What's all the Fuss About

Waking up as a child on Christmas morning. Balancing on my bike without the training wheels. Earning a college degree. Seeing Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr in concert. Having my first book published. All of these events were exciting and resulted in cherished memories. How my mood soared and nothing could spoil the moments following. Synapses firing. Fingers tingling from adrenaline surges. Many sleepless nights, skinned knees, study sessions, and hours at the computer delivered the stuff of which dreams are made.

Some of my favorites are captured in these video bits. Twist, shout and celebrate your passions in life! Cheers!

The Beatles Arriving in America for the First Time --



Super Bowl Champion Colts --



Moon Landing in 1969 --



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
Shawna's Myspace
Helle's Myspace

More of My Favorite Things

A few months back I posted about a few of my favorite things. I said then that I could keep going with my list, but would save a few for next time. Well, here's next time!

Let's see... Where to start...

 

My Kindle. Love, love, love this device. Anywhere I go, I have an entire library in my hands. I love how I can download new books with just a few simple clicks. I love it so much that when my husband asked to borrow it for a 2 week out of town business trip, my immediate response was, "Um, I don't think so, dear." The funny thing was that he seemed really shocked by my answer!

Sullivan's Steakhouse. If we're friends on Facebook or you follow me on Twitter, you know how much I love going to this restaurant. There are several locations across the country. If you're close to one -- GO! Stop in the bar and order a Knockout Martini. I promise, you won't regret it.

My new Embrace Sculpture. Thanks to author friend Laurann Dohner who turned me on to this sculpture. It arrived just a few days after I placed the order and is now waiting to be placed in its permanent home -- on my new desk in my new office. Talk about writing inspiration!

And my most favorite thing so far this (new) year:

This lovely woman in the picture next to me! That's Mari Freeman, my writing sprint partner (we're all dolled up for the 20's party at last year's RomantiCon). I can't tell you how much she's helped me this year. She's kept me on track with the sprints (which has upped my focus so much!), helped me tremendously with CSI information for my new book, and has been a really great friend. Hugs and kisses to you Mari! What time are we sprinting today??

Of course, I still have more favorite things I can share, but I'll hold those back for yet another post. See you all next week!

Kristin

www.kristindaniels.com

Exciting with an E!

What more appropriate topic for the week when I start a new adventure than excitement?

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

I've been contemplating trying to sell some stories on Amazon Kindle for a long time, and I've finally done it. It was hard, hard work, but it's been worth it and quite a learning experience for me. I'm sure there are mistakes in it, but right now I'm just basking in the glow of having tried something new.

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Like most writers, I have a body of work I haven't sold, for one reason or another, that I keep filed away for a rainy day. I love to take out these stories and tweak them, but if they don't fit any publisher's needs, what's a girl writer to do?

Publish them herself!

The result of one such effort is Music Box: Lesbian Erotica, which is comprised of two short stories--each with some kind of music connection--celebrating lesbian love and the wonderful difficulties of finding the woman of your dreams. In The Dance Lesson, Tammy's bad habits and bad taste in bed partners is challenged when her friend Mil drags her to a salsa lesson offered by a world-renowned dance instructor. He's a psychotic little tyrant, but the one saving grace is his assistant, the gorgeous Anna, whose shy innocence captivates Tammy and, if she survives The Dance Lesson, will change her luck in love for the better.

In The Finest Lick, Lea is obsessed with the idea of having oral sex with a woman but figures her fantasy will never come true. She starts dating Dag Werner, a 1980s pop star and comeback artist, and is on the road to marital bliss when he insists she meet his daughter, Dagny. The beautiful gallery owner awakens in Lea a desire that resurrects her dead daydream, and Lea must decide what she truly wants for herself--one night with the woman of her dreams or a lifetime of wondering what it would have been like.

Thanks for sharing my excitement! Until next week...

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Guest: Caridad Pineiro - Aztec Gold

I’ve been blessed with many things in my life, including the chance to visit over a dozen countries as a result of my full-time job, but that’s not necessarily a good thing. You may be wondering what could be so bad about that? Maybe that I am really afraid of heights and hate to fly.

Despite that, I have on more than one occasion forced myself onto that plane to venture to that new place and I’ve never been disappointed. Scared, surprised and sometimes inspired, but never disappointed because as I said, it’s a blessing to be able to do this.

One of the trips that I took stayed with me and inspired AZTEC GOLD which is set in the Mexican jungle. During a visit to Mexico City, I was able to journey to Teotihuacan, a pre-Columbian city that has some of the world’s largest pyramids.

As soon as I set foot in the Avenue of the Dead, named for what the Aztecs thought were tombs along the sides of the thoroughfare, I knew I had to write a story set in a similar locale.


So I wandered along the avenue and the many paths leading in and out of it and the pyramids of the sun and moon as well as some of the other smaller tableros, ceremonial platforms with small temples atop each one. There were gorgeous murals and I discovered some of the history behind the city, including that ritual sacrifices were likely done there. My writer’s mind immediately pictured the city housing the home of one of the goddesses to whom they might have made such sacrifices.

I continued walking until I reached the Pyramid of the Sun, the taller of the two structures. Here is where I met a real challenge. Stay at ground level or risk a climb to the top to where the ancient inhabitants of this city believed the greatest energy could be felt.

Fear of heights, remember? Well, I forged ahead and climbed to the top which was actually the easier part of the trip.


The view at the top was amazing. I was able to look down on the Avenue of the Dead and the Pyramid of the Moon. Imagine what the ancients must have felt as they, too, did this. Unfortunately, then it was time to head back down, a much harder task. The lines of the pyramid are steep and you feel as if you are falling headlong down the sides. At one point I had to go down on my bum, but I did it.
I DID IT! And because I did, I was able to not only write this book, but understand a little better about the heroine, who has her own fears she has to overcome. Cynthia is a strong woman, but the deaths of her parents while on a scientific expedition have made her fearful of adventure. In AZTEC GOLD, Cynthia has to face those fears to venture out from her safe shell and find her ex-lover, who vanished months earlier while in search of an ancient Mexican temple.

But like me, Cynthia leaves her safe zone and what follows is an adventure she is never going to forget or regret.

What’s the most memorable place you’ve visited?

Thanks for dropping by!

Please check out the book video for Aztec Gold:



Caridad Pineiro is the USA TODAY and NY Times bestselling author of over twenty novels. STRONGER THAN SIN, her November release, is her 25th publication and the second book in the exciting new paranormal suspense SIN HUNTER series from Grand Central Publishing. Also look for AZTEC GOLD, a vampire novella, from Carina Press in January 2011. For more information on Caridad, please visit http://www.caridad.com/ .

Guest: Lila DiPasqua - Fairy tales. . . And a wickedly ever after

Fairy tales. . . And a wickedly ever after.

By Lila DiPasqua

Thanks so much for having me here on Fierce Romance!

I was raised reading fairy tales. I fell in love with historical romance at age fourteen. And I took my love of fairy tales, history and passionate love stories, and blended them into my steamy yet romantic Fiery Tales series!

So, why am I so drawn to fairy tales? Probably because they were the first romances I ever read. How could I help but write my own versions of these classic tales? Most are about finding love, involve a handsome hero and a happily ever after.

Now if you’re wondering, do I have a favorite Fiery Tale?

Honestly, I love each fairy tale retelling in AWAKENED BY A KISS and THE PRINCESS IN HIS BED (both out now!) equally, and for different reasons.

For instance, in AWAKENED BY A KISS: In the tale of Sleeping Beau, I just adore bad boy Adrien d’Aspe, a seasoned roué and illegitimate son of the King. Legitimized by His Majesty, he’s treated like royalty. That is until Catherine comes along and rocks his world, in more ways than one. I adore Nicolas and Anne in Little Red Writing. Anne is a writer and passionate about her books. I love how she completely unravels strong and highly ambitious Nicolas and eventually places him in the unenviable position of having to choose between love and duty. As for Bewitching in Boots, Elisabeth is clever – and hopelessly in love with Tristan. Tall, dark and handsome, Tristan. *sighs* The strong silent type. Head of the most prestigious corps in the land. And a man known for his skill at wielding his….er….sword. *winks* Not the kind of woman to sit back and wait for a man to make his moves, Elisabeth relies on wit, seduction and her lucky boots and takes matters into her own hands.

My newly released, THE PRINCESS IN HIS BED, has three more Fiery Tales I just can’t choose a favorite from. The Marquis’ New Clothes features Adam de Vey, Marquis de Nattes. He’s sexy and smart and has been infatuated with Aimee de Miran for a long time. It isn’t going to be easy for Aimee to get close enough to retrieve the important ring her cousin accidentally dropped in his pocket – especially since he has seduction in mind!

In The Lovely Duckling, I didn’t take a heroine who just needed some dressing up. Emilie de Sarron was burned in a fire as an infant. She’s put up with horrible taunts and cruel names. All her life. Worse, at her introduction into society, she was horribly teased and publicly humiliated—the hero, Joseph, regrettably a part of this fiasco. It was the final straw. For ten years, Emilie withdrew from society. Now she’s back and she’s determined to grab a bit of bliss—albeit strictly physical. Believing love and marriage are unattainable, she’s convinced that at least a physical encounter is doable. How? Well, she’s going to use the anonymity of a masquerade—orgiastic—ball in order to find a willing lover, and indulge. She never expected that the very man she gives herself to is none other than Joseph.

Princess Gabrielle is determined to help her half-brother recover his losses at an illegal game recently banned by the King—Basset—in The Princess and the Diamonds. She has no choice but to use diamonds she *borrowed* from the palace. If only the gorgeous man sitting across from her didn’t see through her disguise. If only she knew he was a spy working for the Crown, his mission to enforce the ban the King has placed on the card game and see to the arrest of those who dare to play it. As for our hero, Mathias, Marquis de Montfort, he has no idea that the woman he has thoroughly and deliciously debauched is none other than the King’s own daughter.

In the Fiery Tales series, you can always expect to find sinfully seductive rakes, strong smart heroines who will make them lose their hearts.

And scorching-hot love scenes that will leave you breathless.

I’ve written something that will feel familiar to historical romance readers, yet at the same time offer them something different and fresh! Dare to step into the world of fairy tales? Be prepared to be scandalized!

Once upon a wicked time. . . I hope you enjoy these fun, sensual stories.

Oh, and watch for my first full-length Fiery Tale—A MIDNIGHT DANCE—out August, 2011!! A sexy retelling of Cinderella, as it’s never been done before!

A MIDNIGHT DANCE
Berkley (Sensation)
ISBN: 978-0425241981
Historical Romance/Aug. 2011

Inspired by the tale of Cinderella, Lila DiPasqua weaves a steamy historical romance that offers a glass slipper, a dangerous deception, and an impoverished beauty determined to find her handsome prince...and make him pay.

Matching wits and wiles with a man of Jules de Moutier's seductive skill is not as easy as Sabine Laurent supposed. Soon, she must decide whether her desire for vengeance is greater than her desire for her one and only prince...


Read an excerpt of THE PRINCESS IN HIS BED

Read an excerpt of AWAKENED BY A KISS

About the Author:

Lila DiPasqua writes wicked & witty historical romance for Penguin/Berkley. She lives with her real-life hero husband and three children and is a firm believer in the happily-ever-after. She loves history and enjoys traveling. She has been to four continents so far. Her novels, AWAKENED BY A KISS, and THE PRINCESS IN HIS BED are featured in Doubleday as well as Rhapsody Book Clubs. To learn more about Lila and her books, visit www.LilaDiPasqua.com

You can also find Lila on:

Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lila-DiPasqua-Author/138300309541247
Twitter – http://twitter.com/liladipasqua
Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3234450.Lila_DiPasqua

QUESTION: Let’s talk about fairy tales! What’s your favorite fairy tale themes? Do you like Ugly Duckling stories? Perhaps a Cinderella, rags to riches tale? Maybe a Beauty and the Beast kind of story? Got any favorite movies or romances novels with these fairy tale themes?

One random commenter will win a copy of AWAKENED BY A KISS or THE PRINCESS IN HIS BED. Winner’s choice. Giveaway open to the US and Canada.

My New Cover - Flaunt It

I'm so excited to be able to share the cover for my upcoming release from Samhain, Flaunt It.



Here's the blurb:

He’ll put her on display, if that’s what it takes to keep her…

Paolo’s Playhouse, Book 1

When it comes to sexy and sassy, Piper, the most popular waitress at Ben’s bar, has it all going on. Now that they’re dating, though, Ben wishes she’d dial down the skimpy clothes and flirty attitude, and her habit of dancing around the bar and flashing to her favorite song. Every teasing peek at her body, every laugh at some customer’s lousy joke, is certainly good for business—but it sends his jealousy meter into the red zone.

Sure, they’re dating, but he’s no muscled, tattooed stud with diamonds in his ears. How can he compete, especially when she refuses to even spend the night at his place?

Desperate, Ben books a room at his friend Paolo’s fantasy club, hoping an erotic night in front of a two-way mirror will get her exhibitionist streak out of her system. Praying it won’t prove his greatest fear—that she lives only to show off. And he’s not that special to her at all…

Flaunt It is the first in the Paolo's Playhouse series and will be released on March 22nd.

Can you tell I'm excited?

Natasha
www.natashamoore.com

Blinking Less, Believing More

First breath. First words and steps. First kiss. First time of losing the heart and confessing love. These are all milestones in life. Accomplishments and events all based on growth of the body, mind and emotions. Sure, we all falter and sometimes fall on our faces, literally and figuratively, while focusing on goals and filling the days, hours and minutes with precious moments. But moving forward and refusing defeat of any sort is what ultimately makes a winner--a person who's trampled past defeat and fallen into step with the promise held by the future.

While pondering my goals for 2011, I recalled the following video from Kenny Chesney for DON'T BLINK. Both moving and motivational in words and visual content, this Country hit convinced me there's no time like the present to keep my eyes open wide for opportunity and embrace every possible living moment.



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