Another Winnah!

The winner of the $15 Borders gift certificate for the best Halloween costume idea

. . . goes to

Christie Kelly.

Congratulations, Christie!!

Your son's ghillie suit was the most interesting costume I'd ever heard of.

A Romantic Education with Cathleen Ross

by Anna Campbell

Cathleen Ross is one of the first people I met when I started hanging out with the Aussie romance community and she's great fun. She's also really clever and talented and knowledgeable about romance and the romance market.

I'm privileged to be in a crit group with her, the A-Team, that meets sporadically. Well, mainly when I'm down in Sydney - it was easier when I lived there! Here's a picture of most of the A-Team taken at the RWA conference in San Francisco in 2008. From left to right, you've got Anna Campbell, Cathleen, Kandy Shepherd, who was a fantastic guest here recently to talk about her debut LOVE IS A FOUR-LEGGED WORD, and 2009 Golden Heart finalist Vanessa Barneveld, who often posts here as Authorness.

You can find out more about Cathleen Ross and her books on her website: www.cathleenross.com

You can download her Spice Brief PSYCHIC SEX here: http://www.ebooks.eharlequin.com/EB004F77-4DD0-4615-BBAE-7447B4396066/10/126/en/ContentDetails.htm?ID=41E57707-AC43-4F38-93A0-42068FF90398

Today, I'm delighted to have Cathleen here to talk about something that's a bit new for the lair.

Cathleen has put together a fantastic course on how to write category romance. Here's the lowdown on the course:

Writing for Publication – Category Romance is a course I developed over a period of a year because I wished there had been a course like it when I started writing over twenty years ago. It takes many years to glean how the conventions of category work. Most writers understand that they need a hero and a heroine to make a romance, but they don’t understand how to get “Hero alert”, the level of emotional punch, conflict and sexual tension needed for a romance of 50-55,000 words.

I interviewed sixteen published romance writers for their views covering the alpha hero, the heroine, setting, characterisation, conflict, sexual tension and writing techniques so that students could get up-to-date information about what is required to write a category. Each module of the course has exercises that students do at home to build up their knowledge, followed by seven assessment tasks.

Students often have difficulty with plotting but I spend time going over their plot, teaching them how to deepen it so that there is enough conflict to drive the novel to completion. Another area that students find difficult is writing the love scenes. Believe me, it’s more than just “docking procedure”. They learn to weave in the five senses and the emotional punch so that readers are drawn into the story.

By the end of the course, students come out with three chapters and a synopsis, which is enough to submit to the Mills and Boon’s London office. It’s exciting to see students I have helped either win competitions or sell their novels. Although writers have to have the vision and drive to produce a book, having a published author to offer advice along to way, makes a huge difference.

TAFE OTEN’s 27079 Writing for Publication – Category romance is $580 Australian dollars.

For students interested in doing the course the link is:

http://www.oten.edu.au/oten/core/showpage.htm?pg=ccindex&cofferid=8360



Cathleen, this course sounds fantastic. I, like you, wish there had been something like this around when I started writing. Is it just for Australians or do you think it’s just as relevant for international writers?

The course is for writers who want to write for Harlequin Presents, Harlequin Romance and Silhouette Desire. The college I work for is a distance learning college so we have students from all over the world. The course is sent to students on a CD and students submit their assignments through the college website. I log in and print them off. I usually write my feedback straight onto the assignment and post it back, though sometimes I either ring or email the student and we brainstorm plot, conflict, characterisation together, going back and forward until the plot feels right. Occasionally, if the plot still feels off, I email one of the authors below and ask their advice as they are at the coal face dealing with the London and NY editors.

Can you tell us some of the writers you had involved in helping you put the course together? What were some of the really salient points they brought up?

I’ll be in trouble if I mention one name and leave out others, so I hope you don’t mind me putting in the list of great authors who helped me by contributing to the course: Anna Campbell, Michelle Douglas, Anne Gracie, Robyn Grady, Barbara Hannay, Melissa James, Bronwyn Jameson, Fiona Lowe, Melanie Milburne, Trish Morey, Valerie Parv, Maxine Sullivan, Paula Roe, Cathleen Ross, Denise Rossetti, Annie West.

These writers had a wealth of experience which they generously agreed to pass on. Stand outs for me are: Presents author, Annie West who does a knock out alpha male and Sweet author, Michelle Douglas who does such tender characters. They explain step by step how to create them. Emotional punch is essential for category and expert Barbara Hannay shows how to get that depth with her plot twists and turns and I mustn’t for get to mention a certain terrific author named Anna Campbell who talks about how to get the emotion into a love scene so that it’s more than ‘docking procedure’.

How are the assessment tasks structured? Do the participants receive a lot of feedback on their work? How long does the course take to complete?

There are seven assessments and the students have one year to complete the course. I get the students to submit characterization sheets and a loose plot in assessment one because with category I think you really need to know your characters well and what motivates them. Seasoned authors understand the conventions of category but new writers don’t, so I explain the necessity of a suitable conflict/s and how it has to be up front in that first chapter. By the time the students have finished the course, they have written three chapters, a synopsis, a love scene, a kiss scene and a query letter so that they enough to submit to Harlequin Mills and Boon.

What was the hardest part of putting the course together? What was the easiest?

After ten years of attending RWA National conferences and over twenty years of writing, I wrote this course in forty hours. It came together so quickly because there was so much romance knowledge in my head. What was difficult is that they made me program it under the supervision of a brilliant designer but I’d never built a website before. I’ve come out of it with a far great technical understanding than when I went in.

I think this is a marvellous resource. Would you consider doing something similar for the single title market?

No, because single title doesn’t have the parameters of category romance.

Some people believe you can’t teach someone to be a writer. What are your feelings on this question?

I know writing can be taught, but it helps to have passion. I’ve seen students start off with fairly mundane ideas until I put a bomb under them and say, “what about this, have you tried that? What I’m really doing is just helping them develop their imagination muscle and confidence. I like to get my students to a publishable level or at the very least placing/winning a competition. I run a private book editing service with author, Kandy Shepherd, which we don’t advertise because we’re already busy, but several of our clients have sold their books after we helped them, so I know that it is possible for students, who are prepared to put the work in, to rapidly improve.


You’re a multipublished writer yourself. Can you tell us about your writing and where we can get your books?

I love writing sexy, psychic characters who bite off more than they can chew. My latest release "Psychic Sex", Harlequin Spice Briefs has been published in NAUGHTY BITS, the Spice Briefs Anthology. I've also just sold DIRTY SEXY MURDER where my psychic heroine discovers there is more to Brazilian waxing than the ‘ouch’ factor to Lyrical Press.

Cathleen, do you have a question to get discussion going?

Can everyone write category? Writers need to find their voice and they can only do that by writing. People often start with category but that’s not necessarily where they end up. What publisher did you first aim for and if you did sell, where did you end up?

Cathleen has very kindly offered one lucky commenter today a copy of NAUGHTY BITS: AN ANTHOLOGY OF SHORT EROTIC FICTION from Harlequin. It includes her Spice Brief "Psychic Sex". So get commenting, people! And don't forget to pick Cathleen's brains about the writing course and category romance.

Southern Ghosts

Today best-selling and award-winning author Karen White visits the Lair for the first time. Karen's new novel, the sequel to her popular The House on Tradd Street, shares the beautiful South Carolina setting and just a bit of ghostly intrigue. Welcome, Karen! We love call stories in the Lair. Would you like to share yours?

Mine was pretty low key. I'd entered my first manuscript in a contest where the first round judges were published authors and the final round judges were top NY literary agents. I entered to get a critique from a published author and ended up winning both the contest and a contract with an agent! She used to be Nora Roberts' editor so I figured she knew what she was doing. :)

Yes, one would think! So a contest led to your success. We hear about that but seldom meet people who've experienced it. You moved into women's fiction after writing historical romance. What drew you onto this path?

To be honest, I've always written the same kind of book, my publishers have just packaged them differently. I write the kind of book I like to write--a little bit of romance, a little bit of mystery, and a strong protagonist at a crossroads in her life.

What would say are the parameters of women's fiction?

The Million Dollar Question! I think it's really a matter of focus. Romances focus on the the relationship between the hero and heroine; in women's fiction the main focus is on the woman's journey and the romance is only a subplot--if there's a romance at all.

Tell us about Melanie Middleton. What's her problem in The Girl on Legare Street?

In The House on Tradd Street, we learned that Melanie's mother abandoned her when she was six, leaving her to be raised by an alcoholic father. Melanie compensated by becoming overly-controlling and self-contained. In The Girl on Legare Street, Melanie's mother unexpectantly returns, reminding Melanie that they have nothing in common except for their ability to see ghosts.



Ooh, ghosts! We like ghosts around here. Can we have a look inside the book?

This is a scene from the beginning of the book when Melanie realizes that her grandmother, from beyond the grave, is trying to warn her of impending disaster.

I parked my car on Church Street about a block down from St. Phillip's cemetery where my grandmother was buried. Even though I didn't remember exactly where she'd been interred, and the yellow police tape notwithstanding, I would have known approximately where to find her as only those who were born in Charleston were allowed to be buried on the same side of the street as the church. Even famed statesman John C. Calhoun was buried across the street since he'd been born in Clemson, South Carolina. I remembered my mother gleefully mentioning that his wife, a true Charlestonian, was buried in a separate grave, across the street nearer the church as if even in death being a Charlestonian was more important than being Mr. Calhoun's wife.

I heard the babble of voices as I neared the cemetery gates, experienced enough by now to know not to look around to see who was talking. Taking a deep breath, I focused on the sidewalk in front of me, singing the words to ABBA's Dancing Queen under my breath to keep me from hearing my name called over and over. I knew that if I kept walking, and kept ignoring them, they would eventually stop. My mother once told me that we were beacons of light. It wasn't until after she left that I figured out to whom, but by then I'd only ever seen myself as a moving target, eager not to get hit.

My grandmother's grave was toward the back, near the fence. I remembered now standing here with my mother and father feeling the scratchy starchiness of my new black cotton dress, the high humidity of summer and the oppressive scent of too many flowers making me sigh in the heat. My father had taken me up in his arms and that's when I'd seen all of the people crowding around the empty grave, not all of them breathing. Most disconcerting of all was that they all were looking at me.

I stopped outside the yellow police tape that surrounded the gravesite, my breath blowing fat puffs of smoke into the chilly air, and noted the neatly trimmed grass and the white marble tombstone that looked like it had been gently pulled from the sucking earth and laid to rest on the cool grass. There was no disturbance of the nearby grass or nearby graves, and the hole where it had sat lay a foot in front of it as if to clarify that the stone hadn't just toppled over but had been deliberately placed.

After first glancing around to make sure nobody was watching, I stepped over the yellow tape and walked closer to the stone so I could get a better look. In carved lettering, I read my grandmother's birth and death dates as well as her complete name, Sarah Manigault Prioleau. Then my eyes widened as I read the inscription beneath:

When bricks crumble, the fireplace falls; When children cry, the mothers call. When lies are told, the sins are built, Within the waves, hide all our guilt.

I read the words two more times, trying to make sense of them. Then my gaze shifted back to the woman's name to make sure that I was at the right grave. Within the waves, hide all our guilt. I recalled the scent of salt water wafting through my house and drops of ice slipped down my back.

"I don't know what it means, either, if that's any consolation."

I jerked my head around to see my mother standing behind me wearing a black mink coat with matching hat, her gloved hands clutching the neck closed against the bitter cold. Always the gloves.

The House on Tradd Street drew a big following among book clubs. Why do think that is, and how was that experience?

Another Million Dollar question! If I knew the answer, I'd spend my life writing books that books club would love! I don't know---maybe it's Melanie, who's so damaged but such a trooper when it comes to learning the lessons she needs to. Or maybe it's Jack Trenholm, who has his own baggage but is the perfect foil for Melanie. These books are what I call "Sixth Sense meets Moonlighting meets National Treasure" : spooky, funny, and chock full of historical mysteries--something to appeal to all readers.

You did a book tour for The House on Tradd Street. What was that like?

No laundry! It was fabulous! Seriously, spending my days with booksellers and readers, then returning to a hotel room where I have sole possession of the remote control is just this side of heaven.

What inspired you to set your books in South Carolina?

The sights and smells of the marshes and ocean really inspire me. I discovered that on our first trip to Hilton Head Island about twelve years ago and I keep going back.

What's next for you?

My next book, On Folly Beach, will be out in May 2010 and is set on an island near Charleston. Half of it is set in 1942 and the other half in 2009 which is making it much harder to write, but so much for fun since I love the research.

For more about Karen and her work, visit her website. She's giving a signed copy of The House on Tradd Street to one commenter today.

What regional settings call to you or make you think "spooky?" What family dynamics draw you into a story? Do you have a question for Karen?

Bandita Booty!!

by Anna Sugden

Time to announce the prize winner from Terri Garey's visit. The winner of a copy of Silent Night, Haunted Night is:

Nancy!!!

Congratulations!!

Please send your snail mail details to Terri at terrigarey@gmail.com .

The Many Worlds of Ann Aguirre

Today we welcome multi-faceted author Ann Aguirre to the Lair for the first time. Ann writes the wonderful Sirantha Jax romantic science fiction series and the urban fantasy Corine Solomon books. This month marks her debut as a romantic suspense author, under the pen name Ava Gray, with Skin Game. Welcome, Ann!

We love Call stories here in the Lair. Would you like to share yours?


My first big break came when I signed with Laura Bradford, who fell in love with Jax. She didn’t rep SF at the time, but she learned the ropes for me. (I thought I’d written a futuristic romance, mind you. Shows what I know.) She signed me on March 29, pitched on April 11 (my husband’s birthday!), and within two weeks, we had a nibble. An editor fell in love with the book and she took it immediately for approval. I was on tenterhooks.

On that fateful day, May 14, my son forgot his lunch and his swimming kit. I hiked over to his school, seven blocks away, so I was sweaty when I got back to my home office. (Walking on a hot day in Mexico City is tough!) There was a cryptic email waiting for me from Laura. “Hiya, pop onto IM when you get a chance, would you?” My first thought was: crap, she wants to let me down easy. I knew, despite the editor’s great love for Jax, our nibble was a long shot. There were other pitches out, but none at the approval stage. So I squared my shoulders, signed on, and typed: “I’m here.”


I waited. It was a sunny day. The sky was heartbreak-blue overhead, sunlight dappling the fine pale whorls in the bark of the Noche Buena tree outside my office window. I know this because I stared at it for ten minutes, waiting. I scuffed my bare feet. Waited. I studied the purple bougainvillea climbing the terracotta garden wall and decided it needed trimming. Fidgeted. I thought stuff like, if this is good news, I’ll light 27 candles for the Virgin Mary, and then become a good Catholic. I’ll give up sex for Lent. Please don’t let this be another rejection. I don’t have any chocolate in the house.

Then Laura’s reply popped up: “We have an offer from Ace.”

Ace. My dream publisher. Their authors include those I’ve venerated over long years of dreaming: Sharon Shinn, Patricia Briggs, Charlaine Harris. The idea that I would join such august company undid me. When I caught my breath, I yelled until the housekeeper came to see if I was hurt. Through tears, I told her, “Marta, vendí mi libro! Vendí mi libro!!” and then she yelled with excitement too.

What a terrific story. I love Jax (and March), so I'm very glad the book sold. We're here today, though, to celebrate the release of Skin Game. Who are the book's hero and heroine, and what's their biggest problem?

Reyes, a hitman, and Kyra, a con-woman. The fact that he was hired to kill her.

What inspired these particular characters, and can we have a peek into the book?

My desire to write a dark, gritty romance.

Here's an excerpt from Skin Game:

She snagged her share of the money, aligned the bills, and then she slid them into her wallet. After shouldering her bag, she glanced at him, oddly uncertain. If there were rules for this kind of thing, she didn’t understand them. She’d never been out on a true date. In some respects she was as inexperienced as an Amish girl.

They locked the door behind them as they left using the analog metal key, and she took a cursory look across the parking lot. No signs of pursuit, but there was always a chance. Kyra found the Marquis right away.

In contrast to the darkening sky, it gleamed pale blue like the sky at the highest altitudes, all delicacy. It cost a mint to fill the thing up these days, but she’d never considered selling it. Everything she loved had somehow become bound up in the metal.

“I grew up here,” he said, gazing out over the shared balcony that ran the length of the motel.

He’d requested a second-floor room because he didn’t trust people. At least here on the corner, they would hear someone coming up the stairs; there would be some warning before disaster struck. Rey had tried to insist that they should share a room—that he didn’t like the feel of this place, but Kyra had stayed in enough fleabags to know this one was much like any other, no better, no worse.

“Here, as in Taos? Or here, as in New Mexico?”

“New Mexico,” he answered. “Not far from here, actually.”

“Did you stay in one place?”

A flicker of something passed across his dark, sharp face. “More or less.”

“That must have been....” She trailed off, not knowing what to call an experience that differed so vastly from her own.

Part of her wanted to say boring; another part thought comforting might apply. As a kid, she’d thought her life was one big adventure. Most days, she still thought so. Dismissing profundity, Kyra stepped away from the flimsy rusted railing and headed for the stairs. His tread followed immediately, giving her the ridiculous impression that he had her back—that she could rely on him.

“It was what it was,” he said, as they reached the car. The look she’d noticed upstairs had winnowed down to something fierce and quiet and sad, like a titanium needle lodged deep.

Before she could rethink the impulse, she went to the passenger side and tossed him the keys. She told herself the offer didn’t serve to cheer him up or ameliorate emotional baggage she wasn’t equipped to deal with. Rey caught the jingle of metal, blessed with her genuine lucky rabbit’s foot, looking astonished.

She muttered, “It just makes sense. You know where we’re going and all.”

“You’re letting me drive?” As if he needed to hear it. “Your Marquis?”

“Yeah,” she said softly. “Be gentle with her.”

“As much as I know how to be.” Rey laid his long fingers atop the roof, and she felt it on her skin. “Let’s go.”

You also write the Sirantha Jax books. Grimspace, the first one (pictured above, with the second book's cover shown here), is the first book I ever read several pages into before realizing it was in present tense. For me, the first person, present tense narration works extremely well. Please tell us what that series is about and, if you will, give us a hint about what's in store for Sirantha and her strong, tormented March.

It's about a selfish, thrill-seeking navigator who lives for her next jump. Her character arc is quite interesting, and she's grown a lot by book three. Jax narrates her story, and as far as she's concerned, it's not finished. So she dictates to me in present-tense. I also think from a technical aspect, it adds to the sense of danger and insecurity. The reader lacks the unconscious security of knowing she must've survived in order to tell her story. In Doubleblind, the third book, she's forced to become a diplomat, against her natural inclinations. I won't say more because it constitutes a spoiler.


I was heavily into Sirantha's world when I saw Blue Diablo, the first Corine Solomon book, in the store. Who is Corine, and what's her life like?

She's a human female, daughter of a witch, with a complicated personal life and the ability to read objects with a touch, a gift called psychometry. Her life is difficult to say the least. I do torture my characters before allowing them to be happy.

You do it so well, too! What's next for you?

Skin Game is my current release. It came out on November 3. My 2010 schedule is cracking:

HELL FIRE / April 6, 2010
SKIN TIGHT / June 1, 2010
KILLBOX / September 2010

And my YA, Razorland, might be out in December 2010. It could also be Jan 2011. The details are not firm yet.

For more about Ann and her books, check out her website.

Ann is giving away a copy of Skin Game or, if the winner wants something not quite so dark, a different book from her backlist.

So tell us - Who's your favorite tormented couple? Do you reach first for science fiction with a romantic twist, romantic urban fantasy, or romantic suspense? Have you ever tried writing in varied styles? Do you have a question for Ann?

You Only Live Once ...

by Anna Sugden

I'm thrilled to welcome back a Lair favourite, my very dear friend, the awesome, RITA-award-winning author, Terri Garey!!

Terri is here to celebrate the release of the fourth and final book in her fabulous Nicki Styx series, Silent Night, Haunted Night. If, like me, you've loved this series, which began with Dead Girls are Easy, you've been dying to see what happens next to Nicki, delightfully delicious Joe and the other characters.

Of course, you're not in the least bit interested in super-sexy Sammy aka Satan (who is MINE!!!).

Without further ado, let me hand you over to Terri.

Hola Banditas, and thanks for welcoming me back to the Lair!

Those of you who are familiar with my books know that I basically write ghost stories. I’ve always found the concept of ghosts so fascinating… why would a spirit continue to hang around after the body is gone? Does everyone become a ghost when they die? If not, then why do some people become ghosts and some don’t? Needless to say, I’ve given it a lot of thought, and I’ve done quite a bit of research, and the only real answer I’ve ever been able to come up with is—quite simply—unfinished business.

There are several different types of hauntings, you know, but they basically come down to three categories: residual, intelligent or elemental. “Residual” hauntings are repetitive—the spirit is merely repeating an action or a habit that they did in life, over and over and over again, with no consciousness behind the behavior. “Intelligent” hauntings are far spookier, in that these spirits can supposedly respond to and interact with the living. “Elemental” hauntings (also known as “poltergeist activity”) are by far the scariest—these hauntings are supposedly carried out by demons or evil spirits who are so angry that they want to hurt others.

But why? Why would a spirit repeat an action over and over, or want to interact with the living, or be so angry?

Unfinished business. Regrets. Guilt. Unfulfilled desires, unresolved anger, unfinished business.

Which brings me to the point of today’s blog. Unless you believe in reincarnation, we only live once. We’ve got one life, one chance, one body, one soul. It’s so easy to use words like “Someday.” Someday I’ll write that book. Someday I’ll do some volunteer work. Someday I’ll be thin. :) But what if someday never comes?

In Silent Night, Haunted Night, the heroine, Nicki Styx, is once again faced with helping a troubled spirit with unfinished business. This time, however, she’s got a major problem, in that the man she’s come to love has become the target in a very twisted game of lies, deceit and regret. Nicki learns the hard way how the choices we make in life can come back to haunt us in ways we never expected, and how even doing the right thing can cost us what we value the most. She learns that all of us—every single one of us—has a place in our soul where darkness hides, sometimes even from ourselves.

If there were one thing you could change before you die so that you would be left with no unfinished business, what would it be? Do you need to make amends to someone, try something you’ve never tried, go somewhere you’ve never gone? What would you do if you knew that “someday” was never going to come? One lucky commenter will win a copy of Silent Night, Haunted Night.

Think about it. After all, we only live once. (Hopefully.) :)

You can read an excerpt of Silent Night, Haunted Night, and the other books in the series, at Terri's website http://www.tgarey.com/ .

The other books in the Nicki Styx series are: Dead Girls Are Easy, A Match Made in Hell and You're the One That I Haunt. There is also the novella, Ghouls Night Out, in the anthology, Weddings From Hell.

November's ROCKIN!!!!!

The Coming Attractions for November are absolutely amazing!


Wow, how can it POSSIBLY be November already!!!????! I don't know where the year's gone. Sigh.

Oh well...it's here! So, hellllllooooo November!

We've got an exciting month in store for you, so fasten your seatbelts. As always, along with the delightful and always fun Romance Bandits who'll be here giving thanks and talking turkey, we have some fabulous guests this month.


On November 2 it's the ever-popular, totally fab Terri Garey! This Rita-award-winning author will be joining us to celebrate the release of the fourth and final book in her brilliantly popular Nick Styx series. In Silent Night, Haunted Night, a sexy spirit sets her sights on Nikki's boyfriend, Joe. The unwilling ghoulfriend to the dead will have to fight to be sure this Christmas isn't her last!


On November 3, science fiction and fantasy author Ann Aguirre makes her first visit in the Lair to celebrate the release of Skin Game, her romantic suspense debut under the pen name Ava Gray.

Just the cover alone on this one should have everyone stopping by!








Speaking of cool covers.....

On November 4, award-winning and best-selling author Karen White makes her first visit to the Lair to chat about her southern set novels. We'll look particularly atThe Girl on Legare Street, which features a real estate agent confronting ghosts and the past--and hoping she doesn't have to dig up her own.


Now, I don't know about your area, but here in the US, it's also voting day - Nov. 4th that is.

So I'm going to be celebrating November 5th that all the stupid political ads on television will FINALLY be gone! Woohooo! :>

(Edited note: Limecello pointed out that it's actually Nov. 3 for voting so I'll celebrate on Nov. 4 AND 5 that the ads are over!)






Along with that minor celebration, on 5th November, multi-published author Cathleen Ross (www.cathleenross.com) visits us to talk about her course, Writing Category Romance, which is available all around the world on CD.



She's also giving away a copy of the Harlequin anthology, THE NAUGHTY BITS: SHORT EROTIC FICTION, which includes her story "Psychic Sex".


Gotta say that I adore the title. Grins.




November 6, Julie Kenner returns with Tainted, the first volume of her new urban fantasy series, the Lily Blood chronicles.



Check out the sword-wielding heroine on the cover! Whew! You GO girl!








November 11 is a day to celebrate all our Veterans! Let's make sure no matter what country we're in, that we either say a quick prayer for those who serve, or thank a veteran you know!

On November 16, Dee Davis pops in to discuss her wonderful new matchmaker novel, Setup in Soho.


What a cool cover on this one too! :>









On November 18th join the marvelous duo of Anthea and Lawson, writing as Anthea Lawson, who'll be with us to talk about their new book.

"This husband-and-wife team’s second romance sweeps from the shores of Crete to the streets of London.…readers will enjoy the characters and the beautiful descriptions in this nice tale."

– Romantic Times

A brooding hero with a mysterious past meets the only woman who can bring him out of the shadows and into the light. Not what he expected... but ALL HE DESIRES.

That just sounds delicious!!


On November 21, we celebrate the launch of a brand new book blog, The Romance Dish.

The blog may be new, but the names aren't - The bloggers, Buffie Johnson, Gannon Carr, Andrea Williamson, and PJ Ausdenmore will join us for the party - and you already know how much these Bandit Buddies and FABULOUS reviewers love to party!!

WOOHOO! Party in the Laaaaiiiirrrr!

November 23rd Susan Heino is with us to promote her debut Regency release, MISTRESS BY MISTAKE which is a December release. You won't want to miss this one, Susan's a great author and a lot of fun to chat with!

Now in the States, November 27th is the best day of the month....

THANKSGIVING!!! WOOHOOO!

This day is one where Americans use the holiday as the perfect excuse to eat turkey, pie and other delicious stuff, watch football and either enjoy their families or spend time telling stories about them. Ha!


On November 27, another amazing day in the states, affectionately referred to as Black Friday - the first official shopping day in the Christmas season - we'll have debut author Lori Brighton with us.

Lori will join us to chat about her Victorian paranormal, Wild Heart. So if you're one of those who's going out on Black Friday to do your Christmas shopping, finish up quick and join us for a FAB day!







And last but not least, check out the cool prizes and fabulous contests on our very own Anna Campbell's website:

Christmas with a CAPTIVE OF SIN!

OK, that title is slightly misleading. Anna Campbell wants you to tell her your new year’s resolution. Extra points for saying ‘read CAPTIVE OF SIN’. OK, maybe not! Her two favorite answers receive signed copies of CAPTIVE OF SIN plus a couple of mystery books from her prize cupboard. Just email Anna on anna@annacampbell.info with your answer. The contest closes 31st December, 2009, and Anna will draw the winner soon after that.

For more information, please visit her contest page: http://www.annacampbell.info/contest.html