V K Sykes, author of CaddyGirls

Hi Jenny! Thanks for having us on your blog. That’s right. Us! V.K Sykes is actually two people—Vanessa Kelly and Randy Sykes. Some people might call what we do writing by committee; we prefer to think of it as two heads are better than one. Either way, it works for us.

The first question people usually ask when they find out we’re a writing team is how we do it. No, silly. Not that! How we actually work together. Most people assume that Vanessa writes the female POV and that Randy writes the male POV. No, thank you. We can’t even begin to imagine how horrible that process would be.

What we do first is spend a lot of time brainstorming the characters and plot basics until we find something we both like. Then, Randy develops a story outline and writes a first draft. After that Vanessa takes over, fleshing out characters and scenes—especially the sex scenes—and focusing on the development of the romance. That’s what Randy likes to call “all that emotion stuff.”

OK, Vanessa chiming in here. Randy doesn’t really give himself enough credit. He’s an awesome plotter, and he writes great dialogue, especially contemporary dialogue. What you might not know is that I also write Regency-set historical romance under my own name of Vanessa Kelly. On more than one occasion, Randy has been forced to take the red pen to some of my descriptive passages, which can become tinged with a bit of, er, Regency flavour. All in all, we seem to play to each other’s strengths and weakness, and the result is our first contemporary romance with Carina Press.

So what is CaddyGirls about? As you may have already deduced, it’s got something to do with golf. Our heroine, Torrey Green, is a talented and aspiring pro golfer, who is struggling to find a rich sponsor to boost her out of the career rut she’s fallen into. Our hero, Julian Grant, is a videogame mogul, and Torrey thinks he just might be the answer to her prayers. Julian, however, isn’t really interested in sponsoring Torrey. He’s interested in something much more, ahem, intimate. And he’s got a secret to hide that has the potential to both sink Torrey’s career and destroy their developing relationship.

You can read an excerpt from CaddyGirls at our website: http://www.vksykes.com/

CaddyGirls will be released on July 5th from Carina Press.

Get ready to welcome V K Sykes

CaddyGirls is releasing from Carina Press 5 July. I would never have thought golf could be sexy (yep, I'm one of those people, the ones who go around claiming golf is a good walk ruined), but V K Sykes is determined to change my mind. Have you seen the cover for CaddyGirls? Whew. Hot!

Alice Gaines, author of Miss Foster's Folly

I should start with a confession. I’ve developed a mini-reputation for being a person of faith – a Christian, Episcopalian to be more precise – who writes really, really hot romance. I should admit that when I began writing, I didn’t think much about God one way or another. I’d been raised Episcopalian and had simply wandered away from the church when Saturday night became more important in my life than Sunday morning.

A year ago – June 26, actually – I visited a friend’s church to see how I liked it. I’ve been back almost every Sunday, and I now serve on the altar guild, prepare food for fellowship, am a member of Oasis (our LGBT ministry) and run two blogs for the church.

“But, Alice,” you may say, “doesn’t your church frown on what you write?” Some parishioners might. Others support me, even if romance and erotica aren’t their cup of tea. My rector’s wife loves the Twilight series, and he based a sermon on vampires, werewolves, and shapeshifters one Sunday. He called what we write “chick flicks,” and he drew a parallel between a romance heroine’s redemptive influence on her hero and God’s love for all of us. “I love you. Calm down,” he said.

I can tell you, my jaw hit the back of the pew in front of me. So, I told him what I write. I don’t think he got the entire message, but when I told him I do the really steamy ones, he laughed. I don’t think he disapproves.

So, here’s the bottom line for me. God invented sex. He invented it not just for our species but for the huge majority of His creatures. As with everything, we can use this gift to love our fellows, or we can use it to hurt. In my books, my heroes and heroines express their love through the sex act. Sometimes before they have the words to say “I love you,” their bodies can say it for them.

God gave us the ability to communicate is many ways. Language, of course, but also art and ritual. We write poetry and drama that tell truths unmeasurable by scientific inquiry. We compose and perform music that goes beyond logic directly into our hearts and souls.

Not all of us are artists, writers, or composers, but we can all express ourselves though sexual union.

I hope that aspect is always present in my writing. The story might be about a naughty duchess and the younger man who wins her heart by warming her bed or about a woman who discovers that her priceless motorcycle can shift to human and become her ultimate lover. But, beneath each plot lies a truth, I hope – that God commands we love each other and we do.

***
Miss Foster's Folly

Manhattan, 1886


Juliet Foster has just become the wealthiest spinster in town. Her domineering and thoroughly unpleasant father has died and left her millions. She's free to be her own woman and seek a life of adventure.

David Winslow, Marquess of Derrington, is in search of a wife who can break the Winslow Curse. Every second-generation heir inherits a restless, defiant nature that can only be tamed by a mate as independent and rebellious as himself.

Miss Juliet Foster is perfect—and eager for seduction. But when he wants more than a few nights of passion, Juliet runs like the devil's on her heels. Can the marquess convince her that marriage isn't a trap, but the greatest freedom of all?

***

Alice Gaines

Sex and God

Two fascinating discussion topics, and irresistible in combination. Alice Gaines has dared to mention both--in the same sentence!--and people are intrigued. How can you write erotica and be a Christian? they ask.

In a few minutes Alice is popping in to explain her take on the situation.

She's also sharing her latest release, Miss Foster's Folly from Carina Press. Although only released on June 14 happy readers have already shared their five star reviews on Amazon. Check them out, then check out a fun, lively, historical romp...ah...romance :)

Ancient Norias in Hama, Syria

Ancient Norias in Hama, Syria, originally uploaded by friend_faraway - Back and catching up!.

Over at Flickr Friend_Faraway included some info on this gorgeous photo:

Noria, or the water mill, is the attraction and leads visitors to hama, a 2.5 hour drive north of Damascus. The little town of Hama boasts many Ancient Norias and the warm, friendly and hospitable locals, makes a trip a memorable one.

Location : Nouri Noria, Hama, Syria

I've been visiting

I popped in over at Embrace the Shadows. If you love paranormal romance, you really should have that blog on feed or bookmarked. They are obsessed with (no, no, connoisseurs of) covers. I completely understand. Covers are fantastic graphic art. They even run voting contests, so be sure to pick your faves.

Here's my post at EtS on "The Price of Freedom".

And later in the week I'll be visiting Alice Gaines, discussing the faith aspect of writing romances.

Woohoo!!! Alice will be posting here on Tuesday. And on Wednesday you'll meet V K Sykes who has an awesome Carina Press cover that no golfing nut can resist.

All this excitement and a novella to complete--I think I'll be slightly crazy this week.

Talking of completing my novella. Since the setting is Syria, I've dashed over to Flickr and found some amazing photos to inspire me. I'll be posting them here through the week, with sincere thanks to the talented photographers who've shared their Syrian experiences. The generosity of the online community is limitless :)

Turning Book Thief

I have reduced my To Be Read pile to a memory. I have books ordered and on pre-order, but no more waiting at home. So I've decided to sneak in and snaffle other people's TBR piles. What could I steal that you wouldn't notice? and what would you have me tarred and feathered and branded "book thief" if I snuck away with it?

Punch cartoons

If you're looking for a laugh and a whiff of nostalgia, may I suggest Punch cartoons? It being Monday morning and all.

What is the worst thing about rainy days in the garden?

I love the rich green smell when it rains--and we desperately need rain. But there is one thing about rain and garden that I "ick" over -- snails. Those slithery appetities-on-slime ooze out and about and I feel duty requires me to get out there, collect them and dispose of them. I can not imagine eating snails unless I was literally starving--which is apparently why the French started eating them. I read once that Parisians were even reduced to eating the rodents of that city--and people wonder why there was a revolution?!

Green Elephants Garden Sculptures

Green Elephants Garden Sculptures, originally uploaded by epSos.de.

And staying with the garden theme, who can resist these elephants? Hats off to the talented and patient gardeners, and thanks to epSos for sharing the photo :)

Eating Perfume

I recently planted a sweet marjoram plant and had to taste it. Amazing. It is truly like nibbling perfume. I've never cooked with marjoram (unadventurous, that's me) and I was wondering how to use edible perfume. Enter Jamie Oliver. Olive oil, lemon, marjoram, salt and pepper bang it all together and pour on fish. It was all on MasterChef (which I watch now and then--couldn't resist the "London Week"). Can also use on lamb. I'm wondering about chicken.

Lazy Tomorrows

Cherry blossoms
falling
in drifts of days.

The Power of Touch

What we touch influences our behaviour. Really. Here's the article with links to the research. A person in a soft chair is influenced to be a less tough negotiator. Touching something hard leads test subjects to interpret other people as "rigid" in their behaviour.

So does reading a romance novel in bed make the book sexier reading?

And as writers, how does where we write and specifically, the type of chair we're sitting in, influence our writing style?

Full disclosure. I'm sitting on a hard wooden chair as I type this. Does this make my thinking inflexible? My writing wooden?

Through the Arched Door

Through the Arched Door, originally uploaded by tubblesnap.

A gorgeous shot to make you dream of smugglers in Regency England.

Although I should be dreaming solely of djinn and guardian angels and a restored castle in Syria. I'd like to finish my third PNR novella next week (fingers crossed) because a contemporary romance is burning in my brain. It's sweet, heartwarming and deliciously down to earth--it's about a gardener.

Our First Female PM

I made a decision when I started this blog that I would not, no matter what the provocation, discuss politics. However, Australia's first female PM is just too exciting. Julia Gillard.

I was astonished at the emotional impact. I thought that in 2010 having a woman in the top job would be the same as having a man, ie it's just a person, a politician. But the truth is our first female PM is an emotional experience. We're proud to have a sheila in the top job.

Looking to the Future...Far to the Future -- Lilly Cain, author of "Alien Revealed"

Hi Jenny! Thanks for having me here today!

First – let me give you something for your time capsule – electronically of course. Here’s my very first ebook reader – the eBookwise reader.

Sure it looks clunky now (it is almost two inches thick on the side with the buttons) compared to the sleek Kindle or Sony, but 4 years ago they were ahead of the game! And heck they are still available, at under $100. I think ereaders are changing the publishing industry, the technology driving the work. Shorter stories are now more popular, and there is an audience for anything – because we can reach the people wherever they are, electronically.

Technology changes everything. Maybe one day it will drive us to not just explore the stars, but live there! My first novella with Carina Press is Alien Revealed, a sci-fi erotic romance. In it my hero is just about to lead a team of pilots off world to protect a new colony of settles. While the story is about him, and not the settlers (okay, okay, maybe next time!) there is lots of technology in the book that we only dream about. DNA security scanners, internal computers, internal communication ports, space shuttles, space fighters, and hidden off planet bases are a few of the things that populate many sci-fi stories, including mine.

My heroine is from another world. Her people travel the stars as a way of life. Yet underneath she is much like the humans she’s come to spy upon. I guess that is, to take us back to where we started, what I am trying to say about ebooks. The story underneath is still the same – a good book. A hero, a heroine, a romance. Just the format changes.

A little about the book: Alien Revealed - Inarrii agent Alinna Gaerrii was tasked with observing the Starforce base on Earth. Crash landing her observation pod onto the base was not part of her mission briefing. Neither was making m’ittar—mind contact—with Major David Brown, the human who discovered her amongst the wreckage.

David thinks she’s a psychologist sent to evaluate his Special Forces team, and Alinna goes along with his misconception, seizing the opportunity to observe humans up close. But their daily contact has unexpected side effects, and Alinna soon invades David’s dreams. Through their intimate mental connection she allows him to express his forbidden physical desires.

Alinna delights in the sensory exploration and grows excited by the prospect of a treaty with the humans and a potential life mate in David. But an attack from an unknown ship sends the base into chaos, and Alinna may be forced to reveal her lie, erasing all hope of a successful treaty, and driving David away forever…

I hope you will all join me at Carina Press where we are changing things!

Lilly Cain

“Stories of Darkly Seductive Fantasy and Sensual Romance”



To read more about Lilly check out her website at www.lillycain.com.

To purchase a copy of her book Alien Revealed or find out about other fantastic authors, check out www.carinapress.com.

All the senses

Apparently a romantic song can make a man more willing to part with his money (now there's a finding!) and young women more willing to be picked up.

And major retailers are using scent to sell their brand and products.

It's one of the things I haven't heard discussed re ereaders, but I'll miss the scent of a new book. I love the crisp promising aroma of paper and ink that surrounds me in a new book store. But what if ereaders came with a choose-your-own-scent? Imagine that on the subway, surrounding yourself in a cloud of rose or chocolate or ocean spray.

[The two articles came via Mind Hacks, the neuroscience blog I can't live without.]

Popular Highlights

With Amazon's popular highlights (ok, so my link is to the NYTimes not Amazon--it's a good article) you can now see other readers' notes on the ebook you're reading. Hmm. Sometimes I've enjoyed reading text books highlighted by other people, but other times the highlighting has been vapid--pencil or highlighting pen wavering all over the place, not helpful but distracting.

Of course, the simple solution is to turn off the feature--much simpler than erasing highlighting on paper.

But the fascinating point is that the feature exists.

Are books becoming mashable? And what will that mean for copyright? What if the added notes make the book a sudden hit? Are the notes just a free gift to the original author and other readers? and what if the author of the book hates the notes???

If you're thinking of submitting your MS to Carina Press

My editor (gee, touch possessive, aren't I?) Deb Nemeth just posted at Carina Press's blog. I think she's captured that sense of enthusiasm and possibility that first drew me to Carina Press and which has formed an incredibly supportive (and talented) author group, one which includes editors and which I hope will grow to include readers and people just starting their writing journeys.

If you're thinking about submitting to Carina Press, its site includes submission guidelines and FAQs and is worth a look around to get a sense of the style. Hey, why not a buy a book while you're there ;)

You can also ask questions directly of the Carina Press editors by visiting this thread in the eHarlequin community.

Inez Kelley, author of Salome at Sunrise

Hi Jenny!

I have come to show my (_!_).

No, really, I am going to show my ass. Okay, not *MY* ass but… Alright, let me explain – no, that would take too long. Let me sum up.

My Fantasy romance SALOME AT SUNRISE, from Carina Press, the stand-alone sequel to MYLA BY MOONLIGHT has a HEEEYUGE ass in it.

The hero, Bryton.

This man, grrrr. Let me tell you, it is a good thing he is a fictional character or I would have slapped the snot out of him more than once. I didn’t want to write his story at all. He kept bugging me, whispering in my ear, telling me all these secrets to entice me. He’s a like a bratty toddler who keeps pushing and pushing until you give him a cookie.

Fine, I gave him a cookie. I wrote his story. In sixty days. Over 80,000 words. *rubs hand in remembered writer’s cramp*

Once he started talking, he didn’t wait around for me to catch up. Speaking of talking, he has a trucker-mouth. Or he would if truckers existed in my world. He’s a soldier, a warrior, a tough guy who doesn’t take back-talk from anybody. He and he alone had the balls to stand up to Taric and say, “Yo, Prince-dude, you screwed up by screwing the magic chick!”

Enter his heroine, Salome. Come on now, do you really think I was going to let him shack up with some sweet, obedient little Ms. Nobel Lady? (Elmer Fudd voice: You don’t know me very well, do you?) I had to make his ass suffer. So I gave him a mouthy little firecracker in an orange dress. The best foil for a hero like Bryton was none other than Mother Nature. She put his ass on the ground the first day, literally!

But then, magic happened. They found a truce, a peace, that blossomed into a love that shocked me with its depth. Salome at Sunrise, the story I didn’t plan to write, touched me like no other story has.

But Bryton is still an ass. An ass that somehow defied the odds and became my favorite hero.

Inez Kelley

Twitter @ http://twitter.com/Inez_Kelley

Inez is about to show us her ass

And you thought this site was PG!

Now that I have your attention, I'd like to point out that the super Inez Kelley has already received some ass-kicking reviews for her new Carina Press book, Salome at Sunrise. 5 Blue Ribbons from Romance Junkies, for instance.

Check out the book trailer, too.

Today is Edits Day AND I'll be visiting Liz Fichera

A final run-through of "Angel Thief" before I send the developmental edits back to Deb. I must watch out for adverbs (but they're lovely!), dialogue tags (I adore them) and filter words (okay, these I hate, but they still slip in). I think I've made the substantial changes, but I want to read through and check the tweaks to character and plot.

As a reward for this dedication to duty, I'll be visiting Liz Fichera's blog later in the day--or maybe tomorrow--timezone differences mess with my mind and Arizona is a long way away.

Informed Bewilderment

John Naughton, writing in The Guardian, tackles the Internet, offering a kind of primer on what we should know/be thinking about as we use this insidious technology. It's not scaremongering. It's about awareness. The future is unguessable, but we could at least attempt to understand the here and now. Although--I admit--I'm one of the lazy people who doesn't bother. I treat the internet as infrastructure, leaving its maintenance and evolution to "experts".

Avatar discrimination

Actually "discrimination" is way too harsh. But this study raises the question of whether the attractiveness of an avatar affects the way others online treat you -- and the thinking is that it does. Apparently online, as in real life, an attractive appearance encourages people to interact with you.

Unseen Academicals by Terry Pratchett

The problem with Goodreads is actually a problem with me. I read a great book, give it 5 stars at Goodreads and a quick off-the-cuff review and then forget to blog about it here. Unseen Academicals by Terry Pratchett is one of those books. Fortunately, all this talk of football with the World Cup has reminded me.

First a declaration. Sir Terry Pratchett is my writing hero. I quote him--and you can't get more serious than that.

Unseen Academicals is Pratchett in top form. It's a book for people who know the Discworld. So many old friends return either as part of the plot or in cameos. Yet the plot is new, the conflict new, the issue--rivalry. Well, there are other issues. That's the thing with Pratchett. You think you're reading an amusing fantasy. It's easy reading. But in fact the writing is so sharp it cuts into your mind (that's why I end up quoting him so often--he's memorable) and the plot is so strong, driven and complex that simplifying it for review--fergeddaboutit.

The reason I mentioned the World Cup earlier is that Unseen Academicals tackles soccer (I'm a good Aussie girl and can't bring myself to call soccer "football". I know real football is Aussie Rules where--good grief--the men can use their hands). But soccer in Pratchett's world is more than a game, it's a life experience, an analysis of loyalties and dreams, of the changes you can make to your life and the fear that can stop you.

Hell. I give up. If you're a Pratchett fan, you've already read Unseen Academicals. If you're not a fan--how is that possible?--I can only offer you my sympathies. The Discworld brightens my life.

Old Damascus Hotel - it was love at first sight. The hotel used to be a family home and in most homes, the first thing you walked into is a courtyard.

Old Damascus Hotel - it was love at first sight. The hotel used to be a family home and in most homes, the first thing you walked into is a courtyard., originally uploaded by chibella.

And on the Damascus theme--huge thanks to Chibella for sharing on flickr this photo of a former home, now a Damascus hotel.

Damascene Treasures Lost and Found

Really this is just a link to a Reuters article on the magic of discovering old craftsmanship and how fragile and endangered such craftsmanship is.

Front of the Simondale Hobbit House

Front of the Simondale Hobbit House, originally uploaded by Blake Lawrence.

People create the most amazing things.

The Pleasures of the Imagination

For me the discussion got interesting in the second half of this article. It's about how our imaginations powerfully impact our experience. Fiction delivers a powerful emotional experience because of how it's crafted--compacted timeframe, edited for interest, characters are wittier/more alert than real life, etc. We know fiction is fiction, but we saturate our minds in its colours. We know it's not true intellectually, but our bodies respond as if the experience is real. An addictive encounter with virtual reality co-created by ourselves as readers.

I didn't think anything could make me wish I wasn't a pub'd author

Try Terry Pratchett's just announced contest for debut authors. Anywhere but here, anywhen but now is the name of the contest. More details here (and all around the web). Write like crazy, people. This is awesome.

Toni Anderson, author of "Sea of Suspicion"

Thanks for letting me be here, Jenny.

I’m Toni Anderson, a former marine biologist who conducted my Ph.D. at the Gatty Marine Laboratory in St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland. I was born and raised in the U.K., but now live in Canada with my husband and two children. I set my stories in the stunning locations where I’ve been lucky enough to live and work—the blustery east coast of Scotland, the remote isolated mining communities of Northern Labrador, the rugged landscapes of the U.S. and the Red Center of Australia. I escape the long brutal Canadian winters by writing Romantic Mystery and Suspense stories.

My first Romantic Suspense, HER SANCTUARY, was released in 2009 to some great reviews. I write about my travels on my blog and update on Twitter. Readers can sign up for my newsletter on my website, or friend me on Facebook. I’ve also set up a fan page for SEA OF SUSPICION with location photographs and anecdotes.

Blurb…

Marine biologist Susie Cooper traded her life in America for a dream job on the rugged Scottish coast. Now all she lacks is the right man to start a family with. After their first meeting, she knows sexy Detective Inspector Nick Archer isn’t what she’s looking for. He’s the type of guy whose idea of commitment is staying the whole night.

Nick has returned to St. Andrews for one reason only—to fulfill his vow to find his wife’s killer. Relentless in his twelve-year quest for justice, he has no problem using Susie to get close to his primary suspect: her boss. But the passion between them smolders, and as it ignites, Nick finds himself torn between his past and his present—with Susie.

When one of her boss’s students is murdered, Nick’s investigation draws Susie into a web of madness and betrayal. They will have to learn to trust each other if they’re going to catch a killer…and come out of this alive.

********************************************************************************

Excerpt…

They turned into her drive and a security light flooded the gravel yard, revealing the beautiful old stone cottage flanked by patches of heather and herbs.

Home. Thank God.

Grabbing her purse, she shoved open the door before they’d stopped. Dormant wheat fields stretched behind the cottage, which bordered a golf course. Emily and Lily’s cottage topped a low rise three hundred yards away, tall hedges giving both houses seclusion and privacy.

Nick stood beside the car door, one foot on the sill, hands on the roof, looking delicious. His eyes darkened as they met hers. “Still want me to call a taxi?”

The air between them crackled with possibility, but Susie nodded. She wasn’t some easy lay for a stranger. She needed to believe she was worth more than that.

“Can I at least walk you to your door?”

Susie looked over to the French doors twenty yards away up three uneven stone slabs. Nick’s request was a baited trap, but he wasn’t that irresistible. She nodded.

Fog billowed along the lilac hedge that marked her property, enfolding them in a soft mystical silence. He fell into step beside her and handed her the key fob. She moved ahead up the steps, brushing an old lavender bush that released its fragrance through the night air. Fumbling, she dropped her keys and Nick bent to retrieve them before she had chance.

“Nice place,” he commented. “Secluded. Wouldn’t have to worry about upsetting the neighbors with loud music or screaming sex.”

Her skin sizzled and every sense felt electrified as if someone had plugged her in and flipped a switch. Her eyes widened, her chest tightened. This was dangerous. She was too aware of him, too interested in the idea of screaming sex, and too damn drunk to run as fast as she should.

And he knew it.

She pressed back against her door, her shoulder blades drawn up tight together. Nick slipped the key into the lock and took a step forward, bringing him close enough to touch if she so much as took a breath. So she didn’t. The lock clicked and he took a step back with a grave expression on his face.

“I’d kiss you goodnight if you didn’t look so scared,” he said softly.

“I’m not scared.”

“Good.” His eyes sparkled as he lowered his mouth to hers.

Mistake! Her mind screamed but it was too late. The breath whooshed out of her as he pressed the gentlest kiss to her lips—as fine a sensation as the stroke of a feather across sensitive skin. And the world stopped. Then every sense climbed to high alert as he took a half step closer, the bulk of his shoulders blocking the wind, and heat coming off his body like rays from the sun. He smelled spicy and male, the leather of his jacket creaking as he shifted his stance. He took her by surprise as he slipped one hand beneath her coat, resting it possessively on her hipbone. Startled, she opened her eyes.

But he kissed her again, this time less gently. Sliding his hand to the base of her spine, the burning impression of each finger pressing through the cotton of her T-shirt, brushing bare skin. His lips were teasing and coaxing, not what she expected from a man who screamed danger. Her palms braced against the muscles in his chest, but they weren’t exactly beating him off. He eased her toward him, enticed a trembling response from her body, but all of a sudden he jerked away and stuck his hand in his pocket.

“Bloody hell.” He pulled out a cell phone, adjusting it to read the display in the poor light. Swearing, he looked at her with an apology in his eyes. And regret. Because she was a sure thing. “I’ve got to go.”

“You’re on call?” Susie couldn’t believe the disappointment in her voice. Go! Please go.

His smile was a slash of white. “Criminals always know when I have a night off.” His eyes slid to her car. “Can I borrow your Mini?” He gripped the back of his neck, looking up at her from under heavy brows. “I’ll get it back to you before morning.”

“Take it.” Susie wouldn’t be accused of getting in the way of law and order, plus it would get him away from her faster. Next time she saw him she’d be sober and prepared. “I’m not planning on going anywhere tomorrow so there’s no rush to drop it off.”

She opened the front door, pulled the keys out of the lock and twisted off the ignition key from her octopus key fob.

“Here.” She threw it to him, not surprised when he snatched it out of the air without even moving his gaze. His intensity was unsettling.

“Susie…I’m sorry.”

She dashed inside and closed the door. Locked it. He could have her car, no problem. But he couldn’t have her. She wanted a relationship, a future, a family. Nick Archer was a lousy bet for anything except orgasms and heartbreak, and not even the orgasms were guaranteed.

*****************************************************************************

What do you hope readers will remember about your book?

I hope readers remember the atmosphere of the setting and the depth of emotions of the characters.

And to celebrate Carina Press's launch, I'm burying a virtual time capsule. What will you contribute to it?
Time capsule, huh? Nice idea. I’d contribute series of photographs from my recent trip to Europe. I love looking at images from bygone days. And if you want to see some of the photos from where SEA OF SUSPICION is set, checkout my blog, website or Facebook photo albums. Thanks so much for having me on your blog, Jenny!

Toni is guest blogger here in a few minutes

Toni wrote Sea of Suspicion, just released with Carina Press and already winning enviable reviews. Check out All About Romance, "Deeply atmospheric and filled with twists and turns, Sea of Suspicion kept me flying eagerly through the pages."

With her marine biology background Toni is just the person to ask those questions you've been saving--could a whale really have swallowed Jonah? -- how smart are dolphins? -- how do I stop feeling sea sick ?(okay, so this last question is unfair. The person who could stop sea sickness would be a billionaire)

Winners of The Price of Freedom Giveaway!

Thanks to everyone who stopped by this blog and left a comment over the last few days. The release of my novella, The Price of Freedom, with Carina Press was enormously exciting and I was delighted to share the experience with fellow Carina Press authors, friends and new faces.

Okay. Time for the results. Given the level of support from other CP authors, I thought one, and possibly two, were likely to win. I thought it was a probability (a concept I struggled with in high school math--combinations and permutations, ugh) verging on a certainty. I was wrong. Everyone who commented got a number, the number went into a hat and I drew two randomly.

The winners are...S7anna who visited Kaz's blog post and Joann who commented on Cindy's blog that "djinn are hot" :) , thereby delighting two authors (Cindy and me) who totally agree. Please send me your email addresses and I'll send you your copies of The Price of Freedom. If like me you're a bit shy of spam and don't want your email address anywhere on the Net, you can contact me privately through the contact form at the bottom of my website page http://www.authorjennyschwartz.com/index.php?p=1_5_Contact-Me There's probably an even easier way of making contact--but I haven't thought of it. Congratulations and I look forward to hearing from you soon!

ROMETTA @ JULIEU: A SAD STORY

ROMETTA @ JULIEU: A SAD STORY, originally uploaded by André Pipa.

Also found this when looking for photo of Belem Tower. Who can resist a story in a photo?

Torre de Belém 1

Torre de Belém 1, originally uploaded by felber.

Belem Tower -- in case you were curious.

Ruthless re Load Time

You might have noticed I hate a photo of the Belem Tower up for a few minutes. It was a great link from Wikimedia and I'm currently indulging my obsession for sky, sea and stone so I loved it, but...the load time was horrendous.

So beauty has been sacrificed to efficiency. It seems when it comes to this blog, gratification must be instant or not at all.

Superstition might be your Lucky Charm

Lysann Damisch and colleagues have tested the impact of superstitions on performance -- and it seems they boost confidence, and therefore, performance. So if you have a writing routine superstition (like a "lucky" pen or a favourite CD) it really does help :)

Hmm. What superstition should I adopt?

Are you a billionaire looking for a book?

I love Morgan Doremus's cheeky post at RT Book Reviews Blog taking the Wall St Journal's summer must-reads and adding her own spin. After all, what is missing from a billionaire's life? It can't be money, so it must be love!

Cindy Spencer Pape, author of Motor City Fae

Hi Jenny, thanks for having me here today. I’m Cindy, author of Motor City Fae, available now at Carina Press. I live in southern Michigan (outside Detroit) with my husband of 25 years and 2 mostly-grown sons. The menagerie at the moment is two oversized dogs (both St. Bernard mixes) and a rescue iguana. You can find all my links & such at the bottom of the post.

Jenny asked what I hope readers will remember about Motor City Fae, and my answer is pretty simple—that even if the characters aren’t exactly human, the love and other emotions are universal. Even in paranormal romance, I think the reader has to identify a little with the heroine, and fall a little in love with the hero. If the reader is single, it’s a chance to experience that feeling of falling in love, if we’re attached, it’s an opportunity to relive the beauty of that moment, without actually having to get a new partner. I want the reader to feel, along with Meagan, the emotions that make her tremble when Ric sings a song that’s just for her.

For the Carina Press virtual time capsule I’ll toss in a Detroit Tigers’ jersey, like the one Meagan sleeps in.

Also, here’s the blurb and a little snippet from MCF.

Blurb:

Detroit artist Meagan Kelly has had a strong sixth sense all her life, but that doesn’t mean the gorgeous stranger’s crazy story—that she’s a half-elf, half human heiress—is true. But Meagan can’t deny the evidence of her own eyes—he’s Fae. A tall, blond, handsome, pointy-eared elf—and a man she just can’t get enough of.

Ric Thornhill’s assignment just got a lot more complicated. The more time he spends with Meagan, the harder it is to see her as a political tool to prevent an all-out war between humans and Fae.

Now Meagan’s in a race to master her newly released powers in time to prevent the conflict, convince a jealous Queen not to strip Ric of his powers, and find out if she can build a life that straddles two worlds.

Excerpt (PG):

The insistent electronic chirping of the phone woke Meagan from the fitful slumber she’d finally fallen into several hours after Ric had dumped her on her doorstep. She pulled a pillow over her head, planning to let the machine pick it up, but as soon as it did, the caller hung up and apparently hit redial, because the ringing started all over again. Twice.

On the third set of rings, she gave in to the inevitable, reached out and grabbed the phone, knocking a lamp and a half-full glass of water off her nightstand in the process.

“Somebody better be bleeding,” she growled into the receiver.

“Would groveling be okay?”

There was silence on the line for a few moments as her semi-conscious brain tried to place the warm, sexy voice. Maybe this was a dream. Then it occurred to her that she actually knew that voice. “Ric?”

“None other.”

She shook her head to clear it, make extra sure it wasn’t a dream. “What time is it?” She peered at the clock, now tilted at a weird angle. “Why are you calling me at seven o’clock in the morning?”

She sat up and her leg bumped against something cold and metallic. Ah. She’d been so scared last night she’d taken her favorite softball bat to bed with her.

“To apologize?” Ric’s reply sounded like a question.

“You couldn’t have done that at a reasonable hour?”

“And to check on you.”

“Huh?” Did this have to do with his lock your door and set the alarm rambling last night? “I’m fine.” Well, unless you counted being really, really cranky due to frustration and lack of sleep.

“Look, I need to talk to you. Can I come in?”

“Come in? Where are you?”

There was a pause. Then he cleared his throat. “Um—in your driveway.”

She crawled out of bed and crept over to the window, peeking out from under the blinds.

Sure enough, there was the shiny silver Jag, sitting right behind her car. He must have seen her, because the lights flashed when she looked.

“Yes, Meagan, I saw you,” said the warm voice over the phone, as if he was reading her mind. “Can I come in? Please? I brought coffee.”

She couldn’t refuse him, damn it. He sounded too sincere and his kiss had been too darned hot. “Oh, all right. I’ll be down in two minutes.” She slammed the phone down and dragged on a pair of red running shorts, which probably clashed horribly with the orange and blue Detroit Tigers T-shirt she’d been sleeping in. She shook out her snarled-up hair and sighed. There was no way she was going to be able to untangle it without a shower. Grabbing an elastic band, she pulled the curling mess back into a haphazard ponytail as she scrambled down the stairs. She paused in the bathroom long enough to use the facilities and brush her teeth.

“Only salesmen and other psychos are up this early. You’d better not be an axe murderer or anything,” she grumbled as she opened the door after disarming the alarm. “If you kill me, I swear I’ll haunt you and make the rest of your life miserable. Same goes if you try to sell me life insurance.”

You can read the complete first chapter of Motor City Fae online here, and click here to find out more about how to purchase the book. You can find me on the web at

Website: http://www.cindyspencerpape.com

Blog: http://cindyspencerpape.blogspot.com/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/CindySPape

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=100000270304390

Finally, as part of my blog tour promoting Motor City Fae, I’m running a contest. All you have to do is pop over to my website, go to the “contact Cindy” page, and tell me which blog you saw me on and answer the question of the day. At the end of June, I’ll be giving away a $20.00 gift card to your choice of Borders, B&N, or Amazon. You can enter once for each blog stop.

Today’s question is: What team’s jersey does Meagan use as a nightshirt?

Cindy is visiting!

5 minutes and counting...

Cindy Spencer Pape, author of Motor City Fae and other "breath-takingly sexy" books is visiting today. She's bringing with her an excerpt from Motor City Fae and a contest.

If you haven't seen the excellent reviews Motor City Fae is winning, check them out here. It's a "wild and wonderful read" L&SR reviews.

And while Cindy's entertaining you, I'll be visiting her blog Write Faster! (which is great advice, btw).

Release Day! The Price of Freedom is available from Carina Press

The day is finally here. The Price of Freedom is out with Carina Press.

I'm celebrating all around Internet town.

Currently, I'm over at WeWriteRomance asking the important question--What are your three impossible wishes? I want to meet aliens, but other people have really amazing wishes.

Later in the day I'll be over at Cindy's blog, Write Faster!

In between I'm dropping in at Bitten by Books to celebrate Dee Tenorio's release from Carina Press, Tempting the Enemy.

And who knows where else I'll be. Take care all. Hope you're as happy as I am :)

Lion and cubs

Lion and cubs
Originally uploaded by --CWH--

I thought I'd calm my mind with a gorgeous pic.

Blessings on all the people who share their photos and make our days brighter.

Looks like I have a new blog design

I went to investigate the options of Blogger's new template design. *sigh* Because I'm a tech idiot (which is politer than what I called myself in the heat of the moment) my poking around only resulted in me losing my original simple template. Consider this version a filler until I work out what the heck to do. Even the banner doesn't fit.

Why do I do these things? *bangs head against desk* I'm having Cindy Spencer Pape visit tomorrow. Plus my novella is releasing from Carina Press overnight. And what do I have? A hastily scrabbled together blog template!

If anyone's lost a tech jinx, it's inhabiting my computer and feeding on my ignorance. The little piglet is growing fat!

New Blog Design?

I'm thinking of changing the look of this blog--Blogger's been enticing me with a new blog design function--but is this a real need or a waiting-for-tomorrow's-book-release antsiness? I'm suspecting the latter, so I'll hold off for a few days. Anyone need their bathroom scrubbed? I'm seriously torn between procrastination and nervous anticipation today--might as well channel the energy into something useful.

If I did change this blog, what do you think is missing?

Inside the Crusader Castle, Tripoli

Inside the Crusader Castle, Tripoli
Originally uploaded by ShaimaPhoto.com

Continuing my obsession with Crusader Castles.

1st review for The Price of Freedom

Natasha A at My Disorganized Ramblings has reviewed The Price of Freedom.

This was a well written exotic paranormal. The detail was beautiful and the scenes leaped off the pages.


Ooooh! so happy with the review. Natasha you're wonderful :)
 
And remember, my contest to celebrate the release of The Price of Freedom is still running. Comment on any post on this blog before midnight Tuesday and go into the draw to win one of two free copies. Just sharing my happiness :)

Good advice

One of the great temptations of life is to give people the benefit of your experience--in other words, to stick your beak in unasked and give advice. Now me, I have a pelican-like beak, but I'm trying to reduce it to sparrow proportions. The thing is, what do I do with all that advice I'm not sharing?

Pardon me. I think it's giving me indigestion.

So to save myself from exploding. Here is the piece of advice bursting my beak:

"You're an amazing person."

And if that doesn't sound like advice to you, think about it. Once you know you're amazing, anything is possible.

What is the bit of advice bursting your beak?

Suburban Lion

Toby, having just defended the yard from a bird not quite as large as his nose, is overly impressed with himself.

The Palace of the Grand Master of the Knights of Rhodes

Stunning photograph! Fantastic palace!

Thanks to Friedrich Böhringer for sharing on Wikimedia.

Doggerland--There's Mammoths under the North Sea!

["Quien mato los gran mumuts" Sedwick C PLoS Biology Vol. 6, No. 4, e99, Wikimedia]

In a comment on an earlier post on Boulognia (the land under the English Channel--I kid you not!) Kramis mentioned Doggerland and the thought of mammoths and lions not to mention our Stone Age ancestors and Neanderthals roaming the tundra which has since become the sea bed of the southern bit of the North Sea caught my imagination.

["Doggerland" by Polaris, Wikimedia]

National Geographic gives its version of this "Stone Age Atlantis". And here's a Nature article.

The world is such an interesting place my brain is buzzing with ideas. Must finish my Syrian djinni story first! and the edits on "Angel Thief" (honest, I'm doing them, Deb) which has a gorgeous Australian djinni. Ah, but Tundra and lost worlds. *sigh* why aren't there more hours in the day?

Win a copy of The Price of Freedom

To celebrate the release of The Price of Freedom (my PNR novella) from Carina Press on June 14 I'm running a contest.

From 5pm Friday 11 June till midnight Tues 15 June (New York time) anyone leaving a comment at any post on this blog will go into the draw to win 1 of 2 copies of The Price of Freedom.

This is a great time to check out the style and quality of the new epublisher Carina Press since they're currently offering 20% off the price of all ebooks--and they're all ebooks ;)  There's also been some amazing 5 star reviews of the first books!

Okay, so I'm probably a bit incoherent with excitement since the release date is reaaaalllllyyyy close.

Here's the blurb for The Price of Freedom and a teaser.

***

Duty will bring them together—and tear them apart!


As a guardian angel, Mischa must protect the one man who may be able to bring about lasting peace to the Middle East. As a djinni, Rafe must fulfill the wishes of a terrorist leader. Their duties colliding, Mischa and Rafe become foes, but the heat between them is undeniable.

When the terrorist learns that a guardian angel stands between him and his greatest wish, he orders his djinni to remove her. Taking creative license, Rafe spirits her away to his private oasis, where she will be unable to protect the peacemaker.

Beyond their mutual desire, they find common ground in honor and loneliness. Passion quickly grows into love. But it’s soon clear to Rafe that love cannot be bound, and Mischa must be true to her life’s purpose. Even if Rafe must sacrifice his own taste of freedom to grant hers…

***
A wave of her hand, and his robes went up in flames.

Now, there was a good distraction. Pleased with herself, Mischa turned her attention back to the plane. She’d land it while the stranger beat out the flames of his clothing.

“If you wanted me naked, you should have said,” he purred by her ear.

Startled, she glanced at him. Her gaze traveled down from broad shoulders and muscular chest to the ridged stomach and lower. He was magnificent.

“I don’t want you.” But the lie stuck in her throat. She stared into eyes blazing with masculine triumph. He knew she wanted him.

“I need to land the plane.”

It was the flicker in the eyes locked with hers that warned her. The hint of regret gave Mischa an instant of warning. It wasn’t enough.

Rafe pulled her away from the plane at the moment he directed a storm of wind at it and thrust the nose downward.

“No!” She fought his hold.

He pinned her arms and wrapped his legs around hers. Surprise had given him the advantage and now she couldn’t break his hold. Her nose was squashed against his throat, and her every breath inhaled sandalwood and pheromones. The situation was desperate.

***

Crusader Castle at Biblos, Lebanon

[by Heretiq on Wikimedia]

As I write the third djinni story in the Out of the Bottle series, I'm growing increasingly addicted to these great images of ruined castles scattered around the eastern Mediterranean.

Kaz Augustin, author of "In Enemy Hands"

I'll admit it. I'm in awe of Jenny. I have this blog on feed, you see, and at any given time, will see several posts from her. Sometimes even six!!! How does she do it? I look at what she's written, mutter “cow” and try to concentrate on what I was doing. Not very successfully, I might add.

Jenny's new book is about djinn and angels and is set on Earth. Mine is about scientists and a world-shattering weapon and is...not set on Earth. I wondered for a long time how to draw a line between the two, then just gave up and decided to tell you about IN ENEMY HANDS and let you make up your own mind.

Here's the cover:

and here's the blurb:

The Republic had taken everything from Moon―her research partner, her privacy, her illusions. They thought they had her under control. They were wrong.

Srin Flerovs, Moon’s new research partner, is a chemically enhanced maths genius whose memory is erased every two days. While he and Moon work on a method of bringing dead stars back to life, attraction between them flares, together with the realisation that they are nothing more than pawns in a much larger game.

When Moon discovers the lethal applications her research can be put to, she knows she must rescue Srin and escape the clutches of the Republic. But there are too many walls around them, too many eyes watching. They want to run, but they’re trapped on a military spaceship in the depths of space, and time is running out….

It's categorised as hard science fiction romance and features:

• An astrophysicist who really wants to concentrate on her work and not get involved in politics.

• A brilliant human computer who is controlled through drugs, only living his life in two-day cycles.

• An handsome but enigmatic spaceship captain, in command of almost two hundred soldiers in a vessel out on the edge of known space.

• A xenoanthropologist who must live with the fact that he's turned his back on science in order to keep one man imprisoned in his own mind.

What's binding them together is an experiment that can either bring stars back to life...or extinguish entire solar systems. You'll find the entire prologue at my site [http://www.ksaugustin.com/?page_id=378], so please feel free to visit and have a read and see if it's your cuppa.

In addition, I'm also having a COMPETITION: I'm also giving away two copies of IN ENEMY HANDS at my blog, Fusion Despatches [http://blog.ksaugustin.com]. To be in the draw, stop by and comment at the Competition post, telling me at which blog you read about my book. You have till 30 June!

I'll only add that I visited Perth for a conference once and found it a delightful city. And it has the perfect climate for kite-flying. :) Thanks for inviting me here, Jenny, take care, happy snapping and thanks to all of you for reading this far.

***

Kaz Augustin is a Malaysian-born writer of science-fiction, romance, and permutations of the two. Her website is at http://www.ksaugustin.com and she blogs at http://blog.ksaugustin.com You can also find her on Facebook and Twitter; just look for “ksaugustin”.

Guest authors are fun!

It sounds like a cliche, but I hope you enjoyed Leah and Janni's posts as much as I did. It's cool being part of the Carina Press author group and meeting amazing authors. Having them visit and visiting their blogs is a great way to widen the conversation and let everyone join in.

Kaz Augustin, author of some seriously sexy SF, is arriving in a few minutes. And I'll be popping over to her blog. I have no worries about your behaviour in my absence. I heard a rumour Kaz used to teach martial arts--so I expect she'll have you all hai-ya'ing in a disciplined line, legs and arms lethally chopping the air and smacking computer screens. If you need to take a breather, ask her to talk about her book. [note: this distraction works with every author on the planet and beyond! ;) ]

Seriously, have fun. Kaz has a wicked sense of humour. Enjoy!

Leah Braemel, author of "Texas Tangle"

Thanks to Jenny for inviting me to play on her blog today. *checks self to see if she’s upside down and going counter-clockwise—nope, I look just the same.*

Wow, it’s cool being on an Australian blog. I’m probably at the antipodes of where you are, Jenny—I’m from Southern Ontario, Canada. I know you’re in your winter while we’re at the start of our summer—it came early this year, thankfully. (Isn’t the internet fascinating that it can make the world so small and accessible?) If you ever want to see what it looks like in my part of the world, just rent the movie “Fly Away Home” with Jeff Daniels and Anna Paquin. It was filmed about five miles from my parents’ farm, and even features my sister’s house in one of the fly-over shots.

Enough about me. Sort of. Jenny invited me to here today to talk about my newest novel, Texas Tangle, that will be released from Harlequin’s new Carina Press on June 28th.

“Texas,” you gasp (don’t I have great hearing to hear you all the way around the world?) “What the heck is a Canuck”--yes, it’s okay to call us that these days, though it used to be offensive—“doing writing a western set in Texas? Don’t you have your own cowboys?”

Good point. We do have cowboys up in Canada, though they tend to congregate out west (imagine that!) in Alberta. But I was inspired to write Texas Tangle after visiting my critique partner’s horse farm in Texas back in 2007. Sue breeds Arabian BLUES—horses whose bloodline can be traced back to the Bedouin tribes. She took me riding and even taught me how to shoot a Colt 45. (Was that ever a blast!)

While I’d grown up beside a horse farm here in Ontario, her land was so different than mine that I couldn’t help but be inspired. We don’t have prickly pear cactuses up here. Or roadrunners (other than the cartoon version.) And as much as I hate to admit it, they don’t get the snow we do. (Although, I was surprised to learn, it DOES snow down there, just not in the same volume. And theirs doesn’t stay for six months. Sorry to disappoint you, but despite the photo, we don’t have snow right now, that picture just happens to be the only one I have of the farm beside my parents’.)

But people are the same no matter where you go (even if we do talk with a different accent—I don’t say “aboot” for “about”, I swear!)

People fall in love—or lust—and hearts get broken no matter where you live in the world. Could Texas Tangle have been written so it was “Calgary Confusion” or “Difficult Decisions in Darwin”? (Yes, I admit it, I have an obsession with alliteration, don’t I?)

Probably. But it helped that I’d actually been to a farm in Texas – experienced the heat, fed the horses (and been bitten by one too), and sighed at the slow and easy Texas twangs. (Of course, if someone down there wants to invite me to go riding on your ranches, maybe I’ll be writing about the “Pleasure of Perth” next.)

Thanks to her cheating ex-husband and her thieving brother, all horse breeder Nikki Kimball has left is a bruised heart, an overdrawn bank account and an empty home. When sex-on-legs Dillon Barnett and his brooding foster-brother Brett Anderson start showing more than just neighborly attention, Nikki is intrigued…and a little gun-shy.

Dillon and Brett have a history; back in high school, the two friends fought a bitter battle over Nikki. Now, ten years later, Brett still longs to be the man in Nikki’s life, but he’s determined to stand back and let Dillon win Nikki’s heart.

Society says Nikki must choose between the two men she loves. Is Nikki strong enough to break all the rules in order to find happiness?

And since Jenny’s been so gracious in turning her webpage over to me, I’m going to give you a sneak peek of a trailer for Texas Tangle. This is Dillon’s story. In the coming weeks, I’ll be posting more videos—one from Brett’s POV and one for Nikki too. (And thanks to my youngest son who did all the work pulling them together on my Mac for me.)



If you want to read more about Leah’s Texas Tangle, visit her website or her blog (which you should visit anyway since Jenny’s there today!) You can also follow Leah on Twitter or Facebook.

Janni Nell, author of "Allegra Fairweather: Paranormal Investigator"

I’m delighted to be a guest on Jenny’s blog today. (Our books will be released by Carina Press on the same date: June 14th 2010.) We’re doing a blog swap, so pop over and check out her guest blog on http://www.janninell.com/

***

How did you get the idea for Allegra Fairweather: Paranormal Investigator?

I wanted to write a kickass heroine. Since I love detective stories, it was a given that she would be an investigator of some kind. Since I also love mythology and letting my imagination have free rein, a paranormal investigator fit the bill nicely.


What do you enjoy most about writing in the paranormal genre?

The chance to let my imaginative go to weird and wonderful places. Plus I get to create wonderful paranormal characters like Casper, Allegra’s drop-dead gorgeous guardian angel.


Who is your favourite character in the book? Why?

Allegra because she’s tall, slim and kickass (things I’d like to be). She’s also a bit cheeky and says the kinds of snarky things I could never say in real life.


Do you have anything in common with Allegra?

We both like Barry Manilow’s music, dancing and coffee (although she drinks hers black).


Who are your favourite authors? Have they influenced the direction of your writing?

My favourite author is Susan Howatch. Her Starbridge and St Benet’s books are wonderful. Her characterisations are sublime – such depth.

Much as I’d love to write the kind of books she did ( I say did because, although she’s still alive, she doesn’t seem to be writing fiction any more) my ability lies in a different genre, so I can’t claim she’s influenced my work. But she’s given me hours of pleasurable reading.


When is your favourite time of day to write?

Definitely first thing in the morning. When I’m first drafting, I go hard for a few hours, then spend the rest of the day thinking about where the plot should go. When I’m editing I work all day. And sometimes into the night if I’m on a roll.


Other than writing, do you have any talents you’d like to share?

Well, it’s no secret I love to dance. And I do seem to have a bit of rhythm. Not that it’s a great talent but it’s the best I could come up with.


If you had a free day to do anything you wanted, what would you do?

Lie in the sun reading. (Sigh!)


What are you working on now?

The next Allegra Fairweather book. I’m about half way through the first draft. Hopefully it’ll be ready to submit in the not too distant future.

* * *

Thanks so much for inviting me on your blog today, Jenny. I’ve had a ball. And thanks to everyone who’s dropped by. Until we meet again…

May your guardian angel watch over you.

***

Allegra Fairweather here. Paranormal investigator. Got problems with specters? Shapeshifters? I’m the woman to call. Just don’t call me a Ghostbuster. The last guy who did that ended up flat on his back with my boot at his throat.


With my 99.5% success rate, solving the mystery of a bleeding rose that has sprung up on the shores of Loch Furness should have been an easy gig. But already I’ve heard the shriek of the local banshee, discovered two bodies (and then lost two bodies), and had a near-death encounter with a three-hundred-year-old ghost. And perhaps most dangerous of all, the hot pub owner who hired me now wants to show me exactly what’s under his kilt.

Luckily, I’m ably assisted by my very own guardian angel. I’m grateful for his help—but he’s also drop-dead gorgeous. A bit distracting when I’ve got a mystery to solve, and the clock is ticking…

Janni Nell is nearly here!

Janni Nell is a Carina Press author and my first ever guest blogger! Her post will publish in a few minutes and I'm so excited.

For the time capsule to celebrate Carina Press's 7 June launch, Janni's sent a song, "The Impossible Dream" by Joe Darion. It's perfect. To become authors we've all dared the impossible dream--and it's come true.

And while Janni's here, I'll be over at her blog. From East coast to West coast we're certainly travelling :)

Visit Claire Robyns

I'm over at Claire's blog--totally confused by the time differences between here and England--and we're having a great discussion about villains (among other things). Should villains be cartoon evil or have shades of grey and reasons for their actions?

The man who did more than stare at goats

I'm fascinated with conspiracy theories and the real life events they spring from. Via BoingBoing I just stumbled on an interview with US Army Colonel John Alexander who has been involved with the psyops stuff for real.

Just because I like daisies

Celebrations all around Internet Town

Everyone's excited about the launch of Carina Press.

Pearl celebrates the day with an interview with Angela J.

Dear Author gives a heads up on happenings over at Carina Press--like the June and July releases, including The Price of Freedom. *squeal*

It's mentioned by Barbara Vey on her Publishers Weekly blog.

And the eHarlequin community is alive with Carina-happy people :)

So much happiness. I'm sure I've missed a ton of great links.

Carina Press is Launched!!!

The champagne's been cracked and the Carina Press website is live. You can buy our books! Better than that, you can currently buy them at a launch celebration price of 20% off.

Doesn't the site look wonderful? Simple to navigate and displaying the gorgeous book covers. And down the left hand sidebar there is a list of BOOKS sorted by Genre and by Niche--and guess what one of the niches is? DJINN!!! That's me! Click "djinn" and you go to The Price of Freedom page.

I'm bouncing around with excitement. It all looks amazing! I'm so very, very happy :)

Waiting for Carina Press to launch...

I can only keep Toby on the "stay" command for so long...counting down.

Carina Press--Free Reads--First Chapters

If you can steal a few minutes, hurry over to Carina Press. You can read the first chapters of the books releasing this month. The Price of Freedom is 14 June, Week 2.

Monday Morning Busy

I'm elbow deep in preparations for a fantastic week.

Tomorrow I'm visiting Claire Robyns' blog. It's a long journey from Australia to England, but I'm up for the challenge. I have my water wings and I'm about to start swimming. If anyone knows a migrating whale with whom I could hitch a ride, let me know ;)

Okay, but then I have to swim back smartish. Janni Nell is visiting here Wednesday. She's another Aussie, though from the wrong side of the continent. Do you know she thinks the right place for the sun to rise is over the ocean? Unbelievable. Every West Aussie knows the sun sets over the ocean. Still, we all have our foibles and Janni is great--plus she has fantastic taste in guardian angels! While she's adding class to this blog, I'm lowering the tone of hers--so don't forget to visit Janni's blog.

Thursday is really stretching the travel budget. Leah Braemel is from Canada which means she has a seriously cool accent (to Aussie ears). I used to love the TV show "Due South". Leah's visiting here while I visit there. And Leah brings photos!!

On Friday, K S Augustin rounds out our globetrotting. I visit Malaysia while she visits Perth. The distance is nothing to Kaz. She writes some seriously sexy sci fi and that requires hyperdrive and wormholes and beam me up now. Windsurfing from Malaysia is nothing to Kaz!

Okay, and if all that is not enough. Carina Press launches today. Obviously America is about twelve hours behind Perth, so they're still sleeping. But when they wake up--hoo boy--it'll be snappy happenings.

And I have developmental edits for "Angel Thief" to tangle with. So I'm busy with a capital B--and very happy :)

What is Poetry?

You can argue the definition of "poetry" indefinitely. Some people absolutely refuse to recognise prose poems or even anything that doesn't rhyme. For some it's about traditional structures. For others it's about emotion. Is it about capturing a transient moment or telling a truth? Or is it purely about the words?

The Guardian's book blog has a great article and I enjoyed the definitions offered in "comments".

Online Temptation

I promised that Saturday noon I'd turn off the computer and have an internet-free weekend. Uh huh.

Long and Short Reviews proved too tempting. I logged back in to join their chat, and once online...oh dear. It's like chocolate. I have no willpower. With the launch of Carina Press on Monday there are just too many fascinating conversations.

Carina Press launches on Monday

It has been an incredible journey. Being a launch author with Carina Press has taught me so much. I've joined Twitter and Facebook. I've created a website. I'm dipping my toes into the warm tropical waters of the eHarlequin community. I've learned heaps from an incredible editor--Deb Nemeth. Behind the scenes, the Carina Team has been supportive, frantically busy and so creative I've just stood in awe. Most of all, I feel I've made friends.

Writing can be a lonely business. It's you, the screen/keyboard and the voices in your head. Chatting with other authors means sharing laughter with people who understand. Some of these amazing authors will be joining me on this blog. They'll be posting about their journey, about their books (which are sizzling) and about their hopes and dreams for the future--about what they'll be contributing to my "virtual" time capsule to celebrate the launch of Carina Press.

So I hope you'll join us next week and on through the years. Yep, years. Carina Press is awesome and I truly believe it will become not only a source of great stories, but a place of joy and community.

Lovely Fox

Lovely Fox
Originally uploaded by phoenixcry

Saw it and went ... awww. So cute.

Naked Soldier

He could have offered
lies to cover his nakedness.
How drink and tiredness,
being far from home,
had stolen his armour.
But the truth was he loved her.

Exercise to chat

Nokia has released a cheap kit to charge your mobile phone via pedal power!

I was just saying the other day that we ought to be tapping the exercise market for power--and voila! The Nokia gods heard me.

Oasis

riflessi
Originally uploaded by lorytravelforever ༽--ॐ--(lost)

This is exactly how I picture an oasis. Huge thank you to the photographer, Lory, for sharing it. Beautiful.

I'm over at the eHarlequin Community

I'm riding an avalanche of social media and tech at the moment, and every minor win is spilling over to this blog to be celebrated.

I've just joined the eHarlequin Community. So if you're a member--please add this lonesome and clueless newbie to your buddy list. Here I am, http://community.eharlequin.com/users/jenny-schwartz

The Price of Freedom--It's on Goodreads

I love Goodreads--what readaholic doesn't? Great reviews, recommendations and lively discussions.

And The Price of Freedom is there. It's on Goodreads!

Revamped Website

My website has a whole new look. Clean, uncluttered, heavenly.

http://authorjennyschwartz.com/

Doubting

You lost me when you said,
"I'm happy" and caught my hand,
as if I could ever make you happy.

I disentangled,
the responsibility too grave,
and you proved my point. You cried.

An Oleander, by Lawrence Alma Tadema

I'm writing about Syria at the moment. Love this Mediterranean vibe.

[Wikimedia]

Ace/Roc Book Giveaway at Dear Author

Dear Author is once again hosting Anne Sowards who describes some great books and puts copies up for grabs in a contest--comment and possibly win them. Here's the link.

Boulognia

Never heard of Boulognia? Nor had I. But apparently its the land beneath the English Channel when it was land (different sea levels). I wonder if something that sounds like it should be sliced and put between bread will ever catch on?

The term is mentioned in the report on research saying Neanderthals were in Britain way before scientists okay'd them to be there. Tut tut. Don't people ever listen? Not yet! Wait for the thaw, doofus.

Still the whole idea of land bridges and flooded worlds (hence Boulognia) and adventurous wanderers is fantastic.

I'm fascinated that humans once shared the world with another sentient species.

Buying brown paper bags

I heard brown paper bags are what you breathe into to control hyperventilation. Must stock up.

The Price of Freedom just had its first mention over at My Disorganized Ramblings. It's an amazing feeling to have someone mention your book. Validation, maybe. Definitely exciting.

TLDR

With thanks to GalleyCat, I have a new internet phrase--TLDR. Clearly TLDR has been out and about a long while. So it's not that I'm hip or anything throwing it out there. TLDR = too long; didn't read. Awesome. Should have tried that on Foucault's translated texts way back in Sociology at uni. Though to be honest that would have been TCDR = too confusing, didn't read. (Well I tried to read. Didn't understand.)

Anyway, TLDR started me thinking. How long is too long? Pieces of string came to mind. But the thing with string is there is a perfect length--it depends on the task the string will be used for.

In that case, TLDR is really an observation that a writer's insight (message, whatever) has collapsed under the weight of their words.

Sahara Sojourn

Sahara Sojourn
Originally uploaded by 10 Ninjas Steve

Another photo that struck me as capturing the magic of desert romance.

Book Reviews--Net Galley and Carina Press

Net Galley is where book reviewers (and journalists, librarians, educators,...) can search for forthcoming releases, apply to receive a free copy to review and generally indulge their book addiction.

Health and Safety Tip: Book addictions must be fed. Grouchiness ensues otherwise.

Carina Press has partnered with Net Galley (press release here). So if you're curious about what's on the way from Carina, click the link.

Happiness is a beautiful book cover

Yes, I know I've shared the cover of The Price of Freedom before, but now I can add the name of the genius who created it. Monika Krzewska from Spin Studio. Huge thank you for a magic cover.

I'm loving all the Carina Press covers.

Tech win

I've just updated my website to include an excerpt from The Price of Freedom. Now, that might be a minor, minor achievement for someone else, but I'm pretty damn proud. Fight me, web template, and I'll kick your ass!

http://www.authorjennyschwartz.com/ and click on the My Books page.

Cornish Hills by Willard Metcalf

[Wikimedia]

Brown bears in France

Reintroducing species to areas where they've vanished is difficult, never more so than when people are justifiably wary of the species. I'd certainly be cross if someone reintroduced red back spiders to what they consider their natural habitat--the underside of the outside rubbish bin lid. Yes, I know I'm being frivolous. This is a good news story. All the European fairytales insist that forests have bears. But the reality is sharing wild space is a fraught issue. Like reintroducing wolves into parts of the USA.

It's June

1 June and officially the month of Carina Press's launch. Am I excited? Is the sky blue? Well, that's a yes here in Western Australia. The sky is azure blue. Amazing.

7 June Carina Press goes live.

14 June my paranormal romance novella, The Price of Freedom, is released.

And better yet, all through the month and into July this blog is having visitors--awesome guest authors who'll make you laugh but won't dare make you cry. June is all about happiness. Dreams come true. Blue skies forever (actually, a little rain would be nice--then we could all try "singing in the rain...").

No, I'm not drunk. Just happy.

Ah, June. I've been waiting.