Summer Vacation

by Christie Kelley

I know it’s only April but already I’m dreaming of summer vacation. Between finishing my fifth book and blogging all over the web for my release of SOMETHING SCANDALOUS, I’m tired. I caught my first full-blown cold in a couple of years last week. I need to get away. Since I can’t go anywhere yet, I thought maybe if we talked about our vacation plans that would make me feel better.

My husband and I had planned to take our kids to Iceland this year. We thought we would have a fun time touring the small country and maybe get some hiking in.

Hmm, has anybody seen pictures of Iceland this week? Big volcano blowing ash and sending lava down toward the sea, I don’t think so! When we first heard about the volcano becoming active again back in February, we decided it might be best to change our plans.

Then we thought about going to Scotland or Ireland with the boys. Until we checked the airfare and the exchange rates and decided that wasn’t going to happen this year. And as I write this on Thursday, that darned volcano in Iceland is disrupting air travel all over the British Isles. I think we made another good choice.

So we decided this wasn’t our year to go to Europe. We asked our oldest where he’d like to go (this is partly to celebrate his high school graduation) and he said a cruise!

A cruise?


Really?

We hadn’t thought about that as an option. We started checking into it and quickly decided this was a fantastic idea. One of the biggest draws of a cruise is simply that we don’t have to fly!! We found a great 9-day Caribbean cruise that departs from Baltimore. I can be in Baltimore in fifteen minutes.

Now come July, I’ll have 9 days to relax on a ship. We’ll be visiting St. Thomas, San Juan, Dominican Republic and one of the cruise line’s islands. I get back just a few days before Nationals so I will be tanned and
relaxed for Nashville. I really can’t wait for July!

But back to reality for just a minute, I received the cover for my October release, SCANDAL OF THE SEASON and wanted to share it with you.


For ten years, Anthony Westfield, Viscount Somerton, hasn’t been able to forget the woman with whom he spent one scandalous night. When their paths cross again, he’s shocked to discover Victoria Seaton is an accomplished pickpocket. But Somerton leads a double life of his own. Working on an undercover assignment, he makes Victoria a proposition: pretend to be his mistress or risk ruin. Yet soon he’s tempted to turn their charade into reality—and surrender to an explosive passion…


Victoria can’t believe the man who almost destroyed her life a decade ago is now threatening to unravel her secrets. But posing as his mistress at a holiday country party is a game she can play well. For just one look into Somerton’s eyes still weakens her with lust. And with Christmas fast approaching, every kiss they share under the mistletoe only makes Victoria fall more deeply in love…

Now I want to hear about your vacation plans. Do you have big plans? Maybe a staycation this year? I’d love to hear about it!

Since I’m still celebrating my release of SOMETHING SCANDALOUS, I will give one copy to someone who comments today.

Something Scandalous Winners!!

CONGRATULATIONS to the following winners from my release party. Each of the winners will receive a copy of SOMETHING SCANDALOUS!!

MARISKA

KARYN GERRARD

KEIRA SOLEORE

Please send your names and addresses to me at christie @ christiekelley . com

Something Scandalous Party

by Christie Kelley


Break out the margaritas, it’s party time in the lair! I’m celebrating the release of SOMETHING SCANDALOUS, which officially comes out tomorrow!!

So, sit back and have some fun with me while we talk about scandalous things.


I’ve brought along some of my heroines from past and future books. Avis, the heroine of EVERY NIGHT I’M YOURS looked around the lair and noticed the writing cave. Needless to say, she ran off to finish her latest book.


Jennette, my heroine from EVERY TIME WE KISS is already having one of the cabana boys mix her a margarita. Someone needs to keep an eye on her for me. She tends to over indulge when I’m not watching her.


I just found Elizabeth, my current heroine from SOMETHING SCANDALOUS. She is attempting to create order out of chaos by organizing the cabana boys and the massages given by Sven. Someone hand her a drink and tell her to sit back and relax. It’s her day!

Where is Victoria? She’s my heroine from my October release, SCANDAL OF THE SEASON. Oh, there she is, sitting over by the wall and looking uncomfortable. Maybe she needs a drink. But only one for her, she’s a lightweight.

And for anyone who wants their future read, Sophie has already set up a table not too far from the bar. Sophie is my matchmaker for anyone who hasn’t read my books. She is matching all her friends with their true love. Her book may be titled HER PERFECT MATCH (or may not be, I don’t know yet) but her story will be out in June 2011.

Now that we’re all acquainted, sit back and have some fun. I started my Spinster Club series six years ago. It started when I was in the middle of another book and had two secondary characters, Avis and Banning, who wanted to take over the story. When I was writing the other book, my goal was not to write a continuing series or take any of the secondary characters and write a book for them. Well, Avis and Banning were having none of that. They wouldn’t let me sleep at night and then four other women were invading my dreams, too. Suddenly, I had the idea of writing about these five women who had no desire to marry. The only problem with that was one of the women was matching them with their true loves.

Now six years later, I just finished writing my last book in the series. It was a fun time, but I’m ready to move on and let them have their happy ever afters.

But now, let’s hear more about SOMETHING SCANDALOUS.

Raised as the youngest daughter of the Duke of Kendal, Elizabeth learns a devastating truth on his deathbed: he wasn’t her father at all. And because the Duke had no sons, his title and fortune must go to his only male heir: a distant cousin who left England for America long ago. Anticipating the man’s imminent occupation of her home, Elizabeth anxiously searches for her mother’s diary, and the secret of her paternity…

Arriving in London with his seven siblings, William Atherton intends to sell everything and return to his beloved Virginia farm, and his fiancée, as quickly as possible. But as Elizabeth shows William an England he never knew, and graciously introduces his siblings to London society, it becomes clear the two are meant for each other. Soon, Elizabeth finds herself determined to seduce the man who can save not only her family name, but her heart…

Now my heroines are here but where are my heroes? If you want to help me look for them that would be great! Other than Elizabeth’s hero, Will, all the men have been seen in one of my books. So where are they? Any guesses on who Victoria and Sophie will end up with?

I’m giving away a copy of SOMETHING SCANDALOUS to two lucky people today. I’ll choose two random names from the comments. So talk to me! If you haven’t read my books and don’t have a clue about my heroes, that’s okay. Tell me what you’re drinking and if Sven’s coming over for a massage.

Mostly, HAVE FUN!

Blogger's Block

by Christie Kelley

I have to admit I have blogger's block. I suddenly looked at the calendar this morning and realized I had to write a blog! What am I going to say that will be witty, interesting and different. I have nothing! We have already talked about fall on the blog, rainy days (which we are having again this morning) and food!

What's left?

Books? I did that last month!

I don't have a clue how people can write daily blogs. All I have do is once a month and I'm blocked. My life isn't interesting enough to blog every day. It would go something like this: got up, fed the cat, the kids went off to school and I sat down to write. Hmm, I'm thinking that wouldn't bring readers back day after day.

I would love to hear from the readers of this blog. What do you like to read about from the banditas. Do you want to hear about our boring lives? Do you prefer guest bloggers? What topics make you come out of lurking to post a comment? Do the giveaways draw you out? (it's okay to admit it)



I do have some exciting news in my boring life. My editor sent my new cover for my April 2010 release, Something Scandalous. Isn't it gorgeous! The blue is fantastic. And according to some in the lair, backs are in. Not only do I have a back but a part of a torso too!

Here's the back cover blurb:

Raised as the youngest daughter of the Duke of Kendal, Elizabeth learns a devastating truth on his deathbed: he wasn't her father at all. And because the Duke had no sons, his title and fortune must go to his only male heir: a distant cousin who left England for America long ago. Anticipating the man's imminent occupation of her home, Elizabeth anxiously searches for her mother's diary, and the secret of her paternity...

Arriving in London with his seven siblings, William Atherton intends to sell everything and return to his beloved Virginia farm and his fiancee as quickly as possible. But as Elizabeth shows William an England he never knew, and graciously introduces his siblings to London society, it becomes clear the two are meant for each other. Soon, Elizabeth finds herself determined to seduce the man who can save not only her family name but her heart...

Now that I teased you with that, you have to wait until April.

So another tidbit in my boring life, I bought a new washer and dryer. I do like the front loader and the dryer is taking 1/2 the time to dry as my old one.

Are you ready for the next bit of exciting news? My 17 year old got his driver's license on Wednesday. So if you live in Maryland, watch out! I do like Maryland's teen driving rules now. A teen driver has to hold a permit for 9 months, take driver's education and have 60 hours of driving time in various situations.

You are all officially caught up on my life. But still, I'd love to hear some answers to my questions above!