Lurlene McDaniel Website Update

Lurlene McDaniel's website (http://www.lurlenemcdaniel.net/) has been updated with news about her latest book, "Breathless," due to be released in May 2009.

What is the toughest request anyone can be asked to fulfill?

Travis Morrison is a champion diver and one of the most popular kids at school. On the first day of summer vacation, while boating on the lake with his friends, Travis attempts a silly stunt dive that goes wrong. He fears he has broken his leg. Instead, his trip to the hospital reveals he has a rare form of cancer, and to save him, the doctors tell his parents they must amputate. In an instant, Travis’s life and the lives of everyone around him are forever changed.

Travis is determined that he and only he should decide the course of his life. He has a plan, but he can’t carry it out alone. Will he convince one of his friends to fulfill his most important request?

Lurlene McDaniel tackles a controversial subject, probing the issues of personal choice and quality of life.

Robin Wells - site update and new book coming

Robin Wells' website (http://www.robinwells.com/) has been updated with a new look for the home page and news about her forthcoming release, HOW TO SCORE. HOW TO SCORE will release in June of this year.


Museum curator Sammi Matthews isn't just in a dating slump, she's putting men on the injured list. After giving one date a black eye and cracking another's rib, Sammi decides she needs professional help. Enter life coach Luke Jones, who advises Sammi on how to overcome her klutziness. And their phone sessions work! Sammi soon meets a sexy FBI agent who seems to know just what she needs.

When his brother Luke goes into federal protection, FBI Special Agent Chase Jones agrees to cover for him. Then Sammi's hot voice sizzles down the line, and the usual "phone only" rule is out. With "Luke" coaching her by day, and Chase dating her by night, Sammi's confidence soars, along with her appeal. Chase falls hard, but how will Sammi feel if and when he comes clean? Chase would rather she break all his bones than risk breaking her heart.

Bloggers and reviewers: find out how you can get an ARC for review at Robin's site!

Website update and upcoming book from Mary Paine

Visit Mary Paine's updated website and read an excerpt from her upcoming book, NEVER TRUST A MATCHMAKING WITCH.

A group of fun-loving witches' favorite hobby is matchmaking for their mortal friends, including Susan and Brad. But when Susan first encounters their powers, including a wolf-whistling cabinet and a disappearing cat, she begins to wonder if Brad's passion for her is real or part of a spell.

NEVER TRUST A MATCHMAKING WITCH is available for pre-order at BookStrand.com

Discover more about Mary at MaryPaine.com.

New Author Contest for November!

Visit Shari Anton's site where one lucky winner will receive an autographed book from among those in Shari's backlist! Entry deadline: January 15, 2009 at midnight (USA EST).

Gordon Aalborg's site update and upcoming books

Gordon Aalborg invites you to come visit his updated web site and check out his two new books, which will release early next year.

The Horse-Tamer's Challenge is a Five Star Romance of the Old West by G.K. Aalborg, releasing in February, 2009.

In the aftermath of the Custer debacle, Rebecca Susan Bennett's dying father had sworn her to rescue her twin sister Amy—an Indian captive—or kill her!“You might be keeping that promise on your own death bed,” was the reaction from Lucas Swallow, bound by his honor to help Rebecca if he could.

Find out more!

Dining with Devils is a Five Star Original Mystery by Gordon Aalborg releasing in April, 2009.

Tasmanian police Sgt. Charlie Banes’ rush to save his friends and end a killing spree is a race against time through the eucalypt forests of Tasmania’s east-coast highlands. Aided by a cranky old bushman and his even-crankier Jack Russell terrier, Charlie also has help from the ubiquitous Tasmanian Devils … world-class scavengers with their own ideas about appropriate table manners.

Find out more!

Pamela Ford's New Look and New Book!

Pamela Ford invites you to come and visit her new web site.

She has an all-new look to celebrate the release of her October Super romance from Harlequin, THE WEDDING HEIRESS.

Blurb: Who’d have thought that Delaney McBride would come back to her Wisconsin hometown—where Mike Connery still lives!—to plan weddings? Not Delaney, the upwardly mobile career woman who doesn’t believe in storybook endings. Certainly not Delaney, the insecure teenager who never got over her girlhood crush on Mike.
If it weren’t for her inheritance, Delaney would be so out of there, as far away from the irresistible-as-ever man as she could get. But it’s either take over her great-aunt’s wedding-planning business or lose everything. So here she is, creating happy endings for real-life Cinderellas while still secretly pining for Mike. At the rate she’s going, Delaney’s heading straight for happily never after. Unless—is it possible?—the single father is just as secretly pining for her.…

4-1/2 STARS! “Enhanced by a mystery, THE WEDDING HEIRESS is a fast-paced and fun novel. Full of zany characters and a few mishaps, it’s a delight.”
-Romantic Times BOOKreviews Magazine

Come and visit Pam's revamped web site by clicking here!

New Author Contests for September & October!

Check Lori Handeland's site to find out the title of the free prequel short story that introduces The Phoenix Chronicles, and you'll be entered to win a signed ARC (advanced reading copy) of ANY GIVEN DOOMSDAY. Enter by: September 30 at midnight (USA EST).

Next, visit Shari Anton's site where one lucky winner will receive personally autographed copies of the three books in her Magic series. Entry deadline: October 31 at midnight (USA EST).

The video for 2x RITA Award Winner, Lori Handeland's, November 4th release, Any Given Doomsday, is, in *two* words, steamy and fantastic! But don't take my word for it, see for yourself -- either visit her page or, if you can't wait that long, click on the video below.

P.S. While you are on Lori's page, take a second to sign up for her brand new, free, never-before-seen or read short story, In the Beginning!

NEWSFLASH: Lori's monthly contest has just recycled! Enter and be lucky enough to win a free, autographed ARC (Advanced Reader's Copy) of Any Given Doomsday -- be one of the first people to read this sensational new book!

And now, without further ado, the video!:

New Author Contest for August!

What's the first romance novel you remember reading? Let Lori Handeland know, and you'll be entered to win an autographed book from this award-winning author of the Nightcreature Novels. Enter by: August 31 at midnight (USA EST).

While you're at Lori's site, sign up to receive a FREE, never-before published short story by Lori, "In the Beginning," and read an excerpt from her upcoming novel--the first in her new Phoenix Chronicles series--"Any Given Doomsday."

New Author Contests for July!

Tell Lori Handeland how many books you read per month, and you'll be entered to win an autographed book from this award-winning author of the Nightcreature Novels. Enter by: July 31 at midnight (USA EST).

Next, visit Shari Anton's site where one lucky winner will receive personally autographed copies of the three books in her Magic series. Entry deadline: August 31 at midnight (USA EST).

New Release: Magic in His Kiss by Shari Anton

She was wild, willful, and most certainly a princess.

But now she’s the king’s ward, and Nicole de Leon’s future is no longer her own. Bound by duty and honor she awaits an arranged marriage … until a handsome warrior appears to spirit her away. Nicole cannot resist his offer of protection or the darkening of desire in his eyes. But a powerful secret torments her, a psychic gift that only this rough warrior can help tame.

He was tempted, tantalized, and most certainly not of noble blood.

Rhodri ap Daffyd’s duty is to defy the king and deliver Nicole to her uncle, his liege lord. But she's not the spoiled young girl he remembers. She’s a woman steadfast in her loyalty and aflame with passion, a lady never meant for him. An act of defiance brings them together and duty threatens to tear them apart, but will the magic in his kiss reveal a destiny that can’t be denied?

Magic in His Kiss by Shari Anton is available now from your favorite bookseller.

Discover more about Shari at ShariAnton.com.

Reluctant Reader? Try Erin Lynn!

Know a young person who doesn't like to read? The American Library Association has released their 2008 Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, including Demon Envy by Eclectics' own Erin Lynn. Check it out. You just might turn someone on to a lifetime of reading pleasure!

From the book cover: This is my story. The tale of a normal morning in the life of a normal girl—WHO HAS A DEMON POP UP IN HER SHOWER. Yeah, that’s where the vanity comes in. While trying to get rid of a monster zit, I dropped my face lotion in the tub. And while fifty bucks’ worth of it swirled down the drain, it freed a demon from his prison portal. A mysteriously geeky looking demon. (In the movies, they’re always hot, right?)

So here I am, Kenzie Sutcliffe, saddled with a creature who looks and acts like every other guy I know. That is: ANNOYING. At least Levi has a job—if you could call it that. He has to stir up envy and jealousy in humans…or he starves. All he’s tempting me to do is crawl back into my bedroom and hide there until forever. Because believe me, no one is going to be coveting my life after this…

Denise Dietz in Audio

Here's a fun way to enjoy the creativity of Denise Dietz--in audio!

THE PICK-ME-UP TRUCK and DEAD AID have been spotlighted as "stories of the week" and are available for download at Sniplits.

Don't forget to let Denise know which story you liked best.

fun with books (a meme)

What if all your favorite authors dropped a sentence into a hat? This is a quick and easy meme but the results can be surprising. Here's how to play:

1. Take five books off your bookshelf.
2. Book #1 -- first sentence
3. Book #2 -- last sentence on page fifty
4. Book #3 -- second sentence on page one hundred
5. Book #4 -- next to the last sentence on page one hundred fifty
6. Book #5 -- final sentence of the book
7. Make the five sentences into a paragraph.

Here's what happened when I tried it on the Eclectics bookshelf:

The cry began as a fluttering rumble, deep in the cat's throat. "I believe we should be off if we are to sail on time." Damien shifted, shielding me with his body, even though no one could see us at this angle, in this light. Something was missing. I didn't smile back, because one never smiles at a crocodile.

Weird how they all flow together to make a strange kind of sense. Hey, I'd read on! ;-)

My five books were:

#1 - Cat Tracks by Gordon Aalborg
#2 - The Perfect Wife by Victoria Alexander
#3 - Hunter's Moon by Lori Handeland
#4 - Married to the Mop by Barbara Colley
#5 - Footprints in the Butter by Denise Dietz

What's on your bookshelf?