In Over Her Head Makes Its Splash!

The podcast interview will be on my website as soon as they send it to me.

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Today is the day - the official launch day of In Over Her Head, the novel YOU Gather-ers helped see the light of day.

Almost 2 years ago when the original First Chapters Contest ended, Gather announced they were going to do the First Chapters Romance Contest. I wasn't going to enter. I'd done the American Title Contest then the First Chapters Contest, both times finalling, but not winning. I'd asked thousands of people to vote for me. I figured they were tired of hearing from me.

Then the Gather community emailed me, asking me to please do the First Chapters Romance Contest. It's true. I wasn't going to do it but then I saw all those emails, and you all motivated me.

So I entered, hundreds of you voted for me (thank you so very much) and I made the finals. Again, I didn't win, but this was a case of winning isn't the only thing. The story was seen by Sue Grimshaw, one of the final judges who is the Romance Buyer for Borders. She had the chance to read it because you all helped me make it to the final 5. Because Sue read it, she gave me the feedback I need to be able to sell it to a publisher - and Sue has been championing it ever since. Barnes & Noble has also gotten involved with the book. I've been so blessed to see it on the New Release towers in both stores, next to names like Christine Feehan, Janet Evanovich and Nora Roberts (yes, In Over Her Head shared shelf space and rubbed spines with La Nora!).

This past Saturday, I was in NY at the BookExpo America convention where I had my first "official" book signing. It was a dream come true.

In Over Her Head has hit the Top 100 paranormal books 3 times in its pre-release state, all thanks to the interest and buzz you all helped generate.

So, while I'm celebrating today, I want to make sure to thank each one of you for taking the time to read my contest entries, for those who emailed me to encourage me to enter, for those who have read the book and let me know how much you like it, and all the rest who have been so supportive.

I'm going to be out and about on the internet throughout the week and I've listed the blogs below. Also, our own Carl "not ready for prime time" Lee will be doing a "live" interview here on Gather today at 12-1 eastern time.

From 11-12 eastern time today, I'll be doing a live podcast interview with IJustFinished.com and listeners can call in with questions, so please do.

And if you haven't yet registered to win one of 3 romantic beach getaways, please visit my website for all the information.

Thank you all so much!

~Judi

Live blog interview 12-1 eastern: http://carllee.gather.com/

http://www.popsyndicate.com/books

http://robertaisleib.com/blog/

http://www.maggiemarr.com/blog.html

http://www.joannerendell.com/

http://paranormalityuniverse.blogspot.com/

http://yankeeromancereviewers.blogspot.com/

http://makebelievemondays.blogspot.com/2009/06/make-believe-mondays-with-judi-fennell.html

http://grannypantychronicles.blogspot.com/

These will be up at some point this week:

http://www.saraleerosenberg.com/

http://www.connectionsclark.blogspot.com/
http://pajamagardener.blogspot.com/
http://jessriley.blogspot.com/
http://www.nadinedajani.com/blog/
http://marilynbrant.blogspot.com/
http://www.melissasenate.com/
http://blog.wendytokunaga.com/
http://www.thedebutanteball.com/
http://www.karenneches.com/
http://www.publishersmarketplace.com/members/writerwords/
http://sheilacurran.typepad.com/falling_down_the_blog/
 http://ellenmeister.blogspot.com/ :
http://207.56.179.67/deborah_leblanc/

http://www.carolynjewel.com/weblog/weblog.shtml
http://www.thefidelityfiles.com/blog.html
http://www.malenalott.com/Malena_Lott/Blog/Blog.html

http://notafraidofthefword.blogspot.com/

June 2  http://fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com/

June 3 http://www.loveromancepassion.com/

June 4 http://peekingbetweenthepages.blogspot.com/

June 5 http://thetometraveller.blogspot.com/

 What people are saying:

 "Nora Roberts? Danielle Steel? Much acclaimed romance writers should step aside. There is a new romance writer in town and she is certainly causing a great splash with her debut novel, In Over Her Head."

-ABibliophile.com

"I truly found a pearl in my oyster when I read this delightful tale. I was surprised how good of a book In Over Her Head is. It is extremely well-written, the storyline flows and I was hooked from the first page."

-LongAndShortReviews.blogspot.com

"IN OVER HER HEAD is a delightful, quirky blend of humor, adventure and passion. All in all, this is a fast, fun read and a great way to spend a snowy afternoon or a sunny day at the beach."

-Lynda K. Scott, Star-Crossed Romance

"In Over Her Head is a heartwarming, but action-packed story of two people-one human and the other of the seaworthy body-joined together in an adventure. I enjoyed this story immensely."

-Dawn M. Ekinia, Armchair Interviews

"A delightful underwater adventure... full of good-natured humor and fun. A strong first effort by a promising new talent."

-Romantic Times 

 "A playful debut... sincere wit."

-Publisher's Weekly