Are we headed into a “lazy summer”? It doesn’t appear that way by the look of all these great announcements!
Author News
Nina Bangs, Kimberly Raye and Gerry Barlett represented the chapter well on Sunday, May 6th at Book People in Austin, where they signed copies of their books.
Linda Barrett is delighted to announce that she is a finalist with A MAN OF HONOR in the National Readers’ Choice Awards sponsored by the Oklahoma Chapter RWA. Winners will be announced at the Dallas conference. Regardless of outcome, she thinks it’s fun to get those exciting phone calls!
Thrilling news for Gerry Bartlett! REAL VAMPIRES series will continue in 2008. REAL VAMPIRES GET LUCKY will be a June, 2008 trade paperback release from Berkley with REAL VAMPIRES MAKE WAVES out in October, 2008. Also, Berkley intends to release the first two REAL VAMPIRES books in mass market with REAL VAMPIRES HAVE CURVES out in February, 2008 and REAL VAMPIRES LIVE LARGE out in May, 2008. She also wants to thank the many members of West Houston who remembered her with cards and support during the sad time following the loss of her husband. Thanks also to the chapter for the lovely plant they sent just when she needed cheering up.
Medallion Press will buy TJ Bennett’s historical romance, ALONSA’S CHOICE. This is the companion novel to The Legacy (April 2008), and focuses onthe middle brother of the hero from the first novel. The story, set in 1525, follows the adventures ofa German mercenarywho falls for a Spanish blade merchant’s daughter, a beautiful widow haunted by a violent curse on any man who loves her. ALONSA’S CHOICE will be a 2009 release.
Michele Dunaway had some exciting (if delayed) news! Her book, EMERGENCY ENGAGEMENT won Best Harlequin American of 2005. While she insisted no congrats were necessary – any good news is news worth celebrating, even a year and a half late! So kudos to Michele!
Cheers for Deeanne Gist whose THE MEASURE OF A LADY was nominated for the Christy Award for “Best Christian Romance 2007.” Winners will be announced this summer at the International Christian Retail Show in Atlanta
Jolie Mathis was pleased to get a call from From the Heart RWA Chapter, letting her know THE SEA KING had won third place in their Published LORIES Contest.
PJ Mellor is staying very busy! She’s been asked to do another cowboy anthology–her novella is titled HARD IN THE SADDLE.
Jane Myers Perrine sold not one, but two more books to Steeple Hill; a contemporary tentatively titled SILVER LAKE and a Western historical tentatively titled ANNIE’S SONG. Her second Steeple Hill Love Inspired, LOVE’S HEALING TOUCH,will be out in September of this year.
Teri Thackston’s second book, TO THE RESCUE, is now available for purchase at Cerridwen Press (www.cerridwenpress.com). Congrats to Teri for now being officially “multi-published”!
Jes Trapp and Deeanne Gist have both finaled in the First Coast Romance Writers’ Beacon Contest – 2007 Published Division; Jes in the Historical Category for MASTER OF DESIRE and Deeanne in the Inspirational Category for THE MEASURE OF A LADY.
Linda Warren’s THE COWBOY’S RETURN is a finalist for the Golden Quill given by the Desert Rose Chapter. The good news doesn’t stop there! SON OF TEXAS is a finalist for the Wisconsin WriteTouch Award. Congratulations, Linda!
Diva News
June Faver was thrilled (and terrified) to learn her novel, BAD GIRL! finaled in the Writer’s League of Texas contest. BAD GIRL has been forwarded to the agent judge. The entry goes on to agent Cameron McClure with the Donald Maas Agency. GOOD GIRL, June!
Lark Howard’s DEYROLLE won first place in the paranormal category of Missouri RWA’s Gateway to the Rest contest. It’s no surprise that the judge, Elaine Spencer of The Knight Agency, has requested a partial.
Judythe Hixson shares her good news: ANNIE’S HEART placed 3rd in Heart of the Rockies. ANNIE’S HEART is also a finalist in the Charter Oak RWA Chapter 2007 Golden Acorn Excellence in Writing Award (Inspirational category), and will move on to Jessica Alvarez, Assistant Editor, Steeple Hill Books, for final judging. We know she’ll impress Ms. Alvarez!
Let’s celebrate with Sarah Castleberry, who finaled in the Single Title category of Central Florida’s Touch of Magic Contest with her new manuscript BEAUTY AND THE GEEK. An added bonus: her revised entry will be sent to editor Megan McKeever of Pocket. 
Please send Kimberly Ungar/Jolie Mathis, The author of the award winning book The Sea King, your news at whosinthenews@whrwa.com by the 15th of each month.
