Oh happy day! A reading series for romance fiction right here in New York City – you heard me. Maria and I are so excited.
We’ve lived and worked in New York for many years and we’ve been to lots of reading series – but never one devoted to romance fiction. So, yes, we’re doing a happy dance and yes, we’re going to be there for the very first reading! I mean, where else can you listen to romance authors read their books, discuss romance, and give back to the community. Authors Maya Rodale, Hope Tarr and Leanna Renne Hieber, along with Ron Hogan (Beatrice.com) are the masterminds behind the wonderful new Lady Jane’s Salon; a reading series that also serves as a fundraiser for Maya’s non-profit organization Share the Love. Share the Love is an organization that gives “gently used” romance novels to institutions that serve women – institutions like, domestic violence shelters, halfway houses and prison libraries.
The first reading will take place at Madame X, 94 Houston Street, New York, NY 10012, 212.539.0808, on Monday February 2nd from 7-9 p.m. The admission fee is either a ‘gently used’ romance novel or $5. Trust me you can’t even get a hamburger in NY for $5 – so spending an evening listening to some of my favorite authors reading their work for only $5 – well you know I’m going to be there. I also know many of you don’t live in NY – so I asked Hope, Maya and Leanna how this all came about. Hope told us:
“Like Leanna and Maya, I’m always eager to find ways in which I can celebrate the great romance novels we all love to read and in our case, write while serving a greater good. And the concept for Lady Jane’s came about in such a beautifully organic way. Bearing in mind that I’m first and foremost a storyteller, indulge me while I tell you the abbreviated story…
Once upon a time, three authors and one blogger went out in Manhattan after attending one of the city’s many literary reading series. Amidst the pungent aroma of cigars and single-malt scotch, the conversation turned to the sad but true fact that there exists no reading series forum for romance fiction in Manhattan, the seat of the publishing industry. And that struck us–oops, I mean them–as really rather sad.
Honestly, I can’t remember who it was, but one of us said something to the effect of, “Well, jeepers, why don’t we start a romance reading series of our own?” (Okay, maybe we didn’t say “jeepers” exactly but the rest, for sure). And within that 30 seconds or so of yes, sheer brilliance, the idea for Lady Jane’s Salon was born.
The Salon will serve a dual mission: helping women in need rebuild their lives and providing a home for authors and readers of romance fiction to share the great, hopeful stories that so many of us love. That we get to share that Happily Ever After possibility with women who are bravely rebuilding in some cases shattered lives is well, the stuff of which real life fairytales are made.”
On February 2nd Maria and I will be at Madam X’s in downtown Manhattan for the inaugural read and I hope to see some of you there. I’ll also be doing a written interview with the authors – you’ll be able to read it on Friday February 6th – so make sure you come back for that.
Today I’m opening the board up to questions for Maya, Hope and Leanna – they’ll be stopping by through out the day. AND – we’ll be giving away two books to two random posters!
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Marisa
on Jan 25th, 2009
@ 8:19 am:
Good morning Hope, Maya and Leanna – I have a quick question – How do you decide which authors will be featured each month? Any hints on future dates – which authors we can expect? (oops, that’s two questions).
Lynn
on Jan 25th, 2009
@ 9:21 am:
Since a a lot of these institutions serve a diverse population romance authors of color (black, latina, asian) should be included.
Maya Rodale
on Jan 25th, 2009
@ 9:29 am:
Hello Marisa! First, thank you so much for inviting us over to chat about Lady Jane’s Salon!
In deciding on authors to feature, we consider two things 1) who lives near the city and 2) who says yes to our invitation. Fortunately, there are quite a few romance novelists living around the New York City area and many who are very excited to be a part of the first reading series devoted exclusively to romantic fiction.
We also consider who has a novel to promote. For example, our featured readers both have books out now/or coming out soon…
(ALERT! Shameless promotion coming up)…
Andrea Pickens’ book SEDUCED BY A SPY will be published in March. Hope Tarr has a new book out now called EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE…
Maya Rodale
on Jan 25th, 2009
@ 9:30 am:
That’s a great point, Lynn! Are there any particular authors you recommend that we invite?
Hope Tarr
on Jan 25th, 2009
@ 10:17 am:
Good Morning All,
Foremost, Marisa and Maria, thanks so much for having us here today. We’re so over-the-moon thrilled about Lady Jane’s Salon, both as a forum for romance readers to share their work and as a vehicle for helping women through Share the Love.
Hope Tarr
on Jan 25th, 2009
@ 10:24 am:
Marisa, to your question, we are lining up authors for our March and April Salon meet-ups “as we speak.” I’ll leave it to Maya to give specifics–or not. In some cases we’re still waiting for confirmations and juggling who’s taking which month.
I can definitely tell you that co-founder Leanna Hieber will be reading from her Dorchester release in September. THE STRANGLEY BEAUTIFUL TALE OF MISS PERCY PARKER is a gorgeous paranormal, a sort of Victorian ghostbusters, and given that pub date falls if not close than “close-ish” to Halloween affords us all sort of fun possibilities.
Hope Tarr
on Jan 25th, 2009
@ 10:43 am:
Ooops, Leanna Renee Hieber, I should have said. Gotta give those nom de plumes full…plummage.
Maria Lokken
on Jan 25th, 2009
@ 11:20 am:
I’m very much looking forward to this and future salon readings. I’m always intrigued to hear any writer read their books. It gives me a different ‘flavor’ than hearing my own voice in my head when I read.
I have to say I’ve been looking forward to Leanna’s book for a while – I’m intrigued by the Victorian ghostbusters aspect.
Hope – I love your work – can you give us a little tidbit on what “Every Breath You Take” is about?
Cindy28
on Jan 25th, 2009
@ 11:23 am:
Hi Hope!
I don’t live in NYC *pout* — I’m really bummed I won’t be able to meet you, I’m a big fan of your Blaze books. Will you be taping the reading and putting it on YouTube for us non-New Yorkers?
romancequeen
on Jan 25th, 2009
@ 11:31 am:
I’ve never been to a reading by an author. How does this saloon work? Does each author take a turn reading? Will there be a book signing?
Natalie
on Jan 25th, 2009
@ 11:39 am:
This sounds very exciting. Will there be an audience discussion at the end of the reading? I’ve been to lots of book signings but never to a reading. One of my favorite parts of book signings is being able to interact with the author and ask questions, especially if I’ve already read the book. I was wondering if you will you be taping the event or will there be a transcript available afterwards?
Hope Tarr
on Jan 25th, 2009
@ 11:58 am:
To Maria’s question, EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE…, my latest contemporary for Harlequin’s steamy Blaze line, is yet another second chance at love story, my personal favorite. In a nutshell:
Microbiologist Alexandra—Alex—Kendall and FBI special agent Cole Whittaker meet, fall in love, and then lose each other through no fault of theirs. Flash forward five years. Biotechnologies mogul, Randall Traxton, Alex’s boss and fiancé, hires Cole to be her up-close-and-personal bodyguard on a treacherous mission to Belize. Jetting from Manhattan to the steamy Caribbean, can these two formerly star-crossed lovers surrender the painful past and trust enough to fall in love again?
Well, of course they can, it’s a romance novel! And well, isn’t the boundless possibilities for finding love and through love, Self one of the many reasons for the genre’s enduring popularity? That said, I don’t make it easy for either Cole or Alex. Even in the midst of a tropical paradise, Belize–and in the midst of Manhattan’s Big Chill, a palm tree would look really good about now–they still have to resolve the past before they can move forward and build a future together.
Hope Tarr
on Jan 25th, 2009
@ 12:02 pm:
Hi Cindy,
What a sweetie you are and yes, bummer that you’re not local so you could attend on February 2nd. Videotaping the readings is a wonderful idea. I’m not sure if we’ll be able to make that happen for this first session but if not, it’s definitely something we want to include on a later date.
We will be taking lots of pictures, of course, and in addition to our personal web sites, we’ll be posting to our Facebook and Myspace pages. The FB page is patricularly, so if you haven’t already, I hope you’ll consider ‘friending’ us there. The URL is:
http://tinyurl/ladyjanefb
Hope Tarr
on Jan 25th, 2009
@ 12:09 pm:
Regarding Natalie and Romance Queen’s questions on event format, yes–and yes! We’ll have two authors per session. For February 2nd, Andrea (Pickens) will lead the charge, we’ll break (to mingle and refresh drinky-poos) and then regroup for Moi to read, most likely from EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE… though I may sneak in a snippet from VANQUISHED, my single-title historical and kick-off to my Men of Roxbury House trilogy. I’m not sayin’ (basically because I haven’t decided yet).
We’ll wrap with an audience Q&A and Andrea and I will also be available to sign our books, again with proceeds on any sales to go o Share the Love.
The formal program will end promptly at 9. That said, our generous venue sponsor, Madame X, is opening their back luonge area to us, so anyone who wishes to stay on to mix and mingle.
Jeanmarie
on Jan 25th, 2009
@ 12:35 pm:
Wow – This sounds amazing! I live in Florida and it’s times like these that make me want to live in Big Apple. Well, maybe not live – but at least visit.
Thanks for the Facebook link – I’ll be sure to check it out.
Elana Brown
on Jan 25th, 2009
@ 1:02 pm:
I have a question for Leanna –
I’m new to paranormal romance, and I know there’s a lot for me to catch up on – can you tell me a bit more about your book? Are the characters people with extra abilities, or does your novel contain vampires, werewolves, etc. ?
Hope Tarr
on Jan 25th, 2009
@ 1:06 pm:
Hi Jean Marie,
I agree, I think New York is one of those cities that captures the imagination even if you don’t necessarily want to live here. I’m enjoying both living here and incorporating the city setting into my books. EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE… is set in NYC as well as Belize, so it’s the best of both worlds. I had a blast sharing some of my favorite spots with readers–Union Square, The Strand Bookstore, and Madison Square Park, to name just a few.
As for Florida, well, reference above comment pertaining to palm trees.
As great as NYC is, a break from the winter hat and coat (and gloves and scarf and layers) sounds really good right about now.
Chareene
on Jan 25th, 2009
@ 1:25 pm:
I just finished reading “The Rogue and The Rival” and I loved Phillipp’s story – what’s next? Also, will you be reading at this event?
Jeanmarie
on Jan 25th, 2009
@ 1:28 pm:
Hi Hope — I read “Strokes of Midnight” and really, really enjoyed the book – One of the reason was because NYC was featured as if it were another ‘character’ in the book. You say your new book takes place in New York as well, do you have a special fondness for NYC?
Hope Tarr
on Jan 25th, 2009
@ 2:09 pm:
I do, Jean Marie. I’m a transplant from the DC/Northern Virginia region, so even before I made the move official, I was coming up every few months or so just to get my “fix.” I’ve just finished my first winter holiday season here as a resident, not a visitor. Even though I’m not a cold weather person, NYC decked out for the holidays is absolutely magical.
So, it’s a safe bet you can plan on more of my books, the contemporaries certainly, being set in NYC. I’d also love to set an historical here. The Gilded Age really captures my imagination and in parts of the city, notably the West Village, the streets are much the same today as they were then.
Leanna Renee is a great resource for all things New York, including period. When she pops in to visit with us later, in addition to questions about her book, I know she’d love answering those as well.
Leanna Renee Hieber
on Jan 25th, 2009
@ 2:20 pm:
Hi Everybody! I’m sorry to join the party late. My church celebrated it’s 100th anniversary of its founding today, a very special Sunday.
*waves*
Let me try and catch up here a bit…
Leanna Renee Hieber
on Jan 25th, 2009
@ 2:46 pm:
Dear Lynn,
Amen, you make a very important point. We have several wonderful African-American authors like Jac Hawley in our RWA NYC chapter, of which Maya and Hope and I are all members, and having diversity involved is held dear to us in our vision moving forward.
I hope we can get one of my faves, Caridad Pinero, in from Jersey to come play with us, and I hope we can tempt the fabulous Jade Lee up to join us. Queries have been going out and we’re hoping to get the whole diverse community of women’s fiction together on this project.
Leanna Renee Hieber
on Jan 25th, 2009
@ 3:03 pm:
Oops. So sorry if this double-posts but it seems my computer is choking a bit, so forgive me.
Dear Elana,
We’re so glad to welcome you into the fold of Paranormal Romance. Welcome to the Dark Side. *grin*
Thank you for your inquiry.
Yes, my characters are the first kind in those that you mentioned: humans with extra abilities. And Ghosts. LOTS of Ghosts!
A lot of wonderful authors have created worlds full of fabulous vampires and werewolves. Not me, I stick to two types and creatures, either psychics/extra-sensory-abilities and or Ghosts. And I’m obsessed with the 19th century.
THE STRANGELY BEAUTIFUL TALE OF MISS PERCY PARKER takes place in 1888 in an exceedingly haunted London, where “Jack the Ripper” has just begun his reign of terror. He’s hardly human, and only a group of six middle-aged men and women, The Guard, know it. And they’ll need help to stop it.
My hero, Professor Alexi Rychman, leads The Guard. For eons, The Guard have been mortals who serve basically as “Ghostbusters” during their time on earth. When they die, a new Guard takes their place somewhere in the world, to maintain the balance of spiritual forces between the mortal and the spirit worlds. This incarnation of The Guard is given a prophecy: that their group of Six is about to become Seven, and they need their new female counterpart or else all spiritual mayhem and the fate of all mortal sanity is at risk.
Young Percy Parker, a girl whose hair, eyes and skin are deathly white, looks like the ghosts that she’s always been able to see and speak with. An orphan in a convent, she’s grown up knowing she was different and wondering why she has inexplicable visions. When she’s sent to Athens Academy in London and meets the mysterious Professor Rychman, she wonders if he might be able to help her find her purpose and explain her visions. He, in turn, wonders if she might be their prophecy. But Prophecy is supposed to be their peer, not a student, she’s supposed to open up portals to the spirit world and show herself full of power. Sweet, timid and fond Percy Parker is none of these things, but she is terribly smitten with her Professor. And her visions seem to point to his presence in her life. But the gorgeous and charming Lucille Linden, a new acquaintence of The Guard, is all of the things Prophecy proclaims. Which of them is prophecy and which of them is a spy sent from the darkening Whisper-World of the dead? Will the stern and stoic Alexi Rychman, caught in the middle of an intimate and dangerous game, be able to separate his heart from his duty before all Hell, literally, breaks loose?
There’s just a taste.
I hope to have my cover art soon.
You can read the official blurb and see the book trailer at my STRANGELY BEAUTIFUL facebook fanpage: http://www.tinyurl.com/sbfbfan join me! I also have a mailing list at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/L_R_Hieber_News/
I’m so glad to be here, to be working with fabulous authors, and to be a part of Lady Jane’s Salon, bringing my love of good books and good causes together! Thanks so much for having us here, Maria and Marisa!
Since The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker is my debut series with Dorchester, my first mass-market release, and my first real foray into a big venture like Lady Jane’s – I’m just all aflutter with excitement!!!
janeybooks
on Jan 25th, 2009
@ 3:30 pm:
This is exciting. I’ve never been to a book reading before but I live in NY so I’ll be there. Leanna, I just finished reading Dark Nest and loved it. What an exciting future world you created. I look forward to meeting you there.
I also enjoyed Maya’s The Rogue and the Rival. I’m looking forward to hearing Hope read from her book. It is always great to discover new authors.
As for future authors, I’ve really enjoyed Caridad’s vampire series so that would be great. I also know that one of my favorite authors Dee Davis lives in NYC, is there any chance of having her at a future reading?
Hope Tarr
on Jan 25th, 2009
@ 3:39 pm:
Hi Janey,
Regarding Dee Davis, I’ll chime in to say that while I can’t speak for her, yes, she’s certainly going to be invited. As well as being a RWA/NYC chapter “sistah,” Dee is a friend of mind. We go back quite aways, as they say. We both started writing for Berkley at the same time. Since she too is local we will try to time her invitation to read around her writing schedule/latest release.
Leanna Renee Hieber
on Jan 25th, 2009
@ 3:39 pm:
Thank you SO much Janey! I don’t usually write futuristic, I did it on a dare and loved it. My upcoming series with Dorchester is Historical Paranormal. I can write in the future or past, but not present.
I’m actually tinkering with the sequel, “Dark Nest : Reckoning” as we speak, where we see the resistance struggling to stay alive on the Homeworld, the Dark Nest settling on a new planet, and their rescue mission home where Captain Temisia Elysse will have to face her estranged love, a teacher at the Homeworld Training School that’s been under siege.
Can’t wait to meet you!
Yes, we LOVE Dee Davis, and Kathleen O’Reilly, hope to have them on board asap.
Elana,
I deeply appreciate your interest! It seems my posts have been getting eaten, let me see if I can pull my previous response to your inquiry about The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker back up here in hopes my computer will cooperate.
Leanna Renee Hieber
on Jan 25th, 2009
@ 3:46 pm:
Hey Elena,
Thanks so much for asking, let me try this again, sorry if anything double posts.
We’re very glad you’re interested in Paranormals. Welcome to the Dark Side *grin*
THE STRANGELY BEAUTIFUL TALE OF MISS PERCY PARKER is my debut with Dorchester, the beginning of a Historical paranormal series. While I love Vampires and Werewolves, I don’t write them. I write, as you said, people with “extra abilities” and Ghosts. Tons of ghosts. Boy do I love ghosts.
I’m particularly obsessed with the 19th Century, and so THE STRANGELY BEAUTIUFL TALE OF MISS PERCY PARKER takes place in Victorian England, in 1888, right when “Jack the Ripper” begins his terror. But Jack is just a cog in the wheel of the greater danger; that the balance between the mortal and the spirit world is about to come entirely undone and all Hell, literally, is about to break loose.
My characters are essentially “Ghostbusters”, policing the traffic of spirits through London. They don’t have gadgets, they only have themselves, their art, their strong bond, and a bit of fire power. (Literally fire *s*)
Here’s the official blurb for The Strangely Beautiful Tale…
“What fortune awaited sweet, timid Percy Parker at Athens Academy? Considering how few of Queen Victoria’s Londoners knew of it, the great Romanesque fortress was dreadfully imposing, and little could Percy guess what lay inside. She had never met the powerful and mysterious Professor Alexi Rychman, knew nothing of the growing shadow, the Ripper and other supernatural terrors against which his coterie stood guard. She knew simply that she was different, haunted, with her snow-white hair, pearlescent skin and uncanny gifts. But this arched stone doorway offered a portal to a new life, an education far from the convent—and an invitation to an intimate yet dangerous dance at the threshold of life and death…”
I write sensual but not hot, so this book would be appropriate and attractive to teens as well as adults, my heroine is 19. (Sexy but no sex in this book)
If you’re on facebook, Percy Parker would love more fans at http://www.tinyurl.com/sbfbfan where you can also see the Book Trailer. I have a no-spam mailing list at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/L_R_Hieber_News/
Leanna Renee Hieber
on Jan 25th, 2009
@ 3:54 pm:
Hey Elena,
I’m trying to see if my answer to your question posted, I’m not sure it will. Thanks so much for asking, let me try this again, sorry if it double or even triple posts.
We’re so glad you’re interested in paranormals. Welcome to the Dark Side *grin*
THE STRANGELY BEAUTIFUL TALE OF MISS PERCY PARKER is my debut with Dorchester, the beginning of a Historical paranormal series. While I love Vampires and Werewolves, I don’t write them. I write, as you said, people with “extra abilities” and Ghosts. Tons of ghosts. Boy do I love ghosts.
I’m particularly obsessed with the 19th Century, and so THE STRANGELY BEAUTIUFL TALE OF MISS PERCY PARKER takes place in Victorian England, in 1888, right when “Jack the Ripper” begins his terror. But Jack is just a cog in the wheel of the greater danger; that the balance between the mortal and the spirit world is about to come entirely undone and all Hell, literally, is about to break loose.
My characters are essentially “Ghostbusters”, policing the traffic of spirits through London. They don’t have gadgets, they only have themselves, their art, their strong bond, and a bit of fire power. (Literally fire *s*)
Here’s the official Strangely Beautiful cover blurb:
“What fortune awaited sweet, timid Percy Parker at Athens Academy? Considering how few of Queen Victoria’s Londoners knew of it, the great Romanesque fortress was dreadfully imposing, and little could Percy guess what lay inside. She had never met the powerful and mysterious Professor Alexi Rychman, knew nothing of the growing shadow, the Ripper and other supernatural terrors against which his coterie stood guard. She knew simply that she was different, haunted, with her snow-white hair, pearlescent skin and uncanny gifts. But this arched stone doorway offered a portal to a new life, an education far from the convent—and an invitation to an intimate yet dangerous dance at the threshold of life and death…”
If you are on Facebook you can see my book trailer and Percy Parker would love some more fans, if you just click my name above it will go right to the Facebook page. For those not on Facebook I also have a newsgroup via Yahoo for a nospam newsletter.
This is my debut into the mass-market paperback, and my dream come true, it’s the book of my heart and I’m truly aflutter with excitement. The book will be out in September, the sequel is slated for early 2010.
For me, this year is full of dreams come true, Lady Jane’s Salon brings my favorite things together; great books and good causes, and I’m just so glad to be a part of it and to be here talking with you.
Maria Lokken
on Jan 25th, 2009
@ 3:56 pm:
Hey Leanna -
I don’t know why your posts were eaten – but I’ve retrieved them – so I think we’re in business now!
Leanna Renee Hieber
on Jan 25th, 2009
@ 3:59 pm:
Maria,
I think that my computer is actually Victorian herself, she has a hard time keeping up. No worries, these last few posts have gone swimmingly.
Leanna Renee Hieber
on Jan 25th, 2009
@ 4:00 pm:
And by the way, Maria, thank you SO very much for letting us come and bend your ear today. You and Marisa are angels.
Elana Brown
on Jan 25th, 2009
@ 4:01 pm:
Leanna – thanks for the blurb. Your book sounds like something I would be totally interested in. The idea that the ’supernatural’ or that the power comes from the individuals themselves is something I’ve very drawn to. I’m jazzed about this book and now I’m looking forward to it’s release.
Andrea
on Jan 25th, 2009
@ 4:01 pm:
What a super cool idea!! Sure makes me wish that I lived closer to NYC so I could attend. Or that they had something similar in Atlanta. Kudos to you ladies for all that you do!!
rhonda95
on Jan 25th, 2009
@ 4:05 pm:
Leanna – I’m totally running to get this book of yours. I studied the Victorian period in school. But reading about the period with a twist having to do with the mortal/spirit world is something I definitely want to read about.
cyclops8
on Jan 25th, 2009
@ 4:05 pm:
Ooh, I hope I’ll be able to attend. Will you be setting up drop-off locations around the NY area for readers to donate books?
Maria Lokken
on Jan 25th, 2009
@ 4:07 pm:
Hey Leanna – I’m a total fan girl of yours, Hope and Maya – so it is totally our pleasure. I’m really looking forward to the the Salon and seeing you all again. And thanks for the info on THE STRANGELY BEAUTIFUL TALE OF MISS PERCY PARKER, I am very much looking forward to reading it.
Maria Lokken
on Jan 25th, 2009
@ 4:08 pm:
Hey cyclops8 – if you go – YOU MUST say hello. I’m dying to meet you!
Leanna Renee Hieber
on Jan 25th, 2009
@ 4:08 pm:
Elana,
Thanks tons, that really makes my day. I adore painting a realistic backdrop and then adding paranormal brushstrokes. I’ve made my 1888 London as realistic as I can, and use real-life London ghost stories as many of the resident spectres, and the supernatural elements feed into the conflicts, constraints and social mores of that time period. I love ordinary mortals doing extraordinary things. Sometimes it’s via supernatural power, sometimes it’s just by love. And that, as J.K. Rowling put it so beautifully in Harry Potter “is the strongest magic”.
Leanna Renee Hieber
on Jan 25th, 2009
@ 4:21 pm:
Rhonda,
Isn’t it a fascinating era?! It’s full of issues and drama, grit and grandeur, I must have lived there in a former life because I’ve been obsessed with the era since I was a kid.
It feels like a long time until September’s release, so I hope y’all join me on the yahoogroup, facebook or MySpace so I can show you when I get the cover from Dorchester.
*nervous anticipation*
Cyclops8
Share the Love actually does have two addresses for mailing books for donations if you can’t make it to Lady Jane’s. The addresses are:
Share The Love
c/o Maya Rodale
511 Avenue of The Americas, #90
New York, NY 10011-8436
(212) 924-4002
- – - – - – - – - -
Share the Love
c/o Ann Bleakley
P.O. BOX 19313
Minneapolis, MN 55419-0313
612-823-2726
BUT I also hope you’ll come so we can meet you.
Maria:
We’re your fan-girls right back at you- total reciprocity.
AND
Since Hope mentioned Halloween,
I can leak a little future reader news, since I know RNTV is a fan of hers, and I am too, the lovely KATHRYN SMITH is on board to read for us in October and bring a little bit of her dark and deliciousness in for our Halloween month.
SO excited, I love her. (and I’m totally fan-girl about the fact that her cover quote will be on my book -squee-)
Maya Rodale
on Jan 25th, 2009
@ 4:22 pm:
Hi everyone!
Sorry I’ve been out of the loop–Sunday chores have eaten up my day.
Cyclops8, you’ve asked a very good question. Presently, there aren’t any plans to have drop off points around nyc–other than at Lady Jane’s Salon. Share The Love mainly accepts donations via the mail right now. If any of y’all have some gently used books to unload and can’t make it to the salon, sending them to one of the following addresses is an option:
Share The Love
c/o Maya Rodale
511 Avenue of The Americas, #90
New York, NY 10011-8436
(212) 924-4002
- – - – - – - – - -
Share the Love
c/o Ann Bleakley
P.O. BOX 19313
Minneapolis, MN 55419-0313
612-823-2726
Janeybooks and Chareene–I’m so glad to hear you like THE ROGUE AND THE RIVAL! If you want a little something extra, there is always the Darcy Darlington novella on my website to tide you over till my next book.
For everyone who suggested we videotape the event and post it online…Lady Jane has taken note and will be looking into it!
Hope Tarr
on Jan 25th, 2009
@ 4:23 pm:
Hi Cyclops,
Maya is on break, so I’ll chime in for her. If you can’t make it on February 2nd or subsequently Lady Jane monthly meet-ups (first Monday of each month), you can snail mail your donated books by media rate to:
Share The Love
c/o Maya Rodale
511 Avenue of The Americas, #90
New York, NY 10011-8436.
Thanks bunches,
Hope
Leanna Renee Hieber
on Jan 25th, 2009
@ 4:24 pm:
Lol sorry folks that my PERCY PARKER stuff ended up posting in triplicate. *blush* Computer troubles. I’m not trying to be a promo whore, honestly… eesh…
Leanna Renee Hieber
on Jan 25th, 2009
@ 4:26 pm:
*grin* Glad we all had the addresses at the ready, eh? Nothing if not eager here…
cyclops8
on Jan 25th, 2009
@ 4:36 pm:
Hi Maria,
I really hope I can make it because I would love to meet you and Marisa, too and all the authors.
Simona
on Jan 25th, 2009
@ 5:06 pm:
I’m wondering where you got the idea for “Share the Love” it’s such a wonderful thing you’re doing. And thanks for the addresses. I have books I’d love to send.
Maria Lokken
on Jan 25th, 2009
@ 5:07 pm:
Cyclops – romance books, romance authors, NYC – really – it’s just a perfect combination. You being there would make it more perfect!
CatherineW
on Jan 25th, 2009
@ 5:14 pm:
Maya – ha! Sunday chores – I know that routine. Were you doing your laundry too?
Thanks for the addresses – I have books I’d like to donate as well. I’m in the boonies in Minnesota, waaaaaay up north. Not near any bookstores so I order all my books on line. I’ve never been to an author reading, I’m looking forward to the photos and hopefully you’ll tell us all about it.
Hope Tarr
on Jan 25th, 2009
@ 5:35 pm:
I’ve been doing chores myself today betwixt and between. I’m feeling, dare I say it, rather virtuous.
Topping the list was a Mercy Mission to repot my three sad little plants, leafless sticks at this point but I’m hoping…
Would this be an appropriate forum for starting a plant prayer chain?
I’ve had the one mini rosebush, Rosie, since 2000. She’s almost more of a pet that a plant at this point. Leanna, maybe you could toss some helpful paranormal elements Rosie’s way?
PJ
on Jan 25th, 2009
@ 5:38 pm:
The reading series sounds wonderful. If I lived up there I’d definitely be in attendance. I hope you’re able to video some of the future ones so those of us in other areas can see it online.
Thanks for all you do with Share the Love! I shipped a box of books to Maya before Christmas (through the EJ/JQ Board) and am working on another box to donate.
I wasn’t able to access the Lady Jane’s FB page through the link above. Is it listed as a group, individual or something else?
Thanks!
Leanna Renee Hieber
on Jan 25th, 2009
@ 5:49 pm:
PJ:
Pretty sure it’s an individual page. Once you’re logged into Facebook, try: http://www.tinyurl.com/ladyjanefb
Hope:
I called my jade plant Bella after Bella Lugosi, because I swear this hardy plant is immortal, made it through many moves and climes. I’ll have my mini-rosebush’s Rose-Faeries come and visit Rosie.
Those of you who have books to send: AWESOME – thanks.
Catherine,
Stay warm, I lived in the Twin Cities for 3 years doing theatre. Loved it. Miss the cities (not the cold, but do miss the cities
) Life took me to NYC but if I were in any other place, I’d be there. Have you seen the Ice Palace this year? What does it look like?
Maria Lokken
on Jan 25th, 2009
@ 5:52 pm:
Hope – Have faith. I am from the “NO GREEN THUMB” village. Every living thing died in my presence. Then I received an orchid for my birthday two years ago. Imagine someone giving me such a delicate life to take care of. It was clear the person who gave it to me really didn’t know the blackness that surrounded me whenever I would come near to a plant or vegetable, or herb for that matter.
Well, I decided to change all that – and I spoke to my orchid and I coaxed it from the dead. Seriously, I got the most beautiful bloom this winter – the fragrance was remarkable. The excitement prompted me to begin to take care of the other green ‘things’ in my home, and what do you know – I had a six year old Christmas Cactus that hadn’t seen a bloom since the last Presidential Election – and now, it’s blooming like mad.
So again – I say – Hope have Faith.
PJ
on Jan 25th, 2009
@ 6:04 pm:
Thanks, Leanna. It worked!
Maya Rodale
on Jan 25th, 2009
@ 6:27 pm:
I’m back….the Sunday roast has been cooked, eaten and cleaned up; the dog has been walked, the bathroom has been cleaned, and People magazine has been read. Laundry still needs to be done, but oh well!
Simona, I got the idea for Share The Love when I was cleaning my bookshelves (wow I spend a lot of time cleaning). I had so many that I had read once, and tho I enjoyed them, I knew I wouldn’t read them again–not when so many great authors published so many new and wonderful novels. So I got to thinking that there had to be a better use for the books than sitting there looking pretty I wondered who might need a nice little escape for a few hours (everyone) but that might not be able to afford it? Perhaps women in homeless or domestic violence shelters….And so Share The Love was born.
Hope, my prayers go out to your plants. Mine always die because my apartment is a black hole of sunlight. Seriously. My windows face a brick wall and look into people’s offices. Niiiice.
ANYWAY back to Lady Jane–if any of y’all make it out on February 2nd, please introduce yourselves to us and to each other. It’s always nice to match faces with screennames!
Hope Tarr
on Jan 25th, 2009
@ 6:31 pm:
Maria, that is a great story. Rosie was hale and hearty before my move–and subsequent procrastination about the re-potting. Having taken care of the practical, I’m now going to follow your advice and woo her with soft words and my vision for how beatiful she can be yet again.
So, with the fitting image of a beautiful blooming rosebush in mind, I’m going to take my leave of you all, my dears. Maria and Marisa, thank you so much for having us here today. The fan-ship is so totally reciprocated. You ladies, rock.
I’ll look forward to seeing familiar faces and meeting new ones on February 2nd. Cyclops, Madame X’s is a tad dark, but I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out (so to speak) for you.
Leanna, Maya, & Ron, take it away!
Hope
Leanna Renee Hieber
on Jan 25th, 2009
@ 6:54 pm:
PJ,
Fantastic, thank you so much for joining us!
Marisa
on Jan 25th, 2009
@ 7:08 pm:
Leanna – you’re not the only one having problems with word press tonight – seems wordpress has me registered under another name. But, I think I fixed that – we’ll see what happens.
Ok, as I was saying, before my comments were hijacked… we won’t be filming the event but Maria and I will be taking photos and interviewing Leanna, Maya and Hope all about the event and what happened – we’ll be posting that on Feb 6th so you can read all about it.
Maya Rodale
on Jan 25th, 2009
@ 7:13 pm:
Thanks everyone who came out to chat today! I’m looking forward to sharing Lady Jane’s Salon with y’all–either in person or online. Yay Romance!
Buffie
on Jan 25th, 2009
@ 7:20 pm:
Sorry I’m late to the party!!!! This sounds like such a wonderful thing to do. Wish I was in NYC to enjoy it with you all!
Leanna Renee Hieber
on Jan 25th, 2009
@ 7:23 pm:
Marisa,
Ah, technology. Can’t live with/without, all that.
We are SO glad you’ll be there to report about the event and do what you do so well. Lady Jane’s is just another way to do what you and Maria have been doing for so long now, spotlighting our fabulous genres. And this time we get to be in the same room together and attach a good cause. It’s really unfurled fairly organically, as if it were precicely meant to be, and all of our respective publishers have been very supportive too.
Struggling economy and all that notwithstanding, the beginning of 2009 has found me rather blessed.
Leanna Renee Hieber
on Jan 25th, 2009
@ 7:31 pm:
Hey Buffie!
Welcome. If you plan a trip to New York City, be sure to do it around the first Monday of every month! We’d love to have you there!
Leanna Renee Hieber
on Jan 25th, 2009
@ 8:48 pm:
Well m’dears, I have to get up at 5 am for a 7 am call on the set of Cupid (doing extra work for TV is one of my side gigs), so I must away.
Thanks everyone for your interest, and thank you Maria and Marisa for hosting us, you gems you!
Stop by and MySpace and Facebook us, and always share the love!
Blessings!
Andrea
on Jan 25th, 2009
@ 9:07 pm:
Thanks for the addresses! I’ll get some books together to send on. Thanks for visiting with us, Hope, Maya and Leanna!! You ladies ROCK!!
Marisa
on Jan 25th, 2009
@ 9:14 pm:
It was great having Hope, Leanna and Maya visiting with us today – thanks so much for spending the day – and we’ll see you on the 2nd. Thanks everyone for stopping by and we hope to see some of you at the reading. Cyclops8 & janeybooks- hope you come, can’t wait to meet you.
The winners of the book give away are:
Elana Brown and Chareene. Please send your snail mail addresses to us at alphamail@romancenovel.tv
Coveted Superpowers and Real Life Steamy Moments | Hope Tarr's Blog
on Jan 26th, 2009
@ 11:45 am:
[...] thanks to all of you who stopped by yesterday’s live blog on Lady Jane’s Salon at Romance Novel TV. Missed it? No worries, the transcript is posted, with all the yummy behind-the-scenes details on [...]
orannia
on Jan 26th, 2009
@ 2:20 pm:
OOPS! Sorry I missed everyone. Lady Jane’s Salon sounds amazing! Good luck with the first reading! Oh, and congrats to Elana Brown and Chareene