Happy New Year and Postcards

Happy New Year everyone!!! May this year bring more blessings than we know what to do with!

If you'd like a postcard of The Nymph King, just email me your address at genashowalter@yahoo.com

Good News Friday

Tell us your news! And tell us some of your favorite reads of 2006. Here are just a few of mine -- I swear, 2006 was an AMAZING year for books and my list could go on and on and on and on. . . (you can even count the books mentioned in other threads. There are just so many good ones!)

A Hunger Like No Other by Kresley Cole
No Rest for the Wicked by Kresley Cole
Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh
Lover Awakened by JR Ward
Share the Darkness by Jill Monroe
Goddess of the Rose by PC Cast
Your Planet or Mine by Susan Grant
DarkFever by Karen Marie Moning
Secret Society Girl by Diana Peterfreund
Parallel Heat by Deidre Knight

Ring that Belle!

Look at this delicious cover! The book is a fun and oh, so hot read! The interaction between characters is priceless. You'll find yourself grinning and having a great time.

Jezebel, the heroine, is an exotic dancer. Oh, yeah, and she's also a succubus and on the run from Hell. (I love that!) She's got a thing for Paul, a human. Too bad humans don't come with instruction manuals. (I love that, too!)

Here's what people are saying:

"Hell's Belles had me hooked from the first sentence...I'll be reading this one again and again."— MaryJanice Davidson, author of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling Undead series

"As sinful and decadent as melted chocolate on skin. A dazzling debut! The sequel can't get here soon enough."— Cathy Clamp, co-author of USA Today bestselling Touch of Evil

"A devilishly entertaining read, Hell's Belles had me turning pages so quickly, they singed my fingertips...Wicked good!"-- Martha O'Connor, author of The Bitch Posse

Sizzle, action and demons -- it doesn't get better than that!

I recently sat down with Jaci Burton, pen and paper in hand, and watched her interview Derek and Gina (excellent name for a heroine!), the stars of Surviving Demon Island -- a book that's been getting rave reviews. Here's how it went down:

Jaci: So you two, Surviving Demon Island released. How do you feel about your big debuts?

Derek: Ask Gina. She’s the movie star. I’m staying low profile. Demon hunter, ya know.

Gina: He’s lying. His chest is puffed out and he’s proud as hell. He loves being the center of attention. If he could take out an ad in the paper announcing HIMSELF as the star of the book, he would.

Derek: Ha! Isn’t that like the pot calling the kettle black, babe?

(sidenote from Gena: I wanted him to look at me like he was looking at Gina, the sexy beast)

Gina: This is old hat to me. Besides, I’m out of the movie business now. I’m a demon hunter and I’m the one trying to stay low profile these days.

Derek: Actually, you’re still more like a demon hunter apprentice.

Gina: And so what does that make you? My…master?

(another sidenote: if you could feel the sparks right now, you'd be calling your man)

Derek: Master. I like that. Does that give me privilege to make you do anything I want?

Gina: In your dreams

Derek: I have very vivid dreams.

Gina: Don’t you have demons to kill or something? Go away.

(another sidenote: I could tell she really want him to jump on her. So did I!)

Derek: You don’t want me to go away. You like me stuck to you like glue…in every way possible. Whether it’s chasing after demons or…other activities.

Gina: Please. We’re in public.

Derek: It’s never stopped us before.

Gina: Derek! Knock it off or I’ll have to kick your ass again.

Derek: *glaring* Again? And just when did you think you kicked my ass?

Gina: Have you forgotten the race in the book?

Derek: That? Didn’t count. You cheated.

Gina: Did not. And you’re a sore loser.

Derek: I do NOT lose. I never lose when fighting demons, and I won you, didn’t I?

Gina: Yes, you did. Despite your many flaws.

Derek: Gina….

(sidenote: Yes, I'm right here. I'm naked. Stop looking at the other Gina)

Gina: You’re so easy to get a rise out of.

Derek: *grinning* Wanna see exactly how much of a rise you can give me?

(sidenote: Hell, yes)

Gina: You are SO easy.

Derek: That’s why you love me, baby.

(sidenote: I do. I love you)

Jaci: You’ll have to excuse Derek and Gina. I think they’ve spent a little too much time hunting demons and clearly need a little R&R.

Gena: This is not a book to miss!!! A scorcher for sure. With a hero to die for, and a heroine you'll want to be.

Happy Holidays!

Here's a holiday treat :) Hope you enjoy.

My author copies of The Nymph King came! Yea! Rave reviews have been flooding in (some of my best reviews ever!) -- except for an ultra crappy RT review. When something like that happens, all you can do is laugh (well, that, and make the reviewer an evil alien race in the next book). This particular reviewer hated my last book, too, so I guess we just don't mesh. Oh, well. Nymph King is one of my favorites. Valerian has a special place in my fanta. . .uh, heart.

I'd like to thank the Academy. . .

My news. . .

The wonderful, the amazing, the fabulous Sony has optioned all four stories in Mysteria for a miniseries!!!

What does that mean? That PC Cast, Susan Grant, MaryJanice Davidson, and I need to start shopping for our Red Carpet gowns :)

For those of you who have read Mysteria, which actors/actresses can you picture playing the characters?

I'd like to thank the amazing Kelli for putting this picture together for us.

Good News Friday

I have news. Good news. But I'm waiting on something before I can share. It's pretty cool. . .Stay tuned.

I had forgotten that I'd signed on to write an alien huntress novella -- I'll be with the fabulous Sherrilyn Kenyon and the amazing Kresley Cole! -- so I'm diving into that. Need to have it done by last day of December so I can dive back into The Darkes Kiss. Right now I'm calling the novella Seduce the Darkness. (Jill Monroe has an STD, so I of course want one too. Also, if you're interested in what I got Jill for X-mas, hop on over to her blog. She's considering re-gifting!)

Tell me your news!

Me and Me

I turned in revisions for Black Listed!!!! Yea!

After X-mas, we'll do some drawings to get ready for the release of The Nymph King (I said the release of the Nymph King heehee) Several people have asked me about his necklace. I'm sorry to say the necklace doesn't play any part in the story. The real NK doesn't even wear one (I should know since he came over last night...). Anyway. I've been looking for a similar necklace to give away -- but no go.

Jill Monroe has been working on her blog. Looks great!

Some Great Video

I found some great video of Gena dancing. Check it out here.

Blog Tour

VENUS ENVY by Shannon McKelden
(TOR Books, December 26, 2006)

Take one hunky firefighter, one stubborn "Cinderella," and one very reluctant fairy godmother and what do you get? Rachel Greer wants no part of Venus's scheme to land Mr. March as her Prince Charming, but Venus is determined to do just that. She's only a few love-life fixes short of returning to her former goddess status, and she's not letting one mulish mortal stand in her way.

It appears the only way Rachel can get rid of the very un-Disney-like fairy godmother is to play along. So she follows Venus's plan to interview Luke Stanton's ex-girlfriends...which Venus believes will cure Rachel's relationship fears, but which Rachel knows will only prove her point that men are never what they appear to be. But, when Venus's plan appears to work, and Rachel and Luke fall in love, does Rachel dare set aside her fears about happily ever? Or will betrayal send her back into relationship seclusion...this time forever? And what happens when a goddess-turned-fairy godmother breaks the most important rule--protecting herself from human emotions?

Excerpt:

http://www.shannonmckelden.com/venus1.htm

ABOUT SHANNON McKELDEN
Shannon McKelden has wanted to be a writer since she earned a coveted ‘A+++’ from her 9th grade English teacher. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her high school sweetheart, two kids, two cats, a dog and a crow.


REVIEWS
Witty, funny, and truly original, McKelden’s romance is a standout. -- Booklist

Sexy, clever and fun, Venus Envy is absolutely delightful from beginning to end. Author Shannon McKelden has talent to spare. – Jane Porter, author of The Frog Prince

Debut author McKelden is undeniably talented, milking a fun plot for all it's worth. 3 Stars. – Romantic Times


Website: http://www.shannonmckelden.com

My note: This is a charming, delightful book!

Beefcake Monday

My delightfully naughty cousin sent me this beauty!

I know there are some questions for me throughout some of the other threads. I'm answering those now!

Good News Friday

I'm working on the revisions for Black Listed. They are more extensive than what I've done in the past, but when an editor is right, an editor is right and these changes needed to be made.

What's your news?

My X-mas card

I know I've showed you this photo before, but this is what I'm sending out as my X-mas card. Leopard print is in this holiday season, yo. :)

Covers, X-mas, and presents oh my!

I received a few cover flats in the mail for Catch A Mate. They removed the darker blue wash at the bottom, so the cover is now only one shade of blue. The cage wires are raised, as is my name. My picture is on the back with the copy rather than on the inside.

In a totally unrelated topic, what does everyone want for X-mas? I saw somewhere that a group of peole are posting their lists on their blogs and others are playing Santa and granting their wishes.

Rolling along

I turned in the revisions for The Darkest Night. Yea!! They were more extensive than I thought when I actually got in there and started ripping things apart. What's left?

Revisions for Black Listed

Polish and turn in proposal for The Darkest Kiss (due very soon)

Type in the full The Darkest Kiss (I'm up to chapter 5 -- chapter 4 was my favorite chapter ever action-wise. I need to get back in it and layer in some emotions and thoughts, though.)

I've got a some reviews to post -- Surviving Demon Island by Jaci Burton is phenominal and soooo hot with a hero to die for. Action, romance, sizzle. Doesn't get any better than that. Demon Angel by Meljean Brook is powerful, beauitful, and absolutely breathtaking. Got a white-hot book to read -- Hell's Belles by Jackie Kessler. Been wanting to dive into this one for a while. Now that I'm catching up with work, I might get to! And, I haven't forgotten that I've got questions to answer. Might do that after the holidays.

Beefcake Monday -- I like his tattoos!

If anyone is interested in a bookmark featuring The Nymph King, email me. I'll be writing all day, so my friend Beth will be checking my email and she'll tell you where to send your SASE.

News Day!

Tell your news here. Good, bad, disgusting -- we want to know.

If you don't have a friend like Jill Monroe, you need one! She is the best friend ever. After the Walgreens incident (scroll down for the wrinkle-cream story) she has been sending me links for ads, stories, maybe even coupons for wrinkle cream. :)

I'm still in the ring!

Still plugging away (aka battling) revisions for The Darkest Night. Nah, it's not that bad. I've actually got everything typed in, which means I've (basically) made all the changes, additions, and cuts that were needed and now it's just a matter of reading it to make sure 1. I caught everything and 2. everything flows.

It amazes me how much I still miss. Before sending it to my editor the first time, I had decided to go a different direction for one of the plot threads. So I opened my file, dug into it, and made all my changes. Afterward, I printed and read it to make sure. Yet there were still pieces of the old thread there.

so what's everyone working on?

And then there were 3!

I thought this picture was wonderfully disgusting. :) So, I've been a busy bee.

Revisions for Red Handed -- done!
Copy edits for Catch A Mate -- done!
Proposal for The Darkest Kiss -- typed in!

What's left?
Finish revisions for The Darkest Night -- still plugging away

Revisions for Black Handed

Finish typing in The Darkest Kiss

So, I went to Walgreens yesterday to pick up a few things. The cashier says to me, "We've got a GREAT deal on wrinkle cream if you're interested." I looked up at her -- I'd been fishing through my purse for money to pay -- and just blinked. I know she could see the insult in my eyes LOL So she hesitantly offered: Or if you know anyone who might...Man, what a day that wasy.

P.S. To continue my "I want, I want, I want" book list. . .

Michelle Rowen
Michele Bardsley (I hand sold a copy of her book the other day. I'd never done that before! But I saw a woman checking it out, told her what I loved about it, and she said, "I have to have it!")
Jennifer Crusie
MaryJanice Davidson
Katie MacAlister
Cherry Adaire
Marjorie M. Liu

And there's more! More to come later. Work is calling!

Book Tour!

“Come Moonrise” by Lucy Monroe featured in UNLEASHED
(Berkley, December 5, 2006)

Ty MacAnlup has seen the tragedy that a mating between a werewolf and a human can bring and he wants no part of it, no matter how much his body and heart ache for a taste of Frankie's softness. Frankie has loved Ty for years and while she doesn't know he's a werewolf, or even that such things exist...she does know that to her, he's always been more than a mere man. Ty's hidden beast wreaks havoc with his determination to stay away from Frankie when they are trapped together in a small cabin in the snow bound wilderness.

Excerpt:
http://www.lucymonroecotm.com/excerpt_cm.htm

ABOUT LUCY MONROE
Award winning author Lucy Monroe sold her first book in September of 2002. Since then she has sold more than 30 books to three publishers and hit national bestsellers lists in the US and England. Her highly charged, sensual stories touch on the realities of life while giving the reader a fantasy story not easily forgotten. Whether it's a passionate Harlequin Presents, a sexy single title for Kensington or a steamy historical or paranormal for Berkley, Lucy's books transport her readers to a special place where the heart rules and love conquers all.

Website: http://www.lucymonroe.com or http://www.lucymonroecotm.com

Beefcake Monday

Sorry it's so small. I couldn't get it to. . . bloom. But it's so pretty, I thought small would be okay, just this one time :)

Good News Friday!

Tell me your good news! I'm still plugging away on the books.