Destiny Cat Idol: The Winners!

Toni and our panel of celebrity cat judges were thrilled with the entries for the Destiny Cat Idol contest, and it's been a long week of catfighting--er, deliberation. But after much debate (and quite a lot of catnapping), the judges are excited to announce that the next Destiny Cat Idol is...

Milo!!! Submitted by Jen S., this 20-lb Maine Coon is clearly meant to be a star. As Grand Prize Winner, Milo will be mentioned in an upcoming Destiny book, as well as receive a cat toy, cat food samples & a $25 Borders Gift Card for his owner.

In case Milo is unable to fulfill his duties as Destiny Cat Idol the judges also chose three runners-up, who will each receive an e-ARC of the upcoming Destiny book, Whisper Falls:

First Runner-Up: Audrey, submitted by Manda H.

Second Runner-Up: Xander, submitted by Sarah

Third Runner-Up: Buddy, submitted by Theresa

Honorable Mentions (and a signed Toni Blake book & cat food sample) go to:

Church (submitted by Pam B.)

CP (submitted by Megan F.)

Finally, when the fur stopped flying over the decisions, each of the judges insisted on giving their own award. These special picks will each receive a signed Toni Blake book.

Jack (owner of fantasy/paranormal author Kristen Painter) chose: Tony, submitted by Laurie D.

Bubbles McFancy and Miss Cleopatra(co-owners of contemporary author Sophie Gunn) chose: Miss Kitty and her fabulous fluffy tail, submitted by Lynn H. and Max, submitted by Blanche P.

Domenic (owner of historical author Julie Anne Long) chose: Ashes, submitted by Rebecca.

Huge thanks to everyone who entered - all participants will received a signed Whisper Falls coverflat - and a special thank you to our fabulous panel of celebrity judges! Check out all the fabulous Destiny Cat Idol entries in Toni's Facebook Photos.

Destiny Cat Idol: Put Your Cat in a Toni Blake Book

It's no secret that cats and the Destiny series are a purrfect combination. One Reckless Summer had Trouble, the adorable kitten who found a home with Mick and Jenny. In Sugar Creek, Rachel and Mike ended up with the demanding stray, Shakespeare. And each subsequent Destiny book will bring a new cat into the lives of a couple about to find love. Now you can make your cat a part of Destiny in the Destiny Cat Idol Contest. Just take a picture of your cat with either One Reckless Summer or Sugar Creek (or both!) for a chance to win.

The Grand Prize includes:

• Your cat mentioned in an upcoming Destiny book
• a $25 Borders gift card
• a squeaky feather boa cat toy and a sampling of all-natural cat foods

Other prizes up for grabs are an e-ARC of the next Destiny book, Whisper Falls, signed copies of One Reckless Summer and Sugar Creek, and signed coverflats for Whisper Falls.

To enter, take a picture of a cat with one (or both) of the books from the Destiny series, One Reckless Summer and Sugar Creek. Post the picture on Toni's Facebook page or email it to toniblakecontests@gmail.com. Don't forget to include your cat's name! Entries must be received by Monday, October 11th at midnight EST.

Like any good Idol Contest, winners will be chosen by our panel of celebrity cat judges:

Jack (cat of paranormal/fantasy author Kristen Painter)

Jack is a Siamese/tiger mix with a great love for lizards, affectionate women and anyone with a can opener. He likes long naps in the sun or in front of the monitor and despite his asthma, will run circles around anyone with four legs or two.

Bubbles "Simon is a Wuss" McFancy and Miss Cleopatra (cats of contemporary author Sophie Gunn) No, Bubbles McFancy isn't his real name. But every cat as accomplished as Bubbles needs at least four or five names. (Sleepy McLumpy, Hungry McChubbers, Fuzzy McHairball…) He enjoys all kinds of books, just so long as he can sleep on them. Bubbles is known for being a fierce critic, not shy to show his claws when displeased. Luckily, he’s usually asleep.

Miss Cleo is Bubble’s opposite in every way. She is a kind, gentle kitty, more apt to nuzzle up and purr than to attack. She loves all literature, all sleeping nooks, all people, and, well, everything. If Miss Cleo had a motto, it would be, “Mmmm….pet me some more…ahhh, yeah, right there!” She is not above being bribed with affection, treats, and dead mice.

Domenic (cat of historical author Julie Anne Long)

Domenic is a lover of sunbeams and stealer of Q-tips (perhaps because they look like mouse tails?). He has impeccable taste in literature, as his picture makes clear.

Sugar Creek at the Joseph-Beth Book Club

This past Saturday, June 19, Toni was invited to discuss and sign Sugar Creek with the romance book club at Joseph-Beth Booksellers in Lexington, Kentucky. What an event! There was a great turnout of readers, and their questions led to a lively discussion about Toni's career, some of the fun facts behind Sugar Creek, and future plans for the Destiny series - including a few secrets about upcoming books (but they promised not to tell!). The discussion was followed by a signing, where Toni autographed piles of books and got to chat more personally with some of the readers. One group of fans even put together a surprise present for Toni - a fabulous basket of apple-themed gifts, in honor of the Farris Apple Orchard in Sugar Creek, of course. Everyone also got to enjoy some Sugar Creek Cake, a delicious concoction of white cake, apples, and chocolate.

This - the discussion and the cake - was all put together by Joseph-Beth's fabulous Gina Scalera, romance bookseller and huge Toni Blake supporter. Gina is a delightful person and runs a fantastic romance section, so if you're anywhere near the Lexington area, you should definitely stop in. Humongous thanks to Gina for such a wonderful event.

The final highlight? Seeing the giant Sugar Creek cover on the banner advertising the event. Joseph-Beth was kind enough to let Toni keep it, so there may be some upcoming redecorating in the Blake household...

Looking to meet Toni at an upcoming event? Her next appearance will be at the 2010 "Readers for Life" Literacy Autographing at the RWA National Conference in Orlando, Florida, Wednesday, July 28 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

See more pictures from this and other recent events on Toni's Facebook page.