Tuesday: Book Day (Plus, Happy Halloween!)

I am seriously behind in my reading. I sold two novellas (I'll give more information on them when I'm allowed!) so I've had to work the writing of those into an already tight schedule. And I mean TIGHT. But I digress. . .

Let's chat about Rogue Angel, The Spider Stone by Alex Archer. I loved the first one and I know I'll love this one. The back mentions a bloodthirsty African warlord and an ancient relic with unknown power, and Annja's journey to find it in the primeval jngles of Senegal. Sounds freaking amazing to me!!!

So who has read it? Who plans to read it?

Also, what are you dressed up as today? I'm here at my desk dressed in my usual frigid bitch costume!

Beefcake Monday, Halloween Style. . .

At the risk of offending everyone. . . here's some hot buns to enjoy

Truly, how do these rumors get started?

So I see that Jill posted the picture of me in my Sunday church clothes (if you missed it, scroll down to the previous thread). I was a little disappointed that she forgot to post the picture of her dressed for her night at The Meat Market (a local nightclub) Allow me to post. . .

Scandalous! She should be ashamed of herself. I mean, really. Small children could have seen her as she walked (sauntered) in and out of the building.

But, what I don’t get is this: Where do people get their silly ideas that Miss Jill is conservative? That’s just craziness. Craziness I tell you!

First Pic Is In

I've been having troule uploading my pics from the Texas trip. But I managed to get one picture off the camera. Here's Gena at dinner. I'm not sure where people get the wild thing.

Breaking Story: My server was down. Again.

I believe at one time I wrote slogans for my server. Little gems like: Cox -- we live up to our name! They were up and down all day yesterday (and yes, I mean that in the most derogatory way). It was a nightmare.

I'm back online today, however, so give me your breaking news story!!

Okay. Hopefully this is it from me!

This is like my 5th post of the day. To see the other photos, scroll down. And keep scrolling. You'll find all kinds of goodies. Me in a witch's dress. Me and Rachel on our trip.

See, I'm finding photos that I'd put in a folder, meaning to post, but never did. I don't know what order they'll post in here, so I'll just tell you one is of me and Tracy Farrell. Isn't she a doll? I'd kill for those curls! If I had her curls, I'd stop straightening mine.

One is of me and the ultra gorgeous and mega talented Karen Marie Moning. She has the most amazing skin! And some of you may remember this photo Jill Monroe took of me, holding the house dress every woman needs to own to complete her wardrobe.

Just because I love you

I didn't want to leave you with the below images of me burned into your brain. So I thought I'd throw this one into the mix. You know, of me doing some (cough, cough) modeling. That's totally my rack. I mean, please. Like we'd photoshop something like this.

P.S. This is also going to be my X-mas card. I think it's very holiday, uh, chic. Leopards totally scream snow capped tress and pumpkin pie to me.

Nothing says beautiful like see-through black lace, black spider web gauze and peek-a-boo biker shorts

Perhaps this little gem with the spider web cape is the stunning black dress I was eluding to in the below post. . .

And yes, for those of you wondering, that is a gold rose under my armpit.

I just realized

I never posted the photos of my trip with Rachel. I know, I know. You don't have to tell me I look like a beast monster. I can see me. But I have no shame so here they are. I just wish I had a picture of me in my black dress and black knee high boots to balance things out, things like the. . . beastness. And I must say that our Rachel is a babe. She is smokin'. She wore a red shirt and black pants and I'm desperate to get the outfit for myself.

Tuesday Tuesday Tuesday

I've been playing around with movie maker. This was my learning video. I hope to get better:

nymphvideo

Fabulous rumors, everyone!! I must say, Jill and I had such a great time with those men. . . :) And the winner of our rumor contest is ---

Darla

Congrats Darla! You win a brand new copy of Dark Demon by Christine Feehan and other little goodies from me. Yea!

So today is book discussion day, but I didn't get a chance to read anything. Work snowed me, slayed me, slaughtered me. Plus the trip...I did, however, finish a read through of The Darkest Night and sent it to my critique partners. I've started a new novella -- that I can't talk about yet, but will. Soon. It's exciting!! Line edits for Catch A Mate should arrive today.

We can talk about what everyone is reading now? What books they are excited about buying? Or what you're working on now?

Rumor has it: Gena and (maybe, maybe not, kinda, sorta, probably, most likely, is she, isn’t she, could be, couldn’t be) Jill are WILD

Jill Monroe and I drove to TX for an author tea. For the full story of the drive there – and the drinks afterward – check out Jill's blog. Hilarious! You’ll be (surprised??) happy to know that we didn’t get lost. Not a single wrong turn or ticket or accident. Not even when we pulled off the turnpike and had to pay 40 cents to use the bathroom. We’d reached Defcon 5, so the money was well spent – though we did want to smack the attendant who demanded it since we’d already paid 1.50 (in 2 increments of .75) to get on the stupid road to begin with. But whatever.

You want to know more about those drinks – and the wildness -- I can tell!! So. . . Jill and I had dinner with three lovely TX writers. While there, Jill and I began drinking appletinis. They were delicious. We’d both had majorly stressful weeks, so it was great to relax and enjoy and talk shop. After dinner, we adjourned to the bar in our hotel. Jill and I had more appletinis. No, wait. I had chocolatinis and Jill had Cosmos. Basically, we were the only people in the bar, so we were able to laugh (maybe a bit too loudly) and tease and maybe (allegedly) I had a potty mouth (discussed sex).

Oh, and we took photos of each other in the bathroom. Look for those on Jill’s blog soon! What we’re willing to do for our readers . . .

Unfortunately, I didn’t dance on the table, strip, yell, flip people off, or flash people, so I found it highly amusing the next morning when tales of my wildness – and corruption of Miss Jill -- circulated. If only they could have seen me a few weekends before! But I digress. If people knew the real me, they’d be bored to tears. For real, yo. I go to sleep around 9 pm most nights -- if I sleep at all (if I don’t, I work). I rarely go out. I spend most days in sweats, hair in a bun, no makeup, drinking coffee and working. I’m a Granny in a 30 year old’s body.

Back to the tea. We didn't get to spend near enough time with the ultra fabulous Candace Havens, a woman I adore and who writes damn good books! (Check her out!)

And that's the story. Maybe I'll start rewriting it in my mind and post tomorrow about how I DID strip or something. Oh, oh!! Better yet, YOU rewrite! Post a made-up story about me and Jill here, and tomorrow we'll do a drawing from the posters for a surprise prize!!!

News Day

Speaking of news. . . my local news showed a freakin' town hall meeting rather than the scheduled "My Name is Earl" and "The Office". Tragic! I emailed them to complain. Talk about pissing me off!! Someone tell me what happened, quick!!

So how's it going for everyone else?

Hello, Kittens!! I love all the ideas thrown out and will strive to put them in action. We'll make Tuesday our book discussion day. (Some suggestions for upcoming books, when they at last hit stands: Darkfever by Karen Moning -- it's freaking FANTASTIC!, Surviving Demon Island by Jaci Burton -- this is my next book to read and I can't wait, and The Spider Stone) Someone suggest something for next week and I'll read it. What about The Dream Thief by Shana Abe?

A Day in the Life of an Author -- I can totally post about that! Give me a week or so to finish my current project and I'll write up an article. I'll even talk about the process of covers, edits, and ultimately seeing your book in published form.

P.S. For those of you at yesterday's party, did you see when Nymph King dropped his robe? Holy bat cave! My knees gave out.

the 700 Club

This is my 700th post!! That means it's party time!

And FYI, this is an all-naked-all-the-time party. Enjoy!

Give me some ideas/topics that you guys would like me to cover here on the blog in the upcoming weeks.

Let's get wicked!!!

(First, I just want to let everyone know all Rogue Angel prizes have now been mailed out!)

No Rest for the Wicked by Kresely Cole

I freaking LOVED this book. Loved, loved, loved, and then some. There is something so magical and compelling about Kresely's writing, characters and stories. And she's at her best with this book -- I simply couldn't put it down, even though I had a ton of work waiting for me. My family even said: "When are you going to stop reading?" My answer: "When I get to the last page." We ordered pizza that evening so I wouldn't have to cook. I didn't sleep that night. I just kept reading.

A Hunger for No Other and No Rest for the Wicked are not only on my keeper shelf, they are two of my all time favorite romances. Seriously, if you haven't started the Immortals After Dark series, you're missing out. I'm in total love and awe of this series.

One of my favorite things about NRftW is the hero. He wants the heroine and he'll do whatever it takes to win her. Every woman in the world wants that -- someone who wants them above all others -- and we get it here. And it's delicious! I loved the heroine, too. I wanted to BE her. She's strong, a fighter, and I love how she deals as she begins to feel emotions again (thanks to the gods, she's been without emotions for a long time. ) Plus, you get a fantastic treasure hunt!! I cannot say enough good things about this book. I just know I want to start living in Kresely Cole's books.

If you haven't ordered your copy, you are seriously missing out.
Amazon and Barnes and Noble

Beefcake Monday

I've always thought J-lake was a cutie.

So tomorrow I want to tell you about an amazing book I just read. . . it freaking blew me away. No Rest for the Wicked by Kresley Cole. OMG. A-ma-zing. I think she is one of the best romance writers around. I'm so in awe of her.

I'm going to do a mini reading marathon and up next are Surviving Demon Island by Jaci Burton (can't wait!) and The Spider Stone by Alex Archer. (I adored the first book in the series!)

After that, it's back to work for me.

And the final winner is. . . .

Scifichick

Congrats!! Email me your address, and I'll put your prize in the mail.

Thank you so much for entering, everyone! Stay tuned, because I'm going to hold another comment contest soon. There will be fabulous prizes -- one (or more, I'm sneaky like that) will be an ARC of The Nymph King. One might be a printed version of the original The Nymph King. In the last few weeks, the book undergone some very big changes.

Today is Good News Friday -- maybe it should be Scary News Friday since it's the 13th??? Either way, post your news here!!

Another winner and ONE MORE CONTEST!!!

Sorry for the delay. Computer outage. Finally had to grab super slow laptop, which didn't want to work, either. Yesterday's winner is...

Diana P!!!

Don't worry, everyone else. We're doing the contest one last time. Same prize, same rules. Just post a comment here in this thread, any comment, and you're entered to win an advanced copy of the next Rogue Angel book.

Winner and ANOTHER CONTEST!!!

The winner of yesterday's blog comment contest and a copy of The Spider Stone by Alex Archer is. . .

Kathy

Congrats!! Kathy, email me your address and I'll put your prize in the mail.

Don't despair, everyone else. We're holding a comment contest today, too, for the same prize. All you have to do is leave a comment in this thread -- a comment about absolutely anything -- and you'll be entered. Drawing will take place tomorrow morning.

We didn't make 100 yesterday, but same deal applies today. If we have 100 comments, I'll also draw a winner who gets to pick a signed copy of one of my backlist.

Someone get us started!

Comment Contest!!!

If you want a chance to win an advanced copy of Rogue Angel: The Spider Stone by Alex Archer (which isn't being released until Nov. 7th) now's your chance! All you have to do is leave a comment in this thread and you're entered. It's that simple. I'll hold a drawing tomorrow morning (Oct. 11th) and announce the winner!!

And that's not all (I sound like one of those infomercial people LOL)

Spread the word about the contest, because if we get 100 comments (from different people) I'll also hold a drawing among the commentors for a signed copy of one of my books -- winner's choice.

So...someone kick us off!

Beefcake Monday

I Heart Vin Diesel so much, I even mentioned him in Playing With Fire. . .

Good News Friday

Here are the posters. Aren't they cool? So what's your good/bad/blah news? (P.S. Someone asked about my signing schedule, and I'm all done for the year. However, I will try and do a much better job of posting in advance next year)

Books A Million Rocks!!

For the Books A Million conference, I flew into Houston (without a hitch, thank you very much) and had a one hour layover. Who do I see as I’m sitting there, waiting to board? The lovely, the amazing Pamela Britton. Neither of us knew the other was going, which made it even better. We talked and laughed for a little bit and then pulled out our tickets as the gate was opened. We were sent by different publishers, booked by different travel agencies, but had seats right by each other.

Talk about being blessed!

The second flight was smooth sailing, as well, not a single problem. (I know that Jill Monroe and Rachel Vincent are thinking, “How can that be? Not delayed, canceled, sent to another airline. . . She must be lying!” I'm not!!)

I had a blast at the conference, meeting booksellers, book buyers, publishers, venders, and all kinds of people. They were all so nice! At dinner, I must say I sat at the best table in the room. We had great laughs about how I drive a minivan but write hot books.

The next day, I did a book signing. My booth was right across from Pam’s. Both of us had stack after stack of books. And they were all gone by the end of the show! (Afterward, the venders let people have the leftover goodies – some amazing stuff – but I wasn’t there. Pam, doll that she is, grabbed me some!) I went back and grabbed the poster that had my picture and the cover of Awaken Me Darkly.

The flight back to Houston – gasp – was smooth and on time. I even sat next to Pam again, although this time we helped arrange that LOL In Houston, we had some queso (maybe it’s time I admit just how much I’m addicted to queso) then had to go our separate ways for return flights. I hated leaving her!

My third flight was – will you believe it? – smooth and on time yet again. 4 flights and all of them perfect. The Lords is good!! I brought the poster with me on each of the return flights and let me tell you. . . it's a conversation piece, no doubt about it. I could see people look at the picture (of me, not of AMD), then look at me and try to figure out if the girl with frizzy hair and no makeup was actually the same. A lot of people asked about the book, so you know what? I’m thinking I never want to fly without a poster again!

And there you have it! My second to last trip. Next and last one of the year is a one day trip to Richardson, TX for an author tea. If you're going to be in the area on Oct 22nd, find out how you can have tea with me. . . or Jill. . . or many other fabulous authors at http://bunsandrosestea.org/

Book tour and update!

I just got back from another trip (my second to last of the year!) and will tell you all about it tomorrow. I'll tell you who I ran into, how the flights went (you won't believe it!) and how the signing went. . . For today, I'm doing a book tour!

SEDUCED BY MAGIC by Cheyenne McCray
(St. Martin’s; October 3, 2006)

DESIRE
Copper Ashcroft is an accomplished D'Anu witch, but the magic she wields is a potent force—strong enough to hurl her into a mysterious Otherworld when a spell backfires. Before Copper can escape, another being is pulled into her realm—Tiernan, a powerfully virile Tuatha D'Danann warrior. Blond, blue-eyed, and shamelessly seductive, Tiernan could be Copper's savior…and his touch sets her body on fire.

DUTY
Like others of his kind, Tiernan stands alongside the D'Anu witches to battle the demons of the Underworld. Obligation to his cause and his people cautions against any entanglement with Copper, yet each second spent with this beautiful, uninhibited woman stirs an insatiable hunger. Desire explodes into carnal bliss, but the visions that haunt Copper's dreams are growing stronger, and they foretell a terrifying evil waiting to be unleashed…

DESTINY
Saving the city will take more than brute strength…more than witchcraft. Only together can Copper and Tiernan find a way to overcome the dark forces—and seize a passion that has bewitched them both..


Excerpt:
http://www.cheyennemccray.com/books/magicseries/seduced-exc.htm

Cover:
http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/11340000/11344383.jpg

ABOUT CHEYENNE MCCRAY
Cheyenne McCray is the award-winning author of sixteen books and six novellas. Among other accolades, Chey has been presented with the prestigious Romantic Times BOOKclub's Reviewers' Choice Award for "Best Erotic Romance of the Year."

REVIEWS

Her latest precious magical Ashcroft saga is a delightful torrid tale headed by a strong lead couple and supported ably by a horde of bad dudes. Fans who appreciate a strong fantasy will want to read the magnificent McCray mythos – Harriet Klausner

Website: http://www.cheyennemccray.com

Beefcake Monday

What I'd like to say to him: "Stand up straight and face me, so we can talk! Keeping our communication lines open is so important."