Thursday, August 28, 2008

Special Releases and Contests!


Their Miracle Baby/Bonus book: Making Memories by Caroline Anderson

Centenary Products August 2008 Available in paperback

The baby they thought they’d never have...

Fran Trevellyan is counting her blessings: her marriage to Mike, her little stepdaughter, her home and friends in Penhally. Yet she is haunted by the one thing she wants most of all – a baby – Mike’s baby. After three years of trying, their marriage is taking the strain – until Mike injures his leg and has to rely on Fran for everything. The intimacy rekindles their love and their simmering passion. Can their renewed bond also give them the courage to try one more time to make the baby they’ve always longed for?

SPECIAL BONUS FEATURES INSIDE: Including exclusive free story Making Memories.

What else is cool about this book? Well, it is tied in with the August Centenary competition! Go to THIS PAGE to enter, with the promo code you'll find in Her Miracle Baby for your chance to win.


Don't forget to shop Mills and Boon's SUMMER CLEARANCE event for some wonderful deals!


Mills and Boon has also teamed up with WOMAN'S WEEKLY for a short story writing competition! The prizes are FAB! You can find all the information you need at their webpage.

You only have a few days left to enter the SPOTLIGHT contest for a copy of FALLING FOR MR. DARK AND DANGEROUS! Just send an e-mail to the hrablog@hotmail.com with the subject line DONNA and we're drawing this weekend!

Monday, August 25, 2008

Foreign Releases for August

This month has some fabulous releases available around the world! Check it out...

And don't forget - this is the last week for you to get your name in to win August's Romance release FALLING FOR MR. DARK AND DANGEROUS by Donna Alward. Just send an e-mail to hrablog@hotmail.com with the subject line DONNA to be entered! We'll draw at the end of the week!


FASCINO E NOBILTA di HARPER FIONA

APPUNTAMENTO A PALAZZO. Siete tutte invitate a un matrimonio da favola! Vi aspettiamo nella splendida tenuta di Elmhurst Hall e nei suoi giardini incantevoli e profumati dove il tempo sembra essersi fermato.

Will Radcliffe, il nuovo proprietario di Elmhurst Hall, è l'immagine del perfetto Lord inglese. Ma, nonostante il titolo appena acquisito, sa di non essere ancora pienamente accettato dalla cerchia nobiliare cui aspira. Inoltre, avere alle sue dipendenze una donna affascinante come Josie Harrington, che lavora nella tenuta, non l'aiuterà molto. Messa al bando dall'aristocrazia a cui apparteneva per il comportamento poco convenzionale, Josie è ben felice di essere quello che è: uno spirito libero che ascolta solo il proprio cuore. E adesso il cuore le parla di Will!


WEM GEHÖRT NUR DEIN HERZ? von: LIZ FIELDING

Der Kuss des attraktiven Dr. Ben Faulker löst in Gabriella verwirrende Gefühle aus. Plötzlich brennt in ihr die Sehnsucht nach mehr. Sie möchte diesen wundervollen Mann nie mehr verlassen. Da kehrt seine Exverlobte Natasha zurück – wird Ben ihr erneut verfallen?





TWEELING ZOEKT OUDERS / ZORGEN VOOR TWEE

Door: TESSA CARPENTER, RAYE MORGAN
Tweeling zoekt ouders

Sinds ze tot voogd benoemd is van een babytweeling staat Rachels wereld op zijn kop. Al valt de zorg voor twee veeleisende baby's beslist niet mee, toch kan ze zich een leven zonder die twee druktemakers algauw niet meer voorstellen. Dan staat opeens een aantrekkelijke man op haar stoep. Hij is de andere voogd, en hij laat zich niet zomaar wegsturen...

Zorgen voor twee

De laatste persoon die Mitch Carver verwacht tegen te komen in zijn kantoor, is Darcy Connors, de vrouw die hij maar niet kan vergeten. Maar een leven samen zit er volgens hem niet in; daarvoor verschillen ze te veel. Totdat ze hem vertelt over de tastbare gevolgen van hun weekendje Parijs, enkele jaren geleden. Nee, niet een baby. Twéé baby's... een tweeling!

Directo al corazón por Natasha Oakley

Padre soltero busca esposa…
El modo en que Daniel Ramsey luchaba por criar solo a su hija hizo que Freya recordara el pasado. A pesar de su apariencia salvaje, Freya siempre había soñado con casarse vestida de blanco y un "felices para siempre". Quizá porque así había podido escapar de los problemas de su hogar.

Ahora que era una mujer adulta, bella y con éxito, sabía que podía ayudar a Daniel y a su hija, pero tenía miedo de acercarse demasiado a ellos porque aún ocultaba demasiados secretos. ¿Sería posible que después de tantos años hubiera conocido a un hombre capaz de adentrarse en su corazón?



Un père à épouser de Nicola Marsh

Brody Elliott… Depuis que cet homme énigmatique a emménagé dans la maison voisine de la sienne, Bridget Lewis ne sait comment se comporter vis-à-vis de lui.

Car si ce veuf au charme irrésistible se montre un père tendre et attentionné envers Molly, sa fille de six ans qu’il élève seul depuis la disparition de sa femme, il lui témoigne en revanche, à elle, une froideur qu’elle ne comprend pas. Et alors que, suite à sa dernière déception sentimentale, elle avait résolu de ne plus jamais approcher les hommes, Bridget décide de tout mettre en œuvre pour briser la carapace de ce voisin si mystérieux…


União perfeita por Cara Colter
Eram duas pessoas muito diferentes, mas formavam a equipa perfeita!

Dylan McKinnon era atraente, seguro de si e tinha qualquer coisa que o tornava irresistível para o sexo oposto.
A florista Katie Pritchard sabia muito bem o efeito que Dylan tinha sobre as mulheres, pois era o seu melhor cliente. E, para sua tristeza, ela também ficara fascinada com os seus encantos.
Pareciam o casal impossível e, provavelmente, eram, mas Katie sabia que o playboy era muito mais do que aparentava à primeira vista...

Monday, August 18, 2008

Reviews

The Rancher's Inherited Family - Judy Christenberry: "Judy Christenberry at her best again." (Reader review, eharlequin.com)

"Suspenseful and romantic read." (Reader review, eharlequin.com)

The Boss's Unconventional Assistant - Jennie Adams: "a soft, sweet tale that kept me awake until the wee hours of the morning." (Romance Reader at Heart)

"Jennie Adams has penned a highly romantic tale that leaves us with the true meaning of family with The Boss’s Unconventional Assistant." (Cataromance)

Falling For Mr. Dark and Dangerous - Donna Alward: "Donna Alward weaves a gorgeous secluded setting, intense suspenseful plot and well developed characters into a most rewarding read..." (Cataromance)

"an emotionally satisfying, clever read!" (Romance Reader at Heart)

Every now and then, reviews trickle in for past books - like this one (April 08) by Jackie Braun - Expecting a Miracle: "a touching but oh so sweet story that tugs at the reader's heartstrings." (KwipsandKritiques)

Liz Fielding also mentioned perhaps posting some details about the Emotion workshop given by Barb Hannay, Barbara McMahon and Jessica Hart in San Francisco. Jessica has posted a summary of it on her own blog. Just click here to be taken to her blog post.

And one last mention - to win a copy of Falling For Mr. Dark and Dangerous, send an e-mail to hrablog@hotmail.com with the subject line DONNA and the draw will happen at the end of the month!

Monday, August 11, 2008

Spotlight in Six - Donna Alward



This month Romance author Jackie Braun takes the reins and turns the Spotlight on Donna Alward, whose current release is FALLING FOR MR. DARK AND DANGEROUS.




Where do you get the ideas for your books?

Ideas are everywhere. Sometimes I’ll get the idea from a headline or another person and an experience they are going through. For this book, I had introduced the heroine (or at least the idea of her) in earlier books. I wanted to find someone for Maggie that was the exact opposite of what she’d want. And then my husband was talking to a couple of buddies that are Marshals and I asked if they’d give me information, and it all kind of generated from there. I know for my next book I got the idea from watching The Princess Diaries (One and Two, I have girls,lol). My editor called and asked if I could write a cowboy story. Then it was a matter of “marrying” the two worlds together – Alberta Ranch and Mediterranean Royalty!

When you find time to read, who are your favorite authors?

My favourite author of all time is LaVyrle Spencer. There are times I just NEED her so I pull out my very worn copies. I also recently discovered Julianne MacLean. I love her historicals, and I also like a lot of Judith McNaught’s regencies. If I’m reading category romance, Liz Fielding and Lucy Gordon are two of my absolute faves.

Do you ever use real situations or experiences from your own life in your books?

Of course I do! A shocking number of my recipes end up in my books. My characters are always eating. LOL. And little things that happen often morph their way in. I had a lot of people who know me say they saw a lot of me in The Soldier’s Homecoming, especially in the way Shannyn spoke to her daughter. And a scene in The Rancher’s Runaway Princess is straight from an experience with my husband. Only more angsty and pretty, LOL.

When you're not writing what fills up your time?

Motherhood, wifedom, and I tend to enjoy a lot of things and have trouble with the word “no”, so lord only knows where you’ll find me. I stay pretty musical, and unless I’m severely deadlined, I don’t work at night. After 8 p.m. I’m either reading or watching dvd’s. Something completely relaxing.

Okay, Donna, you've asked other spotlighted authors to imagine they are stranded and then to share where that might be and with whom. Turnabout is fair play. So, do tell.

The politically correct answer is my husband. However in the interest of fantasy, if I’m stranded I’m going to be snuggled up in a cottage in the English Countryside. Jamie Bamber will be there. I will be fifty pounds lighter and we will drink wine and talk about very interesting subjects in foreign languages. Of course I probably wouldn't understand him, but would that really matter? LOL

What are you working on now and what other books of yours can we look forward to reading in the months ahead?

January sees the release of THE RANCHER'S RUNAWAY PRINCESS, which was so much fun to write and I cried writing the last third – my husband was working in Hawaii and I was stuck in Canadian winter and typing with a cast on my arm. I absolutely loved how it all came together and wrote the last 17000 words of it in one weekend. Then in June of 09 we have HIRED: THE ITALIAN'S BRIDE which filled my desire to write an Italian hero – only I transplanted him to beautiful Banff and the Rocky Mountains and gave him a damaged heroine who is reclaiming her life.



Right now I’m working on a Christmas novella that is scheduled for the holiday season in 2009, and which will lead into a couple of linked books that I'm really excited about.





Now here's the part that's fun....for your chance to win a copy of Donna's August release, FALLING FOR MR. DARK AND DANGEROUS, just drop a line to hrablog@hotmail.com with the subject line DONNA and we'll draw at the end of the month!

Thursday, August 07, 2008

Harlequin Romance Authors at RWA Nationals - San Francisco

A while back I mentioned how several of the Romance authors were going to be attending the RWA Nationals Conference in San Francisco. Now the reports are coming in and there are a few highlights to show you! Let me tell you, after all I've read and seen, I'm really sorry I missed it. So living vicariously, here's the report from one Romance author that DIDN'T make it to San Fran....

MSNBC did a snippet on the Literacy Signing on Wednesday night...a really good piece IMO. Just click on this link to view: http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/25966976#25966976





One of the highlights for Romance authors was the panel presented by Barbara McMahon, Barbara Hannay and Jessica Hart. The ladies took advantage of some time for R&R, and thanks to Jessica, who sent me this pic of the three of them in Yosemite.





However, on Friday morning it was down to business for these three ladies at their workshop on Emotion, Emotion, Emotion: Writing Romance with Global Appeal.



Of course Nationals is more than workshops...there's networking and booksignings galore. Melissa McClone did a fabulous job on her blog with pictures, and has kindly allowed me to post a few here.


This shot is of all the Romance authors and editors gathered outside Lovejoys, at the Romance High Tea.







Of course there is touring around: Here is Melissa along with Trish Wylie, Claire Baxter and Jessica Hart at Union Square.


Of course the big attraction (other than dancing with Nora at the Harlequin party...this event has become quite legendary at conference) is the RITA Award Ceremony. And so congrats goes to Romance/Love Inspired author LINDA GOODNIGHT for winning the RITA in the Inspirational Category!!!!!!!!! Here's a picture of Linda with her RITA.




And since I know someone will mention it if I don't post about it, my debut Romance Hired By The Cowboy won Best Traditional at the Booksellers Best Awards which were handed out on Thursday. Trish Wylie snagged a pic of my editor, Sally Williamson with the pin.


Scads more pictures of conference are available at the Pink Heart Society photobucket album.


And if any of you have links to other great reports and pictures, please post them in the comments!

Tuesday, August 05, 2008

August Releases


The Rancher's Inherited Family by Judy Christenberry

When sexy Brad Logan hires Sarah Brownly, he doesn't expect his once quiet home to be filled with a rabble of kids and a housekeeper he can't keep his eyes off….

With Brad as her boss, Sarah's never felt more secure. But she's running from her past. How can she ask this gorgeous bachelor to take on her troubles and her unruly brood?

The woman Brad's falling for comes with an instant family—but his shoulders are broad. He'll take on this little family and make them his own….



The Prince's Secret Bride by Raye Morgan

Prince Nico can't walk by when he sees Marisa needs his help; she's confused and lost and clearly has no place to go. So he sweeps her back to his royal palace. Seeing that she's pregnant brings out Nico's protective instincts, feelings he thought had frozen years ago…

Until Marisa came along, normal life seemed shallow and frivolous. Now it feels as though Nico has something to live for. But with his royal realm torn apart by war and rebellion, can he afford to fall in love with this pregnant stranger?



Wanted: Royal Wife and Mother by Marion Lennox

For five long years, Kelly has been separated from her son, the Alp de Ciel heir, and has been fighting to get him back. But with her estranged husband's death, Kelly can finally reclaim little Matty.

Prince Regent Rafael de Boutaine wants mother and son to be reunited, but insists Kelly must embrace royal life.

Kelly will do anything for Matty, and returns to the palace. But as she gets to know Rafael, she starts to fall in love with the man behind the prince. Kelly is in danger of doing what she vowed to avoid at all costs: becoming a royal wife again.




The Boss's Unconventional Assistant by Jennie Adams

Sophia Gable is anything but conventional, and multimillionaire Grey Barlow knows this the second he meets her. With her bright clothes, and even brighter outlook on life, Sophia is no ordinary PA! And Grey is beginning to wonder why he's hired her…

Sophia is nervous about her first temporary assignment, and falling for her boss is the last thing she needs. But how can she not want to get personal with broodingly handsome Grey? He may not be the commitment type, but she has a warm, generous heart that may be just what this grumbly boss needs!



Falling for Mr. Dark & Dangerous by Donna Alward

Tidy. Sensible. Safe. That's how Maggie Taylor wants things. Until she opens the door of her tiny mountain hotel to a tall, dark and very dangerous stranger.

Nate Griffith offers a world of pleasure in his strong arms. But the lawman isn't looking for a peaceful retreat—he has a job to do.

It scares Maggie that Nate puts himself in the line of fire every day, and so she tries her hardest to resist him. But even a heart as closed off as Maggie's can't stay immune for long….


Millionaire Dad, Nanny Needed! by Susan Meier
One minute, wedding planner Audra Greene's balancing budget sheets, the next she's changing baby sheets for handsome millionaire Dominic Manelli! Corporate tycoon Dominic needs help with his newly orphaned nephew, and he knows exactly who to ask—reliable, trustworthy Audra. He knows his playboy ways will only break Audra's heart and that he shouldn't get involved with the hired help. But every look, every touch and every smile is making Dominic want to swap nights out on the town for nights in with Audra and the baby….