Thursday, August 08, 2013

Mystery Men of Ignite!

Entangled Suspense has a new name – Ignite. The line is filled with hot, thrillers and suspense stories that are designed to keep you on the edge-of-your-seats. The men are hot, the women are strong, sexy and equally hot and there will be love!

Ignite authors with current releases are sponsoring an event this Thursday night, August 8, from 7-9 EDT on Facebook celebrating the newly renamed line at Entangled.

The event is called The Mystery Men of Ignite – Revealed!

Eight Ignite authors have been posting clues all week on our websites and blogs, and Thursday night, all will be revealed. You can win a $100 Amazon gift card and other prizes. Details are here. At that time we will reveal who inspired our heroes. My hero's clue is his lips. I can imagine this hero whispering sweet nothings into my ear. Granted his brogue would melt me into a puddle of goo. He has a legal degree but gave up law for film. He can be cute and cuddly or ripped with an incredibly sexy bod, when the role calls for it. Tough but gentle, like Ed Marceaux in DEJA VOODOO. And he'd fit right in with the Boyette family of mistfits. DEJA VOODOO is available now for mystery and suspense with a bit of CAJUN MAGIC thrown in for fun.


 Enjoy the Mystery Men game and join us tonight for the big reveal!

DEJA VOODOO
by Elle James

Deja Voodoo
Entangled Publishing

Blurb

A little magic goes a long way…
Alexandra Belle Boyette is closing in on the big 3-0 and her mama has made it her mission to marry her off. In the tiny parish of Bayou Miste, deep in the Louisiana swamps, finding suitable hubby material can be a challenge—and Alex would rather not rely on magical spells to do the trick. But there is a sexy new man in town who might fit the bill...
Ed Marceaux is in Bayou Miste to safeguard a key witness to a Louisiana Mafia murder. He must keep an eye out for suspicious characters—but the place seems to be full of them! What could be stranger than a woman dressed in a sexy nightgown chasing a naked man down the street? The enchantingly gorgeous Alex Boyette certainly makes it worth his while to find out…
Add a Voodoo spell gone wrong, and voila! madness—and love—ensues.

 Excerpt

“Sport!” yet another feminine entreaty split his eardrums.
The yelling voices preceded the appearance of two women from the end of the street. One was wearing skin-tight biking shorts and a sports bra, and had her fiery red hair caught up in a ponytail. The other…

Holy hell.

His jaw dropped. The collision must have hit him harder than he’d thought. Suddenly, he couldn’t breathe and was seeing things. Gorgeous things.


Her hair was as black as the brand-new Mustang convertible parked in the garage at his apartment building. Her eyes were bright blue, and she had smooth, creamy skin that reminded him of a cup of pale, milky mocha. And boy was there a lot of skin showing. She wore a frothy blue baby-doll nightie. The gown did
nothing to cover the lacy black string-bikini panties peeking out with every step as she raced down the street barefoot. And oh, those luscious breasts bobbed unfettered beneath the filmy fabric.
The two jogging beauties slid to a stop in front of him. Apparently, they were real, not just a figment of his imagination.

The redhead spoke first. “Did you see a do—” She didn’t get the chance to finish her sentence when the black-haired beauty jammed her elbow into her gut.

“Man. Did you see a man run by?” demanded the woman in the blue baby-doll nightie.

Interesting. Even without his usual five-mile jog and gallon of coffee, his senses were now on full alert. Standing this close to that short, sheer blue gown was doing crazy things to his gray matter and other parts of his body.

The women looked flustered. But then, one of them had a reason. Hell, she was running around in an out t that couldn’t be licensed for public consumption in the free world. He loved seeing her worry her full, ruby mouth, and made it a point to worry it more.

“Can you describe this man?” he stalled.

The dark one squirmed. Wow, she even squirmed beautifully.

If he wasn’t careful, he’d be making a tent of his jogging shorts.

The redhead jumped into the silence. “He has reddish-brown hair, brown eyes, and a body to die for.” She paused and added, “Oh, and did I mention he was naked?”

Ed let an eyebrow inch upward. “Naked?” he asked the darkhaired one. “Any particular reason a man is running around the town naked?”

The black-haired beauty’s eyes ashed, but she didn’t answer.

“We scared him,” the redhead supplied.

Since she’d asked him if he’d seen a man run by, the dark one hadn’t uttered a word.

He considered it a challenge. “Do you always run around Bayou Miste in your…black string-bikini underwear?” He trailed his gaze down her front to the dark shadow of her underwear, barely visible beneath the filmy skirt of her nightgown.

A blush started in the vicinity of her cleavage and traveled up her neck to her cheeks. Score!

“Come on, Calliope, this man doesn’t know anything.” The dark-haired one grabbed the redhead’s arm and tried to drag her away.

“But Alex, I’m enjoying the show.” The redhead smiled a wicked smile and eyed the front of his shorts.

Damn. He’d been so intent on making Miss Naughty Nightie squirm, he’d forgotten about his own arousing reaction to her delights.

She glanced down, color brightening even more in her cheeks. But her mouth curved at the ends. “I take it by show, you mean comedy?” A thin, dark brow winged upward. “I’ve had my laugh. Ha, ha. Now, come on, Calliope. We have to catch Sport.”

His ego agging, Ed couldn’t help tossing a parting shot. “What, is this some kind of kinky game you’re playing?”

“And if it is, did you want to be invited?” the one called Calliope asked, her grin widening.

“Maybe.” He answered the redhead, his gaze fixed on Alex.

“Too bad.” Blue nightie actually tsked her tongue. “We’re more selective of our playthings.” With a dismissive sweep of her gaze from his head to his feet, she put him rmly in his place.

Then she was racing down the street, her rm buttocks even more interesting in the black lace bikini.

Ed turned to jog after her. He had to know who she was. More important, he wanted to get to know those lace panties more intimately. After two steps, he had to pause and adjust. Nope, he wasn’t jogging in the next ve minutes. Not in his…uh…condition.
Later. In a town as small as Bayou Miste, he’d easily find her.

Thursday, August 01, 2013

TAKING AIM RELEASE DAY GIVEAWAY!!!!

Available August 2013
TAKING AIM
Covert Cowboys Book #2
by Elle James

!!!!!PRIZE ALERT!!!!!!!!!

Leave a comment on why you love or hate this cover 
Enter the rafflecopter for your chance to win:

Books by Elle James, Tessa Dare, Elizabeth Lowell and Heather Graham are included in this prize package!!!
I'll choose a winner 


BLURB

A kidnapping offers an FBI agent a second chance at redemption in Elle James's Covert Cowboys, Inc. miniseries.
After witnessing the murder of his partner, former FBI agent Zach Adams suffers the weight of his own guilt. An unexpected assignment hunting down the members of the Texas gang responsible—who have kidnapped a local woman—could offer long-awaited revenge.

Zach understands the danger of tracking the cartel, but it's his desire for the sister of the missing person that he fails to anticipate. Determined to find her twin, Jacie Kosart is as strong-willed as she is alluring. But when Zach's ruthless search for the kidnappers lands Jacie in the crosshairs of deadly enemies, Zach realizes he'll risk everything to keep her alive…even if it means confronting the demons of his own past.

EXCERPT

“Yeah, but not only are they putting themselves and the horses in danger, they’re putting the two of us at risk as well.” Jacie hesitated. “Come to think of it, maybe we should head back while there’s still enough light to climb the trail out of the canyon.”
Tracie sighed. “I was hoping you’d say that. I don’t want you to get hurt out here.”
“Me? I was more concerned about you. You haven’t been in saddle much since you joined the FBI.”
“You’re right, of course.” She smiled at Jacie. “Let’s get out of here.”
“Agreed. Let them be stupid. We don’t have to be.” Jacie turned her horse back the way they’d come and had taken the lead when the sharp report of gunfire echoed off the canyon walls.
“What the hell?” Jacie’s horse spun beneath her and it was all she could do to keep her balance.
Aramis reared. Tracie planted her feet hard in the stirrups and leaned forward, holding on until the gelding dropped to all four hooves.
More gunfire ensued followed by the pounding of hooves, the sound growing louder as it neared them.
Tracie yelled, “Go, Jacie. Get out of the canyon!”
Jacie didn’t hesitate, nor did her horse. She dug her heals into D’Artagnan’s flanks, sending him flying along the trail. She headed back the way they’d come, her horse skimming over the rocky ground, his head stretched forward, nostrils flared.
Before they’d gone a hundred yards, Rocky, the gelding Mr. Jones had been riding, raced past them, eyes wide, sweat lathered on both sides, sporting an empty saddle, no Mr. Jones. Rocky hit the trailhead leading out of the canyon, scrambling up the slope.
Jacie dared to glance over her shoulder.
Mr. Smith emerged from the fork in the canyon trail, yelling at Ginger, kicking her hard. Both leaned forward, racing for their lives.


Below is an image of the 4 books in the Covert Cowboys Inc Series


Monday, July 01, 2013

TRIGGERED Release Day Giveaway!

Quilt Lady is the winner of this prize package. Congratulations!
TRIGGERED
Covert Cowboys Inc, Book #1
To protect their future, a Texas bodyguard must revisit his past

After taking justice into his own hands, Austin police officer Ben Harding faces an unknown future. But a new job referral carries the possibility of salvation. His mission seems simple: protect a woman and her young daughter—recent residents of the Flying K Ranch who have become the target of threats.

When Ben meets Kate Langsdon, he is immediately struck by her beauty…and by the memories of the tragedies that touched his own family. Resolved not to become emotionally invested, Ben protects the pair as new dangers—and old ranch secrets—emerge. As enemies draw closer, can Ben keep this family alive long enough to explore a future with Kate?

!!!!!PRIZE ALERT!!!!!!!!!

Leave a comment on why you love cowboys for your chance to win the following prize package:
Cowboy Brigade by Elle James
Her Cowboy Avenger by Kerry Connor
Thunder Horse Redemption by Elle James
Michael by Lisa Renee Jones
Lotsa Swag!




Monday, June 24, 2013

DEJA VOODOO Release Day! Giveaway!

 REGINA ROSS Is the winner of the !!!!! PRIZE ALERT!!!!!
You have 48 hours to contact me to claim your prize. Hurry!
 
See all the books I'm giving away at the bottom of this post. 
Leave a comment to enter and maybe you'll win!


 

 
Book #3 CAJUN MAGIC Series
Entangled Publishing
A little magic goes a long way…
Alexandra Belle Boyette is closing in on the big 3-0 and her mama has made it her mission to marry her off. In the tiny town of Bayou Miste, deep in the Louisiana swamps, finding suitable hubby material can be a challenge—and Alex would rather not rely on magical spells to do the trick. But there is a sexy new man in town who might fit the bill...
Ed Marceaux is in Bayou Miste to safeguard a key witness to a Louisiana Mafia murder. He must keep an eye out for suspicious characters—but the place seems to be full of them! What could be stranger than a woman dressed in a sexy nightgown chasing a naked man down the street? The enchantingly gorgeous Alex Boyette certainly makes it worth his while to find out…
Add a Voodoo spell gone wrong, and voila! madness—and love—ensues.

Excerpt

Bayou Miste, Louisiana

She flung her hand out, bouncing it off the empty pillow beside her. The velvet pouch bumped against her fingers.

“Sport?”

After a brief pause, a cold, wet nose poked up over the side of the bed.

“I’m so lucky to have you.” She ran her hand over his velvety snout. A long tongue snaked out and licked her fingers.

Sport was always there for her without being annoying or obsessive. She shivered. She’d had her share of boyfriends and stalkers. She’d rather remain celibate than go through that again.

But deep down, she ached for that closeness. And hell, she hadn’t had sex since Theo, and that hadn’t been stellar, she wondered if she remembered how to have good sex. Was she going to die one of those frigid old maids destined to read erotic romance novels to get her jollies?

I’m pathetic.

And her mother would drive her stark-raving mad if she didn’t quit shoving fresh meat at her every chance she got. “Oh, Sport, I wish you were a man. That would solve all my problems.” She settled against her pillow and closed her eyes. “It would take a lot of magic to get my mother to back off. I’m not even sure having my own choice of a boyfriend will satisfy the woman.” She yawned and snuggled in, pulling the comforter up to her chin to ward off the chill of the air conditioner.

As she drifted into a half-awake, half-asleep state, the bed sank down on the far side. Sport had leaped up beside her. Too tired to tell him to get down, she gave up and let go.

A thrumming sound filled her dreams, building into a full bass echo of drums. Somewhere in the back of her sleep-numbed mind, she recognized the drums as those that played at the Voodoo ceremonies Madame LeBieu conducted on those rare occasions when a little extra oomph was needed to initiate one of her spells.
Just as Alex succumbed to oblivion, an eerie chant echoed through her head. Wishes come true. Wishes come true. Wishes come true.

She sighed and gave in to the magic.

If only wishes really came true.

~*~*~*~*~*~* 
Book #1 Cajun Magic Series
VOODOO ON THE BAYOU


Book #2 Cajun Magic Series
VOODOO FOR TWO

Leave a comment telling me what you like best about Louisiana. Voodoo, bayous, alligators, cuisine, New Orleans, French Quarter, Mardi Gras? You name it and you might win the following prize!

!!!!! PRIZE ALERT!!!!!
 
 

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Book and a Bug Day #1 PRIZE

In honor of the release of VOODOO FOR TWO (Book #2 in the CAJUN MAGIC Series), I'm running a week-long contest giving away a BOOK AND A BUG each day and a bigger prize package on Day #7. Since I got a late start today, I'll pick a winner tomorrow at noon!

For today's contest, LIKE my ELLE JAMES Facebook Author Fan Page and I'll draw my winner from my ELLE JAMES FAN PAGE Likes.

Here's the prize you could win: A signed copy of THE WITCH'S INITIATION, a note pad, pen and Frog socks (as a cute reminder of VOODOO ON THE BAYOU, Book # 1 in the CAJUN MAGIC series.)
******PRIZE ALERT!!!!*****


~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~


BLURB
Be careful what you wish for…
 
Determined to marry the most eligible bachelor in the parish to save her family, Lucie LeBieu turns a “love bug” loose to cast its Voodoo spell. What she doesn’t count on is hitting two targets—the golden boy congressional candidate and her Cajun-hot ex. To set things right, she must undo the spell before she falls into bed—and back in love—with a certain down and dirty heartbreakin' cop or breaks another man's heart.
 
Undercover investigator Ben Boyette is back in Louisiana on special assignment when he runs across his old flame, brewing up trouble as usual. But when hometown threats turn deadly, Lucie's life is on the line. Determined to protect both her and his politician assignment from falling victim to a murderer, Ben finds that he's the one who's falling hard for the irresistible bayou temptress.


 


Monday, April 29, 2013

VOODOO FOR TWO Release Day!


 
Book #2 CAJUN MAGIC Series
Entangled Publishing
Be careful what you wish for…

Determined to marry the most eligible bachelor in the parish to save her family, Lucie LeBieu turns a “love bug” loose to cast its Voodoo spell. What she doesn’t count on is hitting two targets—the golden boy congressional candidate and her Cajun-hot ex. To set things right, she must undo the spell before she falls into bed—and back in love—with a certain down and dirty heartbreakin' cop or breaks another man's heart.

Undercover investigator Ben Boyette is back in Louisiana on special assignment when he runs across his old flame, brewing up trouble as usual. But when hometown threats turn deadly, Lucie's life is on the line. Determined to protect both her and his politician assignment from falling victim to a murderer, Ben finds that he's the one who's falling hard for the irresistible bayou temptress.


Excerpt
Bayou Miste, Louisiana

Nothing was blacker than nighttime deep in the swamps. Stars couldn’t penetrate the cypress canopy laden with long tendrils of Spanish moss dripping down over land and water. Silence reigned as if all the creatures of the murky waters and dense underbrush held their breaths for something—a cue, a signal, a happening—

A drum thrummed to life, stirring the night air in an ancient rhythm. The gentle sway of a breeze wafted through the gossamer moss, dancing in time to the placid swishing, lulling the insects and
frogs into song.

“Breathe the air, touch the earth, stir the waters, and play with fire.”

Just when Lucie LeBieu thought she couldn’t stand still for another moment, the scrape of a match cut across the calm hum of the night. Bright flame slashed through the darkness, illuminating the faces of three women standing in a circle.

This dark and mysterious place in the midst of the Atchafalaya Basin, on the edge of Bayou Miste, just happened to be home to Lucie, her twin sister Lisa, and her grandmother, the locally infamous Madame LeBieu, Voodoo queen of the surrounding bayous.

“Do you feel de rhythm of de night?” Mamère LeBieu’s voice caressed the darkness, the sound an extension of the drum’s beat.

Lucie shifted, not liking the creepy feeling she always got when her family did these kinds of things. “Gran, this is silly.”

“Shh!” The older woman, dressed in a flowing red caftan, set the flame to a fat candle, then an incense stick, and placed them on the ground at the center of the circle. “We must commune with nature, become one wit’ de power, de energy present in de darkness.” Her grandmother’s accent was as thick as the humid air and tepid waters of Bayou Miste. Lisa and Lucie had been raised in New York City for the first eight years of their lives. Any accent they might have acquired in Louisiana since then was out of pure self-preservation, and it wasn’t anything to talk about, in their grandmother’s book.

“Feel de magick ,” her grandmother insisted, tipping her face back as if soaking in the moonlight that wasn’t visible through the canopy of trees.

Mamère, I never do it right.” She tried to shake off the sense of impending doom.

A hand reached out and pinched her arm. “Shut up and listen, Sis,” her twin grumbled. “Can’t you feel it? It’s hot, alive, and sensuous.”

“Lisa! Dis is not da time,” Mamère LeBieu admonished.

Lisa snorted, but kept any further comments to herself.

Lucie stood still, closed her eyes, and tried.

She really tried, but all she got out of the beating drums, the chirping crickets, and the croaking frogs was a healthy case of the heebie-jeebies. “It’s no use. I’m not cut out for this Voodoo
nonsense.”

“It isn’t nonsense, Lucie,” Lisa said. “I’ve used it to get guys all hot and bothered on several occasions and it worked great.” “You don’t need potions to get guys all hot and bothered,
Sis. I’m just not cut out to do this. I mess it up every time.” Lucie slumped.

“Den be quiet while I work de magick,” her grandmother demanded.

When Mamère LeBieu took that tone, Lucie obeyed. The woman didn’t get angry often, but when she did, woe be unto whoever roused her ire. The woman had a wicked mean streak.

Though Lucie didn’t believe in her own version of Voodoo, she’d seen what a dose of Mamère’s special powder could produce. Maurice Saulnier had the wickedest itch a man could have for two
solid weeks after he’d trampled Mamère LeBieu’s favorite azalea bush.

She itched just thinking about it.

“Ezili Freda Daome, goddess of love and all that is beautiful, listen to our prayers, accept our offerings, and enter into our arms, legs, and hearts.”
“Here we go,” Lucie muttered. “Another spell.” She exhaled a long breath. Why couldn’t she have been born into a normal family, with normal parents and grandparents?

Her grandmother swayed with the candle’s flame.

“Goddess of light and stars from above,
Help dose who lost de way to love.
Grant dem de courage to open de heart
De intelligence dey need to make a new start
De humility to admit when dey been wrong
De determination dey need when dey mus’ be strong.
Ezili Freda Daome, goddess of light
Bring dis misguided woman de love tonight.”

Lucie backed away from the circle, holding up her hands, anger swirling in her gut. “You did not just work a love spell on me. Tell me you didn’t, Gran.”

“What do you care?” Lisa taunted. “You don’t believe all that Voodoo anyway. You said you didn’t.”

“I don’t believe in mine, but Mamère’s is a whole different pot of trouble. And it’s the principle of it. I don’t want to fall in love.” Lucie crossed her arms over her chest and glared at her grandmother.

~*~*~*~*~*~* 
Book #1 Cajun Magic Series
VOODOO ON THE BAYOU

Voodoo on the Bayou
Entangled Publishing
Feb 2013


 


Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Whistler Canada!

June 2012
I love to travel and take pictures of the gorgeous places I've been. Last year, my husband and I took a 5-week driving trip in a motorhome to Alaska and back to Arkansas. In all we went about 10,000 miles! Woot! One of our stops along the way was Whistler Canada. We spent a couple days in June in Whistler, loving every moment. Saw bears, road the gondolas peak to peak and enjoyed the beauty of British Columbia.  We liked it so much we decided to give it a try in the winter.
March 2013

So here we are! Well, it's supposed to be spring, but someone forgot to tell the weatherman. My husband is loving the ski slopes while I'm back in the room writing. I hope to ski next year, but definitely need to get in better shape before then! I got out early this morning to capture the lights in the snow. So pretty!

Wednesday, January 02, 2013

Blogging and PRIZES!!!


Harlequin Nocturne Cravings releases two titles a month. In January, my release month mate is the fabulous Jessa Slade.
The Witch's Seduction by Elle James ~*~*~*~ A Little Night Muse by Jessa Slade 

A Little Night Muse by Jessa Slade  The Witch's Seduction Elle James
We're touring the blogosphere together, talking about heroes and monsters and more! Don't our covers look gorgeous together? You can follow along for a chance to win great prizes. Here's our schedule

Jan 2: Good Choice Reading -http://www.goodchoicereading.com/
Jan 3: Simply Ali - http://www.simplyali.com/
Jan 4: Tea & Book - http://teaandbook-shauni.blogspot.com/
Jan 7: My Bookish Ways - http://www.mybookishways.com/
Jan 8: Book Reading Gals - http://thebookreadinggals.com/
Jan 9: Unwrapping Romance - http://unwrappingromance.blogspot.com/
Jan 10: Bodice Rippers, Femme Fatales & Fantasy - http://bodicerippers-shauni.blogspot.com/
Jan 11: Harlequin Paranormal blog - http://paranormalromanceblog.com/

Copy these links to stay on track for a chance to win great prizes!


We're touring the blogosphere together, talking about heroes and monsters and more! Don't our covers look gorgeous together? You can follow along for a chance to win great prizes. Here's our schedule (permalinks will be added as each post goes live January 2-January 11):

We have giveaways at each stop PLUS a couple great grand prizes:
Jessa's Prize Tote  Elle's Prize Tote
Jessa's Prize Tote: A Darynda Jones tote with goodies and signed books from Laurie London, Alexandra Ivy, Linnea Sinclair, Jenna Black and Shayla Black plus a download of Jessa's first Steel Born book, Dark Hunter's Touch Elle's Prize Tote: Goodies plus books from Karen Rose, Jayne Ann Krentz, Dee Davis, and Jo Ann Ferguson plus a signed copy of Elle's The Witch's Initiation
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

HOT DEMON NIGHTS Prize Offering!

WINNER -  BLOG PRIZE - WINNER
CRYSTAL816
WINNER  WINNER WINNER WINNER WINNER WINNER
In honor of the May 1st release of HOT DEMON NIGHTS, my first Nocturne Cravings novella, I'm sponsoring a contest. I'm giving away a bag of my books, both from my ELLE JAMES pen name and my sexier MYLA JACKSON pen name.

All you have to do is leave a comment on this blog telling me what your favorite paranormal creature is. I'll select a winner on May 7th. Be sure to check back at my blog to see if you're the winner.

HOT DEMON NIGHTS isn't much of a stretch from either of my pen names. I've written paranormal for Harlequin Intrigue and Nocturne Bites and I've written paranormal stories as Myla Jackson.

What's different about HOT DEMON NIGHTS is that it's written in 1st person from the point of view of my kick-ass heroine KATYA DANSKE.

HOT DEMON NIGHTS



Tired of being taken for granted because of her looks, determined rooky Paranormal Investigative Agent teams with a sexy, womanizing demon to catch a zombie-generating fiend before he destroys Manhattan.

She didn't ask for the job, it landed in her lap, literally. Rookie cop and budding paranorm butt-kicker, KATYA DANSE, becomes a member of the Lower Manhattan order of the Paranormal Investigation Team (PIT). This elite group of multi-skilled law enforcers is tasked with keeping peace between the human and otherkin inhabitants of Manhattan. Katya never knew she had special skills until a flesh-eating zombie fell in her lap from the second story of her apartment building and she promptly lopped its head off. The rest is history. From rookie cop to PIT crew, she's sniffing out zombies and tracking down rogue demons, vampires and were-creatures for a living, counting the days until her next vacation away from NYC and the beings crawling out of the gutters. Nicked-named Iceman for her ability to cut a man's ego down in a single word, Katya has never met a demon she can trust. The last thing she needs is a smart-ass demon dogging her every step, especially one with mind-melding gazes and sex-appeal that could corrupt even the most heart-hardened PIT crew.

BLAISE MICHAELS, one of the few paranorms recruited as part of the select PIT crew, arranges to team with Katya to discover the source of a fresh outbreak of zombification and nip it in the bud. Not only is he interested in the challenge of awakening Katya's inner demon, he knows their adversary is dangerous, beyond even their initial indications. Forced into close proximity, Katya's and Blaise's investigation takes them into the darkest, dirtiest shadows of the Manhattan underworld, pitting their superhuman skills against a barrage of creatures fighting for survival and domination in a world most humans will never know exists. As their investigation intensifies, so too does the heat between them, fire melting ice, a combustible outcome sure to ensue.

PRIZE! PRIZE!  PRIZE! PRIZE!  PRIZE! PRIZE!  PRIZE! 
PRIZE! PRIZE!  PRIZE! PRIZE!  PRIZE! PRIZE!  PRIZE!

Saturday, April 14, 2012

Living Vicariously

I have to admit...I live vicariously through my children. Especially through my youngest daughter who just embarked on her "college career". I don't get this "college career" phrase (but that's another rant). I remember my college days and the fun that I had partying, meeting new people and learning about life and transitioning from child to adult in a somewhat protected and cushioned environment with the safety net of my family behind me.

I think we all like to live vicariously through others. If not through our children, then through reading about other people's lives in the newspaper, on television and through the books we read. It's a great way to get out of your own rut and ride the roller coast of another existence. You picture yourself in the minds, hearts and settings of the people you read about.

As I listen to my daughter's accounts of her adventures on campus, I imagine myself there as a nineteen-year-old with the world at my feet.When I read about someone climbing Mt. Everest and the trials and tribulations of the climb, I can feel the cold permeating my skin, the wind stinging my face, my muscles aching from the strain of the ascent. When Harry Potter came out, I was Harry, Ron and Hermione meeting challenges, learning who I was and growing.


Do you live vicariously? If what was your most recent trip into another person's life? Share with me.

Wednesday, April 04, 2012

Pet Toy Addiction

Do you have a pet? A dog or a cat that keeps you company, gives you companionship, is there when you need a silent (sometimes not so silent) friend? I have two little dogs. In my transition from mom of three children to empty-nester, I knew something about myself. I NEED to be needed. Now I have two small dogs. And let me tell you...dogs NEED you to need them. They are always there to greet me when I come home. They follow me around the house and sit close by when I'm working. They are always happy with whatever I fix them for dinner and come lounge with me in my lounge chair. I LOVE my little dogs. And just like when my children were little, I can't pass the toy aisle without glancing at the toys they might enjoy. Dog toy aisle, that is! So now I have a dog toy addiction. If not for the firm "no" of my husband, I'd bring home a toy every time I go to the store. My Yorkie loves the ones that squeak. My Malti-poo turns her nose up in disdain (I think she's really a cat deep down inside).

Do you have a pet? Or did you when you were a child? Tell me about them. I remember each of mine and mourn their losses, just like family. Because that is what they are.

Saturday, March 03, 2012

Looking Forward to Vacation in St. Thomas!

Spring Break in the Virgin Islands! This will be my first trip to the Virgin Islands and I can't wait. We'll be staying on St. Thomas and hope to do so much while we're there. We want to snorkel, swim with the turtles, explore, laze on the beach, drink banana daiquiris and of course, take a ferry across to St John. What fun things do you have planned for Spring Break?

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

My Winter Vacation to Sun Valley, Idaho

It was a doozy!
Been a heck of a couple weeks. Fell on my face on the ski slopes (standing still, no less), earning a trip down the mountain in a basket. Was told by the ER Dr. that I strained my knee, spent that week holed up in my hotel room while family skied. Got home to my own DR. had an MRI found a torn ACL. No wonder it wasn't getting better. Set me up with a brace and physical therapy and a trip to ultrasound where they discovered a blood clot/deep vein thrombosis. Talk about freak! So now I'm hobbling around with a brace, getting blood thinner shots twice daily and wondering if today will be my last...Helluva a couple of weeks, but the sun is shining and we're under a winter storm watch so things are looking up! Snort! Cough! Cough! Hope your week is better... Mine really isn't that bad. I'm feeling okay.
 The pictures are of the mountain rescue team that brought me the rest of the way down the mountain in a basket. Cute and good at what they do. I'll be writing them into one of my books soon.

Sunday, October 09, 2011

Lions, Tigers & Bears Writer's Weekend

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Spent the weekend with writer friends in Northwest Arkansas. First night was at the Crescent Hotel in Eureka Springs, where we had a wonderful 5-course meal, then joined the nightly ghost tour of the hotel. Ended the tour in the morgue (basement).

We attended the Ozark Creative Writing Conference where we were listened to David Morrell (Rambo's creator). What an interesting man and so informative and likeable.



Friday and Saturday night we spent at the Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in the safari guest cabins. The refuge is doing great things for the wonderful animals who live there--Lions, Tigers, Bears, Cougars, Leopards, Bobcats, Servals. See the video my friend Shayla Kersten made of feeding time with one of the white tigers Zeus.

Visit their website to learn more about the animals and the people who make it possible and see what you can do to help out.