Not forking out the dough for the RWA Conference this year, with evening wear, suits, high heels and whatever “business casual” means?

Not to worry! Romance Divas is hosting the

Not Going to Conference Conference…

The Conference You Don’t Have to Get Out of Bed For!

From July 28-31, come hang out with some terrific, savvy authors — and you don’t even have to brush your teeth (although, seriously, good dental hygiene gets you extra points.)

We’ll be hosting panels on:

The Power of Three: A crit group tell-all (Paranormal)

Crystal Jordan

Patti O’Shea

Dayna Hart/Rowan Larke

The Lolitas of STEAMED! Present Writing the Steampunk Romance -more than leather corsets and brass goggles!

Marie-Claude Bourque

Theresa Meyers

Whips, Chains, Slings, Oh My: It Really Isn’t About the Toys (BDSM Erotica)

James Buchanan

Joey Hill

The Great Big YA Panel

Rhonda Stapleton

Shannon Delany

Kiersten White

Carrie Ryan

Linda Gerber

Saundra Mitchell

Lara Zielin

Brenna Yovanoff

Register for free at Romance Divas, then come join us on the forums for the discussions, as well as some terrific prizes:
Eden Bradley/Eve Berlin:
1) erotic e-books, THE SEEKING KISS and TEMPT ME TWICE.
2) a synopsis critique in any sub-genre of erotica/erotic romance.
Jax Cassidy:
1) erotic e-books, DEVIL’S HEART and BRUSH STROKES.
2) book cover design or banner ad
Kristen Painter:
copy of her e-book, ALL FIRED UP
Rhonda Stapleton:
1) STUPID CUPID YA Book trilogy
2) a proposal critique (1st 3 chapters and synopsis) for any genre of book, romance or not
K.B. Alan:
1) The choice of one of her e-books: PERFECT FORMATION, ALPHA TURNED or BOUND BY SUNLIGHT.
2) A $25 Barnes and Noble gift card.
Robin L. Rotham: Signed copies of BIG TEMPTATION, ALIEN OVERNIGHT, and ENEMY OVERNIGHT
AJ Chase: copies of e-book CAT AND MOUSE
Inez Kelly:
1) e-book package of both MYLA BY MOONLIGHT and SALOME AT SUNRISE
2) The complete Dirty Laundry Series (3 e-novellas) co-written by Ginny Glass aka Wordsugar and Inez Kelley
Kate Pearce:
1) a three chapter ~and~ synopsis critique-any erotic romance, paranormal romance or historical romance.
2) Winners choice, in either print or e-book format (if available), of a set of the Simply series (there are 5) ~or~ a set of the Cowboys (there are 3) ~or~ a copy of KISS OF THE ROSE-readers choice.
R.G. Alexander:
Winners choice of any two e-books from her Samhain or Ellora’s Cave back list
Nadia Lee:
Critique of 1st chapter & synopsis-paranormal or contemporary romance
Shelley Munro: Winners choice of any one her backlist books from Ellora’s Cave or Cerridwen Press
Ciar Cullen: Winner’s choice of any one e-book on her website.
Voirey Linger: A copy of her e-book RISKING ETERNITY
RF Long:
1) a submission package critique (letter, synopsis and 3 chapters)
2) e-books! (details TBA)
Crystal Jordan:
1) 1st chapter and synopsis critique
2) One copy of any e-book off her Samhain backlist (http://samhainpublis…/crystal-jordan)
3) One copy of IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT (print or electronic, winner’s choice)
Jeannie Lin:
1) a first chapter critique, any genre
2) an official BUTTERFLY SWORDS souvenir charm
Elise Logan: Winner’s choice of any e-book from her backlist
Marguerite Labbe:
1) A critique of an m/m story
2) Signed copies of her m/m vampire trilogy MY HEART IS WITHIN YOU, HAUNTED BY YOUR SOUL and OUR SACRED BALANCE
Seeley DeBorn:
One jar of home made body or face scrub, customized to the winner’s preferences and skin type.
For example: Orange Spice Oatmeal, Coffee-Cocoa, Citrus Salt, Lavender Mint, Honey and Flax
Sela Carsen: a copy of her e-book CAROLINA WOLF
Hailey Edwards:
1) a copy of her sweet fantasy romance ebook, EVERLONG.
2) two five dollar MBaM gift cards
Charlotte McClain:
Copy of her two e-books, LOVE TO DECLARE and ROCK STAR’S RETREAT
Cynthia Justlin: (Golden Heart Finalist!) Proposal Critique (3 Chapters and synopsis)-any genre other than erotic
Lainey Bancroft:
1) signed copies of her contemporary romance, THE TROUBLE WITH TESSA and her chick lit romance COZUMEL KARMA
2) Proposal critique (3 chapters and a synopsis) any genre except Steampunk
Tina Burns-Publisher-Liquid Silver Books:
1) a critique of 1st 3 chapters & synopsis
2) 3 be-book prizes for 3 different winners! Winners choice of any one e-book download from LSB library.
Mima:
Winner’s choice of one e-book from her backlist-see her website for booklist.
Taneasha: handmade jewelry by our own Taneasha-details to come!
Barbara Sheridan:
1) Winners choice of one e-book from her backlist-see her website for booklist.
2) Critique of up to 20 pages of either M/M, or M/F romance or erotic romance in various subgenres (contemporary, historical, paranormal or suspense/mystery)
David Bridger:
A copy of his ebook BEAUTY AND THE BASTARD
Victoria Janssen:
3 print books TBA (whatever she finds at the RWA Conference)
Gemma Halliday:
Signed copy of SCANDAL SHEET
Jennifer Leeland/Jennifer McKenzie:
1) copy of her e-book MARKED FOR PLEASURE (Kindle version available upon request)
2) copy of her e-book MARKED FOR DESIRE (Releasing June 29th) (Kindle version available upon request)
3) copy of her e-books The Command Series (Trilogy)
4)copy of her BDSM e-book series (3 from TWRP and 1 from Samhain)
Emily Ryan-Davis:
1) Critique of novella-length (up to 30k) manuscript; any time period, m/f, menage, f/f (m/m not her area of expertise)
2) signed print copies of her anthology: MATING CALL, DRAGON DANCE and DRAGON BOUND
3) e-book copy of CHANGING THUMBELINA
Sabrina Darby:
1) Signed copy of her erotic historical novel, ON THESE SILKEN SHEETS
2) Critique of first thirty pages of any Regency (erotic or non erotic fine, but m/m outside my area of expertise)
Alina Morgan:
1) copy of her e-book The Twilight Deception
2) copy of her e-book The Shadow Unveiled
Debbie Mumford:
1) Critique of a synopsis
2) Winner’s choice of any e-book from her back list.
Kimberly Troutte:
1) copy of her e-book SOUL STEALER
2) copy of her e-book CATCH ME IN CASTILE
Sasha Devlin:
1 pair of hand made writing mitts or gloves-style and color TBD by the winner
Julia Knight
Winner’s choice of one copy of any of her books available in e-book format

and from me a print copy of Inheritance

When Chase Taylor’s grandmother passes away she inherits the exclusive home their family calls ‘the beach house’. Only there’s a catch. She has to live in it for six months with Reece Weston, a man she’d never met until the reading of the will.

Is he a scam artist? Or will love turn out to be the best inheritance of all?

Inheritance was first released back in 2007 with an epublisher that closed its doors in December 2008. This new release has been re-edited and updated. See the reviews for Inheritance HERE.

For only $1.29 you can enjoy a story that CTR called “…an outstanding love story” and that Linda at FAR gave 5 Angels to saying “I absolutely loved this story…”

If you read it, I’d love to hear what you think.

Today I made a decision about something that was completely the opposite of how I ever imagined myself making the decision. I’m not going to go into it too many of the details, but sufficed to say it’s a moment I thought would make me completely jubilant and be the start of something big for me as a writer.

It’s funny how you can imagine these things in your head a million times and yet when the reality comes it is so different. Almost like when you were hoping your man would propose to you, but it wasn’t the way you dreamed or by the time it comes, you’ve already realised he wasn’t the man for you.

Well, thankfully, my man and I are just fine (and have been married 12 years in September) so that’s not an issue here.

But, for me, it was along those lines of a big life/career decision and I wonder if I’ve done the right thing. I’ve spent the last week reviewing different things and it really came down to just a niggle. When I’ve ignored those niggles before I’ve regretted it. 9 times out of 10 when I follow them, I find out I’ve done the right thing.

I certainly hope this isn’t the 1 out of 10 that’s wrong.

In honour of ESPAN’s Page One contest (which I am ineligible to enter because of my position at ESPAN) I thought I’d share with you the first five lines that finaled in Jennifer Haymore’s contest, along with the next few paragraphs. The purpose of the Page One contest is to see if you can catch an editor and/or agent’s eye in just one page (max 250 words).

The rain fell down in a torrent—a staccato drip and splash were indicative of the overflowing gutter right above the window. Kaity watched as the water made a hole in the dirt of the window box and splashed mud up on the glass. She gripped her coffee mug tighter, trying to make its warmth penetrate her cold fingers. She was always cold these days. And always watching out the window–looking for someone who would never come.

“Mommy? Please don’t cry anymore.” Small arms wound around one of her legs, holding tight.

Kaity hadn’t even realised she was crying. She swiped at her eyes with one hand and looked down at the small figure attached to her. Putting her mug on the counter, she bent down to pick up the the little girl. “Hey Princess. You’re supposed to be in bed.”

“The rain scared me. I don’t like it.” Charli’s lips trembled as she spoke. She ducked her head into the crook of Kaity’s neck.

Kaity snuggled Charli closer in her arms, and climbed the stairs to her daughter’s bedroom. “Mommy will stay with you until you go to sleep, ok?”

So a couple of weeks ago I entered Jennifer Haymore’s New Beginnings contest, because I really like her. OK, I won’t lie, I really wanted to win (although I really do like her), but there were a ton of great entries. Therefore, I was completely caught off guard that I was chosen as one of the first week semi-finalists, along with some other fab writers.

I was quite happy with my little victory until I got the email advising what the next step was. I needed to send the first chapter–no problem–and… *Cue Jaws theme*… a SYNOPSIS! A synopsis? Really? Where’s the fine print? OK, well I don’t have to but, apparently, that will make it easier for the judges to come to a finalist decision.

But, but, but… synopses make my head

On the other hand, anything that makes it easier for the judges to think my work is better should be a good thing. In theory. So I am valiantly working on a synopsis. Or I will be. As soon as I get the words out of my head and onto the page.