Holiday or no holiday, we mustn’t forget to announce the winner of our very special Earth Day Giveaway…

:getdown   Amy Bleich!!! :getdown

Congratulations, Amy! :vday Please contact me with your full name & mailing information, & I’ll get your Earth Day goodies out to you as soon as I can!

And since I’ve got a stack of them now (though I am still quite dedicated to the Animal Rescue “Adopt a Shelter Pet” stamps) I’ve decided to toss a sheet in with the previous two Earth Day Free Book Friday giveaways from this month.  So Emily…Jessica…when I finally get your eco-friendly books in the mail, you’ll be getting Go Green! forever stamps, too.  ‘Cuz that’s just how I roll. :eyelashes

I am canceling today’s Sexy Fail post to share with you some extremely sad news.  A friend & fellow romance author, Beverly Barton, passed away very suddenly this past week, & I am still in shock.

Those of you who may have met Beverly somewhere along the way know how wonderful she was.  Those of you who never had the privilege, believe me when I tell you that she was the sweetest, kindest woman I think I’ve ever met.  And that’s on top of being an amazingly talented author!

When I was thinking of signing with Agent Extraordinaire, Beverly took the time to chat with me about him, because he was her agent, too.

When I first sold to Harlequin, Beverly told me everything she knew about them, because she’d written for them, too.  (Intimate Moments, Desire, even some single titles.)

When I got the offer from Kensington to write paranormals for Brava, I turned to Beverly because she was also writing for them (her fabulous, bestselling romantic suspenses) & we would soon share Editor B, as well.

In fact, her newest title with Kensington, Dead by Morning, is scheduled to release on Tuesday, April 26th.

Beverly was just always there, happy to chat & share.

She was also such a bright spot at RWA National every year.  I couldn’t wait to see her smiling face & hear that soft Southern drawl of hers.

I still simply cannot believe she’s gone.  I can’t believe I’m never going to see her again or talk with her again.  And she’ll never get the chance to visit us here in The Dungeon—which, yes, was in the works.  She would have been a fabulous guest, too.

The romance community will certainly never be the same without her in it.  But then, neither will the world.

We love you, Beverly.  Rest in peace.

A FRIDAY FUNNY

FREE BOOK FRIDAY

How fortuitous that Earth Day falls on a Friday this year, when I would be giving something away, anyway. And while this week’s Free Book Friday offering isn’t (strictly speaking) a book, I still think it’s something you’ll enjoy!

Today’s Earth Day prize pack includes:

a “Think Green, Be Global” 100% recycled (& recyclable) notebook

a “Love Your Earth” mini list pad

a brand new Peanuts/Snoopy “Save Our Planet” wristwatch just like Mistress Heidi wears.  Oh, yeah.

& (added belatedly, so it’s not in the picture)

a sheet of the brand new Go Green! U.S. “Forever” postal stamps:

To enter the giveaway for this Earth Day Giveaway, please share at least one way in which you intend to be more “green” & Earth-friendly in the coming year.  And please include the code FBF—for “Free Book Friday”—to let me know you’re interested in the drawing. (U.S. residents only for the prize, please, but everyone is welcome to chat.)

Winner will be announced on Easter Sunday (4/24).  Winner is responsible for contacting me with her mailing information—i.e. I will not be contacting you—so be sure to check back in or you might not even know you won! :crying (If prize isn’t claimed within 14 days, another name may be drawn or item may be tossed back into the goody bag to be re-used for a future giveaway.)