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February 2003
Happy Valentine's Day! What a great day
to introduce the Romance Authors' newest sweetheart, Barbara McCauley.
Barbara's first book was published in 1991and after 25 books, she still
hasn't lost her enthusiasm for writing. A California native, she is an avid
gardener. Be sure to take a look at her garden page -- its truly gorgeous.
And while you're there, check out her first contest. I won't give it away
here. It's worth a visit.
http://www.barbaramccauley.com
A note from Barbara:
Happy Valentine's Day! I'm so excited to finally have my website up and
running and I hope you'll all come visit and get to know me a little better.
And please enter my contests! I love to give things away!
Looking forward to hearing from you--
Barbara McCauley
For suggestions, comments, whatever, email
sandiprice@romanceauthorspage.com
Shirley, Goodness & Mercy Are Dancing in Debbie Macomber's Head Again!
http://www.debbiemacomber.com
Greetings from Florida, which I don't mind telling you, was not the sunshine
state a couple of weeks ago. We experienced a blast of frigid air, which put
me in the mood to work on a new book involving Shirley, Goodness and Mercy.
That book, THOSE CHRISTMAS ANGELS, will be released as a Harlequin
Superromance next November. My goal is to make this the very first Harlequin
Superromance to make the New York Times List. For that I'm going to need
your help and perhaps a bit of angelic interference. We shall see.
If all goes as planned, all of you who are on my postal mailing list will
receive my annual mailing in late February or early March. So if you're not
on my list and want to receive my 2003 laminated bookmark with my year's
publishing list, my year's newsletter and calendar stickers for my 2003
titles, come on down to my website and fill out my guestbook. That's
www.debbiemacomber.com
In the meantime, stay warm, cuddle up with your special someone -- cat, dog,
or sweetheart and celebrate the season of love.
Debbie Macomber
Deborah Smith Welcomes Sweet Hush's Debut
http://www.deborahsmith.com
My new novel, Sweet Hush, hit the shelves this month! As any author will
tell you when her new book is released, it feels like you've just sent your
child off to the first day of school -- you can't be there to see how it
goes and eagerly await news of how she was received.
Sweet Hush is the story of a Georgia apple farmer whose son returns home
married . . . to the rebellious daughter of the President of the United
States, and the First Lady is not a happy camper. The Secret Service and the
media descend on Hush's private world, and so does a battle-scarred warrior
to protect the President's daughter. Only a very special woman can heal his
heart, but first she has her own battles to fight.
Visit www.deborahsmith.com for an
excerpt, contests and, soon, a whole section devoted to Sweet Hush farms.
You'll find recipes, Sweet Hush wisdom, and a chance to win the yummiest
fudge-dipped Georgia apple you've ever thought about eating.
Some exciting news on the movie front: Recently I got a call from the office
of the Disney producer who bought Sweet Hush film rights. A screenwriter has
been hired for the project and expects to have a rough script done this
winter. The screenwriter's previous credits include the Keanu Reeves' film,
"Sweet November." I guess he gets hired for all the "Sweet" projects. His
name is Kurt Voelker, and he's a Harvard grad. Hey, I'm just tickled that a
Harvard man is working on a book of mine...
In other news, my publisher and I have agreed on a title for the book I'm
finishing this spring, which will be published next year about this time.
Drum roll, please -- CHARMING GRACE. The title makes complete sense once you
understand that the story centers around a colorful Georgia socialite named
Grace Bagshaw Vance. Grace takes on a pompous movie star (and his sexy,
ex-con bodyguard) when Mr. Hollywood comes to her small mountain town to
make an unwanted movie about her late husband's heroic life. Lots of fun,
lots of romance, some tears, and, of course, plenty of charm. There's
already some early interest in film rights on this book, too. More news as I
get it!
Happy Valentine's Day! I'm off to the big Southeastern Flower Show, held at
the humongous World Congress Center in Atlanta this month.
Dar Tomlinson's Valentine's Day = Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
http://www.dartomlinson.com
I'll be spending Valentine's Day in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Seems I didn't
get that beautiful place out of my mind, or out my blood, when I was there
over the Christmas Holidays. My "hero" and I will be traveling with three
other couples, all from Estancia, our golf club in Scottsdale, so, of course
the trip will center around golf. We are, however, taking out one day for a
boat excursion along the Sea of Cortez shoreline, and I have a special place
picked out for a Valentine's dinner. Mi Cocina, in neighboring San Jose del
Cabo is an intimate courtyard restaurant located in Casa Natalia, a small
Mexican hotel just off the three-hundred-year-old plaza. I can't think of a
more romantic spot, even if we'll be sharing it with those three other
couples. Who knows? There's probably fodder for a novel in there somewhere,
a sort of Mexican Big Chill, maybe. (-:
Which leads me to the growing conclusion that I want to do just that, set a
novel in the Los Cabos area. Something in my soul constantly draws me back
there, and the major part of research has been done just by taking in the
ambiance, which includes not only the natural beauty of desert meeting
ocean, but the most handsome, most gracious people in the world. Given the
large American colony residing there, the setting lends itself perfectly to
the cross-culture stories I love to read and write.
So...a Cabo novel could be my next endeavor once I've finished SINS OF THE
FATHERS, which is going well. Since this is the third in a series, the
trequil to my Hemingway Award winning novel, BROKEN, these characters are
like...no I can't say they're like family, because they're much better
behaved than that. (smile) There are new characters, too, like Pasha a young
Javanese/Anglo woman who is already vying for a book of her own. I'm
enjoying watching these characters, familiar and new, navigate the throes of
life. I'm even pulling a few strings now and then, but mostly I'm watching,
awed, my fingers just trying to keep up on keyboard.
I wish everyone a romantic Valentine's Day, whether sipping champagne in the
most exclusive restaurant in your area or eating a heart-shaped cake in the
familiar comforts of your own home with the ones closest to you. This
special day is a yearly reminder of what keeps our lives, indeed our worlds,
together. It's a celebration of love, so let's all partake with our hearts.
Dar Tomlinson
Laura Abbot's Definition of a Hero
http://www.nettrends.com/lauraabbot
Recent events have caused me to give some thought to what constitutes a
hero. On TV we've been exposed to Joe Millionaire (a hunk by anyone's
definition) and Trista's final bachelor candidates on "The Bachelorette."
Poetry, music, art–all are gifts that can make the soul sing. Real life,
however, rarely reaches the romantic heights of film and television. Our men
hog the remote, snore, and leave dirty clothes on the floor. They forget to
stop at the grocery store and have no idea why we're hurt when they fail to
notice a new hairdo.
I have a husband who rarely utters the magic three words "I love you." He
simply says, "I'm still here, aren't I?" In the past few weeks, I have
understood anew how his actions are far more eloquent and loving (and too
often taken for granted) than mere words. He saw to it that my car was
serviced, he stacked and hauled wood for our fireplace so I could be warm,
he willingly went to the grocery store for the one vital item I realized,
mid-recipe, I had forgotten, and he ministered tenderly to the sick grandson
we were babysitting (even when the clean-up wasn't pretty!). Maybe it's too
much to expect hearts and flowers every day. Instead, perhaps we need to
become more aware of the countless loving acts our heroes perform all the
time. HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!
Kathryn Haig's First Valentine
http://www.nettrends.com/kathrynhaig
Do you remember your very first Valentine? I'll bet you do. It doesn't
matter how many there have been since, the first one has a special place in
the memory.
Mine was a torn-out page of a school exercise book, ragged-edged,
ink-stained, its carefully-maintained anonymity given away by the laborious
handwriting. Be my Valentine, written with a scratchy nib, its tip crossed,
a stray thread caught between the wires, so that each letter trailed a ghost
of itself. And underneath the words, a drawing of an arrow-pierced heart,
luridly coloured scarlet with a purple arrow in thick wax crayon.
Malcolm Wall. I haven't thought of him in years - no, in decades. I know
that I was unkind. He didn't write as neatly as I could. He didn't colour as
carefully as I did. So I scorned him. I'm sorry for that now, a lifetime
later, but six year olds are very cruel.
I wonder where he is now. I imagine him, curly hair thinning, waistband
expanding, father of many. He had a gap-toothed smile, I remember, very
sweet. I hope is is still smiling that smile. I hope life has been kind to
him.
You may think you forget, but you don't. Not really. Do you?
Pam Binder’s Valentine’s Day Resolution
http://www.pambinder.com
THINK ROMANCE 365 days out of the year. Have fresh flowers in the house as
often as possible. I have a new bouquet the start of each week. Indulge your
mind and spirit in a candlelight bubble bath at least once a week. Listen to
Irish music. Take a walk each day -- and don’t think of anything except the
beauty around you.
With my new resolutions in mind, and a sizzling new book coming out in June
2003, titled My Secret Protector, I made weekend reservations in Victoria,
Canada for my hubby and me, on Valentine’s Day. This may just call for new
clothes. Something . . . in red.
Visit my website at www.pambinder.com,
where you'll find excerpts of four novels that could inspire thoughts of
romance for you and your sweetheart.
Happy Valentine's Day to all lovers of romance...
www.nettrends.com/sharonsala
I hope your month has been better than mine, because it's been a month I
think I would like to forget. One of my oldest and dearest friends lost her
husband to multiple sclerosis and cancer. My 83 year old mother has been
having heart problems. My son and his family moved, which meant I kept the
three (count them - three) granddaughters, ages ll, 7, and 5. I love them
dearly. I love it when they get to come and stay with me. Normally, they are
super. This time they were all disturbed by the fact that when they went
home, home would not be the one they'd lived in their whole lives. It would
be in a new city, which meant new schools, new friends, new everything. They
were not amused. This also meant that the youngest one, who can be a real
pill on a good day, pretty much went berserk. The highlight of their visit
was when she was playing hide and go seek with her 7 year old sister and got
mad because her sister kept beating her back to base. As a result of her
anger and frustration (and the fears of moving that she chose not to give
voice to) she bit her sister on the butt. Yes, you heard me. Through two
layers of denim, a pair of little cotton panties, and hard enough to leave a
mark. Then, knowing that she going to be in big trouble, cried louder and
harder than the sister who was bitten. I won't delay the ending of this
story by telling you what justice was meted out, but suffice it to say, she
won't be doing it again - at least not at Grandma's house.
Then, if the move wasn't enough to set off all kinds of nervous tension, the
two youngest ones and their mother were involved in a serious car accident
less than a week after they moved. Thanks to God they were okay, but their
nerves and the family car were totaled. I need chocolate. I need a day at a
spa. I need a never-ending margarita and someone to massage my feet.
I don't mean this to be a message of doom and gloom, but rather a reminder
that sometimes life is tough, and that you should give thanks and live each
day as if it was your last. Don't put off apologizing to someone you care
for. Don't miss the opportunity to put a mistake behind you by ignoring your
instincts.
On a calmer and more pertinent note, I have two books coming out next month.
One is called AMBER BY NIGHT, released by Silhouette Desire. The other is
WHIPPOORWILL, released by Loveland Press, and available through bookstores
that order from Ingram or Baker and Taylor, or by ordering on Amazon.com, or
from the publisher direct at LovelandPress.com. Both are written under the
Sharon Sala name.
Whippoorwill is a departure from the normal romantic/suspense stories that I
write. It's sort of a Lonesome Dove for women. It's a bawdy romp through the
old west with lots of memorable characters. Bug your booksellers to stock
the book. If you like to laugh, you'll love WHIPPOORWILL.
And finally, since this is the month for lovers, I'm going to suggest that
you take time for yourselves and don't wait for someone to "give" you a
present on February 14th. Give yourself a present. Lord knows I'm going to.
I've already made the reservation at my masseuse, after which I will have a
sugar-free malt and take an afternoon nap. I think I deserve it.
Sharon Sala
aka Dinah McCall
Connie Feddersen "Taking Time"
http://www.nettrends.com/carolfinch
Happy Valentines! Here's hoping you're taking time to remind that special
someone how much they mean to you. I plan to fix husband Ed his favorite
dinner and assure him that after 33 years of marriage he's still The One.
I've just started a new historical for Harlequin, with a Texas Ranger as a
hero. But in the meantime, I'll have three books out in 03--Double
Duets--FIT TO BE FRISKED and MR COOL UNDER FIRE in Aug and THE SOLDIER'S
BRIDE a historical due out in Dec.
Best Wishes, Connie
All Kinds of Love for Linda Lael
Miller
http://www.lindalaelmiller.com
With Valentine's Day, February is a wonderful gift. My main way of
celebrating this day of sweethearts is to burn a red candle every morning
during my meditation/prayer time.
My canine sweethearts, Sadie and Bernice, are thriving, as are all the other
animals here on Springwater Station. Coco is due to present us with a brand
new foal virtually any day. All of us here are hoping for a black and white
paint, but we'll love whatever critter we get.
I started off February flying to Seattle to visit my daughter, Wendy, whose
birthday is the 6th. We celebrated with a dinner at one of our favorite
restaurants, The New Orleans Café, down in Pioneer Square. Then it was on to
Grand Coulee to see my Dad and his wife, Edith.
The rest of February I'm polishing SHOTGUN BRIDE, the second of my
McKettrick trilogy. Writing this book was a passionate experience. My heart
came home to me while I was living out Kade and Mandy's story. Guess that's
a fitting tribute to Valentine's Day! My editor tells me this book will hit
the stores in November or December of 2003. (Before then, you'll find my
next contemporary hardcover, DON'T LOOK NOW, scheduled for September
publication.) Watch
www.lindalaelmiller.com for the excerpts, which we'll post a couple of
months before the books hit the stores. And be sure to sign my guestbook, if
you haven't already -- all those who do are eligible to win books and other
neat prizes in my monthly drawings.
Lastly, but certainly not leastly, to coin a phrase, Valentine's Day is
special to me this year because it marks 20 wonderful, challenging years
with Pocket Books, contributing to my growth as a person and a writer.
Wherever you are this Valentine's Day, I wish you warm memories of your
loved ones and new experiences to tuck away in your heart.
Jill Marie says, "What a way to celebrate Valentine's Day!
http://www.jillmarielandis.com
Jill Marie Lanis will be celebrating Valentine's Day front row and center at
hubby, Steve's, opening night of the play, SAME TIME NEXT YEAR, at the
Kilauea Theatre, Kauai, Hawaii. Steve is co-starring with friend, Michele
Rundgren, in the romantic comedy about a couple who meet once a year for
twenty some years. They are married, but not to each other.
Jill Marie says, "What a way to celebrate Valentine's Day! I get to watch my
husband kiss another woman." But not to worry. A cadre of friends will be
there, too, and the champagne will be flowing at the post party.
There's plenty of kissing (and more) going on in Jill's latest novel,
LOVER'S LANE, which will be on sale in June. This specially priced hardcover
from Ballantine is Jill Marie's first full-length contemporary novel, and,
from the early rave reviews it's getting, it won't be her last.
Not only is LOVER'S LANE hitting the stands in June, but also the paperback
edition of MAGNOLIA CREEK, which will be on sale the first of June, so for
those of you who have been eagerly awaiting the paperback, get ready!
Jill Marie's website,
www.jillmarielandis.com, will have fun contest information, an excerpt
from LOVER'S LANE and photos of the new covers posted soon, so visit often!
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