Happy Anniversary Lady Jane!

Lady Jane's Salon turned 2 last week! Huzzah! Myself and co-founders Ron Hogan, Hope Tarr and Maya Rodale all felt very blessed to have had two amazing years of talent, an incredible audience, an awesome venue in Madame X, and a lovely mission towards charity. We continued our anniversary tradition with a champagne toast, cupcakes and a moment for a good cause. This year, once we paid off our website bills to cure our website's hacker/spam problem, grrr, we were able to make our yearly donation to Women In Need - a fabulous organization supporting just what the title suggests, an inspiring group we've partnered with from the beginning. We were so thrilled to have WIN representatives there with us to share in the celebration.

The evening brought amazing talent from the west coast in Courtney Milan's fabulous reading from Unveiled, and Caridad Ferrer bringing us into a compelling YA retelling of Carmen in When the Stars Go Blue, Andrew Shaffer had us laughing uproariously at his Great Philosophers Who Failed at Love and Lauren Willig, a Lady Jane's beloved favourite and ever a delightful reader, read from her latest in the Pink Carnation series; The Black Orchid Affair.

Next month I can't wait to celebrate the release of Scandalous Women with our guest emcee Elizabeth Kerri Mahon and other amazing talent. The Salon meets every first Monday of the month (unless otherwise scheduled) at Madame X in Manhattan!


I was thrilled that several staff members from Dorchester Publishing were on-hand to celebrate with us, and the lovely Hannah wrote a wonderful write-up on the Dorchester Blog, check it out - and while you're clicking links - be sure to check out Dorchester's lovely new Website!

Stay tuned! Tomorrow is Valentine's Day and two of everyone's favourite Guard characters from my Strangely Beautiful saga, Lord Elijah Withersby and his wife Josephine, have something special planned for you HERE!

Happy Birthday Lady Jane!

The delightful Barbara Vey of PW's Beyond Her Book featured my post about Lady Jane's Salon one year anniversary, so I wanted to make sure I posted it here at home base. :)

Monday marked the one year a

nniversary of New York’s only reading series devoted to Romance Fiction; Lady Jane’s Salon. Lady Jane’s was founded in late 2008 by myself, fellow romance authors Hope Tarr, Maya Rodale and internet guru Ron Hogan over drinks one night discussing why New York, in all its literary splendor, didn’t have a reading series for Romance Fiction. So it was up to us to start one. And we did, in the red-velvet-drenched upstairs of Madame X, with our first authors Cara Elliot and Lauren Willig- who because of their partnership at Lady Jane’s are now teaching romance in the big leagues (Yale).
While the night boasted champagne, corsages and cupcakes, the spirit of Lady Jane’s is always about great fiction and a good cause. Now New York Times bestselling author Lauren Willig returned to our stage to help us celebrate this landmark year with her latest hit, The Betrayal of the Blood Lily, along with guest emcee and fabulous Historical author Leslie Carrolland her Notorious Royal Marriages, and scintillating debut author Sara Lindsey with Promise Me Tonight.

And so a year later… thanks to the support of people like you, Barbara, and Romantic Times Magazine, our wonderful venue Madame X, a host of bloggers, newspaper articles, radio interviews, thanks to a slew of talented authors and an ardent crowd of loyal supporters, Lady Jane’s is one of the most vibrant forces in New York’s experience of fiction in real-time; a face to face opportunity for readers, authors, industry and fans to talk about and applaud (literally) the genre we love. And then, of course, to share the love, by donating money and gently used romance novels to women in need, as charity remains a core part of our Salon’s identity.

A ton has happened through the year, for the co-founders, our readers and authors. Our co-founders published new books, the year marked my dream-come-true with my debut; The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker, we watched as our featured readers’ books hit lists and thrilled at the news of contracts for our some of our Lady Jane’s audience who will now be debut authors too, Ron Hogan got a cool new job ruling the interwebz for the very smart New York publishing house who snatched him up, and 2010 proves to be no less than spectacular. With featured readers returning to the Lady Jane’s stage unveiling new names and new initiatives, we’ll also have a host of debut authors take the stage. We’ll continue our mission to promote every single sub-genre within Romance. We’ll be expanding our charity options, we’ll have a Salon at the Romantic Times convention (please come!), and most importantly, we’ll get to see Barbara Vey again, our supporter from the beginning, and we can’t wait for it all to unfold. Keep in touch at Lady Jane's Salon and come see us!

Blessings, thanks and happy reading!

It's December already? How about some contests?

I cannot believe it is December already. I was told by other writer friends that a debut year would fly by. They weren't kidding. The fact that I haven't really slept much since, oh... I dunno, 2008, that might be part of it too. :) But I love this time of year, Halloween-into-Christmas tends to be a giddy time that always flys by too quickly, but it's also when I tend to get a lot of writing done, inspired by Autumn and sustained by the deep, spiritual meaning of the Holiday Season.

In the realm of books, fluffy animals, the undead and such, here goes the latest:

As always, a wonderful time was had at Lady Jane's Salon, where my fellow co-founder Hope Tarr beautifully led us in a celebration of Harlequin Enterprises' 60th Birthday and read from her charming Twelve Nights. Stacey Agdern shared her Hannukah novel Rededication with us, and Madame X was, as always, a gracious hostess of a venue! Check out Kwana Writes for a lovely rundown, thanks Kwana!

CONTEST NEWS:
I've contest news galore!
Firstly:
1.
Congratulations to Sharla who won the Dark Nest goody box via my website's Dark Nest contest! (Pictured here: Leanna's random selection process via fluffy animal named Persebunny. After winner has been selected, Leanna rushes to read name before consumption - very scientific randomization method)

2. And now, I've got a NEW CONTEST!

In celebration of the very wonderful news that my bestselling debut, The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker is now in audio format, I'm giving away a copy, it's an 8 CD set! Along with some Mt. Meru Coffee, this is a great holiday gift for yourself or others. :) It's easy to enter, just tell me your favourite holiday song via the Contact Form of my website and you're entered to win! Winner drawn December 20th. Visit the Contest page and check it out!

3. I'm thrilled to be a part of The SFR Holiday Blitz! My 2009 Prism Award winning novella Dark Nest (a futuristic fantasy novella) is only one of the many Sci-Fi-Romance books you can win by participating! You can enter to win a copy of Dark Nest, given to Take it to the Stars to run the giveaway - You have until December 11th - and visit The Galaxy Express (this is definately a blog to follow) to get the rundown on the many blogs and authors participating in this great SFR event!!

4. I'm close to 500 followers on Twitter, once I hit that magic 500, I'll be giving away 2 signed copies of The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker to two of my loyal tweeps. So join me there to participate. If you already have a signed Miss Percy, well, here's your chance to win one for a gift and help spread Strangely Beautiful cheer!

-- While we're in the holiday spirit, take a Facebook moment and see if your favourite Not For Profits are in the Chase Community Giving program. You can vote for 20 organizations, for several chances to win funds, might I suggest you vote for my beloved friend Danny's exciting new theatre company in Chicago, The New Colony? It's a new and up-and-coming theatre devoted to new work and new talent! (Listed as New Colony nfp when you type it into the search bar).
IN STRANGELY BEAUTIFUL NEWS:

1. I turned in the revisions to the Strangely Beautiful sequel, The Darkly Luminous Fight for Persephone Parker, (April 27, 2010). I'm really, really excited about it. I can't wait to share it with all of you. Now I'm hard at work on a novella which continues the Strangely Beautiful series, to be published in a Fantasy Christmas anthology headlined by one of my idols, NYT Bestseller C. L. Wilson! (October 2010) Fans of Headmistress Thompson and Vicar Carroll will be pleased.

2. The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker made Waiting For Fairies' Holiday Gift Guide! Thanks Melissa, and Waiting For Fairies!

Do stay tuned, The Darkly Luminous Fight For Persephone Parker will have its book trailer going live in January, along with some first peek excerpts!

Be sure to enter the contest and have a BEAUTIFUL, GORGEOUS, BLESSED DECEMBER with your family, friends and loved ones! I'll be back to announce the winner of the contest and to wish everyone happy holidays.

Blessings!

Squeal...

You know there are just those times when you have to squeal in delight. Seeing this today did that for me...

Eloisa James mentioning The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker in her Barnes & Noble Review column.

When I got my cover quotes from bestselling authors I admire and adore; Kathryn Smith and C. L. Wilson, I squealed.

And when NYT Bestseller Eloisa James said she was going to mention my "exciting debut" in her column... well, there went another noise up to the heavens ... one of my ultimate heroes liked my book?! Squeal! It may sound a bit fan-girl, but hey, I'm a fan and I'm nothing if not enthusiastic and honest. It feels sort of surreal, thinking back to the New Jersey Romance Writers conference where I listened to her clever, touching and funny (like her writing) keynote speech, was inspired, and wondered when my 'book of my heart' would make its way into the world. That's now, and it's such an honour.

In other squeal-worthy news, True-Blood.net will be recommending The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker to fans of Charlaine Harris (Leanna raises hand to be counted) and True Blood while that awesome show is on hiatus. The link will go live on 10/9 with a coupon code and a giveaway - stay tuned, check out the site!

It was just the first Monday of the month, so that meant Lady Jane's Salon! Had a lovely time, as always- and we took a moment to remember the dearly beloved Kate Duffy of Kensington Publishing. While our similarly beloved Kathryn Smith was unable to join us, I had the great pleasure of putting on my actress hat (which I do so enjoy doing) and reading from her fabulous book, When Seducing a Duke, and it was awesome. The crowd loved this book, and so do I. Though we'll have the talented author back with us in person soon, and that will be even more awesome. Mari Mancusi read from the first of her re-released Blood Coven series, one of my favourite scenes of mistaken vampiric identity, which was a delight to all. I'm so glad she's continuing this series. She'll be giving a wrap-up at the Lady Jane's Salon site so stay tuned. Our November lineup will be hosted by Scandalous Woman Elizabeth Kerri Mahon, and includes Caridad Pineiro and Joanne Rendell!

Blessings and may many squeal-worthy moments strike your days!

A Strangely Beautiful Release Party!

Right on the heels of DragonCon...

A Strangely Beautiful Release Party at Lady Jane's Salon!

The night was, frankly, pure joy. I had some of my very, very best friends in all the world in one room. That's something that doesn't happen every day. I had friends come in from out of state, fellow writers, bloggers, friends, industry professionals (C.H. Admirand -who took this photo - and Tara Nina brought me flowers, champagne and a Tiara!!!!!! - I DID feel like a princess!! I was excited to see Tara win the Phoenix pendant we raffled off for Share The Love!) - it was such an honour and delight to share 9 years of labour with a crowd full of friends, friends who knew the hard work and tears shed along the way. Plus, getting the chance to thank the people on my acknowledgement page in person, in public, let me again express how none of us gets anywhere on our own, and how grateful I am for the village that made the "book of my heart" possible.

--

Dressed in my Victorian Regalia, I listened to my dearest Isabo Kelly read from one of my favourite of her many wonderful books, Thief's Desire. We indulged in Strangely Beautiful cocktails (blue-coloured, of course) and signed a lot of books!

And then I took the stage to read two of my own very favourite scenes from The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker. Thanks to Morgan of Miss Media Productions for these great photos!

I confess, I've missed being on stage, so the chance to read from my work (accents included and in appropriate attire) was SUCH a treat.

Thanks so much to everyone who was able to come out on a holiday weekend and support me, and all those who were there in spirit - it was one of the best nights of my life. 9 years. 9 years after my dear Miss Parker introduced herself to me, sweetly and kindly, it's now her month. I hope she's as excited as I am. (She's a little more scared and overwhelmed than me, surely.)

Super-BF:

And a special thank you to my sweetheart for sharing his Birthday with this very special Salon night and being a Prince about it.

---

Oh, and the latest in REVIEWS!

1. I discovered my lovely August Fresh Fiction review!

2. The latest commendation from Bitten by Books!

3. And top ratings at A Romance Review!

4. Love from No More Grumpy Bookseller!

Lady Jane's August and STRANGELY BEAUTIFUL PARTY PREVIEW!

Lady Jane's Salon continues to be the place to be.

There are respective run-downs of our August showdown on Hope Tarr's blog, and Maya did a recap on the Lady Jane's website. A huge thank you to Biz Urban Photography for the awesome photos of the night.


Here's our delightful, hometown gal Anna DePalo reading a spicy tidbit from The Billionaire in Penthouse B


The kind, dashing and utterly charming Johnny Diaz read from Beantown Cubans:

Here's Delilah Marvelle being one of my favourite people in the world. In addition to being super talented she's some sort of long lost sister to me. Oh, and just that day she landed a 3 BOOK HQN deal. Hot. Her powerhouse agent Donald Maass was there too, which made us all feel as awesome as Delilah looked. (I approve of costumes on all occasions).

(And look! My sweetie was there too!)

AND NOW... *drumroll please* -- SEPTEMBER 7TH! At long last!

The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker will have come out into the world on August 25th (when I hope you'll buy it) and she will be having a party about it (where you'll come celebrate it and buy it again *grin*).

I will be reading two delectable scenes from the book in full 1880's Victorian regalia.

My best bud and uber-talent Isabo Kelly will be reading from one of her recent Fantasy titles.

We will be signing books.

Alex at the bar has made me a drink special! Be sure to order the Strangely Beautiful! It is blue, tastes tangy and yummy, and it will only be $5.00

I will be thanking the many people who made my dream come true possible after 9 long years of trying. We will party.

I will be raffling off a gorgeous sterling silver Phoenix pendant - something symbolic and critical to the plot of Strangely Beautiful - and all of the proceeds will go to Share The Love, a huge reason as to why Lady Jane's exists in the first place.

Did I mention I'm going to be in full, authentic 1880's regalia? I mean, you don't want to miss me reading my favourite scene I've ever written, while wearing midnight-blue taffeta.

Same time, same deal: Doors at 7pm, bring your $5.oo or your gently used book - Readings 7:30 - 9pm, celebration continues after

Same place: Madame X

More about THE STRANGELY BEAUTIFUL TALE OF MISS PERCY PARKER

Lady Jane's July Edition! August preview!

Lady Jane's Salon. As always, THE place to be.

So (Right to Left below) Anthea Lawson, Dee Davis and Dianna Love Snell rocked the house. Susie Felber gave an amazing tribute to her mother, the late Edith Layton.

Thank you Scandalous Women Blogger extraordinaire Elizabeth Kerri Mahon for providing a fantabulous rundown on our very own Lady Jane's Site.

Thanks Salon co-founder Maya Rodale for the photos!

Here's Dee and good friend and fellow Salon co-founder Hope Tarr!

The incomparable Barbara Vey of Publisher's Weekly was again with us, visit her to see her always-wonderful Drive By Videos- we're so blessed!

Looking lovely with Dianna:

And one of my fave moments of the night: here's me with King Mho Fo. For more on King Mho Fo and his galpal blogger queen Katiebabs, get the whole story...

Now. August. Hot stuffs.

Delilah Marvelle and Anna DePalo

Here's what you need to know about Delilah Marvelle and Anna DePalo. They both rock.

Now Delilah is trying to save her series.

Do your part:

See you at Lady Jane's Salon, August 1st where you can help save the School of Gallantry and hear some great work of Anna's, and Share the Love.

BEA and Lady Jane's Salon!

WOW what a past few days.

I got an inside look at the publishing industry at Book Expo America, got thoroughly overwhelmed and walked away with some fabulous books. I saw dear friends, made new friends, one of them a total and immediate kindred spirit, and learned a lot. And, yeah, schmoozed.

Here's the kindred spirit/BFF/Diana to my Anne and vice versa, NYT Bestseller Alethea Kontis. I just hijacked this picture from her blog. (I never remember to take a camera anywhere). Let's just say we were finishing each other's sentences by dessert and jinxing. We knew every reference the other one made. She even noticed that the red matter from Star Trek was the big red ball of mass destruction from Alias. She too is Spock over Kirk and a mutual devotee of The Rickman. That, my friends, is love.

When one is so busy in one's own rat race, it's so nice when the cosmos steps in and says: "You need to know this person." Happily noted.

In the sphere of journalism greater than mine, there's BEA and LJS-tastic coverage at Barbara Vey's fabulous Beyond Her Book blog, also I got some quality time with the fabulous ladies of RomanceNovel.tv who also have great stuff to say about BEA and Lady Jane's Salon. We appreciate their support so very much.

Thanks to blogger extraordinaire Kwana for this great photo of another blogger extraordinaire Katiebabs and I at the larger-than-life Harlequin booth.

Because of the fabulous talent in town, we had a fabulous Lady Jane's Salon on Monday night replete with the above bloggers all in attendance and giving their own wonderful renditions.

(Thank you as always RT Webmaster Rob for being my photo hookup, check out his rundown of the event) From Left to Right: NYT Bestselling Author Wendy Corsi Staub, NYT Bestelling Author Marjorie M. Liu, Award-winning authors Diane Gaston and Amanda McCabe / Laurel McKee.

Each of these talented authors read from four very different books and each of them brought something compelling and delightful to the table.

It's what I love about Lady Jane's Salon; we get to showcase the huge range of fiction that falls under our wide and welcoming umbrella. Founders Maya Rodale, Hope Tarr, Ron Hogan and I just sit back and go... "Wow"

What I love just as much are the fabulous supporters we draw constantly, readers, authors, the RWA NYC posse, and my dear friend from college Biz Urban who is an awesome photographer. Authors? Actors? Publishers? You need her to shoot your photos.

Brenda Novak's online auction to benefit Diabetes Research closed this week, my Strangely Beautiful gift basket including a signed copy of Dark Nest had many bids and raised $57! The total raised from all the wonderful donations was $270,611! Way to go Brenda and all the industry professionals who donated their time and talent!

In my whirlwind few days I now find myself in Ohio and relaxing at my childhood dinner table. I'm getting ready to attend the Lori Foster Reader and Author Get Together, a great event that also serves local charities back in my hometown of Cincinnati (Really I live north of Cinci in the middle of nowhere but people don't know where that is)

Because my parents are awesome, when I got in the car they asked if I wanted anything. I thought a moment, then replied; "Ooh! Soy Jerky!" I've been a strict vegetarian for years now but I do miss beef jerky and so Tofurkey Jerky is the super-best. When we walked into the big Health Food store, we saw this Golden Arches irony:

Welcome home, Ohio.

See you after the Get Together!

Lady Jane's May Edition!

Oh, Lady Jane, how fun you are!

So our May Lady Jane's Salon featured the incredible ladies of Operation L.O.V.E whose Highland Press anthology is launching a whole new line of Military romance. A portion of the proceeds of Operation L.O.V.E will go the Special Operations Warrior Foundation which helps soliders and families of fallen soldiers with support and education. Let's hear it for more charity! Lady Jane happened to donate some of her proceeds to the cause as well.

Left to right here's Tara Nina, Anne Elizabeth and C.H. Admirand, (thanks to our resident media angel RT Rob for the photo!)

AND THEN... as if we couldn't get enough... the aforementioned media angel RT Webmaster Rob (that's my DJ name for him) SANG for us! Such great fun! Check out the video at the RT Blog.

AND THEN....
Since our other scheduled author couldn't make it. I jumped in since I have a novella in print, Dark Nest, and read from the beginning. Gosh, I thought while reading, I really like this book. I should write the sequel. Add that to my ever-growing TBW (To Be Written) pile!! Eek!

Here's the reading: (Thanks again Rob!)



See you June 1st! With an INCREDIBLE lineup! We've got NYT Bestsellers Wendy Corsi Staub, Amanda McCabe and Marjorie M. Liu! You don't want to miss it!

Cheers!

Lady Jane's take 3! & Shadow Forest Authors

Lady Jane's #3 - success!

Thanks, you lovely Salon-a-holics you, for making such a great and uber-fun crowd. And thanks, Madame X, for Alex the bartender and for cheap wine. It's just so darn fun. We co-founders are damn proud of our random little accidental coup of a Salon.

It's good that I have Lady Jane's to blog about. I mean sure, I'm writing. But do you really want to know the ins and outs of line-edits and ruminations on blog-tour strategies for the release? Are you simply aching to know the intimate particulars of a Strangely Beautiful proposal package for books 3 and 4 when I'm sure that synopsis will look nothing like the books? Nah. Don't worry, when Strangely Beautiful gets closer to the release date, then I'll have all kinds of stuff to blab about. I WILL say, however, that my cover flats are go-r-g-e-ous!!

Back to the LJ:

Sarah Wendell made me hurt-so-good inside with hilarity.

Alisa Sheckley was erudite and titillating all at once.
Our co-founder Maya Rodale and the English Boyfriend were more delicious fun than could possibly be legal.

Not to mention that I'm so darn excited one of my bestest buddies from college, Biz, moved to NYC and got to hang with us!

I mean, look at this venue, isn't Madame X awesome? Imagine it brimming with people with cheap drinks. The place sizzles. So did the readings.

Thanks to RT Webmaster Rob (that sounds like a DJ name, Rob) for this photo, and to Managing Editor Liz French for representing RT's constant support, there's always a great run-down of the event at RT's Blog - thanks darlings!

And thanks to everyone in attendance!

See you FIRST MONDAY IN MAY!


Oh, and just so y'all are well and truly prepared for my September 7th release party and what I'll be reading at the LJ: There is no sex in my book. Don't worry, you'll still be titillated. :)



On other charitable fronts:

I also joined the Shadow Forest Authors today. It's easy, authors, just donate a book to one of their designated venues and chip in to fight illiteracy!

Lady Jane's April Edition!

Founding authors Maya Rodale, Ron Hogan of Beatrice.com, Hope Tarr and Myself present:

LADY JANE'S SALON... April edition!

LADY JANE CRUISES TOWARDS SPRING WITH A HOT LINEUP!

When: April 6th, 7-9pm with continuing after-party

Where: NYC's chic Madame X - located at 94 West Houston Street, on the north side between LaGuardia Place and Thompson Street. www.madamex.com

Who: Alisa Kwitney aka Sheckley will read from THE BETTER TO HOLD YOU, Maya Rodalewill read from THE ROGUE AND THE RIVAL (With special British guest) and Guest Host Sarah Wendell, hilarious blogger and author of BEYOND HEAVING BOSOMS (The Smart Bitches' Guide to Romance Novels)

How much: Admission is $5.00 or a gently used Romance or Womens Fiction novel. Proceeds benefit Share The Love which reaches out to women in need / transition. Cash bar. (Drinks are cheap!)

See you there!

The NY Post gives Lady Jane some love!

UPDATE! THE NEW YORK POST and LADY JANE'S SALON!

Click above to see the rundown AND video!

Thanks Mandy! Thanks NY Post!

(Pictured: New York Times Bestseller Lauren Willig reads from The Temptation of the Night Jasmine, (I'm listening at left)

Lady Jane's #2! Success despite all nature to the contrary!

Oh, what a night!

Despite a blizzard, the second of our unique monthly romance reading series benefiting Maya Rodale's Share the Love charity for women in need, Lady Jane's Salon, founded by myself, Maya, Hope Tarr and Ron Hogan of Beatrice.com went smashingly well. Our only regret was the sad fact that our dear Jenna Petersen got stuck in an airport rather than being able to make it in for our reading. But she was with us in spirit, and her work was most certainly in attendance.

So was the NEW YORK POST! Thanks to reporter Mandy Stadtmiller and Zandy the photographer (who posed us in fun spots with armfuls of dontated books), for deeming our humble operation story-worthy! Can't wait to see the story!

So was Rob of RT Bookreviews, thanks Rob and RT for being there to document our evening and continue RT's loving and loyal support of our venture from day one!

So was SB Sarah of Smart Bitches Trashy Books who we have the GREAT pleasure of announcing as next months GUEST HOST! She live-twittered about us and everything! She's even got video of Lauren's fabulous reading! Check it out!!

The rundown:



New York Times bestseller, historical maven, quick-witted author and a sparkling entertainer as well as all-around lovely gal Lauren Willig started us off with hysterical selections from her latest release Temptation of the Night Jasmine. Her fan club was out IN FORCE to support her! Go Lauren and friends!

After a quick break, Maya's English BF Tony read a side-splitting few pages of his own romance novel to add to our festivities.

And then, to wrap up an evening of great fun and storytelling, I managed to present the beginning of Jenna Petersen's Lessons from a Courtesan. So even though Jenna couldn't make it, her work did and we hope we can have her with us in person sometime in the future.

Next month! April 6th! Alisa Kwitney / Sheckley will present some of her yummy The Better to Hold You and our very own co-founder Maya Rodale will share some of her deeeelightful The Rogue and the Rival! GUEST HOSTED by Sarah Wendell - who we hope will give us a tease of her and Candy Tan's Beyond Heaving Bosoms guide to Romance!

Don't miss it!

Thank you for a fabulous launch!

Thanks to everyone who made the Lady Jane's Salon launch a fabulous success! Especially our ardent supporters RomanticTimes, RomanceNovel.tv and Barbara Vey's Beyond Her Book! And to our wonderful RWA NYC! Let's do it again March 2nd with bestsellers Lauren Willig and Jenna Petersen!

(If you missed February 2nd and want a great rundown, visit RomanceNovel.tv's awesome play by play!)

What is Lady Jane's Salon and why should I care?

It started, as many great things do, over a drink with good company.

Regency romance author Maya Rodale, romance author Hope Tarr, Beatrice.com's Ron Hogan and I were discussing the state of the New York City reading series scene and the fact that there wasn't a space for romance fiction and areas of women's fiction.

"Let's start one." Maya said.
She may have used slightly more elaborate language but you get the idea.

Maya happens, also, to be co-founder of the charity Share the Love, which donates gently used books to women in transition and need. Hope has a long history of philanthropy, as you can check out from her website. Ron Hogan, in his involvement with MediaBistro, GalleyCat and Beatrice.com has championed all kinds of literature for well over a decade. I'm involved with service projects at my church and environmental and animal rights causes. So you've got four people with two things in common: a love of books and philanthropy. Hence, in the span of just a few short months and somewhat of a "Yes We Can" philosophy, Lady Jane's Salon was born.

Why "Lady Jane"? We knew we wanted Salon in the name, because it's just one of those words one wants to use. I dubbed it "Lady Jane's" because Jane makes us think of our beloved Austen, and tea, but it's also an everywoman name. Jane Doe. There's a bit of everywoman in romance, in the way that the genre, no matter the sub-category, seeks to lift up the core value of loving, dynamic, committed and familial relationships.

Lady Jane's launches on February 2nd with award winning and multi-published authors. Andrea Pickens and Hope Tarr will kick off what will be a monthly offering of rich storytelling and great community. Some invaluable friends of romance, such as Barbara Vey and RomanceNovel.tv will be there to help us celebrate, and the generous and vital RomanticTimes, who have been incredibly supportive so far. Not to mention our respective current publishers, Berkley, Harlequin and Dorchester, who have been incredibly supportive too!

Mark your calendars! Every first Monday of the month, from 7-9 at the fab Tribeca venue Madame X. Admission is $5.00 or a gently used women's fiction novel - all admissions benefit Share the Love!

Madame X is located at 94 West Houston Street, on the north side between LaGuardia Place and Thompson Street. You must be 21 and have a valid photo I.D. to enter.

We hope you'll join us not only on Feb. 2nd, but every first Monday!

Stop by RomanceNovel.tv tomorrow the 25th, we'll be talking all about it!