Saturday, October 1, 2011

OCTOBER PREVIEW

by Jo Robertson

Isn't the photo to the right delicious! It's a perfect blend of fall and winter. I want to use it for one of my covers!

Fall is in the air in northern California! And BIG NEWS is in the air for the Romance Bandits...and the rooster seems to be in a tizzy, running around like a chicken with his head cut off!

October 14 kicks off a special Trick or Treat for our visitors, with the biggest treat of all coming in the Duchesse's post on Halloween! Stay tuned for the delightful details, and the kicking off of our trick or treat surprises with a very special announcement!

Bawhaaaaa! 'Tis also the month of ghosts and ghouls and goblins, and we have a great lineup of guests to keep you returning to the Lair where things go bump in the night. Especially on All Hallow's Eve!


On October 3, Kate will host Linda O Johnston, who's back in the Lair to talk about THE MORE THE TERRIER, the next book in her delightful Pet Rescue mystery series.


Christie brings Theresa Romain to the Lair on October 4.


Nancy's guest Gina Robinson visits on October 5 to talk about her new release, "The Spy Who Left Me." They will discuss what marriage to a spy like Bond might really be like. Oooh, now that sounds delicious!





Cheryl Ann Smith will be returning to the lair on October 6 as Donna's guest. About her latest Regency release, THE ACCIDENTAL COURTESAN, Romantic Times says, "With a dash of humor, plenty of sensuality and a fast pace, Smith's second School for Brides novel is a pure delight..."


Kate again plays hostess as she brings Regan Hastings back to the Lair on October 7. You won't want to miss this one because, as RT Book Review says, "the sexual tension ... sizzles off the page!"



On October 8 Nancy brings another guest. Barbara Monajem and she will chat about juggling historical and contemporary books. They'll also discuss Barbara's paranormal romance, Tastes of Love and Evil.



On October 9 Trinity Faegan

is T r ish's guest. They'll be talking about her debu t young adult novel, The Mephisto Covenant.




On October 12, Bandits Jeanne and Cassondra will host the venerable Barbara Vey for an intimate discussion about how she emerged from deep depression to become one of the most influential voices in publishing. Oh, an d she'll announce a fun upcoming surprise!



Deep breath to pause. That's a host of guests, folks, and tons of books to ad to our TBR piles. So let's pause on October 13 to wish Bandita Cassondra a very happy birthday!!!



Nancy returns again on October 16 to chat with guest Gerri Russell about the appeal of continuing series. We'll also find out a bit about Gerri's new novella, The Border Lord's Bride.






Lair favourite, Kate Walker, will be back on October 22 as Vrai Anna's guest to chat about her new and rather special title The Return of The Stranger (Presents Extra October ). She'll be talking about the way that the seeds of this book were set in her mind when she was eleven and have been growing there ever since. Verrrra interesting. I'm sure what was in my head at eleven wouldn't be worth writing about.


Joan hosts guest Kristan Higgins on October 25



On October 27, Cassondra and Nancy will bring debut author Debbie Kaufman to the lair as their guest for her first time on the "author" side of the chat.




Brenda Novak will return October 30 as Jo's guest to discuss her latest writing ventures!







And, of course, Halloween is always a terrifyingly lively event in the Lair, so be sure to be here on October 31!

Anna Campbell’s current contest is for your choice from her backlist. FIVE people who enter can select a book from CLAIMING THE COURTESAN, UNTOUCHED, TEMPT THE DEVIL, CAPTIVE OF SIN, MY RECKLESS SURRENDER or MIDNIGHT’S WILD PASSION. Just email Anna on anna @ annacampbell.info (no spaces) and tell her which book you’d like. Contest closes 31st October. For more information, please visit Anna’s contest page: http://annacampbell.infor/contest.html












Happy October, everyone!

.......

The debonair Golden Rooster sauntered into the Lair. A big development was in the works for the Romance Bandits, and he must be ready for it. He needed to refresh his traveling supplies, maybe pick up a couple of weapons to replace those, er, misplaced along the way.

The Bandita Buddies generally treated him well, but the Bandits themselves showed him no mercy. They actually thought he should work when he stayed with them! He was still recovering from his last encounter with that big, ugly beast Nancy called a dog.

At least no one should be around this time of day. Sven and his lackeys would be shopping, Ermingarde the dragon would be sleeping, and Demetrius would have his muscular gladiator louts sparring in the gym. This was the perfect time for pilfer--ah, replenishing--supplies.

The rooster strolled toward the kitchen. Ah, the aroma of brownies. Those would fit nicely in his pack.

"Yes, freeze them all." Sven's voice came from the kitchen. Drat. Well, the busybody major domo was bound to get distracted and go fuss with something soon, leaving the coast clear.

"We'll need them," Sven continued. "Duchesse says her Halloween party will be the biggest bash in the history of the Lair. Lars, if you've finished the chocolate chip cookies, you can start on the bourbon balls."

Sven and Lars? Double drat! The GR sidled to the door and peered inside. Sven, Lars, Paolo--and was that a new guy? Extra staff? No one had consulted him about that. With all those vigilant eyes around, he'd have no chance of stealing anything.

Well, perhaps to the armory now. He could come back when Sven's crew were busy elsewhere.

He hurried down the stairs and into the great vaulted corridor leading to the armory and the writing caves. He rounded the corner to the armory, only to find the door ajar.

The rumble of deep male voices drifted out of the door. Gladiators, here? They were supposed to be pounding each other at this time of day.

If he'd had a lip, the rooster would've curled it. Over-muscled, over-sexed, and over-rated, those gladiators were. There was simply no accounting for their popularity. Not that it rivaled his own, of course, not with women other than those bossy Banditas.

He crept to the door and peered inside. If he could grab a rapier, perhaps a Derringer, without being seen . . . But no. Not with all of them in there. He glared at the men counting sabers, broadswords, daggers, even the shortswords the gladiators normally wore.

"Each of you take a full set," Demetrius said. "Then we'll lock up the rest. This is going to be the biggest Halloween bash the Lair has ever seen. There'll be gate crashers. We'll need a tight security net."

"I guess we need to polish our armor, too?" Marcus asked. On receiving a nod, he added, "What's the big deal, anyway?"

Demetrius shrugged. "They're not saying, other than warning me there's a 'very special treat at the party.' And yes, those were Jeanne's exact words."

"Ours is not to reason why." Marcus grinned. "Ours is just to keep problems away. Including the Golden Rooster."

"There'll be no repetition of his annoying conduct at the Valentine ball," Lucien chimed in. "We'll be ready for anything, including him." He patted the net hanging at his side.

Vile thing! The GR remembered it too well from the Valentine's event. They thought they'd be ready? He snorted, as best he could without an actual nose. He'd show them ready.

But first he had to find out what was going on.

Will the Golden Rooster uncover the Lair's secret? Or will he learn it on October 14 along with everyone else? Check back

27 comments:

Loucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindy said...

WOO HOO!!!

I LURVE surprises! And I'm so glad Mario has joined the ranks of our cabana boys!

Loucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindy said...

Don't worry, the GR will be FAR TOO BUSY around here to "pilfer" "borrow" or otherwise procure anything from the Lair! ;-)

And I KNOW all our BBs will LURVE the big surprise that will be coming their way this month.

Great Coming Attractions post, Jo-Mama!

AC

Sonali said...

Love the line up for October...a great month to look forward to!!! Looking forward to the surprises!!!

Mary Preston said...

Hello October!!

Helen said...

Whoo Hoo Aunty Cindy I think the GR is getting a little fiesty over being made to work and not being told "The Secret" LOL this is really going to confuse him till October 14th I can't wait to find out the big secret.

What another fantastic line up for this month great guests a birthday party for Cassondra and of course The Halloween Party I am looking forward to it.

Meanwhile tonight after a great day out at Featherdale Wildlife Park with 2 of the grandkids Corey and Caitlyn I am now minding Caitlyn for the night hopefully she will sleep for me fingers crossed LOL

Have Fun
Helen

Unknown said...

well done AC ... don't work him too hard LOL

Great month coming again...more books for the TBR pile..... good job GR didn't come here as he would have lost an hours sleep as we have to put the clocks on an hour ... now means we will be an hour in front of Anna LOL

Heather said...

Sounds like October is going to be amazing!

hrdwrkdmom aka Dianna said...

Oh wow, I have no idea what is going on but it sounds great! The only problem with the Duchess is things have a tendency to go BOOM when she is around.

October is going to be busy as we will be harvesting books left and right. "Note to self, clear out another shelf for the TBR newbies.

Anonymous said...

Great line up for October!

Oh, I was so close to snagging that GR. :P

Deb said...

Ooh, surprises! I like them, too! IF GR finds out all that's going to surprise the rest of us, you know you can keep him quiet with Tim Tams. ;) Looks like a spooktacular October in the Lair!

catslady said...

hahaha loved GR's story!! I haven't had him in a while and my kitties miss him lol. Great linie-up for October.

Loucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindy said...

Hi Everyone and HAPPY OCTOBER!

I've put the chook to work with the vacuum. After we had to clean up all that powdered sugar from yesterday, I needed a break today. ;-) IF he is very good, I will take him to see Shrek: the Musical later this afternoon.

Yes, October is going to be amazing with our great line-up of guests and the Halloween party looming. The BIG SURPRISE will just be so much icing on the cake!

AC

Loucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindy said...

Helen, we used to adjust our clocks in Oct. also, but for some reason (known only to them) the gov't decided we needed to wait until Nov. to adjust them. :-P I don't mind the "fall back" adjustment, but the "spring forward" one (like you are doing) is NO FUN at all.

AC

Loucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindy said...

You are right, Dianna, things do tend to go BOOM when Le Duchesse is running the show. ;-) But you can count on lots of FUN too!

And I LOVE your "havesting books" analogy. So appropriate!

AC

Loucinda McGary aka Aunty Cindy said...

Better luck next time, Antonia!
Or maybe it was GOOD luck that you didn't get the GR. He can be a real pain sometimes...

Deb, love your SPOOKTACULAR October! ;-) And the GR will get NO INFO from yer olde Aunty.

AC

Jane said...

Happy October. Can't wait for all the fun.

Anna Campbell said...

AC got the rooster - and sounds like he's in a fighting mood!

Wow, what a great October. What a wonderful line-up of guests. I'm particularly looking forward to Barbara Vey's visit. She's such an advocate for romance.

And how intriguing about the BIG SECRET!

Nancy said...

Cindy, glad you're making the bird work! He's entirely too smug. Not to mention lazy.

Kate Carlisle said...

Another fabulous month in the Lair! Thanks for posting, Jo! Although ... really? October already? Gads!

Anyway, I'm very excited to be bringing two special guests to the Lair this week. And I can't wait for the big surprise at the end of the month!

Nancy said...

Looks like we'll have a great month. The second half will be one big party, ending in Ducesse's Halloween blowout.

Nancy said...

That's DucHesse's party. *sigh*

Louisa Cornell said...

October in the Lair is ALWAYS a blast! This one looks to be a record breaker. And any surprise the Banditas cook up has got to be a mind blower!

Congrats on getting the GR, Aunty and on getting him to do some work. We will have to keep an eye on him this month. He will definitely be out to spoil the surprise!

Kaelee said...

I haven't been to a Halloween party in years. I'll be there and I'll bring some treats for the GR.

Nancy said...

Whoo-hoo! Trish just won the Published Maggie for YA!

jo robertson said...

Thanks to everyone who stopped by today to take a look at our October coming attractions!

Jeff Rivera said...

Defiantly, you can use it. I like the pic.

Pat Cochran said...

Great line-up for October!

I'm going to be as clueless as the
GR when it comes to surprises! I
am looking forward to October 14
and prior to that, to Cassondra's
birthday celebration! Woo-Hoo! It's
party time!

Pat Cochran