The HEA Cafe

I’m SO, SO, SO excited to announce that … drum roll, please… OPERATION SHEBA, Super Agent Series Book 1, is available FREE for the KINDLE from Amazon, March 1^st-14^th .  You can find it here. (Update 3/1/10, 10:45 a.m. – Amazon has yet to flip the switch so the book goes to $0.00. I’ll add another note as soon as I’m sure it’s been switched over to free. I’m REALLY sorry for the inconvenience, but how is an author to control the beast known as Amazon?!!? They told me March 1st!) (Update #2: 5 pm … FINALLY, it is really and truly FREE on Amazon for Kindle. And it’s ranked in the top 100 already. Woo hoo!)

It’s also available free for the Nook, Barnes & Noble’s ebook reader! If you want the Nook version, go here .

More news about Sheba: It’s a finalist in the 2009 New England Bean Pot Published Authors Contest for Romantic Suspense! I couldn’t be more thriled!

PLEASE pass this on and share the news with anyone who owns a Kindle or a Nook and might enjoy my book. Maybe we can get Conrad and Julie in the Top 100 Kindle books. If we do, I’m going to celebrate big with goodie giveaways galore to my readers!

Here are a few review snippets to tease you:

“Evans takes readers on an edge-of-your-seat thriller into the secretive world of CIA operatives. A love triangle and a mole in the agency make this one story you won’t want to put down.”  ~Cindy Himler, RT Reviews

“…deeply woven and masterfully written plot with many twists and turns.” ~Abi, The Romance Studio

“Misty Evans does a masterful job of developing vibrant, believable characters that inhabit a world full of international and personal intrigue…” ~Camilia, Long and Short Reviews

“…the best book I have ever read. OPERATION SHEBA is not at the head of the class, it is in a class by itself. The adventure never stops, it is really sexy, and the reader will go from laughter to terror as the plot is uncovered and the traitor is exposed.” ~ Reviewed by Susiq2 for CataRomance

“This is a top notch romantic suspense…The characters in this story fulfill their roles perfectly, strong, heroic, and of course, dangerously sexy. Ms. Evans takes you on a wild ride, one that you will hate to see end.  I will await her next installment of Super Agents with great anticipation.” ~ Reviewed by Loloty for Coffee Time Romance

“…a heart-pounding, super-hot read…continuous nonstop action and blazing sexual interactions. Overall, OPERATION SHEBA was a thrilling, erotic spy game that I enjoyed playing.” ~ Reviewed by Contessa for Romance Junkies 

“Bad guys, bombs, and bullets pop up everywhere…The CIA’s internal politics are fleshed out beautifully… With non-stop action and a fantastic heroine, Operation Sheba is a great kickoff for a debut writer.” ~Reviewed by Bramble Nymph for Literary Nymphs

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My website: www.readmistyevans.com

I was tempted to subtitle this “How dare you say my baby is ugly!” but held back. Reviews are the joy and bane of a published writer’s existence. Each morning I check my Google Alerts to see if someone’s said something new about The Bride and the Buccaneer, but I always click on the link with a certain amount of trepidation and a lump in my throat. Did the reviewer like my story? Did she find the characters entertaining? Am I going to want to bang my head on the keyboard?

I can say, with no false modesty, that my fears are generally unwarranted. I don’t always get an A+, but so far the reviewers seem to agree that they find my stories entertaining, my characters engaging, my dialogue snappy. Some even say they enjoy getting a little does of Florida history fed to them, which thrills my history wonk soul. You can read for yourself what the reviewers are saying at my website.

Are all reviewers created equal? No. I find a comment from a reader saying “I couldn’t go to sleep last night because I had to stay up to finish your wonderful book!” every bit as grand as the most detailed analysis of my craft. I will say though that for me as a writer some reviewers are worth paying particular attention to because they understand writing. Their comments will be on point, and can be helpful.

On the other hand, there are some popular reviewing sites where you wonder if the author of the review was having a bad day, or ever read historicals, or was actually reading the book you wrote. When I get one of those reviews, I let it bother me for about five minutes. Then I remember the reader who said, “I read your books when I was undergoing chemo, and it took me away from everything for a few hours. Thank you.”

And then it’s all right again, and I’m reassured my baby is every bit as pretty as I think it is.

RomConInc celebrates 14 Days of Love February 1 – 14!  Join romance lovers everywhere as RomConInc launched reader forums, Contemporary, Historical, and Fantasy/Futuristic & Paranormal (FF&P), with visits from special guest authors, fun topics to chat about, and gifts and goodies galore! 

All you need to do to participate is sign up for an account (www.romconinc.com). Anyone who leaves a comment during the special promotion will be entered to win a free Reader Registration to RomCon™ 2010!

Tuesday, February 2^nd, I’ll be hosting the contemporary forum on Favorite Love Songs and Romantic Movies. What’s your favorite romantic comedy? What song was playing during your first kiss?

Please come by and share your favorites at Tuesday’s contemporary forum. Remember to register for your account today so you’re ready to go. We’ll rekindle romantic moments from the past and have a blast discussing movies and songs that never fail to put us in the mood!

Contemporary Forum Guest Line-up:

Feb 1 –  Jenna Bayley-Burke

Feb 2 –  Misty Evans

Feb 3 –  Stephanie Tyler

Feb 4 –  Elisabeth Naughton

Feb 5 –  Marie Force

Feb 6 –  Gina Robinson

Feb 7 –  Dee Davis

Feb 8 –  Diana Holquist

Feb 9 –  TBD

Feb 10 – Susan Crandall

Feb 11 – Hope Tarr

Feb 12 – TBD

Feb 13 – TBD

Feb 14 – Louisa Edwards

Historical Forum Guest Line-up:

Feb 1 -  Deeanne Gist
Feb 2 -  Karen Ranney
Feb 3 -  Terri Brisbin
Feb 4 -  Margo Maguire
Feb 5 -  Kris Kennedy
Feb 6 -  Sally MacKenzie
Feb 7 -  TBD
Feb 8 -  Sabrina Jeffries
Feb 9 -  Lavinia Kent
Feb 10 – Elizabeth Amber
Feb 11 – Anthea Lawson
Feb 12 – Elaine Levine
Feb 13 – TBD
Feb 14 – Catherine Anderson

Check the website for updates on the FF&P lineup and the TBDs.

Oh, and Happy Valentine’s Day! If you’re in the mood for deliciously romantic read with heart-stopping danger and a HEA, check out my latest Super Agent Series print release, I’d Rather Be In Paris. After all, Paris is one of the most romantic places around! www.readmistyevans.com

My newest Florida set, Regency era romance is now available in print and ebook editions.

You can read excerpts at my website, and it makes a lovely way to escape and unwind after a hectic holiday season.

Happy holidays!

Darlene

I’m sitting here in front of a roaring fire on a yucky December day, a dozing dachshund snuggled at my side. If she was in her preferred spot, my lap, you wouldn’t be reading this right now because there’s no room for dog and laptop, and the dog usually wins.

I’m trying to mellow out, but it’s difficult because OMG I HAVE A BOOK COMING OUT THIS WEEK!!!

Yes, that’s exactly what it feels like. I don’t know if someone like Nora Roberts or Stephen King gets the same kind of rush every time they know one of their babies is going out into the big, bad world, but for me as a romance author there’s no feeling quite like it.

On December 6 the ebook edition of The Bride and the Buccaneer will be available at Amber Quill Press. There’s a link at my website. In addition, there will soon be a paper edition, a Kindle edition, and sales of the ebook at Fictionwise, BN.com and other sites. The Bride and the Buccaneer was a fun novel for me to research and write, and I’m thrilled it’s ready for publication.

What’s it about, you ask? Here’s a blurb:

“Lucky Jack” Burrell’s quest for revenge against Sophia Deford will have to wait until he discharges a debt. He has to help her find the fabled pirate treasure Garvey’s Gold. Then he can wring her dainty neck.
Sophia has no intention of sharing anything with anyone. She will have all of Garvey’s Gold, no matter how much Jack’s lean-muscled body makes her want to get to know him just a little bit better before she gets rid of him.
As the two adversaries squabble their way across Territorial Florida following the clues on their treasure map, they know that before they’re through they’re either going to kiss each other, kill each other, or both…

People ask me why I write when so many days I’d be just as effective banging my head on the keyboard until blood flows. The answer is because of the rush, the emotional lift that comes from hearing from people who bought my book and liked it.

Next month I’ll have something more concrete on the writing process, but for December’s HEA you’ll have to forgive me if all I want to do is sit here and bask in the firelight, and think about my book going out into the big wide world.