In Search of a Purse

It's been at least two months now and I am still in search of a purse. With box stores, outlet stores and the malls, you wouldn't think it would be this hard. But alas, I am still using the purse with the strap that is barely hanging by a thread. Disaster is only a hard tug away.

It's not that I'm being unreasonable. At least, I don't think I am. I want a brown leather purse, one that isn't the size of a small suitcase. I also don't want a cell phone holder on the outside. I don't have a cell phone, therefore I don't need a holder. I don't want one long strap, but two straps--not too short, not too long--that will slide over my shoulder for easy carrying.

You'd think it would be easy.

Think again. I have been scouring everywhere from shoe stores to Walmart and everything in-between. I've even checked out the thrift stores. I'm getting desperate. On-line shopping is not really an option. I'm not willing to pay the hefty customs charges to ship a purse in from the USA.

It really shouldn't be this difficult.

Oh, and did I tell you, I'm looking for a wallet too. The one I use now is about ten years old and showing a lot of wear. I can't seem to find the same style of wallet anywhere. Why am I not surprised. :-)

Contest Reminder!

To celebrate the release of Endless Chase from Ellora’s Cave on May 6th, I’m holding a contest.

Blood cults, vampires, murderers and a castle deep in the heart of Transylvania. Family loyalties will be tested as the Dalakis family is threatened once more. Can love overcome the need for vengeance?

If you’d like a chance to win a download copy of Endless Chase, just go to my website and click on the “contests” page for details. Winning name will be drawn on May 5th.

Dalakis Embrace on Sale!

Dalakis Embrace, which contains the first two books of the Dalakis Passion vampire series--Harker's Journey and Lucian's Delight--is now on sale at Jasmine Jade for only $5.20. That's a bargain!

Check out this book, as well as other vampire books on sale right not at http://www.jasminejade.com/s-52-books-on-sale.aspx.

Home Alone At The Cave Party--Friday!

Due to problems with yahoo today, the Home Alone At The Cave Party will continue at 12 noon EST on Friday! You haven't missed all the fun. Be sure and drop by for a chance a chance to win some great prizes. And, while you're there, check out all the fabulous excerpts.

See you there!

Home Alone At The Cave Party--TODAY

It's that time of year again when many writers and readers pack their bags and head off to the Romantic Times Convention. This year it's in Orlando and I wish I was going.

Since I can't be there, I'm holding a party!

Please join me TODAY, Thursday, April 23rd, at the Ellora's Cave Chat Group from about 11 a.m. EST until 4 p.m. EST for the 5th Annual Home Alone At The Cave Party!

This year looks to be the best party yet. As always, Ellora's Cave authors are very generous and I have lots of steamy excerpts to share and tons of prizes to give away, including a gift basket from Jasmine-Jade Enterprises featuring books and gifts from EC/CP/TLC authors.

There will even be an early-bird scavenger hunt this morning. If you can't make the party, check this out for a chance to win a prize.

So, if you're not going to the RT convention, come spend the day with me at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ellorascavechat/ and have some fun!

EARTH DAY

April 22 is Earth Day, a day to focus on the environment and the world in which we live.

Earth Day founder Gaylord Nelson, then a U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, proposed the first nationwide environmental protest in 1970 "to shake up the political establishment and force this issue onto the national agenda."

On that day, people came together for the first time in a large, organized group to fight for the world in which we all live. We still have a long way to go to turn back the damage we've done and continue to do, but I'd like to think we're making progress.

Disney's movie, EARTH, is opening on April 22nd. It follows three families of animals--elephants, polar bears and whales as they make their way in the world. Check out more at http://disney.go.com/disneynature/earth/. Disney has promised to plant at least a half million trees, if not more with the proceeds.

I think we're all a little more conscious these days about our world. I don't run water while I'm brushing my teeth. I take cloth bags to the supermarket. I choose green cleaning products. I turn off any lights not absolutely necessary. I've changed all my lightbulbs to low energy ones. I use cold water for the laundry. Little steps, but if we all do them, they make a huge difference.

So, celebrate Earth Day, 2009. We need to take care of this little blue planet. It's the only home we have.

Falling off the Wagon

Hear that thump?

That's me falling off the exercise wagon. I hit the ground a few months ago, or maybe it was the couch, and haven't managed to get myself up since. Well, that's about to change.

The weather is getting nicer so there is no longer any excuse not to get out and walk. It's time to blow the dust off my yoga tapes and start stretching. I feel pudgy after the winter. Not where I want to be.

So, here I go again. Hopefully, this time, I can hang on tight and not slip off the wagon

Have a great Monday!

Samhellion Spring Fling

Want a chance to win a free download. Check out the Samhellion Spring Fling Contest. There will be scavenger hunts every day for the next few days. You can check out today's hunt at http://www.thesamhellion.com/fling/

Endless Chase Sneak Peek Contest

To celebrate the release of Endless Chase from Ellora’s Cave on May 6th, I’m holding a contest.

Blood cults, vampires, murderers and a castle deep in the heart of Transylvania. Family loyalties will be tested as the Dalakis family is threatened once more. Can love overcome the need for vengeance?

If you’d like a chance to win a download copy of Endless Chase, just go to my website and click on the “contests” page for details. Winning name will be drawn on May 5th.

Home Alone At The Cave

It's that time of year again when many writers and readers pack their bags and head off to the Romantic Times Convention. This year it's in Orlando and I wish I was going.

Since I can't be there, I'm holding a party!

Please join me at the Ellora's Cave Chat Group on Thursday, April 23rd from about 11 a.m. EST until 4 p.m. EST for the 5th Annual Home Alone At The Cave Party! This year looks to be the best party yet. As always, Ellora's Cave authors are very generous and I have lots of steamy excerpts to share and tons of prizes to give away, including a gift basket from Jasmine-Jade Enterprises featuring books and gifts from EC/CP/TLC authors.

So, if you're not going to the RT convention, come spend the day with me at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ellorascavechat/ and have some fun!

Guest Blogging

I'm guest blogging over at Romance Readers @ Heart Novel Thoughts and Book Talk today.

You can check it out at http://novelthoughts.wordpress.com/.

A Video You Must See

It's not very often I see a video online and am absolutely blown away by it. This one did just that. The video featues the reality show Britain's Got Talent and contestant Susan Boyle.

This woman is incredibly brave and such an inspiration. Dreams never die. All you have to do is reach for them.

Check it out:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY

Past Promises--Available Today!

PAST PROMISES is available today from Samhain Publishing! You can check out this book, or any other of my books, at my author's page at Samhain Publishing.

This is part of the Jamesville series, but can be read as a stand alone book.

BLURB: PAST PROMISES

Sometimes the only way to leave the past behind is to ignore the voice of reason—and leap.

Jamesville, Book 7

For Linda Fletcher, the sign in front of her new business says it all. Past Promises Antiques is her declaration of independence from her powerful and manipulative family—and a vow to herself that her future will be different.

She never considered herself the no-strings-affair type, but the chemistry between her and her newly hired handyman is too intense to ignore. Moving to Jamesville was a bold step, so what’s the harm in taking one more—into his arms?

Levi Mann’s shadowed past keeps his bags packed light and his feet on the move. But one look at Linda, and he finds himself willing to hang around—just long enough to figure out what it is that triggers their explosive passion.

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter!

I hope you're all enjoying this weekend with family and friends.

New at the Jasmine Jade/Ellora's Cave Website

There's a lot of new things happening over at the Jasmine Jade Enterprises website (Home of Ellora's Cave Publishing).

Here's the official release!

We want to offer our readers new things every day on our site, give you reasons to visit us often.We recently started offering the free reads on Mondays. We also want to be able to focus attention on specific types of books or promote themes and such.

So, starting April 14, our release schedule for the EC site will be:

Mondays - free reads and reissued stories (such as those broken out of old anthologies and being reissued as single novellas)- 1 or 2 each week

Tuesdays - Theme series stories, Quickies, Ellora's Cavemen anthologies - 1 each week

Wednesdays - Our normal new ebook releases

Thursdays - Sale books - up to 16 ebooks and print books on sale; will remain on sale for one week

Fridays - Our normal new ebook releases

Be sure and check it out!

New Cover!

Check out the fabulous cover for Endless Chase, the next book in the Dalakis Passion vampire series due out on May 6th!

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BLURB:

*

Vengeance is at hand for Katya Markova and nothing will make her stray from her chosen path—nothing, that is, but Chase Deveraux.

*

She’s spent the past year of her life searching for the person responsible for the bloody murder of her parents. Her quest has taken her around the world and into the dark world of blood cults and murderers, finally bringing her to Transylvania and the Dalakis family.

*

From the moment Katya first sets eyes on Chase, the emotional and sexual connection between them explodes. She wants him to the point of madness, risking everything she’s worked for to spend stolen moments locked in his heated embrace. But Katya is enmeshed in a world of lies and deceptions, which now includes Chase and his family.

*

Love, vengeance and honor are tested, and sides must be taken as the entire Dalakis family is now in jeopardy.

*

You can check out an excerpt from Endless Chase on my website at http://www.njwalters.com/

Guest Blogging at the Samhain Publishing Blog!

I'm over at the Samhain Blog today. I'm talking about "write" way to write.

Check it out!

Guest Blogging...

over at Michelle Pillow's blog today.

Writing is a passion for me, but today I'm talking about another one of my passions.

Check it out.

Featured Member at TRS Blue for April!

I'm a featured author over at The Romance Studio Blue Pages this month! I'm talking about my one of my newest Ellora's Cave releases, Threads of Destiny.

Check it out!

April Newsletter 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 April 2009 issue is now available!

Check out the this month’s author interview with the talented J. C. Wilder.

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.