Only a few days left to enter to win a genuine cameo!

I love doing contests. It’s a great way to spread the word about my books, and since I do jewelry as prizes, I get to shop for sparklies. It’s a win-win for me. :}

I can’t be sure how many readers I’ve actually garnered from doing my author contests, but I love that I can reward my readers for their loyalty to me and my books. I have readers that have been signed up for my newsletter for years, and I’m always excited when the random number generator picks their number.

I have a contest for a Victorian cameo running on my website now for my latest release, my Victorian romance, MY UNFAIR LADY. (It’s an easy one to enter…I’ve posted a copy of it below.) With my RELICS OF MERLIN series, it was easy to choose the prize, since each magical relic was spelled in a specific jewel. For my new series, THE ELVEN LORDS, I wasn’t quite sure what to choose. There are no magical jewels in these books (although there are magical scepters), so I just kept thinking, what would be a perfect prize for romance readers?

Two words. Chocolate. And diamonds.

So how about chocolate diamond jewelry for prizes? Oh, yes, I had a great time shopping for those! I’m only sad that the first book in the series, THE FIRE LORD’S LOVER, isn’t scheduled for release until July 2010. But since I always do promotions months in advance, I’ll be able to start those contests after I award the winner of the cameo for MY UNFAIR LADY. Gotta love contests. :}

Warmly, Kathryne

THIRD cameo contest for MY UNFAIR LADY Help me launch the December 2009 release of my Victorian romance novel, MY UNFAIR LADY! The prize for this THIRD contest is a large handcarved Italian genuine shell cameo pendant set in precious metal. Entering is easy! Just sign up for Kathryne Kennedy's newsletter at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/KathryneKennedy/

A winner will be randomly chosen using RANDOM.ORG. Existing newsletter subscribers are automatically entered. Your information will be kept confidential. Contest ends February 28, 2010. Void where prohibited by law. You must be 18 years or older to enter. No prize substitution permitted. This contest is subject to all federal, state and local laws and regulations.

ARC cover for THE FIRE LORD'S LOVER

Squee!

Love is...

In honor of Valentine's day, I'm sharing this upcoming post I wrote for my Casablanca Authors Blog:

I write about love nearly every day. That sweeping, pulse-pounding, heart-stopping love that happens when you’ve first met your soul mate. I write about heroes and heroines who are larger than life. Who even lay down their lives for love of each other. But in real life, it isn’t very often that we’re required to make such a sacrifice. But sometimes I think what love requires of us in everyday life can be even harder and just as beautiful. It’s all those little things that truly define what love is, and so I’ve compiled my own list of examples of love, and because it’s a broad scope, I included more than romantic love.

Love is…

An eighty-year-old man who looks at his eighty-two-year old wife and says “You’re even more beautiful now than the day I met you.”

When your son gives you a hug because you’ve had a horrible day.

When you call your sister at work and tell her that your father had a stroke while on vacation and her first response is “I’ll be there in fifteen minutes. You pack, I’ll call the plane for reservations…for both of us.”

A man who follows a five-pound dog around the yard at midnight, waiting for the dog to go potty, because the little dog just had surgery and anesthesia, and might fall over and pull the stitches. (The same man who swore he’d never own a dog small enough to be carried off by a hawk.)

When your son tells you that he’s moving out, and you tell him that you’re so proud of him for being independent, and excited for the start of his new life--when all you really want to do is hold onto him, cry, and beg him not to leave.

When you ask your mother, “Isn’t he the most beautiful, smartest baby you’ve ever seen?” And your mother answers, “Yes.” And means it.

When your friend cries harder than you at your father’s funeral. For your loss.

When you stay up all night with your child because they have a fever.

When the touch of your hand makes a child feel better…no prescription required.

When you would make a deal with the devil himself to take away the pain and suffering of someone you cherish.

When you’d rather suffer the pain instead of someone you love.

That huge boulder sitting on your chest, robbing you of the ability to think or breathe, when you lose someone you love.

That contented, joyous feeling after making love to the same person for the thousandth time.

When your child says, “You look tired, Mom. Let me take care of that for you.”

A man who buys you chocolates…just to see the look of bliss on your face when you open them.

Someone you can call at any time to ask for help or advice. And always gives it.

A friend who listens to you…and never judges.

A man who says, “I don’t care what anybody else thinks. Your opinion is what matters to me.”

I’m going to stop now, only because I would like to hear what “Love is…” to you.

Warmly,
Kathryne

2010 Chocolate Affaire Book Signing Photos

Every year my local RWA chapter, Valley of the Sun, sponsors a book signing in downtown Glendale, Arizona. The Chocolate Affaire provides a fabulous weekend of music, food, crafts, games, chocolate, and a chance to meet many local romance writers with an opportunity to purchase their books. Oh, and did I mention lots of chocolate?

The city of Glendale truly treats all the authors like royalty, and Cerreta's Candy always provides us with special treats (this year, a fabulous basket full of the most delicious chocolate in the world).

My favorite thing about the book signing is meeting readers, visiting with other writer friends, and meeting new ones. So here's a few photos of some wonderful friends I'd like to share from this amazing weekend:

From L to R: Lori Combs-Graves, Yours Truly, Carolyn Hughey (our fab organizer of the event) and Patti Turner. And yes, those are chocolate covered strawberries.

The lovely Donna Hatch & Vijaya Schartz.

Valerie Bosna, our fantastic VOS President.

Judi McCoy, ready to sign, and Tina Gerow aka Cassie Ryan.

On my left is Kelly Hanzlik, and on my right is Stacy Cornell...new writer friends!

In the red is Rebecca Boschee, and in the black is Abby Irish...more new friends!

More lovely reviews for MY UNFAIR LADY...

"MY UNFAIR LADY captivates from start to finish. Wonderful humor abounds as these unlikely pair encounter one another and Summer's enthusiastic energy breaks through all conventions. Sexy yet sweet, MY UNFAIR LADY is a romance for all those readers who cherish the magic of innocence as well as the logic of the passionate heart."
http://www.bookilluminations.com/rev_my_unfair_lady.html

"I really enjoyed this book. It was a great love story about opposites attracting...I also loved the last chapter, I actually laughed out loud a few times."
http://randiromancereader.blogspot.com/2010/01/review-my-fair-unlady-by-kathryne.html

"I give this book an awesome A, and rate this book mature for 18 and up. The few sex sense in this book are quite descriptive. But enough about way I think go read the book and see for yourself just how good the book is. Happy reading!"
http://intunewithbooks.blogspot.com/2010/01/my-unfair-lady.html

Kathryne Kennedy will take you on a wonderful journey of make-over, love, and scorching romance.
http://thisbookforfree.com/?p=1247

"Neither Summer nor Monchester are cookie cutter protagonists. They both embrace their flaws, and in Summer's case, they tend to bite her in the butt...I enjoyed MY UNFAIR LADY and was firmly rooting for Monchester to win the day."
http://romancereaderatheart.com/pubsandpromos/2009/dec09/MUL_KK.html

I finished the first three chapters of THE STORM LORD’S DAUGHTER, the second book in my new Georgian fantasy romance series, THE ELVEN LORDS!

I’ll admit, after I finished THE FIRE LORD’S LOVER, I was having a difficult time with the second book. I’ve had a hell of a year, and my head and heart have been muddled with so many life-altering changes that I wasn’t sure if I could manage to write the next book…well, of course I could write it, but would it be any good? Would I fall in love with the characters and the story as strongly as I did with book one?

I struggled. I should have known better.

I made myself keep writing, and when I finished the first three chapters, I had my answer.

Oh, yes.

I decided to post this blog so that if it ever happens to me again, I can go back and read this to reassure myself. It takes those first three chapters to get to know my characters, to introduce complications that I couldn’t have thought of in the outline, because the magic of writing for me always happens when I’m in the story. When I’m living the lives of my characters, and describing the world around them.

If you’re a writer and reading this, and life is interfering with your creative process, don’t worry about it. Sit down in your chair and write. Let your talent for storytelling take over, and I promise that it will all work out. If you’re a reader, hang on to your seats, cause I’m writing you a story full of thrilling adventure, passion, and magic!

Wishing you all my best,
Kathryne

A once-in-a-blue-moon event!

I don’t often write contemporary short stories, but I had an opportunity to appear in an anthology alongside my son, and could not pass up the opportunity. As usual, my short story, SILVER RIVER, is a fantasy…although it touches the realms of science fiction and a ghost story, depending on your point of view. My son’s debut story, GARDEN OF REMEMBRANCE, can be considered a ghost story as well, although it’s meaning will go deeper than that for many. And I think my son’s story has a much better twist than mine!

I’m proud to announce this anthology, and to be right alongside my son’s first published short story. I think you will agree that, based on this debut, he has an amazing career ahead of him as a writer.

My mother and son debut, NIGHTBIRD SINGING IN THE DEAD OF NIGHT, is now available on Amazon.com here: http://www.amazon.com/Nightbird-Singing-Dead-Night-Dennis/dp/098195720X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1259957535&sr=1-1

Or at the publisher’s website here: http://nightbirdpubs.com/nightbird_anthology

I will have a few copies available for sale at the Glendale Chocolate Affaire this weekend, February 5th & 6th, where I'll be signing books from 7-9 p.m. Our booth is located at 58th Avenue and Glenn Drive, at the NE corner of Murphy Park, in front of the Civic Center Building, across from the shuttle pick up. I'll have all of my books available for sale and signing, including MY UNFAIR LADY and THE RELICS OF MERLIN series. Hope to see you there!

My Best Wishes,
Kathryne

Leave a comment on my blog today to enter to win a $10 B&N gift card!

To celebrate her back-to-back new releases, author Calista Fox is guest-blogging here today. Welcome, Calista!

Thanks for hosting me on your blog, Kathryne. I’m kicking off the New Year with back-to-back releases and some fun contests to celebrate them! In fact, I’d like to offer your blog readers the chance to win a $10 Barnes and Noble gift card. Just leave a comment on the blog—say hi, tell us your New Year’s resolutions or whatever else is on your mind. It’s that easy to win!!

THUNDER AND LIGHTNING by Calista Fox
On Sale January 29, 2010 at http://www.ellorascave.com/

My first novella of 2010 is a paranormal romantica™ titled, THUNDER AND LIGHTNING. As the name suggests, nature’s elements play a big part in the story, but in some very unexpected ways! Here’s a little about the book:

Cane McAllister is haunted by the alluring scent and exotic beauty of Savannah newcomber Bev Goitia. The rich aroma of her blood and the heat of her skin make him crave to be human, to touch her, to love her. But Cane’s curse is of his own making, for he chose to live an eternity as a vampire—and knows from experience how detrimental personal encounters with mortals can be. Tormented, Cane stalks the most desirable quarry he’s known in his two-hundred-and-twenty-seven years of existence. Desperately wanting Bev. Knowing he can never have her…

Bev has her own cross to bear. Her neighbor, Cane, is everything she’s waited for during her exceedingly long, immortal life. But he’s a mortal soul—taboo for someone gifted an extended existence by the Aztec Gods, her distant ancestors. She is also bound by the ancient spirits to keep her immortality a secret—absolutely no one can discover her true nature, or the “gift” will be revoked.

One hot, sultry, Savannah night changes Cane and Bev’s lives forever, as they give into their unrelenting passion. Their secrets are inadvertently revealed, altering both their courses, trapping them in a deadly, doomed affair. And when the sins of Cane’s past come back to haunt him, putting Bev’s newly mortal life in grave danger, Cane becomes her only hope for survival. He is forced to make the most difficult decision of his entire existence. To save her soul means to damn it for all eternity.

An exclusive excerpt is on my website at http://www.calistafox.com/!

THE PLEASURE PRINCIPLE

On Sale February 1, 2010 at http://www.eredsage.com/

My second 2010 release is a futuristic erotic romance. Han Solo and Princess Leia were never this hot! The story is set on a planet in the Andromeda Galaxy known for its mood-enhancing elements. Here’s a little bit about THE PLEASURE PRINCIPLE:

To get the legendary commander of the Protective Forces to return to an intergalactic fight, patriot Gizelle Sobera must use every power of persuasion she possesses against D.T. Vaughn—including orchestrating the ultimate three-way seduction…

The year is 3091 and blockade runner Gizelle Sobera is determined to recover the largest lost treasure in the history of three galaxies. Claiming the bounty lost on PX330 (aka the Pleasure Planet) would help to supplement the resources and provisions needed by the Protective Forces of the Milky Way Galaxy as its inhabitants fight invading forces. But the fortune has already been found and she knows exactly who has swiped the treasure from under her nose—D.T. Vaughn, a pirate who’s stolen a variety of booty from her…

An exclusive excerpt is on my website at http://www.calistafox.com/!

Visit my blog for another chance to win a Barnes and Noble gift card! http://www.calistafox.blogspot.com/

Happy 2010 everyone!

Best,
Calista

Award-winning author Calista Fox (aka Ava McKnight) began her professional fiction-writing career in 2005, following an exciting career in PR, where she specialized in writing speeches and Congressional testimonies. Her books have received rave reviews and have won contests. She is also the recipient of Romance Reviews Today’s Best Book of 2008 for its category and a Reviewer’s Choice Award for Best Sci-Fi Erotic Novella. In 2007, Calista’s paranormal romance, One Wish, helped to launch print publisher Red Sage’s e-publishing venture. She has also been invited to participate in an anthology with two New York Times bestselling authors, and her work has been featured in Playgirl magazine (Dec. ’05). Her books have been displayed in Romance Writer’s of America’s RWR magazine (various), Romantic Times Bookreviews magazine (various) and Publisher’s Weekly (various).

Calista is a college graduate with a Journalism and Communications background. She is a member of Romance Writers of America (RWA) and the Desert Rose RWA chapter. Calista divides her time between Arizona, San Diego, Mexico and various other locales in the U.S. and abroad. She has traveled the country several times over by Lear and Gulf Stream jets, always with her laptop in tow to capture exciting new story ideas, and is a spa aficionado. Visit the author at www.calistafox.com .