I know I’ve been talking a lot lately about the Top Sekrit project I’m working on.  And it’s only Top Sekrit because I hadn’t gotten around to announcing the details yet.  But now it’s time for the Big Reveal… :peekaboo

A few weeks ago, I got a lovely note from friend & fellow author Lori Foster.  She’s putting together yet another benefit book & wanted to know if I’d be willing to write a story for it. :hohoho

Well, I adore Lori & had a wonderful time participating in The Gift of Love with my novella “SKIN DEEP.”  So of course I was all bouncy at the prospect of doing another one. :letitsnow   Yes, yes, I really want to, but…

I had another book due & the deadline for the benefit novella would be really tight.  So I thought it only fair that I speak with my agent & editor before agreeing to anything extra.

Then Lori sweetened the pot.  She said, “Oh.  Did I mention that all of the proceeds for this collection will benefit the AAF?”  AAF being the Animal Adoption Foundation, one of her local no-kill animal shelters.

And you’ve met me, right? :neener   You know that I would do absolutely anything for an animal.  I mean, I have literally run into traffic to save a dog from getting hit & raced down the middle of a major highway to save a kitten.  How could I not write a sexy, fun romantic novella when A.) it would be a blast & B.)  all of the money would go to save homeless, helpless, needy dogs & cats?

Yeah, she had me at AAF. :happynewyear

But there’s still a little thing called protocol, & I felt it was only fair to at least alert my agent & editor that I was veering off course at record speeds.  And I was very cool & collected about it; I even made it sound like a request.  “Um…Lori asked me to do this favor & it’s for a really good cause, so would it be all right with you if I pushed my deadline back & wrote this wee little novella?” :wink   When what I really meant was, “I’m doing it.  I don’t care what you say or how badly this is going to screw up your entire universe. I’m doing it!” :steamin   Or something to that effect.

Thankfully, no one was vehemently against it.  Editor C was actually awesomely supportive. :thanksgiving   He knows how much I love animals & was not only willing to move the deadline for my next Harlequin Desire, but remembered a couple of story ideas with animals in them that I’d tossed around once before.  (Ironically, I went with something completely different, but they were a bit of a springboard for the current idea.)  So by the end of the day, it was a total go. :sled

And that’s what I’ve been up to lately—writing the most adorable, sexy little story about a couple I love & animals galore.  I can’t wait to get it done & see how it all comes together.

No word on the title of the anthology yet, but I’m calling my novella “GIMME SHELTER” (which will probably be changed before publication, but it’s working for me at the moment) & the entire collection is scheduled for digital release in June 2013, just in time for Lori’s annual Reader Event.  Then it will be released in paperback the following year.

Last but not least, if you haven’t bought a copy of Lori’s last collection to benefit the AAF—Love Bites—please do so now!  It’s only $3.00, & 100% of the author’s proceeds go to the shelter, so you can do a lot of good & get an awesome read at the same time!  (I confess, I actually downloaded both the Kindle *&* Nook versions, just to make a double donation. :prettylights )

Comments

15 Comments  •  Comments Feed

1. 

   Mary Kirkland says:

   That’s awesome and what a great cause!

   On December 6, 2012 at 3:12 am

2. 

   Donna says:

   What a terrific thing to do.

   On December 6, 2012 at 9:42 am

3. 

   Willa Blair says:

   What a great cause! Glad you had a chance to participate and have fun doing it!

   On December 6, 2012 at 12:44 pm

4. 

   Sheila Roberts says:

   Sooo cool! Yay for you!

   On December 6, 2012 at 1:19 pm

5. 

   Jessica Lemmon says:

   Woooot! How cool, Heidi! :letitsnow

   On December 6, 2012 at 2:34 pm

6. 

   Laura J says:

   I am so happy you are doing this again! I always buy these that she does for charity.

   On December 6, 2012 at 6:43 pm

7. 

   Heidi Helmick says:

   :peekaboo Heidi,
   I am very gratful and thankful that there are good people like you and Lori in this crazy mixed up world with me. I am very honored to be your online friend and one of your adoring admiring fans. Thank you dear Heidi for all kind and wonderful things that you do for the animals.
   Yours always,
   Heidi Helmick
   :candles

   On December 6, 2012 at 8:52 pm

8. 

   PattiF says:

   As I’m someone who adores animals and is owned by two cats…. I THINK IT IS AWESOME NEWS!!!!!!!! :cheers

   Congrats and I can’t wait to buy it. :letitsnow

   On December 6, 2012 at 10:09 pm

9. 

   Ruth Chestnut says:

   Love that you are doing this for the animals. I have the previous book but haven’t read it yet.

   On December 6, 2012 at 10:53 pm

10. 

    Judy Flohr says:

    Yeah, I have gone to Lori’s event every year. Looking forward to reading this one.

    Judy (owned by sam the cat) :prettylights

    On December 7, 2012 at 5:30 am