New Look for the New Year

I know I'm a couple of weeks early for celebrating the arrival of 2012 but I thought I'd do a bit of spring cleaning on my blog (despite it being summer here in Oz and winter in my mind!) I'd had the old template for a while and thought it was time for a change.

And I'm so happy that two of my writer friends have releases this week! First of all congrats to fellow West Australian, Rachael Johns, whose debut romance from Carina Press, One Perfect Night is out now!

 
Here's the blurb!

Peppa Grant's fellow employees may call their new CEO Mr. McSexy, but she's also heard that he's aloof and distant. Cameron McCormac certainly seems cold toward Christmas when she meets him at the company's annual party...but he's also the sexiest man Peppa has ever seen. And when he offers to forgive the damage she accidentally caused to his expensive car in exchange for accompanying him to his family's holiday get-together, she agrees.

Cameron needs a date to the family party to get his matchmaking relatives off his back. Their chemistry is instant and undeniable, leading to an incredible one-night stand. But Peppa wants love and family, while Cameron's only interested in temporary pleasure. When their relationship takes an unexpectedly serious turn, will he run the other way—or will he give love a second chance?

And also big congrats to Kaye Manro who has a Medieval Christmas story out with Red Rose Publishing!

Here's the blurb!

A fortnight ago she left him.

Marcus of Windom stood alone in an empty castle without Lady Liana by his side. The frigid winds brought forth by the Yule Season pressed upon him. He pulled the parchment from whence he carried it and read her chilling parting words once again. I can no longer live as your lady-wife… If ever she returned would her sensual warmth be enough to melt the ice she had caused to form around his broken heart?

New Look for the New Year

Everything Erotica Spotlight at RT

I'm chuffed that Captive is being showcased on the Everything Erotica Spotlight over at the Romantic Times BOOK Review site. There's a message from me and also an excerpt. Fun!

I'm also over at my good friend Kaye Manro's blog, who writes sizzling hot sci-fi romance - and her series is called Forbidden too!! Check out Kaye's Forbidden Love and, coming soon, Forbidden Destiny!

Everything Erotica Spotlight at RT

Forbidden Love ~ Kaye Manro

Please welcome my special guest today, the lovely Kaye Manro, who has just had FORBIDDEN LOVE, her debut book, published with Red Rose Publishing!



Kaye, thank you so much for popping in today!

Thank you so much for having me as a guest on your blog Christina! I’m so excited about FORBIDDEN LOVE, my new science fiction romance (SFR). Now you know we both have to love that title!

Christina: We certainly do! It's an awesome title! And it's a fabulous cover as well! Can you tell us a little about FORBIDDEN LOVE?

Kaye: Forbidden Love is a futuristic sci-fi erotic romance. Yes, there is space travel at FTL (faster than light). But there is also lots of sexy sensual exploring between the hero T’Kon and the heroine Maya, who hail from different galaxies and evolutionary paths. Rules on T’Kon’s planet forbid interspecies mating. But when he crashes his spacecraft on Maya’s world close to her desert home, what else is he to do but let this lovely alien tend his, umm, injuries?

Christina: What indeed?LOL! How did the idea for the FORBIDDEN LOVE plot come about?

Kaye: Interesting you should ask that. I like to tell this little story.

Forbidden Love came about as an experiment in writing erotic Science Fiction Romance and I wrote the first draft in a couple of weeks. Here’s a little inside info—while I worked at creating FL it fondly became known as ‘Lizard Love” by my critique partners –who still call it that-- because my hero, T’Kon has Reptilian DNA. A few friends still call the FL hero, that cheeky lizard. But when an editor asked me to submit it they stopped joking and started helping me whip Forbidden Love into shape.

Christina: Oh I love that - that cheeky lizard! And how exciting an editor asked you to submit it. As you probably know by now, I love sale stories (ok I am just nosy!!) so can you tell us about your road to publication - and your call story?

Kaye: I’m a journalist and I’m always writing something. But i actually didn’t start writing romance fiction until a couple of years ago. Since I wrote the original version of Forbidden Love for a contest that never materialized, the story went back on the shelf. Last fall, I attended The Muse Conference of Lea Schizas. She actually asked me if I had a story I would like to pitch to Red Rose Publishing. At the time, she was the head lines editor there. So I said, well, I have this erotic Sci-Fi. I pitched it to her, and a few weeks later Red Rose Publishing contracted Forbidden Love.

Christina: Do you write every day? Do you give yourself daily/weekly goals?

Kaye: That’s a good question. I write whenever I can find a minute or two. With my busy schedule, that isn’t always easy. But I manage because I love to write romance. I’m in the process of editing more titles in a series of time travel adventure romances with a medieval setting. I do confess I tend to over-edit, probably because of my background.

Christina: I so love the sound of your time travel medievals. Are you a panster or plotter?

Kaye: I am a little of both, really. But lately I find I’m more of a plotter. Yet I still love that intoxicating feeling you get when you just let yourself go and the story unfolds in its own way.

Christina: That is a great feeling, I agree! What keeps you motivated when the writing gets tough?

Kaye: I just push through things and make myself do it. Granted, when you are inside those high creative spaces it is much easier to write. But we can’t always have that space. Life sometimes gets in the way, and as authors, we just have to keep at it.

Christina: Is there any advice or light bulb moment you'd like to share about getting published?

Kaye: About getting published? Yes! It’s such an exhilarating feeling! And stressful as well. Because the story doesn’t end after finishing edits and publishing. Let the whirlwind begin! Now you are on your way to lots of promoting and marketing! It’s tiring, fun and stressful all at the same time. Actually, my advice is to start promoting yourself as an author even before you sign a book contract.

Christina: Yes, the promo side can be exhausting! And that's great advice, Kaye. So tell me, do you have critique partners (CPs)? Can you tell us how you met and about your process?

Kaye: I met my critique partners at different times. My first CP and I met on a Harlequin message board. Then I met a few more when I joined a romance writers group. My standby CP is another journalist who also writes romance. She makes sure my sentence structure is always right. We edited the grammar so much before submission that FORBIDDEN LOVE didn’t need the usual line edits. It went straight from content edits to formatting.

Kaye’s Bio:

As a romance author, I lean toward the adventuresome in my writing. I love science fiction and all the enticing quantum theories surrounding it. Where characters rush through outer space at FTL, or teleport into another time, and even slipstream into an alternate reality. I like creating sizzling love scenes too with sexy heroes, and captivating heroines. It just seemed natural to combine all these elements together in my stories.

FORBIDDEN LOVE Blurb:

Illicit Sultry Passion...



Maya and T’Kon are Galaxies apart so different yet so much alike…



While Dr. Maya Belle is researching wildlife habitats in the far desert region of her world, a sudden burst of sand engulfs her. She goes to investigate and cannot believe what stumbles out of a massive dune. She soon finds she is in the company of a sexy alien from another galaxy…



T’Kon from the planet Asconage is studying a distant world known as Terrain. His spacecraft malfunctions and crashes into its desert. A female named Maya gives him aid, and a steamy lust grows between them. A sultry interspecies passion neither can resist.



To avoid detection by the warring factions governing her world, he must repair his damaged craft and leave. Can he set forth without her and forsake their forbidden love?

Forbidden Love ~ Kaye Manro

Lots of Juicy Goodness

I want to give a little heads-up for coming attractions! This Friday I have fabulous Regency author (and fellow Berkley Babe!!!) Christine Wells popping over, to chat about her brand new release, Sweetest Little Sin. Christine is generously offering to give away a signed copy of THE DANGEROUS DUKE and a signed copy of SWEETEST LITTLE SIN to one lucky commenter. All you have to do is pop back on Friday and answer a simple question!

The following Friday, 14th May, fabulous HM&B Historical author, Michelle Styles, is swinging over and I'm very excited about that because Michelle writes about gorgeous Roman and Viking warriors!!

And then on Friday 21st May I have the lovely Kaye Manro visiting, telling us all about her wonderful debut release, FORBIDDEN LOVE (got to love that title!!)

As if that isn't enough goodness for one month, on 28th May my fellow RWA Historical loop friend, Erin Grace is stopping by to chat about her two recently released books, SERENADE and SECRETS!

ETA: Erin will be giving away an e-copy of either Serenade or Secrets to one lucky commenter on her interview!

Lots of Juicy Goodness

Congrats, Kaye!

My lovely friend, Kaye Manro, has her cover for her upcoming debut, Forbidden Love (gotta love that title!) from Red Rose Publishing. Congratulations, Kaye! Kaye will be popping over on 21st May to celebrate her release and answer my hard-hitting interview questions!!!





And here's the blurb to whet your appetite!


Illicit Sultry Passion... Galaxies apart so different yet so much alike…

While Dr. Maya Belle is researching wildlife habitats in the far desert region of her world, a sudden burst of sand engulfs her. She goes to investigate and cannot believe what stumbles out of a massive dune. She soon finds out she is in the company of a sexy alien from another galaxy…

T’Kon from the planet Asconage is on a peaceful survey mission studying a distant world known as Terrain. When his spacecraft malfunctions, he crashes into its desert. A female named Maya gives him aid, and a steamy lust grows between them. A sultry interspecies passion neither can resist.

To avoid detection by the warring factions governing her world, he must repair his damaged craft and leave. Can she convince him to take her with him, or will he set forth without her and forsake their forbidden love?

Congrats, Kaye!

Gearing up for Christmas & Revisions

Finally started the Christmas shopping over the weekend and felt Very Guilty at not even opening my document for three whole days. But since my husband rarely gets days off and he was very excited about putting up the Christmas tree I decided this is what's called balance!!! So, Christmas tree is up, some presents are wrapped and two turkeys are stuffed into the freezer (one is for New Year's Day. Not even I'm that greedy on Christmas Day!!!)

As for the wip, I heard back from my agent that I'm on the right track with it and I should be receiving some line edits from her for the partial some time this month. I'm also expecting to hear from my editor before Christmas on revisions to PRINCESS, so I'm kind of biting my nails over that at the moment!

I'm also very excited to share that my lovely friend Kaye Manro has just sold her science fiction/futuristic romance Forbidden Love, to Red Rose Publishing! Congratulations, Kaye!

Gearing up for Christmas & Revisions

Still Partying! & Review for Rafe!

I have one more winner to announce! From Skhye Moncrief's contest the winner of a download of Touch of the Demon is Keena Kincaid. Congratulations, Keena! Please contact me on christina @ christinaphillips.com with your addy details.

Today I'm partying over at my good friend Kaye Manro's blog. Would love to see you over there!

On Wednesday, I'm at the lovely Emma Lai 's blog where we'll be chatting about challenges, characters and mysterious worlds.

And yesterday I received a wonderful review which made my day (that's a lie, it made my week!!)

Here it is:

Wrought with deception, sizzling with seduction, Touch of the Demon, is rich, dark, powerful and extraordinary. The intricacies of the paranormal world will keep you on an extreme edge.. But the chemistry between oh, so Sexy Dark Angel, Rafe and Celeste, will burn your skin. From carefully designed manipulations, Rafe and Celeste defy their fate, uncover a ‘gasp’ eliciting twist at the end and eventually stand the test of time. Ms. Phillips creates a stunning must read aura around her story! – Author April Vine

Still Partying! & Review for Rafe!

The Day After the Night Before

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!!

The Day After the Night Before