Toni Blake's Blog, page 4

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.

Whisper Falls in First Magazine

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Toni is thrilled to share that Whisper Falls is in the September 19 issue of First magazine. Whisper Falls is featured on page 110 as one of their editors' reading picks. Editor Krista Winston calls it, "a story of getting what you really need from life rather than getting what you think you want".

Find it now at your local checkout counter, and look for more information about the next book in the Destiny series, Holly Lane, coming soon.

Sugar Creek wins the National Readers’ Choice Award

Toni is thrilled to announce that Sugar Creek won the 2010 National Readers’ Choice Award in the Single Title category. The award was presented by the Oklahoma RWA and presented at the RWA National Conference in New York City at the end of June. [image error]

Toni had a fun and busy RWA conference this year, signing at multiple book signings (thanks to all the readers who stopped by to say hello), participating in a workshop panel, and enjoying New York City in style, including attending Avon’s party at the Central Park boathouse. You can hear more about Toni’s conference experiences and view pictures at her Facebook page.

Another conference highlight for Toni was presenting the award for Best Romance Novella at the RITA ceremony – the Oscars of the romance world. You can see Toni’s presentation of the award to Virgina Kantra in this video:

Also enjoy this video Toni made at conference with some of her small-town author friends:

Now that conference is over, Toni is back writing Destiny book five. Holly Lane, book four, is right around the corner, so watch for more information on it coming soon.

Sugar Creek wins the National Readers' Choice Award

Toni is thrilled to announce that Sugar Creek won the 2010 National Readers' Choice Award in the Single Title category. The award was presented by the Oklahoma RWA and presented at the RWA National Conference in New York City at the end of June. [image error]

Toni had a fun and busy RWA conference this year, signing at multiple book signings (thanks to all the readers who stopped by to say hello), participating in a workshop panel, and enjoying New York City in style, including attending Avon's party at the Central Park boathouse. You can hear more about Toni's conference experiences and view pictures at her Facebook page.

Another conference highlight for Toni was presenting the award for Best Romance Novella at the RITA ceremony – the Oscars of the romance world. You can see Toni's presentation of the award to Virgina Kantra in this video:

Also enjoy this video Toni made at conference with some of her small-town author friends:

Now that conference is over, Toni is back writing Destiny book five. Holly Lane, book four, is right around the corner, so watch for more information on it coming soon.

Celebrate Summer with $2.99 Destiny eBooks

[image error]Digital readers have a chance to start their summer off right–One Reckless Summer and Whisper Falls are currently discounted on Kindle and Nook for just $2.99 each. This is the perfect time to enjoy a quaint, small-town summer in Destiny, and a great chance to catch up on the series, fill out your digital Toni Blake backlist, or share the series with a friend using Kindle's Give as a Gift feature. This special pricing is for a limited time, so be sure to pick up the books while it lasts.

One Reckless Summer: $2.99 on Kindle Nook

Whisper Falls: $2.99 on Kindle Nook

This is a great cap to an exciting and fun-filled couple of weeks for Toni. In May, she took a long-awaited trip to England. Highlights included staying in the same room in Thornberry Castle that once hosted Henry VIII and Anne Boelyn, and a sighting of the Queen. This past weekend, she was part of the Lori Foster Reader and Author Get Together, where she enjoyed catching up with reader and author friends. You can see pictures from both England and the Get Together on her Facebook page, and if you haven't liked Toni's page yet, be sure to do so to get all the latest updates about her activities and her books.

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Toni also has a busy summer ahead. She's be attending the RWA National Conference in New York City this summer, where Sugar Creek is up for a National Readers' Choice Award and Toni will be part of the RITA Ceremony as a presenter in the Best Novella category. As part of the conference, Toni will also be participating in the 2011 Readers for Life Literacy Signing on Tuesday, June 28th from 5:30 to 7:30 at the New York Marriott Marquis in TImes Square. If you're attending the conference or live in the area, be sure to stop by to say hello to Toni and the dozens of other authors participating.

Sugar Creek is a National Readers' Choice Award Finalist!

[image error]Great news! Sugar Creek has been chosen as a finalist in the Single Title category of the OKRWA's National Readers' Choice Award. It's a particular honor to be chosen by the book's true audience…devoted romance readers! The results of the award will be announced at a reception at the RWA National conference in New York City this summer, where Toni will be in attendance.

The RWA National Conference has even more in store for Toni – she's been asked to be a presenter at the RITA awards – the Oscars of the romance industry – in the Novella category. A huge fan of awards shows and red carpets, Toni is thrilled to be a part of this ceremony. Wait till you see her dress!

In other news for Sugar Creek, the Cover Cafe's Annual Cover Contest takes place this month, and Sugar Creek's gorgeous cover is a nominee in the Contemporary category. There are a number of beautiful covers in the various categories, so get out there and vote for your favorites. The contest runs for the entire month of May and you have to vote in at least three categories for you vote to count. Thanks for your support!

Whisper Falls reviewed in USA Today!

[image error]Whisper Falls received a glowing review from USA Today! Book critic Deirdre Donahue writes, "Whisper Falls will leave you breathless. You start this novel, and nothing will stop you until you finish. As in her previous two novels, One Reckless Summer and Sugar Creek, Blake skillfully combines emotional tension, Midwestern values, mystery … and, of course, smokin' hot sex scenes … delicious …" Read the entire review here and check out more reviews on the Whisper Falls page of my site.

Whisper Falls is also up for Book of the Year at The Long and the Short of It. Whisper Falls was voted Book of the Week back when it released, so it's exciting to have it up for a second honor from this site. Be sure to check out the poll and vote for your favorite.

The gorgeous cover of Sugar Creek is also getting some attention. It took fourth place in the Single Title/Mainstream category of the Houston Bay Area RWA's Judge a Book By Its Cover competition. And its been named a finalist in the Contemporary category of the Dunes & Dreams Romance Writers' Picture Perfect contest.

Whisper Falls Featured by Doubleday Book Club

[image error] What an exciting surprise! Whisper Falls, along with Sugar Creek, is featured on the Doubleday Book Club envelope for January.

And equally as delightful, USA Today book critic revealed herself to be a fan of the Destiny series, and called Whisper Falls "a true enemy of productivity – my highest prize. I loved Sugar Creek but this Romo brother tale is even better and more moving." More and more great reviews for Whisper Falls are coming in–be sure to check the reviews section of the page for more details.

If you haven't picked up Whisper Falls yet,  you can find it at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Borders, as well as select and Walmart locations.

Also, don't forget to visit the contest page of ToniBlake.com to enter for a chance to win a Destiny prize pack. The current contest ends January 31.

And beginning January 31, at the end of each month, one of the members of Toni's Facebook Fan Page will receive a signed book from her backlist. The winner will be drawn randomly from those who've liked Toni's page. If you haven't already, just click Like at the top of Toni's Facebook page, and you'll automatically be eligible for all of these future drawings.

Whisper Falls is Here!

[image error]Whisper Falls is now in stores! The much-anticipated third book in the Destiny series and follow-up to One Reckless Summer and Sugar Creek releases today. Tessa Sheridan came crawling back to Destiny, Ohio after her big city interior design career crumbled, never expecting to find a bad boy biker next door–with a dark, secret past. When Lucky Romo invites Tessa into his world, the heat sparking between them is downright dangerous. 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 Whisper Falls.

Whisper Falls is available at numerous booksellers and retail outlets, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Borders. Don't see it at your local store? Be sure to ask someone to help you find or order it.

Reviewers are loving Whisper Falls so far! Romantic Times gave it 4 stars and said, "Sparks definitely fly and secrets are discovered in the latest Destiny, Ohio, novel. You'd think the bad boy/girl-next-door relationship would get tired, but Blake keeps things interesting and her characters are both heartwarming and touching." Whisper Falls also received a Best Book rating from Long and Short Reviews that called it "A powerful love story about redemption (and) living life to the fullest … a deeply emotional novel that tugs at the heartstrings. Tessa's realization that Lucky loves her is the most incredibly touching, heartwarming, and unique scene I have ever read." Read more of the early praise for Whisper Falls.

Don't forget to explore ToniBlake.com for extra tidbits about the book. Enjoy recipes from the books and a cat gallery on the new Destiny Series pages, search out Fun Finds for some behind-the-scenes info on hero Lucky Romo, and keep checking back for news on the fourth book in the Destiny series, Holly Lane, due out November 2011.

Happy Holidays from Toni Blake

[image error]While the rest of you have been decking halls and trimming trees, I've been busy putting the finishing touches on Destiny Book 4, HOLLY LANE. And just in case the title didn't tip you off, it's a Christmas story – which I'm super excited about! Think snowbound cabin, hot chocolate, sleigh rides, and lots of snuggling (and more, of course!) next to the fireplace. HOLLY LANE will be out next November, in plenty of time for holiday reading, so mark your calendars. (Or just sign up for my book release announcements. : ) )

[image error]In addition to working on HOLLY LANE, I've been busy in lots of other ways lately, too. I have squeezed in a little tree trimming, along with some holiday baking, get-togethers with friends, and even a couple of booksignings. In mid-November, I met up with good friend Lori Armstrong/Lorelei James for a signing in Lexington, Kentucky. And earlier this month, I took part in a large group holiday-themed booksigning in Cincinnati, where I got to catch up with author buddy Lori Foster among others.

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Of course, the REALLY big news is that Destiny Book 3, WHISPER FALLS, comes out on December 28, so the countdown is officially on. And though it will be a few days too late for stocking stuffing, it'll be right on time for all those bookstore gift cards you'll be getting for Christmas! : ) [image error]To add to the countdown fun, on December 16 I'll be starting "The 12 Days of WHISPER FALLS" on my Facebook page, where each day right up to the book's release I'll be sharing tidbits or fun facts about Tessa and Lucky's story. So if you haven't already clicked the Like button on my page, now's the time! Tessa's story is near and dear to my heart, and Lucky is probably the baddest bad boy I've ever written, so I'm thrilled the time has come for this book to hit the shelves.

Meanwhile, I thank you all for your interest in my books and I wish you all a very happy holiday season! Merry Christmas, and may Santa leave lots of books in your stocking!