5 Blue Ribbons for MacNamara's Lady

Romance Junkies has given MacNamara's Lady a 5 Blue Ribbon Review!

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

"I love the way that Ms. Walters shows us how the main characters think and feel, allowing the reader to understand Missy and T.S. and be drawn into their emotions. Missy and T.S. are best friends to the main characters in a previous book, CRAVING CANDY.

Though I wouldn’t have put these two characters together, their pairing works beautifully. N.J. Walters is a favorite author of mine for good reason. Her sexy and emotively written romances tick all the boxes."

~Claudette

Read the entire review at Romance Junkies.

Leaving on a Jet Plane...

All my bags are packed I'm ready to go
I'm standin' here outside your door
I hate to wake you up to say goodbye
But the dawn is breakin' it's early morn
The taxi's waitin' he's blowin' his horn
Already I'm so lonesome I could die

So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that you'll wait for me
Hold me like you'll never let me go
Cause I'm leavin' on a jet plane
Don't know when I'll be back again
Oh babe, I hate to go

~From Leaving on a Jet Plane by John Denver

Okay, so I didn't get a taxi to the airport (my brother drove us). Nor did I leave my honey behind. (He's the reason we were travelling in the first place.) But, you get the idea. This past weekend was the first time I'd been on a plane in ten years and, boy, things have changed in that time.

Frankly, I was apprehensive about going to the airport, but I was determined to go with hubby on this trip. We bipassed the kiosks where you could check yourself in and went straight for the airline counter. I'd much rather deal with people than machines. Funny, how you don't even need a ticket now. Flash your ID and you get your boarding pass. (Of course, I had all the paperwork onhand just in case.)

I worried about luggage too. What could go in the carry-on bags and what had to be checked in the suitcase. I even bought new luggage for the trip. After all, I had one small suitcase that was part of a set I used when I left home. Did I mention I just had my 30th high school reunion? I really needed a new suitcase and one with wheels. I bought a nifty purple one. You can't miss it. And I tied little red threads on the outside zipper so I could easily recognize it. You know, just in case someone else on my flight had an awesome purple suitcase too. *g*

You know I made poor hubby leave early to go to the airport, both coming and going. Good for me that the man understands me and puts up with my little idiosyncrasies. It made me feel more relaxed to be at the airport early, so off to the airport we went. Did I mention my husband is a saint. lol He's so much more relaxed about these things than I am, while I spend all my time worrying about things like the luggage, tickets, ground transportation, hotel confirmation numbers, etc...

Everything ran like clockwork, both going and on the return trip. Security checked my purse on the return trip because they didn't like the look of my keychain. lol It's the bottom half of a silver spoon. It's heavy and big so I never lose my keys in my purse, but on the xray they were probably wondering what the heck it was.

Neither airport is huge, not like New York, Chicigo or Toronto, still, it was a challenge for me and I'm so glad I did it. For people who would rather stay home, hubby and I quite enjoyed our three-day weekend away. He had to go to a conference and, since the hotel room and his tickets were paid for, I hitched along for only the cost of my plane tickets and I'm so glad I did.

We stayed at a Radisson hotel and it was amazing. The room was HUGE and the staff was wonderful. The event he had to attend went off beautifully and we managed to get some shopping in as well.

Who knows, I may start thinking about another trip for next summer. But that's a topic for another day.

LADY'S MINTREL--Available Today!

Lady's Minstrel is available today from Ellora's Cave!

BLURB:


Alicia was barely a bride before her husband Reys left on Crusade, and she has waited six years for any word on his whereabouts. Without a strong lord, the castle is in a precarious position and it is only a matter of time until the king orders her to remarry or tries to take the keep by force.

When a mysterious hooded minstrel shows up at the castle, the man’s furtive actions lead Alicia to believe he is a spy. She confronts him—and discovers he is no stranger. Reys is scarred emotionally and physically by his years in a foreign prison. Now both are left wondering if there is a future for them or if the love they once shared is gone forever.

Read an Excerpt

Buy the Book

Welcome to Autumn

The wheel of the year keeps on turning and today is the first day of Autumn.

Ten Things I like About Autumn:

1. The crisp, cool weather.

2. The colorful leaves on the trees.

3. Pumpkins

4. Thanksgiving

5. Halloween

6. My Birthday

7. Holiday craft fairs

8. It's okay to drink hot chocolate again.

9. Watching all those wonder vampire/werewolf movies.

10. Doing my Christmas shopping.

what do you like about Autumn?

Farewell to Summer

The days on the beach lolling in the sunshine are almost officially over. Tomorrow is the official last day of summer. As of Friday, autumn will be ushered in. I hope you all had better weather than I did in my neck of the woods. In spite of the rainy, cold months, I did manage to enjoy the last few months. Thankfully, the last few weeks have been good.

I'm looking forward to autumn, my favorite month of the year. So, farewell to summer!

Dreams of Seduction--Joyfully Reviewed!

Just received a wonderful review for Dreams of Seduction from Joyfully Reviewed. Here is a snippet of what the reviewer had to say:

"Dreams of Seduction brings passion, magic, and later love, all together in a way that makes this book a keeper for my romance library. I will tell you that I would suggest reading this series in order so you can see what started the three friends on their magical journey to lasting love. I can’t wait to see what happens to the third friend."
~Jo, Joyfully Reviewed


Check out entire review at Joyfully Reviewed.

The Winds of Change

I'm talking about the winds of change and my latest Samhain book--Dreams of Seduction over at the Samhain Publishing Blog today. Stop by and check it out.

Blogging at Carina Press Blog Today!

I’m blogging over at The Carina Press Blog today, talking about my road to publishing with Carina and my new release, The Gift of Shayla. Stop by and check it out!

The Gift of Shayla arrives today!

I’m thrilled to announce that The Gift of Shayla is now available from Carina Press.

Adam Lancaster has been in love with Rob McKeith—and attracted to Rob’s wife, Shayla—for years, but he fears their friendship would be over if they knew the truth. So he’s thrilled when his secret fantasy becomes reality and the couple offers him a very special gift: a sensual Christmas Eve in their bedroom…

Guest Blogging at Coffee Time Romance!

I'm guest blogging today over at the Coffee Time Romance Blog. I'm talking about dreams, fantasies, and my latest Samhain book, Dreams of Seduction.

Stop by and check it out!

Guest Blogging at The Romance Studio

I'm guest blogging over at The Romance Studio Blog today. I'm welcoming in the new season and talking about my latest Samhain Publishing release--Dreams of Seduction!

Stop by and check it out!

New Cover and Release Date!

I just found out that Lady's Minstrel, an Ellora's Cave historical Quickie, will be released on September 23rd!

BLURB:

Alicia was barely a bride before her husband Reys left on Crusade and she has waited six years for any word on his whereabouts. Without a strong lord, the castle is in a precarious position and it is only a matter of time until the king orders her to remarry or tries to take the keep by force.

When a mysterious hooded minstrel shows up at the castle, the man’s furtive actions lead Alicia to believe he is a spy. She confronts him but discovers he is no stranger. Reys is scarred emotionally and physically by his years in a foreign prison. Can they find the love they once shared or is it gone forever?


Be sure to check out my website for details on all my books!

A Touch of Magick now in PRINT!

I'm thrilled to announce that A Touch of Magick is available in PRINT today from Samhain Publishing!



BLURB:

If you go casting love spells, be careful what you wish for.

Spells, Secrets and Seductions, Book 1

Rhiannon Sparks admits she’s not a very good witch—she can’t even light a candle without a match—but she keeps trying. At least her talent for business has made her magick shop a huge success. Now if only there was even the faintest flicker in her nonexistent love life.

During a night of eating and drinking, she and her girlfriends cast a candle-magick spell for hot sex. All in good fun, of course. Except Rhiannon accidentally mixes up the words. Instead of a lover, she asks for true love.

Deputy Ryland Stone’s past keeps him firmly rooted in reality. Then he meets Rhiannon and sparks literally fly. One date leads to another, and then they’re practically setting the bedroom on fire…until she reveals the deal breaker.

Though love and magick have found Rhiannon at last, getting a handle on her newly unleashed power is the least of her problems. Unless Ryland accepts that magick exists, he will never accept her for who and what she is.

Buy from Samhain Publishing

Buy from Amazon

Alexandra's Legacy...try it for FREE

Alexandra's Legacy is available for FREE for the month of September over at the Amazon Kindle Store and for the Nook at Barnes and Noble. If you haven't checked out the Legacy series yet, now is the time to try it!

BLURB:

The truth will set her free…or get her killed.

Alexandra Riley’s day starts out like any other in her normal, predictable world. Then a tall, dark stranger bursts into her father’s garage and shatters the illusion. In one shocking moment, she discovers why she’s been feeling hot, restless—she’s the half-breed daughter of a legendary werewolf and is a much-sought-after prize.

Joshua Striker, enforcer in charge of protecting the alphas of the Wolf Creek pack, has come to take Alex home. Nothing more, nothing less. From the first moment he sees her, she becomes the one thing he can’t afford—a distraction from his duty. A weakness he doesn’t want—but can’t resist needing.

If only keeping her safe was as simple as fending off males on the hunt for a mate. Through city streets to the mountains of North Carolina, Alex and Joshua have to evade those who don’t want their pure bloodlines tainted with human DNA, as well as bounty hunters who think the only good werewolf is a dead one.

What Joshua and Alex can’t outrun is the passion that flares between them—or the choice Alex must eventually face. Whether to claim her inner wolf, or forfeit her chance to claim Joshua as her own.

Discovery...

It's amazing how we take the city or town we live in for granted. We get used to doing the same things and going the same places over and over. That's just human nature.

Yesterday, hubby and I took a walk around a lake path. It's a lovely spot near the university and the hospital, and we've taken this walk many times before. Hubby jogs there often. There are open grassy fields, which wind into wooded paths. You can see birds and squirrels and it's quite a serene walk. Yesterday, I discovered something quite new.

The main path splinters off into shorter paths from time to time. I've always stuck to the main path. (Hmmm, wonder what a psychiatrist would have to say about that?) But, yesterday, we took one of the short paths and discovered something wonderful.

It was a small area with benchs and outdoor musical instruments. There were drums, a Xylophone, and these really wonderful freestanding pipe chimes. I couldn't resist and played every one of the instruments. Did I mention I'm musically challenged and can't play a note. Not that it mattered. There was only hubby and the squirrels to hear me, and neither of them complained. :)

The large, freestanding pipe chimes were my favorite. One of them sounded like it belonged in a Buddhist temple calling the monks to meditation. It resonated for quite some time after being struck.

I had a wonderful time discovering this small oasis off the beaten track. It made me stop and wonder how many other wonderful things exist within my city that I've never taken the time to discover. Who knows what I'll do next weekend.

Have a great Monday!

Happy Labor Day!

HAPPY LABOR DAY!

I hope you're all having a safe and fun weekend!

Mystery Box Drawing at The Romance Studio

The Romance Studio is having a Mystery Box Drawing now through midnight September 5, 2011 for just a really great collection of print romances for some lucky reader and you can enter to win too.

Click HERE to enter

If you do enter, when you get to the section where it asks who sent you, tell them I did. :)

Have a fabulous Friday!

September Newsletter Now Available!

The September 2011 issue 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—an excerpt, and this month’s interview with the wonderful B.J. McCall.

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