As regular MSW readers know, I left my long-time publisher (17 books!) for St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur earlier this year. My last Ballantine book, IF I SHOULD DIE, was released two weeks ago and is still available (or should be!) wherever books are sold. DIE is the third Lucy Kincaid book, but not the last as SMP has picked up the series. And on Monday, I turned in the final revised version of SILENCED, on sale 4.24.12. Whew! Though I sweated bullets on every page (literally and figuratively) in the end, I’m happy with the story. And that’s all you, the readers will hopefully see!
Recently, I was invited to join the SMP Romance Writers loop. I hesitated for a day or two because I was on a similar loop when I first sold, it was inactive, then went away. But I’m glad I joined, because these are an amazing group of writers (almost as amazing as the writers I share this blog with!) I decided that today, while I recuperate from a marathon writing session and decorate for Christmas, to introduce you all to some of the SMP authors (new and old) and play a fun game while we’re at it. These aren’t all the authors at SMP or even on the loop, but I only gave them two days to get me their statements. I hope the missing gals will stop by and introduce themselves!
Here’s how we play:
Below are fun facts about the authors that they provided. Except … Santa’s elves came in and changed FIVE of the facts to fiction. It’s up to you to guess which FIVE statements are FALSE. Post your answers in the comments section and the person who correctly identifies the most false statements wins. (In the event of a tie, I’ll use Random.org to generate the winner.) BUT if you don’t like games, that’s OKAY! Because ALL commenters will be entered in a random drawing for a second prize. Just tell me a fun fact about YOU that most people don’t know π It’s okay, we’re all friends here. We won’t tell!
And what are the prizes? Each winner gets a $25 gift card to the on-line book store of their choice to buy themselves an early Christmas present. π
Now, in the order from current releases to future releases …
CELESTE BRADLEY paid her way through art school by taking off her clothes!
A Courtesan’s Guide to Getting Your Man w/Susan Donovan, out now!
ALLISON BRENNAN was handcuffed and held at gunpoint last summer.
If I Should Die, out now!
LOUISA EDWARDS is a direct descendent of Lyndon B. Johnson
Some Like It Hot out this week!
Before turning to writing, ELIZABETH ESSEX used to be an underwater archaeologist.
The Danger of Desire, out now!
ELLIE JAMES broke the law while researching the second book in the Midnight Dragonfly series….
Shattered Dreams, out this week!
KIERAN KRAMER has been on two games shows–and lost both times.
If You Give a Girl a Viscount Out now!
CJ LYONS has been face to face with a serial killer.
β¨Face to Face (Hart and Drake Book #3) Out now!
In her younger days when they were both single and looking, JULIANNE MacLEAN went sailing one sunny, breezy afternoon with Prince Edward.
Seduced by the Highlander, out now!
FRANCIS RAY delivered the winter commencement address at my alma mater, Texas Woman’s University.
The Wish – ebook only, out now!
GINA ROBINSON once saw a Bigfoot footprint at her family’s homestead property in Idaho.
The Spy Who Left Me, out now!
CARIS ROANE was a Smithsonian tour guide one summer.
Born of Ashes, January 2012
A coastal resident descended from a long line of seafarers, MANDA COLLINS is deeply resistant to living inland and thinks that weather forecasts without tide forecasts are “weird” and “unsettling.”
How to Dance with a Duke, February 2012
DONNA GRANT had an encounter with a ghost in a Scottish castle.
Darkest Highlander, February, 2012
DARYNDA JONES is fifth cousins with Abraham Lincoln.
Third Grave Dead Ahead, February 2012
A.C. ARTHUR loves sky-diving and mint chocolate chip ice cream.
Temptation Rising, March 2012
ANGIE FOX has ridden with Harley biker gangs.
Immortally Yours, August 2012
BETH CIOTTA once sang backup with two other vocalists (known as “The Knockouts”) for boxing legend Smokin’ Joe Frazier.
Fool for Love (A Cupcake Lovers Novel) September 2012
VALERIE BOWMAN was once a forensic pathologist.
Debut Novel! Secrets of a Wedding Night, a Regency Romp, October 2012
For the first six years of her life, LEIGH EVANS spoke with a thick Bostonian accent, which was odd, because Leigh was born in Quebec, Canada.
The MYSTWALKER series debuts January 2013!
Now remember, which FIVE STATEMENTS are NOT TRUE … answers (and winners!) will be posted this weekend π … Or tell us one little known fact about you.
And check out some of their scrumptious websites, too.
I’m horrible at games like that. Horrible. π
A little known fact about me:
Outwardly I’m very pessimistic about relationships and romance but I’m truly a romantic at heart. Just don’t tell anyone. π
That’s so sweet, actually! You’d make a good heroine π
False
Okay, I’m giving it a whirl. The not true statements are:
Celeste Bradley
Kieran Kramer
Julianne McLean
Beth Ciotta
And because I couldn’t decide on anyone else… A.C. Arthur
Thanks for playing! π
Oh my, what a challenge before I’ve finished my first cup of coffee! Well, here I go anyway. π
Ellie James
Kieran Kramer
Julliane MacLean
Manda Collins
Leigh Evans
Whew! Off to get another cup of coffee… π
LOL Jane, I need another cup too … I think my husband is bringing me back Starbucks …
Oh, I love this guessing game. Since I don’t know any of these people but you, Allison, let’s get to it!!! π
I’m going to go with FALSE for Celeste Bradley for now.
I’m going with TRUE for Allison Brennan, because I’m considering FBI Citizen academy π
I have no idea who’s Lyndon B. Johnson, so, Louisa Edwards’ will be decided by elimination at the end.
I’m going with TRUE for Elizabeth Essex, just because it is sooo cool.
And TRUE for Ellie James, also sooo cool! π
I’m going with FALSE for Kieran Kramer.
And TRUE for CJ Lyons, because I’m pretty sure she said it here on the blog once.
FALSE for Julianne MacLean for now.
TRUE for Francis Ray.
TRUE for Gina Robinson, because it also looks super cool!
TRUE for Caris Roane.
I’m going with TRUE for Manda Collins. I thought about going with false, because it’s so matter of factly, it’s probably a tricky question. But, then, you’re trying to catch it.
TRUE for Donna Grant, also really cool.
TRUE for Darynda Jones.
TRUE for A.C. Arthur because WHO doesn’t love Mint Chocolate chip ice cream? And Sky Diving seems really cool, too.
Okay, I’m going to go with FALSE on ANGIE FOX.
And use my last FALSE for Beth Ciotta.
TRUE for Valerie Bowman (Really cool, too!!!)
I’d say definitely true for LEIGH EVANS! My friend’s son Caleb, from Illinois, did the same thing, LOL! When I met him, he was all, “Hey, Boiyrbe.” Sooo cute!
Back up, guess Louisa Edwards would be TRUE.
I totally overthought it, didn’t I? Told you, I have fun with these things. π
You’re so funny, and I like your thought process π
Not even going to try to guess T/F statements. Fun fact about me… Let’s see. Got an A in Murder in college (no, everyone knows that, it’s too good a story not to tell). OK, here’s one: Despite a very public anti-any-sport position (why, yes, I do have the “The only sports worth watching are the ones where the athletes are paid less than I am” shirt), I can get easily sucked into watching any sport on TV.
LOL Karen, that’s hilarious! (But I don’t know the A in Murder story, you need to share it here, too!)
The false ones are :
Celeste Bradley
KIERAN KRAMER
JULIANNE MacLEAN
VALERIE BOWMAN
GINA ROBINSON
Thanks for playing!
I’m going with:
Valerie Bowman
Julianne MacLean
Elizabeth Essex
Allison Brennan (I think I’ve been following this blog for at least a year and I don’t remember reading this)
Leigh Evans
I’ve been to every continent except Antarctica.
Thanks Anne — every continent, really? Now you know, on your bucket list has to be visiting Antarctica. I don’t think many people can say they’ve been to 6 continents, let alone all seven. π
wow, what a great bunch of women. you are in SUCH good company, allison! I learned long ago that writers are capable of *anything* so I’m not going to even venture a guess. Especially that Celeste Bradley – if you told me she’d been a spy, a ballet diva and queen of a principality I’d believe it all π
I’d believe the queen of a principality, Sophie …. Celeste has that regal air about her! π
Just to be all European (where we still have principalities–Liechtenstein! Monaco! Andorra (sort-of)!), the ruling monarch is technically a Prince/Princess, not King/Queen. We take our royalty very seriously π
I choose:
Julianna McClean
Elizabeth Essex
Beth Ciotta
Kieran Kramer
Liegh Evans
FUN FACT about me: I took 16 yrs of tap and jazz lessons and I performed for the Pa Am Opening Ceremonies held in Indianapolis Indiana in the 80’s.
Wow! That is totally exciting, Sarah! π
I meant Pan Am Opening Ceremonies. LOL, I promise my typing is getting better.
I have no idea! But I can’t wait to find out. I’ll check the winners page this weekend. π
And you’re ineligible, inside knowledge and all … π
This is a hoot of a blog post!! I can’t wait for the big reveal myself….
Thanks for including your new SMP friends, Allison, on this very cool site featuring such amazing powerhouse writers!
I wish everyone the happiest of holidays, which I hope will include plenty of cozy hours reading great books by the fire.
XOXO
That’s what I want — more time to read. I’m in the middle of Michael Connelly’s THE FIFTH WITNESS and he is AMAZING — both as a writer and storyteller. Hope to finish by tomorrow …
In no particular order
Allison Brennan, mostly cause I think I would remember hearing something like that about one of my favorite authors.
Julianne McLean, mostly cause I would find that too hilarious to believe, although she is cool, and he is cute, hmmm
Leigh Evans
Beth Ciotta
Darynda Jones
these are my best guesses, that my truth detector gave me, very very hard, lol. All you authors are so good at making written words seem true.
LOL Sara! We all lie for a living π
I’m going to say these are false:
Julianna McClean
Elizabeth Essex
Beth Ciotta
Kieran Kramer
Liegh Evans
I have no little known facts that can compare with these. I’m off to go bungee jump off something very high. π
Bungee jumping? Not me. Oh, no, NEVER. I got goosebumps just thinking about it.
Well, here goes… in no particular order.
Valerie Bowman
Allison Brennan
Keiran Kramer
A.C. Arthur
Julianne MacLean
Hmmm, a little known fact about me… I get emotional when I see someone in a military uniform. I always want to go thank them for their sacrifice and service but I am so choked up I know I would never get the words out.
That is so sweet, Kim! I have a thing about military uniforms too. And firemen in uniform, and policemen … LOL. Seriously, though, men and women in uniform are usually doing the tough jobs, often thankless. A smile would be welcome I’m sure!
Here goes my guesses, really don’t have a clue.
CJ Lyons
Gina Robinson
Donna Grant
Leigh Evans
Allison Brennan
About me no one knows. I love reading books that make me cry
Followed this link over from Kieran’s facebook page and I haven’t a clue except that I think the fact about Kieran is true. What a great game though.
Thanks for playing, Beebs!
Okay, so I saw this on your facebook page and thought, what the heck, I’ll have a try…
I think that the statements are false about the following authors…
1. Celeste Bradley
2. Allison Brennan
3. Valerie Bowman
4. Donna Grant
5. Darynda Jones
And a fun fact about myself: I was baptised with my daughter after she was born last year. π
I’m glad you played! Totally cool fun fact, too!
What a great post!!! Good luck everyone. π
And people, if you love humorous paranormal romantic suspense, you have got to check out Darynda’s books! Here’s the logline: Charley Davidson: part-time private investigator and full-time Grim Reaper … doesn’t that sound like fun?
I’m bad at these games, here goes:
Allison Brennan
Celeste Bradley
Kieran Kramer
Beth Ciotta
Leigh Evans
Thanks Erin!
My guesses are:
Celeste Bradley
Darynda Jones
Caris Roane
Beth Ciotta
Leigh Evans
Fun fact about me: hardly anyone (including my husband) really knows or understands what I do for work. (and, no, I’m not a spy)
Oh, that sounds like it would make a good blog! π
Little known fact about moi: I went to grad school with Dr. Phil…well, he was a year ahead and I didn’t know him, but hey!
I HOPE Allison was not held at gunpoint!
Celeste Bradley False?
Darynda Jones Fifth cousin? guessing false
Beth Ciotta maybe
Gina Robinson
LOL, I love those people we “almost” know stories π
Ok I am going to take a shot at this…
Here goes…
1. Celeste Bradley
2. Elizabeth Essex
3. Julianne MacLean
4. Daryanda Jones
5. Beth Gotta
What a fun group to be a part of! Keep the guesses coming! I can’t wait to see who wins:)
I am going with Leigh Evans
Louisa Edwards
Valerie Bowman
Manda Collins
Daryanda Jones
My guesses would be:
Celeste Bradley
Allison Brennan
CJ Lyons
Gina Robinson and
Darynda Jones
Fun fact about me: I played the Scarecrow from The Wizard of Oz in a production at the Kennedy Center.
Falses ones:
1. In her younger days when they were both single and looking, JULIANNE MacLEAN went sailing one sunny, breezy afternoon with Prince Edward.
2. KIERAN KRAMER has been on two games showsβand lost both times.
3. DONNA GRANT had an encounter with a ghost in a Scottish castle.
4. LOUISA EDWARDS is a direct descendent of Lyndon B. Johnson
5. BETH CIOTTA once sang backup with two other vocalists (known as βThe Knockoutsβ) for boxing legend Smokinβ Joe Frazier.
Fun fact about me: I once saw a bear cub in a park…and no it wasn’t at a zoo. Eek!
So much fun!
Valerie Bowman
Julianne MacLean
Elizabeth Essex
Allison Brennan
Leigh Evans
I will guess:
Kieran Kramer
Julianne MacLean
Darynda Jones
Valerie Bowman
Gina Robinson
Okay, I’ll take a stab. False statements:
Louisa Edwards: LBJ had two daughters and neither had a daughter named Louisa.
Caris Roane: Not because I don’t believe she was but it seems like such a mundane thing to sneak in as a falsehood.
Darynda Jones: Fifth cousins? That’s a lot of leaves on that family tree branch.
Valerie Bowman: No MD there, and that’s what it takes to be a forensic pathologist.
And last…hrm…that’s a toss-up between a couple. Eenie, meenie, minie, moe… A.C. Arthur. I’m totally down with the mint chocolate chip but sky diving?
And I’ll over-share with a little known fact about me: I was once rescued from a potted palm tree by Sam Elliott.
Leigh Evans
Louis Edwards
Valerie bowman
Allison Brennan
Beth Ciotta
Everytime I bake something its because I want to secretly lick the batter off of the spoon when I’m done.
This is so much fun! I can’t wait to see the answers, I’m dying of curiosity!
My guesses:
Kieran Kramer
Valerie Bowman
Beth Ciotta
Celeste Bradley and
Allison Brennan
Allison Brennan
Kieran Kramer
Gina Robinson
Darynda Jones
Valerie Bowman
And a little know fact about me is I’m very shy and hate public speaking.
I’m not sure if I’d be able to win, so here’s a fun fact: I’m double-jointed in my right shoulder, so I can rotate my right arm 360 degrees.
This is fun!
I guess…
Valerie Bowman
Louisa Edwards
AC Arthur
Darynda Jones
Kieran Kramer
My guess:
Ellie James
Kieran Kramer
Julliane MacLean
Manda Collins
Leigh Evans
Looking forward to reading the REAL answers this weekend!
Oh man, I don’t even know where to start with these so I’ll have to go with a fun fact about myself. Hmm… I love to play practical jokes. I am always looking for a new way to scare my husband. He makes the best girly scream ever π
ROFLOL!
ok..here goes
5 statements that are false
Allison Brennan
Celeste Bradley
Donna Grant
Darynda Jones
Valerie Bowman
OK, totally guessing. These are the false ones:
Allison Brennan
Louisa Edwards
Elizabeth Essex
A.C. Arthur
Valerie Bowman
Fun fact about me: My husband and I met on a blind date.
I’ll guess but i’m sure i’ll be wrong.
JULIANNE MacLEAN
CJ LYONS
BETH CIOTTA
LEIGH EVANS
CELESTE BRADLEY
Lisa B
A little known fact of mine: I’m not very good at guessing; another one? I was so scared of drowning I decided to take swimming lessons. I’m not a good swimmer but I won’t drown now.
Good for you to face your fears!
Okay here are my guesses.
Louisa Edwards
Kieran Kramer
Darynda Jones
Valerie Bowman
Leigh Evans
Anyone that knows me learns pretty quickly that I was born without a sense of direction. I get lost easily. I’ve gotten lost in 5 different countries. It’s a good thing I pick up languages quickly because I always need help finding my way around. I can’t live without my GPS!
Five false facts:
1. Celeste Bradley
2. CJ Lyons
3. Julianne MacLean
4. Angie Fox
5. Allison Brennan
Thanks for the giveaway!
Whew! Just came back from shopping for five hours … not too bad, mid-week, mid-day shopping. Tomorrow I hit the mall, and hope I’m 90% done. (Today was Toys R Us and Target.) ….
Thank you everyone for playing! I love all the fun facts, I’m going to have to do that again sometime π
I might give a consolation prize to someone who got all five wrong … if there’s only one. LOL.
So far, I don’t think anyone has gotten all five. I need to double check, but I think the most is 3 …. maybe 4.
I have the world’s most faulty BS radar, so I won’t even attempt the T/F statements. I always hated T/F questions on exams… I tend to overthink!
Little known fact: I once made my upper school literature teacher feel so bad for me by going into major meltdown mode (as in shove-my-head-between-my-knees-before-I-pass-out-from-balwing meltdown) during one of my International Baccalaureate oral exams that he not only let me redo the exam, but he let me pick the Hamlet passage on which to do the commentary & let me prepare it at home. Definitely a shining moment in my illustrious academic career :P. I still feel so bad for him… dealing with an over-emotional, over-stressed, terrified-of-public-speaking 18-year-old during the brutal two-week culmination of two years worth of studies could not have been pleasant.
… and now the Internet at large is aware of that. Oops.
False statements belong to:
ALLISON BRENNAN
LOUISA EDWARDS
ELLIE JAMES
DARYNDA JONES
VALERIE BOWMAN
A little known fact about me:
I am a chronic “editor”. I can’t NOT subconsciously pick up on typographical errors, spelling errors, grammatical errors and word tense errors in pretty much everything I read. The most humorous thing about this- I passed HIGH SCHOOL English/Literature by the skin of my teeth (mind you it was not from lack of learning anything, it was due mostly to the fact that I despised doing homework ). I am sure there are publication companies out there that hate me because I usually tend to send them all of the errors I find that slip past into publication!
I could NOT begin to guess which facts are true or not. Here is one about me instead. I have shaken hands and spoken to Queen Elizabeth II & Prince Charles. Actually true.
Wow, very cool Mary!
This was so fun, Allison!
These are completed guesses but I wanted to join in the fun. I think the false statements are:
Allison Brennan
Ellie James
Caris Roane
A. C. Arthur
Leigh Evans
Hmm, fun fact about me. I don’t particulary like Christmas shopping but I LOVE to wrap presents. My friend at work laughs at me because patterns on gift wrap MUST match, corners must be sharp, etc. π
I need to clone you. I can’t wrap anything well. Even boxes. :/
KIERAN KRAMER
VALERIE BOWMAN
BETH CIOTTA
LOUISA EDWARDS
GINA ROBINSON
A little known fact about me is that when my husband started talking to me about having kids I replied, “Can’t we just get a cat?”
Cats are definitely cheaper than kids. :/
I’m genetically incapable of guessing – would have to research each & every statement
so guess i’ll have to come up with a “fun fact” about me—
I’m really not the “computer genius” my family seems to think I am – I know just enough to be dangerous, but I am bull-headed enough to keep digging until I figure out what’s causing the problem!!!
LOL — I love that you hate guessing π I think it goes hand in hand with your fun fact!
I have no clue which statements are true or false but damn, what a great bunch of ladies!
What great fun! I’m flattered and amused to be thought both true and false. π
We authors are a slippery bunch. Cheers and good luck to all the entries!
Okay! These are the ones I think are false:
CELESTE BRADLEY.
KIERAN KRAMER.
DARYNDA JONES.
A.C. ARTHUR.
VALERIE BOWMAN.
Whew! π
The statements were all so funny I couldn’t pick 5 (although I do remember a story about Allison, the FBI & a hostage role-play; just sayin’) so a fact y’all don’t know…
My neighbor let me use his great big honkin’ John Deere (with 9 million buttons & levers) to cut the field in front of our new cabin and I didn’t wreck it! So I can *officially* drive a tractor.
My guesses are :
Manda Collins
Gina Robinson
Julianne MacLean
CJ Lyons
Elizabeth Essex