Caren Johnson Literary Agency

Kelley’s book Kiss and Dwell is a top ten ebook on Harlequin’s website. Though not officially out until the second week of May, it is available on ebook format and apparently readers are taking advantage to get it before anyone else. I can sympathize. I’m the type of person who goes to sample sales so I can get the latest and the greatest shoes first. Why not do it with my books too? Check it out and let us know what you think.

Top 10 Bestsellers:

I’m addicted to these little quizzes that are supposed to reveal insights into your personality. This one is lots of fun (and I copied it off of my author Barb Caridad Ferrer’s blog so check hers out too). It’s strange how dead on some of these are; others just make me laugh. Of course now I’m taking a closer look at the books that I’m attracted to and thinking that maybe I am a dreamer, an escape artist, a high time roller and—gulp—a love bug. Does this mean I have to retire my dream of becoming Ari Gold (Vince’s agent in Entourage) or does this make me that much closer to being like him (minus some of the smarminess)? You be the judge.

And while we’re on the subject of pretty pictures, how about Barb’s new cover for her next YA novel It’s Not about the Accent. I’ve fallen in love with it. Let us know what you think.

Congratulations to Jennifer Echols and Kelley St. John for becoming finalists in the National Reader’s Choice Awards. Jennifer’s book Major Crush is up for best first book and best YA book and Kelley’s book Real Women Don’t Wear Size 2 is up for single title contemporary. I’m so proud of them; grab a copy of their books and let us know what you think. And don’t forget to enter the very cool contests they have—-you can score free books and free stuff to go with them (anyone interested in a spa vacation?).

I was at the bookstore yesterday afternoon browsing and was excited to see a memoir of one woman’s account on opening a beauty shop in Kabul. If you’re not familiar with it, the book is called Kabul Beauty School by Deborah Rodriguez. It struck me as I was standing in line with it that I’ve been on an odd kick with memoirs lately. I’m very much over the drug addiction kind, even though there are some fabulous ones that I’ve come to love (in fact, I was rereading Prozac Nation this weekend, though that balances depression with addiction). But I’m onto ones that more explore different cultures and different worlds than I’m used to. And for some reason I’m devouring ones located in the Middle East. I absolutely adored Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi, The Bookseller of Kabul by Asne Seierstad, and Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood by Marjane Satrapi. I think what draws me most to them is the inside look at another culture. I like seeing how it’s different from mine and how very similar it can be (for example no matter what culture you come from your mother will always deplore how thin you look and ask/demand to know how your love life is going). Check them out and let me know what you thought of them and I’ll let you know what I thought of Kabul Beauty School.

I’m very proud to announce that Kelley St. John has finaled in the Cameo Awards for the book trailer she created to go along with her new trilogy from Harlequin. The first book is called Kiss and Dwell so don’t forget to buy a copy today. Now to get in the mood for these sexy ghost stories, first watch the trailer and tell us what you think. Then starting in May, grab a copy of the book and have fun with the Vicknairs. Then check out the awards ceremony on May 5th here.