Danny Gillman (whispering to you):  Hey.  Yeah.  Over here. (wiping clear steamed up mirror) Hi.  It’s me.  Dan.  (tightens towel around his waist)  And yes, I’m talking to you from the bathroom.  It’s the only place where I know for sure that I’ll be alone over this crazy holiday week.  I’ve started taking *really* long showers.

Izzy’s voice (loudly singing from the living room):  Fa leh la leh LAH!  Leh-LAH LAH LAH!

Danny:  Yup.  (continues shaving in the bathroom sink) We’re here visiting Jenn’s parents for the holidays.  All of us.  Ben and Eden and Zanella, too.  At first it was just gonna be Jenn and me, but this is Ben’s first holiday season with all of us, so . . . Here we are.  ALL of us.  And don’t get me wrong.  I get it — I do.  SEAL Team Sixteen could go wheels up any day — any minute.  And Zanella and I are both Stateside this year.  God only knows where we’ll be next year.  (rinses and wipes face with another towel) So I wanted to give Jenn this family time, and I know she’s really loving it . . .

Izzy’s voice (loudly singing from the living room, falsetto-ed, a la a boy soprano):  The-uh fir-erst No-oh-ell thee-ee angels did say…!

Danny:  But holy freaking God.  (starts perusing the collection of hair care products crowding the counter top)  We’re all camped out in the playroom, because Jenn’s brothers are home to visit, too.  (Picks one, sniffs it, then squeezes some into his hand, and applies it to his hair)  And at least Jenn and I get the pullout couch, but *damn.*   And again, I’m not saying it hasn’t been fun, but you know how holidays can be.  It’s so flipping *relentless*.

Izzy’s voice (loudly singing from the living room, operatic basso profundo):  OHHH, HOHHH-LY NIGHT!  THE STARS ARE BRIGHTLY SHIIIIII-NING!

Danny:  (just looking at you in the mirror)

Another voice joins Izzy (in harmony):  FALL!  ON YOUR KNEEEEEEEEES!!!!

Danny (deadpan):  Oh, good.  Uncle Frank is singing now, too.  (leans closer to the mirror, lowers voice)  Look.  The holidays are great, but let’s face it — they’re not without stress.  If you need to take a break, don’t be afraid to lock yourself in the bathroom and do a little meditation.  Or better yet, bring your e-reader.  Take a time-out.  If you want to, you can spend it with SEAL Team Sixteen.  Suz’s latest Troubleshooters short story, FREE FALL, is available for download just in time for the holidays.  It’s a quick read — it’s about 50 pages long — around 12K words.  The perfect length for a mini-escape.  Izzy’s in it, I’m in it, Tony V is in it, so’s his fiancé Adam.  Eden and Jenn are in it — so’s Ben.  You’ll find out a little bit about how he’s adjusting to life in his new high school in San Diego.  And of course the main story focuses on a SEAL HAHO training jump.  Mr. Murphy’s along for the ride, so hijinx ensue.  But Murphy’s no match for Zanella.  As much as I bitch about the guy, I like knowing he’s there.  Because I know he’s always got my six.

Izzy’s voice (loudly singing from the living room):  But doooo youuuu recall! The most famous reindeeeer of all…!  (his voice gets louder as he approaches bathroom door and bangs on it)  Yo, Danbo!  You coming out any time soon?  I gots to whiz!

Dan (pulling on his clothes, calling back):  I’ll be out in a sec!  (looking back at you, whispers)  Or you can always take your e-reader, say you’re going for a walk, and then go sit in the car or maybe hide in the basement or…

Izzy’s voice:  Hurry up, brah!  We’re about to start an epic game of Settlers of Catan!  The Star Trek version!  And I know you want in on that magic!

Dan (whispering):  He’s right.  I do.  But I also know that it’s gonna get loud.

Izzy’s voice (banging — boom, boom, boom):  DANNY!  (as if he’s calling for Stella)  DANNY!!!!

Dan (whispering):  Louder.  I’m sure I’ll be back in here later, in an attempt to recover from all the fun.  (saluting you) Stay alive, whatever you do.  Oh, here’s the blurb for FREE FALL — and links to where you can download it.  Happy and merry and ho ho ho.  (takes deep breath, squares shoulders and opens the bathroom door.)

FREE FALL:  What should be an easy HAHO training jump for SEAL Team Sixteen goes wrong, forcing Navy SEAL Izzy Zanella to do what he does best: Improvise.  At thirty thousand feet.  (About 12,000 words or 50 pages)

Suzanne Brockmann, bestselling author of the pulse-pounding Troubleshooters series, has been hailed by USA Today as a “superstar of romantic suspense.” In this original short story, available exclusively as an eBook, Brockmann returns with some of her most beloved characters from the Troubleshooters world: Izzy Zanella and his friends in U.S. Navy SEAL Team Sixteen.

Kobo link to FREE FALL: http://bit.ly/1wAZc6i

Nook link to FREE FALL: http://bit.ly/1Hfi1x1

Kindle link to FREE FALL: http://amzn.to/1zJpm7I

And Kindle UK: http://amzn.to/1AuvdOh

Kindle JP: http://amzn.to/1Cp01zs

Kindle Canada: http://amzn.to/1zRmy8x

(Coming soon:  iBooks and GoogleBooks!)

News from Suz Brockmann

https://suzannebrockmann.com

http://www.facebook.com/SuzanneBrockmannBooks

http://www.twitter.com/SuzBrockmann

September 22, 2014

A conversation with Navy SEALs Izzy Zanella, Jay Lopez, Mark Jenkins, Danny Gillman, and Tony Vlachic.

Izzy:  Guys!  Guys guys guys!  Check out this upcoming book called THE WAY OF THE WARRIOR!  (turning to look at YOU) You can check it out over on Suz’s facebook page, at http://on.fb.me/1tVT0Up  Pop over to look at it, then come right back.  I’ll wait….  (pause)  Welcome back!  Nice cover, huh?  This is an anthology of stories written by a bunch o’ awesome military romance authors, including our Goddess Suz.  

Lopez:  Yeah, Iz, shhh, don’t.  She doesn’t like it when you call her that.  You really don’t want to piss her off.

Izzy:  I’m safe.  I’ve won my HEA.

Lopez:  But I haven’t, so…shhh.

Jenk:  Whoa, look at that long list of authors.  Cathy Mann, Julie Ann Walker, Anne Elizabeth, Tina Wainscott, ML Buchman, Kate Serine, Lea Griffith… Nice.

Izzy:  Yup. Nicest of all is that fact that all proceeds — from all those authors, and from the publisher, too — are gonna go to the Wounded Warrior Project.

Danny:  What?  That’s great.

Izzy:  Yup.  Props to Julie Ann Walker.  It was her idea.

Tony (clears throat):  That IS a really great cover.

Izzy:  Yup.  Nice picture of moi, amiright?

(Silence.  Crickets might chirp.  Then, all speaking at once…)

Danny (scornfully):  Zanella, that’s  definitely not you.

Jenk: Dude, you know I love you, but I don’t really think that’s you.  Your hair’s darker.  And shorter.

Lopez (diplomatically): I’m… not sure that’s supposed to be you, Iz.

Tony: Actually, guys, I think that might be Adam.  He did some cover model work a few years ago…

Izzy: Right now it’s shorter.  My hair.  But it grows.  It’s grown.  And it’s the way it’s lit that makes it look lighter on the cover.  I mean, it’s obviously been touched up and airbrushed.  They took out the tattoos and scars and other identifying marks.  Because of me being active duty.

Danny: You know, now that you say that? I think it’s me.  Because you know, the Troubleshooters Team Sixteen story that’s in that anthology IS kind of about me.

Izzy: No, Dan, I mean, yes, you’re right, you’re in the story and the fact that you got Jenn pregnant at the end of BREAKING THE RULES is mondo important since the story is set about eight and a half months later, but (whispers) Suz has been telling everyone that this story features me.

Lopez (reasonable):  And me.  Remember, the story in THE WAY OF THE WARRIOR is called HOME FIRE INFERNO, as in “Keep the home fires burning.”  It takes place a few weeks after (SPOILER REMOVED) in FREE FALL.  So, because of THAT, you guys go wheels up, but I stay home.

Izzy (turning to look at YOU): In case you haven’t heard, FREE FALL is a TS short story that Suz is giving away in a special limited edition printed booklet as an extra for her NIGHT SKY virtual signing.  More about that in a bit, but if you’re curious, you can check out the cover and a brief blur for FREE FALL at https://suzannebrockmann.com/books/e-shorts/free-fall/

Jenk:  Well, I’m in both stories, but that’s definitely not me on the cover of THE WAY OF THE WARRIOR. I’m thinking Tony’s right and that’s Adam.

Tony: We’re all in both stories.  They go together.  I mean, you don’t need to read FREE FALL to have HOME FIRE INFERNO feel complete, but Suz told me they were parts one and two in a trilogy of shorts that she was writing.  The third one features Ben — and yes, more Izzy.  And Adam and me, too.

Danny:  Ben, like my little brother Ben?  Like my still-in-high-school little brother Ben?

Izzy:  Like your taller-than-you “little” brother Ben.

Jenk: He’s only sixteen, and he’s already 6’3”.  He’s freakishly tall.  Give him another month and he’ll be taller than you, too, Iz.

Danny:  If Ben’s in the third story, then I probably am, too.

Izzy: Unless we’re both deployed.

Lopez: We all might be deployed.  Unless the third story’s set right after FREE FALL and HOME FIRE INFERNO and I’m still (SPOILER REMOVED).  God, that’s frustrating.  I hate it when you guys deploy without me.

Izzy (gasping)  Lopez said HATE.

Lopez (mildly):  I don’t hate much, but I definitely hate being left behind.

Tony:  Hey, guys?  Maybe the man on the cover of THE WAY OF THE WARRIOR is supposed to be a Marine or maybe even Air Force.  You know Cathy Mann’s got a story in there, too.

Izzy:  In my next life, I want to come back as one of Cathy Mann’s foster dogs.

Tony:  Yeah, Adam was talking about maybe getting a dog, and I told him to follow Cathy on Facebook, see who she’s fostering now.  She’s freaking amazing.

Danny:  I’m pretty sure that’s a SEAL on that cover.

Lopez:  Well, we KNOW it’s a SEAL on the cover of FREE FALL.

Izzy:  Yes!  It’s me!  Suz has said that it’s me!

Danny (looking at that cover): The silhouetted guy in the foreground or the silhouetted guy in the background?

Izzy:  Foreground.  The guy in the background could be any one of you.  You’re all in FREE FALL.

Lopez:  Yeah, I know I’m in FREE FALL.  (sadly)  That’s where (SPOILER REMOVED).

Jenk:  So the first short story featuring SEAL Team Sixteen is called FREE FALL, and it’s available in a limited edition printed booklet being given away as a bonus “Extra” as part of Suz’s NIGHT SKY virtual signing, which is open for orders from now until October 3rd.  That’s the way readers can get a printed version of this short.  Here’s the link to the VS:  https://suzannebrockmann.com/about/ns-virtual-signing/

Izzy:  FREE FALL has that gorgeous cover that is definitely featuring moi, participating in a HAHO jump, hence the name of the story.  Suz reports that that the story is 12K words, and about 50 manuscript pages, which works out to 24 booklet pages with size ten font and skinny, skinny margins.  (The booklet is 8.5” x 5.5”)

Jenk: Printing a short is expensive.

Izzy:  No shit!  And for readers who prefer their heaping serving of Zanella in an e-short, Suz reports that FREE FALL will be available for sale in all e-formats in December.  Although she might have to get Chief Karmody to help her get the story up online.

Jenk: So FREE FALL, available now through the virtual signing.

Izzy: Yup.  Oh, and also readers who come to one of Suz and her NIGHT SKY co-author and daughter Melanie’s in-store events in October can pick up a copy of FREE FALL with NIGHT SKY — get both of ‘em signed in person.  So that’s another way to get the limited edition printed FREE FALL booklet.

Danny:  Ben’s reading NIGHT SKY right now.  It’s YA paranormal.

Jenk:  NIGHT SKY got a starred review from Kirkus.  That means they loved it.  Got some great cover quotes from Melissa Marr, PC Cast and Gena Showalter, too.

Danny:  Ben’s loving it, too.  Jenn’s reading it next.  Then me.

Izzy (distracted):  You read YA?

Danny:  I read.  And yes, okay, I read YA.  I want to know what Ben’s reading.  I want to be able to talk to him.

Izzy (trying to kiss Dan):  I love you, you big, soft, gooey lug, you know that?

Danny (faux-slapping Izzy away):  Don’t be an idiot.  Jesus.

Izzy: You’re a good brother, and you’re gonna be an awesome daddy.

Danny:  Jesus, I hope so…

Lopez:  Keep breathing, Dan. Don’t hyperventilate again.

Izzy (back to YOU):  If you want to get FREE FALL signed, in person, Suz and Mel are doing events in Framingham, MA; and Sarasota, Tampa and Venice, Florida.  You can check out their schedule on Suz’s website.  https://suzannebrockmann.com/about/appearances/

Jenk:  And the SECOND story in this trilogy of shorts is called HOME FIRE INFERNO–

Izzy (singing) Burn, baby, burn!  (spoken)  That’s actually the subtitle.  The short is called HOME FIRE INFERNO (Burn, Baby, Burn!)  Get it?

Jenk: HOME FIRE INFERNO (Burn, Baby, Burn!) is part of that charity anthology called THE WAY OF THE WARRIOR, and it’s coming out in e-book and paperback in April from Sourcebooks, with ALL proceeds benefiting the Wounded Warrior Project.  Suz reports that her story is about 12K words and that in addition to featuring all of us who are here right now, it also features the SEAL who’s nicknamed HoboMofo.

Izzy (delighted):  Hobe!  Yes!

Lopez:  I don’t know HoboMofo very well.  His real name’s Bert, right?  Bert Bickles?

Jenk: Chief Hubert Bickles, yeah.  He’s a hospital corpsman.

Lopez:  Like me. Which is why I don’t know him that well. (pause) Why do I have a bad feeling about this?

Izzy:  Because we keep pissing off our Goddess Suz, and since you’re the only one who’s single…

Lopez (sadly):  I’m the one who pays the piper.  That’s what I’ve been trying to tell you so, shhhh with the Goddess thing!

Danny:  What does that even mean, “pay the piper?”

Jenk:  Ferd McTurd, the FNG?  He’s single.

Tony: He’s also, like, twelve.

Izzy: Said the tadpole who’s barely thirteen himself.

Danny:  Also?  Ferd McTurd?  Not a great name for a romance hero.

Jenk:  That’s not his real name.

Danny:  I know that’s not his real name, but nicknames tend to stick.  Hello, HoboMofo?

Izzy:  Ah, that’s one of the greatest nicknames of all time.

Danny: It’s too long.  We’re always shortening it.  We call him Hobe, we call him Mohf, we call him Bo–

Izzy: Nobody calls him Bo.

Danny:  Well, you call him ‘Fo.

Izzy:  ‘Fo, yes, but not Bo.   And definitely never, ever “Ho.”

Danny: But what good is a nickname that’s too long?  I mean, HoboMofo takes forever to say.  It needs to be shortened.  For the love of God, just call the guy Bert.  If that’s his name.

Lopez:  I *think* that’s his name.

Jenk:  Hubert.  It’s his name.  Or you could call him Chief.

Izzy:  (Turning to look at YOU)  This scintillating conversation is going to continue for awhile, so let’s end this here.  Check out the cover for FREE FALL and then the cover for THE WAY OF THE WARRIOR.  That’s me on FREE FALL.  I’ll let you decide who’s on the cover of TWOTW.   So mark your calendars for April 2015 for TWOTW, and for December 2014 for FREE FALL.  And Suz’s virtual signing is currently open for those of you who want a hard copy of FREE FALL that you can hold in your hands and perhaps even hug or kiss or caress–

Danny: Jesus, Zanella.

Izzy:  I’m kidding.  They know I’m kidding.  (looking back at YOU)  You know I’m kidding.  Also about the cover art thing.  Especially about the cover art thing. I know that’s not me.  I got way too many scars, and my hair’s much darker than that guy’s.  Also, yeah, the tatts… I mean, sure, they could airbrush ‘em, but… I think Tony’s right and it’s Adam.  But whoever this dude is, he’s doing us all proud, and he’s helping raise money for a very important cause.  Okay.  Links to various things below.  Thank you for your time and attention.  Z out.

Night Sky Virtual Signing (with free extra FREE FALL printed booklet): https://suzannebrockmann.com/about/ns-virtual-signing/

Suz and Mel’s October appearances: https://suzannebrockmann.com/about/appearances/

More about FREE FALL: https://suzannebrockmann.com/books/e-shorts/free-fall/

More about NIGHT SKY:  https://suzannebrockmann.com/upcoming/night-sky/

More about The Wounded Warrior Project:  http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org 

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• DANGEROUS DESTINY, the Night Sky Series Prequel, in all e-formats from Sourcebooks Fire, (still!) available for FREE for a limited time (and coming in audio from Blackstone, read by Melanie Brockmann, 10/7/2014)
• DO OR DIE, in paperback and ebook from Ballantine books, and in audio from Blackstone (read by Patrick Lawlor and Melanie Ewbank), 9/30/2014
• NIGHT SKY, YA paranormal co-written with Melanie Brockmann, in hardcover and e-book from Sourcebooks Fire, and in audio from Blackstone (read by Melanie Brockmann), 10/7/2014
• FREE FALL, a Troubleshooters short story featuring Navy SEAL Izzy Zanella, available in a limited edition print booklet as an extra with the NIGHT SKY virtual signing (orders open through Oct. 3rd), and on sale as an e-short, 12/2014
• THE WAY OF THE WARRIOR, a military romance anthology with Catherine Mann, Julie Ann Walker, Anne Elizabeth, et al, with all proceeds going to The Wounded Warrior Project, in paperback and e-book from Sourcebooks, 4/2015
• HEADED FOR TROUBLE, still available in paperback, ebook, and audio

DO OR DIE, the first book in my new “Reluctant Heroes” romantic suspense series, set in my Troubleshooters world, is in bookstores today!

DO OR DIE
Reluctant Heroes Book #1
in hardcover and ebook from Ballantine Books
in audiobook, read by Patrick Lawlor and Melanie Ewbank, from Blackstone Audio
558 pages
Hero: Former Navy SEAL Ian Dunn
Heroine: Attorney Phoebe Kruger
Find links to booksellers here
See my DO OR DIE book tour schedule here

Rogue former SEAL Ian Dunn is in the middle of an 18-month jail sentence when he’s approached by the FBI to lead a covert mission to rescue a pair of very important kidnapped kids. When he flatly turns down their Get Out of Jail Free card, choosing instead to stay incarcerated, lawyer Phoebe Kruger figures something’s up, but even she has no idea of the velocity of the crap that’s about to hit the fan when Ian’s unwillingly released into the FBI’s hands.  Phoebe’s also aware that a SEAL usually works with a team — so where and who are Ian’s teammates . . . ?

Publisher’s Weekly says:  “(Do or Die) …moves powerfully once it gets in gear, and the cast of sensitive alpha men and strong, imperfect women is well developed. Interpersonal tension gets far more focus than action, creating a refreshingly light feel.”

Kirkus says:  “Brockmann effortlessly and expertly tosses hundreds of details into the air and juggles them with brilliance. The first in her Reluctant Heroes series, the novel will captivate readers with its intense, action-filled plot, alpha-and-a-half hero, and his smart, perfect-for-him heroine, as well as secondary characters who contribute pathos and humor.  Enthralling and breathtaking.” (starred review)

Booklist says:  “Brockmann leaves the reader breathless, and longing for sequels. The sex is great, the action nonstop; and the dialogue between Ian and Phoebe is some of Rita Award–winning Brockmann’s best. Her fans will cheer, as will all military-romance fans.” (starred review)

Heroes & Heartbreakers says:  “If you’re already a Brockmann fan, you’ll love each new obstacle that is flung up in front of Ian, Phoebe, and their crew, and you’ll be looking forward to what happens next with all the secondary characters. If you’ve wanted to try Brockmann’s work, but have been worried by the huge number of Troubleshooters books, Do or Die might be a good place to start.”

The Book Gourmet says:  “This was a masterpiece of humongous proportions. I loved it from beginning to end. … This book was an impeccable blend of character-driven story, action, drama, well-placed angst, romance, and (sometimes snarky) humor.”

********************

Book signing tonight (2/4/14) in Sarasota, Florida!

Here are the deets:

Tuesday, February 4, 2014:  Sarasota, FL
7:00 p.m.
Q&A and signing, DO OR DIE release party!
Barnes & Noble
4010 S. Tamiami Tr
Sarasota, FL 34231
Store phone: 941-923-9907

Another Note: Never been to one of my booksignings?  Find out what it’s like here.

See my full schedule of events and appearances!

***************

Audiobook aficionados! AudioGals is having a four-day event on their website, featuring my audiobooks and my favorite audiobook narrators Patrick Lawlor and Melanie Ewbank.  There’s an audio interview with the three of us (Part One is here and Part Two is here!), and on Wednesday all three of us will be dropping by the AudioGals site to answer questions and comments!)

If you’re a fan of audiobooks, go check it out!  And if you’ve never listened to one of my audiobooks before, there’s a sample of DO OR DIE (read by both Patrick and Melanie) up at AudioGals — it’s worth checking out at www.AudioGals.net.

***************

Last but not least, later today I’ll be creating a page on my blog for readers to discuss DO OR DIE.  Warning: It is a ***SPOILER’S WELCOME*** zone!  🙂  So do drop by, but only after you’ve finished the book!

Today’s Countdown!  An issue of News from Suz!

News from Suz: January 6, 2014
www.SuzanneBrockmann.com
www.facebook.com/SuzanneBrockmannBooks
www.twitter.com/SuzBrockmann
***********************

Happy New Year!

Headlines:

1. I’m counting down to DO OR DIE, my next romantic suspense’s February 4th release!
2. *Starred* reviews for DO OR DIE!
3. Virtual Signing reminder (and Richmond, VA added to my in-person book tour!)
4. Countdown special feature: Chat with me (Suz) on January 9th
5. Countdown special feature: Chat with audiobook narrators Patrick Lawlor and Melanie Ewbank (and me!) on January 15th
6. THE UNSUNG HERO is currently on sale for 99 cents in all US e-book formats!

**************

Deets:

1) The Countdown to the February 4th release of my next book, DO OR DIE, has started! In fact, it’s already Countdown Day Three!

If you are a new reader/follower/Facebook friend and you’re muttering “What’s a Countdown? Day wha…?” or even “Wait, what? DO OR DIE? You have a new book coming out…?” Hang on, I’ll answer your questions in a moment.

If you’re a longtime reader/follower/friend and you’re muttering, “It’s already Day Three, and you’ve neglected to tell us…!?” Feel free to immediately pop over to my website blog page (where I’ll be posting the mostly-daily countdown at https://suzannebrockmann.com/blog/) or to my Facebook reader page (where I’ll cross-post the countdown for FB users convenience, at http://www.facebook.com/SuzanneBrockmannBooks).

But back to that earlier mutter question: “Wait, what, you have a new book coming out…?”

Yes!

DO OR DIE is the first book in my new “Reluctant Heroes” series of romantic suspense novels. It’s a spin-off of the Troubleshooters series, with the books are set in my familiar Troubleshooters world.

In fact, DO OR DIE takes place in Sarasota, where TS Inc. has a Florida office. And there are several cross-over characters, including Martell Griffin, the police-officer-turned-lawyer who appeared in FORCE OF NATURE (Ric and Annie’s story and the book where FBI Agent Jules Cassidy comes face-to-face with movie star Robin Chadwick at the Sarasota Film Festival).

But in DO OR DIE, all of our familiar TS Florida operatives are out of town (or recovering from a gunshot wound). And it’s Martell who’s tasked by everyone’s favorite FBI agent, Jules Cassidy, to approach former Navy SEAL and rogue badass, Ian Dunn, to get his assistance on a mission-impossible operation to rescue some very important kidnapped children.

Even though Jules only plays an off-page role in DO OR DIE, he sends his capable and talented teammates, Deb Erlanger and Joe “Yashi” Hirabayashi to Florida to assist in the rescue op.

(FYI: Deb and Yashi first appear in the TS series in BREAKING POINT, Max and Gina’s book. They also played secondary roles in FORCE OF NATURE — so they’ve worked with Martell Griffin before.)

(You also might remember Yashi from ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT, where Yashi’s dad might have hooked up with Cosmo’s musical-theatre-loving mom.)

But here’s the deal: All three of these cross-over characters (Martell, Deb, and Yashi) come to DO OR DIE without any complicated story-arc baggage. That makes them the perfect characters for the start of a trilogy that could, indeed, stand alone. See, some readers are daunted at the idea of jumping into the middle of a sixteen book series like the Troubleshooters. So DO OR DIE will be a great place for them to start! And yet, it’s also my hope that those of you who love the earlier books will feel right at home in the Reluctant Heroes branch of the TS world!

2) DO OR DIE has received a starred review from Kirkus, a starred review from Booklist, and a glowing review from Publishers Weekly!

Here’s the Kirkus review, which also gives you a nicely concise and clearly written overview of the plot and main romance:

“Attorney Phoebe Kruger is tasked with negotiating client Ian Dunn’s prison release, against his will, so he can rescue two kidnapped children, not realizing that doing so will set events in motion that will threaten dozens of lives—and a few hearts.

Considering his reputation as a former Navy SEAL and a suspected international jewel thief, Phoebe finds it a little odd that Ian is in jail for getting drunk and losing control of his car. But when an accident incapacitates Ian’s usual attorney, Phoebe is sent in his place. As a recent hire at the respected firm that represents Ian, she isn’t surprised when he’s hesitant to work with her. She is shocked, however, that he’s unwilling to accept a sweetheart deal designed by the government to get him out of jail scot-free in exchange for rescuing two kidnapped kids without causing an international incident.
What neither Phoebe nor Martell—the attorney working on behalf of the government—know is that Ian has his own agenda for being in prison, and if he leaves, for whatever reason, it will threaten the people closest to him. So once they spring him, Ian takes Phoebe hostage, then must rescue his brother and his family from the mob, assemble a team, connect with the FBI, work out a rescue plan with limited resources, deal with the devil in the form of an international assassin and work through long-standing family issues while navigating a sizzling-yet-unwelcome attraction to his new, unasked-for attorney. As outlandish as the plot sounds on paper, Brockmann effortlessly and expertly tosses hundreds of details into the air and juggles them with brilliance.

The first in her Reluctant Heroes series, the novel will captivate readers with its intense, action-filled plot, alpha-and-a-half hero, and his smart, perfect-for-him heroine, as well as secondary characters who contribute pathos and humor.

Enthralling and breathtaking.”

Thanks, Kirkus!

DO OR DIE (Reluctant Heroes #1) comes out on Tuesday, February 4, 2014.

It’s available in hardcover and all e-book formats from Ballantine Books, and in audio from Blackstone Audio. (I’ve got a new audiobook publisher, but we’re continuing to use my favorite extremely talented dual-narrators for the recording! Patrick Lawlor and Melanie Ewbank bring their comic chops to this fast-paced action/adventure.)

Here’s the link to the website page for DO OR DIE, where you can see the terrific cover art, read the book’s blurb, and find links to pre-order the book: https://suzannebrockmann.com/upcoming/do-or-die/

3) And here’s the link to my virtual signing, in case you’d like a personalized, signed hardcover of this book: https://suzannebrockmann.com/upcoming/do-or-die/dod-virtual-signing/

(A quick note about my virtual signing! I’m also offering readers a chance to get a signed DVD of my movie, THE PERFECT WEDDING, via the DO OR DIE signing. And, the virtual signing is open to readers internationally.)

I’ll also be doing a number of brick-and-mortar store booksignings to celebrate DO OR DIE’s release, complete with Q&A sessions (ask me anything!) and door prizes.

Starting February 4th, I’ll be driving up the east coast, from Florida to Boston and back, and stopping at bookstores along the way. Cities include Sarasota and Jacksonville, FL; Florence, SC; Raleigh, NC; Wilmington, DE; East Brunswick, NJ; Framingham, MA; Tewksbury, MA; Sharon, MA; and Newton, MA.

And! I’ve just added a Richmond, VA date to my schedule.

Also! Newsflash! I’ll be joined by one of my own favorite authors, Virginia Kantra, at the Raleigh bookstore event! Virginia’s next book, CAROLINA MAN, won’t be out quite yet, but she promises that she’ll have bookmarks! And we’ll have the first two books in her wonderful Carolina series available for her to sign!

You can find the complete list of signing events with dates, times and locations on my appearances page at https://suzannebrockmann.com/about/appearances/

(And I will be talking a bit more about some of the book signing events later on in the countdown, especially since one of the signings is in Florence, SC, where there is a beautiful Veteran’s Park, well worth visiting! Road trip!!!)

I hope you’ll join me on the DO OR DIE Countdown, throughout chilly January and right up until the book’s post-Groundhog Day release on February 4th! (Don’t let him see his shadow, don’t let him see his shadow…)

I’ll be posting on my website blog page (and on my Facebook reader page) on a close-to-daily basis. I’ve got a bunch of fun things planned, including a bunch of real-time chats, a “meet the characters” cast list, contests for early copies of the book and other fun collectibles (a Japanese Manga edition of LADIES’ MAN!), recommended reads and viewings, and a bunch of blog-like musings on topics from heroines who wear glasses, to my new YA series co-written with my daughter Melanie.

Two countdown chat dates to put on your calendar:

4) Chat with me! This Thursday, January 9th, 2014, from 8 – 9:30 pm eastern time, on my website blog’s comment section at https://suzannebrockmann.com/blog/ ! We’re gonna beta-test having a conversation/chat on my website blog page’s comments section! (If you’ve read an advance copy of DO OR DIE, no spoiler questions, please! Thank you!)

5) Chat with DO OR DIE’s audiobook narrators Patrick Lawlor and Melanie Ewbank (and me!) on Wednesday, January 15th, 2014, from 9 – 10 pm eastern time. Right now we’re planning to chat over at my website blog page, at https://suzannebrockmann.com/blog/ Hopefully we’ll be able to announce some great news about a really fun audiobook project, too!

6) THE UNSUNG HERO, the first book in my Troubleshooters series, is currently on sale for 99 cents in all US e-book formats! Find links to all e-formats on my website page at https://suzannebrockmann.com/books/troubleshooters/the-unsung-hero/

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Okay, gang. That’s it for now.

Drop by my new website and say hello!

As always, thank you for your support!

To sign up for my email newsletter, visit my website at https://suzannebrockmann.com/about/news-from-suz/

Love,
Suz

Happy and Merry!

‘Tis the season to be incredibly busy, so I’m gonna keep this month’s e-news short.

Here are the headlines:

1. I’ve completely overhauled my website, at www.SuzanneBrockmann.com! Shiny!
2. I’m holding a virtual signing for DO OR DIE, my next contemporary romantic suspense! The book comes out on February 4, 2014, but my virtual signing is open NOW! Find out how to get a signed, personalized hardcover copy at https://suzannebrockmann.com/upcoming/do-or-die/dod-virtual-signing/ (more deets below)
3. I’m also going on a live-and-in-person book tour in February, after DO OR DIE comes out! I’m putting the dogs in the car, and we’re driving up the east coast from Florida to Boston, and stopping at bookstores along the way. (Never before visited city alert: I’m going to Raleigh, NC!) My entire appearances schedule is up on my shiny new website at https://suzannebrockmann.com/about/appearances/
4. The DVD of my sweet little indie romcom movie, THE PERFECT WEDDING is now officially available via Wolfe or Amazon. (DVDs make great holiday gifts!) Find out more on my website at https://suzannebrockmann.com/the-perfect-wedding/
5. Speaking of great holiday gifts, Alexis Hall has a new book coming out on December 16th called IRON & VELVET — check it out and read an excerpt at http://www.riptidepublishing.com/titles/iron-velvet-kate-kane-paranormal-investigator-1 (It’s at the very top of my TBR list!)

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And now the details:

1) Check out my shiny new website, at www.SuzanneBrockmann.com!

I’ve created a page for every one of my fifty-four books, e-shorts, and other projects! Find a printable list of my entire backlist on my Books page at https://suzannebrockmann.com/books/

Read the missing scene from PRINCE JOE (edited out in order to fit the publisher’s page count!) at https://suzannebrockmann.com/books/tall-dark-dangerous/prince-joe/prince-joe-missing-scene/

There’s info about main characters, and original publication dates, and trivia for most of the books. (Did you know the original title for NIGHT WATCH, the eleventh book in my Tall, Dark & Dangerous series about Navy SEAL Team Ten was called WILD, WILD, WES? There was even a cover with that title, but the publisher changed it last minute. Find out more about Navy SEAL Wes Skelly’s book at https://suzannebrockmann.com/books/tall-dark-dangerous/night-watch/

There’s an FAQ page in which I actually include answers to up-to-date frequently asked questions! https://suzannebrockmann.com/about/faqs-2/

There’s info about my next romantic suspense, DO OR DIE, including an excerpt where you can meet the hero, former Navy SEAL Ian Dunn at https://suzannebrockmann.com/upcoming/do-or-die/exclusive-excerpt-from-do-or-die/

I’ve also got a blog on my new website. That’s where I’ll post things like the latest edition of this enewsletter. But it’s an interactive blog, so you’ll have the opportunity to pop over there and ask questions or make comments! Here’s the main blog page: https://suzannebrockmann.com/blog/ (See you over there!) (Wait!  You’re already there!)

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2) DO OR DIE Virtual Signing! Get a signed hardcover copy of DO OR DIE, the first book in my “Reluctant Heroes” series, which is a Troubleshooters spin-off. (DoD is set in the Troubleshooters world, and there are (and will be!) quite a few cross-over characters. Martell Griffin from FORCE OF NATURE (the book where Jules and Robin first hook up!) plays a major role in DoD, as do Jules Cassidy’s own FBI teammates, Deb Erlanger and Joe “Yashi” Hirabayashi. (Look for more off all three of these characters in the RL series!)

But if you want to get a signed hardcover copy of DO OR DIE, you can plan to visit me during one of my book tour stops (more about that in #3, below), or you can get a personalized signed book through via PayPal and the US mail, from my virtual signing. Details are up (long, long, incredibly detailed details!!!) on my DoD virtual signing page on my website, at https://suzannebrockmann.com/upcoming/do-or-die/dod-virtual-signing/

The book comes out (and will be signed and shipped) on February 4, 2014. Please note this is not a way to get an early copy of this book! (I wish it were!)

But because it takes me quite a bit of time to personalize, package, hug, and ship all those books, your order needs to be in by Friday, January 17th.

FYI, the DO OR DIE virtual signing is open to readers worldwide! I will happily sign and ship your copy to Japan or Germany or Boliva or France!

But . . . I’m supposed to be writing another book right now (Martell’s book, titled ALL OR NOTHING!!!) (Exclamation points are mine! Although if any book deserves an Oliver!-style exclamation point, it’s Martell’s . . .), so this year, I’m limiting the virtual signing to the first 1,000 orders. (I appreciate your understanding.)

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3) Another way to get a signed book! Check out my appearances schedule for my DO OR DIE book tour!

I’ll be driving up the east coast, from Florida to Boston and back, and stopping at bookstores along the way.
My schedule includes stores in Sarasota and Jacksonville, Florida; Florence, SC; Raleigh, NC; Wilmington, DE; East Brunswick, NJ; Framingham, MA; Tewksbury, MA; Sharon, MA; Newton, MA, with a still-tentative possible date in the Richmond, Virginia area!

My schedule is posted at https://suzannebrockmann.com/about/appearances/
I’ve also included some of my upcoming spring and summer 2014 appearances. I’ll be attending the NEC RWA conference in Burlington, MA, BEA in NYC, and the RT Convention in NOLA, all in May. And I’ll be at the RWA National conference in July in San Antonio, Texas. (With a chance of a visit to the American Library Association shindig in June in Vegas, baby!)

I hope to meet you in person at one of those fun events!

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4) The DVD of my sweet little indie romcom movie, THE PERFECT WEDDING is now officially available via our distributor, Wolfe Releasing, or Amazon.

DVDs make great holiday gifts!

Find out more and watch a trailer on my website at https://suzannebrockmann.com/the-perfect-wedding/

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5) I’m a huge fan of a young writer named Alexis Hall. He’s got a new book coming out on December 16th called IRON & VELVET. It’s at the very top of my TBR list. (I can’t wait!)

You can check it out and read an excerpt at http://www.riptidepublishing.com/titles/iron-velvet-kate-kane-paranormal-investigator-1

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Okay, gang. That’s it for now.

Drop by my new website and say hello!

As always, thank you for your support!

Confession: I’ve already started my holiday shopping.

I must tell you that as I’ve been thrashing around in the world of the newly-gluten-free, (and at the risk of sounding like a spambot!), I’ve discovered a great gift for friends and relatives who like to eat healthfully but kinda hate to cook. More about that, plus a recipe below. (Yes! A recipe! “Who are you and what have you done with Suz?!” I hear you shout, but I assure you, it’s me!)

First, the headlines. Lotta fun news this month:

1. My rom-com movie, THE PERFECT WEDDING is available NOW via streaming from WolfeOnDemand! (Here’s the link to rent or to buy it as a download, in case this news makes you need to see it before reading another word: http://www.theperfectweddingmovie.com (more below…)

2. THE PERFECT WEDDING is also gonna be available via On-Demand from your cable provider. Help us by playing our TPW Scavenger Hunt Game, plus more about the movie below…

3. We’re giving away an ARC of my next romantic suspense novel, DO OR DIE, as part of a blog interview I did with Jill Sorenson, at AAR! (Contest is open to US residents and ends 11/10, so act fast!) (more below!)

4. PASSION AND PERIL, a 2-in-1 paperback and e-book, will be out soon from HQN. This book includes a reissue of my originally-published-in-2003 category romance, SCENES OF PASSION, as well as a brand new story from Jill Sorenson called SCENES OF PERIL! (Haven’t read Jill yet? This is the perfect time to check her out!) (more below!)

5. Really Fun News Alert! I’ve co-written a YA (young adult) book called NIGHT SKY with my daughter, Melanie, and it’s gonna be published by Sourcebooks in late 2014! NIGHT SKY is set in the same paranormal/futuristic world as BORN TO DARKNESS, but its locale is Florida, and the main character is a seventeen-year-old girl named Skylar Reid. (more below!)

6. I’ve got a new blog up at Huffington Post’s Gay Voices. Check it out (and share, post, tweet, comment, like!) at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/suzanne-brockmann/three-beautiful-little-words-the-true-meaning-of-mom-im-gay_b_4205560.html?utm_hp_ref=gay-voices

7. DO OR DIE February book tour news! I’m working on setting up a virtual signing for the hardcover of DO OR DIE, but I’m also planning a road trip to brick-and-mortar stores in Sarasota & Jacksonville, FL; Florence, SC; Raleigh, NC; Richmond, VA; New Jersey; Wilmington, DE; Framingham & Sharon, MA! I’m also attending a variety of writers/readers conferences this year, include RT in NOLA, and RWA in San Antonio, TX! (more below!)

8. Book recommendation! UNDEAD CHAOS by Joshua Roots is available in all e-formats and in audiobook from Carina Press. You might remember Josh as the young Marine captain who was my contact in Iraq during our big “Support Our Troops” book tour effort, some years ago! Yes, UNDEAD CHAOS was written by THAT Josh Roots, and it’s a fresh, funny, action-packed-with-a-hint-of-romance read that I think you’ll love! Josh’s writing voice is wonderful and this book (a paranormal action adventure!) is ridiculously fun. Here’s the link to the book on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1fjtHCR (more below!)

9. Holiday shopping alert! (FYI, DVD copies of THE PERFECT WEDDING make great stocking stuffers! Pre-ordering is open now for the DVD (which releases and is shipped on 12/3/13) at https://www.wolfevideo.com/products/perfect-wedding-the/?R=1435 ) (And, yes, below, a recipe!)

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Okay, let’s get into the nitty-gritty:

1. My sweet little boy-meets-boy family-friendly rom-com movie, THE PERFECT WEDDING is available NOW via streaming from WolfeOnDemand! “What does that mean?” some of you ask.

Well, it means that you can finally watch the movie that I co-wrote and co-produced, on your computer. Or you can connect your computer to your TV and watch it on your TV, via your computer.

It’s available from our distributor, WolfeOnDemand, and you can either rent it for $3.99 (and watch it for a limited amount of time), or you can buy it for $14.99 as an MPEG4 download (and watch it as often as you like forever and ever). It’s also available as a hard-copy DVD that comes out on 12/3/13, which you can preorder now (for $19.95) at https://www.wolfevideo.com/products/perfect-wedding-the/?R=1435

Here’s the link to rent or to buy it as a download: http://www.theperfectweddingmovie.com/www.theperfectweddingmovie.com/Buy_The_Film.html

And if the technical stuff isn’t what’s creating your confusion, but instead you’re asking “Wait a minute, what, you made a MOVIE…?”

My answer is “Yes!” Back in 2010, I co-write a screenplay along with my husband Ed, and our son Jason. We loved our little indie script so much that we decided to produce the movie ourselves!

Here’s the official summary of the plot:

Gavin (super-cute Jason T. Gaffney, Jolly) and Paul (drop-dead handsome Eric Aragon, The Interview), two young gay men, meet and fall in love over a holiday weekend where family and friends are planning the wedding of Paul’s sister. The problem is, Gavin is posing as the boyfriend of Paul’s ex and the two find themselves in a classic comic quandary as they try to ignore their feelings.

Other cool things I want you to know about THE PERFECT WEDDING:

**TPW stars James Rebhorn (Independence Day, Homeland, White Collar) and Kristine Sutherland (who played Joyce Summers, AKA Buffy’s mom in Buffy the Vampire Slayer) as our hero, Paul’s parents, who have a really juicy subplot of their own. Both of these amazing actors joined our cast out of their love for our script!

**The movie is approximately 80 minutes long.

**It was filmed in approximately twenty days, in June, in Sarasota, Florida, with a cast and crew of over fifty people.

**Bonus features include video interviews with James Rebhorn and Kristine Sutherland!

**The fabulous soundtrack for the movie was composed and arranged by the up-and-coming very-talented Jack Gravina.

**You can watch a trailer at our website!

**Follow THE PERFECT WEDDING on Twitter @TPWmovie

**Like THE PERFECT WEDDING on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ThePerfectWeddingMovie

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2. THE PERFECT WEDDING is also gonna be available via On-Demand from your cable provider (Time Warner, Xfinity, Comcast, etc.) and other formats like iTunes, some time in the coming month.

Help us out by playing our TPW Scavenger Hunt Game, and if you see THE PERFECT WEDDING listed on your cable provider’s Movies-On-Demand list, do me a huge-large, and post that info on my facebook page (www.facebook.com/SuzanneBrockmannBooks), or tweet it to me @SuzBrockmann, or even just zap me an email at [email protected].

If you can include vital stats like: your general area, name of your provider, that would be welcome info, too, as we work to spread the word about where THE PERFECT WEDDING is available!

(Thanks for playing our game!)

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3. I’m giving away an ARC of my next romantic suspense novel, DO OR DIE, as part of a blog interview with Jill Sorenson, at AAR!

Check out the interview! It’s posted in two parts.

Part One: http://www.likesbooks.com/blog/?p=11074

Part Two: http://www.likesbooks.com/blog/?p=11083

To be eligible to win the ARC of DO OR DIE, you must post a comment to Part II of the interview! (More detailed directions are at the end of the interview, on the Part II blog!)

Contest is open to US residents and ends 11/10/13, so act fast! (Also? If you want to ask a question or chat, I’ll be over at the blog site later today and tonight, 10/6/13!)

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4. PASSION AND PERIL, a 2-in-1 paperback and e-book, will be out soon from HQN.

This book includes a reissue of my book, SCENES OF PASSION, originally published in 2003. (It’s my community theater-set romantic comedy — one of those fun books-of-the-heart, and I’m really glad HQN is reissuing it!)

But this 2-in-1 also includes a brand new story from Jill Sorenson called SCENES OF PERIL! (Haven’t read Jill yet? This is the perfect time to check her out!)

PASSION AND PERIL’s official release date is 11/26! (Just in time for a good Thanksgiving-weekend read!)

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5. Really Fun News Alert!

I’ve co-written a YA (young adult) book called NIGHT SKY with my daughter, Melanie, and it’s gonna be published by Sourcebooks in late 2014!

NIGHT SKY is set in the same paranormal/futuristic world as BORN TO DARKNESS, but its locale is a wealthy community in Florida. The main character is a seventeen-year-old girl named Skylar Reid, whose world is turned upside down when the little girl she babysits for is kidnapped.

Melanie was born with the writer gene, and collaborating with her on this project has been a really fun adventure. Mel’s planning to come with me to RT, in New Orleans, so you’ll get a chance to meet her there!

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6. I’ve got a new blog up at Huffington Post’s Gay Voices.

Check it out (and share, post, tweet, comment!) at: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/suzanne-brockmann/three-beautiful-little-words-the-true-meaning-of-mom-im-gay_b_4205560.html?utm_hp_ref=gay-voices

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7. DO OR DIE February book tour news!

My next book, DO OR DIE, comes out in hardcover and e-book from Ballantine Books and in audio from Blackstone Audio (formerly AudioGo), all on February 4, 2014.

I’m working on setting up my usual Virtual Signing for the hardcover edition of DoD (more on that next month!), as well as planning a road trip to brick-and-mortar stores.

I’ll be driving (with Ed and my dogs, Little Joe and CK Dexter-Haven) from Florida to Boston, and our tentative stops currently include: Sarasota & Jacksonville, FL; Florence, SC; Raleigh, NC; Richmond, VA; New Jersey; Wilmington, DE; Framingham & Sharon, MA!

I’m planning to visit the local RWA chapters in both Jacksonville and New England as part of my tour! (Details to come, soon!)

Along with my February travel plans, I’m also attending the RWANEC chapter conference in Burlington, MA, in early May; the Romantic Times Conference in New Orleans in mid-May; and RWA’s National Conference in San Antonio, TX in July. (With tentative trips to NYC for BEA, and Las Vegas for ALA also on my radar!)

As soon as any dates are definite, I’ll put them on my website Appearances page!

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8. Book recommendation!

I loved UNDEAD CHAOS by Joshua Roots, available in all e-formats and in audiobook from Carina Press.

Yeah, it’s not a romance, but variety is refreshing, right? And it’s got romantic elements. It’s a really fun, fast read! Josh’s voice is really entertaining. Also? He’s an old friend! Those of you who are long-time readers and subscribers to this e-newsletter already know him!

Josh Roots is the young Marine captain who was my contact in Iraq during our big “Support Our Troops” book tour effort, some years ago!

Remember when I went out on tour, and invited readers who were attending my signings to bring a small item or two to include in a box that I’d then ship over to a squadron of Marines in Iraq? The coolest thing happened during that book tour! So many readers contributed at each bookstore event, that I ended up shipping two, three, or sometimes even four boxes of books, DVDs, toys, little shampoo bottles, to Iraq. (Times the dozen-plus stops on my tour…)

Well, I shipped those many, many boxes directly to Josh, who put those contributions and gifts into the hands of his Marines.

Josh is out of the Marines now — but you know that old saying, “Once a Marine, always a Marine?” His military experience serves him well as a fiction writer. (If you love military or former military heroes, you’re gonna love his main character, Marcus Shifter!)

Josh and I have been friends for years — we’ve exchanged many an email — and I noticed early on that he could REALLY write. He’s a natural storyteller with a warm, friendly voice. In wasn’t long before I started dropping things like, “when you write your novel,” into our e-conversations!

So, yep, UNDEAD CHAOS is our old friend Josh Roots’s first published novel, and it’s a fresh, funny, action-packed-with-a-hint-of-romance read that you’re gonna love!

Here’s the link to the book on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1fjtHCR It’s also available as an audio download!

Follow Josh on twitter @CobraMisfit

Check out his website and blog at http://joshuajroots.com

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9. Holiday shopping alert!

(FYI, DVD copies of THE PERFECT WEDDING make great stocking stuffers! Pre-ordering is open now for the DVD — which releases and is shipped on 12/3/13 — at https://www.wolfevideo.com/products/perfect-wedding-the/?R=1435 )

Okay. This e-newsletter is waaaay too long, so I’ll (try to) make this brief.

This past summer, I discovered I’m gluten-intolerant, and I embraced the daunting task of going completely gluten-free. (Amazing how much better I feel, and my health is continuing to improve!)

But eating gluten-free is challenging, and in my quest to find variety, I stumbled across a gluten-free shop that sold a tin of spices that were gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, kosher (all those great things).

It was called Basik’s at Home: Key West Citrus Blend, and the label said you could use it on just about anything. I thought okay, brought it home, gave it a try.

Best! Roast chicken! Ever!

So here’s my super-easy recipe (and/or sign of the coming apocalypse because I’m including a recipe in my e-newsletter):

Suz (and Basik’s @ Home) Roasted Split Chicken Breasts:

Preheat over to 350 F.

Sing your favorite celebratory Motown hit while getting out your roasting pan (with lid), because dinner’s gonna rock. (My favorite roasting pan is Granite Ware, but glass with a lid works, too! The lid is essential!) (Fav Motown hit: Just My Imagination.)

Rinse the split (bone-in) chicken breasts. (Or not — whatever works for you. I won’t judge.)

Give me another chorus of the song while you put the chicken in the roasting pan, along with a generous splash of H2O. (Get finicky and use bottled water, that’s okay with me, because here on Siesta Key, the water that comes of of the tap smells like ass.) (How much is a “generous splash?” It’s about as much as you can pour in while singing a rousing “Oh, yeah!”) (Double dinner bonus points if you can get kids or spouse or roommates to add harmony when you sing!)

Wash your hands after touching that icky chicken! (Here’s where I WILL judge!)

OPTIONAL: Feel free to add a vidalia or sweet onion, peeled, cut in half and quartered. Stick the pieces into the roasting pan, under and around the chicken. (Wash hands again if you touch the chicken!)

OPTIONAL: Feel free to add a potato to the roasting pan (any variety potato!), cut into smallish pieces, and nestled beside and beneath chicken. (Think nothing bigger than 2” in any direction, so it will cook well within an hour.)

Drizzle the chicken (and onion and potatoes) with cold-pressed olive oil. Be generous.

Use a regular ol’ tablespoon to sprinkle Basik’s at Home Key West Citrus Blend spices onto the chicken (and onion and potatoes). Use anywhere from 1 to 2 heaping tablespoons for two split breasts. Sprinkle some of the spice blend into the water at the bottom of the pan, too.

Cover with lid and cook in 350 F oven for one (1) hour.

Set timer and go write another chapter of your book.

Eat while weeping with joy, and then get on line and order some of this amazing spice in an adorable tin, as a holiday gift for everyone you know!

Here’s the link to Basik’s At Home Key West Citrus blend:

http://www.basiksathome.com/shop/spice-blends/key-west-citrus/45-oz-key-west-citrus-blend-tin

I have no connection to Basik’s @ Home, other than being a very satisfied customer!

And, PS DVDs also make great holiday gifts! (Connection to TPW stated clearly and proudly!) 🙂

Lotta news this month, so let’s get right to the headlines:

1. Navy SEAL Izzy Zanella’s book, BREAKING THE RULES, the sixteenth installment in my New York Times bestselling Troubleshooters series, is finally out in paperback today!
2. My Virtual Signing for BORN TO DARKNESS, my next hardcover and the first book in my new futuristic “Fighting Destiny” series has begun! (Get a special print version limited edition of BEGINNINGS AND ENDS, a new Jules & Robin short story, as a bonus Extra with a personalized, signed hardcover! More details below.)
3. Meet Lt. Shane Laughlin, the Navy SEAL hero of BORN TO DARKNESS in SHANE’S LAST STAND, a special e-short telling the story of his final mission with his SEAL Team, available in all e-formats next week, on 2/6/12. (Details, story blurb, and a link to my “How to read e-shorts without an e-reader” page, below!)
4. The Official Countdown to BORN TO DARKNESS starts on Valentine’s Day! Join me for over a month of blogs, photo galleries of the book’s main characters, book trailer videos, recommended reads, chats — including a chat with J.R. Ward on her facebook page, and giveaways at http://www.SuzanneBrockmann.com, starting February 14th and running Monday through Friday until the book’s March 20th release date
5. The reviews are coming in for BORN TO DARKNESS! J.R. Ward says, “I love everything about this book!” Publisher’s Weekly gives BtoD a starred review, saying “the drama pulls readers in from page one.”
6. BtoD Trading Cards will be available soon! Yes, Trading Cards! Check out a sneak preview on my website! (Details below)
7. I’m hitting the road to promote BORN TO DARKNESS! Book store appearances alert for readers in Florida, California, Ohio, New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts! (Find out more below!)
8. Reissue news: UNSTOPPABLE (a 2-in-1 reissue of LETTERS TO KELLY and LOVE WITH THE PROPER STRANGER) will be in book stores on February 28th from HQN. (It’s also available in audiobook from Brilliance Audio, read by Patrick Lawlor and Melanie Ewbank!)
9. Indie movie news: THE PERFECT WEDDING is in the final stages of post-production! (Get an update below!)

And now for the details:

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1) Navy SEAL Izzy Zanella’s book, BREAKING THE RULES, is finally out in paperback today!

Publisher’s Weekly gave this book a starred review, saying, “In the powerful 16th Troubleshooter title, Brockmann masterfully weaves the stories of the Gillman siblings into a single narrative that reaffirms the importance of family. The slowly rekindled attraction between Izzy and Eden is steamy, and Jennilyn is a rock for Danny, giving romance fans two delightful relationships for the price of one.”

The paperback has lovely new artwork – and yes, that’s Izzy on the cover!

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2) My Virtual Signing for BORN TO DARKNESS has gone live on my website!

Get a personalized signed hardcover copy of BtoD without leaving the comfort of your home! Order the book through my website, via PayPal, and I’ll sign, package and ship the book to you through the U.S. Mail!

I’ve got a bunch of bonus extras this year!

First is a collector’s limited print edition of BEGINNINGS AND ENDS, a new Troubleshooters short story featuring Jules and Robin Cassidy.

Trouble arises on the set of Shadowland, Robin’s Emmy-winning TV show. We also find out a bit more about Robin’s character, Joe, whose last name, like the hero of BtoD is also Laughlin. Funny the way my brain does that… It’s a good last name, isn’t it?

Anyway, B&E was a fun story to write – I think you’re going to like it!

The second BtoD Virtual Signing bonus is a complete nine-piece set of BORN TO DARKNESS Trading Cards, given away with each signed book. (This is the tried and true way for non U.S. readers to get a hard copy of these trading cards. More about the cards below…)

Last but not least for the virtual signing: As a special gift to my long-time friends and readers, all books ordered by U.S. residents will get an automatic upgrade to priority shipping. (So your book will arrive a whole lot faster this year! International readers will get their books faster, too!)

For more details or to order a book, visit here.

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3) Meet the Navy SEAL hero of BORN TO DARKNESS in SHANE’S LAST STAND.

Here’s the blurb for this e-short, which goes on sale 2/6/12:

Meet Shane Laughlin, the hero of Born to Darkness, in a special e-short that tells the story of his final mission as an officer with SEAL Team Thirteen — the mission that strips him of his command, earns him a dishonorable discharge, and leaves him blacklisted and unlikely to find work in the darkly futuristic world of the mid-twenty-first century.

The assignment seems simple enough: insert into a dangerous, war-torn country and take out a deadly terrorist. But from the moment that Shane injures his ankle in what should have been a routine parachute landing, it’s clear Murphy’s Law — whatever can go wrong, will go wrong — is in effect. And sure enough, the situation goes from bad to worse, until Shane faces what seems like the ultimate no-win scenario. In his quest to save both an innocent woman and the SEALs under his command, he’s willing to put himself into danger, risking everything he’s worked for-his career, and even his life . . .

In BORN TO DARKNESS, Shane’s been out of the Navy – and away from his SEAL team — for about a year. I wrote this story because I thought it would be fun to let readers meet the men who served under his command. I also thought that showing Shane in his “natural habitat” as a SEAL officer would be a really great way to introduce readers both to this new character and to this new series!

SHANE’S LAST STAND will be available in all e-formats on February 6, 2012.

Don’t have an e-reader? It’s still possible to download and read e-shorts from your favorite authors! (More and more authors are writing them – it’s a great way to promote our books by doing what we do best: write fiction!)

Check out my “How to read e-shorts without an e-reader” page.

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4) A reminder that the official Countdown to BORN TO DARKNESS starts on Valentine’s Day, February 14, 2012!

Join me each Monday through Friday for a month of blogs, photo galleries of the book’s main characters (deets about that below!), book trailer videos, recommended reads, chats (including a chat with J.R. Ward on her Facebook page!), and giveaways at http://www.SuzanneBrockmann.com

Visit my BtoD Countdown page, and then join me and other readers for a discussion on my Facebook wall athttp://www.facebook.com/SuzanneBrockmannBooks

(Can’t wait to see you there!)

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5) The reviews are coming in for BORN TO DARKNESS!

J.R. Ward says, “I love everything about this book. A dangerous paranormal world, with amazing alpha heroes and women who kick butt, written by the queen of romance!”

(Thanks, J.R.! It’s always cool to get a cover quote like that from an author’s whose books I love!)

Publisher’s Weekly gives BtoD another rare starred review (Yay! Thank you, PW! That’s two in a row!), saying “Bestseller Brockmann takes readers on a pulse-pounding ride with the first installment of her new futuristic paranormal series. . . . While a departure from Brockmann’s romantic military suspense novels, this story does contain some of her trademark elements – a military hero, a same-sex romance between secondary characters, and sizzling connections to explore in future titles – but never feels formulaic or stale, and the drama pulls readers in from page one.”

BORN TO DARKNESS will be available in hardcover and e-book from Ballantine books, and in audiobook, read by Patrick Lawlor and Melanie Ewbanks, from Brilliance Audio on Tuesday, March 20, 2012.

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6) BtoD Trading Cards will be available soon!

One of the most frequently asked questions a writer gets is: “If you were making a movie out of your book, who would you cast as the main characters?”

Last fall, I took my skills as a film and stage producer and I held auditions and did just that! I cast a terrific group of talented actors as the six main characters in Born to Darkness. And then I held a photo and video shoot complete with costumes, and got hundreds of fantastic photos and dozens of video snippets — so that readers would be able to see these characters exactly as they appear inside of my head.

I’m going to be sharing these photos and videos in galleries and book trailers that I’ll be posting on my website throughout my countdown.

One of the fun things I did with the photos is create a nine-piece set of BORN TO DARKNESS trading cards. There’s a card for each of the six main characters, and three bonus cards!

I’ll be posting information as to how U.S. readers can send an SASE to get the cards as part of my countdown.

I’ll also be posting jpegs of the cards, with instructions on how to download them to your Kindle or Nook, so stay tuned!
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7) I’m hitting the road to promote BORN TO DARKNESS and I’ll be visiting book stores and bars (bars? Yes! Hello, NYC! Read on!) in Florida, California, Ohio, New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts, starting March 20, 2012!

Here’s where I’ll be and when:

Tuesday, March 20, 2012 — Sarasota, FL
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Barnes & Noble
4010 S. Tamiami Trail (in the Best Buy Plaza)
Sarasota, FL 34231
Store phone: (941) 923-9907

Wednesday, March 21, 2012 — Vero Beach, FL
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Vero Beach Book Center
2145 Indian River Blvd.
Vero Beach, FL 32960
Store phone: (772) 569-2050
Note from Suz: Vero Beach is very near Ft. Pierce, which is the home of the U.S. Navy SEAL Museum. (Road trip?!?)

Saturday, March 24, 2012 — San Francisco/Napa Area
Time: 3:00 or 4:00 p.m.
Barnes & Noble (Watch for details!)

Wednesday, March 28, 2012 — Dayton, OH
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Books & Co.
4453 Walnut Street
Dayton, OH 45440
Store phone: (937) 429-2169

Thursday, March 29, 2012 — Cincinnati, OH
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Joseph-Beth Booksellers
2785 Dixie Highway
Crestview Hills, KY 41017
Store phone: (859) 912-7860

Saturday, March 31, 2012 — New York City
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Posman Books
9 Grand Central Station
New York, NY 10017
Store phone: 212-983-1111

Monday, April 2, 2012 — New York City
Time: 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Lady Jane’s Salon @ Madam X Bar
94 W. Houston Street
New York, NY 10012
Note from Suz: I’m told there is going to be a bookseller on site, and although I don’t have details yet about the other authors attending, I’ll let you know as soon as I do know! (I am told that we’ll be welcome to hang out at Madam X past the 9:00 p.m. deadline as long as we keep consuming food and drinks. <g>)

Tuesday, April 3, 2012 — East Brunswick, NJ (NYC area!)
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Barnes & Noble
753 Route 18 / Brunswick Square Mall
East Brunswick, NJ 08816
Store phone: (732) 432-0100

Wednesday, April 4, 2012 — Framingham, MA (Boston area!)
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Barnes & Noble
1 Worcester Road
Framingham, MA 01701
Store phone: (508) 628-5567
Note from Suz: I’m looking forward to returning to my old stomping ground! It’s been a while since I’ve had a signing in the Boston area!

NOTE: The Jules and Robin short story “Extra” booklet BEGINNINGS AND ENDS, and BtoD trading cards will be available to readers who purchase BORN TO DARKNESS at the book signings listed above. Readers who want the book ASAP can buy it in advance at the signing store, and bring it back to get it signed on the appearance date! Just save your receipt and bring it with you, and you’ll get the short story and complete set of cards, too!

Here’s a short list of other appearances and programs that I’ll be doing over the next few months, too:

Workshops and Programs:
Thursday, March 1, 2012 — Sarasota, FL
Time: 1:00 p.m.
First Congregational Church UCC
1031 South Euclid Avenue, Sarasota FL 34237 (Next to YMCA)
Peace and Justice Program
Redefining Normal: How one author teaches the public, in novels and films, that it is okay to be gay. Suzanne Brockmann, co-author and producer of The Perfect Wedding, the film shot in part at First Congregational, talks about the reason for the movie and her writing.
Open to the public

On-Line Chats and Blog Appearances:
Friday, February 17, 2012 — Blog appearance at As the Pages Turn

Monday, February 27, 2012 — Blog appearance at Romance Books R Us

Friday, March 2, 2012, Chat with Suz and J.R. on the J.R. Ward Facebook page (Date and time tentative! Stay tuned for more information!)

Thursday, March 15, 2012 — Blog appearance at Book Monster Reviews (including chat from 8 – 9 p.m. EST)

Hope to see or e-see you soon!
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8) Reissue news: UNSTOPPABLE (a 2-in-1 reissue of LETTERS TO KELLY and LOVE WITH THE PROPER STRANGER) will be in book stores on February 28th from HQN. (Also available in audiobook from Brilliance Audio, read by Patrick Lawlor and Melanie Ewbank!)

HQN is releasing a two-in-one that includes one of my most popular category romances, LETTERS TO KELLY, along with one of my hardest to find category romances, LOVE WITH THE PROPER STRANGER.

Here’s what I wrote for the Dear Reader letter, inside the book:

What do an FBI agent hot on the trail of a black widow serial killer and a man who writes romance novels under a female pseudonym have in common?

Both are driven, determined, intelligent and passionate men — and falling in love makes them truly unstoppable.

HQN has reissued two of my older stories — and two of my favorite romance novels — in this collection.

Originally published in 1998, Love with the Proper Stranger not only features hero John Miller, a legendary yet troubled FBI agent, but also focuses on John’s reluctant friendship with Daniel Tonaka, his much younger, fearless new partner who is completely unstoppable himself! (Shades of Max Bhagat and Jules Cassidy!)

And Letters to Kelly is my mother’s favorite of all my books. In it you’ll meet one of my own all-time favorite romance heroes, T. Jackson Winchester the Second, a young writer who falls in love with Kelly, the sixteen-year-old sister of his college roommate. He does the right thing by keeping his distance until she’s older. But fate intervenes and he’s thrown into a Central American prison on trumped up charges, and when he finally gets free she’s already married to another man. Letters to Kelly takes place years later, and is the story of what happens when the made-for-each-other couple gets a second chance to connect.

I’m always thrilled when HQN combines two of my books in a special collection like this one.

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And I’m doubly thrilled to announce that Brilliance Audio is releasing the audiobook version of this 2-in-1, read by none other than my favorite team of narrators, Patrick Lawlor and Melanie Ewbanks.

I can’t wait to hear Patrick and Melanie’s reading of LETTERS TO KELLY — particularly the scenes where the book’s hero, T. Jackson, argues with Jared, the hero of an historical romance novel that he’s writing. (That’s gonna be so much fun to listen to!)

UNSTOPPABLE comes out in paperback from HQN and audiobook from Brilliance on February 28th!

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9) Indie movie news: THE PERFECT WEDDING is in the final stages of post-production!

Remember THE PERFECT WEDDING, the movie that I co-wrote and co-produced with my husband Ed Gaffney, and our son Jason . . . ? We filmed it last June here in Sarasota, Florida, with a huge cast (including James Rebhorn and Kristine Sutherland, aka Buffy’s mom!), and it’s been in post-production ever since.

We’ve finally locked the picture, and we’ve passed the edited movie along to Amy, our sound designer and editor, and she’s hard at work making sure every little last line of dialogue will be heard by our audiences.

We’re on track to start entering film festivals all across the country and around the world in the very near future!

We’re hoping to attract the attention of distributors who would make our film available to audiences, and one of the things we’re doing is actively growing our “The Perfect Wedding Movie” Facebook page. You see, it’s rare for an indie movie that hasn’t been seen by anyone to develop a following of even just a few hundred people, and we’ve surpassed two thousand, thanks to the support of many of you, my long-time readers! (Thank you for that!)

Why is it important to have people like our Facebook page? Well, as we woo distributors, we want to be able to show them, through sheer numbers, that there’s an audience eager to see our movie.

The movie, called The Perfect Wedding, is a romantic comedy with a hero and a hero. But it’s not a movie about being gay — no one is in the closet, no one has gay-related health issues, no one’s a drag queen (not that there’s anything wrong with that). There are three gay characters and they are all out and open, and their friends and families love them, and they love themselves. Instead, the movie focuses on two young men, Paul and Gavin (played by Eric Aragon and our own Jason T. Gaffney), who spark when they meet. It’s all about how they deal with that attraction over the course of a holiday weekend. The movie has two other subplots — one with Paul’s parents (his dad, played by James Rebhorn, has just been diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s, and Paul’s mom, played by Kristine Sutherland, is naturally having trouble coping); and one with Paul’s sister, who is planning her June wedding.

It’s a fun ensemble piece, and I can’t wait to show it to you!

Like I said, we’re on the verge of entering film festivals. Once we have a list of festivals and screening times, I’ll pass that information along to you via my website appearances page and this enewsletter!

But in the meantime — if you like the idea of this movie and want to give us your support — hop on over to our facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/ThePerfectWeddingMovie and hit the “like” button at the top of the page! (And if you’ve already done that, thank you so very much!)

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Okay, that’s all the news for now!

As always, thank you for your support!

Love,
Suz Brockmann
(https://suzannebrockmann.com/)

1/31/12 (Today!) — BREAKING THE RULES, out in paperback from Ballantine Books
2/6/12 — SHANE’S LAST STAND, an e-book short story, out in all e-formats from Ballantine Books
2/28/12 — UNSTOPPABLE (the 2-in-1 reissue of LOVE WITH THE PROPER STRANGER and LETTERS TO KELLY), out in paperback and e-book from HQN (originally published by Silhouette Intimate Moments)
3/20/12 — BORN TO DARKNESS, out in hardcover and e-book from Ballantine Books, and in all audio formats from Brilliance Audio (read by Patrick & Melanie!)
Summer 2012 — BEGINNINGS AND ENDS, an e-book short story featuring Jules and Robin Cassidy, out in all e-formats.
2/26/13 — HEADED FOR TROUBLE, an anthology of stories featuring the characters from the Troubleshooters series, out in paperback from Ballantine Books. (And yes, the date of this anthology has been pushed back. Way back. Apologies to all who expected it this summer!)