Anastasia's Style Releases Today

My latest book from Ellora's Cave, Anastasia's Style, is out today!

It's part of the Valentine Vixens Quickie series and one of two in the series releasing today. There will be many more Valentine Vixens books to enjoy in the coming days!

Release Day is always so exciting for me, but it's also scary to have your "baby" out there in the public domain. I had a lot of fun writing this book because it's a lot different from what I usually write. Having a pre-existing relationship between Anastasia and her estranged husband made for an interesting situation.

Hope you enjoy it!

Valentine Vixens at Love Romances Cafe

Just a reminder that myself and several other EC authors will be over at the Love Romances Cafe tomorrow, January 31st!

I'll be there at 10 AM EST to spend an hour chatting and talking about my upcoming Valentine Vixens Quickie, Anastasia's Style!

Other EC authors who will be there over the course of the day are Melissa Lopez, Cris Anson, KZ Snow and Alexa Silver.

So, if you have a few moments to spare tomorrow and want to have some fun, just drop on over to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LoveRomancesCafe/ and join us!

Winter and Resolutions!

It's almost one month into the new year and winter has arrived with a vengeance! Snow, snow and more snow, along with strong winds and cold temperatures.

It made me stop and think about the resolution I made back on January 1st--the one about finding more balance in my life. I realized that the entire month has slipped away and I haven't really done anything to change my life at all.

So, I resolved to begin again today. To that end, I baked a pan of oatmeal muffins and a pan of apple and cinnamon muffins. They were both from a box mix, but it's the thought that counts. And my hubby doesn't care where they came from. LOL

I also took the time to do a half hour of yoga after spending over two hours writing this morning. It felt good to stretch, but talk to me again in the morning. *g*

Instead of woofing down lunch while I caught up on the news, I sat at the kitchen table and ate a delicious fruit salad and one of the oatmeal muffins as I watched the snow drift downward and the plows go up the road.

It's a start and a good one. Will I backslide again? Probably. Will I begin again? Definitely.

I hope that you've had luck with your New Year's resolutions. But if you haven't, it's not too late to begin again!

Editors!

I just wanted to take a minute today to pay tribute to some of the hardest working people in the publishing industry--and no, it's not the writers. Editors are the backbone of the industry, but rarely get acknowledged in a public way.

And it's not just the editor that a writer works with on a regular basis, but those who do the final edits on a manuscript to try and catch anything that might have gotten missed.

I've had the privilege of working with five different editors to date and each one of these amazing ladies is responsible for making me a better writer. Their insights and talents have taught me a lot and with each book I write, I feel I'm becoming a stronger writer.

So, thank you to the editors. Those behind-the-scenes folks who help writers make their dreams of publishing come true. I thank you for helping make my dreams a reality!

The Way Home!

My author copies of The Way Home were finally delivered by the post office! The first batch got lost somewhere on route, but this lot arrived safe and sound.

There is nothing quite holding a print copy in your hands to make it all feel real.

They are stacked neatly on my kitchen table so I can admire them for a few days before I have to put them on my bookshelf.

I'm at the Raven Vampire Club Blog Today!

Mandy Roth and Michelle Pillow have invited me to be a guest on the Raven Vampire Club Blog. My article "The Dirt About Graveyards" is now up. Check it out at http://ravenvampireclub.blogspot.com/.

It was fun to write this article, and yes, I do plan on using it in a book. :-)

Writerspace Chat

Tonight is the Ellora's Cave author chat over at Writerspace. If you've got a few minutes, you might want to drop by http://www.writerspace.com/chat/ and join me and a bunch of other EC authors.

We'll have excerpts to share, as well as news of upcoming releases.

2007 Ellora's Cavemen Anthology

Woohoo!

I just found out that my submission for the 2007 Ellora's Cavemen: Seasons of Seduction anthology was accepted!

I don't know which anthology it will be in yet, but I'll let you know as soon as I do. This will be my third year in a row in the anthology series and I'm thrilled to be a part of it!

Joyfully Recommended

Craving Candy, my latest Ellora's Cave release has been Joyfully Recommended!

I'm thrilled that my book has been given this honor and I want to thank reviewer, Talia Ricci, for her wonderful review and for recommending my book so highly!

Here's a snippet of what she had to say:

"Craving Candy is poignant, sexy as all get out, and I am completly love with Lucas. It is the perfect story for Lucas and N. J. Walters has another winner on her hands. I have no choice but to proudly and joyfully recommend Craving Candy!"

You can check out the full review over at http://www.joyfullyreviewed.com

5 Cupids for Capturing Carly

I was pleasantly surprised today to get a review for Capturing Carly, Book 3 in the Awakening Desires series. Cupid's Library Reviews gave it 5 Cupids! Woohoo!

Here's a snippet of what reviewer, Marina, had to say:

"The other facet that makes this story wonderful and provides a wee bit of comic relief are the many attempts at intimacy both characters try to share. These moments - even though very heated and both characters at their wits end - always seemed to be thwarted by the craziness of their prenuptial lives, especially with Carly's parents living under the same roof. The moments they have to themselves are incredibly hot and so erotic -- especially with light dominant/submissiveness present. Even the brief moments where their needs are interrupted the tension and heightening of passion is captured so well.

As with most of MS WALTERS' books this is a definite winner with two characters to love, a plot that is erotic, emotional and captivating and like a glorious cherry on top this book is just so well written."

You can read the entire review at

Awakening Desires: Capturing Carly by N.J. Waltershttp://www.cupidslibraryreviews.de/capturingcarlynjw.php

Thanks to Marina and to Cupid's Library Reviews!

Anastasia's Style

Here's my newest cover for my upcoming Ellora' s Cave release. It's part of the Valentine Vixens Quickie series.

Anastastia's Style will be releasing on January 31st, only a little over two weeks from now!

I'm excited to be part of this Valentine series. This book is a bit different for me, but I think you'll like it.

The Raven Vampire Club Blog

Good morning and welcome to Monday!

If you're looking for something interesting to do today, why don't you drop on over and check out Mandy Roth's and Michelle Pillow's new blog--The Raven Vampire Club blog at http://ravenvampireclub.blogspot.com/. They're having guest bloggers every Monday and today's guest is author Charlene Teglia.

I'm scheduled to be the guest blogger next Monday, so I'm hoping you'll stop by and check it out then as well!

Author Island

I was pleasantly surprised to find out that I am being featured over at Author Island today under their promo goodies section! I sent along some bookmarks a while back and to say "thank you" they've mentioned both my website and my latest contest on their site!

If you're a reader who likes getting free stuff from authors, I'd suggest checking out their site. For the cost of a self-address stamped envelope, you can get some free author goodies. Check it out at http://www.authorisland.com/ .

Preditors and Editors Readers' Poll

It's that time of the year again...time for the annual Preditors and Editors Readers' Poll. It's time to vote for your favorite books and authors. You, the readers, have the power to nominate and vote for the books and authors that meant the most to you in 2006.

Check it out at http://www.critters.org/predpoll/ and vote for your favorite.

EC cover artist Syneca has been nominated for her outstanding artwork for Craving Candy in the Book/e-book Cover Art category. If you love that cover as much as I do, then drop by and cast your vote for it!

Five Blue Ribbons for The Return of Patrick O'Rourke

Woohoo!

I'm thrilled that Natasha Smith over at Romance Junkies has given TheReturn of Patrick O'Rourke a 5 Blue Ribbon rating.

Here's a snippet of what Natasha had to say:

"Falling quickly under the spell that was Patrick O'Rourke, I found myself unable to stop reading. I love nothing better than a tough, manly cop and Patrick was that and more. In addition, he was tender, passionate, and loyal. His treatment and regard for Shannon's fears made my heart pound with intensity. Shannon Brooker's character was so well written that her fears and reactions seemed more realistic by far than what I have read in a long time.

THE RETURN OF PATRICK O'ROURKE is the third book in N. J. Walters' series, Jamesville. Having read the first two books, I anxiously awaited the release of THE RETURN OF PATRICK O'ROURKE and I would love to be the first to say that the third time is definitely the charm because this book was pure reading pleasure. Emotionally intense and extremely sensual, I can't help but recommend this book to my friends."

Thank you so much, Natasha.

To read the entire review, just click onthe link below.

The Return of Patrick O'Rourke by N.J. Walters, receives 5 BlueRibbons, http://208.109.92.234/artman/publish/article_7385.shtml reviewed by Natasha Smith

Judy Mays' Rednecks!

Blurb: Rednecks 'n' Rock Candy By Judy Mays

Ever since Sheriff Brad Keister was fatally shot in a drug bust and his cousin Rusty changed him into a vampire, his life has been completely upended. No more coaching youth baseball, no more corn on the cob, no more spending hot summer afternoons fishing at the creek. He can't even do his job as sheriff competently anymore.

At loose ends and uncertain about his new vampiric identity, Brad begins to wonder if he wouldn't have been better off dead.

Then Brad rescues Mandi O'Brian from the insidious attack of a malevolent rosebush and everything changes. Thorn in her behind, she launches herself into his arms and wraps her legs around his waist. For the first time in six weeks, desire pools in Brad's groin. As he pulls the thorn out of her butt — and ignores her angry comments about sexual harassment — Brad knows he's going to become much more intimately acquainted with the woman who's got his blood pumping in all the right places again.

Even if he has to save her from drug dealers, angry bulls and herself to do it.

I've been waiting for this book ever since I read the Nibbles 'n' Bits anthology that featured the story Redneck 'n' Roses by Judy Mays. You've never read vampire stories quite like this before. The first story featured redneck vampire Rusty Nipple and city girl, Amber, who discovered that vampires aren't exactly how she imagined them to be.

This second book, Rednecks 'n' Rock Candy features Rusty's cousin, Brad Keister and Ambers's best friend, Mandi. Just like the first one, this story is funny, original and hot! You'll laugh out loud at some of the situations that Mandi gets herself into and you'll never look at rock candy in quite the same way again.

If you haven't read the first story, do yourself a favor and pick up the Nibbles 'n' Bits anthology. With authors Mardi Ballou and Delilah Devlin featured alongside Judy Mays, you really can't go wrong. Then sit back and enjoy Rednecks 'n' Rock Candy. You won't be sorry!

Back to the Routine

The Christmas tree is down and all the lights and decorations are packed away for another year. It's hard to see it all come down, but I love how big the place feels after all the holiday stuff is gone. With the New Year, there is a sense of a new beginning. That anything can happen.

I will admit that I am having a hard time getting back into my writing routine. I think it's because I left a project not finished before the holiday started. After being away from it for a couple of weeks, I'm finding it hard to pick up my momentum. But, I've spent the last two mornings in the chair in front of the computer, plowing my way through re-writes of my latest work-in-progress. I promised myself that, next year, I'm having my latest work finished before the holiday begins. I only hope I can keep that promise.

I'm the type of writer who prefers to work every day. Not that I can spend all day at the computer. But, I do like to put in several hours in the morning on my latest work. In the afternoon, I go through my emails and check out my chat groups. Doing a bit every day keeps me in the story. I know that some authors can spend all day at their keyboards. I did that once and I swore I'd never do it again. Took me days to recover. LOL

I prefer to take breaks in-between projects. When I finish one book, I'll take a few days or a week or two and start thinking about my next one, do some reading, catch up on the housework, and generally relax.

Tomorrow morning will find me back in my chair in front of my computer working on my latest project. I'm hoping to finish it within the next week. We'll see. :-)

Look What Came In The Mail Today!

Look what I got in the mail today!

I'm absolutely thrilled to be in this anthology and I love the fact that it was released in download and print at the same time.

There is nothing like holding your book in your hands to make it feel real. *g*

And purple is my favorite color.

The Year in Review

This was a year of ups and downs for me, both personally and professionally.

It started back in January 2006 when, within a few weeks of each other, both my EC and Samhain editors left their jobs for personal reasons. It took quite a while for new editors to be found for me, and while I miss my old editors, (they were both fantastic) I am settled away with two new phenomenal ones.

From Ellora's Cave I had six new releases last year. It began in January with Bakra Bride. Then came Unmasking Kelly, Drakon's Treasure, Stefan's Salvation, and finally Craving Candy and Dreams of the Oasis IV in December!

I also had two print books from EC this year. Jessamyn's Christmas Gift was included in the White Hot Holidays, Volume 3, and Ellora's Cavemen: Dreams of the Oasis IV was also released in December.

With Samhain Publishing I had three new releases last year. Discovering Dani and The Way Home, books 1 & 2 in the Jamesville series are out both as e-books and print books! The Return of Patrick O'Rourke was released in e-book in December.

All in all, I'm pleased with last year, but I've got even more plans for this coming year! I've got three books contracted (Anastasia's Style, Three Swords, One Heart, and Woven Dreams), two that I'm waiting to hear on, and I should have another one to submit within a week or so.

Personally, I'm going to try and find more balance in my life. I seem to spend all my time these days working or thinking about work. I have to find some kind of happy medium so I don't burn out.

That's my big goal for this year along with keeping up my writing!