West Houston RWA

SECRET LIFE OF A VAMPIRE
By Kerrelyn Sparks
Reviewed by Sharon Forret

The Scots sure know how to throw a party. Especially the immortal Scottish vampires who populate Kerrelyn Sparks’ latest fun paranormal adventure, “Secret Life of a Vampire.” After a bachelor party gets particularly out of hand, it is up to responsible Jack, interim head of MacKay Security and Investigation, to clean up the mess and make nice with the human police who come to investigate the shindig. After all, a cleaning service and a little vampire mind control should be all it takes to do the trick. But Jack is in for the surprise of his unnaturally extended life when he meets Officer Lara Boucher.

Lara is not only immune to his mind games but also a gorgeous former beauty queen determined to do something important with her life following a tragic accident and a long period of recovery. Ambitious and beautiful, her goal is to prove her metal and make detective. She is immediately both suspicious of and deeply attracted to Jack, who does superhuman feats that she can’t explain. Her heart tells her he is a good man that she can trust, but her head knows that something extraordinary is going on. Something that he refuses to tell her about.

Jack, or Giacomo di Venezia, as he was once known, is the perfect Italian lover: sexy, suave, and unfailingly polite. Since being transformed into a vamp, he has fought with the good guys and worked with MacKay Security to battle the dark Malcontents—evil vampires determined to feed from and kill as many humans as possible. Jack has also devoted his life to trying to overcome his past—or rather, his father’s infamous reputation, for his father was none other than Casanova, one of the most famed seducers of all time.

Lara and Jack are drawn together by more than their red-hot chemistry. When local college girls start disappearing, Jack suspects a Malcontent is behind the abductions. Lara refuses to back off the investigation even when it becomes apparent that she bears a striking resemblance to the victims. Jack has found the woman of his dreams, but how can he keep her safe from this supernatural threat? And how can he keep her heart if he cannot tell her the truth about his vampire background?

“Secret Life of a Vampire,” the latest installment in the bestselling and critically praised Love at Stake series, will be welcomed by avid fans and newcomers alike. Readers acquainted with the series will be treated with familiar faces and friends, while newbies will delight in the humor and warmth of Sparks ’ writing. Lara and Jack’s story is sweet and thrilling, funny and sexy, and one not to be missed!

ENTERTAINING ANGELS
by Judy Duarte
Reviewed by Donna Maloy

Judy Duarte’s sequel to the outstanding Mulberry Park, is a heartwarming and inspiring story about never giving up on dreams. It’s also a cautionary tale about the power of guilt in shaping our lives.

Kristy Smith was on her way to a college and a bright future when she became pregnant and – in her own eyes, at least – ruined her grandmother’s life. Craig Houston, who once dreamed of a major league baseball career, became a pastor for all the wrong reasons and now doubts he can make a difference in the little town of Fairbrook. Shana is getting married to the perfect boy, except he’s not the one she’s always dreamed about. And Renee, who just wants the best for her unborn child, has no money, no job, and no future. But it’s a known fact that the future unfolds in mysterious ways. Aided by cryptic messages of hope from a transient named Jesse, Kristy and Craig fall in love, Shana finds the courage to be herself, and Renee becomes the daughter she always wanted to be. And incidentally, Craig finds a way to make a difference in baseball, Kristy finds a way to go back to school, Shana re-connects with her former sweetheart, and a childless couple finds the perfect ready-made family.

Duarte weaves all these stories together seamlessly. In a suspense novel, the tension often escalates to a crescendo of violence. In a Duarte novel, you can count on love and kindness escalating to a crescendo of hope fulfilled.

Read Entertaining Angels. Believe in small miracles again.

THE PROMISE
by TJ Bennett
Reviewed by Kay Hudson

In THE PROMISE, TJ Bennett returns to the turbulent Europe of 1525 and to Günter Behaim, the mercenary soldier brother of the hero of last year’s THE LEGACY.

Günter has made a battlefield promise to a fellow soldier and friend: if something happens to Martin, Günter will take his place and marry Alonsa, the beautiful Spanish widow who sells her father’s fine swords to the troops.

Alonsa has other ideas. Cursed by a spurned gypsy suitor ten years earlier, she knows that any man who loves her will die. As proof, she has already buried two husbands. Her marriage to Martin was to be one of convenience. While they liked one another well enough, Martin was more interested in inheriting the family blade business than in loving Alonsa.

When Martin dies of wounds taken in the course of saving Günter’s life, Alonsa and Günter, two people determined not to love, are bound together by honor and duty. Günter quickly realizes his love for Alonsa, but conceals it because of her belief in the curse. Alonsa, in turn, will not admit her love to Günter, believing that he does not love her.

Their friends, Alonsa’s companion Inés and the eager young would-be mercenary Fritz, provide support in the  journey across war-torn Europe. Adventures and dangers test love and courage, and the suspense carries through to the last pages of the book.

THE PROMISE is a terrific read, even better than THE LEGACY. Don’t miss it.

Wow. That one word sums up the news for this month.

Leading off is Kerrelyn Sparks, whose latest release, SECRET LIFE OF A VAMPIRE, hit lucky # 13 on the New York Times and Publisher’s Weekly bestseller lists. It debuted at # 36 on the USAToday list. The second in back-to-back books, FORBIDDENNIGHTS WITH A VAMPIRE, releases April 28. To read excerpts, watch book videos, or enter the contest, please visit www.kerrelynsparks.com.

Following that, we have Linda Warren who is a having a surreal year, but one that is very well deserved. Linda is not only a RITA finalist, but ALWAYS A MOTHER won The Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence in Contemporary Series. Congrats Linda.

Another nominee is Deeanne Gist, who reports that she’s been nominated for a RITA (Inspirational category)— woo hoo!!—and that she’s also a finalist for the Write Touch Readers Award (Wisconsin RWA). We’ll keep our fingers crossed.

And the good news doesn’t stop. Following up on Tera Lynn Childs’ double RITA nominations from last month, OH. MY. GODS. has finaled in the Best First Book and Young Adult categories of the National Readers’ Choice Award.

Moving from awards to reviews, Kim Lenox is pleased to share the news that her May release, SO STILL THE NIGHT, has received a four-and-a-half-star, Top Pick designation from RomanticTimes Book Reviews magazine!

Another wow for Linda Barrett, whose May Superromance, SUMMER AT THE LAKE, received 4.5 STARS from RT Book Reviews. Also, Linda is looking forward to speaking to the Cactus Rose RWA Chapter in Las Vegas on May 16. As for gambling there? She says we do it every time we send out a manuscript!

Saving terrific news for last for it’s that big, Sophie Jordan sold a three book young adult hardcover series to HarperTeen. The first book in the series is scheduled for a Fall 2010 release. She is also still walking on air from the news that SINS OF A WICKED DUKE landed on the USA Today bestseller list. Sophie’s alter ego, Sharie Kohler, can chime in to report that the first parnormal novel in her Moon Chasers series, MARKED BY MOONLIGHT, was picked to be a Target backlist promotion.

Finally, don’t forget to stop by and visit Christie Craig and Teri Thackston, who will be signing their latest books at Katy Budget Books Saturday, June 6, from 1-3 PM. Mark your calendars now and watch for reminders on the list serve.

Hone your pitching skills by practicing in a safe, friendly, and fun environment! Pitch practice helps writers:

Join four experienced, successful authors as they play the parts of experienced agents and editors (some of whom promise to crack their tiny whips) in what promises to be an exciting event. And if you don’t want to pitch (or model excellent pitching, if you’re a pro), you’re encouraged to observe and learn or just come and help out.

Our participating authors:

Patricia Kay: Patricia Kay is the USA Today bestselling author of more than 48 novels of romance and women’s fiction. A past Rita® nominee, Pat has written for five different publishers and currently writes mostly for Silhouette Special Edition. Her next release is HIS BROTHER’S BRIDE-TO-BE, an SSE that will be published in July. An acclaimed teacher, she formerly taught at The University of Houston but now limits her teaching to online classes.

Sophie Jordan penned her first historical romance in the back of her high school Spanish class. This passion led her to pursue a degree in English and History. A brief stint in law school taught her that case law was not nearly as interesting as literature – teaching English seemed the natural recourse. After several years teaching high school students to love ANTIGONE, Sophie resigned to pursue her dream of writing. In less than three years, her first book, ONCE UPON A WEDDING NIGHT, a 2006 Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Nominee for Best First Historical, hit book shelves. Her second novel, TOO WICKED TO TAME, released in March 2007 with a bang, landing on the USA Today Bestseller’s List. And as if she’s not busy enough, Sophie writes contemporary paranormals for Pocket under the name Sharie Kohler.

Heather MacAllister: Heather MacAllister has worked with a dozen editors during her more than forty books with Harlequin. A three-time Rita nominee and winner of the Golden Heart, Heather a new book out, UNDRESSED, Harlequin Blaze (6/09). Brenda Chin, her editor of fifteen years, bears no resemblance to Madison (see below). For that matter, neither does Heather.

Sharon Mignerey: Sharon Mignerey (www.sharonmignery.com) has written books for Silhouette Intimate Moments, Zebra, and most recently for Steeple Hill Love Inspired Suspense (another imprint of Harlequin). Her most recent title is THE GOOD NEIGHBOR (11-08). She’s had articles published by The Writer magazine, and she’s a regular contributor to The Rocky Mountain Writer with a column entitled Muse Sings. Sharon is a student of craft, and she is a sought-after speaker who enjoys sharing with other writers. She’s recently returned to school in pursuit of a master’s degree, and will graduate in January 2010.

And their editor/agent personae:

Cruella Dreamcrusher (Pat Kay) is the (we won’t mention her age) owner of AgentsAreUs and all Cruella wants to do is make one more big sale so that she can retire in the manner to which she would like to become accustomed. She is very tired of starry-eyed newbies and thinks nothing of crushing their dreams, just as her name suggests. She advises that you’d better not waste her time. Give her your pitch quickly and you’d better make it good. Otherwise, her “nice lady” face aside, she’ll make mincemeat out of you and enjoy doing it.

Iona A. Besseller (Sophie Jordan/Sharie Kohler) is a hungry junior agent at a large New York based agency, one of many vying to rise in the ranks and acquire as many bestsellers as possible … but she’s picky, dreads a long list of “unsold” authors. Tired of reading too many manuscripts that read like wannabe JR Wards, she wants a completed manuscript that is one-of-a-kind fresh! Give her a to-the-point pitch in ten seconds or less and let her do the rest of talking so she can try to figure out if you’re a diamond in the rough who would actually make a deadline.

Madison McKenzie (Heather MacAllister) is a New Yorker to the core and has a tendency to forget that there is life outside Manhattan . She has a degree from Hideouslyexpensive University , and a lifestyle supplemented by a trust fund. As a Senior Editor with Diamond Romance, she’s experienced and over-worked, and has a stable full of authors. She’s only doing conference pitches because it’s required. If she takes on anyone new, it’ll have to be for a project that’s polished and fresh, from an author who acts professional and has done her homework. She’s not into warm fuzzies and she doesn’t baby authors. Her efficiency sometimes makes her appear abrupt and impatient, but she truly loves publishing and wants her authors to succeed.

Lydia MacBeth (aka Sharon Mignerey) has been an editor for various major publishers for nearly 30 years. She takes credit for discovering several (now) NYT best-selling authors. She has a keen eye for detail and story structure, and she knows what she likes. She’s always on the hunt for that next NYT best-selling author.