RITA-nominated giveaway: Tote #8

[Ed. note: We continue our RITA® giveaway with our next tote. Be sure to leave your comments on the posts for a chance to win. One tote per winner will be awarded, but you can comment on any post throughout the contest period.]

Jacquie D'Alessandro, "Only You"/It Happened One Night
2009 RITA® Finalist for Romance Novella

“I’m absolutely thrilled that my novella ("Only You" from the book IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT) is a RITA® finalist—not only because it is an honor to be recognized by my peers and to be in the company of such accomplished, talented women, but because this particular story was a complete joy to write. To have the opportunity to participate in an anthology with the incredibly talented Stephanie Laurens, Mary Balogh, and Candice Hern was like being served a double chocolate fudge sundae. For my story to be a RITA finalist—that just put a sweet cherry on top of an already delicious dessert. “

About “Only You”:

It Happened One Night . . . and nothing was ever the same again!

Once upon a time, four superstar storytellers -- New York Times bestselling authors Stephanie Laurens and Mary Balogh, along with Jacquie D'Alessandro and Candice Hern -- came up with a delicious idea. What if they each wrote a story about a proper young lady stranded at a remote inn away from society's constraints? What would happen? And how long would it take for her to give in to desire?

In these four amazing tales, four heroines will come face-to-face with the men who got away . . . only to discover that, instead of anger, there is still a passionate connection that cannot be denied. And while each of their lives is quite different, and their pasts utterly unique, they will all make a common discovery -- that one night can change everything . . . forever.

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Kerry Connor, Strangers in the Night
2009 RITA® Finalist for Contemporary Series: Suspense/Adventure

“As a new author, I can only imagine that having any of my books recognized in any way will always mean a great deal. But I have to admit that having STRANGERS IN THE NIGHT in particular be a RITA® finalist feels extra special. Even before it became my first published book, this was a story that meant a lot to me. It's one I cared deeply about and wrote without considering what I could get away with, just writing what I wanted. (And as soon as I was finished, I started worrying about whether I could get away with a lot of what I'd written :-> ). It's also one that had a long road to publication, and there was a time I gave up on ever seeing it published. So to have this book acknowledged at all, let alone final in two categories, has meant the world to me.

I'm really thankful that not only did the judges like the book, but that more readers may discover it as a result. As a series romance, it was only available in stores for a month, and I'm sure many people hadn't even heard of it. The chance to have a story I loved possibly be brought to the attention of readers who might have missed it when it was released is as exciting as the nominations themselves.”

About Strangers in the Night:

It was dark, it was late, and they were total strangers

Caught in a Chicago alley crossfire, Allie Freeman was running for her life when she slammed into Gideon Ross. A hardened bounty hunter, his job was to discover why this stranger no different than the girl next door was so highly desired. But unraveling what made Allie so special would take more time than he had....

Being drawn into this wanted woman's life had turned Ross into the hunted. Allie's hidden identity exposed them to a relentless killer one, inexplicably, she was willing to die for. But she didn't know the lengths Ross would go to keep her unharmed. He wasn't willing to share her with anybody, and in this game of survival, whoever keeps their secret the longest, wins.

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Susan Grant, Moonstruck
2009 RITA® Finalist for Paranormal Romance

"Moonstruck was a special book from the first chapter. I was initially writing another story when my muse refused to let go of THIS story. I was thinking of it day and night while the one I was writing was going nowhere. I got permission to change with only seven weeks to go on my deadline. It was my 11th book, but wow, I lived this one, it gripped me. And when I wrote the last page, I felt chills. That's how real the characters and story were to me. I was so glad for the experience because I was in doubt I'd feel that way anymore after all the books behind me and not a huge amount of excitement at the marketing level for the bastard-stepchildren-type of books I write, SF Romance, a narrow niche with a small but hugely loyal fan base if not gung-ho publisher support. If nothing else came of the experience but happy readers, I'd have been pleased, but to be nominated for the RITA® was...is...so amazingly gratifying and thrilling!"

About Moonstruck:

Peace was for little girls
And Coalition starship admiral Brit Bandar was one tough woman. A mere intergalactic treaty could never get her to trust the Drakken Horde. There was too much bad blood between the Coalition and the Horde and, for intensely personal reasons, Brit wasn't sure that she was through spilling it! But now a peaceful accord had made Finn Rorkken, a notorious Drakken rogue, second in command on her starship, and through some grand cosmic irony front and center in her thoughts...and her heart.

Warleader. Pirate.
Either title sat easily on Finn's battle-hardened shoulders. Though second in command to "Stone-Heart" Bandar? That one would take some getting used to. Peace required as much sacrifice as war so he'd comply even if his reaction to the gorgeous admiral fell decidedly outside protocol. But would he end up kissing or killing her if the galaxy's tentative truce turned into all-out war?

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Tina Ferraro, How to Hook a Hottie
2009 RITA® finalist for Young Adult Romance

“I once heard an actor say he was an overnight success...if you considered overnight his entire adult lifetime. That sums me up beautifully. It took me 20+ years, about 200 short stories and seven completed manuscripts to become a ‘published author.’ Along my journey, I had many goals and dreams, but being a RITA® finalist was not one of them. Because I considered RITA® finalists to be the-best-of-the-best. And I was just trying to hone my craft to be ‘good enough’ to catch the eye of an agent, an editor, a reviewer, a reader. ‘Best’ was out of my reach.

So to see my name and book included on the list of this year’s RITA® finalists is an astonishing experience for me. I am dazed and dazzled, and enjoying every moment of this didn’t-dare-to-dream-come-true.”

About How to Hook a Hottie:

At 17, Kate Delvecchio has one goal in life: to become a millionaire before the age of 20. And as far as she’s concerned, college will only slow her down. Unfortunately for Kate, the one thing her parents do agree on is that they totally disagree with her strategy. And so the deal is born. If Kate can raise five thousand big ones by graduation day, her parents will hand over the balance of her college account to invest as she pleases. No college, no degree, and no way she’ll ever be able to pull it off. But when Kate accidentally agrees to go to the sports banquet with the hottest guy at school, she stumbles upon a possible cash cow. The rest of the junior class is amazed that no-nonsense Kate could hook such a hottie, and one by one they approach her for help hooking their own. She doesn’t know anything about getting guys, but for $100 a pop, she’s more than willing to invent a six-step plan for How to Hook a Hottie. And how could that possibly backfire?

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Deeanne Gist, Deep in the Heart of Trouble
2009 RITA® Finalist for Inspirational Romance

“I attended my first RWA® national conference—and thus my first RITA® award ceremony—as an aspiring author in 1996 (New York City). I was on such a shoestring budget that I ate peanut butter and Graham crackers in my hotel room every evening—except for award night. Back then, the ceremony included a formal dinner, a fully staged set, a live orchestra, a live camera showing the winner leaving her seat and approaching the stage. I will never forget the wonder of that night. It was like attending the Oscars.

I can remember sitting there thinking, “Someday, I want to be a published author who’s called onto the stage.” Fast-forward thirteen years to 2009 when I received the call letting me know I’d been nominated. My mind immediately carried me back to that magical night in 1996. I may not be called onto the stage, but I am completely sincere when I say that I am thrilled ... humbled ... awestruck ... to even be nominated. It is truly an honor I will cherish forever."

About Deep in the Heart of Trouble:

A Texas-Sized Tale of Unexpected Love

Essie Spreckelmeyer is the last woman anyone in Corsicana, Texas, expected to see with a man on her arm. Independent and outspoken, she's known more for riding bicycles in outrageous bloomers than for catching a man's eye. And the last man who seems willing to give her a second glance is Tony Morgan, newly hired at Spreckelmeyer's oil company. The disinherited son of an oil baron, Tony wants most to restore his name and regain his lost fortune--not lose his heart to this headstrong blonde. She confounds, contradicts, and confuses him. Sometimes he doesn't know if she's driving him toward the aisle or the end of his rope. That's how life is...Deep in the Heart of Trouble

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IMHO: That's it for today. Be sure to leave a comment for our authors if you want a chance to win this tote and tune in Thursday for more featured RITA®-nominated finalists.

TJB

IMHO Welcomes inspirational author Deeanne Gist!

IMHO is thrilled to welcome our first inspy author ever, Deeanne Gist. Deeanne was recently nominated for her second RWA RITA® award for Deep in the Heart of Trouble. I read Heart and was so impressed by her very human, flawed, and yet faithful characters, I asked Dee to be a guest here this month. Dee terms what she writes “edgy inspirationals.” To understand what this means, watch her as she discusses her controversial Christian romance, Courting Trouble, which inspired the 2008 RITA® nominated release of Heart, with Lifetime TV’s Romance columnist, Michelle Buonfiglio here.

Her new release, A Bride in the Bargain, is now available, and Dee will be putting an autographed copy of it in the June “Weddings and Beginnings” gift basket this week.

Dee didn’t set out to be a bestselling author of inspirational romance, but she’s found a measure of success at whatever she’s tried her hand at. After a short career in elementary education, she retired to raise her four children. Over the course of the next fifteen years, she ran a home accessory and antique business, became a member of the press, and wrote freelance journalism for national publications such as People, Parents, Parenting, Family Fun, Houston Chronicle and Orlando Sentinel. In addition, she acted as CFO for her husband’s small engineering firm--all from the comforts of home.

Squeezed betwixt-and-between all this, she read romance novels by the truckload and even wrote a couple of her own. While those unpublished manuscripts rested on the shelf, she founded a publishing corporation for the purpose of developing, producing and marketing products that would reinforce family values, teach children responsibility, and provide character-building activities.

After a few short months of running her publishing company, Dee quickly discovered being a "corporate executive" was not where her gifts and talents lay. In answer to her fervent prayers, God sent a mainstream publisher to her door who licensed her parenting I Did It!® product line and committed to publishing the next generation of her system, thus freeing her to return to her writing.

Eight months later, she sold A Bride Most Begrudging to Bethany House Publishers. Since that debut, her very original, very fun romances have rocketed up the bestseller lists and captured readers everywhere. Add to this two consecutive Christy Awards, two RITA nominations, rave reviews, and a growing loyal fan base, and you’ve got one recipe for success.

Dee lives in Texas with her husband of twenty-six years and their two border collies. They have four grown children. Visit her blog to find out the most up-to-the-minute news.

IMHO: Welcome, Deeanne. This month’s theme on IMHO is “Weddings and Beginnings,” which seems appropriate for your book, but you’ve dealt with that particular theme many times in your novels. Can you tell us a little about why that is?

DG: Sure, TJ, and if I had to give what I’m about to say a title, it would probably be “WHAT WAS I THINKING?” Let me explain by starting with this Scripture:

“‘It is not good for man to be alone.’”

I can never read this particular Scripture without a smile. Had I been the one translating the Hebrew, I’d have put: The Lord God said, “What was I thinking!”

The idea of a man without a woman’s influence has been the underlying theme of many a romance novel. What is it about men that makes us women want to roll up our sleeves and civilize them?

What is it about men that makes them recognize on some subconscious level that they need that civilizing influence?

I’m always on the lookout for fascinating little tidbits in our country’s history that I can use as the foundation for my novels. And I find myself gravitating toward the ones where there is an all-male society, then suddenly—gasp—a woman arrives.

1644: The Crown wanted to establish Jamestown. The men said, “We aren’t staying here without women!” So the Crown emptied the prisons of all their female felons. Shipped them to Jamestown and sold them as brides for their weight in tobacco leafage (because tobacco was the cash crop). The women became known as Tobacco Brides.

That really happened. Totally true. I fictionalized what happened to one of those women. (A Bride Most Begrudging)

1849: In the early California mining camps, there were no women. So the men threw themselves into the most colorful and violent “social life” ever to flourish in America ... then came the women.

That really happened. Totally true. I fictionalized what it would be like to be the very FIRST woman to hit San Francisco’s shores. (The Measure of a Lady)

1866: A man in the Washington Territory could have 640 acres of land for free IF he had a wife. So an entrepreneur told the bachelors, “For every man who pays me $300, I’ll bring him a bride from the east.”

The men paid up. The entrepreneur went east. But he told the women he’d guarantee them jobs as domestics and he made them pay their way. Never mentioned anything about being a bride.

The women signed up. He took them to Seattle. Dropped them off.

The women went to their “employer’s” door and knocked—expecting a job. The bachelor opened it expecting a bride.

That really happened. Totally true. I fictionalized what happened to one of those women. (A Bride in the Bargain)

So, what about you, IMHO readers? What are some of your favorite mail-order bride stories? Or stories where a lone woman enters an all-male society? What is it about these stories that intrigues you?

IMHO: Those are great questions, Dee! Okay, folks, you heard the lady…leave your comments for Dee and get the ball rolling. Remember, this month the gift basket will include autographed books from Deeanne Gist, Kathryn Albright, Gemma Halliday, and Kathy Carmichael, as well as a $20 gift card from Target to get you started on gifts for June weddings, or even Dad’s and Grads. Comment away!


TJB