Name That Book contest

I'm writing the synopsis for Raine Benares book #5 right now (and determined to have it to my agent for her review and feedback) by this Friday. This thing has taken me a month to weave and write. I'd forgotten how it takes. Dang. Once I've sent #5 to Kristin, then I'll start #6.

Oh, and BTW -- last Monday my publisher's editorial, marketing, and art departments met on my cover for Bewitched & Betrayed. I LOVE their ideas, inputed a few of my own, and I can't wait to see the new cover! Of course, I'll post it as soon as I get it.

The thing is, I hate calling my books by numbers. Within the next two months, I'll start writing #5 and I like to have names for my books when I start them. That's where you all come in. My poor brain is befuddled enough trying to come up with the story, let alone a title. So . . . I'm having a Name That Book contest. If one of the winning entries blows a breeze up my skirt (meaning that I like it), your winning entry will be the title for Raine's 5th adventure (unless it gets changed during editing, which has only happened with the first book). AND your reward will be having your name listed in the acknowledgements for Book 5 as having come up with the title.

Here are some guidelines:

• Anne (my editor) prefers to keep the titles in the same number of words, related in words, or tone. So we have Magic Lost, Trouble Found. Armed & Magical. The Trouble with Demons. Bewitched & Betrayed. You see the pattern. Try to keep your entries in the pattern -- either using the word "Magic" or "Trouble" or two words separated by "&" -- you get the picture. But if you come up with something outside of the pattern, send it.
• You can send more than one entry. Send as many as you can think up.
• Okay, in Book 5 will be spies, con men, political intrigue, assassins, and plotting, scheming, and scams galore. This gives you an idea of the direction I'm going.
• You can post any questions you have on the blog or my Yahoo Group (we have some fun and cool stuff planned for over there, so if you haven't joined already, you should). I'll be having another contest soon exclusively for Raine's Rangers members (that's the Yahoo Group).
• But don't post your title entries on the blog. You don't want to give everyone your brilliant idea, do you? ; ) Email them to me using the contact form on the Contact page or email me at lisa (at) lisashearin (dot) com (you guys know the address, I'm just jumbling it up to avoid it being picked up by spammers).
• Let's have next Friday, August 7 as the deadline for your inspired brilliance. Hopefully, there will be a clear winner which I will announce on Saturday, August 8.

Tomorrow, I'll answer another reader question about how long it takes me to write my books.

Lisa