Wednesday, July 08, 2009

No Stampede Required

As RWA's National Conference looms on the horizon, I've been having recurring nightmares about fondly remembering some of the remarkable behavior I witnessed during the three I attended. You never realize just how charming and endearing your own gender can be until you assemble two thousand of them under the same hotel roof with only three working elevators.

Aside from the grabfests in the goodie room, the con committee deadbolting the press room, and the impromptu booze-soaked cirque du soleil every night in and around the hotel bar, I think the stampede to get to the tables at the guest speaker luncheon was always the defining moment of the conference. Seriously, you have not lived until you've watched hundreds of grown women run and dodge and tussle with each other in an insane version of musical chairs as they try to grab the most desirable gratis hardcovers and paperbacks set out on the seats.

Being a handicapped person caught in that, well . . . you know that running of the bulls thing they do in Spain? This is scarier.

Still, I wanted to do a little personal tribute to RWA and everything I remember about going to their enormous con, so when I saw this today at the book store I thought "Ah, perfect."



For a chance to win a copy of what I predict will be the most desired and fought-over hardcover at RWA National (no stampede required) in comments to this post name the title of a book to be published in the near future that you are anticipating most (or if you're not waiting on anything to hit the shelves yet, just toss your name in the hat) by midnight EST tonight, Wednesday, July 8, 2009. I will draw four names at random from everyone who participates and send the winners an unsigned hardcover copy of Burn by Linda Howard. This giveaway is open to everyone on the planet, even if you've won something here at PBW in the past.

62 comments:

  1. I'm really looking forward to Dreamfever by Karen Marie Moning. The cliffhanger at the end of Faefever left me more than a little lost and frustrated, but she always pulls through.

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  2. I want to read THE LAW OF NINES by Terry Goodkind, coming out in...Oct, I think. Liked his fantasy stuffs, so will be interesting to see what he does with mystery/thriller.

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  3. Anonymous12:41 AM

    I'm really looking forward to Bad Moon Rising by Sherrilyn Kenyon. I've been waiting to read Fang and Aimee's story.

    Terri W.

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  4. BLOOD GAMES by Iris Johansen. I've been sitting on the edge of my seat since the ending of Quicksand.

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  5. I'm awaiting Dragon Keeper by Robin Hobb. It's been published in the UK, but I don't know when (or if) it will hit US shelves.

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  6. Well, hell, the newest Linda Howard is going to be an auto-buy, if I don't win it here. ;p Then there's also "Shadowlight" by another auto-buy-author that need not be named here ... Aside from that, Nora Roberts has "Black Hills" out which I will no doubt pick up at some point this month. And Julia Spencer Fleming has a new one coming out late this year or early next (please gawd make it late *this* year) ...

    I have realized - not for the first time - that I live my life anticipating the *next* book by my favorite authors. I need to get a new hobby ... ;p

    — Bonz

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  7. I want to read Dreamfever,too, after that cliffhanger. I didn't feel lost, but sure am eager to see how she reacts now to others. I can finally download Nalini Singh's Branded by Fire today, and also can't wait to read the next by CL Wilson, Queen of Song and Souls.

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  8. I'm looking forward to the next Dresden Files book by Jim Butcher. I've got a long wait.

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  9. Don't really have any that are coming out soon but one that came out recently that I'm looking forward to reading is Skin Trade by Laurell K. Hamilton.

    Just need to read the other 100 books on my to-read list

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  10. Hi! Not really waiting on anything in particular...just tossing my name in.

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  11. I'm waiting for 'Heaven Can Wait'
    by Cally Taylor ISBN-10: 1409103234

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  12. Tossing my name in the hat. Thanks!

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  13. tambo6:32 AM

    I am eagerly awaiting Stuart MacBride's first Science Fiction Novel, HALFHEAD, scheduled for release this September! Woot!

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  14. You can leave me out of the hat, but I'm eagerly awaiting Dean Koontz's long-delayed DEAD AND ALIVE and Stacia Kane's DEMON INSIDE later this month, as well as Kane's UNHOLY GHOSTS in October and the follow up to Suzanne Collins's HUNGER GAMES in September (title escapes me right now).

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  15. The Prince of Frogs by Annaliese Evans. I saw a blurb for it somewhere and the title stuck in my mind.

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  16. Desperately awaiting Patricia Briggs's HUNTING GROUND.

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  17. Oh thanks for including the non-US aliens, Lyn. That's very decent of you! If it was up to me, I'd award you lots of karma points for that one. :)

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  18. I am looking forward to Liz Carlyle's Wicked All Day. Only 4 months to go.

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  19. Sherrilyn Kenyon's Bad Moon Rising would have be the book I'm looking forward to most. Fang and Aimee's story is almost here.

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  20. Definitely anticipating Suzanne Collins' Catching Fire (sequel to Hunger Games). Can't wait.

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  21. I am very eagerly awaiting the next in Patricia Briggs' Alpha and Omega series. Also the last installment in the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon.

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  22. Rachel Aaron, and the book I'm most looking forward to is The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N.K. Jemisin.

    :D

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  23. Two books that have been on my auto buy list for August are Hunting Ground by Patricia Briggs and Crystal Healer by S. L. Viehl. Just found out that Marjorie Liu has a new Dirk and Steel for August The Fire King. Hmm the list is getting longer. Just discovered a new author (well not so new in that she has 3 books in the series) Ariana Franklin. Her character is a medieval "Bones" - someone who can read dead bodies and figure how the died in order to catch the killer. I just read Mistress of the Art of Death and am looking forward to the next two books in the series.

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  24. I'm tossing my name in!

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  25. Waiting impatiently for not one by TWO Patricia Briggs releases. And I haven't seen Burn out in stores yet, but I'll be watching for it now. Linda Howard is amazing.

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  26. I was looking forward to Nora Roberts Black Hills which just released yesterday.

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  27. Great choice of prize! throwing my name in the hat, thanks : )

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  28. Waiting, waiting---not very patiently for Jeaniene Frost's Destined for an Early Grave, Alexis Morgan's Dark Warrior Unbroken and Gena Showalter's The Darkest Whisper.

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  29. Anonymous10:07 AM

    The Bonz - Julia Spencer Fleming's book ONE WAS A SOLDIER will be out October 27. I love her series.



    CherB

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  30. Tossing my name in the hat!

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  31. I am looking foward to Sherrilyn Kenyon's Bad Moon Rising.

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  32. Generic10:52 AM

    I'm a slut for Nalini Singh's Psy/Changelings series. I can't wait for Nov. 09's "Blaze of Memory."

    I'm girding my loins for the clusterf*ck which is RWA National. I have to say that I'm already dreading the estrogen overload I inevitably experience when too many women gather for too long a period of time in very confined quarters.

    Wish me luck in the Golden Heart!

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  33. (You don't have to enter me.)

    I just wanted to say I about choked on my granola bar when I saw the book cover/title. I have a feeling there's a Freudian aspect to it that pleases you. *cough laugh cough*

    I'm impatient for Diana Peterfreund's RAMPANT (about cried when the release date was pushed back from May to August) and Rachel Vincent's MY SOUL TO TAKE.

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  34. That might be really fun to see, as long as you're not in danger of being trampled.

    The book that I'm most looking forward to is Mercy Thompson Homecoming by Patricia Briggs.

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  35. Bad Moon Rising is the one I'm looking forward to!

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  36. I was waiting anxiously for the latest Laurell K Hamilton, Skin Trade. Received and devoured. It was great!

    I am not waiting on anything at this point since I have so much reading to catch up on with this great new author that I found....I think her name is Viehl.ha

    Throw my name in, I would love to win!

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  37. There are many that I'm looking forward to but the one I'm most anticipating is Queen of Song and Souls by C.L. Wilson.

    And besides the cost the other thing that keeps me away from the conferences are the crowds. I don't handle crowds well. :)

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  38. I can't wait for the next Patricia Briggs book and Crystal Healer coming out in August. My mother in law and I are excited about the next book in the series.

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  39. Ms. Howard is signing this book this weekend at Nora Roberts' bookstore in Boonsboro, Maryland.

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  40. Nothing in particular. Adding name to said hat.

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  41. Eagerly tossing my name in because I've been eying BURN, and salivating--but having to wait due to finances.

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  42. Don't enter me. I just wanted to say that when all the RWA stuff hits the fan, Ms. Howard is always the one that *I* understand. Not that I ever agree with her, but I have a deep respect for her and her ability to communicate. And she's an autobuy.

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  43. I am anxiously awaiting the third and last book in Emma Holly's FitzClare Chronicles, Saving Midnight. I've already re-read bks 1 and 2 multiple times and they were only released in June and a few days ago (bk 2)! It's such a great series: cool paranormal mythology, excellent suspense, hot sex, and a wonderful, loving family (the FitzClares) I'm going to miss when the trilogy ends.

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  44. LOL!! Well, I have been waiting for Linda Howard's latest...which is the one you are giving away. I am also anxiously waiting for Dreamfever by Karen Marie Moning, Blood Games by Iris Johansen, and Hunting Ground by Patricia Briggs. There are many others, but I will take up several pages if I write them down. *L*

    Hugs,

    Maithe

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  45. Karen W.3:10 PM

    I'm always lusting after forthcoming books, and BURN is one of them. :) I'm also anxious for Rachel Vincent's MY SOUL TO TAKE.

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  46. Tammy S3:18 PM

    Oh geesh. there's so many.....
    and yeah Burn by Howrd IS on the list.

    The others are -

    Nalini Singh - Blaze of Memory (and Branded by Fire - which came out yesterady but I cnat get until next week)
    Sherrilyn Kenyon - Bad Moon Rising
    Lora Leigh - Bengal's Heart
    Kelley Armstrong - Frostbitten
    Laurell K Hamilton - Divine Misdeamors (sp?)

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  47. I'm looking forward to book one of Allison Brennan's Seven Deadly Sins Series.

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  48. There are so many books I am looking forward to but the one at top of my lsit right now is Bad Moon Rising by Sherrilyn Kenyon

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  49. I have so many books to read, I can't really look forward at this point. But adding another one to the pile for free is never a bad thing!

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  50. My brain has frozen on a title upcoming, though there is a list sitting at home in the booklog . . . Toss my name in anyway. One more is always welcome!

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  51. That would be Dreamfever by Karen Marie Moning and An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon. Followed closely by Jordan Summers' Crimson and your own Shadowlight. And those are just the ones on my buy the minute they are released list, LOL.

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  52. I have no idea of the title, but I'm waiting on the next Susanna Clarke. And waiting. Not sure she's even finished writing it yet! I mean, I asked a copy of "Jonathan Strange" in Waterstones when the next book was coming out, but got no reply.

    Fortunately, I also didn't get carried away by the people in white coats.

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  53. I'm looking forward to Bad Moon Rising by Sherrilyn Kenyon and the new series by JR Ward.

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  54. Bengal’s Heart by Lora Leigh

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  55. The Darkest Lie by Gena Showalter.

    She's not even finished with it yet, but that's what I'm waiting for! :)

    ~Elisa

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  56. Definitely Nora Roberts "Black Hills". I love her books.

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  57. Anonymous9:14 PM

    I love Linda Howard's books - would love to win this one.

    Thanks,
    Pat L.

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  58. actually looking forward to 2 books coming:

    friday night bites by chloe neill
    and
    apocalypse happens by lori handeland

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  59. I can't wait for Stacia Kane's Unholy Ghosts due out this October.

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  60. Anonymous10:14 PM

    I am waiting for "Destined for an Early Grave (Night Huntress, Book 4)" by Jeaniene Frost I have read the first book and was hooked from the beginning. Please put my name in the hat
    Thanks
    Lauraine

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  61. Just bought PREY by Rachel Vincent. Can't wait to settle in and read it.

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  62. For coming out soon it's a toss up between Hunting Ground from Patricia Briggs and Obsidian Prey from Jayne Castle.
    Literally a toss up, they'll be released the same day and debate will be which gets read first.

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