September 22, 2008

The Aftermath

I’m sure by now you’ve seen something on the news about Hurricane Ike. Here in Houston, it’s more than news—it’s daily life.

The hurricane hit on Saturday, September 13, and we finally got power on Friday, September 19. I have friends who are still in the dark. The electric company says they’ll get their power back “after Monday.”

I still don’t have cable or Internet service, so I’m writing this from Starbuck’s. Hopefully, I’ll have service soon, but if I’m not able to check comments today, I’ll check them soon.

There’s a lot to be thankful for in the aftermath of a hurricane. Our house didn’t flood or suffer any major damage. USF and I live across from a bayou, so we evacuated to another city. The bayou didn’t overflow its banks, and we were safe.

I’m also thankful for things I never thought much about before—ice, hot showers, peanut butter, batteries, and water pressure.

Things I am not thankful for include dead cell phones, long lines at gas stations, creeping humidity, dead traffic lights treated as four-way stops, and my neighbors a few streets down who had power last Monday.

So be thankful when you turn on your bathroom light, make hot coffee, or read this blog. None of it would be possible without electricity.

August 11, 2008

Sophie’s Winner

The winner of a signed copy of one of my books is Teresa W.! Teresa, email me at sophie@sophiejordan.net with the title you’d like and your address.

Thanks to all who entered,
Sophie

August 6, 2008

Headline News with Jaunty

Hello! It’s me, Jaunty P. Quills, Porcupine Extraordinaire with all the news from San Francisco. Just think of me like one of those embedded reporters going out on a patrol with the troops in Iraq. Except I infiltrated the Romance Writers of America conference. And let me tell you, that’s no day in a desert mine field.

I would have posted something sooner, but there was a situation where I got a little too embedded in a box full of copies of Blackthorne’s Porcupine. It was a tasty read—I chewed my way through several copies in an effort to escape.

And now! Finally, I’m here and can give you the scoop.

And the scoop is…there are big happenings in the world of romance. Deals were made, contracts signed, agents secured.

And the Jaunty Quills have big news of their own—no, Shana did not win the Rita for Blackthorne’s Porcupine. That honor went to Julia Quinn for The Secret Diaries of Miss Miniver Porcupine. A few tears were shed, but there’s always next year. And with so many talented Jaunty Quills, one of them will surely be nominated.

No, the big news is that—wait! I went to a workshop at the conference and the speaker kept talking about this thing called “show not tell.” So that’s exactly what I’m going to let the Jaunties do—show. So keep checking back. In the next few months you’re going to see some exciting changes.

April 6, 2008

Tomorrow!

Guest author TJ Bennett blogs with us tomorrow. She asked me to let everyone know that she’s having a contest whereby anyone who posts a comment on at least two of the blogs she’s touring will get a chance at a free book and a $40 gift certificate to either B&N or GermanDeli.com (a German foods importer).

Check out her blog tomorrow for more information.

March 13, 2008

Sandra’s Winner

Hello! It’s me, Jaunty P. Quills. Sandra K. Moore asked me to pick her winner for today. It was a tough decision…so tough I threw acrons with each poster’s name into the sky and the one that bonked me on the head won. (I’m a little dizzy now)

It’s Cindi Hoppes! Congrats, Cindy. Email Sandra at sandra@sandrakmoore.com to let her know where to send the book.

March 5, 2008

Sophie’s Winner

Sophie didn’t announce this contest, except on the Avon Bulletin Board , but she wanted us to give away a copy of Marked by Moonlight to one reader who commented. Marked by Moonlight is Sophie’s latest paranormal as Sharie Kohler. Fedora was randomly chosen. Congrats, Fedora!

Email Sharie/Sophie at sophie@sophiejordan.net with your address and who you’d like the book signed to.

Congrats!

February 27, 2008

Jaunty ‘jacks the Blog

Hello all you Quills out there! It’s me, Jaunty P. Quills, Porcupine Extraordinaire. Once again, I have taken over the blog (Did you notice my title? I said it that way because I’m hip. Yeah, baby!)

It seemed to me that lately the Jaunty Quills have been blogging about really boring stuff, i.e. stuff not about me. So let’s talk a bit about me.

I’m handsome.
I’m smart.
I’m sexy.
I’m…oh, I could go on and on. And I will, except that I wanted to make sure everyone knows the dirt I’ve got on the Jaunties. Shhh. This is just between us.

Robyn DeHart must be working for the CIA or something because she’s being awfully secretive about what’s going on in her office. I even tried bribing her with chocolates, but she’s not budging. She did mumble something about making a big announcement sometime in the future.

Shana Galen is working on a new proposal. She tried to hide it, but I have a feeling she just doesn’t want to admit that I’m the hero. She’s also getting ready for a romantic date on her second wedding anniversary. She doesn’t yet know that I’ll be tagging along!

Shirley Karr is taking care of little Daniel Jaunty Karr. I think there’s been something about his paternity she’s been wanting to reveal. Hint, hint. Look at the middle name…

Cindy Kirk is still recovering from her broken hand. And don’t look at me like that! I had almost nothing to do with that!

Margo Maguire is working her fingers to the bone on a new book with a really wild premise, entitled … WILD. How ironic (heh heh). She is working diligently in order to finish before taking a lovely, romantic trip to Paris with her husband. OK, maybe not that romantic, since he has to go for work. But Margo is planning on some wild, romantic fun. April in Paris! Yay! (I’m going along with her, too!)

Anne Mallory is working on a new book and eagerly anticipating her May release, Three Nights of Sin. I think one of those nights is about me.

But enough about them and more about me!

I’m suave and charming and conceited…hey! Wait a minute! Don’t help, Margo!

Sigh. Just let me tell you about the guest bloggers I’ve scheduled.

Victoria Alexander will be blogging with us on Saturday. You know you want to stop by for that.
My veeery good friend Sophie Jordan writes her monthy guest blog on Tuesday.
Kick-butt author Sandra K. Moore joins us March 12, and right after her is Delores Fossen. Two guests in a row! See how awesome I am?

Let’s see. Oh! Judy Duarte will be here March 24 and Christie Craig stops by March 28. Christie is hilarious, by the way.
I rounded out the month with Jan Kenney on March 29 and Julianne MacLean on March 31.

And we ever have a sneak preview for April! Gayle Callen will be here on April 3rd and Lisa Plumley is here April 17.

February 15, 2008

We Have Winners!

Congrats to Maureen and Kathryn, who each won a copy of Joanna Wayne’s book. Email Joanna at joanna@joannawayne.com. Let her know your address, so she can send you the books.

Congrats! And scroll down to read Shirley’s blog on clutter.

February 2, 2008

Serenissima Won!

Congrats to Serenissima, who is the winner of a signed copy of the gorgeous Australian edition of Anna Campbell’s Untouched.

Serenissima, email Anna at anna@annacampbell.info with your address, so she can send you the book. Or you can have her send it to me…

Jaunty P. Quills
The Forest
Jaunty, Quilland
USA

Oh, and scroll down to read Robyn’s blog on Going to the Dark Side. I’m scared!!!!!

December 28, 2007

And the award goes to…

Hello! It’s Jaunty P. Quills, Porcupine Extraordinaire making an unscheduled visit here. It’s Shana’s day to blog, but who cares! (Okay, okay, Shana!) Shana says that if you care, her blog is below. (Happy now?)

We Jaunty Quills are celebrating big today. We have 3 big announcements!

Drum roll, please. Seriously, do a drumroll on your desk. I’ll wait.

First of all, congrats to our own Jess Michaels (aka Jenna Petersen) who has made Lifetime’s Hottest Romance Books of 2007 with Everything Forbidden. Lifetime says “Michaels turns a deliciously erotic phrase in this sexy romance that pushes sensual boundaries just a blissful tad.” Go, Jenna! (Can I have some bark now?)

Secondly, two of our Quills have been nominated for the Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice Awards. Robyn DeHart is nominated in the Historical Romantic Mystery/Gothic category for Tempted at Every Turn. I hope you win it, Robyn (then maybe she’ll give me those pine nuts she promised).

Shana Galen is nominated in the Historical Love and Laughter category for Blackthorne’s Bride. Avon authors pretty much swept that category, but we’re still rooting for Shana (she promised me acorns if I said that).

Okay, time for the big finish.

2-4-6-8, who do we appreciate?
Jaunty!
P.!
Quills!