Happy Friday, Happy Holidays

Happy Friday! No, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth. Got sick the moment my mini book tour ended and have still been writing like a crazed wolverine on Alien Collective. But there's been so much going on that I need to catch all y'all up now or else the next HMU! will be about as long as one of my novels. So let's get to it!

First up, In Media Res is doing a great Holidays giveaway, and this week includes books from moi. If you're in the US you can win a signed copy of Alien in the Family, if you're International you can win an ecopy of The Night Beat. So check it out, and don't miss out! The contest has been running all month, with new authors announced each Friday, and will also run next week as well.

Next up, more reviews are in for Alien Research. See why RT Book Reviews gave it a top pick, and see what boeklogboek, Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell, I Smell Sheep, and Pearls Cast Before a McPig thought of it as well. And, OMG, Alien Research hit #35 on the Barnes & Noble bestseller list in its first week of release! THANKS to all of you who helped make that happen!

Next, next up, this is a little behind, but better late than never. Check out the recent releases listings from DAW Books and Adventures in SciFi Publising.

Did you miss seeing the me at Mysterious Galaxy San Diego, Mysterious Galaxy Redondo Beach, or The Poisoned Pen? No worries. The Pen did a last minute LiveStream so you can see that interview now. And in the Adventure Time! episode of More Geek Than Gay, my wonderful PA Joseph fills you in on all you missed out in on our SoCal trip.

Speaking of Alien Research (have I stopped once yet?) see what Bibliognome chose as her favorite lines from the book. Then check out what Bibliognome and Larissa's Bookish Life think are the top 5 covers for 2013.

Head over to see some great examples of awesome artist Dan Dos Santos' cover work at Through a Shattered Lens. Then see what my BFF Marsheila Rockwell has to say about the passing of an actor that mattered to both of us, and also what she has going on. Hint: It has something to do with DarkCon, and it's not too late for you to register and join us to kick of the new year in a really fun and wild fashion! 

Speaking of cons -- I was hoping to make it, but sadly, I've had to pull out of 2014's RT Booklovers convention. SO, right now, your only chance to see the me on the East Coast will be in February, at Coastal Magic so make your plans to get away to the beach and hang out with moi and a whole lot of other cool authors in a smaller, and more relaxed, setting.

Last but not least, DAW Books, Inc., the unofficial blog of DAW Books, is discussing Alien Research. Head over and give your opinion!

Whew, that's it for today! But as always, more's on the way. But, barring major announcements, probably not much for the rest of the year. I need to get Alien Collective wrapped up in a big bow and sent to the awesome editor, and, like the rest of us, I want to focus some time on my family.

My wish for all of you is the happiest and healthiest of holidays and end of year times, and a wonderful and prosperous 2014. You're the best fans in the world and I love each and every one of you -- you're the best gifts an author could get, and I'm grateful for all y'all each and every day.

So enjoy the weekend, the various holidays for those who are celebrating and those who are just watching, those working the holidays be sure to take time for yourselves as well and know that the rest of us appreciate your time, effort, and sacrifice, and let's all be readers out there! Peace out, my li'l gangstas, and I'll catch you on the flip side!

Love,
Gini

Releasing the Research

Happy Tuesday! Yes, it's true! It's the official release day for Alien Research! I realize that half the world seems to have gotten this book early, but for those of you who haven't, today's the day!

Haven't gotten the book yet? Check out the PRR (Pre Review Ravings) at Bibliognome to tide you over. Or whet your appetite. Or both.

Team Gini swears that any pics you take of the bookie wookies in the wild will get up onto the Sightings page, and who are we to argue, especially since they've made it all pretty again? So, if you get some shots, please send them in! Speaking of the website, Free Stuff is updated, so check it out and see what new things you can get for, yes, free.

So, what will I be doing to celebrate Alien Research's release? I'll be getting a mammogram and a bone density test. (Because my life is just that kind of exciting.) But, honestly, the mammogram especially is an important test and I do one yearly (and this year's just happens to fall on release day). One of my BFFs didn't get one for years. Her husband spotted something -- and that something was very virulent breast cancer. She's a totally positive person and quite the fighter, and it looks like she's going to beat this. However, per her and her doctors, if she'd had regular screenings, this would have been caught before it was at the terrifying level. So, please, if you have the ta-tas, go get them squished for the safety of your health. And if you love someone with ta-tas, encourage them to get a yearly mammogram. Because losing even one Member of the Alien Collective is one member too many.

Medical stuff out of the way, this weekend and next week I'll be doing fun things, and seeing some of you at them!

--Saturday, December 7, Mysterious Galaxy San Diego, CA, Eat! Read! Party! Holiday Event, 3-5pm
--Sunday, December 8, Mysterious Galaxy Redondo Beach, CA, Holiday Party, 3-5pm
--Thursday, December 12, The Poisoned Pen, Scottsdale, AZ, Book Signing, 7-8:00pm

Hope everyone who celebrated had a wonderful Thanksgiving, is having a happy Hanukkah, that everyone had a great weekend, and that everyone has an even better week. See some of you in SoCal this coming weekend, and let's all be Alien Research readers out there! Peace out, my li'l gangstas, and I'll catch you on the flip side!

Love,
Gini