Summer's here. Well, almost…

I can't believe that the months since I last wrote you have passed so fast! I hope you had a wonderful spring and that you have some wonderful plans for summer vacations. I've been busy with booksignings, judging contests, writing historical columns and author interviews, as well as working on my newest work in progress: a romantic suspense, set in Washington, DC, featuring a male and female detective who work together to find a killer and, in the process, discover love.

***Special Request from My Publisher***

I have a big favor to ask of everyone who has purchased a copy of FIERY SURRENDER, SHADOW OF DOUBT or any Port Town Publishing book. PortTown is conducting a special survey and needs your input. Please take a few minutes to complete the survey and return it directly to PTP immediately. The survey is at the bottom of my newsletter. PTP will send surveys directly to customers who purchased books online, so if you have already responded, thank you!

Latest Breaking News…

I am in the process of reviewing a new book concerning International adoption, "Family Bound: One Couple's Journey through Infertility and Adoption," by Carrie Ostrea, for my Adopting and Parenting website. While I'm only 2/3 through it, the book is excellent thus far.

Must be some energetic or psychic vibes floating in the air. Shortly after I agreed to review Carrie's book, I was contacted by "Let's Talk Adoption" online for permission to use my article regarding our adoption from Russia in their upcoming book, "Adopting Online.com." I agreed, naturally, since I'll do all I can to help the thousands of orphans in this world who long for nothing more than to have someone love them. Well, one thing led to another and, as a result, I'll be a featured guest on their "Let's Talk Adoption" online radio show. The show will air twice on Tuesday, July 22, first at 12 pm Eastern Time (9 am Pacific Time) and again at 12 am Eastern Time and 9 pm Pacific Time. They will also archive the show, so if you miss it, you can check back on the website.

If you want to hear me talk about our adoption from Russia and Kazakhstan, here's the link: Let's Talk Adoption (http://www.letstalkadoption.com/). You'll see me listed under "Show Schedule" soon.

************CONTEST************

You might know that, in addition to writing, I'm a professional artist and designed the covers for FIERY SURRENDER and SHADOW OF DOUBT. My good friend Binnie Braunstein, who also advises me on promo/publicity issues, suggested that I hold a special contest for my readers, with 8x10" personally autographed photographs (suitable for framing) of my covers as the prize. There will be two drawings: one for SHADOW's cover and one for SURRENDER's cover. I'll also include a sheet that shows the various stages of my cover designs for the winners. If you would like to enter, simply write me at my Post Office Box (above). The contest ends July 15th, so be sure to send your entry to me soon, and good luck!

Gotta Write Network Online Update…

My latest columns as Historical Editor for Gotta Write Network include the following: Medieval and Renaissance, American West & Indians, and the American Civil War. I also have new interviews with best selling authors Hope Tarr, Linda Windsor (who also writes contemporary romances under the name of Linda Covington), and Elise Dee Beraru, an attorney and historical romance author. Upcoming interviews feature authors Elizabeth Holcombe and multi-published award-wining Susan King. To view them on Gotta Write Network's site (http://www.gottawritenetwork.com/), click on "Genre to Genre," then "Historical."

Can't make the Romance Writers of America Convention?

Well, Gotta Write Network has a special treat for you ... a Mini-conference online on July 26th. GWN has lined up some exciting guest speakers and prizes (some of the latest, greatest novels and other "goodies"). Come join us on July 26th to speak with some of your favorite authors, get information on marketing your books and tips for writing in the various genres, meet old friends and make new ones. The conference is FREE, although donations are gratefully accepted.

Books Now Available from Amazon.com!

That's right. You can now order SHADOW OF DOUBT and FIERY SURRENDER directly online through Amazon.com. Simply search under "All Products," type in the book's title, a comma, then my name, and you'll see my books listed. You'll also have a choice of ordering a regular copy or an autographed copy. And remember, books make wonderful birthday and holiday gifts.

My publisher, Port Town Publishing, is also working with Barnes & Noble to have all PTP's books listed with them. I'll let you know, soon as they're available. In the meantime, you can order copies from any B&N bookstore. Just give them the ISBN number (SHADOW is ISBN 0-9716239-9-6; SURRENDER is ISBN 0-9700544-5-9) and they'll special order a copy for you. Of course, you can always obtain an autographed copy directly from me.

Appearances and Booksignings

I have been fortunate and had wonderful signings at the Randallstown and Arbutus Libraries during May. I also had a great time in historic Harpers Ferry, WV, where I met some wonderful people (including a couple from Scotland who were touring the U.S.).

I'm taking a break this summer to spend time with the family, but here's what's scheduled thus far:

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

SHADOW OF DOUBT #1 in Romantic Suspense at About.com

SHADOW has been rated #1 in Romantic Suspense at About.com since March, and will remain #1 for a while, according to Melissa Alvarez, About.com's Romance Fiction Guide. To read her review, simply cut and paste the following in your brower: http://romancefiction.about.com/library/reviews/books/aafprshadow.htm

SHADOW OF DOUBT a Winner

SHADOW won Third Place in the Romantic Suspense category in the 2003 WRITE TOUCH READER'S AWARDS-exciting news, since the other three finalists are authors published by Harlequin Intrigue!

"Riveting Who-Done-It"

Here's a portion of a review I received for SHADOW from Ayn Hunt, GWN Book Reviewer and Paranormal Editor:

Linda Morelli, Romantic Suspense author of Fiery Surrender, has written another gripping tale in Shadow of Doubt. Set in Mendocino, California…it's about the murder of Cat (Catlin) Madoc's sister who was a user of people.…Cat tries to convince Detective Frank Harris that her sister was murdered, not a victim of an accident. She must also contend with someone breaking into her sister's home…convinced that the same person who broke into the house murdered her sister, and is now trying to murder her. Filled with numerous red herrings, it's a riveting who-dun-it combined with a growing romance between Cat and her sister's next door neighbor, architect, Derek Driscoll.

Copy and paste this link for the Complete Review: http://www.gottawritenetwork.com/RomRV4.htm

Recipe Corner…

This is one of my favorite summer recipes. It's great for grilling on a barbeque (or the grill of your stove). It can be served as a main entrée or as an appetizer.

Garlic-Buttered Shrimp (Serves 4; 15-18 as appetizer)

1 lb. Fresh or frozen peeled and deveined shrimp
1/4 cup margarine or butter
1 clove garlic, minced
1 Tbsp. snipped fresh parsley
Dash ground red pepper
3 Tbsp. Dry white wine
Shredded lettuce (optional)

Thaw shrimp, if frozen. For sauce, in a saucepan melt butter or margarine. Stir in garlic, parsley and red pepper; cook about 1 minute. Stir in wine; heat through. Set aside.

Thread shrimp into 4 long or 8 short skewers. Grill on an uncovered grill directly over medium-hot coals for 10 to 12 minutes or till pink, turning and brushing frequently with sauce. If desired, serve on a bed of shredded lettuce.

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If you have any questions or comments on my newsletter, please feel free to write me. I'd love to hear from you! By the way, I will soon switch my newsletter to online viewing, directly from my website. If you still wish to receive it via an individual email, please let me know. Also, if you no longer wish to receive my newsletter, I'd hate to lose you, but I'll respect your request and remove you from my mailing list.

And for those of you who have purchased PTP Books, please don't forget my publisher's survey below!

Until next time…

All the best!

Linda Morelli
SHADOW OF DOUBT, ISBN 0-9716239-9-6
#1 in Romantic Suspense! Five Star rating - About.com; Four Stars! - Romantic Times
Winner, Romantic Suspense, WRITE TOUCH: READERS' AWARDS
ALso by Linda Morelli: FIERY SURRENDER, ISBN 0-9700544-5-9
Linda Morelli's Website (http://www.lindamorelli.us)


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PORT TOWN PUBLISHING
QUALITY CONTROL SURVEY

Thank you for purchasing a title(s) from Port Town Publishing at some time in the past 4 years. In order to continue to bring you quality novels, we need your input. We have constructed a survey (below) that will enable us to improve our product in order to increase sales and customer satisfaction. We hope you will take a few minutes to fill out the survey. Simply cut and paste the entire survey into a new email, bold our questions, and then type in your answers in regular or colored print.
Please be honest in your reply, and do not worry about offending us or our authors. We need your honesty to help PTP grow.

Thank you in advance for your help.

Sincerely,

Jean Hackensmith
Owner/Senior Fiction Editor, Port Town Publishing
http://www.porttownpublishing.bigstep.com/

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PORT TOWN PUBLISHING
QUALITY CONTROL SURVEY

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