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Great news to report this month regarding Robin Shone, who suffered a
massive heart attack on Christmas Day. I spoke to her last week and she sounds wonderful. The doctors are
amazed at her speedy recovery and baffled at how such a major trauma left absolutely no damage to her heart.
She said she's resting comfortably at home and that your letters and good wishes have helped with her healing.
A huge THANK YOU from Robin for your kindness.
This month we introduce you to our new webmaster, Rob, who has taken over for Natalie, who was
with us for nearly 10 years. She left RT to become a vet tech, a term used for those who assist veterinarians
in animal clinics, shelters and in private offices. Natalie is a gentle soul who loves animals and although we
will miss her terribly we are extremely happy for her. Rob has moved into his new position with ease and has
become an instant celeb with the message board gang. We welcome him to the RT family and look forward to
working with him.
A magazine article, "Swashbuckling Heartthrobs," came to us from across the pond and will appear in Scottish Memories March issue. It's about America's fascination with
Scottish heroes and it features several American authors like Bertrice Small, Monica McCarty,
Sandy Blair and Donna Kauffman. I have asked for permission to reprint the article in RT
BOOKreviews but, for those historical romance buffs who don't want to wait, you can purchase the March issue
on the website.
There were some fun industry-related happenings in New York this past month and the RT staff joined in the
festivities. Three savvy New York authors -- Hope Tarr, Maya Rodale and Leanna Renee
Hieber -- and Mediabistro's Galleycat Editor Ron Hogan created the
Lady Jane's Salon meetings, a romance reading series at the
trendy Soho lounge Madame X. The idea formed when the quartet realized that
there wasn't a place in New York where lovers of romance fiction could hang out with authors and talk
books.
Managing Editor Liz French, reviewer Jill Brager, customer service rep Elsie Morales and
I attended the first Salon gathering and thoroughly enjoyed the readings by Tarr and Regency favorite
Andrea Pickens. Various New York editors, authors, friends and fans came out to support the event and
contributed a small donation to Share the Love foundation, which supports
women in transition, a charity near and dear to Maya.
Anyone in the tristate area is welcome to join the next Lady Jane's Salon meeting on March 2 from 7-9 pm at
Madame X on Houston Street in Manhattan. Guest authors will include newly minted New York Times bestseller
Lauren Willig (THE TEMPTATION OF THE NIGHT
JASMINE), and Jenna Petersen, whose historical, HER NOTORIOUS VISCOUNT, is reviewed in the April
issue.
Ron Hogan will join us in Orlando for the upcoming RT
convention April 22-26. He will be presenting a dynamic workshop on Social Networking. Leanna Renee Hieber
is the star of our "Wrap Up" video for Pittsburgh and new author of THE STRANGELY BEAUTIFUL TALE OF MISS PERCY
PARKER, a Dorchester release coming in September.
Another fun event was Comic Con, held in New York. RT editors Faygie
Levy, Elissa Petruzzi, Diane Snyder and Stephanie Klose had a fascinating time
exploring the colorful event. One favorite panel was "Men Are From Krypton, Women Are From Paradise Island,"
which featured a rousing discussion on male and female stereotypes in comics throughout the ages. They saw
zombies (including Spider-Man zombie) and various other costumed creatures, and visited with authors and
publishers. Anne Elizabeth, who is leading our Comics, Graphic Novel and Anime seminars in Orlando, was
signing posters promoting her upcoming graphic novel, PULSE OF POWER, at the Dabel Brothers booth. Authors such as Sherrilyn Kenyon, Marjorie
Liu, Caitlin Kittredge and Jackie Kessler met with fans and discussed their graphic books.
If you're looking to fully explore this genre, the next East Coast 'Con will be in Oct. 2010!
Now on to the April issue, which you should be receiving soon. Our cover story spotlights Judi McCoy,
who begins a new mystery series this month with HOUNDING
THE PAVEMENT. Judi is donating her royalties from the first book to the Best Friends Animal Society, which aids homeless animals. It received a glowing
review from us in the March issue and Publishers Weekly gave it a
coveted starred review.
Other stories in this editorially packed issue include an in-depth look at inspirational novels going beyond
their traditional market into the mainstream. This trend happened in romance when the genre reinvented itself
to appeal to a wider audience and the books (albeit still romances) were marketed as "novels," thus opening
them up to a much larger audience. Some of today's inspirational books have adapted to a more mainstream
appeal while still adhering to the values of the Christian faith. Which means many of us may be reading
inspirational fiction and not be aware of it -- the greatest achievement/compliment for any niche genre trying
to break out into the mainstream.
You will also enjoy an interview with Robyn Carr by another fan favorite, Jodi Thomas. Both have
books out in April -- PARADISE VALLEY and REWRITING MONDAY respectively. For soap fans there
is also a lively discussion with General Hospital's Carolyn Hennesy (Diane) who has written a
teen fiction series with the third installment, PANDORA GETS LAZY, out in April.
You'll also meet some of the very handsome (did I mention very fit) Mr. Romance hopefuls signed up to compete
in Orlando. It's hard to believe the RT event is just two months away but after this brutally cold winter I am
really looking forward to this one in sunny Florida. The agenda is wonderful with more than 125 workshops to
choose from, the parties meticulously planned and there are some surprises. If you are planning on attending,
register soon to avoid those pesky late fees.
Our final American Title competition is nearing its end and
this month we feature the four remaining contestants with their dialogue scene entries. Just one more round to
go before we announce the winner. Be sure to vote so that your favorite makes the cut.
Features we are working on for the May issue include a trend watch article on zombies in fiction and how they
are taking the paranormal world by storm. Another feature is on the proliferation of anthologies and why they
are gaining popularity in today's economic climate. Our cover story is on S.J. Day, aka Sylvia
Day, who is launching a new urban fantasy series with EVE OF DARKNESS. The covers are wonderful depicting
protagonist Eve (Evangeline Hollis), who no doubt can handle just about anything. There are plenty of great
interviews in the works too, including one with romance pioneer Lynn Kurland and another with YA
sensation Melissa Marr.
If you live on the East Coast within the New York tristate area, mark your calendar for April 7 and head to
the Mohegan Sun Casino in Uncasville, Conn., where Lisa Jackson will
be appearing as part of their "Winning Authors" program. A live discussion will take place from 6:30-7:30,
followed by a signing of her latest, MALICE. It's a perfect excuse to also get in a little rendezvous with the one-armed
bandits! Should be a lot of fun!!
We made it through most of the winter so let's gear up for spring and all the magic that comes with season.
 Happy reading,
Carol Stacy
Publisher
Romantic Times BOOKreviews Magazine
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