NaNoWriMo & The Basement

Okay, it's that time of the year again:

Yep, that's right. November is a time of madness, when writers all over the world embark on the venture of writing 50k words in one month! Yikes. That sounds like a lot, doesn't it? Still, with some motivation and discipline, it's not as hard to accomplish as it sounds.

Last year was my first attempt. I actually wrote 73k words during that month. It was a blast. I really enjoyed getting stuck into the novel. And unlike some people who believe you can write total and utter crap during this month, I actually aimed at writing a worthwhile novel. Just as I'm doing this year.

Of course, this time around my aim is a little lower. I'd like to write 60k before the end of this month. I've checked out the amount of weeks, and I think it's very much doable. ;) And of course, I'll be losing out on 8 writing days because I don't write on weekends. Lol. Still, I think 22 days will be plenty of time to reach the goal. What do you think?

I've done my research, and have it handy. I've cast my hero and heroine, and printed out the pics. And I know exactly where this novel had to start. Of course, because I live in Australia, it's already the 1st here. So, here's the first lot of words I wrote this morning: 1,963. Not too bad. Still got more writing sessions planned for later today, so I'm hoping for a higher total at the end of the day.

So, who else is taking part in the madness of NaNo? Do tell.

And the other thing I wanted to mention: my creepy, horror tale THE BASEMENT is now available from Aphrodite's Apples. So, if you wanna check it out, you can by clicking the spooky cover.

Lane Blume is suffering a terrible bout of writer's block, and her marriage is going donwhill. When knocking sounds start to follow her around the house, she starts to question her sanity.

What she first believes might be a hot water system problem down in the basement, ends up being something much darker. Something has taken residence inside her house, and Lane's only hope lies in a friendly plumber and a priest, because her husband's become enchanted by whatever's down there.

Yolanda
http://www.yolandasfetsos.com/

Devil's Night Devils

Okay, so it's Tuesday, and as usual, I can't think of anything to write about. On top of that, my kids are booked solid this week. Halloween has become quite the holiday around here.

Finally, adding to the stress, I have a book due in two days.

Ack!

So, I thought I'd pop in with a quick (and fun) question that relates to today.

Who are your fave bad-boy heroes? The ones who are so bad, you love to hate them...no, that's hate to love them... or just plain love them? Come on, fess up! Books, movies, anything goes.

Tawny
*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Vampilicious Erotic Romance

Goals. Motivation. Discipline.

For the longest time I’ve seen this words but didn’t really understand what they meant and what I would accomplish if I incorporated them into my daily routine.

Goals. Motivation. Discipline.

Sure, I get goals but do I really understand why I set them and what I wish to accomplish with them BESIDE a word count.

I’m motivated. But am I motivated in the RIGHT way and for the RIGHT reasons.

Discipline. I will not even bother to lie. I have none. I’ve NEVER had any discipline. As with a lot of things this probably has to do with growing up. Like a lot of people there was piano, ballet, tap, jazz, and karate lessons. I took ballet, tap & jazz just like ,y sisters and female cousins did and I stuck with it until my early teens and I stuck with it for one reason and one reason only. My mother would not bend on the subject. Her daughters would take ballet (especially) the same as she and her sisters did.
But piano and karate? I was able to talk my way out of both of those. And now I wish I hadn’t. Especially karate because for the same reason I quit (harsh word but an honest one) is the same reason I should have stuck with it. Discipline.
Sabi Nim demanded discipline. He yelled and I was so not used to being yelled at or anyone demanding anything from me. My cousin stuck with it and is like a 3rd or 4th degree black belt and ex-marine. See. Discipline.
But nope, I ran to mommy and told her Sabi Nim yelled at me and that was the end of that.
So here I am some twenty odd years later and don’t know the first thing about discipline.

dis·ci·pline /ˈdɪsəplɪn/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[dis-uh-plin] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation noun, verb, -plined, -plin·ing.
–noun 1. training to act in accordance with rules; drill: military discipline.
2. activity, exercise, or a regimen that develops or improves a skill; training: A daily stint at the typewriter is excellent discipline for a writer.

Ironic much? So I will have to teach myself discipline. I started last night. I was exhausted. Literally falling asleep at the keyboard but I had set a goal (to make it to 8k) and for some reason I HAD to met it. Is that discipline? I don’t know but I do know I kept going until I met that goal. Those last 200 and something words were excruciating but I accomplish what I set out to do and that made them all the sweeter.

Goals. Motivation. Discipline.

Why am I learning these principles now? Because I’ve realized without them I WILL NOT and CAN NOT make it as a writer.

You HAVE to set goals as a writer because you have projects that are due at a certain time.

You HAVE to be motivated to get the projects completed.

And you HAVE to have discipline to motivate yourself to get to your goal.

So I will hold myself accountable. Sure it will be hard but a lot of things are. But none of those other things give me the satisfaction a completed manuscript does.

So what do you do to keep your goals and motivation and discipline yourself?

Favorite Scary Movie Lines

In celebration of October...I'm writing my favorite scary movie lines:

All Work An No Play Makes Jack A Dull Boy - The Shining

"Danny, isn't here anymore, Mrs. Torrence." - The Shining

"Your mother sucks cock in hell!" - The Exorcist

"Here's to swimming with bow legged women" - Jaws

"His mother is a jackal" - Omen

"I see dead people" - The 6th Sense

"Want to see something really scary?" Twilight Zone the movie

"Thanks for the ride, lady" - Creepshow 2

What are your favorite horror movie lines?

Can I Have A Dollar?

I'm teaching a class at work all week and have students who've flown in from Chicago and Germany. And I just heard the funniest damned story.

The German guy decided to drive down to Denver for an afternoon of sightseeing. Well, needless to say he got a little turned around and ended up in a seedier side of town. He looks up and sees some menacing looking guys and skimpy clothed girls. One of them flags him down and offers "assistance"

He says, "How do I get back to Highway 25?"

The young lady says, "Well, we're on 33rd street, so, let's see, 33, 32, 31..." and on she goes until she counts on her fingers down to 25. "I think it's eight blocks that way," she says.

But he's trying to get to the freeway named I-25, not 25th street. So, he simply says thank you...but not before she says, "Hey, can I have a dollar?" So, this big, 6' 4" German guy is thinking 'what the heck?' But fine, he gives her a dollar and drives away before she can 'offer' anything else.

Later down the road he finds himself going over the overpass for the freeway. A-ha, there it is! The freeway he's looking for is directly below him. All he needs to do is turn around.

So he does a "U" turn...on a one way street with traffic coming at him. So all he sees are a bunch of white lights headed his way!

He did manage to get back to his hotel near Boulder in one piece, thankfully! And we had a good laugh this morning!

Gotta run!

New Release & Supernatural

So, I woke up this morning and didn't have a clue what to talk about here today. :/ Went to bed a little later than usual, and didn't get a chance to read at all. I like to end the day with a little reading. It's relaxing, and besides, I love to read.

Anyway, the point is that I'm a little tired. And have woken up to a very dark and dreary day. I really thought we'd left those behind with winter. Sometimes, with the weather, you just never know.

Since my Octoberfest title was released last week, I thought I'd talk a little about that.

Here's the gorgeous cover:

And here's the longer blurb:

Fate decided to strip Matt and Alana from their chance at happiness.

Now, a year later he’s still mourning her loss but what Matt doesn’t realize is that she’s closer than he thinks. If only he would accept his origins and open up to the one gift he’s always denied, contact with her would be possible.

Alana is determined to save Matt before the end of Halloween night, even if the cost could devastate her existence and separate them forever…

I wrote this story earlier on in the year, during a Cobblestone Main Street's BIAW. The idea struck me one night while I was watching Supernatural with the hubby. Nothing that happens in the story is based on any one particular Supernatural-type idea or episode. It was more a scene. Something was going on with the Winchester brothers, and the idea struck me. I got a vivid picture of Alana and Matt standing near a car, all smiles until a bullet ended it for them.

The rest of the tale stemmed from there. I knew that although the story would be told through the POV of both characters, Matt would get the most screen time. His voice came very naturally to me, and I ended up falling in love with their story. It was very deep, I felt their joy and pain as I wrote the first draft, and even during revision. I think it's awesome to get so moved and sucked into a tale you're writing. It's a magical feeling.

Of course, because the idea came to me during Supernatural, there were a few things I took with me.

Here are a few:

* I saw Jensen Ackles as Matt
* I gave Matt the surname of Jensen
* The two friends in AB hunt demons, etc
* There's a certain level of bleakness to the atmosphere of the story

They're all little things, but details I wanted to include as a homage to the show.

So tell me, have you ever gotten so wrapped up in a story you're writing, that every single thing the characters are going through affects you deeply? Or as a reader, have you ever read a story that totally captivated you and played with your emotions?

I know I've done it many times, both as a reader and writer. :)

Yolanda
http://www.yolandasfetsos.com/

R.I. P. Sable Grey

Okay maybe I'm a little twisted...but I thought it would be fun for Halloween to make my own tombstone. So I did...and of course did not forget to promote my book so Emma Petersen wouldn't hound me in my grave about doing one last promotion for my book. LOL

Coming Up Fast!

Now this is rare - I can't think of a single thing to talk about. It's strange for me, considering I ALWAYS seem to have something to say about any- and everything.

Oh, wait! I just thought of something - CHRISTIMAS! I'll be hosting a HOLIDAY HOTTIES chat on the Samhain Cafe loop in December, so don't miss it.

Can you believe that I'm usually done with all my Christmas shopping by November 30th. Why? Because after December 1st, this sistah ain't going to the mall. There are crazy little old ladies who will fist fight you over the latest sale item at the mall! And if there are things like fuzzy bunny slippers on sale RUN FOR YOUR LIFE!

Now I'm thinking about what I want this year. Usually I buy myself a piece of jewelry. Last year my kids totally shocked me - they bought me a sterling silver and diamond filigree ring, a mini-humidor for whenever I feel like indulging in the every-blue-moon grape flavored cigar (think Egyptian Voyage!), and several items that I can use in my grill (I just love grilling! I am the queen of the grill all year 'round). I bawled like a baby because I'm usually the one giving gifts rather than receiving them. My kids are so cool.

The holidays are just around the corner - what do you want for the holidays? Me - I'll take a wild fling with a gorgeous hunk! Say...Mr. 300 himself-Gerard Butler! Wait...is he married? I don't think so, but just in case I'll have to think of some others. Let me see... *wink*

Hard Rock & Hallowed

Yesterday was my daughter's birthday. So, we went out to celebrate for dinner. For us, the Hard Rock Cafe in Sydney has become the place to celebrate our birthdays, and just about anything else. We love to go there. The atmosphere is good, the music's cool, the place looks awesome, and the food's great! What's there not to like about it? Besides, it was one of the first places hubby and I went to when we were dating.

We continued to go back there throughout the years, even while we were pregnant. Then we introduced our daughter to it. She loves going there as much as we do. But last night, they told us that the Hard Rock Sydney will be closing down on Sunday. :( That's awful news! And it's actually made me feel sadder than I thought it would. We're definitely going to miss it.

Apparently, it may open up again in the future, at another location. But in the meantime, it's gone. Where are we going to celebrate now? The HR was one of the few places that I still enjoy eating out at. I've become very fussy with takeout food, so most of it has been crossed off my list. But the HR, that was always there...

Anyway, at least I got this t-shirt, and this one as well. Aren't they cute? They had 50% off the merchandise, but I'd still rather be able to visit whenever we want to go. Oh well.

So, onto a much happier topic - I have a new eBook release on the 19th! Yay! My paranormal romance story, Alana Blues, will be released by Cobblestone Press during their Octoberfest celebrations.

I absolutely love this cover. It totally captures the heart and mood of this tale. I had a fun time writing this ghost, love story and can't wait to hear what others think of it. So, if you get the chance to read it, you just gotta tell me what you think. ;)

And don't forget, if you visit my blog during this week and leave a comment, you have the chance to win a copy of it.

Matt knows the things that lurk in the dark are very much real and always a threat. But it was a human bullet that stole his chance at happiness.

Alana is willing to do whatever it takes to save Matt’s life before Halloween night is over…

Yolanda
http://www.yolandasfetsos.com/

Addicted to Reality TV

I am one tired author today, after staying up past my bedtime...to watch which ladies didn't get roses on last night's episode of The Bachelor.

I can't explain my fascination with the show. It's cheesy, melodramatic, and full of blubbering (intoxicated?) women who think they're in love with a guy after a couple of group dates and some groping in a pool. I must tune in each week and see what happens next.

I have my favorite bachelorettes and the ones I'd like to smack. I watch the Bachelor closely, noting his reaction to each girl. This season, I think he's already made his choice, after only a couple of weeks. We'll see if I'm right.

What do I think is the attraction? What makes women (and men?) like me tune in each week, even though there's yet to be a Bachelor who's married the "true love" he found on the show? It's the drama, the conflict, the guessing, and the huge stakes the guys put on the whole thing. They don't go into this saying they want to find a woman for a casual relationship (which is often what they end up with after the last show is taped). No, they're there to "find a wife." Huge stakes--being married to a Navy surgeon/millionaire entrepreneur/prince/whatever. Which brings out the best--and worst--in the women.

I found myself explaining why I watch the show to my hubby last night (of course, he doesn't share my enthusiasm), and I explained to him that the show was much like reading a romance novel. I'm sitting in on the Bachelor's dates, watching, rooting for the girl who seems to be there for the "right" reasons, and sharing those intimate, special moments.

Am I the only one who sees it like this?

Anyone else want to share some insight? Tell me I'm crazy? LOL

Da Dogs Are Barkin' (xPost)

Lord my feet are killin' me! But while I was getting my toes squished in a pair of high-heeled pumps, I discovered that women have two national anthems. One is "I Will Survive" by Gloria Gaynor from the 70's. The other is "Lady Marmalade" originally done by Patti LaBelle but most recently redone for the movie "Moulin Rouge" and sung by Christina Aguilera, Mya, Pink and Lil' Kim.

Now how do I know about this national anthem stuff? Girlfriend, let me tell you what I did last night! Or rather, this morning since it's about 2:00am on Sunday morning now. I went to a BALL! Yes, a real black-tie dance with loads of yummy hors'd'ouvres, plenty of beverages (both the tipsy and non-tipsy kind), professional photographers, and the whole works. Oh, and it's was a singles, over-30 only, packed to the rafters shin-dig!

It was the Colorado Black Tie Association event called the Harvest Moon Ball. And yes, I was bullied into it by a girlfriend of mine. It turned out to be equal parts fun and equal parts boring. And you could tell who the firecrackers were in the room - all the single women who didn't bother waiting on a guy to ask her to dance when the two songs I mentioned earlier came on.

As with many balls and dances, most of the guys were on the wall and many of us women (keep in mind, there were AT LEAST 400 people there) were either sitting at tables sipping something-or-other, talking, laughing or wishing someone would come and ask us to dance.

BUT when the two songs I mentioned above came on? Oh my fricking god, you should have seen it! I don't think I've ever seen a pack of women run to the dance floor like that! Some were dragging men behind them. Some said screw it, and just danced by themselves. Some came onto the floor alone then congregated into groups to sing and dance about surviving and getting laid!

Link to LADY MARMALADE Video (tried to imbed it but blogger doesn't play nice).

When was the last time you went out and just said, "screw it, I'm gonna have a good time regardless of what else is going on, damn it!"

Doesn't have to be a fancy dance. Maybe it was a concert or a baseball game. We promise not to tell anyone else your secrets *wink*

TJ

Head Hopping Around The Story

Every character an author creates is someone important to the story; however, their thoughts should not be needed for the story to meet its final page. One of the most common mistakes authors make in writing is switching point of views too often.

The purpose of a point of view is to allow the reader to connect to the character. This cannot happen if every few paragraphs the reader is plunged into another character’s point of view. Rather than connection, the reader often times only receives confusion.

A good rule of thumb is to write the entire scene, if possible, from one point of view. If the point of view must change, then it should only be changed once in the scene. The character who is impacted most by the scene should be the point of view the author chooses.

Sometimes an author doesn’t even know she’s writing in another point of view. It kind of sneaks in on the author and positions itself secretly in the corner where only the publisher the author submits to can see it:

Sam stood in the doorway. His eyes darkened with lust as he watched Alice typing away at her computer. She was finishing her novel. He shouldn’t interrupt her. But tonight was the fifteenth night in a row she’d remained in her office, filled with determination to finish the book, rather than coming to bed. He wanted her.

Did you see it? You can bet the publisher did. Look again.

Sam stood in the doorway. His eyes darkened with lust as he watched Alice typing away at her computer. She was finishing her novel. He shouldn’t interrupt her. But tonight was the fifteenth night in a row she’d remained in her office, filled with determination to finish the book, rather than coming to bed. He wanted her.

There it is! Sneaky little bugger.

Now, some still might not recognize this as a point of view switch. The explanation makes it clear however. If we are in Sam’s point of view, we see the world as he sees it, think his thoughts, and do as he does. Sam can’t see the lust in his own eyes…not unless he’s looking in the mirror – which would be a bit weird I think to be looking at one’s self with lust.

Now the author wonders, okay, but how do I change it and still let the reader know what I’m trying to get across. Authors are wordsmiths, their jobs are to use words to convey. There is never just one phrase for an author to use. This point of view error can be corrected easily:

Sam stood in the doorway. Lust filled him as he watched Alice typing away at her computer. She was finishing her novel. He shouldn’t interrupt her. But tonight was the fifteenth night in a row she’d remained in her office, filled with determination to finish the book, rather than coming to bed. He wanted her.

Ha! Fixed that one! Now what about that other one. Yes, there’s another one hidden in there. Look at it again.

Sam stood in the doorway. Lust filled him as he watched Alice typing away at her computer. She was finishing her novel. He shouldn’t interrupt her. But tonight was the fifteenth night in a row she’d remained in her office, filled with determination to finish the book, rather than coming to bed. He wanted her.

But she IS filled with determination, right? I’m sure she is but there is no way for Sam to know what she’s filled with, without her telling him, unless he’s a psychic. He only knows his own thoughts, his own feelings, and his own actions. Okay, so let’s correct that one now.

Sam stood in the doorway. Lust filled him as he watched Alice typing away at her computer. She was finishing her novel. She’d told him earlier in the week that she was determined to get the manuscript completed so she could send it to an agent. He shouldn’t interrupt her. But tonight was the fifteenth night in a row she’d remained in her office rather than coming to bed. He wanted her.

Now here is the same paragraph in another point of view.

Alice heard Sam step into the doorway behind her but continued typing. She was determined to finish this novel so she could start submitting to agents by the end of the month. But determination gave way to guilt when Sam did not move on to the bedroom. She’d neglected him for over two weeks and they’d only been married four. When she looked back over her shoulder at him, she saw the pleading lust in his eyes.

The scene is stronger in Alice’s point of view. Her point of view is more emotion driven while Sam’s is physical. Another scene might be better told in Sam’s point of view but the reader will fall into this scene better if it’s told from Alice’s point of view. The author should continue in Alice’s point of view all the way through the sex scene unless the chapter ends and the author is inclined to offer the love scene in the hero’s point of view. Again, it should be determined which point of view better serves the purpose behind the love scene – which character benefits more in becoming more developed for the reader in this love scene? That’s how to choose.

Many authors don’t like the idea of no head hopping. Nora Roberts does it. Yes, but Nora has earned her right to head hop and when she does it, she does it seamlessly. Until an author HAS mastered the art of head hopping without breaking the flow of the read, they can’t very well use Nora Roberts as a reference for their own work.

Tagged & Me Stuff

Okay, Emma Petersen tagged me the other day. So, since I didn't have a particular topic to chat about today, I thought I'd post the tag here.

This is how it works.

Players offer eight random habits/facts about themselves. If you’re tagged, you need to write your own blog about your eight things and post the rules. At the end of your blog post, you need to choose eight people to tag–and list their names. If you participate, don’t forget to leave your people a comment telling them they’re tagged, and to read your blog.

And here are 8 random things about me:

1. At the moment I am SO addicted to the band 30 Seconds to Mars that I listen to both of their albums (at least) once a day. Oh, and that extends to Jared Leto... I'm so very impressed in his rockstar abilities.

2. Almost every story I write lately, turns into a potential trilogy or series.

3. I'm a huge to-do-list kinda person, especially when it comes to writing.

4. Although I was born in Madrid, Spain... I've pretty much lost most of the ability to speak Spanish fluently.

5. I love to sit down with my daughter and make beaded stuff - lately we've been making bracelets and book thongs. It's a lot of fun, and she loves it too.

6. I'm a HUGE vampire fan! Whether I'm writing them myself, reading about them, or watching them, it's all good. I can't get enough. And usually, if I see the word vampire in a blurb - I've gotta have it. :D

7. I've been a horror fan since my teens, and still haven't outgrown it. Lol. Oh, and I really enjoy zombie flicks! Can't wait to see Resident Evil: Extinction.

8. I love to walk everywhere. If I can walk somewhere, I'd rather do that than get in the car.

Now, who can I tag…

Ericka Scott
Samantha Lucas
L
Debra Moore
Tess Harrison
And I thought it would be fun to get my fellow Divas involved:
CT Adams
TJ Michaels
Tawny Taylor


Yolanda
http://www.yolandasfetsos.com/

Tawny's New Release and Another Habit

Obsidian Mirror by Tawny Taylor
Cover art by Sahara Kelly
Genre(s): Paranormal, BDSM
Theme(s): Ménage, Witches, Wizards & Magic
Length: Novella
Price: $3.49

Once a year, for one magical night, they come. They take. They dominate. And then they return to their world behind the glass. Warriors from another dimension, seeking relief from their carnal hunger. But when the time is right, they must help their hostess accept her true mate, the one man who will heal her wounds and make her whole.

Skylar Morissey is perfectly content to have her once-a-year carnal visit from her dominant warriors. She can have twenty-four glorious hours of no-strings, kinky sex with not one but two gorgeous hunks. What girl wouldn't love that? Sure, there are those women who might like something more stable -- more grounded in the real world -- but not this girl, nope. She has her reasons for not getting into anything too complicated, very compelling ones. Until her very real neighbor, Trace Blackshaw, makes an unexpected appearance, and a few demands of his own.

Trace and Skylar share a dark past, one that has stained their souls and scarred their hearts. Skylar would rather forget. Trace cannot let it go. Nor will he let Skylar go, now that he’s found her.

In the end, it will be Skylar’s choice. Submission to the one man who shares a soul-deep bond with her, or hide from the pain and content herself with one night a year with two dominant lovers…from the obsidian mirror.

Read an EXCERPT
Click to BUY

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Seven Habits of Highly Effective Authors Day 3

Hello again! So far, we’ve talked about two habits for highly effective authors: 1. Writing Every Day and 2. Learning about the Industry/Business side of publishing

Are you ready for habit number three?

3. Highly effective authors learn how to handle criticism.

I've been a member of many critique groups over the years, and there's always one or two (or more) members who expect everyone to love their work. Any "negative" (meaning less than glowing) comment is met with a defensive (or hostile) rebuttal. This works against them in the long run, and puts them at a huge disadvantage later. How?

A. Because critique partners will sooner or later either learn to dance around the truth or give up critiquing altogether. That robs the writer of an opportunity to learn.

And,

B. Because a writer with very thin skin will often have a hard time accepting edits if she/he sells. That will put a strain on his/her relationships with future agents and editors.

Highly effective authors know they'll be criticized on many fronts if their work is ever published. Critique partners. Editors. Agents. Readers. Reviewers. They have no choice but to develop a thick skin. They quickly learn the value of honest and constructive feedback, particularly when it’s coming from a reliable source…and before the book is in print and it’s too late to make changes.

Now, my personal critique partner horror story: I have to admit, I was clueless when I started writing. I was sure EVERYONE would love everything I’d written when I first started. But, thanks to a (now defunct) site called iPublish, which was somewhat similar to Gather’s First Chapter contests, my delusions were quickly squelched. Not everyone loved my work. Some did, yes. But others didn’t “get” it. And some hated it. “Why do you need demons in a romance story?” “Your scenes are overwritten.” and there was the “You don’t know what the hell you’re doing. Go back to kindergarten and learn how to write.”

Did those criticisms hurt? You bet! And (of course) I often felt they were dead wrong. But I learned, after selling and reading my first bad review, that it was better to hear about the bad BEFORE the book was in print, rather than after.

I now embrace the critic. Are they sometimes wrong? Maybe. But I tend to see some truth in every bit of criticism I read of my work. And I take those grains of truth and apply them, hoping the next book will be better.

Remember, it might take one editor to love a story for your book to be published. But it’s going to take thousands of readers to love a story for you to sell your next book.

Learn from the criticism you receive. Grow. Challenge yourself. Resist the urge to post any kind of defense of your work...and be a Highly Effective Author.

Anyone care to share their critique partner horror stories? Post them in the comments.

Tawny

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Vampilicious Erotic Romance

Five Pounds of Makeup...Literally!

I'm not saying this article is not true, but I'm a bit of a cynic and don't immediately believe everything I read. But check it - there's a study out that says you could have up to five pounds of chemicals in your body due to *drum roll, please* MAKE UP!

Check out the article at the Daily Mail and let me know what you think. I think that this is something like Shelley's post on women obsessed with their body shape to the point of ridiculousness. What did they do? Go find the most self-absorbed, image issue women in all creation for this article?

I don't know a single woman, I stress, NOT A SINGLE ONE, that obsesses about their makeup to the same point as these women. Hell, the women I know are so busy they don't have time to brush their teeth seven times a day! Let alone use four cans of deodorant a week! There isn't that much funk in all the world to need that much body odor controller!

Whatcha think? Am I nuts?

TJ
www.tjmichaels.com

Something Wild - New Release

Something Wild by Sable Grey

Paranormal Historical
Something wild is stalking through London and only one man can stop the killings.

http://www.cobblestone-press.com/catalog/books/somethingwild.htm

London is a city drowning in fear as a barrage of gruesome murders plague the streets in Whitechapel. Detective Baden Sikes is out to find the ripper but gets preoccupied a bit with a young woman he decides to save from a life of thievery in the streets.

Baden wants Cora...wants her bad, but with so much at stake and his own secrets threatening to destroy him and those he loves, can he afford to give his heart to this woman? Or will he leave them all at the mercy of the wild thing that stalks through London?


Content: Erotic Romance
This title contains explicit language, violence, and graphic sex



Excerpt:



Something Wild by Sable Grey

Baden stood in the doorway of the kitchen, sipping his bourbon as he watched Cora make her tea. It was past midnight. He’d heard her weeping earlier, but waited until her sobs had ceased.

Now his gaze slid down the length of her blonde hair to the sleeping gown. It was the same she’d worn when she’d attempted to seduce him with her ripped slipper. Its sheer material slipped around her curves as she moved, and each time she stepped in front of the candle, he could see the outline of her body.

He leaned against the doorframe when she began humming softly.

“Have you enough for two?” he spoke then smiled when she started with a yelp of surprise. Her fingers splayed out against her chest as she breathed out. She turned back to her tea after a quick glance at his glass.

“I’ve more than enough, if you want some.” She nodded and reached for a second cup. He just wanted to be near her. To smell her scent, to have her look at him with those clear eyes, to scold him with her quick tongue. Everything about her excited him, aroused him. He didn’t want tea. He wanted her.

“What did Webber tell you to do to seduce me?”

Her hands stilled and her back stiffened. “You were witness to my failed attempt.”

“But you went back. Did he not give you more advice?” Baden walked slowly toward her, but she didn’t turn to face him.

“It was suggested I use my mouth to seduce you.” Her hands dropped to the wooden surface of the counter.

“Did he show you how? Make you practice…”

She whirled, her eyes flashing in the candlelight. “He did not. I am not so stupid that I would fall for such a ploy even if he had suggested I do so.” She clasped her hands together when Baden halted in front of her. “Besides, I talked mostly with one of the women there. She demonstrated on a carrot.”

Baden didn’t mean to laugh. “And you’d planned on doing what she taught you to do?”

“I’d not resolved if I would or would not.” She visibly shook, obviously affected by him.

Carefully he set his glass on the counter behind her, slanting his gaze down at her when she closed her eyes and breathed in deeply as if she were breathing in his scent, too.

“Why would you even consider it?”

“You’d done so for me…put your mouth on me.” She opened her eyes as he straightened. “And I told you I wanted more of your kiss.”

“And it does not occur to you to respect my wishes?” He raised an eyebrow.

“You want me. I know you do. As I said, I am not stupid.” She licked her lips nervously. “Why should I respect something that is not truly your wish at all?”

“I told you that if I indulged myself, I would keep you.” He wanted to touch her, to reach out and run his finger across the softness of her cheek.

“Perhaps I want to be kept.”

“You think you do, but I am not what I seem. You have not seen me for what I truly am.”

“And what are you?” she asked, her words breathy as if she continued to be affected by him.

“Something wild.” He finally lifted a finger to brush back a strand of her hair. “Not much different than The Ripper…” Her fingers suddenly pressed against his lips; her large blue eyes welled with sudden tears.

“Don’t you ever say that again,” she whispered. “You are kind and generous and decent. You’re nothing like the monster that roams the streets. He has no guilt, no shame, no pain, no conscience. I see all of those in your eyes now.”

“If you only knew, you would not be so eager to win my affection,” Baden spoke against her fingers.

“You hide yourself, sir, but I still see you. You have passion you struggle to control. I knew that the second day I’d known you when you struck Webber. I saw it again that day in your study.” Her free hand rose to his chest, and she closed the distance between them. “I felt the wild in you when you kissed me. It’s what has driven me to seek Webber’s help.”

“I am only half a man.” Baden reached up to wrap his hand around her delicate wrist, pulling her fingers from his mouth. “The rest is…” He stopped when her fingers curled against him. Her gaze reflected deep lust. She would not care if he told her he was half winged demon. Her desire warmed him more than any bourbon, intoxicated him.

“The rest is what?”

He leaned forward, brushing his jaw against her cheek as he inhaled deeply, exhaling on the word “beast”. He might have leaned away. He might have left the room. But that small whimper that pushed from her lips weakened and bound him. So be it.

Old People Sex! (xPost)

I'm at a conference for work at a swanky hotel about 30 minutes from my house. We have about 25 customers and prospects that have flown in from out of town, including Germany, London and Puerto Rico.

Last night I was sitting with the folks from Puerto Rico and they started telling stories.

About a year ago one of the guys and his wife went to the first all-inclusive report to open on their part of the island. They place was so overbooked they stood in line for almost an hour just trying to check in. Mind you, they had reservations and everything. So they checked into the hotel, but instead of going right up to their room, they went to dinner and asked the bellhops to take their luggage up.

Dinner was fabulous. Atmosphere was awesome. Now it was time to go to bed. FINALLY!

Then went up to their room, opened the door and had an incredible surprise waiting for them: TWO VERY OLD PEOPLE HAVING MAD MONKEY SEX IN THEIR BED.

The woman was so mortified, she jumped out of the bed and started waving at them while screeching, "Who are you? Who are you?"

Honey, I think that was the time to actually burrow under the covers! Needless to say, my friends received a free weekend at the resort...which they graciously accepted even after the hotel offered for them to stay in the room anyway.

I would have been moritified! But...I do feel a story coming on... Actually, this is one of the things Alaan used to keep his mind on business and off of his woman's backside while he was supposed to be hunting - old people sex!

TJ

New covers & Halloween

Hey! I'm running a little late this morning. :/ The next few weeks will be a little different for me because my daughter has a two-week break from school. Writing, and other writing-related things are usually a bigger challenge when she's at home with me. Although, since I've been realistic about the goals I'd like to meet, so far the productivity has been good.

Let's hope it continues...

So, I love getting new covers. It's always excellent to open up an email and get the chance to view a new cover. It's awesome! I usually open it, leave it on the desktop and keep staring at it for as long as I can. Lol.

I've been very lucky with covers, and this week I've got three new ones to share:

Aren't they all beautiful? I am extremely happy with all of them. And of course, can't wait to see what other covers I'll be graced with in the future. :) All of the cover artists I've worked with so far have been wonderful and totally spot-on, when it came to what I envisioned for each cover. It's lovely to have such talented artists available to put a visual to my stories. :D

So, this month is a busy one. I've got three new releases, my hubby's and daughter's birthdays, several revisions I'd like to complete, and it'll be Halloween at the end of the month. Here in Australia, we don't really celebrate Halloween as much as in the US, but I've always loved it anyway. The trick-or-treating is very minimal, and most don't even open the doors for the few kids that bother to dress up. I've always thought it a shame.

I've been a horror fan for many, many years and of course, Halloween featured in a lot of movies. So as a kid and teen, I always wished we did the same thing as the Americans. Of course, the fact that we're in Spring and daylight hours are extended by then might change the spooky mood a little. But still, I've introduced my daughter to the idea and she's fascinated. I think it's a lot of fun, and look forward to spending Halloween nights watching horror flicks with her when she's old enough.

Anyway, I hope you all have a:


glitter-graphics.com

Yolanda
http://www.yolandasfetsos.com/

Octoberfest Blog Party!!

It's October already and you know what that means...yes! It's time for Cobblestone Press' 2nd Annual Octoberfest Celebration.

Shifters, vampires, ghosts, and everything in between. Octoberfest is about celebrating all things paranormal and in celebration of their Octoberfest releases the authors of Cobblestone are having a MONTH long Blog Party.

You know what happens at parties, right? There are gifts and this party will be no exception. Stop by an author's blog during thier week and comment and you'll automatically be entered to win a copy of their Octoberfest title! Woot! And you'll be able to read excerpts, some that may not be seen anywhere else.

Visit the Cobblestone Press blog for details.