An Enchanted Season (Erin McCarthy)

The holidays always seem to bring out the best in everyone, with heartfelt hugs for long-missed friends, sincere smiles in the spirit of the season, and a feeling of magic in the air…

Here, for the first time, is a collection of paranormal romances celebrating the holidays as never before. From a shape-shifting leopardess who wants a pack-mate to be her soulmate to a surprise snowstorm that brings a surprise gift, these all-new tales by Maggie Shayne, Erin McCarthy, Nalini Singh, and Jean Johnson will stir your spirit in all the right places.

In Erin McCarthy's story, Charlotte's Web, Return to Ohio's most haunted town —Cutterville (Heiress for Hire & A Date from the Other Side) — for Charlotte Murphy and Will Thornton's story. An Enchanted Season goes on sale this Tuesday, October 2.

Visit Erin McCarthy.

The amazing Mocha Fudge Brownie!

Eclectics author Hailey North says her cat, Mocha, is amazing. "Bring one new item into a room and she immediately approaches it, conducts an inspection and catalogues what's different." In this photo, Mocha runs a quality control check on the wrappings for Hailey's husband's birthday gift.


Mocha's full name is Mocha Fudge Brownie. "When I first adopted her," says Hailey, "I called her Brownie because I'd gone to my vets' office with a pan of brownies to thank them for all their care when my cat Snickers died. They wanted to cheer me up so they said they could bring out this little kitten who'd make me smile. I said "nothing can cheer me up." But then they carried out this feisty teensy tabby kitten who leapt at the adding machine as if she understood math and I was helplessly lost. I adopted her the next day, after naming her Brownie. It didn't take me more than a few days to realize she was far too smart and sophisticated to be named Brownie so I expanded her name to Fudge Brownie and then to Mocha Fudge Brownie. And then she became Mocha."

We couldn't choose just one picture of the oh-so-photogenic Mocha, so here she is —hard at work again— this time previewing Hailey's fan mail.

Mocha's not the only four-footed member of Hailey's family. There's Stanley, part Maine Coon, all cute (but not-so-smart), Daisy the 18-year-old Burmese beauty, and chief cat herder Disraeli, a handsome chocolate Lab. Of course, they each want their own Pet Friday feature, so watch for them in coming weeks. Meanwhile, visit Hailey North.

Mocha is conducting inspections at this week's Friday Ark and on Sunday at Carnival of the Cats, hosted this week by Life from a Cat's Perspective.

Author appearances this week... Lisa Manuel & Erin McCarthy

Meet Eclectics author Erin McCarthy at the Central Ohio Fiction Writers 2007 Readers and Writers Holiday Conference this Friday, September 28th. The Author Reception and Book Signing at 6:00 pm is open to the public at the University Plaza Hotel, Columbus, Ohio.

Meet Eclectics author Lisa Manuel at the Georgia Romance Writers Moonlight and Magnolias Conference on Saturday, September 29th. The Book Fair and Autographing is open to the public from 4:00 to 5:30 pm at the Hilton Atlanta Northeast, Atlanta, Georgia.

New This Week: Moon Fever (Lori Handeland)

Passions suddenly turn hot and primal in Moon Fever, a Halloween Anthology from Pocket Books. This luminescent collection of paranormal stories by four stellar romance authors will send shivers of fear—and desire—down your spine. In Cobwebs Over the Moon by Lori Handeland, Manhattanite Carly Kelly is pursued by werewolves across the wintry Alaskan wilderness, and only ruggedly handsome soldier Dylan Shepard stands between her and certain death.

Moon Fever is available now! (Release date September 25, 2007)

New This Week: Demon Envy (Erin Lynn)

Vanity isn’t even one of the seven deadly sins, but that’s what got me into this mess...

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…

Demon Envy by Erin Lynn — on sale September 25th!

New This Week: Secrets of a Proper Lady (Victoria Alexander)

Lady Cordelia Bannister simply cannot marry a man she has not chosen herself, no matter what her father decrees. So, pretending to be her own companion, she decides to seek out information about her intended by meeting with his secretary—a man who soon beguiles her. But Lady Cordelia doesn’t know the truth—the man she can’t resist is really her intended, Daniel Sinclair.

Daniel has nearly won the wager he made with three of London’s most eligible bachelors. While two of his compatriots have surrendered to the shackles of marriage, he’s remained free to woo any woman he chooses. Yet duty forces him to consider Lady Cordelia, so, determined to find a way to escape honor intact, he continues the masquerade she started…

Secrets of a Proper Lady by Victoria Alexander - on sale this Tuesday, September 25th!

New Vid: Between the Sheets (Robin Wells)

Visit author Robin Wells for more about Between the Sheets.

Elwood: mellow yellow?

Rita-winning author Lori Handeland shared this 'Pet Friday' photo of her yellow lab, Elwood. Looks mighty mellow, doesn't he? But appearances can be deceiving!

"Elwood is the most hyper lab on the planet," says Lori. "He knows more words than any dog I've ever had. In our house there are certain words and phrases we do not say for fear of setting him off. Never say, "Dad's home" or "Grandma's here." Forget about "car ride." The word squirrel has become "s" and birds are "b's." That said he's very loyal and protective. Whenever I'm writing he reclines right behind my chair, between me and the door. No one's getting in. Of course I'm not getting out either!"

Visit Lori Handeland.

Elwood is watching for squirrels and birds over at this week's Friday Ark.

Free Online Serial (Erin McCarthy)

Part Two of Erin McCarthy's and Kathy Love's online serial, Drake: Tales of a Lusty Pirate is now online at The Impalers Vampire Band web site. It's free to download, so go ahead...get Impaled! (Mature content. If you're under 18, get Demonized, instead!)

Author Ring

The ORIGINAL Author Ring, started in 1996 by bestselling author and Eclectics.com founder Rebecca Sinclair, is a round-robin for published authors to show off their home pages and for readers to discover new authors. If you're published in royalty paying book-length fiction or non-fiction, we'd love to have you join the circle. For complete rules and sign-up information, visit the Author Ring.

Fortune's Kiss (Lisa Manuel)

In Lisa Manuel's upcoming Regency set romance, a dashing adventurer and a dazzling homebody team up to grapple with the mystery of a missing fortune, mistaken identity, murder, a dreadfully cute spider and the consequences of gooseberry pie.

Visit the web site of Lisa Manuel for a preview of Fortune's Kiss. While you're there, be sure to check out Lisa's page about how to make (and wear) a Great Kilt!

The Eclectics Connection

The Eclectics Connection... our quarterly newsletter, is being revamped! We're busy working on the Fall 2007 issue right now. If you haven't subscribed yet, do! We've got some great news to share, author appearances you don't want to miss, and, as always, a contest open only to newsletter subscribers. What are you waiting for? Subscribe!

Life with: Lori Handeland

Newlyweds, ancestors, baseball, a real Milwaukee hero, and this month's book recommendation are waiting for you in Lori Handeland's latest Journal entry, new today at lorihandeland.com.

Bookshelf Cat Helps Out

Sam, the official Bookshelf Cat here at Eclectics, likes to be wherever the action is. Right now, he's "helping" with the blog by parking himself between me and my computer monitor. Typos this morning are therefore all his fault!

Sam joins other catbloggers today at the Friday Ark and on Sunday at Carnival of the Cats, hosted this week by Hot(M)BC.

The Impalers Vampire Band

A vampire's day begins after dark... and so does a rock musician's. Find out what happens when two bestselling authors write about a vampire rock 'n roll band and then decide to bring them to life in New Orleans. The Impalers Vampire Band is the brainchild of Eclectics author Erin McCarthy and her friend and fellow author, Kathy Love.

Visit The Impalers web site to meet the band and download part one of Erin and Kathy's brand new online serial, Drake: Tales of a Lusty Pirate. It's free, so go ahead...get Impaled!

Seducing Eden (Allison Lane)

Burned out from years of tracking French spies, heartbroken from being jilted, Alex Portland now lives like a hermit on his secluded estate – until a storm blows Eden Marlow into his life. She needs help to unmask her husband’s killer and recover his stolen antiquities. Despite the siren call of her eyes and the distracting sparks raised by every touch, he accepts the challenge – and immediately regrets it. Honor battles desire as they chase a crafty thief who will go to any length to achieve his goals. Will they live long enough for their passion to flare into love?

Visit Allison Lane for SEDUCING EDEN and more great Regency romance reads.

New Author (Erin Lynn)

Some guys are devilishly cute... others, just devilish! Eclectics welcomes author Erin Lynn who is launching her new web site with a preview of book one in her Demon series, DEMON ENVY (Berkley, October '07). Read a chapter excerpt, watch the video, then ask yourself ... what's in your shower?

Visit Erin Lynn.

Authors on Test the Nation - Sunday on CBC TV

Watch for Eclectics authors Deni Dietz (aka Mary Ellen Dennis) and Gordon Aalborg (aka Victoria Gordon) on television this Sunday when they compete as part of the Romance Novelists team on CBC's Test the Nation.

Seven teams will flex their word muscles on Sunday, September 9 at 8:00 p.m. on CBC TV. Who do you think will win: the Romance Novelists, English Teachers, Word Gamers, Fraternities and Sororities, Ad Agents, Comedians or Celebrities? The results may surprise you.

Visit the Test the Nation web site to play along!

Winnie-the-Pooh-dle

Winnie loves to ride in the car, get tummy rubs, and gobble Beggin' Strips®. She greets everyone with a weird moany whine that sounds like she's saying "Wah-wah-wah." She knows several tricks — she rolls over, dances, sits, high-fives and throws a ball.

Winnie's #1 human, author Robin Wells, says, "She only weighs six pounds, but that doesn't stop her from performing her official duty: holding down the carpet in my office while I write."

Dogs, cats, and more join Winnie this week aboard the Friday Ark.

Hunter's Moon (Lori Handeland) UK Edition

Leigh Tyler was once a kindergarten teacher with starry-eyed dreams that turned into nightmares when the bigger mistake she ever made came back to tear her world apart. Now, Leigh lives only for the hunt. Werewolves are her prey, and love is no longer an option. Leigh has been called to Wisconsin for something big. As long as it means killing fanged and furry demons, she's up for it. But the worst is yet to come, because something stronger and smarter than the average beast is on the prowl ...and it's doing Leigh's work for her.

Intoxicating and intriguing, Damien Fitzgerald is making Leigh question her vow never to let another man into her bed, or her heart. Every moment with him brings forth familiar, and dangerous, urges. Urges that may prove too strong to resist. Leigh's job is a dance with death, and she has no intention of letting Damien become involved and get hurt. Especially now that she knows her enemy is watching from the forest, waiting for her first wrong step.

The UK Edition of HUNTER'S MOON, second in the Nightcreature series by Lori Handeland is available now.

Visit Lori Handeland for more about the Nightcreature Novels, including her latest North American release, HIDDEN MOON.

Not the Marrying Kind (Hailey North)

They shared one magical night ... Discover what happens sixteen years later when Hailey North takes us back to Doolittle, Arkansas for NOT THE MARRYING KIND. Hailey's web site has been freshly updated - enjoy an excerpt from chapter one, read her new letter to readers, and be sure to enter the contest for your chance to win a 'Don't Ever Forget New Orleans' goodie basket!

Visit Hailey North.

The Naked Truth (Erin McCarthy)

Erin McCarthy's novella "The Winning Truth" headlines the mass market paperback re-release of THE NAKED TRUTH, available today at your favorite bookseller.

Is he into me? Is he just playing games? Falling in love is never easy, but there's nothing like it to keep you on your toes. There are no rules to romance — and usually the only way to get a little is to take the plunge. Here are four seductive stories about four bold women who risk it all to win at the unpredictable game of love.

Visit Erin McCarthy.

Lady Amelia's Secret Lover (Victoria Alexander)

Lady Amelia Hathaway thought she had the perfect husband, perfect marriage, perfect life. Until one day she discovered happily ever after wasn't quite what it was cracked up to be. But she was not about to give up perfect without a fight! LADY AMELIA'S SECRET LOVER, an original e-book with special bonus material from Victoria Alexander, is available starting September 4th from HarperCollins.com. (Free sample - try before you buy!)

Coming soon: Amelia's sister, Cordelia, has her own book. Watch for SECRETS OF A PROPER LADY (mass market paperback), on sale September 25th.

Mi Pirata Malvado (Rona Sharon)

Rona's debut novel, MY WICKED PIRATE, is now available in Spanish as MI PIRATA MALVADO!

Primero él le dio un beso malvado…

Alanis, con sus ojos azul celese, era con mucho el tesoro más exquisito jamás reclamando por el malvado pirata conocido como la Víbora, pero sus motives se volvieron más profundos que su promesa de reptar a la enérgica heredera de Yorkshire. Controlar las aguas del Caribe era el medio para conseguir su objetivo: reclamar su patrimonio… y su deuda de sangre contra quienes lo habían traicionado.

Luego le dió noches de malvado placer…

Cómodamente prometida en matrimonio con un noble, Alanis nunca imaginó las embriagadoras emociones implicadas en el verdadero juego de la seducción, juego que este rufián parecia disfrutar muchísimo con ella. Arrastrada hacia una aventura que pronto puso al descubierto a un caballero y a un alma gemela bajo la cruel apariencia de un corsario, Alanis comenzó a ablandarse con su enigmátic captor, mientras su orgullo y su corazón caían bajo su erótico hechizo…

Visit Rona Sharon.

New Contests

Eclectics.com authors, Lori Handeland and Rona Sharon have both launched new contests on their web sites today.

Visit Lori Handeland for a chance to win an autographed ARC (advance reading copy) of the upcoming anthology, NO REST FOR THE WITCHES, featuring Lori's novella "Voodoo Moon". RT BOOKreviews Magazine says this 4-author anthology delivers "top notch supernatural thrills!" (Entry deadline Sept.30/07)

Visit Rona Sharon to read an excerpt from her upcoming historical romance, ONCE A RAKE, a December 2007 release, then enter for your chance to win a signed copy of her first novel, MY WICKED PIRATE, a goodie-treasure-bag, and a signed cover flat of ONCE A RAKE. (Entry deadline Sept.30/07).

And while you're in a contest mood, visit "The Eclectics Authors" page at Eclectics.com for a list and links to other currently running author contests.

Good luck!