Thursday 4 September 2008

It's a party! Come on over!



September 8 marks the official release of Café au Lait on to an unsuspecting world. A couple great reviews are out already, I've had my very first fan letter, and it's time to celebrate, so the blog is !!!having a party!!! I'm giving away two copies of the novel and everyone who leaves a comment here will be entered in the draw on Wednesday (***see update below) when (I dare assume) enough sobriety has returned to enable me to write names on little pieces of paper.

To ensure fairness to all, fellow writer Vaughn has been designated to pick the winners from a hat. I'm not a hat person myself but my mother has agreed to lend us one of the ridiculous things she wears in the yard and to the market. Let the fun begin!

It's all happening on the beach here at Maracas Bay on the north coast of my island....



...where we're dancing on the sand, plunging into the waves, running across the street to buy shark-and-bake with tamarind sauce from the booths over here...



...and listening to the music of the wind and the breakers. We've got lots of drinks in the coolers so grab a glass of something and join in! We'll be here all day and all night and the day after that and the day after...

***The draw will take place today, Thursday, at an undisclosed location (snort) and I'll post the results on the blog on Friday.

66 comments:

Deborah Carr (Debs) said...

Wow, what an incredible place to party, it looks like heaven to me.

Can't wait to read Cafe au Lait, it's so exciting. I bet you can't wait until 8th. Only four days to go.

Dx

The Anti-Wife said...

I want to come party there with you all. It looks like a fabulous place.

Phyllis Bourne said...

YAYAY!!!! Congrats!

How does it feel to hold a copy in your hands!?!?

Don't bother entering me in the contest. I can't wait until Sept. 8th!!!!

Liane Spicer said...

Debs, it's lovely out here! Four days and counting...

Anti-wife, grab a swimsuit and come on over! It's a perfect day for the beach today, sunny and clear.

PBW, join right in! Holding the book in my sweaty hands is a great feeling. I don't think I've come to terms with it yet.

Anonymous said...

oooh, yay!
I will be in Grenada, but I'll look toward the direction of maracas and celebrate with you :-D

Lane Mathias said...

Ooh those photos! I'll grab my bathers!

So pleased for you Liane and can't wait to read your book.

Make sure your mother gets her hat back won't you:-)

Rose Red Art said...

Wow! What lovely photos! Such a fantastic place for a party - takes my mind off the rain here!

Congrats on your book!

CL Taylor said...

Wow! What a BEAUTIFUL place. Oooh, I can almost feel the sun on my face. Almost *she said, looking at the rain lashing the windows*

Caroline said...

Oh gosh what a beautiful place.
I am so going for a swim.

Huge congratulations on the launch and publication x

Pacha said...

Me! Me! Me! Me! I want to win in the draw!

*sigh* I also want to live where you do too.

Good luck with everything Lianne and I CAN'T wait to read your book. SO SO SO SO EXCITING ;-)

Pacha said...

And that is Liane with one n - sorry!...(p.s if I write 2 comments do I get my name in draw twice???)

Rachel Green said...

How absolutely super!

Congratulations!

Anonymous said...

hahahah but I already have my copy :-)

This Maracas thing sounds like a scene from Café au Lait :)

But I leave for the US on Saturday but only for a few days. I hope you post pics and even a video for those who could not make it :)

p.s. is an excellent read!

PJ said...

Congratulations, Liane! I wish I could hop on a plane and join the celebrations.

Jenny Beattie said...

Oh wow, I'm on my way over ...

Wishing you a wonderful experience Liane. I cannot wait to read your book and if I don't win I've already pre ordered it.

Much love JJx

Helen Shearer said...

Congratulations! New book, great party, white sandy beach - does it get any better? Cheers!

CC Devine said...

Wonderful news! The cover looks so snazzy. Pics look pretty amazing for a girl who's writing from a very wet and grey London.

Liane Spicer said...

Hey, Chennette, you get around, don't you girl! I'll save you a drink or three!

Lane, I'm sorely tempted to get rid of those hats once and for all, but she'll probably maim me...

Paige, welcome! And thank you!

Calistro, it is beautiful, isn't it? And after weeks of downpours and floods the sunny weather has been holding steady all week.

Caroline, thank you! Come on in - the water's warm and invigorating!

Pacha, really nice of you to drop in. Did you bring that cute brown and blue bikini? I'll try not to be too jealous! Re the 2 comments 2 entries issue: Ahem. Didn't think this through all the way, did I? I'll have to confer with Vaughn (who's in charge of picking the winner) and get back to you.

Liane Spicer said...

Leatherdykeuk! Welcome, and thank you!

akalol, you can't leave! This party can't go on without you! Come on back, pretty please? The north coast is so beautiful I couldn't set a novel in Trinidad and not have a few scenes there. So glad you're enjoying the read.

PJ, thank you. You're here in spirit, and that's what matters. Hope you come by in person some day.

JJ, so glad you could make it! Much love back! You've been terrific!

Helen, cheers, and thank you! This is sheer bliss!

cc devine, I seriously dig that cover! (Dig?, she asks, having dated herself...) Sending a piece of sunshine and the smell of surf off to rainy London post haste!

Jen said...

Oh crumbs, we are SO having the next Novel Racers meet at yours! How impossibly gorgeous it looks from here, with our monotone grey skies.

Really looking forward to reading your novel. Yay!

Sandra Cormier said...

Congratulations on your release! Finally! I guess it's too late to win a copy (boo hoo).

Where's my rum and orange juice? Oh! There it is... bottoms up!

It's nice to see your trees haven't blown over in all the wild weather. Do the hurricanes tend to miss you?

Liane Spicer said...

Spiralskies, that would be so great! Let's start a little pressure group - Kevin and Zinnia are in already! That's four and counting...

Chumplet, you're not at all late. The party goes on until Wednesday so anyone who comments up till than has a chance. We're just south of the hurrican belt, thank goodness, so we get bad weather associated with the systems but hardly ever a direct hit.

kim said...

you don't have to put me in the hat -- I already have mine. How did I buy it before it was released??? I don't know, Barnes and Noble had it last week when I checked.
Your pics look like it feels in the book(only less people around!).

I'm not too far in, but loving it so far -- likeable, witty. Wish I were really there!

kim said...

I was talking about Shari when I said likeable, witty. When I read my comment it came off lukewarm about the book.

Congrats again!

Pat Posner said...

Oh, great place for a party!
An even greater reason for having one. I'm cyberwriting
'CAFE AU LAIT' in huge letters in the sand so everyone can see.
Thank you so much for my invite and...

Happy Official Release Day, Liane!

Pat in cold, rainy Lancashire.

Anonymous said...

The visuals in Café au Lait are amazing and the characters resemble people everybody might know :)

Duty calls and sometimes at the worse times. Though I can't make the party you still owe me an autograph :)

Unknown said...

Congratulations! What a wonderful backdrop for your party; have a wonderful, wonderful time... hic!

Liane Spicer said...

Kim, thanks for all the support! It seems that the books are stocked in stores well in advance of the actual release date. I didn't know that until I saw it happen with Patricia Wood's Lottery. CaL's been in stock at B&N for a couple weeks, and friends who pre-ordered it on Amazon received it more than a week ago. So glad you're enjoying it!

Pat, thank you for coming! I see the name in the sand... why didn't I think of that? Sending you some hot yellow sunshine, manufactured right here in the Caribbean from authentic, organic, free-range solar rays... :)

akalol, shhh! Next thing you know, people'll be accusing me of writing about them! It's all fiction; that's my story and I'm sticking to it. As for the visuals, I write it as I see it! I know you're here in spirit, and I'll take a drink for you. What's your poison? Please, don't let it be beer! [And we'll work out that autograph business, I promise!]

barbaras, welcome, and thank you! So glad you came!

Nell Dixon said...

I found you from Pat's blog. Congratulations on the release and wishing you tons of sales.

Maya Reynolds said...

Liane: Congratulations!!!! I'm really looking forward to a chance to buy Cafe au Lait and to wiggling my toes in the water.

Best regards,

Maya

DK said...

Wonderful - congratulations!

Jenny Beattie said...

Let me just add that I'm in for the next Novel Racer meet at Liane's too. Just name the date!
JJx

Rose Red Art said...

I'm up for the next Novel Racers meet to be with you too!

However it would mean having to get my passport and get on a plane for the first time! Eek!

Sandra Cormier said...

Just checking in to see how the party's going. Hey, the music is so laid back. Must have been rocking a while ago!

Mwah!

Debi said...

Oh! Today's the day and I'm the first to comment. Really excited for you (and for me - I never get to be first at anything).

Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!

Flowerpot said...

looks amazing and I can't wait to read Cafe au Lait - brilliant news!

nyc/caribbean ragazza said...

Have a great time at your party!! What a gorgeous place.

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Sherri said...

How I wish I could be there in person - it looks glorious!
Congratulations on the book and the best of luck with it.

Liane Spicer said...

Nell, welcome! Thank you so much!

Maya, so glad you could make it! Had some rain yesterday but the sun's back today and the water looks wonderful. Come on in!

DK Green, welcome, and thank you!

JJ, that's five and counting...! Has Kevin been whispering in your ear? :)

Paige, that's six for! I like where this is going...

Chumplet, now that we've had a bit of a rest we're ready to rock this place all over again! Specially for you: Guns 'n Roses' Welcome to the Jungle! [There, that picked things up a bit...]

Debi, congrats on being first on 'the day'!

Liane Spicer said...

Flowerpot, it is amazing. Let's hit the water!

nyc/caribbean, so glad you made it! I've seen equally beautiful shots of St Martin. Hard to take for granted, isn't it?

MATT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was just about to send a search party for you! Thank you - so glad you made it!

Bernadette, welcome to the blog! Thank you for joining our little celebration! Have a drink!

Karen said...

How exciting, and what wonderful photos! In fact...today's the day!!

Hoodie said...

Sounds like my kind of party!!!

Congrats on the release. You know I'll read it either way. Woot!

Cheryl St.John said...

Oh, goody, I love a party!

Congrats on the release!

Zinnia Cyclamen said...

Many congratulations, Liane - it's a huge achievement. And thanks for letting me know about the party. Sorry I'm late but I'm having a hectic week and not reading/commenting much. Don't worry about putting me in the draw, I ordered my copy a couple of weeks ago and it should be here any day. I can't wait to read it!

Liane Spicer said...

Karen, yes, it's finally here!

Hoodie, thanks for coming!

Cherylstjohn, thank you! It's great to see you!

Zinnia, welcome! You're not late at all - it doesn't stop till Wednesday! Thanks for all the support, and I hope you enjoy the read!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on the release!! Cafe au Lait. That sounds nice right about now.

I hope you're serving something nicely tropical. :)

Anonymous said...

I'm on my way from Harbour Island in the Bahamas , to a cool 2 weeks In Tobago, with a stop in Trinidad for Oysters, cousin Ronnisha's curried anything, cold Stag, and a copy of your book to enjoy on the beach at Store Bay!
Walk good!

Unknown said...

Congratulations Lianne, all the way from ireland. I also had my launch last night, the 8th, but the venue was a little less glamorous -- Dublin Bookstore!

Looking forward to reading Cafe Au Lait.
All best wishes
Orna
www.ornaross.com

Anonymous said...

Vaughn has entered the room so the party will begin....

I'm still looking for the hat from which I'm supposed to be choosing these names. That should be highlight of the party since I'm not into the bake and shark thing. Shark is an unhealthy meat to eat for those who are health conscious. As for the bake - way too much grease. And white flour????

Oops. Sorry this is a party.

Liane, the stories I could blackmail you with; stories of days in Hialeah when you almost got me run over; stories of when you jumped to my rescue when someone was hitting on me, but no, I think I'll put it in a book too and maybe I'll be a best-selling author.

Congrats girl. I know, at least in part, what a journey this has been for you. SO DON'T FORGET ME WHEN YOU'RE AT THE TOP.

I look forward to your other projects; those that I've read, those that I think the rest of the world will treasure like I have. Unquestionably, you have a gift for writing and you do it so well.

One thing though: I've always wondered who your muse was for the leading male character, Michael, in Cafe au Lait. Care to tell us, Li? Was it one of your "hunks of the month" whose picture you've kept secret all this time? I'm sure everyone is dying to know.

Once again, congratulations on a job well done and we look forward to more.

(Is this party going to start now?)

LaShaunda said...

Congrats on you new release.

Enjoy the excitement you're hard work has paid off.

Dont' drink too much rum :)

Kaz Augustin said...

Hey, I know I'm late, but I was away on work for a week. (Yuk!) HUGE congrats on the release!! I bet you never thought it'd come? :)

I caught the tail end of the party and it was terrific!

Sandra Cormier said...

HAPPY RELEASE DAY! Pop! goes the champagne cork!

Lynn Emery said...

Happy First Book Release Month! Celebrate. Love that cover, too. Sorry I'm late to the party, and man do I need a drink after entertaining Hurricane Gustav. I'm so hoping not to meet his brother Ike :( Thanks for the invite, Liane. Congrats again. And I won't pout if I don't win. I'll just buy my own copy. So there :P

Un Peu Loufoque said...

Ah congrats and thank you so much for throwing an open house your Island is a blessing as I am desperately missing sunshine having returned to wet Brittany after a summer of Italy greece and Morocco. How splendid to have a real book of your own making in your hands, I am widly jealious! Now jsut be sweet nad point me in teh direction of your agent and publisher in this throng will you!

Liane Spicer said...

Jason, thank you. You're in the right place for tropical...

Robbie, so nice of you to drop by. You're right on time! Enjoy your visit to T&T - I hope to visit Harbour Island sometime soon!

Orna, that's quite a coincidence, both our books being launched on the same day. I wish you all the best with yours, too!

Vaughn S. T., I'll deal with you. A lecture on healthful eating here, of all places? Get off your podium and take a swim, please. And why are you mentioning our adventures on foreign soil? Now I have no secrets! I won't forget you, nor the part you have played as my first reader (...you bullied me into that, didn't you. Can't you take no for an answer?) and as a fellow writer walking the walk. Thank you for everything. As for the muse for Michael: you'll just have to continue wondering, won't you! I'm not telling! BTW, you may e-mail your applicaton for the hunk of the month feature to: liane@inyourdreams.com.

Anonymous said...

Congratulation on your book. Best wishes to you. I would like to feature your book on One World Singles Blog. Send your press release to our email at hmcsromanceinernational@juno.com

Best regard,
http://oneworldsingles.blogspot.com

Liane Spicer said...

LaShaunda, thank you for coming! I'll try to lay off the liquor... But I'm not promising anything!

Kaz, so glad you made it! Really, this has been THE longest wait ever for something to happen. Is publishing slow or what?

Lynn, you're not late at all! Isn't that a pretty cover? I love the colours! I'm sorry about the hurricane buffetings, but happy to know that you're safe.

Un Peu Loufoque, what a fantastic holiday you've had! I'd be jealous if I wasn't having so much fun here! Yes, this is a blessed island in many ways. Thanks for joining in the fun! (My pubisher is Dorchester, and if you'd like info on the agent just drop me a line at lianespicer at gmail.)

Liane Spicer said...

Anon at One World Singles, thank you! The releases will be going out over the next week and I'll be sure to send you one. Thanks for asking!

Anonymous said...

It looks like a slammin' party. I can't wait to read Cafe au Lait. Congrats

Unknown said...

Sorry I'm late but huge congrats - can't wait to get my hands on a copy!!!

Liane Spicer said...

Roses, thank you, and welcome! Come right on in! You missed the draw but you're right on time for the afterparty!

Liz, things have quieted down a bit, and the rain is back, but I'm glad you made it! The beach is lovely in this mood, too!

Anonymous said...

I see Amazon also has Cafe au Lait as a Kindle Edition)

http://www.amazon.com/Cafe-au-Lait/dp/B001HBI9L8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1224000840&sr=8-2

Liane Spicer said...

akalol, I discovered that yesterday. I need to review my contract and see what this means in terms of royalties.

Anonymous said...

I think a Kindle edition sale is the same as a paperback sale so the royalties should be the same. Kindle makes the book so much more accessible to the busy audience and it's good for the book industry.

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