Calling All Aspiring Writers!!

BN auction

Are you writing a romance novel for publication, either traditionally or self-published? Looking for some professional feedback?  Well, you’ve come to the right place!  I’m teaming up with bestselling contemporary romance writer Debbie Mason to offer a critique of the first thirty pages of your romance manuscript. We’re even including copies of our signed books along with the critiques!

Even better, it’s for a good cause: Brenda Novak’s Online Auction for Diabetes Research.  By bidding on my critique or on one of the hundreds of other donations on offer, you can help polish your manuscript, win some great books, lunch with your favorite author, or bid on hundreds of gift baskets or prizes.  It’s an awesome event, and I would really encourage you to check it out.

As an added incentive, I can tell you that some of the pre-published authors I’ve critiqued in the past have gone on to win very good publishing contracts. *wink* Debbie and I would love to help you do the same!  So just click on this link to check out our bid and to support Brenda Novak’s very worthwhile cause.

And hurry, because the auction closes in less than a week!

Have a peaceful and Happy Memorial Day Weekend!


The Brenda Novak Annual On-Line Auction!!

BN auction

Every year, the fabulous Brenda Novak runs an on-line auction to raise funds for diabetes research.  There’s an amazing number of cool items up for bid, including fantastic gift baskets, vacations, jewelry, and even lunch with your favorite author!  You can check out all the different categories here.

There are also specially designated categories for readers and aspiring writers, offering things like book baskets and author critiques.  As in the past, I’m happy to offer a critique of a manuscript – but this year I’m doing something different.  I’m teaming up with my critique partner, bestselling contemporary romance writer Debbie Mason, to offer a critique of the first 30 pages of a romance manuscript.  The person with the winning bid will get two critiques for the price of one!

So, all you aspiring writers, check it out!  You can also look at all the other critiques offered by a dazzling array of authors, editors, and agents.  It’s a really cool way to get feedback on your manuscript and donate to a good cause, too!


Special Feature: Jackie Barbosa

Jackie Barbosa

It has been said that the romance community is the most supportive and generous of all the genre communities. I believe that’s true. Last week one of our beloved authors, Jackie Barbosa, lost her seventeen-year-old son in a car accident. Although most of us will never be able to understand the depth of her and her family’s pain, Jackie’s loss is also our loss. We grieve for her and with her.

Today, in support of Jackie, the very talented author, I want to feature some of her books.  She’s an accomplished writer of historical, contemporary, and erotic romance, but it’s her historical romances I particularly want to feature today–starting with Hot Under the Collar, one of her Lords of Lancashire novellas.

Hot Under the Collar

I love the premise of this story–a rogue of a younger son who must take up clerical orders as his new career.  Here’s the blurb:

Despite the old saw about third sons being destined for the church, no one ever expected the rakish, irresponsible Walter Langston to take up the collar, least of all himself. After an accident renders him unfit for military service, however, he has few other options. When he’s given the post of vicar at a parish church in a sleepy, coastal village, he’s convinced he’ll molder in obscurity. Instead, his arrival brings a sudden resurgence in church attendance…or at least, the attendance of female parishioners. As word of the eligible young vicar spreads, every well-heeled family for miles with a marriageable daughter fills his pews, aiming to catch his eye. Unfortunately for these hopeful members of his flock, Walter’s eye has already been caught—by the one woman who doesn’t come to church on Sundays.

Artemisia Finch left a lucrative career as a celebrated member of London’s demimondaine to care for her ailing father. Returning home hasn’t been easy, though, as her past isn’t even a well-kept secret in the village. When the new vicar arrives on her doorstep, Artemisia is determined to send him on his merry, pious way. But Walter Langston is nothing like any man of the cloth she’s ever known—he’s funny, irreverent, handsome, and tempting as sin. Falling in love with a vicar would be a very bad idea for a former courtesan. Why does this one have to be so hot under the collar?

I love historical romances that take old tropes and make them new, and Jackie has a real talent for doing that.  You can read up on all her books on her website.  BTW, Kensington Books, one of her publishers, has put one of Jackie’s lovely anthologies on sale.  You can grab a digital copy of Behind the Red Door for only $2.99 until April 1.

Behind the Red Door

Jackie also has some great free reads on her website, so I urge you to check them out, too.  I also want to draw your attention to a memorial fund that has been set up in her son’s name. Details to donate can be found here. Any and all donation amounts are greatly appreciated.

Thank you!


Winners, Pre-Orders, and a Giveaway!!

Confessions of A Ro#14B6A95

The winner of the ARC of Confessions of a Royal Bridegroom is Teresa Kleeman.  Congrats, and I’ll be in touch!

Confessions is currently available for pre-order (it comes out April 1), and is listed at a really great price on Amazon–only $5.21!  Included as a special bonus in Confessions, in both the print and digital editions, is Lost in a Royal Kiss, the novella which kicked off my new series.  Pretty good deal, eh?  Blurb, excerpt, and buy links for Confessions are listed on the Book Page.

I wanted to let you know about another book that’s currently up for pre-order.  Kristan Higgins’ next book in her fabulous Blue Heron Series it out on March 25th.  I’ll be buying Waiting On You because I know it will be a wonderful read, but there’s another reason to pre-order or buy the book during its first week in stores.  As was true with Kristan’s last two releases, she’ll be donating a portion of first week  sales and preorders to Fisher House Foundation, which provides housing for military families so they can be together when a service member or veteran is in the hospital.  Even better, this time around Kristan’s publisher is matching the donations!

Waiting on You

Fisher House is a wonderful charity, and this is a great cause to support.  I would encourage my readers to visit their website, and also hop on over to Amazon, B & N, or IndieBound to pre-order Kristan’s new book!

And to get the ball rolling, I’ll be giving away a copy of Waiting on You to one lucky reader.  Just tell me which causes and/or charities you like to support for a chance to win Kristan’s latest.  I’ll pick the winner on Sunday night.

Waiting on You

Is your first love worth a second chance…? 

Colleen O’Rourke is in love with love…just not when it comes to herself. Most nights, she can be found behind the bar at the Manningsport, New York, tavern she owns with her twin brother, doling out romantic advice to the lovelorn, mixing martinis and staying more or less happily single. See, ten years ago, Lucas Campbell broke her heart…an experience Colleen doesn’t want to have again, thanks. Since then, she’s been happy with a fling here and there, some elite-level flirting and playing matchmaker to her friends. 

But a family emergency has brought Lucas back to town, handsome as ever and still the only man who’s ever been able to crack her defenses. Seems like maybe they’ve got some unfinished business waiting for them—but to find out, Colleen has to let her guard down, or risk losing a second chance with the only man she’s ever loved.


T.E.A.M. Dog & Cat Rescue Fundraiser!

corgi pup in hoodie

I am stupidly in love with animals, especially dogs and any sort of fuzzy little baby (and baby elephants, I might add).  Most of my charitable donations every year go to animal charities, especially in the event of a major disaster when the needs of animals–particularly farm animals that are often the sole support of families in the developing world–are often forgotten.

So I’m very happy to be part of a group of romance authors helping out T.E.A.M. Dog & Cat Rescue, a non-profit animal rescue charity based in Toronto, Canada.  This all-volunteer charity rescues at-risk animals and helps them find their forever homes.

T.E.A.M. is currently running a fantastic on-line auction Valentine’s Auction on facebook, with some wonderful auction items.  I’ve already made a financial donation and I’m also part of a fabulous book basket up for grabs, organized by the lovely historical romance writer, Lila DiPasqua.  100% of the money raised will go toward vet bills for the animals who’ve been rescued.  Check out the romance basket up for bid!

romance basket

The basket is just one of the many great items donated for the auction.  So if you’d like to help our furry friends, please check out the Online Valentine’s Auction and consider placing a bid or simply making a donation to the charity.  Even better, why not make a bid on behalf of your sweetie–it’s a great way to show some love this Valentine’s Day!

You can find the auction here on facebook, and also check out the rules and regs for bidding (items can be shipped–you don’t have to live in the Toronto area).

The animals thank you!


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