Kathy Kulig's Passion Sense

The Sensual World of Veronica Tower

2013-05-25T01:00:00.000-04:00

Welcome Veronica Tower to the HOT and Sexy Paranormal Memorial Day Giveaway Event.

Veronica is offering a free copy of Healing. Her sexy and mysterious, paranormal story.

Welcome to the Passion Sense Blog, VeronicaTower. Visitors, if you like what you read, please check out their books at:

Red Rose Publishing

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Kathy Kulig: Hello, Veronica, Please tell us something about yourself, where you’re from, and how you became a writer.

Veronica Tower: Thanks for having me on your blog today, Kathy. It’s always hard to know where to begin with this whole How did you become a writer? question. I guess it started when I was sitting on my mother’s lap listening to her read to me. I’ve always had a very active imagination and enjoyed putting myself into the plots of the books we were reading. It was a very short step to making up my own stories. Eventually I got to the point where I wanted to share them with other people enough that I was willing to risk the pain of rejection and start submitting to publishers. Thirty books and stories later I can’t imagine not writing.

Kathy Kulig: What paranormal elements and characters do you incorporate in your stories? Who are your favor paranormal creatures—Vampires, werewolves, demons, etc.?

Veronica Tower: Healing is my first paranormal story and it focuses on a young man with the power to cure disease and repair physical injuries through the magic of sexual union. I hope that isn’t a spoiler. It’s an erotic romance after all so I figure anyone who reads the book blurb will figure out sex has to be involved in the cure. As in most paranormal stories, power isn’t an unadulterated good so there’s a lot more to this tale than fixing my heroine’s broken spine. Get ready for a tense and sexy ride.

As to paranormal creatures, what don’t I like? In the right hands, vampires, werewolves, fae and angels can all be so sexy and intriguing. I’m looking forward to seeing what other books you spotlight on this paranormal weekend so I can try out some new authors.

Kathy Kulig: What are you working on at the moment? New release coming up?

Veronica Tower: My next paranormal book will most likely be a werewolf story. I’ve been playing with the plot for a few months now. My next release from Ellora’s Cave is a very hot science fiction book called Jewel.

Kathy Kulig: Where can readers find out about you and your books?

Veronica Tower: My website is at veronicatower.com. I’d love to have everyone visit.

Kathy Kulig: Thank you for interviewing today on my Passion Sense Blog. Good luck with Healing and Jewel sounds like an awesome story too! We look forward to having you back.

Coming next to the Paranormal Memorial Day Giveaway Event:

Sunday(26^th): Irene Petersen http://www.irenepeterson.com

Monday(27^th): Lexi Post www.lexipostbooks.com

Tuesday(28^th): Caridad Pineiro www.caridad.com

Wednesday(29th): Chris Redding www.chrisreddingauthor.com

Thursday(30^th): Eileen Watkins www.efwatkins.com

Drawings for prizes will be over the weekend. Each other will contact the winners. Please leave an email if you’d like to be included in the drawings.

Paranormal Memorial Day Celebration - Shelley Munro's Shifters

2013-05-24T01:00:00.000-04:00

Welcome Shelley Munro to the HOT and Sexy Paranormal Memorial Day Giveaway Event.

Leave a comment and email for a chance to WIN a Free eBook of Cat and Mouse. Visitors, if you like what you read, please check out Shelley’s books at:

EC https://www.ellorascave.com/author/shelley-munro/

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Shelley-Munro/e/B001JOWGNK

All Romance ebooks http://www.allromanceebooks.com/storeSearch.html?searchBy=author&qString=Shelley+Munro

Shelley Munro http://www.shelleymunro.com/books

Kathy Kulig: Hello, Shelley. Please tell us something about yourself, where you’re from, and how you became a writer.

Shelley: I live in New Zealand with my husband and a rambunctious puppy called Bella. A huge reader all my life, writing seemed a natural progression, although it took me a while to get serious. First boys distracted me and then, once I married, my husband and I went to the UK and spent time working and traveling. Six years in fact. One day I woke up and decided if I didn’t start writing soon, I’d never start. It was a turning point for me, and I haven’t looked back!

Kathy Kulig: What paranormal elements and characters do you incorporate in your stories? Who are your favor paranormal creatures—Vampires, werewolves, demons, etc.?

Shelley: I adore feline shifters, although I have written a couple of werewolves. My Middlemarch Mates series features mainly leopard shifters. I enjoy the sleek, powerful bodies of felines, their grace and sneakiness. They’re often loners but when they find the right woman—wow!

Kathy Kulig: What are you working on at the moment? New release coming up?

Shelley: I’m in the planning stages of a new series—a spinoff from my current Middlemarch Mates series. The big, bad kitties are heading off-planet and the new series will take place in the future.

I also have a contemporary romance called Past Regrets coming out in September from Samhain Publishing.

Kathy Kulig: Where can readers find out about you and your books?

My website is http://www.shelleymunro.com

My blog is http://www.shelleymunro.com/blog

My twitter is http://www.twitter.com/ShelleyMunro

My facebook is http://www.facebook.com/ShelleyMunroAuthor

Kathy Kulig: Thank you for interviewing today on my Passion Sense Blog. Good luck with your Middlemarch Mates spinoff and we look forward to having you back.

Don't forget to check out AC James Sizzling Hot Memorial Day Giveaway this week for more eBook giveaways http://acjamesbooks.blogspot.com/

If you’d like a chance to win a copy of Cat and Mouse, leave a comment for Shelley.

Next on the HOT and Sexy Paranormal Memorial Day Event:

Saturday(25^th): Veronica Tower

Sunday(26^th): Irene Peterson
Monday(27^th):Lexi Post
Tuesday(28^th): Caridad Pineiro
Wednesday(29th): Chris Redding
Thursday(30^th): Eileen Watkins

Naked Statues with Berengaria Brown

2013-05-23T01:00:00.000-04:00

Welcome Berengaria Brown to the HOT and Sexy Paranormal Memorial Day Giveaway Event.

Welcome to the Passion Sense Blog BerengariaBrown. Visitors, if you like what you read, please check out her books at: https://www.ellorascave.com/index.php/authors/index/author/slug/berengaria-brown/

Kathy Kulig: Hello, Berengaria. Please tell us something about yourself, where you’re from, and how you became a writer.

Berengaria: My father had to watch me when I was very small and my Mom was ill. So he taught me to read. Thus I was a reader long before I was a writer. Then one day I had no books to read so I began to write one. I finished it, sent it to a publisher, and still had no books to read, so I began writing another one. The rest, as they say, is history.

Kathy Kulig: What paranormal elements and characters do you incorporate in your stories? Who are your favor paranormal creatures—Vampires, werewolves, demons, etc.?

Berengaria: Mostly werewolves. I have quite a few werewolf books (at a different publisher). I also have some dragon shapeshifters (at a different publisher) as well. But any shapeshifter fascinates me, hence these statues, which are not only naked, but also different.

Kathy Kulig: What are you working on at the moment? New release coming up?

Berengaria: Sadly, right now, the day job is sucking all the energy from me. I have vacation booked for September so I hope to sit on a beach and write then.

Kathy Kulig: Where can readers find out about you and your books? http://berengariasblog.blogspot.com/

http://berengariabrown.com/

Friend me on Facebook:

Follow me on Twitter:

Kathy Kulig: Thank you for interviewing today on my Passion Sense Blog. Good luck with writing during your vacation and we look forward to having you back.

“Naked Statues”: Blurb

A series of naked, well-endowed statues in the Botanical Gardens encourages lovers Fleur, Ricky and Heath to indulge in some hot, naughty public sex. But there’s more to these statues than rock-hard abs…

Lily and Flynn have been trapped inside a statue since last Halloween. When a mischievous god with a love of all things sexual swaps them for the trio of lovers, can the strength of their love set them all free?

Excerpt PG13

“Oh my goodness! Now this one I like,” laughed Fleur, climbing up the steps onto a statue in the Botanical Gardens. She slid between the legs of the man of stone and rested her mouth over its extra large penis.

“This one’s so much better endowed than the angel with the long, curly hair we saw over there a ways.”

Ulric snapped a photo of her on his phone, saying, “Sweetie, that was no angel. That was Eros, and trust me, his behavior is said to be anything but angelic!”

“I wouldn’t expect anything else from the God of Love and Sex!” She jumped down from the statue to look at the photo with him. Meanwhile Heath had kept walking, his gaze on a statue down a short pathway on their right.

“Hey, Ricky, you’ll like this one better, I promise,” called Heath.

Fleur ran to see what Heath was looking at and Ulric ambled along behind his two partners. He loved them both equally, and as a triad they had some spectacular sex, but he didn’t always understand their thought patterns. Especially Fleur’s. He grinned, remembering when he first met them. He’d hated having to go to that charity dinner. Then the three had all been left sitting at the table when their tablemates got up to dance. They’d started talking, and the relationship had exploded from there.

While the idea of spending a sunny Saturday afternoon walking around the Botanical Gardens was totally not his scene, Fleur had wanted to come, Heath was agreeable, and as Ricky hadn’t had any better ideas of things to do, here they were. Besides, he was amused at Fleur’s enthusiastic explanation that the trip to the gardens was all about their names. She’d said Fleur was French for flower, and Heath was a kind of plant, and gardens always had flowers and plants. Also, Ulric means wolf and she’d heard a statue of a wolf was to be found in the gardens. Maybe next weekend we’d better go to the zoo. Ricky grinned to himself and caught up to the others. Heath was staring up at a statue of a woman wearing nothing much, with one huge breast exposed.

“Climb up and kiss it, Heath, and I’ll take your photo,” called Fleur.

Heath shrugged the backpack off his shoulders and took a run up to the statue, catching hold of her elbows and kissing the breast, before dropping back to the ground.

The three laughed over the rather blurry photo on Fleur’s phone, then Heath picked up his backpack and they continued walking along the little path, which took another turn.

“We seem to be walking around this neverending hedge-thing. I wonder what it is,” commented Fleur.

Still another turn took them to the opening in the hedge and a sign.

“It’s a maze! Oh, awesome. Come on,” called Fleur, running inside. “Right or left?”

Ricky scanned the sign, but there was no key to the maze there. “Likely we’ll be stuck here for a hundred years, slowly starving and turning into skeletons,” he wailed in as mournful a voice as he could manage.

“Our bones will be found by archeologists on a dig in the year 2100,” added Heath in a sepulchral tone.

But Fleur just laughed, turning right and left as they meandered through the maze.

Buy Link: http://www.ellorascave.com/naked-status.html

Who’s coming up?

Friday(24^th): Shelley Munro http://www.shelleymunro.com/books

Saturday(25^th): Veronica Tower veronicatower.com

Sunday(26^th): Irene Peterson http://www.irenepeterson.com

Monday(27^th): Lexi Post www.lexipostbooks.com

Tuesday(28^th): Caridad Pineiro www.caridad.com

Wednesday(29th): Chris Redding www.chrisreddingauthor.com

Thursday(30^th): Eileen Watkins www.efwatkins.com

Drawings for prizes will be over the weekend. Each other will contact the winners. Please leave a comment and an email if you’d like to be included in the drawing for Naked Statues.

Naima Simone Brings Us a Winged Alpha Male

2013-05-22T01:00:00.000-04:00

Welcome Naima Simone to the HOT and Sexy Paranormal Memorial Day Giveaway Event.

Welcome to the Passion Sense Blog NaimaSimone. Visitors, if you like what you read, please check out her books at:

Ellora’s Cave

Amazon:

Barnes and Noble

BTW, today I’m a guest over at A.C. James Blog and will be giving away 2 copies of Desert of the Damned

**Kathy Kulig: Hello, Naima. Please tell us something about yourself, where you’re from, and how you became a writer.

Naima Simone: Hi, Kathy! Let’s see… I’m a wife, mother and twin (the smarter and nicer one!) who is a Northern—or Yankee, depending on who you’re asking—transplant to the south. I’m Vin Diesel’s secret lover and Donnie Wahlburg’s true love. And that previous sentence should explain how and why I became a writer. LOL! I started writing when I was young. In my first romance the hero was Ralph Tresvant from New Edition, and I was the heroine. Since then I’ve taken the stories out from under the mattresses, the plots have become less shallow—I hope—the writing better—I hope—but the happily-ever-afters are still amazing!

Kathy Kulig: What paranormal elements and characters do you incorporate in your stories? Who are your favor paranormal creatures—Vampires, werewolves, demons, etc.?

Naima Simone: I love adding a variety of mythical species and races in books. Kind of like watching Clash of the Titans and waiting for the next harpy, Pegasus or Medusa to appear so I could ooh and aah over it. In my erotic paranormal romance, Under His Wings, my hero is a hippogryph—yes, like Buckbeak! LOL! Hopefully, he’s sexier! *grin* As far as fave paranormal creatures? I love them all! Vampires, wolves, dragons, griffins… They bring their own strengths, power and weaknesses that make for awesome stories!

Kathy Kulig: What are you working on at the moment? New release coming up?

Naima Simone: I’m working on the second book in the Dark Judgment series called Bitten by Ecstasy. It’s in edits now so I’m hoping for a late summer release from Ellora’s Cave Publishing. My next upcoming release is a romantic suspense with Entangled Publishing. It’s titled Secrets and Sins: Gabriel and is set for release on June 24^th, my birthday! I’ll be twenty-five again, and what better birthday gift? LOL! Gabriel is available for pre-order now!

Kathy Kulig: Where can readers find out about you and your books?

Wesbite: http://www.naimasimone.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Naima_Simone

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/naima.simone.3?ref=tn_tnmn

Kathy Kulig: Thank you for interviewing today on my Passion Sense Blog. Good luck with Bitten by Ecstasy and Gabriel and we look forward to having you back.

Naima Simone: Thanks, Kathy! And thanks for inviting me to your blog! Happy Memorial Day!

Who’s next?

Thursday(23^rd): Berengaria Brown

Friday(24^th): Shelley Munro

Saturday(25^th): Veronica Tower

Sunday(26^th): Irene Peterson

Monday(27^th): Lexi Post

Tuesday(28^th): Caridad Pineiro

Wednesday(29th): Chris Redding

Thursday(30^th): Eileen Watkins
~~~~~
Leave a comment with your email if you'd like a chance to WIN a copy of Under His Wings.

Paranormal Memorial Day Author Jocelyn Dex

2013-05-21T01:00:00.000-04:00

Welcome Jocelyn Dex to the HOT and Sexy Paranormal Memorial Day Giveaway Event.

Visitors, if you like what you read, please check out Jocelyn's books, see links below. And leave a comment for a chance to WIN a copy of Araya's Addiction. Don't forget to check out A.C. James blog for her Sizzling, Hot Memorial Day posts this week for other author giveaways too!

Jocelyn Dex: Thanks for having me! You can find Araya’s Addiction, my first erotic paranormal romance at:

Amazon * Ellora’s Cave * Barnes & Noble * ARe

Kathy Kulig: Hello, Jocelyn. Please tell us something about yourself, where you’re from, and how you became a writer.

Jocelyn Dex: Well, I was born and raised in Iowa but I live in Texas now. My mother got me into reading Harlequin romances many years ago and one day, being the snooping kid I was, I looked under her bed and found a manuscript. It was hers! I read it, loved it, and have had the writing bug ever since.

Kathy Kulig: What paranormal elements and characters do you incorporate in your stories? Who are your favorite paranormal creatures—Vampires, werewolves, demons, etc.?

Jocelyn Dex: I have a thing for demons. Not sure why but I just love reading demon romances so that’s what I write. My current series, unnamed as of now, is about Sempire Demons. Sempires require semen to survive. Now, that might sound like straight erotica or even porn, but it’s not. My stories have an emotional, romantic element and an HEA is always there to give you that “awwww” feeling.

Kathy Kulig: What are you working on at the moment? New release coming up?

Jocelyn Dex: Araya’s Addiction was my first book in the world of Sempires. Valia’s Villain was just recently accepted for publication and the third book in the series, unnamed as of yet, is being considered. I’m very excited about all of it. I love the characters, their emotions, and how they find their HEAs. I also just submitted an erotic contemporary short to an anthology. Fingers crossed.

Kathy Kulig: Where can readers find out about you and your books?

Jocelyn Dex: Website * Facebook * Twitter * Blog * Goodreads

Kathy Kulig: Thank you for interviewing today on my Passion Sense Blog. Good luck with Valia’s Villain and we look forward to having you back.

Jocelyn Dex: Thank you for having me, Kathy!

Hot ‘n Sexy Paranormal Memorial Day (Week) Celebration

2013-05-20T21:35:00.001-04:00

Hot ‘n Sexy Paranormal Memorial Day/ Week Giveaways

This week I’m taking part in a multi-author giveaway at A.C. Jamesblog. Check out the other amazing authors she’s hosting and their book giveaways.

Here at the Passion Sense Blog we’re joining the fun by celebrating the upcoming holiday weekend by hosting paranormal authors and giving away FREE paranormal books. Any excuse for a party and free books, right? TWO places to meet some of the hottest authors in the genre and win books!

Sexy Paranormal and Urban Fantasy writer A.C. James invited me to participate in her Memorial Day Giveaway this Wednesday, May 22^nd for her Sizzling Hot Memorial Day Giveaway http://acjamesbooks.blogspot.com/ http://www.acjames.com/ and, since I’m a huge paranormal fan, I couldn’t resist joining in.
Starting tomorrow, AC James will be kicking it off with Amazon Top 100 Best Seller Indie author R.E. Butler with author interviews and giveaways. Check out A.C. James’ blog for a chance to WIN several prizes this week.
*My interview is Wednesday, May 22^nd. Check it out and leave a comment for a chance to WIN one of two copies of Desert of the Damned.
Here’s the line-up of great authors at A.C. James blog:
             Tuesday - R.E. Butler http://rebutler.wordpress.com/
             Wednesday - Kathy Kulig http://www.kathykulig.com
             Thursday - Robin Woods http://www.robinwoodsfiction.com/
             Friday - Erica Stevens http://ericasteven.blogspot.com/

Here’s the latest update for Authors scheduled for Kathy Kulig’s Blog this week for interviews and Giveaways: Leave a comment with email and drawings will be held next week.

I’ll be giving away a copy of Damned and Defiant

Tuesday (21^st): Jocelyn Dex http://www.jocelyndex.com/

Wednesday(22^nd): Naima Simone http://naimasimone.com/

Thursday(23^rd): Berengaria Brown http://berengariabrown.com/

Friday(24^th): Shelley Munro http://www.shelleymunro.com/books

Saturday(25^th): Veronica Tower veronicatower.com

Sunday(26^th): Irene Peterson http://www.irenepeterson.com

Monday(27^th): Lexi Post www.lexipostbooks.com

Tuesday(28^th): Caridad Pineiro www.caridad.com

Wednesday(29th): Chris Redding www.chrisreddingauthor.com

Thursday(30^th): Eileen Watkins www.efwatkins.com

Drawings for prizes will be over the weekend. Each other will contact the winners. Please leave an email if you’d like to be included in the drawings.

I’ll be giving away a copy of Damned and Defiant

***Tell me what paranormal creatures to you prefer: Vampires, Werewolves, Demons, Shapeshifters or others??? Leave a comment at any post this week to be included in the drawing for a copy or Damned and Defiant or any book from my list. That's in addition to the guest authors' giveaway. Drawing will be done some time next week. Thanks for visiting.

Healthy Writer Isn't an Oxymoron

2013-05-19T09:28:00.000-04:00

A successful writer doesn't have to sacrifice good health.

The image of a writer is one who spends hours and hours hunched over their computer screen, drinking ginormous amounts of coffee and eating whatever is fast and usually not very nutritious. Exercise? What writer has time for exercise when a deadline is looming?

A writing career carries a ton of stress. Especially with all the changes in the publishing world today, it’s difficult for a writer to decide which path to take in her career. Prolific writers seem to get ahead of the pack, but if you have family, young children, a full time job, the pressure of being prolific becomes even more stressful. Unfortunately, what suffers is a writer’s health.

Symptoms of an Unhealthy Writer:

· Frequently sick with colds, stomach bugs

· Headaches and/or migraines

· Insomnia

· Edgy and depressed

· Increased weight issues

· Increase blood pressure

· Low energy level

· Muscle and back pain

To be a successful writer, you have to write consistently, focus on goals, be persistent and positive, continue to grow and improve as a writer, schedule time to write.

To be a healthy writer, you have to be consistently health conscious, plan ahead, schedule writing times and healthy times(eat healthy and exercise) into your daily schedule. Change and adapt new habits slowly for the greatest success.

Here are a few Healthy Writer Tips:

EXERCISE: Exercise isn’t a dirty word. Exercise at ALL ages is important for good health. Do you have to join an expensive gym? No, but you need to be consistent and schedule the time. One hour is only 4% of your day. No excuses! Start slow and work up.

· If you have a day job, go to the gym or do a workout right after work or before you start your job (get up an hour earlier). If you plan your meals ahead of time, you can make 30 minutes dinners after your workout.

· Keep a variety of exercise videos at home. Email me and I can give you some great suggestions (kathykulig(at)rcn(dot)com).

· If you’re a full time writer, schedule your exercise daily. Let’s say at 10 AM, you take a break from writing, go for a 30 minute walk/jog, and do some strength training with hand weights, or 30 minutes of yoga for flexibility and toning.

· Strengthening your core with exercises like yoga, pilates, plank exercises. This will tone muscles especially your abdomen, back and over all muscles and build stability. Notice how older people have frequent falls? Not as often when you have strong muscles. http://www.wikihow.com/Perform-the-Plank-Exercise

· Keep hand weights at your desk and take frequently breaks to stretch and do arm lifts. http://www.womenshealthmag.com/fitness/sexy-arms-for-summer

· Meditation is also good for good health. 10-15 minutes of calming the mind can do a world of good to refocus and distress.

EATING: We’ve become a fast-food/processed/high calorie world with our constantly moving lives. Planning ahead and making gradual changes toward good eating habits NOT DIETING is the best method for a healthy lifestyle and a healthy writer. Balance and portion is the key. Try different foods, snack less, eat smaller portions. Don’t eliminate your favorites, just don’t eat tons of them. You know that lean protein, fresh vegetables and fruit and whole grains are healthy. Build your meals around these. Avoid fad diets.

· Make substitutions. 1 cup of whole milk has 157 calories and 9 grams of fat. Buttermilk has 99 calories and 2.2 grams of fat. Almond milk (unsweetened) has 30 calories and 2.5 grams of fat. For lunch or breakfast, I make a protein smoothie. I can drink this at my desk while I write. http://myshakeology.com/esuite/home/kathykulig

· Chicken breasts can be large. Cut it in half. Eat half for dinner and have the other have with a salad for lunch the next day.

· Make your own dressings. Use buttermilk for creamy dressings. Olive oil and different flavored vinegars like tarragon or balsamic. Add spices. Add a little Stevia or Truvia for a slight sweetness.

· Avoid sodas, diet or regular. Bad!

· Watch out for the “healthy” snacks and cereals with hidden high fat or high sugar contents.

· Make a pitch of lemon water and keep it in your refrigerator. Juice of one lemon to 1-2 quarts of water and one packet of Stevia or Truvia. Can also slice up cucumber, sliced orange, or strawberries, add mint leaves. Lemon helps detox your liver.

· Read labels. That “low fat” dressing for your healthy salad may have 11 grams of sugar in it.

· Write down what you eat for one week. REALLY, do this! You may be surprised how much mindless eating you do between meals, at your computer and late at night.

· Try different recipes using fresh food. I check out online sources like http://www.allrecipes.com and http://www.cookinglight.com/

· I’m having fun trying out Mediterranean recipes. My parents recently returned from a trip to Greece and Turkey and I like the healthy eating recipes. They also brought back some olive oil and saffron.

Here’s one recipe I recently tried that was yummy. If you want to check out other Mediterranean recipes check out this site. http://the-mediterranean-diet.com/ I get their email newsletter and it comes with great recipes.

Mediterranean Cod Pouches (video: http://the-mediterranean-diet.com/mediterranean-cod-pouches-really-healthy-2 )

400 degree oven

Ingredients:

Green beans ¼ C. Fresh Italian parsley, chopped

Garlic, 1 clove, minced             ¾ C. Cherry tomatoes, halved
1 lemon                                      1 tsp. lemon zest
2 T. Kalamata olives, chopped    2 T. green olives, chopped
2 (6 oz.) Cod filets                       4 minced anchovies (optional)
Extra virgin olive oil                    salt and pepper

-Combine garlic, olives, anchovies, lemon zest, tomatoes, parsley, a pinch of salt and pepper, drizzle with a little olive oil.

-On two sheets of foil, lay out a handful of trimmed green beans. On top add ½ of the tomato mixture. Place the fish on top and drizzle with an little olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Add two slices of lemon on top. Fold and seal foil.

-Bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes.

The Pleasures of Cris Anson's Mercy & Redemption

2013-05-14T01:00:00.000-04:00

The Latest in the Redemption Series

Blurb:

Searching in an old cemetery for likely gravestones to illustrate her colonial cookbook, Mercy Howe meets two hunks who are tracing their ancestry. And sparks fly. Literally.

When Mercy casually touches Seth and Adam, her vividly erotic vision involving all three of them feels like a memory, not a dream, and awakens long-dormant sexual urges. With their kisses achingly familiar, she welcomes each in turn into her body. Then she spends a no-holds-barred weekend with both men in her bed and discovers an intimacy—and a past—that blows her mind.

As memories resurface from three hundred years ago, Mercy will have to choose whether to relive the experiences from their joint past or forge a new bond with either Seth or Adam. Or both.

Excerpt:

She’d been acutely aware of Seth’s presence as he alternately followed or preceded her through the downstairs, aware of the piney, masculine scent of him, of the way his clothes hugged his lean body. Aware that they had deliberately refrained from brushing against each other in doorways.

Aware of the stark desire in his deep, dark eyes, the bulge in his jeans that he did nothing to hide.

Just last night she’d allowed a complete stranger to take greater liberties with her body than she’d ever encountered in her thirty-five years of existence. And tonight she was contemplating even more with another stranger.

If Seth knew about her encounter with Adam, would he think her a slut? Did she think she was?

No. Today’s woman was as emancipated as today’s man. If she wanted it, she should go for it.

And she wanted Seth. No guesswork about it.

They moved simultaneously, halting a mere inch apart. “Mercy. I want to kiss you.”

The cream seeping through Mercy’s panties threatened to make a dark patch on the faded denim of her shorts. Maybe he wouldn’t notice. Maybe he would notice and would welcome its appearance.

Maybe she should stop overthinking this and just lean a hairsbreadth forward…

Their lips met softly. Mercy’s eyelids fluttered downward at the contact. Nothing but lips brushing together then melding to each other with mouths closed. For a long moment she savored the sweetness, the luxury of it, unhurried, nascent, fragile. Then she felt the gentle stroke of a finger on her cheek, tracing the line of her jaw, her throat, felt the soft exhalation of his breath against her skin.

She needed more than a chaste kiss. Somehow she knew Seth could give her more, much more than this baby step. Tentatively she opened her mouth, allowed her tongue to explore the seam of his lips.

On a groan he grabbed her upper arms with strong hands and brought her body into full contact with his, chest to breasts, hips to hips, thighs to thighs. His cock, hot and hard behind his jeans, pressed into her belly. His mouth opened to receive her tongue, and then his tongue was stroking hers, thrusting and receding, demanding her response.

Mercy replied by snaking her arms around his waist, undulating her hips to deepen the contact and declare her intentions. Skin to skin, that’s what she needed. This reckless feeling he aroused in her was new, made her bold, knowing. Her hands slid down to his firm butt, which at the first touch she decided was world-class. She grabbed his round ass cheeks and kneaded them, bent her knees to rub her body up and down against his. She couldn’t get enough of the feel of him, hot and hard and…here. Finally. After how many lifetimes—

“Mercy,” he moaned, “I want you. God, I’ve thought of nothing but you since we met. But—”

Suddenly, inexplicably, he withdrew, holding her at arms’ length to look into her eyes, chest heaving with his ardor. “Mercy, I’m sorry. I was out of line. I don’t want you to think you’re merely a notch on any bedpost of mine.” He took a deep breath. “I want to spend time with you, to get to know you. You’re somebody special, I already know that, and I don’t want to blow it.”

Mercy smiled, licked her lips while staring deeply into those dark-chocolate eyes. Eyes she’d stared into before, somehow she just knew she had. “Seth, everything you’ve just said to me was a negative—‘I’m sorry.’ ‘I don’t want this.’ ‘I don’t want that’.” She shook her head. “What I don’t want is…”

When she didn’t continue, he blew out a breath. “What?”

“I don’t want you to hold back. I want you to follow whatever urges you—”

He ground out an oath, thrust his hands under her armpits and lifted her several inches from the floor. “That worktable. The first time, it has to be in front of the fireplace.”

A scant moment later, Mercy found her ass plunked on the table as Seth bent her backward to position her on the scarred and weathered oak, then hoisted her legs to wrap around his hips, with him curved above her, overwhelming her mouth with the intensity of his kisses.

Seth had no clue how this sudden inspiration—desperation—had flared into his consciousness. He only knew that he had to have her on that table. Never in his life had he performed such an impetuous act. Never had he so disrespected a woman, treating her like a thing to be ravished.

He only knew that he had to have her—now.

Lifting his head, he searched her eyes. They held a matching desperation. For him. Mercy’s pupils were so dilated with lust the startling blue had all but disappeared. Her mouth was swollen from his plundering. Sweat beaded at her hairline, rolled down her temple.

He kissed his way down her throat, down the center of her chest. That flimsy scrap of clothing had to go. Buttons. He had to unbutton the front placket. His fingers felt encased in cement. Grabbing the soft fabric, he pulled. Buttons pinged on the oak, on the floor. Relishing the sight of that creamy expanse of skin, he bent his head to her exposed breast, sucking one hard nipple fully into his mouth, foreplay be damned. He felt as though he couldn’t get enough of her firm, pillowy flesh. As though he needed to consume her totally.

Mercy’s head thrashed from side to side on the unyielding oak. Her thighs tightened their grip on his hips. Small mewls of pleasure erupted from her throat, sexy sounds that egged him on. He shifted to her other breast, giving it like treatment as his fingers pinched the nipple of the first one, still wet and turgid from his mouth.

More. He needed more of her. All of her. Now. Or he’d die.

Buy Mercy and Redemption: Ellora’s Cave Amazon Barnes & Noble

Find Cris Anson’s World:

http://www.crisanson.com/index.html

http://crisansonspassions.blogspot.com/

https://www.facebook.com/cris.anson

Steal Me Away, Cerise Deland

2013-05-08T01:00:00.000-04:00

Cerise Deland, one of my fav authors is having a release today! May 8^th: Steal Me Away from Ellora’s Cave. If you like sexy historical erotic romances, check this one out.

Blurb:

Fancy Turner knows it isn’t wise to hunger for the touch of the virile Comanche chief, Bull Elk. She should catch a husband from among the few men who returned to Texas after the Civil War. But tall, bronze Bull Elk, in his feathers and buckskin, is so handsome—and forbidden.

When Bull Elk charges onto the ranch one morning and catches Fancy up in his arms, he knows he risks the anger of his own braves and the fury of the long knives to have her. He’ll risk everything to twist her golden hair in his fist, to caress the pale swell of her breast as no man has before him. He’ll have Fancy as his wife even if he has to fight his own people to make it so.

Excerpt:

Fancy Turner and her sister are outside picking vegetables and flowers one spring morning. They argue about men and the losses during the Civil War. Suddently, Fancy’s sister points to the hill above them.

“Francine!” Collette screamed. “Don’t go! Look up at the hilltop!”

Fancy whirled to her left, one hand up to shield her vision from the glaring sun—she stood stark still. There on the ridge stood a party of half-naked mounted Comanche braves. A lot of them. Eight, nine, ten in all. By their build, Fancy could see a few were her age, maybe younger. All wore tawny loin cloths of buffalo hides, short boots of the same soft substance, long white and black hawk feathers in their shoulder-length ebony hair and nothing on their broad, bronze chests. Their leader, the tallest man among them, wore red paint across his nose and cheeks. His large, hell-dark eyes, he had ringed in black paint. Despite his fierce markings, Fancy knew who he was, and she smiled and waved at him.

“Nothing to fear from him, Coll. That is Patuwa kum. Chief Bull Elk.” She continued to walk toward the party, refusing to comfort her insolent sister any more than necessary.

“Wait, Fancy. How do you know that savage?”

“He came to a powwow with Ranger MacRae and Herr Mannfried last month in Fredericksburg.” That day, Bull Elk had worn his ceremonial headdress for the meeting and long buckskin trousers. No shirt then either. The better to show off that magnificent muscular chest. She quivered recalling how attractive she had thought him then. How his gaze made her want his large hands around her waist. How she imagined him kissing her lips. Her breasts. And even, oh god, her pussy. She cleared her throat, trying to rid her mind of her forbidden lust for the Comanche. “Ranger MacRae introduced me when I served them all food and lemonade.”

“That doesn’t make him civilized, Fancy. You’d better not go near him.”

“Don’t be a ninny, Coll. He’s fine. He speaks English too. I heard him.” She continued her way up to the ridge and stopped in front of the handsome Comanche who some said would lead his people to white folks’ ways. “Hello, Chief. How are you today?”

Though she smiled at him in greeting, he narrowed those large umber eyes at her as if he were seeing her for the first time. “Fancee. Tur. Ner.”

“Yes.” She nodded. “Nice. You remember my name.”

One of his braves spoke up, gesturing to her and shaking his head as he pointed toward Collette.

“Patuwa kum,” Fancy tried for some polite conversation, “do you…perhaps…go to Fredericksburg today?”

Two other braves murmured to their leader and Fancy could make out that they spoke his name the way she had. From the amused looks on their faces, they were making fun of her pronunciation.

So much for trying to be neighborly. Not eager to be an object of their ridicule, she bid them good day. She turned her back and trod along the stony path toward her family’s ranch house.

“Fancy,” Collette called, “don’t you dare leave me here alone with these beasts.”

Fancy didn’t bother to turn. Her sister didn’t deserve her consideration after the way she had spoken to her today. “Maybe they can teach you some manners, Coll. As for me, I am going home. Come, if you wish, or stay and reconsider your ways.”

“You little bitch!”

At the insult, Fancy halted in her tracks.

At once, the air was filled with war whoops and Fancy felt the earth vibrate with the pounding of horses’ hooves.

“No! Noooo!” Collette cried out.

Fancy whirled to see Bull Elk and his nine braves charging toward her. Her fingers went numb. Her basket of flowers fell.

Bull Elk rode straight at her. Her body frozen, her fears of being trampled by his horse turning her blood to ice, she cringed. Then she hiked up her skirts and ran. She didn’t get but two steps away.

The Comanche chief yelled a heinous cry as he came upon her and scooped her up across his lap, hanging her over his horse’s back, face down. Air slammed from her lungs. Her head spun. She tried to scream and no sound came out.

Bull Elk’s braves galloped beside him, chanting ear-splitting cries. He echoed their sounds as they raced across the hills.

Still Collette’s cries rang in her ears. “Noooo! Oh, god, no. Bring her back! Fancy! Fan-ceeee!”

The chief pinned Fancy down, his massive hand to her spine. Her long platinum waves escaped her bun and cascaded around her face. Her fingers scraped tall grasses as Bull Elk rode like the wind across the rough terrain. She winced, curling her fingers to her palms. His companions rode nearer and nearer to them so that dirt and stones cast up from their horses’ hooves hit her in the face. Clamping her eyes shut, she heard Bull Elk call to them, curt commands she took to mean, Hurry. Others follow. Their wails frightened her so that she feared she die of it. Breathless, her lungs straining for air, her ribs bruised from the galloping of the horse across the barren plain, Fancy feared all hope was lost for rescue when Collette’s shrill demands died in the distance behind her.
She writhed but Bull Elk hooked his arm around her, bent over her to keep her firmly across his saddle and rode on. And on. And on.

And she wished he would never stop. For when he did, Fancy understood from tales of so many others who had been captured by the Comanche, that he would strip her, scalp her and maybe even skin her. She fervently prayed before that happened, she would die.

Buy Steal Me Away: Ellora’s Cave Amazon Barnes & Noble

Check out Cerise DeLand’s worlds:

http://cerisedeland.com/

http://cerisedeland.blogspot.com/

Twitter: @CeriseDeLand

Transmute Writing Failures Into Success

2013-04-30T08:39:00.000-04:00

How can you turn rejections, writer’s block, poor sales into success?

Look for the benefit in each and every failure. No really. If the book was rejected, that’s an opportunity to make it better. Having writer’s block? Is that a signal that you need to completely rework you story, start a new one, work in the garden, exercise, take a break and read a good book? Replenish the well of ideas? Brainstorm with friends? How do you handle poor sales? That’s a tough one. The best answer for that is write another book, and another. Are you writing in the right genre? Are you spending at least a little time marketing it? On social networks (blogging or visiting and commenting on blogs, Facebook or Twitter?). And not just “Buy my Book” socializing.

Fear is faith in reverse. Make a habit of being positive about your career. It may sound crazy but the positive energy perpetuates positive energy.

Visualize what you want. Do you want to be a best-selling author? What does that look like? Feel like? See it in your mind, experience it as if it already happened. Set your goals and write them down. Read them often with enthusiasm and emotion.

Transmute negative thoughts and doubts into positive ones. Anyone who works in the medical field will tell you patients who have a positive outlook on their health and life, recover much faster than patients with a negative, depressed attitude. Any time a negative thought comes into your mind, push it away and replace it with the opposite positive one.

Rejection is just another step toward success. An opportunity to learn and sharpen your craft, build connections, make new friends. Come up with your own.

Never talk badly about another author, publisher, agent, reviewer, etc. It may be hard at times because we’re so close to our work and we tend to take it personal. Take a step away from that negative response. It’s part of the business and you’re a professional. Self-discipline.

Look for opportunities. When they come up, think of them as gifts and GRAB them. These are bonus chances to succeed toward your goals.

Step out of your routine and old habits. Try something different in your writing. You may discover you have skills you didn’t know you possessed. Take a class, a day trip, a college course, go to a conference, read a book in a genre you’ve never read before, etc.

Always strive for greatness, never good enough! Imagine greatness. Think about greatness and your goals before you go to bed and the minute you wake up. Let me know if you notice a difference or change taking place in a few weeks. J

Cave Chaos Talk Radio on the 'C' Word

2013-04-25T01:00:00.000-04:00

Two Appearances Coming Up:

I'll be a guest blogger at ARe All Romance eBooks Café Friday, April 26th. http://www.arecafe.com/ talking about the Perpetual Spring Break
http://www.allromanceebooks.com/

I'm also very excited to be a guest on Cave Chaos. If you haven't listened to one of their shows, you have to give them a try.

It's not very sexy but the "C" Word--CENSORSHIP will be the topic on Cave Chaos Radio Monday April 29th from 12-1:00 PM EST. Kathy Kulig will be a guest.

http://cavechaosshow.com/

Controlling information and ideas circulating in society. In this day and age, you wouldn't think we wouldn't have an issue with censorship anymore. There are some valid reasons like national security, protecting children, child pornography, hate speech, preventing slander and libel. It's still a touchy issue.

Author Anais Nin's works were censored for decades.

Adventurer Discovers Strategies to Capitalize Triumphs & Misfortunes

2013-04-21T01:00:00.000-04:00

AMERICANS’ LACK OF TRAVEL BREEDS IGNORANCE
Memoirist seeks to inspire his peers to get out and make nice with the world

Adam Shepard is my guest on the Passion Sense blog celebrating the release of his new book ONE YEAR LIVED.
Adam has a passion for adventure, which you'll see by his bio. He's also a speaker and author empowering people by sharing what he has learned on his journeys to elevate people's performance. He creates strategies for success by capitalizing on both triumphs and misfortunes. Too many people are living the instant gratification life or have the entitlement attitude. By taking initiative and broadening their perspective, many people can enhance their lives and reach their goals.

His book ONE YEAR LIVED is an adventure story of his travels backpacking through 17 countries and the life lessons he learned that we can all use to enhance out lives.

*** CONTEST ALERT *** CONTEST ALERT *** CONTEST ALERT ***

Check out the end of this post for a chance to WIN a copy of Adam Shepard's new book ONE YEAR LIVED.

Bio:

Attending Merrimack College in North Andover, MA on a basketball scholarship, Adam Shepard graduated with a degree in Business Management and Spanish. Serving as a Resident Advisor during his upperclassmen years, he began to take particular interest in the social issues of our nation. Shortly after graduation—with almost literally $25 to his name—Shepard departed his home state for Charleston, SC, embarking on the journey that has now become his successful first book, Scratch Beginnings. Scratch Beginnings tells the story of starting with $25, a sleeping bag, and the clothes on his back in a random city to test the values of hard work and discipline in today’s “me first, gotta have it right now” society.

After a whirlwind journey that took his self-published book to the Today Show, CNN, Fox News, and NPR, he sold Scratch Beginnings to HarperCollins and made appearances on the Dave Ramsey Show and 20/20. He has likewise been featured in the The New York Times, the New York Post, The Atlantic, and The Christian Science Monitor, and Scratch Beginnings has now been used on the curriculum or as a First Year Common Read at over 90 colleges and universities in the United States and translated across the world.

After a few years working as the world’s slowest bartender, Adam set out in the world to spend all of the money he had been saving. The narrative of this experience—a spirited blend of leisure, volunteerism, and enrichment—comprises his most recent book, One Year Lived. One Year Lived tells Shepard’s tales of travel and life lessons learned among seventeen countries, four continents, 42,134.6 miles, and one haunting encounter with a savage bull.

In his spare time, he reads, plays tennis, and travels the country empowering audiences to elevate performance by taking initiative. His keynote speech What Will You Do Next? details strategies for capitalizing on both triumph and misfortune.

www.OneYearLived.com.

Adam fights bulls here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFn7a6eEhb4&feature=youtu.be

(Raleigh, N.C.) – Do Americans—young Americans, especially—really know what’s going on in the world? Are we prepared to embrace globalization? Adam Shepard hopes his story will inspire young people to get out and arm themselves with a broader perspective.

By the time he was 30, the North Carolina man had already completed goals most people wait a lifetime to pursue.

From late 2011 to late 2012, spending just $19,420.68, less than it would have cost him to stay at home, Shepard visited seventeen countries on four continents and lived some amazing adventures. "It’s interesting to me," he says, "that in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Europe, it’s normal for people to pack a bag, buy a plane ticket, and get ‘Out There.’ In the U.S., though, we live with this very stiff paradigm—graduate college, work, find a spouse, make babies, work some more, retire—which can be a great existence, but we leave little room to load up a backpack and dip into various cultures, to see places, to really develop our own identity."

His journey began in "the other Antigua"—Antigua, Guatemala—where Shepard spent a month brushing up on his Spanish and traveling on the "chicken bus." During his two months in Honduras, he served with an organization that helps improve the lives of poor children; in Nicaragua, he dug wells to install pumps for clean water and then stepped into the ring to face a savage bull; in Thailand, he rode an elephant and cut his hair into a mullet; in Australia, he hugged a koala, contemplated the present-day treatment of the Aborigines, and mustered cattle; in Poland, he visited Auschwitz; in Slovakia, he bungee jumped off a bridge; and in the Philippines, he went wakeboarding among Boracay’s craggy inlets and then made love to Ivana on the second most beautiful beach in the world.

His yearlong journey, which took two years to save for, was a spirited blend of leisure, volunteerism, and enrichment. He read 71 books, including ten classics and one—slowly—in Spanish. "If you can lend a hand to someone, educate yourself about the world, and sandwich that around extraordinary moments that get your blood pumping, that’s a pretty full year," Shepard writes.
One Year Lived is the compelling and transparent account of his experiences abroad.

The trip comes just three years after he made national headlines for taking a year to test the viability of the American Dream. With just $25 in his pocket, he boarded a train and headed to Charleston, SC. He lived in a homeless shelter for 70 days and took odd jobs until finding a full-time job as a mover, eventually earning enough money to buy a pickup truck and a furnished apartment.

Can everybody take a year to get missing? "Maybe, maybe not," he says, "though that’s not really the point. I’m just concerned that some of us are too set on embracing certainty. We want life to be cushy and regimented, but that’s not how we can create a lasting impact on our lives or the lives around us. There’s only so much you can learn in the classroom. Sometimes you have to get out there to experience it, to touch it, to feel it, to see it for yourself. It’s fascinating the perspective we can gain when we step out of our bubbles of comfort, even just a little bit."

Readers: Share a favorite place that you've traveled to where you learned something about yourself or the people there or the world we live in. (Not required to enter contest.)

I've learned many things from places I've traveled. I also visited Guatemala in the 90s when their civil war was still going on. The people were very poor and worked long, hard hours. They were kind, proud and happy. They lived very simply. A straw mat on the floor was their bed, wove cloth to sell for food, but they were always friendly and polite. One image I won't get out of my mind: A man with an automatic rifle slung over his shoulder, and in his other arm he carried a little girl of about three (his daughter?). She was smiling and giggling and so was he. How much we take for granted.

Adam's website: www.OneYearLived.com.

*** CONTEST ALERT *** CONTEST ALERT *** CONTEST ALERT ***

Leave a comment to be entered for a chance to WIN a PDF copy of Adam Shepard's book:
ONE YEAR LIVED

Shameless Desire in a Sensual, Sultry Shifter Romance

2013-04-17T01:00:00.000-04:00

Tall, dark and dangerously sexy

Tina Donahue's latest hot and sexy shifter book from Samhain.

CONTEST ALERT at end of this post!!

Yep, that just about describes, Kuma, the hero in Shameless Desire, Book Three of Outlawed Realm, my erotic paranormal series for Samhain.

Kuma’s a shifter, the Alpha werewolf from the fourth dimension on Earth—E4. When he’s swept through a portal into E1, the dimension we know, he sees Gwen for the first time. She’s unaware of the peril she faces, one Kuma has sensed, until a stranger attacks her.

Without pause, Kuma protects Gwen, setting off a series of events that pulls them deeper into danger, strengthens their bond and leads to a sensual and sultry romance.

Here’s the blurb and an excerpt to give you a taste of the story. To celebrate the upcoming release of Shameless Desire, I’m also offering a contest…so please, read on. J

Blurb:

Passion without limit. Carnal hunger that knows no bounds.

Within Earth’s five dimensions, nothing is as it seems…and desire is never far away.

In E4’s jungle, Kuma was the Alpha werewolf, bent on revenge against the hated guards. Swept with them into the E1 dimension, now he prowls Seattle at night, stopping the thugs from abducting women for use as sex slaves in E4’s Pleasure Palace.

On her way home from her nursing job, Gwen senses danger in the night’s shadows—an instant before a stranger attacks. Clinging to consciousness, she watches the impossible, a wolf fighting him off…protecting her. She wakes in her own bed, convinced it must have been a dream until she sees Kuma in human form. Virile, intense. A man like no other.

Within his powerful embrace, Gwen experiences rapture she didn’t believe existed. His unrestrained lust and burning need end her loneliness, though not the menace they face. The guards are a constant threat in their hunt for women and their determination to see Kuma dead. Together, he and Gwen must fight—for his life, her freedom, their future.

PRODUCT WARNINGS

Out-of-this-world sex and a romance to die for. Features a hunk whose inner beast won’t be tamed, and the woman who craves his most shameless desire.

Excerpt: Shameless Desire

He brushed his lips over hers in answer, the tip of his tongue spearing into her mouth.

Aw, God. Not even as a horny teen had her body responded as willingly. Ribbons of pleasure rippled through Gwen. She suckled him deeper, their kiss exploring, then impatient, hard, uncivilized, the sounds they made feral and welcome.

It satisfied for a moment before they each had to have more. He pulled at her clothes, clearly wanting them off. Gwen struggled to do the same with his, but she was still too lethargic. Only her heart and mind raced with what she wanted, had to have.

She heard her hoodie hit the floor, not remembering him taking it or her tee and bra off, yet he had. Coolish air skimmed her rain-chilled skin. Her nipples grew even harder. He warmed them with his hands, pulling a longing sigh from her.

No, don’t stop.

He did, trailing his fingers down her torso to her belly. Her muscles quivered in response. He paid them no heed, continuing to her jeans, where he worked the button and fly.

Suddenly, she was naked and so was he. How had that happened? When? If Gwen could have managed a frown, she would have, disappointed that she’d missed him stripping.

Her bedsprings creaked as he climbed onto the mattress and unfolded his nudity over hers. Air whooshed out of her at his imprisoning weight. It was a gratifying balm, his body’s warmth the answer to her persistent yearning. Rarely had Gwen felt as wanted by a man, as safe.

With his knees, he separated her thighs and settled between them, his rigid cock against her pussy that was moist with need, thrumming with carnal hunger. He cradled her breast, his thumb stroking her nipple. At the same time, he claimed her other nipple with his mouth. He swirled his tongue over the tip.

Wow. The sensations he created were fucking amazing. They registered clear to the back of Gwen’s throat. Her skin flushed with heat, piercing her stupor. She drove her fingers through his hair, clutching it, demanding he remain with her.

His actions said he wasn’t going anywhere until they were both satisfied.

How long might that take? A few hours? A day? Week? Month? What happened after it was over?

Shit, don’t think of that now.

The bad crap would come later. It always did.

As though he’d read her thoughts or sensed her body tense, he lifted himself on one elbow and regarded her. Gwen didn’t like the uncertainty she saw on his face. She wanted longing mixed with a whole lot of lust.

To encourage him, she rubbed her groin against his, surprised she could do so, her ability to move coming back. He got the message quickly from her carnal maneuver, his expression evolving from concerned to just this side of savage.

Good boy.

He grabbed his cock, running the crown up and down her damp slit, positioning the meaty head on her opening.

Gwen gulped air at what was coming. She drew her legs back to give him the greatest access. At her blatant invitation, he offered another smile and pushed inside, entering her in one hard, dominant—

Huh?

With a start, Gwen came to. From where? A dream? Nightmare? Perspiration ran down her chest, the chilly air licking it, bringing on a shiver. She stared at her shadowed bedroom, the rectangular designs on the wall from the streetlamp’s glow.

It was obviously dark outside, still late. Or maybe early. Gwen couldn’t be certain. Panic pumped through her, eating away any residual fatigue.

Unwilling to look at her clock just yet, she patted the bed linens to her side and felt nothing but cotton sheets, cool to the touch, not warm from a body.

His.

Her mouth went dry as images filled her mind of the man outside the hospital carrying her into this house, climbing on the bed, mounting her.

She saw his hair swinging forward with each powerful thrust. His shoulders and pecs tensing as he pounded into her. Prominent veins corded his throat. Several ran down his biceps to his muscular forearms.

Swooping down, he slanted his mouth over hers.

Gwen touched her lips. They were somewhat sore as though from a lingering, impassioned kiss. Her cheeks stung, slightly irritated. From a man’s stubbled cheeks scraping them?

Shit, she didn’t know, couldn’t be certain. Swallowing hard, she concentrated on her pussy to see if it was—

Her hand halted on the curls between her legs. She was fucking naked. Hurriedly, she touched various parts of her body, just to be certain of her state, at last searching her neck for where that dart had pierced her skin. Unless that was a dream she’d had.

Gwen winced when she reached the point of entry. Oh crap, oh damn, oh shit. The surrounding skin was swollen and sore. That fucking thing had hit her. She hadn’t dreamt it.

As quietly as she could, Gwen pushed to a sitting position and looked over. The numbers on her digital clock glowed red in the gloom. Nearly an hour and a half had passed since she’d left the hospital and all that weird shit that had happened in the alley.

So what now?

Steeling herself, she turned and stared at her bath.

The decorative nightlight was on, its Christmas-tree design a mixture of red, green and silver, casting the room in a festive glow.

Gwen’s heart banged against her chest. In front of the sink he stood, running a washcloth over his bare arms, as sinewy as she remembered. His naked back was broad and muscled, a male in his prime. He’d pulled his jeans back on and his running shoes, unless he’d never had them off to begin with.

More info: http://store.samhainpublishing.com/shameless-desire-p-7360.html

BIO

Tina Donahue is an award-winning, bestselling novelist in erotic, paranormal, contemporary and historical romance for Samhain Publishing, Ellora’s Cave, and Kensington. Booklist, Publisher’s Weekly, Romantic Times and numerous online sites have praised her work. Three of her erotic romances (Adored, Lush Velvet Nights, and Deep, Dark, Delicious) were named finalists in the 2011 EPIC competition. The French review site, Blue Moon reviews, chose her erotic romance Sensual Stranger as their Book of the Year 2010 (erotic category). The Golden Nib Award at Miz Love Loves Books was created specifically for Lush Velvet Nights, and two of her titles (The Yearning and Deep, Dark, Delicious) received an Award of Merit in the RWA Holt Medallion competition (2011 and 2012). Take Me Away and Adored both won second place in the NEC RWA contest (different years). Tina is featured in the 2012 Novel & Short Story Writer’s Market. She was the editor of an award–winning Midwestern newspaper and worked in Story Direction for a Hollywood production company.

Email: tina@tinadonahue.com

Website: http://www.tinadonahue.com/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/tinadonahue

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tina.donahue.75

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/authortina/my-books/

Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/author/tinadonahue

My page at TRR: http://erotic.theromancereviews.com/mypageprofile.php?location=tinadonahue

*** CONTEST ALERT *** CONTEST ALERT *** CONTEST ALERT ***

In celebration of Shameless Desire’s release on April 23, I’m offering one of my backlist ebooks to one lucky commenter. The winner’s choice includes:

1. Adored – RWA award-winning; EPIC 2011 Finalist; 4 Stars RT

2. Deep, Dark, Delicious – EPIC 2011 Finalist; Holt Medallion Award of Merit

3. Lush Velvet Nights – EPIC 2011 Finalist; Golden Nib Award

4. In His Arms – SIX 5 Star Reviews; 4 Stars RT

5. Sensual Stranger – 2010 Book of the Year (erotic); 4 Stars RT

6. The Yearning – Top Ten Bestseller

7. Take Me Away - #1 Pick, Miz Love Loves Books

8. Unending Desire – Best Book Rating LASR

9. SiNN – Nominated for Book of the Week LASR

10. Sinfully Wicked – Magnificent – Romancing the Book

11. Claiming Magique – Top Pick - NOR

A Sexy Break for Spring Break

2013-04-08T01:30:00.000-04:00

Spring is taking a darn long time getting here. The flowers may be blooming but the weather is still too cold for me. Soooo, Ellora’s Cave is going to make it a little easier for it to feel more like spring. This week from April 8-12th my Exotika novella SPRING BREAK will be 25% off!!!

I’ve been working hard on a couple other projects and now that those are out of the way, I’m back to working on the second in this HOT series. TropiX is an invitation only club in South Florida where sexual fantasies come true, but sometimes not the ones you were expecting. After spring comes summer, and it gets very hot in Florida during the summer. TropiX will be looking even hotter in this next story with a new addition to the club. The wild and sexy Cynthia and Carter are returning with another adventure and hopefully the new couple Emma and Adrian will survive Cynthia’s good intensions.

Here’s the blurb to SPRING BREAK:

Spring break beyond your wildest fantasies? If Justin Watkins can stop watching over his college students like Big Brother, he might convince the prim-and-proper Mariko Maguire to be his sex partner at the invitation-only adult club called TropiX.Mariko is in Fort Lauderdale on business, trying to secure new clients for her PR firm. Abandoning prior commitments for one wickedly lustful evening--a one-night stand of kinky sex--was not on her agenda.Carter Bosworth is looking for an evening of sex games during his layover in the tropical playground. He's a regular at TropiX and always open for a new thrill. His plans are sidetracked, but it may be to his benefit after all when he meets the beautiful Mariko.The potent heat developing between Justin and Mariko tempts her into shedding her inhibitions, and an exploration in a menage beyond her imagination develops at the fetish club.

Ellora’s Cave Link for the 25% off: http://www.ellorascave.com/spring-break.html

Amazon:

Barnes and Nobel

How To Keep UP & Survive in This Digital Age of Publishing

2013-04-04T19:19:00.000-04:00

Writing, Reading, & Publishing Evolution

How does an author, reader or a publisher keep up with all the changes going on these days? One minute we think we have a plan for our careers, a successful business model, a preferred way to read books, and then we have to change, and change again, and again, just to keep our noses above the water line. For writers, how do make career plans when we’re not sure what the publishing landscape will look like in a year or two?

There’s no easy answer. The best advice? Be flexible, open to change and ready when opportunities arise. Read what experts have to say—those who have survived the business over the years and learned how to adapt. They may have sound advice on their blogs or in their newsletters. Many invite authors, editors and agents to their blogs to share what they know.

Go with your gut. There are many career paths for authors: traditional, self-publishing, small press or any combination (a hybrid) of the three. The bottom line is the same. Write a great book, continue to learn craft and grow as a writer, be professional. Don’t send out a crappy/unedited book whether to an agent, editor or to be self-published.

A few blogs I follow that I can recommend are:

Jane Friedman, editor of Virginia Quarterly Review and previous publisher of Writer’s Digest magazine http://janefriedman.com/ She has a variety of guest bloggers and helpful posts about the current publishing world and tips for writers.

http://janefriedman.com/blog/ I automatically get her blog posts sent to my email. She has a ton of great posts and guest posts on a variety of topics.

Also author Bob Mayer http://www.bobmayer.org/ and his blog: http://writeitforward.wordpress.com/ Especially helpful for the self-published author, writing tips, the business of publishing and much more.

And author and social media expert Don Lafferty http://donaldlafferty.com/ Everything you ever wanted to know about social media and marketing and never knew existed.

I’m sure there are tons of great sites. Please share your favorite.

Erotica is Not a Dirty Word

2013-03-30T08:54:00.000-04:00

With Guest post from Dr. Charley Ferrer

Romance authors, especially erotic romance authors often get the ‘frown’ when we tell people what we do. Even family and friends would prefer we write something else: perhaps travel guides, medical textbooks, literary fiction, murder mysteries, anything as long as it doesn’t have sex in it. And there’s nothing wrong with writing the other books I just mentioned, they all take talent and hard work.

But somewhere along the way, the idea of two people who struggle to overcome obstacles in their lives, fall in love and express that love sexually is a bad thing, or something we shouldn’t talk or write or read about. That’s the impression I get by the feedback from people who condemn the romance/erotic genre. Maybe out culture should have more of this on prime time TV and less of the serial killers, murders, abductions, body parts, and fights. Kids can watch this violence during the dinner hour too, or practice violence in their role-playing video games.

Since the 50 Shades of Grey came out, some of the negativity improved. Women (and some men) who never read an erotic romance book before, thought, Hmmm, this is pretty good, to the tune of over 70 million copies. And they started reading more. But there are a lot of wonderful erotic romance authors out there. Check out the authors on http://www.ellorascave.com What I’m not crazy about, is a new term going around: “Mommy Porn”. I think that’s negative. First women of all ages read erotic romance, not just young mothers. And porn is derogatory and objectifies women.

Last month the mayor in my town objected to an interview my community paper did on me. He felt it wasn’t appropriate for young people. The article discussed how my husband and I are restoring our 100 year old Victorian home and a little about the books I write. No excerpts. The details of the issue are here if you’d like to read more:

http://easton.patch.com/articles/future-of-west-word-paper-uncertain

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/easton/index.ssf/2013/02/west_word_must_change_or_risk.html

If anyone wanted to send a Letter-to-the-Editor of the West Word paper giving their support of the interview and the paper write to: editor@thewestword.org

Dr. Charley Ferrer responded with the following Letter-to-the-editor. And I’d like to share her views with my readers. I took Dr. Charley’s BDSM Writers Workshop for Authors in NY City last August. It was a weekend long-workshop with detailed lectures, visits to leather/fetish/lingerie shops and also a two-night visit to Paddles, a BDSM club in NYC. If you’re an author who wants to write accurately in the BDSM genre, this is a valuable workshop. www.doctorcharley.com

HATE CENSORSHIP by Dr. Charley Ferrer

Burn all the papers. Restrict residents from owning radios. Dictate the sermons churches can discussion with parishioners. Ban all books. And provide residents with a list of appropriate topics to discuss in public!

Perhaps by ensuring the above, Mayor Sal Panto can foster the Steppford Wives mentality in his community he seeks to foster by censoring the voice of the media.

It always amazes me that politicians will talk about defending our morals and
“what’s good and decent” while they tell us their version of what is acceptable. Mayor Panto’s comments sound like the Comstock Law all over again. Censorship at its most insidious! Isn’t that what the Mayor is doing by demanding only his approved articles and topics and threatening to replace the West Words editorial leadership?

In reviewing the articles in question, I find they only endeared me to the location. Imagine meeting an author who’s restoring a 100 year old Victorian home with her husband. Or learning that a community can evaluate where it can improve its efforts in serving its members. I’m lucky if my next door neighbor says hello as he passes me in the hall.

Life isn’t black and white. We all live in the gray where situations arise and our children are influenced by others more so than ourselves. Should I mention the movies our teens watch or the videos they spend hours playing; movies and videos filled with violence and discrimination; which foster the unconscious belief that another person’s life isn’t worth much and can be easily disposed of? Ironic how we’ll cover our sons and daughters eyes at the movies when there’s a kissing scene, yet we have no objections when the kids watch Jason Myers stab campers to death or criminals kill and rape women. Isn’t it hypocritical how we allow our children to be inundated with killing and rape in their movies and video games and yet object to the mention of a woman who writes erotica.

Personally, I like to know all the aspects of a place I plan to move my family to. The good and the bad this way I can make my own decision. That’s my right as an adult. Besides if the paper has something in it I find objectionable, I’ll use my God-given and government approved rights to TURN THE PAGE…as I do with the sports section.

Live with passion,
Dr. Charley Ferrer
Clinical Sexologist, Educator
TV/Radio Host & Producer
Award Winning Author
Sex Expert for Fox News Latino
(718) 916-4124

The Write Stuff of Writers

2013-03-24T12:42:00.000-04:00

Unexpected Sychronicity at a Writers Conference

Writing conferences are a valuable resource for writers if you attend with enthusiasm and an openness to learn. Many opportunities and surprises arise when meeting other writers and writing professionals. Every conference I learn something new, meet someone interesting and enhance my writing career. At a recent conference in NJ given by the Liberty States Fiction Writers, I was contacted after the conference about an editor's appointment I had that was rescheduled and that I had missed. I never requested an editor's appoint because I was submitting to agents with my current project. I was told because of the mix up that day, the editor would welcome a partial submission from me. I did have another polished manuscript available so I submitted that one. Never let an opportunity pass by.

This past weekend I attended the The Write Stuff Conference given by Greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group. One speaker, http://bonniescalhoun.com/aboutme.html Bonnie Calhoun, said writers should never stop learning. She gave workshops on Snark and Suspense and Dialogue. Many times I hear writers say they don’t take craft workshops anymore because they know enough craft. That’s a writer who will never improve in my opinion. I continue to take craft and business workshops. Some parts may be a review of what I know, and sometimes the review is a good reminder to make sure I’m not getting lazy in my work. Offen times, I'm learning something new to enhance my writing. And many times a speaker gives great examples like Bonnie did with the Dialogue lecture, and I have fresh ideas on how to improve my writing.

The keynote speaker and lecturer, Jane Friedman, http://janefriedman.com/ completely amazed me with her knowledge of the publishing world. She’s the current editor of the Virginia Quarterly Review, http://www.vqronline.org/ and former publisher of Writer’s Digest magazine. Besides her broad understanding of what is going on in publishing, she has an enormous reach and knowledge in social networking and the online cyberspace. She gives free advice for writers on her website and has an awesome blog which I started following. http://janefriedman.com/blog/

She recommended a couple author sites to check out to see how some authors are using creative ways to reach readers. John Green and his (vlog) blog videos have a huge following. He’s entertaining and doesn’t get into the “Buy my Book” push. http://johngreenbooks.com/ . Also CJ Lyons http://cjlyons.net/ has created a Thrillers With Heart group on Goodreads that promote other Thriller authors like Tess Gerritsen, Sandra Brown, and Lee Childs. She’s gained readers by helping other authors.

The graph Jane showed demonstrating the number of traditionally sold books over the last several years, compared to the self-published books was mind boggling. Traditionally sold has remained pretty constant, while the self-published has shot up over the last couple years. Online sales for ebook and print have increased while book sales in book stores and dropped. Not a surprise.

The detailed workshop on Friday for Editing and Revision with Ramona DeFelice-Long http://ramonadef.wordpress.com/ was excellent. Perfect timing since I'm in the middle of editing/revising my manuscript.

I also met a few other people who were interesting to talk to and were kind enough to take the time to answer some questions. Don Helin http://www.donhelin.com/ writes military thrillers. He’s served in the military and also worked at the Pentagon. He gave me great advice for a scene in my current book. Also author Jeanette Windle http://www.jeanettewindle.com/ has lived an interesting and exciting life as a daughter of missionary parents. She grew up in the jungles and mountains of Columbia, now guerrilla hot spots and lived in six different countries. And her research skills have stumped CIA and other government organizations. She also gave me some ideas for my currents book.

Besides all the speakers, it’s always great to hang out and talk to fellow writers in my group from the Greater Lehigh Valley Writers Group www.glvwr.org , visiting writers, editors and agents. Check out some of the sites in this post or all when you get a chance, you’d be surprised by how much valuable information is available to writers.

Delicious Burn From Anything Goes @lynn_lafleur

2013-03-11T22:06:00.000-04:00

Fabulous author and friend, Lynn Lafleur, has an awesome new release that you have to check out.
DELICIOUS BURN by Lynn LaFleur
Book 3 of the Anything Goes Series
Release Date: March 11, 2013
ISBN: 978-1-30154-133-1
Genre: Contemporary MFM and MM
Length: Short Novel
Smashwords
ARe
Available at Barnes and Noble and Amazon tomorrow, March 12th.

I thought I'd share a sneak peak.

BLURB:

A love worth the wait.

Drew Severson is honored to be included in his best friend's wedding, yet seeing Gabe so happy makes Drew dwell on the emptiness in his life. When Gabe suggests an evening at Anything Goes, Drew decides sex is exactly what he needs to rid him of his depressed state. Man or woman doesn't matter to him, as long as the sex is hot and sweaty.

The attraction Everett Payne feels when he sees Drew at the sex club is instant and explosive. What starts as a night of sexploits between Drew, Everett, and a female club attendant morphs into a private weekend at Everett's house for the two men.

Drew is hesitant to become involved with the younger man due to his Army obligations. It doesn't matter to Everett that Drew has a minimum of six more years to serve his country. He's found the perfect man and is willing to wait for him…no matter how long it takes.

EXCERPT: (Over 18 y/o please)

Everett had wanted to taste Drew's mouth all evening. The reality topped his fantasy at least one hundred times. Soft, firm lips caressed his, a tongue peeked out to tickle the seam of his mouth. Everett gladly parted his lips to accept the other man's exploration. Drew sipped at his lips, nibbled at the corners, swiped his tongue across the gentle bites. Everett returned each caress, until his breathing became as labored as right after his last climax.

Drew ended the kiss with one last soft graze of his lips. He leaned back, but didn't release Everett's nape. "Does that answer your question?" he asked in a low, gravelly voice.

"Yeah." Everett's voice came out as gravelly as Drew's.

He set his bottle of Pepsi on the nightstand. "Do you have any other questions?"

"Yeah," Everett repeated. "Kiss me again?"

Taking Everett's bottle from his limp hand, Drew set it on the nightstand next to his. He tunneled his fingers into Everett's long hair and covered his lips again.

Heaven. Everett swore heaven couldn't be any better than the taste of Drew. He laid his hands on the firm muscles of the man's chest, not moving, simply absorbing the warmth and smoothness beneath his palms. He parted his lips, accepted Drew's tongue inside his mouth. The tang of Vella's pussy lingered on Drew's breath.

Pulling back, Everett peered into sky blue eyes. "Do you prefer women?"

Drew's hands flowed over Everett's shoulders and down his arms. "I enjoy everything about sex with a woman." He ran his hands back up Everett's arms and into his hair again. "But I love sex with a man."

Feeling the exact same way, Everett nodded. "I know what you mean."

"So do you want to keep asking me questions, or do you want to fuck?"

"I want to fuck."

"Bottom or top?"

"I'm flexible."

Drew flashed a wicked grin. "Flexible is good."

For this man, Everett would be as flexible as necessary. He'd never felt such a strong, instant attraction to anyone. "How about you?"

"Both are good, but I prefer to top."

Everett stared at Drew's cock, once again completely hard and standing up against his stomach. His anus clenched at the thought of all that firm flesh pounding into his ass.

Unable to resist, Everett wrapped one fist around Drew's dick. Drew hissed in a sharp breath between his teeth. Taking that as a sign that the other man liked his touch, Everett slowly slid his hand to the base, then back to the crown. He repeated the journey, this time adding a gentle squeeze to the tight orbs. Hissing again, Drew arched his hips.

"What do you want me to do?" Everett asked.

Lust-filled eyes met his. "Whatever you want to do."

###

Find out more about Lynn and her books: http://www.lynnlafleur.com/index.htm

Once Upon a Time in the West Ward #erotica

2013-03-06T23:15:00.000-05:00

Erotic romance author meets college arts festival and a strange political controversy begins.

Stranger than fiction, but this isn’t fiction. Several months ago, Ghen Zando-Dennis, managing editor for The West Word, a local community magazine about my neighborhood—the West Ward of Easton, PA, offered to do an interview on me. I was flattered and excited. The focus of the paper as Ghen explained was to talk about the residents, businesses and events in the neighborhood to improve the perception of the area.

She came to my house for the interview. I live in a 100 y/o Victorian that my husband and I have been restoring for over 11 years. She took photos of the house and was interested in our original carriage house garage that was constructed from rejected tombstones. We live next to the cemetery where many Civil War veterans are buried. She also asked about my day job as a Cytotechnologist and my part time writing as an erotic romance writer. There was nothing lewd in the article and no excerpts from my books. I thought she did an excellent job.

Because of that article and the one criticizing the college arts festival, the paper has received complaints. And the editor fears the paper could either “lose its funding or have its leadership replaced.” According to Easton Patch

http://easton.patch.com/articles/future-of-west-word-paper-uncertain

Who’s complaining? The mayor of Easton objected to my article. He said it “goes out to all age groups.” In the Express Times, he said it was too racy. The paper is funded by the CACLV (Community Action Committee of the Lehigh Valley) and the WWNP (West Ward Neighborhood Partnership). Last month the paper learned that the CACLV wanted to begin editing its content. The mayor did say he didn’t want to see the paper end but wanted a different focus.

“The mayor has been very critical and, frankly, I need the support of the mayor in order to do meaningful community and economic development in any community,” said Jennings, executive director of CACLV to Dennis.

Ghen says the paper is getting a lot of support from the community and that people loved the interview article and appreciated the honest reporting of an arts festival that needs improvement.

Personally, I feel the article was a relevant human interest piece. I’m sure there are women in the West Ward who like to read timely books. And if you notice on the bestsellers list many of the books now are erotic romance. In addition, the West Ward has beautiful, old historic homes. I’m sure some readers of the paper would be interested about a resident restoring an old home. Not every article will interest every reader. If erotic romance books or restoring historic homes isn’t your thing, turn the page. I’ll admit I don’t read the sports section of the newspaper.

The next committee meeting is in May.

If you know anyone who wants to write a letter-to-the-editor for print in the next issue regarding all of this controversy, or support for the paper, please feel free to forward the email address: editor@thewestword.org

16 Years on a Waiting List

2013-02-26T21:45:00.000-05:00

I received an email today that February 27^th is my 16-year anniversary for a rather odd waiting list. On February 27, 1997 I volunteered to be a Bone Marrow Donor.

I was matched once with a patient a few years ago who needed a bone marrow transplant. That was a rather surreal email to receive. I was a match for a stranger who had a life-threatening illness. I’ve donated blood for years, a stick in the arm and after they give you cookies and juice. Donating bone marrow is a bit more involved.

I wasn’t told who the patient was, how old or what illness he or she had. Or even where this person lived. The National Marrow Donor Program said if I was willing to donate, to call their number. I called.

If you sign up to be a bone marrow donor, usually done while giving a routine blood donation, they’ll take extra samples for special testing. Then they keep your information on file and contact you if a match if found.

If they find a match, the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) will contact you to see if you’re still interested, and also to see if you’re in good health. Then they’ll coordinated the next steps with a locale blood center or hospital. When they contacted me and I agreed to the donation, they had me call a blood center in town. The NMDP sent my files to them and I was scheduled for further testing. After asking me a bunch of questions, mostly health related and if I could get off work for a couple days, they told me to wait until I was contacted. My employer was very supportive and said I could have off all the days I needed for the donation and recovery. In anticipation of the call, I contacted my doctor because I would need a physical exam.

There are two methods of donation: Peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) and bone marrow. The patient’s doctor decides the method that is best. I was told it would be bone marrow.

PBSC donation is a nonsurgical procedure that takes place at a blood center or outpatient hospital unit. For 5 days leading up to donation, you will be given injections of a drug called filgrastim to increase the number of blood-forming cells in your bloodstream. Your blood is then removed through a needle in one arm and passed through a machine that separates out the blood-forming cells. The remaining blood is returned to you through the other arm. Your blood-forming cells are back to their normal levels within 4 to 6 weeks. PBSC donors can expect to experience a headache, or bone or muscle aches for several days before collection, a side effect of the filgrastim injections. These effects disappear shortly after collection. Most PBSC donors report that they feel completely recovered within 2 weeks of donation.

Marrow donation is a surgical outpatient procedure that takes place at a hospital. You will receive anesthesia and feel no pain during the donation. Doctors use a needle to withdraw liquid marrow from the back of your pelvic bone. The marrow replaces itself completely within 4 to 6 weeks. Marrow donors can expect to feel some soreness in their lower back for a few days or longer following the donation. Most marrow donors report that they feel completely recovered within 3 weeks of donation.

One of many successful stories: http://marrow.org/Patient/Patient_Stories/How_to_Prepare__One_Family_s_Story.aspx

Robin Roberts from Good Morning America is a successful recipient of a bone marrow transplant.http://abcnews.go.com/Health/robin-roberts-journey-inside-courageous-fight-mds/story?id=18562093

My story: The procedure was cancelled. Sadly, I never found out why. I was a little nervous but had myself psyched, so it was a letdown. Whether the patient decided on another mode of treatment, or they decided the bone marrow transplant would be too risky, I don’t know. I always wondered what happened to that patient.

And I’m still on the waiting list…

Interested in learning more? http://marrow.org/Home.aspx

Harlequin's New Digital First Series #Harlequin #ebook

2013-02-23T01:00:00.000-05:00

I know Harlequin has Carina Press but they just announced a new digital first line: Called simply-Harlequin's Digital First Series. Like Avon's Impulse, Berkley/NAL's InterMix and Grand Central's Forever Yours, Harlequin's Digital First line will be an e-book imprint.

So if you have a manuscript you'd like to polish up and you think it fits the following guidelines, check out the submission guidelines and send it in. As of now, they don't require an agent.

The genres they are currently looking for:

Mystery

Contemporary Romance

Fantasy and Fantasy Romance
Erotic Romance
Science Fiction and Teen Romance
Science Fiction Romance

Your Brilliant Idea***

***Authors have always been the innovators in publishing. Do you have a trilogy that just never fit anywhere?

Do you have a burning idea that keeps you up at night, but there has been no market for it? Now is the time to submit.

How to Submit:

Please submit only completed, fully polished manuscripts along with a query/cover letter and synopsis. In

the subject line of your query, please type the manuscript title, your name and the genre of the manuscript.

Queries: Must include the following and will not be reviewed if any piece is missing:

1. A brief, introductory query letter including genre, word count and a short description of the book,

as well as any pertinent information about the author, including both legal name and pen name
and any writing credits.

2. The full manuscript saved as an RTF file and attached, with file name TITLE_MANUSCRIPT where

you substitute your book's title in place of TITLE.

3. A 2–5 page synopsis of the book detailing character development, plot and conflict/story

resolution. Attach as an RTF file with file name TITLE_SYNOPSIS where you substitute your
book's title in place of TITLE.

Please be sure to put the following information on the first page of all files: manuscript name, author pen

name/legal name, email address, phone number, genre and word count (stories can be any word length
above 10,000 words).

Submissions should be sent to

Submit_HDigital@Harlequin.com.

All submissions will receive an auto-response acknowledging receipt of submission. Please allow 8–12 weeks

for an editorial response to your submission. If a response has not been received after 12 weeks, please
follow up with the

Submit_HDigital@Harlequin.com email address. In the subject line of your query, please

type your manuscript name, your name and the genre of the manuscript. (Example: Book X by Jane Doe, Fantasy Romance.) In the body of the email, please let us know the date it was submitted. It is also helpful if you email from the same email address you used to send your submission.

Harlequin authors should submit through their editor or Harlequin authors should submit through their editor or Submit_HDigital@Harlequin.com.

TIPS:

http://www.harlequin.com/articlepage.html?articleId=1734&chapter=0

• Use a professional email account; for example: Jane Doe, not Fluffy Bunny • It is helpful if your author name and email account name are similar

• Select a readable font (not Courier)

• Make sure your synopsis answers all the questions raised in your plot—if we read your synopsis

will we understand why the murderer committed the crime?

We are not seeking previously published material; however, we are open to self-published material.

2013-02-17T01:00:00.000-05:00

Guest Author Virginia Nelson

-Tell us a little about the book and where did you get the idea to write this story.

ETERNAL LOVERS - Sekhmet’s Guardians – Book One –combines Native American lore and ancient Egyptian mythology in a multi-plotted cross genre paranormal romance. Eternal Lovers is also the first book in an eleven book series.

Blurb - When two hidden worlds collide near modern day Lake Michigan, Jennifer, a young Native American, is confronted with the reality not everything is as it seems and things do go bump in the night. The questions she has long since asked are answered in this epic tale of self discovery when she meets Gabriel; the director of Guardians Incorporated.
Born in New Tuat, Netchkhet, now known as Gabriel, came to Earth some five thousand years ago to protect the human race, Disillusioned because of an unfulfilled prophecy, he has become cold and distant - even from those of his kind. Secretly, he waits for his enemy to take his head so he may leave this world for good.
Can a tiny Selkie melt his hardened heart and restore his faith in a power far greater than himself? When history repeats itself, can he save her from death's embrace or will they be robbed of a future again?

- What’s the best and worst part of being a writer?

Finding enough time to do everything that is expected from an author is probably the hardest part of being a writer in our day and age. Many years ago when I first started writing an author’s job was to write. Editors who worked for large publishing houses actually published and promotional gigs were scheduled by a staff member.

- What is your writing schedule like?

I’m up between 4 and 5 am. After a cup or two of coffee I hit the computer, check my mail, messages and Face book then switch gears putting myself in writer mode. I’m very much a pantser and love to sprint when writing out first drafts so for the next few hours I will hammer out words on the keyboard in thirty minute sprints – taking fifteen minute breaks between them to refill my coffee cup and check messages. I work pretty diligently until 2pm at which time I take an hour break, eat lunch and hopefully do some minor housework. When I return to the computer I tend to switch modes again and use the next couple hours to do edits and revisions. During and sometimes after dinner I go over my days accomplishments with my soul mate. Since I rise early in the morning I’m usually headed to the bedroom by 9pm where I manage to watch a tv show or two before opening up my current reading selection. I read till I fall asleep then wake up and do it all over again. Sundays are the only day I tend to take off and are spent with family and friends.

- What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

Regardless what genre an aspiring writer chooses I strongly recommend joining and becoming an active member of at least one writers group. The support and lessons one receives from others of like mind is priceless. Personally, I belong to three chapters of RWA among other writer organizations. My second tiny bit of advice I might offer would be to apply what you have learned through those organizations but most importantly listen to your heart. Sometimes rules are meant to be broken – I know I have broke more than just a few recently.

- Are you seat of the pants writer or plotter?

I write what I see or experience in my dreams so I would have to say I write by the seat of my pants. During the revisions I may reapply plotting techniques to heighten story content.

- Have any of your titles ever been changed from your original choice?

My individual titles have remained the same although the name of the series did change from Guardian’s Incorporated to Sekhmet’s Guardians.

- If you could turn any of your books into a movie which book or series would it be?

I would have to say Sekhmet’s Guardians. In fact, I have often referred to it as my night time soap. The first book in the series, Eternal Lovers is currently in the hands of a movie producer and is being considered for production.

- Do you have a character in one of your books that continues to haunt you at night or surprised you when you wrote the book?

That would be Gabriel, the leader of Sekhmet’s Guardians. The man caused me to loose many nights of sleep until I finally started to write out his story. He continues to amaze me as he delivers their story through my dreams.

- Which actor screams SEXY to you?

Dwayne Johnson aka the ROCK

- Do you write full time or work outside of the home?

I’m a retired teacher who wrote non-fiction for over twenty years. Currently I am a full time author who enjoys her life in sunny Arizona.

- A lot of people think that genre hopping isn’t a good idea. What do you think?

Personally, I am inclined to believe new authors should try their hand at a variety of genres. One may like to read one genre and think that is where their heart and destiny is but without giving each a try –you will never know.

- Are you an outgoing person? YES

- Are you a morning or night person? Morning

- Is there something about you or your life that readers might be surprised about?

Up until a couple of months ago I would have to say my personal relationship with my high school sweetheart was somewhat of a secret. In 1966 Tom and I, both young teenagers, ran away to get married. Sadly we didn’t go through with it and as fate would have it we ended up getting married to someone else and loosing touch with one another. Thirty years later we were reunited and are now planning on formally tying the not at the http://www.romancenovelconvention.com World famous cover model Jimmy Thomas will be performing the ceremony. What better place to get married than a romance convention?

-Do you write a novel straight through? Or revise as you go? Plan a whole series in advance? Or does the series evolve?

As previously mentioned, I write what I see in my dreams so the stories unfold night by night, sadly not always in chronological order. I tend to write out the complete first draft before making revisions. Usually while I am making the revisions, rewrites and edits the next book in the series begins to unveil itself to me. My characters from each book move forward into the next in the series.

- Do you use Beta readers? I use both beta and post readers in addition to utilizing my critique group.

- Which books were the most fun to write? The hardest to write?

The series along with my urban fantasy, Cupid and Penelope have been a blast to write. The hardest is a current WIP entitled, Sins of a Man, the story of a Mafia hit man. The hero is a difficult man to deal with so I tend to write his story in small blocks.

- What’s next?

Eternal Nights – Sekhmet’s Guardians – Book Two - will be released in May followed by Eternal Blades, book three in December, 2013. I also have several other WIP that should be released within the next couple of years.

- Would you like to share something surprising about you that not many people know? See above wedding plans.

- For fun. What is your favorite kind of chocolate or chocolate dessert? (I love chocolate covered cherries)

Chocolate covered macadamia nuts.

Purchase links:

Amazon author page - http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00AXYLHF0

AMAZON – US

Eternal Lovers – Paperback - http://tinyurl.com/b8ll29b

Eternal Lovers – Large Print - http://tinyurl.com/ae3u6lv

Eternal Lovers – Kindle - http://tinyurl.com/amvlphl

Cupid and Penelope – Paperback - http://tinyurl.com/ayn33ud

Cupid and Penelope - Kindle - http://tinyurl.com/bfyue39

Author’s website – http://www.authorvsnelson.com

Youtube for Eternal Lovers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbtD4MZIV1E

Excerpt from Eternal Lovers – Sekhmet’s Guardians – Book One

Lance met Marie and Kathleen upstairs and shared the unhappy news about Jennifer with them. They disappeared for a few minutes then returned to the dining room to wait for the California group to arrive. Both women said they lit candles and said prayers on Jennifer’s behalf, each to a different deity. Marie was born a mortal in Spain some three hundred years ago and held fast to her Catholic upbringings, while Kathleen was born from two turned immortals. She practiced the old religion, as did her parents.

The Guardians held their secrets tight from most others, but here in the house they all shared, he felt it necessary to prepare the others for what was coming. It did not look good. He’d already made his way to the sound studio downstairs and informed the band members. He also informed Harold in the kitchen as to what was going on. He sent a text message to Roger, to alert the guards around the estate.

Raphael called ahead and reported from the plane that Jennifer was unconscious after being attacked by a breed. Three hours after her encounter in Hollywood with her husband and his breed lover, she was still in, deep shock. She was alive after the breed attacked her, but she remained in some kind of comatose state. Her eyes were open, glazed over and slightly rolled back in her head. She hadn’t spoken since they rushed in and found her. She wasn’t responding to sound or touch in any manner.

Lance put a call in to Michael to come to the estate immediately. Michael, another Ancient, was skilled in the art of ancient and modern medicines. He hoped Michael could help her, as he was more gifted at removing memories than any of the others. Raphael told him Gabriel and himself were both too distraught to even consider trying it themselves. Raphael also said Gabriel was a wreck. He sat on the plane, holding Jennifer like a doll, talking to her, hoping to get some kind of response.

When the group pulled up in front of the home, the front door was opened by Harold. His usual smile was replaced with a grim frown. There was sadness in his eyes, the kind you see when someone dies. He knew the old gentle breed made sure Jennifer’s room was cleaned, her bed sheets were changed and the covers were neatly pulled back waiting for her.

Alice entered the house first, tears flooding her eyes as she looked up and saw Marie and Kathleen waiting next to him. Behind him, stood Mick, Thomas and the other band members who recently came up from the basement.

He stepped aside and Mick stepped forward through the crowd of people, Alice ran to Mick with tears streaming down her face. Mick embraced his lifemate and held her as tight as he dared. Then everyone heard her cries, “Oh Mick, I can’t lose her… I just can’t.”

Lance saw the pain on Mick’s face as he held on to Alice. Immortal men, including breeds were known for their superior physical and emotional strength, but when it came to their lifemate they were just the opposite. The love bond that was created when one took a lifemate allowed each individual to share in their thoughts and their pain. The emotional pain Alice was feeling was now Mick’s, in addition to the pain he already felt for seeing the one he loved in such a state.

Mick looked up at Michael as he started to walk to the front of the house from the dining room. Michael quickly waved a hand over the two and Alice quieted almost immediately. Mick nodded his thank you and remained silent as he continued to hold on to Alice.

Marie and Kathleen stepping back were embraced by their lifemates. Both of them were on the verge of breaking down and needed the comfort of their males.

He, along with everyone else, watched as Gabriel walked through the door carrying Jennifer. Gabriel was so big and Jennifer so small, he looked as though he was carrying a child. Michael pushed through the crowd of on-lookers to get to the two. He stood in front of Gabriel, looking at Gabe’s heartbroken face then put his palms on Jennifer’s temples while looking into her glassed over eyes.

“Take her upstairs,” were the only words Michael spoke.

Gabriel headed for the stairs with Jennifer, followed by Michael. The crowd broke up, some heading for their rooms, others like himself, headed into the bar. He needed a drink—a strong one. It had been a long time since he had seen his brother in the shape he was in tonight.

Lance should have known what was going on with Gabe but he hadn’t paid any attention to his strange behavior. It had been so long since Gabriel showed any kind of connection to anyone--no wonder he dismissed the idea all together. But now that he thought about it, Gabriel’s feelings for Jennifer had been right there in front of him the entire time.

He thought back to the night of the party and remembered Gabriel coming into the pit asking him to find Jennifer. He assumed it was because Gabe was trying to avoid her. Now he knew the truth… Gabriel was in love. May the Goddess help him. If Jennifer didn’t recover soon, he didn’t know what Gabriel would do. He was never the same after he lost Akhakh, the one and only female he had ever loved.

Lance hammered down a double shot of bourbon, then another. Thomas came in the room and put his hand on his shoulder then asked, “Did you know?”

He knew what Thomas was asking—did he know about Gabriel and Jennifer.

“Not until today. It never dawned on me. In fact, I thought Raphael was making time with her until this morning when we couldn’t find her.”

Thomas said his goodbye after pouring them another drink. He leaned on the bar and drank quietly, hoping Michael was taking care of things upstairs.

Thanks for visiting the Passion Sense Blog, Virginia. Best wishes for a wonderful wedding. How exciting! Say hello to Jimmy and give him a hug for me. J

Valentine’s Day Asteroid, Near Apocalypse?

2013-02-10T12:05:00.000-05:00

Okay it’s the geek in me coming out and maybe I do watch waaay too much Big Bang Theory. Does the idea that an asteroid will pass close to earth on Friday bore you? Closer than some satellites? If that doesn't spark your interest, then you can skip this blog. If it does, read on: I love when science fiction becomes science fact.

Asteroid 2012 DA14 will fly by the earth on February 15^th traveling at 7.8 kilometers per second. That’s about eight times the speed of a bullet from a high powered rifle. Don't worry it will not hit. No apocalyptic event and nothing like the movie Armageddon! No need to eat of all your Valentine’s Day chocolates before Friday. But the asteroid will come about 17,100 miles from the planet’s surface, closer than some satellites. That’s very close.

Remember the distance from the earth to the moon is 238,900 miles! I can’t help but think how many times the astrophysics calculated and recalculated the path trajectory of this object to make sure they weren’t making a math mistake. Any slight error in their vector angle calculation and BOOM! Giant hole somewhere on earth.

If this asteroid were to hit—and it won’t—it would have the impact of 2.4 megatons of TNT. It would level trees over an area of 820 miles, about 2/3 the size of Rhode Island. This would be equivalent to the meteor event in Tunguska, Russia in 1908.

Meteorites enter earth’s atmosphere all the time but they’re very small (from grains of sand to fist-size) and may be seen as ‘shooting stars’. Most burn up before landing on the surface.

For the stargazers and telescope enthusiasts: Eastern Europe, Asia and Australia will have the best telescopic-aided view of the 2012 DA14 asteroid. Sadly, it can’t be seen by the naked eye. NASA please take lots of pictures and share!

Need a sexy Science Fiction romance where a natural event destroys a world and hunky guy steps in to rescue, but risks losing his love forever?

Dragon Witch by Ellora's Cave. It was a PRISM finalist.

How's Your New Weightloss/workout Going? #diet #exercise

2013-02-07T01:00:00.000-05:00

How's your new workout and diet going so far? It's been over a month since most people have started that new diet and/or workout routine from their New Year's Resolution. Are you seeing results, or getting discouraged? I think I heard somewhere it takes at least three months for new habits to take hold so if you haven't started seeing results, hang in there. But also you may need to make some adjustments.

The following tips are from the people at Beachbody who give great advice on fitness and diet. They say one of the easiest ways to see quick results is to increase the percentage of protein in your diet. The extra protein in your diet will also help curb your appetite when you're trying to cut back on calories. You do need some carbs especially when you're working out, because your workouts are fueled primarily by blood sugar and glycogen (stored carbs). Over time, you'll understand your own threshold balance between protein to carbs. If you're not seeing results: try to increase the intensity of your workouts, cut back on the carbs while increasing protein and vegetables in your diet. When you see the decrease in weight, keep at it until you reach your goal weight, then slowly introduce more carbs. When the weight starts creaping up again, that's your threshold. It's all about eating healthier and you may need to talk to your doctor if you have any health issues. This will help you eat healthier in the long run.
However, this high-protein phase should be just that: a phase. You'll reach a point at which you'll need to introduce more carbs back into your diet. If not, your body will tell you that you're depleting your stores of energy.

Here are some signs you need to start eating more carbs:

Your overall progress starts to plateau
You notice that your performance is suffering
You're often (or always) tired
You feel like you physically hit a wall during your workout (also known as "bonking")
You throw up

Here are a couple breakfasts to try. You shouldn't skip breakfast. Most can be made in 15 minutes or less.

Breakfasts:

Goat Cheese, Tomato, and Parsley Scramble (Body Beast®)
These eggs are seasoned with the slightly tart flavor of goat cheese. The sweet tomatoes offer a delicious balance.
(Makes 1 serving)

Ingredients:

2 large eggs
1 dash sea salt
1 dash ground black pepper
1-1/2 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium tomato, chopped
1 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh flat leaf (Italian) parsley (or 1 tsp. dried parsley)
1/4 cup crumbled soft goat cheese (1 oz.)

Preparation:

Combine eggs, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl; whisk to blend.
Heat oil in medium nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Add egg mixture; cook slowly, stirring frequently, until eggs are almost set.
Stir in tomato and parsley. Sprinkle with cheese; cook for 1 minute or until eggs are fully cooked.

Sagi's Variations: You can substitute the same amount of feta cheese for the goat cheese. You can use fresh basil, cilantro, or chives instead of parsley. You can use chopped zucchini, asparagus, or broccoli instead of tomatoes.
Nutritional Information (per serving):

Calories	Fat	Saturated Fat	Cholesterol	Sodium	Carbs	Fiber	Sugar	Protein
303	23 g	8 g	385 mg	521 mg	6 g	2 g	4 g	19 g

Egg Sandwich with Canadian Bacon (ChaLEAN Extreme®)
Great for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, this sandwich pairs well with a simple green salad.
(Makes 1 serving)

Ingredients:

1 large egg
1 large egg white
Nonstick cooking spray
3 cups fresh spinach
1 slice whole wheat bread, toasted
1/2 oz. Canadian bacon, warm
2 Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese

Preparation:

Combine egg and egg white in a small bowl; whisk to blend. Set aside.
Heat medium nonstick skillet lightly coated with spray over medium heat. Add spinach; cook, stirring frequently, for 2 to 3 minutes or until wilted. Remove from skillet. Set aside.
Add eggs to skillet; cook over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, for 2 to 3 minutes or until eggs are set.
Top toast with Canadian bacon, spinach, eggs, and cheese.

Nutritional Information (per serving):

Calories	Fat	Saturated Fat	Cholesterol	Sodium	Carbs	Fiber	Sugar	Protein
246	10 g	4 g	206 mg	545 mg	16 g	4 g	2 g	24 g

Proatmeal (INSANITY®)
This high-protein oatmeal gets a flavor boost from fresh berries and walnuts. A great way to jump-start your day.
(Makes 1 serving)

Ingredients:

1/2 cup water
1/4 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
1/3 cup fresh or frozen berries
1 scoop Beachbody® Whey Protein Powder, Chocolate or Vanilla flavor
1 Tbsp. chopped walnuts
1/2 cup nonfat milk (or unsweetened almond milk, rice milk, or soy milk)

Preparation:

Bring water to boil in medium saucepan over medium heat. Add oats; cook, stirring frequently, for 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat.
Combine oatmeal, berries, Whey Protein Powder, and walnuts in a medium bowl; mix well.
Top with milk.

Nutritional Information (per serving):

Calories Fat Saturated Fat Cholesterol Sodium Carbs Fiber Sugar Protein

299 8 g 2 g 37 mg 107 mg 33 g 6 g 14 g 26 g

5 Super-Quick Breakfasts:

Berry Healthy Cereal
3/4 cup high-protein, whole-grain cereal (such as Kashi® Go Lean) topped with 1 cup nonfat milk and 1/2 cup berries
Nutritional Information (per serving): Calories: 266, Protein: 13 g, Fat: 3 g, Carbs: 50 g
Cottage Cheese On-the-Go
1 cup 1% cottage cheese served with 1 medium apple, or 1 medium pear, or 1 cup cubed melon, or 1 cup berries
Nutritional Information (per serving): Calories: 257, Protein: 28 g, Fat: 3 g, Carbs: 31 g
Crunchy Greek Yogurt
1 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt with 3/4 cup high-protein, whole-grain cereal (such as Kashi® Go Lean) mixed in
Nutritional Information (per serving): Calories: 285, Protein: 23 g, Fat: 3 g, Carbs: 45 g
The Hulk Greentealogy
1.5 scoops (or 1-1/2 packets) Greenberry Shakeology® blended with 1 Tbsp. matcha green tea powder, 1 Tbsp. all-natural peanut butter, 1/2 cup nonfat milk, 1 cup water, and 1/2 cup ice (optional)
Nutritional Information (per serving): Calories: 377, Protein: 32 g, Fat: 9 g, Carbs: 44 g
Yogo Berry
1 scoop (or 1 packet) Greenberry Shakeology blended with 1 cup strawberry halves, 1/2 cup plain nonfat yogurt, 1 Tbsp. raw honey, 1 cup nonfat milk, and 1/2 cup ice (optional)
Nutritional Information (per serving): Calories: 401, Protein: 32 g, Fat: 1 g, Carbs: 69 g

**Good luck on your workouts and healthy eating routines. What's your favorite workout? Dh is training for his first 5K run this year.

Good to Great: A Writer's Path to Excellence #amwriting

2013-02-03T13:45:00.001-05:00

Good is the enemy of Great. Have you found yourself saying: This is good enough? Then you have work to do. How does a writer cross the threshold from GOOD to GREAT? What does it take to become a winner and a success? What do top-selling authors, successful business people, and Olympic athletes have in common? Are they just lucky or is there something else?

Next Saturday, February 9^th, I’ll be giving a workshop at the Pocono Lehigh Romance Writers (www.plrw.org ) on this topic and I thought I’d give a little introduction on the topic.

While taking an online class with Bob Mayer a while ago, I was surprised to see NY Times bestselling author Susan Mallery also taking the class. She has published well over 100 novels and is a huge success, why was she taking this class? At one point in the class, I made a comment saying I felt my writing was good but not great. I was trying to figure out how to make it great. I was thrilled to get a private email from Susan. She recommended a book: “Good to Great” by Jim Collins. I asked her why she was taking this class when she was so successful. She said the key to becoming a great writer is always striving to be better. There’s always something to learn, even after 100 or 200 books.

When a NY Times bestselling author recommends a book on how you can become a great writer or gives you any advice: LISTEN!! I did and bought the book and audio. I continue to listen to it in my car over and over. Since then, I’ve found other personal development books/audio. I listen to them and read 10 pages a day. They give me the drive and focus to set goals. In addition, I also read writing How To books and take workshops and online classes.

I’m signed up for Angela James 3-week workshop Before You Hit Send, a self-editing class starting February 11. http://nicemommy-evileditor.com/before-you-hit-send/

Here are a couple tips for becoming a GREAT writer: I’ll add more tips in future posts.

· Create a Stop Doing List. Great authors don’t spend all their time on what TO DO, but focus on what TO STOP DOING. Create a STOP DOING LIST. Find more time for the important things, like writing.

· The Black Hole of the Internet. Have your ever tracked the time you spend on the internet? Facebook, Tweeting, email, texting, etc.? Yes, authors have to do promotion but there must be a balance. Go to: http://www.online-stopwatch.com/ when you get onto FB or Twitter and clock your time. You may think you only spend 15 minutes, but it may be 2 hours. Clock your actual writing time too. Pause the clock if you get up to get a drink, use the bathroom, etc. Tracking your time helps to keep you focused.

· Discipline people, discipline thought, discipline action=Success!!

And that’s one step for becoming GREAT!!

· Set goals. Goals are dreams with deadlines. Write them down!

Good is the enemy of great because it’s the path of least resistance. Do you want to be a good writer or a great writer? What steps are you taking?