Love Makes the World Go Around and More

Never have hearts and the air been filled with more love than when in anticipation of Valentine’s Day. Love for a significant other or spouse. Love for friends and family. Love of life. These are some of the many things we cherish and which make our hearts beat faster. Earlier this morning, I mulled some of the songs and quotes I find most magical during this time when love is capable of melting the deepest snow and warming the body from head to heels.

Love Theme From Romeo and Juliet – Henry Mancini



Dedicated to the One I Love – Mamas and the Papas


Dedicated To the One I Love


World Without Love – Peter and Gordon




All You Need is Love – Beatles

"A kiss is a lovely trick designed by nature to stop speech when words become superfluous."
-Ingrid Bergman


"There is no remedy for love but to love more."
-Thoreau

"Some love lasts a lifetime. True love lasts forever."
-Unknown

"If I could reach up and hold a star for every time you've made me smile, the entire evening sky would be in the palm of my hand."
-Unknown


But let there be spaces in your togetherness and let the winds of the heavens dance between you. Love one another but make not a bond of love: let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls.
-Kahlil Gibran

Wishing you all love and many happy reading moments,

Shawna Moore
TO HELLE AND BACK AGAIN -- Ellora's Cave
TORMENTED (Recommended Read) -- Ellora's Cave
ROUGHRIDER -- Ellora's Cave
HELLE IN HEELS -- Ellora's Cave
Shawna's Myspace
Helle's Myspace

Confessions of a cover snob...

Okay, I confess, I'm sort of a cover snob. As in, a good cover can have me picking up a random book, while a bad cover can have me backing slowly away.





I realized this yesterday when mom and I went book shopping. I was browsing the new paperback section at Barnes & Noble and saw three books by...I don't even know who...and all the covers sported a kick-ass type heroine. Any time I see those types of covers these days it just makes me think urban fantasy, not romance. So, I tend to walk right on by. If I'm in the mood for a steamy romance, I'm going to search out a steamy cover. Preferrably one with a cute guy kissing or embracing a woman.

When I came across this cover below, I was instantly intrigued. Two things caught my eye. The couple and that chain. I needed to know more about that chain and what it meant. So, I picked it up and read the blurb. Shifters, ohhhh. Now we're talking! The really bizarre thing is, I didn't even bother to read the title. I simply didn't care. That cover caught me, the blurb hooked me.

By the time I got it home I started to think about all the books I'd bought. This one came to mind, but I couldn't think of the title or the author's name. LOL I bought it soley because I liked that cover and blurb! As it turns out, I've never read this author before. So, it turns out that a cover does indeed make a big difference in grabbing new readers. I started to feel bad that I hadn't given that other author--the one with the kick-ass heroine covers--a chance. After all, it's not her fault that I have this weird preference! And I probably missed some really good books by walking right on by them.



The question is, do you tend to grab a book and read the blurb because the cover caught your attention? And do you, like me, feel a little guilty for allowing the cover to influence your buying choices?



I'm not sure if it's an all the time sort of thing or if it's more about mood. If I'm in the mood for a paranormal that's what I search out, a cover that reflects that. If I'm in the mood for historical, I browse the covers with the flowing dresses and tight pants.

And while I'm asking you all questions, have you ever read this author? This is book 1 of her Shifters Unbound series. I'm looking forward to reading it! You can read chapter one here

FAWG - It's not a Weather Phenomenon

The caterpillar does all the work but the butterfly gets all the publicity. (George Carlin)

Promotion, promotion, promotion. Sometimes it seems more important than the writing. And it’s not necessarily a natural activity for writers, most of whom are more or less introverted. If you’ve ever muttered curses at the telephone, run for the safety of the basement when the doorbell rings, or turned down an invitation to lunch because you’d rather dine with your characters, you know what I mean.

But the age of the internet does make it easier and more fun to meet and socialize with other people. I try to jump in only when it’s something that looks like it will be enjoyable to do. This is how I became a member of FAWG, an acronym that stands for FindAWritingGroup.com. I like the roundup he has of interesting writing-related posts each week. Even in a newspaper I read every day, I missed an article about the death of the slush pile, but it turned up in the roundup.

I think the idea is that rather than roaming from blog to blog looking for something that interests you, you can do one-stop shopping at FAWG. (I say shopping, but it’s all free.) Also, it’s a way to meet other writers, and it’s organized by geography. So, for example, I have set up the FAWG for Massachusetts, which is the state I live in. Most online groups I’m in have members scattered across the globe, which is fun in its own way. And I’ve even met people on those lists who live near me. But, obviously, that’s the exception rather than the rule. I know Nano has made a big push to have local groups, but that’s only one month of the year. So I thought it might be fun to try something ongoing.

Of course, RWA has local chapters. But when you add in the cost of joining RWA plus chapter dues, it can get pricey. The FAWG is free, and it’s more comprehensive in scope (not just romance).

I’m looking forward to the words of advice that any writer can post on the Wall of Wisdom. Last, but not least, I read about FAWG on Nathan Bransford’s blog. Which gives it some stamp of legitimacy to me. The guest blog is here: http://blog.nathanbransford.com/2010/01/guest-blog-week-is-your-but-too-big.html with the cute title “Is Your But too Big?” Don’t know how a guy came up with that one, lol.

So, any thoughts on this?

Does anyone have other ideas for promotion they’d like to share?

Here’s the link if you’re interested: http://www.findawritinggroup.com/Welcome_to_FindAWritingGrou.php





Carly Carson


http://www.carlycarson.com/

Do You Love a Man Who Cooks?

We all know how men love those huge, fancy grills, not to mention cooking on an open campfire, right? (I can hear Tim Allen grunting now.) Usually you will find men cooking some sort of meat, the red kind with lots of fat. Maybe a hamburger or a high quality steak. Either way, it seems like a primitive, he-man kind of thing, doesn’t it? He’s providing for his woman.

I love it when my husband cooks for me, and he’s highly skilled. Chili and the best steak I’ve ever eaten are his specialties. I can’t even eat steak at restaurants anymore because it’s always disappointing. He’s spoiled me. I’m craving one now!

The hero of my latest release, Kilted Lover, grills for the heroine... and he's wearing a kilt at the time. He’s saved her life, hidden her away on a small motor yacht, it’s nighttime, and… well, they have to eat, right? He wouldn’t want her to starve after all those high-speed car chases, getting shot at, etc. Besides, he’s had the steak marinating for a long while and it’s guaranteed to be tender and delicious. Needless to say, the heroine is impressed with his cooking skills and enjoying eating the food he’s prepared. But she’s wishing she could nibble on him instead. He’s trying really hard to be a good boy.

Excerpt from Kilted Lover:

“I’m sorry I’m putting you through so much trouble. I’m sure you’d rather be someplace else.”
“No. I was planning to stay here tonight anyway. Are you hungry?”
She blinked at his rapid-fire words. “Actually, I am.”
He opened the fridge. “What would you like? How about some grilled shrimp and steak kabobs?”
“Sounds good.”
She’d always loved watching a man in the kitchen, doing domestic things. But watching one of Scott’s size and athletic build, while he wore a kilt, was sheer fun. His broad shoulders fascinated her.
“We’re safe here, right?” she asked, washing the potatoes he’d set out.
“Sure. I don’t know how they’d know we were here.”
Thirty minutes later they sat above deck while Scott grilled. She wanted to tie him to a bed and pretend he was a giant chocolate éclair, yet she was shocked at how little she knew about him.
She’d just learned he was a log home contractor in the mountains of North Carolina.
“Mmm, that smells good!” she said, eyeing the food and then him. What would it be like if he fed her? “I’m starving now.” Starving for more than food, actually.
“I think it’s done.” He placed a kabob on her plate. “Try that.”
She blew on it, and then took a bite of steak, moaning while she chewed. A yummy man who could make yummy food. What could be better?
He frowned, watching her with a heated expression.
“It’s delicious.” But not as delicious as he would be.
They sat above deck in the cooler night air while they ate. She was enjoying their conversation with its slight flirtatious undertone a bit too much and felt a pang of guilt. But simply talking to another man wasn’t cheating. She had nothing to feel guilty about, except for an overactive interest in him and an intense attraction which she had no control over. Even the way he chewed and swallowed was sexy, and the flexing muscles of his jaw and throat. Kissing him on those spots would be so hot.
A moan reached her ears.
“What was that?” she whispered, glancing around through the night at the other boats, the dock and harbor.
Nicole North – Kilted Lover

What about you? Does your husband/ boyfriend cook for you and if so do you find it sexy?

Guest Interview - Juliet Burns

I'm so happy to introduce a friend of mine to all the Fierce Romance readers. Juliet Burns writes really hot historical romances for Red Sage Secrets and she's here today to let us get to know her a little better and to tell us about her newest novella in Secrets Vol 28.


Juliet Burns lives in Texas with her husband of twenty years and their three active kids. She likes to think her emotional nature—sometimes referred to as moodiness by those closest to her—has found the perfect outlet in writing stories filled with passion and romance. Juliet spent her youth with her nose in a book, immersed in the worlds of Jane Eyre and Elizabeth Bennett, and believes romance novels have the power to change lives with their message of eternal love and hope.

NM: Hey, Juliet! So glad you could join me here today. We've just read your official bio. Anything else you want to tell us about yourself?

JB: Ok, let’s see… I’m an old, fat, married gal with 3 kids. I love to read, sing, and hang out with friends. I have a big family and I’m kind of the “event planner” for the family. I have 4 sisters, and I was named for my grandmother (middle name: Ione)

NM: Wish I lived closer, I'd definitely be hanging out with you! What would your readers be surprised to learn about you?

JB: I’ve been fired from almost every job I had, so working for myself is a much better career choice for me.

NM: Good thing you're a writer then. :-) Why don't you tell us about your most recent release?


JB: The Pirate’s Possession is an erotic romance set on a pirate ship in the 17TH century. It’s a novella in the anthology Secrets Vol 28, Sensual Cravings from Red Sage Here’s the blurb

Plain and quiet, Lady Gertrude (Tru) Fitzpatrick hides a passionate will. When her disgusting cousin tries to ravish her, she escapes, and willingly gives her body to the handsome captain of her girlhood fantasies. But she fears her heart is lost as well as her innocence when she becomes a pirate’s possession.
Ewan MacGowan needs money to get back to the Caribbean. But when he thinks he’s been tricked by a noblewoman, he exacts revenge by taking her to his bed. Only trouble is, he may have stolen the lady’s innocence, but beneath her plain exterior is buried a hidden treasure he never thought to find. The true woman of his heart.

NM: I was lucky enough to get a peek at this story ahead of time and I can promise everyone a great read! You have an alter-ego – Jillian Burns. Tell us about her.

JB: Jillian writes sizzling hot contemporary Romance for Harlequin Blaze. Her next book is out in Oct 2010 and is a sequel to her May 09 release, Let It Ride, about Air Force fighter pilots.

NM: OK, I've got it marked on my calendar right now! What element of story creation is your favorite? (Character? Setting? Plot? Etc.)and why?

JB: Plot! I’m a plot-driven writer and love to come up with fun, meaty situations that are unique and sexy. Why? Because I suck at characterization. Hey, you do what you’re good at, right?

NM: If you could be one of your characters for a day, who would it be, and why?

JB: Oooh, I’ve never been asked that before. Great question. Let me think. I guess I’d be Audrey from the very first romance I ever wrote. It was the first book I ever sold, too. It was a Silhouette Desire and came out in March 05. Audrey was kind of like Drew Barrymore in Never Been Kissed. She goes undercover as housekeeper on a cattle ranch in Texas to get a story about this ruggedly handsome champion Bull Rider who mysteriously became a recluse.

NM: I remember that story! Such a great tortured hero! And that was your first book? Wow! Do you have rituals you follow when writing?

JB: Yes, First I come up with the basic premise, like Travel channel personality sneaks aboard Alaskan bush pilot’s plane to investigate rumors that he killed his passengers years ago. That’s a Blaze I’m working on now –should be out in early 2011. I’m very sensual, in that I use my 5 senses a lot. I need pictures and make a collage of my setting and my hero and heroine. I need songs, smells, and tastes that will be incorporated into my story. I always interview my characters, come up with their GMC and core belief and then I write short synopsis hitting the basic turning points in the story and the Black Moment and the resolution.

NM: Sounds like a great plan! And before you know it you have a new book for readers to enjoy. Do you celebrate every new release?

JB: Um… This Secrets is the first one I haven’t really done anything special for. Too busy with deadlines. But I do celebrate new sales. How? I usually take the family out to eat somewhere we usually wouldn’t normally spend money on. Like steak. I know, we’re just livin’ La Vida Loca, no?

NM: La Vida Loca is right! Most people think a writer’s life is really glamorous. What’s the least glamorous thing you’ve done in the past week?

JB: Hmm…So many to choose from…scrub the trash cans?, step in dog poop? Oh wait, I know, how about not shower for 4 days right before my deadline. My husband didn’t notice because I wasn’t sleeping in our bed anyway, I caught snatches of sleep at the keyboard. Did you know drool isn’t good for keyboards?

NM: Neither are cookie crumbs or melted chocolate! What can we look forward to from you in the future?

JB: My next 2 books out will be Harlequin Blazes. I’m waiting to hear back on the title for the October book. And the second Blaze is titled PRIMAL CALLING. It’s the Alaskan bush pilot meets Travel channel personality.

NM: Where can we find out more about you?

JB: You can visit my web site www.julietburns.com or you can bribe my teens to spill all the gory details. They’re on Facebook.

NM: It's been great chatting with you today, Juliet. Is there a question you’d like to ask our readers?

JB: Yes, My first love for pleasure reading is Historicals, and the only contemporary romances I like to read are Blazes, because to me, the women are assertive, independent, and not afraid of their sexuality.
Which genre of romance is your favorite? And why?
Do you like Romantic Suspense? Or Futuristic/ Fantasy?

Let's hear it folks.

Natasha
www.natashamoore.com

Sports Sexy?

Sorry for the lateness of this post. Please don't penalize me for delay of game, er, I mean...well, I don't know what I mean. My head is filled mind-numbing football facts and recipes for bizarre snack foods designed to please the palette of the most die-hard junk food gorging, beer-swilling football fan, while at the same time being healthy enough so said ingester won't die of instant clogging of the arteries.

I've spent the morning preparing food substitutes consisting of 12 kinds of cheese product, 7 kinds of chips, 3 kinds of meat (one of which I've never heard of), pizza, a veggie platter (that has yet to be touched except by me), 2 kinds of beer, etc. It has taken Hubby and his friends 30 seconds to gobble most of it as they jump up and down yelling unintelligible, random phrases at our TV set.

And that's just at the commercials.

In case you are not aware, today is one of the playoff games for the Super Bowl. All across the USA, people are gathering in large groups to cheer on their favorite team, regardless of whether that team is from their local area or not. It is tradition. It is fun. It is sports.

But is it sexy?

I think it is. I definitely think Hubby is sports sexy. He puts on his lucky jersey, the one with the name of a team on it I don't think even exists anymore and which has only ever been lucky 100% of the time with me, and dons his favorite jeans, which highlight his best assets, and proceeds to act like an idiot with his buddies, yelling and screaming at their teams, the team coaches, each other, the cat, and the world in general. Hubby revisits his youth, and I get to watch. It's sweet and adorable and sexy, and I make sure to complain about the whole ritualistic buddy melodrama so he thinks he owes me a debt of gratitude. He knows I don't mind, but he goes along because he likes the way I always collect what's due me. lol

What occurred to me today is I don't remember many sports guys as heroes in the romance and erotica I've read. I only really remember one vividly, and that was from years ago, before steroids, million-dollar contracts, and dyed hair. Maybe that's why I haven't seen a sports hero as a hero as much, or maybe I am just missing something.

Maybe we writers don't know as much about pro sports as we would need to know to write it so it would be believable. I can write a ballroom dance competitor hero (yes, ballroom dance is a sport!), but other pro sports would require research. I know Harlequin has a NASCAR line, but I haven't tried one of those yet. However, after seeing my boys in the living room shouting and spitting and hugging each other, I'd be awfully curious to read a story with a sports star as the hero. Any suggestions?

This post will be short because Hubby just ran out of low-cal, high protein, non-hydrogenated orange-flavored sausage balls, so I'm off to the kitchen to replenish the supply. I'm sure many of our readers are doing the same thing right now, so I will sign off. However, when you get the chance, please pass along your favorite book with a sports hero in it. Thanks!

Gooooooo team!

Don't you hate it when characters leave out pertinent information?

I’m writing a romantic comedy. While it is a comedy, one character has a secret. I’ve written this story believing his secret was nothing too heavy, just an ahhhh poor guy sort of thing. Why? Because that’s what he told me.

I’m in the process of second round edits, which for me is where the complicated writing begins. First draft is bare bones, then I go back in with a naïve belief that I know exactly what my characters need to do to get from point A to point B. Yeah. Wrong.

As I got deeper into second edits, I realized my character was much angrier this go round. At first, I went with it. I mean residual stuff does follow you, so okay, whatever. If this is what he needed right now then so be it. Then it got a bit darker. I started to bite my lip and stare at the screen in confusion. What in the world was he doing? Well, this week his behavior had me scowling. There was no way he was that screwed up over what he’d told me. It was not possible. Let me put this into perspective for you: Mountain meet mole hill. Yeah, that bad.

So we had a chat last night. It went something like this:

Me: Dude, what the hell?

Character (we’ll call him Luke) stared me down, jaw rigid. “I told you everything that happened.”

I banged my fist on my desk. “If that’s the case, you need major counseling. Because,” I waved my hand at the computer screen, “that pile of crap you gave me to begin with is not going to fly with your current attitude.”

He shrugged. “Not my problem.”

“Not your…Ooh! Listen, you pain in the butt, you came to me. If you want your story told, then I need the whole story not half truths, Luke. It’s all or nothing. Which is it?”

A vein ticked at his temple as he glanced away. I was relieved to see this reaction. I was worried I was embellishing things just a tad bit in my interpretation of his story. But nope, there he was in all his angry glory. What seemed like a freaking eternity later--man, silence really can be deafening--he finally looked back and met my eyes, doing the whole if-I-look-furious-enough-maybe-she’ll-back-off-thing. Been there, done that, doesn’t work on me.

I looked at my invisible watch. “It’s late. Kids have school in the morning. You know the way out.”

I stood and walked toward the door. As I opened it, he finally spoke. One deep, sharp word. “Fine.”

Now that could have been taken one of two ways: fine, leave or fine, I’ll talk. But knowing him the way I do, I closed the door and returned to my chair. Picking up my pen and pad of paper, I said, “I’m ready to listen.”

Then he told me his story. And what a story it is. Now if he’d just told me this from the dang beginning we wouldn’t have had this conversation. But I guess he needed to work through it some before coming to me about it. Can’t begrudge his silence, we all have our secrets and they're not easy to tell.

So any of you have to have a stern talking to with a character?

Esme
www.esmereldabishop.com

I have a series!

by Kristin Daniels

I've hinted at this before, and now I'm bursting at the seams! I have a series! How cool is that?

Nameless Surrender, published in April of 2009 with Red Sage Presents, introduced the delectable and hunky Lucas brothers. Nameless Surrender told Dean's story, and I'm thrilled to announce that Wes's story, Safe Surrender, will be available May 1, 2010!

Carli Jacobs wants revenge. When her plan to bring down the drug lord responsible for her sister’s death goes awry, she finds herself thrown into the protective custody of two sexy detectives. Wes Lucas and Ian Gray are determined to keep her safe.

But there’s tension is in the air, and it’s not just sexual. Secrets are being kept. Lives are on the line, and trust is put to the test. As desire rips through each of them, heartbreaking truths will be revealed and lies will be exposed.

Are the three running away from danger, or are they headed straight for it? In Wes and Ian’s quest to keep Carli safe, will she end up surrendering her heart as well?

Excerpt:

Wes stood from the barstool determined to go find Carli when she drifted through the doorway. She wore a pair of Zoe’s leggings and one of his light blue dress shirts that hung nearly to her knees. Her hair fell in damp curls over her shoulders and her feet were bare. The gorgeous sight just about stole his breath.

Her gaze hopped from Ian to him before she took the ten steps and slid into his open arms. Ian rolled the pool cue on the table and turned to lean against the edge, arms and ankles crossed and his head cocked with cool observance. One look into his eyes, however, told Wes his friend was anything but cool right now.

“Tell me,” she said gripping his waist hard, “Tell me everything will work out. Lie to me if you have to. Just promise me, please.”

Everything.

He knew what she meant. Her inner turmoil was no longer just about Romero, but about him and Ian, too. About the secrets. About the lust. And how all three of them were pussy-footing around the issue when he knew they each were thinking of little else.

F***. He’d put that uncertainty there. In her heart, in her shaky voice. In her eyes that stared at him with a mixture of torment and passion so vivid he could almost feel it himself. And it killed him. The last thing he ever wanted to do was add to her pain. He’d rather chew off his left arm.

But he’d done it nonetheless. There’d been no malice in his intent, that had never been his goal. He burned with a need, a powerfully strong desire to see her taken higher, so high… So beautiful. So his.

He lifted her chin with his thumb and lost a little more of himself in the depths of her sadness. Sadness he wanted to banish from her expression forever.

“I’ll never lie to you, Carli.” The ‘again’ was implied, impressed upon her with his return stare, the sincerity he passed to her with one solemn look. “You will be fine. We’ll all walk away from this, I swear to you.”

He couldn’t hold back his own needs, so he kissed her, tender and gentle. She started to respond—to open to him, to take him in—but then broke away. Her fingers went to her lips and her gaze flicked to Ian. Wes sensed her desire, but knew fear of the unknown, fear of what she really wanted, held her back. He hitched a hip on the barstool behind him and spun her in his arms. Taking a chance—hoping to hell and beyond he was doing the right thing and not scaring her—he pressed her against his chest, clutched her hips tightly and looked at his partner, his best friend over the top of her head.

“Ian, care to help me convince Carli everything will work out, that we can and will protect her?”

Ian lithely pushed away from the pool table and stepped toward them. He stroked her ebony curls and traced the soggy circles her hair left on the shirt above her breasts. He looked at Wes before meeting Carli’s uncertain gaze. “If that’s what she wants, I can.”

Screw the innuendo. Pretense between them was no longer needed. Time to lay it all on the line.

"It’s your decision, Carli,” Wes whispered in her ear, every breath rougher, hotter than the one before it. “This—right here, right now—it’s not about forever. It’s about you. We can take you away, if only in your mind, in your body. Let us show you, let us help you put the last few days—hell, the last few months—completely out of your mind.”

~~~***~~~

Keep an eye out for other excerpts on my website and don't forget to mark your calendars for May 1st!

Carol's Winner from Last Week

Congrats to Julie Robinson for winning an autographed copy of The Sheriff of Silverhill. Julie, send me your snail mail address at: ceric@socal.rr.com

And here's an excerpt from The Sheriff of Silverhill:

Dana had a secret.

Rafe clicked his seatbelt into place, started the engine, and glanced to his right. Damn, despite her recent scare, the woman looked good enough to lick up one side and down the other.
Her appearance at the murder scene this morning hadn’t surprised him. Emmett told him she was coming out to assist the other agent, Steve Lubeck, in the investigation of the murders of two Southern Ute women—and then the murderer struck again on the day after her arrival. Coincidence?

After the attack on Dana tonight, the protective instinct that landed him in trouble with her ten years ago surged through his veins once again. She didn’t like being coddled. Maybe that’s why she broke it off with him...he’d smothered her with too much attention. Strong women didn’t like smothering. That’s why his mom left.

Her Aunt Mary obviously hadn’t told her about his return to Silverhill, but then why should she? He and Dana had a high school romance that didn’t last. Nothing earth-shattering about that.

At least that’s what he’d been trying to tell himself these past ten years.

Dana sighed and tucked her dark, stylishly-cut hair behind her ear. The hairstyle, longer in the front and bobbed in the back, gave her a polished, sophisticated look, as did her silk wool pantsuit and sky-high heels.

But Rafe remembered the leggy girl with the cut-off shorts, bare feet, and the long, almost black, hair that hung right down to her fanny. He recalled how she trailed her hair down his naked body as they made love in the caves above Silverhill, the secrecy of their desire heightening their passion.

He sucked in a breath, jerking the steering wheel of the car.

“You okay?” Dana drew her straight, dark brows over her nose.

“What really happened outside your aunt’s house?” Rafe relaxed his grip on the wheel and shifted forward in his seat. “From what I know of you and from what I’ve heard, you don’t back down from a fight so easily.”

“Easily? The guy came at me from behind and clamped his hand around the back of my neck. I didn’t know if he had a gun or a knife on him, and I didn’t want to find out the hard way.”

“Sorry.” He brushed her arm. “You’re right. You played it safe.”

Too safe. Without visible evidence of a weapon, most trained law enforcement officers would’ve tried to take the guy down. Something didn’t click. He tightened his jaw. Growing up in a household full of lies and secrets taught him to hate deception.

She snorted. “I guess it’s not how a McClintock would’ve handled it, huh?”

Rafe raised his brows. She made McClintock sound like a dirty word. When had she developed such a dislike for his family?

After their relationship during their high school years, she dumped him, even before graduation. Pam, his step-mom, told him Dana probably just dated him for his family’s money and connections and dumped him when she got that full scholarship to Georgetown, but that didn’t make sense. Dana was the smartest girl in school. There was no question she’d get a full ride somewhere. She didn’t need his family’s money or connections.

“I’m not second-guessing you, Dana. We all do what we have to do out there to survive. Just be careful. Maybe you shouldn’t stay on the reservation with your Aunt Mary.”

Without turning around, Dana said, “Who appointed you my guardian? Auntie Mary worries enough.”

“I remember.”

She swung around and tilted her head. “Do you?”

“Like it was yesterday.” He continued recklessly. “The blanket I spread out in the cave. The flower petals you showered all over to mask the dank smell. Your sexy, smooth skin under my fingertips.”

Have a great weekend, everyone! I have a book signing on Sunday at Borders, so if you're in El Segundo, California, drop on by!

What type of story are you looking for?

Winter is a time when I long to curl up with a new favorite author. And there are plenty out there, fortunately. But I don’t always find the type of story I really want to read lately.

So, what is the one type of story you’d like to see more often?

Sweeping historical epic?

Adventure?

Romantic comedy?

Angels and Demons? Fairies?

Part two: Are you, like me, completely satisfied to have only the reading experience? Or do you really enjoy adding on to it with book trailers, extensions of the story on the author’s blog (such as character interviews) or something else? What would that something else be?

Finally, if you could wave your magic wand and presto! receive a brand new book from a favorite author who is not publishing any more, who would that author be? For me, I think it would be Georgette Heyer, because her deliciously light and witty stories give my mind a welcome reprieve at the end of the day. At this point, I think I have her best stories already memorized. A new one would be like gold to me.

Carly

 

Lucy Monroe's Werewolves

I blogged about this yesterday, but I felt compelled to blog about it here too. Lucy Monroe, one of my favorite authors, has a new book coming out on February 2nd! It's the second book in her Children of the Moon series. The first book, Moon Awakening, was AWESOME. You can read more about that one here: http://lucymonroecotm.com/Book_MoonAwakening.htm

Moon Craving, book 2, is bound to be just as good. Lucy hooked me on her Chrechte Clan. I wasn't sure I'd like a medieval Scottish werewolf series (I know, what's not to love right? lol). Needless to say that first book was seriously steamy and totally enthralling. I'm excited that book 2 is FINALLY nearly here!

(and what a gorgesous cover!)

New Children of the Moon Book from Lucy Monroe

Moon Craving
Feb 2010 - Berkley Sensation
ISBN-13: 978-0425233047
Children of the Moon Book 2



If it were up to him, Talorc—laird of the Sinclair clan and leader of his werewolf pack— would never marry. But when the king orders that Talorc wed an Englishwoman, the lone wolf is shocked to find his mate in the strong-willed Abigail. And after an intensely climactic wedding night, the two fiercely independent souls sense an unbreakable bond…



Deaf since childhood, Abigail hopes to keep her affliction from Talorc as long as possible. And for his part, he has no intention of telling her about being a werewolf. But when Abigail learns that the husband she’s begun to love has deceived her, it will take all of his warrior’s strength—and his wolf’s cunning—to win his wife back. And Talorc will have to face his biggest challenge yet: the vulnerability of a man in love…

Read an Excerpt

Buy the Book

Watch the Book Trailer




:::CONTESTS:::

As a special thank you to readers, Lucy is giving away a prize pack of pamper yourself products and paranormal romance. All you have to do to enter is send an email with Moon Craving Contest in the subject line to moon_craving at yahoo dot com before February 28th, 2010. The drawing will be held March 1st and the winner will be announced on her blog at http://www.lucymonroeblog.blogspot.com/

You're Not in Kansas Anymore

Dorothy visited Oz courtesy of a surreal dream, a restless spirit, the uncertainty of puberty and her nagging subconscious. Madison splashed her way into Allen Bauer’s life and later into his tub and heart. The second Mrs. de Winter suffered the slings and insanity of Mrs. Danvers, her own flagging self-esteem and the memory of Rebecca. Streetwise Vivian Ward began a whirlwind romance with Edward Lewis and exuded earthy charm while dining in a swanky restaurant and doing comic battle with her escargot. Four totally different movies, four remarkable performances by women who were, figuratively speaking, fish out of water (quite literally so for Darryl’s mermaid character in SPLASH).

When I think of reasons why certain books are on my keeper shelves, the main one is the strength of the characters and how they overcame obstacles to exist in, and often find love in, a new world. The same holds true for movies I’ve adored watching so many times I’ve lost count. Long after the credits stopped rolling or the book was closed and placed back in the bookcase, I remembered the characters’ journeys and struggles for success, their lives and a happily ever after. Something about how they never surrendered despite the tireless efforts of their foes. How they learned important lessons and how to trust complete strangers. Times they allowed their inner child to come out and play no matter how serious-minded others were around them. Moments when they risked their existence so another might live. Playful interludes where they discovered things about themselves and their desires they wouldn’t have otherwise. Magical ways the writers captured the characters and their unfamiliar surroudings on screen and on paper and allowed me to vicariously live the tales.

In my latest historical erotic paranormal novel from Ellora’s Cave, TORMENTED, a woman is thrust into and left unaccompanied in a world far different from that to which she's accustomed. A hero is dealt two tasks -- cure a malady that current medical science cannot and gain the trust of a woman who's been repeatedly wronged by the man in whom she once placed the utmost faith.

A Boston socialite’s hope is blind but given sight when a handsome practitioner accepts her challenging medical case. While shipboard in 1888, Eve Morneau is the victim of a venomous beetle’s bite. Her healing and sexual awakening are placed in the hands of a New Orleans physician, Charles Galletiére. Charles not only shuns society but also the treatment regimens practiced by his peers. Eve is pitted against more than one foe as she struggles with her attraction to Charles and wonders whether or not her cure and a romantic commitment from him are possible.

When it comes to heroes or heroines who play the fish out of water in a book or movie, who is your favorite and why?

Wishing you all many happy reading moments,

Shawna Moore
TO HELLE AND BACK AGAIN -- Ellora's Cave
TORMENTED (Recommended Read) -- Ellora's Cave
ROUGHRIDER -- Ellora's Cave
HELLE IN HEELS -- Ellora's Cave
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Struggles of Writing in Winter

Over the last few months my house has become more and more claustrophobic. I believe winter is the main reason for that. I think I’ve said before that I hate winter. Strong word to use and one I don’t allow my children to say, but dang it, I do. I hate winter. The lowering temperatures slowly suck the life out of me. I just find the deeper I get into the cold months the harder it is for me focus and feel motivated.

This year winter has been worse than usual. I live in North Carolina. We may have a cold day here and there, but for the most part our winters are mild. Still unpleasant, (anything below 60 degrees is unpleasant), but mild. This year? Ha. We’ve had a freaking arctic freeze. The last time it was this cold here was in 1977. The year I was born. I know, you’re thinking cry me a river, but I really needed to get that out. So know that I’ve whined, here is my real dilemma.

The uber-coldness has shrunk my house making it feel like the walls are closing in more and more each day. It’s effecting my writing and my creative juices. So I’ve been thinking of ways to help me get through the last two and half months before Spring gets here.

I’ve tried writing at Panera a few times. Remember my blog last week where I said I was easily distracted? Yeah well, put me beside a table of chattering women and I find their conversation on their current maladies fascinating.

That is why I love to write on my deck. There is no distraction, well, unless my neighbors start yelling at each other over the bushes. That happened last summer. All writing stopped as the drama unfolded. I sat back, sipped my coffee and enjoyed the show. And boy was it a show. No fists flew, but watching two men go nose to nose, pointing with elaborate hand gestures, and the slow increase to screaming is pure entertainment for me. But I digress.

I need to find a place to write. I’ve done the whole room switcheroo thing. I started in the kitchen, moved to my bedroom, now I’m on the couch. The only rooms I haven’t tried are the bathroom or my kid’s rooms. The kid’s rooms a thought though. Not so much the bathroom. The room switching worked for awhile, but I’ve caught on to myself and can’t be fooled any longer.

I’m going to attempt my local BOM next week. I’ve even discussed painting some rooms in my house to a different color. Extreme I know, but I’m serious, my house is driving me nuts. So when you get tired of looking at the same walls where do you go?

Esme
www.esmereldabishop.com