September 2015 Newsletter

A note to reviewers--if you are interested in a NetGalley copy of INTIMATE for review, the first of my new romantic suspense series, and if you either have a blog or post reviews on Goodreads, please let me know and I'll make sure the publicity department at St. Martin's Press adds you to the list for a copy. This is a big switch for me, and I'm really anxious to know what you think! Write to me at katedouglas13@gmail.com

This is not just a potting bench--no, this is what's going to keep me sane over the next few months! We have a tiny backyard--from the house to the fence there's just six feet, so not much room for a yard--but the one thing I love to do when I can sneak away from my office is putter with my plants. I've been asking my spouse for only about, oh, three years now, to build a potting bench for me. Finally, after a really crappy week, he took pity on me and this is what I got. It's exactly the way I drew it, same measurements and everything, so yes, I am happy. And it's made of cedar and smells SO GOOD!!

And on that note, if you've been on my Facebook page at all, you've seen the photos I've posted--Doug, the long-suffering spouse--took some promo shots of me this past week, and out of about 150+ photos (damn but I love digital cameras!) we got about three...I hate getting my picture taken! I'm not going to post them here--there's a "note" on my Facebook Author Page if you want to take a look. And please, while you're there and if you haven't, I'd appreciate it if you "like" the page. (Publishers actually LOOK at stuff like that! Go figure!!)

I just finished page proofs on REDEMPTION--it comes out December 29--and once you read Jake and Kaz's story in INTIMATE, which releases December 1, I think you'll really love Jake's brother Ben's story. I've also turned in AWAKENED, the third and final story of the trilogy, and I'm absolutely thrilled with the way it turned out. Marcus Reed is a character who was briefly introduced in TANGLED, the story in Hot Alphas, and it was so hard to finish this book because I really didn't want to let him go. I think I get a bit too attached to my characters, but Marc was really special.

We're still dealing with drought here in northern California. The grape crop is going to be very small, but they're talking about excellent quality, so that's a good thing, but I will be so glad when we finally get through the current heat wave! It's been over 100 degrees every day this week--even the cactus is wilted! 

You have to admit, it's not often you see wilted cacti! I've been watering it when I can, but it's obviously not been enough. I'm sort of hoping I get enough time this year to make prickly pear jelly. I hear it's really good stuff! (Those fruits are the prickly pears--not all that sweet and really full of seeds and stickers, but they make good jelly.)

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Okay...I'm back. Took a break to cook dinner and then got caught watching MSNBC's two hour replay of unedited coverage of the 9/11 attack. I'll never forget that morning. My husband came in and woke me--we're in California, so it wasn't yet 6:00 a.m, but he's an early riser--to tell me that a plane had just hit one of the twin towers at the World Trade Center. We watched the TV for hours, and spent some really nervous time trying to get hold of our son's girlfriend, who worked near the Pentagon. She was actually really close when the plane hit and ended up leaving her car on the street because traffic was all blocked. Anyway, once I started watching, I couldn't walk away. So many lives lost, and the world, as we'd always known it, changed forever. (One good thing--the girlfriend is now our daughter-in-law and mother of three exceptional--obviously!--grandchildren!)

In July of this year, I finally made it to Ground Zero to see the 9/11 Memorial. It was absolutely beautiful, and so heartbreaking. We as a country and a people were forever changed by that attack. Suddenly, we weren't invincible. We could be hurt just like everyone else. A hard lesson, and a horrible way to learn it.

On the reading front--I just finished Nalini Singh's ARCHANGEL'S ENIGMA, and it's absolutely wonderful. Still haven't been able to put it on the keeper shelf because I know I'm going to want to read it again. Right now I'm reading YOU'VE GOT TAIL, by good friend Renee George, and I'm loving it, too. It's an ebook, and for a print lover like me, it's got to be good to hold my attention on my tablet, but this one is so funny and so unexpected that it's a hoot to read.

You already know I'm a huge fan of Jayne Ann Krentz's, and I finally got a chance to read her latest, SIREN'S CALL, one of her Jayne Castle stories set on Rainshadow Island. It was so good that after I read it through a second time, I went back and reread THE HOT ZONE. I've had a really stressful year, and JAK has become my "therapy author." The thing is, her books are so much fun that I know I can read them over and over and still be totally entertained, which is why I keep them close at hand here in my office.

I know I've read a few other good books, but I can't recall the titles right now. Will mention them when I announce winners of my contest. This month I've got three extra copies of Hot Alphas to give away, so please enter in the form at the right (or if you're on your mobile, scroll all the way to the end, past the comments section, to the form that says Contest entry form) and I will choose winners in one week. DO NOT PUT YOUR ENTRY IN THE COMMENTS SECTION. I WILL DELETE IT FOR YOU OWN SAFETY. Remember, everyone can see comments, including your home address, but the contest entry form is entirely private. I'm the only one who sees that.

AND!!! Next Tuesday, September 15, the first in my Feral Passions series from St. Martin's Press releases in a duet titled CLAIMED BY THE MATE with AC Arthur. I'll be hanging out at a release party on Facebook on the 15th. My time slot is 7:45-8:15 Eastern time, so for you folks out here on the left coast, I'll be there by 4:45 if not before. I'm currently working on the second book in that series, so far called WILD PASSIONS, though that's always subject to change. Hoping to get my act together well enough to have a giveaway or two.

That's about it for now. I'm not sure if I'll have a newsletter next month, but will try. I'm having some minor surgery--I've had various kinds of skin cancer since my first melanoma at 31 and have continued to go in bits and pieces for the past 34 years. Which obviously beats all at once, but it's damned inconvenient. The surgeon is doing what's called a Mohs procedure, which means they cut a little, check to see if they got it all, and then cut a little more until it's all gone. Since the worst one is on my nose, I'm glad they've chosen this option as the scarring should be a lot less. I mean, I've got a book signing in Honolulu on December 1st, and I really wanna look my best, ya know? 

Anyway, I'm going to be busy writing, not socializing as much as usual, and trying to get the book done before the surgery, since that stuff always makes me grumpy. (Just ask my spouse--he'll agree) I hope all of you are well, that you've had a great summer and are looking forward to a change in weather as much as I am. We really need some rain. Cacti are NOT supposed to wilt!!

Don't forget to carve out some time for yourself, read a good book, put your feet up and relax a bit. The kids are back in school and hopefully you'll be able to find some "me time." I know I plan to--can't wait to get out and play with my new potting bench!


Best to you,


Kate