There was a nice article about me in the Erie Times News today. You can view it online at http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071230/NEWS02/712300417

I can't believe tomorrow's New Year's Eve...wishing you all the best new year yet!

Holly

www.HollyJacobs.com, RT Bookclub Award Nominee for The House on Briar Hill Road
EVERYTHING BUT A GROOM, Avalon Books, 12/07
EVERYTHING BUT A BRIDE, Avalon Books, 8/08
SAME TIME NEXT SUMMER, Harlequin Superromance, 8/08
THE PTA MOM trilogy, Harlequin American Romance, starting 10/08

Today just gets better and better....

Lesa Holstine wrote a review of Everything But a Groom that's been picked up by USAToday.com!!
http://tinyurl.com/29zux2

My thanks so Lesa, and thanks all of you for the congrats about The House on Briar Hill Road being up for an RT Bookclub Award!!

Hall

http://www.hollyjacobs.com/, RT Bookclub Award Nominee for The House on Briar Hill RoadEVERYTHING BUT A GROOM, Avalon Books, 12/07EVERYTHING BUT A BRIDE, Avalon Books, 8/08SAME TIME NEXT SUMMER, Harlequin Superromance, 8/08THE PTA MOM trilogy, Harlequin American Romance, starting 10/08

Romantic Times Bookclub just announced their annual award nominations, and October's THE HOUSE ON BRIAR HILL ROAD, was up for Best Everlasting Love of 2007! It's great news to end the year on.

Speaking of ending the year...just wanted to wish all of you a Happy New Year!!

Holly

Well, I got an early Christmas present today...
titles for my PTA Mom trilogy that starts next October for Harlequin American Romance.

(I just did a nice little drum roll on my desk for you... LOL)

Once Upon a Thanksgiving
Once Upon a Christmas
Once Upon a Valentine's Day

My regular readers will remember my other Once Upon trilogy...Once Upon a Princess, Once Upon a Prince, and Once Upon a King. They were set here in Erie, and this new series is as well. This time, there's no royalty in sight...just three very overworked, PTA volunteering single moms! Of course, I need to finish writing them if they're to hit the shelves next year for their holidays! So, I'm back to work. But before I go, let me wish you all a marvelous holiday!! Thanks for your friendship and support!

Holly

Holly's December Newsletter

What Happens when a Hungarian grandma curses her own family to wedding disasters? She spends an entire trilogy trying to undo her curse. Check out the first book of a new trilogy, Everything But a Groom, the first book in my Everything But...series.

What are people saying?

"Charming..." Publisher Weekly

"Holly Jacobs has done it again! Everything but a Groom is a heart-warming and uproariously funny story." ~Kelley A. Hartsell, June 2007. All rights reserved.

"...it seems too good to be true, and too good to pass up Jacobs' very sweet tale of love." ~Marie Hatton, Booklist (starred review)

"...a sweet and charming love story awash with fun and humor." RT BookReviews 4 Stars

"Brilliantly funny Holly Jacobs hooks us with another best seller waiting to happen; EVERYTHING BUT A GROOM." ~CataRomance

"This lighthearted story is the perfect quick read that will warm the coldest winter night. EVERYTHING BUT A GROOM is a guaranteed keeper." ~ Diana Risso, RRT

Watch for Everything But a Bride, 8/08 and Everything But a Wedding, 12/08.

By now, my regular readers know the drill. Avalon Books are hardback and library bound, which means they're expensive. If you want to order them (and I know so many of you do...thanks for that) they're available online at Barnes and Noble and at Amazon. But you can save money and help build my library contacts if you ask your local library to order a copy!

_________________________________
OCTOBER RELEASES:

THE HOUSE ON BRIAR HILL ROAD, is still available at eHarlequin.com.as well as other online bookstores. And if you're someone who invested in Amazon's new Kindle eReader, it's available in that format. As well in most other eBook formats.

My free online short story, The Moments, is still running at eHarlequin.com. Make sure you check it out. It's tied to the book, though I've been assured you can read the book first then the story, or vice versa, without ruining the other for yourself.

*********Cindy Carlson read The House on Briar Hill Road and wrote a lovely song, On Briar Hill, in its honor. She's graciously allowed me to post it here.On Briar Hill, copyright Cindy Carlson.
*********

Once Upon a Prince, En Busca De Su Princesa: (Looking For His Princess) will also be released in October as a US Spanish reprint. And last holiday season's DASHING THROUGH THE MALL, is available in a hardback, large print reprint (library bound) either at your local bookstore, or online at Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

CONTEST:

There's a new contest on my website...check it out and enter!

I'm so looking forward to the holiday season. My son arrived home from college and we'll have him here for a month, and my eldest is coming home for a week at Christmas. We'll have a houseful, but I'm so looking forward to it! I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season, and that the new year is filled with joy!

~Holly

http://www.hollyjacobs.com/

EVERYTHING BUT A GROOM, Avalon Books, 12/07

EVERYTHING BUT A BRIDE, Avalon Books, 8/08

SAME TIME NEXT SUMMER, Harlequin Superromance, 8/08

THE PTA MOM trilogy, Harlequin American Romance, starting 10/08

I make a practice of "pimping" for friends. I love talking about their books, and giving shouts out for their accomplishments. Today's pimp is for a good friend, and fellow writer, Susan Gable. She and her husband, who's had more than ten years working as the head IT guy for a local Erie coporation that runs a local Erie tv station, as well as other stations throughout the country, have started a new business, www.PCWebDoc.com.

The cool thing about their computer business is they can fix your computer...even if you don't live in Erie. They can connect with your computer over the internet, and fix it while you watch. Wow, I love technology!

Since it snowed about a foot of snow here yesterday (and I spent more than three hours snowblowing and shoveling), the whole they-do-it-online-so-you-don't-have-to-drive-your-PC-anywhere, is a huge plus!!

If you live in Erie, you've seen their ads running on tv. Let me just give another friend-brag and say my buddy, Susan wrote them. Yes, she's a romance writer by day, and a script writer by night! Everytime I see one on, I smile!

Anyway, this was my friend pimp of the day. LOL

Hope wherever you live, you're warm! Me, I'm staying next to the fireplace today!

Holly

Gearing up...

Wow, it's almost the end of November. They year's really flown by. I'm starting to gear up for Christmas...all the kids will be home, and that's a huge treat! I'm also gearing up for the release of the first book in a new Avalon series, Everything But a Groom. I've got to confess, I adore the cover!

Avalon Books' primary markets are libraries. The book's not out until the end of December, but you can request that your local library order it now. And I know a number of you order your own copies. They'll be available online at Amazon and B&N on December 24. But in the meantime, I updated my My SPACE page. I hope you'll check it out. And if you're on MY SPACE, I'd love to be your friend!

I've also started a new holiday contest. Information about entering is on my homepage.

The reviews for Everything But a Groom have been great so far:

"Charming..." Publisher Weekly

"Holly Jacobs has done it again! Everything but a Groom is a heart-warming and uproariously funny story." ~Kelley A. Hartsell, June 2007. All rights reserved.

"...it seems too good to be true, and too good to pass up Jacobs' very sweet tale of love." ~Marie Hatton, Booklist (starred review)

"...a sweet and charming love story awash with fun and humor." RT BookReviews 4 Stars

"Brilliantly funny Holly Jacobs hooks us with another best seller waiting to happen; EVERYTHING BUT A GROOM." ~CataRomance

"This lighthearted story is the perfect quick read that will warm the coldest winter night. EVERYTHING BUT A GROOM is a guaranteed keeper." ~ Diana Risso, RRT

As always, thanks for sticking with me! I hope you all have a wonderful holiday season...whatever holiday you celebrate!

Holly

And the Winner Is......

Yes, this is late. I've been trying to finish a book. But finally, I drew the winning name for my October Contest (the pink beaded, cancer awareness bracelet) and Gina's the winner!! Congratulations, Gina. I'll be contacting you privately.

Thank you to everyone who entered!

I'll be signing copies of The House on Briar Hill Road in Erie, PA at the Barnes and Noble on Peach Street from 2-4, next Saturday, the 17th! Hope to see some of you there!

I've got updates for my website (including adding Gina as the October winner), but I'm having some technical difficulty, so keep an eye out...they're coming!

I'm just finishing up the first book in next year's PTA Mom trilogy for Harlequin American. I'm so enjoying the characters...I hope you all will as well! Writing about PTA moms isn't a huge stretch for me. As some (most?) of you know, I have four kids. I've done my stints volunteering at the kids' schools. It's fun just writing about it about Samantha, Michelle and Carly's committee, rather than having to volunteer for it myself!

Last year's anthology DASHING THROUGH THE MALL is out this month as a hardback, large print edition here in the US this month, and it's also out in Poland!

And for my friends in Australia, HERE WITH ME is out in a Christmas Gift anthology there!

Hope you all are having a great fall! Erie has already had it's first snow...and I'm sure it won't be its last!

Holly

Holly

I'm guestblogging today at The Pink Heart Society! Come on over and say hi!

And I've been decorating for fall. A good friend (and fantastic author) Cheryl St. John blogged about her pumpkin planting, and I gave it a shot. The first picture is my mum filled pumpkin, and the other is a shot of the house. It's hard to make out the decorations, but my mum filled pumpkin is on the right. And see those corn stalks? They're from our garden! (The corn was great, and the stalks look nice in the front.) Anyway, thanks Cheryl!

Holly

Today, I'm guestblogging...stop in and say hi!! http://authorsoundrelations.blogspot.com/

Holly

Erie, PA Signing


Hey, all! I will be signing copies of The House on Briar Hill Road on Saturday, October 20, from 2-4 pm at Borders Express (inside the Millcreek Mall, Erie PA). Hope I see some of you there!!

Holly

I got the most lovely gift this weekend. A reader who'd read The House on Briar Hill Road wrote a song based on the book. I've never loaded a song to my website before, but it seems to be working. You can find it at http://www.hollyjacobs.com/THOBHR.html. The link's about halfway down the page, right over the eHarlequin banner. I've gotten some cool gifts in the past, but this is one of the coolest!

Holly

I'm a guest today on the Romance Bandits Blog. Stop in and visit...they're a lot of fun. And there's a prize up for grabs.

Uh, I'm not sure why you all can't post right now. I must have done something, but I don't know what. I'll try and fix it next week, but in the meantime, feel free to keep emailing me at Holly (at) HollysBooks.com.

Holly

Erie, PA

So many of my books have been set in Erie. Ellen Degeneris (I love her show!) is currently taking submissions from cities who would like her to visit. Come visit Erie for yourself at her site! Want to find out more? Visit me at Perry Square.

Hey, it's getting eErie at Ellen's. That's sort of appropriate, since it's Halloween's month!

Holly

New chapter, new game

My fourth chapter of The Moments is available this week at: The Moments.

And the ladies at eHarlequin.com have started a brand new game. Can you guess who their mystery author is?? (It's not me...I'm playing, too!)

Holly

October Newsletter

I know it's not quite October, but this Saturday, September 29, Erie Author, Susan Gable, and I will be doing a workshop at the Erie Bookstore from 2-4, "Where Reality and Fiction Collide." This is an apt workshop for me, since my October release, THE HOUSE ON BRIAR HILL ROAD, deals with breast cancer, a disease that took my mother-in-law from us in 2004. If you're in Erie, I hope you'll join Susan and I at the Erie Bookstore!

OCTOBER RELEASES:

My first Harlequin Everlasting Love release, THE HOUSE ON BRIAR HILL ROAD, came out a week early...it's on the shelves now. You can find it at your local bookstore, or at your favorite online bookstore.

REVIEWS:

"Holly Jacobs is known for her heart warming, light and breezy, stories with a shot of humor added in. With The House on Briar Hill Road, she has proven that she also can write serious, tug-at-your-heart and make-you-cry stories. ...The House on Briar Hill Road is a must-read for everyone." © Kelley A. Hartsell, July 2007. All rights reserved. Kwips and Kritiques

"THE HOUSE ON BRIAR HILL ROAD is a fascinating relationship drama that is a serious take on When Harry Met Sally even though they met much younger as preadolescents enjoying Halloween. ...what makes Holly Jacobs' contemporary a delightful read is the author avoids turning the story line into a melodramatic soap opera... This is a strong character driven drama in which the romance enhances the relationships." ~Harriet Klausner

"Holly Jacobs' The House on Briar Hill Road (4) is extremely affecting and honest, and Brian and Hayden's complicated relationship is handled very well." —Catherine Witmer. Romantic Times

"With her first foray from the lighter romantic comedy for which she's well known into the deeper waters of a highly emotional, family drama, love-of-a-lifetime romance, Holly Jacobs proves she's got the chops to do more than make you laugh – she'll tug at your heartstrings, give you a lump in your throat, and bring a tear to your eye. She'll prove that happily-ever-afters require work, that family is more a matter of heart than DNA, and that love can last a lifetime.The House on Briar Hill Road is Jacob's finest work. Don't miss it!" ~Award Winning Author, Susan Gable

MORE OCTOBER RELEASES:

My free online short story, The Moments, is still running at eHarlequin.com. Make sure you check it out. It's tied to the book, though I've been assured you can read the book first then the story, or vice versa, without ruining the other for yourself.

Once Upon a Prince, En Busca De Su Princesa: (Looking For His Princess) will also be released in October as a US Spanish reprint. And last holiday season's DASHING THROUGH THE MALL, is available in a hardback, large print reprint either at your local bookstore, or online at Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

CONTEST:

There's a new contest on my website...check it out and enter!

As always, thanks everyone for all the support. It's been a crazy fall here. My son started college, so we're adjusting to a different dynamic in the house. And we just got back from Disney World. Now, truly, I love the place (almost) as much as the rest of the family, but seriously, it's not a restful vacation! I'm still trying to recoup from it! Hope your fall is going well!

~Holly

Some weeks I love Mondays...this is one of them!

Today I have a free online short story, The Moments, starting at eHarlequin.com. It's tied to my first Everlasting Love release, THE HOUSE ON BRIAR HILL ROAD, on October 1st, which is a book about the Conway family. About their ups and downs...about their pulling together and sadly, about them falling apart.

I was thrilled when I was afforded a chance to do the The Moments. It features the main characters' of the book daughter, Livie. At the end of THOBHR, Livie said, "My mother always said life was made up of the small moments and it was punctuated by the big ones." I knew that sentence had to be the theme of her story. But how to present a broad scope to her romance in a short story? It was a challenge, and really pushed me as a writer. But I think the story shows those moments. You can find it at https://www.eharlequin.com/article.html?articleId=1299

I hope you'll check it out!

Holly

August Contest Winners

Hope you all are having a great Labor Day! We had a huge picnic out at our camp yesterday. But before anyone arrived, my husband and I had to cut down the tree that had fallen on the cottage. Yes, excitement is my middle name!! LOL

Speaking of exciting...my short story on eHarlequin starts next Monday! I'll give you all a shout with the link when it's out. But in the meantime, here are the winners of my August contest...Jodi and Carol both won copies of one of my backlist books, and Sharon, won an advance copy of The House on Briar Hill Road! Ladies, I've send you all a private email. And to everyone who didn't win...watch for a very special contest starting soon!

Holly

Romantic Times ad November '07

Many of my books have gone overseas, which means I have a number of copies of my books in foreign languages. If your library would like some, send me an email and let me know which languages you're looking for...if I've got them, I'll send them!

Sorry, this offer is for libraries only. But if you're a reader who'd like to read my books in a particular language, please have your local library contact me for you!

Holly

CONTEST...CONTEST...WIN FREE BOOKS!

Send me an email at Holly (at) HollysBooks.com and ask to be added to my newsletter list between now and the end of August and be entered in a drawing for free books from my backlist. Two winners. And one lucky reader will received an advance copy of my October '07 release, THE HOUSE ON BRIAR HILL ROAD!

Holly

Here With Me wins fourth award!!

Okay, by now you've discovered I love seeing my books recognized, but this is beyond exciting! Here With Me one a National Readers' Choice Award! The award ceremony was at RWA's conference in Dallas. I wasn't there, but Susan Gable, another Erie author, was and she's got it in her suitcase for me. So color me happy this Sunday!

Holly

Watching Movies With Your Eyes Closed

Here's the thing...I write books that have happily-ever-after. I want to know that the characters I created–characters I've spent months with and are so very real to me–get that happy ending. I like that in the books I read as well, and I like that in movies. I want movies that give me a happily-ever-after (HEA). But I live with family members who enjoy other movies. For instance, my son loved Kill Bill. I watched Quentin Tarantino interviews with him in preparation. He's such an interesting man and a gifted storyteller. (I talk with my hands, so does he. I figure, if we ever met and had a conversation, it would be a boxing match! LOL) Of course, all the blood-and-guts had me squinting my eyes. But his storytelling...it was flawless. I love his out-of-sequence way of presenting the story. But watching movies with your eyes closed is tough. Partway through the second movie, I leaned over and whispered, "I don't want her to kill Bill. I want them to live happily-ever-after with him and raise their daughter." He looked at me with teenaged disgust and said, "Did you see the movie's title?" SIGH.

Last night, I watch Pan's Labyrinth. It was a great movie. I hardly even noticed the subtitles, because I was so caught up in the storytelling. But here's the thing...there were blood-and-gut moments, and I discovered that while watching movies with your eyes closed is tough...watching movies that are subtitled with your eyes closed is tougher!!

Yes, I do branch out from my HEA's in both my reading and movies. But I always come home to a place where crap does happen, but I know, when I close the book, I'll leave the characters in a good place.

How about you?? What are you reading and watching this summer?

Holly

Last year's HERE WITH ME won the Golden Quill Award for best Traditional Romance!

There's a certain symmetry to the win. You see, my first Silhouette Romance ever, Do You Hear What I Hear, won the Golden Quill in 2002. It was the first award I ever won. Here With Me, was my last Silhouette Romance, now has one as well. Yes, there's a certain sweet symmetry in that.

Holly

Moving South

I’ve had four lovely children, and with each one I’ve noticed the urge to move south only increases. Not in an actual, let’s-move-to-Orlando sort of way. We’re a few more years away from retirement, after all. No, I’m not thinking about relocating my household there, but it seems as if certain body parts are quite willing to begin the trip south without me, and the thought it terrifying.

You see, I loved my grandma. She was a woman who began doing a "man’s" job during WWII, and worked at the factory until she retired. My grandfather divorced her when he returned from the war, leaving her to singlehandedly raise my mother. Oh, my grandmother was an occasionally gruff to the point of rude woman, but she was an amazingly strong one. There are many of her qualities I hope to attain as I grow older, but that southernly migration isn’t one of them. You see, my grandmother was also endowed with...well, endowed. As her endowments began to move south, she just hoisted them up with additional support. But as she got older, she found those girders and trusses to be cumbersome, and eventually stopped. But this left her with a huge southernly endowment and no way to contain it. So being an enterprising sort of woman, used to solving problems on her own, she...well, she began tucking ‘them’ into her pant’s waistband. She also began tucking tissues in her waistband, which is how I discovered her new, well, to put it in Star Trek terms, containment field. She had a cold, went for a tissue, and...well, there they were in all their tucked in glory.

And now, as I’m getting older and things are beginning their southernly migration, I’m left in fear of the day they reach their final destination. You see, I’m not endowed with those particular qualities of my grandmother. No matter how southernly mine move, I’ll never be able to harness things in a waistband. I think I’m probably going to have to stick to conventional containment fields. My kids are relieved! LOL

Whenever I hear about older people moving south, I think of my grandmother! So, what sort of aging issues do you worry about??

Holly

Last year's, HERE WITH ME, won a Write Touch Readers' Choice Award!

Holly

My lovely friend, Kate Walker, is celebrating the release of her fiftieth book! Join the party at http://kate-walker.blogspot.com/! ~Holly

I'll confess, Conan O'Brien is on my Top Friends list on My Space, even though...well, I don't really know him. And though it's rare that I make it through an entire episode of his show, I do enjoy it. And when I tell you I don't stay awake through his whole show, I'm not saying that he puts me to sleep. Actually, the truth is, I frequently TRY and stay awake to see it all the way through. But I don't think it comes as a shock to anyone that Conan's on a bit late at night, so I'm pretty sure that no one's shocked that people do occasionally fall asleep watching him. I'm betting I'm not the only one. But, I guess if I were him, I wouldn't want people admitting they fell asleep watching my show. So, let's forget I mentioned it!!?? But, hey, if you're sleeping, but you've got a particular show on during the ratings sweeps, does it count? Yes, it's an if-a-tree-falls-in-the-woods sort of question.

Okay, maybe it's a good thing that Conan and I aren't great friends, even though he's on my top friends section, because after confessing he puts me to sleep, we probably wouldn't be friends any longer! And that would be a shame! LOL

If you're on My Space, come visit me at http://www.myspace.com/authorhollyjacobs. You're welcome to be my friend, even if we've never met. And while you're there, say Hi to Conan as well! LOL

Is there anyone famous on your friend's list?

Holly

Hola! Me alegro que el primer libro en mi triología real, El Juego De La Princesa, (The Princesa Game) Harlequin Jazmin, está siendo traducido a Español aquí en Los Estados Unidos. Estará disponible en las librerías en junio, pero puedes conseguirlo en mayo a eHarlequin.com. Espero que le gustes la historia de Parker y Jace!

Parker Dillon, también conocido como La Princesa Marie Anna Parker Mickovich Dillonetti of Eliason, vino a Erie, PA para ir a la universidad en el anonimato. Encuentra que le gusta ser solamente Parker Dillon, así que al Terminal al carrera, no vuelve a casa. En lugar de volver a casa, abre un cafetería junto sus dos amigos, Shey Carlson y Cara Phillips. El reinado de su familia todo marcha bien y Parker es feliz con la vida que lleva hasta que su padre le cancela su cuenta corriente. Ahora trabaja en Monarch’s para ganarse la vida. Las cosas empeoran todavía más cuando su padre le envía un no muy querido prometido para llevarla a casa. No quiere nada del príncipe. Lo que realmente le ha llamado la atención es el investigador privado que ha contratado su padre para vigilarla.

La vida de Jace O’Donnell es un verdadero caos. Su hermana se está divorciando y se ha trasladado con sus hijos gemelos de 13 años, Bobby y Amanda. Se supone que Jace está siguiendo a una princesa “fugitiva” mientras sus sobrinos, quienes han decidido pasar las vacaciones de verano aprendiendo a ser detectivos, le persiguen. Y por si esto fuera poco, la princesa es la mujer más bella que jamás ha conocido. Si no fuera de la familia real, el la conquistaría. Pero su experiencia familiar le ha enseñado que las relaciones con distintas clases sociales nunca funcionan y por ello intenta mantener las distancias aunque es un trabajo muy duro ya que todo lo que él quiere es envolver esta desobediente princesa con sus brazos.

Dos personas con un pasado diferente descubren que lo único importante que los une…es que se aman!

**********************************************************************************

And for those who don't read Spanish and are interested, the note says:

Dear Reader,

Hello! I'm excited that my the first book in my royalty trilogy, El Juego De La Princesa, (The Princess Game) Harlequin Jazmin, is being translated into Spanish here in the US. It's available on the shelves in June, but you can get it in May at eHarlequin.com. I hope you enjoy Parker and Jace's story!

Holly

El Juego De La Princesa, (The Princess Game) Harlequin Jazmin

Parker Dillon, aka Princess Marie Anna Parker Mickovich Dillonetti of Eliason, came to Erie, PA to go to college in blessed anonymity. She finds she likes being just plain old Parker Dillon, so even after college ends she doesn’t return home. She opens a coffeehouse and with her two college friends, Shey Carlson and Cara Phillips instead. Monarch’s and Titles are doing well and Parker is happy with her life, until her father cuts off her access to her trust. Now she’s working at Monarch’s to earn a living. Things get even worse when her father sends her unwanted royal fiancé to bring her home. She wants nothing to do with the prince, but she does like the looks of the private investigator her father's hired to watch her.

Jace O’Donnell’s life is chaos. His sister is getting a divorce and has moved in with her 13 year old twins, Bobby and Amanda. He’s supposed to be trailing a runaway princess, and while he’s at it, he’s being trailed by his niece and nephew who have decided to spend their summer vacation learning to be detectives. To make matters worse, the princess is the most gorgeous woman he’s ever met. If she wasn’t royal he’d make a play for her. But Jace has learned from family experience that crossing the class-line never works, so he tries to keep his distance. But keeping his distance proves hard, since all he really wants to do is wrap this wayward princess in his arms.

Two people from different backgrounds find they have all that matters in common...they have love!

I feel as if I lost a pair of good friends. The Gilmore Girls had their last episode last night, and now they're gone.

The show had a rough time after its brilliant creator, Amy Sherman-Palladino left, but she'd done such a great job creating such believable characters, I hung on until this last episode. I'm going to miss my weekly visits to Stars Hollow. I'm going to miss Kirk and the quirky townsfolk. Miss Patty, Sookie, Taylor. I'm going to miss the repressed, but deep-down loving Emily and Richard. I'll miss uptight Paris and drummer mom, Lane.

I'm going to miss visiting Luke's diner. Sometimes I swear I could smell the coffee. And I'm betting I'm not the only viewer who sometimes wished I could try the pancakes.

But mainly, I'm going to miss Lorelai and Rory. I have three daughters, and I'd like to think we have their kind of relationship. That mother-daughter bond that weathers the good times and bad. I think it's what all moms hope for...that our daughters will grow up and become our best friends.

Thankfully, I still have the DVDs. I can revisit Stars Hollow any time I like. But it won't be quite the same watching reruns. Still, I'm sure I'll check in from time to time, just for a taste of home. To listen to the rapid-fire dialogue that makes me smile. To smell the coffee at Luke's.

Goodbye, Gilmore Girls.

Holly

HERE WITH ME (my last Silhouette Romance ever...sigh) won the Colorado Award of Excellence! Just got the call and I'm still Snoopy Dancing.

Here's the thing, writing is very solitary. Sometimes you hear from readers, which is always lovely, but most days, you hang out by yourself, with just those characters in your head for company (well, and Ethel Merman! LOL). It's nice to get some positive feedback.

Maybe I'll celebrate today. It's beautiful here in PA. Must be near eighty, but it's windy enough not to be too hot. Still, it's perfect ice cream weather! That's the perfect celebration. Have I mentioned Blue Moon ice cream here? There's this little ice cream store on Parade Street here in Erie. It makes this neon blue ice cream. I've never totally identified the flavor. Think fruity mixed with sweet tarts! If you're ever in town, do head down Parade Street and try a cone. We like to take ours a few more blocks to the dock. There's something so nice about walking along the bayfront, watching the boats, and the sun sink behind the peninsula on the other side of the bay!

Wishing you all your own Snoopy Dances, and some ice cream!

Holly

El juego de la princesa is the bestselling Spanish language book on eHarlequin today!

Holly

Having a Son

I was the mother of two daughters when I gave birth to my son, but I'd grown up with brothers, so I thought I was prepared.

I was wrong.

I should have had a clue that he was going to be a tad bit more difficult when I recalled my brothers' youths...but I remembered my brothers from a sister's perspective, and just remembered they were pains and not much else.

But even without that, I should have guessed he was going to be difficult when two years went by without him sleeping even one time through the night. Not once. Still, I blithely assumed once he slept through the night, I had it made.

Now he's a teen and I realize I was wrong. I haven't seen his bedroom floor in months. I can't remember what color the carpet is. I walk by his bedroom and can't resist sneaking a peak, hoping the floor has miraculously reappeared, but no. I found the shirt I remember him wearing on Christmas, two months of clothes from the pizza shop he works at, shoes, ski equipment, and last summer's golf equipment. But no carpet. Oh, and there's wrappers from the Easter candy his aunt sent over...or maybe they're wrappers from Halloween. Who knows.

Gently, I close the door and wonder what color the carpet is. He's going away to college in a few short months, and I know I'll find the carpet then. His younger sister is jonesing over the room and can't wait until he moves out so she can move in. She'll find the carpet and tell me what color it is. And she'll feel the walls need painted to coordinate, and she'll probably need new bedding and accessories.

Boys are different than girls. They don't care about what color the carpet is, or the walls for that matter. My son might drive me crazy...but I'm going to miss him like crazy when he goes. No one to watch geeky shows with, no one who'll eat whatever I cook and think it's good. He's grown. My job is done. Now when he doesn't sleep a night through, it's by choice, because he is a night owl, and he no longer needs me to stay up with him. He graduates at the end of this month, then leaves for Europe with his oldest sister. A few months later, he leaves for college.

Yes, boys are different than girls. And as much as I long to know what color that bedroom carpet is, I know I'm going to miss mine like crazy.

Holly

Doing a Snoopy Dance!

And since I have no dancing abilities, it's a scary sight to behold. But anyway, I'm dancing because I just heard last year's Here With Me, the last book in my Perry Square series, is a National Readers' Choice Award Finalist!

Now, before you think the news has given me a swollen head, know that I spent yesterday stripping seventeen year old (I know the date because it was penciled in under the paper) wallpaper from the bathroom walls. Painting tomorrow. Plus I've just finished washing all the windows, putting in the screens, and doing dishes. Yep, no swollen head, just a bad Snoopy Dance! LOL

Holly

Stars

Tomorrow night I'm going to see Man of La Mancha. I'll confess, I'm excited. Okay, so the musical is a bit more operatic than I normally prefer, but I love the underlying messages. Reach for the stars. See the world as beautiful and it will become more beautiful. And I guess, they're philosophies I've always tried to live by.

Writing, for instance. When I decided to try to write a book, that was truly reaching for the stars. I'd always been a big reader, but writing a book is a whole other ball of wax. And I had more than one fall on my journey...I imagine there are more falls in store for me. But I pick myself up and try again. That's all we can do. The only other option is not to try... Not much of an option.

And seeing the world as a beautiful place... if we could all embrace that point of view, think how much nicer the world would be. A smile here, a kind word there. One of my favorite things is writing nice notes. When someone does something exceptional, I don't just thank them in person, I put it in writing.

One of my favorite nice not stories is about a security check point at the St. Louis airport. I have a metal plate in my leg, and make airport buzzers go off. So I begin and end most trips with being frisked by the security staff. Most checkpoints are okay, the people are professional and to the point. But the checkpoint in St. Louis had some of the nicest people. They went out of their way to make the experience painless for me. And as the lady was frisking me, I watched the guys are the x-ray machine. A little old man was a couple people back in their line, and to be honest, his carry-on bag weighed as much as he did. So, one of the security guys came out, helped the two ladies in front of the old man put their bags on the belt, then helped the old man. It was a nice way to help the gentleman without calling attention to him. I was so impressed by this group's genuine kindness that I wrote a note to the airport. And I got the nicest note back from their department head. Uh, I don't think security gets a lot of nice notes. LOL Maybe, the next time someone is nice to you, send a note. It might brighten their day.

Wow, all that from Man of La Mancha! LOL Think of me tomorrow night a very happy Broadway junkie!

Holly

The WRONG Holly Jacobs

Rumor has it that a certain professor feels I'm the wrong Holly Jacobs.

Okay, you're scratching your head. Let me back up. For a classroom assignment, a professor told his class to write an obituary, then assigned them a person to write it about and assured them that they could find enough info on Google to do write their obit. A girl named Kristi was assigned...Holly Jacobs. She googled the name and...there I was. 96 out of the first 100 entries were about me. And Kristi wrote my obit. I died on Lake Erie in March. Now, she didn't mention how I died on the lake, but I'm sure I was doing something exciting. March...on the lake. Hmm. I was probably ice fishing and caught a whale of a fish. Now, you probably think I'm going to say the fish pulled me in, but no. I was so excited about that fish that I did one of my goofy, Snoopy dances of joy...on ice. I slipped, hit my head and died. Sad, isn't it? I digress.

Anyway, Kristi wrote a lovely obit. Talked about my tragic death, the family I left behind (and would someone please tell my son, I forgive him for leaving so many clothes on the floor that I haven't seen his carpet in months), and the books I've written, and was about to write. It was nice to see my life summed up by someone else. She turned it in to the professor, and he gave it back without a grade. When Kristi asked about it, he told her, "You've got the wrong Holly Jacobs."

Now, I'll confess, I've always felt like the right Holly Jacobs. But maybe I was wrong. So I called someone who should know... my mom. She assured me that after being in labor for thirty-eight hours with me, she was positive I was the right Holly Jacobs. I asked my husband, he asked if I wasn't the right Holly, did he have to pay alimony? Then he asked, what's the other Holly look like? Oh, yeah, I married a funny man. Friends and children assured me of my rightness. And of course, my dog, Ethel Merman, thinks I'm the right one. But I wasn't right enough for Kristi's professor.

I feel guilty. As if the ten years of my writing life haven't been quite enough to make me the right Holly Jacobs. That maybe I should have worked harder, written more, done something else in order to be the right Holly Jacobs. But alas, I didn't, and poor Kristi has to pay the price for my slacking with a gradeless obituary. SIGH.

Poor Kristi, I was the wrong Holly Jacobs.

My poor mom, who was in labor for an absurd amount of time in order to bring...the wrong Holly into the world.

My poor husband...okay, so he's not going to be poor if he can get away without paying alimony and the other Holly's better looking.

My poor kids, maybe that other Holly would have been a better mother? Maybe she wouldn't have nagged my son about those dirty clothes on the floor?

Poor Ethel Merman, she still thinks I'm the right Holly, but she's a dog, and not overly bright, so what does she know?

And that poor professor, who, if he met me might find he liked me and even if I wasn't the right Holly Jacobs, I was certainly worth of an obituary.

Geesh. Talk about questioning your existence.

Holly
The wrong Holly Jacobs.

Spring Cold

Today we're going to talk about something serious...very serious. Having a cold in the spring. There's nothing worse. In the winter, when you have the sniffles, you can curl up on the couch under the quilt with a box of tissues, a cup of tea and a stack of chickflicks at hand. You can make a huge pot of chicken noodle soup. You can revel in your cold, and enjoy pampering yourself.

However, when you have a cold in the spring and, after months of a temperature under thirty degrees, the temp is in the fifties, the sun is shining and every fiber of your being wants to be outside, hiding under that quilt is less than appealing. As a matter of fact, it's so less-than, that you don't. You go outside and work, regardless of the fact you're at the tissue-every-five-minutes stage of your cold. You simply stuff your pocket with a hefty supply and work through it, trying to convince yourself that this cold isn't THAT bad. Of course, when a neighbor walks by with a small child, who shrieks when she spots your brilliant red nose, your watery eyes and I'm-sick-and-couldn't-be-bothered-with-styling hair...well, it's hard to overlook the fact that it is in fact THAT bad, and you have to admit that having a cold in the spring sucks.

Wishing you a cold-free spring, and if that doesn't work, wishing you lotion tissues stuffed in your pocket as you do your yard work!

Holly--capable of scaring small children today with my current cold induced looks!

It's spring!!

It's still cold here, but rumor (okay, not rumor, the weatherman) has it that we've got warmer weather blowing our way. I can't wait. I want to be outside...want to work in the yard and enjoy the sun. Hope whever you are, spring has sprung in reality, not just on the calendar!

Holly

Favorite Things...

Everyone has probably seen Julie Andrews singing to the Von Trapp kids about her favorite things...rain drops on roses, kitten's whiskers.

I've been thinking about things that make me happy. Of course, my family and friends come first, but discounting people (not that I discount them, but we're talking about things LOL), what sort of things just make you smile?

This weekend a bought a whole new set of bedding...new sheets, new blankets. I've got to confess, there's something totally smile-worthy about getting into a bed made up with crisp, brand new sheets. Same day I bought a new cofeemaker. Another smile worthy thing. Getting up in the morning to find a pot of coffee waiting for me...ahhhh.

Okay, so those are geeky favorite things, but this one's even geekier...my new Dyson. Cleaning the carpets and floors, which I do daily (see previous posts about Ethel the dog, manufacturer of lots of hair) and finding the canister full...well, it's probably my geekiest delight, but there it is. I love my Dyson. LOL

If you'll note the little slideshow in the previous post, you'll find another geeky glee...I love puttering with that kind of stuff!

Today, it's supposed to get up to sixty degrees...got to confess, that makes me happy, too! LOL

Holly

CONTEST...

No, it's not mine, but the prize might rank as better than mine. Oh, I know you all love my prizes, but Harlequin's offering a week at a resort. Check it out!

I'd love to hear that one of you won!

Happy Monday, btw! It was a long weekend here. There was a tourney at my daughter's school. We started our Saturday out working it, then watched her bball game, then were back again that night to work the Fun Night. It wasn't a very hermitty day, but it was lovely!

Holly

And the winner is....Tracy and her dog, Nora! I'm sending Tracy a private note this morning. Thanks for making this contests such a huge success!

I'm planning a new contest in the near future. I'll be posting both here, and at the website, so keep checking back!

Holly

It's the end of February...wow! One sixth of the year is over. I hope these first months have been wondeful, and that things only get better!

Here's my treat for you...a few weeks late fo Valentine's but still, it seems appropriate to post it in February. A few years ago, I was asked to do a story for eHarlequin.com. They gave me (and four other writers) a opening paragraph and asked us to write a short story around it. Mine, Kissing Cupid, is posted on Harlequin's UK site. Here's the link, and hope you enjoy!

Holly

I've so appreciated all your letters, and the chance to "meet" the pets that give your lives such joy! Tomorrow's the last day for pet stories. I'll be drawing on the 1st of March for our winner. Thanks again everyone! This has been a fun contest...and such a fun way to launch my latest book, Laugh Lines. I hope you all will ask your library to order a copy...and check in on the 1st to see who our winner is!

Holly


My favorite pet is Bathsheba, my cat. We had to work so hard to save her when she was born. To get her to eat we had to blend pasta in a blender for her. THen we started mixing it with dry cat food and finally got her to eating cat food. Now she lays on me all the time and has refused to go outside like all the other cats. She is so beautiful. ~Jane

Thanks to someone else being very unkind and unthoughtful we have a wonderful cat.
Last Spring someone dropped off a cat at our home in the country.
He was half grown, housebroke and a beautiful Siamese.
He of course has taken over our hearts and our home. ~Christy

My favorite pet was a amozon parot named Chico. He had a few words he would say such as Chico is a pretty bird, he also expected a plate of food at meal time. ~Gail

Recently, a number of you have asked about my fairy books. First off, thanks for remembering them, or discovering them! I wrote them for ImaJinn Books, and they've since gone into an e-version at Fictionwise.

Let's see, I've brought royalty to Erie, PA in my Perry Square Royal Invasion trilogy, so why not fairy godmothers? LOL You've probably figured out by now that I think Erie's got it all! LOL

You can read an excerpt from each of the books at both Fictionwise, and ImaJinn. You can also find out more about the books on my website. Mad About Max, Magic For Joy, Miracles for Nick, Fairly Human .

Oh, and yes, Janice asked, this was before I started using the pen name, Holly Jacobs. If you'll note the H and R in Fuhrmann, plus that double N at the end...well, let's just say I did a signing once where they put no vowels in my last name. I decided it might be better to try something else! LOL ~Holly

Alrighty then...Laugh Lines is officially available online! And in honor of its release, I thought I'd introduce you to a friend. In Laugh Lines, Dani tries her hand at stand-up comedy. She finds she has a flair for it. I do a lot of public speaking, and I'll confess, I know the rush of totally owning an audience. Finding that rhythm of your talk, knowing when to add that little something that will make the audience laugh. It's intoxicating. Dani finds that same rush. As much as I suspect my rush is similar, I don't actually do stand-up. But I'd like to introduce you to Charlotte Maclay, who in addition to her writing, does do stand-up. Here she is...


I’m Charlotte Maclay and I am a ham!

Give me a microphone and an audience, and I’m doing the Snoopy dance. (Well, not literally, I might hurt myself, but you get what I mean.)

I have been speaking to audiences of all sizes and shapes since first grade. While 90% of the world is terrified by the thought of getting up in front of an audience to speak, I’m pushing everybody out of the way so I can get to the mike first.

Which makes it weird that I waited so late in life to become a stand-up comedienne. I mean, I can’t even stay awake late enough to watch Jay Leno much less perform at that hour.
However, I do perform fairly regularly for senior citizen groups, alumni organizations, women’s clubs and the like.

One of my most memorable gigs was at a retirement home where the average age of the audience was 92 ½. Those present who were not senile, deaf or napping in their chairs really enjoyed my routine.

The toughest gig for me is a stage performance where the audience is in the dark and I’m standing in a spotlight. I can’t see a soul. There’s no way to make eye contact. If I don’t get a laugh when I should, I can’t tell if the joke bombed or the audience decided to go out for a drink—and they’re not planning to come back.

Nowadays, I enjoy combining the story of my writing romance novels with my stand-up routine. The goal of my presentations and of my books is to leave my audience and my readers smiling.

Drop by my Web site www.CharlotteMaclay.com Click on the Lite Side and you’ll find jokes written by students in my recent online class, The Art of Writing Jokes. I think they’ll leave you smiling, too.

Charlotte Maclay
Make No Promises
Leisure Love Spell
Available now

Thanks, Char! Please, take a minute to go visit Char's site!

I'll confess, I so admire my character Dani, went chasing after her dreams! Especially a dream that involves really putting yourself on the line like that, standing center stage, under the spotlight! So what would you secretly want to try?

I hope you all will ask your libraries about ordering Laugh Lines. Thanks as always for your support!!

Holly

More pets (the contest ends next week, so do send in your pet stories!):

My favorite pet is a little all grey cat who my son and I adopted from the Humane society.
What did it for us is that the poor little thing was hitting his head on the cage at the HS because he wanted to be petted so bad.
So we opened the cage and he just started purring and purring Matthew asked what’s his name Mom? I said Storm.
He said we have to get him.
I said I’ll call Dad.
Storm or Stormy looks like a Russian Blue he is all grey with green eyes.
He is real sweetie ~Beth

My favourite pet is our little 2 year old yorkshire terrier named precious.he is a real little darling. He is a member of our family and has all of us well trained to perform certain tasks for him. ~Linda


I lost my favorite pet last year. Skeeter was a wired-haired dachshund and my constant companion for 18 years. I really miss her. ~Kathy
Kathy, I'm so sorry for your loss. I know how bad it can hurt. We lost our Mastiff last year and still miss him. Sending hugs!

My favorite pet was a dear sweet Maltese named Angel. I had visited the local Humane Society and told them I was looking for a small lap dog. They said they would call me when they received one. When I received the call I rushed to the Humane Society. There was this precious little neglected Maltese. They told me the owner brought her because they were moving and couldn't take her. That was the best thing that could have happened to her. She immediately stole my heart and became a member of our family. She was around 5 years old, matted pink tinged hair, what looked like black coffee grinds in her ears and bad green teeth with horrible breath. I headed straight to the vet's office to get her shots and have her spayed and get her teeth cleaned. When they spayed her they found a bad infection in her uterus. They said I saved her life by bringing her in to be spayed. Then the next trip was to the groomers. She was a different baby when I picked her up. She was white, fluffy and! full of love. I was confused at why she didn't come when I called her name "Angel". I tried different names thinking maybe that wasn't really her name. I still had no luck. On day she was asleep next to clothes hamper in the hallway. I accidentally dropped the wooden lid with a loud bang. I noticed she didn't flinch. I dropped it again. Still no movement. Then I realized why she didn't come when I called her name. She was also deaf. It made me so mad to think of how the previous owners neglected and abused her. We think someone who wore a baseball cap abused her. The first time my husband came through the house with his ball cap on she ran up to him barking, growling and nipping at his leg. She reacted this way whenever anyone had a ball cap on. When they would take the hat off she would change back to the sweet loving baby she normally was. She lived to be 14 years old and was such a blessing to our family. Everyone that came over fell in love with her and wanted to take her home. We had to put her asleep 8 years ago and we still miss her so much.
~Crystal

My favorite pets are my two marmalade kittens - two identical sisters. I called them Fatso (she's twice the size of her sister) and Red. Fatso is very pushy, always climbing on top of you, begging scraps of food and attention. Red is very lady-like. She would stick around, making sure she is noticed but very dignified. Red is also very independent. She is the proverbial cat who walks alone. Fatso, when petted to her heart's content, scrunches to a little ball on the nearest available surface and can snooze for hours. I love them both to pieces. ;-) ~stasy

Happy Valentine’s Day, everyone! I hope it’s a lovely day that you get to share with someone special! My youngest has a basketball game tonight (weather permitting), so no romantic dinner here, but we went out last week for an early celebration.

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, a new Holly Jacobs’ romance....

LAUGH LINESby Holly Jacobs
ISBN 0-8034-9814-4
Avalon Books, 2/07

Welcome back to Erie, PA! In LAUGH LINES, the disc jockeys from WLVH radio station are MCing at a local comedy club, Chuckles. And they prove that WLVH, where love is more than just a song, still has the magic touch...it follows them into the club and...
Dani Sinclair has moved home to Erie to be closer to her family and to tackle a new job as CEO at a Hamlin Texts. That first day, while trying to escape a killer-bug (running from a plain bug sounds stupid, but if you say killer-bug it makes sense) she literally bumps into Luke Miller, the owner of Chuckles, a comedy club. At Chuckles, Dani finds she’s got a talent for stand-up...and she’s standing a lot, except when she falls for Luke! Unfortunately their road to love is peppered with a few rotten tomatoes and prat falls, but like all true comics (and romantics) they keep trying until they get it right!

You can read an EXCERPT here.

By now, you all know the drill...this is an Avalon release, and the publisher’s main market is libraries. The books are hardback, library bound, so they’re pricey. If you ask your library to order it, you’re helping me out, Avalon out...and you get to read it! Win-win-win! LOL (Well, I hope you getting to read it is a win !)**********************************************************************

Also, last summer’s HERE WITH ME, was reprinted in a hardback, large print version. Again, very pricey, so if you’re calling your library to request Laugh Lines, maybe you could request this one as well? Here’s the info:HERE WITH METhorndike (Hardback/large print reprint), 1/17/07 ISBN:0786292253 ************************************************************************

CONTESTThere’s still time to enter the new contest. I’m giving away a copy of last year’s NIGHT CALLS, an Avalon release. It had an Old English Mastiff in it, based on ours, who passed away last January.

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BOOKS ON THE MOVE
More and more foreign readers are signing up for the newsletter...thanks! Here are some translations that are available now...Once Upon a Prince has a Czech and Polish translation 2/07. Do You Hear What I Hear? was a part of a French Anthology in December '06. Once Upon a Princess published in Germany 11/06 and in Poland January '07. Here With Me published in Spain 11/06 and as a Thorndike Largeprint Edition in January '07 . Once Upon a Princess has a Czech translation in January '07!

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UPCOMING RELEASES:

Once Upon a Princess is going to be available in the US and Canada in a Spanish translation...
El Juego De La Princesa: (The Princess Game) Harlequin Jazmin (Spanish), 6/07

And my first Harlequin Everlasting is just around the bend in October. This one is so very special...find out why on my website.The House on Briar Hill RoadHarlequin Everlasting Love, 10/07ISBN #978-0-373-65419-2

*********************************************************************

Wow, after a very mild December, winter found Erie, PA in January...and keeps right on finding us. We’ve got snow and it’s freezing cold! I’m so looking forward to spring. But for now, I’ve got a fire going, I’m sitting on my couch, with Ethel Merrman, our new dog, and working...life’s not so bad, despite the snow!

As always, thanks for your continued support. You all helped make December’s Dashing Through the Mall, a great seller! I so appreciate it!

(PS for everyone in Erie, check out today’s paper! If you’re not in Erie...there’s an article about me on the front page! You can check it out at http://www.goerie.com/ if you’d like!)

Happy Valentine’s!

Holly

Another celebrity cat. First Kate Walker's, now meet Cathie Linz's (see the previous post about her current releases)!

"The photo is of Whiskers, who is an official cover model -- he was on the cover of Dec 2006 RT!

This is his follow up photo for Valentine's Day (notice the teddy bear and heart in the background). Whiskers is five years old, and he's a rescue shelter cat that I got as a kitten. More photos are on my website (a cute one on top of my newsletter section shows him and his brother Rascal as kittens). Did I mention that Whiskers faithfully sat at my feet while I completed my new book BIG GIRLS DON'T CRY (coming out in October). The fact that the hot air duct was there and it was cold had nothing to do with his feline loyalty .

This is Whiskers brother Rascals (who lives up to his name every minute of every day!) "

You can visit Cathie and see more pics at http://www.cathielinz.com/.

Happy Valentine's!

Holly

Happy Valentine's! Well, almost. I hope tomorrow's a lovely day for all of you. No romantic dates here. Our youngest has a basketball game. But, to be honest, I just enjoy hanging with my dh, so a bball game is as good a place as any.

For this week's blog, I thought what better time to discuss what I've been reading than Valentine's, especially when I've been reading so many of my friends' books lately!

Cheryl has been a great friend and mentor since I first started writing. I've always so loved her stories. The Lawman's Bride (Harlequin Historical Series) by Cheryl St.John was no exception.

Sophie is running from her past...straight into Clay's arm. Problem is, she's a criminal, he's the law. But maybe there's more to the story...and maybe all it will take is love to figure it out.
Cheryl St. John always tells gripping stories of the heart...and The Lawman's Bride is no exception. As a matter of fact, it's exceptional!
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Okay, here's something you might not have known about Cathy...her husband is my cosmic twin. Well, at least that's what she claims. It seems whenever the two of us are together, trouble ensues and she seems to feel we're both to blame, but truly, it's all his fault! LOL

Fully Engaged (Silhouette Intimate Moments) by Catherine Mann
Rick and Nola had a magic weekend together...then she left. Now she's back, and Rick's playing bodyguard. Protecting Nola makes him realize he can't let her go again.
Mann is an author who knows how to blend a fast-paced intrigue with true and heart-racing passion. A must read!

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There's a minature castle on my office shelf, and every time I look at it, I think of a good friend, Kate. I met her for the first time at a conference, but had been lucky to have known her for a long while before then online. At our lunch, her husband and I both used the word Lovely more than once, and since then, they've been my "lovely" friends. If you go back a few weeks on the blog, you can read about her cat, the world famous Sid!

The Italian's Forced Bride (Harlequin Presents) by Kate Walker
Alice has fallen in love, but realizes that Dom will never return her feelings, so she returns home to England...and discovers she's pregnant. Alice knows that he has to know the truth, but she's not really prepared for Dom's reation. A truly, "lovely" story of a love that was meant to be!

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Okay, here's a confession, she might be one of the biggest names in romance, but she's still a very sweet, down-to-earth lady. I was in a conference at Atlanta, on an escalator with a huge suitcase. Now, I don't think I've ever mentioned my bad leg here, but I have one, and it had been giving me grief. So, I did this hugely graceful stumble on that escalator. There at the bottom, was Nora Roberts, looking horrified, and ready to spring into action and catch me if I fell. Now, my suitcase in and of itself was a deadly weapon, so she was extremely brave because between the suitcase and me, we could have smooshed her! (And that is how the rumor that I almost killed Nora Roberts started...thanks Susan! LOL) You've got to love when someone you admire is as nice in person as you imagined!

Remember When by Nora Roberts
I 'm pretty sure everyone knows that Nora Roberts and JD Robb are one in the same woman...one of the best writers in modern times! Well, teaming these two sides together in one volume was brilliant! In the first story, Laine Tavish is trying to live down a less than reputable past, when trouble comes and finds her in small town Angel's Gap. It's up to Max Gannon to find out if she has anything to do with the missing jewels. What they find together is something worth more than the jewels. In the second part of the story, Max and Laine's granddaughter has written a book and told the story of the missing jewels, of Max and Laine. Now, death seems to be dogging her heels, and it's up to Eve Dallas to finally put things to right.
A brilliant, engrossing story!

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Cathie and I both write for Silhouette Romance and over the years have become friends. Not only is she a gifted writer, she's a heck of a lovely person!

Bad Girls Don't (Berkley Sensation) by Cathie Linz
Opposites may attract, but when Nathan and Skye come together it's more than attraction, and they're more than opposites. A belly dancer and a cop? Linz pulls of another magical story with a great central couple, quirky and inviting secondary characters and lots of laughter! A don't miss read!

Good Girls Do (Berkley Sensation) by Cathie Linz
Julia wants nothing more than a quiet, ordinary life, but when Luke comes back to town, it doesn't look as if Julia's going to achieve that particular goal. But maybe, getting a little shook up isn't all that bad??!!
Linz sparkles in this story that complete with a whacky small town, tons of laughs...and a great love story!

I hope you all have a lovely Valentine's filled with love, friends...and good books!!

Holly

Pets again!

I'm going to confess, I've enjoyed this contest so much more than the others I've had on the website. It's been great to see a more personal side of all of you. I've loved meeting your pets as well. My Ethel is curled up next to me on the couch as I do this week's blogs. It's been a year since we rescued her from the pound. We suspect she was abused. But over this last year, she's gone from skittish to cuddly.

Okay, another contest, favorite pet, entry:

I have had several unforgettable pets who, to my joy, have lived well beyond their life expectancies. My delight now is my English tortoise haired feline named 'Banshee'. Born a wild barn cat she has embraced the pampered indoor life. She runs to greet me at the door when I return. She 'answers' me when scolded for jumping on the table. (Very sassy!) If I am not feeling well she is at my side. Her cold nose prods mine if I do not rise early enough. She asks for very little. An ear scratch, food, water. Oh yes, please check..the BOX. In return she is a great comfort. ~Peggy

Only a couple more weeks to enter. I'll draw the winner on March 1!

Holly

Oh, my gosh is it cold...right now, in Erie, PA it's a whopping zero. And my yard is buried in a couple feet of snow. I've spent the better part of the weekend helping shovel us out again, and again, and again. How long until spring? LOL

But there are some perks to all this snow. I don't feel guilty about hermiting in my house, working on the laptop on the couch, right in front of the fireplace, underneath my quilt! All that snow means, I'm getting my writing done at a record pace! Hope you all are warm wherever you are!

Oh, and I have two more foreign books out in February...Once Upon a Prince has a Czech and a Polish translation. I love having my books travel (someday I'm hoping to travel as far as they have!)...it gives me geeky glee! Plus, Here With Me is in a new hardcover, large print reprint from Thorndike, available at Amazon or Barnes and Noble online.

Okay, stay warm...find a good book to read. I just got Cheryl St. John's newest book, The Lawman's Bride, and Nancy Warren's Speed Dating calling my name!!

Holly

Only a couple more weeks until Laugh Lines is on the shelf. And the favorite pet contest only has a few more weeks to go. Here are two more favorite pets....

We have this wonderful and adorable dog, Bogie. Bogie has a special personality, friendly and sweet. He is small, part Corgi and German Shepherd mix and is active, interested in people and has to know everything going on. He has become such a part of our family and has endeared himself to friends and neighbors so quickly.

My favorite pet was my cat, Pooh. I got him from a pet shop, not knowing he was too young to be taken away from his mother, I think he was scarred mentally for life! He hated everyone but me and would literally chase people out of the house. He must have had dozens of lives for all the death-defying acts he pulled -- he lived till he was 21 years old! There will never be another cat like him! ~Carol

I know I have a number of libraries who read my newsletters and this list, which is why I'm posting here that Here With Me is available in a Hardback, Large Print version from Thorndike. I wouldn't suggest non-library readers run out and buy it...it's expensive. You can still find copies of the original mass market edition online at Amazon and B&N if you missed it first time around.

And, because a few of you asked, yes, I opened a My Space account. It's at http://www.myspace.com/authorhollyjacobs Feel free to stop there and visit!

As for what's up here...snow, snow and more snow! I'm watching it outside the window now, and realizing I'm going to have to go shovel again soon! Hope wherever you are it's warm!

Holly

More Pet Posts....

Don't forget, send your "favorite pet" post to me at Holly@Hollysbooks.com, or post it in the comment section here, to be entered in the contest for a copy of Night Calls.

My favorite pet: Nora About two years ago we lost our 11yr old Rottie - the love of our life since she was a tiny pup. Not thinking I could ever love another the way I olved her, I shied away from getting a puppy. We heard about a senior girl rottie from a rescue we volunteered for. She needed a home badly. I thought I would not have to love her, just make her life better. Well, Nora has made our life better - mended our hearts and I love her more than anyhing - way more than I ever thought possible. ~ tracy

My favourite pet is a yorkshire terrier we named Gizmo.he is 10 years old,spoiled rotten and we love him tremendously.please enter me in contest. ~Linda

Alrighty....... My favorite pet would be my baby skipper. He's huge, he's a mutt, but he's the biggest baby you've ever seen. Skipper is so beautiful. He has one crystal blue eye and one brown. He loves to cuddle up to my feet no matter where i am. he's one of those dogs that just seem to know what i'm feeling. I tell him all my secrets (cause i know he won't tell). He's also the family gaurd dog, which seems so odd to me. He's such a loving baby, but when it comes to strangers, he's so protective over us all! he really is my best friend. I love that boy to death! he's been around for a lond while, 10yrs, and i'm very much afraid of losing him. No one wants to lose their best friend! But for now i'm gonna just keep on lovin' him and babying him. lol ~Amy