Confessions of a Recent Slash Addict by Adrianne Brennan
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I have a confession to make: I am one of many women who didn't understand the appeal of slash for a very, very long time. Comprehending what was hot about watching two men go at it was beyond me. Slash between two women I’ve always found hot, but never got into erotic romance novels between two men.It actually was not until my favorite fandom pairing arose that I "got" it: it's really about two men whom you find to be hot and whose chemistry you find to be hot that makes it work. It's also about that lovely, perhaps-only-slightly-subconscious desire to be the filling in that sandwich. It is my belief that this is why m/m erotic romance sells well with women who want to appreciate men’s bodies and sexuality and find it to be a turn on.
The genre of m/m erotic romance had gone mainstream recently, and I blame it on the British sci-fi television show known as Torchwood. It’s a pairing of two of the main characters, Captain Jack Harkness and Ianto Jones, have sold the show for many people who may have never watched it. I personally got into the show because I am a fan of the original show it spun off from, which is Doctor Who. Torchwood broke through a lot of boundaries for the GLBT world with its loose boundaries and definitions of sexuality with its omnisexual main character, Jack.
Often times my writing is inspired by what I read and watch on television, and I write what I consider to be “gender blind” characters for the most part. So far, my books have featured m/f, f/f, f/f/f, f/f/m, m/m, and m/f/m pairings. My scifi/paranormal erotic romance book Dawn of the Seraphs is my entry into the wide, wonderful world of m/m and it definitely won’t be my last! :D
Seduction's Stakes by Claire Ashgrove
Maddie McCleery is a successful businesswoman running her family's Thoroughbred business, McCleery Racing. This business was successful when her father owned it and nothing will stop her from continuing that success now while she's running it. One goal she has set for herself in ensuring McCleery Racing's success is to never involve herself with a man who works in the industry. This seems like an easy task to accomplish, but her theory gets tossed to the wind when Riley Jennings, a fellow Thoroughbred owner and racer, sets his sights on Maddie and will stop at nothing to win her heart. The question is will Maddie allow the walls to crumble down enough to have Riley prove himself to her and capture her heart? Or will Maddie pass up one of the most important opportunities of her life? To find out these answers and many more, I recommend you picking up a copy of this wonderfully written story and see for yourself just how great this author's talent really is! I eagerly look forward to reading more stories from this author in the future!
If you would like to learn more about this author and see what other stories she has available for purchase please contact her at: http://www.claireashgrove.com/.
Well, this closes another week here for my reviewer showcase. I hope you enjoyed the review this week and I just want to remind everyone that there won't be a blog entry next Thursday, November 26 in honor of Thanksgiving. I want to wish you and your families all a Happy & Healthy Thanksgiving and don't eat too much turkey. ;) We'll see you all the following week on December 3 with the next installment of my reviewer showcase. Until then, we at NOR are extremely grateful to all our fans and talented authors for taking the time out of all your busy schedules to make us a part of your weekly routines. From the bottom of our hearts, Thank You! Have a great rest of the week and enjoy your holiday! Talk to you all soon.
Seduction's Stakes
Author(s): Claire Ashgrove Website
Genre(s): Contemporary
Review Date: Nov 12, 2009
ISBN: 9781601545695
Print Book Price: $14.99
E-Book Price: $6.99
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Street Date: Out Now
Seduction's Stakes - Book Excerpt
Score: 5/5
Maddie McCleery is an intelligent and savvy businesswoman. Having the Thoroughbred business, McCleery Racing, passed down to her, she will do anything to keep it successful as it has been throughout the years. One way for her to accomplish this is to never involve herself with a man who works in the industry. That theory never proved wrong until it was put to the test when Riley Jennings entered the picture.
Riley, a fellow Thoroughbred business owner, has had his sights set on Maddie for some time. He would do anything to have her in his life, but he knows that she vowed never to involve herself with anyone in the horse racing industry. He loves being her competition at the races because it allows him to be close to her. He wishes that she would make an exception to her rule and finally go out with him. Time will only tell though if he could win her trust.
As time passes and more races are won, she can’t believe the lengths she’ll go to because she has her eye on one of Riley’s two-year-old colts. She tries everything within her means to get Riley to sell her the colt, but Riley isn’t going to make it easy for her. He comes up with a wager and hopes if she wants the colt that badly, she’ll accept the challenge he proposes.
What is the wager that Riley comes up with? Does Maddie decide to accept the proposition? Do they ever get to know each other outside of racing? Could this be a match made in heaven or just a trip through hell to win her over?
I absolutely adored this story. I was immediately drawn into it not only because of the horse storyline, but also how well each of the characters played off each other. Ms. Ashgrove is a very talented storyteller and I loved the fact that this was a supersized novel. All along I was hoping that Maddie would make an exception to her rule and allow Riley to get close to her. I was hoping that he would do the right thing for her and make her see that he was worth taking a shot with. I’m new to Ms. Ashgrove’s work, but after reading this story I’m a definite fan now!
Book Blurb & Info for: Seduction's Stakes
Contemporary Champagne Rose
Rating: Hot
Page Count: 356
McCleery Racing didn’t become a Thoroughbred racing powerhouse by betting on longshots. Maddie McCleery made it a multi-million dollar player through hard work, logical decisions, and a commitment to never involve herself with men who lived on the sport of kings. But when she sets her sights on a two-year-old colt her rival owns, she never imagines the lengths she’ll go to, to bring the future champion home.
Riley Jennings wants unobtainable Maddie almost more than the Triple Crown. After his Kentucky Derby win, however, he sees a way to sure-fire victory. His proposed wager stacks the odds in his favor – if her horse wins the Preakness, he’ll accept her terms. If his horse comes in first, they’ll negotiate his way. When the dust settles on the wire, will love claim final victory, or will unexpected tragedy stop them in the gates?
Review available at: http://www.nightowlromance.com/nightowlromance/reviews/Review.aspx?daoid=4898
Raine Delight's Muse Interviews Two Characters - Damien and Rodrick
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Damien and Rodrick are being interviewed by your “Muse”.
Raine’s Muse settles in his easy chair and sips from a mug of coffee. Tapping his foot, he waits for the two Dracon brothers to come for their interview. He mutters, “I swear those two are going to be turned into jackasses if they skip this interview.” He looks up and smiles at the way Damien and Rodrick look as glum as they walk through the door.
“Well, gentlemen, it’s about bloody time you got here. I swear if I didn’t promise Raine to be good, you would have been in deep trouble.” Muse says as he watches them settle in the two other chairs in the room. “Let’s get started shall we.”
Thank you two for sitting down with me to answer some questions. – Muse
Like either one of us had a chance. You threatened to edit us out of the series if we didn’t. Just hurry up so I can get back to Alicia. – Damien
Oh stuff it Damien. I swear you two have no reason to complain- Muse
Q: You two are the heir to the Dragon Inn that is located in Devon Falls. Who runs it now?
Well we both do. I take care of the day to day stuff and Rod here takes care of paperwork, orders and every now and again helps out in the kitchen. *Damien leans toward Muse and stage whispers- he makes a mean flan if I do say so myself*- Damien
Oh great go ahead Damien and tell the world I can cook. *Rod sighs in disgust*. Yes I like to cook and enjoy baking some days. It relaxes me and if anyone tries to make anything of it, I am going to kick them in the head.- Rod says as he glares at his brother who is laughing softly at Rod’s discomfort.
Boys, play nice now. Raine doesn’t like it when you two fight. Muse says as he keeps recording their conversation. Now onto the next question guys. *Takes a sip of his now cooling coffee and grimaces*
Q: Why do you two have different shape shifting abilities?
A: Rod looks at the muse and says, “Blame the genes for god sake. It is tradition in our family to have different shifting abilities. It makes family gatherings quite interesting though.
Q: Rodrick can sense others magical abilities, what about Damien? What are his abilities?
A: Damien looks at the muse and answers, “Well I can shift into a dragon and Alicia thinks it’s “pretty”. Women! I swear I am to be big, tough and scary…..not pretty. That is such a girlie word though don’t tell her I said so. I happen to like having sex and her cooking.
Rodrick bursts out laughing, “She thinks you look pretty…as in flower pretty? Oh geez….that is too hilarious. I can picture you in your dragon form and have her make flower crowns for you.” His laughter had Damien looking like he wanted to scorch Rod on the spot, smoke was curling from his nose.
Muse leans forward and taps both guys on the knee, “Knock it off Damien. If you start a fire in my living room, I am scorching your ass and Raine won’t be able to stop it either. She won’t like it if you destroy her leather chairs she just got the other day for me.”
Damien glares at Rod as his brother keeps laughing and then mutters “Well what was I to do, argue with the woman. Sheesh, I just got back in her good graces for pete’s sake.”
Q: Has Alicia forgiven you,Damien, for leaving her or is she making you work for it still?
A: Damien sighs again while keeping an eye on Rod who is still snickering under his breath, “I have a long way to go before she trusts me fully again. We are making strides though and with her sister Jenna’s engagement, it helps that we keep the lines of communication open. I can’t talk for her but on my end, I try to make each day showing her that she means more to me than ever. I don’t do wooing very well so it is hard for me to show how much I am sorry for all the hurt I caused her. It isn’t just her forgiving me, I have to forgive myself as well.” Damien pauses and sighs as he tries to get his thoughts in order. “Every day is a godsend to me as I wake up beside her and see the love in her eyes. It shows me that forgiveness, even though I did her wrong in the past, is still an amazing thing to behold.”
Rod looks at Damien and makes a show of wiping a tear away from his eye as he plays an imaginary violin. “Dang, brother of mine, if I wasn’t depressed before, I am now. That was way too schmaltzy even for me.”
Muse leans over and smacks Rod on the leg, “Knock it off you idiot. I swear if you two don’t stop trying to push each others buttons here, I am going to kick your ass from here to Greenland. Are we clear?”
Both guys glare at Muse before nodding and muttering about overachiever muses and the evil things they do.
Q: Damien, Why did it take so long for you to come back after your grandfather died?
A: Damien looks at Muse, “Well I was just unsure of everything. I spent time with relatives *Rod mutters under his breath- and with sexy model* and wolf boy here kept missing me with his messages.
Damien slaps Rod in the back of the head. “I wouldn’t say that in front of Alicia, Rod. She will string you up and beat you if you even mention that; though if you do……I may have to sell tickets because that would be prime entertainment.”
Rod rubs his head and growls in his throat, “Hey, just stating a fact here. You did have several women there or so the gossip rags said and it looked as if they were awfully good looking Damien. You know I won’t say anything; just a tad envious is all. The women all look FINE to my eyes.” Rod then wiggles his eyebrows and leers at Damien comically.
“You know, you are such a player, Rod. I swear if it had two legs, tits and an ass, you would flirt with them no matter what.” Damien says as he tries not to give into the urge to beat his brother senseless. “Besides what Jaxon would do to you would be so much more fun to watch.” Damien watched as his brother’s eyes glared daggers at him. Snickering softly, he glanced at the muse who had the look of “Why Me” on his face.
“You know you can be such an ass, Damien. I swear if mother hadn’t ingrained some manners in us, I would beat you to a pulp by now.” Rod said as he shifted in his chair. The wolf inside him wanted to lunge at Damien but Rod kept a firm grasp on him.
Q: Rod, You never had a serious relationship with a woman, could it be because you had a thing for Jax?
Damien snorts in laughter, “Yep player all the way. He goes through women like they are going to die out tomorrow.”
“Shut the hell up, you jackass.” Rod said as he lunged at Damien.
“BOYS! Do I need to remind you that if you ruin the said new furniture, I am going to take your asses and staple them to the road?” Muse yelled as Damien jumped out of his chair, knocking it over to escape Rod’s fist.
“You and what army wolf boy” Damien growled as his eyes changed to a red, signaling the dragon’s desire to come play.
A loud bang hit the air and both Damien and Rod looked around finally spying Muse standing up with a determined annoyed look on his face.
“SIT…..YOUR…..ASSES….DOWN……NOW!”
Damien and Rod slowly with eyes left on Muse, they sat back down and fixed the chairs.
“If you two are done making complete and utter asses of yourselves can we please finish this interview so I can kick your butts out and save the furniture from harm?”
Now where were we, oh yeah, Rod, your question.
Rod looks at the muse and blinks, “I swear god made that woman to be the bane of my existence. She is so aggravating and annoying, always ready with a quip or to make you wish you could throttle her. Why me she picks to torment is beyond me.” With grimace, he continues, “But she has a good heart and lately if everyone is telling me right *glares at Damien*, wolf decided that she was it for me and wooing her is dang hard work. I swear the natural charm I have is NOT working with her nor is she letting me near her in a romantic way.”
Damien snickers “Though to see him fall for her was a delight. The ladies man of Devon Falls found the one woman who is immune to his charms and seductions. It is great to see all those fireworks between them. I swear if we all bet between these two, I would put money on Jax. She is a force to be reckoned with when these two are together.”
Rod glares at Damien and just huffs in annoyance at his laughter.
Q: What first attracted you to your mates?
Damien answers “Alicia has a certain love of life about her. She loves to laugh and gives of a certain joy when you see her in the Dew Drop creating the desserts everyone loves here in Devon Falls. The way her eyes sparkled and that smile caught my eye then the rest fell in place for me.”
Rod looks at Damien and sighs, “You know I swear you gotten too romantic for my tastes Damien. With Jaxon, it wasn’t anything in particular. She isn’t what I had in mind as a mate *Damien snickers and says- yeah she isn’t blond with double D’s* and for some reason, she calms us, I mean both myself and the wolf inside me. She keeps me guessing at what is coming out of her mouth and she makes me laugh with her quips. “Rod thinks a bit and continues after clearing his throat, “She draws me like no other woman has and she is the one person I can actually see myself with in years down the road.” Blushing, Rod ducks his head as Damien hoots it up and slaps the chair. “Yeah he has it bad, Muse, don’t you think?”
Muse just watches these two and takes a sip of his now stone cold coffee and grimaces as he puts it down in disgust.
Q: Will Devon Falls always be your home or can you see moving in the future?
A: Both guys look at Muse like he is going insane.
“Why would we leave? Devon Falls is great place and we have a future here, ties to the community and it is a place were all paranormals, regardless of what/who they are can come and enjoy in utter peace.” Rod says as he smiles softly. “This is home to us though we may go see the world, so to speak but we always come “Home”.
Damien nods his head in agreement, “Yeah, Devon Falls is home to us and we love it here. “
Muse smiles as both guys look so content after answering this.
“So neither of you want to go explore the world and see all the big cities?” Muse teases as he watches Damien and Rod relax in their chairs.
“I did explore a bit and the world is big, scary place, especially if you are a paranormal.” Damien shrugs, “I always felt like I was missing a part of me and when I came back home, it felt so right to be here in Devon Falls.”
Ok I have to ask this last question because the readers are anxious on it……..
Q: Is this the end to the series?
A: Damien and Rod both look at Muse….”Well you tell us. I know Raine has one more planned but after that I can’t say for sure but maybe 2 more books coming but don’t quote me on it.”
Muse smiles sagely, “Now why would I tell you if the series is ending or not.” Grinning widely, “With Jenna and Marc’s wedding coming up, will we hear the wedding bells ring for you two as well?”
Both guys look at muse and stand up in a panic”Oh hell no” both guys say at once. The panicked looks on their face made muse laugh loudly at the way these two tough guys looked like cornered rats.
Muse stands up and motions them to the door, “Relax guys, just teasing. I don’t know what is in store for you all but I can say this, Devon Falls is never, ever boring.”
As Damien and Rod walk out the door, they look back at the muse and you can see the collective relief on their faces as they realized that the torture was done.
Muse sat down with a sigh and clicked off the recorder. “Thank god that was done. Those two are so volatile half the time; it makes me want to smack them down with a stick.”
Grimacing at the cold coffee in his cup, he looks around his beloved living room and smiles wickedly, “Now onto the women of Devon Falls.”
NOR Notes:
Find Raine Delight Online at: http://authorrainedelight.com
Purchase: Haunting Magic Now
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Mid Point Of NaNoWriMo
Yesterday was November 15th. What does that mean? NaNoWriMo is halfway over.
Yep, November is NAtional NOvel WRIting MOnth. Many writers are rising to the challenge of writing 50,000 words in these 30 days. Some writers are achieving their dreams of writing and FINISHING (most important as many will start, less will finish) their very first book (50,000 is a full length novel). It is an exciting time!
NaNoWriMo is powerful because it is built around a S.M.A.R.T. goal. It is Specific (writing 50,000 words in 30 days). It is Measurable (an average of 50,000 divided by 30 or 1,667 words a day is the benchmark of success). It is Attainable (thousands of writers do it every single year). It is Realistic (again, writers are proving how realistic this is). It is Timely (one month to achieve it in).
Because so many writers participate in NaNoWriMo, there's a wonderful support system. There's encouragement and help on Twitter, Blogs, and in Writing Chapters. I can feel the buzz. There's an excitement in the air, an active cheering section.
So what happens if you missed NaNoWriMo? Carve that goal in half. Write 25,000 words for the last 15 days. That's a novella or two and a half shorts (shorts are normally around 10,000 words long).
I usually do the equivalent of NaNoWriMo in June. I write full time then and have a goal of 50,000 words in 30 days. I tell everyone that's my goal. My hubby asks me every night if I've achieved my daily goal. It may not be in November but I DO get the novel done (one of those novels, Flawless, will be released in February 2010).
Are you participating in NaNoWriMo? Are you writing more than you usually would during November because of it?
Kimber Chin offers a free short story every week on http://businessromance.com/
Lonely No More by Selena Illyria
Famous erotic romance writer, Will Moore, is just so full of himself that he treats everyone around him like garbage. In doing this all his life, when he finally meets Irena, a very powerful witch, he beds her on Halloween night then throws her out telling her that he doesn't ever want to see her again. Well, Irena won't take the nonsense he dishes her so she decides to place a spell on him and make him a ghostly form to wander around never being able to love someone in his human form.
Now, not being satisfied with his dilemma, every single time someone comes to visit his house with the intention to possibly buy it, he frightens them and chases them away guaranteeing that no one will own it except for him. For five years, he's able to frighten everyone away except for Alyssa Washington. There is something about this woman, beside the fact that she too is also another published erotic romance writer, that just captivates Will. She buys the house and from that day forward things are never the same for either one of them again.
I really enjoyed this book and felt it would be a perfect story that other readers would enjoy also. I loved the storyline and the author has a way of telling the story to make it entertaining. She sets the scenes perfectly and allows you to fall in love with her characters quite easily. I found myself even feeling bad for conceited Will and I hoped that he would be able to eventually reverse his spell. I loved this one so much that it's definitely a keeper in my library collection!
If you would like to find out more about this talented author and see what other titles she has available, please visit her at: http://selenaillyria.com/.
Well, this ends another week here at our blog. I hope you all have a wonderful week and I look forward to seeing everyone next Thursday. Take care NOR readers!
Lonely No More
Author(s): Selena Illyria Website
Genre(s): Paranormal, HOT Romance
Review Date: Oct 15, 2009
ISBN: 978-1-59578-552-7
E-Book Price: $5.50
Publisher: Liquid Silver Books
Street Date: Out Now
Lonely No More - Book Excerpt
Score: 5/5
William Moore, a famous erotic romance writer, is too full of himself to care for any woman he dates. He uses them and when he’s finished, breaks up with them before they ask for any commitment from him. He’s been like this for years and it seems like nothing or no one is going to stop his selfish behavior. That is until he sees a woman named Irena.
Irena is a witch and a powerful one at that. They shared sometime together having sex, but while she wanted more out of their relationship, Will just wanted to fill his sexual hunger. Bedding her on Halloween night, Will became so disgusted with her that he told her to leave and never come back. This frustrated Irena to no end and in retaliation, she cast a spell on him to remain a ghost indefinitely. Still remaining in his house, every time someone would come to look at the house to possibly buy it, Will would see to it that he chased them off guaranteeing his house wouldn’t be sold.
Five years later, Alyssa Washington, also another published erotic romance writer, looks at the house and falls in love with it. Her best friend, Jessica, who is the real estate agent, informs Aly that the place is haunted with the ghost of the famous author William Moore. Intrigued because he is her favorite author, she decides to buy the house. Once she moves in, neither Aly nor Will can ever prepare themselves enough for what is about to happen.
What exactly happens when Aly moves into the house? How does Will feel about Aly owning the house now? Do they learn to live with each other or does Will try everything in his power to make her leave? Does Will ever find Irena, the witch, again and make her reverse the curse? Is he ever able to become corporeal again or does he live out his days in his ghostly state?
I just loved this story! Ms. Illyria did a wonderful job telling her story and I thought the storyline was quite unique and fresh. She wove enough twists and turns into it to make it exciting and I couldn’t wait to find out if Will ever turned back into his corporeal form or not. I feel it’s a great story to read any time of year, but a perfect one to read this Halloween season! I highly recommend you picking up a copy and seeing for yourself just how entertaining this story truly is!
Book Blurb & Info for: Lonely No More
Paranormal/Interracial
Book Length: Novella
Five years ago on Halloween, author William Moore carelessly broke up with a witch. Needless to say, she didn't take it well. Cursed to a lonely non-life as a ghost, trapped in his own home, he never expected to do more than exist in the world his ex had created. Except now he's got a new roommate in the form of fellow author, Alyssa Washington, and he doesn’t anticipate his strong attraction to her. As their simmering emotion sparks life within, he yearns to become mortal once again.
Can his newfound feelings give him what he wishes for most?
Review available at: http://www.nightowlromance.com/nightowlromance/reviews/Review.aspx?daoid=4722
Feel the Flavour of the Shadowfae Chronicles by Erica Hayes
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Hi everyone, and big thanks to Tammie for inviting me to Night Owl Romance. I'm thrilled to be here!
For those who aren't familiar, a succubus in traditional mythology is a female demon who seduces men and steals their energy, driving them to madness and eventual death. Her male counterpart, the incubus, was traditionally a demon who impregnated unsuspecting women with the devil's spawn.
Not your traditional romance hero or heroine! But in paranormals we've humanised vampires, werewolves, demons, all kinds of monsters – they're no longer evil, but merely creatures who must be what they are and live with the consequences. They're just like humans – trying to survive in a dangerous world.
My heroine, Jade, isn't an evil creature intent on damnation and destruction. In fact, she's not even a demon. She's a human, pressed into a demon's service for a thousand years, and she's miserable about it. Her demon lord uses her soul-stealing power as a weapon in his territorial wars, and after 150 years of cold, emotionless liaisons, Jade feels worthless and alone. Her magic tricks her victims into seeing her as their ultimate fantasy, and she's convinced that no one would ever want her as she really is.
And to make matters worse, the guy she's falling for is an incubus. Rajah has the same demonic powers as she, but he's gorgeous, confident and clever. Women are falling all over him, magic or no. She doesn't dare hope he'd ever be interested in her. And besides, surely even an incubus couldn't bear to love a woman whose job it is to sleep with other men? Unless Jade and Rajah can win their freedom and cast off the demon's magical shackles, they'll never be able to lead a normal life together.
And that's what I love about urban fantasy and paranormal romance – it helps us view the world through different eyes. The eyes of an outcast, a monster, a demon. Someone who can't lead a normal life, no matter how much they yearn to, but can still find room in their heart for love.
Thanks so much for having me here today. If you'd like to get a feel for the flavour of the Shadowfae series, you can download a free short story about Jade at my website: http://www.shadowfae.net
What happens in Key West…by Cate Masters
Sexy Games by April Ash
I really enjoyed getting to know Stacy Newman and finding out what makes her tick. Being a very intelligent and pretty girl she has plenty going for her, but it just seems that Sloane Hoffman, the son to Max Hoffman, the owner of Naughty Games Company, doesn't see all that Stacy has to offer him as a girlfriend. He's a playboy through and through and just isn't ready to settle down with one girl yet. Or is he?
When Stacy and Sloane find out that they will be paired together for one week to test some new sex games that Naughty Games Company wants to market, it seems like the perfect setup to set the boundaries at a "business only" agreement. But once they start having some fun, is it possible to separate business from personal pleasure? Could this be the only way to get Sloane to see that Stacy is the right girl for him? Or does this one week of business drive them further apart? The only way to find out these answers is to pick yourself up a copy! You won't be disappointed! Ms. Ash did a fantastic job with this hot story!
If you would like to learn more about this talented author and see what other stories she has available for purchase, please visit her at: http://aprilash.net/.
Well, this closes another week of our showcase. I hope you all had fun and enjoyed my review. Have a great week everyone and talk to you all soon!
Sexy Games
Author(s): April Ash Website
Genre(s): HOT Romance, Contemporary
Review Date: Oct 14, 2009
ISBN: 9781419922978
E-Book Price: $5.95
Publisher: Ellora's Cave
Street Date: Out Now
Sexy Games - Book Excerpt
Score: 5/5
Stacy Newman thinks she has gotten over the night she spent with Sloane Hoffman months earlier at the Christmas party. She had feelings for him at that point and from the way he was reacting to her, she thought he had them for her too. But once she mentioned the words, “commitment” or “settling down” Sloane ran as far away from her as possible. He is a playboy in every sense of the word and isn’t ready to settle down with just one person yet. So, from that time on, he has jumped from one fling to the next in search of finding happiness that he ultimately knew he wouldn’t find with the shallow women he was dating.
Wanting to get ahead in her career, Stacy knew that she one day wanted to be able to make enough money that she could open her very own lingerie shop and sex game store. While working at Naughty Games Company she has learned what sells and what doesn’t. So she decides to work on her own game in her free time with the hopes that one day she could pitch it to NGC and they would market it. But, while doing that, she knows she has to go out on a limb to be noticed so she accepts an invitation sent to her by the company’s owner, Max Hoffman, to have a week of fun filled sex by testing out a few games the company wants to market. She will be teamed up with a partner and live in the penthouse located in NGC’s building for one whole week. Maybe then she will be noticed a bit more and things will start coming together for her.
When she goes to accept the invitation and speak with Max, she finds out that her partner is going to be the one and only man she deep down still has feelings for, Sloane, the boss’ son. They enter into this as a “business only” agreement and hope that things don’t get complicated along the way. Little do they know that by taking on this challenge, things are going to change for the both of them over the next few days.
What happens to them while they stay in the penthouse testing out the games they chose for the company? Does this bring them closer together or further apart? Do they decide to talk over what happened that one night when Sloane left and never looked back? Could this encounter be what Sloane needs to decide that Stacy is the one he wants to settle down with?
I thought this was a fantastic story from the start. I loved the creative storyline and enjoyed that Sloane and Stacy were going to “work” together for one whole week. I hoped that even though they were using the games as the excuse for their spending time together, that they would open up to each other and see where they really stood with one another. I thought Stacy was perfect for Sloane and I only wished that he would eventually see that himself. Ms. Ash is a very talented storyteller and she knows how to transport you into her storyline with ease. Well done, Ms. Ash!
Book Blurb & Info for: Sexy Games
Months earlier Stacy Newman and Sloane Hoffman shared a night of passion, but a panicked Sloane left without a word when Stacy inspired thoughts of “commitment” and “settling down”. His disappearance left her heartsick.
As game partners for the Naughty Games Company, they’ll test games that require role-playing and sex. Undeniable lust and mutual desire quickly resurface and they agree to a business-only venture. They choose games that launch plenty of sex and inspire them to have their own creative and sexy fun.
Spending time together offers chances to learn more about each other and share passionate sexual adventures, maybe even fall in love—but only if they can get past the misunderstandings threatening to pull them apart.
Review available at: http://www.nightowlromance.com/nightowlromance/reviews/Review.aspx?daoid=4881
If you can get a job - you can get published: One editor's advice to manuscript submissions
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CONTEST: One lucky posters will get a Signed Print Book from the author. USA Shipping only…
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USA Citizens Only – No Purchase Necessary – Must be 18 or older to enter. Contest Ends - 11/11/2009
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When I first started trying to get my work published, I was intimidated by the many different guidelines various places required. From subject matter to word count and everything in between, publishers are very particular with their requirements.
Now I can understand why.
Publishing companies come in varying sizes from one-(wo)man operations to corporations employing thousands of people worldwide. For the beginning writer, or even the established author venturing out into another area, if you are considering approaching a new (or new-to-you) publisher, I have three pieces of advice to help you get a contract, and I feel fairly confident that I speak for a majority of editors and publishers.
It doesn't matter if you are submitting a short story, a novel, or an article, the following tips apply.
1) Write an entertaining/informative/interesting/must-have piece of work.
I'm not going to add to this because you should only be submitting work if you have taken the time to learn your craft and have done your homework on where to submit.
2) Follow ALL of the submission guidelines.
These guidelines are not optional. Someone, most likely the person making the decisions, has taken a lot of time to map out exactly what they want. Ignore these rules at your peril. Not only will you get a rejection slip, you also risk getting on the publisher's S-List.
Yes, we do have our S-Lists.
Despite what anyone says, writers have all the information they need right in front of them:
· Publisher websites contain the books they publish and display their likes and interests. Does your work fit in?
· The submission guidelines tell you exactly how to present your best work. Can you follow instructions?
· The contact information tells you how and whom you should direct your query/submission. Once again, can you follow instructions?
It doesn't get much clearer than that.
The smart, savvy, PUBLISHED authors can do all of the above.
Can you?
3) Be professional and businesslike in your approach.
Treat your submissions like you would treat your resume. You are introducing yourself and your best work to a company or their representative in order for them to hire you, or in this case, to offer you a contract. Don’t say you are submitting a piece you had "lying around," or that "no one else seems interested in it so I thought I'd approach you." While this may be true, keep it to yourself!
Think about it. Would you go to a job interview and tell the interviewer: "I was just lying around, looking for a job," or "No one else seems to want to hire me so I thought I'd approach you."
No, you wouldn't. Don't treat your submissions in the same way. Regardless of the size of publishing house, publishing is a business, not a hobby.
Also, don't get cutesy and "creative" when submitting or sending a query. These days 99% of your contact with an editor/publisher may be via email, but that doesn't mean you should write to us in "email speak" or write in all lowercase/all uppercase even if this is your signature "style."
Conversely, don’t come across as pompous. No one wants to deal with a diva.
In the end, and regardless of where you submit your work, first impressions are important. Once—if—you establish a working relationship, things may become a lot more informal, but until that happens, be professional in all your communications with a prospective publisher of your work. After all, they may be your next source of income.
I hope this has been helpful.
See you in the inbox!
Zetta Brown is editor-in-chief at LL-Publications/Logical-Lust. Her debut novel, Messalina - Devourer of Men, has received excellent reviews from The Original ChickLitGurrl, Coffee Time Romance, and Erotica Revealed. A native Texan, Zetta now lives in Scotland with her husband, author and publisher Jim Brown.
Behind the Scenes of SINS OF THE FLESH by Caridad Pineiro
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Win a Copy of FURY CALLS by Caridad Pineiro and a SINS OF THE FLESH t-shirt.
Just tell us what your favorite vacation spot is via the comments section of this post. Include the first part of your email address with your comment. You need to be a NOR newsletter subscriber to enter. That's how we get your full email address...so you don't have to post it all on the comment. You must be 18 or over to enter. USA citizen’s only - USA Shipping Only - No Purchase Necessary. Contest Ends: 11/10/2009
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I want to thank Night Owl Romance for having me here today to share a little Behind the Scenes stories about my new release, SINS OF THE FLESH, the first book in an exciting new paranormal suspense series from Grand Central Publishing.
SINS OF THE FLESH is set “down the shore” as us Jersey folk like to say. I had a great time scoping out all kinds of places along the Jersey Shore and also in Philadelphia where the first few scenes of the book were set.
Why Philly? Well, I went to school right outside Philadelphia and have always liked the city. Plus the heroine is a musician and I wanted to have her somewhere cozier than New York City. I also needed to be able to have a location where the heroine could go hide without attracting a lot of attention. The Philadelphia Music Academy was a perfect place for those opening scenes.
But then the action moves right away to New Jersey. From the Pine Barrens to the hero’s home in Bradley Beach, most of the action takes place in locations I was able to visit for that real life experience that adds detail that isn’t possible from just book research.
Bradley Beach is a quiet, family-oriented shore town and quite lovely. It’s a place where the hero feels safe which explains why he goes there when he feels all his regular haunts are compromised. If you click here, you can see some shots of the town’s annual Memorial Day parade.
The picture to the right is of the Bradley Beach Centennial Fountain and I’ll tell you a secret – I had a scene where the bad guy finds Mick and Caterina thanks to a photo of Mick’s family in front of this fountain, but that scene was cut!
The big climax at the end of the book also takes place along the shore at Fort Hancock which has a long and storied history. From defending New York City during the Civil War to having Nike missiles during the Cold War, it was the perfect location for a chase and fight scene at the end of the novel. You can click here for some more information on Fort Hancock and the tunnels beneath the fort!
I hope you’ll find the Jersey Shore locations in SINS OF THE FLESH unique. I also hope you’ll think the paranormal premise about a genetically engineered woman is also unique.
If you’re wondering what prompted the genetic engineering angle to SINS OF THE FLESH, I must confess to being a science geek. Caterina’s transformation and glowing skin is factual and based on the real life science of fluorescent proteins which have been used to track gene expression. Some scientists have even produced mice and cats that glow in the dark with these FPs and you can even buy glowing fish online and in your local department stores. To see some shots of a cat that is glowing the way Caterina the heroine might, you can click here.
Thanks again for taking the time to visit with me and my thanks to Night Owl Romance again for hosting me!Caridad Pineiro
http://www.caridad.com
November 2009 - Harlequin Blaze Book Reviews
Title: Zero Control
| Hearts: 5 Reviewer: Diana Date: Nov 1, 2009 | |
Taylor Milton Corben, owner and CEO of Eros Airlines and Fantasy Adventure Vacations, needs someone she can trust to look into all the strange things that are occurring at her resort lately. After discussing the situation with former Air Force Captain Dougal Lockhart, she knows he’ll be the right man to find the answers as to why all these things are happening and exactly who’s behind all this sabotage. Who else would be as perfect a fit as Dougal not only because he started his own private duty Read the whole review Find an excerpt of Zero Control online. | ||
Title: SEALed and Delivered
| Hearts: 5 Reviewer: Diana Date: Nov 1, 2009 | |
Hailey Sutherland, along with her sister, Rachel, has returned a few months ago to reclaim their family’s bed and breakfast from the management company they had hired after their parents death five years ago. The management team ran the B&B into obscurity and used up all the cash. The girls know now is the time to take back the control of the B&B and have it in the family’s hands once again. Working as hard as they possibly could to renovate with the money they had put away, they hope t Read the whole review Find an excerpt of SEALed and Delivered online. | ||
Title: Hold on to the Nights
| Hearts: 4.5 Reviewer: Diana Date: Nov 1, 2009 | |
Lara Whitfield knows it’ll be the very last time she’s going to see Graeme Hamilton, the man she’s been infatuated with for the past five years. The only problem in doing this is that she has to fly to Las Vegas to attend one of his celebrity fan festivals. You see, at the age of seventeen, she and Graeme, a no-namer at the time, ran off and eloped without her father’s consent. Once he found out about it, he flew to Scotland, where his daughter was honeymooning, and literally ripped Read the whole review Find an excerpt of Hold on to the Nights online. | ||
Title: Hot Spell
| Hearts: 5 Reviewer: Diana Date: Nov 1, 2009 | |
Twenty-seven year old Amanda LaGrange has decided she needs a change from her less than normal life. You see, Amanda works for the Paranormal Assessment and Recovery Agency. She has had clairvoyant abilities since the age of eight years old and for the past six years has used her ability to see and talk to ghosts to make a living. She has made plenty of friends working at PARA because they all have special abilities one way or another and this has made it easier for them to be able to relate to each other. | ||
Title: Power Play
| Hearts: 3.75 / 5 Reviewer: Diana Date: Nov 1, 2009 | |
Emily Saunders returns to Elk Crossing, Ohio to attend her cousin Leanne’s wedding. Doing what she thought was the smart thing at the time; she made reservations at the Elk Crossing Lodge. Since her family is quite large she didn’t want to be crammed into sleeping at someone’s house that was already packed with wedding guests. Little does she know that her stay at the lodge is going to be more than she bargained for in so many ways. Checking into the lodge, Emily settles in for the evenin | ||
Title: More Blazing Bedtime Stories
| Hearts: 4 Reviewer: Diana Date: Nov 1, 2009 | |
In the first story of this anthology, Tatiana Starlington has hoped and dreamed that one day she’ll be a princess. She believes with all her heart and soul that she is destined to be one. Unlike her six older sisters, Tatiana doesn’t intend to marry the first prince who asks for her hand in marriage. She has been gifted with brains, tact and a cunning sense and is merely planning to use her title as princess as a stepping stone to her coronation as a future queen. Or so she thinks. But during a Read the whole review Find an excerpt of More Blazing Bedtime Stories online. | ||
WINNERS LIST: Linda Wisdom’s Name That Character Contest
First off, I want to thank everyone who entered the contest with their fun ideas. Funny thing is, a few of them are already in the next two books, which just goes to show my readers think like me!
I had a lot of entries that were awesome, so you made it tough for me!
So without further ado, drumroll please!
First Place – Shelly Mozola with Humphrey the Boggart
Second Place – Virginia Campbell with Basil Rattlebones
Third Place – Ruth Thompson with her trash talking troll dolls
Honorable Mention
Rhianna Walker with frogs
Anne Fescharek with Mr. Blooper the robot
Susan Leech with magic earrings
Alice Thompson with garden tending scarecrow
Colleen Conklin with the butterfly named Wisp
Jennifer Ketter with Pookie teddy bear
Joy Isley – Hocus and Pocus the ferrets (which I’m sure would give Fluff and Puff a run for their money!)Linda Wisdom
The Man In the Mirror by Jo Barrett
Connor Stevens was a sea captain 200 years ago. Unfortunately, since he was a womanizer, he finally met his match when he broke the heart of a poor girl whose mother just so happened to be a witch. Not allowing Connor to go unpunished, the witch cast a spell on him and condemned him to live his life indefinitely in a mirror, never allowing anyone to see or hear him in the process.
But things seem to change when Tori Fraser buys the mirror for her hallway and Connor begins to become smitten with her. The problem is she doesn't even know he exists. Connor realizes he's never felt this way toward any girl before and maybe Tori can somehow help him break the curse. The question is how is he going to be able to make Tori see or hear him?
I really enjoyed this story and felt bad for Tori because she was always so down on herself and not to mention poor Connor was condemned to live his life trapped in a mirror. Being the true romantic that I am, I hoped that Tori could be the one person who could break that wretched curse somehow. I really enjoyed this story and I think you will too! It's a short one that can easily fit into the busiest of schedules.
If you would like to learn more about this talented author or see what other titles she has available, please visit her at: http://www.jobarrett.net/.
That's it for me folks! I wish everyone a happy and safe Halloween and I hope you're showered with plenty of sweet treats! Have a great week NOR readers and see you all next week.
The Man In The Mirror
Author(s): Jo Barrett Website
Genre(s): Paranormal
Review Date: Sep 20, 2009
E-Book Price: $2.00
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Street Date: Out Now
The Man In The Mirror - Book Excerpt
Score: 5/5
Connor Stevens just can’t stand the fact that Tori Fraser is so down on her looks all the time. Living 200 years under the curse of the sea witch, poor Connor must live his life now confined in a mirror indefinitely. In doing so, this is how Connor became acquainted with Tori. When she moved into her house, she picked up a mirror for her hallway. Little did she know that a ghost was forced to take residence in that very mirror.
You see, a long time ago Connor was a sea captain. He was conceited, greedy and a womanizer. During one of his romps seducing a woman, which so happened to be the sea witch’s daughter, her left her heartbroken. The sea witch was so angered that she condemned him to live his life in a mirror being only able to see and hear what was going on around him, but never having anyone see or hear him in return. Now, 200 years later, he has met Tori and is quite fond of her. But he knows that nothing will ever come about between them because she doesn’t even know he exists. Or does she?
Was it meant to be that Tori stumbled upon that mirror for her house? Is Tori ever given the opportunity to see and hear Connor? Is there a way that he can break the sea witch’s curse once and for all?
I found this storyline to be quite unique and very entertaining to read. I immediately fell in love with Tori and felt bad that she was always so hard on herself. When Connor struggled to be heard and seen by Tori, I was hoping against the odds that the curse could finally be broken. I thought that Connor and Tori complimented each other well considering that he was a changed man having so many years on his hands to realize his womanizing ways. Ms. Barrett was very creative in developing this storyline and she makes her readers fall in love with her characters right from the start. This is definitely one you should look into and after reading it, I know you’ll become a fan of Ms. Barrett’s if you aren’t one already. Keep up the great work, Ms. Barrett.
Book Blurb & Info for: The Man In The Mirror
Connor Stevens has lived for more than 200 years...from the other side of a mirror. He's watched Tori Fraser for months, and has grown more than passingly fond of the woman, but the curse the sea witch placed on him is powerful. But is it powerful enough to withstand Tori's love?
Fantasy Faery Rosette
Rating: Spicy
Page Count: 42
Review available at: http://www.nightowlromance.com/nightowlromance/reviews/Review.aspx?daoid=4534
Best Friend Stories by Dianne Castell
**Two lucky readers will win a copy of Hot and Bothered by Dianne Castell. Just answer Dianne's question that's located in her post.Full details are given in Dianne's post on how to enter.
You must be 18 or over to enter - A USA Citizen - USA Shipping Only - No Purchase Necessary. Contest Ends: 11/5/2009**
Writing alpha heroes and strong men doing manly things are always fun but I love, love, love it when there are best friends in the stories too.
The girl angle, where they share secrets and help
each other when they get into trouble. After all, when the hero dumps on the heroine, who does she run to? Her best friend. When the heroine does something completely stupid who does she run to? The best friend. Who takes her in when no one else will? Lends her a hundred bucks to buy those new Lucky jeans to impress the hero or give her the secret family recipe for spaghetti for her first romantic dinner with Mr. Hunky.Best friends can come in all sizes and ages. They can be the girl you hated in high school who grew into your best friend when she kept something quiet you never thought she would, or the hairdresser at the corner shop. (It’s amazing what I tell the gal who does my hair. She could so blackmail me!J)
I think the best friend story means the most when you are lucky enough to have one...or a few if you are very lucky indeed. I have had a best friend since I was four. Barbie! We have been though marriages, kids, divorce, deaths, you name it we’ve been there for each other! When they say write what you know...I know best friends!
In my November release, Hot and Irresistible, it is a real best friend story. Four Southern girls in Savannah who have been best friend since grade school and how an old mystery and a new will and four terrifically hunky guys changes their world forever.
I loved writing about Savannah and I wish Prissy, Charlotte, BrieAnn and Bebe were my friends for real and not just months.
Are you lucky enough to have a best friend? And do you like reading best friend stories? Is there one you particularly liked? Email me at DianneCastell@hotmail.com for a chance to win a signed copy of Hot and Bothered, the first of the Savannah Sizzles series. Meet the girls and I hope you like reading about them as much as I liked writing their stories.
Hugs,
Stephanie Laurens on the Launch of the Black Cobra Quartet!
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Win a Copy of The Untamed Bride by Stephanie Laurens
Just tell us what you like about the video via the comments section of this post.
Include the first part of your email address with your comment. You need to be a NOR newsletter subscriber to enter. That's how we get your full email address...so you don't have to post it all on the comment.
You must be 18 or over to enter. USA citizens only - USA Shipping Only - No Purchase Necessary. Contest Ends: 11/5/2009
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On October 27, 2009, Stephanie Laurens will be unveiling a bold new series, The Black Cobra Quartet, which launches with THE UNTAMED BRIDE (on-sale from Avon Books). The novels sweep us from colonial India to the marble-lined halls of London's most posh hotels to the rarified rooms of Southampton country estates, as the leading men, officers of the East India Company, battle a deadly foe with insidious plans against Crown and Colony. Reader interest was piqued when told the series "both fits in and stands out from" Stephanie Laurens' previous works.
We have to admit being curious as to how this brand-new series fit in with her Cynster and Bastion Club novel, so we asked the author for some more information...
SL: It fits in because in the background many couples from previous books, both heroes and heroines, get to play active roles, and yet the quartet is a distinct collection of four novels, with a single new and unusual story connecting the four, plus four new heroes and heroines not glimpsed before. In addition, the Black Cobra Quartet commences in India, and the plot calls for the four heroes to leave Bombay and make their way, more or less under attack the entire time from the villain and his forces, to England and the Duke of Wolverstone. We therefore have four Regency road trips/pursuits, but while all end in England, the journeys described are widely different, and cover half the globe. So THE UNTAMED BRIDE and the three following volumes are very much "familiar but different" - something fresh to pique readers' interests and imaginations.
(And yes, the six original Cynster cousins and their wives, Gyles Chillingworth and his Francesca, and all the Bastion Club members and their wives--and most especially Royce and Minerva--appear in the background of the quartet.)
Judging a Book by Its Cover
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CONTEST: One lucky posters will get a signed print book from the author. USA Shipping only…
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USA Citizens Only – No Purchase Necessary – Must be 18 or older to enter. Contest Ends - 11/3/2009
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By Jude Stephens
Author of Scent of a Vampire
Don’t judge a book by its cover. We’ve all heard the saying. How many of you walk by a book in a bookstore and pick it up because the cover caught your eye? I know that I have. I’ve often been at a bookstore and overheard someone say “that looks good.” Cover conversations are hot right now. There are groups dedicated to cover art, discussions about cover art and awards for cover art.
My debut novel is titled Scent of a Vampire. The cover is of a wolf. Misleading? Maybe, but if you were to read my novel you would find out there is indeed a wolf in the book and it is actually an important character in the storyline. Do you know what else you would find in my book? A lot of steamy sex scenes. Does my cover indicate that? Not at all.
I have heard from a few people regarding my cover. It seems they either love it or hate it.
Half of the readers have asked me that “Why with some of the hot sex scenes in the book, don’t you have a hot male and female on the cover?” Though they enjoyed my book, they seem disappointed with the cover.
The other half have told me “Thank you for not having half naked people on your cover.” When I asked them why, they said sometimes they are embarrassed having their young children see the covers of the books they are reading. I even had one friend tell me that she usually doesn’t take her favorite erotica books to doctor appointments because of the racy covers but she took mine because the cover wasn’t inappropriate.
I don’t disagree with either group. Everyone has their own comfort levels. How this has affected my sales I will never know. Would more people pick up my book with a more risqué cover? As an author, I don’t have a lot of say in my cover art, but I want you to know that I am happy with my cover. The wolf in my book and on my cover is a silver wolf and his name is Bullet. He’s no ordinary wolf.
So I guess the old saying is true. You can’t judge a book by its cover, but we probably always will.
Witches, Black Cats, Jack-O-Lanterns, AND Candy—Oh My!
Witches, Black Cats, Jack-O-Lanterns, AND Candy—Oh My!
We all have our own views on Halloween whether it’s decorating your house to look like a spooky graveyard or haunted mansion or pulling out your spooky house collection – I have the town of Creepy Hollow and still add more buildings to it – or use the upcoming holiday as an excuse to dig into those snack size candy bars. After all, do the kids really need all that much chocolate?
I love all holidays, but I have to say Halloween and Christmas are my favorites. I strongly believe in energy and both holidays have their own form of energy. Both are loved by children – their priorities are candy and presents. Hm, that sounds like adults too.
There’s so much one can do on Halloween. Take the kids trick or treating, visit local haunted house attractions, hold a party, or even stay in with popcorn and a stack of Halloween movie DVDs. Not just the movies titled Halloween either.
What are some of the spooky movies are in my collection? Practical Magic, Young Frankenstein, Death Becomes Her, The Rocky Horror Show, 30 Days of Night, Poltergeist, The Shining, original Night of the Living Dead, Beetlejuice, The Witches, Dracula, the classic Dracula, Frankenstein and Mummy movies. A good blend of light, dark, and camp. Then there’s the fun animated movies – Igor, The Nightmare Before Christmas, yes, I know it’s a Christmas movie, but the characters do live in Halloween town, and Monsters Inc. to name a few.
I’d also like to remind all of you that my Name That Magickal Character Contest WINNER will be announced Halloween Friday (October 30)! I’ve been reading some awesome entries and am excited for the grand prize winner and runners-up to be announced. Just as a reminder, here are the prizes again:
1 grand prize winner:
- Magickal character will appear in an upcoming book!
- Basket of “witchy” stuff from Linda
- All 4 books in series so far (50 Ways to Hex Your Lover, Hex Appeal, Wicked By Any Other Name, Hex in High Heels) personally signed to winner from Linda
2nd and 3rd place winners:
- 4 book set personally signed by Linda (50 Ways to Hex Your Lover, Hex Appeal, Wicked By Any Other Name, Hex in High Heels)
7 honorable mentions:
- Copy of Hex in High Heels (with bookplate signature)
I’d also love to hear how you will be celebrating this Halloween. And for the moms, how many of you do the “I’m sorry, but I don’t think you should have this Snickers bar”?
My Halloween celebration this year is a book signing complete with costumes and live music. I’ll be signing the Hex series at Eclectic Books, 39520 Murrieta Hot Springs Rd., Murrieta, CA 92563. If you’re in the area, I’d love to have you come by!
Have a happy Halloween and if you see some wispy figures out there, remember that Halloween is also Samhain when the veil between the living and the dead is the thinne
st. So anyone could drop by.
Linda
Halloween by Nina Pierce
When is there a better time to talk about witches, werewolves, vampires and all things that go bump in the night than a week before Halloween? I love all things paranormal. (Though I don’t like scary or gruesome stuff … overactive imagination and all that.) I grew up in a haunted house with doors closing, footsteps up and down the stairs and on one occasion a ghost appeared. Briefly, but it was definitely there. Yeah, it gave me the creeps. I was afraid to be in the house by myself. I hated it. Fortunately I’ve only lived in one other haunted house in my adult life. The same running of feet up and down the hall, strange noises upstairs when everyone was down and the feeling that spirits just lurked made me suspicious. But when my toddler saw a ghost on 2 different occasions I was a true believer. Though since my first sighting the spirits and I have come to an understanding … no more visibility. It scares the bajeebers out of me.Though it gives me creepy crawlies just thinking of these things they continue to fascinate me. Why is that? What is the allure with romance readers into everything paranormal? Did this recent flood start again with the Harry Potter craze and move into Twilight or has something always fascinated us about this fantasy world? A place in our imagination where vampires stalk the night and succubi invade our dreams and everything fanciful comes to life.
For me, it’s the stretching of my imagination, the possibility that there’s another dimension that exists around me. Losing myself in a story about a band of werewolf rebels fighting unseen dark forces or a fairy realm where wars are fought and babies are borne, well, it just makes me sigh. Now add a love story, a broken heart, a mended relationship and I am in reader nirvana.
This has now carried over to my writing. Paranormal stories give me the opportunity to let my muse play in a world of make believe … to fantasize what it would be like to be saved by a vampire just as I’m about to be mugged on my way home from work … or meet a lion shifter on the plains of Africa … or discover that an alien species is attracted to human females. Oh, the places I can go! And I’ve just dipped my toe in the endless sea of possibilities!
My novella, Shadows of Fire in the Hearts Afire-May anthology (Liquid Silver Books May 2009) is about a military faction of vampires known as RISEN. Their job is to seek out and eliminate rogue vampires who choose not to live complacently with humans. Reese Colton is assigned to a fire station in Northern California with his partner in hopes of discovering why humans and vampires are being burned in mysterious fires. Of course the vampire he’s falling in love with appears to be wrapped up in the crimes and Reese has no idea whether to follow the clues or his heart. The book was a blast to write. The possibilities that opened to me were just plain fun to explore. I hadn’t expected the twists and turns and quite frankly … hated to leave that world. (Pssst … between you and me … I’m thinking I may go back there some day.)My latest project is a wolf/cougar shifter series that will include at least three books. For those of you familiar with my novella, Blue Moon Rising in the Furry, Fluffy & Wild anthology (Liquid Silver Books Sept 2008), I am continuing the polymorphic shifter premise of Jayda Kynslan and her heart throb of a wolf shifter, Cole Takoda. Bonded by Need (Ellora’s Cave August 2009) continues the story of these two lovers and Jayda’s desire to find a mate for her cougar self. With a rift between the wolf and cougar shifters on Coppertip Mountain where they live, I expect there will be at least two more stories that follow efore the series is complete. I just can’t get enough of them. Falling into their world is an absolute joy and discovering their stories is an adventure I just can’t pass up. I suspect I won’t be leaving the realm of the paranormal any time soon.
So what is it that fascinates you about these creatures? Or are you one to avoid the paranormal craze? I’m very curious.
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Eternally His by Carol North
Erica Peterson has everything working in her favor running the bridal salon she grew up in as a child. Although her parents still have part ownership of the salon, they have allowed Erica to solely run the business and prove herself to them in order for them to fully sign over ownership of the place. Everything seems to be moving in the right direction for her since she is a savvy businesswoman and the salon is succeeding, that is until strange occurrences start happening to her staff and even to her valuable customers.
From security alarms blaring, to wedding dresses being seriously misplaced, to brides canceling their order completely because of the the haunted rumors everyone is hearing about, Erica is beside herself wondering what exactly is going on around her. The question is will it ever stop or is she on a fast course to having her business destroyed by someone out to get her? Can Detective Grant Stewart get to the bottom of all this unexplained mayhem? The best way to find out these answers is to pick yourself up a copy! I think you'll be as pleased with the story as I am!
If you would like to find out more about this wonderful author or see what other titles she has available for purchase, please stop by and visit her at: http://www.carolnorth.com/.
This closes another week of our showcase. I hope you all enjoy the review I've provided you and please feel free to leave a comment or question for Ms. North. Until next week NOR readers, have a great week and talk to you all soon!
Eternally His
Author(s): Carol North Website
Genre(s): Paranormal
Review Date: Sept 28, 2009
ISBN: 978-1-935048-26-8
Print Book Price: $14.45
E-Book Price: $6.49
Publisher: Class Act Books
Street Date: Out Now
Eternally His - Book Excerpt
Score: 5/5
Thirty-two year old Erica Peterson is a savvy businesswoman. Growing up in the family owned bridal salon, Erica knows the business like the back of her hand. Now running it solely by herself although her parents still have part ownership of the business, all she wants to do is pay off the mortgage to the salon and everything will go as they all have planned. But it seems that after a few people started witnessing strange occurrences, things were quickly falling apart for her.
One strange occurrence happened when she was approaching the salon to open it one morning. As she stepped onto the front porch, the alarm started blaring and she feared that a burglar may have tripped the alarm inside. Once the police arrive, she is greeted by thirty-four year old Detective Grant Stewart. She is immediately attracted to him and feels as if she has met him before, but she can’t remember where or when. Once they tell her that it’s only a false alarm, Erica is still worried and concerned over the strange occurrences her staff and customers are witnessing. Detective Stewart picks up on Erica’s edginess and feels that she may be hiding something from him. He promises himself that he will get to the bottom of things whether Erica assists him or not. Strangely enough, he too feels as if he’s met Erica prior to this, but he can’t recall where it might have been.
Did Erica and Grant meet each other prior to this occurrence? Is the salon really haunted or is someone playing malicious tricks against Erica? Do Erica and Grant decide to take their professional relationship to a more personal level? Who do they find out is behind all the strange occurrences?
The best way I can describe this book is, “Wow!” It was a fantastic paranormal story that had me immediately pulled in and wondering if the bridal salon was truly haunted or having nasty pranks played upon it. I fell in love with both Erica and Grant and felt their characters played well off each other. Ms. North had me intrigued the entire time and feeling as if I personally was experiencing the strange occurrences firsthand. I couldn’t wait to find out how the story ended and when I did, I was surprised at the twist of events the author masterfully created. This is definitely one I’m adding to my library and I would highly recommend it to other readers.
Book Blurb & Info for: Eternally His
All Erica Peterson wants to do is pay off the mortgage on her bridal salon when a ghost appears in the salon. The disturbance the ghost causes attracts police detective Grant Stewart. The ghost, who is wearing a Victorian-era wedding gown, has a history of violent encounters with previous owners of the building. She vows to stay until she has fulfilled her soul's purpose.
Erica, her staff, her clientele, and Grant suffer ghostly encounters. Erica is on the verge of losing everything: the salon, Grant, and the two-year-old child who has stolen her heart, To save all, she must travel through time to prevent a tragedy taking place both in 1894 and in present time.
Review available at: http://www.nightowlromance.com/nightowlromance/reviews/Review.aspx?daoid=4579
Amanda Grange, author of Mr. Darcy, Vampyre
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To enter. Leave a comment for this post. And the 1st part of your email address. You must be a member of the Night Owl Romance newsletter to enter as that's how we find you full email address and shipping info.
Contest Ends: 10/29/2009
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Darcy and Lizzy on Halloween
Hi and thanks for having me here! Because Halloween is very soon, and we’re talking about my chilling new book, Mr. Darcy, Vampyre, I thought it might be fun to imagine how Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet might have interacted on Halloween. In Pride and Prejudice, they meet in the middle of October and we know they soon meet again on a number of occasions which Austen glosses over, but which could have included a Halloween party in Meryton. Here’s my vision of what it might have been like, which might have given some more insight into Darcy’s strange behaviour… (which I reveal more of in Mr. Darcy, Vampyre!)
It was already dark by the time Darcy’s party arrived at Lucas Lodge. Outside were turnip lanterns, carved into ghastly faces by the young Lucases and filled with flickering candles.
‘I am surprised at you wanting to come here, Charles,’ said Caroline Bingley to her brother. ‘A Halloween party is even more vulgar than an assembly ball.’
Mr. Bingley said affably, ‘I think it is perfectly charming.’
‘You, Mr. Darcy, do not think so, I am sure,’ said Caroline. ‘You cannot enjoy mixing with such people and in such a way.’
‘I have no intention of mixing with anyone,’ said Mr. Darcy.
‘Really, Darcy, I do wish you would not be so fastidious,’ said Mr. Bingley. ‘There is a great deal of fun to be had if you will only join in.’
They were welcomed by the Lucases and went into the drawing-room, where a strange sight met their eyes. The carpet had been rolled back and a barrel of water, with apples bobbing on its surface, had been set down.
‘Are those not the Bennet girls?’ asked Caroline.
She looked across at the barrel of apples. Kitty and Lydia Bennet, their hands clasped firmly behind their backs, were bobbing for apples. There was a lot of noise and splashing and laughter as they
dipped their faces into the water and tried to catch an apple in their teeth.
‘They will make charming sisters-in-law for you and for Georgiana,’ said Caroline to Darcy. ‘And where is the object of your affections, Eliza of the fine eyes? Ah, there she is, with one of the officers.’
Darcy ’s attention was caught and his eyes followed Elizabeth as she curtseyed to the officer and then, giving in to the entreaties of the young Lucases, joined her sisters at the apple barrel. She moved with uncommon grace and he found himself watching her as she knelt by the barrel. Charlotte Lucas joined her and together with the younger Bennet girls they began trying to catch the apples in their teeth.
‘What fun if I catch the first apple!’ said Lydia noisily. ‘Lord, what a lark!’
But it was Charlotte whose practical approach to the business won her the first apple. Seizing it neatly between her teeth she lifted it out of the water, to the laughter of everyone present.
‘Miss Lucas will be the first one married, if these old superstitions are to be believed,’ said Caroline in a droll voice. ‘And I am sure she hopes they are, for she must be thirty if she is a day.’
But Mr. Darcy was not listening to her. He was watching Elizabeth.
Lydia seized the next apple, and then Jane joined her sister at the barrel. They caused much merriment when they both caught their apples at the same moment.
‘It seems you will have to wait a long time for your bride,’ said Caroline to Mr. Darcy. ‘You must first wait for the spinster and the fifteen-year-old girl to be wed!’
Mr. Darcy listened to her with perfect indifference. He had grown accustomed to Caroline’s taunting him about marrying Elizabeth. ever since he had been unwise enough to reveal his admiration of her, and he made no comment.
Mr. Bingley, who had been watching Jane just as eagerly as Darcy had been watching Elizabeth, came up to him now and said, ‘Come, Darcy, you must not stand about by yourself in this stupid manner. Let us go through into the ballroom. Some of the other guests are going there. I believe there might be a dance.’
Having seen Elizabeth go into the ballroom, Darcy agreed, but when he and Bingley entered the room they found that it, too, had been transformed. Over in the corner was Mrs. Phillips disguised as a fortune teller, and Elizabeth and Jane were sitting a few feet away from them, looking into hand mirrors.
Lydia was saying, ‘Can you see your husbands’ faces yet? You’re meant to be able to see them on Halloween. Here, let me have a turn.’
Jane, seeing Bingley’s reflection in her mirror, became confused and handed her mirror to Lydia, saying, ‘It is all nonsense, just superstition, you know.’
Elizabeth, sensing her sister’s confusion, turned round, to see Mr. Bingley standing there, and beside him, Mr. Darcy.
Then his reflection must be in my mirror. I suppose this means I will marry Mr. Darcy! she thought laughingly to herself.
But when she turned her eyes back to her mirror she felt a queer sensation, for even though he was just behind her, there was no reflection.
Nothing at all…
© Amanda Grange, 2009
If you want to read more about a paranormal Darcy, then join Darcy and Elizabeth on their wedding tour in
Mr. Darcy, Vampyre!
Mr. Darcy, Vampyre—In stores NOW!
Sourcebooks Landmark, the leading publisher of Jane Austen-related fiction, is excited to announce a major release: Mr. Darcy, Vampyre by international bestselling author Amanda Grange.
Amanda Grange, bestselling author of Mr. Darcy's Diary, gives us something completely new—a delightfully thrilling, paranormal Pride and Prejudice sequel, full of danger, darkness and deep romantic love…
Amanda Grange's style and wit bring readers back to Jane Austen's timeless storytelling, but always from a very unique and unusual perspective, and now Grange is back with an exciting and completely new take on Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet.
Mr. Darcy, Vampyre starts where Pride and Prejudice ends and introduces a dark family curse so perfectly that the result is a delightfully thrilling, spine-chilling, breathtaking read. A dark, poignant and visionary continuation of Austen's beloved story, this tale is full of danger, darkness and immortal love.
About the Author
Amanda Grange is a bestselling author specializing in creative interpretations of classic novels and historic events, including Jane Austen's novels and the Titanic shipwreck. Her Jane Austen sequel Mr. Darcy’s Diary is a bestseller in the US and the UK. She lives in England. For more information on Amanda and her books, please visit http://amandagrange.com/. For more information on Mr. Darcy, Vampyre, please visit Amanda’s blog and the Sourcebooks Spotlight Page. Interested in reading an excerpt? Follow us on Twitter the week of Halloween!
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