HelenKay Dimon

It’s been eight years and still doesn’t seem possible.

I grew up in Lancaster County, Pennsylviania, otherwise known as Amish Country. I’m guessing that’s why I had to smile when I read a recent article in the Wall Street Journal called They’re No Bodice Rippers, But Amish Romances Are Hot.

Anyone else having a flashback to the movie Witness?**

Despite the annoying article title and the strange juxtaposition of the words “Amish” and “romance” there is some great information here. First, the nickname for this subgenre seems to be Bonnet Books. It makes sense, but I had no idea. Second, these books sell really well. For example:

Beverly Lewis, who sets her novels among the Amish in Pennsylvania, has sold 13.5 million copies of her books. Wanda Brunstetter’s novels take place in Amish communities in Ohio, Indiana, Missouri and Pennsylvania, and have sold more than four million copies. Publishing house Thomas Nelson plans to release five Amish novels this fall, and six more in 2010.

Barnes & Noble book buyer Jane Love said Amish novels currently account for 15 of the chain’s top 100 religious fiction titles. “It’s almost like you put a person with a bonnet or an Amish field in the background and it automatically starts to sell well,” Ms. Love said.

I haven’t sold anywhere near a million copies, let alone 13.5 million. Those are impressive numbers. The kind of numbers many of us dream about but can’t imagine hitting. Next tome you’re tempted to make fun of the subgenre, remember those sales figures.

**Bit of HelenKay trivia: I was in Lancaster Co. when the movie was filmed and watched for hours as Harrison Ford taped a short scene in a phone booth.

Sometimes you read a review and squeal with joy. That was my reaction to the advance look at Danielle’s review of HOLDING OUT FOR A HERO at Coffee Time Romance. Check it out:

Ms. Dimon knows how to write fiction with an intensity that leaves the reader clamoring for more. The attraction between Josh and Deana is felt from the very beginning and only escalates as the storyline continues. Holding out for a Hero is a tale full of mystery, murder, mayhem, mistaken impressions, and finding love in the most unexpected place. Not one moment is dull within the pages of this highly sensual story. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel and cannot wait to read more from this outstanding author!

Whee!! Huge thanks to Danielle.

According to Publishers Weekly, suspense author James Patterson just entered into the sort of you’ve got to be freaking kidding me book deal that makes my eyes cross. Specifically:

While sales of titles by some brand name authors have slowed in recent years, that hasn’t been the case with James Patterson and the prolific author has just inked a new 17-book deal that will keep him with publisher Hachette through 2012. The deal includes 11 adult titles, to be published in hardcover by Little, Brown and Company and in paperback by Grand Central Publishing, and six titles for young readers, to be published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.

Anyone else feeling like a super underachiever right now?

Happy Labor Day to all! For those sitting around thinking gee, I wish I could pre-order one of HelenKay’s books while I’m off from work today – you can!** LEAVE ME BREATHLESS, my March ‘10 Brava release, is now available for pre-order at Amazon. Here’s the back cover copy:

PERMISSION TO APPROACH

According to Judge Bennett Walker, trying to kill him is a dumb idea. They might make him wear a big black nightgown to work, but it covers a lot of muscles, and he’s definitely packing beneath it. He’s also an ex-prosecutor and an ex-GI Joe. So when his brother brings in Callie Robbins to protect him, Ben has a few issues. First, he doesn’t need a bodyguard. Second, she’s a 130-pound girl—more smoking hot than smoking gun. And third, what if his body wants her guarding the night shift?

Callie has no problem brushing aside Ben’s disbelief. She left the FBI to escape the boys’ club, but she can be deeper undercover and twice as lethal as any beefy John Doe. As for whether someone’s after Bennett or not, the death threats and car bombs look pretty convincing to Callie. Of course, she might get distracted, sitting inches from the sexiest judge in DC for ten hours a day. Keeping him safe is no picnic. Keeping it professional—that might be impossible.

**This assumes you’ve already pre-ordered my October releases KISSING SANTA CLAUS and HOLDING OUT FOR A HERO, and the mass market reissue of TO ALL A GOOD NIGHT. If you haven’t ordered those, well, go ahead. I’m not stopping you.

USA Today’s book critics have compiled lists of releases they’re hot to read. Check it out here. I can honestly say I’m not hot to read any of these. The good news is that most of these are not the usual yawn-inducing picks we tend to get when these lists are distributed. Some actually sound interesting. Probably not interesting enough for me to buy them, but still.

I tend not to draft reading lists. Instead, I collect books. I hear or see that certain books are coming out and I make a mental note to buy them. Many times I make an actual note as well since my short-term memory tends to go on the fritz now and then. I also check out blogs, bookstore shelves, twitter announcements, Romantic Times and other places to see if I should be saving my pennies for a B&N online spree. One day my laziness will subside and I’ll set up an Amazon wishlist or something similar. Until then, I go with the “gathering info” way of handling this.

I’m blogging at Access Romance today and giving away a copy of HOLDING OUT FOR A HERO. Stop by and say hi!

I’ve been busy on deadline writing a novella for the GIFT OF LOVE charity anthology coming out next year from Berkley. It’s my first sweet romance – ie, sex stops at the bedroom door. Just didn’t feel right to have something super sexy in a book that benefits a school for special needs kids.

But if you like the super sexy (how’s that for a terrible segue?)… HOLDING OUT FOR A HERO and KISSING SANTA CLAUS come out in a few weeks. To celebrate I’m running a special contest here. Winners receive a photo of a Kauai scene and their choise of two of my Hawaii-set books. I’ll pick winners in September and October. Good luck