Memory Lane

I'm not yet ready to leave Memory Lane, so I'm dragging you with me.

You can see my hair is just beginning to curl. 

How is it my hair looks only slightly curly here? As I got older, it got curlier.  

Even at formal dances, I teased my bangs. 

Me and my sisters. We all have curly hair, and we all straighted it this day. 

Bad Hair Days...Or a Lifetime of Bad Hair?

Jill Monroe posted a sort of homage to mullets – including her own – so I thought I’d post some of my own bad hair choices. Once you view them, you may lose all respect for me. You may never look at me the same again, but when has that ever stopped me?

My hair touches my shoulders on both sides. 

Ah, how delicious are these bangs? Not to mention the socks and earrings! 

Where I try to scare all the little children... 

My bangs blend in with the leaves, but check out how high they are... 

Where I pull a "Monica" 

A rare gift...

Jill Monroe will be posting a delicious treat for readers on her blog sometime today. In honor of that, so will I. I’ve just got to scan certain pictures into my computer….Stay tuned. And think hair.

Puppet Master vs. Puppet

My days are now filled with swim lessons, sun burns (have you seen how pale I am?), and babysitting. I really, really need to finish typing in Wonder Girl. Will that happen anytime soon? Not if Wonder Girl has her way. We got into a fight this morning.

WG: I don’t like the ending you wrote. It blows.
Gena: Hey, I slaved over that ending.
WG: Yeah, and it still blows. Write something else.
Gena: Why don’t I change your superhero name, huh? How would you like to be called the Amazing Matchstick?
WG: You do not threaten me.
Gena: Really? Well, I just did.
WG: Go ahead and threaten me again. I dare you. I don’t mind having myself a Gena BBQ. (Pause) I want a new ending! (Fire blazes from her body)
Gena: (backing away) Damn it. What kind of ending do you want?
WG: Duh. A good one.

So I guess I’ll be rewriting the ending of WG to be “good”. Sigh. A writer’s work…

He's nekkid. He's nekkid! 

Bats, naps and fat cheeks

I went to see Batman Begins last night. I thought it was good, but not great. And I might be the only girl in the world who feels this way, but I could have taken a nap during the first hour. I didn’t buy Rachel’s end decision, either. That could just be me.

Fresh Fiction posted a picture of the Naughty Girls of Downtown Press, from our tour in Dallas. Lately my cheeks (the ones on my face, thank you very much) have been looking so. . . round in all my photos. I’m starting to develop a complex, like maybe I should slow down on the chocolate cake, Chick-fil-a, whole milk lattes, double stuffed oreos, loaded pizza, egg rolls, chips and cheese sauce, enchiladas, guacamole, sour cream, rare steaks, strawberry cupcakes…Excuse me while I go have breakfast.

Proposals, books and beauties...oh, my!

Heard from my agent on the two new proposals and they’re a go. She loved them! She said they were fantastic! I’ve reread our emails to each other a thousand times and can’t stop smiling. One of the proposals, the one that was the hardest to write and I held on to the longest, has already been sent to my editor. The other will probably be sent out next week. I will, of course, keep you updated. If – when (she corrects herself, biting her nails) – they sell, I’ll tell you all about them. Until then, I’m giving no hints. I'm cruel that way.

Awaken Me Darkly is popping up on the web again! Catherine Spangler and Leigh Wyndfield are both talking about it. As for me, I'm off to buy my copy of Crimson City by Liz Maverick.

And on a completely different note, I have a question for everyone. Who do you think is the most beautiful woman in the world? Who do you think is the most beautiful man?

Unmask Me, Baby!

I know I've talked about this book before, but I'm gonna mention it again. CJ Barry is a fantastic writer. If you want excitement, danger and romance, this is the book for you.

UNMASKED by C. J. Barry
Love Spell (Dorchester Publishing), June 7 2005

To the merchants he plunders, he's the Ghost Rider of the Dead Zone. To sector law enforcement, he's a wanted pirate. To the slaves he rescues, he's the savior, laghato. To one determined female, Qaade Deter is serious trouble. Torrie Masters had heard of the legendary raider, but she'd never expected to encounter him. Nor would she have expected that beneath his black mask lurked an enticing man destined to challenge her in ways she couldn't shoot her way out of. But a great threat has emerged-one that's left no choice but for them to join forces. Entrusted with the fate of thousands, Torrie has discovered Qaade's impossible dream. Only she has the power to help him. Only she has the power to see him UNMASKED.

Excerpt:
http://www.dorchesterpub.com/Dorch/SpecialFeatures.cfm?Special_ID=1923

Cover


About C. J. Barry


Reviews
"Wow! What a story! Bravo!" -Best-selling Author Robin D. Owens

"Applause for this gutsy tale that steals your heart. Barry's best, simply her best!" -Deborah MacGillivray, The Best Reviews 4 1/2 STARS!!

"This awesome book roars out of the starting gates and never looks back. Along with telling social commentary, it is chock-full of danger, adventure, and romance-a terrific keeper!" -Romantic Times Magazine

Website: www.cjbarry.com

Beauties and Geeks

I have a confession to make. Are you ready? I am totally hooked on the reality show Beauty and the Geek. I can’t get enough of it. During the hour it’s aired, I don’t answer calls (sorry Mom!). I don’t acknowledge the fact that I have a family. I totally go catatonic on the couch, staring at the TV.

Has anyone else watched it? Was anyone else pissed off when Erica was sent packing? She was my absolutely favorite, and I LOVED the romance between her and Brad. They needed more time together, damn it! I’m desperate to find out if they hooked up after the show. (Can you tell I’m a romance writer at heart?) If anyone knows the answer to whether they hooked up after the show or not, let's discuss!

Rich and Chuck are almost more than I can handle. Their personalities clash with mine violently, and I just want to bitch slap them. Scarlet is totally using Chuck, and even though I don’t like the man, I want to shake her for doing something so low.

Okay, is anyone else disturbed by the fact that I’m talking about these people as if I know them?

I'm On Tour, and I Need Groupies...

Marianne Mancusi, Angela Knight and Jaci Burton have all blogged about Awaken Me Darkly today. Check it out!

I'll be sending my second proposal to my agent today. I'm nervously holding on to it for the moment, however. Despite all my worries, it's as good as I can make it (for now) and it's time I just let it go.

Next up is yet another proposal, this one the third book in the Alien Huntress series. After that I'm finishing Wonder Girl and taking a vacation. For my vacation I will be traveling out of my office and into my living room, where I will lounge on my couch, eating junk food and watching TV. I can hardly wait!

Golden Crap. . .

I sent one of my new proposals to my agent and will let you know the final verdict. Did Gena create crap or gold? Perhaps a weave of both? Only time will tell.

I’m putting the final touches on the second proposal – and I have to tell you, this is one of my best ideas yet. I just pray the execution is worthy. I’ve really, really struggled with this project. Normally I breeze through my books. I do. I’m not afraid to admit it and have other writers stone me. But this one has taken blood, sweat and tears. That usually means the book will be your best yet, I hear, but I’m just not sure. I think I could do better, that I haven't made it the best it can be. Yet. I wonder if I can. I will keep you updated on this, as well.

And triple yea! Shanna Swendson, Robin Owens, and Shannon McKeldon are all talking about Awaken Me Darkly today on their blogs. Plus, for those of you who didn’t catch my interview on the amazing Julie Kenner's blog, stop by! It was great fun.

Me! Me, me, me. It's all about me!

Check out the interview I did with Julie Kenner here
Also, Jennifer St. Giles talks about Awaken Me Darkly on her blog! Check it out here

And if you haven't seen the eye candy known as Josh Wald, look down...

I can't get enough of this man, Josh Wald. Simply delicious.  

Two Days in the Life...

Yesterday afternoon:
Pick up Jill Monroe and drive to favorite bookstore – check
Make Jill sign legal document giving away her right to decide who is cute – must do another day
Accidentally marker myself at bookstore when capping maker – check
Call someone by wrong name – not this time, baby!
Nearly choke to death on a roast beef sandwich while laughing at something Jill Monroe said – check
Shop for stickers with Jill Monroe to cover typo in Awaken Me Darkly cards – check
Crown myself typo queen – check
Call sister to wish her a happy birthday, hear her call herself “old”, realize I am six years older than her and consider jumping off roof – check
Contemplate the meaning of life – no

This morning:
Drink a huge cup of coffee I’m not supposed to have -- check
Google myself – check
Eat a large piece of chocolate cake while staring into mirror wondering if (face) cheeks are already bigger – check
Swallow last bite of chocolate cake while staring into mirror wondering if (ass) cheeks are already bigger -- check
Drink another cup of coffee I’m not supposed to have – check
Try to talk myself into exercising but decide I don’t want to sweat – check
Contemplate the meaning of life – no

Book signing, food, and friends...

I just did a book signing with the fabulous Merline Lovelace (I picked up my copy of The First Mistake!), Amanda McCabe (already have Lady Midnight!), and PC Cast (already have Goddess of Light!). Afterward, PC and I ate Chick-fil-a. Heaven on earth. Now I am at home eating Krispy Kreme doughnuts (I won’t tell you how many – let’s just say there’s an empty box beside my desk and I'm the only one who's come into contact with said box and leave it at that) and I will soon head to my favorite Borders to meet with the booksellers I so adore. Maybe Jill Monroe will be with me, maybe she won’t. Everything depends on the legal document I plan to ask her to sign, stating that she can never again decide who she thinks is cute/sexy/ugly without my feedback first. That woman!

Mia Snow gets Interviewed!

Check out the Mia Snow interview!

Also Awaken Me Darkly is being hosted by several of the Out of the Blogosphere authors. Yea!

I finished both of the synopsis yesterday, so now all I have to do is polish everything (two complete proposals) and boom! Well, I hope boom. Could be splat. We'll see. I'll be sending them both to my agent next week. I've sold 11 books, yes, but I still get tensed up when I send out new material, thinking this will be when they finally realize I'm utter crap and will become disenchanted with me. I can even envision the phone call:

Gena: Hello
Editor: Yeah, we're done with you. Don't send us anything else
Gena: What? Why?
Editor: You disgust me. Your work disgusts me. Click.

Enslave Me

The cover for Enslave Me Sweetly came! It is absolutely amazing and utterly sexy, and I can’t decide which I like better: Awaken Me Darkly or Enslave Me Sweetly. I’ll post it here as soon as I have permission, though I do think a few things will have to be changed on it.

I’ve drafted two new proposals – and when I say drafted I mean they are so rough you could peel the skin from your bones with them. (wait, too gross an image?) Like my dear friend and critique partner (and all around naughty girl) Jill Monroe I have to write the synopsis for them. And for those who want to know a little factoid about my sweet Jill, here is a tidbit that makes me wonder how I can love her so much: She thinks Brad Pitt is unattractive.

Is that like the most insane thing you've ever heard? If I ever have to go with a pen name, I’m going with Mrs. Gena Smith. You better believe I'll make them use the "Mrs.". You heard it here first.

P.S. I love chick-fil-a

Enchanted, Inc.

ENCHANTED, INC. by Shanna Swendson
(Ballantine Books), May 31, 2005

Shanna Swendson’s debut mainstream novel, ENCHANTED, INC. is a magical story featuring Katie Chandler, a 20something, small-town Texas girl, who finds that being average in New York City is anything but. Katie loves the energy of Manhattan, and if she finds some of the people odd, well, that¹s New York, right? Where else would you see a person on the subway wearing fairy wings? In fact, if Katie wasn’t completely sure those wings must be a costume, she’d think they were real, the way they flutter in the breeze. Certainly the gargoyle that perches above the door of the church she passes on the way to and from work isn’t real. Its eyes seem to follow her, and she could have sworn it winked at her once, but now that she thinks about it, it was really hot that day, and she hadn¹t eaten lunch.... Katie is still adjusting to life in the big city while working a for a nightmare boss, when she gets a fantastic offer to work for a mysterious company, MSI, Inc. Through her new job and the magical folk she meets, Katie comes to find out she isn¹t quite as average as she thought; and the fairytale life she has longed for begins to come true in surprising ways. What Katie doesn’t realize is how rare and important being ordinary can be. In fact, it is her ordinary characteristics that make her the perfect secret weapon for MSI, Inc. Suddenly the very qualities she thought made her average are what make her special! Now she has magicians and fairies meddling in her attempted romances, a secret life she needs to keep hidden from her non-magical friends, not to mention that dangerous pull she feels for Owen, an attractive but shy wizard who might be the most powerful magic man since Merlin.

Excerpt:
http://www.randomhouse.com/rhpg/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=0345481259&view=excerpt

Cover:
http://www.shannaswendson.com/Resources/shannasbookcover.jpeg


ABOUT SHANNA SWENDSONWith ENCHANTED, INC. Shanna Swendson offers a new twist on chick lit for the-now-grown-up fans of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Sabrina the Teenage Witch. In addition to writing fiction, Shanna is a freelance marketing consultant and writer specializing in technology and telecommunications. She is single and lives in Irving, Texas, with her many pet plants, including a vicious attack bougainvillea and a Christmas cactus that has outlasted three homes, three jobs and three boyfriends, yet still faithfully blooms every Christmas and Easter. She’s looking for a man that reliable.

Website: http://www.shannaswendson.com

Mrs. Gena Smith

I watched Mr. and Mrs. Smith last night, and I loved it! I had several laugh out loud moments. Plus, the movie made me want to marry a hot assassin. As you can expect, the chemistry sizzled between the Smiths.

In September, Charmed and Dangerous by Candace Havens will be hitting stands. This book is FABULOUS! I love being an author and reading advanced copies. This book is wonderful, humorous, magical, sexy, irresistible, can’t put down and I think will appeal to fans of MaryJanice Davidson. You know it’s a fantastic book when I didn’t want to put it down to go see a Brad Pitt movie, but husband had already bought the tickets as a surprise. (Originally we were supposed to go tomorrow) Anyway, I highly recommend as a MUST read.

I picked up the new Linda Howard book, Killing Time, as well as the new Johanna Lindsey. I might just spend the rest of the week reading instead of working. And I won't feel guilty!

What finger am I holding up?

So let me tell you about last week. You all know about my COX troubles -- by the way I've come up with a few more promo possibilities:

Don’t worry. It only lasts for a minute.
We're always *hard* to deal with.
Let us work with your system -- just don't expect us to leave you satisfied.

Someone posted a review on Amazon for Awaken Me Darkly and gave away every secret, every plot twist, EVERYTHING. How did that seem okay? Someone else on Amazon posted a reivew about how they *hate* chick lit and *hate* Awaken Me Darkly even more and want their money back. I'd like to introduce this person to my email provider. Actually, I just rolled my eyes at the review.

The bright spot of my week really was the Naughty Girls. They are amazing. Their books are amazing, and I'm amazed that I was grouped with them. It's one of those times where you stand in awe, unable to move as you realize the depth of what is happening.

I want to interview the (so-called) Naughty Girls of Downtown Press. Shari Shattuck, Julie Kenner, Julie Leto. What questions would you like me to ask them? (An article printed that we were "so-called" naughty girls. Apparently we aren't official yet, for whatever reason).

Coming soon to this blog will be something to punish Jill Monroe. I don't know what I will do yet, I just know she's in major need of punishment.

Hi. I've just awakened and would like to offer you a ride. To heaven. 

The Return...

A few words about my trip:

Shari Shattuck – amazing!

Julie Kenner – wonderful!

Julie Leto – delightful!

I had such a fantastic time with these ladies. We signed books, ate good food, and had fabulous conversations. Thanks to everyone who stopped by to see us! You're missing out if you haven't yet picked up their books.

They had bookmarks to give away, and all I had was my smile. I was so jealous! I was tempted to use a hotel notepad (you know the kind) and make my own, but alas...I was also tempted to use someone else's bookmarks and just scratch out their name and put my own. Maybe cut out my picture and paste it on. Shari and I even worked hard to make the prototype.

I just realized I need to pick a winner from the alien candle thread. I’ll do that soon, promise! Also, today is Monday. Beef cake day…

Your Mission

…if you choose to accept it…

As you know, I will be on a book signing tour, beginning tonight. I'm all packed and as soon as I straighten my how-could-God-do-this-to-me curly hair, I'll be on the road and unable to blog until Sunday.

Therefore I am tasking you with a mission: Tell me horrible things that have happened to you on dates. I might use it in a book. Tell me the creepy/disgusting/outrageous things men have said and done to you. Tell me what you’ve had to endure at the hands of a rat fink bastard. Tell me how you got revenge.

I'll be honest. I didn't date much. I married my high school sweetheart right out of high school. I'm relying on you to enlighten me.

Also, check out how my friend Jill Monroe has decided to "thank" me for my wonderful friendship. Early in the week she left for camp and left me in charge of her email. I fixed it up real pretty, just for her, thinking only of *her* happiness. I knew she'd want to promo the release of Awaken Me Darkly for me, I just knew it. Now that she has returned, this is how she thanks me!

The tour

The Naughty Girls of Downtown Press are doing a tour through Texas. Here are the details:

Friday, June 10th
6:00 pm
Waldenbooks in Vista Ridge Mall
Lewisville, TX

Saturday, June 11th
11 -- 12:30
Barnes and Noble
Aiprot Freeway
North Richardland Hills, TX

1 -- 3
Waldenbooks on Melbourne Road
Hurst, TX

6 -- 7
Waldenbooks in Collin Creek Mall

Sunday, June 12th
2 - 3
Waldenbooks, Park at Arlington

Writer Speak

The fabulous Jill Monroe and I often wonder what people would think if they could hear some of our conversations. We’ve talked about where to hide dead bodies, how to kill certain alien species, different ways to make a man/woman orgasm. . . We’re never bored, that’s for sure.

Well, yesterday I got a taste of what people might think. I was at home and thinking aloud, trying to work out a particular scene. I was saying stuff like: Would the photo be of William and his secret daughter? Or did that bastard photo shop a picture of himself with a super model? Maybe it’s not William at all. . . No, no. It’s William. He’s the type who would grope a strange woman in a photo and have his hand down her shirt.

My husband walked into the room and said, “What. The hell. Are you talking about? Who is William?”

After I explained, he just shook his head and left the room without another word. He thinks I’m insane. At least I didn't get the usual blank look when I mention POV, print run, character motivation, and so on.

In honor of the fabulous Brad Pitt interview, I thought I'd post this delicious picture.  

Ah, true friendship

Jill Monroe is away this week at camp (poor thing!). Meanwhile, she’s left me in charge of her email. I’m to check it for her and call her with anything important. She does this for me, too, when I’m away. Does this little tidbit about us let you into the deepest realms of our minds?

Anyway, I’ve decided to jazz up her email. It will be a surprise. My gift to her. I’m thinking her signature should read something like:

buy Gena Showalter’s amazing books

I might even put the Awaken Me Darkly cover as background for all outgoing emails.

Am I the greatest friend or what? I’m putting her above myself, thinking only of her happiness with this wonderful gift.

Burn, baby, burn

I picked up Master of Pleasure today by Jessica Trapp. I'm very excited to read it. Who can resist pleasure? You all know I can't.

I'm only up to chapter eighteen for Wonder Girl. I'm getting behind, I admit it. Today was just too stressful, so I didn't even try to type a single word. Besides, I would have ended up tying a death scene (or two) involving telephones and computers. And fireballs. And a giant ax. Anyone else getting a book idea here? We can call it Internet Inferno. Tagline: Let the rage begin.

Anyone want to write the back cover blurb for this little gem?

The Saga Continues...

I was on the phone with my server for a long, long time. A long time of elevator music and condescending “tech” staff offering no help. I was rerouted and forced to listen to excuses as to why it’s not THEIR fault I’m not receiving email. “No one else in your area is having trouble, lady.” They may not, but I *am*. During the wait time, I wrote several slogans for good old Cox:

We’ll send you to your knees every time.
You might not enjoy the experience, but we’ll sure stick it to you.
We make it a way of life.
Let us give it to you hard core.
Feel like choking? Come see us.
You might as well bend over.
No lube required. That's our personal guarantee.

Perhaps the heroine in my next book needs to have trouble with her email company C.A.X. Hmmm….

Email

I could complain about my email provider (Cox) and say it's not just a name, it's a way of life, but I won't. I'll just tell you that my email is down. If you've connacted me via email and haven't heard from me, you can conntact me at genashowalter@hotmail.com

So I stop bogging you down with beef cake pictures, I'm going to starting sending them on Monday only. Like the others, this delicious treat comes from Rinda E, goddess of naughtiness.  

Booksellers Best

Guess what? I just got a call letting me know The Stone Prince is a finalist in the Booksellers Best award. Yea! Winners will be announced at the RWA National Conference. This is the first time I've ever finaled in a contest as a published author.

I was shopping when the call came in (I have nothing to wear for my upcoming book signing tour in Dallas with the other Naughty Girls of Downtown Press.) Needless to say, the women inside the store kept giving me odd looks as I shouted, "Really? You're serious? No way. You're lying."

And if you're wondering about the shopping trip, I found nothing -- NOTHING -- that fit me right and nothing I liked. I did, however, find several outfits that made me look like 1) a wannabe teenager 2) queen of the vampires (I have VERY pale skin) and 3) Gena, the Mega Thigh Wonder.

Coming Soon, an un-clucking believable new series. Not shown here is the forth book in the series, The Pleasure Chicken by yours truly.  

Recharge your batteries...

Oh, you dirty minded peeps. As if I would talk about those batteries. Naughty, naughty.

What do you do when you’re tapped out creatively? When you have nothing to offer other than a blank stare and saliva dripping from the side of your mouth? Maybe it's caffeine deprivation. If it is, well, that will be taken care of tomorrow. I'm caving and having myself a latte. I won't mention that I caved yesterday too.

Six pack, anyone? While we're drooling over this man's washboard, I thought I'd mention the naughty Jill Monroe has started a blog: http://www.jillmonroe.blogspot.com 

Our Brandi story...

Several authors came to this blog and each added a little section to this story (thank you, everyone!). I love how it turned out:

Brandi was having the worst day of her life. After being fired from her job because of someone else's personality problem, she'd come home to try to calm down with a relaxing bath and found she'd been late on gas payment. No hot water for her. Add to that the neighbors were screaming at each other (as usual), the phone was ringing off the hook, and her dog had projectile vomited all over the living room floor ... it really wasn't a good day.

And who the hell wanted to live through those circumstances over and over again, like Bill Murray in Groundhog Day?

After cleaning up the dog vomit (surely a priority, if there ever was one) she mixed herself a good strong drink. When through the kitchen window she spotted the hot Fed Ex guy making his way up her walk.

Brandi remembered when she and Renee used to formulate elaborate plans over their morning coffee to seduce this particulaly fine specimen of FedEx sapiens -- her favorite plot included three bungee cords, a feather boa and a tub of melted chocolate.

Damn the luck- she had polished off that tub of chocolate last night. Oh well, two out three ain't bad, and Mr. FedEx-ceptional looked like he tasted mighty fine all on his own. The big mystery- what was in that big box of his?

He rang the doorbell and Brandi grabbed her sexiest negligee. After all, one could never greet a hunka hunka burnin' Fed-Ex man wearing a ratty old bathrobe.

She tossed off the robe and slipped into the black lace negligee. As she opened the door, her dog pushed past her. In his mad dash to freedom, he knocked her straight into the arms of Mr. Fed-Excellent.

Or, to be more specific, knocked her right into the big square box he carried. Ouch! Brandi bounced back and hit the floor -- fairly sure that she'd just given the guy a clear look at her Brazilian wax job. Whether from shock or good manners, he didn't comment, but helped her up. Dazed from her fall, and his hunk-a-licious looks, Brandi wondered, "Is it really true that Fed Ex absolutely, positively has to be here overnight?"God, she hoped so!

Mr. Fed-EXquisite slowly grinned, twin dimples bracketing a heart-stopping smile. "According to our website, 'What makes this service special is the flexibility to customize delivery to suit your recipient'."To quote Keanu Reeves- Whoa! Brandi wondered which Good Luck Gods she had pleased. Her bad day was looking one hell of a lot better.She struck what she hoped was a sexy pose and asked, "So who is the package from?"Tall Brown & Gorgeous's grin turned a little sheepish. "Actually... It's from me."

Marianne Mancusi

For those of you who haven't had a chance to read this book, you're missing out! For your reading pleasure, here is a little about the book and the author:

A Connecticut Fashionista in King Arthur's Court (Dorchester Love Spell)

BLURB:
Once upon a time there lived an outspoken fashion editor named Kat, who certainly was not your typical damsel in distress. But when a gypsy curse sent her back in time to the days of King Arthur, she found she'd need every ounce of her 21st century wits (and pop culture references) to navigate the legend. After all, surviving a magical plot, an evil prince, and a case of mistaken identity--all without changing history or scuffing your Manolos--takes some doing!

Luckily, she's got her very own knight in shining armor, Lancelot du Lac, on her side. The honorable-to-a-fault and devastatingly handsome champion insists on helping her out, even though she's not quite sure she wants him to. After all, shouldn't he be off romancing Queen Guenevere or something? Will Kat manage to stay out of trouble long enough to get back to her beloved cafi lattes, cosmopolitans and cashmere? And what will Lancelot's forbidden love mean for the kingdom of Camelot?

Excerpt:
http://www.mariannemancusi.com/Excerpt.html

Book Cover JPG:
http://www.mariannemancusi.com/images/Img6.gif

Press Release:
MOVE OVER BRIDGET JONES! DORCHESTER PUBLISHING RELEASES FIRST EVER CHICK LIT TIME TRAVEL NOVEL

Imagine a Bridget Jones like character spiraling back in time to the days of Camelot. That’s the unique premise behind the latest chick lit offering from Dorchester Publishing. "A Connecticut Fashionista in King Arthur’s Court" (May 2005) combines, for the first time ever, chick lit attitude with a time travel plot. Debut author Marianne Mancusi, an Emmy Award winning television news producer for the NBC affiliate in Boston, pens a sexy, magical, laugh-out-loud romp through the legend you only thought you knew.

"I love the voice of Chick Lit," says Mancusi. "But I felt the same old plotlines about a girl in the city with a bad boss and good shoes were getting old. I wanted to do something a little different."
Connecticut Fashionista features an outspoken fashion editor named Kat, who’s certainly not your typical damsel in distress. But when a gypsy curse sends her back in time to the days of King Arthur, she’ll need every ounce of her 21st century wits (and pop culture references) to navigate the legend. After all, surviving a magical plot, an evil prince, and a case of mistaken identity--all without changing history or scuffing your Manolos--takes some doing!
So slip on your stilettos and clutch your Cosmos tight, as Dorchester Publishing and Marianne Mancusi send you on a wild, wacky, and oh-so-fashionable trip back in time.

About Marianne Mancusi
Marianne Mancusi is a multiple Emmy Award winning television news producer for WHDH-TV in Boston, Massachusetts. She has worked for news stations in Orlando and San Diego. A Massachusetts native, she currently lives in Massachusetts with her British husband Aaron and their dog Molly. She has six other adult and teen chick lit novels under contract with Dorchester and Berkley.

About Dorchester Publishing
Dorchester Publishing has been involved in the publishing of mass market books since 1971, making Dorchester the oldest independent mass market publisher in America. From its founding, we have strived to bring the freshest authors to millions of fans. Although mostly known for Romance, Dorchester also publishes world-class Horror, Westerns, and Thrillers under its Leisure Books imprint. For more information: www.dorchesterpub.com.

REVIEWS:
"Sparkling debut...A nice twist on the modern girl's search for prince charming." Publisher's Weekly

"Talented author Mancusi clearly knows her Arthurian lore. She vividly depicts the customs of a bygone era, and the wry, witty ending is perfectly Kat."
Romantic Times Magazine - 4 Star Review

"It might sound like a strange premise for a chick lit novel, but once you pick it up, you won't be able to put A Connecticut Fashionista in King Arthur's Court down."
Kristin Harmel, The Daily Buzz, WB Morning Show

"Excellent writing, biting wit, and a slew of familiar characters will have readers of chick lit laughing and wanting more."
Jani Brooks - Romance Reviews Today

I could say the obvious: Up for a ride anyone? But I won't. I won't say it. Nope. Not me. 

Taking One For the Team...

Alright, so. You all know of my humiliation. You all know I called my mom and dad ass kissers in the dedication of Awaken Me Darkly. You all know this is something I will NEVER live down. You all know I'm going to hear about it at all holiday functions, writing events, and basically every time I walk out the door.

I have a giant glow-in-the-dark alien head candle to give away, and by god I'm going to give it away. You can enter one of two ways:

You can post about how you've humiliated your parents so I can take these stories to my mom and dad and prove to them I’m not so bad!

or

You can post your favorite ass kicking/ass kissing scene from Awaken Me Darkly. In a week or so, we'll do a random drawing from the comments section of this post. May the force be with you all.

I am now an official member of Liz Maverick's Chicken Brigade. Soon I hope to bring you Awaken My Chicken, The Stone Chicken, and Heart of the Chicken.