CELEBRATE BANNED BOOKS WEEK AND IRONY

According to the ALA (American Library Association) and the Office for Intellectual Freedom, Sept 29 - Oct 6 is the 26th anniversary of Banned Books Week. Check out the list of the 100 most frequently challenged books:

http://www.ala.org/ala/oif/bannedbooksweek/bbwlinks/100mostfrequently.htm

Yes, I do aspire to join that list.

I am passionate about the individual's right to read and write what he or she chooses. As the fabulous Ray Bradbury said in one of my all time favorite books, FAHRENHEIT 451, "You don't have to burn books to destroy a culture. Just get people to stop reading them."

So, ready for some irony? Next week (during Banned Books Week) is the launch of BETRAYED, the second in the young adult House of Night series I co-author with my daughter. We're having the launch party at The Blend, a locally owned coffee shop in downtown Broken Arrow. Yesterday I dropped off a poster and a book to the lovely owner of the shop, Sheri. She said, "You would not believe the phone call I just had." And proceeded to tell me about an asshat man who called and felt the need to inform her that she should know P.C. Cast writes "soft porn" (huh? really?). Lovely Sheri asked if he'd ever read any of my books. As per typical for those kind of people, he hadn't, but he'd been to my website. (again, huh? my website is soft porn?) Sadly, Sheri actually tried to reason with him and explain that I don't write "soft porn," but that my books with adult sexual content are written for ADULTS. My YA books are a whole different world. Again, as per typical, he made a threat about telling people what kind of place she was running...bluster...bully...blah...blah... Sheri hung up on him (obviously not soon enough).

MR. ASSHAT - IF YOU'RE SKULKING ABOUT ON MY BLOG, GET THIS - THIS IS AMERICA AND YOU DO NOT GET TO CHOOSE FOR US WHAT WE READ AND WRITE, AND WHAT OUR CHILDREN READ AND WRITE. IT'S AN INDIVIDUAL CHOICE. IF YOU DON'T LIKE MY WORK (or don't think you do, you can't actually have an informed opinion unless you READ what you're trying to ban others from reading) DON'T BUY IT.

As for me - I open every school year teaching TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD to my sophomores. Please note it's on the banned books list.

BETRAYED Review

(www.huntressreviews.com)



Thought I'd share a lovely Huntress Review for BETRAYED. Thank you Detra!

TITLE: Betrayed
AUTHORS: P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast
13 ISBN: 9780312360283
10 ISBN: 0312360282


5 STARS!


Zoey "Z" Redbird is a fledgling vampyre. She has managed to finally settle in at the House of Night finishing school. Z has been Chosen by the vampyre goddess, Nyx, and she has already kicked vampyre ghost butt. Yet still Zoey has a strange feeling something is wrong, like the stillness before a tornado or storm.

Zoey's Imprint with Heath remains and she still finds herself caring for the mortal teenager. The mutual attraction between Z and Erik, also a fledgling, remains as well. Yet Zoey is finding herself intrigued by Loren Blake as well. Loren is a part-time, temporary professor (of poetry class) at the academy. Zoey is sure he cannot be more than five or six years older than she, however, relationships between students and teachers are prohibited.

Zoey is about to conduct her first Full Moon Ritual as leader of the Dark Daughters and Sons. Zoey's life is full and she has little alone time for herself. It soon becomes apparent that she better make some time for a new problem. People Zoey knew from her prior human life are disappearing. When and where their bodies are eventually found, as well as the cause of deaths, point to the House of Night. To save all the humans and vampyres she cares for, Zoey must face a betrayal that could break her heart, if not her very soul. May Nyx protect her!

***** If you have not read the first book, MARKED, then I highly suggest you do so before beginning this title. If you do not, you will still be able to understand what is going on; however, you will not be privy to some references of Zoey's adventurous past and markings. Believe me when I say this series could be categorized as either Young Adult or Fantasy. It does not matter if you are male or female, this series will enthrall you against your will. Authors P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast are a dangerous writing duo with poisonous pens. Highly recommended.



HUNTRESS REVIEWS
(Reviewed by Detra Fitch)

On-line read! DARKNESS BETRAYED

To coincide with the release of DIVINE BY BLOOD, LUNA is publishing DARKNESS BETRAYED, which is an on-line read posted chapter-by-chapter daily (STARTING TODAY!) for twenty chapters. DARKNESS BETRAYED is set fifty years before the events of DIVINE BY MISTAKE, and it tells the story of how the Fomorians, Nuada in particular, take over Guardian Castle. It's also a love story - a very surprising one at that. Okay, this is how you get to it - and, yes, it is FREE. Go to www.eharlequin.com. You'll have to sign in, but that's no big deal - they won't sell your babies or anything. Then click on the TALK bubble towards the bottom of the page. Look on the right side of your screen and click on the LUNA link. You'll see the link for the on-line read of DARKNESS BETRAYED from there. Check it out, and please let me know what you think. Here's the teaser:

Daily Online Read: Darkness Betrayed by P.C. Cast
Though Aine knows it is her destiny to be Guardian Castle’s Healer, she just can’t get used to the stark surroundings and dreary people.

Go back in time, fifty years before the events of author P.C. Cast’s Partholon books…read Darkness Betrayed

Aine longs for the beauty of Partholon. Her only companion in her new home is a centaur huntress, Maev, another outsider. But when Maev is involved in what the warriors call an accident, Aine begins to realize there may be evil forces at work in the castle! And when she is led by her Goddess to an injured winged man—one of the Fomorians Guardian Castle was built to protect against--Aine is forced to make a life-altering choice…

New Obsession

I admit to being behind on several things. First, my TBR pile is daunting and alluring - it teases me constantly. I'm in the middle of the last Potter right now, with Eclipse waiting for me after that. And then I openly admit that I came to the Buffy/Angel obsession late and watched all seasons of both shows on DVD in one big, obsessed rush. Joss Whedon owes me many hours of my life back. And now I've discovered SMALLVILLE. How could I have missed this show? I am Superman's girl, and have been since I read all of the Freeman boys' comics up in their game room when I was, uh, let's see...probably 9-13. I discovered Superman, Swampthing, Thor, Fantastic 4, and the Hulk. I swear those summers of reading with those boys twisted me into the author I am today. And now Smallville! I had never watched it, but bought the first season after watching the first 4 episodes. So what is it about the Superman Mistique that hits so many of us so hard? Is it his honesty - his vulnerbility - or his tall hotness and that damn gorgeous mouth? I really wish Superman wasn't so stringently copyrighted because I would LOVE to bring in a real woman of today for him to fall in love with. Hum...perhaps I should give my agent a call and test the waters...it's about time there was a Superman romance, don't ya think?

ALMOST A HERO - DONE!

I finished the mansucript this weekend (YEA!!!), just in time to enjoy the gorgeous art work Berkley sent for it, my next Goddess Summoning Book, ALMOST A HERO. Check out Achilles! Love this one! And no, I don't have a clue why everything looks all blue when I attached it here. It really has a hystorical look to it and isn't blue at all. Very, very weird. But at least you can get hint of what it's going to look like (just take out the blue!).

New Reviews

Thought you guys would like to check out some new reviews. Enjoy!


http://ck2skwipsandkritiques.com/divinebyblood_debbie.html
http://ck2skwipsandkritiques.com/divinebychoice_debbie.html
http://ck2skwipsandkritiques.com/goddessoflove_debbie.html

WE MADE THE NY POST!

This morning I was thrilled to discover that MARKED has been included in a POST POTTER PICKS roundup by the NY POST! Here's the link to the article:
http://www.nypost.com/seven/08182007/entertainment/post_potter_picks_entertainment_maxine_shen.htm

Or if you just want the "most important" part, gaze upon the beauty of this excerpt:

Vampire fans should also check out “Marked” (St. Martin’s Griffin), the first of the “House of Nights” novels written by the mother-daughter team P.C. and Kristin Cast. They introduce a world where vampire mythology mixes with magic when 16-year-old Zoey Redbird enters a boarding school for fledgling vampires and goes up against the psychic leader of the Dark Daughters, who’s misusing her powers.

The second book in the six-part series, “Betrayed,” is out on Oct. 2, with the third book, “Chosen,” due in March.


Yea for THE HOUSE OF NIGHT!

Now, back to deadline hell. Almost finished with the latest Goddess Summoning Book, newly titled ALMOST A HERO. It'll be out May 08 if I don't slit my wrists from struggling with its conclusion...

Very Cool...

Lovely reader and firefighter Chris Barton sent me this great photo. Thought I'd pass it along to y'all...

Check out Shomi

Yes, yes, yes - I know there was a big kerfuffle about "costumes" at this year's RWA. I've gone back and forth with myself about the issue. On one hand I do absolutely lurve costuming. RT and the vamp ball? Lots of fun - I'll dress up in an instant. Y'all who know me know beyond any doubt that I'm up for a good time and I tend to walk outside the norm. I saw Marianne and Liz at RWA and just thought "Huh, wonder what's up with that?" I wasn't scandalized or shocked. My twenty year old daughter and co-author of our YA series was with me, and when someone said "Shomi - they must be dressing up to support their new line" Kristin went, "Ohhhh..." and filled me in. Okey-dokey.

I didn't have a clue about the big Kerfuffle that had broken out around them until the lovely BAM told me about it. I did post on fab Smart Bitches, and basically said that I think authors often fall on their faces when they try to costume. I don't think Marianne and Liz fell on their faces, though. They were tasteful and promo-ing their new line. Good for them.

On the other hand, I do have a problem with ultra-flamboyant authors furthering the stereotype wherein romance author are not simply disrespected, but laughed at, and then used as press poster girls for all of us. Again, I don't think Marianne and Liz fell into this category, but others did and do quite often.

No, I don't think there should be a dress code attitude at RWA. That's ridiculous. Grown-ass women should dress to their own standards. Finger-pointing and tisk-tisking makes us look like a group of women who love to gossip about each other - yet another female stereotype I abhor.

So...Please check out Marianne's debut Shomi novel and let me know what you think. As soon as I turn in The Book That's Trying To Kill Me, I'm definitely going to read it.

MOONGAZER by Marianne Mancusi
Dorchester, August 2007

Imagine every night entering a nightmare world you can't escape and being told your life is a dream. Skye Brown has it all: the cool job, the hot boyfriend, the apartment on New York's Upper West Side. But lately she can't enjoy any of it. She's having dreams of a post-apocalyptic world. Of a bleak futuristic wasteland. Of a struggle against oppression. And she's been told she's a...

MOONGAZER

But what is that? And what is reality? In her dreams, she's not Skye Brown at all, but Mariah Quinn. In her dreams there's Dawn, the beautiful yet haunted soldier, and Skye is but the empty shell of a girl he once loved. And there was a betrayal, a great betrayal. Ripped between Dark Siders and club kids, the mundane and the mystic, Skye must discover who she is, what she wants and who wants her. And why. But in the glow of the moon, it's not always easy to recognize the face in the mirror.

Cover:
http://ec2.images-amazon.com/images/P/0505527251.01._SS500_SCLZZZZZZZ_V41968999_.jpg

Excerpt:
http://www.dorchesterpub.com/Dorch/SpecialFeatures.cfm?Special_ID=2222

ABOUT MARIANNE MANCUSI
When it comes to writing, award winning author Marianne Mancusi doesn't like to play by the rules. A multiple Emmy award winning television producer, she sold 11 novels to three publishers (Dorchester, Berkley , Dutton Children's) in less than three years. Marianne has worked in television stations in Orlando , San Diego , and Boston . A graduate of Boston University 's College of Communications , she currently produces for a nationally syndicated lifestyle show. She lives in Manhattan 's Upper West Side .


REVIEWS
“Exhilarating! Once I started, I couldn’t put this book down!”
– New York Times Bestselling Author Gena Showalter

"Dreams, reality and virtual reality collide in Mancusi’s exciting and frightening new futuristic thriller.”
- Romantic Times Magazine 4 Star Review

"An enthralling combination of The Matrix and Snow Crash with a bit of Blade Runner thrown into the mix.”
- SF Scope

Website http://www.mariannemancusi.com

RWA Fun

I've been smothering in deadlines, so I'm in hibernation but when I saw this funny pic of Kristin and me posted on the RWA website from our St. Martin's signing I had to pass it along to y'all. I (we) did have an excellent time at the convention - LOVED The Craft restaurant in the Dallas W Hotel so much that I'm taking Kristin back over the weekend of her 21st birthday in November. It was wonderful to see my author friends, editors, my amazing agent, and Smart Bitches Sarah and Candy!

More when I crawl out of my Goddess Summoning Book hole. Oh, the working title of this one is ALMOST A HERO. BIG cover change to reflect the title change. I can't wait to see what Berkley comes up with. You know I have excellent cover chi!

Off to Dallas!

I'm taking off for RWA Nationals in Dallas tomorrow. Sadly, I won't be at the literacy signing Wed. as a participant, but if I make it down it time I'll definitely be there as a consumer, which will actually be a fun change for me! I will be signing at the Berkley giveaway Friday, at the Frisco Barnes & Noble Saturday from 11:00-1:00, and then Kristin is flying down to join me at the St. Martin's giveaway on Saturday. If you're looking for me, check out the bar...

Hope to see y'all there!

New Photographer!

So quite by accident I found a fabulous new photographer. His name is Greg Poindexter - website, www.boeboi.com. He took some new author photos of me and I want y'all to tell me which you like best.

Also, if you need a good photographer and you're in the Tulsa area, Greg is your guy. It's hard to believe, but I truly hate having my picture taken. Greg made the experience a pleasure. He'll come to your home (or meet you on location) and make sure everything is painless. Let me know if you'd like more contact info - or just contact him directly through his website. Be sure to tell him P.C. sent you!

Now, which one do you like best??

OFFICIAL RELEASE DATE!

Hi Guys!
Well, it's FINALLY the official release date of GODDESS OF LOVE, or as I like to think of it, GoLURVE. I can't wait to hear what you think of this one! It's funny (you've got to lurve Venus!) and so damn hot I made my own self blush!

Here's what people are saying about it:

"GODDESS OF LOVE is touching, clever, and an excellent heiress to the Goddess Summoning series. Cast's ability to subvery misogynistic mythology to celebrate and reaffirm what makes women wonderful is always worth celebrating. As a Goddess of Bitchery, I bestow my snarky blessings on this book." Sarah@smartbitchestrashybooks.com

"Cast is back and doing her usual excellent job of combining ancient mythology with modern day scenarios. The gods and goddesses have never been more sympathetic or amusing than they are in this truly delightful novel. Cast is a wonderful spinner of magical tales." Romantic Times Book Review - 4 stars

"Scorchingly sensual, utterly delicious! P.C. Cast is a true master of her craft." Gena Showalter, NY Times bestselling author of They Nymph King

"Sexy, charming, and fun, GODDESS OF LOVE is the fantasy romance of the year! You will fall in love with this book. (I did!)" Susan Grant, NY Times bestselling author of My Favorite Earthling

"GODDESS OF LOVE is a sexily enchanting read that I couldn't resist. I look forward to our next foray into P.C. Cast's Goddess Summoning world." Kelley A. Hartsell of CK2S Kwips & Kritiques

"I found the book to be delightful with many "hot" love scenes (no pun intended as the God of Fire, Vulcan, is one of the heros!) and a lovely story of friendship, understanding, and acceptance." BookMom, bookmom.wordpress.com

So, give Lurve a try!
XXXOOO
PC

Check out the Marked Video Trailer!

CHECK OUT MARKED!

I have to tell y'all how incredibly excited Kristin and I have been about early reader response to MARKED. Romantic Times gave us a 4 1/2 star Top Pick review! And that was just the beginning of the lurve for MARKED! Check out the latest kick butt review by www.romrevtoday.com:

MARKED – P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast

The House of Night, Book 1

A Perfect 10

St. Martin’s GriffinISBN: 978-0-312-36026-9 May 2007Young Adult Contemporary Paranormal Fiction Tulsa, Oklahoma – Present Day

Zoey Redbird is clearly having a bad day. It started off with her best friend Kayla emphasizing that her boyfriend – “almost-boyfriend” – Heath had not been cheating on her at a party. Zoey hadn’t even known there was a question of infidelity in the first place, and, uh, he isn’t really her boyfriend right now. His beer guzzling had so gotten old and totally disgusting, despite the fact that Heath is the high school’s football god. To cap it all off, Zoey is Marked, and that requires some explanation.It’s been proven by scientists and researchers that there truly exists a race called vampyre. Defined by the blue crescent-shaped mark on the forehead, a vampyre is Marked and subsequently leaves for the House of Night to begin “training.” Some may call it ghoul school, some may call it...well, whatever they like, but no one can predict if or when a teen will be Marked. Humans denigrate and fear it, and the unlucky individuals who now have this bodacious mark on their foreheads have a lot to deal with -- a change of life, a new school, and getting used to those who share their fate. Oh, and then there’s that whole blood thing...Yeah, so, see what kind of pain Zoey’s feeling right now? At a new school, with new uniforms, and a new lifestyle, Zoey quickly realizes that a hierarchy similar to that of high school exists at the House of Night. It’s all very confusing, and she quickly realizes that there are a few kids just like her, learning the ropes. With her new roommate, Stevie Rae, and a couple of other new friends, Zoey forms friendships and alliances, and even develops a new crush -- Erik “ohmygod” Night. But Zoey stands out from the others, and it’s not just because the High Priestess Neferet is her mentor. Hey, just because Zoey has been hand-picked by the goddess Nyx doesn’t mean she’s a shoe-in for this gig...Now, about that blood thing...With a nod to Harry Potter and X-Men, P.C. Cast and her daughter Kristin have on their hands a stellar launch to their new series, The House of Night. Already known for her immensely popular Goddess Summoning series, it was only natural for P.C. Cast to team up with daughter Kristin and write from a different perspective. I can only imagine those brainstorming sessions! Teen lingo and machinations is a totally evolving thing, and so much has changed even from my teen time *bleep* years ago. But what gets me with MARKED is that it’s not just a young adult tale that will only entertain those teenyboppers. I’m thirty-...*cough* ahem, well, I’m not exactly a teen, and I still got a total thrill from reading of Zoey and her friends’ adventures. “Wicked cool” and “gnarly” came to mind, but I really think those terms went out back in 1990 -- so just how do you describe a book that has it all these days? Riveting, page-turning, nail-biting, etc? Yep, that pretty much sums up MARKED and has really got me jonesing for more from Zoey and the gang at House of Night. All characters in this book are well-defined and plotted out, making them very easily identifiable. We all had the class bullies and cheerleader snobs to contend with back in the day, so maybe for many MARKED will be a nightmare revisited. But Zoey and her friends, Damien, Stevie Rae, Erin, and Shaunee, truly stand out and add a bit of zaniness, laughter, and tears, and exemplify true friendship.A heads-up for those parental control type folks, however: a bit of colorful language is used here and there throughout the book (not abused, though), and while I understand that this may be normal for teens nowadays, it wasn’t very rampant in the young adult books I read as a kid. I can only imagine I’d have a few ugly words if I were thrown in a situation like Zoey’s...With that said, my next question -- do you award a young adult book RRT’s Perfect 10? Absolutely, and that’s just what I’m doing. My only other thought is this -- how willing would P.C. Cast be to put an adult spin on it and give us stories for the various professors at House of Night?

Amy Cunningham
Romance Reviews Today

Isn't that fantastic?! We're totally thrilled! (We're also almost finished with the third book in the series, CHOSEN.)

So, have you read it yet? What did you think?

C.J. Barry under a new name!

I know many of you are already familiar with and fans of the fabulous s-f/f author, C.J. Barry. Well, she's writing romantic suspense under a new name. Let's give her our support and check out her new release! Here's the info:

SIGHT UNSEEN by Samantha Graves
Warner Books; April 1 2007

Raven Callahan doesn’t do it for the money. She does it for the thrills. As a consultant for API, an art recover company, she gets to steal—legally. But when her colleague is kidnapped during an assignment, Raven is forced to steal a priceless master painting to save his life.
David “Dax” Maddox was the perfect street cop—until a botched burglary raid cost his partner his life and Dax his ability to see color. Now, with his world gray, Dax has only one mission: to take down the murderer. And he’ll use anyone—even a sexy thief with questionable ethics—to get justice.
Soon Dax and Raven are forced together as pawns in a madman’s scheme. From the heart of Cuba to the New York art world, they find themselves in a race against time to stop the ultimate revenge.
Cover: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/0446618381/ref=dp_image_0/102-1632731-2872900?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books

Excerpt: http://www.samanthagraves.com/suexcerpt.html


ABOUT SAMANTHA

Samantha Graves turned a lifelong love of daydreaming into writing fiction. Under the name of C.J. Barry, she is the award-winning author of the UN-Forgettable Futuristic romance series. She now brings her unique blend of high adventure, sizzling romance, mystery and humor to her first contemporary romantic suspense.


REVIEWS
4 ½ Stars & a Top Pick “This fast-paced adventure provides all the action, romance and thrills a reader could ask for. " - Romantic Times magazine
Five Stars "I found myself hooked from page one!" - Huntress Reviews
"Tightly woven and suspenseful...will keep readers riveted." - The Road to Romance
"A refreshing paranormal romantic suspense thriller." - Harriet Klausner
Five Angels & a Recommended Read "Fun, exciting and at times heart-wrenching." - Fallen Angel Reviews

WEBSITE: http://www.samanthagraves.com

Countdown to the release of MARKED

So Kristin (refer to lovely picture above) and I are counting down the days till the release of MARKED, the first book in our wonderful young adult vampyre series. I'm going to be running some contests and opening the blog for questions about writing with a partner, writing YA, and...well...writing in general. Kristin is also available to answer questions (in all her copious free time between working full time and going to college full time and writing with me...). I thought I'd start things off by posting an article Kristin just wrote for the teen magazine, TeenInk, where she talked about the experience of being published at nineteen. Feel free to blog in with questions for Kristin (better known around my house a Chicken Frances because her initials are KFC - she loves it when I pass along cute little family facts like that!).

PUBLISHED AT NINETEEN!

(DREAM COME TRUE OR NIGHTMARE IN THE MAKING?)

by Kristin Cast, coauthor of MARKED: A HOUSE OF NIGHT NOVEL

The countdown to May 1st, the release date of my first novel, MARKED: A HOUSE OF NIGHT NOVEL has begun. It’s a frenzy of interviews, book signing dates, getting reviews (which I read like I watch horror movies – through my fingers), and in general an “interesting” time, especially because it’s coinciding with college finals (ugh).

Okay, I’m going to be really honest with you. (You may want to sit down.) The truth is that most of the time I feel like I am letting people down when they ask: “Is being published at nineteen exciting?!” The answer is more complex than a simple “Yep!” Here’s the deal: in my family, being an author is normal. It’s been my life for as long as I can remember. My mom’s been writing forever and published since 2001. Seeing her name, PC Cast (PC stands for Phyllis Christine, but no one under 85 can spell Phyllis correctly, so she uses her initials to save herself stress), on zillions of books is normal – it’s my mom’s job. So seeing my name on the cover of a novel is something I’ve always expected. I think it’s great, and I feel like I’ve finally achieved something I was meant to do. (Sorry. Now I realize I sound like one of those spoiled movie star’s kids. “Like, of course I knew I was going to be rich and famous because, like, my mommy is! Duh, where have you been?!” That’s not what I mean. I mostly mean: like mother – like daughter.). Sure, my mom wasn’t always the famous award winning author she is today, but I have always been exposed to the complex lifestyle of an author, which made it easier for me to help write these books. I knew the hard work that was expected from me, and knew the discipline it would take.

As for coauthoring with my mom, I can’t even begin to count how many times I’ve been sitting quietly, minding my own business watching one of the many Real World marathons, when suddenly, like the voice of God (or maybe it should say Goddess), my mom is yelling down the hall that she needs brainstorming help about where a scene could be headed, followed by a battering of questions, or several spelling confusions that need clarification (here’s a news flash – my mom is an AWFUL speller). Whether or not she ever actually took my advice, I have always assisted my mom while she is writing; now, I just help a lot more.

Coming up with the idea for the series was the easy part. My mom’s agent (who is now my agent, too, which is very exciting and cool to say, “Yes, I have an agent!") gave us the idea. She said three magic words: vampyre finishing school, and Mom automatically started thinking about a YA series set at a school for fledgling vampyres. I helped her brainstorm about the school, which we set at a local college prep school. Funny story about that – the stuck-up prep school wasn’t too keen on us setting a vampyre finishing school there, so in order to research the location Mom and I dressed up in pearls and cashmere and went to their open house where we – oopsie! – got terribly lost and had to wander around all by ourselves (taking tons of pictures on our cell phones). Hee hee!

The actual writing of our YA series is about teamwork. When Mom and I created our heroine, Zoey Redbird, we made sure that she was a lot like me at sixteen. The first three books are told first person from Zoey’s point of view, so honestly (and sometimes embarrassingly) it’s like I’m writing about sending my(vampyre)self on great adventures! We’ve even used the names of a couple of my ex-boyfriends (don’t tell them – it’s not always flattering). Characters based on high school friends (and enemies) are in the books. Oh, so are some of my teachers.

The mechanics of how we do it is pretty non-glamorous. I wish we sat around in satin pjs and ate truffles. What happens is Mom writes a section of the manuscript and then she emails it to me. I go through it and rewrite, focusing on voice and making sure that Mom hasn’t loaded it down with too much description (Boring! But don’t tell her!) Often Mom will leave gaps in the text, especially in Zoey’s internal dialogue, that I fill in, making sure Zoey sounds sixteen and not forty-six. I really get caught up in Zoey’s life and her friends. I know it sounds a little psychotic, but they seem very real to me. So real that in book 2, BETRAYED, something terrible happens (no, I’m not going to tell you) and it literally made me stop writing for three days because I was so upset! But, besides the slightly psycho aspect of it, and the deadlines, it’s fun, really. And, except for the fact that she can beat me at will, I like writing with my mom!

Seriously, this life is normal to me, like breathing, it’s something I enjoy and I understand how to do. Oh, and I’m in the research stages of a book that I’m writing on my own. (More about that later!) So, to me, I’m just another person in my family with a large imagination and a whole lot to say.

New novel from my Berkley Sensation sister!

Y'all, please check out Rebecca York's latest in her lovely werewolf series:

NEW MOON by Rebecca York
Berkley Sensation; March 6, 2007

It's in one man's true nature to remain by the side of the woman he loves, rather than live without her in his own universe...
Landscape architect Logan Marshall is out for a jog—in his werewolf form—when a trap catches his paw. As it saps his strength, he is saved by another werewolf, who—to Logan's amazement—is female.
Female werewolves aren't supposed to exist. But Rinna is a shapeshifter from another dimension who's traveled through a portal to this world. And the trap that ensnared Logan was set by her former captor, and meant for her...
But as soon as Rinna and Logan touch, an electrifying bond forms between them. Unable to resist his desire for Rinna, in all her many forms, Logan will have to earn her trust, and travel through both dimensions to save her—and earth—from the wrath of her enemy...
Cover:
http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/12000000/12007453.jpg
Excerpt:
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/glick/sneak-p26.htm

ABOUT REBECCA YORK
Ever since she can remember, Ruth Glick has loved making up stories full of adventure, romance and suspense. As a child she corralled her friends into adventure games or acted out romantic suspense stories with a cast of dolls. But she never assumed she could be an author, because she couldn't spell. Her life changed, however, with the invention of the word processor and spelling checker--and the help of her husband, Norman Glick, who spots spelling errors from fifty paces away. Writing as Rebecca York, she has authored or co-authored over 45 romantic suspense novels, many for Harlequin Intrigue's very popular 43 Light Street series, set in Baltimore, and many with paranormal elements.


REVIEWS

Website: http://www.rebeccayork.com

Nalini's lovely book!

I've very much enjoyed the world Nalini Singh has created, and am excited that the next installment is available! Check it out!

VISIONS OF HEAT by Nalini Singh
Berkley Sensation / March 6, 2007

Go deeper into the world of the Psy and the changelings, where a gifted woman sees passion in her future-a passion that is absolutely forbidden by her kind... Used to cold silence, Faith NightStar is suddenly being tormented by dark visions of blood and murder. A bad sign for anyone, but worse for Faith, an F-Psy with the highly sought after ability to predict the future. Then the visions show her something even more dangerous-aching need...exquisite pleasure. But so powerful is her sight, so fragile the state of her mind, that the very emotions she yearns to embrace could be the end of her. Changeling Vaughn D'Angelo can take either man or jaguar form, but it is his animal side that is overwhelmingly drawn to Faith. The jaguar's instinct is to claim this woman it finds so utterly fascinating and the man has no argument. But while Vaughn craves sensation and hungers to pleasure Faith in every way, desire is a danger that could snap the last threads of her sanity. And there are Psy who need Faith's sight for their own purposes. They must keep her silenced-and keep her from Vaughn...

Cover: http://www.nalinisingh.com/images/Visions.jpg

Excerpt: http://www.nalinisingh.com/visions.html

ABOUT NALINI SINGH

Nalini Singh is passionate about writing. Though she’s traveled as far afield as the deserts of China and the temples of Japan, it is the journey of the imagination that fascinates her the most. She’s beyond delighted to be able to follow her dream as a writer.

Nalini lives, works and eats copious amounts of chocolate in beautiful New Zealand.

REVIEWS

“…if you're a paranormal reader, this is one book that you have to read!"~Julie Kornhausl for Romance Reader At Heart

“Nalini Singh has done the enviable; she has written a sequel that lives up to its predecessor.”
~Fallen Angel Reviews, 5 Angels, Recommended Read.

“A breathtaking blend of passion, adventure and the paranormal. I wished I lived in the world Singh has created. This is a keeper!”
~Gena Showalter, bestselling author of The Nymph King

“…I read the book in one night. One single night. Stayed up until 3 a.m.…This book sucked me in and would not let go….The sexual tension between Vaughn and Faith was explosive from their very first meeting….” ~Jaci Burton, Author of Surviving Demon Island

Website http://www.nalinisingh.com/ (includes Behind the Scenes info on the Psy/Changeling series)

eHarlequin's Reader's Choice Awards

I was so pleased and excited to be notified that DIVINE BY MISTAKE is nominated in two categories for eHarlequin's Reader's Choice Awards: Best Book of 2006, and Best "Woo Woo" Book (apparently that covers everything from sci-fi to paranormals). Now it's time for readers to cast their votes (CAST - GET IT?!) to choose the winner! All you need to do is to go to www.eharlequin.com. If you're not already registered you'll need to register. Then click on the TALK icon. When the new page comes up look to the right and click on BOOK BUZZ. Then scroll down till you see "What's NEW?" Under that you'll (finally) see Reader's Choice Awards, which you can then click into and vote. There are several categories and voting is lots of fun.

It'd be great if you clicked a vote for Jeri Smith-Ready, too, under Best New Author and Best Online Read.

Happy voting! And I very much appreciate your support!