Other

Undead and Unfinished (Queen Betsy, Book 9) by MaryJanice Davidson

Today’s magical read comes from our Keynote Speaker

MaryJanice Davidson.

Vampire Queen Betsy Taylor returns in the ninth novel in the New York Times bestselling series.

Vampire Queen Betsy Taylor is having a tough time getting through the Book of the Dead-until the Devil strikes a bargain. She offers Betsy a chance to finish the cursed (literally!) thing, and finally discover all its mysteries. There’s just one catch…

Betsy and her half-sister Laura have to go to Hell long enough for Laura to embrace her dark heritage (after a rebellious youth of charity work) and finally make nice with her mother, aka Lucifer. That means interacting with their family’s past. In doing so, they’re impacting the future in ways they never anticipated. Of course that’s what Mother wanted all along. Damn her.

Stay tuned for tomorrow’s magical read. All of these titles and more will be available at the Liberty States Fiction Writers conference book fair on March 19th from 5:30-7:00pm.

News

Month of Magical Reads

Liberty State Fiction Writers is hosting a “Month of Magical Reads” showcasing the authors signing at the Create Something Magical Conference Book Fair this March. Please stop by and visit the Liberty State Fiction Writers blog, https://www.libertystatesfictionwriters.com/blog-read-around-the-world/, starting February 1st, to find a wonderful collection of books available to purchase at the Book Fair, March 19th 2011 at 5:30pm.

We hope you will join us all month and meet some of our fantastic authors and their books. Remember, registration for the Create Something Magical Conference is still open! Please visit our site for more details: https://www.libertystatesfictionwriters.com/lsf-writers-conference/

Member News

2009 July August Member News

Congratulations to our Mayke It Happen Finalists!
We are pleased to announce the seven finalists who completed 60,000
words during the Mayke-it-Happen Challenge:

    Deborah Blake Jamie Banta
    Monica Liming-Hu Deanna Cassidy
    Carolyn Coles Diane Gerber
    Stacey Wilk

The following finalists won critiques of their partial manuscripts from either an agent or editor:

    Deborah Blake—Kevan Lyon, Marsal Lyon Literary Agency
    Deanna Cassidy—Stephany Evans, FinePrint Literary Management
    Carolyn Coles—Patience Smith, Harlequin

Congratulations to all for their incredible accomplishments.

LSF Writers held its first off-site get together at the 2009 RWA Conference in Washington, D.C. Here are some photos from the first, but not last, LSF Writers dinner.

LSF Members at RWA National Conference
LSF Members at RWA National Conference

Mitzi Flyte has won two awards from the Greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group:
Essay: “Love Pats” in The Ultimate Cat Lover Book
Short Story: “Deadly Inked” in the Deadly Ink Anthology 2008

Mary Kennedy is pleased to report that she will start writing reviews for Book Page this Fall. Book Page is available free in libraries all over the US and has over half a million paid subscribers. She continues to write crime fiction reviews for the Examiner at http://bit.ly/3Nldpd.

Cris Anson is thrilled to report that DANCE OF THE ROGUE, the fourth book in her DANCE series, was released by Ellora’s Cave on September 2. This is particularly gratifying to her because after her husband’s death, she had been unable for several years to concentrate on writing. In ROGUE, Bad-Boy Rolf finally finds his own (older, plus-sized) heroine. Read an excerpt at www.crisanson.com.

Melinda Leigh is pleased to have made the final round in the From The Heart Romance Writers Golden Gateway contest as well as the Heart of the West contest.

Jamie Banta’s DEEPER THAN BONE placed with an Honorable Mention in the paranormal category of the Put Your Heart in a Book contest.

E.F. Watkins gave talks on fiction this summer at the Pequannock Public Library and at Barnes & Noble in Ramsey. In September, she will be taking part in the Red Bank and Jamesburg street fairs with LSFW and SinC/CJ, respectively. On October 17, she will be doing a panel at the Barnes & Noble in Wilkes-Barre, PA, and will have a signing on October 25 for DANU’S CHILDREN, at Practical Magick in Pompton Lakes, NJ.

Marsha Browne, Zita Christian, Paula Scardamalia, and Anne Frazier Walradt taped a pair of Page 1 TV shows recently, which will be seen on Connecticut and Massachusetts public television. The shows are interviews telling how a group of six women (including the four above) completed the book of a dying friend. The book, 101 WAYS YOU CAN HELP: HOW TO OFFER COMFORT AND SUPPORT TO THOSE WHO ARE GRIEVING by Liz Aleshire, was published in May 2009 by Sourcebooks.

Caridad Piñeiro will be appearing at the DragonCon Convention in Atlanta, Georgia, from September 4 to September 7. Look for her at booth 707.

Shobhan Bantwal will be appearing at the Edison Public Library on September 11 at 6 P.M. to discuss her latest release, THE SARI SHOP WIDOW.

Member News

June Member News

Debra Mullins was featured on the Borders True Romance Blog.

Judi Fennell’s Wild Blue Under is a finalist in the Prism Awards, Light Paranormal. Winners will be announced at The Gathering at the FFP celebration at the RWA National Conference.

Kathy Kulig’s Damned and Desired received 4.5 cherries and was Book of the Week at The Long and Short Reviews

Patt Mihailoff will be doing a talk at the Clarendon Library (near Brooklyn College) on June 8th at 6 p.m.

Caridad Piñeiro just received the cover for her November 2010 release STRONGER THAN SIN. Caridad is also pleased to announce that she has accepted an offer from Carina Press for two Aztec-themed paranormal romances and an offer from Grand Central Publishing for two more books in the SINS paranormal romance series.

Anne Elizabeth was Author Reporter at the BEA for PW’s Barbara Vey. Here’s a link to the news:
http://blogs.publishersweekly.com/blogs/beyondherbook/
Anne also signed her graphic novel—PULSE OF POWER—and over five hundred promo pieces with LA Banks (for her Vampire Huntress comics). Both Anne and LA Banks debut in July with Dynamite Entertainment.

Autumn Jordon’s OBSESSED BY WILDFIRE received 4.5 stars at The Romance Studio.

Penelope Marzec’s FIEND OF WHITE BUCK HALL received a great review at Hot Gossip Hot Reviews.

Member News

January-February Member News

Cris Anson is pleased to announce the sale of PUNISHMENT AND MERCY to Ellora’s Cave. PUNISHMENT is wildly different from her contemporary DANCE books—it’s a ménage set in 1694 Massachusetts Bay Colony. Cris’s editor said, “I don’t know where this story came from in your mind, but I can only say that it reads as inspired. The way you’ve done the voice of the characters, the absolute ‘feel’ of the piece—it’s amazing!” Oh, yeah, she also says “And, boy oh boy, is this a hot one!”

Anne Frazier Walradt will present a workshop “Secrets of the Ha-Ha Sisterhood: The Community of Women’s Humor” at Maumee Bay Resort (Oregon, OH) for “A Writing Retreat: In the Company of Women” on April 16-18, 2010. Registration is limited: http://www.bigwits.com/MAUMEE general info.htm
Joanna Aislinn received her first review at Amazon and it was 5 stars.

Autumn Jordon’s OBSESSED BY WILDFIRE was released on January 27th by Wild Rose Press.

Blaise Kilgallen’s TIMELESS was released on January 15 by Class Act Books. The sequel to “TIMELESS” — “CADY’S STORY” — will be released on March 15th.

Judi Fennell’s third Mer story, CATCH OF A LIFETIME, is up for Best Book on Long and Short Reviews.

Jenni Holbrook is teaching an on-line class about Pitching and Synopsis writing at HCRW in February. Registration is still open. I’m really looking forward to teaching. This is my favorite topic. For more information, please visit http://www.heartofcarolina.org/
Mary Kennedy was interviewed by Jean Henry Meade.

Kat Henry Doran was recently interviewed by the Rochester Romance Novel Examiner.

Lori Varallo has released her first article at the Examiner.

Member News

2009 December Member News

Mary Kennedy is pleased to report that she’ll be reviewing books for Book Page, the publication that goes out to every public library in the country. Her first Book Page review will appear in October. She continues to review crime fiction for the Examiner.

Tina Gabrielle, is thrilled to announce that her Regency historical, LADY OF SCANDAL, received 4 stars from Romantic Times BOOKreviews: “Debuting with a tantalizing tale, Gabrielle employs themes of revenge, secrets, and misunderstandings, blending them with sizzle and characters that engage readers’ emotions. Gabrielle has the opportunity to garner a strong fan base eager for her next novel.” LADY OF SCANDAL was also nominated by the RT Book Reviews Choice Awards as one of the best first historical romances of 2009!

Joanna Aislinn’s aka Joanne Timrum’s debut novel NO MATTER WHY was released as an Early Bird Special by The Wild Rose Press.

Cris Anson is happy to announce that FIRST TO DIE, released digitally last year, is now available in print from Cerridwen Press, the mainstream imprint of Ellora’s Cave. FIRST TO DIE received an “Outstanding Read” from Simply Romance Reviews and a “Golden Blush Recommended Read” along with a 5-Nymph rating from Literary Nymphs.

Shobhan Bantwal is excited to see her latest release, THE SARI SHOP WIDOW featured on the Publisher’s Weekly blog,” Beyond her Book” Wednesday, Nov. 25, run by Barbara Vey. It’s there with several other books and it’s got a really nice review, too. “Never thought I’d make it on the PW blog, but one never knows…. “

Mickey Flagg announces her second sale to editor Callie Lynn Wolfe of The Wild Rose Press. CONSEQUENCES—THE CHAMPION CHRONICLES: BOOK 2 will be a 2010 release. Every action has a consequence, but some are more difficult to face than others. Visit Flagg at www.Mflagg-author.com
Anne Frazier Walradt spoke on www.coffeefolk.com on December 6 on using humor to survive in your life. If you want to catch the show, the Archives link is alive in the Program Menu (on LH side) at http://holisticglobe.webs.com/. The link will take you to a page where you’ll see that the Archives is a “Members Only Area,” below which is a “form” to “Join Our Community,” a free subscribe, where you’ll submit your name and email, and then be asked to select a password, which you’ll use to Log In thereafter.

Penelope Marzec reports that Coffee Time Reviews has given her Four Coffee Cups for THE COMPANY YOU KEEP and a lovely review.

Caridad Pineiro’s March release, FURY CALLS, is one of the nominees for Best Nocturne for the 2009 RT BookReview Reviewers’ Choice Awards.

Cris Anson is pleased to announce that Fallen Angel Reviews has given 5 Angels to her latest release, DANCE OF THE ROGUE.

Registration for the 2010 Create Something Magical Conference is now open! Please visit our conference page:
https://www.libertystatesfictionwriters.com/lsf-writers-conference/
On this page you can find information about our speakers, see the list of attending editors and agents, sign up to receive conference email updates and, of course, register to attend the conference. Over the coming months we will be posting information on the workshops, any additional speakers/editors/agents that will be attending, when editor/agent appointment sign up will open, as well as the conference schedule to this page, so stop back often.

Member News

2009 November Member News

Various members of the Liberty States Fiction Writers participated in the group’s street fair in Somerville.

Caridad Pineiro has received 5 stars from SingleTitles.com for her November release SINS OF THE FLESH. Single Titles noted “An innovative paranormal romantic suspense series begins with SINS OF THE FLESH, where danger constantly lurks and pressing questions need immediate answers. Caridad Pineiro never disappoints, and her new series looks to be a winner in every possible way.”

Cris Anson is pleased to announce that Literary Nymphs Reviews was given 5 Nymphs to her latest release, DANCE OF THE ROGUE.

C.H. Admirand just signed a contract with Sourcebooks for a 3 book deal to be published in mass market paperback!!! Dark-haired, dark-eyed Irishmen…Tyler, Clint & Jesse Garahan. The men of the Circle G. Book one is Tyler’s story.

Linda Parisi is thrilled to announce that she won NJRW’s Golden Leaf award for Best First Book. Her book is NOBLE BLOOD, from The Wild Rose Press.

Kathy Kulig reports that she just had an email from her editor at Ellora’s Cave. She’s been offered a contract for DAMNED AND DESIRED, book 2 in her Demons in Exile series.

Registration for the 2010 Create Something Magical Conference is now open! Please visit our conference page:
https://www.libertystatesfictionwriters.com/lsf-writers-conference/
On this page you can find information about our speakers, see the list of attending editors and agents, sign up to receive conference email updates and, of course, register to attend the conference. Over the coming months we will be posting information on the workshops, any additional speakers/editors/agents that will be attending, when editor/agent appointment sign up will open, as well as the conference schedule to this page, so stop back often.

Other

First line quiz by Chris Redding

Here’s a first line quiz. I will award a bag of chocolate to whomever gets all of them correct. If there is more than one person than I will draw a name from a hat.

1. My father’s family name being Pirrip, and my Christian name being Philip, my infant tongue could make both of those names nothing longer or more explicit than Pip.

2. It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.

3. When he was nearly thirteen, my brother Jem got his arm badly broken at the elbow.

4. “What’s it going to be then, eh?”

5. A squat grey building of over thirty four stories.

6. Boys are playing basketball around a telephone pole with a backboard bolted to it.

7. My names was Salmon, like the fish; first name, Susie.

8. It was a very likely place for disappearances, at least at first glance.

9. She dreamed of sanctuary.

10. The corpse grabbed her arm with cool fingers.

Thanks for playing.

Chris Redding

www.chrisreddingauthor.com

http://chrisredddingauthor.blogspot.com

Member News

2009 September Member News

Shobhan Bantwal appeared at the Edison Public Library on September 11th to discuss her latest release, THE SARI SHOP WIDOW.

Caridad Piñeiro appeared at the DragonCon Convention in Atlanta, Georgia and participated in a panel on Staying Afloat in an Uncertain Publishing Industry.

Trudy Doyle makes her Home Shopping Network debut Monday as part of a six-book set of Contemporary Romances in HSN’s “Escape with Romance” promotion! Come join Ravenous Publisher Holly Schmidt as she introduces this fabulous collection at the following times:

Monday September 14 – 8:35am – 8:55am then 4:35 pm- 4:55pm. Early Tuesday September 15 -3:00am – 3:20am.
http://electronics.hsn.com/escape-with-romance-exclusive-6-book-collection_p-5700283_xp.aspx?cm_mmc=rss*Browse*2*NA

Debra Mullins is thrilled to announce that she has accepted an offer for her paranormal romance trilogy from Heather Osborn at Tor Forge.

Karen Bostrom Walling is excited to announce that she has recently signed a contract with The Wild Rose Press to publish her first romantic suspense novel, DANGEROUS SANDS. Writing as Karen Bostrom, she has just begun the editing rounds process of her book which will be part of the Last Rose in Summer line. She would like to thank the members of Liberty State Fiction Writers and other writing organizations, and especially her critique partners, for all their hope and support throughout the years.

Karen Bostrom Walling

Various members of the Liberty States Fiction Writers participated in the group’s first street fairs in Red Bank and Jamesburg.

Joann Hali is pleased to announce she was admitted to RWA’s PAN group in September.

Melinda Leigh is now represented by Jill Marsal of the Marsal Lyon Literary Agency.

Christine Bush is happy to announce that she’s gotten a contract from Wild Rose Press for her new contemporary, Cindy’s Prince. There is no publication date yet, but the book will be in print and e-book. This one is an upside down fairy tale, set in Philadelphia. “What happens if Cindy loves living her single parent life, helping out in her struggling community and absolutely refuses to go hide in the castle? It takes a true Prince to adapt to car seats and occasional baby puke in order to live happily ever after…”

Patt Mihailoff was honored at this year’s Golden Apple Awards as the 2009 Author of the year.

Patt speaking to the LSF Writers during her Short Fiction Workshop

Other

Because You Never Know by Joanna Aislinn

Many years ago—geez, I’m old enough to write that?—I worked with another occupational therapist who once commented, “Joanna, you have a story about everything!” She was right; I still do, but isn’t that what makes me a writer?

So it goes that I have a story about my absolute favorite chicken recipe, this amazingly simple, incredibly delicious, very elegant dish; perfect for special occasions yet easy enough to make during the week and even better the next day! Feel free to make ahead, store in a covered glass baking dish and reheat before company comes!

When I was a girl I lived down the block from a family-owned Italian butcher/grocer/deli. As soon as I was old enough to cross the street, my mom had me there almost daily, picking up little things she needed. Sometimes, she’d send me without money and I’d sign a receipt; she’d pay for those items on Saturday, when she made her weekly visits and bought our meats for the following week. Three brothers owned that store, and over the years, I’d established a pretty decent rapport with at least two of them.

By the time I was in my late teens/early twenties, the owners offered a hot deli bar. One of the brothers gave me a sample of this to-die-for-chicken breast made with rosemary and wine, so I asked for the recipe. He got really annoyed when I pushed for it, told me he paid to have it, and that I had no business asking. Good thing the little Italian lady who did the cooking motioned to me when said owner wasn’t looking or I would have ended up in a rather caustic exchange of words. She slipped me her phone number and gave me the recipe on the sly.

Long story short: I must have written that recipe down on two pieces of paper because at some point, I had only a list of ingredients and no directions on how to put them together. I even tried flubbing it a few times, but the dish never tasted the same as when Angelina (not her real name) made it. Of course, I’d lost her phone number too.

Somewhere between five and ten years ago, I was sitting in my doctor’s waiting room, waiting for a routine physical. An elderly woman and developmentally disabled man entered together. After a while she looked at me, nodded and finally told me I seemed familiar. I shook my head, and though I recognized the man from church, I’d never connected him as her son. She shook her head in the way someone who’s had her hardships does and started talking about where she went to church, etc. Then she told me she used to cook at my old butcher/grocer/deli before the place was sold and eventually went out of business. (It is now a custom motorcycle shop, go figure.)

I nearly jumped out of my chair. “Oh, my gosh! You’re the lady who used to make the chicken!” I immediately knocked on the receptionist’s window, secured pen and paper and begged Angelina for the rest of the recipe. (Yes, it’s at my official website. Look below for the link.

Thoughts for the day: Expect the unexpected. Be open. Smile and say hello. You’ll be surprised at who crosses your path, and why, when or how any given person will impact your life.

Here’s the link: www.joannaaislinn.com/Recipes.html

Try it! Let me know if it’s as awesome as I say!

Joanna Aislinn
NO MATTER WHY
The Wild Rose Press
January 15, 2010
www.joannaaislinn.com

A Multi-Genre Fiction Writers Organization