Two New Releases YA Gotta Read

Two of the most adorable people I know are celebrating book release fever right now.

Erica O’Rourke won the Golden Heart last year for her dark urban fantasy YA, TORN. Not only did she win a shiny piece of coveted jewellery, she got a fetching fluoro tiara courtesy of her MargaRITA mates AND a book deal. Now Erica is the lead author for Kensington’s brand-new K Teen line and TORN will be out “in the wild,” as she says, on June 28. She’ll be in New York signing at RWA’s literacy charity event on that very day. Go chase her for autograph — I will be! For more about K Teen, check out a statement here from editor Alicia Condon.

The MargaRITAS (L-R): Kim MacCarron, Shea Berkley, Erica O'Rourke with fetching fluoro-green tiara, me, Jen McAndrews, Carey Corp

I am ‘fairy’ excited about Amanda Ashby‘s latest, FAIRY BAD DAY. In this fun YA, Emma Jones is assigned the less-than-impressive role of fairy slayer. On the career scale, this is apparently a few rungs below ‘dragon slayer’ but it comes with its own fair share of monster-sized problems. Amanda’s light paranormals are a scream (YOU HAD ME AT HALO, THE ZOMBIE QUEEN OF NEWBURY HIGH). Great reads if you’re in the mood to LOL.

Congrats, Amanda and Erica!

I’m Not Dead! (but I am dead-tired)

Yes, it has been a while since I last posted. I’ve been busy with house reno stuff and prep for my trip to Orlando for the Golden Heart Awards. The awards were run last night and I’m uber happy to report one of my new BFFs, Erica O’Rourke, took out the best YA manuscript award. On top of that, Erica signed a three-book deal with Alicia Condon at Kensington!!!! Congrats! We 2010 YA finalists formed a close bond before heading to Orlando and we had a ball together all week. We missed double-finalist Shelley Coriell, though, as she was at SCBWI in L.A.

Also a winner was my lovely Aussie buddy Kylie Griffin. Kylie’s been blitzing contests in Aus and NZ, and it was only a matter of time before she conquered the US too! Congrats, Kylie!

Click here to see the full list of GH winners.

The awards are known as the Oscars of romance writing, so of course I have to post pictures of everyone in their finery. I’ll have more conference photos and gossip in the next few days.

Kim MacCarron, Shea Berkley, Erica O'Rourke (winner!), me, Jen McAndrews, Carey Corp - aka the 2010 GH YA finalists, aka the MargaRitas

Part of the Aussie contingent - me, Erica Hayes (top centre), Kylie Griffin (winner!), my date Anna Campbell in front.

Meg Cabot (!!!!) and me. Little does she know I'm hyperventilating in this shot.

Losers! From left, paranormal romance finalist Katrina Snow, Shea, me, Kim and Jen.

Me and Rosemary Clement-Moore, out-going prez of the YARWA chapter, former RITA winner and all-round fab person.

Our Kylie accepting her award in the paranormal category.

Jen and her roomie, Linda Gerber, author of the 'Death By...' series.

Winners! Jacqui Nelson (Historical category) and CJ Chase (Inspirational category).

Watch this blog for more photos to come!