Enticements Contest!

To celebrate the release of Enticements from Ellora’s Cave, I’m holding a contest.

I’ll be giving away a print copy of this two-book anthology, which contains Capturing Carly and Craving Candy, books 3 and 4 in the Awakening Desires Series.

To enter, just go to my website and click on the “contests” page for details. Winning name will be drawn on September 30th.

The first two books in the series, Katie’s Art of Seduction and Erin’s Fancy are also available in print!

Plots!

Over at one of the yahoo groups I belong to, some of the people were talking about plot. Specifically, the fact that some authors use the same plot over and over again.

Does this happen a lot?

Sure it does. But some readers actually like knowing what kind of book their going to get from an author. They've made their careers on a basic plot. It's the characters that keep the readers coming back.

Most authors try to mix up their plot lines to create something new every time. It's not always easy. And sometimes an author will set up "rules" (such as in my Tapestries series) and you have to work around them. That means that there are certain things you can and cannot do. Of course, as an author, you can always change some of the rules or find away around them. *g* That's part of the fun.

I think there are room for both kinds of books out there. There are several authors I could name that have been writing for several decades who have made their careers on one single plot. Does that stop readers from buying the books? No! Becuase readers are more concerned with the characters and how they get through their problem to reach their happily-ever-after.

What do you think?

Christian, the Lion

If you'd like something heartwarming to brighten your day, check out this video on You Tube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adYbFQFXG0U

5 Stars for Jackson's Jewel

JERR (Just Erotic Romance Reviews) has given Jackson’s Jewel a 5 Star rating.

Here's a bit of what the reviewer, Mahaira Fatima, has to say:

"I love how Ms. Walters has interspersed suspenseful twists in the sensual tale. The meaty plot is emotion-packed,which is something I could easily sink my teeth into...It is lovely to sit down with a good book and simply the enjoy the characters but Ms. Walters has brought the story to life with her description of thescenery around Jackson’s farm and his passion about nature. I enjoyed this book so much that I went to find other books in the Awakening Desires series as soon as I finished the fifth installment. Awakening Desires 5: Jackson'sJewel is an excellent choice for an empty afternoon."

5 Hearts for A Legal Affair

The Romance Studio has just given A Legal Affair a 5 Heart Review.

“The love scenes are not for the tame of heart…If you enjoy a good modern romance that is full of sensuality and heat, you will not be disappointed with A Legal Affair.”

To read the entire review, go to The Romance Studio

Check out all my books on my website

Something New!

Like most people, I tend to allow my life to get in a rut sometimes. We all do it. We go to the same stores and restaurants. Visit the same coffee shop at the same time each week. It's easy to do because we're all so busy and our lives so scheduled.

Part of my new pact with myself is to shake things up a bit.

Today hubby and I went to a new restaurant. The shameful thing is that we've had gift certificates for this place for almost a year. They were given to us by a friend for our anniversary last August, and have been languishing in my purse ever since.

The restaurant was small and privately owned...no big chain restaurant. Some of the walls were stone as the building is old. The atmosphere intimate, but fun and lively. The food--vegetarian fare--was delicious.

We had a wonderful time. And even better was the fact that it cost us the price of a tip. We'll probably go back again sometime in the future.

What have you done new lately?

Dalakis Embrace on Sale this week!

Dalakis Embrace is on sale this week at the Ellora's Cave/Jasmine Jade Print book website.

This book contains Harker’s Journey and Lucian’s Delight, books 1 and 2 of the Dalakis Passion Vampire series.

This week you can order this book for only $10.99. Be sure and check it out!

Quote of the Week!

"There are some books that refuse to be written. They stand their ground year after year and will not be persuaded. It isn't because the book is not there and worth being written -- it is only because the right form of the story does not present itself. There is only one right form for a story and if you fail to find that form the story will not tell itself."

~Mark Twain

Every writer knows that sometimes you have to put an idea or a partial WIP aside and let it sit for a while. Even though you might want to write the book, the time just isn't right. When a book is meant to be written, the ideas flow. The actual writing may still be hard at times, but the author knows that they can get through that if it's time for the story to be told.

Sometimes the best thing you can do for a book is to step aside for a while and let it percolate a bit longer. :-)

The Value of Books

I was standing in the line-up at the local bookstore the other day waiting to pay for my purchase when I overheard a conversation.

Lady 1: Books are so expensive.

Lady 2: I know. Once you've read them what do you do with them? What good are they?

Needlesss to say, I was appalled. Why is it people hate paying approximately $8 to $12 for a regular sized paperback? They have no problem shelling out $2 to $3 for designer coffees and we all know what happens to them once you drink them.

They also have no problem shelling out $10 or more for a movie ticket. You do that for an hour and a half to two hours of entertainment in the movie theatre. When you add snacks and the fact that most people don't go to the movies alone, the cost sneaks even higher.

People will easily drop a $10 bill at a fast food restaurant. You'll be hungry again in a few hours. Yet most people don't complain about that. Maybe it's because food feeds the body.

Books feed more than the body, they feed the soul. They can entertain, inform, and take you places you've never been before. They can make you laugh, cry or sigh with pleasure. They can also take you away from your worrries and the stress of everyday living for a few hours.

Unlike a movie in a theate, a coffee, or a take-out order, when you're finished reading a book you still have it. It sits on the bookshelf, like an old friend, waiting to be read again. You can lend your favorite paperback to a friend. Even if you want to sell, donate or trash your paperback, (shudder) you've had an entertaining experience.

So in my humble opinion books are worth the cost. I've read thousands over the years, and although I haven't kept them all, I still have shelves jammed full of them. And you can be certain that some day this coming week, I'll be heading off the local bookstore to find a new one to add to the bookshelf.

Lily Blossoms Available Today from Ellora's Cave

Lily Blossoms, Book 3 in the Summersville Secrets series is available today from Ellora’s Cave Publishing.

Blurb:

“What do you say?” Carson, the man she’s lusted over for the past five years, is standing in her kitchen, offering himself up for research.

Lily isn’t convinced she hasn’t fallen asleep at her keyboard and is now having the most amazing dream. No one in the town of Summersville knows she writes erotic romance under a pseudonym. Everyone knows her as the quiet, conservative woman who owns and operates the local flower shop, Lily’s Blossoms. She’s rarely dated and certainly not a man eight years younger.

But Carson is resolute. He’s wanted Lily for years and when he stumbles onto her secret, he seizes the opportunity to get closer to her. Lily has a list of erotic fantasies she wants to research including sex in public, roses, whipped cream and a striptease. Carson has a few ideas of his own and he’s determined to be the man she experiences each and every item with. What she doesn’t know is that he has an agenda of his own—one that ends with them together forever.

The Real Life of an Erotic Romance Writer

This was posted elsewhere, but I had to share.

Check out Helen E. H. Madden's interrpretation of the life of an erotic romance writer. It made me laugh. :-)

Contest Reminder!

Just a reminder that you still have a few days to enter my Lily Blossoms August Sneak Peek contest.

If you'd like to win a copy of Lily Blossoms before it is released on August 13th, just go to my website at http://www.njwalters.com/ and click on the "contests" page for all the details on how to enter.

Contest closes at Noon EST on August 12th.

NJ
Emotional~Sensual~Satisfying Reads!
http://www.njwalters.com/
JACKSON'S JEWEL--Now Available!
LILY BLOSSOMS--August 13th
ENTICEMENTS--Available in PRINT

08-08-08

Today is one of those very special days on the calendar. 08-08-08 is thought to be a very lucky day in many cultures and more than a few weddings have been planned for today.


This also marks the beginning of the Olympic Games. While there has been much controversy surrounding the host country of China, I am looking forward to the events themselves. The Olympic Games are filled with stories of inspiration and hope.


I'm off to watch the opening ceremonies.

Have a wonderful day.

Lord of the Rings

In a summer of blockbuster movies, some of which delivered and some of which did not, my hubby and I found ourselves reaching for an old favorite the other day.

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Starting on a rainy Sunday afternoon, we took out the LOTR--The Fellowship of the Ring. Monday, we watched The Two Towers. And on Tuesday, we finished off with The Return of the King.

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No matter how many times I see these movies I'm shocked by just how good they are. When you finish it, you're wondering just how soon you can find the time to watch it again. The story, the action, the depth of the characters, the unexpected humor, the horror, all combine to make these some of the best movies ever made.

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Do you have any movies that you like to take out and watch again and again?

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Hubby and I have seasonal movies we like to watch, but these are some of the few non-seasonal movies that we have to watch at least once a year.

4 1/2 Stars for Amethyst Moon!

Amethyst Moon has been given a 4 ½ heart review from The Romance Studio! Here's a snippet of what reviewer Lisa Freeman had to say:

“Amethyst Moon gives the reader passion, adventure, and a love that spans worlds! This is one more book by this author I can heartily recommend.”

To read the entire review, check out The Romance Studio

4.5 Blue Ribbons for A Legal Affair

A Legal Affair just received a 4.5 Blue Ribbon Rating from Romance Junkies.

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

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"N.J. Walters has another winner with A LEGAL AFFAIR, the fifth in her Jamesville series…The love scenes are passionate, and from the moment you start reading Alicia and Gill’s story, the sexual tension holds you and never lets you go.

A LEGAL AFFAIR is another view of small town life, with its lust for gossip, thirst for the worst, and unforgiving attitude. Readers will enjoy the twists and turns Ms. Walters takes with her story, and at the end of the book, I truly wished I could have stayed with Alicia and Gill a little longer.”

Check out the entire review at Romance Junkies.

Guest Blogging...

at the Oh Get A Grip Blog today.

I'm chatting about religion and the paranormal. It's a fascinating subject.

Drop by and check it out!

Awakening Desires Newsletter--August Issue Now Available

If you’re not already receiving Awakening Desires Newsletter—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 August 2008 issue is now available!

Check out the this month’s author interview with the talented Anny Cook.

As well, each month, some lucky newsletter subscriber wins a prize. 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.