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M a r c h   2 0 0 8

Snow, snow, go away! I am looking very forward to Spring this year if only to get rid of this cold white stuff on the ground. Also, because Spring signals the fact that Lady & the Vamp will be released at the beginning of April! That's next month!! The first three chapters are now available to be read here on my website. If you'd like to read Chapter 4...and get sneak peeks of lots of other fun stuff, consider joining my Yahoo! Chat Group.

I will be attending the Romantic Times Booklovers Convention in Pittsburgh, PA next month and I'm really looking forward to it. If you're in the area, or already attending the convention, please stop by and say hi during the big signing on Saturday, April 19 from 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. More details here.

Prose by any other name... my alter ego Michelle Maddox who writes action- and suspense-packed speculative romance for Dorchester Publishing's SHOMI line has launched her website. Five months until Countdown is released in August '08. Can't wait!

J a n u a r y   2 0 0 8

Wow. I can't believe it's the beginning of another year. Like, seriously. Where is the time going? I remember when I was a teenager (back in the glorious 80s, when men really knew how to wear make-up and have big hair) time seemed to take forever to go by. It's different now. My life feels like it's on fast forward. Time to slow down and smell the roses. Unfortunately, since it's the dead of winter, I'll have to wait a couple of months. But I digress. News! Glorious news!

I have posted the first chapter of Lady & The Vamp. The book will be on the shelves in only three little months. This book ended up being a real favorite of mine as I wrote it -- with a very sassy heroine to help heal a certain reluctant vampire's broken heart. Hint: she's very successful! It's a hunt for treasure, redemption and true love -- fangs included at no extra charge.

I have officially handed in the final manuscript for Stakes & Stilettos (Feb. '09). We're back to Sarah's story with this one, and trust me -- things are definitely not getting easier for my fledgling vampire. At all. This book is part one of a two book story arc that will finish off the Immortality Bites series in a way that I hope will be delicious and satisfying. Like a nice steak dinner with one of those loaded baked potatoes. Yum! (I'm writing this before dinner. Perhaps I should eat something). Anyhow, I'm really happy with how S&S turned out. Hopefully my editor will agree. I'm taking a couple of weeks off and then I'm starting work on Devils & Diamonds (well, it's the working title, anyhow) which will be out July '09.

I was thrilled to find out that German translation rights have been sold for the first three books in the Immortality Bites series! So, starting mid-2009, Bitten & Smitten, Fanged & Fabulous, and Lady & The Vamp will be available in German with cool new covers. Can't wait to see them!

N o v e m b e r   2 0 0 7

No news is good news for a while since it means that I've been busy writing. I'm almost finished the first draft of Sarah Dearly's third adventure, the fourth book in the Immortality Bites series, Stakes & Stilettos (which will be out February '09), and it is coming along quite well, I think! The book will take place three weeks after the events of Fanged & Fabulous and involve such scary things as witches, curses, and high school reunions. Not necessarily in that order.

Next year I'll have two releases on the shelves. Lady & The Vamp (Quinn's book) is out April '08 (now available at Amazon.com for pre-order, and Countdown, the futuristic romance I'm writing under the name Michelle Maddox is out in August '08. I'm really excited about both of these books and can't wait until they're out, but I'm trying to be patient. Not one of my virtues, I'm afraid!

Okay, enjoy the Fall, and the next time I update, I hope to have lots more news!

J u l y   2 0 0 7

Some months just naturally have more news than others!

Fanged & Fabulous is now available! I've added a "Booknotes" page that talks all about the background and other fun facts to do with this book.

Bitten & Smitten won the 2007 Holt Medallion for best first book! Hooray!!

I have signed with my publisher (Grand Central, formerly Warner Books) to do two more Sarah Dearly books! Another hooray!! There will be five books altogether in the "Immortality Bites" series, including Lady and the Vamp (April '08) which is a spin-off with the character Quinn. The next Sarah book, Stakes & Stilettos, will be out in early 2009.

I will be doing a signing on July 7th at Chapters in Woodbridge, Ontario (see sidebar for more details).

I am also jetting off to Dallas to go to the RWA National Conference from July 11 - 14, including the huge charity signing open to the public. If you're there, please stop by my table and say hi!

At this very moment I am putting the finishing touches on my revisions to Lady and the Vamp, and also writing my Shomi title, The Challenge. Very busy! But it's all good. :-)

Have a wonderful July!

J u n e   2 0 0 7

One more little teensy month until Fanged & Fabulous is out! Chapter 3 is now available here on my site. If you would like to read Chapter 4, it is exclusively available to members of my Yahoo! group.

My first book, Bitten & Smitten, is a finalist in the 2007 Holt Medallion contest for "Best First Book." Hooray!

I have very recently signed a deal to write a book for Dorchester Publishing's exciting new SHOMI line of speculative (think futuristic thriller!) romance. I'm very excited to write The Challenge, which I am writing under the name "Michelle Maddox." It's about a petty thief and a hardened criminal forced to play a game together where their lives are at stake. It's quite a bit darker than my "Michelle Rowen" titles and I am having so much fun writing it!

While you're here, swing by my contest page and enter to win another $25 Electronic gift certificate for Amazon.com.

M a y   2 0 0 7

I love May! Finally there is almost zero chance of snow. Almost. The grass is green, the flowers are blooming...and Chapter 2 of Fanged & Fabulous is available on this website! Only two more months (61 days; 1,464 hours...not that I'm counting) until the release!

I have officially (just moments ago, actually) handed in my fourth novel, Lady and the Vamp, to my editor. (Side note: "Warner Books" has changed their name to "Grand Central Publishing"). This book takes place right after the events in Fanged & Fabulous and features the ex-vampire hunter, Quinn, from my Sarah Dearly books. Barring any unforeseen disaster, this book will be out one year from now: May 2008!

I'm all out of autographed books from my Book Bonanza contests. So my May contest is a $25 Electronic Gift Certificate for Amazon.com. That way you can buy whatever book you want and just forge a signature. It's just a suggestion.

A p r i l   2 0 0 7

Finally Spring! And the countdown is on for the release of my third novel, the sequel to Bitten & Smitten: Fanged & Fabulous. Fledgling vampire Sarah Dearly's further adventures continue in only three more months! I have now posted Chapter 1 here on the website and will follow that up with chapters 2 and 3 in the months leading up to the July '07 release.

After the fantastic success of my first Book Bonanza contest with well over a thousand entries, I'm following that up with Book Bonanza #2. This time there are six signed novels to be won including an ARC (Advance Reading Copy) of Fanged & Fabulous. This contest will only run one month this time so make sure you enter before the end of April for your chance to win!

F e b r u a r y   2 0 0 7

February is the shortest, coldest month of the year. It's also the month I was born. So to celebrate turning the same age Marilyn Monroe was when she DIED, I have a fantastic new contest.

Ten romance novels, all signed by the author, and nestled comfortably in a lovely, limited edition Fanged & Fabulous totebag. It's a book bonanza. This contest will go right through until the end of March, so you have lots of time to enter.

I have received the final cover of Fanged & Fabulous, and I think it's just fabulous. Check it out on my Books page. It's also now available for Pre-Order on Amazon.com!

I have a Yahoo! discussion group where I'm putting exclusive content. ie: Chapters of Fanged & Fabulous months before they go live on this website. Join up today and check it out!

I'm going to be in Kitchener, Ontario on Tuesday, February 6th for a panel discussion on romance novels. Come out if you can. I'd love to see you.

What's Love Got to Do with It?
Romance fiction, with more than 1.41 billion dollars in sales annually, is the most popular of all fiction genres with readers. Join us for this program featuring fabulous romance authors who will be speaking on the enduring appeal of the romance genre and many other topics ranging from trends, to where they see the genre heading over the next few years, all with a focus on “happily ever after.”

Visiting Authors
Eve Silver, author of Dark Desires
Michelle Rowen, author of Angel with Attitude
Jennifer Ross and Susan Barclay, contributing authors of No Law Against Love

Tuesday, February 6 at 7:00
Kitchener Public Library: Main Library

Sweet treats to enjoy tonight! You will also have a chance to win a romantic gift basket for two.

D e c e m b e r   2 0 0 6

I'm happy to announce that my third novel, Fanged & Fabulous is all finished, and now is just going through the journey all manuscripts take to be made into books. It will be on the shelves July 2007. I have already started writing my fourth novel, which follows the ex-vampire hunter/now vampified Quinn, as he looks for love, liberty, and the pursuit of a magical artifact called "The Eye" which he hopes will solve his many fanged problems. It's going to be called Lady and the Vamp and I'm really excited about the story!

I've uploaded a FREE full-length ebook for anyone who'd like to check it out. This was in association with Paperback Writer's ebook challenge. My ebook is called Yellow Brick Roadkill and it's a bit of an ode to the Wizard of Oz. Fun, quirky, hopefully entertaining, about a woman who finds herself in a magical land and really wants to get the heck out of there. Read more about it, and download the PDF file here.

In my December contest, enter to win a $50 Electronic Gift Certificate to the winner's choice of Amazon.com or BarnesAndNoble.com.

O c t o b e r   2 0 0 6

Looky here, Michelle's got herself a new website. It's got all the same info as on the previous version (v.1) but now I am in control of all updates (and design) by myself. Which means there may be a few glitches, so if you see anything weird, please contact me and let me know. I hope you like it. I have plans to expand the info here and add lots of interesting things in the future.

While you're here, check out the new photos in my gallery of the RWA National Conference in Atlanta at the end of July.

J u l y   2 0 0 6

Well, there's not much news this month. Summers are slow and… hold on, wait just a minute… I think I know of something……

****** Angel with Attitude is now available!! ******

I think the most frequently asked question about the new book is: "Excuse me, Michelle Rowen, but are those your legs pictured on the cover of the book?" To which the answer is: "Of course they are!" *blinks*

But seriously, I've added a new page of Booknotes on the website. If you'd like to know a little more about the background of the book, see my dream cast and the soundtrack I listened to while writing it, as well as reading a bonus scene and the short story that sparked the idea in the first place, check it out!

To celebrate my Angel with Attitude falling to earth (via the killer whale tank at MarineLand), I have a whale of a contest this month (see what I did there?). "You Had Me At Halo!" Enter to win a gorgeous silver and diamond (yes, they're real…and they're spectacular(ly small)!) "halo" necklace. I actually want to keep it for myself. So if nobody enters this month that would work out just fine.

Holy talking rats, Batman… there's another conference this month! I'll be heading down south for the Romance Writers of America National Conference in Atlanta, Georgia from July 25 - 31 and taking part in the massive book signing. Alas, no cover models this time, but I'll post a bunch of photos next month!

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J u n e   2 0 0 6

Okay, it’s true... the Romantic Times Booklovers Convention is something everyone has to experience at least once in their lives. From the workshops, to the free books, to the massive bookfair...to schmoozing with readers, writers, editors, and agents (and don’t forget the cover models), a fun time was had by all. Check out some of the pictures I took in my Photo Gallery.

Fourth time’s the charm. Angel with Attitude has been picked up by bookclub #4, The Literary Guild. They must have heard about the talking rat. Everybody loves a talking rat. Don’t they?

Speaking of, only one more month till my fallen angel with that attitude of hers hits the stands. Check out an excerpt from Chapter 3. The July 2006 issue of Romantic Times BOOKreview magazine gives Angel with Attitude 4 stars, and says that my “sassy and sexy characters” make for “downright fun reading.”

While you’re here, take a moment to enter my June Contest for a $20 Electronic Gift Certificate for Amazon.com. Even though I dragged home 20 books from Daytona, I’m still eyeing the local bookstore. One can never have too many books, can they?

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M a y   2 0 0 6

April showers bring May flowers. And speaking of showers, I'm going to be a bridesmaid for my friend's wedding next month. Always a bridesmaid, never a... hmmm. How does that saying go again? I have conveniently forgotten.

May also brings a trip for me to Daytona Beach, Florida for the Romantic Times Booklovers Convention from May 16 - 21. I'll be the fully dressed blonde chick (bathing suit? What? I can't hear you) sitting by the pool, sucking back a raspberry margarita (which, FYI, is my favorite drink aside from Diet Coke). Oh, and I'll be a part of the humongous book signing, too. Next month, I'll be posting lots of pics from my Florida adventures in my Photos section.

I have posted Chapter 2 of Angel with Attitude in the Books section of this website if you are curious to read on from last month!

And last but not least, please check out my May Contest! Enter to win a $20 electronic gift certificate to Barnes & Noble. Every little bit helps in adding to that ever-increasing early summer TBR shelf, doesn't it?

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A p r i l   2 0 0 6

Is it just me, or is this year flying by? It's already April! The snow is melting (hoorah!). This means that there are only three more months until Angel with Attitude falls to earth. (Get it? She's a fallen angel? Oh, never mind). Just as I did with Bitten & Smitten , I'm going to be putting up three entire chapters of the book. Check out Chapter One, just posted. Chapter Two will be up on May 1st, and Chapter Three will follow on June 1st.

I recently received the great news that my little angel has been initiated into the club. Angel with Attitude will be a featured alternate selection and available as a bookclub-edition hardcover through Rhapsody, Doubleday and Science Fiction Book Clubs! Good stuff.

And speaking of hardcovers... my April contest features one! Up for grabs this month is a cool pair of Jones New York sunglasses for you to vamp things up, and a signed bookclub-edition hardcover of Bitten & Smitten .

I've also recently joined a cool new group blog (c'mon, everybody's doing it!). But this is a group blog with a difference. It's all about the paranormal. It's called The Midnight Hour and features authors Lori Handeland (Cresent Moon), Linda Winstead Jones (The Star Witch), Kathy Love (Fangs But No Fangs), Stephanie Rowe (Date Me Baby, One More Time) and myself. We're going to be having tons of great guest authors (JR Ward has already dropped by) plus some real-life psychics will share their insights and talents with us. Bookmark us at www.themidnighthour.net and stop by often!

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M a r c h   2 0 0 6

So…it's March already. That means that February slipped through my fingers with no web updates made. Oops. Well, my bad scheduling is your gain, as I'm doing a groovy contest this month to make up for it. A $30 electronic gift certificate for Amazon.com could buy you something really nice. For example, it could buy you four-and-a-half copies of Bitten & Smitten . But, should you win, you spend it on whatever you like. I'm just saying. ;-)

I'm happy to announce that I've just signed another two-book contract with Warner! I will be writing (actually I should be doing that right now) the sequel to Bitten & Smitten along with another top secret (for the time being) novel! I always envisioned fledgling vampire Sarah Dearly's story to be more than one book…there's a lot more to explore in her world, so I'm very excited and grateful to be given the opportunity. The book will be titled Fanged & Fabulous and will be out in Spring 2007. A whole year from now, yes, but the first chapter will be at the back of Angel with Attitude to give you a sneak peek at what's to come.

Speaking of my little fallen angel, four more months till Angel with Attitude is on the shelves. Which means one thing…. chapter excerpts start next month! Stay tuned.

And remember, I'm always updating my blog, so check there to find out the latest happenings…

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J a n u a r y   2 0 0 6

Santa was very good to me over the Holidays - though he, yet again, neglected to leave Hugh Jackman under the tree as I requested. I guess I'll have to try again next year!

Bitten & Smitten is now on the shelves in all it's pretty, diva-shirted, bat-necklaced, blue-covered glory! How excited am I? Very excited, that's how excited I am. I have the first three chapters available on this website if you'd like to "try before you buy."

I have a brand new page on the site to go hand-in-hand with the release of Bitten & Smitten . Take a look at my Booknotes page that gives some fun facts about the book, pictures, links, locations, and my dream cast if it was a movie!

Did somebody say "Bling Bling"? Check it out…I'm giving away a diamond necklace! No, I'm not Donald Trump, nor do I want to be (well, perhaps to have his bank account…sigh…) It's a teeny, tiny diamond, but it's real and there's a chance it could be yours if you enter my January Contest.

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D e c e m b e r   2 0 0 5

I can’t believe it’s already the last month of 2005. There are a whole lotta check marks on my calendar this year as I’ve counted down the days to the release of Bitten & Smitten. Only one more month! Somebody pinch me! Check out Chapter 3 which has now been posted in the books section.

I'm very happy to announce that the Warner Women blog which I am a part of along with 18 other Warner authors, has been chosen as one of The Internet Writing Journal's truly outstanding writer's blogs.

Always wanted a subscription to Romantic Times BOOKclub Magazine so you can read all the reviews of the coolest genre out there? Well, you've come to the right place. Enter my December Contest for the chance to win a full year of the magazine delivered directly to your mailbox.

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N o v e m b e r   2 0 0 5

Fifty-five more sleeps till Christmas! And 62 more sleeps till Bitten & Smitten is released. The countdown continues…

Chapter 2 of Bitten & Smitten is now readily available here on the site in the books section (well, where else would it be?). Next month I'll be posting Chapter 3.

My contest this month is based on the fact that I'm a total bibliophile. Loves me some books. So I thought I'd share the wealth. Enter to win a $25 Barnes & Noble Gift Card and a copy of the Bewitched, Bothered & BeVampyred anthology written by some really cool chicks: MaryJanice Davidson, Susan Grant, P.C. Cast, and many more…including yours truly.

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O c t o b e r   2 0 0 5

I'm thrilled to announce that Bitten & Smitten has been chosen as a featured alternate in both Rhapsody and Doubleday book clubs.

Chapter 1 is available for anyone who wants a peek at what this book's all about. I will be posting Chapter 2 November 1st, and Chapter 3 will go live on December 1st.

My first contest is live and -- for the month of Halloween -- a bit batty. Enter to win The Good (a $25 gift card to Barnes & Noble), The Bad (a four-pack of Godiva truffles - bad in a good way!), and The Ugly (an adorable, collectable Ugly Doll) during the month of October.

My second book finally has an official title. It's going to be Angel with Attitude . My wrongfully accused fallen angel's story of love with a bad boy, talking rodents, and the pursuit of getting the heck back to heaven will hit the shelves July 2006.

Bewitched, Bothered & BeVampyred has been picked up by Borders and will be soon available in their stores as well as online as a trade paperback.

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A u g u s t   2 0 0 5

The Romance Writers of American conference in Reno, Nevada was a lot of fun - and thoroughly exhausting. I took loads of pictures and put up a good sampling in my photo gallery. One year till Atlanta!

I can't believe it's only five months till Bitten & Smitten is released. It's already available as a pre-order through Amazon. How time flies when you're... revising, copy editing, blogging, and websiting. The countdown begins!

Bitten & Smitten has received a fantastic early review from Romantic Times BOOKclub: "Droll wit and wacky humor meet vampire mythology in this fun & clever debut...Keep an eye on this new discovery!" Not too shabby, I'd say! I'll take it! No word on how many stars it's earned, but I can be patient and wait till the issue hits the stands in December. *sweats profusely*

My second book for Warner Forever (presently searching for a new title) now has an official release date of JULY 2006 - just six little months after my first one. So this time next year I'll officially be a multi-published author! How weird is that? (very weird, trust me). It's about a 'wrongfully convicted' fallen angel and her trip to the underworld to retrieve an object that could help send her back to heaven. There are demons! Witches! Murder! Seduction! Did I mention it's a comedy romance?

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J u l y   2 0 0 5

I will be attending the Romance Writer's of America conference in Reno, Nevada from July 27 - 31. I have nothing to sign so I will be wandering about aimlessly...probably near the slot machines.

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