JL Merrow

January-April 2012

Sixteen authors are here to do their best to make your winter brighter in January, February, March, and April. (Unless you’re south of the equator, and then we’ll just be jealous of your summer.) Every Wednesday will be a new stop on the tour (see schedule below). Be sure to leave a comment at each stop for up to sixteen chances at the grand prize: a $200 USD gift certificate to the e-retailer of your choice. Also keep an eye out for links to individual authors’ sites on their release dates for a chance to win some free books.

January 11: How We Beat the Winter Blues (hosted by Coffee & Porn in the Morning)

January 18: Favorite Wintertime Activities (hosted by Josephine Myles)

January 25: Join us for a January getaway (hosted by Andrew Grey)

February 1: Winter in My Backyard (hosted by Lou Harper)

February 8: “If I could get away right now, I’d go to…” (hosted by Ellis Carrington)

February 15: Valentine’s Day (hosted by J.L. Merrow)

February 22: Authors by the Fireside (hosted by Kate McMurray)

February 29: Join us for a February getaway (hosted by Z.A. Maxfield)

March 7: Things to Do in a Blizzard (hosted by S.A. Meade)

March 14: St. Patrick’s Day (hosted by Clare London)

March 21: Spring Break (hosted by Blaine Arden)

March 28: Join us for a March Getaway (hosted by Tales from the Writing Cave)

April 4: Favorite Winter Movies (hosted byStumbling Over Chaos)

April 11: Signs of Spring (hosted by J.P. Barnaby)

April 18: Join us for an April Getaway (hosted by Marie Sexton)

April 25: Farewell (hosted by Joyfully Jay)

April 30: Grand Prize Announcement (hosted by Heidi Cullinan)

Every week we’ll also let you know what books are recently released and about to be released, complete with links to giveaways.

…but only on the US site; fellow Brits will have to wait, apparently, until Jan 19th, although you may pre-order, should you choose to do so. *Gives Amazon Hard Stare*

Best Lesbian Romance 2012 gives readers another chance to read my story, Blazing June, which appeared in the Lesbian Cops anthology, along with:

two dozen titilating tales of lesbian couples taking each other to new heights of happily bedded bliss. Imagination and experimentation are the key that unlocks the hearts of these lesbian love stories and every kind of love you CAN imagine are told in stories redolent of romance, risk-taking, and, even gobsmackingly surprising true love. There are virgins, long-time companions, and very memorable one-night stands. 

Available here.

Well, the reviewers have been listing their highest-rated books of the year, and it’s encouraging to see I made it onto a few of them!

I’ve already posted about Wight Mischief making Leslie S’s top pick over at Jessewave’s blog; well, Muscling Through made it (just!) into Wave’s top 13, and also into Tam’s top 20.  She also picked out Hairy, Horny and Over Here, which was lovely to see as that one’s not had nearly so much attention as some of the others.

And Camwolf is in Sarah F’s list over at Dear Author!

Meanwhile, Winter Warmers, my Christmas anthology with Josephine Myles, Clare London, Lou Harper (who also designed our fabulous cover) and Chrissy Munder has made it onto several lists:

Over at Pants Off Reviews, it’s one of only 2 anthologies in the top 7, and it’s in Cryselle’s top four on Jessewave’s blog.

It’s also been lovely to see friends’ names on these lists – Clare London got an honourable mention from Jessewave for Petit Morts #12 – London Eye, and Josephine Myles’ stand-alone titles have been top picks on Joyfully Jay, Pants Off Reviews and Top 2 Bottom Reviews.

Over at Jessewave’s blog, the guest reviewers have been posting lists of their favourite books of the year, and hurrah! I’m delighted to say Wight Mischief is Leslie S’s top pick for 2011!

*is tickled all shades of the rainbow*

I’m as pleased as punch to report that Muscling Through is up for several categories in the Goodreads m/m Group Choice awards of 2011!

Some kind person/s has/have nominated Muscling Through in the following categories:

Best Story that Should/Must have a Sequel (not sure how I feel about that one!)

Best Couple/MC’s

Humorous

Best Overall Book of 2011

And I’ve been nominated in the Favorite All Time M/M Author category, which is immensely flattering, although I’m not kidding myself I’ve got an earthly of winning!

If anyone is a member of the group, and feels minded to vote, you can do so by filling in the survey here.

And if anyone votes for me – thank you!

Have you been checking the Speak its Name advent calendar? (And if not, why not? There’s been some cracking stuff posted so far, and more to come. *g*)

If you have been watching the posts, you’ll already have seen my offering, which posted today.  It’s a short story set in my favourite time period, the 1920s.

Daylily (which is the English translation of Belle de Jour) features two young men who are college friends – but one of them, at least, wishes they were something more…

Why not pop along and comment for a chance to win a $10 Samhain gift certificate?

Dreamspinner Press are having a "12 days of Christmas" promotion. The specials are being advertised in the DSP newsletter, and here are the first few:

Dec. 20 – 30% off all historicals (and why, yes, I do have a couple of historicals with Dreamspinner: )

(for more info, click on the pics)

Dec. 21 – Free copy of Infected: Prey by Andrea Speed
Dec. 22 – 30% off all Westerns
Dec. 23 – Free copy of Bounty of Love by Scotty Cade
Dec. 24 – 30% off all Mystery Suspense

For the final 6 special offers, just sign up for the newsletter at the DSP site (Log in to your DSP account, go to "My Bookshelf", and under Email notifications, choose "subscribe or unsubscribe from newsletters". Under "My Newsletter Subscriptions", check the box next to "General Newsletter").

Readers, start your hopping. The Stuff Your Stockings Blog Hop Event starts today. 192 Authors, publishers, and review sites, each with a contest and your chance to win!

$450+ In Gift Cards to Amazon, B&N, ARe, and Other Publisher Sites
150+ In Ebooks of all heat levels
Jewlery, Gift Baskets, Christmas Ornaments, and all kinds of goodies, books, & gift certificates

Each participating author is going to hold a contest on their blog with so many treats up for grabs it’s enough to make every reader’s Christmas just that much happier! In each contest post the author will link the others participating in the blog hop to help you find each and ever stop to increase your chances to win.

The contest will start Friday, December 16, 2011 and go till midnight EST Sunday, December 18, 2011.
So, what are you waiting for? Start your hop with Pink Squirrel Press. Leave a comment for your chance to win, and then hop on over to the main Event Page for links to the other participating sites.
Have Fun!

The Winter Warmers team has a blog post up today at Top2Bottom Reviews – why not pop over and take a look at our favourite winter tipples!  Recipes included, so you can try them for yourself. ;D

And on December 22nd we’ll be Stuffing Your Stockings over at Whipped Cream Reviews Blogfest Celebration. Leave a comment and be entered to win a copy of the Winter Warmers anthology.

Join the Winter Warmers Authors – that’s Josephine Myles, Clare London, Chrissy Munder, Lou Harper and me -  as we chat live at the Beth Wylde Yahoo Group. There’ll be excerpts, a chance to win a copy of the anthology, and author swag.

Come join us from 2:00pm EST – 5:00pm EST (that’s, um… seven pm  until ten pm, in English money)

Hope to see you there!