Good News Friday

The other day, Deidre Knight posted a link to a site claiming aliens are real and they live among us. Jaci Burton posted a link to a site claiming demons are real and living among us. Being the nosey girl that I am, I couldn’t help but visit each site. . . .and follow every link.

Guess what I found? (Imagine me rubbing my hands together in glee)

http://www.oassdomination.com/

This site claims there are government and non-government agencies out there abducting average people, experimenting on them and creating super-humans. You HAVE to check it out. It’s just too cool.

Anyone else kind of want to have superpowers?

Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh

OMG. This book. . . I don’t even know where to begin. This book amazed me. Powerful, magical writing. Characters that were so real I felt their emotions. A storyline that gripped me from page one. A sizzling romance that captivated me. Psychic powers. Shape-shifters.

Nothing I say will really do this magnificent book justice. Once I started reading, there was no stopping. I was enthralled, totally and completely. I had to know what happened next.

I read the ARC a few weeks ago and the characters are still with me today. I still find myself thinking and dreaming about them. This is a book I will re-read again and again.

If you enjoy books by Kresely Cole, Christine Feehan, Marjorie M. Liu, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Karen Marie Moning, PC Cast, then I think you will enjoy this book as well.

My final words: I LOVED IT!!!

Outfits are so important!

Jill Monroe and I have coordinated our outfits for travel to RWA National Conference. What you see here are MY shirt and bag. (To see Jill’s, visit her blog with the link above)

How this came about, well, I’ll let Jill tell you. And if you want your own “I am Jill Monore’s friend” t-shirt and/or bag -- something I think EVERYONE needs -- check out all the fabulous designs here: The Write Snark: Cafe Press

Don't tell Jill, but I'm thinking about ordering myself a shirt exactly like hers so that I have both design-types.

In other news, my anniversary is coming up and Love Bunny got me exactly what I asked for: the Wake-Up Ron Burgundy, the Adventure Continues…DVD (a companion to the original Anchorman movie) Even better, it came with a “journal” Ron kept. I'm in heaven! Love Bunny knew how badly I wanted it, so he didn't make me wait until the big day.

Writing news: I've gotten nothing done this week (next week, I promise, that will change) But I've taken (am taking) this two week vacation to read as much as possible so I'll be refreshed when I start writing again.

Reading news: Finished Angel With Attitude by Michelle Rowen (a wonderful, delightful, charming book! When you love bad boys, you can't go wrong with a demon hero...There are some hilarious zingers in this book and I laughed out loud while reading. I even got the look -- you know the one: the you-are-crazy look non-readers) Book was totally worth it!

Up next: Highland Fling by Jennifer LaBrecque

Title news: The YA alien huntress titles are most likely going to be...

Red Handed
Black Listed

What I just finished reading: The Domino Effect by Julie Elizabeth Leto
Hot, hot, hooooooot. The heroine is a beautiful, deadly assassin -- she had me at 'deadly' -- and she's paired with a sexy nightclub owner who turns her world upside down -- he had me at 'sexy'. Sizzling sexual tension. White-hot love scenes. Mystery. Want to know who's selling secrets? I'm not going to tell! If you like your heroine's strong and edgy and like your heroes strong and sensual, this is the book for you! It comes out in August, and I absolutely loved it! Make sure to buy your copy! You won't be sorry.

What I'm reading now: Angel with Attitude by Michelle Rowen
Deilicously funny and charming. The heroine is a fallen angel and the hero is a demon sent to tempt her to hell...They are utterly fantastic together and the secondary characters are charming and hilarious! I'm soooo loving this book! I can barely be torn away from it -- and yes, "torn away" is what happens -- there's a lot of kicking and screaming by me as I'm dragged away to eat and sleep.

Upcoming:

Book reports for

Slave To Sensation by Nalini Singh
Your Planet or Mine by Susan Grant

I have been utterly impressed with all the wonderful books being published lately. I mean, there's some awesome stuff out there!

And no, for all those wondering, I have NOT been working. I didn't think I'd be able to do it, but I managed to kick and punch the OCD into the ground. For this week at least.

Anti-Beefcake

Gena's Favorite - Brad Pitt



The ironic thing about this - Gena sent me this pic!!! As well as this link of women who think Brad is ugly. Check it out here.

Beefcake Monday

All I can say is, thank you Rinda!

Sorry for the delay re: serving your beefcake. I've been out all morning. Enjoy!

I need your help!

Okay, so. We are in the process of picking titles for my two YA alien huntress books. So far no go. We want the titles to connect in some way since the two books will be released back to back.

One idea: spliting a phrase (In the Lion's Den (book one), Only the Strong Survive (book two) But not that phrase.

Another idea: playing off the adult titles (Awaken Me Darkly, Enslave Me Sweetly)

Another idea: colors

Another idea: similar phrasing (Good Girls Do, Bad Girls Don't)

If you come up with a title we use, I will put your name in the dedication of the book. Anyone have anything for me? To help you out, here's a little about the books:

Book one -- A girl is taken to a secret A.I.R. training camp and trained to become an alien huntress

Book two -- A different girl is chased by the agents trainees in book one when she becomes involved in an alien investigation.

Good News Friday

Because of the fantabulous Kelli McBride,
Ronnie (aka Papa Burgundy) has agreed to be my gentleman lover. Here we are, reading Enslave Me Sweetly. (Notice his coffee cup! He's so supportive of my career) As to what I mentioned yesterday...

Advanced praise for Playing With Fire --

(Side note from me: I’m so in awe right now of these quotes and these AMAZING authors. I don’t even know what to say. Except, if you haven’t read their books go to the bookstore right now and buy one from each of these ladies because you are missing out! Their talent is astounding.)

“Playing With Fire is another sizzling page-turner from one of the premiere authors of paranormal romance. Gena Showalter delivers an utterly spellbinding story!” Kresley Cole, USA TODAY bestselling author of A Hunter Like No Other

“Wow! Get out your fireproof raincoats, folks. Gena Showalter always takes us on a fantastic ride, and her fabulously, hilariously hapless Belle Jamison will alternately singe your eyebrows, freeze your kanoodles, and have you snorting with laughter as she tries to cope with unexpected superpowers in Playing With Fire. Toss in a hunky paranormal investigator and an evil baddie determined to control the world through Belle's powers, and you'll be cheering out loud when our heroine kicks major scrim ass! (Read the book -- you'll understand.)” Merline Lovelace, USA TODAY bestselling author of Diamonds Can be Deadly

"Playing With Fire sizzles with sexual tension, hot sex and the hottest two paranormal characters to ever hit the pages of a romance. Rome burned in a day, but not Gena Showalter's hero, Rome. He's hot with a capital H and on fire for Belle, the unwitting, unwilling, nouveaux heroine of the day. I loved it!!!" New York Times best-selling author, Sharon Sala author of Nine Lives a November 2006 release from Mira Books

“Gena Showalter’s sparkling voice shines in Playing With Fire, the perfect canvas for her sizzling and enthralling paranormal imagination! A MUST READ for any lover of paranormal romance!” Deidre Knight, (delicious) author of Parallel Attraction

Foreign rights for Enslave Me Sweetly –

We just sold the French rights to Enslave Me Sweetly to the same publisher who bought the French rights to Awaken Me Darkly. Yea!

A magazine appearance for Oh My Goth –

Look for Oh My Goth in the October issue of the fabulous Seventeen magazine…I love this magazine!!

New blogs to help you get to know certain characters from some my books –

http://alienhuntress.blogspot.com/

http://atlantisseries.blogspot.com/

http://playingwithfirebygenashowalter.blogspot.com/

I'm too tired to think of a title

Yea! Looks like Oh My Goth is finally out. Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and BooksaMillion are shipping it! Help feed the writer and buy a copy for your teen.

I had a terrible night, so my brain feels like mush right now. There'll be no book report today. I'm sorry!

And guess what...I have some good news to share tomorrow. I'll give you hints:

Advanced praise for Playing With Fire
Foreign rights for Enslave Me Sweetly
A magazine appearence for Oh My Goth
New blogs for some my books.

Daughter of the Flames by Nancy Holder

Her power awakens...

He's on his way. You had better be ready. Or he will kill you.

At first, the warnings in Isabella DeMarco's nightmares seem the likely result of the stresses in her life: the anniversary of her mother's tragic death, her anxiety over applying to the police force, or what her acceptance might do to her protective cop father. Then she begins to hear voices in her head when she's awake.

Slowly she realizes that she's not going crazy -- she's reading people's minds. And that's just the beginning. When the mysterious Jean-Marc enters her life, he introduces her to a dark world beyond anything she's ever imagined and powers she never knew she had. Now he will lead her to her destiny. . . or her ultimate destruction.

I loved this book! There's a smart, courageous heroine who's life is slowly turning upside down. There's action and ass-kicking. There's mystery and romance (with a surprising twist). There's paranormal abilities, magic. There's -- my favorite -- a delicious darkness that seems to envelope you as you read because you are so drawn into the story. Truly, I loved the world and the characters. And I wanted to seduce Jean-Marc. Hell, yeah. I wanted him bad. He's one of those characters who straddle the line of good and naughty in such a tempting and seductive way.

Pick up your copy! You won't be sorry.

Rogue Angel by Alex Archer

An ancient order tied to the Vatican. . . A blood fortune buried in the caves of France...A conspiracy of power, greed and darkest evil...

Archaeologist and explorer Annja Creed's fascination with the myths and mysteries of the past leads her to a crypt in the caves of France, where the terryifing legend of the Beast of Gevaudan hints at the unimaginable. What she discovers is shattering: an artifact that will seal her destiny; a brotherhood of monks willing to murder to protect their secret; and a powerful black-market occultist desperate to put his own claim to centuries-old blood money. Annja embarks on a high-tension race across Europe and history itself, intent on linking the unholy treachery of the ages with the staggering revelations of the present. But she must survive the shadow figures determined to silence her threat to their existence.

This is an absolutely terrific action/adventure with a wonderfully unfolding mystery, a delicious treasure hunt, secrets, a mystical sword (that you'll want to own), and -- my favorite -- a smart, witty heroine I wanted to be. Seriously! You really will stay up turning the pages to see what happens next. And the secondary characters are fabulous, as well! Two especially -- they made me laugh and charmed me completely. Some books you just want to dive into the pages and become part of the story and this is one of them.

This is a book to buy, no doubt about it!

Beefcake Monday

Enjoy!

Okay, the OCD is winning and I'll be spending the week working. However, if I have any spare time I want to read:

Dark Side of the Moon by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Captive of My Desires by Johanna Lindsey (when it comes in)
The Seduction of His Wife by Janet Chapman

Any others I should have?

Stuff and more stuff

Local writer's meeting was today. We talked about blogs. In the dark (power was out). Had a great time! You'll have to check out Merline Lovelace's new blog. Go show her some love!

Upcoming this week, I want to post reviews (well, I want to gush really) about some fantastic books I just read. I'm beyond impressed and now I'm a total fangirl of some of these authors. The talent, the way they drew me in and held me captive. . . I was in heaven!

Slave To Sensation by Nalini Singh
Rogue Angel by Alex Archer
Daughter of the Flames by Nancy Holder
Forbidden Territory by Paula Graves
Dark Need by Lynn Viehl
Hidden Obsession by Joanne Rock
Your Planet or Mine by Susan Grant

Truly. Buy all of these books. Three aren't out yet but buy them the minute -- no, the second! -- they hit the stands. Delicious! More to come on all of them, promise!

I hear that Nora Roberts has a vampire series coming out soon. Don't quote me on that because I'm not positive. I am, however, beyond excited by the possibility. I absolutely cannot wait to read such an amazing author's take on vampires.

Good News Friday!

Let's hear your good news!

Couldn't wait till Friday to share...

I’ve got a post at the Idea Boutique, where I reveal a secret about Enslave Me Sweetly…

I wanted to share a piece of good news (or rather, 3 pieces of good news). Three wonderful, ultra talented, fabulous, amazing authors have given me a quote for The Nymph King. Here they are:

"A world of myth, mayhem and love under the sea!"- JR Ward, USAToday bestselling author

“Get ready to squirm in your chair when you read this book! Gena Showalter’s The Nymph King is bubbling over with sexy hot nymphs! Scorchingly erotic, sinfully seductive, it curled my toes and made me want to dive head first into the ocean to search out the hot men of Atlantis! King Valerian can make me his sex slave anytime!” ~ Award Winning Erotic Romance Author Jaci Burton

“I want to visit Atlantis! Deliciously evocative and filled with sexy men, The Nymph King is every woman’s fantasy come to sizzling life. A must read.” Award Winning author PC Cast

Demands, reading, and questions

The naughty Jaci Burton is teasing everyone on her blog! She has good news to share – but is holding back. If you have a moment, swing by her site and demand she tell me that news! I must know.

I’m reading Rogue Angel and loving it! Things keep happening to kill my reading time, but I'm sneaking away to devour it every chance I get. Seriously! It's a fabulous book. What are you reading?

Okay, here's another question: If you could spend the night with any man in the world (any time period) who would it be and why? Let's add a little spice to that question: this man will be your slave for the night. . .

Now touring. . .

CALIFORNIA DEMON: The Secret Life of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom by Julie Kenner
(Berkley Trade, June 2006)

What's a mother to do, when there are only so many hours in the day, and the fate of the world is in her hands?

Kate Connor was a retired demon hunter. Now, after fourteen years busting her tail as a suburban housewife, raising two kids, and supporting her husband's political ambitions, she's rejoined the workforce-and except for a few minions of evil, no one has a clue. She tries hard to keep her home and work lives separate-a good idea when your job involves random slaughter.

Between fending off demon attacks, trying to figure out why the mysterious new teacher at the high school seems so strangely familiar, and keeping a watchful eye on her daughter's growing infatuation with a surfer dude, Kate is the busiest-and most dangerous-soccer mom on the block…

FROM THE DESK OF KATE CONNOR…

• Groceries
• Pay bills
• Gas up the minivan
• Pick Allie up from cheerleader practice
• Clean out nest of evil, blood-thirsty preternatural creatures with a few wooden stakes, some holy water, and a can of Diet Coke
• Self-defense class
• Volunteer at nursing home
• Battle determined demon while making meal
• Put Timmy to bed
• Clean up dishes
• Dispose of demon carcass
• Iron Stuart’s shirt
• Write tomorrow’s to-do list

Excerpt:
http://www.juliekenner.com/CaliforniaDemon.htm

Cover:
http://images.amazon.com/images/P/042521043X.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

ABOUT JULIE KENNER
National bestselling author Julie Kenner's first book hit the stores in February of 2000, and she's been on the go ever since. Her books have hit lists as varied as USA Today, Waldenbooks, Barnes & Noble, and Locus Magazine. Julie is also a former RITA finalist, the winner of Romantic Times' Reviewer's Choice Award for Best Contemporary Paranormal of 2001, and the winner of the Reviewers International Organization's award for best romantic suspense of 2004. She writes a range of stories from sexy and quirky romances to chick lit suspense to paranormal mommy lit. Her foray into the latter, Carpe Demon: Adventures of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom, was selected as a Booksense Summer Paperback Pick for 2005, was a Target Breakout Book, was a Barnes & Noble Number One SFF/Fantasy bestseller for seven weeks, and is in development as a feature film with Warner Brothers and 1492 Pictures.

Julie spent four years mainlining venti nonfat lattes in order to write, practice law full time, and take care of her kiddo. Then she wised up, quit the practice of law, and settled down to write full time. She now lives in central Texas with her husband, daughter, and a bunch of cats.

REVIEWS

"more witty, funny and poignant adventures from the marvelous Kenner." Combining PTA dangers with demons certainly keeps the characters on their toes and readers chuckling. 4 stars – Romantic Times

While there is a plethora of outstanding romance/dark fantasy sagas currently being released … Julie Kenner's Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom novels are noteworthy in large part because of the author's wit and incredibly intuitive sense of humor. Lines like "Infiltrating a nest of vampires at dusk might be a tad on the treacherous side, but it's nothing compared to telling a fourteen-year-old that she's not allowed to wear eye shadow" will have readers laughing out loud from the first page to the last. If you've changed a leaky diaper, picked up a spilled sippy cup, or purchased a McDonald's Happy Meal within the last 24 hours, this fast-paced, delightfully irreverent amalgam of romance and dark fantasy is for you. – Barnes & Noble


Website: http://www.juliekenner.com

A Gift For Gena

Ahhh, I love ebay. I'm going to buy this for Gena.

Beefcake Monday

Very nice indeed!

To find out about the weekend booksigning, Jill Monroe's spirit, and other little goodies, scroll below. Also, I'd love more book suggestions.

The Signing and My Reading

(Kelli McBride discovered this secret picture of me! You have to check out her blog)

Signing went wonderfully! Friends and family showed me the love. Jill Monroe was there in spirit -- I even kept a chair by my table so that her spirit could rest. Of course, when people sat in the chair (and therefore on her spirit) she was given a free lap dance. (For which she can thank me later)

I finished the rough draft for the 2nd YA alien huntress book. Yea! I'm ahead of schedule so that means I get to read, read, read this next week. Here's what I'm going to be devouring at the pool:

Rogue Angel by Alex Archer
Dark Need by Lynn Viehl
The Turning by Jennifer Armintrout

I want to grab a copy of Pick Me Up by Zoe Rice. Any other books I should pick up?

Good News Friday and Book Signing Saturday

Saturday first: My launch of ANIMAL INSTINCTS and ENSLAVE ME SWEETLY is scheduled for Saturday June 10th, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Barnes and Noble, 6100 North May. Stop by if you can.

As for Friday (and the rest of this weekend) I will be answering questions at the Romance Divas, along with many other fabulous authors. Here's the plug:

World Building Q & A With some of the Hottest Paranormal Authors in the Genre
June 9th, 10th & 11th at http://www.romancedivas.com

Authors Attending:

Kelley Armstrong

PC Cast

Karen Chance

CJ Barry

Deidre Knight

Robin Owens

Shanna Swendson

Gena Showalter

Lynn Viehl

JR Ward


Want to know how to create realistic vampire, alien, werewolf worlds? All you have to do is ask. Romance Divas is hosting a 3 day Q & A with some of the hottest names in the Paranormal Genre. It will take place at the Romance Diva Forum. All are welcome. To get access to the forum you will need to register.

Stop by if you can!

So what's your good news?

Updates!

There’s a new blog in town by Mel Odom. Stop by, check it out, comment. I think you’ll like it! While you’re at it, check out his main website too: http://www.melodom.net/

I’m almost done with chapter 10 of the new rough draft (2nd YA alien huntress novel) and hope to get 11 done today.

Love Bunny is doing very well.

My book signing is this Saturday! Yea. OKC, 3 pm. Barnes and Noble on 61st and North May.

I just picked up a copy of Hidden Obsession by Joanne Rock. It's a time travel Blaze where the hero goes back to the Middle Ages. Had to have it!

Blog winner's name is Diane. She's a Romance Diva and posted about Enslave Me Sweetly on her blog.

And finally, I'll leave with this VERY wise piece of advice: If you haven't already bought Enslave Me Sweetly it's time, my friend. It's time.

Now touring...

SHADOW OF THE MOON by Rebecca York
(Berkley, June 6, 2006)

Lance Marshall has a nose for great news stories-not surprising, since he's aided by his werewolf abilities. Now he's prowling outside an ultra-exclusive Washington, D.C. nightclub-"The Castle." But he is not alone. Savannah Carpenter wants to know how her sister ended up in a coma, and she knows that The Castle has something to do with it. But when Lance and Savannah pretend to be lovers to gain entrance, they learn that deception and unbridled lust can be a dangerous combination.

Excerpt:
http://mywebpages.comcast.net/glick/sneak-p24.htm

ABOUT REBECCA YORK
Ever since she can remember, Ruth Glick has loved making up stories full of adventure, romance and suspense. As a child she corralled her friends into adventure games or acted out romantic suspense stories with a cast of dolls. But she never assumed she could be an author, because she couldn't spell. Her life changed, however, with the invention of the word processor and spelling checker--and the help of her husband, Norman Glick, who spots spelling errors from fifty paces away. Writing as Rebecca York, she has authored or co-authored over 45 romantic suspense novels, many for Harlequin Intrigue's very popular 43 Light Street series, set in Baltimore, and many with paranormal elements.


REVIEWS

The York werewolf moon novels contains several excellent paranormal romantic suspense tales (see CRIMSON MOON), but SHADOW OF THE MOON may be the best of the series so far. The action-packed story line is fast-paced and filled with sexual tension accentuated by the danger that the audience will taste as if we have the enhanced sense of a werewolf. The lead couple is a delightful pairing as they investigate the goings on at the club, what happened to Charlotte, and the attraction between them in a gripping thriller. – Harriet Klausner

Fans get to meet yet another Marshall boy in Rebecca York’s latest novel about the werewolf clan, SHADOW OF THE MOON.This time it's freelance reporter Lance Marshall and he's scented out a story on an very exclusive D.C. establishment that he's heard rumors about, the Eighteen Club.. . .

As if werewolves, psychic abilities and lifemates aren't enough, York adds yet another element to her werewolf series in SHADOW OF THE MOON. It makes for excellent reading. -- http://fromthestacksmacon.blogspot.com

York’s highly popular werewolf tales take an even more intriguing turn in this new story. The sexual tension is taut and the story crisp, which keeps up the momentum. The small side plot is an engrossing teaser for the next chapter in this quite compelling saga. 4 ½ stars – Romantic Times


Website: http://www.rebeccayork.com

Doing it Drive-by Style

Love Bunny had surgery yesterday and he's doing great. But I'm playing Nurse Gena today and can't stay. Love Bunny says he will feel ever so much better if people bought a copy (or two/three) of Enslave Me Sweetly. He's in pain, people. Don't let him down! (I couldn't find the pic of me in the nurse uniform, so all you get is this one, where I look deformed by shadows.)

I have a post at http://www.themidnighthour.net/. Stop by and check it out. They are doing a drawing (I think) from the commentors. Winner gets a signed book from my backlist. So...if there's a book of mine you've been wanting but haven't been able to find, this is your chance!

Also, I've already drawn the winner for the blog contest. I've emailed her and will post her name soon! Yea!

What else, what else...Oh, I'm writing the 2nd YA alien huntress book right now. Up to chapter 8. Oh, and guess what? You know that proposal I sent to my agent? The one I think is my best idea ever but I was afraid I wouldn't do it justice? Well, my agent read it and loved it and said it was my BEST EVER!!! Yea!!!

Beefcake Monday (a little early) and Good News Friday (a little late)

Eat your beefcake and tell me your good news. I accidentally skipped Good New Friday last week (while trying to hypnotize you).

Look into my eyes. . .

You want to buy Enslave Me Sweetly.
You must have Enslave Me Sweetly.

Where is Gena?

Worst time for me to disappear, during the release of my newest book: Enslave Me Sweetly. (you want to buy it. . . ) Sadly, I’m only doing a drive-by post. (you will go buy it the moment you stop reading this blog…)

Hopefully, I'll get to share soon what's going on with me. (now, now, now!) Meanwhile, wanted to show the cover quote Love Bunny gave me:

“It’s not bad.”

Talk about the ultimate praise! (you must have the book…)

Think my editors will put it on my next cover? (you’ll die if you don’t own that book…)

Talk soon!