Here be Magic

Under Her Brass Corset, by Brenda Williamson

2012-02-28T00:01:00.002-05:00

The long wait is over and the day has finally come for the release of my first book with Carina Press. For your enjoyment, here is one of my favorite excerpts.

Under Her Brass Corset
by Brenda Williamson
ISBN: 9781426893292

Blurb:

Jasper may be immortal, but he hasn't truly lived in years. Having secretly watched over Abigail as a favor to her notorious grandfather, he can't resist arranging a "chance" meeting with the beauty. But he has an ulterior motive: to retrieve the mystical Crystal Compass hidden in her house before it falls into the wrong hands. He never imagines he'll be tempted to love again...

When Abigail learns the truth, she and Jasper embark on a journey that will change both of their lives—and possibly the world...

Excerpt:

The loud whirring of an engine woke Abigail from a dead sleep. She sat up, startled and disoriented. The noise of rain in a tunnel came from the direction of the drain closet. She rubbed her eyes and stared at the spray of water hitting the opaque glass door of the tiny room. Someone moved about inside.

Her mind replayed what she remembered before she fell asleep. Unfortunately, her murky thought processes were slow, sorting and replaying memories. Then she had a flashback of the amazing sight of the endless horizon—the view from the clouds as she stood at the rail of the flying ship. But something wasn’t right. She heard running water. If they were flying, then they couldn’t take on water.

“Captain Blackthorn, are we sinking?” Abigail jumped off the bunk.

She froze at the sudden stop of the clanking machinery. A hiss of steam spurted from around a brass fitting. The mirror and all the glass windows fogged over.

“Bloody hell,” the captain grumbled from behind the opaque glass.

She hurried to the drain closet. “Captain, is everything all right?” she asked as she swung open the door.

“Clearly it is not.” He stepped out of the enclosure, dripping sudsy wet, and oh so very naked.

Startled by his au naturel appearance, Abigail stepped back out of his way, powerless to speak. She considered averting her gaze by closing her eyes, except the artistry in the man’s body had her awestruck. His tattoos held her spellbound.

“Damn contraption never lets me finish,” he complained, seemingly oblivious to her stunned expression.

When he marched over to the silent piece of equipment and stooped down, he mystified her further. She remained mute, unable to ask why he would work on his gadgetry in the nude.

The captain tinkered with the apparatus as if it were a common practice. Not the fiddling with machinery, but the doing so in front of someone while naked. Her slight discomfort with the situation, however, didn’t stop her from looking at him. She scrutinized the markings on his skin. She already knew of the Celtic knot on his wrist. Most of the other markings were symbols and ancient writings. It was the rosebud on his leg that held her attention the longest. Void of a vine, the flower held the striking likeness to the one she had on her thigh. She mindlessly glanced down, wondering how it was they had a similar design, when she noticed her missing clothing.

“I’m not dressed!” she gasped, barely able to get words out.

The captain looked back. “You’ve enough on for decency. Now would you hand me that wrench?” He pointed to a shelf above.

“I’m in my knickers and chemise. What did you do to me?” she said, appalled that he’d taken advantage of her.

“I made you comfortable to sleep, nothing more. Now the wrench, if you please, Miss Thatch, then you can put on all the clothes you want.” His crankiness defused her outrage and she stepped forward to reach for the tool.

“It still wasn’t a proper thing for you to do,” she explained. “A gentleman would know that.”

“Proper?” He looked at her again, his brow arched in surprise. “Miss Thatch, there was far more I could have done, and by your permission too.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I don’t think you’d want me to repeat your requests of me. Now please hand me the wrench.”

Her head abuzz with the memory of her dreams, she cringed at how she’d begged the captain to kiss her. Had she asked for more?

“It’s too high,” she said, straining to reach, not wanting to discuss her sexual desires any further.

“Never mind then. I’ll get it.”

Inadvertently, she glanced down. Her breath caught in her throat as she saw more than expected. Every extremity on the man exuded masculinity. What hung heavy between his legs gave her no reason to allow an exception.

Visit Carina Press to read another excerpt or to buy the book!

Brenda Williamson

~ Seductive in Any Era ~

Blog ~ An Eclectic Author
~ Enter to Win a $50 Jewelry Shopping Spree Giveaway ~

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Here Be News

2012-02-27T06:00:00.000-05:00

Our new releases this week

Since the loss of her father, Abigail Thatch's life has been in turmoil. Her social status is in shambles, her finances depleted, and she's on the verge of losing her beloved home. But everything changes when she meets the dashing flying machine captain Jasper Blackthorn. Not only does he introduce her to a world she thought only existed in myth and legend, he awakens sensual feelings deep within her...

Jasper may be immortal, but he hasn't truly lived in years. Having secretly watched over Abigail as a favor to her notorious grandfather, he can't resist arranging a "chance" meeting with the beauty. But he has an ulterior motive: to retrieve the mystical Crystal Compass hidden in her house before it falls into the wrong hands. He never imagines he'll be tempted to love again...

When Abigail learns the truth, she and Jasper embark on a journey that will change both of their lives—and possibly the world...

Links of Interest

JK Rowling announces that she'll publish her first novel for adults with Little, Brown. Possibly a thriller?

For the post-apocalyptic writers out there: Survival books to keep on your bookshelf in case of the apocalypse.

These pictures on Exploring Lost Places at National Geographic are incredible.

And congratulations to the nominees for the 2011 Nebula Awards!

Here Be Magic Group Announcements

Shona Husk is giving away an ARC of her May release at: http://winkgirls.blogspot.com.au/2012/02/kiss-of-goblin-prince-giveaway.html

All of the March books are up for pre-order at Carina Press.

The theme of the month for March is "Mystical Places". Thanks to everyone who voted in our poll!

If you're on Goodreads, stop by and check out the new Here Be Magic group.

Have a great week everyone!

Love Is a Magic Elixer

2012-02-24T06:00:00.002-05:00

When Rapunzel’s tears of love fell on the blinded prince’s eyes, his vision was restored. Beauty’s love transformed a beast into his true, handsome form. Both Snow White and Sleeping Beauty, cursed into a death-like sleep, were awakened by true love’s kiss. In stories, the magic of love is the most powerful spell of all.

In our world, love has a different kind of magic.

I’m currently curled up on the couch, looking like a Snot Hag who’s recently crawled out of the Ancient Swamp of Eternal Suffering—greasy hair, one inflamed, reddened nostril (the other is still weighing its options and hasn’t committed to the war yet), and a greatly lowered IQ due to my need to breathe through my mouth. The noises coming out of my face are hideous and repulsive.

My husband is out at the store buying me tissues, juice, cold pills, and ice cream. There’s a good chance he’ll pick up a book or magazine for me, and an even greater likelihood he’ll come home with coloring books, a Pez dispenser, or a bottle of bubbles. No. Probably not that last one. He never lets me blow bubbles in the house.

The magic here is not that love will cure the common cold. It’s more like the magic in Demerol when you’re giving birth. It can’t cure you or even speed things up. The pain is still there, but you don’t care so much anymore. That’s how love treats the common cold, the pain of a rejection letter, or the hopelessness of a pile of overdue bills. It can’t take the problems away, but it can hold you up until you’re ready to face things again. Or you know, until your cold goes away.

There’s something else love does that’s so magical, it takes my breath away—or maybe that’s the congestion causing it.

My husband doesn’t see a Snot Hag with a low IQ sniffling on his couch. He sees a beautiful princess under a terrible enchantment.

And that's the most powerful spell of all.

Defining Love

2012-02-23T09:25:00.004-05:00

Yesterday I did a video chat on writing erotica.

Yes, I know this is the Here Be Magic blog, but even my fantasy novel, Rogue's Pawn, which comes out from Carina in July, has a great deal of sensuality in it. Hot sensuality in places. Verging on erotic, though I don't know how one draws the line.

That was the question that came up during the chat - someone asked if I write erotica or erotic romance.

I really had to think about that question.

Carina is calling Rogue's Pawn a fantasy with romantic elements. It's not really a romance because the main story isn't about a romance. It's about the adventure my heroine embarks on in Faerie. Now, her sexual waltz with Rogue is a big part of that story, but it's not the only story. And they don't tumble into hearts and flowers love, with trembling sighs and dewy gazes. (Though there's nothing wrong with that. I love me a trembling sigh/dewy gaze romance - this just isn't one.) In many ways, Rogue and Gwynn's relationship is more combative, with each trying to gain the upper hand.

But....

But there is a hugely strong emotional tie between them. They can't escape each other. They're intertwined on so many levels that they have no choice but to find a way through it.

Is this love?

"Love" is a word that gets thrown around so easily. It's really an umbrella term for a huge range of human emotion. We love our pets, our kids, our sports cars, our grandparents, our lovers, a good book and the perfect dessert. It's a way of saying that we connect with something or someone, that it pleases us, supports us, invigorates and delights us.

My answer to the question of whether I write erotica or erotic romance was, it depends on how you define them. If erotica is sex without love, then I don't think I write that. My stories don't usually end with declarations of love, engagements or weddings. But, for me, sex is always about the emotional connection. That magical, mystical, beyond physical interplay of people. Skin to skin leads to soul to soul for me every time.

Is that love? I don't know.

But it is magic.

Hackles

2012-02-22T06:32:00.029-05:00

There's no sugar-coating it. The hero of Pack and Coven has hackles. He's a wolf shifter, and that's how he's built. So I thought, instead of doing a standard "new release woohoo" post today, I'd list 10 things that raise Harry Smith's hackles.

1) The thought of being anybody's boss but his own. Harry may have an "alpha" gene, but in my imagined world, that doesn't define an individual's character. It's more of a genetic ability. So even though he's alpha, Harry can't stand the thought of having to graduate to management, so to speak. Heck, he can't even boss his cats around. (Although, who can boss cats around??)

2) Well-done steaks. Horrors! That's just not how meat should be eaten. Not that people or wolves should eat it raw -- we're not savages and we don't want tapeworms -- but abusing a nice T-bone with charring should probably be a crime.

3) Cruelty. Harry is a live and let live sort of guy. That doesn't mean he thinks it's all right to be cruel to other people who presumably don't deserve it. In fact, Harry's such a mellow dude that he's friends with most of his ex-girlfriends and has been known to hook them up with their future spouses! And he still gives them discounts at his garage.

4) Handcuffs in bed. On him, anyway. Let's just say there was an incident with a lady alpha shifter in his past which involved handcuffs and a camera and leave it at that.

5) Hooking up with other alpha shifters. In part because of what the lady did with the handcuffs and the camera, and in part because two alpha shifters who get together tend to attract a pack which they then have to manage (see #1), Harry avoids that kind of entanglement.

6) Having to do his own cooking. See #2. He's not that good at it, and food is a pleasure not to be ruined with poor preparation. To quote Harry, "Hell, a man who could cook could probably talk him into a lot of shit too, but men never showed up with pie. Sometimes a six pack, which wasn’t as persuasive."

7) Crappy little econo-cars. Why drive a car that can barely do sixty, down hill, when you can drive a Porshe or a motorcyle or a sensible, full-sized pickup truck? Especially if you need to outrun pack wolves who want to hunt you down and force you to join them.

8) Confrontations. These raise Harry's hackles literally! But Harry also doesn't see the point in expending his energy and time fighting with people when he could be chummy with different people. Of course, his avoidance of conflict makes him a bit unprepared to handle it when the local pack decides they're going to conscript him, but he has made some friends in his life who can help.

9) Conservative werewolves. These are the ones who believe no wolf should be independent from a pack, who believe males should outrank females, who believe humans are inferior instead of just different, who believe democracy is for weaklings, who believe all sorts of things Harry disagrees with. These wolves are not his friends.

10) The woman he loves being in danger. From conservative werewolves. Who are cruel and who want to conscript him. This is the one situation that raises Harry's hackles enough that he's willing to do anything required to save her, just as he knows she has been doing for him.

***

On my blog, there's a contest for a $25 gift card running until February 29, so be sure and stop by and tell me what food YOU would order at a tea room! Harry orders steaks, perfectly cooked steaks, and the tea room owner keeps them in stock just for him.

I'm also on the Carina Press blog on the afternoon of February 22 where my rascally cat, Meankitty, forced me to post her "improved" version of the Pack and Coven cover and blurb.

You can see the blurb and buy links for Pack and Coven at my website if you're interested.

Sincerely,

Jody W.
When is an alpha not an alph-ass?
Pack and Coven: http://www.jodywallace.com

Character Interview - Merys Priestess of the Nile

2012-02-21T01:30:00.003-05:00

Today we're interviewing Merys, from Priestess of the Nile, Veronica Scott's debut novella. Merys will have some thoughts for us on our Here Be Magic February theme "Magic of Love." But first, a little bit about the story:

Egypt, 1500 BC

Drawn to his abandoned temple on the banks of the Nile by an enchanting song, Sobek the Crocodile God is even more captivated by the sight of the singer herself. Appearing to her as a man, he learns she is Merys, a descendant of his last priestess. Though filled with lust, Sobek believes Merys deserves to be more than just his mistress. But the rules that govern the Egyptian pantheon forbid anything beyond a physical joining of a Great One and a human.

Merys is attracted to the handsome stranger, who arouses passions in her that no man ever has. But with no dowry and no hope of ever leaving her village, she dares not dream of the future—or love.

Sobek takes every opportunity to visit Merys, taxing his resolve to leave her pure. When he saves her life, their mutual desire must be sated. But can a love between a human and an immortal survive the ultimate test of the gods?

What was your life like growing up?

I lived in a small village close to the Nile. My mother died when I was young and my father remarried so I have half sisters. My stepmother was in poor health (and worse temper, I’ll admit that now!) so much of the housework fell on me. I’m descended from the hereditary priestesses of Sobek the Crocodile God’s temple, so I took my duties seriously there as well, trying to keep the abandoned temple from going completely to ruin. Singing the old songs was my favorite way to relax after a hard day’s work!

Before the action in the book, what were your plans/hopes for the future?

As I told Sobek when I first met him, all I wanted was to love a good man and be loved, to have my own household, children. Nothing too grand…but happy. I also wanted to pass down the temple lore, the songs and legends, to my own daughters someday. But there were serious obstacles to my ever finding my way to such a situation.

What changed that?

Meeting Sobek!

What one thing would you take to a desert island?

If I had to go into exile for some reason? My most precious possession is the crocodile amulet Sobek gave me as a symbol of his love and protection. I never take that off.

Where would you go on vacation?

Since Sobek is the Crocodile God, he relishes hot weather and sunshine, and he loves to be by the water, so we’d probably go on a cruise down the Nile. He knows I’ve always wanted to visit Thebes (not to dwell there – too many people for me) so I’m sure he’d arrange some time on shore for me to see the wondrous temples, the libraries…and shop in the bazaar!

What is your major skill or talent?

(Blushing) I’ve been told my voice is pleasing. I have an excellent memory for songs and in fact that’s how I met Sobek – one evening he heard me singing a very old tune he was fond of.

What’s your favorite color? Favorite food?

I love the blue shade of the lotus (and the sweet scent). Fish, cooked any way, makes an excellent dinner, with dates for dessert!

Do you have a favorite book?

Since the time I met Sobek and the adventures we had, I’ve learned to read. It’s one of my greatest pleasures, especially stories about magicians (which Sobek often defeats in the legends!). Next in my pile of scrolls to be read is the Book of Thoth, written by the god himself. After reading the first page it is said you’ll be able to enchant the heaven and the earth, the abyss, the mountains and the sea; and you’ll know what the birds and the beasts and the reptiles are saying. And when you have read the second page your eyes will behold all the secrets of the gods themselves, and read all that is hidden in the stars.

(Veronica sez: That’s quite a favorable review Thoth got! Probably 5 stars at least LOL!)

Who are your closest friends?

Aside from Sobek I’m closest to my half sister Tyema.

Is there something you’d like to experience that as yet you haven’t?

I would like to meet Pharaoh and his queen someday and hear from their own lips how he took the throne back from the woman who had usurped his family’s rightful place.

Any comment you’d like to make on our February theme: Magic of Love?

This is from a traditional poem I’ve often heard recited at festivals for Hathor, goddess of love:

For heaven makes your love
Like the advance of flames in straw,
And its longing like the downward swoop of a hawk.

That’s pretty much how falling in love with Sobek struck me, although he’s the Crocodile, not Hathor the Hawk! (Merys laughs)

And later the poem also says:

My hand is in his hand.
I wander together with him
To every beautiful place.
He makes me the first of maidens…

Any parting thoughts for us today?

May the sunlight rest upon you every day!

So, Readers, what was it like the first time you felt the Magic of Love?

Here Be News

2012-02-20T04:00:00.000-05:00

Our new releases this week

When a severed rabbit's paw is delivered to her office, outcast cat shifter Rebecca Desjardin recognizes the summons home. One of their own has been murdered--and a shocking photo published in a local tabloid--and her Pride needs Rebecca, now a private investigator, to track down the killer.

Investigative reporter Brandon Hanover wants to find out who slipped the photo of the half-shifted cat-woman under his door, marking him as a suspect in her death. Determined to stay one step ahead of the sexy journalist, Rebecca reluctantly agrees to partner with him to find the real murderer. But as their mutual attraction heats up, Rebecca finds it harder and harder to keep Brandon from discovering the existence of the shifter society--and her own true nature.

When the search leads them back to the Pride, Rebecca must attempt to Change for the first time in years to face the killer, and save the man she loves.

***

Harry Smith is a lone wolf, and he likes it that way. When he's targeted to be co-alpha of the local pack, there is only one thing he can do to maintain his freedom: flee. But it'll take a miracle to stay a step ahead of shifters in their own territory.

June Travis has been in love with Harry for years, but he doesn't know her real identity. He sees her as the sweet owner of the local tearoom—the facade June presents to humans and werewolves to keep them from finding out she's a witch. She may not be able to offer Harry a miracle, but she can help him escape.

Harry is drawn to this new side of June, and not just because he's grateful for her help. With her magic temporarily hiding Harry from his pursuers, the witch and the wolf explore their mutual attraction. But there are consequences for witches who bed down with wolves.

Links of Interest

The Year Without a Summer, and How It Spawned Frankenstein And bicycles. And vampires.

In my head, nanobots=steampunk and I find the technology fascinating. DNA origami nanorobot takes drug direct to cancer cell

The final book in the Wheel of Time series has a date. I read the first three I think. Knowing that it has an end might make me try to catch up just for old times sake.

Levar Burton at the Tools of Change conference talking about the power of "What if...?" I love this. It's worth the fifteen minutes.

Why men should read romance novels from The Romance Man.

8 Unexpected Downsides of the Switch to E-books My favorite is #3.

Angelina Jolie as Maleficent. Perfect casting. I hope it works out.

New stills from Snow White and the Huntsman. Chris Hemsworth! Yum.

Celebrity Story Time: George R. R. Martin Reads Children's Stories.

Paul Cornell says he won't sit on a panel that doesn’t have a 50/50 gender split. Should there be more female representation on professional panels at SFF conventions?

Special calls

Hex Appeal - Ellora’s Cave

Charm readers with stories about wanton witches, lusty warlocks and sizzling spells!

~ Length: 18K – 70K words

~ Deadline for internal submissions: June 15, 2012. Earlier is preferred.

~ Deadline for external submissions: May 15, 2012. Earlier is preferred.

~ Stories will release in October 2012

Here Be Magic Group Announcements

Jeffe Kennedy has a new title for her July 16th release: Rogue's Pawn, Book One in A Covenant of Thorns.

Please help us decide next month’s HBM theme by voting in our poll. (Look up and to the rightJ)

Thank you!

THE HEALING MAGIC OF LOVE

2012-02-17T03:30:00.000-05:00

The magic of love is right up my alley. I write romantic suspense, often with wounded heroes who are doomed to a lonely and perhaps bitter existence. But one magical thing saves them–the love of a woman with the guts and determination to break through the shell they’ve built around themselves.

That’s one of my recurring themes, and it’s never been more evident than in my current Decorah Security novella, CHAINED.

Only this time, my heroine literally has to bring my hero’s body and soul back together.

The story starts when Isabella Flores flees from armed men trying to kill her. When she arrives at the ranch her father owns near Sedona, Arizona, she’s attacked by what she thinks is a ghost. Not just any ghost. He’s Matthew Houseman, the man she loved and lost eight years ago. Back then he was her Decorah Security bodyguard, and she was too young for a relationship with him. He attacks because he doesn’t recognize her at first. When he realizes who she is, he reaches out toward her.

At first Matthew’s memories of himself are dim, but contact with Isabella brings Matthew back to himself.

I had a great time with this story, writing increasingly more sexually charged encounters with a ghost. And the more physical contact they have, the more he remembers about his life and their love for each other.

After he helps save her from the bad guys, he vanishes, because he’s sure a relationship with a phantom can only lead to a dead end. He thinks she should marry and have children, all of which is impossible with him.

But she knows about the magic of Sedona, the vortexes in the area, the places of power that the native Americans have know about for thousands of years.

In nature, vortexes are created by wind or water. Like the circular motion of a tornado or water whirling down a drain.

In Sedona, they are believed to be created by spiraling spiritual energy--locations where the conditions are right to facilitate prayer, meditation and healing. Mystical, magical places, with an energy flow that exists in multiple dimensions.

The heroine believes the energy of the vortexes drew the hero back to Sedona, and she hopes that if she can get in touch with that energy, she can bring him back to life.

A long shot. But I’m writing paranormal romance, after all. With a real-life rationale. And I hope I’ve made you believe magic and reality can merge.

This story was a little different for me. I often write about mythical creatures. Werewolves and dragon-shifters. This time it’s about the magic of a place.

What’s your favorite kind of paranormal romance, and why?

Love of the Sweetest Kind

2012-02-15T09:00:00.003-05:00

“Here?” she whispered to him sweetly.

“We’re alone,” he said discreetly.

“I’ve been good till now!” she sighed.

“But you’re human!” he replied.

“It’s so big!” she hesitated.

“It’s all yours,” he proudly stated.

“Oh, I shouldn’t!” she protested.

“If you love me -!” he suggested.

And so, losing all resistance,

she gave in to his insistence …

and ate every single chocolate in the box!

Happy Valentine’s Day

with a special thank you to my Valentine and Hallmark Cards.

Re-posted from Ruth A. Casie's blog

Keeping the Romance Alive

2012-02-13T00:00:00.000-05:00

Valentine’s Day is tomorrow, and I ask myself every year whether hubby will surprise me with something, but you know what?

He rarely does.

Some people would say he isn’t romantic, or that he doesn’t care. But I know the truth.

My big bad Italian hubby isn’t one for telling me he loves me. I may not get roses on Valentine’s Day, and we may not go out to an expensive dinner. But two weeks ago my husband, who has said for years that he will never get a dog because they’re too much work…told me I could have a puppy. And you know why he did it? Because he knew it would make me happy and he loves me so much he’ll put up with pee on the kitchen floor, and chewed running shoes, and that wet doggy smell.

I’m all for a day of romance as much as the next person, but even more important are the days when there aren’t any expectations yet the coffee is made for me when I get up in the morning, and the laundry has magically been folded while I was writing madly to make a deadline. My husband knows that my favourite treat is a cannoli (Mmmmm Cannolis) and one random day that really meant nothing in the grand scheme of things, I came home to find that he’d looked up a recipe, gone out for the ingredients and made some from scratch. Those were the best cannoli’s I have ever had.

So no, I don’t expect fancy declarations, or anything else tomorrow. And that’s perfectly fine. I probably won’t make a big deal out of Valentine’s Day for him either…then again, he’s going ice fishing next week and I know when he gets home he’ll really appreciate seeing a big pot of my homemade squash soup and fresh bread waiting for him.

What little things does your loved one do for you throughout the year to show their love, besides the big gestures?

And don't forget to enter our Valentine's Day giveaway here!

JK Coi
www.jkcoi.com

I Wish You Magic

2012-02-12T12:05:00.000-05:00

Hey, girl, I spent $500 on roses. I love you.

Valentine's Day is Tuesday. I'm not a big believer in the holiday just because I think romance should happen everyday and Valentine's is just a day for couples to spend money they don't necessarily have and single people to feel bad. But... sometimes people get that it isn't about the flowers, or the chocolate, or the jewelry, it's about doing something more magical than you do for someone you love the rest of the year. This is especially true for couples who have been together for a long time.

Hey, girl, here's 20 pounds of chocolate just for you.

You see, when people first fall in love, it's (if you're lucky) a little like it is in romance novels. Sparks fly. You dream about their eyes, their smile, the feel of their hand in yours... their mouth on yours. You spend so much time thinking about this new person that when the phone rings and it's them, a tiny part of you believes that they felt your thoughts. New love haunts you. It seeps into your very pores and makes you carry yourself differently. It makes you smile more. Laugh more. And if it's with a person who really clicks with you on multiple levels, you might wonder if they were meant just for you or if you conjured them from thin air.

Every touch...
Every smile...
Every glance...
Every gesture...
Is a tiny piece of magic just for the two of you.

Hey, boy, here's what I really want.

With familiarity though, we lose that. Days become jobs, and kids, and in-laws, and bills. No amount of flowers or chocolate can make up for that. Those things don't bring back the heat and passion of new love. And that's what most of us really want for Valentine's Day. We want the magic.

So my assignment to you this Valentine's Day is to spark some of that in your relationship. Try to let go of all the mundane stuff that clogs your world, and fall in love all over again. While the rest of the world spends money on things that don't matter, give the person you love something they'll remember--give them the gift of magic.

The Magic of Love: A Here Be Magic Giveaway!

2012-02-10T03:00:00.003-05:00

Whoohoo! Thanks for all the great comments! Our winners for the Here Be Magic Valentine Giveaway are:
1st prize $50 gift card: Tara W.
2nd prize $25 gift card: Christinebails
We will be contacting you via email to find out your preferred vendor and send your gift card.

Congrats, and we hope you all had a magical Valentine's Day!

Love Valentine's Day or hate it, we all deserve a special treat, to celebrate the day or just get through it. From February 10th until February 14th at 8:00 p.m., commenters on this post will be automatically entered to win that special something dear to every reader's heart - gift cards for books! We're offering two gift cards to you, our special Valentines, one for $50 and one for $25 to Barnes & Noble or Amazon. (Winner's choice!)

So tell us, Here Be Magic readers and lovers, what is something you enjoy about Valentine's Day? Is it more than just an excuse to eat chocolate?

Whatever it is, we want to hear about it! Three winners will be chosen at random and can go to U.S. residents or international readers.

Sponsored by Carina Press authors Christine Bell, David Bridger, Joely Sue Burkhart, Angela Campbell, Ruth A. Casie, Sharon Cullen, Seleste deLaney, Susan Edwards, PG Forte, Loribelle Hunt, Shona Husk, Jeffe Kennedy, Jane Kindred, Julia Knight, Barbara Longley, Linda Mooney, Janni Nell, Tia Nevitt, Nicole North, Cindy Spencer Pape, Jenny Schwartz, Veronica Scott, Keri Stevens, Eleri Stone, Dee Tenorio, Jody Wallace, Brenda Williamson, and Rebecca York

If you put your email address or Twitter handle in your comment, we can contact you, but we will also announce the winners on the blog and Tweet the winner’s names at 10:00 p.m. on February 14th (our twitter handle is @herebemagic if you want to follow along).

The winners will have three days to collect their prizes. If we do not receive a response, another entrant with a listed email address or Twitter handle will be chosen so that we can contact them directly.

So come tell us, what is the one thing that makes Valentine's Day fun for you?

Wishing you and yours much love and magic,

Here Be Magic Authors

Horses being silly--for a reason

2012-02-04T04:13:00.009-05:00

Next month, my new book, CAPRIOLE, will be out from Loose Id. Hooray! It's M/M and features Lipizzans based on this herd.

(No. No cover yet, sadly. I am anxiously waiting for it...)

Actually, for a much more detailed blog by a professional writer and breeder about using horses in fiction and for horsey worldbuilding ideas, I point you her posts on Book View Cafe. Me, I don't claim to be a horse girl. I never had a horse crazy stage. I rode a horse once in summer camp when I was maybe nine. I still don't know what color a bay or a roan is, though I do know that most "white" horses are actually gray.

And all this comes in handy when writing fantasy or historical, since so much of it includes horses, and horse details are so easy to get wrong even when you think you're right.

For a few ideas, I'll give you some Lipizzans in action.

Want to have a mischievous horse? The pose above is something the gelding started, and this mare, Tia, learned. A couple of the other mares can do this too. See the hay on the ground? This is where the horses get groomed and saddled, and we give them a bit of hay to keep them occupied. Tia and her buddies like to reach under the fence to get as much hay as they can reach. See the hose? The gelding has figured out if he tugs on it, he can get a mouthful of hay to come out with it.

Ahhh, nothing like a good roll, as Tia and Pandora like to do. Actually, Tia's down for a nap while Pandora is actually rolling, something all the horses like to do for several reasons. It provides a good stretch, it helps with itching, and the dirt helps to keep the flies from being so bothersome. In the summer we hose the horses off to keep them cool (in 100+ degrees, they ask for it,) and they usually go for a roll right afterwards and come up looking like paint ponies.

And here is my horse Carrma, the matriarch of the herd. That's Tia lying down for a snooze. She slept for about forty-five minutes that day. Horses sleep for around four hours a day, and while they can sleep standing up as their legs lock into place so they don't fall down, they do like to get the weight off their feet and will lie flat like Tia here (which panicked me the first time I saw it, because I thought the horse was sick or something.)

Or the horses will sleep curled up like Pandora is. And they don't often do it in front of humans unless they're totally comfortable. We had eight humans with the herd that day, and three horses decided to take a nap all at once, which means the horses really trusted us.

No, that image is not digitally enhanced to add the tongue. Camilla really is sticking her tongue out. It's a way for the horses to relax. Yawning doesn't mean they're tired--it means they're relaxed and releasing tension much the same way humans do. And if you see a horse lick and chew, it means they're happy.

Anyhoo. That's probably more than enough horse picture spam for today. If you have any horse questions, holler, and if I don't know I probably know who would.

All pictures copyright Evey Brett. Thanks. :>)

Flowers of Ancient Egypt

2012-02-03T01:46:00.000-05:00

One of the most poignant things I ever read was an account of a small bouquet of flowers found by archaeologists on the floor in the outer chambers of an ancient Egyptian pharaoh’s tomb. The romance writer in me always thinks about the poor woman mourning her beloved, leaving a last offering of wildflowers to accompany him into the afterlife, just before the tomb was sealed forever. What happened to her next?

We’ll never know…unless I write that story someday perhaps! Flowers don’t figure much in my book Priestess of the Nile, but they do appear in some of the other works in progress in the overall connected series. The Egyptians often wore flower garlands in life and in death or emulated them in precious stones such as coral and turquoise. King Tut’s mummy wore this floral collar:

And here’s another example, made with cornflowers, which has miraculously held its color for over 3000 years.

The Egyptians loved flowers, with the blue lotus of course being the most well known. A form of water lily, the lotus had its own feast day. People would sing songs to the flower and then walk to the Nile, holding a silver bowl shaped like a lotus, candle burning in the center. You made a wish and put your bowl in the river and if the candle continued to float and burn, you’d get your heart’s desire in the coming year.

It was said that a god or goddess was present if the lotus perfume was especially strong in the air. Many tomb paintings depict the human holding a lotus, to attract the gods, win their favor and thus make the person’s journey to the Afterlife smoother. Since water lilies open in the morning and close again at night, the Egyptians quite logically took the lotus as a symbol of rebirth and regeneration in the Afterlife.

A second plant of high importance to the Egyptians was the papyrus. Symbol of fertility and life itself, because of the way it grew in tremendous thickets along the Nile, the papyrus and its flowers was the most commonly used decorative element in the stylized architecture and other objects. The papyrus was the symbol for Lower Egypt, beginning around 2600 BC – almost 5000 years ago – as the civilization became complex, the first “step” pyramid was built and many of the governing structures of Egyptian life were established.

Around the time my book takes place, in 1500 BC, the Egyptians had begun depicting the lotus wrapped around the papyrus in their art. When papyrus was depicted with the lotus – symbol of Upper Egypt – the message was the unification of the two lands, under one Pharaoh.

The people of Ancient Egypt weren’t so different from you and me…and an appreciation of flowers as a romantic or symbolic gesture is one thing we definitely share! What’s your favorite flower to give or receive?

10 Realities You'll Never See in a Romance Novel

2012-02-02T05:00:00.000-05:00

Romance is a wonderful thing. Happily ever after, men who have sculpted chests and never gain weight, women who have perfect looks and lament their hourglass figures, and billionaires who father secret babies and happen to be sheiks on the side. And let’s not forget my personal favorite, supernatural hotties.

Look, I'm a rabid romance fan, but I can poke a little fun. I'm a huge reader as well as a writer, and I read romance because I love the happy endings the books guarantee. But hey, let's be honest. It's fiction, and to resolve the HEA (happily ever after), a few realities are often skirted in the telling of a good tale. But how funny would it be to read a “real” romance?

Here are a few realities I’d love to see in a romance novel, while knowing if I did read them, I’d laugh myself silly or most likely fail to finish the book. Still, the possibilities abound…

1. Heroes and heroines eating gourmet dishes with broccoli, pepper, or those other tricky foods that remain behind between teeth long after they’ve been consumed. Makes kissing someone with a big green thing that looks like it came from Mars between their teeth not quite so romantic.

2. The happy couple that goes for exotic food and never has gastric problems afterward. “Honey, what is that perfume you’re wearing?” “Oh, I like to call it eau de gas.”

3. Studly, well-groomed heroes who never scratch their asses or adjust themselves in public. Trust me, I was in a job surrounded by men. They ALL at one time or another itch that inappropriate place. As I’ve been told by my six year old when asked why he was messing with a particular area, “Because it’s sticking to me, Mom.” Yep. Apparently they stick.

4. The sick heroine who cries at that pivotal moment and looks beautiful while doing so. No snot, no blotchy skin, no red eyes. Just beautiful misery. Love it.

5. Heroines with natural size-D breasts, 24-inch waists, and 5 % body fat. Huh? Barbie ain’t real. It’s a fact her dimension are off.

6. Bachelor pads that might be dusty or messy, but that’s the extent of it. No mention of mold growing in a bathroom or bedrooms that smell like ass. (And you know, women can be messy too.)

7. Hot, passionate sex in the Amazon after the hero and heroine have gone days without bathing or shaving. Yeah, that’s sexy. Not

8. Historical romances where the heroine is over the age of twenty-six and has no odd facial hair. Not a whisker, lady ‘stache, or uni-brow in sight. Unless she’s a witch of course. Then it’s all, “Burn her at the stake!”

9. A hero who has an average sized penis. It’s always got to be monstrous, huge, thick, engorged, or just big. I’d love to read a book where the guy is average. Where six inches really does equal six inches. Art can imitate life… unless you’re living in an XX movie or a Marie Harte romance. (Haha)

10. Lastly, I just love when the hero gets the heroine an engagement ring on a passionate whim and it automatically fits. Or better yet, he buys her lingerie and estimates her size. “Er, yeah, saleslady.” He holds out his hands. “She’s this big.” Bingo! Here’s a guy who should definitely play the lottery.

What tropes do you wonder about when you read? I’m curious because I know I’ve missed some. And I just think a romance book that had all of the above would be more than comical. It would be a reality.But that’s just not something I want to plunk down my hard earned money to read. Still, it would make a terrific comedy.

Marie
Proud romance writer :)
blog | website

Valentine's Day Chocolate Truffles

2012-01-31T00:01:00.027-05:00

Valentine's Day is only a couple weeks away. Have you thought about your plan? Are you wondering what sweet you can get for your sweetie? Buying flowers and candy is the traditional thing, yet so cliche. Why not do something extra special like pick some flowers, even wildflowers will do. And if you're in snow country, there are still live plants out there that have flowers or pretty leaves. Next make your own chocolate confections. Here's a recipe for one decadent chocolate treat. Holds up well in the freezer, so it's perfect to make ahead.

Chocolate Truffles

8 ounces semi sweet chocolate chips

12 ounces milk chocolate chips

8 ounces cream cheese

2 ounces white melting chocolate
Red food coloring

Melt semi sweet chocolate.
Beat cream cheese adding melted chocolate until well blended.
Refrigerate until firm.
Shape into 4 dozen balls.

Melt milk chocolate chips.
Dip balls and sit on wax paper.

Melt white chocolate, add food coloring to desired pinkness.
Drizzle on coated balls.

Let dry and then transfer to container.
Freeze or refrigerate.

________________________________________________

Under Her Brass Corset

by Brenda Williamson

Available February 27, 2012

70,000 word Novel from Carina Press
Electronic ISBN: 978-14268-9329-2
Cover Art by: Croco Designs

When Abigail learns the truth, she and Jasper embark on a journey that will change both of their lives—and possibly the world...

_______________________

Brenda Williamson
~ Seductive in Any Era ~

Blog ~ An Eclectic Author
~ Enter to Win a $50 Jewelry Shopping Spree Giveaway ~

~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads ~ Naughty Author Chicks ~

Dressing the part

2012-01-30T09:00:00.000-05:00

So, I've been booking up my conferences for the year over here in Blighty. Lots to look forward to. At Easter, I'm off to the appropriately named Eastercon, one of the bigger fantasy cons in the UK. It'll be my third year, but this year, I'll be joining in a bit more than I have previously.

Because every year they have a big Ball, and it's dress to impress, steampunk style. After been shamed by my writers' group efforts last year, I'm actually going to give it a go, and if you knew what a scruff I am usually....But yes, I'm taking the plunge, as will my décolletage because it's corsets and bustles all the way! And possibly goggles, because I'm very tempted to go as a steampunk air pirate.

So, ladies and gents, what should I not be without? What do I need? Any tips on looking my best in steampunk?

.

Talking Up Books You Love

2012-01-27T07:30:00.003-05:00

I've read 3 fantasies this month and I enjoyed every single one of them. I think it was a record -- both how many I've finished (I don't have as much time to read now that I write, especially big meaty fantasies) and how much I enjoyed them. But the trick this time: these books were highly recommended by people I "know" online.

First up was Master of Crows by Grace Draven, recommended by @has_bookpushers on Twitter. If you like fantasy romance but dread the fluffy "fantasy lite" this is a really interesting book with memorable characters and a satisfying romance ending. For me personally, I could have used more steamy romance and even more magic details, but overall the book was well balanced and I enjoyed every moment of it.

The other two books I read this past weekend were The Cloud Roads and The Serpent Sea by Martha Wells, recommended by The Book Smugglers. The Cloud Roads was one of Ana's top 2011 picks - how could I resist? Wow, am I glad I gave these books a chance, because I totally gobbled them up. I loved the unique Raksura culture, both bird like and even insect like in a way. There are two different kinds of Raksura, one winged and one not. They remind me of bees or ants, with workers and the queen ensuring the survival of the colony.

My only complaint (and I say this lightly) is the romance aspect was pretty lacking. I mean, yeah, there is an important relationship between Jade and Moon, but it's not the focus of the book at all. This is solidly in the fantasy camp, and the characters just happen to end up together to continue the colony. The fantasy is so strong and rich, though, that I didn't mind the lack of romance at all.

I find myself still thinking about the Raksura, even a week later. I wonder how Jade will challenge Pearl to become the queen. When Moon and Jade will start their first clutch. What will happen at the other colony when their old queen dies. Ahhh, I love a book that lingers on and on!

I am still on the search for deep, rich, sexy romance AND detailed fantasy worldbuilding - so if you have recs, please shout them out!! What great books have you read lately that you're still thinking about?

Happy Australia Day!

2012-01-26T08:00:00.000-05:00

You'll be happy to hear I resisted buying the hot pants with the Australian flag printed across the butt. Trust me, my diet hasn't been so spectacular that anyone would want to see me wearing those! On the other hand, Australia Day does make me feel vaguely patriotic ... though I can do without all the fireworks. Fireworks, in the middle of bushfire season, seriously? Doesn't anyone else think this is a problem?

Fortunately, there is a perfect way to celebrate Australia Day and that is to sign up for the Australian Women Writers 2012 Reading and Reviewing Challenge. The details below are copied from the Australian Women Writers website, which is where you sign up. There is also a lively Goodreads group. So if you're looking for a reading challenge, or simply a readerly gossip, this is a great way to celebrate your Aussie-ness ... even if you don't live in Australia!

Australian Women Writers 2012 Reading and Reviewing Challenge

Keen on romance, fantasy, crime, YA, literary, mainstream women's fiction? Contemporary or historical? Memoir, other nonfiction or poetry?

Whatever your preference, whether you're a fan of one genre or a devoted eclectic, the 2012 Australian Women Writers Book Reading & Reviewing Challenge invites you to a year of encountering the best of Australian women's writing.

Objective: This challenge hopes to help counteract the gender bias in reviewing and social media newsfeeds that has continued throughout 2011. It actively promotes the reading and reviewing of a wide range of contemporary Australian women's writing throughout 2012, the National Year of Reading. (See the page on gender bias for recent discussions; also this page for the rationalebehind the challenge.)

Readers should approach this challenge with a spirit of willingness. There are no failures, just personal goals. Reviews can be long or short, favourable or "this book is not for me". Hopefully, along the way, you'll discover some future classics and perhaps a few surprises among genres we're not familiar with.

Challenge period:  1 January 2012 - 31 December 2012

Goal: Read and review books written by Australian women writers – hard copies, ebooks andaudiobooks, new, borrowed or stumbled upon by book-crossing.

Genre challenges:
Purist: one genre only
Dabbler: more than one genre
Devoted eclectic: as many genres as you can find

Challenge levels: Some readers have complained that the original challenge levels were too easy, so "casual" and "dedicated" levels have been added here.

Casual:
Stella (read 3 and review at least 2 books)
Miles (read 6 and review at least 3)*
Franklin-fantastic (read 10 and review at least 4 books)*
* The higher levels should include at least one substantial length review

Dedicated:
Some bookbloggers are combining the AWW2012 challenge with other challenges including Bookdout's Eclectic Reading Challenge, Booklover Book Reviews Aussie Author Challenge, and the GoodReads Aussie Readers' group's Aussie Author Challenge with a Twist. Others have set the goal of reading more books written by Australian women than they read in 2011. If you have another idea, please let us know.

Added option: WeLove2Read2. This page gives participants the option of a further challenge which could help redress the genre imbalance of the National Year of Reading's, Love2Read "Our Story" campaign (where only 18 out of the 48 books selected are written by women). Dedicated bookbloggers and reviewers are particularly invited to add this element to their challenge.

When Dreams Come True

2012-01-25T01:25:00.001-05:00

What happens when a dream actually comes true? This week has seen one of my lifetime dreams fulfilled – my first book , Priestess of the Nile, has been released by Carina Press! What I hadn’t anticipated was all the things that came in the wake of becoming a published author. First and foremost, I’ve met SO many lovely people – other authors, the folks at Carina (especially my editor Alison), bloggers, reviewers…and this week, the Readers!

Secondly I never had much internet presence before but now I’ve unleashed the total twitteraholic lurking inside me. Who knew? 11,000 tweets from @vscotttheauthor and counting….Follow me! LOL. And there again, on twitter I’ve made some wonderful friends, learned a lot of things, had thought provoking conversations on a myriad of topics.

If there is any downside to the dream fulfillment, maybe it’s the fact that I still have to slog to the day job. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a very good job, interesting, friendly people, worthy work, but now that I’ve tasted the life of a writer, WOW, do I want to be one of those full time. One of my favorite authors reminded me over the weekend that while Release Day is exciting, it’s just one day in the journey and you have to keep writing, keep editing, keep doing promo…and keep doing the day job. At least for now!

Merys, the heroine in Priestess of the Nile, had simple dreams, which she thought were beyond her grasp….until she met Sobek the Crocodile God in his human guise. Here’s a short excerpt:

“There was one man who had some interest in courting me—the new captain of the guard assigned to my village after the Nile floods last year.”

In the ensuing silence some night bird called loudly and flew away from the palm fronds above. The waves lapped at the beach and a breeze arose. Merys shivered. He wondered why she didn’t finish her story.

Bek reached out and put one hand under her chin, gently turning her face to him. He studied her. “But? You didn’t care for this man?”

“He was amiable, pleasing to look at and wellspoken. Educated. I didn’t dislike him.” She shrugged and bit her lip. “It would have been the answer to my prayers to have my own household, maybe children someday—” She broke off. He thought tears glistened in her eyes. She laid her head on her knees, facing away from him again, watching night hunting birds swoop over the river to catch insects. “The truth is I have no dowry.”

Rest assured, meeting Sobek puts new dreams into Merys’s heart…

When one of your major dreams in life came true, were there unexpected benefits? Or side effects that surprised you?

Come Listen to Authors Read Excerpts From Their Books!

2012-01-23T07:01:00.039-05:00

Every Monday night I host a radio show on Blog Talk Radio called "Other Worlds of Romance". During the 30 minute show, I have guest authors who write sci-fi, fantasy, and paranormal romances, and they read excerpts from their new releases. Sometimes it's bawdy, sometimes it's romantic, but it's always fun!

You can check out who my monthly lineup includes by checking out my own blog. I also advertise upcoming shows on my Twitter (Linda Mooney) and Facebook (Linda Mooney).

Come have a listen! You can park on the website and hit the Play button to listen, or you can come into the chat room where you can type questions and comments for the author to answer, or you can call in to talk directly to the author!

The show is on at 11 pm et/ 10 pm ct/ 8 pm pt. Come join us!

Top series I'd like to see on HBO

2012-01-21T10:30:00.000-05:00

I'm a big fan of HBO series. My favorites are True Blood, Game of Thrones and Boardwalk Empire. I think HBO does an incredible job of casting and producing complex multi-character worlds in a way that draws me into the story just like a good book. Here are my top three picks for other paranormal series I'd like to see on HBO.

1. Mercy Thompson Series by Patricia Briggs

I love this one because of the strength of the secondary character cast.

Who wouldn't like to see Adam and Samuel, Bran and Mercy walking around in the fascinating world Patricia Briggs has created?

2. Night Huntress Series by Jeaniene Frost

Interesting and flawed female lead and loads of action but when it really comes down to it, this pick is all about Bones.

3. Fever Series by Karen Marie Moning

Okay, so I've made no secret of the fact that this is one of my favorite series. It's very dark. The morality of the characters is...um, ambiguous at best. There's actually very little sex in the series but it's one of the sexiest series out there.

Which series would you like to see?

Fun Facts About Wonder Woman

2012-01-18T06:30:00.000-05:00

Melinda did fun facts about one influence for Amazon Heat, Amazon Mythology. Today, I'd like to focus on the other inspiration, Wonder Woman. Here are a few fun fact about this awesome super hero who kicks butt in an awesome pair of boots.

Wonder Woman was created by William Moulton Marston (the inventor of the polygraph).

Wonder Woman's alter ego is Diana Prince/Princess Diana of Themyscira.

Wonder Woman made her first appearance in December 1941 in All-Star Comics #8.

In creating her William Marston wanted to create a feminine character with all the strength of Superman plus all the allure of a good and beautiful woman.

Initially, Wonder Woman was an Amazon champion who wins the right to return Steve Trevor — a United States intelligence officer whose plane had crashed on the Amazons' isolated island homeland — to "Man's World" and to fight crime and the evil of the Nazis. Her origin story was later revamped to increase her Hellenic and mythological roots. She received the blessing of each deity in her crib, Diana is destined to become "beautiful as Aphrodite, wise as Athena, stronger than Hercules, and swifter than Mercury." Her origin was changed yet again in 2011 making her a demigod, the natural-born daughter of Hippolyta and Zeus

Wonder Woman had arsenal of powerful god-forged weapons at her disposal, but her signature weapons are her indestructible bracelets and the Lasso of Truth.

In the television show the bullet proof material the braclets were formed of was called 'Feminum'. In the comic books, it was called 'Amazonium'.

Wonder Woman spinning into costume was also solely a television fixture. She would spin her lasso around herself in the comic books to transform.

She depict her as a masterful athlete, acrobat, fighter and strategist, trained and experienced in many ancient and modern forms of armed and unarmed combat, including exclusively Amazonian martial arts.

In May 2011, Wonder Woman placed fifth on IGN's Top 100 Comic Book Heroes of All Time.

Who else loves Wonder Woman as much as we do? Do you have any fun facts to add to the list?

Amazon Heat was released on January 9, 2012 from Carina Press

2 years ago...
Driven by grief to find a cure for cancer, Elizabeth DeMarco left Logan Spencer to accept a position on a research expedition to the Amazon rainforest. Kidnapped by guerrillas, she was saved by a secret all-female civilization, the last of the ancient Amazons. But Elizabeth discovers she's traded one form of captivity for another.
Today...
Logan never stopped searching for Elizabeth. While consulting in the remote Brazilian interior near where she was kidnapped, Logan suffers what should be a fatal fall. Near death, he's collected by the Amazons and magically healed. Elizabeth is the first person he sees as he wakes.
But there's no time for a joyful reunion. The Amazons' mystical medicine is rapidly changing Logan. They want his DNA and plan to take it—and then kill him. Logan and Elizabeth must escape before dawn or Logan—and their second chance at happiness—is doomed.

Find Amazon Heat at Barnes and Noble, Amazon, and Carina Press.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wonder_Woman
http://www.wonderwoman-online.com/marston.html

Fun Facts about the Amazons by Melinda Leigh

2012-01-17T05:00:00.000-05:00

I'm letting my inner geek out to play today. When Rayna Vause and I teamed up to write Amazon Heat, we did some research and learned there are many versions and stories of the Amazons in Greek mythology. Here are some fun things you may not have known about the various legends.

The Amazons were a tribe of warrior women who kicked butt across Asia Minor.
In order to prevent their race from dying out, the Amazons, uhm, visited a neighboring tribe, the Gargareans. In some stories, male children from these liasons were killed. In others, the infants were delivered to their sires.
The Amazons didn't kill all the men they defeated. Some they took as slaves. In some legends, they used such males for, well, you know.
Amazons had their right breasts removed to ensure accurate aim with a bow. Can we have a collective ewww here?
One of the labors of Hercules was to acquire the girdle of the Amazon Queen.
Amazons are first mentioned in Homer's Iliad.
Marriage was seen as a sort of slavery to men and was prohibited.
The statue on the left is a depiction of an Amazon preparing for battle. Amazons were trained to fight hand-to-hand, with all weaponry, and on horseback.
Amazons remained virgins until they had killed three men, therefore proving themselves as warriors before they were allowed to reproduce.
The Amazons fought against the Greeks in the Trojan War.

Any other geeks out there? What are your favorite myths?

Amazon Heat was released on January 9, 2012 from Carina Press

Resources, Or Getting My Act Together

2012-01-16T07:00:00.005-05:00

I'm so much in 'it's a new year I have so much to do' mode that I'm having a hard time focusing on much other than working, but I'm trying to do it smarter than I have in the past. I start off with great energy and huge plans, peter out by summer, and end up taking off/wasting two months before I can get motivated again. Burn out is not fun lol.

Part of my problem is I write in spurts, part that I'm a pantser, and part that I have that dreaded author disease, WADD (Writer's Attention Deficit Disorder). Actually, I'm pretty scatterbrained under the best of circumstances so I guess I can't blame WADD. I'm trying to find ways to at least manage these issues.

1.Daily word count. I have to admit, I am not good at this. When I'm 'on' I write about 10k a week, but that's 2 or 3 days of a lot of writing and the rest of the week procrastinating. I'm aiming for a more consistent spread. 2k a day for 5 instead of 5k a day for 2. That's just exhausting. I stumbled on this spreadsheet on Twitter and hope it keeps me honest.

2.I don’t know if I can fix the pantsing "issue". I'm trying to do a very simple and vague outline. Wish me luck. I've found some useful tips in some of Holly Lisle's articles.

3.Which leaves me with the dreaded WADD. I don’t know if there's any hope for a cure for this affliction. There are too many stories to tell, too many characters whose voices are loud and demanding. This year I'm going to try to work on 2 projects at a time instead of flitting from one to another and back again. Unfortunately, I haven't found any helpful suggestions for pulling that off yet lol!

And since I'm talking resources (and organizing mine) here's a few cool links:

reference.com
etymonline.com
10,000 Words A Day
idiomsite.com
Most Common US Surnames

And just for fun:
6 Ways Crows Are Smarter Than You Think

~~~~~~~~~~

Kiss of Twilight
Dark Bonds 2

Dupree Jackson is everything a senior soldier of the Order of Templar should be. Cold. Unbreakable. A master at arms in the fight against demons. But as a hybrid, Dupree is beginning to lose himself to the demon half of his soul. One woman has the power to save him. If he lets her.

Kara Stone wants two things in life: to be merged with a demon so that she can become a full member of the Order; and Dupree Jackson. She knows they are meant to be together, if only Dupree would love her back.

Though his desire for Kara is undeniable, Dupree’s need to protect her is stronger. Not wanting to see her merge, to face the internal struggle he deals with every day, he refuses to bond with her. But when Kara becomes a target and uncovers a dark secret about her past, Dupree may no longer have a choice…

Available at Carina Press, Amazon and Barnes & Noble

~~~~~~~~~~

Loribelle is a former Army MP who traded in her combat boots for motherhood, flip flops, and all the Diet Coke she can drink. (She almost misses the combat boots.) She’s the author of more than 20 books, herder of three energetic children, and an occasional sun worshipper.

Loribelle can be found at her website, Twitter, or Facebook.