Random Stuff

Check out a new letter from Silla over at Silla's Secret.

It's another beautiful day. The sun is shining and it's not too hot. With any luck it will stay this way a few days.

Work is going ok. I'm training a new hire this week. Although, I still haven't figured out why we need extra help. The phone's aren't that busy as far as I know. Of course, I'm not on them as much as anyone else is, either.

Home is good. JAM is home, the baby is doing great, Josh is working hard and Hallie is a Sr this year. Life is going very well.

Writing is slow, though. I can't seem to do the BICHOK thing. I tell myself every day that I'll sit and write, but when it comes time to do it there is always something else I need to do.

What do you do to keep your Butt In Chair, Hands On Keyboard?

I Can See You - Out Now!

Eve Wilson, first introduced in DON'T TELL, was the victim of an assault which resulted in disfiguring injury. After the incident, Eve retreated into the virtual realm, seeking refuge from the public eye. With the help of a surgeon, her face has been mostly restored and she has returned to the real world. Now a graduate student, her goal is to research the use of the virtual world as therapy to improve self-esteem. But when a string of suspicious suicides connected to her Internet activities leads homicide detective Noah Webster to her door, Eve is forced back into an intoxicating world of Web sites, alternate identities, and secret passions. A world where her experience and expertise are key ... and where she becomes a player in a deadly game, trapped in the fight of her life.

Check out the excerpt Here. Publishers Weekly calls I CAN SEE YOU “spine-tingling” and Romantic Times gives it a TOP PICK, saying it's a “diabolically clever suspense ... and a tender love story.”

Watch the Book Trailer Here.

Available Now at Blade Publishing
Number: 978-1-897560-16-7
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: Novel
Price: $4.49
Heat Index: Mild

Blurb

Kate Kingston and Brett Montgomery have been fighting their attraction for years. Now Kate’s older brother Darren has decided it’s finally time for them to admit the way they feel. He makes a deal with Kate to set her up on five blind dates, agreeing that afterwards he’d stay out of her love life for good. He chooses five guys he knows Brett will object to.

Brett not only objects to the men Darren chooses, he objects to the whole plan. Knowing there’s no changing Darren’s mind he sabotages the dates then takes them over. Spending that much time with Kate is dangerous because he comes way too close to crossing a line he swore he never would.

Kate realizes Brett’s fear of losing her brother’s friendship might be stronger than his feelings for her. So with some help from her friends she comes up with a plan to find out.

Check it out HERE

Watch the trailer HERE

New Plan

I've set myself a writing schedule that I hope I can stick to. I'm way behind on the goals I set for myself this year and it's time to crack down and get it done. I WILL finish this WIP by December!!

On a lighter note, I've started a new blog devoted strictly to a story idea I've had for awhile. It's just an idea that I'm letting bloom before my own eyes. I haven't got a plan for it, but hopefully it will work itself out and be a darn good story. Check out Silla's Secret.

Home Again

I went home for a visit this weekend and it always feels like I've gone back in time. I love my life the way it is, but sometimes it's nice to remember what came before.

My parents still live in the same house, but things are older now and harder for them to take care of. My grandparents house is gone and in it's place is a trailer that my aunt and uncle live in. My favorite tree is missing, chopped up for firewood, and the pond where pappaw and I went fishing has been filled in and is now just a field. I miss seeing those things when I go back, but I've got my memories of them, and maybe that's better.

I love going home again.

Peace and Quiet

It was a nice peaceful weekend. Saturday was spent on the couch with a good book and peace and quiet to read it.

I did go outside Saturday afternoon and pull the weeds from around the bushes in the front yard. There's still a bit more to do but it looks soooo much better.

Sunday, another peaceful day. We went Sunday afternoon to see Harry Potter & the Half Blood Prince, then came home again. DH grilled us some steaks for dinner then back to the peace and quiet with my book.

Too bad every weekend can't be that peaceful. Of course, I'd probably be completely bored if I had peace and quiet too many days in a row.

THE TAGLINE/TITLE/TEN LINES AGENT READ CONTEST

Submit the tagline, title, and first ten lines of your manuscript, and you could win one of two critiques of your partial + synopsis from Barbara Poelle of the Irene Goodman Literary Agency!

The contest is divided into three phases and runs from July 23 to August 10.

Refer a friend, and you could win a box of spa/author goodies!

For more information, visit Dawn Halliday's Website.

RWA National Conference 2010

RWA 2009 just ended in Washington, DC. But I'm so excited about next year that I'm posting now! It will be in Nashville next year and I can't wait. It will be held at the Opryland Hotel but since I live in town I won't need a room. That's more money for books at the Literacy Signing! Come on 2010!!

Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Crystal Jordan

Love can drive you over the edge. It can also let you fly.

An In The Heat of the Night story.

Pixie Parthon worked hard to make her music production company a success. Anyone who gets in her way gets the business end of her Fae magic. Her savvy business sense kept her family afloat for years, but now that her musician brother is mated and off on a world tour she’s feeling left in the dust.

Maybe it was a faint wish for a little love magic for herself, but she didn’t expect one night of cutting loose to leave her marked for life. A little love bite is one thing. Give up her hard-won independence to a pushy alpha werewolf? She’ll pass.

Malcon is just as shocked as Pixie, but for a different reason. From the moment he saw her, his desire went far beyond getting into her pants. When she agreed—begged—to be bitten, he believed she also sensed their destiny to be mates.

Now it’s too late. Nothing will convince Pixie that he has no intention of clipping her wings—not even a month’s worth of orgasms on call. Crazy as it sounds, love is all he wants from her. Even if it means letting her go…

Buy it here!

No Excuses

I'm supposed to be writing every night but it always seems as if something comes up and I just can't get to it tonight. The house is always full of people, the baby needs MawMaw to play with her, I just gotta read this book or I'll go nuts. You know, important things.

But now the house is empty for a couple of weeks and I don't have anyone to keep me from my writing. I just hope my butt will find the chair comfy enough to stay in it with my hands on the keyboard writing something and not playing Mahjong!

Something New

I started something new today. I blogged a couple of months ago about a new idea forming that would involve a new blog for a particular story I've been thinking about. Today I started working on it. It's not quite ready to go live yet, but I can tell it's gonna be good. I'll post as soon as it's ready.

Tired

My blogging has been sporadic lately and I want to get it back on track. Sometimes it seems that my mind is just going and I can't think of all the things I need to do on a daily basis. I forget things at work and at home. And I feel just plain tired all the time. But, a change in diet and adding a little exercise should help. At least that's what I'm hoping. Hmmm...maybe I should make lists. I used to love having my lists to go by, but I've gotten out of making them anymore. Wouldn't hurt to try.

Weekend

I had a great 3 day weekend. Friday DH put his new grill together and we went shopping for a cover and accessories for it. We grilled burgers for lunch and that night went to the big 4th of July service at church with Fireworks after. CDM loved the fireworks, until she heard the big boom at the end...lol.

Saturday we lazed around. KAM and I played a board game and DH played WOW. Then Saturday night DH and I went out to dinner with a friend and his new girlfriend, then rode to the top of a huge hill in Belle Meade to watch the downtown fireworks. We got a little wet when it started to rain but had a great time anyway.

Sunday was another lazy day. We went to see Angels & Demons and it was a great movie. I loved it! I also finally finished scanning in all the negatives my aunt gave me and I'll be able to print off pics for my mom when she's here this weekend. It took awhile because my scanner was only set up for negatives that were more recent. The ones I was scanning were from the 30s forward. I had to line them up and move them around to get them to scan to where I could actually make out everyone in the pics. I can't wait to find out who all these faces belong to in my family.

And now it's Monday morning and I'm back at work. Can't wait for the weekend when I can visit my mom and dad and JAM will be home from Iraq. Come on Friday!!

Not Going To Conference Conference at Romance Divas

Not going to the RWA conference in DC this month? Let Romance Divas bring the conference to you!

Site registration is free – if you aren’t already a member of the best free romance writing community on the web, sign up today!

Workshops from some of the hottest talent in writing will make you glad you stayed home!
Marley Gibson
Joey W. Hill
Steve Hockingsmith
Carrie Jones
Shayla Kersten
Josh Lanyon
Rowan Mcbride
Jet Mykles
Patti O’Shea
Ona Russel
Linnea Sinclair
Sasha White

Don’t miss it!

Is It Over Yet?

Today was not one of my better days. I got to work this morning and realized I forgot to send the pet photos to be toned and dropped into our system for printing on Saturday's classified. Thirty pet ads that were supposed to include pictures only showed the placeholders.

Now, I'm not perfect by any means, but I don't usually forget something so important. And that's all it was. I forgot. I didn't get so busy I forgot, I just forgot. And it took me all morning to enter new ads for next Saturday, fix the two that were so completely screwed up by this problem the customer's called to complain, and then to send the photos for toning. I finished right about lunch time and was at least able to enjoy lunch without worrying too much. Then after lunch I had to check each one to make sure the pics were ready to go. I was frustrated and pissed at myself, but it's done and I believe things will be back to normal tomorrow.

On the bright side, though, I met Mario Van Peebles today. He was in the building for a tour and because I work the front counter I got to say hello. I hate to admit it, but I wasn't sure who he was until someone else mentioned it. I knew he looked familiar to me, but I wasn't sure. Of course, it has been awhile since he's been in a movie. Anyway, here's a pic of him. He's a cutie.

Happy Anniversary

Today I celebrate the day I married MJM. 2 years ago today, we drove to the courthouse downtown and said our vows in front of the County Clerk. No family ceremony for us. We'd both done that twice already and decided it was not what we wanted this go around. It was a nice ceremony and we left as man and wife. That's all we really wanted anyway.

We were both pretty gun shy about marriage. I married my first husband right out of high school and for 5 years things went steadily downhill. I believed that I had to stay married even if it meant living in a situation that was not healthy; my mother married and divorced several times and I didn't want that for myself.

He was a drug addict. I knew in the back of my mind that I didn't need to marry him, but being young and "in love" I did it anyway. The drugs steadily became more prevalent until they were all there was. There was also abuse, both physical and emotional. I put up with it and told myself that I could change him. Of course, now I know that would never have happened, but at the time I wanted it to work. Finally, after 5 years and 3 kids I realized how stupid it was to stay in a potentially dangerous situation and so I got out.

Only I went from one bad situation to another. I was 25 years old with 3 kids under the age of 5 and was terrified that no one would want me. I went out with a couple of guys but not anyone who wanted anything more. Then I met the guy who would be my second husband. He was not abusive then but he was a recovering addict. I thought that was a good thing but soon found out it could change at the drop of a hat. For awhile things were good but that soon changed. The drugs took over and other things came out that I never would have dreamed possible. He turned out to be worse than my first husband; not abusive toward me personally but toward my kids. I never knew for the longest time, but it started getting worse until finally my daughter told me what he'd done. Needless to say I left immediately and never looked back. That marriage lasted for 8 years and it took a long time for me to even consider marriage again.

Until I met MJM. And I'm so glad I did. We dated for 4 years before we married and I wouldn't trade that time for anything in the world. He's a wonderful man, my kids love him, and he encourages me to pursue my dreams. What more could a woman ask for? Happy Anniversary, Honey!

The 11th Annual Melody of Love Needs You!

Your manuscript, that is. The entry period for our small, intimate RWA chapter romance novel contest is drawing to a close (receipt deadline July 2) and we have more space, particularly in the historical and paranormal categories. The judges are trained, electronic entries are welcome, and you DO NOT have to include a synopsis in the first round!

While finalists may be asked to send their industry professional judge a synopsis, they also get a chance to polish their partials before submission and consult with the chapter's resident Grammar Wench if desired. This year judges & categories are: Contemporary: Johanna Raisanen, Harlequin/Silhouette; Paranormal: Michelle Grajkowski, 3 Seas Literary Agency; Historical: Barbara Poelle, Irene Goodman
Literary Agency.

Find out the entry details at www.mcrw.com and ask any questions at contest@mcrw.com

Good luck!

Happy Birthday, Honey!

Today is my honey's birthday so, in that time honored tradition, I'll sing.

Happy Birthday to you.
Happy Birthday to you.
Happy Birthday, dear Honey.
Happy Birthday to you!

I love you and may you have many, many, many more!!

50 Years of Love

This past weekend I attended a 50th Wedding Anniversary Party for my husband's grandparents. They married in their forties and blended their families with great success. The room was full of love and laughter and a lifetime of memories.

They're in their 90s but still full of vim & vigor. They may have been a little slower moving but were still able to come back to our hotel with us after the party and have a drink or two and visit with the family they haven't seen in several years. I loved listening to the stories of their life together and the banter back and forth between family members. All in all the weekend was a great success and I'm so proud to be a part of this family.

Letting Go

My baby left this morning to spend two weeks in Albuquerque, NM, with her boyfriend and his father. She's never been away from me except with family and she's certainly never been on a plane before. I'm a nervous wreck and I've been up since 4 am to take them to the airport. I know she'll be 18 in a few months, but that's not the point. She's my baby and I don't want her off somewhere that I can't get to her right away. Letting go sucks!

I've done enough letting go in my life and frankly I don't like it very much. I want to hold on to what's mine and giving it up is turning out not to be one of my strong points. It's hard and it hurts and I don't like it! What am I supposed to do when all my babies are grown? Sit around and wish for the old days when they were little and were all mine? hmpf!

What about you? How do you deal with letting go?

Back On Track

Well, I think it's about time for me to get back into posting on a more regular basis. I got sidetracked for awhile with a special project at work and RoDiWriMo but that's all over and I have more time now.

I'm taking a Workshop with Eliza Knight called "The Noble's Life in Medieval Times". I'm excited to learn as much as I can since my WIP is set in the 14th century and Eliza is doing an awesome job. I'm inspired to write more and I'm hoping to finish the first draft of this MS within a few months so I can get started editing it and have it ready to submit by the end of the year. My first submission will be a HUGE deal!

I joined my local RWA chapter and was interviewed for the chapter newsletter. My answers to the interview questions were neither inspired nor insightful, but it was my first interview and I certainly hope it gets easier and better with time. LOL If possible I'll post here when it comes out.

My Heart Is Within You by Marguerite Labbe



On sale NOW at Dreamspinner Press!



The power of heart and soul holds the key to the survival of the last of the ancient vampires. Kristair is running out of time. His race has faded away, prey to delusion and deterioration, and his only chance to live long enough to find a cure is to bind his psyche to a human vessel in a long forgotten ritual.


Kristair's chosen vessel is Jacob Corvin, a man of passionate stubbornness and fierce loyalty; he has captured Kristair's fantasies so completely that he is both the vampire's greatest strength and most crippling weakness. Drawing upon Jacob's spirit and Kristair's resolve, they each bind a portion of their souls to one other. For as long as Jacob carries Kristair's heart within him, the vampire can continue his quest.


Just when they have hope, their mission is threatened by The Syndicate, a group of younger vampires who attempt to force Kristair to teach them his secrets before he disappears like the rest of the ancients. Battling both The Syndicate's attacks and his unexpected need and love for Jacob, Kristair's strength begins to fade, forcing him to make a decision that will change his and Jacob's lives forever.


Read an excerpt here!

More Random Stuff

The weekend is almost over. Why does it seem to go so much faster than the rest of the week? Just like your lunch break. It's the fastest hour of the day. Every other hour just creeps by. But at least I only have four days of work this week. MJM & I leave Friday morning for Kansas City, KS. His grandparents are having their 50th wedding anniversary.

I bought the cutest dress to wear. My friend and I went shopping yesterday and I tried on 12 dresses before I found the right one. Maybe I'll post a picture if it turns out good.

On a sad note, my aunt is very sick and in the hospital, in a coma last I heard. And my grandmother on my father's side is in the hospital as well. I'm not very close to her but I feel as if I should be there. I know I'll feel guilty if I don't go because I go to all my uncles funerals, but that side of the family doesn't really feel like family to me. That's sad because they really are family and I should be close to them. My father left me when I was very young and I've never spent much time with him, even though I could have if he'd only tried a little harder. Now, that's neither here nor there, though. The past is the past. And I still don't know if I'll go to the funeral or not when my grandmother passes.

Anyway, I'll go back to work tomorrow and take things a day at a time. We'll see what happens when it happens.

SECOND TIME AROUND is the 2nd instalment of the Risque Reunions trilogy of Spice Briefs, three stories about lovers who meet again at a ten year school reunion.

When Willa spots her ex-husband, James, eyeing her seductively at their high school reunion, she doesn't know what to think--or how to control her body's reaction to him. James has changed from the mild, non-confrontational man she married. Now he's darker, sexier and eager to be in command. For the first time in their relationship, Willa is helpless before him--and she likes it. It's time for her to make things right, starting by surrendering to pleasure...and to James's will.

Read an excerpt here

Available from Fictionwise, Books on Board and Amazon Kindle so far, and due at eHarlequin shortly.

The Prince's Bride, from Loose ID.

Sexy young knight Sir Geoffrey’s holy vision of the True Cross sends him questing after a virgin, a unicorn, a sacred scroll, and a cursed island. Rita is a plump, poor peasant who speaks with the finder of lost things, St. Anthony. She hasn’t been a virgin for quite a while, so she’s thrilled to win the hand of Sir Geoffrey, and moreso since Geoff delights in introducing her to his sexual peccadilloes, including a generous night of brotherly sharing. It comes as a shock to learn that Geoff’s vision includes his own martyrdom! Is Geoffrey’s vision the result of insanity, or is St. Anthony leading him to something priceless? Only Rita has the power to save her husband, with some help from her heavenly friends.

A HINT OF WICKED by Jennifer Haymore

“A unique, heart-tugging story with sympathetic, larger-than-life characters, intriguing plot twists, and sensual love scenes make A HINT OF WICKED an impressive romance debut!”

– New York Times bestselling author Nicole Jordan

CAUGHT BETWEEN DUTY AND DESIRE . . .

Sophie, the Duchess of Calton, has finally moved on. After seven years mourning the loss of her husband, Garrett, at Waterloo, she has married his cousin and heir, Tristan. Sophie gives herself to him body and soul. . . until the day Garrett returns from the Continent, demanding his title, his lands-and his wife.

TORN BETWEEN TWO HUSBANDS . . .

Now Sophie must choose between her first love and her new love, knowing that no matter what, her choice will destroy one of the men she adores. Will it be Garrett, her childhood sweetheart, whose loss nearly destroyed her once already? Or will it be Tristan, beloved friend turned lover, who supported her through the last, dark years and introduced her to a passion she had never known? As her two husbands battle for her heart, Sophie finds herself immersed in a dangerous game-where the stakes are not only love . . . but life and death.

Read the beginning of A HINT OF WICKED here.
Buy it at www.amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, www.borders.com
Also available in e-Book format

www.jenniferhaymore.com

Random

It's been a long two weeks since I've posted. Things were really hectic at work the first week, then the second week I was on vacation, but helped my daughter-in-law take care of a sick 17 month old baby. None of us got much sleep. Thank goodness she got better, but now I've got a cold that just won't quit. I'm stuffy & drippy all at the same time and I hate it!

Our new system went live yesterday and so far so good. Only minor problems so far today on my end. Let's hope it stays that way.

I did RoDiWriMo over at Romance Divas in May and did pretty good. I wrote every day so that's a biggie for me. I hope it keeps up because I'd love to finish at least one novel this year.

June will be a better month. Only 1 day off but I'm going out of town. My husband's grandparents are having their 50th Wedding Anniversary. Obviously there's a step in there somewhere but no one acknowledges that. They're both grandparents to him and that's all that matters. I love that about this family. There are no steps!

Well, that's pretty much it. I just hope things stay saner this month and I can keep up with my writing.

This past month has been so busy. I'm on the team for upgrading out new front end system in advertising and have been working hard to get everything ready. We're testing every scenario we can think of to hopefully catch any problems before we go live on May 31st. In addition to that I created training materials and am conducting training classes for all advertising reps because the system has a much different look and feel than the last version.

On top of all that I've been writing every single day for 15 days straight. I'm exciting because even though my word count is still low the story seems to be going very well since I scrapped what I had started before and just decided to try a new angle. So far, so good!

My daughter-in-law and granddaughter came back home this week and I've been spending time enjoying that. I'd say all-in-all things are going very well for me right now.

The Real Deal

He held the reins to her heart once—and this time he won’t let go.

Willa Tate left Millbrook, Texas, years ago—along with her future, her fiancé and her heart. Now, as one of the headlining acts at a hot burlesque club, she looks into the crowd, sees a familiar face staring up at her—and her past comes crashing back.

Chase Kiel has some hard questions for the former love of his life. He spent forever looking for her, and now he wants answers—even if he has to throw her over his shoulder and drag her back to Millbrook to get them.

He’d find it a hell of a lot easier if the chemistry weren’t still there. If they didn’t still fit together like keg of dynamite and fuse. If he didn’t want not only his answers…but her heart.

Chase is still certain he and Willa belong together—and convincing Willa of it will be his pleasure.

When two hearts are on the line, it’s double or nothing.

A Wild Ride story.

Levi McKenna heads to Las Vegas with one simple goal: win the rodeo and cement his place in rodeo history. Then Lady Luck throws a wild card into the deck—Sydney Hart. Time and distance haven’t dulled the sharp edge of their attraction, but thanks to a long-ago promise, she will always be forbidden fruit dangling just out of reach.

Sydney wants to believe in fairy tales and happily ever after, but her past relationships leave her doubting such things exist. She’s ready to give up on love…until Levi walks into her bar. The man who’s always held the missing piece of her heart. Love may not be in the cards, but that doesn’t mean a girl can’t flirt.

Neither expected passion this hot, this fast. Yet once the cards are dealt, the only thing left to do is play them out—and see if they have a winning hand.

Warning: this book contains a sassy heroine, a scrumptious hero, blood, sweat, tears, not to mention…sex laced with Vegas heat.

Available from Samhain Publishing

Three Alarm Tenant by Charlotte McClain

Katherine lost one hero in the line of duty -- can she risk loving another?

Katherine Pelham's fiancé was a police officer, shot and killed during a robbery. Left with a house she can't afford, she must rent out the first floor to solve her money woes. Before she can finishing putting up the For Rent sign, along comes a man who seems interested in more than just the apartment.

Fireman Jack Connelly is in a bind: he's rescued a dog, and his lease doesn't allow pets. The new apartment would be great. The new landlady, even better...

Get it on the web:

Lyrical Press

Chaos

April was a busy month and May won't be much slower. We're implementing a new front end system at work and I'm on the committee for testing & training.

We've been meeting for about three weeks and we're finally ready to start testing to make sure everything works the way it's supposed to. But before we can test we have to train the testers. And it looks like that's going to be my job.

I've created PowerPoints and will be showing those at tomorrow's session. I've never taught a class before, but there are so many people we need to train that I'll pretty much being teaching for the next month and probably beyond. We go live on May 31st and between now and then we have to test every possible scenario and we have to train about 100 people on how to use the system.

During this process I think I've discovered something about myself. Actually I've probably always known it but for some reason it's never really sunk in before. I love chaos. I thrive on being busy and learning new things. And I love being the go-to person once I've learned those new things. That's why I'm always the one that everyone calls when they have a question or when they have something about the system they don't understand. And that's why I'm patient with them when they ask questions that we've gone over dozens of times already. I love the chaos!

So bring it on! I can handle it!!

Prom was this weekend and of course I got pics. My son Josh's girlfriend is a Sr this year and my daughter Hallie is a Jr. I remember both my proms.

Jr year I didn't buy a dress (we borrowed from someone) and I didn't have a date so my mom fixed me up with her friend's son down the street. He didn't go to my school & I didn't know him well, but he was a sweet boy. I'll definitely never forget it. We went to prom and did the obligatory things; dinner, dancing, pics, socializing. But after prom was most memorable. We pulled up to his house first so he could change out of his tux. When he got back in the car he backed into a very deep ditch and had to get the tractor to pull it out (we lived in the middle of nowhere). Then, after that was done and I was able to change clothes, we went to the next town over for bowling (I'm such a fun-loving gal). When we were ready to go home we got out to the car and realized he'd locked the keys inside. We had to call his mom to come unlock the doors. Yep, those were good times! I was more intimidating than I thought.

Sr prom was different. I was dating the kids father. My mom bought me this beautiful dress (ordered from the Sears catalog). It was white with red trim & Joey had a white tux with red vest & bow tie. We went to dinner with my friend Tammy & her date (she was in a different school) and she and Joey got into a huge argument because they really couldn't stand each other. Once we got to prom it was nice and we ate & had pics made, but left before the dancing. We went to hang out with some of his friends and I was home by midnight curfew, but he was drunk by then. You'd think I would have paid attention & not married him, but you know what they say, "Love is Blind".

But all in all I do have memories I'll take with me forever. I'm hoping my kids have better memories to look back on when they're kids are ready for prom.

This is my daughter Hallie & her date Ricky.


This is my son Josh & his date Ashlee.


And this is the whole gang before they left the house.

Diamonds and Kisses by Amy Redwood

Emma, a emerging singer, is the opening act for a diamond exhibition in Hong Kong. Life is good, or so she thinks, until she locks lips with a handsome stranger. From that moment on, she risks her career, relationship and heart to be with him.

Jack has to steal the world's largest red diamond. Only for luck--he needs some badly--does he kiss the Irish redhead he meets during the flight to Hong Kong. A kiss seriously gone wrong, because she tastes like cherries and feels like forever.

Jack isn't a forever guy. Besides, he has to take down the power grid in Hong Kong, steal the diamond and rid himself of the daughter of the head of a Chinese triad. Jack's busy.

Careful, this title contains explicit language and graphic sex. Length: Novel

Buy it here.
Read an excerpt here.

Finding herself undercover as a serving wench at a Renaissance Faire, FBI Agent and mild psychic Leda Williams isn’t planning to partake in any role-playing games. She’s there to find a mace-wielding serial killer, which isn’t easy with everyone around her pretending to be in character. Not only does the entire village fit the Medieval-obsessed profile, but she’s already been propositioned by a few of the knights. Clearly, sexual harassment wasn’t around in the Middle Ages. But, when she sees the delectably gorgeous, magically seductive tournament champion, Sir Calum, Leda realizes there might be one knight she wouldn’t mind getting into character for.

READ MORE/BUY EBOOK NOW: http://www.newconceptspublishing.com/faire...e.htm

Available NOW at Amber Quill Publishing!


They marched for peace, but found hope for the future in each other’s arms...



Set against the backdrop of the infamous March on the Pentagon in the fall of 1967, Fortunate Son follows Ricky Anderson and his lover, Charlie Irvine, as they and thousands of other idealistic anti-war protesters strive to make their voices heard.



Haunted by the death of his older brother on the front lines in Vietnam, Ricky’s stake in the protests is personal and painful. Charlie, Ricky’s peace-loving hippie lover, has taught Ricky about rallies, poetry and love. But a secret Charlie’s hidden from Ricky since day one is about to come to light and threaten their relationship as well as their beliefs.



Click HERE to buy your copy!

I broke out!

I stepped out of my protective social shell today and attended my first meeting for Music City Romance Writers (MCRW). I was a nervous wreck. It's not easy for me to meet new people. I don't chit chat very well and I certainly can't just walk up to someone and start a conversation. But the women at MCRW were wonderful. They pulled me in and sat me down and introduced themselves. They were so nice and so friendly and the lecture was great. I enjoyed every minute of it. I'm allowed one more meeting before I have to officially join but I have a feeling that I may go ahead and fill out that paperwork to bring to the next meeting. And with any luck, by then I'll be somewhere in the middle of the WIP so I may actually have something to contribute to the conversation.

Prayers for Amy

My friend/coworker is going through a hard time right now. She was off on vacation last week and on Friday we learned she'd had major surgery. She's doing fine now and is expected to fully recover, but she'll be out of work for a while. Please send up a few prayers and healing light for her.

Stripping for Charity

Every year Nashville has the Southern Women's Show at the convention center. Vendors set up to sell everything from clothes, shoes and purses to sunrooms, stone walkways and gardening supplies. There are make-up demonstrations, cooking demonstrations and wall to wall women just hanging out with their friends, mothers, daughters and sisters.

But the best part of the entire weekend is the Nashville Fire Department. The show lasts from Thursday to Sunday and every evening some of the firemen from NFD strut their stuff. They model tuxes from a local shop (for all of about 2 seconds before stripping from the waist up) and then change into their uniforms. They come back on stage and dance while the women stuff money in their pants. They never go past the waist and it's all for charity.

The money they collect goes directly to fire victims and the families of fallen firemen. They raise thousands of dollars every year and give all the women of Nashville a chance to do something some of them would probably never do otherwise.

I love watching the guys, of course, but what really gets me is the other women. These women can get vicious. The guys throw T-shirts into the crowd and the women fight for them. I thought a couple of times there would be punches thrown as well, but they calmed down. And this year there was a bidding war over one T-shirt a fireman tore off himself. Of course, he also promised the highest bidder a kiss...lol

It's great fun and my daughter and my best friend go every year. What better way to spend a weekend?



Here's a pic of my friend and me after the show. How's that for entertainment?

Consort by Kim Knox


November Eve. The Hunt Ball. And to prove her right to rule, Tate must capture a mate. It should’ve been simple. Snag a vampire barely turned and have him kneel and swear devotion to her. But Fate has other plans…and one of them involves the powerful son of the ruling Queen.


Jager, a vampire she’s hungered after for years, allows himself to become her prey. But with his promise of sinful, wicked pleasure comes a catch. Jager only wants her as his slave. Nothing more.


Tate has no plans to bow down to him…until Jager shares a shocking truth with her. Suddenly Fate is playing hardball.


There's a naughty excerpt here and you can buy it here

Are You a Prankster?

I've never been much on pulling practical jokes on people. In fact most of the pranks are usually pulled on me. But yesterday, as a pre-April Fool's Day joke, my co-worker and I decided to pull one off.

Here at work we seem to have a bit of a parking issue. We have designated parking in what we call "the gulch". It's gated but it's also a short (less than 1/4 mile) to the building. Everyone hates parking down there so they come up with excuses every day to park in the front of the building. The only way you're supposed to park in front is if you have a medical condition that warrants temporarily parking directly across the street or in front of the building.

On Monday evening I stumped my pinky toe and it was still sore Tuesday morning. I was laughing and telling my co-worker about it and she decided we'd pull a prank on the security officer we work with every day. She typed out a "doctor's note" that said I'd broken my toe and when he got really worked up over people parking where they're not supposed to I told him about my toe and handed him the note.

Instead of reading the note closely (because he trusted me) he took it back to his manager for approval. When he came back without seeing his manager because of a meeting we finally told him what we'd done. He got a kick out of it when he finally read the note and it had my co-worker's name as the doctor and our work address for the doctor's office. And he was in a better mood the rest of the day so I guess in a small way we did a good deed.

I can't believe I was actually able to pull it off without smiling but I was actually pretty convincing. And that's the one and only practical joke I've every played.

What about you? Are you a prankster?

Random Weekend Plans

Been a little busy this week; researching, reading, studying the craft and, of course, writing. I've got most of the character sketch for the heroine of my current WIP and I'll be working on a sketch for the hero this weekend. I've got a few scenes worked out and I'll be working on the outline next.

Also this weekend I'll be taking my daughter to pick out a prom dress. She's a Jr this year and excited to be going. I think we'll borrow a dress for this year and buy next year for Sr Prom. She doesn't really care as long as she gets to get all dressed up. She's a bit of a girly-girl. Unlike me, she has to fix her hair and put on her make-up before leaving the house. Me, I don't particularly care if I'm wearing sweats or old jeans and my hair's in a ponytail.

My husband is heading down to Alabama this weekend to play paintball with some of his buddies. Too bad there are storms headed our way for the next couple days. But I'm sure he'll have a good time whether he gets muddy or not. They'll hang out in the hotel (they used to camp but have decided they're getting too old for that...lol) and do whatever male bonding rituals guys do when they're out with they're buds.

What are your plans for this weekend?

Compromising Positions releases today!

Falling in love is the last thing on his busy agenda…but compromising positions can lead just about anywhere.

David Strong knows how to do a lot of things—run an international fitness company, finesse stock portfolios and stay out of emotional entanglements. That is, until he gets tangled up with Sophie Delfino and her Sensational Sex workout. He’s supposed to help her demonstrate Kama Sutra positions for her couples’ yoga class. The rigorous postures require more than just physical control. And his co-instructor unexpectedly tests his control to the limit.

Sophie’s been fantasizing about David since her teens, but she never dreamed she’d actually be expected to run through her intimate desires—with an audience! The class is very professional, tame even—or it would be, if she’d been in any of the positions before. But she hasn’t—except in her wildest fantasies about David. Sophie knows she wants David in every way, and she’s flexible enough to use whatever she has to get him.

David can’t afford any unexpected distractions. Besides the sensual positions he has to endure without embarrassing himself in public, there’s an embezzler stealing from his company. And then there’s Sophie—who is well on her way to stealing his well-guarded heart.

Warning: This is one exercise program you won’t need to consult your doctor before beginning…unless he’s hot and available for house calls. The Kama Sutra isn’t for the prudish or faint of heart, and neither is this story.

Read An Excerpt Online

Divinity Warriors by Michelle M. Pillow
Coming from Ellora's Cave, March 25, 2009


About Divinity Warriors:
In one of the many universes parallel to ours, Divinity Corporation has discovered the secret to moving between the planes. This has given them the power to do pretty much whatever they want without consequence or regulation. Whether it's to ship unwilling brides in trade for minerals rights, to control everything from entertainment circuits to governments to academia, or simply gain that which every greedy corporation wants--Power.

Welcome to the new world, Divinity's World.


About Lilith Enraptured:
Sorin of Firewall lives in a land forever at war. In fact, the Starian men are so busy fighting, their marriage ceremony has been reduced to a “will of the gods” event where they simply pick a woman out of a lineup and claim her as a wife. With women becoming scarce, it’s necessary to trade the offworld Divinity Corporation for brides. Duty-bound to attend the ceremony, he has no intention of picking a bride, let alone one from another dimension. That is, until he sees Lilith, the bewitching woman sent by the gods to reward—or punish?—him.

Lilith, a data analyst for Divinity, is betrayed by the Corporation and wakes up in a primitive, uncharted dimension filled with warriors who only know war and duty. But her initial fears of becoming a sex slave to a big beefy knight become all too real when a warrior of god-like proportions claims she’s his new woman. As Lilith discovers, there are worse fates than being the focus of Sorin’s skillful and earthy seduction.

Publisher - Ellora's Cave
Ebook Released - 3/25/2009
BUY LINK: http://www.jasminejade.com/m-139-michelle-pillow.aspx

LEARN MORE: http://www.michellepillow.com/divinity.htm

Building Better Plots

I've written a portion of my current WIP with no outline or plot arc of any kind and now I'm stuck. I have no idea where the story is going and it's driving me nuts. Every idea I come up with seems stupid and I'm terrified that if I try it someone somewhere will know how utterly unqualified I am to be a writer.

But I've been reading Building Better Plots by Robert Kernen and it seems to be helping a bit. I like the way he puts things in a way I can understand more than most other books I've read. It's helped me put into perspective the way I plot and outline and I recommend it highly for those who can't seem to figure out where their story is going next.

“Soul Stealer” by Kimberley Troutte

Buy from MBaM!

Read An Excerpt Online

Genre: Paranormal Romance

ISBN: 978-1-60504-473-6

Length: Novella

Price: 3.50

Publication Date: March 17, 2009

Cover art by Angie Waters

When Death falls in love with a saint, there’s holy hell to pay.

Sara Lane expects to die young, but when the time comes, she’s not ready. She needs two more weeks to finish a homeless shelter before winter sets in and people die on the streets. Who does a girl have to sleep with to live a few extra days?

How about the sexiest, most dangerous of all bad boys—Death himself?

Cain’s job as a designated death dealer is clear. Kill and move on. Don’t get attached. Don’t feel. But when Sara pleads to cut a deal for more time, Cain is tempted by an unexpected craving for this beautiful, courageous woman. As their lips meet, her life force shakes him to his bones, seals the bargain—and breaks all the rules.

Keeping Sara alive is a dangerous proposition. The Powers That Be are furious and unleash bloodthirsty demons to steal Sara’s soul from Death—the one man who’s hell-bent on saving her life.

Warning: This book contains the sexiest of all bad boys, a woman desperate to get what she wants, deadly soul-sucking demons, surprise visits by Biblical characters, frog grenades, very bad dogs, sacrifice, redemption and eternal love.

Read An Excerpt Online

Buy from MBaM!

Writing Historical Paranormal Romance with Some of The Hottest Authors in the Genre

March 20th & 21st at Romance Divas

Featuring:

Colleen Gleason

Melissa Mayhue

Jennifer Ashley

Sharon Page

Jennifer St. Giles


Want to know how to write romance that brings a mysterious and paranormal twist to history? Romance Divas is hosting a 2-day workshop with some of the hottest names in the Historical Paranormal genre. It will take place at the Romance Diva Forum. All are welcome. To get access to the forum you will need to register.

Blog

I'm working on a new idea for a different kind of blog and as soon as I've got it all put together I'll post it so everyone can have a look see.

Breaking the Covenants

The German vampire Gunther von Wittersheim has a problem: he’s fallen in love with the English Lady Marguerite Giffard and his greatest immortal enemy knows about it. Alphonse de Brunel is also a vampire, and ruthless enough to use the human girl as a weapon against his foe. When de Brunel captures Marguerite and turns her into a vampire against her will, Gunther swears to destroy him.

But vampires are bound by the Covenants, a code of law enforced by the mysterious and most powerful of the vampire Elders. If Gunther kills de Brunel, the Conclave will destroy him. Marguerite must find a way to keep Gunther’s thirst for revenge from leading him to his death. When they pursue de Brunel to St. Petersburg, they find themselves caught up in a revolution that pits vampire against vampire. Can they find a way to capture de Brunel and return him to the Conclave before the violence in Russia sweeps them up? Or will they, too, fall prey to the breaking of the Covenants?

See the Book Trailer Here.

Perfect Formation
KB Alan

Friends for much longer than they’ve been lovers, Taryn and Richard enjoy each other’s company while looking for “Mr. Right”. When they meet Caleb the attraction is instant and mutual–for all three.

Caleb wines and dines them then shows them how good it can be if they trust him to lead the way. One night is all it takes to prove that the three of them are a perfect match, at least in the bedroom.

Taryn has to decide if explosive sex and the feelings that are quickly overtaking her are worth the risk of losing it all–she knows only too well that you can’t count on fate to always go your way. Richard sees Caleb and Taryn as the perfect couple but isn’t so sure there will always be room for him. Caleb has to suppress his urge to tie them both to the bed until they understand that they belong with him, but if they don’t come around soon, he’ll be pulling those ropes out after all.

Spring Forward

Well, I sprang forward this morning. Woke up & the clock said 10. I really want my hour back. Just because the clock said 10 didn't really make it 10 in my foggy brain. But I am soooo looking forward to the extra daylight starting tonight. WooHoo! It won't be dark when I get off work now!

Joshua’s Muse by Fae Sutherland


College student Alex is entirely out of his element, thrust from his safe circle of tightly knit family and friends into a world where he feels out of place and alone, until he meets the beautiful artist Joshua, who develops a swift and overwhelming obsession for Alex.


Still learning to deal with his own sexuality, Alex is confused but intrigued by the bold man who calls Alex his muse and finds himself falling under Joshua’s spell and into his arms. Alex wants true love without the sacrifice. Joshua wants his muse and everything else Alex has to offer. Can they find their balance and a lasting happiness?

On Sale Now at Ellora’s Cave!

There's Something in the Air Today

We have had some strange happenings today here at the front counter. This is why I like this spot so much. I get to see things here that I'd miss behind closed doors. Sometimes it gets a little hairy but I like it; more fodder for storytelling.

We had a guy come in looking for his mother. He's done this before and usually he's drunk or high or whatever. He's about my age I guess, his mother works here and he wants us to call her out to give him money. One day last year, security wasn't at his post so I had to deal with the guy and when his mother didn't get out here as quickly as he wanted her, he jumped at me yelling he wanted her now. Of course he was escorted off the property and told never to come back, but because his mother is well liked, they usually just warn him and make him leave instead of calling the cops. He hasn't been back in a while; until today.

Today he came in and security met him at the door, telling him to leave. He tried to argue at first but finally left. About 5, maybe 10, minutes later someone from the department his mother works in called security to tell them the guy was in the building. Of course security went looking for him but couldn't find him. Another hour passed and the supervisor back in that department caught the guy and had security come get him. They escorted him out and made sure he and his mother both knew the police would be called if he set foot on the property again.

And this is only one crazy today. I haven't begun to tell about the one's who want this done or that done; knowing full well that's not our procedures. All in all it's been a crazy day.

Getting Down to Brass Tacks: Marketing and Promotion for the Fiction Author

March 2-8 at Romance Divas


Featuring:

COLLEEN GLEASON

Want to know what really takes to promote your book? Romance Divas is hosting a weeklong workshop with author Colleen Gleason, who can answer that question and many more! It will take place at the Romance Diva Forum. All are welcome. To get access to the forum you will need to register.

Brought to Life by Dara England

Visit the author at http://www.daraenglandauthor.com/
Purchase at http://www.lyricalpress.com/brought_to_life.html


Megan Hurst's life has taken some unexpected turns: First she loses her heart to the dashing hero of a novel. And then she meets an amnesia victim who seems just like him.

The mysterious stranger needs her help to piece his past together, and the closer the two become, the more questions arise about his resemblance to a "fictional" character.

Megan's romantic feelings and her bizarre suspicions bring her to an impossible question... Has she dreamed the Duke to life?

We Got Snow

It snowed last night. Here it is, March 1st, and we got snow. All year they've been telling us it's gonna snow and here it is. Of course, it's all melted away now, but it sure was pretty early this morning before the sun got so warm. I sat at the window watching the birds peck through to the grass below. They were beautiful. I wish I could have gotten a picture but no digital camera and no film conspired against me. Ah, well. We got snow!

Conflict

I've been trying to figure out why my WIP keeps stalling. I know at least part of it is me not putting BIC, but I'm thinking maybe it might be because I just don't seem to have enough conflict going on. I mean, I know what should happen, but for some reason I can't get it down on paper. And it's driving me nuts that I keep finding reasons why this won't work or that won't work.

I started out with this awesome story idea with great conflict and wonderful characters, but when I write, none of that comes out. I could go back and trash the entire thing and start over but that terrifies me. I don't know what to do!!

“The Scroll Thief” by R. F. Long

Genre: Fantasy-SciFi

ISBN: 978-1-60504-395-1

Length: Plus Novel

Price: 6.50

Publication Date: February 24, 2009

Cover art by Anne Cain

Love is the wiliest thief of all.

A Tale of Ithian

Malachy and his sister rely on his talents as a thief to survive the dangerous streets of Klathport, former capital of the once-great kingdom of Ithian. Stealing a few papers should have been a simple job. Instead, it nearly costs their lives and throws them into an improbable alliance with a shape-shifting official, a desert tribeswoman, and a healer of enchanting beauty.

Cerys is far more than a simple healer—and the roots of her mission go deeper into the past than anyone can know. She needs Malachy’s skills to recover a stolen scroll, one that can be used to rewrite history and, in the wrong hands, release the dark powers of the Demon Realm.

Her mission was supposed to atone for a dreadful, long-ago act. Instead, it unleashes a chain of events which sees them pursued through city and desert by the fearsome Dune Witch and a killer known only as His Lordship. Romance, tragedy, and adventure blend in a tale of a magical land on the brink of war, and five unlikely allies who, by putting their lives—and their hearts—on the line, have the opportunity to finally set things right.

But at a terrible cost.

Warning: Contains scenes of graphic violence and torture, captivating magic and beauty, two dashing heroes, three gutsy heroines, several love stories and a heartbreaking sacrifice.

Read An Excerpt Online

Buy from MBaM!

Sooo Tired

OMG! I can't keep my eyes open today. What on earth is the problem? I went to bed at my regular time and got up at my regular time. I don't remember waking up in between so what the heck is going on? *YAWN*

From the Call to the Bookstore

February 25th-26th at Romance Divas


Featuring:

KRISTAN HIGGINS


Want to know what it takes to get from “the call” to the bookstore in New York publishing? Romance Divas is hosting a 2-day workshop with RITA award winning author Kristan Higgins, who can answer that question and many more! It will take place at the Romance Diva Forum. All are welcome. To get access to the forum you will need to register.

Furlough Day

Off work today and catching up on a few things that need doing. It's good to be off work but the part I don't like is the "no pay" part of it. Today's one of the furlough days the company is making everyone take. I've still got two more to go this quarter and according to the rumor mill I'll probably be required to take more every quarter till the end of the year. But I'm trying to make the most of it. I ran my errands this morning and this afternoon I'll be writing. That's not such a bad thing.

Home

I read a great blog post this morning about Getting Focus. I never really thought of going home for a visit as a way to gain focus on my life, but as I look back that's definitely what happens. There are so many people back home who are glad to see me when I get there. And there is so much love in the air down there that you practically burst with it.

At the same time, it's like taking a trip in a time machine. Things have changed of course, but so many things haven't. The pace is still a slow walk. The people still wave when you drive past. When you enter the grocery store you're called by name. The big city doesn't offer those kinds of day to day personal touches and sometimes I find that I miss that most of all.

So, from now on I'm going to try to get back home as often as I possibly can. This once a year thing isn't going to cut it anymore.

Help!

I think I'm trying too hard. Writing used to be fun. I loved putting words to paper and telling the story the best way I knew how. But now I'm focusing too much on the "process" of writing and the "right" way to write the story. When I sit down to work on my WIP I can't seem to find the right words. Before I decided to "become" a writer I had no problems putting down exactly what I wanted to say. Now I can't seem to say anything at all. I want to go back to the way thing were. Help!!!

It's a Good Day

I just had lunch with my honey. His job doesn't allow for him to visit me at lunch so today was a total surprise. He's such a sweetheart. He kept telling me he loves me and that I looked beautiful. Finally I just had to ask what he was up to...LOL But of course he just wanted to do something nice for me today. Isn't love grand?!?!

Happy Valentine's Day

Today is the day of love. Everyone is giving gifts and candy and flowers are being delivered to countless women across the country. And I just want to send a big I Love You to my husband. He's a wonderful man, a loving husband and a great stepfather for my kids. Happy Valentine's Day, Honey!!

Better

Ok. I'm feeling a bit better today; not quite so grumpy. People are still getting on my nerves but I'm handling it better than the rest of the week.

As you know from a previous post everyone in our company has to take a full week off with no pay. Well, now there's a rumor that all hourly employees will have to take a full day off work with no pay every pay period until further notice. Hourly workers can't afford to take a day off with no pay. Now, I know salaried workers can't afford it either, but they're not being affected so that's neither here nor there.

Maybe the reason I'm so burned out at work is because I'm feeling less than appreciated here. I know the economy is down and things are looking bleak for everyone, but it's a pain in the butt when the MEDIA company you work for hides things and refuses to be honest with their employees until rumors make their way online and force them to open up. Then report in their news articles that other companies are cutting back & laying off but make no mention of their own issues.

Oops. There I go getting grumpy again.

Grrrrr!!!

I've been in such a foul mood the past few days. Every customer gets on my nerves; they either talk so slow I'm waiting 30 seconds between each character I type or they talk so fast I can't even hear what they're saying. Or they all seem to have no clue at all. My co-workers get on my nerves because they can't seem to recall the first thing about how to do their jobs and they call me to fix everything they can't seem to do right the first time. I'm blaming it on mother nature, but I'm afraid that might only be a small part of the problem. I really think I'm getting burnt out at work. I hate getting up in the morning to drive to work and sit at my desk and answer stupid phone calls from people who want to yell and complain about things I had no hand in. I've been doing this for 6 years and frankly I'm getting tired. Only I can't quit because we need both incomes and any other job I find wouldn't pay me half what I make in sales (when I actually make goal). Not to mention the 3 weeks vacation a year, sick & personal time. So, I guess I'll just keep plugging along and try to immerse myself in my writing when I'm feeling down.

Blurb:

Paige Jacobs lives the perfect life with her fiancé, Ryan, but the memory—or fantasy—of a gorgeous boy with silver eyes consumes her. Her sister Aimee, the only one who knows the dangerous secrets of her past, refuses to talk about them.

Feeling very much alone and obsessing over haunting memories, Paige decides to write a book in hope of finally dispelling the ghosts of her past so she can move on. Every chapter she writes brings her closer to the boy she'd loved so much in her youth. Then one morning in a coffee shop, she encounters a man with silver eyes.

Has she crossed the line between fantasy and reality?

Available Now from Freya's Bower

Highland Rebel by Tess Mallory - Revised

I love Tess Mallory's books. She can always get me to sit up all night because I just can't put it down. I haven't read Highland Rogue yet because I couldn't find it at the bookstore the other day. I'm heading over to Borders this week and should have it finished by the weekend.

Edit: Tess also has a new book coming out March 3rd. You can pre-order here or pick it up at your local bookstore next month.

The Jealousy Plot – By Jolie Cain

For as long as she can remember, Callie has been in love with her next-door neighbor Trey, a firefighter on the Oceanside Fire Department, but he has never seen her as anything more than a good friend, a pal. Then for her birthday, Trey gives her something wonderful ... not the usual tire jack and mace spray. No, he gives her a beautiful antique locket, and Callie begins to dream that maybe he has changed the way he sees her. After all, when a guy gives a girl jewelry, it means something special--right? Only her friend Marianne Riley isn’t so sure. She thinks Trey needs to be nudged just a bit in the right direction. So she enlists the aid of her brother, one of Trey’s fellow firefighters, in a plot to make Trey jealous. But Ben Riley seems interested in more than simply helping Callie out. And he arouses feelings in Callie that Trey never has. While Trey has always made her feel safe and secure, Ben makes her feel wild and out of control. He pushes her and fulfills her darkest desires. Eventually Callie must decide ... which firefighter is the one that sets her heart on fire?

Captive Flame – Rhiannon Leith
As a djinn, a being formed of fire, Adara has spent centuries enslaved to the human Magi, passed from one to another, made to do their bidding. She yearns for freedom. She yearns for love.

When firefighter Peter O'Connor pulls her out of an inferno, he snatches her from her current Magus. This new master has no idea of what or how powerful she is, and the opportunity to break free finally becomes a real possibility. If only her body didn't react to him with such abandon. If only his touch didn't make her lose the will to do anything but be with him.

With the Magus closing in on them, and Peter's life in danger, Adara must choose between her desire and her dreams.

And with supernatural arson attacks sweeping the city, Peter must decide if a firefighter can ever really trust a fire?

BUY IT HERE

Good-Bye

I'm finally back to the future. I went home to Arkansas for a funeral this week and spent four days with no internet. I don't mean just dial up; no I mean there was no internet at all. My parents only recently got caller ID on their phone so there is no way they have a computer, let alone internet. Whew! There for a while I thought I'd go crazy. LOL

The service was nice and simple, just the way he wanted it. He'll be missed by not only his children but the rest of the family and his friends as well.

I remember how he loved to joke around with us all. He was a musician and his humor could always be found in his work. I will NEVER forget the song he used to sing to Aunt Debbie. It made her so mad sometimes but all us kids thought it was the funniest thing we'd ever heard. "Those Scaggy Baggy Drawers That Debbie Wore". She hated that song, but she loved Mike and always gave him a smile when he finished.

At the service they played a tape of him singing a beautiful gospel song; "Daddy Needs No Marker to Mark His Grave For Jesus Knows Where he Lays". He went to a Pentecost church and he knew where he would be in the end. When his time came he was glad to go meet the Father.

Rest In Peace, Uncle Mike. We'll See You Again Soon.

Family

Another of my uncles passed away this morning and I'll be preparing soon to go back home to Arkansas for the funeral.

My grandparents had 14 kids, 13 boys and 1 girl (my mother). 2 died at birth, 1 in a fire, 1 drowned. That left me with 9 uncles; Leroy, Jack, Mike, Eugene, Clarence, Leonard, Henry, Bartley and Doyle. Uncle Leroy died before I was born of Polio. My grandfather passed away of a heart attach in 1991, my uncle Jack in January of 2000, my grandmother of breast, lung & brain cancer in February of 2000, my uncle Eugene of lung cancer last year. And now my uncle Mike today of lung, brain & stomach cancer. My uncle Bartley has been diagnosed with lung cancer and been given 3-6 months, maybe longer with treatment. That's not a good record for a single family, even a large one like mine.

I grew up with all my family almost side by side and we were close. I miss all my family who's passed before me and I'm grateful to still have so much left. So many people don't and that's just sad.

I Took a Step

Last night, for the very first time, I told a complete stranger, someone I didn't know and had just met, that I'm a Writer. I've stepped out into the unknown. And it felt good. Someone besides family and friends (online and off) wanted to know about my writing. I feel all giddy inside.

You've Come a Long Way Baby

I was just thinking about a place I lived in about 5 years ago. I was recently divorced with a job that paid almost nothing, supporting 3 kids and trying to keep it together. I had already moved out of a couple of places because I couldn't afford them and then had moved to this place because the people who owned it were nice enough to overlook my past problems.

The house, or trailer that was passing as a house, was back in the woods on a small hill. The air conditioning was a window unit in the kitchen and the only heat was a wood stove situated in the middle of the living room leaving no room for furniture. But since I didn't have any furniture I guess that didn't really matter. The kids all had beds so it was okay that I slept on a small foam mattress on the floor.

My car had broken down and could not be repaired; at least not without considerable cost I couldn't pay. A friend gave me a 1987 GMC Suburban and I drove that thing around until I got back on my feet and could afford something else. In the winter I had to plug the truck in to keep the motor from freezing up and some mornings it took forever to start it, but at least I had a way to get back and forth to work.

Times were tough but we were all together and had plenty to eat. I think back sometimes and wish things could have been different but I realize at the same time that living in those conditions made me stronger. Another reason "The Person I was Made Me The Person I Am".

It's Freezing

I swear sometimes this company drives me nuts. In the summer we had no air conditioning. Now, there's no heat. Of course they're "replacing" the chillers that should have been replaced during the summer when they were not working at all. Now, they're working, putting out heat like they should, but the decision has been made to switch them out now when the temp is down to 29 outside? WTH?? Don't they understand that people could get sick from sitting in cold temps all day? And working the front counter is worse because the door is open all day for customer. I hate being cold!!

Gypsy Afterglow is out now!!

GYPSY AFTERGLOW by Jennah Sharpe

Genre: Torrid Romance Contemporary

EBook formats ISBN: 978-1-60313-490-3

Trade paperback ISBN: 978-1-60313-491-0

Rating: Sensual Romance - Sensual

Brynn Parker was warned to stay away from the gypsies from her first summer in Spain. Ever since then, her curiosity has piqued her interest in a certain young Gitano. As she grows into a woman, her illicit involvement with Marco Kaldera becomes more intimate until she must return to her home country. Years later, through a mutual friend, a funeral and Marco’s fame, Brynn works to earn his forgiveness and convince him to love her once again. But…he belongs with the gypsies. Can the sacrifices they must endure to be together bond them forever?

Visit Jennah's website today!

I Found Him

This is Captain Montgomery, the hero in my civil war romance "Rebel Union". He'll be the perfect Union Captain. I can't wait to write about him. As soon as I'm done drooling over Stephen while writing "A Knight's Peace". *smile*

Part of My Story

Since I've committed to writing my story of Abuse I've been thinking a lot about my first marriage. Though I myself have not suffered "real" physical abuse I did suffer A LOT of emotional and psychological abuse.

My husband spent a lot of time telling me I was worthless and could never do anything right. He would wear a shirt one day that would be dirty when he got home on the few occasions he actually went to work, but the next day he would insist on that shirt again. Of course, when I would tell him he wore it the day before and it wasn't clean, it would be all my fault because I didn't wash it. The fact that we did not own a washer or dryer never entered his mind. In his mind I was supposed to anticipate that he would want it and wash it out in the bathtub that night then hang it on the shower to dry so it would be ready for him when he wanted it. I spent quite a bit of time in that marriage crying and trying to convince him that I was worth his love. Now, looking back I know it was not worth it, but at the time he was my husband and I loved him.

We also fought about money a lot. What few times he held a job the money he made would go toward buying drugs instead of paying bills or buying what the kids needed. There were to many times to count where he would come home from work, bring his paycheck, tell me to put it up for groceries or bills, then come the next day or so and want it all back because he needed a fix. And many times we pawned things we owned for him to get his fix.

The straw that broke the camel's back, so to speak, was my middle son's first birthday. My husband had gotten paid that week and I had planned a nice, very small, party for JWM. But the day before the party I was told to give the money back and that JWM didn't need a birthday party because he was only a year old. I had to sell some of our food stamps to my mother for enough money to buy a small gift from the dollar store and we only had cake and ice cream for the party. I finally realized that my children would be better off without him in their lives. So I left, and though it was hard and I almost went back a couple of times, I stuck it out and have done so much better for my kids than if I had stayed.

Unfortunately, I see some similarities between what my kids do and what their father did. Some people may not think of selfishness as a form of abuse, but I do. Especially when that selfishness could possibly deprive others. I'm sad to know that sometimes my kids are selfish and have to spend money on (or steal) things they don't really need (thankfully not drugs anymore - though a few times that has been an issue with them) because they feel they "need" them and they "deserve" them. And I can understand wanting things because you never had them in your life before. But I also realize that sometimes you have to sacrifice what you want right now for your family. Maybe those things can be gotten later when you've saved enough to buy them without putting a strain on your budget and without causing others in your life pain because you couldn't wait. I sacrificed a lot for my kids and I'd do it all again. But I tried my best to be patient when it came to things I wanted for myself. Someday I hope my own children will pay attention to the lessons I taught them and the sacrifices I made for them instead of only seeing and feeling what their father showed them in his short time with us.

Strange Dreams

I had the strangest dream last night. Or I should say early this morning before being awakened by KAM because CDM was sick all night and she didn't know what to do for her.

Anyway, I remember dreaming that I was riding a horse and watching some famous football player (have no idea who) argue with his girlfriend (but not fighting) and then I tried to ride the horse away and it fell over on top of me. I wasn't hurt but the girlfriend called out "Are you okay, Charlotte?" and I woke up.

Now, how weird is that? And what exactly is that dream supposed to mean? Am I overwhelmed by something? Maybe my subconscious is trying to tell me that if I want to be published I need to get off the horse and write!!

Cranky People

There must be something in the air because almost every person I've come in contact with this morning has been cranky, irritable or just plain mean. What's up with that? I mean, come on people, don't snap at me just because you woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning.

First, my husband got all bent out of shape because he needed a new book and I gave him the one I hadn't finished reading yet. He pulled the bookmark out and I teased him that I wouldn't be able to find my page when I got it back and he got all huffy. But he's straightened out okay now so it's all good.

Then, my daughter wouldn't get out of bed on time and was cranky because she didn't feel good and didn't want to go to school and now was late. Needless to say she got out of bed and ready for school in record time and is now okay.

Of course, the customers that have been coming in I haven't been able to straighten out so they're probably still in a bad mood. One even had to yell to get his point across (at least he thought so).

Hmmm...must be the full moon.

Weekend Warrior

I've been watching a lot of HGTV this week and I have to say this weeks Weekend Warrior is not only great with his hands but he's also not too bad to look at. And yes, Carter Can!!

TGIF

It's Friday!!!! My first week back after vacation is almost over. Thank Goodness. I'm tired and can't wait to sleep in a little later tomorrow. And maybe, just maybe, I'll be able to catch up on all the writing I didn't do this week? I'll have to lock myself in the room with my computer and just do it.

5 Pages Per Day

Well, my goal was to write 5 pages per day in January for the JaNoWriMo over at Romance Divas, but I've fallen a bit short. I started off hitting the mark and then got sidetracked by returning to my "real" job and babysitting my grand-daughter in the evening.

But I'm determined to get back on track and stick with it. I have to finish the WIP by April so I can start a new one.

A Tender Rough by Fae Sutherland



When Mason Palmer's car breaks down in the middle of nowhere, aka Dixon, Alabama, the only person who can help him get to his destination is mechanic Beau Gaines. However, as the days pass and the two forge a bond neither expected, Mason begins to learn that sometimes it isn't the destination that matters. It's the places you discover and the people who change your life on the way there.



On sale NOW at Ellora’s Cave!

Great Idea

I had a dream the other night that my BFF and I wrote a book about surviving Abuse. I even dreamed the title and It was a best seller. *smile*

I was so excited when I woke up that I immediately called her to tell her about it and before I knew it we were talking about all the things we'd put in the book. And a few minutes after I hung up she texted me a picture her daughter had drawn for the front cover. I loved it!!

So now I'm traveling down a portion of memory lane that's dark and a little scary. But it's for a good cause. Not only will I explore my past and put things to rest by revealing things that have never been told before, but I'll also hopefully help other women who've gone through some of those same things.

A few nights later I couldn't get to sleep so I got up and wrote the back blurb for the book, too. Now, most people write the book and then come up with a title and back blurb, but of course we had to be different. *laughs*

Now it's time to get to work!!!

I Got Nothing

Apparently I don't have any random thoughts today because I can't think of a single thing to blog about.

I'm watching "John and Kate Plus 8" and this woman just gets on my nerves. They had a set of twins then tried for one more baby and got six. This woman spends the entire show downing her husband and trying to make the kids stay spotless. Only she won't help keep them clean herself, she yells at her husband to do it.

It's one of those things you can't help but watch. My daughter-in-law KAM loves it and when she watches I get drawn in. But I want to strangle Kate.

Well, looks like I found something to blog about after all. LOL

ISBN Number: 978-1-897560-08-2

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Length: Category



Heat Index: Mild



Read an excerpt or buy it here!



Harley Taizer wasn't used to dealing with her greedy parents. They'd never wanted her and made it perfectly clear by giving her to her grandfather. It's funny how things change when money is involved. Discovering the trust fund her grandfather set up for her, her parents show up demanding the money be given to them. Afraid of just how far his son and daughter in-law will go to get it, her grandfather brings in a security specialist to help protect her.

Kasper Drake hasn't met a trust fund baby he liked, though he is one himself. Upon meeting his uncle's newest client he's willing to throw out all his preconceived notions out the window. He's trying to get Harley to admit to their fierce attraction when her father shows up demanding to know who Kasper is. She tells him that he's her fiancée. Kasper latches onto her lie hoping to make her see how good it could be.

Back from Vacation

I went back to work today after being off for a whole week. I *heart* vacation. I MISS vacation!!

A lot of changes are happening at work right now. We've taken on all advertising for the Jackson TN paper and we're going from a 7 day per week classified section to a 4 day per week classified section. Our advertisers are not happy and trying to convince them that going from the 7 days they were paying for down to the new 4 days with no cost reduction is going to be okay for them. It's not easy telling someone they're getting less for the same price.

At the same time we got no training on the advertising options for Jackson because our trainer was moved to sales at another newspaper. We have a list of what's available for the customer but no idea how to go about entering what they want in our system. It's a learn as you go process and it's driving me nuts. I'm not organized and ready for this and I can't stand it.

I know I'll be fine because I'm a fast learner but other sales reps are so confused. And they always come to me when they have issues they can't resolve themselves. Of course, I love the hectic pace when things change. Only I'm exhausted from enjoying my vacation so much.

JANUARY 16th and 17th, 2009
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