New Website Design

I've spent the past week working on my Website . There's a new banner, new buttons, larger font and an overall new look. I'm thrilled with the way it turned out and I think it's a huge improvement! Check it out!

I've still got some tinkering to do over the next few weeks, but it's about 90% done.

Moose on the Loose!

I was putting the cereal bowl on the kitchen table around seven o'clock this morning when I happened to look out the window. A large moose was running down the grassy slope and into the parking lot.

Not a big deal if you live in the country, but you have to rememeber, I live in the middle of a city on the third floor of an apartment building.

I called out to my hubby and we ran to the bedroom because the moose had hightailed it around to the front of the building. Hubby got a couple of shots, but they're didn't turn out that well. We need a zoom lense. LOL

Anyway, you can see the moose in the back yard on the first picture and closer to the house in the second.

I have no idea what happened to him. The police and wildlife officers were following him, but he jumped the fence and ran out of view. Guess I'll have to watch the evening news tonight to see if he made it back home.

Memorial Day

Today is Memorial Day in the United States. It's a day to stop and remember those who have given their lives in the pursuit of peace and freedom, and those who are still fighting.

I hope you spend the day with your loved ones. Stay safe and enjoy the day with family and friends.

Slip Into Summer Contest

Slip Into Summer Contest!

If you’d like a chance to win a print copy of Summersville Heat, which contains the first two books of the Summersville Secrets series, Annabelle Lee and Heat Wave just go to my Website and click on the “contest” page for details on how to enter.

Dalakis Embrace on Sale this week!

Check out the print book sale over at Ellora’s Cave Publishing this week. My book Dalakis Embrace is marked down to $10.99.

This print book contains books 1 & 2 in the Dalakis Passion Vampire Series. If you haven't read them yet, this is a great chance to own them in print. :-)

Of course, if you prefer them separately in e-book form, they are available at Ellora’s Cave Publishing.

Ice Cream and Summer

So I was over at the Samhain Cafe last week and one of the moderators put up this cute quiz--What Kind of Sundae Are You?

I did the quiz and, not suprisingly, found out that I am a chocolate sundae--Simple, classic and divine. :-)

After I did the quiz, I couldn't get ice cream sundaes out of my head. LOL So, this past weekend, Hubby and I went out the the DQ and treated ourselves to scrumptous hot fudge sundaes. He had nuts on his, but I'm a classic gal...just ice cream and hot fudge. YUM!

It marked the unofficial kickoff of the Summer Season for me.

Happy Summer!

Wounded Heroes!

The wounded hero in romance is usually a man who is rough, tough and hard to pin down. He plays by his own rules, but has a sense of honor.

And, as readers, we can't get enough of him.

I'm over at the Ladies of the Club Blog today talking about the wounded hero. Check it out and let me know your favorite wounded hero.

Friday!

Good morning and welcome to Friday. Another week has disappeared into the ether and the weekend looms.

What are you doing this weekend?

Hubby and I are planning on going to see the new Narnia movie: Prince Caspian. I think it will be even better than the first one.

Other than that, I don't have huge plans for the weekend. I'll probably work on the WIP, watch some baseball and hope that we get a break in the rain and actually see some sunshine.

Hope you have a fabulous weekend!

Author Spotlight

Good morning and welcome to Wednesday.

I'll be over at the Samhain Cafe from 6 PM EST until 8 PM EST today. I'll be talking a little bit about myself and my books. If you have any questions you ever wanted to ask this is the time to do it. I'm not saying I'll answer them all. LOL But I'll do my best.

Stop by and see me tonight.

Guest Blogging at The Romance Studio!

Props! We all use them in life, whether we realize it or not.

As a writer, I use them all the time in my work. I'm guest blogging about Props! over at The Romance Studio Blog today. Check it out!

In search of Jeans!

I was reading a column in the local paper and the writer was lamenting how hard it is to find a good pair of jeans. It certainly struck a chord with me.

Does anyone else have a hard time finding a decent pair of jeans?

I have no idea who they're making jeans for these days, but it doesn't seem to be regular women. The target market seems to be extra skinny girls with no hips or butt. I, on the other hand, have a high waist and long legs (34 inch inseam). I'm also in my forties so I don't want my butt hanging out of my jeans, which means no low rise jeans for me. If I can find jeans that fit my hips, they are way too big in the waist. I finally had to buy a pair like that because I was so desperate.

Doesn't anyone make stylish jeans for regular women with hips and a butt? And I'm talking about affordable jeans. Not jeans that are over $100 a pair.

Any suggestions?

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day!

Hope you all have a fabulous Day!

Sleepy Saturday

Welcome to Saturday!

I plan to go out for a walk with hubby and stop somewhere for breakfast. After that, we plan to check out a local thrift shop before heading to the bookstore. Later today I'll tinker with my latest WIP and probably watch the ballgame on TV.

What do you have planned for today?

If you're looking for some tips to save money, check out J. C. Wilder’s Blog and her Cheapskate Friday Post. I've got a few tips on there. :-)

Ellora's Cave Authors at Coffee Time

The Ellora's Cave Authors are chatting over at the Coffee Time Romance Latte Lounge today.

Drop by and check out all the excerpts and join in the fun!

5 Stars for Amethyst Moon!

Happy Thursday everyone!

Amethyst Moon just received a 5 Star review from Amelia Richard over at Ecataromance Sensual Reviews.

Here's a snippet of what she had to say:

"N.J. Walters has an extradordinary talent for creating memorable characters, and her gift is evident all the way through this captivating story....The creative plot engages the reader from the first paragraph and never releases its grip until the last word is devoured...The appealing characters and imaginative world of AMETHYST MOON will stay with readers long after the book is finished."

Thank you so much, Amelia. To read the entire review, check out Ecataromance Sensual Reviews .

In the Edits Cave!

I'm in the edits cave working on edits for Lily Blossoms! This is the third book in my Ellora's Cave contemporary, erotic Summersville Secrets series.

Lily Blossoms will be releasing from Ellora's Cave on August 13th!

Quote of the Week!

"Close the door. Write with no one looking over your shoulder. Don't try to figure out what other people want to hear from you; figure out what you have to say. It's the one and only thing you have to offer."

~Barbara Kingsolver

I think this is a quote that many new writers need to hear, and many published authors need to remember. Trying to write a book because you think the topic is hot right now or because you think it will sell will not serve you in the long run. Sure, you might sell a book or two, but you probably won't be enjoying the writing process very much.

You need to write what you need to write. If you love romance, write it. If you love science fiction, write it. If what you need to write is a conglomeration of three or four genres, write it. If you're in this business for the long haul you need to write what you have to say or you'll burn yourself out trying to please too many masters.

Remember, your style and what you want to write will evolve and change as you do. You're not stuck writing any particular genre or style. The only limits you have are the ones you put on yourself.

Guest Blogging at the Samhain Publishing Blog!

I'm talking about FEAR today over at the Samhain Blog.

Fear is the most basic of emotions. It shapes us and molds us—who we become and what we do on a daily basis is largely based on what fears drive us. It can motivate and inspire or it can hold us back. The decision is ours.

Drop by and check out my guest blog!

New Release Dates!

A Legal Affair, book 5 in the Jamesville series, will be releasing from Samhain Publishing on July 15th. It's already up on the Samhain Coming Soon Pages.

To check out the details and to read the blurb, just click on A Legal Affair .




Jackson's Jewel, book 5 of the Awakening Desires series, will be releasing from Ellora's Cave on July 25th! I'm so excited about this book. Seems like I've been waiting forever for it to come out.

Just check out my Website to read the blurb and an excerpt.

Awakening Desires Newsletter--May Issue Now Available

If you're not already receiving Awakening Desires--the Newsletter of Romance Author N.J. Walters--then you're missing out on all the latest news, author interviews, excerpts and tons more! You're also missing out on a chance to win every month!

The May 2008 issue is now available!

Check out the this month’s interview with Madison Hayes. As well, each month, some lucky newsletter subscriber wins a prize. This month's winner is Ruth Morrel. Congratulations, Ruth.

All you have to do to be eligible to win next month is to go to Awakening Desires Newsletter to join and read back issues.