Your Cheatin' Heart...

Poor Sandra!

What is it, less than two weeks after the Academy Awards and Sandra Bullock's husband is outed?!? After all the nice things she said about him...I feel so bad for her. If anyone watched the Babara Walter's special after the awards show - which I did for once in my life because it was her last special and the woman is getting quite frail - Sandra said of her marriage - that for the first time in her life, she knew what it was like to have someone watch her back. Psyche! Wow, what a blow! On the other hand, Monique - who won for best supporting actress, claimed in her interview that she and her husband have an open marriage, that if her husband has a sexual relationship with someone else, it is not a deal-breaker. Wha? Huh? Well...I guess...if it works for you...then c'est la vie.
I mean for me, it's a deal-breaker. Having witnessed the dissolution of so many of my friend's marriages, my relative's marriages, all I can say is - while you might conjecture in your little logical mind that it's all good, chances are your heart says otherwise.
I guess that's why cheating is a no-no in a romance novel. Nothing good can come of it. I know I want a man who wants to be with me and if he doesn't then I hope he has the decency to tell me, especially before I make a fool of myself. Damn!

How Time Flies

One year ago today, my first book, Ageless Desires, released with Ellora's Cave.

It was a dream come true to be published, but I had no idea where things would go afterwards. Let me just say, a lot can happen in a year!

* I have met the most wonderful people on the planet - writers, editors, publishers and readers who have welcomed me into this magnificent world of e-books. I cherish the friendships made, and am honored to count so many as members of my extended ' author family'.

* I now understand Yahoo groups, chatting, blogging, track changes, FLE's, LMFAO, BBW and HEA! I have a laptop, and sometimes I even throw caution to the wind, unplug it from the wall, and write someplace else besides in my basement.

* I pushed WAY outside my comfort zone to attend Romanticon 2009.

* Was blessed by the kindness of Regina Carlysle to be invited to participate in the Carnal Reunions anthology at Resplendence Publishing.

* Learned the ins and outs of difficult edits in order to make Oasis of Pleasure the best book it could be.

* Did the happy, happy dance when Possessing Eleanor was accepted by RP.

* And on Monday, my editor at EC let me know she is interested in contracting my vampire book!

I am so incredibly grateful for all that has happened!

Tessie

Got Possession?

We have a treat today. Tessie Bradford is going to share her upcoming scorcher “Possessing Eleanor”.

Here’s a piquant little taste:

Blurb:
Eleanor Lewis is perfectly content with her comfortable, quiet, relationship free life until she finds herself on all fours at the feet of Jackson Royce. Eleanor is stunned by her instant and intense attraction to the power and confidence radiating from the devilishly handsome building contractor. He scrambles her brain and heats her body to the boiling point.
Jackson always trusts his gut instincts. The ultra sexy woman sprawled on the floor is a sexual submissive. How intriguing that the all business, sensible shoe wearing office manager has absolutely no idea? The moment he takes her into his embrace he vows to possess her mind, body and soul.
From their first sizzling encounter, through a whirlwind courtship, Eleanor discovers being possessed by a man who loves her absolutely is what she had been searching for all along.

KL: First I have to say I covet the book cover for “Possessing Eleanor”. I love the soft lighting and poses. The art department at Resplendence Publishing did an absolutely gorgeous job with this cover.

TB: I really, really love it! The artist incorporated every suggestion from my cover art request form and created something more beautiful than I ever imagined!

KL: I know there is something different about this story. What makes Possessing Eleanor different from your earlier books?

TB: “Possessing Eleanor” is ménage-free!!! As soon as Jackson came to life, I knew without a doubt he was not a man who would share his lady!

KL: Hooray! There’s a lot to be said for possessive, territorial men. I like Jackson already. What inspired you to create such a sexy creature?

TB: My inspiration, believe it or not, was Hagan from Oasis of Pleasure. After writing a very ‘commanding’ alien, I wanted to delve more deeply into what a Dom/sub relationship is about.

KL: And what did you discover after “delving” deeper? Lol

TB: The Dom/sub relationship is hot!!! Throughout the book, Jackson demonstrates he is a master at drawing out pleasure, heightening all the senses so making love is about so much more than the big O.

KL: Any good editor will ask, “How did you do your research?” This is a sizzling book. Tessie how did you do your research?

TB: Research – I’m so glad you asked this one!! What I did first was re-read two favorite D/s stories and two that I really disliked. Then I went on the internet and learned WAY MORE than I intended! Some of the sites were very helpful and some scared the crap out of me! Let me tell you, my idea of the D/s relationship is TAME, TAME, TAME compared to some of things I discovered!

KL: You’re holding back I can sense it. If you’re not ready to publically discuss your days as an Argon love slave, I understand…Wait a minute, that was “Oasis of Pleasure.” lol

TB: Remember, Kat, I do have a highly skilled Head of Research and Development who takes his job VERY seriously!!!

KL: Your husband is a bold and noble man to be so willing to roll up his sleeves and do the hard R&D! This is exactly the kind of work you do want to bring home from the office. lol “Possessing Eleanor” is a very relationship-driven story, what would you like the reader to come away with?

TB: What I hope I’ve been able to communicate is the depth of emotion and trust in a D/s relationship and how the submissive partner is an equal partner.

KL: Honest answer, what male trait catches your eye?

TB: Believe it or not, his hands! Large, slightly calloused from years of hard work, long digits with nails well kept but not pampered, well defined knuckles - my libido instantly switches into overdrive! Who needs store bought toys??

KL: After reading the blurb, I think everyone wants to know, do you wear sensible shoes to the office?

TB: Tennis shoes – all day, every day!

KL: You’re smart. It’s much easier to work up a sweat and “sprawl” on the floor wearing tennis shoes! lol

“Possessing Eleanor.” Available March 23, 2010 from Resplendence Publishing.
Good Luck Tessie, this book sounds great!
XXOO Kat

Thanks so much, Kat, I adore chatting with you!

New Cover Art

I'm lacking for things to blog about this week. I've been sick and out of it. I do have cover art for Dante's Desire coming in Aug 2010. It's part of the Alluring Arts theme at EC. I just love Angelo. Not only is he sexy, he fits perfectly for the hero. Dante isn't as buff as Angelo, but that's okay too.

And don't forget I have a new release Friday - Research Required from Ellora's Cave http://www.jasminejade.com/

Clean Your Closet Week: What's Hidden In Yours?

(It's FABIO'S Birthday! Visit http://www.fabioifc.com for info about and photos of FABIO!)
Before I start this blog, I'm announcing a NEW YAHOO GROUP you can join: ROMANCE BOOKS R US, at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/romancebooksrus  Authors and readers are welcomed...check the schedule on the Home Page!
And: TOMORROW is the last day to vote in the Book Boost's BEST FIRST LINE CONTEST! Go to:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/HHC8TC2  I have two entries:
 "Your dog ate your underwear." (from "Gone to the Dogs" by Marianne Stephens)
 AND
"I'm upping the ante. Bring underwear." (from "Strip Poker for Two" by April Ash)
Would appreciate your vote for either one!

BLOG:

I've put this off as long as I could, but now that an official week is dedicated to doing this, I guess I should boldly go where no one has gone before...namely my closet.

Oh, I've tried "weeding" out stuff over the years, but other stuff just gets added to the mess and seems to multiply what's inside my closet. Where did I get it all from? Why do I keep it all?

The where is easy...sorta. I buy stuff. Shoes. Lots of shoes. Also have enough medications/pharmacy items in drawers and on shelves to rival drug stores. Then, there are all the promotion items I save to give out. And, my handbags. And, clothes. Lots of them. All sizes. All colors. For all seasons.

The why isn't easy to answer. I'm...a shopaholic? Love to buy things? Use my closet to store stuff because there's no other room in the house to put things? Holding onto my clothes has been ingrained in my being. What if I gain weight? Lose weight? Styles change? Styles that were out are now in again?

Sigh.

I have a dress from the 60s/70s. Wore it for a retro party. Held onto it all these years, although I was finally able to fit into it last October. But, damn. I had that hanging in my closet for decades and wouldn't part with it.

Another confession. I have a Dr. Kildare shirt from the 60's (anyone remember that TV series?) that will never fit me...but yet, I've been unable or unwilling to part with it.

Could I sell it on eBay? Is it worth anything? That might get me motivated to part with it.

When we first moved into this house, there was only one master closet...for the two of us and all the medications and all the towels and sheets since the only linen closet was on the second floor and our bedroom is on the first floor. Since then, we've added a closet (for my husband and I kept the larger one), and also added a first-floor linen closet.

And yet, I still don't have enough room. And probably never will...until I clean my closet to make room for future purchases.

In "Gone to the Dogs", my heroine, Katie, spreads out all her closet items on the floor as she sorts through to look for "something to wear". You know that feeling. Full closet but "nothing to wear". I didn't have the heart to make her throw out what no longer fit (she had some pounds to lose) so maybe I put something of myself in her character?

Are there any treasures hiding in your closet? How will you know if you don't clean. Anyway, that's the mantra I'll be parading through my head as I gear up to do battle with my closet. Never know what I might find!

You have a better chance of "finding" a treasure if you enter the TWO CONTESTS I'm running at my website to celebrate my latest book, "Anything You Can Do". Go to http://www.mariannestephens.net/ for information about the contests and my mainstream contemporary/paranormal romance books.
Visit http://www.aprilash.net/ for information about my erotic contemporary romance books.
"Gone to the Dogs" is available in ebook and print format at:
http://www.jasminejade.com/m-310-marianne-stephens.aspx

"Anything You Can Do" is now available at: http://www.breathlesspress.com/
Photos: Flickr: debcil, Praveen Rajan (Marketing.com), slurpiesandstraw's photostreams. 

Cost of food and Rx--who will still be healthy in a few years

Have you begun to visit local farmers markets?
We have. First, just to look. What do they have? How much does it cost? Shall I try and see if I like it better than store-bought?
My conclusions?
The veggies are definitely cheaper. BUT you can't buy just one tomato like a French woman. And you must buy a GI-NORMOUS bunch of spinach. Tastes great, but wow, I had it allllllll week. Sauteed, in salads, in sandwiches. Got tired of getting my super iron dose, lemme just say.
Of course, I am cooking for two. Not my original 5. Makes a big difference.
But I have noticed that food prices are steadily rising. A dozen eggs last week were $1.69. HUH? EGGS?
My son who is with Whole Foods tells me the cost projections show food prices will rise very quickly very soon. And the only bulwark? Is to buy at the farmers markets.
Fine. I can do that.
But I must say the other set of products that are rising beyond BELIEF are drugs.
A med I paid $5.00 for a 60-day supply of, I recently paid $25. (And bear in mind, this is the ONLY Rx I take!!!) My hubbie recently had a med that used to cost him $25.00--and he just paid $120.00 for a refill of 60 day supply.
And supposedly, we do have what the current debate in Congress would term "GOOD INSURANCE." So those $$$ amounts are AFTER the insurance co-pay. (And Congress has great insurance, btw, that they awarded themselves in 1970!! 40 years ago. hmmm.)
Meanwhile, in the past year alone, our family insurance premiums rose by 12%. On "GOOD INSURANCE."
At this rate, we can all go broke by just:
eating
medicating.
I am ready for insurance regulation.
And I am healthy.

Reviews and Ruminations

I've received several great reviews recently -

I got a Recommended Read from Fallen Angel Reviews and from Dark Diva Reviews for Captured and Rebecca over at Dirty Sexy Books had some very nice things to say about the book. It's also pretty cool that the book is on Amazon and can be uploaded onto a Kindle.

I have to ask the question though, do readers read reviews? I'm genuinely curious. I read reviews, but perhaps that's because my friends are authors and I like to know what's up with their books. I also read reviews to figure out what I might want to purchase for my own TBR pile.

What are your thoughts? Do you purchase books based upon reviews and which review sites do you rely upon? Sometimes it seems to me...okay, I'll be honest...it seems to me that ebooks get the shaft when it comes to many high profile review sites - as if we don't exist, but I do see more and more reviewers discovering the hidden gems in epublishing - our hidden gems! I get ignored a lot, but I send my books off to the big sites anyway.

It means a great deal to me when somebody like Rebecca at Dirty Sexy Books or Susi at The Geeky Bookworm or Larissa at lala's Book Corner or Katiebabs at Babbling About Books or Chris at Stumbling Over Chaos pay attention to ebook authors. Thanks, ladies!