On the afternoon of Thursday, January 10th, I was perusing my emails as I usually do and saw an email from assistant editor Shannon Criss from Kimani Romance Harlequin. My heart dropped, and I was too terrified to open it. I hadn’t sent anything to Harlequin or anyone else in the past year. The last I’d heard from Kimani was a rejection letter the year before for Cooking Up Love, so I couldn’t figure out why she would be emailing me. I took a deep breath and clicked on the email. She basically stated she wanted to speak with me about possibly writing for Kimani. I immediately began to laugh as I thought back to a conversation I’d had just a few days before with my dear friend and critique partner, author Delaney Diamond. Delaney had asked me what would I do if a traditional publishing house contacted me about writing for them. I told her I didn’t know because I truly enjoyed self-publishing.
After sitting in shock for a few minutes, I called Delaney and whispered “I just received an email from Shannon Criss from Kimani.” She started to laugh and said “me too!” We screamed for a few moments and then proceeded to call our other dear friend and critique partner, author Sharon C. Cooper who was contacted by Kimani months before and was in the process of signing her contract. We all screamed on the phone and talked about the possibility of all of us writing for Harlequin.
After speaking with Ms. Criss the next day, I worked on my proposals, emailed them and waited—nervously. On February 7th, I got The Call. I’ve dreamed of receiving The Call. I’ve read Harlequin books since I was in middle school, and when I decided to pursue my dream of being a romance author, it was my goal and mission to write for Harlequin. On February 28th, I signed my contract, thus officially becoming a Harlequin author.
Thank you to my husband, family, friends and readers for your support and encouragement over the years. I’m not sure what to expect on this next journey of my writing career. I’m ecstatic and nervous all at the same time. However, I’m glad that my girls, Delaney Diamond and Sharon C. Cooper aka Charlie’s Angels and The Three Musketeers, will be with me on this ride! Check out their experience by clicking on their names above.
Hugs and kisses,
Candace Shaw
Candace Shaw 
Congratulations!!
Thank you!
I know I said it before, but I’m sooooo proud of us and I’m totally thrilled to be on this exciting journey with you and Delaney! I know this is just the beginning of bigger things to come!
I’m still in shock but I’m so glad that I have you and Delaney!
Wow, truly awesome. Congrats to you and your friends. Helps me to keep hope alive.
Thank you, Ey. You just never know what may happen. I was happy self-publishing (and I still will) but I guess God had a plan for me all along.
Absolutely amazing!! Congrats!
Thank you!
Congratulations!! I am so proud of you, and Sharon and Delaney as well. I read you books and love them. yipppeeeeeeeeeeeee
Thank you very much!
Delaney, Candace, Sharon,
Congrats on the next step in your career! I love reading Kimani books and have quite an extensive collection. I know Donna Hill but not Grace Octavia. Donna’s books are wonderful. I’m excited for all three of you! Since I’m a fan of the books written by all three of you, I’m thinking Harlequin Kimani is the lucky one to have you. I’ll look forward to reading books from all of you for many years to come. Congratulations again on such an auspicious occasion. Whoohoo!
Belinda G
Thank you, Belinda. We’re all excited too!
Congrats 😉
Thank you!
This is only the beginning. So happy for us! #CharliesAngels #ThreeMusketeers
I know! Now to write under a real deadline and not the ones I make up and then change!
IKR, right. That’s going to be a challenge. Lol.
Brace yourselves ladies! I think I pulled out a few strands of hair!
So happy for you! Congrats!
Thank you, Synithia!
Congrats!
Thank you, Yolanda!
That is so AWESOME! Congrats!
Thank you!
Congratulations Candace, Delaney, and Sharon (love the ladies of BRAB)!! I can’t wait to read your wonderful stories for Kimani!!! Again, congrats!
Thank you, Cynthia. If it wasn’t for readers like you and the BRAB family supporting me I wouldn’t be where I am.
Congratulations Candace!
Thank you, Libra!
Congratulations! I am so excited that you will be writing books under the Kimani brand of Harlequin. Can’t wait to read your first release.
Thank you, Jennifer. it will be out sometime in 2014.
I am so happy for you Candace! What better way to enjoy something like this than with close friends!
I so agree, Nikki!
Dang, Candace…..I hope to get THE CALL one day from Harlequin. I guess I have to submit first – LOL Congrats you. That is just awesome!!!
Lol! You never know. You may not have to.
Amazing news! Congratulations to all three of you!
Thank you, Nia! We can’t believe it!
Congratulations to you. It is a wonderful opportunity. Kimani is a well loved name in romance.
Thank you. I love Kimani. I’ve been reading their books since it was just Arabesque with BET.
Congratulations to you all!!!! I love your work along with Delaney and Sharon.
Congrats
Thank you!
woo-hoo! Congratulations!!! I am so very happy happy for you!
Congratulations. I know you will have much success. I can’t wait to read your books published by them. Will you continue to self-publish also?
Yes, Ruby. I still plan to self-publish. I have to finish the Arrington’s and I have another series, The Hamiltons, which will start at the end of 2014.
Yay! Congratulations Candace! I wish you much success in the next stage of your writing career!
Thank you, MJ. The same to you!
Congratulation Candace! You and the onther ladies write great books, so you keep them coming and I’m sure we’ll keep buying them.
Good luck and many blessing.
Quay~
Thank you so much!
Congrats to you ladies! 🙂
Thank you!
Congratulations to Candace, Delaney, and Sharon! I wish you all continued success!
Thank you so much, Bettye!
Candace,
Congratulations, I am so happy for you.
Thank you, Shannon!
CONGRATS!!! CAN’T TO READ THE BOOKS!!!
Thank you, Denise. I’ll keep you posted of when they’ll be released.
I am extremely proud of you. May your literary career prosper to lengths farther than you ever dreamed.
Thank you, Jae and the same to you!
I am so proud and excited for you! Don’t forget me when your books become a lifetime movie and you get to go to LA! I’m coming too! Great job to all you ladies!
Of course, Latrice! I’ll need my best friend for support and a stylist!
Congratulations Candace, I am so happy for you as well as the other ladies. I cannot wait to read the books!
Thank you! The three of us appreciate it!
Candace, I am sorry I am late with my congratulations. I am so happy for you all.
Hi Vannie! You’re not late. Thank you so much! We all appreciate it!