Tessa Dare's Blog, page 17

The making of an excerpt booklet

So my dear friend, critique partner, fellow RITA nominee, role model, and general inspiration in life, Ms. Courtney Milan, is spending her pre-RT Con weekend at the Chicago Spring Fling conference. And she took with her copies of our new excerpt booklet (You may remember that last year we joined forces to create The Dangerous Book of Excerpts, still available as a PDF download here).

Here's a pic of the new one, Highlights, snapped by SB Sarah:

Here's a peek at the back:

Even though...

Cat's out of the bag

Next week I'll be traveling to Columbus, Ohio, to attend my very first RT Booklovers' Convention, the annual reader/author event sponsored by RT Book Reviews magazine (formerly known as Romantic Times). Some months ago, I learned that my debut, Goddess of the Hunt, was nominated for an RT Reviewer's Choice award in the Best First Historical Romance category. I was so honored.

This week, RT published the full list of the nominees and winners. I was even more honored that GotH was chosen to r...

Two easy ways to do good today

The other day, my friend and fellow author Jennifer Haymore announced on her blog that she's been diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. (You may remember that I hosted a giveaway just a few weeks ago to celebrate the release of her newest book, A Touch of Scandal.) Her prognosis is good and her attitude is fantastic, but I'm sure she'd appreciate all the support, prayers, and well wishes she can get. Whether you've read her books or not, if you'd like to send a good thought her way, you c...

Can all Mondays start like this?

I woke up to a flurry of tweets informing me that Publisher's Weekly had posted a starred review of One Dance with a Duke (releasing May 25)!

[image error]One Dance with a Duke Tessa Dare Ballantine, $7.99 (416p) ISBN 978-0-345-51885-9

This standout Regency romance, the first in Dare's Stud Club trilogy, matches an unlikely heroine with an arrogant, secretive duke. Plump, plain, and poor, spinster Amelia d'Orsay is astonished when Spencer Dumarque, duke of Morland and a famously handsome and wealthy...

Identity Crisis

I need to update my bio. I've been putting this off for years now. You know, the little bio I have on my "Author" page? I wrote it late one night when I was putting together my very first basic website, when I was an unpublished author with no actual books to mention–let alone any awards or honors or other nifty bragging points. And I was a frazzled mom with a toddler and a tiny infant. Between caring for them and writing, not much else got done. So I let my bio reflect that.

While I...

In which Tessa talks contests

Firstly, winners! Thanks to all who entered the Jennifer Haymore/A Touch of Scandal giveaway! We will have four winners, since Jennifer is kicking in two extra copies. (Thanks, Jennifer!) Winners, as drawn by Random.org, are:



Liz (#9)

Liza (#14)

Peggy H (#15)

Hannah (#20)

Winners, please use the contact email form (click contact in top menu) to send me your snail mail address.

While I'm announcing winners, and since I'm still on a little high from the RITA final last week, I think I'll...

Giveaway! Jennifer Haymore's A Touch of Scandal

I am so jealous of my friend Jennifer Haymore. First, because she gets the most unbelievably beautiful, hawt stepbacks. If you're a clinch lover like I am, you must visit her website and mouse over the cover of A Touch of Scandal, so you can see this one in all its blond-hero glory.

But my envy of her doesn't end there, not by a mile. Jennifer is not only a beautiful writer, but she has a gift for creating gut-wrenching, heart-wringing, romantic scenarios for her characters. You know...

RITA finalist!

I'm thrilled to announce that Surrender of a Siren is a RITA finalist in the Regency Historical category! The RITAs are given by the Romance Writers of America to celebrate excellence in the romance genre, and the awards will be presented at the national conference this July. I'm so honored.

Putting on the happy-dance shoes!

So, this morning was pretty awesome. 

I knew it was Golden Heart and RITA "call day," and I was very glad that I'd already made plans to spend the morning volunteering in my dareling's classroom. You see, this is my 3rd or 4th year watching "call day" closely — but the first time I've ever been entered in either of the contests.  For those who may not know, the RITA and Golden Heart are nationwide contests sponsored by Romance Writers of America.  The RITA is for published romance novels...

He's no Barbara Walters…

Today, I refer you to a most unique and memorable interview. I've been interviewed by the resident were-llama at CJ Redwine's blog.

You all know the penchant I have for were-creatures, in particular ruminants. So this was great fun. And blogger CJ's husband even made me a Stud Muffin! Okay, a Stud Cupcake (even better, I say!) Check out the interview to learn the significance of that big, gold stud-emblazoned coin.

There are prizes to be won!

Oh, and the were-llama also coaxed an excerpt o...