Calgary Association of RWA

December 2009

Michelle Beattie: Michelle's next release from Berkley, her third pirate book, will be a December 2010 release.

Donna Alward: to coincide with the Kimani pitch sessions on Eharlequin in early January, Donna interviewed editor Kelli Martin. Watch for the interview to be posted on the Pink Heart Society Blog on December 29th, where the interview with Kellie is kicking off a new Pink Heart Society column called The Industry Insider.

Donna Alward: Donna received a wonderful pre-holiday surprise. MONTANA, MISTLETOE, MARRIAGE sold out at eharlequin.

Vivi Anna: from Fan To Pro ... Vivi does an interview.

Donna Tunney: whose murder-mystery scripts are currently being performed at the Deane House in Calgary just finished another script.

Lawna Mackie: entered a 3 line pitch contest with Lyrical Press and was one of the winners.

Linda Ford: Linda shares her journey to publication.

Vivi Anna: has been nominated for a RT Reviewer's Choice Award for best Nocturne of 2009 with her book THE VAMPIRE'S QUEST.

Lecia Cornwall: Lecia just signed a two book deal with Avon Publishers, handled by her fabulous agent, Kevan Lyon. The first book should be on the shelves in the spring of 2011.

Vivi Anna: check out the 2009 Urban Fantasy Cover Art Awards, where Vivi's MIDNIGHT CRAVINGS is up for the best anthology cover.

November 2009

Donna Alward: check out Donna's 12 Days of Christmas Contest — Twelve Days. Twelve Authors. One Awesome Prize— which begins November 30 on her blog.

C J Carmichael: Congratulations to CJ on her 4 1/2 star rating from RT for her January release PERFECT PARTNERS?. RT says: "...Carmichael's dialogue sparkles, and the attraction between her characters is terrifically real. Plus, Nathan's disillusionment with the force and Lindsay's mistrust of relationships are so genuine, the feelings are practically painful to read."

Donna Alward: HER LONE COWBOY, which is out in the US in March 2010, will be released April 2010 as a UK Romance. The release will come out as a 2 in 1 book packaged with Diana Palmer!

Donna Tunney: whose murder-mystery scripts are currently being performed at the Deane House in Calgary just finished another murder-mystery script.

Kim Badun: completed her first manuscript!

Donna Alward: Check out the pictures from Donna's recent booksigning.

Donna Alward: Donna's latest newswire with Author Sound Relations is up on their site.

Ryshia Kennie: has invited The Romance Studio over to her blog. Check it out at Passport to Romance .

Pamela Yaye: this monthe, Pamela heads off to the Toronto Public Library to do a series of workshops for young writers.

Donna Alward: is over at Petticoats and Pistols talking about mixing things up in her newest release.

Linda Ford: is a guest for the Toronto library with the writer in residence at http://torontopubliclibrary.typepad.com/deborahcooke/ about writing inspirational romance.

Wenda Dottridge: is blogging about 1970s movies and television.

Donna Tunney: Donna's murder-mystery scripts are being performed at the Deane House in Calgary and are produced by Pegasus Performances. For show times/bookings check www.greatfun.ca. Donna's Christmas show "IT'S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE MURDER" (holiday-themed) starts Nov. 19 and plays through December. And in January 2010 catch "FASTER, HIGHER...DEADLER" (Olympic-themed).

November Releases:
- Carolyne Aarsen, Love Inspired, CLOSE TO HOME
- Donna Alward, Harlequin Romance, A BRIDE FOR ROCKING H RANCH - a holiday novella paired with Patricia Thayer in MONTANA, MISTLETOE, MARRIAGE
- Barbara Dunlop, Modern Romance BEAUTY AND THE BILLIONAIRE
- Pamela Yaye, Harlequin Kimani Press PASSION OVERTIME

October 2009

Carolyne Aarsen: Carolyne's release CLOSE TO HOME is on Santa’s NICE list at eharlequin.

Wenda Dottridge: is blogging about the “romance” formula.

Pamela Yaye: on Thursday, October 29th, Pamela did an interview with Kayla Perrin for CBC radio because Pamela has been contacted by the Toronto Public Library to do a series of workshops for young writers in November.

Linda Ford: stay tuned for more fabulous books by Linda Ford! She's signed another 3 book contract with Love Inspired Historical, recently completed a novella, and has been asked to be part of a continuity for Love Inspired Historical.

Donna Alward: check out Donna's recent interview at Finding The Write Words blog.

Donna Alward: Donna's SOLD TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER will be released by Samhain in April 2010.

Michelle Beattie: just signed with Kevan Lyon and Jill Marsal at the Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.

Wenda Dottridge: is blogging at www.inkwellinspirations.blogspot.com. This week's topic is Befriend Your Pastor.

Michelle Beattie: is blogging over at Romance Writers of Australia!

October Releases:
- Carolyne Aarsen, Love Inspired, THE MATCHMAKING PACT
- Linda Ford, Love Inspired Historicals, DAKOTA CHILD

September 2009

Michelle Beattie: check out the German cover of Michelle's September release ROMANCING THE PIRATE.

Wenda Dottridge: over at www.inkwellinspirations.blogspot.com, Wenda's new group blog, they're giving away a prize each day until the end of October to one person who comments and leaves an email address. So stop by and check out Wenda's blog.

Pamela Yaye: coming November 2009, PASSION OVERTIME. Romantic Times gave Pamela 4.5 stars and says: Yaye does a bang-up job of giving her characters depth as they struggle to give love a second chance in this emotionally fertile story. Kyra Dixon, the spunky, successful P.R. rep for her alma mater, Hollington College, must convince former NFL player Terrence Franklin to take the head football coaching position. But Terrence is her college sweetheart and the fiance who dumped her when he joined the NFL. Now that he realizes Kyra is the only woman who loved him for himself and not for what he could provide, he wants her back. Persistence and patience have Terrence realizing that Kyra was more affected by their breakup than he knew. What will happen when his past threatens to put a permanent wedge between them?

Lauren Hawkeye: sold her Spice briefs series, which will come out in four consecutive months in 2011.

Linda Ford: Linda blogs over at Petticoats & Pistols about Her Men In Uniform.

Linda Ford: Linda visits the Strong Women, Brave Stories blog.

Pamela Yaye: stop by eHarlequin and read Pamela's daily on-line read, BAD BOY BLUES.

Linda Ford: stop by eharlequin to read an interview with Love Inspired Historical author Linda Ford.

Julie Rowe: recently sold her first short story to one of the 'true' magazines, TrueExperience, for the winter issue.

Wenda Dottridge: on September 11, Wenda is blogging over at Inkwell Inspirations about the controversial author of Infidel, Ayaan Hiris Ali, who renounced Islam after the events on Sept 11, 2001.

Michelle Beattie: is signing at Chapters on Calgary Trail in Edmonton (just south of 34th ave) on Sunday the 20th of September between 1 and 4. Stop by and meet the author of ROMANCING THE PIRATE.

Linda Ford: as Linda celebrates the release of DAKOTA CHILD, check this interview.

Lawna Mackie: posted a blog on her web site about a great “boot camp” offered through the Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal chapter of RWA.

Donna Alward: signed a three book contract! And for a glimpse of the cover model on Donna's June release, HIRED: THE ITALIAN'S BRIDE, check out Today’s Male -- Rob Nuzzie -- on the Sept 7th Monday feature at the Pink Heart Society blog.

Ryshia Kennie: coming in October, RING OF DESIRE: Whispers of an ancient magic draw them together ... In the medieval land of Hafne, a curse has swept the land, leaving it barren. As one of the chosen, Vala watches for signs of the coming prophecy and with it, the owner of a ring who with her is destined to drive away the darkness. But the newly arrived Norman enemy is an unnecessary complication in Hafne - and in Vala's heart. ... An unspeakable evil fights to keep them apart. Giles arrives to claim his new holding only to rescue a mysterious woman from a watery death. Holding Vala in his arms, the stirrings of destiny and desire link him to a prophecy of which he surely wants no part - binding him to a search for his true origins and a fight to save his soul and hers.

CaRWA welcomes new members Kellie Donohue and Claire MacDonald!

Lauren Hawkeye: now has an authorpage on eharlequin.com.

Jan O'Hara: is blogging about dealing with rejection.
http://cherrytart.wordpress.com/2009/09/02/clipped-wings-coping-with-rejections-sting/

Michelle Beattie: check out this interview with author Michelle Beattie.

Linda Ford: celebrating the release of her September book, DAKOTA CHILD, Linda is blogging over at http://roxannerustand.blogspot.com.

Michelle Beattie: ROMANCING THE PIRATE, Michelle's September release, is now at your local bookstore.

AUGUST 2009 RELEASES:
- Michelle Beattie, Berkley Publishing, ROMANCING THE PIRATE

August 2009

Pamela Yaye: stay tuned for more news on Pamela's eHarlequin daily on-line read, BAD BOY BLUES.

Ryshia Kennie: this fall, watch for Ryshia's medieval fantasy RING OF DESIRE. The title fits the story perfectly as rings and relationships are symbolic circles in the story.

Linda Ford: received 4 stars from Romantic Times on her September 2009 release, DAKOTA CHILD. RT says: Quinten, N.D., 1890: Pregnant Vivian Halliday is lost in a blizzard and needs to find shelter soon. When Big Billy Black finds her, he takes her home to wait out the storm. Vivian is concerned that her rescuers are the two people the locals are afraid of: Billy and his mother, Mad Mrs. Black. Billy's mother was never the same after she was kidnapped by Indians. Vivian discovers that Billy is actually a gentle soul who has a heart bigger than the sky; he only want to be left alone to care for his mother. Three people with wounded hearts and souls learn to trust again through forgiveness and redemption. Ford's moving story has characters who are misunderstood by most everyone but know they are not what people think they are.

Michelle Beattie: Romantic Times gave Michelle's upcoming book, ROMANCING THE PIRATE, 4 stars. RT says: Now Alicia, the sister of Samantha from 2008's WHAT A PIRATE DESIRES, has her own adventurous love story. Beattie's passion for the sea sparkles on every page, as does her love of adventure and of crafting a sensual love story between two headstrong characters.

AUGUST 2009 RELEASES:
- Cara Colter, Harlequin Romance, MISS MAPLE AND THE PLAYBOY
- Pamela Yaye, Harlequin Kimani Press, GAMES OF THE HEART

July 2009

Lecia Cornwall: finalled in the Orange County RWA contest!

Donna Alward: THE SOLDIER'S HOMECOMING finalled in the Short Contemporary category of the Aspen Gold Awards!

Jan O'Hara: won second place for the Fool for Love contest in the long contemporary category!

Lauren Hawkeye: signed with the Donald Maass Literary Agency!

Donna Alward: check out Donna's Top Ten List from the 2009 Romance Writers of America national conference.

Jade Buchanan: placed third in the Passionate Plume novella category for HORSFALL: TAIL OF TWO BROTHERS. The Passionate Plume is the erotic romance contest that is put on by the Passionate Ink RWA chapter.

Wenda Dottridge: Wenda's manuscript UNDERCOVER BRIDE placed second in the Daphne's contest.

Wenda Dottridge: received great news from the coordinators of the Faith, Hope & Love Chapter of RWA. Wenda's manuscript LAUREN'S WISH won in the Short Contemporary category of their Touched by Love contest!

C J Carmichael: is blogging over at the Harlequin Superromance Group Blog. A fan of the Proust Questionnaire on the last page of every issue of Vanity Fair, C J used the questionnaire in her March 2010 release as a fun way for her characters to learn more about each other. So drop in and answer her question: "What is your most treasured possession?"

JULY 2009 RELEASES:
- Vivi Anna, Samhain Publishing, DEMON DREAMER
- Jade Buchanan, Changeling Press, HORSFALL 2: TASTE TEST
- Jade Buchanan, Aspen Mountain Press, STORYKEEPER

Pamela Yaye: check out this info on the fall 2009 Kimani Romance’s “Homecoming Confidential” continuity series.

June 2009

Pamela Yaye: received a 4 1/2 star rating from Romantic Times for her August release from Kimani Press GAMES OF THE HEART! RT says: "Manager Sage Collins needs a big break to further her career. She's determined to get high school superstar Khari Grant signed to an exclusive contract and straight into the NBA. No one else has been able to get past Khari's dad, Marshall, who's dead set on his son going to college. Sage worms her way into Marshall's and Khari's hearts by pretending to be a representative of a social services agency. A page-turner from start to finish, the story pulls on the heart as Marshall discovers Sage's duplicity and his trust disintegrates. Riveting characters and a true development of their relationship makes for a great story."

JUNE 2009 RELEASES:
- Donna Alward, Harlequin Romance HIRED: THE ITALIAN’S BRIDE

Pamela Yaye: is running a contest in honor of her up-coming release GAMES OF THE HEART. Enter to win one sweet prize package. For more details, check out her newly designed website.

Jan O'Hara: blogging at http://cherrytart.wordpress.com.

May 2009

Jan O'Hara: is a finalist in the Fool for Love contest!

Pamela Yaye: just signed a four book contract with Kimani Press! Pamela will also be writing the Daily Read for Harlequin for the Hollington Series in September. Pamela's book PASSION OVERTIME is the third one in the series.

Wenda Dottridge: had a manuscript final in the Short Contemporary category of the FHL chapter's Touched by Love contest.

Donna Alward: Donna has three releases coming up: You'll meet Andrew Laramie in A BRIDE FOR ROCKING H RANCH - a holiday novella paired with Patricia Thayer in November 2009 in MONTANA, MISTLETOE, MARRIAGE. Then comes Andrew's story in January 2010 in ONE DANCE WITH THE COWBOY. In March 2010, is his brother Noah's story HER LONE COWBOY. The duet is called COWBOYS AND CONFETTI with a shoutline of HOME TO LAZY L RANCH.

Wenda Dottridge: had a manuscript final in the American Christian Fiction Writer's Genesis contest.

C J Carmichael: CJ just completed back-to-back books to be released in January, February, and March 2010. Stay tuned for more details!

Lauren Hawkeye: received a call from Susan Elizabeth Phillips to tell her that she has won a scholarship to attend the Romance Writers of America Conference in July!

Donna Alward: Donna's THE SOLDIER'S HOMECOMING has finalled in the Traditional Category of the Golden Quill Awards!

Michelle Beattie: Michelle's WHAT A PIRATE DESIRES is a finalist in the short historical category of the GDRWA's Booksellers Best Awards!

Wenda Dottridge: Wenda's manuscript, UNDERCOVER BRIDE, is a finalist in the Daphne Contest Inspirational Category.

MAY 2009 RELEASES:
- Cara Colter, Harlequin Romance HIRED: NANNY BRIDE
- Linda Ford, Barbour Publishing, A PRAIRIE ROMANCE

Donna Alward: Donna's March 2008 release, THE SOLDIER'S HOMECOMING, received the Honourable Mention for Best Category Romance of 2008 in Love Romances and More’s Golden Rose Awards.

April 2009

Vivi Anna: won her first Romantic Times award for THE VAMPIRE'S QUEST, her April 2009 Silhouette Nocturne release!

Lauren Hawkeye: is blogging over at The Bradford Bunch.

Donna Alward: Donna's June 2009 release, HIRED: THE ITALIAN'S BRIDE, received a 4 star review from Romantic Times. RT said: "A lovely setting, well-written characters and a completely believable conflict make for an engaging read."

Pamela Yaye and Vivi Anna: attended the Romantic Times convention in Orlando, Florida!

Donna Alward: is over at Tote Bags N Blogs talking about being well read.

Jade Buchanan: finaled in the Passionate Plume contest with HORSFALL: TAIL OF TWO BROTHERS. Check it out at http://www.passionateink.org/contests/.

A. M. Westerling: had a partial for her book SIMONE AND THE SCOUNDREL!

Linda Ford: check out Linda's blog, Always Roar!

APRIL 2009 RELEASES:
- Vivi Anna, Silhouette Nocturne, THE VAMPIRE'S QUEST
- Lauren Hawkeye, Spice Briefs, WET
- Vivi Anna, Silhouette Nocturne Anthology, MIDNIGHT CRAVINGS

Julie Rowe: from April 3 - 30, Julie presents her fabulous WRITING FOR MAGAZINES class online at Writer U presents. For more info or to register go to http://www.writeruniv.com/.

March 2009

Wenda Dottridge: Wenda's manuscript LAUREN'S WISH won first place in the Inspirational Category of the North Texas RWA chapter's Great Expectation contest. Final judge, editor Melissa Endlich, has requested the full manuscript.

Donna Alward: hit Harlequin's Top Ten Matches with the hero and heroine from her book THE RANCHER'S RUNAWAY PRINCESS.

Jade Buchanan: has just been offered a three book contract by MLR Press! And Jade is number two on Fictionwise's bestselling list!

Donna Alward: Love Romances and More have their polls open for their 2008 Golden Rose awards. Donna's THE SOLDIER'S HOMECOMING is a finalist in Best Category Romance! To place your vote, click here.

Michelle Beattie: the paperback, German-foreign language subsidiary
rights for WHAT A PIRATE DESIRES, ROMANCING THE PIRATE and PLAYING THE PIRATE have sold to Verlagsgruppe Random House.

Wenda Dottridge: received a request from an agent.

Donna Alward: FALLING FOR MR DARK AND DANGEROUS won a Cataromance Reviewer’s Choice Award. Watch for Donna's next release HIRED: THE ITALIAN'S BRIDE, coming out June 2009.

MARCH 2009 RELEASES:
- Barbara Dunlop, Silhouette Desire, TRANSFORMED INTO THE FRENCHMAN’S MISTRESS

February 2009

Julie Rowe: from March 2-31, Julie Rowe presents her wonderful class Query Letters that Sell, Cover Letters that Wow, and Submission Packages that Shout "Buy Me!" You can register for this class at www.WritersOnlineClasses.com.

Vivi Anna: Vivi's April Harlequin Nocturne THE VAMPIRE'S QUEST received 4 1/2 stars, a top pick, from Romantic Times: When vampire bomb investigator Kellen Falcon travels to the European city of Nouveau Monde to visit a doctor working on a cure for his terminal illness, a bomb explodes in the office, killing the doctor and several others. Barely making it out alive, Kellen joins up with werewolf police officer Sophie St. Clair to investigate the bombing before someone else ends up dead. This is a fantastic supernatural thriller from start to finish. Anna takes two supernatural beings and makes us believe the romance and attraction between them are real.

Vivi Anna: catch Vivi over at Romance Novel TV where she's talking about: Three Reasons Why My Life Is Like A Paranormal Romance ... Or At Least Bordering On An Urban Fantasy.

Jade Buchanan: Romance Studio announced their Cupid and Psyche Award winners and FIRESTORM, the Changeling Press Charity Anthology that contains two stories by Jade Buchanan, is the winner of the Romantic Anthology category. Jade is very excited about the award as all the royalties have been donated to the National Disaster Relief efforts!

Michelle Beattie: entered the Houston Bay Area's Judge a Book by its Cover contest and came in second. To check out the cover of her December 2008 release WHAT A PIRATE DESIRES, check out her website.

Wenda Dottridge: finalled in the Great Expectations contest with her manuscript LAUREN'S WISH.

Donna Alward: sold an article to the Romance Writers Report. It will be out in the August 2009 edition.

Donna Alward: Donna is doing a booksigning with Julianne MacLean on February 14, 2009 at the Sunnyside Mall Indigo, Bedford, Nova Scotia from 12 - 2 p.m. Donna will be signing copies of her latest release THE RANCHER'S RUNAWAY PRINCESS.

FEBRUARY 2009 RELEASES:
- Vivi Anna, from Ellora's Cave, IN THE COMPANY OF WOLVES

January 2009

Julie Rowe: will be presenting a workshop at the RWA conference with the amazing Laurie Schnebly. The workshop is called LOVE YOUR VOICE and is going to be very "hands-on" with on the spot writing exercises.

Vivi Anna: received a Reviewer's Choice award from Cataromance for VEILED TRUTH.

Donna Alward: received a Reviewer's Choice award from Cataromance for FALLING FOR MR. DARK AND DANGEROUS.

Wendy Kromm: was chosen to be in a short advertising/promotional film!

Donna Alward: see what Donna has to say about The Flip Side of Contests.

Donna Alward: catch Donna blogging over at Must Love Yarn.

JANUARY 2009 RELEASES:
- Carolyne Aarsen, Harlequin Love Inspired A FAMILY FOR LUKE
- Donna Alward, Harlequin Romance THE RANCHER'S RUNAWAY PRINCESS
- Linda Ford, Harlequin Love Inspired Historicals THE PATH TO HER HEART

Linda Ford: On January 3, Linda is blogging on Petticoats and Pistols. She will be sharing how she came up with the idea for her January book, THE PATH TO HER HEART, and how she did some of the research. Linda will also be giving away a free copy of the January release, so make sure to drop by and post a comment.

Donna Alward: this month, Donna is holding a contest – for aspiring authors. She will be accepting pitches (standard pitch format, a couple of paragraphs) and on Jan 31, she will choose five pitches to send her a first chapter. Of those five chapters, Donna will select one to send her the partial of the book. The winner also gets to pick her brain for the remainder of 2009. For more information, check out Donna's blog or website.

For more information, contact the webmistress.