Free Book Friday!

Today the 12 Days of A CHRISTMAS BALL Blog Tour is off to a new romance site--Romantic Crush Junkies! And for the first time ever, we're giving away a copy of A CHRISTMAS BALL to a commenter (along with a couple backlist books) so there will be 3 winners today!

Start your weekend early and come join the party!

PS: Friday is my regular day to post at The Chatelaines. I'm on a tear about being a "pleaser." If you know what that means, you probably are one. Come share!

Spear Carriers and Supernumeraries!

When I was singing professional opera, the chorus was dubbed the "spear carriers" because the men especially often stood by to make the scene more spectacular by carrying . . . well, spears. However, the secondary characters and the chorus played an essential role in telling the tale. And even in a novella length story, the heroine and heroine need a few others to carry the story ball from time to time. Today at PopSyndicate USA Today Bestseller Jennifer Ashley, Alissa Johnson and I talk about the extras in A CHRISTMAS BALL!

Just think how many boring "mulling things over" scenes there would be if the heroine didn't have a confidante. Who would the hero turn to when the heroine vexed him beyond bearing if he didn't have a best bud? Secondary characters are essential and we're happy to share a few of ours.

Please pop over to PopSyndicate today to learn a bit more about these important second bananas. 2 commenters will win a backlist book from me or Alissa Johnson!

ttys,
Em

Christmas Plunder Down Under

If you follow my blog, you're already familiar with The Eclectic Reader . Teddy-ree sent me the pic of this delightful little reading circle when VEXING THE VISCOUNT came out. And she was instrumental in organizing (dare I say it?)Emily Bryan Week (even now that sounds so weird to my Midwestern ears!) a few months back at THE ROYAL REVIEWS, a terrific group Aussie blog.

And now, Teddy's helping me get the word out again by hosting Jennifer Ashley, Alissa Johnson and me at The Eclectic Reader . We're talking Christmas recipes in honor of our upcoming A CHRISTMAS BALL, so please come share your favorite holiday goodie! We're giving away books to 2 lucky commenters, of course.

ttys,
Emily





RSVP at your favorite bookseller!

Day 7 ~ Pillow Talk!

The 12 Days of A CHRISTMAS BALL Blog Tour is at Pillow Talk today. Hope you'll come over and join us!

Whenever I do my workshop on characterization, I always ask for people to name their favorite hero. No one waits long enough to raise their hands to be called on. The names fly fast and furious, as though folks can't wait to share their favs.

Then I ask for favorite heroines. Silence reigns. Finally a brave soul will lift their hand and ask, "How about Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz?"

Which tells me that I need to do a better job creating memorable heroines. Jennifer Ashley, Alissa Johnson and I tried to do just that in A CHRISTMAS BALL. And we're talking about our heroines at Pillow Talk today. Come on over and leave a comment for a chance to win a free book from my backlist or Alissa Johnson's!

Day 6 ~ How do you celebrate Christmas?

USA Today Bestseller Jennifer Ashley, Alissa Johnson and I are guest blogging at FreshFiction today.



We're talking about celebrating Christmas in honor of our upcoming release A CHRISTMAS BALL! Ok, I know it's early and you're not in the holiday mood, but if you pop over and leave a comment, I'll share a cup of cyber-wassail with you. And you'll have 3 chances to win a title from our backlists!

Not a bad way to stuff your own stocking!

Jingling all the way,
Emily

Help from a Friend!

Isn't this a cool blog tour badge? It was made for me by my friend, Bobbie of Book Reviews by Bobbie ! I'm always in awe of Photoshop skills. I think she did a brilliant job. Thanks, Bobbie! The 12 Days of A CHRISTMAS BALL Blog Tour will be visiting her site on the 28th--one day from our release date!

And while I'm saying thank you, let me add my appreciation for all our blog hosts this week! They provide a venue for authors to speak to readers without asking for anything in return. We had a great time at RomanceBuyTheBook, Love is an Exploding Cigar, Yankee Romance Reviewers, Romance Junkies, and The Romance Studio. If you don't normally follow those blogs, let me encourage you to put them on your list.

As you know, I did a solo 50 day/50 blog tour for the release of VEXING THE VISCOUNT last January-February. This blog tour has been a very different experience for me. For one thing, since it's so much shorter I can already see the light at the end of the blog tunnel. I'm not recovering from major surgery so pain isn't a distraction this time. And I've been power-blogging for a while now, so it doesn't feel so odd to hurl my thoughts into cyberspace any more. But the nicest part of this blog tour has been coordinating it with my co-authors, Jennifer Ashley and Alissa Johnson. They are awesome, creative and so giving of their time, even though they are both heads down on deadlines!

And thanks to all of you, my blog touristas! You make each stop along the way such fun!

Hope to see you each day!
Em

A Christmas Kiss!

The 12 Days of A CHRISTMAS BALL Blog Tour is at The Romance Studio today. And we're sharing exclusive excerpts from each of our novellas featuring a Christmas kiss!

Please pop over to join us and leave a comment. You just might win a freebie!

Also, Fridays are my regular posting days at The Chatelaines, a group blog I share with CL Wilson, Joy Nash, Jennifer Ashley, Gerri Russell, Bonnie Vanak and Cindy Holby. I'm afraid I'm on a bit of a rant today, but I'd enjoy hearing from you there, too!

Have a great weekend!