Still reading

Kresley Cole does it again! If You Deceive is absolutely phenominal. It's my favorite of all her historicals. I stand in complete awe of this woman!!

Kiss of Crimson by Lara Adrain has me hooked, as well. I'm loving it.

Up next: Raintree: Haunted by Linda Winstead Jones (I really want to score a copy of the next Raintree book, too, by...Beverly Barton, I think. Sounds awesome!)

I bought an extra copy of Demon Moon by Mejean Brook to give away here. Just post a comment in this thread (about anything) and we'll do a drawing. Probably tomorrow. You will freaking flip for this book!

Now this is the life!

Reading, reading and more reading. I never want it to end. The book that rocked my socks off:

Demon Moon by Meljean Brook. The characters are wonderfully complex, the writing lush and evocative, the book masterful! Colin is a vampire and one of the best I’ve ever read. I wanted to be his woman in a big, bad way. Seriously, have you ever been reading a book and you just wanted to jump inside it and become part of the story? That's how I felt with this one. Do not miss this book! Utterly captivating, I could not put it down even for a second. I predict huge things for this author.

I'm now reading If You Deceive by Kresley Cole. God, this woman can write! Again, I'm totally in love with the characters, want to jump the hero (the things I could do to this man. . . ) and become the heroine. Another book I can't put down. Hence the very late blog post.

Up next: Kiss of Crimson by Lara Adrian.

What are you reading?

I'm alive! ALIVE I tell you!

For the past month, I'd felt like I'd fallen off the face of the earth. Work consumed me. Not complaining. Really. I loved it. But now it's time to catch up with everything I put on hold. Email (I've been terrible about answering lately, sorry!), reading (I've already devoured one. OMG, must post a review. The book freaking rocked my socks off), promo (Catch A Mate is already in most stores!), TV shows, and well, showering.

Yeah, I know. Should not have admitted to that last one.

Anyhoodles. Lots of things to report on in the coming weeks. But we'll get to that another time. Right now, I must must must mention Catch A Mate. Booklist posted a great review:

Jillian Greene is hired by suspicious women to try to pick up their slime-bucket husbands or boyfriends. In short, she's human bait. Because of her encounters with so many feckless, faithless males, Jillian has turned into a genuine, card-carrying man hater. Marcus Brody is human bait, too, the first male employee of Jillian's agency, Catch a Mate. Unbeknownst to Jillian, he has also purchased Catch a Mate, so now she's his employee. Reluctantly, Jillian begins to fall for the picture-perfect Marcus. Thinking that male monogamy is an oxymoron, she can't help but wonder if any man can be loyal. More important, can she trust Marcus? Each chapter in this wicked novel begins with a different pickup line ("Do you believe in love at first sight, or should I walk by again?") as the versatile Showalter (Playing with Fire, 2006) once again shows that she can blend humor and poignancy while keeping readers entertained from start to finish.

Beefcake

I am currently lusting after the cast of The Tutors. Meet the king.

And guess what. . . the rough draft of Savor Me Slowly is done. D.O.N.E. Done. Stick a fork in it. Done. Yea! I'm going on a reading binge. There are books I've been dying to read, so I will soon be drowning in the written word. Here are two:

Demon Moon by Meljean Brooks. I absolutely adored Demon Angel. Meljean has a way with characters and prose that is stunning, breathtaking. And Colin was one of my favorites.

If You Deceive by Kresley Cole. One of my favorite authors of all time. She constantly amazes me with her talent. Her books rock my world! Paranormal, historical, doesn't matter. She is masterful!!

Reviews to come!

Good News Friday

Chapter 25 of Savor Me Slowly -- done. Monday, it's chapter 26. The light is brighter!!! Next week I should finish up.

What's your good news? Oh, and visit http://www.pccast.blogspot.com/ to see a fabulous trailer for Marked, an amazing young adult novel you don't want to miss!

Yeah, I stole it

I stole this from the fabulous Michelle Rowen, who stole it from the equally fabulous Bonnie. You answer all the questions using only one word.

1. WHERE IS YOUR CELL PHONE?: desk
2. RELATIONSHIP?: forever
3. YOUR HAIR?: frizzy
4. WORK?: killer
5. YOUR SISTER?: lifeline
6. YOUR FAVORITE THING?: success
7. YOUR DREAM LAST NIGHT?: robot
8. YOUR FAVORITE DRINK?: water
9. YOUR DREAM CAR?: teleport
10. THE ROOM YOU'RE IN?: prison
11. YOUR SHOES?: closet
12. YOUR FEARS?: spiders
13. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE IN 10 YEARS?: everywhere
14. WHO DID YOU HANG OUT WITH THIS WEEKEND?: Family
15. WHAT ARE YOU NOT GOOD AT?: conflict
16. MUFFIN?: ew
17. ONE OF YOUR WISH LIST ITEMS?: movie
18. WHERE YOU GREW UP? here
19.LAST THING YOU DID?: steal
20. WHAT ARE YOU WEARING?: sweats
21. WHAT AREN'T YOU WEARING?: shoes
22. YOUR PET?: yuck
23. YOUR COMPUTER?: mistress
24. YOUR LIFE?: busy
25. YOUR MOOD?: curious
26. MISSING?: latte
27. WHAT ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT RIGHT NOW?: work
28. YOUR CAR?: parked
29. YOUR KITCHEN?: small
30. YOUR SUMMER?: insane
31. YOUR FAVORITE COLOR?: red
32. LAST TIME YOU LAUGHED?: today
33. LAST TIME YOU CRIED?: disappointed
34. SCHOOL?: shudder
35. LOVE?: priceless

Today I conquer chapter 24 of Savor Me Slowly.

Today

I conquer chapter 23 of Savor Me Slowly. I can do it, I can do it, I can do it, she chants.

Added later: I found a lovely cover for the Italian version of Animal Instincts. I adore it!

Update

Today I tackle chapter 22 of Savor Me Slowly. I see the light at the end of the tunnel! I'm stilling thinking there will be 29 chapters, so at this pace I'll finish on the 31st. Yep, yep, I see a light!

Beefcake Monday

Channing Tatum. I love him. Soooo flippin' sexy. I think he will be my inspiration for Jaxon in Savor Me Slowly. Speaking of SMS, I'm tackling chapter 21 today.

Good News Friday

Another sleepless night, and now chapter 20 of Savor is done. Yea. Next week, I tackle chapters 21 - 25, as the weekend will probably prove too busy to allow me to write.

A few copies of Red Handed arrived. OMG. They are flippin' goregous! I can't stop smiling every time I glance at them. I've probably hugged them 100 times. Maybe later I'll dance with them.

What's your good news?

What I'm up to...

I didn't sleep last night, so I'm a tired girl today. Already running behind, but must tackle chapter 19 of Savor Me Slowly. This book is taking place over a longer period of time than I've previously written about and I'm trying to do a better job of characters, really letting readers get to know who they are, their pasts, so on. I'm trying to make the story more. . . rich. I think that's the right word. Anyhoodles, back to the grind.

Back to the Grind

Working on chapter 18 of Savor Me Slowly today.

I've got an ever-growing list of books I want to read, but can't. Until I finish the rough draft.

Dark Seduction by Brenda Joyce
If You Deceive by Kresley Cole
Betrayed (an ARC) by Jamie Leigh Hansen

Just to name a few. What are you guys reading?

Updates

I'm plugging away at chapter 17 of Savor Me Slowly today. I anticipate around 29 chapters, so...if I keep this pace I should finish the rough draft around May 31st or June 1st. That might not be possible as next week life plans to intrude for a few days. We'll see!

Meanwhile, I haven't been to the grocery store in weeks and there is NOTHING TO EAT OR DRINK in my house. (Sadly, I weigh more. What's up with that?) If I have time -- which translates to "if I finish my chapter in a timely manner" -- the store is on today's agenda. If I don't have time, well, it's another day of sink water and the candy bars I've stashed away for emergencies. Wait, now the mystery is solved about the extra pounds. Go Detective Gena!

What are you up to?

Beefcake Monday

I know I've posted him before, but I am running behind today already and can't search. Also, I like looking at him :)

Up to chapter 16 of Savor Me Slowly. I'm so happy to say I've reached the half-way point of the rough draft. My goal is to finish the chapter today -- which will be a very. . . important one. It reveals a lot about the heroine.

Happy Mother's Day!!!

I hope you are bad girls in need of a spanking!

Good News Friday

Here I am at the RT signing. I look I've had a few cocktails. What's up with that? I had apple juice that day. Really.

All copies of Catch A Mate have been mailed to the winners. Yea! However, I forgot to sign one of them. Whoever gets the unsigned one, email me and we'll work something out.

Oh, and I have a post up here: http://www.romancingtheblog.com/blog/2007/05/11/coping-with-bad-reviews/

I finished chapter 14 of Savor Me Slowly yesterday. Today's goal: tackle chapter 15. So. . . what's going on with you guys?

Winners, updates and awesome books

Dude, you guys made it soooo hard to pick. I was beyond tempted to just send everyone a book, but the thought of all that postage had me throwing up blood. Therefore, I narrowed it down to five. And the winners are. . .

Megan -- because I have 2 pregnant friends and they'd come after me with all kinds of scary if overlooked you

Darla
Kathy
Catslady
Tiarra

Go to my main website http://www.genashowalter.com and email me (or Beth -- I sometimes have her check and answer) your address and I'll get the books in the mail. (Tiarra, because of where you live, I can't promise it will arrive any time soon)

Everyone else, I hate myself right now for having to narrow things down and don't want you to walk away with nothing. So go to my site, send me your address, and I'll put a bookmark in the mail (if you want one!)

Now, I must tell you about two books I recently read. Wild, Wicked and Wanton by Jaci Burton. Sooooo hot. That woman knows how to write sex, passion and kink. If you're looking for a white-hot, steamy read, this is the book for you. Three different stories about 3 different friends and three different kinds of loving. Have your husband nearby.

Also, Caressed by Ice by (My Sweet) Nalini Singh. I'll tell more about this wonderful book closer to its release date. It's a very emotionally charged, breathtaking book of passion and healing. I adored it, as I adore all of My Sweet Nalini's books. It's a must read for the fall. But more on it later!

Update re: Savor Me Slowly. I wrote chapter 13 yesterday. Today's goal: write all of chapter 14.

Update and Contest

I did not write yesterday. Bad Gena! Today, however, I will tackle chapter 13. If I don't, the vampire queen is coming for me.

Catch A Mate. Okay, so. You want to win a signed copy before it's even in stores? Just post in this thread -- about anything, why you want it, how you'll buzz it if you like it, what you ate for breakfast -- and I'll pick a winner tomorrow (Thursday) morning. I'm not going to draw this time. I'm just going to pick all on my own.

Book tour!

PLEASURES OF THE NIGHT by Sylvia Day
ISBN: 0061230987
HarperCollins Avon, April 24, 2007

In the Twilight between sleep and consciousness, a battle rages between Dream Guardians and Nightmares. Captain Aidan Cross is a legend, as skilled in fulfilling erotic dreams as he is with the glaive that kills his enemies. Women see Aidan as part of their fantasies...except Lyssa Bates. Exquisite, desirable, enigmatic Lyssa perplexes this immortal seducer because she sees him as he really is. And as he attempts to unravel her secrets the unthinkable occurs: Aidan Cross falls in love.

Lyssa has been having the most incredible dreams about a man whose blue eyes hold the promise of decadent pleasures and tempting intimacies. And then he appears on her doorstep! This intoxicating stranger is just as irresistible as the man of her dreams...but with her surrender there is also grave danger...

Because Aidan is on a mission, and the passion that consumes them body and soul could have dire consequences. Loving the mortal woman prophesied to destroy Aidan's world is not only impossible...it is forbidden.

ABOUT SYLVIA DAY

SYLVIA DAY is the bestselling, award-winning author of over a dozen novels. A wife and mother of two, she is a former Russian linguist for the U.S. Army Military Intelligence. Her books have been called “wonderful and passionate” by WNBC.com, “wickedly entertaining” by Booklist, and frequently garner Readers’ Choice and Reviewers’ Choice accolades. Her work has won the EPPIE and been named a finalist for Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA® Award of Excellence.

REVIEWS
“This is a brilliant book. Passionate and full of lush romance...”–TJ, The Romance Studio

“…one of the best stories I’ve read in a Romance category thus far this year (2007). Sylvia Day obviously knows what readers love!”– Detra Fitch, Huntress Reviews

“…a brilliant new world… Passionate, exciting and spellbinding...”- Lettetia, Fantasy Romance Writers

“PLEASURES OF THE NIGHT sizzles as a romance, enthralls as a paranormal, and captivates with a fantastic cast of characters. I didn’t want the ‘night’ to end!”- Susan Grant, New York Times bestselling author

“So hot the pages should be on fire!”- Gena Showalter, New York Times bestselling author

“I was enthralled with this book. It was erotic, sensuous and had an amazing plot.”- Marcy Arbitman, Just Erotic Romance Reviews

“PLEASURES OF THE NIGHT is a must read. An absolute must!”– Natasha, Romance Junkies

Website:
http://www.dreamguardians.com
http://www.sylviaday.com

Beefcake Monday

This dish was sent to me by one of my wonderful blog readers. Isn't he delish?

Scroll down if I promised you a copy of Catch A Mate. I know I promised a few people, but I'm drawing a total blank as to who. Or maybe I thought I did, didn't, and am just insane. We all know that's possible.

Also, I did not meet my weekend goal. I did not write chapter 12 of Savor Me Slowly. Bad, bad Gena. Break out the whips. So, chapter 12 is now today's goal. Fingers crossed. It should be a hot one. . .

Author Copies!

Author Copies for Catch A Mate came!!!

If I've promised you a copy, remind me here.

Hugs to all!

Soon heading back into writing cave I hope. I'm up to chapter 12 of Savor Me Slowly. Hope to finish that this weekend and reach about 35k words. We'll see if I can do it. So many errands, so little time.

Good News Friday

If you missed yesterday’s beefcake, scroll down for a peeksie. And if you already had a peeksie, scroll down for another slice. Dude, he’s delicious!

I finished chapter 10 of Savor yesterday. Yea. Up to 28ish thousand. Today’s goal: finish chapter 11 and hit around 31k. So by the end of the day, I’ll be 1/3 of the way done with the rough draft. Score!

So what's your news?

Updates

Since we missed beefcake Monday, I'm serving up a slice today. A BIG thank you to Rinda, my favorite beefcake pimp!

More on Susan Grant's alien baby to come! She's been taking pix of her new baby as he grows.

I'm up to chapter 10 of Savor Me Slowly. I've got around...25,000 words, I believe. My goal today is to finish chapter 10 and get that to around 28ish thousand. My ultimate goal is to have the rough draft done by the end of this month.

So what are you guys working on?

Book tour!!

DAMSEL UNDER STRESS by Shanna Swendson
May 1, 2007

To-do: Stop the bad guys. Rescue the wizard. Find the perfect outfit for New Year’s Eve.

At last, Owen Palmer, the dreamboat wizard at Magic, Spells, and Illusions, Inc., has conjured up the courage to get Katie Chandler under the mistletoe at the office holiday party. But just when it looks like Katie has found her prince, in pops her inept fairy godmother, Ethelinda, to throw a wand into the works. Ehtelinda’s timing couldn’t be worse. A plot hatched by MSI’s rogue ex-employees, Idris and his evil fairy gal pal Ari, threatens to expose the company’s secrets ­ and the very existence of magic itself. Even worse, it could also mean the end of Katie’s happily-ever-after.

Now Katie and Owen must work side by side (but alas, not cheek to cheek) to thwart the villains’ plans. Braving black-magic-wielding sorceresses, subway-dwelling dragons, lovelorn frog princes, and even the dreaded trip to meet Owen’s parents at Christmas, Katie and her beau are in a battle to beat Idris at his own sinister game. All mischief and matters of the heart will come to a head at a big New Year’s Eve gala, when the crystal ball will drop, champagne will pour, and Katie will find herself truly spellbound.

Excerpt:
http://www.shannaswendson.com/damselexcerpt.html

ABOUT SHANNA SWENDSON

In addition to writing fiction, Shanna Swendson is a freelance marketing consultant and writer specializing in technology and telecommunications. She is single and lives in Irving, Texas, with her many pet plants, including a vicious attack bougainvillea and a Christmas cactus that has outlasted three homes, three jobs and three boyfriends, yet still faithfully blooms every Christmas and Easter. She’s looking for a man that reliable.

REVIEWS

The ongoing adventures of Katie Chandler are filled with such magical fun. -- Armchair Interviews

Mayhem at its most enchanting. 4 stars -- Romantic Times Book Reviews

Fans of both chick-lit and Harry Potter should not miss out on this series set in magical modern-day Manhattan. -- Fresh Fiction

Great fun, an amusing romp of a romantic read -- Book Loons

Website http://www.shannaswendson.com

Dr. Showalter to the rescue!

Here is the human-alien baby -- pre-hatch -- safe in his incubator. As an Alien OBGYN, I was concerned about his ralentir la croissance. Or "slow growth" to the layman. Also, his cocoon was cloudy. Therefore, we took measures to provide him with a safe, warm environment to speed along his development. (By "we" I mean his mother, Susan Grant, and friends: Jill Monroe and PC Cast)


Here he is out of his incubator and being prepped for emergency surgery. Do you notice the cloudiness of his shell?



Here I am, unrolling my properly sterilized tools. I had just come from an alien circumcision -- another of my skills -- hence the bloodshot eyes and weird look. (What I'm saying here is that wine was not involved) My nurses are positioned around me.

Here I am, preforming the surgery. (That is someone's arm behind the baby, not a boob -- naugthy minds!) Look at the precision of my cut.





Once I made the incision, I had to spread the cocoon. As you can see, I had to be careful not to hurt the baby.


IT'S A BOY!!!! Looks like I'll be preforming another alien circumcision.


Mother (Susan Grant) and son, happy together at last!

Dr. Showalter and her nurses celebrate the sucessful delivery! Pay no attention to the empy bottle of wine.