Valentine's Day Contest

Valentine's day is almost here and to celebrate I'm holding a contest! I'm giving away a PRINT copy of CANDY CARESSES.

This anthology contains 6 of the Ellora's Cave Valentine Vixens Quickies, including ANASTASIA'S STYLE, my story! It also contains stories by Desiree Holt, Lynn LaFleur, Nina Nash, Alison Paige and Christine McKay.

For details on how you can enter for a chance to win, just go to my WEBSITE and click on the "Contests" page.

Visiting Donna Gallagher's Blog Today

Hi, I'm over at DONNA GALLAGHER'S BLOG today. Be sure to check out the "On the Bench" interview she did with me. I'm answering questions about my writing and a whole bunch of other fun stuff.

Tuesday Teaser: Anastasia's Style

Since Valentine's Day is only a few weeks away, I thought I'd post a teaser from ANASTASIA'S STYLE, my EC Valentine Vixens Quickie.

TEASER:

“I hate Valentine’s Day,” Anastasia Style muttered as she contemplated the wisdom of kicking the flat tire she was glaring at. If she hadn’t been wearing her very expensive, incredibly sexy red high-heeled Manolo Blahniks, she might have attempted it.

 

Sighing with frustration, she reached into the stylish leather handbag she’d just retrieved from her vehicle, rummaging around until she found her cell phone. Dialing her office, she glared at the offensive piece of rubber. Of all the days to get a flat.

 

“Hi, Maryann.” She spoke calmly even though a part of her wanted to scream. Her normally composed assistant sounded flustered on the other end. Not good. But not surprising. Valentine’s Day was shaping up to be her second busiest time of the year. Only Christmas had been more frantic. As the owner and manger of Hassle-free Holidays, her holidays were anything but hassle-free.

 

“I’ve got a slight problem.” She explained her situation to Maryann and paused while the other woman commiserated. “Call Manny’s Garage for me, will you?” Her family had been using Manny’s for as long as she’d been alive. “Tell him to take it back to the garage and I’ll pick it up later. I can’t afford to wait, so I’m going to call a cab.”

 

She stared into the backseat of her normally reliable six-year-old Honda Civic and eyed the expensive bottle of Dom Perignon, the huge box of Godiva Chocolates and the extravagant arrangement of colorful carnations. The carnations didn’t quite fit with the other two items, but that wasn’t her concern. Whatever the client wanted, the client got. That was the mantra for her business.

 

She glanced at her watch and groaned. This day was going from bad to worse. She had to make this delivery for a very last minute—but extremely lucrative—client and get to her lawyer’s office before five o’clock.

 

She was signing her divorce papers today.

Wintery World

Welcome to Sunday. Thought I'd share a few wintery pictures with you!

 

So this should give you an idea of how icy and cold it's been here the past week. This is the A & W up the road where hubby and I went out for breakfast on Tuesday. Hard to see in this picture, but there are a bunch of icicles hanging down the window.

We've also had lots of snow. This is the view from the A & W parking lot looking at the local Chapter's Bookstore that is next door. The snow is piling up!

Feature Friday: Everything Old is New Again

I enjoy historical romance, so it should come as no surprise that I'm a big fan of Stephanie Laurens. I have all six original Cynster novels on my keeper shelf but haven't read them in years.

A few months ago, the Sony Reader Store had DEVIL'S BRIDE on sale for the amazing price of $0.99. How could I resist? I couldn't, and since then I've downloaded A RAKE'S VOW and Scandal's Bride, both on a limited-time sale. It seems everything old is new again. For those of you who have never read Stephanie Laurens, I highly recommend the Cynster series.



DEVIL'S BRIDE
The 1st Cynster Novel
First published 1998
Avon Romantic Treasure

 

When Devil, the most infamous member of the Cynster family, is caught in a compromising position with plucky governess Honoria Wetherby, he astonishes the entire ton by offering his hand in marriage. No one had dreamed this scandalous rake would so tamely take a bride. As society's mamas swooned at the loss of England's most eligible bachelor, Devil's infamous Cynster cousins began to place wagers on the wedding date.

But Honoria wasn't about to bend to society's demands and marry a man just because they'd been found together unchaperoned. No. She craved adventure. Solving the murder of a young Cynster cousin fit the bill for a while, but once the crime was solved, Honoria was set on seeing the world. But the scalding heat of her unsated desire for Devil soon had Honoria craving a very different sort of excitement. Could her passion for Devil cause her to embrace the enchanting peril of a lifelong adventure of the heart?

 


A RAKE'S VOW
The 2nd Cynster Novel
First published 1998
Avon Romantic Treasure
ISBN 0-380-79457-8                 



He vowed he'd never marry:

Vane Cynster always knew which way the wind was blowing, and it was headed in a marrying direction. The other Cynster men might not mind stepping up to the altar, but Vane never wanted to be leg-shackled to any woman, no matter how comely. Bellamy Hall seemed like the perfect place to temporarily hide from London's husband hunters. But when he encountered irresistilbe Patience Debbington, Vane realized he'd met his match and soon he had more than seduction on his mind.

She vowed no man would catch her:

Patience wasn't about to succumb to Vane's sensuous propositions. Yes, his kisses left her dizzy; his caresses made her melt; but he was arrogant, presumptuous...and, despite his protests, bound to be unfaithful, just like every other man. Patience had promised herself that she'd never become vulnerable to a broken heart. But was this one vow that was meant to be broken?

Vote for the CAPA Awards

The CAPA AWARDS are now open for voting. I'm thrilled and honored to have two of my books (Finding Chrissten and Quinn's Quest) nominated in the paranormal category. Be sure to go and vote for your favorite books and authors!

VOTE HERE

Tuesday Teaser: Craving Candy

It's been a crazy week so far and I forgot the Tuesday Teaser yesterday. So here it is a day late. CRAVING CANDY is part of the Awakening Desires series, but can be read as a stand alone book.

TEASER:

“That’s a big sigh. Is there anything I can help you with?”

Candy glanced toward the voice and had to look up. Oh my! For the first time in her life, all ability to speak left her. The man standing next to her cocked his eyebrow, obviously waiting for her reply. Well, he’d have to wait a little longer. There was no way she could talk. It was taking all her concentration just to breathe.

Never had she been so instantly attracted to a man in her life. He was much taller than she was, and she was wearing high-heeled boots. But then again, she wasn’t very tall, so that wasn’t surprising. Massive—that was the first word that came to mind to describe him. His shoulders looked to be about a yard wide and his thick biceps strained the sleeves of the short-sleeved T-shirt he was wearing. Her fingers itched to touch them just to see if they were as hard as they looked.

His blond hair was cut short, but there was just enough for her to run her fingers through. Her hands curled into fists at her sides as she fought the impulse to just reach out and stroke it. His face wasn’t pretty. Instead it was compelling and tough, just like the rest of him. His nose looked as if it had been broken at least once, and his thin lips were set in a half-scowl as he continued to wait for her reply.

 
He was the kind of man you didn’t want to meet in a dark alley, the kind of man that made other men nervous. But Candy wasn’t the least bit afraid of him. For the first time in her life, she understood instant attraction. Everything feminine inside her was screaming out to jump this man’s bones.

I'm Doing...Stuff

 

 

 

 

Welcome to Monday! I've spent the past two and a half days doing stuff. You know what I mean...those odds and ends of paperwork that you put off until you really have no other choice. I've saved files to flash drives. (I have four that I save my writing to every day, but other writing-related files I'm not quite so vigilant.) I've cleared up end-of-year paperwork and gotten my files ready for 2013. There is quite a bit of paperwork to be done to close off one year and start another.

 

In the midst of that, I finished the rough draft of a new book, printed off a hard copy and handed it off to my first reader (aka hubby) who will look at it as soon as he has time. It's a menage a trois featuring a pair of sexy cowboy brothers. And that's all I'll say about it for now. *g*

 

I've also started the research for my next book, which will be for the Legacy series. All in all, it's been a busy, but productive, few days.

 

Hope you're all having a wonderful Monday!

Ideas...Where Do They Come From?

Ideas...Where Do They Come From?

As an author, I think this is one of the most asked questions I get from readers. Want to know what I have to say on the subject? Check out my guest post over at Delilah Devlin's Blog.

4 1/2 Stars for Night of the Tiger

Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews has given Night of the Tiger a 4 1/2 star review. Here is a snippet of what the reviewer has to say.

"You are definitely kept on the edge throughout this thrilling book with plenty of spice to set Hell on fire!...I have read several of Ms. Walters’ series and she has never disappointed in the paranormal department and the HOT sex department either and this book was no exception. Definitely looking forward to the next book and the journey of the carnival and see how the next shifter and his chosen one are tested."
~Shey, Reviewer Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews

READ ENTIRE REVIEW

Night of the Tiger

Night of the Tiger is releasing today from Samhain Publishing! This is the first book in my new Hades' Carnival series. A five-thousand year old curse, immortal shape-shifting warriors and the mortal women who can free them from captivity. What more can you ask for?

BLURB: NIGHT OF THE TIGER

To win the battle for his soul, he may have to sacrifice the woman who set him free.

Hades’ Carnival, Book 1

Aimee Horner lives and breathes her career as a graphic novel illustrator, but she never expected it would invade her dreams. In recent months, worsening nightmares have pulled her into the darkest corners of Hell.

On a rare night out with friends at a traveling carnival, she finds herself strangely drawn to an abandoned carousel adorned with vividly exotic animals. One steed, a massive white tiger, is a temptation she can’t resist. The moment she climbs upon him, her world changes forever.

More than five thousand years ago, Roric and his fellow shapeshifting warriors were imprisoned in their animal forms, a last-ditch effort by the goddess they served to save them from the horrors of Hell.

With one special woman’s touch, he has a chance at freedom and redemption—but the clock is ticking. If he is still alive in twenty-four hours, the spell will be broken, and Hell will have no claim on his soul. The only hitch is his blazing attraction to Aimee. If only he could trust that she isn’t merely a distraction sent by Hades—luscious bait to lure him from his mission.

---

Product Warnings

This book contains an ancient curse, an imprisoned goddess, a graphic artist and the hot shapeshifting immortal warrior who turns her life upside down while they battle Hades and his minions for their immortal souls. There is also plenty of hot sex between the heroine and her hot, shapeshifting warrior. Just saying.

Book Lovin' Mamas--Q & A and Contest

Be sure to stop by Book Lovin' Mamas and check out my Q & A. While you're there, be sure to enter the contest for a chance to win an ebook copy of my new Samhain book Night of the Tiger!

Chatting Tonight and Final Contest Winner

Good morning and welcome to Monday! I've got a lot going on todayl

I'm chatting over at Night Owl Romance at 8pm EST tonight! Be sure to stop by and say hi. This is my first Night Owl Romance chat so I'm looking forward to it!

Today is also the final day of my Quinn's Quest Print Book Contest. Congratulations to Susan Platt, the final winner. Susan has won a signed print copy of my book. Thanks to all of you who entered and be sure to watch my website for a new contest coming soon!

Now at Amazon!

STROKE OF SAPPHIRE is available at Amazon!

 

Stroke of Sapphire

Stroke of Sapphire is available today from Ellora's Cave! This is a stand alone book, but is part of the Awakening Desires series.

Stroke of Sapphire

Eighth in the Awakening Desires series.

When Sapphire Jewel turns to him on the final evening he’s assigned to protect her, ex-Army Ranger and security expert Jake Knight sweeps her into bed. His personality and his profession have shaped him into a man who needs to be in control of all aspects of his life, especially in the bedroom. He’s not into the whole dominant/submission BDSM thing, but he does need to be the dominant force when it comes to physical relationships. Fearing his sexual demands are too much for Sapphire to handle, Jake does the only thing he can to protect her—he leaves her.

Sapphire is in love with her bodyguard. One night of intense, passionate sex has him running for the door and she doesn’t know why. When Jake unexpectedly shows up in her life again, she must decide if she can live with the sexual demands he’ll make of her. But most of all, she must decide if she can once again risk her heart.

A Romantica® contemporary erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave

Tuesday Teaser: Touch of Topaz

Since my newest Ellora's Cave book Stroke of Sapphire is due out tomorrow, I thought it was only fitting that the Tuesday Teaser this week should be from Touch of Topaz. Both are stand alone reads, but are part of the Awakening Desires series.

TEASER:

She whirled around and his hands dropped back by his sides. “I know I’m a job to you. I get that.”

His own temper flared. “You’re more than just a damn job.” The minute the words were out of his mouth, he knew they were the truth. He’d been watching her for several weeks. Hell, he was basically living with her. They ate meals together, he went to work with her and they even shared a bathroom. The only thing they didn’t share was her bed. And he’d spent many a long, hot night lying awake in her guestroom, listening to the swish of her sheets as she moved restlessly in bed. Topaz fascinated him with her quick mind, her focus on her business and her killer body.

“Right.” She started to turn away, but he caught her and spun her back around.

They stared at one another and heat flared between them. Both of them were breathing heavy and he wasn’t sure which one of them moved first. Their lips met and he groaned as he wrapped his arms around Topaz to hold her close.

She tasted sweet and tart, like the lemonade she’d had while they were out running errands. It suited her. He ran his hands over her spine and down to her butt. She groaned and parted her lips, and he slid his tongue inside, exploring her mouth, claiming it as his own.

 

First Winner and Contest Reminder

Congratulations to Renne Smith, the first winner of a signed copy of Quinn's Quest. I'm giving away one more copy on the 14th of January, so there is still time to enter!

Just go to my website and click on the “Contests” page for details on how you can enter for a chance to win.

CAPA Nominations

I'm thrilled to announce that both Quinn's Quest and Finding Chrissten have been nominated for a CAPA Award in the Paranormal Romance category. Thank you to The Romance Studio for the nominations!

Quinn's Quest at Amazon

You can also find Quinn's Quest in PRINT at AMAZON!

Quinn's Quest is now in PRINT!

I'm thrilled to announce that Quinn's Quest is now available in print at Samhain Publishing!


Legacy, Book 4

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

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

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

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

********************************************************************


To celebrate, I'm giving away two signed copies!

Just go to my website and click on the “Contests” page for details on how you can enter for a chance to win.

Happy New Year!

 

 

MAY 2013 BE FILLED WITH GOOD HEALTH, PROSPERITY AND HAPPINESS FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!

 

Want a chance to win a print book?

I'm thrilled to announce that Quinn's Quest is being released in print as of January 1st! To celebrate I'm giving away two signed copies!

Just go to my website and click on the “Contests” page for details on how you can enter for a chance to win.

2012--Year in Review

First of all, I want to thank all the amazing readers who buy my books. Your continued support and enthusiasm for my work allows me to keep doing what I love to do. So thank you, thank you, thank you. I have the best job in the world and hope I can keep doing it for many years to come.

So lets hit the highlights of 2012...

February: I had two new eBooks--Fabric of Fate (a Tapestries book) released from Ellora's Cave and Quinn's Quest (a Legacy book) from Samhain Publishing.

April: Legacy Found came out in PRINT from Samhain Publishing and Eternal Brothers in PRINT from Ellora's Cave.

May: Finding Chrissten (a Legacy book) in eBook from Samhain Publishing.

June: Touch of Topaz (an Awakening Desires book) in eBook from Ellora's Cave.

October: Damek's Redemption (a Legacy book) in eBook from Samhain Publishing.

All in all, I had five new eBooks and two new print books!


And 2013 is shaping up to be just as busy.

January 1st--Quinn's Quest will be available in PRINT!

Also, in January, I have two new ebooks releasing--Stroke of Sapphire (an Awakening Desires book) on January 9th and Night of the Tiger (Book one in the Hades' Carnival series) on January 15th.

April 2013: On April 2nd, Finding Chrissten is relasing in PRINT! And on the 16th, Mark of the Bear (Book two in the Hades' Carnival series) is releasing in eBook.

September 2013: Damek's Redemption is releasing in PRINT!

That's all the dates I have confirmed at the moment, but expect two more eBooks in the Hades' Carnival series to be released--Pride of the Lion and Howl of the Wolf! As well, I've submitted a new Tapestries book to my editor at Ellora's Cave. More details on that as they become available.

I hope all of you are enjoying the holidays as much as I am. Here's to a healthy, creative, happy and prosperous New Year for us all!

Merry Christmas

FROM MY HOME TO YOURS...I HOPE YOU HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS WITH FAMILY AND FRIENDS. I WISH YOU PEACE, HEALTH AND HAPPINESS!

FREE Book--Embracing Silence

FREE for the next two weeks from Ellora's Cave--Embracing Silence. If you haven't already tried it, now is the time to try the first book in this futuristic trilogy.

EMBRACING SILENCE

First in the Project Alpha series.

Earth 2133

Tienan is an Alpha—an assassin who has been genetically and computer enhanced. He has escaped from the lab that created him and the Ruling Council that controlled him. He is now outside the Gate—a high-tech shield that protects the enclosed city from the contaminated and lawless land outside. Tienan must constantly evade security forces sent to eliminate him, his only goal to destroy his former masters.

Silence is a tracker with the Resistance on the trail of a dangerous stranger. The hunter becomes the hunted and when Tienan kidnaps her, she thinks her life is over. But both captor and captive are enthralled with one another. Desire and need ignite each time they touch. Enemies become lovers.

Treachery and mistrust drive them apart. But nothing can diminish the sexual heat smoldering between them. With enemies all around, they must confront each other one final time. With time running out, sexual longing and trust battle with betrayal for supremacy.

Also Available at Amazon

Look What I Got

Look what I got in the mail on Friday! Quinn's Quest is releasing in print on January 1st! What a great way to start the New Year.

Happy Solstice

Happy Solstice and Blessed Yule to you all!

New Cover

Check out the awesome new cover for Stroke of Sapphire, available on January 9th from Ellora's Cave. Thank you, Syneca, for another amazing cover!

Reindeer Games with Drea Layne

Please welcome Drea Layne to the blog today. Be sure to check out her new Christmas book Rudolf & Dancer.

Welcome Drea!

First I want to thank N.J. for having me on her blog today!

Today I am visiting to share with you all my new Christmas book, Rudolf & Dancer, which is part of the Reindeer Games anthology between the Wickedly Sexy Writers. It was a complete pleasure working with these ladies on these stories and I couldn't be more excited too show you my little piece of this great set of stories!

Holiday traditions are just as important as the holiday itself...at least in my opinion. Each family has their own way of celebrating starting as early as the decorating and as late as the days following. In my family we put the tree up the day after thanksgiving and proceed to put up other decorations over the next week or so in anticipation of Christmas Day.

This year I've put the tree up but not much else. I do have tons of decorations to put up but I really just haven't felt the want or need to put it all up. I suppose it may have something to do with the hours it took me to take it down last year and remembering the hassle of the tassel as I like to say.

So how about you? What is your decorating schedule?

Make sure you check out my story, Rudolf & Dancer, coming December 17, 2012 from Secret Cravings Publishing.

 

Blurb:

After years away from home, her brother’s freak accident brings Donna Dancer home to the man who broke her heart. Time hasn’t diminished the lust and love, and emotions can’t be denied. Donna is sick of playing reindeer games with her mate, Paul Rudolf, but there are only so many rejections a girl can take.

It takes a dedicated man to lead the group of reindeer shifters responsible for bringing joy to millions of children, and Paul takes his job very seriously. Women were nothing more than a distraction he doesn’t need, but he now finds himself feeling lonely and hating the job he’s loved for so long. Rejecting Donna was the one decision he regrets more and more with each passing day.

Will this Christmas be as lonely as the rest? Or will Paul and Donna finally find holiday bliss in each others arms.

Excerpt:

“You’ve been gone an awfully long time, sweet pea. We honestly didn’t know if you would say yes.”

“I’m sorry, Daddy. I just…”

“I know, honey. Just don’t go away that long ever again. Okay?”

“I promise.”

Donna looked around, searching from one face to another, trying to keep her gaze casual as she scanned the crowd for the only other man she desperately wanted to see.

One face blurred into another as she took the crowd in at a slow pace. After a few minutes of searching, she almost gave up. Then, she locked gazes with the one man who held her heart. The world shifted, causing her to stand uneasy on her feet. An overwhelming need to shift and run took over her body as she dropped her gaze from his eyes and handed her bag to her mother, giving her an ‘I need to get away’ look.

Without another word, she turned her back to the crowd and sprinted toward the woods behind the house. Her deer half wanted to run as much as her human half did, and just like every other time she was in her mate’s presence, she lost complete control and could only give in to what her body and soul needed.

Ditching her dress on a limb just outside the tree line, Donna let the change come over her swiftly. Muscles burned and bones reshaped as Donna went from human to deer. When the transformation was complete and she was standing at the forest’s edge, Donna opened her eyes and took in the cabin and people as they milled around. Kids played with each other at the waters edge while parents watched closely from where they visited, not far away.

Once upon a time, she envisioned herself doing that very thing with children of her very own. Without a mate, that future was impossible and it tore her up inside, knowing she wouldn’t ever have that happiness.

With one last look at the party, she turned and sprinted through the forest. She didn’t know where she was going but anywhere was better than here right now. The pain in her heart was almost too much to bear. But in the end, she loved Paul with her entire being, and if he’d have her, she would gladly forget all the heartbreak and spend forever in his arms.

Buy link:

http://drealayne.com/bookshelf/holiday/rudolf-dancer/

Sizzling Christmas and a Chance to Win

I'm over at Sizzling Hot Books today as part of their Sizzling Christmas celebration. Stop by and check out my interview. Leave a comment for a chance to win a PDF copy of my EC Christmas Quickie Jessamyn's Christmas Gift.

Tuesday Teaser: Jessamyn's Christmas Gift

This week the Tuesday Teaser is from Jessamyn's Christmas Gift. This Ellora's Cave Quickie is perfect for heating up your holiday season.

TEASER:

No sooner had she thought it than she heard the sound of a car turning into the driveway. Taking a deep breath, she placed her glass on the coffee table and draped herself in what she hoped was a seductive pose, across the plush faux fur rug that she’d spread in front of the fireplace. The scraping of a key in the lock made her catch her breath. Boots stamped in the front porch before proceeding down the hallway.

Gathering her courage, Jessamyn cleared her throat. “I’m in here. Come and get your Christmas present.”

The footsteps stopped at the sound of her voice and then she heard them moving closer. Her eyes were glued on the entranceway, which was surrounded by greenery and white twinkling lights. He moved into the light and every cell of her body went on alert.

Her gaze moved slowly upward, over a pair of faded jeans that molded to strong legs. A blue flannel shirt was tucked in, emphasizing a lean waist. His shoulders were wide, straining at the seams of his shirt as he fisted his hands at his waist. Hair the color of mahogany fell carelessly across his forehead. His face wasn’t handsome, so much as strong. His nose was prominent, his lips thin, and his jaw was shadowed with stubble.

But it was his eyes that pinned her to the spot. Amber, they seemed to glow as they watched her. The eyes of a predator. He was a prime male standing in front of her, studying her almost-naked form.

Her nipples tightened, pushing against the thin fabric and Jessamyn knew he could see them in the firelight when his eyes lingered there. She moved her legs restlessly as the ache between her thighs grew. Cream flowed, dampening the thin piece of satin between her legs. Every hair on her body was standing on end as her entire being clamored its need for this man.

There was only one slight problem. He wasn’t Bennett.

Smutketeers Annual X-Mas Bash 2012

I'm celebrating the holidsays over at the Smutketeers today along with a bunch of other authors. There are tons of great prizes to be won so be sure to stop by and leave a comment.

Quickie Contest--Winner Week Three

The third winner in my Christmas Quickie Contest is Brandi Bradford. Brandi has won a PDF copy of my EC Quickie Jessamyn's Christmas Gift. Congratulations, Brandi!

There is still one more books to be given away so be sure to enter! See details below.

QUICKIE CONTEST!



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

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

I want to help you out this holiday season, so I'm giving away a PDF download of one of my Ellora’s Cave Quickies each Friday between November 30th and December 21st.

Just go to my website and click on the “Contests” page for details on how you can enter for a chance to win.

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

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!

12/12/12

Today is a very special day on the calender. It is December 12, 2012 or 12/12/12. The next time this will happen is 88 years from now on January 1, 2101 or 01/01/01. Some people believe today is a very lucky day. Whatever you believe, I hope you enjoy it!

Tuesday Teaser: The Gift of Shayla

In keeping with the season, this week the Tuesday Teaser is from my 

ménage a trois/Christmas story The Gift of Shayla, available from Carina Press.

 

TEASER:

“Adam.” There was an edge to Rob’s voice now. Adam knew his friend too well to think he was going to drop whatever was on his mind.

“Where’s Shayla?” He desperately tried to divert the conversation. It was strange he hadn’t seen her. She must be out somewhere, but he couldn’t imagine where she’d be. Not at eight o’clock in the evening on Christmas Eve.

When Rob didn’t answer, Adam finally turned his face toward him. His friend’s expression was more serious than he’d ever seen it. Shit. He picked up his glass and gulped down the rest. A waste of good scotch, for sure, but he needed the hit. Not that one drink would have much affect on him, but it was better than nothing. He needed something to dull the coming pain.

“I’ve seen how you look at me,” Rob began.

Adam closed his eyes and swallowed hard. The liquor he’d just drunk burned in his gut. He could still salvage this. He had to. The alternative didn’t bear considering.

He opened his eyes and chuckled. “Of course I look at you. I see you all the time.” There, that sounded casual enough.

“I’ve also seen how you look at Shayla.”

Back to writing...

After a few days away from writing, I'm back at work this morning on a new project. This is supposed to be a novella, but we'll see how that goes. My books have a tendency to grow as I work on them. *g* This is going to be a hot, menage a trois, western novella...hopefully.

In Loving Memory...

It's been 30 years. There are some days when it feels like much longer and other days when it feels as though it was only yesterday. On December 9th, 1982 my father lost his three year battle with leukemia and passed at about 9:30 in the morning. My mother, sister, brother and I were all there when it happened, and I'll always be grateful for that.

I feel very blessed to have had my father in my life for the eighteen years I had with him considering he was almost killed in a car accident when I was only a baby. He was in a coma for several days before he came out of it. The driver of the car he was a passenger in was killed so it could have been much worse. Sometimes it felt as though he was on borrowed time.

I was just a month shy of my fifteenth birthday when he was diagnosed with cancer. It was Halloween night and I'd gotten back from taking my five-year-old brother out trick-or-treating to find my mother on the phone. My father had to travel to a hospital about a four hour drive away and was calling from there. I often wonder how he felt with his family so far away.

The doctors gave him six months to live, but he fought and had three more years with us. He passed just two weeks after I turned eighteen. He was forty-five.

I'm older now then my father was when he died and I still feel young. It's weird to realize I've been married longer than my parents were. (They celebrated 21 years the year he died while hubby and I celebrated our 25th last August.) My mother remarried nine years after my father died. It's really strange to realize my step father has been in my life longer than my father was.

My father died young, but he will always be in my heart. I've already talked to my brother and sister today and will call my mom later. It's been thirty years, but I still miss him every single day.

I love you daddy...

New Cover Featured...

Author Lin Holmes is featuring the cover of one of my upcoming books on her blog Ladybug Lin Mouth's Off. Be sure to stop by and check out which cover it is.

Quickie Contest--Winner Week Two

The second winner in my Christmas Quickie Contest is Stephanie Paul. Stephanie has won a PDF copy of my EC Quickie Drakon's Treasure. Congratulations, Stephanie!

There are still two more books to be given away so be sure to enter! See details below.

QUICKIE CONTEST!



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

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

I want to help you out this holiday season, so I'm giving away a PDF download of one of my Ellora’s Cave Quickies each Friday between November 30th and December 21st.

Just go to my website and click on the “Contests” page for details on how you can enter for a chance to win.

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

Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas!

New Covers for Older Books!

Ellora's Cave has given some of my older books a new look. Check out these fabulous new covers!

Katie's Art of Seduction

 

 Annabelle Lee 

Erin's Fancy

 

Capturing Carly

O Christmas Tree

Hubby and I put up the tree this past weekend. I tried to get all of it in the shot. I'll try for some better shots another time. The topper is made from ribbons and I love the popcorn/cranberry strings. The popcorn makes the room smell yummy.

This is a shot of part of the greenery that goes all around the archway between the living room and kitchen. There are more Care Bear ornaments. I made them back in the 1980's.

'Tis the Season...

Christmas is in the air over at The Romance Studio Blue Blog today. Be sure to stop by and check out my guest blog.

December Newsletter Now Available

The December 2012/January 2013 issue of Awakening Desires—the Newsletter of Romance Author N.J. Walters—is now available.

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

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