::May 2008
Well, the big news this month in Campbellandia is that CLAIMING THE COURTESAN won the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award for Best First Historical Romance. Yay, Kylemore and Verity. Congratulations to all the other winners, especially my fellow Avon authors, not to mention fabulously talented New Zealand author Nalini Singh who won Best Paranormal Action-Adventure Romance for CARESSED BY ICE. You can find a complete list of winners here.
I didn't get to go to the convention, sadly. It's just too far away. But it sounds like everyone had a great time. Here's a fabbo picture, courtesy of Terri Osburn, of my fellow Romance Bandit Donna MacMeans, in her trademark Victorian riding hat, with author Sally MacKenzie.
Monday, 5th to Sunday, 11th May ~ Harlequin Nocturne author Pamela Palmer, Harlequin Intrigue author Pat White and I are contributing to a Pro Boot Camp. We're talking about how to survive a long wait until you sell.
Wednesday, 7th May ~ my regular spot on Romance Bandits.
Friday, 9th May ~ I'm on Tote Bags 'n' Blogs.
Saturday, 10th May ~ I'm hosting Annie West at the Romance Bandits. Annie will be talking about her new release THE GREEK TYCOON'S UNEXPECTED WIFE and there will be giveaways!
Wednesday, 21st May ~ Pamela Palmer will be my guest on Romance Bandits. Pam will be talking about her new Nocturne release DARK DECEIVER and there will be more giveaways.
Tuesday, 27th May ~ I'll be visiting Writers at Play for a very special day which just MIGHT include a sneak preview of my forthcoming Regency noir TEMPT THE DEVIL. Pop in for fun and prizes!
Don't forget for updates on where and when I'm blogging, visit my HarperCollins author page.
Some more lovely news is that Avon in Australia have released their list of top ten bestselling romances of the last 12 months. Imagine my delight when I saw that UNTOUCHED came in at number three and CLAIMING THE COURTESAN came in at number four. Thank you so much to all the romance fans in Australia who gave such support to a debut local author!
I've just received my beautiful Italian cover (left). IL CUORE DI UNA CORTIGIANA (The Heart of a Courtesan) will be released by Mondadori in June. For any Italian readers, I'll be blogging (in translation) on Rosa Is for Romance on Monday, 26th May.
Good news (this edition seems to be full of it) for Paula Roe who does such a wonderful job every month with my website. Paula has finaled in the Colorado Romance Writers Award of Excellence with her debut romance FORGOTTEN MARRIAGE. Her latest Silhouette Desire release is BOARDROOMS & A BILLIONAIRE HEIR, part of the Diamonds Down Under series.
Good news too for my wonderful critique partner, Annie West, whose sublime FOR THE SHEIKH'S PLEASURE has been shortlisted for the Oklahoma Romance Writers National Readers' Choice Award. Annie's latest US release is the fabulously sexy THE GREEK TYCOON'S UNEXPECTED WIFE.
My latest review for Romance Novel TV is up. I'm talking about Linda Howard's wonderful CRY NO MORE. Keep an eye on the site during the month for my review of Loretta Chase's new release YOUR SCANDALOUS WAYS.
This month's favorite things talks about one of my all-time favorite books A COUNTESS BELOW STAIRS by Eva Ibbotson. This month's contest is a Presents Spectacular where I'm giving TWO lucky visitors to my website the chance to win a pack of four great Presents books plus some Anna Campbell goodies.
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::April 2008
HOT OFF THE PRESSES! Romance Writers of America have announced the RITA and Golden Heart finalists for this year. I'm astonished but mighty pleased to say that both UNTOUCHED and CLAIMING THE COURTESAN have been nominated in the Best Regency Historical category. Congratulations to my sublimely talented fellow finalists in the category - Julia Quinn, Nicola Cornick and Shana Galen. Congratulations also to the wonderful Aussie and New Zealand girls who are up for awards:
~ Anne Gracie for THE PERFECT KISS in the RITA Historical Romance category
~ Kelly Hunter for SLEEPING PARTNER in the RITA Contemporary Series Romance category
~ Emily Gee for THIEF WITH NO SHADOW. Emily is a double RITA finalist receiving recognition in the Best First
Book category and also in the best Strong Romantic Elements categories. Wow!
Book category and also in the best Strong Romantic Elements categories. Wow!
~ Helene Young for "Beyond the Borders" in the Golden Heart Romantic Suspense category
~ Tracey O'Hara for "Night's Cold Kiss" in the Golden Heart Paranormal category.
~ Tracey O'Hara for "Night's Cold Kiss" in the Golden Heart Paranormal category.
Congratulations also to my Bandita buddies Kim Howe who finaled in the Golden Heart Romantic Suspense category with "One Shot, Two Kills" and Susan Seyfarth who finaled TWICE in the Golden Heart Single Title Romance category with "Money, Honey" and "The Princess Project." Gosh, Smoov, you're smokin'!
Congratulations also to regular visitor to the lair, Pamela Bolton-Holifield, who finaled in the Regency Historical section of the Golden Heart with her manuscript "Lost in Love".
More wonderful news! In the All About Romance Annual Reader Poll, I was voted Best New Author of 2007. CLAIMING THE COURTESAN also received an honorable mention in the Guilty Pleasures Category. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone who voted for me!
For readers in Australia and New Zealand, look out for my short story LADY KATE'S SCOUNDREL in April's Australian Women's Weekly. It's a tale of adventure and love set in Regency Oxfordshire and I must admit I rather like the hero!
There's another very nice review for UNTOUCHED out in cyberspace. Please check out Nightowl Romance Reviews.
My latest review on Romance Novel TV is up. It's for Laura Lee Guhrke's wonderful historical romance THE WICKED WAYS OF A DUKE.
Two great books to look out for this month. The first is a UK release by my fabulous critique partner Annie West and it's part of an anthology released to celebrate Mills & Boon's centenary. THE BILLIONAIRE'S BOUGHT MISTRESS is a fantastic tale of passion and emotion. Don't miss it. You can buy the anthology here.
::March 2008
A great month for foreign release news! My beautiful German edition of UNTOUCHED which has been retitled ZART WIE DIE NACHT ('Tender Is the Night' is my translation) is on the shelves. Or you can buy the book here. Also in news just in, CLAIMING THE COURTESAN is going to the Land of the Rising Sun. Yes, Japanese readers will have the chance to discover Verity and Kylemore's turbulent relationship. Huzzah!
Some more good news. CLAIMING THE COURTESAN has been chosen as Best First Single Title Romance of 2007 (Debut Author) in the Single Titles.com Readers Choice poll. Thank you to everyone who voted! UNTOUCHED also received a very nice review at Single Titles.com. And another at Romance Reviews Today.
February was a busy month for being out and about. Susan Parisi and I gave a talk on Writing the Dark Historical at Nambour Library on 6th February (left) which attracted some intensely interested patrons and garnered some great questions. On 21st February, I appeared solo as the guest of the Friends of Maroochydore Library to talk about my romance writing journey. We had a full house and it was wonderful to see so many people there. Thank you to everyone who attended both events.
I also met the winners of the "Win Afternoon Tea with Anna Campbell" contest that Avon in Australia ran. I got to enjoy two sumptuous feasts. The first was at the Stamford Plaza in Brisbane where I joined the winner, Sue, and her guest Loris and we all chowed down on the fabulous chocolate buffet. In Sydney, the two winners were Kim and Robyn. Robyn brought as her guest fellow writer, Meryl. We all congregated for morning tea at the gorgeous Queen Victoria Tea Rooms and drank French champagne and ate petits fours (very delicately, I promise you). Congratulations again to the winners and thank you to everyone who entered the contest. It was great fun hosting the events! There are more photos on my HarperCollins author page.
Anna Campbell and Brisbane winner Sue at the Stamford Plaza.
Anna Campbell, Kim, Robyn and Meryl enjoy morning tea at the Queen Victoria Tea Rooms in Sydney.
I'd like to introduce you to the new man in my life (right). We bonded over a very funny blog on 1st February over at The Sisterhood of the Jaunty Quills, which coincidentally happens to be my beau's name. OK, he can be a bit prickly at times but for a porcupine, he's pretty sexy! Seriously, this was one of the most fun days I've ever had blogging! Thanks, girls!
::February 2008
Life has been so busy lately and looks like it’s going to stay that way for a while. Just goes to show no rest for the wicked! Oh, well, at least I’m not stuck for copy for my latest news column ;-)
First up, some nice accolades for UNTOUCHED:
The Mystic Castle loved UNTOUCHED and said, “Anna Campbell adds a new and powerful voice to historical romance.” Five Hearts.
Realms on our Bookshelves also loved the green monster and awarded UNTOUCHED a shooting star which they give to books which change their world. To find the review, click on the review tab on the home page then follow the prompts. You’ll also find an interview with me if you click on "authors up close and personal".
Rakehell, which specialises in reviews of Regency-set historicals, called UNTOUCHED “easily one of the best reads of 2007.”
Kate Cuthbert, who writes a column on romance every week in Brisbane’s Courier-Mail, chose her top 10 romances for 2007 and I’m delighted to say the green monster came in at number six. Kate had this to say: “Though she made her splash debut with the controversial CLAIMING THE COURTESAN, Campbell’s sophomore effort really showcases her dark, gothic feel and strong literary style.” Kate runs a readers group in Brisbane called Brisbane Romance Reading Addicts (BRRAddicts) and recently some of the members discovered my book on a book crawl.
I’m doing a couple of library talks followed by book signings in February so if you’re near the Sunshine Coast area in Australia, please join me.
12pm, Wednesday, 6th February, 2008 – Writing the Dark Historical with Susan Parisi, author of BLOOD OF DREAMS, Nambour Library, Currie Street, Nambour. Free (refreshments will be served). Bookings essential: 5441 8332
5pm, Thursday, 21st February, 2008 – Friends of Maroochydore Library present Anna Campbell’s Romance Writing Journey, Maroochydore Library, 44 Sixth Avenue, Maroochydore. $5 (refreshments will be served). Bookings essential: 5475 8900.
A new gig I’m really looking forward to is a monthly book review on Romance Novel TV. My first review , Loretta Chase’s immortal LORD OF SCOUNDRELS, is up now.
Now, some Bandita news. The fabulous Trish Milburn is through to the fourth round of Romantic Times Book Reviews American Title IV contest with her brilliant paranormal "Out of Sight". To vote for Trish, just click on this button. Bandita Christie Kelley has a huge amount to celebrate this month with the release of her debut historical romance EVERY NIGHT I’M YOURS. It sounds like such a sexy read so check it out. Congratulations, my talented Bandita buddy!
I’ve posted a new article to the website. It’s about the indefinable magic of the writer’s voice so please check it out! And don’t forget the contest for the amazing bag of Christine Wells and Anna Campbell prizes continues through this month. Just tell us which heroine of historical romance you would be and join in the fun. My Favorite Things this month is a tribute to the late Heath Ledger and talks about one of my favorite films Ten Things I Hate About You.
Brraddicts member Elle Gardner shares the love in Dymocks.
Brraddicts celebrate Anna Campbell.
::January 2008
Happy New Year, everyone! May 2008 be full of happiness and health and success and love and stacks of good books!
My happy new year started early. The gorgeous trade paperback edition of UNTOUCHED is out this month in Australia and New Zealand. So exciting!
Adding to my general euphoria, UNTOUCHED has been getting some lovely reviews. Romantic Books, a very popular European site, called UNTOUCHED "a love story that will replace all your own best and secret fantasies." Five Stars. Kwips and Critiques gave it five klovers when they chose the book as their recommended read for December, calling it "unforgettable and heart-rending."
As ever, the Bandits have been on spotter duty for the green monster. Here are two photos of fellow Banditas with UNTOUCHED in US bookstores.
I'm delighted to announce CLAIMING THE COURTESAN has been honored in Lifetime TV's Romance: B(u)y the Book's list of best romances of 2007. It won for best debut novel and Michelle Buonfiglio also chose CTC as her book of the year. Wow! CTC was the only book to win in two categories. I'm feeling utterly flabbergasted at such an amazing accolade for my first book!
(L-R): Donna MacMeans and Cassondra Murray clutching the green monster in West Virginia.
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And my good friend Louisa Cornell spotted this wonderful Christmas window display at Tammy's Book Basket in Wetumpka, Alabama.
A treat before Christmas was an author lunch with my critique partner and great friend Annie West. As many of you know if you check my website regularly, Annie and I made a deal back when we were unpublished that if ever we sold a book, we'd take the other one out for a swish lunch. It was Annie's turn to celebrate the sale of her fantastic THE SHEIKH'S RANSOMED BRIDE (yes, we are a bit behind). We had a marvelous day, including a visit from a large pod of dolphins, at Jonah's Restaurant right on the beach in Newcastle. Much giggling and champagne and fabulous food was had. Thank you, Annie!
Thanks to everyone who supported my world blog tour! This month's blogs include:
Thursday, 3rd January, 2008 - Interview with Linda Cardillo, Tara Taylor Quinn and Jean Brashear on Romance Bandits. They'll give away a copy of their new Harlequin SuperRomance anthology THE VALENTINE GIFT to one lucky commenter
Wednesday, 9th January, 2008 - I'm blogging on Tote Bags'n'Blogs.
Thursday, 10th January, 2008 - I'm interviewing fabulous Aussie author Bronwyn Jameson on Romance Bandits about her new Harlequin Desire release VOWS & A VENGEFUL GROOM. Pop in and see us for lots of fun and prizes.
Wednesday, 16th January, 2008 - I'm guest blogging on Simply Romance Reviews.
Monday, 21st January, 2008 - I'm interviewing one of my very favorite writers, the brilliant Anne Gracie, about her new release THE STOLEN PRINCESS. Lots of laughs and giveaways so come over to Romance Bandits.
Don't forget for updates on where and when I'm blogging, visit my HarperCollins author page.
More Bandita news! Tawny Weber's second Blaze DOES SHE DARE? is out this month. Here's the blurb:
Petite powerhouse Isabel Santos is utterly unafraid to take what she wants…at least in her career. In her love life, not so much. So Isabel creates the Man Plan, a wicked wish list of sexual fantasies. What a time for Isabel's teenage super-crush to roll back into town-bad boy Dante Luciano still figures in her hottest daydreams and is very willing to help cross items off her naughty list. But in the wild tangle of their bodies, can their hearts escape unscathed?
Sounds like a great sexy romp. Can't wait to read it.
This month's contest is another huge one so I'm spreading it over two months. I'm running it in conjunction with my friend Christine Wells, author of the wonderful SCANDAL'S DAUGHTER. Amongst a plethora of goodies, the winner will collect a signed hardcover of UNTOUCHED, a signed copy of SCANDAL'S DAUGHTER and an ARC of Christine's next release THE DANGEROUS DUKE. I've read this book about a duke who accidentally steals a lady's erotic diary and believe me, it's mind-bogglingly good. For full details of prizes and what you have to do win, click here.
I'm talking about a wonderful surprise gift I received in this month's My Favorite Things. Check it out!
My Bandita Buddy Trish Milburn has made it through to the third round of Romantic Times Book Reviews American Title IV! Huzzah! Huge congratulations, my talented friend. Please vote for Trish's brilliant entry "Out of Sight". The final prize is a publishing contract and I'd love her to win. Just click on the button to cast your vote.
WIN CLAIMING THE COURTESAN!
Great new Harlequin Presents author Jennie Lucas is running a competition through her website until the end of May and she's giving away two copies of the book she calls her "absolute favorite romance she's read all year." Jennie also gave CTC a wonderful review here. Jennie's latest release is THE SPANIARD'S DEFIANT VIRGIN which is out in the US in May.
Friday, 1st February – Jaunty Quills, the world’s sexiest porcupine, interviews me over on The Sisterhood of the Jaunty Quills. I’m giving away a signed copy of UNTOUCHED to some lucky commenter.
Friday, 1st February – I’m interviewing fabulous Mills & Boon Medical author Amy Andrews on the Romance Bandits. There will be giveaways!
Sunday, 3rd February – I’m interviewing romance powerhouse Lucy Monroe on Romance Bandits. More giveaways!
Saturday, 9th February – I have my regular monthly blog on Tote Bags’n’Blogs.
Sunday, 10th February – my regular monthly blog on Romance Bandits.
Don't forget for updates on where and when I'm blogging, visit my HarperCollins author page.
Anna Sugden with the green monster in New Jersey.
CLAIMING THE COURTESAN has been nominated for Best First Historical Romance of 2007 in Romantic Times Book Reviews Reviewers' Choice Awards!
All text within this site is (c) Anna Campbell. All design is (c) Paula Roe.
Reprinting any part of this website without prior permission is prohibited.
The next is THE SWIM CLUB, an Australian release by Anne de Lisle that I'm really looking forward to reading as I enjoyed her last release A GRAND PASSION so much. This story of friendship and secrets sounds great. You can buy THE SWIM CLUB here.
This month's Favorite Things talks about a fun day I recently had down in Brisbane filming an interview with local television program Brisbane Extra. And don't forget to enter the Great Spring Cleaning Contest where you can win fantastic signed books from Marion Lennox, Christine Wells, Annie West and Stacey Kayne.
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::June 2008
I can hardly believe it's June already! I feel like I just had Christmas! Aaaarrrgggh!
Anyway, having had that meltdown, let's see what's been happening. More good news on the contest circuit for CLAIMING THE COURTESAN. My debut has finaled in the Best Long Historical section of the Greater Detroit Romance Writers of America 2008 Booksellers' Best Award. Winners will be announced in July at the RWA National Conference but you can see the list of nominees here.
For all those readers who contacted me about where they could find my Regency short story LADY KATE'S SCOUNDREL, featured in April's Australian Women's Weekly, I've got good news. The wonderful folk at the Australian office of Avon have included it on their website. You don't need to register, just click here.
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Other good news for June is the Italian version of CLAIMING THE COURTESAN, IL CUORE DI UNA CORTIGIANA, is out from Mondadori. You can see the lovely cover in May's latest news. The Russian version of CTC is out in June too. The title apparently translates as 'Winning the High-Class Prostitute', um, perhaps CLAIMING THE COURTESAN? The cover is gorgeous, really romantic and fairytale, although I must say the Scottish Highlands look rather alpine all of a sudden!
As you know, I'm a member of the Romance Bandits blog. Last month, we achieved a milestone, a whole year together. Whoo-hoo, Banditas! You're a wonderful bunch of women! I'm eternally grateful we all finaled in the Golden Heart in 2006 together!
I'm still doing regular book reviews (about one a month) at Romance Novel TV. You can find my review of Loretta Chase's fantastic YOUR SCANDALOUS WAYS here. The next review should appear mid-June, all things being equal (which of course they rarely are!).
Some great books are due in June and the four I'm singling out are all by fellow writers who finaled in the 2006 Golden Heart contest. First up is Romance Bandit, Donna MacMeans whose second release THE TROUBLE WITH MOONLIGHT received a Top Pick in June's Romantic Times.
Next, another Bandita pal, Jeanne Adams, whose debut romantic suspense DARK AND DANGEROUS also received an RT Top Pick. Yay, Jeanne. I've been dying to read this book ever since I met you!
Yet another Bandita, Beth Andrews, debuts with Harlequin SuperRomance with what sounds like an amazing emotional rollercoaster, NOT WITHOUT HER FAMILY.
Another book I'm really excited about is Pamela Palmer's second Esri book for Harlequin Nocturne. I absolutely loved her debut THE DARK GATE. Now I have DARK DECEIVER to look forward to. Don't forget to check out my interview with Pam on Romance Bandits on 21st May.
My current contest gives TWO lucky entrants the chance to win four Harlequin Presents books by Anne McAllister, Annie West, Jennie Lucas and Trish Morey. My Favorite Things this month is the first of several columns about research and research books.
My latest review is up on Romance Novel TV. It's about Connie Brockway's fantastic SKINNY DIPPING. Another book I'm really looking forward to reading has just hit the shelves. It's Sophia Nash's THE KISS, which Romantic Times Book Reviews chose as a Top Pick in February. Sophia's DANGEROUS BEAUTY was a great read and this new one sounds just as luscious.
Finally, this month's contest, which continues through April, offers one lucky entrant the chance to win four fantastic signed books from great authors Marion Lennox, Annie West, Christine Wells and Stacey Kayne. My Favorite Things this month lists my top 11 soundtracks. See you in April!
Thursday, 5th June ~ I'm interviewing great Avon debut historical author Olivia Parker about her release AT THE BRIDE HUNT BALL on Romance Bandits. There will be giveaways!
Tuesday, 10th June ~ my regular blog on Romance Bandits.
Friday, 13th June ~ my monthly blog on Tote Bags 'n' Blogs.
Don't forget for updates on where and when I'm blogging, visit my HarperCollins author page.
::July 2008
July is going to be such an exciting month! I'm
heading over to San Francisco for the
never been to SF before and it's a place that has been on my list for a long time. Not to mention I'll have a chance to hang out with a large number of my writing buddies. If you're in the San Francisco area on Wednesday, 30th July, try and get to the huge literacy signing at the San Francisco Marriott. And make sure you come and say hello. For more information on the conference and the literacy signing, check the RWA website. I'm blogging also about my conference experiences on the Romance Writers of America site on Thursday, 31st July at 4pm. Please come by and say hello!
My major news is CLAIMING THE COURTESAN has been nominated for a 2008 Romantic Book of the Year Award in the mainstream category. This is open to any romantic novel written by an Australian or a New Zealander last year. There are two sections, category romance and mainstream. The winners are announced at the gala awards dinner at the Romance Writers of Australia conference in August. Congratulations to all the other finalists. The list was announced in The Woman's Day dated 16th June.
The cover for the German translation of my next book TEMPT THE DEVIL is up. Isn't it gorgeous? I think it's one of my favorite covers. Isn't that purple lovely? The title translates as FORBIDDEN EMBRACE which I really like and the models look very much like Olivia and Julian from the book. VERBOTENE UMARMUNG comes out from Blanvalet in February 2009.
On Thursday, 5th June, I was the guest of the Caloundra Pacific Rotary Club and I spoke about the romance fiction industry and my writing journey. It was a great night and it was wonderful to meet people who were so interested in the life of a writer.
Do you remember the afternoon tea with Anna Campbell competition earlier in the year? I've finally got the photographs up on my page of the HarperCollins website. Check them out if you get a chance. As you can see, both events were huge fun. A special thanks to Robyn Aldridge who took all the pictures for the Sydney event.
4pm, Thursday, 31st July - I'm blogging about my conference experiences on the Romance Writers of America site.
Thursday, 10th July - on Romance Bandits
Tuesday, 15th July - Tote Bags 'n' Blogs
Don't forget my regular reviews on Romance Novel TV. My latest is for DARK DECEIVER by Pamela Palmer - a great read!
And as always, for updates on where and when I'm blogging, visit my HarperCollins author page.
If you want some great Regency fun, check out my friend Christine Wells's new blog, A DANGEROUS DIARY which she's writing in the lead-up to the September release of her new book, THE DANGEROUS DUKE. Which I've read and thought was FANTASTIC! Hmm, if you could see me now, there would definitely be a gloating glint in my gaze!
Fellow RITA finalist and wonderful writer Nicola Cornick has a new book out in July. It's called UNMASKED and it's about a highwaywoman! I really enjoyed her recent book THE LAST RAKE IN LONDON which was set in the Edwardian era and featured an incredibly sexy hero in Jack Kestrel. You can see the extremely groovy trailer for UNMASKED here.
This month's contest runs through August as well. It's a celebration of my trip to San Francisco and my attendance at the RWA conference. Two lucky winners will get a San Francisco celebration pack, including signed books and souvenirs. This month's My Favorite Things is a continuation of last month's on research books and talks about books I'm using for my current work in progress.
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