The 2010 Marlene Award winners were announced yesterday at the Washington Romance Writers retreat (the other Washington), and I’m happy to announce that Hearts of Darkness placed first in the paranormal category. My prize is a critique of my entry by 2009 RITA award winning author Gwyn Cready. So excited!

In other news, my baby is 3 weeks 2 days old today and getting bigger every second. She finally fits into all of her newborn clothes! The weather in Seattle is gorgeous and we have been getting out on lots of sunny walks.

I read Silver Borne by Patricia Briggs during late night feedings on kindle for the iPhone last week. It’s another solid installment of the Mercy Thompson series. My only complaint: the love scene at the end is a little over the top for Urban Fantasy. It wasn’t needed to move the plot forward. Otherwise, good read!

I received the good news today that HEARTS OF DARKNESS is a finalist in the Paranormal Category of the 2010 Marlene Awards. The top three scoring entries were selected for the final round and will be forwarded to editor Katherine Pelz at Berkley for the final ranking. The First Place winner receives a critique of her entry by author Gwyn Cready. Ms. Cready won the 2009 RITA for Best Paranormal Romance for her Jane Austin-time travel romance, Seducing Mr. Darcy. The Marlene Award is  sponsored by the Washington Romance Writers (the other Washington).

It would be easy to become a contest whore–addicted to the rush of positive feedback. This is the third contest for Hearts of Darkness, and the third success. I wish there were contests that judged the whole book, not just the first 20-50 pages. If you know of one, please pass along the info!

You might assume the pin-up girl above is holding a love letter, but in our little world she’s showing off her winning manuscript.

In other news, Mr. Wonderful and I bought our first house and are madly packing for the movers to arrive tomorrow. I’d promise to blog more after the move, but that is a pie crust promise. There are 34 days left to prepare for our little bundle of joy. I’m working on making time to write book 2, which so far I like even better than HoD.

Off to pack…or take a “break” to read Nalini Singh’s ARCHANGEL’S KISS. I need lots of breaks.