Tomorrow may be THE BITE BEFORE CHRISTMAS‘s Big Day (one of them, anyway 😉 ), for which I am very excited, but today I’m having a problem with a different vampire book.

Kensington’s sales department isn’t thrilled with the working title of my second Brava release, VAMPS IN VEGAS. 😥   There’s more than a little boo-hoo in this, because I happen to love that title, & have also been living with it for…oh, about four years.  So this is pretty much like asking me to rename my child.  (Or my cat. :cat2: )

But if Marketing ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy, which means I need to come up with handful of other ideas that would work for this story.  Preferably by the end of the day. 😛

Here’s a brief overview:

Part 1 — “Vampnapped” — As a reporter for the Sin City Tattler, Charlotte “Chuck” Lamoreaux is used to investigating the bizarre and outrageous—everything from alien abductions to potato chips that look like Elvis Presley. But this time, she’s on to something big . . . and something she believes might actually be true. Which is why she decides to switch places with her identical twin sister, a showgirl for the Inferno’s dance troupe, Lust. All she needs is to get closer to Sebastian Raines, the billionaire owner of the Inferno Hotel and Casino, and find proof that he is what she suspects—an honest-to-Dracula vampire.

Sebastian Raines isn’t sure why his brother’s so-called fiancée has been following him, but he’s pretty sure she’s up to something more than simply picking out bridesmaids dresses. Fearing that Chloe Lamoreaux is trying to get her hands on the hefty Raines coffers by dragging his younger sibling to one of Las Vegas’s many all-night wedding chapels, Sebastian vows to stop her by any means necessary . . . and to keep her from discovering the secret they’ve kept for the past hundred years. But how was he to know she had an identical twin sister? Or that when he grabbed the fully-garbed showgirl on her way off stage, he was abducting Chuck instead of Chloe?

Part 2 — “Married . . . with Fangs” — Although she’d like to deny it, Chloe Lamoreaux is exactly what Sebastian Raines believes her to be—a gold digger. As much as she loves dancing, she’s tired of the long hours on her feet and the men who think “showgirl” is synonymous with “high-priced hooker.” She needs stability; a man with money who can support both her and her young son. And she’s pretty sure she’s found just that in millionaire playboy Aidan Raines.

For the last hundred years, both before he was turned and after, Aidan Raines has played second fiddle to his older brother, Sebastian. He wants something of his own; to make his mark on the world without being overshadowed by Sebastian’s wealth and accomplishments. Then he meets Chloe and begins to think that being the first to settle down might be the perfect way to set himself apart from his unattached, lone wolf brother. Of course, when Aidan pops the question, he doesn’t bother telling Chloe that he’s a vampire. But then, she never told him she had a kid, so he figures that makes them even. The question is, can he adjust to instant family life (just add water), or will Chloe freak out and start sharpening her stakes when she learns that her new husband is more—much more—than he seems?

So, um…any ideas?

As an added incentive for all of you Darlings of the Dungeon to put on your thinking hardhats, I offer you…

#1 — A sneak peek at tall, dark, sexy, rich, fanged, & luscious casino owner Sebastian Raines.  You know, for inspiration. :-*

#2 — Should your suggestion for a new title be chosen by Kensington’s Powers That Be, your choice of either an Advanced Reading Copy of my first vampires Brava, THE BITE BEFORE CHRISTMAS, now…or the promise of an ARC of the newly titled VAMPS IN VEGAS later.  (It’s currently scheduled for October 2011, so we’re looking at a year from now for delivery of that prize.  I’ll send you a cyber-coupon or some such that you can redeem when the time comes. :mail: )

All right, folks!

Hardhats on. :skywalker:

Brains engaged. :poop:  I mean,  :hypnotized:

Let the reconstruction begin! :bomb:

Happy Sunday!  Which is really just a new & improved version of our old Super Sunday posts. This is where we share our happiness & gratitude over the wonderful things that have happened to us during the previous week. Or even sometimes things we’re looking forward to soon.

Yes, I know sometimes keeping a positive attitude & thinking of something we’re happy about isn’t easy, especially when the urge to strangle is strong.  (Hey, who knows…every once in a while, don’t be surprised if a “Grumpy Sunday” post pops up.  And maybe later, even a Sleepy, Sneezy, Dopey, & Doc. *snicker*)

But this week, we’re going to focus on an attitude of gratitude. I want to know what’s been making us happy, happy, joy, joy.

The first thing I’m happy about is that The Dungeon is back up & running. This particular look may be temporary, but it’s awesome, & at least we’re live again.  At least we’re back to our old, fun selves, with a healthy side order of naughty & nice.  With more to come. :devil:

Happy #2 is a very special sneak peek for my Darlings of the Dungeon only. You see, our awesome temporary hang-0ut is about to get a makeover, & I just got a wee glimpse of the new website design.  And when I say “wee,” I mean it; this is a very small image that I’m sharing—a magnifying glass may be necessary.  But that’s the general idea, & it’s still under construction, but I have no doubt it’s going to be fabulous.

Another Dungeon exclusive…?  The big relaunch is scheduled for this coming Friday, October 1st, the same day as THE BITE BEFORE CHRISTMAS‘s second official release day.  Mark your calendars, because it is going to be a blast! :bomb:

Happy #3 is Top Secret.  Something really fun that I’ve been working on for quite a while—and, whew, am I tired! :ZZZ:  But here are a couple of hints:  It has to do with THE BITE BEFORE CHRISTMAS‘s fang-tabulous release…& I’ll be announcing it tomorrow. :kissed:

That’s about it for me.  So what are you happy, happy, joy, joy about this week? :rainbow:

:rose: :rose: :rose:

As an addition to the regular Happy Sunday attitude of gratitude, I thought it would be fun to include an occasional “random act of kindness”/”together, we can make the world a better place”-type thing.  (I wanted to steal Darling Jessica‘s blog title, Smile, Feel Good, Pass it On, but that didn’t seem to be keeping in the spirit of random acts of kindness. Curses! :curse: )

So I’m going to call mine “Mission:  Possible.”  And each week—or as I said, occasionally, depending on how many I can think up & what kind of mood I’m in—I will post a specific activity for you to participate in.  Your mission, should you choose to accept 8-), will be to keep the action in mind & carry it out to the best of your ability.  And then, of course, to report back & let us know how you did. 😉

Here is your very first Random Act of Kindness. (Insert theme to Mission: Impossible…do-do-do do-do-do-do do :bomb: )

MISSION: POSSIBLE — Say hello to everyone you meet.

That’s right.  Simply say hello or give a friendly nod to everyone you encounter this week, everywhere you go.  At work, at the mall, in the grocery store, in the book store while picking up your very own copy of THE BITE BEFORE CHRISTMAS, which comes out on Tuesday…or maybe Friday… *hint-hint*.

Good luck!

:rose: :rose: :rose:

And finally, we need to announce the winner of this (or would it be last? :idk: ) week’s Free Book Friday giveaway.

Jennifer!

Congratulations, Jennifer! Please contact me with your mailing information & I’ll get your ARC of THE BITE BEFORE CHRISTMAS out to you as soon as I can.

I’m sorry, but no. Just…NO.