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.

We’re thrilled to unveil the cover and blurb for Whisper Falls, Book 3 in the Destiny Series, and the follow up to One Reckless Summer and Sugar Creek.

Welcome to Destiny, Ohio—where coming home means finding your true heart and maybe even your true love.

Tessa Sheridan came crawling back home to Destiny after her big city interior design career crumbled. Now not only must she struggle to make ends meet, she has to contend with a biker next door and the roar of Harleys shattering the serenity of her cabin in the woods. Worse still, her sexy bad boy neighbor makes her feel breathless and weak—and shy, petite Tessa knows what a major mistake it would be to get involved with someone so…dangerous.

They say that former teen rebel Lucky Romo has a dark, secret past—that he’s trouble with a capital “T.” Still, Tessa feels all tingly when she sees how well he fills out a pair of tight jeans. And when Lucky invites her into his world, she knows the intense heat sparking between them could lead her somewhere wild and wonderful…and, yes, dangerous!

Read an excerpt here.

Whisper Falls will be an alternate selection for the Doubleday and Rhapsody bookclubs.

Don’t miss Toni’s current contest, Destiny Cat Idol, which offers a chance to win an e-ARC of Whisper Falls, among other great prizes.

Whisper Falls releases December 28, 2010 and is available for pre-order at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Borders.

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.

Readers in the Orlando, Florida area will have the chance to meet Toni by attending the 2010 RWA “Readers for Life” Literacy Autographing. This annual event brings hundreds of popular romance authors together for one signing, and proceeds from the event are donated to charity.

This year’s signing will take place next Wednesday, July 28, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort, Pacific Exhibit Hall, in Orlando, Florida. The event is free an open to the public. If you’re in the area or in town for the RWA conference, be sure to stop by, say hello, and get a book signed. You can read more about the event and get a complete list of attending authors on RWA’s website.

At the RWA conference, Toni will be attending a reception for the Bookseller’s Best Award, for which One Reckless Summer is a finalist. One Reckless Summer was also recently given an Award of Merit in the prestigious Holt Medallion contest.

For those of you eagerly anticipating the next book in the Destiny series, Whisper Falls’s release is just around the corner. It’s already available for pre-order on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.