GIVEAWAY ALERT!!!

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In honor of my birthday, I'm holding some giveaways over at Get Lost in a Story!  Be sure to stop by and enter for your chance to win!

L is for... Katie Lane, Kathy Love, and Yours Truly! :)

et's kick off the week with three new romance authors!








First up is Katie Lane.  Katie writes contemporary romances featuring cowboys.  What more could you ask for?  I discovered her through one of her holiday stories, but after finishing the book, I quickly went out and bought the books in her Deep in the Heart of Texas series.  I mean, who doesn't love a sexy cowboy?



Next up is Kathy Love.  Not to belabor the point, but I love her books! She writes both contemporary romance and paranormal romance, and I haven't found a book of hers that I don't enjoy.  Check out her Stepp Sisters trilogy, and then move on to her Bourbon Street Vampires books.


And finally, there's me!  I hope you'll forgive me for mentioning myself during this challenge, but I do enjoy my books, so it only seemed fair :) My books feature heroines who have science-themed jobs--Kelly, the heroine in DEADLY CONTACT is a microbiologist.  Claire, the heroine in FATAL FALLOUT (coming this August) is a nuclear physicist.  And Jillian from LETHAL LIES (coming this December) is an ER physician.  All my books have a scientific twist, but don't worry--the science isn't over the top, and it helps to ratchet up the suspense.  If you haven't yet, I hope you'll give me a try!

Thanks for stopping by today!

Twitter Chat!

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Want to talk to some of the fabulous authors who write for the Harlequin Romantic Suspense line? Interested in finding out what books are coming out this year?  Join us on Twitter for a chat!  Here are the details:

HRS Twitter Party

Thursday, February 13^th  (TOMORROW!)

1:30-2:30 EST

#HarlequinRomSuspense

Hope to 'see' you guys there! :)

Pirates!

Sadly, not of the Johnny Depp variety.

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The other day, I discovered a website that had the full text of DEADLY CONTACT posted for all the world to read.  I was a bit stunned, a bit angry, and a whole lot frustrated.  Believe me, I understand the desire to get something for nothing, and I appreciate that readers may not want to take a chance on a debut author like me.  However (and I know I'm preaching to the choir here) may I suggest your local library?  They are a great way to try out authors, and you don't have to risk your hard earned money on a book that might turn out to be a dud.

Fortunately, my publisher told the website to avast! er, I mean cease and desist.  The website has complied, which is a good thing, as my swashbuckling skills are a little rusty. ;-)

I know piracy is nothing new--I think people have been doing this ever since people began.  It's still enough to make me a little sad...

Celebrate the Year!

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Can you believe this is the last Friday of 2013?  When I was a little kid, it seemed to take FOREVER for Christmas to arrive.  Now, the time just flies by with a lovely whoosh.

Since 2013 is winding down, I wanted to take a minute to celebrate all the good writing things that happened this year.

- I sold my first book, DEADLY CONTACT, to Harlequin
- DEADLY CONTACT was published in November
- I sold 2 more books to Harlequin (which will be released in August and December of 2014)

But most importantly, I've made some amazing friendships and connections through blogging.  I appreciate each and every one of my readers, and I hope you all have a happy and healthy 2014!

If you've been reading my blog, you know that Fridays are reserved for a post where I celebrate the little things that have happened during the week.  This is a blog hop hosted by VikLit, and it's one of my favorite blogging things to do.  I encourage you to check out her blog and the full list of participants, because who doesn't love reading about good things?

Photo Friday - I get by with a little help from my friends...

With apologies to Ringo, I'm posting this a bit early because I have a HUGE giveaway post scheduled for tomorrow.  I hope you'll stop by and check it out!

Celebrate the Small Things - Winter Break edition

We've reached the end of another week--let's celebrate!  Stop by VikLit's blog if you'd like to join us.

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Today, I'm celebrating the start of my winter break. One of the perks of being a professor is that I get a few weeks off in December, between the end of the Fall term and the beginning of the Spring term.  It makes this time of year even better, because the natural chaos of the holidays is so much easier to deal with when I'm not working full-time.  Of course, I'll be writing full-time, but no one looks at me funny when I do that in my pajamas.

I'm also celebrating the fact that I have my very first book signing tomorrow!  For those of you in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, I'll be at the Barnes & Noble by the Northeast Mall starting at 2 pm.  Stop by and say hi!

How was your week?  What are you celebrating today?

Book signing!

I'm excited to report that I'll be having my very first book signing at my local Barnes & Noble this Saturday at 2 pm!  If you live in the Dallas/Fort Worth area and are out and about, stop by the NE Mall Barnes & Noble and say hi!

Hope to see you there!

Can I ask you a favor?

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I feel a little bashful asking this, but here goes <deep breath>: if you've read DEADLY CONTACT would you mind heading over to Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or Goodreads and leaving some feedback? It'll just take a minute of your time, and I'll be ever so grateful!

Hope you're having a good week!

Deadly Contact Release Celebration Winners!

I'm a day late in posting this, as the holiday weekend got away from me. Sorry about that!

I'm excited to post the winners of the DEADLY CONTACT Release Celebration! With so many great photos to choose from, there was no way I could pick winners. Fortunately, I didn't have to--a random number generator did the job for me. :-)

Congratulations go to...

S.P. Bowers

Zan Marie Steadham

Thanks to everyone who entered!  This was a fun contest, and I enjoyed seeing all the entries!

Guest appearance!

Just ducking in to share that I was a guest on the Harlequin SOLD! blog this past Friday.  I wrote about 'The Call' and I'd love it if you stopped by!

Looking for a few good pictures...

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Don't forget, there's still time for you to submit a picture for my DEADLY CONTACT release celebration!  Find the details here !

Something's missing...

The view in my local Wal Mart...  I'm told a nearby Barnes & Noble has a similar situation going on.  THANK YOU--you guys are the best!!!

Celebrate the Small Things - Release week edition

Hooray for Friday!  It's always a pleasure to Celebrate the Small Things, and I encourage you to stop by VikLit's blog to sign up and join us on this great hop!

I've got a lot to celebrate this week.  If you've stopped by at all in the past few days, you'll know that my debut novel, DEADLY CONTACT, was released in paperback this week!  I'm thrilled, to say the least.

As if that wasn't enough to celebrate, a dear friend has a milestone birthday this weekend, and his family is throwing a huge party.  My Gentleman Friend and I will head out Saturday afternoon to join the festivities.  It should be a great time.

And of course, I'll be seeing this tonight:

What about you?  How was your week?

Photo Friday - Paperback Writer edition

Tuesday was the Big Day, so of course Mom and I had to stop by our local Barnes & Noble to buy my book off the store shelf.  It wasn't actually out yet, but the clerk kindly retrieved two copies from the back. :o)

Don't forget to send me your pictures of the book--you'll be entered to win my giveaway!

IWSG - November edition

It's time for another edition of the Insecure Writer's Support Group!  Every month, we post about our insecurities or worries as writers, or we post words of encouragement to bolster each other.  For more information, or to sign up to participate, check out the IWSG web page!

This is a special post for me, as it's my first IWSG post as a published author!  My debut novel was released this month, and I'd like to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you.  The support and encouragement I've received from the writing community has been amazing, and I appreciate the friendships I've made here.  You guys are awesome!

DEADLY CONTACT release celebration!

If you've stopped by my blog at all in the past few days, you know that DEADLY CONTACT, my first book, comes out this month!  To celebrate, I'm offering a giveaway!

Up for grabs are 2 Amazon or Barnes and Noble gift cards, worth $25 each (winner's choice).  What do you have to do?  Simply send me a picture of you with DEADLY CONTACT--the physical book, the book on your e-reader, or the audiobook version--and you're entered to win!  The more pictures you send in, the more chances you have (but please, don't enter the same picture over and over again--you can send a pic of you with the paperback and the book on your e-reader, for instance).  I'll pick the winner on December 1 by using a random number generator.

How can you send me the pictures?  You can tweet me or post them to my Facebook page--your choice!  You have the entire month of November to enter, so go forth and photograph! :)

Spooktacular Giveaway Winners!

Wow--I'm blown away by the number of entries for this giveaway hop. Thanks so much for participating, and I hope you'll come back on Monday, when I announce details for a new giveaway to celebrate the release of my first book, DEADLY CONTACT.

Now, without further ado, let's get to the winners of this great hop!  Please be sure to contact me (laralacombewriter at gmail dot com) with your address, so I can get your prize in the mail right away!

2 copies of DEADLY CONTACT (signed by yours truly, if you like):
Beverly Fox
JJ Wattpad







1 copy of FROST BURNED by Patricia Briggs
Crystal Broyles







2 copies of the Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance
Layla Hernandez
Meghan Stith





1 copy of LETHAL RIDER by Larissa Ione
Botezatu Paula

1 copy of WILD CAT by Jennifer Ashley
Ashley Van Buren








1 copy of WARRIOR ASCENDED by Addison Fox
Jolene A





1 copy of A DEMON DOES IT BETTER by Linda Wisdom
Michelle Willms








1 copy of SLEEPING WITH THE FISHES by MaryJanice Davidson
Ana Smith




2 copies of DERIK'S BANE by MaryJanice Davidson
Amy Ryan
Jennifer Stewart Shaw






1 copy of DARK HUNGER graphic novel by Christine Feehan
Kristia Miltiadou

Celebrate the Small Things and Photo Friday - It's here!

  

It's here, it's here!  DEADLY CONTACT was released in audio and e-book format today!  I'm so excited!!!

What's that, you want a paperback copy?  Don't fret--the paperback edition will be released on Tuesday, November 5.  That's only 4 days away (or 96 hours, or 5,760 minutes, in case you're counting...)

Be sure to come back on Monday for details on a contest I'm holding to celebrate the release of my first book!

In the meantime, go forth and read! :)

Want more celebrations?  Stop by VikLit's blog to sign up for this great hop!

Join the pre-party!

I'm over at Get Lost in a Story  today and tomorrow, in celebration of the release of DEADLY CONTACT (did you know the e-book and audio book are coming out on Friday, and the print version is coming out next Tuesday?).

Stop by to find out a little more about me, and leave a comment for your chance to win a copy of my book!