I’ve signed the contract, so I guess it’s really, REALLY official: I’m going to be participating in Lori Foster’s summer, 2009 anthology, Tails of Love, along with the following other authors:

· Kate Angell

· Stella Cameron

· Dianne Castell

· Marcia James

· Donna MacMeans

· Sarah McCarty

· Patricia Sargeant; and

· Sue-Ellen Welfonder.

Turns out my friend Patricia Sargeant, who knows I love cats (we have two rescue cats, Sadie and Savannah), referred me to Lori for this project, which will benefit a local animal shelter, the Animal Adoption Foundation.

I am, obviously, extremely excited and grateful.

Lori has a heart as big as Texas, in case you didn’t know. This summer’s anthology (I’m not a part of this one–*SOB!*), The Power of Love, will benefit the Battered Women’s Shelter of Cincinnati. It’s available for pre-order, so you should get your copies (note the plural!) early.

My editor informed me this week that my next Harlequin/Kimani Press romance, Tender Secrets, has been given a publication date of October 2008. Here’s the back cover copy, which I hope whets your appetite a little:

She was beautiful, bitter and bent on revenge!

My book, I think, is officially out.

Last week, the friendly neighborhood Wal-Mart, which gets Harlequin books VERY early, had one copy. This week it had none.

The Waldenbooks in the mall had several copies yesterday, all of which I signed.

Over at Target, there were NO copies of my book yesterday or today, and several copies of the other Kimani Press books for the month. This gave me pause. Did they forget to ship my book to the store? I could totally see that happening. No, wait. I’ll bet my book is sitting on a skid on the loading dock. In the snow, getting ruined, because it snowed last night in Cincinnati.

THAT’S where my book is.

At least they have the little slot and label on the shelf where my book SHOULD go. So someone somewhere in the Target hierarchy is, in fact, aware of the existence of my book and knows that it should be here.

My daughter, bless her little heart, said, “Mom, they probably sold out of your book already.” I would love to believe this, but last time, with Just About Sex, Target had copies of everyone’s book but mine, and said the delivery of Kimani Press books was staggered over several days. Sure enough, a few days later my book turned up on the shelf.

My daughter, bless her little heart again, continued with the theories about the absence of STR on the shelf: “Maybe they don’t want to stock your book because they’re afraid fans will mob the store.”

I imagined such a glorious scene for a minute, wiped a tear from my eye, and decided that this was, in all likelihood, probably not the case.

Today I took a picture of the shelves in Target. My son asked why. “To show everyone my book is available,” I said. My son pointed to the empty shelf. “But it’s not available. Why are you taking a picture of an empty shelf to show that your book is available?”

I wondered, and not for the first time, who’d taught this kid to talk.

So here’s what I want to tell you: assuming that a) they didn’t forget to ship my book; and b) my book hasn’t been ruined by sitting on a skid on the loading dock in the snow; and c) you won’t be mobbed by all the “fans” (excuse me for a minute while I roll on the floor and laugh my *$$ off) rushing the shelves, you should buy a copy of Sweeter Than Revenge.

Really.

I got some fun news this week. The nominations for the Romantic Times BOOKreviews Reviewers’ Choice Awards are out, and Risk (Best African-American Romance category) and Just About Sex (Best Kimani Press Romance category) are nominated.

To say that I’m thrilled to be nominated alongside such a talented group of writers would be a HUGE understatement.

Congratulations to all the nominees! Check out the complete list.

Romance in Color has announced the nominees for its 2006 Reviewer’s Choice Awards, and I’m thrilled to be included. Check out the complete list. Congratulations to all the nominees!

I have finally joined the 21st Century.

No, I haven’t learned how to send an instant message. Let’s not get crazy.

I have gotten a MySpace page. Check it out if you want.

Now if only I knew how MySpace works…

My first book for Harlequin/Kimani Press, Just About Sex, will hit bookshelves any second. You know what that means: I’m a bundle of nerves and excitement. I’m especially thrilled that RT reviewed JAS and gave it 4.5 stars (its highest rating) and made it a Top Pick. Here’s what the reviewer, Debbie R. Sims, had to say:

“JUST ABOUT SEX is an exceptional story! Ann Christopher uses comedy to smooth over what could be uncomfortable topics. Her characters are colorful, well rounded and often inspirational…”

So… have you ordered your copy yet?

Here’s what the reviewer said about Risk in the March issue of Romantic Times:

Sometimes tragedies bring out the best and worst in those affected by them. That’s what happens in Christopher’s brilliant and tasteful novel about love, tragedy, heartbreak and forgiveness. The author delves deep into her characters, and this touching story will have readers looking into themselves and reexamining the way they react to those around them.

I’m thinking I should quit while I’m ahead and retire from novel writing. It’s gotta be all downhill after this …

My Harlequin editor let me know this week that my second novel for Kimani Press, Sweeter Than Revenge, will come out in January, 2008. That’ll give you plenty of time to budget accordingly, so don’t go spending all your end of the year/holiday money on foolish items like, for example, presents for your friends and family.

Okay? Okay. Enough said.

My sister just called to tell me she saw Risk on the shelf at one of our Cincinnati bookstores (can you hear me shrieking?) which means that it’ll soon be on shelves everywhere.

I know you’ve probably already pre-ordered six or eight copies on Amazon (a woman can hope, can’t she?), but if not, please look for it in stores near you within the next several days.

In the meantime, have you checked out the trailer on my home page … ?