Thursday, June 28, 2007

Contest--No Thursday Thirteeen!

Sorry, no Thursday Thirteen today. I just got back in town and am heading out again tomorrow to a family wedding. I've spent all day trying to find a darn pair of shoes. I finally settled for a cheap pair of sandals because I had to have something to put on my feet. LOL

I'll be back next week with another Thursday Thirteen!

In the meantime, I have a new contest up and running on my website. I'm giving away a download copy of my upcoming Ellora's Cave release, Woven Dreams, to some lucky reader. Just go to my website at http://www.njwalters.com and click on my contest page for details.

Have a great weekend and I'll see you on Monday!

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Tapestry Dreams in PRINT!


*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Tapestry Dreams is now in print!
*
This volume contains Christina's Tapestry and Bakra Bride, books 1 & 2 in the Tapestries series.
*
I'm absolutely thrilled with the cover that Syneca did for this print book. She combined the best of the two individual covers and made one spectacular one!
*

Thursday, June 21, 2007

On Vacation!

Hey, everyone!

I'm gone on a short vacation and will be home again in about a week!

See you when I get back!

Wednesday, June 20, 2007

Thursday Thirteen #11

I'm posting this early because I'll be busy tomorrow getting ready to go on my five-day mini-vacation.




Thirteen Movies I Want to See, or Have

Already Seen, This Summer!

I read on a blog, I think it was last week, that many folks would rather stay home and rent a movie than go to the theatre. I enjoy staying at home as much as the next person, but for me part of enjoying summer is the Summer movies. Hubby and I love to go to the matinees, snuggle up and enjoy!

1. Spider-Man 3--Seen it. It was okay--not as good as the first two-- a bit long)

2. Shrek the Third--Again, it wasn't nearly as good as the first two in the series, IMO. And I also thought that some of the topics were a bit much for some smaller children.

3. Pirates of the Carribean--Fantastic! Do yourself a favor and wait through the 10 minutes of credits at the end so you can see the extra scene. I had to go back the second time to see it!

4. Waitress--It didn't come here, so it's definitely one for home video. It looks quirky and positively delightful.

5. Ocean's Thirteen--Felt like I'd seen it all before.

6. Live Free or Die Hard--John McClane is back! Hopefully this one will capture the spirit of the first two in this series.

7. Ratatouille--Animated pic that looks hilarious. A rat as a French chef is just too fun to pass up.

8. Evan Almighty--I wasn't going to go see this one at first, but the promos look hilarious, and I did enjoy Bruce Almighty.

9. Star Dust--Interesting cast and promo. Who knows, could be fun.

10. Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer--Should have stayed home.

11. Harry Potter and The Order of The Phoenix--I've seen all the other ones, so I might as well see this one. :-)

12. License To Wed--Because Robin Williams is usually worth the price of admission.

13. The Bourne Ultimatum--Matt Damon makes a great action hero and I really enjoyed the first two in this series.

Other possibilities: Sicko, I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry, The Simpsons Movie, Transformers, Rescue Dawn

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!



Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!



The Hunt for Shoes!

I've got a wedding to attend in less than two weeks and no shoes to wear. And I literally mean, no shoes!

I hate shoe shopping. In fact, the only pair of shoes I own are a pair of black ones that I wear to funerals and other occasions. But I can't wear black shoes for a summer wedding. I have a beige skirt that I bought to wear, so I'm searching for a pair of brown or beige flats--preferably something a little dressy.

I was all over the place yesterday in search of shoes! Any time I found a pair I liked, they weren't in my size. It's discouraging.

I will keep searching, but my options are limited.

Maybe I'll start a new trend and go to the wedding barefoot. *g* That's probably better than wearing my sneakers or boots!

Monday, June 18, 2007

Manic Monday!

Good morning and welcome to Monday!

It was actually Manic Sunday more than it will be manic Monday. Yesterday, I finished the final re-writes on my WIP (including adding an entirely new section), wrote the blurb, and sent it off to my editor.

Now the waiting begins.

In the meantime, I'm tinkering with an idea for my next book. No decisions yet, but I am working. Other than that, I have to start getting ready for my short vacation. I'm heading to my sister's this coming Friday and I have a bunch of things I need to get done before then.

Plus, I have to find a pair of shoes before I go. I have a wedding to attend almost as soon as I get back and I have no shoes. At this rate, I'll be going in my bare feet. The only shoes I've found that I've liked they haven't had them in my size. But I haven't given up hope yet. I'll let you know how it goes.

Hope you all have a great weekend and are ready to face another week!

Sunday, June 17, 2007

Wild, Wild, West!


Check out the cover of the July/August COMPLETE WOMAN magazine, especially the bottom right-hand corner.
*
In this month's issue you'll find an excerpt from Charlene Teglia's upcoming book WILD, WILD, WEST.
*
I, for one, am looking forward to the release of this book on August 7th from St. Martin's Press, and can't wait to read it.
*
Congratulations, Charlene! You're on the cover with Jessica Alba. :-)

Friday, June 15, 2007

New Cover!


Look what I got!

This is the new cover for my upcoming Ellora's Cave release, WOVEN DREAMS. This is book 3 of the Tapestries series and will be releasing on July 11th!

As always, Syneca and the EC Art Department have done an incredible job.

What a great way to start a weekend!

Thursday, June 14, 2007

Thursday Thirteen #10


Thirteen Things I Love About Summer!

1. It’s actually hot!
2. Soft serve ice cream cones *yum*
3. Barbeque—everything tastes better barbequed!
4. Baseball—watching it on television on those long hot summer nights
5. Sunshine—you can never have too much.
6. Longer days—more time to do things you enjoy.
7. Flowers—buttercups, daisies, pansies, lupines…
8. Long walks—much nicer in the summer than in the dead of winter *shiver*
9. You don’t have to bundle up every time you leave the house.
10. Sitting out on the patio reading a good book.
11. Vacation! *Woohoo*
12. All the fresh local fruit and vegetables at the grocery store.
13. Did I mention that it’s actually HOT!

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!


Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!



Tuesday, June 12, 2007

Marketing With Mandy Interview!


This month author Mandy Roth is spotlighting various publishers and the authors that write for them. Last week she focused on Samhain Publishing. This week it's Ellora's Cave.
*
I'm participating this week, and if you want to check out an interview with me, it will be up on Wednesday, June 13th. Just go to http://www.mandyroth.com/blog/ .

Monday, June 11, 2007

Weekend Reading--Lauren Dane's Two Latest Books!

I had a chance to check out two of Lauren Dane's new releases this past weekend. One is Ascension, her latest Ellora's Cave book, which was released last week. The second one is Making Chase, her upcoming Samhain Publishing book.

Anyone who has read this blog knows I'm a big Lauren Dane fan, so it goes without saying that I had a very enjoyable weekend curled up with these two wonderful books!


Making Chase by Lauren Dane

Book Four In the Chase Brothers Series.

Tate Murphy is a girl from the wrong side of the tracks. She grew up a million miles away from the easy life Matt Chase has had. She’s spent her life pulling herself and her siblings up and out of that trailer by the railroad tracks and she hasn’t looked back. Matt Chase is a dream of a guy and she’s certainly not going to turn down a short fling with one of the most handsome men she’s ever seen!

Matt Chase has watched each one of his brothers find love and he knows he’s ready for that too. It’s all a matter of finding the woman who captures his heart. He’s certainly sampled his fair share of them but none has moved him the way Tate Murphy does when he goes to her shop to thank her for some cookies and a thank you note.

But as Matt gets to know Tate and appreciate her strength and unique beauty, he also realizes she’s got some big self esteem issues about her past. To build a future, he’s got to find a way past some big road blocks.

Warning, this title contains the following: explicit sex, graphic language, some violence.

This is the final book in the Chase brother series and I think that Lauren Dane left the best for last. Don't get me wrong, I loved the other books in this series, but there is something very special about Tate and Matt's story. There is a connection between them that is so sweet and so very special.

The author has woven her magic once again creating a town that you'd like to live in and filling it with folks you'd like to be friends with. Her secondary characters sparkle and although this is the last book in the Chase series, I wouldn't mind seeing what happens with some of the unattached Murphy clan!

If you haven't read this series then you're missing something wonderful. Check them out. They're a great summer read!

Making Chase is available Tuesday, June 12th from Samahin Publishing!

Ascension By Lauren Dane

Kari's simple life is tossed upside down. She's hospitalized after a dog attacks her, her doctor kidnaps her, and now a totally crazy man is telling her that not only is he a werewolf but so is she. And not just any werewolf but the queen!

She soon finds out Andreas is telling the truth. Being a werewolf isn't so bad when your husband stands well over six feet, is hotter than a movie star and richer than one too. It doesn't hurt that he adores and spoils her, and the wicked-hot sex is icing on the cake. What girl doesn't like cake?

But someone in the Cherchez Pack keeps trying to kill her. Kari is happy belonging to a big family for the first time in her life and she's not going to let one wolf with an axe to grind ruin that. Andreas, Kari and the wolves in the Inner Circle unite to end the threat and find the killer. It's kill or be killed and Kari intends to do the killing.

Reader Note: This book features an explicit encounter between two males and a ménage scene.

Ascension is the first book in Lauren Dane’s new Cherchez Pack series and is very different from her Cascadia Wolves werewolf series. Once again, Ms. Dane delivers a sizzling story with action, suspense and characters you grow to love. Kari is a strong woman—she has to be to face what she does. But she has Andreas by her side every step of the way, and that’s not a bad thing. *g* The secondary characters are incredibly well-drawn, but never take over the book. There is just enough to leave you wanting more.

What can I say? If you enjoy werewolf books, then you need to read this one. If you’re not already a fan of Ms. Dane’s, you soon will be. I can’t wait for the next book in this series.

Friday, June 08, 2007

Guest Blogger!

I was a guest blogger over at the Samhain Publishing blog yesterday. With the Thursday Thirteen going on, I didn't announce it.

If you have a few minutes, you can stop by http://samhainpublishing.com/blog/ and check out my post "A Room Of One's Own."

Wednesday, June 06, 2007

Thursday Thirteen #9




A week or so ago, I noticed someone listing author pseudonyms.
I decided to go back in time and bring you some oldies, but goodies.

Thirteen Author Pseudonyms You Might Not Know!


I'll list the authors name first and then the pen names.

1. Sandra Brown--Laura Jordan, Erin St. Claire and Rachel Ryan.

2. Barbara Delinsky--Bonnie Drake and Billie Douglass.

3. Dorothy Garlock--Johanna Phillips and Dorothy Phillips.

4. Suzanne Guntrum--Suzanne Simmons and Suzanne Simms.

5. Eleanor Hibbert--Victoria Holt, Jean Plaidy and Phillipa Carr.

6. Tom Huff--Jennifer Wilde, Beatrice Parker and Edwina Marlow.

7. Jack Pearl--Stephanie Blake.

8. Fayrene Preston--Jaelyn Conlee.

9. Carla Neggers--Amalia James.

10. Candace Camp--Kristin James, Lisa Gregory and Sharon Stephens.

11. Tom and Sharon Curtis--Robin James and Laura London.

12. Rosemary Rogers--Marina Mayson.

13. And last, but not least, one of my favorite authors...Jayne Ann Krentz! Writing as Jayne Castle, Jayne Bentley, Jayne Roberts, Jayne Taylor, Stephanie James, and Amanda Quick. (Also possibly Amanda Glass, but I'm not 100% sure on that one.)

Except for the Amanda Glass/Amanda Quick pseudonyms, the rest were drawn from a book entitled Love Lines by Rosemary Guiley published in 1983 by Facts on File, Inc.

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!



Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!



Writer's Wednesday

There are a few interesting blogs to check out if you're a writer or a reader.

Mandy Roth is doing a series on Marketing for the month of June. This week she's featuring Samhain Publishing. She's talking about the company as a whole, but there are also fabulous author interviews as well. Check it out at http://www.mandyroth.com/blog/ .

Next week she's featuring Ellora's Cave!

Pillow Talk by Michelle Pillow will hopefully remain a regular Tuesday feature on her blog. She's pulled interesting on-line news and contest information together in one spot for easy access. Check it out at http://michellepillow.com/authorblog/ .

Tuesday, June 05, 2007

Recommended Read for Three Swords, One Heart!


Fallen Angel Reviews has given THREE SWORDS, ONE HEART a 5 Angel review and a Recommended Read!
*
Here's a snippet of what reviewer, Dana P, had to say:
*
"I loved Three Swords, One Heart; N.J. Walters has written a story that captured me from the first page...this one is definitely a keeper."
*
Thank you Dana P and Fallen Angel Reviews!
*
To read the entire review go to http://www.fallenangelreviews.com

Monday, June 04, 2007

Samhain and Kensington NEWS!

Samhain Publishing and Kensington have joined forces to create a new imprint (like Brava or Zebra).

Kensington will be publishing a Samhain imprint of one to two books a month. The books will be both trade paperbacks and mass markets. Samhain will be responsible for the acquiring and editing of the books and Kensington will print, market and distribute the books.

Things are looking up for Crissy Brashear and Samhain Publishing. Congratulations!

This is such exciting news!

Friday, June 01, 2007

SUMMER FUN CONTEST!

Summer heat means spending time at the beach, the cottage or just curling up on the hammock in your own backyard. It also means you'll need some HOT summer reading.

During the first three weeks of JUNE, I'll be hosting a SUMMER FUN CONTEST and I'll be giving away 3 PRIZE PACKS! Tote bags, print books, bookmarks and EC-RT playing cards are all up for grabs.

For more details and information on how to enter just go to my website at http://www.njwalters.com and click on the contest page.

Check out the prize packs below!



FIRST PLACE PRIZE




















SECOND PLACE PRIZE!



















THIRD PLACE PRIZE!