I got my third cover. It's still 'in-progress' as in it needs the copy line and the quotes, but this beauty is the cover for THE SECRET DESIRES OF A GOVERNESS. Isn't it simply gorgeous?

Also, hop on over to my website for the rest of Chapter One (and find out how Elena's fate as a harem girl starts in THE SURRENDER OF A LADY)! All you need to do is click HERE!

I won't be blogging on the dark walk again till my release day. Please visit my website (on the weekend--it won't be updated till then) for my blog tour, which starts September 22nd with the wonderful ladies over on The Romance Dish then over to the Borders True Romance Blog on the 24th... And many more places and dates.

What makes an awesome cover for you? Will you pick up a book based on cover alone? Buy it on cover? Or on title? Do you read the first page? The back blurb, cover quotes? Inquiring minds would like to know.

You’re probably looking at the title going huh? There’s a fake alpha? Well, I’d like to think so. I’m sure the fake alpha can also be referred to as a Gamma… but for the purpose of this blog I’m going to call him the fake alpha.

What is a fake alpha? My interpretation is: Someone who appears on the outside to be a domineering, forward, take charge man, but on the inside might be acting that way for forms sake, but isn't necessarily as confident as he seems.

Did I confuse everyone? LOL That’s about how I feel--confused and frustrated. I’m currently revising my composer book. And Thaddeus is about to have a makeover. He is a beta through and through. (And the only beta I’ve ever written.) I love a good beta and alpha like any woman, but for Thaddeus this is serious flaw in his make-up. So… I have to turn him into a fake alpha. It's a fine line to walk when making changes though, because it's easy to turn him into an alpha, but in doing so, I'd lose the essential characteristics that make him such a great guy.

Are there any books you’ve read that have a fake alpha that you would recommend? Maybe the hero acts like an alpha in public settings, but that is just a show he is putting on. Maybe you’ve read an alpha that is unsure of himself? Or just not the domineering type and will let things be as they are. Do any writers out there have any suggestions?

You’re probably looking at the title going huh? There’s a fake alpha? Well, I’d like to think so. I’m sure the fake alpha can also be referred to as a Gamma… but for the purpose of this blog I’m going to call him the fake alpha.

What is a fake alpha? My interpretation is: Someone who appears on the outside to be a domineering, forward, take charge man, but on the inside might be acting that way for forms sake, but isn't necessarily as confident as he seems.

Did I confuse everyone? LOL That’s about how I feel--confused and frustrated. I’m currently revising my composer book. And Thaddeus is about to have a makeover. He is a beta through and through. (And the only beta I’ve ever written.) I love a good beta and alpha like any woman, but for Thaddeus this is serious flaw in his make-up. So… I have to turn him into a fake alpha. It's a fine line to walk when making changes though, because it's easy to turn him into an alpha, but in doing so, I'd lose the essential characteristics that make him such a great guy.

Are there any books you’ve read that have a fake alpha that you would recommend? Maybe the hero acts like an alpha in public settings, but that is just a show he is putting on. Maybe you’ve read an alpha that is unsure of himself? Or just not the domineering type and will let things be as they are. Do any writers out there have any suggestions?

The winners for the coverflats of THE SURRENDER OF A LADY & THE SEDUCTION OF HIS WIFE are:

Sarah Simas & Donna Cummings

Ladies... please send your snail mail addy HERE

It's great to be 29 again, isn't it? Everyone join us in wishing Kristina a very happy birthday. May it be filled with requests, writing accomplishments, hot men, finished books, great queries, hot men, chocolate, champagne (cause we girls all like the champagne), cake (this has nothing to do with the chocolate, you have to have both simply because it's your birthday) and hot men. I know I said that three times, but third time is always a charm--maybe they'll magically appear? :)

LOVE THE VIXENS!

This is going to be a quickie today. My internet connection is fickle these days. If I manage to get this blog to load on the net, it will be a miracle.

I have new shiny coverflats that are beyond gorgeous of my second book. The title and name are in red foil and it's just so darned pretty I find myself staring at it for the heck of it.


What kind of swag do you like? I got lots from the conference. I brought home my friends bookmarks so I can include them in my mailings. I have some books that I'll be giving away in the upcoming weeks, too.

My favorite author giveaway is bookmarks. I can't get enough of them. And I need a stockpile, because I do lose them or sometimes bend them and then I can't use them anymore.

So dear blog readers, tell me what you like most from an author, what you don't like (and by that I mean the stuff you throw out in the long run), and stuff you can't do without. :)

One lucky commenters will win a coverflat of The Seduction of His Wife, and another will win the coverflat of The Surrender of a Lady.


Also, one last AMAZING ITEM TODAY! KRISTINA AND ELYSSA HAVE BOTH FINALED IN THE TORONTO GOLD CONTEST! CONGRATS GIRLS! YOU TOTALLY ROCK!

Okay, perhaps it's not. But I love shopping for a few new pieces for my wardrobe come RWA time! My first RWA I did it ALL last minute... and shopping actually stresses me out if I feel rushed. I can never find anything that fits me properly, so I need to spend time in the stores, hemming and hawing and then finally sinking and buying something I love.

This year it's in Orlando, which means it's hot, but cold inside. Sigh, it's hard to win in two opposing climates. But I've got lightweight dresses so I don't sweat to death in the heat, and some cardigans to keep me warm should I feel a bit of a chill indoors.

This year I went shopping MONTHS before I needed to. I've actually had my RITA dress for about six weeks now!

I bought a colour I've never bought before! Champagne... And I'm so excited about it. No, I won't share a picture, but this year, I promise to at least take A picture!

So, if you're going to the RWA National Conference, have you bought some new clothes? I can't be the only one obsessed about this. Though obsesses seems a bit harsh a word. Spill, does anyone else have a shopping bug? I have a love of dresses... I have more dresses than a girl really needs to own! What about you?

So. I got ARCs!!!

Only a little excited. OKAY! REALLY EXCITED! I can hold a version of the book in my own hands! It's ALMOST real. When I see it on the shelves, I'll try not to be too annoying :) because then it WILL be real.

I'm not sure what to do with them yet. I want to give them all away, but will settle for giving away ONE copy to those who sign up for my newsletter in the next couple weeks (I'll enter you twice into the random draw if you follow me on Twitter, too). Contest will run until JULY 15, 2010! I know, it's a million days away, but it'll come quick and I want to give everyone on facebook and twitter a chance to enter for the one I'm giving away.

My family is asking for copies. I want to share even if they are the uncorrected versions of the book. But I have such a limited number. What would you do with ARC's if you got them? Are you a reader that adores getting advance books of authors you love most? Are there ARC's you wish you could get your hands on?

In case you want to know what the book is about, here's the teaser on the first page (And you saw it here first!):

How had she ended up in a place like this?
When he'd moved back to England after his uncle's death, the first thing he'd done was look for her. That had to be some five years ago. His sources had said she was still married to that lowly baron with an estate up north. Perhaps Griffin had given up his search too easily.
Griffin turned away from the scene and looked for the man who escorted them up to this section of the palace. Griffin had made his selection. He'd had to pull himself through a long path of self-destruction to make it to this point. Was this some sick ironic award for moral behavior? It didn't matter. It was what it was. After all these years, she was finally going to be his.

Back Blurb can be found here.

This giveaway is open internationally. So if you live in France (why is that always the first country that comes to mind, oh probably because I would love to live in Paris, even though I've never been there), I'll totally ship the book to you.

Already signed up for my newsletter? No problem, you'll automatically be entered into the draw!

One of the standard conventions of historical romances revolves around a widow in mourning who falls in love with a new man, often the hero. Their potential for a happy ending is postponed by strictures against a hasty remarriage. This postponement can lead to delightfully naughty scenarios such as clandestine meetings, pre-marital sexual encounters, and even secret marriages.

I was confronted with just such a predicament when writing SONG OF SEDUCTION , available now from Carina Press. Mathilda Heidel, my widowed heroine, falls in love with Arie de Voss, the renowned composer and pianist she's idolized for years. When presented with the opportunity to study music with her idol, Mathilda jumps at the chance. Their relationship soon escalates to one of mutual longing.

But then what?

Because SONG OF SEDUCTION is set in 1804 Austria, I needed to find out what mourning restrictions would've been placed on a young widow in Mathilda's position. A week? A month? A year? What was the expected mourning period, and what restrictions to her daily life would she have experienced?

Research led me to understand that Salzburg's highly Catholic society determined most customs. Unlike in England where, come Victorian times, mourning periods were codified almost to the point of being writ in law books, Salzburg's customs were not to strict or uniform. The local priests set the standard for his flock, and any more complex rulings--generally to do with the nobility--were left to the bishop.

Here's an exchange between Mathilda and her best friend, Ingrid, as they discussion possibilities for her future:

"Until you are remarried," Ingrid said firmly, "you do not need to leave."

Mathilda glanced down at the mourning gown that enshrouded her body. The glaring contrast of pale trim against black bombazine shouted without words: my husband died unjustly. She shrank from the attention fostered by those garish adornments, the curious looks and pity intent on stealing her peace.

"Do not tease, Ingrid. You know I cannot remarry, most likely not for months."

"But you've helped us beyond measure. I can at least find you a dance partner."

"No dancing either," Mathilda said.

"Still? Father Holtz is being unreasonable. A year of mourning is all he requires of the war widows, and even those restrictions are ignored if they have enough money."

Her fingers wrapped in black kid leather, Mathilda toyed with her pendant. She recognized the anxious habit and tucked the protective amber amulet into her bodice. "He's only ensuring that I respect Jürgen's memory."

"You do already," Ingrid said.

Notice the part about the pale trim on her mourning gown? This isn't a nod to the English custom of half-mourning, where widows were permitted to mix white, gray and even lavender with their black garb. No, Austrian widows whose husband had been murdered wore white lace trim on their cuffs and bodices. This may have been a hold-over from the medieval "white mourning," which was worn when enduring the deepest form of grief.

This symbol of the injustice Mathilda's late husband suffered came in very handy. The scandal of her birth means she shrinks from public notice, and those glaring white cuffs--thank you, history!--became yet another symbol of why she was different. The last thing she wants it to stand out, which is why she hides her miraculous talent for playing the violin.

If only a stubborn, ambitious musician would come into her life, intent on showing her how wonderful it can be to indulge in one's true passions...

If you're curious about more of Austria's peculiar customs, please let me know! I'd love to give away a copy of SONG OF SEDUCTION to a random commenter!

A few weeks ago I read a great blog over at Dear Author, titled: Who’s at the Center of a Romance, the Hero or Heroine.

It’s a very interesting question and it really got me thinking. There are all kinds of books that focus on one or the other. All kinds of great books in romance that focus equally on the male and female protagonists through the course of a story.

I’ve never thought about this one way or another before now. I do know I prefer to read and gravitate toward books written by women over men, though I read both. I do love a fantasy novel that focuses on a woman’s journey as opposed to a man’s. I prefer a romance novel that might have more point of view (POV) scenes done from the woman's standpoint than the male protagonist. And, above all, I want to relate to the character in some shape or form while I'm reading. I don't have to step in her shoes and be her, but I want to go along for the ride in her character ARC more than I do for a man.

I'm guessing that last point has a lot to do with the reason I prefer a Heroine centered novel. I'm a woman, I relate to women characters more easily than I would a male lead. I become more emotionally invested in a story for one told through a woman's eyes. Don't get me wrong, I love me some yummy heroes. I love the intense ones as well (Lord Ian MacKenzie!) And romances are about the journey of two people coming together, falling in love and triumphing all.

But, I'm still drawn to stories that focus a little more on the women, their relationships, their loves, and their journeys in life.

If I can't connect to the heroine, I most likely won't finish the book. If she does things that I find silly or completely degrading to her part in the story it's an instant wallbanger. If the heroine has a smaller arc than the man, I might forgive the story it's flaws if it's really well told.

I think my preference for the heroine-centric novel (and there are many ways to interpret what heroine-centric can mean to you) has inadvertently influenced my writing. I love my female leads. Love them to pieces. I think my greatest strength in my story telling is in my heroines. I put more time and consideration in building their dynamics than I usually do my heroes because my heroines are more likely to represent community for me and be more family centric than my bachelor heroes. That's not to say I dislike my heroes. I love them, too, and I have to work extra hard to make them shine because they have to match my strong heroine leads.

If you haven't guessed, most of my books favor the heroines. The Surrender of a Lady is told mostly in Jinan's POV, the story is a romance, but focuses more on her journey of acceptance (watch, readers will think something completely different than this, which is fine by me). The Seduction of his wife is more about the growth of Emma's character, and the POV is slightly favored on the heroine's side. The Secret Desires of a Governess also favors my heroine a tiny bit more, though my hero, Elliott is totally droolworthy in my eyes.

Readers: Take at look at your book shelves . . . what kinds of books do you mostly see?

Writers: Who do you better relate to when writing your stories? Is it gender based? Now that I've asked the question are you going to think about this in depth?

Do you love the heroines or the heroes more in your stories? Do you like them evenly? Are there specific things/roles you like each gender to play?