It’s that time again!

Time for me to thank everyone who dutifully trotted out to pick up a copy of Playing With Fire. And now I’m off to write (squeeing gently to myself as I do so). Happy Thursday, everyone!

I’ve been a bit slow posting this morning because I was waiting for the offer to come in from my publisher for the next couple of books. I’m pleased to say that the offer was what we wanted (OK, it made my Darling Agent Michelle and me squeal like little girls, but that’s not uncommon for us). But I’m even more pleased to finally be able to announce that I’m going to be starting a new paranormal series that will pick up with Ben and Fran…but bring them into the adult world. They won’t be straight up Dark Ones books, but will include Ben and Fran  as well as open up a new aspect to the Otherworld.

Will there be vamps in it (other than Ben)? Very likely.

Will there be dragons? Probably not, although there may be a smidgen of overlap between the new series and the dragons. But no promises.

Will there be dishy guys galore? Oh yes.

Shapeshifters? Quite probably. I suspect Ben’s blood brother (a shapeshifter) will have a role to play.

And yes, I did say adult series, so these books would have love scenes in them. In other words, not suitable for younger eyes (I figure most of my YA readers have grown up since they first read the books, so hopefully they will enjoy a change of style).

That’s my good news for the day! I should have the NYT placement of Playing With Fire sometime next week, I think. Possibly this week. I’m always a bit fuzzy on when that comes out. Until then, share with your own good news!

Editor Laura sent me the full mechanical of the Zen cover. It's a biggie, so I'll just link to it.

This is Bill. Yes, he has all his clothes on. I know, I know, you guys like your DGM with much flesh available for viewing, but sometimes, it’s good for us to see them clothed.

The question is, would Bill be better suited as a dragon, or a vamp? I’m leaning toward dragon, myself, but I’m willing to entertain other suggestions.

Today's field trip is courtesy of an e-mail that's being passed around showing the absolutely amazing body painting work of Guido Daniele. I'm just in awe of his abilities to paint hands to resemble various animals.

Guido's site in English

Penguin Putnam put an ad in today's USA Today newspaper. Geek that I am, I saved a copy. My husband says I squealed when I saw it, but I maintain I was dignity personified.

Squee!

[Thumbnail links to a bigger picture]

Thank you all for the lovely supportive comments yesterday in the face of my angsting over Playing With Fire being out early in some stores. I much appreciate all the warm fuzzies, not to mention the kind comments about the book itself. I’m so tickled it’s finally out and I can talk about it, since I love and adore the dragons, and am having more fun with them than I can possibly explain. I’m just thrilled that May is now out there starting to tell her story, and that Gabriel is getting his time in the sun. So to speak.

Today I really, really, really need to get cracking on the next vamp book, which will follow Zen and the Art of Vampires. I’m still waiting to hear from my editor about Zen, however, and that’s causing me to drag my feet a bit. I’d hate to start writing this beast only to find out my editor objected to some thread in the first book. I don’t think she’s likely to, but hey, I’m Irish–we worry a lot. It’s our job, and dammit, we do it well.

Whilst I am off worrying and angsting, and trying to wake my muse up and get her back to work, here’s a hump day question for you all: what’s your current favorite breakfast food?

My good news is going to be rather obvious--it's release day for Playing With Fire! Hurrah for Gabriel finally having his turn in the limelight.

I just sent out the official release newsletter (which you can find online if you haven't subscribed to the newsletter, although I have to raise an eyebrow at the very idea of not subscribing), so now the official "waiting to see how it will do on the bestseller lists" angsting can begin. That's opposed to the unofficial angsting, which is a general state of affairs here at Rancho Doghair.

Given that the book has been out early at some bookstores - causing much rending of clothing, general wailing, and muttered dark threats - I assume that the pre-release sales will significantly lessen the impact it will have on the bestseller lists. And while it's true that the lists are really only ego fodder (although the marketing folk like good hits, since they use them to get the big book buying accounts excited about subsequent releases), it has made for a frustrating few weeks here while the publisher tried to figure out just why the book was being sold ahead of time.

I'm going to have the refrain "Can I get a napkin, please?" going through my head all day, I just know it. And since I must share my torment, here's a link to Food Court Musical.

The janitor is definitely my favorite.

I’ve been trying to update my records with a list of what books are published where (since April saw the publication of the German version of Sex, Lies, and Vampires, and May will bring with it the UK version of Sex and the Single Vampire), and after much investigative work…well, OK, I made my darling agent Michelle get a list from my publishers…I ran to earth a couple of foreign edition covers I hadn’t seen before.

I won’t tell you which is which, although the first one ought to be easy enough to guess.

[This is published in the Czech Republic, BTW]

Russian vamp book

Another Russian vamp book. OK, it’s one that follows the previous cover. That’s all the hint you’re getting from me!

And last but not least, because how could 1980s classic romance cover be least? I mean, seriously! Look at that faaaabulous artwork. *cough*

We’re a week away from official pub date of Playing With Fire, and I’m celebrating that with a book video that Justin, my web designer, whipped up.

Playing With Fire Book Video

Your turn to share with the good news!

This Monday brings with it Dustin.

Ignoring the odd wrinkle of his ab muscles (they look fine in other pictures, so I think it's just his odd position that makes them look so strange), I have to admit to admiring him.

Luckily, I have my friends Brian and Tobias, both of whom sent me amusing links. Brian’s offering was a news story about penis theft, which is evidently rampant in parts of the Congo. Who knew?

Tobias’s link is definitely Not Safe For Work or Young Eyes Let Alone Those Who Are Easily Shocked, and is for the 10 Funniest Typos Ever. I dunno if that title is correct, but I have to admit to giggling at a lot of them.

While I may not have any extraordinary good news, the morning has started out sunny, and that always gives my spirits a boost. I know other people are similarly affected by sunlight in that way--sunny days always make me feel more energetic, happier, and ultimately, more productive--which is rather unfortunate given that I live in an area known for its endless days of grey drizzle and cold.

Perhaps that just makes me cherish the sunny days all that much more...that and my SADD light which I must turn to in the depths of winter to keep from having the winter blues.

But today is sunny, and hopefully will continue to remain that way, and that is going to qualify as my good news. My intention is to put all the sunshine-related energy to work on answering some of the questions sent me for the most recent Pick Katie's Brain, and possibly even (gasp!) answering reader mail.

And you all? What good news are you celebrating?

I'm weak, I admit it. When I saw this picture of Demtrios...

...I was in stubble and manly chin heaven. Then I saw a close up, and melted completely.

Seriously–we in the Pacific Northwest are having completely bizarre weather. Not only did we have a record-breaking hot day a week ago (it hit 82 at our house), but yesterday it started snowing. In April. In Seattle. The city that freaks out whenever an inch falls.

This was the view that greeted me this morning.

Note the forlorn little bottle of deck cleaner (guess the hub gets out of that duty this weekend) and poor overwhelmed railing planter.

I figure we’re due for an earthquake or volcano eruption next. Just to keep us all on our toes…

It's Friday, Mr. Katie's birthday, and thus I declare it official Be Silly day (Mr. Katie has spent the morning playing with his Area 51 Ooze). To that end, today's field trip is to a very silly site: Monty Python's Spamalot games!

And as a bonus FTF, I bring you a video that gives me no end of enjoyment: Christopher Walken and Fatboy Slim!