Happy New Year!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! We hope the new year brings health, happiness and much joy to you and yours!

A Festivus for the Rest of Us

From all of us here at Out of the Blogosphere to all of you, well, out in the blogosphere --

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

And just to give you a 'heads up,' there are tons of things to be excited about in 2006: new releases, guest bloggers, author spotlights, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.

Make sure you check back with us in January when we swing back into full gear!

Totally Charmed

From Cole's downfall and Phoebe's somewhat questionable fashion sense to the power of three in history and literature and a magical tourist's guide to the Halliwells's hometown of San Francisco, this clever, lighthearted essay collection offers a fun and funny look at the world of the WB hit series Charmed. Edited by New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Crusie, these accessible and entertaining essays apply the wit and insight of one of today's leading romance authors to the stylish, occasionally campy fan favorite known for its scandalous outfits, revolving door of love interests, and the magical mayhem of three otherwise normal sisters who must fight against evil as they deal with the challenges of everyday life.

Totally Charmed features essays by C. J. Barry ("Seducing the Charmed Virgin"), Catherine Spangler ("'Witch Lit' - A Season of Romance"), and Rebecca York ("A Stake in the Future").

An exclusive preview of Totally Charmed can be found at SmartPop Books.

Covers, Covers and More Covers

Here is Chris Green's beautiful cover for Twice Bitten.

And speaking of covers, I am in love with the cover for Mysteria, an anthology to be released next year featuring PC Cast, MaryJanice Davidson, Susan Grant and Gena Showalter. Gena posted the mysteriously intriguing blurb on her blog.

This leads into a great question for you readers out there in the blogosphere: What do you look for in a cover? Do you pick up books based simply on the cover? Have you ever not read a book because of its cover?

One more thing...

It's Chris again. P.S. from my last post:

Both Erica Orloff and I are celebrating the release of TWICE BITTEN with a joint contest. You could be the one fortunate winner of a beautiful necklace (see picture below), a 2006 Spike calendar, a copy of the script for "Innocence" from BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER's second season, the BRAM STOKER'S DRACULA DVD, plus books from me and Erica.

Stop by www.crystal-green.com to see how to enter….

Chris
w/a Crystal Green for Harlequin Silhouette
www.crystal-green.com

Newbie!

Hi, all!

My name is Chris Marie Green, but some of you might know me by the pen name I use: Crystal Green. I'm so excited to be a new member of OOTB! It's trippy to be in such a talented group.

By way of introduction, I'll give you the basics: I write for Berkley, Silhouette Special Edition, Harlequin Blaze, and Silhouette Bombshell. My first vampire book, THE HUNTRESS, was published by Bombshell early this year and--this is very cool--it's just been re-released as a trade-size "two-fer" along with Erica Orloff's URBAN LEGEND. The collection is named TWICE BITTEN, and here's the gorgeous cover

If you haven't read THE HUNTRESS, this is what it's about: Camille Howard is a hunter who has very personal reasons for tracking a tribe of female vampires into the dark wilds of Transylvania--her boyfriend was captured by this feral group of creatures, and she’ll do anything to get him back. Along the way, Camille has to contend with a rival vamp hunter—a man who wants to destroy just about anything with fangs.

After writing this book, I wanted to delve even more into vampires. So I came up with another idea and, luckily, it was purchased by Berkley. The Vampire Underground trilogy doesn't have release dates yet, but the first book about an L.A stuntwoman on the skids who discovers a secret, erotically charged vampire world is finished and has been approved by my editor. She calls it a "mystery-noir fantasy," so you can guess what the tone will be like. I'll be posting more about this new series in the future, so stay tuned....

I'm looking forward to hanging out here!

Chris
w/a Crystal Green for Harlequin Silhouette
www.crystal-green.com

Secrets, Volume 14

Angela Knight and Leigh Wyndfield are both featured in the newest release from Red Sage Publishing, Secrets, Volume 14.

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING:
“Secrets Volume 14 will excite readers with its diverse selection of delectable sexy tales ranging from a fourteenth century love story to a sci-fi rebel who falls for a irresistible research scientist to a trio of determined vampires who battle for the same woman to a virgin sacrifice who falls in love with a beast. A cornucopia of pure delight!” 4½ Stars Romantic Times BOOKclub

“Explodes with dark and delicious paranormal passions!” Virginia Henley, New York Times Best Selling Author

“This book contains four erotic tales sure to keep readers up long into the night.” Romance Junkies

Excerpts for Angela's "Soul Kisses" and Leigh's "Night Heat" can be found on their respective websites.

Brighid's Quest

PC Cast returns to the mythical world of Partholon with her December release, Brighid's Quest. Romantic Times gives Brighid's Quest 4 stars, and Harriet Klausner calls Brighid's Quest a "fascinating action packed romantic fantasy where true love can conquer all."

Fleeing her centaur clan's increasingly militant beliefs, Brighid Dhianna has begun to find peace and acceptance among the humans of Clan MacCallan. Still, she agrees to leave her newly formed friendships to guide her clan chieftain's grieving brother home.

As she journeys, Brighid discovers that the long-dormant Shaman blood that runs so thickly in her veins will no longer be silenced. As seductive new powers begin to beckon, Brighid glimpses a future that is more impossible -- and more magical -- than any she could have dared to imagine.

But when tragedy summons her back to the Centaur Plains, Brighid must make a decision that will affect not only her friendship with the humans, but the centaur herd and indeed the world. For the Great Goddess Epona has set her on a new path that demands everything she has to give.

When the whole world is turning to her for help, healing the heart of a warrior doesn't sound so daunting.

Need more? Visit PC's website to read an excerpt.

The Times They Are Achangin'

We haven't forgotten about OOTB, oh faithful readers! All of these prolific authors have just been super busy!

Just to let you know, you'll be seeing a few changes around here. Not to worry -- they're good changes! :wink:

A fun question for readers of paranormal...

Do you all think that shapechangers should or should not show evidence of their other forms in their human manifestations? I'm starting a new werewolf series, "Children of the Moon" and have to admit that I lean heavily toward giving clues in the human form of my wolve's animal natures. I love reading about a shape changer that "feels" different, but maybe the humans around him/her can't quite put their finger on why. So, since I'm a huge proponent of writing what you love to read...that's what I'm doing. But I got to wondering (because of a totally unrelated reader letter on my straight romance) if other readers felt the same way.

What do *you* think?

Take care,
Lucy Monroe

My entire backlist - auction to benefit Katrina victims

All About Romance is hosting an auction to benefit the victims of Hurricane Katrina, and I've donated my entire backlist, signed, plus a copy of the upcoming MANOLO MATRIX when it becomes available. If you're interested, follow this link:

eBay: AAR Aid: Julie Kenner SIGNED COMPLETE SET of 23 (item 8338511274 end time Oct-03-05 12:53:15 PDT)

Thanks for helping!

Julie

New Sale! This time for teens!

I'm so excited! I just sold a new series for the young adult market!!! (CARPE DEMON is appropriate for teens, but this one will actually be marketed for the YA market)

The book is called the THE GOOD GIRL'S GHOUL'S
GUIDE TO GETTING EVEN.

Here's the blurb about the sale from Publishers' Marketplace:

USA Today bestselling author Julie Kenner's THE GOOD GIRL'S GHOUL'S
GUIDE TO GETTING EVEN, first in a series, in which a bookish high school junior seeks revenge on the cool group of senior class vampires who transformed her into one of the undead, to Ginjer Buchanan at Berkley, in a pre-empt, by Kimberly Whalen at Trident Media Group (world English).

I can't wait to write this book!!!!

California Demon Cover!!!

Yay! I got the cover for CALIFORNIA DEMON: THE SECRET LIFE OF A DEMON-HUNTING SOCCER MOM (June 2006) and I think it rocks!




Click here for a bigger image!

Speaking of Radio Interviews ---

I did another one for Definitely Dana and it was aired last Wednesday and last Saturday night. It's now archived at http://www.healthylife.net, click Archives in the right corner, scroll down to Definitely Dana, about 6 on the left, and there I am. With Susan Elizabeth Phillips! -- Or after her. I'm the 2nd section of the show.

This time I spoke about the Heart books, writing a series and fantasy writing. I think. My mind tends to go blank during moments of stress as if all my nerves fritz and I have little recall later.

Love to all,
Robin

Harlequin and E-books

Check out my blog for the latest Harlequin scoop on e-books! All information has come from Malle Vallik, VP of new business for Harlequin, who spoke at my local chapter this weekend.

Leigh Wyndfield
http://www.leighwyndfield.blogspot.com/

Live Radio Interview...

Okay...so I'm uber nervous about this live radio interview I have today (Monday, Sept 19th...in case like...you don't know what today is...sigh...okay did I say I was nervous???) on Laura's Much Ado About Books .

Readers can call in (1-888-335-5204), or email (Questions@BookTalkRadio.net) in questions, which you gotta admit sounds a whole lot more interesting than me droning on about my views on life and the situation in Victorian England at the turn of the century... One very cool thing...Sandra Brown is going to be on the program too. I'm not sure which one of us is going first, but I'm betting it's me as they'll save the big draw for the last half of the show to keep people listening.

So, just in case you might wanna...to listen to the show live, go to http://www.laurasmuchadoaboutbooks.net/listen.htm (Please note that this link is only good during the show), or if you want to listen to it after the initial airing, go to http://www.laurasmuchadoaboutbooks.net/archives.htm.

Hugs,
Lucy

Deidre Knight Has a Contest Going!

Hi, Gang!
I haven’t posted here very much, in large part because I don’t have a book on the market yet! Grin. BUT, I will soon have ARCS of my upcoming spring release of PARALLEL ATTRACTION, and am currently running a contest. I will be giving away an advance reading copy of my book, and then also giving out two other prizes. To win, you just have to join my newsletter.

I can’t wait to see who wins the contest!
Deidre

Hold Hands and Hum

HAD to share.....

I recently complained to my critique partners about the fact that I was on deadline and had to write a fight scene. These always take me longer than other scenes, and I was whining that maybe instead of fighting I should just have them hold hands and sing Kumbaya.

Here's what I got back in an email from the wonderfully talented Kathleen O'Reilly:

Kum-ba-ya, My Lord...
Kum-ba-yahhhhh.........
Kum-ba-ya, My Lord
Kum-ba-ya.

Kum-ba-ya, My Lord
Kumbaya
Oh, Lord. Kumbaya.

Someone's got a deadline, Lord,
Kumbaya
Someone's got a deadline, Lord
Kumbaya
Someone's got a deadline, Lord
Kumbaya
Give her the fighting words, Lord
Kumbaya....

(And, in case you're wondering, I DID get the fight scenes written!)

Back from Online Hiatus and Trip Down Under...

It's great to be home. It really is. No matter how wonderful New Zealand and Australia were to visit (and if you want to read about that just visit my blog or read my hubby's (in)famous trip reports), I'm happy to be back in my own little space.

I've also come up with an idea for another werewolf book...single title and contemporary. I'm going to take some time in December to work out the first few chapters and see what I can do with it. Until then, I'm working on my first werewolf historical for Berkley and the research for this one has been very interesting to say the least. But I love research...like I told some other online buddies...it's a way of life for me.

I'm constantly asking questions and poking my nose into things...and having fun doing it. I do get some strange looks and I've had more than one instance when my kids have said, "Not now, Mom! Stop interviewing the waitress...we want to EAT!" LOL

Well...now that I'm officially back online, I'll be checking in from time to time and participating more in discussions.

Hope everyone is having a fab weekend!

Hugs,
Lucy Monroe

Oh happy day!

I'm so excited! I just made a new sale. Here's the announcement:

Gena Showalter's YA novel, GOTH GIRL, the story of a Goth high school senior who craves individuality but finds herself in a FREAKY FRIDAY-style universe shift when she enters a virtual reality game where everyone is Goth and she's just one of the crowd, for World English to Lauren McKenna at MTV Books by Deidre Knight at The Knight Agency.