OPERATION eBOOK DROP

What is it?

It was originally conceived when an author on the Kindleboards saw a message from a deployed troop member saying that Amazon's Whispernet for Kindle doesn't work overseas. The author sent the troop his book for free by email and the idea was born, and grew. He now collects names of deployed troops who would like to receive eBooks and he has shared his list with us to forward to any ARe author who would like to donate eBooks.

What can you do?

eBooks from ARe can be downloaded by anyone! with an internet connection. If you would like to donate eBooks to a troop member, either your personal eBooks or a gift certificate for the book of their choice, we have set up an easy system that will help you. Here are the 2 ways you can give to the troops.

1 - ARe authors can now purchase codes for their eBooks and send those codes to military personnel who can then download the prepaid eBooks.
To get the codes, authors need to go to the Publisher/Author page on the All Romance eBooks site. Those already registered with an Author Login can sign in to "manage booksigning events". Those who need to register for an Author Login can do so there. (A customer account is different from an author account.) Once signed in, select "Booksigning Events", then "Operation eBook Drop" where your eBook codes can be ordered and paid for to be dist! ributed by you to the military. Once you have your codes, contact cat.johnson@allromanceebooks.com for the troop email list. Then select a member off the list and send the download code to your book to them directly.

2 - Purchase eBook Bucks and ARe will send them to the recipient of your choice.
Do you want to give back to the troops but prefer if they choose the eBooks they will receive themselves? Go to http://www.allromanceebooks.com/store_credits.html and purchase eBooks Bucks. Contact cat.johnson@allromanceebooks.com for the troop email list, enter the email address of the member you'd like to send the eBook Bucks too and they'll receive an email from us with instructions on how to download their eBooks.

I strongly recommend making email contact with the troop member prior to mailing the download code for your book for two reasons. First you want to confirm the email address is correct. Second and more important, you will want to confirm they are interested in receiving the particular book genre you are sending. The program is not only for romance readers and they may only be interested in mainstream novels. We also want to confirm that if your book contains adult situations it is going to a member who welcomes that content.

Questions? Email cat.johnson@allromanceebooks.com

Cat Johnson
Manager Media and Public Relations
All Romance eBooks, LLC

http://www.allromance.com/
http://www.omnilit.com/

It's TIME!

I'm packing up and moving on out to the Authors After Dark Paranormal Weekend!

The Samhain/Linden Bay authors [Cat Johnson, Leigh Ellwood, Samantha Sommersby, Rosemary Laurey and Tilly Greene] have created a basket of goodies to be raffled off to support a local animal sanctuary, Pet's Alive. I've created a fabulous tote bag filled with goodies to also be raffled off.

Friday night, after everyone registers, the Love's Immortal Pantheon authors [Dagmar Avery, Cat Johnson, Kayleigh Jamison, Eliza Gayle, Selena Illyria and Tilly Greene] will be hosting a pre-Candy Shop PJ Mixer with ambrosia while talking about sexy Greek gods!

Saturday, from 2-5:00pm, is the Book Fair and it's open to the public! The books I'll be signing are:



After the fair, I'll be sitting on the Shifter's Unleashed panel - oh boy, watch out!

This weekend is going to be great fun and I hope you can come out, say hello, and get your book signed. There are going to be some great authors to greet. In case you don't know, the details are:

Holiday Inn, 3 Executive Blvd., Suffern, New York

Fabulous Fashion News!

Judith Leiber has been making unique, fun, and stunningly beautiful handbags for years, and she still creates the must have handbag! Well, to celebrate self-publishing her biography [which I'd love to read], she's hitting the road. Alongside her travel mini-museum exhibition of her bags, she'll be signing her book "No Mere Bagatelles: Telling the Story of Handbag Genius Judith Leiber & Modernist Artist Gerson Leiber".

While it doesn't appear as if the book will be widely available, it would definitely be worth it to attend one of her retrospectives at either Neiman Marcus or Bergdorf Goodman, view the exhibit and purchase a book for her to sign. If you live near East Hampton NY, you can always stop by the Leiber Museum on Old Stone Highway, check out her bag collection, and most likely pick up a copy of her book there as well.

On a side note: Did you know that there are a couple of white peacocks in "An Invitation to the World: China"? There are and they're called George and Gracie.

Helping a Fellow Author Out

Dancing With Danger

By: Desiree Holt

Rachel Windsor knew nothing about Gabriel Peralta except that he was walking sex appeal. He blew into her life without notice, here today then always gone on a puff of wind. But each time he appears, he does things to her body that even her fantasies haven’t conjured up, driving her to orgasms that shake her like a raging storm. His mouth knows every inch of her body. The imprint of his intimate kisses linger long after he disappears.

Now he’s back again, his life unexpectedly on the line. But even in the danger zone his sexual demands are more scorching than ever and this time, Rachel is determined not to lose him—or the erotic lifestyle that binds them.

Read an excerpt

Purchase the ebook

Life has dealt Desiree Holt a difficult hand, so helping promote her new release.

Book Talk!

There was an interesting discussion about book covers yesterday on Borders True Romance blog. Reading the article, comments, and watching the video had me thinking about how I go about buying a book.

It's interesting to realize I no longer go into a bookstore with list of books in hand, eager to buy. My purchases in a brick & mortar are now strictly spontaneous, and normally based on the cover - something I think I learned from being an ebook reader. Show me an interesting cover and I'll pick it up for more details. However, if I can't read the title because the font is so elaborate, bye bye.

Anyway, back to hardcover/paperbacks purchases. If there is an author on my automatic purchase list [of which there are few] and one I want to keep [of which I have limited space for books], then the latest release is ordered online, and wings its way to me on the release day - no more driving around for a copy. Same can be said for a book that has my attention [normally non-fiction]. That is one I order online and am often surprised when it shows up on my doorstep. If they aren't a keeper but an author I know will offer me a good read, then I'll most likely pick up a copy for the next trip, and leave it wherever I am when I finish.

So, what's sitting on my shelf in my to-be-read stack?

Rogues' Gallery: The Secret History of the Moguls and the Money that Made the Metropolitan Museum

A Rogue of My Own

Burn: A Novel

Finger Lickin' Fifteen (Stephanie Plum Novels)

Fire and Ice: A Novel

Child 44 - waiting for either Thanksgiving or Christmas flights.

And right now, while the cutie is in physical therapy, I'm reading Skin Trade (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Book 17)

Yup, some of these books have been on the shelf for over a year, and I'll be adding some more over the holidays! I guess it's obvious that right now, I'm reading ebooks before the paperback/hardcover. Soon, all my fiction and non-fiction will be an ebook, and that will leave my children's picture books and pop-ups the only ones I buy to place on a shelf.

With my mind bouncing between Heaven and Hell...

I was sent this by my friend S [thank you :-)] and truly enjoyed it!

HELL EXPLAINED (By a chemistry student)

The following is an actual question given on a University of Arizona chemistry mid term, and an actual answer turned in by a student.

The answer by one student was so 'profound' that the professor shared it with colleagues, via the Internet, which is, of course, why we now have the pleasure of enjoying it as well:

Bonus Question: Is Hell exothermic (gives off heat) or endothermic (absorbs heat)?

Most of the students wrote proofs of their beliefs using Boyle's Law (gas cools when it expands and heats when it is compressed) or some variant.

One student, however, wrote the following:

First, we need to know how the mass of Hell is changing in time. So we need to know the rate at which souls are moving into Hell and the rate at which they are leaving, which is unlikely. I think that we can safely assume that once a soul gets to Hell, it will not leave. There fore, no souls are leaving. As for how many souls are entering Hell, let's look at the different religions that exist in the world today.

Most of these religions state that if you are not a member of their religion, you will go to Hell. Since there is more than one of these religions and since people do not belong to more than one religion, we can project that all souls go to Hell. With birth and death rates as they are, we can expect the number of souls in Hell to increase exponentially. Now, we look at the rate of change of the volume in Hell because Boyle's Law states that in order for the temperature and pressure in Hell to stay the same, the volume of Hell has to expand proportionately as souls are added.

This gives two possibilities:

1. If Hell is expanding at a slower rate than the rate at which souls enter Hell, then the temperature and pressure in Hell will increase until all Hell breaks loose.

2. If Hell is expanding at a rate faster than the increase of souls in Hell, then the temperature and pressure will drop until Hell freezes over.

So which is it?

If we accept the postulate given to me by Teresa during my Freshman year that, 'It will be a cold day in Hell before I sleep with you,' and take into account the fact that I slept with her last night, then number two must be true, and thus I am sure that Hell is exothermic and has already frozen over. The corollary of this theory is that since Hell has frozen over, it follows that it is not accepting any more souls and is therefore, extinct.....leaving only Heaven, thereby proving the existence of a divine being which explains why, last night, Teresa kept shouting 'Oh my God.'

THIS STUDENT RECEIVED AN A+.

Anthology Subs Call - Forward by Charlaine Harris!

ARe'S CHARITY CAMPAIGN GETS AN INFUSION OF NEW BLOOD FROM THE CREATOR OF "TRUE BLOOD"


All Romance eBooks is thrilled to announce that their 28 Days of Heart Campaign has received the support of Charlaine Harris. The famed, best-selling author of the Sookie Stackhouse series upon which HBO's new smash hit "True Blood" is based will be writing the foreword for the charity anthologies releasing exclusively from ARe in February 2010. All proceeds from the 28 individual stories and the 4 anthology eBook compilations will benefit the American Heart Association. Submissions are open until October 31, 2009. Details can be found at http://www.allromanceebooks.com/publishers.html.


Open Submissions Call!

All Romance™Needs You for the 28 Days of Heart Campaign to Benefit the American Heart Association during the month of love, when everyone's attention is focused on matters of the heart, we at All Romance (http://www.allromance.com/) want to help fight the number one killer of women, heart disease, and we need your help and your submissions.

Beginning February 1, 2010, we will release one new short story per day for the entire month. All proceeds from the sale of these shorts, which will be offered exclusively on AllRomance.com as individual eBooks and also bundled into 4 eBook anthologies, will be donated to the American Heart Association (http://www.americanheart.org/).

The 28 stories will be chosen from submissions received between July 1 and October 31, 2009. Any author who has an eBook available on ARe, or whose publisher lists eBooks with us, is eligible to submit. Submissions must be 10,000 to 20,000 words. The preferred heat rating is 4 or 5 flames, though stories rated a hard 3 flames will also be considered. An explanation of the flame rating system can be found on our site. We are looking for a wide variety of themes and sub-genres, as long as the story is a romance.

The stories selected will be reviewed by an editor and provided with cover art, but please make sure submissions are as polished as you can make them before submitting. Previously published stories will be considered only if all rights have reverted back to the author and the story is no longer available for download elsewhere. Backlist and contact info for the authors whose work is chosen will be listed in the back of their story.

Submission details can be found here: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/submissions.html

Questions should be emailed to cat.johnson@allromanceebooks.com. Final selection of participants will be made and announced in November 2009.

It's On!

I'm off to Ellora's Cave first ever readers conference, RomantiCon 09.

If you're in the area [Richfield (Akron), Ohio], then come on over to the book fair on Sunday - it's open to the public!

Amongst other things, I'll be talking about the fabulous Scotsman, Hamish Buchanan, and signing Highland Heat!

Have you entered yet?

You have until October 15th to enter and the drawings will be every day from the 16th to the 31st! Goodies from Wick'd Reads, William Maltese, Dorlana Vann, The Artist Challenge, Karen Michelle Nutt, Tilly Greene, Jasper McCutcheon, Selena Illyria, BellaDonna Drakul, Mistress Rae, Kate Hill, Candle Artist Jfay [of Studio 3B], Jardonn Smith, Parawomen Scream Radio, and Vampire Wear are all offering treats!

It shall be a seriously HOT lead up to November!

The picture above was created by Amy, from Parawomen Scream Radio - thank you!

eBook Talk!

It's Breast Cancer Awareness Month and OohRah! immediately came to mind.

Okay, I can hear the question now - What does a Marine just back from Afghanistan have to do with breast cancer? Besides loving breasts and all the pleasure they offer, Warrant Officer Dale Smythe lost his mother to breast cancer, and decides to volunteer at a local Run for a Cure.

While there, handing out cups of water and support to whoever needs it, he sees a young woman who is obviously isn't a runner or someone who had prepared much for the race. Besides being beautiful, he likes her determination to make it through to the end and, after asking if it was all right with the other volunteers he stood with, he abandons his post to run at her side and help her finish.

As for why Tasha is there, well, she doesn't always have the best experience when it comes to her mammograms, and figures this one more way to get the upper hand on them. Besides, the sooner a cure is found, the sooner she can stop stressing out.

So, yes, OohRah! is about a Marine and how his relationship works when he's deployed. However, there's much more to Dale, the man, than what he does professionally.

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

Treat the ta-ta's well and go for that mammogram.

Can't do that?

Then make sure and do a self-exam.

Can't do that either or don't like to do it?

Then get your partner or a friend to do it for you. They won't complain. Remember, no matter what else is going on, think of those fabulous breasts of yours and do whatever you can to keep them happy.

Banned Books Week Day #8

The ALA Banned Books Week has a variety new challenges this year that caused my eyebrows to raise.

"The New Joy of Sex " by Alex Comfort

"Challenged at the Nampa, Idaho Public Library (2005) along with seven other books because “they are very pornographic in nature and they have very explicit and detailed illustrations and photographs which we feel don’t belong in a library.” The library board approved policy changes that restrict children’s access to any holdings that may fall under the state’s harmful to minors statute and barred the library from buying movies rated NC-17 or X." Books Challenged & Banned 2008-2009, Robert P. Doyle

and

"The Joy of Gay Sex" by Charles Silverstein and Felice Picano

"Challenged at the Nampa, Idaho Public Library (2005) along with seven other books because “they are very pornographic in nature and they have very explicit and detailed illustrations and photographs which we feel don’t belong in a library.” The library board approved policy changes that restrict children’s access to any holdings that may fall under the state’s harmful to minors statute and barred the library from buying movies rated NC-17 or X. The book was relocated to the director’s office (2008) and it was eventually restored to the collection (2008). Challenged in the Lewis and Clark Library in Helena, Mont. (2008) due to objections over its content. The book has been in the library’s collection since 1993. The library director accepted the recommendation of the library’s collection review committee that the book be retained in the collection. Restricted minors’ access in the Topeka and Shawnee County, Kans. Public Library (2009) because a group contended that the material is “harmful to minors under state law.” Books Challenged & Banned 2008-2009, Robert P. Doyle

As an erotic romance author, I thought these were appropriate books to end this week with.

Today, I'm at the Collingswood Book Festival, stop by the Romance Unlimited booth and we can chat about my books, books in general, or Banned Books Week.

Banned Books Week Day #7

The ALA Banned Books Week has a variety new challenges this year that caused my eyebrows to raise.

"Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" by John Berendt

"Banned for just four days from the Beulah, N.Dak. High School library (2008). Two school employees followed school policy to request removing the book after their son brought it home from an accelerated-reading program, in which students pick from a couple of hundred titles. The parents said the 1994 runaway nonfiction best seller was too pornographic and at odds with student behavior promoted in the school handbook. The board reversed its decision at the encouragement of the board president, who said the board moved too fast and unleashed a possible court case it would never win. He said there might be more palatable alternatives, like creating a list of restricted books that parents have to approve before their children can check them out. A decision to review school policies and investigate less-restrictive means to control library books was approved by the school board." Books Challenged & Banned 2008-2009, Robert P. Doyle

Interesting.

Banned Books Week Day #6

Banned Books Week has noted a variety new challenges this year that caused my eyebrows to raise.

Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West" by Gregory Maguire

"Retained in the tenth-grade honors program of the Canandaigua Academy in Ontario County, N.Y. (2008) despite concerns about the sexual content on a few pages of the book. The district will offer alternative reading for anyone who objects to the book." Books Challenged & Banned 2008-2009, Robert P. Doyle

Interesting.