So here's an odd question: Would you like to be a character in a novel? Specifically...my next novel, set in 1800s New Orleans. This all came about when a friend who's a big supporter of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society asked me to participate in this year's auction by naming a character in my next book after the highest bidder.

The "next book" is in the same vein as MADAM—historical fiction about real characters and events in 1800-1900s New Orleans. I'll give the auction winner some character options, such as: a jazz musician, an aristocrat, a bartender, a teacher, a Southern belle, a prostitute, a cop, a mistress, a scorned wife...you get the idea. We can even discuss the winner's lineage and try to come up with something historically accurate.

All proceeds from this auction go directly to fund non-Hodgkin's lymphoma research. Here's the link if you or anyone you know might be interested in bidding (there are other fun things to bid on as well): http://www.501auctions.com/llsla/item...

Winners will be announced on May 31st at the Los Angeles gala, but you don't need to be present to win.

Thanks for your support!
Cari