Right now I'm trying to schedule my blog tour for Haunted Honeymoon, which means that I actually have to look at a real calendar instead of just googling "calendar" and trying to figure out what day it is.  One day slips into another here in the foggiest, coldest summer I've ever experienced.  It's hot tea drinking, sweater wearing, thick socks cold.

Happy Hour at Casa Dracula just got a great review from Abigail at All Things Urban Fantasy:

Funny and urban fantasy are not words that often go together, at least not intentionally, but Happy Hour at Casa Dracula is the rare exception combining cool characters, witty dialogue, and laugh out loud moments in this Jane Austen channeled vampire romp.

The reviews are beginning to come in for Haunted Honeymoon, including this one from Jeanette at Today & Everyday:

I must say it is one of the most satisfying endings I've ever read, like delicious red velvet cupcakes yum! In Haunted Honeymoon you can definitely see Milagro's growth and change from book 1 and she has matured a great deal while still being true to her sassy, flirty self. She is a strong, kick ass chica that will forever be one of my favorites and while I am sad that her story is over, I am happy for the love and HEA she finally receives and deserves.

You know, after I had my first book published, a reader complained that there was "no HEA," and I had no idea what she meant.  I did an internet search, figured out that she probably didn't mean the Homer Electrical Association, and found out that HEA stands for Happily Ever After.  Who knew?  Well, Milagro certainly does get the ending she's earned in Haunted Honeymoon.

So here's the scoop!  The Shadow Girl of Birch Grove, my little orphan story that was being passed from one place to another and ignored, has been bought by Tor Books.   I walk around the house saying to The Spouse, "I'm very happy." 

As some of you know, I posted the entire manuscript over at Scribd as a free read.  I believed my Young Adult gothic was as good as my comedies, and I didn't understand why editors were either passing on it or ignoring it. (My agent still hasn't heard from some editors.) I was as angry and defensive as a mother who saw her homely, but marvelous child pushed aside while pretty vapid children were being praised.

I didn't care anymore if Shadow Girl was bought or not.  I just wanted it read and appreciated.

My marketing savant friend Michael has been telling me to post my writing for free. Naturally, I didn't believe him, because I'm pretty sure that marketing was Satan's minor at Damn U.  However, Michael's always annoyingly right.  Then Ransom Stephens told me about Scribd. Ransom's a phsyicist with a way cool name, so naturally I trust his opinions.

My thinking was something like, "Okay, fine, whatever, at least people will see it."  After I posted the manuscript, I blogged about it, tweeted about it, and mentioned it in newsletters and my other sites.  It was my pathetic version of a "My child's an honor student" bumper sticker. The number of reads rose at Scribd.  The book was reviewed by a few blogs and one reviewer, Amanda at Love Vampires, loved Shadow Girl so much that she designed a cover.  (Thanks, Amanda!)

An editor at Tor, where my book had been submitted,  contacted my agent and expressed interest.  I don't know the book's popularity at Scribd had anything to do with the interest. However, the reviews and readers' response became part of my agent's pitch to the editor.

So when a headline says, "Author posts book for free and gets book deal!" there's is not a clear cause and effect. A more accurate headline would be, "Author toils for years, gets good reviews, but moderate sales, and eventually sells another book which may or may not be connected to her embittered decision to post a neglected manuscript as a free read."

Yeah, I like the magical version better, too.

Now the funny part is that this story (the magical book sale version) has been picked up all over.  Even in the New Yorker's book blog.  I mentioned in the same blog as Martin Amis. I have a thing about Martin Amis, because a friend once told me, "I thought by now I'd be having dinner with Martin Amis." She didn't add, "Instead of a nitwit like you," but she didn't have to.  I've kinda resented Martin ever since.

I was really delighted when my editor sent me the new cover for Casa Dracula Book Four.  We've decided to shorten the title from Haunted Honeymoon at Casa Dracula to Haunted Honeymoon.  I'd just been blogging about black-and-blue themed covers that I liked and I had a secret wish that I could have a black-and-blue theme on my cover.  I didn't mention this to my editor, because I thought we had to continue the earlier red-black-white scheme.  So the shift in colors was a happy surprise.

One of my readers mentioned that the model looks like Natalie Dormer, who plays Anne Bolyn in BBC's The Tudors.  She does!  Although if Milagro had gotten stuck with Henry, there wouldn't have been any beheading or subsequent wives.  Also, the Royal Court would have had margaritas much earlier.

I like my cover model's mischievous smile.  You know she's fun.

I've seen the first few reviews of Haunted Honeymoon, and they're wonderful!  I'll share them when they're official.  I'll also be giving updates on an exciting new writing project.

Happy Hour at Casa Dracula was just included in a new summer reading list from Gozamos!

FOR THOSE WHO LOVED THE TWILIGHT SAGA

Hell, even if you didn’t like Twilight, you will love this vampire book! Happy Hour at Casa Dracula By Marta Acosta is written from the point of view of a bored-out-of-her-mind writer named Milagro de Los Santos. The broken-hearted Latina is having a bit of trouble getting over an ex who did her wrong. At a book party Milagro runs into a mysterious man- a vampire perhaps?

Nope, this book is not a cheesy romance novel (I promise!). The things that happen are a little over the top but you’ll laugh at the characters’ clumsiness and wit. I really enjoyed the mix of the modern, present setting with the Gothic Victorian narrative style the book had for describing the vampires. You’ll devour it quickly: each chapter will leave you wanting to read more. If your looking for something on the romantic side but still has a sense of humor, I’d recommend this book!

Last week I was busy because my new book, Nancy's Theory of Style, was released under my pen-name, Grace Coopersmith.  The reviews have been quite wonderful and the general consensus seems to be that this is exactly the right sort of funny, romantic, heartwarming book for the summer. 

“Nancy’s Theory of Style is a witty, emotion-packed contemporary romance novel, which will leave you longing for the story to go on.  I loved this story. Five Blue Ribbons.” — Romance Junkies

“Nancy’s Theory of Style is a spectacular read! Perfect for the beach! Nancy has so many interesting quirks I was either laughing out loud, smiling, or just shaking my head.  I was rooting for her through-out the whole book.” — Minding Spot

“Nancy’s Theory of Style is a laugh out read! You don’t want to miss this book…whether you are commuting to work, taking a road trip or heading to the beach. Nancy is a hoot. If she was real, I would be friends with her.” — Cheryl’s Book Nook

You can find out more at my Grace Coopersmith website.

In other news, my next Casa Dracula book will have the titled changed to Haunted Honeymoon.  The galleys just came out, and now I'm looking at books about honeymoons to see the cover art.  So far the one above is my favorite, but, really, what is going on with that weird vase and floral arrangement?

Next week, on June 3, I will be having a signing at Books Inc. in Berkeley, CA for Nancy's Theory of Style.   When my first book came out, I was quite flustered and excited about the launch.  I had it catered, there was wine, a band played, invitations went out a month in advance.  One of my author friends said that expecting friends and family to come every time is like expecting them to see you in the same play over and over.  So I'm relaxing a bit over the event.  I do hope a few people will show up.