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Redneck Romance Writer » Shake, Rattle And Roll…
Some of you may have heard that Northern California had a pretty good sized earthquake today at 4:30pm.
It shook us up pretty good, but most of our stuff stayed put. My MIL, however, had books, glass and various sundries all over the place. I’m such a freak that it didn’t even faze me much.
I was in Napa for the Loma Prieda earthquake in 1989. At 8.3, that sucker still caused pickle jars to cascade down the aisle of the small grocery store I was working in at the time. I don’t freak out over earthquakes anymore. To me, they’re natural.
Here’s a picture from the U.S. Geological Survey site.
Magnitude
6.5
Date-Time
Sunday, January 10, 2010 at 00:27:38 UTC
Saturday, January 09, 2010 at 04:27:38 PM at epicenter
Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones
Location
40.670°N, 124.630°W
Depth
7.6 km (4.7 miles)
Region
OFFSHORE NORTHERN CALIFORNIA
Distances
33 km (20 miles) WNW (288°) from Ferndale, CA
37 km (23 miles) W (259°) from Humboldt Hill, CA
39 km (24 miles) WSW (254°) from Bayview, CA
42 km (26 miles) WSW (251°) from Eureka, CA
359 km (223 miles) NW (312°) from Sacramento, CA
Apparently it was a little known fault line offshore. We’ll be going to the in-laws tomorrow to do some clean up.
Everything here is fine. We have heard of at least one house in Humboldt Hill that fell off its foundation and killed the family dog, but for the most part, it was a …
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Erotic Romance Author Red Garnier talks about romance, life, books, travel » THE SATIN SASH – TOP PICK!
I’m so excited to learn that THE SATIN SASH is a Night Owl Romance TOP PICK!
Five shiny glittering stars!
I can’t begin to describe how wonderful it feels to know someone took the time to read your book and enjoyed it. So thank you to Priscilla and Night Owl Romance for the wonderful review.
Priscilla Petty said, “Ms. Garnier introduces characters that are complex, interesting and equally likeable. Heath is a love ‘em or leave ‘em kind of guy, but finds this experience decidedly different. Some erotic writers have a tendency to become heavy handed with random smorgasbords of sexual romps, but NOT Ms. Garnier! Yes, the sex is blistering hot and very arousing, yet this author cleverly remains disciplined by staying focused on the theme of the story and the actual emotions of the players. That’s what makes this realistic love story a cut above the rest and well worth keeping on your bookshelf.”
Click here to read the full review!
©2010 Erotic Romance Author Red Garnier talks about romance, life, books, travel. All Rights Reserved.
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Madelynne Ellis » Newsflash
The contract for Enticement has finally been agreed and signed, so I can announce the sale without fear of jinxing anything.I've sold Enticement to Samhain!You might recall if you were paying attention last year that this is the contemporary threesome novel that I originally sold on proposal to Black Lace. Unfortunately, when they decided to shut up shop, the book ended up in limbo.I debated [Link]
Me Want Food » Christmas Memories: Which Ones to Preserve?
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EREC: erotic romance » number-crunching — Jules
Just putting my December royalty figures into the spread sheet — the statement arrived just before Christmas but this is the first chance I've had to do more than glance at it. Time to throw out a few numbers that might be of interest.
My best-selling book is still Dolphin Dreams, which has now reached 2151 copies sold since it went on sale. Yes, very much small press numbers, but not bad going for a small press book. For the curious, around a thousand of those came from direct sales from the publisher's website before it went made available through the distributors, and about 3/4 of the total number since release is from direct sales. For distributor sales, Fictionwise has around double the numbers going through All Romance eBooks.
Second best is the first Lord and Master book, which has sold 1829 copies. Again, around 3/4 through the publisher website, but this time three times as many from Fictionwise as from ARe.
That’s the general pattern on my books — major share is through Loose Id, with the largest chunk of distributor sales coming through Fictionwise, but a significant fraction of distributor sales through ARe, and a tiny trickle through others. (My ebook titles aren't on Amazon, so I have nothing to report one way or the other there.) That's one author, through one publisher; other authors report different experiences.
The second Lord and Master book has now sold 1020 copies, almost as many as the first book had after the same number of … [Link]
Beyond the Veil » Rubber Writer Girl
Writing streeeeeeeeeetches a person. Honest.
Think about it, high school teachers and therapists ask people to journal. Scientists journal to keep track of what they’re discovering—or not. Leonardo de Vinci kept journals. Teenage girls are practically required to have a diary. It’s an epidemic!
OK, maybe not an epidemic. But it is a very, very common practice that is encouraged or required in many cases. Why? Because writing accesses areas of the brain that speaking doesn’t. Writing encourages brain cells that can sleep through a long conversation to wake up and get to work. No, that’s not a real, scientific explanation. I’m a writer, not a scientist (though I woldn’t mind playing one on TV)
When we put new brain cells to work, we sometimes open up new pathways. We connect one thing with another. One mental file triggers another. For instance, when brainstorming, a person may make connections to things they’ve written down and a new idea is born.
Writing down new information assists in the learning process. A person is likely to remember something they wrote down better than something they simply said. Ever remembered what was on a list even if you don’t have that list with you? Some people can’t remember things well unless they write them down. There’s a name for that type of leaning, but I can’t access it right now. Personally, I’m a visual learner. I learn better when I see, or write something down so that I can see it. I’ve heard experts say that no … [Link]
The Otherworld Diner » Worldbuilding woes
I’m toying with the idea of creating a fantasy world in which to write some of my stories. I've always loved science fiction and fantasy stories (J.R.R. Tolkein, Anne McCaffrey, Mercedes Lackey and David/Leigh Eddings rock!). I was so into it that I was involved in the Pern fanfic world for a number of years.
So, creating a world of my own isn't outside the realm of possibility but it means coming up with names. Country and town names. Names of species of animals. Gods and Goddesses. Even more, you have to create maps. Climate. To write one short little novella set in that world, you have to create the world in the first place so that future stories remain consistent. Needless to say, I'm finding this a little daunting.
I’ve posted on the FF&P loop asking for some assistance and they've been great. What's FF&P you ask? It's an online chapter of the Romance Writers of America specifically for writers who create Fantasy, Futuristic and Paranormal stories.
One of the FF&P writers suggested I start with http://www.seventhsanctum.com/ which was indeed very helpful. It's mostly for gamers but it works for authors too. While on that site, I found an interesting link for a place name generator at http://nine.frenchboys.net/country.php . Lots of good ideas there. I'm still having some trouble creating the names of some animal species though. Do I stick with tried and true "earth" type names or do I make something up. And if I make something up – how do … [Link]
Building Castles – Kelly Jamieson's Blog » No title
The Nine Naughty Novelists are having a pool party to heat up this cold winter weekend! Come on by for some fun and a chance to win some books! [Link]
Shapeshifter Seductions » Is It Getting Colder?
Baby, it's cold outside! Winter has never been my favorite season. I can remember watching my little brother and sister drag their sleds up hills just so they could fly down and scream at the tops of their lungs. They had a ball. Their coats would be unzipped, scarves around their necks dangling and their stocking caps half-cocked and you could just see the joy in their eyes, hear it in their screams.
All I could think about was that I knew my mom was making hot chocolate and would be calling us in for a break to warm up and I suspect, from the distance of many years, check to make sure we weren't suffering from the ill effects of the cold. It never crossed my mind that this wasn't the normal way to behave. You watched out for those who might be suffering or needed help.
Yesterday, I read that Wal-Mart, instead of donating unsold merchandise like coats and hats and gloves to homeless shelters, cuts them up. It made me sick. They are behaving like predators in the wild. In the animal world you expect savage behavior, tearing apart those weaker so that your species survives. Is Wal-Mart so afraid that someone else may benefit financially, they're willing to ignore the plight of those less fortunate? Seems pretty cold-blooded to me.
At this time, I haven't seen any statements from Wal-Mart, either to defend their actions or amend their policy. I've seen plenty of outrage from others. If corporations as … [Link]
Fierce Romance » Arctic Wolves Can Brave the Weather!
We might not have the white stuff, but we definitely have the cold weather today while we try to stay warm during the deep freeze that hit the US.
Sixteen degrees and 35 mph winds is way too cold for those of us in Texas where our blood is thin and barely anyone owns any wool.
Now, if you were this Arctic wolf, he'd wonder what all the fuss was about! Note how the snow hasn't even melted on his face? With a double coat of fur, the snow doesn't reach his skin where the heat would melt it. He must have bitten at the snow, don't you think? to have it on his chinny-chin-chin, and nose, too?
He’s really fascinated with something. Maybe a little white rabbit that burrowed into his hole. The wolf's ears are perked, listening to every sound he can hear.
I hear the wind howling, the air around me, despite the electric heater being on emergency heat, cold and drafty. Hopefully they've sanded the twin bridges over the lake that I have to cross to get to work. If I were a wolf, I'd just spread my paws because they have great traction on ice. And if they're running through deep snow, they also have the advantage of weighing less, broadening their feet, making a wolf tracker believe the wolf is much, much bigger than the true size of his prey. In this case, the wolf was tracking his prey–a moose. 
Yep, if I were one … [Link]
Nine Naughty Novelists » Naughty Nine Party on the 9th!!
It’s time for our monthly party! Seems like it's cold everywhere so we thought it would be nice to have a pool party!
I’ll have a margarita please, on the rocks!
We’re giving away more books!
1. An ARC of Primal Attractionby Sydney Somers
2. Sea Change by PG Forte
3. a choice from Kelly Jamieson's back list (go to http://www.kellyjamieson.com/, some are in print, too)
Today the Naughty Nine share 3 things we wouldn't want our mother to know!
1. How old I was when I first had sex. Granted, that was a long, long time ago but I suspect she'd still be shocked if she knew.
2. How my son got that scar right next to his eye. There are some things I wish I didn't know. That's one of them.
3. How much I weigh. We've been playing the "yes, I still need to lose a few pounds" game ever since my daughter was born. But I think the actual number and the fact that it ain't never gonna happen might be too much for her.
1. I’ve written sex scenes that take place with the lights on using something other than the missionary position
2. Such scenes occasionally have some relevance to (ahem) personal experience
3. I have actually served roast beef without mashed potatoes and gravy, and my broccoli is bright green rather than moss colored. To date, the family has survived (okay, that’s four—sue me!)
1. I didn’t …
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Rhian Cahill » It’s madness I tell ya!
So for some stupid reason we decided to do some work on our house seeing how all our stuff doesn’t arrive until Feb. This week it’s painting and my poor fingers have never hurt so bad! I seem to always get the crappy jobs, like the detailed work on the french door, peeling the paint off any surface Hubby chooses and the damn skirting boards, windows and door frames! Ugh!
During all this torture I had to decide where my “office” would be. You see in Singapore I was luck to have a master bedroom big enough to fit my “office” area but in our Sydney house there isn’t enough room to swing a mouse, never mind the cat. So I’m taking over the TV room. Well the Tribe all have TV’s in their bedrooms now so they don’t really need it. There’s this really big ugly wardrobe that I wanted Hubby to rip out but he wouldn’t. *pout* But then my father-in-law came up with a brilliant plan. Take the doors off, add some more shelves and put my desk up against one of the shelves and I’ll have the perfect “office” area. I should probably mention that I think my father-in-law is great. *grin*
The start of something great!
Psst! I would show you a pic but Mini-stud and WordPress aren’t getting on at the moment. *sob*
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Samhain Weblog » Don't Blink
Ever have one of those moments when you stop and ask yourself, “Hey, where did the time go?” I’m many of us were glad to see 2009, with its financial uncertainties, fade behind us, but 2010 brought a really bittersweet reality check with it.
My firstborn — still my baby — turned fifteen just after New Year’s. He’s studying to get his learner’s permit. His voice is deeper, and I have to look up at him now. I taught him to pump gas earlier in the week, and he’s all about understanding traffic flow right now.
We celebrated his birthday in conjunction with his uncle’s (my younger brother.) My parents’ only son and youngest child, he was entering his thirties. Our celebration took place just two days after my sister took her daughter to college for the first time, several hours away. While waiting for my perpetually-late brother to arrive, I showed my mother some photos of my son taken just hours after his birth. I think he-of-the-size-fifteen-shoes may have footwear larger than he was. I remember holding him then, can feel the sweet weight of him in my arms, as I’m sure my sister remembers holding my niece and my mom remembers holding my brother (yes, he was born late, too.).
I’m pretty sure they were wondering where all the time had fone, too.
If you have a poignant “don’t blink” moment, please share in the comments!
Linda Winfree — Sultry, Southern Romantic Suspense
Samhain Author Page
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Taste of Kiwi » Explosions
This week’s theme is explosions. I’m using artistic license this week. LOL – my excerpt from Sex, Spies and Sapphires includes the word “explode”…
Sex, Spies and Sapphires by Shelley Munro
“Kiss me.”
“I’ve never met anyone as bossy as you before.”
“And you like it,” she retorted. “You like a woman who knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to go after it.”
She wasn’t wrong. Her independent streak and sassy mouth were the first things he’d noticed about her. Once again he thanked his lucky star for arranging their paths to cross.
“Are you just going to stare at me with a dopey smile? If Mr. Mark saw it, he’d demote you in an instant.”
She smirked. “I might suggest he promotes Chester to your job. Chester is so cute.”
Thomas moved so quickly she squealed. He whipped her over his knee and applied his hand to her naked backside. “Take it back.”
“Make me,” she said, laughter lurking in her husky voice. Sarah turned her head so she could see his face and pursed her lips. “I dare you.”
Little vixen. She knew just how to push him, which buttons would make him explode into action. He fondled her buttocks with his large hands, fascinated by the color contrasts in their skins. Sarah was pale where he was darker, tanned from spending time outdoors. Thomas bent to place a kiss in the middle of one pale buttock before leaning back against the headboard and slapping her …
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The Otherworld Diner » How far is too far?
I have some odd fixations.
There, I admitted it. Even if I didn’t want to admit it, my darling friends would be quick to rat me out, so it’s far easier to be forthcoming. Perhaps because of my own propensity for weird, I tend to afford others a great deal of slack in the area of peculiar obsessions and obsession manifestation. After all, when it comes to any trend, there are fans, there are super fans, and then there are those who go beyond even super fan territory into the land of “fanmania.”
Ever since vampires poked their pale little heads out of the coffin to become the next pop culture “it” creatures, vampire-centric tales of paranormal romance of been booming and the number of vampire fanmaniacs have been on the rise. These fanmaniacs have taken their passion for vamp love far beyond the normal books, movies, and TV shows. Clothing lines, furniture manufacturers, even energy drinks companies have all recently jumped on the bandwagon with bite, hoping to secure a bit of the vamp craze for themselves. A veritable vampire inspired culture has emerged and fanmaniacs are invited to take their obsession to the extreme with the aid of vampire contact lenses, piercings, tattoos, and even tooth modification procedures like fang implants.
So where do you draw the line? When does a healthy interest turn into something more sinister? Is there such a point and who gets to decide?
I don’t have any answers to these questions, I’m just interested in the opinions … [Link]
Xandra Gregory » Continuing Resolutions
New Year’s Resolutions are a crapshoot. Everybody’s enthusiastic in January, until about the 18th hits and the post-holiday boredom sets in. That’s about the time the exercise machine starts becoming a clothes hanger, the shiny toys have run out of batteries/been stepped on/the teeny-tiny little pieces have been vacuumed up, and the leftovers have all disappeared, never to be heard from again. So I don’t do NYRs anymore. I set goals.
Goals are helpful to a writer–they give us something to shoot for. As November teaches/reminds us (for those of us who do NaNo), when you’re in the middle of 50,000 words, all you see is words all around you and none of them are “The End.” Goals remind us why we’re writing, where we’re going, and maybe give us a bit of a hint as to how we’re going to get there, and why “there” was the “there” we picked in the first place. So let’s take a walk through my own New Year’s Eve activities (besides making Buffalo Chicken Dip and watching Dick Clark not age while the ball dropped).
I started out like any writer. What do I want in the new year? My answers–a sale, an agent, a contract, a 3-book deal, a big(ger) advance, to make a bestseller list. Good start, right? Ambitious, especially given the market, the recession, and the industry, but okay, shoot for the moon and miss and you still get to fly, right? The savvy writer will tell you that those aren’t …
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The Rantings & Ravings of Jeanne St. James » Blood of the Beast by Tamela Quijas
Blood of the Beast is Tamela Quijas' latest intriguing work in the paranormal romance genre. Part One of her up and coming The Blood Chronicles, the reader is introduced to Tamela's gutsy and no-nonsense Detective Val Kureyev, who has been assigned one of the most horrific cases in the city's history. A serial killer is on the loose, the bodies of homeless men appearing on the doorsteps of the neighborhood where she was raised. There isn't a clue to the murderer's identity and the city is beginning to panic, fearing who might be the next victim.
Val finds help in solving the case with the most unlikely sort of partner, a professor at the local museum withhis own dark and violent secrets to hide…
4 5-STAR REVIEWS ON AMAZON!
…Ms. Quijas' prose and elegance leaps from page one, and holds the reader captive until the last. For fans of lush, delightfully dark romance, this is a must-read!
…wonderful, exciting, well written story that I had a hard time putting down…
…Ms. Quijas has a way with words, the likes of which we don't often see anymore…
…A great contemporary vampire romance that is actually plot-driven!
Blood of the Beast is available in Paperback and Ebook formats at Amazon links: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B002GP7YMY [Link]
Victoria Janssen » Moonlight Mistress Excerpt – Explosions
Moonlight Mistress is from Harlequin Spice. In this scene, three soldiers are causing a distraction at one site while a more secret operation happens at another. Note there's been a change to this excerpt to protect a plot detail.#It would have been better to have grenades thrown from all directions, but it hadn't been practical with only the three of them. Meyer had insisted that one of them [Link]
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