Passionate Ink Member Blogs – Check back often as this updates through the day!
All content shown here is the opinion of the individual author. Passionate Ink has no responsibility for the content of these feeds.
Beyond the Veil » Time machine, anyone?
I've noticed something odd lately. I'm getting… older.
Duh, right? But really, I still feel basically the same inside as I did when I was in my early twenties. Only now… hmmmmm. Some things are changing. I'm not sure I like it. Okay, honestly, I know I don't, at least not when it comes to the purely cosmetic and… I'll admit… vain things in life.
I bring this up because today I got my first pair of bifocals. (shudder) I should have gotten them a year ago, but that young person still living inside me shouted: “NO! Those are for old people!"
It got to the point where I couldn't read for pleasure. Believe me, that is NOT acceptable! So, the mature me slapped the youngster around and shouted back this time: “Shut up, idiot! I need these."
A person can only squint so hard before getting a headache. I am not one of the lucky people who can remove their glasses and hold the printed page/bottle/whatever at arms' length… that nasty old astigmatism makes me impossibly blind as a bat.
Thank heavens for progressive lenses. Although I know these are bifocals, no one else has to. Unless I tell them. The other signs of aging, however, are a little harder to hide. And so, I present…
You might be getting older if:
1. You consider late-night television to be anything that comes on after nine p.m. Ten on the weekends.
2. Your idea of a great weekend means staying home, reading and watching television. Anything 'exciting' usually … [Link]
Shapeshifter Seductions » Deep Thoughts For A Friday…
Good Morning, friends and a happy Friday to one and all!
Today’s blog has nothing what-so-ever to do with shapeshifters or the paranormal, but a lot about writing and what's right and wrong. No, I shall not be the moral compass here, everyone has to do that for themselves, but I will present to you, two things I've read about this week which have caused me to ponder while I should have been writing.
First up, J.D. Salinger and the prospect of unpublished ms lying about in his safe. What to do with them now that he has died?
Check out this link for the full story – http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100129/ap_en_ot/us_obit_salinger
Why do I find this a quandary? Well, here's the thing, Salinger had not published a thing(that we know of, unless he was using an iron clad pen name) since 1965. That had to be a choice he made, because honestly, is there any editor who would have rejected a Salinger work? But I digress, it is my assumption that he chose not to publish any more of his works, so that makes me wonder, is it then wrong to consider taking his ms, most of which were probably unedited, and put them on display to be judged by readers and scholar's alike?
What if Mr. Salinger had a love of making up dirty limericks for his personal amusement? I know I do… LOL The hubster has received many an Valentine's card with a sassy little poem in it, but I wouldn't want those made … [Link]
Hot Ash's Romantic Comedy » New cover yumminess!
Tell me what you think of EC's new cover model, Angelo. And try not to drool on your keyboard! LOL [Link]
SIX DEGREES OF SEXY » YA Contest
Okay, today I'm wearing my other hat/personality and have launched the YA side of me. I've finished edits on Siren's Lure and edits of The Forsaken (that's my edgy fallen female angels who kick ass) and I'm about to enter them into their first contest – holding breath now. So, as part of that I have to include a link.
Wish me luck. – Renee [Link]
Jina Bacarr presents Cleopatra's Perfume: The Prequel » A Naughty Victorian Lady advises you on how to dress like a naughty lady
The Duchess of Sussington
by Lady Carlton née Katie O’Roarke, heroine of “The Blonde Samurai”
Did you observe all heads turning to watch the Duchess of Sussington enter her box at the opera last night? Even the hefty baritone warbling Figaro lost his place when Her Grace made her arrival like Lewis Carroll’s Red Queen of Hearts toppling heads.
And stealing hearts.
Resplendent in a rose-red satin gown, her long train swishing behind her as if brushed by the magic of an Impressionist’s imagination, she showed off her long neck, graceful like that of a supple swan but bare–
Nary a jewel adorned her throat. Her head. Or her wrists. Wearing long, thirty-two button white gloves that covered her arm almost to the shoulder, her hands fluttered a black lace fan about as she leaned over to utter a witty remark to the gentleman next to her. Then she smiled at the handsome lord behind her. And was that HRH himself entering her box?
The corset régime *** says the duchess is the naughtiest lady in London. Yet her mode of fashion is neither gaudy nor garish but rather plain, though more than one roguish blade has proclaimed that she has a pair of “sister hills” that can drive a man mad.
What does this naughty lady have that you don’t?
I shall tell you, dear lady reader.
I had on previous occasion the opportunity to make Her Grace’s acquaintance at the Viscount Aubrey’s town house residence in London …
[Link]
Around The Writer's Block » Who Am I?
I write books. I treat it as a business. But creating my product is only one facet of everything I have to do to be successful in the publishing business. As everyone knows there isn’t a business out there that doesn’t advertise.
Because what’s the sense of writing books if I don’t let readers know they’re out there?
So what does that mean? Well, it’s that “P” word that makes even successful authors shudder. Promotion. I’m currently pulling things together for the convention season. I have all the usual materials including bookflats and bookmarks, pens and magnets, and I’ve even put together a couple of excerpt books. I send them wherever convention coordinators are looking for goodie bag materials.
Now I’ve expanded to buy an ad in the Romantic Times convention floor plan. Literally thousands of people, authors and readers alike attend this week long celebration of romance. I also now have a book cover in a deck of cards. The five of spades.
But for the first time I’m venturing into stuff. I’m looking at reusable grocery bags and chip clips. They’re a tad on the expensive side. And I’m really wrestling with this. Any good business would spend their advertising dollars only where there is return. But for an author that’s a very nebulous thing to measure. It’s said a person needs to see something at least 10 times before it registers. Wow, that’s a lot of people who need to not only see my name, but realize that …
[Link]
Fierce Romance » 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. … [Link]
Dana's Magic and Mayhem » Best Book of 2009!
I have two books (TWO!) going up for best book of 2009 at Whipped Cream Reviews! I'm thrilled to be nominated. The polls to vote for best book of 2009 will open February 1st and will stay open until February 14th! Just click on the banner above to vote!
First up: Very Much Alive, True Destiny Book 1! Remember, the sequel, Eye of the Beholder, comes out in October of this year:
Buy from MBaM!
Read An Excerpt Online
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Red Hots!
ISBN: 978-1-60504-392-0
Length: Category
Price: 4.50
Publication Date: February 17, 2009
Cover art by Anne Cain
Her destiny rests in their hands…
True Destiny, Book 1
Kiran Tate and Logan Saeter have been on the run from Oliver Grimm for so long they’ve forgotten what it’s like to be free. Ending Grimm’s power games won’t be easy, but this time they have an ace in the hole. PI Jordan Grey, Guardian Investigation’s resident hot shot—and Grimm’s step-granddaughter.
Jordan Grey has her doubts when Logan and Kir show up in her office with a tall tale of how her step-grandfather has framed them for murder. And to top it all off, they’re claiming that they’re really the ancient Norse gods Loki and Baldur, and that Grimm is Odin!
When the two lovers see the sexy detective for the first time, stopping Grimm suddenly takes a back seat to seducing her into their arms. But Grimm never rests, and when his anger spills over onto …
[Link]
Nine Naughty Novelists » Fangs, fur, rotting flesh – what's your favorite paranormal subgenre?
My tastes in paranormal romance can be summed up as follows: Stake the vamps, burn the zombies, shag the werewolves. Shorter version: Don’t fuck dead things. (I thought about making one of those the tagline for my website but I’m just not sure.)
Even if you read an assortment of subgenres of paranormal romance, you probably favor one more than the others: vampires, shapeshifters, demons and angels, whatever. Heck, a new subgenre currently gaining popularity is zombie romance. Dead vampires are one thing, but I can honestly say I never envisioned zombie romance protagonists. I don’t want to judge before I’ve read one, but I just picture body parts falling off at inconvenient moments…
Some people like any shapeshifter romance, and the shapeshifters of today’s paranormal romance run the gamut – you got your cats (both big and house) and mice, birds and dogs, octopi (tentacle sex!) – you name it, some hero or heroine shifts into it. I only read werewolves; other shifters don’t interest me.
I’m not into vampires in general, because I don’t like dead things and I don’t think you should have sex with them. I read the Southern Vampire series, but honestly I’m hoping Sookie winds up with Sam (on paper – on TV, I have absolutely no problem with Sookie and Eric getting down and dirty. With lots of close-ups of Alexander Skarsgaard, please and thank you.)
The only vamp series I read in which I like the vampire heroes are Lynn Viehl’s Darkyn books and JR Ward’s … [Link]
Xandra Gregory » Making Progress Versus Making a Mess
I confess that I am one of those people that literally loathes schedules. My mother is sort of a martinet when it comes to scheduling, and bless her heart for it, ran my household with an iron alarm clock while I was growing up. As a result, I decided to reinvent the wheel when I came of age and I shun scheduling. Perhaps a bit too much, I’ve come to wonder, now that I’ve had kids and all the responsibilities that come with them.
As a result, I tend to write in fits and starts. Or rather, make progress on writing-related activities in a manner of activity better suited for making half a bundt cake disappear in one sitting. When the glut is long enough to get me from start to finish, this can be a good thing–I sit down, fork in hand, cake plate in front of me, and devour a whole story’s worth of cake in one protracted binge of writing. I have the same taste for cake, the same “tone” at the end of the story as I did at the start, and I’m left exhausted, bloated, but with a complete story. And also really glad it’s a story and not a cake for reals, otherwise I’d be in a sugar-coma and have guilty cake crumbs all over the place. But, as after the cake-binge, there comes regret. I look at the disaster that is my house and despair the same way I’d look at that empty cake …
[Link]
Donna Grant » Guest Blogging
I’m over at Book Lovers, Inc today talking cyber stalkers…um…I mean fans.
Come by and comment for a chance to win either a signed copy of MUTUAL DESIRE *or* a promo pack that includes signed cover flats of both DANGEROUS HIGHLANDER *and* FORBIDDEN HIGHLANDER!
hugs,
D
[Link]
Xandra Gregory » Savvy?
Yeah, you knew the pic was coming with a title like that. But Jack Sparrow has a point, yanno? Any pirate worth his salt has to be able to taste which way the wind is blowing. The same goes for writers.
The minute you press “Publish” on your first blog post, or the minute you make that heart-pounding decision to show your work to somebody who could, one day, maybe give you some money for it, is the minute where you have to become Savvy. Writers groups speak a lot about writing “the book of your heart” because it’s a phenomenon that broadsides all of us at different times. Even when we think we’re ready for it and facing the cutlass with both eyes open, only to find out it’s the cannon from the side that’s just pounded us to hamburger. And what’s that cannon loaded with? Nothing more or less than the lead shot and gunpowder of The Market.
As writers, we signed up for this gig to, well, write. Now when we want to share our work with the world, it turns out that we have to do things that are the opposite of writing. We have to pay attention to markets. We have to promote. We have to be aware of whether or not the words coming from our hearts and the stories begging to be told are morsels tasty enough to be fed to the beast that thrashes the calm waters of our creativity and …
[Link]
Star-Crossed Romance » Alpha or Beta?
Alpha or Beta has long been a discussion in writers and readers circles. I found myself pondering what kind of man I needed on the way home when my car started to go crazy like it was possesssed.
While I love Alpha's take charge spirit, there is often a huge air of arrogance. Though some writers are talented enough to push the envlope without him being so pompous. But atleast when you're in a pinch, you know your Alpha will be able to handle anything that comes up, or atleast make someone else jump into action.
On the other hand Beta's would think about the issue, reason what the best way to handle it would be and possibly even ask for help. I don't think there's anything wrong with a guy asking for help…especially if it's directions. Sometimes you just have to admit you don't know everything, though mid-crisis might not be the best time to find out your guy isn't "super man".
What do you find more appealing? A man who will whisk you away or one who'll sit and stay a while?
Care to know what I have in my knight in shining armour…aka my hubby? He's definitely Beta. When I made it home, he told me to describe the problem while he nodded knowingly, went out to try to crank the car, grabbed his tools, took the battery out of the car and hooked it up to charge, then went online to search for the cheapest place to find a replacement … [Link]
Embrace the Shadows » Fangtastic Friday – Interview with Robin D. Owens
Please welcome author Robin D. Owens, Rita award winning author of futuristic, fantasy romantic fiction.
ETS – Please tell us a little about yourself.
I live in Denver with (currently) two cats. I’ve been reading fantasy since I’ve been a child and loved fairy tales and happy endings. I consider myself a writer, that is, I live the job. Other pursuits are visiting with family, taking walks, and playing an online mass multi-player game (the heroine in the book I’m writing now is a such a game designer). And you all know that () and ! are not fabulous in books so I use them in blogs and online.
ETS – Explain your Celta world. How did you come up with the world-building, and what inspired you to write this series?
The name is Owens (Welsh) and I hadn’t seen any real Celtic worlds at the time. To be honest, my historicals weren’t selling so I just decided to write fantasy with my romance. I (still) usually just write, and when I was unpublished this was the way I always wrote. So I sat down and found T’Ash throwing divination dice.
So I had to find a place where it would be manly to use such dice and believe that “Today you will meet your HeartMate.”
Celta was colonized by people with psi power on Earth, though they have long lost contact with Earth…and the psi has pretty much morphed into magic, which I …
[Link]
Kiss and Tell » Recharging the Creative Well. Wait, no, that's Filling the Creative Battery. Argh.
I realized the other day why it's taking me so long to get into writing my new book. I'm tapped out. No, not of story lines. I've got those up the wazzoo. Is that how you spell wazzoo? Well, I'm spelling it that way. What was my point? Oh, right, tapped out. I've spent so much time pouring every spare moment into my writing that I'd almost given up, no, I had given up all the other creative outlets I enjoyed. I hadn't knit anything in almost two years. I'd always enjoyed taking photographs, but rarely picked up a camera to take photos of my kids, even. Reading? I'd forgotten what that was.
So after I finished the last book and got it off to market, my brain just stopped working. It went blank when I sat down at the computer. I tried to cover with my friends. "Oh, yeah, I'm plotting." Mmm-hmmm. I meant plotting to outwit my 3 year old, not the book. So, for some crazy reason, right before Christmas when we took the kids up to the mountains for a few days I grabbed my knitting needles and an odd skein of yarn to work on in the car on the drive. I also brought my computer. I didn't even crack that puppy open for the entire trip. Instead I knit my nephew a hat. I've knitted five more since then. Not all for my nephew, which he is extremely thankful for, I'm sure. That act of … [Link]
Victoria Janssen » Finishing the Manuscript
When is a novel manuscript finished?1. When you reach the desired wordcount? (Well, yes, sort of.)2. When the deadline arrives? (It had better be finished by then.)3. Finished? What is this finished of which you speak? (Not a good idea.)4. When opening the computer file means you end up on the floor with no memory of what's just occurred? (I think this means you've been working on it too [Link]
Leah Braemel » Nooooooo!
Yesterday was not a good day for me. Apart from the fact that I've been sick for a couple days, I discovered that back in September I let myself get distracted and screwed up on something that … well, let's just say it shouldn't have happened. Picture an afternoon filled with the sound of my head hitting the desk. Repeatedly. In fact, you may have heard me.
In an attempt to distract me, Gizmo Guy told me this joke:
A very tall man walks into a bar, and a lady recognizes him as real Rugby player. They start to talk, and eventually go back to his place. They start to kiss, and the man takes off his shirt. On his arm, he has a tattoo that says REEBOK.
“What’s that for?" the lady questions.
“Oh, I have this so that when I'm on TV, people will see my tattoo, and Reebok pays me."
Then the man takes off his trousers, and on his leg, he has a tattoo that says NIKE.
‘What’s that ?' the lady questions again.
“Just like the Reebok tattoo, I get paid when this tattoo is seen on TV."
Then the man drops his underwear and on his dangley thing, he has a tattoo that says AIDS.
The lady screams: "Don't tell me you have AIDS!"
The man replies: "No, no. Calm down. It will say ADIDAS in a minute." [Link]
The Crayon Box » Friday Five
1. Blogged at Loose Ends on how out of practice I am at writing. Real life hasn't been kind. But I'm taking it back! Back I tell you. I've written 5 K so far this week and hoping for another 2.
2. Today did a clip on an 81 year old actress making her debut on Broadway. She's Kate Duffy's mother. Kate was an editor with Kensington who passed away a few months ago. The romance world was lesser for her passing. It's a neat story on Mrs. Duffy and she seems like quite the formidable lady. Just like her daughter.
3. Another neat story. The dogs of war. These dogs sniff out bombs in Afghanistan, saving lives.
4. Two Rita books down. Five to go. I've enjoyed the two I've read. I need to find time to finish the Lightning Thief. LOL much to oldest's dismay. She refuses to try the Lightning Thief on the grounds it might interfere with her Harry Potter addiction.
5. Okay, got a little behind in my TV watching. But have watched Castle from the last two weeks. Ummmmm whooooaaa. Each time I say, it can't get better, it does. Such an intelligent show. Just watched an episode of Dollhouse and boy, I didn't see a few things coming. Like a train they came at me. I can't wait to watch the next one, which we have taped, and the last one, which hasn't aired yet.
And a BONUS: Get what we might get this weekend?
Snow!!!!!!!!!
May the muses … [Link]
Building Castles – Kelly Jamieson's Blog » Extreme Close Up Chapter 30
Ally sat in front of her computer, waiting for Jack to get back from Carter’s place. One more glance at the clock told her it was taking way longer than it should have for him to pack his things, make his flight reservations and come back.
He’d said he’d come back. He’d better come back. Even if just to say goodbye. Unless Carter had somehow said something…
Jack’s loyalty to his friends was one of his most endearing traits, but now he had to see Carter was pond scum. It was sad…because they had been such good friends. They’d shared so much, and even though Carter must have had some doubts back when Brittany’d been pregnant, he had supported Jack through all that. It was such a shame.
Her insides still a writhing mass of nerves at the thought of Jack leaving, she tried to focus on her work. But it wasn’t happening.
Her life was a joke. She was stuck on her book, her fluffy magazine pieces disgusted her. She wanted to do something real.
She was not going to let it happen again. Jack had left her once before. She’d been so lost, she’d turned to Carter, pretty much her biggest mistake ever.
So if Jack was leaving, she was going with him.
It was crazy, but not so crazy. It made sense. What would she be leaving here? Nothing at all. She had a few close friends she could keep in touch with; otherwise her life was empty. She could write anywhere, and maybe she’d … [Link]
The Otherworld Diner » The Avatar Blues
Yes, yes, I know–everyone is talking about Avatar, and who wants to read another poor slob's take on it?
Sorry, folks, but this poor slob just saw it and now I see what all the fuss is about.
Yup–it IS terrific. Amazing, amazing world building. The Na'vi are gorgeous (yes, they're blue, but they're TALL and THIN!!), their world, Pandora, is beautiful, and the fantasy engrossing.
Maybe a little too engrossing.
You know the saying–how do we keep 'em down on the farm after they've seen Paree?
Just sub Pandora for Paree and you'll get my drift.
According to the London Daily Mail's online site, some viewers are having trouble coping with the real world after experiencing James Cameron's virtual one. For example, on the Avatar Forums site you can choose from hundreds of responses to the thread "Ways to cope with the depression of the dream of Pandora being intangible."
Fans on other sites use words like "grey" and "meaningless" to describe the world we live in as compared to Pandora. One fan even thought suicide would be viable–if s/he could be assured of rebirth on Pandora. And one poster on the Naviblu site wants you to join him in forming his own Na'vi tribe.
Come on, guys, let's get real.
Or…let’s not.
I confess I felt a bit like an avatar myself after watching the movie. In fact the entire moviegoing experience is very much like that–your body is in this world but the rest of you–mind and spirit–is submerged in the world of the film. I felt … [Link]
Taste of Kiwi » Rock ‘n Roll, Baby!
During our recent trip to Wellington, we decided we’d like to catch the Interislander ferry across the Cook Strait to Picton. We wanted to see a few of the sights instead of hanging around the city for the entire weekend. The weather wasn’t too good with lots of wind and rain, but after considering the weather forecast, and ringing my brother-in-law who is a weather guru, we decided to risk it and book the ferry plus a Marlborough wine tour.
The cancellation of the first ferry and the subsequent delay while they loaded extra cars and passengers on our ferry should have been a warning. But no. Mr. Munro and I happily boarded, found a good seat and settled in with a latte each. We were delayed about an hour before the ferry set off. The first part of the journey as we left the harbour was okay, but the moment we entered the open sea, it was all on.
Rock ‘n roll, baby.
The ferry went up, slammed down, tossed a little from side to side. The ferry was a big one, but the waves were crashing over the bow. And to think I’d wondered about all the white paper bags on each table in the cafe. Within minutes, passengers were grabbing bags and throwing up. I have to admit the crew were really good, whisking bags around, going around and offering aid and small chips of ice to passengers. At no time did the ferry …
[Link]
Naughty and Spice Blog » Interview
I’ve done like ten interviews over the past week. That may be an exaggeration, but you get the picture. Anyway, I’m still in interview mode. So right now I’m going to ask the person making me coffee to ask me some random questions. He doesn’t know this yet.
L: Ask me a random question.
H?: Huh?
L: Ask me a random question.
H: What’s brown and sounds like a bell.
L: No, ask me random questions about myself.
H: Didn’t you already do that already?
Silence.
L: Aren’t you gonna ask me something?
H: What? I’m supposed to ask you something? I’m confused now.
L: I’m writing this down.
H: I thought you were blogging. I thought you were going to ask me something.
L. OMG. Ask me a random question and I’ll put it on my NAS blog.
H: Okay, if you could live and write in anywhere in the world where would it be?
L: I don’t know. Is my coffee done yet?
H: If you were a car what kind of car would you be?
L: You always said I was a ferrari.
H: I’m not so sure about that.
L: Why not?
H: At the point he just goes on about some guy on the show top gear and I really have no fucking idea what he’s talking about or if it’s even relevant. This has been a theme to our relationship for quite some time now, so I just nod and pretend like I’m listening.
… [Link]
Naughty and Spice Blog » Beauty Sleep
It’s been a rough week for me and it’s only Wednesday. But sick children will do that to you. And I’ve realized something these last few days.
I really need a certain amount of sleep to function.
Remember being young and acting like a fool and staying up to all hours of the night? Only to wake up in the morning and you feel kinda crappy but it’s nothing a small fry and a coke from Burger King won’t fix.
Oh, wait. That was our remedy for a hangover when I was in college. Well, same deal. I’d stay up so late then go to work or class the next morning and I was okay. Hell, sometimes I even thrived on that sort of thing.
Now? Well, first it’s changed because usually I’m not up all night because I’m doing something wild and fun, I’m taking care of a child with an ear ache who won’t stop screaming and crying (Monday night). Or I’m dealing with the same kid who for no explanation, broke out in hives and couldn’t stop scratching (Sunday night).
That’s not fun. That’s not a most awesome reason to stay up at all hours of the night. That just…sucks.
So yeah. I need my beauty sleep. Went to bed early last night and slept right on through. No outbursts, no waking up, nothing. Just sleep. And it was awesome. I feel pretty good. And I need to feel pretty good because well, I haven’t written …
[Link]
Naughty and Spice Blog » All A-Twitter
I have so FREAKING MUCH To do today! Are you tired of hearing me say that? Heee! Cuz I’m tired of saying it. Some interesting rambly stuff via Twitter
A) You can follow the #DBW hash to keep up with the Digital Book World (Conference?) Didn’t know about this but/so I’m guessing it’s a conference. Lots of interesting food for thought re: book pirates.
B) Speaking of Book Pirates I Googled a friend’s name last night and discovered links to illegal downloads of her books….ON FACEBOOK!
C) One of her books had been “Read” almost 5000 times. (assuming this was a MMPB that sells for 6.99 and my friend gets 8% royalty on each sale of that book, she just lost $2750.00).
Happy Release Day Feisty!
D) I have no answers for piracy but one thing I DO wish would happen (as effective as it probably would be) is that when sites like Facebook/Blogger discover links to illegal downloads, they would ban the users. Same for file-sharing sites who discover users posting links to illegal downloads.
E) Speculating, after a quick discussion w/ Jackie Barbosa, I kind of wonder if we’re about to see the demise of the hardcover book as we know it? (Thanks to epublishing and piracy?). As I remember, King’s first book sale was paperback and paperback used to be where it was at, then (again as I recall from The History of Writing 101), a couple of things happened (namely the buyout/conglomeritization – yes I made …
[Link]
Naughty and Spice Blog » I’m Giving It Up
So I gave it up. Or I’m seriously trying to. On Tuesday it’ll be a week.
What did I give up, you’re wondering? Is it carbs? Is it caffeine? Is it men? Is it writing? Is it smut? Well, maybe to some of those, and maybe not. But they’re not what I’m trying to give up at this moment.
No what I’m trying to give up is…soda. All soda. My Achilles heel. My weakness. The love of my life. Okay not quite the love of my life, but we’ve been together forever. But when we’re together, water doesn’t exist. Nothing exists beveragely speaking except for soda–oh and coffee (decaf, I gave up caffeine years ago).
Plus everyone tells me how awful it is for me, but really, I was drinking diet/caffeine free. It wasn’t like I was downing a two liter of coke daily (whoops almost typed cock). I guess though their point is I’m not drinking enough water because of my soda habit. And it’s full of all kinds of chemical/ingredients I can’t even pronounce–and really have no desire to learn how to pronounce. But whatever…I still love soda. But I’m giving it up. To see how I feel after a month.
Anyway, tomorrow (Tuesday) it’ll be a week. Which is pretty darn awesome for me.
So. Do you drink soda?
[Link]
Naughty and Spice Blog » Help me for a chance to win by Teresa D’Amario
By Teresa D’Amario
EBook: A AllRomanceEbooks
Amazon.com KINDLE
Once the victim of scientific experimentation by the Government Control of Supernatural Activities (GSA), Damon doesn’t have a past, and he isn’t sure he has a future. He doesn’t even know if his ability to change from human to wolf is a virus, or magick. But the instant he lays eyes on the pretty cop from the local police force, he knows he has to learn the secrets of his past before they destroy her future.
Krystal is the best animal cop on the police force, hiding magickal talent beneath layers of excuses and quick thinking. For five years she’s tracked Peter Burke, a butcher who steals any form of canine to supplement his dietary needs. The day she saves a wolf from losing his head at the sharp end of an axe, her entire life changes. And then there is Damon, the mysterious, sexy ex-soldier with no memory of his past who awakens fantasies of dark and sensual nights.
But the GSA isn’t finished with Damon, and when the shadowy government agency joins forces with Burke, Krystal too finds her life in jeopardy, the target of men and women led by their own desires. Damon and Krystal must work together to stop evil and destroy years of illegal research.
Oh my goodness! Chapter Eleven! Wow. We’re getting so close to the end, ladies and gentlemen. First, thanks so much, ladies of Naughty and Spice! …
[Link]
Naughty and Spice Blog » Contest Time!
This week I’m running a contest over on my Blog! Just pop on over, tell me your favorite Fascinating Feisty Fact, and you’ll automatically be entered! Good luck!
[Link]
Naughty and Spice Blog » Bitchery at its Finest
So I have waxed poetic more than once over my love for reality TV. The love hasn’t died though reality TV has been going strong for a loooong time. I say keep it coming.
I’m sad Tabatha’s Salon Takeover is over, thrilled The Millionaire Matchmaker is back and I’ve been enjoying this season of The Real Housewives of OC. Hmm, I notice a Bravo trend here but I’m breaking it for my new reality TV love.
The Secrets of Aspen on VH1.
Oh my goodness what a bunch of bitchery! They’re all pretty snobby but there is one specifically who is kinda wack and her name is Laura. Wow. She seems a tad…psycho?
Of course, I know they can slant the way people are portrayed on these shows. Maybe she has some crazy tendenancies and they made her appear even crazier? I’m giving her the benefit of the doubt because there have only been three episodes so far. But in every episode, she does something a little nutso. Hmmm…
Okay I must go because it’s too damn windy and it’s making me nervous about my power. Do you watch The Secrets of Aspen? Or some other delicious reality show? Tell me
[Link]
Naughty and Spice Blog » Second Verse-Same as the First
Sooooo I’ve been working on editing a five year old manuscript — and if you follow me on Twitter then you’ve probably already picked up on this. I have to admit, it’s definitely a love/hate thing I’ve got going on.
LOVE the story, but find myself cringing at times over word choices and possibly weak motivations and of course, the good old second guessing is running rampant. Currently mulling over the second chapter, which is from the hero’s POV, and debating how much of it can be cut because five years after the fact, a lot of it feels….uhhhh extraneous (my big word of the day). I’m sort of afraid that I’ll find LOTS of uhhhh extraneous stuff as I go through this.
On top of which there is the challenge of rewriting the heroine in third person (from 1st). It’s enough to make a grown man weep. Flipping from first to third is …uh CHALLENGING. But I’m also discovering that what works in first, doesn’t work in third. I think in the end, I’ll end up with a much better story–thanks in part to the distance five years gives you–but in the mean time, there will be much… *eyeballs photo of choice* and drinking. Lots and Lots of Drinking. Alcohol even. And Tears. And I think when it’s all over, I deserve…A NEW TATTOO!!!!!!!
Since this is just me rambling….tell me, how do you reward yourself after completing an especially…onerous task? Oh look another big word! LOL
[Link]
Naughty and Spice Blog » This one may leave a burn mark
Here’s the deal. As you read this I may or may not be out of town, so I had to put up a post that wasn’t too interactive since I won’t be here…maybe.
So I figure I’ll share a bit about my new super duper, freaky hot, erotic romance called Four Play which is now available!
Duty required she choose one life mate. Her heart wants all three.
Mikayla knew this day was coming. News has come down from the planetary elders—now that she’s twenty-five, the law requires she pick her lifemate. She may be the planetary secretary, but when it comes to trying out potential mates, she’s inexperienced and nervous.
She only needs one man with whom she can trust her life. Luckily she knows three—all friends since childhood. Even if they’re not thrilled to be her potential lifemate, it’s the only way she can get through this process.
Mikayla couldn’t be more wrong about Cedric, Kyle, and Brett. They’re eager, yet resentful about the situation. Each one would kill to claim her, but they’re not too happy about having to risk their friendship to win her love. Yet, one by one, they set out to do just that.
Mikayla is stunned to learn all three men drive her mad with desire—and make her feel cherished. Loved. Choosing one seems impossible, until the one man she doesn’t want forces her hand…
Warning: This book contains one female being thoroughly tempted by three very different males—sometimes at the …
[Link]
Samhain Weblog » Wicked Fantasies?
Recently the third book in my Black & White Collection (named because of the beautiful covers created by Tuesday Dube and Dawn Seewer) was released at Samhain. Rough Cut is the latest installment in a series about wicked fantasies and it touches on a BDSM relationship. In the story, author Gwen Preston is contacted by Hollywood’s hottest property, Ty Ransome. Ty’s interested in turning Gwen’s book, Evening Songs, into a movie. She agrees to write the screenplay with him and during the course of the story, they discover they share very similar, dark desires in the bedroom.
The first book in the Black & White Collection, Erotic Research, delved into role playing—the hero and heroine acting out several sexual fantasies, including a harem slave girl scene and a pirate adventure! In the second book, Tequila Truth, the three main characters decide to spend one weekend exploring a menage a trois!
My editor and I have discussed ideas for future books. Some ideas have included a cougar story, m/m/f menage and a Domme book. I thought it might be fun to make an appeal here as well.
So…what wicked fantasies do you dream about? Read about? What dark desires would you like to see explored within the pages of an erotic romance?
[Link]
The Rantings & Ravings of Jeanne St. James » 4 STAR REVIEW for BANGED UP at RT Magazine!
BANGED UP gets a 4 star review
from Romantic Times!
“This sexy tale has both humor and suspense and some twists and turns as well. A simple misunderstanding leads to some super-hot bedroom antics. Mace and Colby are well-matched, and the villains are truly wicked.
SUMMARY: The last thing Mace Walker expects to face when he gets home bone-tired and wounded after a two-year assignment undercover is a Glock shoved in his face. The stranger even asks for proof that it's Walker's house, but it doesn't take much for him to disarm the beautiful woman.
After a few embarrassing moments, Colby Parker explains she is housesitting for his sister. Neither is forthcoming with any personal information, but they develop a relationship that blossoms into a fiery romance. He dives head first into refurbishing the old house she purchased, and she helps with the therapy on his severely damaged leg. Then their pasts threaten their budding romance and their very existence."
Four stars, rated "Scorcher"
Buy Link: www.liquidsilverbooks.com/books/bangedup.htm
Kindle Edition: http://www.amazon.com/Banged-Up-ebook/dp/B002X78TZQ [Link]
Archive
10 Sep 2010 09 Sep 2010 08 Sep 2010 07 Sep 2010 06 Sep 2010 05 Sep 2010 04 Sep 2010 03 Sep 2010 02 Sep 2010 01 Sep 2010 31 Aug 2010 30 Aug 2010 29 Aug 2010 28 Aug 2010 27 Aug 2010 26 Aug 2010 25 Aug 2010 24 Aug 2010 23 Aug 2010 22 Aug 2010 21 Aug 2010 20 Aug 2010 19 Aug 2010 18 Aug 2010 17 Aug 2010 16 Aug 2010 15 Aug 2010 14 Aug 2010 13 Aug 2010 12 Aug 2010 11 Aug 2010 10 Aug 2010
About the RSS Aggregator