Rebecca York/Ruth Glick

Black and Red Bean Tortilla Bake

2010-09-27T23:22:00.000-07:00

This is one of my low-fat recipes, so feel free to add fat back in if you want. You could use full-fat Cheddar cheese, for example, and regular sour cream.

The recipe is from THE DIABETES SNACK MUNCH NIBBLE NOSH BOOK, 3rd Edition, by Ruth Glick, published by the American Diabetes Association.

Preparation time: 15 minutes

12 servings/serving size: I piece about 3 by 2½ inches

Tex-Mex flavors predominate in this easy layered bake. It’s great as part of a buffet or when you want to feed a gang of hungry male snackers.

2 cups frozen mixed pepper and onion stir-fry

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 tsp olive oil

1 cup mild salsa

1 15-oz can reduced-sodium tomato sauce or regular tomato sauce

1½ tsp ground cumin

1 tsp chili powder

1 15-oz can black beans, rinsed and well-drained

1 16-oz can reduced-sodium kidney beans, or regular kidney beans, drained

12 to 14 6-in corn tortillas

1 cup reduced-fat cottage cheese (1% fat)

2 cups shredded reduced-fat Cheddar cheese (8 oz) (5 grams of fat per oz)

Garnish:

1 large tomato, chopped

1/4 cup thinly sliced green onion tops

½ cup nonfat or reduced-fat sour cream

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a small pot or very large saucepan, combine the pepper-onion mixture, garlic, and oil. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the onion is soft, about 5 or 6 minutes.

2. Add the salsa, tomato sauce, cumin, and chili powder. Simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes. Stir in the black beans and kidney beans. Remove from burner.

3. Spread one half of the bean mixture evenly in the bottom of a 9½ x 13 inch baking pan. Top with one half of the tortillas in an overlapping layer. With the back of a large spoon, spread the cottage cheese evenly over the tortillas. Top with one half of the Cheddar cheese. Add the remaining tortillas, then the remaining bean mixture.

4. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until heated through. Sprinkle with the remaining Cheddar cheese, and bake uncovered an additional 5 to 6 minutes or until the cheese is partially melted.

5. To serve, cut into 12 rectangles, and garnish with tomatoes, green onion, and sour cream.

RT10

2010-05-04T13:15:00.000-07:00

Columbus was a fabulous place for a conference. I wouldn't have believed it before I went, but I loved the city. The hotel and conference center were right next to the High Street area, a very lively part of town. We walked down there to a couple of wonderful restaurants. And on Sunday we went over to the North Market where there were lots of food stands. We munched on ham and cheese croissants for lunch.

The conference center, next to the hotel, had a good food court where we had several lunches. We loved the Greek restaurant there.

I think that if you can't be outrageous at RT, where can you be? So I decided to wear the saris I'd bought in India--and also the ones I got at home after our trip to India. Lots of people commented on them. I was planning to also wear them at RWA. Wonder what's going to happen at RWA this year?

Here I am w/ Kathryn Falk at Club RT.

I did a couple of panels--one on Thrillers and one on Paranormal. The most interesting thing to me was hearing how other writers work. I can't imagine doing a suspense plot by the seat of my pants. But apparently a lot of people do it. Also fun to hear what paranormal elements authors are putting into their books. I would not have believed you could sell shape-shifter snakes. But they exist.

At the Thriller Panel with Gennita Low, Cindy Gerard, CJ Lyons, Heather Graham and Robert Gregory Browne.

Here are some of my impressions of RT10.

It was fun hooking up with old friends at the conference, like Angela Knight and her husband. But I also got to know some people I hadn't really talked to before.

Michael Woodcock, Angela Knight, me and Norman at the Vampire Ball.

Norman w/ Barry Eisler.

At the Book Fair with Sarah Zettel.

RT makes writers pay to put their promotional materials on promotion lane and limits the amount of space they have. Actually, I think this is a good idea because it keeps down the amount of stuff sitting around. It's fun going through the materials, picking up things from other writers and deciding what works and what doesn't. I personally think that if the thing you're giving away doesn't have your name on it, you shouldn't bother. (I don't mean a business card tied to a back scratcher.)

RT runs a good awards ceremony that clicks along fairly quickly. This year they had the editor of Cosmo as an award ceremony speaker. Since they gave a special award to Barbara Taylor Bradford, she was also on hand. She told a hilarious story about a fan who'd brought a lot of books for her to sign. One had a bullet hole in it. The woman's husband had shot the book, but not to worry. They are now divorced.

I won the award for best Harlequin Intrigue. Here I am with other winners, Charlaine Harris, Barbara Taylor Bradford and Sue Grimshaw.

Here I’m giving Borders Romance buyer, Sue Grimshaw, her Melinda Helfer Fairy Godmother Award.

RT makes it easy to connect with fans at Club RT, where you can sit at a table and talk to readers. I always enjoy that. And there's also a dealers room in the same location, where you can buy unique clothing and jewelry.

Here I am with Lisa Childs at Club RT.

I also did interviews with Between Your Sheets (video--which will appear on NovelsAlive.tv) and with Circle of Seven for one of their podcasts later this month.

The hotel was comfortable but strangely didn't have an upscale restaurant, only a coffee shop and a bar. Because the conference was spread out, there wasn't one central place where you could see people. But the bar was usually crowded, as you might expect. Some of us got breakfast at Einstein Brothers Bagels. Really yummy! Unfortunately, they were closed on the weekend, and we had to get inferior bagels at a coffee shop (also in the hotel).

In the past few years, I was seeing a lot of e-pub authors at RT and not so many print published, but I see this shifting. There were a lot of NY published authors on hand in Columbus.

RT is also a party blast. The Faery Ball is always fun. You wouldn't believe how much effort some people put into costumes. Also at the Vampire Ball. As promised, I wore my transvestite vampire outfit and had a great time. Norman wore his tux to both balls. (See above)

India Trip

2010-04-07T15:37:00.000-07:00

Norman took so many great pictures in India that it’s hard to choose just a few to show you here. But here’s an idea of what we saw on our trip.

This picture from Varanasi shows the temple grounds where Hindus burn their dead. Like other tourists, we watched some of the ceremonies from a boat in the Ganges. Most boats are small, with one man rowing and three passengers. But I saw some boatmen rowing up to fifteen people. They must be strong.

A little later in the evening you can see some of the boats and the lights along the shore.

Here are women getting ready to bathe in the Ganges. They wear their saris. The men strip to bathing trunks.

Not the usual view of the Taj Mahal. Instead, we’re across the river in a beautiful garden, early in the morning.

This truck driver’s got a problem. He’s transporting an elephant, but it won’t clear the overpass. I guess they had to unload her or go around.

Visitors to the Ranthambore Tiger Preserve. Sadly, we didn’t see any tigers. But when we arrived at the Ranthambore train station, there were special greeters wandering around–-black pigs. And as we headed for the parking lot, I saw a cow going into the waiting room.

This is one of the small towns we drove through on the road between Ranthambore and Jaipur. There were lots of camels pulling carts. Lots of dogs. Cows wandering at will. Trucks. Motor scooters. Total chaos.

And here I am with a snake charmer. I may be smiling, but I wasn’t too happy to be sitting a few feet from a cobra. Norman urged me onto the blanket, though.

Here I am with Norman riding an elephant at the Amber Fort in Jaipur. Remind me that I don’t have to do it again. Twice is definitely enough. (The first time was in Thailand.)

I like this girl because you can see her face painting.

One of the highlights of our trip was when Norman, Patricia Rosemoor and I had dinner with a family in Jaipur. Their extended family lived in one house, built around a lovely courtyard. The living room and dining room were open to the interior court. The house was on an ordinary street in the Pink City, but as soon as you walked up the alley and through their front door, you were in another world.

Five people on a motor scooter was not an unusual sight.

Lunch in the courtyard of a restaurant in Jodhpur. Again, you could never tell from the street what was hidden behind high walls.

On the road between Jodhpur and Udaipur. This was part of a Jain temple complex.

Our fabulous hotel in Udaipur. The Lake Palace, built on an island. Norman, Patricia and I ate dinner on the rooftop restaurant, where we could look across the water at the Maharajah's palace. The food was western-style, for a change. The service was excellent, and the view was spectacular. A very memorable evening.

Outside the hotel coffee shop after breakfast. India is a country of such contrasts. Luxury hotels and people sleeping on the streets

And here’s a road repair crew.

What a fantastic trip. I’d love to go back. I just wish India weren’t so far away.

HABITS OF THE PRODUCTIVE WRITER

2010-03-02T11:49:00.000-08:00

Recently I was asked to be guest author for a book-in-a-week challenge group. Of course, that got me thinking about my own writing method. I write two to four books a year, which means I have to keep working at a steady pace.

Long ago, I used to write slowly, then spend a lot of time editing. I figured out about fifteen years ago that I could write fast, then fix any problems later–if something needed fixing. But part of my process is to start each day editing the text I wrote the day before. That gets me back into the story.

A key factor that allows me to write fast is having an outline to work from. With an outline, I know where the book is going. Without one, I might write scenes that don’t really fit into the book. I know outlining is difficult for some writers, but it’s a skill that can be learned. And I’ve found that it’s a lot easier to fix a fifteen-page outline than it is to fix the same things in a 400-page book.

Even when I have an outline, I must think about every scene as I write it. Often my outline is very vague on details. It might say, “And then they escape from the psychotic killers,” and I have to figure out what’s really happening and if it’s even going to work the way I thought it would.

Also, I don’t think a writer can justify a scene just for “character development.” It’s got to also advance the plot in some way.

Since I’m writing romantic suspense, I must make sure that each scene carries both the relationship and the suspense. For example, if the hero and heroine are going to kiss or make love, they must also be thinking about the danger stalking them. Often, I also alternate scenes with the bad guys looking for them or planning what they’re going to do to them when they catch up.

There are times when I write a scene that I know isn’t quite right. I write it anyway so I can move forward and think of it as “holding the place” for the scene that’s going to work better. If you’re trying to write really fast, you may have to go with that concept. On the other hand, sometimes I do get stalled. If a scene simply won’t flow at all, it means I don’t understand the character motivation. Or I haven’t blocked out the action well enough. If any of that’s true, I GET UP from the computer. Sometimes just walking away for a while helps me think. Other times, it may take a couple of days to figure out what’s wrong. In that case, I might pick up another project until I get unstuck.

When I develop a story, I think about character and plot at the same time. My h/h must be the right ones for the story I’m telling. And the plot must be designed for THOSE CHARACTERS. I try not to have someone do something “out of character” just because I want or need it to happen. I call that “jerking the characters around for the sake of the plot.” If I want the heroine to do something stupid, I start early in the book establishing that she WOULD do it. In LASSITER’S LAW, for example, I have her creating the crisis for the action climax by turning herself over to the bad guy. I start very early in the story building up to that moment so the reader would believe she’d done it.

In KILLING MOON, my hero, Ross Marshall, is a werewolf detective who uses his wolf senses to solve crimes. His specialty is finding missing persons, and as the story opens, he’s stalking a serial killer. But he’s also concerned about his genetic heritage. Which is why I pair him with a woman who’s a physician and a genetic specialist. They meet after the killer wounds him, and she saves his life. Yet she knows he has secrets and wonders what kind of man she’s fallen in love with. As the plot unfolds she becomes entangled in the investigation. Five years ago, Ross ripped out the throat of another serial killer after the cops failed to act. He’s sworn never to kill again. Until he has to save the heroine’s life.

As I develop the plot and characters, I also think about the location. Where will this story take place? LASSITER’S LAW is set in Western Maryland because I wanted the heroine to be hiding out in the rural environment where she grew up.

KILLING MOON is set in the Maryland/DC area because that’s where I live, and I know it well. My werewolf lives out in the country where he can roam in wolf form. But he has easy access to the DC suburbs. I also picked the location because I think people find this setting interesting.

When I have enough details to feel comfortable with my location, I get to work, although I might have to do some research as I write. For KILLING MOON, I drove to Montgomery Mall and got to know the shopping center.

For LASSITER’S LAW, I relied on trips I’d taken to Western Maryland.

I’ve been asked if I wait for inspiration or work every day. My answer is that a career novelist must make a commitment to a regular work schedule. If I’m writing a first draft, I try to produce ten pages a day. Sometimes I can do more, but if I push too hard, I’m likely to turn out less the next day.

The good news is that the more you write, the easier it becomes. I think everybody’s got a “writing muscle.” Like any other muscle, it becomes stronger with exercise.

So don’t be afraid to plunge in. Give yourself permission to write pages that are less than perfect. You can always fix them later.

Cabin Fever?

2010-02-08T09:55:00.000-08:00

I’m still stuck in the house two days after the big February snowstorm of 2010. So far, I've edited 90 pages of my WIP. I need to plow through another 40 before I pick up moving forward again. But I’m emerging to shovel. I shoveled a path from the front door to the sidewalk. That took 45 minutes. I keep going out to work on the cars for maybe 20-30 minutes at a time. When I was a kid, I hated "snow pants." Now I love having the ones I bought for our polar bear chasing trip to Churchill. Also the arctic boots.

Food's my big problem at the moment. Unfortunately, I'm a good cook, so I keep going into kitchen and making hearty stuff. Spaghetti sauce. Beef burgundy. Ham and bean soup. Real hot chocolate. (Not the mix. You can make real chocolate with Splenda instead of sugar.) Unfortunately, I’ve also got a big bag of cheese popcorn that I opened!

Lucky for us, we’ve got power. (Unlike some families in the neighboring counties.) So there’s plenty of entertainment in here. We have tons of Criminal Minds DVDs to watch. We also just finished the 2nd season of The Tudors."

I’ve been floundering out into the deep snow to feed the birds and squirrels. I'm putting birdseed in shallow pans. Squirrels leap on it. Birds are worried that it's some kind of trap.

Are you part of the great whiteout of 2010? How are you surviving?

Rebecca

2009-12-17T18:53:00.000-08:00

Mulled "Cider"

7 servings/serving size: 1 cup

I served a version of this "cider" tonight to my writing group, and everyone wanted the recipe. Here's a version I used in Snack Attack.

I’ve always loved the taste of hot mulled cider, but the amount of sugar in apple cider is off the charts. So I devised this hot winter drink that tastes a lot like mulled cider–but without that high sugar content. It’s easy to double this recipe if you want to serve a large pot of this flavorful hot punch.

6 cups hot decaffeinated or caffeinated tea
1 cup orange juice
2 Tbsp lemon juice
3/4 cup Splenda, or to taste
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/4 tsp orange extract
1 cinnamon stick
6 whole cloves

Combine all the ingredients in a large saucepan. Bring to a simmer. Simmer for 30 minutes to allow the spices to permeate the liquid. Ladle into mugs. Leftovers will keep in the refrigerator 2 or 3 days. Rewarm in the microwave.

Wintry Willow Oaks

2009-12-05T12:24:00.001-08:00

We’re having our first snowfall in the Baltimore-DC area. Large wet flakes slanting down and making the world beautiful. Here are some pictures of the willow oaks in back of my house. Let’s hope the driving’s okay tomorrow when we have to go out.

WHAT COMES FIRST, PLOT OR CHARACTER?

2009-10-12T03:00:00.000-07:00

What comes first? Plot or character? For me, they’ve got to develop together. My characters must serve my plot, and my plot must work with my characters. I could think of a great story about a guy who’s living alone in a mountain cabin and is visited by space aliens, but what’s he doing in that cabin? Why is he alone? How is he going to deal with lizard-like creatures knocking on his door? And the larger question–is the reader going to believe his reactions?

One lesson I learned about my stories. They’re not reality. It’s a world I create. But I’ve got to make it look, sound, feel, taste and smell real to the reader. The way to do that is by paying attention to every detail from characters and plot to setting and dialogue. Yet some details are more important than others. I’m sure you’ve had the experience of picking up a book and starting to read–then giving up after a few pages or a few chapters. Why? Probably because you didn’t like the plot or you couldn’t connect with the characters.

I absorbed a lot about writing techniques through my love of reading. In my teens, one of my favorite authors was Sinclair Lewis. He was brilliant at character sketches. In just a sentence or two, he could get inside the personality of a small town mayor or the head of a major corporation. But he was much less adept with plot. His stories moved slowly, and eventually I stopped reading him.

Contrast that with the action-packed movies being produced today. They serve up chases, explosions and world-crushing meteors, bombarding the screen one after the other. But mostly they don’t interest me unless they focus on compelling characters as well. And they justify the action with logic.

I’ve learned my craft from reading authors I admire, by studying movie techniques, and by figuring out what works or falls flat. Then I go back to my own stories. Every book I write begins with what I’d call a “cool idea.”

Take my October Berkley release, DRAGON MOON. What if a frightening dragon-shifter monster from my parallel universe planned to invade our world? What if he sent a spy here–and she had to figure out how to free herself from his hold on her?

I always plan to start with a gripping first scene that will plunge the reader into the action. In DRAGON MOON, Vandar, my dragon-shifter monster, flies over his domain, lands and gathers his slaves so he can execute one of them by drinking his blood. Then he thinks about his current project–invading our world and how he’s going to accomplish it.

He focuses on Kenna, a woman with telekinetic powers. She’s a slave–but I don’t want her to be too cowed. So I decided she’s only been in captivity for the past few months.

Since I’m writing romantic suspense, Kenna will develop a relationship with a man she comes to love. And because I’m writing a werewolf series, it’s going to be another one of my Marshall men. Talon Marshall. I want him in an isolated location, so I have him leading wilderness expeditions–and living at a former hunting lodge in the woods.

Kenna stumbles into our world and immediately gets into trouble when a fallen tree traps her during a thunderstorm. Talon rescues her, and they’re quickly attracted to each other. She wants to tell him why she’s in our world, but Vandar has made it impossible to speak of her mission. When she tries, terrible pains in her head incapacitate her. So I’ve trapped my characters in what looks like an impossible situation.

I always try to outline my story in advance, because I want to understand where it’s going. If you don’t know what goal you’re working toward, how can you know how each scene will advance the plot? But there are always details to discover along the way. How exactly are Talon and Kenna going to defeat Vandar? They can’t do it on their own.

They’re going to need the other Marshall werewolves and their mates. But even with the Marshalls working together, they’re not strong enough to go up against Vandar. They need someone with powers that equal the dragon- shifters–and he’s the surprise character I throw into the mix.

Because I write romantic suspense, the romance relationship develops as Talon and Kenna are struggling with the danger hanging over them. Talon’s afraid he’s bonding with a woman he can’t trust. He knows she’s hiding a secret, and he’s upset that she doesn’t trust him enough reveal it to him.

To give my stories extra punch, I often try to weave more than one threat through the plot. In this case, as the book starts, Talon has discovered a buried trunk full of stolen money and turned it in to the police. The bank robber, Mitch Sutton, who stole the money, knows Talon turned it in and wants to get even. And while Talon is off leading a wilderness expedition, Sutton almost kills Kenna.

The two threats come together when Sutton follows the Marshalls into my parallel universe as they get ready to battle Vandar and his forces.

As the book progresses, plot and character continue to work together. Kenna and Talon face an escalating series of high-stakes perils, but in every case their reactions to each other and to these threats are the most important factor in every scene.

I try to create the perfect people for my plot, but the characters don’t come fully alive for me until I start writing the book. It takes me about three chapters to get into their heads deeply enough to know how they will react in each situation they face. As I write, I may go back and fill in more about their character so the reader can understand them better. Still, I try never to overload any one part of the story with too much background. To my way of thinking, “character development” can never be the only reason for a scene. Each scene has to move the plot forward toward an ending that will satisfy me and the reader.

How do you feel about plot and character? Do they function together for you? Or is one more important than the other?

BELIEVE IN YOURSELF

2009-10-02T06:00:00.000-07:00

It’s a big cliché in the writing business: “Believe in yourself.” Yet it’s true. If you don’t believe in yourself, who will?

I was thinking about my werewolf series today because the ninth book, DRAGON MOON, is out October 6 from Berkley. Nine werewolf books. Unbelievable. How did I get here?

It all started years ago when I read DARKER THAN YOU THINK, by Jack Williamson. I was fifteen and an avid reader of science fiction and fantasy. That book, about a man being guided into his werewolf powers, really spoke to me. Maybe it was that universal teenage angst. There were aspects of my life that I hated, and I wanted to be somewhere else. Williamson made me want to be a werewolf. It sure beat my high school feelings of inferiority–in and out of the classroom.

Later, after I was married and my own kids were in middle school, I saw a review of THE WOLF’S HOUR, by Robert McCammon, in the Washington Post. I chomped at the bit to read that book, so I ran out to Waldenbooks and bought it. Another peak reading experience for me. I LOVED McCammon’s hero. He was so much like the heroes of the romances I was reading. Only he was a werewolf, and it was clear that he wasn’t going to bond permanently with any woman.

At the time, few publishers were buying paranormal, but I kept thinking about a werewolf hero, and I wanted to write one. Yet I kept thinking, “Who would buy that kind of book from me?” For four or five years, I talked about a werewolf story. Finally a friend said, “Either stop talking about that story or write it.” As I always do when I’m working on a book, I came up with an outline. I was selling steadily to Harlequin Intrigue on proposal, but I knew I could never sell a werewolf book on proposal, so I wrote KILLING MOON while I was writing my Intrigues. In the middle of the book, my agent retired, and I had to find a new agent. I decided it had to be someone who would love my werewolf story. Lucky for me, I found the right agent.

Berkley was just starting a “dark paranormal line.” My new agent sold KILLING MOON to Berkley, who promptly closed all their “lines.” But they made my story a launch book for their new Sensation imprint. They wanted more werewolf books, and I found myself writing a series that I hadn’t planned.

The first books were fairly conventional, except for the werewolf element. But lately they’ve acquired more “out there” elements, like my alternate universe that runs parallel to this one. The heroine of DRAGON MOON is a woman named Kenna, a slave from my alternate universe. She’s sent here to help her ruthless dragon-shifter master invade our world. She meets werewolf Talon Marshall and desperately wants to tell him her frightening secret. But every time she tries to reveal her plight, excruciating pains stab into her head. Even as Kenna and Talon fall in love, he can’t trust her. And she struggles to break through the barriers that control her mind. It’s classic romantic suspense, with the paranormal twists I love.

I had a wonderful time writing about Kenna and Talon, but another character, Ramsey Gallagher, plays a big role in the novel. I fell in love with him, and lucky for me, I’m writing his story right now. He’s a dragon-shifter who’s been on earth for more than a thousand years and is trying to discover his heritage.

I want to urge you to follow your bliss–whether you’re a writer or you’re in some other field. The Moon series has been an awesome adventure for me. And Berkley pays me to write these books!

Have you ever wanted to write a book but were afraid it wouldn’t sell? Or have you ever wished an author would write a certain kind of book?

Low-Carb Pumpkin Bars

2009-09-27T09:02:00.000-07:00

I love spice cookies. Now that fall’s here, I’ve been indulging my yen for them by testing this recipe for yummy, low-carb Pumpkin Bars. I think I’ve finally gotten the right balance of ingredients. The bars are also relatively low fat. And the liquid egg substitute speeds up preparation. All you have to do is shake the carton and pour.

Low-Carb Pumpkin Bars

½ cup butter, softened
½ cup canned pumpkin (not pie mix)
½ cup liquid egg substitute
1 cup Splenda
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp ground ginger
½ tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground cloves
Pinch of salt
2 cups almond flour
½ cup unbleached white flour
1 tsp baking powder
½ cup raisins (optional)

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9-inch square baking pan, and set aside.

2. In a mixer bowl, combine butter, pumpkin and egg substitute. Beat on medium speed until well combined. Add Splenda, vanilla, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and salt. Beat on medium speed until incorporated.

3. With mixer running, add flours and baking powder. Mix until well combined. Turn off mixer and stir in raisins, if using.

4. With the back of a large spoon, spread mixture evenly in baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 28 to 32 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack. Cut into squares. Cookies will keep at room temperature, in the pan covered with plastic wrap, for two or three days.

Makes 16 squares.

Museum of Crime and Punishment

2009-08-25T11:53:00.000-07:00

If you’re planning a trip to DC, there’s a new museum you might want to check out. The National Museum of Crime and Punishment at 575 7th Street NW, right in the heart of the revitalized downtown area.

They lured me in with a summer special for Maryland, DC, and Virginia residents. If you arrive after 6 pm, when things are slow, you get in for $6. What a deal. Turns out, those hours were perfect because the best interactive exhibits weren’t crowded.

The museum starts with historic crime and punishment, and you might want to speed past the medieval torture devices to get to the more relevant modern exhibits. Although I did get a kick standing next to the bullet-riddled Ford where Bonnie and Clyde were gunned down. And also my up close and personal inspection of the French guillotine.

If I got a chance to redesign the museum, I’d put in more interactive exhibits. A lot of the early material consists of pictures and explanations–like the strict rules for Sabbath behavior in colonial Massachusetts.

You can also look at pictures and read about such notorious episodes as the Lindbergh kidnapping, Patty Hearst and the Symbionese Liberation Army, Ted Kaczynski, Robert Morris (the kid who launched the worm that almost brought down the Internet) and serial killers like John Wayne Gacy, Ted Bundy and Jeffery Dahmer. But some exhibits feature mock-ups or props–like the luxury jail cell where Capone was incarcerated. You can also inspect a real electric chair and gas chamber (with explanations of how they were used.). Then on to lethal injection.

The farther you get, the more “good stuff” there is, like the makeshift weapons confiscated from U.S. prisons and a chilling lecture from a warden to new inmates. (Life as you knew it is over. You will have no privacy. You will obey all rules. If you’re good, you’ll get assigned a job where you can earn twelve cents an hour.) Then you can step inside a jail cell–and escape through a hole in the wall.

Other fun exhibits include a morgue, complete with a “body” on the autopsy table, the crime lab, the lineup, where you can join a crew of skuzzy looking guys. You can also see mug shots of famous people, including Frank Sinatra and Mel Gibson and guess who they are. Of course, there’s also that notorious shot of Nick Nolte.

The most fun stuff was near the end. I watched several people drive a police patrol simulator, then tried it myself. Since most of them ended up crashing or hitting pedestrians, I drove very cautiously. I never would have caught up with the speeder if he hadn’t stopped and waited for me. Next was the best of all, the FBI shooting scenarios, where you’re given a “gun,” then watch a scene unfold on a big screen. When a bad guy tries to shoot you, you try and nail him first. I’m glad to report that I killed him.

In the basement is the studio where they shoot America’s Most Wanted. You can tour the sets and get a friend to point a video camera at you. The picture’s shown on a big screen in the exhibit. But it’s in back of you, so you can’t check yourself out while you’re on camera.

All in all, a fun three hours if you’re into crime and punishment. And a lot to absorb in one visit. I’ll have to go back for more.

You can see the hours and prices for the museum at http://www.crimemuseum.org/purchase_online.html .

Rebecca

From Noah Fielding

2009-08-23T12:45:00.000-07:00

There’s a scene in my August Harlequin Intrigue, MORE THAN A MAN, where Noah Fielding wakes up weak and confused. He’s survived a near-death experience, but he doesn’t know where he is–or what time period he’s in. I don’t have room in the book to go into his thoughts in depth. But I’ve written them here, from his POV in first person present tense.

Captivity. Again. But where and when?

Disjointed thoughts swirl through my head, and I can capture none of them. I hear a woman crying. Who is she? Does she weep for me? I try to grab a memory, but it slips away, and I want to scream in frustration. But I cannot speak. Cannot move. Cannot even open my eyes. And my body is on fire.

I fight the agonizing pain in every cell of my body, praying for death. But death eludes me–again.

Where am I? Do the Franciscans have me in the cellars below the abbey, confined because they think I’m in league with the devil? No, that can’t be true. I escaped from the monks long ago.

Has the Doge of Venice arrested me for shipping treasures out of his city-state? But didn’t I bribe my way out of his prison?

Am I in the clutches of the Nazis–because they think I’m spying for the Allied forces? No, I remember escaping from their transport van in a hail of bullets. They left me for dead by the side of the road.

I lie in the dark, trying to clear my head as jumbled images dance like scenes from a nightmare behind my closed lids. So many centuries. So many lives. And always I must hide my identity. I was born in a small village in England. Centuries ago. But I am always apart, separated by my long life and the need to hide my true identity. That was easier centuries ago. I could pretend to die and disappear into the mist. Today computers keep track of everything.

Computers. Ah. Finally I have a reference point. This must be late in the 20th century–or the 21st.

A woman’s cries bring another stab of pain. I have longed for love, yet over the lonely centuries each woman in my life has left me. Some have run from me in horror when they learned my secret. Some have tried to kill me in their anger when they learned my secret. But the worst is when they grow old and die, while I stay the same. Always the same. Year after year. I look like a man in my early thirties with a full head of hair, a vigorous body and a sharp mind. Yet I am centuries old.

Finally, I know where I am and that Olivia, the woman I love, is with me.

My throat constricts as I think of the anguish I have brought her. My eyes flutter open, and I try to speak. But my throat is still too raw.

Oh Lord, Olivia. I didn’t have the courage to tell you my secret for fear you would leave me. You think I’ve sacrificed myself for you. But now I’m coming back to life before your eyes. I see the joy on your face. The wonder. But also the shock and the knowledge of my betrayal. I couldn’t tell you the truth about myself, and now you’ve found out in the most horrible way imaginable.

Fear claws at me. A monster of a man named Jarred Bainbridge holds us both captive. Can I save you from him–or is it already too late?

Noah Fielding.

So would you like to live forever? What are the disadvantages, do you think?

Rebecca

Would You Believe?

2009-06-25T08:20:00.000-07:00

When I saw the cover of MORE THAN A MAN, my August Intrigue, I did a double take. The great-looking guy on the cover is the spitting image of my son. Did the art department find a picture of him? Or is it just an accident? The skin tone’s off. My son’s got more olive coloration. And his hair is shorter. But that’s HIM. And if he ever sees this post, he’ll probably come after me with an ax for telling you about my reaction to the cover. I know he doesn’t see himself as the hero of a romance novel. (He once did a sarcastic review of one of my books for a literature class he was taking at the University of Maryland, where he pointed out that the brand of car my heroine drove changed in the middle of the book.)

On the other hand, he’s obviously a danger junky. He’s a State Department Foreign Service Officer, and his assignments are mostly in places I don’t want to visit, like Albania and Kazakhstan. The exception was a posting to Moscow a few years ago. Right now he’s in Afghanistan, on a Provincial Reconstruction Team. And he’s volunteered to stay another year, this time at Kandahar Air Base. Where I can worry about him some more.

He’s due to come home for a brief vacation in–wait for it–July, right around RWA. But his home base is DC, so I hope to see him during the conference. Maybe I can even persuade him to stop in at the Marriott so everybody can compare him to the MORE THAN A MAN cover. If I break away from the conference for a few hours, you’ll know it was to have some time with him. I’d love to rent a beach house for a week while he’s here and get the family together. But I don’t know if it’s going to happen, since he hasn’t answered my questions about when exactly he’ll be in town. How’s that for a cliff-hanger?

Rebecca

Author Tour--RED KISS, by Deidre Knight

2009-06-05T00:58:00.001-07:00

RED KISS
A Gods of Midnight Novel
by Deidre Knight

Signet Eclipse
June 2, 2009

Immortal warrior and Spartan slave River Kassandros has a special gift—the ability to transform into any weapon. But in a recent battle, he was trapped as a dagger, unable to become human again. His one hope of salvation is a mere mortal…

When Emma Lowery beaches her kayak on an uninhabited island off the coast of Savannah, an ancient dagger seems to call out to her. Compelled by dark forces, Emma draws blood with his blade, freeing River. Now he’s stronger, angrier—and exudes more sensuality than Emma can resist.

But a sinister power wants to claim River’s destiny, and his precarious freedom. The pair must join the Spartan warriors to fight Ares himself. But can they face sacrificing their love to protect humankind from the war god’s demonic plan?

Excerpt: http://www.deidreknight.com/red_kiss_excerpt.html
Cover Image: http://www.deidreknight.com/images/red_kiss_final_cover_large.jpg

ABOUT DEIDRE KNIGHT

Deidre Knight is a literary agent, mom, wife, novelist and southern woman, and proud to answer to all of these titles. Before she founded The Knight Agency in 1996, Deidre worked behind the camera in movies and television. During the thirteen years since she launched her literary agency, she has grown The Knight Agency to national prominence, shepherding authors on to every major bestseller list.

After nearly a decade of working with Knight Agency clients, helping them discover their creative potential, Deidre’s dream of writing romance came true in the form of her debut series THE MIDNIGHT WARRIORS which launched with PARALLEL ATTRACTION in the spring of 2006. She has been nominated for a plethora of industry awards including the PEARL, the PRISM, the NOR, the JABIC and the STRCA.

Deidre's riveting new series, THE GODS OF MIDNIGHT, chronicles the journey of seven passionate and immortal Spartan warriors who battle demons in contemporary Savannah. The first book in the series, RED FIRE, was released on October 7, 2008, and the series’ next installment, RED KISS, premieres June 2, 2009.

REVIEWS

“Knight’s expertise at combining sensuality and pulse-pounding action is on full display. Make room for another “Knight” on your keeper shelf.” – Jill M. Scott, Romantic Times, 4-Star Review

“This is a sensual, action-packed, steaming hot romance! Filled with demons, Gods, immortal warriors, and unique world building, Red Kiss will leave you begging for more.” – Wendy Hines, Armchair Reviews

“Ms. Knight did a wonderful job blending the old world sensibilities with the modern age.” – Eye on Romance

www.DeidreKnight.com

www.DeidreKnight.yuku.com

http://www.deidreknight.blogspot.com/

Name that Wolf Contest and BRIDE OF THE WOLF

2009-05-07T05:00:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, I promised you some information about my “Name that Wolf” contest. Right now he’s called Wolfie. But I’d love some help with a new name for him. Something exotic and romantic and perhaps a bit dangerous. I know that makes him look a little bit toothless, but I use it to disguise his savage nature, since he sits in my living room, and I don’t want him to scare little children who visit. Here he is about to eat an Abyssinian cat.

To enter the contest, you must go through my Web site. All the rules are at www.rebeccayork.com/contest.htm .

If I pick the name you selected, I have a fun prize. You get to have YOUR name used in the next shape-shifter book I write.

I’ve got another contest running as well–with some book giveaways. You’ll see it in the same place.

And here’s another blog tour--

Bride of the Wolf by Jennifer St. Giles (Shadowed Series Book 4)

Release Date 4/28/09

When the heroic werewolf Navarro is trapped in the twilight realm, his Shadowed comrades are unable to rescue him. Only a passionate woman with a spirit as wild as his own can set him free….

Oil heiress Marissa Vasquez fled the jungles of Belize to avoid becoming a pawn in her vicious uncle’s wicked schemes. Though she has found temporary sanctuary in little Twilight, Tennessee, only in her dreams does she taste freedom. At night, her spirit intertwines with a magnificent black wolf, and they run together under the glow of a forest moon. When a wounded stranger is brought to the camp where she is hiding, she glimpses in his eyes the mysterious being who has been the partner of her visions. But before she can explore her strange reaction to this man, they are kidnaped and imprisoned once again.

Navarro is a shape-shifting Shadowman, captured by the evil Vladarian vampire who hopes to control Marissa. Injured and blind, he struggles to regain his warrior’s strength as they fight for their freedom — and their lives. Together, their spirits form a powerful link matched only by the passion they discover in each other’s arms. But can a mortal woman attain true love with a man who is half wolf? And will their enemies give them time to find an answer?

Reviews

“With a spin that will shake fans with delight, Jennifer St. Giles continues to make The Shadowed saga one of the best urban romantic fantasy series on the market today.”—Klausner

“Magically believable and overflowing with affecting emotions, BRIDE OF THE WOLF holds your attention during every gripping scene.” Singletitles.com

“Jennifer St. Giles packs an emotional punch that will take your breath away.” Bitten by Books, Brianna.

“BRIDE OF THE WOLF is yet another intense and powerful story from the very talented Jennifer St. Giles.” CK’s Kwips and Kritiques, Debbie

Excerpt: http://jenniferstgiles.com/brideofthewolf.shtml

Cover: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51aCDt9I9HL.jpg

Website: jenniferstgiles.com

Blog: jenniferstgiles.blogspot.com

USA Today Bestselling Author, Jennifer is a former nurse and homeschooling mother of three. She has won a number of awards for writing excellence including, two National Reader’s Choice Awards, two time Maggie Award Winner, Daphne du Maurier Award winner, Romance Writers’ of America’s Golden Heart Award, along with RT Book Club’s Reviewer’s Choice Award for Best Historical Gothic/Mystery. Website: jenniferstgiles.com Blog jenniferstgiles.blogspot.com.
Books: The Mistress of Trevelyan 8/04, His Dark Desires 11/05, Midnight Secrets 5/06, Touch A Dark Wolf 9/06, Darkest Dreams 12/06, The Lure of the Wolf 7/07, Silken Shadows 12/07, Kiss of Darkness 4/09, Bride of the Wolf 5/09. Point of No Return: Mammoth Book of Vampire Romances Book 2 9/09. Romance’s first graphic e-book through betweenyoursheets.com. Jennifer St. Giles writing as Jennifer Saints in Wild Irish 5/09 and Smooth Irish 5/09.

REBECCA

Blog Tour: EVE OF DARKNESS by Sylvia Day

2009-04-29T05:00:00.000-07:00

EVE OF DARKNESS
A Marked Novel

by Sylvia Day

Tor Books
April 28, 2009
ISBN: 9780765360410

Cursed by God, hunted by demons, desired by Cain and Abel... All in a day's work.

For Evangeline Hollis, a long-ago fling with a bad boy from the wrong side of the tracks just became a disaster of biblical proportions. One night with a leather-clad man of mystery has led to a divine punishment: the Mark of Cain.

Thrust into a world where sinners are drafted to kill demons, Eve knows her learning curve must be short. A longtime agnostic, she begrudgingly maneuvers through a celestial bureaucracy where she is a valuable but ill-treated pawn. She's also become the latest point of contention in the oldest case of sibling rivalry in history...

But she'll worry about all that later. Right now she's more concerned with learning to kill while staying alive. And saving the soul she'd never quite believed she had.

Look for EVE OF DESTRUCTION and EVE OF CHAOS, both coming in June!

EXCERPT: http://www.sjday.net/excerpt/
Cover: http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/35840000/35847397.JPG

ABOUT S. J. DAY

S.J. Day’s resume includes a variety of odd jobs ranging from amusement park employee to Russian linguist/interrogator for the U.S. Army Military Intelligence. She’s presently a full-time writer. A native Southern Californian, S.J. thinks there’s no place like home, but she loves to travel. Her adventures have taken her to Japan, Holland, Germany, France, Mexico, Jamaica, and all over the United States. She’s now hard at work on her next book.

REVIEWS

“Exhilarating adventure in an edgy world of angels and demons highlights the opener of Day’s Marked trilogy. Dynamic and vibrant, Eve is an impressive protagonist, and her fierce spirit and determination to make the best of her circumstances will keep readers enthralled.”
— Publishers Weekly

“Great characters and terrific storytelling in a hot-blooded adrenaline ride. A keep-you-up-all-night read.”
— Patricia Briggs, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“EVE OF DARKNESS is a sizzling, heart-pounding urban fantasy that thrilled and fascinated me from beginning to end. Eve is a smart, spirited heroine I won’t soon forget!”
— Jeri Smith-Ready, award-winning author of Wicked Game and Bad to the Bone

“Day, aka multitalented author Sylvia Day, explodes onto the urban fantasy scene with a new twist on the Cain and Abel story. It’s dark, gritty and sexy to the max, so readers can be thankful the next chapter in this pulse-pounding series is only a month away!”
— Jill M. Smith, RT BOOKreviews

VIDEO: http://www.sjday.net/trailer/

WEBSITE: http://www.sjday.net

Here I Am with My Wolf and Blog Tour of KISS OF DARKNESS by Jennifer St. Giles

2009-04-16T07:24:00.000-07:00

If you’ve seen me at RT, you’ve seen me walking around with my wolf hand puppet. Here’s where he lives when he’s at home, dressed in a hand-woven jacket that I got at a street market in Guatemala and a leather and fur hat that my son sent from Afghanistan. Right now my wolf’s called Wolfie. Later this year, I’m going to have a contest to name him something snappier.

And here's the latest Author Tour.

In Kiss of Darkness, a vampire bite has Sheriff Sam Sheridan on the fast track to hell and demons are taking over Twilight Tennessee. He's battling not only to save both his soul and his town, but also his love for one woman, Emerald Linton. Emerald has a secret that could destroy both her and Sam. She is an angel, and if she can't save Sam from turning evil, then she'll have to kill him, no matter how much of her heart belongs to him. Sam is determined to take as many demons and vampires down with him as he can and to protect Emerald, but as the seductive dark power in him grows will he condemn Emerald to share his doomed fate, or will they both find a way out of hell?

Cover: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51-igfh9c-L.jpg

Excerpt: http://jenniferstgiles.com/kissofdarkness.shtml

Website: jenniferstgiles.com

Blog: jenniferstgiles.blogspot.com

Reviews

"A FANTASTIC PARANORMAL THRILLER, FRAUGHT WITH DANGER, THRILLS AND SENSUAL PASSION." PAULA MYERS FRESH FICTION
“In the first of back-to-back Shadow- men releases, St. Giles unleashes hell. With each successive chapter in this pulse-pounding series, the stakes increase. The lead protagonists have been snapping at each other since they met, and the author skillfully builds on that tension to up the sexual ante. St. Giles is on a roll!” 4 stars Hot RT Bookclub.

“In my opinion this series is one of the best. It is definite a keeper. The struggle between good and evil is told in a way that holds your attention. I, for one, cannot wait for the next installment of this entertaining series. You must read this series. It is great.” Top Pick Night Owl Romance

“Believable realism makes the paranormal stories by Jennifer St. Giles come across as grippingly spellbinding. The situations arising all through KISS OF DARKNESS frequently take place because of extraordinary facts, yet Ms. Giles constructs these incidents to make them seem c0ompletely plausible. Supernatural beings, psychic abilities and wondrous events are portrayed in such a credible manner, the reader will not be questioning the validity of any scene. Starting with a creative premise for The Shadowmen series, this talented author has continuously added imaginative details to make each story inventively noteworthy. There are countless conflicts in this story, some concerning the physical takeover by merciless beings and other clashes which are only emotional. However, regardless of what is taking place during a certain moment, there is never a time when the reader does not feel connected to the featured characters as their sincere feelings are always clearly described through clever dialogue and genuine thoughts. The inner emotions of Sam and Emerald are especially detectable through the skilled writing of Ms. Giles, as their anguish or joy is always exceedingly palpable and definitely heartfelt. Any time these two are together, the scene is blazingly heated from the overwhelming steamy sensuality flowing between them, and their expression of these passions is intensely potent. The cast of characters is exceptionally outstanding, whether good or evil, and each one plays their part in the story to the fullest.. The ending perfectly sets up the next book, one I am eager to read. KISS OF DARKNESS is masterful paranormal storytelling which never disappoints with its striking images and stirring emotions.”

THE VAMPIRE'S QUEST by Vivi Anna

2009-04-01T23:18:00.000-07:00

Here's a book I'm sure you'll love, from a good friend of mine.

The Vampire’s Quest
A Valorian Chronicles Novel
By
Vivi Anna

Silhouette Nocturne
April 1

In a race against life and death, one woman holds the key to sanity and salvation

After escaping from the Otherworld Crime Unit, Kellen Falcon came to Nouveau Monde to crack a rare blood disease. But the European hotbed of temptation yielded sport no vampire could resist—criminologist Sophie St. Clair. And with only days to live, Kellen sought sweet release from her to escape a savage past.

The lycan beauty wasn't one to stray from her pact. But an investigation into a downtown bombing now tied the two together. And it wasn't long before Kellen's smoldering eyes and Sophie's fierce desire for this vampire put her loyalties to the test….

Excerpt: http://www.vivianna.net/thevampiresquest.php
Cover: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-Vampires-Quest/Vivi-Anna/e/9780373618088/?itm=2

RT TOP PICK
“THE VAMPIRE'S QUEST (4.5) by Vivi Anna: This is a fantastic supernatural thriller from start to finish. Anna takes two supernatural beings and makes us believe the romance and attraction between them are real.”

“A perfect blending of passion, danger, humor and profound emotions make THE VAMPIRE’S QUEST absolutely enthralling on every page. “ – 5 STARS-Cataromance.com

“Vivi Anna demonstrates her spectacular writing skills yet again with THE VAMPIRE’S QUEST. Kellen’s story is one that is even more satisfying than usual as I’ve anticipated and hoped for this story for quite awhile. THE VAMPIRE’S QUEST is highly recommended!”- 5 STARS – CK2KWIPSANDKRITIQUES

About the author

Frequently on Recommended Reading lists, award-winning Canadian author, Vivi Anna likes to burn up the pages with her unique brand of fantasy fiction. Whether it's in the Amazon jungle, an apocalyptic future, or the otherworld city of Necropolis, Vivi always writes fast paced action-adventure with strong independent women that can kick some butt, and dark delicious heroes to kill for.

Website: http://www.vivianna.net
http://www.valorianchronicles.com

ANGELS' BLOOD, by Nalini Singh

2009-03-05T01:03:00.000-08:00

Another book I'm sure you're going to want to read!

ANGELS' BLOOD
A Guild Hunter Novel

by Nalini Singh

Berkley Sensation
March 3, 2009

New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh introduces a world of beauty and bloodlust, where angels hold sway over vampires…

Vampire hunter Elena Deveraux knows she's the best—but she doesn't know if she's good enough for this job. Hired by the dangerously beautiful Archangel Raphael, a being so lethal that no mortal wants his attention, only one thing is clear—failure is not an option...even if the task is impossible.

Because this time, it's not a wayward vamp she has to track. It's an archangel gone bad.

The job will put Elena in the midst of a killing spree like no other…and pull her to the razor's edge of passion. Even if the hunt doesn't destroy her, succumbing to Raphael's seductive touch just may. For when archangels play, mortals break…

Excerpt: http://www.nalinisingh.com/angelsblood.html
Cover: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/imageviewer.asp?ean=9780425226926

ABOUT NALINI SINGH

Nalini Singh has traveled as far afield as the deserts of China and the temples of Japan, but it is the journey of the imagination that fascinates her the most. She’s beyond delighted to be able to follow her dream as a writer.

Check out her website for excerpts, travel photos, and behind-the-scenes info on the Psy/changeling and Guild Hunter series.

REVIEWS

"With the launch of a second paranormal series, Singh provides incontrovertible evidence that she's an unrivaled storyteller...This book should be at the top of your must-buy list! Tremendous!"
~ Romantic Times (Top Pick)

"Angels' Blood...will have you captivated from the first page!...Raphael, the Archangel hero, is one of the most deliciously dark protagonist[s] I've come across in a long time and Elena is a hunter worthy of a strong mate...It's strong storytelling at it's very best!"
~ Lucy for Ever After, The Romance Book Specialists

"I loved every word, could picture every scene, and cannot recommend this book highly enough. It is amazing in every way!!!"
~ New York Times Bestselling author Gena Showalter

"Angels' Blood is phenomenal."
~ Literary Escapism

WEBSITE: http://www.nalinisingh.com

Privacy in the Digital Age

2009-03-02T14:27:00.000-08:00

Over the years, I’ve always tried to use modern technology in my suspense novels. I remember long ago transmitting data with a cutting-edge communications device–the fax machine. And as my career has progressed, I’ve gotten into DNA evidence, nuclear radiation, clones, and werewolves. The werewolves are easy because I can make up any “rules” I want for them. But even my werewolves have to deal with modern technology.

As an author, I’ve got to keep up with several fields that have changed life as we know it. Which is why I sat in recently on a lecture by Harvard Computer Science Professor Harry Lewis. He is the co-author of BLOWN TO BITS: YOUR LIFE, LIBERTY, AND HAPPINESS AFTER THE DIGITAL EXPLOSION.

Dr. Lewis started off with a Power Point demonstration of how easy it is to get information on an ordinary citizen–in this case the Baltimore woman who picked him up at his hotel and drove him to the Hopkins Club, where the lecture was held. Among other things, he showed us her address and her house using Google Earth (aerial view and front elevation), her property tax records, and the profile of political contributions in her neighborhood.

As he pointed out, the Swiss Police also used Google Earth to discover a major marijuana farm. And the terrorists who turned Mumbai, India, into a killing field used Google Earth to plot their routes through the city to the hotels and other locations they attacked.

Or consider something that seems pretty innocent–Picasa–a software download from Google that lets you organize photos and share them with friends and family. According to Dr. Lewis, you can use this program to search the web for photos of people–which might allow you to see where they’ve been, and with whom.

Information available on the Internet has enormous implications for all of us. As Professor Lewis said, we’d be up in arms if this information were available only to the police. But we’re less worried when it’s “available to everyone.”

He also noted that once something goes electronic, it’s basically forever. You can take it down, but it may still exist in a “cache” of information. Like the less then sparkling Twitter comments of some congressmen during the president’s recent address.

We now take the free flow of information for granted. But that might not be as available in a country with an “oppressive regime.” One way these regimes control their citizens is by restricting what they can access on the Internet or by directing them to Web sites controlled by the government. Because of Mumbai, the Indian government decided to ban Google Earth. Of course, that doesn’t do them any good if Google Earth is available in a neighboring country!

Another technological innovation that has enormous implications is the cell phone, which Dr. Lewis points out is a small computer. (He jokes that it can break down, “just like a computer.”). If you’ve got your phone, the authorities can track you. It doesn’t even have to be turned on. This is why some people remove the battery in addition to turning the phone “off.”

If you’re going to use cell phone tracking in a story, however, you’d better understand state laws. Dr. Lewis cited a case where a woman’s car went off the road, and she spent a week in a drainage ditch, injured and trapped in her vehicle. Her husband reported her missing, but Washington state law assumed that she “wanted to disappear.” It wasn’t until they finally declared him a suspect in her disappearance that the police could check the location of her cell phone. When they found her, she was dehydrated and in kidney failure. Another day or two, and she would have been dead.

In my current suspense novels, I’m constantly thinking about cell phones. You’ve now got to explain why your characters can’t get in touch with the world. (No signal is one of my standard explanations.) I’m also worried that since my phone is a couple years old, I’m not having my characters use it in enough of a “high tech” way. For example, Professor Lewis told us about new shopping software you can have on your phone. After checking the price of an item in the store where you’re located, your phone will tell you the price of that same item at stores that are near your current location.

And, for purposes of designing plots, I’d better remember that you can take a picture of ANYTHING with your phone. My husband had brought his camera to the lecture. But when I asked him to take a picture of me and Dr. Lewis, the battery went out. So the picture that accompanies this post was taken with his cell phone.

One astonishing piece of information came from a survey Dr. Lewis cited. A researcher asked young teens where they felt most “private.” All the adults in the audience were shocked to hear that teens felt most private on Facebook. And least private “at home.” Naturally, that attitude has enormous implications for suspense plots. You probably remember the case of Megan Meier who committed suicide after she’d made friends with a boy on MySpace–and he ended up telling her, in effect, that she was a worthless loser. It turned out that the “teen boy” was actually the mother of a girl in the neighborhood–who wanted to humiliate Megan, so she created the profile of “Josh Evans.”

At the end of the lecture, someone in the audience asked, “Will stronger cryptography make for a better balance between privacy and information dissemination?” Dr. Lewis said that there are some good things about it. Like your being able to give your credit card number to Amazon safely. But it would be a bad thing to let encrypted e-mil go from one bank to another. Nice idea for a plot involving financial fraud, right?

A DROP OF RED, by Chris Marie Green

2009-02-26T08:30:00.000-08:00

Here's a book that caught my interest.

A DROP OF RED, Vampire Babylon, Book Four, by Chris Marie Green

A bloody good time…

Hollywood stuntwoman-turned-vampire hunter Dawn Madison is tired to the bone and beyond. Along with her comrades-in-arms, she managed to wipe out the Los Angeles Vampire Underground. And in doing so, she uncovered not only her own dark family heritage but also a terrible truth about the man she loves. Now all she wants to do is get to the next bloodsucking community, taking care of business with them, too.

Luckily, when it comes to battling the undead, there’s no shortage of Undergrounds.

When a new one is found in England, Dawn and the team are dispatched to carry the fight from the flash of Los Angeles to the seemingly staid and stolid streets of London. Dawn knows by now how deceiving appearances can be—and she is about to find out that it’s not only the beautiful people of Hollywood who are willing to bargain with evil…

(ISBN: 978-0441016815)

Excerpt: http://www.vampirebabylon.com/excerpt_ador.html

Cover: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/0441016812/sr=1-1/qid=1235324809/ref=dp_image_0?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books&qid=1235324809&sr=1-1

About Chris Marie Green

A long time ago, in a land far, far away (Milwaukee, WI, St. Luke's Hospital), Chris Marie Green (also writing as Crystal Green) joined the world. While moving to Southern California, then Kentucky, then back to California and now Nevada, she amused herself by writing poetry and short stories featuring the ultimate Alpha males--Superman and Indiana Jones. Later, after graduating with a B.A. in English from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, Chris decided to become a professional writer.

While she pursued this goal, Chris worked as an eighth-grade teacher, but resigned in 2002 to pursue writing full time. She creates urban fantasies for her Vampire Babylon series, action-adventure stories, and romances. She also loves to read, overanalyze movies, practice yoga , and travel, and details her obsessions on her Web pages, www.crystal-green.com and www.vampirebabylon.com.

About Vampire Babylon

The first book, NIGHT RISING, was released as a trade paperback by Ace in February, 2007, and reissued in mass market format on January 27, 2009. The second trade book, MIDNIGHT REIGN, hit shelves in February, 2008, and will also be reissued in mass market format in July, 2009. The third book that closes out this initial trilogy, BREAK OF DAWN, came out in trade format September, 2008 (mass market reissue date pending). Ace is reissuing each book in the first trilogy to introduce the second trilogy (books four through six, which will be released in trade format).

The Vampire Babylon series uses trilogy arcs to tell one basic story, much like the way JK Rowling used seven books that didn’t solve every plot thread book-by-book to tell Harry Potter’s story. While each individual novel focuses on a central mystery that’s solved by the end, the three books together build character and mythology arcs/mysteries until everything culminates in the third book. Each trilogy repeats this pattern.

Release dates for the second trilogy, which continues the adventures of Dawn and team, are as follows:
A DROP OF RED, Book Four, March, 2009
THE PATH OF RAZORS, Book Five, August 2009
DEEP IN THE WOODS, Book Six, date pending

Website: www.vampirebabylon.com

VALENTINE'S DAY

2009-02-15T14:16:00.000-08:00

Here are the two halves of my personality: writing suspense and cooking. I'm baking cookies wearing the KGB tee shirt I got in Moscow a couple of years ago.

My son, who’s a Foreign Service Officer on a Provincial Reconstruction Team in Afghanistan, asked for some sugar cookies. I haven’t baked cookies in a couple of years, but I wanted to send him some. As it turned out, I got a lot of great help from my grandkids and from their other grandmother, who is up visiting from Bristol, Tennessee. I got up early and made the dough. After lunch, we all cut out some cookies. Then I left the rest of the team with the cookie cutters and made a batch of dough for "rocks," which are spice cookies.

On the right, grandson Jesse is in the foreground, and Leo is in the background. We all ate a lot of cookies Saturday. Then my daughter (who had to work at her library most of the day) and I packed up the ones for my son. To avoid temptation, I sent the rest home with her and the kids. Now I’m wishing I had a few here. Of course, it’s better that they’re out of the house.

One more shot from the day–the best one of me. It shows Ozzie’s usual reaction to my paying attention to her daughter, Harriet.

Rebecca

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

2008-12-26T19:37:00.000-08:00

Does anyone get any work done during the holidays? Not much, I think. In addition to a little writing, I’ve been enjoying making tree ornaments. As you can see from the pictures, the theme is cats, cut from cardboard, painted with acrylics and decorated with various types of glitter.

I’ve also included some pictures of a "work" session–with the grandkids, Jesse and Leo, and my son-in-law, Steve.

We made the ornaments after we opened our presents. And to make things easy on the moms, we ordered dinner from a Chinese restaurant. Then we had cookies and ice cream sodas for dessert and played Botticelli, which has become one of the kids’ favorite games. After that we watched PRINCE CASPIAN.

A fun day on the 25th.

Rebecca

DARK MAGIC by Cheyenne McCray

2008-11-07T07:49:00.000-08:00

Here's another book I'm looking forward to.

DARK MAGIC by Cheyenne McCray

THE WAR BETWEEN GOOD AND EVIL
Jake Macgregor has his hands full. As San Francisco’s Captain of the Paranormal Special Forces unit, he and his team are facing a powerful enemy that threatens to bring down the city. With the weight of the world already resting on his broad shoulders, the last thing Jake has time for is romance. So why—after a long, hard day’s fight against evil—are his nights filled with dreams of Cassia?

IS ABOUT TO GET A WHOLE LOT HOTTER…
Cassia is a D’Anu witch whose birthright ensures power and honor beyond imagination. It also forbids the one thing Cassia wants the most: the love of mortal Jake Macgregor. When she intervenes in a skirmish to save his life, the consequences are inescapable—even though the magic they make together is too luscious, and potent, to resist…

Cover: http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/27710000/27715251.JPG

Excerpt: http://cheyennemccray.com/books/magicseries/darkmagic-exc.html

ABOUT CHEYENNE McCRAY

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Cheyenne McCray has a passion for writing urban fantasy, paranormal, and suspense novels. Among other accolades, Chey has won the prestigious Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award for “Best Steamy Romance of the Year.”

Chey penned her first poem in kindergarten, and has been writing ever since she can remember. She always knew one day she would write novels, hoping her readers would get lost in the worlds she created, as she did in her favorites.

Now, she gets to write full time and loves what she does. For St. Martin's Press, she writes the bestselling "Magic" series. She also writes suspense novels, including the upcoming “Lexi Steele” series, starting in February 2009 with The First Sin. In June 2009 Demons Not Included blasts off a new urban fantasy series.

Chey has three sons, three dogs, a messy house, and she will do anything to get out of cleaning, which may be why she writes so much.

REVIEWS for Dark Magic

4 ½ Star TOP PICK!
“McCray does a stellar job layering the danger, passion and betrayal. Awesome!”
~Romantic Times BOOKreviews.

5 Stars “What an absolutely stunning conclusion Cheyenne McCray has penned for her ‘Magic’ series. “Dark Magic” is everything I would have wished for and couldn’t have imagined!”
Goodreads

“[McCray]…delivers in a spectacular way.”
Night Owl Romance

Website: http://www.cheyennemccray.com

Oh Canada

2008-11-03T16:35:00.000-08:00

I’m just back from a fabulous two-week trip to Canada–which ended with some spectacular wildlife viewing at an isolated lodge above Churchill, the polar bear capital of the world.

But my adventure started in Calgary in the midst of an Alberta chinook which delivered sixty-five degree weather in October. That was the perfect temperature for a tour of the city with members of Calgary Romance Writers and then a Friday book signing with some of the chapter authors.

On Saturday, I got down to brass tacks, presenting two in-depth workshops: TENSION–KEEPING THEM ON THE EDGE OF THEIR SEATS and THE MARRIAGE OF PLOT AND CHARACTER. After that, Harlequin Intrigue editor Allison Lyons gave a rundown of some Harlequin lines, answered questions and took appointments with chapter members. While members pitched their book ideas, the rest of us gathered in the bar to relax after a long day of focusing on the writing craft.

Throughout the weekend, the warm and welcoming members of CaRWA were wonderful hosts. Everyone was great, but I particularly want to mention president Tawny Stokes (who writes as Vivi Anna), treasurer Astrid Theilgaard, program chairman, Moira Stelmack, and Vicki Chatham, who drove me and Norman to the book signing. You can see many of the pictures that CaRWA took during the event at http://www.calgaryrwa.com/york-pics-2008.html .

After the working weekend, Norman and I drove to Banff. CaRWA members had recommended that we stay at the historic Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel, which is built like a stone fortress. It’s situated to take maximum advantage of a breathtaking view down a mountain valley, as you can see from this picture.

We drove around the area
to the Columbia icefields and Lake Louise

and took the Banff gondola ride to a high mountain peak, where the wind chill was eight degrees. That night we warmed up over a pot of cheese fondue in the hotel’s cozy wine bar.

Then it was on to the most exciting part of the trip–at remote Seal River Lodge, where we spent four days having a unique wildlife adventure with hosts Mike and Jeanne Reimer and a cast of obliging polar bears. These great white beasts are so innocent looking. But you have to keep remembering that they’d eat you for lunch if they got the chance.

With eight of them hanging out in the vicinity, ready to pop out of the bushes or around the corner of the storage building, we weren’t allowed to go outside (except in the chain link fenced yard) unless we were accompanied by naturalists Terry Elliott and Andy MacPherson, who always carried shotguns. The hungry–or maybe just curious--critters pressed against the fence and peered in the windows of the lodge at all hours of the day (being careful to avoid the nail-studded sheets of plywood on the ground). At night, big plywood shutters and an armed guard kept us cocooned.

It was supposed to be a three-day stay, but the only way to reach the lodge (except when Hudson Bay is frozen) is by small plane or helicopter. The morning we were scheduled to leave, the wind was too fierce for us to fly out. Our only option was to hunker down for an extra day. That was no hardship because it gave us more time to dodge the polar bears who gathered around the lodge, no doubt drawn by the tempting cooking aromas. And yes, we loved those extra helpings of the chef and baker’s tasty treats.

The weather was cold for visitors from Maryland. (In the 30's some of the time and as low as eight with the wind chill.) So we had to bundle up when we went outside–where we saw two big male bears fighting to the point of drawing blood. Long walks on the tundra were part of the daily program, and one afternoon when we went out, a bear followed us down the gravel road. Two more circled around to cut us off at the pass. Luckily they ran away when the naturalists threw stones at them.

If the rocks fail, the guys carry pepper spray, noisemakers and the shotguns I mentioned. On another afternoon, Norman got some great shots of two big males fighting

and this wonderful shot of an unskilled furry mechanic making an unscheduled inspection of a plane.

As you can imagine, all those bear encounters made for an exciting few days. Now I’m wondering how I can set a suspense novel at a remote tundra lodge.

Rebecca

THE DARKEST TOUCH by Jaci Burton

2008-10-30T15:45:00.000-07:00

This one looks like fun!

THE DARKEST TOUCH by Jaci Burton

He’s a hunter, a savior, a seducer.

And she just can’t get enough…

THE DARKEST TOUCH

Ryder. The man was just as sexy as she remembered him:

Tall, lean and dangerous, a demon hunter with the body of a god…

But archaeologist Angelique Deveraux has little time for lust. She’s been hiding a gleaming black diamond, a prize everyone wants—including Ryder—and now she’s running for her life. Hot on her trail is Ryder, a legendary demon hunter she desires but can’t quite trust, a man with an insatiable need for danger and a few dark secrets of his own…

As sparks ignite between the rogue hunter and his latest prey, Angie’s world is rocked again when her twin sister vanishes, stolen away by the same dark forces stalking Angie and the black diamond. With Ryder offering protection— and more —suddenly a woman who’s never trusted anyone is falling for a man who isn’t afraid of anything…except losing his heart. Now, as an all-out demon war erupts and Angie’s family secrets unravel, Ryder’s demon-hunt and Angie’s quest to save her sister are about to collide. And when they do, it’ll send these two wary hearts on the wildest adventure of their lives—and maybe even save humankind in the process…

Cover: http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/26610000/26610969.jpg

Excerpt: http://jaciburton.com/thedarkesttouch.html

ABOUT JACI BURTON
Jaci Burton was born and raised in Missouri but now lives on an acre-and-a-half in Oklahoma with her husband Charlie and five unruly dogs. Jaci loves to write about passionate relationships with sometimes stormy outcomes but always a happily ever after.

REVIEWS

~Romantic Times Bookreviews~ Gifted Burton adds more dark thrills and sexy danger to her well-paced story as these protagonists must fight to choose their destiny.

~Wild on Books~ THE DARKEST TOUCH is a brilliant addition to this saga that cannot be missed by fans of erotic paranormal romance!

Website http://www.jaciburton.com

RED FIRE by Deidre Knight

2008-10-08T23:35:00.000-07:00

Here's a book with a fascinating premise.

“Powerfully sensual and mind-blowing,”* Deidre Knight’s novels have set the standard for boldly erotic paranormal romance. Now she unleashes an electrifying new series in which seven Spartan warriors, immortal protectors of humankind, battle their passions—a collective weakness that could lead to their downfall.

Eternity has become a prison for Ajax Petrakos. Centuries after he and his Spartan brothers made their bargain for immortality, Ajax struggles to maintain his warrior’s discipline. His only source of strength is his hope that he will soon meet the woman once foretold to him—the other half of his soul, Shay Angel.

Ajax searches for his destined mate on the haunted streets of modern-day Savannah, but he isn’t the first to find her. Shay, the youngest of a powerful demon-hunting clan, can see the monsters that stalk the steamy Southern night—an ability that draws the deadly attention of Ajax’s worst enemy.

As she and Ajax race to solve a chilling prophecy—one that could spell Ajax’s death if they don’t succeed—a fated passion arises, threatening to sweep away everything in its path.

*Romance B(u)y the Book

Cover: http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/27450000/27456218.jpg

Excerpt: http://deidreknight.com/red_fire_excerpt.html

ABOUT DEIDRE KNIGHT
Deidre Knight is president of The Knight Agency, which she founded in 1996. Since that time, she has grown the agency to national prominence, landing authors on every major bestseller list. Deidre began her writing career at age nine, when her award-winning essay on Barbie was published in her hometown newspaper, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. She has been writing in one form or another ever since. After nearly a decade of working with Knight Agency clients, helping them discover their creative potential, her fiction debut with NAL in 2006 marked the fulfillment of her own lifelong writing dream. She is excited to embark on yet another new and fulfilling creative journey.

REVIEWS
“White-hot immortal warriors, heart-pounding romance, and thrilling action. It doesn't get any better than this!” --Gena Showalter, New York Times Bestselling author of The Darkest Pleasure

"Deidre Knight has created a fascinating world of gods, demons, and immortal warriors. Her heroine, Shay Angel, is both strong and sympathetic, a woman discovering powers she never knew she had. Legendary Spartan Ajax is handsome, seductive and haunted -- a hero to inspire delicious dreams. I can't wait for more!" –Angela Knight, New York Times Bestselling author of Master of Dragons

“Hot Gates, hot men, myth and magic in modern day... Red Fire flies above the rest. Sign me up for more Gods of Midnight!” – Jessica Andersen, bestselling author of Nightkeepers

"Scorching hot with a pace that never lets up." --Christina Dodd, New York Times Bestselling author of Touch of Darkness

“Knight provides an intriguing new twist to both Greek mythology and legendary Spartan warriors with this searing new series, as she sets up an alternate world that begs to be explored.” – Jill M. Smith, Romantic Times, 4-Star Review

“Here is a story as rich and as vibrant as any myth, and for those who are interested in the paranormal, Red Fire is a real feast for the hungry and a no holds barred winner.”—RomanceAtHeart.com

Website http://www.deidreknight.com
http://www.godsofmidnight.com

VEILED TRUTH by Vivi Anna

2008-10-02T00:29:00.000-07:00

Here's another entry in Vivi Anna's wonderful Necropolis series. I'm really looking forward to reading it.

VEILED TRUTH by Vivi Anna
(Silhouette Nocturne, October 1, 2008)

Five years ago, virginal Lyra Magice had fled powerful dhampir Theron LeNoir's advances. But now an ancient text the dhampir possesses holds the key to solving murders that have plagued Necropolis. When another body is found and evidence points to the Mistress of the city, duty dictates that Lyra work with Theron—a man she regards as haughty, arrogant and immoral—to translate the symbols left at the crime scenes. But with their forced alliance comes darkly sensual dreams that leave her feeling wanton and achy….

Unwilling to reveal his dark past, the dhampir soon discovers that Lyra—a witch of great power—is to be the sacrificial virgin in a demonic scheme to open a portal to hell itself. Salvation will come only if Theron can win Lyra's trust—and her heart.

Cover: http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/28890000/28896715.jpg

Excerpt: http://vivianna.net/veiledtruth.php#excerpt

ABOUT VIVI ANNA

Canadian author, Vivi Anna likes to burn up the pages with her unique brand of fantasy fiction. Whether it's in the Amazon jungle, an apocalyptic future, or the otherworld city of Necropolis, Vivi always writes fast paced action-adventure with strong independent women that can kick some butt, and dark delicious heroes to kill for.

She writes for Silhouette Nocturne, Kensington Aphrodisia, Avon Red, and epublishers - Ellora’s Cave, Samhain Publishing, Loose Id and Whispers Publishing.

She’s an active member of RWA, serving as President of her chapter in Calgary.

REVIEWS

RT TOP PICK
“A police detective in Necropolis, witch Lyra Magice works with Theron LeNoir, half-witch/half-vampire, to foil a demon’s plot to take power within the city. Not to be overshadowed by the supernatural storyline of Veiled Truth (41/2), the relationship between Lyra and Theron is full of chemistry. Vivi Anna’s writing is wonderfully descriptive, and the plot is riveting. This book will definitely hold readers’ attention.”

“Veiled Truth is a captivating, impossible to put down, story filled with mystery, intrigue, and passion that I totally adored.” – Lyonene, Joyfully Reviewed, RECOMMENDED READ

TOP PICK
“Another highly enjoyable urban fantasy romance from Vivi Anna! This series is consistently fun and fabulous—in a dark, crime-solving kind of way, of course”. – Kay, Romance Reader at Heart

Website: http://www.vivianna.net

HOSTAGE TO PLEASURE by Nalini Singh

2008-09-04T08:54:00.000-07:00

This one looks like a winner.

HOSTAGE TO PLEASURE by Nalini Singh

(Berkley, September 2, 2008)

With her darkly seductive Psy/Changeling world, Nalini Singh has created "a sensual, dangerous adventure not to be missed" (New York Times bestselling author Lora Leigh). Now, as the deadly Psy Council tightens its grip, a rebel Psy scientist finds herself at the mercy of a changeling who has sworn vengeance against her kind...

Separated from her son and forced to create a neural implant that will mean the effective enslavement of her psychically gifted race, Ashaya Aleine is the perfect Psy--cool, calm, emotionless...at least on the surface. Inside, she's fighting a desperate battle to save her son and escape the vicious cold of the PsyNet. Yet when escape comes, it leads not to safety, but to the lethal danger of a sniper's embrace.

DarkRiver sniper Dorian Christensen lost his sister to a Psy killer. Though he lacks the changeling ability to shift into animal form, his leopard lives within. And that leopard's rage at the brutal loss is a clawing darkness that hungers for vengeance. Falling for a Psy has never been on Dorian's agenda. But charged with protecting Ashaya and her son, he discovers that passion has a way of changing the rules...

Cover: http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/27300000/27305942.jpg

Excerpt: http://www.nalinisingh.com/hostage.html

Bonus Excerpt: http://nalinisingh.blogspot.com/2008/08/excerpt-hostage-to-pleasure-updates.html

ABOUT NALINI SINGH

Nalini Singh has traveled as far afield as the deserts of China and the temples of Japan, but it is the journey of the imagination that fascinates her the most. She’s beyond delighted to be able to follow her dream as a writer.

Check out her website for excerpts, travel photos, and behind-the-scenes info on the Psy/Changeling series, as well as details of her new series, which kicks off with ANGELS’ BLOOD next March.

REVIEWS

"One of the greatest pleasures of these books is their ability to deliver both an intensely personal love story as well as a riveting societal drama. Singh is on the fast track to becoming a genre giant!” ~ Romantic Times (4.5 Stars, Top Pick!)

"Hostage to Pleasure is a powerful story of two very different people finding love where they least expect it...Fans of this series will be happy with the world that Singh continues to build. I know I can’t wait to see what happens next."

~ Casee for Book Binge

"Perhaps this is the most exciting and complex yet of the books in this series. Ashaya's dilemma is certainly among the most poignant and Dorian as her damaged hero is irresistible.”

~ Huntress Reviews

“HOSTAGE TO PLEASURE pulls you in, grabs your attention, and ensures you are going to be reading every last word of this story. Brava, Ms. Singh! Compelling paranormal romance at its finest!”

~ Sarah for Romance Junkies

Website: http://www.nalinisingh.com

RAZOR GIRL by Marianne Mancusi

2008-08-28T00:19:00.000-07:00

I'm looking forward to this story!

Molly Anderson is not your average twenty-one-year-old. It’s been six years since she and her family escaped into a bunker, led by her conspiracy theorist father and his foreknowledge of a plot to bring about the apocalypse. But her father’s precautions didn’t stop there. Molly is now built to survive.

Yes, Ian Anderson’s favorite book gave him ideas on how to “improve” his daughter. Molly is faster, stronger, and her ocular implants and razor-tipped nails set her apart. Apart, when—venturing alone out of the bunker and into a plague ravaged, monster-ridden wilderness—what Molly needs most is togetherness. Chase Griffin, a friend from her past, is her best bet. But while he and others have miraculously survived, the kind boy has become a tormented man. Together, these remnants of humanity must struggle toward trusting each other and journey to the one place Molly’s father believed all civilization would be reborn: the Magic Kingdom, where everyone knows it’s a small world after all.

ABOUT MARIANNE MANCUSI

When it comes to writing, award winning author Marianne Mancusi likes to play the field. From time travel comedies to kick butt speculative fiction romances to a Buffy’esque vampire series for teens, she’s published eleven books in three years, in a myriad of genres and styles.

In addition to writing, Marianne is a multiple Emmy award winning television producer, currently working for the nationally syndicated women’s lifestyle show Better TV. A Boston native and graduate of Boston University ’s College of Communications , she currently lives on Manhattan ’s Upper West Side . (But has NOT become a Yankees fan!) In her spare time, Marianne enjoys clubbing, cosplay, cheesy horror movies (especially those featuring zombies!), her dog Molly, and videogames.

REVIEWS

“Opens with danger and will grab your interest immediately. Stellar!”
--Huntress Reviews

“An increasingly intense, suspenseful edge-of-the-seat thrilling ride…stunning, cutting edge romance.”
--Merrimon Book Reviews

"Non-stop thrill ride from page one! Marianne Mancusi spins an eerily marvelous tale in her book RAZOR GIRL."
--Simply Romance Reviews

"Mancusi doesn¹t hesitate to take chances and innovate!"
--Romantic Times

"Marianne Mancusi has returned with an edgy all-new tale, Razor Girl, filled with fast-paced action and a heroine strong enough to mold her own destiny."
--SF Scope

Website: http://www.mariannemancusi.com

Charmed & READY

2008-08-06T22:41:00.000-07:00

Here's a book from one of my fellow Berkley authors. It looks like a lot of fun.

After spending most of her life single-practically an occupational hazard for a witch-Bronwyn's finally found a sexy warlock to love. But it's going to take more than a few love spells to keep him from getting jealous about her latest gig-protecting a rock star named Zane from the creepy Goth guys in cloaks who keep showing up at his concerts and zapping his mojo. Bronwyn would like nothing better than to blow them up in an inferno of Love That Red smoke, but they're proving elusive. And in the meantime-what girl wouldn't want to hang with the hottest man in music?

MY TRIP TO CHINA

2008-07-10T18:28:00.000-07:00

How to tell you about China? Do you have all week? First off, it’s is a long way away–exactly twelve hours different from the US east coast. And the whole country is one time zone, even though it’s about as big as the US–one of Chairman Mao’s not-so-brilliant ideas.

We’ve happily driven around England, France, Italy and New Zealand, but I’m not so confident about negotiating China. So we went with Grand Circle Tours. Our group had seventeen and a national guide, joined by a local guide in each city. Everybody in China has a Chinese name as well as a American name–the initial one picked in elementary school English class. Our guide was Len, who made things easy for us. He got us good seats on each of our plane trips around the country. Told us what dishes the restaurants had put on the turntables in the center of the round tables. And he even tried to fix the hard Chinese beds in one hotel by getting us comforters–which didn’t help much.

We saw most of the sights you’ve heard about. Tiananmen Square (a vast stretch of hot concrete). The Great Wall standing out against the always smoggy sky and the terra cotta army in Xian, both ordered by an emperor with mind-boggling arrogance. Those soldiers were the most impressive sight I saw–rows and rows of warriors to protect the emperor in death. He had everybody who worked on the project killed and buried there (to protect the location), along with his concubines, who were buried alive. But the soldiers were broken and burned a few years later by an invader–and forgotten until a farmer digging a well discovered them in 1974. Lucky that was just at the end of the Cultural Revolution. If the Red Guards had learned about them, they would have probably finished smashing them up in their zeal to destroy China’s past.

Len’s stories were as memorable as anything we saw. He told about how his father was banished to the countryside during the Cultural Revolution and made to work with farmers who hated city people and forced him into hard labor with hardly any food.. He explained how his family finally got back to Shanghai and that his father and mother used to call each other "Comrade Chen," when they were dating. He also told about two defectors who got away from him while he was taking two separate groups of Chinese tourists to Australia. One slipped away in the middle of the night. The other jumped out a window at lunch and killed himself rather than go back home. Len told us he was happier when he believed everything his government told him. Getting to know westerners has broadened his perspective and made him question many of his government’s values. (He felt comfortable talking to us about this on the bus–but not in public.) Yet he’s basically an optimistic guy. And as China really does leap forward, the lives of the people are getting better.

Len also gave us some population statistics. China now has 1.3 billion people. That 0.3 is the population of the U.S., and it has been added only since 1991. It would have been 2 billion without the one child per family policy.

Weird fact: They’re hung up on "minority peoples." We were constantly being told which minorities live in which regions. There are 55 of these minorities, comprising about 5% of the population.

Of course, many of their customs are strange to us. Tiananmen Square was the first place I saw toddlers wearing standard Chinese little kid attire–pants with a cut out crotch. So when they squat down, their butts and other parts hang out. No diapers. They can just squat and shoot anywhere.

Which brings me to Chinese toilets. The traditional ones are "squatters." Many public bathrooms have both Chinese-style and western style. I was standing in line at an airport when a stall opened up. The next woman in line was Chinese, and when she saw the western toilet inside, she made a face and opted to wait for the next squatter. Apparently, it’s all what you’re used to. I conclude that the Chinese have better knees than we do.

The green spaces in Beijing and other big cities awed me. Obviously they put a lot of time and effort into manicured natural beauty. The parks are fantastic, with different color green and yellowish bushes made into curving hedges. Around them, and around many shrines, are lots of flowers–sometimes just in masses of pots–so they can be easily changed without the bother of planting. (They bring them in in truck loads like the racks of plants for sale at a Home Depot.) From the freeway bridges, you look down on stunning plantings.

The Forbidden City is VAST, and we had time to see only a fraction of it. I must watch THE LAST EMPEROR again to get a better look! One thing about tours--you can’t spend too much time anywhere. They rushed us to the zoo in Chongqing to see the Pandas. (Cute.) Then they wouldn’t let us stray to the bird flight cage.

Hum, well, there ARE places you’re forced to linger. You spend a lot of time in factory showrooms, after you get the lacquer demonstration, or the silk demonstration or the jade carving demonstration. The prices in the showrooms are high. You can do better at stands on the street–if you’re good at bargaining. I often let Norman bargain for me. He doesn’t care if he gets the thing or not–so he can be very hard-nosed.

I got some fantastic buys from people who came up to me on the street–selling stuff like 10 (4x5) silk purses for $5. I got them for $4. The best buys were at a market on the Yangtze River after we went to the Three Gorges Dam. I bought some beautiful silk jackets for $12 each.

Performances: The Peking Opera is very strange to western ears, even though we only got "Golden Moment" scenes from three operas. STABBING THE CLAM was pretty static, despite the title. THE MONKEY KING was better, with a lot of kung fu action. We also went to an acrobatic show–kind of Cirque de Soleil without as much background scenery. More like the way Ed Sullivan used to present variety acts. The Tang Dynasty show in Xian is like a Las Vegas review, down to the elaborately-decorated theater with dinner tables set perpendicular to the stage.

The Great Wall is MASSIVE. The day we went was cold and windy. Probably better than being hot, though. The steps are uneven, so climbing is difficult, and when you’re going back down, the view is scary if you hate heights, which I do. Just seeing the wall snake along the top of the mountain ridge is exciting.

Grand Circle makes sure you don’t just see national monuments. So we went to a sanitized street market and several people’s homes. Who knows how representative they are? One woman’s family had been resettled because of the Three Gorges Dam. Their family status was changed from farm to city. She lived in a "townhouse" with a beautifully cared-for garden terrace in back, a little grocery story in front and pigs in the walk-out basement.

The Grand Circle Foundation gives money to an elementary school in Xian. We visited, and the kids were all excited to see us. "What’s your name?" "How old are you?" They gave us Chinese flags they’d made and "snowflake" cut-outs from their art class. And they sang and had us dance with them in the music room. (One selection was Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, in Chinese.) I decided that our group should serenade them with Old MacDonald Had a Farm. They knew the chorus.

As often as possible, Norman, I, and another woman kept "escaping" into various city neighborhoods. The tour would drop us off in a park or shrine, and we’d wander down streets and alleys, going into shops and stopping at stands. We saw live fish swimming in tubs, ducks and rabbits in baskets and cages. I assume they weren’t there to become pets.

The Three Gorges Dam will be the biggest in the world and is supposed to provide ten percent of the electric power in China. 1.3 million people will have to be resettled because it’s making a huge reservoir between the dam and Chongqing, and their villages have been or will be flooded. Would you believe they’re building this thing in an earthquake area? Keep your fingers crossed. There’s a lot of national pride wrapped up in the dam. The scale of the project is mindboggling. A boat takes four hours to get through the locks. The dam has flooded part of the famous Three Gorges scenery along the river. But you still motor past massive cliffs towering over your 200-passenger boat. Our boat was built for Chairman Mao so the windows were supposed to be bulletproof.

Shanghai has a population of 20 million, masses of skyscrapers, and masses of upscale shops. (Along with the usual narrow lanes with little shops and stands.)

In Chongqing we visited the Stillwell and Flying Tiger Museums and got some of the history of the Americans who kept the Burma Road open.
Guilin is a country town with only about 700,000 people (tiny by Chinese standards) and those startlingly steep hills you see in Chinese paintings. I couldn’t face the tea plantation that was an optional tour, so Norman and I wandered around town while most of the group had their tea demonstration. The sidewalks in every city and town are lined with what look like garage doors. Inside might be little shops, piles of junk, construction materials, or people shooting the breeze. In one "garage shop" on a major street in Guilin I saw a bunch of people pawing through piles of clothing on tables. I joined the scramble and found some cool looking tee shirts–for seventy-five cents each.

The tour ended in Hong Kong where we had a lot of free time to explore. You can’t walk twenty yards without some guy asking if you want to have a suit made. We got a recommendation from the local guide and went to a tailor shop–where we got a suit and sport coat for Norman. Nice quality. The weather was very clear and bright. I could see the smog rolling in from China, but it just hung over the mountains and didn’t invade the city. So we got a great view of the harbor and sky scrapers from Victoria Peak. (And got to do more shopping at the mall there–where the prices were surprisingly good..) At night, Hong Kong puts on a 20-minute light show similar to the one at Epcot, of all places. The buildings have lights up and down the sides. They blink on and off in patterns–to music–along with lasers. Afterwards, for something different, we went to an Indian-Thai-Malaysian restaurant in a "restaurant mall" up a narrow side alley. I’m a sucker for Indian bread, so we started with a cheese Nan and a rosemary Nan.

The next day was a wonderful ending to the trip. Norman and I and another couple spent hours in the Hong Kong museum learning about the history of the area, from prehistoric times through the Japanese invasion and occupation, the birth of the modern city, and the turn over to China. (In the film clips, Prince Charles looked pretty glum about it.) Before we picked up Norman’s suit, we went to the 18th floor of the Sheraton and had dim sum and iced tea, then "sweets," while sitting at a window-side table where we could look out over the harbor. (Too far up to see the trash floating in the water.)

I had an early flight out, so I had to get up at 4:30 in the morning to fly to Tokyo, then Minneapolis, where I had to sit around for seven hours. Hum, I think I didn’t explain that Norman and I flew separately, since I wanted to go business class (for my back), and he didn’t care. The night before I left, we divided up the stuff we’d bought, so we’d distribute the weight and the booty. The good news is that I got through customs with his sport coat and no problem.

The bad news is that I’m writing this at midnight, and I’m not tired!

You can see more pictures from my China trip in the Gallery on my Web site.

MOONSTRUCK, by Susan Grant

2008-06-24T13:34:00.000-07:00

I have just returned from a three-week trip to China, so this is my first opportunity to tell you about Susan Grant's new book, MOONSTRUCK, which was published by HQN Books at the beginning of June.

PEACE IS FOR LITTLE GIRLS.
And Coalition starship admiral Brit Bandar is one tough woman. A mere intergalactic treaty could never get her to trust the Drakken Horde. There was too much bad blood between the Coalition and the Horde and, for intensely personal reasons, Brit wasn’t sure that she was through spilling it! But now a peaceful accord has made Finn Rorkken, a notorious Drakken rogue, second-in command on her starship – and through some grand cosmic irony – front and center in her thoughts…and her heart.

WARLEADER. PIRATE.
Either title sat easily on Finn’s battle-hardened shoulders. Though second-in-command to “Stone-Heart” Bandar? That would take some getting used to. Peace required as much sacrifice as war, so he’d comply even if his reaction to the gorgeous admiral fell decidedly outside protocol. But would he end up kissing or killing her if the galaxy’s tentative truce turned into all out war?

Cover: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/514Ay5Ag9BL._SS500_.jpg
Excerpt: http://www.susangrant.com/books/moonstruck.htm

ABOUT SUSAN GRANT
RITA award winner and NY Times best-selling author Susan Grant loves writing about what she knows: flying, adventure, and the often unpredictable interaction between the sexes! When she’s not writing romances set in far-flung locales, Susan pilots 747 jumbo jets to China, Australia, Europe, and many other exotic overseas destinations where she finds plenty of material for her novels.

REVIEWS
4.5 stars! The quick pace and compelling characterization make this space adventure riveting! --reviewed by Jill Smith, RT Magazine

A gripping storyline, fascinating characters and great writing. Susan Grant has an immense talent for writing this special brand of romance. --Tanzey Cutter, Fresh Fiction.

"[A] can’t-put-down read that draws you in from the first page and doesn’t let go until the tension-filled final chapters!" -- Linnea Sinclair, RITA award winning author of THE DOWN HOME ZOMBIE BLUES

This tale packs a punch! Fans of the Honor Harrington series (by David Weber) will thoroughly enjoy Brit and Finn's story. I could not help but give a spontaneous high-five when I finished this gem. -- Detra Fitch, Huntress Reviews,

This book kicked serious butt. Susan Grant can write more like this and I'll be ready to devour them at a moment's notice! -- Kathy Boswell, The Best Reviews

Website: http://www.susangrant.com
http://www.the-borderlands.com

HEART OF THE WOLF

2008-05-28T15:22:00.000-07:00

Today I have the pleasure of telling you about HEART OF THE WOLF, by Terry Spear. I love books with a hot romance and a lot of danger and suspense. And HEART OF THE WOLF fits that definition perfectly.

Terry Spear has written a very unique shape-shifter romance because she’s studied wolf pack social relations and transferred what she learned to a shape-shifter wolf pack. Or rather two packs–the grays and the reds.

HEART OF THE WOLF is the story of Bella and Devlyn, two shape-shifter lovers who have what looks like an insurmountable problem. When her red wolf pack is killed in a fire, Bella is taken in by the grays. But she’s forced to flee her adopted pack because Volan, the abusive alpha male, wants her. And she loathes him. Devlyn is the beta male, and he must do Volan’s bidding–including bringing Bella back to the pack where she will be forced to submit to the leader.

If Devlyn wants to claim Bella for his own, he must fight Volan to the death. Does he want her enough to fight for her? Is he strong enough to win out? Or will he die trying?

But Volan isn’t their only problem. The red wolves are on a killing spree, and Devlyn and Bella must flee the police and also their vengeful pack leader–while coping with their overwhelming need for each other.

Terry Spear rolls all that into a sensual, action-packed read that you won’t want to miss.

Rebecca York

Whose Fantasy Is This Anyway?

2008-05-18T09:24:00.000-07:00

Back in the early 20th century, Sigmund Freud asked his famous question, “What do women want?”

Judging from my spam folder, I think guys are still trying to figure that out.

Penis enlargement is the–um–big thing. All you need is a super-sized tool, and the women will fall all over themselves to go to bed with you. Of course, I keep wondering how you’re supposed to reveal this piece of equipment to get her interested. Flash her at the office or on a bus?

Guys are preoccupied with size. And volume, apparently. How about THIS ad?

“Did you know that a recent survey showed that 85% of women actually get aroused by a man who produces ‘above average’ semen amounts? With our pills, she’ll be speechless… and definitely coming back for more…”

Yeah, she’ll be speechless, all right–when he floods her out of the bed.

Okay, I realize I’m getting a little gross here. And I also realize these ads play to male fantasies and vulnerabilities. It’s easy to satisfy your sweetie. You don’t have to be good at conversation, dancing or foreplay. Flowers, candy, and Champagne? A tender show of emotion?

Forget all that. You’ve got everything you need right in your magic wand. The bigger the better.
Any man who bothered to sit down and read a romance novel would find out very quickly that semen is pretty far down the list of what turns a woman on. Really, how many love scenes have you read where the guy erupts like Mt. Vesuvius? Or love scenes that get around to cleaning up after sex? Not many. Of course, a big tool can be a turn-on. But it’s not the be all and end all of sex. Just pointing that Maypole at her, then stuffing it into “slot B,” isn’t going to do the trick, because a woman needs her partner to turn her on before they get to intercourse. Remember that famous line from SEX AND THE CITY, delivered after a particularly disastrous sexual encounter: “Do you know what a clitoris is?”

Romance novels make it pretty clear what women want. We’re looking for a man who focuses his attention on his woman. Who charms her with his witty dialogue, then slowly and skillfully uses his hands and mouth to bring her to a tingling level of arousal before he . . . .

Well, you get the idea.

I enjoy writing love scenes where a man and a woman give each other pleasure. And when I’m in the middle of one, I’m as focused on the emotions of my hero and heroine as I am on the physical descriptions. The emotions of these two people and the building arousal reinforce each other to give the scene a depth that most male writers can’t achieve.

There are a few men who can do it, though. One guy who “gets it” is Ken Follett. In fact, he was actually one of my role models. When I read THE KEY TO REBECCA, my reaction was, “THAT’S what I want to write–two people falling in love against a background of suspense and danger.”

The hero and heroine may start off lusting after each other. They may jump into bed for the fun of it. But they end up committed to each other–body, mind, and soul.

Since I write romantic thrillers, I know my plot is going to drag my hero and heroine to hell and back. But I also know I’m going to reward them with a long, happy life together. And a fantastic sexual relationship is always part of the package.

To bring us around to the paranormal, that’s one of the reasons I got into werewolves. I love writing about the men in the Marshall family–my strong, sexy alpha male shape-shifters.

They enjoy sex on a very basic, very animal level. But when each of them finds his lifemate, the sex between them is mind-blowing–and a strong part of the bond they forge. In my latest book, GHOST MOON, even when Caleb Marshall is a ghost, he’s using sensuality to reach out to my heroine, Quinn, because he longs for a physical connection with her.

Sex is always integral to my stories. But sex in the context of a relationship where each partner takes pleasure in pleasing the other.

That’s what I’d like guys to take away from my books.

What do you want from your fantasy lover? And from the romances you read?

Dangerous Heroes

2008-05-14T10:07:00.000-07:00

A couple of weeks ago, I gave a talk on the horror genre at the Oklahoma Writers’ Federation Conference in Oklahoma City. As I researched the topic, I realized something interesting. The roots of paranormal romantic suspense reach all the way back to the dawn of time. One of the ways the shaman of an ancient tribe maintained power over his people was to protect them from the scary beings that who roamed the night. And in those ancient spectral creatures, we can see the roots of today’s literary vampires, werewolves, demons, ghosts, and all the other beasts who fill the paranormal universe.

In paranormal romantic suspense, the villains may come from the ranks of these fearsome creatures. But at the same time, the vampires, demons and shape-shifters have also morphed into the heroes of many books. In my Berkley Moon series, for example, I’m writing about a family of very sexy alpha males–who happen to be werewolves. My first werewolf was Ross Marshall in KILLING MOON. He saw himself as an aberration in the modern world, yet he desperately wanted to be part of humanity. And the right woman helped him make peace with the wolf side of his being.

Now Ross Marshall is the linchpin of the family, guiding his younger brothers and cousins into a life they never could have imagined.. In my May book, GHOST MOON, he’s the one who organizes the family to fight a terrorist threat against the U.S. government. And he’s also the wolf who’s secure enough to reach out to my hero, Caleb Marshall, a ghost who was killed by Ross’s great-grandfather.

Intrigue is famous for sexy alpha males heroes. And that’s one of the things I love about writing for the line. For me, the paranormal element takes it even farther. My werewolves may be the heroes of my books, but you never know when their savage side will emerge. In GHOST MOON, Caleb wants to rip out the throat of the man who killed him. Since he’s seventy-five years too late to do that, he’ll go after the guy’s grandsons instead.

How far do you like to take the danger in your romantic suspense? Do you like dangerous, unpredictable heroes? Do you like heroes who live outside the bounds of civilization? Who is your ideal Intrigue hero? Or romantic suspense hero?

Rebecca

THE DARKEST NIGHT, by Gena Showalter

2008-05-06T01:06:00.000-07:00

Here's the latest page-turner from Gena Showalter!

His powers – Inhuman
His passion -- Beyond immortal . . .

All her life, Ashlyn Darrow has been tormented by voices from the past. To end the nightmare, she has come to Budapest seeking help from men rumored to have supernatural abilities, not knowing she'll be swept into the arms of Maddox, their most dangerous member -- a man cursed to die every night, only to awaken the next morning knowing he has to die again.

Neither can resist the instant hunger than calms their torments . . . and ignites an irresistible passion. But every heated touch and burning kiss will edge them closer to destruction -- and a soul-shattering test of love . . .

Though they carry an eternal curse, the Lords of the Underworld are irresistibly seductive -- and unimaginably powerful . . . Don’t miss this incredible new paranormal series from Gena Showalter!

Cover: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/511Dij-UhmL._SS500_.jpg

Read a three chapter excerpt here!

ABOUT GENA SHOWALTER

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Gena Showalter has been praised for her “sizzling page-turners” and “utterly spellbinding stories.” The author of more than seventeen novels and anthologies, Showalter is celebrated in a wide variety of genres for her breathtaking romances featuring dark, seductive heroes and strong, appealing heroines. Readers can’t get enough of her trademark wit and singular imagination, whether she’s writing paranormal stories about vampires, nymphs and superheroes, white-hot contemporary romance or alien huntress books. Her newest series, Lords of the Underworld, promises to be her sexiest and most addictive yet. Don’t miss this intoxicating blend of dangerous passion, demons and other supernatural forces, and immortal men who are hotter than hell!

REVIEWS

"A fascinating premise, a sexy hero and non-stop action, The Darkest Night is Showalter at her finest, and a fabulous start to an imaginative new series." Karen Marie Moning, New York Times best selling author
One of the premier authors of paranormal romance. --New York Times bestselling author Kresley Cole

You can buy your copy at: Amazon or Barnes and Noble

Website http://www.genashowalter.com
http://www.lordsoftheunderworld.net

SHAPESHIFTER BLOG / RT REPORT

2008-04-21T09:41:00.000-07:00

I've joined a blog for authors of shapeshifter romances. (I don't know if any of the heroines morph into chickens, though.)
We're kicking off the site with a contest this week. We're giving away books and a cute little wolf puppet I found. So if you want to go over and check it out, it's at

http://shapeshifterromance.wordpress.com/

I also have a report from the RT conference in Pittsburgh (last Wednesday through Sunday):

In many ways, RT was the same rip roaring non-stop party scene. Where else could I pose for a picture with Fabio? I'm always amazed at how much work goes into putting it together. And it seems to run more smoothly every year. I think the workshops are getting more "professional," but they were less well attended than in the past few years. Maybe those two things are related!

It's hard for me to evaluate the parties, since I am not a party animal. I have to periodically go hide in my room. But I did love seeing all the fantastic costumes. People put so much work into them! And I have an insane desire to dress up in a costume. But I was working too hard before I left to actually buy something. I do have a picture of me wearing vampire teeth, though.

This year was RT's 25th year, so they made a big deal out of that, including honoring the "pioneers of romance" who were in attendance. (Including me, Heather Graham, Carole Nelson Douglas, Bertrice Small, Roberta Gellis, Jannelle Taylor, and Pat Rice--among others.) They had a nice ceremony for us at the awards luncheon and gave us engraved chunks of glass (about 4" x 5"--shaped like a mountain.) The recognition was actually quite nice, even though I keep joking that it's an award for still being alive and still publishing.

The hotel is under construction, so that got in the way somewhat. Like, our hall was half done, so some days it smelled horrible. Apparently, the day before we arrived, there was plaster dust all over it.

DH was upset because the wireless was not working on the 6th floor--our floor. But we could use it in the lobby. So he kept going down and reading mail. Sometimes I went with him--which gave me more opportunities to meet people.

Because of the construction, there were no bathrooms on the lobby level. Kind of inconvenient. (But I did discover one hidden unisex bathroom in a large meeting suite.) Also, on the ballroom level, they had done something really strange. The women's room had urinals. And the men's room had a Tampax machine. (This latter info from DH.) I guess they hadn't planned to make the restrooms available, but they opened them up and slapped the signs on the wrong rooms.

Last year in Houston, there was a large atrium where you could meet people. This Hilton didn't have as good a meeting place. So there were more places you had to look for people.

Right at the end of the book signing, ALL THE LIGHTS WENT OFF IN THE BALLROOM, if you can believe that. I was, as usual, at the back of the room, facing a wall. But near an exit. I'm really glad I wasn't in the middle of a suddenly dark huge room. I carry a small flashlight in my purse, and I led DH and the woman signing next to me out of the room. It wasn't pitch black because some light came in through the exits from the windows outside the ballroom I can believe the blackout allowed some people to escape without paying, though.

I sold 43 books, so I felt really good about that. And it always makes me feel wonderful when people come up and say they love my books.

I always make an effort to meet new people. I did sit with readers I didn't know at some banquets, and I think I got some new people interested in my books. One of them is a guy who works as a prison guard but loves paranormal romance. He lcame up to me at the Book Fair and bought a copy of all three books I had there. And he says he'll e-mail me. His favorite writer is MaryJanice Davidson, so he will probably hate me, since my books are not funny.

Besides meeting fans, I felt like I made some good contacts with booksellers and also got to have a long talk with Sheila English, who heads Circle of Seven Productions. They've made three really great Book Trailers and teasers for me--all of which you can see at www.rebeccayork.com.
I also went to a private reception for Betweenyoursheets authors. And I loved putting faces with the names of the great people I've met there. They ran a contest at the Book Fair which sent a lot of readers to me to get my signature. You can check out their Web site at:

www.betweenyoursheets.com

I was also on the H/S panel--which included Randall Toye. I, um, asked him why lines start up and disappear so fast. (Bombshell, Everlasting, Love and Laughter.) He said that the cycle moves faster than it used to. Booksellers can track whether a line is selling practicaly in real time, and if it isn't, they stop carrying it. He said paperback sales are down across the board, but H/S sales are up--but not as much as they want. In the past, people could grow into liking a line. Now they'd better get with it fast, or they lose the chance.

Randall thought print books would be around forever, but e-books are definitely gaining. Still, even though they are increasing a lot, they started with a really small base. Some people in the audience said how much they love e-books. Other people said they want a real book.

Something I also like about RT is getting to sit down and talk with writer friends. Carole Nelson Douglas and I shared a table in Club RT. So--RT from my perspective.

RT is a great place to meet fans, meet with friends and have a great time.

Ruth

Rebecca York (aka Ruth Glick) ** http://www.rebeccayork.com
GHOST MOON, Berkley, 5/08
SOLDIER CAGED, Hqn Intrigue, 7/08
MAMMOTH BOOK OF VAMPIRE ROMANCES, Running Press, 8/08

LADY AND THE VAMP, by Michelle Rowen

2008-04-03T14:31:00.000-07:00

With a title like this, Lady and the Vamp has to be a winner!

LADY AND THE VAMP by Michelle Rowen
April 2008 – Forever, an Imprint of Grand Central Publishing

She fights.
Janie Parker’s a supernatural assassin—not by choice, but what’s a girl gonna do? The only thing standing between her and decapitation at the hands of her hellish boss is a magical artifact called The Eye. To get it, all Janie has to do is find a dark, broody vampire named Michael Quinn and take it. Easy, right? Except if Quinn keeps kissing her that way, she just might lose her head...in more ways than one.

He bites.
Former vampire hunter Michael Quinn is determined to become human again. If he grabs hold of The Eye and makes a wish—then boom, everything’s good with the world. But now Quinn has a sassy tagalong with a long, delectable neck and orders to stake him on sight. He just hopes his first bite won’t be Janie’s last moment on earth...

Cover: http://www.michellerowen.com/images/

Excerpt: http://www.michellerowen.com/latv_chap1.htm

ABOUT MICHELLE ROWEN

Waldenbooks bestselling author Michelle Rowen is a self-confessed bibliophile, reality TV junkie, and is well known for making a mean pot of Kraft Dinner. Her novels for Grand Central Publishing (formerly Warner Books) include the Immortality Bites series: BITTEN & SMITTEN (2007 Holt Medallion winner for Best First Book), FANGED & FABULOUS, and LADY & THE VAMP, as well as the standalone paranormal romance, ANGEL WITH ATTITUDE. Under the pseudonym Michelle Maddox she has written COUNTDOWN (August ’08) for Dorchester Publishing's new and exciting SHOMI line of "speculative" romance novels. Michelle lives in Southern Ontario, and is currently hard at work on her next fantastical novel.

REVIEWS

“I loved Lady & the Vamp! Michelle Rowen has again successfully written a funny and highly entertaining vampire story...I can’t wait for book four of this series!” – Armchair Interviews
“Lady & The Vamp is a fast paced and entertaining read. Its light comic style effortlessly pulls the reader along for a ride...dishing up romance and laughs along the way.” – LoveVampires.com
“This book was great fun. Janie and (Quinn) are a breath of fresh air...you'll be laughing and rooting for them both from the very beginning.” – Fresh Fiction

"Excitement, a strong, character driven, intense plot, and wicked humor keep this story racing... As usual, Ms. Rowen delivers a winning story. Enjoy it. No fooling." – Huntress Romance Reviews

"4 stars! Fans will appreciate the light tone, the smooth and swift narration... throughout the third book of Rowen's Immortality Bites series." – Romantic Times BOOKreviews

Website: http://www.michellerowen.com

SOLAR HEAT and MIDNIGHT REIGN

2008-02-08T00:37:00.000-08:00

I can't wait for this one!

SOLAR HEAT by Susan Kearney
(TOR Books, February 5, 2008)

WATCH the book video here: www.susankearney.com

Is she an indispensable ally. . . or his worst enemy?

When Intersolar Mining entrepreneur Derrek Archer rescues Azsla from her emergency sleeping pod, he's confounded by his desire for her. An inexplicable desire. An irresistible desire that causes Derrek to wonder if he's been drugged or hypnotized.

Is she better off with him . . . or without him?

Azsla's attracted to the sexy asteroid miner, but she fears getting close to Derrek might compromise her mission and reveal her secret. A secret that she's an enemy spy and her facade hides a complex and powerful woman—one capable of enslaving Derrek and destroying everything he holds dear.
Will Azsla's devastating secret destroy them . . . or save them?
When a cataclysm of deadly proportions threatens Derrek's world, they must overcome their distrust, suspicion and opposing loyalties. But while uniting forces might save a planet, working together might tear them apart or bring them together. Forever.

Cover: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51DERqxvq2L._SS500_.jpg

Excerpt: http://www.susankearney.com/solar_heat.html

ABOUT SUSAN KEARNEY
Susan Kearney used to set herself on fire four times a day, now a USA TODAY BESTSELLING author, she does something really hot—she writes paranormal romance. With over 50 books in print, she can still apply the old rule of "write what you know" and never run out of ideas for characters and plots. An All-American and professional diver, expert in martial arts, sailor, real estate broker and owner of a barter business as well as women's fitness and three hair salons, she has enough material for a lifetime.

REVIEWS for Solar Heat

Romantic Times 4 ½ Stars Top Pick

Susan Kearney writes futuristics as good as anyone in the business. Her world building is fantastic, but yet doesn’t overpower the characters or the inherent love story. Sparks fly off the pages of SOLAR HEAT, be careful you don’t get burned.—Cat Cody

Susan Kearney has written another great futuristic romance. The characters reach out to the reader, even through the galaxies. SOLAR HEAT is definitely hot! -- Lori Sears

"A hot and sexy sci-fi fantasy set among the stars."
Reviewed by Mandy Burns Fresh Review

SOLAR HEAT is one sensual roller coaster that will speed up any reader's heart rate. I give Solar Heat 5 Moonbeams.

Veronica
Strictly Romance Reviews

Website: http://www.susankearney.com

Here's a book that's made to order for vampire lovers.

Chris Marie Green also writes as Crystal Green for Silhouette Special Edition and Harlequin Blaze. MIDNIGHT REIGN is book two of the Vampire Babylon series, following NIGHT RISING, Book One.

Reviews:

“An exciting, high tension horror thriller with enough unresolved trust and family issues to make it credible, a hint of romance for spice and a bit of black humor to lighten up the often dark tone, this is a nicely conceived modern vampire tale that will keep readers guessing. The conclusion is certain to leave fans anxiously awaiting the final installment.”
- MonstersandCritics.com

“MIDNIGHT REIGN VAMPIRE BABYLON BOOK 2 is a powerhouse of emotions and revelations…. This story grabbed me and wouldn’t let go until I finished it. Now I have to find out how it all ends. Don’t miss this one. You won’t be sorry. “

- Chere Gruver, PNR

KEEPERS OF THE FLAME by Robin D. Owens

2008-01-17T10:09:00.000-08:00

Here's Robin D. Owens' latest. She's always a favorite of mine.

KEEPERS OF THE FLAME by Robin D. Owens
Luna

Twin sisters Bri and Elizabeth Drystan each have a special gift for healing, but they've taken very different career paths. While Elizabeth has pursued a medical degree, Bri has taken a more unorthodox and holistic path. Both of their gifts are sorely needed in the world of Lladrana, as the Dark has launched a deadly new plague.

Abruptly summoned to this alien world by desperate sorcerers, Bri and Elizabeth discover they are the fourth such summoning of Earth-born women, or Exotiques. The situation in Lladrana is dire, and Bri and Elizabeth are immediately thrown into the fray. To save the lives of many, one twin may place her own life in dire risk.

Cover: http://a1055.g.akamai.net/f/1055/1401/5h/images.barnesandnoble.com/images/14540000/14547358.jpg

Excerpt: http://www.robindowens.com/reads/KeepersOfTheFlame.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

As Owens' multifaceted saga, The Summoning, continues, the sorcerers get an unexpected bonus: two for the price of one in the form of twins...Events continue to darken in this intricate fantasy world, the stakes keep rising, and losses become inevitable. Strong characterization combined with deadly danger make this story vibrate with emotional resonance. Stay tuned as events accelerate toward the final battle. —Jill M. Smith, Romantic Times

This is one of the most engaging worlds ever to grace the universe of epic fantasy. Though the basic framework of the prior three novels is maintained, Keepers of the Flame does not follow any set "formula," but is filled with surprises as the sisters adapt and struggle in the world to which they have been summoned. Thus, what is loved about the other books is still there, but it is also a fresh, new spin on the overall story. -- Amanda Killgore, Huntress Reviews

I was utterly fascinated by this latest Exotique story. The Lladranans are coming closer and closer to finding a solution for finally facing the Dark in a final battle. They can only hope they can set all the pieces of the puzzle into place and finally triumph to save Lladrana once and for all. Robin D. Owens has pulled out all stops with this one in yet another intriguing peek into her Lladranan world. -- Kathy Boswell, The Best Reviews

Website: http://www.robindowens.com

HEAT OF THE NIGHT by Sylvia Day

2008-01-10T11:03:00.000-08:00

This
sounds like my kind of read.

HEAT OF THE NIGHT by Sylvia Day
ISBN: 978-0061231032
HarperCollins Avon
January 8, 2008

Bad boys are her weakness and no one is as wicked as Connor Bruce…

He is the realization of every woman’s erotic fantasies. Existing in the Twilight between sleep and consciousness, Connor brings them decadent pleasures, fueled by their sexual energy. But violence and strife now tear apart both worlds, and Connor must embark on a perilous quest into the mortal realm … and into the arms of one intoxicating enchantress.

Stacey Daniels has always been attracted to the wrong type of men – and the muscular, Viking-like champion on her front doorstep is no exception. She can hardly believe the wounded warrior is from another world, a world where erotic dreams are needed to survive, a world of terrible danger that has followed him to her home. Connor finds solace in her passion, but only time will tell if he can defeat the dark foe who hunts them … and if Stacey can surrender to the promise he offers with every electrifying touch.

Cover: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41b%2BhZW2M8L._SS500_.jpg

Excerpt: http://www.guardiannovels.com/novels/heat

ABOUT SYLVIA DAY

SYLVIA DAY is the national 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. She’s been honored with both the EPPIE award and a finalist nod for Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA® Award of Excellence.

REVIEWS

“I highly recommend this book especially to readers who love fantasy romance.”
– Paranormal Romance Writers

“Sylvia Day’s Guardians are deliciously spicy, especially the intensely sexual Connor. Love the paranormal world! Love the characters! Love the sizzling romance! Love Heat of the Night! Love Sylvia Day!”
– Annmarie, Joyfully Reviewed

“Heat Of The Night is not only a love story, it’s also an extremely adventurous tale of good versus evil. I couldn’t stop reading, waiting to see what would happen. In this story, there were characters from the first book as well as new characters, both evil and good. The adventure and love story combine, woven together by a wonderful plot. I’m eagerly awaiting the next book in Ms. Day’s marvelous series.”
– Marcy Arbitman, The Romance Studio

“Day’s second installment in her Dream Guardian series starts off with a bang! Her hot and steamy sex scenes will leave readers breathless and aching for more. The hero and heroine are believable and well written, and the hero is rugged and definitely dreamy. With characters from the first book added in, as well as a mixture of new faces, plus dashes of paranormal elements, Day has a winning recipe.”
– Janean Sparks, RT BOOKreviews

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

Blog Tour: SAVOR ME SLOWLY, by Gena Showalter

2007-12-21T01:37:00.001-08:00

My kind of Romantic Suspense!

SAVOR ME SLOWLY by Gena Showalter
(Pocket) December 26, 2007

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.

Cover: http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51ncX3TGilL._SS500_.jpg

Excerpt Teaser:

For a moment, she couldn’t breathe. Her heartbeat picked up speed, wild, primal. She was naked. He could see every inch of her, every flaw. But her feet were rooted in place, preventing her from striding back into the bathroom for a towel.

“What are you doing here?” she croaked.

Jaxon’s hot gaze slid over her, down . . .down. . . then back up again, landing on her hardening nipples and staying. His pupils dilated, and he swallowed. “I came to talk.”

“My breasts are flattered,” she forced out, “though I doubt they can answer any of your earlier questions.”

His eyes snapped up to hers. “You’re the one walking around naked.”

“You’re the one sneaking into other people’s rooms.”

He pushed out a sigh as conflicted as hers had been inside the shower. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have looked. I don’t regret it, though.”

To order your copy, visit Amazon or Barnes and Noble

ABOUT GENA SHOWALTER:
Gena Showalter sold her first book at the age of 27. Three years later, at the ripe old age of 30, she had sold an amazing total of 15 books in a multitude of genres: paranormal romance, contemporary chick lit/romance hybrid, young adult and urban fantasy. Her books provide something for every fan of fiction. For more information about Gena and her novels, you can visit her website at www.genashowalter.com and her blog at www.genashowalter.blogspot.com

REVIEWS:

In versatile Showalter’s new futuristic novel, the world teeters on the edge of disaster unless a tough band of human and alien allies can stop it. Danger spiced with sizzling sensuality are definitely hallmarks of Showalter’s style. Kicking butt and taking names is what these protagonists do best which cranks up the action quotient for this intense new book! – Romantic Times

One of the premiere authors of paranormal romance.” New York Times bestselling author Kresley Cole

SAVOR ME SLOWLY is the third and strongest installment in Gena Showalter’s Alien Huntress series. As riveting as the previous two books were this one is better. Fresh Fiction

The characters in this book are flawlessly drawn. . . Science fiction at its best! So if you’ve never picked up a story by this talented author, now is the time to start. Two Lips Reviews -- 5 lips, their highest rating!

Website: http://www.genashowalter.com

ARSENIC AND OLD LACE

2007-09-19T13:34:00.000-07:00

Well, I apologize for neglecting my blog. But I do have some interesting observations this afternoon. Or, I hope you’ll find them interesting.

I live between Baltimore and Washington, and this year Center Stage in Baltimore made a tempting offer to lure back subscribers who had fallen by the wayside. Heavily discounted tickets. So last night we went to see ARSENIC AND OLD LACE, by Joseph Kesselring. As you know, I write fantasy. And while the play has no werewolves or vampires, it’s definitely historical urban fantasy.

I’d never seen it before. Not even the Cary Grant movie. Apparently, it was Kesselring‘s only really successful play. And it’s VERY funny. You probably know the story is about two sweet old sisters who poison men and bury them in the basement. But there are lots of other elements that are just right. You find out very quickly that the nephew is crazy–and thinks he’s Theodore Roosevelt. He believes he’s digging the Panama Canal in the basement. Of course he’s really digging graves–where he buries “yellow fever victims.” Then the plot twists when the long-lost other nephew comes home. And he also turns out to be a mass murderer–who thinks he’s in competition with his aunts to see who can off the most victims.

Kesselring‘s goal is to keep the audience laughing. And he doesn’t care how he does it. Everybody’s the butt of his jokes, including Mortimer, the drama critic hero. The guy doesn’t exactly start off likeable. And as the play progresses, he gets into serious trouble because of his own stupidity. He turns out to have some heroic qualities, but it’s hard to root for a drama critic who plans to write his review “on the way to the play–to save time.”

In my own work, I am constantly thinking about what would make my hero and heroine more appealing to the reader. So as I watched the performance, I was making mental notes on how I would have improved Mortimer. I would have made him less contemptuous of his job. And I would have. . . . Hum, if I tell that part, I’ll give away a major (and very funny) plot twist.

Now I’ve got to see the Cary Grant movie and find out if the film did a better job with the hero. Or is he still basically a jerk–with a few redeeming qualities?

BLOG TOUR: WICKED MAGIC, by Cheyenne McCray

2007-08-31T17:10:00.000-07:00

This one looks like fun!

WICKED MAGIC by Cheyenne McCray

St. Martin’s, August 28, 2007

ISBN-10: 031294957X

ISBN-13: 978-0312949570

USA Today bestselling author Cheyenne McCray continues her sizzling series with an erotic tale about a gifted witch and a powerful warrior who together create WICKED MAGIC.

A DARK SECRET

Rhiannon Castle is a D'Anu witch whose Coven sisters know nothing of the Shadows that lurk within her. Rhiannon can't reveal the truth to anyone-least of all Keir, a rugged soldier who walks into Rhiannon's life and awakens her to a reckless desire.

A SEARING PASSION

Keir's Tuatha D'Danann brethren are the only real family he has ever known. He trusts no one-until he is sent to San Francisco and meets Rhiannon, the one woman with enough fire to tame him. Every seductive encounter convinces Keir that she belongs with him-even though Rhiannon knows her powers could put him in peril.

A SHARED DESTINY

A new threat rises from the depths of Underworld. When a demon goddess unleashes her evil upon our world, Rhiannon's secret could prove the ultimate weapon in this epic battle-or forge a pathway to destruction for the only man she's ever loved.

Cover: http://www.cheyennemccray.com/books/magicseries/wickedmagic.htm

Excerpt: http://www.cheyennemccray.com/books/magicseries/wickedmagic.htm

ABOUT CHEYENNE McCRAY

USA Today bestselling author Cheyenne McCray has a passion for hot romance and a happily-ever-after, but always with a twist. Among other accolades, Chey has won the prestigious Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award for “Best Erotic Romance of the Year.”

Chey penned her first poem in kindergarten, and has been writing ever since she can remember. She always knew one day she would write novels, hoping her readers would get lost in the worlds she created, as she did in her favorites.

Now, she gets to write full time and loves what she does. She’s married to her college sweetheart, has three sons, three dogs, a messy house, and she will do anything to get out of cleaning, which may be why she writes so much.

REVIEWS

4 Stars! “Blistering sex and riveting battles…” Romantic Times BOOKreviews Magazine

“…all the ingredients for a fiery dish -- stirred up with a big old bundle of lust… the most fun I've had in awhile.” Fresh Fiction

Website: http://www.cheyennemccray.com

Newsletter: http://www.cheyennemccray.com/community/newsletter.htm

MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/cheyennemccray

MOONGAZER

2007-07-27T09:19:00.000-07:00

Here's a book that sounds intriguing!

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.

Cover:
http://ec2.images-amazon.com/images/P/0505527251.01._SS500_SCLZZZZZZZ_V41968999_.jpg

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

BOOK EXPO MADNESS

2007-06-04T18:41:00.001-07:00

Here I am signing ROYAL LOCKDOWN at the Harlequin Booth at BEA. The Book Expo was a lot of fun. But for some reason, the Javits Center forgot to turn on the air conditioning the first day. So it was really HOT. And even when they turned it on, it was still pretty uncomfortable. I had bought a jacket to wear to the book signing. But I decided I'd be better off wearing a shirt instead of a jacket.

We spent a lot of time looking at the exhibits. The Ellora's Cave booth was one of the more interesting. They'd driven their bus into the Javits Center and used it as the backdrop for their tables. They were giving away decks of cards and some of the fake "lollipops" and "matchbooks" you may have seen at RT. At another booth we got cute animal bookmarks for the grandkids. And we stood in line to get books from authors like Dave Barry, E. L. Konigsburg, Lisa Jackson, Martin Cruz Smith, and David Balducci. And, of course, I got a lot of books from the other Harlequin and Silhouette authors.

I've been going to BEA off and on for years. And I've watched it change. Years ago, they used to discourage publishers from having book signings at their booths. Now it's part of the fun and advertised in the BEA directory everyone gets at registration.

I also brought back about fifteen different kinds of cloth bookbags to give to friends.

There was a huge cafeteria in the basement with various companies selling food. We got lunch at a Greek stand, and the food was surprisingly good. And upstairs at the sides of the exhibit floor, you could get drinks and ice cream.

For lunch on Friday, we went out to a German/Austrian restaurant with my Harlequin Intrigue editor and her assistant. It was fun getting together with them and a nice relaxing interlude in the middle of the BEA madness.

PLEASURES OF THE NIGHT, by Sylvia Day

2007-05-09T22:27:00.000-07:00

I love writing about people communicating in dreams. So this book has a lot of appeal for me.

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.

Cover: http://ec2.images-amazon.com/images/P/0061230987.01._SCLZZZZZZZ_V23154607_SS500_.jpg

Flash Excerpt: http://www.guardiannovels.com/novels/pleasures/aidan-ii/

Non-Flash Excerpt: http://www.guardiannovels.com/novels/pleasures/aidan-ii/2/

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

RT and Damsel under Stress

2007-05-03T00:48:00.000-07:00

I’m just back from the RT Convention and my head is still spinning.

My Harlequin Intrigue, THE SECRET NIGHT, won the Reviewers' Choice Award for best Intrigue. It was a real thrill to go up on stage and collect that honor. And winning means a lot to me, since it’s always wonderful to be honored for your craft.

I also had another wonderful experience. I’m on the committee that chooses the recipient of the Melinda Helfer Fairy Godmother Award. And this year I got to give it to librarian Kristin Ramsdell who writes the romance review column in LIBRARY JOURNAL. Her day job is Coordinator for Library Instruction, Liaison Responsibilities, and Collection Development for the English, Communications, and Theater and Dance Departments at the California State University, Hayward. But she’s been a champion of romance for a long time. In addition to the column, she’s a frequent speaker on genre fiction panels at library conferences. Among her many publications is, WHAT ROMANCE DO I READ NEXT?: A READER'S GUIDE TO RECENT ROMANCE FICTION. Gale, 1997.

A lot of authors attended this year, many of them with e-book or small publishers. And the place was swimming with giveaways. You could pick up everything from candies and bookmarks to emery boards and even a back scratcher. One bookseller told me she was shipping home eleven boxes of books and other loot.

The best part of the conference for me was talking to friends like Angela Knight, Pat Potter, and Debra Webb, especially since I'm not going to RWA this year. We're going to Thrillerfest, which is at the same time in New York.

Of course, you can’t talk about RT without the parties. They were fantastic as usual. I loved the costumes at the Fairy Court and the Vampire Ball. And the hotel food was a very pleasant surprise. They also had a fun revolving restaurant on the top floor, where you could eat lunch or dinner and enjoy a 360-degree view of the Houston skyline. The restaurant made the full circuit in 45 minutes.

The hotel was a Hyatt Regency--so it was a big atrium with rooms around it--up to 30 floors. The atrium makes it easy to find your friends, but it was also noisy, and the noise drifted up to the rooms. Until way into the small hours of the morning.

As always, the Book Fair was a great place to meet fans. And this year, as an added feature, they showed book videos on two big screens during the Book Fair. Since the screening was sponsored by Circle of Seven, and they produced my video for NEW MOON, I got in on the deal for free!

Club RT was another good place to meet fans. I sat and chatted with a lot of people there. But the room is also a marketplace. And you know I had to buy some stuff. I got a cute tee shirt with an elephant trying to write a romance novel. But my big purchase was a gorgeous embroidered velvet jacket that I wore to the fairy ball.

One trend I'm seeing at RT--groups of authors getting together to host bookseller events. I participated in one with the thriller writers. And, some of the thriller writers attending are guys–which gives the conference a little different spin from years past. Jim Butcher, of Harry Dresden fame, was there, and he got a lot of attention. I’d met him before at another conference, so we chatted for a while.

Now that I'm back, I'd also like to tell you about a book that's just out.

DAMSEL UNDER STRESS by Shanna Swendson

It's a paranomral comedy. 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.

All mischief and matters of the heart 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. Find out more on Shanna's web site. http://shannonswenson.com/

PICTURES FROM THE RT CONVENTION:

Rebecca and Sunny at RT reception

Ann Parker, Jason Pinter, Karna Small Bodman, Rebecca, and Tracy Montoya on Thriller panel

Tara Taylor Quinn, Pat Potter, and Rebecca on Romantic Suspense panel

Rebecca giving Melinda Helfer Fairy Godmother Award to Kristin Ramsdell

Rebecca signing books at RT Book Fair

Rebecca at Murder by the Book booksigning

Behind the Curve

2007-04-09T16:19:00.000-07:00

Well, I’m definitely behind the curve. Our son lent us the first two seasons of the Sopranos on DVD. We started watching last week, and we’ve been gobbling them up at the rate of two or three a night–plus some of the creator’s commentary.

We didn’t have HBO when the series started, so we couldn’t watch. Then we got HBO, and I didn’t want to start in the middle. So here we are, at the beginning of the last season and just getting started. The good news is that we have a lot of great viewing ahead of us. The characters are so complex and compelling that we sit and watch them for hours.

I feel like we shouldn’t like these people, but we do. Well, mostly. Tony’s mother is something else. I can’t imagine what it must have been like to play her. And the guys who work for Uncle Junior slimes.

So, don’t tell me what happens in the last season. I’ll catch up with you eventually.
Rebecca.

BOOK NEWS

2007-03-29T14:36:00.000-07:00

I'm excited to tell you that NEW MOON has been on the USA Today Best-Seller List for three weeks and Bookscan for four weeks. Soon my new web site will be up, and I'll be able to point you to that. If you go to my web site (www.rebeccayork.com) now, you can find a pointer for the NEW MOON book trailer. People have been telling me it makes them want to read the book. And the fun part is that if you look at the long version, you'll see both me and dh in bit parts.

Another book that's just out is SIGHT UNSEEN by Samantha Graves

Warner Books; April 1 2007

Raven Callahan doesn’t do it for the money. She does it for the thrills. As a consultant for API, an art recover company, she gets to steal—legally. But when her colleague is kidnapped during an assignment, Raven is forced to steal a priceless master painting to save his life.

David “Dax” Maddox was the perfect street cop—until a botched burglary raid cost his partner his life and Dax his ability to see color. Now, with his world gray, Dax has only one mission: to take down the murderer. And he’ll use anyone—even a sexy thief with questionable ethics—to get justice.

Soon Dax and Raven are forced together as pawns in a madman’s scheme. From the heart of Cuba to the New York art world, they find themselves in a race against time to stop the ultimate revenge.

Cover: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/0446618381/ref=dp_image_0/102-1632731-2872900?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books

Excerpt: http://www.samanthagraves.com/suexcerpt.html

ABOUT SAMANTHA

Samantha Graves turned a lifelong love of daydreaming into writing fiction. Under the name of C.J. Barry, she is the award-winning author of the UN-Forgettable Futuristic romance series. She now brings her unique blend of high adventure, sizzling romance, mystery and humor to her first contemporary romantic suspense.

Vacuum Rejection

2007-03-12T17:00:00.000-07:00

All writers get rejections from editors. There’s no writer who’s been in this profession for a long time who hasn’t gotten rejected at one time or another.

But I got a new kind of rejection last week. My maid service rejected me because I didn’t have the right kind of vacuum cleaner attachment. I’m not kidding. I had a substitute for my regular maid, and she complained that she didn’t like doing the rugs without the beater attachment. Well, I have had maids who HATE that attachment. I’m sure a maid broke mine years ago, and I never replaced it.

The day after the cleaning, the owner of the service called to tell me she couldn’t possibly send anyone else to my house until I got a new beater attachment.

I said, “You’re kidding, right?”
When she said she wasn’t kidding, I said, “so we’ll just leave it that way.” Then I hung up, none too gently.

I was just going to never get the attachment. And never communicate with her again. And I sent dh off to start calling cleaning services to find a new one that brought their own equipment so they wouldn’t have to break mine. But I decided to have a conversation with the owner. She apologized to me. And I would have taken her back. But it turned out dh was more bent out of shape than I was. He said we were going to try another service. So here I am in the brave new world. I think the house is cleaner. I’m not perfectly sure.

Have you ever noticed that house cleaners always start off with a bang? They clean within an inch of their lives. Then things deteriorate. So I’m still waiting to see how it all shakes out.

Rebecca

VISIONS OF HEAT by Nalini Singh

2007-03-08T15:33:00.000-08:00

Say--hot indeed!

VISIONS OF HEAT by Nalini Singh
Berkley Sensation / March 6, 2007

Go deeper into the world of the Psy and the changelings, where a gifted woman sees passion in her future-a passion that is absolutely forbidden by her kind...

Used to cold silence, Faith NightStar is suddenly being tormented by dark visions of blood and murder. A bad sign for anyone, but worse for Faith, an F-Psy with the highly sought after ability to predict the future. Then the visions show her something even more dangerous-aching need...exquisite pleasure. But so powerful is her sight, so fragile the state of her mind, that the very emotions she yearns to embrace could be the end of her.

Changeling Vaughn D'Angelo can take either man or jaguar form, but it is his animal side that is overwhelmingly drawn to Faith. The jaguar's instinct is to claim this woman it finds so utterly fascinating and the man has no argument. But while Vaughn craves sensation and hungers to pleasure Faith in every way, desire is a danger that could snap the last threads of her sanity. And there are Psy who need Faith's sight for their own purposes. They must keep her silenced-and keep her from Vaughn...

Cover: http://www.nalinisingh.com/images/Visions.jpg

Excerpt: http://www.nalinisingh.com/visions.html

ABOUT NALINI SINGH

Nalini Singh is passionate about writing. Though she’s traveled as far afield as the deserts of China and the temples of Japan, it is the journey of the imagination that fascinates her the most. She’s beyond delighted to be able to follow her dream as a writer.

Nalini lives, works and eats copious amounts of chocolate in beautiful New Zealand.

REVIEWS

“…if you're a paranormal reader, this is one book that you have to read!"
~Julie Kornhausl for Romance Reader At Heart

“Nalini Singh has done the enviable; she has written a sequel that lives up to its predecessor.”
~Fallen Angel Reviews, 5 Angels, Recommended Read.

“A breathtaking blend of passion, adventure and the paranormal. I wished I lived in the world Singh has created. This is a keeper!”
~Gena Showalter, bestselling author of The Nymph King

“…I read the book in one night. One single night. Stayed up until 3 a.m.…This book sucked me in and would not let go….The sexual tension between Vaughn and Faith was explosive from their very first meeting….” ~Jaci Burton, Author of Surviving Demon Island

Website http://www.nalinisingh.com (includes Behind the Scenes info on the Psy/Changeling series)

MY FAVORITE EARTHLING by Susan Grant

2007-03-01T09:07:00.000-08:00

This sounds like a really fun story.

MY FAVORITE EARTHLING by Susan Grant
HQN; March 1, 2007

Even a Goddess can have a bad day...
Keira, warrior-queen of the galaxy, is as famous for her beauty as she is for avoiding marriage. But when an upstart little planet called Earth threatens her world with its fleet of spaceships, the fate of her people lies in her hands. She must bind herself to a barbarian from the rogue world...or face the destruction of her own!

She's what he never knew he always wanted...
Confirmed bachelor Jared Jasper knew the trick Earth pulled on the alien invaders wasn't a permanent solution. What they needed was a peace treaty. It just never occurred to him that he would wind up on the bargaining table. Playing the pushover groom to a mouthy alien babe who knows how to use a plasma sword is not exactly his idea of fun. But with six-billion people depending on him, he doesn't have much choice--sleep with the enemy...or bring on interstellar war.

Strange bedmates? You bet. But this alliance may turn into a romance the likes of which this galaxy's never seen!

Cover:
http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/0373771924.01._SS500_SCLZZZZZZZ_V48704388_.jpg

Excerpt:
http://www.susangrant.com/books/earthling.htm#excerpt

ABOUT SUSAN GRANT

Former USAF jet pilot and current commercial airline pilot, RITA award-winner and New York Times bestseller Susan Grant loves writing about what she knows: exotic places, action, adventure, and the often unpredictable interaction between men and women.

REVIEWS

“Susan Grant writes heroes to die for!” --Susan Kearney, USA Today bestselling author

“I loved this book! I can't rave about this novel enough. From an arranged marriage, to royal espionage, to saving Earth, MY FAVORITE EARTHLING is not a book to be missed!” – Sylvia Day, bestselling author of Pleasures of the Night

“Susan Grant's sexiest story yet!” -- Gena Showalter, bestselling author of The Nymph King

“A sizzling cosmic romp!” -- Angela Knight, USA Today bestselling author

“Dang but Jared was a hot hero! Susan Grant is an author I sincerely wish I hadn't waited so long to discover! -- Shannon McKelden, author of Venus Envy

“Charming, witty, and sexy as all get out!” --Linnea Sinclair, RITA award-winning author of Games of Command

4.5 stars! “This interstellar romp starts off fast and soon is hip deep in sexy humor and deadly assassination attempts. Grant has really hit her stride with this marvelous blend of humor and danger.” --Jill Smith, Romantic Times Magazine

“Susan Grant proves once again why she is Master of the Futuristic Genre. Jared and Keira's heat burn up the pages!” – award-winning author Colby Hodge

WEBSITE http://www.susangrant.com

Watergate Hotel no longer in danger

2007-02-27T20:43:00.000-08:00

I got some great news from the Washington Post today. I have a really hot love scene between Lance Marshall and Savannah Carpenter in SHADOW OF THE MOON. I thought it would be cool to have the scene at the Watergate Hotel. So dh and I went on a research trip and stayed there--and had a fun time. Our room was one of the largest hotel rooms I've been in, with a bed at one end and a charming living room area at the other. Out the window was a great view of the Potomac River. All in all, it was the perfect location for my story.

After the book went to press, I found out that the company that owned the hotel was planning to turn it into condos. Lucky for me, residents in the Watergate apartment complex protested. They kept the plans from going forward. And now the D. C. housing market has flipped. Hotels are once again more profitable than condos. Which means the Watergate Hotel will be renovated into an even more luxurious setting. So now my h/h aren't going to a hotel that no longer exists.

Rebecca

BLOOD SECRETS by Vivi Anna

2007-02-22T01:33:00.000-08:00

I know this book is fantastic, because I've already read it. Vivi Anna had a cool concept for this story, and she executed it with panache.

BLOOD SECRETS by Vivi Anna
Silhouette Nocturne

A young human woman is found ritualistically murdered in a downtown Necropolis hotel. It is up to Caine Valorian, a 200-year-old vampire, and his Otherworld Crime Unit to solve the unusual crime, and quickly before the human press can jump onto the story and cause a panic. To add to their already tough case, a new member, Eve Grant, transfers to their lab at the request of the mayor. Not only is she green and eager to impress the boss, but she's human. The first human ever to work in an Otherworld unit. The mayor thought it would be great press especially now with the strange human murder.

Caine has his work cut out for him, especially with his unruly team who don't appreciate any help from a human. Not only is this the toughest case of his career, but he's unusually attracted to the new girl, which can only cause trouble for them all. However, as they sink deeper and deeper into the workings of the case, Caine and Eve become closer and closer. So close that neither of them can see past each other and at the real happenings behind the scenes. The more they poke and prod at the case, the more they realize that something is going on, that this murder is only one step toward a greater purpose. Someone in the Otherworld community is calling on dark forces, in a plot to wipe out the entire human population.

Cover:

http://ec2.images-amazon.com/images/P/0373617585.01._SS500_SCLZZZZZZZ_V48704448_.jpg

Excerpt:
http://www.valorianchronicles.com/bloodsecrets_nonflash.php#excerpt

ABOUT VIVI ANNA

A bad girl at heart, Vivi Anna likes to burn up the pages with her original unique brand of fantasy fiction. Whether it's in ancient Egypt, or in an apocalyptic future, Vivi always writes fast paced action-adventure with strong independent women that can kick some butt, and dark delicious heroes to kill for.

Once shot at while repossessing a car, Vivi decided that maybe her life needed a change. The first time she picked up a pen and put words to paper, she knew she had found her heart. Within two paragraphs, she realized she could write about getting into all sorts of trouble without suffering the consequences.

When Vivi isn't writing, you can find her causing a ruckus at downtown bistros, flea markets, or playgrounds.

REVIEWS

If you like CSI, you'll love this smart, sexy and suspenseful trip through Necropolis where the villains are vamps, werewolves and witches--and so are the good guys. Strong, sexy Caine Valorian is a vampire to die for. He's also the head of the crime unit that cracks the supernatural cases no human is brave enough to tackle. Except beautiful but businesslike Eve Grant. Sparks fly - in and out of bed - when Caine and Eve pool their talents to fight unspeakable evil. – USA Today best selling author, Rebecca York

A new series begins on a strong note with compelling characters that draw you into their world, showing it to you in a way that explains without bogging down the narrative. This is a solid mystery that is enhanced by the romantic and paranormal elements. I look forward to seeing more from this author – Eternal Night Review

Website http://www.valorianchronicles.com
http://www.vivianna.net

MOON AWAKENING by Lucy Monroe

2007-02-15T07:17:00.000-08:00

Werewolves in the Scottish highlands! Cool!

MOON AWAKENING by Lucy Monroe
Berkley Sensation February 2007

An enthralling new romantic tale that pushes the boundaries between love and hate, passion and pain-and man and beast...

When Emily Hamilton's family is ordered to send a woman to the Scottish highlands for marriage to the laird of the Sinclair, Emily volunteers in order to save her younger sister from such a fate. But at her new home, the only friend she finds is the laird's sister-especially after Emily's stubborn streak causes the laird to cancel the marriage. And though her plans have gone awry, she refuses to return home...

Lachlan Balmoral is laird of his clan-and leader of his pack. One of the most feared werewolves prowling the Highlands, he is on the march against the hated Sinclair, who have abducted a Balmoral woman. He kidnaps the sister of the Sinclair laird, planning to marry her off in revenge-but the woman he takes along with her proves to be the greater prize...

For Emily feeds a desire he has never known existed. And though Lachlan would not think of touching his enemy's betrothed, he must know how a mere woman could tame his heart so easily...

Cover:
http://ec2.images-amazon.com/images/P/0425214265.01._SS500_SCLZZZZZZZ_V40879991_.jpg

Excerpt:
http://www.lucymonroecotm.com/excerpt_ma.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.

REVIEWS

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

ISLAND HEAT by Susan Kearney

2007-02-07T23:48:00.000-08:00

I loved the book trailer for Island Heat. The trailer really whetted my appetite. And the book is definitely on my "to read" list.

ISLAND HEAT by Susan Kearney
Tor Romance February 6, 2007

He dominated with an otherworldly seductive power . . .

What was happening to her? Former screen siren Shara Weston lived on an exotic and private South Pacific island as a recluse . . . until disturbingly masculine and utterly captivating Cade Archer fell out of the sky and into her life. Now, Cade gives her no choice but to follow him down a sensual path that fulfills her every desire.

Cade's on a mission to open a portal between Shara's island volcano and his world. But not everyone wants him to succeed. A powerful enemy has followed Cade to prevent him from sending the resources through the portal that will free his people.

While Cade's mission is as compelling as his dominating sensuality, Shara must find a way to fight him . . . to stop his mission because the fate of every man, woman and child on Earth is at stake.

Cover:
http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/076535666X.01._SS500_SCLZZZZZZZ_V46350350_.jpg

Excerpt:

http://www.susankearney.com/island_heat.html

ABOUT SUSAN KEARNEY

Susan Kearney used to set herself on fire four times a day, now a USA TODAY BESTSELLING author, she does something really hot—she writes paranormal romance for Tor, sensuous romance for Harlequin Blaze and romantic suspense for Harlequin Signature. She can apply the old rule of "write what you know" and never run out of ideas for characters and plots. An All-American and professional diver, expert in martial arts, sailor, real estate broker and owner of a barter business as well as women's fitness and three hair salons, she has enough material for a lifetime.

REVIEWS

Website http://www.susankearney.com

Book Trailer Shoot in Phoenix

2007-02-04T19:42:00.000-08:00

I’m back from an exciting trip to Phoenix where I watched director Joe Gruberman from Circle of Seven and his crew shoot a book trailer for my March Berkley release, NEW MOON.

The whole book trailer experience has been wild. Often when I get the cover of my book, the people look nothing like my hero and heroine. But for the trailer, I got to look at Web sites of various actors and pick the ones I wanted. I selected a husband and wife team, Jimmy and Kalin, and they’re perfect for my characters. My hero is Logan Marshall, one of my guys from the Marshall werewolf clan. And my heroine is Rinna, a woman from an alternate universe. I introduced readers to her in SHADOW OF THE MOON, when she helped the Marshall werewolves and their lifemates defeat a mind vampire from another universe. Now she and Logan have their own story.

Rinna’s hiding out from a powerful man who wants to enslave her mind and body. She meets Logan when he steps into a trap for shapeshifters–a trap that’s meant for her. Logan’s astonished to meet a female shapeshifter, since the only ones he knows are the men from his family.

We shot about sixteen scenes from the book, and I don’t know how many of them will end up in the finished product. Book trailers have a couple of versions. One will be 30 seconds. That will go to sites around the Web and be shown in bookstores. The longer version will be on my site.

It was really cool watching the scenes in my book come alive with actors who looked so much like my hero and heroine. Of course we couldn’t use all the locations from the book, since they include a cave and an underground river. So those will be done with "green screen" techniques, where the background is added later. Another scene I’m waiting to see is where my heroine uses psychic energy to blow up a convenience store.

There were other restrictions, as well. We couldn’t use a ton of actors, so most of the scenes are between the hero and heroine. But we did use a few other people who volunteered–or were roped into helping out.

The director is also going to use morphing techniques. Because my h/h are both werewolves, he’ll be turning the actors into wolves. Or rather, turning the wolves into people. This should be interesting, since, of course, when you change from wolf to man or woman, you’re naked. We had a closed set for that part of the shoot, so I didn’t get to see how they did it. Naturally, the actors weren’t entirely naked. And the camera angles are designed to hide any of the sensitive bits.

Now I’m waiting for the editing to be done and anxious to see how it all comes out.

Here are some pictures we took at the shoot.

Kalin, Jimmy, and Me

The crew at lunch

Jimmy and Kalin getting ready
to morph from person to wolf

Jimmy and Kalin in cave scene

Bill as Falcone

Love scene in chair

NIGHT RISING by Chris Marie Green

2007-02-01T20:09:00.000-08:00

Say--this sounds like my kind of story--mystery and suspense mixed with the paranormal.
NIGHT RISING by Chris Marie Green
Ace, February 6, 2007
0-441-01467-4

Welcome to Hollywood—after dark…

Stuntwoman Dawn Madison is a girl with attitude—and a lot of issues, mostly about living up to the legacy of her mother, a world famous movie star whose untimely death left Dawn to be raised by her dad Frank, nobody’s notion of single-father-of-the-year. Now that she’s grown up, she and Frank aren’t on the best of terms, to say the least.

Still, he is her dad, and when he vanishes while investigating the bizarre sighting—caught on film—of a supposedly long-dead child star, she comes home to Tinseltown to join the search for him. Working with his colleagues—a psychic short in stature but big in dreams, a beautiful Latina techno-geek, and the P. I. firm’s never-seen boss—she discovers an erotic and bloody underground society made up of creatures she thought existed only on screen.

They are devious. They are deadly. And some of them are dangerously attractive…

Book teaser link:
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/395573/night_rising_vampire_babylon_book...

Cover:

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/0441014674.01._SS500_SCLZZZZZZZ_V36092462_.jpg

Excerpt:

http://www.vampirebabylon.com/books_night_rising_excerpt.htm

ABOUT CHRIS MARIE GREEN

Chris Marie Green also writes as Crystal Green for Silhouette Bombshell and Special Edition, plus Harlequin Blaze. Her first vampire book, THE HUNTRESS, allowed her to indulge in her love of horror movies and novels. NIGHT RISING is book one of the Vampire Babylon trilogy.

REVIEWS

Night Rising – Vampire Babylon is the first book in a new trilogy set in the exciting world of paranormal Hollywood…. Described as a noir-mystery-fantasy series, it is dark, erotic and compelling reading – Amanda at Lovevampires.Com

Green's storytelling prowess is hitting on all cylinders in Night Rising: a brilliantly developed plotline; compelling, realistically drawn characters; and enough ghoulish antagonists, horrific murders and erotic encounters to satisfy fans of all genres. Regardless of categorization, Green's latest is pure, unadulterated storytelling gold. Highly recommended. -Paul Goat Allen, Barnes and Noble

Chris Marie Green does a wonderful job of bringing this gritty, dark novel to life…. If this is the first installment of the VAMPIRE BABYLON series, I can’t wait to see where [the author] takes the rest of the books. – The Best Reviews

Website http://www.vampirebabylon.com
http://www.crystal-green.com
http://www.myspace.com/vampirebabylon

PROTECTOR OF THE FLIGHT by Robin D. Owens

2007-01-23T16:12:00.000-08:00

This looks like another great read from Robin D. Owens.

PROTECTOR OF THE FLIGHT by Robin D. Owens
Luna February 1, 2007

PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY:

Fans of Anne McCaffrey and Mercedes Lackey will appreciate the novel's honorable protagonists and their lively animal companions.

The Story:

If horses could fly...

Then Calli Torcher might ride again. But a devastating accident left her in such pain, she thought the chimes and chanting in her ears were a hallucination...until she found herself transported to another world, and met the Lladranans who had Summoned her.

Lladrana was a parallel, magical earth filled with exotic creatures, noble humans and magic– all threatened by an encroaching evil.

And when the might volarans stopped obeying the Chevaliers, the flying horses' unexpected rebellion had thrown Lladrana into an uproar. In desperation, the sorcerers had sought help from afar - and gotten Calli. If she could fulfill this mission perhaps she would also finally find all she had longed for – a mate, a home, a family. But against this great darkness she had no battle experience, no strategy plans. She had only a bond with horses...

Cover:
http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/P/0373802641.01._SS500_SCLZZZZZZZ_V47698873_.jpg

Excerpt: http://www.robindowens.com/reads/Protector.pdf

ABOUT ROBIN D. OWENS

Robin D. Owens has been writing longer than she cares to recall. Her fantasy/futuristic romances finally found a home at Berkley with the issuance of HeartMate in December 2001. She credits the telepathic cat with attitude in selling that book. Since then, Heart Thief was a launch book for Berkley Sensation in June 2003, Heart Duel was published in 2004, Heart Choice in 2005, and Heart Quest in 2006. Her Luna Books series includes shape-shifting fairies and average American women Summoned into another world to fight monstrous evil.

REVIEWS

ROMANTIC TIMES:

Owens has an easy and engaging writing style which, when combined with her intriguing characters and interesting setting, makes for a fast and compelling read.

HUNTRESS REVIEWS:

This is among the most joyful series of novels in any genre...when the ending page arrives, YOU feel the Snap, pulling you reluctantly back to the real world. Ms. Owens has mastered characterization, interweaving the lives of previous main characters with those of the new expertly, so you meet new friends and catch up on the old. – Amanda Killgore, Huntress Reviews

Website: http://www.robindowens.com

Ozzie the Media Cat

2007-01-13T13:36:00.000-08:00

Thursday I did something cool and fun. A new website called www.romancenovels.tv is launching on February 14. They came to my house to do an interview with me.

But Ozzie, one of my cats, decided that they’d come to do an interview with HER. She was a pregnant rescued cat who was fostered by a woman who called her Princess Ozma. I adopted her and one of her kittens and wanted names to go with Princess Ozma. The best idea I could come up with was Ozzie and Harriet (whom I call Harry). Harry’s the quintessential scaredy cat who hides when the doorbell rings.

Ozzie loves people, and she wants to be right there in your face. So while the crew was trying to interview me, she was clawing at my leg and pawing at their equipment. Then she showed off for them by frantically chasing a flashlight beam on the rug. (I hope that footage makes it into the interview.) And finally, when she couldn’t get their attention any other way, she threw up in the front hall. Since I was about to be on camera, my husband had to clean up the mess. Lucky for me. Usually I’m the one who has to deal with the messes.

I’m really excited about romancenovels.tv. Thursday, they did Mary Jo Putney in the morning. Then came to my house in the afternoon. I did one segment in the kitchen, where I demonstrated a Chili Con Queso recipe that I’d designed exclusively for them. We also did some shooting outside, with my husband and me walking down to the stream valley that’s near our house.

SURVIVING DEMON ISLAND, by Jaci Burton

2007-01-11T09:53:00.000-08:00

This sounds like a fun and sexy romp!

She's all curves and combat boots.
He's six feet of lean, dangerous male.
Join them in a game of survival.
That's as real - and hot - as it gets.
What's America's top female action star doing on a tropical island shrouded in secrecy? To Gina Bliss, competing in a survival-type reality show is a nice change from fending off on-screen villains. Until she meets real-life action hero Derek Marks. A survival specialist in a tight black T and sexy stubble, he's arousing every bad-boy fantasy she's ever had...and testing her survival skills to the max.
Martial arts, jungle warfare - Derek's done it all. But his latest mission is more dangerous than a stick of dynamite. Try telling that to the sexy, adrenaline-pumped actress who's got his libido racing off the charts. As the heat rises between them and real-life violence erupts, suddenly Derek and Gina are on the run...and when they uncover a secret so explosive it could blow the lid of their so-called reality show, these two unlikely heroes are about to discover what surviving's really about....

Excerpt:
http://www.jaciburton.com/survivingdemonisland.html

Cover:
http://www.jaciburton.com/suvivingdemonisland_200.jpg

ABOUT JACI BURTON
Jaci Burton was born and raised in Missouri but now lives on an acre-and-a-half in Oklahoma with her husband Charlie. Jaci loves to write about passionate relationships with sometimes stormy outcomes but always a happily ever after. She’s a sucker for romance and a happy ending!

REVIEWS
Burton has an uncanny aptitude for intertwining the human and the paranormal so seamlessly that sudden demon attacks and labyrinthine underworlds are perfectly believable. Realistic dialogue, spicy bedroom scenes and a spitfire heroine make this one to pick up and savor. – Publishers Weekly

Big applause goes to Burton for succeeding in setting up a rousing & timely premise that is a real roller coaster ride. Not only does this book set the stage for further exciting adventures, it also delivers a great group of characters that have plenty of room for growth. Burton doesn’t skimp on the sizzling sex or romance either; this book has it all! Brava! 4 ½ Stars – Romantic Times BookClub

Fantastic reading is in store for paranormal fans with Jaci Burton’s new series about fighting demons. It’s a great good vs. evil story that will leave you breathless at times with the chills and thrills, and ready to take a cold shower at others as two of the neatest hero’s and heroine’s pull out all the stops as they get beneath the sheets, and behind their weapons. – Reader to Reader Reviews

Website: http://www.jaciburton.com

Why do I write?

2006-12-29T11:19:00.000-08:00

I’ve just finished a “guy book” that upset me a lot. I won’t tell you the name of the book, but it was about a woman lawyer whose husband was accused of murder. She loved him and defended him at his trial. During the story, I got to know and like the heroine. Several times, she questioned whether her husband was really innocent. But she always regained her faith in him. After she won an acquittal, the author had the brilliant idea of having her find out that the guy was really guilty. Not just guilty, but a psychopath. When she confronted him, he tried to kill her. And she ended up shooting him in self-defense.

Sigh.

I’d gone through a deeply emotional experience with the heroine. I rooted for her to win the court case–in the face of a hostile judge and a lot of dirty tricks from the prosecution. She beat them, but at the end of the book, her life was destroyed. Why? I guess because the author thought it was a neat twist.

There is no way in hell I’d ever write a story like that. I put my hero and heroine through terrible trials. I test their resolve and their character and their love for each other. But I end the story with them happy together. Because that’s what I want to read. And write. There’s enough bad stuff going on in the world without inventing more.

But I think that’s not the only reason. When I write, I AM my characters. I’m totally involved with the good guys. I get to be THEM while I’m working on the story. So I write the ending that I’d want to have for me.

So is that other author a pragmatist–writing what he thinks the market wants? And I’m sucked into my own fantasy? Interesting question. And I don’t know the answer.

Rebecca

VENUS ENVY, by Shannon McKelden

2006-12-21T07:41:00.000-08:00

Here's a book with a really cute title. I wish I'd thought of it. And it looks like a fun story, too!

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

Cover:

http://ec2.images-amazon.com/images/P/0765315858.01._SS500_SCLZZZZZZZ_V62234549_.jpg

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

"Come Moonrise" in UNLEASHED

2006-12-07T02:39:00.000-08:00

As you know, I've been writing werewolf books for Berkley since 2003. Generally, I try not to read werewolf books by other authors because I don't want to be influenced by them. But I made an exception for Lucy Monroe's novella, "Come Moonrise," because it's in UNLEASHED with my own story, "Bond of Silver."

I really enjoyed Lucy's novella. I liked her take on the werewolf genre, especially the MacAnlup family dynamics. She made me want to curl up with one of my own werewolves, and that's a good thing.

“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

Cover:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/images/0425212114/ref=dp_image_text_0/002-6782187-3030458?ie=UTF8&n=283155&s=books

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.

REVIEWS

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

INFERNO, by Vivi Anna

2006-11-29T18:35:00.000-08:00

This book has got it all. A kick-ass heroine. A futuristic setting. And a lot of heat.

INFERNO by Vivi Anna
(Kensington, December 2006)

Vivi Anna's gorgeous, leather-clad heroine, Kat, is back in another wildly erotic adventure set in a future world where passion has no rules — and no limits ...

Kat needs to find a scientist rumored to have created an antidote to a deadly virus, but he's hiding out in the violent underground city of Inferno. Her one-time lover Hades will take Kat where she needs to go, but only if she promises to be his, body and soul.

Excerpt:
http://www.vivianna.net/inferno.php#excerpt

Cover:
http://www.vivianna.net/inferno150x225.gif

ABOUT VIVI ANNA
A BAD GIRL at heart, Vivi Anna likes to burn up the pages with her original unique brand of fantasy fiction. Whether it's in ancient Egypt, or in an apocalyptic future, Vivi always writes fast paced action-adventure with strong independent women that can kick some butt, and dark delicious heroes to kill for.

Once shot at while repossessing a car, Vivi decided that maybe her life needed a change. The first time she picked up a pen and put words to paper, she knew she had found her heart. Within two paragraphs, she realized she could write about getting into all sorts of trouble without suffering the consequences.

When Vivi isn't writing, you can find her causing a ruckus at downtown bistros, flea markets, or playgrounds.

REVIEWS
Combine two star-crossed lovers, a deadly virus, a passel of Dark Dwellers, and an underground nemesis bent on destruction and you get one heck of an adventure. This follow-up to Hell Kat will have you cheering for the good guys all over again — and laughing out loud while you do it! A fun, sexy romp that leaves you crying out for more. – 4 stars, Romantic Times

Website: http://www.vivianna.net

A great writer died today

2006-11-17T18:48:00.000-08:00

This is a very sad day for me. Jack Williamson died. He was one of the giants of the science fiction field, and one of my personal inspirations.

Jack Williamson is the reason I'm writing werewolf books today. I read his DARKER THAN YOU THINK when I was a teenager. He made me want to BE a werewolf. I carried that story around with me for years. Then I read THE WOLF'S HOUR, by Robert McCammon, and I was enthralled all over again.

When I started contemplating KILLING MOON, paranormal was very much out. But I started thinking about a book with a werewolf detective who used his wolf senses to solve crimes. Even thought I doubted I could sell the story, it simply wouldn't let me go. Finally my friend Mary Kilchenstein, who writes as Mary Kirk, told me in her blunt way that she was tired of hearing me talk about the idea. So I should either write it or shut up. I accepted the challenge and started working on what became KILLING MOON.

There were many different directions in which I could have taken the story, but I stuck with what I love, romantic suspense. I was pretty sure that to sell single title paranormal romantic suspense, I'd have to write the whole book, not just do a proposal. So I worked on KILLING MOON around my Intrigue schedule. Cindy Hwang at Berkley loved the story and bought it. Then she asked me for more werewolf books. That's how I found myself with a werewolf series that I hadn't planned for.

Jack Williamson published his first story, "The Metal Man," in 1928 when he was 20. His last book, THE STONEHENGE GATE was published recently. He won the Hugo and Nebula awards for his work and lifetime achievement honors from the World Fantasy Convention and the Horror Writers of America. And he was named a Grand Master of science fiction by what is now the Science Fiction Writers of America. What a career! Few writers can equal him.
Ruth

Mad for Rutabaga

2006-11-03T22:07:00.000-08:00

A long time ago, I made fun of rutabaga in a kids book I wrote. It was a Twist-a-Plot story called THE MISSION OF THE SECRET SPY SQUAD. In one plot line, prisoners thrown into jail were forced to live on a diet of rutabaga. That was before I’d ever tasted that vegetable. I was going purely on how they looked–big and ugly and covered with wax to stretch their shelf life.

Funny thing, once I actually sank my teeth into a rutabaga, I was hooked. I love the taste of this winter vegetable. And I cook with it frequently.

Probably you’ve grated carrots and put them into salads. You can do the same with rutabaga. They add a distinctive flavor and a nice crunch to the salad bowl.
One of my favorite ways to use rutabaga is in roasted winter vegetables. For an easy side dish or vegetarian main dish, just fill a roasting pan with a combination of cut up red-skin potatoes, carrots, celery and rutabaga. Then toss with some olive oil, Italian seasoning and salt.

Since the rutabaga takes longer to cook than the other vegetables, I roast them in the pan for twenty minutes at 375 degrees F. before adding the other vegetables and roasting for an additional 40 to 50 minutes, stirring them occasionally until all the vegetables are tender. Serve as an easy side dish on Thanksgiving. Or with meat or roasted chicken at any family dinner.

I also love to add chunks of rutabaga to the homemade meat and vegetable soups that are a winter staple in my house.

Ruth

James Webb Joins the Club!

2006-10-28T09:49:00.001-07:00

Poor James Webb. (Sarcastic grin.) He’s finding out what it’s like to be a romance writer. Actually, he writes war novels, not romances. But he’s getting the kind of treatment we’ve "enjoyed" for years.

Webb is running for the Senate against George Allen in Virginia. And after the Fred Head/Susan Combs episode in Texas, someone on Allen’s staff decided to thumb through Webb’s books looking for steamy passages. They found some, pulled them out of context, and sent them out in a press release accusing Webb of writing X-rated books.

In the past, Webb has made some sexist remarks that made me question his attitude toward women. Ironically, now he’s getting lumped with a lot of women writers who dare to include sex in their books.

How many times have you had a guy pick up one of your novels and thumb through it looking for hot passages–then judge the whole book on those few pages. Sure, I write sensual love scenes. But they’re in the context of a relationship developing between a man and a woman. They’re only part of the story. In my novels, I’m writing about strong, sympathetic characters the reader can root for. I’ve got a plot with a lot of action and mystery. Generally, I’m writing about two people falling in love against a background of danger and suspense. In all of my books, my main characters make a commitment to marry and spend the rest of their lives together.

So why do some Americans object to the sensuality? Are they afraid to acknowledge the joy of a great sexual relationship? Is it our Puritan heritage? Are we afraid to see ourselves as human?

The men and women in my books always end up in a committed, loving relationship, where sex is only part of the equation. So I’m sitting here scratching my head and trying to figure out what’s wrong with enjoying a loving and committed sexual relationship? Or are we being criticized by people who are afraid of feeling any emotion–even when it’s in the pages of a book?
Ruth

Mulled "Cider" Recipe

2006-10-23T18:04:00.000-07:00

Mulled “Cider”

It’s fall, and I’ve got a craving for hot mulled cider. Too bad that the amount of sugar in apple cider is off the charts. Plus, it’s not available everywhere.

Here’s a hot winter drink that tastes a lot like mulled cider–but with far fewer calories. It’s easy to double this recipe if you want to serve a large pot of this flavorful hot punch. And if you prefer, you can use sugar instead of Splenda.

7 Servings/ serving size 1 cup

6 cups hot regular or decafinated tea
1 cup orange juice
2 Tbsp lemon juice
3/4 cup Splenda, or to taste
½ tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp orange extract
1 cinnamon stick
6 whole cloves

Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan. Bring to a simmer. Simmer for 20 minutes to allow the spices to permeated the liquid. Ladle into mugs. Leftovers will keep in the refrigerator 2 or 3 days. Rewarm in the microwave.

HEART QUEST, by Robin D. Owens

2006-10-22T13:02:00.000-07:00

Here's the next book in Robin D. Owens' wonderful Heart series.

Robin D. Owens is an absolutely sensational storyteller. -- The Romance Reader

Somewhere in Druida City of Celta, Trif Clover has a HeartMate. Impatient to meet him, she's actually going door-to-door with her charmkey to find him. What she doesn't know is that he has already found her. Guardsman Ilex Winterberry knows Trif is his HeartMate, but has reasons of his own -- and for her own good -- to keep to the shadows of her life. But there's a killer on the loose, stalking those with unstable psi power like Trif's. Facing his most difficult task yet, Ilex must reveal the truth of their destiny or leave Trif vulnerable to a vicious murderer...

Excerpt: http://www.robindowens.com/images/01HQ.pdf

Cover: http://www.robindowens.com/images/HeartQuest.jpg

Robin's Blog:
http://robindowens.blogspot.com/2006/09/heart-quest-is-out.html

Important Advice

2006-10-17T10:10:00.000-07:00

I am just home from a nasty dentist appointment, and I have some important advice. DO NOT CHEW ICE. I used to do it all the time, and I cracked some of my teeth. If you have a tooth that’s cracked all the way down, they can’t do a root canal. (They only find this out after they’ve STARTED a root canal. ) If it’s cracked all the way into the root, they have to pull it. No fun. Then you have to figure out what you’re going to do about the missing tooth. I’m getting two implants. First they drill holes in your jaw and put in posts. Then you wait for three months and have screws put on the posts. Then you get the new teeth. This is a long process and no fun. But I’m now three weeks away from the actual new teeth. (Today they did the impressions. An ordeal ince my mouth is still sore from putting in the screws last week.)

Honk if you hate having your mouth worked on.

Ruth

My Cats

2006-10-16T18:55:00.000-07:00

Since I have a picture of dh with his cat, I’ve decided to give MY cats equal time.

Here are Ozzie and Harriet. (I call her Harry.)

Ruth

party!

2006-10-15T09:09:00.000-07:00

We're having a big party from October 16 to 26 over at Out of the Blogisphere. The link is on the right side of the screen. We're giving away prizes and chatting about books--and lots of other subjects. Please join us.
Ruth

SEDUCED BY MAGIC by Cheyenne McCray

2006-10-04T21:31:00.000-07:00

Well, that applies to me! I love magic, so this is right up my alley.

SEDUCED BY MAGIC by Cheyenne McCray
(St. Martin’s; October 3, 2006)

DESIRE
Copper Ashcroft is an accomplished D'Anu witch, but the magic she wields is a potent force—strong enough to hurl her into a mysterious Otherworld when a spell backfires. Before Copper can escape, another being is pulled into her realm—Tiernan, a powerfully virile Tuatha D'Danann warrior. Blond, blue-eyed, and shamelessly seductive, Tiernan could be Copper's savior…and his touch sets her body on fire.

DUTY
Like others of his kind, Tiernan stands alongside the D'Anu witches to battle the demons of the Underworld. Obligation to his cause and his people cautions against any entanglement with Copper, yet each second spent with this beautiful, uninhibited woman stirs an insatiable hunger. Desire explodes into carnal bliss, but the visions that haunt Copper's dreams are growing stronger, and they foretell a terrifying evil waiting to be unleashed…

DESTINY
Saving the city will take more than brute strength…more than witchcraft. Only together can Copper and Tiernan find a way to overcome the dark forces—and seize a passion that has bewitched them both..

Excerpt:
http://www.cheyennemccray.com/books/magicseries/seduced-exc.htm

Cover:
http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/11340000/11344383.jpg

ABOUT CHEYENNE MCCRAY
Cheyenne McCray is the award-winning author of sixteen books and six novellas. Among other accolades, Chey has been presented with the prestigious Romantic Times BOOKclub's Reviewers' Choice Award for "Best Erotic Romance of the Year."

Chey has been writing ever since she can remember, back to her kindergarten days when she penned her first poem. She always knew one day she would write novels, hoping her readers would get lost in the worlds she created, as she did when she was lost in a good book. Cheyenne enjoys spending time with her husband and three sons, traveling, and of course writing, writing, writing.

REVIEWS

Her latest precious magical Ashcroft saga is a delightful torrid tale headed by a strong lead couple and supported ably by a horde of bad dudes. Fans who appreciate a strong fantasy will want to read the magnificent McCray mythos – Harriet Klausner

Website: http://www.cheyennemccray.com

DH with his cat

2006-09-26T19:31:00.000-07:00

Here's a picture of dh with his cat. I took it this afternoon, and I love it. This is the way he carries her around, and she seems to like it.
Ruth

How Did I Pick My Genre?

2006-09-16T10:41:00.000-07:00

Recently, someone asked me where my weird ideas come from. I guess she meant, why are you so into paranormal? Why do you write about werewolves and demons and monsters from another time continuum?

When I was in elementary school, the DC Public Library sent a “book basket” to every classroom every month. In fifth grade, when the teacher put RED PLANET, by Robert Heinlein, up on the eraser ledge, the cover illustration made me want to read the book. So I rushed up to get it before anyone else could.

Thus began a lifelong interest in science fiction and fantasy. That was a big part of my recreational reading for years, with adventure and mystery thrown in.

In the early sixties, I didn’t have a television set. I got a TV for one reason–so I could watch a cool new program that my friends were talking about--Star Trek.

So I come by my interest in the paranormal honestly. The first novel I wrote was a kids' SF story, THE INVASION OF THE BLUE LIGHTS, about a bad alien and a good alien that land in the woods across the street from my house. (Only I gave the house to a 12-year-old boy who was a lot like my son.) In the 80's, the big romance boom started, and a friend asked if I’d like to write one. I told her I hadn’t read any, so she brought me shopping bags full. And I discovered they were all about the subplot that I’d loved in the science fiction and adventure novels I read–the development of a relationship between a man and a woman.
At first, I wrote straight romances. Then I figured out I was better at romantic suspense. And after a few romantic suspense novels, I began incorporating SF and fantasy elements into my stories.

I can look back at some of the influences on my career. I think the first alternate universe book I read was THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE. And a good early example for me of the universe that runs parallel to ours but is somehow different was an episode of the original Star Trek, MIRROR MIRROR, where there's an "evil" universe existing beside ours. Narnia is very different from our world. The univese in MIRROR MIRROR is recognizable to us. I think of the first kind as more fantasy and the second kind as more science fiction. Or--there are quantum physics theories to explain why the latter might be possible. So I went with that.

The first werewolf book I read was DARKER THAN YOU THINK, by Jack Williamson. He made me want to BE a werewolf. I read that book when I was fifteen, so I've been attracted to the idea ever since. Then I read Robert McCammon's THE WOLF'S HOUR. Those were two books that really excited me. But for ages I thought nobody would buy a werewolf book from me (since paranormal was not IN at the time). It took years before I finally started writing KILLING MOON. It’s set in our world, but there are things here that most people don't know about, like werewolves and monsters from another universe. After writing five books in the Moon series, I needed to expand my canvas. So for NEW MOON (which will be out in March), I came up with a parallel universe, where the society is quite different from ours. (It's a bunch of city states like ancient Greece, only the city states came from our gated communities.)

I also know that my readers have been used to my telling the story in THIS universe. So I start here, go there, and come back here–to keep the familiar elements yet expand my canvas.

Ruth

Blog Tour: SLAVE TO SENSATION by Nalini Singh

2006-09-06T22:54:00.000-07:00

Wow. Does this ever sound like my kind of book. I can't wait to read it.

SLAVE TO SENSATION by Nalini Singh
(Berkley Sensation, September 5, 2006)

Dive into a world torn apart by a powerful race with phenomenal powers of the mind—and none of the heart…

In a world that denies emotions, where the ruling Psy punish any sign of desire, Sascha Duncan must conceal the feelings that brand her as flawed. To reveal them would be to sentence herself to the horror of “rehabilitation”— the complete psychic erasure of everything she ever was….

Both human and animal, Lucas Hunter is a Changeling hungry for the very sensations the Psy disdain. After centuries of uneasy co-existence, these two races are now on the verge of war over the brutal murders of several Changeling women. Lucas is determined to find the Psy killer who butchered his packmate, and Sascha is his ticket into their closely guarded society. But he soon discovers that this ice-cold Psy is very capable of passion—and that the animal in him is fascinated by her. Caught between their conflicting worlds, Lucas and Sascha must remain bound to their identities—or sacrifice everything for a taste of darkest temptation…

Excerpt:
http://www.nalinisingh.com/slave.html

Cover:
http://images.barnesandnoble.com/images/11350000/11359440.jpg

ABOUT NALINI SINGH

Born in Fiji and raised in New Zealand, Nalini Singh is an escapee lawyer who’s been writing as long as she can remember. She loves creating unique characters, loves giving them happy endings and she even loves the voices in her head.

REVIEWS

This book is a must even for those uninitiated in the paranormal genre. The story ends much too quickly, and the author’s magical writing conjures up sensual images and intense emotions that linger long after the last word is read. -- Romantic Times, 4 1/2 stars

…not easy to put down at bedtime; it kept me reading well into the night… -- Fresh Fiction

…one of the most convincing and beautiful romances I've read lately. It's got it all, both sexual tension so thick and hot it will curl your toes (and the pay-off! Those love scenes, oh, my!), and a lot of feeling behind it… -- Rosario’s Reading Journal

Website: http://www.nalinisingh.com

WORK METHOD

2006-08-31T23:50:00.000-07:00

Someone asked me recently about my work method and how I’d increased my productivity. How is it that I used to spend six months writing an Intrigue? Then another month or six weeks editing the book. And now I’m writing three or four books a year-–both category and single title.

About ten years ago, I made the decision that I was going to write faster. I found that I could turn out a rough draft in two to four months. But I couldn’t shorten the editing process. I give myself permission to write a draft that needs work. Then I layer in all the qualities that elevate that draft from rough to polished.

I can’t get it all at once. When the whole draft is finished, I edit on the screen to improve the sentence structure, the character development, the action, and the emotional content of the book. Then I print out the book and start adding what I’ve left out. After I write in the changes, I print out the manuscript again-–then see more places that need improvement.

I usually repeat this process several times before I’m satisfied with the book.

When I’m writing, I start each day by editing what I wrote the day before. That's how I get into what I'm working on. When I read the previous day's work, I always find stuff I don’t like. I’ll want to improve a lot of the sentences. I may not have enough of the characters' emotions. Or I don't have the action quite right. Or the dialogue needs work. I have to add layers to get it right.

I basically set myself the task of writing ten pages a day. I might stop and read e-mail or talk on the phone. But I go back to the story and stay with the day's work until I get those ten pages. I might get that done by early afternoon. Or I might still be working at ten at night.

One thing I’ve found is that writing gets easier the more you do it. If you write consistently, you will be able to increase your output.

Also, I’ve written a lot of books. Because I have a lot of experience, it’s become easier for me to know if the story isn’t working. I can tell pretty quickly if a scene is off. If it’s too far off, I have to figure out what's wrong before I can go on.

On the other hand, sometimes I write a scene that I know isn't quite right--and leave it in the ms. I think of it as holding the place for the scene that will be right--when I figure it out. Those "wrong" scenes usually don't have the character motivation quite right. But I put them in anyway to hold the place for the correct scene, when I figure out what the character would really be thinking and doing.

I know there are some people who can't go ahead until they have each scene right. Giving myself permission to have it slightly wrong is one way I forge ahead.

Of course, if it's TOO screwed up, then it will throw the rest of the book off. So I have to be able to recognize that, too.

I also increase my productivity by having more than one book going at once. I mean, I might be writing one book, but I have another proposal sitting there, ready to go. Or I have to deliver an Intrigue one month and a Berkley the next month. If I'm having trouble with one book, I'll put it down and work on the other one--until I figure out the basic problem with the book that was giving me fits.

I just wrote 100 pages of a Berkley novel, a sequel to BEYOND CONTROL, called BEYOND FEARLESS. It’s about sexually linked telepaths whose powers increase when they link up with their soulmate. But I think those 100 pages are going to turn into 90 pages because the beginning needs tightening. When I edit, I often tighten what I’ve written. And I’m just as likely to expand the text. It all depends on what I think the book needs.

I had to put my Berkley book down because I'd planned a research trip to Boston, for the Intrigue that's due in a couple of months. I'd written the whole draft of that ms, guessing about the settings in some scenes. Once I saw the real locations, I changed some of the scenes to fit the actual settings-–and added missing details that I never would have known unless I’d been there. Now I'm editing the book once on the screen. When I finish that, I'll go on to the paper editing. When that book is finished, I'll go back to BEYOND FEARLESS..

One reason I try to write fast is so that I have time to put each book away for a while. When I pick it up after a few weeks of working on something else, it's easy to see any problems with the ms, because it's like someone else wrote it.

If you’d like to discuss productivity, let me know.

Galleys for "Bond of Silver"

2006-08-24T09:51:00.000-07:00

Well, I committed myself to sending entries to my blog. And I’m slipping behind again. I’m in the middle of my least favorite thing–reading galleys. These are for a novella called “Bond of Silver” in a December Berkley anthology called UNLEASHED. The good news is that they’re not too long. The bad news is that I’m finding annoying word-repetitions, that I’m correcting, and hoping that the corrections get into the finished book.

I find that once I use a word, I tend to use it more than once. Does that happen to you?

I’m enjoying the story, though. It’s about a man from New Atlantis, which is in the Caribbean. The inhabitants left the Greek mainland eons ago because they were persecuted for their psychic powers. They now have a civilization on New Atlantis and hide the island with a force field. But they need more psychics to help them maintain the field. So they send their young men and women out into the world in dreams–to hook up with a partner who has psychic powers. If the meeting is successful, they go out to bring the person back.

Naturally, the couple I’m writing about are having considerable problems working out their relationship. It’s complicated. Her mother bonded with his stepfather. But she was afraid to go back to New Atlantis with him. Now she guards her daughter jealously. And she almost kills the young lovers as she tries to stop her daughter from leaving.

So that’s my story today.

Rebecca

Rebecca Continues Her Crazy Adventures

2006-07-21T10:58:00.000-07:00

Move over Sue Grant. Here I am getting ready to take flight from the Santa Ynez (California) Airport. Of course, this glider is considerably smaller than the jumbo jets you fly.

And in the interest of full disclosure, I wasn't the pilot. An experienced glider pilot steered the craft.

First we were towed on a long wire in back of a small plane. Then the pilot had me release the lever holding the tow wire, and we glided over the countryside north of Santa Barbara--including over the edge of Reagan's former ranch.

It was an exciting experience. When we were being towed by the small plane, we wobbled a bit, which made me nervous. I felt better when we were floating free.

Ruth/Rebecca

YOUR PLANET OR MINE by Susan Grant

2006-07-20T09:09:00.000-07:00

YOUR PLANET OR MINE by Susan Grant
(HQN Books, July 25, 2006)

This looks like a fun romp.

Think the grocery store is a great place to meet men?

Hunky interstellar fugitive, aisle 5.

With outrageously false accusations piling up against her famous political family and an ex-fiancé in hot water determined to take her down with him, the last thing Jana Jasper needs is more trouble--especially man trouble. But when she heads to the grocery store for an ice cream fix, not only does the muscled hunk in the frozen foods section ranting about spaceships and invasions look crazy, he looks... familiar.

Cavin of Far Star has never forgotten the girl he met during his weeks spent on that quaint little world, planet Earth, the girl who didn't believe he was real. And now he'll risk his future to save her. All she has to do is take him to her leader. Simple enough plan--although Jana isn't so easily convinced. Hell-bent on charming his way past her defenses, he's determined to stay one step ahead of the galaxy's most feared assassin--and may just capture his favorite Earthling's heart in the process.

Excerpt:
http://www.susangrant.com/books/planet.htm

Cover:

http://a1204.g.akamai.net/7/1204/1401/06050915011/
images.barnesandnoble.com/images/11120000/11126761.jpg

ABOUT SUSAN GRANT
One of the first women in history to attend the US Air Force Academy, a former Air Force instructor pilot, and currently a 747 jumbo jet pilot for United Airlines, New York Times best-seller and RITA winner Susan Grant loves writing about what she knows -- flying, adventure, and the delicious interaction between men and women.

REVIEWS
"...one of the best books of the year!" - Mary Janice Davidson, New York Times bestselling author
“...a cute, quirky otherworldly romance that’s totally delightful to read!” -- Tanzey Cutter
“Veers uncomfortably close to our actual plans to invade your pitiful little planet. Pull this book from the shelves immediately or I shall have it vaporized!” -- General Neppal, Supreme Commander of the Coalition fleet

Website: http://www.susangrant.com

Now Touring: ANGEL WITH ATTITUDE by Michelle Rowen

2006-07-10T22:17:00.000-07:00

This story looks like a lot of fun. Angels and Demons--a hot combination.

ANGEL WITH ATTITUDE by Michelle Rowen
(Warner Forever, July 2006)

When you're hot for a demon, you might as well kiss your halo good-bye...

Falling naked into the killer whale tank at MarineLand is always bad news, but it's a real bummer when you've just been kicked out of Heaven. Former angel Valerie Grace is determined to reverse her banishment-Earth's just no fun.

Her best friend is a slightly perverted human-turned-rat, and she's being tailed by a sexy Tempter Demon named Nathaniel, who's trying to lure her to hell with kisses that are almost worth the trip. With the talking rodent sneaking peeks down her shirt and Nathaniel getting more irresistible every minute, this ex-angel has only one hope: find the stolen Key to Heaven and go home.

Then the oddest thing happens-Nathaniel starts to show signs of loyalty and love. And soon Val is asking herself if it is such a bad thing to have the hots for a demon.

Excerpt:
http://www.michellerowen.com/ex-angelwithattitude.shtml

ABOUT MICHELLE ROWEN
Michelle Rowen was born in Toronto, Ontario. As a child she decided that when she grew up she would become a flight attendant, a jewel thief, or a writer. One out of three ain't bad. She is a self-confessed bibliophile, the proud owner of an evil cat named Nikita, Reality TV junkie, and has an unhealthy relationship with all things Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

REVIEWS

Rowen does a delightful job mixing things up with her sassy and sexy characters. She has her own unique spin on life and the afterlife and good and evil, which makes for downright fun reading. 4 stars – Romantic Times

ANGEL WITH ATTITUDE is such a fun story...Michelle Rowen has proven herself to be an ace storyteller with a truly fresh and sharp sense of humor. I'm officially a fan! -- Lani Diane Rich, RITA Award-winning author

An amusing heavenly romance with a hell of a price to pay for not reading it. -- Harriet Klausner

Website: http://www.michellerowen.com

Thrillerfest

2006-07-07T10:57:00.000-07:00

I'm back from THRILLERFEST. The first conference of INTERNATIONAL THRILLER WRITERS was held at the spectacular Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix. It was exciting mingling with some of the big names in the thriller field including Sandra Brown, Brad Meltzer, John Lescroart, and Steve Berry. I was on a panel called Beyond Da Vinci with John Case, Robert Liparulo, Katherine Neville, and James Rollins. (see below). I understand why most of them were chosen. I felt like I was there for werewolf relief. But I hope I held my own.

M. J. Rose was on hand to give advice on promotion and publicity. R. L Stine, of Goosebumps fame, was the Friday luncheon speaker. And John Lescroart spoke at lunch on Sunday. One thing I learned is that the top writers in the field have the same insecurities as I do. The most interesting panels were presented by professionals in the Special Ops field. We had demonstrations on knife fighting, street fighting, weapons handling, and a discussion on the anatomy of medical thrillers.

Next year, the conference will be in New York, where I'm sure we'll get a lot more editors and agents.

The beautiful Arizona Biltmore, which was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright

I stayed on for a few days after the conference to write in this gorgeous setting. Here I am on the patio, soaking up the atmosphere and working on a proposal.

My panel: Robert Liparulo, Katherine Neville, me, and John Case. James Rollins is at the podium, so you can't see him.

Here's one of the booksignings--which were held after each session.

Now Touring: WHAT NO ROSES? by Marianne Mancusi

2006-07-06T14:57:00.000-07:00

I've always loved time travel stories. And this one looks like a doozie.

And you thought your Valentine's Day was bad?

AND ALL THAT JAZZ

Unless Dora Duncan can stop it, it's going to be another St. Valentine's Day Massacre. A year ago, her (now ex-) boyfriend Nick stood her up at the worst possible moment. That was when she gave up important TV reporting for stories like "Too Stressed for Sex." And though such clips have a certain relevance, things have been a whole lot quieter. Too quiet. Until now.

Now she's gotta go back in time (don't ask!) and stop that very same Nick from messing up the time-space continuum. She has to travel back to a place where everybody speaks easy and cuts a rug-and this Chicago ain't no musical. Here, there are tommy guns and torpedoes, guys and dolls, gin joints, flappers, stoolies, rats and a whole lot more; and prohibition means anything but no.

It's the 1920s. Time for Dora to roar.

Read an excerpt of WHAT, NO ROSES?

Excerpt:
http://www.dorchesterpub.com/Dorch/SpecialFeatures.cfm?Special_ID=2107

ABOUT MARIANNE MANCUSI

When not out exposing scams and righting wrongs, Emmy award–winning TV news producer Marianne Mancusi is probably writing. Her first chick lit novel, "A Connecticut Fashionista in King Arthur's Court," was called "a sparkling debut" by Publisher's Weekly. And Romantic Times magazine awarded four Stars to her 1920s time travel "What, No Roses?", pronouncing it "fast, funny and as bubbly as bathtub champagne." In addition, Marianne has six other adult and teen books under contract, including a teen comedy vampire series from Berkley called "Boys that Bite." She lives in Boston's historic North End.

Website: http://www.mariannemancusi.com

Honk If You Love Paranormal!

2006-06-21T10:20:00.000-07:00

The paranormal market is booming. Editors are buying it. Readers are gobbling it up. And I’m loving writing it–and crossing my fingers that the wave doesn’t crest.

I know there are readers and editors who just wandered into this magical land. But I spent years WAITING FOR this market.

As a young reader, my first love was fantasy and science fiction. It all started in fifth grade, when the D.C. Public Library delivered the monthly “book basket” to our classroom–and one of the selections was RED PLANET, by Robert Heinlein.

As soon as the teacher put the books on the chalk ledge below the blackboard, I knew I wanted to read that book–and I dashed up to get it before anybody else could.

RED PLANET hooked me on the genre. And in many of the Heinlein books I read as a young adult, there was a love story. I didn’t find out until years later that there was a whole genre where that romance subplot became the focus of the story.

Back when I started writing romances, any hint of the paranormal was rare. But I wanted to include those elements in my books, since I always loved reading books where people had psychic abilities. Or books about time travel. Or creatures that couldn’t exist in the real world.

I was lucky enough to have an editor at Harlequin Intrigue who would let me include the paranormal in my stories, but only if I was subtle about it.

For years I wrote what I called "stealth paranormal" for Harlequin Intrigue--where the reader didn't find out about the weird twists until she was way into the story and had gotten invested in the characters. (In PRINCE OF TIME, you don't know that the hero is a space alien who's been in suspended animation in Alaska until well into the book. In NOWHERE MAN, you don't learn the hero is a clone being groomed for an army suicide mission until you get to know and like him.)

I longed to make the paranormal the focus of my stories, so I wrote a proposal for a book about telepaths who don’t develop their talents until they link sexually with each other.

My agent sent it out, and nobody would buy it. So I put it away in a drawer, and pulled it out occasionally to fiddle with it. I wasn’t able to sell it until last year, when Berkley published it as BEYOND CONTROL.

Before that, I got into the market with KILLING MOON, my first werewolf book.

I’d been selling steadily to Harlequin Intrigue on a brief proposal. But I was sure nobody would buy a werewolf book from me unless I wrote the whole thing on speculation. It was hard for me to fit that into my schedule, but finally I decided I had to write the book.

While I was writing it, my agent retired. When I went looking for a new one, I wanted someone who would love my werewolf story. My new agent did but told me it might be a “hard sell.” Lucky for me, Berkley was starting a dark paranormal line. Then when they decided to close all their lines in favor of the Sensation imprint, they made KILLING MOON one of the launch books.

I’m still writing for Harlequin Intrigue as well as Berkley. About two-thirds of my Intrigues are paranormal–with the weird elements right up front.

My next one is CHAIN REACTION, in October. It’s about an explosion in a secret weapons lab. The men who are exposed all develop paranormal powers. CHAIN REACTION is the first book in the three-book SECURITY BREACH series. In the next two books, the reader discovers that it’s not just the good guys who have developed special powers.

My current Berkley release is SHADOW OF THE MOON, continuing my werewolf series. I’m thrilled to tell you that it’s made the Waldenbooks’ mass market paperback list, the B&N romance list and the USA Today list. It’s the story of a werewolf journalist and an artist who go underground to investigate the sinister aspects of a private Washington, D.C., club, where the rich and famous can indulge their sexual fantasies. Unfortunately for them, there’s a "mind vampire" lurking in the basement, feeding off their emotions.

I’m finding that the S&M theme of the book is somewhat controversial. Some readers have told me they love it. Others are turned off. How do you feel about the subject matter?

And how do you feel about paranormal in general? You love it? You can take it or leave it? You hope the current boom in this genre is here to stay?

I’d love to hear how other people feel.

Blog Tour: CALIFORNIA DEMON, by Julie Kenner

2006-06-15T18:56:00.000-07:00

I'm going to buy this book just for the title. And if the story is half as clever as the title, then it's going to be fabulous.

CALIFORNIA DEMON: The Secret Life of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom
by Julie Kenner
(Berkley Trade, June 2006)

What's a mother to do, when there are only so many hours in the day, and the fate of the world is in her hands?

Kate Connor was a retired demon hunter. Now, after fourteen years busting her tail as a suburban housewife, raising two kids, and supporting her husband's political ambitions, she's rejoined the workforce-and except for a few minions of evil, no one has a clue. She tries hard to keep her home and work lives separate-a good idea when your job involves random slaughter.

Between fending off demon attacks, trying to figure out why the mysterious new teacher at the high school seems so strangely familiar, and keeping a watchful eye on her daughter's growing infatuation with a surfer dude, Kate is the busiest-and most dangerous-soccer mom on the block…

FROM THE DESK OF KATE CONNOR…

• Groceries
• Pay bills
• Gas up the minivan
• Pick Allie up from cheerleader practice
• Clean out nest of evil, blood-thirsty preternatural creatures with a few wooden stakes, some holy water, and a can of Diet Coke
• Self-defense class
• Volunteer at nursing home
• Battle determined demon while making meal
• Put Timmy to bed
• Clean up dishes
• Dispose of demon carcass
• Iron Stuart’s shirt
• Write tomorrow’s to-do list

Excerpt: http://www.juliekenner.com/CaliforniaDemon.htm

REVIEWS

"more witty, funny and poignant adventures from the marvelous Kenner." Combining PTA dangers with demons certainly keeps the characters on their toes and readers chuckling. 4 stars – Romantic Times

While there is a plethora of outstanding romance/dark fantasy sagas currently being released … Julie Kenner's Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom novels are noteworthy in large part because of the author's wit and incredibly intuitive sense of humor. Lines like "Infiltrating a nest of vampires at dusk might be a tad on the treacherous side, but it's nothing compared to telling a fourteen-year-old that she's not allowed to wear eye shadow" will have readers laughing out loud from the first page to the last. If you've changed a leaky diaper, picked up a spilled sippy cup, or purchased a McDonald's Happy Meal within the last 24 hours, this fast-paced, delightfully irreverent amalgam of romance and dark fantasy is for you. – Barnes & Noble

ABOUT JULIE KENNER
National bestselling author Julie Kenner's first book hit the stores in February of 2000, and she's been on the go ever since. Her books have hit lists as varied as USA Today, Waldenbooks, Barnes & Noble, and Locus Magazine. Julie is also a former RITA finalist, the winner of Romantic Times' Reviewer's Choice Award for Best Contemporary Paranormal of 2001, and the winner of the Reviewers International Organization's award for best romantic suspense of 2004. She writes a range of stories from sexy and quirky romances to chick lit suspense to paranormal mommy lit. Her foray into the latter, Carpe Demon: Adventures of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom, was selected as a Booksense Summer Paperback Pick for 2005, was a Target Breakout Book, was a Barnes & Noble Number One SFF/Fantasy bestseller for seven weeks, and is in development as a feature film with Warner Brothers and 1492 Pictures.

Julie spent four years mainlining venti nonfat lattes in order to write, practice law full time, and take care of her kiddo. Then she wised up, quit the practice of law, and settled down to write full time. She now lives in central Texas with her husband, daughter, and a bunch of cats.

Website: http://www.juliekenner.com/

TRIP TO RUSSIA

2006-06-11T22:32:00.000-07:00

Well, after ignoring my blog for months, I'm going to start posting again. I had some horrible deadlines that I had to meet. And also, we were doing a lot of traveling.

We've been back from Russia (Moscow and St. Petersburg) for a couple of weeks. And here's a report on the trip:

On the way home we had a horrible connection to make in Frankfurt, since our plane from St. Petersburg was late. We had to RUN to catch the plane--not easy for me. And our luggage--with some of the stuff I bought and a lot of my good clothes--floated around Europe for a day and a half before we got it. We didn't have boarding passes, since they wouldn't give them to us in St. Petersburg. So, when we finally got to the counter, they could only get us on in Business Class. A nice way to come home. (I think we couldn't get the boarding passes because we came into Frankfurt on Lufthansa and left on United.)

I learned a lot on the trip. St. Petersburg is a beautiful city. And Moscow is definitely a world capital. But I think we can be glad that we didn't live through the upheavals in Russia over the past 100 years.

After WWI, for example, the country was having a lot of shortages. To cope with the economic situation, they allowed people to have private businesses like restaurants. The enterprises were successful, but after a couple of years the authorities made all the private enterprises close and often imprisoned or killed the owners. Nice, huh?

I got the sense that the people running the country tried various unfortunate experiments on their population. Like when Khrushchev decided that--the U.S. is really successful growing corn. Let's turn most of our wheat fields into corn fields. But corn wouldn't grow in the USSR, so there were horrible shortages of food and long lines for bread. So that must have been before the shortages you experienced.

Our guide told us some Soviet jokes. One I liked was--
Brezhnev is asked about his relationship with the peasants. He says that relations with them are excellent. "We pretend to pay them, and they pretend to work."

I think I've got a lot of good material for a future suspense novel. But as I was driven around cold and sometimes wet Moscow and St. Petersburg, I started plotting a book set on a Caribbean island.

Another funny thing--
There's a very wide avenue called Moscow Avenue that leads from downtown St. Petersburg to the airport. It's also got wide sidewalks, since they planned to switch it to be the main avenue of the city. (Never mind that the main development was in a different part of town. They also planned to arbitrarily make Leningrad--the previous name of the city--an "industrial city" which meant it wouldn't need any trees. But I digress.) As we drove to the airport, there was a tremendous traffic jam. They haven't had a lot of private cars for very long, so motorists often indulge in dangerous stunts. One guy pulled off the road and roared up the wide sidewalk for several blocks. (I assume the pedestrians were able to get out of his way.)

There's very little parking downtown, so there are tons of cars PARKED on the sidewalks. And double parked.

Our son, Ethan, who is a political officer at the US embassy in Moscow, took us to see some sights--and parked on the sidewalk like everyone else. He also took us by Metro to a folk art shopping village. (Where a guy also had a trained bear.) I was really tired, so he got us a gypsy cab home--by holding out his hand. Motorists stopped, and he negotiated a price for driving us to his apartment--which was at least 20 minutes away. It was a really wild ride. Like I was surprised we actually made it home in one piece.

So after cold and wet St. Petersburg, I stepped off the plane at Dulles into 90 degree D.C. heat.

I have attached some pictures from the trip.

Ruth

St. Basil's Cathedral, Red Square, Moscow

Lenin's Tomb, Red Square, Moscow

Ruth & Foreign Service Officer son Ethan dickering with rug dealer at Izmailovo Market, Moscow

Cathedral, Kremlin, Moscow

Norman with Hermitage Museum across the Neva River, St. Petersburg

Church of the Savior on the Spilled Blood (site of assassination of Tsar Alexander II), St. Petersburg

Grounds of Catherine's Palace, Pushkin

Inside Catherine's Palace, Pushkin

Catherine's Palace, Pushkin

Boat Ride in St. Petersburg

Malachite table in Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg

Ruth in Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg

Mariinsky (formerly Kirov) Theater, St. Petersburg

Peterhof fountains, St. Petersburg

Peterhof gardens, St. Petersburg

Statue of Lenin, St. Petersburg

GODDESS OF THE ROSE by PC Cast (Berkley, February 7, 2006)

2006-02-16T15:19:00.001-08:00

This story sound fascinating. Really unique.

GODDESS OF THE ROSE is a magical, sensuous retelling of Beauty and the Beast – with a modern slant. Our Beauty, Micki (named after the Mikado Rose), and all the women in her family have a special affinity for roses – their blood, diluted in water and applied during the night of a new moon, makes roses grow spectacularly. What the women don’t know is that they have this ability because they are descendants of a High Priestess of the Goddess Hecate. Hecate is Goddess of Night, Magick, the Crossroads of Man, and of Beasts. She is also the proctrectess of The Realm of the Rose – the place wherein all dreams and magick originate. This realm is guarded diligently by The Guardian, a creature on which the myth of the Minotaur was based. The Guardian swore himself into Hecate’s service for eternity, and in return the Goddess gifted him with the heart and soul of a man, even though he has the body of a beast. But all is not well in The Realm of the Rose. The Guardian made a terrible mistake, arousing the Goddess’s wrath to such an extent that she bespelled him and the realm, and Hecate swore that they would sleep eternally unless the Beast was awakened by a woman who carried the magickal blood of Hecate’s priestess, and was wise enough to see the truth, and compassionate enough to act upon it.

Micki does awaken the Guardian and he abducts her to The Realm of the Rose, thinking that she would automatically break the curse placed on the realm and set things to right, but modern woman Micki is a very unexpected kind of High Priestess, and there are forces at work within the realm, both of love and of hatred that might change the shape of dreams and magick for all of eternity unless Micki is brave enough to make the ultimate sacrifice…

ABOUT PC CAST
Award-winning author PC Cast is a dynamic, entertaining orator and an extraordinary teacher. Currently, her realm is in Oklahoma, where she resides with her daughter and spoiled cat.

REVIEWS

Join Mikki on an adventure to outshine them all -- P.C. Cast’s own version of Beauty and the Beast. Fourth in the author’s Goddess Summoning series, it’s very easy to see Ms. Cast’s love and respect for mythology, and it’s even easier to fall in love with characters that I believe may be her best yet. Romance, fantasy, mystery, and adventure are all threads woven together in this beautiful account of a woman who is clearly fated for greater things. An enchanting tale from beginning to end, GODDESS OF THE ROSE truly deserves RRT’s Perfect 10, an award that is exemplified with each word and every page in P.C. Cast’s latest. -- Amy Cunningham, Romance Reviews Today

Website: http://www.pccast.net

New books from Robin D. Owens and Gena Showalter

2006-02-01T09:15:00.000-08:00

I know I've been a bad girl. I haven't written anything in my blog in weeks. I promise to tell you about the cruise my husband and I and some friends took from Vienna to Budapest over the Christmas vacation. But first I'd like to tell you about two new books coming out from two of my favorite authors.

** HERE'S ROBIN'S BOOK **:

SORCERESS OF FAITH by Robin D. Owens
(Luna, February 1, 2006)

With the world of Llandrana threatened by encroaching evil, the Sorcerers must do the unthinkable—summon an outsider to stop the insidious Darkness slowly taking control of their land and poisoning the Sorcerers themselves.

Arriving in Lladrana, grad student Marian Harasta is stunned to find herself the center of a dispute among Sorcerers who want to augment their Power with her own. She must quickly learn her new magical Powers – and decide who she can trust in this strange land. She has prayed for a miracle to save her brother – could Lladrana offer that knowledge, and can she somehow return to Earth with it?

She knows she must offer the Sorcerers something in exchange, and ridding them of the Evil Sorcerer is what they want, but how will she fare in her first magical duel?

With unexpected help – and unexpected betrayal – Marian must determine where her true fate lies.

Excerpt:
http://www.robindowens.com/reads/sorceress_of_faith.htm

Cover:
http://www.robindowens.com/images/sorceress_of_faith_cover.jpg

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

Marian is a fantastic heroine, both fiercely intelligent and independent, as well as willing and able to stand up for herself and what she wants. This book will enchant readers who enjoy strong heroines. – Romantic Times

Website: http://www.robindowens.com

** AND HERE'S GENA'S BOOK **:

JEWEL OF ATLANTIS by Gena Showalter
(HQN Books, February 1, 2006)

Enter a mythical world populated with vampires, dragons, demons and Nymphs…enter a world of dark seduction and powerful magic…enter Atlantis…..

All Atlantis seeks the Jewel of Dunamis, which legend claims can overcome any enemy. Grayson James, human agent for the ultra-secret Otherworld Bureau of Investigation, has orders to keep it from the wrong hands – or destroy it. What he doesn’t know is that Jewel is a woman, not a stone! But once he meets this precious gem, destroying her is the last thing on his mind…

Jewel, part goddess, part prophet, is a pawn in Atlantis’s constant power struggles. She needs Gray’s help to win freedom and uncover the secrets of her mysterious origins. Gray needs her wisdom to navigate monster-ridden Atlantis. But need blossoms into passionate love as they fight demons, dragons, vampires – and a prophecy that says the bond between them could destroy them both.

Excerpt:
http://members.cox.net/genashowalter/excerpt.htm

Cover:
http://members.cox.net/genashowalter/covers/cover_jewel.gif

ABOUT GENA SHOWALTER
Gena Showalter holds a Ph.D. in Quantum Physics (lie), is an expert in Krav Maga (bigger lie), and once worked as a body guard for the stars (the biggest lie of all). Actually, Gena Showalter is just your everyday, average girl who enjoys creating sizzling paranormal tales of kick ass women and the men who can't resist them.

REVIEWS

Showalter has created a ripe mythological world populated with fascinating creatures and dark lore. . . , for extraordinary escapism, read this book. -- Romantic Times

Showalter's fans will enjoy her breezy tone, fast-paced plotting, and sexy humor, set against a backdrop of malevolent demons, vampires, and dragons. -- Ginger Curwen, Barnes and Noble review

JEWEL OF ATLANTIS is clever, witty, sexy, exciting and just plain fun to read. Full of lots of "other world" goodness, it's a paranormal romance lovers delight. With characters that are rich in personality, scenery that is lush and enchanting, and dialogue that is snappy, fresh, and fun, you just couldn't ask for a better story. – Susan at Singletitles.com

Website: http://www.genashowalter.com

“White Heat” featured in SECRETS, Volume 12 by Leigh Wyndfield (Red Sage, July 2005)

2005-11-17T07:13:00.000-08:00

Here's one of my favorite combinations--science fiction and hot sex.

Raine has spent the last few years avenging her murdered team, but the cost has been high. She’s hiding in an icehouse in the middle of nowhere from one of the scariest men in the universes. Walker escapes from a burning prison, staggering to safety. Imagine their surprise when they find out they have the same man to blame for their miseries. Passion, revenge and love are in their future.

Excerpt:

http://www.redsagepub.com/w_heat.html

Cover:

http://www.leighwyndfield.com/vol12.jpg

ABOUT LEIGH WYNDFIELD

Leigh Wyndfield spends her free time reading anything she can get her hands on, watching movies, and skiing or hiking, depending on the season. Unable to find romances that take place on other worlds, she started writing her own. Her books have won awards and finaled in published author contests, including the PRISM, More Than Magic, the Holt Medallion and the Dream Realm Award. Her novel, IN ICE, was nominated by RT Magazine for Best Erotic Romance of 2004, won a PRISM Award and the Write Touch Readers Award! Romantic Times calls her work, “Engrossing, enthralling and entrancing.”

REVIEWS

"White Heat is stunning" -- Jane, Fallen Angels.

"WHITE HEAT is full of action and adventure and will keep readers turning the pages and waiting with baited breath to see what happens next." -- Angel, Romance Junkies

4 ½ Star Top Pick RT Bookclub Magazine

Website: http://www.leighwyndfield.com

HIS DARK DESIRES, by Jennifer St. Giles

2005-11-03T08:57:00.000-08:00

This sounds like a book I'd like to read. It combines two of my favorite genres--paranormal and historical.

BTW, I had a very personal reason for smiling when I noticed that the heroine is told to "Trust no one." I was once slammed by an RT reviewer for using that sentence. She said I must be copying the X-Files. Apparently, her literary experience was limited to popular television shows and genre fiction, so in her estimation, the X-File writers were the only ones who could come up with that concept. This was also the reviewer who thought I was hinting that the heroine was a mermaid because the hero initially fished her out of a river where she almost drowned and then--hint hint--the action climax of the book was at a theme park modeled on Sea World.

I've been waiting for years to respond to that strange review in some kind of public way. Ah, the fun of having my own blog! Thanks for giving me the opportunity, Jenn.

HIS DARK DESIRES by Jennifer St. Giles
(Pocket Books, Nov. 2005)

Can any woman resist the fire in his eyes—and the danger in his kiss?

From award-winning author of The Mistress of Trevelyan (2004 National Readers Choice Award for Best Historical and Best First Book, and 2004 Maggie Award for Excellence in Historical Fiction) comes the sensual tale of a woman haunted—and a man possessed—by an all-consuming love. . . .

You are in danger. Trust no one. The terrifying words from a mysterious letter echo in Juliet Bucheron's mind. Destitute ever since her husband disappeared in the Civil War, Juliet has turned her New Orleans ancestral home into a boarding house -- despite the rumors of ghosts, the whispers of scandal, and the stain of murder. But even more unsettling is Juliet's new tenant, a handsome stranger named Stephen Trevelyan. Wealthy, educated, and seductively compelling, Stephen fills Juliet's heart with uncontrollable longing -- and her head with suspicion. Something, she senses, is lurking beneath the surface. And someone is stalking the hallways after midnight. As the danger draws nearer, Juliet wonders if she can really trust Stephen. But as he pulls her closer, she knows she cannot resist him...no matter what the price.

Excerpt:
http://www.jenniferstgiles.com/hisdarkdesire.shtml

Cover:
http://www.jenniferstgiles.com/hddsmall.jpg

ABOUT JENNIFER ST. GILES
A former nurse and home educator, this award winning author loves to create unforgettable heroes and heroines, who against all odds, fight and win the battle for love—the human need that drives us all. She lives in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia with her husband and three children.

REVIEWS
A wonderful Americana suspense thriller.. St. Giles provides a fabulous reconstruction era tale—Harriet Klausner.

Winner of Rendezvous Reviews Magazine’s Rosebud of the Month! Who cites His Dark Desires as Powerful and emotional, with complex characters…an excellent journey into the past you won’t forget.

A riveting sequel…a sexually charged romance that satisfies whether they’re seeking suspense or passion---Romantic Times Book Club.

WEBSITE: http://www.jenniferstgiles.com

“The Witches of Brokenoggin and the Dead Who Love Them” featured in BEWITCHED, BOTHERED AND BEVAMPYRED by Gena Showalter

2005-10-28T19:04:00.000-07:00

Gena Showalter's got another great story in “The Witches of Brokenoggin and the Dead Who Love Them” featured in BEWITCHED, BOTHERED AND BEVAMPYRED (Triskelion Press)

Welcome to Brokenoggin Falls, where the housewives are not only desperate, they’re Witches! (And one of them might be a Harpy) The spells cast by moonlight frequently go awry. And there are times when toads and Chihuahuas seem abundant as black flies in the summer, the dragons are a little touchy, the Forest Trolls are in danger of extinction from teeny-boppers, the Gryphons need help conceiving and...the scientist are crunchy and good with ketchup...

All proceeds from the sales of this book will go to the International Red Cross.

In which the well-endowed Tawdry triplets accidentally raise the dead while dealing with an overzealous peeping John.

Be on the lookout for MYSTERIA, an anthology expanding on the episode and characters Gena created in BEWITCHED, BOTHERED AND BEVAMPYRED. MYSTERIA (Berkley) hits shelves in August 2006!

Cover:
http://www.triskelionpublishing.com/images/Bewitchedthm.jpg

ABOUT GENA SHOWALTER
Gena Showalter holds a Ph.D. in Quantum Physics (lie), is an expert in Krav Maga (bigger lie), and once worked as a body guard for the stars (the biggest lie of all). Actually, Gena Showalter is just your everyday, average girl who enjoys creating sizzling paranormal tales of kick ass women and the men who can't resist them.

WEBSITE: http://www.genashowalter.com

“A Dance Through the Garden of Good and Evil” featured in BEWITCHED, BOTHERED AND BEVAMPYRED by Susan Grant

2005-10-13T19:18:00.000-07:00

Here’s another fun-sounding story from the anthology, BEWITCHED, BOTHERED AND BEVAMPYRED.

“A Dance Through the Garden of Good and Evil” featured in BEWITCHED, BOTHERED AND BEVAMPYRED by Susan Grant
(Triskelion Press)

Welcome to Brokenoggin Falls, where the housewives are not only desperate, they’re Witches! (And one of them might be a Harpy) The spells cast by moonlight frequently go awry. And there are times when toads and Chihuahuas seem abundant as black flies in the summer, the dragons are a little touchy, the Forest Trolls are in danger of extinction from teeny-boppers, the Gryphons need help conceiving and...the scientists are crunchy and good with ketchup...

All proceeds from the sales of this book will go to the International Red Cross.

When Pastor Harmony Faithfull unknowingly hires a tall, dark, and sexy demon to be the new church groundskeeper, all hell breaks loose.

Be on the lookout for MYSTERIA, an anthology expanding on the episode and characters Susan created in BEWITCHED, BOTHERED AND BEVAMPYRED. MYSTERIA (Berkley) hits shelves in August 2006!

Cover:
http://www.triskelionpublishing.com/images/Bewitchedthm.jpg

ABOUT SUSAN GRANT
One of the first women to graduate from the US Air Force Academy, award-winning author Susan Grant piloted jets in the USAF before joining United Airlines. She currently flies 747s around the world.

WEBSITE: http://www.susangrant.com