I’m looking forward to making some goals for 2011, but I always think it doesn’t hurt to reflect on the past year before doing that.

On a rating scale of 1-10, I’d give 2010 a 7.5.

Yes, I just rated a whole year.

2010 in writing was filled with highs and lows, but overall, the highs seem to dominate. It was a big writing year for me: I wrote three novels (Addicted to You, The Hometown Hero Returns, Liam’s Perfect Woman), one novella for a Berkley Heat (On the Job for the Three to Tango anthology), and close to half of the second book in the Princes of the Underground series called (tentatively) Satin Rapture. I’ve finished up 2010 by writing a proposal for the third book in the Home to Harbor Town series for Harlequin–just finished it yesterday, in fact, and sent it to my agent.

I’ve been fortunate enough to get not one, but two new editors this year–the fantastic Susan Litman at Harlequin/Silhouette who I’ve really enjoyed working with so far and Heather Osborn, my brand new editor at Samhain. I’ve heard wonderful things about Heather and I’m very excited to be working with her, as well.

I was lucky enough to be able to get to four writing/reader conferences this year–Romantic Times, Lori Foster’s, Nationals and my RWA local chapter’s–Chicago North–Fire and Ice conference. There’s no better way to feel connected to the writing community than to go to these conferences and mingle with other writers, readers, bloggers, editors and agents. RELEASE was nominated by RT Book Reviews in the Best Erotic Fiction category, and EXPLOSIVE came out this December to good reviews.

I guess I can’t complain, but I usually do anyway. 🙂

Not complain, really, just wonder how I could have done things a little better. I wonder if I couldn’t have been more efficient with my time. I wish I could find a way to reach more readers who might enjoy my writing. I guess why there’s such a thing as New Year’s resolutions, eh? No reason we can’t resolve ways to make 2011 a solid 10.

How would you rate your year? What were some of your ups and downs in regard to reading and living?

Season’s Greetings! I truly love this time of year. It’s busy, and at the moment, I think my ‘to do’ list is making me feel like tearing my hair out, but I DO love it. The cheer, the lights, the warmth, the food, the family–all of it is special.

I wanted to take a moment to wish you and your families a Merry Christmas. I hope you will come back to my website in the New Year. It’s being revamped and remodeled as we speak by the fabulous Frauke of Croco Designs. I plan to throw a little party in celebration of my new ‘look’ and the exciting, diverse collection of books I have coming out in 2011. I hope you’ll join me!

Here’s a never before seen excerpt from Holiday Bound, which is available now! I hope you enjoy Alex’s and Angeline’s Christmastime romance.

Excerpt

He grinned suddenly and it was like a light went on in the room. She paused and stared, her laughter fading. The man could turn a female to warm mush with that smile.

“You’re shocked that a brute like me would value an English barber?”

She swallowed thickly and forced her gaze away from his mouth. “Alex, I don’t think you’re a brute,” she muttered, wondering if he’d noticed the unintentional huskiness of her voice. His words had brought to mind his lovemaking. It hadn’t been brutish at all, but it had been primal and powerful, and it had pushed at the limits of how she saw herself sexually. Despite his dominant, demanding manner, his touch had been so gentle at times, his kiss so hot, so cherishing…

She glanced back at him hesitantly. “You know…I love Daley Plaza at Christmastime too.

“Not too touristy for you?” he asked, that drop-dead smile still lingering on his lips.

She shook her head resolutely as she turned back to the box of ornaments. “I love it. I try to be there every year when they light up the big tree. I like buying all sorts of different yummy chocolates in the German Village they put up. Oh, look,” she breathed out in amazement as she held up a tiny reindeer carved in wood. It wasn’t a cutesy parody of a reindeer, but instead a fine piece of craftsmanship worked by someone with a skilled hand and an eye that knew how to observe nature.
She glanced up at the carvings on the mantel.

“You did this,” she whispered, stating a fact rather than asking. He said nothing, and neither did she as she withdrew the rest of the carved ornaments—a moose with its head dipped as it drank, a beaver on its haunches that had just become aware of an intruder and was about to spring, a twisting trout as it darted away from the hook that almost had snared it.

The last one she withdrew from the box was different than all the others—an angel with wings outspread, the expression on her beautiful face enigmatic and arresting.

“Oh, Alex. You could do this for a living,” she said in a hushed tone.

She was hesitant to turn around and look at him at that full moment…afraid of what she might do. He said nothing, but she’d never been so aware of another person in her life.

After a moment, she swallowed thickly and carefully placed the exquisite angel back into the box.

“When will we be able to put up the tree?”

“Not until this evening,” he replied in a low voice.

“Thank you for getting it, Alex,” she said feelingly, although she was careful to keep her gaze on the leaping flames in the hearth. Her heart began to thrum in her ears in the taut silence that followed. Her neck and cheek prickled with the awareness of his gaze.

She heard him sigh and sensed that he straightened.

“It’s not a huge tree or anything,” he said gruffly behind her. “If you’re finished in the bathroom, I’ll take the heater out to the garage. It’ll help dry the tree. I’ll give it a good once over with some towels too. That ought to help,” he said briskly, and she was grateful to him for breaking the tension of the moment.

He stood suddenly, and Angeline turned. She found herself staring straight onto long, hard-looking thighs and a jaw-dropping, denim-covered package. She told herself to drop her gaze, but instead she looked up into Alex’s face.

He watched her with a heavy-lidded stare that spoke volumes.

I’m going to be chatting today at my yahoo group, Total Exposure, if you’d like to come and join the fun. I’ll be putting up some Explosive excerpts, giving away a couple books, and just generally hanging out with a great group of ladies. If you aren’t a member of TotalEx, please join! I’d love to have you. I’m going to start chatting at around 11:30 or noon CST. Here is the link to join Total Ex. There is an approval process, to keep away spammers, but I’ll approve you ASAP if you’d like to join.
Total Exposure

Hurray, finally this baby is born! I’m so relieved and exhausted and exhilarated all at once. Sigh.

Explosive and I are making the rounds today, if you should be interested, here’s an updated list of reviews and where you can find me blogging.

RT Book Review (blogging and Explosive Giveaway)

The Good, the Bad and the Unread (blog and review)

Diva’s Bookcase (interview and review)

Dear Author (review)

10/10 Stars from The Season for Romance–“Perfect”

*****from the Closetreader Blog—An emotional, erotic romantic-suspense story, that will draw you into a web of intrigue and danger.

***** from Genre Go Round Book Reviews—Filled with tons of action, sex and plenty of spins and twists

“Powerful characters ensnare you from the first page of this intoxicating and exhilarating story.”–Fresh Fiction Reviews

**** from RT Book Review–The heat between Kery’s main characters is molten

A recommended read from the The Barnes and Noble Romance Blog–Mystery that is artfully threaded through the romance, an alluring hero trying to find his way, and a heroine that is at once strong and compassionate.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, no one claimed the Kindle yet again. Wendy snapped up her $50 gift certificate–good for her!–but I still have a Kindle to give away. Please, Please if you know the new winner, kindly let her know that she must claim the Kindle by writing me at bethkery@aol.com within 48 hours of this post.

The winner is #20, Jennifer Mathis. Congrats, Jennifer! Remember to write me at bethkery@aol.com ASAP.

I thought I’d also put up a few early reviews for Explosive!

10/10 Stars from The Season for Romance–“Perfect”

*****from the Closetreader Blog—An emotional, erotic romantic-suspense story, that will draw you into a web of intrigue and danger.

***** from Genre Go Round Book Reviews—Filled with tons of action, sex and plenty of spins and twists

“Powerful characters ensnare you from the first page of this intoxicating and exhilarating story.”–Fresh Fiction Reviews

**** from RT Book Review–The heat between Kery’s main characters is molten

A recommended read from the The Barnes and Noble Romance Blog–Mystery that is artfully threaded through the romance, an alluring hero trying to find his way, and a heroine that is at once strong and compassionate.

Unfortunately, no one claimed the Explosive contest prizes, so I’m drawing two more names. If you recognize any of the names, do a favor and let the winner’s know, won’t you? 🙂

The second prize of a $50 gift certificate from Amazon (e-card) is: #76, Wendy

The amazon Kindle goes to: #281, Dresden

Winners, you have 48 hours to contact me at bethkery@aol.com. Congratulations!

(PLEASE NOTE THAT THE EXPLOSIVE CONTEST WINNERS ARE LISTED JUST BELOW THIS POST)

I’ve had reason to think about that question of my first erotic romance recently. Since Holiday Bound is free for Kindle and Nook this month, naturally there are people downloading it who have never tried an erotic before. Some are ‘nay’ on the concept, and some are ‘yay!’ according to the reviews, but it got me thinking about how I reacted.

Going by some of the reactions from the first timers, I’m getting the impression that they hadn’t read some really, really sexy stuff even before they got to erotic romance, which I had. I remember reading a Christine Feehan Carpathian novel in the time period before I got to erotic romance and it was pretty darn close to the erotic category. Of course, I’d read really steamy stuff in fiction–Anne Rice’s books really pushes the limits, but I guess that’s not the same, since it’s not romance. Funny, how erotic stuff was a regular in other genres, but it took so long for eroticism and romance to meet–at least in books. I guess the stereotype of sweet romance and the innocent heroine was really hard to shake off (even though it still clings).

I think I have to narrow it down to several titles, because I honestly can’t remember what the first was for me. I know i paperback it was Jane’s Warlord by Angela Knight closely followed by Dirty by Megan Hart. In ebook, it was either Shiloh Walker’s, Her Best Friend’s Lover or N.J. Walter’s The Dalakis Passion series.

As far as my reaction to romances that included explicit sex scenes, I was pleased as well-spiked punch. What was your first erotic romance? What was your reaction?

First off, my huge thanks to the authors who helped makes things so festive and fun and the many, many participants. I hope some of you won, learned about some new books, and had a good time. Be sure to check out Explosive when it hits the shelves in the romance section on December 7. (And just as a warning for those of you new to the blog–Explosive is heartfelt and romantic, but it’s hot, too, so don’t be surprised).

The winner of a fifty dollar e-gift certificate to Amazon is: #106: Paige Chandler!

The winner of the new Amazon Kindle is: #285: S. Carter!

Winners, you have 48 hours to claim your prize at bethkery@aol.com. If you haven’t claimed the prize, I will generate another number/winner and announce it.

Thanks again, and happy reading!

~Beth

#10, Stephanie! Congrats. Please write to me at bethkery@aol.com and I will pass your information on to Tracy. Big thanks to Tracy for joining the contest and offering her time, plus her generous prize.

Up next, the time has finally come. I’m going to put those numbers into the random number generator. Two people are about to win at the Explosive contest!