In Which Miss Percy Makes Lists and Leanna partakes of worldly things (Updated)...

Not like grocery lists, but in which Miss Percy Parker's name is listed in the "Favourites of 2009" and such about the interwebs.

I've listed the many places in which my dear Miss Parker has appeared as a 2009 favourite (and I'm grateful for each and every one of them) thus far, and added to this list we now have:

1. The Discriminating Fangirl has listed Miss Percy in her favourites!

2. And Smexy Books lists Miss Percy in her favourites!

3. So does author and blogger Katie Lovett, as she lists Miss Percy as the best debut of 2009!

4. Amy of Romance Book Wyrm lists Miss Percy as a favourite of 2009, and The Darkly Luminous Fight for Persephone Parker as a great anticipation in 2010!

5. Kate at Babbling about Books and More includes Miss Percy in the top 20 of the year - as well as an honourable mention for best debut! Thanks Kate!!

6. Anna's Book Blog has listed Miss Percy in her 2009 favourites by genre!

7. And Smokin' Hot Books has this most lovely, lovely review of the book - and then K.C. included it as a favourite of 2009!!

8. And Brooke Reviews lists Miss Percy as her #1 of 2009!!! Thanks Brooke!!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Holiday and are gearing up for the New Year! I certainly enjoyed time with family and friends, religious services and singing in choir. That's always a sacred treat.

In having-a-life-outside-of-writing news, I have seen a few movies and actually finished books I started reading. *gasp* Note: almost all of these have a Victorian bent, so you can see I'm justifying it all as research.

In the book world, I'd forgotten how much I love Elizabeth Peters and her Amelia Peabody series. These books are so outrageously fun. The bombastic Miss Peabody and the irascible Emerson never fail to delight me. Next up, another favourite author, Anne Perry's Execution Dock.

The movie The Young Victoria (happily seen in attendance with fellow authors / Victorian mavens Elizabeth and Hope) was dreamy. I loved it. I thought Emily Blunt was charming, disarming and engaging, the film as a whole was flawlessly cast, and the romance between her and Prince Albert (as it was a true romance) was delicate and passionate, something to cheer for. God Save the Queen indeed.

And continuing, of course, in my Victorianaphile vein, Sherlock Holmes was beyond lovely - it was clever and deeeeeeeelicious! YUM! Yum, I say. I saw it with the boyfriend and with my dear friend and Scandalous Women expert Elizabeth. My beloved is such a good sport, he even tolerated my rhaposizing about how delectable the film was (He's letting his hair grow, was a bit scruffy, so he looks a bit like Mr. Holmes these days and I can't say I mind. I should put him back in that frock coat I bought him. And then I'll swoon.)

And outside of the 19th Century (to indulge my prominent paranormal / sci-fi side) I watched my favourite X-Files episode, Bad Blood (the two-sides to the vampire story) and was reminded why that's one of my favourite shows ever. Next to Dr. Who. And Battlestar Galactica. And Star Trek TGN. And the geek alarm proudly sounds its siren call - blares, in fact.

In other pop-culture outside of the 1800's - the significant other and I finished the Bourne movies - wow they're good! I hope they make more. Now I need to read the Bourne books.

Stay tuned! In the new year I reveal The Darkly Luminous book trailer, excerpts, and launch a new contest!

Did I mention The Darkly Luminous Fight for Persephone Parker is available for Pre-Order?!!

Happy New Year!

A STRANGELY BEAUTIFUL day indeed!

Before I get going about release day, let me say THE STRANGELY BEAUTIFUL HAUNTED LONDON BLOG TOUR CONTINUES! Day 4! At Smexy Books! Drop in for the latest (and in my opinion scariest) ghost story yet! Win a free book!

Release Day Tuesday:

Wow what a day!

After doing some stock signings in the city and seeing my book has really been selling (P.S. seeing your book in a bookstore for the first time? NOTHING BETTER IN THE WORLD!), I got to go to Barnes and Noble Lincoln Triangle - a great venue - for a reading with other wonderful Dorchester authors (From L to R below): Charles Ardai, (me) Anna DeStefano and Jack Ketchum. I had such a good time reading, as I am an actress and haven't had any time to do theatre in a while, this suited me well and I deeply enjoyed it, nervous as I truly was. I had such a good time with these talented authors it was such an honor to be alongside them.

Thanks Morgan at Miss Media Productions for photos!

I love this picture of Kate from Babbling About Books and More and me. And even King Mho was there! Dressed in his cravat finery. :)













The room was PACKED! Thanks in no small part to my awesome friends! THANK YOU!
And being SOLD OUT of your first booksigning isn't a bad thing right? Was a little stressful for me as I wanted all my friends to be able to walk away with a book, but it was nice to know it's in demand!
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I was delighted to see Rose and Josh of PW's awesome blog Genreville were there and I basked in their truly delightful company. They did video interviews with us!! Video will be forthcoming, I'll be sure to post.
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Speaking of VIDEO:
Now on release day, RomanceNovel.TV rolled out the red carpet for me and took part in the Haunted London Blog Tour Action! They also posted new video interviews and I've got a great review posted by Stacey, she gave me top ratings and discussed why my Point of View and style choices worked so well in telling a complex story. Check out her well-presented thoughts! Stacey will actually be profiling Miss Percy Parker for Heroines Week at RNTV, where Percy has been praised for being wholly unique and utterly romantic so stay tuned on Aug. 29th for her thoughts!
From RNTV:

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And Now...
One of my favourite, most glowing reviews yet, from Maryse Reviews:
Maryse Says:
"This novel (officially released today), has become, unequivocally, one of my favourite books (I was lucky enough to get a “sneak preview”). It is an amazing paranormal love story rivaling some of the sweetest tales. It will have you chuckling, teary eyed, and “love drunk” midway through."
And that's only the beginning. Visit her review to see some of her favourite excerpts and other lovely words. Thank you Maryse you really made my day with that one!
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Hey guess what?! MY CONTEST IS OPEN FOR TWO COOL PRIZES!
Just Brush up your Shakespeare for a quick Percy Parker Pop quiz, send the answers via my website and you're entered! Runs until September 16th.
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Blessings! I'll see you on the HAUNTED LONDON BLOG TOUR!

In which Leanna creates Horcruxes to be everywhere at once...

I am in the eye of Hurricane Promo, a turbulent and fantastical storm of my own making.

Mark Henry just said on Twitter that I'm "EVERYWHERE... I'd go so far as to say... OMNIPRESENT"... and that I'm "sparkling like a star"... And you can bet that will go on promo material. (If you say usable quotes around me, beware, they will end up in front cover matter.)

I kind of think I'm sparking, as in, perhaps ready to catch on fire or explode, but hey, I'll take the "star" part. And I dig Mark Henry and can say so to his face at DragonCon this year so that's cool.

Here's the latest from Hurricane Promo... Or, "In which Leanna creates many Horcruxes and splits her soul to be everywhere at once." (If you are reading this blog, you likely know what a Horcrux is. If you do not, thankfully there's Wiki-Potter-pedia)

My soul is split today amongst these fine places:

Murder She Writes:
I love this blog. I am talking about everyone's favourite serial killer - and I do not mean Dexter, over at Murder She Writes. I am so thrilled to be there, and I find Jack the Ripper such a compelling and fascinating topic, so swing on by.

Magical Musings:
And over at the wonderful and charming group blog MAGICAL MUSINGS where Edie Ramer has become a sort of guardian angel to me, learn a few downright magical and uncanny things you wouldn't know about The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker otherwise.

Enter to win more free stuff! At Romance Writers on the Journey:

Check out an interview about how LONG it took for The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker to sell, how I kept my sanity, and what I rewarded myself with. Join me at a lovely and inspiring blog; Romance Writers on the Journey, and leave a comment, letting me know about your inspirations along the way. When you leave a comment, you'll be entered not only to win a copy of my book, but a tote bag and a FIRST SALE SCRAPBOOK! How cool is that?

And NOW for the very latest in glowing REVIEWS!

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Miss Percy Parker has been hailed over at SMEXY BOOKS - as reviewer Mandi and I share a particular affinity for a certain, inspired actor...


From Mandi:
"The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker is refreshing, adorable, romantic and an exciting story. This book is a paranormal, historical romance, but it is written in such a way you forget about classifications. You forget spirits don't really exist, and you really are not walking around 19th century London. The story completely absorbs you and pulls you into the world and you don't want to leave.

Percy starts as such a shy creature, but that is the only way she knows to keep hidden. Leanna Renee Hieber does an amazing job writing Percy - you can feel her yearning, and embarrassment and conflicting feelings. I can't remember being on such an intimate level with another heroine. It is not until Alexi makes her show her true self, and she gains strength in that courage, that she truly shines. Although most of their courtship she is timid, and unsure of how to handle her romantic emotions, when her relationship to Alexi is threatened, she stands up for herself and fights for him. The romance is sweet, and endearing and builds ever so slowly. "
(See the full and funny review, giving it a rating of 9... which means it will make a Smexy top 20 this year and that thrills me.) Thanks Mandi!

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FANTASY DREAMER gives Percy love:
From Donna:
"It's has been awhile since I've read a gothic fantasy and I don't remember being this entertained reading a book in this genre as much as I was reading Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker. I enjoyed how Ms. Hieber's prose could make me feel the anticipation of that first touch and the thrill of that first kiss. I was transported to a Victorian London, during the terrible reign of Jack the Ripper. I could hear the clip-clop of the horse hooves echoing down the street, see the ghosts along the streets and feel the eeriness that always seem to accompany the evenings in London. Since I've read this book, I've even caught myself thinking in Victorian speak, it had that much of an impact on me.

It was truly a pleasure reading Ms. Hieber's tender love story with her version of Greek mythology mixed with the paranormal. The plot was well rounded and the ending gives you a nice closure but I have a few questions lingering that I hope will be answered in the next book. Your not going to find anything too terribly dark or forbidding in this book, though the evil ones were evil enough to fulfill their part in the setting of this book. It was a wonderful journey reading this book and I'm looking forward to next book in this series. Yes, I would definitely recommend this book."

(Read the full post on Donna's gorgeous Fantasy Dreamer's Ramblings blog)
Congratulations to both of these lovely ladies for their Book Blogger Appreciation Week nominations!

Now! Back into the storm!!