Blog by VONNIE DAVIS -- International, Award-Winning Romance Author: Adventurous...Humorous...Amorous.

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

Cover Reveals, Announcements & OMG Moments!

Being retired means we've settled into a calm routine, spiced with  trips to the doctor and afternoon matinees, feasting on mass quantities of popcorn. Younger, more active adults would say we live boring lives. Silly fools. We all know excitement comes in many forms and sizes.

For example, I recently received the release date for A MAN FOR ANNALEE--November 20th. How exciting is that? This is a SWEET historical, full of humor and history, but no sex. I tried to get my heroine to cooperate, but she said she wasn't having any of it.

BLURB:  When men fight over the feisty new arrival in town, the battle forher hand begins...
  Annalee Gallagher loses her parents, home, and business in the Great Fire of Chicago. When she travels to Cicero Creek in the Wyoming Territory to start a new life, more heartache awaits her, and so do the attentions of several men--for good and for evil. Why was her stagecoach attacked, and was the shot that zinged over her head one night a wild bullet or a bad aim?
 
Boone Hartwell, the marshal of Cicero Creek, suspects someone is out to kill the new spitfire in town. She amuses him and touches a lonely part of his soul, but keeping her safe is a fulltime occupation. More importantly, can a white man raised as Cheyenne rise above her other suitors to win her heart? One thing is for certain in his determined mind: He's the man for Annalee.



If the story sounds vaguely familiar, it was once published by Still Moments Publishing that is now part of The Wild Rose Press. This story and the next have been slightly revamped and given new covers.


A TASTE OF CHOCOLATE is another SWEET short story (notice word short). It's release date is December 4th. The Blurb for it is...

Hope Morningstar has the worst luck with men. One boyfriend wrote her a "Dear John" letter while serving overseas. Her latest romantic interest broke up with her in a text. When a traffic detour puts her in an unfamiliar neighborhood, she stops at Freya's Coffee Shop, where she gets more than directions. She gets another chance at finding love.

Declan Fleming, scarred by a cheating ex-wife, has given up searching for love. He's engaged the services of Freya, the matchmaker. Still, he's been waiting for a year and has just about given up. Then Freya sends him Hope.
 
When trust issues come into play, can the magical influence of this matchmaker create a happy ending? After all, finding that one special love often involves a bit of magic.

AN ANNOUNCEMENT!!!
 
I've been offered a contract from Random House on my first paranormal. Originally titled WHEN PAISLEY MEETS PLAID, it may be changed to A HIGHLANDER'S BELOVED to get in line with other titles in the series I'll be writing. This contemporary paranormal with bear-shifters, an animal communicator and matchmaking ghosts will be published under Random House's digital line -- Loveswept. Release date is August 18, 2014.
 
 

And that's my OMG moment of the week, of the month, of the year. When my agent called to tell me Random House offered, I couldn't speak. I knew they were interested, but still didn't expect an offer. The editor at RH read my Christmas story and loved it. Unfortunately they'd already contracted their holiday titles for this year. She emailed my agent, telling her she loved my writing and asked if I had anything else. Dawn replied she knew I was working on a paranormal that took third place in the Golden Acorn. The editor immediately replied with "send me the first three chapters and a synopsis." When Dawn told me, I laughed. I mean I only had a third of it written. Dawn told me to write fast. OMG!!! So my fat, arthritic fingers went to work as I kept thinking, the editor won't like it. It's not dark enough. There's too much humor.
 
Two weeks later, Dawn got an email asking for a "full." I was about two-thirds finished by then. Work mind...work...type fingers...type!!! We sent the full to her last Monday. On Friday, the editor emailed Dawn, saying she "adored it" as long as I added more sex. LOL She sent it to committee on Friday afternoon. Monday they offered. It's been a whirlwind week.
 
So, is being retired boring? Not at the Davis household!
 

25 comments:

Susan Macatee said...

Awesome news, Vonnie! And I have to agree, TWRP cover artists are the best. They're working on my latest historical cover right now.

AJ Nuest said...

What? I'm the first commentor? How the heck did that happen? Vonnie, I love these covers. The one for A Man for Annalee is soooo beautiful! And A Taste of Chocolate looks fun, fun, fun! I have to tell you a secret. Everything in my world shifted and fell back into the "right place" when I heard you received a contract offer from Random House. It truly did. The world is now spinning according to plan. LOL I love ya, hon! Congrats on all your wonderful news!

Barbara Bettis said...

Fantastic news, Vonnie. Congratulations on the RH offer :) Of course they loved the writing! I'm looking forward to your releases in the meantime, especially your Western historical. Sounds wonderful.

LaVerne Clark said...

LOL - AJ - I couldn't have said that better if I'd tried!
That's right, Vonnie. YOU might be shocked by such news, but we, your readers and friends KNEW it was only a matter of time. I'm so excited for you. And WOW!! Those covers rock!! My kindle can't wait to add them! :)

Debra St. John said...

Congrats, Vonnie! That is big news! I bet your feet haven't touched the ground since you got the call!

Great covers for your other releases, too. There's no one better than the artists at TWRP!

DebraStJohn

Angela Adams said...

Congratulations, Vonnie! I want everyone to know that I've read "A Taste of Chocolate," and it's an adorable, awesome read.

Evelyn said...

Vonnie,
Such wonderful news. I'm sure you deserve all the wonderful things that are happening.
Congratulations.
Evelyn

Calisa Rhose said...

Love the new covers, V. Congrats on the revamped books. I'm so excited for your sale to RH! OMG How lucky are you? That is a great call story, btw. LOL I can't wait to read it, but I like the original title better. ;)

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

Oh, AJ, my sweet cheeks. You're always so supportive of everyone. Thanks for always being there for me.

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

Thanks so much, Barbara. I love the covers, too. As for the contract, I'm still trying to wrap my mind around it.

Mackenzie Crowne said...

Great covers for great stories, V. As for your news, freakin awesome. That hunky highlander is almost as yummy as knowing you are getting your just reward for being such a kick ass author.

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

LaVerne, my darlin', how's the knee healing? As always, I appreciate your support.

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

Aren't the covers fabulous, Debra? I've been so blessed with lovely book covers.

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

Angela, my super supportive friend, thanks for the kind words about A TASTE OF CHOCOLATE.

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

How kind of you, Evelyn. I've been very blessed.

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

I'm partial to the original title, too. We'll see. Calisa, meeting you online is something I cherish. Romance writers are the most supportive, the most caring talented group of authors there are.

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

Oh, Mac, you're the sweetest. This contract means a lot to me, helps me overcome some of my insecurities as a writer. As I so often say...self-doubt is a terrible thing. As for your kindness, hugs.

Unknown said...

Wow, Vonnie, that's amazing! I'm so excited for you! Congratulations! Oh, and email me when the story becomes available. I'd love to review it. Shifters are exactly my cup of tea. :)

Mona Risk said...

Big congratulations, Vonnie. I love your writing too. Let the fat arthritic fingers work at double speed. BTW I stopped here before but forgot to say I love your new header at Vintage Vonnie.

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

Melissa, aka Miss Snark, I'll take you up on that offer! Thanks, hon.

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

Thanks so much, Mona. My new header is more like me...satin, lace, pearls. And it has a vintage look to it, much like me too. LOL

Darcy said...

Oh my God, Vonnie. Yay you! Great news on your new contract from Random House, but you're one terrific writer and deserve it.

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

Thanks, Darcy, you're very kind. I'm still in a pale shade of shock as to how fortunate I am. Blows my mind.

Anna said...

Fantastic news, Vonnie! Enjoy your stay up there on cloud nine--something tells me it will be a looong one :)

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

Thanks so much, Anna. Even if it's only for a brief time, I will have enjoyed the journey. I'm so fortunate. I really am.