***

I'm proud of my ePublishing roots, but I've always hungered for that Holy Grail of writing, a New York contract. In 2007, my agent (the wonderful Deidre Knight) encouraged me to develop something in the paranormal subgenre. I love history, so I decided to build a modern world steeped in historical traditions with telekinetic heroes and telepathic villains. The proposal went out in late spring 2008 and the wait began.

One October Sunday afternoon, I was playing with my new phone. Not a good use of writing time, but I did find some cool ringtones. I decided to get cute and use When You Wish Upon a Star for my agent's number. Keep in mind we email, she NEVER calls me. Nonetheless, I was pleased with my non-writing efforts.

The next day, I was trying resolve a troublesome caller issue with a colleague. Suddenly in the background I hear When You Wish Upon a Star playing. I ignore it. Seconds later, I connect the dots. With a loud gasp, I tell my colleague to handle the caller because my agent is on the phone! Now my cell phone was in my purse, which was locked away in a cabinet, and my keys were hidden under a stack of papers. Files flew into the air (okay not into the air, but my neat and orderly desk wasn't so neat and orderly anymore) as I scrambled to find my keys. A moment later, I manage to bend the key in the lock. Makes it a little tough to open a cabinet. By the time I get to the phone, I've missed the call. I call back, and Deidre says she has news and to stay calm (she knows me so well).

The minute she says Cindy Hwang at Berkley is interested in my Sicari series, I let out this whoop that had my co-workers looking at me like I'd lost my mind. I remember trembling so badly I could barely hold the phone, and I was pacing like a caged lion trying to keep my emotions under control. Hard to do when there's this incredible sense of elation surging through your body, which is almost numbing in its intensity. Cindy had asked to speak with me before finalizing things, and I was frantically trying to remember what was in the bloody proposal.

You see, I'd put the paranormal aside to rework Kismet, and my Sicari heroes were a faint blip on my radar screen. Talk about terror.When we talked, I stumbled my way through the conversation, trying to appear knowledgeable about my series. Fortunately, Cindy forgave my cluelessness. Better yet, she loved my voice. Major swoon. After our conversation, Deidre called to say the offer was official. Selling off proposal is exciting, but I'd barely come off that high when Cindy contracted my January release, Kismet, and another historical. Five books contracted in such a short time span still makes my head spin. The memory of that first call from New York is a constant reminder that I'm one lucky writer to have landed at Berkley with Cindy as my editor. When I think about it, perhaps the real Holy Grail for me wasn't "the call." I'm thinking it's more about finding a publisher and editor who loves and believes in your work. I've been fortunate in that respect from my very first sale to New Concepts Publishing and subsequent sales to Samhain. Having people believing in your work is truly a blessing, whether it's that "first email" or that "first call."

Related posts:

1. My First Sale by Shiloh Walker
2. My First Sale by Sharon Shinn, Every Sale Is Cause for Celebration
3. My First Sale by J.R. Ward, The BDB First Sale

DECEMBER

	HUNTER’S NEED, Shiloh Walker Shiloh Walker quickly became a reader favorite with her paranormal Hunter series, which started out as an e-book series, and I was lucky enough to continue this series in print at Berkley. Readers have been waiting for over a year for her new book, HUNTER’S NEED, and the wait is definitely worth it. Duke’s story is finally here! Readers have been clamoring for a happy ending for this tortured hero for a long time, and the love story between Duke and Ana is epic.
	LEGACY OF STONE, Vickie Taylor LEGACY OF STONE is the next book in Vickie’s long-awaited series about the Gargoyles, a race of shape-shifting protectors sworn to protect humanity. Not actually made of stone, their fantastical forms inspired the artists who carved their images in the cathedrals of Europe. This is a fascinating mythology that Vickie has developed, and I’m thrilled that she explored it further in her new book. Levi Tremaine is a fascinating and very different hero, and I’m sure readers will fall for him just as I have.
	MISTRESS BY MISTAKE, Susan Gee Heino We love discovering new voices, and Susan Gee Heino is a terrific find for lovers of Regency historical romances. Susan has such an engaging voice and brings so much life to her characters you just can’t help but love them. MISTRESS BY MISTAKE is the story of a reluctant heiress and a dashing lord who discover that moonlight is a tricky thing, and love may be more than they bargained for.

JANUARY

	PIECES OF SKY, Kaki Warner 2010 begins with another terrific new author and the first book in a fabulous new western historical romance trilogy. PIECES OF SKY is the first book in the Blood Roses trilogy–it’s about an Englishwoman who goes to the American West in search of a new life, and finds that and more with a tough rancher with a bloody past. It’s gritty, evocative, emotionally powerful and romantic–everything a western historical romance should be.
	KISMET, by Monica Burns The New Year brings another unusual–and unusually wonderful–historical romance, KISMET by Monica Burns. KISMET is set in Morocco of the late 19th century, and features a courtesan heroine and a sheikh as the hero and heroine. I loved the details of life in Morocco that Monica includes, and the steamy romance between Allegra and Shaheen is as hot as it comes. Just a fabulous read!
	THE LOST ENCHANTRESS, Patricia Coughlin RITA award-winning author Patricia Coughlin makes her Berkley debut with this wonderful, lyrical, and magical contemporary romance about a modern woman who gave up her magical heritage after tragedy strikes, but learns that life–and love–have other plans for her. I love Pat’s writing and her enormously appealing characters, and I really think you will too.

FEBRUARY

ARCHANGEL’S KISS, Nalini Singh Ever since ANGELS’ BLOOD was published, I’ve been deluged with readers who wanted to know when the sequel was coming. Well, the wait is nearly over–and if you loved ANGELS’ BLOOD, I can honestly say I think you’ll love ARCHANGEL’S KISS even more! Guild Hunter Elena Deveraux has finally awakened from her year long coma, and she’s been transformed. Her lover, the archangel Raphael, is still one of the sexiest heroes I’ve ever read, and the sexual tension between them is off the charts! And the world Nalini has created is even more fascinating here.

BLOOD MAGIC, Eileen Wilks Eileen has created one of my all-time favorite couples in Lily Yu and Rule Turner, and I love what Eileen has done with their relationship, and how much it breathes and grows from book to book. Lily and Rule are now engaged, but that doesn’t signify the end of their problems since both families have issues with their upcoming marriage–for one thing, she’s Chinese, and he’s a werewolf. Definitely a clash of cultures. But wedding plans go on the backburner when an ancient enemy of Lily’s grandmother comes to town. This book is a marvelous combination of paranormal romance and urban fantasy, and I can’t wait for the next Lily and Rule story.

Cindy Hwang is the executive editor of Berkley who is actively seeking fresh voices in romance. In her spare time, she enjoys Bravo Reality TV and cinema remakes of comic books.

We are giving away bound galleys of:

• THE TAKING, Erin McCarthy (2 galleys)
• NAKED DRAGON, Annette Blair (2 galleys)
• WICKED ENCHANTMENT, Anya Bast (3 galleys)
• BLOOD MAGIC by Eileen Wilks (3 galleys)
• NAUTI DECEPTIONS, Lora Leigh (3 galleys)
• ACCIDENTALLY DEMONIC, Dakota Cassidy (3 galleys)
• THE LOST ENCHANTRESS, Patricia Coughlin (3 galleys)
• ATLANTIS REDEEMED by Alyssa Day (2 galleys)
• PIECES OF SKY by Kaki Warner (1 galley)
• THE LOST by J.D. Robb (1 galley)
• MISTRESS BY MISTAKE by Susan Gee Heino (1 galley)
• A TAPESTRY OF SPELLS by Lynn Kurland (1 galley)
• THE TAKING by Erin McCarthy (1 galley)
• NAKED DRAGON by Annette Blair ( 1 galley)
• STREET GAME by Christine Feehan (1 galley)
• MOON CRAVING by Lucy Monroe (1 galley)
• VAMPIRES HATE THEIR THIGHS by Gerry Bartlett (1 galley)
• BONE MAGIC by Yasmine Galenorn (1 galley)

We are giving away 31 books to 31 people. Please leave a comment with your first choice, your second choice and your favorite Berkley/Jove book.

Related posts:

1. BERKLEY Fall Fantastic Preview and Giveaway
2. Berkley Jove Giveaway for June July August Books
3. ACE/ROC Holiday Giveaway