Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Quote of the Week!

"Whatever you think you can do, or believe you can do, begin it, because action has magic, grace and power in it." ~Goethe

What a powerful and true statement. Whenever you get in a funk, do something. Anything. It's like they say in physics--a body in motion, stays in motion. By taking an action, by doing something, you are pushing yourself forward. Even if it's only baby steps, it's further than you were yesterday, but not as far as you'll be tomorrow.

Have a fabulous Tuesday!

Monday, July 30, 2007

Monday, Monday!

The weekend was fabulous! Hot and sunny--perfect summer weather.

I went to bed last night perfectly fine and woke this morning with a cold sore. There should be a law against that. And it's right in the middle of my lip. *sigh*

I'm hopeful it won't last long.

Anyway, one of the things that occured to me this weekend was that sometimes it's great to be an adult. I know that it can be tough. After all, being an adult means you have to hold down a job, pay the rent/mortgage, do the laundry, clean the house, and a hundred other things.

But...

it also means that you do have control over your life. You can go to bed when you want, eat what you want and work where you want. And this weekend, I exercised my right as an adult and went to the local Dairy Queen and had a hot fudge sundae for supper last night. Rich, thick hot chocoate piled on soft-serve ice milk.

It was absolutely delicious.

There is something absolutely sinful about skipping a meal and replacing it with dessert. YUM

I highly recommend it!

Friday, July 27, 2007

Threat of Darkness by Lauren Dane


Threat of Darkness By Lauren Dane
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This book is a spinoff of the Witches Knot series, but can be read alone.
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Mei is a Warrior for the Balance. She stands between good and evil. So when her boss tells her she's got to head to Tir na nOg to help the Fae she is most displeased. Mei's mother Aine, the queen of the Fae, betrayed and exiled her millennia ago. Or so she's been led to believe.
*
But Aine was misled by her own sister, and suddenly everything Mei has thought was true for thousands of years falls down around her ears as she looks up to see the face of her husband. Her first husband, a man she'd thought was dead.
*
Jayce MacTavish is surprised to find that his wife, thought millennia dead, is alive, but his joy is tempered by the realization that she's got another mate.
*
Mei, Card and Jayce must find a way to be together as three while a threat from the Dark Fae and a new enemy darkens the horizon.Publisher Note: This book contains brief scenes of male/male sexual enjoyment.

Now available from Ellora’s Cave at
http://www.ellorascave.com/productpage.asp?ISBN=9781419910517

This is Lauren Dane at her best—fantasy/adventure. Mei is a woman who has survived horrors most people can’t even begin to imagine and now her life is taking another unexpected twist. Revenge, love and war set the stage for this action-packed, erotic read.

Jayce MacTavish is one sexy warrior, but Card Leviathan is one in a million. Card is the kind of hero who doesn’t come along very often, but is so very memorable. There is nothing sexier than a fierce warrior who is in love and isn’t afraid to show the world that his mate comes first, foremost and always. Emotional and riveting.

You don’t have to have read any of the books in her Witches Knot series to enjoy this one, but check them out anyway. You won’t be disappointed.

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Thursday Thirteen #15



Thirteen Inexpensive Things You Can Do To Pamper Yourself!



1. Buy a small bar of GOOD chocolate. Maybe you can't afford Godiva, but you can buy a Lindt bar or truffles for under $2.

2. Turn off your computer/TV/Cell phone, etc...and close your eyes for five minutes and just breathe.

3. Buy a new paperback book!

4. Spend the afternoon at an art gallery.

5. Browse the mall and treat yourself to lunch.

6. Take yourself to a movie. (If you go to a matinee it's usually cheaper.)

7. Draw a hot bath and soak for at least 20 minutes.

8. Go to the drugstore/department store and busy some travel/trial samples of products you've always wanted to try.

9. Take yourself to a coffee shop and treat yourself to a specialty coffee/tea/hot chocolate. Something you've never tried before.

10. Give yourself a facial.

11. Check out a lecture/course at the local university/college, etc... They have something for all different interests and budgets. Many lectures are free.

12. Take a walk--preferably in the park or somewhere away from traffic.

13. Buy a magazine you've never tried before--something that peaks your interest.

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, July 24, 2007

Quote of the Week!

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." ~Lao Tzu

As a writer, I really relate to this quote. Every book begins with a single word. The trick is to keep writing another one, and another one. Before you know it, you've written a page. One page leads to two and so on.

That's the way to write a book...one word at a time.

Monday, July 23, 2007

Monday and Summer!

Good morning and welcome to Monday.

The month of July is slipping quickly away and I'm left wondering where the time went. The days are longer and there are holidays to be enjoyed. You'd think that the days would seem longer. Instead, it feels as if they are tumbling over one another, reaching for August.

I'd hoped to get a lot accomplished this month, but I'm revising my expectations. My goal was to have my WIP finished by the end of the month. That's not going to happen. So, I'll push my deadline ahead a few weeks and aim for that instead.

These are the long, hot days of summer, meant to be enjoyed by one and all. I plan to meander my way through the rest of the summer and not worry so much about work. Fall and winter will be here soon enough and I'll have plenty of time to stay inside and write.

In the meantime, the sun is shining and the day beckons. I think I'll head out and enjoy it.

Hope you enjoy your Monday and the rest of your summer too!

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Thursday Thirteen #14


Thirteen Male Characters in my Books.

Chosing the names for your characters is always challenging. Sometimes it's easy, sometimes it's hard. The trick is to find the perfect name to embody the male hero. Here are a few of mine:

1. Seth ("A Love Eternal" in the Ellora's Cavemen: Legendary Tails IV Anthology) He's the kind of guy who only needs one name.

2. Cain Benjamin (Katie's Art of Seduction.)

3. Arrik Varkas Drakon (Drakon's Treasure)

4. Liam Brannigan (Unmasking Kelly)

5. Stefan Dalakis (Stefan's Salvation)

6. Jarek and Marc of the House of Garen (Christina's Tapestry)

7. Tucker Martin (Heat Wave)

8. Lucas Squires (Craving Candy)

9. Abel Benjamin Garrett (Erin's Fancy)

10. Zane York (Eternal Brothers--Coming Soon)

11. Caleb Morgan (Jessamyn's Christmas Gift)

12. Gideon ("Shadows Stir" - Ellora's Cavemen: Dreams of the Oasis IV)

13. Zaren Bakra (Bakra Bride)

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!



Digging Deep!


"In its purest, most unadulterated form, play is the expression of who we are when we can let go of who we are trying to be."
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~Fran Sorin, Author of Digging Deep
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I don't have a garden. I don't even have a house. I live on the third floor of an apartment building and my balcony is bare of even the tinest flower. Why then, did I buy a a book about gardening?
*
Digging Deep, Unearthing Your Creative Roots Through Gardening (2004 Warner Books) is much more than a book on how to garden. It is a book on the creative process.
*
Chapter headings include: Imagining-The Sparks of Creativity, Envisioning-Giving Shape to Your Dreams, Planning-Laying Down the Bones, and so on.
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You can easily see that the stages of planning a garden are much the same as writing a book or knitting a sweater. It all depends dreaming, planning, excecuting, fine-tuning and enjoying the process.
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I plan to have a house and a garden someday, and I know that I will use this book for that purpose in the future. In the meantime, it is a reminder of the creative process and the creative spirit.
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It is available in paperback from Amazon.com but I found my copy at my local bookstore.

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

A Writer's Life

Writing is a solitary profession. Yes, you talk to other writers and work with editors, but essentially you're the one who has to put your butt in the chair and do the work.

You spend weeks or months on a project, pouring your heart and soul into it, revising it and polishing it, until it's ready to be sent to a publisher. Then the waiting begins.

For any new writer, the wait can be agonizing. Will they like it? Will they contract it? As any published author knows, the answer is NO most of the time.

Does that mean if you already have a publisher that you have an "in", that you will be accepted automatically? Only in your dreams. Published authors get manuscripts rejected all the time, sometimes even by their own publishers.

No matter if you've never been published, or if you've published a dozen or more books, it hurts. A writer puts everything in their work--blood, sweat, tears and emotions--leaving nothing on the table. To be told that it's not good enough hurts.

But what matters is the writing. If you hope to make it in this business, all you can do is pick yourself back up, sit in front of your computer and write.

After all, what's the alternative--not writing?

That's not acceptable. Not to a writer. We write because we have to, because the voices and stories in our head drive us too.

Rejection is par for the course in this business. We've all had our fair share and then some. The trick is to just pick yourself up and keep writing. There is always another story to be written and another publisher to try.

Monday, July 16, 2007

Vacation Pictures

Welcome to Monday!

I thought I'd post a few of my vacation pictures. Hope you enjoy them.


The sun setting over the water.
We walked on this sandy beach with our shoes off and splashed in the water. It was so cold! There are icebergs in the distance.





Me on the edge of the earth.
Me watching an iceberg in the distance. We saw several dozen of them, many close to shore.

Friday, July 13, 2007

Happy Friday The Thirteenth!

HappyFriday the Thirteenth!

I'm blogging about this very special day over at http://ladiesoftheclub.blogspot.com/ . So drop by and check it out!

Hope you all have a wonderful day!

Wednesday, July 11, 2007

Thursday Thirteen #13





Thirteen Gemstones and their Lore.

Since the dawn of time, mankind has been fascinated with stones--their shapes and colors. Civilizations have long believed that they also have medicinal and spiritual properties. Whether you believe in this or not, we can all agree that gemstones have long drawn us to their beauty.

Here are thirteen:

1. Amethyst—Violet colored quartz. Varies in color from deep violet to pale lavender. Lore: Helps you feel more centered and balanced emotionally. Calming. Good for meditation.

2. Clear Quartz—Clear. Able to reflect all the colors of the spectrum. Lore: Amplifies, stores, conducts and transmits energy. A healing stone good for balance and useful in meditation.

3. Citrine—A form of quartz, usually a pale, golden yellow, but can be darker. Lore: Energizing. Promotes motivation and physical activity. Useful in helping to harness and utilize creative energy.

4. Rose Quartz—Pink quartz. Also known as the heart stone. Lore: Deals with energy on an emotional level. Helps us to learn to love ourselves and be open to other people.

5. Moonstone—Cream to light brown in color. Lore: They have an ancient spiritual significance in their connection to the moon and the intuitive aspect of one’s nature.
They relieve anxiety and help reduce the tendency to overreact emotionally.

6. Malachite—Light to dark green in color and often variegated. Lore: Guards against negativity, but use with caution as it can amplify negative qualities. The Egyptians used it for protection.

7. Bloodstone—Deep green in color with flecks of red. Lore: Good for circulation and purifying the blood. Also said to increase courage. Vital, life-giving energy.

8. Carnelian—Ranges in color from red to orange and brown. Lore: Very in tune with the energy of the earth and helps you feel anchored and comfortable in your surroundings.

9. Turquoise—Ranges in color from sky-blue to green-blue. Lore: Tunes into the energy of the person and transmits it back into the world. Useful healing stone. Beneficial for the entire body.

10. Tiger’s Eye—Various shades of light and dark brown quartz. Also known as Cat’s Eye. Lore: Grounding energy. Used in some cultures as a charm against evil spirits.

11. Pyrite—Mineralized crystal that forms in clusters of metalliclike cubes. Varies in shade from bright gold or brass to shades of copper or green. Also known as “fools gold”. Lore: Ability to aid mental capacity. Helps to balance creative and intuitive impulses with scientific and practical ones.

12. Obsidian—Black volcanic glass. Lore: Protects against negativity. Good for sensitive people.

13. Fluorite—Translucent and comes in shades of white, brown, blue, yellow, purple, and red. Lore: Aids in spiritual awakening. Known for its purifying and cleansing properties.

Note: Check out Kevin Sullivan’s book The Crystal Handbook for more information. ISBN: 0-451-15491-6 (1987-Signet books)

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!



Woven Dreams is out TODAY!


Woven Dreams, Book 3 in theTapestries series, is releasing from Ellora's Cave TODAY!
*
I'm very excited to bring readers back to the mythical land of Javara and the warriors who inhabit it. This is a fantasy/menage a trois and is available today at http://www.ellorascave.com/ .
*
Blurb:
*
In Javara, women are scarce and brothers must share a woman, although only one can claim her as a wife.

Scarred and maimed from a battle fought almost a year ago, Jarmon Bakra is afraid chances are slim that he and his twin brother, Garrik, will find a bride.

While on a hunting trip, the brothers stumble upon a woman in the forest claiming to be a tapestry bride. Now that fate has dropped a beautiful, courageous woman in their path, they will both use all their sexual skills separately and together to convince her to stay.

But Genny has secrets of her own and they have only three days to uncover the truth.

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Me and Tapestry Dreams!


I know that Tapestry Dreams has been out for a couple weeks now, but I just got my author copies in the mail. It finally feels real to me!
*
Tapestry Dreams contains CHRISTINA'S TAPESTRY and BAKRA BRIDE, books 1 & 2 of the Tapestries series.
*
The Ellora's Cave Art Department did a new cover for this volume and it is just gorgeous! It combines the original covers of the two books, which are both incredible works of art. Syneca also did the cover art for Woven Dreams as well and that is one HOT cover! She is a cover goddess.
*
It seems fitting that I got my copies of this book today as WOVEN DREAMS, book 3 in the Tapestries series releases in e-book from Ellora's Cave tomorrow!
*
I'm in the mood to celebrate!

Sunday, July 08, 2007

Kathleen E. Woodiwiss

I was saddened to hear that Kathleen E. Woodiwiss has lost her struggle with cancer and passed away this past Friday. The Romance industry has lost an icon.

When I first discovered her books in the 1980's, I devoured them all. My favorites are A Rose in Winter and The Wolf and The Dove. You can't talk to a romance reader without them having a favorite Woodiwiss book. We've all read them, and I'm sure that we all have some of them, if not all, on our "keeper" shelves.

Her work brought about the romance genre as we know it today. Her writing was astounding, vibrant and timeless, and those of us who have read one of her books have been forever changed. She set the standard for the rest of us and we can only hope to be a fraction as good as she was at her craft.

If you haven't read a Woodiwiss book, then go out and buy one. Her early work may seem a bit dated by today's standards, but you'll still fall in love with her characters and lose yourself in her words.

Saturday, July 07, 2007

7/7/07

Today is an auspicious day. It is the 7th day of the 7th month of the year 2007.

For a world that prides itself on being logical and scientific, we are fascinated by numbers and their significance. Many couples are getting married today, hoping that the lucky #7 will give them a leg up on a lasting and happy marriage--or if nothing else, that the groom will never forget their anniversary.

Where do the connotations for the #7 come from?

No one knows for sure, although the number is mentioned in the bible, as well as other significant texts. It's all just speculation.

The number itself is open, crisp and clean, not curved like the numbers 6 or 8.

7--it just looks good and feels right. It is the first single number that won't fit on a single die.

Just how much does the number permeate our society?

When we are happy, we say we are in 7th heaven. There are movies--Snowwhite and the 7 Dwarfs and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. We believe that the 7th son of the 7th son (or 7th daughter or the 7th daugther) has mystical or psychic powers. Casinos make them the winning numbers on slot machines.

Now, there are many other numbers that have significance, but none considered as lucky as the #7. And to have 3 in a row like today, 7/7/07, is a once in a millenium event. Will the couples getting married today be luckier than the rest of us? Only time will tell.

In the meantime, check out the LIVE EARTH concerts from around the world today. If we get really lucky, maybe this will be the beginning of the end of global warming.

One can always hope.

Have a great day!

Friday, July 06, 2007

Witch Fire by Anya Bast


Blurb:
Mira Hoskins doesn’t know she’s a natural born witch who possesses the rare--and powerful--element of air. She also never expected to find herself tied to a mahogany bed frame, captive to a man who aches to fulfill her every desire and let loose the magick that dwells inside her…

Heat emanates from elemental fire witch Jack McAllister. The Coven, a governing authority of witches, has sent him to protect Mira from a band of warlocks who drain witches of power… and life. Long ago, he saw Mira’s parents murdered by this same dark magick. He’d like to quell his guilt and offer her everything she deserves. But she’s the long-lost cousin of his boss--making seduction off-limits.

With Jack’s strong guidance, Mira is luring forth her inner magick. But his sense of duty is quickly swelling into insatiable hunger. They warned him about the natural attraction between air and fire. Now he risks being consumed by the woman he shouldn’t want--but can’t stay away from …
*
I had 10 days away from home and didn't manage to read one book. Since I've returned from the short trip to my sister's and the family wedding, I went to the bookstore and treated myself to a few new books! Of course, the name on this book caught my attention--many of you know Anya Bast from Ellora's Cave--but it was the gorgeous cover and the blurb which hooked me. And the book certainly lived up to my expectations!
*
Witch Fire is the first book in Anya Bast's Elemental Witches series. If you enjoy paranormal romance, this is one book you'll definitely want to check out. It's original, action-packed, and sexy. I can't wait for the next book in the series--Witch Blood.

Thursday, July 05, 2007

Thrusday Thirteen #12


Thirteen Random Things I Love

1. The feel of sand against my feet as I walk on the beach.

2. Soft serve ice-cream with hard chocolate coating.

3. The feel of fresh sheets against my skin.

4. The smell of fresh cut grass.

5. Fall colors and the smell of an autumn wind.

6. Browsing the bookstore.

7. Laughing with my husband.

8. A hot bath with a fluffy bath towel. (The towel is for after the bath *g*)

9. The smell and taste of fresh muffins, cookies or pie.

10. Fresh cut flowers.

11. Dark chocolate. (Plain with no nuts)

12. Candles. (Naturally scented, not perfumed)

13. Iced tea on a hot summer's day.

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!



Wednesday, July 04, 2007

Happy 4th of July!

Hope you all have a happy and safe holiday with family and friends!

Celebrate!

Monday, July 02, 2007

Vacations and Weddings!

I'm back!

I made it through the 5 day vacation and the family wedding. LOL The vacation was a blast, and the wedding was fun, although it took me until the day before I had to leave to find something to put on my feet.

Went for groceries this morning as the cupboards and the refrigerator were bare, and I have to make an attempt to clean the place at some point today. My newsletter is going out later today--a day late, but I can be forgiven this time as I didn't get back in town until yesterday.

I will have some pictures to share in a day or so.

It's been almost 2 weeks since I've written anything. Scary! This afternoon, I need to read what I was working on and try and remember where I wanted to go with it. It will be good to get back to work in ernest tomorrow morning.

Vacations are fun, but I'm a homebody and I miss being at home. I'm settling in for a long summer that should hopefully be productive and fun at the same time.

Sunday, July 01, 2007

Happy Canda Day and New Blog!

Happy Canada Day to all the Canadians out there!

Hope you all have a wonderful day filled with family, food and fun. :-)

You can also check out the new Ladies of the Club blog (of which I'm a part) at http://www.ladiesoftheclub.blogspot.com . It's up and running and should be a lot of fun.