Happy New Year!

If you're going out to party tonight, stay safe and have fun!

May 2012 bring you all happiness, health and prosperity!

WELCOME TO 2012!

New Cover for Quinn's Quest

Check out my new cover for Quinn's Quest, the next book in the Legacy series, coming from Samhain Publishing on February 21st, 2012!

BLURB:

He can give her anything and everything she needs—except a future.

Legacy, Book 4

Kidnapped and held in a crazy doctor’s underground laboratory, Bethany Morris only manages to escape because Chrissten, one of her fellow abductees, creates an opportunity—by shifting into a werewolf.

Bethany’s desperate for help, but who’ll believe her story? The police? That’ll just buy her a one-way ticket to a padded room—because here’s the kicker: she’s discovered she’s a half-breed werewolf. Her only hope is to find Chrissten’s brother.

Quinn Lawton’s long, grinding search for his missing twin has turned up nothing…until Bethany rekindles his hope. Something else catches flame too—her heat cycle and a searing attraction branded with the word mate. Yet with so much blood on his hands, any future he might offer is already tainted beyond redemption.

Desperate for Quinn’s touch alone, Bethany has no choice but to take Quinn up on his offer to quell her terrifying need, no strings attached. And hope that as the search for Chrissten intensifies, the battle with their personal demons doesn’t destroy their razor-thin chance at forever.

CAPA Nomination

I'm thrilled to announce that The Romance Studio has nominated Legacy Found for a CAPA award in the Paranormal Romance category! Thank you to TRS for the nomination!

BLURB: Legacy Found

Legacy, Book 3

Shelley is a killer. Never mind that her “crime” freed her from thirty-five years of brutal captivity—the bounty hunters on her trail don’t care. For the first time in her life, she is on her own, free to put the past behind her and explore what it means to be a werewolf.

James Riley is dead tired. After a week untangling legal and financial affairs his brother’s death left behind, he’s feeling every ounce of his new responsibility as Wolf Creek pack alpha. He’s not too tired, though, to notice his sexy waitress is a werewolf—one that strangely doesn’t recognize him as one of her own kind.

After his questions rattle her composure and get her fired, Shelley figures the least James can do is drive her to the next town, but he wants more. He wants to take her home. And despite her fear, something inside her is irresistibly drawn to his commanding yet gentle presence.

James is willing to give Shelley all the time she needs to embrace her heritage, her sexuality, and eventually his love. But her past will not be denied...and her secrets demand a price paid in blood.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas filled with fun, friends, family and fabulous food!

Happy Solstice!

Today is the shortest day of the year. It's also the "official" first day of winter. From this day forward, the days will get a little longer.

"If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind." ~Percy Bysshe Shelley

So Happy Solstice to everyone!

Happy Hanukkah

I want to wish a Happy Hanukkah to everyone who is celebrating the holiday!

The Writer Before Christmas

With everything else going on this time of year, it can be tough for a writer to get anything done.
That's why a poem by author Valerie Parv made me smile. Check out The Writer Before Christmas at Valerie Parv's Blog!

One Week and Counting...

It's only one week until the big day!

I admit, I'm looking forward to the world shutting down for a few days. I plan to turn off the computer, spend time with my hubby and family, eat lots of great food and probably catch a movie or two.

I made some shortbread Christmas trees on Friday afternoon. Only iced here, but you could add candies and pipe icing for garland. I did that one year and they were awesome.

Hubby and I were at the grocery store Friday morning and saw these adorable mini poinsettia plants. I couldn't resist. It looks great on the kitchen table in my vintage '60s santa mug.

Favorite Christmas Movies

Throughout the entire month of December, my husband and I watch as many of our favorite and classic holiday movies as we can possibly cram in. Of course, it starts out slow, with maybe one a week early in the month, and becomes more like one-a-night as the calendar gets closer and closer to the 25th.

Same as with the music, the movies I enjoy tend to be the ones that say something positive about life or humanity because I don't believe you have to be harsh or cruel to get your point across. At Christmas time, I just like to feel good. My favorite ten movies and shows of the season are below. These are the ones I try to watch every year.

10. Little Women (The Winona Ryder version. It has such warmth and wisdom.)
"I'm so desolated."

9. Scrooged (Bill Murray)
"It's the one night of the year when we all act a little nicer."

8. A Christmas Carol (Alistair Sim)
"Humbug!"

7. How The Grinch Stole Christmas (The animated version. A mean one, but a great one.)
"You can't stop Christmas from coming!"

6. A Charlie Brown Christmas (I never get tired of watching the dust rise off of Pigpen when he sings or seeing that little, scrawny tree grow into a veritable forest.)
"Can somebody please tell me the true meaning of Christmas?"
"Sure, Charlie Brown."

5. It's A Wonderful Life (This one makes me cry, especially at the end.)
"To my big brother George, the richest man in town!"

4. A Muppet Family Christmas (Swedish Chef meets the Bird of his dreams!)
"Be careful of the icy patch!"

3. A Muppet Christmas Carol (Gonzo the Great plays Mist-uh Dickens himself)
"Darkness was cheap, and Scrooge liked it."

2. National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation (Not mean, just nutty.)
"That tree will never go in our yard, Dad."
"It's not going in our yard, Russ. It's going in our living room."

1. Scrooge (The Albert Finney version).
"You wish to remain anonymous, sir?"
"I wish to be left alone!"

What are some of your favorite holiday movies?

Contest Reminder!

CHRISTMAS QUICKIE CONTEST!


We're all so busy this time of year. There are halls to be decked, food to be prepared and presents to buy. Then there are all the social obligations, Christmas pageants and the like to schedule in. There's not much time for reading.


But there's always time for a Quickie. No, not that kind of quickie. (Although that's not a bad idea either.) But a quick read. Something you can pick up and read in one sitting while you're relaxing after a hard day of work or shopping.

I want to help you out this holiday season, so I'm giving away a free PDF download of one of my Ellora’s Cave Quickies each Friday between December 2nd and December 23rd. Just go to my website and click on the “Contests” page for details on how you can enter for a chance to win.

Winning names will be chosen at random and announced each Friday until December 23rd. That means there are TWO drawings left!

You only have to enter once to be in all the drawings!

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!

Guest Blogging at TRS Blue

I'm over at The Romance Studio Blue Blog today with an easy Christmas recipe. Be sure to check it out.

I'm also a Featured Author over at The Romance Studio Blue Pages for the month of December. Be sure to stop by and check out my interview.

Decking the Halls

Just wanted to share some of my holiday decorating with you. Here's a shot of the Christmas tree in the corner of the living room.

This is a closer shot showing some of the ornaments, which are all handmade or were gifts from family and friends. There are also vintage metal icicles (some of which I took from home when I left years ago and some I found at thrift stores).

Greenery around the archway between the kitchen and the living room. I made a bunch of those Care Bear ornaments about 25 years ago, gave some as presents and kept nine of them for myself.

Jessamyn's Christmas Gift and a Contest!

Looking for a quick holiday read? Check out my Ellora's Cave Quickie Jessamyn's Christmas Gift!

BLURB:

It's Christmas Eve and Jessamyn Parker waits by the fireside in her boyfriend's house. She expects him home any minute after being away for three months on business. Clad only in a slinky teddy and sprawled beneath the Christmas tree, she plans to surprise him. But instead of her boyfriend, a complete stranger surprises her.

Caleb Morgan is the new sheriff, and unbeknownst to her, he is also the new owner of the house. Jessamyn flees back to her own home, determined to forget not only her boyfriend's betrayal, but also the heated desire that Caleb has sparked within her.

While Jessamyn is shocked by his appearance, Caleb is enthralled by her. But Jessamyn has had more than enough of men. Now, one year later, it's Christmas time again, and Jessamyn is still swearing off men. But Caleb has other ideas. The only thing he wants for Christmas is the same thing he wanted last year and didn't quite get — Jessamyn Parker under his tree.

CHRISTMAS QUICKIE CONTEST!

We're all so busy this time of year. There are halls to be decked, food to be prepared and presents to buy. Then there are all the social obligations, Christmas pageants and the like to schedule in. There's not much time for reading.

But there's always time for a Quickie. No, not that kind of quickie. (Although that's not a bad idea either.) But a quick read. Something you can pick up and read in one sitting while you're relaxing after a hard day of work or shopping.

I want to help you out this holiday season, so I'm giving away a free PDF download of one of my Ellora’s Cave Quickies each Friday between December 2nd and December 23rd. Just go to my website and click on the “Contests” page for details on how you can enter for a chance to win.

Winning names will be chosen at random and announced each Friday.

You only have to enter once to be in all the drawings!

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!

The Perfect Gift is a Book

I'm over at Tilly Greene's The Perfect Gift is a Book Event talking about a book I think would make a wonderful Christmas Gift. This is a month-long promotion so be sure to comment on my post and other posts for a chance to win!

Week in Review

See the cat above...that was me yesterday afternoon. lol I'd planned to make a cherry cake but took a nap instead. Guess I was tired after the last week. It was a very exciting, productive week.

*Just signed a new contract with Ellora's Cave for the next Tapestries book!

* Finished and submitted a new book. Keeping fingers crossed editor will like it!

*Went to Muppet Movie--such fun!

* Have almost all my Christmas shopping finished.

*Hubby and I went out to holiday concert at local church on Friday evening. The trio we saw are a folk/traditional group and it was a lovely performance. Problem...no place to park downtown in the city. Ended up parking in a grocery store lot and walking down, down, down several long hills to the church. That was fine. It was having to go up, up, up when the concert was over. lol Felt like one long stairmaster. *g* Boy, was I sore the next morning, which goes to show just how out of shape I've gotten.

*Strung popcorn and cranberries on Wednesday for the tree.

*Had plumber in to fix the toilet on Friday...Hallaluah!

*Decked the halls and put up the tree on the weekend. Was finished and vacuuming when I realized the popcorn and cranberry strings were still in the bag I stored them in. lol Had to put them on top of the decorations. Doesn't look too bad. Will try to post a picture tomorrow.

I'm sure there is more, but that's the highlights of the past week. It was a wonderful one and I got a lot done. Hope you had a great week and hope this one is even better!

Featured Author--Taylor Tryst

This weekend, I'd like to feature Taylor Tryst's new book, Seduced by Blood. This is a fast-paced, intense, spicy hot vampire novel. It's the first in her Sangre series.

BLURB:

Nevada Ortiz was an up and coming Los Angeles Police Officer until a chance encounter with a would-be carjacker changes the course of her life. The six and a half foot assailant is dripping with weapons, his preternatural blue eyes drilling into hers, his bite changing everything. Her body’s reaction to his blood, a seduction within itself, goes hand and hand with raw, animalistic sex.

Nothing is as it seems and everything is in peril, including her life.

Gunner Slade is a vampire with secrets of his own, a soldier who can walk in the sun, a dose of Sangre allowing he and vampires like himself to blend in among humans, until he puts everything on the line for a woman he can no longer exist without.

Nevada is the first human with immunity to a vampire bite, and requires the blood of two vampires to sustain her.

Not in his nature to share, Gunner Slade might be immortal, but he’s living in hell just the same.

Check out all Taylor Tryst's Books on her website.

Please Vote for My Cover

The cover for my book A Touch of Magick is up for the Embrace The Shadows Best of the Best 2011 Clash of the Covers. If you feel so inclined, I'd love to have you vote for my cover. :)

December Newsletter is Now Available!

The December 2011/January 2012 issue of Awakening Desires—the Newsletter of Romance Author N.J. Walters—is now available.

Be sure to check out all the latest news, contests, my husband’s popular column—Confessions of a Romance Author’s Husband—an excerpt, and this month’s interview with the wonderful Gail Faulkner.

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

Christmas Quickie Contest!

We're all so busy this time of year. There are halls to be decked, food to be prepared and presents to buy. Then there are all the social obligations, Christmas pageants and the like to schedule in. There's not much time for reading.

But there's always time for a Quickie. No, not that kind of quickie. (Although that's not a bad idea either.) But a quick read. Something you can pick up and read in one sitting while you're relaxing after a hard day of work or shopping.

I want to help you out this holiday season, so I'm giving away a free PDF download of one of my Ellora’s Cave Quickies each Friday between December 2nd and December 23rd. Just go to my website and click on the “Contests” page for details on how you can enter for a chance to win.

Winning names will be chosen at random and announced each Friday.

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!

Chatting at Joyfully Reviewed

I'll be chatting at the Joyfully Reviewed Yahoo Chat Group on Wednesday, November 30th from Noon to 1pm EST. Please stop by and chat! I'll be giving away a free PDF download to some lucky chatter!

4 Blue Ribbons for Lady's Minstrel

Romance Junkies has given Lady's Minstrel 4 Blue Ribbons. Here is a snippet of what the reviewer has to say:

"LADY’S MINSTREL is one of those books that you can’t help but fall in love with. N.J. Walters does an exceptional job in creating two emotionally challenged characters. How she weaves each other back into one another’s lives is the tragedy triumph this reader craves. I highly recommend this book to any beauty and the beast fans!"

~4 Blue Ribbons, Suzie Housley

Read Entire Review

Cyber Monday

If you're stuffed after the Thanksgiving Weekend food fest, try shopping at home on your comptuer today instead of braving the stores. It's Cyber Monday folks! Have fun!

Sweet 'N Sexy Interview

Be sure to stop by and check out my interview at the Sweet 'N Sexy Divas Blog!

Black Friday!

The Friday after Thanksgiving is traditionally known as Black Friday. It unofficially kicks off the Christmas shopping season. It's the day where most retailers finally make it into the "black" and start turning a profit for the year. Retailers open their doors extremely early and offer crazy deals to lure people into their store so there will be plenty of bargains to get today!

If you're brave enough to venture out there today (and I'm certainly not) please stay safe and try to have fun!

Happy Thanksgiving Day!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL MY FRIENDS IN THE USA! I HOPE YOU ALL HAVE A SAFE AND HAPPY HOLIDAY WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS!

Holiday Lovin'

I'll be over at the Coffee Time Romance Erotic Chat Group from 7-8 EST tonight chatting about holiday books. Stop by to chat and you might win a free download. I'll be giving away a prize to some lucky chatter. See you then!

R.I.P Anne McCaffrey

The writing world has lost a giant. Ann McCaffrey has died at the age of 85, but she has left behind a legacy that will live forever. She was the first woman to win a Hugo Award and a Nebula Award, as well as a Grand Master of science fiction, and is best known for her Dragonriders of Pern series.

Happy Birthday!

Yesterday was my birthday and I spent it in the best way possible--with my husband. We went out for lunch and a movie, which is something we love to do. The best present I can get is time together and I cherish it.

I want to thank everyone who sent birthday wishes through my Yahoo groups, Facebook and to my email account. Thank you all so very much. You helped make the day extra special!

Week in Review

I meant to write this post yesterday, but that's the kind of week it's been. Actually, the past couple of weeks have been busy and they're only going to get worse. It's the time of year when there's a lot going on. You know what I mean.

I want to start my Christmas holidays on December 22nd, but I have two books to rewrite and submit before then. And, if I get time, I want to at least get the rough draft of a novella done. We'll see. Luckily, I finished the rough draft of one of the books this past Friday so it's time to start the rewrite this morning.

Hubby and I went out last Friday to see a local band, something we haven't done in a long time. The concert was wonderful, but when we stepped outside after the show there was snow on the ground. It was a huge change from the almost 60 degree Farenheit weather we'd had that morning. Thankfully, hubby had gone to the garage and had the snowtires put on the car the day before.

I worked on my Christmas cards yesterday and I'm still glittering and expect to glitter for a while yet. What can I say, I love glittery cards. Although in my defense, hubby chose the cards this year. But I loved them too.

Made a Christmas list so I know what I need to buy. My family doesn't go crazy with gifts and we tend to give giftcards and things that can be consumed (food, wine, chocolate, movie tickets, etc...) We all decided long ago we didn't need to worry about finding room for a bunch of stuff we didn't need after the holidays are over. It simplifies things and everyone is happy.

Time to get to work if I hope to have everything done in time for the holidays. Hope you have a most excellent Monday!

Check out Jason Baca

Wow, I just got a wonderful email from fabulous cover model Jason Baca, who many of you will recognize from the cover of my book Legacy Found. He's being featured in Scene Bay Area Magazine and they've featured my cover as well. I'm absolutely thrilled for both of us!

Go Jason!

Coffee Time Romance Contest Reminder!

I'm sponsoring a contest over at Coffee Time Romance during the month of November and I'm giving away a PDF download from my backlist as a prize. (Winner's choice.)

Be sure to stop by and check out my contest and all the fabulous contests and prizes being offered by other authors!

Time To Give Thanks

I'm over at The Romance Studio Blog talking about what I'm thankful for today. Stop by and check it out.

Lest We Forget...

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.

4 Stars for Love in Flames

Night Owl Romance Reviews gave Love in Flames 4 Stars! Here's a snippet of what the reviewer has to say:

"N.J. Walters delivers an emotional and endearing tale of lost love and second chances. Her characters are well drawn and the story is one that will end up haunting the reader long after the book is finished. The romance between Esther and Ryan is hot and sensual, and as Esther starts to face her fears readers will find themselves rooting for Esther and Ryan to find a way to conquer the past and restore their future."

~Valerie

Read Entire Review

Guy Fawkes Night

Remember remember the fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder, treason
Should ever be forgot...

Tonight is Guy Fawkes night. If you're having a community bonfire or one in your backyard, keep it safe and fun!

Coffee Time Romance Contest

I'm sponsoring a contest over at Coffee Time Romance during the month of November and I'm giving away a PDF download from my backlist as a prize. (Winner's choice.)

Be sure to stop by and check out my contest and all the fabulous contests and prizes being offered by other authors!

Over at RomConInc today!

I'm over at RomConInc Paranormal Blog today talking about werewolves. Be sure to stop by and check it out.

November Newsletter is HERE!

The November 2011 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—an excerpt, and this month’s interview with the wonderful Cindy Spencer Pape.

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

Happy Halloween!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! and

HAPPY SAMHAIN!

I hope you all have a safe and happy day!

Halloween Candy--What's your favorite?

It's the time of year for that all-important question--What is your favorite Halloween candy? For me, it's candy corn. No contest!

According to Wikipedia, Candy Corn was created in the 1880's by a man named George Renninger.

Some more facts:

~20 million pounds (over 9000 tons) of candy corn are sold annually.
~Each piece is approximately three times the size of a whole kernel from a ripe or dried ear.
~Candy corn pieces are traditionally cast in three colors: a broad yellow end, a tapered orange center, and a pointed white tip.

There are recipes online that tell you how you can make your own candy corn. Me, I'd rather just buy it. :)

What's your favorite Halloween Candy?

The Forbidden Bookshelf

I'm over at The Forbidden Bookshelf today helping them celebrate their month-long Para-Erotica event. I've offered a PDF download from my backlist as a prize so be sure to stop by and leave a comment!

Spookapalooza

SPOOKAPALOOZA is now on over at The Romance Studio. Between now and October 31st, authors will be posting blurbs and excerpts for some wonderful books for this time of year. There are also lots of prizes being given away. So check out TRS Spookapalooza and join in the Halloween fun!

Guest Blogging at Denise Agnew's Blog

I'm over at Denise Agnew's Blog today, helping her celebrate her Halloween Spooktacular! I'm talking about the paranormal in real life and in my writing. Be sure to stop by!

Love in Flames Available Today!

Love in Flames, the third and final book in the Spells, Secrets and Seductions trilogy, is available today from Samhain Publishing! Each book can be read as a stand-alone read, but they all are connected through three good friends--Esther, Rhiannon and Maggie--and a candle magick spell they cast one night.

BLURB:

A love to last a lifetime…or a dream turned to ash?

Spells, Secrets and Seductions, Book 3

When Esther goes along with her friend’s candle-magick spell, it’s not because she wants a lover. But a good old-fashioned one-night stand could be just what she needs to get her mind off Ryan Jameson. Having lost her father in the line of duty, she has no plans to lose her heart to a firefighter.

Not that Ryan doesn’t heat up her nightly dreams. Those erotic fantasies invariably end in deadly flames—a still-smoking echo of her ancestral namesake, whose wedding day ended in the fiery loss of her husband. A man whose dying breath was a promise to one day find his beloved.

All his life, Ryan’s dreams have taken him backward in time. As he matured, so did those dreams—erotic fantasies of a woman he loves but has yet to meet. Then he finds her in Burnt Cove. But she’s not only holding him at arm’s length, she refuses to acknowledge their time-proof bond.

On a magical Samhain night, undeniable desire is stronger than the walls around her heart. But time has one last test for them—one that will meld them into one, or drive them apart forever.


Product Warnings: This book contains a simple candle-magick spell, a hunky fireman, past lives, lost lovers and enough heat to start a bonfire.


Be sure to check out books 1 & 2--A Touch of Magick and Dreams of Seduction.