Coming this month...The Earl Who Played With Fire

I've been woefully absent on the blog of late, since I've been putting the finishing touches on Prudence's book. But I'm thrilled to say that The Earl Who Played With Fire is coming this month! Exact date tbd depending on how the final formatting goes and how long it takes the retailers to put it up, but it should be available before Thanksgiving. I'm so excited to share Prudence's story with you. Stay tuned over the next few weeks here, on Facebook, on Twitter, and on my newsletter - I've got some fun giveaways planned, as well as teaser chapters coming soon. And you'll want to be the first to know what book is coming after Prudence's, so watch for FAQs and other announcements.

If you want to get the giveaway party started early, you can leave a comment on the guest blog post I did at Timeless Quills. Or, you can enter for one of ten paperback copies on Goodreads. Check back for more giveaways this weekend!

And finally, here's the back cover copy to whet your appetite:

A woman courting ruin...

No one would suspect prim, proper Prudence Etchingham of lusting after her best friend’s brother. Nor would anyone guess that she’s responsible for dozens of the best forgeries in London’s antiquities markets. But if her love for Alex is doomed to fail, she must raise enough money to escape the marriage mart. She just needs one last, daring forgery to set herself up for life…

A man evading disaster...

Alex Staunton, the rich Earl of Salford, lives a charmed existence. No one knows that he’s dangerously attracted to his sister’s best friend. Nor has he revealed that he suffers from an ancient curse -- one that has given him everything, but prevents him from marrying the woman of his dreams. But when an enemy from his past takes an unseemly interest in Prudence’s future, Alex must find a way to break the curse...or risk losing her forever.

A love they’re destined for…

Every seductive encounter brings them closer together -- but their secret, smoldering desires will inevitably burn them. And when Prudence’s illicit forgery collides with Alex’s desperate search, more than their hearts are at stake. Can they break Alex’s curse and save Prudence from her unwanted suitor? Or will their love become a weapon that will destroy them both?

Can you say 'Наследница без причины'?

I'm thrilled to report that we've sold the Russian translation rights to Heiress Without a Cause and Scotsmen Prefer Blondes! The Google translation of Heiress Without a Cause is "Наследница без причины" - but I'm sure the Russian publisher will change the title to something sexier (or, at least, more carefully translated). I have no idea when the books will be available in the Russian market, but I'm super excited. I lived in Ukraine for a year when I was twelve (which is not Russia, I know; someone would shank me if I claimed they were the same country), and I studied a lot of Russian history in college, so Slavic culture is near and dear to my (slightly dark) heart. It seems so fitting that the first translations rights would be sold in Russia. And my friends have already feted me with vodka and other Russian delights, so the celebration has begun.

I'll post the covers when/if I ever see them. Fingers crossed that these books will be available in more markets soon!

Heiress Without a Cause - 4 Stars from Romantic Times

I won't admit that I'm scouring the web looking for reviews (bad author), but I had to share: I just found out that Heiress Without a Cause earned a 4-star review from RT! (RT = Romantic Times, for those of you who aren't avid industry followers). I won't post the entire review yet since I'm not sure what's fair use to post, but I will give you this tantalizing quote: "Book one of the Muses of Mayfair begins a promising new series with tales of artistic women who must perform their vocations as males."

And I'll show you the stars, which is more exciting: RT Rating

Since today is Heiress's official release day, this is thrilling news. Thanks, RT, for the stars!

HEIRESS WITHOUT A CAUSE Selected as a Nook First Pick

I've kept my lips zipped about my latest news for awhile, but it's time to share -- my debut novel, HEIRESS WITHOUT A CAUSE, was chosen as a Nook First pick! The people over at Barnes and Noble want to get my book out to their readers, and I am thrilled to reach the awesomely ravenous Nook romance community. HEIRESS will be available exclusively on the Nook for one month after its release. If you have a Nook, you can read HEIRESS as soon as it launches, on January 23, 2012 (cue champagne and fireworks). If you don't have a Nook and can't wait for some fun, lovely drama between a spinster-slash-actress and the duke who loves her, you can download the free Nook app for iPhone, iPad, Android, or PC/Mac. HEIRESS will release everywhere else, including in paperback, on February 23, 2012.

Happy reading! I can't wait to share Madeleine and Ferguson with you.

Coming in January - My First Two Books!

I am utterly thrilled to announce that I am publishing my first two books on January 26, 2012! Heiress Without a Cause and Scotsmen Prefer Blondes are the first two books in my Muses of Mayfair series, featuring a secret club for ladies with scandalous artistic ambitions. Heiress was a 2011 Golden Heart finalist in the Regency category, and Scotsmen won the Golden Heart in 2009. You can read more about both books below. I shall write another post in a few days about why I am self publishing and why I'm excited by the opportunities available online (note: it involves control, but doesn't involve any sort of screed against 'legacy' publishers). But today is for celebrating, not for cold details of the publishing business. Please join me in the celebration - leave a comment, and I will drink some virtual champagne with you (only virtual, since I've had enough real champagne this week to float an armada or sink an admiral - take your pick). And if you want to stay updated on release schedules, contests, signings, etc. (and get sneak peeks at new content!), please join my mailing list.

Thank you for celebrating with me, and I can't wait to take the next step in my career with your support!

-------------------------------------------

HEIRESS WITHOUT A CAUSE - Muses of Mayfair #1 - coming January 2012

One title to change his life...

A disgraced son with a dark reputation, William “Ferguson” Avenel is content to live in exile – until his father dies in the scandal of the Season. With rumors of insanity swirling around them, his sisters desperately need a chaperone. Ferguson thinks he’s found the most proper woman in England – and he won’t ruin her, even if he desperately wants the passionate woman trapped beneath a spinster’s cap.

One chance to break the rules...

Lady Madeleine Vaillant can’t face her blighted future without making one glorious memory for herself. In disguise, on a London stage, she finds all the adoration she never felt from the ton. But when she’s nearly recognized, she will do anything to hide her identity – even setting up her actress persona as Ferguson’s mistress. She’ll take the pleasure he offers, but Madeleine won’t lose her heart in the bargain.

One season to fall in love...

Every stolen kiss could lead to discovery, and Ferguson’s old enemies are determined to ruin them both. But as their dangerous passion ignites their hearts and threatens their futures, how can an heiress who dreams of freedom deny the duke who demands her love?

-------------------------------------------

SCOTSMEN PREFER BLONDES - Muses of Mayfair #2 - coming January 2012

She never wanted marriage...

When a friend is forced to consider a marriage of convenience, Lady Amelia Staunton is determined to rescue her. But her plans trap her in an illicit seduction, and Amelia must marry him herself. Malcolm’s all-consuming kisses and devilish humor might make up for her lost freedom, but she believes he will force her to abandon the Gothic romances she yearns to write. Since she can’t escape him, she must distract him from her secret...

He isn’t looking for love...

A powerful autocrat with a well-hidden rebellious streak, Malcolm MacCabe doesn’t need another beautiful mistress – he needs an obedient wife. Obedience is not one of Amelia’s virtues. But he’s too enthralled by her wit and passion to let her go – even if it means risking the political reputation he is building to save his clan.

Their hearts can’t survive the scandal...

Despite their intentions, every wicked embrace binds them together. But as their conflicting desires combust into insatiable hunger and unavoidable ruin, they must decide whether to pursue their personal destinies alone – or fight for the love that could destroy them both.

ONE NIGHT TO SCANDAL is a 2011 Golden Heart finalist!

I'm so excited to report that my latest project, ONE NIGHT TO SCANDAL, is a 2011 Golden Heart finalist in the Regency historical category! I got the call this morning from Sylvia Day (after some back-and-forth due to the fact that I live in a strange cabin-like house in the 'woods' of Palo Alto and have poor cell reception), and have been celebrating like a crazy person for the past hour. More to come on this project in the next few weeks - it's finished and in the hands of my agent, so hopefully we'll start submitting to editors soon. For now, it's on to the next book, with some much-needed downtime to celebrate and regroup.

Congrats to all the other finalists in both the Golden Heart and RITA contests - I'm looking forward to meeting all of you in NYC!

AN INCONVENIENT MARRIAGE Won the Golden Heart!

I'm thrilled to announce that my first manuscript, ONE NIGHT TO SEDUCTION (originally titled AN INCONVENIENT MARRIAGE), won the Romance Writers of America 2009 Golden Heart® award for best unpublished manuscript in the Regency Historical category! The award was announced at the RWA National Convention in Washington, D.C. on July 18. I had a wonderful time at the convention, and I really enjoyed the workshops, keynote speeches, drinks, and all of the other fun activities the conference had to offer. Most importantly, I loved meeting all of the other wonderful nominees. But now, the conference is over, and it's time to get back to writing the next book!

Thanks again for all the support I've received on this road to writerdom -- I could not have gotten this far without knowing that so many people are in my corner.

AN INCONVENIENT MARRIAGE Finaled in the Golden Heart!

I got the call this morning -- AN INCONVENIENT MARRIAGE is a finalist in the RWA Golden Heart® contest! The winner is announced at the Romance Writers of America conference in Washington, D.C. on July 18. To see the official announcement and photos of all the finalists, check out the Romance Writers of America website. My manuscript is a finalist in the Regency Historical Romance category.