I ran out to my local Borders on Monday to get the latest copy of RT Book Reviews.

They didn’t have it out on the floor but the gentleman behind the counter said he would check the unopened box of new magazines and there it was!

I quickly leafed through it until I found my picture and profile for the “Writing with the Stars” contest. I excitedly showed it to the salespeople and said, “That’s me. I’m in the magazine!”

I know. How uncool. But there it is.

I can’t help being incredibly excited to be a finalist in Kensington Brava and RT Book Reviews’ “Writing with the Stars” contest. The winner lands a book contract.

Now that’s cool.

After buying the magazine and checking out my picture and those of my talented fellow finalists, I dragged my 11-year-old over to the Romance section to show him some of the Kensington Brava books on the shelf.  From the look of wonderment on his face, I’d say that’s the moment he really got it – what this competition is  all about. We took a minute to admire the beautiful trade paperbacks together before getting back on task and forging ahead to finish the day’s errands.

Getting back to the contest,  here’s the recap…

There are five rounds of competition. Readers of the RT Book Reviews website and magazine will vote for the winner online.

First round voting continues through October 24. The category is “Best First Paragraph and Last Sentence“.

The competition is officially under way!

For those of you who aren’t familiar with the contest, here’s a quick recap: I am one of 10 finalists in the “Writing With the Stars” contest sponsored by Kensington Brava and RT Book Reviews.

There are five rounds of competition. Readers of the RT Book Reviews website and magazine will vote for the winner online. The top prize is a book contract with Kensington.

First round voting opens today. The category is “Best First Paragraph and Best Last Sentence“.

The results are in! I placed third in the 2010 Orange Rose contest for my manuscript “Seducing Charlotte.”

Two acquiring editors were the final judges. The entry consisted of the first 50 pages of the manuscript.

The top ten finalists were selected by overall score, independent of category. Mine was the only historical on the list of finalists.

My sincere thanks to the Orange County Chapter of RWA – especially contest coordinator Lynn Nissen – for putting together such an organized, well-run contest.

Oh, and there’s a cash prize of $50. Spa manicure/pedicure, here I come!