I have been noticing on the net that a few readers are wondering why I am supporting the American Breast Cancer Foundation (ABCF) when I’m not American. They want to know why I am not supporting the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. Actually I am, but I can’t say so on the book by using their logo instead of the ABCF. Why? I am not a sponsor of theirs. Why? Didn’t I try to get sponsorship with them? I did but I couldn’t meet their financial requirements. I had to guarantee a certain amount (which was very large) and a big percentage of all sales in order to use their logo. Fair enough, but I can’t meet their requirements. I simply don’t make enough.

That said I am donating the same amount to the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation as I am the ABCF even though I’m not a sponsor. Even though I couldn’t meet their requirements the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation suggested that I put (which my publisher gladly did) a note saying that proceeds are being donated to “Breast Cancer Research”. That’s what they will be doing with my donations.

So even though I can’t say that I’m also supporting the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. I am 100%.

I have to say I’m really hooked on Canadian TV this year. I watched BEING ERICA and WILD ROSES this week.

I loved the way Erica learned to stand up for herself even when it cost her a job, well sort of. How’s that? Well after her new boss canned her Erica had to bail her out. She and Ethan don’t go any further than a kiss when he gets served with divorce paper.  Personally I think this is for the best, if they were to jump into the sack right now they wouldn’t last. I want them to last.

As for Wild Roses, boy did Maggie ever give it to David by publicly announcing he would donate over 250 grand to her charity instead of 50. However he got the last laugh when he had her land search for oil behind her back. Things are sure to explode when she discovers what he’s done. Also there is a new cowboy in town. I think he’ll be giving Peter a run for his money to get Kate’s attention. I hope she goes for the new guy who just happened to see the testing done on Rivercross land. Plus if this show is any indication, Peter is getting into drugs. I’m looking forward to next week when Dillon becomes jealous of a new guy trying to get Lucy’s attention or is he trying to get into her pants. We’ll have to wait and see.

Tonight is The Week the Women Went. It should be interesting to see how the men survived their first night on their own.

Hey there,

I’m thrilled to announce that DEADLY SECRETS has received another Fabulous review. This time it’s from Amazon #1 reviewer Harriett Klaussner. Here is what she had to say

“The key to this excellent romantic amateur sleuth novel is that the fully developed lead characters never lose sight of what is critical: finding the culprit before he or she makes their attempt to kill Philippe; the romance takes a necessary back seat to the suspense. The support cast is solid as Philippe and Roxanne investigate each suspect to fathom who the killer is. Fans will appreciate Leann Burke strong thriller as the identity of the killer is in plain sight yet almost impossible to pick out of the usual suspects.”

Isn’t that great?

For the full review Genre Go Round

I seriously give up! Ever since the beginning of the year I have been trying to find the first half of the sequel to DEADLY SECRETS. I simply can’t find it. So I give up!

I’m going to have to start all over again and rewrite it. Will it be the same? NO! Am I finding it hard to start? You bet I am. I had a really good prologue which was strong and dark. Now I feel as though I’m stumbling my way through my own darkness.  Oh well I’ll eventually find the light switch. Hopefully it’ll be before I trip over the killer’s needle and stab myself. LOL

So wish me luck!

I don’t know what the weather is like where you are but here in Ottawa it is very cooooold right now. I did wake up this morning to the sight of beautiful snow on the trees outside. That started my day on the right foot.

I have to say I didn’t know what to think of BEING ERICA’s first show, but I have to say I am slowly warming up to it. Yesterday’s episode was really good. They had a different twist to class reunion. At hers Erica goes back into the past and changed her first sexual experience. She thought she based her insecurities and judgmental attitude in relationships because her first time had been recorded without her approval. I have to say I liked the way she turned the tables on the looser. You go Erica! However she realizes her relationship problems are because she never let’s go! Also her relationship with her best friend Ethan changes. They become closer or at least that’s what it appears at the end of the show.

I am looking forward to another great show next week where Erica learns to stand up for herself.

My second launch took place yesterday afternoon in Barrhaven. The store wasn’t a busy but I did sell about 12 copies of DEADLY SECRETS. I had a few surprise visitors. However there were some people I had hoped to see that weren’t able to come.

I do have to say that I am eternally grateful to Diane and Audrey from the Book Stop. Their staff at both locations greeted me with open arms and treated me like a queen. I definitely recommend their store.

I am so thrilled to sponsor an organization like the American Breast Cancer Foundation. They do so much for women in the US.

I have pasted here the media release they have created to promote my book.

 * * * * *

NEWS 

For Immediate Release                                            MEDIA CONTACT:                                                                                    Danielle Davis                                                                                      443.834.6725                                                                                    ddavis@ellevancepr.com 

AMERICAN BREAST CANCER FOUNDATION RECIEVES SUPPORT FROM LEEANN BURKE’S NEWEST NOVEL DEADLY SECRETS 

BALTIMORE (January 5, 2009)— The American Breast Cancer Foundation (ABCF) a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to providing direct financial assistance to uninsured and underinsured individuals for diagnostic tests to aid in the early detection and survival of breast cancer, announced today that it has been selected to receive proceeds from Leeann Burke’s new novel, Deadly Secrets (ISBN 1-897370-69-5), released on December 16, 2008. Both the author and publisher LBF Books will donate a portion of the proceeds from the new romantic suspense novel to help women nationwide in need of breast cancer screening and diagnostic services. 

“We are grateful for the support of Leeann Burke and LBF Books,” said Phyllis Wolf, president of the American Breast Cancer Foundation. “Leeann’s book is suspenseful and hard to put down. It is an honor to be involved with her very first book.”  

ABCF’s Key to Life Breast Cancer Screening Assistance Program provides direct assistance in the form of financial grants for annual mammogram screenings and breast cancer diagnostic tests to find or rule out breast cancer. Each year, approximately 10,000 women and men receive services through the Key to Life Program.  

“We are pleased to help the American Breast Cancer Foundation and the fight against breast cancer,” said Carole Spencer, publisher & CEO of LBF Books. “We want women to know that help is available and want to do our part through the sale of Leeann’s new book, Deadly Secrets.” 

### 

Editor’s Note: Electronic copies of Deadly Secrets for review and its cover are available for reviews. Please contact Danielle Davis at 443-834-6725 or ddavis@ellevancepr.com for cover or electronic copy requests.   

About the American Breast Cancer Foundation:

The American Breast Cancer Foundation (ABCF) is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to providing direct financial assistance to uninsured and underinsured individuals for diagnostic tests to aid in the early detection and survival of breast cancer. ABCF’s Key to Life Program provides breast cancer patients with financial assistance for support items such as emergency treatment, wigs, prosthesis and medications. Critical information and referral services are provided to support patients and their families. To best serve all populations throughout the United States Spanish speaking staff and third party translation services are available to accommodate most languages. ABCF supports research for innovative diagnostic, treatment and patient support methods through leading medical institutions. More information is available at www.abcf.org.

It’s bitter cold here in Ottawa. They say a body can free after being exposed for more than 15 minutes. I’m glad I’m working from home these days. This is probably the only advantage with this bus strike that is now in day 37 and it doesn’t look like it’ll end any time soon. Some experts have estimated over 1,000 jobs have been loss and business have lost of 250 million in revenue. Can you believe it?

On a happier note the only good thing to do in cold times like today is watch TV which I have done this week, but haven’t had time to blog about it. I watched the Biggest Loser this week and was stunned but not surprised when Bob lost his temper with Joelle. I was starting to loose patience with her. I also watched Wild Roses. I enjoyed this week’s show just as much if not more than the first one. This week we saw Lucy and Will start to fall for one another. I’m looking forward to seeing how that progresses in the next few shows.

What are you doing to keep warm?

I am thrilled to bits right now. I just got my first review for DEADLY SECRETS. It’s from Romance Junkies and it’s a good one.

Here is a quote from it.

“From the beginning, Leeann Burke draws her readers in with a gripping suspense that leaves you breathless.  I found myself picking out suspects and trying to determine the identity of the killer, but the author left me surprised in the end. DEADLY SECRETS is a fabulous book that is perfect to curl up with on a lazy afternoon.  Definitely a recommended read!” Lacey, Romance Junkies

Isn’t that FABULOUS? I think it is. Woo Hoo! Thanks go out to Lacey and Romance Junkies, you gals simply ROCK!

For the full review

My launch in Orleans with family was fabulous. I sold tons of books. Some family members came that I didn’t expect to show up. It was touching to see so many of them on my special day. I had a great surprise when I arrived at Book Stop, they had already sol 5 copies of my book before the signing. Now this is a small bookstore and my book isn’t cheap. It’s not under $10.

The best part was that I sold over 11 books on Saturday to total strangers. Every single one of them either read mystery/suspense book (right up DEADLY SECRETS alley), supported local authors or supported breast cancer.

Now I can’t wait for my Barrhaven launch next weekend! Here’s hoping it’s also a blast!