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Romance Book Scene named HOLDING OUT FOR A HERO the #1 Contemporary/mainstream romance for 2009. Wahoo and thank you!!

And, yes, I’m still recuperating. This feeling better this is taking forever but finding out about this honor sure helped.

I’m recuperating and feeling better. Still not up to playing on the computer or doing work. But while I’ve been lounging, the hubby has been busy. He finished his first ever half marathon and did it under his goal time – wahoo! Huge congrats to the hubby!!!

By the time you read this it probably will be over. After being sick with cold/mild flu-like symptoms for more than a year, I went to a specialist. A few tests and two CT scans later and I’m having sinus surgery today. Not a big deal, but I will be in the hospital overnight and then out of commission for a few days. Hubby will give updates on my Facebook page. He loves Facebook.

I’m looking at this as the perfect excuse to lounge around, act pathetic and watch whatever I want to on tv. Glass half full.

So…have a good week! I’ll check in as soon as I’m able to sit up and focus on my laptop screen. And, so we’re clear, that had better be by Thursday or I’m going to be very grumpy.

I’m at Access Romance today talking about a book I bought this weekend based on the back cover blurb. The book? NEVER TELL A LIE by Hallie Ephron. Come on over and see what grabbed my attention…and see if you agree.

USA TODAY has released its list of the top 100 books from 2009. It would be easier to name this The Stephenie Meyer list (Twilight author, for those who have been stuck in a hole for the last year). For those romance readers who don’t feel like clicking on the link, Nora Roberts comes in at #44 with Vision In White. Also, P.C. Cast & Kristin Cast are all over the list with their YA series. Let’s hear it for mother/daughter writing teams!

The top 10…and don’t blame me because it’s not my list:

10. Going Rogue: An American Life by Sarah Palin
9. Act Like A Lady, Think Like A Man by Steve Harvey
8. Diary of a Whimpy Kid: Dog Days by Jeff Kinney
7. Diary of a Whimpy Kid: The Last Straw by Jeff Kinney
6. The Shack by William P. Young
5. The Lost Symbol by Dan Brown
4. Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
3. Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
2. Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer
1. New Moon by Stephenie Meyer

This list makes me seriously think about leaving publishing and becoming a waitress. Just saying.

There really aren’t words to describe the death and devastation in Haiti. NPR has a list of charities that are stepping in and helping out. Go HERE and give what you can.

And a general thought for Pat Robertson: Shepard Smith is right. You should be ashamed of yourself. That tripe about Haiti making a pact with the Devil? Honestly, what is wrong with you?

I also have title envy. This book arrived at my house the other day. The cover made me chuckle. Reminds me of all the tv personality pseudo-news blowhards who talk in ridiculous extremes. It kind of makes me love this woman. Well, that and the promo quote from Jerry Seinfeld.

I don’t lie about my age, mostly because the combination of laziness and poor short-term memory means I’d never be able to remember the lie and follow it up. Now, there was a time, I think I was 37, when I kept insisting I was 36. That was not an intentional lie. It was a matter of forgetting I had a birthday. Yeah, I’m just brilliant sometimes.

I saw this cover for Jenna Ryan’s newest Intrigue and totally love it. It’s sexy and smart. I get hot romantic suspense from this:

Today is my mom’s birthday. She’s coming out to visit me in about a week. Until then…Happy Birthday!!!

That’s my mom and my dad at their surprise 45th anniversary party (they’ve now been married 50 years – wahoo!). They will kill me for posting the photo, but I’m doing it anyway.

I have two releases in March. I highlighted one a few days ago. The other is my first ever category romance, UNDER THE GUN. It’s pure romantic thriller. Lots of running, shooting and romancing.

On the surface, Luke Hathaway works for a compnay that recovers lost antiques. In reality, he finds people. He’s the guy who will do anything to get the job done. When his former fiancee pops up in the middle of one of his assignments, Luke knows something very bad is going on. After all, Claire Samson is wanted for questioning in the murder of her ex-husband, the same man she picked over Luke.

When Luke catches her, Cassie starts talking about being followed. Luke doesn’t believe her. Then…

He finally looked down and saw the blood. “What the hell?”

“You can’t feel that?” Cassie asked.

The thumping under his skin increased. “I can now.”

“You’re injured.” She ripped the bottom edge of her t-shirt and held the strip of cotton against his shoulder. “Badly.”

The pressure of her palm knocked the breath out of him. He bit back the shout rumbling around in his throat and forced out the words he needed to say. “Adam, get here now.”

Claire glanced around. “Who are you talking to?”

A white van appeared at the end of the alley a few seconds later. Adam got out, flashed his fake badge and started issuing orders.

“Our ride is here,” Luke said through teeth tight with mind-numbing agony.

“Where are we going?” Claire shifted her attention from the commotion back to him.

“Out of here.”

“Not to the police.”

“Not yet.” He vowed to get the real answers first.

It was about time Claire Samson learned there were consequences to her actions. He was the perfect person to teach her…as long as he didn’t pass out first.

Once they’re together, Claire refuses to be left behind:

“Why are you frowning?” Claire asked as she fought with the cool breeze to hold down the edge of the map.

He shook his head. “I still don’t like this. You being here. It feels wrong.”

“It’s always nice to spend some quality time together. Happy to know you appreciate it.”

The flat line of his mouth didn’t even twtich. “This is dangerous.”

“Too scary for the little lady?” She skimmed her fingers over the red circle outlining the acres the Samson family owned. “Get over the macho garbage. This was your plan, if you recall.”

His temper flared to life, licking at the inside of his skull and begging to get out. “To come out here, yeah. But my scenario had you back at the safehouse listening to the radio-”

“Like that would happen.”

“-while we carried out the surveillance.”

She stared him down even though she had to lift her chin to do it. With hands on her hips and the skin over her cheeks pulled tight in anger, she treated him to the most annoying female sound on the planet – a tsk-tsk sound.

“You know I’m right.” He fired off before she could launch into whatever diatribe she was cooking in that head of hers.

“This is my life.”

“And this is my team. Hell, we don’t even know if we’re at the right place.” Luke looked at Holden for support. His friend of more than two years just shrugged.

So much for having his back.

This book is related to my 2011 Intrigue mini-series. I hope you like this one. Here’s the book information:

UNDER THE GUN
Harlequin Intrigue
Release date: March 16, 2010 (officially listed as March 2010)
You can pre-order from a bunch of sites, including Borders, Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Soon it will be up on eHarlequin as well.