Can't stop laughing...

2008-05-16T10:31:00.000-07:00

Hit the road!

2008-05-06T14:59:00.000-07:00

This is a very rare photo of me and Mr Kate-together. I have permission from the great man to post it, mainly I suspect because it contains plenty of his other loves-cars. The car directly behind us, with the stripe, is his pride and joy a 360 Stradele. What's not to like? And as you can see we are surrounded by Ferrari's

This Sunday, we got to go on a mini-Ferrari rally. It wasn't supposed to be competitive but with over a hundred Ferrari's and some very A type personalities, I suspect there was some major jostling for position along the way. I told Mr Kate very firmly that if he raced I would throw up and that was the end of it.

We were sent on a 65 mile loop of back roads that eventually took us back to the Infineon race track where the Ferrari Challenge race series was being held over the weekend. During the journey we got a little lost when we got lazy and simply followed the person in front of us-we took a block long detour and came back out where we'd started. We also managed to miss the exit off the freeway seeing as there was a bit of too-ing and fro-ing with some other Ferrari's and everyone missed the exit :)

It was fun and people along the way seemed to enjoy seeing that many Ferrari's at once-not a sight you often see on a Sunday morning! A couple of drivers who got caught up in the middle of great big bunches of Ferrari's usually gave in and pulled over to let everyone go past-too much pressure I suspect. Although there were some Prius drivers who seemed to be quite happy to sit amongst the evil fuel guzzlers and make us all feel bad.

When we got to the race track, they let us all out in a very organized manner to do a lap around the track! This was exciting for me as I've never done that before. Mr K is rather blase about it having done a couple of racing courses there. Of course we only got to do about 30 MPH which was a little disappointing but it was still cool!

Romantic Times Conference

2008-04-25T10:19:00.000-07:00

I'm back and the conference was...an experience. It was at times chaotic, awesome, hilarious and downright amusing. But the opportunity to meet fans, reviewers, booksellers and other writers was too great to miss. Meeting someone who has flown all the way from Australia to buy romance novels, including yours, and watching as someone retrieves a copy of your book for you to sign from their bag is a special experience.

This is Mari and me at the Fairie Ball, glamming it up, Mari is the sparkly one!

It actually made me realize that I don't write in a vacuum and that there really are people out there who read and enjoy my books! It was also an opportunity to re-connect with some of my favorite writerly folk and meet some new ones. Writers are a strange breed. We emerge blinking into the frenzy of a conference of over a thousand chattering people. Some of us step back and observe, and others let rip!

Of course, at my age, I'm an observer. I'm proud to say that there's no risk of any risque photos of me emerging from RT at all-unless someone photoshop's me of course :) And yes, there were cover models, lovely guys for the most part although I didn't get into any conversations with them, just admired from afar. With a nineteen year old son of my own, somehow most of them just didn't do it for me :)

Tawny and Erica take top honors in the costume contest!

I was amazed at the effort some folk put into their costumes for the Fairie ball, Ellora's Cave Golden Era of Hollywood night and the Vampire Ball. I just put on any old thing and turned up and boy, was I underdressed!

The book signing was also fun. I was amazed at the constant stream of readers and book buyers. I sold several books and got to chat to some fans-yeah-I had some-it was so cool!! Luckily for me I always get to sit next to the amazing Kayla Perrin at the signings-it's alphabetical-and we always share a few laughs. This came in handy when just before the book signing ended, the whole ballroom was plunged into darkness. We decided that Fabio must have arrived at the hotel and sucked all the energy and female hormones out of the air.

Here we have Sharon Page another great Aphrodisia author and the lovely Kayla Perrin

Big thanks to Lilian Feisty for the photos - I didn't even try and take any this year mine are usually so bad...
More soon!

Simply Sinful

2008-04-15T10:36:00.004-07:00

Now I 'know' it's not shouting Regency, but it is still beautiful, especially the guy:)

Simply Sinful comes out at the beginning of November this year. Here's the blurb:

A Wicked Proposition...

Forced to wed at a young age, Abigail Beecham is tired of living in a sexless marriage. She longs to succumb to the delicious pleasures of pure carnal lust that she has only read about. And if her husband James can't satisfy her erotic needs, he's ready to find a man who can.

A Wild Past

Peter Howard is accustomed to unusual sexual requests. His seven years as a slave in a Turkish brothel left his skilled in sensual delights. But there is little that actually arouses him-until he meets James and Abigail. Maybe now he'll finally experience that exquisite feeling of bliss he so desperately desires.

It was so much fun to write this book, mainly because I knew the characters so well. But it didn't turn out quite how I anticipated-you'll have to read it to find out why :) The best thing is, I get the opportunity to write two more in this series. So look out next year for "Simply Shameless" which is about Madame Helene, and another, as yet untitled, about Anthony Sokorvsky.

I'm off to the RT convention tonight, so if you're coming, please pop by the book signing and say hi!

Simply Sinful

2008-04-15T10:36:00.003-07:00

Simply Sinful

2008-04-15T10:36:00.002-07:00

Simply Sinful

2008-04-15T10:36:00.001-07:00

Off to the Romantic Times conference!

2008-04-14T14:05:00.000-07:00

I'm busy trying to get organized enough to go to the RT conference in Pittsburgh on Wednesday the 16th. Of course I also have to organize the family as well so that dear Mr Kate can get everything done. Today I bought 2 tubs of ice cream, 2 boxes of breaded shrimp and a dozen ice cream sandwiches so he's all freezered up on bribes.

Unfortunately the only direct flight I could get to Pittsburgh was overnight-so that will be fun! I get there at 6:30 a.m. I suspect my hotel room will not be ready for at least another 6 hours-hell...

I'll be sure and report back how it went!

Kate x

Simply...busy

2008-04-05T15:30:00.000-07:00

It's been a busy few days. Spring break for the kids with the obligatory visit to the zoo and the movie theater. At the zoo, I spent at least 15 minutes watching a gibbon swing effortlessly through the tree branches with more grace and speed than the very best Olympic gymnast. My daughter wasn't impressed at all and tugged at my hand for about 14 1/2 of those minutes but I stood firm! The movie was "Horton hears a Hoo" which was also okay. Dr. Seuss books were just 'meant' to be made into movies!

Should be a gibbon picture here but blogger is not cooperating :) Oh! Here it is!

I also got busy with copy edits for "Simply Sinful". Got to love my copy editor. She pointed out that I'd abandoned my heroine's elderly chaperone at an inn in Southampton and forgotten to mention her for the rest of the book! (oops!) All fixed now and all those 10 day weeks I keep writing. It is amazing that you can read through a manuscript 15 times and still miss the obvious...

I also got this last week!

This was supposed to be a picture of my new cover for "Simply Sinful" but blogger won't let me load it at the moment, so I'll send it as soon as I can! All I can say is it's blue tones, the guy is gorgeous and the woman, not quite Regency. But overall it's still hot!

Cheers everyone!

the Booksigning!

2008-03-26T15:23:00.000-07:00

I have to say that it was quite exciting to be doing a book signing. Mr Kate added to my nerves considerably by a) deciding to vacuum the lawn or something 15 minutes before we were supposed to be there and b)by telling me I'd got the wrong day just as we pulled off the freeway. I didn't laugh. He was lucky to survive.

Barnes & Noble even had a big poster at the from of the store with my name and the cover of "Roping the Wind" on it! Apparently, she had to down pedal the "Simply Sexual" one to avoid complaints from Saturday shoppers with kids, and I totally understood that. Debra, the B&N community relations manager loves romance novels and thank god for people like her-she was thrilled to see me, got me water and ice and even had a pen ready in case I'd forgotten to bring one!

So here I am, looking pensive as shoppers mill around me. I was strategically placed between the cafe and the new arrivals tables so I felt a little like a fish in a bowl, or one of those Victorian ladies waiting patiently at the side of the dance floor while being ignored by all the men.

And yes, people really do ask strange questions. My favorite was, "Did you write this?" Um, yes, otherwise why would I be sitting here? Of course, I didn't say that, I just smiled graciously and admitted it. I REALLY DID get asked where the bathroom was as well!!

Look! Real people in a line, for me! Okay, so I know some of them, but hey, they came out to support me and buy my books so I love them all.

Because of what I write, I expected a few oddballs as well, and yes, they turned up to say hi, every time Mr Kate wandered off to read Motor magazines. I 'think' they just wanted to see what an erotic romance writer looked like and I 'think' I probably disappointed them seeing as I wasn't dressed in black leather or brandishing a whip!

So,it was fun and Mr Kate took loads of photos, I felt famous for at least 5 minutes and that was quite enough for me :) Back to the writing cave!

Book Signing on Saturday!

2008-03-19T19:05:00.000-07:00

Come and meet me in person!!

I'll have books to sign, bookmarks and candy!

Where:
Barnes & Noble Bookstore
Hacienda Crossing
Dublin, CA 94568

Time:
2-4 pm

Come save me from hours of boredom and Mr Kate from having to bribe people to come and say hi. I'd love to meet you :)

Good news!

2008-03-14T19:27:00.000-07:00

First off-the good news. Kensington Aphrodisia offered me a contract for two more books! The best bit is that they are connected to the first two, "Simply Sexual" and "Simply Sinful". So I get to write about the Madame of the pleasure house, Helene and Valentin's half-brother Anthony Sokorvsky.

It will be interesting to write about Helene because most of my books are dominated by the hero, and in this case, things are different. I just hope I can make her sympathetic enough-she's had a tough life. But, as I explained to my editor, I have to write Helene's book first so that we can get to Anthony's, because characters have to be developed who will impact his life and his happiness. Anthony is seriously messed up sexually and it will take an exceptional person to sort him out.

I've no idea when these books will come out, although I'm thinking the first probably late 2009, we'll see how they go :) It is actually slightly easier to write books when you already have some back story to help you along, although it can get a little complicated at times :) Not sure what the titles will be either, whether we'll continue to 'Simply' ones or not-although I think the awesome Mary Balogh has used most of them already :) I picked a deliberately lame title for Helene's story in the hope that Kensington would choose another one. I didn't even try to find one for Anthony-I just called it "Anthony's book" :)

I should have a cover for "Simply Sinful" in a few weeks. I'm looking forward to that-I think!

Here's hoping you are all as pleased as I am that I get to keep writing these stories. I really love the characters and it really is a pleasure to enjoy myself and get paid for it!

Fortune's Kiss

2008-03-12T09:59:00.000-07:00

FORTUNE’S KISS by Lisa Manuel
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Medallion Press
Release Date: March 2008
ISBN: 978-193383635-5

“The characters are full of depth and vitality and you feel like you are with them every step of the way. Fortune’s Kiss is definitely one for the keeper shelves.” – Night Owl Reviews

“…A cunning story of love and treachery… Settle down with some tea and cakes and put up your feet. Fortune’s Kiss is an excellent Sunday afternoon read.” – Novel Spot

“…An excellent historical romantic suspense. This is an exciting and enjoyable book and one you don’t want to miss.” – Romance Junkies

“…An amusing, engaging historical romance starring two likable heroes and a zany out of control support cast.” – Harriet Klausner

“…Unique and sinfully delicious…” – Romance Reviews Today

Practical, country-bred Moira Hughes must fight for the family fortune she believes her stepfather’s heir has unlawfully withheld from her. Graham Foster, treasure hunter and Egyptian antiquities expert, returns to London to claim his barony only to find himself accused of foul play by Moira and her widowed mother. Coming to a wary truce, Graham agrees to help Moira find her lost fortune, and together they follow a trail of fraud, deceit and murder that leads them through the streets of London—and into each other’s arms.

Visit Lisa at www.lisamanuel.com

L is for Leather

2008-03-02T20:24:00.001-08:00

A while ago, when I was writing 'Roping the Wind', a call came out from the amazing Ms. Alison Tyler for Cleis Press for short story submissions to an erotic alphabet series. The one that caught my imagination was "L is for Leather" because, if you're read Roping, you'll know that Jay Turner makes cowboy boots and Helen Kinsale finds the whole leather thing a total turn on.

So I set out to write my first straight erotica short story, Sunday Service which was kind of like my characters taking their whole fascination with leather into their own little fantasy world, although in the story I give no time period, place, detailed setting or character names. It was quite interesting to write something that didn't require a happy ending or an ending at all really :)

It was a real thrill when I heard my story had not only got into the anthology but was first up in the book. I love the cover of this book. It reminds me of the 1950's poster girls, with a naughty kink!

Drive-by signings, pacing and other stuff

2008-02-17T13:19:00.000-08:00

I've been busy. I mean, really busy for me. Not only have I been promoting myself around the internet in a vain hope that someone will buy my new books, but I offered to run a pacing class for my RWAOnline chapter AND I decided it would be the perfect time to get my proposal in to Kensington for the next 2 potential books.

Call it Spring madness or something, but I theorized that it would all work out fine. it did, but barely, although I did find out what a lot of time I normally waste hanging out on the internet.

Both books are doing well, despite me. I've had some great reviews and some nice feedback from readers. What I love is that everyone seems to agree that Peter Howard and Anthony Sokorvsky really need their own books. Luckily Peter's is already done and dusted and currently with Kensington awaiting copy edits and a cover. It even has a name! "Simply Sinful" and it will be out in November this year which isn't too long to wait.

Anthony's book is also in the works i.e. my head, although the one about Madame Helene has to come first in order for Anthony's to make any sense. I love writing these inter-connecting books and I hope it shows when you read them.

Also in the works is the third Cheek book "Riding the Line which is about another of those pesky Turner half-brothers. Now Dakota is nothing like Jay. He's much more laid-back, rather like Grayson. Dakota's challenge is his traveling companion, the sexy as hell but spoiled and disillusioned Robyn, whom I based on the women who appear in my regular reality TV watching. Fireworks fly and Dakota's laid back personality is sorely tried. :) This book comes out in Dec in the UK and Feb 09 in the US-when I finish writing it.

I also persuaded dear Mr Kate to help me out with some drive-by book signings. The idea being that the author (i.e. me) drops into a bookstore and offers to sign their stock. Much happiness all round, costs nobody nothing and my books stay on the shelf longer.

My local Borders are used to me showing up so they were quite happy to let me sign anything. I did wonder if it might be fun to pretend I was someone really famous like Nora and see if they'd let me sign her books too, but I didn't quite have the nerve. Our next stop was Barnes and Noble where I stopped in the romance aisle to grab a pile of my books and take them up to the information desk. This lady in the romance aisle gave me a funny look and said "You must like that author a lot."

Of course I had to tell her it was me, didn't I? She was delighted to meet a real author and I ended up signing a book to her and off she went to the cash desk. Feeling a little flushed and overwhelmed by such lovely enthusiasm, I took the rest of the books to the desk. There I got to meet the B&N community relations manager who was also pleased to meet me and asked me if I'd like to do a BOOK SIGNING in the store. I said yes.

I said yes. Okay I'm nuts. I'm so not an extrovert but I felt I should at least do one in my lifetime :) So come and see me in B&N at Hacienda Crossing Dublin, California on March 22nd. I'll be the one sitting by myself at the front of the store directing people to the bathrooms.

Flushed with success, we went onto store #3, Mr Kate laughing at me a bit for being 'the author lady'. Store #3 were distinctly underwhelmed by my appearance and seemed bemused as to why I would want to sign anything. They came around and even put my books face out as I was leaving, but talk about bringing you down to earth.

Another person who regularly brings me down to earth is my 5 yr old daughter. Today we were watching TV and an ad for weight loss pills for women came on. She poked me and said "Mommy you should get this." "Do you think I'm fat?" I asked. She gave me a sympathetic look and stroked my leg. "Well...you are a bit cringly."

I'm afraid to ask what that means...

Roping the Wind out in the US today!

2008-02-05T14:38:00.000-08:00

It's a great edgy love story, that is, if you like cowboys, feisty surgeons and a love affair with no holds barred sex and attitude. It was a tough book to write because they just came out slugging at each other and didn't lay off for the whole book-not my kind of relationship at all, but it seemed to suit them just fine!

Winner!

2008-02-03T21:00:00.000-08:00

Winner of an original 1820's Regency print and a cover flat of Simply Sexual is...

D D BLACKMAN

please email me at
contactme@katepearce.com
to claim your prize!

and thanks to everyone who entered, I really enjoyed reading all your comments :)

Kate x

CONTEST!

2008-01-29T09:55:00.000-08:00

Happy Tuesday everyone! Even though its raining here, it's still a wonderful day because today is the official release date for SIMPLY SEXUAL! Yes, I know some of you have already bought and read your copy, but these things happen :)

Comment in the next 5 days and win the chance to own an original Regency fashion plate from 1820 and a signed cover flat of Simply Sexual.

Good luck!

Kate x

Knicker shock

2008-01-23T10:07:00.000-08:00

It was my birthday last Saturday and dear Mr Kate took me up to San Francisco for a day of shopping and lunching and general merriment,(i.e. no kids) Initially I'd decided to get a new handbag, a brown one, to match my new Ariat cowboy boots, see left, but nothing inspired me enough to spend big bucks on it, well Mr Kate's big bucks, but you know what I mean :)

We had lunch at The Cheesecake Factory at the top of the Macy's building and regrouped. I asked dear Mr Kate if he could look up a British store that I'd heard had a shop in San Francisco on his iphone. He looked a bit skeptical but when I mentioned it was fancy lingerie, he suddenly became much more interested. We located the store just off Union Square on Geary Street and headed down there, stopping in Neiman Marcus on the way.

Of course, while we were in NM, we saw a lovely Issey Miyake cardigan in beautiful reds, oranges and yellow. We both liked it and filed it away for future reference in case I didn't find a handbag. then we went in search of the lingerie.

Agent Provocateur turned out to be a fabulous little shop. Mr Kate made himself at home on the fancy seats while I tried on about twenty different bras with the help of a sales assistant. I fell in love with two of them and decided, seeing as my lovely MIL had left me some birthday money as well, that I could afford to really splash out and get two sets. Being a generous woman, I decided to let Mr Kate pick his favorite style of matching underwear.

And here's where I slipped up. I didn't check the prices of the knickers...I knew the bras were expensive and I reckoned the knickers would be about a third of the bra price. Um, no...the bill was humongous and Mr Kate just paid it like a lamb and off we went.

He still wasn't speaking 2 blocks down and he had this kind of dazed look in his eyes. Meanwhile, I was checking in the very fancy bag for the receipt and finding out just how expensive a set of French made British imported knickers can be. I was laughing so much that I offered to take them back, but Mr K wouldn't hear of it. He even still wanted to buy me the Issey Miyake top! Luckily for us, NM only takes American Express and their own charge card, neither of which we had on us!

So feast your eyes on my new knickers and remember-always check the price before you reduce your husband to complete speechlessness...

I won something!

2008-01-15T15:02:00.000-08:00

Look at me! I won for my Virgin 'Cheek' book "Where have all the Cowboys gone?"
from cataNetwork Reviewers Choice Awards 2007!

How exciting!

Now I must go and write my acceptance speech and lose 40 llbs to fit into that Armani dress I covet.

congrats to the other winners too!

Double Tagged!

2008-01-15T09:52:00.000-08:00

Darnit!

Two of my favorite people have tagged me, so I'll have to play, at least a little bit.

7 random or weird facts about me:

1. I can't stand the sound of polystyrene being touched.

2. I once fell flat on my face, for no apparent reason, at a college dance, (really this was before I even had a drink) I happened to be carrying a pint of strawberry milkshake at the time and it ended up all over me.

3. I hate people patting the top of my head, but I love people brushing my hair.

4. Some people's voices make me go into a gooey trance.

5. My toes are double-jointed.

6. I once had long dark pink hair with a gelled back-combed fringe, the inevitable black lace Madonna gear and a 'Frankie says Relax' T-shirt. It was the 80's okay?

7. Once when I was walking home from school with my younger sister, a dog came out and started barking. I calmly crossed the road and watched it chase my sister all the way along the street.

Chatting at Writerspace tonight!

2008-01-07T17:55:00.000-08:00

Come say hi at Writers space tonight 6pm pacific 9 eastern and meet some of the Aphrodisia authors-and me!

kate x

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

2007-12-31T21:09:00.000-08:00

Here's to a fabulous 2008!
My take on 07 coming to this blog soon!
Kate x

'Guardians Keep' by Lori Devoti

2007-12-23T10:31:00.000-08:00

Publisher: Silhouette Nocturne
ISBN: 978-0373617791
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release Date: January 2008

4 1/2 Stars, Romantic Times Magazine!

Kol Hildr had spent the last century battling hellhounds and warlocks who sought to usurp his portal’s magic. A mighty shape-shifter with the ability to change into wolf form, Kol made accessing the powerful gateway nearly impossible–unless you were a witch of Kelly Shane’s talents. She had a score to settle and would do anything to close the portal that led to her unearthly prison. Though an alliance with her compromised Kol’s purpose, something about the little witch overwhelmed his fierce, battle-worn soul. But when he learned Kelly’s life might be in jeopardy, could Kol put aside the one thing he thought he valued most–the portal–to journey to the other side and rescue her?

A great cover and this looks fabulous!
Congrats, Lori!

Tying up loose ends!

2007-12-11T13:15:00.000-08:00

Speaking of tying, ROPING THE WIND came out in the UK on Dec 6th! and I'm amazed, if slightly surprised, to find that both my cowboy books have made the amazon.uk bestselling Western list today-I didn't even know amazon.uk kept such stats, but apparently they do, and there I am-along with all the other erm, traditional western authors! Go read an excerpt of the book on my website or a really naughty one on myspace

And here I am, on my vacation in Sedona on the vortex walk, trying to sense the energy coming off the canyon walls. Mr Kate took the picture because he refused to look stoopid doing what I was doing. The weird thing was that while I focused on the canyon I felt this immense sense of negative pressure. Of course later that evening I understood why. I spent the entire night being ill with gastric flu and the next day in bed-and not in a good way. Obviously that halo of light around me was not the angelic presence I hoped!

And here's a picture of Hunter, my dog, no reason really for it, just that he looks so cute and I know that most people who read this blog are far more interested in Mr Kate and the dog that they are in my me!

Life is weird at the moment. I finished all the writing projects I intended to this year, got 4 books in to their respective publishers and a proposal, and a short story. So that was all great. Personally, it's been a year full of family health issues, searching for balance and trying to survive having 4 kids, three of them teenage boys. I'm hoping next year will prove to be smoother-but then I suppose I've always been an optimist!

I'm looking forward to seeing the two books coming out in Jan and Feb, "Simply Sexual" and Roping the Wind" but secretly terrified that I'll get trashed not once, but twice in the same issue of Romantic Times when the reviews come out. Maybe I'd better not go and look and pretend it's nothing to do with me.

I'm also trying to do the Christmas shopping but fate is conspiring against me. First off, my laptop broke and I've had a mad scramble making sure that most of my important stuff was backed up (yes!), failing to reconnect with my other email account (bad) losing my check card (very bad) and trying to log in and pay for stuff without the right passwords, bank accounts or info. Maybe I'll just give everyone coal this year...

Hope you are all fairing better than me!
Don't forget to try your luck in the Lust Bites scavenger hunt-see blog below!

Kate Pearce's Blog

Can't stop laughing...

Hit the road!

Romantic Times Conference

Simply Sinful

Simply Sinful

Simply Sinful

Simply Sinful

Off to the Romantic Times conference!

Simply...busy

the Booksigning!

Book Signing on Saturday!

Good news!

Fortune's Kiss

L is for Leather

Drive-by signings, pacing and other stuff

Roping the Wind out in the US today!

Winner!

CONTEST!

Knicker shock

I won something!

Double Tagged!

Chatting at Writerspace tonight!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

'Guardians Keep' by Lori Devoti

Tying up loose ends!