Dragon Heat by Allyson James

Lisa Singleton has an unusual roommate-a fifty-foot dragon named Caleb who has glittering scales and a bad attitude. Little does she know that Caleb is actually a powerful warrior sent to protect her from those out to steal her magic and destroy the world. Or that Caleb can take the human form of a sexy hunk. Now, if he doesn't stop distracting her with those gorgeous bedroom eyes, they may not have time to stop their enemies before all of existence is wiped out. At least Lisa and Caleb will have savored every last minute.

Available now from Berkley

Allyson James has penned one of the best dragon books I’ve ever read. Humorous, magical and downright sensual, Dragon’s Heat is an adventure you don’t want to miss.

As if having a dragon as a roommate isn’t odd enough, Lisa’s life is about to be turned upside down as she must accept the magic within her and use it to try and save the world. One can’t always tell who is the good guy and who is the bad, but there is no doubting that Caleb is there to protect Lisa. Through the streets of Chinatown in San Francisco and into the realm of dragons, Allyson James leads you on an adventure you won’t soon forget.

Thankfully, book two in her Dragon series, The Black Dragon, is due out in November from Berkley.

Book-A-Day Giveaway!

No Thursday Thirteen this week.

Thursday sort of snuck up on me this week as I've been busy with edits for my story "Sunshine for a Vampire" which will be featured in the Ellora's Cavemen: Seasons of Seduction III anthology due out in September!

I am one of the featured authors over at The Romance Studio's Book-a-day Giveaway today, so if you have a minute, drop by and check it out at http://www.theromancestudio.com/bad_form.php

Awakening Desires Newsletter!

Just a reminder that the August issue of my Awakening Desires Newsletter is now out!

If you haven't already signed up to receive it, you can just go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/awakeningdesires/

You can read this issue and past issues right from the yahoo group.

This month I've got all the latest news, an excerpt, the "Behind the Book" feature, as well as an interview with popular Samhain Publishing author Annmarie McKenna. As always, my hubby's popular column, "Confessions of a Romance Author's Husband" is there!

Each month, one lucky person in my newsletter group receives a prize. This month, Faith Shen has won a download from my backlist!

Be sure and drop by and check out my newsletter!

Quote of the Week!

"Whatever you think you can do, or believe you can do, begin it, because action has magic, grace and power in it." ~Goethe

What a powerful and true statement. Whenever you get in a funk, do something. Anything. It's like they say in physics--a body in motion, stays in motion. By taking an action, by doing something, you are pushing yourself forward. Even if it's only baby steps, it's further than you were yesterday, but not as far as you'll be tomorrow.

Have a fabulous Tuesday!

Monday, Monday!

The weekend was fabulous! Hot and sunny--perfect summer weather.

I went to bed last night perfectly fine and woke this morning with a cold sore. There should be a law against that. And it's right in the middle of my lip. *sigh*

I'm hopeful it won't last long.

Anyway, one of the things that occured to me this weekend was that sometimes it's great to be an adult. I know that it can be tough. After all, being an adult means you have to hold down a job, pay the rent/mortgage, do the laundry, clean the house, and a hundred other things.

But...

it also means that you do have control over your life. You can go to bed when you want, eat what you want and work where you want. And this weekend, I exercised my right as an adult and went to the local Dairy Queen and had a hot fudge sundae for supper last night. Rich, thick hot chocoate piled on soft-serve ice milk.

It was absolutely delicious.

There is something absolutely sinful about skipping a meal and replacing it with dessert. YUM

I highly recommend it!

Threat of Darkness by Lauren Dane

Threat of Darkness By Lauren Dane

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This book is a spinoff of the Witches Knot series, but can be read alone.

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Mei is a Warrior for the Balance. She stands between good and evil. So when her boss tells her she's got to head to Tir na nOg to help the Fae she is most displeased. Mei's mother Aine, the queen of the Fae, betrayed and exiled her millennia ago. Or so she's been led to believe.

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But Aine was misled by her own sister, and suddenly everything Mei has thought was true for thousands of years falls down around her ears as she looks up to see the face of her husband. Her first husband, a man she'd thought was dead.

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Jayce MacTavish is surprised to find that his wife, thought millennia dead, is alive, but his joy is tempered by the realization that she's got another mate.

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Mei, Card and Jayce must find a way to be together as three while a threat from the Dark Fae and a new enemy darkens the horizon.Publisher Note: This book contains brief scenes of male/male sexual enjoyment.

Now available from Ellora’s Cave at
http://www.ellorascave.com/productpage.asp?ISBN=9781419910517

This is Lauren Dane at her best—fantasy/adventure. Mei is a woman who has survived horrors most people can’t even begin to imagine and now her life is taking another unexpected twist. Revenge, love and war set the stage for this action-packed, erotic read.

Jayce MacTavish is one sexy warrior, but Card Leviathan is one in a million. Card is the kind of hero who doesn’t come along very often, but is so very memorable. There is nothing sexier than a fierce warrior who is in love and isn’t afraid to show the world that his mate comes first, foremost and always. Emotional and riveting.

You don’t have to have read any of the books in her Witches Knot series to enjoy this one, but check them out anyway. You won’t be disappointed.

Thursday Thirteen #15

Thirteen Inexpensive Things You Can Do To Pamper Yourself! 1. Buy a small bar of GOOD chocolate. Maybe you can't afford Godiva, but you can buy a Lindt bar or truffles for under $2. 2. Turn off your computer/TV/Cell phone, etc...and close your eyes for five minutes and just breathe. 3. Buy a new paperback book! 4. Spend the afternoon at an art gallery. 5. Browse the mall and treat yourself to lunch. 6. Take yourself to a movie. (If you go to a matinee it's usually cheaper.) 7. Draw a hot bath and soak for at least 20 minutes. 8. Go to the drugstore/department store and busy some travel/trial samples of products you've always wanted to try. 9. Take yourself to a coffee shop and treat yourself to a specialty coffee/tea/hot chocolate. Something you've never tried before. 10. Give yourself a facial. 11. Check out a lecture/course at the local university/college, etc... They have something for all different interests and budgets. Many lectures are free. 12. Take a walk--preferably in the park or somewhere away from traffic. 13. Buy a magazine you've never tried before--something that peaks your interest. Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Quote of the Week!

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." ~Lao Tzu

As a writer, I really relate to this quote. Every book begins with a single word. The trick is to keep writing another one, and another one. Before you know it, you've written a page. One page leads to two and so on.

That's the way to write a book...one word at a time.

Monday and Summer!

Good morning and welcome to Monday.

The month of July is slipping quickly away and I'm left wondering where the time went. The days are longer and there are holidays to be enjoyed. You'd think that the days would seem longer. Instead, it feels as if they are tumbling over one another, reaching for August.

I'd hoped to get a lot accomplished this month, but I'm revising my expectations. My goal was to have my WIP finished by the end of the month. That's not going to happen. So, I'll push my deadline ahead a few weeks and aim for that instead.

These are the long, hot days of summer, meant to be enjoyed by one and all. I plan to meander my way through the rest of the summer and not worry so much about work. Fall and winter will be here soon enough and I'll have plenty of time to stay inside and write.

In the meantime, the sun is shining and the day beckons. I think I'll head out and enjoy it.

Hope you enjoy your Monday and the rest of your summer too!

Thursday Thirteen #14

Thirteen Male Characters in my Books. Chosing the names for your characters is always challenging. Sometimes it's easy, sometimes it's hard. The trick is to find the perfect name to embody the male hero. Here are a few of mine: 1. Seth ("A Love Eternal" in the Ellora's Cavemen: Legendary Tails IV Anthology) He's the kind of guy who only needs one name. 2. Cain Benjamin (Katie's Art of Seduction.) 3. Arrik Varkas Drakon (Drakon's Treasure) 4. Liam Brannigan (Unmasking Kelly) 5. Stefan Dalakis (Stefan's Salvation) 6. Jarek and Marc of the House of Garen (Christina's Tapestry) 7. Tucker Martin (Heat Wave) 8. Lucas Squires (Craving Candy) 9. Abel Benjamin Garrett (Erin's Fancy) 10. Zane York (Eternal Brothers--Coming Soon) 11. Caleb Morgan (Jessamyn's Christmas Gift) 12. Gideon ("Shadows Stir" - Ellora's Cavemen: Dreams of the Oasis IV) 13. Zaren Bakra (Bakra Bride) Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Digging Deep!

"In its purest, most unadulterated form, play is the expression of who we are when we can let go of who we are trying to be."

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~Fran Sorin, Author of Digging Deep

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I don't have a garden. I don't even have a house. I live on the third floor of an apartment building and my balcony is bare of even the tinest flower. Why then, did I buy a a book about gardening?

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Digging Deep, Unearthing Your Creative Roots Through Gardening (2004 Warner Books) is much more than a book on how to garden. It is a book on the creative process.

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Chapter headings include: Imagining-The Sparks of Creativity, Envisioning-Giving Shape to Your Dreams, Planning-Laying Down the Bones, and so on.

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You can easily see that the stages of planning a garden are much the same as writing a book or knitting a sweater. It all depends dreaming, planning, excecuting, fine-tuning and enjoying the process.

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I plan to have a house and a garden someday, and I know that I will use this book for that purpose in the future. In the meantime, it is a reminder of the creative process and the creative spirit.

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It is available in paperback from Amazon.com but I found my copy at my local bookstore.

A Writer's Life

Writing is a solitary profession. Yes, you talk to other writers and work with editors, but essentially you're the one who has to put your butt in the chair and do the work.

You spend weeks or months on a project, pouring your heart and soul into it, revising it and polishing it, until it's ready to be sent to a publisher. Then the waiting begins.

For any new writer, the wait can be agonizing. Will they like it? Will they contract it? As any published author knows, the answer is NO most of the time.

Does that mean if you already have a publisher that you have an "in", that you will be accepted automatically? Only in your dreams. Published authors get manuscripts rejected all the time, sometimes even by their own publishers.

No matter if you've never been published, or if you've published a dozen or more books, it hurts. A writer puts everything in their work--blood, sweat, tears and emotions--leaving nothing on the table. To be told that it's not good enough hurts.

But what matters is the writing. If you hope to make it in this business, all you can do is pick yourself back up, sit in front of your computer and write.

After all, what's the alternative--not writing?

That's not acceptable. Not to a writer. We write because we have to, because the voices and stories in our head drive us too.

Rejection is par for the course in this business. We've all had our fair share and then some. The trick is to just pick yourself up and keep writing. There is always another story to be written and another publisher to try.

Vacation Pictures

Welcome to Monday!

I thought I'd post a few of my vacation pictures. Hope you enjoy them.

The sun setting over the water.

We walked on this sandy beach with our shoes off and splashed in the water. It was so cold! There are icebergs in the distance.

Me on the edge of the earth.

Me watching an iceberg in the distance. We saw several dozen of them, many close to shore.

Happy Friday The Thirteenth!

HappyFriday the Thirteenth!

I'm blogging about this very special day over at http://ladiesoftheclub.blogspot.com/ . So drop by and check it out!

Hope you all have a wonderful day!

Thursday Thirteen #13

Thirteen Gemstones and their Lore. Since the dawn of time, mankind has been fascinated with stones--their shapes and colors. Civilizations have long believed that they also have medicinal and spiritual properties. Whether you believe in this or not, we can all agree that gemstones have long drawn us to their beauty. Here are thirteen: 1. Amethyst—Violet colored quartz. Varies in color from deep violet to pale lavender. Lore: Helps you feel more centered and balanced emotionally. Calming. Good for meditation. 2. Clear Quartz—Clear. Able to reflect all the colors of the spectrum. Lore: Amplifies, stores, conducts and transmits energy. A healing stone good for balance and useful in meditation. 3. Citrine—A form of quartz, usually a pale, golden yellow, but can be darker. Lore: Energizing. Promotes motivation and physical activity. Useful in helping to harness and utilize creative energy. 4. Rose Quartz—Pink quartz. Also known as the heart stone. Lore: Deals with energy on an emotional level. Helps us to learn to love ourselves and be open to other people. 5. Moonstone—Cream to light brown in color. Lore: They have an ancient spiritual significance in their connection to the moon and the intuitive aspect of one’s nature. They relieve anxiety and help reduce the tendency to overreact emotionally. 6. Malachite—Light to dark green in color and often variegated. Lore: Guards against negativity, but use with caution as it can amplify negative qualities. The Egyptians used it for protection. 7. Bloodstone—Deep green in color with flecks of red. Lore: Good for circulation and purifying the blood. Also said to increase courage. Vital, life-giving energy. 8. Carnelian—Ranges in color from red to orange and brown. Lore: Very in tune with the energy of the earth and helps you feel anchored and comfortable in your surroundings. 9. Turquoise—Ranges in color from sky-blue to green-blue. Lore: Tunes into the energy of the person and transmits it back into the world. Useful healing stone. Beneficial for the entire body. 10. Tiger’s Eye—Various shades of light and dark brown quartz. Also known as Cat’s Eye. Lore: Grounding energy. Used in some cultures as a charm against evil spirits. 11. Pyrite—Mineralized crystal that forms in clusters of metalliclike cubes. Varies in shade from bright gold or brass to shades of copper or green. Also known as “fools gold”. Lore: Ability to aid mental capacity. Helps to balance creative and intuitive impulses with scientific and practical ones. 12. Obsidian—Black volcanic glass. Lore: Protects against negativity. Good for sensitive people. 13. Fluorite—Translucent and comes in shades of white, brown, blue, yellow, purple, and red. Lore: Aids in spiritual awakening. Known for its purifying and cleansing properties. Note: Check out Kevin Sullivan’s book The Crystal Handbook for more information. ISBN: 0-451-15491-6 (1987-Signet books) Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Woven Dreams is out TODAY!

Woven Dreams, Book 3 in theTapestries series, is releasing from Ellora's Cave TODAY!

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I'm very excited to bring readers back to the mythical land of Javara and the warriors who inhabit it. This is a fantasy/menage a trois and is available today at http://www.ellorascave.com/ .

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Blurb:

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In Javara, women are scarce and brothers must share a woman, although only one can claim her as a wife.

Scarred and maimed from a battle fought almost a year ago, Jarmon Bakra is afraid chances are slim that he and his twin brother, Garrik, will find a bride.

While on a hunting trip, the brothers stumble upon a woman in the forest claiming to be a tapestry bride. Now that fate has dropped a beautiful, courageous woman in their path, they will both use all their sexual skills separately and together to convince her to stay.

But Genny has secrets of her own and they have only three days to uncover the truth.

Me and Tapestry Dreams!

I know that Tapestry Dreams has been out for a couple weeks now, but I just got my author copies in the mail. It finally feels real to me!

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Tapestry Dreams contains CHRISTINA'S TAPESTRY and BAKRA BRIDE, books 1 & 2 of the Tapestries series.

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The Ellora's Cave Art Department did a new cover for this volume and it is just gorgeous! It combines the original covers of the two books, which are both incredible works of art. Syneca also did the cover art for Woven Dreams as well and that is one HOT cover! She is a cover goddess.

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It seems fitting that I got my copies of this book today as WOVEN DREAMS, book 3 in the Tapestries series releases in e-book from Ellora's Cave tomorrow!

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I'm in the mood to celebrate!

Kathleen E. Woodiwiss

I was saddened to hear that Kathleen E. Woodiwiss has lost her struggle with cancer and passed away this past Friday. The Romance industry has lost an icon.

When I first discovered her books in the 1980's, I devoured them all. My favorites are A Rose in Winter and The Wolf and The Dove. You can't talk to a romance reader without them having a favorite Woodiwiss book. We've all read them, and I'm sure that we all have some of them, if not all, on our "keeper" shelves.

Her work brought about the romance genre as we know it today. Her writing was astounding, vibrant and timeless, and those of us who have read one of her books have been forever changed. She set the standard for the rest of us and we can only hope to be a fraction as good as she was at her craft.

If you haven't read a Woodiwiss book, then go out and buy one. Her early work may seem a bit dated by today's standards, but you'll still fall in love with her characters and lose yourself in her words.

7/7/07

Today is an auspicious day. It is the 7th day of the 7th month of the year 2007.

For a world that prides itself on being logical and scientific, we are fascinated by numbers and their significance. Many couples are getting married today, hoping that the lucky #7 will give them a leg up on a lasting and happy marriage--or if nothing else, that the groom will never forget their anniversary.

Where do the connotations for the #7 come from?

No one knows for sure, although the number is mentioned in the bible, as well as other significant texts. It's all just speculation.

The number itself is open, crisp and clean, not curved like the numbers 6 or 8.

7--it just looks good and feels right. It is the first single number that won't fit on a single die.

Just how much does the number permeate our society?

When we are happy, we say we are in 7th heaven. There are movies--Snowwhite and the 7 Dwarfs and Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. We believe that the 7th son of the 7th son (or 7th daughter or the 7th daugther) has mystical or psychic powers. Casinos make them the winning numbers on slot machines.

Now, there are many other numbers that have significance, but none considered as lucky as the #7. And to have 3 in a row like today, 7/7/07, is a once in a millenium event. Will the couples getting married today be luckier than the rest of us? Only time will tell.

In the meantime, check out the LIVE EARTH concerts from around the world today. If we get really lucky, maybe this will be the beginning of the end of global warming.

One can always hope.

Have a great day!

Witch Fire by Anya Bast

Blurb:

Mira Hoskins doesn’t know she’s a natural born witch who possesses the rare--and powerful--element of air. She also never expected to find herself tied to a mahogany bed frame, captive to a man who aches to fulfill her every desire and let loose the magick that dwells inside her…

Heat emanates from elemental fire witch Jack McAllister. The Coven, a governing authority of witches, has sent him to protect Mira from a band of warlocks who drain witches of power… and life. Long ago, he saw Mira’s parents murdered by this same dark magick. He’d like to quell his guilt and offer her everything she deserves. But she’s the long-lost cousin of his boss--making seduction off-limits.

With Jack’s strong guidance, Mira is luring forth her inner magick. But his sense of duty is quickly swelling into insatiable hunger. They warned him about the natural attraction between air and fire. Now he risks being consumed by the woman he shouldn’t want--but can’t stay away from …

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I had 10 days away from home and didn't manage to read one book. Since I've returned from the short trip to my sister's and the family wedding, I went to the bookstore and treated myself to a few new books! Of course, the name on this book caught my attention--many of you know Anya Bast from Ellora's Cave--but it was the gorgeous cover and the blurb which hooked me. And the book certainly lived up to my expectations!

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Witch Fire is the first book in Anya Bast's Elemental Witches series. If you enjoy paranormal romance, this is one book you'll definitely want to check out. It's original, action-packed, and sexy. I can't wait for the next book in the series--Witch Blood.

Thrusday Thirteen #12

Thirteen Random Things I Love 1. The feel of sand against my feet as I walk on the beach. 2. Soft serve ice-cream with hard chocolate coating. 3. The feel of fresh sheets against my skin. 4. The smell of fresh cut grass. 5. Fall colors and the smell of an autumn wind. 6. Browsing the bookstore. 7. Laughing with my husband. 8. A hot bath with a fluffy bath towel. (The towel is for after the bath *g*) 9. The smell and taste of fresh muffins, cookies or pie. 10. Fresh cut flowers. 11. Dark chocolate. (Plain with no nuts) 12. Candles. (Naturally scented, not perfumed) 13. Iced tea on a hot summer's day. Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Happy 4th of July!

Hope you all have a happy and safe holiday with family and friends!

Celebrate!

Romance Junkies Interview!

Check out my interview with Romance Junkies at http://www.romancejunkiesreviews.com/artman/publish/interviewarticles/NL_Walters_8170.shtml

Vacations and Weddings!

I'm back!

I made it through the 5 day vacation and the family wedding. LOL The vacation was a blast, and the wedding was fun, although it took me until the day before I had to leave to find something to put on my feet.

Went for groceries this morning as the cupboards and the refrigerator were bare, and I have to make an attempt to clean the place at some point today. My newsletter is going out later today--a day late, but I can be forgiven this time as I didn't get back in town until yesterday.

I will have some pictures to share in a day or so.

It's been almost 2 weeks since I've written anything. Scary! This afternoon, I need to read what I was working on and try and remember where I wanted to go with it. It will be good to get back to work in ernest tomorrow morning.

Vacations are fun, but I'm a homebody and I miss being at home. I'm settling in for a long summer that should hopefully be productive and fun at the same time.

Happy Canda Day and New Blog!

Happy Canada Day to all the Canadians out there!

Hope you all have a wonderful day filled with family, food and fun. :-)

You can also check out the new Ladies of the Club blog (of which I'm a part) at http://www.ladiesoftheclub.blogspot.com . It's up and running and should be a lot of fun.

Contest--No Thursday Thirteeen!

Sorry, no Thursday Thirteen today. I just got back in town and am heading out again tomorrow to a family wedding. I've spent all day trying to find a darn pair of shoes. I finally settled for a cheap pair of sandals because I had to have something to put on my feet. LOL

I'll be back next week with another Thursday Thirteen!

In the meantime, I have a new contest up and running on my website. I'm giving away a download copy of my upcoming Ellora's Cave release, Woven Dreams, to some lucky reader. Just go to my website at http://www.njwalters.com and click on my contest page for details.

Have a great weekend and I'll see you on Monday!

Tapestry Dreams in PRINT!

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Tapestry Dreams is now in print!

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This volume contains Christina's Tapestry and Bakra Bride, books 1 & 2 in the Tapestries series.

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I'm absolutely thrilled with the cover that Syneca did for this print book. She combined the best of the two individual covers and made one spectacular one!

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You can check it out at http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=220125291328

On Vacation!

Hey, everyone!

I'm gone on a short vacation and will be home again in about a week!

See you when I get back!

Thursday Thirteen #11

I'm posting this early because I'll be busy tomorrow getting ready to go on my five-day mini-vacation.

Thirteen Movies I Want to See, or Have Already Seen, This Summer! I read on a blog, I think it was last week, that many folks would rather stay home and rent a movie than go to the theatre. I enjoy staying at home as much as the next person, but for me part of enjoying summer is the Summer movies. Hubby and I love to go to the matinees, snuggle up and enjoy! 1. Spider-Man 3--Seen it. It was okay--not as good as the first two-- a bit long) 2. Shrek the Third--Again, it wasn't nearly as good as the first two in the series, IMO. And I also thought that some of the topics were a bit much for some smaller children. 3. Pirates of the Carribean--Fantastic! Do yourself a favor and wait through the 10 minutes of credits at the end so you can see the extra scene. I had to go back the second time to see it! 4. Waitress--It didn't come here, so it's definitely one for home video. It looks quirky and positively delightful. 5. Ocean's Thirteen--Felt like I'd seen it all before. 6. Live Free or Die Hard--John McClane is back! Hopefully this one will capture the spirit of the first two in this series. 7. Ratatouille--Animated pic that looks hilarious. A rat as a French chef is just too fun to pass up. 8. Evan Almighty--I wasn't going to go see this one at first, but the promos look hilarious, and I did enjoy Bruce Almighty. 9. Star Dust--Interesting cast and promo. Who knows, could be fun. 10. Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer--Should have stayed home. 11. Harry Potter and The Order of The Phoenix--I've seen all the other ones, so I might as well see this one. :-) 12. License To Wed--Because Robin Williams is usually worth the price of admission. 13. The Bourne Ultimatum--Matt Damon makes a great action hero and I really enjoyed the first two in this series. Other possibilities: Sicko, I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry, The Simpsons Movie, Transformers, Rescue Dawn Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

The Hunt for Shoes!

I've got a wedding to attend in less than two weeks and no shoes to wear. And I literally mean, no shoes!

I hate shoe shopping. In fact, the only pair of shoes I own are a pair of black ones that I wear to funerals and other occasions. But I can't wear black shoes for a summer wedding. I have a beige skirt that I bought to wear, so I'm searching for a pair of brown or beige flats--preferably something a little dressy.

I was all over the place yesterday in search of shoes! Any time I found a pair I liked, they weren't in my size. It's discouraging.

I will keep searching, but my options are limited.

Maybe I'll start a new trend and go to the wedding barefoot. *g* That's probably better than wearing my sneakers or boots!

Manic Monday!

Good morning and welcome to Monday!

It was actually Manic Sunday more than it will be manic Monday. Yesterday, I finished the final re-writes on my WIP (including adding an entirely new section), wrote the blurb, and sent it off to my editor.

Now the waiting begins.

In the meantime, I'm tinkering with an idea for my next book. No decisions yet, but I am working. Other than that, I have to start getting ready for my short vacation. I'm heading to my sister's this coming Friday and I have a bunch of things I need to get done before then.

Plus, I have to find a pair of shoes before I go. I have a wedding to attend almost as soon as I get back and I have no shoes. At this rate, I'll be going in my bare feet. The only shoes I've found that I've liked they haven't had them in my size. But I haven't given up hope yet. I'll let you know how it goes.

Hope you all have a great weekend and are ready to face another week!

Wild, Wild, West!

Check out the cover of the July/August COMPLETE WOMAN magazine, especially the bottom right-hand corner.

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In this month's issue you'll find an excerpt from Charlene Teglia's upcoming book WILD, WILD, WEST.

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I, for one, am looking forward to the release of this book on August 7th from St. Martin's Press, and can't wait to read it.

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Congratulations, Charlene! You're on the cover with Jessica Alba. :-)

New Cover!

Look what I got!

This is the new cover for my upcoming Ellora's Cave release, WOVEN DREAMS. This is book 3 of the Tapestries series and will be releasing on July 11th!

As always, Syneca and the EC Art Department have done an incredible job.

What a great way to start a weekend!

Thursday Thirteen #10

Thirteen Things I Love About Summer! 1. It’s actually hot! 2. Soft serve ice cream cones *yum* 3. Barbeque—everything tastes better barbequed! 4. Baseball—watching it on television on those long hot summer nights 5. Sunshine—you can never have too much. 6. Longer days—more time to do things you enjoy. 7. Flowers—buttercups, daisies, pansies, lupines… 8. Long walks—much nicer in the summer than in the dead of winter *shiver* 9. You don’t have to bundle up every time you leave the house. 10. Sitting out on the patio reading a good book. 11. Vacation! *Woohoo* 12. All the fresh local fruit and vegetables at the grocery store. 13. Did I mention that it’s actually HOT! Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Marketing With Mandy Interview!

This month author Mandy Roth is spotlighting various publishers and the authors that write for them. Last week she focused on Samhain Publishing. This week it's Ellora's Cave.

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I'm participating this week, and if you want to check out an interview with me, it will be up on Wednesday, June 13th. Just go to http://www.mandyroth.com/blog/ .

Weekend Reading--Lauren Dane's Two Latest Books!

I had a chance to check out two of Lauren Dane's new releases this past weekend. One is Ascension, her latest Ellora's Cave book, which was released last week. The second one is Making Chase, her upcoming Samhain Publishing book.

Anyone who has read this blog knows I'm a big Lauren Dane fan, so it goes without saying that I had a very enjoyable weekend curled up with these two wonderful books!


Making Chase by Lauren Dane

Book Four In the Chase Brothers Series.

Tate Murphy is a girl from the wrong side of the tracks. She grew up a million miles away from the easy life Matt Chase has had. She’s spent her life pulling herself and her siblings up and out of that trailer by the railroad tracks and she hasn’t looked back. Matt Chase is a dream of a guy and she’s certainly not going to turn down a short fling with one of the most handsome men she’s ever seen!

Matt Chase has watched each one of his brothers find love and he knows he’s ready for that too. It’s all a matter of finding the woman who captures his heart. He’s certainly sampled his fair share of them but none has moved him the way Tate Murphy does when he goes to her shop to thank her for some cookies and a thank you note.

But as Matt gets to know Tate and appreciate her strength and unique beauty, he also realizes she’s got some big self esteem issues about her past. To build a future, he’s got to find a way past some big road blocks.

Warning, this title contains the following: explicit sex, graphic language, some violence.

This is the final book in the Chase brother series and I think that Lauren Dane left the best for last. Don't get me wrong, I loved the other books in this series, but there is something very special about Tate and Matt's story. There is a connection between them that is so sweet and so very special.

The author has woven her magic once again creating a town that you'd like to live in and filling it with folks you'd like to be friends with. Her secondary characters sparkle and although this is the last book in the Chase series, I wouldn't mind seeing what happens with some of the unattached Murphy clan!

If you haven't read this series then you're missing something wonderful. Check them out. They're a great summer read!

Making Chase is available Tuesday, June 12th from Samahin Publishing!

Ascension By Lauren Dane

Kari's simple life is tossed upside down. She's hospitalized after a dog attacks her, her doctor kidnaps her, and now a totally crazy man is telling her that not only is he a werewolf but so is she. And not just any werewolf but the queen!

She soon finds out Andreas is telling the truth. Being a werewolf isn't so bad when your husband stands well over six feet, is hotter than a movie star and richer than one too. It doesn't hurt that he adores and spoils her, and the wicked-hot sex is icing on the cake. What girl doesn't like cake?

But someone in the Cherchez Pack keeps trying to kill her. Kari is happy belonging to a big family for the first time in her life and she's not going to let one wolf with an axe to grind ruin that. Andreas, Kari and the wolves in the Inner Circle unite to end the threat and find the killer. It's kill or be killed and Kari intends to do the killing.

Reader Note: This book features an explicit encounter between two males and a ménage scene.

Ascension is the first book in Lauren Dane’s new Cherchez Pack series and is very different from her Cascadia Wolves werewolf series. Once again, Ms. Dane delivers a sizzling story with action, suspense and characters you grow to love. Kari is a strong woman—she has to be to face what she does. But she has Andreas by her side every step of the way, and that’s not a bad thing. *g* The secondary characters are incredibly well-drawn, but never take over the book. There is just enough to leave you wanting more.

What can I say? If you enjoy werewolf books, then you need to read this one. If you’re not already a fan of Ms. Dane’s, you soon will be. I can’t wait for the next book in this series.

Guest Blogger!

I was a guest blogger over at the Samhain Publishing blog yesterday. With the Thursday Thirteen going on, I didn't announce it.

If you have a few minutes, you can stop by http://samhainpublishing.com/blog/ and check out my post "A Room Of One's Own."

Thursday Thirteen #9

A week or so ago, I noticed someone listing author pseudonyms.I decided to go back in time and bring you some oldies, but goodies. Thirteen Author Pseudonyms You Might Not Know! I'll list the authors name first and then the pen names. 1. Sandra Brown--Laura Jordan, Erin St. Claire and Rachel Ryan. 2. Barbara Delinsky--Bonnie Drake and Billie Douglass. 3. Dorothy Garlock--Johanna Phillips and Dorothy Phillips. 4. Suzanne Guntrum--Suzanne Simmons and Suzanne Simms. 5. Eleanor Hibbert--Victoria Holt, Jean Plaidy and Phillipa Carr. 6. Tom Huff--Jennifer Wilde, Beatrice Parker and Edwina Marlow. 7. Jack Pearl--Stephanie Blake. 8. Fayrene Preston--Jaelyn Conlee. 9. Carla Neggers--Amalia James. 10. Candace Camp--Kristin James, Lisa Gregory and Sharon Stephens. 11. Tom and Sharon Curtis--Robin James and Laura London. 12. Rosemary Rogers--Marina Mayson. 13. And last, but not least, one of my favorite authors...Jayne Ann Krentz! Writing as Jayne Castle, Jayne Bentley, Jayne Roberts, Jayne Taylor, Stephanie James, and Amanda Quick. (Also possibly Amanda Glass, but I'm not 100% sure on that one.) Except for the Amanda Glass/Amanda Quick pseudonyms, the rest were drawn from a book entitled Love Lines by Rosemary Guiley published in 1983 by Facts on File, Inc. Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Writer's Wednesday

There are a few interesting blogs to check out if you're a writer or a reader.

Mandy Roth is doing a series on Marketing for the month of June. This week she's featuring Samhain Publishing. She's talking about the company as a whole, but there are also fabulous author interviews as well. Check it out at http://www.mandyroth.com/blog/ .

Next week she's featuring Ellora's Cave!

Pillow Talk by Michelle Pillow will hopefully remain a regular Tuesday feature on her blog. She's pulled interesting on-line news and contest information together in one spot for easy access. Check it out at http://michellepillow.com/authorblog/ .

Recommended Read for Three Swords, One Heart!

Fallen Angel Reviews has given THREE SWORDS, ONE HEART a 5 Angel review and a Recommended Read!

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Here's a snippet of what reviewer, Dana P, had to say:

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"I loved Three Swords, One Heart; N.J. Walters has written a story that captured me from the first page...this one is definitely a keeper."

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Thank you Dana P and Fallen Angel Reviews!

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To read the entire review go to http://www.fallenangelreviews.com

Samhain and Kensington NEWS!

Samhain Publishing and Kensington have joined forces to create a new imprint (like Brava or Zebra).

Kensington will be publishing a Samhain imprint of one to two books a month. The books will be both trade paperbacks and mass markets. Samhain will be responsible for the acquiring and editing of the books and Kensington will print, market and distribute the books.

Things are looking up for Crissy Brashear and Samhain Publishing. Congratulations!

This is such exciting news!

SUMMER FUN CONTEST!

Summer heat means spending time at the beach, the cottage or just curling up on the hammock in your own backyard. It also means you'll need some HOT summer reading.

During the first three weeks of JUNE, I'll be hosting a SUMMER FUN CONTEST and I'll be giving away 3 PRIZE PACKS! Tote bags, print books, bookmarks and EC-RT playing cards are all up for grabs.

For more details and information on how to enter just go to my website at http://www.njwalters.com and click on the contest page.

Check out the prize packs below!



FIRST PLACE PRIZE




















SECOND PLACE PRIZE!



















THIRD PLACE PRIZE!

Thursday Thirteen #8

Thirteen Magazines I've Read and Enjoyed! 1. Romantic Times (Every month) 2. Oprah (About four times a year) 3. Natural Health (When I can find it in the local bookstores) 4. Body and Soul (Every month) 5. Sage Woman (Several times) 6. Family Circle (Christmas issue) 7. Women’s Day (Christmas issue) 8. Writer’s Digest (On occasion) 9. Artist’s Sketchbook (Someone gave me a copy once.) 10. Complete Woman (Some great ideas in this magazine. LOL) 11. Realms of Fantasy (I had an ad in it!) 12. Positive Thinking (I think that’s the name. It’s a digest type magazine that I read several times. Very inspiring.) 13. Playboy (Yes, I read the articles. LOL At least some of them. They have some fascinating interviews as well.) What are your favorite magazines? Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Writer's Wednesday--Shapeshifters!

What is it that so attracts us to shapeshifters?

Wolves, panthers, dragons, bears and more. They all fascinate us. Or at least they fascinate me, and if the number of shapeshifter books on the shelf at the local bookstore and available on-line are any indication, I'm not the only one.

Romance is filled with alpha males, but shapeshifters offer us that and much more. They are not constrained by the laws of "civilization". That doesn't mean they don't have a moral code of their own. They do and it's usually quite strict, but it is different from the norm. With shapeshifters the law of the jungle reigns supreme!

Tough, exciting and dangerous, we are drawn to these alpha males. These men are often loners who exist outside of society. Or if they are part of a larger community, then that community is usually under some kind of threat from encroaching humans or another evil force. Either way, we can't resist them.

Many times they'll hide their better qualities under a gruff exterior, but the heroine knows just how to reach him. And that's one of the reasons we love the shapeshifter--macho male animal that he is, he's protective and loving once he's claimed a female as his own. And woe the person who keeps them apart or threatens his mate.

There is something exciting about that.

I dabbled with a shapeshifter in Drakon's Treasure and I absolutely loved doing it. The boundaries get pushed aside and you get a chance to discover the man beneath the beast. I definitely plan to do it again!

What do you think about shapeshifters? Do you have a favorite?

Michelle Pillow's Scavenger Hunt!

Only a few more days to enter the Scavenger Hunt! Check it out if you haven't already entered. There are tons of fabulous prizes being given away, including a download from my backlist!

Memorial Day

Today is Memorial Day in the United States. It is a day to remember and reflect.

To all of you marking today, I hope you spend time with your family and friends. Relax, have a barbeque and enjoy the day off from work.

To the rest of you, welcome to Monday!

PIRATES!

Okay, I'll admit that last week's movie (see Feature Friday from May 18th) was a disappointment. But this week, there were PIRATES!

If you are a fan of the first two movies in the Pirates of the Carribean series then AT WORLD'S END is a MUST SEE!

This was a fabulous movie from start to finish. It had everything a fan would want from the third movie in this series. Everyone was back for this one, along with a few new characters. Action, excitement, amazing special effects, and more. All the actors gave amazing performances. I won't say much because I wouldn't want to spoil the experience for anyone.

Go! Grab a friend, spouse, a significant other, or just head out on your own. Get your drink and your popcorn (or in my case M & M's), sit back and enjoy almost three hours of adventure on the high seas! It's well worth the price of admission.

I plan to go see it again in a month or so.

Thursday Thirteen #7

Thirteen First Lines from My Books! I saw another author do this and I thought it would be fun! Here are thirteen first lines from my books: 1. A vampire walked into a bar. (Stefan’s Salvation) 2. “I heard you were hot.” (Annabelle Lee) 3. “Men Suck.” (Christina’s Tapestry) 4. I must be out of my mind. (Jessamyn’s Christmas Gift) 5. “I hate Valentine’s Day,” Anastasia Style muttered as she contemplated the wisdom of kicking the flat tire she was glaring at. (Anastasia’s Style) 6. Run! (Lucian’s Delight) 7. He was early. (A Love Eternal—Ellora’s Cavemen: Legendary Tails IV) 8. It was the screams that woke him. (Craving Candy) 9. Erin Connors ran her index finger over the glossy magazine cover with the scantily clad cover model and underlined the article, “Seven Sex Positions That Will Drive You Both Wild!” (Erin’s Fancy) 10. “Don’t just stand there, man, push!” (Discovering Dani) 11. “This can’t be happening,” Johanna Harker muttered to herself as she limped off the gravel path to lean against a tree. (Harker’s Journey) 12. “So, will you marry me?” (The Way Home) 13. He sat in his massive chair at the head of the table. (Shadows Stir—Dreams of the Oasis Volume IV) Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Writer's Wednesday

Today I'm doing that thing that some authors love and others hate--editing!

Sometimes edits can be fairly straightforward and other times they can be very complex. This time it's the latter. But as the aim is to make the book even better, I'm more than ready to start.

So after spending yesterday doing additional research, I'm headed into the edits cave to work on an upcoming Ellora's Cave book. I'll be peeking out occassionally to check on you all. Hopefully this won't take more than a few days. :-)

Have a great Wednesday!

Only Human!

Blurb:

Workaholic Elaine Llewellyn’s enforced vacation leaves her at far too loose an end for her peace of mind. With all that time on her hands, memories and longings she’s been repressing threaten to break free. Her solution? Distract herself by playing tourist on a just-busy-enough road trip through Maine.

A storm and a blocked road send her to an unscheduled stop at Damon Thorne’s private retreat. Instead of the B&B she’s expecting, the man who’s world famous for his surreal paintings of psychic visions has been expecting her and all of her careful plans are washed away with the rain.

Trapped in the house while the storm rages outside, Damon sets out to break through Elaine’s barriers, physical, mental and emotional. When the storm ends, she’ll have to make a choice: go back to the life of denial she’s been living, or come to terms with her own psychic gifts, her passionate nature, and the second chance at love she’s been offered.

Releasing tomorrow from Ellora's Cave, ONLY HUMAN is the latest release from author, Charlene Teglia, and I have to say that it's another winner! The gothic undertones caught me from the first page and I kept reading until I'd read the final word.

A touch of the paranormal, mixed with intrigue, mystery, and passion, makes this book a fantastic read. The reader follows Elaine on her journey, which leads her to the one man who can understand her.

I highly recommend that you pop on over to Ellora's Cave tomorrow at http://www.ellorascave.com and check out Charlene's new book!

Manic Monday!

Good morning everyone and welcome to Monday!

It's been the usual busy Monday so far. I've done all the usual housework--vacuuming, dusting, cleaning the bathroom, etc...and I've also managed to write eleven pages on my WIP and work on my June newsletter.

I needed to catch up after this weekend. I did nothing!

Well, not nothing. I spent time with my husband and my brother, who I haven't seen in quite a while. I read a book...which I'll tell you all about tomorrow. *g* But the big excitement of the weekend was that I convinced hubby to buy a laptop!

Yes, after years of talking himself out of it, I convinced him that he needed one. I have my own desktop computer, but I don't want a laptop. I like to sit in my little corner and write. He, on the other hand, doesn't want to be chained to his desk when he works. Now, he doesn't have to be.

He's thrilled with it and is having a great time figuring out how everything works. Me, I'm technologically challenged and don't want to touch the darn thing until he has it all set up and things run exactly as I'm used to. LOL

Hope you all had a great weekend and have an even better week!

Feature Friday!

This is the day when I usually talk about the latest movie I've seen or book I've read. Today I'd planned to talk about the new Shrek movie.

But...

I just got back from the theatre and I think I'm going to leave it up to all of you. Maybe in a few weeks, after most everyone who wants to has seen it, I'll comment. For now, I'll let you all go and decide for yourselves.

The M & M's were delicious, as always, and spending a couple hours in the dark next to my hubby is never a hardship.

Enjoy the movies!

Raven Vampire Nightclub Readers' Bash

No Thursday Thirteen this week.

This afternoon, I'm over at Mandy Roth's and Michelle Pillow's Raven Vampire Nightclub Readers bash along with a bunch of other authors. There will be fabulous excerpts to enjoy and prizes to win.

So, if you've got a few minutes, pop on over to
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/The_Raven_Vampire_Nightclub/ and check out the action!

Writer's Wednesday

Lots of writerly news today!

I just signed a new contract with Ellora's Cave for Book 5 of the Awakening Desires series. For all of you who have been asking, that's Jackson's story! YAY! I'm very excited about this book!

Yesterday, I started a new project. I'm heading back to Summersville, home of Annabelle Lee and Heat Wave. This time it's Lily's turn. Lily was introduced in Heat Wave and I've been thinking about her for quite a while now.

This story should be more of a short, sexy romp. I've had enough long, serious books lately. LOL I need a change.

Manic Monday on Tuesday!

Okay, you already know it's going to be one of those weeks when you have to write the Manic Monday post on Tuesday. LOL

Actually, I was shopping with my mother yesterday. She was in town looking for a dress for a summer wedding. Shopping is exhausting...unless it's at a bookstore of course. She didn't find a dress and I came home and slept for two hours. I'm not kidding. I'm not fond of shopping...unless it's a bookstore. Did I mention that. *g*

I've had a few days off now, which I've enjoyed, and it's time to start my next book. I've been thinking about it for a few days now. We'll see how that goes.

Hope all of you are off to a good start this week. Have a great Tuesday!

Two Sighted and Family Jewels

I've read two books in the past week, so I thought I'd share them with you. They are both HOT reads, but very different in tone and subject matter.

Two Sighted by Annmarie McKenna

Even with her shaky past, Aislinn can’t help but to secretly want Kyle. When she witnesses his death in a vision, how can she tell him without giving away her secret or her lust?

Aislinn Campbell is a clairvoyant, the latest in a long line of first-born daughters to the previous first-born daughter. All of them have fiery red hair and a second sight. Hiding from her ex in the presence of a sexy ex-military millionaire seems the safest way to start over. Until she “sees” his death.

Kyle Turner III has been keeping a close eye on Aislinn. There’s nothing he doesn’t know about his personal assistant, including her secret and ugly past. He also wants her in his bed more than his next breath. When he receives an anonymous warning that something might happen at his annual Fourth of July bash, he doesn’t take it lightly. He knows exactly who sent the warning and he knows she’s being watched by her bastard of an ex.

After he’s injured in an accident, Kyle isn’t about to leave Aislinn unprotected for a second. He coaxes her into more than just tending to his wounds. Because making Aislinn believe in him and her together far outweighs anything her ex can dish out.

This book may only be a novella, but it packs quite a punch. Kyle and Aislinn come together quickly when she is threatened by her ex-husband. Author Annmarie McKenna has packed a lot of emotion and steamy love scenes into this shorter work. Fans of her books won't be disappointed! I'm hoping there will be a sequel!

Available at http://samhainpublishing.com/romance/two-sighted



Family Jewels By Rita Sable

Jewelry designer Cynthia Lyons knows what she wants from her career and she doesn't mind working long hours to get it. What she doesn't know is how to find a man who won't interfere with her goals. Is it too much to want a lover who can also satisfy her darker, more passionate side?

Interpol agent Trevor St. James has given up any hope for a long-term relationship. Driven by his thirst for adventure and excitement, he travels the world hunting down stolen gems and precious icons. It's a job he's very good at, so why doesn't it satisfy him anymore?

After one of her customers disappears, Cynthia is left with a rare five-carat white diamond. Torn from its rightful owners during the Nazi invasion of Russia, the diamond has kept a big secret for more than sixty years. But someone knows the secret this gem hides and they'll stop at nothing to have it. She's running for her life straight into Trevor's arms, only to find that the diamond isn't the only thing that blazes with white-hot fire. Trevor can keep her alive. But Cynthia's got to trust him first…with her life and her body.

Ellora's Cave newcomer, Rita Sable, packs a punch with her first book! Action, intrique and suspense fill every page of this novel. The passion heats up between Cyn and Trevor as they are learn to trust one another while they elude the people who want the knowledge that only Cyn has. This is one wild ride of a book!

Available at http://www.ellorascave.com/productpage.asp?ISBN=9781419909009

I Got Tagged...

by Nicole Austin yesterday, so here goes!

8 Things people don't know about me:

1. I make the bed as soon as I roll out of bed in the morning. I can't stand an unmade bed.

2. My hubby and I will be married for 20 years this summer, but when people ask us how long we've been together, they don't believe us because we still love to spend all our time together and hold hands when we're out walking or shopping.

3. I love the beach!

4. I used to collect antique Halloween postcards and have a small collection framed and hanging in my hallway.

5. I love learning, but I hated school even though I was a straight A student.

6. I don't like crowds. I'm actually a very solitary person.

7. I enjoy going to movie matinees with my hubby.

8. I won't forward chain letters or tag people for blogs. LOL

Here are the rules according to whomever likes to makeup rules :1. Each player starts with eight random facts/habits about themselves.2. People who are tagged need to write their own blog about their eight things and post these rules.3. At the end of your blog, you need to choose eight people to get tagged and list their names.4. Don’t forget to leave them a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

Thursday Thirteen #6

Thirteen Reasons Why I Like Being a Writer! 1. I don't have to take the bus to work. 2. I can sleep in if I want to. 3. I can go to work in my pajamas 4. I get to be creative and use my imagination. 5. Did I mention I get paid to daydream! 6. The satisfaction of creating something from nothing. 7. I can take a day off whenever I want to. 8. I can skip work to go to a movie matinee. 9. Because of my writing career, I've gotten more computer skills than I ever thought possible. I even have a website, newsletter and a blog. That still blows my mind. :-) 10. I've met tons of wonderful people. 11. Jotting ideas on restaurant napkins is considered working! 12. I actually love going to work every day! 13. Actually having something that I wrote be published into a book that people will read. It doesn't get any better than that. Links to other Thursday Thirteens!

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Writer's Wednesday

Two of the most exciting things about being a writer are when you submit a book to an editor for possible publication and when you publish a book. Today, I've done both!

I finished my current WIP, did three rounds of rewrites, wrote a blurb and synopsis, and this morning, I submitted it to my publisher. It's exciting and nerve-wracking. Now I have to wait to see what my editor thinks of it. I love the feel of finishing a project and knowing that I'm ready to send it out there. Exhilarating!

If that wasn't enough, I have a book releasing from my other publisher today. THREE SWORDS, ONE HEART is now available over at Ellora's Cave publishing- http://www.ellorascave.com
if you want to check it out.

Seems like I've been waiting for this book to come out for forever. I finished the original draft of it over a year ago. That's the thing about the writing business--it's all hurry up and wait. LOL Now that it's been released, I'm wondering what people are going to think of it. Will they like it? That's a question every author asks even if they never say it out loud.

This is my 18th release with Ellora's Cave and each book launch is as exciting as the very first one. I don't think that will ever change.

So tonight I'll celebrate. Maybe I'll even take a few days off. But as sure as I'm sitting here, sometime in the next few days, I'll be starting to think about my next project. In fact, I've already had a few ideas...

Three Swords, One Heart!

Tomorrow, May 9th, my latest Ellora's Cave book, Three Swords, One Heart is being released!

I'm thrilled to be a part of the Torrid Tarot series and my book features the tarot card the Three of Swords!

Blurb:

Malik and Kalis are cursed to forever wander the world, searching for the one woman who can break the curse that has plagued their family for seven generations. An ancestor angered a sorceress with his greed and evil intentions and, since that time, in each generation of their family the firstborn are always twin boys who each bear the mark of the curse.

The woman destined to break the curse is a warrior woman, adept at hunting and battle—a woman who will give herself and her love freely to both men.

Upon the death of her father, Zarina is cast out of her desert tribe. Raised more as a male than female, she is more at home wielding a blade than tending a home. But she is a fighter, determined to survive.

When their paths collide, both men know they have found the right woman, but Zarina is mistrustful. Do they want her simply because they believe she can break the curse or does their attraction go deeper than that? But fate will not be denied and the three wounded souls must face their destiny together.

Manic Monday!

Monday sucks!

But in a good way. *g* I finally got a vacuum cleaner.

Today has been spent vacuuming, dusting and cleaning. Ah, the romantic life of a writer. Besides, housework, I've been working on my blurb and synopsis for my latest WIP. It is in the hands of my reader now and I hope to have it back in the next day or so to make the final changes on it before submitting it to my editor.

After that, I may actually take a break for a day or two before I contemplate my next project.

I also have a new book releasing from Ellora's Cave this week. I'm so excited about THREE SWORDS, ONE HEART. This book is part of the Torrid Tarot series that EC is releasing and features the tarot card the Three of Swords. More about that tomorrow!

Hope you all have a wonderful week!

I know I will, if only because Monday sucks! *g*

Feature Friday!

Today hubby and I went to the movies. Like most folks who were at the theatre, we were there to see SPIDERMAN 3!

While I felt the movie could have been a bit shorter, I did enjoy it. The special effects are phenomenal and something to see on the big screen.

I also enjoyed the humor in this one, especially since it was a very dark storyline. All in all, I recommend it. It may not be the best of the three--each viewer will have to pick their favorite--it's a heck of a lot of fun on a Friday afternoon.

So grab your popcorn, or in our case, M & M's and enjoy. It's the start of the summer blockbuster season and this year that means sequels!

Only two weeks until Shrek 3!

Thursday Thirteen #5

Thirteen Movies on my shelf! 1. Pirates of the Carribean (1 & 2) 2. The Mummy 3. Phantom of the Opera 4. Dracula 5. The Crow 6. The Legend of Sleepy Hollow 7. Lost Boys 8. Underworld (1 & 2) 9. V for Vendetta 10. Nosferatu (That old black and white movie still scares the heck out of me) 11. Terminator (1 & 2) 12. Frequency 13. The Matrix Definite theme here. LOL Links to other Thursday Thirteens! Get the Thursday Thirteen code here! The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted! View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

May Newsletter is here!

Happy May 1st!

I hope you're all having a wonderful day. The 8th issue of the Awakening Desires Newsletter is now out!

This month's issue contains a ton of news and contest information, as well as an interview with EC and Samhain author, Lauren Dane!

There is the usual "Feature Book", as well as an excerpt. And, as always, my hubby is there with the final word in his column, "Confessions of a Romance Author's Husband."

If your not a member of my yahoo newsletter group, you can join by going to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/awakeningdesires/

You can read the May issue and past newsletters directly from the yahoo site. If you mark your membership as "individual mail" next month's issue will be delivered straight to your in-box.

Congratulations to Neztep, this month's newsletter winner. Neztep has won a free download from my backlist!