Early Review for The Gift of Shayla

Even though my Carina Press release, The Gift of Shayla won't be released until September 12th, the Rage, Sex and Teddy Bears Blog has posted an amazing review.



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

"If this little short story doesn't roast your chestnuts, then check their expiration date. This is hottness squared...Ms. Walter's has a true gift for combining scorching erotica with deep emotion, and she uses that gift with a master's touch in this story. I just wanted to eat Adam up with a spoon, not that Rob was any less droolworthy, but a big sweet blonde will get me every time. If you haven't indulged in N.J.Walter's brand of erotica, The Gift of Shayla is the perfect starting place. If you're already a fan then you know what I'm preaching. This lady can flat write her butt off. This would be a terrific story to read by a cozy fire with a significant other while the elements rage outside. It is a guaranteed heart pumper."


Read the entire review!

First Line Friday--Embracing Silence

This week, I'm featuring Embracing Silence in First Line Friday.

FIRST LINES:

Fog blanketed the outer city, wrapping it in dampness and filtering out what little light managed to penetrate from the moon and stars that hung in the night sky. The air was thick with the stench of garbage and human waste.

It was a perfect night for hunting.

Anyone with any sense at all was inside, tucked away in whatever dubious shelter they could find. In a lawless land, even the criminals and killers weren’t out on such a night. It was just too dangerous.

Tienan waited in the shadow of a burnt-out building, the bricks darkened with soot, dirt and age. Motionless. Nothing, not a twitch or a sound, betrayed his position. He could stay like this for hours. And would, until he found out who was following him.

A man in his position couldn’t be too careful.

Read an Excerpt.

Buy the Book.

Scorpions - Rock You Like A Hurricane

This is the Scorpions 1984 song Rock You Like a Hurricane.

With Hurricane Irene making her presence known it made this song pop into my head. Everyone in the path of Irene--Stay Safe!

Two New Releases!

Today is a very special day. I have not one, but two books releasing today. The first is Dreams of Seduction from Samhain Publishing. This book can be read as a stand alone read but is part of the Spells, Secrets and Seductions trilogy.



BLURB:

Spells, Secrets and Seductions, Book 2

Maggie O’Neill goes along with her two best friends’ candle-magick spell to summon a lover only because, well, they are her BFFs. She doesn’t really believe in this stuff. Yet the aftermath of the spell leaves her strangely hot and bothered, and then the dreams of a man start—and not just any man. Jed Bearson. Pity, since she’s sworn off men for the foreseeable future.

Jed, part-time deputy and painter, doesn’t tell many people that he has the ability to let his spirit travel outside his body. One night, despite his self-imposed rule to never invade anyone’s privacy, he follows an irresistible pull to Maggie’s bedside. He’s astounded to find her crying out his name in private pleasure. After months of giving her space, maybe it’s time to approach her.

Maggie and Jed’s first touch is lightning hot—and their passion is a thunderclap of erotic pleasure. But when Jed reveals he’s a spiritwalker, Maggie’s reaction is like a curtain of cold rain descending between them. Leaving him wondering what she’s afraid of. Magic? Him? Or of following her heart?

Read an Excerpt.

Buy the Book.

Also releasing today is The Mammoth Book of Hot Romance, which contains my short story "Blind Date."

BLURB:

When her best friend sets her up on a blind date Audra Simmons is more than a little reluctant. She’s still trying to get over her break up with Tyson Brewer. It’s been eight long months since she’s seen him. She thought their relationship was headed somewhere special. Instead, it ended up in heartache.

She shows up at a local jazz bar for her “date” and is shocked to find it’s none other than her ex—Tyson. She thought she was over him, but it only takes one look for the passion to surge between them. He wants to talk. She wants a night of hot sex. This time, she’s going to be the one walking out the door.

But Tyson has a plan and it doesn’t include losing Audra for a second time.

A Very Special Day

Twenty four years ago today, I married a man who still makes me laugh and smile every single day. He challenges me to think and he makes every day an adventure. Every day I give thanks. I know how lucky I am to have found him.

We started the day with a walk and breakfast out. (We've never run out of things to talk about in all these years.) We'll probably go to an early movie this afternoon. It's all about spending the day together.

Have a wonderful Monday!

First Line Friday--Discovering Dani

Welcome to Friday! The first lines today are from Discovering Dani, the first book in my Jamesville series. The first meeting of the heroine and hero is a case of mistaken identity. :)

First Lines:

“Don’t just stand there, man, push!”

Dani O’Rourke flinched inwardly even as she stepped up to the beige Mercedes and placed her mitten-covered hands next to a large pair of leather-gloved hands on the cold, hard bumper. She shoved as hard as she could, while the car’s wheels spun crazily in the slush.


Read an Excerpt.

Buy the Book.

New Review for "Moon Magic"

The Jewels of the Nile IV anthology has received a 4 Kisses review from TwoLips Reviews! Here is a snippet of what the reviewer has to say about the anthology:

"Jewels of the Nile IV contains six very enjoyable short reads, which can add some extra spice to anyone's day. They are just the right length for when you want to read but don't have a lot of time. Each story can be read quickly and they are interesting and complement each other well."

Here's what she has to say about my story, "Moon Magic."

"N.J. Walters has penned a very enjoyable, hot and well written story with Moon Magic."

~Julianne, TwoLips Reviews

Read the entire review at TwoLips Reviews.

I Need to Get Organized...

Going on vacation is fun but it beats the heck out of me. I'm a homebody by nature and though I've enjoyed having two four-day weekends in the last couple of weeks it's played hell with my schedule. Because we left on Friday and returned on Monday both times, I also lost the Thursday before we left (gotta pack and do errands) and the following Tuesday (gotta recover from the trip and run errands).

So now it's time to get organized and see what needs to be done before the end of the month. My WIP is limping along due to lost time and I have a list of things piled up to do.

But...

There is hope in sight. I wrote 3K today on my latest work and I updated my website tonight. I've added new "coming soon" covers on my "BOOKS" page and I added several new covers, including the ones for the print version of Stefan's Salvation and my upcoming Carina release, The Gift of Shayla. I also posted the back cover copy and an excerpt for The Gift of Shayla. Be sure to check it out.

Tomorrow...

Maybe I'll get a little more organized and cross a few other things off my to-do list.

Stefan's Salvation now in PRINT!

This is a happy coincidence. When I posted First Line Friday I had no idea that Stefan's Salvation would be released in print the following Monday. I knew the book would be available in print sometime this year, but had no idea it would be so soon.

And check out the incredible new cover!

BLURB:

Stefan Dalakis has been wandering the countryside for months. Ever since both his brothers found their mates, loneliness has been his constant companion. He's been searching for five centuries but has been unable to find the one woman whom he can love. When his travels lead him to a small roadside bar in North Carolina, he overhears a conversation that will change his life forever.

Laurel Rose McCaffey always knew she was different. Some say she has the Sight. Others say she's a witch. Most are afraid of her, but they've left her alone. That's always been fine by her. But now strange things are happening and the peaceful life she's built for herself is being threatened. Developers want her land and a lot of the townsfolk are pressuring her to sell.

A dark stranger enters her world, a man who both fascinates and frightens her. As her world spirals out of control and the threats escalate into outright violence, Laurel Rose turns to the one man she's come to trust — a vampire!

Read an Excerpt.

Buy the Book.

First Line Friday--Stefan's Salvation

Welcome to First Line Friday. Today I want to feature the first lines from Stefan's Salvation, part of my Dalakis Passion vampire series from Ellora's Cave.

FIRST LINES:

A vampire walked into a bar.

Stefan Dalakis smiled inwardly as he pulled open the weathered wooden door and walked into the dimly lit bar, leaving the dark of night behind him. It amused him to wonder what the patrons would think if they only knew what walked among them.

But there was no joke to follow the opening line.


Read an Excerpt.

Buy the Book.

Another 4 Star Review!

MacNamara's Lady has received a 4 Star review from JERR.

Here's a snippet of what reviewer, Wendy Mitchell, has to say:

"N.J. Walters always delivers on quality erotica with a good romance to back it up. MacNamara’s Lady continues that fine tradition. Both Missy and T.S. are characters from previous books, but just in case the reader is a novice to Ms. Walter’s works, both characters are exquisitely fleshed out (pun intended) in MacNamara’s Lady. The sexual tension between Missy and T.S. sizzles on the page. Their reluctance to further explore their feelings builds the tension to an agonizing degree until it finally erupts in an explosion of sexual fireworks. I always like the fact that Ms. Walter’s heroines are strong, independent women. Missy almost carries this a bit too far, but pulls it off in the end. T.S. is a self-made man that does the title hero proud. It would indeed be a shame for fans of good romantic erotica to miss this latest example of a master at her craft."

You can find the entire review on the latest JERR newsletter.

4 Stars for MacNamara's Lady

MacNamara's Lady has received a 4 Star review from Night Owl Reviews.

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

"A very intense read at times, full of emotion and sex that will melt your toes. A good addition to the series."


Read Entire Review.

The Writing Life

I love what I do. I love writing stories about wonderfully flawed characters who find love after much anxiety and problems. For some reason, some people look down on romance writers. And those of us who write erotic romance are considered even worse.

Why?

I write my books the same way every other author does. I sit at a computer for hours on end, pounding out a story, revising and refining until I get something I'm happy with. It's hard work even if it is a lot of fun.

I make no apology for what I do for a living. I love writing and will never stop. My writing will change and evolve over the years...that's inevitable. But I'll always be a romance writing. I love a happy ending. And, unlike many people in the world, I'm lucky enough to get to do something that makes me happy for a living.

Life is good.

Now, I'm off to actually do some work. Here the clicking of keys...that's me. :)

God grant me the serenity...

We all know the familiar serenity prayer:

God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.

I find myself using it often these days with regards to the weather. I've officially decided that summer has passed us by this year. Since the first of June I think we might have had seven days with no rain. While most of the world has been caught in a heat wave, I've been living in the land of rain and drizzle.

Now, I know many of you will say I'm lucky not to have had to deal with the heat. But, imagine having six months of winter, followed by one month of so/so spring and two solid months of rain, drizzle and cold. It's enough to get anyone down.

But I've decided to embrace the coming autumn and hope for some nice crisp, sunny fall weather. Hubby and I tried out a new coffee shop this morning and I had a rich, creamy hot chocolate. And, yes, it is cold enough for hot chocolate. The temperature was around 48 degree farenheit and the winds were from the northeast.

So, here's to the summer that never was. I'll consider it a bonus if you shine in our direction for a few days this month. (So far in the first seven days we've seen one day of sunshine and the rest has been rain.)

In the meantime, bring on the fall with all her glory. I know, I'm more than ready for a change of seasons. Have a fabulous Sunday!

First Line Friday

Thought I'd try something a little different today. The first lines from books are always fun so I thought I'd start posting some of mine and some of my favorites on Fridays. Here is the first two lines from my werewolf romance Alexandra's Legacy.

First Lines:

She could feel the eyes watching her as she ambled down the sidewalk. The street looked deserted, but Alexandra Riley wasn’t fooled by appearances. She’d grown up in Chicago, and although this was a working-class neighborhood, she knew the walls and alleys had eyes and ears.

Sad Tidings

The romance world has lost one of its own. Leslie Esdaile Banks (L.A. Banks) has passed away, leaving behind her family, friends, and legions of loyal readers who have loved and enjoyed her books. It is a sad day for the writing world.