I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. I know I did. Now it’s full speed ahead to Christmas. I’m exhausted just thinking about it. My son has been bugging me to put up our tree since early November. He won’t be put off any longer. Sigh. 
So what’s up? Well, as of early this morning, the tally for free downloads of ALL’S FAIR IN LOVE & SEDUCTION has reached 126,417. That’s a little more than halfway to my goal of 250,000. When I reach that goal, I’m going to give away a Kindle Fire.
Last week, the college sports world and the country were rocked the sexual abuse allegations at Penn State University. I won’t get into the nitty gritty details of this story as, I’m sure, many of you have heard the more than disturbing charges being brought against the former assistant football coach, Jerry Sandusky.
If these allegations and everything set forth in the 23 page grand jury indictment are true, Penn State allowed a pedophile to roam free for years.
Well this time, I’m not going to bury my face in the sand and just be happy this didn’t happen to my child. Every child, regardless of gender, race, nationality or religion deserves to be protected against any kind of abuse be it emotional, physical, physiological or sexual.
That’s why today, I’m going to donate $.50 for every comment on today’s post to RAINN (Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network).
The Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network is the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization. RAINN operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1.800.656.HOPE and the National Sexual Assault Online Hotline at rainn.org, and publicizes the hotlines’ free, confidential services; educates the public about sexual violence; and leads national efforts to prevent sexual violence, improve services to victims and ensure that rapists are brought to justice.
The abuse of children is a world-wide epidemic and the vast majority of victims remain silent, suffering in silence. No, as one individual, I don’t believe I can stop this, but I want to try to do something no matter how small.
BECAUSE YOU’RE MINE by Lisa Kleypas
LSUReader
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THE DUKE IS MINE by Eloisa James
Christy L.
Congratulations, ladies. Please email your snail mail address to me at contests at theseasonforromance dot com and don’t forget to include the title you won. You have one week to claim your prize.
Yesterday, I was forced to take stock of my life when I realized AN HEIR OF DECEPTION wasn’t going to be ready by January 2012. It literally hurt my heart to admit it to myself. I then looked back and realized I managed to complete the first draft of SINFUL SURRENDER in 60 days. I wrote 115,000 words in 60 days!!! Was I on speed or something??!! (**Note — Although I completed the first draft in 60 days, I then sent 9 mos on and off rewriting, revising, and polishing the book about 3 times before I sent out the version that was contracted by Kensington. After it was contracted still more revisions and polishing prior to publication. Suffice it enough to say, I spent a great deal of time writing this book.)
First things first, the November issue of The Season is up! Reviews will be coming shortly but right now you can at least check out the books.
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A Julie Long Pennyroyal Green book and an autographed cover flat of HOW THE MARQUESS WAS WON is…
JULIE
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Yesterday, at the young age of 56, Steve Jobs, who co-founded Apple Inc. with Steve Wozniak at the age of 21, lost his battle with pancreatic cancer.
Although I knew Steve was very very sick, I prayed for a miracle for him. This is a man who has changed my life–our respective lives in some shape or form. Back in the 70s, Apple created one of the first successful ‘personal’ computer.
I’m always looking for good reviewers to add to my stable, but right now I’m in need of an editor–ideally 2 editors–to edit The Season reviews. The Season typically reviews anywhere from 50 – 75 reviews a month. This is a paying position.
The ideal candidate would have to have superior editing skills and be able to effectively communicate issues with reviewers. If you are interested or know anyone who fits the criteria, please email me at contact at theseasonforromance dot com.
Ten years ago today, an event that would change the course of American lives took place. It will be featured significantly in history books as the day the United States lost its innocence. Things we as Americans long took for granted would be gone when two planes plowed into the Twin Towers and forever changed the New York skyline. The loss of lives numbered 2752 while 3000 people survived. But as we know from these last ten years, the United States lost so much more than that.
This post today is in memory of that, all that we lost. It’s also to celebrate all we still have and all we’ve managed to regain, because I do believe we’ve healed and are stronger for all we’ve endured.
(more…)
Okay, I want to state from the start that this is not a rant. This is simply an airing of all our little and not so little grievances when it comes to our beloved books. Yes, as a reader, we all have gripes. Plot lines we’re just plain bored with. We’ve read the exact scenario so often, we can practically recite the book with unerring accuracy. What does that mean since all romances deliver HEAs. It means the journey is exactly the same as the last such plotline. Believe me I know that for some readers–hopefully not the majority–my books may fall in to this category. I definitely started my publishing career with books that had tried-and-true plotlines.
Or what about scenarios you don’t find remotely ‘romantic’. I personally don’t think a woman selling her body to survive is the least bit romantic as we see in the movie Pretty Woman. I also don’t like my romances too issue-based. Reminds me too much of women’s fiction. Stories that deal a lot with illness are especially pretty much a debbie-downer for me. I love my romances to make laugh, cry and tug at my heart but it should never make me want to take a whole bottle of sleeping pills. I won’t read a book that is sure to depress me. But that’s just me. I’m quirky like that. 
What about you? Are tired of particular plotlines or characterizations–heroine too wimpy or just too kick-ass? Or are there plotlines you avoid with a ten-foot pole?
First things first.
The winner of my July Contest is…
RHONDA JONES
Congrats, Rhonda! You’re getting 4 fabulous books.
In creative news, I’m giving The Season website and blog a makeover. I do this about once a year because obviously I’m a masochist. If you want a sneak peek, here’s what it looks like right now–although, always subject to change by the time I make it “live”.
Home Page Covers here are merely props. I have no idea which books are Top Picks yet or which book will be the featured book.
Month-at-a-Glance Page Ignore the star ratings here. Placeholder.
Would love suggestions on how to make it better.
Due to the facelift, I’ve decided to move the 2nd Anniversary Bash to the third week of August, so it will run August 22nd-26th. This way, the “new look” will go live at the same time as the bash.
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Aspiring Authors, to celebrate the 2012 mass market publication of Family Affair, a novella by #1 New York Times bestselling author Debbie Macomber, Avon Books is hosting a Debbie Macomber-inspired online writing contest! Aspiring writers who participate in the “Make Your Dreams Come True” contest may find themselves enjoying an “American Idol”-type moment, as the winner receives a cash prize of $500, and the winning entry will be published in the back matter of the paperback and e-book edition of Family Affair, going on-sale in July 2012. In addition, the grand prize winner may also be offered an Avon Impulse publishing contract! Click here for Contest Rules and Entry Procedures.
A little publishing news I did get a chuckle over yesterday. As you may or may not know, Amazon has been flexing their publishing muscles lately with the upcoming launch of their Thomas & Mercer and Montlake lines with NYT bestselling authors Barry Eisler and Connie Brockway. At this point their share of the ebook distribution market is approx 60%. Well the books in these lines are not digital only–although the digital books will be exclusive to their Kindle (mobi) format–which means they will need print distribution. But which stores will stock these books? Barnes and Noble’s CEO William Lynch told Publisher’s Weekly that they will stock Amazon books only if the digital books are also offered for distribution. In my opinion, this is precisely the position Barnes and Noble should hold. Why would they distribute the print books if the digital books are not offered for the Nook? Click here for full article.
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5 - Perfect! - Goes on keeper shelf forever.
4.5 - Excellent - Sooo close to perfection, it hurts.
4 - Very Good - Highly recommend
3.5 - Good - Solid read. Would recommend.
3 - Satisfactory - Okay. Would recommend with caveats.
2.5 - Fair – Wouldn’t recommend.
2 – Fatally Flawed
1 Poor (1 being one of the worst books I've ever read) - Didn't find much in it to like.
DNF - Did Not Finish (Yes, it was that bad)
Heat Level
6 - Erotic – Extremely explicit language and lovemaking scenes. This includes BDSM, ménage a trios.
5 – Scorching – Explicit lovemaking scenes and language.
4 – Hot – Very hot lovemaking scenes. This includes oral sex but no more.
3 – Sensual – Lovemaking scenes are hot but not as detailed or long as Heat Level 4
2 – Mild – Lovemaking scenes are short. Very little detail.
1 – Inspy – Lovemaking scenes are practically non-existent. Kissing but definite closed door policy.
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