Happy sigh.Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday. No decorations (well, at least not in my house.) No presents to buy. It's all about good food and family, which, in my opinion, is what any holiday worth its seasoned salt should be about. This year we headed to D.C., where my son and his girlfriend live. Since the girlfriend works in retail, and you may recall the week of Thanksgiving is a tad busy from a retail standpoint, I said I would be happy to cook, an offer she accepted instantly. My husband and cooked like demons on Tuesday and Wednesday (Okay, I cooked like a demon; He deboned the turkey, which meant on Thursday at dawn we were able to throw everything in the car, including the turkey in a bucket full of brining water, our sleeping daughter and the dog, and be at my son's home by noon.
Dinner wasn't fancy—turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, cranberry sauce, cranberry jelly and pumpkin pie—but it was about the best Thanksgiving I've ever been a part of. My daughter says it's because it was just us. It makes me smile to think she thinks "just us" includes my son's girlfriend, who really is a most welcome member of our family. In any case, we played Parcheesi after dinner then went to see The Muppets movie. I can't imagine a lovelier evening. I hope each of you was equally blessed.
A Novel SeductionThe book's been scoring some outstanding reviews, including a starred review from Publishers Weekly. USA Today said, "This book had me smiling the whole time." Romancaholics called it "Delicious." The Reading Reviewer called it, "A laugh-out-loud romp through the romance tropes." And LovesFABromance said, "Recommended for all Outlander fans!" If you haven't already read it, here's the first chapter.
One of my favorite reviews wasn't a review of the book so much as a review of the experience of being on the receiving end of some of my book research. Please enjoy a very amusing blog post from Scott Smith, owner of East End Brewing and all-around great guy.
I was also pretty excited to find that the cover of A Novel Seduction helped inspire a Bizarro cartoon. I've always said kilts are one of the most inspiring things on earth.
New Contest(s)Diane Sallans won the beautiful Dooney & Bourke tartan wristlet. Thank you, everyone who entered. To remind us of warm weather, I'm now giving away a great pair of A Novel Seduction flip flops. Just click here. to enter. Want a second chance to win? See the giveaway under my January 7 appearance below.
We're back to book covers again. What romance icon works best for you on romance novel covers? Click here. to vote.
APPEARANCES:
PITTSBURGH -- THIS SATURDAY -- Please consider coming to the Heinz History Center's 10th Annual Book Fair this Saturday from 10 to 3 and will include over 50 authors, including me and two of my closest writer friends, Mitchell J. Kaplan and Meredith Mileti. Spend an hour here, and you'll be able to cross everyone off your holiday gift list. The event is free and they'll be handing out free hot chocolate. What more could you ask for?
PITTSBURGH -- SATURDAY, JANUARY 7 -- Please also mark your calendar for January 7. I'll be a part of Pittsburgh's newest literary happening, Women Read/Women Write [LINK to http://www.womenreadwomenwrite.com/]. It's a festival that celebrates the books women love to read. We have all the area's finest women writers (full list at the link) and even one of the area's finest male writers. Now we just need the area's finest readers! Join us for panel discussions, including one on how to break into the publishing world, free cider and a Nook giveaway. Please take a moment and like the Women Read/Women Write page [LINK to http://www.facebook.com/pages/Women-ReadWomen-Write/271131366246898?ref=ts ] on Facebook. I'll be giving away a signed copy of A Novel Seduction to one lucky liker there on December 7. If you've already liked the page, you're already entered. Lucky you!
CROSS LANES, WV – TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14 – I'll be doing an "Afternoon with a Romance Author" at the Cross Lanes Branch Library, 5449 Big Tyler Road, in Cross Lanes, WV, from 1:00 to 2:30 pm. I'll be giving a talk and signing books. The event includes light refreshments. For more information, call 304 776-5999.
Best,
Gwyn
