It's been almost two weeks since the Authors After Dark Paranormal Weekend and it's still bouncing around in my mind. In a few short words the entire weekend was one of the best ever, but the parties were a blast!
Friday started with the LIP Ladies, Love Immortal Pantheon authors cocktail welcome. I was in on this one [and forgot the camera] and we offered Ambrosia [grapefruit juice, pomegranate juice, and champagne], nibble treats, and goodies [bath salts, wax chips, and packet of promo]. It was a lovely for everyone to gather and mingle before we moved into the dining room for raffle and more substantial nibbles, and then the night turned into a PJ Mixer! Favorite sleep attire was worn and favorite stuffed buddy were carried - it was a great night for all!
It was the perfect way to kick off the weekend - everyone was keeping it real!
Saturday was all about interesting panels and the booksigning, but the big event was the Masquerade! People went all out, from the makeup and hair, to the clothes, the costumes were from across the board and all were wow-worthy making for a fun time even more incredible. One minute you're talking with a Jane Austen Zombie and the next a faun!
Those are just two of the events that stand out in my mind and is helped because I remebered my camera, but when I think back on the entire weekend, and I can say I'll be going to next years weekend. In fact, mark your calendars, it is rumored to be toward the end of September, and the LIP Ladies are already talking about what we should do to kick it all off!
Now, have you done the AAD Scavenger Hunt? NO!?! Then get busy - go here to get started, there's some serious swag on offer to the winner! Oh, you've done everyone else and were waiting for me? Cool, don't forget to send your full and complete list to info@authorsafterdark.net.
Friday, November 06, 2009
All About AAD!
Thursday, November 05, 2009
Remember, Remember, the Fifth of November!
It's Guy Fawkes Day and the cutie is wearing his Englishness proudly!
Remember, remember the fifth of November,
Gunpowder Treason and Plot,
I see no reason why gunpowder treason
should ever be forgot.
Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes,'twas his intent
to blow up the King and the Parliament.
Three score barrels of powder below,
Poor old England to overthrow:
By God's providence he was catch'd
With a dark lantern and burning match.
Holloa boys, holloa boys, make the bells ring.
Holloa boys, holloa boys, God save the King!
Hip hip hoorah!
A penny loaf to feed the Pope.
A farthing o' cheese to choke him.
A pint of beer to rinse it down.
A faggot of sticks to burn him.
Burn him in a tub of tar.
Burn him like a blazing star.
Burn his body from his head.
Then we'll say ol' Pope is dead.
Hip hip hoorah!
Hip hip hoorah!
Have a fabulous Bonfire Night!
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
What a birthday pressie!
This month All Romance/OmniLit turn 3 years old and they are sharing the love! Here is what they are offering to their users:
Every day in November we will choose a winner at random from that day's purchasers and buy them the books they have on their wish list. *
To get a head start simply fill your account wish list with books you'd like to read (be sure to log in first) and then every day that you make a purchase during the month of November, you'll be eligible to win.
So what are you waiting for? Log in to your All Romance/OmniLit account and start making out your wish list. We want to make your wishes come true!
To get you started, search for Tilly Greene on All Romance/OmniLit.
*up to $100.00 per customer
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Where is my mind at right now?
With Castor and Pollux.
Not to long ago I spent time on the Antinoos site checking out the various sculptures of these two brothers, and this was the one that I now keep posted to my laptop for inspiration. It can be found in The State Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg, Russia.
Monday, October 26, 2009
OPERATION eBOOK DROP
What is it?
It was originally conceived when an author on the Kindleboards saw a message from a deployed troop member saying that Amazon's Whispernet for Kindle doesn't work overseas. The author sent the troop his book for free by email and the idea was born, and grew. He now collects names of deployed troops who would like to receive eBooks and he has shared his list with us to forward to any ARe author who would like to donate eBooks.
What can you do?
eBooks from ARe can be downloaded by anyone! with an internet connection. If you would like to donate eBooks to a troop member, either your personal eBooks or a gift certificate for the book of their choice, we have set up an easy system that will help you. Here are the 2 ways you can give to the troops.
1 - ARe authors can now purchase codes for their eBooks and send those codes to military personnel who can then download the prepaid eBooks.
To get the codes, authors need to go to the Publisher/Author page on the All Romance eBooks site. Those already registered with an Author Login can sign in to "manage booksigning events". Those who need to register for an Author Login can do so there. (A customer account is different from an author account.) Once signed in, select "Booksigning Events", then "Operation eBook Drop" where your eBook codes can be ordered and paid for to be dist! ributed by you to the military. Once you have your codes, contact cat.johnson@allromanceebooks.com for the troop email list. Then select a member off the list and send the download code to your book to them directly.
2 - Purchase eBook Bucks and ARe will send them to the recipient of your choice.
Do you want to give back to the troops but prefer if they choose the eBooks they will receive themselves? Go to http://www.allromanceebooks.com/store_credits.html and purchase eBooks Bucks. Contact cat.johnson@allromanceebooks.com for the troop email list, enter the email address of the member you'd like to send the eBook Bucks too and they'll receive an email from us with instructions on how to download their eBooks.
I strongly recommend making email contact with the troop member prior to mailing the download code for your book for two reasons. First you want to confirm the email address is correct. Second and more important, you will want to confirm they are interested in receiving the particular book genre you are sending. The program is not only for romance readers and they may only be interested in mainstream novels. We also want to confirm that if your book contains adult situations it is going to a member who welcomes that content.
Questions? Email cat.johnson@allromanceebooks.com
Cat Johnson
Manager Media and Public Relations
All Romance eBooks, LLC
http://www.allromance.com/
http://www.omnilit.com/
Friday, October 23, 2009
It's TIME!
I'm packing up and moving on out to the Authors After Dark Paranormal Weekend!
The Samhain/Linden Bay authors [Cat Johnson, Leigh Ellwood, Samantha Sommersby, Rosemary Laurey and Tilly Greene] have created a basket of goodies to be raffled off to support a local animal sanctuary, Pet's Alive. I've created a fabulous tote bag filled with goodies to also be raffled off.
Friday night, after everyone registers, the Love's Immortal Pantheon authors [Dagmar Avery, Cat Johnson, Kayleigh Jamison, Eliza Gayle, Selena Illyria and Tilly Greene] will be hosting a pre-Candy Shop PJ Mixer with ambrosia while talking about sexy Greek gods!
Saturday, from 2-5:00pm, is the Book Fair and it's open to the public! The books I'll be signing are:
After the fair, I'll be sitting on the Shifter's Unleashed panel - oh boy, watch out!
This weekend is going to be great fun and I hope you can come out, say hello, and get your book signed. There are going to be some great authors to greet. In case you don't know, the details are:
Holiday Inn, 3 Executive Blvd., Suffern, New York
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Fabulous Fashion News!
Judith Leiber has been making unique, fun, and stunningly beautiful handbags for years, and she still creates the must have handbag! Well, to celebrate self-publishing her biography [which I'd love to read], she's hitting the road. Alongside her travel mini-museum exhibition of her bags, she'll be signing her book "No Mere Bagatelles: Telling the Story of Handbag Genius Judith Leiber & Modernist Artist Gerson Leiber".
While it doesn't appear as if the book will be widely available, it would definitely be worth it to attend one of her retrospectives at either Neiman Marcus or Bergdorf Goodman, view the exhibit and purchase a book for her to sign. If you live near East Hampton NY, you can always stop by the Leiber Museum on Old Stone Highway, check out her bag collection, and most likely pick up a copy of her book there as well.
On a side note: Did you know that there are a couple of white peacocks in "An Invitation to the World: China"? There are and they're called George and Gracie.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Helping a Fellow Author Out
Dancing With Danger
By: Desiree Holt
Rachel Windsor knew nothing about Gabriel Peralta except that he was walking sex appeal. He blew into her life without notice, here today then always gone on a puff of wind. But each time he appears, he does things to her body that even her fantasies haven’t conjured up, driving her to orgasms that shake her like a raging storm. His mouth knows every inch of her body. The imprint of his intimate kisses linger long after he disappears.
Now he’s back again, his life unexpectedly on the line. But even in the danger zone his sexual demands are more scorching than ever and this time, Rachel is determined not to lose him—or the erotic lifestyle that binds them.
Read an excerpt
Purchase the ebook
Life has dealt Desiree Holt a difficult hand, so helping promote her new release.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Book Talk!
There was an interesting discussion about book covers yesterday on Borders True Romance blog. Reading the article, comments, and watching the video had me thinking about how I go about buying a book.
It's interesting to realize I no longer go into a bookstore with list of books in hand, eager to buy. My purchases in a brick & mortar are now strictly spontaneous, and normally based on the cover - something I think I learned from being an ebook reader. Show me an interesting cover and I'll pick it up for more details. However, if I can't read the title because the font is so elaborate, bye bye.
Anyway, back to hardcover/paperbacks purchases. If there is an author on my automatic purchase list [of which there are few] and one I want to keep [of which I have limited space for books], then the latest release is ordered online, and wings its way to me on the release day - no more driving around for a copy. Same can be said for a book that has my attention [normally non-fiction]. That is one I order online and am often surprised when it shows up on my doorstep. If they aren't a keeper but an author I know will offer me a good read, then I'll most likely pick up a copy for the next trip, and leave it wherever I am when I finish.
So, what's sitting on my shelf in my to-be-read stack?
Rogues' Gallery: The Secret History of the Moguls and the Money that Made the Metropolitan Museum
A Rogue of My Own
Burn: A Novel
Finger Lickin' Fifteen (Stephanie Plum Novels)
Fire and Ice: A Novel
Child 44
And right now, while the cutie is in physical therapy, I'm reading Skin Trade (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, Book 17)
Yup, some of these books have been on the shelf for over a year, and I'll be adding some more over the holidays! I guess it's obvious that right now, I'm reading ebooks before the paperback/hardcover. Soon, all my fiction and non-fiction will be an ebook, and that will leave my children's picture books and pop-ups the only ones I buy to place on a shelf.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
With my mind bouncing between Heaven and Hell...
I was sent this by my friend S [thank you :-)] and truly enjoyed it!
HELL EXPLAINED (By a chemistry student)
The following is an actual question given on a University of Arizona chemistry mid term, and an actual answer turned in by a student.
The answer by one student was so 'profound' that the professor shared it with colleagues, via the Internet, which is, of course, why we now have the pleasure of enjoying it as well:
Bonus Question: Is Hell exothermic (gives off heat) or endothermic (absorbs heat)?
Most of the students wrote proofs of their beliefs using Boyle's Law (gas cools when it expands and heats when it is compressed) or some variant.
One student, however, wrote the following:
First, we need to know how the mass of Hell is changing in time. So we need to know the rate at which souls are moving into Hell and the rate at which they are leaving, which is unlikely. I think that we can safely assume that once a soul gets to Hell, it will not leave. There fore, no souls are leaving. As for how many souls are entering Hell, let's look at the different religions that exist in the world today.
Most of these religions state that if you are not a member of their religion, you will go to Hell. Since there is more than one of these religions and since people do not belong to more than one religion, we can project that all souls go to Hell. With birth and death rates as they are, we can expect the number of souls in Hell to increase exponentially. Now, we look at the rate of change of the volume in Hell because Boyle's Law states that in order for the temperature and pressure in Hell to stay the same, the volume of Hell has to expand proportionately as souls are added.
This gives two possibilities:
1. If Hell is expanding at a slower rate than the rate at which souls enter Hell, then the temperature and pressure in Hell will increase until all Hell breaks loose.
2. If Hell is expanding at a rate faster than the increase of souls in Hell, then the temperature and pressure will drop until Hell freezes over.
So which is it?
If we accept the postulate given to me by Teresa during my Freshman year that, 'It will be a cold day in Hell before I sleep with you,' and take into account the fact that I slept with her last night, then number two must be true, and thus I am sure that Hell is exothermic and has already frozen over. The corollary of this theory is that since Hell has frozen over, it follows that it is not accepting any more souls and is therefore, extinct.....leaving only Heaven, thereby proving the existence of a divine being which explains why, last night, Teresa kept shouting 'Oh my God.'
THIS STUDENT RECEIVED AN A+.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Anthology Subs Call - Forward by Charlaine Harris!
ARe'S CHARITY CAMPAIGN GETS AN INFUSION OF NEW BLOOD FROM THE CREATOR OF "TRUE BLOOD"
All Romance eBooks is thrilled to announce that their 28 Days of Heart Campaign has received the support of Charlaine Harris. The famed, best-selling author of the Sookie Stackhouse series upon which HBO's new smash hit "True Blood" is based will be writing the foreword for the charity anthologies releasing exclusively from ARe in February 2010. All proceeds from the 28 individual stories and the 4 anthology eBook compilations will benefit the American Heart Association. Submissions are open until October 31, 2009. Details can be found at http://www.allromanceebooks.com/publishers.html.
Open Submissions Call!
All Romance™Needs You for the 28 Days of Heart Campaign to Benefit the American Heart Association during the month of love, when everyone's attention is focused on matters of the heart, we at All Romance (http://www.allromance.com/) want to help fight the number one killer of women, heart disease, and we need your help and your submissions.
Beginning February 1, 2010, we will release one new short story per day for the entire month. All proceeds from the sale of these shorts, which will be offered exclusively on AllRomance.com as individual eBooks and also bundled into 4 eBook anthologies, will be donated to the American Heart Association (http://www.americanheart.org/).
The 28 stories will be chosen from submissions received between July 1 and October 31, 2009. Any author who has an eBook available on ARe, or whose publisher lists eBooks with us, is eligible to submit. Submissions must be 10,000 to 20,000 words. The preferred heat rating is 4 or 5 flames, though stories rated a hard 3 flames will also be considered. An explanation of the flame rating system can be found on our site. We are looking for a wide variety of themes and sub-genres, as long as the story is a romance.
The stories selected will be reviewed by an editor and provided with cover art, but please make sure submissions are as polished as you can make them before submitting. Previously published stories will be considered only if all rights have reverted back to the author and the story is no longer available for download elsewhere. Backlist and contact info for the authors whose work is chosen will be listed in the back of their story.
Submission details can be found here: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/submissions.html
Questions should be emailed to cat.johnson@allromanceebooks.com. Final selection of participants will be made and announced in November 2009.
Thursday, October 08, 2009
It's On!
I'm off to Ellora's Cave first ever readers conference, RomantiCon 09.
Amongst other things, I'll be talking about the fabulous Scotsman, Hamish Buchanan, and signing Highland Heat!
Wednesday, October 07, 2009
Have you entered yet?
You have until October 15th to enter and the drawings will be every day from the 16th to the 31st! Goodies from Wick'd Reads, William Maltese, Dorlana Vann, The Artist Challenge, Karen Michelle Nutt, Tilly Greene, Jasper McCutcheon, Selena Illyria, BellaDonna Drakul, Mistress Rae, Kate Hill, Candle Artist Jfay [of Studio 3B], Jardonn Smith, Parawomen Scream Radio, and Vampire Wear are all offering treats!
It shall be a seriously HOT lead up to November!
The picture above was created by Amy, from Parawomen Scream Radio - thank you!
Tuesday, October 06, 2009
eBook Talk!
Okay, I can hear the question now - What does a Marine just back from Afghanistan have to do with breast cancer? Besides loving breasts and all the pleasure they offer, Warrant Officer Dale Smythe lost his mother to breast cancer, and decides to volunteer at a local Run for a Cure.
While there, handing out cups of water and support to whoever needs it, he sees a young woman who is obviously isn't a runner or someone who had prepared much for the race. Besides being beautiful, he likes her determination to make it through to the end and, after asking if it was all right with the other volunteers he stood with, he abandons his post to run at her side and help her finish.
As for why Tasha is there, well, she doesn't always have the best experience when it comes to her mammograms, and figures this one more way to get the upper hand on them. Besides, the sooner a cure is found, the sooner she can stop stressing out.
So, yes, OohRah! is about a Marine and how his relationship works when he's deployed. However, there's much more to Dale, the man, than what he does professionally.
Monday, October 05, 2009
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!
Can't do that?
Then make sure and do a self-exam.
Can't do that either or don't like to do it?
Then get your partner or a friend to do it for you. They won't complain. Remember, no matter what else is going on, think of those fabulous breasts of yours and do whatever you can to keep them happy.
Saturday, October 03, 2009
Banned Books Week Day #8
"The New Joy of Sex " by Alex Comfort
"Challenged at the Nampa, Idaho Public Library (2005) along with seven other books because “they are very pornographic in nature and they have very explicit and detailed illustrations and photographs which we feel don’t belong in a library.” The library board approved policy changes that restrict children’s access to any holdings that may fall under the state’s harmful to minors statute and barred the library from buying movies rated NC-17 or X." Books Challenged & Banned 2008-2009, Robert P. Doyle
and
"Challenged at the Nampa, Idaho Public Library (2005) along with seven other books because “they are very pornographic in nature and they have very explicit and detailed illustrations and photographs which we feel don’t belong in a library.” The library board approved policy changes that restrict children’s access to any holdings that may fall under the state’s harmful to minors statute and barred the library from buying movies rated NC-17 or X. The book was relocated to the director’s office (2008) and it was eventually restored to the collection (2008). Challenged in the Lewis and Clark Library in Helena, Mont. (2008) due to objections over its content. The book has been in the library’s collection since 1993. The library director accepted the recommendation of the library’s collection review committee that the book be retained in the collection. Restricted minors’ access in the Topeka and Shawnee County, Kans. Public Library (2009) because a group contended that the material is “harmful to minors under state law.” Books Challenged & Banned 2008-2009, Robert P. Doyle
As an erotic romance author, I thought these were appropriate books to end this week with.
Today, I'm at the Collingswood Book Festival, stop by the Romance Unlimited booth and we can chat about my books, books in general, or Banned Books Week.
Friday, October 02, 2009
Banned Books Week Day #7
"Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" by John Berendt
"Banned for just four days from the Beulah, N.Dak. High School library (2008). Two school employees followed school policy to request removing the book after their son brought it home from an accelerated-reading program, in which students pick from a couple of hundred titles. The parents said the 1994 runaway nonfiction best seller was too pornographic and at odds with student behavior promoted in the school handbook. The board reversed its decision at the encouragement of the board president, who said the board moved too fast and unleashed a possible court case it would never win. He said there might be more palatable alternatives, like creating a list of restricted books that parents have to approve before their children can check them out. A decision to review school policies and investigate less-restrictive means to control library books was approved by the school board." Books Challenged & Banned 2008-2009, Robert P. Doyle
Interesting.
Thursday, October 01, 2009
Banned Books Week Day #6
Banned Books Week has noted a variety new challenges this year that caused my eyebrows to raise.
Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West" by Gregory Maguire
"Retained in the tenth-grade honors program of the Canandaigua Academy in Ontario County, N.Y. (2008) despite concerns about the sexual content on a few pages of the book. The district will offer alternative reading for anyone who objects to the book." Books Challenged & Banned 2008-2009, Robert P. Doyle
Interesting.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Banned Books Week Day #5
I was taught that "The Canon" was a list of books that had long ago been deemed must reads. From the onset of its inception there has been criticism of what was and wasn't on the list, and there still is discontent. Since my days in the classroom have finished, I read for pleasure, and yet "The Canon" haunts me. I wonder if I've missed anything important and in my search for the list, I came across a website that notes the Western Canon by Harold Bloom The Western Canon: The Books and School of the Ages"].
Now, because it's Banned Books Week, I looked at the list not to see what I should read, but to see if anyone had challeneged any of these books. No surprise to find that they had. Here is a very small sampling of what I found:
Beowolf: A New Telling, by Robert Nye [challenged 1998]
The Cantebury Tales, Geoffrey Chaucer [challenged 1995]
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, Mark Twain [challenged 2008]
The Catcher in the Rye, JD Salinger [2008]
Interesting.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Banned Books Week Day #4
When I first heard about Banned Books Week, I looked at the list, and was shocked to see "To Kill a Mockingbird " was challeneged that year for profanity and racial slurs. Well, you shouldn't be surprised that I picked up a fresh copy of that book, and read it again. This is where I started to pick a book from the yearly challenged list to read during this week.
Here are the top ten Classics* - where 1-9 have been challenged/banned:
1. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
2. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
3. The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck
4. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
5. The Color Purple by Alice Walker
6. Ulysses by James Joyce
7. Beloved by Toni Morrison
8. The Lord of the Flies by William Golding
9. 1984 by George Orwell
10. The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner
The entire list of Classics* can be found here on the ALA and the details for some of their challenges can be found here.
Interesting.
*=Radcliffe Publishing Course, now at Columbia, compiled a list of the top 100 novels from the 20th century.
Monday, September 28, 2009
Banned Books Week Day #3
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
— The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
The Online University has a load of information to help you know and understand The First Amendment - they use layperson terms.*
Picture of the Bill of Rights made available by the National Archives and Records Administration through Wikipedia.
*This paragraph was amended on August 15 2012 in response to Jennifer Jenkins very kindly pointing out a broken link and suggesting another for guidance - thank you!
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Banned Books Week Day #2
I love pie charts. They make statistics more interesting than raw numbers do - at least for me they do.
What does that have to do with Banned Books Week?
Easy, the ALA has published a few pie charts that depict important information about book challenges in easy to grasp details. Reason, Institution, and Initiator are laid out in bright beautiful colors.
Number #1 reason books are challenged is for being "sexually explicit", followed by "language" and "unsuited for age". Putting those three together, it makes sense that "parents" are the largest group who initiate challenges. Again, it won't surprise anyone that, putting the reason for challenges given and who is doing it the most, that the "school library" and "public library" hold the dubious honor of being the institutions with the most challenges.
Interesting.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
It's that time of year...
September 26 - October 3 is Banned Books Week.
Visit the American Library Association to read about the Who, What, and Why of Banned/Challenged Books. After that, check your personal shelves, head to a library, or purchase an ebook/book of one that intrigues you, then realize how lucky you are to be able to make your own choices. A new site to me, the Illinois Library Association, has a great brochure up [free pdf download] of the 2008-2009 challenged/banned books. After going through it and noting the various reasons for their being on the list, I chose to read Mark Bowden's "Black Hawk Down: A Story of Modern War", removed from a Louisiana High School for cursing.
Did you know Erich Maria Remarque's "All Quiet On The Western Front" was banned by Hitler and burned, banned for Austrian soldiers, Czech military libraries, in Italy for ani-war propoganda, and during this time in the US, what did they do? Banned it in Massachusettes for obscenity and in Chicago seized by US Customs. All this happened from 1929 to 1933.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Some super-fabulous news!
I won!
Okay, what I did was write down My eReader Thoughts [and no, it wasn't perfect because concentration is not an ability I have right now], and submitted the link to the lovely people who put on the contest: Book Blogger Appareciation Week.
How freakin' cool is this!?!
Thank you BBAW gang and iRex Technologies - my odyssey [sorry, as someone who studied Classical Greek for so long, I couldn't let the opportunity for some fun pass me bye] for an ereader has ended.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Two New Contracts!
Both "Call Me Lucifer" and "My Angel", the Good, Bad, and Kinky duet, have been accepted by Whiskey Creek Press Torrid, and the contracts signed!
I'll pass on the details when they're available, until then: prepare yourself for Lucifer, a Guardian Angel, love, and bondage! Oh my!
Thursday, September 17, 2009
My eReader Thoughts
I'm getting closer to delving into purchasing a dedicated eReader! As an author/reader who really enjoys the ebook format, it may shock many people to realize I've never owned a eReader. Nope. I firsted started reading ebooks on a laptop, then went to the Pocket PC, and am currently on the iTouch.
The reason I haven't bought a dedicated eReader is because I haven't found a device that will do everything I want, which isn't all that much. What exactly am I looking for?
1. I want it to be capable of carrying copious amounts of ebooks. Who knows what I'll be in the mood for when I get a chance to read.
2. I want it to be wifi so I can shop wherever I want. This is where business and pleasure mix for me. Being someone who receives royalty checks, I prefer to make my purchases through the publisher first. After that, it's either All Romance eBooks] or Barnes & Noble [the latter now has both my ebooks and paperbacks sitting side-by-side.
3. I want to be able to hold it easily in one hand and turn pages without it being a big production.
4. I want to be able to read an ebook in the format of my choice - PDF. Having been reading ebooks for almost ten years, I have a huge library in this format, and like having the opportunity to read them all.
See, I'm not asking for much. So, who have I had my eyes on that will do all this?
IREX Technologies iLiad.
Since I first stumbled upon the iLiad [which, as a Classic Greek major, immediately drew my attention], I've been moving that much closer to taking the last step to owning a device purely for reading ebooks, and now I'm there. It has everything I want and much more.
Thank you, Kevin Hamilton, CEO IREX, for sticking with it and giving us readers [and authors who truly enjoy the ebook format] a great eReader!
Monday, September 14, 2009
Today, I'm talking about...
researching while traveling over on the Erotic Muses Blog! Come on over and give it a read, ask a question or two, I'll be there :-)
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Due to a glitch with the hotel, we were able to reopen registration till Sept, 20th! And I know you guys have been thinking about coming to the Authors After Dark Paranormal weekend, and now is your chance to come and hangout with me for this first years event. So many fantastic authors have signed up to come, give away goodies and sign on saturday that you are going to miss out on something amazing if you don't attend.
Registration is 175$ and includes 4 meals, 2 parties(a candy shoppe PJ party and a Masquerade ball), a cocktail hour, a slew of reader focused events, Author lead mini events and tons of free books and goodies! And we are even doing a charity raffle to benefit the ACN and a local no kill shelter, Pets Alive! we have over 25$ gift baskets too!
Your room is 99$ a night, double occupancy, and can be booked through the info on the AAD website on the Registration page.
So who is going to be there? Well...
Jacquelyn Frank, Sunny, Joey W. Hill,Stella and Audra Price, Bianca D'Arc, Rosemary Laurey, Jennifer Armintrout, Madeline Oh, Georgia Evans, Mechele Armstrong, Samantha Sommersby, Cat Johnson, Cathy Clamp, Eliza Gayle, Diana Castilleja, Leigh Ellwood, Tilly Greene, Selena Illyria, Stephanie Julian, Judi Fennell, Kayleigh Jamison, Donna Grant, Robin T. Popp, Linda Mooney, Mima, Teresa Noelle Roberts, and JoLynne Valerie
The authors are fantastic, the goodies are fantastic, the books are beyond a doubt amazing. We got the Authors, and the books, and the amazing events. All we need is YOU!
To register, join us at http://www.authorsafterdark.net/register.html. We are looking forward to having you hangout with us this year and hope to see you there!
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Fab Book News!
Now, do you want it signed? Talk about Hamish's secret? Want to discover what inspired Graces business?
Well, you can come hunt me down at any of the events listed below, and I'll be happy to fill you in.
September 3 [11:00am]
Books Beyond Boundaries Blog Talk Radio Show
Online Interview
September 12 [10-4:00pm]
Monroe Cheese Festival
October 3 [10-4:00pm]
Collingswood Book Festival, Collingswood NJ
October 9-11
RomantiCon, Richfield [Akron] OH
October 23-25
Authors After Dark Paranormal Weekend, Suffern NY
Friday, August 07, 2009
Book Drive Time!
On August 4, heavy rains caused flooding in Louisville, Kentucky and the surrounding areas. The Louisville Free Public Library’s main branch was hit hard and the damages are estimated at $1 million.
I’m putting to a book drive in effort to help.
Here's how you can help:
* Everybody *
Donations of new books, all genres.
Information about monetary donations can be found at WFPL.
* Authors & Publishers *
Donations of both signed and unsigned books. All genres, from children’s books to romance to non-fiction, etc, etc.
Signed books can be used in fundraiser purposes. Unsigned books can be used to help replenish the books that were lost due to the flood.
I [as in Shiloh Walker] have spoken with somebody with the library and at this time, they have no place to store books. However, I’m close and I will keep the books at my house until they are able to take them.
For those wishing to donate books, there are two ways you can send them. I can either receive them my post box address or a friend will receive them at her home.
If you wish to mail them via the USPS, send to:
Shiloh Walker
PO Box 976
Jeffersonville, IN 47131
For those wishing to use Fedex or UPS, send to:
LFPL Book Drive
C/O Jennifer Kennedy
20813 State Rd # 62
Marysville, IN 47141
Feel free to repost this information in it’s entirety.
Shiloh Walker
http://shilohwalker.com/
http://shilohwalker.wordpress.com/
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Getting Ready to Party!
October 21-23 in Suffern NY is the First Annual Authors After Dark Paranormal Weekend and some Samhain/Linden Bay authors are going to be there! It is an incredible list who will be attending, some I haven't met before, and can't wait to do so.
Did you know with three months to go, we're already knee deep in preparations? Oh yes, maybe even waist deep, but we are so excited about it all, we decided to go into the Samhain Cafe and drop some hings of what's going on.
So, come on over tomorrow, Thursday, August 6th, from 4-9:00pm est, and play. The hostesses with the mostest have given us permission to take over the Cafe and we intend to spread so fun.
Hang on, I keep saying "we" - who are the "we" that will getting ready to party in October?
Bianca D'Arc, Cat Johnson, Leigh Ellwood, Samantha Sommersby and me, Tilly Greene.
See you all there!
Thursday, July 30, 2009
A new FREE READ is available!
Contemporary Erotica
Cover Artist: Stella Price
O'Reilly's is an average bar. People go there to have a drink after work and play the type of games that satisfy their personal needs, no matter how odd or different they may be. On this particular night, the dragon's lust rules, but who controls the dragon?
Okay, I hear you. How is it possible to have a contemporary with a dragon involved? How does that work and what's this about control?
Well, without giving anything away, here's a subtle hint:
Artist Tiago Hoisel
You can pick up your copy from All Romance eBooks [ARe].
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Book Talk!
Recently I heard the news that Gidget had died. Immediately, I thought of Sandra Dee, the blonde who played the young "girl-midget" surfer in the movies, not the dog from the Taco Bell commercials.
The incident had me, as usual, heading for my bookselves for my copy of the book. That's right, the movie came after the book Gidget by Frederick Kohner.
The story, as far as I'm concerned, is a must read for young girls - actually anyone. It may be a different era, the 50's, but it still handles the crush [Moondoggie], going after what you want - no matter what other people may say [surfing], and much more [parents and teenagers, being smart is okay, friends, etc] in such a way, it is still relevant. Okay, I may be prejudiced about Gidget, it reminds me of home, but I think it is still a good read.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Authors After Dark Paranormal Weekend!
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
eBook Talk!
I'm watching a show on French Polynesia/Tahiti and Paul Gauguin was how the show started. Even though it's a food/travel show [truly enjoy Anthony Bourdain's books and tv series No Reservations] the host talked about Gaugiun's desire to drop out of European society and submerse himself in the local life.
This immediately made me think about multicultural mixes and did you know I've written a few of those? Guess what? I have and truly enjoy doing them. Cultural differences tickle my imagination. So, let me tell you about a few of them.
I've mentioned this one before, in the tattoo/piercing blog, but in An Invitation to the World: New Zealand has Kiri Kanawa, half Maorian and half Anglo, Timu Tuhaere, a Maorian hunk of a rugby player, and Luke MacAlister, also a rugby player but an Anglo with blond hair and blue eyes. This threesome makes for a unique triumvirate.
The other story in the first book is Russia. Vasiliy Beketov, or Vasya, is a Russian and his soon to be lover is Zura Girard, a French-American.
Now, I imagine you believe the second duet in the An Invitation to the World series is also multicultural. It isn't, at least not like the first set is. India has Bodhi Burke, and English-Indian and Sati Chaudhari, pure Indian, and China has Yi Burton, a Chinese American, and Jia Li, pure Chinese.
On top of the characters in this series being a mix, the settings are as well, although they all end in the same place. New Zealand and India start in those countries, China starts in San Francisco, California, and Russia is pretty much set in the final location for all these stories. The lovers all make there home on a private island [shaped and located in the archipelago like their homeland] in The World is located in the Persian Gulf, Dubai, UAE.
Monday, July 20, 2009
An Interesting Way to Start a Day
She made quite a showing at the local diner, the other patrons and paparazzi were taking her picture at every turn, and she needed to resort to sunglasses while inside. However, it was a big day for her so she put up with the intrusion to her personal space.
Hope your day is a fun one!
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Something New, Again!
Okay, I enjoyed it so much the first time, I'm doing it again!
What is that, you ask?
Candles.
For the 2009 RT Convention in Tampa the Love's Immortal Pantheon anthology authors decided to have special candles created, put them together, and that was a giveaway we offered to celebrate the paperback's release. Hephaestus Lays Down the Law was handled by Jfay at Studio 3B and it has to be one of the best experiences I've had in ages. Hephaestus's scent has been called Hot Blooded and it is my very favorite - cinnamon and red wine. The candle itself is also fabulous looking, I mean, it suits the God of the Forge and Master of Fire.
A few months later and I needed to come up with a something unique as a promotional giveaway at the two conventions I'll be attending in October. Nothing was coming to mind, but each time I walked into my office and was treated to a delightful waft of Hot Blooded, it finally came to me that what I was looking for was sitting right in front of me. You see, Jfay creates these scented wax shapes called chips and, like pot pourri, throw off the chosen smell, only they remain crisp, clean and pretty in appearance.
So, after dashing off an email, it has all been handled, and now I'm even more eager to go to these events. Lucky for me, Jfay will be creating another unique candle, this time for Hamish in Highland Heat. The scent, Scottish Glen, will clearly speak of Scotland, but also perfectly frame the story.
Through this most recent partnership with Jfay, I've joined Wick'd Reads stable of authors, and am looking forward to more candles in the future.
If you can't make it to either the Ellora's Cave RomantiCon [Oct 9-11], where I'll have a basket with Hamish's Scottish Glen candle to giveaway or Authors After Dark Weekend [Oct 23-25], where I'll have a basket with both the Hephaestus Hot Blooded candle and Hamish's Scottish Glen candle to giveaway, then you should know that you can always purchase one through Wick'd Reads.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Hump Day Reflections!
Check out who else is there, they are all in current flicks.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Book and eBook Talk!
I've been traveling from California to England and many points in between. Knowing me, you wouldn't be surprised that books/ebooks had their place in my travels.
The iTouch was loaded up with reads and I had a total of 3 Linda Fairstein paperbacks that went with me. I'm on my last one and it happens to be the first that hasn't immediately pulled me in. I'm sure it's me being tired of traveling that has tested my time to read. On a side note, in a previous Book Talk! I wrote about my having a problem with a statement made in one of her books and I did a little polling of friends in both countries, searching others opinions. It was unanimous and I must be biased even though I didn't think I was. Anyway, LA had the reputation of more people having guns than NY.
Almost three months and that has been it on the books/ebook front. There hasn't been much time for reading, even less time for writing, but I'm home now and have some great choices in my hardcover and electronic TBR piles. Sitting on the shelves in the office is a non-fiction, vampire slasher, historical, contemporary, and a suspense - I like to mix it up. On my iTouch, the TBR list has all types of romances - other than inspirational, I'll read it. However first things first. I'll finish The Deadhouse and after that, it's going to be a favorite author of mine, Selena Illyria, who has a new ebook, Ba’al & Bondage, being released on July 15th. I was lucky enough to read the opening bits to this one and must know how it ends!
There was something I noticed in the various places we visited - the smaller the library, the more it was used. Interesting. My only comment in regards to this finding, in these unusual times, is to use it or lose it.
Monday, July 13, 2009
What did I bring back with me?
The cutie is British, English actually, but specifically a Yorkshireman! With this we'll have to add another flag pole to the front porch, one on each side of the stairs.
Another good thing to happen is that Ellora's Cave is discounting loads of paperbacks more than 20% while supplies last! Customers also receive one free paperback on each print order and two free books on print orders over $35 (free books are selected at random).
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Woohoo News!
Highland Heat is now available in print and to make it even more exciting, it's on SALE! To get your 10% discount enter ECWEB2009 into the coupon field when completing your purchase.
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
eBook and Book Talk!
Today, doing laundry, shopping for grad gift and weeding, I got to thinking about tattoos. I'm not entirely sure why, but I was, and the subject led me to pick out stories I've written with unique ways characters have chosen to celebrate their bodies. Tattoos and piercings, I find them interesting.
So which stories are they found?
An Invitation to The World: New Zealand has Timu Tuhaere, a Maorian hunk of a rugby player who "sported a tribal tattoo that snaked from his knee around his inner upper thigh and up to finish atop a spectacularly muscular ass."
The Gilded Cage has Max Stephenson, a Brit with "four metal balls of his magic cross piercing." My editor had one comment when this piercing was later detailed: ouch and yet it offered nothing but pleasure.
The Painted Lady is a bit different in that they aren't tattoos, but Saffron Hoyt has her body painted to suit some very erotic images, like "...in the guise of a naked Princess Leia sitting before Jabba the Hut from Return of the Jedi...".
Fun times, I wonder what other areas I've touched on before?
Monday, June 08, 2009
Naughty Thought for Monday
Well, get ready for more fun, season two is here!
Friday, June 05, 2009
A bit of random ridiculousness...
© Cliff Watts
Thursday, June 04, 2009
Fabulous Fashion News and More!
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| © Getty Images |
Check out this candid interview with her on WOWOWOW: The Women on the Web. It's interesting and keeps the positivity going.
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
Hump Day Reflections!
It's June and I bet you're wondering where my head has traveled this month. Well, it is a month I think of sun, sand, and surf and this picture from Surfer Magazine made me think of one of the things I do while at the beach - check out the surfers as they're checking out the waves.
Head over to check out this months Eye Candy and be inspired by what the sun brings out.
Tuesday, June 02, 2009
Book Talk!
Recently I read a Linda Fairstein book [she's my current go to author for an entertaining read without having to make a major brain or time committment] and am still dwelling on something that was mentioned, probably because I wasn't buying it. It wasn't a big deal, not part of the plot or character development, just a throw away comment that was completely opposite from what I thought. After a murder, the main character [a lawyer] mentions there were more guns in LA than NYC. Not gang related guns, but your common citizen owning guns.
Ummm, no, I don't think so. Growing up in So. Cal., I never once saw a gun and knew of one person who had ever been to a shooting range [job related]. Considering I go back a few times a year, nothings changed. On the other hand, having spent ten years on the other coast, I can count on one hand and have left over fingers, the people from our little town that I know [as in have weekend bbq's with] who haven't ever touched a gun.
Yup, that one statement jarred me enough to even ask others which place they thought had more guns. Half a dozen people asked [we were Indiana at the time so, other than me, neither coasts inhabitants were involved] and all agreed on NYC.
Did it ruin the story for me? No, but it sat in my mind as being off kilter.
This happened with another author I enjoyed reading only I couldn't let their throwaway comment pass so easily. My hometown was the setting and the heroine drove "the coastal route" down to San Diego, enjoying the view of the ocean and beaches along the way. Ummm, no, can't be done. Camp Pendleton doesn't open its gates to anyone to drive through. Besides that, the author mentioned the drive took an hour and a half, double no. Speed limit, no traffic, it's more like 45 minutes. I couldn't let this pass - if you're going to be specific, then be right. Anyway, I might pick up a random book by this author, although that's about it, no more automatic buys.
I'm not sure why I didn't react as harshly to Fairstein as I did with the other author. Maybe because I don't write mysteries that I'm more tolerant, maybe, although I don't think so. How about you? Have you not only been pulled out of a story, but also pulled away from an author?
Monday, June 01, 2009
Fabulous Advice!
Recently, the blog "How Publishing Really Works" posted a guest review on Elizabeth George's book "Write Away". In the review, it is noted that George offers some great advice on the first day to students in her creative writing course and it struck a cord with me.
The review is interesting, I've just bought a copy of the book for myself, but if you can't make it over there or read the book, then here it is:
"You will be published if you possess three qualities; talent, passion and discipline.
You will probably be published if you possess two of these three qualities: either a combination of talent and discipline or a combination of passion and discipline.
You will likely be published if you possess neither talent nor passion but still have discipline."
Fabulous advice for all writers!
