by Jo RobertsonIsn'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
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 favou
rite, 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!
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
