Toni Blake's Blog, page 3

The Red Diary Digital Edition is Here!

[image error]The Red Diary is now available as an ebook! Toni’s very first single-title contemporary romance, originally published in 2004, has its digital re-rerelease today.

Prim and proper Lauren Ash has a secret side no one else sees – she records her sexual fantasies, in intimate detail, in a very personal book meant for her eyes only.

When hired-hand Nick Armstrong finds the red diary, he’s shocked…and aroused. Never before has he come across anything so private—or so sensual. And given the way the Ash family has hurt his, he soon begins to see this as a potent weapon for righting an old wrong. Wouldn’t it serve the haughty Lauren right if he used her own fantasies to seduce her, make her fall in love, and then break her heart?

But there’s much more to Lauren than Nick expects, and before he quite realizes it, he’s opening himself – and his heart – to her. Can Nick let go of the past and surrender to Lauren, body and soul? Read an excerpt now.

The Red Diary is available from numerous digital retailers, including Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble Nookbook, and Apple iBookstore. Toni’s print readers will be able to look forward to a print edition of the book releasing in 2013.

New York Times Bestseller Lori Foster says, “The Red Diary is a sexy, compelling romance you’ll want to savor!” and RT Book Reviews Magazine called it, “One hot story…very sweet and quite lovely.” Read more praise for The Red Diary.

Don’t forget to explore ToniBlake.com for more about Toni and her books, including information about her upcoming releases–In Your Wildest Dreams (re-release) and Half Moon Hill (The Destiny Series, Book Six).

Willow Springs is Here!

[image error]Willow Springs is now in stores! The much-anticipated fifth book in the Destiny series and follow-up to One Reckless Summer, Sugar Creek, Whisper Falls, and Holly Lane releases today. Amy Bright might be the best matchmaker in Destiny, Ohio, but she’s desperately shy when it comes to her own love life—and helpless when it comes to Logan Whitaker, the best friend whom she’s head-over-heels in love with. So Amy decides to become Logan’s secret admirer, sending him sensual love letters steamy enough to unseal their own envelopes. One letter leads to another, one thing leads to another, and then comes an unplanned kiss… So far there are six books slated to take place in Destiny, and now is the perfect time to get caught up on the series. Start now with the excerpt for Willow Springs.

Willow Springs is available at numerous booksellers and retail outlets, including Amazon (both as a paperback and on Kindle), Barnes & Noble (paperback and Nookbook) and Book Depository, which offers free worldwide shipping.  Don’t see it at your local store? Be sure to ask someone to help you find or order it.

Reviewers are loving Willow Springs so far! Publisher’s Weekly wrote in a starred review, “it’s impossible not to empathize with and cheer for Amy in this charming tale.” Romantic Times gave it 4 stars and said, “Blake hits another one out of the park with her fifth Destiny novel. Blake has a great talent for creating characters that are easy to relate to. And the romance? It’s steamy hot, with the promise of a heartwarming happily ever after.” Read more of the early praise for Willow Springs .

Don’t forget to explore ToniBlake.com for extra tidbits about the book. Enjoy recipes from the books, character profiles, and places of interest on the Destiny Series pages, and keep checking back for news on the fifth book in the Destiny series, Half Moon Hill, due out February 13.

First Look: Willow Springs—and Publisher’s Weekly Starred Review!

We’re thrilled to unveil the cover and blurb for Willow Springs, Book 5 in the Destiny Series, and the follow up to One Reckless Summer , Sugar Creek,  Whisper Falls, and Holly Lane

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This lovesick matchmaker has finally met her match…

Amy Bright might be the best matchmaker in Destiny, Ohio, but she’s desperately shy when it comes to her own love life—and helpless when it comes to Logan Whitaker, the best friend whom she’s head-over-heels in love with. So Amy decides to become Logan’s secret admirer, sending him sensual love letters steamy enough to unseal their own envelopes. One letter leads to another, one thing leads to another, and then comes an unplanned kiss…

Overcoming a tragedy from his life as a firefighter, Logan needs a friend. Thank goodness for Amy. But when a woman from Logan’s past resurfaces right as some anonymous letters send Logan’s pulse hammering, suddenly he doesn’t know what he needs—a reliable friend, or a passionate lover? One smoking-hot kiss could change everything…but will it ruin a one-of-a-kind friendship, or show Logan and Amy that they’ve already found everything they need, right here in Destiny?

Read an excerpt here.

Willow Springs has already received a starred review from Publisher’s Weekly: “[A] captivating story. It’s impossible not to empathize with and cheer for Amy in this charming tale!”

Whisper Falls releases June 26, 2012 and is available for pre-order at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Two More Destiny Books to Come!

[image error]Toni is thrilled to announce that she’s signed with Avon for two more books to follow the currently scheduled Destiny releases–Willow Springs, releasing June 26, 2012, and Half Moon Hill, releasing in February 2013.

In addition to these two heartwarming small-town contemporaries, Toni’s very first single-title contemporary romance, The Red Diary, will also be re-released by Avon. Readers can look for the ebook version to be available later this year. The Red Diary has been out of print for several years, and it holds a special place in Toni’s heart, so she’s excited to be able to share it with all the readers who’ve found her books more recently. Don’t miss any of Toni’s upcoming books–sign up for Toni’s book release reminders to be emailed when a new book is available.

As if this isn’t enough excitement, Whisper Falls has been chosen as a finalist for the Booksellers’ Best Award.  The winner will be announced at a ceremony at the RWA National Conference in Anaheim, California this July.

Anaheim will be just one stop on Toni’s summer travels. She’ll be signing at several Ohio and Kentucky bookstores in mid-July as part of a tour for Willow Springs‘ release. This weekend, she’ll be attending the Lori Foster Reader Author Get Together in West Chester, Ohio, which includes a signing open to the public on Saturday afternoon. You can get more details on where to meet Toni this summer by visiting her events page.

Happy Holidays from Toni

[image error]The holiday season is in full swing, and Toni is making the most of it. On December 3rd, she was part of a multi-author holiday signing at the Barnes & Noble in West Chester, Ohio, along with Lori Foster. Toni signed stacks of books, and there should still be some left in the store if anyone in the area is looking for a signed copy (Toni's books make great stocking stuffers!). For other stores that might still have signed copies available from the Fall…in Love book tour, check out Toni's events page.

After the signing, Toni made it out to the Cincinnati Zoo's Festival of Lights (pictured below). Between enjoying the light displays, animals, and general atmosphere, Toni managed to snap a picture of the reindeer Sophie saw in Holly Lane. You can keep up with Toni's other winter adventures on her Facebook page.

[image error]Of course, the biggest adventure of the season has been having her first Christmas book! Holly Lane released October 25th and has already gone back for a second printing. Christmas has always been a special holiday for Toni, and she's thrilled to be able to share some of her favorite holiday traditions along with another heartwarming Destiny tale. Holly Lane contains a Christmas cookie recipe that has been in her family for generations, and this and other recipes from the Destiny series are also available on Toni's web site. Her site has also recently been updated with all-new lists of the songs used in her books – including some of her holiday favorites from Holly Lane – as playlists from Amazon.

Amazon.com Widgets

2011 has been a banner year for Toni and the Destiny series – a USA Today review, Doubleday Bookclub feature, National Reader's Choice Award, FIRST Magazine mention, and book tour, to name just a few of the highlights – so it's hard to believe it's already drawing to a close. But 2012 is set to bring more great things, including the release of Destiny book five, Willow Springs (July), which will bring long-awaited romance into Amy's life.

Toni sends huge thanks to her readers for all their support this year and sends all best wishes to everyone for a delightful holiday season and a wonderful new year!

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Tour Report, Contest Winners, and More!

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Thanks to everyone who came out to support Toni for the Fall…in Love Book Tour. Toni was thrilled to be able to celebrate the release of Holly Lane by meeting so many wonderful readers and having some really fun adventures with fellow tour authors Kerrylyn Sparks and Beverly Jenkins. You can read more about the tour on Toni's Facebook page or check out photos in either her Facebook photo album or as part of the slideshow on her events page.

[image error]Toni is also excited to share that she's mentioned in Robyn Carr's newest Virgin River book, Bring Me Home for Christmas, as a favorite author of the book's heroine. What a fun honor! Bring Me Home for Christmas recently hit the #1 spot on the New York Times Bestseller List, so huge congratulations to Robyn for her achievement and many thanks for the shout out! If you haven't checked out Robyn's wonderful Virgin River series, you should.

Toni was recently interviewed on camera by Morgan of RT Book Reviews. Check out the video interview for more information on  Toni's writing background, Holly Lane, the Destiny series, and what's coming next summer in Destiny Book 5, Willow Springs.

Finally, thanks to everyone who participated in the 12 Days of Holly Lane by joining in the fun on Toni's Facebook page or sending an entry for the sweepstakes. We're excited to announce that Sue P. is the winner of a set of signed Destiny books plus a Holly Lane T-shirt. Plus we drew two additional winners to receive a signed copy of Holly Lane: Debbie H. and Melanie A. Congrats and hope you enjoy the books! Thanks to everyone else who's supported Toni and contributed to a successful release for Holly Lane!

Holly Lane is Here!

[image error]Holly Lane is now in stores! The much-anticipated fourth book in the Destiny series and follow-up to One Reckless Summer, Sugar Creek, and Whisper Falls releases today. Sue Ann Simpkins is working hard to rebuild her life and find some holiday spirit. A weekend away from Destiny in a cabin on nearby Bear Lake seems like the perfect Christmas gift to herself—until her ex's best friend, Adam Becker, shows up at the door, claiming the cabin is his! And if that's not trouble enough, how had she never noticed how gorgeous he was? So far there are six books slated to take place in Destiny, and now is the perfect time to get caught up on the series. Start now with the excerpt for Holly Lane.

Holly Lane is available at numerous booksellers and retail outlets, including Amazon (both as a paperback and on Kindle), Barnes & Noble (paperback and Nookbook) and Book Depository, which offers free worldwide shipping.  Don't see it at your local store? Be sure to ask someone to help you find or order it.

Reviewers are loving Holly Lane so far! Publisher's Weekly wrote, "Blake balances cinematic imagery (a live reindeer in the backyard) with silliness (Adam in a reindeer suit inviting Sue Ann to play "reindeer games") while tugging on readers' heartstrings like a virtuoso harpist." Romantic Times gave it 4 stars and said, "Blake does it again with a Christmas tale that will make your spirit joyful. It's a compelling read with a little depth. The realistic characters make the story a treat and the small-town feel creates an intimate reading experience. You'll be glad you took another trip to Destiny." Read more of the early praise for Holly Lane.

Don't forget to explore ToniBlake.com for extra tidbits about the book. Enjoy recipes from the books, character profiles, and places of interest on the Destiny Series pages, and keep checking back for news on the fifth book in the Destiny series, Willow Springs, due out July 2012.

Toni on Tour

[image error]As part of the release celebration for Holly Lane, Toni will be a part of Avon's Fall…in Love Book Tour next week along with authors Kerrelyn Sparks and Beverly Jenkins. If you're in the Houston, TX, Cleveland, OH, Cincinnati, OH, or Lansing, MI, area, Toni hopes you'll stop by at one of the following events to say hello:

Dinner With the Authors

Tuesday, October 25, 2011, 7:00 PM

Victor's Casa Garcia

Fry Road

Houston, TX

Visit Katybooks.com for more information, call 281-578-7770 for tickets.

Booksigning

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

7:00PM

Cuyahoga County Public Library

2111 Snow Road

Parma, OH 44134

Booksigning

Thursday, October 27, 2011

7:00PM

Barnes & Noble Booksellers

9455 Civic Centre Blvd

West Chester, OH 45069

Booksigning

Sunday, October 30, 2011

3:00PM

Schuler Books & Music

2820 Towne Centre Blvd

Lansing, MI 48912

Celebrate the 12 Days of Holly Lane!

[image error]On the twelfth day of Holly Lane, Toni Blake gave to me… A peek at her upcoming release! That's right, it's less than two week till the release of the fourth book in the Destiny series, Holly Lane, and we're celebrating by hosting the 12 Days of Holly Lane on Toni's Facebook page. Toni will help you count down the days – and survive the wait – by posting a little tidbit each day on some of the fun, Christmasy things you can expect from the book.

As part of the celebration we're also having a 12 Days of Holly Lane sweepstakes, in which we'll offer a set of all four signed Destiny books and a Holly Lane T-shirt. To enter, just email your  name, mailing address and what you're most looking forward to this holiday season to toniblakecontests@gmail.com. The sweepstakes will close Tuesday, October 25 at midnight EST, so remember to get your entries in before then!

First Look: Holly Lane—and Publisher’s Weekly Review

We’re thrilled to unveil the cover and blurb for Holly Lane, Book 4 in the Destiny Series, and the follow up to One Reckless Summer , Sugar Creek, and Whisper Falls.

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The weather outside is frightful, but kisses by the fire are so delightful …

Sue Ann Simpkins is working hard to rebuild her life and find some holiday spirit. A weekend away from Destiny in a cabin on nearby Bear Lake seems like the perfect Christmas gift to herself—until her ex’s best friend, Adam Becker, shows up at the door, claiming the cabin is his! And if that’s not trouble enough, how had she never noticed how gorgeous he was?

Alone for the holidays and forced to play a reindeer at the local department store, Adam’s been feeling rather Scrooge-ish himself. But finding the smart, sexy woman he’s admired since elementary school waiting in the house he rented is helping to brighten his humbug mood. And when a sudden snowstorm strands them together in very close quarters, leading to one very hot night together, Adam soon realizes that what he really wants for Christmas is a second chance at love. Now all he has to do is convince Sue Ann…

Read an excerpt here.

Holly Lane has already received a glowing review from Publisher’s Weekly: “Blake balances cinematic imagery (a live reindeer in the backyard) with silliness (Adam in a reindeer suit inviting Sue Ann to play “reindeer games”) while tugging on readers’ heartstrings like a virtuoso harper.”

Holly Lane releases October 25, 2011 and is available for pre-order at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.