When you wish upon a star...

I recently had one of my dreams come true. I had wished that some day I might receive a starred review from Publishers Weekly. As many writers know, it’s an honor just to get reviewed by Publishers Weekly. Receiving a starred review is just…unbelievable. So needless to say, when my fabulous publicist at Sourcebooks, Danielle, emailed me to tell me that My Unfair Lady received a starred review from Publishers Weekly, my first response was to email her back and ask, “Are you sure?” (Can you blame me?)

Danielle assured me it was a starred review, and even sent me the link, in case my dazzled mind still couldn’t grasp the truth of it.

http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6703535.html?industryid=47159

My Unfair Lady Kathryne Kennedy. Sourcebooks Casablanca, $6.99 (384p) ISBN 978-1-4022-2990-9

Kennedy (Beneath the Thirteen Moons) delivers a delightfully unusual Victorian romance. Unlike other American heiresses mingling with London society, Arizona railroad heiress Summer Wine Lee isn't looking for a husband or a title. In fact, she's already engaged. She just needs some social polish so she can marry a rich New Yorker. To this end, Summer hires Byron, an impoverished duke who ekes out a living by bringing Prince Albert gossip. Summer is equipped with a free-spirited best friend, a menagerie of abused stray animals and a host of unladylike skills; Byron has a strange stepfamily, a shrinking violet mistress and a murderer determined to do him in. Their chemistry has plenty of humor, and their passion is intense and breathtaking. Full of unexpected period details of cosmetics and hunting, this romance goes against type in a wonderful way. (Dec.)

The thing is, life can hand you so many blows that you can become numb to the fact that, yes, good things can still happen. If you continue to work toward your dreams. For me, I have faced a year of difficult personal challenges, one right after the other. I think the only thing that kept me sane was focusing on the positive aspects in my life, one of which was my writing.

So for anyone reading this whose life has been difficult lately, it might help to know that yes, dreams do come true. Continue focusing on the positives, ignore the negatives, and work toward those things that you have the power to change.

Have you had one of your dreams come true lately? Whether personal or professional, please share it in the comments. I’d like this post to be a positive affirmation of all the good things that happen to people…and that dreams really do come true.

All My Very Best,
Kathryne

I have posted the first chapter of MY UNFAIR LADY on my website.

Check it out at: http://www.kathrynekennedy.com/MyUnfairLadyExcerpt.html

ROMANTIC TIMES book review for MY UNFAIR LADY:

MY UNFAIR LADY, ISBN 9781402229909
by Kathryne Kennedy

RT Rating: 4/5 Stars
Category: HISTORICAL
Publisher: SOURCEBOOKS
Published: December 2009 $6.99

This quick and entertaining read is for any fan of the genre. Kennedy's writing is witty and enjoyable; she looks to have a bright future.

Summary: Summer Wine Lee is determined to become the society miss that her future New York blueblood in-laws demand. To do so, she and her closest friend Maria have traveled to London to transform her into a lady and gain an introduction to the Queen.
Enticed by her financial offer, the impoverished Duke of Monchester grudgingly agrees to aid Summer in her transformation, but his scathing wit and cold personality fail to have an effect on her. Intrigued, the duke soon realizes that Summer may just be perfect the way she is. Now he just has to convince her. (SOURCEBOOKS, Dec., 363 pp., $6.99) HOT

-Alishia Austin

Blog Tour for MY UNFAIR LADY

I just finished my posts for my upcoming blog tour for my December Victorian romance release, My Unfair Lady, and I think it's going to be lots of fun, so please mark your calenders for the following days:

11/16 Writing Fiction: Which comes first, Plot or Character?Cuckleburr Times http://www.cuckleburr.com/

11/18 Why I write historical romance...or, why I love it!
The Burton Review http://theburtonreview.com/

11/20 Where I compare the heroine of My Unfair Lady, Summer Wine Lee, to Eliza Doolittle of Pygmalion--with a dash of Annie Oakley.
Love Romance Passion http://www.loveromancepassion.com/

11/30 Author Interview!
Jenny Loves to Read http://www.jennylovestoread.blogspot.com/

12/1 What I love most about my heroine, or, my favorite thing about Summer.
Happily Forever After http://booklover125.blogspot.com/

12/2 Author Interview!
Readaholic http://bridget3420.blogspot.com/

12/3 Top Ten Reasons Why My Hero is Irresistible.
Yankee Romance Reviewers http://yankeeromancereviewers.blogspot.com/

12/4 My step-by-step guide to how I get inspiration for my writing.
Fresh Fiction http://freshfiction.com/pages.php?id=blog

12/7 Destination Truth: Researching the Historical Romance Novel, where I compare my research journey with my favorite TV show.
Romance Junkies http://www.romancejunkies.com/rjblog/

12/8 Interview with Summer Wine Lee, where I step back in time to interview my heroine.
My Book Addiction and More http://www.mybookaddictionandmore.wordpress.com/

12/9 My Chihuahuas: two of the sweetest little inspirations for a character in My Unfair Lady.
Books Like Breathing http://bibliophile23.wordpress.com/

12/10 My inspiration for My Unfair Lady, or, exploring the Cinderella complex.
Anna's Book Blog http://annavivian.blogspot.com/

There will be freebies at each blog, so make sure to leave a comment to enter to win!
Hope to see you there!
All My Best,
Kathryne

I received a lovely note from my cameo contest winner the other day:

Dear Kathryne,
Thank you so much for the beautiful cameo. I can already picture the necklace I am going to make for it. Every time I wear it, I will think about your books. My sister (who was the person I sent the email to) loves the messenger bag she received as well. Keep on writing the great books so I can keep on reading them!
Chanda

Take a peek at the photos of my adorable Chihuahuas:

All this week I've been working on blog posts for my upcoming guest blog tour (more info to follow) for the December release of my Victorian romance, My Unfair Lady. Since I've been discussing my dogs who inspired Chi-chi in My Unfair Lady, I couldn't resist sharing some recent photos of them. (Er, my dogs are part of my family. I am goofy about them.) The short hair is Baggins, the long hair is Precious, and yes, I'm a fan of Lord of the Rings. :)

Congratulations to the winner of the 'email a friend' contest.

She received the beautiful cameo pictured above. The winner, Chanda N. from Texas, wrote: Thanks, I rarely win anything, so when I do, I feel it's a great honor. And especially from an author I love to read. Please keep putting out the great books.

It's always such a treat for me when a true fan wins!

Chanda's friend, Kira N., also from Texas, won an item of her choice from my e-store, a messenger bag with the fairy on a rose design.

So don't forget to check out my current contest at: http://www.kathrynekennedy.com/contest.html

Good luck!