I just finished J.D. Robb’s new book,  Promises in Death.  I really enjoyed it, but then I’ve always been a huge fan of Eve Dallas and don’t even get me started on Roarke (think Pierce Brosnan with his original Irish accent).  But this blog isn’t my fascination on the series.

When I saw the book cover, I was surprised to notice that it just said J. D. Robb as the author.  Now this shouldn’t be a big deal, but lately, all the books that I’ve seen in the series have had covers that said Nora Roberts writing as J.D. Robb.  Why is this?  A marketing ploy?  Trying to get new readers that maybe are anti-Nora to take a chance on the series?  To distance it from romance?  (Apparently Borders Books considers it a mystery)  Having readings think this may be a man writer because men would more easily pick up a book thinking they may enjoy it better if it’s not written by a woman?  (Now I’m just throwing this out there as possibilities, no facts to back it up).

Here’s the other thing, Nora Roberts picture is nowhere to be seen.  On other books it takes up the whole back cover.  Even the cover flap has no mention of her.  Then there’s the mass market reprints with Nora’s name missing.  When I checked on the Borders Books site, the older books listed the writer as J.D. Robb, Nora Roberts.  The new book, only J. D. Robb.

So, what’s your best guess?  Done as a brilliant marketing strategy?  Will it work?  Won’t readers notice?  If you didn’t know who the real author was, would it sway you one way or another?  Would love to hear what  men think of this.

 
Bottom Line:  I have to admit that if I previously didn’t like an author, I’d be less likely to pick up a new book by them, so the trick would probably work on me and I may discover a gem I would have otherwise bypassed.

I watched Quantum of Solace again this weekend.  Can’t seem to get enough of Daniel Craig

Conference season is gearing up and I know my schedule is getting pretty full, so if I’m not attending your conference or group get together, feel free to contact me with a paragraph about it and a picture.  I’ll try to include it in the Monday blog.  There’s so many that I’d like to eventually try out, but here’s a way to let the readers of BHB know about what’s happening in your area.  I’ve already snagged a cub reporter for the Novelist Inc. conference in St. Louis (thanks Shari Anton). Now here’s the news I heard this week and you can send me your happenings, kudos, fun stuff to barbaravey@gmail.com

From Author Brenda Novak: 

The 5th Annual On-line Auction for Diabetes Research will open May 1st and run through the month. We’re currently gathering items and plan to make this auction the biggest and the best ever. Last year, we raised $252,300. We hope to break $300,000 in 2009.
  

Every year, I offer an amazing prize package to the person who places the highest number of bids over all, whether said person actually wins any items or not. This year, I’ve scoured the Internet and looked through all the stores, trying to decide just what it will be–and I decided to offer the new giant touch screen Hewlett Packard computer that has done away with the tower and is completely wireless. This is such an amazing system. I stood at Costco for at least 30 minutes lusting over it. I would love to have it myself. It’s a $1300 value before tax, so get your bidding fingers ready!

From Sue Grimshaw, Borders Books:  Avid romance readers hungry to learn all they can about their favorite authors should look no further than “Borders True Romance,” the new exclusive video program on Borders.com. Hosted by Borders’ Romance Buyer Sue Grimshaw, the program is debuting at bordersmedia.com/trueromance with an exciting interview with New York Times bestselling and Kensington Publishing author Lisa Jackson.

“Borders True Romance” episode kicks off a series of interviews with some of romance’s biggest names, including Lisa Kleypas and Sherrilyn Kenyon. In the in-depth interviews, authors not only cover their upcoming books, but they reveal insights about themselves – how they started writing, which books they couldn’t put down and what really makes them tick.

From me:  I’ll be leaving in 2 weeks to attend the Washington Romance Writers Retreat in Leesburg, Virginia.  I’m thrilled to be going because I’ve never been to Virginia and because they’ve asked me to speak (yes, officially because you all know that I’ll speak unoffically at the drop of a hat).  So I need your help.  What should I talk about?  What interests you in a speaker?  What turns you off?  Is there any subject that you would like to know more about?

 
Bottom Line:  Happy talk, keep talkin’ happy talk,
                     Talk about things you’d like to do.
                     You got to have a dream,
                     If you don’t have a dream,
                     How you gonna have a dream come true? 

Music by Richard Rodgers, lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein

Time for Sunday Matinee.  Normally I don’t like to label the videos because I feel you should see them like you do in the theater.  You don’t have a choice, you just watch what’s next and sometimes you find a gem that you normally wouldn’t have looked at twice.  But since some videos now label their videos upfront, it’s only fair that they are all get the same treatment.  So, I hope you give them all chance since they only take about a minute to watch each one.

Sudden Death by Allison Brennan


Kill For Me by Karen Rose

Ancient Whispers by Marie Claude Bourque (book not published yet)

Sins of Lord Easterbrook by Madeline Hunter

Smooth Talking Stranger by Lisa Kleypas

Final Words by Teri Thackston

As a final note, #2 son, Andrew sent me this video because his brother’s name is Keith and he said, "This is so true." So, with apologies to Keith, this is so NOT true (and not funny Andrew).

Bottom Line: Even when they grow up, brothers don’t seem to "grow up." But I wouldn’t have them any other way.

Final chance to claim all these wonderful prizes from the Anniversary Bash. Email your snail mail address to bhbwinner2009@gmail.com and include the author’s name and prize.  All prizes must be claimed by Sunday.  (If you didn’t win any prizes, email me anyway and I’ll send you anything unclaimed, but you must post a comment today to be eligible).  Everything will be given out.

Monday 

Cynthia Eden – An autographed copy of IMMORTAL DANGER

Karin

Anton Strout – Signed copies of DEAD TO ME and DEADER STILL

Marie-Nicole Ryan

Georgia Evans (Rosemary Laurey) – Two ARCS of BLOODY GOOD and two book bags.

Kate Pearce 

Leanna Renee Hieber – Giving away a STRANGELY BEAUTIFUL kit

Cynthia Eden

Marilu Mann – A signed copy of CHANGING TIMES 

Ayla

Caridad Pineiro – A copy of HOLIDAY WITH A VAMPIRE, DESIRE CALLS and FURY CALLS as well as a CALLING t-shirt

 

Estella

Barbara Bretton – Five copies of CASTING SPELLS

Jia Gayles, JENN BAKER 

Rowena Cherry – A copy of FORCED MATE

Dina James

Dina James -  I have three copies of The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance featuring my short story "Play Dead".

Peggy

C.H. Admirand - E-book, Bridget’s Rainbow

Cassandra Curtis

Linnea Sinclair - An Intergalactic Bar & Grille Coffee Mug, An "Interstellar Adventure infused with Romance" Coffee Mug, An autographed copy of Games of Command and The Down Home Zombie Blues

Debra

 

Jade Lee - A copy of Dragonborn

pjpuppymom

Stacey Klemstein -  A signed copy of the first book in my science fiction romance series, The Silver Spoon

Anna Campbell

Meljean Brook -  Two autographed copies of DEMON NIGHT

Empress of Burford

Elizabeth Amber - A copy of Dominic, The Lords of Satyr with signed bookmarks

Tracey T

Teri Thackston - An ebook copy of Scent of Lavender

‘Rhett (of Knight’s Fork)

Paige Tyler - Copy of  paranormal erotic romance Animal Attraction

Who Me? 

Bess McBride:  Download of Caribbean Dreams of Love

Lisa F.

Ann Aguirre - A copy of my book

Dawn (LIRW) 

L.L. Foster - Autographed copies of Servant: The Awakening, and Servant: The Acceptance

Seri

Katie MacAlister - Since I’ve been making hand-made journals of late, I would be happy to make one as a party favor for one of your readers.

Donna S

Michelle M. Pillow - Copy of Recipe for Disaster

Ayla

Joy Nash – Copy of Immortals: The Crossing

JENN BAKER

Amber Polo - A signed copy of Romancing Rebecca

Jennifer Roland

Robin D. Owens - a copy of out of print Guardian of Honor and an ARC of Heart Choice 

Kathy

Sherrilyn Kenyon - A Fury Necklace

blodeuedd

 

Tuesday

Brenda Novak - A set of her Last Stand Trilogy  (TRUST ME, WATCH ME, and STOP ME)

 

Dawn (LIRW) 

Cheryl Holt - 3 copies of my novel

Nancy O, sinoo7 aka Kathy Crouch

 Kay Thomas - A Copy of Better Than Bulletproof

Sara Hurt

Allison Brennan - One set of No Evil Trilogy, One set of Prision Break Trilogy and an early copy of Sudden Death

Pat Cochran

Libby Hellmann - A copy of Easy Innocence

Liz Kreger

J L Wilson - 6 mystery books (3 to 2 different winners)

Cassie 

Deb Baker - First 3 books in the Dolls to Die For Series. Dolled Up For Murder, Goodbye Dolly and Dolly Departed. Signed.

Kendra

F. Paul Wilson - Medical thrillers IMPLANT and DEEP AS THE MARROW.

Cindy Sz

 

Wednesday

Liquid Silver Books:  A winners choice, a 3 ebook prize pack and a 2 print book prize pack. (2 winners)

Seri 

Cerridwen Press:  Two Print Books from any of our imprints

Marie

The Chatelaines - A tote bag full of our books! (Authors Cindy Holby, Emilie Bryan, CL Wilson, Gerri Russell, Joy Nash, Bonnie Banak and Jennifer Ashley)

Cerri Ellis

 eHarlequin Authors:

Kate Walker - Signed books/pens/bookmarks and a heart shaped keyring

Andrea AKA Smarty Pants  

Kay Stockham - First 2 titles of Tulanes of Tennessee Series, bookmarks, pens, etc

Debbie Kaufman 

Amanda McIntyre - Signed copy of Spice, Diary of Cozette, bookmarks

sinoo7 aka Kathy Crouch

Margaret Daley - Copy of Poisoned Secrets

Heather

Ellen Hartman - Signed copy of His Secret Past, coffee mug "Love is no joke. But it sure it funny."

AmyCook

Robin D. Owens - Guardian of Honor and an ARC of Heart Change

Marie-Nicole Ryan

 Margaret Moore - $25 electronic gift card from Amazon

joysann

Jillian Hart - signed copies of McKaslin Clan Series Three (9 total books)

Leslie Gladnick

Michelle Gagnon - Signed copy of current release

ArkansasCyndi

Lindsay McKenna - Signed copy of Dangerous Prey

Carmen_R

Debra Webb - Nameless

Andrea AKA Smarty Pants

Tawny Weber - Does She Dare

Natalie Arloa

Jennifer LaBrecque - Highland Fling

Fedora

Patrice Michelle - Scions: Resurrection

Marilyn AKA Playground Monitor

Deanna Raybourn - Silent in the Sanctuary

Minna

Rebecca York - New Moon

ReadingIsSoMuchFun

Joanne Rock - The Knight’s Return

vegasbaby

Georgina Devon - Her Rebel Lord

TerryS

Julia Justiss - A Most Unconventional Match

WW Jan

Patricia Frances Rowell - An Impetuous Abduction

Renee Lynn Scott

Kathryn Albright - The Rebel and the Lady

Karen H in NC

Cheryl St. John - Backlist book of choice

Ruth

Charlene Sands - Western Weddings

Marilyn Baron

 

Thursday

Lyn Cote - The Desires of Her Heart

jude

Linda Ford - The Road to Love and The Path to Her Heart

Edie Ramer 

Marlene Perez - Two copies of LOVE IN THE CORNER POCKET

Jamie Birdwell

 and five copies of DEAD IS A STATE OF MIND 

Deborah

Janis Susan May - THE LAND OF HEART’S DELIGHT, 

Dixie Ferguson

Emily Ecton - signed copies of Boots and Piece
s, The Curse of Cuddles McGee and Night of the Living Lawn Ornaments.

Kimi Kaio

Cynthea Liu - A copy of THE GREAT CALL OF CHINA 

Virginia Hendricks

Valerie Anne Faulkner - 2 signed copies of I Must Be In Heaven

Colleen, Rev Deb

From the group THE LAYAS (Los Angeles Young Adult Authors)

Sally Nemeth – a signed copy of THE HEIGHTS, THE DEPTHS AND EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN

Raonaid Luckwell 

Susan Casey – a signed copy of WOMEN INVENT! TWO CENTURIES OF DISCOVERIES THAT HAVE SHAPED OUR WORLD

Andrea AKA Smarty Pants

Cecil Castellucci – a signed copy of JANES IN LOVE and BEIGE

Christina Cross

Cherry Cheva – a signed copy of SHE’S SO MONEY

Deborah Grace Staley

Jordanna Fraiberg – a signed copy of IN YOUR ROOM

Maureen E

Amy Goldman Koss – a signed copy of POISON IVY

WWJan

Carol Snow – a signed copy of SWITCH

Deborah Grace Staley

Sonya Sones – a signed copy of WHAT MY GIRLFRIEND DOESN’T KNOW 

Billie Jo

Sasha Watson – a signed copy of VIDALIA IN PARIS

Keira Soleore

Lisa Yee – a signed copy of ABSOLUTELY MAYBE 

Kimi Kaio

Alexa Young – a signed copy of FRENEMIES and a signed copy of FAKETASTIC

Yami Miko

Carol M. Tanzman – a signed copy of THE SHADOW PLACE 

Susan C

Friday’s Prize Winner

 

Lacey Alexander  - a copy of her erotic novel Seven Nights of Sin

azteclady

April Ash - I’ll donate a print copy of my erotic book, Strip Poker for Two as another prize. 

Bev 

Jennifer Lewis - A signed copy of In the Argentine’s Bed

Kimber

Terri Brisbin - A set of my HIGHLANDER books to your giveaways for the day – TAMING THE HIGHLANDER, SURRENDER TO THE HIGHLANDER and POSSESSED BY THE HIGHLANDER  

Jennette Green

Shaila Abdullah - A downloadable Pakistani recipe book, A Taste of Saffron and  excerpt of my 2005 collection of short stories called Beyond the Cayenne Wall. An autographed copy of my new novel Saffron Dreams 

catslady 

From the Soapbox Queens:  

Jennifer LaBrecque - YULE BE MINE 

Liza

Andrea Pickens - A Copy of The Scarlet Spy  

sara hurt

Sela Carson,  M.K. Mancos, Vivi Andrews, Misty Evans - E-book copy of Tickle My Fantasy anthology

Megan Kelly

Jeanette Green - An ebook and/or print copy of my historical romance novel, The Commander’s Desire

sinoo7 aka Kathy Crouch

Paige Tyler -  Protective Custody - Contemporary Erotic Romance.

Blissful Reader

Jacquie Rogers - A copy of Down Home Ever Lovin’ Mule Blues

Stephanie S

Ellora’s Cave - Three eBooks (to three winners) 

Joanne Rock, Colleen MacLeod

Cassandra Curtis - One copy of Beneath A Midnight Sea and Song of The Sea (as a bundle since they are books one and two in the same series); and one copy of Black Magic Woman. 

Michel ((A.K.A. Freezer Guy)

Paige Tyler - Protective Custody - Contemporary Erotic Romance

Shari Anton

Saturday Winners

 

Deirdre Knight - A signed copy of Red Fire

CHRISTINE

Sydney Croft - an ARC of Taming The Fire

  Seri

Jacqueline Diamond  – I’m donating a PDF copy of Touch Me in the Dark,  Gothic love story

  Michel ((A.K.A. Freezer Guy)

HelenKay Dimon - I’d love to donate an ARC of my upcoming contemporary, It’s Hotter In Hawaii

  Keira Soleore 

Hope Tarr - One signed copy of VANQUISHED

    Susan in AZ  

Diane Whiteside:  I’d love to give away a copy of KISSES LIKE A DEVIL, the latest Devil book.

Billie Jo 

Energetic Solutions - Shotgun Shopping for Tough Times and Still Getting Everything You Want and Over Come the 7 Energies That Zap Your Life, also Meditate  for Peace and HealingCD

Lynda 

Linsay Sands - Signed copy of Devil Of The Highlands and The Rogue Hunter

   Kwana  

Michele Bardsley - $10 gift certificate to Amazon.com

  ReadingIsSoMuchFun

Donna Marie Rogers - A signed copy of There’s Only Been You

 Jennette Green  

Lucy Monroe - Lucy Monroe – 3 copies of The Spy Who Wants Me

    Pat Cochran, Shell Bryce, kh 

Curtiss Ann Matlock - a copy each of my reprints due out April 1– COLD TEA ON A HOT DAY and SWEET DREAMS AT THE GOODNIGHT MOTEL

 Dawn (LIRW)  

Virginia Kantra - Sea Witch and Sea Fever

  Debbie Mumford

Lisa Hendrix - 2 winners each a copy of IMMORTAL WARRIOR, and one person a galley copy ofIMMORTAL OUTLAW

robynl

Adelle Laudan - copy of Iron Horse Rider

Tammy M

Berta Platas - copy of Lucky Chica

 Beverly Adams

From Enos Authors:

Katherine Allred – A galley copy of sci-fi romance, CLOSE ENCOUNTERS

David Michael Gerson

Jocelynn Drake - A bound mss. of

next book, DAYHUNTER (urban fantasy w/ romance crossover)

    Kay Sturm 

 

Casablanca Authors:

Sharon Lathan - Mr. and Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy – Two Shall Become One

   Susan in AZ 

Michele Ann Young - The Lady Flees Her Lord

   Liza 

Kendra Leigh Castle - Call of the Highland Moon and Dark Highland Fire

   Kate Fellowes  

Cheryl Brooks - The Cat Star Chronicles: Rogue

  Seri

Judi Fennell - In Over Her Head

   sinoo7 aka Kathy Crouch  

Linda Wisdom - Wicked By Any Other Name

    Kimber Harris

Marie Force - Line of Scrimmage

  Anita Webb  

Robin Kaye - Too Hot To Handle

  cheryl c.  

Donna Lea Simpson - Lady Anne and the Howl in the Dark

   Afshan N

Bottom Line:  Speak now or forever hold your peace.

 

---

Thanks to Joysann for helping me match up last week’s anniversary prize winners with their authors, but we’ve got lots unclaimed.  Tomorrow we will be re-awarding the unclaimed prizes, so check back to see if you’ve won.   Now, on to the WW Ladies Book Club Blurbs.

Prince of Midtown by Jennifer Lewis 

Read by Emily
 
Tessa Banks has been the private secretary of Sebastian Stone, Crown Prince of Caspia’s for five years, and she’s ready to move on. So when she gives her notice, he uses the one talent that he knows will make her stay; seduction. Tessa soon realizes that she is falling head over heels for the charming prince, but nothing can ever happen. He’s going to be the ruler of a country and she’s just an American commoner. Love knows no bounds, but can a happily ever after really come true for this modern day Cinderella tale?
  

This is the third book in the Park Avenue Scandal series, and I enjoyed every bit of it. It is a fast and easy read with enough excitement to keep you on your toes. I love Cinderella stories, and this modern day tale is just the ticket to make you believe in happily ever afters.

Madman’s Dance by Jana G. Oliver Time Rovers – Book 3  
Read by Joysann  
Having traveled from 2057 to 1888 London to find the culprit whose timeline interference would change history as she knows it, Time Rover Jacynda Lassiter loses her memory in an assault and is committed to Bedlam. Without chance of her aid, her friend Jonathon Keats faces hanging, the first indicator that time has gone wrong. It will take the efforts of friends in both centuries to rescue Cynda, Jonathon, and even the future of civilization.   
Madman’s Dance winds up the story begun in Book 1, Sojourn, but Jana G. Oliver assures readers that it’s not the end of Time Rovers, which makes me quite happy. The convoluted paradoxes presented by time travel are imaginatively made rational, and the intrigues and mysteries, the likable characters, and the historical descriptions make for an exciting story. When the next time comes around, I’ll get in the time pod. 

 

Royal Blood by Rona Sharon

Read by Heidi
  In the Tudor Court of 1518, your friends and enemies can be one and the same…During the annual celebration of the Order of the Garter, Sir Michael Devereaux arrives in King Henry VIII’s court on a mission for his benefactor. The celebration’s endless feats and sumptuous women delight the charismatic newcomer, who becomes captivated by the enigmatic Princess Renee of France. But evil, it seems, has followed Michael to the court. Shortly after his arrival, an unknown killer claims several victims and the powerful Cardinal Wolsey asks Michael to help with the investigation. As he searches for the killer, Michael is haunted by disturbing images of the victims – flashes of violence that lead him to doubt his own sanity. Michael soon realizes that the key to solving the crime is connected to both the Pope’s Imperial vault in Rome and a mystery from Michael’s own past – revealing a secret that is so damning, it could forever alter the future of mankind.   
I had an interesting time reading this novel. The details of King Henry and his court were so detailed, and so real, I was mixing up alot noble people of the court!! No problem!! The main characters Michael and Renee were so intriguing!! Two people on secret missions…. who to trust? What is the saying, keep your friends close, but your enemies closer?? And the secrets that Michael carries, WOW!! The book kept my attention right until the end!! Now, I am not going to spill the beans on all the secrets… don’t twist my arm!! Enjoy the reading journey!!

     
A Year on Ladybug Farm by Donna Ball    Read by Bev   Three friends Ceci, Lindsay and Bridget have lived next door to each other in a suburb of Baltimore.  They go through everything together.  Ceci is a realtor  and quite the handyperson,  Lindsay is divorced and an art teacher, Bridget whose husband has just recently died is great in the kitchen.  The three of them decide to look at houses as they go off on their travels and end up at the Blackwell Farm in Virginia, which they buy.   After throwing their last Christmas party in the burbs, they are off to tackle what the farm gives them for one year.
 
It was very easy for me to relate to all three of these women. The hard work they put into the house was beyond anything I could imagine and it would be a shame for them not to continue living there after all they did.  Here’s to Ladybug Farm.

  

Sun, Surf and Sandy Strangulation by J. L. Wilson

Read by Jan

Imagine a murder mystery with all the characters from the popular board game CLUE.  A mystery writers conference, "ClueCon", in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, has conference goers being ‘offed’ with a rope, wrench, lead pipe in the study, library, etc. …..or were they?   B.R. Emerson (aka Ralph or Bea), a successful mystery/romance novelist and featured conference speaker, finds herself in a true life murder investigation after finding a male cover model dead on the beach with a rope around his neck.  Her lover, L. J. Remarchik, a retired police officer from Abilene, Texas, joins her and both attempt to solve the mystery.   I loved to play "CLUE" as a child (actually, still do) and thought it much fun to find my favorite characters featured in this book. What fun!

Mysteria Lane by MaryJanice Davidson, Susan Grant, Gena Showalter, P C Cast
   Read by Joysann
     
Hidden away in the mountains of Colorado is the peculiar little town of Mysteria, whose denizens are all in some way mythical, mystical, magical, and otherwise paranormal. On this, our second visit, familiar characters step aside to allow new ones center stage. MaryJanice Davidson gets the difficult Desdaine teen triplets into more trouble, Susan Grant has demon and demon hunter tangling with unexpected results, Gena Showalter gives the third Tawdry witch a misguided chance at revenge, and P C Cast reverses reverse magic spells until the magic is irreversibly non-magical.
    Mysteria Lane is fun as was Mysteria, with its charming, sexy and humorous short stories, the kooky characters, and the magical romance. Since I enjoyed it so much, if these authors ever give us a new anthology, it’ll be on my TBR list. 

Bottom Line:   "I married the first man I ever kissed.  When I tell this to my children, they just about throw up." ~ Barbara Bush

Keira Soleore recently wrote a blog, Does Your Blog Have a Personality?  She personally writes two of them and they both have different personalities.  I needed to find how Beyond Her Book would stack up.

According to Typealyzer:  "This is a project dedicated to the research about how the language reflects our psychological type, and thus our motivations and interests. The fundamental idea is that everyone of us use different personas or social roles at different moments. The major research aim of this project is to find and describe patterns in what interests different personas in terms of opinions, brands, media content etc."  So, using the Meyer-Briggs personality typing, let’s see how this blog does.
    
ESTP – The Doers The active and playful type. They are especially attuned to people and things around them and often full of energy, talking, joking and engaging in physical out-door activities.

The Doers are happiest with action-filled work which craves their full attention and focus. They might be very impulsive and more keen on starting something new than following it through. They might have a problem with sitting still or remaining inactive for any period of time.

Ok, this may be my blog, but this personality is so not me.  I’d much rather be inside reading a good book and inactivity is my middle name.

Let’s move on to the LoveTypealyzer.  Yes, it also measures L-O-V-E.
  
ESTP – The Doers They are gregarious and action-loving and will probably make your date into a thrill. In relationships they often feel tremendously commited, but want that commitment to be renewed day by day. They tend to get bored easily, and may be prone to switching relationships frequently unless they find an outlet for their boredom elsewhere. Sexually they are more into enjoying the moment sensually than verbally.
Best matches: ISFJ or ISTJ

Wow, not sure what to say about this one, but if you go out on a date, what’s the best way to ask someone if they are an ISFJ or ISTJ?

And, just for the heck of it, let’s try the SportsTypealyzer.
  

Artisan "Get your kicks while you can!"

The Artisans loves real-life events that can be experienced here and now. Standing in the shouting crowd at a game is almost as fun as actually taking part in it! Personally they love action and will go boldly down roads that others consider risky or impossible. That´s why they will probably gravitate towards sports with tuff independent sportsmen and women. They´re always on the look-out for fun and playful ways to enjoy themselves together with friends.

Sports of preference: Motor sports, Football, Boxing and other sports that gets the adrenaline pumping.

Not too sure if Typealzer is focused on my blog or not, but while I do enjoy football, anyone who regularly reads my blog knows that baseball is my game of choice.  And Ix-Nay on the motor sports and boxing…yuck!

Bottom Line: Yes, I think my blog has a personality, but I’ll let my readers decide.

Can you believe we’re already almost through the month of March?  I can smell spring in the air and I’m so ready for it.  March Madness is in full swing and I’m sorry to say that both my teams are out of it already (Marquette and the Wisconsin Badgers).  So, I don’t really care who wins now, but I’m very excited for baseball season to start.  Just give me the peanuts and Cracker Jacks!  But now, on to the news sent to me this week.

Christie Craig, Kasey Michaels, Faye Hughes

From author Toni McGee Causey:  I just returned from a fantastic PASIC conference in New York and found it to be fantastic. PASIC is the Published Author Special Interest Chapter of RWA and holds a conference every other year. We had a fabulous industry cocktail party Thursday night where it was barely standing room only, with agents from every agency in attendance and just about every publisher represented by their editors. PASIC invited Kasey Michaels to keynote, and the following two days crammed industry-led panels back-to-back. We heard from leaders in the industry about the state of publishing, what authors can do to help build their careers and survive the economic woes, to advice from fantastic New York Times bestsellers on their secrets to longevity, to marketing and publicity pros, to the fabulous editors and publishers of Romantic Times Magazine on many aspects of publishing. The encouraging news? That despite an economy in decline, the romance genre is going strong due to its dedicated and much beloved readers. I’m already looking forward to the next conference.  (You can see more pictures of the conference, taken by author Kate Douglas, here)

From author Marcia James:  To help ease the financial strain of the increasing numbers of abandoned pets, 10 authors have collaborated on Tails of Love, a romance benefit anthology scheduled for release June 2009 by Berkley Publishing. The authors and their agents are donating all of their proceeds to the Animal Adoption Foundation (AAF), a no-kill animal shelter in Hamilton County, Ohio.  “This particular shelter has long impressed me as being very caring and very responsible to all animals,” explained New York Times Lori Foster, the project’s lead author. “I visit the AAF and can see firsthand how caring and protective they are with the animals.” 

 

In addition to Foster, Stella Cameron, Dianne Castell, Kate Angell, Ann Christopher, Marcia James, Donna MacMeans, Sarah McCarty, Patricia Sargeant and Sue-Ellen Welfonder have contributed original short stories to Tails of Love. (Tails of Love is available for pre-order at Amazon)

From Margaret Bensfield: Wanted to give you and your book-lover readers a heads up about a new collaboration in the book world: socially conscious online book reseller Better World Books is partnering with online book community Bookcrossing.com to divert even more books from landfills. 
   

In what’s seen as a no-brainer collaboration between two like-minded, book-rescuing companies, Bookcrossing’s over 700,000 members will now be able to purchase books from their beloved Better World via Bookcrossing’s site.  Not only will part of the purchase go to a literacy program (per Better World’s business model) but when actually purchased through Bookcrossing, a part of the money will also go toward supporting Bookcrossing’s free member program.

From author Mark David Gerson:  Awards are great! And my blog just won one earlier today. Now, it’s my turn to pass the torch — er, dart — to a blog that, to me, meet the same criteria.   It’s the Premio Dardos (“prize darts” in Spanish), and it’s given in recognition of cultural, ethical, literary and personal values transmitted in the form of creative and original writing.  (Yes, you guessed it, he passed it on to me…thanks M.D.!)

From  Lisa Amrine, Marketing Director, Samhain Publishing:   We have a free Kindle title up for grabs. Still Waters from Kate Johnson is part chick-lit, part mystery and a whole lot of fun! (You can get it here.  This is such a great deal, but I wish it would be offered for the eReader so I could download it to my iPhone)

If you have any news, kudos or special happenings, please email the details to me at barbaravey@gmail.com.

Bottom Line:  "Spring is nature’s way of saying, ‘Let’s party!’" ~ Robin Williams
 

March is National Women’s History Month.  From the Library of Congress:
  

Before the 1970’s, the topic of women’s history was largely missing from general public consciousness. To address this situation, the Education Task Force of the Sonoma County (California) Commission on the Status of Women initiated a “Women’s History Week” celebration in 1978 and chose the week of March 8 to coincide with International Women’s Day.

In 2009, the National Women’s History Project honors women who have taken the lead in the environmental or “green” movement. Rachel Carson, the founder of the contemporary environmental movement, serves as the iconic model of the theme, which recognizes scientists, engineers, business leaders, writers, filmmakers, conservationists, teachers, community organizers, religious or workplace leaders, or others whose lives show exceptional vision and leadership to save the planet.

Now, take this little quiz offered by Info.com and see what you know about Women in History.

1.  Who was the first African-American woman elected to Congress?

a.  Barbara Jordan
b.  Shirley Chisholm
c.  Eleanor Holmes Norton

2.  In 2007, who became the first woman Speaker of the House of Representatives?

a.  Barbara Boxer
b.  Olympia Snowe
c.  Nancy Pelosi

3.  Which of these feminists helped found the National Organization for Women?

a.  Bella Abzug
b.  Kate Millett
c.  Betty Friedan

4.  Who was the first American woman to establish a major religion?

a.  Mary Baker Eddy
b.  Mother Bernardina Matthews
c.  Oveta Culp Hobby

5.  Which of these women aviators disappeared while attempting to fly around the world?

a.  Amelia Earhart
b.  Anne Morrow Lindbergh
c.  Beryl Markham

6.  Who was the first woman Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court?

a.  Ruth Bader Ginsburg
b.  Sandra Day O’Connor
c.  Eleanor Roosevelt

Charlotte Bronte

7.  What prestigious university named its first woman president in 2007?

a.  Harvard
b.  Yale
c.  Princeton

8.  Who was the first American woman in space?

a.  Mae Jemison
b.  Sally Ride
c.  Eileen Collins

9.  Who was the first woman in the U. S. to receive a medical degree?

a.  Margaret Chase Smith
b.  Antomia Novello
c.  Elizabeth Blackwell

10.  This singer was known as "Empress of the Blues."

a.  Bessie Smith
b.  Billie Holiday
c.  Betty Carter

How do you think you did?  I got one wrong and when I took the test again, I got the same one wrong.  Definite brain freeze.  Not to worry, here’s the answers for you.

Answers:

1. b, 2. c, 3. c, 4. a, 5. a, 6. b, 7. a, 8. b, 9. c, 10. a

Bottom Line: "I am neither a man nor a woman but an author." ~ Charlotte Bronte
 

Last week’s Anniversary Bash was a huge success.  There were over 2300 comments, over 100 authors participated and hundreds of prizes awarded.  Be sure to check the lists posted Sunday to see if you won.  Unclaimed prizes will be reawarded Sunday.  I want to thank everyone who took time out from their busy schedules to join in the fun.  The food, drink and entertainment was amazing and the prizes outstanding.  Readers came from all over the US, Canada, South Africa, Austrialia, the UK, Egypt and many other places.  The $150 Amazon.com winner was from Finland.  Congratulations to all.

To Sin with a Stranger by Kathryn Caskie

Read by Emily
 

Sterling Sinclair and his siblings are known as "The Seven Deadly Sins." Their father throws them out of their home, and they have to prove to him that they can be responsible members of society, or they can kiss their inheritance goodbye. So to earn money, Sinclair becomes the ultimate prizefighter, and if he wins this final match he can sponsor his siblings for the entire season. He meets Isobel Carington at a fight and they immediately get off on the wrong foot, but the harder they clash, the harder they fall in love.
 

I love Kathryn Caskie’s writing. Her plots are fabulous, and the passion is almost palpable. You all should definitely put this book on your TBR pile. I can’t wait for the next book in the series.

This Charming Man by Marian Keyes

Read by Joan

How does one charming man (or is he?) hold sway over these four very different women?  The Emerald Isle is the scene of gut-wrenching events and laugh-out-loud situations.  Lola, a successful clothes stylist in Dublin;  Grace, a features reporter for a Dublin newspaper; her sister, Marnie, living well in London with her husband and two young daughters; and Alicia, while not quite in their league, is still able to catch this man’s attention  – their,  sometimes sensitive, sometimes shocking, stories take us on a journey filled with twists and turns. 

A delicious cast of supporting  gcharacters greatly impact their lives.  I would absolutely enjoy being friends with these women! ( well, except for one).  I just could not put this book down!  Marian Keyes is an author I will look for again and again!!  Cover to cover it was a joy to read.

When Shadows Fall by Kate Fellowes

Read by Jan

Suggested by her good friend Sandy, Gretchen Waller interviews (and gets the job) for a research assistant position with the handsome John David Honeycutt, a professor and best selling author who wants to write his family biography AND hopes to unearth information amongst the family papers that will exonerate his grandfather who was unjustly convicted of murdering a suspected business partner on the family’s northwoods estate, Mill Hollow.
   Kate has written a suspense-filled short story that kept me looking for clues with every page turned. Who was the guilty party?? Was it Al, the caretaker? Mary, his wife and cook? Dan, his vagabond brother who was (and is)  a squatter in the estates backwoods cabin? Uncle Bert or Aunt Doris, the family’s frequent visitors who always overstayed their welcome? Kate has a flair for details… I could envision the beautiful rooms and almost taste the wonderful meals that Mary prepared. Drat, there’s another 5 pounds I gained just from thinking about it..

Succubus Dreams by Richelle Mead 
    
Read by Joysann
    
Georgina Kincaid hasn’t much holiday spirit this season, even with flights of angels around on some clandestine mission. Between being assigned an inept succubus trainee, having communication problems with her boyfriend, and being haunted by recurring vivid and beautiful dreams of a life she is forever denied by her nature, she’s feeling pretty drained. Or, perhaps, something other is draining her of the human life force she’s worked so hard to steal from her unsuspecting partners in lust, so she seeks the advice of a charlatan psychic who specializes in dream interpretation, and who just might be more than he seems.
     The quirky cast of characters that populate this urban fantasy are some of my favorites. The more I learn about them, the more I want to know. Clever, funny, charming, sexy, sassy, suspenseful, mysterious, moving; Richelle Mead puts it all there.

At the Edge by Cait London

Read by Emily

Claire and her sisters all have different talents, Claire specifically is an empath. She feels things stronger than any of her sisters, so she escapes to find solitude. Neil Olafson has come to Montana because of his Aunt’s death, and is soon disrupting Claire’s peace. She realizes that he is the exact opposite of what she looks for in a man, but he is soon making his way into her heart. Most men run scared when they find out about her power, but Neil embraces it. As danger lurks on the horizon, soon the pair are working towards more than finding a killer, but a love that can last a thousand lifetimes.

This book is full of passion, intrigue, and a danger that is always present; giving the book a dramatic, and thrilling plot. I have never read any of Cait’s books, but after reading this first book in the Psychic Triplets series, I had to read the rest and happily found each more enjoyable then the last.

Black Eagle by Gen Bailey

Read by Heidi   Warriors of the Iroquois novel
   
Fleeing her corrupt uncle, Marisa Rathburn heads to a friend’s home in the north, despite the escalating battles between the English and French. Mesmerized by her beauty, a Mohawk warrior named Black Eagle volunteers to act as her eyes through the wild forests of New England. As danger surrounds them, he realizes Marisa is not as she appears. Caught in the crossfire of war, with an assassin on their trails, they discover that trusting in their love may be the only way to survive.
      This is my first Native American Romance Novel. I must say, it was a great read. I think I read
this one in about 3 days, which is pretty amazing. The Black Eagle character is completely mesmerizing and shows such wisdom. And I am so happy to read a book that has a female character that has some independence!! How refreshing!!  I know a book is very good when it leaves you wanting more.

Rewriting Monday by Jodi Thomas
  
Read by Mary
  
It seemed like a long way to fall for big-city reporter Pepper Malone, to be living in her great aunt’s trailer in dusty Bailee, Texas, but that’s what happens when you get a little too close to a story and get fired for it. So here she was starting over, and writing for the Bailee Bugle and editor Michael McCullough. But things weren’t as peaceful as they seemed, as it becomes very clear that somebody had it in for the Bugle and anyone close to it.
   No rewrites are necessary for Jodi’s winner of a book, Rewriting Monday. Her believable and charming cast of characters keep her suspenseful plot moving along, with breaks only for a few chuckles with Pepper’s aunt and her bingo playing friends.  Jodi conjures up the sort of town I’d like to live in, friends I wish I had, and the kind of romance I dream of.

Bottom Line:  Today is Awkward Moment Day.  So, feel free to spend your day thinking about those moments in your life that you’d like to take back.

It seems to me that everyone is at least a little bit Irish on St. Patrick’s Day.  Don’t you always try to find something green in your closet to wear today?

While St. Patrick’s day is the National Holiday of Ireland (and a very popular one here in the US), it’s not an official holiday.  The city of Milwaukee even offers free bus rides for those who tend to celebrate to the extreme.

But I really wanted to write about books that featured St. Patrick’s Day and after talking to a few people (who couldn’t think of any), I Googled it.  The pickings were slim.  Romance – To Marry and Irish Rogue by Lisa Hendrix, Wild Irish Rogue by Suzanne Barrett, The Irish Rogue by Emma Jensen, The Luck of the Irish by J.A. Ferguson, Emerald Enchantment,  (anthology), Tempting Fate by Kay Wilde.  For Mystery there was a little larger selection.  A St. Patrick’s Day Murder by Lee Harris, In St. Patrick’s Custody by Janet Elaine Smith, Irish Eyes by Kathy Trochek, A Great Day for Dying by Jonathan Harrington, Death Takes Up a Collection by Sister Carol Ann O’Marie, In St. Patrick’s Custody by Janet Elaine Smith, Lack of the Irish by Ralph M. McInerney and Death Never Takes a Holiday by Noreen Wald.

That’s all I could find, but feel free to let me know of any I missed to add to the list.  So cozy up with a glass of green beer and a good book and enjoy!

Bottom Line:  Yes, I know I’m from Milwaukee and I should love beer, but even the green stuff doesn’t do it for me.  Give me a Shamrock Shake and I’m there.