Lots of busy-ness around the office as we prepare for the release of SMOKE SCREEN–you can see the new trailer on the homepage. And you can see the “Behind the Scenes” video here.A few other things you can look forward to in the near future:

I’ll be guest blogging at The Good The Bad and the Unread on July 22, the same day that PLAY DIRTY is released in paperback. Be sure to comment. You could win a copy of SMOKE SCREEN before it goes on sale.

August 12 I will be back at The Good The Bad and the Unread with an excerpt of SMOKE SCREEN. One lucky person will win their very own signed copy. I’ll also be guest blogging at Fresh Fiction Blog on that day.

Then the week of August 18 I, with the help of the folks at Good Bad and Unread, will be searching for the ultimate Sandra Brown fan…so get ready!

We’ll also be doing a special contest the entire month of August to benefit MDA, who also does research for ALS, and my readers.

More details to come in the near future. Please check back here at the blog or the News Page.

And, of course, next week in New York City, I will be honored by ITW as their 2008 Thrillermaster. I’m very excited and hope to have some fun video footage for you when I get back.

In the mean time, Happy Canada Day and Happy Fourth of July!!!

I just returned from the most amazing 12 day trip–six countries and three continents. While most of the trip consisted of a seven day cruise, there was still a lot of packing and unpacking involved. Rather than take along numerous books — which I ordinarily would have done for a trip that lengthy — because heaven forbid I find myself on any continent without something to read! — I went high tech (very unlike me) and used my new Kindle.

Michael had given it to me for Christmas, but since I’m technologically challenged, I didn’t even take it out of the box until a few days before our departure. I’m pleased to say it wasn’t that hard to get the hang of, even for a gadget klutz like me. I didn’t even have to resort to cursing before I had downloaded two books, long books, books still in hardcover that I couldn’t have carried to the other side of the globe without paying a fee for extra baggage weight. My worst fear wasn’t getting used to reading off the screen because that’s what I do all day, every day. My worst fear was running out of juice while flying over the Atlantic. (I think there’s power cord that will enable me to plug it into an airplane, but I didn’t have one.) I was able to recharge the battery, even in Istanbul, using a converter/adapter, so my Kindle never lost power.

It has a few design flaws. For instance the on/off switch is located on the back, which is rather inconvenient, and the page turner runs down the entire right side, so I was constantly flipping before I was ready to. But it’s lightweight and has the capacity to store as many books as I would read in a year. Most of the bells and whistles I’ll never use, but techies will love them.

Will it ever take the place of books — actual paper pages, and covers, and the tactile pleasure I derive from holding a book? No. But for travelers or commuters already loaded down with reading matter, I can recommend you check it out.

Oh, and if you do, you may notice that one of the books listed on a sample menu page is CHILL FACTOR by Sandra Brown!

There are only twelve hours left to win Sandra’s Deep in the Heart of Texas gift basket in the Brenda Novak Juvenile Diabetes Auction!

The basket includes autographed hardcovers of Sandra’s Texas-set titles, including the Texas! Series, Unspeakable, Play Dirty, Hello, Darkness, The Crush, & The Switch as well as an assortement of Texas’y goodies!

We hope you get a chance to check it out and have a wonderful weekend!

This is a funny time of year. The lull before Smoke Screen goes on sale when the final, but oh so important book details are seen to. I recently returned from New York where I met with Andrew Eccles so that he could shoot the jacket photo for Smoke Screen. Check back soon for a video!

Now that I’m back in the office, I’m busy reviewing the galleys for Smokes Screen, approving the audio cover and script and a thousand other details that have to be settled before the book can be put to bed and I can catch my breath before moving on to something new.

Speaking of something new, I recently approved the cover for TEXAS! LUCKY, a January 2009 hardcover reissue (and Spring 2009 audio book!).

What do you think?

In the mean time, I’ve got to get these galleys done. We’re leaving soon on vacation with some friends.

Once again I’ve donated a gift basket to the Brenda Novak Juvenile Diabetes Auction.

My Deep in the Heart of Texas basket includes such Texas-set book as THE CRUSH, HELLO, DARKNESS, PLAY DIRTY, THE SWITCH, UNSPEAKABLE and of course, the Texas! TRILOGY–all hardcovers, all autographed, a Texas paperweight for your desk, and an assortment of Texas goodies.

This year Brenda’s goal is to raise $150,000. Whether you’re looking for a great vacation, are an avid reader/collector, or an aspiring author, there’s something for everyone in Brenda’s Auction.

Brenda’s very first auction ran in 2005 and was a huge success. Together with hergenerous donors, which included some of the biggest and brightest stars in publishing, Brenda raised $34,982, which went directly to research. In year 2they did even better and raised $62,705. In year three, they more than doubled at $141,700. They’re definitely on a roll. The auction takes a full year to plan and pull off, but it’s a labor of love—for all the people who, like Brenda’s son, suffer from diabetes. This year, they’re be shooting for $150,000.

Please help me make it happen. Bid now, bid often.

Now that I’ve wrapped up Smoke Screen, it’s almost vacation time. That means I’m rededicating myself to my exercise program. I’m doing cardio, which I hate, and Pilates with a trainer 2 days a week. I really love this. We’re doing mat work as well as programs on the Reformer, which looks like an instrument of torture out of the Spanish Inquisition.

My grandson Luke recently had his first Disney World adventure. He had a marvelous time…and Rachel had a Sandra Brown sighting! While walking through Epcot on an absolutely gorgeous Spring day, Rachel spies a woman sitting on a bench reading one of my books. She debated whether or not to approach the woman, and in the end decided why not? Turns out she was a big fan, and thrilled to meet Rachel, Pete, and grandson Luke.

SO, to the lady from Atlanta who passed up Epcot to read my book — Thank you!!

I’m scheduling the photo session for my book jacket for Smoke Screen. It’s one of my favorite days of the year, and Andrew Eccles is fabulous, but it takes weeks to prepare. Hair can’t be too short or too long. Nails must be just right. Will that zit be gone by then? Oh, and another reason to hit that Reformer!

Are you as happy as I am that Spring has finally arrived? You can see more of our gorgeous spring flowers in the photo gallery.

April’s video newsletter is up!

Enjoy!

I wanted to take a minute and say welcome to my lovely new blog…and website. I hope you’ve had a chance enjoy all the bells and whistles we’ve added–including a video newsletter, a wonderful photo gallery that we’ll be adding photos to regularly and this blog.

Also…TwinStar Entertainment has optioned THE WITNESS for a feature film!

Lane Bishop, a producer for the film company, called my agent last summer after having picked up a copy of the book in an airport bookstore before a flight. She said she read it straight through without a break and knew she had to make it into a film. Of course, there are a thousand and one steps between the option and the premiere, but I’m confident of Lane Bishop and Todd Garner’s passion for the project.

I’ll keep you posted on any exciting developments!

February 20 had been marked on my calendar for months. Friends had invited Michael and me to a “surprise” black tie dinner honoring Van Cliburn, the pianist. Imagine my astonishment when we entered the City Club in downtown Fort Worth, and I saw assembled 150 people who were there to surprise me!

The evening had been arranged by my husband Michael to introduce me to the ELF – acronym for Excellence in Literary Fiction – an award to be given annually to a student from my alma mater, Texas Christian University, along with a $50,000 scholarship.

He had established this foundation with TCU Chancellor Victor Boschini , and together they planned this evening full of surprises. The first of which was to see my friend Bob Schieffer of CBS. He was there to serve as emcee. Other luminaries who spoke that evening were writers Dan Jenkins, Rick Bragg, and my agent Maria Carvainis. Longtime friend, Pat Conroy couldn’t attend, but he sent a video message.

Several publishing colleagues made the trip to Texas for the occasion. They included David Rosenthal, publisher of Simon & Schuster, Marysue Rucci, my editor, along with Louise Burke, publisher of Pocket Books, and Diane Moggy from MIRA.

The evening concluded with the biggest surprise of all: a hooding ceremony. Chancellor Boschini presented me with an honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters. I wept, and so did many in attendance, knowing how deeply I had regretted never completing my college education.

It’s astonishing that all my friends and family, my office staff, and my husbandmanaged to keep this a secret for months! I’ll never trust them to be telling me the truth again. . .but I want to thank them all for the stupendous surprise and one of the most meaningful evenings of my life.

Photos are now available in the Photo Gallery!

I’m back from Japan and had a wonderful time!

Shueisha Inc., my publisher there, pulled out all the stops to make Michael and me feel like very special visitors. We were given “rock star” treatment. . .which is something I could get used to! This was our first trip to Japan, and we were so impressed by how kind, hospitable, and generous the people are. From everyone with whom I came into contact — ardent fans, journalists, a television personality, a top selling Japanese author, the publishing staff — I experienced nothing but extraordinary kindness. I was presented with a beautiful kimono, along with many other wonderful gifts. But the memories are what I’ll treasure most.

Michael came back boasting that his wife is featured in PLAYBOY! Yes, I was interviewed and photographed (with all my clothes on, I assure you!) for the Japanese issue of PLAYBOY!

Check the all new video/photo gallery in the next few days for highlights of the trip

If you’re reading this, you’ve seen our new and improved website. I’m very excited about it. For a video overview of the new features click here.

Additional features are worth noting here. We’ve responded to what many of you have requested, specifically:

1. Each page is now printable.
2. At the bottom of each page is a link where you can email that page to as many as five friends.
3. The FAQs pages have been expanded to include links and FAQ’s specifically for writers. Whether you’re a reader and fan who’s curious about my particular writing habits, or an aspiring fiction writer, I’ve provided you more detailed information.

I hope you like the new website. Please visit it often.