Something fun…
The marvelously ingenious Regency author Julia Quinn has come up with a way to keep readers happy while prolonging the appeal of her wildly popular Bridgerton series. She’s offering 2nd epilogues to each of the books, providing a little window into what happened after the “Happily Ever After”. So far, she’s finished two and they are offered only in e-book format. Check her website for details.

Very interesting…
Author Karin Tabke recently hosted a Best First Line Contest on her blog. The contest is now closed, but the entries are still posted (as comments) in her blog. The five ‘grand prize’ finalists get the first ten pages of their manuscript read by Pocket Books editor Lauren McKenna. Some of them sound great–others ar doozies.

Amazon Rankings
On another note…does anyone know what’s going on if you had an Amazon ranking but suddenly don’t? It now says ‘None’ on both e-book editions of my book.

I’ve recently read two good blogs on the topic of book covers. They give a little insight into publisher decisions on how covers are designed and chosen. So if you’ve ever wondered why a book with a prim and slim brunette heroine features a buxom, tarty redhead on the cover…read up.

Jennifer Crusie’s Blog:
&
Agent Kristin Nelson’s Blog:
(keep reading down…the topic stretches over several days)

When I designed my cover, I tried to keep it relevant to the story, and since I didn’t have any cover models to work with, I had to use inanimate objects.

As an addendum to my last blog…last night my husband told me he’d thought of the perfect actor to play Robert Langdon in The Da Vinci Code. Not only that, but it was indisputably the best choice. His suggestion was Val Kilmer, and I have to admit, I think he’d be pretty darn good. I loved, loved, loved him in The Saint, and I think he could easily pull off the sexy professor look.

Today I’m blogging about my total satisfaction over my recent Amazon order. I haven’t ordered in a long time, but I just love getting packages of shiny new books. This time my order consisted of three items (to ensure I was eligible for the Free Super-Saver Shipping). They were the Dixie Chicks new CD, Taking the Long Way, a book for my sons: Mercy Watson Goes for a Ride, by Kate Dicamillo (author of Because of Winn-Dixie), and for me…Jane Austen’s Guide to Dating. The last may seem a somewhat odd choice, but I read the descriptions for the book (and the author’s credentials—she wrote her dissertation on courtship rituals in Jane Austen’s novels), and I just couldn’t help myself. I’m only as far as the first chapter, but I find it rather fascinating. I really only ever had one boyfriend, and he became my husband, so I don’t really know much of anything about dating. And this book is actually a guide for the modern single woman. Already I consider it a good purchase. I’ve only read one of Jane Austen’s novels in entirety (Pride & Prejudice), and of course, I’ve seen a few movies, but now I feel newly inspired to read each of her novels. I sort of feel left out having missed them.

As to the other two purchases…I LOVE the album. I’ve always been a big fan of the Dixie Chicks. And Mercy Watson is just the perfect combination of endearing and humorous. It’s illustrated by Chris Van Dusen, whose 50’s-style illustrations have me wanting to collect each and every one of his books. So…you could say I’m very happy with my purchases and already planning another buy.

I’m also reading Don’t Look Down by Jenny Crusie (my fav) and Bob Mayer and The Second Summer of the Sisterhood by Ann Brashares (loved the first book!) , with another book on hold at the library for me! I’m almost giddy with excitement!