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Wednesday, June 22, 2011

It's a Beautiful Day!


Tuesday was the summer solstice, the longest day in the northern hemisphere, but we’re still riding its wave.

In human terms a solstice is the time to seek and accumulate energy. Think of a tree finally sending its sap to the outermost leaves and collecting the sun’s energy. This is the moment to learn something special and take-in new ideas. Think ahead and put a few key bits of information aside for this winter. If your thoughts are brewing on a new writing project or a change of plans, today is a great day to jot those ideas down so they won’t be forgotten.

A solstice is a turning or tipping point that signals the time to let go of the pervious direction and head toward a new one. Refuse to allow these exciting times to intimidate you.


On another note last Friday’s U2 concert at the Anaheim Angels Stadium was an amazing experience. I loved every minute of it, especially loved having the chance to dance with my son at his first big concert.

One of my favorite moments was an appearance on the big screen of Commander Mark Kelly from the International Space Station, introducing “Beautiful Day” and telling his wife, Gabby Giffords he loved her from space. “Beautiful Day” was Mark Kelly’s “wake-up” call on shuttle missions. It was Gabby and Mark’s song long before they were married and it means even more now. (I read) Mark hummed it to Gabby in the hospital when her situation was touch and go.

U2 is my touchstone. That’s what U2 has been for me during these many years of fandom. They’re part of my life and they’re there when you need to be lifted up.

There was a distinct paradox about being in a crowd of over 90,000 people, in the presence of this huge show and still feeling connected and intimate with the group. I got a big dose of loving energy that just slammed into me 48 hours after the concert was over. That’s how overwhelming it was. It took a couple of days to fully process it. I’m so grateful I was able to be there and add another voice to the crowd.

XXOO Kat

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Life Changes

Last night I got to hold my new niece who was only 10 hours old. As I looked down into that precious face I realized how much life is a gift. For some of us it can be short, while some are lucky enough to live to a very old age. It’s important to live life to the fullest because you never know what tomorrow will bring.
With our daughter arriving in 6 short weeks I’ve been thinking a lot about how I’m going to juggle a full time job, writing and raising a newborn. I was lucky enough to stay home until my two oldest went to kindergarten. With you youngest I had to work, but my then lazy ex-husband didn’t work. He didn’t want to. Instead I worked three jobs and went to school, to support a family of five.
This time I have a great husband who will share in the raising of our daughter, but we both have demanding jobs. I worry that she won’t get the attention she needs. Yes, I have a wonderful mother in law who retired so she could take care of her two granddaughters, but I want that time with her.
So I decided that’s what I’m going to do. I’m not going to mop around. I’m going to take the bull by the horns and make my future. I’m going to focus on building a career that will allow me to have more time with our child, yet give me the income to live the lifestyle we’re used to – or should I say pay the bills! LOL
Now I have to sit down and put a game plan together! :0)

Monday, June 20, 2011

Contest & bag of books, goodies today!

To celebrate my newest REGENCY release, LADY VARNEY'S RISQUE BUSINESS over at www.resplendencepublishing.com, I am holding a contest to win a bag of books (mine and others'--all erotica!) and other goodies. Goodies include EC tote, EC playing cards, Wild Rose and much more!
Rules?
There are rules:
1. Write and tell us all please why you prefer contemporaries or historicals as erotica to straight romance in contemp or historical period!
2. Post your thoughts here!
3. Do it between Monday, 6.20.11 at Midnight EDST and Tuesday at Noon Eastern Daylight Savings Time!
4. Leave your email address so that I can notify you of the win!
I will pick a winner later on Wednesday 6.22.11, email you (and ask for your snail mail address)!
Ciao!

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

A little bragging.


This week is busy with graduations, Father’s day and (silent screaming in front of my computer) a U2 concert! I just got my hair cut and styled for Bono. I hope he likes it, and I’m stocked up on dozens of glow sticks, so I think I’m ready to rock.
I’m currently finishing a short story I’m very excited about. This Quickie will be submitted directly to the very woman who inspired me to start writing in the first place. I’m not sure how much I should say at this time so I’d rather be safe than sorry and share more information later. This is just a submission but you better believe I’m amped to the max and anxious as a wet cat walking on a frayed electric cord about doing the very best job I can possibly do on this story. I’ve never written so quickly in my life.
I want to brag shamelessly about a nice surprise I got yesterday. A good review for “Sugar Roux Voodoo” came in and I was mighty pleased with this one:
NIGHT OWL REVIEWS BOOK REVIEW gave “Sugar Roux Voodoo” 5 Stars Top Pick!
Reviewer Stesha.
It’s 1834, New Orleans. The lovely Lark Le Beau spends her days aboard her riverboat, the Sugar Roux Voodoo Queen, performing acts of beneficent voodoo for her select clientele. Five years earlier, she was seemingly abandoned by her first and still only love, Captain Valcour Curry, a wealthy pirate. Valcour left her with not only the riverboat, but their unborn son as well.
When client Miss Marietta visits Lark for a reading, Lark’s gift of clairvoyance kicks in at full speed. She senses Valcour once again. Soon after Miss Marietta departs, a stranger named Leroy arrives and claims Valcour is alive—but he is now nothing more than a soulless zombie living an almost nonexistence, imprisoned at the hidden Broken Oak Plantation where a black magician named Braeme Payne has stolen his soul.
Lark knows immediately she must go with Leroy to the Broken Oak to save her love. She knows that she will need to risk her own life and use her own brand of magic and love to save the man she loves. But Valcour isn’t the same man any longer. Trapped by his own misdeeds of the past, and held by guilt and black magic, he no longer possesses his own soul or emotions.
Sugar Roux Voodoo is a lushly written sensual novel that will transport you back to nineteenth century New Orleans. The setting is so beautifully painted for you by the author you will imagine yourself aboard the riverboat watching the story unfold before you. Lark is a beautifully written character that the reader will identify with immediately. The love story is compelling and lustily written. Sugar Roux Voodoo is a definite must-read this summer.

(Thank you Night Owl Reviews and Stesha!)


I want to congratulate my Ellora’s Cave Sisters, Amber Skyze on an excellent 5 Star review for “Sex on the Beach” From Romance Writers Reviews!
http://www.romancewritersreviews.com/index.php?option=com_sobi2&sobi2Task=sobi2Details&catid=3&sobi2Id=105&Itemid=30
And Cerise Deland’s for an excellent 4 Star review from Night Owl Review, for her new Quickie “Me and Mr. Jones.”

 Good job ladies!
Have a wonderful week. Happy Father’s Day to all the Dads and every loving father figure out there who steps up to the plate and makes a positive difference in a child’s life.
XXOO Kat

June


The DH and I managed to get the pool fully cleaned and ready for swimming. During the process the temperatures fell and rain moved in.
Always the optimist he said, “Summer hasn’t even begun yet. You’ll have lots of time to enjoy the pool.”
Me the pessimist. “Summer begins Memorial Day weekend. I want to swim now!”
So we had a debate as to when summer actual begins. I know, I know the calendar says June 21st, but since I was a little kid my mom away marked Memorial Day as the unofficial start. I won’t change that, not even for the DH! LOL
They’re promising some warmer temps for a few days before the rain comes back. Seeing as how busy this week is for me I’m hoping next week will be hot and humid when I can finally enjoy the pool and the deck.
The DH and I are planning more day trips then long vacations this summer. After reading the blog posts over at Penelope’s Romance Reviews yesterday I have some fun ideas for trips. If you want to learn more about New England drop over and see all the great posts.
One thing we always do is take in a few Red Sox games. That will still happen. ;o)
What are your plans for the summer?
My newest release is a summer read: Chasing Forever available now from Ellora’s Cave.

Blurb:
Jordyn has longed to make her relationship with best friend Diego more than platonic. Her body drips with need to know what it would feel like to have his lips kissing every inch of her skin. Desire to wrap her legs around his waist and plunge into deep waters with him fills her every dream.

Diego is one with the ocean. His passion is surfing and chasing that ultimate wave. He doesn’t have time for a relationship. Or does he?

A storm is brewing and when a tragedy occurs, Diego and Jordyn need to decide if they’re both chasing the same dreams.

An Excerpt From: CHASING FOREVER

Copyright © AMBER SKYZE, 2011

All Rights Reserved, Ellora's Cave Publishing, Inc.

Chapter One



Jordyn sat on the beach towel watching Diego riding out the waves. Her pulse raced. He knew he shouldn’t be out there. Hurricane Ivan was heading inland and the weatherman had warned of the dangerous undertow. She’d attempted to chase a few waves, but once she’d swum a few yards she knew it was a mistake. She’d quickly swum back to shore and waited while her best friend tried to prove he was smarter than the ocean.

The waters had turned mean and ugly over the last twenty minutes and the sky was an ominous gray. The hurricane was moving closer. A breeze came in off the water and a chill passed through her body. She’d unzipped her wet suit down to her waist, exposing her bikini top when she exited the water. She should cover up again in case the rains poured down.

She scanned the waters. Someone on a Jet Ski buzzed around, stopping every so often to take some pictures. She hoped he would keep away from the jagged rocks. The razor-sharp rocks were Jordyn’s bigger fear with Diego being out on the water. One wrong move and a wave could drag him under and throw him against the rocks, ending his life.

Jet skis were prohibited at any time on this part of the beach, but it didn’t stop them, especially on a day like today. They’d swarm around the surfers—in this case, just Diego—hoping to get a great shot of him nailing a thirty-foot wave.

Hopefully that’s all he catches.

She scanned the beach looking for any other fools. People with cameras hoping to click the ideal picture of the perfect storm peppered the sand.

“Dumbasses,” she muttered. What did that make her? She was on the beach too. Why had she allowed Diego to convince her this was a good idea?

“Because I’m a fool too.” She buried her foot in the sand and watched how the tiny particles glided between her toes. If she was smart she’d grab her board, jump in her Jeep and hightail it back to her place. Common sense flew out the window when it came to Diego, because she was head over heels in love with him.

Too bad he doesn’t feel the same. He loved her like a sister he’d said a few too many times, especially on drunken occasions.

If she’d had a nickel for all the times he’d said, “If you weren’t like a sister to me, I’d fuck you.”

How her pussy moistened with the thought. A few times she’d been tempted to sock him one and other times she’d wanted to tackle him and show him the woman inside waiting for him to fill that void deep within.

Instead she’d sat back and waited.

Monday, June 13, 2011

Ever needed the Strong Arms of the Law? I got 'em! June 15th!


Every woman values the strong arms of the law. Especially Skye Chamberlain.
Why?
She’s a crime writer and she’s in a heap of trouble since she saw a murder by the leader of a Mexican drug gang. But that’s not her biggest problem. Oh, no.
For two months now, she’s been cooped up in witness protection in a teensy weensy house with the biggest, toughest, most maddeningly charming Texas Ranger.
And he?
Rex Martinez thinks this sassy piece of Anglo ass is the sweetest, wildest chick to ever give him a hard-on.
How can they survive two more weeks of this torment--and keep their hands off each other?
Excerpt (copyright 2011, Cerise DeLand):
What was wrong with her?
Cabin fever was one thing.
Horny is another, Skye.
She fell backward against her bedroom door and rubbed her palms over her aching breasts. God, how she wanted his hands on her. His mouth. His cock. His everything.
Two months in the wilderness with the Lone Ranger has you stupid for him, Skye. So what if he’s built like the Starship Enterprise? All right, all right. So he’s droll as John Wayne. Handsome as the devil. Wise as an owl. And endowed like a rock-hard porn star.
Ohhh, stop this! He’s only interested in you because you’re his only choice. Bet the girls all drool over him at the local dancehall. Texas Ranger, white hat, big gun, big hands and huge balls.
Get over it, Chamberlain!
All you want is a good roll in the hay.
But that wasn’t all she wanted. Not from Rex Martinez. No sir. From him, she wanted more than one great fuck. She wanted all day, all night. His honed muscles plastered to her body. His thick, rasping bass voice rubbing her senses, letting her feel him deep inside her pussy, all the way up in her cunt, his thighs rocking against hers.
She pushed away from the door, strode to her closet and stepped out of her panties. She wanted to be surrounded by strength like his.
Mountainous strength.
Indominable.
Like she’d never known.
Like she’d only read about in novels.
A man so centered, so realistic, so sure of himself and what he was meant to do in the world, that she was in awe of him.
How she even got a few words out to talk with him had begun to astonish her. And she was never enthralled by anyone. Years in the savage realities of the ER. She knew it. So did her editor, and it was how she was able to go into some rough crime areas and do research. How she kept her cool and her stomach from up-chucking. How she made her living. Even this gig that had gotten her in so much trouble with this Gonzaga clan, had not frightened her. At first.
“Blonde, built and begging for it,” was how her editor billed her desire to come to South Texas and see if she could meet any of the Gonzagas. “You have to be safe out there, Skye. No series is worth getting killed for. And you know this familia is one of the most cruel along the Rio Grande. I do not want you kidnapped or maimed. Get another plot. I can do without this story.”
“But you can’t, Chuck,” she’d told her boss at her publishing house. “Journalists aren’t going in any more. Hell, even if a newspaper has the research staff, they think twice about sending them in to Mexico. But these Gonzaga boys are women’s worst nightmare. Importing sex slaves from Asia into Mexico and across the border into Texas. Kidnapping women from the border towns and forcing them into prostitution in bordellos in Chihuahua and Monterrey. Last year, they kidnapped two female sheriffs. One they killed, but the other one we think they have kept alive in Nuevo Laredo. This makes the basis for a great novel.”
He had agreed to the angle, but hated the fact she would be such a blonde Anglo target. But she had lucked out. Renting a house across the American-Mexican border in Nuevo Laredo, she had attracted the amorous attentions of the man whom many suspected of being the familia’s second in command. He was hot for her and ready to make her his own special puta, too, when she’d heard him admit to killing three women. Then the next night, she’d witnessed his buddy kill three females. Skye had been able to feed information to the Texas Rangers about that and a raid the Gonzagas planned on an all-girl’s high school in Texas. They had caught the murderer and then put the second in command behind bars. Skye was their star witness against both men.
The Gonzagas put a price on her head.
“And here I am,” she whispered, looked back at the bedroom door and decided what to do with the rest of what the odds said would be a shorter life than she predicted. “Here I am, Rex Martinez, wanting you.”
She strode, naked as a bird, to the door. She opened it and there he was. Her Ranger, still standing in the same spot she’d left him.
Surprised, he moved only his brows as his baby blue eyes flamed at the sight of her nude body.
“You know what I think, Ranger?”
“Got me, honey.” Truth was, his gaze said he got her lips, and her nipples and her bellybutton and her blonde-haired pussy.
“I think the trial might be too long, and your paycheck too small.”
“To do what?”
“Wait.”
http://www.jasminejade.com/p-9414-strong-arm-of-the-law.aspx

Saturday, June 11, 2011

I have such talented pals...

I am proud to call all of you my friends...

You are all a bunch of walking success stories...and I hate you...um...I mean...I love you! Jealousy and green-eyed envy aside, I think all of you are fabulous!

I, on the other hand, am a "has-been" whose get up and go got up and went. But I finally dropped my lariat on the doggoned runaway muse, and have put her back under the saddle...so instead of looking at all of my old books from 2009 and 2010, maybe I'll be able to show you some new ones soon.
Hugs!

Fran