It's a sale!

You might have gotten an e-reader for Christmas this year, or maybe you already have an e-reader and you're looking for books to keep filling it with.

(I got my first e-reader with the 2nd generation Kindle. It was still $299 at the time, so I'm really pleased with how much less expensive they are now.)

This year, my hubby gave me a Kindle 3G Wi-Fi Touch to replace the older model, and I'm thrilled with it. I already have an iPad, which allows me to read books from any store instead of proprietary books only, and I really appreciate that. The iPad is great for nighttime when Hubby is trying to sleep and I want to keep reading.

But it's too heavy to always carry everywhere, so I wanted a new, lighter Kindle. I stuck with Kindle only because I have a Kindle library already, but it could have just as easily been the Nook if I had more of those books than I do.

In playing with my new Kindle, I discovered that a couple of my books have sale prices right now, so here they are. First up, in the UK, you can get PRINCE VORONOV'S VIRGIN for the unbelievable price of 99p!

If you are in the US, you can get BEHIND THE PALACE WALLS (the North American title for PVV) for only $2.00!

And if you are a Kindle Prime member, you can read THE PRINCE'S ROYAL CONCUBINE for free!

I checked on Nook, but there are currently no discounts. Up until yesterday, in fact, both B&N and Amazon were selling another of my books for $2.70 - but that ended overnight. Not that I knew it was ending, but I checked as I was writing this post and the price was back to normal.

‘Kiss me,’ he growled… ‘And make it believable.’

Alone and scared on the dark streets of Moscow, staid, bespectacled Paige Barnes has no choice but to comply with the handsome stranger’s command…

Little does Paige know she’s been rescued by Alexei Voronov—a Russian prince and her boss’s deadliest rival. Now he has Paige unexpectedly in his sights, Alexei is prepared to play emotional Russian roulette to keep her close and discover her true motives. But in his splendid gilded palace his game of chance spins out of control and passion takes over…

It’s only when she’s back home that Paige realises she’s pregnant with the Prince’s baby…

For the writers amongst us, I recommend this book by PEN/Faulkner Award winner Ann Patchett for inspiration. It's only 99 cents and is a short read.

Some other books on sale that I've enjoyed are Jane Porter's THE SULTAN'S BOUGHT BRIDE for $2.93, THE STOLEN BRIDE by Abby Green for $1.40, and THE UNCLAIMED BABY by Melanie Milburne for $2.55!

Those are some awesome prices, y'all! I hope you'll give one or more of these books a try. :)

Any recommendations to share? Did you get an e-reader this year? Which one? How do you like it? And do you still intend to read paper books? (I do! I still buy them as well!)

Lynn Raye Harris is a USA Today bestselling author who writes glamorous, sexy romance for Harlequin Presents. You can learn more about Lynn and her books at http://www.lynnrayeharris.com/. You can also follow Lynn on Twitter @LynnRayeHarris or visit her author page on Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/AuthorLynnRayeHarris

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hey, y'all! I don't know how I managed to get scheduled to post on Thanksgiving, but I did. But it gives me something great to talk about! For all our International readers, today is Thanksgiving in America. It's a day where we eat a lot of food -- a roast turkey being the centerpiece of the meal usually -- and give thanks for all the blessings in our life.

There will also be the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade (if you've ever watched Miracle on 34th Street, then you've heard of the parade) and football.

When I was a kid, I loved watching the parade while my mom fixed the Thanksgiving feast. The smell of turkey and the sights and sounds of the parade are indelibly mixed in my mind. For me, it's not Thanksgiving if I don't have the parade. I don't sit and watch it all, but I like to hear it while I cook.

I don't always host Thanksgiving at my house, but this year it's my turn again, and I'm so excited about it. I've been brining my turkey (first time ever), and I can't wait to see how it turns out. I've been planning the menu for weeks. We're having the usual things - turkey, Cajun sausage dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, green bean casserole, corn, sweet potato casserole, cranberry sauce, yeast rolls, pumpkin pie, and apple pie. We're going to be full, that's for sure!

But the real reason for Thanksgiving isn't the food. It's to remind us of what we're thankful for. This year, I am thankful for so much. My in-laws are here for the holiday, but back in May, I'd have never thought this possible. My father-in-law had his fourth open heart surgery, with a valve replacement, and died twice on the table. We didn't think he would make it.

But he's here, sitting across from me as I write this on my laptop, and I'm grateful for that.

My parents are coming over too, and I'm so happy that after years of military moves around the world, we are finally in the same place and can spend time together.

I'm happy that right now, right this minute, everyone is healthy and happy. We never know what tomorrow brings, but today is good and I'm going to enjoy it with the people I love. I am also thankful for you, my readers, who enjoy my stories and keep buying my books. Without you, I wouldn't get to do this awesome job. You make it all worthwhile.

I hope you all have a wonderful, happy, blessed day today! Happy Thanksgiving to all, whether you're in America or not.

Tell me what you're thankful for today. And if you're American, tell me what you're cooking today. :) I love hearing about the food you are preparing. :)


Lynn Raye Harris is a USA Today bestselling author who writes glamorous, sexy romance for Harlequin Presents. You can learn more about Lynn and her books at http://www.lynnrayeharris.com/. You can also follow Lynn on Twitter @LynnRayeHarris or visit her author page on Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/AuthorLynnRayeHarris

The Man with the Money - Lynn Raye Harris

Winner: Hey, y'all! I totally got sidetracked with trip recovery and revisions to my latest book (which went in today, yay!) and forgot to pick a winner! Hope you will forgive me. The Random Number Generator has chosen Desere! Yay, Desere, you finally did it! The RNG loved you today!

I love this trailer! It's so moody and sexy and I think Harlequin did a fabulous job with it. I'm thrilled to be a part of the series! The fifth book in the series, The Man with the Money, is in stores now! This book is about Jack Wolfe, the hot loner who gets his thrills from high-stakes games, whether it's cards or the financial markets. Jack has cut himself off from his family for the most part -- and he's definitely not ready to forgive his eldest brother, Jacob, who returns in the first book, A Night of Scandal, that kicks the whole series off.

Cara Taylor is a heroine I could relate to. She's not wealthy like Jack, and she works hard for everything she has. She's also from New Orleans, which holds a special place in my heart as I have family who live there. I've visited the city several times, and I've always loved the distinctly European vibe.

But, as cool as I think New Orleans is, Cara wants to escape her hometown. She's always wanted to see the big wide world, so when she ends up dealing cards in a casino on the French Riviera, life should be perfect. Of course it isn't--and then she meets Jack.

Oh, she doesn't think life is perfect then either. But she will, just as soon as she realizes how utterly addictive a man like Jack can be.

I hope you enjoy reading about Jack and Cara! For a red-hot excerpt, click here. RT Book Reviews magazine gave this story 4 Stars and said it has, "intense emotional turmoil, a tortured hero and toe-curling intimate encounters." Rawr!

Jack…Red-Hot. Renegade. Restless.

Notorious gambler Jack no longer gets a buzz from the risks he takes at the card table. In fact it bores him. Until one night he wins more than he ever bargained for…

His prize is stunning Cara Taylor – she might be down on her luck but she certainly doesn’t need rescuing by a card-shark like Jack! Now she’s stuck with him she doesn’t know whether to love him or loathe him.

For a chance to win a signed copy, tell me where you'd choose to visit if you could go anyplace you wanted. (I may have trouble commenting today, as I'm on vacation and might not have internet access. But leave me comments anyway, and I'll catch up when I get home!)

Lynn Raye Harris is a USA Today bestselling author who writes glamorous, sexy romance for Harlequin Presents. You can learn more about Lynn and her books at http://www.lynnrayeharris.com/. You can also follow Lynn on Twitter @LynnRayeHarris or visit her author page on Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/AuthorLynnRayeHarris

Giveaway - Lynn Raye Harris

I'm such an idiot, y'all! I knew I had a blog post due, and I even had my online calendar send me a reminder. The problem, however, is that I lost a day when I thought that today was the 28th. No idea why I had that idea in my head, but I did.

Very blonde moment, right?

I'll try to make up for it with a giveaway! I just got author copies of THE MAN WITH THE MONEY, Book 5 in the Notorious Wolfes family saga.

Here's what the book is about:

Jack…Red-Hot. Renegade. Restless.

Notorious gambler Jack no longer gets a buzz from the risks he takes at the card table. In fact it bores him. Until one night he wins more than he ever bargained for…

His prize is stunning Cara Taylor – she might be down on her luck but she certainly doesn’t need rescuing by a card-shark like Jack! Now she’s stuck with him she doesn’t know whether to love him or loathe him.

And here's a video about the Wolfes:

I'll give away one signed copy to a lucky commenter!

Update: Friends, the Random Number Generator has chosen Marybelle as the winner of the signed book! Marybelle, email me at Lynn AT LynnRayeHarris DOT com with your details, and I'll get the book to you.

If you follow me on Facebook or Twitter, or read my site regularly, look out for other chances to win! I will give more away soon. :)


Lynn Raye Harris is a USA Today bestselling author who writes glamorous, sexy romance for Harlequin Presents. You can learn more about Lynn and her books at http://www.lynnrayeharris.com/. You can also follow Lynn on Twitter @LynnRayeHarris or visit her author page on Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/AuthorLynnRayeHarris

Lynn Raye Harris: Gotta Love a Bargain!

While I suppose I should be posting something book related or writing related, I am in fact going to talk about one of my favorite activities which doesn't involve writing: shopping for a bargain.

Now, I'm not a power shopper by any stretch. I start to get seriously antsy after about 3 or 4 hours. If I'm shopping all day, I'm not going to be very happy when I get home. I think it's because I get buyer's angst: should I buy this? Should I not buy this? What if I get home and don't like it? Etc. It can get crazy sometimes, let me tell you.

But on Saturday, the hubby and I decided to visit a place that's practically in our backyard: the Unclaimed Baggage Center in Scottsboro, Alabama. If you've ever lost your luggage while flying, I seriously hope you got it back again. But if you didn't, then all your stuff probably ended up here.

The UBC can be a thrift shopper's paradise. The stuff they have here is unbelievable! It's not just luggage that gets lost, but also cargo. So sometimes there'll be twenty espresso machines or a dozen oriental carpets. In fact, there was a huge Turkish rug on the wall this weekend for $1899. It was gigantic, and completely hand-knotted.

But I digress. *g*

What else did they have? Ipods, iPhones, iPads, Sony Readers, 2nd generation Kindles ($75), laptops, cameras, DVDs, books, shoes, clothes, belts, handbags, jewelry -- well, I could keep going, but you get the idea.

My husband isn't the happiest shopper in the world, but he handled this like a trooper. By the time we left 3 hours later, we had a bag full of clothing (some with the tags still on!) for $150. I don't always find things when I go to the UBC, but this time I was happy.

My best find was a 100% Cashmere sweater, with the tags, for $40. The retail ticket said $90. That was also the most expensive thing I bought. Everything else was well under $20 each. Hubby found a pair of jeans for $4.

Quite possibly the best deal I've ever known someone personally to get was a pair of Christian Louboutin boots that retailed for $1200 -- my friend paid $150. Another friend found some Stuart Weitzman heels once for about $20. The last time I went, I got a great pair of Steve Madden suede pumps for $30 (retail was over $100).

This time, it was the cashmere sweater that made me happy. I'm almost looking forward to colder weather so I can wear it. Almost.

If you'd like to visit the Unclaimed Baggage Center, you can read more about it here.

And now I have a bargain for you! If you're in North America, my April book, The Devil's Heart, is available right now on Kindle for $1.60! That's ONE DOLLAR SIXTY CENTS! You really can't get a better deal on a powerful, sexy story with a hot Argentinian hero, a determined heroine, and a priceless jewel they both claim ownership of. I don't know how long the deal will last, but it's there right now. :)

So, have you gotten any bargains lately? Have any great bargain hunting tales to tell? I keep hoping I'll be that person who buys something really cool in a second hand shop -- and then finds out it's a priceless original instead of the fake I thought it was. :)

Lynn Raye Harris is a USA Today bestselling author who writes powerful, sexy romance for Harlequin Presents. You can learn more about Lynn and her books at http://www.lynnrayeharris.com/. You can also follow Lynn on Twitter @LynnRayeHarris or visit her author page on Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/AuthorLynnRayeHarris

Lynn Raye Harris: Between Books

Ah, bliss. It's that happy time in between books where I've just sent off the last book, the revisions haven't arrived yet, and I'm contemplating the next book but haven't begun it. I love this time, where I feel like my life is my own again and the next book is so full of possibilities that it will surely write itself (that sound is me snorting, because it's never true).

This week, I've straightened up my office (somewhat), gone grocery shopping (oh it was bad in the pantry), been to routine appointments (my vision is still 20/15, which is pretty cool!), had lunch with a writer friend, and gone to dinner with non-writer friends and family (and will go again tonight).

Ideally, if I could take a vacation between books, I'd go here:


Or maybe here:


In any case, I'd want to drink this:

And eat this:


Generally, I'd just want to relax and take in the scenery. For me, the time between books is important. Even if it's only a couple of days, I need that time to recharge - to read, talk with my hubby, go shopping, relax, watch TV, etc. Writing for Harlequin Presents is very rewarding -- and emotionally draining, at least for me! After every book, I'm wrung out by all the emotions. I don't know how anyone finishes a book today and starts a new one tomorrow. I've done it, but it wasn't easy. I function better with a little bit of time off in between.

How about you? Do you like a bit of down time as a reward for a job done?

(All photos are my own. Waikiki, Venice, strawberry daiquiri at the Hale Koa hotel in Waikiki, and dinner in Rome).

~~~

If you're ready for some relaxation, how about a nice trip to Russia? My June book, BEHIND THE PALACE WALLS, reached #1 on the Borders list and has been described as fast-paced, passionate, and hot! Here's the back cover copy:

‘Kiss me,’ he growled… ‘And make it believable.’

Alone and scared on the dark streets of Moscow, staid, bespectacled Paige Barnes has no choice but to comply with the handsome stranger’s command…

Little does Paige know she’s been rescued by Alexei Voronov—a Russian prince and her boss’s deadliest rival. Now he has Paige unexpectedly in his sights, Alexei is prepared to play emotional Russian roulette to keep her close and discover her true motives. But in his splendid gilded palace his game of chance spins out of control and passion takes over…

It’s only when she’s back home that Paige realizes she’s pregnant with the Prince’s baby…


(PS: Right now, Amazon is selling my April release, THE DEVIL'S HEART, for only $2.36 on Kindle! And if you're in the UK, you can buy my passionate sheikh story, STRANGERS IN THE DESERT, for only 99p on Kindle!)

Lynn Raye Harris is a USA Today bestselling author who writes glamorous, sexy romance for Harlequin Presents. You can learn more about Lynn and her books at http://www.lynnrayeharris.com/. You can also follow Lynn on Twitter @LynnRayeHarris or visit her author page on Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/AuthorLynnRayeHarris

Lynn Raye Harris - Come with me to snowy Russia!

What do you think about climbing into a troika with a gorgeous Russian prince and taking a snowy ride across a moonlit landscape? I have to admit that I found the thought quite appealing, so I made sure that the hero of my next book, BEHIND THE PALACE WALLS, took my heroine on just such a ride.

This photo shows a portion of the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg, but it was also the picture I kept in my inspiration file while I wrote about Prince Alexei Voronov and Paige Barnes. I envisioned Alexei's Russian palace as looking just like this.

I really loved writing about Alexei and Paige! From the explosive moment they first meet, when Alexei is trying to save Paige from a gang of men with questionable intentions, to their troika ride in the snow, to their super-charged love scenes and their confrontations throughout, this book was pure joy for me. These characters were so real. Alexei’s loneliness and heart ache, Paige’s sense of responsibility and Southern upbringing, and the way they learn to forge a life together had me alternately in tears and laughing while writing this book.

This book was originally released in the UK in January under the title PRINCE VORONOV'S VIRGIN. It was the Mills & Boon Book of the Month and spent 6 weeks on the Mills & Boon bestseller list -- 3 of those weeks at #1! I'm so happy it's finally available to my North American readers. I hope you enjoy this story as much as I enjoyed writing it for you!

‘Kiss me,’ he growled… ‘And make it believable.’

Alone and scared on the dark streets of Moscow, staid, bespectacled Paige Barnes has no choice but to comply with the handsome stranger’s command…

Little does Paige know she’s been rescued by Alexei Voronov—a Russian prince and her boss’s deadliest rival. Now he has Paige unexpectedly in his sights, Alexei is prepared to play emotional Russian roulette to keep her close and discover her true motives. But in his splendid gilded palace his game of chance spins out of control and passion takes over…

It’s only when she’s back home that Paige realises she’s pregnant with the Prince’s baby…

Today, I'll give away a signed copy to one lucky commenter. Since I'm late putting this post up, we'll run the contest through tomorrow. Just leave me a comment and tell me why you'd like to read this book! I've also started a Goodreads Q&A group to talk about this story. You can join here if you like. :) And even if you don't wish to join the group, if you're wondering why I didn't address Soviet history (the effects of Communism on Alexei and his family) in this story, I wrote a post on that here.

UPDATE: The winner of the signed copy is Mary Anne Landers! Mary Anne, email me at lynn AT lynnrayeharris DOT com with your details! Thanks everyone for stopping and talking with me. :)

Lynn Raye Harris is a USA Today bestselling author who writes glamorous, sexy romance for Harlequin Presents. You can learn more about Lynn and her books at http://www.lynnrayeharris.com/. You can also follow Lynn on Twitter @LynnRayeHarris or visit her author page on Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/AuthorLynnRayeHarris

Lynn Raye Harris: RT Booklovers Convention & Me

Here's me running late! Yikes! No matter how often I think I have my calendar under control, it's inevitable that something will throw me for a loop. Right now, that something is the RT Booklovers Convention taking place next week in Los Angeles. I'm frantically running around and trying to get all my lists straight. I have to pack -- and there's a lot of stuff I have to pack!

But I love the RT convention. This is only my second one, but last year was such fun. I went with the expectation that I'd just take it all in and see how it went. I had no goals, other than to enjoy myself and see what it was all about.

Of course I had a blast! I went with fellow Presents author Kimberly Lang, and we spent days wandering around the convention, meeting booksellers, readers, librarians, and booklovers of all type.

As much as I love the RWA conference -- and I do, passionately -- RT is a bit different. Not everyone is a writer or an aspiring writer. Some people just darn well love to read romance novels, and they come to meet their favorite authors and eat, talk, sleep, and breathe romance.

It's a grand time, and I'm really looking forward to it this year! If you're going to be there, you can see me at a number of events: I'm giving a workshop with Kimberly Lang and Kira Sinclair called "Walking the Line: Writing the Sexy Series Romance for Harlequin." I'll also be in Club RT, where Kimberly and Kira and I are giving away a Kindle and six ebooks, and I'll be one of the hostesses of the Lights, Camera, Action party!

And of course I'll be at the Giant Book Fair on Saturday, from 11 to 2, where I'll be signing copies of The Devil's Heart, which just hit store shelves last week!

A diamond, and a deal with the devil…
Francesca D’Oro was just eighteen when darkly sexy Marcos Navarre swept her up the aisle—then fled before the ink on the marriage licence had dried. Marcos might have given Francesca a jewel for her finger, but he stole another: the Devil’s Heart—a dazzling yellow diamond he believed belonged to his family…
Years later Francesca, no longer so youthfully naïve, is determined to reclaim the precious gem! But she’s forgotten that Marcos lives up to the treasure’s name—and dealing with the devil is always dangerous!

I hope to see you there! :)

Lynn Raye Harris is a USA Today bestselling author who writes glamorous, sexy romance for Harlequin Presents. You can learn more about Lynn and her books at http://www.lynnrayeharris.com/. You can also follow Lynn on Twitter @LynnRayeHarris or visit her author page on Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/AuthorLynnRayeHarris

The Academy Awards

Did you watch the Academy Awards last night? I don't know why, but I always love watching the Oscars, even if I haven't watched all the films. There's something about the glitz and glam, the gowns, the faux pas and teary speeches.

These people, for one night anyway, seem to have it all. And though I can never hope to join them on the red carpet or in the Kodak theater, I can enjoy all the fun vicariously.

There were moments I despised -- in fact, watching an Oscar telecast should never make you sick to the stomach and should never make you cry for a bad reason. Which happened. Gave me a headache too -- quite disenchanting.

If you don't know what I'm talking about, be thankful. And if you do, I only hope you handled it far better than I did. I can't abide cruelty to animals, and I believe there were tons of other clips they could have picked to represent a certain foreign film. Grrr.

Nevertheless, there were far better things to celebrate about the Oscars. Dare I say it?




Yes, Colin Firth, aka Mr. Darcy, won Best Actor for his role in The King's Speech. As the conversation on Twitter exploded with his win, it became apparent that a great many ladies wished he would leap into a lake for them.




Remember this scene? Sigh.

But of course that's not why he won. I haven't seen all the films nominated for Best Picture, but I did see The King's Speech. I thought it was fabulous. I love when a movie is about people, not car chases or explosions.


Natalie Portman won the Best Actress award for Black Swan (haven't seen that movie yet). Melissa Leo won for Best Supporting Actress for The Fighter (also haven't seen) and dropped the F-bomb in her speech. Christian Bale won Best Supporting Actor, also for The Fighter.

There were of course a ton of other awards, most of which I don't remember, and a lot of beautiful dresses -- all worn by Anne Hathaway as she changed clothes for nearly every appearance on stage. Her co-host, James Franco, seemed a bit, well, drunk perhaps. Or stoned. He even forgot the name of the best picture moments after it was announced. Twitter was aflutter with speculation about what was wrong with him.

There was the obligatory shot of past host Hugh Jackman in the audience, which I did not mind, and an appearance by Billy Crystal that earned him a standing ovation. Seriously, can we bring these folks back? Anne did her best, but James wasn't much help and the hosting left a little to be desired.

Today, I'll be clicking over to see the best and worst dressed lists (I think there's little doubt, on Twitter anyway, that Cate Blanchett will be on the worst list), and I'll read recaps of the event and see if anyone figured out what was wrong with Franco. And then I'll forget the whole thing (though I might have to pull out Pride and Prejudice for a viewing) and get back to work on the latest glitzy, glam-y story that's occupying my mind these days.

Do you watch the Oscars too? What did you think of this year's telecast? Did you have a favorite moment? One commenter will win an advanced copy of my April release, THE DEVIL'S HEART!

A diamond, and a deal with the devil…

Francesca D’Oro was just eighteen when darkly sexy Marcos Navarre swept her up the aisle—then fled before the ink on the marriage licence had dried. Marcos might have given Francesca a jewel for her finger, but he stole another: the Devil’s Heart—a dazzling yellow diamond he believed belonged to his family…

Years later Francesca, no longer so youthfully naïve, is determined to reclaim the precious gem! But she’s forgotten that Marcos lives up to the treasure’s name—and dealing with the devil is always dangerous!

RT Book Reviews Magazine awarded this story 4 stars, saying, “Lots of conflict, hot love scenes and a satisfying ending make this an entertaining read.”

Lynn Raye Harris writes glamorous, sexy romance for Harlequin Presents and Mills & Boon Modern. Her latest UK release, Prince Voronov's Virgin, was the Mills & Boon Book of the Month for January and spent 6 weeks on the bestseller list, 3 of those weeks at #1! Lynn's next North American release is The Devil's Heart in April, followed by the NA release of Prince Voronov's Virgin, retitled Behind the Palace Walls, in June in Presents EXTRA.

You can learn more about Lynn and her books at http://www.lynnrayeharris.com/.

You can also follow Lynn on Twitter @LynnRayeHarris or visit her author page on Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/AuthorLynnRayeHarris

Say What? - Lynn Raye Harris

Dear Reader:

As a relatively new Harlequin author, I've been so excited every time I realize one of my books has been translated into another language. It's almost like being published all over again -- though not quite. ;)

Even more exciting is when a reader from another country contacts me to say how much she enjoyed my book. I always wonder how the translation differs from what I wrote in English, but how can I ask that? I can't, of course; I have to be happy with the knowledge that someone enjoyed my book and hope it still says what I think it says. *g*

Another thing about translations that interests me are the variety of covers. Sometimes my cover is changed. Other times it remains the same. I never know why.



The cover above (left) is for The Prince's Royal Concubine, but it was actually Penny Jordan's cover first. In Brazil, Robyn Donald and I share the cover for our two royal themed stories. (I have to admit I coveted this cover when I first saw it with Penny's name on it!)

Here's the original North American cover (right). As you might imagine, this cover was not so popular in some countries. :)



India changed it altogether. So did Italy.



India preferred a man in uniform. I kind of liked that. :)







Italy went with the tropical island theme.








Japan has now entered the fray as well. Their idea is totally different than either of these two. I have no idea what it says, but I love it!





So, same book, five different covers thus far. And I'm pretty pleased with all of them! What do you think? Do you like one of these better than the others? I have to say that the Brazilian cover and my original cover most closely fit the image of the hero and heroine that I had in mind when I wrote.

All the best,
Lynn

***

Lynn Raye Harris writes glamorous, sexy romance for Harlequin Presents and Mills & Boon Modern. Her latest UK release, Prince Voronov's Virgin, was the Mills & Boon Book of the Month for January. So far, this book has spent 5 weeks on the M&B bestseller list -- 3 of those weeks at #1! Lynn's next North American release is The Devil's Heart in April, followed by the NA release of Prince Voronov's Virgin, retitled Behind the Palace Walls, in June in Presents EXTRA.

You can learn more about Lynn and her books at http://www.lynnrayeharris.com/.

You can also follow Lynn on Twitter @LynnRayeHarris or visit her author page on Facebook, http://www.facebook.com/AuthorLynnRayeHarris

Chosen by the Sheikh - Lynn Raye Harris

Chosen by the Sheikh, is officially in stores! This book is a Harlequin Presents 2-in-1, which means you get two stories by two different authors.

***

The Sheikh and the Virgin
by Kim Lawrence Prince

Tariq Al Kamal furiously forbids his brother to marry an unsuitable woman. Then Tariq whisks Beatrice away to his desert home where he becomes intent on seducing her. What he doesn't realize is she isn't his brother's intended—she's an innocent who's about to become his bride!


Kept for the Sheikh's Pleasure
by Lynn Raye Harris

King Zafir bin Rashid al-Khalifa does not care for surprises. Especially ones that involve the reappearance of his ex, Dr. Genie Gray! Now Zafir has the power to make all the rules—and what he wants is a willing Genie in his bed....

***

Zafir is my first sheikh. He’s as gorgeous and ruthless as you would expect a sheikh to be. But he’s also deeply emotional, and he’s been hurt before. When his ex-lover crashes into his life after ten years, he finds that he can’t quite let her go. Not without tasting her one more time.

Dr. Geneva Gray is an archaeologist who once loved a prince of the desert, but who walked away when she realized they could never be together in the way she wanted. Now, she’s been captured and given to Zafir as a gift—and the feelings she once pushed away are demanding to be dealt with before she can leave him a second time.

Naturally, nothing is as simple as either of them hope it will be. There's a rocky road on the way to that happy end.

I find the dynamics of reunions fascinating. Why didn't it work out in the past? How have the characters grown in such a way that they are capable of dealing with what didn't work before? How can they possibly make it work now? Do they need to be different people, or simply more mature than they once were? The possibilities are endless.

I hope you enjoy this reunion tale! There's a hot desert setting, a fabulous and opulent palace, and some serious steaminess as these two give love another chance.

Do you think it's possible to reunite with an old love and have it be even better than it was before? Or is that a tale best saved for romance novels?

My adventures at the Mills & Boon offices

Last month, I went over to the UK for the annual Association of Mills & Boon Authors' luncheon. I can't tell you how excited I was to get a peek into the M&B offices and see where everything happens. Fellow Presents author Jennie Lucas and I met up in London and shared a flat for an entire week. Our first appointment, the day after we arrived, was in Richmond. Here's a random street view in Richmond:


Finally, after emerging from the train station and walking up a hill, we arrived at the M&B offices. It's a pretty non-descript building for Romance HQ, isn't it?


Once inside, we were treated like visiting royalty -- or rock stars. ;) Everyone came out to see us, and we were ushered to a bright conference room where they'd set up some snacks and drinks. It was so fabulous to meet all the editors, and everyone who works so hard to bring us the books we love every month. I honestly can't remember everyone's name, or their positions, but I know we met people in sales and marketing, etc. And they seemed so happy to meet us, which was very exciting. I know we write the books, but writing is such a lonely and unglamorous profession that I never expect people to think I'm all that interesting. :) When they do, I'm amazed.



After our lovely time spent visiting with everyone, Jennie and I were whisked away to lunch by our editor, Sally Williamson, and another editor, Carly Corcoran. They took us to the most amazing place, where we had food that was prepared by a Michelin starred chef. You can't see it, but Jennie and I were facing the most gorgeous view of green trees overlooking the Thames. It was a wonderful lunch, and by the time we finished and headed back to the train station, it was after 5. Yes, it was a very long lunch, apparently!



Finally, one of the coolest things for me was this plaque on a building right across the street from Romance HQ. I did my master's thesis on Virginia Woolf, and so I found this very exciting. There's a picture of me holding one of my books in front of this sign, but I was looking windblown by then and didn't want to share that one with you. :)

My trip to Romance HQ was great. Everyone there is so enthused about what they do, and it really shows. Writers work hard all alone in front of their computers, but without all the great people at M&B, we wouldn't get to share our stories with readers the way we do. It takes a lot to package and market a book, and I'm so glad I got to see where it all happens.

Lynn Raye Harris is a USA Today bestselling author of glamorous, sexy
romances for Harlequin Presents/Mills & Boon Modern. Her next release, Chosen by the Sheikh, will be available November 1st. You can visit her at www.LynnRayeHarris.com for more information.

Fall is around the corner -- and a giveaway

Okay, so it's September. Time to start thinking about cooler temperatures if you live in the Northern Hemisphere. I've actually seen posts on Twitter where people in the PNW have said they had 53 degrees and rain! Yikes!

I'm in Alabama, which is thankfully a bit farther south than that. Our temps are still in the low 90s--and I don't want that to change much. I'd be happy with 85 and no humidity. As far as I'm concerned, it could stay that way year round.

I used to live in Hawaii, so I'm quite familiar with summer all year long. I thought I missed fall and winter and spring -- but the truth is I didn't miss winter at all. And that's the problem with fall being upon us, really. It means winter is around the corner. And I don'wanna!

Then again, last winter in Alabama was very miserable. We had snow--gasp!--and ice that shut down the roads for days on end. We had sub-20 degree temperatures. I do not approve. About all I'm willing to give winter is 45 degrees. And I don't even like that. I'd be happier with 60.


But, to keep myself happy, I'm currently working on a story set in a hot desert climate. There's a sheikh, of course, and a steamy romance to keep me warm.

And, speaking of sheikhs, I have a sheikh story out in the UK right now. It's a part of the New Voices anthology. There's me, Nikki Logan, Molly Evans, and Ann Lethbridge. It's a gorgeous book with four stories -- what could be better?

But there is yet another cool thing about it! An introduction by Katie Fforde in which she says, and I quote: "If you love romance, you'll love Mills & Boon New Voices and, if you haven't read a Mills & Boon romance for a while, this collection should make you remember just how good falling for a gorgeous man can make you feel."

I'm not ready for fall, but I'm always ready for a warm, hot, sexy, funny, lovely (I could keep going!) romance with two people who heat up the pages with passion and intensity. Today, to help you prepare for declining temperatures (brr!), I'll give away ONE copy of this gorgeous book to a lucky commenter! Tell me what your favorite season is and why! And it's okay if you like the colder months, though I think you're crazy.... *g*

About the book: This title features four fabulous new writers introduced by bestselling author Katie Fforde. Includes: "Kept for the Sheikh's Pleasure" by Lynn Raye Harris - King Zafir bin Rashid al-Khalifa does not care for surprises like the reappearance of his ex, Dr Genie Gray! But now Zafir has the power to demand a willing Genie in his bed; "Seven-Day Love Story" by Nikki Logan - Jayne Morrow has moved far away from prying eyes, so when rugged Outback ranger Todd Blackwood strides onto her land, she won't let him into her heart; "Her No.1 Doctor" by Molly Evans - Travel nurse Carla Lopez is back in Santa Fe but with a time limit! She's instantly attracted to gorgeous Doctor Max Kelton's cool competence, but will he notice her this time around? and, "The Governess and the Earl" by Ann Lethbridge - Mrs Sarah Drake applies for the position of governess to the notorious dark Earl of Ralston's motherless son. But the brooding Earl expects the new governess to be a matronly widow, not a shapely young lady!

Thanks to the Random Number Generator, the winner of the book is Chey! Chey, send me your info at Lynn AT LynnRayeHarris DOT com and I'll get the book in the mail!

The Devil's Heart -- Lynn Raye Harris

The coolest thing about writing for Harlequin Presents is that I'm also writing for Mills & Boon -- and my books tend to come out there earlier than in the US and Canada. I love the look of a Modern romance; the intensity of the characters, the blue swooshes across the top and bottom. It's true that the covers are changing, and I'm excited about those new covers as well. I can't wait to see my next one!

When I was a kid, I stumbled across my first Presents/Modern when my grandma bought a box of them at a yard sale. I was hooked. The covers back then were white, with gold and black lettering, and the characters in the cameo were drawings instead of photos. I often imagined my name on one of those covers.

Fast forward a few years, and the dream is a reality. And now, this month, my fourth book is out in the UK. The Devil's Heart is an intense story about an Argentinean hero, a heroine with a secret, and a big fat diamond. I had so much fun writing this tale! I've never been to Argentina, but I would love to go.

I ordered several guidebooks and immersed myself in them. I surfed the web for pictures of Buenos Aires and the high desert country of Mendoza, where the wineries butt up against the Andes and grow the finest Malbec grapes. I went to the store and bought a bottle of Malbec, which was absolutely divine. ;)

From the back cover:

A diamond, and a deal with the devil…

Francesca D’Oro was just eighteen when darkly sexy Marcos Navarre swept her up the aisle—then fled before the ink on the marriage licence had dried. Marcos might have given Francesca a jewel for her finger, but he stole another: the Devil’s Heart—a dazzling yellow diamond he believed belonged to his family…

Years later Francesca, no longer so youthfully naïve, is determined to reclaim the precious gem! But she’s forgotten that Marcos lives up to the treasure’s name—and dealing with the devil is always dangerous!

I hope you enjoy this dark and intensely romantic story! Tell me what place you'd like to visit that you've never been to before. Have you tried to create a bit of the ambiance of a place, like I did with the wine? I love sampling food and wine from other places. In fact, have bought myself an Arabian cookbook for this story I'm working on now. Bet that's a huge hint, huh?

For more information on my books, including excerpts and a Behind the Book feature, visit me at www.LynnRayeHarris.com!

Beach Reads - The Prince's Royal Concubine

It's that time of year again! Summer, glorious summer - time for trips to the beach (or pool) and entertaining books while we're there. I know the media likes to portray beach reads as fluffy and lacking in substance.

But I think those labels do a disservice to the books I choose to read. Yes, I read a lot of romance. I especially read the line I write for - Harlequin Presents - because I can't believe I actually share shelf space with these talented women on a regular basis.

The stories my fellow Presents authors come up with just astound me with their excitement and passion. Presents will always be my first love, no doubt about it!

I've been on a killer deadline recently, so my reading has been cut down a bit, but the most recent Presents I read were some backlist books by Jane Porter (The Sicilian's Defiant Mistress) and Lucy Monroe (The Sicilian's Marriage Arrangement), Jennie Lucas's May book, Tamed: The Barbarian King and Kim Lawrence's May book, Mistress: Pregnant by the Spanish Billionaire. I still have four May books left, and I have already pre-ordered the Kindle bundle for June.

I've also read Linda Howard's Loving Evangeline, and a book by Maggie O'Farrell called The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox (not a romance).

Naturally, I have a lot of books on my TBR pile! These range from historical (Laura Kinsale, Tessa Dare) to contemporary (Rachel Gibson, Susan Elizabeth Phillips) to paranormal (Jennifer Estep, Annette McCleave), etc. Those are just a sampling of authors from the pile. :)

I also have my own beach read out in June! If you're looking for another book to add to the pile, The Prince's Royal Concubine is full of passion and emotion and the sweet ache of first love. This fast-paced tale takes place on a Caribbean island (mostly) -- quite appropriate for the beach!

RT Book Reviews awarded this story 4 1/2 stars and a Top Pick recommendation!

From the back cover:

Two glittering royal houses…

Prince Cristiano di Savaré hunts his prey by ruthless means. Tonight’s pickings…Antonella Romanelli, crown princess of a rival country and part of a dynasty he has every reason to despise…

…one majestic seduction

Antonella is rocked by Cristiano’s unexpected magnetism. But there’s ice in his wolfish smile… She’s far from the promiscuous, spoiled socialite he believes her to be, but Cristiano is here to persuade her into compliance. If bedding her is what it takes, then it will make his mission all the more pleasurable…

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What books do you have on your beach or pool read list this summer? What have you already read that you really enjoyed?

No longer an RT virgin

I totally forgot it was my day to blog until Leena sent me an email reminding me! Sorry, folks. Last week, I attended the RT Convention in Columbus, Ohio. It was my first RT ever -- and though I wasn't sure what to expect, I had a blast.

RT is tamer than I'd thought it would be. During the day, there are workshops for writers, readers, and booksellers. In fact, the writer workshops outnumbered the others by a wide margin. I sat on a panel about writing category romance, and I attended quite a few panels that I enjoyed very much.

In the evenings, there was the Vampire Ball, the Fairy Ball, and the Ellora's Cave party. I donned a cape for the VB, glitter for the FB, and a red dress for EC. At night, the staid convention atmosphere turned into a party -- and it was fun to see so many fairies and vampires roaming the halls of the Hyatt Regency! (The morticians who were having their own convention at the same time took the whole thing with great humor. Secret about morticians, btw: they sure can party in the hotel bar!)

I also did a video interview with Morgan Doremus, which will appear on the RT website in June or July. And speaking of June, my June release from Harlequin Presents, THE PRINCE'S ROYAL CONCUBINE, is an RT Top Pick! If you don't want to wait until next month to read it, you can purchase it right now on the eHarlequin website in both print and ebook formats. If you read CAVELLI'S LOST HEIR, this book features Princess Antonella Romanelli, the woman Nico Cavelli practically jilted at the altar in order to marry Lily Morgan.

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Prince Cristiano di Savaré hunts his prey by ruthless means. Tonight's pickings—Antonella Romanelli, crown princess of a rival country and part of a dynasty he has every reason to despise….

Antonella is rocked by Cristiano's unexpected magnetism. But there's ice in his wolfish smile…. She's far from the promiscuous, spoiled socialite he believes her to be, but Cristiano is here to persuade her into compliance. If bedding her is what it takes, then it will make his mission all the more pleasurable….

Scheduling Woes - Lynn Raye Harris

Depressingly, though Spring has arrived in all its wonderful glory, I have also contracted a cold. I haven’t had a cold in two years, and I can’t for the life of me figure out where I picked this one up. I’m a writer who stays home all day. I go grocery shopping, to the post office, and my RWA chapter meetings, but I’m pretty fanatical with my hand sanitizer and I’m not hugging random strangers. So where in heck did this cold come from?

No idea, but I do know it’s darned inconvenient. I have a schedule—and there’s no room for a cold on my schedule. I have too many things to do! I’m going to the Romantic Times Convention in a week and I still have packing to do. Not to mention the revisions for my latest book, which just landed in my inbox on Friday. There’s also the new book that’s due at the beginning of June, and the necessary shopping to make sure my husband doesn’t starve while I’m gone. Well, not that he would – he’d just order pizza every night! I’d like to keep his arteries clear, so I’m going to have to do something about the lack of easily prepared foods in the fridge and pantry.

I also have a hair appointment this week, and a tour of a rocket factory. Yep, you read that right: a tour of a rocket factory. I doubt I’ll ever write a Presents rocket billionaire, but one never knows—and I’m not the sort to turn down a cool tour. :)

Somehow, it’ll all work out. I’ll get everything done, and I’ll be at RT, hopefully looking incredibly put together instead of frazzled and haggard. ;)

If you’re going to RT, look for me at the Giant Book Fair on Saturday, May 1st. It takes place from 11:00 to 2:00 that day, and there will be over 300 authors in attendance. You can also find me on a workshop panel on Friday from 2:45 to 3:45. I’ll be speaking with several other authors on the topic of ‘Series: Tailoring Your Story to Sell to the Right Series Line’.

And now I’m going to go take a swig of DayQuil and keep moving forward on my To Do list. Come visit me at www.lynnrayeharris.com for a chance to enter my new contest. While you’re here, however, tell me about how crazy your schedule can get! Did you survive it? Got any tips for me?