Mavens have been nominated!

Each year there are awards given by EcataRomance network for BEST books in certain categories.

This year the Mavens have been nominated! Here are the nominations:

Favorite Author of the Year: Rebecca, Phyllis, and Donica
BEST of 2006:
BEST suspense/Thriller: The B*E*A*S*T Within by Rebecca Goings
BEST Cover Art: The B*E*A*S*T Within
BEST Romance ebook: The B*E*A*S*T Within by Rebecca Goings
Do Overs by Donica Covey
BEST Contemporary Romance: 10 Ways to Melt a Man’s Heart by Phyllis Campbell
BEST Romance Historical: Holding Out for a Hero by Phyllis Campbell
Sarah’s Brass Token by Ciara Gold
BEST Romance Inspirational: Do Overs by Donica Covey
Dear Micah by Donica Covey
In Your Arms by Rebecca Goings
BEST Science Fiction Romance: Celestial Dragon by Ciara Gold
BEST Romance Suspense: The B*E*A*S*T Within Rebecca goings
BEST Anthology: Stocking Stuffers containing Dear Micah by Donica Covey

Then there are the annual Predators/editors awards.
The nominations are:
Best Book of the Year
Novel:
Ten Ways to Melt a Man’s Heart by Phyllis Campbell
The B*E*A*S*T Within by Rebecca Goings
Romance Short Story:
Do Overs by Donica Covey
Dear Micah by Donica Covey
Science Fiction romance:
Celestial Dragon by Ciara Gold

Good luck to the MAVENS!!!!

I've Got New Covers!

You may or may not have seen these around the 'Net, but I realized, it's been far too long since I've posted on the Mavens blog!! So here they are in all their glory. :D

B*E*A*S*T* OF BURDEN, releasing on February 1st from www.champagnebooks.com





And this beautiful cover done by my good friend Dawn Seewer of Dagian Designs for THE WOLVERINE AND THE ROSE, releasing February 13th from www.samhainpublishing.com





Yes, I have TWO books releasing next month. Be on the look out for them. I'm going to have so much "fun" promoting these books. :P I have an author day on my WatR release day of February 13th on Ciar Cullen's author loop, so come on down and join the party. All sorts of awesome excerpts, questions, answers, and goodies to be had. I'm giving away prizes all day long! You don't want to miss it! :D

Join Ciar's group here:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CiarCullen/

And remember, I'll be there ALL DAY on Tuesday, February 13th, THE WOLVERINE AND THE ROSE's release day! Woohoo! Come and join the fun! :D

~~Becka

Promotion

Promotion is a necessary evil. I'd be much happier if I could just write, then have the magic word fairy spread the news that my book was out. She'd flitter to every ear and whisper how great my story is, a must read. And every reader would rush out and purchase their "keeper" copy.

Alas, that's not how it works in the real world. Ugh. So - every writer stresses over what works and what doesn't. At this point my philosophy is to promote my name and not just my work. I want folks to recognize my name right off and say, oh yeah, isn't that the writer who writes . . . .

I don't care if I make millions. I'm not in this business to make money, though I wouldn't mind making enough to pay off the credit cards. Ha ha. No, I write because the muse won't leave me alone. She constantly sits on my shoulder, whispering new plots even before I can finish old projects. Silly muse. But, as much as a writer has the "write gene", they also have the "share gene." They feel compelled to share their work and to that end they crave success. I love it when a reader tells me that I have moved them with my work. Comments of this nature give my work validation. My writing holds meaning for others as well as myself.

My goal for 2007? To write from the heart for each new endeavor.

Welcome to the New Year

I’ve got a goal and plan set for 2007. No resolutions per se more like long-term goals. These include being more organized, using my time more wisely, being more prolific in my writing, focusing on one book at a time as opposed to being side tracked by every little thought bubble that pops in my brain.

To that end I’ve got a really great Harley Davidson calendar (my SIL gave me for Christmas) nicely marked. Mondays and Wednesdays are my personal blog days. My website will be updated immediately following my newsletter release. I will write 1250 words per day, 6250 words per week 12500 words per month. Using this calculation I should have a book title completed every other month. These books will be critic and polished and sent out in timely manner.

Out of the 20+ book ideas I have in the works I chose five, that’s right ONLY five to focus on and have completed by the end of the year. Here is the list with the self-imposed deadlines:

Betraying Chase (book 2 in Gateway Guardians series) February 22nd.
Love Put the Bite On Me April 24th.
Ember’s Flame (book 3 in Elemental Desires Series) June 25th
Hunting Mickey (book 3 in Gateway Guardians series) August 24th
Finding Tara’s Heart (book 4 of Elemental Desires series) October 31st

Will I be able to achieve my goals? I truly hope so. I haven’t set unrealistic goals at all. And if I succeed in completing all 5 books I’ll have written (pulls off socks and shoes. grabs calculator, Chinese bead board and graphing calculator) an estimated total word count of 285000 words! (Any mathematicians out there who want to check my calculations? My math skills are less than perfect! LOL) WOW! Looking at that has me a little freaked out but I know how it will all break down so I’m not worried. Basically if I can write 5 little pages a day, every workday then I’ll reach my goal.

Now that I have the plan, I need to set it in motion. I’ll come and post my progress every once in a while!

Huggles and Happy Reading to you all!
Donica

Upsetting news...

I just got some disappointing news yesterday. My newest publisher, Vintage Publishing, has just informed their authors that they will no longer sell refundable books. Which means...my western historical, QUEEN OF HEARTS, will probably not be in bookstores.

This news is such a blow, mainly because I went through this with one of my other publishers. I know 'print on demand' books do not sell very well. I absolutely LOVE my story, and my hero is one sexy charmer. But I'm having mixed emotions right now. I've been wondering if I've done the right thing.

There are things going on with one of my other companies that I'm not happy over, although I won't get into it. But on a good note; in the next two months, I will get my rights back for TWO of my historicals. Their contracts are up. MY HEART BELONGS TO YOU, and MY KNIGHT, MY ROGUE, will be mine once again. So what should I do? I'm seriously thinking of polishing them really good and querying a couple of the big houses - or an agent.

It's about time Phyllis Campbell rubbed elbows with the NY publishers, don't you think? Which leads me to my new year's goal... GET MY FOOT IN THE DOOR WITH A NY COMPANY!

Nominated for a CAPA

Wow, I'm so excited. Sarah's Brass Token was nominated for a Psyche award. She was published December 2006, so she didn't fit the nomination criteria for a Cupid award. What a great Christmas gift. And I'm in great company. Becka was nominated as a favorite author and the Anthology, Stupid Cupid of which Phyllis has a story, was nominated for best anthology. Congrats ladies.

We actually celebrated today with Church this morning, then gift exchange and lunch. I'm typing all of this on a new keyboard. The rain messed up my husband's grilling efforts, but not much. The turkey was perfect. We slipped it into the oven before church to make sure it was done and when we returned, that bird was falling off the bone.

Wishing all the Magic Mavens and our readers a very Merry Christmas.

WAHOOO!!!

Just in time for Christmas I received one of the greatest gifts EVER!!! As most Mavens readers know back in October I sent a manuscript into Samhain Publishing and have been chewing my nails to the nub waiting.

No more waiting. I received an email from Jewell Mason, a lovely editor at Samhain. She said thanx but no thanx....

PSYCH!!! LOL I'd not be shouting, dancing and acting the fool if I hadn't received a CONTRACT for Callye's Justice! WAHOOO!!!!! This is planned to be book one in a series called Gateway Guardians. This series is about a team of DEA agents based at the St. Louis field office and their fight to stop a major drug importer. It shows the lengths the drug lord will go to in order to bring down the agents.

Here is the unofficial blurb for Callye's Justice:

Justice Bernard, DEA Special Agent, and his team have spent years investigating and putting kinks in the chain of drugs entering and leaving St. Louis. He’s seen a lot in his line of work but he’s blindsided when the love of his life is kidnapped on the very day he proposed.

Callye Ann Simone's head is spinning. One minute she's walking along the Landing with the love of her life. The next, she's opening her eyes in a large, dark room and tied up tighter than a Christmas goose. Maybe if she can convince them she means nothing to him she’ll buy Justice enough time to come up with a plan.

Justice awakens to find his fiancée gone, taken literally from his arms. Now, he must find her at any cost, because her kidnappers are the very men Justice has shaken down for drug trafficking--and they want revenge.

Can Justice save Callye from the men who want to destroy him?

Cool huh? I so loved writing this book! I mean honestly a man with a badge (or in a uniform or BOTH!) is so HOT!!! I also made a video "trailer" for the book. Hop on over to my website, www.donicacovey.com and check it out!

Anyway. While I'm on a roll I'm going to share the information on the next book in the series.

Betraying Chase:

Chase Willet is a DEA agent working from St. Louis office and he is in the process of destroying the drug business of a high dealing drug lord, Rivera. They’ve already put a large chunk in the import train, but it’s not enough. They’ve got to take out Rivera to stop the line.

Brandy Montgomery is a red head that swept Chase off his feet. She’s sexy, smart and has a secret. Brandy is a hired gun. Rivera hired her to take out Chase. She’s spending he time softening him up so that he won’t be prepared for the kill.

The problem with Brandy’s plan is that the more time she spends with Chase, the more she falls for him. How can she do her job if she’s in love with the man? When Chase finds out what she’s really up to he feels completely betrayed. Brandy offers to help Chase take down Rivera. Can Chase trust her?

The third (and probably last book in the series) is titled Hunting Mickey. Here is what is in store for Mickey and his wife Terese:

Mickey Flannery and wife Terese have been married for close to five years and they’re finally taking time to enjoy the honeymoon they never had. They are headed to an island paradise off one of the Hawaiian Islands. It is a private island owned by Rivera’s son and he is looking for revenge on Mickey for helping take out his father

While on the island Mickey discovers they are cut off from the outside world. He must use his wits to save Terese and him from the man who had them join his hunting party…as the prey.

Can Mickey keep Terese and himself alive and find a way to escape?

I just has to give the shout out!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Huggles,
Donica Covey

Five Heart Review from The Romance Studio

Whoo Hoo! I feel a cyber party coming on. Phyllis found this first review of Sarah's Brass Token for me and I couldn't be more thrilled.

Brenda Talley wrote:

"Ms. Ciara Gold has written a wonderfully uplifting story about two people who are made for each other but are skeptical about a future because of things that happened in the past. The more Tabor pushed, the further Sarah ran! She was skeptical of any kindness he showed to her. Sarah’s Brass Token is an incident which, though seemingly insignificant, becomes a thread which unifies the entire story. The initial offering of the token was an insult; the overall theme proves otherwise. Likewise, Ms. Gold uses the sub-characters in such a way that the story is greatly enhanced. I loved this story from the beginning; I enthusiastically recommend it! "

Sarah's Brass Token Available Now

Check out Sarah's Brass Token, available now from Champagne Books!

Striving to make ends meet after her brother is hung for murder, Sarah Jones is determined to make it on her own. After losing everything to war, Tabor Nolan yearns for a family and a home. Can two lost souls discover love on a rural farm in Banjo, Texas?

Buy your copy today and find out.

Newest Cover!

I'm excited to announce my newest book cover....QUEEN OF HEARTS. My newest publisher, Vintage Publishing, will release this historical western May 2007. I can't wait!

Can a woman battle through secrets to win the love of the man who just might take away her home?

Dr. Cecilia Ashby is forced to disguise herself as a man in order to practice medicine in a small southern town after the Civil War. When she stumbles across an injured gambler in an alley one night, will her ruse get the better of them both? Especially when she finds herself attracted to him.

Gambler, James Lawrence has played his last hand and finally has enough cash to buy back his family plantation the carpetbaggers had taken from him…until he’s blindsided, robbed and left for dead. After an interesting stay with the town doctor, he finds his stolen earnings in the hands of the young thief and his sister, Cecilia Ashby, who now reside in his plantation.

James and Cecilia both want the plantation, but do they want a long lasting love even more? Battling deceit, betrayal, disguises, the two must confront their biggest challenge yet – themselves.

December is Release Month!!!!

December will see the release of not one, not two, not three but all FOUR Mavens!

Look for the rerelease of the Anthology Mistle Toe Magic (from Champagne Books) with novellas from both Becka and Marie! When life gets too complicated, you can always count on the enchantment of Christmas to lighten the heavy burden. Mistletoe Magic is three incredible stories of lost faith, snowy mountains and the quiet magic of the Christmas season. In 'Underneath The Mistletoe' by Rebecca Goings, Can Jeremy teach Faith about the magic of Christmas and get her to open her heart--to him? After burying herself in work to avoid the pain of loss, is Betsy heading for another Christmas filled with broken hearts? Find out in 'Blame It On The Mistletoe' by Liz Hunter. In the midst of a snowstorm, mistletoe is the magic needed to mend two broken hearts. See how in 'It Must Have Been the Mistletoe' by Phyllis Campbell.

From Donica Covey, comes Dear Micah: When her infant son was killed by a drunk driver in a terrible car wreck, Connie Rose Abernathy turned her back on God and her husband. She blames them both for Micah’s death and she’s held on to her grief and anger.

Dylan Abernathy is dealing with his own grief and guilt over the death of their son. If only he’d left on time, they wouldn’t have been on the road when the drunk was. Since the funeral she hasn’t seen or even spoken to him.

Dylan finds Connie at the church and whisks her away; forcing her to face the pain and anger she’s ached with for so long. Together with God’s grace can they overcome the anguish and get their lives back on track? Dear Micah, in the anthology Stocking Stuffers (from By Grace Publishing) will be released December 15!

And finally, but by no means least! Comes Ciara Gold's Sarah's Brass Token(from Champagne Books): Striving to make ends meet after her brother is hung for murder, SARAH JONES is determined to make it on her own. After losing everything to war, TABOR NOLAN yearns for family and a home. Can two lost souls discover love on a rural farm in Banjo, Texas?

These are all GREAT books so make sure you doin't miss out on the chance to get your copies!

Happy Reading!
The Magic Mavens

Writing, Reading and Relaxing

Well the holidays are rapidly approaching and the year will soon come to an end. Have you all accomplished everything you’d wanted to in 2006? I feel as if I missed my mark by a little bit.

I’ve written two complete books in my witch series. (I’m still waiting for the release date of the debut book.) I’ve written and submitted book one in another series and I’m anxiously awaiting the yea or nay answer. I’ve had two novellas scheduled for release. Do Overs came out a month ahead of schedule, October 31st to be precise. Dear Micah, my second novella was slated for release in the anthology Christmas Grace but there has been a change in plans. Dear Micah will be released in an anthology titled Stocking Stuffers. Check out By Grace's website, http://www.bygracepublishing.com/ to see the GREAT cover for Stocking Stuffers! Anyway, I’m hoping that next year my release calendar will be filled and that I will have accomplished much more.

Christmas this year is coming to swiftly for me as well. I’m nowhere near prepared. This week I’m baking, decorating, and transporting the meal on Thursday to my in-laws. Then Friday is my side of the family feast so once more I’m baking, decorating and transporting foodstuffs.

I’m also going to take advantage of this time to relax. I’ve done a lot of writing over the past several months. My recent projects have been children’s books for my nephews. Writing and illustrating them has proven to be a BLAST! If I ever decide to quit my “day job” (writing romance) I may just have to write kid’s books for serious attempts at publication.

I’m going to pick up the books from my ever growing to be read pile and read, hopefully knocking down the pile by at least half. Then I’m going to do nothing but veg with my family in front of the tube. My favorite shows should soon be broadcasted. The animated How the Grinch Stole Christmas, all the Rankin Bass animation stories (Those not familiar with the names these are the shows like Frosty the Snowman, Santa Clause is coming to town, Rudolph the red nosed reindeer, Rudolph’s Shiny New Year, The night Before Christmas, etc.) Also time to pull out my FAVORITE Christmas CD, Have Yourself a Scary Little Christmas by the Cryptkeeper. I’m a very NONtraditional person when it comes to Christmas. Can you tell? LOL

Well I’m curious, do any of you feel as if you’ve missed your 2006 goals by this >< much? Are you cooking tons of food? Are you traveling? Do you have favorite menus or just items for the holidays? How about programs, special music? Traditions?

Pick one or all and help us get to know you better! Curious minds want to know!

Off to the races!

Huggles!
Donica

That First Kiss

Thought I'd change gears a bit. I was thinking (yeah, it happens on occasion, LOL) about emotions and how a writer solicits emotions in their work. Sometimes it's very hard to guage reader response to something I'm working on because I've read the piece so many times, it ceases to engage my own emotions. I try to show what I think the character must be experiencing. But - dang, wouldn't it be nice to have a richter scale for testing the emotional level in one's writing.

While I was dwelling on this issue, I thought about my first kiss. I can still feel the same emotions that coursed through my body whenever I think of that one moment in time. I was fourteen and it was my first time at church camp. None of the same kids from my church had signed up for the particular session and for a shy girl like me, I thought I would have a miserable week with no friends.

But that wasn't the case. One of my cabin mates introduced me to Greg. Oh wow. I hadn't had any boyfriends until this moment, but Greg and I developed an instant friendship that grew very quickly into more.

It started innocently enough. He started holding my hand as we walked to the cafeteria. Warmth flowed from his fingertips onto my skin, seeping into the deep crevices of my untouched heart. He didn't care that I was awkward, that my skin wasn't clear or that my hair was a frizzy mess of curls. We talked, we laughed and we shared.

That night, he walked me to my cabin. With his hand on my shoulder, he asked if he could kiss me. I stammered. A kiss? I'd never been kissed? "I . . . yes." What else could I say? And then, he lowered his lips to mine. I kept my eyes open, afraid to move. Oh God, he was kissing me. My stomach quivered and goosebumps trailed along my back, but I was in heaven. I closed my eyes and savored the moment.

We shared more stolen kisses that week, an innocent expression of puppy love. I often wonder what became of my red-headed, freckle-faced first love.

Tell me about your first kiss.

Chat Day

Come join the magic mavens for a chat day at LoveRomanceCafe. We'll be jabbering today, tomorrow and Saturday about this, that and of course, our books. We'd love to have everyone join in the fun. Connect at LoveRomanceCafe:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LoveRomancesCafe/

HEARTS ETERNAL is out!

The LONG wait is over! HEARTS ETERNAL is out and waiting for you!

http://samhainpublishing.com/romance/hearts-eternal

~*~

Cassie Chapman has just met the perfect man in the mysterious Laith Moreland. But there's a catch: he's a ghost. Not only that, he claims Cassie is the reincarnation of his one true love who died hundreds of years ago! As she begins to have visions of her past life, Cassie is flung into Laith's world and realizes only she has the power to break his curse and make him mortal once again.

Lord Laith Moreland, the Third Duke of Crichton, is a ghost. He's been searching for his true love, his shelmir, for centuries. Finally he has found her, born again in Cassie Chapman. They cannot deny the strong bond that is mysteriously between them.

But Laith isn't the only one who's found Cassie, and now they must stay one step ahead of Laith's murderous twin brother, Jareth, who willingly cursed himself ages ago to find her reincarnated once again.

Can Cassie Chapman break the ghostly curse of her one true love before his murderous twin brother claims her as his own?

~*~

~~Becka

I'm so excited. I just got the bookcover for my December release, Sarah's Brass Token. I love it and had to share. Champagne Books has one of THE best artists in my humble opinion.

And don't forget to enter my holiday contest for your chance at a free copy of Sarah's Brass Token. http://www.ciaragold.com

Free Reads On My Website

Hello everyone! I've added a new section to my website, my Free Reads! I've been writing some short stories and scenes over the years, thinking I'd eventually expand them into full novels. But I know with my busy schedule and books that demand to be written, I'll never write books for these stories. Therefore, instead of letting them collect dust on my hard drive, I've decided to share them all with you!

Go to:

http://www.rebeccagoings.com

and check them out! :D

~~Becka
http://www.RebeccaGoings.com

Lots of news

Well lets see. The Magic Mavens event went just wonderfully! We had alot of participation, alot of warm welcomes and gave them lots to read! Thank you Bryn for allowing us to enjoy a week with y'all!

In my personal news, I recently submitted a query to Samhain for a book, first in a series, with a team of DEA agents as the heroes. I am pleased and thrilled to announce that they have requested a full and I'm very VERY hopeful that I will soon see an acceptance letter offering me a contract on the book(s).

The release of my first witch in the Elemental Desires series, Storm Chasing, has been delayed due to computer issues but there is every reason to believe that it will not be long before it's here. They did release my first inspirational, a novella, Do Overs a month ahead of schedule! YAY! I enjoyed writing the book and I'm looking forward to hearing how much it was enjoyed by my readers.

The next edition of the Magic Mavens newsletter will go out this upcoming week so if you haven't yeat signed up for our newsletter we invite you to join now so that you don't miss out on the fun, contests we have every other newsletter edition, and all the news that's "fit to print" LOL

I'll see you all next time!

Huggles and Happy reading!
Donica Covey

Author Week at Brynsbookgroup

Whoo Hoo! The Magic Mavens are having an author week starting tomorrow at Brynsbookgroup. Not a member? No worries. Here's the url where you can join:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/brynsbookgroup/

We'll be chatting about upcoming projects and posting lots of excerpts so come join the fun.

Holiday Contest

I am already feeling the holiday spirit of giving. Why? Because I just completed the first round of edits for Sarah's Brass Token. And in celebration of that fact, I have started my holiday contest. What do you have to do? Just read the first scene, then answer the question of what Tabor helped Sarah do and send me an e-mail. Go to my website and click the contest button for details. I'll be announcing three winners on December 1. Just in time for the holiday season.