Good News Friday

I turned Savor Me Slowly in to my editor! On Monday, I need to kick myself into gear and write chapter four of The Darkest Pleasure.

I've been tagged twice but never got around to posting this. 8 things you might not know about me. Here they are:

1. I cannot watch horror movies. Blood and guts do not bother me. I can watch a surgery on TV while eating spaghetti. But I do not like horror movies.

2. I can sit and cut split ends out of my hair for hours – HOURS -- but I can't sit still in a classroom, no matter the topic being discussed.

3. Sometimes I will accidentally retreat inside my mind in the middle of a conversation. I call this “visiting my Happy Place” and all my friends hate it. Signs this has happened: fiddling with a necklace -- if I'm wearing one -- pinching my own arms, increasing nods and "yeahs" from me.

4. I have a new favorite phrase: Spank on. (Thanks Marjorie!)

5. I can turn any conversation into a discussion about me, no matter the topic, and often do.

6. I hate marshmallows. I’m gagging right now just thinking about them.

7. I have Xanadu on DVD. And I’ve watched it. Twice. I might even watch it again.

8. I will happily spend five dollars for a latte but I get physically sick with the thought of spending more than 15 dollars on any item of clothing.

Blog Tour and Contest winner!

The winner of Blacklisted is. . .

Keesha!

Keesha, email me your address and I'll put the book in the mail.
Now, on to the tour!

HEART DANCE by Robin D. Owens
Berkley Trade, July 3, 2007

DuFleur Thyme is a scientist who's secretly experimenting with time. She'll allow no distractions from her work-not even from a HeartMate. Meanwhile, Saille T'Willow has sent his HeartGift out into the world in hopes of finding his HeartMate, who, it turns out, is DuFleur. Still, DuFleur wants nothing to do with Saille, especially when she discovers that it was his grandmother who brought about her father's ruin. Unfortunately, her body can't help but submit to the passion he stirs in her. But when a scandal threatens Saille's position as head of the family, will DuFleur stand by his side?

Excerpt:
http://www.robindowens.com/reads/01Heart%20Dance.pdf

ABOUT ROBIN D. OWENS
Robin D. Owens has been seriously writing longer than she cares to recall, but is very happy with how her writing career is proceeding. She was named the Writer of the Year by Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers in 2004, and 2003 Writer of the Year by the Denver Area Science Fiction Association. Robin has been the librarian, contest co-chair, and President of Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers. She has given seminars at Pikes Peak Writers Conference, the Colorado Gold Writers Conference, and Romance Writers of America as well as other groups.


REVIEWS

"Another fascinating visit with the dynamic people of the futuristic world of Celta."— Fresh Fiction


Website http://www.robindowens.com

Guest blogger Carly Phillips -- and a contest!

(leave a comment in this thread and you'll be entered in the contest to win an advanced -- and signed -- copy of my next book, Blacklisted!)

Let's give a big warm welcome to: a woman I adore -- an author I love -- someone who is always willing to help -- someone I admire -- and someone who is lovely in every sense of the word. Seriously, if you haven't read her books yet - you're missing out. If you have read her, you'll want to get this one ASAP! One of her best!


Welcome Carly Phillips!


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How do you blog for someone who has Beefcake Monday as her start to the week and keep people interested? Hmmm. How do you blog for someone who kidnaps gnomes and tortures them for fun? What would people who read Gena’s blog possibly find interesting coming from ME?

I thought about it and decided I have my own form of beefcake. The kind I put in books to keep my readers smiling and laughing. No, sorry, I’m leaving the naked men to Gena because she does it so well … and I will be talking about the most important secondary characters in a Carly Phillips book – the old people and the animals.



Yes, you heard me right. You see when I write a light contemporary, which is what I do, it’s often difficult to find the “light” in my characters because I build conflict based on back story and history of my hero and heroine. That means there have to be other people to amuse the reader. In the Hot Zone books, there are pets – Annabelle has a pet puppy, a Coton de Tulierre (a dog breed) which the hero calls Q-Tip; a bunny rabbit, and other assorted animals in her menagerie. Her Uncle Yank, who is in all Hot Zone books, including next year’s HOT PROPERTY (7/08) has a Labradoodle named Noodle who he bought as a “seeing eye dog” to aid in his acceptance of his condition (macular degeneration) which leads to him not being able to see well at all – but Noodle is more of a sidekick than a guide dog, and the dog even causes Uncle Yank to trip on his “Noodle” and set off the fire alarm in a high rise office building on New Year’s Eve, clearing out the party for good. Uncle Yank and Noodle are what I like to call a two for one – an older, eccentric fun character and a pet – both of which I enjoy using to create humor.


Why animals and older people? Because they can be fun and delightful. Are they based on people in my real life? Well, Uncle Yank is definitely based on my Grandpa Jack (may he rest in peace), but the rest of the characters and pets come from my imagination. Including DIGGER the dog in today’s release, Cross My Heart (paperback, available now!) … and Ollie the macaw in September 25ths Sealed With A Kiss, the sequel to Cross My Heart. So Gena’s beefcake is men and mine are dogs. Am I pathetic? Or what? Have a fun, happy Wednesday!


And if Gena doesn’t mind – For a sneak peek at CROSS MY HEART, visit http://www.carlyphillips.com/ and check out the video trailer and remember to click on the Free Reader Giveaway at the top of the page – and see what I have in store for readers who purchase CROSS MY HEART!

Thank you for having me, Gena. It’s been a blast!

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Absolutely my pleasure, Carly! Thank you so much for coming!!

The cover for Savor Me Slowly....

I took down the puzzle because of loading time! (sorry) But here's the cover. . .

Beefcake Monday

We've updated my website. Check it out at http://www.genashowalter.com/

On Wed, the amazing Carly Phillips is guest blogging! I can't wait to have her here!

Good News Friday

I've got the first 3 chapters of The Darkest Pleasure sketched out.
I picked up another copy of Vivi Anna's Blood Secrets.
I'll have the amazing Carly Phillips as a guest blogger next Wed.

Three excellent things!

So what's your good news?

Jill posted a Red Handed puzzle below. Took me about 4 minutes LOL

I'm over at the Knight Agency blog today. http://www.knightagency.blogspot.com Stop by if you have a minute.

Diana Peterfreund will be chatting over there...tonight I believe. Scroll down the Knight blog for details.

Red Handed

Something Special For Gena

I'm currently working on chapter 2 of The Darkest Pleasure. For some reason, every word has had to be ripped out of me. Ouch! But as the paragraphs form, I really like what I see.

I read Merline Lovelace's Ex Marks the Spot. What a terrifc book! She really makes you believe the hero and heroine have a future together and will make it work. I loved it!

Tomorrow I'll be blogging over at the Knight Agency. I'll post a link.

What else...what else? I'm drawing a blank. More later if I think of it!

Tuesday Madness

Never write a blog entry while running out the door! You think of 10,000 things you should have added when it’s impossible to get to a computer and add them.

Something I should have mentioned about Marjorie Liu’s amazing Hunter Kiss is that it’s one of those stories writers will want to rail at the heavens and shout, “Why couldn’t I have thought of this? Why couldn’t I have written this?” It’s THAT good. I would love to see it as a movie! I would be willing to play the part of Maxine. Just saying. . .

Alright. (Gena gearing for rotten fruit) Let’s talk Atlantis. Don’t hate me, but this is how/when Layel’s story will be released:

*Jan 09: re-release of Heart of the Dragon
*Feb 09: re-release of Jewel of Atlantis
*March 09: The Blood King (Layel’s story)

The reason it’s happening this way is that we’re launching 3 of the Lords of the Underworld books back to back in 08. I haven’t yet written the third, which has to be turned in before Layel’s story. So, there just isn’t a place in the publishing schedule or time for me to get to everything for 08. But it’s early 09 for Layel so I’m hoping that isn’t too much of a wait.

Oh, oh. And here’s a little about Savor Me Slowly:

Mishka Le’Ace was created to be an undercover operative . . . literally. Her beautiful body has been mechanically augmented to give her superhuman strength -- strength she’s going to need. Her latest mission sends her to rescue Alien Investigation and Removal agent Jaxon Tremain from torture and death. With him, she discovers a passion unlike any other. A passion she was forbidden to know. . .

From the moment they meet in a darkened cell, Jaxon craves her touch. But the machine half of Le’Ace forces her to do things she doesn’t always want to do. Even betray him . . . and ultimately destroy him. Now Jaxon must battle the man controlling Le’Ace and even Le’Ace herself to at last claim the woman he’s come to love.

And on a personal note, SOMEONE drove past my house very slowly yesterday. I was sititng at my desk, could see into the front yard, saw this SOMEONE drive slowly past my house again. I knew who it was, but couldn't figure out what she was doing. Hoping to catch her in the act, I waited. And waited. Somehow, this SOMEONE was able to sneak past my line of sight and leave the ugliest gnome ev-er on my porch. Well, played. BUT IT IS ON NOW, MS. MONROE! It is on!

Beefcake Monday

I'm reusing beefcake already served because I'm on my way out the door. I will try and make it up to you with 2 fresh servings next week. However, I think this cake is smokin!

I'll be posting the new release date for Layel's book with an explanation about why it's then sometime this week.

I just read Wild Thing by Maggie Shayne, Marjorie M Liu, Alyssa Day and Mejean Brook. I'm going to try to post my thoughts on each story (this anthology kicks major ass!) Today I'll start with Marjorie Liu's story. Kiddies, this woman can write! Her story is freaking AMAZING. She is a powerful writer, evocative and there's always such lush imagery. I have all of her books, but I think this story is my favorite of hers. A woman with tattoos that come to life at night, forming the best army ever :) I want this army for myself. Seriously, this is a book to pick up! I'll be reading it again and again!

It is my hope to start writing The Darkest Pleasure today, the 3rd book in my Lords of the Underworld series. Savor Me Slowly is out to my critque partners. (yea!)

Good News Friday!

Tell me your good news!!!

Get caught Red Handed!

Only 4 more chapters of Savor Me Slowly to revise!! So far I've been so pleased with how it turned out. And speaking of the alien huntress series, I have to do a shout out for the recently released Red Handed. Here's a little about it:

She's been chosen to fight the elusive enemy among us....

Phoenix Germaine has been trying to earn back her mother's trust after going into rehab and kicking Onadyn -- the drug of choice for New Chicago teens. But when a party in the woods turns into an all-out battle with the most ferocious aliens Phoenix has ever seen, she's brought home in what appears to be an Onadyn-induced state. Hello, reform school.

Except, what her mother doesn't know is that Phoenix has just been recruited to join the elite Alien Investigation and Removal agency, where she'll learn to fight dirty, track hard, and destroy the enemy. Her professional training will be rigorous and dangerous, and the fact that one of her instructors is Ryan Stone -- the drop-dead gorgeous agent she met in the woods that night -- doesn't make things any easier. Especially when dating him is totally against the rules....

I freaking LOVE this cover, man.

Winner!

The winner of Kiss of Crimson by Lara Adrain is. . .

Debbie

Congrats! Email me your address.

Oh, and Stray is in the mail, kberry!

I'm finishing up the edits on Savor Me Slowly, and then it will be out the door to my critqiue partners. Then, I have to dive into Darkest Pleasure.

Thank you everyone who stopped by Plotmonkeys! We had a lot of fun.

Check out what Gina Bernal of Rhapsody Book Club has to say about Catch A Mate: http://www.romancenovel.tv/ Too cool!!! She also discusses Syliva Day's newest!!

I know I have more to tell you guys, but I'm drawing blank. If I think of it, I'll post an update!

Lots of stuff!!

First, man, I'm over at PlotMonkeys today. Stop by and say hi. It's your mission for the day!

http://www.plotmonkeys.com/

And the winner of the signed copy of Stray is...

kberry

Congrats!!

Just shoot me an email with your address and I'll put it in the mail.

Everyone else. Don't despair! I'm giving away a copy of Kiss of Crimson by Lara Adrian. Just leave a comment in this thread and I'll pick a winner in the morning (hopefully).

Pic: First row from left. MaryJanice Davidson (I'll be talking about her newest Betsy book in a minute!), her hubby Anthony (he is adorable and oh, so fun!), me (remember the green shirt from my "drawing"?), PC Cast (hot babe and all wicked awesome writer). Back row: (I'm so terrible, I've forgotten her name.) Michele Bardsley (have I told you have fabulous her upcoming book is? So so funny!) and Kristin Cast (like mother, like daughter!).

Now, I am a HUGE MaryJanice Davidson fan. Like, drool at the woman's feet type fan. That woman is a master at dialogue and her sense of humor is everything I adore! And Sinclair. . . me wants. Me wants BAD. I'd fight Betsy for him, but Betsy would kick my ass hardcore! MJ's newest book, Undead and Uneasy, is simply fabulous! You'll have a great time while reading it!!

Also, I know I was tagged to write about 8 things no one knows about me. I'll try to get to that soon!

Beefcake Monday -- and a CONTEST!!!

Want to win a signed copy of Stray by Rachel Vincent? Well, now's your chance! Here's a little about this edge-of-your-seat, action packed book:

There are only eight breeding female werecats left . . . And I'm one of them

I look like an all-American grad student. But I am a werecat, a shape-shifter, and I live in two worlds.
Despite reservations from my family and my Pride, I escaped the pressure to continue my species and carved out a normal life for myself. Until the night a Stray attacked.

I'd been warned about Strays—werecats without a Pride, constantly on the lookout for someone like me: attractive, female, and fertile. I fought him off, but then learned two of my fellow tabbies had disappeared.

This brush with danger was all my Pride needed to summon me back . . . for my own protection. Yeah, right. But I'm no meek kitty. I'll take on whatever—and whoever—I have to in order to find my friends. Watch out, Strays—'cause I've got claws, and I'm not afraid to use them . . .

All you have to do is leave a comment in this thread, telling me what you're currently reading/just finished reading/are about to start reading, and you'll be entered in the drawing.

I'll announce a winner tomorrow (hopefully!) This is Rachel's debut book and she's already hit USA Today! You won't want to miss this one!!

Updates

Added note: Dara, this pic is for you :) It's me at the signing.

Yesterday, Love Bunny and I drove to Tulsa where we met up with the fabulous MaryJanice Davidson, her delightful husband Anthony Alongi, the equally fabulous PC Cast and her wonderful daughter Kristin, and fab new talent Michele Bardsley. What a blast! I was laughing from the time I arrived until the time I left. Unfortunately, I did not bring my camera. So no pix. Whaaaaaa!

I'm happy to sayRed Handed is shipping now! Here's a little about it:

She's been chosen to fight the elusive enemy among us....

Phoenix Germaine has been trying to earn back her mother's trust after going into rehab and kicking Onadyn -- the drug of choice for New Chicago teens. But when a party in the woods turns into an all-out battle with the most ferocious aliens Phoenix has ever seen, she's brought home in what appears to be an Onadyn-induced state. Hello, reform school.

Except, what her mother doesn't know is that Phoenix has just been recruited to join the elite Alien Investigation and Removal agency, where she'll learn to fight dirty, track hard, and destroy the enemy. Her professional training will be rigorous and dangerous, and the fact that one of her instructors is Ryan Stone -- the drop-dead gorgeous, nineteen-year-old agent she met in the woods that night -- doesn't make things any easier. Especially when dating him is totally against the rules....

Also, I found two quizzes for Playing With Fire developed by readers. Sadly, I missed one question in each LOL

http://www.funtrivia.com/playquiz/quiz2577231d81cb0.html

http://www.funtrivia.com/playquiz/quiz2576921d80e28.html

An amazing author!!

The first time I met PC Cast, I drooled all over her. I was already a fan and couldn't stop gushing on and on about how wonderful her books were. Well, I fell in love with PC Cast herself, as well. I now count her as one of my dearest friends. She has two books out this month, both of them absolutely phenominal! Here's the first:


With "humor and verve," (Publishers Weekly) Cast tells the story of the mythical Venus who comes to life to help a nerdy woman find her inner goddess.

Pea Chamberlain needs a makeover-shoes, hair, clothes, make-up-if she wants to attract an ubersexy fireman. And who could better coax Pea out of her pod than the Goddess of Love, whom she invokes in a moment of desperation?

Venus works her magic on Pea, but who will help her when she falls for that same sexy fireman? Could Venus need a love makeover for herself? Check out the five-alarm heat when the Goddess of Love unexpectedly loses her heart.

And, the second. . . PC wrote this amazing book with her daughter, Kristen.

The House of Night series is set in a world very much like our own, except in 16-year-old Zoey Redbird's world, vampyres have always existed. In this first book in the series, Zoey enters the House of Night, a school where, after having undergone the Change, she will train to become an adult vampire--that is, if she makes it through the Change. Not all of those who are chosen do. It’s tough to begin a new life, away from her parents and friends, and on top of that, Zoey finds she is no average fledgling. She has been Marked as special by the vampyre Goddess, Nyx. But she is not the only fledgling at the House of Night with special powers. When she discovers that the leader of the Dark Daughters, the school's most elite club, is misusing her Goddess-given gifts, Zoey must look deep within herself for the courage to embrace her destiny--with a little help from her new vampyre friends.

Announcement!

So. . . got some news. My Lords of the Underworld series is being moved, release-wise. Rather than The Darkest Night being released Sept 07 and The Darkest Kiss being released Feb 08, they are going to hit stores like this:

THE DARKEST NIGHT: May ‘08 (An immortal warrior cursed to die every night, only to awaken the next morning knowing he has to die again. A mortal woman with a power beyond imagining. Neither can resist the instant hunger that calms their torments. . . and ignites an irresistible passion.)

THE DARKEST KISS: June ‘08 (He is death, destined to be her executioner. She is Anarchy, determined to be his lover. They should have been enemies, but they become allies, traveling the world to find and destroy an ancient relic of the gods before it can be used against him -- seperating them for eternity)

THE DARKEST PLEASURE: July ‘08 (tentative: the tale of a man possessed by the demon of pain who is forced to self-torture in order to survive and who must battle his best friend, the demon of wrath, in order to save the mortal woman he’s come to love)

I know the extra wait seems long, but this is a good thing. I promise! Meanwhile, Savor Me Slowly is a Dec 07/Jan 08 release. And Not That Innocent, my anthology with the fabulous Sherrilyn Kenyon and the amazing Kresley Cole will be released Feb 08.

Also, I'm doing a chat tonight.

Time: 6pm PST / 9 EST
Date: Today 6/6/07
Location: Night Owl Romance Chat Room - http://www.nightowlromance.com/nightowlromance/chat/chat.asp

Hope you can join me! PC Cast, Deidre Knight, and Robin Owens will be chatting there as well.

Fantastic author. . . awesome book!

One of my favorite authors, Candace Havens, has a new book out!! Charmed and Deadly.
Here's a little about it:

Bronwyn is used to making enemies-when you dedicate your life to ridding the world of evil magic dudes and dudettes, it can happen. So when she first realizes that an attempted hit on the Prime Minister was really for her, it's just "same spell, different day." But then something about this hex reminds Bronwyn an awful lot of an ex-Jason Gladstone, who was her college sweetheart until he tied her up and tried to drain her of her powers. Talk about a date from hell.

Seriously, if you haven't given this series a try you are missing out! I've loved every single one. They are charming and oh, so fun and witty!!

Writing goal: edit chapter 5 of Savor Me Slowly

I've been revising Savor Me Slowly. I'm up to chapter 4. Yea. I'll be turning this book in at the end of the month. Double yea! I'm really happy with how it turned out, I must say. It's written in 3rd person, and rather than only tell it from the woman's POV as the other alien huntress novels, you get Jaxon's (the hero) POV as well. Jaxon first made an appearnce in Awaken Me Darkly. I really really like him.

Thanks to a lovely commentor, I found out Blacklisted is mentioned in the July issue of Seventeen magazine!!! How cool is that? It's in a "need thrills" list at #9 -- with things like Tony Hawk's big spin, the Bourne Ultimatum, Honda US Open of Surfing, Die Hard -- and they say "You won't be able to put it down!" I'm in Heaven!!

I really really want to hit a book store and pick up Witch Fire by Anya Bast. Sounds like an awesome read. I've never read her, but I'm always excited to read a new-to-me author.

What are you up to?

Beefcake Monday

This was sent to me by the fabulous Michelle Rowen.

Contest Winner. . .

And the winner of Demon Moon by Meljean Brook is. . .

Tammy

Congrats!! Email me or Beth (who is my sometimes assistant -- she's gone as much as I am most of the time, so you never know who you'll get) your snail mail address (if you don't have my/our email address, there's a link on main page of website) and I'll put the book in the mail for you.

Kiss of Crimson by Lara Adrain (I ordered a second copy, so I'll be giving that away soon...) was utterly fantastic! Alpha men -- my favorite in books! -- scorching passion, and rockin' action! I can't wait for the next one. Must. . . have. . .

I have just had the best luck with books lately. They have all been so wonderful. Speaking of, I'm loving Raintree: Haunted by Linda Winstead Jones.

Don't forget to buy your copy of Catch A Mate...