Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Guest Erica Ridley

Hi Erica—and happy release week for your debut book, TOO WICKED TO KISS! Did you do anything special to celebrate?

Some of my girlfriends had wanted to take me out to celebrate on the actual release day, but I was scheduled to do a live chat that night. (My first time as the guest of honor!) Rather than leave me at home with my computer, they brought drinks and food and came to me instead! It ended up being a lot of fun.

Did you have an official launch party?

Yes, just this weekend! It started with a signing (my first, of course!) at a local independent bookstore, then continued with an after party at a nearby café in downtown Tampa.

How did your first signing go?

I was sooo nervous. . . There were dozens of white wooden folding chairs arranged in neat rows as if awaiting guests at a wedding. All of them faced the lone table-and-chair where I’d been placed to sign books. The bookstore employee asked everyone to take a seat, thanked everyone for coming, then turned it over to “local author Erica Ridley.” Who, it must be said, did not have a speech prepared, because I thought all I had to do at a book signing was sign books! LOL. I’m pretty sure my face was bright pink the entire time. We did some Q&A, then I asked everyone to get back up and mingle, and not to miss out on the kiss-shaped cookies.

Sounds like a busy weekend! I take it you missed the Oscars? ;-)

I will confess my secret: Although I have never sat through an entire awards show on TV, I am totally addicted to the celebrity fashion snark over at the Go Fug Yourself blog. I wouldn’t recognize most of the celebrities even if they lived next door (er… they don’t, right?) but the outrageous clothes they wear—and the subsequent commentary by the Fug Girls—never fails to crack me up!

HIS TOUCH HOLDS HER CAPTIVE...

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From the ravens circling its spires to the gargoyles adorning its roof, Blackberry Manor looms ominously over its rambling grounds. And behind its doors, amid the flickering shadows and secret passageways, danger lies in wait.

TO HIS EVERY DARK DESIRE...

Evangeline Pemberton has been invited to a party at the sprawling estate of reclusive Gavin Lioncroft, who is rumored to have murdered his parents. Initially, Gavin's towering presence and brusque manner instill fear in Evangeline...until his rakish features and seductive attentions profoundly arouse her. But when a guest is murdered, Evangeline is torn. Could the man to whom she is so powerfully drawn, also be a ruthless killer?

TOO WICKED TO KISS

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Erica Ridley learned to read when she was three, which was about the same time she decided to be a writer when she grew up. Over the course of her school years, she graduated from self-illustrated stories written in crayon to dramatic sagas filling reams of spiral notebooks.

Now, Erica writes Gothic historical romance novels, often with a touch of paranormal. When not reading or writing romances, Erica can be found riding camels in Africa, zip-lining through rainforests in Costa Rica, or getting hopelessly lost in the middle of Budapest.

Visit Erica’s website at: http://www.ericaridley.com

Get bonus features for Too Wicked To Kiss at: http://www.2wicked2kiss.com

Be friends with Erica at: http://www.facebook.com/EricaRidleyFans

Tweet with Erica at: http://www.twitter.com/EricaRidley

How about you—do you enjoy being under the spotlight (as Erica was at her signing)? What type of spontaneous speech might you have come up with? And confess the truth: Are you an awards-show fan because of the awards themselves, or do you watch for the fashion and drama (if at all)?

Erica will be giving away a copy of TOO WICKED TO KISS today to one lucky commenter! Just get your Madlibs-style vision at www.2wicked2kiss.com and post it here to the comment thread on Riding With The Top Down!

20 comments:

CrystalGB said...

Happy Release Day Erica. Your book sounds great. I don't enjoy being under the spotlight. I like to watch the awards show to view the fashion.
I took the quiz and my results are:
A mysterious stranger will herald many happy friends. Rejoice in his shiny arm and his propensity for frequent running!

Erica Ridley said...

Hi Crystal! LOL re: your mysterious stranger and his frequent running... maybe you're about to meet Matt Damon? He's always running amok in the Bourne movies... ;-)

Debra Dixon said...

Erica--

Hey, girl ! Welcome to the convertible.

Congratulations on the book! And I of course love the book site. :)

I didn't watch the Oscars this year but I do confess to looking at fashion photos. I find I sometimes don't agree with the fashion experts. Usually I do, but sometimes I think they are just too full of themselves to live. (g)

Erica Ridley said...

Thanks so much for having me!! I don't always agree with the fashion experts either--and sometimes I don't agree with the designers in the first place! There's some... shall we say... "imaginative" brand name gowns out there that I doubt would look flattering on anybody!

Unknown said...

Hi Erica, congrats on your new release! Your book sound fabulous and I love the cover! I am not much on being under the spotlight! Its just not for me I would perfer to be just on the side lines watching, but thats just me.

Erica Ridley said...

Thanks, Virginia! I don't mind the spotlight as long as I'm expecting it and prepared for it, such as when I'm presenting a workshop. But if someone thrusts a microphone in my face and/or asks for an impromptu speech, my mind goes completely blank! Nonetheless, I had a great time. =)

Cindy Gerard said...

Hi Erica! Welcome to the TopDown. Great cover and LOL on the book signing. While I love meeting readers, I always feel like I'm on the hotseat ... not the most comfy seat in the world :o)
Good luck with the book!!

Erica Ridley said...

Thanks so much, Cindy!! I hope to be more prepared at the next signing. (And by "prepared", I mean: let the booksellers know I don't plan on making any speeches! LOL)

LSUReader said...

I don't like being in the spotlight, never have! I used to watch all the awards shows on TV. Now, I hardly watch any. Actually, I hardly watch any TV--too busy reading, I guess!

My fortune says, "When your new carriage loses a wheel, use your left eye to attract help and attention from passing men. Although you'll feel mad as a wet cat, bad things only come in 3s."

Erica Ridley said...

I'm with you--I'm usually way too busy reading! Love your fortune... yours actually makes sense! LOL =)

Erica Ridley said...

Karyn: Oh man, the after-stress is almost just as bad! Thank you so much for the well wishes!!! =)

Unknown said...

Welcome to the convertible, Erica. Great to have you with us. Enjoy the thrill of a new book! It sounds wonderful.

Michele Hauf said...

Great cover, Erica! And welcome to Riding! I'm not much for spotlights and a spontaneous speech? Nu-uh. :-)

catslady said...

Gothic historical romance novels, often with a touch of paranormal - All my favorites rolled into one.

Hate public speaking but I don't mind speaking my mind lol

Maureen said...

The book looks like a good one and here's my prediction:

Tomorrow will be a bad ear day, and you'll have to deal with a man who isn't the sharpest dog in the nun. Relax. And remember: short strokes for short folks!

Erica Ridley said...

Lois: Thank you!!!

Michele: Thanks! And yeah, I'd never wish a spontaneous speech on anybody!

Catslady: LOL! Here's to speaking your mind! =)

Maureen: Hahahaha, classic prediction!!

chey said...

I don't like to be in the spotlight.
I don't watch award shows.

My Psychic vision: A mysterious stranger will herald many cold people. Rejoice in his pretty feet and his propensity for frequent flying!

mariska said...

this is my result...

Feeling low because a goody nine-shoes said you have a heart only a mother could reading? Think about books. A pink rose by any other name would smell as sweet.

i just need to take another vision! lol !

Unknown said...

Erica! Welcome to the convertible! We're so happy to be able to celebrate your big release with you!

And eat your hearts out guys-- I'm signing with Erica this Saturday and will have my hot little hands on her big, hot book by nightfall! Can't wait!

I'm so glad you have a fun time at the party, Erica. And I know Too Wicked is going to b e a big success in every way!

And hey-- tell us about your year abroad! And how that affected your writing!

Martha Lawson said...

Congratulations on your release! It sounds like a wonderful book. Can't wait to read it. Don't watch award shows.

Your career will take a wicked turn in the next 4 days. Just keep both legs on the ground. After all, the more children change, the more they have the same