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.

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!

Hi everyone! I’ve been very busy over here with contests, copyedits, deadlines, and the upcoming release of A TOUCH OF SCANDAL! A couple of things I wanted to mention before I dive back into my cave…

-A TOUCH OF SCANDAL received 4.5 stars and a Top Pick from Romantic Times Magazine. I’m so thrilled about this–my first top pick!

-I was honored to be able to interview one of my idols-Mary Balogh. She is truly inspiring! Please head on over to Popculturedivas to check it out.

-My third book, A SEASON OF SEDUCTION, is up at Amazon. I am truly so excited about Becky’s story and the finale of the trilogy that began with A HINT OF WICKED. I can’t wait to share this book with everyone…it releases on October 1, so I’m counting the days…

-I’ve updated my Appearances page–oh my gosh, am I busy! I’ve got a blog tour scheduled for the end of March, and I hope you all will come visit me on one or two of my stops.

-Don’t forget my contests! Not only the agent competition here on the blog, but there’s also a contest to win a copy of A HINT OF WICKED going on on my contest page.

Wow, what a fabulous bunch of entries that was! The judges had a heck of a time choosing just a few, but choose they finally did, and here are the semifinalists:

#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

The semifinalists will be contacted individually on Monday, March 8 with instructions on how to send their first chapters and/or synopses to Jennifer for final round judging.

Thanks to all who entered! If you did not final, you are welcome to enter again this week with a different manuscript. Otherwise, please continue to spread the word. Round Two begins right now! The rules are exactly the same as round one, so you can check them out on the Week 1 Blog. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me through the contact form on this site. Otherwise, good luck for round 2! More semifinalists will be chosen next Sunday, March 14.

Jennifer

Are you looking for a literary agent or at least a little feedback from an established agent? Then this is the contest for you!

What you can win: A read of your fiction manuscript by Barbara Poelle of the Irene Goodman Literary Agency

How it works:
(1) Click “Leave a Comment” below and post the title, genre, and first five sentences of your fiction manuscript on the comments of this blog. Email entries will not be accepted; all entries must be made in the comments section of this blog.
(2) A group of semifinalists will be selected from the lines posted. The list of semifinalists for round one will be posted here on the blog on March 7. Round Two will begin on March 7 and semifinalists will be posted on March 14, and Round Three will begin on March 14 and semifinalists will be posted on March 21.
(3) The semifinalists will be invited to send their first chapter and/or synopsis to Jennifer.
(4) One 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.
(5) Questions? Feel free to go to the contact page and send them in. Jennifer will respond as quickly as possible.

Example Entry:

Title: A Touch of Scandal
Genre: Historical Romance (1823 England)
First 5 sentences:
A bothersome heat crept into Kate’s cheeks as she hurried through the narrow, dimly lit passageway. If only she could learn how to hide her thoughts.

Taking a deep breath, she forcefully slowed her step, squared her shoulders, and lowered her eyes. She was simply a servant, finished with her duties for the day, ready to take the three-mile walk home. Not a flustered woman rushing out to a secret secluded spot to watch a strange man—no, a god, more like—bathe in the nude.

The fine print:
You must be 18 years of age or older to enter this contest; no purchase necessary; void where prohibited. Judging is subjective, and judges’ names will not be revealed. If you enter this contest, you agree to be added to Jennifer Haymore’s newsletter list, which is sent out to subscribers quarterly. Personal information and email addresses are kept private and never shared. The semifinalists and winner’s names will be posted on the jenniferhaymore.com blog.

Congratulations to Dileep K., who won the ARC of A Touch of Scandal!

If you haven’t read A Hint of Wicked yet, check out my contest page, where I’m giving away several signed copies!

31 days until A Touch of Scandal releases! I’m so excited!