Jul 10, 2010
So, it’s seventeen days until I board a plane to go to my first RWA convention ever. And I’m both excited and pretty scared. I planned to make this a family/friend vacation even when it was scheduled for Nashville–I had visions of my daughters singing in some honky-tonk and doing the boot scoot boogie. Now I see them spinning in teacups with Sadie, my two-year-old granddaughter, and avoiding heatstroke in Orlando.
I am traveling with an entourage (not to be confused with the HBO series of the same name because we are not nearly as profane or buff)–my oldest daughter (Sadie’s mom), Sadie, my youngest daughter, one of my oldest friends and her daughter. I realized I will not be having dinner with them any night because of commitments, and that makes me even more nervous. Their human shield capability is what I love about them most. 🙂 I am friendly, but I am shy. I think that’s a given for most of us who peck away in privacy.
My youngest daughter gave me a beautiful pen at Christmas to sign books with. I’ve got it in my purse already. Due to the terrifying genius of Rita-nominated Courtney Milan, my book excerpts are appearing in rather exalted company in this promo booklet.
I’m bringing pencils and magnets and bookmarks to pass out, too.
Next week my oldest daughter and I are going clothes shopping, as I usually spend my summers in bathing suits and jean shorts. Having summers off from school has left my professional wardrobe lacking in most essentials, but I’m happy to tell you I’ve got plenty of brand-new underwear in case I wind up in the hospital. 😉
So, any conference tips to pass along? Ways to beat the heat and swollen feet? Don’t forget to enter this month’s contest.
Jul 6, 2010
Just a quick post to direct your attention to this month’s contest. I’ve described the hero Darius Shaw of Not Quite a Courtesan in Brava’s Lords of Passion (November 30) as an “adventurer.” What do you think he does? Guess away and I’ll post an excerpt on the Books page in August after I get back from RWA and send a randomly selected winner the beautiful coverflat, a signed copy of Mistress by Mistake (or Margaret Rowe’s Tempting Eden if you prefer) and some other goodies. A Margaret Rowe contest will be posted soon too!
It is a million degrees here in Maine. Stay cool and happy reading.
Jun 29, 2010
I’ve been absent but here I am, not that I have much to say at the moment. 🙂 But my Books page has been updated with new covers and I’ll be including excerpts very soon. My current releases seem to be doing okay and I’m fluffing up a new trilogy proposal for my agent.
I’ve started the first book already even though I’m nowhere near the submission stage. I’m antsy when I don’t write, but my time lately has revolved around family and friends. We’ve entertained nearly every weekend since we moved in (very modestly, because my husband is still recovering. He still wants to use his new gas/charcoal/smoker grill every chance he gets, though. It is the size of an aircraft carrier.).
This fourth of July weekend will bring most of the Robinson clan together on the lake—kids, kayaks, beer and Dirty Scrabble… if I’ve unpacked the Scrabble set yet. What is Dirty Scrabble, you ask? Just what it sounds like. Only provocative (and sometimes mis-spelled) words are allowed. I’m hoping to learn something to add to my knowledge of naughtiness.
Have a safe holiday weekend! What are your plans—fireworks, hotdogs, parades? What does your family do for fun when you get together?
Jun 16, 2010
More cover goodness! Here’s the delicious cover and back cover blurb for the December 2010 Brava anthology Lords of Passion. Is it just me, or does the guy look like Rupert Everett, whom I adore even if he might not adore me?
This dazzling new historical collection delivers a trio of heroes who are bold, dashing, and unforgettable in every way…
“Beauty and the Brute” by Virginia Henley
It’s been three years since Lady Sarah Caversham set eyes on arrogant Charles Lennox—the husband her father chose for her to settle a gambling debt. Now Charles has returned, unaware that the innocent ingénue he wed is determined to turn their marriage of convenience into a blissfully passionate affair…
“How to Seduce a Wife” by Kate Pearce
Louisa March’s new husband, Nicholas, is a perfect gentleman in bed—much to her disappointment. She longs for the kind of fevered passion found in her beloved romance novels. But when she dares him to seduce her properly, she discovers that Nicholas is more than ready to meet her challenge, over and over again…
“Not Quite a Courtesan” by Maggie Robinson
Sensible bluestocking Prudence Thorn has been too busy keeping her cousin Sophy out of trouble to experience any adventures of her own. But when Sophy begs Prudence’s help in saving her marriage, Pru encounters handsome, worldly Darius Shaw. And under Darius’s skilled tutelage, Pru learns just how delightful a little scandal can be…
Jun 6, 2010
First, the big: I am absolutely thrilled that NYTimes best-selling author Eloisa James is featuring Mistress by Mistake in her Barnes and Noble column this week. She says, “Mistress by Mistake is a charming, extra-sexy tale.”
I may be older than Eloisa, but I consider her my fairy godmother when it comes to romance. If it were not for her bulletin board (where I’m the guest author this month), I don’t believe I’d have gotten as far as I have. It was there I met my critique partners the Vauxhall Vixens (hi, Ely, Kris and Tiff), the Vanettes, the Pirates, etc. Wonderful writers, but better yet wonderful people. So this is a fabulous, meaningful thing to happen.
Now the beautiful: Margaret Rowe’s Any Wicked Thing cover, out from Berkley Heat in January 2011. There’s Freddie, smiling slyly. If I had Sebastian in my bed, I’d be smiling too. Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous!
And one last item:congratulations to Jane, who’s won a copy of Margaret Rowe’s Tempting Eden. Please send your address to maggie@maggierobinson.net. Have a wonderful week!
I’m bringing pencils and magnets and bookmarks to pass out, too. 
