SPRING IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER…

It’s difficult to believe, but warm weather will arrive, along with spring, in a few months. Already I see evidence of little green shoots poking through my garden—evidence of the flower-scented days to come. I can’t wait, especially after the two-feet of snow we had recently.

Of course, the snow gave me an opportunity to concentrate on working on my next romantic suspense and a non-fiction book I’ve been meaning to write about our adoption of two children. My husband and I adopted our daughter, now 10, from Russia and our son, now 8, from Kazakhstan. We have older children as well, but we got tired of being “empty-nesters.” Are our two youngest children a challenge? You bet, but rarely does a day pass that we don’t laugh at their antics, or have our hearts filled with joy because they’re in our lives. In fact, they’re on my adoption website. If you’re curious about the adoption process, check out my “Adoption and Parenting” site (http://hometown.aol.com/romriter/index.htm) or drop me a line. I’d love to hear from you.

HOLIDAY CONTEST WINNERS...

I’m pleased to announce the winners of my special holiday contest. Congratulations to the following…

First Prize: Teresa Balderas of Malvern, AZ, won the Robert Rose pierced blue cameo earrings

Second Prize: Kim Westgaard of Crystal Lake, IL, won an autographed copy of SHADOW OF DOUBT

Third Prize: Lesha Anderson of Newburgh, IN, won an autographed copy of FIERY SURRENDER

Fourth Prize: Beth Reimer of Taneytown, MD, won an autographed copy of 14 PIECES OF GOLD, which includes my erotic romance, “The Portrait.”

Also, the NUW (Not the Usual Way) Christmas Contest winner of SHADOW OF DOUBT was Vivian Outen of Lawrenceville, GA.

GOTTA WRITE NETWORK UPDATE…

As Historical Editor for Gotta Write Network Online (http://www.gottawritenetwork.com/), thus far I have covered general research sites; costumes; American history; Georgian, Regency and Victorian periods; Celtic, English, Irish and Scottish sites; and castles. My interviews include best selling authors Jaclyn Reding, Ruth Ryan Langan and Sandra Hill, and an interview with Dana Holyfield, author of a “Sexy Bachelors” cookbook. Upcoming interviews will feature authors Hope Tarr, Elise Dee Bereau, Linda Windsor aka Linda Covington, Elizabeth Holcome and Susan King. To view them on GWN’s site, click “Genre to Genre,” then “Historical.”

APPEARANCES AND BOOKSIGNINGS

Thursday, May 1, 2003, 6:30-8:00 PM
Randallstown Library
8604 Liberty Rd. Randallstown, MD 21133
For more information: (410) 887-0770

Saturday, May 17, 2003, 2-4 PM
“Romantic Tea Party” and booksigning at the Arbutus Library
1581 Sulphur Spring Rd., Arbutus, MD 21227-2559
For more information: (410) 887-1451

July 16, 2003, 5:30-8 PM
“Readers for Life” Literary Booksigning
Romance Writers of America Annual Conference
New York Hilton
1335 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10019

LATEST UPDATES…

My short story, “Sweet Revenge,” appears in Port Town Publishing’s newest anthology, SIXTEEN PIECES OF GOLD. You can check it out, as well as the publisher’s other great offerings, on PTP’s website: http://www.porttownpublishing.bigstep.com/

Like all authors, I do a “Google.com” search to find the latest reviews on SHADOW OF DOUBT. Imagine my surprise when I found it listed on websites in Germany, England and even Japan!

**SPECIAL ONLINES INTERVIEWS**

I had the great fortune of being interviewed recently for Sell Your Writing Online. If you have access to the Internet and would like to see my interview, go to: http://www.sellwritingonline.com/morelli.html.

Melissa Alvarez, Romance Fiction Guide at About.com, also recently interviewed me. You can read it at: http://romancefiction.about.com/library/
interviews/bllindamorelli.htm?terms=Linda+Morelli.

If you won’t have Internet access and would like to see my interview, let me know. I’d be happy to send you a one, and besides, I’d love to hear from you!

“EXCITING AMATEUR SLEUTH ROMANCE”

That’s what Harriet Klausner said of SHADOW OF DOUBT, and I can’t be more thrilled. Harriet is, in my humble opinion, the country’s leading romance reviewer. Her review is online on The Best Reviews site (http://thebestreviews.com/review9821), as well as many other romance reading sites...and one where it’s rated as a five-star mystery-suspense. Here's a bit of what she said:

"Fans of amateur sleuth romances will have no SHADOW OF DOUBT that this terse thriller is a superb tale that has cross genre appeal. The story line never slows down as Cat struggles with conflicting feelings when it comes to Derek, who appears like a modern day brooding gothic hero. However, the key to Linda Morelli's strong novel is that most of the cast seems multi-dimensional and had the motive to kill…This reviewer intends to obtain a copy of Ms. Morelli's previous work, FIERY SURRENDER, after spending a delightful couple of hours enjoying this winner."

Of course, I sent her an autographed copy of FIERY SURRENDER, along with a personal thank you note.

Melissa Alvarez, Romance Fiction Guide for About.com, gave SHADOW OF DOUBT a five star rating! Here’s a brief snippet of her review, which you can read in full at: http://romancefiction.about.com/library/reviews/books/aafprshadow.htm

"Catrin Madoc moved to Virginia from California’s Mendocino Coast years ago. But now she’s returned to a world of hurt and pain and the home where she grew up, the home where her sister Jen…has fallen from the cliffs behind their family home.

"Detective Frank Harris believes that Jen committed suicide…Cat doesn’t believe that one for a minute…Their next-door neighbor, family friend and lawyer, Tom Furlough introduces Cat to…Derek Driscoll. Strikingly handsome, Derek agreed to keep an eye out for Cat since he lives right next door to Jen’s house on the opposite side from Tom…Soon Cat learns that neither Derek nor Frank believe that Jen’s death was an accident or suicide. They believe it was murder. And now the murderer has their sites set on Cat. …Derek and Cat confront feeling for each other and their own demons from each of their pasts as the killer gets closer and closer to the goal of murdering Cat.

"Shadow of Doubt grabbed me from the first sentence. This is another one of those books that I just couldn’t put down once I started it. The characters are so real - well rounded, regular people. You feel their pains, understand their reasoning, and discover their joys. Even the secondary characters are so lifelike that you care about them…and if you’re not caring about them then you're suspicious of them - any of Morelli's characters could be Jen's killer. The suspense in this novel will keep you turning the pages, wondering at the killer's identity. The plot of this book twists and turns at every bend. Each time I thought I had something figured out another option surfaced. The plot keeps you guessing and I must say I was very satisfied at the end and nope I didn't guess the killer! Morelli’s descriptive depiction of the California coast puts the reader right there in the midst of it. I highly recommend this book. If you like romantic suspense - don't miss this one!"

RECIPE CORNER...MADE FOR ROMANCE

The following is an easy, favorite meal I like to serve my hubby. Don’t forget a salad, candles and wine!

BROILED FRENCH LAMB CHOPS (Serves 2)

4 large (5 oz. each) rib lamb chops, well trimmed
1 tsp. Olive oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Heat broiler or grill. Brush lamb chops lightly with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Broil lamb chops 6 in. from heat just until insides are pink, 5-7 minutes each side. Serve immediately.

BABY PEAS WITH MINT BUTTER(Serves 2)

1 Tb. unsalted butter
1 medium shallot, minced
2 tsp. chopped fresh mint
1 pkg. (10 oz.) frozen baby peas, thawed
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Melt butter in small skillet over medium-high heat. Add shallot and sauté until soft, about 2 minutes. Remove skillet from heat and stir in mint. Cook peas in boiling water 2-3 minutes. Drain peas thoroughly. Transfer peas to medium bowl; add mint butter, salt and pepper. Serve immediately.

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

Aall the best!

Linda Morelli