Women inthe beach: Henna Tattoo on The Back,
Recent Posts
As some of you may know I'm in a crit group called The Witches (not sure why we call ourselves that. It's not as if we cackle whenever we get together!) We've known each other for several years, before any of us were published (except for Pat, who was already a multi-pubbed children's author when I first met her), so we've shared all the ups and downs and highs and lows along the way.
Anyway, to celebrate the release of Foretaste of Forever the darling witches are having parties over at their blogs, where they are revealing all sorts of things (and some of them ain't pretty). And so because it's Halloween, and it's Friday, and my heroine is a witch, we're holding a contest for the chance to win a download of my very first erotic romance novella.
All you have to do is pop over and leave a comment - for three chances comment at all three blogs!!! And Pat is hosting a Q&A session, so if there's anything you'd like to ask me hop over and leave your questions in her comment trail!
Amanda's Blog
Pat's Blog
Sara's Blog
Anyway, to celebrate the release of Foretaste of Forever the darling witches are having parties over at their blogs, where they are revealing all sorts of things (and some of them ain't pretty). And so because it's Halloween, and it's Friday, and my heroine is a witch, we're holding a contest for the chance to win a download of my very first erotic romance novella.
All you have to do is pop over and leave a comment - for three chances comment at all three blogs!!! And Pat is hosting a Q&A session, so if there's anything you'd like to ask me hop over and leave your questions in her comment trail!
Amanda's Blog
Pat's Blog
Sara's Blog
It's Friday! It's Halloween! It's time for the WITCHES!!!
The Spawn and I especially love the holidays. Halloween is a time for us to get out there and annoy those we love with lots of tricks now that we no longer go house to house for treats. There are many a thing you can do to “show your love” this evening as we celebrate Mischief Night. (For those living in Detroit, grab a pack of matches and hit the streets.) There’s toilet papering, soaping, and corning to name but a few. Weird enough, though, the local-yokels down here have never heard of such a thing. WWHHAAAAATT???? Never heard of Mischief Night? Well come along, friends, and let us introduce you to a tradition that will surely be marked on next year’s calendar.
There’s soaping. This is the rubbing of bars of soap on people’s windows making them opaque. Ivory is great but shaving cream is fun, too. However, we reserve the shaving cream for those neighbors that allow their dogs to poop in our yards because it’s a little more difficult to clean up.
There’s soaping. This is the rubbing of bars of soap on people’s windows making them opaque. Ivory is great but shaving cream is fun, too. However, we reserve the shaving cream for those neighbors that allow their dogs to poop in our yards because it’s a little more difficult to clean up.
Then we have “corning”. This is where you get field corn and shuck it into little brown lunch bags so that you can hurl it at passing cars or neighbor’s windows. It makes a TREMENDOUS noise when it hits a big bay window. I won’t allow the spawn to throw corn at cars like I did as a kid because way back when I didn’t realize the danger, Will Robinson, that this could cause.
And finally we have the much-loved…. toilet papering. No explanation needed because why? It’s cheap, it’s fun, and it’s a picture perfect moment.
Many a mischief maker throw eggs, however, I have not incorporated this into the family night of fun. If you’ve ever had to clean dried egg from your car you will remind your offspring that eggs are for eating, not for throwing.
This year’s fun will begin with the initiation of the spawns' first attempt at TPing. I figure we’ll hit an unsuspecting victim outside of our neighborhood then take some pictures to show my blogging family. Call me kookie but I have this fear my vehicle will be recognized if we hit a good friend.
Any suggestions who to toilet paper? It can’t be my brother because he reads my blog AND he and his wife would get P-I-S-S-E-D PISSED!
Any suggestions who to toilet paper? It can’t be my brother because he reads my blog AND he and his wife would get P-I-S-S-E-D PISSED!
AARRRRR Ye Ready Fer Halloween?
Please welcome my special guest today, Jean Adams, whose Champagne Rose novel, A Place of Healing, has recently been released by The Wild Rose Press!
Jean is the founder of the Romance Writers of New Zealand. Please tell us a little about yourself, Jean!
RWNZ was founded in September 1990. Ten or so people met in the back bedroom of my house and shared what little we knew about romance writing. It was enough to judge the level of interest which was high. We decided on a meeting date and RWNZ was born. The first conference followed four years later, in June 1994. I'd never organised anything like a conference before so the whole experience was a learning curve for me. Some very special people attended, including Daphne Clare, Robyn Donald, Susan Napier, Rosalie Henagan and the wonderful Gloria Bevan. We were even honoured by a letter of good wishes from Essie Summers. Since those early days, RWNZ has gone from strength to strength and I'm sure it always will.
Can you tell us a little about your book, A Place of Healing?
Holly Spicer is a cop with a tortured soul, being responsible for the murder of her police partner. Now she wants revenge and plans to go away for month to a secluded beach in the Bay of Islands to get her head together and make her plans for vengeance. She'll go through with it -- even if it kills her.
But she doesn't bargain on sexy Adam Benedict, psychologist turned movie mega star, using all his old skills trying to keep her alive.
How did the idea for the plot come about?
LOL. It actually evolved over a period of years, in between writing other things. It was written and re-written several times until finally I'd had enough of it and submitted it to The Wild Rose Press who loved it.
I love sale stories (ok I am just nosy!!) so can you tell us about your road to publication - and your call story?
My road to publication has been a bit bumpy and Healing wasn't my first call story. In fact I didn't get "calls" at all. I got emails. Not as noisy (as in screaming down the phone) but equally as exciting.
We are all about the love here, so please share your fave books, movies, TV shows or current fantasy squeeze (it's all in the line of research!)
My favourite romance of all time is Flowers From the Storm by Laura Kinsale. And anything by our own Helen Kirkman. I have all her books, and in fact discovered the other day that I have two copies of one book. The movies I like aren't romances at all, but they have romantic themes in the adventure sense. Lawrence of Arabia, The Man of La Mancha, that kind of thing. TV? Let's not go there. There's nothing worth watching at all, except maybe for some of the programmes on UKTV.
What are you working on now?
I'm tossing up whether to send two further books that The Wild Rose Press has requested. I am also developing a trilogy set in ancient Egypt which I would like to get published one day but I have other priorities now. I run a very lucrative home-based business which is much more important. Never thought I'd ever say that, but there you go. And I get to travel to exotic places for fun. What more could there be.
How can readers keep up with your writing and books?
Just watch my sig line. Eventually it will change but I suspect not in the near future.
A Place of Healing - Jean Adams
I'm too damn freaked out and panicky to think of anything funny right now because cleaning ones house out in a matter of days IS NOT FUNNY PEOPLE!!!!
(art by Gottfried Helnwein)
Just Breathe
Alisha Paige,
Clive Owen,
paranormal,
Pat Posner,
Shelley Munro,
The Dynamic Three,
The Wild Rose Press,
witches
Today I'm over at fellow Wild Rose Press Paranormal author, the lovely Alisha Paige's blog! Please pop over and find out my deepest darkest secrets! (It's quite possible Clive Owen might be mentioned...)
There's still time to enter my contest over at Shelley's blog, and also at The Dynamic Three for an additional chance.
On Friday (Halloween no less!!) my fellow Witches (aka as my CPs!) are grilling me in honor of my debut release. Please check out Pat Posner's blog today and find out what she has in store for me!!
There's still time to enter my contest over at Shelley's blog, and also at The Dynamic Three for an additional chance.
On Friday (Halloween no less!!) my fellow Witches (aka as my CPs!) are grilling me in honor of my debut release. Please check out Pat Posner's blog today and find out what she has in store for me!!
Discover My Darkest Secrets!!
I know you guys are tired of hearing me complain about the purging of my household items so I thought I would share with you an e-mail response to King Dork's sister. I received a note from The Beanster this weekend wishing me luck and asking if I was truly ready to have her brother move in with me; this is what I told her:
After much consideration and a few moments of dread, my mind and heart have been set. Yes, I'm ready for this. At first a bit of trepidation arose as I have not lived with a man in fourteen years (I don't think my kids remember living with their dad.) But the fear and anxiety were easily nullified by the fact that my chosen path of study in college has prepared me for this better than life itself. Chapter 8, page 209, of the very first text book I purchased toward a "proper education" covers the removal of bloodstains so that they may not be traced. In addition, Chapter 7 covers all trace evidence and how it is collected and Chapter 16 discusses all aspects of a homicide investigation. I highly recommend Barry A. J. Fisher's Techniques of Crime Scene Investigation for any wife or girlfriend that foresees complications or disagreements in their romantic relationships. (You can find the book used on-line, if need be.) Mr. Fisher has kindly covered all areas of crime scenes and what a technician looks for in order to "catch the bad guy." What we can take from this is to learn what NOT to do when eliminating those things from our lives that trouble us.
That being said, the only thing I’m dealing with right now is panic. I’ve lived in the same house for almost nineteen years. Do you KNOW how much stuff a woman can collect in a nineteen year period? Where in heaven’s name am I going to put all that stuff? I asked Bill if he thought he would need more than a drawer for his clothes. He said if he did I could purchase him a cardboard dresser. What a guy, huh?
My sugar-plum, candy-coated, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate bar dreams were shattered long ago. I, too, have a brother. LOL Nah, just kidding, my brother is actually one of my favorite people. Speaking of family, the only thing I see changing in your future are more trips to Florida. Our home is your home; my family is your family……really, they’re yours, take ‘em. I look forward to you and your clan heading down south to thaw out once or twice this winter so we look forward to seeing you guys soon.
I promise to take care of King Dork so don’t worry……Chapter 16 covers a lot. As for the Luck O’ The Irish, let us bow our heads and pray I can hold my liquor.
Love you guys and hope to see ALL of you soon,
Marn
After much consideration and a few moments of dread, my mind and heart have been set. Yes, I'm ready for this. At first a bit of trepidation arose as I have not lived with a man in fourteen years (I don't think my kids remember living with their dad.) But the fear and anxiety were easily nullified by the fact that my chosen path of study in college has prepared me for this better than life itself. Chapter 8, page 209, of the very first text book I purchased toward a "proper education" covers the removal of bloodstains so that they may not be traced. In addition, Chapter 7 covers all trace evidence and how it is collected and Chapter 16 discusses all aspects of a homicide investigation. I highly recommend Barry A. J. Fisher's Techniques of Crime Scene Investigation for any wife or girlfriend that foresees complications or disagreements in their romantic relationships. (You can find the book used on-line, if need be.) Mr. Fisher has kindly covered all areas of crime scenes and what a technician looks for in order to "catch the bad guy." What we can take from this is to learn what NOT to do when eliminating those things from our lives that trouble us.
That being said, the only thing I’m dealing with right now is panic. I’ve lived in the same house for almost nineteen years. Do you KNOW how much stuff a woman can collect in a nineteen year period? Where in heaven’s name am I going to put all that stuff? I asked Bill if he thought he would need more than a drawer for his clothes. He said if he did I could purchase him a cardboard dresser. What a guy, huh?
My sugar-plum, candy-coated, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate bar dreams were shattered long ago. I, too, have a brother. LOL Nah, just kidding, my brother is actually one of my favorite people. Speaking of family, the only thing I see changing in your future are more trips to Florida. Our home is your home; my family is your family……really, they’re yours, take ‘em. I look forward to you and your clan heading down south to thaw out once or twice this winter so we look forward to seeing you guys soon.
I promise to take care of King Dork so don’t worry……Chapter 16 covers a lot. As for the Luck O’ The Irish, let us bow our heads and pray I can hold my liquor.
Love you guys and hope to see ALL of you soon,
Marn
p.s. We’ll have to compare stories of our childhood one of these days and see which ones are worse.
Think she got the picture?
Enough About The Purge....For Now
Today I'm over at the lovely Shelley Munro's blog, where I'm talking about my heroine, Elyesha. Please stop by and leave a comment, as I'm holding a contest for one lucky person to win a download of Foretaste of Forever!
My Heroine
The lovely Helen Hardt has posted an interview with me over at her blog, where I'm discussing my hero from Foretaste of Forever. Would love to see you over there!
Later this week my CPs, aka The Witches, are putting me under the spotlight, so that will be fun!!! More details to follow on that one.
Later this week my CPs, aka The Witches, are putting me under the spotlight, so that will be fun!!! More details to follow on that one.
My Hero
Foretaste of Forever,
Helen Hardt,
Kaye Manro,
ParaNormal Romance Inklings and More,
Shelley Munro,
witch
Thank you everyone who popped by over the weekend, left comments or emailed me privately with congratulations. You all made my day extra special and completely unforgettable!
And thank you Kaye Manro, who hosted a party over at her blog on Friday. It was huge fun!
Tomorrow I'm visiting my friend's blog, Helen Hardt, where we'll be chatting about my hero from Foretaste of Forever. Please pop on over if you get the chance, we'd love to see you!
On Tuesday I'm over at Shelley Munro's blog, where I'll be explaining why I chose a witch as my heroine. Although in fact Elyesha was always a witch and I just had to discover that!!
I had a fabulous surprise when I switched on the computer this afternoon. My very first review from PNR (ParaNormal Romance Inklings & More) ! The reviewer, Melissa Conatser, said this in part:
This fast paced story had me sighing from the passion and love and nearly crying with sorrow for these two soul mates. I enjoyed Foretaste of Forever and look forward to reading more of Christina Phillips’ work.
As you can imagine, I was thrilled to bits! The entire review can be found here
And two minutes ago, Foretaste of Forever was at the #4 spot on The Wild Rose Press Bestseller List!
The gorgeous flowers and bubbly my darling hubby brought home on Friday, and my fluffy purple teddy from my eldest daughter!!
And thank you Kaye Manro, who hosted a party over at her blog on Friday. It was huge fun!
Tomorrow I'm visiting my friend's blog, Helen Hardt, where we'll be chatting about my hero from Foretaste of Forever. Please pop on over if you get the chance, we'd love to see you!
On Tuesday I'm over at Shelley Munro's blog, where I'll be explaining why I chose a witch as my heroine. Although in fact Elyesha was always a witch and I just had to discover that!!
I had a fabulous surprise when I switched on the computer this afternoon. My very first review from PNR (ParaNormal Romance Inklings & More) ! The reviewer, Melissa Conatser, said this in part:
This fast paced story had me sighing from the passion and love and nearly crying with sorrow for these two soul mates. I enjoyed Foretaste of Forever and look forward to reading more of Christina Phillips’ work.
As you can imagine, I was thrilled to bits! The entire review can be found here
And two minutes ago, Foretaste of Forever was at the #4 spot on The Wild Rose Press Bestseller List!
The gorgeous flowers and bubbly my darling hubby brought home on Friday, and my fluffy purple teddy from my eldest daughter!!
The Day After the Night Before
Christina Phillips,
Erotic Romance,
Foretaste of Forever,
Scarlet Roses,
The Wild Rose Press,
The Wilder Roses,
witches
Today is the release day of my debut book, Foretaste of Forever from The Wild Rose Press! I'm so excited! I've waited a long time for this, and now it's finally here it all feels surreal!
And I have my very first interview up!! Please pop over to the lovely Nell Dixon and check it out.
As soon as Foretaste is up on The Wilder Roses page, I'll link directly to it.
A witch's tale for Halloween...
Here's an adult rated excerpt:
Elyesha hooked her ankles around Ben’s waist as he strode through the castle’s crumbling entrance. For a fleeting moment, she wished it had retained its former glory, but her ancestors had allowed the magnificent stronghold to fall into ruins centuries ago.
Besides, it didn’t matter where she had Ben. So long as she had him. And soon – she would have him forever.
In the Great Hall, with its soaring arches and remnants of ancient grandeur in the carved four poster bed, he paused and she slowly slithered from his grasp. “What shall we do now?” she said, tilting her head to one side and allowing her long hair to tumble provocatively over her shoulder. She traced one finger over the hard ridge of his erection and hid a smile as Ben clenched his jaw.
“No suggestions?” She raised one eyebrow and trailed her finger over his groin and toward his chest. She didn’t know why he fought against her some nights. What did he hope to achieve? Sooner or later, she’d get her way and then he would see how foolish all his protestations had been. “Perhaps I’ll strip you naked,” she suggested, loosening the ties on his scarlet linen shirt.
He didn’t reply, except to give the merest grunt of a laugh. She tugged his open shirt from his britches and admired his perfectly sculpted chest, before sliding the shirt over his shoulders and along his finely muscled arms.
“Enjoying yourself?” There was a rasp to his voice, as if he tried to deny the rising desire between them.
She shot him an exasperated glance. “I intend to enjoy myself far more before this night’s over.” She tugged at the fastenings at his crotch, deliberately prolonging the procedure as she massaged his rigid shaft. Occasionally she found Ben’s inhuman self-control infuriating, but even that didn’t matter. Because, in the end, he always succumbed.
But sometimes, she wished for the early years. Before Ben had rebelled against their relationship. Before his misguided sense of honor had risen its unwelcome head and corroded their perfect world.
Impatiently she thrust the thought aside. She admired his honor, but had no intention of destroying what they had at its altar.
“So long as you’re enjoying yourself.” Ben’s sardonic comment penetrated her thoughts, and wet heat flared deep in her pussy at the look on his face. He was no longer rigid with self-control but lust, and his eyes glowed with rising desire. “I exist for your amusement, Elyesha.”
She ripped the last fastening free and dragged his pants down his muscled legs. “Never forget that.” Her voice was uneven, her heart hammering against her breast. How could he do this to her, after so many years? She had only to think of him to want him, had only to see him to desire him. And when he teased her, she knew in her heart she would willingly die for him.
If she was only given the chance.
He hauled her to her feet. “And now it’s your turn to entertain me.” There was no hint of reluctance in his eyes now. Only love. For her. She wrapped the knowledge around her heart and knew it wouldn’t be long before Ben made the final commitment to her.
Edited to Add:
Foretaste of Forever is now up on The Wilder Roses Site! OMG. I'm so excited I might burst!!!
MySpace Glitters
FORETASTE OF FOREVER - Release day - PARTY!!
If you stopped by yesterday you found me in “panic mode”.
This is why…..
This is why…..
Explains a lot, doesn’t it? I told you I had too much shit to go through in a two week period. Purge my ass; more like “just bulldoze the house and start over” mode should have been considered.
This does not include the eight large yard bags that I'd already "disposed" of. I have many happy friends that have inherited all of my shit who will be moaning and complaining about me this weekend when they try and find room to put all of their "new" stuff.
Reality Mode
Blue Remembered Heels,
By Grace,
D C Thompson,
Linden Romance,
Little Black Dress,
Marrying Max,
Moonlit Romance,
Nell Dixon,
RNA Romance Prize 2007,
Samhain Publishing
Please welcome my special guest this week, award winning author Nell Dixon, who is here chatting about her new release, Blue Remembered Heels, published by Little Black Dress. Book link - Book Depository
Nell, please tell us a little about yourself.
I was born and continue to live in a small area of the UK known as the Black Country. Happily married to the same man for over twenty years, we have three beautiful daughters, a tank of tropical fish and a cactus called Spike. During the day I work for a disabilities charity in my local community.
In my spare time I enjoy travelling with my family in our touring caravan and exploring the countryside. I have a passion for cathedral architecture and historic buildings. I also enjoy walking, gardening and art.
Ever since I can remember I’ve loved stories and books, both reading and writing them. My first poem was published by a local paper when I was thirteen, since then I’ve had several poems published and was first runner up a few years ago in a national short story competition. I’ve also had several articles published in professional journals.
Writing romance remains my first love and I write the kinds of stories that I love to read. My publishers to date include: Little Black Dress, Samhain Publishing, Moonlit Romance, By Grace, D C Thompson, and Linden Romance. I am also proud to say that I was the winner of the RNA’s Romance Prize 2007 with my book Marrying Max.
Can you tell us a little about your book, Blue Remembered Heels?
Blue Remembered Heels is about a family of con artists, Charlie, the older sister, Abbey, the heroine, and Kip their younger brother. Their mother disappeared without trace when they were small and they make their living by scamming people. Then Abbey gets hit by lightning and can’t tell lies any more. A bit of a snag in her career especially when there’s a very hunky detective hot on her trail. It gets even more complicated when she starts to suffer other side effects from the lightning strike – flashbacks to her mother’s disappearance – and then their latest scam victim decides he wants his money back and he’s not asking nicely.
How did the idea for the plot come about?
The idea for the book came about after I read a newspaper article about someone who was hit by lightning and as he recovered he began to speak fluent French - a language he's never learned. The more I looked into the after effects of lightning strikes the more interesting it became. So Abbey was born, a conwoman who made her living by telling lies who suddenly could only tell the truth. In the book the lightning has one other unforseen effect too but I don't want to spoil the plot!
I love sale stories (ok I am just nosy!!) so can you tell us about your road to publication - and your call story?
I was so excited when I heard about Little Black Dress. The books sounded like just the kind of stories that I loved to read and write. Fast paced with humour, quirky situations and full of life, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on them. I read quite a few and I knew I had some great story ideas in my files that I thought would be perfect for my kind of writing. I went to the Romantic Novelist’s association conference shortly after I’d started writing Blue Remembered Heels and Cat Cobain, the editor for the line was taking pitches. I pitched my book even though it wasn't finished and she asked for a partial and told me to email it straight to her. A few weeks later she emailed me and asked to see the rest – I’d only completed ten chapters so I asked if she wanted to wait till it was finished or if she wanted to see the rough draft of what I’d got so far. She asked for the rough draft. I sent it on the Monday and she offered me a two book contract on the Friday based on the partial – wow! My second book is called Animal Instincts and will be out in March.
We are all about the love here, so please share your fave books, movies, TV shows or current fantasy squeeze (it's all in the line of research!)
Oh, this is so hard! I really don't watch many films or much TV.My all time favourite film that I can watch over and over again is Seven Brides for Seven Brothers - I love that film. I have dozens of favourite books, Pride and Prejudice of course, The House on the Strand by Daphne DuMaurier, Welcome to Temptation by Jenny Crusie, The Hound of Death by Agatha Christie and Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. Favourite fantasy squeeze is Bryan Adams, the Canadian singer.
What are you working on now?
At the moment I'm working on two books, One is called Crystal Clear and is about Crystal Therapy, fate and a heroine who thinks she knows what she wants from life but suddenly finds she may have everything all wrong.
My other project is a really challenging story that I've been wanting to write for a while and follows four different women.
How can readers keep up with your writing and books?
Visit my website or my blog or look for me on Face book or My Space.
Blue Remembered Heels - Nell Dixon
As most of you may already know, my man and I have been dating for three and a half years. We had a “brief sabbatical” for two months earlier this year but through good communication a key in any relationship we were able to determine our differences were a cumulation of my stubbornness and his temper tantrums. Those days have been exorcised from our lives…..at least for the rest of this year.
For those three and a half years we have lived in the same city for the grand total of thirty five days. Yup, for three and a half years we have lived eight hundred and fifty miles apart. Now for some of you this would be a good distance to keep between you and your loved one. For us, not so much. It puts wear and tear on the car, and wear and tear on our old and decrepit bodies: too much travel.
Yesterday, The Emperor, “King Dork”, turned in his resignation as he found a new job. A new job here in The Armpit of Florida. A job in the same town I live.
Simple mathematics results in the following equation: subtract one emperor from Cow-lubus, add one integration broker to The Armpit, multiply that by a single mom and her teenaged spawn with the sporadic introduction of the multivariable of three older offspring and you get the equivalency of one house full of people at my address.
Enter panic.
I have lived in the same house for almost nineteen years. Fifteen of these years with just the kids. Do you people UNDERSTAND how much SHIT I have accumulated over the past nineteen years?!?!? My house was built in the early fifties. There is no closet or storage space. I have shit stuff, crammed, shoved, and poked into every available crevice and hole. There is absolutely no room for his stuff. HOLY SHIT….I have two weeks to clean out a drawer or two for him to throw his underwear and socks when he MOVES IN WITH US.
IN TWO WEEKS!!!!!
UGH!!!!!!
Needless to say I have been a bit busy purging all of the useless and meaningless crap that I have pilfered, saved, accumulated, or inherited over the last few years.
Few……huh, whatever!
I thought I’d share in my humiliating experience of the twelve-step program called “Packrats Anonymous”.
Step thirteen: RELAX!
For those three and a half years we have lived in the same city for the grand total of thirty five days. Yup, for three and a half years we have lived eight hundred and fifty miles apart. Now for some of you this would be a good distance to keep between you and your loved one. For us, not so much. It puts wear and tear on the car, and wear and tear on our old and decrepit bodies: too much travel.
Yesterday, The Emperor, “King Dork”, turned in his resignation as he found a new job. A new job here in The Armpit of Florida. A job in the same town I live.
Simple mathematics results in the following equation: subtract one emperor from Cow-lubus, add one integration broker to The Armpit, multiply that by a single mom and her teenaged spawn with the sporadic introduction of the multivariable of three older offspring and you get the equivalency of one house full of people at my address.
Enter panic.
I have lived in the same house for almost nineteen years. Fifteen of these years with just the kids. Do you people UNDERSTAND how much SHIT I have accumulated over the past nineteen years?!?!? My house was built in the early fifties. There is no closet or storage space. I have shit stuff, crammed, shoved, and poked into every available crevice and hole. There is absolutely no room for his stuff. HOLY SHIT….I have two weeks to clean out a drawer or two for him to throw his underwear and socks when he MOVES IN WITH US.
IN TWO WEEKS!!!!!
UGH!!!!!!
Needless to say I have been a bit busy purging all of the useless and meaningless crap that I have pilfered, saved, accumulated, or inherited over the last few years.
Few……huh, whatever!
I thought I’d share in my humiliating experience of the twelve-step program called “Packrats Anonymous”.
Step thirteen: RELAX!
Panic Mode
For some ball park figures on how well various e-publishers are doing when it comes to selling erotic romance, EREC (Erotic Romance E-Publishing Companion) has some interesting data.
From one of my loops I was directed to a new blog, Crash and Burn, where the various pros and cons of e-publishing are discussed. The blog says it's for novices and newbies but I found the info there interesting, so will be keeping an eye to see what else is discussed over there.
Finally, advertising. What works, what doesn't? Hop over to Dear Author where the merits of cost per impression versus click ad campaigns are mentioned, along with how ads in romance magazines, banners and online reviews sway (or don't sway) readers into purchasing. It makes fascinating reading, and there are loads of great comments.
What do you think works in terms of online advertising for books, print or e-published?
From one of my loops I was directed to a new blog, Crash and Burn, where the various pros and cons of e-publishing are discussed. The blog says it's for novices and newbies but I found the info there interesting, so will be keeping an eye to see what else is discussed over there.
Finally, advertising. What works, what doesn't? Hop over to Dear Author where the merits of cost per impression versus click ad campaigns are mentioned, along with how ads in romance magazines, banners and online reviews sway (or don't sway) readers into purchasing. It makes fascinating reading, and there are loads of great comments.
What do you think works in terms of online advertising for books, print or e-published?
E-Publishing Stats
New designs!
I really love doing this. I have so much fun.
enjoy...
Meegan wanted a Custom Template made for her Photography blog. The colors and design are a reflection of her Photography website. Take a look, she does beautiful work.
{click on blog screenshots below}
Signature {as it appears on her blog}
This is such a "Joyfull" blog! I loved working with Joy. She wanted a Custom banner, sidebar titles and favicon to match my free background "Fall".
Custom sidebar titles
Signature {as it appears on her blog}
Favicon
Brenda already had this awesome picture of this bee in her garden.
I just added a "pop" to it and more color!
Read her blog...that's a lot of work dealing with those bees!
Signature
Tammy's blog is very inspirational!
She creates beautiful things. Eye candy for me!
Signature
A new banner for Natasha's Custom Jewelry blog.
She makes beautiful jewelry!
Please welcome my special guest this week, Shelley Munro, as I grill her about her new release from Samhain Publishing, Tea for Two.
Over to you, Shelley!!
Shelley Munro is tall and curvaceous with blue eyes and a smile that turns masculine heads everywhere she goes. She’s a university tutor and an explorer/treasure hunter during her vacations. Skilled with weapons and combat, she is currently in talks with a producer about a television series based on her world adventures.
Shelley is also a writer blessed with a vivid imagination and lives with her very own hero in New Zealand, spending her time writing hot and spicy tales for Ellora's Cave and Samhain Publishing. You didn't really believe the bit about being an explorer/treasure hunter, did you?
Book link: Samhain Publishing
Shelley is also a writer blessed with a vivid imagination and lives with her very own hero in New Zealand, spending her time writing hot and spicy tales for Ellora's Cave and Samhain Publishing. You didn't really believe the bit about being an explorer/treasure hunter, did you?
Book link: Samhain Publishing
Can you tell us a little about your book, Tea For Two?
Tea For Two is a contemporary romance and also my debut title for Samhain Publishing. The heroine reads tea leaves and gets herself into all sorts of trouble when a few white lies take on a life of their own. Oh, and there’s also a very sexy hero, a one-night stand and some spicy loving along with a little humor.
Tea For Two is a contemporary romance and also my debut title for Samhain Publishing. The heroine reads tea leaves and gets herself into all sorts of trouble when a few white lies take on a life of their own. Oh, and there’s also a very sexy hero, a one-night stand and some spicy loving along with a little humor.
How did the idea for the plot come about?
I collect ideas—newspaper clippings, articles from magazines, Internet links, travel brochures and DVDs on topics that grab my interest. Whenever I start a new book I think about the type of characters I want, the possible settings and then I head to my idea box. It’s full – in fact, I either need to write faster or get another file box!!
With Tea For Two I started with fortune telling, tea, and London. I usually toss the ideas around inside my head for a few weeks along with possible plot themes. For Tea For Two I used secret identity/famous person/one night stand and hey presto, my story was born.
I collect ideas—newspaper clippings, articles from magazines, Internet links, travel brochures and DVDs on topics that grab my interest. Whenever I start a new book I think about the type of characters I want, the possible settings and then I head to my idea box. It’s full – in fact, I either need to write faster or get another file box!!
With Tea For Two I started with fortune telling, tea, and London. I usually toss the ideas around inside my head for a few weeks along with possible plot themes. For Tea For Two I used secret identity/famous person/one night stand and hey presto, my story was born.
I love sale stories (ok I am just nosy) so can you tell us about your road to publication – and your call story?
I wrote for six years before I sold. Mostly I targeted Harlequin lines but I kept getting rejections. My writing is on the light side, usually with an alpha character and a quirky heroine. The stories I wanted to write just didn’t fit, and I have the rejections (filed in a folder) to prove it.
I continued to work and started what I call my “hope in the mail” process. This is where I worked really hard to get several submissions to agents and editors in the mail, and each time a rejection came back, I sent my submission (or another one) back out. That way I continued to have “hope in the mail.”
I started to submit to e-publishers and on 2nd January 2004, I received an email from New Concepts Publishing saying they wanted to publish my paranormal story called Aislyn. I vaguely remember shrieking. My husband came running. The wee dog came running.
“What’s wrong?” hubby demanded.
I stuttered and stammered so much he couldn’t get much sense out of me. I remembering checking that email several times during the day because I couldn’t believe it, but it was true. I had sold.
And the good thing was that my “hope in the mail” process really paid dividends because I sold several manuscripts really quickly. I sold to Medallion Press and Ellora’s Cave one day after the other. My husband is a sweetie and we had many bottles of wine to celebrate.
We are all about the love here, so please share your fave books, movies, TV shows or current fantasy squeeze (it’s all in the line of research)
I’m all about cowboys and the wild West at the moment. Maybe it’s something to do with my recent trip to the US – I’m not sure. I’m anxiously waiting for Lorelei James to release another of her contemporary Western romances (very hawt men) and she also writes mysteries under the name of Lori Armstrong. I did a Fishpond order last week and I can’t wait for my package of books to arrive.
Hubby and I visited Deadwood during our trip and we’re currently watching the series on DVD. It’s not for the faint of heart since the language is shocking and it’s a bit gruesome in places, but we’re finding it fascinating. I’m in lust with the actor who plays Seth Bullock in the series, Timothy Olyphant . It’s his brown eyes. They’re very intense and sexy.
Funnily enough, I’m also into country music at the moment and Tim McGraw has caught my attention. Yep, tall, dark and cute, and he can sing as well. ;-)
And finally, before I went on holiday I watched a series called Wildfire. There’s an actor, Eric Winter who plays a cowboy called RJ Blake on the series (his character actually dies). He is very inspirational when it comes to the hero department. He also appeared on Brothers and Sisters as Jason McCallister, Kevin’s gay minister lover. I liked him in that, too. Yep, inspirational is the word…
What are you working on now?
I’m working on book seven in my feline shapeshifter series for Ellora’s Cave—doing final tweaking before I send it to my editor. Next after that I intend to start a new contemporary series for Samhain. There’s going to be a rodeo or two—New Zealand-style and a few other farming-type things along with some spicy loving. A good mixture, I think.
How can readers keep up with your writing and books?
I have a website, which is usually up-to-date, along with a blog where I post at least five days a week.
I also have a newsletter that I send out each month. This contains all the latest news, along with contests and special chapter previews for newsletter members. You can join at my website from either my news page or my blog.
Thanks for inviting me to play at your blog, Christina!
I wrote for six years before I sold. Mostly I targeted Harlequin lines but I kept getting rejections. My writing is on the light side, usually with an alpha character and a quirky heroine. The stories I wanted to write just didn’t fit, and I have the rejections (filed in a folder) to prove it.
I continued to work and started what I call my “hope in the mail” process. This is where I worked really hard to get several submissions to agents and editors in the mail, and each time a rejection came back, I sent my submission (or another one) back out. That way I continued to have “hope in the mail.”
I started to submit to e-publishers and on 2nd January 2004, I received an email from New Concepts Publishing saying they wanted to publish my paranormal story called Aislyn. I vaguely remember shrieking. My husband came running. The wee dog came running.
“What’s wrong?” hubby demanded.
I stuttered and stammered so much he couldn’t get much sense out of me. I remembering checking that email several times during the day because I couldn’t believe it, but it was true. I had sold.
And the good thing was that my “hope in the mail” process really paid dividends because I sold several manuscripts really quickly. I sold to Medallion Press and Ellora’s Cave one day after the other. My husband is a sweetie and we had many bottles of wine to celebrate.
We are all about the love here, so please share your fave books, movies, TV shows or current fantasy squeeze (it’s all in the line of research)
I’m all about cowboys and the wild West at the moment. Maybe it’s something to do with my recent trip to the US – I’m not sure. I’m anxiously waiting for Lorelei James to release another of her contemporary Western romances (very hawt men) and she also writes mysteries under the name of Lori Armstrong. I did a Fishpond order last week and I can’t wait for my package of books to arrive.
Hubby and I visited Deadwood during our trip and we’re currently watching the series on DVD. It’s not for the faint of heart since the language is shocking and it’s a bit gruesome in places, but we’re finding it fascinating. I’m in lust with the actor who plays Seth Bullock in the series, Timothy Olyphant . It’s his brown eyes. They’re very intense and sexy.
Funnily enough, I’m also into country music at the moment and Tim McGraw has caught my attention. Yep, tall, dark and cute, and he can sing as well. ;-)
And finally, before I went on holiday I watched a series called Wildfire. There’s an actor, Eric Winter who plays a cowboy called RJ Blake on the series (his character actually dies). He is very inspirational when it comes to the hero department. He also appeared on Brothers and Sisters as Jason McCallister, Kevin’s gay minister lover. I liked him in that, too. Yep, inspirational is the word…
What are you working on now?
I’m working on book seven in my feline shapeshifter series for Ellora’s Cave—doing final tweaking before I send it to my editor. Next after that I intend to start a new contemporary series for Samhain. There’s going to be a rodeo or two—New Zealand-style and a few other farming-type things along with some spicy loving. A good mixture, I think.
How can readers keep up with your writing and books?
I have a website, which is usually up-to-date, along with a blog where I post at least five days a week.
I also have a newsletter that I send out each month. This contains all the latest news, along with contests and special chapter previews for newsletter members. You can join at my website from either my news page or my blog.
Thanks for inviting me to play at your blog, Christina!
Tea for Two - Shelley Munro
ok so i met this dude barry at a party and he seemed like an ok type of guy, we had a good time together, he recognized me from time magazine and told me about how he was also on the time magazine but was not man of the year. so i gave him my email. i figured, he was on magazines, i am on magazines, we're pretty much bros, we both enjoy jello shots, it seems were a good match. he was all, i'd like you to also meet my friend joe, you guys would be friends, can i include him on emails too? like we will have an email club! so i'm always excited for email clubs! i say sure thing.
lo9ok at my fucking inbox!!!!
I HAVE A WIFE AND A KID NOW!!!! JESUS GUYS TRY TO BE COOL ALREADY!
lo9ok at my fucking inbox!!!!
I HAVE A WIFE AND A KID NOW!!!! JESUS GUYS TRY TO BE COOL ALREADY!
holy crap!
My best buddy, Leelabelle Magillicutty, was sitting at her sewing machine putting the finishing touches on a quirky little throw pillow for her daughter when all of the sudden her son, Seraphim, came into the room and just stood there. She glanced towards him and noticed that his eyes were a bit puffy and watery and his nose looked swollen and red.
She swung her chair around and asked “You okay buddy? What happened?”
“You’re gonna be mad,” he replied while staring at his feet.
“Honey, what happened? Mommy won’t get mad if you tell the truth.”
“Welllllll, I had this reeeeally awesome piece of gum and and it tasted really, reeeeeally good and and I wanted to smell it because it tasted so good and so I took it out of my mouth and I smelled it and and now I can’t get reach it,” he frantically rambled while shuffling his feet.
“Tell Mommy where it is and I’ll get it for you.”
He glanced up and pointed to his left nostril. “I can’t reach it.”
She gently pulled her son to her lap and to take a look-see up Seraphin’s nose.
No gum.
She set off for the laundry room to grab her handy-dandy flashlight, shined it up Seraphim’s nose and saw a T-I-N-Y little corner of a chewed piece of gum lodged so far up the kid’s nose that she was afraid not even a pair of surgical gloves, a chisel, a suction cup and tweezers would be able to retrieve the damn thing.
A panic attack, visions of a bill from the ambulance service that had to come pick the two of them up because the tweezers became lodged in Seriphim’s brain, a bloody nose, and an hour later….success. Look how BIG that piece of gum was!
She swung her chair around and asked “You okay buddy? What happened?”
“You’re gonna be mad,” he replied while staring at his feet.
“Honey, what happened? Mommy won’t get mad if you tell the truth.”
“Welllllll, I had this reeeeally awesome piece of gum and and it tasted really, reeeeeally good and and I wanted to smell it because it tasted so good and so I took it out of my mouth and I smelled it and and now I can’t get reach it,” he frantically rambled while shuffling his feet.
“Tell Mommy where it is and I’ll get it for you.”
He glanced up and pointed to his left nostril. “I can’t reach it.”
She gently pulled her son to her lap and to take a look-see up Seraphin’s nose.
No gum.
She set off for the laundry room to grab her handy-dandy flashlight, shined it up Seraphim’s nose and saw a T-I-N-Y little corner of a chewed piece of gum lodged so far up the kid’s nose that she was afraid not even a pair of surgical gloves, a chisel, a suction cup and tweezers would be able to retrieve the damn thing.
A panic attack, visions of a bill from the ambulance service that had to come pick the two of them up because the tweezers became lodged in Seriphim’s brain, a bloody nose, and an hour later….success. Look how BIG that piece of gum was!
God I love that kid!
Chew On This…..
I know you've heard me tell you that many of my buddies are guys. Due to the fact I love football, beer, and raunchy jokes that's just the way the wind blows. So for my birthday, Mr. Hottie and Mr. Psycho-Scary-Tattooed-Guy showed up at the house with a MOST fabulous birthday gift.
Yes folks, that's two cases of beer and a party ball. Are these guys the bomb or WHAT?
Apologies for the blurry picture; as you can see, one of those cases is opened.
Any suggestions on how to best keep the party ball chilled until it's empty? It doesn't fit in my refrigerator and the whole "big tub filled with ice in the middle of my kitchen floor" is going to be old by Thursday.
Football party at my house all weekend, come on over!
Apologies for the blurry picture; as you can see, one of those cases is opened.
Any suggestions on how to best keep the party ball chilled until it's empty? It doesn't fit in my refrigerator and the whole "big tub filled with ice in the middle of my kitchen floor" is going to be old by Thursday.
Football party at my house all weekend, come on over!
Just One Of The Guys
I just hung up the phone and had to share this little tid-bit.
While eating lunch at Jimmy John’s a message was left on my phone. As I don’t like to be interrupted while partaking in a Big John sandwich, I left the phone in my car for a peaceful and enjoyable meal. As my lunch buddy, Will-I-Am, and I jumped back into my gas-guzzling SUV “Gawaine”, I see my phone blinking and realize I have a voicemail message. Flipping open the bane of my existence I see that Spawnette has called…..or so I think. I figured that she called to wish me a Happy Birthday because she failed to do so over our morning cup of coffee and the hour it takes for her to get ready for school each morning.
Nope, not a call from Spawnette.
It’s a message from her history teacher.
From Spawnette’s phone.
History is currently her lowest GPA so this solidifies my thoughts and visions of Spawnette sitting in class texting instead of paying attention to the rise and fall of Sparta.
Again…..I am wrong.
I return the call as requested and this is what I am told.
“Hi Ally’s Mom, This is Mrs. World History Teacher.”
“What’d she do? Is she in trouble?” I quickly ask with the hopes of getting the humiliation over as fast as possible.
“Oh no, no, no, she’s not in trouble at all. In fact I wanted to thank you.” She responds.
lift of the right eyebrow “Thank me?”
“Yes”, she continues, “I had to leave the room for a moment to use the lady’s room and right before I left I put on he overhead what I thought were questions for the class to copy down and answer. Instead, I had unknowingly put the answers up and then left the room. Everyone noticed however, Spawnette was the only student to do anything. She went up to the front of the class and removed the answers from the overhead and replaced them with the questions. The other students proceeded to give her quite a bit of slack but she reminded them that they were there to learn, not cheat. I just wanted to take a moment thank you for instilling the integrity and honesty in your daughter that I am constantly preaching about in class. I wish I were able to make twenty more of these calls but I can’t. So thank you.”
Wow…..is that a cool call to get from a teacher or what.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!
(That’s a meat cake, YUM!)
While eating lunch at Jimmy John’s a message was left on my phone. As I don’t like to be interrupted while partaking in a Big John sandwich, I left the phone in my car for a peaceful and enjoyable meal. As my lunch buddy, Will-I-Am, and I jumped back into my gas-guzzling SUV “Gawaine”, I see my phone blinking and realize I have a voicemail message. Flipping open the bane of my existence I see that Spawnette has called…..or so I think. I figured that she called to wish me a Happy Birthday because she failed to do so over our morning cup of coffee and the hour it takes for her to get ready for school each morning.
Nope, not a call from Spawnette.
It’s a message from her history teacher.
From Spawnette’s phone.
History is currently her lowest GPA so this solidifies my thoughts and visions of Spawnette sitting in class texting instead of paying attention to the rise and fall of Sparta.
Again…..I am wrong.
I return the call as requested and this is what I am told.
“Hi Ally’s Mom, This is Mrs. World History Teacher.”
“What’d she do? Is she in trouble?” I quickly ask with the hopes of getting the humiliation over as fast as possible.
“Oh no, no, no, she’s not in trouble at all. In fact I wanted to thank you.” She responds.
lift of the right eyebrow “Thank me?”
“Yes”, she continues, “I had to leave the room for a moment to use the lady’s room and right before I left I put on he overhead what I thought were questions for the class to copy down and answer. Instead, I had unknowingly put the answers up and then left the room. Everyone noticed however, Spawnette was the only student to do anything. She went up to the front of the class and removed the answers from the overhead and replaced them with the questions. The other students proceeded to give her quite a bit of slack but she reminded them that they were there to learn, not cheat. I just wanted to take a moment thank you for instilling the integrity and honesty in your daughter that I am constantly preaching about in class. I wish I were able to make twenty more of these calls but I can’t. So thank you.”
Wow…..is that a cool call to get from a teacher or what.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!
(That’s a meat cake, YUM!)
The Best Birthday Gift
The wonderful Shelley Munro has a great post on her blog about promo, which I found massively helpful as I stumble my way through that tangled maze. After reading her post I went and joined AuthorsDen an online community of readers and authors (and it was free to join!!)
Then I decided to revamp my website. Again. I think I really like it this time! If you have a moment I'd love to know what you think of it!
And finally today my CP Amanda Ashby has put her completely adorable new cover up on her blog for her Spring 09 release, Zombie Queen of Newbury High. And how fabulous is that title!!!
Then I decided to revamp my website. Again. I think I really like it this time! If you have a moment I'd love to know what you think of it!
And finally today my CP Amanda Ashby has put her completely adorable new cover up on her blog for her Spring 09 release, Zombie Queen of Newbury High. And how fabulous is that title!!!
Hopping About
What is name tattoo?
[image:outlookindia.com]Name tattoo is somewhat controversial and you could easily end up with something you love and cherish or something that you end up regretting.Here are some name tattoo ideas for you to choose
Name tattoos
rose name tattoo
cute love name tattoo
cool name tattoo
name tattoo -With cute rose
[image:hubpages.com]
