West Houston RWA

Reviewed by Sharon Forret

Fans of Kerrelyn Sparks’ enormously popular Love at Stake series have been anxiously waiting for the story of Ian MacPhie, a Scottish warrior turned vampire, doomed forever to look only fifteen years old. Well, this year Christmas has come early for Ms. Sparks’ fans and for Ian because he’s aged a dozen years with the help of a special potion.

Ian is truly unique hero. A grown man and battle-scarred warrior on the inside, he’s been treated for centuries like the fifteen year old his outward appearance reflected. Now that he has “matured,” he must find his way through the modern dating scene—a complex situation that is at turns laugh-out-loud funny and tenderly poignant. Armed with his grown-up physique, sweetly old-fashioned Ian is looking for a special lady to share his life. He only has a few requirements: honesty, loyalty, intelligence and beauty—but not necessarily in that order. Above all, she must be a vampire like him. Enter an honest, loyal, intelligent and beautiful mortal stage right. Though she’d rather not have anything to do with them, Toni Davis has her reasons for getting mixed up in the immortal world. Ian’s enemies, the Malcontents, have kidnapped her best friend, and Toni will risk anything to save her friend—even getting close to the beings whom she hates.

Kerrelyn Sparks’ novels all have broad, cross-genre appeal. Romance readers who have never read a paranormal before will love this witty, sexy series. Fans of dark paranormal will delight in Sparks’ wry humor.

All I Want for Christmas is a Vampire, the fifth book in the Love at Stake series, is the perfect companion to snuggle up to this holiday season!

KISS OF A DARK MOON by Sharie Kohler
Publisher: Pocket
Reviewed by: Lark Howard

Being a lycan hunter has Kit March’s raison d’etre since the soulless monsters killed her parents. Unfortunately the international organizations of lycan hunters forbid women to hunt and have marked her for death. When Rafe Santiago appears from Europe to eliminate her, she should be more afraid than intrigued by the handsome, ruthless assassin. Yet something about him draws her, even as she runs for her life. Rafe can’t bring himself to complete the mission that has driven him for as long as he can remember, nor can he resist the sizzling attraction he feels for Kit. But can he convince her he’s trying to keep her alive when every lycan and lycan hunter in America is out to kill her?

MARKED BY MOONLIGHT, the first in the Moonchasers series, introduced us to Kit through her brother Gideon. This book takes us further into a well-crafted, original, paranormal world where the characters continually learn new rules and ancient truths that change them and their reality forever. Kit is feisty and courageous, and we cheer her every step of the way. The mysterious Rafe is a hero anyone will fall in love with—a loner with a terrible secret who gives his heart reluctantly and completely. The plot twists and surprises were so unexpected, I couldn’t put this book down. Bravo, Sharie Kohler! I can’t wait for the next story!

Authors on Publishers Panel

The panel: Gerry Bartlett, Berkley; Kristi Gold; Harlequin; Sharie Kohler, Pocket; Kerrelyn Sparks, Avon; Colleen Thompson, Dorchester; Kimberly Ungar, NAL; Moderator- Lark Howard

Join us as WHRWA authors give us the low-down on their publishers in a lively panel discussion that will give you an inside’s peek at what really goes on in the world of print publishing.

What kind of books do their imprints put out? What kinds of books are their publishers looking for? What’s it like to work with their editors? How did they get to their houses? The panel will address these questions and many more. Whether you’re looking for a publisher or perhaps thinking about moving houses, this is your chance to learn from first hand experience. Don’t miss it!

A number of free sample books will be given away at the meeting.

Happy November! As you read this, the stores have already set out the Santa displays and reindeer ornaments and we haven’t even seen Thanksgiving yet.

WHRWA has seen another few contest finals though, and congratulations to Donna Maloy whose historical fantasy, Enshadowed, finaled in the YA category of the FF&P chapter’s On The Far Side contest.

Janice Martin received Second Place for her Inspirational Contemporary Romance, The Blessing, at the 2008 Lone Star Writing Competition sponsored by the Northwest Houston Romance Writers of America at their Oct.25 conference. During her agent appointments with Michelle Grajkowski of Three Seas Literary Agency and Carolyn Grayson of Ashley Grayson Literary Agency, both agents asked Janice for the first three chapters and synopsis. Multi-published author Patricia Kay was the featured speaker at the conference, teaching the importance of grabbing your readers in The First Five Pages, as well as the Fundamentals of Scene and Sequel.

In release news, first up is Laura Gompertz writing as Lynn Lorenz. Her latest novella, It Takes A Hero, a contemporary m/m romance, is available from Loose Id, Nov. 4, and it will be followed in December by Warriors At Heart, a contemporary paranormal novel.

Don’t forget to drop by Patty Henderson’s book signing, which occurs Nov. 8, from 1-3 at Katy Budget Books. Those who purchase a copy of The Gift of Deception have a chance at the $125.00 gift basket she will be giving away at the end of the day.

Congrats go to Kristi Gold, who is excited to report that her next O’Brien family installment, His Miracle Girl (working title), has sold to Harlequin Superromance (release date TBA). Her next book, The Mommy Makeover (Special Edition), hits the shelves February.

Also with news in the sale department, hooray for Christie Craig whose December release Divorced, Desperate and Dating sold to Rhapsody and the Mystery Guild. Christie also gave the workshop The Balancing Act of the First Chapter to the Final Twist, in Spring, Texas, Nov. 1.

Joan Reeves received an early holiday present as she came home from vacation to find a box of author copies. The first of her books to be reprinted by Ulverscroft in Large Print is Love Will Find A Way. She reports that the edition is very nice on good acid-free paper stock with a cover more pleasing than the original version when the book was first published.

And already looking ahead to the New Year, Kerrelyn Sparks is thrilled to announce that the sixth and seventh books of the Love at Stake series will be published back to back! Secret Life of a Vampire will come at the end of March 2009, and Forbidden Nights with a Vampire will release at the end of April. To find out more, watch book trailers, and enter contests, please visit www.kerrelynsparks.com.