My publisher, Forever Romance, is showing its support for me, for women with breast cancer, and for breastcancer.org at the RWA National Conference this week! Here’s the press release:

Forever Romance
Forever Books to Raise Money for Breast Cancer in Honor of Author Jennifer Haymore

July 26- Forever Books will hold a raffle at the Romance Writers of America National Convention later this week to raise money for BreastCancer.Org in support of author Jennifer Haymore. Haymore, author of the forthcoming A Season of Seduction, was diag…nosed with Breast Cancer earlier this year. After undergoing a successful surgery, Haymore is responding well to chemotherapy and radiation treatments. She has been able to continue writing through her treatments but she’s had to make other adjustments, including missing this year’s Romance Writers of America National Convention.

Haymore’s publisher, Forever, an imprint of Grand Central Publishing, is passionate about supporting their author through the disease. Because Haymore is unable to attend the RWA convention, Forever has decided to hold a raffle to raise money for Breast Cancer awareness. 100% of the proceeds will go to www.breastcancer.org , a non-profit organization selected by Haymore, which is dedicated to providing information and community to those touched by this disease.

“Between my family, friends and fans, I have an incredible support system,” said Haymore. “However, I know not everyone affected by the disease is as lucky as I am to be surrounded by such love and support, which is why I chose to support BreastCancer.org. The organization has been an invaluable resource, connecting me to others who can relate to my experience.”

The raffle at RWA will consist of four prizes: an editor critique, an agent critique, a character name in one of Haymore’s upcoming books, and a collection of books signed by bestselling romance authors. Tickets will cost $3 for one ticket, or $5 for two, and will be sold throughout the conference. The prize drawing will be held on Saturday, July 30 during the Grand Central Publishing Book Signing (Disney Swan hotel, Southern hemisphere, Salon 1). The drawing will be held at approximately 4:15.

I’ve been so blown away by my publisher’s support through this ordeal. Isn’t this awesome?

Congrats to Laura B., who won a copy of A Hint of Wicked in Japanese!

Check out my new contest to win a book by the incomparable Tessa Dare!

If you’d like a signed bookplate plus some extra goodies (including one of my beautiful new bookmarks), just go to my Freebies page.

A little update here–it’s been a busy, strange summer. Last week I went through my last round of chemo. When I recover from that, it’s on to radiation. I’m pretty home-bound, but enjoying the time with my family and dreaming up lots of new ideas for stories while I’m at it!

I want to thank everyone who has supported me along this journey. This experience has reminded me of how wonderfully kind and generous people can be. Thank you so very much…I appreciate every single one of you more than I can say.

I’ll check in again soon. Big hugs to all of you!

Yesterday I went to my mailbox for the first time in a month, and look what was there! A HINT OF WICKED…in Japanese! It’s the cutest little book, very nicely made, with a dustjacket and everything!

I’m giving a copy away here, so if you read Japanese or know anyone who does (or if you just want to gaze at a really neat-looking book, lol), just respond here and I’ll pick one random winner at the end of the month.

Isn’t that cool?

When people ask me why I write romance, I don’t always readily have an answer for them. Everyone who knows me in person knows I’m not the best with quick reactions and verbal quips. But here’s an article by the wonderful Eileen Dreyer that I think really hits the nail on the head. It’s why I love writing romance, too.
Eileen’s article at CNN Living: “I Write Romance Novels–So What?”

Thanks so much, everyone. I’m just completely bowled over by all the love and support you have offered me.

I said on one of my writers’ groups–and it’s the truth–that I can virtually feel the nasty little cells floating around me cowering in fear from the power of it.

Thanks so much for that.

Hi everyone. I haven’t been around for a while. There’s a reason for that: On March 18, 2010, I was diagnosed with invasive breast cancer.

This (literally) threw me down for the count. It was the last thing in the world I expected to happen to me. I’m healthy, young, not at risk in any way. My mind was completely blown. It still is, really, except now I suppose I’m staying true to my British roots by forming a stiff upper lip and facing this thing head-on.

In this midst of all this, the book that I’m so proud of, A TOUCH OF SCANDAL, released. It’s been so surreal…such happiness and excitement surrounding a book release in the midst of this daze of fear and confusion about cancer.

I’ve been through two surgeries in the past month. Next, I’m probably looking at chemotherapy, radiation, and hormone therapy. Possibly more surgeries. Despite all of this, my prognosis is very, very good. I will beat this.

So here’s the deal: I might not be online as much as I used to. This has sent my world spinning and I’m still working on setting it to rights. As I told one person, my life completely changed with the words, “It’s cancer.” Fortunately, I have a great family and lots of support from my friends. I might lose my hair, and I might go into early menopause and suffer some weird side effects from the treatments. It’s hard to say what the next few months are going to be like for me. But there are a few things I do know: I’m going to keep writing books. I’m going to keep reading and supporting my fellow authors. Most of all, I’m going to watch my three young kids grow up, and someday I will know my grandchildren.

Thank you to all who are reading this: My readers, my friends, my colleagues…please keep in touch. And if you have a prayer or a positive thought or any kind of light to send my way, I’d really appreciate it.

hugs,
Jennifer

Hi All. Wow, that was a tough decision. I received 12 first chapters and synopses and read them all. Some serious talent in there! And with such great stories in so many different genres, it was almost impossible to select a winner.

But I can only send one manuscript to Barbara, and the winner is….drumroll……

Chinese Bride by Bonnie Dee!!!!!!!!!!!!

Congratulations, Bonnie! I’ll email you with more specifics.

Thanks so very much to everyone who entered. I had so much fun reading your awesome first lines and fantastic chapters.

Here were Bonnie’s first lines:

Title: Chinese Bride
Genre: Historical Western

First Five Lines:

Clouds were painted on the flat blue-gray sky, not even a gull disturbing the barren heavens. From great, black stacks, ribbons of white billowed behind the rapidly moving ship. Although the steamer cut steadily through the waves, it seemed it wasn’t moving at all—as though Huiann would spend the rest of her life standing on this deck, waiting for her new life to begin. When she imagined meeting her husband for the first time, she wavered between nervous anticipation and wrenching fear. Was he handsome, ugly, old, young?

I’ve been having some health issues, so there will be a day or two delay for the results of the New Beginnings Contest. The winner will be posted by Wednesday, March 31. Thanks for your patience!

Thanks to everyone who played! It was so much fun to read your fabulous entries!
Here are the semifinalists:

From Week 3
#10 Switched in Death by Sherry Foley
#19 Chinese Bride by Bonnie Dee
#81 (week 1 post) Southern Diversion by Celesta Hofmann

From Week 2
#14 Urban Secrets by Amber Leigh Williams
#25 In Pursuit of Love by Sarah Simas
#36 Rake Untied by S. Orr
#77 (week 1 post) Shadow Horse by Anne E. Kyle

From Week 1
#35 Assistant’s Secret by April Morelock
#39 Lessons from a Scoundrel by Christa McHugh
#50 Return to Me by Michelle (MG) Braden
#51 Shadow Dancer by Laurie Douglas Wicks
#57 CODENAME: DANCER by Amanda Brice

Congrats, everyone! This week’s semifinalists will be contacted individually on Monday, March 22 with instructions on how to send their first chapters and/or synopses to Jennifer for final round judging. The overall winner will be selected on or before March 28. That winner will be invited to send his/her manuscript to Barbara Poelle, who will read it for possible representation.

Questions? Feel free to go to the contact page and send them in. Jennifer will respond as quickly as possible.

I heard about a month ago that A Touch of Scandal was going to be getting 4.5 stars and a Top Pick from RT Magazine, but my copy finally came yesterday and I finally got to read what it said!

Top Pick! Haymore delivers a second fascinating, powerful and sensual novel that places her high on must-read lists. She perfectly blends a strong plot that twists like a serpent and has unforgettable characters to create a book readers will remember and re-read.

((swoon!))

I didn’t know this, but I also found out that Garrett also was listed as a K.I.S.S. (Knight in Shining Silver) for April in RT:

Even A Touch of Scandal can’t stop the passion Garrett, Duke of Calton, feels for his forbidden love in Jennifer Haymore’s story.

((sigh!))

Two more weeks until A Touch of Scandal releases!