Hi, all! I have lots to share today! First up:

Celebrating Dads at THE NOVEL GIRLS. That’s right, we’re talking about Father’s Day all week at my group blog, and today is my turn.

When I was little, I was most definitely “Daddy’s girl.” He worked nights at the time, and most every day, after his shift, would bring me home a Zero candy bar. Do you remember these? Heck, I’m not sure if they’re still available, but I loved them. I also thought they were some sort of rare and exotic candy, because of the white chocolate, which made them (and the fact my dad brought me one so often) even cooler.

You can read the rest of that post HERE!

Next, I am so excited to share that I’ll be having a Virtual Signing at Night Owl Romance for A STROKE OF MAGIC on June 30th! All the details can be found HERE! I’m totally jazzed because I love Night Owl Romance and this will be my first virtual signing ever. I hope to see you there.

Moving on, and while we’re on the topic of A STROKE OF MAGIC, I’m pleased to share an awesome review that came in from Darque Reviews. Kimberly Swan says:

“Ms. Madison tells a bewitching story of suspense, gypsy magic, and unconditional love.”

Read the rest of the review at Darque Reviews! 

Also, because I haven’t had a chance to put an excerpt of A STROKE OF MAGIC on my web site yet (though, that should happen this week), you can browse through the beginning of the book right now, right here!

 I love this widget! If you pop over to Dorchester’s web site, you can preview many of their titles in the same way. Sweet, huh?

I loved writing Alice’s story so much, and I’m so excited that the book will be available to readers soon. It’s a terrific beach read, too, filled with romance, suspense, humor, and yep–magic. In fact, last Tuesday, my local ABC station did a quick interview with me and two other amazing local authors. I’m fairly camera shy, but the segment is available online for anyone who wants to check it out. You can do so here: ABC Summer Beach Read’s People, Places and Things.

The only bummer is the newscaster said “A TOUCH OF MAGIC” instead of “A STROKE OF MAGIC,” but they did show my cover, so I figure most people will latch on to that!

Okay, we’re almost to the end of my list! Now, I want to talk about my newest addiction. I’ve recently become a crazy The Sims 3 player. I’m a total fangirl/geek about the game and have spent way too many hours developing all sorts of interesting Sims and storylines.

Recently, I came across this blog that another Sims 3 player has put together. It’s not only interesting, but somehow strangely heartbreaking too. Check it out: Alice and Kev. Let me know your thoughts after you read up on Alice and Kev’s story.

Finally, July is release month for me, which means contests! Yep, I’m giving some great stuff away all throughout July. What’s up for grabs?

• Four books of one winner’s choosing from Dorchester Publishing. I’ll order them and send them directly to the winner!
• Five winners will recieve a signed copy of A TASTE OF MAGIC!
• And the grand prize winner will receive their very own copy of The Sims 3. Hey, I have to pass the addiction on!

All the news about the contest(s) themselves will be posted on Monday, June 29th, which is not only my birthday, but the day before A STROKE OF MAGIC is released. Yay! One caveat…the above prizes could change depending on how many potential winners there are. Meaning, if I don’t grab some attention and only have three or four folks entering, then there’s no reason to give away 5 copies of the same book.

One last mention, and I’m off! If you’re looking for a book to read NOW, check out my fellow Novel Girl Maureen Lipinski’s debut book: A BUMP IN THE ROAD…FROM HAPPY HOUR TO BABY SHOWER. I might even see if I can talk her into guest blogging and giving away a free copy in July…(Maureen? Are you reading this? Hmm?)

Until Wednesday, have a great few days everyone!

Rather than talk about how we celebrate Mother’s Day at my house, I’d like to, instead, share a little about my mother.

As a child, like most little girls, I imagine, I thought my mother was the most beautiful, funny, smart, creative, and impressive woman alive. I wanted to be just like her when I grew up. By the time I’d reached my teenage years, a lot of these thoughts had…well, changed. I still loved my mother, but the love was hidden beneath a vat of teenage angst. We didn’t get along very well most of the time, we fought often, and I swore that I would *never* be like her.

Read the rest of this post at The Novel Girls…

I’m a little behind on getting my Newsletter out, but the plan is by next week no matter what! Huge apologies to anyone waiting to read the first chapter of A STROKE OF MAGIC. Hopefully, this next week will behave and I’ll have it out soon!

Don’t Forget!

This week we’re talking about Mother’s Day at The Novel Girls. Stop in, say hi, let us know you’re there!

Dorchester Publishing now has widgets that allow readers to read approximately 10 percent of a book before buying. Right now, all of their 2008 titles, and 2009 titles through April, have widgets. Go check it out! Here’s the widget for A TASTE OF MAGIC:
 

 Pretty sweet, huh?

And over at Dorchester Editor Leah Hultenschmidt’s blog, she’s holding a super fun Mother’s Day contest. The Grand Prize is 7 Dorchester titles…A Taste of Magic being one of them. Go enter! There is a clue to one of the answers somewhere at www.tracymadison.com.

I’ll admit it, I’m a sucker for first lines. I’ve bought books soley because, when I cracked the book open at the book store, the first line grabbed me. Some first lines have made me laugh, others have startled me, and still others have simply blown me away with their brilliance. Whenever I read an excellent first line, I realize again how powerful words are, and how in one sentence an author can hook me.

Here’s a few first lines that grabbed my attention right away:

1.  From FACE TIME by Hank Phillippi Ryan:

• It’s statistically impossible that my mother is always right.

Okay, this line made me laugh, because I’ve had that same thought multiple times over throughout my life. So in this case, while the humor shines through, what hooked me was that I immediately identified with the narrator. Before I read another word, I knew there was at least one connection between me and the heroine, Charlotte McNally. Which, naturally, made me want to read more. The following two sentences read:

• So why doesn’t she seem to know it? Besides, it’s demonstrably true that I’m not always wrong.

These two sentences strengthened the connection the first line gave me, and that was that. I had to know more about Charlotte McNally. FACE TIME is actually book two in Hank Phillippi Ryan’s Charlotte McNally Mystery Series, and you can bet I bought the first book post haste.

2.  From THE LAST TWILIGHT by Marjorie M. Liu:

• The monkeys began dying at dawn.

Obviously, I didn’t feel a connection to the dying monkeys in this first line, so what grabbed me? This first line is compelling, and so very interesting. I’m drawn by the question of what is happening, and that pushed me to read a little further. The rest of the opening paragraph reads:

• Only the children noticed. They were playing a game of soccer, just within sight of the refugee camp. The river was nearby, the jungle wall thick and hoarse with crying shadows. Birds jammed the air. 

The rest of the paragraph not only increased my curiosity about what happened to the monkeys, but it also gave a sense of atmosphere. I could hear the kids playing. I could see the shadows lurking within the jungle, and the birds freaked me out a little. (Okay, yes, I watched too much Hitchcock at one time in my life). Again, I was hooked. I had to know what was going on.

3.  From DIVORCED, DESPERATE and DATING by Christie Craig:

• The worst part about murdering someone was planning exactly how to do it.

I’ll admit because I’ve read Christie Craig before, this first line made me laugh. I know Christie’s sense of humor (and I love it), so I knew with that first line, I was in for a treat. But if you hadn’t read a Christie Craig book before, and someone read that line to you…what would you think? It’s an evocative line, even without the humor I took from it. The rest of the first paragraph reads:

• Not that this was Sue Finley’s first. She’d whacked at least ten people, but it never got any easier.

Again, how evocative is that? It’s a compelling opening that becomes even more compelling when you realize that Sue Finley is a mystery writer, not a murderer. It’s a great opening to a great book.

4.  From HER ONLY PROTECTOR by Lisa Mondello:

• Sonny Montgomery had an itch she couldn’t scratch.

This is one of my very favorite first lines. Be honest, what do you think when you read that? I know what I thought. <G>. And yep, it was enough to hook me, and I totally expected to see Sonny gaping at a hot man, or thinking about her ex, or the lack of romance in her life. I was wrong. Way wrong. But the rest of the first paragraph is what really sucked me in. Here it is:

• It sat dead center between her shoulder blades, just out of arm’s reach. Like a persistent mosquito buzzing around her ear, it nagged at her. But she couldn’t stop to deal with it. Even a small move like that could attract unwanted attention on these South American streets.

Oooh, right? This one is a combination of character and plot that pulled me in. I wanted to know more about Sonny, but I also needed to know why she was worried about attracting attention, and what the heck she was doing in South America. And even though the moment is serious, I still laughed at the genious of making me think one thing in the first line and then pulling something I didn’t expect out of a hat. Words, when put in the right order, are simply magic.

I LOVE all of these first lines for different reasons, but they all did the exact same thing. They made me want to read more, they helped pull me into the story being told, and they filled my head with questions I needed to have the answers to. Beyond that, each of these talented authors created characters and worlds I became completely engrossed in. If you haven’t read these books, you should definitely check them out.

What about you? Do you get excited by first lines? Do you have any favorites? If so, I’d love to hear about them (and the books they belong to).

Don’t Forget!

All week, The Novel Girls are talking St. Patrick’s Day! Check back each day to see what we all have to say!

I blogged at the Ohio Romace Writers MySpace on Monday about why I like questions, go check it out!

Read A Taste of Magic and leave a postive comment any time through March to be entered in a contest for a chance to win a $25 Borders Gift Card!

St. Patrick’s Day

I didn’t grow up in a household where St. Patrick’s day was celebrated. Well, except for the year where we had corned beef and cabbage for dinner, and my mother, hoping to convince my brother to eat, went on and on about how she’d made it special for St. Patrick’s Day. I’m not sure if she really did. Likely, the grocery store had a special that week because of St. Patrick’s Day, and that’s why she made it for dinner…

Read MORE at The Novel Girls!

Asking Questions!

Lately, I’ve tried explaining to various people how I “come up with my ideas,” how I “write a whole book,” and how I “keep it interesting.” These are not things that are easy to explain to folks who aren’t writers, because I often have no idea where a story idea comes from, I write an entire book by sitting down at my desk and you know — actually writing it, and as far as keeping a book interesting…well, I can only hope I’m managing to do that!…

Read MORE at Ohio Romance Writers MySpace!

And, over at Colleen Thompson’s blog today, Boxing the Octopus, check out this fabulous interview with Erin Galloway, Marketing Manager from Dorchester Publishing.

Don’t Forget!

All week, The Novel Girls are talking St. Patrick’s Day! Check back each day to see what we all have to say!

Today, I’m at the Ohio Romace Writers MySpace, blogging about why I like questions.

Read A Taste of Magic and leave a postive comment any time through March to be entered in a contest for a chance to win a $25 Borders Gift Card!

Subscribe to my newsletter in March and be automatically entered into a drawing for a chance to win SIX Dorchester Love Spell books! Also, newsletter subscribers will get the first peek at A Stroke of Magic with the first chapter excerpt in April!

My Release Celebration continues! Check out Denise Lynn’s guest blog

and enter to win autographed books HERE!

Yep, it’s that time again…random links from around the web to go check out.

It’s time to vote again! That’s right, American Title V continues, and this month it’s all about the dialogue, baby. Go HERE to vote on the best dialogue scene from the remaining four contestants. Remember, the last author standing will receive a publishing contract through Dorchester Publishing! 

Over at Pub Rants, Agent Kristin Nelson gives the skinny about her role as the SECRET AGENT. If you’re a writer, and you’ve been trying to polish up your first page to impress an agent, you’ll definitely want to read through the entries and Kristin’s comments over at Miss Snark’s First Victim Secret Agent Contest.

Editor Leah Hultenschmidt posted yesterday about excerpts and how they might influence a reader to pick up a book. There’s a nifty poll, and, even better, if you leave a comment you’ll have a chance at winning Dorchester’s March lineup of books (A Taste of Magic included!). She doesn’t say when the contest closes, so don’t wait–go comment now!

Over at Romancing the Blog, there’s a great post up today called “What’s Your Plot Type?” by MG Braden. She talks about various types of plots within the world of romance novels–go check it out!

Finally, Marjorie M. Liu is having a week of NYX interviews. If you’re interested in comics, and are curious about the people behind them–you need to hop on over and read. So far this week, there’s been interviews with John Rauch (colorist extraordinaire), Michael Horowitz (assistant editor), and Kalman Andrasofszky (illustration). Not only are these interviews amazing on their own, Marjorie’s blog is one of my favorites!

Don’t Forget!   

Celebration Week Three continues! Go read Denise Lynn’s awesome post on how analyzing her craft is a no-no AND enter the contest to win an autographed book HERE! The THREE winners will be announced on Monday, February 23rd!

The Novel Girls are talking about Balancing Life and Writing this week. Today is Lisa Patton’s day, so Come say Hi!

The Countdown Continues! A Taste of Magic is released on February 24th!

Want to order? You can here: BUY NOW!

Happy Monday! I’m still way busy, so today, I’m taking the easy way out. Sorry!

Because Mondays are my days at The Novel Girls, and I’ve written a very long post over there today, I’m just going to stick with that one.

It’s also my Monday to post at my MySpace blog, but I’ve put the same post there–so you can either go here: MySpace Ohio Romance Authors OR here: The Novel Girls to read about my call story. It’s all there, the emotion and the excitement of hearing that someone actually wants to buy your book.

Until tomorrow!

It’s that time again! October is just around the corner, and with it, a whole new bunch of amazing books from Dorchester to choose from. If you’ve been looking for a great read, you’re sure to find one, two, or more here!

Dorchester’s October releases are:

As Luck Would Have It by Alissa Johnson

Leisure Historical Romance - New Release

A WOMAN OF THE WORLD…
After years of wild adventures overseas, Miss Sophie Everton is in no hurry to return home to the boring strictures of the ton. But she’s determined to reclaim her family’s fortune—even if she has to become a spy for the Prince Regent to do it.

A MAN ON A MISSION…
Before she can get her first assignment, she lands right in the lap of the dark and dashing Duke of Rockeforte. She’s faced hungry tigers that didn’t look nearly as predatory. Somehow the blasted man manages to foil her at every turn—and make her pulse thrum with something more than just the thrill of danger.

AND THE FICKLE FINGER OF FATE
Both are caught in a daring dance of espionage and desire. But to make a true love match, they’ll have to learn to trust in each other…and, of course, a little bit of luck.

Crate & Peril by J.D. Warren

Love Spell Paranormal Romance – New Release

She lost three years of her life to the mysterious shape-shifting race known as the Kin. But Samantha Dorringer is ready for revenge, and she fully expects Cor, the enigmatic leader of the Storm Ravens, to help. When they hear that a Hollywood agent is trying to smuggle his A-list clients into the Kin’s lands to keep them forever young, they rush to investigate.

For Sam and Cor, mingling with the brightest stars and battling the darkest forces known to mankind is all part of the job. What Sam doesn’t anticipate is an old high school friend carrying Rosemary’s Baby, or a silver-haired rival stirring up secrets from Cor’s past. Together, the pair will let nothing stop them—including their red-hot attraction for each other—as they plunge headlong into the Lifestyles of the Winged and Famous.

A Historical Christmas Present by Lisa Kleypas, Lynsay Sands, Leigh Greenwood

Love Spell Historical Romance Anthology

Throughout the ages, Christmas has been a time of love and rejoicing. Now, from Dorchester Publishing, comes a selection of three classic tales to warm the hearts of historical romance readers everywhere.

 The Holiday Inn by Phyllis Bourne Williams, Farrah Rochon, Stefanie Worth 

Leisure Contemporary Romance Anthology

The holidays are far from magical when your relationship is on the rocks. But with a seductive setting and some Christmas spirit, three couples have a chance to rekindle the spark of romance.

“A Change of Heart” Farrah Rochon A husband and wife come to the Inn to say one last good-bye before giving up on their marriage, but when a snowstorm leaves them stranded, the romantic surroundings reignite their banked desire.

“Can You Believe” Stefanie Worth When a visit from the Spirit of Christmas gives newlyweds a glimpse into a future without each other, can a trip to the Holiday Inn persuade them to make a passionate new beginning?

“By New Year’s Day” Phyllis Bourne Williams A desperate husband whisks his reluctant wife off on a romantic vacation to the Holiday Inn, where he plans to renew her passion with a sexy New Year’s kiss.

Immortals: The Crossing by Joy Nash 

Love Spell Paranormal Romance – New Release

For centuries they have walked among us—vampires, shape-shifters, the Celtic Sidhe, demons, and other magical beings. Their battle to reign supreme is constant, but one force holds them in check, a race of powerful warriors known as the IMMORTALS

For Manannán mac Lir, a musician and Celtic demigod, life had become a blur of post-gig parties, expensive whisky, and cheap sex. And then a faerie infant almost dies—a child under his protection. On the hunt for the would-be killer, Mac finds Artemis Black, a stunningly dangerous woman who’s inexplicably able to intertwine life magic with death magic. For the safety of his people, he should destroy her. But the aching vulnerability in her eyes calls to him. And the raw desire she inspires has nothing to do with a spell. Their love may be forbidden, but Mac and Artemis can’t go back once they’ve made… THE CROSSING

Irreversible by Liz Maverick 

SHOMI Speculative Romance - New Release

Katherine Gibbs is engaged. Engaged, popular, gorgeous, and living a life of sheer perfection. This is her best week ever. The trouble is, it’s manufactured. She’s lived this week over and over and doesn’t know it.

L. Roxanne Zaborovsky, Katherine’s best friend, is outside looking in. Once again, Kitty’s life is being stolen away by a man as twisted as he is brilliant. This time, there’s something Roxy can do. The barriers of time are like the walls of an apartment—or the bars of a prison—and they can be demolished. She just has to start the jailbreak.

Walter “Q” Sheffield is hot, smart, and just the man to free Kitty. A time-anomaly specialist, he can split seconds, erase hours and make the most of a minute. The one thing he can’t do? Relationships. But hate and revenge have Kitty trapped in the vagaries of time, and only love will get her out. And that love must be…IRREVERSIBLE.

King of Sword and Sky by C.L. Wilson

Leisure Romance – New Release 

ONLY ONE POWER COULD LEAD THEIR PEOPLE TO VICTORY…TAIREN SOUL

The magical tairen were dying, and none but the Fey King’s bride could save them. Rain had defied the nobles of Celieria to claim her, battled demons and Elden mages to wed her. Now, with magic, steel, and scorching flame he would risk everything to protect his kingdom, help his truemate embrace her magic and forge the unbreakable bond that alone could save her soul.

 Knight’s Fork by Rowena Cherry

Love Spell Futuristic Romance – New Release

The Queen Consort of the Volnoth needs a sperm donor, and only one green-eyed god has the right stuff. Little does she know she has pinned all her hopes on the crown jewels of the fabled Royal Saurian Djinn. Not only is he the son of her greatest enemy, but he has taken a vow of chastity.

The Saurian Knight is caught between a problem father who has all the moral integrity of a Mafia Don, and a married Princess who would stop at nothing to have his seed in her belly. No matter which way he turns, he’s “forked.”

Taking the wrong lover…in the wrong place, at the wrong time…is dangerous. And when the High and Mighty intervene, it can be fatal. Can true love and a pure White Knight’s virtue triumph, when society loves a right royal scandal?

A Magical Christmas Present by Victoria Alexander, Lisa Cach, Eugenia Riley

Love Spell Paranormal Romance Anthology

Throughout the ages, Christmas has been a time of love and rejoicing. Now, from Dorchester Publishing, comes a selection of three classic tales to warm the hearts of historical romance readers everywhere.

This Year’s Christmas Present by Nina Bangs, Sandra Hill, Dara Joy 

Love Spell Contemporary Romance Anthology

Throughout the ages, Christmas has been a time of love and rejoicing. Now, from Dorchester Publishing, comes a selection of three classic tales to warm the hearts of historical romance readers everywhere.

Warrior’s Lady by Gerri Russell 

Leisure Historical Romance

Camden Lockhart vowed to eliminate the Ruthven clan after they had destroyed his family. All he had left was a small niece and the legacy of the Charm Stone she carried, but no one knew where the little girl was.

Rhiannon Ruthven came to the abbey to escape the brutality of her brothers and find solace. Instead she found the orphaned Violet Lockhart in need of an escort to her uncle’s castle. Rhiannon didn’t know it, but she would be walking straight into a nest of assassins.

Watching Rhiannon nearly sacrifice her own life to save another’s, Camden knew he could not condemn her to death. He’d have to protect her from the very men he’d hired to kill her. Scottish legend said the Charm Stone had the power to heal, but was it strong enough to unite two wounded hearts?

Don’t Forget!

The topic at The Novel Girls this week is Fall TV Returns. Maureen Lipinski is up to bat today, come say hi! 

Over at Fresh Fiction, it’s already time to celebrate Halloween! I’m holding a special contest there. Head on over to join! While you’re there, check out all the other great contests being offered. You might just win something yummy.