Dear Friends and Readers

Finally, autumn!  Where I live, it’s been the hottest summer of my life, and quite possibly the busiest one for me, too, filled with lots of travel and booksignings.  So color me happy that fall has arrived, bringing cooler air and a chance to do what I love most – just sit down and write, write, write.  But with such a busy summer just past, I still have plenty of news to share with you …

Thank You So Much

First, my heartfelt thanks for your support of my recent books – TEMPT ME TONIGHT, which was released in June, and the re-issue of SWEPT AWAY, which went on sale at the beginning of July.  I’ve gotten so much wonderful e-mail about both these books that it does my writer’s heart good.  I sincerely appreciate each and every message someone takes the time to send me.
 
Meanwhile, if you don’t yet have your copies of the books, they’re still on sale at your local bookstore.  And if you have trouble locating them, please ask the store to order them for you, or they can be purchased online from Amazon, BN.com, or most other online booksellers.

More Great Reviews

Here’s what reviewers are saying about …
 
Tempt Me Tonight:
“This book is so phenomenal, so beautiful … and drew me in like no other. Toni Blake is the new queen of contemporary romance.” ~Kristal Gorman, Romance Reader at Heart, Top Pick

 “SENSATIONAL! An extraordinary story! Ms. Blake is a magnificent writer and always creates memorable characters!” ~Wateena, Coffee Time Romance

“Terrific love story … marvelous reading. Joe is truly a magnificent hunk!” ~Donna Doyle, Romance Reviews

Swept Away:
“A gripping story that I simply couldn’t put down. Kat and Brock are so life-like that I came to know them intimately. Perfect!” ~Lyonene, Joyfully Reviewed, A Recommended Read

 “Swept Away is a compelling mix of truly deep emotions. Brock was a fantastic bad boy while Kat truly shone as the heroine. The sexual tension sent shivers down my spine. Brava, Ms. Blake, brava.” ~Serena, Fallen Angel Reviews, 5 ANGELS

 “Wonderful writing weaves all of the elements together seamlessly with great dialogue and a romantic setting.  Swept Away is a highly recommended winner!” ~Jennell, Romance Reviews Today

Just for Fun

As you know, I love to share my favorite shoes with you, but this month, I have a special surprise – guest shoes!  How fun is that?  My friend and fellow author, Leigh Riker, wore these fabulous strappy shoes to the Rita Awards in Dallas, and are you ready for this?  They’re Prada!
 
Of course, that segues nicely into RWA conference news from Dallas.  As always, it was a flurry of fun activity and I had the chance to catch up with friends and visit with my editors and agent.  Here’s one of my favorite pictures – of myself and good friend Julie Anne Long at the Avon dinner, and please notice my leopard print accessories!  (Yes, I know it’s small here, but you can see a bigger version in my Events Photo Album.) One of my big conference highlights this year was doing an on-camera interview with Michelle Buonfiglio of LifetimeTV.com .  No word yet on when the interview will hit the website, but it was tres exciting with all the lights, cameras, and my very own make-up girl (and it only scared me a little when she told me she’d done the make-up for Mimi on The Drew Carey Show.)  For more conference fun, visit the aforementioned and newly updated Events Photo Album.

My New Home Away From Home

My website will always be my “home on the web,” but I’ve also acquired a couple of what I consider web “vacation homes.” You may already know about my MySpace page (and please send me a friend request if you haven’t already,) and now I have a fabulous new dwelling on the HarperCollins/Avon website. 

If you haven’t seen these new pages for your favorite Avon romance authors, they’re a lot of fun and you’ll definitely want to check them out.  Feel free to start with mine! And while you’re there, don’t forget to check out the photo albums and click on the menu items above my picture, where you can find lots of fun facts and more.

For a Good Cause

The holidays are just around the corner, and my friends Lori Foster and Laurie Damron are putting together another Holidays for the Troops project, hoping it will be the most successful campaign to date! You can either items to be sent to the troops or send checks, money orders, or gift cards to be used to shop for and ship items to our soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Visit the Military Tribute page on Lori's website to find a detailed listing of items needed. In addition to the supplies on this list, holiday items such as lights, decorations, ornaments, cards, etc. are much appreciated. In return for your donation, your name will be entered in a raffle for some wonderful prizes.

The deadline for troop donations will be Thanksgiving Day and the prize drawings will take place on Saturday, November 25.  Cards and letters from those who donate are also welcome and hugely appreciated. Contact Laurie Damron at ljodamron@gmail.com with any questions, and thanks for your support of this great project!

Coming Up Next

I’m happy to tell you that I’ve just finished writing my next book for Avon, to be released in June ’08, and called LETTERS TO A SECRET LOVER.  This fun, super-sexy book takes place in the north woods of Montana – to give you an idea of the tone, think Sex and the City meets Men in Trees.  (And if you’re not yet watching Men in Trees, I highly recommend it.  Season 2 starts later this month!)
 
I’m also about to embark on a smaller project – a short story for Avon that will be sold only as an e-book on the HarperCollins website. The story is a “prequel” to LETTERS TO A SECRET LOVER and will likely be released shortly before the book hits the stands, so you won’t want to miss it.  And, of course, I will share more news on that as it becomes available.
 
In the meantime, I’ve got a few big events coming up this fall and if you’re anywhere near Kentucky or Ohio, please click on the link to check them out since I’d love for you to attend.  And don’t forget to enter the brand new contest on my website!

As always, thank you so very much for your interest in my books – it’s sincerely appreciated!  And have a wonderful autumn!

October , 2007

	Thank You So Much
	More Great Reviews
	Just for Fun
	My New Home Away From Home
	For a Good Cause
	Coming Up Next

Tempt Me Tonight

Read Excerpt | Purchase
It’s not too late to let yourself be tempted.

Get Swept Away

Read Excerpt | Purchase
Now available in both trade paperback and mass market formats, get your copy of Swept Away today!

What I'm Reading

The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen, by Syrie James ~ I was fortunate enough to get an advanced reading copy of this fictional autobiography.  Quite a delight!

What I'm Watching

Moonlight ~ I’m not really into vampire fiction and this show got bad reviews, but I watched it anyway and really liked it.  The guy’s appealing, and the romance angle promises to be angst-filled and steamy – my favorite kind!

What I'm Listening To

Got You Where I Want You, by The Flys ~ Am LOVING this alternative song almost as I love the subtle humor in the lyrics.
 
Paralyzer, by Finger Eleven ~ This one just plain rocks, and it’s kind of sexy, too.
 
The Longest Time, by Billy Joel ~ Takes me back to my first real “vacation” – to Florida, with two friends, when I was 18.  Ah, the glory days.
 
Hey Julie, by Fountains of Wayne ~ Adorably cute song about a guy stuck at work when he’d rather be with his girlfriend.  Check it out – you’ll like it.
 
I’m in Love With Two Sisters, by Fiction Plane ~ Another rockin’ alternative tune, the kind that gets stuck in your head – for better or worse ; )

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