HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Well, dear reader and friend, the holiday season is fast approaching. I'm sure you're looking forward to sharing the special times with your family and friends. That's why I'm send you my newsletter a bit early, and to announce that I'm holding a Special Holiday Contest (be sure to check it out below). I've also provided a special holiday recipe, just for you! And lest I forget, MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR!

SHADOW OF DOUBT available now!

As you know, SHADOW OF DOUBT (my romantic suspense) was released several months early. I was thrilled to learn that it received a four-star rating from Romantic Times! Here's just a sampling of the reviews:

"SHADOW OF A DOUBT is a bang-up mystery wrapped up in an admirable romance. Though the love story develops quickly, it holds up well and is quite plausible. It is the mystery that qualified this page-turner. If you relish a romantic suspense, don't miss this one."
- Susan Mobley, Romantic Times Bookclub Magazine

"...I became engrossed in the mystery of who killed Jennifer...enjoyed trying to figure out who did it. Ms. Morelli does a great job of weaving the mystery throughout the story."
- Sabrina Marino, The Old Book Barn Gazette

"All of the characters are very well-drawn and complex...this is a fast-paced read. The clues to the mystery are scattered through the narrative; and the solution, when it comes, is satisfying. The story should have readers turning pages, and will keep you guessing until the end."
- Deborah Hern, The Romance Readers Connection

".... SHADOW OF DOUBT is a well-written romantic suspense... it will keep you reading.... late into the night.... This is a title I encourage you to seek out to read."
- Carol Carter, Romance Reviews Today

"SHADOW OF DOUBT is an intriguing tale of betrayals, mystery, and romance… a book that will keep readers turning the pages to find out "whodunit." It is also an interesting study of family dynamics, hopes and dreams, and the healing power of love."
- Susan Lantz, AOL Romance Fiction Forum

"Linda Morelli brings this fast-paced story to life with a combination of mystery, romance and a splash of gothic thrown together. Her characters jump right out of the pages and into the reader's hearts. They are people you will care about and cheer for. SHADOW OF DOUBT is everything a romantic suspense story should be and more!"
- Yvonne Hering, New and Previously Owned Books

Appearances and Booksignings

Saturday, December 7, 2002, 1-3 PM
Multi-author signing
Barnes & Noble-The Avenue
8123 Honeygo Blvd
White Marsh, MD 21236
For more information, call: (410) 933-9670

Friday, December 13, 2002, 9-10 PM EST
My special online chat: Writer to Writer on iUniverse
Log onto: Gotta Write Network Online (http://gottawritenetwork.com) and click on "Chatroom", or type the following in your search field:
http://chat.iuniverse.com/default/default.asp?channel=Writer_to_Writer

Saturday, February 8, 2003, 1-3 PM
Multi-author signing
Barnes & Noble-Towson Cir.
1 E Joppa Rd
Towson MD 21286
For more information, call: (410) 296-7021

Additional booksignings are in the works and will be announced as they are finalized.

****Special Holiday Contest****

Here's my second contest--just in time for the holidays! To enter, simply email me your name and address. The first, second and third prizes will be drawn at random. Email your responses to RomRiter@aol.com or or snail mail: Linda Morelli, PO Box 551, Glen Echo, MD 20812-0551. Be sure to put "Contest" in the email subject line or on the envelope. The contest deadline is December 15th (to allow for shipment of the prizes before the holiday season ends.

First Prize: Beautiful pierced blue cameo earrings designed by Robert Rose
Second Prize: An autographed copy of my October 2002 romantic suspense, SHADOW OF DOUBT
Third Prize: An autographed copy of my historical romance, FIERY SURRENDER
Fourth Prize: An autographed copy of FOURTEEN PIECES OF GOLD, which includes my erotic romance, "The Portrait."

And here's a second chance to win!

Not the Usual Way Independent Author's Community (NUW) is holding their 2nd Annual NUW Christmas Contest, beginning December 1, 2002. To enter, visit: My Christmas Page ( http://hometown.aol.com/romriter/Christmas.html ) and click on the NUW Christmas Contest banner. That will take you to their contest page, which lists the instructions and the wonderful prizes. And Good Luck!

Latest Update…

I've finally uploaded the first chapters of SHADOW OF DOUBT (ISBN: 0-9716239-9-6) and FIERY SURRENDER (ISBN: 0-9700544-5-9) to my Authors Den website. If you'd like to read them, visit: Linda Morelli (http://www.authorsden.com/lindabmorelli) and click on "Books." That will take you to SHADOW OF DOUBT. You'll see "Download Free Preview" in blue at the top of the page. Click that and the first chapter of SHADOW will soon fill your screen. You'll find FIERY SURRENDER listed under "More Titles by Linda Morelli." Click that link, then "Download Free Preview" to view that first chapter. That's all there is to it. Enjoy!

SPECIAL NOTE: I've made arrangements with my publisher to purchase an inventory of my novels for booksignings and autographed copies for my readers. If you would like an autographed copy, please contact me. Romance books make wonderful gifts!

My Second "Hat": Historical Editor for Gotta Write Network Online

Yes, in addition to being Port Town Publishing's Associate Romance editor, I am the new Historical Editor for Gotta Write Network Online (http://hometown.aol.com/gwnlitmag/index.html). Once there, click on "Genre to Genre," then "Historical" to check my monthly columns and historical romance author interviews. This month's column is a continuation of conducting research online; next month's column will feature tons of "Costume" sites.

My November author interview features author Jen Holling, and in December I'll feature one of my favorite authors: Ruth Ryan Langan. A host of others follow, including Sandra Hill, Jaclyn Reding and Hope Tarr.

Recipe Corner… Linda's Favorite Yams

This is my personal holiday recipe, requested annual for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners by my family and friends--even those who claim to hate yams. Serves 8.

40 oz. canned yams (without syrup)
1/4 cup butter
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 bag (10.5 oz.) miniature marshmallows
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 ounces chopped pecans
8 ounce can crushed pineapple

Heat yams in pan until warm. Drain liquid, add butter, and mash yam mixture. Add brown sugar, half of the marshmallows, cinnamon and stir. Add 3/4 of the chopped pecans. Drain pineapple, reserving liquid. Add pineapple to yam mixture, blending in enough of the reserved pineapple juice to make a smooth consistency. Transfer the mixture to large oven-safe serving dish (I use a 12x7 glass dish). Cover with remaining marshmallows, lightly patting them evenly over the surface, then sprinkle with remaining pecans. Cook at 350º for 350 minutes. Remove and serve. (Note: May be prepared ahead and heated prior to serving.)

If you have any questions or comments on my newsletter, please feel free to write me. I'd love to hear from you!

All the best,

Linda Morelli