Release Day!

My Everything!

Coming today from Cobblestone Press:

http://www.cobblestone-press.com/

Blurb:

Security consultant Ben McCall is alone. His wife and unborn child are dead, victims of an assassination attempt meant for someone else. Grieving, he disappears. When his best friend is in danger, Ben resurfaces only to find his friend isn’t the target of a murderer, he is along with his sister Angel. On the night of his return, Ben unexpectedly comes face to face with a woman from his past. She needs his help. He learns that he needs hers even more.

Grace Adams is one of the walking wounded. Her husband died two years ago. One night she is incapacitated. A man comes to her aid. He’s the man she fell in love with years before, Ben McCall. As the passion between them reignites, Grace too becomes a target of the madman who stalks Ben. She, Angel and Ben must use their wits to stay alive as they fight a man desperate for revenge.

Sorry, no excerpt yet - should have it soon! In other news, Romance Junkies is holding a Valentine's Contest. It runs through March 31st. Here's the link to my offering -

http://www.romancejunkies.com/rjvalentinescontest/JuliaRachelBarrett.html

Happy Pre-Valentine's Day!

Love is in the air! Is this not the perfect time of year for us, the readers and writers of hotter than hot romance?

After much jocularity, I’m choosing to blog about my hubby. He’s sitting across the room as I type this. I will read it to him once it’s done and not post it without his approval. As anyone who read the dedication in Ageless Desires knows, he holds the lofty position of Head of Research and Development in my writing career. You can all take a moment and imagine his varied job duties!!

Recently, I’ve been testing his dedication. My WIP is a m/m/f love story. When I first discussed my idea with him, it was quite apparent he was uncomfortable with the m/m part of my proposal. He not only didn’t see the appeal, each time I talked about it, he didn’t participate and his body language screamed ‘shut up!’ I love the characters, the humor and the chemistry of the story so I persevered, despite feeling his loss in the creative process.

The other night, he agreed to let me read it to him. I was a nervous wreck! My throat was dry and I stumbled over the first paragraphs. And then the most wonderful thing happened. He laughed at the funny parts! He wholeheartedly complimented the hotty-hot parts and even offered some manly insight to a man only part!!

I certainly hope it's contracted, but his support means even more to me. God I love that man!
Tessie
www.tessiebradford.com

Feeling Entitled

“Some people never go crazy. What truly horrible lives they must lead.”

Charles Bukowski.

I got lucky this week and got offered my second book contract this year. I was overjoyed until I realized the new contract came with one sticky little caveat. Management thought the working title of my book was not sexy or evocative enough. My title got the boot. My editor hinted that as soon I gave her a good title she would give me a contract.

I like a challenge. I loved the title I had but I also understood management’s decision. I jumped right in and wrote eight new titles and sent them back within half an hour.

“No” to all of them.

I wrote eight more titles.

Nope, I’m off track and not only that I’m in the forbidden word zone. I can’t use any of the words I want to use because those words are saved for authors writing in other genres. Those lucky bastards, I just hope they appreciate their free flowing hearts, clash, captive, slave, Master, secret, agreement, bonds…

Okay, I wrote eight more titles working under a different concept.

“No, the story’s a historical, you should choose something historical and descriptive but don’t use forbidden words that actually describe the situation. Make it sexy but don’t use the sexy words you’re not allowed to use. Those are for somebody else to use-not you.”

But it’s a culture clash story between a Celtic slave and a Roman Magistrate…

“No, don’t mention slave that’s for BDSM only. If you mention Celtic you’ll get a Celtic cover. You don’t want that. This is a Roman story…”

I just kept trying. My editor and I exchanged eight emails that day each chock full of new titles. Management wasn’t buy’n what I was sell’n. We finally got a title we could all live with but it was trial by committee.

Am I happy with the title? I’m happy with the book contract and the opportunity to learn the ropes on a historical. I’m also very grateful to my patient, helpful editor.

Has anyone else struggled with a title like this? I’d love to hear about it.

XXOO Katalina Leon

Walking On Air

Yesterday I received an email from Dawn at Love Romances Café letting me know that Heat Waves had been nominated for Best Contemporary of 2009. Can you say WOW! I was shocked. It only got better. As I was reading the nominees I noticed Spank Me Twice was up for Best Erotic Book of 2009. It floored me to be nominated for two awards.
I’m up against some awesome authors for the Contemporary award, but I swear just being nominated means everything to me. J
The voting begins the 15th. Once I get the information I’ll post it, in case you’ve read Heat Waves and want to vote. LOL

In other news I participated in my first book signing with eleven other authors last night. It was interesting. During the author bio the announcer talked about my nominations. Well! The funniest part was at the end. I was packing up my things when this older couple...I'm talking late sixties . early seventies comes up to me and says, "What was the name of that book? Smack Me Twice, Hit Me Twice?"
I looked at her and asked, "Spank Me Twice?"
"Yes. Yes, that's the one." She turns to her husband. "We have to go home and look that book up!"
I was rolling. It's nice to see they're still interested in sex.
The day kept getting better because when I got home I checked email and there was a contract for Dante's Desire.
Now how am I going to top that? LOL
Happy Tuesday Everyone!

HUNKS FOR VALENTINE'S DAY

Yeah, I can't let this opportunity go by without posting some wonderful guys for you to drool over. After all, Valentine's Day is fast approaching, and we all need a "lift", right?
Maybe you'll be someone who gets a stuffed bear, like the one shown in this photo. Oh...if you're lucky, the guy holding it will look just like this hunk and come aptly dressed (or undressed) when he presents you with his gift.
Notice his bulging muscles, the strategic position of that teddy bear...and the bear's little hat.
Are you wondering what's behind that bear? When you grab for the teddy, will you "find" something else, waiting for your caress?

Candy and flowers are the usual choice of gifts for your sweetheart to give you, but wouldn't you love something that keeps giving, and giving, and giving... Of course, recharging is necessary, but dream and fantasize all you want! What's under that bag? Use your imagination and place a face for this mystery man. And, what's under that box of Valentine chocolates? After you eat all the candy, will you find another wonderful surprise to enjoy?

Now, the message with this photo tells it all. What a luscious satin pillow for you to lay your head on. Comfy, smooth, surrounded by hot, sizzling male flesh. You get to fantasize what comes next! And...is that your hand holding up the pillow? How quickly can you move it aside to peek at what's behind it?

Valentine's Day is for lovers of all ages. Enjoy the day with someone you love...in any fantasy way you desire!

Photos: Rockshots.com

Visit http://www.mariannestephens.net/ for information about my mainstream romance books. "Anything You Can Do" will be released on 19 February by www.breathlesspress.com.

VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSho7Mus4zo

"Gone to the Dogs" is now available in print.

Visit http://www.aprilash.net/ for information about my erotic romance books.

Some of these books are now available in Kindle format!

ALSO: Don't miss the multi-author, all-day, Ellora's Cave/Cerridwen Press chat on Thursday, 11 Feb. at:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LoveRomancesCafe. You must join the group to participate.

New cherry! FALLING FAST and a few thoughts on life and loves

Dear Readers,

As many of you know, our family lost our oldest son last week and we are in the stages of grief and sorrow that lead us to view the finest elements of life.

Today, kiss your loved ones, or if far away, tell them you love them.

My newest book, quite by a stroke of fate, is about a young man who has a head injury, as did our boy.

I hope you will read FALLING FAST, debuting February 23 from Resplendence, because here you read and hear about a few of the many challenges those with Tramatic Brain Injuries experience.

My editor said she loved it because it was a wonderful story that she would have read anyway just for pleasure.

I hope you read it and enjoy it as well.

Oh My Gosh!

Things were so crazy yesterday I forgot to blog!

My kitty is sick, my hubby totaled his car, yiiii!

So the good news is you can and should get yourselves involved in two contests.
Over on my website: http://juliarachelbarrett.net/
I'm running a give-away - a copy of F.U. by Mia Watts.
Leave a comment on any post that includes the words - Enter me! Enter me now! I'll draw a name at random on Monday and announce the winner.

But the bigger news - sorry Mia - I have my own contest going on at Stumbling Over Chaos - head over there and leave a comment. You can win a copy of my coming release, My Everything, with Cobblestone Press. The contest runs through the 11th, the book comes out on the 12th.
Hurry over and leave me some love!
http://www.stumblingoverchaos.com/?p=5864http://

See you there!