My podcast is up, I'm off to RT, and other items!

My fun Sunday with the Last Bite gang
Okay, how much fun did I have with Tamara and Maria on the Last Bite Podcast? A ton. They asked fantastic questions and we talked about all kinds of things, from the urban fantasy genre to the RT convention to why Mind Games is in first person present tense and more. You can listen to it here!

These women have been putting out all kinds of fun shows lately! Recently they've interviewed MaryJanice Davidson, Jeaniene Frost and even Charlaine Harris.

They also cover topics of all kinds related to True Blood and other vampire ans supernatural TV series, and more. Official website here....and you can find the full roster of podcasts here.

Off to RT!!

I'm going to be at RT. If you're there, come say hi! If you're not going, I totally sympathize. I felt left out for so long, not going to these conventions, and lived vicariously through the pics. I promise to try to get some good ones.

Thursday 11:00 am: I'll be at Club RT at 11:oo am. Come by and say hi! You can also get your passport to snark and play fun hunt game the League of Reluctant Adults is doing.

Thursday 4:30: Who can pass up Mullet Wig Night?? Blogland's fave galpal KristieJ dons her mullet wig thanks to losing the infamous bet with Smart Bitch Sarah!

Friday 11.15 - 12:15 I'm moderating the panel Urban Fantasy Goes to Hollywood. The panel is about UF books being made into TV shows and Movies, and participants include Jim Butcher, Charlaine Harris, Melissa Marr, Holly Black and captain Richelle Mead.

Friday 2:45-3:45 pm: Paranormal: the Melting Pot. It's about incorporating paranormal elements into your story no matter what genre you're in. Participants include Melissa Marr, Lucy Monroe, Vicki Petersson, and captain Patrice Michelle

Saturday 11-2 - I'll be at the big book signing!

Sunday 1:30-2:45 pm: Author vs. Reader word search game!

Paperback Dolls launch!
The official launch of one of the funnest new blogs around happened yesterday. Go say hi! They had this whole launch day extravaganza with author Rachel Caine where you can read about her new book, get fabu Texas recipes and win a signed copy and jewelry, too!

Normal blogging resumes after RT
Have you noticed I've been gone quite a bit lately? With the launch of Mind Games, I've spent a ton of time off visiting other blogs, which has been just wonderful, but I haven't really been tending the poor Thrillionth Page. However, with the exception of a few excursions, I'm mostly back in May, and I have some fun stuff lined up: great moments, a Jill Shalvis event, and some other surprise stuff.

Me! At Last Bite...& what would YOU ask Charlaine Harris re: True Blood?

I'm at the Last Bite Podcast today! My show goes up this afternoon, and I couldn't be more excited. (If you miss it, well, it'll be archived for some time.)

We'll be discussing Mind Games, and quite likely True Blood, since I'm moderating a panel at RT this week that deals with TV and movie adaptations of books, and the wonderful Charlaine HARRIS herself will be there.

Do you listen? It's easy to subscribe to Last Bite, and it's a ton of fun - like discussing fave books and TV shows with your galpals.

AND, if you do have a burning question that Charlaine must be asked, go leave it in the comments at the site, or email lastbitepodcast@gmail.com. (Though, since I've never moderated a panel, I'm not sure how many questions I myself will be asking. I might just be there to keep order. I plan to investigate this before Friday!) You can also leave a question for me, of course. LOL. Happy Sunday!

Ali G writes a romance novel

I'm over at the Desert Island Keepers blog! Being silly on a Saturday. Or, actually, Ali G is.

Day of questions!

Where is the line between UF & PNR?

Rebecca at Dirty Sexy Books and Abigail at All Things Urban Fantasy have a fantastic discussion going on about UF, PNR, genre distinctions, shelving conundrums, and books that combine elements of both! They discuss line-blurring books, and interview a number of authors - Illona Andrews, Jeaniene Frost, Gail Carriger, Nalini Singh, myself, and others. Go join in! Check out Part 1 here, and Part 2 there!

What is so comforting about comfort reads?

I'm over at Desert Island Keepers asking the question: What is so comforting about comfort reads? Come tell me the answer.

Convention mayhem! RomCon & RT

RT in Columbus, April 28th - May 2nd

This is my first ever convention! I'm so excited, I can't believe it. Let me know if you are going. If you aren't going, this will probably be the most boring post. Have you been following the Literary Escapism profiles of those attending? I love looking at that thing.

Passport to Snark!

Also, if you are going, consider nabbing a Passport to Snark. Basically, it's a passport that the League of Reluctant Adults gives you, and you fill it up by finding each of us at the convention, and we put stickers in it and stuff. How do you get a Passport to Snark? Go to Club RT Thursday at 11:00 AM or Friday at 11:oo and pick it up. Read more about this madness here.

Me. Panels!

I am so excited about this. First, I am moderating a panel called Urban Fantasy Goes to Hollywood - Friday (11:15 am - 12:15 pm). It features Jim Butcher, Charlaine Harris, Richelle Mead, and Holly Black. This is an unruly and very newbie group, so I will do my best to keep them from making fools of themselves.

I will be appearing on a panel called Paranormal: the Melting Pot all about incorporating paranormal elements into any kind of story or genre. Panelists include Patrice Michele (captain) Melissa Marr, Jeniene Frost, Lucy Monroe, Vicki Petersson and me!

Elsewhere at RT: I'll be at Club RT on Thursday at 11:00 am, and also the signing on Saturday.

RomCon Denver, July 9-11

This is a total reader-oriented convention, but there will be authors there, including yours truly! It looks like it's shaping up to be a kind of Disneyworld for nerdy bookworms who have romance and fantasy-addled brains. Sound like anybody you know? Read about Romcon here.

Dear Author is giving away free RomCon tickets to random readers!

You have until Sunday to go to Dear Author and leave a comment to maybe win one of 20 free tickets. Of course, that doesn't mean plane ticket. You have to get yourself to Denver and wrangle a room. But, if you're thinking of going, go forth and comment.

The game we are hosting:

Also, this isn't on the Romcon site yet, but check out the amazingly fun game that I am hosting with Nicole Peeler, Meljean Brook, Jeanne Stein, and Nalini Singh:

Monsters & more semi-charades
You don't have to know charades, or have a good knowledge of Urban Fantasy or Paranormal Romance, to have fun playing Monsters & more! Players draw slips with the names of monsters, heroes, heroines, etc. and try to get their team to quick say the name though descriptions, hints, and pantomimes (anything but names/book titles) - in this thrilling, silly, super-interactive event!

Quiz: are you reading an unhealthy amount of urban fantasy & paranormal literature??

Have you finally gone overboard with the monsters and magic? Could your reading material be turning you into a freak?

Find out! Win Prizes!

Join me at Bitten by Books today and take my special quiz. I'll also be giving out prizes.

Two $25 gift certificates are up for grabs, plus a goody bag filled with chocolatey treats and a signed copy of Mind Games. I'll also be hanging out, answering questions and commenting on all the people who have gone too far to the dark side.

Drop by and say hi! Event runs from noon 4/15 to Midnight tonight, central time.

Come join the dubious fun!

Come on over to Renee's Book Addiction to meet Shelby, the galpal sidekick in Mind Games, in her one and only interview. Shelby's disillusionist specialty is a grim outlook on life...

• Will Renee be able to withstand Shelby's powerfully bleak onslaught?
• Shelby has a lovely gift for Renee. (not these shoes, tho) Will Renee like it?
• Will Renee wheedle any secrets out of Shelby? You know she will try!
• What commenter will win a FREE copy of Mind Games? Maybe you!
• Come to Renee's Book Addiction and join the dismal fun!

Bitten By Books Tomorrow

Are you reading too much Urban Fantasy and paranormal literature?

Tomorrow I'll be at Bitten by Books with an important quiz that will help you tell if you are overdoing it with the magic and monsters. We'll also be giving away prizes: TWO $25 bookstore gift certificates and ONE goody bag that includes chocolaty treats and a signed copy of Mind Games. RSVP today for extra chances to win!

Shoes:Rebecca, if you didn't like yesterday's shoes, or the day before, how about these?

Hanging with Penelope!

What does Willy Wonka have to do with the book Mind Games?

Is Penny Watson, aka the diabolical genius writer who put sexual thrills into the previously wholesome holiday of Christmas, repenting yet?

Come find out!

I'm at Penelope's Romance! Penny and I are discussing Mind Games (shocker, I know!), the difficulty of writing decent sex scenes, POV issues, and more, and there's a giveaway! So come on over and say hello.

Also, check out her group blog, The Quirky Ladies. I've visited to reveal my quirky 3 items, but most of all, it's a fun writer's blog with a witty, diverse group of women.

MEME NEWS

Winners! Grand Prize: R. Thompson

Second Prize: Orrania!

Congrats, gals! Time to feast!

Photo: Perhaps these shoes would be more to the liking of Rebecca at DSB.

At Number One Novels!

I was so excited when Rebecca at Number One Novels invited me to appear at her blog! It's a fun writer's blog profiling debut authors.

You have to go check it out, even if you're sick of ubiquitous me: you can find interviews with amazing debut authors! Karen Beutner (Alcestis), Liane Merciel (The River Kings' Road), Addison Fox (Warrior Ascended), Helen Simonson (Major Pettigrew's Last Stand), Jennifer R. Hubbard (The Secret Year) and N.K. Jemisin (The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms). Wow!

Come say hi, and you could even win a copy of Mind Games!

So sorry DSB Rebecca!

It has come to my attention that another Rebecca of Dirty Sexy Books fame (not Number One Novels Rebecca) didn't like the shoes in the last post.

Hopefully, the ones pictured are more to your liking, DSB Rebecca.

Krazy times at the Romcon blog!

Author Jill Sorenson and I are being very silly over at the RomCon blog! It's also a giveaway - leave a comment to win a book, and you can find out how to get little CJ and Miss Doreen stickers, too. Come say hi!!

Are people going to Romcon? It's a reader/author event full of book nerd activities like trivia contests, readers' roundtables, a weapons gallery, 'strip the heroine' all about historical garments, teas with super famous authors, a game called were squares, and another game hosted by Nicole Peeler and yours truly (if it gets approved!) called Monsters & More semi-charades that I think will be a wild time. (or a flop, you never know. But, hopefully, a dramatic flop!)

Meme and radio update

My radio interview turned out to be really fun. For me, at least. And I read some of the book, and stumbled over a few questions. Tomorrow, the winner of the Restaurant Meme Game will be announced! UPDATE: After the weekend winners will be announed. In editing hell right now! But the game is closed.

I'm on Write-on radio & Wicked Jungle!

Okay, tomorrow, Thursday April 8th at 11 am (Central time/Chicago-Minneapolis time) I'll be interviewed LIVE on Write On Radio on KFAI!

This is huge to me, because this is a show I absolutely love, and it's also nationally renowned.

They interview two writers every Thursday - just in this past month they've had Kim Harrison, Jay Parini, Connie Willis, and others. I would actually recommend it in general for anybody who enjoys really substantive talk on books and writing from across the literary spectrum. (Though I don't know how substantive I'll be! see graph.)

WIN!

Call in to win a signed copy! We'll be giving several away. This is also a pledge drive edition - you don't have to donate to listen, but in an era where news gathering organizations are crumbling, great community radio is more important than ever!

Anyway, you can hear it live, or the mp3/realaudio link will be up for about 2 weeks here.

Wicked Jungle

Today, Wednesday 4/7, I'm over at Wicked Jungle, a gorgeous up-and-coming site for writers and lovers of sci fi and fantasy!

This post is more of a serious one than I usually do - Melissa, who runs this site, suggested I concentrate on topics of interest to aspiring writers. So, I tell five behind-the-scenes writerly anecdotes about Mind Games. Come comment to win...a copy of Mind Games! Yee hah!

TBR fun at All Things Urban Fantasy & Updates!

TBR pile hoedown at All Things Urban Fantasy

I'm visiting Abigail over at All Things Urban Fantasy today. She and I discuss our very different TBR piles and what some UF and PNR characters read. We also did some high level twitter research on characters who read, and our findings are there. Whew! Do you recall any UR or PNR characters reading? What were they reading? Come on over and join the fun!

Book update

Actually, now that I wrote that subhead, I realize I don't have any actual update except to say that these past couple weeks have been some of the most hectic but most fun of all my life! In an odd way, I feel like I've been very public, yet sort of AWOL, especially when it comes to visiting my pals, and actually blogging here, errr about books and stuff. I have edits due the 12th, and things will change after that.

I'm so grateful to everybody for all the goodwill toward me and the book, and for people taking the time to read it and say so many insightful, thoughtful, lovely things. A few new recent reviews:

• Alpha Heroes - The review that made me MOST want to spill secrets of book 2, and not the secret you might suspect, but I held off!
• Anna's Book Blog - My fellow MN homegirl! And longtime go-to-book blogger
• Escape Between the Pages - Lori runs a fabu new-to-me blog, and is an ace twitterer.
• Pearls Cast Before a McPig - Another delightful, new-to-me blog. I find the whole pearls and pig bit here to be endlessly humorous.
• Isn't it Romance? - TUMPERKIN! My brilliant critique partner, so this review is biased. Oddly, she read and helped shape book 2, Double Cross, all last year, but only last week read book 1. So the whole thing was backstory to her. But her lips are zipped.
• Smokin hot books - A gorgeous review complete with cliffhanger quiz and new fears! LOL.

Signed Copies

So, thanks to our fabulous local Sci-fi/Fantasy bookstore, Uncle Hugo's, where Chris and I so love to roam, you can get signed copies of Mind Games! And it doesn't cost extra. Order here.

Life

I'm reading Broken by Shiloh Walker and OMG, there was just the HOTTEST restaurant scene. I'm half tempted to do a Great Moments post on it...but...but...too deliciously dirty! Ah well, perhaps another passage.

In other news, the cats are racing madly back and forth, excited by the rain, which we SO needed. The duct tape is falling off our car, and DH and I keep meaning to get more. I hope everyone is enjoying spring and/or spring break.

THE REAL SECRET BEHIND AMAZON'S BOOK RANKING REVEALED!!!

The clandestine workings of Amazon's book ranking system have been the source of intense speculation for years.

Is it sales velocity? A dynamic algorithm? Or something far more sinister?

I'm blowing the top off of this conspiracy once and for all! Join me over at The Oddshots for a hard-hitting expose of Amazon's book ranking system!

This is the expose that will shake the very foundations of the publishing industry! And if you leave a comment, you might win a copy of Mind Games...

My deepest gratitude goes to my brave and plucky Oddshots hosts: Meljean Brook, Jill Myles, Illona Andrews, Patrice Michelle & Nalini Singh...may luck be with you!

***Thanks to Chris at Stumbling Over Chaos for the title idea...and Wikimedia for the secret Amazon Document!

Georgina, nooooo! Sabina...watch out! Nicole...stop the krazy vlogging!!!

Out today:

Succubus Shadows by Richelle Mead

The one everybody has been waiting for, where Succubus Georgina has to plan Seth's wedding! Nooo! Because it's Seth, the man she desperately loves, but can never have him because she would destroy him, being that she is a Succubus. I have some theories about this one. Verra excited.

The Mage in Black by Jaye Wells

People are totally raving already about the thrillingness quotient of The Mage in Black, where Sabina winds up in New York's black light district and gets entangled in Mage politics...and her grandmother tries to kill her! And not with rich home baked pastries, either.

Nicole Peeler

Today, Nicole Peeler is launching her pre-pre-pre-launch of Tracking the Tempest with a vlog reading! See her hairstyle morph and inspect her decor skills while you hear what everyone's fave Selkie is up to next. Check it out!