Jaci Burton's Blog, page 41

Mother Of The Groom

#1 son is getting married this summer. So I'm having to spend some time finding ye olde Mother Of The Groom dress.

Oy.

I haven't actually gone to an actual store to find the actual dress yet. Because I'm lazy. And besides, I'd like to tone up my saggy arms and get rid of all the cellulite before I go into the store and put the dress on. So what have I been doing instead? Shopping on the internet, of course! Where it's safe and no one can see me. Heh.

Anyway. Try Googling "Mother of the bride/groom dress". Go ahead. I'll wait. The images are frightening. I'm not in my 80′s and I'm not wearing those dresses. And the dresses I've found during my search are either for prom or Alexis Carrington of Dynasty (speaking of the 80′s). And since I'm not 17 nor going anywhere near shoulder pads ever again, both options are out.

I did find a designer I've fallen madly in love with, and the one dress I want really badly is not in my size in any store in the entire universe. Of course. Because that's how it always happens, doesn't it? But it's only April and the wedding isn't until July so I have plenty of time….(she says, in deep denial).

And hey, the longer I put it off the more buff my arms will be, right? Besides, I have galleys to work on.

Book News!

For those of you who read ALL SHE WANTS FOR CHRISTMAS and asked if I'd be doing stories for the other Kent brothers–Brody and Wyatt–I have news for you! The Kent brothers are back!

A RARE GIFT–Wyatt's story–will be released this December from Carina Press.

More details coming up later!

Oh, Woe is My Garden

I did a vegetable garden last year, and oh was it full of awesome. We had an early warm, wet spring, and rich soil, and we had a yield that was nothing short of awesome.

Right now my garden looks like this:

Spring has been dry as old bones. And cold. Biker Dude has been traveling, and to say we're not yet prepared to plant is the understatement of the year. He built a second garden area last fall as you can see, so we ("we" meaning him, of course) need to bring in a truck load of top soil to fill in the new garden area). We have to dig out the dead junk from last year.

But the strawberries are already coming up. And onions. And my herbs. I'll have to redistribute some of those. And I still haven't decided yet what I'm going to plant this year. Tomatoes, of course. And potatoes. Probably green peppers. Not sure what else yet. Guess I need a plan, and in a hurry.

We have a ton of work ahead of us and planting time is like…now. Yikes.

Do you plant a vegetable garden? If so, is your planting time upon you, and what are you putting in this year?

Did You Know?

Did you know there's a monthly contest on my website?

Every month I run a new contest on my site and give away books!

You can check it out here. Be sure to enter a valid email address so we can contact you to verify your address if you're the winner.

This month you could win a signed copy of Riding The Night.

Tell your friends!

Awesome Books Releasing Today!

Two of my friends have amazing books releasing today:

I love this cover. I mean really love this cover. Also have mad mad love for Lauren Dane's Federation series. If you haven't read it yet, you should get the first three books in this awesome futuristic series. MESMERIZED releases today:

When You Least Expect It…

They call him the Shadow. Andrei Solace delivers death on silent feet as an assassin for the Phantom Corps. The perfect weapon in the fight against the Imperium, he's sent to the same 'Verse he left behind as a youth.

Piper Roundtree is a mercenary prepared for anything—except for being rescued from Imperial lackeys by the man she hasn't laid eyes on in eleven years. While she remembers every mesmerizing sensation he gave her, she thought they were through. And against the backdrop of an impending war, their passion is reignited.

The girl Andrei once loved is now a fierce woman who can pilot a ship through canyons at high speeds, and drive him wild with equal abandon. As much as Andrei tries to protect her from the darkness inside him, Piper admires his skills and the code he lives by. Now the lovers must join forces—in more ways than one—to save the Known Universe before the enemy hurls it into irreversible chaos…

You can order the book here and read more about it here.

And Maya Banks SWEET POSSESSION releases today. Her Sweet series rocks my world. So hot and sexy, with alpha heroes and strong, spirited heroines. Love this series so much. Love this cover. Yum. And it's Connor! I've been waiting for Connor's book!

She's a singer who lives for the spotlight—and can't resist her adoring fans…

Outrageous and out-of-control, Lyric Jones is a spoiled pop star who lives hard and fast, always outrunning her past and the nightmares that haunt her. She's used to getting what she wants—groupies included—because she can't stand to be alone. So in bed, it's the more the merrier, even if it means closing off the deepest part of herself…

He's a hands-on bodyguard—and a one-woman man.

There is nothing Connor Malone wants to do less than babysit the celebratty songstress while she's on vacation. But part of him relishes taming Lyric and showing her what it's like to be possessed—body and soul—by one man. And though Lyric's crazy antics nearly drive Connor to the edge, his quiet intensity penetrates her defenses, leaving them both vulnerable to the secrets that could topple Lyric from the stage.

You can order the book here and read more about it here.

Both great books by amazing authors. Congrats to Lauren and Maya on their releases today! I hope you'll all head out and grab these books!

More on Operation Auction

The Operation Auction items are going up in 3 batches. Some yesterday, some today and some tomorrow. So there are tons of items going up. Keep checking…and keep bidding. It's all for a great cause , so please help spread the word about the auction!

Also, I wanted to let you know what items I have up for bid in the auction.

A signed copy of The Perfect Play – and an ARC of Changing The Game, the second book in my Play-by-Play series (releasing Aug, 2010). Click here to bid.

A chance to make a guest appearance in one of my books – either my Play-by-Play series, or my upcoming romantic suspense series releasing this fall from MIRA. Winner's choice! Click here to bid.

Lunch at the RWA Conference in New York this July with me and Maya Banks! Fun and mayhem to be had by all! Click here to bid.

There are a lot of great books, agent, editor and author critiques, lunches, phone calls, goodies and other things up for bid. And more going up tomorrow, so I hope you'll browse and bid away!

Eternal Rider & Sweet Possession Winners!

Thanks so much to everyone for entering to win Larissa Ione and Maya Banks' books!

I used random.org to select winners, and they are:

Ursula Avery for Maya Banks Sweet Possession

and

Meghan (mric883) for Larissa Ione's Eternal Rider

Ursula and Meghan, I'll be emailing you shortly!

And thanks again to everyone who's helped me in every round so far of the DABWAHA. You've all been amazing!

Operation Auction Is Live!

Operation Auction is live! The first batch went up this morning, and you can check out all the awesome items that went up for sale here

A new batch of items will also be added on the 28th, and the 29th.

There are books, editor and agent critiques, ARCs, goodies like handbags and jewelry, e-readers, lunches with authors and more.

Also, if you're going to Romantic Times convention, there's a one day auction up today to have breakfast with Angela James, Executive Editor of Carina Press, Sarah Wendell of Smart Bitches and Jane Litte of Dear Author at the RT Convention. Angela will also give away 6 digital ARCs of upcoming Carina Press books. This is a 24 hour auction only so if you're heading to RT you should definitely bid on this awesome auction. I know all 3 of these amazing women and if I were going I would bid heavily on this auction. They're insightful and wicked smart about the romance industry and also loads of fun. Click here for this auction item.

Please check out the auction items and bid for this most worthy cause.

Maya Banks & Larissa Ione Book Giveaway

Last night on Twitter I promised if I made it to the next round of the DABWAHA I'd give away Maya Banks Sweet Possession and Larissa Ione's Eternal Rider.

I made it to the next round, so it's time for me to pay up!

To be entered to win one of these books, just let me know in the comments which book you'd prefer, of if you want either one, let me know that.

I'll draw two winners on Sunday!

Rules:

Must be 18 years old or older to enter

Void where prohibited

Contest open internationally

And thanks again to everyone who voted for me in the DABWAHA! Now go vote for Shannon Stacey until Midnight Central time tonight!

Note: I'm also giving away these books on my Facebook page, so two chances to win. Here's the link!

It's DABWAHA Time Again!

It's time to vote again! This time I'm up against the amazing and awesome Eloisa James. I know many of you are fans of hers, and it might be hard to vote against her. Just close your eyes and hit the vote button. It'll be over in a second, trust me.

You can vote here from 1 p.m. Eastern until 1 a.m. Eastern today. And I truly appreciate it. I'll be sure to reward you all with something fun again should I make it to the next round!

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I wouldn't be in the third round of this fun tournament without you. You're all fierce!! xoxoxoxo