I can’t believe it’s already May! One of my favorite months. Hmm. I need to name a character May.

Here’s what I’m up to…

I’ll be at the RT Booklovers Convention from May 1-May 5. If you’re in the Kansas City area on Saturday May 4th, stop by the GIANT BOOK FAIR at the Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center, 2345 McGee Street, Kansas City, Missouri. The book fair is from 11am – 2pm and will be chock full of romance authors!

I’m also thrilled to report that I’m currently writing a Christmas novella as part of the Secret Brides series. The story, It Happened Under the Mistletoe, will be released in late 2013. Stay tuned for more details!

No word yet on when my Say Yes to the Dress Atlanta episode will air but I’ll be sure to post it all over Facebook and Twitter and my website when it happens! Also, I’m going to be doing a video podcast for the Gretna Green, Scotland tourism board. How fun is that?

Finally, I’m hard at work on the first story in my new series based on famous romp plays. First up? A fun twist on Cyrano de Bergerac.

Lots of great things in the works. If you haven’t liked my Facebook Author page yet, please do! And you can always catch me on Twitter. I’m @ValerieGBowman.

In addition to April being the official release month for SECRETS OF A RUNAWAY BRIDE, I’ve got a lot of other fun things going on this month!

Say Yes to the Dress!

On Friday, March 26th, I was filmed for the reality TV show, Say Yes to the Dress, Atlanta! The show features brides shopping for their wedding gowns. I’m getting married in October, so this was the perfect show for me! What a fun experience.  No word yet on when the show will air, but I’ll keep you posted. And stay tuned because I’m going to be doing a related giveaway and it’s going to be B-I-G!

Upcoming Workshops!

In April, I’ll be delivering my new ‘Painless Marketing for Busy Authors‘ workshop! The workshop covers how to set up a marketing plan and the top 3 things you should be doing to promote your books! Join me Saturday, April 13th at 10:30 am at the First Coast Romance Writers meeting.

I’ll also be delivering a workshop on How to Sell to Any Publisher (Plus Contests & Agents) on Saturday, April 27th at 12:30pm at the Ancient City Romance Authors meeting.

Upcoming Signings!

Finally, I’ll be hitting the road this spring and summer and will be in the following locations for readings and signings. If you’re in any of these areas, please come out and say hello. I’d love to meet you!

RT Booklovers Convention Giant Book Fair

Sheraton Kansas City Hotel at Crown Center
2345 McGee Street
Kansas City, Missouri
05/04/2013
11am – 2pm

Historical Romance Book Signing with Elizabeth Hoyt and Jade Lee!

Barnes and Noble
65 N Market St
Champaign, IL
06/08/2013
2 pm – 4 pm

Lady Jane’s Romance Salon Naperville

Le Chocolat du Bouchard 
2nd Floor (aka The Loft)
129 South Washington Street
Naperville, IL
06/11/2013
7 pm

Romance Writers of America Literacy Autographing

Atlanta Marriott Marquis
265 Peachtree Center Avenue
Atlanta, GA
07/17/2013
5:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Upcoming Books!

And last but never least, my next e-novella (Frances and Charlie’s story) A SECRET AFFAIR comes out in July and then the long-awaited book 3 of the Secret Brides Series, SECRETS OF A SCANDALOUS MARRIAGE aka Medford’s story, comes out October 1! In the meantime, I’m busy, busy, busy writing my next series and it’s a super fun one! The first book is a twist on Cyrano de Bergerac featuring a saucy heroine with a sharp tongue and a hero who’s just back from Waterloo. Stay tuned!

Kirkus says: “A fun, delightful yet emotionally poignant late-Regency romance which succeeds on every level.”

and Night Owl Reviews says, “This was an absolutely delightful book and an author that I look forward to reading more from.”

Wednesday 3/20/13 - Romance at Random

Saturday 3/23/13 - Limecello: A Little Bit Tart, a Little Bit Sweet

Monday 3/25/13 - The Dashing Duchesses

Tuesday 3/26/ 13 – Heroes & Heartbreakers and Ramblings from this Chick

Wednesday 3/27/13 – Reading Romances

Thursday 3/28/13 - Bookworm 2 Bookworm, Rakes, Rogues, and Romance, and RT Book Reviews Blog

Friday 3/29/13 – Free Book Friday

Saturday 3/30/13 – Heather Snow’s March Sweet Madness

Monday – Friday 4/1/13 – 4/5/13 - Kieran Kramer’s blog

Tuesday 4/2/13 - Fresh Fiction

Wednesday 4/3/13 – Chicklets in the Kitchen

Thursday 4/4/13 - USA Today’s Happy Ever After

Thursday 4/11/13 – The Reading Frenzy

I’m thrilled to report that SECRETS OF A RUNAWAY BRIDE has been getting excellent reviews including a 4.5 star TOP PICK! from RT Book Reviews! I’m already giving away copies on GoodReads and Facebook (click the Giveaway link on my author page and while you’re there, don’t forget to Like my page)!

In March I’ll be attending the FCRW writers’ retreat featuring Bob Mayer  in beautiful Fernandina Beach, FL and I’ll be blogging for the Australian Romance Readers Association on 3/10.

Check back soon for the list of dates/locations for my Secrets of a Runaway Bride blog tour! I can’t wait for the fun to begin!

Here’s what they say,

“What a fantastic follow-up to Bowman’s dynamic debut as she delivers an enchanting, smart romance that shines with laugh-outloud humor, delectable dialogue, smart prose, wit and wisdom. This entertaining and highly satisfying romp is a pure joy and delight to read.”

The novel comes out March 26, 2013. I can’t wait to share it with you! And remember, if you’re interested, you can always pre-order!

A Secret Proposal Gets Rave Reviews!

This month, I’m so happy to announce that A Secret Proposal, my first e-novella, spent 4 weeks on the Amazon Hot New Regency Romance Releases list! It’s also getting raves reviews on both Amazon and GoodReads! Thank you to those of you who’ve read it and a special thanks to anyone who left a review. I really appreciate it.

What I’m Working on Now…

In February, I’m finishing writing my second novella and am gearing up for the release of Secrets of a Runaway Bride. I just can’t wait to share that fun, happy story with all of you. For a sneak peek at chapter 1, click here.

February Appearances…

First up, I’ll be participating in the fabulous Sealed with a Kiss: A Celebration of Love Valentine’s day blog event on Sunday, February 3rd. Amy and Thad from A SECRET PROPOSAL will be writing each other love letters. Stop by Ramblings from this Chick and Romancing Rakes for the Love of Romance to see their pre-story correspondence and enter to win some great giveaways including copies of A SECRET PROPOSAL!

Later in the month, I’ll be signing copies of SECRETS OF A WEDDING NIGHT at the Old City, New Blood Conference in St. Augustine, Florida on Sunday, February 10th. Then, I’ll be giving my workshop, How to Sell in a Three-book Print Deal to a Top NY Publishing House, for writers at the Tifton, Georgia library on Saturday, February 23rd from 1-3pm.

A SECRET PROPOSAL is book 1.5 in the SECRET BRIDES series and is the story of Amelia Templeton who tossed over Devon Morgan in SECRETS OF A WEDDING NIGHT after reading Lily’s scandalous pamphlet.

Later in the month, I’ll be at the Volusia County Romance Writers (January 19th) to give a workshop. I’ll be finishing out the month by writing another novella in the Secret Brides series and beginning the first story in my new series based on Romp plays! 2013 is going to be a great year. Happy New Year, everyone!

Buy A Secret Proposal!

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-a-Million

Don’t have an e-reader?  Here’s how you can get a copy!

This season, I’m excited to announce that my first novella, A Secret Proposal, will be published on 1/1/13. Part of the Secret Brides stories, this is the tale of what happened to Amelia Templeton, Devon’s original fiancee from Secrets of a Wedding Night. I had a blast writing it and I hope you enjoy it. It will be available in e-format only but if you’re interested, please sign up for my newsletter (at the bottom of my website).  I’ll be sending out instructions on how to get a copy if you don’t have an e-reader.

A SECRET PROPOSAL

After reading a scandalous pamphlet entitled SECRETS OF A WEDDING NIGHT and becoming scared half to death, Miss Amelia Templeton cried off from her fiance, the Marquis of Colton. But Amelia’s mother is set on seeing her daughter land a peer before the end of the Season. Amelia will do her duty. This time she has a list of the three oldest, most decrepit, and most titled gentlemen in the ton who are looking for a wife. She’ll marry one of them. But first she needs to conquer her fear of a wedding night. She enlists the help of the fourth man on her list. The one her mother would never allow her to see.

Mr. Thaddeus Hammond is a mere mister whose reputation is riddled with scandal. He’s also her dead brother’s closest friend. Thad has never told the story of what happened the night Amelia’s brother died, but Thad did make her a promise three years ago. He would do anything for Amelia, whenever she needed him. Amelia seeks out Thad to make good on his promise. She issues him a scandalous proposal: spend the night with her to show her the real secrets of a wedding night. Can Thad survive his own secrets and his guilt and resist the torture of making love to a woman he should never touch?

Want to read chapter 1?