Double the News!

Double great news today! One: Bluest Heart, the sequel to my published western novella Blackest Heart with the Wayback series at TWRP, is contracted for publication! Yippee! Oh, but wait. There's more. Blackest Heart is also contracted to go into print in an anthology with Marguerite Arotin's Return of the Prodigal Daughter and Abbey MacInnis's Delighting Miss Daisy. I had no idea when I wrote Blackest Heart for the Wayback line or when I first contracted it with TWRP's Yellow Rose editor that it would go this far so this is really wonderful news. A title hasn't been decided on the anthology yet and covers for both the anthology and Bluest Heart, which if tradition holds are both in artist Tamra Westberry's very capable hands, are still forthcoming. I can't wait to see them since Tamra did an amazing job on both Blackest Heart and A Summer's Hope.

For those who have read Blackest Heart, Bluest Heart is the story of Stella's brother, Casey. I'm going to be sneaky and not reveal the heroine until I post the cover and official blurb (hopefully soon) but she did play a small part in Blackest Heart. See if you can guess who ;)

Movie Trailers

Maybe I'm weird, but I love movie trailers. Apparently, I'm not the only one because The Dark Knight trailer headed the Top 10 Movie Trailers of 2008 list with (not kidding, I swear) 11 million views. Don't believe me? Here's the link: http://movies.yahoo.com/feature/top-trailers-of-2008.html

I'm a big fan of movies and this past year reaffirmed my love of them. Everyone flocked to the theater for the unique out-of-body escape one can only surpass by reading a good book during the Great Depression. Then again, movie tickets didn't cost $7 back then. That's what's so great about the movie trailers, though. You don't have to go to the local theater to see them. YouTube is my favorite trailer haunt. The adrenaline rush you're meant to get from seeing a new blockbuster movie trailer like, say Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen or even a chick flick like Bride Wars is an experience I can't seem to get enough of. At its core, it's that thirst for an awesome story. I think that's why authors/publishers are emulating this marketing gimmick with book trailers. That rush has gotten me through writer's block just as the rush I got from reading Nora Roberts' Carnal Innocence pushed me to write my first romance. A movie is still a story and that adrenaline-infused million-dollar movie trailer is like the hook of a back cover blurb. We all know how important those hooks are, especially when it comes down to anyone stretched by these difficult economic times choosing between...hm milk and eggs or movie? *balancing scales* Those movie-trailer-makers have to know what they're doing...just as the marketing director of any publishing house needs to be at the top of their game.

Note: I'll admit, if it ever came down between a $7 movie ticket and a paperback novel of the same price or lower...the paperback would KO the movie any day of the week. Still, nothing was so cute as watching the hubby see the new Transformers trailer for the first time: "Sweeeeet." And...ahem...all 7,100,000 views for the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince trailer were probably all mine. *sheepish grin*

If you wanna take a look back at my book trailers, here are the links:

Fox & Hound: http://www.amberleighwilliams.com/foxandhound.htm

Denied Origin: http://www.amberleighwilliams.com/deniedorigin.htm

Blackest Heart: http://www.amberleighwilliams.com/blackestheart.htm

*Great caption to the post pic called A Dreamy World: "A man's dreams are an index to his greatness." I believe Walt Disney, that late, great and much-adored patriarch of the movie business, would agree. Click the image for a closer view. It's worth a moment :)

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Booksigning!!!

So excited to report that I survived the Romantic Notions booksigning! I arrived at the library with twenty books and walked away with three. Feelin pretty good :)

I want to thank my fellow signees, Bess McBride, Cynthia Eden, and Allison Knight for sharing the panel with this first-timer, Donna Soto (the library director who coordinated the lovely event), and all the family and friends who showed up to support me! Hugs to all!!!

Five Hearts for Blackest Heart!!!

I just got the news: Blackest Heart earned a Five Hearts ("Excellent") review from Brenda Talley of The Romance Studio!

"Ms. Amber Leigh Williams has taken up the ongoing saga of Wayback, Texas. This latest book about the goings on in this small town is as good as the previous ones. I love the characters and the up close look at the Ridge and Black families was emotional. The tensions and conflicts with others made the couple seem even more real. The sensuality was super charged and dynamic. I could not put this book down. It was mesmerizing to read. I truly enjoyed reading this book and highly recommend it to everyone."

Thank you so much for the great review, Brenda! You've made my day! For the full text of this review, visit TRS: http://www.theromancestudio.com/reviews/reviews/blackestheartwilliams.htm

Holiday Love Affair Blog Fest & Romantic Notions Booksigning

This week will be a busy one. So everyone knows where all the fun stuff will be happening, starting Monday and continuing through the whole week of Valentine's Bragging Rights Unleashed (http://braggingritesunleashed.blogspot.com/) will be hosting Holiday Love Affair. I'll be one of the contributors and Fox & Hound will be one of the door prizes! Tomorrow will be a "Meet the Author" theme, Tuesday readers will get to meet the characters. (And yes, Todd from F&H will be making an appearance *wink*) Wednesday will be juicy with excerpts. Thursday is a day for announcements and upcoming events in which I will be announcing some BIG news. Don't miss it!

Wednesday, February 11th I'll be attending my first booksigning called Romantic Notions at the Foley Public Library from 6-8 p.m. Other featured authors include Cynthia Eden (http://www.cynthiaeden.com/), Bess McBride (http://www.bessmcbride.com/), and Allison Knight (http://www.allisonknight.com/). For more information, visit the library's website: http://www.booksite.com/texis/scripts/bookletter/showlist.html?sid=5332&list=CNL1. I'll be selling and signing copies of Denied Origin and Fox & Hound. Hope to see you there!

And Today's Winner Is...

Congrats, Stacey, you've won the drawing for a free e-copy of Fox & Hound! Please email me at ringletz@bellsouth.net to claim your prize. Thank you so much to everyone who participated. I enjoyed reading your comments and the links to your favorite Valentine's commericials. I hope your stop by For the Love of Writing was enjoyable enough to bring you back another day :)

If you missed your chance to win Fox & Hound, there's more fun to be had at Red Rose Publishing. Enter the February Book Lottery at RRP (http://redrosepublishing.com/bookstore/extra_info_pages.php?pages_id=16). Answer the questions from selected site's blurbs or excerpts and you'll be in the drawing for your choice of one of twelve print books. Fox & Hound is on the February list of prizes! Follow the link for contest and details.

And for those of you who like prizes, there's more to be had every day this month with Romancing February, continuing tomorrow at Ann Campbell's blog: http://anncampbellsromance.blogspot.com/. Don't forget to keep track of all 28 authors who host a day of Romancing February in order to win a $75 gift card from The Wild Rose Press!

Romancing February Kick-Off!!!

Ready to party? I’m thrilled to be kicking off the Romancing February blog tour here at For the Love of Writing. OMG—is it February already? Wow and yay! Though it’s a bit nippier than anyone on the Gulf Coast anticipated, the sun’s shining and this month we celebrate my favorite holiday!

I knew Valentine’s Day was special even before I had someone special to celebrate it with. It always gave me the same wonderful, tingly anticipation that reminds me of golden champagne bubbles rushing to the surface. Still I smile over the elementary school days when everyone got a white paper bag with their name for cards and candy. Being the sappy sentimental sort, I saved mine, of course…the bags and the cards ;) Valentine’s Day is also the anniversary of that sweet moment exactly three years ago when my DH got down on his knee and proposed. Even at that moment when I said “Yes!” I had no idea he and I would grow together as perfectly and strongly as we have.

Yet as the years have passed, I’ve come to understand what Valentine’s is all about. I love flowers. I really, really do. Almost as much as I love flowers, I love those heart candies and the big red heart-shaped lollipops. And jewelry…well, a girl can never have enough of it…especially in regard to diamonds. I do love me some diamonds. But let’s blink the stars from our eyes and think for a moment. What’s all the fuss about to begin with?

The most popular legend goes like this: in the third century, a Roman emperor by the name of Claudius outlawed marriages for young men, his prospective soldiers, determined in his belief that it would make his army more powerful without distraction or weakness. When it was discovered that a priest called Valentine was still marrying young lovers on the sly, he was sentenced to death. In honor of that noble sacrifice, he was later martyred by the Christian church as Saint Valentine. I’d say he earned a day to be celebrated in his name!

The History Channel seems to have gone all out for February with movie guides, trivia, videos, and games. You can join the fun and learn more about the history of Valentine’s at http://www.history.com/minisites/valentine/. I enjoyed reading quotes, love letters from presidents, and a list of the greatest couples throughout history.

Okay, now that the lesson’s over we can move onto the fun! In February 2003 while watching my favorite television show The Bachelorette (Trista and Ryan 4-eva!), a DeBeers diamond commercial aired. Since, I haven’t been able to get enough of them! Here’s my five favorite DeBeers commercials (some of these are probably familiar :)

#5—I Forever Do (a.k.a. “Steps”)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBhK66_Szx8

#4—Morning Surprise
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-jOjK003Yk

#3—Stand By Me
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plg7Uw9NeDY

#2—Love Rocks
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFxu1OtG-cc

#1—Declaration
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXnDAPOxIKw

Anybody else have chills? I’m enjoying an early bubbly champagne moment. *BG* All right, I promised a prize. Comment to this post, tell me about your favorite real-life Valentine’s moment or even link your favorite Valentine’s commercial. At the end of the day I’ll draw names for the big prize, a free e-copy of my debut novel, romantic adventure Fox & Hound:

In the world's most romantic city, fates collide in the most unexpected way and two of the world's most elusive jewel thieves are forever changed by a Louvre heist gone wrong.

After three years in prison, Todd goes after the woman who ruined his life, seeking revenge and the diamond she stole from him. He learns that Celestia doesn't have the diamond either. She was used by her partner, master thief Tito Bandero.

Todd and Celestia form an unlikely partnership to take back what is theirs and redeem themselves. Bandero is planning to steal three of the world's most coveted diamonds, but the ones he wronged—Fox and Hound—plot to take them first.

What Todd and Celestia don't count on? The power of attraction. When the quest grows dangerous, which will they choose: payback or each other?

“Outstanding Read” —Simply Romance

“Smokin’ hot!” —Long & Short Reviews

Paris, romance, diamonds, a hot Texan hero capable of charming a stubborn lady like Celestia down to her toes… February’s looking a little warmer already!

For commenters who wish to post anonymously, please leave a name. I will post again after ten o’clock central time tonight to announce the winner so stop back by. To continue Romance February’s month-long party and win more prizes (and have a chance to win a $75-dollar gift card from The Wild Rose Press at the end of the month), be sure to follow the fun to fellow romance author Ann Campbell’s blog tomorrow:

http://anncampbellsromance.blogspot.com

HAPPY FEBRUARY!!!