Lories Published Author Contest

Hey all,

One of my RWA chapters, From the Heart, is running a contest for published authors. Check out all the info below. This is a great way for authors to get their work out in front of news readers. Not to mention the possibility of winning an RWA/RT conference fee!

Natasha

******Permission to forward is granted and encouraged******

2008 Published Author Contest
The Lories Best Published Contest and The Lories Best Proposal Contest
http://fthrw.com/contest
Contact the coordinator, Denise Pattison at lories@fthrw.com

Best Published--Grand prize--Conference fee! Or a cash prize of $200!
Best Proposal--Grand prize--RWR ad! Or a cash prize of $100!

***New this year, readers will be the judges. The people who
read romance books will be judging your published book. How much
better can you do than to be judged by your target readers?

Final judge--Debbie Meredith, Romance Manager for an independent
bookstore
called The Bookstore which has been in business for over 30 years.

***New--a bit of a sale for you!
Discounts offered this year: Second, third, fourth etc. entries are
all discounted $5. You can enter the best proposal, pay the fee and
get $5 off when you enter the best published.

Best published fees:
FTH member--first book $20, second, third, fourth, etc. $15
RWA member--first book $25, second third, fourth, etc. $20
Not a member--first book $30, second, third, fourth, etc. $25

Best proposal fees:
FTH member--first proposal $15, second, third, fourth, etc. $10
RWA member--first proposal $20, second, third, fourth, etc. $15
Not a member--first proposal $25, second, third, fourth, etc. $20

Example:
FTH member enters first book for $20 and a proposal--the proposal
would be $10. Or enters first proposal for $15 and a book--the book
would be $15.
RWA member first book for $25 and a proposal--the proposal would be
$15. Or enters first proposal for $20 and a book--the book would be
$20.
Not a member first book for $30 and a proposal--the proposal would be
$20. Or enters first proposal for $25 and a book--the book would be
$25.

Final judges, will consist of six industry professionals:
Leis Pderson, Editor, Berkley Publishing Group
Lori Graham, Senior Editor, Wild Rose Press
Caren Johnson, Agent, Johnson Literary Agency
2nd Agent--TBA
1 published reader--TBA
1 bookseller/librarian--TBA

Open to authors published in romantic fiction in both print or
electronically. FTHRW considers all published books, regardless of
RWA recognition, as eligible.

Categories:
Contemporary
Historical
Mainstream with romantic elements
Paranormal
Romantic suspense
Short story/novella
Single title (low on entries)
Steamy/erotica
Entry deadline is February 16th.

Come on over to our website and check out all the details.
http://fthrw.com/contest

Get your book(s) into the hands of readers who may not have
discovered your fantastic writing yet.

If you have any questions at all, please contact Denise Pattison at
lories@fthrw.com. She'll be more than happy to answer any questions
you may have.

Thanks,
Denise Pattison
2008 Lories Best Published Contest Coordinator
2008 Lories Best Proposal Contest Coordinator
Editor, Words From The Heart

******Permission to forward is granted and encouraged******

Ghosts and Curses and Pirates, Oh My!

Today's post is at Passionate Prose. Stop by and leave a comment. What's your favorite pirate or ghost story?

Natasha

Charity Silent Auction at Romantic Inks

Did Santa leave you cold? Romantic Inks has just the thing to warm you up!

RI is going to help send some lucky aspiring author to the 2008 RWA Conference and we’re looking for your support! For our Silent Auction we’re offering fabulous books including books from many genres, critiques from authors who will make your toes curl, web designs and even promotional space. Take a look at the list we have…
Romantic Inks Auction

Bidding begins January 20th!

** Permission to forward **

Hey, check it out!

Natasha

Quinn's Curse is Coming Soon

Quinn's Curse is on the Coming Soon page at eRed Sage!! Whoo Hoo! February will be here soon!

Here's an excerpt to tempt you:

The moon was high in the sky when Quinn visited her bedroom again. He was usually content to stand by her side and watch her for hours, what else did he have to do with his time? Some nights she was restless, tangling her long legs around the bedclothes, leaving him hard and panting. Tonight she lay still in her bed, barely moving, an angel in white linen and moonlight.
Miranda. He whispered her name and it sounded like music on the cool air blowing the gauzy white curtain at the window. A beautiful name for a beautiful woman.
Quinn stepped up to the bed. She rested on her side, her long lashes lying like feathers along her smooth skin. Dark curls tumbled around her head and a stray strand lay across her cheek. He hesitantly reached out and brushed the curl away. Of course, he brushed her soft cheek in the process. How could he not? Luckily, he didn’t awaken her. She would certainly be frightened to wake to invisible hands touching her.
Encouraged, he sank his fingers into her silky hair, letting the soft strands sift through his fingers like the warm Caribbean sand. Her soft, clean scent rose up, surrounding him with feminine smells he’d almost forgotten existed. He was nearly overwhelmed by the sensations he’d been without for so long now. A sigh escaped his lips.
He couldn’t stop himself from drawing his hand down through her hair and then stroking her soft face. When she smiled and leaned her cheek into the palm of his hand, he caught his breath. A warmth like he never remembered washed over him. How long it had been since someone had smiled at him? How long since they’d cherished his touch?
When she still didn’t stir, he became bolder. His needs grew stronger. His heart beat sped up and his cock stirred. He traced her jaw with his finger, catching her pulse at the soft spot where her jaw met her throat. His touch lingered there for a moment, feeling her life beat beneath his fingers.
After a long moment, he left her slender throat and brushed his fingers across her sleek shoulder. Her skin was so warm, so smooth, he could spend ages stroking her, exploring her bare skin. She shifted then, and he snatched his hand away.
He stood there, looking down on her, his heart pounding like he’d been caught snatching some bread from an unsuspecting shopkeeper. Her eyes remained closed as she rolled onto her back and reached out to him. And now what should he do? If he went to her would she awaken? How would he ever explain to her why she could hear him and feel him but not see him? He couldn’t explain it himself.
“Kiss me,” she murmured in a voice so soft and needy that Quinn couldn’t resist.

Quinn's Curse releases in February!

Natasha

Keeping Track

Today's post is at Passionate Prose.

Happy New Year!
Natasha