I have a pretty!!!

I received my cover for Defying Convention. Look at Luke! Look at him! The moment I saw him, I fell in love. He's perfect! The shaggy hair, the perpetual five o'clock shadow...the hotness. I'm tickled pink over the cover!

Journalist Emma Portland would do anything to save her career, even go undercover at the 31st Annual GalaxyCon in search of a story. Emma thinks she’s hit pay dirt when she meets Luke Evans, a bestselling scifi author whose readers have turned against him. She has no problem getting close to the sexy writer to get the scoop on his downfall. Except the more time she spends with Luke, the more she has a different kind of exposé in mind…

Luke can’t believe he’s found the one woman at GalaxyCon who hasn’t heard of him and can look that hot in a bikini. For the first time he’s opening up about himself…and the secret that torpedoed his writing career. Too bad his former fans are out for blood—and out to sabotage his budding relationship with Emma.

But amidst rival reporters, eager fanboys and overzealous role-players, it’s Emma’s secret that may put the brakes on their sizzling attraction for good…

I absolutely love this story and had so much fun writing it. I can't wait for it to release on August 1st with Carina Press. Here is a quick excerpt:

“He attacked you because of a character?”

The waif of a woman strode around the furry, narrowed her hazel eyes and put her hands on her hips. Luke sucked in a harsh breath. She was gorgeous. At first glance she’d pass for any other costume wearing woman attending the conventions. Their costumes and heavy makeup hid their actual appearance. Nothing was false about what she wore, except maybe the wig. Was her hair brown or something lighter, redder?

It didn’t matter. What captivated him was the pale, delicate skin displayed for his pleasure. The metal bra was a cup too small, thrusting her generous breasts forward. He clenched his hands against the urge to trace the enticing flesh.

Whoa, boy. Back down.

Yeah, right. How could he with her dressed like that? His gaze lowered to the bikini bottoms with the long burgundy fabric that hung in front. Riding low on her hips, the fabric accentuated the hourglass curve of her waist and showed off her perfect belly button. Luke swallowed. Ah hell. He was in trouble.

Not once had he mixed business with pleasure at a networking event. The possibility of falling for someone obsessed over an imaginary world had worried him. He needed someone grounded in reality, someone to come back to when he emerged from Farmen. Yet one small encounter with this spitfire princess with the most inviting plump lips—and he was rethinking his viewpoint. Not good.

“Hello! McFly.” She snapped her fingers in front of his face.

He blinked. “What?”

She rolled her eyes and shook her head, mumbling something about geeks and women. He blinked again. Had he heard that correctly? He didn’t know what to do with a woman?

Oh hell no. Against his better judgment or not, he knew exactly what he wanted to do with her.

Thanks for letting me share!!!
Abby (aka Esmerelda Bishop's contemporary half)
www.abbyniles.com

Gifted People

I was digging through some music the other night, trying to get a handle on my massive library of tunes, which for some reason seems to grow exponentially when I’m not looking, and I discovered something odd.

A long time ago I loaded songs from a ballroom CD featuring Latin music only—sambas, rumbas, cha cha cha’s, etc. As I clicked through, listening to the different songs, I was surprised to find that one of the singers credited on an International Rumba was none other than Antonio Banderas, the bodaciously awesome Spanish film actor. I don’t know how that escaped me at the time, but I suddenly remembered that I’d seen him sing on an awards show once.

By now you’re probably figuring that, knowing Cameo, this post is going to be an ode to Antonio Banderas because he’s a hunk, but it’s not. What intrigued me about this is that it reminded me that we all have gifts to share and should do so despite what others think. I’m sure AB isn’t considered by some to be the greatest singer in the world, although I think he’s pretty good, but no matter. When he’s asked to perform, he performs and doesn’t hold back. He shares.

How many times have you wanted to share a gift, to participate, to inspire others but hesitated because of that one nagging thought that you’re not good enough or that people will say that you’re not experienced enough to do so?

I remember seeing an interview with Cher once on VH1. She was talking about her transition into acting and about how no one believed she could do it, even her. However, she persevered and eventually became an award-winning actress.

Let me give you another example: Albert Einstein. Sure, he was a gifted theoretical physicist but he was also an accomplished violinist. How about Albrecht Durer? Yes, the painter who was also a mathematician. And who can forget Leonardo da Vinci? He created paintings that enchanted the world, but he also designed machines and gave us new perspectives on human anatomy, among other things. Ben Franklin is another example. A printer, a patriot, a diplomat, and an inventor, Ben’s influence on society today, including the written word, cannot be denied.

Speaking of the written word, what I’ve noticed about many writers and readers I’ve interacted with is that while they may be gifted in one area that currently defines them, they have other hobbies and talents they could be sharing as well. Many don’t because they’ve been told they shouldn’t, that someone else is better at it than they are . Writers are notorious for believing this--if I'm not as good as J.K. Rowling, I shouldn't write. Maybe people tell themselves that; however, the result is the same. Gifts that are meant to be shared are simply tucked away.

I have a friend who is a great cook and a generous person. She often gives me food, but I repay her kindness with other kinds of gifts. Why? Because I’ve always thought myself a so-so cook, and I’m terrified my food wouldn’t be good enough or would cause heartburn or something. She doesn’t know this, and I think it puzzles her that I don’t respond in kind. Hubby always praises my cooking, but I figure he has to because I’m pretty much the only game in town unless he wants to prepare meals.

Lately, though, little moments of enlightenment like the one with Antonio Banderas nag at me. No one has ever really complained about my cooking that I remember, but I just assumed that I wasn’t a very good cook, at least not good enough to share my culinary efforts with friends.

I really like to dabbling in the kitchen, and Antonio’s singing has inspired me to share my gift. Maybe I am a so-so chef-in-training, but that doesn’t mean I can’t share what I can do with people I care about.

What about you? Think about it. What’s something that you’ve always wanted to do with others that you’ve never done simply because you’re afraid you’ll screw it up? Sing in a church choir? Make people laugh? Dance? Act in a local play? Tutor children? Write a mystery? Run a race?

Please feel free to share here. I’ve got some cookies to bake. :)

Blade of the Wolf released!

Today is release day for Blade of the Wolf!! I'm excited! Can you tell? :) This is my first novel-length paranormal erotic romance, and my first story out with Ellora's Cave. In Blade of the Wolf, the hero is Scottish and a shapeshifter much like some of my other stories, but this story is a bit darker and edgier.

Ronan, immortal werewolf and Scottish Sgian Dubh Guardian, faces his most challenging, yet enticing, mission in centuries. He must protect sexy clairvoyant medium Syrena Ellis from an evil incubus intent on stealing her powerful life force. She awakens a raging arousal in Ronan, but if he gives in to temptation, he will be punished.

Dark and edgy, Ronan captivates Syrena. He is hot, hard and in control, yet his scorching glances and sinful kisses tell her he yearns for her. Even though she’s only a job, she finds a way past his iron-willed resistance. She’s determined to explore the depths of erotic passion with him. They’re unaware that their explosive sexual encounters are providing the enemy incubus with heightened energy, making him almost impossible to defeat.

Syrena’s forbidden desire and scorching lust for Ronan could destroy them both.

A Romantica® erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave

Read an Excerpt! (18 or over only please)

Available at Ellora's Cave.

What do you like best about Scottish heroes?

Thanks!
Nicole

www.nicolenorth.com

Let's Talk Pizza

Pizza. Doesn't everyone love it? We probably eat a little more than our fair share in our household, especially since, with a full time job and a writing career, I don't have as much time as I'd like to cook meals. And the convenience of a pizza shop right around the corner can't be denied.

But really, isn't pizza one of those perfect foods?

Okay, so some of the typical pizza toppings, like pepperoni and sausage, aren't the healthiest. But there are so many choices of toppings these days, you can pretty much have any kind of pizza you want. You can put practically any veggie on a pizza. Fruit too. Thin crust. Thick crust. Cheese. Extra cheese. Coffee is probably the only other order that has as many options.

And actually pizza is easy to make at home too, so I don't always order out. (Although I will admit that when I walk in to pick up my order - I did mention the shop is about a two minute walk? - I don't even have to give my name. Can you tell I've been there a few times??) Sometimes when I make them at home, I'll even by the individual size crusts so that everyone can build their own pizzas.

So what's your favorite pizza? Our tastes are pretty varied in our household, but we all agree on Hawaiian pizza. There's something about the sweetness of the pineapple with the pizza sauce that's a treat for my taste buds.

How about you?

Natasha
FLAUNT IT - Coming Aug 30th
www.natashamoore.com

Can there be too much?

Sex, that is.

Can there ever be too much sex in a romance novel? I've been asking  myself this question all week as I work on a hot little scene that pretty much came out of nowhere (Yay for us pantsers!). Now, I'm not talking about an erotic romance novel here. Yes, there's tons of sex in those, and rightly so. I'm talking just your everyday romance book -- a sensual romance, if you will. At what point does the book cross the line and fall over into the erotic category? Is it language? Is it what they do? Well, I'll let you in on what I learned:

According to a couple different agents that I met and talked to (and it's funny how they both had the same, exact answer), to be considered an erotic romance, your novel has to have "extras". Extra people, extra props, extra, um, activities, etc. Language (yes, those words) was not a factor, really. Without all those "extras", what you really have is a sensual romance. Interesting, huh? And it's a concept I really like. As an author, I can teeter on that line of being either sensual or erotic. I've written both, and as a matter of fact, one of my current WIP's (works in progress) is very definitely erotic romance and the other is more on the sensual side. So, I'm getting the best of both worlds!

What about you? As a reader, which do you prefer? Do you like those "extras"? Do they have to be there for you? Or will a hot and steamy sensual romance do the trick? If you're an author, which way do you prefer to write? Can't wait to hear your thoughts!

Kristin
www.kristindaniels.com
www.facebook.com/authorkristindaniels
http://twitter.com/Kristin_Daniels

Back To The Real World

First of all, Happy 4th of July for our readers who celebrate. I came back from NYC to two get-togethers yesterday and another one today. We're also having a huge fireworks display over the lake in our village tonight. Way to celebrate!

If anyone has been to a week-long conference like RWA's National, you know how immersed you get, in the business of publishing, in the creativity of characters and story, in the craft of writing. You're surrounded by people just as focused as you are. The ideas are flying and inspiration is everywhere.

Then, at the end of a train ride that ended up being more like 9 hours than 8, you're back in the real world...

Surrounded by all those people you love who don't have stories in their heads. Surrounded by all those chores that didn't go away while you were gone. Even if you were lucky, like I was, and most of the chores were kept up while you were gone, there's still a suitcase full of dirty clothes and people who want to talk about things like replacing siding on the house and what to bring to the picnic this afternoon.

The real world. Where you have to find that balance again between life and writing. There are workshops for that, but I've found the most important thing is to take yourself seriously. You have to believe your writing time is worth it before anyone else will. And to enjoy the picnic and the fireworks and then close the office door when it's your writing time.

I'll put together my conference thoughts in another post, but wanted to share a couple pictures of the awesome view from the Marriott Marquis in Times Square. Our room was on the 40th floor and had a view of the river. The pictures through the sealed windows don't do the view justice, but just to give you a taste...






Oh, and I came back to an awesome blurb for my 2nd Paolo's Playhouse story, Taking Chances, scheduled right now for late fall! Can't wait to share it with you.

Have a great day!

Natasha
www.natashamoore.com

My advice? Get your butt in that chair...

This week's theme here at Fierce Romance is "Advice for Beginner Writers". That topic, for me, can be answered easily, yet with some difficulty, too. What it boils down to--and it's advice I need to take to heart myself sometimes--is to write, write, write, and to do it every day. Treat your desire to be published (or stay published) like it's a job. Have a plan of attack, or a daily/weekly goal if that's what works for you. I'm the best at just fluffing off when I don't know the direction I want to go in my WIP (work in progress). As a pantser, I need to recognize that in myself and listen to these words of wisdom I've heard for years: BUTT IN CHAIR.

Nothing else will solve your dilemma of what-the-hell-do-I-do-now better than just sitting in your chair and figuring it out. Maybe you do that with pen and paper, making notes, scribbling down ideas and thoughts. Or maybe you listen to music, play a game of solitaire, or do what works for me -- brainstorm with other author friends. I love tossing ideas back and forth like that. Great ideas have been born and lots of problems have been solved that way for me.

The trick is to do what works for you. But just DO IT. Books don't write themselves. Crap typed on the computer can be fixed, but a blank page? Not so much. Get something, anything, down and work on it, over and over if you have to. One foot in front of the other, one word on the screen at a time, and you'll make progress. Promise.

Off to take my own advice and get busy on today's word count. Hope everyone is have a great summer so far -- Stay cool!!


Kristin
www.kristindaniels.com
www.facebook.com/authorkristindaniels
http://twitter.com/Krisin_Daniels