2009 RWA convention in D.C.

Wow. Hard to believe two years have passed since my last RWA convention in Dallas.
Here I am, struggling with what outfits to wear, shoes to tote. No more than three pairs this year. I need room for copies of my first book MELTDOWN, and promo items. It was at the Dallas convention that I pitched the manuscript,to Kate Dorn of TWRP. So I'm proof that wonderful things happen at conventions. Another thing I like about conventions is seeing someone rather than talking to their virtual self. Real hugs beat cyberhugs. And, forever groupie that I am, I'll see and get autographed books from my favorite authors. At my first conference in Reno I took pictures of every one of them, (see former blog) or rather, a fellow CNY writer Kris Fletcher did. 'Hambone' me. LOL Each photograph is in a special scrapbook with all my experiences from this new journey in my life. What photos and mementos will I add from this experience in D.C.?? And did I mention the parties? 'O)
If things don't get too crazy I'll try to blog about it all!
Love and peace,
Susan

Celebrate our Heroes Tour

Only four more days for our Celebrate Heroes Virtual Tour, beginning with Kim Mendoza then to me then Beth Trisell and ending with Cami Checketts. Besides free books there will be other surprise give-a-ways. Stay cyber-tuned.

Citizen Soldier

In honor of the upcoming Fourth of July holiday, and because this song reminds me of Evan, I'd like to share with you a great song by the band "3 Doors Down." Enjoy!

The Little Princess

Once upon a time, in a kingdom far, far, away, a very special little princess was born.

She had curly brown hair like her mother, the queen, and huge green eyes like her father, the king, and a laugh that made everyone smile and laugh with her. The little princess loved to play games and invited all the children in the kingdom to her castle. She made lots of friends, but was lonely. One day by the slimey castle moat she kissed a smooth-talking frog, who turned into a prince. For ten years they stayed in the kingdom and partied with friends and family before they decided to wed.

Now the little princess is Queen, and she lives with the King and their kingdom is vast.

Blessed with four little princesses, and one tadpole, they live,
Happily Ever After.

Happy 5-0 Allene!

Love ya,

Little Sis

Editor tips- 10 mistakes

Check out this link. I fellow CNYRW author, Kari Townsend, passed along these tips. When editors speak, it's like that old E.F. Hutton commerical, EVERYONE listens.
http://www.holtuncensored.com/hu/the-ten-mistakes/

What's next

If you've been following my facebook blurbs, I've been focused on hammering out the sequel to MELTDOWN, LOVE LIKE YOU"RE DYING, and I haven't commented too much on the reception of MELTDOWN. That's because I won't get any numbers for a time. I can get an idea of print book sales, though, by following Barnes and Nobles online. My sister can tell you it's irratically moved around the ranking. I phone her several times daily.

One place I found a numerical ranking was a website called Fictionwise. They sell e-books exclusively. Now remember, tell friends to BUY my print book or ebook from my publisher, The Wild Rose Press. They are the ones who supported me, and we need to support them.

Okay. Here's some e-book sales numbers: One day in March, MELTDOWN ranked #125 out of 9946 romance titles. I nearly fell out of my swivel chair. I still don't know what that means, but at least it wasn't at the bottom of the list. On the same website, compared to my fellow authors at TWRP, it ranked as #7. That made my day!

So I decided to do a little advertising. I contacted my favorite ladies at LASR. They made a beautiful banner. Check it out on their website:
http://www.longandshortreviews.com/LASR/interviews.htm
Treat yourself and read the reviews. Summer's around the corner. Time to stock up.

The picture is of a special get-a-way place in the Adirondacks.
What would you do on that boulder? Fish? Dive off it? Write in your diary? Exchange secrets with your best friend?
Make a comment!

Happy Mother's Day!
Susan

Smashing Book signing

The night before my book signing, I dreamt I was arrested for speeding, something I'd never do, I swear. "But officer," I cried, "I can't go to jail, I'm on my way to my book signing." Mr. Macho cop replied, "Tell it to the judge."
Actually, I was so terrified I woke up before the policeman got to my car. But all the week before the book signing I kept having one crazy dream after another, all with the same theme: I was certain something terible would prevent me from attending my first book signing. I think that's why I was so amazed when I saw Andrea and Sunny waiting for me at Barnes and Noble. They were so excited and said I looked terrified. Yep. I was expecting the roof to cave in.
I kept thinking the worst, and instead the best thing happened. People not only showed up, but they bought my book. Not only family and friends, bless them, but strangers- wonderful, intelligent, romance readers. And I sold out! Imagine that.
I could tell you more stories, but it's late and the CNYRW mini con is tomorrow. I needed to thank whatever force in the universe worked to make my day a great one. Maybe it pays to have nightmares...

Rockin' Kindle

Meltdown is now available on Kindle. How cool is that? I thought it would take a few more months, but it became available 2/26. Now the real fun starts.

I won

Thanks to your votes, MELTDOWN won LASR's "Book of the Week"

Check it out. And be sure to read this weeks great reviews. This is a great time of year to snuggle up with a book and read a good book.
And don't forget to mark the date: Sunday March 8th 2pm- ? Booksigning at Barnes and Noble in New Hartford, NY. See you there!

Interview today

I'm being interviewed today by my friends at author's studio.
Hope to see you there!

Best Book review

Long and Short Reviews gave MELTDOWN their hightest honor- best book review, highest praise and reserved only for a few. I'm in orbit! Here's the review:
"Susan St. Thomas’s Meltdown ROCKS!! It’s a love story of two tortured souls Cassie and Evan, filled with everything that makes a great romantic suspense read. It will blow your socks off.

Not only did I love this story, I literally couldn’t put it down once I started reading it. There is so much nail biting, edge of your seat action suspense that you’ll need to wipe the sweat of your brow often. The love scenes are so hot that they could speed up global warming and tender enough that you need tissues close at hand, and should be a mandatory manual for all prospective lovers.

It has wonderfully defined and developed characters not only the hero and heroine, but an equally great supporting cast. Her writing style was entertaining and descriptive enough that I could actually see the scenes being depicted. With so much going on at any given time in the story you never loose track of where she wanted the reader to go.

So if you’re opposed to an excellent read, spicy love scenes, great suspense, wonderful characters and a definite best seller then this is not the book for you. For the rest of you out there...well, what are you waiting for? Grab a copy for yourself.
by Larkspur"
Isn't that the best!!!! I hope readers are listening!

Meltdown Winner

I hope, like me, you're nibbling Hershey's chocolate kisses or other sweet gifts as you're reading blogs today. If you remember, in honor of Valentine's Day my February contest had two prizes: an e-book copy of MELTDOWN and box of Godiva chocolates.
And the WINNER is: Christa Reed. Congrats, Christa!
I'm tickled from head to toe at the well wishes left in my guest book and the emails I've received. It makes me want to return your generosity.
Now I'm off to watch the Daytona 500.