Book Spotlight Promo

Savage Nature by Christine Feehan
Pub. Date: April 2011
Series: Leopard Series
Penguin Group (USA)
Mass Market Paperback, Ebook 400pp
ISBN-13: 9780515149333
ISBN: 0515149330

Available for pre order from B&N on April 26th 2011

Synopsis

Danger lurks in the shadows and desire shimmers in the sultry heat as leopard shifter Drake Donovan is sent to a Louisiana bayou to investigate a murder. He's ready for anything except the insatiable hunger that rocks him when he meets Saria Boudreaux, a woman with a compelling motive-and ability-to distract him from the task at hand...

Book Spotlight Promo

Mercy Burns by Keri Arthur

• April 2011

• Random House Publishing Group

• Format: Mass Market Paperback, Ebook 352pp

• Series: Myth and Magic Series #2

• ISBN-13: 9780440245704

• ISBN: 0440245702

Available now at B&N

Book Description From the Publisher

DARKNESS DESCENDS.
LOVE ABIDES. BUT . . .

MERCY BURNS

Mercy Reynolds is a reporter in the San Francisco Bay area, but she’s also more—and less—than human. Half woman, half air dragon, she’s a “draman”—unable to shift shape but still able to unleash fiery energy. Now something will put her powers to the test.Mercy’s friend Rainey has enlisted her help to solve her sister’s murder. Then a horrible accident claims Rainey’s life, leaving Mercy only five days to find the killer: If Mercy fails, according to dragon law, Rainey’s soul will be doomed to roam the earth for eternity. But how can Mercy help when she herself is a target? With nowhere else to turn, she must join forces with a sexy stranger—the mysterious man they call “Muerte,” or death itself, who’s as irresistible as he is treacherous. But can even Death keep Mercy alive for long enough to find her answers?

ROYAL WEDDINGS: A New E-Anthology from Stephanie Laurens, Gaelen Foley and Loretta Chase

You are cordially invited

To help celebrate the Royal Wedding of Prince William to Catherine Middleton

ROYAL WEDDINGS:

A New E-Anthology from Stephanie Laurens, Gaelen Foley and Loretta Chase

NEW YORK, NY, April 5, 2011 -- Avon Impulse presents a special, commemorative anthology of short fiction written by New York Times bestselling romance authors, on sale today in anticipation of the impending royal nuptials!  ROYAL WEDDINGS (Avon Impulse; on sale 4/5; e-ISBN 9780062100016; $1.99), by Stephanie Laurens, Gaelen Foley and Loretta Chase. This collection is the second original release from Avon’s new digital imprint. 

The world has long been fascinated with the majesty and romance of royal weddings, even in Regency and Victorian England.  Three never-before-released short stories by bestsellers Laurens, Chase, and Foley, capture the world’s love affair with Will and Kate’s real life fairy tale romance, and celebrate our enduring romance with British royalty.

Author Gaelen Foley explains the enduring attraction Americans feel for these British icons, saying, “Ultimately, how we feel about the royals tells us a great deal more about ourselves than it tells us about them. They are mirrors for our best imagined selves or chaotic reflections of our worst days. We all grew up with fairytales. We just apply their lessons differently. The royals know that they are princes and princess: They expect to have adventures, slay dragons, and do great deeds. The only question is…why don’t we?”

Between the pages of a book, we can be vicariously noble, and ROYAL WEDDINGS is a personal invitation to imagine living and loving on a majestic scale.

Each novella in the anthology features the romance of a fictional couple told against the backdrop of a real life royal wedding event, including the marriages of Princess Charlotte and Queen Victoria:

·        Stephanie Laurens' The Wedding Planner: Lady Margaret is proud to plan the Ton's most important nuptials—including that of a prince. But it's Lady Margaret who falls in love . . . with dashing Gaston Devilliers!

·        Gaelen Foley's Ever After: How scandalous! Eleanor Monford, Countess of Archer, is in love with her own husband. And as Princess Charlotte of England weds Prince Leopold, Eleanor's "secret" is about to come out.

·        Loretta Chase's The Jilting of Lord Rothwick: On the eve of Queen Victoria's wedding to Prince Albert, the Marquess of Rothwick learns his fiancée, Barbara Findley, has broken their engagement! So he desperately rides out of London to seek her out . . . and to win her back.

ROYAL WEDDINGS is on-sale 4/5/11 wherever e-books are sold.  More information is available online at www.avonromance.com.

Also Available from Avon Impulse:
A LADY’S WISH by Katharine Ashe (e-ISBN 9780062091789) is an exclusive "Rogues of the Sea" Series novella (which includes an excerpt from Ashe’s new novel, Captured by a Rogue Lord, available April 2011).  To the world, Lady Patricia Morgan is a proper lady. But in secret, she yearns for scorching romance with a certain breathtaking gentleman she has never forgotten. They spent one perfect day together, but he disappeared before she could learn his name. Eight years ago, Captain Nikolas Acton ran off to join the navy so he could forget the mysterious young lady who, after promising him her heart, simply vanished. Now, he has returned to England as a war hero, and is staggered to come face to face with the woman who still possesses his heart.

Available wherever e-books are sold.

www.avonromance.com

# # #

Streaming live from Romantic Times in Los Angeles: ROMANCE LIVE featuring 6 bestselling historical romance authors‏

ALERT:

NEW AVON “ROMANCE LIVE” STREAMING AUTHOR EVENT ANNOUNCED!

FEATURING BESTSELLING HISTORICAL ROMANCE AUTHORS

KATHARINE ASHE

ELIZABETH BOYLE

TESSA DARE

SOPHIE JORDAN

CATHY MAXWELL

SOPHIA NASH

LIVE FROM RT BOOKLOVERS CONVENTION IN LOS ANGELES!

April 6, 2011

6 pm PT

www.livestream.com/romance

WHAT:

If you are a romance fan, but you can’t make it to the RT Booklovers Convention in Los Angeles next week, join your favorite authors online for a virtual chat and book signing, broadcast live from the Avalon Ballroom at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in L.A.!

WHO:

Featured among the participating New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors are: Katharine Ashe, Elizabeth Boyle, Tessa Dare, Sophie Jordan, Cathy Maxwell and Sophia Nash.

WHEN:

April 6, 2011

6 pm PT; 9 pm ET

WHY:

This is the fifth live-streaming event brought to fans by Avon Books.  Our most recent “online signing” from Turn the Page Bookstore in Boonsboro MD featured authors such as Nora Roberts and Jeaniene Frost, and was enjoyed by more than 1500 romance fans around the world via Livestream.  Attendees travelled (virtually) from as far as Germany, Kenya, India, Pakistan, Ireland, Nigeria and Tunisia!

WHERE:

Participants can watch online at www.livestream.com/romance, and order personalized copies at http://www.mystgalaxy.com/event/rt-booklovers-convention-la.

Sunny's Release Party!!

Join Bitten By Books on 3/28 with author Sunny for a Release Party, chat and contest. This event starts at 12:00 pm Central and runs into the evening. For those visiting from outside of the US, here is the time conversion link. We are in the Chicago time zone: http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/

Sunny will also be talking about her new book Mona Lisa Eclipsing the newest novel in the Monere series. She will also be chatting about Mona Lisa Three which was previously published in the New York Times bestselling anthology, Over the Moon. This awesome novella is coming out as an eSpecial single read an excerpt here http://www.sunnyauthor.com/mona-lisa-three-especial/#excerpt in several days on March 25th.

“Roberto, a jaguar-shifter of mixed Monère heritage, arrives in Cozumel to kill a rival. But he finds a more valuable prize in Mona Lisa, a Monère who’s lost her memory and can be manipulated into believing anything-no matter how dark or dangerous.”

Tea & (Romantic) Company: Featuring Julia Quinn & Eloisa James

10 East 53^rd Street, New York NY 10022

Review: The Art of Seducing A Naked Werewolf by Molly Harper

The Art of Seducing A Naked Werewolf by Molly Harper
Naked Werewolf #2
Pocket Books
March 29th 2011
Mass Market Paperback , E-book, 352pp
ISBN-13: 9781439195871
Purchase links:
Amazon, B&N, Book Depository, Borders

Review book used was supplied by publisher. 















Description:


Baring It All

Generations of werewolves have been secretly residing in a secluded valley a stone’s throw from Grundy, Alaska. So when a snooping Outsider comes to Grundy to investigate rumors of lycanthropic shenanigans in the area, the valley’s pack alpha, Maggie Graham, resolves to chase him away, even if doing so takes a quick bite on the butt. What a pity that researcher Nick Thatcher turns out to be so drool-worthy, and that his kisses make Maggie want to sit up and beg. Maggie just can’t seem to convince Nick to leave . . . and even worse, she can’t convince herself to stay away from him. Cross-species dating is problem enough for a harried alpha female, but on top of that, a rival group of werewolves is trying to move into the valley. With interpack war threatening, Maggie can’t afford to be distracted. Combining romance and a career can be tough for anyone; for a werewolf in love with a human, it may be disastrous. . . .



The Short Review:


The book description pretty much says it all about what the book is about.. However what you don't know is how hilarious and great this book really is. Once again, Molly Harper has worked her magic and gives readers what they want to read.. sarcastic yet strong heroines who try to "deal" with amorous heroes with sexy banter thrown in between each other.

And one can't forget about the other supporting characters who try to be annoying yet you just can't help but laugh out loud with their antics.



I give The Art of Seducing A Naked Werewolf a 5 star review.

Review: The Welcome Home Garden Club by Lori Wilde

The Welcome Home Garden Club

March 29th 2011

• HarperCollins Publishers
• Format: Mass Market Paperback, Ebook 400pp     
• Series: Twilight, Texas Series
• ISBN-13: 9780061988431
• ISBN: 006198843X
• Review book provided by publisher for this review. 

Synopsis

Traditional meaning of Pink and White Roses: I love you still and always will.

Caitlyn Marsh stopped believing in happily-ever-after when high-school sweetheart, Gideon Garza, left for Iraq. Now she raises her small son while her matchmaking gardening club members drive her crazy. Then Caitlyn's world turns upside-down when Gideon swaggers back to Twilight.

Gideon had left town in the middle of night with threats ringing in his ears. A lot of things have changed since then. This bad boy-turned-Green Beret bears scars from the war, the timid girl he loved is an independent mother, and the father who refused to recognize his son in life has, in death, left him a vast cattle ranch.

He still aches for Caitlyn, and now there's a dark-haired boy who looks exactly like Gideon did at that age. Could the child be his? And can this war-weary soldier overcome the scars of the past to claim the family he so richly deserves? 

Review:

The last person Caitlyn expected to see at J.  Foster Goodnight’s funeral was the one man she thought was dead and gone; Gideon Garza.  Gideon reluctantly returns to Twilight to sort out his past so he can finally move on.  He too had no clue that his old girlfriend would be at the one place he would rather not be at all. 

Neither know the truth about what separated them all those years ago. But fate is one fickle lady and she’ll have the last say as to who belongs with who.  

The heroine, Caitlyn is not the only one with secrets in the town of Twilight. Her world just turned upside literally as she passes out in front a ‘dead’ man.  I love how stubborn Caitlyn is yet is willing to accept that she is no grounds to judge people who have done her wrong.  Well, as the story progresses that is.  

Lori Wilde has returned with another amazing tale of long lost lovers reuniting despite all the years that have passed and the people who thought they were doing the right thing for them. 

In The Welcome Home Garden Club, readers will learn that despite the hell Gideon Garza has gone through because the war, it hasn’t transformed him into a bitter or hateful man. Others try to come between Gideon and Caitlyn yet they are both willing to go the distance not to be separated again. 

The hot romance between Gideon and Caitlyn will keep readers burning up while reading each new romantic scene.

At the end of the day; life may come and go but family and true love are forever. 

I rate The Welcome Home Garden Club a rating of 4 stars. 

New Promo Contest Shadowspell by Jenna Black

Shadowspell (Faeriewalker Series #2)

Product Details

• Pub. Date: January 2011
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press
• Format: Paperback , 320pp
• Sales Rank: 14,664
• Age Range: Young Adult

• Series: Faeriewalker Series , #2
• ISBN-13: 9780312575946
• ISBN: 0312575947

Synopsis

On top of spending most of her time in a bunkerlike safe house and having her dates hijacked by a formidable Fae bodyguard, Faeriewalker Dana Hathaway is in for some more bad news: the Erlking and his pack of murderous minions known as the Wild Hunt have descended upon Avalon. With his homicidal appetite and immortal powers, the Erlking has long been the nightmare of the Fae realm. 

A fragile treaty with the Faerie Queen, sealed with a mysterious spell, is the one thing that keeps him from hunting unchecked in Avalon, the only place on Earth where humans and Fae live together. 

Which means Dana’s in trouble, since it’s common knowledge that the Faerie Queen wants her – and her rare Faeriewalker powers – dead. The smoldering, sexy Erlking’s got his sights set on Dana, but does he only seek to kill her, or does he have something much darker in mind?

To enter you must:

1) Be a Romancebites follower here.

2) Leave a comment below.

3) And following tweet #RomanceBites or facebook share about this giveaway. 

Don't forget to post your link in the comment section below.

Contest open worldwide as long as country is deliverable from Book Depository.

Giveaway will end April 1st, 2011.

Good luck! 

Dark Prince by Christine Promo Contest!!

In Celebration of the new Dark Prince author's cut special book release tomorrow March 8th... the publishers of HarperCollins I am hosting a give away of a copy of this new book. 

The Author’s Cut Special Edition of the beloved first novel in Christine Feehan’s New York Times bestselling Dark series Dark Prince

Enter the enchanting world of the Carpathians, where dark adventure, mystery, and love await, and the desires of two daring hearts unite in one irresistible passion.

A telepathic hunter of serial killers, Raven Whitney helps to catch some of the most depraved criminals. But her work keeps her from getting close to others, and has drained her body and spirit. In need of rest and rejuvenation, she embarks for a vacation far from home.

Mikhail Dubrinsky is the prince of the Carpathians, the powerful leader of a wise and secret ancient race that thrives in the night. Engulfed by despair, fearful of never finding the mate who can save him from the encroaching darkness, his soul cries out in loneliness—until the day that a beautiful voice full of light and love responds, softly soothing his pain and yearning.

From the moment they meet, Raven and Mikhail are helpless to resist the desire that sparks between them. But just as fate unexpectedly brings these life mates together, malevolent forces threaten to destroy them and their fragile love. Yet even if they survive, how can these two lovers—Carpathian and human—build a future together? And how can Mikhail bring Raven into his dark world without extinguishing her beautiful goodness and light?

To enter you must:

1) Be a Romancebites follower here.

2) Leave a comment below.

3) And following tweet #RomanceBites or facebook share about this giveaway. Don't forget to post your link in the comment section below.

This giveaway will be only for residents of the U.S. 

Contest ends March 21st, 2011.

NEWS: Avon introduces new digital imprint‏

Give in to Impulse:

Avon Books Introduces Digital Publishing Imprint

Avon Impulse Launches March 2011 with e-Original Romances

NEW YORK, NY, March 7, 2011 – Today, Avon Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, announces the debut of Avon Impulse, a new imprint dedicated to digital publishing.  The new imprint will feature e-books and print-to-order novels and novellas by existing Avon authors, and will seek new talent to nurture in an e-book marketplace that finds Romance experiencing expansive growth.  “Romance readers have been among the first to embrace books digitally,” says Liate Stehlik, Senior Vice President and Publisher of William Morrow and Avon Books.  “Their passion has encouraged us to introduce a line of romance e-books, which empowers Avon to publish more quickly, with an eye to what’s trending in fiction.”  The new imprint is looking to publish multiple titles each month, eventually releasing new content on a weekly basis.  The Avon Impulse brand has grown organically from Avon’s existing publishing program and offers authors all the strengths of Avon’s widely respected team.  Books will be acquired by Avon editors, and will benefit by targeted marketing and publicity plans, as well as powerful sales platforms.

“What sets Avon Impulse apart,” affirms Stehlik, “is that authors are signing to work alongside the Avon team, and will benefit from the same platforms that Avon authors have always enjoyed.”

As part of the imprint’s publishing strategy, each Avon Impulse e-book will benefit from a dedicated “five-point” marketing and publicity platform, helping build awareness in the competitive marketplace.  Plans include cross promotion, digital marketing and publicity, social media outreach, interactive assets and coaching, as well as targeted online retail placement strategies.

“Without traditional printing constraints, we can edit, market and release e-books more quickly, allowing unprecedented speed to market,” says Carrie Feron, Morrow/Avon Vice President and Editorial Director.  “The Avon Impulse imprint also allows us greater flexibility in the length of books we can publish – from novella to full-length fiction, and enables us to explore new themes in romance.”

“There is so much opportunity right now within the romance genre,” Stehlik says.   “Readers have found a rich array of fresh content using digital and e-reading devices.  It’s crystal clear that we can nurture great talent via Avon Impulse’s e-book publishing platform – and that there is already a very dedicated fan base of savvy digital readers.”

-more-

Avon Impulse, Page 2

The line launches with A LADY’S WISH, an original e-novella by Katharine Ashe; on-sale 3/15/11; and then features ROYAL WEDDING, a historical romance short fiction anthology by Stephanie Laurens, Gaelen Foley and Loretta Chase,  timed to coincide with the nuptials of Britain’s most beloved young couple.  Later in the season bring four releases from Lavinia Kent and a prelude to Karina Cooper’s Avon debut, Blood of the Wicked.  Jaime Rush launches a brand new series with a  digital short; and a full-length paranormal romance novel by author Kristin Miller will be released in the summer.

Avon Impulse is currently in the acquisition and production process for e-books to be published in 2011 and 2012.  “We are actively looking to acquire for Avon Impulse,” says Feron.  Authors looking to submit to Avon Impulse can find guidelines and an online submission portal at www.avonimpulse.com.  “We are looking for quality submissions across every romance subgenre,” says Feron.

Avon Impulse e-books will be made available at all online retailers, everywhere in the world where English-language e-books are sold.  For those seeking a hard copy of individual Avon Impulse titles, print-to-order books will be available from online book retailers.

For more information on Avon Impulse, and a detailed FAQ, visit www.avonimpulse.com.

ABOUT HARPERCOLLINS PUBLISHERS

HarperCollins, one of the largest English-language publishers in the world, is a subsidiary of News Corporation (NYSE: NWS, NWS.A; ASX: NWS, NWSLV). Headquartered in New York, HarperCollins has publishing groups around the world including the HarperCollins General Books Group, HarperCollins Children's Books Group, Zondervan, HarperCollins UK, HarperCollins Canada, HarperCollins Australia/New Zealand and HarperCollins India. HarperCollins is a broad-based publisher with strengths in literary and commercial fiction, business books, children's books, cookbooks, mystery, romance, reference, religious and spiritual books. With nearly 200 years of history HarperCollins has published some of the world's foremost authors and has won numerous awards including the Nobel Prize, the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award, the Newbery Medal and the Caldecott. You can visit HarperCollins Publishers on the Internet at http://www.harpercollins.com.

# # #

Dorchester Publishing Launches New E-Commerce Web Site

Dorchester Publishing Launches New E-Commerce Web Site

NEW YORK, New York (March 4, 2011) – Dorchester Publishing Co., Inc., founded in 1971, and what was until this year the oldest independent mass-market publisher in the U.S., has launched a new e-commerce Webs site to showcase the new Trade books, Audio titles and the explosive growth of e-books.

In addition to print and audio books, the new site enables Dorchester to sell e-books direct from the publisher for the first time. Partnering with Ingram Digital for e-book fulfillment, the Dorchester Web site offers EPUB e-books to customers, a format compatible with all major e-reader devices on the market today with the exception of Kindle. Rather listen to the book? Dorchester will also offer value priced audio books of many of its titles on the site through its partner Audio Realms.

“The direct to consumer sale of audio and e-books is an opportunity for Dorchester to achieve real growth in the digital marketplace. At the same time it will put us in more direct contact with the fans of the genres and help us find new trends and new lines that the consumer wants. We can do this while still showcasing the original genre fiction that Dorchester has discovered and published for over 40 years. We seek to become THE online site for romance, horror and the best that genre fiction has to offer.” stated Tim DeYoung, Senior VP Sales Marketing Distribution.

The new Web site is part of the growing Dorchester Community—an online environment aimed at providing readers an informational and entertaining experience while making their opinions known and helping influence Dorchester publishing plans for the future.

With the new Web site, equipped with multiple interactive features including message boards, blogs, Facebook, Twitter and others, the Community will always be up to date on new releases, author appearances, and industry news while fostering author/reader interactions and previewing content from upcoming releases. Contests, giveaways and a direct from the publisher discount of 10% on all purchases will help make Dorchester a destination for genre fiction.

About Dorchester Publishing

Founded in 1971, Dorchester became the oldest independent mass-market publisher in the U.S., and the only mass-market house with dedicated lines for Westerns and horror. Dorchester has always been a company that’s willing to take risks. Recently they’ve made the exciting transition from mass-market to trade paperback and e-book formats. Dorchester is proud to be at the forefront of the change in the industry to a more digital base readership while we continue to publish our signature genre fiction. For almost 40 years Dorchester’s dedicated staff has worked tirelessly to discover and promote new talent. The romance line has built such stars as Christine Feehan, Katie MacAlister, Connie Mason, Lynsay Sands, and numerous others. Dorchester books have won awards for every category in which they’re eligible and have been featured in The New York Times, Newsweek, USA Today, Redbook, Time, CNN, The Los Angeles Times and many more.

Virtual Author Webcast - Author Maggie Stiefvater

Virtual Author Webcast - Author Maggie Stiefvater

Monday, March 7 | 4 PM

In celebration of Teen Tech Month, the Houston Public Library presents an Almost, Totally Virtually Here author webcast: Meet and chat with Maggie Stiefvater, author of Shiver, Linger & Forever. Author chats are the virtual equivalent to sitting and chatting with your favorite writer at a coffee shop.

he Wolves of Mercy Falls
When Grace falls in love with Sam, a boy who must become a wolf each winter, they must decide how much they're willing to risk in order to be together.

SHIVER
For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf—her wolf—is a chilling presence she can't seem to live without. Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl.
Read all about Shiver here.

LINGER
This is the story of a boy who used to be a wolf and a girl who was becoming one. Just a few months ago, it was Sam who was the mythical creature. But now it is spring. With the heat, the remaining wolves will soon be falling out of their wolf pelts and back into their human bodies...
Read all about Linger here.

FOREVER
Coming July 12, 2011
The conclusion to #1 bestselling Shiver trilogy. In Shiver, Grace and Sam found each other. In Linger, they fought to be together. Now, in Forever, the stakes are even higher than before. Wolves are being hunted. Lives are being threatened. And love is harder and harder to hold on to as death comes closing in.
Read all about Forever here.

---

NOTE ON VIRTUAL ONLINE CHATS:

Customers can view the broadcast from any computer, any where in the country! You can view the webcast below or you can click here to view. If you would like, you can also visit any of the listed HPL locations to participate in these virtual author visits.

Note: To chat with the author, please use the window below. You must have a UStream account to participate in the chat. UStream accounts are free. An account is not needed if you are viewing these webcast only.

Kim Harrison goes virtually live on Friday 2/25 at Jo Beth Cincy!‏

New York Times bestselling author KIM HARRISON's newest book, PALE DEMON, went on sale yesterday...and it's already in the top 15 at Amazon.com!

Kim's "Hollows" books have made Cincy (in)famous...basically, she's created an urban fantasy landscape, populated with witches, demons, living vampires, pixies and elfs, out of Cincinnati's urban landscape.  PALE DEMON takes desperado witch Rachel Morgan on a cross country roadtrip.  Think Jack Kerouac...twisted...

To celebrate the Cincy roots of these novels, Harper Voyager is streaming Kim's Jo Beth Cincy event (this Friday at 7 pm) LIVE to fans around the globe.  The virtual events is a fabulous tool, as it brings commerce into our bookselling partner from far outside the city limits -- people who can't attend in person can watch online at http://www.vivolive.com/harpercollins/kimharrison and order personalize copies of the book via the Jo Beth website. We've had upwards of 500 people attend similar events for romance authors...With Kim's global popularity, this virtual (and bricks and mortar) event could see thousands.  Win-win for Kim and Jo Beth! And we're very excited to share that Assignment X will also be streaming the event online as well.

You'll see Kim's cheeky blog post about the streaming event here (I think she's poking fun at her publicist, who is a self-acknowledged time zone illiterate): http://kimharrison.wordpress.com/2011/02/21/cant-make-an-event-we-are-streaming-live/

An Elf, a Pixie, a Living Vampire and a

Witch Take a Cross-Country Road Trip…

With more than 2.5 million copies currently in print of her bestselling Hollows novels, New York Times bestselling author Kim Harrison is one of the leading voices in urban fantasy.  And, now in the proud tradition of Jack Kerouac (a very twisted Jack Kerouac) and American Gods, Kim takes her fiction for a road trip…begging the question, what happens when an elf, a pixie, a living vampire and a witch who dabbles in black magic are forced to travel 2300 miles cross-country (in three days or less), jammed into an ‘89 blue Buick?  Hell on wheels. 

Publishers Weekly STARRED REVIEW “Elegant and taut as a gymnast's cartwheel, Harrison's polished prose drives a story that will have readers swerving in their seats every time Rachel turns the wheel.”

Library Journal “As in Harrison’s previous books, this one features plenty of action and a strong central character…”

Booklist “The Rachel Morgan series is fast becoming one of the hottest tickets in the urban-fantasy subgenre.”

Io9 Travelogue Blog by Kim Harrison “…after eight books in the same streets, I needed new vistas for Pale Demon. My main character, Rachel, also needed some time to figure things out, and what better way than a blue Buick going west with a vampire riding shotgun and a wealthy elf grumbling in the back seat that Mickey-D's was not an acceptable lunch stop?”

 

 

 

Romance Live Book Signing with Nora Roberts, Jeaniene Frost & Pamela Palmer

RomanceLive!

Turning the Page on the ‘Traditional’ Book Signing:

New York Times Bestselling Authors Nora Roberts, Jeaniene Frost & Pamela Palmer,

Joined By Grace Burrowes, Mary Burton and Stephanie Dray,

Featured in LiveStream Online Book & Author Event

Saturday, February 19, 2011; 10:30 am ET; Live from Turn the Page Bookstore Café (Boonsboro, MD)

www.avonromancelive.com

New York Times bestselling authors Nora Roberts, Jeaniene Frost and Pamela Palmer headline a much-anticipated live/virtual book signing, powered by LiveStream, taking place at 10:30 am ET on Saturday February 19, 2011. The authors, who will be joined by romance and fiction luminaries Grace Burrowes, Mary Burton and Stephanie Dray, will talk about their newest releases, answer questions, and sign copies for virtual event attendees, live from Turn the Page Bookstore Café in Boonsboro, Maryland.  Information regarding the LiveStream event can be found online at www.avonromancelive.com.

“Publishers clamor to have their authors participate in Turn the Page’s multi-author events,” says Pam Jaffee, senior publicity director for Avon Books.  “We know the store is a mecca for romance; their events draw hundreds of readers from around the region – and even from points further across the country.  So, where better to host a very untraditional book signing event?”

What is an “untraditional” event in this day and age? These new streaming signings marry bricks-and-mortar with online; driving a dedicated digital fanbase to support stores at local independent booksellers.

The LiveStream event takes place an hour and a half before the doors open on Turn the Page’s bricks-and-mortar signing (where they anticipate fans will be standing in line to meet this dynamic author line-up).   In hosting the virtual signing, Avon and Turn the Page open the doors to readers everywhere. 

“By partnering with Avon and LiveStream to broadcast a pre-event before Turn the Page’s scheduled in-store signing, we are able to reach out to hundreds, thousands of romance fans across the country and around the world,” says store manager Janeen Solberg. 

This is the third live-streaming author event brought to fans by Avon Books.  Jaffee notes, “We recently hosted a virtual signing for bestselling author Julia Quinn from Powell’s in Beaverton Oregon: more than 500 romance fans from around the globe attended – and we think the potential reach for this week’s event is exponentially greater than that.” 

Readers can contact the skilled staff at Turn the Page Bookstore Café (info@ttpbooks.com; (301) 432-4588) to order personalized copies of the participating authors’ newest titles.  Newly released books being at both the online and in-store events include The Search by Nora Roberts, Treachery in Death by J.D. Robb, This Side of the Grave by Jeaniene Frost, Hunger Untamed by Pamela Palmer, Merciless by Mary Burton; Lily of the Nile by Stephanie Dray and The Heir by Grace Burrowes.

More information is available online at www.avonromancelive.com and www.ttpbooks.com.

WHEN:

Saturday, February 19, 2011.

10:30 am ET

WHERE:

Turn the Page Bookstore Café

18 North Main Street
Boonsboro MD 21713

NOTE: Readers can log onto the Turn the Page website to pre-order signed and personalized books.

www.ttpbooks.com

Review: If Wishes Were Horses by Robert Barclay

If Wishes Were Horses by Robert Barclay

HarperCollins Publishing

February 15th 2010

ISBN13: 9780061966880

Available formats: Ebook, Hardcover, Audio and Large Print 

Pages: 400

Read Excerpt here

Available Now from Amazon, B&N, Borders

I received this book by the publisher for this review.

Book Description

Wyatt Blaine desperately seeks a reason to continue. Devastated by the senseless deaths of his wife and son at the hands of a drunk driver, he remains unable to forgive, and to love again. Searching for a sense of peace, he decides to revive his late wife's equine therapy program for troubled teens at the Blaine family ranch. By honoring her memory in this way, he hopes to find the sense of closure that has long eluded him. 

But then Wyatt's pastor asks for the impossible—for Wyatt to meet with Gabby Powers, the widow of the man responsible for Wyatt's unbearable sorrow. Wyatt knows Gabby is not to blame for the tragedy, so when she begs him to accept her troubled teenage son, Trevor, into the program, he reluctantly agrees. With some help and guidance from Ram, Wyatt's irascible but lovable father, Wyatt does his best to accept Gabby and Trevor's unsettling presence at the ranch. Even so, Wyatt still feels that he is somehow betraying his late wife's memory rather than honoring it. 

But to his great surprise, Wyatt also finds himself drawn to Gabby's warmth, tenderness, and surprising ability to soothe his troubled soul. Day after day, their mutual attraction becomes more intense, more impossible to ignore. But to heal completely, Wyatt and Gabby must first overcome the common tragedy that separates them and learn the true nature of forgiveness. And only by conquering these seeming impossibilities might their hearts become free to love each other . . . . 

My Thoughts...

Gabby is single mother dealing with young son's not able to cope with the loss of his father at such a young age. Gabby's son, Trevor refuses to accept the truth about his father and the real reason his father died.   She hopes against hope that the one that can help Trevor.  Even if she has to beg to get the help she needs from the one man who's lost his family to her husband's drunk driving. 

Wyatt lost the people that means to him; his wife and son to a drunk driver, Jason Powers. Now some years later Jason Powers' widow, Gabby comes to ask for help and acceptance to his New Beginnings Program.

With the help of their pastor, both he and Gabby manage to get Wyatt to accept Trevor in his program.  There is something about Gabby that slowly worms her way into his thoughts.

If Wishes Were Horses was nothing like I expected. It was more than I can imagine and loved reading every single page. This is one heart warming tale of redemption, loyalty , love and forgiveness between family, friendship and the beginnings of a true love romance.  

I definitely wouldn't have picked this one if not for wonderful person who sent me a copy. *thanks Christine* I normally don't read contemporary romances since I am huge urban fantasy and paranormal reading kind of girl. But Mr. Barclay just won me over from the very beginning of fantastic novel.

There really isn't anything like reading a novel that starts off with a hero/heroine's tragedies that slowly overcome said tragedy and transform from friendship into a love story.

If Wishes Were Horses is one remarkable tale of romance and family love that is going to be cherished by many readers for long time to come. I for one hope that this novel hits the big screen sooner rather than later. 

I rate If Wishes Were Horses a rating of 4 Stars

The Soulmate Scavenger Hunt

The Soulmate Scavenger Hunt 

From February 14-18, Avon fans have a chance to discover their perfect match ... and win a ColorNook, a $100 B&N giftcard and a copy of every Avon title published in February-March 2011. 

Start here with this quiz to begin your journey, then travel to the author's website to learn something special about your literary soulmate, and log in a sweet nothing about that author over at the Avon blog 

( http://www.avonromance.com/2011/02/14/avons-soulmate-scavenger-hunt )

for a chance to win this great prize, valued at over $500!