Five years!! Can you believe it? It absolutely flew by for me. In that time, I’ve had 3 editors and 2 owners of Publishers Weekly. I’ve attended over 100 conferences visited over 50 writer’s groups, had a story published in Chicken Soup for the Soul and self published an ebook on publishing etiquette with Sheila Clover English. My YouTube site has 135 videos, I flew an experimental airplane, got my eyebrows waxed and been on television.  Had my picture taken with tons of movie stars.  I have over 9,000 followers on Twitter, about 6,800 on Facebook, a couple hundred on Google+ and I see pinterest in my future. It boggles my mind to think of what the next year may hold for me. But now it’s time to get this party started.

 

Today we’re in Transylvania and Dianna Love invited Evalle and the Belador warriors from Atlanta to the kickoff celebration starting at Bran Castle – just look at the size of those swords, would ya…  Uh oh, looks like Evalle’s pet gargoyle Feenix is here, too. Hide anything silver.  Anya Bast is walking in with a sexy immortal Viking warrior to slay any vampires that want to kill instead of kiss. This is Transylvania, after all.  Lisa Kessler has friends in high places since she just came in with the cast of True Blood.

 

Thank goodness the food has started to arrive.  Cate Masters came in with a cake with Lavender sugar, Lavender centerpieces, lavender lemonade, lavender mocha latte, lavender margaritas!  Those should go well with Cindy Spencer’s Chocolate Lava Cupcakes.  Cornell DeVille said,  “For Cannibal Island I brought “finger sandwiches.”  Dawn Cartier brought  King Cakes (specially ordered since Mardi Gras is over) for everyone and Cafe’ au lait spiked with a touch of caramel Bailey’s. (Dawn whispers, “Shh, I stashed a few beignets under the table for those who miss New Orleans…Barb.”)  Thanks Dawn!!  Renee Bagby wants to keep everyone healthy with multivitamins and iron tablets. “We’re going to be in vampire country, so we’ll need the vitamins in case some vampire gets a little snacky.”

 

For fun, Berinn Rae has a flaming hoop for everyone to throw things through, jump through, and just because every party needs a flaming hoop.  Elle from Digitalart says, “I came with the very dark and dangerous photo booth and lots of Bailey’s to add to our morning coffee!”
Gabriella Hewitt piped up with, “I brought the Mojitos, Magaritas and Shape-Shifting Cabana Boys.  To keep things lively, Elisabeth Naughton’s got Zeus’s lightening bolt. Stolen, of course, by the Eternal Guardians, to throw some extra energy into this party.

E. H. James came with her black cape and spf 100 sunscreen.  Jillian Stone  says, “I’m bringing virtual bandaids–for love bites! And the ingredients to make an Absinthe-tini–to make sure the green fairy makes an appearance!”  Not to be outdone, Joy Preble responds, “I’ll be the one with spare Hello Kitty Band Aids for the smaller puncture wounds, setting up a red-crepe paper draped Tattoo Booth for those desiring henna or press-on garlic-scented crucifix tattoos. Small, medium, or jumbo.”  Kerri Nelson is here with a box of straws and a box of heavy duty Band Aids (obviously, many were worried about blood dripping all over).  Linda Thomas-Sundstrom came in with Blood champagne, blood oranges, Vlad band-aids, and Like last year, she’d like to do a treasure hunt……….. .

 

Marcella Burnard  For my fellow party-goers looking to be seduced by the Transylvanian of her choice, I bring the most gothic of fashions – capes! We have velvet, satin, crepe, tulle and all the colors of the spookiest rainbow. I’ve also brought along a stash of vampire teeth for those of you who prefer to blend with the natives. (Author not responsible for user’s infection with various blood-borne infections including but not limited to lycanthropy or vampirism.)  Nancy Haddock is putting up red balloons, paper plates and cups with pix of Vlad’s castle on them.

For those who rather make their mischief in secret, Julianna Baggott brought some beautiful butterfly masks for us to wear and Kellyann Zuzulo has copper oil lamps for everyone; there’s bound to be a burly and attentive genie in some of them.  She’s also bringing soft and luxurious throw pillows for your reclining pleasure as you enjoy the view of several genie servers offering fig-and-brie in puff pastry.

 

Marilyn Baron  is passing out a halo and a silver angel pendant with protective powers because Angels Fear to Tread in Transylvania. And, of course, enough angel food wedding cake for all, and a choir of angels to serenade any lurking Visigoths, Huns or vampires.
Marjorie Liu wants us all comfy so she’s offering fresh, warm, peach pie with vanilla ice cream; and several purring cats to warm the laps of weary party-goers who need to put their feet up for a bit and relax.

 

Entertainment from Mary Hughes with Music by Nixie’s bar band Guns and Polkas, a fusion of high-energy punk rock and accordions (don’t mind the vampire sitting in on electric bass).  Mina Khan brought her male harem of sexy djinns/genies and they’ll be giving out wishes and dark chocolate kisses because Rukh O’Shay, is all about granting the heroine’s deepest desires and he tastes like dark chocolate too!  Meanwhile, Nalini Singh is accompanied by a whole squadron of dark and dangerous angels, and quite a few sexy leopard and wolf changelings.  Nicole Zoltack is entering with handsome knights to lead carol dancing and honey mead for all to enjoy!

Monica Burns and her Order of the Sicari have arrived with a bowl full of spaghetti and enough Lambrusco to fill everyone’s glasses. For dessert, she’s serving us with our choice of raspberry tiramisu or a hot Italian model.  Elven delicacies come from Renee Wildes in the form of hukoberry scones & hot khaffa.  Shanon Grey has a  “Laced” cookie tray from Abbott Bed and Breakfast and Ruthorford’s iced tea “tonic” and warns, “Be sure to have a “virtual” designated driver!”

Michelle Diener let me know, “I’ll be packing a stake, garlic and plenty of crucifixes given my heroine is petrified of vampires and Barb has set this bash in Transylvania. But rather than be all over the negative, as I live in Australia, I’ll also be bringing Hugh Jackman sporting his Wolverine ‘look’, given this is the paranormal day of Barbara’s bash.”

 

Kathryne Kennedy says, “I have always wanted to visit Transylvania, although I do have a fear of vampires, so I’m bringing along Grimor’ee, the golden-scaled dragon of glamour and illusion. Besides his ability to scare off any blood-thirsty visitors, Grimor’ee will probably be the life of the party. He is a bit sarcastic, a bit wise, and loves to play with humans. And since he breathes a mist of magical illusion, it will be fun to see what the other guests ask him to conjure. And, well, who wouldn’t love to watch someone who’s had a bit too much to drink try to climb up a dragon’s tail?”

 

And speaking of drinks, Shiloh Walker says, ” I’m bringing vampire cocktails…don’t worry, there is no garlic.  You can have one of these and still go out with your vampire of choice.”
Stella Cameron is bringing a round of drinks from Gabriel’s Bar.

Edie Ramer brought a dozen garlic necklaces, silver bullets and bottles of dragon blood (don’t ask, just drink it). And she warns everyone to watch out for the werewolves of London. You’ll know them by their perfect hair.

 

Suz Brockmann  has a gym bag filled with stakes, a la Buffy’s Mr. Pointy.  Just in case the vamps on site aren’t from J.R. Ward’s Brotherhood.  And a team of Navy SEALs.  Because you can’t go wrong by bringing along a team of Navy SEALs, wherever you go. <g> And as a special treat, Tracey H. Kitts says, “I’ll be taking everyone on a guided tour of Dracula’s castle. Naturally, I’ll be bringing chip, dip (minus the garlic) and chains and whips. I’ll also have Frank with me, just to make everyone feel safe. Has nothing to do with the fact that he’s a 6’5″ hunk.”

 

Sounds like a fun way to see the whole castle.  Thanks to all the authors brought food, drink, entertainment and decorations to today’s party.  This is a terrific way to start off the week and we still have 5 days to go!

 

Bottom Line:  Since the 5th anniversary is “wood,” I guess a stake would be a perfect gift for Transylvania.

 

Here’s the rules.  Leave any comment and get an entry to win one of the fabulous prizes.  You can comment more than once for more chances.  Winners will be picked daily and posted on the blog March 12th.  Winners will have one week to claim their prize.

Many thanks to the following for their generous prizes:

 

Dianna Love  Kindle Fire plus copies of Blood Trinity, Alterant (both signed by Dianna) and Belador T-shirt .

Lisa Kessler, Rachel Firasek, Natalie J. Damschroder, Kinley Baker, Sarah Makela, Bella Street, Linda Wisdom, and Chris Marie Green.    A New WiFi Kindle & Amazon gift card

Sherrilyn Kenyon  Autographed copy of The Guardian

Anya Bast   An autographed copy of MIDNIGHT ENCHANTMENT and an autographed copy of EMBRACE OF THE DAMNED when it releases in May.

Berinn Rae  signed copies of EPIC Award finalist Knightfall and latest release Hellbound, the first two books in the Guardians of the Seven Seals series

Cate Masters  Ebook of The Magic of Lavender, book 1 of The Goddess Connection

Cathryn Fox  Autographed copy of Game Over and Mind Games, Taylor Keating!

Cindy Spencer Pape   Free download of Motor City Mage (releasing 3/12 from Carina Press)

Cornell DeVille    A signed CD with ARC copy of Cannibal Island (Releasing March 16 by Musa. This is a fast-paced steampunk adventure and the first in a time-travel series)

D. Renee Bagby  signed print copies of ERIS (Eternal Truths Book 1) from Siren Publishing and SERENITY from Samhain Publishing (one each to one winner)

Dawn Cartier  Not An Angel e-book and $25 Amazon Gift card

Edie Ramer an ecopy of Entangled, a Paranormal Anthology & Dragon Blues

E. H. James  e copy of my paranormal short story ‘Laura’

Elisabeth Naughton  Autographed copies of the first three Eternal Guardians books: MARKED, ENTWINED & TEMPTED

Digitalart  Paranormal themed digital art-matted and ready to be framed

Gabriella Hewitt  3 ebook copies of Charmed Ever After (Fantasy) and 3 ebook copies of Out Of The Shadows (Paranormal Romance)

Heather Graham    5 hard cover copies of The Unseen

Jillian Stone  A double dose of detectives! Signed copies of my latest releases: An Affair with Mr. Kennedy and The Seduction of Phaeton Black

Joy Preble a HAUNTED t-shirt

Julianna Baggott  5 hardcover copies of PURE with butterfly masks (provided by publisher)

Kellyann Zuzulo  free copy of the ebook THE GENIE IGNITES: Book One of the Zubis Chronicles + a $30 Barnes & Noble eBook Gift Card

Kerri Nelson  Autographed copy of Courting Demons by Kerri Nelson

Larissa Ione  5 ARCs of LETHAL RIDER

Kathryne Kennedy an autographed copy of The Lord of Illusion

Lexi George  1 copy of Demon Hunting in Dixie and 1 copy of So I Married A Demon Slayer

Linda Thomas-Sundstrom 1 print book of GOLDEN VAMPIRE (Nocturne), 2 downloads of VERONICA AND THE VAMPIRE novella

Lucy Monroe  A copy of MOON BURNING

Marcella Burnard  Winner’s Choice – A signed copy of Enemy Within or of Enemy Games -OR- for the patient winner, a copy of Enemy Mine, a hot sci fi due from Berkley as an e-special in April of 2012

Marilyn Baron  A large silver angel pendant from The Angel Pendant Collection by Stan W. Tait TM  — celebrated Canadian sterling silver jewelry designer— and free PDF downloads of my Angel Trilogy—three humorous, supernatural short stories: A Choir of Angels, Follow an Angel and The Stand-in Bridegroom.

Marjorie Liu  Two signed Dirk & Steele Novels (2 winners)

Mary Hughes  Collection of Biting Love ebooks to one winner–Bite My Fire, Biting Nixie, The Bite of Silence and Biting Me Softly

Michelle Diener Copy of ENTANGLED (Paranormal Anthology) Ebook

Mina Khan  A Kindle copy of THE DJINN’S DILEMMA

Monica Burns   Two winners of a full set of the Order of the Sicari series

Nalini Singh  A SIGNED COPY OF ARCHANGEL’S BLADE

Nancy Haddock  $25 Barnes & Noble gift card

N.J. Walters A Download from my backlist (Winner’s choice.)

Wicked Lil Pixie  Black Dagger Brotherhood Charm Bracelet Custom Choice of Brother see them here
Nicole Zoltack  PDF of Woman of Honor

Penguin Publishing  Sci-Fi books (3 winners)

Renee Wildes  reader’s choice ebook – Guardians of Light series (fantasy romance) – will have 2 WINNERS

Shanon Grey  digital upload for Kindle (.prc) and Nook (epub) of The Shoppe of Spells

Shiloh Walker  The first three titles of my Hunters series, which is being digitally reissued, and $15 GC to Amazon, BAMM or BN, reader’s choice.

Stella Cameron  5 copies of DARKNESS BOUND

Suzanne Brockmann  A rare collector’s edition print booklet version of my e-novella, WHEN TONY MET ADAM, and the Brilliance Audio MP3 of UNSTOPPABLE (a 2-in-1 reissue of my books LETTERS TO KELLY and LOVE WITH THE PROPER STRANGER) read by Patrick Lawlor and Melanie Ewbanks

Tina Donahue  Winner’s choice of one of my backlist ebooks

Tracey H. Kitts  pdf copy of Diary of an Incubus.

Dark Fever by NYT best seller Karen Marie Moning

Have Mercy by Jaida Jones and Danielle Bennett

The Third Lynx by Timothy Zahn

Busted Flush edited by NYT best seller George RR Martin

Turn Coat by NYT best seller Jim Butcher

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