The (Mis)Adventures of a Single City Chick

Sharing Holiday Messages with Heroes

2010-11-14T08:17:00.000-08:00

It’s that time of year again! The American Red Cross and Pitney Bowes have teamed up for the fourth annual Holiday Mail for Heroes program.

From now until December 10th you are invited to send holiday cards to our American service members, their families, and veterans all over the world. Anyone can send a card and you can send as many as you would like! Please send all cards to:

Holiday Mail for Heroes PO Box 5456 Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456

The deadline for this year is December 10th. Unfortunately, if your cards are not postmarked by December 10th they cannot be delivered. After Pitney Bowes collects and screens the mail received in the PO Box, Red Cross workers deliver holiday greetings to service men and women in their communities. If you have multiple cards you can put them all together in one large envelope rather than posting individually. Just leave the individual envelopes unsealed, so the cards can be screened easily.

This is such a great way to give back and show how much we care for and support those working daily to insure our safety and freedom. And what a fantastic opportunity to get kids involved, whether it's in your own family, at your children's clubs or in their classrooms. Please consider participating this year!

Check out how our uniformed men and women and their families expressed their gratitude for the Holiday Mail program when it delivered cards to Walter Reed Army Medical Center:

And the "Safe Haven" Winners Are....

2010-10-04T12:06:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the delay in announcing the three winners of Nicholas Sparks' recent release, "Safe Haven." I attended a writers' conference over the weekend and my energy was intensely focused on networking and writing workshops.

Thanks to everyone who entered this contest! Be sure to come back soon for another new release contest.

And finally, the winners of this book are:

• Chrissy

• KitKat

• Inspired Kathy

Please email me at christina@christinaarbini.com with your mailing address, so I can forward it to the publisher who will ship your book directly to you. Thanks again for entering!

A "Safe Haven" Book Giveaway Contest

2010-09-24T20:49:00.000-07:00

A love story laced with secrets, danger and twists in one woman's quest for a safe haven. I'm excited to post a new blog contest, featuring Nicholas Sparks' recent release, "Safe Haven,"

published by Grand Central Publishing and distributed by Hatchette Book Group.

About the Book:

When a mysterious young woman named Katie appears in the small North Carolina town of Southport, her sudden arrival raises questions about her past. Beautiful yet self-effacing, Katie seems determined to avoid forming personal ties until a series of events draws her into two reluctant relationships: one with Alex, a widowed store owner with a kind heart and two young children; and another with her plainspoken single neighbor, Jo. Despite her reservations, Katie slowly begins to let down her guard, putting down roots in the close-knit community and becoming increasingly attached to Alex and his family. But even as Katie begins to fall in love, she struggles with the dark secret that still haunts and terrifies her . . . a past that set her on a fearful, shattering journey across the country, to the sheltered oasis of Southport. With Jo's empathic and stubborn support, Katie eventually realizes that she must choose between a life of transient safety and one of riskier rewards . . . and that in the darkest hour, love is the only true safe haven.

This is the perfect book to curl up with as the days turn shorter and the nights turn darker. It will warm you with its story about learning to trust love again, and at the same time run a chill down your spine as the heroine tries to juggle frightening secrets that threaten every step she takes.

I'm excited to be offering THREE copies of this book to the lucky winners whose names I draw on Friday, 10/1 (only U.S. and Canada entries, please). All you have to do to enter is leave a comment on this blog post. Please include your email, so I can contact you if you're a winner. Good luck!

Popularity Is The Best Revenge

2010-09-16T20:59:00.000-07:00

Popularity is the best revenge. Or so says Lauren Wood's ex-BFF. "Getting Revenge on Lauren Wood" is a new Young Adult novel written by Eileen Cook and set to hit book shelves in stores near you next week.

Book Description

In the final weeks of eighth grade, Lauren Wood made a choice. She betrayed her best friend, Helen, in a manner so publicly humiliating that Helen had to move to a new town just to save face. Ditching Helen was worth it, though, because Lauren started high school as one of the It Girls--and now, at the start of her senior year, she's the cheerleading captain, the quarterback's girlfriend, and the undisputed queen bee. Lauren has everything she's ever wanted, and she has forgotten all about her ex-best friend.

But Helen could never forget Lauren. After three years of obsessing, she's moving back to her old town. She has a new name and a new look, but she hasn’t dropped her old grudges. She has a detailed plan to bring down her former BFF by taking away everything that's ever been important to Lauren—starting with her boyfriend.

Watch out, Lauren Wood. Things are about to get bitchy.

And I just had to share a great promo Eileen has created for this book starring the fictional Lauren Wood.

And the "City of Veils" Winners Are....

2010-09-12T09:09:00.000-07:00

Thanks again to everyone who entered to win one of three copies of Zoë Ferraris' newest release, "City of Veils." If I didn't draw your name, I still hope you consider picking up a copy of this book!

And the winners are:

• Lori

• Eileen

• Rachel

Please email me at christina@christinaarbini.com with your mailing address, so I can have the publisher ship your book directly to you.

And as always, be sure to stick around for more great book contests and some entertaining posts. :-)

September Book Giveaway Contest

2010-09-03T11:36:00.000-07:00

We’re switching it up a bit this month with the book giveaway. While darker than the recent books I’ve featured on my blog, this new release centers on strong women dealing with a culture notorious for expecting women to be quiet and unassuming. The setting: the clandestine underworld of the Middle East. The plot: a murder mystery where the female protagonist isn’t just battling the local police in her quest for justice, but also her own culture’s iron-fisted discriminatory views.

About the Book (from Amazon.com): Women in Saudi Arabia are expected to lead quiet lives circumscribed by Islamic law and tradition. But Katya, one of the few women in the medical examiner's office, is determined to make her work mean something.

When the body of a brutally beaten woman is found on the beach in Jeddah, the city's detectives are ready to dismiss the case as another unsolvable murder-chillingly common in a city where the veils of conservative Islam keep women as anonymous in life as the victim is in death. If this is another housemaid killed by her employer, finding the culprit will be all but impossible.

Only Katya is convinced that the victim can be identified and her killer found. She calls upon her friend Nayir for help, and soon discovers that the dead girl was a young filmmaker named Leila, whose controversial documentaries earned her many enemies.

With only the woman's clandestine footage as a guide, Katya and Nayir must confront the dark side of Jeddah that Leila struggled to expose: an underworld of prostitution, violence, exploitation, and jealously guarded secrets. Along the way, they form an unlikely alliance with an American woman whose husband has disappeared. Their growing search takes them from the city's car-clogged streets to the deadly vastness of the desert beyond.

In CITY OF VEILS, award-winning author Zoë Ferraris combines a thrilling, fast-paced mystery with a rare and intimate look into women's lives in the Middle East.

About the Author: Z oë Ferraris moved to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia in the aftermath of the first Gulf War. She lived in a conservative Muslim community with her then-husband and his family, a group of Saudi-Palestinians. In 2006, she completed her MFA in Fiction at Columbia University. Her debut novel, “Finding Nouf” (published as Night of the Mi'raj in the UK) is now being published in twenty-five countries. A follow-up novel, “City of Veils,” was released August, 2010. She currently lives in San Francisco.

I will be drawing THREE winners on Friday, September 10^th. To enter, just leave a comment on this blog post (US and Canada entries only, please). Please remember to leave your email, so I have a means of contacting you if you are a winner.

Good luck!

Winners of "She's Gone Country"

2010-08-28T10:18:00.000-07:00

Thanks so much to everyone who entered the contest to win a copy of Jane Porter's newest release, "She's Gone Country." We had a great turnout!

The five winners are:

• Mary N.

• Marion Spicher

• Monie

• Finny

• Carol N. Wong

If you weren't one of the winners this time, I highly encourage you to pick up a copy of this book. Better yet, you can purchase your own signed copy from Jane at a couple of upcoming local book signings:

• September 9th at the Bellevue Barnes & Noble (5:30pm)

• October 2nd at the Emerald City Writers' Conference book fair (open to the public) at the Bellevue Hilton Hotel (4:00-6:00pm)

And please be sure to hang around my blog! I'll be posting another book giveaway contest very soon. We'll be going a little darker with another new release, intriguing destination, suspense novel.

August Book Giveaway Contest

2010-08-18T22:00:00.000-07:00

I’m excited to announce my next book giveaway contest because not only is it a new women’s fiction novel (hitting the shelves on 8/23), it was also written by one of my friends. “She’s Gone Country” by Jane Porter is an entertaining tale of a modern-day woman who has led a charmed life in New York City and is now forced to reinvent herself by moving back to her hometown in Texas after her marriage falls apart.

I’ve known Jane for many years now – as fellow author and more importantly, as a friend – and I have never been disappointed with her work. And “She’s Gone Country” is no exception! Jane’s books will touch you, leaving you feeling as though her characters are some of your closest friends. She reaches an emotional depth with her writing that draws you in from the first page and grasps onto your heart, holding on throughout the book’s entirety. “She’s Gone Country” is a story about reinventing oneself when life takes a detour. It’s a story about losing the life you know, and finding the courage to rebuild it even stronger by tackling challenges and taking chances along the way. It’s about a woman finding her place…her role…as a mother, a daughter, a sister, and rediscovering herself along the way. Something to which every woman can relate.

Description: Shey Darcy, a 39-year-old former top model for Vogue and Sports Illustrated led a charmed life in New York City with a handsome photographer husband until the day he announced he'd fallen in love with someone else. Left to pick up the pieces of her once happy world, Shey decides to move back home to Texas with her three teenage sons. Life on the family ranch, however, brings with it a whole new host of dramas starting with differences of opinion with her staunch Southern Baptist mother, her rugged but overprotective brothers, and daily battles with her three sons who are also struggling to find themselves. Add to the mix Shey's ex-crush, Dane Kelly, a national bullriding champ and she's got her hands full. It doesn't take long before Shey realizes that in order to reinvent herself, she must let go of an uncertain future and a broken past, to find happiness--and maybe love--in the present.

Above all, I’m thrilled to be able to giveaway FIVE copies of “She’s Gone Country!” All you have to do to enter is leave a comment on this blog post (only U.S. and Canada entries). Please be sure to leave your email, so I can contact you if I draw your name as a winner. Winning names will be drawn and announced on Friday, August 27^th.

About the Author: Jane Porter lives in Seattle, Washington, with her three children. She is also the author of “Easy on the Eyes,” “Mrs. Perfect,” “Odd Mom Out,” “Flirting with Forty,” and “The Frog Prince.”

(Jane Porter and me)

And the July Winners Are....

2010-07-17T10:15:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone who entered my giveaway of Anne Zouroudi's mystery, "The Messenger of Athens." For those of you who's name I didn't draw, I hope you consider picking up a copy.

Congratulations to the winners of "The Messenger of Athens:"

• Andie

• Bellevue Brenda

• Carol Wong

Please email me (christina@christinaarbini.com) with your mailing address for shipping your book!

And don't worry, you have another chance to win with my next book promo and giveaway soon.The next book will be a new release women's fiction novel, which will then be followed shortly thereafter by another intriguing mystery novel giveaway. Many more chances to win some great books!

July Book Giveaway Contest

2010-07-11T14:33:00.000-07:00

I'm excited to announce the next book giveaway contest — this one a bit of a departure from the typical women's fiction novels I've been featuring. Written by Anne Zouroudi, "The Messenger of Athens" has been described as a literary mystery novel that is set on a lush Greek island. This is the first book of a series by Zouroudi based on the seven deadly sins.

About the book:

Idyllic but remote, the Greek Island of Thiminos seems untouched and untroubled by the modern world. So when the battered body of a young woman is discovered at the foot of a cliff, the local police—governed more by archaic rules of honor than by the law—are quick to close the case, dismissing her death as an accident.

Then a stranger arrives, uninvited from Athens, announcing his intentions to investigate the crime he believes has been committed. Refusing to accept the woman’s death as an accident or suicide, Hermes Diaktoros sets out to uncover the truths that skulk beneath this small community’s exterior.

Hermes’ methods of investigation are unorthodox, and his message to the islanders is plain: tell the truth or face the consequences. Before long, he’s uncovering a tale of passion, corruption, and murder that entangles many of the island’s residents. But Hermes brings his own mystery into the web of dark secrets and lies—and as he travels the rugged island landscape to investigate, questions and suspicions arise among the locals. Who has sent him the Thiminos, and on whose authority is he acting? And how does he know of dramas played out decades ago?

Rich in images of Greece’s beautiful islands and evoking an life unknown to most outsiders, this wonderful novels leads the reader into a world where the myths of the past are not forgotten and forbidden passion still has dangerous consequences.

About the author:

Anne Zouroudi was born in England and has lived in the Greek islands. Her attachment to Greece remains strong, and the country is the inspiration for much of her writing; She is the author of the forthcoming novels "The Taint of Midas," also featuring Hermes Diaktoros. She now lives in northern England.

As per my other contests, all you have to do to enter to win one of THREE copies of "The Messenger of Athens" is to leave a comment on this blog post. US and Canada entries only, please. I will be drawing the three winning names on Friday morning (7/16). Please be sure to put your email in your comment, so I can contact you if you are a winner.

Covert Blog Promotion

2010-07-08T09:43:00.000-07:00

Covert Blog Promotion

1st Turning Point Staff Columnist

You’ve finally set up your blog and are ready to share your thoughts with the entire blogosphere. But now what? How do you get people to start visiting your blog, and better yet, following it? Even well established bloggers often feel as if they’re just talking to themselves.

So, how do you ensure you are getting both attention and return followers?

There are many ways to promote your blog. That said, there’s also a fine line between successful promotional tactics and over-exposing yourself—numbing your potential audience with a barrage of daily (or even more frequent) announcements about your various blog posts.

If your audience continues to be bombarded with the same message, they will eventually tune you out. So, how do you attract more readers to your blog without being obtrusive? There are some very simple, yet effective ways.

Here are five covert ways to promote your blog:

Be intriguing. Make an effort to leave comments on other people’s blogs or online articles. Be thoughtful and insightful—whatever will pique others’ interest, so they’ll want to find out what else you may have to say by following you back to your blog. However, while it’s easy to get sucked into a thread of conversation, take care not to let your comments be construed as negative. We all have our opinions, but it’s important to step back and think about what you want to say and how you say it. The one constant about the internet is that nothing ever disappears. Those negative comments have a way of coming back to haunt us. And while we want to pique interest and attract attention, we don’t want it for the wrong reasons.

It’s all about them. Send someone a compliment. While it sounds so simple, just think of how many times you’ve received a compliment from someone you don’t know and you immediately click on their blog or website link to learn more about them. Always make sure your blog URL is in your signature line when you do send these emails.

Create a dialogue. Respond to others’ comments left on your blog posts. Sometimes people who comment will return to see what others have said, especially if it turns into a discussion thread. It validates their comments when they see that the blogger has chimed in as well, making it more of a two-way dialogue. Even if you are simply thanking someone for leaving a comment, be sure to have a presence on your blog, well past the initial post itself.

Tactical tweeting. Retweet others’ interesting blog or article links that are similar to yours, and then insert a link to your own blog somewhere in the mix. More times than not, if someone sees that you’ve retweeted their tweet, they’ll reciprocate, which means that many more people will see your next promo tweet. Also, include tags in your tweets that could help you reach your target audience even outside your list of Twitter followers, along with a link to your blog (i.e. Insightful post on resurrecting your #muse at insert-URL-here). I’d also recommend using tinyurl.com to shorten your direct link to your blog post—this also helps keep your post covert until people click on the link—a little less blatant “shameless self-promotion.” Just make sure the pay off is appropriate at the other end. In other words, don’t tease with a tag to drive people to your blog, only to discover your post is talking about something entirely different.

Step out of your comfort zone. Broaden your audience outreach by participating in outside discussion threads on sites that have nothing to do with writing. Simply by connecting with people on other topics, you are opening yourself up to that many more potential followers. If they like what you’re saying about your shared interest, they’ll be more apt to seek you out in other venues. However, don’t show up and immediately hoist up your personal billboard. You won’t be looked upon favorably if people think you’re only there to promote yourself. Be genuine and sincere in your participation.

While there’s nothing wrong with the tried and true methods of promoting your blog—we all do them, and most of the time they work well—it’s not always necessary to jump up and down and wave your hands to draw attention. Sometimes you can get the same, or better, payback by covertly slipping in and slipping out like a promotion ninja.

And The Lucky Winner Is....

2010-06-15T19:30:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone who commented on the promo blog post, and to Marla Martenson for all her great information for single chicks and for offering up a copy of "Diary of a Beverly Hills Matchmaker" to one lucky winner.

And that winner is:

• Angie

To everyone else, be sure to stay tuned for the next book promos/contests for another women's fiction novel AND an intriguing suspense/mystery.

The summer is bringing some hot reads your way, so check back soon!

All the Single Ladies…Now Put Your Hand Up!

2010-06-08T07:50:00.000-07:00

According to the US Census Bureau’s December 2009 Supplement, 45% of adults in the US are unmarried – nearly 25% of them are women. While many women may be purposefully single – enjoying their independence, not feeling a strong urge or void to partner up – at least legally, others may be forever searching and wondering why they haven’t yet met Mr. Right.

My newest book contest is for a humorous memoir written by a woman whose made a name for herself, by helping some of the 45% of single adults out there find his or her match. “Diary of a Beverly Hills Matchmaker” is a memoir by Marla Martenson, the bestselling author of Excuse Me, Your Soul Mate Is Waiting and Good Date, Bad Date. Marla is a dating and relationship coach, Beverly Hills matchmaker, and professional speaker. She has appeared on numerous TV shows including the Today show (May, 2009), WGN Chicago Morning News and others. When not busy writing or coaching, she can be found sipping vanilla soy lattes, getting Botox injections, and nagging her husband to put the toilet seat down.

About the Book (from Amazon.com):

The inside scoop from the Cupid of Beverly Hills, who has brought together countless couples who have gone on to live happily ever after. But for every success story there are ridiculously funny dating disasters with high-maintenance, out-of-touch, impossible to please, dim-witted clients!   In Diary of a Beverly Hills Matchmaker, Marla takes her readers for a hilarious romp through her days as an L.A. matchmaker and her daily struggles to keep her self-esteem from imploding in a town where looks are everything and money talks. Marla writes with charm and self-effacement about the universal struggles that all women face in their lives. Readers will laugh, cringe, and cry as they journey with her through outrageous stories about the indignities of dating in Los Angeles, dealing with overblown egos, vicariously hobnobbing with celebrities, and navigating the wannabe-land of Beverly Hills.

Marla has generously offered to giveaway a copy of her newest book, "Diary of a Beverly Hills Matchmaker," to the lucky winning name that I’ll draw on Monday, 6/14 from the comments left on this post. Please only US and Canada entries. Please leave your email, so I can contact you if I draw your name.

In addition, she has included some tried and true factoids from her book about the five types of women men avoid. Whether you are one of the 25% single women out there, or just interested in what it’s like in the single world nowadays, you’ll surely enjoy this humorous read!

Five Types Of Women Men Avoid

Women are fabulous, women are unique and women are beautiful. Some are confident, some are strong, some are shy and some are unsure of themselves. We all have something to offer and we all have great qualities. But when it comes to dating and getting into a relationship, there are certain attributes and qualities that are more sought after than others. And some that men will absolutely try to avoid. Here are five “types” of women that have men running in the other direction.

1. The Yapper: The yapper simply does not stop talking. She will talk to anyone who will listen or pretends to listen about anything and everything. She has no listening skills herself and actually exhausts men with her constant talking.

2. The Gold Digger: The gold digger is trying to get her hand in a man’s wallet. She doesn’t care about his fascinating company or love him for who his is. She is on the prowl for a poor sod to fund her lifestyle without her having to work for it herself.

3. The Air-Head: The air -head is gorgeous to look at but when she opens her mouth it becomes apparent that she should have kept it closed. She has no clue as to what’s happening in the world since her attention is focused on the latest celebrity break-ups or fashion trends. The airhead is a liability for a man who wants to take a lady to social business functions.

4. The Know It All: The know it all is an intelligent woman that wants men to respect her for her accomplishments and climbing the corporate ladder. She is tough as nails in and out of the office and doesn’t take any crap from anyone especially men. She has lost that soft and sexy tough of femininity that men just love therefore repelling men.

5. The Serial Dater: The serial dater has dates lined up three to five nights per week. She is signed up with all of the dating services in town and all of the ones on line as well. She makes sure that the men she goes out with know that she is “in demand” and has a lot of guys chasing her. Men find this a turn off and don’t want to compete with the whole city to spend some time with her.

High Tea...Low Tea...Who Knew?

2010-06-06T16:27:00.000-07:00

This weekend I spent a lovely few hours with two of my girlfriends taking High Tea. Or, that's what I thought we were doing. While I've done High Tea on several occasions, I only this time learned that what I've been having all this time is actually considered "Low Tea" in Great Britain. Did you know it's all dependent on the height of the table? The traditional tea that includes scones, finger sandwiches and cookies is actually called "Low Tea" and was enjoyed as more of a luxury. "High Tea" was actually eaten at a regular kitchen table or bar height by more of the common class and included more savory offerings like bangers and mash or roast beef, etc. It amazes me that all of these hotels and restaurants still call it "High Tea," even the famous "Empress Hotel" in Victoria, BC -- about the closest thing to England as one can get without actually traveling over the pond.

But, regardless of what you call it, it's still something in which I love partaking over a lingering, relaxing afternoon with good friends whenever I have the chance. This weekend we decided to try a place none of us had experienced yet -- the historic Sorrento Hotel in Seattle. Perched up on First Hill overlooking downtown's financial district and Elliott Bay, the Sorrento Hotel offers old-world charm with an opulent cherry wood interior filled with overstuffed furniture.

Afternoon Tea (just can't bring myself to call it "Low Tea" is served in the hotel's Fireside Lounge — an intimate area just inside the entrance. Stepping inside, I felt like I'd flown back to London for the afternoon. On that rare sunny spring day in Seattle, we had the entire lounge to ourselves, so we were able to chat, laugh and take our time. It was true decadence and very relaxing -- exactly what I needed!

We were served our tea, followed by a tiered tray laden with cinnamon sugar scones and Devonshire cream, four different kinds of finger sandwiches (salmon, cream cheese & chive, tarragon chicken salad, and egg salad), and an array of delectable cookies (including coconut macaroons, chocolate eclairs, jam shortbread, and nutty chocolate wafers). It was a lot of food -- definitely worth the price per person. I couldn't even eat all of my share. Regardless, I did leave with a major sugar rush, but it was so worth it.

I had a great afternoon just relaxing and catching up with my girlfriends, Kelli Estes and Dona Sarkar. Having the lounge to ourselves, we picked out a trio of high-backed, oversized chairs that felt like thrones. It was an extra special treat to get a lot of personal attention from the waiter without being rushed. Always a great thing when you're looking forward to a leisurely afternoon with the ladies.

(Left to right: Kelli Estes, Me, and Dona Sarkar enjoying our afternoon "Low" Tea)

A Sweet Saturday in Seattle

2010-05-23T09:58:00.001-07:00

Best known as the city of coffee, who knew Seattle also had a reputation for chocolate? My best friend from kindergarten and I discovered this firsthand during a two-hour long chocolate walking tour of downtown yesterday. If you've ever thought you couldn't get enough of the decadent treat, I have news for you — you can! But I must say, I got to find that out in the most decadent way possible. :-)

The Savor Seattle Chocolate Tour is touted as a chocoholic's dream tour, and they don't disappoint. I literally had the shakes by the end of it, and actually had to bag up the chocolate at the last destination because I'd hit the chocolate wall.

We all gathered at The Mayflower Hotel at 11am and started off on a great note with a shot of the bartender's infamous "Flatliner" cocktail. I now believe every tour should start off that way!

We then made our way to the Dahlia Bakery, just down the block from the Dahlia Lounge restaurant. After a week of daily downpours, we obviously were successfully paying homage to the chocolate gods, because they smiled down on us by clearing the skies and bringing out the sun for the tour.

At the Dahlia Bakery, we were treated to Tom Douglas's famous Triple Coconut Cream Pie (not sure where the "chocolate" fits in on this one). O...M...G. 'Nuff said.

Before we could stop gushing over the mini pies, we were given a truffle chocolate crinkle cookie sprinkled with powdered sugar.

As we made our way toward Pike Place Market, we came upon the next stop on the tour — the Chocolate Box — where we were treated to chocolate enrobed brownies, mini chocolate cupcakes with buttercream frosting, and chocolate and lemon gelato. This was the point where my friend started showing signs of defeat. My only words to her, "Power through, girlfriend, power through!"

We then continued down to Pike Place Market, which was packed with locals and tourists on what had turned out to be a beautiful afternoon.

We stopped at The Confectional (love the name!) where our sugar shock quickly shifted into overdrive with the arrival of white chocolate raspberry cheesecakes and Colombian drinking coffee. So velvety rich with secret spices that they wouldn't "confess" to us.

This is about the time that I started hitting the chocolate wall. I was in much need of protein, and even the vegetables in the produce stands there at the market were looking good to me. Anything, but more sweets! LOL!

But, it was onward and upward from there. Our next stop was at Kukuruza Gourmet Popcorn to sample popcorn covered with melted chocolate, nuts and cocoa nibs. Unfortunately, the photos I tried to take of our treats turned out blurry because my hand was shaking so much from the sugar high. But, I did manage a photo of the savory popcorn that I will have to sample at another time. Who knew there was a flavor called Buffalo Wing & Blue Cheese?

Fran's Chocolates was the final stop on the tour. I'm not ashamed to admit that by the time we were given three truffles (including a salted caramel - one of my favs!), my friend and I had to just put them into our little bag to save for later. I never thought I'd get to the point where I'd be turning down chocolate, but apparently it CAN happen. Maybe in a few days I'll be able to revisit the truffles. I'm sure I'll manage somehow. ;-)

After the fabulous tour, my friend and I wandered back through the Market. I forget how much fun it is to play tourist in your own city. I bought some of my favorite pasta (Pappardelle) at DeLaurenti's Italian Market & Deli, and was totally excited to find that a little bakery in the Market actually carried homemade canolli (even though I could barely look at the sweet dessert after our tour). At least I know where to get them when I want a special treat...and when I'm able to stomach anything sweet again. And I picked up a beautiful bouquet of flowers for myself from one of the several flower vendors. All in all, this was the perfect spring day in the city!

And The Lucky Winner Is....

2010-05-20T20:09:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone who entered to win a copy of Geri Russell's "Seducing the Knight."

And the winner is:

• Letty Barnes

Congratulations! Please email me at christina@christinaarbini.com with you mailing address, so I can forward it to Geri, who will send your book directly to you.

F0r everyone else, be sure to come back this weekend when I'll be posting another book giveaway contest for another new release. In fact, I have a few more already lined up for the coming months. You won't want to wander too far! :-)

Decadent Pairings: Chocolate + Knights

2010-05-08T12:45:00.000-07:00

I seem to be celebrating many author friends' book launch parties lately! And Thursday night was no exception. This book launch event was hosted by Gerri Russell in honor of her newest release, "Seducing The Knight" (Brotherhood of the Scottish Templars series).

Not only did I pick up a great book (can't wait to read it!), but I had the chance to catch up with several of my fellow writers, and partake in some decadent chocolate truffles that were paired with some of Washington's finest wines. The book signing was held at Sweet Decadence chocolate shop, which was the perfect thing to pair with a great book. :-)

"A Templar knight and a woman he saves from an arranged marriage go on a hunt for the legendary Ark of the Covenant that takes them from the scorching desert of Jerusalem to the heathered highlands of Scotland." What could be better than the dramatic, moody setting of the Scottish highlands and romantic knights? Pepper it with adventure and best of all -- romance -- and you have a not to be missed read!

Gerri has generously offered up an autographed copy of "Seducing The Knight" for one lucky winner! All you have to do to enter is leave a comment on this blog post. I'll draw the winner on Friday, May 14th. Only U.S. entries, please.

Film Screening, Fellow Writers, Cocktails = A Great Event

2010-04-28T17:03:00.000-07:00

One of my favorite things about being a writer, is getting the opportunity to take part in events for other writers and creatives alike. On Sunday I attended an exclusive screening of independent film director, Christine Fugate's critically acclaimed film, "Grief Becomes Me: A Love Story," which was hosted by one of my good friends and author, Jane Porter.

(left to right: Christine Fugate and Jane Porter)

The screening was held at "The Big Picture" theatre and lounge, which was an experience in itself. The rich purple walls of the lounge enveloped overstuffed chairs and intimate booths splashed in leopard print and bold jewel toned hues.

Crystal chandeliers sparkled overhead, as we sipped cocktails and mingled before adjourning into the theatre for the screening. (Yes, these photos are "of" the venue, not during the party. LOL! Trust me, it was a full house, but I didn't have time during the event to snap pics of my own.)

Once settled in the theatre, all 150 of the attendees watched a very poignant and resonating film, "Grief Becomes Me," about one woman's traumatic experience in loss and how she embraced her emotions and grew from the experience, using her poetry as a vehicle to move through her grief with grace and insight.

Christine captured this journey beautifully, and it was wonderful to hear her speak afterward about how the project came about and the process itself. It reminded me that all of us "creatives" share similar goals and obstacles during our quests to see our dreams fulfilled. I only hope that when my books are published some day, they resonate just as powerfully with readers as Christine's film did with the viewers. Whether it's a tear, a laugh, or something that provokes a thought, we all seek to create an experience with which our audience will resonate; something that will remain with them long afterward — much like this film did with me. If you haven't yet had the pleasure of experiencing Christine's work, please visit her website to learn more about her, and consider picking up her dvd.

And The April Contest Winners Are....

2010-04-25T19:47:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone who entered to win the April book giveaway contest! The three lucky winners of Kim Wright's newest release, "Love in Mid Air," are:

• Eileen

• April Rickard

• edmontonjb

Please email your mailing address to me at christina@christinaarbini.com, so I can forward it to the publisher, who will ship your book directly to you. For everyone else, be sure to check back soon for the next new release contest!

April Book Giveaway Contest!

2010-04-20T17:13:00.000-07:00

Spring is in the air, and so is love in my April book giveaway contest featuring "Love in Mid-Air," by debut novelist, Kim Wright.

About the Book

A chance encounter with a stranger on an airplane sends Elyse Bearden into an emotional tailspin. Suddenly Elyse is willing to risk everything: her safe but stale marriage, her seemingly perfect life in an affluent Southern suburb, and her position in the community. She finds herself cutting through all the instincts that say "no" and instead lets "yes" happen. As Elyse embarks on a risky affair, her longtime friend Kelly and the other women in their book club begin to question their own decisions about love, sex, marriage, and freedom. There are consequences for Elyse, her family, and her circle of close friends, all of whom have an investment in her life continuing as normal. But is normal what she really wants after all? In the end it will take an extraordinary leap of faith for Elyse to find--and follow--her own path to happiness. An intelligent, sexy, absorbing tale and an honest look at modern-day marriage, "Love in Mid Air" offers the experience of what it's like to change the course of one's own destiny when finding oneself caught in mid air.

About the Author

Kim Wright has been writing about travel, food, and wine for more than twenty years for many magazines including Wine Spectator, Self, Travel & Leisure, and Vogue, and has twice won the Lowell Thomas Award for travel writing. She is the food and wine editor for Charlotte Taste. She has written the annual Fodor's Walt Disney World with Kids for 18 years and also writes erotica. This is her first novel. Kim lives in Charlotte, NC.

I will be drawing THREE winners on Sunday, April 25th. Just leave a comment on this post to enter! Please only U.S. and Canada entries. And be sure to leave your email in your comment, so I can contact you if you are one of the three lucky winners.

A Plethora of Book Signings

2010-04-18T20:28:00.001-07:00

Over the past two weeks I had the pleasure of attending three book, signings for my fellow authors, many of whom I'm proud to call my personal friends.

The first was a joint signing for NY Times Bestselling author, Stella Cameron and debut author, Gayle Ann Williams. The signing was held at Gayle's sister's home, and not only had the two authors signing their books, but a beautiful cheese & crackers, fruit and chocolate spread set out, paired with some lovely wine. The outside of the house was also cast in blue light in honor of Gayle's new release, "Tsunami Blue."

A few nights later I drove up to Third Place Books north of Seattle to attend a group book signing for about eight authors: Alexis Morgan, Kim Fisk, Rebecca J. Clark, Amanda Forester, Jessa Slade, Shelli Stevens, Lauren Dane, and Deborah Schneider.

This was a great collection of various genres of romance, including contemporary, paranormal, western, and steamy. Everything a romance reader could ask for!

And lastly, I made it up to Queen Anne Books in Seattle on Friday night to attend Heather Davis' book signing for her second Young Adult novel, entitled "The Clearing." She did a reading, followed by a Q&A and signing, including homemade treats she baked that reflected pivotal parts of the book.

Not only was it great supporting my fellow authors and friends, but I now have a bag full of new books that I can't wait to read! And I highly encourage everyone to pick up these authors' books, as well. They are definitely some talented ladies!

Spring Training: The Fine Art of Pitching

2010-04-09T14:22:00.000-07:00

My most recent column was just posted on the author promotion website "1st Turning Point."

Spring Training: The Fine Art of Pitching

by Christina Arbini
1st Turning Point Staff Columnist
Copyright © 2010 Christina Arbini

It’s spring, and you know what that means, Spring Training! Time to start practicing your pitch and hitting those homeruns. Okay, so I’m not talking about baseball, but rather a very important part of self-promotion for the author. With a lot of writers’ conferences gearing up for the summer, now is the time to get prepared for the dreaded pitch appointments. Whether you’re facing group or individual appointments, pitching at conferences is a very valuable way to get yourself and your book in front of an acquiring agent or editor. Of course, with as many writers that these agents and editors are scheduled to see in a day, the reality is they won’t remember every single person they meet with. But then again, sometimes they do. And in those cases, you want to be sure you’re remembered in a positive way, and aren’t one of the ones used as an example of “what not to do” on a blog or in a workshop they may do later.

Individual pitches are typically 10 minutes long and consist of a one-on-one appointment between the author and agent/editor. It can be a source of great anxiety, but is also a great opportunity to have the agent/editor’s full attention, not only giving you a chance to pitch your book, but also a chance to make a personal connection.

Group pitches are becoming more and more standard at writers’ conferences with the increased demand for these appointments. Although I much prefer the individual appointments, I’ve still had some decent experiences with groups. It’s always interesting to hear what types of books others are writing. However, this typically only works when everyone knows the basic dos and don’ts during a pitch appointment.

I will preface this advice by saying I have no secret insider knowledge based on likes and dislikes of the editors and agents. But, I do have a lot of experience with pitching in general, especially when it comes to how not to tick off your fellow writers in your pitch group. The following is taken from my own experiences with fellow writers during pitch appointments over the years.

1. Have your pitch prepared ahead of time. Yes, I know this seems like common sense, but you’d be amazed at the number of people who come in and wing it. Group pitch times typically only allow a couple minutes for each pitcher and that time flies by when it’s your turn.

2. Prepare two pitch versions — “back copy blurb” version (which is usually a couple of paragraphs) and an elevator pitch (a couple of lines). The “back copy blurb” should introduce the hero and heroine in a line or two, then include their motivation and conflict. It gives enough overview of the book that helps the book to resonate with the agent/editor. It’s also a good idea to have the elevator pitch printed on the back of your business cards, so when you give the agent/editor your card, it will be a great reminder to them of your pitch.

3. Situate yourself in the middle. Most group appointments are comprised of 5-8 people sitting across the table (or around the table) from the agent/editor. This way, if you end up with a “runner” (more on that next) on one end or the other, you will still have a chance of giving your pitch before time runs out.

4. Don’t be a “runner!” If you have completed Step #1, you won’t have to worry about this. A “runner” is the one or two people who run on and on as they start describing their story from page one and don’t know which high points to focus on, but instead spew out information as it pops into their head, which ultimately sucks up nearly the entire 20 minute appointment. If you see people fidgeting and shooting you the stink eye, you know it’s time to shut up. Remember, agents/editors are usually too nice to cut you off, but your fellow pitchers often have no problem sending you signs.

5. Gauge the timing of the appointment. Be aware of how long you are speaking to keep within your allotted time. If other pitchers are using up too much time, that’s when it’s critical to have a strong elevator pitch ready, so you at least can deliver a version of your pitch before the moderator ends the appointment. This has saved me many times!

6. Be authentic, be yourself. Be sure to portray yourself authentically. Whatever you do, never mock up a fake book of the sensational, next best seller that you’re pitching, and then stand it up on the table facing the agent/editor throughout the entire appointment (yes, this did happen), letting it sit there like the big pink elephant in the middle of the table. Trust me, this won’t make the agent/editor sit up and gush about how wonderful your book title and author name look on a cover, so they’ll beg to sign you right there and then. Plus, your fellow writers will retell this story year after year whenever the topic of appointments arises.

7. Remember the agent/editor is just a person like you. They want to be treated respectfully, but not gushed over. While you want to connect with them, make sure small talk doesn’t eat into the actual pitch time. Agents/editors probably won’t remember your witty banter later, but they might remember it if one of the writers sitting next to you jabs her pen into your thigh under the table to stop you from wasting precious time.

8. Breathe. It’s just a pitch. As mentioned above, you probably won’t be remembered (only because they hear so many pitches during the conference). Short of jumping up on the table and acting out your pitch through interpretive dance, you’ll no doubt be a blur of faces to them once the conference is over. Oh, and that means interpretive pitches are also considered taboo, just in case you were wondering.

9. Always opt for pitching over Q&A. If given the choice to either pitch or take Q&A about the publishing industry or the agency, don’t waste this time by voting for the latter. Occasionally, the agent/editor will give this option, but the reason people sign up for these appointments is for the valuable pitch opportunity. If you don’t want to pitch, don’t sign up—simple as that. You can always find the other information online.

10. Finally, RELAX. The pitch appointment is not a make or break deal for your writing career. Practice your pitch. Read it off note cards if you are concerned you might forget it. Speak slowly and clearly. Make eye contact with the agent/editor. Smile. And give your fellow writers respect during their turn.

Pitch appointments can be fun. Trust me, the more you do, the easier it is. And while you can’t control how others conduct themselves during these appointments, you can be assured knowing that you remained cool, confident and professional. But above all, do try to keep from jabbing any sharp objects into the person next to you under the table when they break all of these rules. After all, you can always kill them off in your next book.

Christina Arbini has worked in Public Relations for 16 years in her day job for a global branding and interactive firm in Seattle, helping to promote the firm’s partnerships with national consumer brands to world-renowned icons. She is a firm believer of not just talking the talk, but walking the walk, and has applied her PR knowledge to her own self-promotion as a pre-published author. She is a steadfast evangelizer on the importance of self-promotion at any stage of a writer’s career.

Outside of her day job, she is actively writing and seeking publication for her own fiction novels. She is also a long-time member of RWA National, as well as several local writers chapters. You can find her online at www.christinaarbini.com, as well as on Facebook and Twitter.

And The March Contest Winners Are....

2010-04-08T13:13:00.001-07:00

Thanks to everyone who entered to win one of the three copies of "Searching for Tina Turner," by Jacqueline Luckett!

The three lucky winners are:

• angie

• Shelli Stevens

• Debby Lee

Please email me (christina@christinaarbini.com) with your mailing address and I'll forward it to the publisher, so they can ship your book directly to you.

Be sure to check back this weekend when I'll be posting the next book giveaway contest for another new women's fiction release!

March Book Giveaway Contest

2010-02-10T19:49:00.000-08:00

What happens when all you've grown to accept is no longer the choice you choose? This is the dilemma faced by Lee Spencer in a newly launched book titled “Searching for Tina Turner” by Jacqueline E. Luckett. In this breathtaking debut novel Lena Spencer is going through a mid-life crisis and looks to singer Tina Turner for strength.

ABOUT THE BOOK

On the surface, Lena Spencer appears to have it all. She and her wealthy husband Randall have two wonderful children, and they live a life of luxury. In reality, however, Lena finds that happiness is elusive. Randall is emotionally distant, her son has developed a drug habit, and her daughter is disgusted by her mother's "overbearing behavior." When Randall decides that he's had enough of marriage counseling, he offers his wife an ultimatum: "Be grateful for all I've done for you or leave." Lena, realizing that money can't solve her problems and that her husband is no longer the man she married, decides to choose the latter.

ABOUT AUTHOR

Jacqueline Luckett is a former sales representative for Xerox. After leaving the corporate world, Jacqueline took a creative writing class on a dare (from herself) and began writing short stories and poetry and never looked back. Jacqueline loves living in Oakland, but travels frequently to nurture her passion for photography and learning to cook exotic foods. She is currently hard at work on her next novel.

Hatchette Books is once again generously offering up THREE copies of this book published by Grand Central Publishing to the lucky three names I'll be drawing on Wednesday, April 7th. Just leave a comment on this blog post to be entered to win. Please only U.S. and Canada entries. And since I missed February's book giveaway, I'll be posting two different book giveaways in April! So be sure to check back real soon! But in the meantime, don't forget to enter to win "Searching for Tina Turner!"

**Please be sure to leave your email in case you are a winner, so I can contact you!

And the January Winners Are...

2010-01-26T19:32:00.000-08:00

I'm excited to announce the winners of this year's first book giveaway contest. Thanks very much to everyone who entered to win "Lone Star Legend" by Gwendolyn Zepeda!

And the three winners are:

• Liz Fenton

• Adriana Salgado

• mental mosaic

Please email me (christina@christinaarbini.com) with your shipping address, so I can forward it to Hatchette Books so they can ship your book to you directly.

And don't wander too far, as I have a nice line-up of more books for upcoming contests!

January Book Giveaway Contest

2010-01-17T19:54:00.000-08:00

I'm excited to be starting a new year with a great line-up of women's fiction authors for my monthly giveaway contests — most of these authors I'm experiencing for the first time and am also happy to introduce to you - all published and distributed by Grand Central Publishing and Hatchette Books.

The January book contest kicks off with "Lone Star Legend," by Gwendolyn Zepeda, about an aspiring young journalist stuck blogging for a gossip site then stumbles across a story that gives new meaning to the word legendary.

Book Description (from Amazon):

PARADISE LOST. If she can find the time, Sandy Saavedra will stop to breathe. New management has turned work upside down and her father's upcoming marriage-something he forgot to mention to Sandy-means there's no peace at home, either. But it's okay. No matter what's thrown her way, Sandy can deal. Because Sandy has a secret, and his name is Tío Jaime.

A short drive out of Austin delivers Sandy into the wide-open spaces of the Hill Country, to the front porch of grandfatherly hermit Tío Jaime. There, in the company of pepper plants, a shaggy dog, and fresh squeezed lemonade, the old man imparts down-to-earth advice. Overbearing boss? Work smarter; she'll leave you alone. Disrespectful boyfriend? Pack your bags; a real woman tolerates only a real man. His simple perspective reminds Sandy she can make her own choices-something she's been forgetting lately.

Feeling inspired, Sandy posts their chats online. But as she introduces the world to her personal Eden, her own life heads straight to hell . . .

About the Author

Gwendolyn Zepeda lives in Houston, Texas. Her blog GwenWorld.com and her first book To The Last Man I Slept With and All the Jerks Like Him have been mentioned in the NY Post andSeattle Post. Zepeda is a member of Nuestra Palabra, which hosts Houston's Latino Book and Family Fesitval, the largest book festival in Texas. Grand Central Publishing published her first novel, Houston, We Have A Problema in January 2009.

To enter to win one of THREE copies of this book just leave a comment on this blog post. I'll be drawing the three winning names on the morning of Tuesday, 1/26. Only entries from the U.S. and Canada, please.

Announcing Debut Author's New Release: "Lake Magic"

2010-01-04T21:15:00.001-08:00

If you're in the mood to spend the cold winter days curled up on your couch with a mug of hot cocoa in front of a warm fire, escaping into a good book, have I got the book for you! My friend and fellow writer's chapter mate, Kimberly Fisk, celebrates the release of her first published novel, "Lake Magic," tomorrow (January 5th).

"...a celebration of all the deepest things in life...family, friendship and the healing power of love." — Susan Wiggs, NY Times Bestselling Author

"Pure magic...a stellar debut from a writer who is destined to become a reader favorite." — Debbie Macomber, NY times #1 Bestselling Author

About the Book:

After the sudden loss of her fiancé, Steven, Jenny Beckinsale has more than a broken heart to deal with -- she's also facing too many financial surprises over Blue Sky, the fledgling seaplane service she and Steven built. Too late she's discovered Steven was in over his head, and deeply in debt to his best friend and fellow Navy pilot Jared Worth. The sexy, cynical Top Gun demands his money back now.

But Jenny has a few surprises of her own, including a way out of her predicament -- she'll force this steel-eyed flyboy into service for Blue Sky. It's the only way Jared will ever see a dime. But as the summer fades, these two lost souls will discover they're saving more than a business -- they're saving each other.

If you love a true romance, make sure you run out and grab a copy of this new release. I had the opportunity to read several chapters of this book in advance and Kimberly Fisk is definitely a debut author you'll want to keep an eye on! :-)

Promotion for the Pre-Published Author

2009-12-18T14:25:00.000-08:00

Anyone who knows me will tell you I'm all about evangelizing promotion, including for pre-published authors. And recently, I was invited by "1st Turning Point" (an online site created to teach and discuss promotion for writers) to write an article on this very topic.

Following is my article that was published this morning:

Promotion for the Pre-Published Author

by Christina Arbini, 1st Turning Point Guest Columnist 

If you don’t have a book to promote, you don’t need a website. Focus on the writing, not networking. Marketing doesn’t happen until the contract is signed. That might have been the mindset at one time, but times have changed. In the age of technology and social media, marketing has become a crucial tool for everyone from Fortune 100 corporations to the local author-published or not.

Marketing is all about creating a buzz. How often have you heard about a product or movie months before its release? Then, by the time it hits the shelves or the big screen, you are excited to experience it. Marketing for writers is the same. You want to create a buzz around yourself as a writer even before you have a book to sell. A lot more marketing is left up to authors nowadays, especially if they are new authors. And as I’ve often heard, you’re only as good as your last book sales. So, why wouldn’t you want to do all you can to help your sales well in advance? Marketing yourself as a writer is critical, but when you are still pre-published, in my opinion, it’s just as important.

While I’m still currently in the pre-published phase of my writing career, I’ve been making a concerted effort to market myself over the last several years. As a result, I’ve not only made a wealth of connections with other writers, I’ve introduced myself to potential readers, and generated name and face recognition with writers, agents and editors.

I know there are many people who believe a pre-published writer should only worry about writing the best book possible. Well, of course, that part is the highest priority. But it’s only smart to plan ahead for the business side of writing, namely the selling of that book you’re working so diligently to perfect. After all, in which scenario would you rather find yourself? 1) Writing a great book, selling that book, then hoping readers will somehow find you on the bookshelf; or 2) Writing a great book, selling that book, then knowing you already have a potential reader base set in place that knows who you are? With the market as tight as it is and more and more promotion left up to the author, why wouldn’t you want to give yourself as much of a head start as possible?

Having worked in my day job as a Public Relations Manager for the last 16 years for a global branding and design firm, I’m very familiar with how the creative side can’t survive without the business side. It’s the same with writing. If you want to make it a career, you have to balance the creative with the business.

So, how, you might ask, can you start getting yourself more exposure and connecting in an authentic way? Following are five things you can do now to start building your name recognition and gaining exposure:

• Create an author website (or have one built/designed for you). Make sure this is to promote your writing and not a blend of family updates, other side businesses, or non-writing related interests. It’s important to make it professional and reflective of your style of writing. While you aren’t yet published, you need to start portraying yourself in a professional manner. If you still aren’t quite ready to invest in this, at least reserve your URL now through a web hosting service such as GoDaddy.com.

• Start a blog. The beauty of having a blog is that you can do anything with it. Post articles that other writers or readers might find interesting. Share photos and overviews of writing events you’ve attended, such as book signings, book launch parties, or writing workshops. This is your promotional canvas. Create something unique out of it that will have readers returning on a regular basis.

• Enlist the use of social media tools, such as Facebook and Twitter. Today’s technology has made gaining exposure and building relationships easier and more sustainable than ever. Not only can you connect with other authors, you can reach countless potential readers. But don’t be a lurker. Make a point of developing a connection with people now, before you want to sell them something. Keep these relationships based on dialogue, not monologue.

• Promote your fellow published authors. You’ve heard the old adage; what goes around comes around. Call it Karma, or call it being supportive. Whether you post a blurb or review on your Facebook or Twitter page, host a contest on your blog to promote an author’s newest release, or leave comments on other people’s blogs, you are giving the same support you hope to get from others when you’re finally published.

• Keep an ongoing spreadsheet of contacts you gather from your social networking outlets, blog comments, contest entries, and from writers you meet at conferences to use for your future promotional needs.

If you follow these simple suggestions, when your fellow authors are wondering what their next steps will be to market themselves and their newly published books, you will be able to move seamlessly into the phase of promoting your book, while building on that momentum with each subsequent release.

***

Christina Arbini has worked as a Public Relations Manager for 16 years in her day job, and is actively writing and seeking publication for her Women’s Fiction novels.

And the December Winners Are...

2009-12-11T21:20:00.000-08:00

Thanks very much to everyone who entered to win Liza Palmer's newest release, "A Field Guide to Burying Your Parents!"

Even if you didn't win the drawing, I encourage you all to go out and purchase your own copy of what promises to be a great read! It will also make a great gift for someone else, too. :-)

And, the lucky winners are....

• Kelly (krtrumpet)

• LittleEagle

• BevB

I hope you all return to my blog soon, as I'll be announcing the next book giveaway contest soon! There are more great books coming up and you won't want to miss being introduced to some new authors.

Happy holidays to you all!

December Book Giveaway Contest

2009-11-29T19:33:00.000-08:00

I'm excited to be promoting the upcoming new release of my friend, Liza Palmer — a fabulous writer — for her book "A Field Guide to Burying Your Parents." This book, published by 5 Spot, hits the shelves on 12/23, but you can win your copy here!

Book Description (from Amazon.com)

Grace Hawkes has not spoken to her previously tight-knit family since her mother's sudden death five years ago. Well, most of the family was tight-knit-- her father walked out on them when she was 13 and she and her two brothers and sister bonded together even closer with their mother as a result.

She's been doing her best to live her new life apart from them, but when their estranged father has a stroke and summons them, Grace suddenly realizes she's done the same thing he had done...abandoned those who need her most.

And need her they do, for inside the hospital walls, a strange war is unfolding between the pseudo-kindly woman who is their father's second wife and the rest of the original Hawkes clan. Upon reconnecting with her brother and sisters, Grace will find a part of herself she thought was lost forever. As they unravel the manipulative deception of the second Mrs. Hawkes, Grace will finally be able to stand up for her family-- and to remember what a family is, even after all these years.

Not only am I excited about giving readers the chance to win one of three copies of Liza's book, but I'm thrilled to introduce Liza Palmer to readers who haven't yet read one of her books. And let me tell you, I strongly suggest you pick up her previous two books, as well. You won't be disappointed. Liza writes with an equally strong balance of wit and poignancy, drawing you into the characters' lives and their world.

Following are some questions I asked Liza and her responses, to give you some insight into her process and this book:

What inspired the plot of this particular story?

I think all my novels are based on this elaborate “What If?” game. I started with an idea of a particularly extreme situation: a family torn apart twenty years ago by a father that abandons them, is torn apart again when their single mother dies five years prior to the book's beginning and is now threatening to tear apart once again when their estranged father has a stroke and summons the children to his bedside. I love the idea of the absolute paradox of grief: that in moments of such extreme sadness there are these hints of the most beautiful glimmers you've ever seen: in your loved ones, in yourself, in the world around you. Therein lies the paradox that is the engine for “A Field Guide to Burying Your Parents.” The absolute wrenching beauty of loss and love and how Grace (and the rest of the Hawkes clan) deals with it.

All of your books have such a strong family dynamic. Do you tend to insert different parts of yourself into each character, and do the characters mirror people you know and your own family dynamics?

My novels never start out as family dramas, but I find myself asking one question about my main character and boom: I'm flipping wildly through their old photo albums. I just don't think you can really know your main character until you dig up all the family dirt and understand where they came from.

I think to some extent I have to understand every character from the inside out - and certain characters resonate more than others. Grace is definitely a character that is near and dear to my heart, but so is John. And every Hawkes sibling has a trait here and there that I am more than a little friendly with. Jeez, the more I think about this question the less I answer it. Sigh. So, maybe I should just...moooove on before someone gets hurt.

How did you come up with the title?

The title for this book was definitely a thorn in my side. For my first two novels (“Conversations with the Fat Girl” and “Seeing Me Naked”), the titles came first - but this one was a little more stubborn. I played with the main character's name (Grace) a lot and then quickly realized that a billion other people had already had that idea. As I sat writing one day I was listening to my iTunes and I have it set to show the album cover of the song playing and Chris Walla's Sing Again came on off the Field Manual album. And I just stared at it. That feeling. That tingling, world stopping moment when you actually feel the creative spark - not to be confused with the All Spark. Same idea, but not something desired by Megatron. So, I played with the word Field and really thought about the book - which, by that time, was close to finished. And soon Rubiks Cubed my way to “A Field Guide to Burying Your Parents.” There are obvious concerns when announcing such a title - I get the odd "Is it...uh...non-fiction?" with a furtive glance to my parents. But, usually it's met with curiosity and a nod to the tongue and cheek humor that needs to be present during such a dark time in one's life.

What do you like the most about your heroine? Would you be friends with her in real life?

I love Grace's ability to tap into her own rage. I know this is a bizarre answer, but it really is what I just love about her. I am more than a little fed up with heroines who are "nice" and "sweet" and someone who is to be protected and bubble wrapped. I love that Grace has no qualms about jumping into the fray uninvited. And then, of course, the lovely underbelly of a character like this is stripping them down and seeing what they're afraid of. What they feel vulnerable against. I loved exploring this with Grace - and by having a character so in touch with her own rage - what that did to the family unit. So, Grace is the rager - where does that leave the other 3 siblings? One of the nurses in the ICU makes a reference to the Hawkes siblings being like the kids in the Narnia books - which leaves our little Grace in Edmund's shoes. I was actually comfortable with this parallel - as it seemed to me that Edmund was the only sibling to really question Peter or authority or really anything. Which is exactly how I see Grace.

I'd love to be friends with her...I think she'd be awesome to hang out with. Okay...so yes, I'd be hanging out with her to get an introduction to Huston, her ridiculously hot older brother who remains unattached.

What was the hardest part of writing this book?

What's the hardest part of writing any book - THE WRITING. For real. Just sitting down every day with this THING in front of you. Blank pages and a made up world to populate and make come alive. All these little threads trailing hither and yon. I mean, it's this perfect way of being for me - writing is this truly flow experience where everything that makes me ME is being utilized to this one end and I feel like the perfect me when I'm writing - challenged and outside of myself and on and on, but some days, that computer screen is the hardest thing to stare at. There are days when I can literally hear the revving of my brain just clicking over like a dead car battery and it's on those days where I play a lot of solitaire and return emails and all that - I still show up at the computer, mind you - but maybe that day isn't going to get quite the word count that the next day will yield. Many an iTunes playlist has come out of those days. :)

Is there a message in your novel that you want to express to your readers?

I know what I got out of my novel, but it's totally different for each person, you know? That's the beauty of books. They hit you right at the perfect time and speak to you as an individual. Each person will hopefully take something different away from it. At least, that's the goal.

What are you reading now?

I've got Elizabeth Hoyt's newest one (and last one in the series!!!) on the TBR pile, as well as “Her Fearful Symmetry” by Audrey Niffinegger and “Swan Thieves” by Elizabeth Kostova. Can't wait to crack them open.

Do you have a specific writing routine that you follow every day?

Absolutely. I have to. I didn't for awhile and I went a little nuts. I've had to create a whole bribery system to lure me out of my cave (aka house): I took coffee and the internet out of my house. I know. So, this way - to get coffee and the internet I have to go to Starbucks - where I then have to write. I start out at Starbucks in the morning and am allowed to go home when it gets dark so I can walk my dog. I've found that this schedule really calms me down about a lot of stuff. The idea that there are people who are waiting for me somewhat? It helps. The fact that I have to get dressed and not go all feral in the woods with just random scribblings written in my own feces to turn into my editor at the end of the month. You know...it's a good thing.

What career would you want if you weren’t a writer?

I loved all the chef stuff I researched for Elisabeth Page in “Seeing Me Naked.” She was a pastry chef, but I think I'd lean more towards comfort food, tiny restaurant and just a whole neighborhood feel. I can definitely see myself going that route. I worked in a classroom for several years and loved that. Working with kids is always amazing. Our family is chock full of lawyers - so that whole world is very familiar to me. That might be cool, too.

What are you currently working on?

I've got Book Four rocking right now - I'm absolutely in love with it. New characters and a whole new story-line. It's going to be a fun book to write. The main character is Frannie and she's just...she's a cool girl who I'm loving spending my days with.

I'm also working on an original screenplay and an adaptation right now - both projects are fun as hell. I've never been more busy and it's just this invigorating thrill ride where everyday I find myself in awe of what I get to do. What I want to hold on to in all this is the wonder, you know? I want to just be blown away by all of this every day.

Speed Round:

Favorite board game? Scrabble - all the way. Boggle is a close second.

Favorite dessert? My brain just exploded.

Favorite classic movie? Classic... meaning? I can't stop thinking about Major League. Hilarious. Not quite Casablanca, but...how hot was Charlie Sheen though? Tom Berenger?? Ahh, good times.

Favorite “guilty pleasure” movie? Um...see above.

Favorite childhood hero? My Mom.

Favorite hero as an adult? My Mom.

Favorite childhood cartoon? We didn't have tv growing up. I know. I've made up for lost time, I assure you.

Most daring/risky thing you’ve ever done? Thought I could be a writer.

For your chance to win one of THREE copies of "A Field Guide to Burying Your Parents," just leave a comment on this blog post. I'll be drawing the three winning names the morning of Sunday, December 6th. Please leave your email address, so I can contact you if you're a winner. Only U.S. and Canada entries!

The Augmented Reality of Reading

2009-11-25T07:10:00.000-08:00

In the spirit of blending the teen sensation of Twilight with dynamic consumer experiences, Penguin Young Readers Group has unveiled a way to connect its tech savvy teen readers to Richelle Mead’s Vampire Academy books in a unique way – through augmented reality – giving them a personalized, interactive virtual experience, which they can then share with their friends through social media outlets. I love to see the innovative ways authors are promoting themselves, especially when they incorporate the elements that most successfully connect with their target audience.

===========================================

Penguin Young Readers Group First U.S. Publisher to Launch Augmented: Join the Vampire Academy and Experience Augmented Reality

Penguin Young Readers Group Partners with Ogmento to Launch Augmented Reality Application for Vampire Academy Signature Edition on November 25th

New York, NY - November 24, 2009 - Richelle Mead's novel Vampire Academy will become the first U.S. book to incorporate new Augmented Reality technology into the reading experience. On November 25th, Razorbill, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers Group, will publish an Augmented Reality (AR) limited edition, signature hard cover of the first book in the New York Times bestselling series, which currently has more than 2.25 million copies in print. Using advanced Augmented Reality technology, the book cover will layer text, images and video to give fans of the paranormal series a unique virtual experience. Penguin Young Readers Group is the first U.S. publisher to use this technology in conjunction with a published book.

Unlike other recent Augmented Reality campaigns, which require black and white geometric markers to trigger the virtual experience, Penguin's campaign will feature a new "image tracking" technology. When fans visit vampireacademybooks.com and hold the cover of the Vampire Academy signature hardcover up to their webcams, the cover will come to life and share a special message from the author. Most notably, this application will have a viral component, as fans will be able to transfer their own photo onto the cover of the book and share that image with friends via email, social networks, and mobile devices. As an added bonus, a secret gesture will reveal the cover image of Spirit Bound, the fifth book in the series, which is due out in May 2010.

Penguin partnered with Ogmento, a company that creates and publishes Augmented Reality games, to create the interactive experience. To promote the campaign, Penguin will run a full-page ad in People Magazine in the December 7th issue, which will also activate the Vampire Academy AR experience.

"When we first discovered Augmented Reality, we were blown away by the possibilities. Teens are incredibly tech savvy. They are constantly talking about their favorite authors, watching and creating book videos, and trading book recommendations online. With Augmented Reality, they can take it one step further and have a personalized, interactive virtual experience with their favorite book," said Don Weisberg, President of Penguin Young Readers Group.

Brian Selzer, Co-Founder of Ogmento commented, "Our vision is to mix fiction and reality in fun and engaging ways. Penguin's team enthusiasm and the Vampire Academy series were a great inspiration to create this unique user-generated augmented reality experience. Millions of fans have already been immersed in the fictional storyline; now they can get immersed in the real book cover - and share it with the world."

There are currently 2.25 million copies of Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy series in print. The Daily Beast has dubbed Vampire Academy, "the obvious heir to the Twilight throne." The hardcover signature edition of Vampire Academy will feature Mead's embossed signature on the cover of the book, as well as the first chapter of Spirit Bound. Penguin will release 100,000 copies of the limited edition.

Holiday Mail for Heroes is back!

2009-11-21T08:27:00.001-08:00

Admit it. You look forward to going to the mailbox every day during the holidays. You pull the bundle from the box then quickly file through the pile of miscellaneous catalogs, looking for that bright red, green, silver or white envelope that promises yet another holiday greeting from a loved one. But for our troops spending the holiday ensuring our freedom and helping the world, they are lucky to receive an occasional note from home. So what can we do? Why not reserve a few cards for these soldiers?

In this season of hope and giving the American Red Cross and Pitney Bowes, Inc. have joined forces to invite Americans to “send a touch of home” to United States service members and veterans across the country and abroad. In its third year, the Holiday Mail for Heroes program is an opportunity to share joy and thanks with our service members throughout the holiday season by way of a greeting card.

Today over 1.4 million men and women serve in the U.S. armed forces and over 24 million veterans have served in the past. The holiday season is the perfect time to honor and extend a warm holiday greeting to those who’ve served and continue to do so.

How Holiday Mail works

They have established an extensive process to ensure all cards sent to service members are safe and arrive in time for the holidays. Holiday cards will be collected through a unique P.O. Box address from now through Monday, December 7*.

First, cards from across the nation must be sent to this address:

Holiday Mail for Heroes

P.O. Box 5456

Capitol Heights, MD 20791-5456

Every card received will be screened for hazardous materials by Pitney Bowes and distributed to participating Red Cross chapters nationwide. Once the cards arrive at the Red Cross chapters, they are sorted and reviewed by volunteers who then distribute them to service members, their families and veterans in communities across the country.

Do...

• Sign all cards

• Entitle cards “Dear Service Member, Family or Veteran”

• Limit cards to 15 per person or 50 for school class or business group

• Bundle groups of cards in single, large envelopes

Don’t...

• Send letters

• Include personal information such as home or email addresses

• Use glitter – excessive amounts can aggravate health issues of wounded recipients

• Include inserts of any kind as they must be removed in the screening process

Childhood Memories of Vampires Past

2009-10-29T20:34:00.000-07:00

This year Halloween is not my usual experience. Typically, I love this holiday and this season. The scent of burning leaves lingers in the crisp air, caramel apples release their tangy juices with each bite, the warmth of a plush blanket and the first crackling fire in the fireplace, the mystery that is All Hallows Eve. I love it all!

But having just had surgery last week, I'm still recovering and not feeling up to donning a costume this year. I'm bummed, but it's better for me. I do have something very easy in mind, though, so I don't feel totally left out at the office tomorrow. I'll post a picture tomorrow of my...ahem...brilliance. LOL!

In the meantime, I'd like to revisit a past blog post from one of my childhood Halloween memories; one that I'll never forget and not necessarily for heartwarming reasons. Although, it might explain my intrigue with vampires, which seems in so in vogue right now with "Twilight," "True Blood," and "The Vampire Diaries," etc. Little did I know that at five years old, I was so ahead of my time! ;-)

I invite you to take a brief peek back into my childhood.

So, feel free to read it then tell me, what is your most memorable Halloween childhood experience? :-)

Huge Local Book Signing Event!

2009-10-05T07:14:00.000-07:00

Do you love to meet authors? Are you looking for some new reading material and some new authors to try out? Well, this is your chance!

On this Saturday, October 10th The Greater Seattle Romance Writers of America chapter is sponsoring a Book Fair at the Bellevue Hilton Hotel. The event runs from 4:30pm-6:00pm in the Skyview Ballroom and includes signing opportunities with more than 50 best-selling and award-winning authors, including Cherry Adair, Susan Anderson, Claire Delacroix, Robert Dugoni, Yasmine Galernorn, Lisa Jackson, Susan Mallery, Bob Mayer, Katie MacAlister, Jane Porter, Christine Warren and many more.

There's no better way to meet some of your favorite authors right in your own backyard. And with the holidays right around the corner, this is the perfect opportunity to get some books personalized for the readers in your life. Several genres will be represented, including historical romance, romantic suspense, paranormal romance, young adult, contemporary romance, women's fiction, and more!

This is a free event and open to the public. The Bellevue Hilton is located at 200 112th Avenue SE, Bellevue, Washington. For more information and a full list of authors, click here.

See you there!

And The September Winners Are...

2009-10-03T12:33:00.001-07:00

Thanks to everyone who entered the September contest for Sallie Day's The Palace of Strange Girls.

If I didn't draw your name, make sure you pick up a copy of your own!

The three winning names are:

• Debby Lee

• Virginia

• Jenn & John DeCuir

Congratulations to the winners! Be sure to email me at christina@christinaarbini.com with your mailing address. The publisher will then ship your book directly to you within 2 weeks. Keep watching for more contests coming up!

September Book Giveaway Contest

2009-09-26T17:53:00.001-07:00

This month, I'm featuring a blast from the past. The Palace of Strange Girls, from Grand Central Publishing, is a return to the year 1959 and spotlights a family struggling with secrets, passions, and fateful choices that transform all of them. This book will draw you in, stir emotion, paint an evocative picture of a bygone age and infuse thought-provoking symbolism throughout.

Product Description

Blackpool, England, 1959. The Singleton family is on holiday. For seven-year-old Beth, just out of the hospital, this means struggling to fill in her 'I-Spy' book and avoiding her mother Ruth's eagle-eyed supervision. Her sixteen-year-old sister Helen, meanwhile, has befriended a waitress whose fun-loving ways hint at a life beyond Ruth's strict rules.

But times are changing. As foreman of the local mill, Ruth's husband, Jack, is caught between unions and owners whose cost-cutting measures threaten an entire way of life. And his job isn't the only thing at risk. When a letter arrives from Crete, a secret re-emerges from the rubble of Jack's wartime past that could destroy his marriage.

As Helen is tempted outside the safe confines of her mother's stern edicts with dramatic consequences, an unexpected encounter inspires Beth to forge her own path. Over the holiday week, all four Singletons must struggle to find their place in the shifting world of promenade amusements, illicit sex, and stilted afternoon teas in this touching and evocative novel.

Author Bio:

Sallie Day was born in Lancashire, England. Her dad worked as a ‘loom overlooker’. After school she applied to College and stayed there one term before dropping out and moving to the other end of the country. The next 25 years were taken up with marriage and children and it was only when the children left home that she decided to take up writing as a hobby. Before she knew where she was, she'd graduated from the amateur writing group to an M.A. course at Manchester University and from there to writing "Palace," which won the Portico Prize for Literature in 2008.

To win one of THREE copies of this book, just leave a comment on this blog post (U.S. and Canada entries only, please). Please be sure to include your email address, so I can contact the you if you're a winner. I'll be drawing the three winning names on the morning of Saturday, October 3rd.

And The August Winners Are...

2009-08-30T09:55:00.001-07:00

Thanks to all of you who entered to win this contest! For those whose names I didn't draw, I hope you consider picking up a copy of Belinda Acosta's new release, "Damas, Dramas, and Ana Ruiz."

The three winners who will each receive a copy of this book are:

• Lighthouse Sandy

• Andrea

• Melissa King

Congratulations to the winners! Please email me at christina@christinaarbini.com with your mailing addresses and I'll have the publisher ship your copy directly to you.

Watch for next month's book giveaway contest to be announced soon!

August Book Giveaway Contest

2009-08-22T16:39:00.000-07:00

There's nothing more complex than the relationship between a mother and her daughter. Half the time you're best friends, half the time you aren't speaking to each other and, well, all the time you love each other. Personally, I'm blessed to have a wonderful close bond with my own mother. She's my best friend, yet always a caring, generous and loving mother first.

This month's book giveaway contest, "Damas, Dramas, and Ana Ruiz" by Belinda Acosta, covers all of the nuances of these beautiful, yet sometimes frustrating, relationships.

Book Description:

All Ana Ruiz wanted was to have a traditional quinceañera for her daughter, Carmen. She wanted a nice way to mark this milestone year in her daughter's life. But Carmen was not interested in celebrating. Hurt and bitter over her father Esteban's departure, she blamed Ana for destroying their happy family, as did everyone else. A good man is hard to find, especially at your age Ana was told. Why not forgive his one indiscretion? Despite everything, Ana didn't want to tarnish Carmen's childlike devotion to her beloved father. But Ana knows that growing up sometimes means facing hard truths. In the end, Ana discovers that if she's going to teach Carmen anything about what it means to be a woman, it will take more than simply a fancy party to do it...

About the Author:

Belinda Acosta lives and writes in Austin, Texas where she is a columnist for the Austin Chronicle. Her non-fiction has appeard in Poets & Writers, Latino USA, the Radio Journal of News and Culture, AlterNet, the San Antonio Current, and Latino Magazine. She is a member of Macondo, the writers' collective launched by acclaimed writer Sandra Cisneros. She loves knitting, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, chips and salsa, mariachi (good, make your soul leap from your body, mariachi); conjunto music (todo old school), and given the opportunity, will square dance. Damas, Dramas, and Ana Ruiz is her first novel.

For a chance at being one of the THREE winners who will get a copy of this new release, just leave a comment on this blog post. I'll be drawing the three winners on the morning of Sunday, 8/30.

Only U.S. and Canada entrants, please. Also, please post your email address, so I'm able to reach you if you are a winner.

Thanks, and good luck! Now go post a comment to enter! :-)

It's Fun To Stay At The YMCA

2009-08-13T19:53:00.001-07:00

Well, I did it. I finally got myself back into a regular work-out regime. Okay, technically that "regime" is only a few days old, but hey, you have to start somewhere, right? I recently joined a brand spanking new YMCA around the corner from my house. It's more than time to get back into shape and work off some of this stress I'm carrying around. Oh, I've tried the video work-outs in the privacy of my own living room, but I still manage to spend my evenings parked on the couch. Even when I got the new cable On Demand service and saw they had a channel of free work-outs, I found myself "sitting" and "watching." You know, I had to watch to decide if it was worth a try. ;-) And yes, I do have a nice treadmill out in my garage. But I got tired of staring at my storage shelves holding my old Barbie motor home. I just knew size zero Barbie was laughing at me through the window, along with her BFFs Francie and PJ. Oh, and don't get me started on Ken rolling his eyes at me. Rude and mocking...all of them. ;-)

Soooooooo, I''m now a card-carrying member of the YMCA. I must admit, I was a little disappointed that I wasn't greeted by the Village People. I thought surely the Indian would be giving me my orientation on the circuit training machines. He was probably off teaching a Zumba class. Instead, I got this chap who was probably in his early 20s. He was also one of the personal trainers. Did I mention the free

12-week personal trainer program they offer? Yes, I will be paired up with one of the "young-un" personal trainers to get conditioned. Go ahead and start calling me Mrs. Robinson now. Sheesh. That's just wrong. Anyone looking at me working-out would think I'm concentrating hard on my strength building, when in reality I'm continuously doing the math in my head to remind myself EXACTLY how much older I am than these trainers. It would have made it a lot easier if the VP black Motorcycle guy was my trainer. He's probably at least 15 years older than me, plus I'm not a fan of the handle-bar mustache. A win-win situation. Although, he's probably get too sweaty in his plether chaps. That wouldn't be pretty at all.

I've discovered a favorite machine -- the Elliptical. Not just any Elliptical, but the Elliptical Theater. Yes, you can plug in your earphones and watch TV on your own personal screen while working out. But they only have certain channels: FOX news, CNN, AMC, Travel Channel, Discovery Channel and the Food Channel. I was told this keeps the viewing "controlled" so people are only watching appropriate shows. As that was being explained during orientation, I pointed out the AMC station was currently airing "Pulp Fiction." Hmm. Not so appropriate. LOL! But I find it ironic that the first night of work-out I was watching a countdown on the best donut shops, and tonight was watching the best beaches around the world. So, instead of Barbie mocking me, I had oodles of bikini clad women and six-pack toting men romping in front of me. I swear that made me work out even harder. ;-) Hey, whatever works, I guess.

So, that's how it's going so far. I'm working up my endurance before starting some of the cardio classes, but that will happen soon enough. And in the meantime, maybe I'll run into the elusive VP one of these days. Just tonight, I thought I saw the Construction Worker swimming laps in the pool. I know they're around there somewhere!

Come To The Emerald City!

2009-08-03T07:51:00.000-07:00

Or more specifically, the Emerald City Writer's Conference!

Yes, it's that time of year again when aspiring and published writers are invited to register for the 2009 Emerald City Writer's Conference sponsored by the Greater Seattle Romance Writer's of America. The event will be held October 9-11, 2009 at the Hilton Bellevue Hotel in Bellevue, Washington, and features editor and agent appointments, educational and inspirational sessions, chat sessions with best-selling authors, social and networking events and a book fair open to the public.

The keynote speaker is Claire Delacroix with featured speakers Lisa Jackson & Christine Warren. Special guests will include Cherry Adair, Stella Cameron, Bob Dugoni, Yasmine Galenorn, Susan Mallery, Katie MacAllister, Bob Mayer, Jane Porter and more.

Attending editors and agents include Megan McKeever (Pocket Books), Wanda Ottewell (Harlequin), Peter Senftleben (Kensington), Steven Axelrod (The Axelrod Agency), Alexandra Machinist (The Linda Chester Literary Agency) and Elaine Spencer (The Knight Agency). Early bird registrants have the chance to win a private bonus pitch with HQN Senior Editor Tara Parsons. Early bird registration closes August 16th.

Registration is limited. To register, click here!

• Editor & Agent Appointments

• Educational & Inspirational Sessions

• Bookfair

• Chat Sessions with Your Favorite Authors

• Social Events for Networking

DC Trip, Day Eight: Awards night and home sweet home

2009-07-19T13:39:00.000-07:00

Friday, July 18th:

I didn't have time to blog last night, since the Rita and Golden Heart awards ceremony and dessert reception ran late. But the Rita and Golden Heart ceremony was exciting as usual. Always fun to see everyone dressed in their best and celebrating the accomplishments and wins of our fellow authors. It's always a bit bitter sweet to see the awards ceremony end. As we left the dessert reception, we kept stealing glances over our shoulders back at the crowd, as if trying to take in one last bit of "conference" before saying goodbye for another year.

Rita and Golden Heart Awards Ceremony on last night of conference:

Fellow chapter mates at awards ceremony reception on last night of conference (Carolynn Estes, me, Kelli Estes, Shelli Stevens, Gayle Williams, Elizabeth Darvell:

===============================================

Saturday, July 19th:

Arlington Cemetery as seen from the plane after take-off:

The Pentagon as seen from the plane after take-off:

Mt. Rainier from the plane - the first sign of home sweet home (and NO humidity!):

DC Trip, Day Seven: Every conference needs a fire drill

2009-07-17T22:35:00.000-07:00

Friday morning came early once again. Like all the other mornings of this week. Conference week is the only "vacation" I've ever had where I still get up at 5:30 - 6:30am each morning. But there's a lot to pack in each day. We bustled our way through another couple of free book signings today then met up for the last luncheon and speaker of the conference.

Author Eloisa James as Friday's speaker:

Not only do they serve "this" for one of the lunches...

They also serve me a glass of water with a huge shard of glass missing out of the side:

After lunch, I attended a workshop held by a couple of great agents talking about the professionalism of an author. Two thirds of the way through, the hotel's fire alarm went off and the entire hotel had to evacuate. This was a bit unnerving considering a Marriott in Jakarta had just been bombed by a terrorist the day before. So, we just continued the workshop outside.

Agents Laura Bradford and Jennifer Schober continuing their workshop out on the loading dock after the fire alarm went off:

I had both my agent and editor pitch appointments this afternoon and they couldn't have gone better. Okay, well, I guess they could have if both had offered me a contract on the spot. LOL! But, I was excited that the editor requested the partial of my current manuscript and the agent requested not only a partial of my current, but also a partial of my last manuscript! I'll definitely be very busy getting everything polished once I return home. But it's work I'm really looking forward to. :-)

Waiting in one of the long lines for one of the publishers' free book signings with author Eileen Rendahl:

Tonight I boxed up all of the books I'd collected from the free signings thus far - 5 large Fed-X boxes full. I also packed all I could, so I wouldn't have to worry about it tomorrow. I can't believe there's only one day left of conference. I can't believe I've been here for nearly a week! I've done so much, seen so much, and believe it or not, am STILL sporting my sunburn. Oh, and of course, starting to peel a bit. Ugh.

DC Trip, Day Six: Words of wisdom from Janet Evanovich

2009-07-16T23:05:00.000-07:00

Thursday morning started the conference off with a bang, as popular women's fiction/mystery author, Janet Evanovich, gave the welcome speech.

Author Janet Evanovich giving welcome speech on first actual day of conference:

It was a laugh riot listening to factoids about her and her words of advice, some of which I've shared below:

• Keep writing, don't give up! It took her 10 years to publish her first novel.

• She loves to write. She has no other hobbies and considers herself the world's most boring person.

• She can't read other people's books. Instead, she spends free time watching movies and reading junky magazines.

• A week before her books come out, she buys a day-old birthday cake and eats it all. "You can see it here on my ass," she remarked.

• We're all like jelly donuts. God takes pastry tubes and fills us with creative jelly. When you squeeze the donut, your creativity comes out. Some people's jelly comes out of their plumber's hole...ours' comes out of our writer's hole (lovely visual, right?).

• She recently broke her foot by falling off the edge of the stage at a book signing when she went to sign a book for a woman in a wheel chair. Ironic, huh?

• Don't give up! Always move forward. She said, "I enjoy writing for about 1 1/2 hours in the mornings, and then it's like hemorrhoids for the rest of the time after that."

• "I think a lot more than I write. I'm a slow writer. I don't spew words onto the page. I'm a reduction sauce writer - I let it stew."

• Best advice: "Never hold anything back. Put it all in THIS book now and hope you'll have something else for the next book. Don't save stuff."

• When asked: What is your favorite swear word? JE's answer: "F&%$." It's also her biggest turn-on. ;-)

• When asked: If heaven exists, what would you like to hear God say at the Pearly Gates? JE's answer: "Hello bitch!" LOL!

Since our room service breakfasts never showed up this morning, I tried desperately to keep from licking the chocolate sculptures of Lincoln and the White House on display in the hotel. This Marriott was definitely NOT prepared for our conference. Which is surprising, considering the two other conferences that had been there right before us. Nearly every night I had to call down to room service for the coffee cups or towels they forgot to stock after supposedly cleaning our room. And the service in the restaurants were just as slow/sloppy. They seemed very short staffed, but knowing that this is a down economy, I would have expected everyone to be working their hardest to keep their jobs.

But, I did attend a couple of free publisher book signings today, and am hitting up a couple more tomorrow. That's always the perk of the conference and worth skipping workshops for (they are recorded anyway for listening to later). The signings are mad houses with everyone clamoring for free books, but I typically come home from these conferences with 70-90 brand new books!

Milk chocolate carved Abraham Lincoln:

Today's keynote speaker during lunch was popular romantic suspense author, Linda Howard. I love listening to this woman. She's hysterical! Her description of her odd-ball family and her role as the one sane one in the bunch had the entire audience rolling. I will never again read one of her books without thinking about her ever prepared mother who once pulled a foil wrapped package from her purse containing hot pork chops at an outdoor concert.

This hilarity more than made up for the not so palatable lunch. I wouldn't have minded someone pulling a pork shop out of their purse for me after being served our rubber chicken entree.

As with many of the lunch entrees at conference, I ended up only eating the dessert:

DC Trip, Day Five: Walking in the footsteps of history

2009-07-15T23:01:00.000-07:00

Today, we set out for our tour of the White House. Since we weren't allowed to bring cameras or purses, I had to grab interior shots from Google Images, and Kelli snapped this exterior shot with her iPhone upon our exit. After passing through the expected metal detectors (and oogling over the secret service men), we were herded through the tour in one long line of lookiloos. Apparently, the family was in residence at the time, so there were room dividers set up in the main hallway to keep anyone from seeing someone possibly passing through. It was amazing to be walking through such history. So strange to think that so many historical figures strolled the halls and how many major world decisions were made here. And kind of cute to see upon exiting through the front doors that on the two windows overlooking the front portico there were butterfly stickers on the glass panes. Perhaps that's where the girls' bedroom is?

Interior of White House:

The State Dining Room at the White House:

The exterior of the White House upon exiting the tour:

After freshening up back at the hotel, Kelli and I met the fabulous Cherry Adair for lunch. Then it was time to get ready for the huge book signing benefitting literacy. More than 500 authors were signing for a couple of hours. Always a crazy event as you try to weave through rows of tables to find your favorite authors and get your books signed. Not to mention the long line of people waiting to pay for their purchases afterward.

Paranormal author, J.R. Ward at book signing:

After the book signing, we grabbed dinner then opted to turn in for the night - not that it stopped me from staying up until midnight again. What is it about conference that you never seem to get enough sleep?

DC Trip, Day Four: My own private Grayline limo

2009-07-14T18:15:00.000-07:00

Six AM came much too quickly this morning, especially after Serena and I had to stay up until 1:30am waiting to find out where the courier was who had her luggage and was supposed to have dropped it off at 9:30pm. Needless to say, I was a bit out of sorts when I had to meet my bus tour ride at 7:10am to head out to George Washington's Mt. Vernon estate in Virginia. But thankfully, once there, I was glad we'd arrived when they opened, for we were able to breeze right up to the mansion for that portion of the tour before the lines formed. It was amazing to see the mansion decorated with all the original furnishings and decor as when our first President and his family lived there. You almost can't comprehend how many important leaders in our country's history slept in the house or strolled the hallways. Unfortunately, you can't take photos in the house, so I only have a couple pics I grabbed of the interior off Google.

Mt. Vernon mansion across Bowling Green:

Mt. Vernon mansion and connecting kitchen:

The main dining room:

George and Martha's bedroom - George died in this bed:

View of the Potomac River from back of mansion:

Black Smith shed at Mt. Vernon (with a mess of possible orbs - or dust, but one definitive orb on left):

Laundry house (the drying rack was where the term "clothes horse" first originated):

Grounds of Mt. Vernon:

The tomb of George & Martha Washington:

The Mt. Vernon greenhouse:

The Mt. Vernon Upper Garden:

The slave quarters at Mt. Vernon (w/ an orb above fireplace):

When it was time to leave beautiful and peaceful Mount Vernon, there were only 7 of not going on to the full day tour elsewhere, so we had our own Grayline bus for the drive home. Since there were so few of us, the driver offered to drop us wherever we wanted. As the last one on the bus, I got ride way outside the general tourist area to the Basilica & National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (largest Catholic Cathedral in the U.S.) for front door drop off. That would have been a 30 minute cab ride at that hour. The Basilica was unbelievably beautiful and the hushed silence was a nice change from the hustle and bustle of all the other tourist spots.

The Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception:

Statue of Mary encircled by prayer candles:

One of the many chapels in the Basilica:

Inside of the main Basilica:

Thankfully, the metro stop was only a few blocks away, as my feet were screaming. You've got to love a $2.50 charge compared to the $20 the cab would have charged.

Tomorrow I'm off to tour the White House with Serena, Kelli and Carolynn. If the passed down rumor in my family is correct (on the maternal side), I'll be walking in the footsteps of one of my ancestors, President James Monroe. Very cool!

DC Trip, Day Three: I am not an animal!

2009-07-13T20:38:00.000-07:00

Funny thing about a sunburn. It quickly turns one into a circus freak when circulating among the common folk — otherwise known as the unmarred complexioned ones. So, aside from still glowing like a mobile nuclear plant when I woke up, I really wasn't in any pain. In fact, I quickly forgot I even had an issue, unless I looked in the mirror, or happened to venture into the line of the sun. Then I felt like a suicidal vampire tempting fate. Um, does anyone else smell burning flesh? But, just about the time I'd forgotten about my burn, I'd quickly be reminded by some museum guide that I should really be wearing sunscreen (gee, ya think?), or informed by a gift shop worker that some people get cancer after such a bad burn (again, thanks ever so much, little miss sunshine!), or my ultimate favorite — the people who would stand behind me and whisper things like, "See? That's what happens when you don't wear sunscreen." People, the sun didn't fry my eardrums. I can still hear you. I'm RIGHT here! I am not an animal!

But, despite all that, I ended up getting to three museums today, starting off at the Museum of Natural History, where I could see my first dinosaur skeleton (holy crap those are big!), the Hope Diamond and the Easter Island Head that I've always wanted to see, among other things.

The cursed Hope Diamond at Museum of Natural History:

Easter Island Head at Museum of Natural History:

Dinosaur at Museum of Natural History:

Mummy at the Museum of Natural History:

Actual skeleton of a Jamestown Settler at the Museum of Natural History:

Then it was next door to the Museum of American History, where I got to see some of the President's inaugural dresses, the history of transportation exhibit, the pop culture exhibit (including Dorothy's shoes from the Wizard of Oz and Archie Bunker's original chair, among others) and an Abraham Lincoln exhibit.

The Seinfeld "Puffy Pirate" Shirt at the Museum of American History:

C-3PO's costume at Museum of American History:

Abraham Lincoln's hat in the Museum of American History:

After viewing the Lincoln exhibit, I headed over to Ford's Theater, where you can see the box seat wear Lincoln was shot. It was amazing to stand in the same theatre where such traumatic history unraveled. After the shooting, Lincoln was carried across the street to a boarding house where he later died.

Ford's Theater:

Ford's Theater - box where Lincoln was shot (note the orb - looks like someone is still watching the show):

Peterson House across street from Ford's Theater, where Lincoln was carried after being shot:

Interior of Peterson House:

Bed at Peterson House where Abraham Lincoln died:

Flowers outside my hotel:

By the time I returned to the hotel, I could barely walk. Seems to be a recurring theme on this trip. But by dinnertime, my roomie Serena and Kelli's roomie Carolynn had arrived. After an Italian dinner out, we came back to wait for Serena's luggage to be located. How the airline could lose one of her two bags on a non-stop flight is beyond me.

Oh well, tomorrow I'm off on a half-day trip to George Washington's Mt. Vernon estate and the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (largest Catholic Cathedral in the U.S.).

DC Trip, Day Two: Red is NOT your color

2009-07-12T21:56:00.000-07:00

If possible, I think I slept even less last night. Apparently the hotel was finishing up a Barbie doll convention. Really??? I saw women dressed like Barbie and other women (and some men) carrying around dolls. For crying out loud. Who knew those Barbie lovers could party so much? They must have been terribly excited over their doll fascination, because the people in the room next door were SO loud most of the night. By about 2am I was ready to storm next door and shove that Barbie where Ken would never find it. Yeah, I'm not so pleasant when I'm sleep deprived. ;-)

I was up by 6:30am so I'd have plenty of time to get ready, eat breakfast, and get to Union Station where my double-decker bus tour started. I like to have access to these "hop on, hop off" vehicles, not only to get an idea of the layout of the city, but cheaper transportation than taking cabs everywhere when my feet start to hurt. Um, I rode it only twice today. I took it as far as Arlington Cemetery (about the halfway point of the full tour) and jumped off to start my day, but not before seeing the National Cathedral from the bus.

Once at Arlington, I ventured through the sea of white, unadorned, yet stately headstones. Even wearing sunglasses, I found myself squinting at how the morning sun reflected off their smooth, alabaster surface. Very sobering, let me tell you. Definitely not something you can walk past, without stopping every few steps to just stare at the vastness of them stretching across a field of green.

I found my way to the Kennedy graves with the Eternal Flame. Again, so strange to think you're standing so close to one of our greatest President's remains. It felt like there should have been more than a chain between us and the flame.

(Kennedy's grave with Eternal Flame, and the Arlington House atop the hill above)

Then I came across Robert Kennedy's grave, marked by a white, flat head stone and this simple white cross (again with the Arlington House above).

Next was the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers, which is guarded around the clock. I happened to arrive right in time to watch the very regimented and formal changing of the guard. So respectful and a bit emotional to see such loyalty and respect paid to our soldiers, despite knowing their names.

Once I finished strolling around the cemetery, I decided to forego the "hop on, hop off" bus, and just walk across the Potomac River to the Lincoln Memorial and the where the true length of the Mall began. It didn't seem so far, after all. Ahem, right. See that speck way in the distance? Yes, that's the massive Lincoln Memorial. But by the time I took this photo, I was already halfway there, so there was no turning back. You know how it is when something seems closer than it truly is? Yeah, well, now so do I.

But, I finally made! The Lincoln Memorial is massive. You don't really realize how much so, until you see it in true scale compared to the size of people. I climbed the many stairs leading up to the marble behemoth and stood in awe of the statue of Lincoln. Well, in between playing photographer for all the people asking me to take a picture of them standing in front of it.

Leaving the Lincoln Memorial, I had a great view of the Washington Monument at the other end of the reflecting pool, which by that time I was ready to jump into because it was so hot. This was probably about the time my sunburn began, as I'd no doubt sweated off my SPF 30. But more on that later.

Next was the Vietnam Memorial Wall. If that doesn't put everything into perspective, I don't know what will.

The Korean Memorial was equally moving, if not more so. Larger than life size statues seem to be continuing their mission, unaware of the throngs of tourists milling about. It's actually pretty eerie to stand there gazing at them. I half expected them to turn and stare right back at me.

The World War II Memorial is another huge memorial. Flanked by marble columns with the Pacific marketing one end and the Atlantic the other, it contains a wall of gold stars, waterfalls, marble wreaths marking every state's name engraved into the perimeter of the memorial, with a large reflective pool and two fountains in the middle of it all. Again, in the midst of the somber moment, I fought the urge to cool my feet in the water. Not only should I have been detecting the scent of singing flesh by then (my own), but my poor feet were feeling the repercussions of my foolish decision to "get a little exercise and just walk."

The Washington Monument not only looks huge in pictures, it IS huge. I actually decided against going up into it, as I was peetering out pretty fast by that point of the afternoon. But it's just as impressive from the base. Until the Eiffel Tower was built, the Washington Monument was the tallest building in the world.

And lastly, the U.S. Capitol. Elegant, stately, even stuffy looking. But it's filled with politicians, so what would you expect? ;-)

So, by the time I finally hop back onto my double decker bus for the ride back to my hotel, my I'm ready to amputate my feet and I'm getting the idea that something might be amiss with my skin. Ironically, I saw this girl on the bus whose back was burnt to a crisp and thought to myself, "wow, she's going to be in a world of hurt." Little did I know that "I" was also going to be hurting just as bad, if not more. The first thing I literally said when looking in my bathroom mirror was, "Sonofabitch!" There were a few other choice words in there, too, but I'll keep those to myself. I was glowing. My entire fact, back of neck, chest and my arms (of course all my arms from the short sleeve mark down). Seriously fire engine red, glowing. I took Advil, lathered on aloe and bundled up because the chills had set in. Not a good sign, is it? Hmmm. So, as my entire body either throbs or glows, I'm signing off for the night.

More to come tomorrow, if I'm able to walk and show my face in public. On the schedule is anything that I can do INSIDE.

DC Trip, Day One: No, that's NOT the White House

2009-07-11T23:51:00.000-07:00

The morning started off EARLY, especially after getting about 4 hours of sleep the night before - the result of staying up late to finish packing and having to be at the airport at an ungodly hour. But, once Kelli and I arrived and checked our luggage (47 lbs. - phew, just made it!), we enjoyed a leisurely cup of coffee, bit of breakfast and of course the birthday Mimosas in honor of Kelli's day. :-)

After a fairly turbulent flight (which isn't any better from First Class, mind you), we began our descent, just in time to see the Washington Monument below. I was ready to kick the seat of the woman in front of me if she continued to yell out, "I see the White House!" every time she saw, well, a white house or building. "Look! It's the White House!" she'd say. To which her companion would correct, "No, that's the Kennedy Center," or "No, that's another museum," or "No, that's an office building." Seriously. And, by the way, note to everyone who travels: there is more than one black suitcase with a red ribbon on the handle. Thankfully I was paying attention when waiting at baggage claim. I watched my bag come out (not many bags have 4 wheels, so I knew even from afar it was mine) and someone hoist it onto a cart with several other bags. I ran over and said, that's my bag, to which the woman directing the baggage clerk giggled and said, "oh, sorry, I saw the red ribbon and told him to grab it." Idiot.

So, interestingly enough, the first thing I did after checking into the hotel, was to go in search of the White House. I was meeting a ghost tour across the street in Layafette Square, so I had the chance to snap several photos of the residence. Hey, rumor has it in my family that we're related to President James Monroe, so of course I wanted to get a closer glimpse. Funny how it seems so much bigger on TV. But still, very impressive to see in person after all these years of just pictures.

My ghost tour was interesting. It was 90 minutes of strolling the perimeter of Lafayette Square, which apparently is extremely haunted. I even captured a few orbs on camera even before the guide reminded people to take photos because of what might show up. The minute someone asked what an orb was, I had nearly the entire group around me, trying to peer onto my camera's little screen.

(Dolly Madison's house below: she apparently still is spotted sitting on her front porch, greeting people as they pass by - didn't catch anything here)

The tour ended back at the White House, where we learned of all the ghosts there, as well. I must admit, in the dark, the house does look a bit ominous. I couldn't believe all the bats darting through the trees there in the front grounds. And the fireflies. This was only the second time I've ever see them - the first was in NY at that year's National Conference.

Can't believe how much I already fit in on the first evening here. Tomorrow it's Arlington Cemetery and working my way up the Mall through all the monuments and memorials.

Write At Sea - A floating writer's retreat

2009-07-10T07:30:00.001-07:00

Do you long for a luxury retreat on the high seas, cruising along in style and letting the tranquil ambiance and scenery inspire your writing? Well, you're in luck! Check out this great writers'/plotters' retreat on Carnival Cruise Line. Hosted by Mary Buckham, award-winning novelist and co-author of the smash hit, "Break Into Fiction" guide, this retreat provides the perfect backdrop for a relaxing and valuable writers excursion on the open sea.

Write at Sea: Break into Fiction Plotting Retreat
Attend Mary Buckham’s famous power plotting retreat on Carnival Cruise Lines

Depart Friday afternoon and return Monday morning in Los Angeles.

For more details, registration and questions, go to: www.writeatsea.com

Itinerary:
Departure/Arrival Location: Los Angeles, California (Long Beach) Port of Call
Dates: April 30 - May 3, 2010 on Carnival Paradise
Friday April 30 - with 5:30 pm departure
Saturday, May 1 - Class from 9 am to 5:00 pm
Sunday, May 2 - Class from 9 am to 4:00 pm
Monday, May 3 - 8:00 am return

Cost of the retreat: Early registration for the retreat is $395. $100 deposit required at time of registration.
Cost of the Cruise: $299 interior/$339 oceanview. Once we receive your payment, you will receive the booking code and information. Write at Sea has been given a transferable and fully refundable rate for a limited time. $100 deposit required at time of registration

The maximum number of students is 20 - sign up now to guarantee your spot!

And The July Contest Winners Are....

2009-07-09T07:29:00.000-07:00

Thanks to ALL of you who entered to win one (or more) or Jane Porter's books in this month's contest! I'm just as excited as you to read my copy of her newest release (hitting shelves on July 22nd) "Easy On The Eyes,".

This morning I randomly drew the winning names and they are as follows:

Winners of new release "Easy On The Eyes" -

• Esther

• Karen

• Phyllis J. Towzey

• Arlene

• Michelle - Bleeding Espresso

And the Grand Prize Winner of Jane's full set of women's fiction novels (Frog Prince, Flirting With Forty, Odd Mom Out, Mrs. Perfect, and Easy On The Eyes) is -

• Wilma

Congratulations to all the winners and thanks again to everyone for entering! I hope you will all go out and pick up one (or more!) of Jane's books, especially her newest release. Trust me, you won't be disappointed. :-)

If you are one of the winners, please email your mailing address to me at christina@christinaarbini.com and I'll forward it to the publisher who will ship your copy directly to you.

Also, be sure to check back over the next week for blog updates on my trip to the RWA National Writers Conference in Washington, DC. I'll be posting pictures! :-)

And next month we'll have yet another book giveaway contest, so stay tuned for that!

July's "Fabulous Jane" Book Giveaway!

2009-07-01T07:00:00.000-07:00

I am SO excited to host this month's book giveaway contest, since it's not only for what promises to be a great book, but it's for my friend, the fabulous Jane Porter!

Jane's newest release, "Easy On The Eyes," is due to hit shelves on July 22nd and is a follow-up to "Odd Mom Out" and "Mrs. Perfect."

About this book (from Amazon.com):
At 38, Tiana Tomlinson has made it. America adores her as one of the anchors of America Tonight, a top-rated nightly entertainment and news program. But even with the trappings that come with her elite lifestyle, she feels empty. Tiana desperately misses her late husband Keith, who died several years before. And in a business that thrives on youth, Tiana is getting the message that her age is starting to show and certain measures must be taken if she wants to remain in the spotlight. It doesn't help that at every turn she has to deal with her adversary--the devilishly handsome, plastic surgeon to the stars, Michael Sullivan. But a trip away from the Hollywood madness has consequences that could affect the rest of her life.

About Jane Porter:
An award-winning novelist with nearly 4 million books in print, Jane Porter is still a small town girl at heart, never feeling too far away from her roots in central California's golden foothills, oak trees, and miles of farmland.

Jane’s first published novel, The Italian Groom, sold to Harlequin Presents in 2000. Since then, Jane has been prolific, penning more than 22 novels. The publication of The Frog Prince in May 2005 marked a new avenue for Jane's career. Taking a more literary turn than her previous work, Jane stayed close to home, using the backdrop of exciting San Francisco to look at the complex relationships between mothers, daughters and the men they love.

July 2006 marked the release of Jane's second multi-bestselling modern lit novel, Flirting With Forty, set in Seattle and Hawaii. Flirting With Forty was a Lifetime movie that debuted in December 2008 starring Heather Locklear and Robert Buckley. Jane's highly anticipated third modern lit, Odd Mom Out released September 2007 and generated considerable buzz and earned critical acclaim including 4 ½ Stars, Top Pick award from RT Magazine. Mrs. Perfect, the follow up to Odd Mom Out, hit the shelves May 2008 with tremendous success pleasing both the critics and readers.

And now for what makes this such a fabulous book contest...Jane's publisher was SO generous to offer FIVE — yes, you read that right — FIVE copies of Jane's new release, "Easy On The Eyes," for me to give away to the lucky winners whose names I'll draw. And on top of that, I'll also be drawing ONE Grand Prize winner, who will receive one of EACH of the following Jane Porter books: "The Frog Prince," "Flirting With Forty," "Odd Mom Out," "Mrs. Perfect," AND "Easy On The Eyes." What better way can you spend your summer than reading a Jane book?

For your chance to win one of these fabulous prizes (yes, every one of Jane's books is fabulous), just leave a comment on this blog post. I'll be posting the winning names on the morning of Thursday, 7/9. Only U.S. and Canada entries, please.

And The June Winners Are...

2009-06-30T06:52:00.000-07:00

Thanks to everyone who entered to win the new release, "Ms. Taken Identity" by Dan Begley. I hope you go pick up a copy of your own, if I didn't draw your name as one of the winners.

And speaking of winners, congratulations to the three winners, whose names I pulled this morning:

• Tanya Eby

• Finny

• Louisa Bacio

Please email your mailing address to me at christina@christinaarbini.com, so I can forward it to the publisher who will ship your copy to you directly.

Watch for an extra special book giveaway contest next month, featuring a brand new release from my friend, Jane Porter, including an exciting grand prize!

And in the meantime, be sure to check back in during the week of July 11th, as I'll be blogging about my trip to the RWA National Conference from DC. :-)

June Book Giveaway Contest

2009-06-23T19:53:00.000-07:00

What lengths would you go to for publication? While I personally choose to stick with the traditional means of getting that first contract, I'm excited to live vicariously through the hero of this month's new release Chick Lit. Yes, I said the "hero" of a Chick Lit novel. "Ms. Taken Identity" is the first release of Dan Begley, a male author venturing into what has typically been considered a woman's genre - Chick Lit.

Book Description from Amazon.com:
PhD candidate Mitch Samuel's life isn't going exactly according to plan: his girlfriend just dumped him (to be fair, he did forget to pick her up at the airport), his estranged father has landed in the hospital, and his literary masterpiece-one part Shakespeare, one part Steinbeck, and all parts lyrical epic-has been rejected for the umpteenth time.

However, after a chance encounter at Starbucks with the queen of women's fiction- Katharine Longwell-who seems to take a liking to him, he senses an opportunity for literary riches, if not reputation. After telling her that his (imaginary) female cousin is an aspiring chick-lit author, he secures a promise from her that she'll help his "cousin" get published. The only problem is, Mitch needs a manuscript, and fast.

Unfortunately, try as he might to get inside a woman's head by reading Vogue and Cosmo, watching Oxygen and Oprah, nothing seems to work. That's when his roommate Bradley suggests that he try a dance class at the studio where Bradley's sister Marie takes lessons. Self-conscious about his own skills, and unwilling to reveal his true intentions, Mitch attends the first class under an alias: Jason Gallagher, pharmaceutical rep. What could go wrong?

Nothing, except that Mitch/Jason quickly finds himself hooked on dancing, and on the charming Marie. Who has no idea who he really is. Or that he knows her brother. Or why he's there. Suddenly, his novel-writing project is becoming a lot more than he bargained for...

About the author:
Dan Begley is an award-winning writer whose novel Ms. Taken Identity will be published in 2009 by Grand Central Publishing. He has also been a member of the English faculty at the University of Missouri-St. Louis and Cor Jesu Academy. A summa cum laude graduate of UM-St. Louis, he received the university’s highest honor given to a writer, the Wednesday Club Award. He has also served as an editor at Elsevier Publishing. Dan lives in St. Louis with his wife, Robin, and is currently working on his next novel.

Once again, Grand Central Publishing and 5 Spot Books is offering THREE copies to be given away the lucky winners whose names I'll draw on the morning of Tuesday, June 30th.

To enter to win this great summer read, just leave a comment on this blog post!

Entrants from the U.S. and Canada only, please.

And The Winner of "Giving Up The V" Is...

2009-06-13T08:31:00.000-07:00

Thanks very much to everyone who entered to win a copy of Serena Robar's new release "Giving Up The V."

I drew a name this morning and the winner is:

• blackroze37yahoo.com

Congratulations, and be sure to email me with your name and mailing address so I can forward it to Serena who will ship your book to you directly.

Again thanks to everyone who entered. Be sure to pick up your own copy of this book.

Also, keep checking back, as I'll be giving away another great new release in the next week or two - a Chicklit written by a guy - that looks like it's going to be hysterical!

Giving Away "Giving Up The V"

2009-06-07T23:03:00.000-07:00

I'm not only looking forward to reading this book, myself, but I'm equally excited to promote my good friend, Serena Robar's, newest Young Adult release entitled, "Giving Up the V."

About the Book:
What's So Wrong With Waiting?

Spencer Davis just turned sixteen. But unlike most hormonal teenagers who seem obsessed with sex -- like her entire crew of friends -- Spencer just doesn't get it. She'd rather wait for the right guy and the right moment. But that moment may be arriving sooner than she'd thought.

Enter Benjamin Hopkins, a new transfer student who seems to have his eyes on our V-card-carrying heroine. He's gorgeous, funny, suave, athletic, and capable of making Spencer's knees wobble with a single glance. Spencer has never felt this way about anyone before, but is Ben truly V-worthy?

Serena Robar's Bio:
I spent my school days addicted to reading romances. Historical. Regencies. Old West, Native American. Pirate. The list goes on. I would tuck a Romance in my open science book and pretend to be following along with class when I was really lost in a fantasy world of happily ever after. Though my knowledge of mitochondria is woefully limited, I can boast a vast array of trivia about the pirate trade of the 16th century, American pioneer life and Regency etiquette of the Ton.

My reading habits have improved much and I still read when I should be doing laundry, making dinner and/or any household chores (we order a lot of pizza). In fact, when I discover a new author I will read their entire backlist non-stop. Literally. I won’t do anything else but read. Addiction is a dangerous thing.

I live in the Pacific Northwest with my husband and three children. Between reading and juggling family, I am hard at work writing. It’s my secret hope that my books will find there way inside text books, sparking the imagination and talent of the next generation of writers. My apologies to teachers everywhere.

Special Note: Serena will be giving away a book a day, every day in honor of her latest book release ‘Giving Up the V‘. All you have to do to is sign up for her newsletter and you are entered to win. Enter once and you are in the running to win a book every day in the month of June.

She will also be popping up on YA review sites and YA author blogs all over the place, giving away free copies of "Giving Up The V." Just check out her schedule and see what books are up for grabs and where she is posting next for your next chance to win.

You can also win a copy of "Giving Up The V" right here, just by leaving a comment on this post. I will draw one winner on Saturday morning, June 13th. Can only accept entries from the US and Canada.

And The May Winners Are...

2009-05-28T07:00:00.000-07:00

After drawing the three winning names, I'd like to congratulate the following people - each to receive a copy of the new release, "Mating Rituals of the North American WASP" by Lauren Lipton:

• D.D. Scott

• Jennifer

• Gaby317

Please send me your mailing address to christina@christinaarbini.com and I'll have the publisher ship your book directly to you.

Check back real soon for two more upcoming new release book contests! I'll be featuring a great Young Adult novel by one of my close friends, and a fun humorous women's fiction novel - written by a man. :-)