HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN TO ONE AND ALL!

Halloween Facts

Here are some pictures of old Halloween post cards. I love the graphics on these cards and have a small collection of my own. (Although, I don't own either of these cards.)

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Here are a few interesting tidbits about Halloween compliments of Wikipedia!

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Halloween (also spelled Hallowe'en) is an annual holiday celebrated on October 31. It has roots in the Celtic festival of Samhain and the Christian holy day of All Saints.

The day is often associated with the colors black and orange, and is strongly associated with symbols like the jack-o'-lantern.

Trick-or-treating is a customary celebration for children on Halloween. Children go in costume from house to house, asking for treats such as candy or sometimes money, with the question, "Trick or treat?" The word "trick" refers to a (mostly idle) threat to perform mischief on the homeowners or their property if no treat is given. In some parts of Ireland and Scotland children still go guising. In this custom the child performs some sort of show, i.e. sings a song or tells a ghost story, in order to earn their treats.

Halloween costumes are traditionally those of monsters such as ghosts, skeletons, witches, and devils. They are said to be used to scare off demons.

Some games traditionally played at Halloween are forms of divination. A traditional Irish and Scottish form of divining one's future spouse is to carve an apple in one long strip, then toss the peel over one's shoulder. The peel is believed to land in the shape of the first letter of the future spouse's name. Unmarried women were told that if they sat in a darkened room and gazed into a mirror on Halloween night, the face of their future husband would appear in the mirror.

Check out more facts about Halloween on Wikipedia .

Fresh Pick at Fresh Fiction

Trick or Treat, a print anthology from Pocket Books and Ellora's Cave, is the Fresh Pick over at Fresh Fiction!

Something else to celebrate today!

A Milestone

I can't believe that it was 5 years ago today that my very first book--Annabelle Lee--was published by Ellora's Cave Publishing. The time has flown by so quickly. I've learned so much in those five years, it's staggering to think about some days. When I began I had no idea what a chat group was, never thought I'd have a website and didn't even know what a blog was.

This month saw my 40th book published. That makes 32 from Ellora's Cave and 8 from Samhain Publishing. Some days I have to pinch myself to make sure it's real.

I'm hoping the next five years are just as exciting. It's a wonderful thing to be able to make a living doing something I love. I never lose sight of that and I never take it for granted.

Thank you to all the readers out there who've helped make this possible. You've changed my life and made it better.

Fire Alarms and Craft Fairs

Last night I jolted awake at about 1:40 pm as the fire alarm went off in our apartment building. Having lived here a while, I didn't automatically jump out of bed and run. The alarms go off frequently in these buildings.

However, being smart, I got out of bed and looked out the window to see if the fire department had shown up yet. Then I heard someone running down the corridor banging on apartment doors. That was enough for me. Hubby and I yanked on our clothes and headed downstairs. The fire trucks were pulling in as we hit the parking lot. A few minutes later, everyone was let back inside. False Alarm.

Try telling that to my body. The adrenaline rush left me wired and unable to sleep. I finally fell into a light sleep sometime after five, only to wake again just after six. It's going to be a long day.

But, I'm very grateful it was only a false alarm. Could have been a whole lot worse.

On a positive note, hubby and I went to a Christmas craft fair last Thursday. It ran all weekend, but hubby and I like to go early. It was fun. Didn't buy much, but I just enjoy looking at everything. We did buy fudge...three kinds--amaretto chocolate, cookie dough and a vanilla Bailies Irish Cream--all to die for. I had quite a sugar rush going on. LOL

It's Monday! Have a good one!

Howling at the Moon!

I'm Howling at the Moon over at Romance Readers at Heart Novel Thoughts and Book Talk Blog today. Actually, I'm talking about werewolves and my latest Samhain book, Alexandra's Legacy.

Stop by and check it out!

Leave a comment for a chance to win a download copy of Alexandra's Legacy.

New Cover!

I don't have a release date yet for this book, but I thought I'd share my cover.

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Sweet Charity is Adrian's book and the final book in the Project Alpha trilogy. Hopefully, I'll have a release date and an excerpt in the near future.

Vampire Books on Sale!

Ellora's Cave has a special on Vampire Books. If you've ever thought about trying any of the books from my Dalakis Passion Vampire series, now is a great time to buy them.

Special!!!

Our Halloween Treat for You: 15% off all Vampire books now through October 31!
Just click on the link below. Enjoy reading!!!

BUY VAMPIRE BOOKS FROM ELLORA'S CAVE.

Flashback Friday!

Bakra Bride is the second book in the Tapestries series.

BLURB:

Jane Smith has the perfect corporate job, a beautiful apartment and an understanding boyfriend. She works long hours, but enjoys her life. It all begins to unravel the moment she witnesses a murder. Now her former life has vanished and she is left to rebuild again.

Just when things seem to be taking a turn for the better, the thrift store tapestry that she'd impulsively purchased magically transports her to Javara, a world that resembles medieval Earth, and into the arms of the Bakra brothers.

Zaren Bakra is shocked to discover that the tapestry has delivered Jane to Bakra land—as the tapestry prophecy has already been fulfilled for this generation. Their world is strange to Jane, and her very presence ignites violence and death.

Now the two brothers will use all their sexual skills, separately and together, to convince Jane to stay in Javara and choose one of them for her husband. But the tapestry will reappear in just three days. Will Jane return to her own time and all that is familiar or will she become the Bakra bride?


Read an Excerpt

Purchase book

Guest at Michelle Lauren's Blog!

I'm guest blogging over at Michelle Lauren's Blog today, talking about my latest Samhain Publishing release, Alexandra's Legacy. Stop by and check it out.

Trick or Treat

Trick or Treat is now available from Amazon.com and Simon and Schuster.

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This Halloween anthology contains four stories: Unmasking Kelly by me, NJ Walters, Sinderella by Jan Springer, Stolen Goddess by Tawny Taylor and Wolf in Cheap Clothing by Charlene Teglia. Be sure to check it out.

Alexandra's Legacy Available Today!

Alexandra’s Legacy is now available from Samhain Publishing.

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.

Dark is Sexy--Two Guest Blogs

Dark is sexy! I'm talking about vampire romances over at Erotic Muses Blog today. Stop by and check it out!

I'm also having fun today over at Nikki Duncan's Blog. In keeping with the dark is sexy theme, I'm Howling at the Moon. Actually, I'm talking about Alexandra's Legacy--my new werewolf romance due out from Samhain Publishing TOMORROW!

Check them both out

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It's Thanksgiving Weekend in Canada. I hope everyone has a safe and happy weekend with friends and family. Take a moment and give thanks for all the good things in your life.

The Future is Fascinating!

I'm talking about futuristic romances and my latest Ellora's Cave releases--Embracing Silence and Have Mercy--over at The Romance Studio Blue Blog today. Stop by and check it out!

Have Mercy--Available Today!

HAVE MERCY is available today from Ellora's Cave Publishing. This is book 2 in the futuristic/erotic Project Alpha trilogy.

BLURB:

Second in the Project Alpha series.

Earth 2133

Logan is an Alpha—a genetically enhanced assassin—who has escaped from the lab that created him. He is now outside the Gate, a high-tech shield that protects the enclosed city from the contaminated and lawless land outside. Shot while evading security forces sent to eliminate him, Logan’s only goal is survival.

Mercy Dockins is a healer. Her world is shaken to its foundations when a stranger is brought to her near death. As she heals him, her body and soul respond to him, overwhelming her with sexual desire. With little more than a look and a touch, passion flares out of control, consuming them both.

But this stranger is dangerous to not only her well-being, but also to the safety of everyone she loves. And he has brought the security forces right to her door.

Interview at Dark Diva Reviews

Check out my interview over at Dark Diva Reviews . It's Wicked Wednesday and I'm talking about my new releases for the month of October!

New Interview

Check out THE BLACKRAVENS' EROTIC CAFE for a new interview about writing, life and my two new releases for October!

Raven Scavenger Hunt

It's that time of year again!

The Raven Halloween Scavenger Hunt is now up and running for the entire month of October. Below are a list of prizes being given away. Click on the link above and start the scavenger hunt today!

PRIZES:

Autographed book Dragons Prefer Blondes by Candace Havens

E-book from N.J. Walters' backlist (winner's choice)

E-book from Bianca D'Arc's backlist (winner's choice)

E-book from Candice Gilmer's currently available backlist (winner's choice)

Belong to the Night by Cynthia Eden (print paranormal romance anthology)

Tea for Two by Shelley Munro (print)

November ebook from Cobblestone - THE DEMON NEXT DOOR: ALI by Kate Austin

Forbidden: The Sacrifice (eBook copy) by Samantha Sommersby

Autographed print book from Shiloh Walker's Backlist

E-book Divinity Warriors 1: Lilith Enraptured by Michelle M. Pillow

Mayan Secrets by Ciar Cullen (print US or Canada), ebook otherwise

E-book of Obsession (romantic suspense) by Sharon Cullen

Selkie Island by Jorrie Spencer

Autographed copy of Tempting Turquoise (print) by Amy Ruttan

Autographed copy of Hard Candy by Amanda Young

Adrienne (print) by D. Renee Bagby

Heart of the Volcano, ebook by Imogen Howson

E-book copy of Private Property by Leah Braemel

Furry, Fluffy & Wild (ebook anthology) by Nina Pierce

Venus In Blue Jeans (print) by Meg Benjamin

E-book copy of Lay Me Down in pfd format by Taige Crenshaw

The Forbidden Chamber (ebook) by Ella Drake

The Ghost Exterminator: A Love Story (ebook) by Vivi Andrews

Angelic Avenger (ebook) by Kaye Chambers

Featured Author at TRS

I'm a feature author over at The Romance Studio Blue Pages this month. If you have time, stop by and check out my interview!

Awakening Desires--October 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 October 2009 issue is now available!

Check out the this month’s author interview with Marilu Mann.

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.