Questions and Answers

Today's goal -- chapter 22

On the fabulous Rachel Vincent's, she asked for questions from readers. Wonderful idea! I'm stealing it. If you have any questions for me, ask them here. I'll do my best to post the answers asap.

Beefcake Monday

My goal is to write chapter 21 of The Darkest Pleasure. And when I say goal, I mean, I must do it. Today, though, I have a million things pulling at me. Sigh. Such is life!

Good News Friday!

I'm up to chapter 20 of The Darkest Kiss! Hope to -- must, will -- finish that today! Also, I'm hanging out at the Romance Divas today and this weekend, so stop by if you have a chance. Here's a little about it:

Writing Urban Fantasy Q & A With Some of the Hottest Authors in the Genre

July 27th, 28th, and 29th at Romance Divas

Authors Attending:

Kelley Armstrong

Rachel Caine

Karen Chance

Shanna Swendson

Gena Showalter


Want to know how to write urban fantasy? Want to know how urban fantasy can range from dark to humorous? All you have to do is ask. Romance Divas is hosting a 3 day Q & A with some of the hottest names in the Urban Fantasy Genre. It will take place at the Romance Diva Forum. All are welcome. To get access to the forum you will need to register.

Fanged and Fabulous!

I absolutely adore Michelle Rowen's sense of humor. Girl has me, man. She has me. Every time. Seriously. She had me at page one. Paragraph one!

Jogging is a great exercise. Running for your life -- even better.

Charlaine Harris said "You can't put this book down" and she was right. It's one of those where you gotta know what happens next. I loved it.

I'm currently working on chapter 19 of The Darkest Pleasure. I did some thinking ahead -- I don't like to plot but had to know how much time I needed to finish the rough draft -- and rather than the 10 thousand chapters I thought this book would have, I think it will come in around 27. Which means. . . drum roll please. . . I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

I talked to PC Cast last night and OH MY GOD does her work in progress sound amazing. Her best EVER. And that's saying something. I bought Stripped by Julie Leto and can't wait to dive in. End of Aug, I'm going on a reading marathon!

Book tour!

Here I am with Marianne Mancusi and Liz Maverick. (I'm in the middle) That is my gnome-tamer outfit. I think the girls look absolutely adorable!

Today we're talking about Marianne's new book, Moongazer, which is an edge-of-your-seat, fantastic read!

MOONGAZER by Marianne Mancusi
Dorchester, August 2007

Imagine every night entering a nightmare world you can't escape and being told your life is a dream. Skye Brown has it all: the cool job, the hot boyfriend, the apartment on New York's Upper West Side. But lately she can't enjoy any of it. She's having dreams of a post-apocalyptic world. Of a bleak futuristic wasteland. Of a struggle against oppression. And she's been told she's a...

MOONGAZER
But what is that? And what is reality? In her dreams, she's not Skye Brown at all, but Mariah Quinn. In her dreams there's Dawn, the beautiful yet haunted soldier, and Skye is but the empty shell of a girl he once loved. And there was a betrayal, a great betrayal. Ripped between Dark Siders and club kids, the mundane and the mystic, Skye must discover who she is, what she wants and who wants her. And why. But in the glow of the moon, it's not always easy to recognize the face in the mirror.

Excerpt:
http://www.dorchesterpub.com/Dorch/SpecialFeatures.cfm?Special_ID=2222

ABOUT MARIANNE MANCUSI
When it comes to writing, award winning author Marianne Mancusi doesn't like to play by the rules. A multiple Emmy award winning television producer, she sold 11 novels to three publishers (Dorchester, Berkley , Dutton Children's) in less than three years. Marianne has worked in television stations in Orlando , San Diego , and Boston . A graduate of Boston University 's College of Communications , she currently produces for a nationally syndicated lifestyle show. She lives in Manhattan 's Upper West Side .


REVIEWS
“Exhilarating! Once I started, I couldn’t put this book down!”
– New York Times Bestselling Author Gena Showalter

"Dreams, reality and virtual reality collide in Mancusi’s exciting and frightening new futuristic thriller.”
- Romantic Times Magazine 4 Star Review

"An enthralling combination of The Matrix and Snow Crash with a bit of Blade Runner thrown into the mix.”
- SF Scope

Website http://www.mariannemancusi.com/

Me. Rambling

I was writing in the comments section, realized how long and rambling my post was becoming and decided to post here on the main page. We’re talking about what inspires me to sit down and write -- really write, like plow-through-the-pages write.

Several factors come into play. One is a fear/obsession with deadlines. Sometimes I feel like I'm Time's bitch. :) It’s a residual effect of my childhood. My dad could not – and cannot – stand to be late. My family was 15 minutes early – at least -- to everything. I no longer have my dad -- dear sweet man that he is – telling me to hurry, but I’m still never late. Ask Jill Monroe, dear sweet girl that she is.

For an unpublished author, try making a deadline for yourself. Reward yourself for success, and perhaps have consequences if you fail. I don't know. That's just a thought!

Number two for me is a desire to find out what happens next. Sometimes I don't know where the characters are going to take me (I'm not a plotter). Finding out can be exciting and wonderful.

Three is a love of characters. Most times, I fall completely in love with my hero and want to be the heroine. And when I write, I can totally imagine myself in the story. Weird, maybe. Too much information offered on my part, sure. But I’ve always been a daydreamer and writing is a way of getting those dreams on paper and almost living them.

But yes, sometimes it is VERY hard to dive back into a story. If I'm tired or sick or just need a break -- and I have time to take a break -- sometimes it helps to stop for a day or 2, re-read much-loved books (A Hunger Like No Other and No Rest For the Wicked by Kresley Cole. Hitting the Mark by Jill Monroe. Goddess of Spring by PC Cast. Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh. Lover Awakened by JR Ward. Demon Moon by Meljean Brooks. All the Queens Men by Linda Howard. Kiss of the Highlander by Karen Moning. Undead and Unwed by MaryJanice Davidson. Soul Song by Marjorie M. Liu. Warrior’s Woman and Secret Fire by Johanna Lindsey. Heaven Texas by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. Welcome to Temptation by Jennifer Cruise. One Night with a Prince by Sabrina Jefferies. The Bride by Julie Garwood. My Favorite Earthling by Susan Grant. Seriously, I could go on and on! Those are just the books that were right in front of me, on the book shelf closest to me.) I also watch movies – romantic comedies -- and totally veg out.

If there's not time for a break, I push through the mental fatigue and force myself to write even though I don't want to. The muse is fickle and I can't always wait for her. It helps to think of writing as a job where calling in sick isn’t an option.

Oh, and just to test Kristen's test, I’m typing: Alan Rickman

Tomorrow we'll talk about the wonderful Fanged and Fabulous by Michelle Rowen and the exhilerating Moongazer by Marianne Mancusi.

Beefcake

I am giving you a second (3rd?) helping of this beefcake because I am drowning -- drowning! -- in work and he's already in my box, waiting. But it's like going back to your favorite restaruant: you crave it, it hits the spot, and is SO delicious going down. He looks like my bad boy crush, Colin Farrell.

I'm turning in the revised Savor Me Slowly today. In a few months, we might give away a few ARCs.

I'm also going to write -- notice the "going to", for I must, will, have to do it -- chapter 16 of The Darkest Pleasure today. I haven't even started it, sigh.

Good news Friday

Revisions for Savor Me Slowly came in. My goal is to work on them -- they are minor, yea! -- as well as finish chapter 15 of The Darkest Pleasure.

I read The Ultimate Bite by Crystal Green. I have been waiting for this baby, and it was totally worth it!! Sooooo hot, so sexy. I adore the tag line, too, because it's perfect for this delicious vampire romance: A constant craving...How awesome is that?

Up next: Fanged and Fabulous by Michelle Rowen. I love her work! I'm also reading some erotica by Shayla Black. More on that soon!

What's everyone else up to?

Alive. I am Alive!

After all these days mostly bed bound -- effing sickness! -- I'm finally up and around again. Seriously, this thing kicked my ass hardcore. I even have a fever blister. Ugh. I'd rather vomit.

Here I am with Heather Harper, the winner of the stolen gnome. Jill Monroe has a picture of Heather with the gnome -- I miss him already. Anyhoodles, I think we could be sisters and I'm bummed I wasn't wearing my glasses. How cute would that have been? (I totally lifted this pic off of Rinda's site. I love her.)

Writing update: I'm up to chapter 13 of The Darkest Pleasure.


Since I know you are dying (cough, cough) to know, here is a list of conversations I had while at RWA:

My ass
Nipple mints
Adult diapers
My butt
Magic fairy dust and horses
Gnomes
My bottom
Lingerie
Smoking
My derriere
The art of spanking
Breast size
My backside

And there you have it!

I'm back!

Back from RWA. I had such a blast, but I came home with a cold/sore throat. In fact, I had to cancel all my Sat appointments :(

I wish I'd taken pix of the guys from Amazon. Hawt, man. Hawt. All's I'm sayin'.

This first pic (lifted right off the Smart Bitchest website) is of Me, Candy the Smart Bitch -- she is so adorable! -- and PC Cast


This second one -- sent to me by the amazing Carly Phillips -- is of me and Carly :) That little gnome I'm holding, well, Carly placed him in my tender loving care.



I have stories, but I might just keep these to myself! Let's just say I pulled a "Gena" several times and talked about adult diapers, mispronounced words (a game Jill and I love to play) with a VP, and did my Elaine dance for Kresley Cole. :) I think Kresley will be coming back for more of that Elaine, but that's just speculation on my part.

Want to win a gnome?

Check out how you can win this gnome -- stolen right out of my freaking house, man -- at RWA this week. I was in the process of training him to be a good boy when Jill took him. You can finish that training! Just go to:

http://www.jillmonroe.blogspot.com

to find out how you can win him.

Today the road trip begins. Warning: stay off the road! You know what happens when Jill and I are on it.

Beefcake, Conference, Stolen Gnomes!

Check out http://www.jillmonroe.blogspot.com/ to find out how you can win a gnome stolen right out of my home!

I'm heading off to Dallas! If you're in the area, be sure to check out the signing:

Romance Writers of America is proud to host the “Readers for Life” Literacy Autographing at the 27th Annual RWA Conference in Dallas, Texas, on July 11, 2007, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. in the Hyatt Regency hotel. Over 450 romance fiction authors will be signing books. Authors like:

Lara Adrian

Shayla Black

Pamela Britton

Jaci Burton

Kresley Cole

Alyssa Day

Sylvia Day

Rachel Gibson (maybe she'll have her newest. Me want!)

Gemma Halliday (her books are being made into a TV series on FOX!!)

Kim Harrison

Janis Reams Hudson

Karen Kelley

Sherrilyn Kenyon

Deidre Knight

Julie Leto

Marjorie M Liu

Marianne Mancusi

Amanda McCabe (if you have not check out her new historical, OMG, it is SO good!)

Jill Monroe

Carly PhillipsSusan

Elizabeth Phillips

Christine Rimmer

Nora Roberts

Nalini Singh

Rachel Vincent

J.R. Ward

And so many more! Seriously, there is an author for everyone. I'll be rooming with Jill Monroe and (bad, naughty, weird, wild) things are bound to happen. I will do my best to blog from Dallas and keep you updated on these things.

Good News Friday!

Tell me your good news!

I'll be thinking of a game to play at RWA. You know how Jill Monroe and I like our games. . .Any suggestions?

The fabulous Michelle Rowen!

You guys know I'm a big fan of Michelle Rowen! Her books crack me up and are utterly delightful. Here's her newest offering:

FANGED & FABULOUS by Michelle Rowen
Warner Forever, July 1, 2007

Just stake me now.

My name is Sarah Dearly, and I've got major problems. Last month, I was turned into a vampire by the world's worst blind date. Then I may have, totally by accident, started a war between the mostly peaceful bloodsuckers and a bunch of sociopathic vamp hunters who have nicknamed me the Slayer of Slayers. Now I'm being used as bait to draw out the hunters' bad-ass leader, while my gorgeous 600-year-old boyfriend Thierry seems to be blowing me off, and my sizzle-hot, fanged friend Quinn is trying to turn my self-defense lessons into make-out sessions. So you know what? I'm done. I've had it. There comes a time when a vamp has to just suck it up and go after what she wants. And as soon as I figure out what that is, that's exactly what I'll do...

Excerpt:
http://www.michellerowen.com/ff_chap1.htm

Book Trailer:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=2ERqRXudbo8

ABOUT MICHELLE ROWEN

Michelle Rowen is a self-confessed bibliophile, Reality TV junkie, and is well known for making a mean pot of Kraft Dinner. Her debut title, BITTEN & SMITTEN, was a Waldenbooks bestseller and the 2007 HOLT Medallion winner for “Best First Book.” Michelle lives in Mississauga, Ontario, and is currently hard at work on her next fantastical novel.

REVIEWS

"What's a new vampire to do? Win a lot of readers with her upbeat persistence, that's for sure. You can't put "Fanged & Fabulous" down." – NYT Bestselling Author Charlaine Harris

"Four stars! an exciting, action-packed and often humorous tale…a great addition to Rowen's vampire series. " – Romantic Times BOOKreviews

"Rowen has done it again. She has written another wonderfully amusing, suspenseful story. It’s terrific!!" – Romance Reviews

Website: http://www.michellerowen.com

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And happy 4th everyone!

Michele Bardsley

I had the pleasure of reading Don't Talk Back to Your Vampire a month or so ago. (Okay, okay, I begged Michele for an ARC and she was kind enough to send one to me). This woman cracks me up! Her books are so much fun and so deliciously yum! Here's a little from Michele herself:

Welcome, readers! I’m Michele Bardsley, author of I’m the Vampire, That’s Why and Don’t Talk Back to Your Vampire. As the historian for the paranormal community of Broken Heart, Oklahoma, I’m responsible for writing up what goes on in town. My main focus is the new Turn-bloods—all single parents and all dealing with the aspects of being undead. I’ve been invited to interview Lorcan O’Halloran, the reluctant hero of Don’t Talk Back to Your Vampire, but he’s not what you’d call talkative…

1. Hi, Lorcan. It’s nice to see that you’re less … er, fuzzy these days. How does it feel to be your ol’ undead self again?

I’m no longer be suffering from the Taint, and I feel very lucky that the cure concocted by Dr. Stan Michaels and fellow Consortium doctors worked, but we haven’t been able to replicate the results, and therefore, I cannot rest easy. Before I was cured, I morphed into a monster and ended the lives of eleven innocents. They had to be turned into vampires in order to be saved. I don’t think I will ever be able to forgive myself…no matter what happens…

2. Wow. Glad to see you’re not morose or anything. Let’s move on to your job. I hear the Consortium has built a brand-new library within its security compound. Tell us about your role in that project.

Many vampires have been collecting written works for more than four-thousand-years. We’ve amassed information from various cultures, some that don’t even exist today. We have books, scrolls, tablets, and artwork. It will take a while to inventory all of our materials and stock all the shelves. It’s unfortunate, but we had to shut down the local library and incorporate its offerings into the new location. Eva LeRoy—that’s the town librarian—was rather upset.

3. Hmm. Tell us more about Eva.

She’s beautiful and smart and funny and kind … I’ve never met anyone quite like her. Her powers have enraptured the animals surrounding her home. Cats, squirrels, deer, snakes and even the occasional wolf visit her. She not only feeds them every night, she pets them and talks to them. She’s very tender-hearted.

4. Aw. I think you like her. Any plans to get to know her better?

Don’t be ridiculous. Lest you forget, I killed her three months ago. Do you really think a woman like her can forgive such a beastly act? However, I have every intention of protecting her. I don’t know who’s after Eva, but she’s had two hits on her life so far. I won’t allow anyone to harm her.

5. Yeah, I can see how much you don’t like her. It must be a real burden to be near her day after day. C’mon, tell us the truth—have you kissed Eva yet? Lorcan? Where are you going? Lorcan!

And that concludes our interview. For more information about Broken Heart, Oklahoma check out our website at BrokenHeartOK.com.

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And stop by tomorrow! I'll be posting about the fabulous Michelle Rowen and her newest, Fanged and Fabulous!

Beefcake, Books and more books OH MY!

Michelle Rowen knows her beefcake. Thank you, Michelle!

Let's talk about Marjorie M. Liu's amazing SOUL SONG. Once again her lush, rich, evocative writing sweeps you right into the book. (I always want to be the woman loved by her heroes.) This story features a cursed merman who's voice is seduction incarnate, a woman who can see death in the future, and a powerful witch. It is a combination that makes for a can't-put-down read. This is a stunning book!!

Tomorrow we talk about the hilarious Don't Talk Back to Your Vampire by Michelle Bardsley. . .