Hi All!

Happy Mother’s Day to my U.S. visitors! And if you’re not from the U.S., Happy Mother’s Day whenever you happen to celebrate it!! (Personally I think it should be every day!)

Sorry I haven’t been blogging here much. I’m in the final chapters of my fifth book and getting down to the wire of my recently extended deadline. A while back I scheduled some guest blog appearances to promote The Nurse’s Not-So-Secret Scandal, and much faster than expected the dates are here!

If you have a few minutes to visit me, I’d much appreciate it. As an incentive, at each stop I’ll be giving away 2in1 UK editions of The Nurse’s Not-So-Secret Scandal, which include a complete novel by Emily Forbes.

May 13: Australian Romance Readers Association

May 17: Harlequin Junkie

May 21: Elaine Pillay’s Blog

Hope to chat with you soon.

Exactly one year ago today my first book, When One Night Isn’t Enough, was released on the Mills and Boon UK website. And today, one year later, my third book, The Nurse’s Not-So-Secret Scandal, is releasing on Mills and Boon Aus and in e-book format here in the U.S. (That’s my beautiful Australian cover to the right .)

I remember the exact date because May 1 is also the date my mother lost her long, torturous battle with breast cancer. 25 years ago. I have lived more years without her than I had her in my life. And yet I still feel blessed to have had her for the short time I did, because she laid the foundation for the person I am today.

Well, mom wouldn’t want me to be sad. If she were here she’d probably have planned a party to celebrate my releases. (Followed by a parade down Main Street where she’d toss the hundreds of my books she’d purchased into the crowd.)

Since I’m really not the parade type, and not feeling all that up for a party at the moment, I’ll just go ahead and share the links for U.S. Kindle, U.S. Nook, and Mills and Boon Aus. And, in case you’re still undecided about trying out The Nurse’s Not-So-Secret Scandal, I’ll include this link to another great review.

If you’re in the UK, The Nurse’s Not-So-Secret Scandal released in April. Check out the links for purchase on my right sidebar. U.S. paperbacks also released in April and are still available from Harlequin.com.

If you like my books, please click on the LIKE buttons wherever they are sold. I’m a numbers freak, so yes, I do check! (And I have a feeling mom’s probably checking, too!)

Thanks for stopping by! 

I have been waiting for the official list to go up on the OK RWA website, but I can’t wait any longer to share the news!

My  debut  Harlequin Medical Romance, When One Night Isn’t Enough, is a finalist for Best First Book in the National Readers Choice Awards here in the U.S.! As soon as the official list is available, I’ll sneak back in and add the link to this post. But let me tell you, Victoria Dahl, Julie James, Brenda Novak and Roxanne St. Claire are on it. And I’m super excited to find my name amongst some of my favorite authors.  

If you haven’t read When One Night Isn’t Enough, and would like to,  it’s still available. Check out my Books page for links to purchase.

Sorry I haven’t been updating my blog regularly. Lately, the best place to find me is on Twitter. I’m hoping to be back to blogging on a regular basis soon.

 Hope all is well with all of you.

Update: Here’s the link: http://www.okrwa.com/NRCA/nrca11.htm 

I am taking a much needed break from the Internet. My life has gotten crazy, and I just can’t do it all. I need to focus on my family and meeting my contractual obligations with Harlequin. I hope to be back in a week or two. I will not be checking or answering e-mails until my current manuscript is finished. Sorry for any inconvenience.

Before I get to my sexy new covers, the U.S. paperback edition of The Nurse’s Not-So-Secret Scandal is now available at Harlequin.com. The e-book edition will be releasing on May 1st and is available for pre-order for Kindle and Nook. Remember, Harlequin Medical Romances are not available in stores in the U.S.

In the UK, The Nurse’s Not-So-Secret Scandal is now available in stores! Check out my Books page for links to purchase it online.

And now, I’m thrilled to share the cover for the French translation of The Nurse’s Not-So-Secret Scandal or Le secret d’une rencontre which will be released as a 2in1 with Amy Andrews (a totally hot pairing IMHO) on 15 Mai 2012.

And I just found out my first book, When One Night Isn’t Enough or QUANDO UNA NOTTE NON E’ ABBASTANZA  is releasing in Italy! Check out this HOT  cover!

Hi All!

Okay, not the greatest picture of me (I desperately need a haircut), but I had a FANTASTIC time with good friend and totally fun person, author Jennifer Probst  at the Author Reception at the Newburgh Free Library on March 25th. We were the only romance authors at the event. But still… Is it really necessary to say things like:

“I don’t read romance. I prefer books with substance.”

To which I replied, “You don’t know what you’re missing!!!”

“Medical romance just sounds so uhhh.”  (Now that uhhh was not one of pondering or question. It was a forced uhhh of  grossness similar to, ‘The slime on the bottom of the shower curtain is so uhhh.’ (And was accompanied by a facial grimace.) But I’m happy to report the unappealing content of my books did not deter that woman from taking two pens and a handful of chocolates.)

To Jen Probst, who overheard the above woman’s negative comment, looked at me with a smirk, and nodded when I asked, “Did she just say what I thought she said?”, thanks for the giggles. And then the hysterics when we both blurted out, “I’m going to do a blog post on that!” 

To the librarian who said, “You romance authors are always so much fun,” I reply, “You know it, Sister! And it was great chatting with you, too!”

To the women who didn’t read romance and had never heard of medical romance but happily accepted a free copy of my book with an open mind, thank you! I hope you enjoy it so much you check out the rest of my books!

Personally, although I enjoy talking with readers and meeting new people, I find it very difficult to sit behind a table while people filter past, avoiding eye contact, judging you and your books without taking the time to talk to you or read the back of the book blurb. So to everyone who stopped by our table and spent a few minutes talking to us, thank you!

For my author friends, how do you feel about book signings? Can you recall any out-of-the-ordinary comments said to you at a book signing or reader event? To my reader friends, how do you feel about book signings? Do you attend them? Do you enjoy meeting authors face to face?

Thanks for stopping by!

And here’s another great review for The Nurse’s Not-So-Secret Scandal from  Maldivian Book Reviewer. The Nurse’s Not-So-Secret Scandal is releasing in the UK on April 1st! Have you pre-ordered your paperback or Kindle copy? On April 1st The Nurse’s Not-So-Secret Scandal will also be available on Harlequin.com in the U.S. if you can’t wait for the May 1st e-book release for Kindle and Nook.

On Sunday, March 25th, I’ll be taking a break from the mad dash to my deadline due date to attend an author reception in the auditorium of the Newburgh Free Library in Newburgh, New York from 1p-3p. If you’re in the area or near the area, it’d be great if you’d stop by for a visit. I’ll be bringing a bunch of free books!

Here’s the link for directions: http://www.newburghlibrary.org/contact-us/directions/  

My good friend, USA Today bestselling author Jennifer Probst will be there, too!

We hope to see you there!

Oh, and while you’re here, from Wednesday, March 21st through Wednesday, April 4th I’m doing a Goodreads Giveaway. Enter for a chance to win one of two copies of the UK 2in1 edition of The Nurse’s Not-So-Secret Scandal which includes a complete book by Emily Forbes!

That’s all for now. Thank you for visiting my poor neglected blog!

I am pretty open about my preoccupation with the Internet. For the most part, it hasn’t been an issue as I manage to get done what I need to. But lately I’ve been suffering with another bout of eye strain so I need to limit the time I spend at the computer. This is a problem because I am due to deliver my next manuscript in a few short weeks and I’m not even half way done. Yikes!

My eyes cannot tolerate the long hours I typically spend on the computer each day so I need to make sure I meet my daily word count BEFORE I spend valuable time checking my e-mails and sales rankings and  visitng Facebook and Twitter and Goodreads and dozens of other places I’ve gotten into the habit of visiting each day. (Sometimes several times a day.) 

How can a self-proclaimed Internet junkie such as myself break the habit? *snaps* Just like that?  

 Thanks to good friend and fellow romance author Louisa George I have found a way!

My new pall Freedom! Freedom is Internet blocking productivity software. And the absolute BEST $10.00 I have ever spent! It works for Mac or Windows. (I have the Windows version.) I downloaded it myself. (And I am not all that computer savvy.) Now, when I click on the Freedom icon, I set the number of minutes I want to be off the Internet, click a button and it’s done! If I try to access my AOL or Internet Explorer, nothing happens. But if for some reason there’s an emergency, and I need to get onto the Internet, I can shut down my computer and re-boot. I haven’t let myself do this.

Today, with the help of Freedom, I wrote 1,400 words before noon. That is unheard of for me! If you’re distracted by the Internet, like me, maybe Freedom will help you, too!

While you’re here, I’d like to share two great reviews. One for Once a Good Girl… and one for The Nurse’s Not-So-Secret Scandal.

That’s all for now. What’s new with all of you?

Hi All!

The first review of The Nurse’s Not-So-Secret Scandal is in! It was put up on Goodreads, and I am absolutely thrilled! Thank you, Nancy!

Nancy‘s review

Feb 26, 12

 

Read on February 25, 2012

Hi All!

The third and final book in my Madrin Falls Memorial Hospital series, The Nurse’s Not-So-Secret Scandal, Roxie’s story, is available for pre-order in the UK and the US. Below are the covers and links. Paperbacks will go on sale on the Mills and Boon websites in the UK and Aus/NZ on March 1st, and on Harlequin.com in the U.S. and on store shelves in the UK and Aus/NZ in April.  Read an excerpt HERE.

Pre-order The Nurse’s Not-So-Secret Scandal for Kindle in the U.S. HERE. 

Pre-order The Nurse’s Not-So-Secret Scandal 2in1 UK paperback edition HERE.

And while The Nurse’s Not-So-Secret Scandal, book #3, is a stand alone story, I highly recommend reading When One Night Isn’t Enough, book #1, and Once a Good Girl…, book #2, also. You can find more information about both books on my Books Page.

If you’re interested in doing a review for The Nurse’s Not-So-Secret Scandal or Once a Good Girl… on Amazon/Goodreads or  your favorite romance review site, please e-mail me at Wendy @ WendySMarcus . com (no spaces), and I’ll mail you out a copy. Please list your interest in the comments of this post. First ten people only. 

Thanks for stopping by! And if you like my books please click the like button on Amazon or Barnes and Noble or wherever you purchase them online.