Hope You All Had A Wonderful New Year!

2010 will be our year, ladies!

Women will rule!

Sexy romance will reign supreme!

All in all, nothing will change.

My New Year Resolution is to write one book a month. (And submit it.) I just replaced my furnace, and must now replace a bunch of plumbing. I have no choice but to become a book-mill.

*sigh*

I know I can get one book a month out there...But will my new editor (I have no idea who she/he will be) like my work, and will he/she accept it? Ah, well...such is the crap-shoot of life in the publishing world. Bow your heads, dear pals, and pray with me..."May the Powers That Be give me a wonderful editor who will love my writing style and who will be great to work with."

Wish me luck in my endeavors...

Fran

Did you buy a romance novel for Christmas?

*Posting from my other site because I think this is important - romance writers get a bad rap and it is unmerited!!!

Romance Novel Sales are Booming

in this tough economy. While other genres are down somewhere between 14% and 17%, Romance has seen an increase in sales - some studies sight an increase of 2.5% over last year, while other information indicates an increase in sales upwards of 34%!

What do we want for Christmas around here? I guess we want a happy ending, by gum, by golly! This economy - while perhaps stabilizing and even improving in some sectors, it sure sucks around here...where I live. My very intelligent, very capable son has been out of work for a year and a half, and despite his endless applications, he's had nary a nibble.

FYI, the nurses I work with have been forced to accept 1-2 days a week of unpaid furlough, thus my on-call hours have been cut because my co-workers who need the income to support their families vie for the extra shifts I would normally get. It's the trickle-down effect.

What do I want to read in these economic times? Oh, honey, save the depressing angst for pundits! Every day I spot my neighbor's pickup in his driveway, I know he still doesn't have construction work. Every morning I see the guy across the street head out for a run instead of a job, it means he's still looking for an accounting position. Every time I glance at the empty shell of a house that was home to our best friends until a year ago, tears fill my eyes. Enough already! Bathe me in love, romance, passion, mind-altering sex!

Romance is affordable and you know you can count on an HEA. Sentimental sap that I am, I'll take an HEA any day.

Happy New Year!

***Prayers for our friend Amber and her new baby. Just got the news so please send her your thoughts. julia

Happy New Year's Eve

I’m hooked to Discovery Channel show, Everest: Beyond the Limit.

I can almost hear you asking, “Why is this blog-worthy?” Well, first of all, I’m TERRIFIED of heights. I have severe trouble dealing with a steep flight of stairs. I’ve been to the Grand Canyon and barely survived the Tower of Terror (ride of death) at Disney World but more about these events, and others, in a minute.

I have a mental list of things I want to do in my life. Many of them I am lucky to have already achieved. A few years ago I researched a trip to Everest. Now don’t get me wrong, actually climbing the mountain NEVER crossed my mind but travelling to Nepal would be the bomb. And how harrowing could “base” camp be, right? Doesn’t “base” conjure up images of “low”, “at the bottom”, “a place to start”? I learned that base camp is 17,500 feet above sea level, higher than any place in the US. One does not just go there on a whim. One must train and be in top physical condition. Okay, probably not the best trip for a person who can’t walk across the street some days!

But my fascination continues, and after watching 5 episodes of the show the other night, I understand why. It is a breathtakingly beautiful part of the world that few people have the pleasure of visiting. Those who set their sights on making a summit attempt focus on what most people would consider an unattainable goal with a passion that defies description. They push themselves physically and mentally to have a chance to stand at the very top of the world.

Despite mind-numbing fears, I’ve walked 500 feet or so, on a way too narrow trail, down into the Grand Canyon. I’ve ridden the amusement park ride that raises and drops thirteen stories. I’ve climbed the stairs in the Tower of London. I’ve stood on the upper deck of a cruise ship and looked down at whales in the ocean. I took a giant leap of faith and submitted a manuscript to a publisher.

My wish to all of you in the New Year is that you conquer your own Mount Everest.

Tessie

http://www.tessiebradford.com/

New Year's Day

New Year’s Day is one of my favorite days of the year. Absolutely nothing happens at my house and I love the sense of peace. New Year’s Day feels like a clean slate. If my goals from the previous year were not achieved-who cares? I revise my goals. I always make some modest goals that can be implemented by February and at least set in motion.

January is my favorite time of year to do something new and beneficial to my health and my family’s health. I try to add something to my regime that makes me feel like I’m adding to the quality of life. This is a great time to learn and try healthier recipes, get more sleep or get out doors more often with my family for some natural light.

It’s also time to let go of things. If its not beautiful, useful or necessary-I ask myself should it go to someone else? This goes double for my closet.

My resolutions for this year are:

Enjoy more movies and get out to more live concerts.

Spend more time being silly and stupid. This is one goal I can easily achieve! Lol

Let people talk but not get caught in their drama. I’ll just enjoy the human drama and be a sounding board.

Be a bit more loving toward people who are hard to love-this goal is abstract because it applies to some folks I’ve never actually met.

Whenever possible give someone else a little encouragement or hope.

Happy New Year everyone! May 2010 be a wonderful year for all of us.

XXOO Kat

Up to my Eyeballs

I'm very busy this week. I'm under tight deadline for a Valentine's short due the 1st. Working on revisions to resubmit to my editor and editing my three book series Shea Manor to submit. Last week I wasn't able to do ANY writing. I thought being on vacation would provide lots of time - HA!!!! I hadn't accounted for the lack of shopping I'd done to that point. DH and I were out all day and night, every day until Christmas Eve.
We've been reflecting on how poorly we managed our preparations this year. We're usually very organized. The kids had an enjoyable holiday, as did my mom. She travels to our house every year and spends about a week here. Being her only child she misses having me and her grandchildren close by. I'm trying to talk her into moving here in the spring. My FIL even jumped on the bandwagon. He provided her with a ton of information for places to live. Gotta love the man! :)
This year I'm not making any New Year's Resolutions. I never stick to them. 2009 was good to me and I'm hoping 2010 is better. While I hoped to see 10 contracts, I only reached 8. LOL I know that's terrific as far as I'm concerned. I'm shooting a little higher this year and hoping for 12 and while I'm at it I'm aiming for an agent and/or publishing contract from a "print" publisher. Those are my only 2 writing hopes for 2010.
Other than that I'm wishing for health and happiness for all my family and friends, especially my online friends who have supported me this past year. I adore you all!

Happy New Year!!!!

Different New Year's Resolutions

Photo: "T"eresa'sphotostream/Flickr
Standard New Year's Resolutions:

1. Lose weight.
2. Make money.
3. Lose weight.
4. Write more.
5. Lose weight.
6. Find a better job.
7. Lose weight.
8. Exercise

Crap. Don't you get tired of vowing over and over again to follow your New Year's Resolutions...but maybe you never actually do?

How about some realistic resolutions, ones you can do for yourself that might involve others.

1. Get more sleep. I'm usually up late at night because it's the only time people don't "need" me for something. Then, I get up early. Raccoon eyes aren't attractive. More sleep is needed so I'll have to go to bed earlier or get up later...or take a nap during the day.

2. Try new restaurants. Yeah, we all have our favorites, but how many good places have I missed because I've gotten into the same "Let's go here...it's my favorite" rut?

3. Learn to say no. I have a horrible time doing this. Everyone around me seems so "needy" that I usually cave in and "help". Then, my time is shot to hell. As an organizer, I'm programmed to "fix" everyone so their lives run smoothly. Guess what? People still screw up no matter what my "suggestions" are. Saying "Figure it out. Sorry I can't help" should be my mantra.

4. Write names on the back of old photos before no one can tell me who they are. As a baby boomer, I have to rely on my mother for the names of unfamiliar faces in photo albums. I need names and hopefully some dates so I'll have these family memories to pass on.

5. Spend more time with older relatives to record their family stories. My mother is one of two remaining siblings out of ten. My uncle has Alzheimer's. Only she can now recall stories of the past and I want to record them all. She's now 86. How much longer can I put this off?

6. Watch an old movie once a week. Just picking out one "oldie but a goodie" movie to watch and remember once a week will reconnect me with the past. Some of the classics I haven't seen in decades.

7. Sorta like #6...read "old" books, not necessarily romance books. I can't remember the last time I read a classic like "Little Women".

8. REALLY de-clutter my home. I've got tons of stuff, some from my kids, still lurking in my basement and around the house. I need to go through, room by room, and decide to get rid of stuff I haven't used in the last two years. Note to self: Say goodbye to unused items/those I no longer use at all.

9. Go to a theatre and see a movie once a month. I don't know about you, but I only get to see one or two movies a year. I just don't make an effort to go to a theatre. Why not? Why don't I treat myself and go with my husband?

10. Say "please" and "thank you" more often. I'm guilty of getting into the habit of expecting things to be done and forgetting the pleasant feeling I can give someone with a simple "thank you". Saying "please" will make a request seem less like a command. I will stop taking people and what they do for me for granted, and remember to use the good manners I was taught as a child.

Happy New Year!

Marianne/April
www.mariannestephens.net
www.aprilash.net

Welcome Guest Afton Locke and her new release

Feeling COLD this winter?
Heat up with a fire elemental fairy and some HOT WAX.
Candelabra by Afton Locke available now!
Genre: paranormal/light BDSM with elemental fire fairy
Publisher: Ellora's Cave Publishing
eBook ISBN #: 978-14199-26525
Buy Link: http://www.jasminejade.com/p-8038-candelabra.aspx?skinid=11
video trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mF1Jmpx38sM
Tandy travels to Scotland’s Loch Enya castle to attend a BDSM convention she hopes will overcome her control-freak tendencies. When Bryne pulls her into his room of fire, she fears she’s stepped into the lair of a crazy man. But as he mesmerizes her and sears her with his hot passions, she consents to a BDSM session of hot wax play that turns out to be the most intense journey of her life. Entrusting her body and mind to him might heal her, but the elemental fire fairy has an agenda of his own that threatens to consume them both in flames.
Here's a tempting taste:
Excerpt (Rated X):
An Excerpt From: CANDELABRA
Copyright © AFTON LOCKE, 2009
All Rights Reserved, Ellora's Cave Publishing, Inc.

“Are you ready, Tandy?” Bryne asked.

“Yes, Milord” she replied in a small, hesitant voice unlike her own. “I think so.”

“I will test you first to make sure you can handle the wax the entire time I fuck you.”

The first drop of wax, a molten raindrop, landed on her lower back. Her breath hissed as her skin adjusted to the heat. After he smeared the hot puddle with his finger, a long pause followed.

The smell of hot wax filled the room. She felt so helpless with the hood on. She needed to see the tipped candle and falling wax. Every muscle in her body tensed with expectation of the next hot drop since she had no idea where it would hit next.

Another drop fell several inches to the right of the first. Since it was hotter, he must have held the candle closer. Without vision, her skin became her primary sensory organ and it was completely at Bryne’s mercy.

“You handled the test drops very well,” he told her. “Are you ready to proceed?”

Let’s get this show on the road. “Yes, Milord. It feels good and I want more.” Wax me. Wax me and fuck me already.

This time, several drops fell in succession from her back to her ass cheeks, making her gasp. The multiple drops were hotter than just one. While her skin smarted, she breathed through it. It almost hurt but not quite. Heat built in her abdomen, swelling her pussy even more than before. A rivulet of fresh, hot cream inched down her thigh.

“Your skin is so beautiful and pink,” he said, fondling the curve of her ass.

Her hips jerked when a large, hot drop landed just above the crease between her cheeks. She wanted more. She wanted to feel that hot wax drip down the groove all the way to her pussy to mingle with the hot juices there. Tiny spasms of pleasure kept her hips continually dancing as more hot wax dripped on her ass.

“You like that, don’t you?” he asked.

The sound of a condom packet being torn open tightened her pussy. Just when she expected another drop, the wet, heated head of Bryne’s cock nudged against her cunt.

WOWIE! Think I'm doing great new things with my candles tonight!
Ciao, bella!
Cerise