I realized that many of you folks had asked me questions lately and I just hadn’t had the chance to answer them yet in the blur that is my life. Rather than bury them in the comments of various posts, I thought I’d toss the answers out here for every to see. If you want to add to this list, feel free. I’ll either amend this post or put the answer in the comments. Ready? Here we go…

1) Yes, I realize that last month’s newsletter didn’t look optimal for everyone. It looked good for me and the web mistress, but other people’s email programs turned the text anything from glaring yellow to black, which on a black background was tough. New template and we had technical difficulties installing it. Many apologies. We are working to correct it for next month. In the meantime, here are the winners from the blog/monthly contest. To collect your prize, please contact me directly with the prize you won and your steet address, so I can pass your information onto the author who donated the prize.

• Aliciaeflores1@… wins a copy of one of Jaci Burton’s backlist titles
• LeesBlueRoses@… wins a copy of Rhyannon Byrd’s LAST WOLF STANDING and LAST WOLF HUNTING
• Blog poster Kristen wins a copy of Cathryn Fox’s THE HOT LINE
• Blog poster Sonya wins Joey W. Hill’s MARK OF THE VAMPIRE QUEEN
• HillbillyChick23@… wins a copy of one of Lora Leigh’s backlist books
• Blog poster Deidre wins Mackenzie McKade’s eBook of BLACK WIDOW (or a print copy of LISA’S GIFT)
• Blog poster Ro aka Toygoddess wins Melissa Schroeder’s A LITTLE HARMLESS SEX
• MarkSara@… wins a copy of Nalini Singh’s SLAVE TO SENSATION
• Blog poster Allison wins a copy of Charlene Teglia’s SATISFACTION GUARANTEED
• Debbieellison@… wins a copy of Sasha White’s LUSH
• Blog poster JSL wins a copy of Beth Williamson’s DEVILS ON HORSEBACK: NATE
• SavvyBookReader@… wins a copy of Shelley Bradley’s A PERFECT MATCH

2) Lots of questions about why Luc’s book, DELICIOUS, as been put off. The simple answer is that my upcoming paranormal/urban romance series, The Doomsday Brethren, which launches with TEMPT ME WITH DARKNESS on August 26, introduces a very complicated world with lots of interesting people. I’d love to be able to say that I can crank out a book every 2 months, but alas, no. 4-5 months is the minimum. When Pocket came to me and asked me to change my schedule so that we could introduce more Doomsday Brethren books in 2009 so that readers wouldn’t forget this intricate world, I agreed. But this meant that I had to focus on nothing but Doomsday Brethren books for a while. I’m finishing revisions on the first, then will begin 2 and 3 in the series. Because they are being released back to back, they must be written back to back. I couldn’t squeeze Luc in there, too. I’m really sorry, and he’s on my radar. I hope you’ll be happy with these books until I can get Luc back into my schedule.

3) Which leads me to the question about why there’s such a long stretch between TEMPT ME WITH DARKNESS and the next two titles, which we’re tentatively calling SEDUCE ME IN SHADOW and ENTHRALL ME AT NIGHTFALL. If you’re not aware, print publishers need about a year to produce a book that winds up on your shelf. I will probably turn in the next Doomsday Brethren in the last summer/early fall. I’m hoping to turn in the one following shortly after the first of next year. So we’re already a little behind for October and November releases in 2009. But because there are SO MANY steps necessary to releasing a print book, I will be done with these books long before you’ll see them. I swear, I’m writing as fast as I can.

4) Will I be tempting you with more excerpts from TEMPT ME WITH DARKNESS besides the little peek I gave you on Valentine’s Day? Absolutely. This summer, you’ll be hearing a lot about Marrok and Olivia, along with the rest of the Doomsday Brethren: Bram, Duke, Lucan, Shock, Caden, and Ice. Subsequent books will deal with most of these heroes…though not necessarily in that order.

5) With regard to A PERFECT MATCH, my May 13 Samhain title, I said that I’d started the book years ago and finally was able to finish it just recently. What was my sudden inspiration? I don’t know if I’ll call it that. I think it’s more accurate to say that I ran across the files on my computer one day, remembered that I’d always loved the characters and wished that I could find the right ending for them. I sat down and read what I had, and suddenly, the ending was all in my head. Sometimes, time away from a book gives an author enough distance to look at it differently and realize what should be changed. Sometimes it’s that you’ve matured or your sub-conscious has been playing with it for a while, and worked out all the problems. You just didn’t know it. Whatever happened here, I think it finally worked, so I’m pleased. Hope you are too.

6) Do I have a date for DANGEROUS BOYS AND THEIR TOY from Ellora’s Cave? Not yet. I finished up the edits on Sunday. My editor and I have been discussing a blurb. Once that’s done, she’ll be able to come back to me with a firm date. At this point, we’re shooting for late July/early August. I’ll keep you posted.

7) Finally, have I been watching New Amsterday? I have the first 3 episodes on DVR. I’m hoping to sit down with them soon. I’m trying to push something out the door right now, but as soon as I have a little break, I’ll race through all 3 and render a verdict. The buzz so far has been good, so I’m looking forward to watching it.

Happy Friday, all!