First, a huge thank you to everyone who’s been reading A Night to Surrender, writing me with their thoughts about it, and recommending it to their friends! I’m so grateful, and pleased by the warm reception readers have given Bram and Susanna’s story.

As I’m sure you know, if you’ve followed my site at all or seen the logo on the book, this book is part of Avon’s wonderful KISS and Teal campaign to promote awareness of ovarian cancer signs and symptoms.

Last week, I had the opportunity to talk about the campaign on a local news program:

If you’re wondering what else can be done to promote ovarian cancer awareness and support the OCNA, I have a fabulous, easy suggestion. We usually think about red and green, silver and blue at holiday time. This year, why not shop teal?

A few simple clicks, and you could be helping OCNA spread its vital message for women’s health every time you shop online:

This app is so easy to download – it took about two clicks and thirty seconds on my computer. You don’t have to do anything further, except go about your everyday online shopping. Whenever you make a purchase from one of dozens of participating retailers, a percentage of your total will be donated to OCNA. And we’re not talking about small, obscure retailers, either! These are biggies like Target, Nordstrom, eBay, iTunes, Barnes & Noble, Expedia, Travelocity, and more.

So please take a minute to … Read More »

Huzzah! A Night to Surrender is in stores today! (And available from every online outlet, too!)

Nice reviews of the book keep coming in… Just yesterday, May at SmexyBooks had this to say:

The story was fast paced, full of memorable moments and characters, and utter romance gold.

And over at The Book Binge, Rowena also gave the book a very nice recommendation!

My fabulous publisher partnered with the lovely people of Goddessfish Promotions to plan a weeklong blog tour to celebrate A Night to Surrender‘s launch. I should have posted the schedule yesterday, but I was so busy… the darelings had their first day of school (and for my youngest, it was his first first day of school!), and then I headed to the local NBC station in Los Angeles to be interviewed about the KISS and Teal campaign. (I’ll post video of that when it’s available.)

Here’s the lineup of interviews and guest posts:

August 29: Among the Muses

August 30: What Book is That?

August 31: Ramblings from this Chick

September 1: Reading Romances

September 2: Brazen Bookworm

There’s a $25 Amazon gift card prize that will be drawn from all commenters on all the posts – so the more stops you visit, the better your chances to win.

I hope all my readers enjoy this first visit to Spindle Cove. Thank you so much for reading!… Read More »

I can’t believe it’s less than a week until the release of A Night to Surrender! The book has been getting some very exciting reviews. Yes, that sound you hear is me tooting my own horn. Toot. Ahem.

(you can click the links to read the full reviews)

Library Journal weighed in with this lovely recommendation:

“Lively and sexy, this funny, enjoyable battle of the sexes ensnares readers in a delightful adventure.”

All About Romance gave the book its coveted “Desert Isle Keeper” rating, and reviewer Wendy Clyde said:

If you love strong but vulnerable heroes and and smart, wounded heroines, you’ll love this book. If you like humor in your romance, you’ll love this book. If you like a well-written historical romance, you’ll love this book. Whatever your preference, when you read the last page you’ll undoubtedly clutch the book to your chest and sigh.

I siiighed at the end of that review!

Night Owl Reviews gave the book 5 stars and a Top Pick, calling ANTS

“one of the best historical romances I’ve ever read. It’s humorous and light-hearted, steamy and seductive, filled with intriguing characters and wonderful dialogue.”

And at Reader-to-Reader reviews, Joyce Greenfield had this to say:

From the very first page, this story seduces the reader, drawing you in and refusing to let go till the last page is turned.

Hmm. I’m now a little afraid of over-tooting. But I’m just so glad readers are enjoying Spindle Cove in general, and Susanna and Bram’s … Read More »

Some of you may remember that last summer, I made a little low-budget video for my Stud Club series, using toys from my children’s bedroom. The response to the video was great, and I had so much fun making it.

So last March, as part of Operation Auction, I offered up a similar homemade book video as an auction item. A whole slew of kindly bloggers pledged to post the winner’s video, thus sweetening the deal and driving up the bidding.

The amazing Maya Banks was the generous top bidder, and when she told me what she had in mind…oh, it made me so happy. This video was a truly family project, with the darelings working props and Mr. Dare providing the special effects. I hope you enjoy it! And if you do, please feel free to tweet, link, embed, and Facebook it to your heart’s content. 😉

I also want to say, one of the best parts of the experience was getting to read In Bed with a Highlander early. It was fabulous. Took me straight back to my formative years as a romance reader, falling in love with Julie Garwood’s Scots. If you like a passionate, tender read with an endearing heroine and strong Highlander hero, be sure to pick this one up on August 30.

… Read More »

Psst! On the contest page, I’ve posted winners of the coverflat contest – who will be receiving their prizes in the mail soon – and posted a new “KISS and Teal” giveaway.

What’s “KISS and Teal,” you ask?

I am thrilled that A Night to Surrender is part of the “K.I.S.S. and Teal” campaign, a partnership between Avon Books and the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance.

The “K.I.S.S.” stands for “Know the Important Signs and Symptoms,” and teal is the designated color for ovarian cancer awareness. There’s a money component to this partnership—Avon has donated $25,000 to the OCNA and will donate up to $25,000 more, based on sales of the labeled books—but the other important part of the campaign is raising awareness.

There’s no routine test for detecting ovarian cancer, such as the mammogram and Pap smear for breast and cervical cancers, and the symptoms of ovarian cancer are easy to miss until the cancer is in an advanced stage. That’s why is so important for all women to know the signs and symptoms of ovarian cancer (K.I.S.S.) and discuss them with their friends and family (“teal”/tell).

From the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance website:

For years, women have known that ovarian cancer was not the silent killer it was said to be. Over the past decade, science has confirmed what women have long known: ovarian cancer has symptoms.

The symptoms are

• Bloating
• Pelvic or abdominal pain
• Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly
• Urinary symptoms (urgency or frequency)

On The Ballroom Blog today, Miranda Neville has a fabulous post about Regency Real Estate, with gorgeous photographs of lavish English country estates with gardens to die for.

I must confess–her post made me laugh, because while Miranda’s hero is getting this:

Poor Bram, my hero in A Night to Surrender, is getting something like this:

That’s Hastings Castle, one of the first castles William the Conqueror built after the Normans invaded England in 1066. In the beginning of ANTS, Bram is gifted a revived medieval earldom, which comes along with no real lands or money–just the similarly crumbling (and fictional) Rycliff Castle.

(You can click on any of these photos for a better look.)

My imaginary Rycliff Castle was mostly inspired by Hastings-especially the setting, on a cliff overlooking the English Channel. But I did feel Bram should have a bit more of a place to call home. He’s a military man and used to roughing it, but I did want him to have a bit of shelter. A standing few walls, you know, to keep out the elements: wind, rain, sheep.

So I added in a bit of this place, Ypres Tower:

Ypres Tower was an early medieval fortress built to protect the then-bustling port of Rye. In later years, it was used as a jail. Nowadays, it’s a museum. Changes to the coastline over the centuries mean Rye is now situated a good mile or two back from the sea. So Ypres Tower looks out over … Read More »

Over on The Ballroom Blog, today Sarah MacLean is hosting our first Saturday Salon and sharing her trade secret: Regency Dress-Up Paper Dolls. Come make and share some of your own!

I’m headed out the door early this morning, but I couldn’t resist taking time to make a doll for the heroine of A Night to Surrender, Miss Susanna Finch.

I love her red hair, freckles and long gloves! Although, I have to admit that I was a bit disappointed by the lack of appropriate accessories to put in her hands. No book, apothecary mortar and pestle, or pistol. 🙁

Don’t miss The Ballroom fun today, and have a great weekend!… Read More »

Today is an exciting day! Months of collaborative scheming have come to fruition, and I’m delighted to announce the grand debut of The Ballroom Blog. The Ballroom blogroll includes authors Sarah MacLean, Gaelen Foley, Katharine Ashe, Miranda Neville, Sabrina Darby, and yours truly. I was thrilled to be invited to blog with these lovely and talented ladies, and our hostess, the incomparable Lady B, will be most happy to make your acquaintance.

We’re starting the blog off with a round of introductions and, naturally, a giveaway. 🙂 Please do stop by and join the party! All posts on The Ballroom will be in the style of fun conversations – between authors, characters, and guests.

Also, if you’d like to read A Night to Surrender early, you have few hours left to bid on a special advance copy. It’s up for auction to benefit author L.A. Banks, who has been battling adrenal cancer. As of this post’s writing, it’s still going for a song! Here’s the eBay link.

See you in the Ballroom!… Read More »

I’m back from NYC! The conference was wonderful. A full wrap-up (including details of my scintillating encounter in the NYPL Rare Books room!) will have to wait for another day, because I have so much exciting news to share.

(The beautiful NYC skyline from Bryant Park. We had gorgeous weather! You can click on the photo to see it bigger.)

The quick-and-dirty RWA recap: My panel went great, the signing was wonderful, and the parties were to die for. I had a great time meeting so many readers, bloggers, authors, and publishing folk. The RITA award for Best Regency Historical went to the amazing Lauren Willig–congratulations to her!

One of the huge stories of the week was the fabulousness of my friend and roomie Courtney Milan, who hit both the USA Today and New York Times bestseller lists with her wonderful self-published novella, Unlocked. It was a tremendous thrill to wake up in our hotel room Thursday morning and retrieve the complimentary copy of the paper from the hallway, so we could see it for ourselves in print!

Adding to the excitement, what should be two pages back in the same section of the same edition of said national newspaper–but a little photo of me! I was quoted in this fun little “Opposites Attract” article with a few authors you might have heard of. Like, say, Susan Elizabeth Phillips and Sarah MacLean? Yeah. Pinch me. 🙂 You can read the whole article here, if you so choose. … Read More »

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