HAPPY HALLOWEEN and SAMHAIN PUBLISHING PARTY!

I've been trying for several days to upload pictures of my carved pumpkins, but blogger just isn't making it possible right now. I will try again tomorrow.

In the meantime, I wanted to wish everyone a Happy Halloween and a Happy Samhain! Hope everyone has a fun, safe day. I plan to watch scary movies with hubby and give out candy to the kids who come knocking on the door.

Speaking of Samhain...it's Samhain Publishings first anniversary tomorrow, November 1st, and there will be an all-day party over at the Samhain Cafe (readers chat group). There will be excerpts, fun and prizes. Authors will be dropping in all day to play, so if you have some time, drop by and have some fun.

Pumpkin Carving

It was a rainy Sunday so I spent part of the afternoon carving my pumpkin for Tuesday's celebrations. As always, I was in charge of cleaning out the pumkin guts. LOL It's a messy job but someone's got to do it.

I was hoping to post pictures, but blogger is acting up this evening. You'll just have to take my word for it that both pumpkins are done and look pretty good. Hubby's design is more elaborate than mine. I keep it simple.

If everything is back to working okay tomorrow, I'll post pictures then.

Have a great evening!

NIGHT MUSIC by Charlene Teglia

Halloween is only a few days away and Samhain Publishing is certainly pulling out all the stops by releasing six different stories that all revolve around the Samhain/Halloween holiday.

Even though it won't be released until October 31st, I was lucky enough to get a sneak peek at NIGHT MUSIC by author, Charlene Teglia.

I am a big fan of Ms. Teglia, who seems to get better with each book she writes. This latest book is a vampire tale that offers everything you'd want--a hot, sexy vampire, rock music and a night that Meghan Davies will never forget.

Blurb:

Meghan Davies has been living a dream as the bass player for the all-female hit rock band, The Sirens. But the dream becomes a nightmare with the discovery that cancer, undetected and now too far gone, heralds the end of everything.

Romney Kearns has been watching the sharp-tongued, flame haired woman from afar, wanting, but never approaching because he can offer her nothing but death.

When he discovers that death already has her marked, he sets out on All Hallow’s Eve to seduce her, claim her, and make her willing to accept his dark offer. An alternative. Not life as she’s known it, but a kind of rebirth. Eternity with him and immortality for her to make night music.

Samhain Publishing will be releasing NIGHT MUSIC and five other e-books on Halloween that will also be released as a print anthology entitled, BEGINNINGS. With all the fabulous authors involved in this project, it makes the perfect read for this time of year.

Enjoy!

Sale...Sale...Sale

If you're like me, you love a sale. :-) Especially when it's on books.

Right now over at My Bookstore and More (the official online bookstore of Samhain Publishing) you can buy this weeks new e-books for 10% off. Also, many of the new print books are discounted as well.

Check it out at http://www.mybookstoreandmore.com/.

I confess, I bought three books this week. *g*

Latest Read--Seeing Eye Mate by Annmaire McKenna

In keeping with the season, I've been reading paranormal books and I just finished Seeing Eye Mate by Annmarie McKenna. This is the first book I've read by Ms. McKenna, but it definitely won't be the last.

The book starts out with a bang and doesn't let up until the very end. The plot moves along swiftly, combining murder, intrigue, paranormal abilities, not to mention the heat between Tieran and Caelan, into one tight package. Tieran has unique paranormal abilities of her own, but they're nothing campared to Caelan's secret--he's a werewolf.

I laughed out loud at times as Tieran and Caelen's relationship unfolded. Tieran is a very real character that you can relate to. The suspense will keep you turning pages until you reach the end. I can't wait for the next book in this paranormal series.

Blurb:

He's a shape-shifting wolf, she's a psychic and his other half. In order to catch a killer he has ato rely on his Seeing Eye Mate.

Caelan Graham is on the hunt for a shape-shifter bent on killing femal mates. As Prime, it's Caelan's duty to protect his entire pack, so it's a good thing he doesn't have a mate of his own to look after right now. Too bad the most alluring female has just walked past his nose.

As a clairvoyant, Tieran Jones has given up on men and their lack of understanding her gift--until Caelan. The man ignites her passion, sets off a vision of a gruesome wolf attack, then shows up in her bed. In wolf form. To top it all off, he keeps insisting she's his mate.

When the attacks continue, Tieran's visions evolve and point in one direction. Caelan's twin brother. With a lack of physical evidence, Caelan must depend on Tieran's sight for clues. An act making her a prime target.

This is one HOT read that can be picked up over at Samhain Publishing. If you enjoy werewolves, then you'll enjoy Seeing Eye Mate by Annmarie McKenna.

Christmas Craft Fair

There was a Christmas Craft Fair this past weekend and I managed to get away for a few hours to enjoy it.

Now, I'm a sucker for these things. I love looking at everything, especially the craftwork of local artisans. It's amazing how many talented people live around you but you never notice until you go to something like this. There's woodwork, jewelry, knitted goods, stained glass, handsewn garments, painted glass ornaments and oh, so much more.

But, that's not what I spent my money on.

No, what stopped me in my tracks was the homemade fudge. LOL It's the same every year. Now, I'm purist and have to have some of the vanilla. Hubby tried several kinds but opted for the chocolate/maple. That was fine until we got to another part of the exhibition and there was another fudge stand. SHE HAD COOKIE DOUGH FUDGE! What's a girl to do?

Buy more. LOL That's what I did. Poor hubby ended up carrying a bag filled with fugde and some local honey.

It's all about the food.

Can't wait for the next Christmas craft fair. I think there's another one next month. :-)

Pumpkins!

I love this time of year. The crisp air, the colorful leaves and, of course, the pumpkins.


I'm just a big kid when it comes to Halloween and I have to have my very own pumpkin to carve. It's partly because it wasn't something that was done in my home when I was a kid. I didn't carve my first pumpkin until I moved away from home. Since then, I've had one every year. (And that's a lot of years.)

The one on the right is mine and the one on the left is for my hubby. There was no farm close by for us to go to, so we did the next best thing...we went to the grocery store and picked through every single pumpkin they had until we found the perfect ones.

I'll be sure and post another picture on October 31 or November 1st and show you what we did with them.

Happy pumpkin shopping!

STEFAN'S SALVATION Available Today!

STEFAN'S SALVATION is available today from Ellora's Cave Publishing!

This is the third book in the Dalakis Passion vampire series and I'm thrilled that it is being released in October. What a perfect month for a vampire book. :-)

BLURB: Book 3 Dalakis Passion

Stefan Dalakis has been wandering the countryside for months. Since both his brothers have found their mates, loneliness is his constant companion. He’s been searching for five centuries but has been unable to find the one woman who 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. Her chickens have been killed and some of her belongings have been stolen. 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!

You can check it out at http://www.ellorascave.com.

NEWSLETTER IS OUT TODAY!

The very first issue of my newsletter, Awakening Desire Volume #1, is out today!

I'm very excited about it and hope those of you who have subscribed enjoy it. I've got an interview with author, Charlene Teglia, an exclusive excerpt, the latest news, a column from a very special guest and much, much more. The winner of my newsletter contest is (geetacc) ank368@... I've already emailed you about how to claim your free download from my backlist. Congratulations!

For those of you who haven't already signed up, you can do so by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/awakeningdesires/. Just by subscribing you'll be eligable to win next months prize. A new issue will be released on the 15th of each month. (You must be 18 or older to subscribe)

This day has been a long time coming for me and I'm thrilled that my newsletter has finally been released.

New Book Cover!

I just got my new cover for my next Ellora's Cave book, Craving Candy, and I just love it!

Once again the Art Department has outdone themselves. This is book 4 in the Awakening Desires series and follows Lucas Squires, who you met in book 1, Katie's Art of Seduction.

I can't wait until this one gets a release date. Hopefully, I'll have one to share with you soon. Until then, enjoy the cover. I know I will. :-)

Contests, Newsletter and Release Date!

Where to begin...

The Stefan's Salvation Sneak Peek contest is still up and running. If you'd like a chance to win a download copy of the book before it's released, just go to my website at http://www.njwalters.com and click on the Contests page. Follow the instructions and you can be eligable for a chance to win. The winner will be drawn from all correct entries received on Monday, October 16th!

The first issue of my Newsletter, Awakening Desires, will be out on October 15th! There's still plenty of time to join my yahoo newsletter group. Just go to my website and click on the button on the top left of the News page. To celebrate the first issue, I'll be giving away a prize of a free download from my backlist (including Stefan's Salvation) to some lucky newsletter memeber!

Last, but certainly not least, I have a release date for my next Samhain Publishing project. THE RETURN OF PATRICK O'ROURKE will arrive on December 26th! Talk about an extra Christmas present for me. LOL It's the next book in the Jamesville series and I can hardly wait for it to finally be available to readers. Personally, I think it's the best book in the series to date--emotional, action-packed and hot!

Latest Read--LAST RESORT by Sally Painter

I decided that since it was October, that I should do some "seasonal" reading. With that in mind, I purchased Sally Painter's latest Ellora's Cave release, Last Resort.

I have to say that it was a sulty and seductive vampire tale with one of the most original plots I've read in quite a while. Sally Painter is a superb writer and many times throughout the book her prose reads more like poetry. The heat between the two main characters, Emma Trent and Alex Masters, is enough to steam up your screen. But ultimately, the book is about relationships and what love truly is.


Blurb:
Unemployed Emma Trent can't believe her dream job as masseuse of a luxury island resort just fell into her lap. There's one thing the agency didn't mention—the resort caters to vampires! She meets resort owner Alex Masters and reels. Alex is the mystery lover she's been spending all her nights with — in her dreams.Alex built the resort as a way for his kind to experience a "day at the beach".

But even the grand opening of his greatest achievement is overshadowed by the ache in his soul for one woman — the sensual woman who's been tormenting his dreams with a taste of the love that has so far eluded him. When he meets the new masseuse, his libido kicks in with a vengeance. His dream woman has dropped out of his dreams and into his life. For a vampire this encounter means one thing—she's his eternal mate. He didn't count on Emma being mortal though—a deadly quality on an island of hungry vampires!Unable to deny it's more than overwhelming passion drawing them together, Emma's faced with an impossible decision — choose between her fear of death or her love for Alex.

If you're looking for a seductive vampire story in honor of Halloween, give this one a try!

October--The Harvest Month!

I can hardly believe that it is the fifth day of October already. This month is already flying by, which is a shame, because it is my favorite month of the year.

I'm a few days late, but WELCOME TO OCTOBER!

The grocery store always looks so inviting this time of year with all the orange pumpkins, yellow squash and various other colorful gourds. Which reminds me...it will soon be time for that most important of October tasks--choosing the Halloween Pumpkin!

I'm a kid at heart and still carve my own pumpkin every year. We buy two so my husband and I each have one of our own. LOL I tend to favor small, perfectly shaped ones, while he likes the larger ones. Of course, I'm the one who scoops the pumpkin guts out of both of them, but I don't really mind. It's all part of the experience.

I'll probably buy mine this weekend so I can admire it for a few weeks. Then I'll have to decide what pattern I'm going to carve into it. I've done bats and a graveyard scene the past two years. Who knows what I'll do this year. But, whatever it is, I'll take pictures. :-)

Good luck on your own pumpkin hunts!

New Book Cover!

Hey, everyone! Look what I just got. LOL

This is the cover for the next installement of Ellora's Cavemen: Dreams of the Oasis. Book IV, which features my story, "Shadows Stir" will be released on December 21st.

I'm absolutely thrilled to be part of the Ellora's Cavemen series for the second year in a row. I was lucky enough to be in last December's volume as well.

Did I mention purple is my favorite color? LOL

Blog Contest Winner!

Thanks to everyone who posted to my blog during September. You made my first full month of blogging a wonderful experience.

As promised, I am giving away a prize pack that consists of a white tote bag (featuring the names and book titles of various Ellora's Cave authors), a limited edition pack of Ellora's Cave playing cards, and a selection of bookmarks.

Each time someone posted, their name went into the prize bowl. As always, I had my husband draw the winning name from the bowl. (That way no one can get mad at me. LOL)

And the winner is...

JenniferL (jslindzy) Congratulations Jennifer! I'll be mailing your prize pack out to you tomorrow.

For all of you who didn't win, don't despair. There is still the Stefan's Salvation Sneak Peek contest that runs until October 16th. Check out my website for details on how to enter for a chance to win.

Plus, just before my brand new newsletter is released on October 15th, I'll be drawing a random name from everyone who signs up to my yahoo newsletter group. The winner will receive a free download from my backlist (including Stefan's Salvation even though it won't be released for three days after the newsletter comes out).