Publisher Open Road media has launched a new Romance Matrix to help readers discover new titles, new titles that are on sale. There are 17 titles in the matrix, several historical and several contemporary, organized by heat level. The mild books are on the left, and the steamier ones on the right. If you go to the Romance Matrix website, you can click on each book to read a sample from one of its love scenes. These books are on sale right now, until December 17, 2012.

This is an interesting idea, and I think it is a great way for readers to discover new authors - visually. I find the matrix very appealing and easy to use. Also, I certainly am much more willing to take a chance on new-to-me authors when books are on sale.

This picture doesn't do the matrix justice. I reommend that readers check out the following links to experience the matrix for themselves. Plus, you might find a book you would like to read.

Earlier this week, I was in New York City for the 2012 Book Expo America. This was my second BEA, and it was much less overwhelming the second time around. But overall, I found the Expo extremely tiring, crowded and often mind-numbing. It has taken me several days to find the strength to actually wrap my brain around my experiences.

There are way too many people at BEA. I am an introvert and get cranky when faced with hordes of people all trying to get somewhere. I only went to for two days, opting to return home on Thursday. There is no way that I could’ve handled another day of the madness.

The lines for most author signings are WAY, WAY too long – especially for young adult books. I definitely hate waiting, but even more so hate the way the long lines wrap into the aisles making it impossible to navigate the exhibit hall.

I attended the Blogger Conference on Monday, June 4, 2012. It was a very strange experience, one that unfortunately didn't works so well for me.

There was a networking breakfast with a variety of authors that moved from table to table. I enjoyed talking to other bloggers, publicists and several authors despite the fact that I didn’t sit with any romance bloggers. I wasn’t terribly interested in any of the roaming authors because they didn’t have books that interested me. However, the conversation at the table (sans authors) was fun.

Jennifer Weiner, chick-lit author, gave the key note speech after breakfast. I found her talk humorous, full of self-promotion (which I didn’t mind) and enjoyable to listen to. However, it didn’t offer me anything of substance in terms of book blogging (which might be the theme of the day).

Entranced Publishing is a new ebook company that will be launching in April of 2013. Read on to hear what Ashley Christman, Executive Editor/Publisher, has to say about the venture.

Q: Tell us a bit about Entranced Publishing?

A: Entranced Publishing is an eBook publisher specializing in romance and all its subgenres, erotic romance, and YA. We’re based out of Minneapolis, MN, but due to the online nature of our house, we are able to conduct business worldwide. Founded in March 2012, we just opened our doors for submissions. Even though we are new, we emphasize quality, which is why we are taking our time with our selection process. In hiring our team, we sought only quality editors and artist who had the experience and know-how to move our house forward. We are doing the same thing with manuscripts. Never will we contract something just to fill a roster. We want readers to know the Entranced name and equate it with great reading material.

Today, I made the treck up to Salem, Massachusetts to attend the Book Fair/Literacy Signing that the New England Chapter of The Romance Writers of America held as part of their annual conference. Last year's event was my first ever book signing. The crowd is rather small which makes it easy to talk to any and all authors. It is a very different scene from the mob scene of the literacy signing at RWA's annual conference. I would recommend this local event to all romance aficionados. (By the way, the picture to the left is of Kristan Higgins and me taken by Judith Arnold)

RNN talks to Penelope Watson, romance author, blogger and member of NECRWA (New England Chaper of the Romance Writers' of America about the upcoming Spring Conference, April 27-28, 2012, held in Salem, Massachusetts.

Penelope's Top Seven Reasons Not To Miss The 2012 NECRWA Spring Conference (April 27-28, 2012)

1. Fabulous speakers: Including writing guru Michael Hauge, bestselling author-turned-indie-success story Marie Force and RITA award winner Kristan Higgins.
2. Killer work-shops on craft, industry and marketing: (Hey, even Penelope is giving a talk!-- Penelope Channels Miss Manners: How To Promote Yourself Without Peeving Everyone Off).
3. Salem, Massachusetts: You just can't beat this historic New England town. It's got charm, great shops and restaurants, and maybe even a ghost or two to entertain.
4. Not Just A Pitch, A Critique: Forget about that stressful oral pitch. At the NEC conference, you can submit 10 pages of your WIP prior to meeting with an editor/agent of your choice. It's a unique opportunity to discuss your manuscript and hopefully get a request!
5. Cocktails, Psychics and Tiaras: Don't miss the chance to schmooze with New England's finest romance writers and professionals. There will be cocktails, psychic readings, and a nice assortment of tiaras on Friday night.
6. Ghost Tour: Want to get up close and personal with Salem's past? Ghost Hunters Marley Gibson and Patrick Burns investigate the paranormal side of Salem.
7. Book Fair Extravaganza: Participate in Saturday's book fair with your fellow authors. It's a festive occasion to meet and greet readers in the Salem area.

Want to find out more? Check out the NECRWA website, and/or the conference website.

Learn more about Penelope Watson, the author, and/or the romance blogger.

The Dark Hunter series by Sherrilyn Kenyon is one of those long-standing, paranormal series I just can’t quit. It has been rather difficult to keep up my interest after the release of “Acheron” though due to the fact Kenyon was working on other projects and seemed to be releasing fewer Dark Hunter books. Yet, Kenyon seems to be back on the Dark Hunter bandwagon of late with the release of “Retribution” in August and “The Guardian” (actually a Dream-Hunter story) which releases in a couple of days.

“The Guardian” is the story of the Dream Hunter Lydia and Seth, a demigod. While it releases on November 1^st, Kenyon will be releasing a bonus scene entitled “Redemption” that will be available to readers on November 15^th.

Berkley/NAL, part of Penguin Group (USA), will launch a new e-initial ebook imprint in January 2012. InterMix is the new imprint which will publish original works of fiction from new authors as well as reissue out of print titles. The venture will publish classic titles in e-format for the first time. Nora Roberts backlist titles will headline InterMix’s efforts.

Additionally, InterMix plans to release several titles from the well-known Signet Regency line. In February 2012, six titles will be available with plans to release 3 additional titles each month throughout 2012. I am particularly interested in the Signet Regencies. This was one of my go-to lines for many years. I look forward to revisiting them.

Four books from the Guinevere Jones series by Jayne Ann Krentz, written under her  Jayne Castle pseudonym, are scheduled for release later in 2012.

The titles will be sold at all major eBook retailers in a variety of eBook formats. SB Sarah from Smart Bitches, Trashy Books reports that print price for the Nora Roberts' January 2012 books will be $6.99. I will be interested to see the price for the ebooks.

September is National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month. To raise awareness, Avon Books is joining forces with the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance to promote a K.I.S.S. and Teal message (K.I.S.S. stands for Know the Important Signs and Symptoms). Avon Books has made an initial donation of $25,000 to the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance and will donate an additional 25 cents from each book sold that bears the K.I.S.S. and Teal logo between August 30, 2011 and February 28, 2012 – up to an additional $25,000. The money will go towards programs that support ovarian cancer patients and their families.

Looking for a romance classic to fill your ereader? Sourcebooks has a great deal for you.

In honor of Georgette Heyer’s birthday, the publisher is discounting all of the author’s ebooks to $1.99. There are 46 titles by Heyer being discounted and a reader’s companion, “Georgette Heyer’s Regency World” by Jennifer Kloester. This sale begins today and will continue through August 21. Sale prices are in effect at Sourcebooks’ site along with all major online retailers.

Georgette Heyer would have been 109 tomorrow, August 16th. What a great way to celebrate!

For more information, visit Sourcebooks’ Casa VIP site at http://www.sourcebooks.com/readers/casavip/happy-birthday-ms-heyer.html.