Laurie London's Blog, page 16

It's RT Booklovers Convention or Bust

[image error] 2010 RT Book Fair I'm on my way to the 2011 RT Booklovers Convention in Los Angeles at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel. It's my first time at RT and the first time signing my book at a big event. (Check out that pic-->) Normally, I'm not uptight at all about traveling and figuring out what to bring. But there are costume balls, dinners, reader events, book signings. And this will be the first time I'm attending a convention as an "author." What's a girl to wear?
[image error] Sweetblood Trading CardsIf you're coming to RT, I'll be doing 2 Club RT sessions: Wednesday at 2:45 and Thursday at 11:45. If you've been to a Club RT before, they're doing it a little differently this year. Several authors will be sitting at each table and you'll get a chance to talk to each of them. We'll be handing out tickets to everyone who stops by. Then, at the end of the session, they'll draw tickets for prizes. I'm bringing copies of Bonded By Blood for the giveaway and will have bookmarks and Romance Trading Cards--4 of them--for everyone who stops by to say hello.

The giant book fair is on Saturday from 11:00 - 2:00. Hundreds of authors will be on hand signing their books. It's open to the public (you don't have to be a convention goer to attend) and the cost is $5.  If you're there, please come say hello and pick up a set of Sweetblood Trading Cards. And for those of you who aren't attending, I'm going to be tweeting and facebooking as much as I can.

Also, I'm going to have candy at my signing table. Who can tell me what kind I'm bringing and why. A random correct guesser will win a set of trading cards.

Any guesses?

Sweetblood Titles

[image error] Two of the new Sweetblood stories now have titles! I got the thumbs up from my publisher to share them with you. *fans self and tries not to faint*

The novella in the holiday anthology A VAMPIRE FOR CHRISTMAS is titled Enchanted By Blood. Trace is enchanted by Charlotte...even though he doesn't want to be. Poor guy. Coming out November 2011, it's filled with hope and love plus some bad guys, a snowstorm, and some biting. Just what you need to get into the holiday spirit.

Book three, Jackson's story, is titled TEMPTED BY BLOOD, which is so totally perfect. Jackson is tempted by many things, but the most powerful temptation of all happens when he meets Arianna. Sparks fly in many many directions, completely upsetting his world. It's tentatively coming February 2012.

Confused by all these stories? Trying to keep it all straight? I'll be updating my website in the next few days, but until then, here's a list to help you out.

1. Bonded By Blood - book 1 - available now
2. Hidden By Blood - e-novella - coming June 1
3. Embraced By Blood - book 2 - coming June 21
4. Enchanted By Blood in the anthology A Vampire For Christmas - coming November 1
5. Tempted By Blood - book 3 - coming February 2012

[image error] Hard to believe that in one short year from when the Sweetblood series first hit the shelves, there will be FIVE Sweetblood stories available.

Thank you to my publisher, HQN, and thank YOU, my readers. Cupcakes for everyone!

Scavenger Hunt Contest for Sweetblood Trading Cards

The Sweetblood trading cards arrived today! I'm so pleased with how they turned out. I'll be handing them out at the RT Booklovers Convention as well as at the RWA Convention. A week ago, I ran a contest on Twitter and Facebook, so those winners will be receiving them shortly--the envelopes are going out today. However, because I'd like to give out another set, I have a goofy contest for you.
[image error] Sweetblood Trading Cards
I found an error on my website www.LaurieLondonBooks.com where I used an incorrect word (not a misspelling--hope there are none of those). Before I fix it, I thought I'd let you find it. The first person to comment here or on my Facebook author page (www.facebook.com/LaurieLondonAuthor) who gets it right, wins a set of Sweetblood trading cards.

Scavenger Hunt Hint #1: It's the title of something but it's not a blog.

Sweetblood Trading Cards - Part 2

[image error] BONDED - Front for BondedAs usual, I wasn't satisfied with the design of my original romance trading cards, especially when I started seeing what other authors were doing with theirs. Plus, I decided to do a card for each person, rather than each couple.

I kept the purple theme for Bonded, but I didn't care for it as well with Embraced, especially for the backs. (Sorry that I'm not displaying those, but since the book isn't out yet, I don't want to be too spoilerish.)  I think they look much more like fantasy trading cards, which was my goal.

So, what do you think? Do you like these versions better than the original ones I did?




[image error] BONDED - Dom
[image error] BONDED - Mackenzie

[image error] EMBRACED - Front for Both

More Good News - Another Sweetblood Story!!!

Yes, it's true! My publisher has asked me to write a short story in a holiday anthology coming out later this year called Holiday With A Vampire. I'm so excited and thrilled to be writing another short Sweetblood story!!! And not only that, but... (I'm a bit teary eyed and verklempt, so please bear with me.) ::drumroll please:: My author friend Alexis Morgan is also writing a story for the same anthology!

Break out the bubbly!!!

Can you believe it???? The same Alexis Morgan whom I mention in the acknowledgments of Bonded By Blood. She writes a vampire series for Harlequin, two paranormal series for Pocket, and a new fantasy romance series for NAL. For me to be included in an anthology with her makes me want to pinch myself to make sure I'm not dreaming.

Michele Hauf who writes tons of great vampire books will be contributing a story as well. Not long ago, I was a guest on her fun blog, VampChix, talking about vampires. What a small world! 

I've already started this new story, which stars two new characters as well as a few familiar ones. Wish me speedy fingers!

Romance Trading Cards

Romance trading cards are the brainchild of author Jeannie Lin as a fun reader giveaway for the RT Convention in Los Angeles on April 6-10 and the RWA Convention in New York on June 28-July 1. Readers can collect cards from their favorite books, series and characters, and trade them with their friends. As a reader, I love anything fun like this. As an author, I couldn't resist.

Jeannie created standard templates with different colors for each sub-genre. Some authors are using them and others are doing their own thing. I chose the simple route and used her awesome Paranormal Template.

Here are the cards I'm working on for the Sweetblood series with stats on each couple. 

[image error] RTC - BONDED Front [image error] RTC - Bonded Back [image error] RTC - Embraced Front












You'll notice I didn't show you the back of Embraced By Blood's trading card--that's because the book isn't out yet and I want some of it to be a surprise to you. :-)

Let me know what you think.

The Sweetblood World Continues - New Contract!!!

Hi Everyone, I'm thrilled to announce that my publisher, HQN Books, has bought books 3 and 4 in the Sweetblood series AND an e-novella!!!

Although I don't have firm release dates on any of them yet, the e-novella, Hidden By Blood, will be released in the next few months before book 2 comes out. It's a complete romance short story from beginning to end. You'll meet some new people and recognize some old ones. 

Book 3, as yet untitled, is Jackson's story. 

Also, I have other news in the works that I can't wait to share with you. Suffice it to say, I'm going to be verra verra busy this year.

I'll post the release dates as soon as I have confirmation. 

Thank you to my wonderful readers who have made the Sweetblood series such a success!!! This wouldn't have been possible without YOU.

Signing Books and Book Launch Party

After a whirlwind week of drive-by bookstore signings with other HQN authors Courtney Milan and Delilah Marvelle, several blog tour appearances including my first author chat, and my book launch party at Alexandria Nicole Cellars celebrating the release of BONDED BY BLOOD, I've been kicking back these past few days, working on a project that I hope I can share with you soon.

[image error] Short readingI recapped the party on my Facebook page, but here are a few photos of the festivities.


[image error] Signing books and getting hugs
[image error] With Alexis MorganDelilah stayed with me for a few days and was such a huge help with the party. She even gave away copies of ONCE UPON A SCANDAL to the first ten people to buy my book.

If you live in the Seattle area and want a signed copy, look for the ones I signed at Borders and Barnes and Noble stores...from Alderwood, U-Village, Issaquah, Redmond, Downtown, Bellevue, etc. You'll even find bookmarks tucked inside.  

Stay tuned for information on a fun contest that Courtney, Delilah, and I will be running.

Book Launch Party at Alexandria Nicole Cellars

On Thursday, February 3 at 6:30pm, I'll be celebrating the launch of my debut paranormal romance, BONDED BY BLOOD, at Alexandria Nicole Cellars in Woodinville, WA as part of their Girls Night Out event. Click here for driving directions to the Hollywood Schoolhouse.

My husband and I have been wine club members for several years and their Crawford Viognier is one of my absolute favorites. So when it came time to write the scene in BONDED where Mackenzie brings a bottle of wine to dinner at Dom's place, it was only natural that she brings their Viognier. I'm thrilled to be able to celebrate the publication of my first book with them.

When you first come in, you'll be met at the door with a tasting of the Viognier. I'll be doing a short reading and there will be prizes! There may or may not be individual copies of BONDED available for purchase--I'm still working out those details. If so, ANC will also be selling the Viognier and a copy of BONDED BY BLOOD as a bundle for a special price. And if you've already bought the book, please bring it with you and I'd be happy to sign it.

My dear friend and fellow HQN author Delilah Marvelle will be there too, helping me with everything since she's a book launch party pro. If you'd like her to sign a copy of her book(s), bring it with you too!

Because they'll be pouring tastings of several of their wines, there is a cover charge of $5 for non-members.

Girl's Night Out at Alexandria Nicole Cellars (Women Only!)6:30-9pm$5 cover for non-membersGlass pours and bottle sales availableTapas style food available for purchase from our kitchen
Hope to see you there! (My husband is grouchy because it's Ladies Only.)

~Laurie

My New Book and the Situation with Borders

Since my debut book was unleashed into the wilds on January 18 (digital version February 1), these last few days have been crazy fun. My blog tour started and I've gotten a chance to talk to lots of people who've read or are planning to read Bonded By Blood. Can I say one thing? You paranormal romance fans are the greatest! You're wacky, passionate, articulate, rabid, and persistent. (Believe me, I know. I'm one of you. Well, at least I hope I'm articulate.) And given the latest situation with Borders, I'm thankful PNR fans are persistent.

Some of you may know or have heard about Borders' precarious financial position right now. It's sad, because I love shopping in Borders. Every time I'm at Alderwood Mall (I go there a lot--I have teenagers), I stop in at Borders, rarely leaving empty-handed. I hope they can turn things around, but right now, things aren't looking good.

In the publishing world, Tuesdays are a big day for new releases. But this week, the day Bonded By Blood came out, many of the Borders stores across the country didn't get it. With the exception of a few copies of Shadowfever and Call Me Irresistible, two blockbuster hardcovers from NYT bestselling authors, none of this week's new releases are being sold in most Borders. I did hear from a friend that she found Bonded in a Pennsylvania Borders store, but people in the Midwest, South, California, and Washington State (where I live) have not been able to find it there.

When people ask about it, Borders tells them it hasn't been shipped yet (which I suppose is technically true in their case) and to check back later. The problem is, that it HAS BEEN SHIPPED. It's in all other bookstores with the exception of Borders. They're sending away people who want to read it. It's basically a lost sale. Since the first week or so is very important in a new book's life, I don't want anyone who wants to read Bonded By Blood to be turned away like this.

Borders tells me that if you go into the store and order/pay for the book, they'll ship it to the store or to your home without shipping charges. Or you can go online to to Borders and buy it there (normal shipping rates apply). However, a check of their system just now shows that the book is listed in backorder status and won't ship for 4-8 weeks. If that's really the case, who wants to wait that long for a book that's available elsewhere?

So here's what I want you to do, you persistent PNR fans who normally shop at Borders. Check with them first, but if they turn you away and tell you it's not out yet, purchase it from a competitor--because they have it. 

I've so enjoyed talking to many of you online (Facebook, Twitter, blogs, Goodreads, email) and I hope, that for those of you who have found it, you're enjoying reading the first book in the Sweetblood series.

Much love,
Laurie