Sydney Somers

New Blog

2008-09-08T22:56:00.004-03:00

Since my Myspace blog isn't non-myspace user friendly and the comment section of this one isn't particularly cooperative, you can find my new, less cluttered and fully functioning blog at http://sydneysomers.wordpress.com/

Keeping things simple

2008-02-11T11:57:00.000-04:00

In order to maximize my time spent online, I'll only be updating my MySpace blog from now on. You can find all new blog updates here!

If you use Google Reader or another blog reader to organize and track your blog feeds, add the feed url below to your subscriptions to continue receiving updates on any new blogs I post.

http://blog.myspace.com/blog/rss.cfm?friendID=50881138

Crazy Hot

2007-12-11T10:25:00.000-04:00

Just finished reading this not too long ago and loved it! Hot men, fast cars and some kick-ass action. If you've got a thing for armed alpha males with bad reputations who work for the government, then you'll really want to check out Tara Janzen's Steel Street Garage series.

One year ago today

2007-12-06T19:31:00.000-04:00

Cause sometimes you just need to laugh and what your kids put you through.

Embarassed doesn't even cover it!

Behind the Story - Say You're Mine

2007-12-04T22:37:00.000-04:00

Since a popular question always seems to be where do you come up with your ideas, I thought I'd try to blog a bit about where some of my story ideas come from.

Say You're Mine evolved from three ideas actually. For a while I'd been wanting to write something to do with a family, the Calders, who run a private investigation firm. I love adding a bit of suspense to my plots wherever I can, and a story with a PI firm was something that would give me plenty of room to work with. I also wanted to write about a cocky detective on an undercover assignment who gets roped into pretending the girl he doesn't want to be attracted to is his girlfriend. And finally I knew to make the story a bit different I wanted to give it some definite paranormal overtones.

And what could be worse than to make the cop's phony girlfriend be the younger sister of the two PI brothers Reece is always clashing with. And to take it one step further, the Calder's are witches. Thus the first story in my Spellbound series was born. So not only do Reece and Violet have a drug dealer to appease and two over-protective brothers to avoid, but are also fighting an explosive attraction that can't go anywhere. Or can it? :)

Say You're Mine

There are two things Violet Calder knows. Magic. And that cops and witches don’t mix. Fantasizing about the sexy detective doesn’t help matters, not when her own clumsiness lands her in the middle of Reece Prescott’s undercover assignment.

Forced to pretend the gorgeous Violet is his girlfriend is one more nail in his coffin as far as Reece is concerned. From day one the Calder family has been a pain in his backside, and that doesn’t look like it’s about to change. But keeping his mind on bringing down a drug dealer gets increasingly difficult with Violet so close.

Knowing she has to tread carefully to protect her family, Violet begins to fear that not even magic will save her from falling for the one man she shouldn’t.

Mmm mmm Indy

2007-12-03T21:35:00.000-04:00

May 22/08 is the release date for Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. Spring really can't come soon enough now.

And what could be as awesome as Harrison Ford reprising the role of Indiana Jones? How about Shia LeBoeuf playing his son. I loved him in Transformers!

"If only I had more time"

2007-12-02T22:06:00.000-04:00

This is the one thing that most wannabe romance authors say. "I wish I had the time to write." I should know, I used to say it too. A lot. Back when I thought taking classes during the day and then working a few evenings a week at a local pizza restauant meant I was too busy to write. And then I had kids and leaned the real meaning of "not enough time in the day". Oddly enough, when I had less time, it became that much more important to me to have that time to myself, to be able to pick up that story I was working forever ago. The one I could never seen to get to because there was other stuff that needed to get done.

Then I caught on. Writers write. Period. If you're not making the time to write, then you need to sit and ask yourself why do you want to write. If you ask a published author, or even an aspiring one with a couple of completed manuscripts under their belt, they'll probably tell you "because they have to." They can't not write.

I think for some people that's always been the case. They don't remember a time wanting to write and having a zillion reasons why it wasn't a good time. For other people, you know you want to write, you hear the voices, you see the images unfolding in your mind, yet somehow nothing gets accomplished. For some writing is as much as learning a new habit as it is the need to get those voices on paper. And like any new habit, sometimes it damn hard to make it stick, no matter the best intentions. But here's a little secret, if you love writing, the more you do it, the more you'll want to. The more you'll find that time you didn't think you could. Why? Because you now have to write.

Sure it sounds good in theory, but when it comes to the execution...

So if you're serious about writing, here are some tips of getting in the habit of writing that worked for me in the beginning. And let me say that even though I've gotten over 20 stories under my belt, there are days when I still think that I just don't have the time to write. Which is never good when deadlines are looming and tracking down lost pairs of socks is at the top of my to-do list.

1. Know what inspires you to write, what your triggers are. For me it's music a lot of the time, so every morning the first thing that gets turned on when I get up in the morning is the radio.

2. Mark your progress. To make sure I was writing regularly in the beginning, I started using happy face stickers on my calendar. I had the calendar posted on my bulletin board next to the pc, and it didn't take long at all to realize I liked putting a new sticker up there for every day I wrote.

3. Talk about writing. Okay, so you're significant other may not be so keen on listening to you yammer on and on, so that means find someone who will. The internet is a vast resource for finding places to meet people who share your interests. Even lurking on those lists or blogs that talk about writing will help keep you in the right frame of mind.

4. Reward. Reward. Reward. At this point, you're only worrying about regular daily writing, whether it's five minutes or five hours, between vacuuming and the next load of laundry or a getting a few sentences in before bed, but do something for yourself as a reward for being consistent.

5. Remember not to let the first three things on this list prevent you from writing. Don't let that autobuy author that always makes you want to get back to your own writing keep you so absorbed with their latest tale you decide you can write tomorrow instead. Don't have stickers? Use checkmarks. And set a time limit for surfing the net if reading about writing is one of your triggers.

Sometimes it's scary

2007-12-01T11:15:00.000-04:00

That no matter how many times you read over your book or no matter how many sets of eyes proof it for you, you can still find typos. ARG!!!

So far it's this kind of day!

2007-10-30T12:54:00.000-03:00

Unbreakable Now Available!

2007-10-10T21:22:00.000-03:00

Now Available from Samhain Publishing!

UNBREAKABLE by Sydney Somers
http://samhainpublishing.com/romance/unbreakable

Five years ago the man she loved died in her arms…or did he?

Jordan McAdam leads an unusual double life. Police officer by day, vigilante by night. But Jordan isn't interested in the average criminal. She stalks Shadow Demons, creatures who prey on the innocent, creatures whom she suspects are responsible for a string of bizarre sacrificial murders. Creatures who killed her partner and lover.

Gage Campbell has spent the last few years on an elite team of Shadow Destroyers, hunting down the demons who changed his life—and his DNA. Then an assignment leads him straight back to the woman he hasn't been able to stop thinking about for five long years. The woman he had no choice but to leave behind.

Is the man before her a mimic demon bent on tormenting her, or is it Gage returned from the dead? All Jordan knows is that the raging desire between them is real.

Standing between them are years of secrets and hurt, and a love that just might have the power to bring them together. If the murder case they're working on doesn't separate them--permanently.

EXCERPT

Jordan set her sword aside, her expression serious. "It got you, didn't it?"

"It'll be fine." Already he could feel his skin coming together to seal the gash in his leg layer by layer, but he knew it would hurt like someone had shoved a hot poker into his thigh for another few minutes yet.

"Let me see," Jordan pleaded, ignoring his continued insistence it was fine, and studying the wound through the tear in his pants.

Her brows rose in amazement. "Does it always heal that quickly for you?"

"Sometimes faster. But you don't heal as fast," he guessed. It was common for Destroyers to have varying degrees of essence running through them. It all depended on how the transference happened in the first place, how long they were exposed to it and the demon.

"It would probably take me a few hours to heal a gash like that. I guess that war demon bit you harder than me." A cynical smile curved her lips.

"Don't joke, Jordan. A stealth demon was in your home. I doubt it was coincidence."

She rocked back on her heels. "And what would you have me do? Should I have screamed and waited for someone to call nine-one-one?"

"Of course not," he snapped.

"Then what kind of a response are you looking for? I don't know why it was here, but it's gone now and that's all I care about."

"And what if you had come home alone?" The ridiculous comment was out before he could take it back. She wasn't an innocent. Hell, she could even feel them coming, could defend herself. None of that stopped him from stupidly shooting his mouth off.

Jordan glared at him. "What is it going to take to get you to understand that I can take care of myself? Is it because I wasn't trained to be one of your Destroyers?"

He searched the hard lines of her face, willing Jordan to understand. "I just don't want to see you ripped open beyond your healing capabilities." He caught her hand. "I don't want you to die in my arms."

"The way you did mine?" Hurt surfaced in her green eyes.

Gage shook his head. "Except that I didn't die. How I survived that much blood loss even with the war demon's essence inside me, mutating my genes, I'll never know. But you, you're already as resistant as you're going to get and there is nothing that will save you from being severed in two with a sacrificial sword."

"Is that supposed to scare me? And the same thing could happen to you, damn it. Don't you think I know the risks, that at any time one of them might best me?"

"Jordan," he began. He didn't know what to say, if there was anything that could make her understand that if anything happened to her…

"Don't." Jordan's voice shook. "You came here for your assignment. And when this one is done, you're leaving, right? So let's just agree to disagree on how I spend my spare time, all right?"

He cupped her face. A sadness he'd done his best to bury clawed through his chest. "I don't want this life for you."

She shook her head sadly. "You walked away, remember? What you want
doesn't matter."

Her comment knifed through him. "So when this is over and I'm gone, you'll what? Keep doing this?"

"Yes."

"Why?" He already feared he knew the answer, but he needed to hear it for himself.

"Because it's who I am now."

Watch the Book Video
http://youtube.com/watch?v=kEFTlOaojWc

Buy the Book
http://www.mybookstoreandmore.com/product_info.php?products_id=721

Demon slayers on the brain

2007-10-10T08:37:00.001-03:00

With Unbreakable's release, revising Stripped Away and the still nameless third story in the series starting to whisper in the back of my mind, my demon slayers are now even invading my dreams. Good since that keeps me eager keep work on them, bad because my brain isn't getting a rest. Could be worse. I could spend every night dreaming about waiting tables as I did constantly after my shifts at the restaurant where I used to work.

Blame it on She-Ra

2007-10-04T08:15:00.000-03:00

I'm blogging over at Samhain Publishing this morning. Check it out HERE!

Priceless

2007-09-25T20:07:00.001-03:00

Pop on over to Bam's blog and checkout Meljean Brook's video tips on writing romance. Hilarious!

Sore Today

2007-09-21T10:44:00.000-03:00

Exercise would be so much easier if it didn't freakin' hurt so much. After a toning workout yesterday, I'm hurting in places that are hurting in places. Thankfully my wrists were spared any day-after tenderness. The good news is that I can write today. The bad news is I can write today. *sigh* Oh, to spend a couple of hours curled up with a book right now. I only have a huge TBR pile to choose from. But deadlines have to come first...or so I'm told.

But I was talking about exercise, yet one of the many things I tend to procrastinate about. I lost track of how many days now I've said that I was going to get back to working out. Okay, forget "get back to" because as much as I've tried to regularly exercise, I don't. Which is just plain retarded. I mean, how hard is it for me to find 20 freakin' minutes a day? Damn near impossible if you look at my pathetic track record. It's a sad thing when I write about kickass heroines and yet playing soccer in the backyard with my five-year-old for five minutes exhausts me. *sigh*

Every author's dream editor

2007-09-19T11:20:00.000-03:00

*snort*

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zo1XFz0kac0

Crunch time - Ug

2007-09-19T11:02:00.000-03:00

Every time I find myself looking at the closing window of a deadline I tell myself I will not procrastinate and will stay on top of writing and the necessary regular promo I need to do from now on. And every time, no matter how diligent and organized I try to be, I end up having to work like a dog towards the end of deadline. The bizarre and somewhat reassuring part is I seem to work well under pressure. Thrive, even.

Maybe my subconscious mind is well aware of that fact and purposely sets out to sabotage my attempts at being efficient and super organized. Luring me into distraction by playing to my addictions to Myspace, book trailers, a good book, The O.C (never watched it the first time it was on TV but LOVIN' the rerun of episodes on Much Music). Whatever it takes to make it so I have to really buckle down and damn near drown in my story in order to get it turned in on time.

And that it soooo what I'm telling my editor when her foot starts to tap as she waits for me to turn in Stripped Away. *g*

Unbreakable Book Video

2007-09-16T10:14:00.000-03:00

Coming October 5th!
Win an ARC - See my Website for details!

Demon Moon

2007-09-12T23:22:00.000-03:00

One of the best things about an awesome series is knowing there is another book coming. The only downside to an awesome series is having to actually wait for the next book to release. But before I start salivating for the next book in Meljean Brook’s Guardian series, let me point out why people need to read this wonderfully talented author, more specifically Demon Moon. It’s not often that I come across such wickedly complex world building, nor that I fall head over heels for the kind of hero Colin is. But from start to finish this book completely engrossed me. I adored her heroine Savi and had been looking forward to her and Colin’s story since the potential for their relationship was hinted at in Demon Angel. Not only does Meljean suck me in so completely, I both laughed out loud and actually teared up (okay, cried) in a couple places—something I don’t do for many romances. It just doesn’t get much better than the emotional upheaval from two characters who are certain they can’t have a future. Toss in some fantastic action and some scenes with Lilith and Hugh and you’ve got one fabulous read.

Another plus…I recently got my hands on the Hot Spell Anthology which features the novella that kicked off Meljean’s Guardian series. At least that's something to hold me over (almost)as I wait for Demon Night to release. February can't come fast enough)

By the Power of Grayskull

2007-09-07T15:24:00.000-03:00

So it seems Hollywood is going to give the He-Man franchise another live action film go-around. And although I was pleasantly surprised by how good of a transition Transformers made from cartoon to the big screen, I'm leery of He-Man. Especially in light of how their first attempt went over with Dolph Lundgren. Early speculation on who could play the part of He-Man mentions Brad Pitt or Gerard Butler. I have a hard time seeing the crazy Brad from 12 Monkeys fitting the role. As for Gerard...as ah, lickable as the man's abs were in 300, I think I'd need more a little convincing.

Way too anxious

2007-09-06T10:43:00.000-03:00

Instead of writing right now while my youngest is learning how to count to 20 courtesy of Mickey Mouse, I'm pacing the halls. I can barely hear my characters this morning, let alone pay attention to their insistent voices. This morning I put my oldest on the school bus for his very first full day of school. On the plus side, he didn't hesitate to scramble up the steps and find a seat. On the down side, I'm driving myself nuts wondering what he's doing, if he's listening to the teacher, if he'll actually eat all his lunch and if he'll get off on the right stop on the way home. My stomach aches just thinking about it all, and not even the temptation of a really good book is helping. *sob* 2:20 can't come soon enough.

My favorite time of day

2007-08-31T19:45:00.000-03:00

Ah, bedtime!

I adore my kids, but by the time evening rolls around, I'm ready to tuck the little animals in for the night. Especially after a trip to McDonalds (ug) becomes the scene for a tantrum staged by my boundry-testing three year old. It never fails to surprise me how much volume can be packed into two little lungs, especially when I have to half-drag/half-carry the culprit kicking and screaming to the car. And I just love the looks I get on the way out. Sympathy from those people who have kids, relief on the faces of people who don't plan to have kids, and then an expression of concern on a couple who are probably thinking I'm stealing him. 'Course that could be because my son is screaming for Daddy(left with the behaving child) and Mommy(who he conveniently forgets is carrying him). Yeah, I love me some bedtime.

Since we're heading out for the long weekend, I didn't get much accomplished on the writing front today either. As if going without the internet for three full days isn't enough to prove myself, my husband is even insisting the laptop stays home altogether. Not that I'm complaining too much about that, not when I take into consideration the size of my TBR pile. It's just a good thing paper and pens can still be slipped into my bag when the DH isn't looking.

When the sequel starts calling your name

2007-08-30T09:39:00.000-03:00

And it's worse when the book has a theme song. Last summer when I was editing Unbreakable the first time around I heard The Dolphin's Cry from Live and it just clicked in my head for Quinn and Braxton's story (Stripped Away). Since writing Unbreakable, I've been itching to get to the next book in the series.

I wrote the proposal for Stripped Away in winter 08 but have had other projects keeping me from getting back to it. Naturally as soon as Samhain revisions started for Unbreakable this month, Quinn and Braxton's story really started unfolding in my head. Add to that listening to Dolphin's Cry again and it was all I could do to ignore the voices begging me to get back to Quinn and Braxton. I had a serious internal sigh when I finally got to fall back into Stripped Away earlier this week. The second book in the series is out in February 08 so I have plenty to do in the coming weeks.

For those who are curious there are five books planned for the series, and already I'm fighting the whispers from Drew to get started on the third one.

Knock-out Cover!

2007-08-26T08:57:00.001-03:00

I absolutely LOVE it! I can't wait for October 5th!!!

Twitchin' times two

2007-08-24T20:50:00.001-03:00

So not only did I get a peek at the gorgeous new cover from my upcoming release, Unbreakable [that I'm not allowed to share just yet :(} but I also finished a new novella, Waitin' on a Hero.

Yeah, it's been a really good day!

Taming Eliza Jane

2007-08-22T10:19:00.000-03:00

After first reading Shannon Stacey's Kiss Me Deadly in the Talons Anthology I knew I wanted to read more by her. Kickass 72 Hours confirmed I had just found a new favorite author. Those days of discovering autobuy authors don't come along all that often. When I heard Shannon was working on a Taming Eliza Jane I wondered how that strong, compelling voice would translate to the historical genre. Wonderfully! I LOVED this story. Historicals aren't at the top of my must-buy list these days but I was so glad I picked this one up. She nailed that same chemistry between the hero and heroine that I've come to expect. She made me tear up at one part, and burst out laughing until my stomach hurt at another scene. Shannon's books are pure hold-it-to-your-chest-when-you-finish-it entertainment. If you haven't discovered this author yet, what are you waiting for?

Check out more on Taming Eliza Jane!

Feel Good Revisions

2007-08-20T21:37:00.000-03:00

As much as typing "the end" is an awesome feel good moment, I think there is a lot to be said for finishing revisions. For the last couple of weeks I've been reemerged in the world of my Destroyers in anticipation of Unbreakable's October release, remembering why I connected with this story so much. I've loved every story I've written, but some are just...special. The characters from Unbreakable existed in my head over a year before I was finally ready to sink into Jordan and Gage's world. To say that I'm excited this book is getting a second chance is the understatement of the year.

And one of the best things about this book is knowing how much I struggled with this story, both in the original writing of it, and then during revisions. In a perfect world an author could hand in a book that didn't need a damn bit of editing, but then there wouldn't be that high from working with a great editor and turning a good story into a even better one.

When you're done pacing the hall, every other word dissected until the pages should be glow in the dark, and the character's are real enough they could jump from the book and bring their story to life, that is what feels really good.

Super Hero Identity of the Day

2007-08-18T15:32:00.000-03:00

Your Superhero Identity For Today Is:

Name: Flame Sister
Secret Identity: Sydney Somers
Special Power: Nuclear Stick
Transportation: Nuclear Bicycle
Weapon: Neutron Lasso
Costume: 100 Percent Cotton Pajamas
Sidekick: Hermione
Nemesis: Tim the Assassin
Tragic Flaw: Clumsiness
Favorite Food: Lasagna

Find your Super hero identity of the day HERE!

When you just can't let go

2007-08-15T09:33:00.000-03:00

The summer is always crazy for me. Seems like I'm away more than I'm home. Good for my reading time-who can resist grabbing a book when a hammock blowing gently in the breeze on warm sunny day is so damn appealing-but not so good for writing. It's also not good for blogging. I debated for a while about cutting blogging out altogether, but while some days I struggle to find something interesting to say, I've missed this.

And so I'm gonna get my blogging back on track if it kills me. Considering the way my youngest is eyeballing me now (tucked under the blanket as we wait to see if the curious spots creeping up on his little body are infact chicken pox) that getting back on track thing may need to wait until bedtime.

220 Hours until D-Day

2007-06-07T13:10:00.000-03:00

"D" so cleverly standing for deadline. In nine more days I will be free, sort of. Since January I've had a string of deadlines hanging over my head that have meant keeping my butt in front of the pc until my rear is numb. And next week I will wrap up the last of my immediate deadlines. Yeehaw! And for a whole few days I'll be able to just...breathe. Right up until I launch straight into proposal land, after which (assuming I get good news on those projects and a few I'm still waiting to hear about) the whole vicious cycle will start again.

So for another few days I'll be in love with revising Tempted (I freakin' love tweaking the first draft) and trying to keep the voices in my head (you know, for those proposals I mentioned) to a dull roar. Not an easy feat with two witches and a futuristic bounty hunter yammering 24-7.

Partying at Romance Junkies

2007-05-29T10:36:00.000-03:00

For the next three days I'll be chatting about my books and any other crazy topics the Chatters throw at me. Be sure to drop in and say hi!

Two Times the Fun!

2007-05-29T10:27:00.000-03:00

The only thing better than doing the new release happy dance, is doing it for TWO new releases.

Private investigator Finn Calder would sooner take a Lancaster witch out to dinner than work another cheating spouse case. Considering the long standing feud between their two families, that’s saying a lot. But when gorgeous Bree Jacobs works her way into the middle of his case with one memorable lap dance, Finn starts to think things are finally looking up.

The last man Bree Lancaster Jacobs expected to be attracted to was a cocky P.I. with his share of family secrets. Not even an age-old rivalry can stop her heart from pounding whenever Finn gets too close. As they work to solve a murder they both have a vested interest in, Bree knows she’s in real danger of losing her heart to a man who could never love her.

For Julia Sanchez, Infinity is more than just the name of the popular nightclub she runs, it’s also how long she expects to live. Alone. Abandoned by her life-mate over a century ago, Julia has come to terms with her future. Or so she believes, right up until Brody sweeps back into her life…and right back out again. But a lot has changed in the years he’s been absent and Julia has no intention of sitting idly by when he pulls another disappearing act.

Hunted by warriors sworn to protect humankind from vampires, Brody forced himself to walk away from Julia. A century later, even imprisonment has done little to ease his need for the only true light in a world of darkness. But as long as his pursuers believe Brody is the Key to unlocking the mystery of his race, only one thing will keep Julia safe. Convincing her that he never loved her. And before she’s used as a pawn in a dangerous game that could mean sacrificing more than just his heart for the woman he loves.

For excerpts and other extras, stop by my Website!

Meet Finn and Bree

2007-05-26T15:48:00.000-03:00

Don't Let Go releases this Tuesday!

Finn's point of view

Give me a missing person case, a lost pet, a mystery blackmailer, a murder trail gone cold, but for the love of God I need a break from adultery. The only saving grace for the case I’m working now is Bree Jacobs. Every time I turn around she's popping up in the middle of my investigation, and the more I learn about this woman, the more I want to know. Crave to know. Already she's worked under my skin in a way that makes me think the dating scene has gotten really old.

If only I didn't find her standing over a dead body.

There are layers to Bree not even magic can get at, but the more I push to understand her, to find out why she's so interested in my case, to figure out why I'm so intrigued by her, the more I risk crossing a line that no Calder is ever supposed to cross.

Bree's point of view

I'll do anything for the people I love. Need to talk to the man who ripped you off? No problem, I’ve got the perfect stilettos and corset for the job. Need to get a closer look at a home office? There isn't a lock I can’t open. Need to look like a woman on short notice? Well...I have friend who can help with that one.

I may have been away for a while, but when it comes to making up for not being there, I'm ahead of the game. Or so I thought until I crossed paths with a cocky P.I. who makes me think of long, hot nights and kisses that do a hell of a lot more than make you weak in the knees.

Not so long ago running was easier than facing the changes in my life. Learning that Finn is not only a warlock, but also a Calder gives me a whole new reason to take off for parts unknown. That might even be an option if he wasn't my alibi and if I wasn't already falling for him.

Addicted Much?

2007-05-23T11:44:00.000-03:00

It's a sad thing when you realize how much time the internet sucks out of you. :) Worse still when you can't trust yourself to just pop online to check your mail, and before you know it you're blog hopping and skimming websites instead of finishing that daily page goal.

But I have conquored the beast and managed to curb my online time to make up some ground on my current work in progress. As long as I don't get sucked back in I may actually make my deadline without cutting too close. Much better for my sanity all around really.

Now that I'm deep in the flow of working on Tempted, I can try to catch up with my blogging. Gabe and Brynn have proven to be more challenging to write than I first expected when they came to life in the pages of Destined. After taking Gabriel to a bit of a dark place in Sacrificed, things haven't gone smoothly for these two, but then that's what makes it more fun to write.

What Planet are you from?

2007-05-02T10:28:00.001-03:00

You Are From Mercury

You are talkative, clever, and knowledgeable - and it shows.
You probably never leave home without your cell phone!
You're witty, expressive, and aware of everything going on around you.
You love learning, playing, and taking in all of what life has to offer.
Be careful not to talk your friends' ears off, and temper your need to know everything.

What Planet Are You From?

Meet Julia and Brody from Sacrificed

2007-05-01T00:09:00.000-03:00

I figured since I'm working away on the third book in my From Tonight Until Forever series that I should give y'all a closer peek at the hero and heroine of the second one seeing as it releases this month from New Concepts Publishing. So while Gabe and Brynn keep me occupied with a rather violet confrontation, check out Brody and Julia.

Brody's point of view

Sometimes the decision that hurts the most is the best for everyone involved. I've lived with that outlook for over a century and promised myself I'd live with it a dozen more. To keep Julia safe.

But the only thing worse than severing those ties to the past, is discovering it might have been for nothing. I've only given Julia reasons to hate me, so no one is more surprised than me when she tracks me down, and her sudden need for closure could cost me everything I've sought to protect.

It doesn't matter that she makes me ache for what we've lost, I can't let her see how badly I still want her. I'd die before risking her life, and with the hunters determined to see me caged, it just might come to that.

Julia's point of view

Even when you think you've let go of the past, it just might walk right through the door and remind you with one searing kiss that you've just been in denial. For a long time I convinced myself Brody never loved me, but seeing him again makes me question everything I thought I knew. Almost as troubling as learning I may not be so over him, is finding I’m a target.

A hundred years ago my life was turned upside down, and I'll be damned if I'm going to let hunters, or even the man I still love, do it all over again. Brody may think the hunters after him are his biggest problem.

Boy is he in for a surprise.

Finally a member of the big girls' club

2007-04-30T23:38:00.000-03:00

Isn't that what turning 30 is about? That plus an occasion to mark the sudden appearance of gray hair. Okay so the strands of gray aren't so new, but I refused to consider coloring it until after I turned 30. Now I'm thinking it should be closer to 31. *g* But oddly enough turning 30 wasn't any different than turning 29 or 28. And for some weird reason hitting 25 bugged me, but 30 I'm cool with. Go figure.

Now if only deadlines understood the importance of taking your birthday off.

There's no such thing

2007-04-28T20:25:00.000-03:00

as too much Leo.

Finally got to see The Departed last night. I really enjoyed it. For a movie that's 2 1/2+ hours long the story moved along at a great pace. Fantastic acting all around.

Ouch

2007-04-28T20:12:00.000-03:00

Who would have ever thought that pulling a muscle in your shoulder could be such a pain in the ass. You know that fleshy muscle part right near your collarbone? Yeah, pulling that wittle muscle in there is torture. I move my arm it hurts. I breath too deep it hurts. I laugh or cough it hurts. My husband is threatening to gag me if I don't stop complaining (or whining as he calls it). He doesn't seem to understand that my shoulder and that particular muscle are rather important to typing, which oddly enough is a part of the writing process.

One of these years

2007-04-25T10:02:00.000-03:00

I really am going to make it to the Romantic Times Convention. By now tons of my writers friends and plenty of others are chatting it up and hanging out. They're gabbing over little cocktails about the two passions that everyone who goes to RT shares. Reading and Writing. And seeing as how those happen to be two of my favorite things (right after my boys and husband naturally) it sucks that I'm missing out. Not to mention the parties and the huge book fair this coming weekend. And did I mention the sexy cover models?

And I'm really doing a super job of not wallowing. LOL

On the Edge by Shannon Stacey

2007-04-25T09:53:00.000-03:00

Another GREAT read from Shannon. If you haven't discovered her Devlin group, you are missing out! She knows how to jam a fantastic action-filled plot and wonderfully, emotionally charged and sexy characters into one kickass package.

BOOK 2 of The Devlin Files: A privately-owned rogue agency unhindered by red tape and jurisdiction.

When an explosion rocks the Devlin Group, two agents must risk everything to save them all.

Tony Casavetti emerges from an undercover assignment only to be summoned to NYC by Charlotte, the Devlin Group’s executive administrator. But when he arrives, he finds out she may be ruthlessly efficient, but his assumption about her being matronly was dead wrong.

Charlotte Rhames has it all—looks, wealth, and the respect she craved. But an attack on the Devlin Group throws her back into the pit of sex, money, and murder she’d crawled out of.

With Tony’s life at stake, how far is she willing to fall?

Visit Shannon's Website!

Left Behind Contest

2007-04-24T23:41:00.000-03:00

This is from my fantastic editor at Samhain.

I'm off to the Romantic Times Convention in Houston, Texas in under 24
hours and I'm feeling bad for those of you who can't go. So I put the
call out to my authors: Give me prizes! We've come up with 5 prize
packages that I think should knock your socks off!

Here's how to enter. Below you'll find each prize basket described and
a list of questions under them. You can enter for one basket or you
can enter for all of them but each entry must be done in a separate
email.

In the subject line write: Left Behind Contest and the number of the
contest you're entering. As I said, you can enter each one, but each
must be entered in a separate email. Entries all on one email will be
disqualified. Entries with incorrect answers will be disqualified.

All the contests are open to residents of Canada/US. International
readers may enter contests#4 and #5 (because of the gift cards in the
prize packages 1 to 3, they cannot go to international entrants,
sorry!) but you will be eligible for any extra prize draws that I do!

All entries must be emailed to contest AT nicemommyevileditor.com and
must be received by Monday, April 30th. Prize winners will be emailed
by Wednesday, May 2nd and will have one week to claim their prize and
provide mailing information. Any unclaimed prizes will be kept by me.
Okay, not really, I'll just draw a new name :)

Oh, and did I mention that I might throw in a print book or two of
winner's choice from "my" authors' Samhain backlist and up the number
of winners? And you never know what else I might bring home from RT
and decide to throw in for prizes!

*permission to forward granted*

Good luck!

Angela James, Executive Editor
Samhain Publishing, Ltd.

Prize basket #1

Talons print anthology print from Mandy/Michelle
Forever Again Print by Shannon Stacey
Believe the Magic Print by Melani Blazer
Rescue Me print by Jaci Burton (and Surviving Demon Island)
Naughty Little Secret print by Shelley Bradley
Canvas bag from Shelly Laurenston
$20 GC to Borders from Nicole Austin
$15 GC to adult toy store online from TK Winters

1.How many chapters are there currently in Mandy and Michelle's
ongoing free story, The Raven? http://mandyroth.com/raven.htm
2. What is the title of Shannon Stacey's upcoming June release from
Samhain Publishing? www.shannonstacey.com
3. What was the title of Melani Blazer's Samhain release that featured
a race car driver? www.melaniblazer.com
4. What is the title of Jaci Burton's upcoming July release from
Samhain Publishing? www.jaciburton.com
5. What is the title of Shelley Bradley's upcoming July release from
Samhain Publishing? www.shelleybradley.com
6. What is the title of Shelly Laurenston's upcoming July release from
Samhain Publishing? www.shellylaurenston.com
7. Name the title of one of Nicole Austin's Samhain releases.
www.nicoleaustin.net
8. What is the title of TK Winters'Samhain release? www.tkwinters.com

Prize basket #2

Beast Within print by Kelly Ethan
Beginnings Anthology print from Kate Davies
Midnight Temptation print from Dee Tenorio
Midnight Sonata print from Dee Tenorio
Lord Demon's Delight print by Gia Dawn
$15 GC to adult toy store online from TK Winters
Flogger keychain from Mackenzie McKade
$20 GC to Borders from Nicole Austin

1. What is the heroine's name in The Beast Within? www.kellyethan.com
2. What is the name of Kate Davies' blog? www.kate-davies.com
3. What is on the cover of Dee Tenorio's Samhain book, Betting
Hearts? www.deetenorio.com
4. What famous actor did Gia Dawn go to college with? www.giadawn.com
5. What are the names of the three characters in Mackenzie McKade's
newest Samhain release, Lisa's Gift? www.mackenziemckade.com
6. Name the title of one of Nicole Austin's Samhain releases.
www.nicoleaustin.net
7. What is the title of TK Winters'Samhain release? www.tkwinters.com

Prize basket #3

Stud Finders Incorporated print by Alexis Fleming
Pack Challenge print by Shelly Laurenston
Giving Chase print by Lauren Dane
Taking Chase print by Lauren Dane
Midnight Sun print by Rene Lyons print
$15 GC to adult toy store online from TK Winters
$20 GC to Borders from Nicole Austin
Promo pack from Samhain Publishing

1. What is the title of Alexis Fleming's fantasy novel available from
Samhain Publishing? www.alexisfleming.com
2. What is the title of Lauren Dane's blog? www.laurendane.com
3. What year did the king of France order the arrest of the Templar
Knights? www.renelyons.net
4. Name one June release from Samhain Publishing.
www.samhainpublishing.com
5. What is the title of Shelly Laurenston's upcoming July release from
Samhain Publishing? www.shellylaurenston.com
6. Name the title of one of Nicole Austin's Samhain releases.
www.nicoleaustin.net
7. What is the title of TK Winters'Samhain release? www.tkwinters.com

Prize basket #4 (electronic prize) downloads of the following:

Goddess of the Grove by Mandy M. Roth
Stone Queen by Michelle M. Pillow
Choice of Arianna Hart's Samhain titles in ebook format
Beast Within by Kelly Ethan
On the Edge by Shannon Stacey
The Gripping Beast by Charlene Teglia
Not Quite Dead by Sela Carsen
Evolutions Embers by Mary Wine
$10 GC to MBaM from Angela James

1. What is the title of Mandy Roth's blog? www.mandyroth.com
2. What is the name of Michelle Pillow's book in the Talons anthology
from Samhain Publishing? www.michellepillow.com
3. What is the hero on the cover of Spitfire by Arianna Hart holding
in his hand? www.ariannahart.com
4. What is the title of Charlene Teglia's next Samhain book?
www.charleneteglia.com
5. What is the title of Shannon Stacey's upcoming June release from
Samhain Publishing? www.shannonstacey.com
6. What is the heroine's name in The Beast Within? www.kellyethan.com
7. What actor was the inspiration for Willem Breaux, the hero of Not
Quite Dead by Sela Carsen? www.selacarsen.com
8. Name one upcoming May release from Samhain Publishing.
www.samhainpublishing.com
9. What is the title of Mary Wine's upcoming release from Samhain
Publishing? www.marywine.com

Prize basket#5 (electronic prize) downloads of the following:

Believe the Magic by Melani Blazer
Say You're Mine by Sydney Somers
Choice of download of Nicole Austin's Samhain titles
Challenging Carter by Kate Davies
Night Music by Charlene Teglia
The Last Thing I Expected download from Heather Rae Scott
Choice of download of Ciar Cullen's Samhain titles
Consumed by Moira McTark
$10 GC to MBaM from Angela James

1. What was the title of Melani Blazer's Samhain release that
featured a race car driver? www.melaniblazer.com
2. Name the title of Ciar Cullen's upcoming Samhain release.
www.ciarcullen.com
3. Name the title of one of Nicole Austin's Samhain releases.
www.nicoleaustin.net
4. What is the name of Kate Davies' blog? www.kate-davies.com
5. What is the name of Sydney Somers' upcoming May release from
Samhain Publishing? www.sydneysomers.com
6. What is the heroine's name in The Last Thing I Expected by Heather
Rae Scott? www.heatherraescott.com
7. What is the title of Charlene Teglia's next Samhain book?
www.charleneteglia.com
8. Name one upcoming July release from Samhain Publishing.
www.samhainpublishing.com
9. What is the name of the hero in Moira McTark’s book, Consumed? www.moiramctark.com

Only 24 hours to go...

2007-04-22T21:11:00.000-03:00

...until Heroes returns. They sooo make the preview look like Peter dies. *sniff*

Meet Will and Lanie from DESTINED

2007-04-21T20:04:00.000-03:00

Will’s point of view

I never believed in second chances. Not until I crossed paths with a woman whose face still haunts my dreams. With one look the past comes roaring back, but is it really the woman I loved and lost centuries ago, or is Lanie capable of taking me to my knees all on her own?

While my body aches to possess her, I know what loving someone so deeply cost me before, and I’m not heading down that road again. And I may never learn who Lanie really is unless I can keep her alive. The only thing a vampire fears more than sunlight, is the race of humans who hunt us. They should have no interest in Lanie, but twice now they’ve come for her. The only thing that terrifies me more than even thinking of opening my heart to this woman, is knowing the hunters won’t stop until they get what they’re after.

And they’ll have to kill me to get her.

Lanie’s point of view

His face is one I know well. So well I can’t help but question my very sanity when my fantasy man shows up in the flesh. Like the dreams that rule my nights, I hunger for him like no one else. But Will Matheson is more than he appears. With every glimpse into those haunting blue eyes that see right through me, I know he hides the truth.

He tells me we’ve never met, but the way he watches me when he thinks I’m not looking proves I’m right. The only thing I crave more than a night in his arms is the truth, and the only people who might tell me what that is, want me dead.

My heart tells me that trusting Will is the right decision, but such faith in a man shrouded in secrets may cost me more than my heart.

A few things to ponder

2007-04-19T09:11:00.000-03:00

Can you cry under water?

How important does a person have to be before they are considered assassinated instead of just murdered.

Why do you have to "put your two cents in".. but it's only a "penny for your
thoughts"? Where's that extra penny going to?

Why does a round pizza come in a square box?

Why is it that people say they "slept like a baby" when babies wake up like
every two hours?

The drought is over

2007-04-19T09:02:00.000-03:00

So I'm finally caught up with things (for now) and Blogger has decided my account wasn't worth hijacking any longer since I was actually able to log in this morning. *sigh* So lets see, I turned in Sacrificed to my editor at NCP, finished revisions on Don't Let Go, and managed to get all the dust bunnies under the couch that were reproducing at an alarming rate. And aside from proving to my little boys that lady bugs are harmless (waaaaay easier said than done) that brings everyone up to speed. The exciting life I lead these days...LOL

Bad Blogger

2007-04-13T20:46:00.000-03:00

I am alive, really. And as of Sunday I will be coming back up for air. If my brain isn't fried by then. LOL In which case, the end of the weekend shoud find me sitting and staring vacantly out a window in my vegetative state at all the damn snow! Grrrrr.

Another Monday

2007-04-09T09:36:00.000-03:00

Things to look forward to this week:

- Tackling revisions for Don't Let Go, cause I'm weird like that.
- Turning in Sacrificed to my editor. Amother one down. Almost. *g*
- Reading Shannon Stacey's On The Edge and Sherrilyn Kenyon's The Dream Hunter.

Things to put off until next week: (Again)

- Stripping wallpaper off the kitchen walls so they can be repainted. Ug. Candidate for Trading Spaces, or any other home design show, I am not.
- Fleshing out the plot for Tempted. Julia and Brody (Sacrificed) are still drowning out Gabe and Brynn.
- The sock basket. Sometimes listening to my husband grumble about no socks is just too fun.

Happy Easter

2007-04-08T21:19:00.000-03:00

You Are a Cadbury Creme Egg

You're the type that stole little brother's easter basket so that you could have MORE CANDY!

What Easter Candy Are You?

Now Available

2007-04-07T09:28:00.000-03:00

DESTINED
http://www.newconceptspublishing.com/destined.htm

Alone, immortal, and untouchable, Will Matheson never expected to come face to face with his past. Powerful feelings once buried deep, come roaring to the surface when he lays eyes on Lanie Sullivan. Even though Will assures himself Lanie can't really be the woman he loved and lost long ago, being around her awakens a hunger within him, a hunger to know her in all the ways his body insists he already does.

The unexpected appearance of man she thought only existed in her dreams ignites a spark inside Lanie she's long thought lost. More troubling than her immediate awareness and connection with the stranger is that Will may be the only one who can keep her safe from the darkness stalking her. But can Lanie trust him with her life and her heart when she knows he hides the truth, or will the secret that he keeps push her away forever?

EXCERPT

"Feel free to run screaming anytime," she said hesitantly.
Will studied the charcoal sketch of himself, noted his hair was the same length and style he'd sported hundreds of years ago.

"When did you draw these?" He picked up another drawing, this one done in pencil. The attention to detail was incredible. It took a gifted hand to be able to capture such likeness.

Lanie took her time crossing to his side, her stride hesitant. She glanced over his shoulder at the sketch. "I started almost five years ago. You sure you don't want to run?"

He set the drawing aside, picked up another one. "Do you believe in fate, Lanie?"

"I didn't until you walked into the bookshop."

Her brown eyes triggered a warm rush in his chest, and he turned towards her. She smelled so soft and warm and good. He ached to take her in his arms until she remembered him. But there was no guarantee she ever would. Elizabeth was dead, gone. Even if a tiny part of her was buried inside the woman in front of him, Lanie Sullivan was her own person.

So where did that leave him? Them?

Lanie tilted her soulful gaze up to meet his. "What about you? Do you believe in fate?'

Will shrugged and closed his eyes against the warmth radiating off her. If he moved another inch to the right, he'd be touching her, and her proximity was already playing havoc with his insides. He didn't need to look down to see exactly what effect she had on him. His aching erection told the whole story. Still, he couldn't drag himself away. "I've asked myself that since the other night."

She gripped his sleeve. "I've dreamed about you for five years, Will. What does that mean?"

Five years? Christ. He needed to sit down. He needed to get out of here. He needed to hold her in his arms and never let her go.

Will closed his eyes, waited for some sign to show him the right thing to do.

"Kind of overwhelming I know," Lanie said. Her voice shuttled over him in a seductive wave.

Will opened his eyes. Desire for this woman, sharp and soul deep, almost brought him to his knees. His arms slipped around her waist and he tugged her flush against him. He took a deep breath, his senses absorbing the scent of her, memorizing the feel her as if she might leave him again. Her head tipped back to expose the slender column of her neck. Her pulse pounded fast and hard. The monster inside him smiled at the offering, dared him to take it from her. Helpless to fight her effect on him and the hunger inside him, Will bent his head and brushed his mouth across the tender flesh.

She trembled in his arms, tasted like the sweetest of sins and he meant to have her. All of her. Now.

He walked them back until Lanie's back hit the wall. Crushed against him, her every curve burned through his body from head to foot. Her pulse kicked up, and he felt a vein thump under his mouth. Just one nip of his teeth and he could taste her.

Migraines suck

2007-04-04T13:17:00.000-03:00

Between catching the tail end of some flu bug on the weekend and the stabbing pain behind my right eye, my pc time has been limited in the last few days. Plus my blogmuse has refused to return until my head starts cooperating. I should be back to normal tomorrow. *fingers really really crossed*

New Cover Dance!

2007-03-29T15:48:00.000-03:00

Destined releases in early April. To get more info check out my website!

My head hurts

2007-03-29T15:36:00.000-03:00

This is your brain.

This is your brain on three back to back deadlines.

Taking Stock

2007-03-26T15:27:00.000-03:00

Now that it's Monday again it's time to look at all the stuff that DIDN't get done last week or on the weekend. My sister visited for the weekend, which always guarantees I'll find hanging out with her more exciting than working on my book. Good because it meant I watched some of my favorite episodes from Buffy Season Two. Bad because my characters are giving me hell for tuning them out for most of the weekend. I'd like to say they'll get over it, but not before they punish me in some way. Like going mute when I have quiet time tonight to write. *sigh*

Today's To Do List

* Clean out bedroom closet - Will probably get put off until next week. Again. LOL

* Finish switching over website and blog to newer color/layout - One down, one to go.

* Next chapter of Sacrified - Started.

* Brainstorm more for Tempted - Started.

* Laundry - One load in the washer that will probably sit there until tomorrow morning. LOL

Just Read

2007-03-25T22:41:00.000-03:00

So I'm probably one of the last people who hadn't read this already. *g* Although having just finished it and enjoyed every page, at least I don't have a long wait for the second book in Nalini's fantastic series since it just released. *squee* I loved the two main characters, Sascha and Lucas and the future world Nalini has set up with the Psy, humans and changelings. It put a fresh spin on shifter stories and I for one am really looking forward to Vaughn's story. If you love paranormal romance and haven't yet checked out Slave to Sensation, you're missing out!

Thursday Thirteen # 4

2007-03-22T00:01:00.000-03:00

Thirteen reasons I adore my husband

1. He doesn't complain that I hog the covers.

2. He always saves the black jellybeans or jubejubes for me.

3. He washes the dishes at least every other night.

4. He made the night before our wedding something to laugh about by helping to get my younger brother almost arrested.

5. He doesn't mind when I ignore him to write. (Most of the time)

6. He tries to gently coerce me into cleaning the house now and then.

7. He doesn't complain when I tell him a spotless house is overrated.

8. He always stops snoring when I poke him.

9. He always listens when I obsess about my writing.(Most of the time)

10. He gave me a golden retriever puppy for my birthday when he's never been a big animal love.

11. He once compared me to an old comfortable pair of shoes. You had to be there.

12. He knows the days to run me a hot bath.

13. He can make my insides melt with a single glance.

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Now available at Fictionwise

2007-03-21T22:56:00.000-03:00

Check it out HERE!

Call Me Cupid is also a Joyfully Recommended Read for March.

"...a phenomenal read! From the first paragraph to the last, I was entranced, unable and unwilling to tear my eyes away from it until I’d finished every bit of it." - Joyfully Reviewed

Cue the violins

2007-03-20T21:50:00.000-03:00

Cause there are days when writing really sucks. When you wonder how in the hell you managed to write the last ten stories and how in the world you'll get this one done by deadline. The plus side of the e-publishing business is things tend to move faster than NY. The downside of the e-publishing business is things tend to move faster than NY. :) It's damn hard to keep up some days, and then there are days when I welcome that fact since it becomes the lesser of two evils when compared to the screeching voices in my head.

And then it will happen. I'll hear something...read something...see something on televison and the block that parked itself in the middle of my thought process and screwed with the flow of my story crumbles.

And in those moments...it's great to be a writer.

An important note

2007-03-18T14:46:00.000-03:00

Triskelion Publishing and I have parted ways. With the launch on their new website and my website and blog being updated to reflect the changes, some people might start to wonder where some of my books have gone. I hope to place some of the titles I've regained the rights to with my other publishers. However, because Triskelion created the concept behind the Watchtowers series, they continue to retain the rights to the series and have decided to no longer make those titles available. My sincerest apologies to those who will not be able to finish reading the series. This is my only regret as a result of ending my parternship with Triskelion.

Thursday Thirteen # 3

2007-03-15T12:14:00.000-03:00

Thirteen Actors with sexy accents I can't get enough of

1. Heath Ledger

2. Pierce Brosnan

3. Sean Connory

4. Clive Owen

5. Christian Bale

6. Benico Del Toro

7. Hugh Grant

8. Gerard Butler

9. Orlando Bloom

10. Hugh Jackman

11. Ewan McGregor

12. Dougray Scott

13. Antonio Banderas

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

A new addiction

2007-03-14T23:00:00.000-03:00

Okay, so the voices stopped earlier this evening. Damn hard to hit that page count when my characters aren't cooperating. I mean, why should they care? It's not like they have a deadline looming or anything. Grrrrrr

Luckily, I've found yet another new way to kill time until they're willing to listen to reason.

Paintball!

Wordless Wednesday

2007-03-14T00:04:00.000-03:00

Is there really any hope

2007-03-13T10:36:00.000-03:00

of coming back from the start to a bad day that begins with pouring apple juice on your cereal instead of milk? Seriously.

New Cover!

2007-03-12T17:10:00.000-03:00

I absolutely LOVE IT!

Manic Monday

2007-03-12T09:05:00.000-03:00

I'm generally a lover of Mondays. It's always a good productive day for me. Just having come home from a trip to my parents, my to-do list is waaaaay too long this week. But since it's Monday and whining about how much I have to do won't get things done any sooner, I'm looking at it as just getting started instead of being behind. Bless Flylady for helping me get a little more organized.

My short To-Do List:

1. Laundry

2. Write 20 pages of Sacrificed

3. E-mail catch up

4. More Laundry

5. Constructing vast railway systems that proves to my boys that mommy is much better at playing "trains" than daddy.

6. Reorganizing all the bottom cupboards since my husband was awesome enough to install a new countertop this weekend, and this is supposed to be me doing my part. *snort*

7. Another freakin' load (or five) of laundry.

8. Contemplating which culinary materpiece I'll prepare for supper tonight.

9. Actually "preparing" said culinary materpiece.

10. Putting away all that laundry. *sigh*

My realistic To-Do List

1. As little laundry as I can get away with. (Translates to husband moaning about only having three pairs of socks in his drawer instead of the fifty he could have if the sock basket was tackled. Really, who the hell needs 50 pairs of socks, okay 30, in their drawer at once anyway?)

2. Twenty Pages of Sacrificed. (This one is sooooo non-negotiable)

3. Train building. (cause as much as I adore my husband deep down, any excuse to prove I'm the better railway builder is worth the time it takes away from the laundry *g*)

For anyone keeping track

2007-03-10T22:34:00.000-04:00

Only 44 days until Heroes returns. April 23rd cannot get here fast enough.

Check out Kendra's blog

2007-03-10T22:31:00.000-04:00

For the remote every man dreams about! http://kendraclark.blogpspot.com

Some words to live by

2007-03-10T22:26:00.000-04:00

1. Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of
me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me either. Just pretty
much leave me the hell alone.

2. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a broken fan belt and
leaky tire.

3. It's always darkest before dawn. So if you're going to steal your
neighbor's newspaper, that's the time to do it.

4. Don't be irreplaceable. If you can't be replaced, you can't be
promoted.

5. Always remember that you're unique. Just like everyone else.

6. Never test the depth of the water with both feet.

7. If you think nobody cares if you're alive, try missing a couple of
car payments.

8. Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their
shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you
have their shoes.

9. If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you.

10. Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him how to
fish, and he will sit in a boat and drink beer all day.

Music and Lyrics

2007-03-07T00:03:00.000-04:00

Saw this movie with my sister on the weekend. Cute romantic comedy and pretty funny. Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore had more chemistry than I expected. Almost worth it alone to see Hugh in the eighties pop video the movie opens with, doing his signiture hip thrusting move I remember from Love Actually.

The Knights' Lair

2007-03-06T23:38:00.000-04:00

Join Kendra Clark and I over on our new chat loop.

On top of random chit chat, chat loop only contests and talking about our current releases, we'll be chatting up our fantasy series, Knights of the Dark Order.

Catching up

2007-03-06T11:53:00.000-04:00

I think I'm finally caught up, or as caught up (deadlines, housework, blogging lol)as I ever get. I've come to accept the fact that there is no such thing as "being on top of it". Every time I gain a foothold, along comes another project, another item to add to my to-do list, and I do what I can. Less stress makes a happier Sydney, and a happier Syndey gets more writing done. Which translates to good for me, good for my DH and boys, and good for the people who buy my books.*g*

Oh, and I got a couple reviews back last week, one of them a Recommended Read for Resurrection. Yay! Here's some snippets:

"Shadow Destroyers: Resurrection is an excellent beginning charged with passion, power, and a stellar plot. Sydney Somers immediately embroils readers in the undercurrents of a dark world most humans don’t see. The story development is well done. Readers begin with one act, and just like the characters, are thrust believably into a world ripe with demons and hunters...They are joined by a cast of secondary characters that ensure this story never stops and has this reviewer anxiously waiting to see what happens next." - 5 Angels and RR from Amanda

"Sydney Somers is quickly becoming a favorite of this reader. She never fails to deliver a story rich in characters and romance. Call Me Cupid is a humorous, romantic story just in time for Valentine’s... The plot is constantly moving and balances passion, sentiment, and humor wonderfully; rarely have I had this much fun reading a do-over story." 5 Angels from Amanda

"Sydney Somers conveys the longing and passion of reunited lovers wonderfully in Trading Favors. The story builds immediately with interwoven plots and captured my attention on more than one level...Yet surrounding this wonderfully hot attraction is suspense and a poignant second chance at love. The author weaves all these elements together nicely and delivers a short story that will entertain readers at any time." 5 Angels from Amanda

Coming up for air

2007-03-01T09:53:00.000-04:00

My husband finally believed me last night that I turned in Don't Let Go to my editor and graciously agreed to take off the shackle locking me to the desk. I appreciate the support the man gives me, I really do, but sometimes he's a little too supportive.

So today is about catching up on all those stupid little things I put off when I'm in book mode. Like filing. Ug. I've got stacks of papers everywhere. I might even get my desk cleaned off today. Then there are the hours of tv shows to catch up on, and trains set that my boys are already hollering for me to come set up for them. All day long its trains, trains, trains. I have no idea how they haven't gotten bored with playing with them or watching them on tv yet.

Thursday Thirteen # 2

2007-03-01T09:48:00.000-04:00

Thirteen Favorite Quotes from The Princess Bride

1. The Grandson: Is this a kissing book?

2. Inigo Montoya: I donna suppose you could speed things up?
Westley: If you're in such a hurry, you could lower a rope or a tree branch or find something useful to do.
Inigo Montoya: I could do that. I have some rope up here, but I do not think you would accept my help, since I am only waiting around to kill you.
Westley: That does put a damper on our relationship.

3. Buttercup: You can die too for all I care.
[pushes him down a high hill]
Westley: AS... YOU... WISH.

4. Vizzini: INCONCEIVABLE.

5. Inigo Montoya: Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father prepare to die

6. Buttercup and Westley have just entered the Fire Swamp]
Westley: [looking around] It's not that bad.
[Buttercup stares unbelievingly at him]
Westley: Well, I'm not saying I'd like to build a summer home here, but the trees are actually quite lovely.

7. Inigo Montoya: Who are you?
Westley: No one of consequence.
Inigo Montoya: I must know...
Westley: Get used to disappointment.

8. Westley: Hear this now: I will always come for you.
Buttercup: But how can you be sure?
Westley: This is true love - you think this happens every day?

9. The Grandson: They're kissing again. Do we have to read the kissing parts?

10. Inigo Montoya: I do not mean to pry, but you don't by any chance happen to have six fingers on your right hand?
Westley: Do you always begin conversations this way?

11. Vizzini: HE DIDN'T FALL? INCONCEIVABLE.
Inigo Montoya: You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.

12. Inigo Montoya: Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.
Count Rugen: Stop saying that!

13. Grandpa: Since the invention of the kiss there have been five kisses that were rated the most passionate, the most pure. This one left them all behind. The End.

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!
1. (leave your link in comments, I’ll add you here!)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

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A little humorscope

2007-03-01T09:43:00.000-04:00

Taurus (April 20 - May 20)

Nobody will notice your new haircut, which you will find intensely irritating. It's not as if you always had an irridescent green mohawk, you know?

What's yours for today?

When you're so close...

2007-02-24T10:56:00.000-04:00

and you can't sit still. The ideas that have been driving you crazy are all down, the characters, the dialogue, the tension, the last couple chapters that just need more fleshing out, and its all you do can to keep your ass in the chair. AND JUST FINISH IT. You want it done and yet the adrenaline is almost coming too fast, your smile burning your cheeks and you can feel the light at the end of the tunnel stating to warm your face.

Damn it's a good feeling!

A sad night on Grey's Anatomy

2007-02-23T08:42:00.000-04:00

Even though I am only five days away from a deadline, I cut myself some slack last night and watched an hour of tv and almost wished I had taped it to catch later. Why? Because the whole episode was fairly emotional for the characters (yeah for me too lol) and the scenes with Meredith and her mom and the last one with Denny and Izzy made me sob like a baby. I spent much of the episode teared up I think.

Here I am the next day and still the thought of how those last few seconds played out, the look on Denny and Izzy's face...

There, that's the sound of my heart breaking. I write romance and it kills the soul a little bit every time I see two characters not get their happily ever after, ya know. *sniffle*

Hello Desmond

2007-02-21T11:57:00.000-04:00

Now I have two men to appreciate when I tune into Lost. I loved all the up close and personal time Desmond got last week and the twist at the end with Charlie. Just a great episode. I'm glad to see them getting back to the island. Much of the first episodes this year that although gave me lots of yummy Sawyer, were a bit too focused on "The Others" and their other island setting. I missed the regulars and hope everything will come back together while still being one of the most unpredicatble shows I watch. I think that is a huge part of the appeal for me. I'm always looking at the angles, hunting for the punchlines, the twists. Time and time again this show serves up the unexpected and even on the times I think I need to let go of the show, they keep me hanging on. Really looking forward to tonight's episode.

New Contract!

2007-02-20T11:28:00.000-04:00

My fabulous editor over at Samhain has contracted Stripped Away, the second book in my Shadow Destroyer series. To say I'm psyched as hell to find a home for this story with Samhain is a serious understatement. Stripped Away is Quinn and Braxton's story. I'll get to an official blurb when I get a couple other things wrapped up. Stripped Away picks up a couple months after the end of Resurrection and Quinn is discovering that much of her life has been a lie, and the one man she's come to rely on, a man's whose touch she's hungered for like no other, may be keeping the biggest secret of all.

I've been nominated!

2007-02-19T14:33:00.000-04:00

Talons: Caged Desire has been nominated by Rites of Romance Reviews for Best Shifter Story of 2006. How cool is that? I'm up there with loads of fantastic authors. To vote for the RORR awards check out the polls section of their Yahoo Group!

Great Book!

2007-02-19T08:32:00.000-04:00

Have you discovered Shannon Stacey? I first got to read Shannon's stuff when we were in the Talons series together and I was really impressed with her story Kiss Me Deadly. I've really tried in the last couple weeks to get more reading in, aiming for ten books a month instead of the four or so I've been averaging. Anyway, so this weekend I cracked open Shannon's 72 Hours and ate up every single word. It's one of those books that just sucks you in from page one. Great action and adventure, awesome sexual tension and jammed packed with plenty of gut wrenching emotion and angst.Can you tell I really enjoyed this book? *g*

Shannon is one of those authors for me now that when you close the book (or turn off the e-reader *g*) you just sit there a moment and just...sigh. The next book in the Devlin Group series, On the Edge comes out next month from Samhain, and I'll sooo be there to snap it up.

You can check out more about 72 Hours and Shannon's other books at her Website!

I'm a revision freak

2007-02-15T23:30:00.000-04:00

I absolutely love revising a book. Some people hate the revision process and doing edits. I thrive on them for some weird reason. Unless they're ones from my editor that make me think, ones that point out a plot hole I overlooked or motivation I didn't paint clearly enough. Then I have to pace. Pacing I don't like so much.

But most revisions I just enjoy. Maybe its because the characters and the story all come together at this stage. In draft mode there's so much to come out and get down, its often hard to do a character justice when so many things are whirling through my brain. But when its down, even if most of what is on the page is written worse than something I would have done in high school (sadly there are pages, even chapters like this sometimes) its easier to tweak than it is to search for the perfect words the first time around.

If you're an aspiring writer you need to check out Candace Haven's Fast Draft. When I'm not so close to crunch time I'll post more on why this process has really worked for me in the last couple months.

But for now it's back to the revision cave for me.

Boy does she get it

2007-02-15T23:24:00.000-04:00

Some fun astrology

2007-02-14T09:26:00.000-04:00

Taurus (April 20 - May 20)

"Itchy nose day, again. Just be glad you don't have to wear a spacesuit!"

Huh, the things you didn't know you should be grateful for. Check out your hummorscope for today HERE!

All work...

2007-02-13T22:46:00.000-04:00

And no play kills the brain cells. I'm behind on some of the television shows I watch (thank heavens for DVD collections lol) I'm fighting with Finn who is being very stubborn as I revise and polish before sending Don't Let Go in to my editor, and I have a couple stories in me head fighting to be the next one told. I keep telling the voices that they need to take a number but no one is listening. *sigh*

But one good thing has come from my being hidden away in my cave. My husband has suddenly realized that he too CAN do the dishes. Imagine that. Though this isn't me complaining. The less time at the sink, the more I can stay on top of some deadlines. I can't wait until March 1st and I can ease off just a bit.

How to Seduce your Ex

2007-02-09T15:26:00.000-04:00

How to Seduce Your Ex in five easy steps.

From Call Me Cupid – Now available).

1. Denial will get you nowhere.

AJ moved from the floor to the edge of the bed, vaguely aware she still held the locket in her hand.
Her mother sat next to her. "You're not okay with this, are you?"

Of course she was. She had to be. If she wasn't, that might mean she still wasn't over him. And she was so over Cooper McLain.

"I'm just thinking of everything we still have to do today is all."

Her mother studied AJ carefully with that suspicious mother look every woman with children mastered from the point of conception.

To prove she was perfectly unruffled by the latest development, AJ stood up and strode for the bathroom. "Let me grab a quick shower and we can get started."

She closed the door and faced herself in the mirror. "You are over him. Way, way over him," she reminded herself, then laid the locket down on the vanity and made herself forget all about Cooper.

2. Listen when he speaks from the heart.

She felt him watching her.

"Do you ever think, ever wonder what things would have been like if we…if things hadn't ended the way they had?"

The regret she heard in his voice brought her head up. Big mistake.

Now she was looking directing into his eyes. Eyes that melted into hers countless nights as they talked, laughed, made love. When she realized she was staring at his mouth, she stepped out of his arms.

"That was a long time ago."

"Not to me."

3. Steal a moment alone.

She ordered her fingers to release the hold they had on his shirt.

Cooper leaned in, his cheek brushing hers, his mouth next to her ear. "I've missed you, AJ."

She nearly whimpered, but whether it was from her heart breaking all over again or because she knew she had to let go, she didn't know.

He caught her chin in his hand, freezing her in her tracks.

She wanted to back up, but the warm pressure of his hand against her back felt too good. "I've had one hell of a day, you know."

"I'm sorry," he whispered.

Without a doubt she knew he wasn't apologizing for her bad day. This was something else. Something far more important.

4. Let go of your inhibitions.

"How many drinks have you had?"

"Not enough." She motioned him to pick up his glass.

He complied.

AJ grinned. A thickening tingle hummed in her middle as she let her gaze pause on his mouth.

She set the glass down, forgetting her urge to take a drink. Right now there was something she hungered for far more than alcohol. And seeing as how Cooper wasn't going to remember a thing tomorrow, she let the last of her inhibitions die a real quick death.

His eyes flared as she straddled him, the rise of the paneled wood above the booth hiding them from the bartender and anyone else who might stroll into the bar.

5. When all else fails, make a scene.

AJ jerked to her feet. "I need to go." She needed to get out of here. Out of the hotel. She couldn't think here. Not with Cooper looking at her like she was breaking his heart.

She had to go. AJ moved for the door, not caring her clothes were scattered around the room. With the bedspread clutched to her chin, she wrenched the door open.

"You can't take off."

"Watch me," she snapped over her shoulder.

"AJ, you're wearing a bedspread."

In the hallway she whirled around, her eyes narrowing. "No one is going to remember this in the morning anyway, so who in the hell cares."

Call Me Cupid

On the day before her wedding, the last thing AJ needs is the ex she never truly got over showing up to complicate things. But when fate throws a curve ball and she wakes to relive the same day over and over, the only person who may know what's going on is the one man she can never trust her heart to.

Cooper thought he wanted closure. Seeing AJ again proves he's anything but ready to let go. With a Greek god in his corner he's got all the time in the world to convince AJ that she still loves him—if such a bold move doesn't push her straight out of his arms forever.

Your Mission...

2007-02-06T22:47:00.000-04:00

...should you decide to accept it, is to seek out and annilihate all suspected dust bunnies currently believed to be congregating in the shadowy recesses under your living room furniture. As usual, should you or any member of your housecleaning team be captured or killed, the secretary will disavow any knowledge of your existence. This message will self-destruct in five seconds. Good luck.

Yeah, its been that kind of day.

It's Out

2007-02-06T22:40:00.000-04:00

Call Me Cupid is Now Available.

On the day before her wedding, the last thing AJ needs is the ex she never truly got over showing up to complicate things. But when fate throws a curve ball and she wakes to relive the same day over and over, the only person who may know what's going on, is the one man she can never trust her heart to.

Cooper thought he wanted closure. Seeing AJ again proves he's anything but ready to let go. With a Greek god in his corner he's got all the time in the world to convince AJ that she still loves him--if such a bold move doesn't push her straight out of his arms forever.

Get it HERE!

He Said...She Said

2007-02-05T12:07:00.000-04:00

From Call Me Cupid - Available February 6th.

Cooper's Point of View

Everyone has a black sheep in the family. You know, the one who's really different from everyone else and you wonder how they ended up in yours? My family has one. Did I mention he's immortal and likes to interfere in my life? I can tell by the look in his eyes he's up to something.

Unfortunately I'm a bit distracted by the fact that the woman I'm still in love with is about to walk down the aisle with someone else. She deserves better than me. I know it. And yet I can't seem to make myself let go. It would be easier to walk away if I could look in her eyes and know that she doesn't love me any more. But AJ's never been good at burying her feelings any more than I've been good at giving up the one thing in my life that makes me ache for what's been lost and hunger for what my heart needs the most. Her.

AJ's Point of View

Bill Murray's got nothing on me. He had cold weather and a ground hog to report on. Me, I've got the exuberant wedding enthusiast (a.k.a my mother), an ex as a last minute wedding guest and fiancé that only seems to be around at the worst possible moments. But wait, things get worse. As if finding out Cooper still loves me isn't enough, and fearing that I'm not over him nearly as much as I believed, I'm stuck in the time warp from hell.

And no one knows it but me.

How do you tell your mother that it's not just cold feet that has you freaking out without booking yourself an extended stay at the nearest nut house? And how do you stop loving the one man you already let break your heart once before? The same man that reminds you with every heated stare that things between the two of you aren't so dead and buried after all.

Scary Movie

2007-02-04T22:44:00.002-04:00

I finally watched An Inconvenient Truth this past weekend. Definitely the most troubling movie I've ever watched. Last week a number of European landmarks and other sites across Asia had five minutes of lights out to show concern over climate change. Above is a pic of Rome's Colosseum with its lights out.

Trading Favors - Now Available

2007-02-04T22:32:00.000-04:00

When detective Genevieve O'Rion came back to town, the last place she expected to find herself was on her ex's doorstep. After eight months, the only thing she wants from Joel Maddox is information. But every deal with the devil comes with a price.

Joel has no intention of letting Gen walk back out of his life a second time. With his werewolf heritage as his only ace in the hole to get the information she's looking for, Joel's not above striking a little bargain to sweeten the deal. One that will give them both exactly what they need.

Each other.

Read an Excerpt here! Buy from the Publisher here!

Superhero Identity for the Day

2007-01-31T16:38:00.000-04:00

Your Superhero Identity For Today Is:

Name: Flame Wolf
Secret Identity: Sydney Somers
Special Power: Somatic Breath
Transportation: Quantum Rollerblades
Weapon: Graviton Cutlass
Costume: Jewelled Gauntlets
Sidekick: Dirk Deadly
Nemesis: Cindy the Mad
Tragic Flaw: Addicted to email
Favorite Food: Onion Rings

What's Your Superhero Identity Post it in the comments section. *g*

The things he says to make me feel better

2007-01-31T16:26:00.000-04:00

I'm three months from turning the big 3-0. For some reason turning 25 got me down more than my approaching milestone. Is 30 a milestone? LOL The husband said its because 25 signaled the end of my partying era. *snort*

My sister turns 25 next week and she's looking forward to a night out. A great chance to revist my partying era according the husband. I'm thinking about the fact that I'll spend half the night trying to avoid the jabbing elbows of the twenty-year-old girls in the midst of their partying era and not willing to give up an inch of their dance floor space.

I'm all for a night out with no kids though so I'm going with it. "Relax," my husband says as we're talking about this, "Didn't you know? 30 is the new 20."

Huh. The things you learn.

The sweet sound of silence

2007-01-30T23:22:00.000-04:00

Or almost. And who do I have to thank? My husband of course. I even finished up my twenty page goal for the day (Fast Draft kicks ass). But as nice as the sound of my sleeping children is, I have to admit I'm damn jealous. While I'm out getting grocerys, a task I loathe most days(more so when its -30C with the wind chill) my husband gets the task of getting the kids to bed. Just so you can appreciate the difference, allow me to illustrate.

Bedtime with Mommy - Get a drink before bed, read story, tuck in, shut off light, turn light back on for a second kiss, get into the hall, answer yell for help, light back on, track down toy that was dropped under bed, lights out again. Five Minutes of silence. Hear scuffling and see bedroom light is back on. Youngest is in the top bunk fighting with oldest for the blanket. Replace little one. Another kiss and lights back off. Ten minutes of silence. Then whispers about oldest needing the pee again, or needing to tell me something, or coughing cause he needs another drink. Lights out finally. If I'm lucky.

Bedtime with Daddy - Drink before bed, ready story, tuck in, lights out.

That's it. Where is the fairness in this? *sigh*

A little Maxine

2007-01-30T23:20:00.000-04:00

The doctor is in

2007-01-28T15:49:00.000-04:00

Sometimes when a fun idea pops into your head, all you can do is run with it. *g* My characters from Call Me Cupid were stressing over reliving the same day over and over (can't imagine why) and got it into their heads (or maybe it was my head lol) that they needed to talk it out with someone. I tracked down a credible therapist naturally and away they went. Read on to see how AJ (my heroine caught in a cycle of reliving the day before her wedding) and Cooper (the hero and also AJ's ex) handled their therapy sessions. *g*

AJ's Session

Therapist: "Would you like to begin?"

AJ: "Begin? Isn't this kind of intervention supposed to take place before a psychotic break?"

Therapist: "Is that what this is?"

AJ: "I'm reliving the same day over and over. What do you think?"

Therapist: opens notebook. "Does this happen regularly?"

AJ: "If it did I'm sure I'd be wearing the latest fashion in strait jackets and making my home in a cozy padded cell by now." squirms on the edge of the chair. " This whole repeat day thing is definitely a first for me."

Therapist: "You're frustrated."

AJ: She snorts and leaves it at that.

Therapist: Jots a few notes down. "Tell me about the man you're supposed to marry."

AJ: visibly uncomfortable. "Kirk's not the man I thought he was."

Therapist: "Or just not the man you wanted him to be?"

AJ: shrugs. "It's complicated."

Therapist: Nods and adds another note. Tips the paper up when AJ gets too curious.

"Okay then, why don't we talk about Cooper?"

AJ: smiles briefly, then sighs. "The man drives me crazy." She gets up and crosses her arms as she stares out the window of the small office. "I just wish I knew how long this was going to continue. I want my life back."

Therapist: "And what will that life be when this is done?"

AJ: quietly, "I wish I knew."

Therapist: "Do you still love Cooper?" Leans forward as though her answer will change everything.

AJ: "I've been living in a vacuum for days and every time I turn around he's there and…" closes eyes. "I don't know what's going on."

Therapist: more firmly, "Do you still love Cooper?"

AJ: stares straight ahead, a sad look on her face. "Sometimes love isn't enough, is it?"

Therapist: "If you have love you can overcome anything."

AJ: arches brow. "That's a little optimistic for a shrink isn't it?"

Therapist: smiles. "Not this shrink." glances at watch. "Looks like our time is up."

Cooper's Session

Cooper: strolls into office and flops down on his back on the couch, hands laced under his head. Glances absently at the therapist. "Is this fine or do we need to do some ink blot thing first?"

Therapist: smiles. "Make yourself comfortable."

Cooper: stares quietly at the ceiling for a moment. "I should let her go. Let her move on with someone who deserves her. I know that."

Therapist: "But?"

Cooper: "I just don't know how to stop loving her."

Therapist: "Do you want to?"

Cooper: "I thought I did." sits up. "Now… Things are different, for both of us. But where does that leave me? Us?"

Therapist: "How do you feel about what's happening?"

Cooper: growls, "At least I know who to blame."

Therapist: "Yourself?"

Cooper: bitter laugh, then gets up to pace. "I can take credit for screwing up a lot of things in my life, but not this."

Therapist: Leans back, cocks his head. "So who is responsible?"

Cooper: "And I'd seriously kick his ass if I stood a chance of hurting him."

Therapist: smiles curiously. "Whose ass?"

Cooper: sighs. "Does it matter? It's in his hands."

Therapist: "People have more control over their fate than they often think."

Cooper: "You don't know Eros."

Therapist: makes a few notes. "And he is?"

Cooper: shrugs. "No point in going there. Things are bad enough without him coming down on me for outing him."

Therapist: shrugs. "How is AJ handling all this?"

Cooper: "Probably better if she knew the whole story."

Therapist: "But you're keeping it from her?"

Cooper: bows head. "Sometimes the truth can do more harm than letting people believe what they want."

Therapist: tosses notebook aside as though he's lost his patience. "And sometimes the truth will set you free."

Copper: doesn't look convinced.

Therapist: glances at watch. "Times up. Same time same place tomorrow?"

Cooper: groans. "More than likely."

A woman materializes next to the desk when Cooper leaves. "How long are you going to torment them like this, Eros?"

Eros: with a flash of light the short, balding therapist seated behind the desk is replaced by gorgeous blond-haired man. He leans forward. "As long as they keep doing it to themselves, Psyche."

Psyche: rolls eyes. "You could just use an arrow. You know, like you used to."

Eros: grins. "But it's so much more fun this way."

Psyche: glances around office. "And where is the real therapist?"

Eros: "On some beach in Tahiti."

Psyche: takes a seat in Eros's lap. "That sounds pretty good to me actually. Your mother's been a serious pain in the ass lately."

Eros: runs a hungry gaze over her. "You still have that slinky two piece suit?"

Psyche: grins. "You mean the shoe string?"

Eros: "That would be the one."

Psyche: smiles wickedly. "I think I can do better even than that." she vanishes from his arms.

Eros: tosses notebook he's been doodling on into the drawer then vanishes out of the room to find Psyche.

Find AJ, Cooper, Eros and Psyche in my upcoming release, Call Me Cupid, coming February 6th.

I could eat him up

2007-01-27T23:21:00.000-04:00

Had date night with the husband last night, planned on seeing Catch and Release. It's been a while since I saw a good romantic movie on the big screen and figured that would fit the bill nicely. Unfortunately it was sold out by the time we got into line and we went to see Smokin' Aces instead. I pouted for a bit, but still enjoyed the movie. Sometimes a girl just needs a good violent hitman movie to make her night. *g* It certainly helped that I got to get a little Ryan Reynolds fix all at the same time. The pic above is from Blade Trinity though. Loved him in that too.

Winners of Hide and Seek

2007-01-27T23:18:00.000-04:00

Congrats to Loisc and Snowflake. You've each won a PDF copy of Hide and Seek. Thanks to everyone who entered. The winner's can e-mail me to claim their prize.

Win a download

2007-01-24T15:35:00.000-04:00

I've got a PDF copy of Hide and Seek up for grabs. To win just post a comment by Friday night (January 26th) and tell me what book you're reading or what's next on your TBR list. A winner will be randomly drawn and posted here on my Blog on the weekend.

If you think you might forget to check back to see if you won, you can subscribe to my blog (Bloglet feature bottom of left column) and watch for the post about the winner. And you won't hurt my feelings if you unsub afterwards *g* but I'm always game for more company.

HIDE AND SEEK

Unlike her father, True's escapades are strictly for the thrill of it, but she's running on borrowed time. When she tries to return the necklace she successfully lifted from her boss' safe, she runs out of luck.

Or into it, because the man she's been fantasizing about has designs of his own, and when, instead of calling the police he suggests a game of Hide and Seek, she discovers there's a far safer way to enjoy an adrenaline rush.

When a good hair dryer...

2007-01-24T14:36:00.000-04:00

...goes bad. Sparks will fly. Literally.

Just a tip.

Demon Angel

2007-01-23T22:19:00.000-04:00

I finished reading this a couple weeks ago, but forgot to post how much I enjoyed this book. Hugh and Lilith are fantastic, richly developed characters. The kind you remember long after the book is done. They had a deliciously complicated relationship and I really found myself really paying attention to their interactions to catch all the things that passed between them, to catch all the things they "don't" say to each other. Damn I love good sexual tension, and these two had it in spades. The world building was also great, and now I have to hunt down a copy of the first anthology where she introduced this series and impatiently wait for the next book, Demon Moon, to release.

Why is it...

2007-01-21T18:00:00.000-04:00

That men cannot look at plans or directions when building/assembling something? Seriously, is there something missing in their genetic makeup that could explain this gender-wide phenomenon? Something extra hanging onto a chromosome somewhere, a mutant hormone? Or maybe it slipped right in there with all that testosterone, masking its true origins to all scientists bold enough-and likely female-to embrace rearching such a baffling mystery?

Just something to ponder.