Friday, February 29, 2008

Leap Year!

Today is an extra day in the calendar year.

Every four years an extra day gets tacked on to the end of February in order to straighten out the calendar. The way I see it, this day should be a holiday of sorts, a day you take to do something you really want to do. It's extra after all.

Are you doing anything special today?

Thursday, February 28, 2008

WIP

Many of you see authors use this term, but if you don't know what it means it is the work-in-progress. That is, whatever manuscript/s the author is working on at the moment.

Each author approaches writing differently. Some are meticulous plotters, others are pantsters (writing by the seat of their pants), while many fall somewhere in-between. Some authors like music while they're writing, while others need complete silence. Sometimes there are elaborate rituals to get an author in the right headspace to write. Some authors are able to write a lot in one day, others a little.

Whatever or however the process unfolds, each writer has to find their own way.

I outline characters and major plot points ahead of time. Once I have the opening scene in my mind, I start writing, letting the story take me wherever it needs to go. Silence is a necessity for me to write. I can't have music or the television on in the background. Too distracting. I don't have any rituals before beginning writing, but I do prefer to write in the morning before the world intrudes on my brain too much.

I try and write Monday to Friday, and usually put in some time on either Saturday or Sunday. While I'm working on a book, I don't like having two days without writing. It disrupts the flow of the book.

My WIP?

Well, I just finished a 60K rough draft of my latest book. I started it on February 1st, so I'm pleased with my output this month.

Now comes the fun part--revision. I'll spend the next week or so revising the work, trying to turn it into something special. :-)

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Fancy Free by Shelley Munro


Responsible Romantic Heroes Use Condoms

Some readers prefer heroes to use condoms while others say the dose of reality kills all the spontaneity and romance. It’s a debate that repeats all over romance land—to use condoms or not to use condoms—since, after all, it is only fiction…

New Zealand erotic romance author, Shelley Munro took this a step further in her upcoming release Fancy Free, the story of an accountant who inherits a condom company. When Ms. Munro caught an Air New Zealand flight from San Francisco, she came across an advertising article about a new condom on the market. The ideas flowed and by the time she landed in Auckland, she’d outlined her plot for Fancy Free.

It’s not every day a girl inherits a condom company, and to say accountant, Alice Beasley is astonished and out of her depth is putting it mildly. For an almost virgin, she needs a quick education in all things condom because her inheritance is in danger. Someone is intent on sabotage and playing nasty, trying to destroy her new company.

Alice is suddenly getting down and dirty with charismatic James, the factory manager, all in the name of business, testing new condom designs. The sex is hot. Mind-blowing. It’s a dark thrill and an erotic journey. Yeah, it’s a hard job but a girl’s got to do what a girl’s gotta do.

The testing turns personal. Alice wants James. She craves his talented touch and sultry kisses, she desires passion and physical pleasure on a permanent basis but first she must convince bad boy James to give up his fancy free ways.

Note: condoms were tested and a few harmed during the writing of this story.

Fancy Free releases on 7 March 2008 from Ellora’s Cave www.ellorascave.com and is Ms. Munro’s eighteenth release from the pioneer erotic romance publisher.

From the time Shelley Munro was a little girl living in New Zealand, she wanted to be a detective. She read all the Famous Five mysteries by Enid Blyton before graduating to Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys. Her favorite television viewing was Scooby Doo where she, in her invisible guise, helped Scooby solve the crime.

As happens with children, Shelley grew up and boys distracted her from childhood dreams. She found one she really liked and married him, traveling the world at his side until returning to settle in New Zealand to write hot and spicy tales for Ellora’s Cave, some of which contain the odd body or two.

Publishing Notes:
Title: Fancy Free
Author: Shelley Munro
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave
ISBN: 9781419913341
Release Date: 7 March 2008
Genre: Contemporary erotic romance
Setting: Present day New Zealand

Adventure into Romance with Shelley Munro
http://www.shelleymunro.com
shelleymunro@gmail.com

Monday, February 25, 2008

Quote of the Week!

"No matter how insignificant the thing you have to do,
do it as well as you can, give it as much of your care
and attention as you would give to the thing you
regard as most important."

~ Mahatma Gandhi

Good advice for every day of our life. Welcome to Monday and have a great week!

Sunday, February 24, 2008

Four Things About Me

Ciana Stone forwarded this to me last week. So here are four things about me you might or might not know. *g*

I'm not going to forward this to anyone else, but feel free to copy it and have a go. It's fun!

A) FOUR PLACES I GO OVER AND OVER AGAIN: the beach, the thrift stores, the bookstore, the movies.

B) FOUR PEOPLE WHO E-MAIL ME (Regularly): tons of yahoo groups, writer friends, advertising sites, and spam.

C) Four of my favorite foods: chocolate, sweet potatoes, cheese, bread

D) Four places I would rather be right now: on the beach, somewhere warm, sitting in my sister's kitchen, in my childhood home

E) Four people I think will respond: I have no idea

F) Four movies I would watch over and over: The Crow, Scrooge, Dracula, and The Lost Boys

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Ellora's Cave Authors at Coffee Time




The Ellora's Cave Authors will be hanging out in the Latte Lounge at Coffee Time Romance Friday, February 22nd.

Drop by, have a coffee, and say hi!

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Amethyst Moon--Available Today!


Good Morning!
*
I'm so excited that my newest Ellora's Cave novella, Amethyst Moon, is releasing today!
*
I'm guest blogging today over at DCL Blog, so stop by and check out the interview--if you post a comment over there, you'll have a chance to win a download copy of Amethyst Moon!
*
BLURB:
*
Archaeologist Olivia Fifield has spent her entire life trying to live down the legacy of her grandfather and his theories on a lost civilization. Her only link to this place is a set of amethyst bracelets that he left her when he died.
*
Now she is on the archeological dig of her life and has a chance not only to clear her grandfather’s name, but to make her own reputation as well. But there are some who don’t want her to succeed.
*
What she uncovers is not a lost civilization, but a totally different world. The amethyst bracelets are the keys that transport her there and into the arms of Tor and Dak, two warriors of T’ar Tal. But the future is anything but certain and only Olivia can decide the fate of them all.
*
Check out this book, or any of my other books at Ellora’s Cave Publishing.




Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Quote of the Week!

"Write what you care about and understand. Writers should never try to outguess the marketplace in search of a salable idea; the simple truth is that all good books will eventually find a publisher if the writer tries hard enough, and a central secret to writing a good book is to write on that people like you will enjoy."

~Richard North Patterson

I think this is good advice. It's impossible to outguess the marketplace. By the time you write and submit book with a "hot" subject, the editors have already moved on and are onto the next "hot" subject. Everything circles eventually, so don't worry. Write the book you need to write, the book you have to write, and make it the best you can. After all, your name is going on it.

Sunday, February 17, 2008

Mastabas and Other Strange Facts

If that title has you interested, I'm blogging over at Ladies of the Club Blog.

Hint: It has a little bit to do with my upcoming Ellora's Cave novella, Amethyst Moon, which will be released this Wednesday, February 20th!

Friday, February 15, 2008

Candy Caresses-New Print Book

What a wonderful surprise!

I just found out that my EC Quickie, Anastasia’s Style , is part of the new PRINT book, Candy Caresses , which is now available from Ellora's Cave.

I'm thrilled to be in this anthology with Nina Nash, Alison Page, Desiree Holt, Lynn LaFleur and Christine McKay!

And check out this gorgeous cover. It's purple, my favorite color.

***************************
Eternally Yours Contest

What could you spend an eternity doing?

What is your passion? Your hunger? Your deepest desire?

Each day beginning February 5 and running through February 14 one of the ten authors will complete the line, "My darling I could spend eternity…" on either their blog or website.

Collect all ten answers and e-mail them to anny@annycook.com with Eternally Yours in the subject line to win some hot, romantic books. There will be three lucky Valentine winners.

The prizes –1st prize--5 books

2nd prize--3 books

3rd prize--2 books

Entries must be in by February 16 at midnight EST. All books and prize winners will be drawn randomly.

Sandra Cox Silverhills
Mona Risk To Love a Hero
Brynn Paulin Tribute For the Goddess
Bronwyn Green Mystic Circle
Cindy Spencer Pape Stone and Earth
N.J. Walters Seduction of Shamus O’Rourke
Elyssa Edwards Mating Stone
Amarinda Jones Shades of Gray
Kelly Kirch Time for Love
Anny Cook Honeysuckle

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day!

This is the day for showing your loved ones how much you truly care.

If you're looking for a quick, hot Valentine's Day read, then check out Anastasia's Style at Ellora’s Cave Publishing.

Today is also the day that the CAPA awards are being announced at The Romance Studio Blog. They're having a big party there today and will be giving out prizes to lucky folks who post. I'll be stopping by their blog later today. Drop by and check out who the winners are.

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Eternally Yours Contest

What could you spend an eternity doing?

What is your passion? Your hunger? Your deepest desire?

Each day beginning February 5 and running through February 14 one of the ten authors will complete the line, "My darling I could spend eternity…" on either their blog or website.

Collect all ten answers and e-mail them to anny@annycook.com with Eternally Yours in the subject line to win some hot, romantic books. There will be three lucky Valentine winners.

The prizes –1st prize--5 books

2nd prize--3 books

3rd prize--2 books

Entries must be in by February 16 at midnight EST. All books and prize winners will be drawn randomly.


Sandra Cox Silverhills
Mona Risk To Love a Hero
Brynn Paulin Tribute For the Goddess
Bronwyn Green Mystic Circle
Cindy Spencer Pape Stone and Earth
N.J. Walters Seduction of Shamus O’Rourke
Elyssa Edwards Mating Stone
Amarinda Jones Shades of Gray
Kelly Kirch Time for Love
Anny Cook Honeysuckle

Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Eternally Yours Contest Reminder!



There's only a few more days left in the Eternally Yours Contest! You still have a chance to enter to win some fabulous prizes.

What could you spend an eternity doing?

What is your passion? Your hunger? Your deepest desire?

Each day beginning February 5 and running through February 14 one of the ten authors will complete the line, "My darling I could spend eternity…" on either their blog or website.

Collect all ten answers and e-mail them to anny@annycook.com with Eternally Yours in the subject line to win some hot, romantic books. There will be three lucky Valentine winners.

The prizes –1st prize--5 books

2nd prize--3 books

3rd prize--2 books


Entries must be in by February 16 at midnight EST. All books and prize winners will be drawn randomly.

Sandra Cox Silverhills
Mona Risk To Love a Hero
Brynn Paulin Tribute For the Goddess
Bronwyn Green Mystic Circle
Cindy Spencer Pape Stone and Earth
N.J. Walters Seduction of Shamus O’Rourke
Elyssa Edwards Mating Stone
Amarinda Jones Shades of Gray
Kelly Kirch Time for Love
Anny Cook Honeysuckle

Also, check out the "Feel the Love" contest on my website. The download of my upcoming Ellora's Cave release, Amethyst Moon, is still up for grabs. Just go to my website at http://www.njwalters.com and click on the "contests" page for details on how to enter for your chance to win.

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Quote of the Week!

"Do not go after the past,
nor lose yourself in the future.
For the past no longer exists,
and the future is not yet here.

~Bhaddekaratta Sutra

*************************
Eternally Yours Contest

What could you spend an eternity doing?


What is your passion? Your hunger? Your deepest desire?

Each day beginning February 5 and running through February 14 one of the ten authors will complete the line, "My darling I could spend eternity…" on either their blog or website.

Collect all ten answers and e-mail them to anny@annycook.com with Eternally Yours in the subject line to win some hot, romantic books. There will be three lucky Valentine winners.

The prizes –1st prize--5 books

2nd prize--3 books

3rd prize--2 books


Entries must be in by February 16 at midnight EST. All books and prize winners will be drawn randomly.

Sandra Cox Silverhills
Mona Risk To Love a Hero
Brynn Paulin Tribute For the Goddess
Bronwyn Green Mystic Circle
Cindy Spencer Pape Stone and Earth
N.J. Walters Seduction of Shamus O’Rourke (PDF)
Elyssa Edwards Mating Stone
Amarinda Jones Shades of Gray
Kelly Kirch Time for Love
Anny Cook Honeysuckle

Sunday, February 10, 2008

Winter morning Walks

Even the city can be quiet if you get out of bed early enough on a Sunday morning. The sun was shining when I opened my eyes this morning, so hubby and I rolled out of bed and walked to the local coffee shop for peppermint tea and a bagel. It was cold, but there was almost no wind, which is unusal for us, and the sun was beaming down. It felt invigorating to breath in the crisp winter air and hear the scrunch of snow beneath my boots.

It's the kind of morning where you can almost feel spring in the air. Almost.

After breakfast, we strolled over to the grocery store and bought a few things--mostly fresh vegetables and fruit. I'm planning on making oatmeal muffins to have with fruit for lunch, and I'm making vegetarian chilli for supper. Plus, they had some fresh chocolate chip cookies, so we bought one each to have for dessert. YUM!

Walking home, it was nice not to have to worry about traffic. The birds were out, busily chirping and doing whatever it is birds do early Sunday morning. Me, I'm going to spend the day rereading my latest WIP and trying to figure out where I have to go next. Not a bad way to spend a Sunday.

Hope you have a wonderful day.

**********************
Eternally Yours Contest

What could you spend an eternity doing?


What is your passion? Your hunger? Your deepest desire?

Each day beginning February 5 and running through February 14 one of the ten authors will complete the line, "My darling I could spend eternity…" on either their blog or website.

Collect all ten answers and e-mail them to anny@annycook.com with Eternally Yours in the subject line to win some hot, romantic books. There will be three lucky Valentine winners.

The prizes –1st prize--5 books

2nd prize--3 books

3rd prize--2 books


Entries must be in by February 16 at midnight EST. All books and prize winners will be drawn randomly.

Sandra Cox Silverhills
Mona Risk To Love a Hero
Brynn Paulin Tribute For the Goddess
Bronwyn Green Mystic Circle
Cindy Spencer Pape Stone and Earth
N.J. Walters Seduction of Shamus O’Rourke
Elyssa Edwards Mating Stone
Amarinda Jones Shades of Gray
Kelly Kirch Time for Love
Anny Cook Honeysuckle

Friday, February 08, 2008

Family

Family! No one can push your buttons faster or make you crazier than your family can. It's because they know you better than anyone else. They know what makes you laugh, what makes you cry and what you're passionate about. They know your weaknesses and your strengths.

That's what makes it so fascinating to write family sagas. Whether the family is a farming family in Maine, brothers in a futuristic world, or vampires. The fact remains, that family dynamics always makes for an interesting mix.

Some families get along well...others, not so much. Either way, it's challenging and rewarding to write about. It adds a layer of realism to any work, plus it allows the writer access to all sorts of emotional situations and tension.

Plus, I'm a sucker for writing series. With a family involved there is always plenty of opportunity for more books.

Do you enjoy books that delve into family relationships? Do you have a favorite?

************************************
Eternally Yours Contest

What could you spend an eternity doing?

What is your passion? Your hunger? Your deepest desire?

Each day beginning February 5 and running through February 14 one of the ten authors will complete the line, "My darling I could spend eternity…" on either their blog or website.

Collect all ten answers and e-mail them to anny@annycook.com with Eternally Yours in the subject line to win some hot, romantic books. There will be three lucky Valentine winners.

The prizes –1st prize--5 books

2nd prize--3 books

3rd prize--2 books
Entries must be in by February 16 at midnight EST. All books and prize winners will be drawn randomly.

Sandra Cox Silverhills
Mona Risk To Love a Hero
Brynn Paulin Tribute For the Goddess
Bronwyn Green Mystic Circle
Cindy Spencer Pape Stone and Earth
N.J. Walters Seduction of Shamus O’Rourke
Elyssa Edwards Mating Stone
Amarinda Jones Shades of Gray
Kelly Kirch Time for Love
Anny Cook Honeysuckle

Wednesday, February 06, 2008

TRS gives Shamus' Book 5 Hearts!

Another fabulous review for The Seduction of Shamus O'Rourke. Reviewer, Lisa Freeman, over at The Romance Studio gave it 5 Hearts!

"Books don't come much better than this one...I can honestly say this story made me smile, swoon, and cry. This story is highly recommended to all!"

Thank you so much Lisa and TRS. You can read the entire review at The Romance Studio.

*******************************

"My darling, I could spend eternity curled up in your arms."


********************************
Eternally Yours Contest

What could you spend an eternity doing?

What is your passion? Your hunger? Your deepest desire?

Each day beginning February 5 and running through February 14 one of the ten authors will complete the line, "My darling I could spend eternity…" on either their blog or website.

Collect all ten answers and e-mail them to anny@annycook.com with Eternally Yours in the subject line to win some hot, romantic books. There will be three lucky Valentine winners.

The prizes –1st prize--5 books

2nd prize--3 books

3rd prize--2 books

Entries must be in by February 16 at midnight EST. All books and prize winners will be drawn randomly.

Sandra Cox Silverhills
Mona Risk To Love a Hero
Brynn Paulin Tribute For the Goddess
Bronwyn Green Mystic Circle
Cindy Spencer Pape Stone and Earth
N.J. Walters Seduction of Shamus O’Rourke
Elyssa Edwards Mating Stone
Amarinda Jones Shades of Gray
Kelly Kirch Time for Love
Anny Cook Honeysuckle

Tuesday, February 05, 2008

The Seduction of Shamus O'Rourke--Joyfully Recommended

The Seduction of Shamus O'Rourke has been Joyfully Recommended!

Here's a snippet of what reviewer, Talia Ricci, has to say:

"N.J. Walters has made my life complete. I have been lying in wait for Shamus to find his heroine and when I saw the coming soon pages of Samhain, I anticipated a story like no other...I Joyfully Recommend The Seduction of Shamus O'Rourke--it was just that wonderful."

Thank you to Talia and to Joyfully Reviewed. To read the entire review just go to Joyfully Reviewed

********************************************
Eternally Yours Contest

What could you spend an eternity doing?

What is your passion? Your hunger? Your deepest desire?

Each day beginning February 5 and running through February 14 one of the ten authors will complete the line, "My darling I could spend eternity…" on either their blog or website.

Collect all ten answers and e-mail them to anny@annycook.com with Eternally Yours in the subject line to win some hot, romantic books. There will be three lucky Valentine winners.

The prizes –1st prize--5 books

2nd prize--3 books

3rd prize--2 books

Entries must be in by February 16 at midnight EST. All books and prize winners will be drawn randomly.

Sandra Cox Silverhills
Mona Risk To Love a Hero
Brynn Paulin Tribute For the Goddess
Bronwyn Green Mystic Circle
Cindy Spencer Pape Stone and Earth
N.J. Walters Seduction of Shamus O’Rourke
Elyssa Edwards Mating Stone
Amarinda Jones Shades of Gray
Kelly Kirch Time for Love
Anny Cook Honeysuckle

Monday, February 04, 2008

ETERNALLY YOURS CONTEST!

















*
Eternally Yours Contest!

STARTS TOMORROW, FEBRUARY 5TH!

What could you spend an eternity doing? What is your passion? Your hunger? Your deepest desire?

Each day beginning February 5 and running through February 14 one of the ten authors will complete the line, "My darling I could spend eternity…" on either their blog or website.

Collect all ten answers and e-mail them to anny@annycook.com with Eternally Yours in the subject line to win some hot, romantic books. There will be three lucky Valentine winners.


The prizes –1st prize--5 books

2nd prize--3 books

3rd prize--2 books

Entries must be in by February 16 at midnight EST. All books and prize winners will be drawn randomly.

Sandra Cox Silverhills
Mona Risk To Love a Hero
Brynn Paulin Tribute For the Goddess
Bronwyn Green Mystic Circle
Cindy Spencer Pape Stone and Earth
N.J. Walters Seduction of Shamus O’Rourke
Elyssa Edwards Mating Stone
Amarinda Jones Shades of Gray
Kelly Kirch Time for Love
Anny Cook Honeysuckle

Guest Blogging at the Samhain Publishing Blog!

I'm guest blogging about Blogging over at the Samhain Publishing Blog today. Stop by and say hi!

Sunday, February 03, 2008

Featured Member at TRS

I'm one of the Featured Memebers over at The Romance Studio for the month of February. Stop by and check out my interview. There's also tons of information on my latest Samhain release, The Seduction of Shamus O’Rourke!

Thanks to all of you who participated in the Book-a-Day giveway contest on February 1st, and congratulations to Dave who won the free download of The Seduction of Shamus O'Rourke.

Be sure and check out The Romance Studio Blog on February 14th for the announcement of the CAPA awards. They'll be giving away prizes all day, and I've donated a PDF download of The Return of Patrick O’Rourke, which was nominated in the Contempary Romance category.

Friday, February 01, 2008

February 2008 Newsletter is Now Available!

The February 2008 issue of the Awakening Desires Newsletter is now available. This month's issue celebrates Valentine's Day and the upcoming release of Amethyst Moon by Ellora's Cave!

It also contains all the latest news and contest information, as well as an excerpt and all the usual features. This months interview is with the incredibly talented Ciana Stone.

As always, for more information on any of my books, check out my website .

*****************************************************

What could you spend an eternity doing?

What is your passion? Your hunger? Your deepest desire? Each day beginning February 5 and running through February 14 one of the ten authors will complete the line, "My darling I could spend eternity…" on either their blog or website.

Collect all ten answers and e-mail them to anny@annycook.com with Eternally Yours in the subject line to win some hot, romantic books. There will be three lucky Valentine winners.

The prizes –1st prize--5 books2nd prize--3 books 3rd prize--2 books

Entries must be in by February 16 at midnight EST. All books and prize winners will be drawn randomly.


Sandra Cox Silverhills
Mona Risk To Love a Hero
Brynn Paulin Tribute For the Goddess
Bronwyn Green Mystic Circle
Cindy Spencer Pape Stone and Earth
N.J. Walters Seduction of Shamus O’Rourke
Elyssa Edwards Mating Stone
Amarinda Jones Shades of Gray
Kelly Kirch Time for Love
Anny Cook Honeysuckle