Edits, Edits and House Keys, Oh My!

The past few days have been interesting, to say the least.

I received edits last Thursday night, so I dug in right away. These edits are for my longest book to date (109K) so I knew it was going to be a big job. Friday morning, I get Final Line Edits from my other publishing company. I have until Monday to get it all done because my sister is coming to visit.

At the crack of dawn on Friday morning, I'm at my computer working away. Just after eleven, I push away from my desk, groaning because I'm so stiff from sitting. I decided that I want to walk to the mall for lunch. I figured the fresh air and the walk would clear the cobwebs from my brain and loosen the stiff muscles. Plus, I could grab a bite for lunch and get back to work as soon as I got home.

Hubby and I set off. It's a fifteen minute walk, and we're there quickly. We have a wonderful lunch and hubby decides he's going to take himself to a movie, which is fine by me. I'm going to be working all afternoon.

I walk home at a brisk pace, eager to get back to work. At this point, I should mention that the apartment building where I live just got the security doors fixed after about six years of being broken. I get to the door of my apartment building, open my purse...NO KEYS!

That's impossible. I always have my keys. ALWAYS.

Now, you'd think I could just buzz the building superintendent and have him let me in my apartment. Did I mention that they fixed the front door of the building, but they didn't bother with the intercom system yet. The front door is locked but you can't buzz anyone from the porch. Plus, the superintendent who has worked there for 35 years quit and left the week before. I don't even know who is in charge at the moment.

So, I turn around and head back to the mall and the movie theatre. Luckily, hubby and I go to so many movies they know us there. The guy on the door tells me what theatre my hubby is in and lets me go in. The movie has started and it's one of those dark suspense films. I COULDN'T SEE A HAND IN FRONT OF MY FACE.

But hubby and I are predicatable and always sit in the same seats. I stumble into the theatre and slide into the chair next to my hubby, almost upending his drink in the process. He's shocked to say the least.

I get out my sorry tale, get his keys and stumble back out of the theatre and head home. By this time I'm sweating because it's a warm sunny day and I've made this stupid walk several times. But thankfully I get home with no further troubles and settle in to work. For some unknown reason, my keys are sitting on top of the stereo speaker in the living room. Go figure!

In spite of the drama, I finished the first round of edits on the really long book and the Final Line Edits for the other book. It's now Monday morning, and my sister should be here sometime this afternoon. All I have to do now is clean house! So, I'm off to scrub the toilet, dust, vacuum, and swiffer the place.

Hope you all have a wonderful Monday!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING to all the Canadians out there!

To everyone in the USA, have a wonderful Columbus Day holiday.

Contests!

The Eternal Brothers Sneak Peek Contest is now up and running on my website. I’m giving way two great prizes, so you have two chances to win. Go to my website and click on the “contests” page for details!

I’m also one of the participating authors in the Raven Halloween Scavenger Hunt! There are tons of prizes to be won. Click on the link on my website for details on how you can enter and be a part of the Halloween fun! Or go to The Raven Happy Hour.

Thursday Thirteen #21

Thirteen Books on the 100th most challenged books list from 1990-2000 as compiled by The American Library Association! In honor of Banned Book Week, I wanted to highlight just a small few of the most challenged books! 1. Harry Potter (Series) by J.K. Rowling 2. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger 3. The Color Purple by Alice Walker 4. Earth's Children (Series) by Jean M. Auel 5. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle 6. Go Ask Alice by Anonymous 7. The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood 8. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee 9. Beloved by Toni Morrison 10. The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton 11. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley 12. Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut 13. Carrie by Stephen King And as a bonus--The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain 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!

Because this is Banned Book Week, I thought it would be appropriate to have a couple of quotes which speak to this issue.

"Restriction on free thought and free speech is the most dangerous of all subversions. It is the one un-American act that could most easily defeat us."~William O. Douglas

"We all know that books burn, yet we have the greater knowledge that books cannot be killed by fire. People die, but books never die."~Franklin D. Roosevelt

Something to think about!

Pick up a book and read today! It's a democratic right that not everyone has.

NEWSLETTER IS NOW AVAILABLE!

The October issue of the Awakening Desires Newsletter is now available. If you're not already a member of the group, you can still join and read the October newsletter, as well as past issues.

This months issue contains all the latest news and contest information, as well as an excerpt and all the usual features. Check out October's interview with the talented, award-winning author Jaci Burton.

*Please Note: The November issue of the Awakening Desires Newsletter will be releasing a day early on October 31 in honor of the release of Eternal Brothers, book 4: Dalakis Passion vampire series. Some lucky newsletter subscriber will win a signed print copy of Dalakis Embrace, which includes Harker's Journey and Lucian's Delight, Books 1 & 2 of the Dalakis Passion series.*

As always, for more information on any of my books, check out my website .

Banned Book Week!

The week from September 29–October 6, 2007 is Banned Book Week!

As a writer, there is nothing more near and dear to my heart than the freedom to write and to read what I choose. I may not like every book out there, but I do believe in the freedom to choose.

Observed since 1982, Banned Books Week celebrates the freedom to read. The annual event reminds Americans, and others, not to take this precious freedom for granted.

Banned Books Week (BBW) celebrates the freedom to choose or the freedom to express one’s opinion even if that opinion might be considered unorthodox or unpopular and stresses the importance of ensuring the availability of those unorthodox or unpopular viewpoints to all who wish to read them. After all, intellectual freedom can exist only where these two essential conditions are met. As the Intellectual Freedom Manual (ALA, 7th edition) states:

“Intellectual freedom can exist only where two essential conditions are met: first, that all individuals have the right to hold any belief on any subject and to convey their ideas in any form they deem appropriate; and second, that society makes an equal commitment to the right of unrestricted access to information and ideas regardless of the communication medium used, the content of the work, and the viewpoints of both the author and receiver of information. Freedom to express oneself through a chosen mode of communication, including the Internet, becomes virtually meaningless if access to that information is not protected. Intellectual freedom implies a circle, and that circle is broken if either freedom of expression or access to ideas is stifled.”

Check out everything about Banned Books Week and be sure and raise your voice to stop the banning of books everywhere!

Reading Between The Lines by Lauren Dane

Reading Between The Lines
By Lauren Dane

Publication Date: October 2, 2007

The end of a curse is the beginning of a magical love.

Celtic language expert Haley O’Brian is thrilled when she gets the chance to translate a scroll written in Ogham, an ancient Celtic text used in magic and divination. While translating the text, she unwittingly frees Conall macCormac’s Fae soul from a millennia-old curse that kept him imprisoned in a human body, lifetime after lifetime.

The end of the curse is just the beginning of the magic for Haley and the ridiculously sexy Conall. He takes her into the world of his people, the Daoine Sidhe, where she begins to learn of her own Fae heritage, carve out a new path for herself, and embrace her new-found power.

But their happiness is marred by Ninane, the jealous Fae who cursed Conall a thousand years ago. She will stop at nothing to have him for her own, including the murder of Haley’s family.

Determined to bring Ninane to justice, Haley must ask Conall to undergo the ultimate test of love—to stand aside and let her fight her own battles.

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Warning, this title contains the following: hot monkey love between people with pointy ears, graphic language, violence.

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When Haley breaks the curse surrounding Conall both their lives change forever. She discovers that much of her life has been kept secret from her, and she must come to grips with who she really is and grab a hold of her destiny. As she and Conall battle a foe unlike anything she’s ever come up against before, they must also find a way to forge a new life together.

Magic and emotion combines with riveting action to create a fantastic tale. There is a villain to really hate and a hero and heroine worth cheering for. Lauren Dane excels at this kind of story. Do yourself a favor and have plenty of time set aside when you begin this book, because you’re not going to want to stop reading once you start.

You can purchase this book starting on October 2nd from Samhain Publishing.

Thursday Thirteen #20

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Thirteen Reasons I Love Autumn!

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1. The cool, crisp days.

2. The changing colors of the leaves.

3. The pumpkins are ripening and turning up in the grocery store.

4. It's almost Halloween!

5. Thanksgiving isn't too far away.

6. The movies in the theatre are better.

7. You don't need an excuse to make soup.

8. It's time to put the flannel sheets on the bed.

9. The produce at the grocery store is fresh and colorful.

10. You can curl up with a blanket on a cool day and read a book.

11. It's time to break out the hot chocolate.

12. The days are getting shorter, but I always feel energized in the fall.

13. This is the best holiday season of the year. I mentioned Halloween and Thanksgiving, but Christmas isn't too far away either. :-)

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

Pillow Talk--N.J. Interview

Good morning and welcome to Tuesday!

If you have time, stop on over to Michelle Pillow's Blog and check out the interview she did with me for her Tuesday feature "Pillow Talk."

It's a fun interview that will give you some information on my upcoming Ellora's Cave book, Eternal Brothers, which is due out on October 31st!

Welcome to Autumn!

Good morning and welcome to autumn!

It's offically fall, which is my absolute favorite time of the year. I hope you all got out and enjoyed yourself yesterday.

It was a very busy and exciting weekend with the release of the Seasons of Seduction III anthology over at Ellora's Cave. The "Sunshine for a Vampire Sneak Peek contest" concluded over on my website. Congratulations to Kelly Ahrens who won a download copy of the anthology!

Keep an eye on my website as I'll have a new contest, with some special prizes, up on my website around OCTOBER 1st!

Vampires Reviewed!

The Ellora's Cavemen: Seasons of Seduction III anthology is now available from Ellora’s Cave Publishing in both e-book and print!

Lisa Freeman from The Romance Studio gave the anthology 4 1/2 Hearts. About my story "Sunshine for a Vampire" Ms. Freeman says:

"This author never fails to deliver an excellent story that touches your heart while heating your body!"

Blogging, Blogging Everywhere!

Good morning! I'm guest blogging at a couple of different places today. Check out my blog post on HISTORICAL FACTS AND FICTION over at the Ladies of the Club Blog .



I'm also over at Michelle Pillow's Blog today for FRIVOLOUS FRIDAY. I'll be blogging about Moon Gardens in honor of my story "Sunshine for a Vampire" in the upcoming Seasons of Seduction III anthology which releases from Ellora's Cave this coming Sunday, September 23.

Miladyinsanity is also featuring the Seasons of Seduction III anthology on her website, along with excerpts from the stories.

And if that wasn't enough, Kate Davies is featuring the Seasons of Seduction III anthology today in her BIN (Buy it now) Feature. Check it out!

Quote of the Week!

I've got two quotes this week, both of which perfectly describe the writing process!

It is perfectly okay to write garbage--as long as you edit brilliantly.
- C. J. Cherryh

Half my life is an act of revision.
- John Irving

Thank heavens for the revision process. This is the part of the process where a book turns from something good (or even not so good) into something absolutely wonderful and special!

Eternal Brothers--Dalakis Passion: Book 4

Just look at the gorgeous cover I just got for my upcoming Ellora's Cave release, Eternal Brothers! Syneca had outdone herself this time. I LOVE this cover!

Eternal Brothers is book 4 of the Dalakis Passion series and features the mysterious Zane York, as well as former cop, Sam Cassidy. Check out the blurb on my website for a few more details. :-)

Monday, Monday!

Welcome to another Monday. It was shocked to look at the calendar today and realize that September was already half over. Autumn is offically here in less than a week. Which of course means that the Ellora's Cavemen: Seasons of Sedcution III anthology is almost here.

The anthology, which features my story "Sunshine for a Vampire", along with fabulous stories from Lacey Alexander, Cathryn Fox, Renee Luke, Charlene Teglia and Kate Willoughby is being released this coming Sunday, September 23rd!

If you'd like a chance to win a download copy before it releases, just go to my website at http://www.njwalters.com and click on the contest page for details.

*Please note: Read the right excerpt! And you must be 18 years of age or older to enter this contest*

International Chocolate Day!

Yesterday was International Chocolate Day!

I’m a day late, but I still want to celebrate. Whether you like Hershey, Cadbury, Godiva, Ghirardelli, or Lindt, not many of us will deny the love affair we have with chocolate. The good news is that dark chocolate, my personal favorite, contains antioxidants and iron, which are both good for us.

So go out and treat yourself to a piece of good chocolate today. You’ll be glad you did!

Some interesting facts about chocolate:

*In 1849 during the “Gold Rush” of San Francisco, Dominbro Ghirardelli of Italy began making chocolate. His original factory still stands at Ghirardelli Square in San Francisco, CA.

*In 1875, Milk Chocolate was introduced. After over eight (8) years of experimentation, Daniel Peter of Switzerland created this concoction. He sold his creation to his neighbor, Henri Nestle, and thus Nestle Chocolate came into being.

*In 1879, Rodolphe Lindt, the founder of Lindt Chocolates, invented the process of “Conching” which is used to refine chocolate thus enhancing it’s quality.

*In 1896, the recipe for chocolate brownies, an American snack food staple, was introduced in the Fannie Farmer Cookbook.

*In 1907, the iconic Milk Chocolate Hershey's Kisses were introduced. They are one of the most successful chocolates and Hershey produces approximately 20-25 million per day in a variety of flavors.

*In 1939, Nestle introduced Chocolate Chips.

*Americans eat an average of twenty two (22) pounds of candy each year, or approximately 2.8 BILLION pounds annually, split almost equally between candy and chocolate. That is far less than most Europeans consume.

*The American palette prefers milk chocolate, approximately ninety two (92) percent, but dark chocolate's popularity is growing rapidly.

*American chocolate manufacturers use about 1.5 billion pounds of milk only surpassed by the cheese and ice cream industries. They also consume approximately 3,500,000 pounds of whole milk.

*Chocolate manufacturers currently use forty (40) % of the world's almonds and twenty (20) % of the world's peanuts.

*As of 2006, consumers spent more than $7,000,000 a year on chocolate related products.

http://www.candyfavorites.com/shop/chocolate-trivia.php

Unmasking Kelly goes to Pocket Anthology

I'm so excited!

I just got the news that my Ellora's Cave Quickie, Unmasking Kelly, is going to be part of the new EC/Pocket Book anthology series.

The Anthology, entitiled No Work, More Play, will be released on January 8th, 2008!

The three books in the upcoming anthology are:
Unmasking Kelly by N.J. Walters, Velvet Strokes by Susie Charles, and Edible Delights by Jan Springer. I'm honored to be in the anthology with these ladies.

More details as they become available.

Tagged by TJ--Meme

I was tagged by TJ Michaels to do this little Meme. I don't mind this one, because it's short. LOL

Total Number of Books I Own?

Not as many as you’d think. I own about 1000 books. I made several major moves over the years and had to dump about 90% of my books both times. Plus, I worked at a bookstore for years, so I read a lot of books that I didn’t have to buy.

Last Book I Bought:

Immortals: The Gathering by Jennifer Ashley. The final book in a four book series. I picked it up at the bookstore today. This is an awesome series. If you like paranormals, The Imortals series is a must!

Last Book I Read:

Fire and Rain by Lauren Dane. I really love Lauren’s werewolves!

Five Books That Mean A Lot To Me:

This is not an easy one.

1. God on a Harley by Joan Brady. This is a wonderful little book of fiction that really speaks to me on a spiritual level.

2. The Gift of a Year by Mira Kirshenbaum. This book inspired me to actually take a year off work. That time kick-started my writing career and changed my life.

3. Anything by Louisa May Alcott. The woman is not just writing stories for children. She wrote stories that speak to who we really are as people and she did it incredibly well.

4. A Gift from the Sea by Ann Morrow Lindbergh. As relevant now as it was when it was written in 1955.

5. I’m going to cheat and say the books on my keeper shelf. All those wonderful romances that have made me laugh and cry and sigh.

Five folks I’m gonna tag. How about Nicole Austin, Charlene Teglia, and anyone else who wants to do it. :-)

Quote of the Week!

"Do not travel far to other dusty lands, forsaking your own sitting place; if you cannot find the truth where you are, you will never find it." ~Dogen

I like this quote because it is a quiet reminder that whatever we need to understand ourselves and our lives is at our fingertips at any moment if only we take the time to look.

Have a great Tuesday!

Fire and Rain by Lauren Dane

Fire and Rain By Lauren Dane
Sequel to Ascension.

BLURB:

Rain is a waitress by day, but when not at The Black Cat she's working hard to make her art career take off. Her paintings are the center of her life until Laurent walks into her café. Suddenly she's dealing with a very alpha male pursuing her and the not-so-very-tiny detail that he happens to be a werewolf.

Laurent Cole has been the Third in command in the Cherchez Wolf Pack for decades. His life is simple, good — but he knows he's missing something, and when he claps eyes on Rain, he knows what it is.

But their coming together is complicated by the past Rain has worked so hard to keep a secret. Laurent isn't about to let anyone do his mate any harm. But the world becomes more complicated every day…

Available now from Ellora’s Cave Publishing .

Lauren Dane is well-known for her paranormal books. She has a wonderful eye for details and creates believable worlds and characters. This is the second book in her Cherchez Wolf Pack series and it lives up to Ascension, the first book in the series.

Passionate and emotional, FIRE AND RAIN is a story that will tug on your heartstrings and heat up your passions. When it comes to writing about werewolves, Lauren Dane is one of the best!

Thursday Thirteen #19

Thirteen Movies I'd like to see this Fall! 1. Shoot "Em Up! (It just looks like fun!) 2. 3:10 to Yuma! (A Western with Russell Crowe and Christian Bale. Need I say more?) 3. Across The Universe. (This looks like it's going to be amazing.) 4. Silk. (I'm a sucker for historical movies.) 5. The Mission. 6. The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. 7. The Brave One. (Jodi Foster looking for vengeance.) 8. Eastern Promises. (Viggo Mortensen. Enough said.) 9. Elizabeth: The Golden Age. (This movie looks awesome!) 10. 30 Days of Night. (I can't resist an interesting vampire flick.) 11. We Own The Night. (Joaquin Phoenix, Mark Wahlberg and Robert Duvall. Should be good.) 12. Martian Child. (Looks quirky.) 13. August Rush. That takes me to about the end of October. LOL There is still a lot more that I want to see in November and December. Hubby and I love to go to the movies. What movie are you looking forward to? 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

Butterfly!

When hubby and I were on our walk this past holiday Monday, we came across this butterfly on the path.








What was really cool was when he climbed onto my hand. You can see him perched right on the ends of my fingers in this pictures. We took a bunch more pictures, but our camera doesn't take good closeups and they came out blurry.

Quote of the Week!

"No day is so bad that it can't be made better with a nap." ~Carrie Snow.

I have no idea who Carrie Snow is, but I found this quote in the Sarah Ban Brathnach book, Romancing The Ordinary. It's good advice.

And that's what I did yesterday. Not that yesterday was bad or anything. In fact, it was quite good. Hubby and I started the day with a nice long walk...I'll have a couple pictures tomorrow. After that, we just hung out together for the rest of the day. We took a nap, watched the ballgame and had a fabulous supper. It wasn't an overly exciting day, but a wonderfully relaxing one.

Hope all of you enjoyed your Labor Day weekend, and found time to relax, or maybe even take a nap.

Awakening Desires Newsletter!

Just a reminder that the September issue of the Awakening Desires Newsletter is now available.

This months issue contains all the latest news and contest information, as well as an excerpt and all the usual features. Also, the amazing award-winning author Michelle Pillow stopped by to chat.

As always, for more information on any of my books, check out my website .

Happy Labor Day Weekend!

Welcome to the last long weekend of the summer!

I'm still in the edits cave, but am hoping to escape later today. I'll be taking the weekend off after I'm done.

I hate to see summer ending, but I do love the fall. It's my absolute favorite time of year. Hope you enjoy your holiday weekend. Do something special to make it memorable!

Thursday Thirteen #18

Thirteen Things You Need To Know About The EDITS CAVE I'm in the Edits Cave at the moment working on edits for my next book for Samhain Publishing. Authors, here's what you need to remember when you're heading into the edits cave. (If you have any other tips, feel free to share.) Readers, here's a look inside the glamorous world of writing. :-) 1. You need plenty of dark chocolate (or snack of your choice). 2. You can be in there a short time or a long time, depending on the length of the book and the amount of edits to be done. 3. It’s lonely in the edits cave. 4. Being in the edits cave is a good thing. It means your book is closer to a release date. 5. Remember to stand up and move around occasionally, otherwise when you finally stand up you won’t be able to walk without hunching over. 6. Wear comfortable clothing. You’re going to be there a while. 7. Remember to drink plenty of water. 8. Rotate your wrists occasionally so you don’t get “mouse” wrist, which is really stiffness and slight pain in your wrist. 9. Put your dictionary and thesaurus within easy reach. You will use them both—frequently. 10. Remember to take bathroom breaks. Don’t keep telling yourself that you will go just as soon as you finish this section, chapter, etc… 11. Don’t try and do it all in one sitting, even if there aren’t that many edits. 12. Take frequent breaks. If you’re tired, you may rush and make mistakes. 13. Did I mention that lots of dark chocolate is a must! 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

Earth Girls Aren't Easy by Charlene Teglia

Blurb:

Earth girls aren’t easy,” the hunky stranger from another planet tells Angie when she puts the brakes on their erotic encounter. But what else can she do when she finds out just how far out of town he’s from?

Danek had two reasons to visit planet Earth. One was straightforward—deliver a package for the woman his lord commander had whisked away without stopping to ask if she had any unfinished business to wrap up first. The other was more complicated, continuing his search for his bondmate among the women of that world.

The package errand led him to Angela Robbins, where Danek discovers two things. First, that he’s found his bondmate, the woman whose psychic wavelength matches his and who has the latent psychic ability to receive his telepathic thoughts. And second, that convincing her of this will take all his considerable seductive skill along with new heights of ingenuity. He might be alien, but Danek’s all male and determined to win his woman with pleasure that’s out of this world!

Angela Robbins is minding her own business, working her day job at the coffee shop, when she discovers that a hunky blond customer is much more than he appears. What happens next is an amazingly funny and sexy ride that you won’t want to miss. Humor and sex hot, combined with great characters and snappy dialogue, makes this book a winner.

Earth Girl’s Aren’t Easy is the latest Ellora’s Cave release from author Charlene Teglia. As always, this author delivers a book worth reading more than once!

Earth Girl’s Aren’t Easy is available August 29th from Ellora’s Cave Publishing

*This book is connected to I Was An Alien’s Love Slave, which is part of the Ellora’s Cavemen: Seasons of Seduction III anthology due out on September 23rd. Both stories can be read as stand-alones, but you’ll want to read both*

Quote of the Week!

"Do not look at the faults of others or what others have done or not done; observe what you yourself have done or not done." ~ Buddha

Whether we like it or not, this quote rings true. Whenever I get annoyed or angry at something someone has done, I stop and ask myself why it makes me feel that way. We control our own actions and thoughts, not other people. It's up to us how we react to something.

Sometimes we're so busy picking apart other peoples supposed faults we forget to shine the mirror on ourself. It's always illuminating to have a really good look at yourself. Sometimes we're doing the exact same annoying thing that is making us angry.

Have a great Tuesday!

Halloween?

Is it just me or are the stores pushing the holidays even closer together.

I was out shopping on the weekend and several stores already have Halloween decorations out on the shelves. I mean, the kids aren't even back to school yet--at least, not all of them are.

I love the holidays as much as the next person--probably more--but even I am taken aback at how early the stores are starting to push the holiday paraphenalia. I worked in retail for about 20 years so I understand all about marketing, etc... But I think that the retailers are pushing their luck. Instead of inticing people to buy, I think they may be starting to have the opposite effect. By placing the holiday goods out so early, many people are sick of the holiday before it even arrives.

What do you think?

I expect to see the Christmas decorations any day now. Oh wait! The drugstore was selling off last years cards and wrapping paper last week. It seems Christmas has arrived--in August!

I want to savor and enjoy each holiday as it comes. That means starting a few weeks in advance and working up to the actual day. I'm looking forward to Halloween, but not until after the first of October. :-)

Margarita Day by Nicole Austin and TK Winters

BLURB:

Recipe for Margarita Day: Take one shy woman, toss in three determined alphas, mix liberally with sizzling sex, add a dash of intrigue, and watch the steam rise.

Jodi Matthews is the consummate gamer. One crazy night she let her hair down, stripped off her clothes, and anteed up for a night of poker and wild fantasy sex. Now she has three alpha players hot to win her hand.

Conner is a walking wet dream ready to share his vision of the future. Wiz is a high roller looking for a cherished pet to adorn his arm. John’s an average Joe who can turn Jodi inside out with a simple look. No matter what card she chooses, Jodi risks losing something. The life she loves working as a Vegas dealer or some close friends. Maybe both.
From champagne and diamonds to mysterious parties and private jets, Jodi must accept herself and what her heart’s always known. The Smut Squad is there, ready and willing to fortify her courage and orchestrate a daring hunt for the ultimate stakes.

This is no game, and the jackpot will be even better than her wildest dreams.

Margarita Day is the much anticipated sequel of Mimosa Night, although it can be read as a stand-alone book. Jodi Matthews, who we first met in Mimosa Night, is back and this time she has three men who all want her for their own. The main competition is between Wiz and John and the action heats up as both men stake their claim.

But Jodi has to overcome her own insecurities or risk losing everything she ever wanted. Can this woman risk it all in the highest-stakes game of her life?

Margarita Day is one womans sensual and emotional journey to find happiness. It's filled with hot, sensual scenes that will have you fanning yourself. But beneath it all, it is a love story as a woman finds love and has to find the courage to reach out and claim it as her own. The team of Austin and Winters has penned another winner!

Two New Contracts!

No Thursday Thirteen today. Yesterday was my 20th Wedding Anniversary so I didn't have time to get anything together.

I want to celebrate today!

Last week I mentioned on my TT that I'd signed a new contract. But since then, I've signed another, so I have two new contracts. YAY!

Ellora's Cave Publishing has contracted Lily Blossoms, book 3 in the Summersville Secrets series. When Carson Granger discovers Lily Summers secret, he uses it to get closer to the woman he's wanted for so long. But Lily has been hurt before and doesn't trust easily. Especially a younger, handsome man like Carson.

For all of you who have been emailing and asking, your wait is over. Samhain Publishing has contracted The Seduction of Shamus O'Rourke, Book 4 in the Jamesville saga. Shamus finds the woman he wants to spend the rest of his life with. But she is a woman with secrets, secrets that might tear his family apart and secrets that someone is willing to kill for.

Quote of the Week!

This weeks quote is compliments of author, Charlene Teglia.

"The fear of being wrong is the prime inhibitor of the creative process." ~ Roberta Jean Bryant, from the book, "Anybody Can Write."

Very true. In order to create you have to free up your mind and not be afraid to make a mistake. If it doesn't work, you can fix it or throw it out and start over. The main thing is to be open to the process.

Thanks, Charlene!

Odds and Ends!

That's what today is--Odds and Ends Day!

I've decided to take today and do a bunch of those kinds of things that always get put off. I need to dig out my desk, go through a bunch of emails, vacuum, clean the bathroom, go to the post office...well, you get the general idea.

Like most people, I let the small stuff slide while I work on more important things that need to be done. But after a while the small stuff grows and gradually becomes one giant task to be tackled.

So today is officially Odds and Ends Day! At least in my house. LOL

When things reach this point I don't work well because I 'm always thinking about the things that need to be done. Better to do them and put them behind me.

That way I can start fresh tomorrow.

Have a great Monday!

Hunting The Demon by Jaci Burton

The hunt is on August 28th!

Fast-paced action will keep your heart pounding, as the action is nonstop in
Hunting the Demon , book 2 in Jaci Burton’s Demon Hunter series.

Shay Pearson is a demon hunter for the Realm of Light, the secret society whose mission it is to keep demons from taking over the world. Her mission: to draw out Nic Diavolo, bronze surfer god, and possibly a demon for the Sons of Darkness. Nic’s family owns Diavolo Diamonds, a mine where the elusive black diamond is thought to be buried. Both the Realm of Light and the Sons of Darkness want that diamond, which is said to hold untold powers of darkness.

What Shay doesn’t count on is her immediate fascination to Nic. He is a temptation she must deny. Although they are unable to trust one another, the attraction between them continues to grow, consuming them both. As evil surrounds them and the hunt is on, Shay and Nic must face their deepest fears and one another if they hope to live to hunt another day.

Original, action-packed, and downright sexy, your heart will race as you devour this book. Jaci Burton has delivered another captivating story that will keep you turning pages late into the night. Hunting The Demon sets up the next adventure in the series, making me ask the question—When is the next Demon Hunter book due out?

In the meantime, if you haven’t already read it, check out Surviving Demon Island, the book that started this incredible paranormal romance series.

Thursday Thirteen #17

Thirteen Things I've Done In The Past Week. Be sure and leave your link below! 1. Went to Walmart. It was time to buy socks, underwear, tea, chocolate and other exciting stuff. 2. Visited the bookstore 3 times--I like to browse--and ordered book 3 in the Immortals series by Joy Nash. This is a four book series by authors Jennifer Ashley, Robin Popp and Joy Nash. The first two books were fantastic. 3. Read Nicole Austin's latest book, Rakahnja's Haven. If you want to know what I thought of it, just check out the post below. :-) 4. Spent an hour on the phone one evening with my sister. (That's actually not too bad.) 5. Had to have the hot water tank replaced when it started to leak. 6. Went to two movies--Stardust and Becoming Jane. Enjoyed both of them! And the M & M's too. 7. Walked around the pond on Sunday morning. (2 km) 8. Grocery shopped. I actually enjoy this as long as I go early in the morning before the store is crowded. 9. Signed a new contract with Ellora's Cave for Lily Blossoms, book 3 of the Summersville Secrets series. YAY! 10. Worked on my latest WIP. 11. Went out for supper one hot evening with my hubby. 12. Got a package in the mail from an author friend with some nice goodies. :-) 13. Spent 3 hours yakking with my brother yesterday afternoon. That was my past week. Hope your week was just as much fun! 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

5 Star Review for Three Swords, One Heart

Thank you to reviewer R. C. over at Ecataromance Sensual Reviews for the amazing 5 Star review of my Ellora's Cave release, Three Swords, One Heart.

Here's a snippet of what the reviewer had to say:

"While reading this book I stayed engrossed from beginning to end, in fact, I never took a break. This tale seemed to have been woven together effortlessly from the pen of N.J. Walters. It has been a long time since I have read such a gratifying tale of love, endurance and a full hearted willingness to sacrifice all for those you love. The fact that this novel is a menage only enhances it."

You can check out Three Swords, One Heart at Ellora's Cave Pubishing

Quote of the Week!

"If all flowers wanted to be roses, nature would lose her springtime beauty, and the fields would no longer be decked out with little wild flowers." ~ Therese of Lisieux, nun and writer

I like this quote because it's a reminder that we're all beautiful in our own way and that's okay!

Have a wonderful day!

Feature Friday

Lots going on today!

I'm blogging over at The Ladies of the Club Blog today. So drop by and have a peek!

Syneca has started a new blog and this weekend, she's featuring several of my books! Check out Syneca's Blog . The artwork on all three of my covers featured were done by her and they are absolutely incredible!

Thursday Thirteen #16

Thirteen Websites that I find interesting and useful! The first 4 are great writer's references: 1. Word Reference 2. Dictionary 3. Wikipedia 4. Thesaurus 5. The Write Attitude. A great reference and inspirational website for all writers. 6. An Archive of History and Historical Resources . This is an amazing site! I haven’t even scratched the surface of it yet. 7. The Occult Library. Contains various articles on all sorts of occult subjects. 8. Names of Gods and Goddesses. 9. Cycle of Power ~ Animal Totems 10. Writerspace. They have wonderful chats and contests, as well as information on authors and books. 11. Ebay. This is the place to find just about anything and everything! These two--because, really, how could I resist. :-) 12. Samhain Publishing 13. Ellora’s Cave Publishing 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!

"We don't see things as they are, we see things as we are." ~ Anais Nin

We each bring all our experiences, good and bad, to bear on any given situation. It's always good to take a step back and try and see things as they truly are.

Wild Wild West!

Wild Wild West

Three hot-blooded cowboys. Three sexy city women. One red-hot night.

Welcome to the wild, wild west and the Lemon Espresso Café where three city women will meet three cowboys who will change their lives forever.

Author Charlene Teglia has penned three interconnecting stories that make Wild, Wild West, one red-hot read. In the first story, “A Man’s Word Is His Bondage”, Willow Daniels is giving a poetry reading at the Lemon Espresso when she first sees Gabe Daniels. Willow is finishing her six-month poet in residence program and is returning to her old job in two weeks. But Gabe has different plans for the pretty, talented poet, and they don’t include her leaving Missoula in two weeks time.

In “Ready to Play”, Jolie McIntyre is waitressing at the Lemon Espresso while she studies and waits to write the Bar exam. Jolie has been working hard for years and her goal is now in sight. To blow off some steam, she decides some R & R with sexy Chet Andrews is just what she needs, but Jolie might get a lot more than she bargained for.

The final story is “Reuben’s Rules”. Reuben Black is an ex-military man with seduction on his mind. His target—Lemon Espresso owner, Laura Jamieson. But Reuben has rules that he likes to play by and when Laura agrees, what happens between them is explosive. But rules are meant to be broken.

All three stories are hot, wild rides that will leave your heart racing and your pulse pounding, but my favorite of the three is Reuben’s Rules. Reuben is dominant and intense, but his care and concern for Laura is touching. There is a deep connection between these two and you can feel their deepening emotions.

Available tomorrow, August 7th, from St. Martin’s Press. Pick up Wild, Wild, West and enjoy one red-hot, wild ride.

Joyfully Reviewed Author Spotlight

I had the honor of being interviewed by Gracie over at Joyfully Reviewed recently and that interview is now up on the Joyfully Reviewed website.

You can check it out at the Joyfully Reviewed Author Spotlight

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!

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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!

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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.