Monday, January 31, 2011

February Newsletter Now Available!

The February 2011 of Awakening Desires—the Newsletter of Romance Author N.J. Walters— is now available.


Be sure to check out all the latest news, my husband’s popular column—Confessions of a Romance Author’s Husband, the latest news, this month’s Interview with the wonderful Nina Pierce and more.


As well, some lucky newsletter subscriber wins a prize. All you have to do to be eligible to win is go to Awakening Desires Newsletter and join. While you’re there, you can check out back issues of the newsletter.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

A Good Day to...



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It's snowing outside. I think I'll stay inside this afternoon and curl up with a book.

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Website Updates!


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Sometimes I seem to get more done on days when I'm feeling sleepy. I wonder why that is?

So far this morning, I've written a chapter on my new book. I was stalled for a while on my new Legacy book until it occured to me the story I was trying to tell needed to be two books, not one. Too confusing to try to tell the story of two couples in one book. So I hacked apart the prologue and chapter I'd already written and divided it into two books. I made some notes and fixed up what I had so far. Today I got a fresh start on the new book, which will be the forth in the series.

I've also been over to Facebook to say hello. :)

And, I've updated my website! If you'd like to see the blurb and an excerpt for Legacy Found, the next book in the Legacy werwolf series, then stop on over to my website and click any of the Legacy covers on the News page. Or you can go to my Books page and click on the series. Your choice.

Tuesday, January 25, 2011

Less Than a Week Left to Enter!

There's less than a week left to enter the SURVIVING WINTER CONTEST!


The long cold days of winter are upon us. What better way to keep warm than with some HOT paperbacks!

So I'm giving away 3 prize packs of some of my print books.

The Grand Prize winner will receive print copies of all four of my Ellora's Cavemen Anthologies--Legendary Tails IV, Dreams of the Oasis IV, Seasons of Seductions III and Jewels of the Nile IV.

Second Prize winner will receive print copies of my Ellora's Cavemen Anthologies--Legendary
Tails IV and Jewels of the Nile IV.


Third Prize winner will receive a print copy of my Ellora's Cavemen Anthology--Jewels of the Nile IV.

For details on how you can enter for a chance to win, go to my website and click on the "Contests" page.

Sunday, January 23, 2011

When Shopping Carts Attack!


It's what all driver's fear. The normally benign and friendly shopping cart, set free in the parking lot, goes berserk and plows into an innocent car. It's not that the shopping cart is acting alone. No, it has help. That person who for some unknown reason refuses to walk a few steps to the nearest cart corral and return their cart.
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Thankfully, this story has a happy ending.
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Hubby and I were at the grocery store early Saturday morning. We'd returned to our car and were just getting ready to leave when the wind pushed a lone cart toward our car. Hubby tried to jump out to stop it, but forgot he'd already snapped his seatbelt on. By the time he got out of the car it was too late, the cart had already hit us. Thankfully, it wasn't going too fast and there was no real damage. Same thing happened to my mother's car a few years ago and they sustained quite a bit of damage and it cost them to have it fixed.
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I think it's a great idea to use the carts to carry your stuff out to your car. But, if you do use it, you really need to return it to the cart corral. Or, if they don't have one, take it back to the store. It's a few seconds of time that could save someone else hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars in repairs.
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Oh, and in case you're wondering, hubby took the cart to the cart corral so it couldn't attack any other unsuspecting people. :)

Friday, January 21, 2011

Ode to the Moon


I can see the moon, full and beautiful, shining in the dark sky as night gives way to morning. The clouds drift over it, giving glimpses, making it look even more mysterious.

Many writers have been inspired by the moon. Here are a couple of lovely poems.

I see the moon,
The moon sees me
God bless the moon,
And God bless me.
-A nursery rhyme


Silver

Slowly, silently, now the moon
Walks the night in her silver shoon;
This way, and that, she peers, and sees
Silver fruit upon silver trees;
One by one the casements catch
Her beams beneath the silvery thatch;
Couched in his kennel, like a log,
With paws of silver sleeps the dog;
From their shadowy coat the white breasts peep
Of doves in a silver-feathered sleep;
A harvest mouse goes scampering by,
With silver claws, and silver eye;
And moveless fish in the water gleam,
By silver reeds in a silver stream.

- Walter de la Mare

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Entwined Hearts gets 4 Blue Ribbons



Romance Junkies has given
Entwined Hearts four blue ribbons. This book is the final one in the Hearts of Fire series.

Here's a snippet of what Contessa has to say:

"All great things must come to an end – sad, but true. ENTWINED HEARTS is the final book in the Heart of Fire series. If you have had the pleasure of reading the first four novels in this series; then, you are in a breathtaking treat with this thrilling finale. I was hanging on the edge of my seat with enormous anticipation, keen to see just how the storyline would unfold...This was simply the perfect ending to a spectacular saga."

Thank you so much to Romance Junkies and Contessa.

Read Entire Review.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

5 Tea Cup Review for Out of Shadows!


Happily Ever After Reviews has given Out of Shadows a 5 Tea Cup Review. Here's a snippet of what reviewer Claudette had to say:

"N.J. Walters writing is pure magic and her name on the cover of any book makes it an automatic must buy for me. Having read the other books in the Shadow series, this book surpassed my expectations and was a treat that ticked all the boxes."

Read the entire review at Happily Ever After Reviews.

Monday, January 17, 2011

Contest Reminder!

SURVIVING WINTER CONTEST!


The long cold days of winter are upon us. What better way to keep warm than with some HOT paperbacks!

So I'm giving away 3 prize packs of some of my print books.

The Grand Prize winner will receive print copies of all four of my Ellora's Cavemen Anthologies--Legendary Tails IV, Dreams of the Oasis IV, Seasons of Seductions III and Jewels of the Nile IV.

Second Prize winner will receive print copies of my Ellora's Cavemen Anthologies--Legendary
Tails IV and Jewels of the Nile IV.


Third Prize winner will receive a print copy of my Ellora's Cavemen Anthology--Jewels of the Nile IV.

For details on how you can enter for a chance to win, go to my website and click on the "Contests" page.

Friday, January 14, 2011

Tracking Talia Now Available!


I'm thrilled to announce that Tracking Talia is now available from Ellora's Cave! This is the third, and final, story about the Courage brothers of Texas. Each book is a stand-alone Quickie, but if you love one brother, you'll love them all.

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BLURB:

Companion to Tempting Tori and Lassoing Lara.

Marshall Courage is lucky to be alive after the last mission for the clandestine government agency he worked for went sour. He’s recovered from his life-threatening wounds and is living on the family ranch, but he’s never gotten over his fellow operative and lover, Talia Koslov.

It’s been eight long months since Talia’s seen Marshall and she’s missed him every single moment. Now all she has to do is convince him she didn’t willingly abandon him after he was injured. She wants forever, and is willing to do whatever it takes to convince him their love is real.

Check it Out!

Guest Blog at TRS!

I'm talking about the New Year, new beginnings and my new release over at The Romance Studio Blog today. Stop by and check it out!

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Edits and Editors


I'd done with edits and have sent them back to my editor. Thankfully, there wasn't much to fix in this manuscript. No major plot points gone awry. Mostly grammer (darn commas) and word choice and the occasional minor problem.

A lot of writers don't enjoy doing edits. But I'm not one of them. While edits can be frustrating sometimes (I've been known to want to bang my head against the wall on occasion), they are also a signal that I'm getting closer to releasing a new book. That's always exciting. It's challenging and rewarding to make your work even better. And the time and distance away from the book between submission time and edits gives you a fresh eye when it's time to do edits.

I've had seven different editors since I started writing six years ago and I owe them all a great debt. I've learned so much from these incredible professionals. Editors don't get enough credit. They work in the background, helping to bring out the best in writers and their books. Each and every book I've ever edited I've learned something new about myself as a writer. That, hopefully, makes me a better writer for my next book.

So next time you're reading a book by your favorite author, stop and think about the person behind the scenes--the editor. Their hard work has helped make the book an even better read.

Have a fabulous Wednesday!

Monday, January 10, 2011

In The Edits Cave


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Actually, my computer hasn't crashed at all. But I am in the edits cave working on edits for my next Legacy book for Samhain. Today, and until I'm finished, I'll be wrangling werewolves. *g* It's a tough job but someone has to do it.
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See you when I'm done.

Saturday, January 08, 2011

Recommended Read for A Touch of Magick!


A Touch of Magick has received a 5 Angels and a Recommended Read from Fallen Angel Reviews! Here's a snippet of what reviewer, Missy, has to say:

"A Touch of Magick was an amazing book! There are phenomenal characters and, surprisingly, that included all the secondary characters. Ms. Walters grabbed my attention with her strong characterization, made me curious as to how the other individual stories will turn out, and I can't wait for the next story in the Spells, Secrets and Seductions series."

Read the entire review at Fallen Angel Reviews!

Thank you Missy and Fallen Angel Reviews!

Friday, January 07, 2011

I'm Giving Away Print Books!

SURVIVING WINTER CONTEST!


The long cold days of winter are upon us. What better way to keep warm than with some HOT paperbacks!

So I'm giving away 3 prize packs of some of my print books.

The Grand Prize winner will receive print copies of all four of my Ellora's Cavemen Anthologies--Legendary Tails IV, Dreams of the Oasis IV, Seasons of Seductions III and Jewels of the Nile IV.

Second Prize winner will receive print copies of my Ellora's Cavemen Anthologies--Legendary
Tails IV and Jewels of the Nile IV.


Third Prize winner will receive a print copy of my Ellora's Cavemen Anthology--Jewels of the Nile IV.

For details on how you can enter for a chance to win, go to my website and click on the "Contests" page.

Wednesday, January 05, 2011

New Year, New Resolutions

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It's the time of year for new beginnings, for resolutions we may or may not keep. I try not to make too many, but I can't seem to stop myself from making a few.
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This year I want to get healthier. That means more exercise and less junk food. That always seems to be the big one for most of us.
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I'd also like to take up a new hobby, maybe take a class of some kind. Just something to expand my life a bit.
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I want to take another vacation this summer. Go somewhere I've never been before, even if it's just a few hours away.
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I want to embrace joy more and not worry about the small stuff.
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There it is, my list for 2011. Not a long one, but a good one.
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What are your resolutions for this year?

Monday, January 03, 2011

Welcome to Monday

The New Year officially begins today. I know it's the 3rd of January, but I've still been on my Christmas vacation. Today I have to take the Christmas decorations down and pack them away for another year. That's always kind of sad. But, there is also a feeling of expectation in the air. This is a new year with new beginnings.

I'm going to push myself to work on my writing today. It was lovely taking two weeks off from it. I really needed the break. But it's hard to get back into it now that I've been away from it for so long.

Today will be a busy day.

I hope you're all settling into 2011. :)

Saturday, January 01, 2011