Sunday, September 21, 2008

What’s Love Got to Do With It? If Your Characters Were Real People, Would They Love Each Other?

In a movie, the audience falls in love with Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, and so no one much worries about why Rick and Ilsa would have loved each another. Similarly it isn’t enough to have your heroine being the prettiest person in the book and your hero the tallest and the richest. Kathleen Gilles Seidel will offer a variety of theoretical frameworks through which to consider why one particular person falls in love with another. Kathleen Gilles Seidel has written 14 contemporary novels. Her first was a launch title for Harlequin’s American Romance line, and she has won every major romance market award. She has a Ph.D. in English from Johns Hopkins and was chairman of the Washington Romance Writers for two years. Her most recent book, KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT AND WEAR BEIGE, was published in May 2008 by St. Martin’s.

12:30 PM at the Wellesley Community Center [click here for directions]

Membership Renewal

Please remember to renew your NEC membership asap. You can renew online via our website under JOIN and pay via Pay Pal or send a check at the address listed on the renewal form. We have an exciting new year ahead of us!

OCTOBER 2008 RELEASES

Jessica Andersen, Manhunt in the Wild West, Harlequin Intrigue

Sherri Erwin, Naughty or Nice, Zebra

SEPTEMBER 2008 RELEASES

Ashlyn Chase, Nectar of the Gods, Total-e-bound

Dalton Diaz and Ashlyn Chase, Love Cuffs, Ellora's Cave

Karen Foley, Overnight Sensation, Harlequin Blaze

Marie Force, Line of Scrimmage, Sourcebooks

AUGUST 2008 RELEASES

Emily Bryan, Pleasuring the Pirate, Leisure Books

Sheila Connolly, One Bad Apple, Berkley Prime Crime

Kristan Higgins, Just One of the Guys, HQN

Lisa Mondello, Her Only Protector, Steeple Hill Love Inspired

Jenny O'Connell, Local Girls, Pocket/MTV

Jenny O'Connell, Rich Boys, Pocket/MTV

JULY 2008 RELEASES

Sherri Erwin, The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance (anthology), Running Press

JUNE 2008 RELEASES

Jessica Andersen, Nightkeepers: A novel of the Final Prophecy, NAL

Jessica Andersen, With The MD... At The Altar?, Harlequin Intrigue

Loretta Chase Your Scandalous Ways, Avon

NEC NEWS

Kristan Higgins went on her very first book tour to promote the RITA-award winning Catch of the Day and her newest release, Just One of the Guys. All three of Kristan's books have gone into multiple printings, thanks in large part to the word-of-mouth buzz from readers (and Kristan is very, very grateful).

Diana Groe's Erinsong, an Irish love story, is being released in German in time for OctoberFest. LoveLetter, the premier German romance fan magazine is featuring Diana in their "True Love" section with a story about how she met and fell in love with her husband of 32 years. Visit http://www.emilybryan.com/Going%20Global.htm to see all of Diana's international covers.

Loretta Chase's June release, Your Scandalous Ways, went into a third printing. In November The Last Hellion will be reissued, with a fresh new cover and cover copy. The Italian edition of Miss Wonderful, which included an author interview, was an August release from Mondadori. The interview (and comments) can be read in English and Italian at http://romancebooks.splinder.com/post/17870619. Mondadori released Captives of the Night in September. A Thai publisher has bought rights to Miss Wonderful and Mr. Impossible. The German publication, Love Letter, features Loretta in their "True Love" article for their September issue: http://www.loveletter-magazin.de/

Linda Cardillo's novel DANCING ON SUNDAY AFTERNOONS is a finalist in the long contemporary category of the Maggie awards.

Lori Avocato sold one of her sweet romances--for the THIRD time. Makeshift Family was bought first as an ebook. Then by another publisher as a POD. Now she's got the rights back and just sold them to The Wild Rose Press.

Annette has recently learned that SEX AND THE PSYCHIC WITCH is a finalist for the Aspen Gold Award.

Annette Blair's SEX AND THE PSYCHIC WITCH took second place in the Paranormal/Time Travel/Fantasy Category in the Orange County Chapter's Book Buyers' Best Awards.

Patricia Grasso's "Enticing The Prince" got a 5 STAR review from Detra Fitch at Huntress reviews who said: "The best part, in my humble opinion, is the spectacular ending. No peeking." Also, "To Tame A Duke", a 2001 release, will be published in Portugese.

Emily Bryan (Diana Groe) will join USA Today Bestseller Jennifer Ashley and New author Alissa Johnson in a holiday anthology due out October 2009. All the characters in the author's three stories will be attending the same Christmas Ball and YOU are invited too! Visit www.emilybryan.com for more details.

Emily Bryan's DISTRACTING THE DUCHESS goes Dutch! Foreign rights have sold to De Vriebuiter, V.M. for translation and publication in the Netherlands. All of the author's Diana Groe titles, MAIDENSONG, ERINSONG and SILK DREAMS have sold abroad. Her work has been translated into German, Dutch, Italian and Russian. DISTRACTING THE THE DUCHESS is the first Emily Bryan title to go globe-hopping. Visit http://www.emilybryan.com/Foreign%20Titles.htm to see some of her foreign language covers.

Diane Amos will have two releases next year, a reprint of GETTING PERSONAL from Wild Rose Press in the spring, and THE LEGACY, a new historical from Five Star in the fall.

Suzanne Brockman has started a production company called small or LARGE Productions, and she's directing and producing an equity staged reading of a new play she wrote called, LOOKING FOR BILLY HAINES, (a gay romantic comedy) at Turtle Lane Playhouse in Newton, MA, on Friday, September 5th, at 7:30 p.m. (Free admission, open bar, dessert reception, limited seating -- RSVP required!) Any theater buffs interested in attending should email SuzanneBrockmann@aol.com

Ashlyn Chase will be signing books on Saturday, September 27th, at Annie's Book Stop, 1280 Westford St Lowell, MA: and on Sunday, September 28th, at Annie's Book Stop, 326 S. Broadway, Salem NH.

Annette Blair's GONE WITH THE WITCH, May 2008, received four review site awards: A Fallen Angels Review Recommended Read, A Simply Romance Reviews Outstanding Read, A Romance Reader at Heart Top Pick Award, and A Romance Junkies Five-Blue-Ribbon Recommended Read. GONE WITH THE WITCH also received a review on Barbara Vey's Publisher's Weekly Blog: "Storm Cartwright is the 'bad' triplet with her Goth looks and blue hair. Storm meets her match in Aiden McCloud, wandering biker. Together, they fulfill Storm's destiny...although it requires kidnapping, seduction, and magic. Storm is my favorite triplet; for her complexity of caring, facing her own issues, and her fight. Blair's characters make the story come to life." Anna Annette's agent, Nancy Yost, of the Lowenstein/Yost Literary Agency, sold THE KITCHEN WITCH, MY FAVORITE WITCH, & THE SCOT, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE in an awesome deal to Germany.

Booklist called Emily Bryan's DISTRACTING THE DUCHESS "wickedly witty." Readers from all over the world have written to let her know they've enjoyed my Duchess. Now, she offers the romance reading world a pirate hero! PLEASURING THE PIRATE comes out July 29! It's the story of a prodigal pirate and the courtesan's daughter who's more than his match. There are laughs, a tears or two and love scenes guaranteed to 'shiver your timbers!' RT BookReviews says: "Emily Bryan's touches of humor, naughty, bawdy dialogue and colorful descriptions capture the era, adding dimension to this charming tale of a landlocked pirate, the hellion who tames him and their wild adventure. The heat rises as their escapades sizzle, and readers' hearts will race to the delightful conclusion."

Kristan Higgins will be writing two more romantic comedies for HQN. Also, JUST ONE OF THE GUYS (August 2008, HQN) got four stars from Romantic Times.

HEAVING BOSOMS by Ashlyn Chase finaled in the Beacon Awards.

Loretta Chase's YOUR SCANDALOUS WAYS made both the New York Times and the USA Today lists and has gone into a second printing. Nine video segments about the book can be found at http://youtube.com/lorettachase.

Sherri Browning Erwin's FADE TO BLACK is one of 25 stories featured in The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance, published by Running Press in the US and Constable Robinson in the UK, an August release. Sherri was thrilled to be invited to take part.

Marie Force, whose debut LINE OF SCRIMMAGE is out Sept. 1, has signed with Kevan Lyon of the Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency.

HER ONLY PROTECTOR by Lisa Mondello received a 4 1/2 star TOP PICK review from RT.

Hank Phillippi Ryan's PRIME TIME is a double RITA nominee for Best First Novel and Best Romantic Suspense. It's also a DAPHNE Nominee. PRIME TIME also won the Romantic Times' Reviewers' Choice award and the AGATHA award for Best First Mystery of 2007. PRIME TIME and the second Charlotte McNally Mystery, FACE TIME (a BookSense Notable Book) will be re-issued in July and August 2009 as MIRA Books. The third in the series, AIR TIME, will be published by MIRA in September 2009. DRIVE TIME from MIRA books will be published in 2010.

Jessica Andersen's Nightkeepers, available June 3, is featured on the cover of the June Romantic Times magazine, and is a Romance Junkies Staff Pick for June. Please see the new www.JessicaAndersen.com (launching May 21) for deleted scenes, reviews, contests and a bunch of other fun stuff.

Patricia Grasso's Love A Princess and Pleasuring The Prince sold to Netherlands. Desert Eden sold to Russia. And she got her new bookcoverflats for Enticing The Prince... Close up of a man's naked chest, A la Hannah Howell's covers.

Denise Eagan's Wicked Woman is a finalist in the Desert Rose chapter in Phoenix's Golden Quill, Historical Category. The final decision is June 1st.

Sheila Connolly's first book, Through a Glass, Deadly (written as Sarah Atwell), was ranked in the top ten March Bestsellers by the Independent Mystery Booksellers Association.

Hannah Howell was awarded a Pioneer Of Romance award from RT at the convention. Kensington has accepted an idea for a trilogy set in late Georgian England concerning 2 families with strong psychic gifts. So - a wee break from Scotland. Also - a new grand-daughter - Evelyn Rose - born in the back of an ambulance outside the post office(a little too anxious to arrive). Her two latest books out are Silver Flame(May) and Highland Fire(once called Fire under the Anna Jennet name) in June - both reissues of old books.

Annette Blair's Gone with the Witch was the 8th bestselling Paranormal Romance at Borders on the day it was released. Annette finally got details on her Vintage Magic Mysteries. The first book, A Veiled Deception, is due for release in January of 2009. Covers will be designed by the same artist who did her triplet witch series and will be designed to appeal to paranormal and mystery readers alike. The series motif will be a vintage high heeled shoe. Never Been Witched, the third in her triplet witch trilogy will be released in February of 2009.

Lisa Mondello's Cradle of Secrets received the Award of Merit in the Holt Medallion contest.

In connection with the release of Your Scandalous Ways, which will be in stores 5/27, Loretta Chase has a series of Internet appearances scheduled:
21 May - Romance B(u)y the Book.
27 May - Romance Novel TV.
27-28 May - Isn't it Romantic.
28 & 30 May - Word Wenches,
29 May - Vauxhall Vixens
9 June - Romance Bandits
Mid-June - The Book Smugglers (exact date TBD)
To read an excerpt from Your Scandalous Ways, please visit Loretta's Web site. The Publishers Weekly blog "Beyond Her Book" has given this book a very nice review: http://tinyurl.com/463np3. European publisher Euromedia is going to bring out a Czech Republic edition of Not Quite a Lady. They also just bought Your Scandalous Ways.You might want to stop by Loretta's Avon microsite

Harlequin Books will be publishing Judith Arnold's Hope Street, along with a reissue of her first Everlasting Love book, The Marriage Bed. The two novels will be published together in a two-in-one trade paperback, scheduled for the first half of 2009.

Congratulations to NEC's RITA finalists: Kristan Higgins for Catch of the Day and Samantha Hunter for Untouched

Lisa Mondello's book, Cradle of Secrets, is a finalist in the Colorado Award of Excellence contest for the Inspirational category.

Pat Grasso's S Educating the Prince, Pleasuring the Prince, and Tempting the Prince sold to Brazil and will be published in Portuguese.

Sylvie Kurtz's Honor of a Hunter finaled in the Colorado Award of Excellence contest.

Annette Blair is thrilled that Gone with the Witch, second in the Triplet Witch Trilogy, will be released on May 6th.

One of Pat Grasso's older books, Desert Eden has been translated into Russian.

Karen Kendall's new book, Take Me if You Can, is out April 1, 2008! The first in a new series about an agency that recovers stolen art, Take Me if You Can is a high-octane, international adventure story. Read an excerpt or order now from www.KarenKendall.com.

Lori Avocato has been invited to be a speaker at The Fifth International Women's Fiction Festival in Matera, Italy this Sept and she's thrilled.

Susan Saville's debut novel Vampire Close (or rather its heroine Fiona) is up for "Best Heroine" in the Ancient City Romance Writers' Anne Bonney Readers' Choice Award.

Marissa Doyle's Bewitching Season will be released this month from Henry Holt Books for Young Readers.

A Camden New Jersey newspaper featuring great reads as chosen by librarians pictured five book covers with blurbs. Annette Blair's My Favorite Witch was among them. Sex and the Psychic Witch, first in Annette's Triplet Witch Trilogy is a finalist for the Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence in the Paranormal Category. Annette learned from a B & N manager that she hit a major career milestone: Her books are now automatically reordered at Barnes & Noble and should always be available there. No more running out or cover stripping. Leigh Michaels’s book On Writing Romance cites sections of Annette’s The Kitchen Witch. Annette finds it tres cool to be indexed in a how-to-write book. Annette has just accepted a contract for a new romantic comedy series called The Supernatual Employment Agency set in Salem Massachusetts. Mythical beings and time travelers pass through a portal, a veil between the planes, created by human magic. Unlike Annette’s witches, each story will revolve around the hero. The first in the series is tentatively titled: To Love a Dragon.

Trevelyn Deveridge, the hero in Distracting the Duchess by Emily Bryan earned a K.I.S.S. Award from RT BookReviews. To hear why Trev was dubbed a Knight in Shining Silver, visit http://www.nightowlromance/nightowl to listen to a sexy snippet or visit http://www.emilybryan.com to read an excerpt.

Avon will be reissuing Loretta Chase's The Last Hellion in a brand-new package November 2008. Romance-friendly French webzine Les Romantiques http://www.lesromantiques.com/, interviewed Loretta in February (interview can be found on "Lectrices" page). Publisher J'ai Lu, which which will be bringing out the French edition of Not Quite a Lady within the next year, has also bought rights to the first three Carsington brothers books (Miss Wonderful, Mr. Impossible, Lord Perfect). Russsian publisher Ast has bought rights to Lord of Scoundrels.

Ashlyn Chase's Wonder Witch is in the finals for the terrific Fantasm award.

Carly Phillips is proud to announce that her reprint, Seduce Me, made the New York Times Bestseller Extended List! She wishes to thank to all who bought the book and helped make this happen!

Kristan Higgins's Catch of the Day was named Best Book of 2007 by the review website dee&deedish.com, who said "Higgins’s books are the perfect mix of women's fiction and romance. With flawed and incredibly funny heroines and a cast of characters are so real you practically know them, Higgins will have you laughing, crying, and laughing again."

Annette Blair has been invited to give a workshop at the New Jersey Conference in the fall about writing in several genres at one time. During the third and fourth week in February 2008, the Barnes and Noble online BookClub is featuring Annette’s Sex and the Psychin Witch with a review and a sidebar picture and mention of The Scot, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Annette will be chatting with readers during those two weeks but the review and feature will remain on the B&N BookClub pages indefinitely. Also, a Camden County New Jersey newspaper featuring great reads chosen by librarians pictured five book covers with blurbs, and Annette’s My Favorite Witch was one of them.