Today is the official release day for IF HE’S SINFUL by Hannah Howell. This is the second book in her new series about the Wherlocke family. I loved the first book IF HE’S WICKED and I’ve been waiting a long time to get my hands on this one. I can’t wait. I’ll be picking up a copy before the end of the day. I just hope the store around the corner from my office has a copy. If not I’m determined to hound the stores until I find one that has a copy.

Here is the blurb for the book

 Secrecy and intrigue ignite dangerous passions in New York Times bestselling author Hannah Howell’s seductive new novel… It is whispered throughout

London that the members of the Wherlocke family are possessed of certain unexplainable gifts. But Lord Ashton Radmoor is skeptical—until he finds an innocent beauty lying drugged and helpless in the bedroom of a brothel.The mystery woman is Penelope Wherlocke, and her special gift of sight is leading her deep into a dangerous world of treachery and betrayal. Ashton knows he should forget her, yet he’s drawn deeper into the vortex of her life, determined to keep her safe. But Penelope is no ordinary woman, and she’s never met the man strong enough to contend with her unusual abilities.Until now…

Doesn’t that sound fabulous? I think it does.

So many female readers are addicted to Vampire romances. No I’m not sure just talking about the Twilighters or twilight fans. If you were to look at what types of paranormal romance books that are out the majority of them feature vampires or the authors version of vampires (such as Hannah Howell’s and Sherrilyn Kenyon’s heroes).

 

 

I have to admit I’m not a fan of vampire books whether they are horror or romance ones. I just can’t get over the fact that these heroes are dead and to survive they must feed off humans. To me that is just not romantic.

 

However I do love Hannah Howell’s version, her heroes aren’t vampires, but they aren’t human either. They are mortal but have a longer life expectancy than us humans. However they aren’t immortal. Also they don’t’ need human blood to survive.

 

As for Sherrilyn Kenyon series, her dark hunters don’t feed off human or human blood for that matter. However they are immortal and soulless. To be with their soul mates they need to get back their souls.

 

 

 

Then from my publisher you have AB Wallace author of VINTAGE BLOOD AND THE SACRED SCEPTERS, David Lee Summers author of VAMPIRES OF THE SCARLET ORDER and VMK Fewings author of STONE MASTERS. They are all wonderful and different books. So if you are in the mood for a good vampire book pick one of them up.

 

What I’d like to know from readers is what attracts you to reading vampire based stories? Why do you feel someone sucking your blood to be romantic? I truly would like to know.

Well I’m back from a nice long weekend off where I traveled to New England to spend the weekend with my friend Hannah Howell and her chapter the Rhoades Island Romance Writers. I attended their 1 day conference. Boy were those ladies warm and welcoming. I felt like I was part of the group. I’m debating joining them remotely. I know traveling 7+ hours to attend a workshop isn’t viable, but maybe their online support would be.

 

This was my last planned trip for 2009. I hadn’t intended to attend the New Jersey conference but when I found out I finaled I wouldn’t not go. As for next year I’m not sure how many trips I’ll be doing. I’m planning at least 3 at the moment. The rest will depend on finances.

 

Next week my plan is to meet my writing goals and beat them.

As I sat last night watching the first few episodes of Castles season 1 I realized I really like this show. I’ve probably seen some of the shows at least 3 times if not more and I haven’t gotten bored yet. This is how I used to feel when I watched Gilmore Girls. Now I only watch that when it comes on TV once a week. I do miss that show.

 

Today’s plan is to have lunch with Patricia Grasso and then a little shopping. I have to help Hannah with a mail drop of her promo to bookstores with Monica Burns for Hannah’s November release IF HE’S SINFUL and Monica’s January release KISMET. Both have fabulous cover. Take a look.

 

 

I hope you guys are enjoying a fabulous Friday. I certainly plan to!

I am still a little stunned. I’m happy to announce that DEADLY SECRETS has finaled for a Golden Leaf in the “Best First Book’ category. This contest only has 3 finalists. I have never ever been in the top 3 of anything that didn’t involve sports, but that doesn’t count. Now I have to send them a headshot (yuck), excerpt (which I’m going to agonize over for the next few days) and cover.

My fellow finalists are IN OVER HER HEAD by Judi Fennell from Sourcebooks Inc  & NOBLE BLOOD by Linda Parisi from The Wild Rose Press. I’ll be picking up a copy of each book today. I may not have read both by the time the New Jersey Conference comes around and we find out which one of us wins.

I’m also happy to announce that my friend Hannah Howell has also finaled for a Golden leaf. She’s a finalist With HIGHLAND SINNER  in the “Best Historical” category. The running joke right now between us is who will be sitting at the end of the isle during the ceremonies.

I know I’m sure to remember this conference for the rest of my life whether I win or not.

Some authors have all the luck and some really don’t where covers are concerned. If you think a cover doesn’t matter, you are dead wrong. You can have the biggst and best marketing for a book but if you have a bad cover BN, Chapters-Indigo and Borders will refuse to carry your book.

I have to say as a reader covers make a huge impact on me. If a cover grabs my attention I’ll pick it up and read the back blurb, no matter who the author is. About 50% of my book purchases of new authors to me are because I picked up their books in a bookstore because their cover caught my eye.

Here are two examples of great Historical Romance covers

 

 

I have to say I love the cover for IF HE’S SINFUL. They have given the reader some good eye candy. It is sure to grab the attention of readers. Ms Grasso’s cover for MARRYING THE MARQUIS is just as great. I love the fall colors, it gives it more of a tender feeling. I’m looking forward to both winter releases.

As for my cover, I’ve heard from booksellers and readers that they love it. However they don’t like the back of it. The print is too dark to be read easily. My publisher said they might be changing that with my next print run.

So has a cover influence you into purchasing a book you had no intention of purchasing in the first place?

I just finished what I consider to be one of the best books of 2009. IF HE’S WICKED is a wonderful historical romance that will make you fall in love with romance books.

 

IF HE’S WICKED will make you wish for your very own wicked man. This delicious historical romance is filled with suspense and paranormal experiences to entice all readers. This is a new series from the author who has brought us wonderful medieval highland stories.

I have loved Ms Howell’s work for years. My favorite book of hers is HIGHALND WARRIOR, Fiona’s story. How could I not love a heroine known as Fiona of 11 knives and who takes on a hero almost twice her size? Chloe, the heroine from IF HE’S WICKED, is almost just as good, but I hate to say HIGHLAND WARRIOR is still my favorite. However I do have a new secondary character and that’s Anthony Chloe’s step-son. Did you know he has “pretty hair”? I have to say I loved reading about the men’s reaction to that comment and never tired of it throughout the book. LOL

Well done Ms Howell IF HE’S WICKED is definitely a keeper even if it didn’t kick HIGHLAND WARRIOR off the top rank of your books. I look forward to the second book in this new series

 

It seems that I have been waiting for years for Jamie’s story. I have repeatedly emailed Ms Howell to ask her when his story would be written. Her usual response being, maybe one day.  Well that day has finally arrived.  He got his story in HIGHLAND WOLF.  

We find out that life hasn’t been as easy for James when the book starts. He’s been on the run accused of killing his wife.  Who accused him?  His wife’s cousin, Donnell MacKay who took over his lands and the care of his young daughter, Meggie, which he claimed as his own for over 3 years.  At the end of his rope James decides to go back and fight for what is rightfully yours and clear his name.  What he didn’t plan on was Annora.  She is the orphaned bastard relative of MacKay that has never known a home of her own since loosing her own mother at a young age.  She comes to take care of Meggie and keep her safe from her cousin’s abusive hands.  She and James work together to find the truth about his wife’s death and fall in love.  

So do I think it was worth the wait?  You bet it was.  Now I can’t wait until Meggie gets her own story. I wonder if it’s too soon to ask Ms Howell.