Roses are one element of When Night Falls, a romantic suspense. While writing it, I really enjoyed researching antique roses, and used The Guide to Old Roses.This is one of my own photos, which I currently use as my ID on Twitter. (I'm updating everything now across the board, so that may change.)When Night Falls Blurb:As the town's secret keeper, Uma Thornton has built a quiet, safe life, until the drive-by murder of her best friend. Tormented by his past, Mitchell Warren returns to town to find peace; suspicion turns to him as a serial killer stalks the quiet streets and rose…
Romance Novels
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Most Topular Stories
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Roses and Romantic Suspense
Daily or Not24 May 2013 | 6:00 am -
Building Sexual Tension
Fierce Romance17 Jun 2013 | 9:30 pmSexual tension is one of my favorite elements in romance. I love reading it and I love creating it in my own stories.What is sexual tension? It isn't sex. Nope. Sexual tension is the anticipation, the chemistry, the excitement, the wanting, and the waiting that may eventually lead to sex. Or maybe not. Tension and suspense are created when the outcome is unknown. Will they or won't they? There is a push/pull synergy going on in sexual tension. The two people are drawn together, but something also pushes them apart.Laying the groundwork for strong sexual tension means thinking about the… -
Author Resources
Captive Dreams of an Erotic Pen9 Jun 2013 | 3:20 pmCame across a couple of good posts (in my opinion anyways) that might be helpful for authors out there. First up are two about the dreaded book description. : ) http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2010/11/16/how-to-write-back-blurb-for-your-book/ http://catherineryanhoward.com/2012/10/05/the-11-ingredients-of-a-sizzling-book-\description/ If you are looking to do a print run of your -
...drink, smoke pot, lie a lot and have copious sex at 2:30am...
Amarinda Jones18 Jun 2013 | 2:09 amI was watching this pukeably sweet show this morning at 2:30 am when it was freezing cold and I couldn't sleep due to the cold and other reasons. It was Seventh Heaven – a schlock Yankee TV show about a bunch of god-botherers hell bent – okay – maybe heaven bent - on the fact that no one was supposed to have sex until they were married or all these terrible and dire things would happen like getting detention at school, sleeping in a tent in the backyard and arguing with parents over having sex before everyone forgiving everyone for having a penis and a vagina. The parents in… -
Amazon Hold Up
JEN BLACK author17 Jun 2013 | 2:18 amThis must be the silly season when everyone has either gone on holiday or is looking forward to a holiday. Certainly cyclists in vivid Lycra (or all in black, depending on their personality) are now haunting our country roads, and backpackers are striding across Hadrian's Wall. It's also hay fever time, and as well as teething, Tim is sneezing.Editing is going well. I've lost a lot of extraneous, unnecessary words and it has been done when the aim is not cutting word count, but re-writing sentences more gracefully. I tried to purchase Sarah Dunant's new book Blood and Beauty in paperback…
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Ann Aguirre
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This week in SF
2 Jun 2013 | 12:36 pmSo this week, two notable things happened. First, two dinosaurs went on a rampage. Granted, that didn’t happen this week, technically, but this is when the backlash occurred, first for the initial column that ran in the SFWA bulletin, and then there was the rebuttal, bemoaning the spate of anonymous complaints. I’m not anonymous. And I don’t think any of this is okay. This post is going to be anecdotal… because it needs to be. I’ve held my silence when I probably shouldn’t have. But I was in the minority, a woman writing SF, and I was afraid of career… -
Dance monkey has big news. And so do I.
28 May 2013 | 9:59 amI’m excited to officially announce the sale of a new YA series, this time contemporary romance, to Feiwel & Friends. I love working with them, and I’m tickled to be continuing my partnership with Liz Szabla, who is such a freakin’ genius. The whole crew at F&F is amazeballs. Anyhow. The first book is called The Queen of Bright & Shiny Things. I think this is an amazing YA title; I feel like it’s sweet, tender, raw, heartbreaking, beautiful, and a little profound, just like first love. It’s a big, deep book, not just a romance, though it is that, but… -
Bronze Gods Blog Tour
5 Apr 2013 | 12:17 pmApril 30th – The Nocturnal Library May 1st – Heidi @ Rainy Day Ramblings May 2nd – Jenny @ Supernatural Snark May 3rd – Mary @ Book Swarm May 6th – Melissa @ Books and Things May 7th – Kimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewer I’m excited to announce that these fine bloggers will be hosting us (Andres and me) for the Bronze Gods tour. You won’t want to miss this, readers. We’re not doing interviews. We’re not doing guest posts. Instead, you’ll get a sneak peek at the personal correspondence between our hero and heroine, Janus Mikani and… -
MacTeen Author Extravaganza – Powell’s
4 Feb 2013 | 2:44 pmSix MacTeen authors are banding together for an exciting one-day reunion at Powell’s Bookstore in Oregon! It promises to be a raucous party, and we hope you’ll join us! Where: Powell’s at Cedar Hills Crossing, Beaverton, OR (Portland) When: Wednesday, March 13, 7 PM- 9 PM What: Not just your ordinary panel, we’ll be having quizzes, prizes, refreshments, and swag galore. And a lottery! One lucky reader will win a tote bag full of our signed books! Why: To reunite a bunch of Macmillan YA authors who grew to be friends on tour, and to make friends with YOU. Who: This is… -
Authors Against Bullying: Blog Hop
18 Oct 2012 | 10:06 pmWhen Yasmine Galenorn in partnership with Mandy M. Roth asked me to participate in an anti-bullying campaign, there could be only one answer. Yes, of course. So here’s my story… and it’s pretty common, I suspect. I grew up in an a small farming town, where books weren’t particularly appreciated, and the people who loved them, even less so. I was quiet and bookish with a tendency to be pudgy. I was also smarter than people knew what to do with, and unfortunately, I didn’t have the emotional maturity not to speak out loud the things I noticed. It took me years to…
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Writer's Blog: Blog of romance author Jennifer Ashley
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Shifters Boxed Set out; Tiger Magic hits New York Times!!
13 Jun 2013 | 6:27 amFor fun, I combined the three Shifters books I self-pubbed into a bundle: Bodyguard; Hard Mated; and the short story, Shifter Made. Bought collectively, they save you about a dollar. They're currently on Kindle and Nook:Kindle:http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00D6XM9X4Nook:http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/shifters-unbound-boxed-set-jennifer-ashley/1115481176?ean=2940016650036These don't have DRM, so you can probably convert to other formats as needed via Callibre (or some other conversion program). If you know readers who are interested but haven't tried these stories, let them know they're out… -
Tiger Magic release and Primal Bonds Audio Giveaway
3 Jun 2013 | 6:00 amTiger Magic is out Tuesday June 4!Order from AmazonBarnes and NobleApple iBooks I know it's been seen in bookstores already, but the official date is June 4. :-) We move back to the Austin Shiftertown for this one! The contest below is now closed. Winners have been contacted. Thank you!!To celebrate, I'm giving away the 11 extra audio book CDs of Primal Bonds my publisher sent me. To win, just tell me in the comments why you want to win one, and leave your email address (you can disguise it if you wish). I hope you enjoy Tiger! He's one of my favorites.Many more Shifters to come. Check… -
Tiger Magic, Excerpt 2
25 May 2013 | 9:44 amTiger MagicJennifer AshleyShifters Unbound Book 5Pub date JUNE 4!Preorder from:AmazonBarnes and NobleApple iBooksContinued from Excerpt 1Excerpt 2:Tiger woke flat on his back, both wrists enclosed with the hated steel, hands bound to rods on either side of him.He roared as he came awake, jerking the cuffs and chains, which wouldn’t break. They’d used metal thick enough to withstand a Shifter. He opened his eyes to find himself in a bed, surrounded by white curtains, white walls, machines, tubes, and soft sounds of beeping.Panic wedged in his throat. The compound, experiments, pain,… -
Tiger Magic, Excerpt 1
18 May 2013 | 2:33 pmTiger MagicJennifer AshleyShifters Unbound Book 5Pub date JUNE 4!Preorder from:AmazonBarnes & NobleApple iBooksExcerpt:Chapter One“No, no, no, no, not today. You can’t do this to me today!”But the car died anyway. It throbbed onto the shoulder of the empty highway, bucked twice, and gurgled to silence.“Aw, damn it.” Carly’s four-inch heels landed on the pavement, followed by tanned legs and a tight, white sheath dress. She glared down at the car, the Texaswind tugging her light brown hair out of its careful French braid.She would have to be wearing white. Carly jammed her… -
Jenn's Next Big Giant Book Giveaway
6 May 2013 | 8:49 amThis giveaway is now closed! I drew three winners: Fedora, Veronica, and Michelle, who all one a grab bag of books! Thanks for participating. More giveaways to come.To celebrate Lone Wolf (Ellison's story) hitting the New York Times bestseller list I'm going to give away books!From my recent visit to the Tucson Book Festival, plus other gatherings and Rhapsody book club editions, I've assembled a couple bags of books to give away. They contain romances by Lara Adrian, Sabrina Jeffries, Madeline Hunter, and many more authors, plus I'll throw in a few of my own books, signed.All these…
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The Crayon Box
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A little Winter in summer!
18 Jun 2013 | 5:12 amWinter's Gamble released overnight last night! I'm so excited!Blurb: Rose Winters made a bet with her lover that she can get three relationships together and prove to him that she can be the next drag queen Dear Abby. It's a gamble but she's going to get Neo and Phil together and isn't afraid to play dirty to do it.Phil was once Neo's dream of a guy but then he took off the morning after their one night stand. Unlike other guys, Neo wasn't sure he wanted temporary with Phil, but that's what it turned into. He's determined he won't give Phil the chance to hurt him again.Phil had just tiptoed… -
8 Apr 2013 | 7:05 am
8 Apr 2013 | 7:05 amI blogged at TRS Blue! -
I blogged at TRS
14 Mar 2013 | 5:55 amon how characters are pushy! -
I'm so excited!
1 Feb 2013 | 7:41 pmGeek Love won an SFR Galaxy Award for Yummiest Use of Nerd Reference OverloadI'm very excited for many reasons. Geek Love is a favorite story of mine. -
Just wanted to say!
24 Dec 2012 | 7:05 amHappy Holidays everyone! I'm Snoopy dancing as I found out the Fire Within was nominated for a CAPA by TRS for Paranormal Romance and an Ari (cover art)!May your days be merry and bright!
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Ally Blake Romance Author - Blog
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library talks through june & july
11 Jun 2013 | 4:16 amI adore my local libraries. In fact half my writing time is spent holed up in a quiet cosy corner of one or another tapping out romantic prose. So I'm very excited to announce that over the next month I'll be giving library talks all over Brisbane! I'll be answering the kinds of questions I'm always asked at dinner parties when people find out I'm a romance author. Garden City Library Monday 17 June, 10-11am Mount Ommaney Library Tuesday 18 June, 10-11am Mitchelton Library Wednesday 10 July, 10-11am Chermside Library Tuesday 16 July,… -
"when honey got marred..." The Dating Game. A Facebook event!
3 Jun 2013 | 2:57 amCome 9:00pm EST (North America) Monday June 3, the When Honey Got Married... Dating Game Event will begin!RSVP here and join in the fun.That's 11:00am on Tuesday 4 June Aussie east coast time, or check your world clock to make sure you don't miss this fun event. Each comment gives you an entry to win a $50 "Date" prize pack including a spa kit & a $25 Gift Card to Fandango. You can see the spa kit here.Here are some pics of the guys we'd cast if When Honey Got Married... was one day made into a film and we had compete control of the casting. Could happen! GO GRIFF… -
cover reveal!
31 May 2013 | 3:30 amSo excite to reveal my beautiful cover for my August Harlequin KISS release - FAKING IT TO MAKING IT!It's rare for me to write a fair-haired hero - like being a pale redhead myself some kind of biological imperative draws me to tall, dark and handsome - but this was how Nate came to me. Tall, fair, and gorgeous. This cover hits him spot on. Poor Saskia doesn't stand a chance!About the book:Natural born charmer, Nate Mackenzie, is in the middle of a plus-one dilemma. Wedding dates inevitably take one look at the bride and measure Nate for a beach house, a chocolate Lab and a… -
Do you remember your first?
24 May 2013 | 6:41 pmOver at Honey Central - aka the When Honey Got Married... facebook page we're talking about first cars. I - like my heroine Pippa - still own my first car! A sweet, zippy little noble green Mazda 121 nicknamed Spark Plug which has taken me from twenty year old new driver, to Melbourne and back, to zipping my kids to school not two minutes away. Best car a girl ever owned. But unlike Pippa, Spark Plug and I are about to part ways. Alas, the needs of a growing family mean that some other lucky soul will zip around the streets feeling like a rally driver as suburbia… -
when honey got married... blog tour
22 May 2013 | 6:27 amThe When Honey Got Married... blog tour is in full swing! Check out the dates and links below to see if you've missed any of the fun interviews Kelly, Kim, Anna and I have given around town thus far.Today I'm over at Reading a Little Bit of Everything - talking Honey and what's next and Joe Manganiello! It's worth a visit for one picture alone...and the $40 amazon gift card that's up for grabs! Official Blog Tour StopsFriday, 5/3 Harlequin Junkie Monday, 5/6 Caribbean Accent Book Reviews Wednesday, 5/8 My Written Romance Thursday, 5/9 WiLoveBooks Monday, 5/13 What I’m…
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heidibetts.com » Blog
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Happy Hunk Day
18 Jun 2013 | 10:00 pm -
dogs at work
17 Jun 2013 | 10:00 pmDid you know that Friday, June 21st is Take Your Dog to Work Day? Of course, if you work from home, every day is Take Your Dog to Work Day. Let’s see how this adventure is likely to work out… -
16 Jun 2013 | 10:00 pm
16 Jun 2013 | 10:00 pmMe last week when I accidentally shrank the only pair of blue jeans I own that currently fit… And the occasional breakdowns I’ve been having ever since… -
Happy Father’s Day
15 Jun 2013 | 10:00 pm -
Sexy Fail Saturday
14 Jun 2013 | 10:00 pm
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JEN BLACK author
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Amazon Hold Up
17 Jun 2013 | 2:18 amThis must be the silly season when everyone has either gone on holiday or is looking forward to a holiday. Certainly cyclists in vivid Lycra (or all in black, depending on their personality) are now haunting our country roads, and backpackers are striding across Hadrian's Wall. It's also hay fever time, and as well as teething, Tim is sneezing.Editing is going well. I've lost a lot of extraneous, unnecessary words and it has been done when the aim is not cutting word count, but re-writing sentences more gracefully. I tried to purchase Sarah Dunant's new book Blood and Beauty in paperback… -
A typical morning
15 Jun 2013 | 3:59 amToday I was woken at 4.30am by dh claiming "The dog's being sick."Just what you want to hear as you come hazily out of sleep. Staggered into dressing gown and downstairs with said pooch, opened the door into the garden and out scooted Tim. You may be interested to know that at that time of the day, this far north in the UK, we had a clear blue sky and a vague hint of sunshine. The birds were singing all around the garden. I caught sight of a snail still munching on my new lupin, so it joined its pals in a plastic container.(I caught three last night doing similar things) (Reminder to self:… -
Re-Writing
13 Jun 2013 | 2:48 amThe weather is not nice today - it is warm and damp. Go out for a walk and unless you stroll around at the slowest pace possible, you come home damp and sweaty. What we need is a breeze and sunshine and according to the local forecast, we're not going to get it, so I may as well resign myself to a day for working on the novel.At the moment I have two versions of it. One is slightly longer than the other, but I don't know which is the "better" version. Ever been in this situation? Careless of me, I know. I should be more careful in saving and labelling my work. It means I will have to run… -
The submission thing
10 Jun 2013 | 3:10 amAfter all my concentrated efforts on editing my first few chapters, I think I'm ready to send off to an agent. Again. The last agent I applied to on 30th January has yet to respond, so I guess that's dead and gone. Looking around the agent listings over the last few days, I notice many of them now ask for e-mail submissions. Not only that, they have prepared online forms . Somehow I find these more daunting than the old cover letter, synopsis and three chapters routine. OTOH, it is very clear what they want, which helps, and probably only seems strange because it is new.I've… -
Concentration and editing
8 Jun 2013 | 3:24 amIt seems that no matter how many times I read through my first chapter, I can always, always find something to add in or take out, or simply say another way. I suspect this can become a habit, as much as anything. In a way, it might be putting off the evil moment of selecting an agent and sending it off - and thereby receiving a rejection a few weeks or months later.Still, reading aloud was an interesting exercise and I recommend it. The only thing is it takes longer than reading silently to yourself. No doubt this is partially the reason why I found so many flaws. The eye moves along the…
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Jenna's Romantic Notions
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The Pink Heart Society: Male on Monday :: Superman!
17 Jun 2013 | 10:55 amThe Pink Heart Society: Male on Monday :: Superman!: It's a bird, it's a plane, it's every woman's fantasy! One part beta, one part alpha, and able to take you around the world without using up your frequent flyer miles. -
The Pink Heart Society: Fill The Well Friday :: Birthdays!
10 May 2013 | 6:16 amThe Pink Heart Society: Fill The Well Friday :: Birthdays!: Do you believe in a birthday month? Birthday week? The Pink Heart Society editor Jenna Bayley-Burke can't understand how a single day is... -
Thursday 13 :: Fiona Lowe
9 May 2013 | 4:00 amI'm back with another edition of Thursday 13 with lightning interviews of my authorly peeps. Enjoy yourself :)Latest release?Saved By The Bride which is book one of the Wedding Fever trilogy and published by Carina PressIn the hottest scene...kisses or condoms?Condoms.What are you working on?Runaway Groom, the final novel in the Wedding Fever trilogy.What have you Googled for research?Thermography, wedding invitations, Wisconsin , north woods lakes and old wooden boats.What do you drink when writing?Tea. Copious cups of tea!Do you have a writing uniform?Winter: sweat pants and long sleeved T. -
Review Tour Highlights
8 Apr 2013 | 4:50 pmI was feeling poorly during the Caribbean Casanova blog tour, so I didn't manage to list the reviews and interviews as they came in. Here's a recap...followed by the announcement of the winners from the tour.Caribbean Casanova is a thoroughly entertaining novel that will have you turning the pages quickly as you root for the happily ever after. If you like your novels steamy with blazing chemistry and hot sex scenes, then this one is definitely right up your alley. - Janna ShaySexy, sizzling, and fun! I had a blast reading Caribbean Casanova. This is my first work by the author, and I enjoyed… -
All Over The Place
1 Apr 2013 | 9:47 pmLife has been a whirlwind. The kids home for Spring Break, Hubster negotiating a new job, the angry gut trying to get attention... and I had a book release, signing, & a reading. Sheesh.Now the kids are back to their routine (and my carpool, ugh), Hubster has the transition scheduled and budget tightened, the antibiotics are doing their thing, and I can get back to doing what I love. Reading, writing, and chatting everyone up.In fact, I'm all over the blogosphere this week doing fun interviews. Check it out (and enter to win gift certificates)April 1: Krystal Shannan - Where Love and…
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JESSICA BURKHART
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Thank you, Team Canterwood!
12 Jun 2013 | 1:38 pmxoxo -
Featuring a Canterwood Crest FAMOUS Girl: Lexi Carson
11 Jun 2013 | 1:58 pmThe Cali Barn Mafia created this gorgeous and amazing video to spotlight FAMOUS. Endless thank yous and hugs to Lexi Carson, Grace Carson, Contero (our star horse!), Heatherly Davis for the riding coaching, and Edelweiss Farms for hosting the shoot. I am absolutely in love with this video and thank you, Lex, for being a FAMOUS girl.Team Canterwood all the way! -
Happy release day, FAMOUS! :)
11 Jun 2013 | 10:33 amHAPPY RELEASE DAY, FAMOUS!I'm so thrilled, proud, and excited to have FAMOUS out in the world today! Thank you, thank you to everyone who got our 18th and final (except for HOME FOR CHRISTMAS) published. Many, many hugs to Team Canterwood! I hope you enjoy this book--I had a blast writing it. xoxo -
Final FAMOUS sneak peek
10 Jun 2013 | 12:41 pmHere's a sneak peek from page 56! (It may not be page 56 in your copy since I picked it from my Word doc!) "I trusted Whisper. She was at a near gallop, but it was controlled. Wisp hadn’t stopped listening to me, and as long as she didn’t forget about me, I wanted to give her a little freedom. Wind whooshedin my ears as we swept past Mr. Conner. The saddle seemed to disappear between us, and it felt as though we were one. I’d never felt closer to my horse before."I'm SO pumped about FAMOUS!C'mon, tomorrow! -
9 Jun 2013 | 9:33 am
9 Jun 2013 | 9:33 amI'm going to do ONE more reveal of FAMOUS! :)Pick a number between 16-172 and leave it in the comments. I'll close my eyes and pick a random commenter. I'll go to that page in the manuscript and selection at least a sentence and up to a paragraph and I'll post it on Monday.Comment away! I know we're gonna make the best selling Canterwood book EVAH so we get to have our LiveStream party! Woo!xoox
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Joely Sue Burkhart
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The Summer Blahs
18 Jun 2013 | 10:49 amEvery year I hope this summer will be different. I start out good. And then the summer blahs hit. Maybe it’s the soaring temps (although not this year – it’s been rather cool and rainy). Maybe it’s the kids being out of school. They stay up super late, so I don’t sleep as well. I’m tempted to stay up with them (I’m naturally a night owl, but a thing called the Evil Day Job prevents me from staying up too often). It’s certainly harder to get up in the dark if I’ve only been in bed a few hours. Maybe it’s work. The EDJ… -
Some Reviews and Elsewhere
13 Jun 2013 | 5:30 amTwo new reviews for Her Grace’s Stable are up at GoodReads: This story is a sequel to Lady Doctor Wyre, and continues Joely Sue Burkhart’s amazing world building! You will come away from these books wishing you could walk around in this world and meet these characters. … Character at conflict with self seems to recur a lot in Joely Sue’s books and I love it! Arthur hates the needs he has and yet he can’t deny them either. He will need Lady Blackmyre’s strong hand and whip to help him accept himself and her and Cole. ~ Chibiboo This book runs the… -
Happy Birthday, Her Grace’s Stable
11 Jun 2013 | 10:04 amLady Blackmyre arrives today along with her bronies Cole and Arthur! I usually take release day off from the Evil Day Job so I can be neurotic all day. However, thanks to a big project moving to production at the end of this month and Littlest’s birthday, I decided to take the one day off I could swing tomorrow for her. That means I have to still work and think even if I’m neurotic! And that’s probably a good thing that I’m not haunting social media and posting like crazy because yeah, that’s annoying too. So a huge thank you to everyone who takes Her… -
Scorching Summer: Erin Nicholas
8 Jun 2013 | 5:00 amAs part of our Scorching Summer giveaway, I’m thrilled to have Erin Nicholas stopping by today! Scorching Summer is here! Thanks for letting me take over the blog today, Joely Sue! On June 11th, Samhain Publishing is going to deliver five Scorching Summer romances to help you kick your summer off right! I’m so excited to be a part of the party with Joely Sue, Shelli Stevens, Harper Fox and Mari Carr! She’s the One is extra exciting because it starts a new sexy contemporary series for me! Counting on Love is a spin-off series from my Bradford series and I’m really having… -
Scorching Summer: Mari Carr
6 Jun 2013 | 5:00 amAs part of our Scorching Summer giveaway, I’m thrilled to have New York Times bestselling author Mari Carr stopping by today! Scorching Summer is here! I’m thrilled to be participating in a celebration of RED HOT reads with some of the most talented writers I know. On June 11, my book, Full Moon, will release alongside Joely Sue’s new story, Her Grace’s Stable, as well as books by Erin Nicholas, Harper Fox and Shelli Stevens! Today, Joely Sue is allowing me to shanghai her blog to do a little shouting about Full Moon. In the two years since her divorce was finalized, Josie’s…
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Meljean Brook » Blog
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ENTHRALLED Giveaway! (10 Copies)
17 Jun 2013 | 3:05 pmThis comes out in two weeks, but I’m giving away ten (print) copies now! As always, you don’t have to like me on Facebook or sign up for the newsletter — just a comment will do. Any old comment! Just make sure to use the widget to record your entry! Like…what are your plans for this summer? Anything exciting? Yes, it is open internationally! a Rafflecopter giveaway -
D’oh! FROZEN – A Slight Delay + Review Copies
17 Jun 2013 | 10:22 amWell, crap. These are apparently the growing pains of self-publishing stuff … even shorter works. Because the problem is, the story is not quite as short as I thought it would be, and I’ve had more distractions than I thought I would have, as well. *waves to the family reunion, waves to father’s day stuff, waves to graduations that I didn’t know I would have to attend, waves to that extra 10,000 words that I ripped out last week and am rewriting* I haven’t even seen MAN OF STEEL yet, which tells you how insane everything has been. I had the brief thought that I… -
Two More Giveaways — Demon Moon and Novellas & Stories
12 Jun 2013 | 11:53 amI have a lot of releases coming this summer, which of course means giveaways! The first is a recent release — print copies of Novellas & Stories, the Wild & Steamy/Fire & Frost compilation. (There’s no ebook option for this one yet, sorry!) The second is in anticipation of the Guardian Series Retrospective post. I have the WILD THING post started (but I probably won’t finish it until after I get FROZEN up in bookstores; that novella is pretty much taking up all of my time for the rest of the week) and DEMON MOON will quickly follow, so I’m opening up… -
Cover Work, and Fire & Frost returns to full price this weekend!
7 Jun 2013 | 10:17 amFAQ: Do I do cover work for hire? Betrothed by Jill Myles Since my name showed up in the credits of Jen Frederick’s UNDECLARED, I’ve gotten a few questions about cover art that I’ve been doing — I don’t do it for hire, I’m sorry! It’s just something that I play with when I have a little time (not often) and when friends catch me at just the right moment. But I’ve put a page up to show the covers I’ve done. The most recent is Jill Myles’s BETROTHED, a fantasy romance. Isn’t it purty? It’s a darker romance than we usually… -
Guardian Series Retrospective #4 – DEMON ANGEL, Part 2
5 Jun 2013 | 6:55 pmMeljean’s note: This post is part of a series of entries about the Guardians paranormal romance series. As I write the last book in the series, I’m re-reading all of the books and novellas that came before and posting information, reactions, and pieces of trivia for each one. THESE POSTS WILL INCLUDE SOME SPOILERS, though I will try to keep the details of those spoilers to a minimum. I’ve broken up the post into three sections: the writing section, which discusses why/how I choose settings and characters; the re-read section, where I’ll mention what I still like (and maybe what I…
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Beth Ciotta
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His Clockwork Canary ... Launches Today!
4 Jun 2013 | 2:00 amI can't believe it! Another release day right on the heels of HIS BROKEN ANGEL (GVD 1.5). Today (and all this month) I'm celebrating the release of HIS CLOCKWORK CANARY (GVD 2)--the second full-length novel in the series steampunk, genre-bending series: The Glorious Victorious Darcys! WHAT THE CRITICS ARE SAYING!"Ciotta has written another imaginative, whirlwind adventure, featuring a daring hero and a spirited heroine, incredible inventions, and übernefarious villains."—Booklist (**Starred Review**)"This audacious fantasy romance will have readers goggle-eyed and… -
HIS BROKEN ANGEL (GVD 1.5) -- Launches TODAY!!
7 May 2013 | 2:00 amGreetings fellow romantics and adventurers! It's release day for HIS BROKEN ANGEL (GVD 1.5)! The digital-only novella is a bridge between HER SKY COWBOY (avail now) and HIS CLOCKWORK CANARY (June 4). It's a bonus fast-paced love story and it's only $2.99!This sweet and sexy tale features Doc Blue (of Her Sky Cowboy) and Lily Gentry (Tuck's sister).Help me celebrate the debut of HIS BROKEN ANGEL by visiting any and all of these super fantastic blog hosts throughout release week (coordinated by Tasty Book Tours. Along the way you'll see a blurb, excerpt, video teaser, author info and buy links. -
Looking For Moi?
27 Apr 2013 | 4:58 pmAttention Ciotta Seekers!Attending the Romantic Times Booklovers Convention, May 1-5 in Kansas City? Hoping to track me down at some point? Allow me to aide you in your mission. I’m typically the blur running between any number of rehearsals and events. Here, however, is where I’ll be for concentrated periods of time. Sometimes I’m speaking on a panel, sometimes mingling and giving out prizes and, well, a whole lot of other stuff. Wednesday, May 1GENRE: CONTEMPORARY: REINVENTING THE MODERN-DAY ROMEO(pic from last year--2012 RT Panel) How can a contemporary romance hero… -
New Video Book Teaser!
4 Apr 2013 | 5:31 amComing May 7! HIS BROKEN ANGEL Pre-order now -
"The Trouble With Love" BOOK TOUR!
22 Mar 2013 | 12:22 pmAs the old saying goes... MY HOW TIME FLIES!Sheesh.Yesterday, Thursday, I spent the first part of the day seriously believing it was Wednesday. Until I got a rude awakening. Gak! Then I spent the rest of the feeling discombobulated, llike I'd somehow lost a whole day! I'm beginning to worry about myself.Meanwhile I am making tremendous progress in several areas. Writing and promotional projects. Busy times, but good times. I have a lot on my plate just now so I'm not sure if I'll be able to post again before release day. That's right. Release day--March 26--for THE TROUBLE WITH LOVE is…
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Life Write Now With Cindy Carroll
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Animal Rescue and A Promise Worth Remembering
12 Jun 2013 | 5:00 amThanks for stopping by the blog! Today I’ve got Cyndi Faria talking about animal rescue and her book: A Promise Worth Remembering. Here’s Cyndi! If you like stories about animal rescue, magic, family feuds and forbidden love, yesterday, my newest release titled A Promise Worth Remembering (Promises Collection, #2) went FREE on Amazon Kindle. To celebrate the release not only am I giving the Kindle eBook away for FREE, but by leaving a comment you’ll be entered in a raffle to win the necklace inspired by the story (see photo at www.cyndifaria.com). So make sure you leave your… -
Cindy’s top 10 horror movies
27 May 2013 | 5:00 amWhat makes a good movie is subjective. What I like others might not and vice versa. There are movies people loved and I thought they were a waste of my time and three hours of my life I’ll never get back. Titanic I’m talking to you. So these are horror movies I found to be what horror movies are supposed to be. Scary. Shocking. And in some cases believable. For a movie to scare me now it has to be something that could actually happen. Some of these movies don’t fit that requirement but when I first watched them it didn’t matter if they could happen or not. They scared… -
Want blog comments? That’s up to you.
25 Apr 2013 | 7:37 pmLet’s face it, we all want comments on our blog posts. Sure we have stat counters in the background telling us how many people visited and from where but comments are the only way visitors know for sure that people actually read the blog. And to entice you to leave comments I’m having a giveaway! Read on to find out what it is. If you want readers to comment on your blog I’m going to give you a simple tip. Make it easy for them to comment. Make it difficult and readers won’t bother. For example if you make them log into anything like most WordPress.com blogs do, I… -
A is for Arson
1 Apr 2013 | 5:00 amIt’s the A to Z Blog Challenge again! How far will I get this time? Who knows. I’m trying to do this for two other blogs as well as teach an online class this month. Plus get my own writing done. Today’s post is about arson. Deliberately setting fire to property for malicious or fraudulent purposes. The range of motives for arson are just as broad as they are for murder. They range from greed of the insurance swindler to the psychopathic frenzy of the pyromaniac. Some motives for arson are: 1. Insurance fraud – burning a property to collect on the… -
Almost Normal Snippet – a new lead
17 Mar 2013 | 3:00 amIt’s Weekend Writing Warriors Sunday again! I’m switching books this week to my urban fantasy suspense/thriller, Almost Normal. Sierra Swift is a detective with a secret on the trail of a serial killer. Not only does she have to stop him before he can kill again but she also has to make sure her suspicious partner doesn’t learn the truth about her. Another CSU tech hurried over with two evidence bags. “We found two different types of hair this time,” the tech said. They’d only found one type of hair on the last victim. Maybe they were about to get lucky. “Can you…
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Dawn Chartier's Blog ~ Lagniappe for Readers and Writers
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A little secret from Liz Pelletier with Entangled Publishing (Self-Editing Class)
4 Jun 2013 | 8:22 amSelf-Editing ClassA little editors secret from Liz Pelletier, Sr. Editor, Co-Owner of Entangled Publishing:How many times have you heard that you need to polish your manuscript until it's gleaming before sending it out the door? Armed with an almost infinite supply of caffeine, you toil over your baby for hours, cutting a few words here, changing a few words there. You diligently run spell and grammar checker over and over. You may even use a macro that points out you used the word "that" 16 times per page and smack yourself in the head. You argue with your critique partner over… -
May 11th and June 22nd - Writing Events in the New Orleans Region
9 May 2013 | 1:48 pmThis Saturday at 10am to 3pm Sola Writers is having a small fundraiser ($10 members / $15 non-members) in Westwego, LA (at Salaville Perk - Sala Avenue) (15 minutes from New Orleans). It's more about getting writers (any writer in the NOLA/Gulf Coast area) to come on out for a day for writing and/or plotting. Giving each other ideas to help you move past just an idea, etc. Can you imagine if 5 or more authors gave you 5 to 10 ideas on where you can take your story next? Or maybe you are stuck on a character? Or maybe just the plot. Whatever it is, these writers will… -
Self-Editing Class by Liz Pelletier - June 22, 2013 (Metairie, LA)
22 Apr 2013 | 1:15 pmSola-RWA Writers group is having a full day class on Self-Editing and our instructor is the fabulous instructor, Liz Pelletier, Sr. Editor of Entangled Publishing. (See info below or go to www.solawrites.com)~ Have you completed a rough draft of your book but have no idea how to tackle your edits?Have your submission efforts netted a full request from an editor or agent only to end inrejection after they’ve reviewed your manuscript? Do you want to learn how to edit like aprofessional editor? Then you are a prime candidate for this Self-Editing Workshop by Entangled Publishing Co-Owner and… -
Paranormal Author: Jami Gold shares 3 tips for being a better beta-reader...
5 Apr 2013 | 6:20 amI'm about to start searching for beta-readers for my witch series, Book #1, and I came across this great article written by author, Jami Gold. Thought I should share it with those you who like to beta-read like I do. Enjoy her tips, and go and buy her books! :-) Link below:http://jamigold.com/2013/04/three-tips-for-being-a-better-beta-reader/Dawn Chartier Not An Angel, Out Now! Diamonds, Out Now! www.dawnchartier.com -
Author Kristen Lamb's Blog - My new favorite blog!
27 Mar 2013 | 5:26 pmIf you are an author and you are following my blog, I have one piece of advice for you.Follow Kristen Lamb's blog. Seriously. Every day I read her blog and she inspires me in a such a way that no one else does. She doesn't sugar coat the real world of the struggles of an author/writer.And I think that is something we as writers need. She tells you how you need to toughen up and keep going. Yes, you will get bad reviews. Yes, you'll have people not like you. Yes, you'll want to give up and cry because of this or that, but the real writers, they get back…
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Dee Carney
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Six Sentence Sunday
16 Jun 2013 | 6:30 am#SixSunday is from my foodie romance CLOSE TO THE HEAT 2, coming in January from Samhain Publishing. (Yes! Got the news this past week. Woot!) You might have already heard he news if you’re following me on Facebook or Twitter. Our hero Lee is obnoxiously conceited at times and unrepentant about it. Ginger is definitely going to have to knock him down a few pegs if they have a chance at being together… But first! Some eye candy, courtesy of Pinterest. Click HERE. “That—what we just did——was incredible for what it was and a hell of a long time in coming. Can you really blame… -
Loving Day
12 Jun 2013 | 5:27 pmCan you imagine living in a world where you aren’t allowed to love the man or woman of your dreams…simply because of the color of his/her skin? Richard and Mildred Loving fought to be able to marry when laws forbade them from doing so. Theirs is the story that legalized interracial marriage. And to them, I say thank you. -
Happy Friday!
17 May 2013 | 6:53 am#HappyFriday – You don’t bring me flowers anymore! h/t @s_muga I hope someone brings you flowers today. -
Happy Mother’s Day!
12 May 2013 | 6:14 amTo all of the Moms, mom-moms, pet moms and dads who serve as moms out there. *Photo courtesy Free Digital Photos.net by Victor Habbick -
Six Sentence Sunday
28 Apr 2013 | 5:54 am#sixsunday is some screaming tension between my hero and heroine in CLOSE TO THE HEAT 2, my foodie WIP. Ginger hates that she’s so attracted to Lee. Today’s inspirational photo found on Pinterest here. A delicious shiver trailed down Ginger’s back. It traveled low, sparking bits of excitement along the way and waking up parts that shouldn’t be allowed to brighten when in Lee’s presence. There was no denying the heat that arced between them, but she hated his prissiness, his up-in-the-air haughtiness and his general way of looking down on her. Just because she didn’t…
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Megan Crane & Caitlin Crews
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My Birthday is Today--Are You One Of the Contest Winners?
19 Jun 2013 | 7:47 amHooray! It's my birthday and that means YOU get books!I'm giving away ten copies of my next Harlequin Presents, A ROYAL WITHOUT RULES, which you can buy with the cover of your choice in the UK and in the US this August:The ten winners of the new book are:Lo-Ammi GaebGinette KnellerAmanda ShivrattanSharon BergerRebecca KramerConnie Kline FischerTerry L BradenCarol SchafferAGirlInSanDiegoMelanie JAnd the ten winners of a book I'll select randomly from my backlist are:(Anonymous) (173.62.197.50) Jun. 17th, 2013 04:25 pm (UTC)cover choiceI like the UK one. The two women holding… -
There's Still Time To Win A Book!
17 Jun 2013 | 7:18 amHappy Monday! I have a book to finish, so that's what I'll be trying to do this week.(If you are my editor: that's what I'll be DOING, not TRYING TO DO, OF COURSE!)Don't forget that you can still enter my birthday contest here: http://megancrane.livejournal.com/337118.htmlI'm giving away ten copies of my new book, A ROYAL WITHOUT RULES, and, because the response has been so great, ten copies from my backlist, too. All you have to do is tell me which cover you like better: the blue (that's the UK cover) or the white/red (that's the US cover).I'll… -
Happy Birthday To Me--Win A Book!
12 Jun 2013 | 12:12 pmMy birthday is next week--hooray!--and I thought I'd celebrate by giving away some books. In this case, copies of my upcoming book A ROYAL WITHOUT RULES.I'm not going to lie, I love this book. I love my naughty prince, and I love the woman who finally sees the real man behind the legend.Also, I think both the US and UK versions of the cover are very, very yummy indeed.The most debauched man in the kingdom of Kitzinia—if not the entire world...Royal PA Adriana Righetti is no stranger to scandal. But Prince Pato takes it to a whole new level. His infamous liaisons make… -
Project Joy: Miracles Will Happen As We Dream
3 Jun 2013 | 8:29 amNot long ago, it looked like we were pregnant.Out of the blue, after so long.We weren't even trying. In fact, we were actively NOT trying, deep in the state of limbo we've been in for months now, not quite making decisions either way. But my period was late. Then even later. Then REALLY late. The only time my period has ever been late, I've been pregnant. No late or missed periods for me, not ever, not unless a positive pregnancy test was involved. So.And I know all those stories. The minute you stop trying! The minute you… -
Winners Picked!
24 May 2013 | 4:08 pmHead over to the comments of the original post to see if you won Lindy's book--or, if you didn't, to leave me your address so I can send you a little something to say thank you for entering!And make sure to get your copy of Primetime Princess today!
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Mina Carter
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Guest post: Billionaires and Rock Stars, Oh My! (Cynthia Sax)
16 Jun 2013 | 4:42 pmBy now, I know you all have read Mina’s wonderful Melody’s Wolf. Wasn’t it yummy? She had me at both wolf and rock star. When I read rock star, I think the alpha men of the entertainment world. They do their own thing. They aren’t afraid to sing lyrics other music genres might shy away from. They wear leather and they look da*n good doing so. I don’t write about the entertainment world (…yet, I can’t say I never will because I don’t know where the muse will take me). I do write about the corporate world and the extreme alphas in the corporate world are the billionaires. -
Melody’s Wolf at #2!!
28 May 2013 | 4:04 amOh my, less than a week after release and Melody's Wolf is at #2 in Werewolves & Shifters Romance and #9 in Paranormal on Amazon, and currently #48 in Nook on B&N! To say I'm overwhelmed is an understatement! Thank you to all those who have already bought Melody's Wolf, and if you haven't... feel free to click the links below to check it out! Melody's love life is in a bit of a dry spell...for the last two years. Content tracking down archaeological evidence of werewolf packs, she spends her time wearing wellingtons and covered in mud rather than looking for a date. Knowing her… -
Talking about Hedgies…
21 Apr 2013 | 1:47 amIn my newsletter today, check it out over at eepurl.com/yp0IT!! -
Magic Touch Giveaway Hop
19 Apr 2013 | 4:25 pmMagic. There's nothing quite like it. Whether it's actual sorcery, spells and potions and the like or the 'earthier' magic of shapeshifters, I just love reading about it. I've always liked shape-shifter stories. There's just something about a creature that has the integral magic to be able to change his or her form that is fascinating. Probably why I like writing shifters so much! Which is why I enjoyed writing my current release, Hedging his Bets, with Celia Kyle so much. Apart from the fact that Celia is awesomesauce and absolutely great fun to write with, we decided to push the envelope a… -
Giveaways and Street Team news…
14 Apr 2013 | 1:38 amTo celebrate the release of both Hedging his bets and The Wildcat and the Doctor, we have a contest going on over on Facebook - head on over to check it out... http://bit.ly/10PI5KZ You've also (just) still got time to enter Celia Kyles contest over on http://j.mp/ZRtfBk If you missed it, we have a brand new street team...so if you'd like to join us for fun, giveaways and general madness (with a little promotion mixed in), then please click on the link below and "Request to Join" the Group. https://www.facebook.com/groups/656515214375419/
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Lori Devoti, Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy Author
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New to You: Rush, a young adult novel by Eve Silver
5 Jun 2013 | 6:00 amRush by Eve Silver, a young adult novel debuting this month! (Answers provided by the author. Thanks, Eve, for participating!) What is Rush about? Sixteen-year-old Miki Jones’s carefully controlled life spirals into chaos after she’s run down in the street, left broken and bloody. She wakes up fully healed in a place called the lobby—pulled from her life, pulled through time and space into some kind of game in which she and a team of other teens are sent on missions to eliminate the Drau, terrifying and beautiful alien creatures. There are no practice runs, no… -
The Witch Thief Wins Romantic Times Reviewer Choice Award!
7 May 2013 | 9:53 amMy excitement for the weekend was going to the Romantic Times Convention and receiving this fabulous award for The Witch Thief! Romantic Times has given a number of my books Top Picks over the years, but this was my first major contest win. Look, it’s real! This year the RT Convention was in Kansas City which gave me the opportunity to see my cousin who lives there. It also gave me the chance to meet up with writing friends and spend time with my daughter who has fallen in love with RT’s Teen Day. Last year she discovered Kelley Armstrong and is now a major fan. Never mind that… -
Rogue, Lost 4
7 May 2013 | 8:27 amRogue Werewolf Paranormal Romance 4th in Lost Series Price: $0.99 Deserted by the pack when she was a child, rogue, Kacie Marks is used to defending herself, and she’s happy to keep doing so, even when vampires invade her woods. However, rogue hunter, Bryce Kinkaid has other plans for her, plans that involve using Kacie as bait for the vampires intent on destroying every werewolf they can find. Kacie evades both vampires and Bryce at first, but the rogue hunter isn’t one to give up. Especially after he gets close enough to Kacie to realize she means much more to his wolf than just… -
Loosey Goosey, Dusty Deals Mystery 3
7 May 2013 | 6:35 amBook 3 in the Dusty Deals Mystery Series Book Three: Loosey Goosey You can choose your friends, but you can’t choose your family. You can though move two thousand miles away and hope they don’t come to visit. Unfortunately, for Lucy Mathews that only works for so long. Lucy has a perfect week planned. The kind of week that includes a romantic dinner with her cowboy detective boyfriend, big dollar sales to the visiting Beef Ranchers Association and their wives, and maybe a relaxing holiday weekend at home with her Alaskan malamute, Kiska. What she doesn’t have planned is a visit from her… -
Vampire Bites: A Vampire Romance Anthology
6 May 2013 | 6:05 amFREE!! Vampire Bites–packaged especially for vampire lovers! Five vampire romance stories from best-selling and award winning authors in one sexy, sassy collection. Ready for a nibble? Read on! Lost by Lori Devoti (First in Lost Series) After a car crash that may have taken her friends’ lives, Rachel Daniels finds herself lost on a cursed mountain. Her only hope to escape the place and save her friends is the man she finds wandering through the night; except Cameron Renault is no ordinary man. He’s a vampire and Rachel’s nightmare may have just begun. Victoria Gardella: Vampire…
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Delilah Devlin » Blog
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Guest Blogger: Alisa Anderson
19 Jun 2013 | 7:33 amMore poetry inspired by the Erotic Romance Novella Series: Give & Receive To celebrate the release of my first book of poetry (yes it’s finally here tomorrow, 6/20, YAY!), Erotic Edibles Vol I: Poetry inspired by the Erotic Romance Novella Series: Give & Receive, I thought I would post another poem I wrote while writing the novella series. This poem has a special meaning because along with Give & Receive, it’s also one of the first that was eventually made into a song and added to the novella soundtrack. If I had to fit it in a timeline in regards to the novella, Lena would… -
TODAY–Twice the Bang & Crescent Moon, Episode 2!
18 Jun 2013 | 1:00 amMy random number generator chose Andrea Figard as the winner of the $25 Amazon gift certificate! Congrats, Andrea, and email me to arrange delivery of your prize! ~DD I’m so excited! Two releases are happening today! For those of you following the countdown, I’ll post the name of the gift certificate winner tonight! But for now… Twice the Bang is here! If you want to read an excerpt, check out yesterday’s blog, otherwise, you can buy it at Samhain or Amazon and all the usual places you buy your ebooks! After you read it, I would greatly appreciate you leaving a… -
1 Day to Go! (Contest!)
17 Jun 2013 | 7:47 amThe winner (chosen by a random number generator) of one of the prequel stories and a $5 Amazon.com gift certificate is…Christina (#18)! Christina, congratulations and email me to arrange delivery of your prize! ~DD TWICE the Bang! Just one more day! Sometime after midnight tonight, Twice the Bang will release! I can’t wait to hear what you think! But if you haven’t read any of the books in the series all you have to do is read through the excerpts. They are a very good hint of what’s to come! I think you’ll get the picture. Sexy, naughty… -
2 Days to Go! (Contest)
16 Jun 2013 | 4:00 amThe winner (chosen by a random number generator) of this story and a $5 Amazon.com gift certificate is…Pat Freely! Pat, congratulations and email me to arrange delivery of your prize! ~DD A Perfect TRIfecta! We’re already at the third book in this series. And what a sequel it is. I get more reader mail for this one than the others. Truth be told, this story worried me because it was all about the sex. I told my loopies before it released that the book’s a total fuckfest. Guess y’all like nasty, nonstop passion. Here’s the commercial again—that… -
3 Days to Go! (Contest!)
15 Jun 2013 | 4:00 amThe winner (chosen by a random number generator) of this story and a $5 Amazon.com gift certificate is…Toni Whitmire! Toni, congratulations and email me to arrange delivery of your prize! ~DD FOURnicopia! And we’re back! I love the countdowns. Invariably, someone stumbles through the door and says, “How did I miss these books?” To which I answer, “I don’t know! I tried to get your attention the best way I could with this dang title!” You know I giggle over that title to this day. It’s ornery and nasty—and perfect for the story!
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HelenKay Dimon
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Some Giveaway Info
14 Jun 2013 | 2:39 pmIf you want to learn a bit more about JUST WHAT HE WANTED you can check out some posts, including this one at Dirty Girls’ Good Books. If you want to win a copy, head over to Novel Thoughts and Book-A-Holic Anon – both are giving away copies right now! Next week I’ll post some review excerpts…and giveaway copies of my upcoming Intrigues. -
New Release!!!
10 Jun 2013 | 8:46 amI have a new release today! It’s the 4th book in my Holloway series. It also stars one of my favorite heroes, Travis Yardley. He’s younger (in his 20s) but has been on his own a long time and is very centered. He “gets” women…then country girl Andie moves to the small town of Holloway, West Virginia. She’s older, curvy and NOT looking for a young guy and poor Travis doesn’t stand a chance. Travis is one of those heroes I didn’t expect. When I originally thought about the series, there was no Travis. He stepped on the page in LEAN ON ME and I was… -
Saturday Snippet
25 May 2013 | 11:05 amToday is an “author choice” day, so I thought I’d give you a peek at FEARLESS, the first book in a new Harlequin Intrigue miniseries. The hero, Davis Weeks, made an appearance in COPY THAT last year. Now he gets his own story. He hasn’t seen ex-fiancée Lara in months. In the span of ten minutes she shows up on his doorstep, an attacker follows her, Davis takes the guy down and now Davis and Lara are figuring out what to do next. Less than ten minutes later they slipped through the kitchen and out the back door. Lara watched as Davis caught the screen before it could… -
What I’m Reading
16 May 2013 | 6:02 amThe title of this blog post is a tad misleading. I’m about to read this. Like, when I turn in my book on May 31st, I’m digging into this: When Kate, single mother and law firm partner, gets an urgent phone call summoning her to her daughter’s exclusive private school, she’s shocked. Amelia has been suspended for cheating, something that would be completely out of character for her over-achieving, well-behaved daughter. Kate rushes to Grace Hall, but what she finds when she finally arrives is beyond comprehension. Her daughter Amelia is dead. Despondent over having been… -
Suspense Time
14 May 2013 | 11:26 amI have a new romantic suspense coming out in July called FEARLESS. It centers on a formerly engaged couple now broken up, starts with a murder, takes place in beautiful Annapolis, MD and deals with the NCIS. I actually apologize in advance to the NCIS. I know you are all decent, hard-working people, but that angle didn’t work for the story, so…yeah. I got my first review for the book from RT Book Reviews and it goes like this: “Dimon just keeps ratcheting up readers’ pulse rates with a tightly wound plot, punctuated with explosions, gunfire and passion.” I like…
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Kate Davies Blogs!
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HE LIVES! ...News About Eric Sheffer Stevens (and a concert review!)
30 May 2013 | 4:00 amLast week, I ran across an advertisement for the Caravan Music Collective on Facebook, and a name at the bottom of the poster caught my eye. Yes, Eric Sheffer Stevens was listed as one of the featured performers for their upcoming benefit performance. After verifying that yes, he was scheduled to appear, I started contacting people I knew in NYC to give them a heads'-up about the event. (This is what's known as fangirling-by-proxy, duckies.) To my delight, Becky was available that night, and decided to go. Here's her write-up about the event, and a little info on what ESS has been up to… -
Book BIN Tuesday - Cutest Couple!
30 Apr 2013 | 8:37 amBook two of the Girls Most Likely to...Ten years ago, Marc and Bree were voted Cutest Couple--until a graduation-night argument destroyed their relationship. Unable to contact him, Bree had no choice but to forget Marc--and raise the son she never got to tell him about.Marc got Bree's message loud and clear when he never heard from her again. Now stationed near his hometown, he sees their high school reunion as a chance to make peace with the past. But after one glimpse of Bree, he knows he never really got over her. And after one glimpse of her son, Marc knows he's the boy's father...Despite… -
Cutest Couple - Second Excerpt
25 Apr 2013 | 8:32 am“Marc?” Bree stepped closer, the scent of her shampoo wrapping around him. “What’s wrong?”Nothing. Everything. With a muffled growl, he slid his arm around her waist and pulled her into him. She gasped, her mouth opening, and he swept his tongue inside. Even ten years later, he still recognized the softness of her lips, the little groan that escaped her before she wrapped her arms around him and kissed him back.This was no innocent peck between old friends. This was heat and desire and passion, tongues stroking, teeth nipping, breath panting. They were two strong-willed people,… -
Book BIN Tuesday - In The Dark (Children of Night) - FREE!
23 Apr 2013 | 3:00 amYes, it's true! For one more week, PG Forte's In The Dark is free on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Go get a copy ASAP!When you live forever, you’re bound to make a few mistakes.Children of Night, Book 11969 San Francisco. World-weary Conrad Quintano should have known better than to fall in love with a human—much less Suzanne Fischer, the barely legal, adventure-seeking hippie beauty known as Desert Rose. And the very last thing he should have agreed to do was to raise her babies and protect them with his life. But even twelve-hundred-year-old master vampires can find it hard to reject… -
Cutest Couple - First Excerpt!
17 Apr 2013 | 4:00 amLess than two weeks to the release of Cutest Couple, book two in the Girls Most Likely To trilogy. So how about an excerpt to start the day off right?***What the hell was she doing?She’d had the opportunity. When he’d first walked over to the bar, turning his back on the door, she’d had the perfect chance to run. He’d never have noticed her slipping out.And now it was too late.Because there he was, standing in front of her, just inside her comfort zone. She couldn’t break eye contact to save her life. She felt like prey, watched by a predator that was no less frightening for being…
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Margaret Daley
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Heroine Interview from Lydia’s Hope by Marta Perry
18 Jun 2013 | 12:05 amThis week I’m hosting Marta Perry with Lydia’s Hope (US and Canada only, Allie Pleiter with The Fireman’s Homecoming (US only) and Miralee Ferrell with Blowing on Dandelions (US and Canada only). If you want to enter the drawings for the books, please leave a comment on one of the post during the week with your email address. I will not enter you without an email address (my way to contact you if you win). If you don’t want to leave an email address, another way you can enter is to email me at margaretdaley@gmail.com. The drawings end Sunday (June 23rd)… -
This week Marta Perry, Allie Pleiter and Miralee Ferrell
17 Jun 2013 | 12:27 amCongratulations to Heather for winning Alison Stone’s Plain Pursuit, to Karen for winning Linda J. White’s Seeds of Evidence, and to Norma for winning Lori Copeland/Virginia Smith’s A Cowboy at Heart. This week I’m hosting Marta Perry with Lydia’s Hope (US and Canada only, Allie Pleiter with The Fireman’s Homecoming (US only) and Miralee Ferrell with Blowing on Dandelions (US and Canada only). If you want to enter the drawings for the books, please leave a comment on one of the post during the week with your email address. I will not enter you without an… -
A Bride for All Seasons by Margaret Brownley, Debra Clopton, Mary Connealy and Robin Lee Hatcher
15 Jun 2013 | 6:37 pmA BRIDE FOR ALL SEASONS by Debra Clopton, Margaret Brownley, Mary Connealy, Robin Lee Hatcher It All Started with an Ad in a Mail Order Bride Catalogue… Melvin Hitchcock of the Hitching Post Mail Order Bride Catalogue isn’t dishonest—not exactly. If he tweaks his clients’ applications a bit, it’s because he’s looking out for their best interests. This charming bouquet of novellas introduces four Hitching Post prospects in the year 1870, each one eager for second chances . . . and hungry for happiness. Year in, year out, they’ll learn that love often comes in unexpected… -
Hero Interview from A Cowboy at Heart by Lori Copeland and Virginia Smith
14 Jun 2013 | 12:33 amThis week I’m hosting Alison Stone with Plain Pursuit (ebook US only), Linda White with Seeds of Evidence (US and Canada only), and Lori Copeland/Virginia Smith with A Cowboy at Heart (US only). If you want to enter the drawings for the books, please leave a comment on one of the post during the week with your email address. I will not enter you without an email address (my way to contact you if you win). If you don’t want to leave an email address, another way you can enter is to email me at margaretdaley@gmail.com. The drawings end Sunday (June 16th) evening. Hero Interview… -
Heroine Interview from Seeds of Evidence by Linda White
13 Jun 2013 | 12:22 amThis week I’m hosting Alison Stone with Plain Pursuit (ebook US only), Linda White with Seeds of Evidence (US and Canada only), and Lori Copeland/Virginia Smith with A Cowboy at Heart (US only). If you want to enter the drawings for the books, please leave a comment on one of the post during the week with your email address. I will not enter you without an email address (my way to contact you if you win). If you don’t want to leave an email address, another way you can enter is to email me at margaretdaley@gmail.com. The drawings end Sunday (June 16th) evening. Interview…
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Indulge Yourself
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Welcome Guest Blogger Louise Rose-Innes
10 Jun 2013 | 1:06 pmWhen my friend called me a few years ago and said, “My only New Year Resolution last year was to have a date for this New Year’s Eve, and it isn’t going to happen,” I replied, “That sounds like a romance novel in the making.” So she promptly asked me to write a happy ending for her, since it didn’t look like it was going to happen in the real world.That’s the beauty of romance...We live in a dream world of hot, alpha men who are rugged but gentle, rich but unpretentious and macho, yet caring. The heroines are feisty but sensitive, beautiful but confident, and successful in… -
This is What a Blog Looks Like When You're on Deadlines
8 Jun 2013 | 12:37 pmI can't read that headline without singing "When Doves Cry." Weird, huh?So, yeah, I'm on deadline. I'm actually ahead of it, so I decided to post something here before I hit a month since the last post.Though "ahead of it" sounds much more optimistic than it is. I had to do some massive moving things around, which was tricky, but I got all the timelines smoothed out and changed all the emotional stuff that was different because of things happening earlier and new things happening and stuff. And then I got to skip past gobs and gobs of deleted text that had been moved to earlier pages. That… -
Sunroper, Retreat, and Yummy TV
15 May 2013 | 4:53 pmWanna see the cover of Sunroper, book 3 in the Goddesses Rising series? (There is a wee little wren hopping around outside my window, warbling and then singing a song way too big for it! I love it!)Sorry about that. Anyway, you can see the cover here on my main website, and how it matches up with the rest of the series. Eventually I'll get this blog moved over there in its entirety. Like, maybe October, after I get through the Deadline Frenzy of 2013 and before I hit the Release Madness of 2013/14.Tomorrow I leave on my annual writing retreat! Long-time readers are rolling their eyes and… -
Springing into Euphoria
29 Apr 2013 | 1:20 pmI always say fall is my favorite season with a slight edge on spring, but I think I might have to swing that the other way slightly. Kind of like a couple of years ago I went from slightly more Dean-girl to Sam-girl and now I'm back. Dean is just...guh...right now.But I digress.I figure I have a low-grade seasonal affective disorder, because every spring, I hit this moment of euphoria that has no true cause. Today was that day for me.Oh, sure, there are things that contribute to it. Saturday was the 10th season home opener for the Harrisburg City Islanders, and they won the game 5-1 (!) and… -
Amazon Freebie for Three More Days
28 Apr 2013 | 6:12 amAmazon has price-matched Soul of the Dragon so it is now free! Go here to download it now!The promotion will only officially last through April 30, at which time I'll be setting a special price of $2.99. I don't know how long it will take Amazon to match that again, so hurry over and get it today!You can also get it free at other preferred retailers. Click here for the links.A thousand years ago, a jealous mage cursed a young lord into dragon form to keep him from his soulmate, a peasant girl coveted by the mage. They have three lifetimes to break the curse.Twice they have failed.Alexa Ranger…
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Nell Dixon - Romance writer
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You go away for a few days...
3 Jun 2013 | 5:49 amWow! I went away for a few days and everything went a bit crazy! I had a new story release in a fabby anthology. Available from AMAZON and other etailers! I also heard that the New Bay stories which you can get as single e book novellas or as an e book box set were also releasing as a print collection! Go Here to get a paperback copy! Plus you need to check out my fabulous publisher, Astraea press's Book Club pagelater today to hear some exciting news for this month. (Hint, free ebook from me) -
Happy Birthday Miss La!
20 May 2013 | 1:34 amMy youngest belle is 15 today and has a chemistry GCSE exam on her birthday! -
Be My Hero is award nominated!
3 May 2013 | 6:28 amI recieved an email from InD’Tale magazine which said 'We went to extensive labor to create and present the most credible and prestigious award in the industry today. Our three round system of elimination covers every facet - highly reviewed, loved by fans, and critiqued by qualified judges. No other award system today begins to compare, making the RONE award the very highest of honors bestowed on a book in the publishing industry.Because your book, Be My Hero, received the high review rating of a 4 star or better, it has continued to the second, public voting phase for the 2012, RONE… -
Write on...
22 Apr 2013 | 2:07 amI have a confession. I haven't been writing much this year. I want to write, the stories are in my head just bursting to get out but real life has taken over to such a huge extent that I simply haven't had the time or the desire to write.I will write again soon, I promise. I'm going to be doing more hours at my day job and that job has become immensely more stressful and difficult. My family life is also challenging right now. I have three teenage daughters who need me and they, and Mr Nell have to be my priority. So I appologise for not being around much at the moment. Things are settling… -
Hurray for holidays
2 Apr 2013 | 6:03 amI'll be missing for a few days as Mr Nell and I are taking the belles away to the seaside in our tourer. Am hoping a freak heat wave will hit Dorset while we're there or we may be returning with less teenagers than when we started. In the meantime, you might like to pick up a copy of Radio Gaga for your reading pleasure! Over the airwaves everyone can hear you scream! Radio researcher and part-time presenter Chloe Lark is certain her big show biz break is just around the corner. Live it Up radio may not be the big time, but surely - one day soon - fame will come her way. And, if she could…
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Cynthia Eden
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Spread the Word…MINE TO TAKE is only .99!
19 Jun 2013 | 12:40 pmLust. Love. Obsession. How far would you go to possess the person you want the most? There are just a few more days left in my .99 MINE TO TAKE sale. Want to help me spread the word about this deal on my dark & sexy new romantic suspense? There are prizes involved. What to do: If you want to enter the giveaway, just share the news about MINE TO TAKE. You could put up a Facebook post about the book, you can share the cover, you can tweet about the book, you can blog about it, etc–whatever works for you! (Please note: if you tweet about the book, use the #MineToTake… -
New MINE TO TAKE Excerpt
18 Jun 2013 | 7:44 amWow! I’ve been getting such wonderful feedback about MINE TO TAKE! Thank you! I am thrilled that readers are enjoying the story! And if you haven’t read MINE TO TAKE yet, don’t forget–my dark and sexy new romantic suspense is on sale for just .99 this week! Here’s a new excerpt, to get you in the MINE TO TAKE mood. “Ten years is a long time,” she said. She hated the softness of her voice. Why couldn’t she act as if the past didn’t matter to her? “A lot can change over all those years.” “And a lot can stay the same.” His fingers curled… -
Taking Over The Blog – Guest Author Bobbi Romans (With Giveaway)
17 Jun 2013 | 11:05 amHi Cynthia, Thanks for having meSquee, fan girl moment. Just finished Bound in Death–SOOO good! Since I’ve done so many blog posts back to back I’m like…Uh. Hum? Contests! Everyone loves a good contest. I’m going to post about two. One is mine…the other is a huge contest my publisher of Under the Full Moon is hosting to celebrate their 1st Anniversary. Special Note: Tonight June 17th 6:30-9:30 at FB (see FB link below) I’m holding a release party with more chances to win copies of Under the Full Moon & True Blood Goodies. Under the Full Moon is Book Two in the… -
MINE TO TAKE is here!!!
16 Jun 2013 | 7:25 pmI’ve love it when a new book releases! And my latest release, MINE TO TAKE, is available now! From now until 6/24, MINE TO TAKE will only be .99! Sometimes you want someone so much… Sometimes you need someone so much… Lust can become love. And love can turn into a deadly obsession. But why should we have just one .99 sale? Especially when two .99 deals would be so much fun! So, this week, I am also offering my paranormal romance, BOUND IN DEATH, at a sale price of .99. She can’t remember him… He can never forget her. For over two hundred years, alpha werewolf… -
Reader Appreciation Giveaway – 100 Digital Copies of MINE TO TAKE
14 Jun 2013 | 3:57 pm***Update #2: I’ve sent prizes (or notes with prize info) to my winners–thank you for entering the giveaway!! However, I had bounce-back messages from 3 people, so if Gladys, Karen, & Melissa would please shoot me an email at cynthia@cynthiaeden.com, I will be happy to get your copies out to you! If any of my other winners have not received prizes, please check your spam files–sometimes, the digital copies will get stuck there. But if you don’t see them, just shout at me! Have a great weekend!** Update: We’ve got our winners!! Thank you! I am…
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Bonnie Ferguson Writer
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Celebration
15 Jun 2013 | 12:06 pmI’m of the belief that tis good to celebrate as many moments in life as possible. It’s fun, joyous, and helps us to weather the inevitable difficulties that pop up from time to time. Decorating for every conceivable holiday? Yup, I love all that stuff. Doing a happy dance because the day is going well? Just call me Twinkle Toes. Basking in other people’s good news? Hell yes. It’s Saturday, there’s another reason. Hehehehe, I’m a glutton for happy. -
That’s the Spirit!
28 May 2013 | 11:26 amI find my craving for adventure has grown exponentially over the last year and a bit. It was always a strong presence, it’s just that it has bloomed into something even more powerful. And I love it. Clearly my writing goals are one, and the stories and worlds I’m working on now fill me with joy and excitement. It’s lovely. But also, there are so many awesome places in the world that I’d like to see at some point. I follow the Earth Pics account on twitter, and many of the photos are breathtaking. I always knew the planet was beautiful, but as much as I knew, in many… -
Gratitude
28 Apr 2013 | 1:50 pmIt’s always a good time to think about what I’m grateful for, and if I tried to complete the list it would go on ad infinitum. So here are just a few things that immediately come to mind: 1. My family. 2. Having food to eat and a roof over my head. 3. Synchronicty. Those lovely occurrences that add a mystical element to life. 4. Laughter. Joy is contagious. 5. Dreams and pursuing them. Just the act of doing so is life affirming and it’s wonderful to see other people achieve theirs. 6. Kindness and compassion. Simple things really, but so powerful. 7. Books, both reading and… -
Game of Thrones
4 Apr 2013 | 7:57 amSince I don’t have a cable package that gets HBO, I’ve listened to people talk about Game of Thrones for the past two seasons. It sounded fantastic and the few clips I saw only confirmed my initial impression. Well, Showcase, a channel I do get, is now playing the first season every Friday. I’m soooo loving it. And knowing some of the stuff that’s going to happen hasn’t diminished my enjoyment one iota. Even cooler, my sister has read the books and watched the series from the beginning. I have so much fun emailing her after each episode to discuss what’s… -
Happy St. Patrick’s Day :)
17 Mar 2013 | 4:10 amWebweaver.nu - Free Website Tools & Clipart
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LIZ FIELDING
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Following in mother's footsteps...
18 Jun 2013 | 1:51 amI read because my mother read. She taught me to read, then she took me to her very special place. Boots Lending Library. They used to have them upstairs in every Boots store in the UK. You paid to borrow books - not much, but my parents didn't have much money - but reading was that important to her. She paid a few pennies for me to borrow books, too. Going to the library with my Mum was one of -
The Sheikh Who Loved Her
11 Jun 2013 | 5:00 pmI just love the covers of the Special Editions that Mills and Boon releases - three-in-one collections of bestselling romance for a new audience. And the company you get to keep! The fabulous Kate Hardy and Susan Stephens. Just so special. What we have here, is Ruling Sheikh, Unruly Mistress from Susan Stephens. Proud, curvy and pregnant- the heroine, not Susan! Surrender to the Playboy -
The garden...
11 Jun 2013 | 2:38 amI wish I'd taken some photographs of the garden when we moved in so that you could see how much we've done. We've waiting for some serious summer so that the flowers make a bit of an effort, but this is where we are so far. This was earlier in the spring. The gothic window had just been finished and we'd just started planting. This was it earlier this week with the honeysuckles about -
Download Eloping With Emmy free this weekend!
7 Jun 2013 | 1:00 am<!--[if gte mso 9]> 800x600 <![endif]--> <!--[if gte mso 9]> Normal 0 false false false EN-GB X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]> -
It Happened One Night...
6 Jun 2013 | 2:30 amI'm delighted to introduce Phillipa Ashley's latest book - It Happened One Night, published in ebook format by Piatkus Entice on June 6. Here's the blurb - Sophie McBride has been in love with Adam Templar for as long as she can remember. Talented, brilliant and sexy, he shines like the sun over the tiny Lakeland village where she's grown up. Now, at eighteen, she has her own big ideas
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Megan Frampton
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So This Happened…
2 Jun 2013 | 6:48 pmSo this happened. HOW COOL IS THIS?!? Share -
What Not to Bare has a Cover!
30 May 2013 | 3:41 pmSo new it doesn’t have a proper blurb yet, here’s the cover for What Not to Bare, my October full-length book. I like it, although I feel bad the poor guy lost his shirt somewhere. Share -
Baring It All–New Title, New Cover!
12 May 2013 | 11:05 amThis is the cover for my June 24th release, a novella title Baring It All (duh–as you can see!). It was a blast to write, it is way lighter in tone than Hero of My Heart, and matches the tone and setting of my October full-length, What Not to Bare. I’ve finished the synopsis for Don’t You Want Me, Baby? and have sent it to two trusted readers who will shred it for me. The sample chapters have been tweaked, but I need to read them again and make sure they contain all the oomph I’m envisioning the book having. …And I’ve re-opened, and re-thought, an… -
Plotting and Plodding
20 Apr 2013 | 11:03 amI’m working on a new way of plotting out a book (which is basically to say I AM plotting out a book, whereas I usually just start with one scene, have the Dark Moment in mind, and start writing), and it’s bringing the fact that I don’t really have a clue about what’s happening in my story even more clearly. But this book should be better than the last, shouldn’t it?, so I have to plot out more than usual. Which is what I am trying to do. Ugh. I took a Zumba class today, and that was a blast! I’m excited to go again, although I can’t do the shoulder… -
Note to Self: Avoidance Therapy Doesn’t Work
18 Apr 2013 | 9:56 amBack before returning to a full-time 40 hours a week job, before even doing freelance for a few hours a day, back when I was just at home with my then quite wee son (who is now MY HEIGHT), I spent a lot of time blogging. At least five times a week, sometimes as much as every day. And I loved it. Still do, actually. I love sharing my thoughts in a public forum, and I liked having the chance to talk with people who perhaps were not inside my Brooklyn apartment, since that was about the extent of my world at the time. Now I am out and about in the world, and there’s Twitter, and a…
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Sara Freeze
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The Eighteenth-Century Writer
19 Jun 2013 | 5:50 amI've been reading John Brewer's comprehensive and insightful review of eighteenth century cultural life for the past week: The Pleasures of the Imagination: English Culture in the Eighteenth Century. As I was reading the chapter entitled "Authors, Publishers and Literature Culture," I was struck by the similarities to the publishing culture of the 21st century. Celebrities such as aristocrats had -
Regency Fashion: Walking Dresses
2 Nov 2012 | 4:03 pm© Victoria and Albert Museum, London The Victoria & Albert Museum has a wonderful collection of fashion plates available. This print was originally published in the June 1808 edition of La Belle Assemblee. The description provided is as follows: "Engraving with hand-colouring, showing three women in white high-waisted dresses walking together. The woman in the foreground wears yellow gloves -
Elizabeth Hancock
30 Sep 2012 | 8:12 amA few years ago, I took a graduate seminar on Jane Austen's novels. As I was reading several biographies of her life, one family member, in particular, stood out: Elizabeth Hancock. Elizabeth Hancock was a key figure in Jane Austen's life. Born in 1761, she was one of Austen's favorite (and certainly most glamorous) cousins. Over the past ten years, Elizabeth has gained more recognition as -
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge
16 Sep 2012 | 6:59 amOn Friday, I was shocked to learn of the violation of the Duchess's privacy. Yes, Duchess Catherine is a member of the royal family, and yes, she is in an incredibly privileged position. However, every human being deserves privacy during intimate moments, and the photographer's actions were a gross violation of the duke and duchess's private space. I have always admired the Duchess's grace and -
Bed and Breakfast: Sweetwater Branch Inn
17 Aug 2012 | 6:00 amWhenever I visit Gainesville, FL, I always stay at the Sweetwater Branch Inn, a bed and breakfast housed in a two beautiful Victorian buildings. Over the past ten years, I've had the pleasure of staying in most of the rooms and cottages on the property, and I recommend any of the rooms, though two I especially like are the Blue Moon Room, which is small and cozy and boasts a snug reading
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Sonja Foust
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Vanquish Your Publishing Demons
30 May 2013 | 12:00 amHey dudes. Lisa and I have been quiet, I know. For a while there, we were putting out a new book like every two weeks. This one took us more like three. I know, we’re slackers. But we’re done now. This one is called Vampires and Tantric Sex: How to Publish Your Book Like a Bona Fide Badass. We’re going to demystify the misty, misty world of publishing for ya, and we’re going to include a whole bunch of sex puns because they just come for us. (See what I did there?) This little beauty is free and easy (snerk) until June 3, so grab it now. And, if you really love me,… -
The Absence of Sad
9 May 2013 | 12:41 pmI inadvertently discovered what happiness is not this week. I’m working on a Happiness Project of my own (although slowly and badly– haven’t quite found my groove yet), so happiness has been on my mind. And for the past few weeks or a month or so, I was thinking I must be pretty happy because I’m not sad. I mean, there’s been no depression or fits of weeping or hiding under the covers all day. Those things are indicators of sad. I just felt sort of… nothing. Not bad. Just nothing. Then last week I finally went to go get my thyroid checked again because… -
Freebie Book!
3 May 2013 | 7:43 amLisa and I have just finished a sweet little freebie book! In order to get it, you need to sign up for our email list at BadassWriting.com… But beware, we talk trash and fling dirt. Don’t tell our grandmas. This one is abso-toot-ly free, free, free forever and ever amen and it’s our 25 reasons to stop making excuses, stop procrastinating, get going, find your muse (or your mule), and write, dammit! Your little special bonus at the end is one more big, fat, juicy tip (heh, tip) on how to get your bum in gear and bang out those words. (Hint: We use this one ALL THE… -
Unicorns! (A New Book on Your Writing Career)
19 Apr 2013 | 3:42 pmIf you have been avoiding me at all costs for the past week or so, you may not know that Lisa and I published another book! This one is the follow-up to our first one on writing your first book, and it’s all about how to make writing into your career. It’s called Whiskey-Pissing Unicorns: How to Lose or Quit Your Job and Become a Badass Writer. (I blatantly stole that graphic from Lisa because it is so cool. Plus it’s not really stealing if you helped write the book, right?) We are pretty damn proud of this thing. It contains within in it both of our stories about how we… -
Badass Writing is Here!
4 Apr 2013 | 9:04 amLisa Creech Bledsoe and I have been feverishly typing away and we’ve written some great tutorials on the writing biz. And guess what! The first one is available today! It’s called The Badass Guide to Writing Your First Book and we are super proud of it. Not only is it available, but it is also free until midnight April 8, so get yourself a copy nowish before it’s un-free, ok? AND! AND! If you would be so kind as to leave us a review on Amazon, we shall reward you with an exclusive Ask Us Anything call. Just buy the book (or get it for free) and leave a review by April 10…
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Inside an author's mind....
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Cover Reveal, TAINTED, by AE Rought
6 Jun 2013 | 9:00 amBecause she's one of my best friends ever, I have to jump in and party with her latest book, TAINTED, the follow-up to her book BROKEN that came out in January from Strange Chemistry. Now, for the beautiful cover!Alex Franks believes the madness is behind them. With Ascension Labs under his direction and the forces threatening Emma’s life overcome, they have a chance at a normal life, and keeping his secrets safely buried.But a shadow rises from Alex’s past, and she wants him back. Criminally brilliant, Hailey Westmore will stop at nothing to claim the boy she was meant to be… -
I'll be guest blogging
28 May 2013 | 1:24 pmI'll be guest blogging over at Everybody Needs A Little Romance tomorrow, talking about what romance is for me.Stop by, leave a comment, and you can be entered to win a a gift certificate from Amazon! -
I think I have a disease
21 May 2013 | 8:24 amIt is called "Submission-itus."I hit the "submit" button CONSTANTLY.It feels like I'm constantly sending out pitches and submissions, and waiting on those dreaded rejection letters ALL THE TIME.Right now, I have, currently, four out that I'm waiting to hear back from. And I've been sending them out in little doses like this since January. Although I'm at this strange place--where it's almost like I think, well, what's it going to hurt to try there too?I feel like I've submitted to everyone right now. New and old, established agencies. Even the dreaded "we only respond if we're interested"… -
Pantsing Vs Plotting
12 May 2013 | 8:42 pmMyself? I was a "pantser" for a lot of years. I just wrote "by the seat of my pants" and let the story unfold as I went. It made me the first reader, the first person to know the story.This method also made me take FOREVER to write a book. Every plot thread, I would agonize over. I wondered exactly what would happen if I did A, B, C, each time I thought of a way to write or tweak a scene.Don't get me wrong, I love making everything up as I go, each little twist that I come up with taking me by surprise, calling my fellow writer friends and going "Wow, guess what I… -
So What's The Hardest Part?
9 May 2013 | 9:36 pmThe hardest part of writing is, well, the writing.Okay, it's the hardest, but it's also the most fun part.But it's the hardest.Anyone who's ever put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard knows this. It's not nearly as easy as you might think, just wanting to write a story.But, but, I have this awesome idea!I hate to break it to you, but you're not the only one. There are a lot of amazing, brilliant ideas. These wonder, stunning, fabulous concepts that just beg to be written.I go on »
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For All the World to See - Colleen Gleason
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Roaring Midnight: The Gardella Vampire Chronicles | Macey #1
8 Jun 2013 | 7:07 amI’m so pleased to share with you the prologue and first chapter of Roaring Midnight, a spin-off/continuation of the Gardella Vampire Chronicles! This is the first book in a trilogy, and it will be released in print and ebook format worldwide on June 18. Pre-order Print or eBook at Amazon now! PROLOGUE ~ A Warning ~ Chicago, 1925 Sebastian Vioget placed his palms on the bar and leaned forward. The large ruby signet on his left hand glinted in the golden light. On his right five fingers were the ever-present copper rings that… -
Jewels of Historical Romance: A Whisper of Rosemary excerpt
30 Jan 2013 | 2:34 pmDirick de Arlande is in the stables just before dawn. He’s saddling up his horse, preparing to leave when the daughter of his host comes upon him…. Dirick’s smile felt forced. “I must leave. Though I have no desire to do so.” Maris looked up at him as if trying to determine whether he was merely being gallant or whether the words actually were truth. “I could not believe you would leave without a word of farewell.” “I bid your father good-bye,” he told her. They stood much too close. The smell of lemon and rosemary from her hair caught at his nostrils, mingling… -
Historical Jewels: A Whisper of Rosemary excerpt
30 Jan 2013 | 2:29 pmDirick de Arlande is in the stables just before dawn. He’s saddling up his horse, preparing to leave when the daughter of his host comes upon him…. Dirick’s smile felt forced. “I must leave. It is that I have no desire to do so is the reason I spoke thus.” Maris looked up at him as if trying to determine whether he was merely being gallant or whether the words actually were truth. “I could not believe you would leave without a word of farewell.” “I bid your father good-bye,” he told her, releasing her shoulders. They stood much too close. The smell of lemon and… -
A Lily on the Heath
10 Jan 2013 | 6:24 amNOW AVAILABLE! A Lily on the Heath (A Book from the Medieval Herb Garden Series) by Colleen Gleason ______ Passion and deception in the turbulent court of Eleanor of Aquitaine and Henry II. An honorable man: Malcolm de Monde, Lord of Warwick needs a wife. He reluctantly journeys to the royal court where his plan is simple: find a dutiful woman, gain the king’s approval for his choice and return to Warwick with his chosen lady wedded, bedded, and carrying his heir—all before winter. An independent woman: Judith of Kentworth, Royal Falconer and lady-in-waiting, is a woman from Malcolm’s… -
Castle: Season Premier 2012
25 Sep 2012 | 8:30 amI wasn’t sure how I was going to feel about the premier. After last season’s finale, I was very “meh.” For those of you who’ve followed my blog and/or me on Facebook, you know I’m not a big Castle/Beckett “shipper.” It’s because of her, because at this point, I don’t feel she’s worthy of Rick. Because I love Rick Castle. I want him to be happy. He’s almost as perfect as Roarke. ______________ (Spoilers below…for both last season and last night’s premier. Read ahead at your own risk!) ______________ In fact,…
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A Writer's Diary
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Galley Edits & Gratitude
16 Jun 2013 | 7:43 amAs a book reviewer, I learned that “galleys” were the final manuscript, set in print, before publication. Galleys were what we mostly read. They had plain covers and came with an info-packed publicity note. We were always told that we should not quote from galleys unless the publicist agreed. I found that it was okay to quote good stuff but not bad, as it might be fixed in galley edit. Both author and editor do one final read, and what we are looking for are typos, homonyms, spell check errors, grammar issues. My publisher really does not encourage any other kinds of changes in… -
Contemporary or Vintage?
14 Jun 2013 | 8:25 amWe recently moved to a new home with a very contemporary feel. All the lighting fixtures, the appliances, countertops, and the general architectural layout scream MODERN. Lots of granite and slate. Problem? I love old things. That’s my grandmother’s mirror in the photo and I still use it every day to check the back of my hair:) It sits on my bathroom vanity and I simply love it. Still, I made a vow when I moved in, this house will be decorated with contemporary furniture. One reason: my mother just gave me a coffee-with-cream colored contemporary leather sofa in great condition. And three… -
Our Fortunate Tortured Selves
11 Jun 2013 | 6:33 amRemember liberal guilt? The idea that because we had so much, we felt guilty, and so to assuage our consciouses, we were happy to give some back. I still think giving to the poor is a noble cause, but I never thought guilt was what social programs were about. I thought those programs were in place because of love. Because of generosity. I’ve been poor, even homeless, but I’ve always worked. My income, when I have one worth reporting to the IRS, has always hovered close to the poverty level, which is now $13,444. My jobs have been waitress, secretary, high school… -
Home
3 Jun 2013 | 10:45 amNew house doesn’t quite feel like home yet. An internet connection would help. So would window shades:) But aside from the material organization, I’ve yet to make an emotional connection to this new place. Maybe because I’m not unpacked and remain undecorated. Maybe because my shoulders ache, my back hurts, and there’s a weird pain in my foot that is shooting upward toward the knee. Which reminds me that I am close to a lovely yoga studio. I need to get back to class. After I rest the various overworked muscles. And finish unpacking. Then start writing again; I am… -
Jelly
26 May 2013 | 6:17 amJust lately, I’ve come into a whole lotta luck. My famously frugal husband has opened his wallet and money, for the first time in our married life, spills. “Buy it.” “Get it.” “Take it.” These are words I’ve seldom heard. I’ve always been jealous (also envious) although I didn’t always KNOW I was. The first time I saw a friends’ new house, a modest ranch, I tried to throw myself out of the moving car after we left. I was quite drunk at the time. And the action was more drama than a serious attempt at self-annihilation. For…
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Heather Hiestand's Musings
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Chat live with @hahiestand and friends on Tuesday, June 18th
17 Jun 2013 | 2:05 pmChat with authors Heather Hiestand, Eilis Flynn, Gina Robinson, Delle Jacobs and Jacquie Rogers!Our live one-hour chat is Tuesday, June 18, 2013, at 9 PM EST.To get to the chat room...click on this link: http://www.coffeetimeromance.com/Chat2.htmlLots of prizes! -
Chat with Heather Hiestand/Eilis Flynn on Tues, June 11th
10 Jun 2013 | 8:19 amAre you a romance or historical fantasy fan?Heather Hiestand and Eilis Flynn are chatting on Facebook on Tuesday, June 11th, from 6 am PST to 6 pm PST. It's our first time chatting in this format so please drop by and keep us company. We look forward to seeing you there!Red Hot Readers Chat Space -
The synopsis project: Debra Brown and Marquess of Cake
5 Jun 2013 | 9:00 amDebra Brown has a synopsis project going on over at her blog: http://englishepochs.blogspot.com.Marquess of Cake is one of the featured books today, June 5th. Each entry should give you a slightly different picture of the books, beyond the blurb. Come take a look! -
One month to release! Here's an excerpt from Marquess of Cake
4 Jun 2013 | 6:18 pmLink to Pre-order LinksWant to know how The Marquess of Cake by Heather Hiestand begins? Can't wait until July 4th when it releases? You can pre-order now! Here you go...Chapter One November 1886 Michael Shield, Marquess of Hatbrook, breathed in the mouth-watering scent of pastries drifting through the open iron gates of the corner shop at Oxford and Regent Streets. The window display of scones and shortbreads, sponges and meringues, and wafers and biscuits, reminded him of all the exquisite flavors to be had within. He paused for a moment to admire the arrangement. A young woman, who… -
The Romance Reviews’ Sizzling Summer Reads Party in June
31 May 2013 | 11:54 pmParty!Come visit me and many others!
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Kate Hardy
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catchup and birthdays
7 Jun 2013 | 5:41 amCurrent work: Cherish romance (aka M&B #57 - working title 'Me and You and a Dog Named Baloo')Listening to: MCR (when littlest is home – actually, she’s the one playing guitar)Reading: next on TBRGym: weights – new PB on deadlift today, 60kg (go, me!)I know, I know – I promised to be a better blogger. And I’ve been hopeless. Mainly because my routine is totally out of the window – exams, revision sessions, and being taxi to the kids :o) Catchup: eldest is now 16, DH is now my older man (for the next 8 months), and today Byron is 11. So happy birthday to my grumpy old boy (he… -
If you go down to the woods today...
13 May 2013 | 2:13 amCurrent work: Cherish romance (aka M&B #57 - working title 'Me and You and a Dog Named Baloo')Listening to: BeethovenReading: Eliza Graham, The History Room (enjoying) and Jojo Moyes, The Girl You Left BehindGym: 121 (weights and cardio)Yesterday, I wanted to go and find a bluebell carpet. DH was difficult about it, saying that we’d been to Foxley and Blickling plenty of times before. But eventually he decided we’d go to a patch of ancient woodland, i.e. Ashwellthorpe Lower Wood. Cue a wander through woodlands to the sound of birdsong and no traffic. Just gorgeous.And we found… -
Sunshine - and elsewhere today
7 May 2013 | 2:01 amElsewhere today - over at the Chocolate Box with a very heartfelt thank you http://www.chocolateboxwriters.com/thank-you-by-kate-hardy/ and at the Pink Heart Society with recipes for rye bread and green summer soup http://www.pinkheartsociety.blogspot.co.uk/2013/05/kates-kitchen-rye-bread-and-green.html.Yesterday was a glorious bank holiday - lovely to see the sun, so we went to the coast and had a paddle at Cromer.One of the things I love about the East Anglian coastline is that often you can't see where the sea ends and the sky begins. Plus we were amused by these gulls lining up on the… -
and ANOTHER cover reveal
3 May 2013 | 2:26 amCurrent work: Cherish romance (aka M&B #57 - working title 'Me and You and a Dog Named Baloo')Listening to: QueenReading: Eliza Graham, The History Room (enjoying) and Jojo Moyes, The Girl You Left BehindGym: Weights Fabulous session at the gym today - learned to do deadlifts. (Have I mentioned how much I love weights? LOL. Am going to be verrrry boring about this.) And this 'eat more to lose weight' idea might just have something, because I lost 1/2 lb this week. OK, not a huge amount, but I was expecting a gain with the increase in calories and the fact I've tweaked my training to… -
new cover reveal!
1 May 2013 | 4:44 amCurrent work: Cherish romance (aka M&B #57 - working title 'Me and You and a Dog Named Baloo')Listening to: Michael Buble and Fleetwood MacReading: Eliza Graham, The History Room (enjoying) and Jojo Moyes, The Girl You Left BehindGym: Weights (all on my own as I was feeling brave), a HIIT circuit and pyramid training on the cross-trainerLovely to see blossom starting to unfurl on the tree in our front garden. And it’s warm and sunny today; makes a nice change to be able to put the laundry on the line instead of in the dryer.Also lovely to see the cover for my July book, A Date with the…
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Nancy Henderson
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Excerpt to Blackbird
8 Jun 2013 | 4:08 amAdahya stopped walking. He turned, shook his head in disgust. Knox’s woman was not to be found. He could hear her, though. There was no doubt about that. She had not shut her mouth since leaving the Oneida mission. This was a mistake. He should not have agreed to take her to Fort Ontario. He wanted Knox, and Colonel Butler wanted Knox. This woman was not Knox. He should have tomahawked her back at the mission. Her hair was dark like a raven’s wing. He could not guess its… -
Four Winds now available on the Nook!
2 Jun 2013 | 2:33 pmShe made no sound. Still as death. If she died, bad luck would befall him until his won death, perhaps even into the Afterlife. He reached over and placed two fingers on her throat, relieved when he found a pulse. The vulnerable flesh was warm, perhaps from a developing fever, and soft like down against his rough hands. Any other circumstance, he would not have given the woman a passing thought. Even dressed as a man, she was handsome, an attraction both rare and disturbing in a white woman. He wondered her age. More importantly, why she was out… -
27 May 2013 | 5:06 am
27 May 2013 | 5:06 amOh boy! Big sigh… It’s been a crazy, mostly awful few days. Thank you, everyone, for your kind condolences and prayers. I appreciate those so much. I haven’t been at the day job since last Monday, and I really miss it. I love my job. I really do. I was on bereavement leave for Tuesday thru Thursday for Grandma’s death, then I had Friday as a vacation day. We were going to go out of town to an antique car show, but due to the circumstances we cancelled and stayed home. I spent the time getting flowers ready, then putting a flower… -
Difficult week
20 May 2013 | 3:12 amI’m going to try to make a real effort in blogging more often. Life has been getting in the way big time. Spring/early summer is always hectic with gardening and other pre-summer things that need to be done, but we’ve also been renovating the house, redecorating, fixing up a writing room for me (yay!) and well…my grandmother just passed away this weekend…so I have a difficult week ahead. Looking toward the future, however, I’m planning to incorporate video blogging, or vlogging, as it’s termed. I thought that will give readers a deeper look at my life as an author and… -
New book idea
27 Apr 2013 | 4:00 amI am a taphophile. Wikipedia defines this as:“Tombstone tourist (otherwise known as a "taphophile", "cemetery enthusiast", cemetery tourists or "grave hunter" or "graver") describes an individual who has a passion for and enjoyment of cemeteries.[1]This involves epitaphs, gravestone rubbing, photography, art, and history of (famous) deaths.”While I don’t do gravestone rubbings (illegal is some—or all now?-- states), I do love cemetaries. I’ve long contemplated writing a non-fiction book about them. I’m thinking seriously of it. It would be a book I’d self…
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Captive Dreams of an Erotic Pen
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Let's hear it for the Girls - Kinky Girls that is
13 Jun 2013 | 3:55 pmBad Girls Dream ... Kinky Girls Do! The Kinky characters are back at it ... in the re-release of another two Kinky Girls Do stories, as well as another bundle edition of four stories. The first story introduces us to Lydia, a woman who knows what she wants, just not how to go about getting it. To her surprise, her friend Shawn is more than willing to fulfill her fantasy in CHASING HER DREAMS -
Author Resources
9 Jun 2013 | 3:20 pmCame across a couple of good posts (in my opinion anyways) that might be helpful for authors out there. First up are two about the dreaded book description. : ) http://www.thecreativepenn.com/2010/11/16/how-to-write-back-blurb-for-your-book/ http://catherineryanhoward.com/2012/10/05/the-11-ingredients-of-a-sizzling-book-\description/ If you are looking to do a print run of your -
Oh you kinky, kinky girls ...
8 Jun 2013 | 5:31 pmBad Girls Dream ... Kinky Girls Do! The Kinky characters are back at it ... in the re-release of the first two Kinky Girls Do stories, as well as a bundle edition of four stories. First up is the revised and expanded ALL ABOUT TRUST. Melissa had finally found the perfect lover in Gregory. He is attentive, patient, and more than capable and willing to dominate her sexually. The perfect life -
seXposed With Kendra
4 Jun 2013 | 10:09 amOn today's seXposed with Kendra, we will be featuring human woman and their non-human men. Find out how they met, and tamed, their paranormal men. (SEXposed With Kendra) Phoebe had to convince her werewolf lover that she is in it for the long-haul - regardless of what her family thinks. (Never Tease A Wolf) Meredith is an oceanographer who had to overcome societal differences between humans -
Wake Me Up
4 Jun 2013 | 10:05 am* two stories of sexy mornings * Claiming the Twilight: After working a night shift, Nicholas comes home to wake his wife up in a deliciously masterful way. Sensual Bonds: While her husband is sleeping, Lily decides he needs to be treated to her being in charge of their lovemaking, so she tied him up and has her delicious way with him. Word Count: Nibble Sexuality: M/F Content warning:
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Amarinda Jones
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...drink, smoke pot, lie a lot and have copious sex at 2:30am...
18 Jun 2013 | 2:09 amI was watching this pukeably sweet show this morning at 2:30 am when it was freezing cold and I couldn't sleep due to the cold and other reasons. It was Seventh Heaven – a schlock Yankee TV show about a bunch of god-botherers hell bent – okay – maybe heaven bent - on the fact that no one was supposed to have sex until they were married or all these terrible and dire things would happen like getting detention at school, sleeping in a tent in the backyard and arguing with parents over having sex before everyone forgiving everyone for having a penis and a vagina. The parents in… -
Life...just is...
15 Jun 2013 | 11:45 amMy father passed away from brain cancer on Tuesday. While I'm deeply saddened by that, I am glad he is now free from pain and the sheer and utter bastardry of cancer. What I have learnt from this is - - that people you have never met before or barely know rally to help without being asked. They just show up and do what they can because they want to. They expect nothing and are deeply honoured when you say thanks or pass on a keepsake that you know they would like and cherish. - I have been inundated by people, especially from the Military, wanting to attend my father's funeral and present… -
Wannabe Bridezilla...
9 Jun 2013 | 1:36 pmSo, I volunteered yesterday to help out a Biker dude club – Coral Coast Riders - who were volunteering their bikes and riders to take medics, media and technical officials (those who looked for cheats) out on the Ironman course which stretched from Cairns to Port Douglas and back again. Those volunteer bikers worked really hard and were knackered – literally – I saw them all walk back into the volunteer tent after a very long day on the bike. My job was to sign people and helmets in and out and know where people were. And then there was Tracey – who was supposed to assist me. Supposed… -
Iron Woman...
7 Jun 2013 | 3:08 pmDid my own Iron Woman this morning ~ 5km run Random 30 minute, no particular style at all swim in the lagoon Bike leg replaced by two cups of coffee and a banana The Ironman is on in Cairns tomorrow. It brings beaucoup tourist money into the city and that’s always a beautiful thing. http://amarindajones.blogspot.com/google0cbd4098fb476cec.html -
'Have opinion...will travel...
6 Jun 2013 | 11:36 amSo, I used the phrase ‘Hollywood bullshit’ in a phone hook up yesterday with some anal executive types when asked to give my opinion on their latest grand scheme for something. I’ve always felt dead silence is fun in a meeting. Don’t ask because I will tell. http://amarindajones.blogspot.com/google0cbd4098fb476cec.html
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Crystal Jordan » Blog
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Unbelievable series out in print!
5 Jun 2013 | 7:30 amThree ladies have one thing to say to love. Make me. If You Believe When a homeless man predicts she’ll meet her soul mate today, Aubrey only laughs and points to the name of her coffee shop: “Bean There, Done That.” She’s sure sexy police chief Price Delacroix’s campaign to wear down her resistance is doomed to fail. Until her resident prophet spouts a new prediction: her soul mate’s life is in danger. Believe in Me Guardian angel Tori is holding up her end for her current client, but his soul mate’s angel is failing big time. Then a replacement steps in: Jericho, the man who… -
Vegas Vacation is out today!
15 Apr 2013 | 11:14 pmFirst, don’t forget my virtual book tour is happening today. Comment on one or more of the participating blogs for a chance to win prizes! Second, VEGAS VACATION COMES OUT TODAY!!! Ahem. Yes, I’m a little excited about this. I love new books. I want to hug them and squeeze them and call them George. Okay, on to the info about the book, which is what you’re really interest in, right? Right! VEGAS VACATION It’s spring break, and a group of teachers from Half Moon Bay Middle School are planning to cut loose. History teacher Meg Phillips hadn’t planned on being one of… -
Virtual Book Tour for Vegas Vacation
7 Apr 2013 | 1:00 pmI’m doing a Goddess Fish promotional virtual book tour across 25 different blogs on April 16th (the day Vegas Vacation releases). During the tour, I’ll be awarding 5 digital copies of my backlist story, “All Tangled Up” to randomly drawn commenters, and a grand prize pack of a copy of “All Tangled Up”, a $10 Amazon or BN gift card, and a Vegas-inspired playing card necklace to one randomly drawn commenter. So, April 16th, go take a hop around on one or more of those blogs and say hi. You might win something good! Copyright © 2013 Crystal Jordan. This… -
New Books, New Excerpts!
8 Feb 2013 | 12:58 pmIn that last few months I’ve sold two new books to Samhain Publishing. Vegas Vacation kicks off a new four-part series about a group of childhood friends who travel far from home to find love. Edge of Night is the third in my Night series. Embrace the Night was book 1 and Night Games was book 2. Details below! Covers coming soon for both books. VEGAS VACATION Coming May 2013… With the start of spring break, a group of teachers from Half Moon Bay Middle School decide to cut loose and spend a week partying in Las Vegas together. History teacher Meg Phillips lets her friend Anne talk… -
Merry Menage Giveaway Blog Hop!
30 Nov 2012 | 8:01 pmCome join our Merry Menage Giveaway Hop hosted by Day Dreaming, My Secret Romance and The Book Tart! Tons of awesome prizes are being offered up! MY GROWN UP CHRISTMAS LIST So, what do I want for Xmas besides world peace? *A sexy guy wearing nothing but a stocking. That’s what I call a stocking stuffer *A fluffy kitten because everyone needs a dose of cuteness *A pony because I never got one as a child and I’m still traumatized by that *Cupcakes…one in each flavor! *A garden gnome to remind me that winter does end and spring is right around the corner *A trip to Hawaii so I…
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Stephanie Julian On a Moonlit Night
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AN INDECENT PROPOSITION PART I now FREE!
12 Jun 2013 | 7:57 amAN INDECENT PROPOSITION PART I is now free on Amazon, iTunes, Kobo, Smashwords and AllRomance. B&N will be coming along soon.Start this erotic serial now.Two men. One Woman. Half a million dollars. A very indecent proposal...One night. That's all Erik and Keegan want with Julianne. And they've come up with the perfect plan: Offer Julianne a half-million dollars.Julianne is in debt up to her eyeballs due to her mother's illness. Five-hundred-thousand dollars would pay off her bills and give her a start on a new life. All she needs to do is have sex with a man she's never met.When one man… -
AN INDECENT PROPOSITION PART III
11 Jun 2013 | 6:20 amAN INDECENT PROPOSITION PART III is now available.Julianne and her men, Keegan and Erik, are back. Last time we saw them, Keegan was stumbling out the door after finding Erik and Julianne together. Without him. Of course, he'd already caught up to her earlier that night and, well...Part III picks up the story at the exact moment Part II ends.I hope readers are enjoying the developing relationship as much as I'm enjoying writing it. I have six parts planned for this serial and there are parts of the story I don't know yet. And that's what I love about writing. Finding those missing… -
SHADES OF MOONLIGHT: Lucani Lovers Book 6
20 May 2013 | 6:03 amNOW AVAILABLELucani Lovers Book 6Wolf shifter Race Aragon knows Mara Marrucini is meant to be his, in bed and out. And he’s not about to let anyone or anything get in his way of protecting her and her baby. She’d been the prisoner of a madman and has the emotional scars to prove it. Now that she’s free, he’s going to make damn sure she gets to live her life—with him at her side.Mara adores Race. He’s the first man to make her feel like a woman. To make her feel protected. His touch ignites her desire but she fears for his safety. Her presence in his life puts him in the… -
AN INDECENT PROPOSITION PART II
12 Mar 2013 | 9:04 amTwo men. One woman. Half-a-million dollars. One very indecent proposition.What happens after she takes the money...Keegan and Erik gave Julianne half-a-million dollars, enough to pay off her mother's medical debt. In exchange, they wanted her, in every way possible. It was only supposed to be one night. But none of them are ready to end it. What happens after Julianne takes the money...Continues the story of Julianne, Erik and Keegan, started in A VERY NAUGHTY XMAS anthology. When Olivia Cunning asked me to join in an anthology with stories written by herself, Raven Morris, Cari Quinn and… -
ENSNARED & ENCHANTED released in print
5 Mar 2013 | 6:39 amThe third and fourth books in the Magical Seduction series, SEDUCED & ENSNARED and SEDUCED & ENCHANTED, have been released in print in one edition entitled ENSNARED & ENCHANTED.The cover is new and absolutely gorgeous. Love it.You can buy it at Ellora's Cave, Amazon and B&N. Other sites will be coming soon. SEDUCED & ENSNAREDEtruscan linchetto Cam de Feo is tough, ruthless and determined to keep his magical family safe at all costs. Stella Palmer is a means to an end—nothing more. He will seduce her then use her to trap her evil uncle. At least, that’s the plan.
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Beth Kery
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The Because You Are Mine Series
15 Jun 2013 | 10:01 amThe Because You Are Mine series In writing the story arc that began in Because You Are Mine, grew in When I’m With You, coming to a big climax in Because We Belong, and continuing with another couple in Since I Saw You, it was necessary for me to shift my primary characters in and out of the spotlight. Ian and Francesca were the main hero and heroine in the first book, Elise and Lucien take center stage in the second, and things move back to Ian and Francesca’s unfolding story in Because We Belong, the third book which releases this November. A character is introduced in Because We… -
Porque Eres Mia Now Available in the United States!
9 Jun 2013 | 7:49 amPorque Eres Mia (the Spanish language version of Because You Are Mine) is now available in the United States! Order at Amazon Barnes and Noble -
Sweet Restraint Releases in the UK!
6 Jun 2013 | 7:56 amMy erotic suspense Sweet Restraint is out today in the United Kingdom from Headline Publishing. This one has lots and lots of forbidden sizzle, but tons of heart as well. Chicago Special Agent Shane Dominic was in love with Laura Vasquez until the day she left him and married another man. Laura’s never disappeared from his fantasies, or destroyed his desire to learn the truth about why she left. When her husband, the criminal mastermind behind an ring of thieves, is murdered, Shane knows this is his last chance. One look at Shane, and Laura’s own memories come back to haunt her,… -
Some news, covers and pictures!
29 May 2013 | 9:13 amWhen I’m With You is now out in Portugal And will release in Italy on June 11th! In other news, my next three Berkley book subrights have been bought by Headline, UK, including Because We Belong, the next book in the Because You Are Mine series, and Since I Saw You, the book after that. They plan to release Because We Belong in November, the same time as Because You Are Mine releases here in the States. Here’s the lovely UK cover. A few people have been kind enough to send in snapshots of the Recommended Read section from Target. Thank you! Check out Because You Are Mine:… -
Because You Are Mine a Target Recommended Read!
22 May 2013 | 10:50 amI received the news this morning that Target has made Because You Are Mine a recommended read! Check it out at your local Target!
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Kristina Knight - Romance Author
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Spotlight on Monica Tillery & Kiss Me Katie!
18 Jun 2013 | 12:40 amHey there, readers! So, a couple of months ago I met a ball of fire named Monica Tillery. She cracked me up, and I was thrilled to learn she was my release mate for June: both of our contemporary romances released on the same day with Crimson Romance on June 3. Monica gave me an arc and - wow! - I loved it...so it's my pleasure today to introduce you all to Monica, and her book, Kiss me, Katie! On with the interview...Kristina: M&Ms, Chips 'n Dip, Jell-O Shots…what's your snack of choice when you're on deadline?Monica: M&Ms! I actually have a candy drawer in my desk and have… -
Welcome Sandy Appleyard!
14 Jun 2013 | 12:00 amHi there, readers! It's my pleasure to welcome Sandy Appleyard to the blog today! Sandy is celebrating the release of her new book, The Wife of a Lesser Man, and today she's taking over the blog with a little advice. Take it away, Sandy!How to Deal with Negative ReviewsIt’s always nice to hear when someone enjoys your book, but not everybody will, and that’s a fact all authors need to come to terms with. Just like when you get a new haircut or prepare a new meal, everybody has different tastes and not all will be in favour.The most important thing to remember is that when you… -
The 3 Stages of Writing A First Draft...According to Kristina
13 Jun 2013 | 12:00 amI've been knee-deep in book release fun and hip-deep in a new series I'm working on. . .and that has made for some lively dinner conversation over the past couple of weeks. And maybe a few crazy looks from RadioMan and bebe, who try to understand the craziness of writing, but he's pushing 40 and she's just 4 and neither one of them are really writers so, yeah. There's that.Last night I went to bed excited about the new project and ready to start a new chapter but so tired I knew I needed some rest or veddy bad things would happen. And then I woke up thinking, 'It's drek. It's bad. So bad. So… -
We Have a Winner...and a Teaser!
11 Jun 2013 | 12:10 amHi there, readers! Thank you all SO much for playing along with my anniversary and book release giveaway for my Texas Girls Series...all of the books are doing well - and I have you all to thank for that. I let the Rafflecopter do its thing, and a winner for the Anniversary Contest has been drawn - Jennifer Lowery, thank you for entering the contest and being an all around fun girl to have around! Shoot me an email with your physical address and I'll get the swag pack out to you ASAP.And, now that the business part of this post is over with, time for the fun stuff - a little teaser from… -
Spotlight on Christine Warner's Bachelor's Special!
10 Jun 2013 | 1:00 amIt's time to shine our spotlight, readers! Help me welcome Christine Warner ~ who has a fabulous new contemporary romance out this month from Entangled's Indulgence imprint!About the Book: Saute, simmer, and flambé…Jill Adgate wants three things from life: a successful catering business, the devoted love of an exceptional man, and a family. What she has is no job, a mounting pile of bills, and her outspoken best friend—who sets her up on a blind date with the man who inadvertently ruined Jill’s life.Chet Castle is a prosperous businessman who has everything, except the ability to…
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Ryshia Kennie
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Going Once, Going Twice - Gone!
30 May 2013 | 6:28 pmThis weekend my travels took me through the dark and crowded mazes of the garage sale. I got to stick my nose into the fine art of the garage sale from the proprietor's side of the table. I held a garage sale for my mother who had a collection of unique and interesting things acquired through years of gathering and neatly storing. There were things that dated back to my grandparents and even my great grandparents. It's amazing what a shelf can hold when you dig to the back of those neatly stacked piles. It was weeks of preparation and doubts that customers would even… -
The Difference A Day Makes
15 May 2013 | 11:30 pmToday I'm hosting Barbara Longley with her latest release The Difference A Day Makes. Welcome Barbara And, to start things off - here's a little bit about Barbara: As a child, Barbara Longley moved frequently, learning early on how to entertain herself with stories. Adulthood didn't tame her peripatetic ways: she has lived on an Appalachian commune, taught on an Indian reservation, and traveled the country from coast to coast. After having children of her own, she decided to try staying put, choosing Minnesota as her home. By day, she puts her master's degree in… -
Eldon Taylor - I Believe
6 May 2013 | 11:00 pmToday is the launch of Eldon Taylor's latest book, I Believe. It is a book launch that I was again asked to take part in and was happy to oblige as I've found with Eldon's books, they might be non-fiction but they're entertaining as well as thought provoking. Better yet, Eldon Taylor writes one inspirational book after another. So first off Eldon's provided some answers to often asked questions and we'll follow it all up with my review. Q and A with Eldon Taylor What was the motivation and inspiration behind your latest book, I Believe? I have spent over thirty years… -
Shorts, T-shirts, Snowbanks and The Book Trailer
5 May 2013 | 12:14 pmIt's Cinco de Mayo and we're celebrating.... it's an excuse to pull out the tequila and put out the lawn furniture. It's time to wave goodbye to what remains of the snowbanks. Yes, all my warm weather friends - there's still enough snow to make The last dregs of prairie winter. a snowman here on our little piece of prairie. But that aside, the jackets are in the closet and the shorts are out. In fact one intrepid little neighbour is right now dressed in shorts and burrowing into a snowbank with a sand shovel. So before I get to all that celebrating, winter's end… -
Boots by George
14 Apr 2013 | 12:26 pmWhat's a dog to do when he can't get to the fire hydrant? So I said no more posts about the weather, no more whining about the weather, just no more weather, period. Of course, that was a while ago, and now with still no end in sight, well, we're cranky lot up here in the frozen north this April. I'm not even getting jazzed about starting a new story or fiddling with a book trailer or... But there is something I'm excited about. Boots! Yes, boots! Waterproof boots! I really wanted something to replace my Sorrels. After sixteen seasons, they finally…
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Susan Says
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Thank Others
14 Jun 2013 | 12:30 amI'm taking a short break from blogging next week for my first little summer getaway. I don't believe I mentioned that earlier this week, my husband and I celebrated 31 years of wedded bliss. With our fifth and sixth kids now enrolled in college, one finishing up next May, we've had some lean financial years. We've stuck together through thick and thin and not matter how thin, my husband has always supported my writing. I've tried to be as supportive of his activities. But in case I don't say it enough in private, I'll say it in public. "Thanks, dear."Yes, I call him dear. We're going to… -
Daily Writing Goals
12 Jun 2013 | 12:30 amIf you google 'setting writing goals' you'll find lots and lots of advice, most from more successful writers than me. I can only share what works for me. When I first started, I received a lot of advice on setting goals involving word counts. One thousand words a day, five thousand words a week, thirty thousand per month, two books per year, lots of numbers. And I try to make those numbers though that's not how I set my goals day by day or writing session by writing session.I set goals by scenes or chapters. Sometimes they might be 10K or 1K. By finishing a scene, I feel like I've moved the… -
Full Time !
10 Jun 2013 | 12:30 amYes, the countdown clock is going. I'm officially retired after 34 years of teaching high school. Those last days were hectic and lots of fun. The four younger teachers in my department took my fellow retiree and me out to lunch one day, gave us wonderful cards and gifts. I have a stack of cards and letters from my students, many that choked me up but none that could wipe the grin from my face. On that last day I received lots of calls from my family, hugs from my peers, including the school superintendent, and walked out of that school building with no regrets and lots of plans.During that… -
InSecure Writers Support Group
5 Jun 2013 | 12:00 amThanks to Alex Cavanaugh for starting the IWSG. The first Wednesday of every month, a feisty group of bloggers share ideas, hopes, a few cheers and other tidbits to help each other along. Though I'm retiring soon and hope to have lots of writing time, I think every person trying to make it in this often frustrating business has to address the problem of time management. As a teacher, I always expected myself to get lots of writing done during the summer months. But last year was the first summer when I actually fulfilled that expectation. The previous years, it seemed the more time I had the… -
Focus?
3 Jun 2013 | 12:00 amHow focused are you when you write? Do you need perfect quiet? Do you need a clear desktop? Can you close a door and shut out the rest of the world or even just your own household?I grew up in a large family, four sisters and two brothers. The only desk in the house belonged to my dad and none of us were allowed to use it. I usually did my homework sitting on the floor or on the sofa. The TV would be on and my brothers and sisters would be around doing their own homework or arguing like siblings do. I learned early on how to tune out what was going on around me. It served me well through high…
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Daily or Not
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Roses and Romantic Suspense
24 May 2013 | 6:00 amRoses are one element of When Night Falls, a romantic suspense. While writing it, I really enjoyed researching antique roses, and used The Guide to Old Roses.This is one of my own photos, which I currently use as my ID on Twitter. (I'm updating everything now across the board, so that may change.)When Night Falls Blurb:As the town's secret keeper, Uma Thornton has built a quiet, safe life, until the drive-by murder of her best friend. Tormented by his past, Mitchell Warren returns to town to find peace; suspicion turns to him as a serial killer stalks the quiet streets and rose… -
Writing to the Eerie
17 May 2013 | 4:47 amSilence the Whispers is now at Kindle and soon other places. This is one of my all-time favorite romantic suspense stories. But then, I love 'em all. :)In going over my long career of writing across romance subgenres, which include humor (believe it or not) I may prefer romantic suspense with a touch of eerie. Silence the Whispers is definitely eerie as this Oklahoma heiress thinks she's losing her mind.Blurb: Haunted by eerie whispers, heiress Cameron Somerton is driven to uncover the secrets of her past. When big, hard-looking Hayden Olson moves in next door, she senses he’s… -
2 Feb 2013 | 9:31 am
2 Feb 2013 | 9:31 amWILD DAWNWILD DAWN is a frontier romance, where the rules so far as bride capturing and women's rights haven't yet set in. A woodsman needing a mother for his baby is about to get a good lesson from a lady...I loved writing these western historicals, and just like the others previously published, this one is based on traveling to the area. If you join my e-newsletter (see right icon), you'll find more on my books, including romantic suspense, category, etc.Here's Wild Dawn's blurb:Kidnapped and freezing in a mountain cabin, high-born Lady Regina is terrified when the mountain man arrives with… -
Writers: Dealing with Overload?
28 Sep 2012 | 11:59 pmSeason of Truth Please Note that I'm in blog template update, so hopefully this will look better soon.Author Chatter: Among the topics and conversations that interested me this week was a blog post concerning Classic Romance. With new readers out there, perhaps expecting different elements, it is important to note the difference. To me, a Classic Series Romance is lighter in sensual weight than currently, or definitely romance. The hero is usually strong “Alpha”, which means he thinks he rules the little secretary, etc. in the relationship. Some great comedy romance was based on what… -
Between in Writer's Land
21 Aug 2012 | 8:55 amWhen Night FallsI’m Between. In a writer’s world that’s the off-center place where you’re shifting from one project to another. It’s also the place where you catch up on Life Stuff, that necessary stuff you’ve let slide while attending to a writing career.If under a publisher's contract to write, a synopsis whatever still has to be written--and approved. Choices of whatever made. But for now, I'm just dealing with myself and what to do next.Life Stuff is easy: Pay bills, clean, groceries, recycle, house stuff, friends/family. (Hmm, maybe the latter should be the former. J)Return…
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Jenyfer Matthews
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Not Enough Time in a Day
19 Jun 2013 | 5:33 amWhy did I think that I’d have more time to do the things I want and like to do when the children got older? Being potty trained has made no difference, the older they get the more of my time they seem to require. As the final days of school wound down last week, I could feel my tension about not having completed certain projects increase. I comforted myself by saying that having them at home would make no difference – they can entertain themselves. Ha! I long for the days when they took three hour naps in the afternoon and were back in bed for the evening by 7:30pm. True story. -
This and That
12 Jun 2013 | 3:25 pmI still have a lot of projects to finish but that hasn’t stopped me from starting some new ones. I used to not like to start new projects until I had finished others but lately I find myself with a somewhat shorter attention span – or maybe it’s the nature of the project? For instance, once I skim some drywall mud on the wall I have to wait a whole day for it to dry so I might as well do something else, right? The kitchen wall is probably as good as it is going to get short of replacing the drywall so I did some other things while the spackle was drying. What? Did you really… -
Gardening FAIL
11 Jun 2013 | 8:08 amIt was a really busy weekend driving my daughter back and forth to her tennis tournament which I am very pleased to report she won. She also had a soccer game Sunday afternoon – which fortunately was a home game – so I took a short nap between activities. I don’t often take naps unless I’m ill and after what I woke up to, I may never take a nap again! My son really likes plants and he’s recently become very interested in gardening. Late last week he asked me to take him to the garden center where he used his own money to buy plants. He was very particular about… -
One Project Down – 768 to Go
7 Jun 2013 | 2:21 amIt was cool and cloudy yesterday and I didn’t feel like working in the yard so I did some sanding on the wall instead. Since there are still a few problem spots, I didn’t get to priming it as I had hoped so I went ahead and finished up another project: a dress makeover. I bought this dress at a church rummage sale sometime last spring. I hadn’t noticed it but one of the helpers brought it to me because she thought it would fit me. It wasn’t really my style but it was a good brand and it was only $0.25. I figured I could do something with it. Here’s how it looked… -
Small Talk
6 Jun 2013 | 5:13 amSorry I didn’t post yesterday but when you are reduced to talking about the (crazy) weather every time, you know you don’t have so much to say. It has been pretty nice this week so I’ve been out in my yard – where else? Last summer I thought that putting in so much hard work getting things where and how I wanted them would mean less work this year. Maybe it would have if I hadn’t started to add on to the flower beds and also started a kitchen garden. And of course the grass keeps growing. I suppose that on the whole the yard work has been a touch easier this year…
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On Writing & Publishing by Robin D. Owens
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Cut Scene from Heart Fate
18 Jun 2013 | 5:15 amCut Scene from Heart Fate. One of my Facebook friends requested a cut scene from Heart Fate (Tinne Holly's book). This was the first breakfast scene that became greatly modified:So he trudged down the stairs to breakfast. The Family – his Mamá, his father T'Holly, Holm and his wife, FirstLevel Healer Lark, were there, already eating."Tinne you look terrible," his Mamá said, rising to her feet.Holm snorted into his caff mug."Didn't you sleep well?" his Mamá, Passiflora Holly, asked. Then she flushed. "Of course you wouldn't sleep well." With a gesture, she indicated a fancy placemat and… -
Ghost
17 Jun 2013 | 2:32 pmWell, Ghost Seer is submitted. The next 3 deadlines are going to be very hairy: Ghost Layer, Heart Light (working title), and Ghost Slayer, all due within the year.I'm exhausted, will start on Ghost Layer/Heart Light tomorrow. Gotta work on both to get them done on time.Merry meet and merry part and merry meet again.Robin -
Celta Thursday, Heart Thief
13 Jun 2013 | 10:30 amCelta Thursday, Heart Thief. If you're a fan and on Facebook (or here, for that matter), let me know when it's your birthday and I will post an excerpt or cut scene, if I have one, from your favorite work.Here's a cut scene from Heart Thief. Some of this is in the book near the beginning and end, but this is the original scene of Ruis and FamCat Samba entering Nuada's Sword starship.*** "Welcome aboard, Captain." Captain? Ruis stood, stunned, as a square silver door rose upward with a quiet whoosh. He'd had no notion he could be named Captain, the highest rank, still, in all of Celta. The… -
Beta Reader and Celta Thursday, Cut First Scene of Heart Search
6 Jun 2013 | 8:25 pmFirst, if you want to be a beta reader, check out my post this a.m. No, I haven't chosen any. Next, Celta Thursday: CUT FIRST SCENE OF HEART SEARCH:Druida City, Celta, 422 Years After Colonization, Late Spring"We've located your heirloom amethyst and diamond cuff bracelets," the private investigator said. His craggy face was expressionless on the scry screen hanging on the dark paneled wall near Laev Hawthorn's desk.Laev Hawthorn, GreatLord T'Hawthorn, kept his own face as impassive as ever but let optimistic hope trickle through him. As far as he knew, those were the last of the Family… -
Call for Ghost Seer Beta Readers
6 Jun 2013 | 8:48 amCall for Beta Readers for Ghost Seer. Hoping to send out late tomorrow. I will need feedback no later than next Wednesday, so, as usual, short turnaround.Need GENERAL COMMENTS nothing on punctuation, etc. That will be taken care of by my copy editor.Here's the blurb again: Series Concept:An edgy lawman whose leg and life have been shattered... an uptight, rational accountant who's inherited a psychic "gift" along with a fortune...and ghosts of Old West gunmen...Book One: Ghost Seer:Contemporary Denver, Queen City of the Plains, modern and thriving...and haunted by restless and reckless ghosts…
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The Blog of Stella and Audra Price
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The Big HUGE AAD package raffle starts TODAY!
16 Jun 2013 | 9:01 pmStarting Today You can get 6 offerings from 6 amazing authors for 99 cents!And whats better? Every book bought is an entry to the raffle to win one HELL of an Amazing prize!Whats the prize?An AUTHORS AFTER DARK PACKAGE! (including Registration and Room for 5 nights, parking if needed and some cool hotel goodies) and entry to a special “invitation only” party!So what are the books you need to buy to get the Max (30) entries for the books?Entwined By Fate by S. A. Price http://www.amazon.com/Entwined-Fate-S-A-Price/dp/1607670771The Blood and the Vow by Saranna DeWylde… -
Wanna Win your way into AAD 2013?
9 Jun 2013 | 11:30 pmSo with AAD 2013 around the corner, and so many people excited about the event (especially us, the authors!) we thought we would do something awesome to get one lucky winner to the event, while spreading the word about our sexy little books!So the six of us, TJ, Amanda, Cara, Stella, Saranna and Eliza decided to do something awesome. Why not do a huge contest with a freaking awesome prize? We thought Paid registration and a room free of charge to the winner was a freaking awesome prize, so we said why not? Let’s pool our resources and make this happen.So from the 17-22nd of JUNE, readers… -
Lots of things happening!
31 May 2013 | 5:52 amSo, as the title says, lots of things happening.AAD is in 2 months.Edits are just about done on our soon to be released EC book.We have a new release coming out in late June.People are reviewing and LOVING SOMETHING DARKER and GIVING UP THE GHOST. these are all good things.Some other awesome things? I shall tell you.1. We are involved in an awesome contest for later this june. 5 days. 5 authors, 5 dollars. each author will have a normally 2.99 or higher book up for 99 cents to celebrate their involvement in Authors After Dark for ONE WEEK and in that time YOU could win your way into AAD… -
New Release, New Review drive and prizes!
15 May 2013 | 5:32 amSo today, now, this second, THE SERENDIPITY OF KARMA is out in the wild... and its already getting amazing reviews!Its the perfect length for a lunchtime read, and a story that will stay with you through your afternoon, day dreaming about Rhys... TRUST ME!Pick it up here: http://www.amazon.com/The-Serendipity-Karma-Shades-ebook/dp/B00CSDEYGS/And did you know today starts the 15-15 Review drive? Bet you didnt! this is simple!So from May 15- June 15th we are going to do a review drive.in that month the more books of ours you read and review on amazon.com, the more awesome stuff you get!So… -
10 May 2013 | 6:27 am
10 May 2013 | 6:27 amWelcome to Teaser on the 10th!So…. The first teaser of the new book THIS IS FOREVER is a graphic teaser… Oh we just LOVE Winter… don’t you? Don’t forget to add the book to your list at Good reads, and if you wanna know more about the series, and the books, Join the FB page!Link for Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17672271-this-is-foreverFB page Link: https://www.facebook.com/13ShadesFeathersForeverNext month… an excerpt of swoon worthy proportions…And don't forget to leave a comment!
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Jess Riley Writes
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Now Presenting: Stephanie Elliot!!
19 Jun 2013 | 6:46 amToday on the blog I am super-excited to welcome Stephanie Elliott, one of my best friends, writer or otherwise, to celebrate the recent release of her debut indie novel, What She Left Us: a tender, insightful story about the relationships between mothers and daughters and sisters. We've got redemption, forgiveness, family secrets, and hot guys to fall in love with: what more do you need?! About What She Left Us: Jenna and Courtney are dealing with the unexpected death of their mother in different ways. Jenna broke off her engagement to the man she thought she'd love forever, while Courtney… -
You're Terrible.
12 Jun 2013 | 9:36 amI am married to a very funny guy whose humor is delightfully subtle. He’s incredibly laid-back, nonchalant, sweet, and unassuming, and then BAM—he’s delivered the perfect, understated one-liner that has me gasping for breath. Much of his humor is incredibly inappropriate. For example, while watching The Voice, I’ve averaged three “You’re terrible!” comments per episode in response to his twisted jokes and observations. A strong case can be made that I’m just as terrible, but we balance one another here; two terrible people in the household at the same time is too much. -
Now Presenting: Amy Sue Nathan!
5 Jun 2013 | 7:34 amToday on the blog I'm so thrilled to be hosting Amy Sue Nathan, debut author of a fabulous new novel, The Glass Wives (St. Martin's). Amy started the popular Women's Fiction Writers blog two years ago, and it's a wonderful place to find interviews with some of the best voices in the genre today. Amy is a kind, generous, and talented person, and she's giving away a signed copy of The Glass Wives to one lucky reader--just leave a comment below to enter! Synopsis for The Glass Wives: Evie and Nicole Glass share a last name. They also shared a husband. When a tragic car accident ends the… -
It Came from 1991
29 May 2013 | 6:46 amA lot of truly angsty things have been happening here lately, most of which I'm loathe to blog about (there's enough depressing stuff on the news)...but I WILL be posting at the Girlfriends Book Club on Thursday about "Writing through Trauma," so head over there for a bit of TMI and such. In the meantime, I've got new author photos (whee!) and behind-the-scenes activity underway before the launch of Mandatory Release. Two fabulous author blurbs are in, and I can't wait to share more on all of this. In the meantime, if you add it to your Goodreads queue, I'd be ever so grateful! (Just click on… -
Now Presenting: Leslie Lehr
6 May 2013 | 11:06 amI'm so happy to have the luminous, TALENTED Leslie Lehr on the blog today to celebrate the release of her latest novel, What a Mother Knows: an unsettling, emotional and suspenseful novel of the unshakable bonds of motherhood, in which Michelle Mason not only loses her memory after a deadly car crash, but can't find her 16-year-old daughter, the one person who may know what happened that day. But the deeper Michelle digs, the more she questions the innocence of everyone, even herself. A dramatic portrayal of the fragile skin of memory, What a Mother Knows is about finding the truth that can…
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Laurie J. Edwards ~ Author, Artist, Dreamer...
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Just in Time for Summer
15 Jun 2013 | 7:57 amSo excited to see that Susan Gabriel’s wonderful, lyrical book, The Secret Sense of Wildflower, is now available as an audio book. I’m posting Susan’s announcement here, along with some super reviews for the print book, including a Kirkus Reviews’ Best Books. So here’s Susan’s exciting news: Do you enjoy HEARING a great story? I know I do – it’s the original form of receiving stories, after all, from our parents, teachers and even our cavemen and women ancestors. Stories are how we connect. So I’m very excited to announce that the audio book of The… -
Have a Little Faith
3 Jun 2013 | 4:24 amWhen you venture into the unknown, trust yourself and believe that there’s great blessing heading your way: ~ by Jonathan Fields -
Keep Going in the Face of Rejection
23 May 2013 | 8:26 amI’ve watched so many writer friends struggling with rejections lately, and I feel their discouragement and pain. It’s hard to pick yourself up and keep going when you’re continually hearing No, No, No, or worse yet, no feedback at all. When I came across this comment on Margie Lawson’s site, I thought it was worth sharing: “I made a commitment to myself that no matter what happened with my writing life, I would be okay. I think we need to remind ourselves that it’s the trying that matters most. That shows courage and faith. We are at our very best when we try,… -
Hands Around the World
10 May 2013 | 4:37 pmGimbi, EthiopiaPhoto by Janeen Talbott I’m so excited about several recent projects. As many of you know, I spent my early years in Africa, so I’m thrilled to have an opportunity to work on two Africa-related projects. Gimbi, EthiopiaPhoto by Janeen Talbott The first one is an English reading book for students in Ethiopia. I finished final edits today and received jpgs of two watercolor illustrations. The artist is an instructor at Addis Ababa University. Wish I could share the art, but I don’t want to run into any copyright issues, so instead I’m sharing photos of the… -
What Are You Wishing For?
2 May 2013 | 5:37 amAnother gentle creative nudge from Duirwaigh Studios to help you remember your dreams: The Music on “My Wish for You” by Annbjørg Lien.
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Astraea Press
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New Release: Late For The Ball? - Heather Gray
18 Jun 2013 | 4:02 amFulfilling one's destiny has never been so…compelling.Myra is cast aside by her parents, betrothed to a man she's never met, and forced into a life she never wanted. In the midst of it all, she finds herself strangely drawn into something she doesn't entirely understand.The earl is mocking, demanding and entirely unwilling to break the betrothal. He speaks in riddles, but by night's end, one thing is clear: He is not who he seems.Follow Myra into a world of intrigue and hidden meaning. Will she unravel the mystery before time runs out? -
New Release: Just Shut Up & Drive - Chynna Laird
17 Jun 2013 | 11:02 pmOne teen, one cranky old man and the open road. What could go wrong?Eighteen-year old Wil Carter can think of more than a fistful of things he’d rather do than go on a road trip with his ninety-five year old grandfather. But when Gramps Wilf barks an order, you listen or get an earful of grief.Wil lost his parents in a horrible car accident when he was five. Gramps has been the only parent he has ever known. Now that he’s ready to go off to college, the old man says he has things Wil needs to learn to be the man he’s supposed to be. But the trip turns out to be more than he bargains… -
New Release: Love Flourishes - Lynn Spangler
13 Jun 2013 | 2:41 pmCan he show her the world like she’d never seen it before?Melinda ‘Mindy’ Caldwell had everything she could want. Nice house, high-end clothes. The only thing she doesn’t have is a life…outside her house that is. An incident when she was four left her an agoraphobic-a prisoner within the sanctuary of her home. Besides her sister, she finds companionship in the form of handsome delivery man Jack Eberley.Jack Eberley’s woman of his dreams won’t even leave her house. That does little to tamper his feelings toward her. He finds himself wanting to deliver more packages to her house… -
Book Promo: At What Cost - J. Andersen
12 Jun 2013 | 11:02 pmDuring her junior year, sixteen-year-old Maggie Reynolds expected to shop for prom dresses not maternity clothes. Now, instead of studying for the SATs, she’s reading, What to Expect When You’re Expecting. Maggie’s ‘Mother Dearest’ lives in fear that Maggie will somehow taint the family name, so Maggie can’t turn to her for help. Meanwhile, her father is oblivious to anything but his 9-9 job. And her boyfriend, Justin? She’s pretty sure he’ll stay by her side. While Maggie wrestles with her options, Justin offers a solution: abortion. It would solve all her problems quickly,… -
Promo: The Inaugural Astraea Press Fan Fest!
11 Jun 2013 | 11:02 pmOn July 16th Astraea Press authors Kelly Martin and Wendy Knight are hosting the first ever Astraea Press Fan Festival. There are over 40 authors participating and TONS of giveaways! The event is from 9AM until 9PM!Have a favorite AP author you're just dying to ask questions? Want to ask an AP author anything? Comment on this blog post with your questions and on the 16th we'll post your questions at the event! To join in on the fun, click HERE. If 150 respond by Friday we'll give away our first prize!
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Susanna Carr's Blog
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What are you reading?
18 Jun 2013 | 1:00 amI really enjoyed Janelle Denison’s latest Harlequin Blaze. NO STRINGS has a daring heroine, a seriously sexy hero and a fun tone throughout the story. If you’re searching for a hot contemporary romance, you should look for this book! What are you reading? Related posts: Naming Suddenly Sexy Change in Reading Habits The Beginner’s Guide to Reading Contemporary Romance -
Blackberries and sunshine
16 Jun 2013 | 1:00 amThere are so many blackberry bushes where I live. The first summer I spent in the Pacific Northwest I was amazed at how many people would bring huge empty buckets and pick the blackberry bushes. It didn’t matter where the bushes were–off the side of the road, in wooded areas, the dog park–every bush is apparently fair game. I wonder what they do with all the blackberries. And, honestly, eating blackberries from the bushes in the dog park is risky. Some of these dogs have a very high aim. The blackberry bushes are flowering now. It promises to be a bumper crop! Related posts:… -
Q&A #24: What comes first, the plot or the characters?
15 Jun 2013 | 1:00 amEvery Saturday I share some questions I receive from readers, bloggers and writers. Today’s question is: What comes first, the plot or the characters? I first start out with the situation. For example, I came up with the idea for The Tarnished Jewel of Jazaar because I wanted to write a marriage of convenience story. Then I try to come up with a heroine who can’t risk entering such a marriage. I also start creating a hero who is the most dangerous to her goals. Who would be the worst groom for her and why? Once I know all that, then I put together the plot. Related posts:… -
Virgin Heroines in Contemporary Romances
10 Jun 2013 | 1:00 amI recently received a few e-mails from readers wondering when I was going to write a virgin heroine. I think the last time I wrote a virgin heroine was my first book, THE WRONG BRIDE. I’m sure I’ll write another one some day. I don’t have anything against virgin heroines. Lynne Graham and Lori Foster, two of my favorite authors, usually have virgin heroines in their stories. It’s just that my stories don’t necessarily lend themselves to a virgin heroine. Inexperienced, yes. Not sexually confident? Often. Virginal? Not so much. Why do a lot of romance readers… -
Q&A #23: What can real-life couples learn from the characters in your romance novel?
8 Jun 2013 | 1:00 amEvery Saturday I share some questions I receive from readers, bloggers and writers. Today’s question is: Is there anything in particular that you think real-life couples could learn from the characters in your romance novel? In my novels, the hero and heroine work on the relationship and make it a priority. That doesn’t always happen in real life but it should. Related posts: Q&A #18: Do you think that real-life romance is anything like romance in novels? Q&A #10: The difference between reality and romance novels Q&A #14: What do you find rewarding about writing…
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Fierce Romance
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Tackling First Round Edits
19 Jun 2013 | 7:02 amFirst round edits with Entangled is BRUTAL. I'm starting my third first round edits with them. I received my editor letter for The Awakening: Liam last night. (FYI-second round really isn't any easier, lol).It's just a letter detailing each problem area in the book. No track changes involved. I go into the manuscript and rework certain things (and as all authors know, one change has a domino effect that changes everything past that point) THEN I resend the manuscript to them. Second round is when I get all the bleeding on the manuscript. Let me give you an example of how brutal these edits… -
Building Sexual Tension
17 Jun 2013 | 9:30 pmSexual tension is one of my favorite elements in romance. I love reading it and I love creating it in my own stories.What is sexual tension? It isn't sex. Nope. Sexual tension is the anticipation, the chemistry, the excitement, the wanting, and the waiting that may eventually lead to sex. Or maybe not. Tension and suspense are created when the outcome is unknown. Will they or won't they? There is a push/pull synergy going on in sexual tension. The two people are drawn together, but something also pushes them apart.Laying the groundwork for strong sexual tension means thinking about the… -
Thoughts on the Weather
17 Jun 2013 | 6:03 amI just got back from my second trip in one month. Hubby and I just flew down to Florida to drive my elderly parents up from Florida, where they spend most of the year. On our way back to western New York, we stopped to visit family in Georgia. There is such a great disparity in the weather from Florida to New York, and we had some interesting conversations on the way.We live in western New York, just south of Lake Erie, and our region is famous for our rough winters and lake effect snow. It's the reason many people leave the area, either permanently, or by becoming "snow birds" who travel to… -
Memorable Opening Lines
13 Jun 2013 | 9:00 pmHow important are opening lines to a book’s success? Editors tell writers that opening lines are essential to grab their (and a reader’s) attention, but honestly, how many opening lines can YOU remember? Even of famous books?As an erotic romance author, I’ve tried to follow this sacred Rule Number One, and hook a reader from the very beginning of a story. Here’s a sampling…“Isabella Tallin was handcuffed and blindfolded. What the hell was going on?” (from my case-of-mistaken-identity contemporary erotic romance The Initiation of Isabella) “Today was Saturday. That meant… -
Memorable Dads in Literature and Cinema
13 Jun 2013 | 8:15 amI'm not scheduled to post on Father's Day, so I wanted to send good wishes to dads everywhere a little bit early. Plus, I got to thinking about it this year and realized there are some really memorable dads in literature and cinema. I've never written a father character directly into one of my books, although I'm in the process right now in my newest contracted WIP. He's a bad dad, though--the absolute worst. Once the book gets closer to publication, I'll post more on him and his awful ways, but for now here is a list of some of the dads that come to mind when I think of patriarchs in…
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Keta's Keep
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LAND OF FALLING STARS - #SneakPeek Excerpt!
16 Jun 2013 | 6:00 amW E L C O M E T O Thank you for dropping by! My #sneakpeek today is from LAND OF FALLING STARS * Mystery * Suspense * Historical * ROMANCE Here's the meat of the story in a few paragraphs: Jesse, Sophia and Gavin have been best friends since childhood. Sophia has been promised to Jesse since the day she was born - a contract arranged by their fathers. Gavin has stood on the sidelines for years, swallowing his hopeless love for Sophia. Now, the Civil War has ravaged a Nation. And divided Gavin and Jesse. Gavin has loyalties to the North, Jesse, the… -
This Week's Word - AMATIVE and Excerpt from THE SIN EATER'S PRINCE
14 Jun 2013 | 12:12 pmAmative adj - a-mə-tiv Relating to or inclined toward love, amorous. Medieval Latin amativus, from Latin amatus, past participle of amare. First known use 1636."Amative," which was first introduced in 1636, was modeled on Medieval Latin "amativus," from the past participle of "amare." "Amorous," on the other hand, goes back to Middle English and came from Medieval Latin "amorosus," an adjective based on the noun "amor" ("love"). Here are examples of amative in a sentence: " The waiting was tedious, and having been long denied, the amative element could not brook further delay." And . . -
13 Jun 2013 | 7:00 am
13 Jun 2013 | 7:00 amBook and Trailer Showcase Magazine for June has arrived! Follow Book and Trailer Showcase HERE Thanks for stopping by, Keta -
EM PETROVA WILL TIE U UP IN KNOTS!
12 Jun 2013 | 6:00 amTie ‘Em Up, Cowboy! By Em Petrova A cowboy’s rope is his tool, an extension of his being. He can’t work without it, whether it’s used to haul his truck out of the mud or to tie a calf’s legs in a rodeo. A lariat, reata, maguey, or pigging string, these variations of ropes are essential to his life. That led me to thinking of knots. Just how wicked good must a cowboy’s knot-tying skills be? Imagine if he used that expertise for sexual kink? What might he do with these ropes and knots? Bondage and other forms of S&M can be extremely erotic for some couples. If you put your man… -
#western EXCERPT from LONG HARD RIDE
11 Jun 2013 | 4:15 pmThanks for Dropping By! Today I'm posting an excerpt from my #GAY FICTION #western novella LONG HARD RIDE. What readers are saying about the book . . . "LONG HARD RIDE is a great erotic MM romance with a unique setting of the American Civil War." 4 Stars! "This author writes very strong erotica well, in my opinion, so fans of that will adore this book." 4 Stars! "I loved the romance and depth of character to the to hero's and the story line. Absolute must read." 5 Stars "This story twists your gut into knots. The angst, the passion, the betrayal.A must read for lovers of gay historical…
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Falling In Love With Romance
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Thursday Writing Quote
13 Jun 2013 | 2:00 amEverything is truly possible as long as you help your reader understand why your characters do what they do. –Debra Dixon -
78 Reasons Why Your Book May Never Get Published - A Review
9 Jun 2013 | 1:00 am78 Reasons Why Your Book May Never Be Published and 14 Reasons Why It Just Might by Pat Walsh Even though self-publishing has come into its own, I'm always interested in books by agents and editors. I even read Pat Walsh's book How to Win the World Series of Poker (or Not): An All-American Tale and enjoyed it. This book, I'm not so impressed with. The main reason is that I don't believe that the writers who might need to read it will, but even if they do, I don't think they'll recognize themselves as needing it. Even if they should, the "reasons" aren't all that helpful. For… -
Thursday Writing Quote
6 Jun 2013 | 2:00 amI never had any doubts about my abilities. I knew I could write. I just had to figure out how to eat while doing this. - Cormac McCarthy -
Thursday Writing Quote
30 May 2013 | 2:00 amYou can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club. - Jack London (Click on the image and get the complete works of Jack London for your kindle for only $2.99. An amazing deal.) -
Thursday Writing Quote
23 May 2013 | 2:00 amFirst drafts are for learning what your novel or story is about. - Bernard Malamud
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Fiction Vixen Book Reviews
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What-To-Read Wednesday: Ten Tiny Breaths by K. A. Tucker
19 Jun 2013 | 11:00 amEach Wednesday one of the Fiction Vixen reviewers will tell you about a book they’ve recently read that they think you need to read too. This week, Angela recommends: Ten Tiny Breaths by K. A. Tucker New Adult is a genre I’ve been dipping my toe into lately. Ten Tiny Breaths tells the story of Kacey Cleary and her journey from barely holding her life together while still wallowing in her guilt and grief over a devastating tragedy to building a new life, with new friends and a new love. Her relationship with Trent is deep and messy, but there were lighter moments between these two… -
Feature and Giveaway: Wilde Nights in Paradise By Tonya Burrows
19 Jun 2013 | 8:00 amWilde Nights in Paradise (Wilde Security #1) By Tonya Burrows Entangled Publishing – June 10, 2013 He’ll guard her body all night long. Former Force Recon marine Jude Wilde’s motto has always been “burn bridges and never look back,” so nobody is more surprised when Wilde Security is hired to protect assistant district attorney Libby Pruitt, the woman he loved and left. Although she makes it clear she wants nothing to do with Jude, they’re forced to fake a relationship for her safety. He can’t ignore the heat still simmering between them, and when her stalker’s threats… -
Review: Wilde Nights in Paradise by Tonya Burrows
19 Jun 2013 | 5:00 amJude works for the family business, Wilde Security, a company that provide personal protection. When their next job comes up the last thing Jude expects is for the assignment to be for the protection of his ex-fiance Elizabeth Pruitt whom he hurt badly when they broke up. But her father has contracted the security company for protection of his daughter after threats were made on Libby’s life. She is an assistant district attorney and it’s possible someone she helped prosecute is trying to hurt her. Since Libby’s father knows Jude would do anything to protect his daughter,… -
Mini Review: Not Until You Part II: Not Until You Risk by Roni Loren
18 Jun 2013 | 8:00 am“I love feeling your fear slip from you as you let your desire take over. There’s nothing sexier than a woman who knows what she wants and has the guts to ask for it.” Not Until You Risk is the second installment to the Not Until You serial. I knew from the way part 1 left off that we wouldn’t have to wait long before getting to the good stuff. I am happy to say that I was right. I consider this a positive for the serial novel. In a full length book that I am able to read at one time I don’t mind if the sexual tension is drawn out. However when I have… -
New Romance and Urban Fantasy Releases: Week of June 17, 2013
18 Jun 2013 | 5:00 amHere’s your list of new releases this week. We do this every Tuesday so be sure to check back each week. If you prefer you can: Subscribe via RSS Subscribe via email Like us on Facebook Follow us on Tumblr Happy shopping! June 17 AMZ * BN * Kobo * Sony * ARe ** Sky Runners by Fae Sutherland AMZ * BN * Kobo * Sony * ARe ** Fae Sutherland by Gina Conkle AMZ * BN * Kobo * Sony * ARe ** Love Letter Volume 3: Wicked Whispers by Ginny Glass, Chirstina Thacher, Emily Cale, Maggie Wells AMZ * BN * Kobo * Sony * ARe ** Fatal Mistake by Marie Force AMZ * BN * Kobo * Sony * ARe ** Rachel Cross by…
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The Life & Times of a Book Addict
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Wating on Wednesday # 1
18 Jun 2013 | 11:38 pmWaiting on Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Breaking the Spine. The goal is to spotlight upcoming books that I am super excited for.This week’s W.O.W. is The Outcasts by Kathleen KentExpected Publication: September 24, 2013Publisher: Little, Brown and CompanySynopsis:A taut, thrilling adventure story about buried treasure, a manhunt, and a woman determined to make a new life for herself in the old west.It's the 19th century on the GulfCoast, a time of opportunity and lawlessness. After escaping the Texas brothel where she'd been a virtual prisoner, Lucinda Carter heads for Middle Bayou… -
Top Ten Tuesday: My Summer 2013 TBR List
18 Jun 2013 | 10:18 pmSummer is fast approaching and what better way to spend it than by soaking up the sun, drinking ice tea, and reading a good book. For this week’s Top Ten Tuesday, the list will focus on my TBR list for the summer. Books shown below will be released from June 21st through September 22nd. This list was a hard one for me! I didn’t realize how many books that I want to read are coming out this summer, so my list has 11 books instead of the normal 10. JF.Y.I: Top Ten Tuesday is sponsored by The Broke and the Bookish. … -
Book Review: The Pirate’s Wish (The Assassin’s Curse #2) by Cassandra Rose Clarke
18 Jun 2013 | 12:19 amPublication Date: June 18, 2013Publisher: Strange ChemistrySynopsis:After setting out to break the curse that binds them together, the pirate Ananna and the assassin Naji find themselves stranded on an enchanted island in the north with nothing but a sword, their wits, and the secret to breaking the curse: complete three impossible tasks. With the help of their friend Marjani and a rather unusual ally, Ananna and Naji make their way south again, seeking what seems to be beyond their reach.Unfortunately, Naji has enemies from the shadowy world known as the Mists, and Ananna must still face the… -
Book Review: Being Me by Lisa Renee Jones
17 Jun 2013 | 9:36 pmPublication: June 11, 2013Publisher: Simon and SchusterSynopsis:The sexy second installment in the Inside Out erotic romance trilogy, following If I Were You—in the seductive tradition of Fifty Shades of GreyFascinated by the dark fantasies in the journals she’s discovered, and the two men who have now found a place in her life, Sara McMillan finds herself torn between her new life and her past. Now, more than ever, Sara identifies with the lost journal writer, Rebecca, and is certain that something sinister has happened.In the arms of the sexy, tormented artist Chris Merit, Sara seeks… -
Mini Book Review: Rebecca’s Lost Journals, Vol. 4: My Master by Lisa Renee Jones
17 Jun 2013 | 8:17 pmPublication: May 20, 2013Publisher: Simon and SchusterSynopsis:Inpart four of Rebecca’s Lost Journals, My Master, it’s Rebecca turn to claim control and set the limits in her relationshipThis is the fourth novella that continues to focus on Rebecca’s journey with her new Master. The more time Rebecca spends with her Master, the deeper she begins to sink into His world and the more she loses of herself. She was once an independent young woman determined to get the most out of life no matter how hard she had to work. Now she is getting more dependent on her Master.Lisa R. Jones does…
