I'm blogging today over at Delilah Devlin's blog about New Beginnings and Second Chances. Click HERE to link to the blog.

Plus, don't forget the Plotting Princesses blog hop starts today. Visit each author and leave a comment to be entered for a prize (who knows, you might be the grand prize winner). For more information see the blog post directly below this one.

Drop by and let's chat and bring in the New Year.

On that note, I want to wish everyone a happy and prosperous New Year.

Kathy

The Princesses and some of our friends are having a Blog Hop!

At each stop along the way we'll give away copies of our books along with other goodies. We'll share recipes, too, at a different blog every day. To be eligible, leave a comment at each blog you visit. A new winner will be chosen daily at each author's site. At the end of the hop, one extra-lucky person will receive the Grand Prize.

Grand Prize: One lucky person will receive an ebook/print book from all 10 authors. Grand Prize to be announced on Jan. 12th.

BLOG STOPS EACH DAY ARE LISTED BELOW. (Click on the author's name to take you directly to their blog.

Monday - Dec. 31st ~ Alisha Paige
Tuesday - Jan. 1st ~ Vicki Batman
Wednesday - Jan. 2nd ~ Kathy Ivan
Thursday - Jan. 3rd ~ Michelle Miles
Friday - Jan. 4th ~ Karilyn Bentley

(We're skipping the 5th and 6th since that is the weekend.)

Monday - Jan. 7th ~Liz Lipperman
Tuesday - Jan. 8th ~ Sasha Summers
Wednesday ~ Jan. 9th ~ Sylvia McDaniel
Thursday ~ Jan. 10th ~ Willa Blair (Guest Princess for a Day)
Friday ~ Jan. 11th ~ Lynn Rush (Guest Princess for a Day)


The more blogs you visit and comment, the more chances to win! So visit with a Princess every day and see all the wonderful books you might win.

SECOND CHANCES AVAILABLE IN PRINT!!!

I GOT AN EARLY CHRISTMAS PRESENT!

Second Chances, my latest release that received a 4.5 star review and Top Pick from Night Owl Reviews is now available in print. I was told it would be after Christmas before it was available, but there it is, all bright and shiny, at the Amazon.com store.

It is part of their 4-for-3 deal and is also available for their super shipping/free shipping with orders over $25.00. A win-win all around.

You can order directly from CreateSpace e-store HERE or from Amazon.com HERE.

HINT: It would make a terrific After-Christmas present for all your family and friends. LOL

On a more serious note, I wish all my friends, family, and fellow readers a joyous and happy holiday season. May your hearts be filled with the celebrations of the season and may your cup run over with joy and love.

Kathy

SECOND CHANCES A TOP PICK!!!

SURPRISE!!!

Second Chances was reviewed by Night Owl Reviews and received 4.5 stars and a TOP PICK rating from reviewer, Diana Coyle. I am thrilled that she enjoyed Second Chances and loved Ryan and Rose's story as much as I love it.

I loved how the author wove a very intricate storyline with plenty of intriguing details that led to the final reveal . . . I highly recommend it and look forward to seeing what other stories this talented author already has available.


You can read the entire review HERE.

My other big news is that Second Chances will soon be available in PRINT! I got the proof copy in the mail and as soon as I've reviewed it, it will go up for sale.

I'll keep you posted. Thanks for dropping by and spending a few minutes with me.

Kathy

HOLIDAY READING FROM THE PLOTTING PRINCESSES

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!

The Plotting Princesses have been extra busy the last few months, writing and getting books out for you, our readers. Many of the Princesses have releases throughout the months of November and December and to make things especially easy, we've complied all our latest releases in one handy, dandy list for your buying pleasure.

Below are the latest releases by several of the Plotting Princesses (in alphabetical order). We've included a very short description, the cover photo, and links to where you can buy the books. Feel free to pass this list along to your family and friends and spread the word about the latest and greatest books by some of your favorite Princesses.

TWINKLE LIGHTS by Vicki Batman
Blurb: A do-gooder joins forces with a reformed delinquent turned lawyer to run a Christmas tree stand benefiting the children's hospital,but when the money goes missing, fingers are pointed.

Buy it HERE

A BREATH OF SCANDAL by Elizabeth Essex (releases 12/26/12)

Blurb: Shockingly brash and scandalously independent, the Reckless Brides are boldly rewriting the rules of love and marriage—one smitten bachelor at a time

"In the game of kiss and tell, there are no rules..."

Buy it at AMAZON or B & N

SECOND CHANCES by Kathy Ivan
Blurb: An early Christmas gift, an unexpected trip and haunting dreams. Can the love shared between Ryan and Rose overcome grief and guilt and lend a little magic for a second chance at happiness?

Buy it at AMAZON or B & N.

ONLY FOR A KNIGHT by Michelle Miles (releases 12/13/12)
Blurb: Derron and Elyne return to the Otherworld to save it from the clutches of the Dark Elf, Lord Kieran. He wants total domination over the Otherworld and the human realm and he’ll kill anyone who gets in his way.

Buy it at ELLORA'S CAVE or AMAZON or B & N.

THE RELUCTANT SANTA by Sylvia McDaniel
Blurb: Since his mother abandoned him on Christmas Eve never to return, Colin McDermott has hated Christmas and sworn never to have children. But this year two angels are giving him everything he didn't want. A Santa suit, a child and a chance at love again. This is his last chance to learn the true meaning of Christmas.

But it at AMAZON or B & N.

REINDEER WARS by Liese Sherwood-Fabre
Blurb: Can two coworkers' budding relationship survive a knock-down-drag-out competition to win the office’s “most outrageous holiday sweater?”

Buy it at AMAZON or B & N.

HOLLYWOOD HOLIDAY by Sasha Summers

Blurb: All she wants for Christmas is for Hollywood to love her again. But once she meets him, her Christmas list changes.

Buy it HERE.

GALILEO'S HOLIDAY by Sasha Summers (A Galactic Holiday)

Blurb: Loner ice-miner Riley might lose her heart to rakish trader Leo - if raiders, ice storms, and man-eating cryptids don’t get her first.

Buy it HERE.

There you go, the newest releases hot off the presses by the Plotting Princesses. Don't forget, our Princesses have many other books available, so while you're checking out the list above, be sure to check out all the books available.

Happy Holidays again and keep reading!

Kathy

This morning I received a review for Desperate Choices, my romantic suspense with paranormal elements, published by Carina Press. This book has been out for over 2 years, so I'm thrilled and excited that people are still reading (and apparently loving) this book!

Desperate Choices is special to me because (a) it was the very first book I every completed from start to finish (b) it was a very first published novel.

You can go and read the complete review HERE.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend.

Kathy

Today I'm over at Nikki Duncan's blog, asking what would you do with a second chance.

Come join me and let's have some fun chatting.

Nikki's blog

Kathy

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday. I certainly did. Of course all that wonderful food didn't do anything to help my waist line, so the exercise and workouts have commenced.

My sister and I participated in our annual Black Friday shopping. We were up early (5 a.m.) and at the stores. Surprisingly, most of the places we went although crowded were nothing like years past. I guess everybody else was in line at midnight. Ugh, not me, 5 a.m. came way to early. But Black Friday shopping is a tradition my sister and I have done for the past several years, getting up and getting out early into the cold and wind (because it's always cold and windy here in Texas the day after Thanksgiving.)

Now I'm back to plugging along on the next novella in the Destiny's Desire series, book #2 (Jake's story). Hopefully everybody that's read book #1, Second Chances, enjoyed it. I've gotten some terrific feedback from readers, which is always wonderful for any writer to hear.

I'm planning to attend my RWA chapter's holiday breakfast this coming Saturday. It's always loads of fun and I'll get to see some old friends and hopefully meet some new ones, too.

I'll also be blogging at Nikki Duncan's blog on 12/03/2012, so I hope you'll stop by and read a little bit more about Second Chances--what would you do if you were given a second chance?

Stay warm, stay safe, and be happy.

Kathy

The link below is for a press release for holiday reading available from authors of the Plotting Princesses (of which I am a proud member).

Please take a look at all the wonderful new books that area available from some talented Texas authors this holiday season. Second Chances is listed too.

PRESS RELEASE

Talk with you later.

Kathy

IT'S BEEN A WHOLE WEEK

Second Chances has been out for a week!!!

My how time flies. I feel like I just uploaded it to Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo and Smashwords yesterday, but it really has been a week.

People who are reading it, or that have finished it, appear to be enjoying the story. I'm working right now on Book #2 of the Destiny's Desire series. It's Jake's story.

You get to meet Jake in Second Chances. He's the best friend of the hero and he plays a big part in helping the Fate-Keeper get Ryan and Rose up to Destiny's Desire Lodge.

Book #2 is Jake's turn up at the lodge and he's in for a few surprises, and he's got one heck of a secret he's been keeping, too!

I'll keep everybody posted as to the progress of book #2, as yet untitled.

Don't forget, Desperate Choices is still available too for those who love a romantic suspense.

Talk to ya'll later.

Kathy

Second Chances Is Out!!!

Hope your weekend is going great. I just wanted to let everybody know my paranormal romance novella, Second Chances, is now live at Amazon and Barnes and Noble. This is my first foray into self-publishing.

I'd really appreciate anybody (if you can) liking and tagging it, since it's brand spanking new. LOL

You can see how gorgeous the cover is. Kat Baldwin of Ink Lion Books did it. I'm amazed at how awesome it is!!!

I'm starting this weekend to get the word out, so feel free to let everybody know about Second Chances release.

Links are below.

Amazon

B & N

I'll add the links for Smashwords and Kobo when they're available, which hopefully will be soon.

Thanks. I'm really excited about this novella (it's a paranormal romance Christmas novella).

Kathy Ivan

As promised, I'm posting a mini-excerpt from my upcoming paranormal romance novella, Second Chances. I hope you love Ryan and Rose as much as I do.

Excerpt from "Second Chances"

Rose walked around the dining room, putting the final touches on the table. Flowers and candles, even a bottle of white wine. Long stem crystal glasses next to the good china. Dinner was ready. She'd stopped at Ryan's favorite Italian place on the way home, picked up all the foods he loved. Though she was no slouch in the kitchen, the horrendous hours she had put in all week left little time or energy for cooking. And besides, she wanted everything to be extra special tonight.

Soft music played in the background, the strains of the classical piano concerto wafted from the speakers. Soothing and romantic music setting the stage for the evening to come. The lights were dimmed and tall taper candles cast a warm glow across the dining room. Perfect. She'd done her best to set up a long-needed romantic evening with her husband.

Something was bothering him, kept him on edge for the past few months. She hadn't pressed. He'd tell her whatever it was when the time was right. Still she worried. Is he unhappy? Am I not enough anymore? The insidious doubts niggled at the back of her mind, managed despite her best efforts to creep into her head each day. She tried to ignore them, push them away, but the fear still managed to insinuate itself into her thoughts.

I can't lose him. He's my life. I'll do whatever it takes, fight whoever I have to fight. I'm not giving up on Ryan. On us.


I'll be posting the brand now (gorgeous) cover for Second Chances next week, so come back for the big reveal.

Kathy

It has been a while since I posted, but I'm hoping to change that. Although I haven't been blogging, I have been writing.

I'm currently working on two projects, a single title romantic suspense, again set in and around New Orleans, and a series of paranormal novellas, set in the beautiful Colorado mountains.

The first novella, Second Chances, will be available soon, so keep checking back for more details. I also plan to post small excerpts for the story here each week until the book comes out. I'm hoping to have the cover ready to reveal in a few days. I can't wait for you all to see it--it's BEAUTIFUL!!! The incredibly talented Kathleen Baldwin at Ink Lion Books is doing the cover and she does amazing work.

I also received my lovely paperweight for Desperate Choices first place win in the OKRWA International Digital Awards (Suspense). Here's a picture.

So, keep checking back here for excerpts and news on release dates and general updates.

I've also updated my website with a new bio, upcoming book information and will be adding buy links when they go live.

Website | Facebook | Twitter

Thanks for dropping by.

Kathy

An Award For Desperate Choices

DESPERATE CHOICES was voted First place in the Long Suspense Category of the Oklahoma Romance Writers of America's first annual International Digital Awards.

I'm humbled and honored by this award and grateful that the judges enjoyed my story.

You can find the complete listing of winners and finalists at:

www.idacontest.wordpress.com

Thanks.

Kathy

Guest blogging at NYUS

I'm blogging tomorrow, 04/25/2012, over at Not Your Ususal Suspects, the Carina Press mystery and suspense authors blog about why I wite romantic suspense. Come and join me over there and let me know why you like to read romantic suspense and mysteries. www.notyourusualsuspects.blogspot.com Thanks. Kathy

BEST OF 2011 BY JOYFULLY REVIEWED

I received an e-mail from Joy at Joyfully Reviewed with the following news:

Dear Kathy,

Drumroll…….Congratulations! Desperate Choices has been chosen as one of Joyfully Reviewed's Best of 2011 in Romance. Titles were picked by our Reviewers choosing the best reads from their Recommended Reads for the year 2011. Attached you'll find your button to display on your website/blog, etc. The link will go live on 04/09/12. Romance Authors Rule!

How totally AWESOME is that!!!

I just had to share.

I HEART BOOKS

I was very fortunate. My lovely sister gave me Amazon.com gift cards for my birthday, so I could load up my Kindle Fire. Wasn't that sweet of her? Anyway, I ordered a few books I'd wanted to buy, from authors I know and have read in the past, which is always fun. But I want to try something or somebody different. So, in the spirit of finding new authors, I'm going to open up today's blog for your suggestions and recommendations.

If you are a reader, I want your inside scoop. Who are you currently reading? Is it a print book or are you into E-books?

If you are an author, you can list information about one (and unfortunately only 1) of your releases. We have to keep the space limited—if you post more than one book the additional ones will be deleted. To keep everything consistent and to keep my head from exploding from too much information, please follow the format below. (Hint: I'll list mine here, so you get an idea of what I'm talking about.)



TITLE: Desperate Choices
AUTHOR: Kathy Ivan
PUBLISHER: Carina Press
GENRE: Romantic suspense with paranormal elements
FORMAT: E-Book only
AVAILABLE AT: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Carina Press website, and wherever E-books are sold.

BLURB: When psychic Theresa Crawford's former beau walks into her New Orleans New Age shop, she senses trouble. Big trouble. Max Lamoreaux hasn't come to discuss their relationship--the private investigator is on a case, and he needs Theresa's help. Max's godson is missing. The police have declared Tommy a runaway, but Max's gut tells him otherwise. While he's highly skeptical of Theresa's abilities, her visions provide the only clue as to who's taken Tommy. The longer Max works with Theresa, the harder it is to resist his desire for the sexy woman. As they inch closer to finding Tommy, Max and Theresa also discover that time hasn't diminished their powerful attraction. But Theresa harbors her own dark secrets from her past. Secrets that broke them up before--and could drive them apart again, unless Theresa can learn to trust Max with everything...

Just a reminder: As this is an open blog, please keep your blurb short and definitely PG-rated (the kiddies might be looking over your shoulder—you never know).

As stated, if you are a published author, please feel free to list one (1) book with your information—hey, it's free publicity.

If you're a reader, feel free to give me recommendations galore. I'm always on the lookout for new authors and new genres to explore. I have a huge love affair with reading, and I intend to gorge myself on a smorgasbord of new books for my Kindle.

Now if I could just finish my next work in progress . . .