Aussie Release/Harlequin Readers' Choice standing

Sunday, March 11, 2007

Shadow Lines is going to be released 4/07 in Australia.

http://www.eharlequin.com.au/cgi-bin/catalog.cgi?Blurb+9780733577833


And so far it's maintaining a respectable 3rd place in the Harlequin Readers' Choice voting:

The Firebird Deception by Cate Dermody
(17 votes) 11%
Shadow Lines by Carol Stephenson
(36 votes) 24%
Awaken to Danger by Cathy Mann
(40 votes) 26%
Relentless by Jo Leigh
(58 votes) 38%


And if you need those links one more time ,

To register [if you're not already an eharlequin member]:


http://store.eharlequin.com/membership/login.jhtml?memberType=quick


Main voting page for Readers' Choice

http://community.eharlequin.com/webx?14@227.m7claUtH1DK.0@.4a83fdff

Fav on Edge of Seat:

http://community.eharlequin.com/webx?50@227.m7claUtH1DK.2@.4a8446bc

Best Miniseries/Continuity [Madonna Key was overall nominated in this category]:

http://community.eharlequin.com/webx?50@227.m7claUtH1DK.2@.4a84487f


Thank you for voting! Carol

AI Shocker

Thursday, March 8, 2007

Okay, two people made it into the top 12...albeit nice people...that don't belong at that level of the competition. All one had to do was listen to the fabulous Carrie Underwood to understand that two lucked in due to screwy voting segments. That's the most unpredictable aspect of the competition...if two singers appeal to the same voting segment, then the votes get split, allowing another to squeak by those two singers. Oh boy. At least my very favorites all made it through. :) Carol

AI: The Girls Have It

Wednesday, March 7, 2007

I repeat, the boys should be kissing the ground that they had this final week of not having to compete against the girls on American Idol. The final six should all be women. The guys simply aren't in the same singing league. But what a pleasure it is to watch the joy of singing exhibited by Melinda and Lakisha. Here's to the battle of the Divas. :) Carol

Harlequin Readers' Choice Nominee!

Tuesday, March 6, 2007

SHADOW LINES is one of 4 books nominated for Favorite Edge of Your Seat book in Harlequin's Reader Choice Awards. Here's the link to vote. If you're not registered in the community, it's an easy process. This is so exciting for me! My first nomination.

http://community.eharlequin.com/webx?50@280.X1CGazZH1mF.2@.4a8446bc


Then if you loved the Madonna Key series, it's a nominee for Best Continuity/Mini Series:

http://community.eharlequin.com/webx?50@280.X1CGazZH1mF.2@.4a8446bc


Thank you!!!

Carol Stephenson
SHADOW LINES, Madonna Key #4
Silhouette Bombshell

Judging books

Monday, March 5, 2007

I hate judging other authors' books, but the Rita contest requires those who enter to judge in other categories. That means I will get books not necessarily in a genre I love. I've devised a system where I have set a bottom score for any book that meets its genre's requirements. In other words, if it contains the elements a reader would expect, then the book automatically has a baseline score [and no, I won't disclose the number]. Then I add/subtract for inventiveness, voice, the flow of the writing, motivation, etc. But bottomline, my final score evolves around the emotion...did I laugh, cry or sigh? [since I entered romantic suspense I don't get to evaluate whether the book kept me on the edge of my seat ]. Did I care if the heroine and hero did end up together?

This year I was lucky as I had two books that had me laughing out loud at times, but the two best had me sobbing my head off. I found two authors whose talent amazed me. So however the overall results come out, I count myself lucky as I got to read seven authors whose work I appreciated on different levels. Maybe they won't be Rita finalists, but each and every one hit their marks in their respective genres. :) Carol

A slight shot to the gut

Friday, March 2, 2007

Eharlequin shut down the last of the Bombshell boards this week; they've been archiving them bit by bit. Now if a Bombshell author has good news, there's no where to post to let the fans know. I'm hopeful for a sale to Silhouette Romantic Suspense, but if it happens, I won't be able to connect with those people I came to visit with so much on the Bombshell boards. So I actually feel sad as it is one more reminder of the loss of the line and circle of kindred spirits. Carol

Enterprise, AL

Thursday, March 1, 2007

Since my sister moved to Montgomery, AL, I've developed an interest in the state. After all, I drive through a fair portion of its countryside to visit my sister. So my heart and prayers go out to the people of Enterprise and their devastating loss today due to the tornado. With Montgomery located to the west and north of Enterprise, I called my sister to make sure she was all right. So far so good for her area, but my sister said the local coverage of Enterprise is showing horrific damage...and the storm system isn't done yet. May the rescuers find everyone missing and may no more storms hit the area tonight. Carol