Two New Fabulous Reviews!

This must be the week for reviews. I just got two 4 1/2 reviews--one for Isaiah's Haven and the other for A Touch of Magick. Both these books are available from Samhain Publishing.

Here's a snippet from Maura Frankman's review of Isaiah's Haven.

"The plot is an engrossing one, with hot love scenes and suspenseful action packed moments also. This is one of the best werewolf romances I have read this year."

~4 1/2 Hearts

Read the entire review at The Romance Studio.


Cheryl McInnis at Romance Junkies gave A Touch of Magic 4 1/2 Blue Ribbons. Here's a snippet of what she had to say:

"A TOUCH OF MAGICK is a fun, steamy and enjoyable story, and I can’t wait to see what Ms. Walters has in store for us next."

Read the entire review at Romance Junkies.

Great Review for Entwined Hearts

Entwined Hearts has gotten a 4 out of 5 review from Judith at the Book Binge. Here's a snippet of what she had to say:

"Like the other novels in this series this book is alive with the abiding friendship that locked these women together, a fellowship of caring that their mates respected and cherished, and into which they were delighted to enter. This book is not an anthology in any way but a collaboration between the four authors that wrote the other four books. In bringing these couples together these authors have taken their individual vision and merged it with the other three--not easy to do among creative individuals. It is really quite encouraging to see how they put their indivual egos aside and allowed the end result--this book--to reflect the collective talents they brought to the writing task."

You can read the entire review at Book Binge.

Give a Little Thanks

This holiday weekend is all about giving thanks for what we have in our lives. I'm chatting about that very topic today at the Samhain Publishing Blog. Stop by and check out my post "Give a Little Thanks"!

Black Friday!

The day after Thanksgiving Day, Black Friday is the biggest shopping day of the year in the USA. It's the kick-off of the Christmas shopping season. Retailers will have crazy sales and people will line up all night long in order to be the first in the store to get them.

There are plenty of bargains to be had, but plenty of crazy people out there too. If you're venturing out to shop today, please remember to stay safe and have fun. In the end, it's all just stuff. Nothing is worth your peace of mind and your safety.

May you find plenty of sales and get what you're looking for out there today.

May the force be with you!

Happy Thanksgiving Day!

I want to wish all of you a very Happy Thanksgiving Day. We all have so much to be thankful for. I know I count my blesssings every day.

I hope you have a wonderful day filled with family, friends and good food. If you're travelling, stay safe.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING DAY!

5 Siren Stone Review for Out of Shadows

Out of Shadows just received a 5 Siren Stone Review from Siren Stone Reviews. Here's a snippet of what reviewer, Nikki, had to say.


"Absolutely enchanting. Out of Shadows is haunting, chilling and erotic. The story has a little bit of everything: romance, mystery, intrigue, paranormal, and urban legend. N. J. Walters created a masterful tale that will surely please readers.

Between the scorching hot love scenes that stole my breath, and the intriguing story line, once I began reading I did not stop until the end."

~Nikki, Siren Book Reviews

Read the entire review at Siren Book Reviews

Knitting, Crocheting and Embroidery, Oh My!

It's the time of year when there are a ton of Christmas Craft Fairs and sales all over the place. I love them. I'm always amazed by how many truly talented people there are out there in the world. I love looking at all the knitted goods, the pottery, stained glass, dyed scarves, paintings, etc...

I knit a couple sweaters, fifteen years ago or more and even a pair of socks, but I really don't enjoy knitting. I can't just relax and enjoy it. I have to count every single stitch and no one can talk to me when I'm working. No fun at all.

I used to do a lot of crocheting when I was in my teens and early twenties. I made doilies, christmas decorations, snowmen and more. Heck, I even made a smurf. Hey, it was the eighties. lol Haven't done a project in about twenty years. It's one of those things...you get busy with life and hobbies take a backseat to a lot of things.

One of my goals for the new year is to take up one of my old hobbies. Maybe embroidery or rug hooking or crocheting or... I'm sure one of those will peak my interest. Or maybe I'll find something completely new to try.

What kinds of hobbies do you enjoy?

Technology

I love technology...except when I hate it. lol

Our main computer has been giving me problems the past few days. It will let me do some things, but shut down other operations. Did a complete virus scan but got nothing. Now this computer has been doing wonky things for a while now. Looks like we might have to break down and buy a new one, which is a drag just before Christmas.

Thankfully it's not the computer I write on (which is not hooked up to the internet). This is the computer hubby mostly works on and I use when I'm on the internet, answering mail, trolling my yahoo groups, etc.

Don't know how soon we'll buy one. For now, I'm using hubby's netbook to answer email.

Ah, the joys of technology.

Have a great weekend.

Looking for a New Series?

It seems most books I read these days are part of a series. And I really don't mind. I love series. I enjoy going back and spending time with the same characters or secondary characters. Here's five great series I've been reading lately.

1. Nahlini Singh's Guild Hunter Series. This is one fabulous series. It has a kick-ass heroine and an otherworldly hero who ends up being changed by her. I can't wait for the next book! Check out Book One: Angels' Blood.

2. Nancy Gideon's Moonlight Series is a paranormal trilogy with a difference. The hero has a tortured past and you're never really sure if he's one of the good guys. Be sure to check out Masked by Moonlight, Chased by Moonlight and Captured by Moonlight. I hope there will be more books about Max and Charlotte.

3. Eve Silver's Sins Series is one I definitely enjoyed. You have brothers--soul reapers, sons of the Underworld god of chaos and evil. They're trying to find out who killed their brother. They're not looking for love, but it finds them anyway. I'm praying Ms. Silver will have another book in this series! Check out Sins of the Heart, Sins of the Soul and Sins of the Flesh.

4. Okay, so I'm a J.R. Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood junkie. I love this series. I resisted reading the first book for a while because the blurb didn't do it for me. But I heard such good things about it I finally read it. I was hooked. Thankfully book two was already out at the time and book three was close on the way. Since then, I've awaited each book with anticipation. Ward does not flinch at changing things up and taking the hard road in this series. Try Dark Lover (book one) and you'll be hooked.

5. Water Bound, the first book in Christine Feehan's Sisters of the Heart Series is my favorite book of 2010. It has an incredible heroine in Rikki. She is a woman who has risen above tragedy and personal limitations to carve out a life for herself. Lev is a tortured soul looking to save himself and finally live. These two flawed characters come together and create something special.

I'm a huge fan of Feehan's Drake Sisters series. This new series is an off-shoot of that one. I can't wait for book two!

What series have you been reading lately?

Sparkles, Sparkles Everywhere

Even as I type this blog post I can see sparkles on the wrist pad just below the keyboard. Where did they come from? Nothing kinky I assure you. *g* It's that time of year again...Christmas cards!

That's right. I spent yesterday afternoon addressing envelopes and writing cards to friends and family. This years cards have wonderful old-fashioned scenes on them and lots and lots of sparkles. Hey, I didn't pick them out on my own. Hubby had a hand in them.

I tried to be careful, writing the cards in one area. I cleaned up afterwards, using a damp papertowel to wipe down furniture and such. But to no avail. I will be sparkling for weeks to come.

And you know what? I don't really mind. *g* The holidays are coming and I'm looking forward to them. The craziness aside, I love decorating, baking, watching holiday movies, listening to the music, and generally having fun with it.

So here's to the next few weeks. May they sparkle for you as much as they will for me.

It Has Begun...

Okay, so hubby and I usually get up early on Saturday morning and head out for breakfast before we hit WalMart and a few other stores and run errands. It's nice and quiet and there are no crowds.

That all changed this morning! It's as though the Remembrance Day/Veteran's Day holiday sent out a silent signal to people reminding them that there are only six weeks until Christmas. The parking lots were packed by a little past ten o'clock. I have to admit I wasn't really expecting it to hit until next weekend. I hate crowds so hubby and I were on our way home by eleven.

I figure most of my holiday shopping will be done on a weekday...early. lol

I've got a few things picked up already, but best of all I have my list. We don't buy a lot in my family. Keeps us all sane this time of year. I've already put the holiday CDs in the car. I find it relaxes me in traffic.

Have you started your holiday shopping yet?

Remembrance Day

In Flanders Fields
by John McCrae, May 1915


In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

November 11th marks Remembrance Day, also known as Poppy Day, Armistice Day or Veterans Day. It is a day to remember the sacrifices of members of the armed forces and civilians in times of war. It began after the First World War (or the Great War as it was called).

It is observed on the 11th of November to honor the end of WW1 in 1918. All major hostilities of World War I were formally ended "at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month" of 1918.

So take a moment at eleven o'clock on November 11th to remember all those who have given their lives for their country. For those still embroiled in the coils of war in the name of freedom and honor.

LEST WE FORGET...

One Hour Makes Such a Difference

You wouldn't think that one simple hour would make a big difference in our lives one way or another. But apparently it does. Modern Daylight Savings Time was first adopted during the first world war as a way to conserve fuel.

The aim of DST was to save energy, reduce car accidents, allow for my retail shopping time and increase the amount of sunlight in the afternoons so people could enjoy their leisure time. Did it work? There are mixed views on that. Some say that accidents decrease (although not significantly) during DST. Others have shown that the first Monday after DST is a prime time for serious work related injuries. It seems that one hour does matter to our sleep cycles.

In the electronic age we live in it has the potential to really mess things up. It causes havoc with flights and other time-related activities. And then there are all those clocks to turn back. Most of us will have to break out a manuel or two to figure out how to change the clocks on some of our electronic gadgets.

Love it or hate it Daylight Savings Time seems to be here to stay. I hope you remembered to set your clock back this weekend.

Read more about DST on Wikipedia.

Embracing Silence Up for RT Award!

I just found out that my Ellora's Cave book Embracing Silence has been nominated for a 2010 RT Reviewer's Choice Award in the Small Press Erotic Romance/Fiction category. I'm absolutely thrilled.

Check out all the nominees at RT Book Reviews.

Remember, Remember the 5th of November

Remember, remember the Fifth of November,
The Gunpowder Treason and Plot,
I know of no reason
Why the Gunpowder Treason
Should ever be forgot....


Guy Fawkes Night is a commemoration of the failing of The Gunpowder Treason in England on November 5, 1605. At the time it had huge political and religious implications. Nowadays it's better known as Bonfire Night. Folks have huge community bonfires. Many people probably have no idea of the origin of the day. It's just an excuse to get together and have a great big bonfire and some fun.

Most countries don't celebrate the day, but there are pockets around the world, primarily in England, Australia and Canada where there will be community bonfires tonight. Stay safe and have fun!

It Was A Dark And Stormy Night

And so a new book begins...sort of. Anyone who knows the Peanut comics knows that Snoopy is trying to write the next Great American Novel. Now, I'm not trying to do that. I just want to write the best romance novel I can, one word at a time.

But you can learn a lot from Snoopy. Check out Snoopy's Guide to the Writing Life. It's a wonderful book on writing. It's funny, informative and puts life in perspective. Thirty famous writers give advice and tips in this book--Ray Bradbury, Danielle Steel and Sue Grafton to name a few.

Wake me up on Friday...

You ever have one of those weeks where you can't seem to get much done. That's me this week. I seem to be spending most of my time doing office work rather than writing. Maybe I'll take a nap. :)

November Newsletter Now Available!

The November issue of Awakening Desires—the Newsletter of Romance Author N.J. Walters— is now available.

Be sure to check out all the latest news, my husband’s popular column—Confessions of a Romance Author’s Husband, exciting contest news, this month’s Author Interview with Taylor Tryst, and more.

As well, some lucky newsletter subscriber wins a prize. All you have to do to be eligible to win is go to Awakening Desires Newsletter and join. While you’re there, you can check out back issues of the newsletter.