Probably you are all familiar with Brenda Novak's online auction to benefit diabetes research. Has been going for several years, and each year Brenda works like the champion she is to line up more, bigger, better items and to promote the heck out of the awesomeness that is her auction.

This year I got together with some of the Diamonds Down Under ladies to donate a gift pack which includes all six books in the series, a diamond-set necklace, Pink Diamonds perfume, a diamond keyring, and a copy of "the bible" we put together for the series, which includes research and character notes, synopses, backstory and all sorts of bonus extras. So, go bid! On this pack and loads of other fab stuff!!

Labels: Brenda Novak Auction, Diamonds Down Under

Well, I do. Love sales, love discounts, love getting wonderful stuff for a bargain price. The eHarlequin store has a 40% off sale this month on loads of "Passion" titles released in the past few months. Loads of Desire (including my Vows and Tycoon), Presents and Blaze, and some Nocturnes, Intrigue, Historicals, Kimani and Romantic Suspense thrown in for good measure. (NB: I've linked to page 3 for *cough* obvious reasons, but check out the other 2 pages as well.)

Labels: book bargains, eHarlequin.com, Tycoon's One-Night Revenge, Vows and a Vengeful Groom

Thought I was last week when Carly was booted. Now I most definitely am. That's all. (Except how cute was the phone call to Simon about his first kiss? Awwwwww.)

Labels: American Idol

No, stop, don't roll your eyes. Don't click on to your next blog stop. This isn't yet more about the making of covers or about my covers, this is a HEADS-UP that the 2007 Cover Cafe Best Cover voting is open. (This is the one that used to be on All About Romance.) I have oohed and aahed over the beautiful covers; I have wrinkled my nose at the ones I think a bit meh; and I've looked at the "worst cover" category and felt for the authors who had no say while also thinking, I've seen plenty worse.

Toughest category to pick my favourite: Alternate Reality. Also contemporary single title had a couple I really loved and found hard to pick between.

Slightly disappointed that the series (category romance) is top-heavy in non-peopled covers. Not saying they're not gorgeous covers, just that I'd have liked to see some variety which included, for example, a gorgeous traditional romantic cover a la Harlequin Romance. I was also going to say, and a Desire (who me, biased?), but after a quick hunt I couldn't find one from 07 that I loved. Same quick hunt revealed these enticing examples from Harlequin Romance without breaking a sweat.

Guess I'm a bit of a fan of the traditional couples after all. :-)

Labels: covers, other blogs

In case you haven't heard enough about this book yet, this review just in from Debby at Cataromance.

Misconceptions, and undeniable passion rule the pages in Bronwyn Jameson's Tycoon's One-Night Revenge.

After a brutal attack, Donovan Keane lost his memory of several crucial days. Now, months later he has pieced together the missing time. He knows he spent a weekend with Susannah Horton and afterwards lost a major deal to her fiancee. He is sure she spent that weekend with him to ensure her fiance's success. Since the final papers have not been signed as yet, Van resolves to arrange a night where he can have Susannah again and ruin the deal and her engagement as well.

Bronwyn Jameson's talent as a writer shines from the pages of Tycoon's One-Night Revenge as heat becomes flames and fascination keeps us glued to the pages to see if love or pride wins.

Read the full review.

Labels: Cataromance, reviews, Tycoon's One-Night Revenge

There's a fabulous post at Liz Fielding's blog by a freelance artist who does cover work for Harlequin. I linked to another by the same artist at Pink Heart Society a few months back, but if you missed that one and are interested in the process of how a cover comes into being, go take a look.

Labels: covers, other blogs

This week at Diamonds Down Under, we have a Q&A with Desire editor Diana Ventimiglia. If you're interested in writing for the line, this is a don't miss opportunity to hear what the ed's are looking for AND -- special bonus! -- to go in the draw to win a critique. If you're a reader, there is a terrific book pack gioveaway instead.

Labels: giveaway, other blogs, Silhouette Desire, writing tips

A writing course, a whole week, in Tuscany. Sigh. It's like my idea of bliss. Excuse me while I drift off to daydream a while about courtyards and picnics and Italian food and Alpine views and, oh yes, a little writing as well. I will not daydream about the complete unfeasability of distance and cost and suchlike. Sigh.

Labels: other blogs, writing retreat