April 2004
APRIL BRINGS Daylight Savings Time for many but for author FIONA HOOD-STEWART this month brought news that her first book for the Harlequin Presents line—The SOCIETY BRIDE—placed Number Seven on the Waldenbooks' Mass Market Romance Bestseller List. Back at her chalet in Switzerland after a quick trip to Australia, Fiona is now looking forward to the release of SOUTHERN BELLE (MIRA Books/ May) next month. Set in Savannah, Georgia, Fiona chose the setting for SOUTHERN BELLE as a tribute to her grandmother and her many fond memories of her life in the South.
STILL IN STORES:
BALLROOM DANCING is the theme of HEATHER GRAHAM's hardcover thriller of passion and murder: DEAD ON THE DANCE FLOOR and made the New York Times Bestselling Extended List for several weeks. Heather, who competes in ballroom dance exhibitions, uses her knowledge of the dance world in this new novel. Heather's included a photo of herself in dance costume on her website as well as a book excerpt.
THE LIGHTKEEPER'S WOMAN (Harlequin Historical/ February 2004) by MARY BURTON can still be found in bookstores. A perfect romantic treat for readers! Mary's next book THE UNEXPECTED WIFE will be a June book. Mary is busy writing to meet the demand of her readers and has recently contracted to write a contemporary novel for Silhouette.
More about AUTHORS:
BUSY, BUSY MONTH for New York Times bestselling author CARLA NEGGERS. Her daughter, Kate, is getting married in June and Carla has been immersed with details including a trip to Cedar Rapids, Iowa this past month to meet the groom's family. Carla returned home just in time to finally move into a newly-renovated home but not before mailing final edits on, THE RAPIDS which will be out early next year. Unpacking and organizing is a high priority before signings and appearances begin for NIGHT'S LANDING (MIRA Books) a May book but on sale in bookstores later this month.
GET CAUGHT READING AT SEA is a new promotion with its logo appearing on many books by popular authors like Heather Graham, Joan Johnston and Carla Neggers. Books featuring the logo contain a discount coupon for a 7 day cruise in the Western Caribbean aboard the luxurious Carnival Elation. Cruise with a ship full of authors, readers and entertainers on this "Get Caught Reading at Sea" cruise October 17-24, 2004.
WRITING AND READING are topics on the AvonAuthors.com website. Popular authors with new books out this month are Elizabeth Boyle, Sara Gruen, Eloisa James and Melody Thomas. The sixty plus authors on the site--including these ladies--regularly drop by their popular bulletin board to interact with readers.
SPENT A GREAT DAY with HEATHER GRAHAM last month as we visited area bookstores and she signed stock. We met after a satellite tour appearance at a TV station and national radio interview. Talk about red carpet treatment! Everywhere we went, booksellers were thrilled to see Heather, who also writes as SHANNON DRAKE, and she found the experience very inspiring and heart-warming.
THE ROBERT B. PARKER Luncheon at the Mystery Writers of America South Florida conference, Sleuthfest, was a special event for me in March. As the guest of M. DIANE VOGT, author of SIX BILLS and this month's hardcover release, MARITAL PRIVILEGE, as well as accomplished attorney and Sleuthfest program chair, I shared Diane's table and had the most interesting luncheon companions.
TWIST PHELAN sat on my right and CHRISTINA E. BOYS, Pocket Books Associate Editor, on my left. Twist (yes, her real name!) was so successful as a trial attorney that she retired in her early 30's and has spent the past few years competing in athletic events around the world. She just completed a 30-day bike trip across the U.S. and considers a 90-foot yacht currently anchored off the coast of Greece as home. Over a veggan meal, Twist revealed that one of her novels has been bought by Lifetime Television and she's busy writing film treatments. Her latest Pinnacle Peak mystery, FAMILY CLAIMS, from Poisoned Pen Press is in bookstores this month.
cheap hotels in Blackpool Christina and I had a lot to talk about, too, as I frequently deal with various editors at Pocket Books. She was lovely and I enjoyed meeting her. Oh, and, of course, Robert B. Parker! Once he started speaking, the huge room of conference attendees became quiet and he spun his magic for the next thirty minutes and shared with us that his newly-released book, BAD BUSINESS, would be number six on next day's New York Times bestseller list.
Saw BARBARA PARKER (SUSPICION OF MADNESS) in the lobby later and she invited me to her hotel suite where we sipped tea and caught up on news of family and friends. It was interesting to hear her account of a recent research trip to Cuba, especially when she started discussing her work-in-progress and how she was using this experience in her plotline. Enthralling...now I can't wait to read the book!
Now, if I'm lucky, for me April means watching a polo match and possibly attending an orchid show...
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