From the Editor Celebrating Our Second Anniversary! This summer we not only celebrated MyRomanceStory.com's second anniversary but we introduced a new section on our site called Queridamia.com. Now selected stories and lifestyle columns are available in Spanish. Three stories are presented daily in true fotonovela fashion so readers will want to come back regularly for the next installments. Readers can also enjoy Dr. Charmaine Saunders's advice in Pregúntale a la Dra. Charmaine (Ask Dr. Charmaine), plot their course for true love with Descrubra sus Signos Romanticos (Discover Your Romance Signs) and peek in on the battle of the sexes with Lo Que Un Hombre Quiere…Lo Que Una Mujer Necesita (What a Man Wants…What a Women Needs). Readers are encouraged to send questions to Dr. Charmaine in English or Spanish. After all, sound relationship advice is often needed no matter where you live or what language you speak! Even in the early days of MyRomanceStory, we were thinking ahead to Queridamia.com. Latin countries have always had a strong history of illustrated romance novellas. We're excited to offer them online, in color and, in some cases, with original music for a total romantic experience. We are hoping to offer original columns in Spanish at a future date. (See below for an interview with Odette Magnet, the writer who adapted our stories for Spanish.) So, Happy Birthday MyRomanceStory.com and ¡Hola Queridamia.com! T. N. King Managing Editor "Ladies Night In" Contest Sometimes you just need a quiet night at home to regroup, or maybe a romantic night-in with someone special. With our "Ladies Night In" contest all you have to do is Read to Win for fun and fabulous prizes! Just read our daily free stories and answer two multiple choice questions correctly to qualify for our weekly random drawing. Weekly winners will receive a "Ladies Night In" survival kit that includes music CDs featuring the romantic stylings of Swedish singer-songwriter Anders Holst, bestselling romantic-suspense novels from Lori Avocato, selected skin care products from Joyful Girl Natural Products, fine chocolates from Godiva Chocolatier and other gifts for an approximate prize value of $40. Everyone who qualifies for one of the weekly drawings automatically qualifies for our first grand prize drawing, which includes a three-night stay for two at Les Bons Matins Bed and Breakfast in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, plus other gifts totaling $1,200. Visit our website at MyRomanceStory.com/ladiesNight to see a complete list of all prizes and winners—and to start playing! A new contest starts September 7, 2007 with more wonderful prizes! Q&A with Writer Odette Magnet Our novellas come from the imagination of romance writers from all over the United States and from other countries such as Canada, Greece, and Jamaica. We also have a gifted writer, Odette Magnet, a native of Santiago, Chile, and citizen of the world, adapt our novellas for Spanish readers. Adapting our stories is just one of the many assignment this journalist, novelist and press attaché has taken on in recent years. We were lucky that Odette could spare a few minutes to talk about herself and her Spanish adaptations for MyRomanceStory.com. Read the full interview below.

Latest Releases A Complicated Affair Written by Amen Henriques Illustrated by John and Jason Waltrip Since his disastrous marriage many years before, Henreid Duval has vowed never to be trapped in a serious relationship again. And so he dates shallow nubile young women, seeking no more than fun and sex. Older women just make for complications, and—he avoids them like the plague. So when he finds himself in an advanced state of arousal around Sienna Renard, a voluptuous raven-haired fashion designer in her late 30s who's relaxing on the beach of his Caribbean island resort, he's convinced he can control his lust for her-—it's only momentary and will pass. Now if he can only convince his body. Trust in Me Written b y Jennifer Savage Illustrated by Ron Randall Pairs skating is exhilarating and dangerous. When June suffers a nasty fall during a complicated jump, her angry partner, who indeed may have deliberately caused the fall, deserts her. After weeks of rehab, she's back on the ice-—alone, and wondering if the Olympic gold will ever be hers. But fate smiles on her. It just so happens that skating star Caden Bae is seeking a new partner, and when he sees June practicing, sees her graceful lithe body, he knows he wants her. And maybe for a lot more than just his skating partner… Click here for more new titles. MyRomanceStory.com Book Reviews Wondering what's hot and what's not in romance fiction today? Read reviews of books by Sarah Strohmeyer, Annette Blair, and Jordana Ryan, to name just a few of the authors. MyRomanceStory.com features reviews of the latest romance releases, including novels, novellas, anthologies, Manga, romance graphic novels, and e-books. We review every possible genre from paranormal romance to historicals! Click here for more. The Good and the Bad — They're All Real-Life Romance Stories A good love story always Comes from the Heart. Our readers share their passionate, emotional and dramatic love stories that remind us that for some couples every day is like Valentine's Day! And since you have to take the good with the bad, read some of our readers' most cringe-inducing Dating Stories. Some of them will make you laugh out loud and maybe be thankful you've found own Mr. or Ms Right. For Artists and Writers Arrow Publications welcomes submissions from artists and writers. For more information, read our guidelines at For Artists: www.arrowpub.com/illustrators.htm For Writers: www.arrowpub.com/writers.htm

Also Available Exclusively to Subscribers!

Broken Enchantment Written by Elspeth Cedar Illustrated by Enzo Pertile After years of scrimping and saving, Fern is taking her dream vacation—a cruise across the Atlantic and a tour of Europe. A friend teases her about meeting all those sexy European men, and to Fern’s amazement, she meets a sexy handsome Spaniard named Carlos the very day her ship sets sail! And even more amazing, their shipboard romance blossoms into something greater than passion, something that speaks of family and forever. Until the day, that is, at Carlos’s ranch in the enchanting hills of Andalusia, when Fern learns a horrible truth.

30-Day Guarantee Written by Eilis Flynn Illustrated by Kike Olmedo Wealthy software developer Gray Reiss uses a simple marketing strategy for promoting his products—a 30-day, money-back guarantee. He offers the same deal to pretty college professor Astra Maris, but this time the product is … himself! He wants Maris to try dating him for a month, and if she’s not happy… Maris is shocked by the offer. For one, it’s outrageous. For another, she’s not ready to date again after her painful divorce. And dare she risk her heart around a man whose slightest touch makes her blood turn to liquid fire?

Romantic Times Book Lovers Convention, Houston, Texas
Writers, Publishers, Cowboys, Song Stylings by Anders Holst ... In Short, Wow!

Everyone seemed to have a wonderful time at this year's BOOKLOVERS convention hosted by the Romantic Times Book Reviews magazine. The hotel was alive with fans, would-be writers, best-selling authors, publishers, entertainers and male models. One of my favorite events was the poignant tribute to our armed forces. Kathryn Falks (aka Lady of Barrow), founder and CEO of Romantic Times magazine welcomed friends and families of active-duty servicemen and women at the Military Mixer hosted by SOS America, Inc. and sponsored by authors Pam Crooks, Delores Fossen, Sherry James, Elle James (aka Myla Jackson), Jeanie London, Julie Miller and Tracy Montoya. When the honor guard marched in bearing the American flag, there wasn't a dry eye in the house. The guests of honor at the event were a handsome Marine, Staff Sergeant Jesse Wiseman and his wife Maggie. We later learned that Sgt. Wiseman was a last minute entry in the Mr. Romance Cover Model Pageant. An obvious fan favorite, Sgt. Wiseman was a runner-up in the contest. Sgt. Wiseman is now serving in Iraq. We wish him a safe return home.

Another impressive thing about the 5-day event was the enthusiasm of the fans! They sought out autographs from their favorite authors, enjoyed dressing up (there is absolutely NO taking yourself too seriously at this event) and danced/flirted with the guys competing in the Mr. Romance contest, (who, I must say, were having a great time surrounded, as they were, by the mostly female crowd!).

And the fans bought books—lots of books. They also were very interested in getting a closer look at the Sony Reader—the latest electronic offering with internal memory that can hold about 80 books—and even more with extended memory like a memory stick or SD card. I could on and on about its features, but let's just say it's ideal for those who love to read on the go.

It was also a pleasure for me to meet and talk to some really talented authors and hook up with publishers who truly enjoy publishing romance fiction—including Harlequin, Ellora's Cave, Kensington Books and St. Martin's Press. It was fun to talk to some of the editors who send us books for reviews and meet some of the authors whose books we have reviewed and find them just as interesting and entertaining as the books they write!

So, see you all next year in Pittsburgh!

Pat White
Publisher 

(Photos of Mr. Romance Contestants and Kathryn Falks courtesy of Romantic Times Book Reviews magazine. Photo of Anders Holst courtesy of Anders Holst and Two Sheps That Pass.)

Q&A with Spanish Writer Odette Magnet (continued)

MyRomanceStory: Where are some of the places you've lived?
OM: Not many, really. I have lived in Chile, the U.S. and England. When I was nine till I was 14 years old, I lived in Bethesda, MD. In 1970 we went back to Chile and I finished high school, in 1973. I studied Journalism at Catholic University in Santiago and always lived in Chile until in 1995 when I was appointed press attaché of the Embassy of Chile in Washington, DC., and in 2006 I was appointed by President Michelle Bachelet as press attaché of the Embassy of Chile in London, England.

MyRomanceStory: Where is home?
OM: Home is where I want it to be. Where I feel comfortable and have a sense of purpose. It has to do more with emotions and ideas than geography. After being away from Chile for 12 years, I always say, half jokingly, that "I am a citizen of the world." It's a cliché but I make those words mine.

MyRomanceStory: Where is your favorite place in the world?
OM: I love the beach, the ocean, the wind, the sand. Who cares, where? I've touched the waters of the Pacific Ocean at end of the world, in the deep south and the extreme north of Chile, the Mediterranean in Europe, the Atlantic in the east U.S. coast and the cold waters of the Scandinavian countries, also the former USSR. Black or Red, cold or warm, the sea is the sea, and my favorite landscape.

MyRomanceStory: Why did you become a writer?
OM: Writer is a big word. My close friends call me that. I do not pronounce that word easily. It's still a project, a promise, a dream. I'm working on it, though. For the time being, I am a journalist, and a good one, too.

MyRomanceStory: What challenges did you face in adapting/translating our stories into Spanish?
OM: First of all, it was my first. I had never translated romance stories before. I was used to boring and arid documents from the World Bank, the IMF, NGOs…I had to make an effort to imagine myself in that situation, with those conflicts and desires! It was fun. I had a great time doing it and it was also a chance to travel free and meet new places and people, even fall in love again with your imagination!

MyRomanceStory: Spanish is spoken all over the world, so how does what Americans think is romantic correspond to what is romantic in other countries such as Chile?
OM: Romance is universal, like music, or any expression of art. Passion is passion. Desire is desire. And a broken heart is a broken heart. The place, the language, the characters, dialogues are all details. A different dressing for the same salad.

MyRomanceStory: Any plans on writing any stories in Spanish or English for MyRomanceStory.com?
OM: I would love to, if I find the time and the energy to do it. Warning: it's not easy as it seems!

MyRomanceStory: We met when you were working in the Washington, DC area, so when and why did you first come to the US?
OM: When I was 9 till I was 14, I lived in the DC area. My father, a journalist, was appointed Chilean Ambassador to the OAS (Organization of American States), in Washington (1965-1970). That was the first time. And then 30 years later, I went back to Washington, DC as Press Attaché of the Embassy of Chile. This time I traveled with Catalina, my only daughter, who is now 25. She still lives in DC.

MyRomanceStory: You are now working as Press Attaché of the Embassy of Chile in the United Kingdom. What's your life like in London?
OM: I am not sure yet. I have been here less than a year and I believe the real landing in a new country takes about a year. London is a fascinating city and like New York, it never sleeps!!! I must admit that at times Washington, DC seems not only so far away but a little provincial, quite local, a small town. The whole world is literally here! You ride the "tube" and 8 out of 10 passengers are foreigners. You walk one block and hear three different languages. Only one might be familiar to your ears. Diversity and ethnicity like nowhere else in the world! This is REAL melting pot. I haven't traveled much around the country yet, but hope to do it soon. There is so much to see!

MyRomanceStory: What do you miss the most about the U.S. and Chile?
OM: From the U.S: My lovely daughter Catalina, my friends, my memories. Washington, D.C. with its huge parks, the gorgeous fall, the cherry blossoms, Borders Books, Hamburger Hamlet and Filene's Basement. From Chile, my siblings and father, my friends, the ocean, the seafood, the fish, the fruit and wine.

MyRomanceStory: In addition to your work as a reporter, producer, press attaché, speech writer, and, translator, you are have also written a book. Can you tell us anything about it?
OM: That is my 200th project. My promise, my obsession. I have written 210 pages as we speak. It is my first novel and it has taken me three years!!! It is about love and deception. Power and politics and loneliness and, of course, the childhood memories, the best years, at the beach, by the seaside… I hope to finish it soon.

MyRomanceStory: Is it fiction or non-fiction?
A: Fiction. Pure fiction.

MyRomanceStory: Will it be available in English or just Spanish?
A: Spanish would be more than enough to begin with! Who knows? Maybe MyRomanceStory readers can one day find it in English. Too good to be true, I guess.

MyRomanceStory: And what do you consider to be romantic?
OM: A sunset with the man you love.