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Taste of Kiwi » Ordinary Superheroes with Fiona Jayde
My special guest today is Fiona Jayde who has a new sci-fi romance release called Cold Victory. Fiona Jayde is a space pilot, a ninth degree black belt in three styles of martial arts, a computer hacker, a mountain climber, a jazz singer, a weight lifter, a superspy with a talent for languages, and an evil genius. All in her own head.
In life, she is an author of kickass, action packed, steamy romances, possesses a brown belt in Tae Kwon Do and blue belt in Aikido, a web developer, scared to death of heights, loves jazz piano, can bench-press about 20 pounds — with effort, speaks English and Russian fluently, and when not plotting murder and mayhem enjoys steamy romance novels, sexy spy thrillers, murky mysteries and movies where things frequently blow up.
Today Fiona is talking about superheroes. Over to Fiona.
Vampires or hot-shot pilots. Werewolves or sexy super spies. Genetically altered humans or humans with larger-than-life lives. Supermen and kickass women.
My favorite books or movies or TV shows tend to feature superhero type characters. There is something about a larger than life character experiencing the same pull of love, lust or loss as us ordinary folks do. There is something about being able to step into a superhero’s life and be surprised that internally they can bleed just as much as we do.
With the explosion of the paranormal subgenre in romance, our choices for larger than life characters have expanded to suit every fantasy. …
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The Rantings & Ravings of Jeanne St. James » DOUBLE DARE is a bestseller at Loose Id and gets a GREAT REVIEW!
My recent release DOUBLE DARE is #3 Bestseller at the publisher's site , Loose Id, in it's first month release!
It’s also just got a GREAT REVIEW from You Gotta Read Reviews:
“This story was a wonderful read at times it pulls on your heartstrings while at others it lifts the reader up with the love that is shared between all the characters. Quinn is a strong woman who is tired of living a lie. She wants to be her own person, to be able to live and love the one she sees fit. As she struggles to understand her feelings for both Logan and Tyson she begins to loose her inhibitions and her heart. Logan and Tyson are a great pair of Alpha Males both understanding and willing to let the other lead when needed. Both men begin to fall in love with Quinn and are willing to let her into their world. The bond of love and trust that forms between the three is a great read. One only wishes that they had one person to share something like that with let alone two. Jeanne St. James writes a compelling story keeping the reader entertained from start to finish. With it’s great characters and hot scenes this book does not disappoint and should be on many a readers to be read lists." [Link]
Leah Braemel » Happy Dance Time!
Yesterday I got "the call" from the wonderful Angela James over at Harlequin's newest e-publishing venture, Carina Press. Trouble is I was in the shower and missed it. *face/palm* Luckily for me, they invented email because Angela then emailed me that Carina was going to be sending me a contract for the erotic western Texas Tangle I've been blogging about the past few months.
Yup, lots of happy dancing went on yesterday!
Texas Tangle is the contemporary erotic romance with a western flavor. Here's a very rough blurb — which I'm sure the wonderful folks over at Carina will pump up soon…
Short version: Thanks to her cheating ex-husband and her thieving brother, all Nikki Kimball has left is a bruised heart, an over-drawn bank account and an empty home. When golden-boy Dillon Barnett and his brooding foster-brother Brett Anderson ride into her life, both intent on claiming her love, Nikki has to face her past to decide their futures.
Long version:Horse breeder Nikki Kimball is determined to make it on her own after her divorce but when her brother steals her belongings and her identity, her independence and her dreams are threatened. All is not lost when her sex-on-legs neighbor Dillon Barnett drives up in his white pick-up and lends a hand. Dillon’s foster brother, Brett Anderson, has always had his eye on Nikki. Ten years ago, the two friends fought a bitter battle for their high school crush. Although Brett still longs to be the man in Nikki’s life, he’s determined … [Link]
Kiss and Tell » I've Got Goals Again!
I find that as things in life I cannot control spiral out of reach, I must hold onto a goal I can control like a little life preserver.
So I've got my pencil in hand (sorry pencil is as committed as I get) and I'm making a short list of goals I can accomplish by the end of February.
I’ve got two completed stories sitting on my computer burning a hole trying to get out. Time to edit them and set them free.
One is contracted and it's just been a matter of finding the time. Time will be found. The second well, this is where I have to confess that I've been a bit scared. My first 80k+ story and I've been avoiding revisions like the plague. Sure there is a time issue but there's also that writer's fear of sending it out to agents and editors. As I would likely say to someone else, suck it up already. LOL
I can control the writing, control the self editing and revisions, I can control sending a query or partial to an agent but beyond that what happens is out of my hands.
<--- Gratuitous mancandy just cause. *shrugs*
And last but not least I will finish the reading challenge I issued to myself at the beginning of the year. 4.5 more books to read.
There, that's it. Easy Peasy.
On a little longer term but very exciting project my DH has agreed to help me remodel my office. I was a little scared to ask since … [Link]
The Otherworld Diner » Non-Blog
I blogged last Monday when I wasn't supposed to (I can never keep the schedule straight), so now it's my turn to post a blog again. My brain is not functioning well today, so this is a non-writerly blog. Let me explain why:
1 Super Bowl party
50 people in my house
– 30 adults suffering from cabin fever
– 20 sugared-up children
– all tracking in the 11 inches of snow from outside
4 TVs set up in 4 different rooms
4 batches of hot wings
3 coolers of beer
2 huge pots of chili
2 stressed-out dogs banned to the garage
1 tired and brain dead blogger
’nuff said [Link]
EREC: erotic romance » [MARKETs] eTreasures, Omnific
eTreasures Publishing is celebrating their "grand reopening" with mangled website and new romance line.
Omnific Publishing, despite the name seems to be specialising in romance. Due to open Feb 16th. [Link]
Shapeshifter Seductions » New EC book – Red Stilettos anthology
Hi all,
I'm excited because I'm working on final edits for a new novella for Ellora's Cave publishing. This one won't be about shapeshifters – it's a straight contemporary. I came up with a concept where four friends share a pair of vintage red stilettos they buy at an auction. The auctioneer sells the shoes by saying the shoes will grant the wearer her heart's desire.
The lovely Paris Brandon has the first release in the series with Head Over Heals on February 12. My story, Whirlwind Affair, is the second in the series and I'm in final edits with the story now. Book three, Dear Sexy Lexie by Ashlyn Chase and Book 4, Bad, Bad Girlfriend by Delilah Devlin, will be released later.
To whet your appetite, here's the blurb for my upcoming release, Whirlwind Affair.
Plus-sized Erika Bergstrom is shopping in an upscale adult boutique when handsome Rodrigo Torbellino asks for help finding a gift…for someone else. Just her luck! But as he flirts with her, she discovers he’s shopping for a bridal shower gift for a friend, not a lover. So when he asks her to model some sexy lingerie then seduces her in the dressing room, Erika gives into her urge for a wild new experience…a one-night stand.
The next morning, Erika’s body is sated from pleasure. Rigo obtains a promise that she’ll call him and tells her that if she doesn’t call him, he’ll find her. She’s intrigued and thrilled with his obvious interest until she discovers Rigo is … [Link]
Redneck Romance Writer » A Superbowl Just Sayin’
To the Saints and New Orleans
Congratulations. What a GREAT GAME!!!! I enjoyed it.
Just sayin’
To The Colts
What an epic battle! Awesome game.
Just Sayin’
To My Insurance Company
It frustrates the hell out of me that you don’t cover the ADD diagnosis.
Just Sayin’
To NMK’s Mom
Seriously? Can’t you just enjoy the peace and quiet? Let me explain something. When someone blocks their phone to where you can’t call them, that means LEAVE THEM ALONE. It doesn’t mean get in your damn car and go for Round Two. Oh, and if you DO get in your car and have a few rounds (fighting and drinking) don’t come back to MY house and dump your drama, play the victim and expect sympathy.
Just Sayin’
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Ella Drake, dark paranormal romance » Space-D: Episode Three. A Daphne Adventure
Welcome to the special Valentine Full Reads for Excerpt Monday. This month, in addition to our typical excerpt week, we're having a week of full stories written by several fabulous EM writers. Visit the Excerpt Monday site! or click on the banner above.
When last first saw Daphne, she'd just gotten the better of a bunch of creepy crawly carnivorous space worms. Then, she helped a few military-types rescue her. Today she faces an inquiry into all that's happened. Take a look at the next installment of Space-D.
The story is on my website: Space-D: Episode Three
Can also be downloaded:
pdf —
mobi/kindle —
lit —
epub
Links to other Valentine Free Reads
Note: I have not personally screened these excerpts. Please heed the ratings and
be aware that the links may contain material that is not typical of my site.
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EREC: erotic romance » Astatalk, Twitter and ebook piracy
Astatalk is one of the more pernicious sites offering file-sharing in a way that encourages ebook piracy. They recently opened a Twitter account which made it blatantly obvious just what proportion of the books made available there are not legal copies (i.e. almost all of the files tweeted by them). Within a fairly short period of time this account was closed by Twitter due to "strange activity".
Or as one asta talk member said: “HI!!! I'm not sure if this is the place to report it but a few days ago, you create a twitter account … Well, a few romance authors found out about this place and they are really pissed off and they are having a campaign to remove astatalk. I'm just letting you know… so we could be a little more discreet so the place doesn't get close down! 
"
More than a few, Skippy. And while the staff at Astatalk my not lose sleep about copyright and piracy and all that jazz–apparently Twitter, as a U.S.-based company pays a little more attention to the legal niceties. Thank you, Twitter. [Link]
Emma Petersen » Music Monday & Contest Winners Announcement
Morning Loverlies,
Le sigh. Emma is swamped and running late so this is gonna be a quickie. But don’t worry darlings, Emma would never leave you unsatisfied. First things first. Winners.
1. Alisha Rai’s Veiled Desire —– Tracey D
2. Mark Henry’s Road Trip of the Living Dead —— Jessica W
3. Rob Thurman’s Nightlife —– Ale
4. Mark Henry’s Happy Hour of the Damned —– Casey H.
Please email me via my contact page with all your name and snail mail addy and we’ll get the books right out to you. You have like 10 days to claim your prize.
And now for Music Monday! The lovely talented Christina D’abo introduced me to this band. So you have her to thank for this Music Monday installment. Enjoy!
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Cleopatra's Perfume: The Prequel » A Naughty Victorian Lady’s naughty first kiss: Episode 1
By Lady Carlton nĂ©e Katie O’Roarke, heroine of “The Blonde Samurai”
Will your lover send round a Valentine to make your heart flutter? Wrapped up in soft ivory tissue paper and decorated with red hearts and fancy Valenciennes lace? I refer not to your husband but to your lover.
‘Tis what Valentine’s Day is all about, is it not?
Romance.
If you are a lady of quality, then I have no doubt you bemoan the fact that you didn’t marry the handsome young gentleman who gave you your first kiss on a swing under the apple tree. The fragrance of your sweet blossoms arousing you, his hands holding you around the waist so tight you could scarcely breathe. Now you try to re-create that moment with every new lover.
‘Tis a pity.
If you are in love with your husband, it is often a similar manifestation. Men are such forgetful fellows, not realizing that the simple gesture of a gentle kiss upon milady’s cheek can touch a woman’s heart.
But what if you were a maid of one and twenty and had never been kissed?
Such is the circumstance of Temerity Whitechapel, the granddaughter of a wealthy baronet and a studious lass with a delicate nature. Educated by a series of stern governesses, she spent her life caring for her invalid grandfather (recently deceased) within the dreary confines of Mottersby Manor, a grand old house in the hinterlands with nary a whiff of anything …
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Ella Drake, dark paranormal romance » Interviewed by Meankitty
Today I'm being interviewed by Meankitty, who believes I should make amends for not including a cat in my stories. What do you think?
Come on over and tell me what you think!
Meankitty Wants to Know: Ella Drake [Link]
RomErotica Writers » Purple Prose Pet Peeves – by Debra Glass
Nothing makes me cringe more than finally getting the good part of a romance novel and being bombarded with euphemisms. Usually, those books end up against the wall on the other side of the room. The last one to go flying boasted the sentence, "Come my sweet witch and let me pleasure you with my love lance." Shortly afterward, he "paid tribute" to the heroine. I'm not sure but I think that meant he came in her.
Such purple prose rips me right out of the story. Why would authors choose to use it?
Purple prose, as defined by author, Deb Stover, "consists of words and phrases that sound stilted, overly descriptive, or cliché."
I suppose everyone has their most hated purple prose descriptions. Mine are globes for breasts or ass cheeks, orbs for eyes, Venus mound for pubis, mounds for breasts (candy bar, anyone?), lance, pole, or sword for cock.
Almost all romance writers will include the word "wave" when describing an orgasm.
What are some of your purple prose pet peeves?
About Debra Glass
Growing up in the south where the air is thick with stories steeped in legend and truth, Debra came by her love of romance novels honestly. Well…sort of. At an early age, she pilfered from her grandmother’s extensive library and has been a fan of the genre since.
A full time freelance writer, Debra especially enjoys combining history, mystery and a touch of taboo to weave stories with unforgettable, haunted heroes.
She lives in Alabama with her sexy real life hero, a couple … [Link]
Leah Braemel » January Reader Appreciation Contest Winner
Host!
Congratulations, Host, you've won your choice of ebook from Samhain Publishing. Take a gander at what they've got available at My Bookstore and More and let me know the title, and what format you'd like your copy in. Email me at leah DOT braemel @gmail.com by February 16th, or I'll pick another winner.
Don’t forget that every time you leave a comment on my blog, you qualify for my monthly Reader Appreciation contest. Next month, I'll be giving away an autographed copy of Personal Protection along with a book thong made by HockeyVampiress. And I'll try to blog more this month. I promise!
There were 103 items in your list. Here they are in random order:
hostMoziEsmeelaing8KarenKBella AndreEstellahostflchen1Natasha AMarley Delarose…. contact me if you wish to see the rest of the list [Link]
Donna Grant » Lets Talk Books
I love books. I love hearing when my friends have a new book releasing. I love discovering new authors. I love browsing the bookstore and seeing the covers. I love walking up to the counter with an arm load of books that I’m just dying to read. I love opening a book and diving into new characters and new worlds! And most of you reading this blog feel the same way.
So, let’s talk about books we’ve read this past week. I love to share and hear what others are reading!
I just read Erin Quinn’s HAUNTING BEAUTY. (Yes, yes, I’m late reading this one, I know!) OMG! This book had so many twists and turns that you didn’t know what was real, what was imagined, or how the hell the characters would ever have their HEA. I couldn’t put the book down.
It was a fabulous read, and I’m dying for the next book – HAUNTING WARRIOR (and that cover! Wow!)! If you like for authors who take you on so many twists and turns that you don’t know which way is up, then this book is for you!
I also somehow found the time to read another book by one of my favorites – Stephanie Laurens. I just love Stephanie’s books and the first in her new Black Cobra Quartet – THE UNTAMED BRIDE – did not disappoint.
But really, when has a Stephanie Lauren’s book ever disappointed? This woman has amazing talent, and she’s an auto buy for …
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Victoria Janssen » My Favorite Girls Dressed as Boys – Fantasy Edition
Fantasy novels are rife with girls dressed up as boys. I'm not sure if it's because there are so many female fantasy readers versus so many male fantasy heroes, or if it's a result of a common romance-adventure trope sliding into its modern subgenre, or a combination of both, or neither.Anyway, here are some of my favorites in the fantasy genre.Ellen Kushner, The Privilege of the Sword: notable [Link]
Nine Naughty Novelists » Writing With Kids
So writing can be tough. Really tough. Writing around kids: Tougher. Especially when you've got three kids under the age of 8. I hadn't planned on blogging about writing and kids when I settled in to write my post last night. Of course at the time I was also trying to clean out my inbox and watch the Superbowl with my husband. At least that was the plan right up until Babygirl decided she didn't really need to go to bed yet. So instead of hanging out with my husband, maybe writing a little, I didn't get to touch my laptop for the rest of the night, not even to write this blog post.
Which leads me to a few tips on writing with kids.
1. Be flexible. Being a mom means dealing with well, anything, at any time. It can be so easy sometimes to get frustrated with interruptions and to let those frustrations stop you from getting back to writing when the latest catastrophe has passed. Reminding yourself when you sit down to write that someone is bound to need you for something, even if it's nearing midnight, will help keep you from giving up before you've finished your page, scene etc.
2. Television is not the enemy. Seriously. Find something the kids like to watch and curl up on the couch (so you can keep an eye on the sneaky buggers) with a notebook or laptop and earphones. The earphones are a must.
3. Don't get dragged under the bed by … [Link]
Fierce Romance » Today's Gonna Be A Good Day
Like millions of Americans, last night my husband and I went to some friends' house to watch the Super Bowl. Now none of us are die hard football fans. (My hubby is eagerly awaiting the NASCAR season to start – Daytona, next weekend!) But it was our friend, Jack's, birthday so along with our drinks and salsa and chips, we had birthday cake. I had a little more wine (yes, wine, I know beer and football are supposed to go together – but I'm not a beer drinker, never have been)than was probably a good idea the night before a work day.
We had a good time. We cheered on the Saints and laughed at all the Super Bowl ads. OK, we groaned at a few too. And noticed the unusual amount of ads featuring people in their underwear. What does that say about the marketing people in this country???? I won't bother to post the CareerBuilder.com ad here, it's everywhere on the internet this morning. But casual Friday will never be the same again.
So I'm here at my computer early Monday morning, trying to string a few coherent sentences together after our little Super Bowl party. And now I have to go to the day job and wish I could be home working on my latest wip. So, this morning I leave you with the wish that this will be a good day for you. And ya know… I gotta feelin' it will be!
Natasha
www.natashamoore.com [Link]
Star-Crossed Romance » Guest – Mary Montague Sikes
Good Morning everyone! Today's guest will be talking about very common problems we authors have. And she has some interesting thoughts so grab your coffee and a roll, sit back and enjoy.
Oh, and by the way, Ms Sikes is offering a copy of her book Hearts Across Forever so read on to the end to find out how you can become eligible to win.
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What About Old Manuscripts?
What to do with old manuscripts? Authors are often told to learn from them but never look back.
I’m not sure I agree with that philosophy.
A few years ago, I remember attending a meeting where Nora Roberts was a featured speaker. She spoke about her first manuscript and said it was hidden away in a drawer somewhere. Although she indicated then it would never go out for publication, I wonder now if it did somehow resurface as a polished manuscript. After all, we on our writer’s journey learn so much along the way. We even learn how to fix things that at one time appeared unfixable.
(The event where Nora spoke that day actually became the first meeting of the Virginia Romance Writers. We passed around a notepad and gathered names and contact information for people there who wanted to form a romance writers’ chapter. What an exciting beginning of one of RWA’s most active chapters!)
The increasing popularity of e-books has widened the marketing possibilities for all authors. My advice to new writers is to finish the book, then go back and edit. Don’t spend … [Link]
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