Book Talk!

This past weekend I attended Context [a speculative fiction convention] and, after attending a party given by horror magazine and publisher Shroud, walked away with a fabulous Zombie picture book for our 6 year old nephew!

That's right, a book on zombies for the little guy, and signed by the illustrator too!

It's Okay to be a Zombie by Nathaniel Lambert and illustrated by Danny Evarts is very creative and will start your children's imagination to explore outside the box.  And, with Halloween around the corner, it couldn't be better timing to pick up a copy, read it with them, and put some fun into the sugar-filled festivities.

Context!

This was the first year I went to Context and loved it!

The panels were interesting, the people were even better, and I'm looking forward to going next year.

We set up our table [to the right is Stella Price and Ash/Adra Steia] and went for a quick bite to eat [more on that another day - it was a burger experiment and you know how I feel about burgers :-)].  Later, I stepped in and joined Stella Price and Mark Evans on the Readers/Writers Relationship discussion.  It was a great mix between the two and we came out agreeing that the door is opened both ways.

The next day was Blogging - Creativity and Publicity with Jason Sanford, Joseph P Martino, Michelle Pendergrass, T Lee Harris and Maurice Broaddus.  Great chat that, at one point, touched on whether or not to be controversial was a good thing.  I think of this as a personality issue.  If you aren't one who likes stormy seas, you shouldn't try and create a storm simply for publicity.  Then again, who knows what will set someone off. 

Next came the "mass autograph" session and each author stood up to introduce themselves.  Yup, I stood up and said I was an erotic romance author with shifters, futuristics, and some Greek Gods.  Had a few queries about the "erotic" part and explained, at the most base level, the real words for body parts are used.  There's more, but that pretty much is the gist.  And, during the signing, a dad came up and asked if I had 13 year olds in them.  Of course I said no, but then he picked one up and asked he meant could his 13 year old daughter read them, and I said in as polite a voice as I could muster an emphatic NO!

The last panel of the day was Paranormal Romance with Stella Price, Linnea Sinclair, Rosemary Laurey and Denise Verrico.  This one was a hoot and a half!  While discussing a famous paranormal heroine in a long series Jhada Addams claimed the character had the "clown car of vagina's" - loved that!  Later, we went for dinner to a nice Italian restaurant, and then it was off to the Shroud Magazine [they do books as well] party.  They had readings going on and totally hooked me [I'll tell you tomorrow about the book I bought - a horror picture book that you'll want to get for your kids].

On Sunday morning, before making the 8 hour drive back home, I sat on the eBooks panel with Steven Saus, Doug Johnson, T Lee Harris, JD Williams and David Wyatt.  Because the audience had quite a few coming at it from the writing standpoint, we trended the topic more that way, although the reader's side wasn't ignored.

It was good fun, the cutie enjoyed himself, and at no point did I feel rushed to make it someplace.  Oh and it didn't break the bank!  All make Context a huge thumbs up for me and I'll be going next year.

Friday Funny!

With time, women gain weight because we accumulate so much information and wisdom in our heads that when there is no more room, it distributes out to the rest of our bodies. So we aren't heavy, we are enormously cultured, educated and happy.

Beginning today, when I look at my butt in the mirror I will think, Good grief, look how smart I am!

Must be where 'Smart Ass' came from!

I’m the smartest I’ve ever been. How about you?

This Friday Funny is brought to you from my mom! Thanks Mom!

Have you read these two ladies?

You Burn Me by Stella and Audra Price

A priestess of The Morrigan, Xxieda Rolla is a woman who has known success in her business, fulfillment in her family life and is only missing one thing: the love of the man that would have her for always. Sent to Shadow Heights New York by her goddess to find him, she meets the ever tasty, ever surly Dante Barratt. Sparks fly, and so does Amaretto Latte.

Dante, a dealer of rare and illegal commodities, and a very tempestuous fire demon might want the woman who's brown eyes haunt him, but knows better then to get involved with someone who just screams purity. Shes hot, and successful in ways he never could be, and knows a man that just gave away his soul like he did didn't deserve a woman like that.

After a chance encounter on a dark street corner, and an earth shattering kiss, Both are powerless to deny the chemistry between them... until Xxieda tells him her secret: shes a virgin.

Caught between his head and his heart, can Dante accept the fact that Fate sometimes gives us exactly what we really need, not what we think we want?

Buy Link:  http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-youburnme-428182-140.html - it's $0.99!  Fan-flippin'-tastic!

By the way, tomorrow I'll be driving to Columbus Ohio with Stella to attend Context 23 [come by if you're in the neighborhood :-)], and will be asking her when another Duvall, Inc book is coming!  Totally addicted to those books!

What's New on the eShelves?

Unbound Passion: Sealed Desires OUT NOW!

Blurb:

Van has sealed his incubus nature away, denying himself pleasure and happiness. Despite his past pain, he desires elven princess Belle. Keeping her at arm's length is all he can do to keep his hungers in check.

When Belle finally decides to let go, release her inner vixen and seduce Van, how can he resist?

But when he turns the tables the question becomes who is seducing who?

Buy Link:
http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1433


Excerpt:

Unbound Passions: Sealed Desires
Selena Illyria
All rights reserved.
Copyright ©2010 Selena Illyria

This e-book file contains sexually explicit scenes and adult language which some may find offensive and which is not appropriate for a young audience. Changeling Press E-Books are for sale to adults, only, as defined by the laws of the country in which you made your purchase. Please store your files wisely, where they cannot be accessed by under-aged readers.

Van stood as still as he could, but the sensations running over him made it difficult. Silk caressed his skin. Slivers of softness rushed up his arms and down his back to tease the crack of his ass. Shivers of pleasure skittered along his nerve endings as the silk slid between his legs, teasing his balls and the underside of his cock. Up his belly the fabric went, until the strips ran over his nipples. He cried out as a tongue lapped at the hardened nub, first one then the other, followed by the brief pain of a bite. Lips were randomly pressed against his back, the cheeks of his bottom, his thighs, stomach, chest and neck. Liquid desire dribbled down his cock as his desire grew. He wanted to come, needed to release the pressure building inside him.

A hand wrapped around his thick, blood-heavy shaft. Nimble fingers squeezed just under his cockhead, drawing out a harsh shout of pain. His oncoming climax was stopped, just out of reach. He drew in a deep breath. The scent of lavender and arousal surrounded him, teasing his nose.

"No coming. I didn't tell you yet," a soft feminine voice murmured. The tone so low and husky, it helped fan the flames of need higher.

Van's fangs ached. They had distended as soon as he'd entered the room. The sharp points pierced his lower lip, reminding him that he needed to feed on blood. Her blood.

"Shhh, I know what you need, what you want," she whispered. Soft lips pressed butterfly kisses on his chest.

"And I can give it to you if you'd just ask."

He shook his head.

"You refuse your need?" She chuckled.

Van opened his mouth to reply, but all sound was cut off when she lapped at his nipple, setting off sparks of electricity that shot straight to his groin. A moan escaped his mouth. The hand's grip loosened. Leisurely she stroked him, drawing out more drops of pre-cum. The thick trails of liquid need slipped down his cock, adding to his ecstasy and ache.

"Yes. I can take anything you dish out," he growled through his teeth. In truth, he was so close to losing control, it scared him. He didn't normally allow himself to be tied up like this. In fact, he wasn't sure how he'd gotten this way. One minute he'd walked into the suite ready for another night of pleasure, and the next he was on his knees before her. Belle. At the thought of her name, he groaned aloud.

"Doesn't sound like you can hold on."

"I can."

"We'll see." Her lips left his body; her hand disappeared. Cold air caressed his overheated flesh. Sharp taps of high-heeled shoes hitting stone echoed around the room. A large thud could be heard, and the sounds of objects being moved around followed. The next sound he heard was a sharp crack renting the air. He flinched as if he'd been hit. Van shook his head.

"No, I will not be flogged. I will not be whipped." Fear chased away the arousal. How can she be so cruel? A cold sweat broke out over his forehead and upper lip. He began to struggle against the bonds that held him in place. Leather creaked with each movement. Chains clanged against each other as he struggled.

"Don't worry. Shhh, it's okay." The soft touch of Belle's hand caressed down his back and over his bottom before rubbing his sides in a soothing motion. She placed a kiss on his shoulder. "No flogging, no whips, okay?"

Van nodded his head.

"I'll just have to find another way to tease you." Belle kissed him again before walking away. Van slouched in relief. He could tolerate anything she threw at him except for a few things. Flogging and whipping were two of those things. While he waited for her return, Van thought about his current situation. He had never thought that Belle, of all people, would have him tied up like this. If his friends could see him, they would be laughing. Van always needed to be in control. In this moment, he didn't mind so much. The pleasure she was giving him was reward enough. He looked forward to seeing what she would think up next.

"No flogging or whips, so what about feathers? Do you like those?" Softness caressed his cock, sending a shiver up his spine. The tingles at the small of his back increased. He sucked in a large breath as tendrils of pleasure extended through his body. Brief touches of the feathers teased his cock, balls, inner thighs, and the backs of his knees before they worked their way up to his ass and spine. He shook with the effort to hold back. When the feathers got to the back of his neck, he couldn't stop himself -- he began to laugh.

"You think this is funny? Let's see how you feel about this." Her footsteps made their way around him to the front. The feathers returned to tease his cock. Each stroke, every brush drove him mad. His fingers twitched as he tried to keep from reaching out to her. His toes scrunched and relaxed as his body quaked with need to move, to do something to stop the torment. His desire grew more, the flames rising higher. Van began to drown in sensation. He was overwhelmed with lust and need, pain and pleasure. What he was feeling, what she was doing to him, pushed him beyond limits he hadn't even known he had.

He cried out when he felt the flick of her tongue at the slit of his cock. She did it again and again as the feathers moved lower to tickle his ball sac. Van snapped. He felt his actions as though from a distance. His mouth fell open and a roar resounded. His muscles flexed as he jerked his arms up, snapping the chains that were connected to the floor. He grabbed Belle's shoulders and pushed her back.

"No more," he grunted out.

Liquid midnight brown eyes gazed up at him. No fear or hesitation showed on her face. A smile curled her lips, and her pointed ears twitched. She reached up, pushed his hands away and straightened up. Belle placed her hands on his chest. With strength he didn't know she had, she shoved him. He moved backward until his back hit the wall.

"Finally, it's playtime. I was getting bored." She moved with a swiftness only the elves possessed. In the blink of an eye, she was on him. Her lips covered his body, sucking at his skin. Her nails raked his sides as he buried his hands in her hair. With a groan, he pulled her head back, lowered his face and took her mouth in a possessive, hungry kiss. Van released her hair and began tearing at her clothes. He ripped the laces of her corset and shoved it off of her arms, tore at her bra and yanked at the waistband of her skirt.

She moved her face back. "You're going to owe me new clothes, incubus."

"Don't care." He moved his hands down to rip at her panties. For a moment he thought of dropping to his knees and taking off her boots. No time.

Instead, he guided her toward the massive bed at the other end of the room. They tripped over each other as they maneuvered around tables and chairs.Mental note: get rid of the furniture in my suite.

Finally, they reached the end of the bed. Impatient for her and aching for release, he grasped her hips, lifting her off of her feet and onto the platform bed. She scooted back on the mattress, pausing to remove the ripped remains of her underwear. Belle was a study in perfection with her full breasts topped by dark nipples, trim waist and ample hips. She moved back further until her milk chocolate skin was half bathed in shadow, and only her thigh-high boots were illuminated by the golden light of candles.

He watched her spread her legs. It was too dark to see her pussy lips, even with his vampiric vision. Van cursed himself for insisting on having curtains around the bed. A giggle made him pause.

"Can't see me, can you? Let me tell you what I'm doing now. I'm teasing my pussy lips, stroking them slowly while I imagine it's your tongue lapping my labia." A moan followed those words. A ripple of impatience went through him. Van climbed on the bed and made his way toward her.

"I'm now stroking my clit. Oh goddess, Van, so close. I want you inside of me now."

He didn't have to be told twice. He crawled up her body until he covered her completely. His eyes adjusted to the darkness. Belle's dark brown eyes -- now black -- glittered with the flames of desire. Her scent became stronger. He groaned as he felt her skin rubbing against his stomach.

"You're still touching yourself," he murmured. Van hung over her, waiting for her answer.

"Yes."

That single word was like a gunshot at the starting line. He needed to be inside Belle. Now! The movement of her arm stopped, and then he felt leather pressing against his waist. Sharp pinpricks of pain burst on the backs of his thighs as her heels pressed into the skin. She rolled her hips, and he felt the first brush of the damp lips of her sex against his cock. Van shook as he tried to hold back the urge to just drive into her, not wanting to be too rough. With great restraint, he reached down between them to position himself at her entrance.

Just the feel of her soft skin against his cockhead pushed at his control. Swallowing and taking in a deep breath, he thrust forward. His body shook as he pushed his cock inside inch by inch. Once he was fully seated inside of her, Van stopped to savor the feel of her tight wet heat surrounding his cock. His heart hammered in his chest as every instinct in him screamed for him to move. Instead, he remained as still as possible. With deep breaths and concentration, he pulled out and moved back, building up a rhythm between them. Belle moved with him, occasionally squeezing her vaginal muscles, intensifying the pleasure.

They moved against each other. Her nipples brushed his chest. Her nails raked his back. The pace picked up. The sound of wet flesh slapping and sliding against each other filled the air. His incisors throbbed. Moisture pooled in his mouth as the urge to sink his fangs into her neck and drink slipped into his desire to claim her. He fought himself, wanting to keep his urges out of this joining, but they became an insistent buzz that wouldn't go away.

Belle turned her head to the side, exposing the long column of her neck to him. "Drink, Van. Please."

Her fingers slipped into his hair. She pulled his head down. Stifling a groan, he moved his face closer. Van took a second to trace a line from the crook of her neck to her pulse point with his tongue and she moaned.

He growled at the burst of pain before scraping his fangs over her jugular.

"Please," she mewled, arching her neck.

Unable to resist her plea, he opened his mouth wide before biting down. Her blood burst into his mouth, rushing over his taste buds. His body came alive. Electricity danced along his nerve endings as he fed. Everything became magnified: the slide of their bodies, the salty tang of her blood, the pleasure from the simple act of pulling out and pushing into her tight sheath.

Van moaned around the wound. The world narrowed down to fucking and drinking. The tattoo between his shoulder blades burned as his incubus nature awakened. His hungers increased. He began to move his hips faster, pounding her pussy harder. Fire danced along his spine as the pleasure increased. With each thrust and every sip, he was pushed closer and closer to climax. Pressure welled up inside until the sensations spilled over. His cock twitched and thickened. His balls pulled closer to his body.

Beep. Beep. Beep.

Van shouted out his release just as his alarm clock sounded. The dream faded around the edges.

"NO!" He yelled out as his cock continued to spurt jets of come. Shaking, the sheets clinging to his sweat-soaked body, he groaned as the fantasy melted into nothing. The last of his seed dribbled out to stain the bedding. Breathing hard, Van rolled over. The hunger and thirst had been fed, but the man in him felt unsatisfied. It had all been a dream, one he hadn't wanted to wake up from.

Buy Link:  http://www.changelingpress.com/product.php?&upt=book&ubid=1433

Dear Reader, Let Me Seduce You . . . Love, Selena Illyria: http://www.selenaillyria.com/

Have you read this?

Contest and New Release

Timid, geeky quantum physicist Molly Timmons lives in a man’s world of metaphysics when she meets a handsome John St. James at a Spin Wash and Go. One dark night trapped in the Spin Wash isn’t enough. Even as their relationship deepens, they learn of a dark secret the Spin Wash is hiding… a secret that could tear John’s world apart or could save his daugther‘s life.

Molly’s the key.

Time is running out. Will they figure out the Spin Wash’s secret or will they both be lost in time?

Excerpt

His arms flexed as he slid the basket under his arm and walked around the washers. This was ridiculous; she needed to get laid if the simple pleasure of watching a man cross the floor had her flushed with sexual need.

Laundry detergent, White Rain shampoo, and something indefinable invaded her space and filled her senses as he walked past her.

It was hard to stay put.

She closed her eyes, took in another deep breath, and repressed a moan. This was why women loved sweaty men. Pheromones trumped common sense every time.

Forcing her eyes open, she watched him move; the hard muscles flexing and bending to his will A shift of his basket and his eyes clashed with hers, darkening. With a slow perusal, he took in her lightly muscled legs, encased in short blue shorts. She mentally slapped herself, thinking of how opaque her white T-shirt must look. Her mama had told her that, even with small breasts, she should always wear a bra.

Nipples peaked, pebbling through her shirt, as he continued his inspection, gray eyes almost black. She breathed shallowly, trying to ignore the ache blooming deep inside.

Molly was past shielding herself; she wanted those eyes on her. Her lack of propriety would have had her mother screaming a blue streak. Taunting a man like that, walking out of the house looking like a slut.
God, he had to stop looking at her.

He finally jerked his gaze away from her body and leaned down to drop his basket, then pulled the detergent and softener from it, those lovely muscles moving deliciously under his tan.

He was so close, and those jeans hit him in all the right places. She had to watch every movement, mesmerized by the bending and flexing of his thighs as he placed the detergent into the washer.

He was done too soon. His strong hands worked efficiently, the muscles underneath moving like strings on a piano. Strong. Graceful. Just the idea of those strong digits strumming her body, gliding across her skin, made her hold her breath.

She needed to get ahold of herself -- and quick -- if she was going to look him in the eye. Her face was tight, the skin undoubtedly flushed and almost feverish and not just from the heat and stickiness of the Spin Wash. She was letting her imagination get away with her.

Email me at april.morelock@gmail.com today to receive great free reads; you’ll also be entered into a contest for a copy of my new book Best Little Spin Wash in Texas. Or visit http://www.loose-id.com/ for your copy of Best Little Spin Wash in Texas today!

* * * *
Personally, I [as in Tilly Greene] love this title, and have a copy sitting on my iTouch waiting to be read during my long drive at the end of the week. I cannot wait!

M&M Makin’ the Rounds

Big thanks to Tilly Greene for letting us come here and play today! We’ll get started with our first Q&A.

That Voodoo We Do So Well

Q: What is it the two of you do?

A:
Michelle: On a molecular level or just in general? (see Mandy, I told you I could use big science words in a sentence)

Mandy and I are both fiction authors, writing in several genres. We also co-own RavenHappyHour.com and TheRavenBooks.com, a bookstore, paranormal blog, radio show, and chat group.

Aside from fiction, I write a monthly column for Paranormal Underground Magazine and am a photographer.

Mandy: I sing songs and dance naked in the rain. Sometimes, I mimic the noises small woodland creatures make. Once I nearly got shot by a hunter. Not really but it sounded nice and exciting, didn’t it?

I try not to think in terms of a molecular level. I can’t be sure but I think my brain would burst if I put too much thought into it. Okay, thought about it. I’m still here. Shocking.

Like Michelle mentioned we are authors who are multi-published and award winning. Yeah. I said it. We’re award winning. (Makes us sound all important and stuff. We need trumpet players to announce us upon entry. Ooo and men in loincloths to carry us as we recline and eat grapes or popcorn. I like popcorn more than grapes but I’m pretty sure grapes would look sexier and pull off the vibe we’d be aiming for).

When I’m not writing and bothering Michelle, I’m doing cover art for a variety of publishers. It keeps the creative juices flowing and a nice steady paycheck coming in. Plus, it does help with bail money when I’m caught singing and dancing naked in the rain. (Side note: Officer Smith, you rock for being such a good sport about the last incident.)

Featured M&M Book of the Day:

Buy Link http://www.ravenhappyhour.com/Michelle_M_Pillow_Books.html

Raven Books
http://www.theravenbooks.com/
Raven titles are available on Amazon.com as well as other third party sites

Mandy M Roth
http://www.mandyroth.com/

Michelle M Pillow
http://www.michellepillow.com/

Thanks for letting us hang here, Tilly! Everyone, remember that to be entered in the contest at the end of the tour, you need to comment on the posts. You can enter as much as you like. :-)

Join us tomorrow when we visit Lex Valentine where we answer the question Do We Bite? (Lex’s url Blog : http://www.sunlightsucks.com/

Friday Funny!

How to Tell the S*x of a Fly

A woman walked into the kitchen to find her Husband stalking around with a fly swatter.

"What are you doing?" She asked.

"Hunting Flies," he responded.

"Oh! Killing any?" She asked.

"Yep, 3 males, 2 Females," he replied.

Intrigued, she asked. "How can you tell them apart?"

He responded, "3 were on a beer can, 2 were on the phone."

Works for me :-) Thank you S, you've kept me rolling with laughter, and the I Can Haz Cheezburger kitties are to die for!

The Wonders of Research!

It's an adventure to delve into the realm of research, especially when I know just enough to encourage my interest. So what have I recently been seeking more information about?

Mary McFadden, an American fashion designer.

After a quick look, there wasn't much beyond the bullet point details of her life, career and education, but I had a specific focus I wanted to know more about before mentioning it - no matter how limited - in my WIP. Back in the days when fashion was my focus, McFadden was a designer I found interesting, and still do, and it grew out of a fascination with Fortuny's.



Fortuny [left] and McFadden [right] were both inspired by the Ancient Greek fashion, and the fabrics they added their own twist to helped.  In the early 1900's, Fortuny used rollers and treat the gowns like "skeins of yarn" to help hold their shape, and gown owners would return them to the designer when they needed to be repleated.  McFadden, with modern technology, moved the process a step further, and the pleats were made permanent.  Travel and elegance abounded through these two designers collections and I focused on the elegance side that looked beautiful and a variety of body shapes.

Fashion is fascinating and so is fabric!

Get ready!

There's going to be a couple of special guests here at the Hot Thoughts Blog on August 23rd.

No rules, no limitations, just them having fun - can you handle that? Fun?

Looking for something different?

If you're in the Columbus OH area then there's a convention called Context coming August 27-29 focused on speculative fiction and related games, comics and film in your backyard and shall be great fun! The fee won't break the bank and the environment is a friendly relaxed one - a great way to spend the weekend.

There are interesting panels to sit in on [i.e. How Did I Get Here? and Illustration from the Artists Point of View and I'll be sitting on Paranormal Romance amongst others] and a booksigning on Saturday. You'll find a gaming and dealers rooms, and more. Plenty to explore.

Readers, writers and fans of the different are all welcome!

Friday Funny!

INVOLUNTARY MUSCULAR CONTRACTIONS

A professor at Northern Michigan University was giving a lecture on 'Involuntary Muscular Contractions'.

Realizing this was not the most riveting subject, the professor decided to lighten the mood slightly and use an example of an involuntary contraction to get their attention and help the students better understand the subject matter.

So, he pointed to a young woman in the front row and said, 'Do you know what your asshole is doing while you're having an orgasm?'

She replied, 'Probably deer hunting with his buddies.'

It took 45 minutes to restore order in the classroom...


AHHH! WooWoo! Too too funny! Thank you, you naughty minx!

Movie Talk!

Back in May, when I first started playing with Netflix, I watched a documentary that has stuck with me ever since.


The flick is called Sacco and Vanzetti and is about two men who were accused, ultimately found guilty and put to death for a murder they didn't commit. Not a new story, but what makes this one unique is that they were pinpointed because they were immigrants. It's surprising how often these two men come to my mind during these current times where immigrants are often the lead story on the news.

Scary.

The blurb says: "Nicola Sacco and Bartolomeo Vanzetti were Italian anarchists accused of murder in 1920 and put to death in 1927 after a famously biased trial. The pair came to symbolize the bigotry directed toward immigrants and dissenters in America. Their struggle is retold in this probing documentary by Peter Miller. Actors John Turturro and Tony Shalhoub read the prison writings of Sacco and Vanzetti, while commentators include Arlo Guthrie and Studs Terkel."

In case you're wondering who else was touched by the injustice these two men faced, then look no further than Woody Guthrie wrote song called Two Good Men, Upton Sinclair wrote a documentary novel called Boston, and Ben Shahn painted The Passion of Sacco and Vanzetti.

Good flick.

WARNING! Personal Issue Revealed!

Monday night, the cutie and I watched The Big Bang Theory [a show we both enjoy and there aren't many], and I had a moment of self-discovery.

Here we go.


Sheldon Cooper, the top nerd, is my twin when it comes to food and a few of his quirky qualities.

When a scene focused on the usual Thursday night meal not being the one in front of him, I laughed, and the cutie held it in. Even though I'd never paid that much attention to our similarities, I get it now and he did as well, but wasn't about to say anything.

So, when I say I'm a seriously picky eater, it is the absolute truth.  Sheldon understands.

That's it. Confession time is done.

Book Talk!

Since the end of June, I've made some progress through my TBR stack and I've added to it, but what am I waiting to be released?


Veil of Night by Linda Howard - while I have purchased her last few books, I admit to not be pulled in to read them, and they sit on a shelf waiting for me jump in with both feet. [releases today!]

Wicked Appetite by Janet Evanovich - glad she found a publishing house to continue the Stephanie Plum series. I have an add love affair with series. Yes, I love them, but the minute an author says there's a finite end, I won't read anymore until that last one has been handed into their publisher. [September 14 2010]

Renaissance Art Pop-Up Book by David Hawcock [designer] and Stephen Farthing [author] - you all know by now my joy of the pop-up and since I can't make it out to this years Moveable Book Society biannual conference in Portland OR, I'm indulding my passion, and not waiting for it to be a potential Christmas pressie! [October 5 2010]

Indulgence in Death by JD Robb - I like Eve and Roarke and even though I have two sitting on my TBR shelf, waiting for me to read them, I intend to get this one to wait for me as well. [November 2 2010]

There are also the books I've had recommended [in a mystery mood] that I still need to get and they are:
Echoes from the Dead by Johan Theorin - friend's brother recommended
My Friend Maigret by Georges Simenon - friend's brother recommended
Deep Lie (Will Lee Novel) by Stuart Woods - friend's father recommended
One Day by David Nicholls - friend recommended


Then there are the ones I keep forgetting to order because they aren't usually found on the shelves or I forget to look for them, and they are:
Silhouette: The Art of the Shadow by Emma Rutherford [enjoy this artform]
Hollywood by Gore Vidal [my great grand-uncles murder is in it]

And, I can't forget I'll be picking up some books at Context 23, AAD and AlbaCon! The TBR shelf will be bowing beneath the weight!

Oh, to have more time to indulge my joy of books and reading them!

AAD Update!

Registration is officially closed for weekend attendance and I can't wait for it to all start!

A small hint of what there will be for attendees is free books from Ballantine, Kensington, Harlequin, NAL, TOR, MLR Press, Changeling Press, PHAZE, Tease Publishing and Dorchester Pub among others, as well as loads of goodies and awesome gifts! So Cool!

Now, if you can't make it for the weekend, don't stress, the booksigning is open to the public on Saturday from 2-4pm! If your in the area, come in, say HI! and maybe pick up a book or two then get them signed.  Below is the poster that lists the authors who will be there signing.




New this year is Day passes. A day passes include a welcome bag (while supplies last) but no meals or the goodies given therein. Day passes cost 35$ and can be picked up at the Registration table from 8-10 am on Friday or Saturday.

If your interested in coming to the Masquerade party only - which is a totally cool event as you can see from my pictures of last year, tickets are 25$ and include the party, and if your in costume, entry into the costume contest. Doorprizes, free books and gifts not included. Masquerade tickets are on sale Saturday from 8-9pm at the registration table.

There you go, soon I'll have a list of the panels going on - for readers, wanna be an author, and published author! Something for everyone!

Hope to see you there!

Friday Funny!

Power Outage!

At my recent assault trial, I offered a plea of "Guilty with an explanation." The judge asked me what my explanation was, so I told my story.

"Your Honor," I said, "I had a mammogram appointment, which I actually kept. I was met with: 'Hi! I'm Belinda!' This perky clipboard carrier smiled from ear to ear, tilted her head to one side and crooned, 'All I need you to do is step into this room right here, strip to the waist, then slip on this gown. Everything clear?' I'm thinking, 'Belinda, try decaf. This ain't rocket science.' Belinda skipped away to prepare the chamber of horrors.

"With the right side finished, Belinda flipped me (literally) to the left and said, 'Hmmmm. Can you stand on your tippy toes and lean in a tad so we can get everything?' 'Fine', I answered. I was freezing, bruised, and out of air, so why not use the remaining circulation in my legs and neck and finish me off? My body was in a holding pattern that defied gravity (with my other breast wedged between those two 4 inch pieces of square glass) when we heard, then felt a zap!

"Complete darkness and the power went off! 'Oh, maintenance is working. Bet they hit a snag.' Belinda said, and headed for the door. 'Excuse me! You're not leaving me in this vise alone are you?' I shouted. Belinda kept going and said, 'Oh, you fussy puppy...the door's wide open so you'll have the emergency hall lights. I'll be right back.'

"Before I could shout 'NOOOO!' she disappeared. And that's exactly how Bubba and Earl, maintenance men extraordinaire, found me... half-naked with part of me dangling from the Jaws of Life, and the other part smashed between glass! After exchanging a polite 'Hi, how's it going' type greeting, Bubba (or possibly Earl) asked, to my utter disbelief, if I knew the power was off. Trying to disguise my hysteria, I replied with as much calmness as possible 'Uh, yes, yes I did thanks.' 'You bet, take care' Bubba replied and waved good-bye as though I'd been standing in the line at the grocery store.

"Two hours later, Belinda breezes in wearing a sheepish grin. Making no attempt to suppress her amusement, she said, 'Oh, I am sooo sorry!' The power came back on and I totally forgot about you! And silly me, I went to lunch. Are we upset?'

"And that, Your Honor, is exactly how her head ended up between the clamps...."

"Case Dismissed!!"

Thank you S! I hope this one is gone from my brain when I go in for my mammogram!

Writing Cave Update!

A week ago I mentioned diving back into an ms/trilogy that I'd set down for over a year ago and am now almost done with the hardest stage of self-edits. The slash and burn one and I've done that in spades, and I have two chapters to go. I've also added 8k and was surprised to notice that. I'm not a total word count junkies, in fact, it's something I rarely look at because the length of the story is set when it's finished.

So, what's "Come, Now" about?

To put it succinctly: Russians in New York City, politics and medical research, shape-shifters and the paparazzi, all while a search for trust is taking place!

My research has been varied.  Before I even started the story way back when, the first thing I looked up was Genghis Khan, and the other day it was a search for more specific details about the hypodermic needle. I need to make a trip into NYC to confirm a piece of the puzzle that I have a picture for, but not specifics and will do that next week.

The first book in the trilogy has Mikhail, the eldest Ivanovich, as the hero and he's struggling. Why? It's because of Cassie Johnston, the woman he loves also happens to be the one he walked out on - albeit with the best of intentions.

There you have it, an update with details.