Sarah MacLean's Blog, page 17

Redecorating!

You may have noticed that some things have changed on the blog in the last few days–we've gone from dark, musty blog to new, improved, creamy awesome website!  With clickable header links (look up)! And fancy sidebars (over there —>)!

For those of you who, like me, hate change, I think you'll find that everything you liked about the former MacLeanSpace is still here…along with some more simple navigation (and some lovely room for growth…and growth is good, right?) This website has been a long time coming–go on…click around!  Revel in the new pages!  And the lovely links!

Of course, there's nothing worse than discovering that you've spent two hours at a party with your skirt tucked into your panty hose…so if you find something that doesn't work…comment here so we can fix it, and thank you thank you for being a part of the newness!

Stay tuned…later in the week, I'll be announcing tour dates for Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke's Heart (out in only THREE WEEKS! GAH!)…at least one of which ALL of you can participate in!

One Month Until Eleven Scandals! First Page & Events!

Exactly one month to go until Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke's Heart hits stores! I'm getting that excited-but-also-nervous-OMG-I-might-be-sick feeling that is becoming tragically familiar in the weeks leading up to a book release.

BUT! I figure I've kept you all in the dark about Eleven for long enough! I mean, you know who we're dealing with…Juliana Fiori, the Italian, half-sister of Ralston (Nine Rules…) and Nick (Ten Ways…), and her Duke of Disdain, Simon Pearson, the Duke of Leighton.

As a "one month until release day" present, would you like to read the first page of the book?

In retrospect, there were four actions Miss Juliana Fiori should have reconsidered that evening.

First, she likely should have ignored the impulse to leave her sister-in-law's Autumn ball in favor of the less-cloying, better-smelling and far more poorly-lit gardens of Ralston House.

Second, she very likely should have hesitated when that same impulse propelled her deeper along the darkened paths that marked the exterior of her brother's home.

Third, she almost certainly should have returned to the house the moment she stumbled upon Lord Grabeham, deep in his cups, half-falling down, and spouting entirely ungentlemanly things.

But, she definitely should not have hit him.

It didn't matter than he had pulled her close and breathed his hot, whiskey-laden breath upon her, or that his cold, moist lips had clumsily found their way to the high arch of one cheek, or that he suggested that she might like it just as her mother had.

Ladies did not hit people.

At least, English ladies didn't.

There it is…I hope it whets your appetite!

If so, I hope you'll join me at one of the events that we've got planned for the launch of Eleven Scandals! I'll be on tour in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New York City, but for those of you who aren't in those areas, please join me and the FABULOUS Eloisa James for an online, live-streamed chat about books, romance and writing on April 27th at 5pm EST! I'm so excited about this event…I love Eloisa's books, and I can't wait to talk with her about writing and more! Mark your calendars!

LIVE ONLINE!
Wednesday, April 27, 2011, 5:00 – 6:30pm
RomanceLIVE! with New York Times Bestsellers Eloisa James & Sarah MacLean!
www.livestream.com/romance
Join Eloisa and me for a live chat…send in questions through the Avon Facebook page. We will be signing books as part of this webstreamed event! Order yours from WORD Bookstore in Brooklyn!

More events below!

NORTHAMPTON, MA
Wednesday, April 13, 2011, 4:30pm
Smith College Alumnae in Romance
Neilson Library Browsing Room
Smith College
Panel on the Romance Industry and the evolving romance genre, with Stephanie Dray, Judith Arnold, & May Chen
**Open to the public
***
NEW YORK CITY
Wednesday, April 27, 2011, 7:30pm
Eleven Scandals Launch Party
with Kieran Kramer,
author of Cloudy With A Chance of Marriage
WORD Bookstore
126 Franklin St., Brooklyn, New York
(G Train to Greenpoint Avenue)
**Ladyfingers and Champagne, anyone?
***
PROVIDENCE, RI
Friday, May 6, 2011 – 7pm
Books on the Square
471 Angell Street
(401) 331-9097
**Bring your friends for cupcakes, champagne and a girls' night out to celebrate the release of Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke's Heart!
***
NEW YORK CITY
Monday, June 27, 2011 – 7pm
Lady Jane's Salon – Special RWA Extravaganza
Madame X
94 W. Houston, New York, NY
(F, M, B or D to Broadway Lafayette)
**Reading from Eleven Scandals!
***
Tuesday, June 28, 2011 – 5:30 – 7:30pm
Romance Writers of America Annual Conference, 2011
Literacy for Life Signing!
Marriott Marquis Hotel
1535 Broadway
**Sarah will participate in the annual romance signing for RWA. Hundreds of authors will be there…don't miss this one!

One Month until Eleven Scandals! First Page & Events!

Exactly one month to go until Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke's Heart hits stores! I'm getting that excited-but-also-nervous-OMG-I-might-be-sick feeling that is beginning to be tragically familiar in the weeks leading up to a book release.



BUT! I figure I've kept you all in the dark about Eleven for long enough! I mean, you know who we're dealing with...Juliana Fiori, the Italian, half-sister of Ralston (Nine Rules...) and Nick (Ten Ways...), and her Duke of Disdain, Simon Pearson, the Duke of Leighton.



As a "one month until release day" present, would you like to read the first page of the book?

In retrospect, there were four actions Miss Juliana Fiori should have reconsidered that evening. 

First, she likely should have ignored the impulse to leave her sister-in-law's Autumn ball in favor of the less-cloying, better-smelling and far more poorly-lit gardens of Ralston House. 

Second, she very likely should have hesitated when that same impulse propelled her deeper along the darkened paths that marked the exterior of her brother's home. 

Third, she almost certainly should have returned to the house the moment she stumbled upon Lord Grabeham, deep in his cups, half-falling down, and spouting entirely ungentlemanly things. 

But, she definitely should not have hit him. 

It didn't matter than he had pulled her close and breathed his hot, whiskey-laden breath upon her, or that his cold, moist lips had clumsily found their way to the high arch of one cheek, or that he suggested that she might like it just as her mother had. 

Ladies did not hit people. 

At least, English ladies didn't.

There it is...I hope it whets your appetite!



If so, I hope you'll join me at one of the events that we've got planned for the launch of Eleven Scandals! I'll be on tour in Massachusetts, Rhode Island and New York City, but for those of you who aren't in those areas, please join me and the FABULOUS Eloisa James for an online, live-streamed chat about books, romance and writing on April 27th at 5pm EST! I'm so excited about this event...I love Eloisa's books, and I can't wait to talk with her about writing and more! Mark your calendars!



LIVE ONLINE!Wednesday, April 27, 2011, 5:00 - 6:30pm

RomanceLIVE! with New York Times Bestsellers Eloisa James & Sarah MacLean!www.livestream.com/romanceJoin Eloisa and me for a live chat...send in questions through the Avon Facebook page. We will be signing books as part of this webstreamed event! Order yours from WORD Bookstore in Brooklyn!

More events below!



NORTHAMPTON, MAWednesday, April 13, 2011, 4:30pm

Smith College Alumnae in RomanceNeilson Library Browsing RoomSmith CollegePanel on the Romance Industry and the evolving romance genre, with Stephanie Dray, Judith Arnold, & May Chen**Open to the public

***NEW YORK CITYWednesday, April 27, 2011, 7:30pm

Eleven Scandals Launch Party with Kieran Kramer,author of Cloudy With A Chance of MarriageWORD Bookstore126 Franklin St., Brooklyn, New York(G Train to Greenpoint Avenue)**Ladyfingers and Champagne, anyone?

***PROVIDENCE, RIFriday, May 6, 2011 – 7pm

Books on the Square471 Angell Street(401) 331-9097**Bring your friends for cupcakes, champagne and a girls' night out to celebrate the release of Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke's Heart!

***NEW YORK CITYMonday, June 27, 2011 - 7pm

Lady Jane's Salon - Special RWA ExtravaganzaMadame X94 W. Houston, New York, NY(F, M, B or D to Broadway Lafayette)**Reading from Eleven Scandals!

***Tuesday, June 28, 2011 - 5:30 - 7:30pmRomance Writers of America Annual Conference, 2011Literacy for Life Signing!

Marriott Marquis Hotel1535 Broadway**Sarah will participate in the annual romance signing for RWA. Hundreds of authors will be there...don't miss this one!

Great Day…RITA Best Regency finalists!

This morning, I received the wonderful news that Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake has been named a finalist for the RITA award in the "Best Regency" category. I'm thrilled, of course, and can't think of a better group of authors with whom to be nominated than this one:

Cathy Maxwell for His Christmas Pleasure 

Lauren Willig for The Mischief of the Mistletoe 

Madeline Hunter for Provocative in Pearls 

Cara Elliott for To Surrender to a Rogue 

Tessa Dare for Twice Tempted by a Rogue 

Kieran Kramer for When Harry Met Molly 

Patricia Rice for The Wicked Wyckerly

I mean, are you kidding me with this list? It's amazing! I'm still pinching myself, although the shine is already off the apple (is that a saying or did I just make that up?) in my house…because Eric has already announced that the only book that matters is the one I am writing…which is his slightly irritating and very true way of saying "get back to work!" Fair enough.

And I will get back to work. Just as soon as I offer up copies of every one of the books in this fabulous Regency category to YOU! To enter, comment below with your thoughts on the RITA nominees (in any category)…is there a book you JUST LOVED and think everyone should read? Or, maybe one you wish had made it into the list? Tell us about it, and I'll choose one winner next Friday to win all eight Best Regency nominees. Then you can impress your friends on July 1st when you know all about the winner!

**Don't forget to leave your email address so I can find you if you win!

Great Day...RITA Best Regency finalists!

This morning, I received the wonderful news that Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake has been named a finalist for the RITA award in the "Best Regency" category. I'm thrilled, of course, and can't think of a better group of authors with whom to be nominated than this one:

Cathy Maxwell for His Christmas Pleasure 

Lauren Willig for The Mischief of the Mistletoe 

Madeline Hunter for Provocative in Pearls 

Cara Elliott for To Surrender to a Rogue 

Tessa Dare for Twice Tempted by a Rogue 

Kieran Kramer for When Harry Met Molly 

Patricia Rice for The Wicked Wyckerly

I mean, are you kidding me with this list? It's amazing! I'm still pinching myself, although the shine is already off the apple (is that a saying or did I just make that up?) in my house...because Eric has already announced that the only book that matters is the one I am writing...which is his slightly irritating and very true way of saying "get back to work!" Fair enough.



And I will get back to work. Just as soon as I offer up copies of every one of the books in this fabulous Regency category to YOU! To enter, comment below with your thoughts on the RITA nominees (in any category)...is there a book you JUST LOVED and think everyone should read? Or, maybe one you wish had made it into the list? Tell us about it, and I'll choose one winner next Friday to win all eight Best Regency nominees. Then you can impress your friends on July 1st when you know all about the winner!



**Don't forget to leave your email address so I can find you if you win!

RIP Elizabeth Taylor (1932-2011)

ETA: Eloisa James, Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Lisa Kleypas, Julie James, Elizabeth Lowell, Jayne Ann Krentz, Christina Dodd, Emily March and I all had a chance to talk about Elizabeth Taylor today, sharing what she could teach us about love and romance. The answer? A whole lot. 

#livewithpassion 

Juvenile Arthritis & My Fleeting Love Affair with Baltimore

On Friday, I donned my little black dress and my cherry red Fluevogs and moussed my hair for the trip down to Baltimore, where I had the pleasure of joining the fabulous Sophia Nash to benefit the Sixth Annual Jennifer Vido Author Dinner for Juvenile Arthritis.

Every year, author and reviewer Jennifer Vido, who was diagnosed with Arthritis at the age of eight, brings two authors to Baltimore to speak with the wonderful donors and staff of the Arthritis Foundation about writing.  I was honored to be asked, and I came away from the evening so very inspired.

First, Sophia Nash is amazing...she's fun and funny and she drives a fast car. She told a beautiful story about her coming to be a writer at the insistence of her father, who never had a chance to see her first book published, but who I am certain is one very very proud papa these days.  And let's just say this...if you have to choose someone with whom to share a Maryland crabcake sometime...choose Sophia. She's so fun.

Second, I'll confess to never having thought of Juvenile Arthritis before, but after hearing Jen's amazing stories about not only her own struggles with the disease, but also those of the more than 300,000 kids living with JA now, I'm so happy to have had a chance to be a part of this fundraiser. Sophia and I helped to raise nearly $10,000 to help send kids around Maryland to a summer camp specifically for children with JA, and I'm really touched to have been asked to be there.

Now...I'll admit that since watching the first episode of The Wire, I've had a bit of an obsession with Baltimore (I mean, have you seen Dominic West read Pride & Prejudice?) But, unfortunately, Friday's trip was a quickie...down and back in six hours, and I only saw the train station and a few blocks of a neighborhood that I'm pretty sure inspired parts of Season One. That said, after spending an evening with the fabulous ladies of Baltimore, I am now determined to get myself back for a weekend.

Of course, I couldn't leave the event without getting Sophia to sign me a copy of Love With the Perfect Scoundrel , which I'm now giving away to you! Comment below and tell me the one place you've been where you feel you didn't get enough time...and I'll choose a winner on Friday for Sophia's book!

Don't forget to leave your email so I can contact you if you win! xo

Julia London's Ten Signs that Winter is Almost Over

Today, I'm so happy to turn the blog over to the fabulous Julia London, who has chosen a topic for the blog that I like very much...namely, winter's end. 

It will end, won't it? 

Julia's latest book promises that it will, so I'm going with it. 

Welcome Julia! 

A Light at Winter's End is about a conflict between two sisters and the cowboy who unwittingly wanders into the middle of it. Hannah Drake has always done everything right: getting married, having a baby, caring for her mother in her final days, all the while performing impeccably in a high-level job. Her sister Holly Fisher is the college dropout, the one who works at a coffee shop and wants to be a songwriter. Then one day perfect Hannah suddenly—without explanation—leaves her baby with Holly and disappears. Holly takes little Mason to the empty family homestead, where she can stay while she figures out how to take care of a baby and what to do with this sudden change in her life. It is there she meets Wyatt Clark, a close-mouthed, handsome cowboy who is mysteriously good with babies. And then, just as Holly can no longer imagine her life without either Mason or Wyatt, Hannah returns for her son.

Obviously, the light at the end Wyatt and Holly's winter is symbolic, but the light at the end of my winter is much more concrete. Like the rest of the nation, I am so ready for this winter to be over! I am ready for warmth and sunshine and flowers and swimming pools. Here are ten lights that tell me winter is almost over around here and spring is coming:

10. The dog starts scratching a lot more because he's been lying in the grass. 

9. Speaking of the yard, I begin to wonder who is going to clean it up. 

8. I mentally catalogue my shorts and flip flop inventory. 

7. My sister talks me into running another race, and I don't worry how cold it will be, but how humid. 

6. Meals become less of a crock pot affair and more of a salad affair. 

5. My house is suddenly covered with a thin coat of dust from the winds. 

4. I realize I am going to have more body showing and get a little frantic about gym workouts. 

3. I know about some sunscreen last summer, but where did I put it? 

2. I change my desktop wallpaper to a spring scene with flowers and sunshine and pina coladas. 

1. A Light at Winter's End goes on sale!

What's your light at winter's end? How do you know the season is really changing? One lucky commenter (chosen Friday!) gets a copy of Summer of Two Wishes , which is the story of how Wyatt came to be on that ranch in A Light at Winter's End. Don't forget to leave your email so that we can reach you if you win!

Julia London's Ten Signs that Winter is Almost Over

Today, I'm so happy to turn the blog over to the fabulous Julia London, who has chosen a topic for the blog that I like very much...namely, winter's end. 

It will end, won't it? 

Julia's latest book promises that it will, so I'm going with it. 

Welcome Julia! 

A Light at Winter's End is about a conflict between two sisters and the cowboy who unwittingly wanders into the middle of it. Hannah Drake has always done everything right: getting married, having a baby, caring for her mother in her final days, all the while performing impeccably in a high-level job. Her sister Holly Fisher is the college dropout, the one who works at a coffee shop and wants to be a songwriter. Then one day perfect Hannah suddenly—without explanation—leaves her baby with Holly and disappears. Holly takes little Mason to the empty family homestead, where she can stay while she figures out how to take care of a baby and what to do with this sudden change in her life. It is there she meets Wyatt Clark, a close-mouthed, handsome cowboy who is mysteriously good with babies. And then, just as Holly can no longer imagine her life without either Mason or Wyatt, Hannah returns for her son.

Obviously, the light at the end Wyatt and Holly's winter is symbolic, but the light at the end of my winter is much more concrete. Like the rest of the nation, I am so ready for this winter to be over! I am ready for warmth and sunshine and flowers and swimming pools. Here are ten lights that tell me winter is almost over around here and spring is coming:

10. The dog starts scratching a lot more because he's been lying in the grass. 

9. Speaking of the yard, I begin to wonder who is going to clean it up. 

8. I mentally catalogue my shorts and flip flop inventory. 

7. My sister talks me into running another race, and I don't worry how cold it will be, but how humid. 

6. Meals become less of a crock pot affair and more of a salad affair. 

5. My house is suddenly covered with a thin coat of dust from the winds. 

4. I realize I am going to have more body showing and get a little frantic about gym workouts. 

3. I know about some sunscreen last summer, but where did I put it? 

2. I change my desktop wallpaper to a spring scene with flowers and sunshine and pina coladas. 

1. A Light at Winter's End goes on sale!

What's your light at winter's end? How do you know the season is really changing? One lucky commenter (chosen Friday!) gets a copy of Summer of Two Wishes , which is the story of how Wyatt came to be on that ranch in A Light at Winter's End. Don't forget to leave your email so that we can reach you if you win!

LK Madigan

[image error] Yesterday, I heard the sad news that LK Madigan, my friend and fellow 2009 Debutante, lost her battle with pancreatic cancer. Once the announcement was made, Twitter and Facebook were on fire with thoughts and prayers...and with memories of Lisa, who was funny and talented and an incredible cheerleader for those in whom she believed.
Lisa was a proud breast cancer survivor; she'd fought and won that battle 20 years ago, and gone on to have a gorgeous son, publish two books, and live a life filled with love and laughter and happiness...which is all any of us could ever hope for. She was an inspiration to so many, in part because of these 20 years...and because of the fact that she never stopped viewing them as a gift. 
It doesn't seem fair that you battle cancer and win only to lose your battle with another form of this horrible, bitch of a disease. It seems so unfair that I want to scream and stomp my feet and pound my fists about it. Lisa was far more evolved than I, however, and there was no screaming or stamping of feet with her. She was lucky, she always said. She got to live a whole second life, filled with joy and never taking a moment for granted.
I had a good cry last night, mourning the loss of my friend--the loss of her talent, of her jokes, of her excitement every time I put out a new book (she liked the naughty bits best)--but mostly, I mourned the loss of her spirit. I don't know if she ever knew what a powerful force she was for so many of us...I suppose no one ever really knows that for sure...but she was so wonderful, and such an inspiration, and I hope she knows that now.
I miss her already.
I know that many of the readers of my blog are not YA readers, and I'd like to share Lisa's incredible talent with you. Comment below to be entered to win copies of both of her books, the incredible Flash Burnout and the lovely The Mermaid's Mirror. Enter to win before next Friday, March 4, and I'll randomly select the winner then.

In the meantime, make sure that the people who inspire you know it. Lisa would like that.