West Houston RWA

Vicky Dreiling has lots to celebrate going into the Holiday Season. She has finaled in the Coeur de Louisiane’s Romancing the Tome Contest with her historical, THE DUCHESS COMPETITION. Her entry will be judged in the final round by Michelle Grajkowski of Three Seas Literary Agency.

Looking for the perfect stocking stuffer? Michele Dunaway has not one, but two books out this month, perfect for holiday reading! This is her 15th book for Harlequin American and her 16th book in her publishing career. Look for HART’S VICTORY, a Harlequin NASCAR book, and THE CHRISTMAS DATE from Harlequin American in stores everywhere.

Sale news!! Sharie Kohler, writing as Sophie Jordan, has sold three more (Victorian) historical romances to Avon. We will be looking forward to titles and release dates on these books! Congratulations Sharie!

2008 is already looking great for Leslie Marshman. Wanda Ottewell has requested a full based on Leslie’s partial submission of DESIGNS ON THE TEXAS TYCOON, for Harlequin’s Desire line. More accolades go to Leslie for her final, with this same manuscript, in the Chase the Dream Contest.

Jane Myers Perrine announces that she has received a publication date and title for her Western Inspirational for Steeple Hill. SECOND CHANCE BRIDE will be available in January, 2009. We are looking forward to that release from Jane!

The Writer’s League of Texas announced the winners of the annual Violet Crown and Teddy Awards. The winner of the Teddy Children’s Award/Short Works Category was GRANDPA FOR SALE, by our own Vicki Sansum (Richmond) and her co-writer, Dotti Enderle who has visited our chapter in the past. Congratulations Vicki and Dotti!

Grab a big mug of hot cocoa and get comfy in front of your computer! Kerrelyn Sparks is now appearing in two videos at RomanceNovelTV and she was unveiled as a very sneaky Mystery Author for the week of Nov 5-9. Check out the forum’s Mystery Author section to see Kerrelyn’s (she told me “lame” but we don’t believe that!) attempts at writing a historical Regency and dark paranormal. http://romancenovel.tv/forum/

Kerrelyn has even more news! Her upcoming January 29th release, THE UNDEAD NEXT DOOR, was featured in a blog at Publishers Weekly. What a nice surprise! Click here to read: http://www.publishersweekly.com/blog/880000288.html

On Saturday November 17th, our very own Teri Thackston signed copies of PERILOUS PASSIONS at the first annual Houston Writers Festival at the Galleria area Barnes & Noble location. 20 writers took part in signings and readings, including Texas’ 2008 Poet Laureate Larry D. Thomas.

Have you finished your Holiday shopping? Here’s something for everyone! Colleen Thompson announces that she and chapter member Christie Craig are teaming up to sign copies of their December releases. Christie will be signing DIVORCED, DESPERATE AND DELICIOUS and Colleen will sign THE SALT MAIDEN, both of which have received fantastic advance reviews!

Here’s the details on their upcoming schedule:

December 1, 2007 Autographing at Katy Budget Books, Katy, TX. From 11-2.

December 8, 2007, Autographing with author Christie Craig at Barnes and Noble in The Woodlands Mall (The Woodlands, TX) from 2:00 to 4:00 PM.

December 15, 2007, Autographing with author Christie Craig at Murder by the Book in Houston from 4:30 to ? PM.

January 12, 2008, Speaking (Colleen) and autographing at chapter meeting of West Houston Romance Writers of America.

January 12, 2008, Autographing at Borders in The Woodlands with fellow authors Nina Bangs, Gerry Bartlett, Christie Craig, and Teri
Thackston from 3:00 to 5:00 PM.

January 15, 2008, Speaking and autographing (just Colleen) at Houston Bay Area RWA.

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.

Lord of the Night
By Robin T Popp
Grand Central
December 2007
ISBN-13: 978-0446617857

After vampires killed her parents when she was a child, Kacie Renualt devoted herself to becoming a vampire slayer. But now, desperate to being a new life, Kacie decides to trade in her sword for a spreadsheet… only to be accused of murdering a powerful member of the undead. Suddenly this fierce woman is being hunted by a merciless clan — and one ruthless, seductive adversary she can’t resist.

Erik Winslow is shocked to discover the slayer he trained has murdered his best friend. Now he must decide if he will avenge the death or stand against his fellow vampires to save a woman who defies–and captivates–him at every turn. But when she falls victim to a force more formidable that his own, Erik will taste a desire he can’t resist… and a hunger neither he nor Kacie can control.

From the beginning Popp puts the characters in an unredeemable conflict. Kacie hates all vampires, including Erik, for the death of her parents, and Erik is hurt by Kacie for her murder of fellow vampire and childhood friend Sedrick. He is placed under further distress because he would hand her over to the vampires that want revenge or protect her as a member of the family. Popp does a fabulous job keeping them at odds and yet bringing them together.

Lord of the Night is the fourth book in Popp’s Nightslayer series. For those that have enjoyed the earlier books of the series will be happy to see the causes behind the Winslow involvement in vampire hunting.

-reviewed by Sarah Schroeder

Our PAN Spotlight for this month is Michele Dunaway. Thank you Michele for your contribution!

Q: How long have you been writing?

Michele: 8 years

Q: How long did it take you to publish?

Michele: I joined RWA in 1998 and sold as a result of an editor appointment at the 1999 convention.

Q: How many manuscripts do you have hidden away/under the bed/in storage?:

Michele: a few

Q: Do you have a writing schedule and if so, what is it?:

Michele: No. I write whenever I get a chance. On deadline that’s all I’ll do.

Q: Do you have a critique group? If yes, how many are in the group?

Michele: No. I plot and write every book alone. I did have one for the first 3 books, but that was ages ago.

Q: When developing an idea for a new story, which comes first – the plot or the title or the characters?

Michele: The title to me is irrelevant. I just slap something on it for the contract. Once the book is sold and the editor and marketing get involved, the title comes to life then. So I don’t worry about that. The characters usually come first for me and then I develop the plot around them. Those are the items core to the story.

Q: How do you handle new story ideas that pop up when you’re in the middle of a project? (ex: notebook by the bed/separate word file/ etc?)

Michele: I keep a notebook, but usually I just make some chicken scratches. I try to keep the WIP at the forefront or I won’t want to work on it–the new thing always sounds much more exciting.

Q: Have you ever gotten to the middle of a project and got bored or lost your momentum? If so, how did you handle it?

Michele: I hate the middle of every book I write. That’s the part where it’s like being in the dentist chair getting my teeth drilled–I don’t want to be there. So I’ve learned to write in thirds. I write the first third, go back and revise. The next third, go back and revise only that, and then the last third, and then revise the whole thing.

Q: Finish this sentence: If I could write anything I wanted and knew it would sell, it would be….

Michele: single title suspense in the guise of Mary Higgins Clark or those juicy 80s Sydney Sheldon books like Master of the Game

Q: What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received in regards to your writing career?

Michele: Listen to your own voice. Too many cooks can spoil the broth so really, the only person who can tell your story is you.

Q: What is the worst?

Michele: I have to admit, I haven’t read too many books on writing. The minute I do, I want to try everything. I think writers can get bogged down with the mechanics of getting the story on paper. To me, just tell the story and then figure out what needs to be fixed on it.

Q: What is your favorite part of the writing process?

Michele: The creation of the work. I love writing and telling stories. Some just get started and never go anywhere, but I still have to put those words down

Q: What is you least favorite?

Michele: Revisions

Q: Which came first for you – the editor or the agent?

Michele: The editor. I got my agent after I’d already sold 14 on my own.

Q: How many contests did you enter before you sold? How many did you final in?

Michele: Let me be an inspiration for all those who don’t final. I placed 26th in a 3 – way tie out of 30. Do that math, that means pretty much dead last in the ONLY contest I ever entered. I didn’t get discouraged, fixed the book, pitched it, and made my first sale. And yes, it was that simple. I thank God for how lucky I was.

Q: How do your promote your books?

Michele: I try to get a lot of press. I don’t do many book signings anymore. I do the occasional Romance Sells ad. But I’ve never done magnets or those giveaway items.

Q: Free form – your chance to tell us anything you’d like – tidbits, advice, funny stories, pet peeves, hopes, dreams, etc:

Michele: I love the West Houston chapter. I never really lived in Houston but joined when my (now ex) husband moved there before me as part of our family relocation. I was to follow in May 2001, but ended up staying in Missouri and filing for divorce. But the chapter has it so together and I love all the people and the links so I stayed. I hope to get down there a lot more, especially since the ex is in Alabama now!

Hart’s Victory
By Michele Dunaway
Harlequin NASCAR
Dec 2007
ISBN 13: 978-0-373-21782-3

The secret to writing a great book is to write what you love. This is very true and Michele hints as much when she tells readers in her greeting about her ultimate fantasy, “…that Mr. Right is not only a hot NASCAR driver, but he’s also kind, caring, understanding and downto-earth.”

Hart’s Victory is a fantastic story about Kelley Thompson and her son, Charlie. Charlie is a very special teen – he is battling Leukemia. Now normally this sort of disease in a book is something I steer clear of, but I have to tell you Michele has done a magnificent job of capturing the spirit and hope so many children with this dreadful disease hold onto during their treatments. Where she shows Kelley as the concerned, over protective single mother, she displays Charlie as the wise for his years and “this isn’t going to beat me” attitude which had me cheering him all the way.

The book opens when Charlie – an avid NASCAR fan – and his mother attend a weekend NASCAR themed camp. As a widow, Kelley has faced questions about when she’s going to start dating again – something she is reluctant to do not only due to her son’s illness, but because of losing her husband. Charlie’s response to those asking – that she’s holding out for handsome and successful NASCAR driver, Hart Hampton – becomes the family joke. A joke that backfires when the man in question shows up at the camp and takes a shine to not only Charlie, but herself.

The story, which I will not spoil for you, takes the reader through the ups and downs of cancer treatments, a parent’s need to hold on and protect their child, and a glimpse of behind the scene action of NASCAR that will reveal why the sport is loved by so many women and families as well as men. This is probably my favorite book from Michele so far!

Get your favorite cup of warm beverage, curl up on a comfy seat and enjoy the thrill and emotional ride to the checkered flag!

- reviewed by Christy Janisse

The Christmas Date
By Michele Dunaway
Harlequin American Romance
Dec 2007
ISBN 13: 978-0-373-75195-2

What happens when you ground a free-spirit traveling photojournalist and give a home bound, responsible law clerk wings? Magic!

The Christmas Date is Michele Dunaway’s 14th novel for Harlequin and a true testament to her staying power with this line. This delightful tale of Kate Merrill and Tyler Nichols has a zany cast of secondary characters who will have you rolling your eyes, laughing out loud and filling you with the need to call your Grandma or Aunt in Florida.

Set in Orlando – away from the theme parks – this story starts when Kate and Tyler meet briefly at the gas station.
She notices his behemoth of a gas guzzling Hummer. He notices her. But as fate would have it, these two would run into each other again – across the driveway. Tyler’s sister arranged the purchase of the house next to Kate’s and as Tyler is returning from an assignment in Iraq, he had no idea he’d be moving into a neighborhood filled with zealous neighborhood watchdogs in the form of well meaning older ladies, nor that his neighbor would be so attractive and helpful.

However, Kate, though attracted to Tyler, is resistant to letting herself become swept into the magic and emptation.
Tyler is a roaming soul and she’s a solid, need stability, wants to become a lawyer, settle down and have kids kind of girl. It won’t work. Tyler knows this, loves his life as it has been and doesn’t want to give it up, either.

Can two stubborn, focused people make it work when faced with choices, meddling friends, neighbors and family – some wanting them together –others warning them apart?

Pick up The Christmas Date and find out for yourself! You
won’t be disappointed!

-reviewed by Christy Janisse

THE SALT MAIDEN
By Colleen Thompson
Dorchester Leisure Romantic Suspense
November 27, 2007
ISBN 978-0-8439-6017-4

Colleen Thompson has risen to a new level of complexity in this amazing novel. Talented wordsmith that she is, Colleen has touched depths of characterization a lesser writer might fear with two strong, passionate people searching not only for necessary answers to a wellplotted mystery, but also for their own personal answers, perhaps the more painful of the two.

Dana Vanover’s life has been a little rocky of late. Her small animal vet clinic is operating at a loss because of the time she had to take off for surgery. Oh, and speaking of the whole hysterectomy-at-thirty-one thing, she has not even had a chance to return all the wedding presents for which she was left responsible when her cowardly ex-fiancé dumped her by text message three months before.

She definitely is not going to get sucked into another of her big sister Angie’s dramas.

But the niece Dana has never known because Angie placed the child for adoption at birth needs a bone marrow transplant as a last hope to beat the cancer slowly leaching the child’s life away. So once again, Dana is off on a rescue mission chasing her dysfunctional, druggie sister, and this time to the very end of civilization, a miserable community called Devil’s Claw, Texas.

Jay Eversole is back home, following in the footsteps of his uncle and his grandfather before him as sheriff of Rimrock County. That he has come back after being relieved of his law enforcement duties in Dallas because of PTSD –
flashbacks to the nightmares he survived in Iraq – doesn’t bother the small town folks who have known him all his life.

Now green-eyed Dana Vanover, as attractive as she is big in the trouble department, is stirring it up faster than he can take care of it. Within the first thirty minutes he knows her, she nearly passes out from the unrelenting temperature, then manages to get herself bit by a five-foot rattlesnake.

The shimmering heat of the surrounding area houses more scorpions and centipedes than it does humans. No one has seen Angie in two months, but a stubborn Dana believes her sister is still in the area. The only item sacred to Angie’s sanity is the loom she uses to create her tapestries. Dana knows her sister wouldn’t have abandoned it here had she moved on.

The desert doesn’t have anything on the steamy heat Dana and Jay generate as their attraction grows. Add the intrigue of small town politics, a questionable salt dome project and new clues unfolding in the mystery surrounding Angie’s disappearance that lead to life-threatening danger, and you’ve got an amazing romantic suspense.

This thriller will keep you entranced until its very last secret is unveiled. This is Colleen’s best ever.

-Reviewed by Jo Anne Banker

Divorced, Desperate and Delicious
By Christie Craig
Dorchester
December, 2007
ISBN 13: 978-0-505-52730-1

Sexy, suspenseful and seriously funny. DD&D is the story of a young, hip photojournalist with a broken heart, who has a houseful of strays she’s rescued from the goodness of a giant marshmallow heart, and a seriously deranged “unlucky in love” mother and grandmother. Her problems begin when her antler wearing dog drags home another stray for her to rescue, Chase Kelly. He’s a simply misunderstood hottie of a cop, who is every girls dream. But he’s been set up and needs the time to prove it. Lacy is willing to give the man a chance to prove himself an honest cop. Except that Lacy Maguire’s sworn off romance. She’d been two timed once too often. So even though she’s willing to help out the stray detective, because he’s after all, a total hottie, she can’t figure out if he’s her dream man or her worst nightmare. Lots of temptation!
Add in a mom who won’t discuss Lacy’s sex life, because she doesn’t have one, and keeps searching for Mr. Right in all the wrong places. She’s a mom who’s found Mr. Wrong six times.

You will love this “can’t put it down” and “laugh out loud” romance. Great sexual tension, finely drawn characters, tight plot and a happily ever after ending. What more can you ask for? How about another one, Christie, really fast!

-Reviewed by Ane Ryan Walker