I’m late with this news but I hope it’s still of interest cos now the interview is readily accessible. This was another interesting email which showed up in my comment box …

MURDER TAKES SECOND LIFE BY STORM WHEN CSI: NEW YORK, NUMBER ONE NEW YORK TIMES BEST SELLING AUTHOR LISA JACKSON, AND “COMPELLING”* MYSTERY NOVELIST NANCY BUSH, ALL BRING CRIME TO SLCN.TV THIS WEEK

Lisa Jackson and Nancy Bush was interviewed on Authors in Your Pocket on Second Life Cable Network on Sunday, October 28th, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time. If you missed the ‘live’ interview, you can still catch up. The program is available to non-members now at SLCN.TV.

Jackson shares insights into the success of her recent novel, ALMOST DEAD, and comment upon the direction she’s taking with LOST SOULS, a March 2008 hardcover. Bush, who was noted in the Chicago Sun-Times for her character’s “smooth narrative voice and penchant for cynical wisecracks,” talks about the inspiration for the protagonists of her Jane Kelly mystery novels, including ULTRAVIOLET, just released in hardcover, and the recently published reprint of ELECTRIC BLUE.

Once in a while, amidst all the junk email, you get newsy ones like that piece before on Georgette Heyer’s re-release and this curious one which caught my eye. 

I decided to lend a helping hand after reading this German bloke’s blog. I must say he’s got an ingenious way of getting the message across to his sweet Mary, but I do wish him success. 

Here is what he wants people to send by email:

You could help me a lot to spread my proposal to Mary – it is important that it is distributed as widely as possible so that it eventually reaches Mary. If you would like to support my proposal to Mary, please send the following text by email to a lot of people. 

Before I fly off to Bangkok later this morning, here’s some good news for Heyer fans who have always lamented over the scarcity of her backlist titles in the store.

The thoughtful team at Sourcebooks is re-releasing Cotillion by Georgette Heyer in trade paperback. This is one of the most beloved novels by the Queen of Regency Romance and the press release makes me itch to pick up a copy to read. The cover is attractive and the storyline simply sparkles with possibilities.

The synopsis goes …

Great-uncle Matthew Penicuik sends for his four great-nephews — he is nearing death and will bequeath his entire fortune to his young ward, Kitty, provided she marries one of them. The obsequious Reverend Hugh, the somewhat addled Lord Dolphinton, and the hapless Lord Freddy Standen dutifully arrive, but the one great-nephew who Kitty loves, the wild and unpredictable Jack, refuses to be summoned. 

Kitty, desperate to get to London and see if she can turn the tide of her fate, arranges a sham betrothal with Freddy, who is by no means a typical Romance hero. He’s immensely rich, of course, and not bad-looking, especially with his ultra-starched shirt points and elegant quizzing glass, but hardly a ladies’ man.  The two head for London, where a series of hilarious mishaps threaten their charade. But Freddy discovers hitherto unplumbed depths of cleverness and practicality beneath his dandyish exterior, and Kitty discovers that the rake she was in love with can’t hold a candle to her Freddy. He sets every mishap and adventure to rights in the end, surprising all (especially himself). 

While I’m trying to shake off the jetlag, here’re some pictures from the journey …

Just a quick flyby post after the delicous kaiseki meal my colleagues took us to on this my first night back in this amazing city.

It’s autumn here, and although the air is a bit chilly, it’s surprisingly quiet in Shinjuku area where I’m staying this time round.  Despite the occasional nippy bite of the wind, I could get by on just a long-sleeved sweater over a tank and jeans and boots.   The view from my hotel window is simply breathtaking.

Overlooking the connecting bridge that grants guests access to Takashimaya Times Square, one can gaze at the bright neon signs in the distant and just be lost in the dignified beauty of this ultra modern capital as the rhythmic clackety-clack of the metro lulls you to sleep with its symphony of a metropolis.

Night all … am pooped after that overnight flight … yawn. Look for pictures upon return.

When Leigh of Sourcebooks contacted me to ask if I would be interested in reviewing this new paranormal romance from Laurie Brown, I didn’t hesitate at all.

The synopsis of the book was every bit as intriguing as the story arc — that of a modern day paranormal investigator being hurtled Hundreds of Years back to uncover a hoax and perhaps Reform a Rake in the process. It sounded too exciting and curiosity piqued, I simply have to ask for the book.While I wasn’t expecting to be bowled over by this newcomer’s work, I must admit that this novel has wide ranging appeal.