Off to RAW!

I'm heading off to Lora Leigh's Reader Appreciation Weekend (RAW), so the next blog update will likely be sometime late next week.

Hopefully, I'll have lots of photos to share with you all when I get back. But, until then, I have a great giveaway for you - a signed copy of the fabulous Devil's Bride by Stephanie Laurens.

I love the Cynsters, and Devil's Bride is the first book in the series. My own copy is very well loved and sits proudly on my keeper shelves. I was soooo tempted to keep this copy, too, but I decided I'd rather send it out so someone else could experience the magic.

If you like protective, possessive alpha heroes, and female leads strong enough to take on these gorgeous men, I think you'll enjoy Honoria and Devil's story. You can read an excerpt on Stephanie Laurens' website, but take my word for it - it's a wonderful book!

Leave a comment on this post by midnight, Tuesday 23rd September (New Zealand time) if you'd like to go into the draw for this copy of Devil's Bride. See you when I get back from RAW! :)

Reader Interviews: Daphne Dalle on "Wicked" by Jill Barnett

It's Tuesday and today we're kicking off a new series of reader interviews on books that the readers of this blog consider absolute keepers. If you'd like to participate, you can find all the details here. :)

Our very first interviewee is Daphne Dalle!

~

Daphne Dalle on Jill Barnett's Wicked

a) What's the book about?

It's a medieval romance between two very striking characters; Lady Sofia Howard and Sir Tobin de Clare. It's a story about young love, about being prideful, vulnerable, and out of your depth. We first meet Sofia when she is a fifteen-year-old ward of King Edward I, and terribly, achingly lonely despite her confident exterior. She sees Tobin across a crowded field and her pride takes a crashing fall when she's unable to stay away from him - in fact, she finds herself searching for him. Despite their youth, chemistry is instant, undeniable.

When Tobin cruelly breaks her heart that very same night, the lonely girl peeking out from Sofia's shell retreats, and she becomes flippant and cocky once more. Fast-forward two years, and Sofia is told that the King has arranged for her to marry Sir Tobin. For a girl that's independent to her very core, she feels cornered and helpless, yet unable to forget all the beautiful things Tobin made her feel. This is the start of a rocky relationship, and both Sofia and Tobin travel many miles and many years to reach their happy ending, but every step is beautiful in its own way, and the couple truly grow with each turn of the page.

b) What do you love most about this story?

I enjoy the fact that it employs several features I usually dislike - long separations, extreme pride, miscommunication - and I couldn't care less. In fact, these things contribute to such a beautiful story about human emotion and why we do the things we do that I wouldn't have it any other way. You see the characters make the worst possible decisions, but you immediately put yourself in that position and find yourself making the same choices. They didn't frustrate me, as headstrong characters tend to do, but they made me care and root for them. Which is all too rare, I think. And I absolutely adored seeing glimpses of Sofia's past, and just how much Tobin has been a part of her life. I don't much believe in destiny, but this couple might sway me, I think.

c) How many times have you read this book?

I first read "Wicked" when I found a copy in my college library - I think I was supposed to be researching themes of love and sex in the Old Testament, but I completely forgot about it as soon as I started reading. Right there in the library, I finished the book in one go. (For those of you who are curious, the assignment never got off the ground...) I ordered my own copy and have read it two more times since. I don't want to overdo it, because the book makes me so emotional that its quite draining. I think I'll read it once a year to get all my emotions out of the way (yes, I admit it, I'd be Psy if I had the choice! Don't judge me. *g*)

d) Who would you recommend it to?

Anyone that loves well-told stories with depth, and characters you can truly believe in. The prose is beautiful and the romance is memorable, with excellent supporting characters. (Nuns are cool. I said it.)

e) Anything else you want to add?

I don't say this lightly, but I reckon this book is about as close to perfect as you can get. And if I'm honest, I'm a little jealous that I didn't write it. :D

Video Interview!

While at the RWA conference in San Francisco, I was interviewed by the lovely Morgan Doremus for Romantic Times BOOKreviews. That interview has now gone live (in four parts).

I've embedded one of the segments below - where I talk about my writing process, particularly in relation to Slave to Sensation, but you can see the other three parts, as well as interviews with a number of other authors, on the Romantic Times website. :)

p.s. See - I don't have an accent!

Thanks! & Catchup

Thank you all so much for the comments and congrats - you all rock. :)

Today, I did some work on the book after Mercy's. Can't tell you who it's about yet, but I think you'll be intrigued. *g*

I've also already got a couple of great keeper book interviews! Put your thinking caps on everyone and send me some more.

We haven't done a weekly catchup for a while, so tell me what you're up this weekend, or how the week's gone!

USA Today & NYT!!!!!!!!!

Hostage to Pleasure hit both the USA Today and New York Times Bestseller lists, coming in at...

#20 on the NYT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you to everyone who bought the book! You guys are completely awesome!!!

New Reader Interviews - Keeper Books

I posted the final reader interview I had in my inbox a little while back, so thought we'd change up the questions and run the interviews once more! (If you sent me an interview and it hasn't been posted, email it through to me again :) ).

So, here's the new format. I thought we'd do it on Keeper Books. If you'd like to participate, you can do the interview in one of two ways.

1. Pick a book that you consider an absolute keeper, and tell us all about it, and why you love it so much.

or

2. Pick a book that you consider an absolute keeper, and answer the following questions about it.

a) Title and author of the book?

b) What's the book about?

c) What do you love most about this story?

d) How many times have you read this book?

e) Who would you recommend it to?

f) Anything else you want to add?

Whichever style you choose, please also note the following:

1. I need you to sign the interview with whatever name you'd like it posted under.

2. You can send me as many interviews as you'd like (we love hearing about keepers!), but please send one email per book.

3. Paste everything directly into your email. ie. Don't attach a file with the info.

4. If the covers are available online, you can send me a link - but again, no attachments.

5. Send it to nalinisinghwrites AT gmail DOT com, with Reader Interview in the subject line.

6. Open to all. If you're a writer, just put on your reader hat :)

7. Most important rule of all - have fun!!

Any questions?

CL Wilson & Scavenger Hunt Heads-Up

A couple of links for you tonight. First up, author C.L. Wilson is answering questions over at the RT boards.

AND

Two Lips Reviews is holding an online scavenger hunt to celebrate their second birthday. If you'd like to do a little hunting, follow the link for full details! :)

Winner: Hostage to Pleasure Release Contest

Thank you to everyone who entered the HtP Release Contest. I had fun reading who you'd like to hold hostage and vice versa.

And now, without further ado, the random winner of the US$75 gift certificate to an online bookstore of her choice is:

BRIDGET LOCKE

Congratulations, Bridget!

How about we give Bridget recommendations for which books she should buy with her winnings! :)

Interview and Q&A

I've got a fun interview up over at the DIK blog. If you've got any questions of your own, feel free to ask in the comments over there!

Promo & Favorites

We're talking promo over at Dionne Galace - swing by and let me pick your brains :)

And I'm still being held hostage over at the Desert Island Keepers blog - and this time, it's all about heroes and favorite books. Oooooh...

Have a fabulous weekend everyone!

Taken Hostage!

I've been taken hostage by the ladies over at the DIK blog. Come and save me (or not - they have hot men on that island of theirs *grin*).

I hope you all have a fabulous day!

Who Can Resist the Cuteness?

Loving Alpha Heroes

I'm over at the RNTV blog today, talking about why we love alpha heroes. Come on over. You know you want to :)

Couple of things

I'm chatting over at The Phade messageboard. Drop by if you're a member and say hi :) Chat's now over. But don't worry if you missed it - I'll be doing another Q & A later this week.

Also, I figured we'd open a spoiler thread for Hostage to Pleasure around Sep 20th. How's that sound? Do you all want to do a chat around that time as well? Let me know and we can set something up.

Hostage to Pleasure Release!!

Hostage to Pleasure is officially out!!!!

Excerpts Up!

The excerpts from BRANDED BY FIRE and ANGELS' BLOOD are now live. Enjoy!

The Hostage to Pleasure Release Contest

CONTEST NOW CLOSED

To celebrate the upcoming (September 2nd!) release of Hostage to Pleasure the 5th full-length entry in the Psy/Changeling world, I'm running a fun contest all about being hostages to pleasure *grin*

What's up for grabs?

The winner, chosen at random, will receive a US$75 gift certificate from the online bookstore of your choice :)

What do you have to do to enter?

(a) Do a post on your blog, livejournal, myspace, facebook or website etc, where you answer at least one of the questions below. You can do all three questions if you like!

* Which fictional hero (from books, tv, movies...) would you most like to hold hostage?

* Which fictional hero would you most like to be held hostage by?

* Which fictional world would you most like to be held hostage in?

(b) link back to this post & mention the contest
(c) post the cover of Hostage to Pleasure if possible; and
(d) leave a comment here with a link to where you've posted your entry (if, for some reason, you can't comment, email me the details at nalinisinghwrites @ gmail.com (without the spaces))
*NOTE: If you're leaving a Myspace link, please leave a link to your profile - the direct links to the blogs aren't working.
(e) do all this before midnight September 5th, 2008, PST.

And most of all - have fun!!

Psy/Changeling Series

I'm talking about some of the reasons why I love writing the Psy/Changeling series over at the Down Under Desirabelles. Come join me!

Book Smugglers Interview

My interview with the Book Smugglers has now gone live. I'm also answering questions, so drop by if you have one, or just to join in the fun. :)

Have a great weekend everyone!

Interview, Website & More

I was interviewed by Cheyenne McCray for Fangs, Fur & Fey, and the interview is now live. Come by and say hi :)

And now some links for your delectation.

Meljean Brook is running not one but two contests on her blog.

• One is for ARCs to her November release Demon Bound (great book!). It's all about creepy super-powers. Oooh...
• Number two is the "I've never tried Meljean Brook's Guardian series but I'd like to!" First Blood giveaway. She's got 25 copies of the anthology to give away.

A winged cat is spotted in China. Dear Author asks if this is a lost Tairen Soul. Talking of Tairen Souls, doesn't C.L. Wilson have beautiful covers? (Also, I think C.L. Wilson should send me King of Sword and Sky early - beaming over a telepathic message *grin*)

The Down Under Desirabelles have reported back from the Romance Writers of Australia Conference.


And in case you haven't been by the website lately, we've updated it. I've answered some new FAQs and updated others. Also, excerpts for ANGELS' BLOOD and BRANDED BY FIRE will be going live September 1st!

Last but very definitely not least, Visions of Heat recently released in German! Check out the sexy cover to the left. :)

Rome & Jules

I saw this on Lora Leigh's message board and had to have it! It reminds me of a certain Terrible Twosome :)

Book Binge & Book Smugglers

I'm over at The Book Binge today, talking about how I choose (or how the characters choose!) who to write about next in the Psy/Changeling series. Swing by and leave a comment - I'm picking a random winner to get a copy of The Magical Christmas Cat.

Also, The Book Smugglers have kicked off a Nalini Singh Extravaganza (I like the sound of that *grin*) with a review of Caressed By Ice.

More reviews of Hostage to Pleasure have come in - I'm hoping to update the sidebar with them in the next few days :)

Susan Napier Winner & OOTB Tour: Razor Girl - Marianne Mancusi

The random winner of the Susan Napier book giveaway is Caralee! Congrats! Caralee, can you please email me your details at nalinisinghwrites @ gmail.com (without the spaces).

Now, onto to today's OOTB tour!!
_______________

RAZOR GIRL by Marianne Mancusi

Molly Anderson is not your average twenty-one-year-old. It’s been six years since she and her family escaped into a bunker, led by her conspiracy theorist father and his foreknowledge of a plot to bring about the apocalypse. But her father’s precautions didn’t stop there. Molly is now built to survive.

Yes, Ian Anderson’s favorite book gave him ideas on how to “improve” his daughter. Molly is faster, stronger, and her ocular implants and razor-tipped nails set her apart. Apart, when—venturing alone out of the bunker and into a plague ravaged, monster-ridden wilderness—what Molly needs most is togetherness. Chase Griffin, a friend from her past, is her best bet. But while he and others have miraculously survived, the kind boy has become a tormented man. Together, these remnants of humanity must struggle toward trusting each other and journey to the one place Molly’s father believed all civilization would be reborn: the Magic Kingdom, where everyone knows it’s a small world after all.

ABOUT MARIANNE MANCUSI

When it comes to writing, award winning author Marianne Mancusi likes to play the field. From time travel comedies to kick butt speculative fiction romances to a Buffy’esque vampire series for teens, she’s published eleven books in three years, in a myriad of genres and styles.

In addition to writing, Marianne is a multiple Emmy award winning television producer, currently working for the nationally syndicated women’s lifestyle show Better TV. A Boston native and graduate of Boston University ’s College of Communications , she currently lives on Manhattan ’s Upper West Side . (But has NOT become a Yankees fan!) In her spare time, Marianne enjoys clubbing, cosplay, cheesy horror movies (especially those featuring zombies!), her dog Molly, and videogames.

REVIEWS

“Opens with danger and will grab your interest immediately. Stellar!”
--Huntress Reviews

“An increasingly intense, suspenseful edge-of-the-seat thrilling ride…stunning, cutting edge romance.”
--Merrimon Book Reviews

"Non-stop thrill ride from page one! Marianne Mancusi spins an eerily marvelous tale in her book RAZOR GIRL."
--Simply Romance Reviews

"Mancusi doesn't hesitate to take chances and innovate!"
--Romantic Times

"Marianne Mancusi has returned with an edgy all-new tale, Razor Girl, filled with fast-paced action and a heroine strong enough to mold her own destiny."
--SF Scope

Website: http://www.mariannemancusi.com

Dark Desires After Dusk - Kresley Cole

I came late to this series (The Immortals After Dark) and I tell you, I'm hooked! I'm also reading them completely out of order - but I couldn't resist Cade. He's rough, he's tough, and he's completely gorgeous. Talk about "lickable horns." *grin*

Here's the blurb (from Amazon):

RITA Award-winning author Kresley Cole continues her bestselling Immortals After Dark series with this electrifying tale of a ruthless demon mercenary and the lovely young halfling who enchants him.

A seductive beauty he can never have, yet can't resist...

Cadeon Woede will stop at nothing to atone for the one wrong that will haunt him forever. But once he secures the key to his redemption, the halfling Holly Ashwin, Cade finds that the woman he thought he could use for his own ends and then forget haunts him as much as his past.

A tormented warrior she should fear, but can't deny...

Raised as a human, Holly never knew that some frightening legends are real until she encounters a brutal demon who inexplicably guards her like a treasure. Thrust into a sensual new world of myth and power, with him as her protector, she begins to crave the demon's wicked touch.

Surrender to dark desires...

Yet just when he earns Holly's trust, will Cade be forced to betray the only woman who can sate his wildest needs -- and claim his heart?

Janet at Dear Author did a much more in-depth review here. And you can read an excerpt from the book at Kresley Cole's website.

So, who else is loving this series? Favorite books? And since it's the weekend, what're you all up to?

Excerpt - Hostage to Pleasure & Updates

As promised, here is an extra excerpt from Hostage to Pleasure. I chose a piece where you get to see Dorian and Ashaya together. It's not enormously long, so don't read it if you're made easily crazy ;-)

Also, I'm going to be kicking off a fun little contest next week, so make sure you swing by on Monday to read the details. And if you haven't dropped your name into the hat to go into the draw to win Susan Napier's Accidental Mistress, you've still got time.

Now, onto the excerpt. Enjoy!

~~~

Excerpt from HOSTAGE TO PLEASURE - Out September 2nd!

He sat back on his haunches and watched her get back up into a sitting position. Her eyes went to his handiwork. “You’ve had some training.”

He bit back the urge to snarl at her frigid tone. The ice of it was a fist around his cock, arousing him against all reason, all sense. “First aid.” He shrugged, stuffed everything back into her pack, then paused. “You need anything from here?”

“Everything.”

“Tough.” He did up the straps. “I have to carry you as it is—”

“I can—”

“Yeah, you can crawl,” he snapped, “but that isn’t going to get me home in time to catch a few z’s.” And nowhere near fast enough to contain the leopard’s enraged attempts at exploding from within his skin. He couldn’t shift, had never been able to. But the cat didn’t know it was trapped. Right now, it wasn’t even sure if it wanted to savage Ashaya or fuck her. “Since I can’t dump you here, I might as well get rid of you as fast as I can.”

It was a deliberate attempt to provoke, but her face, a face that had haunted his dreams for two months, remained expressionless. Two damn months, he thought again. Endless nights of waking in a sweat, frustrated and hard. And angry, so angry. The sole thing that had kept him from going out and hunting her down had been an enraged defiance against a sexual pull that had begun to turn into an obsession.

Now here she sat, looking up at him with those eyes that were the wrong color—and that blatant lie only stoked his fury.

“You have a lot of antipathy toward me.”

No, what he had was a bad case of lust. But he wasn’t an animal in rut. And his one stupid, drunken mistake in college aside, he didn’t sleep with women who might just freeze his balls off in the night. “I’m going to stash your pack up in the branches. The lynx won’t come near it now that it has my scent on it. Someone can grab it for you tomorrow.”

Ashaya didn’t argue, knowing she had nothing with which to bargain. “Another debt?” She’d recognized his voice at once as that of the sniper. After all, she’d been hearing it in her dreams for eight long weeks.

“Don’t worry. We’ll collect.” With those words, he shrugged into the pack and began climbing.

She couldn’t believe the way he moved. It was so smooth, it appeared effortless. He was ten times faster than she had been, a hundred times more graceful. If she’d had any doubts as to what he was, they would’ve been wiped away by that display. “Changeling,” she said as he jumped back down. “Cat.”

He raised an eyebrow, his eyes a pitiless blue so true—even in this darkness—that she wondered at its existence. “Meow.”

Something hidden sparked to life in her mind, and she found herself thinking that the sniper was beautiful. Darkness, she’d always cloaked him in darkness, but he was a golden god. “How did you know I was here?” Her breath came in pants as she managed to get to her feet, one hand braced against the tree trunk. Her palm landed on something sticky. Her own blood, she realized.

“I’m an F-Psy.” A mocking answer. “You’re going to have to ride on my back. Try not to stab me while you’re at it.” He came to her, turned.

The instant she put her hands on his shoulders, she froze. She hadn’t had this much close contact with another being for longer than she could remember. Even with Keenan, she’d kept her distance, aware that only Silent coldness would keep him safe. But there was no point of comparison between her weakness where Keenan was concerned and this changeling who seemed to despise her.

And yet who fascinated her on a level it was madness to even consider.

(c) Copyright 2008 by Nalini Singh

Links to some reader reviews!

"Hostage to Pleasure has met all my expectations and Nalini has a fan and supporter of her books for life." ~ Katiebabs

“Singh…brings it in #5 with no letup in sight. Her characters get better and better, and the world is evolving in layers that feel realistic…” ~ Nicola O.

"I was on that reading high by the end of Hostage to Pleasure, overjoyed that book five was indeed holding the series strong, perhaps rising to become the best of them yet." ~ Lurv A La Mode (KMont)

"KEEPER, KEEPER, KEEPER, KEEPER, KEEPER!!!!" CindyS on Book Binge

RWNZ Conference Photos

As promised, here are some photos from the RWNZ Conference :)

Rosie Koop from Harlequin Australia, new Desire author Sandra Hyatt (she got The Call while at the San Francisco conference!), and the wonderful Susan Napier at the Harlequin Author Lunch.

Authors Melanie Milburne, Tessa Radley and Abby Gaines at the lunch.

With Chrissy Brashear (Samhain Publishing), my editor Cindy Hwang, and Angela James (Samhain Publishing), at the Friday cocktail party.

Yvonne Lindsay and Anne Gracie (getting into the CAT-e-gory theme of the cocktail party!)

Conference, Winner & Accidental Mistress by Susan Napier

I'm back from conference and it's straight back into work now - though I suppose I should unpack the suitcase first ;)

The random winner of the signed copy of Sexiest Man Alive is Barbarita V. Congrats! Shoot me your address at nalinisinghwrites @ gmail.com (without the spaces), and I'll pop it in the post for you.

Contest Now Closed

I've got another giveaway for you today - a copy of Accidental Mistress by Susan Napier. I love Susan's books, but I've ended up with two copies of this one, so drop your name in the hat by midnight Sunday, Aug 24th, NZ time, if you'd like to go into the draw to win my second copy.

Also, the edition I'm giving away includes a bonus book, The Return of the Rebel by Trish Wylie, so you'll get two stories, and incidentally, it also has a different cover!

I'll have some photos from the NZ conference for you tomorrow, including one of Susan (fingers crossed it came out!), as well as a fabulous one of the wonderful Anne Gracie. Hope you all have a great start to the week!

Weekly Catchup & RWNZ Conference

What's everyone up to this coming weekend? I'm off to the RWNZ Conference tomorrow and really looking forward to it.

Re the excerpt requests - I'm going to look through Hostage to Pleasure when I get back and see what I can do. :)

See you next week!

Website & the Sexiest Man Alive

Sorry for disappearing on you folks - this week is going by like a freight train. I'm working on updates to the website at the moment, so let me know if you think a particular page needs to be updated, or if you'd like some questions answered on the FAQ page.

I'm also off to the annual Romance Writers of New Zealand conference this weekend, which should be a blast...but I have yet to pack.

And talking of conferences, Diana Holquist was kind enough to sign a copy of Sexiest Man Alive at the RWA Conference for me to give away on the blog. If you'd like to go in the draw, drop your name into the hat on this post by midnight Sunday 17th Aug, NZ time.

How's your week going?

Book Tour: Charmed & Ready - Candace Havens

I've got a book tour for you today - the mass market release of Charmed & Ready. Details below!

Also, don't forget to check out the new Down Under Desirabelles blog - Bronwyn Jameson has done a great RWA Highlights post, complete with giveaway :)
________________________

CHARMED & READY by Candace Havens

Paperback Published: August 5, 2008 (Berkley)

Trade Published: September 5, 2006 (Berkley Trade)

After spending most of her life single-practically an occupational hazard for a witch-Bronwyn's finally found a sexy warlock to love. But it's going to take more than a few love spells to keep him from getting jealous about her latest gig-protecting a rock star named Zane from the creepy Goth guys in cloaks who keep showing up at his concerts and zapping his mojo. Bronwyn would like nothing better than to blow them up in an inferno of Love That Red smoke, but they're proving elusive. And in the meantime-what girl wouldn't want to hang with the hottest man in music?

You can find out more info on Candace's book at www.candacehavens.com
_________________________

Hope you all have a great weekend! :)

RWA Conference Photos Part III

I keep finding more awesome photos - I truly was snap-happy this year. :)


Jamie Sobrato and Bethany Griffin at the Literacy Signing. I met Jamie online as our first books were coming out and we've kept in touch ever since. :)

Jenna Black, Kris (from Love Letter magazine) and me on Wednesday afternoon.

Friends and fellow members of a wonderful online group I've been a member of for years - the Brainstorming Desirables, Tessa Radley and Mary Lou Wilson. That's the bar/lounge area in the background. It was *the* gathering spot - every time I walked past, I saw romance writers everywhere.


Larissa Ione (Pleasure Unbound) and Diana Holquist (RITA nominee for Sexiest Man Alive) at the Grand Central book signing.



With fellow Berkley author Kathleen Dante. See the booksigning in the background - it was an amazing experience. So many authors, so many books!



With author Saskia Walker. I was so delighted to meet her in person for the first time.


Sherry Thomas and Bettie Sharpe - still full of energy even at the end of the Literacy Signing!

What a conference it was! I'm already thinking about the next one! :)

More Conference Photos

As promised, here are some more photos from the RWA San Francisco conference.

Me with my wonderful, wonderful editor, Cindy Hwang. I *heart* Cindy. (This was taken at the Penguin cocktail party).

Me with RITA winner Anne Stuart! Congratulations, Anne!

Some of the New Zealand gang directly after the RITA ceremony. From left: Amanda (Ashby), Sara (Hantz), Ellie and Giovanna.

I ran into CL Wilson on Wednesday afternoon. It was the only time I saw her at the conference - it's this weird conference thing, some people you see every day, others almost never.

Jill Myles, whose book has an awesome title - Sex Starved - but we have to wait till 2009 to read it, and Meljean Brook.


Marilyn from the Writing Playground and Gail Dayton (whose March 2009 book, New Blood, is fabulous! I grabbed an ARC at the Tor signing and couldn't put it down. More about the book closer to the release date. I have plans to wrangle Gail into an interview).

And to end this post, here's a photo of me with Jennifer K!

I still have more photos, so there'll be another conference post tomorrow. Hope you guys are enjoying the recaps. :)

RWA Conference

The San Francisco conference was amazing - I was exhausted by the end of it, but it was a happy exhaustion. I went to some great workshops, attended a number of events, and met so many wonderful people that I came close to losing my voice I was talking so much!

I have a ton of photos so you're going to get a bit of a photo tour this week :)

This first photo is from Friday afternoon, and one of the coolest moments of the conference for me. I met and talked to Christine Feehan!! She is an amazing author and a really lovely person to talk to in person - I was so incredibly excited to meet her.

Not only that, but I got to chat to Marjorie Liu as well - who flew off to China a couple of days later!

Christine Feehan, Nalini, Marjorie Liu

I also got to meet the gorgeous Meljean Brook, who was only there for the Friday. Keep an eye out for Meljean's Demon Bound in November - it's fabulous!!

Nalini & Meljean

As well as meeting new friends, and catching up with online ones, I had a chance to catch up with some friends I've had for a long time. On Wednesday morning, I had coffee with Frances Housden, Bronwyn Jameson and Shelley Munro. Paula Roe dropped by for a few minutes as well, and gave me a bright red "I'm a Down Under Desirabelle" ribbon for my badge. That ribbon started a few conversations, let me tell you! It's actually all about a new blog that we've set up - the first posts have just gone up (and I just added some photos there, too), so swing by and say hi!

Frances & Bronwyn

And I think this is the perfect picture to end on for today - what made this conference extra special was that so many readers were there, including a number of people who comment on this blog. So without further ado, let me introduce you to (from left) - Kate (Katiebabs), Alice, and Ciara.

I also met lots of other readers, but I haven't got all my photos organized yet - if you guys have any good shots, send them to me! It was so much fun meeting everyone. I'm already thinking about next year!!

More photos tomorrow!

I'm back!

And feeling verrrrrry sleeeeeepy... More coherent post to come tomorrow, complete with photos!

San Francisco!!

It's almost conference time!

If you live in or near San Francisco, don't forget the book signing on Wednesday July 31st from 5.30 to 7.30pm at the San Francisco Marriott. This is open to anyone.

I'll also be at the Berkley signing on Friday 1 August from 3.00 to 4.30pm (open to conference attendees).

My next post will most likely be Wednesday of next week (hopefully including conference photos), so see you then. :)

Stormy Saturday

It's all rainy and story outside. I should be packing for the RWA Conference, but instead I'm blissfully reading. :)

Jane's Warlord - Angela Knight

I picked up Jane's Warlord after seeing a review of Warrior and realizing they were set in the same world. I can't believe I waited this long to read this book! It's got so many of the elements I love - cool futuristic stuff, a likeable heroine, a villain who's scary enough to make things interesting, and of course, a hot hero!

Here's the blurb (from the author's website):

Reporter Jane Colby has seen a lot covering crime for the local paper, but the most recent murder is so brutal, it leaves even the most hardened detectives shaken.

Jane and the cops don't know it, but the killer is none other than Jack the Ripper. Turns out all the theories about those Victorian murders were wrong: Jack is actually a time-traveling cyborg psychopath named Kalig Druas. Now he's in Tayanita County - and he's set his sights on Jane.

Luckily, so has Baran Arvid, a genetically engineered warrior from the future. Baran and his talking wolf sidekick have been sent to protect her - and use her as bait to trap the killer.

None of this is good news to Jane, but she finds having a handsome bodyguard does have deliciously erotic benefits. Besides, Frieka the wolf is a scream.

Unfortunately, so is Jack.

I'm really looking forward to getting my hands on Warrior to see where Angela Knight takes this series. Happily, according to this video interview with the author, there's going to be a follow-up to Warrior next year, titled The Guardian.

So what are you reading at the moment?

Winners :)

There were a huge number of entries in the Hostage to Pleasure ARC Contest. Thanks to everyone who entered! Here are the winners. (This list is just for your information - the official notification was via email.)

Kenda
Erika
Kendra
Katie S.
Nicola O.
Blanche
Jessica C.
Maddalena
Ana
Cindy S.
Beth S.
Lynnette
Liz T.
Anji
Marilyn M.
Kathy A.
Sio-so
Olga V.
Megan T.
Marinette
Dawn D.
Azteclady
Heather K.
Bel
Heather S.
Helen G.
Nath
Ericka
Melissa A.
Kyesha

Congratulations :)

Contest Winners Notified

Okey dokes, all the emails to the HtP ARC Contest winners have now gone out. If you're a winner, feel free to out yourself here. Otherwise, I'll have a post with the names tomorrow. :)

Update & Catchup

First up - I know everyone's waiting for the results of the HtP ARC contest. The emails will be going out sometime this weekend or early next week, and I should have a post with the winners names for you early/mid next week.

So, what's everyone been up to? Plans for the weekend? Aside from sending out the emails, I'm going to spend some time organizing my research files - while I'm working on a project, I tend to pile up photocopies, notes from books, internet printouts etc. It's very soothing to put them all in order :)

Links

The Playground Monitor talks about Losing your (Conference) Virginity.

Meljean Brook chats about ways to get to the RWA Conference Hotel from SF Airport.

Author Lynn Viehl will be holding a Left Behind and Loving it virtual workshop from July 28 to August 3.

Author Shelley Munro discusses packing for travel.

The Diamonds Down Under authors are giving away a diamond pendant. Closes 20 July.

There's a new free serial going on at Dionne Galace.

And for all your aspiring authors, here's a wonderful post by my agent Nephele Tempest about listening to your gut.

Must Haves

Thanks for all the book recs everyone - I have a feeling that's a thread I'll keep coming back to pick up more reads :)

How about we talk about future releases today?

Here's another book I'm adding to my "can't wait" list - the new Ghost Hunter book! Comes out August 26!

I love this series.

The blurb:

Everything is different underground. Just ask the residents of Harmony, a futuristic world where alien catacombs can lead you astray—and where psychic senses spark out-of-this-world passion...

Reporter Sierra McIntyre's stories on Crystal City's ghost hunters—and their mysterious guild—have earned her tabloid a bit of respect. And they've allowed her to clothe her dust bunny companion Elvis in rock-and-roll style. It helps that she has mega-rez intuition to fall back on...

Especially when she interviews Ghost Hunter Guild Boss John Fontana about the disappearances of retired, homeless hunters. She doesn't want to trust the physically and psychically powerful man, but her senses—and Elvis—give her the green light. To uncover the conspiracy within his own organization, Fontana proposes...marriage. And though it's purely a business arrangement, there is nothing pure about the attraction that sizzles between them...

And just for fun, a few more books I'm wanting to get my paws on (no pun intended *g*).



And that's just for starters! I've also got a couple of fabulous ARCs that I'll be chatting about later. But now, tell me - what's on your "must have" list? :)

Book-Buying

I got sent a bookstore coupon. Since it would be a crime not to use it *g*, I'm now working out what to order. Any recent (say, released in the past two months) books you'd recommend?

Hostage to Pleasure ARC Contest

Contest now closed.

I know a lot of you have been waiting for this, so without further delay, here are the rules/details of the Hostage to Pleasure ARC Contest.

1. One entry per household.

2. Since the purpose of an ARC is to get the word out about a book prior to its release, if you win an ARC, please review / talk about / discuss Hostage to Pleasure somewhere during August. You can review it online, talk about it to your bookgroup, tell your friends…the field’s wide open. What you say is, of course, totally up to you!

3. By entering, you give me permission to announce your name in my newsletter and on my blogs should you win. (I usually stick to first names and initials).

Details on how to Enter

4. Email me at nalinisinghwrites @ gmail.com (without the spaces) by July 10, 2008 (Midnight, PST), with:

a. HTP ARC Contest in the Subject line
b. Your name and postal address
c. The place(s) where you intend to talk about / review / discuss the book etc

5. Winners will be notified by email (so please make sure my email is on your “safe” list).

Good luck!!

Barnes & Noble Romantic Reads Book Club

I'm very excited to be a guest of the Barnes & Noble Romantic Reads Book Club - come say hi, keep me company, ask questions! :)

Manga!

Check it out! Craving Beauty in manga (comic) format!!

Weekly Catchup

I had a great meeting with my local writing group today - the turnout was small because of the freezing weather (it hailed on the way home! I could see little bits of ice flicking off the windshield), but we had an excellent time nonetheless. Lots of information shared, and as always, I came home feeling inspired.

So, what're you all up to?

Reader Interview: Jaime

Today's reader interview is with Jaime, fellow book hoarder! :)

1. Tell us a bit about yourself.

I am 31 (32 on Sat, gasp!), mother of 3, an avid reader who happens to be a family practice physician to support her book habit!!! I am originally from Louisiana, but my husband and I moved to texas to open up my practice there.

2. Are you a hoarder or do you give your books away?

Oooh, definitely a hoarder. I can't even manage to let people borrow my books.

3. What author might tempt you into turning stalker?

I don't really want to stalk a particular author as much as I want to stalk some of my favorite characters... particularly the really hot ones! :) But if I were to stalk it would probably be someone like Stephen King because I've always wondered "how did they come up with that???"

4. How susceptible are you to chocolate?

Not at all unless pregnant. In fact, my husband found me baking a pan of fudge brownies while pregnant with the twins and said "Now I KNOW you're pregnant!"

5. Favorite book? Why?

I don't have a favorite single book, I'm afraid I'm more of a series gal. My top favorites would be Anne McCaffrey's Dragonriders of Pern, Mercedes Lackey's Heralds of Valdemar, JRR Tolkien, Nalini's Psy/Changeling series, JR Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood, and Tad Williams Dragonbone Chair series. I really like stories/series 1)where an ordinary person manages to do extraordinary things or 2) with a really well crafted or unusual alternate reality (the what if the world worked this way, type of book)

6. If you knew you were going to be stuck on a desert island, what three things would you take with you?

My husband (wink, wink), my library (so I have something to do while he fishes) and sunscreen (so I don't fry!!!). I would love to say my kids but as we're all redheads that would just be cruel so I'll have to settle for a short stay on Paradise Island... :)

7. What did you eat for breakfast?

Toast and jelly. Cold as I had to stop and feed the baby.

8. How many books in your current to-be-read pile?

At the moment, very few as I just got off maternity leave and managed to read them all. Normally it goes in spurts and I'll buy up 15 - 30 and then whittle them down.

9. Describe your idea of a perfect hero.

Smart, funny, intelligent, good with kids, interesting, good sense of humor. He should also have the 3 H factors (hot, hard and hairy) and have good bedside manner! (wink, wink). Oh, wait, I think I married that one...

Extra reader submitted question(s)! Answer at will :)

* Which character in a book do you relate most with?

Haven't found one yet. I see bits of myself in lots of different characters, which is kind of fun.

* Where do you live?

A small, strange little town in Texas

* If you were in the Psy/Changeling World, what side would you be in?

Human. I don't believe you have to be superhuman or have a special gift to be a hero or make a difference. Look at Frodo.

* Seen any good movies lately?

Is there such a thing?? :>

Space Weddings!

"A Japanese firm is accepting reservations for couples who want to exchange their wedding vows in space."

~ NZ Herald

I'm fascinated. Imagine your wedding pictures! Everything floating around in zero gravity!

New Excerpt & Links

The website has been updated...and we've added an excerpt from "Stroke of Enticement." Hope you all enjoy it!

Also, I wanted to give you a heads-up that Lora Leigh is running a contest with some amazing prizes. It closes July 4th, so you've still got a few days to enter.

And just in case you haven't already seen it, Sherrilyn Kenyon and St. Martin's Press are offering a free download of Seize the Night, as part of the leadup to the release of Archeron (who will be his heroine?!!!). The download offer ends July 3rd.

Typos

What does a typo gremlin look like? Obviously, it has the power of invisibility, because your eye passes right over it.

Where are you?

I think we did one of these over a year go, but how about doing a location check in? Where are you and is the sun shining?

It's officially winter in New Zealand - we've been having hail, sleet, and cold, cold rain. Brr.

Weekly Catchup

What's everyone up to? Plans?

After a week of afternoon blogging, I've decided to go back to morning blogging. (Except when I sleep in *g*).

So, give me your news? What's happening?

The title of Mercy's Book

...is...drum roll please...BRANDED BY FIRE. Oooooh, what could it mean?

Reader Interview: Nicole

It's reader interview time, and today's interviewee is Nicole, fellow fan of the Black Jewels Trilogy!

1. Tell us a bit about yourself.

I'm in my mid thirties and recently bought a new Condo. I have had fun decorating and buying new furniture. I am a techinical trainer for a software company. I LOVE to read and sometimes like to do crafts. I played womens tackle football, semi-pro, for 1 year. And I am a pagan that lives in a small, Christian town, so that is sometimes fun :)

2. Are you a hoarder or do you give your books away?

I am a hoarder. But, I just bought a Kindle and am going to sell most of my books as soon as I get it. That will free up 3+ 6foot book shelves.

3. What author might tempt you into turning stalker?

Laurell K Hamilton or Sherrilynn Kenyon. I love all the books these ladies write. Sorry, Nalini, you live to far away :( Also, Anne Bishop if I could ask her about her Black Jewels stories.

4. How susceptible are you to chocolate?

Very, I have a small piece of dark chocolate each night. For my digestion of course :)

5. Favorite book? Why?

Ender's Game- The first book I stayed up all night reading.
After that it would have to be any book from L.Hamilton, S.Kenyon, C.Feehan, N.Singh, P.Briggs, A.McCaffrey, M.Lackey or C.Cherryh.

6. If you knew you were going to be stuck on a desert island, what three things would you take with you?

My Kindle, unlimited Coke and a knife.

7. What did you eat for breakfast?

Burger King Croissant sandwich and a coke.

8. How many books in your current to-be-read pile?

None, I buy them as I find them to read. Unless they are not yet published.

9. Describe your idea of a perfect hero.

Smart, funny, sexy and a great kisser. Must be a little dangerous or at least look dangerous. Tattoos are good and piercings. Confidence is also a must.

* Where do you live?

Oregon, USA

* If you were in the Psy/Changeling World, what side would you be in?

Changeling, I would love to be able to shapeshift.

* Seen any good movies lately?

Last movie I went to see was The Bourne Ultimatum, and it was excellent.

It's work, really...

Just in case you need a procrastination tool way to improve your vocabulary - Scrabulous. Warning - highly addictive.

Demonica: Pleasure Unbound - Larissa Ione

I've got a book rec for you today - Pleasure Unbound is the start of a new series by Larissa Ione set in Underworld General Hospital. I was lucky enough to read an advanced copy and thoroughly enjoyed it, so here I am, adding to your tbr pile. *g* This book is dark, sexy and takes place in a very unique world - totally recommended :)

Here's the blurb (you can read an except on Larissa's site). The book releases next week.

In a place where ecstasy can cost you your life…

She’s a demon-slayer who hungers for sensual pleasure—but fears it will always be denied her. Until Tayla Mancuso lands in a hospital run by demons in disguise, and the head doctor, Eidolon, makes her body burn with unslakable desire. But to prove her ultimate loyalty to her peers, she must betray the surgeon who saved her life.

Two lovers will dare to risk all.

Eidolon cannot resist this fiery, dangerous woman who fills him with both rage and passion. Not only is she his avowed enemy, but she could very well be the hunter who has been preying upon his people. Torn between his need for the truth and his desire to find his perfect mate before a horrific transformation claims him forever, Eidolon will dare the unthinkable—and let Tayla possess him, body and soul…

Your turn to add to my tbr pile. I've got a few new releases on it already, and I'm anxiously awaiting Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs. What's on your reading list?

Angels' Blood

Angels' Blood is now available for pre-order! Whee! :)

Witchy Chicks

I'm guest blogging with The Witchy Chicks today, talking about alpha females. Come keep me company! :)

Reader Interview: Angela

Since we did a catchup the other day, I thought I'd post up a new reader interview today. Today's interviewee is Angela, who has great taste in chocolate :)

1.Tell us a bit about yourself.

I am currently working full time, and taking classes. I am mother to a 2 year old Chesapeake Bay Retriever (Gage) who gets all my spare time. I read voraciously, anything, and everything. I love to go out and see live bands, dance and I hate karaoke...not listening to it, but singing LOL.

2. Are you a hoarder or do you give your books away?

I'm a hoarder. I can't stand the thought of giving my books away. I have to really dislike a book to get rid of it. It works for me though, because I do re-reads quite often of a lot of my books.

3. What author might tempt you into turning stalker?

I don't think I'd stalk anyone....but I do have a list of authors that I'd LOVE to meet. JK Rowling, JR Ward, you Nalini, Diana Gabaldon...just to name a few.

4. How susceptible are you to chocolate?

Mmm. Dove chocolate. or Ghiradelli's. Yum. I can't resist it.

5. Favorite book? Why?

Another tough one. I love so many books. Lord of the Rings for the intricate world that Tolkien built, Lover Awakened for the heartwrenching story, Slave to Sensation for the characters and world, and Harry Potter, for the twists and turns, and stories of friendship within.

6. If you knew you were going to be stuck on a desert island, what three things would you take with you?

Being a good girl-scout I can fend for myself there, but I'd definitely take an ereader (full of books) with solar charged batteries, notebooks/pens to write with, and a laptop loaded with movies, and (again) solar powered batteries ;)

7. What did you eat for breakfast?

I'm bad. I didn't eat anything for breakfast. Just had a soda.

8. How many books in your current to-be-read pile?

30 that I own. Probably another 100 on my wish list.

9. Describe your idea of a perfect hero.

Sense of humor is an absolute must. Intelligent (and this doesn't mean he needs a doctorate). Taller than me in heels. Secure in himself, and in us. And he loves me and appreciates me for me.

* Where do you live?

The Frozen Tundra (Wisconsin) ;)

* Seen any good movies lately?

Yes. I really LOVED Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Great story, great acting, great directing.

The Sugar Queen - Sarah Addison Allen

After finishing the most recent draft of Mercy's book, I took some time off to read. The Sugar Queen was one of the books I picked up.

Here's the blurb from the author's website.

Josey, at 27, doesn't go out except to do chores for her mother, she doesn't wear clothes that her mother says don't suit her, and she eats, secretly, as a substitute for the life she's not living. One morning, when she goes to her closet to raid her secret stash of sweets, she finds a woman sitting there. Della Lee, on the run from something in her own life, has decided to take up residence in Josey's closet. Thus begins Josey's quest to get this madwoman out of her closet, and along the way she discovers a world where the color red has astonishing power, passion can make eggs fry in their cartons, and romance can blossom any time -- even for her.

I really enjoyed Sarah Addison Allen's debut, Garden Spells, so I was looking forward to this one. And I'm happy to say I wasn't disappointed. It's a different story from Garden Spells, but has that same unique sense of magic and romance. Totally recommended :)

What books are you all reading? Any recommendations?

Chat Alert

A quick link - Jess Anderson and JR Ward will be chatting in the The Knight Agency Chatroom 12th June @ 8pm EST. Full details here.

Timing

A wee change to the blog - my posts will be going up early afternoon my time (so about 5 hours later than I used to put them up). Why the change? Productivity - I think diving straight into work in the morning really gets things going.

Morning person or night owl - what are you? What's your favorite time of day?

I'm back!

I'm back! How're you all? Tell me what you've been up to.

I've just completed a draft of Mercy's book and now I'm going to have a read and see how it all flows. I like to work with the whole book, rather than editing and finalizing sections, so I'll be doing further drafts - but I tell you, this book is sizzling ;-)

Talk to me - what's your news?

Ask the Agent

A quick heads-up that agent Elaine Spencer is answering questions every Friday at www.kwanawrites.blogspot.com. If you want to submit a question, just leave a comment on the current post.

Hope you're all having a great weekend!

OOTB Tour: Moonstruck - Susan Grant

Contrary to reports, I have not turned into a permanent cave dweller. *g* I know some of you have sent me emails, and I'm hoping to answer them today, so keep an eye out on your in-box. And I will be returning to regular posting soon...ish ;-)

Today, I bring you an OOTB tour. (Love the cover!)

MOONSTRUCK by Susan Grant

HQN Books, June 1, 2008

PEACE IS FOR LITTLE GIRLS.

And Coalition starship admiral Brit Bandar is one tough woman. A mere intergalactic treaty could never get her to trust the Drakken Horde. There was too much bad blood between the Coalition and the Horde and, for intensely personal reasons, Brit wasn’t sure that she was through spilling it! But now a peaceful accord has made Finn Rorkken, a notorious Drakken rogue, second-in command on her starship – and through some grand cosmic irony – front and center in her thoughts…and her heart.

WARLEADER. PIRATE.

Either title sat easily on Finn’s battle-hardened shoulders. Though second-in-command to “Stone-Heart” Bandar? That would take some getting used to. Peace required as much sacrifice as war, so he’d comply even if his reaction to the gorgeous admiral fell decidedly outside protocol. But would he end up kissing or killing her if the galaxy’s tentative truce turned into all out war?

Excerpt: http://www.susangrant.com/books/moonstruck.htm

ABOUT SUSAN GRANT

RITA award winner and NY Times best-selling author Susan Grant loves writing about what she knows: flying, adventure, and the often unpredictable interaction between the sexes! When she’s not writing romances set in far-flung locales, Susan pilots 747 jumbo jets to China, Australia, Europe, and many other exotic overseas destinations where she finds plenty of material for her novels.

REVIEWS

4.5 stars! The quick pace and compelling characterization make this space adventure riveting! --reviewed by Jill Smith, RT Magazine

[A] gripping storyline, fascinating characters and great writing. Susan Grant has an immense talent for writing this special brand of romance. --Tanzey Cutter, Fresh Fiction."[A] can’t-put-down read that draws you in from the first page and doesn’t let go until the tension-filled final chapters!" -- Linnea Sinclair, RITA award winning author of THE DOWN HOME ZOMBIE BLUES

This tale packs a punch! Fans of the Honor Harrington series (by David

Weber) will thoroughly enjoy Brit and Finn's story. I could not help but give a spontaneous high-five when I finished this gem. -- Detra Fitch, Huntress Reviews,

This book kicked serious butt. Susan Grant can write more like this and I'll be ready to devour them at a moment's notice! -- Kathy Boswell, The Best Reviews


Website: http://www.susangrant.com

http://www.the-borderlands.com