Just got back...

My date with Jill Monroe went fabulously! I got chapter 8 written and started chapter 9. We’re meeting again tomorrow, in fact, because there was such magic between us. Anytime either of us got stuck, we stopped and brainstormed. Some good, good stuff!

Progress report Tuesday

I'm working on chapter 7 of Catch A Mate today. Tomorrow, chapter 8. Also, tomorrow I’ll be meeting with Jill Monroe for a day of writing. We're going to a coffee shop with our notebooks and plan to write, write, write. Here's a blurb about the book:

Jillian Greene works for Catch A Mate. Sounds romantic right? Wrong. Women hire her as bait to flirt with their husbands and see whether they’ll flirt back or send her on her way. She’s never been sent on her way, and now views men, love and marriage as an institute for the insane – until cynical Marcus Brody strides into the CAM offices to act as wife-bait. . . and catches her instead.

Beefcake Monday is BACK!!!!  

Paul Walker -- I think he's delicious eye candy 

OH MY GOTH! cover copy came in. I love it!

Not everybody wants to fit in.

It’s Mean Girls meets Freaky Friday when a fiercely individualist Goth girl wakes up to discover that the whole world has gone Goth and she’s actually—gag—popular.

Jade Leigh is a nonconformist who values individuality above all else. She has a small group of like-minded Goth friends who wear black, dabble in the dark arts, and thrive outside the norm. They’re considered the “freaks” of their high school. But when Jade’s smart mouth lands her in trouble—again—her principal decides to teach her a lesson she’ll never forget.

Taken to a remote location where she is strapped down and sedated, Jade wakes up in an alternate universe where she rules the school. But her best friends won’t talk to her, and the people she used to hate are all Goth. Only Clarik, the mysterious new boy in town, operates outside all the cliques. And only Mercedes, the Barbie clone Jade loathes, believes that Jade’s stuck in a virtual reality game—because she’s stuck there, too, now living the life of a “freak.” How will they ever get back to reality? Can things ever really be the same?

I'm so excited, and I just can't hide it. . .

So. I was visiting Amazon and typed in my name. Animal Instincts is up! Oh My Goth is up! Mysteria is up! How cool is that? There are a kazillion books under my name LOL

Also, I finished The Nymph King. Yea! It's done, it's done, it's done. I finished the rewrite on The Witches of Mysteria and the Dead Who Love Them. Yea! (What a difference those edits made!) On Monday, I'm digging into Catch A Mate. I hope to write a chapter a day (except, maybe, on weekends). I'm expecting galleys for all my 06 books to start coming in so I won't be doing anything with Catch A Mate on those days/weeks. I'll keep you updated so we can map my progress.

Good News Friday

My mom makes the BEST Thanksgiving meal ever, and I ate more than I usually eat in an entire week (which is a lot, I admit). I was in pain for hours but I didn't die and it was totally worth it.

I did manage to snap a shot of Matt and his brother Mike (he's married, ladies), which I will post soon. I'm seeing them both again today, so will try to do better with my camera.

Revisions for THE WITCHES OF MYSTERIA AND THE DEAD WHO LOVE THEM (my contribution to the anthology "Mysteria" with PC Cast, Susan Grant and MaryJanice Davidson) came in. They are pretty extensive, but they are totally doable and make the story SO much better.

So tell me your news. Tell me, tell me, tell me.

SPOILER ALERT: Thanksgiving, Matt and Lost (three of my favorite things)

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I’ll be seeing Matt today, so I’ll try to take lots of compromising photos -- IF I can pry myself away from the food.

HERE COMES THE SPOILER FOR LOST (don't read on if you haven't watched the show lately, but plan to):

I don’t know if I’ve mentioned it here, but I’m a huge Lost fan. (If you have any Lost predictions, post here! I'd love to hear your thoughts) I love, love, love the show. But I hate, hate, hate that Shannon was killed. In fact, the writers – and maybe a producer or two – owe me a steak dinner because I feel totally screwed by the development.

An author you simply MUST read!

“White Heat” featured in SECRETS, Volume 12 by Leigh Wyndfield
(Red Sage, July 2005)

Raine has spent the last few years avenging her murdered team, but the cost has been high. She’s hiding in an icehouse in the middle of nowhere from one of the scariest men in the universes. Walker escapes from a burning prison, staggering to safety. Imagine their surprise when they find out they have the same man to blame for their miseries. Passion, revenge and love are in their future.

Excerpt:
http://www.redsagepub.com/w_heat.html

Cover:
http://www.leighwyndfield.com/vol12.jpg

ABOUT LEIGH WYNDFIELD
Leigh Wyndfield spends her free time reading anything she can get her hands on, watching movies, and skiing or hiking, depending on the season. Unable to find romances that take place on other worlds, she started writing her own. Her books have won awards and finaled in published author contests, including the PRISM, More Than Magic, the Holt Medallion and the Dream Realm Award. Her novel, IN ICE, was nominated by RT Magazine for Best Erotic Romance of 2004, won a PRISM Award and the Write Touch Readers Award! Romantic Times calls her work, “Engrossing, enthralling and entrancing.”

REVIEWS
"White Heat is stunning" -- Jane, Fallen Angels.
"WHITE HEAT is full of action and adventure and will keep readers turning the pages and waiting with baited breath to see what happens next." -- Angel, Romance Junkies
4 ½ Star Top Pick RT Bookclub Magazine

Website: http://www.leighwyndfield.com

Let the fire rage!

What makes a book hot and sexy? someone asked me. I love this question! I thought I'd post my answer here, in a new thread, rather than in the comments section.

Hot and sexy. (aka delicious) I think awareness between the hero and heroine plays a BIG part in sexiness. So does utilizing the five senses – which can make the scene, the characters, their feelings, come alive for the reader. Here’s something I once posted to a loop about sexual tension:

I like to think of sexual tension as starting a fire. You light a match and hold it under a piece of wood until flames flicker. Once you have the beginnings of the fire, you can add more logs, more fuel, and the fire burns hotter and bigger. It’s the same with your characters. They can notice and be attracted to the overall package at first (lighting the match), but as they continue to come into contact with each other (sparking the flames), they need to notice smaller details (adding fuel).

That doesn’t mean your characters have to be drop dead gorgeous. It just means they need to be set apart in the other’s mind. In The Pleasure Slave, the hero has been with a lot of women. I mean, he’s been cursed inside a box, allowed to emerge only when his female master has need of his services. He’s Sex, capital S. What’s one more woman to him? Absolutely nothing. I had to build his awareness of the heroine by throwing him off guard. At first he noticed the fact that she didn’t immediately order him to pleasure her. That surprised him and had him looking for other differences. He began to notice little things about her, her smile, the twinkle in her eyes, her scent. Those little things began to set her apart from all the other women he’s been with and he was able to see her as more than a woman. He was able to see her as HIS woman.

Yes, it can be physical things they notice: different color flecks in the eyes, the curl at the end of hair, a scar, delicacy of her bones (or massiveness of muscles). It can be expressions: the way her lips twitch at one side when she’s trying not to laugh. It can be a sound: the way his voice goes deep and husky when he’s turned on. A scent. A touch. It can be emotional: the way she comforts him when he’s an emotional wreck. Think about your characters, what they need specifically, what sets them apart from everyone else in the other’s life and build your fire from there.

In Heart of the Dragon, he’s a dragon changeling, a warrior whose job is to kill people. To do this without hesitation, he’s had to totally distance himself from his emotions, which has caused him to no longer experience colors, taste, smell. For him, I needed something that would make him hesitate to do his job. I needed something about the heroine to totally and instantly rock his world. So, when he sees her for the first time he IS able to smell, taste, and see colors. In that moment she is set apart and he can begin to see her other differences.

It's all about your characters and letting the reader feel what they feel. That, to me, is where sexiness comes into play.

If only I had employees LOL 

This might be a fun game. 

I can see Matt wearing this tie. 

Preparing for sale...

So I was thinking, we could do this like a charity auction...once a month or so would be ideal, you could all take turns providing guys (I would of course volunteer as often as necessary, as it's for a good cause ;-) I have found a script to make us our very own little auction, or I was thinking maybe we should use ebay? I am not sure what their rules are for auctioning off a person, but as it's only for short term and not permanent ownership maybe they won't mind. Leave some input; let us hatch a plan! Looking forward to hearing your ideas, here are some pictures, a few are fuzzy, and one is of my butt...I thought it was as risque as I could get since this is my sister in laws blog! Best wishes-

I think this is hysterical! And, to be honest, it's how I answered many a math question in school.  

Me. It's all about Me. Me, me, me. Well, and a little about Matt.

I’m stilling waiting for a risqué picture from Matt, so I can auction him off to the highest bidder. (hint, hint Matt – the natives are getting restless)

Meanwhile, I turned in OH MY GOTH (yea!). I turned in ANIMAL INSTINCTS (we had to go through it again for consistency) and I’m now working on THE NYMPH KING. I haven’t visited this story since I typed in the rough draft (months ago?) and I’m loving it!! It’s my sexiest, hottest story to date. You’ll know why when you meet the Nymph King in JEWEL OF ATLANTIS. Only a few more months until its release!. I’m beyond excited about that.

And did I tell you I've turned in a proposal for the 3rd Alien Huntress book? Maybe I'll have news on that front soon. I'm tentatively calling it SAVOR ME SLOWLY. I'll keep you posted! This book doesn't feature Mia as the heroine, but Mia *IS* in it.

Cute! 

Thought this was cute... 

Hehe 

Romantic Times

Hey everyone! Romantic Times is now taking votes for most romantic hero (in any genre, as long as it's romance) so make sure you vote! There are several who I'd like to poun -- uh, vote for. Unfortunately we can only vote once -- for one man. Here's how you do it: submit your vote by placing the following in the *subject line* of your email: Hero's Name, Book Title, and Author. In the body of the email, you put a sentence or two stating why he's your favorite hero. E-mail your pick to webmaster@romantictimes.com.

The perfect bathroom for men... 

A new book on tour.

Blood Kiss
By Mechele Armstrong

Available from Loose Id: http://www.loose-id.com/detail.aspx?ID=234

Sarah never thought vampires were real until her roommate was killed, drained of all blood. Now, she can’t stop dreaming about the killer, each dream more vivid and horrible than the last. Then she meets Nick, and while the attraction is instantaneous, so is the danger.

Nothing has warmed Nick’s vampire blood and heart more in a century than Sarah.
But Nick pursues the same killer she dreams of every night, having turned Marcus into a vampire years before. Now he must kill his protégé.

Even as their passion flares, Marcus closes in on the woman in his head. Can Nick thwart Marcus’ attempts to make Sarah his final Blood Kiss?

To read an excerpt: http://www.loose-id.com/MABKex.aspx

Jewel of Atlantis

(More on Matt to come, don't worry!)

While we wait, I thought I'd announce that we’ve posted an excerpt of my sexy paranormal Jewel of Atlantis (the sequel to Heart of the Dragon). You can read it here. The hero of this book is Gray James. You might remember him from The Stone Prince.

Here’s a blurb about this latest offering:

All Atlantis seeks the Jewel of Dunamis, which legend claims can overcome any enemy. Grayson James, human agent for the ultra-secret Otherworld Bureau of Investigation, has orders to keep it from the wrong hands – or destroy it. What he doesn’t know is that Jewel is a woman, not a stone! But once he meets this precious gem, destroying her is the last thing on his mind…

Jewel, part goddess, part prophet, is a pawn in Atlantis’s constant power struggles. She needs Gray’s help to win freedom and uncover the secrets of her mysterious origins. Gray needs her wisdom to navigate monster-ridden Atlantis. But need blossoms into passionate love as they fight demons, dragons, vampires – and a prophecy that says the bond between them could destroy them both.

Here's me and Matt. Isn't he a doll? I love him. And soon, maybe one of you lucky ladies can win him....

Go. Buy. Read.

HIS DARK DESIRES by Jennifer St. Giles
(Pocket Books, Nov. 2005)

Can any woman resist the fire in his eyes—and the danger in his kiss?

From award-winning author of The Mistress of Trevelyan (2004 National Readers Choice Award for Best Historical and Best First Book, and 2004 Maggie Award for Excellence in Historical Fiction) comes the sensual tale of a woman haunted—and a man possessed—by an all-consuming love. . . .

You are in danger. Trust no one. The terrifying words from a mysterious letter echo in Juliet Bucheron's mind. Destitute ever since her husband disappeared in the Civil War, Juliet has turned her New Orleans ancestral home into a boarding house -- despite the rumors of ghosts, the whispers of scandal, and the stain of murder. But even more unsettling is Juliet's new tenant, a handsome stranger named Stephen Trevelyan. Wealthy, educated, and seductively compelling, Stephen fills Juliet's heart with uncontrollable longing -- and her head with suspicion. Something, she senses, is lurking beneath the surface. And someone is stalking the hallways after midnight.

As the danger draws nearer, Juliet wonders if she can really trust Stephen. But as he pulls her closer, she knows she cannot resist him...no matter what the price.

Excerpt:http://www.jenniferstgiles.com/hisdarkdesire.shtml

ABOUT JENNIFER ST. GILES
A former nurse and home educator, this award winning author loves to create unforgettable heroes and heroines, who against all odds, fight and win the battle for love—the human need that drives us all. She lives in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia with her husband and three children.

REVIEWS
A wonderful Americana suspense thriller.. .St. Giles provides a fabulous reconstruction era tale—Harriet Klausner.

Winner of Rendezvous Reviews Magazine’s Rosebud of the Month! Who cites His Dark Desires as Powerful and emotional, with complex characters…an excellent journey into the past you won’t forget.

A riveting sequel…a sexually charged romance that satisfies whether they’re seeking suspense or passion---Romantic Times Book Club.

WEBSITE: http://www.jenniferstgiles.com

Here he'd like to ask you on a date... 

Here he'd like to scoop you up and throw you on his bed, the animal! 

Here's the Animal Instincts cover! And good news! With the success of Awaken Me in trade, we've decided to go that route with Animal Instincts. I'm very excited about this! You'll spend less money than you would on a hard back, and I'll make more sales LOL This was one of those books that had to be told. I loved writing this book and fell so in love with the characters. I hope you enjoy it too!

My Wednesday

2 – 3 Stomach feels weird. Not bad enough to worry. Just weird.

3 – 4 Stomach feels even weirder. Assume I am very hungry

5 – 6 Prepare a large meal of Salisbury steak, pasta with white cheese and broccoli, black
eyed peas and rolls. Talk to Jill Monroe about workshop we are giving the next day.

6 Eat. A lot.

6:30 Begin throwing up. A lot.

7 Continue throwing up every fifteen minutes. Vow to never eat Salisbury steak
again.

8 Continue throwing up every fifteen minutes. Throat now raw. Body now very weak.
Talk to Jill Monroe and inform her I won't be able to do workshop. Jill advises “Go to
hospital”. Ignore Jill.

8:30 Throw up a lot more. Throat rawer. Body weaker. In lots of pain. Go to hospital.

9:30 Am informed I am dehydrated. Hooked to IV. Given all kinds of meds.
Begin to feel better.

Moral of the story. Jill Monroe is never wrong. . . except for those times that she is, indeed, wrong.

I am on the mend. Am walking around now, though I am still achy, tired, and a bit feverish. I pray this nasty little stomach flu bug rots in hell!

Poor Gena

Gena called me last night to cancel our lunch date for today. She's sick.

So, in an effort to make Gena feel better and help her on the road to recovery, I scoured, and when I say scoured, I mean I seached for HOURS with the efforts of google to find a good picture of Brad Pitt. I think I finally found one.



Opps! Now how did that picture show up? Weird Internet. Here you go, Gena. Get better soon, babe!

Mid Week Report

Animal Instincts has been mailed to my editor. I'm working furiously on Oh My Goth. Not to mention the episode I'm writing for Bewitched, Bebothered and Bevamped, part 11. (this time, proceeds go toward breast cancer research). I'm not sure what my episode will be titled, I only know it involves aliens and a deep probing. More to come soon.

What are you up to?

Batting for the other team...

I always see pictures of your so called "hunks" BLAH! If I were swingning the other way, this guy would be my style for sure. What do you all think? I am on the phone while writing this, and my lady friend said "If you're posting pictures of some guy you think is good looking, and writing about it, doesn't that maybe..." NO! It means I know I am so madly in love with women that I can say things like this and not worry! Tell me though, am I right or am I right? He sings this song "you're beautiful" -is how I happened upon him, an amazing voice, if you haven't heard it you should dowload it. By the way, the conversation came up the other day with Gena, and I think you romance writers are all pretty well gorgeous, and if anyone ever needs a muse...alright, my pointless babble is complete, I hope everyone has a wonderful day today!