March 2011 | Night Owl Romance

Thursday at 5:07 PM

Congrats to the 2011 RITA Nominees!

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It's that time of year when we get to find out who the Rita Nominees are! The list this year is just spectacular.

Here are some of the nominees

at 1:00 AM

Roxanne St. Claire - Extended Excerpt: Shiver of Fear

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Enter to win an Author Goodie Package!

Take a look into Roxanne St. Claire's new Romantic Suspense SHIVER OF FEAR. SOF hits stores on April 1st, 2001 and is followed with FACE OF DANGER releasing May 1st, 2011.

***
SHIVER OF FEAR by Roxanne St. Claire

   “Make a wish, Marc.”

   I wish she weren’t so damn perfect. “I wish I didn’t feel like such a tourist.” He settled into the cool, mottled rocks, the particular arrangement of stones shaped like a chair.

   “Too bad, you are. And this moment, the tourist is in the Wishing Chair.” Devyn waved the guidebook they’d picked up at the Visitor’s Center, the wind whipping off the Atlantic coast and howling over the wide stretch of bizarre geology called the Giant’s Causeway. “Whatever you wish will come true, according to legend. And if I’ve learned anything in the last few hours, it’s that legends rule the day around here.”

   “Right. I better make a good wish.” He leaned back, squinting up to the silhouette of a woman against a misty sky and gunmetal seas, still amazed at how different she was in person than in two dimensions.

   And not just her features. Yes, she was even prettier than he’d anticipated because he’d braced for an ice queen and got a surprising blast of heat. He’d expected a bland and bored rich widow, maybe uptight and withdrawn, but discovered a woman with a smile that came from her heart, a laugh that sounded like chimes, and windblown hair that was ten different shades of milk chocolate and caramel.

   But he had to remember why he was here and that she was the target of a mission, not his attention.

   “Come on,” she urged. “What do you want most in the whole world?”

   Nothing he could wish for here and now. Nothing the legends and lore would grant him. Nothing he could ever expect to have again in this lifetime.

   “Now you’re the one who’s thinking too hard,” she said, those wind-chimes ringing again as she laughed, a sound as intoxicating as the view from the sharp, limestone cliff jutting out to the ocean behind her.

   “I’m not thinking. I’m enjoying the view,” he said, looking right into eyes the color of his first Corvette. Arctic Blue, the Chevy guys called it, a mix of glinting glaciers against azure sea.

   “You have about ten seconds before the next bus load of tourists forms a line. Wish.”

   He closed her eyes, the outline of her curves and against the milky sky still burned behind his lids. “I wish you’d have dinner with me tonight.”

   She just laughed and reached for his hand, offering help he didn’t need but certainly wanted. “You’re greedy. You’ve got my whole day already.”

   “Not greedy. I just like to plan for the future.” Still holding her hand, he brushed her lower lip with his thumb, because it was the next best thing to pressing his mouth there. “And dinner isn’t exactly a lifetime commitment. You’ve got to eat. Why do it alone?”

   She gave him that “don’t ask me” look she’d laid on him mercilessly in the car, until he backed off and kept the conversation impersonal and light.

   Once he’d done that, she’d relaxed and the day unfolded from his well-orchestrated accidental meeting to something that felt very much like a first date. He couldn’t think of a better way to get her off course than good old fashioned seduction, but nothing about this effort felt forced.

   “Let’s go to the edge,” he said, keeping their hands locked as he closed his arm around her back.

   She hesitated, a little off balance on the slabs of slippery rock. “I don’t think so.”

“You afraid of heights?” he asked.

   She nodded, her color deepening with the admission. “They make me dizzy.”

   He tightened his grip and lowered his face to her ear. “I’ll hold you,” he said softly, his words caught in the wind. “Then I’ll make you dizzy.”

   “Wow.” Easing away, but still holding his hand, she shook her head, stepping gingerly over one the thousands of flat-topped rocks that formed the unique shoreline. “You’re scary good at flirting, you know that?”

   “Come on, how can you not be a little romantic? It’s Ireland, for God’s sake, and this whole thing…” He gestured to nature’s spectacle around them. “Was created by a lovesick giant.”

   “Or an erupting volcano, depending on whether you believe lore or fact.”

   He laughed, slowing her steps with a gentle tug. “I guess I’ll add pragmatic to the list of things I’m discovering about you.”

   “And I’ll add world-class play-er.” She dragged out the word

   With a grunt, he pounded a fist to his chest, feigning a stab wound. “Ouch.” But the truth hurt a little. She had no idea how much he was playing her right then.

   “Not denying it, I see.”

“I’m not a player,” he assured her. “Just a hopeless romantic. Like you’re private and not secretive. Obviously, between us, semantics are important.” He guided her closer to the cliff’s edge. “C’mon, Devyn. Face your fears.”

© Roxanne St. Claire

Available on Amazon via these Links!
Shiver of Fear (The Guardian Angelinos)
Face of Danger (Guardian Angelinos)
Edge of Sight (The Guardian Angelinos)

Contest Ends: 4/6/2011

Tuesday at 1:00 AM

Gift or Curse? by Kylie Brant

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Enter to win one autographed copy of DEADLY DREAMS, a 4/11 release.

***

Gift or Curse? by Kylie Brant

Psychic phenomena has long fascinated me. Sure, most of those claiming special abilities are charlatans, but I firmly believe there is a small percentage of people who truly have extrasensory capabilities. Maybe that’s why four of my thirty plus books have featured a psychic character. It leads to such intriguing possibilities.

There are actually several types of ESP. Clairvoyance is the ability to “see” events or objects elsewhere. If I could choose one, this would be my pick. What could be more convenient than being able to select the correct lottery numbers? The ability to read someone’s thoughts is called telepathy. I’m not sure how convenient that would be. Do I really want to know what my husband is thinking? It might, however, have come in handy when my teenagers were getting ready to go out with their friends for the evening!

With mediumship people are able to channel dead spirits. Since I’m something of a wimp, I think that one would freak me out a bit. Precognition is the knowledge of future events. Hate anticipation? This would be your ticket. If we could embue our husbands with this ability, they wouldn’t have to watch sports on TV because they’d already know the outcome. Think of the household chores that could get done!

Psychomety is the ability to read information about a person or place by having access to a certain object, which would come in handy in missing persons’ cases. Retrocognition is the ability to see into the distant past. Since I love history, I’m intrigued by this ability. Imagine going to one of the centuries old castles or cathedrals in Europe and being transported back to history. Or touching a gown worn a hundred years ago and having a vision of the woman who wore it.

Unfortunately, from all accounts psychic abilities rarely are that convenient. Most accounts say that the ‘visions’ are fragmented, and not easily interpreted. They can’t be summoned and rarely do people claim their abilities work when it comes to their personal lives.

And sometimes the visions are downright horrifying. Imagine going to sleep, for example, and dreaming of murder.

That’s the ‘gift’—or curse—that Risa Chandler has in DEADLY DREAMS. Since a child she’s dreamed of murders that are currently happening or take place in the near future. The visions could be put to use in her job first as a cop, and now as a forensic consultant for The Mindhunters. But her psychic ability isn’t flawless, and her last case ended in a child’s death. She’s been unable to work since. She can’t bear to touch her gun. Her life in criminology, she fears, is behind her.

Until the dreams begin again. Hungry flames devouring agonized victims with a bystander silhouetted against the darkened sky. And when homicide detective Nate McGuire shows up at her door and asks her to take a look at a crime scene—where a victim was burned alive—Risa is compelled to agree. Until the villain turns his focus on her, planning to make her his ultimate, fiery sacrifice….

Kylie Brant
http://www.kyliebrant.com

--------To Enter the Contest--------

Just comment on the post below and leave the first bit of your email address. You do need to be a NOR Newsletter / Fan Club subscriber to enter. USA Postage Only. Ends - 4/8/2011

Friday at 10:35 AM

Amazing Romantic Getaway For Two

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I've come across another awesome opportunity for readers. Check it out!

Deidre Knight and Elle Jasper Contest - Enter via their link below.

Authors Deidre Knight and Elle Jasper are giving away an amazing romantic getaway for two lucky lovers to celebrate their upcoming red-hot releases -- Red Mortal from the Gods of Midnight series and Everdark from the Dark Ink Chronicles.

Spend two nights at the the luxurious Lighthouse Inn and enjoy long walks on the breathtaking sugar-white beaches of Tybee Island, Ga. Just a short drive away from the island lies historic downtown Savannah, which is bursting with activities, spectacular restaurants and local culture. The Grand Prize winner will also be awarded a travel voucher for $500.00 and a $50.00 gift certificate for dinner at legendary Wiley's Championship BBQ.

A second prize winner will receive a signed gift set of Red Fire, Red Kiss, Red Demon, and Red Mortal PLUS Afterlight and Everdark (advanced reading copy).

Enter at: http://knightagency.net//romanticgetaway.html

--------NOR Contest-------- Enter via the comments section below

Enter to win a goodie package from NOR.

Tell us if you entered the Deidre Knight and Elle Jasper contest or not in the comment section below and leave the first bit of your email address. You do need to be a NOR Newsletter / Fan Club subscriber to enter. USA Postage Only. Ends - 4/1/2011

Tuesday at 9:59 AM

Naked Hunky Werewolves

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Enter to win an Author Goodie Package

Just comment on the post below and leave the first bit of your email address. You do need to be a NOR Newsletter / Fan Club subscriber to enter. USA Postage Only. Ends - 4/8

***

Unfortunately, actual naked hunky werewolves remain elusive…

Molly Harper, author of HOW TO FLIRT WITH A NAKED WEREWOLF and the upcoming THE ART OF SEDUING A NAKED WEREWOLF, has written the following blog post. Please feel free to share it with your readers and followers.

When I was little and came running into the house, sweaty and caked in dirt, my mom would cry, “What the- have you been rolling around with wolves?”

Well, here I sit, sweaty, caked in various layers of dried mud. And I have indeed been playing with wolves. While promoting the release of my Naked Werewolf romance series, I visited the Wolf Run Wildlife Refuge in Nicholasville, KY. Wolf Run, a state- and USDA-licensed non-profit educational facility, provides a safe, loving and permanent sanctuary for 23 adult wolves and wolf-dog hybrids. The refuge is also home to two full-grown lions, deer, goats, sheep, monkeys, and other exotic wildlife. And Rowdy, the most obese raccoon I have ever seen.

Most of the animals are former pets that were either confiscated by or surrendered by their owners. Because it turns out, wolf hybrids do not make great house pets.

As Savannah Massey, director of animal care and education at Wolf Run told me, “These animals are gorgeous, appealing and unique. But they’re also aggressive, destructive and territorial. This is not an animal you want in your home. Wolf genetics do not go away. And it’s not just that they could tear up your furniture or hurt one of your other pets- you are physically in danger when you’re around them.”

Just what you want to hear when you’re sitting right next to one, and he’s been licking your face.

Honestly, Boone, a 10-year-old grey male, could not have been nicer during my visit and our subsequent photo shoot. He was a dignified statesman compared to raucous Razz, a three-year-old tan specimen who seemed to think my make-up was bacon-flavored. (Note to Sephora, wolf-oriented face powder may be a niche market you haven’t considered yet.)

I learned a lot during my visit to Wolf Run. I was happy to find there are some definite similarities between actual wolves and the characters in HOW TO FLIRT WITH A NAKED WEREWOLF and THE ART OF SEDUCING A NAKED WEREWOLF.

For instance, a wolf will pee on whatever it wants, whenever it wants, to make sure you know that thing belongs to them. It is now your tree, Boone, we understand. Thank you for not choosing my shoes.

Wolves have to date. There are five packs at Wolf Run, each with three to five pack members. New wolves are matched to potential packs based on temperament when they arrive at Wolf Run. If the initial matches don’t work, they are moved to different packs until they find a good fit. Some wolves, like Boone, don’t fit well with any group and end up being loners. (Which, I think, makes him a bit like Cooper.)

Wolves struggle over the Alpha position. Large males jockey for the position and it can lead to inter-pack tension. Unlike Boone, who was an Alpha contender, Razz, just seemed to want to play, which made me think of Samson. I did not see a real-life counterpart for Maggie, which was probably a good thing given her penchant for biting people on the butt.

Mary Kindred, CEO of Wolf Run, calls the animals her babies. When she walks around the yard, any effort to distract the wolves is futile, because a) she is mom and b) she has Pupperoni in her pocket. Kindred noted that the sanctuary receives no outside funding, and all expenses, such sturdy fencing, food, veterinary care, and upkeep of the grounds, are paid through donations. The facility welcomes volunteers. And despite the love and effort Mary and her staff devote to the sanctuary, both she and Savannah look forward to the day they’re no longer needed.

“These animals shouldn’t be here,” Savannah said. “The lions should be in Africa. The wolves should be in the wild. Our goal is to rescue animals and educate the public, until a facility like this is no longer needed.”

Please let me know if you are interested in interviewing Molly about her visit or about her Naked Werewolf series.

To learn more about Wolf Run, go to http://www.wolfrun.org/index.html or contact Mary at ceoatwrwrhope@aol.com.

Wolf photo credit: Memories by Chris/Chris Meyer/Georgetown, KY http://web.me.com/memoriesbychris

HOW TO FLIRT WITH A NAKED WEREWOLF is on sale now!

THE ART OF SEDUCING A NAKED WEREWOLF goes on sale 3/29!

at 8:44 AM

Stylish Seattle Reader Event

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Bestselling Authors Julia Quinn and Eloisa James Featured at Stylish Seattle Reader Event

Romance superstars Eloisa James and Julia Quinn (a Seattle resident) recently collaborated on an innovative historical novel in three parts which transports readers to a party at a grand English country manor at the height of the Regency Era. To celebrate the success of the novel, and to raise a toast to their dedicated fans, the New York Times bestselling James and Quinn are being featured at a stylish ticketed tea event, to take place at the historic Panama Hotel Tea House on April 10 at 3 pm.

The tea event promises to be an intimate affair: HarperCollins’ BookPerk is partnering with University Bookstore to offer an engaging experience for up to 75 readers. Readers can chat one-on-one with James and Quinn in the type of elegant affair that one of the novel’s heroines might have enjoyed!

“Flirty, joyful, and just plain fun, this is a thoroughly delightful historical, as well as the successful result of a novel approach. From the pens of writers like these, what else would one expect?" Library Journal on The Lady Most Likely.

Date: April 10, 2011

Time: 3pm till 4pm

Location: Panama Hotel Tea House, 607 South Main Street, Seattle, Washington 98104

Cost: The $10 ticket includes tea and cake and gratuity.

Books: Available for purchase onsite via University Book Store

Tickets Available on Bookperk NOW: http://www.bookperk.com/offer/eloisa-james-julia-quinn-seattle-event-01

TWEET IT! Via @ldywhistledown: Readers cordially invited to meet beloved romance authors Julia Quinn and @EloisaJames for tea in Seattle LINK

About BookPerk:

HarperCollins recently launched Bookperk to connect authors and readers in a way that has never been done before. Bookperk offers exclusive merchandise and experiences that give insider access to the world of books.

at 1:00 AM

Linda Lael Miller's Newest!

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Linda Lael Miller has a long history of putting out stunning titles. Her latest "A Creed in Stone Creek" just continues that tradition. Along with the book a cool new website has been developed. Check it out at: http://takeacowboyhome.com

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Enter to Win an Author Goodie Package!

Just comment on the post below and leave the first bit of your email address. You do need to be a NOR Newsletter / Fan Club subscriber to enter. USA Postage Only. Ends - 4/8/2011

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Countrygirl88's NOR review.

After just finishing "A Creed in Stone Creek" by Linda Lael MIller, I have to say that she has done it again. She has brought to life another member of her ongoing family and given me many hours of pleasurable reading.

It was great to read Steven and Melissa's story; all their ups and downs along the way, with Matt as an avid matchmaker, trying to reform a family for himself. They were both hard-headed characters, but once they fell for each other, and admitted it to themselves, it worked out well with a happy ending had by all.

My mom first introduced me to Linda Lael Miller several years ago and I have enjoyed all her books. This one is no exception. It's a great continuation of her hardheaded pioneer families that are now so interwoven. Congrats on a book well done.

http://www.nightowlromance.com/nor/Reviews/Countrygirl88-reviews-A-Creed-In-Stone-Creek-by-Linda-Lael-Miller.aspx

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Book Blurb for A Creed in Stone Creek

When single attorney Steven Creed becomes guardian of an orphaned five-year-old boy, he trades his big-city law firm for a ranch near his McKettrick kin in the close-knit community of Stone Creek, Arizona. Taking care of little Matt and fixing up his run-down ranch house with its old barn loosens something tightly wound inside him. But when Steven takes on the pro bono defense of a local teen, he meets his match in the opposing counsel—beautiful, by-the-book county prosecutor Melissa O’Ballivan. It’ll take one grieving little boy, a sweet adopted dog and a woman who never expected to win any man’s heart to make this Creed in Stone Creek know he’s truly found home.

---About the Author---

Each morning shortly after the sun rises over Spokane, Washington, bestselling author Linda Lael Miller pulls on her cowboy boots and heads for the stables for a few quiet moments with her horses before she settles in to write her pages for the day.

Linda, bestselling author of more than 100 novels, grew up as the daughter of the town marshal in Northport, Washington. She observed the dynamics of small-town life, noting both the common feuds and the way the people rallied around a neighbor who was sick, hurt or in trouble. Inspired by her father’s no-frills, stern persona and Western upbringing, Linda returned to her home state of Washington to live on a ranch and write novels. Her latest, A CREED IN STONE CREEK, is the first in her “Creed Cowboys” trilogy, and follows Steven Creed from his big-city law firm to a run-down ranch in a small Arizona town. The book landed at #1 on The New York Times Paperback Mass-Market Fiction bestsellers list during its first week in print.

Linda traces the birth of her writing career to the day when a Northport teacher told her that the stories she was writing were good – that she just might have a future in writing. Later, when she decided to write novels, she endured her share of rejection before she sold Fletcher’s Woman in 1983 to Pocket Books. Since then, Linda has successfully published historicals, contemporaries, paranormals, and thrillers before coming home, in a literal sense, and concentrating on novels with a Western flavor. For her devotion to her craft, the Romance Writers of America awarded her their prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007.

Living happily on her serene Spokane, Washington homestead, Miller tends to her six horses – the perfect sidekicks for any bona fide cowgirl. Her connection to these gorgeous animals is as strong as any human friendship, and she says the horses give her more than she could ever give back to them. She is a devoted animal advocate who supports Habitat for Horses, one of the largest horse protection organizations in the nation. As she witnesses the individuality and emotions of her own horses, Miller is sure to include at least one engaging four-legged character in every book, and finds that fans enjoy the animals as well as the sexy Western men.

To keep tabs on Linda online, visit her website, www.lindalaelmiller.com, and read her daily blog filled with fun contests, videos, excerpts, etc.

Take A Cowboy Home is a brand new site from Harlequin that features book trailers, behind-the-scenes video of the cover photo shoot, webisodes and a sexy photo gallery.

at 1:00 AM

Marriage? Love, honor, and…

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23 comments

Enter to win an eBook Copy of Pale Moon.

Just comment on the post below and leave the first bit of your email address. You do need to be a NOR Newsletter / Fan Club subscriber to enter. Author providing the prize and sending after 4/15/2011. Contest Ends - 4/1/2011

***

Marriage? Love, honor, and...Obey?

Love and honor is good enough for me.

I still vaguely remember the day I married my husband, Mike, close to 30 years ago. I remember walking down the aisle with my deceased father, looking at the proud smile of my deceased mother, and smirking faces of my large family.

But Mike was nowhere to be found.

I was married in a Catholic Church. On either side of the altar were two rooms, my husband stood inside one of them. Frozen in fear, no doubt. I don't remember what I really thought. All I know was I felt sick. Was I doing the right thing? Marriage, to me, was supposed to be forever.

And yet I was scared to death.

When my husband finally decided to come out of hiding and meet me in front of the priest, the fear didn't change. To this day, I don't remember actually saying the words. I don't remember saying anything at all. I don't remember anything at all except the priest staring at both of us and saying, 'smile' softly, 'you're getting married.'

But all I could think of -- was I doing the right thing?

On September 18, 2012 that same man and I will celebrate the beginning of our third decade of marriage.

It's been a rough ride, yet a joyful one. A journey filled with many different disappointments, and plenty of happy times. Moving six or seven times, owning ten or so cars, losing a dozen jobs between us, fixing our credit times, bankruptcy once, losing six children, going through the deaths of both sets of parents and one brother-in-law, the normal ups and downs of a person's life. We survived it all, and now we're living in an RV, currently living in the lovely state of Georgia. Good things happened too. I've contracted eight books (three are out now, the fourth will be released this April), edited ten or so more great books, and have meet a million friends on-line. I've read a thousand good books, watched a few good movies, and listened to hundreds of wonderful songs. I've seen the birth of many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and great nephews. I've found joy and peace and love. The unremembered promises spoken that day so many years have come true.

Life has been good!

So I guess I made the right choice after all.

But I don't believe I promise to do more than love and honor him.

Obey, I don't think so.

But I will forever love him.

Theresa Stillwagon

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About the Author

Theresa Stillwagon has been writing most of her life. Since one of her teachers praised a poem she wrote for a class assignment, she's been putting words together in the hopes of seeing them in print. Not caring if anyone other than herself ever read them. Her dream came to reality in 2008 when she signed her first writing contract. She's now just signed her fourth one, the first story in a series of five called The Sisters Callaway.

A former resident of the state of Ohio, Theresa now lives in her RV in the sunny city of Savannah, Georgia, with her husband of twenty-eight years and her two cats, Fred and Barney. She's currently searching for a job while hard at work working on the next installment of The Sisters Callaway series.

You can find more out about her by visiting her website at http://TheresaStillwagon.webs.com.

Thursday at 1:00 AM

Taste Me by Tamara Hogan

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Enter to win one of two copies of "Taste Me"! Prize to be shipped and provided by the publisher.

Just comment on the post below and leave the first bit of your email address. You do need to be a NOR Newsletter / Fan Club subscriber to enter. USA Postage Only. Ends - 4/1/2011

***

Taste Me by Tamara Hogan

I’m a skeptic at heart, and I love reading books or stories that propose a completely different interpretation of events than what is commonly understood to be “known” or “true.” Marion Zimmer Bradley does this to great effect in The Mists of Avalon, a re-imagining of the Arthurian legends, told through the eyes of the female characters. Gregory Maguire’s Wicked does the same thing, turning the familiar The Wizard of Oz on its ear, telling the story from the perspective of The Wicked Witch of the West.

Are Morgaine and Elphaba “evil” and “wicked”? It kinda depends on who’s telling the story, doesn’t it?

Think about how our own history came to be written and its events accepted as common knowledge. Winners write history, right? For much of our past, a single narrative of a major historic event was recorded by those in power at the time the event occurred, and over time became accepted as ‘true’ or as conventional wisdom.

But how many human stories remain untold, how many thousands of voices marginalized? How much of our collective human experience has been lost to the sands of time? On the positive side, these gaps in our historic record give fiction writers a LOT of room to move.

The prospect of winners writing history is central to the world I’ve created in the Underbelly Chronicles. What if aspects of humanity’s own history were influenced and written by alien species who became marooned here—and in order to survive, needed to be able to walk freely among us but keep their true natures hidden? This is the foundation conceit of the Underbelly Chronicles’ world. I wanted to appropriate existing history and mythology, and put an entirely different spin on the stories we think we know. What if these species created the very mythology humanity is familiar with so they could better disguise themselves? Incubi, succubi and sirens aren’t mythological; they’re real. Valkyries, vamps, werewolves and faeries aren’t mythological, they’re real. They might have different abilities and vulnerabilities than we do because they evolved somewhere else, on a different branch of humanity’s family tree, but they’re more like us than not—and they’re from…out there.

Nearly all of their abilities and susceptibilities have biological roots: vampires avoid strong sunlight because they’re allergic to UV rays. Valkyries love to eat, fight and make love because they have highly active metabolic, adrenal and hormonal systems. Incubi and succubi must absorb emotional energy for sustenance—sex energy is a delicacy—and they emit luscious pheromones in response, which renders them nearly irresistible to others. Faeries are highly empathic, and revered as healers and therapists. Weres are the only shape-shifting species in the world I’ve created. My vamps possess massive personal glamour and the strongest can influence others’ thoughts. But they eat food, and yes, drink blood, because only because it’s a biological imperative. They cannot make other vampires with their bite, but being bitten is highly erotic. In Taste Me, I put a biological twist on the incubi and siren myth. I’ve long been fascinated by the medieval legends surrounding incubi, the seemingly-irresistible sex demons blamed for impregnating women whose husbands were away at war for years at a time. (Funny how that works.) I saw a picture depicting a succubus drawing the very essence from her lover/victim, which inspired me to create a species that had to absorb emotional energy for survival. I then analyzed the classic siren mythology—where sailors were seemingly so enchanted by sirens’ seductive, otherworldly voices that they willingly wrecked their ships on the rocks to better hear their song—through the same energy lens. What if sirens could manipulate emotional energy with their voices?

What happens when you pair a control-freak incubus who must absorb emotional energy to survive with a pissed-off siren who can amplify emotional energy with her voice? Lukas and Scarlett’s very biology puts them in conflict—which is an absolute blast to write.

So, to your original question – how did I decide where our history ends and a new history begins? I simply re-interpreted what was there in the first place—with utter, gleeful impunity. ;-)

Read an excerpt! (Mature readers only)

A question for readers: which human stories do you feel have been lost to time, or haven’t yet been told? (As you might imagine, I’m fascinated by what we don’t know about Area 51.)

TASTE ME BY TAMARA HOGAN – IN STORES MARCH 2011

Hot, sexy urban fantasy romance by a new author with talent to burn…

He Wants Her So Badly He Can Taste It…

Ever since their tempestuous fling years ago, incubus Lukas Sebastiani has known that siren Scarlett Fontaine was meant to be his. But when you’re a sex demon with an insatiable desire, relationships are way more than complicated…

Her Siren Songs Bring Men to Their Knees…

Rock star Scarlett Fontaine desperately needs a break after a grueling tour. But with murder and mayhem surrounding her band, and the one man she never thought to see again put to the task of protecting her, life is going to be anything but peaceful…

Every encounter between them creates more turmoil—and heat—until Scarlett pushes Lukas to the boiling point, and unleashes forces that go way beyond anything she can hope to control…

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Tamara Hogan loathes cold and snow, but nonetheless lives in the Minneapolis exurbs with her partner Mark and two naughty cats. When she’s not telecommuting as a quality and process engineer for a global networking company, she writes urban fantasy romance with a sci-fi twist. Taste Me was a 2009 Daphne Paranormal Winner and Golden Heart paranormal finalist under the title Underbelly. For more information, please visit http://www.tamarahogan.com.

Wednesday at 5:19 PM

Get an AVON Book Tote!

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Hi Readers,

I'm always looking out for cool giveaways dealing with books and today I stumbled upon a cool offer from Avon books. They have a book bundle and Tote bag offer. Check it out over at:

http://www.bookperk.com

If you see cool offers tell us on this post.

Tammie King
Director of Marketing
WEtap Media, LLC

Tuesday at 1:00 AM

How to make a mermaid…

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34 comments

Enter to win an eBook from Marsha A. Moore!

Just comment on the post below and leave the first bit of your email address. You do need to be a NOR Newsletter / Fan Club subscriber to enter. Ends - 3/25

***

How to make a mermaid…

There are lots of ways to make a mermaid, but in my world there are only two. A mercouple can create and give birth naturally to a baby merperson, OR a human who is heartbeats away from death can be “saved,” transforming him/her into a merperson by a mermaid/merman who is skilled in the arts of mermagic. The latter is the case for my main character, Ciel, in my book fantasy erotic romance Tears on a Tranquil Lake.

Here’s how she was turned. The first kiss Ciel receives from her merman soul mate, is a powerful mix of magic and passion…changing her life forever.

Have you read about any other ways to make a mermaid? I’d love to know!

Excerpt from Chapter 1, Tears on a Tranquil Lake, fantasy romance

The ‘gator wanted to drown me….make me an easier meal. A chill passed through my body and I shivered. Feverish heat built up inside me, spreading from my head and torso down my limbs. Eventually the wild drumbeat of my heart obliterated everything. I panicked and tried to move, but lacked control of my muscles. Immobile and helpless, I could only listen. The throbbing pulse dimmed as the lake’s waters claimed my life. I submitted…mind blank to all except the faint thump. For an immeasurably long time I heard its rhythm fading away. Seconds or dozens of minutes, I didn't know; altered perception foiled my judgment.

Then, a touch against my face—shattering my delirium.

Fear engulfed my barely conscious mind. What was it? Death seemed welcome compared to experiencing an alligator attack upon my body.

Something soft caressed my lips, not at all like hard reptilian scales.

My sense of touch heightened. Encouraged by returning consciousness, I struggled against the darkness. My eyes searched, yet still failed to see.

Soon, I understood the feeling of lips pressing upon mine. Their burning heat made me panic. I tried to jerk back, but had no muscle control, no way to resist. They forced my lips apart, and a fiery tongue thrust inside my mouth.

In short time my limbs tingled with renewed sensation. Attempting to thrash my arms, I found them both secured.

The mysterious tongue persisted, searing my own.

Strangely, the warmth moved across my entire body and I calmed, mesmerized by this unusual kiss. In some curious manner it restored my consciousness. Peacefulness spread over me, and I accepted this connection as my life force. Our kiss grew pleasurable and I slipped my tongue along the other. Waves of passion rippled through my body and I desired whatever being touched me. Wanting to know more, I opened my eyes. Light pained my limited vision.

A hazy image flashed in front of me.

I pulled back, ending the kiss and viewed a sweep of dark hair turning away, moving up toward the surface.

Blurb:

What a surprise for a young woman, to find herself suddenly transformed into a mermaid.

Ciel’s first thought – track down the merman who changed her and make him reverse his magic.

Unable to find him, survival in her new world becomes paramount. She eagerly accepts help from a dashing pirate captain who takes a fancy to her, lavishing her with finery. When her merman does show up, he competes for her affection. One look into his eyes makes her life more complex -- he is her soul mate.

Which man will she choose – pirate captain or merman? Which life – human or mermaid? Caribbean adventures and dangers chase Ciel as she searches for decisions and the key to her happiness.

Warning: This book contains Haitian vodou, sultry wenches, foul-mouthed scalliwag pirates, overindulgence of fine Caribbean rum, and amorous encounters on deserted beaches. Links to Marsha and her books:

Publisher: http://museithotpublishing.com/

ISBN: 978-1-926931-29-6

Purchase from:

MuseItUp Publishing

Barnes & Noble

Amazon

Coffee Time Romance Bookstore

All Romance

Omnilit

Diesel

Friday at 1:11 PM

$15 off RomantiCon Reg

Posted by Night Owl Reviews in

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From Ellora's Cave!

We’re giving $15 off RomantiCon registration now through Mother’s Day (May 8)

To get the discount, go to http://www.jasminejade.com/romanticon/

And use this coupon code: RC15B

RomantiCon 2011: The Time Machine

September 29-October 2
Akron, Ohio

Bigger and Better Than Ever!

Beautiful New Location, Same Low Prices!!

Great Food, Fabulous Prizes, Lots More Stuff To Do

http://www.jasminejade.com/romanticon/

Step into our Time Machine with the editors, authors, aspiring authors, models and fans of Ellora’s Cave Publishing! On Friday night, grab a club and dress up in your finest skins, bones, seashells and feathers for a primal journey back to the Stone Age, with a real, live caveman dance and barbecue!

On Saturday night, we’ll launch into the future for our awards dinner and party, shall we say the year 3000? How will we dress and look? That’s up to you to imagine, and we’re giving prizes for the best costumes! One thing’s for sure: There will still be Cavemen, and they will still dance for your pleasure. And the bad girls of romance will continue to misbehave.

We’re still working on the workshops and games that will be offered by EC editors, authors and staff, but we have already booked Cleveland Exotic Dance to teach old fashioned burlesque and pole dancing

People had a blast at our first two conventions, and this one promises to be even better. Here’s what some people had to say about RomantiCons past:

“Thanks to all the EC staff who made us feel like family members. Chatting with them and with all the other authors and readers simply made my year!”
--Ruby Storm

“This was THE BEST conference I have ever been to.”
--Kate Poole

“I tend to be kind of shy when I'm meeting new people, but with all of you I immediately felt at home.”
--Francesca Hawley

“I'll be there next year if I have to hitchhike!”
--Shayla Kersten

“I have never attended a conference where I had so much fun or was treated to well.”
--Desiree Holt

“The workshops were just fantastic and the advice from all of the authors was great. “
--Kristyn Warren

From the Blogs:

“Friday night's Psychedelic Soiree was a blast, Saturday's workshops and focus groups informative, Saturday night's dinner tasty and Sunday's book signing loads of fun.”
--Stephanie Julian

“The first RomantiCon has been just amazing from the start. Everyone, authors, readers and Ellora’s Cave staff, has been wonderful. … It really feels like EC is a huge and happy family, each author helping the next so everyone can succeed.”
--Joyce Ann McLaughlin, a.k.a. Joysann, Beyond Her Book Blog

“Can't describe how truly wonderful this event was. There were no strangers. Everywhere you looked authors, readers, reviewers, and other industry professionals were dispensing hugs and smiles as if they'd know each other forever. Such a warm and fuzzy feeling that I came home knowing this is one event I would never, ever miss.”
--Regina Carlysle

“If you are entertaining the thought of going next year, DEFINITELY save the money for it! From the awesome goodie bags, to the great food, to the friendliness of all the professionals, to the hunky Cavemen participating in everything, and readers mixing with the authors, it was just an awesome experience I wish everyone could enjoy!”
--Anonymous commenter on Regina’s blog

“Our enthusiastic readers, hard-working and gracious hosts, awesome authors, and always-charming-and-sexy Cavemen raised the excitement levels off the fun-o-meter charts.”
--Adele Dubois

From Twitter (search #RomantiCon)

@marifreeman: Had a blast.

@F1yMordecai: It was so much fun!

@rebeccasew: Met so many wonderful authors, got a boatload of books to read, had my hormones pumped up by gorgeous cover models!

@caismith: WHEE!! Just won a Sony E-Reader at the EC Booksigning at #RomantiCon! Now I can take that off my Christmas "wish-list." LOL

at 1:00 AM

It Happened One Bite

Posted by Night Owl Reviews in

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Enter to win one of two print copies of "It Happened One Bite". Prize provided and shipped by the publisher.

Just comment on the post below and leave the first bit of your email address. You do need to be a NOR Newsletter / Fan Club subscriber to enter. USA Postage Only. Ends - 3/18/2011

***

It Happened One Bite

We – the both halves of Lydia Dare, that is – like to think that with two different minds and two different sets of backgrounds, that we have more to draw on in regards to influences and life experiences. Hopefully, this makes us better-rounded.

Speaking as the Jodie ½ of Lydia Dare, I’d like to share with you my literary influences – those authors who have inspired and mentored me along this journey of publication… I think most historical authors generally say they’ve been heavily influenced by Jane Austen, especially Regency authors. After all, would there even be a Regency sub-genre if not for Ms. Austen? Probably not. And I suppose saying Jane Austen is one of my influences is true for me as well, but while her works are most certainly romantic in nature, Austen books are generally thought of as literature vs. romance.

I remember purchasing my first romance at a Walden Books in the mall. I was 13 at the time and used my babysitting money. That first book was A Grand Deception by Elizabeth Mansfield, the cover was facing out and the lady on the front looked like the ladies I imagined in Jane Austen’s settings. So I bought it, much to the chagrin of my mother, when she discovered the fact a few months (and several books) later. In fact, I remember her faced turned a slight red color when she realized I’d become an avid romance reader. Looking back though, the traditional Regencies I was reading were much tamer than a lot of what could be found on television in those days. Would you believe I still have that first Elizabeth Mansfield book even now 24 years later?

I had always written, but for most of my adult life, I had focused on screenplays. Honestly, more of my influences can be found on celluloid vs. bookshelves. After college, I stopped reading for pleasure all together when life got in the way. Marriage, job, children. I, know, blasphemy, right? When a Hollywood exec, after reading my latest script, suggested I try my hand at romance, all those old traditional Regencies popped back in my mind. I had thought about writing romance novels, but I’d been only 14 at the time. So I let the idea roll around in my mind for a while and Googled Elizabeth Mansfield, thinking perhaps she had some advice on this new direction I was considering. Unfortunately, I learned that she had passed away in late 2003 and was a little heartbroken that I’d missed her by a few years. Her delightful stories were part of my youth. This news, however, also encouraged me to take that leap into the intimidating world of publishing. My hope being that I could bring as much joy to someone else as she had given to me all those years ago.

So I began devouring all of the current Regency bestselling authors, to bring myself up to speed with the current trends in the genre, and I joined my local RWA chapter - Heart of Carolina Romance Writers. As it turns out, this was the most important step along my journey, as I discovered the most lovely and talented ladies you could ever hope to find (and several whose works I had read when I was in my devouring stage.) We are very lucky in HCRW to have such wonderful mentors in our midst. There are three authors in our chapter to whom I will be forever indebted to, and to whose advice I still seek out on a semi-regular basis. Not only are they amazingly talented authors, but Sabrina Jeffries, Claudia Dain and Deb Marlowe have willingly shared their knowledge and expertise with me. Learning from the three of them has been a privilege.

IT HAPPENED ONE BITE BY LYDIA DARE – IN STORES MARCH 2011

He’s Lost, Trapped, Doomed for All Eternity…

Rich, titled and undead, gentleman vampire James Maitland, Lord Kettering, fears himself doomed to a cold and lonely existence—trapped for decades in an abandoned castle. Then, beautiful Scottish witch Blaire Lindsay arrives, and things begin to heat up considerably…

Unless He can Persuade Her to Set Him Free…

Feisty Blaire Lindsay laughs off the local gossip surrounding her mother’s ancestral home—stories of haunting cannot scare off this battle-born witch. But when she discovers the handsome prisoner in the bowels of the castle, Blaire has no idea that she has unleashed anything more than a man who sets her heart on fire…

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lydia Dare is the writing team of Tammy Falkner and Jodie Pearson. Both Tammy and Jodie are active members of the Heart of Carolina Romance Writers and live near Raleigh, North Carolina. Their next two books will also feature gentleman vampires: In the Heat of the Bite (July 2011) and Never Been Bit (September 2011)! For more information, please visit http://www.lydiadare.com.

-- Night Owl Romance - Meet the Authors

Congrats to the 2011 RITA Nominees!

Roxanne St. Claire - Extended Excerpt: Shiver of Fear

Gift or Curse? by Kylie Brant

Amazing Romantic Getaway For Two

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Stylish Seattle Reader Event

Linda Lael Miller's Newest!

Marriage? Love, honor, and…

Taste Me by Tamara Hogan

Get an AVON Book Tote!

How to make a mermaid…

$15 off RomantiCon Reg

It Happened One Bite

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