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.
One Night in London and Tamed by a Highlander
Donna Ann
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A Mix of Everything
tin cc-ong
Rose 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. For the winners of ‘A Mix of Everything’ post, it’s first come, first pick, so pick the 2 books you’d like to receive. You have one week to claim your prize.
Anyone patiently or not so patiently waiting for Eloisa James’ next release? You know her fairy-taled theme historical romance, THE DUKE IS MINE, loosely based on The Princess and the Pea? It’s a January 2012 release but one extremely lucky commenter is going get their hands on this one early because today I’m giving away the ARC (Advance Reader’s Copy). All you have to do is tell what is your favourite fairy tale–I’m nosy like that. LOL!
And if you don’t win, you can always pre-order it now. I’ve included the pre-order links below.
Today, you are all in for a major treat. Treat I tell you! I somehow managed to twist the arm of the extremely talented and fabulous Julie Anne Long so much so, she agreed to give me an excerpt to post of her eagerly awaited January 2012 release, HOW THE MARQUESS WAS WON, the sixth book in her Pennyroyal Green series.
I was lucky enough to get my hands on the egalley of this fantastic book and thoroughly enjoyed it. The beautiful lyrical prose of Julie Anne Long doesn’t disappoint in this dry witted, tension wrought and emotional tale of the ruthless, cold Marquess Dryden, Julian Spenser, known as the Lord of Ice, falling for the most unsuitable Phoebe Vale, the paid companion to Lisbeth Redmond, the woman he firmly intends to marry.
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.
JENNIFER’S GARDEN by Dianne Venetta
GANNON
CAN’T HURRY LOVE by Christie Ridgway
CATSLADY
Julie Anne Long Books
PERILS OF PLEASURE
JODER
HELLYBELLY
KIM
THE ENTIRE SERIES
SANDRA M.
MAGGIE RODRIGUEZ
Congratulations, ladies. Please email your snail mail address to me at contests at theseasonforromance dot com and don’t forget to include the titles you won. You have one week to claim your prize(s).
At the beginning of the year I read Julie Anne Long’s WHAT I DID FOR A DUKE. I loved it. I mean LOVED it. So much so, I’ve read it about 5 times and reread the end a good dozen or so more times. And as I do when I fall completely in love with a story, a hero and heroine, I need to go back and check out said author’s backlist. Which I did and I was not disappointed. Julie Anne Long has a pretty incredible series going here and I for one am waiting impatiently for the sixth book in the series, HOW THE MARQUIS WAS WON, which comes out January 2012.
The wait is truly intolerable!
But if I must wait, I will wait.
In the meanwhile, I want everyone who hasn’t yet tried Julie Anne Long’s books to do so now. That’s why 2 (two) lucky commenters will receive the entire autographed series–the first 5 (five) books–and 3 (three) commenters will receive the first book in the series–to get you off to a good start.
**Click the covers for blurbs, reviews and buy links.
Message from Julie Anne Long:
Hi girls! Just wanted to pop in to say hi, thanks for stopping by, and good luck to all of you!
If you already have the series, if you win, maybe you can get a jump on your Christmas shopping. Hee! I LOVE The Season and Bev Kendall—and I hope if it’s your first visit here you’ll look around and come again, too.
http://www.facebook.com/AuthorJulieAnneLong. xo for now!…julie
The winners of
are…
DOTTIE LEGATOS
SUSAN LAURA
JUNE M.
STACIEDM
KANDACE
JENM
SHANNON
JENNIFER L
TXDEE
DIANE DIAMOND
Congratulations, ladies! Please contact me at contests at theseasonforromance dot com with either your snail mail address (for print) book or the email address you’d like the digital book to go to. Have a fabulous 4th of July!
As of tomorrow, I will be in New York City–the fast paced city where I worked several years–attending the RWA Conference among other things. My posts may be sporadic, but I’ll try to let you all know what interesting things are going on there.
In the meanwhile, I’m giving away an advance copy of Tracy Anne Warren’s upcoming August release THE BED AND THE BACHELOR! Comment to enter to win.
The Bed and the Bachelor
Author: Tracy Anne Warren
Publisher: Avon
Pub. Date: July 26, 2011
ISBN-13: 978-0062033055
Retail: $7.99
Pages: 368
Everyone knows the Byron brothers are “mad, bad, and dangerous.” But the devilishly desirable fourth son, Drake, is too scholarly to misbehave . . . or is he?
Lord Drake Byron has no time in his busy life to worry about taking a wife. He is more interested in the unbreakable code he has developed to defeat Napoleon’s forces. Little does he know that the irresistibly lovely new housekeeper he’s hired is really a French secret agent.
Sebastianne Dumont is not at all who she seems to be. Forced to spy to save her family, she embarks on a mission that takes an even more dangerous turn when she falls in love with the surprisingly tempting man she must ultimately betray. And if she succeeds in her mission, will she also break Lord Drake’s heart, while leaving her own behind?
Congratulations, ladies! Please email your snail mail address to me at contests at theseasonforromance dot com and don’t forget to include the title of the book you won. You have one week to contact me to claim your prize.
It's a Rachel Gibson eBook Bonanza!
I loved See Jane Score. It was funny and sweet and really well written! ...
It's a Rachel Gibson eBook Bonanza!
this book sound interesting
Review & Giveaway: Lucky Penny by Catherine Anderson
I haven't read books by Catherine but I'm interested now. I'd love to st...
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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