I think this is the fourth year my friend and fellow author Brenda Novak has sponsored a charity auction during the month of May on her website. All the proceeds go to Juvenile Diabetes Research to help find a cure for children like Brenda’s son, Thad, and millions others suffering from the disease.

If you’ve ever met Brenda or read one of her books, you know what a dynamic person — and author — she is. Every year, her auction just keeps getting better and bigger. You won’t believe some of the donations she’s gotten this year, including a stay in Nora Robert’s B&B. (I didn’t even know Nora Roberts had a B&B.

The auction doesn’t officially open until May, but check out her site and see what kind of pre-auction things are going on. (The link is to the left.) Brenda is also a master at promotion. And she has a new Mira series starting.

Anyway, here’s a photo of my contribution. I tried to find things that apply to South Dakota and the Black Hills, since that’s where my series is set. I bet you figured that out, didn’t you?

Big thanks to my friend and fellow South Dakotan, Jackie Maxwell of Jaximages (link to the left), for adding a gorgeous 2009 desk calendar of her photographs to the collection. With her permission, I’ll add a couple of the shots she included. Jackie? I love them all, but January and May are my personal faves.

Here’s a description of the rest of the offerings:

YOU CAN GO HOME AGAIN…

Born and raised in South Dakota, award-winning author Debra Salonen has spent most of her adult life in California, but she always planned to set a book—or series of books—in her home state.

This month, BABY BY CONTRACT, from Harlequin Superromance, will be released. This is the first in Debra’s “Sentinel Pass” series, which takes place in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota. “What happens when Hollywood “discovers” a small town that truly isn’t ready for its close-up?”

To research this book, Debra traveled back to her stomping grounds and picked up some fun goodies for this basket.

~ Naturally, Debra will include an autographed copy of BABY BY CONTRACT in this basket, along with a Nation’s Treasures 24K gold-flashed South Dakota ornament, a Mount Rushmore refrigerator magnet, a postcard and a bumper sticker. Value: $20. (Deb will be giving away other SD magnets, bumper stickers and postcards at her blog throughout the month of May.)

~ Deb’s alma mater, South Dakota State University, just replaced its venerable “jackrabbit” icon with a snazzy new updated version. Be the first on your block to own a glorious yellow hoodie with the hot new “Jacks” logo. Size: large. Value: $45. (Inside information: SDSU plays a factor in book two of the Sentinel Pass series: HIS BROTHER’S SECRET – coming in September.)

~ Deb’s high school buddy, Jackie Maxwell of Jaximages www.jaximages.com has generously donated a 2009 desk calendar of her gorgeous photographic images. “When I make a calendar for a specific person, I choose the images that remind of that person. My favorite thing is to make a calendar where the customer chooses his/her favorite images. That way each calendar is unique,” Jackie Maxwell. Retail value: $15.

~ And a very special gift from Deb’s sister, Jean Harming: a beautiful Sioux Pottery vase. The craftsmanship and detail of this unique pottery can’t be found anywhere else. “The Paha Sapa (Black Hills) provided shelter, food and sustenance for the Indian Tribes of the Great Sioux Nation, and continues to yield the red clay used in making Sioux Pottery. Each piece is crafted by Sioux artists and decorated with designs and symbols important to their culture.” If you’re ever in Rapid City, be sure to check out the Sioux Pottery store. Retail value: $25.

Deb