Well…a year and a half after I was offered my first contract from Hachette, A HINT OF WICKED is officially out! You can find it wherever books are sold. I’m so far beyond excited, I don’t even know what to say! I had this dazed, dreamlike moment when I saw my name on the sale tag at Target. Totally, completely surreal…

It’s also my anniversary, so another reason to celebrate! I’m not exactly low maintenance, so it’s a true miracle my husband has put up with me for the past (*cough*) eighteen years (*cough) (I was a BABY when I got married, really, I was!).

I’m having an ongoing release celebration…and this means plenty of opportunities for you to reap the benefits of my excitement! (I love to give stuff away when I’m in a good mood, lol!) Plus, my publisher and bloggers across the internet are giving away copies of A HINT OF WICKED.

Here are some opportunities to win stuff:

My Wicked Sexy Scavenger Hunt-giving away about $60 in products from Victoria’s Secret

My contest with amazing author Christine Wells–enter to win a copy of both our books!

Interview and Giveaway at Examiner.com

Ongoing Freebies Offering - Sign up for my newsletter as well (look on the sidebar of my blog page), because on June 20, I’ll be giving away a signed copy of AHOW, along with copies of Simply Perfect by Mary Balogh, Desire Unchained by Larissa Ione, and To Beguile a Beast by Elizabeth Hoyt to random newsletter subscribers!

Today’s blog tour stop:Drey’s Library (they’ll be giving away several copies of AHOW!)

Hi, everyone! I’m in huge state of excitement, because A HINT OF WICKED is being sighted everywhere around the country, in Canada, and even in Australia! So I think it’s time for a little celebration!

So here it is: A Scavenger Hunt. Browse around this website and find the answers to the questions below. When you’ve found them, go to my contact form. In the subject field, put “Scavenger Hunt.” In the message field, answer the following questions:

(1) In the first chapter of A HINT OF WICKED, Sophie has been kicked by a horse, and she’s bruised. Where is the bruise located? (Hint: Read the excerpt…)

(2) In the step back of A HINT OF WICKED, what color is the ribbon that binds Sophie’s wrists? (Hint: Put your mouse on the book cover…)

(3) When will A TOUCH OF SCANDAL be out? (Hint: Check the FAQs…)

(4) Can I add you to my email and snail mail mailing list? (you can still win if you say no, lol!)

If you send me the correct answers by midnight (PST) on Friday, June 5, I’ll put you in a drawing to win the following *awesome* wicked-sexy products from Victoria’s Secret (retail value: around $58-click on each product’s name to learn more from the Victoria’s Secret site):

-Rapture Golden Pearl Shower Cream, 4 oz.
-So Sexy Root-Lift Volumizing Spray, 5 oz.
-Very Sexy For Him Hair & Body Wash, 8.4 oz.
-Secret Charm Ultra Softening Body Butter, 7 oz. (brand-new scent!)
-Vanilla Lace Ultra Softening Body Butter, 7 oz.
-Plus Jennifer Haymore’s WICKED Raspberry Crush Hand & Body Lotion, 2 oz.
-And a few fun author goodies!

Remember, you have until midnight, PST, June 5! Have fun, and thanks for stopping by!

BLOG TOUR UPDATE: If you’re interested in winning a copy of A HINT OF WICKED, Isalys has five to give away! Head on over to Book Soulmates and check it out. This is a new-to-me blog, and it’s great. I can’t wait to try the recipe for the brownie-bottom cheesecake…yum…

Hi Everyone!

This is my son’s first baseball tournament weekend. Game at 10:30 today, and if they win, championship game at 1:00! Busy, busy!

But even though I won’t be here much, I’m out and about on the web! Come check out my interview at Robin Bielman’s blog, and my guest blog at Lust in Time, where I’m talking about my personal love triangle experience!

PLUS, my publisher is giving away 5 (count ‘em-FIVE!) copies of A HINT OF WICKED on today’s blog tour stop: http://www.bookwormygirl.blogspot.com/. There’s a nice review up at that blog as well! I’m still a little bowled over when I hear someone has actually read the book! LOL!

Okay. Must have more coffee… Was up verrrry late last night writing about hot Highlanders…

Happy Memorial Day to all my fellow Americans!

My son picked the winner! It was Booklover1335! Congrats! Please email me sometime within the next week and Jackie and I will get your book out to you asap.

Thanks for all the book recommendations, everyone. I adored Passion by Lisa Valdez (loved it and it’s on my keeper shelf!), and I’ve read a few of the other authors mentioned (Pam Rosenthal and Jane Lockwood are great) and Laura Kinsale is my absolute idol. But I’m definitely going to check out some of those other authors! I can’t wait! I love me some spicy historicals…

For today’s dose of cuteness–
My 10-year-old son has just discovered email. Allowing him internet access is a little scary, but I know it’s a skill he needs, and he’s obsessed with building his own website. So…we’re working on the parental controls, lol. But anyway, he sent this to me yesterday. It’s so fun watching your kid develop a sense of humor…

P.S. Just showed him this entry and his response: “Mommmmmmm!! Why’d you have to put that on your blog??” Hehe.

Tomorrow I’ll be interviewing Jackie Barbosa, the author of Behind the Red Door, which releases from Kensington next week. Behind the Red Door is erotic Regency romance you don’t want to miss! At the end of the day, Jackie will be giving away a copy of Behind the Red Door to one commenter!

Also, be sure to check out the Wicked contest I’m having with the brilliant Regency romance author and RITA nominee, Christine Wells, for a chance to win a prize pack containing both of our upcoming Wicked releases!
Contest Page: http://www.jenniferhaymore.com/bonus-features/contest/

Finally, take a look at my busy schedule for the next couple of weeks! I’m doing a Blog Tour organized by my publisher, as well as tons of interviews, guest blogs, and giveaways. Some of these book/reading blogs and sites are new to me, and they’re fabulous! So go check them out, and maybe win a book while you’re at it!
Appearances Page: http://www.jenniferhaymore.com/bonus-features/appearances/

I have winners for the Tessa Dare/Evie Byrne contest! They are: RF Long, Aileen Fish, and Wanderer. Congrats!

It was really fascinating reading everyone’s responses. Sometimes I was nodding my head thinking, “Yes, yes, yes!”, and sometimes I was thinking, “Well, I took a little time to warm up to that author, but I’m a big fan now!”

Some other authors mentioned who had me at “hello”:
Janet Evanovich, Jennifer Crusie, Elizabeth Hoyt, Julia Quinn

Some of the mentioned authors I adore now, but might have taken me a few pages to warm up to:
Laura Kinsale, Julie Garwood, Nicole Jordan, Joanna Bourne, Stephanie Laurens, Shelly Laurenston

But see, my evil plan in this post was to get some suggestions for new-to-me authors. And now (insert evil cackle) I have several to add to my TBR pile. So thanks to everyone for your responses!

Looking above at my list, I’m seeing a pattern, at least in my own response to authors. All of the “had me at hello” authors have very strong, witty voices. The others on my “favorites” list have characters and plots I found ultimately compelling and memorable.

Would you say your keeper shelf consists of books with stronger characterization, stronger plots, or stronger author voice? (I know they’re probably mostly “all of the above,” but which element do you find to be most important?)

One commenter will win an early signed copy of A HINT OF WICKED! I’ll post the winner on Monday.

Today marks Tessa Dare’s first release. She’s going to have a huge debut for her novel Goddess of the Hunt in July, mark my words, but there’s been lots of buzz about her novella released today from Samhain Publishing, Legend of the Werestag. Tessa’s voice is exquisite and not to be missed!

Also, as I was browsing around the Samhain site, I realized two books I’ve critiqued (and loved) are currently on Samhain’s bestseller list. Called By Blood and Bound By Blood by Evie Byrne are not your “average” vampire books. Evie is, like Tessa, one of those writers that has a way with wit and words that will just make you happy while reading her books, guaranteed!

I’m so thrilled and excited to have worked with both these amazingly talented authors & to call them my friends. From the moment I opened the document and read the first pages of their writing, I’ve been hooked. They’re both great people, too, who have supported me on this wild journey to publication. So, to thank them, and to thank you for stopping by, I’m giving away three e-books to three different winners. If you win, you can select an e-book of your choice:

The Legend of the Werestag by Tessa Dare
Called By Blood by Evie Byrne
Bound By Blood by Evie Byrne

All you need to do is respond and let me know about an author you’ve been hooked on ever since you read that first page of the first book you ever read by that author. Who had you at “hello”?

I’ll announce the winners on Friday!

I can’t believe A HINT OF WICKED is set to release in just three weeks’ time! My schedule is crazyinsane for the next few weeks. Not only do I have a book due soon & expecting edits on another & copyedits on yet another, I have a full blog tour schedule planned as well. (Not to mention baseball playoffs, end of school madness, my mom flying into town, and everything else…oh, my blood pressure is rising just thinking about it all!). But I did want to share with you some of the stops I’ll be making on my “tour” because there are going to be TONS of opportunities to win signed books and lots of other goodies. Ready? Okay, here we go:

5/9: Grand Central Cafe
5/18: Visiting with Jackie Barbosa
5/25: Lust in Time
5/28: I Do Not Want to Wait, I Want the Book Now!
5/29: RR&H Novel Thoughts & Book Talk
6/1: Fran Lee’s Romance Blog
6/1: Visiting with Beverley Kendall
6/2: Romance Bandits
6/3: Reading Romance Books
6/5: Feature at Single Minded Women
First Week in June: The Good, The Bad, The Unread
6/7: Risky Regencies
6/9: Grand Central Cafe
6/13: Signing IN PERSON at Orange County RWA
6/14: Signing IN PERSON at Encino Barnes & Noble (12 noon)
6/19: Spotlight at Dark Diva Reviews

Yes…a little busy!

Hey, everyone! Please head on over to my bonus features page, where I’m giving away a free historical authors’ pack. This will include goodies (bookmarks, excerpt booklets, and more…) from myself, Dawn Halliday, Christine Wells, Anna Campbell, Kris Kennedy, and Emma Wildes.

The winner of the ARC is…Lilah Rune! Congrats…I hope you enjoy the book!
Thanks to everyone for commenting on my new cover! I’m so excited…two month until release day!

Now off to deal with the whimpering, whiny (sick) 4-year-old…