So today I rented two movies (we have that unlimited rental deal with Blockbuster) — Marie Antoinette and The Illusionist.

I meant to watch them today and took a nap instead. *g*

Hey all,

I’m between books for the first time in almost three years! Yay! Over that time, I’ve missed watching TV, staying off the computer, going out, etc. etc.

My darling hubby took over most of the cooking, cleaning, etc. in addition to his full-time job so that I could work toward my dream. I’m not there yet, but it’s time for a little break.

So I’ll be in and out these next couple weeks. I’m going back to the gym and I’m going to read lots of books and wander aimlessly through stores, etc.

And lots of movies and chocolate. Yum… that sounds like heaven to me. *g*

I’ll keep you posted! ((hugs))

I thought this was too cool! PLEASURES OF THE NIGHT is in the Top Ten books overall for HarperCollins:

Had to save the image, since I’m not sure how long that will last! *g*

Sorry, I’m so quiet. I have TWO books due on Monday and I’m struggling to get both of them finished on time and in great shape.

I hope/pray that by this time next week I’ll be reading some books and can talk about those instead of how busy I am! *g*

RT in a nutshell —

Tuesday:

Plane landed at 1:15. Reached hotel at 5:30. Why? It took that long to round up a shuttle. However, I shared the ride with the ever-fabulous Mackenzie McKade, Lauren Dane, Nancy Liedel, Monica Burns, Bianca D’arc, and some readers from Australia who were so much fun! I had a pre-arranged dinner that night with a group of romance readers from Australia. They rented a bus and we drove to a lovely restaurant about a 1/2 hour away. I left my cell phone in the hotel bar and stressed the whole time about that. I forgot to activate my new credit card so the front desk couldn’t use it. I really thought that with the delay from the airport and the rest that maybe it was a sign that I should not be in Houston. *g*

Wednesday:

Had breakfast with Diane Whiteside and Kate Douglas. (My first time sitting down with Diane and I enjoyed it immensely. Kate and I were roomies in NY, so we caught up, too.) Went upstairs to check-in to the conference. Hugged my fabulous editor Kate Duffy and said hi to Megan Records who recently joined Kensington. Then I went upstairs to write. (I was under deadline) I helped stuff promotional items in the Ellora’s Cave’s bags for 1.5 hours, then had lunch with Allison Brennan, Karin Tabke, Shelley Bradley/Shayla Black, Bonnie Edwards, PJ Mellor, Linda Thomas-Sundstrom, and Karen Kelley. Yes, it was a big table. But so much fun! Then, I went back upstairs to write. At 4:30, I headed down to the mixer held by a group of paranormal authors. Gena Showalter and Susan Grant were there, and I wanted to give them coverflats of PLEASURES OF THE NIGHT, because they both gave me awesome quotes for it. They invited me to join them for lunch. I’d already eaten, which was good, because sitting at a table with Susan Grant, Gena Showalter, Jill Monroe, and P.C. Cast makes a gal a bit starstruck. *g* Then I went back up to my room to write.

At 8:30 PM, I headed down to the EC party, where I walked across the stage when they announced my name and then immediately ran back up to my room where I wrote until I fell asleep.

Thursday:

This was critical meltdown day. I needed to get the book finished. I got up at 4 AM, sat in pjs all day, and stayed up until 3 AM Friday. My roommate brought me food and drinks. We ordered pizza for dinner, which was delivered. I wrote until the keyboard started swimming. Seriously.

Friday:

I went to the Kensington book signing, where they were giving away copies of PASSION FOR THE GAME (my June release). It was the first I’d seen it. I only had like 10 copies to sign, so they were gone fast. I signed next to Robin Schone, so it was lovely to talk to her during the event. Then I went back up to the room to write. I stayed up there until 4 PM, then finally emailed the document. After that, I was a mess. Tired, weepy. (TMI, I know, but just wanted to point out that I’m human after all. *g* 5 single titles and 4 anthologies in 2007 really took a toll on me.) I went Heather Graham’s Vampire ball, but after I ate, I went back to my room and got ready for bed.

Saturday:

I had breakfast with Shelley/Shayla then went to the book signing where they had EIGHTY copies of PLEASURES OF THE NIGHT stacked up. I also had copies of DECLASSIFIED: DARK KISSES, THE STRANGER I MARRIED, ALLURING TALES I, WHITE HOT HOLIDAYS, VOL 2, and DREAMS OF THE OASIS, VOL 2. After the signing, I had lunch with Shelley/Shayla, HelenKay Dimon, Charina and Dana (two readers whom I just adore), Cheryl Holt, and Miriam Kriss. I spent the afternoon talking with my dear friend Jordan Summers, and newer (but no less dear) friends Kathy Love and Erin McCarthy. I went briefly to the Dorchester party that night, where I talked with awesome Alyssa Day (gotta love the name, right? *g*) and AT III winner Jenny Gardiner.

My greatest sadness was not being able to hang out with Sasha White, Vivi Anna, and Lisa Renee Jones as much as I wanted. Many of the times I ran into them, there was no place to sit. Other times, like before a workshop we were scheduled to present together, I was in my room writing and unable to leave.

Still, it was a great conference, and the networking with authors, booksellers, and readers made the event more than worth it. I’m sure I forgot to mention people, so I’ll fill in the blanks as my brain slowly returns to me.

Hugs!

DAMSEL UNDER STRESS
by Shanna Swendson
May 1, 2007

To-do: Stop the bad guys. Rescue the wizard. Find the perfect outfit for New Year’s Eve.

At last, Owen Palmer, the dreamboat wizard at Magic, Spells, and Illusions, Inc., has conjured up the courage to get Katie Chandler under the mistletoe at the office holiday party. But just when it looks like Katie has found her prince, in pops her inept fairy godmother, Ethelinda, to throw a wand into the works. Ehtelinda’s timing couldn’t be worse. A plot hatched by MSI’s rogue ex-employees, Idris and his evil fairy gal pal Ari, threatens to expose the company’s secrets ­ and the very existence of magic itself. Even worse, it could also mean the end of Katie’s happily-ever-after.

Now Katie and Owen must work side by side (but alas, not cheek to cheek) to thwart the villains’ plans. Braving black-magic-wielding sorceresses, subway-dwelling dragons, lovelorn frog princes, and even the dreaded trip to meet Owen’s parents at Christmas, Katie and her beau are in a battle to beat Idris at his own sinister game. All mischief and matters of the heart will come to a head at a big New Year’s Eve gala, when the crystal ball will drop, champagne will pour, and Katie will find herself truly spellbound.

Excerpt: www.shannaswendson.com/damselexcerpt.html

ABOUT SHANNA SWENDSON

In addition to writing fiction, Shanna Swendson is a freelance marketing consultant and writer specializing in technology and telecommunications. She is single and lives in Irving, Texas, with her many pet plants, including a vicious attack bougainvillea and a Christmas cactus that has outlasted three homes, three jobs and three boyfriends, yet still faithfully blooms every Christmas and Easter. She’s looking for a man that reliable.

REVIEWS

“The ongoing adventures of Katie Chandler are filled with such magical fun.”
– Armchair Interviews

“Mayhem at its most enchanting.” 4 stars
– Romantic Times Book Reviews

“Fans of both chick-lit and Harry Potter should not miss out on this series set in magical modern-day Manhattan.”
– Fresh Fiction

“Great fun, an amusing romp of a romantic read.”
– Book Loons

Website: www.shannaswendson.com