Call me a nerd, but I have to start this new release post 
out with my favorite SUPER cheesy joke. I can’t help myself, so here goes:Q: How do you make a napkin dance?A: You put a little boogie in it!Okay, one more... LOLQ: Who did Frankenstein take to the prom?A: His ghoul friend.All right, I can hear the groans from here. No more jokes, but hopefully they at least put a little smile on your face and got you prepared for Halloween!Around my house, I have the zombie in the window, the blood moon paintings on the walls, and the bowl of half-eaten candy by the door. (I made the terrible, terrible mistake of opening candy two weeks before. The only thing I really fear this Halloween is stepping on the scale.) Aside from the dirty scale monster, I LOVE this holiday. It is a great time to get out of the house and breath in the crisp Fall air and scare the living daylights out of my kids. (Hand coming out from under the bed, anyone?)In addition to the upcoming holiday, I have some great things happening as well. As many of you know, my latest Harlequin Intrigue Dust Up with the Detective hit bookstore shelves in October. Dust Up with the Detective has been on Nielsen Bookscan’s Top 100 books for four weeks and readers are flooding my inbox with letters letting me know how much they have enjoyed Jeremy Lawrence and Blake West!
Now, I’m gearing up for my new release which will be hitting bookstore shelves on November 1st (my first paranormal romance in a year) Once a Gypsy.Once a Gypsy is definitely a book of the heart. I wrote this book after doing years of research into the lives and culture of Irish Travellers. Some of my research even included exchanging letters and chatting with people from within the Pavee and Romany communities. It was truly an eye-opening experience and is one that has changed my life.Here is the blurb:I can’t tell you how fun this book was to write. I had the opportunity to mix one of the most picturesque settings in Ireland, an ancient culture, and twist in just a bit of magic—enough that what happens can’t be real… or can it?Before you run off to read the books, I want to let you know that I will be doing my last couple of signings for the year.Dust Up with the Detective Signing: October 29, 2016: Fact & Fiction, Missoula, Montana 5-7 p.m. Wine included and Halloween costumes welcome! This event is being sponsored by Kohl’s who will be donating $1500 to the local YWCA to raise awareness of domestic violence and racial equality. Also, Debra Ricci will be speaking about her work with CASA (a women and children’s advocacy program). I’m ridiculously proud to be able to help raise awareness and advocate for women’s rights.Once a Gypsy Signing for New Release: November 5, 2016: Barnes & Noble, Missoula, Montana 2-4 p.m.For those of you who I have had the chance to chat with throughout the year and to those I have met at the many signings this year, I want to give you all a shout out—Thank you! Also, to those who have read and reviewed my books, I couldn’t do this without you. You rock!If you get the chance to read the books, let me know what you think! You can dramatically influence what projects I will be working on next. Like paranormal, but love suspense? Tell me on Twitter @DanicaWinters Or, if you just love books and don’t care what genre they are if they are well written, you can let me know what you are dressing up like for Halloween! I want to see at least one picture of you dressed like a book! I’m really feeling a Jane Austen title!To purchase the new release Once a Gypsy (available November 1, 2016)Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Kobo | Google Play | Walmart To purchase Dust Up with the DetectiveHarlequin | Amazon | iTunes | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Google Play | All Romance | WalmartHope to chat soon. Happy Halloween!Danica Winters
New Release: Dust Up with the Detective
I'm so very excited to announce Dust Up with the Detective has landed on bookstore shelves!About Dust Up with the Detective:
Murder in Montana is never simple Every dead body in Butte is someone's kin. Detective Jeremy Lawrence has investigated so many wrongdoings, but he still never imagined how it'd feel to be standing over his own brother. Until now. Thankfully, he has the help of Deputy Blake West, a woman he's known his entire life—and wanted for as long as he can remember.It's been forever since Blake has seen Jeremy, and she has questions for the hot-as-sin lawman. But her interrogation must wait once she learns the killer has set his sights on Blake's daughter. They promise to put family first, but time is running out to uncover the Lawrence family's secrets—and rebuild what Jeremy and Blake thought they'd broken long ago…
I LOVED writing this book and it is definitely one of my very favorites (though picking my favorite would be exactly like picking a favorite child--completely impossible). I still have a major crush on Jeremy Lawrence and I wouldn't be surprised if he makes an appearance or two in upcoming releases!
In preparation for Dust Up with the Detective's release, I hit the road and visited Butte, Montana.Butte is an incredible city with an even more interesting history that centers around the grueling reality of mining and the lives it impacts, lives I tried to capture in the pages of the book. The city was coined 'The Richest Hill on Earth' as it provided the United States with a hefty supply of copper, silver, gold, and other heavy metals. However, due to the nature of mining and a blind eye to environmental issues, Butte and the Berkeley Pit (an open-pit mine) are now home to one of the most toxic man-made environments in the United States. New environmental laws and protections have been come into play, yet the damage of generations past can still be witnessed firsthand in this one-time boom town. 
One of the iconic images of Butte, Montana are the headframes that are scattered around the city. Each has its own name, but my favorite was the headframe named Orphan Girl.A headframe is used in underground mining, and in Butte some are illuminated with LED lights to commemorate Butte's history in copper mining.I bet you can guess why, but the picture of the Berkeley Pit was my absolute favorite! If you look closely, there is another headframe in the background.
If you have been to Butte--feel free to share you stories! Also, I hope you get a chance to check out Dust Up with the Detective! I can promise this book is just as enchanting and full of intrigue as the city in which it is set!You can get your copy of the book anywhere books are sold or you can visit these online retailers (please note it is also available in large print):Harlequin | Amazon | iTunes | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Google Play | All RomanceAs always, I want to take a moment to thank my readers. I can't wait to hear what you think about this book! I love getting feedback! And, if you get your hands on a copy, please make sure to send me a picture! You can send it to me on Twitter (@DanicaWinters) or Facebook!!
If you post a review on Amazon or send me a picture of you (or your furry kids) with Dust Up with the Detective, you will be entered to win a set of Headframe Distillery pint glasses (and some other goodies may be thrown into the box as well--mugs, signed books, tote bags, and pens)! So send those pictures and post those reviews (don't forget to tag/email me)! You can enter more than once. Contest ends October 5, 2016 and winner will be notified via social media or email. *U.S. Residents only.Wishing you the happiest of reading,Danica Winters PS - Enjoy this slideshow of Butte, Montana!!!
Cover Reveal: Dust Up with the Detective
I'm so excited! The day has finally come in which I can share the cover for Dust Up with the Detective! This book is available for pre-order, but it will hit physical bookshelves September 20, 2016!
Murder in Montana is never simple Every dead body in Butte is someone's kin. Detective Jeremy Lawrence has investigated so many wrongdoings, but he still never imagined how it'd feel to be standing over his own brother. Until now. Thankfully, he has the help of Deputy Blake West, a woman he's known his entire life—and wanted for as long as he can remember.It's been forever since Blake has seen Jeremy, and she has questions for the hot-as-sin lawman. But her interrogation must wait once she learns the killer has set his sights on Blake's daughter. They promise to put family first, but time is running out to uncover the Lawrence family's secrets—and rebuild what Jeremy and Blake thought they'd broken long ago…What do you like best about the cover??? (I have to say that anytime I see a Timothy Olyphant-looking man holding a gun... well, it's hard to look away!) Any fellow Justified fans out there?? ;)I totally admit that Timothy was the man I had in my mind while writing this book... and it only made things come out that much hotter! There may be a character that is even a little reminiscent of Boyd Krauter (also of Justified). Though, beyond the main character's physical descriptions, a bit of the good boy/bad boy routine, and a mining town as the setting--the stories are miles apart. That being said, it's a great read for anyone who is looking to pinch hit for their post-Justified television binge!I hope that you get a chance to check out the book... I think you will fall just as deeply in love with as I have!