersburg, I started plotting a book set on a Caribbean island.

Another funny thing--
There's a very wide avenue called Moscow Avenue that leads from downtown St. Petersburg to the airport. It's also got wide sidewalks, since they planned to switch it to be the main avenue of the city. (Never mind that the main development was in a different part of town. They also planned to arbitrarily make Leningrad--the previous name of the city--an "industrial city" which meant it wouldn't need any trees. But I digress.) As we drove to the airport, there was a tremendous traffic jam. They haven't had a lot of private cars for very long, so motorists often indulge in dangerous stunts. One guy pulled off the road and roared up the wide sidewalk for several blocks. (I assume the pedestrians were able to get out of his way.)

There's very little parking downtown, so there are tons of cars PARKED on the sidewalks. And double parked.

Our son, Ethan, who is a political officer at the US embassy in Moscow, took us to see some sights--and parked on the sidewalk like everyone else. He also took us by Metro to a folk art shopping village. (Where a guy also had a trained bear.) I was really tired, so he got us a gypsy cab home--by holding out his hand. Motorists stopped, and he negotiated a price for driving us to his apartment--which was at least 20 minutes away. It was a really wild ride. Like I was surprised we actually made it home in one piece.

So after cold and wet St. Petersburg, I stepped off the plane at Dulles into 90 degree D.C. heat.

I have attached some pictures from the trip.

Ruth


St. Basil's Cathedral, Red Square, Moscow


Lenin's Tomb, Red Square, Moscow


Ruth & Foreign Service Officer son Ethan dickering with rug dealer at Izmailovo Market, Moscow


Cathedral, Kremlin, Moscow


Norman with Hermitage Museum across the Neva River, St. Petersburg


Church of the Savior on the Spilled Blood (site of assassination of Tsar Alexander II), St. Petersburg


Grounds of Catherine's Palace, Pushkin


Inside Catherine's Palace, Pushkin


Catherine's Palace, Pushkin


Boat Ride in St. Petersburg


Malachite table in Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg


Ruth in Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg


Mariinsky (formerly Kirov) Theater, St. Petersburg


Peterhof fountains, St. Petersburg


Peterhof gardens, St. Petersburg


Statue of Lenin, St. Petersburg

GODDESS OF THE ROSE by PC Cast (Berkley, February 7, 2006)

This story sound fascinating. Really unique.





GODDESS OF THE ROSE is a magical, sensuous retelling of Beauty and the Beast – with a modern slant. Our Beauty, Micki (named after the Mikado Rose), and all the women in her family have a special affinity for roses – their blood, diluted in water and applied during the night of a new moon, makes roses grow spectacularly. What the women don’t know is that they have this ability because they are descendants of a High Priestess of the Goddess Hecate. Hecate is Goddess of Night, Magick, the Crossroads of Man, and of Beasts. She is also the proctrectess of The Realm of the Rose – the place wherein all dreams and magick originate. This realm is guarded diligently by The Guardian, a creature on which the myth of the Minotaur was based. The Guardian swore himself into Hecate’s service for eternity, and in return the Goddess gifted him with the heart and soul of a man, even though he has the body of a beast. But all is not well in The Realm of the Rose. The Guardian made a terrible mistake, arousing the Goddess’s wrath to such an extent that she bespelled him and the realm, and Hecate swore that they would sleep eternally unless the Beast was awakened by a woman who carried the magickal blood of Hecate’s priestess, and was wise enough to see the truth, and compassionate enough to act upon it.

Micki does awaken the Guardian and he abducts her to The Realm of the Rose, thinking that she would automatically break the curse placed on the realm and set things to right, but modern woman Micki is a very unexpected kind of High Priestess, and there are forces at work within the realm, both of love and of hatred that might change the shape of dreams and magick for all of eternity unless Micki is brave enough to make the ultimate sacrifice…


ABOUT PC CAST
Award-winning author PC Cast is a dynamic, entertaining orator and an extraordinary teacher. Currently, her realm is in Oklahoma, where she resides with her daughter and spoiled cat.


REVIEWS

Join Mikki on an adventure to outshine them all -- P.C. Cast’s own version of Beauty and the Beast. Fourth in the author’s Goddess Summoning series, it’s very easy to see Ms. Cast’s love and respect for mythology, and it’s even easier to fall in love with characters that I believe may be her best yet. Romance, fantasy, mystery, and adventure are all threads woven together in this beautiful account of a woman who is clearly fated for greater things. An enchanting tale from beginning to end, GODDESS OF THE ROSE truly deserves RRT’s Perfect 10, an award that is exemplified with each word and every page in P.C. Cast’s latest. -- Amy Cunningham, Romance Reviews Today


Website: http://www.pccast.net

New books from Robin D. Owens and Gena Showalter

I know I've been a bad girl. I haven't written anything in my blog in weeks. I promise to tell you about the cruise my husband and I and some friends took from Vienna to Budapest over the Christmas vacation. But first I'd like to tell you about two new books coming out from two of my favorite authors.

** HERE'S ROBIN'S BOOK **:

SORCERESS OF FAITH by Robin D. Owens
(Luna, February 1, 2006)

With the world of Llandrana threatened by encroaching evil, the Sorcerers must do the unthinkable—summon an outsider to stop the insidious Darkness slowly taking control of their land and poisoning the Sorcerers themselves.

Arriving in Lladrana, grad student Marian Harasta is stunned to find herself the center of a dispute among Sorcerers who want to augment their Power with her own. She must quickly learn her new magical Powers – and decide who she can trust in this strange land. She has prayed for a miracle to save her brother – could Lladrana offer that knowledge, and can she somehow return to Earth with it?

She knows she must offer the Sorcerers something in exchange, and ridding them of the Evil Sorcerer is what they want, but how will she fare in her first magical duel?

With unexpected help – and unexpected betrayal – Marian must determine where her true fate lies.


Excerpt:
http://www.robindowens.com/reads/sorceress_of_faith.htm


Cover:
http://www.robindowens.com/images/sorceress_of_faith_cover.jpg


ABOUT ROBIN D. OWENS

Robin D. Owens has been seriously writing longer than she cares to recall, but is very happy with how her writing career is proceeding. She was named the Writer of the Year by Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers in 2004, and 2003 Writer of the Year by the Denver Area Science Fiction Association. Robin has been the librarian, contest co-chair, and President of Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers. She has given seminars at Pikes Peak Writers Conference, the Colorado Gold Writers Conference, and Romance Writers of America as well as other groups.


REVIEWS

Marian is a fantastic heroine, both fiercely intelligent and independent, as well as willing and able to stand up for herself and what she wants. This book will enchant readers who enjoy strong heroines. – Romantic Times

Website: http://www.robindowens.com



** AND HERE'S GENA'S BOOK **:

JEWEL OF ATLANTIS by Gena Showalter
(HQN Books, February 1, 2006)

Enter a mythical world populated with vampires, dragons, demons and Nymphs…enter a world of dark seduction and powerful magic…enter Atlantis…..

All Atlantis seeks the Jewel of Dunamis, which legend claims can overcome any enemy. Grayson James, human agent for the ultra-secret Otherworld Bureau of Investigation, has orders to keep it from the wrong hands – or destroy it. What he doesn’t know is that Jewel is a woman, not a stone! But once he meets this precious gem, destroying her is the last thing on his mind…

Jewel, part goddess, part prophet, is a pawn in Atlantis’s constant power struggles. She needs Gray’s help to win freedom and uncover the secrets of her mysterious origins. Gray needs her wisdom to navigate monster-ridden Atlantis. But need blossoms into passionate love as they fight demons, dragons, vampires – and a prophecy that says the bond between them could destroy them both.

Excerpt:
http://members.cox.net/genashowalter/excerpt.htm

Cover:
http://members.cox.net/genashowalter/covers/cover_jewel.gif


ABOUT GENA SHOWALTER
Gena Showalter holds a Ph.D. in Quantum Physics (lie), is an expert in Krav Maga (bigger lie), and once worked as a body guard for the stars (the biggest lie of all). Actually, Gena Showalter is just your everyday, average girl who enjoys creating sizzling paranormal tales of kick ass women and the men who can't resist them.

REVIEWS

Showalter has created a ripe mythological world populated with fascinating creatures and dark lore. . . , for extraordinary escapism, read this book. -- Romantic Times

Showalter's fans will enjoy her breezy tone, fast-paced plotting, and sexy humor, set against a backdrop of malevolent demons, vampires, and dragons. -- Ginger Curwen, Barnes and Noble review

JEWEL OF ATLANTIS is clever, witty, sexy, exciting and just plain fun to read. Full of lots of "other world" goodness, it's a paranormal romance lovers delight. With characters that are rich in personality, scenery that is lush and enchanting, and dialogue that is snappy, fresh, and fun, you just couldn't ask for a better story. – Susan at Singletitles.com


Website: http://www.genashowalter.com

“White Heat” featured in SECRETS, Volume 12 by Leigh Wyndfield (Red Sage, July 2005)

Here's one of my favorite combinations--science fiction and hot sex.

Raine has spent the last few years avenging her murdered team, but the cost has been high. She’s hiding in an icehouse in the middle of nowhere from one of the scariest men in the universes. Walker escapes from a burning prison, staggering to safety. Imagine their surprise when they find out they have the same man to blame for their miseries. Passion, revenge and love are in their future.

Excerpt:

http://www.redsagepub.com/w_heat.html


Cover:

http://www.leighwyndfield.com/vol12.jpg


ABOUT LEIGH WYNDFIELD

Leigh Wyndfield spends her free time reading anything she can get her hands on, watching movies, and skiing or hiking, depending on the season. Unable to find romances that take place on other worlds, she started writing her own. Her books have won awards and finaled in published author contests, including the PRISM, More Than Magic, the Holt Medallion and the Dream Realm Award. Her novel, IN ICE, was nominated by RT Magazine for Best Erotic Romance of 2004, won a PRISM Award and the Write Touch Readers Award! Romantic Times calls her work, “Engrossing, enthralling and entrancing.”


REVIEWS

"White Heat is stunning" -- Jane, Fallen Angels.

"WHITE HEAT is full of action and adventure and will keep readers turning the pages and waiting with baited breath to see what happens next." -- Angel, Romance Junkies

4 ½ Star Top Pick RT Bookclub Magazine


Website: http://www.leighwyndfield.com

HIS DARK DESIRES, by Jennifer St. Giles

This sounds like a book I'd like to read. It combines two of my favorite genres--paranormal and historical.

BTW, I had a very personal reason for smiling when I noticed that the heroine is told to "Trust no one." I was once slammed by an RT reviewer for using that sentence. She said I must be copying the X-Files. Apparently, her literary experience was limited to popular television shows and genre fiction, so in her estimation, the X-File writers were the only ones who could come up with that concept. This was also the reviewer who thought I was hinting that the heroine was a mermaid because the hero initially fished her out of a river where she almost drowned and then--hint hint--the action climax of the book was at a theme park modeled on Sea World.

I've been waiting for years to respond to that strange review in some kind of public way. Ah, the fun of having my own blog! Thanks for giving me the opportunity, Jenn.


HIS DARK DESIRES by Jennifer St. Giles
(Pocket Books, Nov. 2005)

Can any woman resist the fire in his eyes—and the danger in his kiss?

From award-winning author of The Mistress of Trevelyan (2004 National Readers Choice Award for Best Historical and Best First Book, and 2004 Maggie Award for Excellence in Historical Fiction) comes the sensual tale of a woman haunted—and a man possessed—by an all-consuming love. . . .

You are in danger. Trust no one. The terrifying words from a mysterious letter echo in Juliet Bucheron's mind. Destitute ever since her husband disappeared in the Civil War, Juliet has turned her New Orleans ancestral home into a boarding house -- despite the rumors of ghosts, the whispers of scandal, and the stain of murder. But even more unsettling is Juliet's new tenant, a handsome stranger named Stephen Trevelyan. Wealthy, educated, and seductively compelling, Stephen fills Juliet's heart with uncontrollable longing -- and her head with suspicion. Something, she senses, is lurking beneath the surface. And someone is stalking the hallways after midnight. As the danger draws nearer, Juliet wonders if she can really trust Stephen. But as he pulls her closer, she knows she cannot resist him...no matter what the price.

Excerpt:
http://www.jenniferstgiles.com/hisdarkdesire.shtml

Cover:
http://www.jenniferstgiles.com/hddsmall.jpg


ABOUT JENNIFER ST. GILES
A former nurse and home educator, this award winning author loves to create unforgettable heroes and heroines, who against all odds, fight and win the battle for love—the human need that drives us all. She lives in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia with her husband and three children.


REVIEWS
A wonderful Americana suspense thriller.. St. Giles provides a fabulous reconstruction era tale—Harriet Klausner.

Winner of Rendezvous Reviews Magazine’s Rosebud of the Month! Who cites His Dark Desires as Powerful and emotional, with complex characters…an excellent journey into the past you won’t forget.

A riveting sequel…a sexually charged romance that satisfies whether they’re seeking suspense or passion---Romantic Times Book Club.


WEBSITE: http://www.jenniferstgiles.com

“The Witches of Brokenoggin and the Dead Who Love Them” featured in BEWITCHED, BOTHERED AND BEVAMPYRED by Gena Showalter

Gena Showalter's got another great story in “The Witches of Brokenoggin and the Dead Who Love Them” featured in BEWITCHED, BOTHERED AND BEVAMPYRED (Triskelion Press)

Welcome to Brokenoggin Falls, where the housewives are not only desperate, they’re Witches! (And one of them might be a Harpy) The spells cast by moonlight frequently go awry. And there are times when toads and Chihuahuas seem abundant as black flies in the summer, the dragons are a little touchy, the Forest Trolls are in danger of extinction from teeny-boppers, the Gryphons need help conceiving and...the scientist are crunchy and good with ketchup...

All proceeds from the sales of this book will go to the International Red Cross.

In which the well-endowed Tawdry triplets accidentally raise the dead while dealing with an overzealous peeping John.

Be on the lookout for MYSTERIA, an anthology expanding on the episode and characters Gena created in BEWITCHED, BOTHERED AND BEVAMPYRED. MYSTERIA (Berkley) hits shelves in August 2006!

Cover:
http://www.triskelionpublishing.com/images/Bewitchedthm.jpg

ABOUT GENA SHOWALTER
Gena Showalter holds a Ph.D. in Quantum Physics (lie), is an expert in Krav Maga (bigger lie), and once worked as a body guard for the stars (the biggest lie of all). Actually, Gena Showalter is just your everyday, average girl who enjoys creating sizzling paranormal tales of kick ass women and the men who can't resist them.

WEBSITE: http://www.genashowalter.com

“A Dance Through the Garden of Good and Evil” featured in BEWITCHED, BOTHERED AND BEVAMPYRED by Susan Grant

Here’s another fun-sounding story from the anthology, BEWITCHED, BOTHERED AND BEVAMPYRED.

“A Dance Through the Garden of Good and Evil” featured in BEWITCHED, BOTHERED AND BEVAMPYRED by Susan Grant
(Triskelion Press)

Welcome to Brokenoggin Falls, where the housewives are not only desperate, they’re Witches! (And one of them might be a Harpy) The spells cast by moonlight frequently go awry. And there are times when toads and Chihuahuas seem abundant as black flies in the summer, the dragons are a little touchy, the Forest Trolls are in danger of extinction from teeny-boppers, the Gryphons need help conceiving and...the scientists are crunchy and good with ketchup...

All proceeds from the sales of this book will go to the International Red Cross.

When Pastor Harmony Faithfull unknowingly hires a tall, dark, and sexy demon to be the new church groundskeeper, all hell breaks loose.


Be on the lookout for MYSTERIA, an anthology expanding on the episode and characters Susan created in BEWITCHED, BOTHERED AND BEVAMPYRED. MYSTERIA (Berkley) hits shelves in August 2006!


Cover:
http://www.triskelionpublishing.com/images/Bewitchedthm.jpg


ABOUT SUSAN GRANT
One of the first women to graduate from the US Air Force Academy, award-winning author Susan Grant piloted jets in the USAF before joining United Airlines. She currently flies 747s around the world.


WEBSITE: http://www.susangrant.com

“Candy Cox and the Big Bad (Were) Wolf” featured in BEWITCHED, BOTHERED AND BEVAMPYRED by PC Cast

This sounds like a fun read. And it's for a good cause, too.

“Candy Cox and the Big Bad (Were) Wolf” featured in BEWITCHED, BOTHERED AND BEVAMPYRED by PC Cast
(Triskelion Press)

Welcome to Brokenoggin Falls, where the housewives are not only desperate, they’re Witches! (And one of them might be a Harpy.) The spells cast by moonlight frequently go awry. And there are times when toads and Chihuahuas seem abundant as black flies in the summer, the dragons are a little touchy, the Forest Trolls are in danger of extinction from teeny-boppers, the Gryphons need help conceiving and...the scientists are crunchy and good with ketchup...

All proceeds from the sales of this book will go to the International Red Cross.

Godiva Tawdry casts a spell, and shy, unassuming teacher Candy Cox finds the were-lover of her dreams; Janice’s cousin Romeo meets Joe, the veterinarian, for unscheduled surgery.

Be on the lookout for MYSTERIA, an anthology expanding on the episode and characters PC created in BEWITCHED, BOTHERED AND BEVAMPYRED. MYSTERIA (Berkley) hits shelves in August 2006!

Cover:
http://www.triskelionpublishing.com/images/Bewitchedthm.jpg


ABOUT PC CAST
Award-winning author PC Cast is a dynamic, entertaining orator and an extraordinary teacher. Currently, her realm is in Oklahoma, where she resides with her daughter and spoiled cat.


WEBSITE
http://www.pccast.net

MERCENARIES by Angela Knight

Wow! This sounds like a really hot read from one of my favorite authors. I can't wait to get my hands on it.


MERCENARIES by Angela Knight
(Penguin, September 2005)

In an embattled, sexually-charged new world of the future, the adventure begins...

Beautiful Trinity Yeager's mission: join Nathan August's star-hopping team of mercenary soldiers. With one condition: Trinity must prove her resilience as a lover for him and his first officer, Sebastian Cole.

Trinity not only sees Nathan's bet. She raises it...

Now, from galactic dens of depravity to far-reaching planets of dominant females and strapping male slaves, Trinity, Sebastian, and Nathan join forces, risk flesh and blood, and push the boundaries of erotic adventure in order to protect, honor, and service.

Excerpt:
http://www.angelasknights.com/mercenaries.htm

Cover:
http://www.angelasknights.com/images/bmercenariescover.jpg



ABOUT ANGELA KNIGHT

Angela Knight's first book was written in pencil and illustrated in crayon; she was nine years old at the time. But her mother was enthralled, and Angela was hooked.

In the years that followed, Angela managed to figure out a way to make a living -- more or less -- at what she loved best: writing. After a short career as a comic book writer, she became a newspaper reporter, covering everything from school board meetings to murders. Several of her stories won South Carolina Press Association awards under her real name. For more of Angela’s interesting bio, visit her website: http://angelasknights.com/bio.htm


REVIEWS

"Ms. Knight has combined the erotic with the romantic and made a classic tale of two lovers who awaken to each other needs. " -- Susan Holly, Just Erotic Romance Reviews, which gave Mercenaries II a Gold Star rating.

"Nathan and Trin make magic together.” Denise Powers, Sensual Romance


Website: http://www.angelasknights.com

"Warfem," by Angela Knight, in KICK ASS

Angela Knight is one of my favorite writers, and I'm really looking forward to this latest novella from her. It sounds like the perfect combination--sex and action!
Ruth

“Warfem” featured in KICK ASS by Angela Knight
(Berkeley Trade, September 2005)

They're sexy. They're smart. And they aren't afraid of a little danger-not even when it comes to matters of the heart...

Four of today's hottest authors present a quartet of stories about bold women who take no prisoners-either in a fight or in love. Whether it's in the bedroom, in the outer limits of the galaxy, or out on the mean streets, they kick heart-stopping action to the next level. These are women who can hold their own and aren't to be trifled with. The men in their lives know that-and they love it...

In “Warfem,” Alina Kasi reunites with her lover Baird Arvid after two decades apart. Passion instantly blazes between the two superhuman warriors, but old enemies and new lies may tear them apart. And Alina dreads what Baird will do when he finds out about the secret she’s been keeping for the past twenty years. But she soon discovers she’s not the only one keeping secrets.

Excerpt:
http://www.angelasknights.com/warfem.htm

Cover:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/0425205649/ref=dp_image_0/002-3514918-5875253?%5Fencoding=UTF8&n=283155&s=books


ABOUT ANGELA KNIGHT

Angela Knight's first book was written in pencil and illustrated in crayon; she was nine years old at the time. But her mother was enthralled, and Angela was hooked.

In the years that followed, Angela managed to figure out a way to make a living -- more or less -- at what she loved best: writing. After a short career as a comic book writer, she became a newspaper reporter, covering everything from school board meetings to murders. Several of her stories won South Carolina Press Association awards under her real name. For more of Angela’s interesting bio, visit her website: http://angelasknights.com/bio.htm


REVIEWS

WARFEM got 4 ½ stars from Romantic Times, which said, “Passion and intrigue are plentiful in Knight’s ‘Warfem.”

Speaking of the whole anthology, Jill Smith wrote, “It would be hard to find a more exciting way to spend a few hours. Settle in for tons of fun and enjoyment.”

In Warfem, Angela Knight gives us a fantastic story of a love that never died and another look at those yummy Warlords! – Pam L at A Romance Review. Four and a half Roses http://www.aromancereview.com/reviews/index.php?app_state=show_event&bookid=6065

These four women live up to the title so anyone who enjoys strong women kicking butt and hog tying their beloved will enjoy this fun often amusing but always exciting anthology -- Harriet Klausner


Website: http://www.angelasknights.com

HEART OF THE DRAGON by Gena Showalter (HQN Books, September 2005)

Sounds neat Gena!! I love your concept of the hero. And I love the idea that the Gods dumped their mistakes in Atlantis. What a neat twist. I can't wait to read it.

He’ll make you burn…

He is a Dragon, a rare breed of warriors able to transform into the legendary creature at will. Though the mighty warlord breathes fear into the minds of his enemies and fire into the blood of his women, no one has ever stirred his heart -- until he encounters Grace Carlyle of modern day Earth. He burns to possess this proud, alluring beauty . . . but he has sworn to kill her.

Journey to the mythical world of Atlantis, where the gods hid their greatest mistakes – the vampires, demons, dragons, and other creatures of legend – and experience white-hot passion, exciting adventure, and a love that defies the boundaries of time and magic.

Excerpt:
http://members.cox.net/genashowalter/excerpt.htm

Cover:
http://members.cox.net/genashowalter/images/dragoncoversm.gif


ABOUT GENA SHOWALTER
Gena Showalter holds a Ph.D. in Quantum Physics (lie), is an expert in Krav Maga (bigger lie), and once worked as a body guard for the stars (the biggest lie of all). Actually, Gena Showalter is just your everyday, average girl who enjoys creating sizzling paranormal tales of kick ass women and the men who can't resist them.

REVIEWS

"Sexy, funny and downright magical!" -- USA Today bestselling author Katie McAllister

This romantic fantasy is a magical work where dragons take on human form and have different values than the surface dwellers. Atlantis is an exotic city populated by dragons, vampires, centaurs, and other beings of myth and legend. There is plenty of action as well as romance in the storyline as the book will appeal to a wide range of readers. Gena Showalter has the magic touch to make readers believe in what she writes. -- Harriet Klausner

(In Heart of the Dragon) Showalter pens a bold and exciting new vision of both Atlantis and dragons. Lots of danger and sexy passion give lucky readers a spicy taste of adventure and romance. – RT

Bold and witty, sexy and provocative, Gena Showalter's star is rising fast! -- Carly Phillips, New York Times Bestselling Author

Heart of the Dragon is a bang-up twist to the old fairy tail with its dragon hero. Grace's character brings a refreshing change to the damsel in distress with her full steam ahead attitude and persistence. Ms. Showalter leads the reader on a thrilling adventure that even the coldest heart will acknowledge and love. – The Romance Reader’s Connection


Website: http://www.genashowalter.com

REALLY UNUSUAL BAD BOYS, by MaryJanice Davidson (Brava, September 2005)

I love bad boys. And you know that if MaryJanice Davidson is doing them, they've got to be something special.

THEY'RE JUST THE SEXY BOYS NEXT DOOR.
IF NEXT DOOR IS A WEIRD, WEIRD PLACE.
Meet Damon, Maltese, and Shakar - three noble brothers from an enchanted kingdom where wooing and pleasuring is practically a royal commandment. They're hot. Irresistible. And just a little different. But what woman doesn't like a guy with a few surprises?


Excerpt:
http://www.maryjanicedavidson.net/RUBB%20excerpt.htm

Cover:
http://www.maryjanicedavidson.net/unusual%20bad%20boys.jpg


ABOUT MARYJANICE DAVIDSON
MaryJanice Davidson is the best-selling author of several romance novels, including UNDEAD AND UNWED and HELLO GORGEOUS. Her books have been on the USA Today best seller list, as well as the New York Times list. She lives in Minnesota with her husband, two children, and dog, and is secretly addicted to Peanut Buster Parfaits.

REVIEWS

These three amusing erotic romantic fantasies are terrific fun stories starring strong females who match up well with REALLY UNUSUAL BAD BOYS. Once again nobody combines humor, romance, otherworldly elements (including that), and erotica into fabulous tales like MaryJanice Davidson. -- Harriet Klausner

REALLY UNUSUAL BAD BOYS is a sizzling fast beach read with an interesting, unique and creative plot. – Armchair Interviews

Website: http://www.maryjanicedavidson.net

“Garden of Eden” featured in ELLORA’S CAVEMEN: LEGENDARY TAILS II by Jaci Burton (Ellora’s Cave, June 2005)

I've always loved science fiction/fantasy combined with a sexy tale. This story sounds like a really fun read.

“Garden of Eden” featured in ELLORA’S CAVEMEN: LEGENDARY TAILS II by Jaci Burton
(Ellora’s Cave, June 2005)

Dr. Eden Mason has spent the past hundred years orbiting the Earth in stasis. Since a nuclear war destroyed everything, she and the other inhabitants of the space pods are the only survivors of the global meltdown.

One special passenger has joined them-Adam-an alien sent to recreate what was once a thriving, beautiful planet. But Adam needs Eden to fulfill his goal, in a way she never expected.

Adam has loved Eden since he first came to Earth, but her father refused to allow him to meet her. Instead, the brilliant scientist kept Adam secluded while they engineered a way to save some of Earth's inhabitants before the inevitable destruction. Now Adam can touch Eden, taste her, love her like he's always wanted to, at the same time fulfilling his duty to revitalize the planet.

His love for her is energizing, and Eden begins to hope that life on new Earth will be a lush garden of sensual pleasures. But Adam's not telling her everything that will happen, and his secret may end up destroying them both.

Excerpt:
http://www.jaciburton.com/newrelease.html#Excerpt

Cover:
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/1419951521.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg


ABOUT JACI BURTON
Jaci Burton was born and raised in Missouri but now lives on an acre-and-a-half in Oklahoma with her husband Charlie. Jaci loves to write about passionate relationships with sometimes stormy outcomes but always a happily ever after. She’s a sucker for romance and a happy ending!


REVIEWS
“Jaci Burton does it again! What an amazingly hot and steamy story!” -- Fallen Angel Reviews

“Garden of Eden by Jaci Burton is a yummy little taste of fantastic science-fiction romance with beautiful balance. -– eCataRomance

“Garden of Eden has a very interesting plotline. Ms. Burton gives us a very imaginative not to mention fun way for Adam to get his energy to re-create a new world. Adam and Eden are well developed characters even for a short story, and the emotional bond that develops between them is very moving and believable. With steamy sex scenes and a plotline with twists and turns this one was an enjoyable read." – Cupids Library Reviews


Website: http://www.jaciburton.com

HEART CHOICE by Robin D. Owens (Berkley, July 5, 2005)

Here’s another great book in Robin D. Owens "Heart" series. Robin writes fantasy at its best. And one neat bonus of this book is that you get to find out what happened to some of the characters in her previous books.

In HEART CHOICE, Tracker Straif Blackthorn has returned to Druida City after his last rescue mission, intending to repair his home and resume the noble duties he abandoned at seventeen, when he lost his family to disease.

He's futilely searched Celta for a cure.

But he may be too late! A secret enemy schemes to claim his title, his lands, and destroy the woman he loves. As an interior designer Mitchella Clover dreamt of someone saying "no expense spared."

Unfortunately it's a wildly attractive GreatLord who offers her the chance of a lifetime - to restore an ancient showplace.

She knows she can never give Straif what he truly wants, but can she resist him? The job isn't easy. Both the sentient Residence and Straif's new snobbish Fam cat have remodeling ideas, and Mitchella's ward instantly dislikes Straif.

For an excerpt, go to:
http://www.robindowens.com/images/HeartChoiceWebsite.pdf

Cover:
http://www.robindowens.com/images/heartchoice_cover.jpg

ABOUT ROBIN D. OWENS
Robin D. Owens has been seriously writing longer than she cares to recall, but is very happy with how her writing career is proceeding. She was named the Writer of the Year by Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers in 2004, and 2003 Writer of the Year by the Denver Area Science Fiction Association. Robin has been the librarian, contest co-chair, and President of Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers. She has given seminars at Pikes Peak Writers Conference, the Colorado Gold Writers Conference, and Romance Writers of America as well as other groups.

REVIEWS

“Character driven story, brilliant dialogue...Terrific writing with a very realistic and sensual romance, make HEART CHOICE a fantastic read” -- Jani Brooks, Romance Reviews Today

"Dara Joy fans, rejoice! Robin Owens has created a unique world of her own…fun and sexy." -- Anne Avery

Website: http://www.robindowens.com

Weird Coincidence

Here's something pretty weird. BEYOND CONTROL, my supercharged story of sexually-linked telepaths, came out last week. It has several scenes set in Oak Hill Cemetery in Washington, D.C. The same week, we got a notice from my husband's college alumni association that they were sponsoring a tour of Oak Hill.

Of course we went. It's a beautiful place, and here are some of the pictures we took.

Ruth









We saw a lot of wildlife in the cemetery, including this black squirrel, two fawns, and a mole.



Another coincidence. The tombstone in the foreground is of Edwin Stanton, Lincoln's Secretary of War. The one behind and to the right of Stanton's is Jesse Reno's, a Civil War general and namesake of the city where RWA had its convention last month.

Reno, etc.

I'm finally getting some pictures up from the RWA conference in Reno. As you can see, I got to spend some time in town as well as at the conference. The Truckee River runs through Reno, and they've made artificial rapids. It's a neat place to play. I waded in, but I didn't have an inner tube. Darn.

The weather was hot but not really worse than the D.C. area--since the humidity is lower.

BTW, the bush I spray-painted still looks great. It even has some new blooms.

I'm deep into editing the next werewolf book--SHADOW OF THE MOON, which will be out next spring.

Ruth


Patricia Rosemoor, dh, and I drove around Lake Tahoe.


Reno transportation option.



Adrianne Lee, Patricia Rosemoor, and I at the Intrigue authors get-together.


KOD-sponsored panel on Research with Patricia Rosemoor, Ann Voss Peterson (not pictured), and me.



Patricia Rosemoor and I at lunch.



Living it up at the Harlequin party.

"MOON MAGNETISM" featured in STAR QUALITY by Lucy Monroe (Kensington Brava, May 2005)

MOON MAGNETISM.

This looks like a fun and sexy read.

Ivy Kendall dreads the full moon. For generations, women in her family have been extremely magnetic on that day—which was fine fifty years ago but not in the age of hard drives and cell phones. That’s why the hotel manager has resisted the technological improvements her boss wants her to implement. Now, the sexy, dynamic Blake Hawthorne is coming to insist on the upgrades in person. Shoot, he’ll probably fire her. Being around Blake makes her body go as haywire as a full moon, maybe even more. And as long as she’s going to be out of a job soon, there’s no reason not to use a little of that magnetism to her advantage, luring him into an elevator where the only electricity that will work is the kind they generate themselves…

Excerpt:
http://www.lucymonroe.com/ExcerptsSQ.htm

Cover:
http://www.lucymonroe.com/images/sq2.jpg



ABOUT LUCY MONROE
Award winning author Lucy Monroe sold her first book in September of 2002. Since then she has sold more than 30 books to three publishers and hit national bestsellers lists in the US and England. Her highly charged, sensual stories touch on the realities of life while giving the reader a fantasy story not easily forgotten. Whether it's a passionate Harlequin Presents, a sexy single title for Kensington or a steamy historical or paranormal for Berkley, Lucy's books transport her readers to a special place where the heart rules and love conquers all.


REVIEWS
"Monroe creates a sassy heroine and gives her a delectable rogue to help solve her unusual dilemma." 4 Stars - Romantic Times

"Their [Blake & Ivy in Moon Magnetism] dialog is priceless and will keep the reader smiling throughout this wonderful tale." Reader to Reader Reviews

"Star Quality is a delightfully funny read. The common full-moon theme is pulled together masterfully by three "quality stars" of the romance genre." - Sensual Romance Reviews

Website: http://www.lucymonroe.com

UNDEAD AND UNAPPRECIATED by MaryJanice Davidson

For fans of MaryJanice Davidson, here’s another one of her hilarious vampire books, UNDEAD AND UNAPPRECIATED. (Berkley, July 05) Most women would love to live as royalty, but Betsy Taylor has found that being vampire queen has more problems than perks, except for always being awake for Midnight Madness sales. It may be easy to find blood (yuck) in the dark of night, but try finding a strawberry smoothie. And employees at her nightclub, Scratch, have been giving her nothing but grief since she killed their former boss. Some people...

But Betsy's "life" takes an interesting turn at a baby shower for her wicked stepmother, who lets it slip that Betsy has a long-last half sister. Now twenty years old, this woman just so happens to be the devil's daughter...and destined to rule the world.

Excerpt:
http://www.maryjanicedavidson.net/U&U%203.htm

Cover:
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/0425204332.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg


ABOUT MARYJANICE DAVIDSON
MaryJanice Davidson has written in a variety of different genres, including contemporary romance, paranormal romance, erotica, and nonfiction.

MJ is the best-selling author of several romance novels, including UNDEAD AND UNWED and HELLO GORGEOUS. UNDEAD AND UNAPPRECIATED is her first hardcover. Her books have been on the USA Today best-seller list, as well as the New York Times list. Starting in July, she has a release every month through February. She lives in Minnesota with her husband, two children, and dog, and is secretly addicted to Peanut Buster Parfaits.


REVIEWS
An amusing vampiric chick lit amateur sleuth tale worth sinking your teeth into. – Midwest Book Review

Davidson's witty dialogue, fast pacing, smart plotting, laugh-out-loud humor, and sexy relationships make this a joy to read. – Booklist

A hilarious rompful of goofy twists and turns, great fun for fans of humorous vampire romance. – Locus

MaryJanice Davidson is at her humorous biting best with this devilish tale of our favorite vampiress since Vampirella started seeking a blood relation. -- Harriet Klausner, BarnesandNoble.com

Entertaining, wicked and delightful -- Romance Reviews Today

Chick lit meets vampire action in this creative, sophisticated, sexy and wonderfully witty book. -- Catherine Spangler

Website: http://www.maryjanicedavidson.net

Weird Craft Project

Here's one of my weird craft projects. This spirea bush bloomed a month or so ago--with a few new blooms still popping out from time to time. The dead flower heads stay on the plant. So I sprayed a lot of them pink. Then I followed with a light burgundy spray.

Voila! A bush that looks like it's blooming. I plan to tackle the astilbe next.

If you want try this technique in your own garden--make a cone of newspaper and grasp each bloom before you spray it. Do the pink layer first. Then when it's dry--in a half hour--do the burgundy layer. It would also work with a butterfly bush. Or anything else that leaves feathery brown flower heads.

Ruth

CRIMSON CITY by Liz Maverick (Love Spell, July 2005)

CRIMSON CITY (Love Spell, July 05) looks pretty interesting to me. It’s my kind of dark paranormal.

Once, this was the City of Angels. The angels are no longer in charge.

From the extravagant appetites of the vampire world above, to the gritty defiance of the werewolves below, the specter of darkness lives around every corner, the hope of paradise in every heart. All walk freely with humans in a tentative peace, but to live in Los Angeles is to balance on the edge of a knife. One woman knows better than most that death lurks here in nights of bliss or hails of UV bullets. She’s about to be tested, to taste true thirst. She’s about to regain the power she’s long been denied. And Fleur Dumont is about to meet the one man who may understand her: a tormented protector who’s lost his way and all he loved.

Theirs is one tale of many. This is Crimson City, where desire meets danger and more than just the stars come out at night.

If you get hooked, you don’t have to wait long for more books in the Crimson series. Liz created the series for Dorchester. Liz and other authors will continue it.

Excerpt:
http://www.lizmaverick.com/crimsoncity.html

Cover:
http://www.lizmaverick.com/images/crimsonBig.jpg

Photo of Liz’s smiling mug:
http://www.lizmaverick.com/about.html

Attack of the Killer Ants

Anybody remember an old SF movie where the L. A. cops battle giant ants? That's where I learned the word "mandible."

I'm not battling giant ants. But tons of little "piss-ants" want to get into my house. I was just outside spraying the corner of the house by the patio, where they look like they're nesting under the siding (oh goody). They keep coming into the sun room, too. No matter how airtight you think your house is, little bugs can get in. (Is this making me sound like Howard Hughes?) The sun room is a prime target because of all the plants. Please, Lord, don't let them get into the ficus tree. That would be a damn mess to clean out.

I have a special affection for that tree. About 25 years ago, my sister brought home two three-feet-tall ficus trees from the Safeway. She kept one and sold me the other. And they're both still going strong, although hers just underwent major surgery since it had to be moved from her husband's office to their home, and it was too big to fit in the car.

Mine has moved happily from the living room to the sun room. Sometimes I take it out in the summer. It's happy outside, but when I bring it in, I have to trim it back since it grows so well out in the sunshine.

Mine's about eight feet high now.

Okay, now I'm going back to my psychotic killer.
Ruth/Rebecca

CARPE DEMON, by Julie Kenner

Here’s a pretty neat book. I’d grab it off the shelf just for the clever title. It’s paranormal with a nice twist of humor.

CARPE DEMON: Adventures of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom, by Julie Kenner
(Berkley, July 2005).

Carpools. Crabgrass. Creatures from the depths of hell. Suburbia has its problems too...

Lots of women put their careers aside once the kids come along. Kate Connor, for instance, hasn't hunted a demon in ages...

That must be why she missed the one wandering through the pet food aisle of the San Diablo Wal-Mart. Unfortunately, he managed to catch her attention an hour later-when he crashed into the Connor house, intent on killing her.

Now Kate has to clean up the mess in her kitchen, dispose of a dead demon, and pull together a dinner party that will get her husband elected to County Attorney-all without arousing her family's suspicion. Worse yet, it seems the dead demon didn't come alone. He was accompanied by a High Demon named Goramesh who, for some unknown reason, intends to kill off the entire population of San Diablo.

It's time for Kate Connor to go back to work.

Excerpt:
http://www.juliekenner.com/CarpeDemon.htm

Cover:
http://www.juliekenner.com/CarpeDemonMedium.jpg

CARPE DEMON: ADVENTURES OF A DEMON-HUNTING SOCCER MOM has been optioned for film by Warner Brothers & 1492 Pictures, and is scheduled for release as an audiobook from BBC America Audiobooks.

In addition, CARPE DEMON was recently honored by being selected by BOOKSENSE as a Summer 2005 Paperback Pick.


ABOUT JULIE KENNER
Julie Kenner is a USA Today bestselling author. She is also a former attorney who lives with her husband and daughter.


REVIEWS
"I loved CARPE DEMON! It was great fun; wonderfully clever... ninety-nine percent of the wives and moms in the country will identify with this heroine. I mean, like who hasn't had to battle demons between car-pools and play-dates?" -- Jayne Ann Krentz, New York Times bestselling author of Falling Awake

"As if having a teenager and a toddler weren't challenge enough, Kate Connor has other problems, too. Take kids to best friend's house, check. Clean house for budding politician husband's party, check. Kill the demon coming in through the window, check. Then hide the body and put on a little black dress...This book, as crammed with events as any suburban mom's calendar, shows you what would happen if Buffy got married and kept her past a secret. It's a hoot." --Charlaine Harris, USA Today bestselling author of Dead to the World

"Smart, fast-paced, unique--a blend of sophistication and wit that has you laughing outloud!" --Christine Feehan, New York Times bestselling author of Oceans of Fire


"[A] sprightly, fast-paced ode to kick-ass housewives..." – Publishers Weekly

Website: http://www.juliekenner.com

MASTER OF THE MOON, by Angela Knight

MASTER OF THE MOON
by Angela Knight
(Berkley Sensation, May 2005)

I have a really big TBR pile. But Angela Knight’s MASTER OF THE MOON (Berkley Sensation, May 2005) is definitely on it. Angela Knight is one of my fave writers, and this is my kind of book–-paranormal and sexy.

The heroine is Diana London, who works hard in her day job as the city manager of a small South Carolina town. Yet she still finds time to moonlight for the Verdaville Police Department–-as a werewolf.

But while helping the police investigate a brutal murder, Diana discovers she’s not the only magical creature in town. A female vampire has also decided to make Verdaville her murderous playground. What’s worse, she has powers even Diana can’t match.

Fortunately, Diana is not the only one determined to stop her. Llyr Galatyn is the king of the Cachamwri Sidhe--a seductive otherworldly warrior with fantastic abilities. He’s sworn to hunt down the murderer, and he’s more than willing to give Diana any help she needs.

And not just with the case. Diana is in her Burning Moon, a time of sexual heat, when need rides her hard. Llyr is delighted to be the answer to her erotic prayers.

But as they hunt the vampire while desire runs hot between them, a deadly enemy urges the killer to turn her sights on Llyr. It seems Llyr isn’t the only king of the Sidhe --and his brother wants him dead.

Excerpt:
http://www.angelasknights.com/masterofthemoon.htm

Cover:
http://www.angelasknights.com/images/momcovers.jpg

ABOUT ANGELA KNIGHT
Angela Knight's first book was written in pencil and illustrated in crayon; she was nine years old at the time. But her mother was enthralled, and Angela was hooked.
In the years that followed, Angela managed to figure out a way to make a living -- more or less -- at what she loved best: writing. After a short career as a comic book writer, she became a newspaper reporter, covering everything from school board meetings to murders. Several of her stories won South Carolina Press Association awards under her real name. For more of Angela’s interesting bio, visit her website: http://angelasknights.com/bio.htm

REVIEWS

MASTER OF THE MOON, a Berkley Sensation novel, got 4 ½ stars and a Top Pick from RT. It also spent three weeks on the USA Today bestseller list, and was #1 on the Waldenbooks Romance List for three weeks.

Another Angela Knight novel, THE FOREVER KISS, won the 2004 RT’s Critic’s Choice award for Best Erotic Romance.

Romantic Times Review:
“Picking up the storyline where MASTER OF THE NIGHT left off, Knight’s latest packs in tons more passion, danger and sizzling sensuality. While her novels are scorchingly hot, knight also manages to keep the stories intriguing and balanced.” – Jim M Smith, Romantic Times Bookclub Magazine.

Website: http://www.angelasknights.com

Weeds, Soup, and Pages

It can get very hot and humid here. Last week it was in the 90's all week. But the high today was only 84, so I ran outside first thing in the morning and pulled weeds. I made it all the way around the back garden and along the side of the house. What a feeling of accomplishment!

The backyard has no grass. I got rid of the grass years ago and made the main area into a garden with brick or stepping stone paths running through it. So there's a lot of weeding. There's a large ground-level wooden deck at one side and a patio on the other. One or the other will be shady at different times during the day.

After the weeding, I rewarded myself with iced coffee, the Saturday Washington Post, and my e-mail in the shade of the patio.

I left the screen open at the sliding glass door and two of my cats--Ozzie and Harriet--sat in the doorway breathing in the summer air. Ozzie would slip out if I let her. Harriet has never been out and wouldn't know what to do if she got there. She's the fraidy cat in the family.

The air conditioning was on inside, so I made soup for lunch. Even in summer, soup is one of my favorite meals. I made curried peanut and apple soup. But I added left over Kung Pao chicken that had been in the refrigerator for a couple of days. The flavors blended really well, and it all worked together.

Then I started a novella that's due September first. Starting a book is always hard for me, so I only got about five pages written. I hope I speed up a little tomorrow.

For lunch tomorrow I think I'll try a West African peanut and sweet potato soup.

Ruth/Rebecca

Baby Shower

Michelle, here are some pictures from the baby shower:

Library Journal & Tonka Trucks

I was really excited to find out that WHAT DREAMS MAY COME, the novella collection I wrote with Sherrilyn Kenyon and Robin D. Owens, got a great review in LIBRARY JOURNAL.

And meanwhile, I've been busy outside my usual sphere. I'm recovering from giving a baby shower for my niece. It was a lot of work but a lot of fun. Over the years, I've collected some neat toys, and I used a lot of them for decorations. I set up my son's old Tonka truck as a napkin holder. And on the dessert table, I used a Playskool barn to hold plates. A lot of teddy bears (and a fuzzy wolf) sat on the secretary in the living room, watching the guests eat lunch. And more stuffed animals looked down from the top of my library card catalogue where they could oversee the dessert table. And I put my favorite Playskool music-box ferris wheel on the drink table. Since my niece is having a boy, I used toy soldiers and other boy toys for more table decorations. And I arranged flowers in cookie jars.

Tomorrow, I switch from babies and toys back to business--the vampire novel that's due July 15 (a Harlequin Intrigue).

UNMASKED by C. J. Barry

I’m into action adventure. So here’s another neat book I’m looking forward to reading:

Love Spell, by C. J. Barry (Dorchester Publishing), June 7, 2005

I love the description of the hero: To the merchants he plunders, he's the Ghost Rider of the Dead Zone. To sector law enforcement, he's a wanted pirate. To the slaves he rescues, he's the savior, Iaghato. To one determined female, Qaade Deter is serious trouble.

And the heroine: Torrie Masters is a great match for him. She’s heard of the legendary raider, but she'd never expected to encounter him. Nor would she have expected that beneath his black mask lurked an enticing man destined to challenge her in ways she could never imagine.

Of course, the plot forces them to work together. Entrusted with the fate of thousands, Torrie has discovered Qaade's impossible dream. Only she has the power to help him. Only she has the power to see him UNMASKED.

Here’s an excerpt:
http://www.dorchesterpub.com/Dorch/SpecialFeatures.cfm?Special_ID=1923

Reviews
"Wow! What a story! Bravo!" -Best-selling Author Robin D. Owens

"Applause for this gutsy tale that steals your heart. Barry's best, simply her best!" -Deborah MacGillivray, The Best Reviews 4 1/2 STARS!!

"This awesome book roars out of the starting gates and never looks back. Along with telling social commentary, it is chock-full of danger, adventure, and romance-a terrific keeper!" -Romantic Times Magazine

Website: www.cjbarry.com

AWAKEN ME DARKLY, by Gena Showalter

Now here’s my kind of book. Dark paranormal fantasy. I’m really looking forward to reading AWAKEN ME DARKLY, by Gena Showalter.

The story is set in New Chicago, where Mia Snow is an alien huntress for the Police Department. Using her psychic abilities and deadly fighting skills to catch her prey, she heads up an expert team of Alien Investigation and Removal agents. Unmatched in battle, Mia fights the elusive enemy among us. And she’s driven by her early experiences, like seeing her brother die at the hands of aliens. As the story opens, Mia and her partner Dallas are tracking alien suspects – but a sudden blast of violence leaves Dallas fighting for his life.

Then a tall, erotic stranger, Kyrin en Arr, appears and offers Mia the chance to save Dallas. The catch? He’s an alien. And a murder suspect. And the price? Mia’s surrendering to Kyrin’s forbidden seduction…and embracing their electric attraction. The closer she gets to Kyrin, the more Mia learns about her own heart, her human needs – and the shocking secret that will shatter everything she’s ever believed.

Neat!

Excerpt: http://members.cox.net/genashowalter/excerpt.htm

Cover: http://members.cox.net/genashowalter/images/awakenme.jpg

Here’s what Gena has to say about herself--

Gena Showalter holds a Ph.D. in Quantum Physics (lie), is an expert in Krav Maga (bigger lie), and once worked as a bodyguard for the stars (the biggest lie of all). Actually, Gena Showalter is just your everyday, average girl who enjoys creating sizzling paranormal tales of kick-ass women and the men who can't resist them. With that bio, how can she miss as a storyteller?

REVIEWS:

"A brilliantly written, fast-paced novel, AWAKEN ME DARKLY sizzles…Similar to Laurell K. Hamilton’s Anita Blake series, [AWARKEN ME DARKLY] takes various steps to transcend the genres of the supernatural, mystery and science fiction" --Fresh Fiction

“Fans of TV’s Alias will find this book especially appealing” --Romantic Times BOOKclub

“Buffy the Vampire Slayer meets Alien Nation in this action-packed adventure, and Mia Snow is perfect as the alien hunter with a secret.” --Booklist


Website: http://www.genashowalter.com

Romance versus Romantic suspense

I was an okay romance writer. I’m much better at romantic suspense. And I love writing tension-filled stories with strong paranormal elements. When I’m asked what the differences are between romance and romantic suspense, here’s what I answer.

THE PLOT:

ROMANCE--The plot focuses on two people meeting, falling in love, working out their internal and external conflicts, and making a commitment to each other by the end of the book.

ROMANTIC SUSPENSE--The plot focuses on two people meeting, falling in love and working out their conflicts against a backdrop of danger and suspense. External forces threaten to destroy these people, but by the end of the book they triumph over the danger and make a commitment to each other.

THE TENSION OF THE STORY:

ROMANCE--Sexual tension drives the romance. These two people are falling in love and desperate to explore the physical aspects of their relationship. Even after they finally make love, the conflicts between them must keep their future together in doubt until the end of the story.

ROMANTIC SUSPENSE--In addition to the sexual tension, "danger tension" drives the story. These people are pursued relentlessly by sinister forces determined to destroy them. The tension of fighting to stay alive increases the level of their sexual awareness.

THE EMOTIONS OF THE STORY:

ROMANCE--The writer must make the reader feel the emotions of the h/h as they fall in love by using her skill at evocative language and describing the physical manifestations of love and sexual desire. (His touch set her on fire. Joy awakened inside her like a flower bud unfurling.)

ROMANTIC SUSPENSE--The writer must make the reader feel the fear and terror of the h/h with evocative language and descriptions that show us their physical reactions to fear and danger. (In the darkness, she felt as if a thousand insect feet were crawling over her skin. Icy terror gripped her.)

THE ENDING:

ROMANCE--The writer must bring the conflict between the h/h to a warm and satisfying resolution so that the reader knows these two people will walk off happily into the sunset together.

ROMANTIC SUSPENSE--Before the h/h can walk off into the sunset, they must confront and defeat the malevolent forces bent on destroying them.

ENCHANTED, INC. by Shanna Swendson

You know I love urban fantasy. I’m usually into werewolves. But Shanna Swendson’s debut mainstream novel, ENCHANTED, INC. (Ballantine Books, May 31,2005) sounds like a lot of fun.

It’s a magical story featuring Katie Chandler, a 20-something, small-town Texas girl who moves to NY City. Katie loves the energy of Manhattan. The downside is her nightmare boss. Then she gets a fantastic offer to work for a mysterious company, MSI, Inc., where she meets some of the magical folk who live among the ordinary residents of the city. And the fairy-tale life she has longed for begins to come true in surprising ways. Katie always thought of herself as ordinary. What Katie didn’t realize is how rare and important being ordinary can be. In fact, it is her ordinary characteristics that make her the perfect secret weapon for MSI, Inc. Suddenly the very qualities she thought made her average are what make her special! Now she has magicians and fairies meddling in her attempted romances and a secret life she needs to keep hidden from her non-magical friends, not to mention that dangerous pull she feels for Owen, an attractive but shy wizard who might be the most powerful magic man since Merlin.

You can read an excerpt at:
http://www.randomhouse.com/rhpg/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=0345481259&view=excerpt

And see the book cover at :
http://www.shannaswendson.com/Resources/shannasbookcover.jpeg

Website: http://www.shannaswendson.com


With ENCHANTED, INC., Shanna Swendson offers a new twist on chick lit for the-now-grown-up fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Sabrina the Teenage Witch. In addition to writing fiction, Shanna is a freelance marketing consultant and writer specializing in technology and telecommunications. She is single and lives in Irving, Texas, with her many pet plants, including a vicious attack bougainvillea and a Christmas cactus that has outlasted three homes, three jobs and three boyfriends, yet still faithfully blooms every Christmas and Easter. She’s looking for a man that reliable.

Here’s what some others have said about the book:

“A totally captivating, hilarious and clever look on the magical kingdom of Manhattan, where kissing frogs has never been this fun.”
-- Melissa de la Cruz, author of The Au Pairs and The Fashionista Files

“With its clever premise and utterly engaging heroine, Shanna Swendson has penned a real treat! Enchanted, Inc. is loads of fun!”
-- Julie Kenner, author of Carpe Demon: Adventures of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom and The Givenchy Code

"I am giddy! I found an enchanting (pardon the reference) book and therefore, have a new author to read. Bridget Jones, move over. Shanna Swendson is offering up fantasy for the Buffy, Sabrina and Bewitched crowd. This is a delightful romp through the world of magic with a dash of romance thrown in for good measure. There are characters you'll love and remember. If you want to escape the stress and busyness of life, join Katie for an enjoyable frolic into the world of make believe.”
-- armchairinterviews.com

A Connecticut Fashionista in King Arthur's Court

Are you tired of the same old, same old? Well, here’s a book with a unique twist--a Bridget Jones like character spiraling back in time to the days of Camelot. I was so intrigued that I asked Marianne Mancusi how she pulled it off in A Connecticut Fashionista in King Arthur’s Court (Dorchester, May 2005)

Where did you get the idea for A Connecticut Fashionista in King Authur's Court?
I liked the irreverent, pop culture laden voice of chick lit, but wanted a book that would stand out in the already flooded market. And I've always been a huge fan of Arthurian legend - read every book I could get my hands on. So I thought - why not combine the two? Send a snarky, outspoken fashion editor back in time to relive Arthurian legend.

Lancelot, your hero, sounds yummy. Can you tell me a little more about him?
Obviously Lancelot is a legendary hero in many, many books. But what always bugged me when reading them is that he's supposed to be this perfect knight, yet he always falls for the wrong woman (Queen Guenevere) which leads to not only his destruction, but the destruction of the entire kingdom of Camelot. I never really understood why this painful story of infidelity (especially when Arthur is such a strong, wonderful character) would go down in the ages as one of the world's greatest romances. So I wanted to explore that theme in the book. What really happened that night when the two lovers were caught together. Hopefully readers will like what I came up with.

I see you have a very demanding day job as an Emmy Award-winning television producer for the NBC affiliate in Boston. How do you find time to write?
It takes a lot of discipline and is not always fun. I wake up two hours early in the AM to write before work. I can't write after work - too creatively exhausted! But doing it first thing in the morning seems to work for me. I also try to give myself realistic deadlines and stick to them so I'm never writing in panic mode. I am hoping someday that I will be able to write full time.

Was it difficult to sell Fashionista?
A little bit, mainly because some editors aren't willing to take chances on new things. The Chick Lit people were afraid their audience wouldn't be interested in a fantasy setting. The time travel people were afraid their audience would not like the voice of a chick lit heroine. So I got a lot of "tis neither fish nor fowl" comments. But luckily Dorchester is a wonderful publishing house that is willing to take a chance on books that are different. Books that don't fit a certain mold. From the very beginning that's where I saw this manuscript ending up, and I'm very glad they agreed with me. :)

about my moon series

Here's where I get to explain something important about my Moon series. I never planned to write a werewolf series.

About eight years ago, an idea grabbed me by the throat and wouldn't let me go. I kept thinking, what if a private detective were a werewolf, and he used his wolf senses to solve crimes. But that was way back before paranormal was hot, and I also kept thinking, "who would buy a werewolf book from me."

Finally my good friend Mary Kirk told me that she was tired of hearing me talk about the idea, and I should either write the book or get on with my life. I accepted the challenge and started writing a synopsis for what would become KILLING MOON.

I was pretty sure I'd have to write the whole book to sell it. So I stole time from my "day job" which was writing for Harlequin Intrigue. While I was working on the book, my agent retired. I made it a priority to get a new agent who would like my werewolf book.

We got two offers on the book and sold it to Cindy Hwang of Berkley. She wanted more paranormal stories from me, and she wanted at least one more werewolf book. While I was writing KILLING MOON, I fell in love with the police detective, Jack Thornton, who worked with my werewolf--and also suspected him of murdering a serial killer. I desperately wanted to write Jack's story--which is how I came up with EDGE OF THE MOON.

Of course, Jack wasn't a werewolf. But he still kept working with Ross. I've been asked why the second book in a werewolf series doesn't have a werewolf for a hero. The answer is, "It wasn't a series."

But the Marshall brothers and cousins kept their hold on me. Next I wrote WITCHING MOON, about Ross's brother, Adam. Writing a series when you planned no such thing is difficult. I've had to add new twists and new kinds of heroines for my werewolf heroes. CRIMSON MOON is about Ross and Adam Marshall’s brother, the one they thought was killed in a bar fight. He escaped from the hospital morgue and took the opportunity to create a new identity for himself–as Sam Morgan, a kind of Robin Hood thief who delights in robbing rich men whose companies rape the environment. He meets his lifemate, Olivia Woodlock, because she tricks him into robbing her father’s house–so she can blackmail him into pulling off a major heist for her. But Olivia Woodlock has secrets of her own, secrets that can destroy both her and Sam. I knew I had to make Sam different from his brothers, because I want my stories to be different. And I wanted to make the conflict in the story different, too. Sam has issues to deal with that his brothers haven’t faced.

But I don't want to be known as "the werewolf lady," so I took on another paranormal subject in BEYOND CONTROL, my novel which will be out in August. It's a story of sexually linked telepaths who find that the more intimate they become, the more their paranormal powers grow. And as they make these very personal discoveries, sinister forces are out to control or destroy them.

Now I'm working on my fourth werewolf book, SHADOW OF THE MOON. It's about Lance Marshall, an investigative journalist probing the secrets of an S&M club in Washington, D. C. That's certainly new territory for me. And I've done some really interesting research for the book. No, there are no more Marshall brothers. Lance is a cousin of my original Marshall brothers--who end up playing an important role in the climax of the story.

100th-Book-Party Pictures

As requested, here are some pictures from my 100th-book party. I’m mostly including shots of writers who attended.



From left: John Rekus (with wizard hat he bought hours before at Balticon), Me, Mary Jo Putney




From left: Elizabeth Ashtree, Chassie West, Linda Williams and husband Pete




From left: Mallory Kane, Patricia Rosemoor, Binnie Braunstein




From left: Mia Zachary, Joyce Braga and husband Mark




Me and "Mr. Rebecca York" (Norman Glick)




Son-in-law Steve Webber and Novelist Mary Kirk entertain the guests