These past months have been extremely busy ones. Last October,
Kensington Publishing Corp published my latest mainstream novel, A
Different Kind Of Blues, to outstanding reviews. Publisher’s Weekly
called it an “ode to life….wise and wonderful.” As stingy as PW is
with plaudits, those words were nurture for the soul. What Matters
Most, a romance written at Harlequin’s request to bring attention
to the great work of the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has
been an outstanding success, and I want to thank all of you who
supported the effort by purchasing and reading the book. It sold out
shortly after publication, but is being reprinted.
Harlequin’s Kimani Press released Private Lives, a romance, in March
2009, and a second edition of one of my most popular, award winning
Arabesque romance novels, Swept Away, was published the first
of May. So if you’ve searched unsuccessfully for my out-of-print
Arabesque romance novels, they are all becoming available. Harlequin
has the rights to these books and intends to get all of them back into
circulation. To date, In addition to Swept away, others of my
Arabesque books that Harlequin has reprinted and circulated are
Beyond Desire, Secret Desire and Obsession. It will
publish a reprinted edition of Fools Rush In, one of my
national, award winning Arabesque novels, in August, and December will
see the release of Scarlet Woman, an Arabesque best seller.
A
Change Had To Come, my next mainstream women’s fiction novel, is
due out in October from Kensington Publishing Corp. The hero of that
story zonked me. I still can’t get him out of my head. My next new
romance novel, Finding Mr. Right, will be published in August,
and I also have a romance scheduled for release in time for Christmas.
Its title is Holiday Kisses, and it will be out in November.
As you
may know, Harlequin’s Kimani Arabesque line has publishing rights to
my Harrington series (Once In a Lifetime, After The Loving and
Love Me Or Leave Me). So many of you have asked for another
story in that series, that my editor has given me permission to write
another one. I couldn’t be more delighted, because I adore that
family. The book is tentatively titled “No other Love.” Incidentally,
if you want to know how that family is faring just now, you may meet
them in What Matters Most.
Book Expo
America convenes in New York at the Jacob Javits Center May 28-31.
I’ll be book signing Thursday, May 28 at the reception in room 1A10 at
5 pm, and on Friday May 29 from 12:00 – 12:45 at booth 4640 and from
1:30-2:00 pm at booth 4052. Please come by and get a free copy of
Finding Mr. Right and Private Lives (Kimani Press) and A
Change Had To Come and A Different Kind of Blues
(Kensington Publishing Corp on Thursday evening only at 5 pm).
If you
haven’t attended the Black Writers Reunion and Conference, you’re
missing a wonderful experience, especially if you’re a writer,
regardless of genre. This year, the conference will be convened at the
Golden Nugget Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, June 18-19. I have agreed to
do a workshop on Making The first Sale, and at its end you will
know how to get an agent and an editor. If you plan to attend and have
any particular questions, drop me a note in advance, and I’ll be sure
to include the answer in my workshop.
Last
year, Tee C. Royal agreed to build a new web page for me, and I think
it’s lovely. Stop by from time to time, and leave me a note. All for
now.
