KOD’s very own DAPHNE DU MAURIER AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN MYSTERY/SUSPENSE is opening today, January 15th, and will run until March 15th at 11:59PM (MDT).

There are both Published and Unpublished divisions.

Visit the website at http://www.rwamysterysuspense.org/daphne for more information. For questions, please contact Daphne Contest Chairman, Brooke Wills, at daphnecontest@gmail.com

And now, please put your hands together for the following KOD-members, who have good news to share:

KOD members Toni Anderson and Rachel Grant have a special Romantic Suspense “Series Starter” Box Set that releases on Tuesday (Jan 19th). DANGEROUS CONNECTIONS contains the first book in six bestselling RS series (by Elisabeth Naughton, Carolyn Crane, Cate Beauman, Toni Anderson, Rachel Grant, Jill Soreson) but in addition to that, there are six new epilogues to these bestselling books. So, for example, anyone who wants to read more about how Toni Anderson’s assassin hero, Alex Parker, proposes to the FBI agent he’s fallen in love with—well you know where to go 🙂 See more on Toni’s website: http://www.toniandersonauthor.com/#!blank/e25w6

The Providence Journal reviewed Elizabeth Heiter’s new release in The Profiler series, and said that, “The riveting and virtually impossible to put down SEIZED establishes Heiter in the upper tier of thriller writers, as adept on a small stage as a large.”

Barbara Barrett recently signed a contract with The Wild Rose Press for them to publish her seventh book in their Champagne line, Keeping it Casual. This is the third book in her “Matchmaking Motor Coach” series. Like the first two books in the series, this one features her hometown of Burlington, Iowa and McKenna Custom Coaches.

Here’s a blurb:

Alexandra Appleby’s client threatens the reputation of Alex’s TV star father if Alex can’t convince her stepsister to lease her motor coach to her client. Alex turns to Geoff McKenna, the brother of her sister’s boyfriend, to help make her case to her sister.  

Thus far, Geoff’s case of multiple sclerosis has been mild compared to other sufferers from the disease, but he’s unsure of his future. When his girlfriend pushes for a stronger commitment, he enlists Alex as his new pretend love interest so his girlfriend will break things off.

When they discover they actually are attracted to each other, they agree to keep things casual, since Alex is only in town briefly and Geoff isn’t interested in anything serious. But fate intervenes as their feelings deepen. Alex must decide whether to relocate to Iowa from L.A. and Geoff must place faith in his future. 

And Jeannie Hall just received her release date! Jeannie’s debut romantic suspense novel, VIOLATION OF FAITH, will receive its worldwide release on March 2, 2016 from the Wild Rose Press! The cover is available for viewing at http://www.JeannieHallSuspense.com

And finally, new member Nancy Raven Smith has announced the release of her first book, a mystery/romantic suspense titled Land Sharks – A Swindle in Sumatra. It is an Amazon/Kindle Scout Selection Winner and signed by Kindle Press for publication. 

The Kindle Scout Program is a fairly new reader-powered publishing for new, never-before-published books.It’s a place where readers help decide if a book receives a publishing contract. 

Raven Smith says, “The Kindle Scout Program gave me a wonderful opportunity to be published. They even supported my project by arranging a Kirkus Review edit. They’re great people to work with, and I recommend the program to other debut authors and even published authors with unpublished manuscripts. Just be prepared if you enter. It’s very intense.”  Originally from Virginia, Raven Smith came to California to work in film. She attended UCLA and is a member of Sisters in Crime, Women in Film, Romance Writers of America, and Mystery Writers of America. Her interests include family, animal rescue, reading, film, art, and travel.

Land Sharks – A Swindle in Sumatra description: While trying to save an heiress from a kidnapper in Sumatra, an American bank investigator struggles with a novice partner who has a crush on her and the unexpected interference from her former lover/con man who has his own secret agenda.

And that’s what we have for this week. Have a good weekend!

Mystery Quote of the week:  “A film, a piece of theater, a piece of music, or a book can make a difference. It can change the world.”