Gena Showalter's Weblog

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Gena Showalter discusses beefcake, books and her (mis)adventures as a published author.

Wednesday, October 31, 2007

A winner, another contest, more partying!

BREAKING NEWS (added after I posted) Kresley hit the New York Times list!! I am so so excited for her!

I know, I know. I'm posting late at night rather than in the morning and most of you are ready to pass out from all the partying. Don't give up yet! This baby lasts till Friday.

The winner of a signed copy of The Nymph King is. . . selena illyria! Congrats! Email me your contact info and I will put your prize in the mail (you can find my email by going to the main page of my website http://www.genashowalter.com/ and clicking the contact button)

Today's contest is watching the video below and commenting in this thread. Perhaps you'll want to let me know I'm the best dancer. I don't know. Totally up to you! One wWinner will get a signed copy of Blacklisted. Here are the dancers, the party-maids-of-honor themselves:

Jill Monroe
Kresley Cole
Marjorie Liu
PC Cast
Gena Showalter


For even more wonderful videos (like me hairy and dancing with the Hoff), go to http://melissafrancis.blogspot.com/. Girl got skill! I was can-can challenged, so she put this together for me. Go show her some love!

Our Halloween Bash! (and contest!)



Have a drink and don't worry if eyeballs are the ice! The winner of the signed copy of Playing With Fire is. . . Cristyrox! Congrats! Email me your contact info (you can find myt email on the main page of my website by clicking contact)


Today's prize, a signed copy of The Nymph King. All you have to do is leave a comment in this thread telling us about your Halloween costume (you can make it up) and you'll be entered in tomorrow's drawing. Meanwhile, have a piece of cake. . . don't let the cobwebs scare you.


Don't forget to check out these amazing books:


Tall, Dark and Filthy Rich


Wicked Deeds on a Winters Night


Holidays are Hell


Betrayed


Blogger is acting up again, and won't let me post our magical host. So today, our host is invisible. And naked.


Stop by Susan Grant and Nalini Singh's blogs and say hi! They are in Party Town!





Added: Our host decided to show! And dress! He's ready to slay your dragons. Let him know what you need, and he'll take care of it! He's magical.

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Party On! And another Contest . . .


The winner of the signed ARC of Savor Me Slowly is. . . . Lisabea! Lisabea, email me your contact info. Everyone else, leave a comment in this thread (about anything at all) and tomorrow morning I will draw a winner for a signed copy of Playing With Fire!!

Today we are continuing our celebration of these amazing authors:

Visit their websites and show them some love!



To the left is a picture of today's host. Let him know if you need anything. He's eager to supply.

Grab a beer (unless you're underage!) and some snacks and one of the above mentioned authors books and visit Chez Showalter's Party Town! Also, fellow authors Jaci Burton, Kristen Painter and Vivi Anna are getting down at Party Town! Stop by and say hi!



Monday, October 29, 2007

Let's get this party started!!

Contest time!! But more on that in a bit!
Today, it's a pool party and I've brought the men -- they are bought and paid for, baby, so ask them for anything! I tried to bring the beer, but blogger got PO'd and wouldn't let me. (We'll double up tomorrow.) However, there is a wet bar in back.
This week we're celebrating some new releases by some of my favorite authors:
Today's door prize -- a sighed ARC of my next release, Savor Me Slowly. For a chance to win, all you have to do is leave a comment in this thread, telling me something (or lots of things) you love about one (or all) of the women mentioned above. Tomorrow morning, I'll draw a name. Also, bonus points to anyone who blogs about one (or all) of those ladies and their new books! (If you do, send me a link and I'll do my best to post it here!)
Now, check out some of these babies -- they are better than the beefcake!

Thursday, October 25, 2007

Get ready to party!

Next week is party week here at Chez Showalter. We will be celebrating 3 new releases: Tall, Dark and Filthy Rich by Jill Monroe, Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night by Kresley Cole, Betrayed by PC Cast, and Holidays are Hell (an anthology) with Marjorie Liu. Four of my favorite ladies! Every day -- Mon - Fri -- there will be giveaways (signed books and such), virtual drinking (don't worry, it's not BYOB), and scantily clad men of questionable morals (the very best kind!). I hope you'll attend. (originally typed, I hoped you'll come, but I know how some of you think so had to cross it out!)

And just a note to let you know how dumb I can be. I was talking with Love Bunny and Bunny In Law the other day and was trying to tell them I was hard of hearing. Except, I covered my ears (I am a hand talker) and said, "I'm mute." They laughed and laughed and laughed and had to freaking explain what I'd said wrong.

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Geel Monrow

Don't forget to enter Jill Monroe's contest. It ends on Friday. (For more details about it, you can scroll down on my blog to the next thread)

A public apology to my good friend Kells! You're right about the photo, me pretty!

I loved Lord of the Fading Lands by debut author CL Wilson and after I finish line edits on The Darkest Kiss, I get to dig into Lady of Light and Shadows.

What are you guys up to?

Monday, October 22, 2007

Gena and Gena's Friend!


Jill Monroe is hosting a contest on her blog to win a signed copy of her newest book Tall, Dark and Filthy Rich (it's awesome) and/or a signed copy of Savor Me Slowly. Of course, I can’t enter. However, I HAD to participate.

Let me tell you a little about it first. This is taken straight from Jill's blog:

Okay, so here's the story. You might (just might) know that Gena Showalter and I are BFFs (for realsies), and the big joke we (she) has is that no matter what I'm doing -things always get turned toward her. I've discussed this with Gena's sister who's confirmed things have been like this since she was born. Then we each sighed (yes, Gena - your sister and I have been talking - be worried).

Okay, so I just saw a new interview with me. The last full paragraph was all about Gena and only mentioned me as Gena's friend - I'm pretty sure my name wasn't even used.
So, here's the contest. I'm going to post the bio I use on eharlequin. Your challenge is to take a sentence about me, and turn it all about YOU!

ADDED BY GENA AFTER POSTING THIS BLOG: notice the color of face and the color of neck on the girl on the right. That's not my sister LOL So guess who it is? Think photoshop. Think dark curls. Think mumps.

Back to the blog:

Here's my contribution. (I couldn't just do a sentence. I rewrote the entire bio) After you read mine, stop by Jill's blog and enter! Without further ado. . .

Gena Showalter’s BFF had grandparents who firmly believed their grandkids should experience the satisfaction of hard work like Gena Showalter experienced throughout her life…by harvesting potatoes in 100-degree weather. In fact, this grandmother of the friend of Gena Showalter felt it was her personal duty to pass along the fading arts of canning, sewing and keeping house. While Gena’s comrade didn't "take to" canning or sewing OR, let's face it, cleaning, she did pick up her grandparents' other favorite pastime — reading, much to Gena’s delight. During the hottest time of those long summer days, the grandma and great-aunts of Gena’s buddy read and discussed their favorite romance novels (they were greatly disappointed they didn’t yet have a Gena Showalter novel to read) It wasn't long before the gal who sank her claws into Gena’s heart joined in the conversation. No one is more proud of Gena’s friend’s book than Gena Showalter herself. After all, Gena critiqued it. The grandma is very happy her granddaughter has a friend as giving as Gena.

While in college, when asked to name a goal, Gena’s pal would answer — to write a romance novel and read one of Gena Showalter's amazing books. A reunion didn't pass without an acquaintance (only Gena is counted as friend) asking if she'd ever written that book. Now Gena Showalter’s chum can scream, "YES! But check out Gena Showalter’s book first!!" (often with leaps and pom-poms borrowed from Gena Showalter, captain of the cheerleading team, herself).

After various careers, including driving a van of 14 college students cross-country (that she had, unfortunately, not met Gena yet so couldn’t take her) breaking up fights and being one of several to interview Jesse Jackson for a local radio station, Gena’s crony happily settles behind the computer and writes the kind of stories she hopes Gena will enjoy reading on those long, hot days of summer. Or to heat up the slow, cold nights of winter!

Jill Monroe



I think I will be writing on the sequel to Playing With Fire today. I was inspired over the weekend and hammered out 2 and a half chapters. I think I can finish chapter 3 today. Big surprises in store for those of you who have asked me what the sequel will be about. Basically, I lied. Well, not lied. At the time, I thought I was going to go one way. Now, I know better and am basically doing the opposite. More on this very very soon!

Tomorrow, the line edits for The Darkest Kiss are coming in. As this is one of my favorite books that I've ever written, I am beyond excited to dive back into it.

What are you guys up to?

Oh, oh. And I posted an excerpt of Savor Me Slowly -- chapter one -- in the files section of my low down group. If you're interested in reading, you can join. I think the button is somewhere on the right. I will be giving away a copy of the book to one of the members very soon!!

Friday, October 19, 2007

Good News Friday -- winners!

And the winners are. . .

Jaded Bee

Pen to the Paper

Congrats! Email me your contact info and I'll get those in the mail. Everyone else, they'll be another contest very soon! And I think it will be for an advanced copy of Savor Me Slowly!

Tell me your good news.

Thursday, October 18, 2007

Books and Contest

I just read Demon Night by Meljean Brook and let me tell you, it is SO good. Absolutely enthralling. She is such a gifted storyteller. When I finish one of her books, I am convinced the hero and heroine will be together forever and she's one of those that keeps me turning the pages long into the night. The world around me just fades away and I'm in her book. I just love that! I'll talk more about this fabulous novel closer to its release date. Just know that it's one you've got to read!!!

Next up is Bloodfever by Karen Marie Moning. As you know, I've been so eager for this book! Karen is another gifted storyteller I'm in total awe of.

We'll do another contest for a signed copy of Enslave Me Sweetly. Just leave a comment in this thread and I'll pick from the list of names!

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Get Down at Party Town

I think I'm going to hold a virtual release party for Jill Monroe and Kresley Cole here on the blog. (anyone remember my "tea party?") Jill has Tall, Dark and Filthy Rich and Kresley has Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night. Both are AMAZING books. I'm thinking there will be door prizes (aka signed books, but alas, they will most likely be mine), music, a slide show, drinks, worst hair ever, spandex, naked men, cheese dip, you know -- the usual at a Showalter bash. Anything else you'd like to see here on the blog at this release party?

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

I spent the weekend in Tulsa. Got to see my girlfriend PC Cast, Jaci Burton, Allison Brennan, Jenna Petersen, Elaine Spence of The Knight Agency and Mary Teresa Hussy of Harlequin. Those ladies are too much fun! Matrice hadn't heard about Hay Hair, so I got to regale her LOL I slept way too late to make, well, anything but lunch. Bad Gena! Then I napped and read. Ordered room service. Napped. Watched a moive. Slept. I haven't rested like that in a long long time and I guess I needed it.

What did you guys do? Or maybe a better question is, what do you really need?

Monday, October 15, 2007

Beefcake + Winner = Awesome blog!



And the winners -- we drew 2 names! -- of a signed copy of Enslave Me Sweetly are:

twilightblue
Kathy


Congrats! Just email me your contact info and I'll get those in the mail.
They'll be another contest very soon!

Actually, if you visit http://www.nalinisingh.blogspot.com/ there's a chance to win right now!

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Contest time

I plan to hold several contests in the next few weeks. One (or more) will be for a copy of Savor Me Slowly. However, today's contest is to win a signed copy of Enslave Me Sweetly. Just leave a comment in this thread -- about anything at all -- and I'll pick a winner by Monday the 15th.

Labels:

Wednesday, October 10, 2007


Thank you so much for the hair-pep talks yesterday. :) You made me feel much better!
I will be in and out today, so wanted to post the French cover for Enslave Me Sweetly.

Tuesday, October 09, 2007

Tuesday Madness

I have to tell you what happened yesterday. Sadly, nothing about this story is an exaggeration. Picture this: Me, at a check out in Wal-mart. My groceries are ringing through. The cashier has really dry, brittle hair pulled back in a ponytail. My hair is down -- I went to great pains to fix it that day, as I was with Love Bunny. You’ll understand the need for those details in a moment. Now that I’ve set the scene, here’s the story in all its horrific glory . . .

Love Bunny walks away. He’s thirsty.

Cashier (sad, oh-you-poor-thing smile): Your hair is exactly like mine. Only, I never wear my down like that. It’s just (grimace). . . all bad.

Me: (mouth floundering open and closed and thinking: did she really just go there?)

Cashier: So does your hair still feel and look like dry hay when you get out of the shower?

Me: (thinking: she did. She really went there) N – no. (Looking around. People are standing around us)

Cashier: (sad, oh-you-poor-suffering-delusional-thing smile)

Love Bunny: (returns) You want a drink of this Sprite?

I called Jill Monroe. And yes, my cheeks were still hot and my eyes were a little watery. I’m a baby, what can I say. My HAIR had just been insulted and I’ve had a complex about my hair my entire life (in the woman's favor, she didn’t ask me if I had cancer because of my pale skin – which HAS happened.)

So now, Jill and I have dubbed ourselves official superheroes. Mump Girl and Hay Hair. Mump Girl (ask Jill how she got the name!) will strike you down and cause your lymph nodes to swell! Hay Hair will blind you from the sheer ugliness of her hair and when she fists those dry strands, the crackling sound will bust your eardrums.

Hopefully, there will be many adventures from Mump Girl and Hay Hair.

Sunday, October 07, 2007

Beefcake Monday -- and a bitch slap?




I'm gearing up to begin promo for Savor Me Slowly. Stay tuned, because I'll be hosting contests here to give away a few ARCs. If you're interested.
In regards to the bitch slapping some of you might have heard about. . .
If you want the truth, I’ll give you the truth. It was one of those do or die moments that all heroes experience. And yes, in this scenario I am the hero. You see, there was a thief in my home (can you guess the identity?) -- and she had accomplices this time. One of these accomplices tried to abscond with one of my gnomes. They were displayed proudly beside my desk. I jolted into motion, my heart thundering inside my chest. Jill Monroe, the main thief, jumped in my way, hoping to strike me down. Menace glowed in her eyes. I raised my arm to protect myself. Her chin was collateral damage. Meanwhile, I was able to catch the thief. In doing so, I learned she had stolen the wrong gnome. I belted out a laugh to the heavens.

In the battle of Good vs. Evil, Good won this round!

Friday, October 05, 2007

Good News Friday

Post your good news here! I want to know!!

Thursday, October 04, 2007

To sleep or not to sleep

I didn't sleep last night. Don't you hate those kinds of nights? I've battled insomnia for a long, long time, then finally, I seemed to be cured. But the past few weeks, that has not been the case. Maybe last night was because of my too-stuffed nose. Ugh.

Here's a question for you. I might have asked this before, but new books out bring new fodder. If you could date a romance novel hero, who would it be? Right now, I'm drooling for Bowen from Kresley Cole's upcoming Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night. He is so delicious it should be illegal!

Wednesday, October 03, 2007

Book Tour (for my adult readers!)


I am sick and medicated, so forgive any typos. This book tour is for the 18 and older crowd. Shayla Black was kind enough to send me an ARC of her newest erotica, Decadent. It’s out in stores now. If you like you like your books extra spicy and blazing, this is the one for you. Here’s a very naughty interview with the two men who star in the book, men who are waiting to rock your world.

SHAYLA: Boys, you seem to do almost EVERYTHING together. What made you two decide to start sharing women?

DEKE: “You’re kidding, right? Two men simultaneously pound a woman to orgasm and drive her so insane, she forgets her name and screams the roof down. Then, she’s willing to do anything for her lovers’ pleasure. And I get all the fringe benefits.”

LUC: “It is intense, which is part of the appeal, yes.” Sends a weighty stare to Deke. “But there is a bit more to it.”

DEKE: “Shut up. Now, dammit.”

SHAYLA: Luc, have you ever thought about doing a cookbook on sensual delights?

LUC: “Yes. It’s one of those projects on the backburner while my cable TV show gets underway, but I’d like to indulge soon.”

SHAYLA: Luc, when you see a beautiful woman on the street, what about her initially attracts you?

LUC: “Curves. All women are attractive in their own way, and I look for beauty and flavor in every woman. But on a street, curves catch my eyes. I confess to loving breasts and hips.”

SHAYLA: Gentlemen, you two are about as similar as night and day, not only in looks but also in temperament. How are you two able to get along so well?

LUC: “Balance. We accentuate one another’s good qualities and curb the bad, I think.”

DEKE: “Yeah. You charm and romance them. I make sure they scream.”

LUC: “And then I make them scream some more.” Naughty grin.

SHAYLA: Luc, what kind of woman would be your type and what would she look like?

DEKE: “He’s attracted to the white lace and virginal types. Kinda genteel and sweet.” Snort. “They can’t handle you and what you can dish out.”

LUC: “You spill my secrets, I’m spilling yours.”

DEKE: No longer laughing.

LUC: “That shut you up fast. I like something about most every woman. But as someone I could see waking up to every morning, I’d prefer a woman who’s a little more demure. Someone kind, sweet, patient…”

DEKE: “I keep telling you, man, that’s not going to rock your world.”

LUC: “There is more to life than your dick.”

DEKE: Snort. “Since when?”

SHAYLA: Luc, have you ever seduced a woman with your cooking?

LUC: “That’s half the fun of being a chef. Helping a woman get immersed in all her senses. Sight, smell and taste can be so heightened when I add a perfectly light caress and speak low, sexy words in a woman’s ear. I particularly enjoyed feeding Kimber from my fork and stroking her arm. Deke always gets riled up.”

DEKE: “Unless you want to see action on your kitchen table, don’t bait me.”

SHAYLA: Deke, what was the first thing that made you realize that Kimber is THE woman for you?

DEKE: “Gut instinct. I don’t question those much. I think I always knew, even when she was way too young for what I had in mind.”

SHAYLA: How do you know a woman is truly ready for your type of invitation?

DEKE: “A lot of times, if women know what you’re into, man, they come to you. If not…” Shrug. “Luc moves in with his smooth moves and charm, opens them up to the idea. I’m the closer.”

LUC: “Wipe that damn grin off your face.” Shakes head. “There’s a certain body language that seems to indicate when a woman is receptive to both of us. I watch that and her other non-verbal cues if she’s not openly volunteering her willingness.”

SHAYLA: Luc, would you ever stop sharing women if you fell in love and she wasn’t into it?

LUC: “I often make love to a woman one-on-one. I would want to introduce to the joy of ménage to any woman I fell for eventually. No rush, but in some ways, it’s very necessary to me.”

SHAYLA: So Deke, why will you only be with a woman if Luc is there?

DEKE: “Damn, why don’t you just get personal? Next.”

SHAYLA: Boxers or briefs? Or nothing. That works, too.

DEKE: “Women ask damn funny questions. Commando most of the time.”

LUC: Clears throat. “I prefer briefs.”

SHAYLA: What do you like about the ménage relationship besides the actual sex?

DEKE: “In many ways, it’s safer and saner. And that’s all I’m saying.”

LUC: “The intensity is sublime, but there are other benefits that are simply difficult to explain.”

SHAYLA: One of my readers said, “Sex? You? Me? Sound good? Alright!”

LUC: Laughs. “Challenging through a computer…”

DEKE: “The sex I like isn’t sweet or pretty or romantic. It’s raw, sometimes a little painful for a woman. It can require a spine of steel and a lot of stamina. Still wanna play?”

SHAYLA: Luc…Do you prefer blonds or brunettes? And do you think you will give up ménage when you fall in love?

LUC: “Hair color is not really important. What is, is a woman’s heart, her kindness, her willingness to share her spirit with me. I’m nearly thirty-five, well beyond the age of merely wanting a good lay. I truly am looking forward to the next step in life. As for giving up menages… Not altogether, no. It’s something I need.”

SHAYLA: Have you ever been truly jealous of the one another?

DEKE: “Once. We got past it. Next.”

SHAYLA: Could a woman ever be capable of coming between your friendship?

LUC: “In the long run, no. There have been moments…but they’re in the past. So the short answer is no.”

SHAYLA: Thank you two very yummy gentlemen for your time and answers. I was certainly thrilled to spend a little time with you!

Tuesday, October 02, 2007

Tuesday Question

I am counting the days until Karen Marie Moning's Bloodfever is released! I can't wait. Waiting bad. Me want book, like, now! Same with Kresley Cole's Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night. I just shivered! I read an ARC of Kresley's amazing book. I'll be buying a copy the moment it's released. That baby is going in a place of honor on my keeper shelf. So good. SO good. Seriously. I'll be posting about it a lot this month. One of the best books I've ever read. More about it very soon!

Thinking about these authors and their books made me think of who I'd like to sit down and have a meal with, talking about their books, their fabulousness, and such. If you could pick 10 authors to share a meal with, who would they be?

Monday, October 01, 2007

Beefcake Monday


What about a man who likes to ride?
P.S. I'm not sure why my JR Ward, Lover Unbound post labeled as a "b" -- I've fixed it now -- but that is in no way the grade I would have given the book. It's a total A+