The bags are (mostly) packed, and in just a few short hours I'll be jetting off on the red-eye, headed for the Romance Writers of America national conference in New York City!

Before I forget --

While in NYC, I'll be passing out some beautiful postcards for A Night to Surrender, directing people to visit my website to read the first chapter. So... the first chapter is up now. You can read it here.

Things I'm so excited for in the coming week (other than the chance to see all my fabulous and far-flung romance-minded friends, of course):

• Workshops! I'll be on the "Quick Release Trilogy" panel with Stefanie Sloane, Monica McCarty, Zoe Archer, and Christy Reece.
• The literacy signing! Open to the public and featuring hundreds of fabulous authors in one place, this Tuesday night event is always a blast. Plus, it benefits local literacy organizations.
• The awards luncheon - can't wait to see local colleague and friend SuperLibrarian Wendy Crutcher pick up her "Librarian of the Year" award.
• PARTY - I have some smaller celebrations planned with friends, and I'm particularly excited for the Avon party at the swank Central Park Boathouse.
• The RITAs and Golden Heart awards. It's a huge thrill to be a RITA finalist for Twice Tempted by a Rogue, and I'm so excited that my good friend Leigh LaValle is up for a Golden Heart in the Regency category. Actually, I'll be rooting for friends in several categories, so it should be an exciting night.
• Library heaven - I plan to spend at least one day researching in the beautiful NYPL main building. Can't wait to pet the lions!

After all those high-heel occasions, I fully expect to come home with blistered feet. But it will all be worth it. If you'll be in NYC, I hope to see you there!

A Night to Surrender finally has its own bookshelf page! There isn't a whole lot there yet, but there are pre-order links and a blurb and tiny teaser excerpt. I will be posting a much longer excerpt in weeks to come.

If you'd like to win a signed coverflat and bookish surprise, please do enter my new contest.

Exciting news! Rights have been licensed for the Stud Club trilogy to be published in Thai translation.

And before I dash off again to put the finishing touches on Spindle Cove book two (A Week to be Wicked), I leave you with this gorgeous French cover for Goddess of the Hunt.

C'est magnifique! I just love it. I especially love how much that cover model looks like "Lucy" to me. Her hair is perfect, and her expression definitely looks as though she's up to something. And the title, Impulsive, certainly fits Lucy, too! The French edition releases June 15th.

I hope you're all enjoying the first taste of summer!