Archive for February, 2010

I’m working on my next Last Call Europe book Dog Sled at the moment, after that it’s back to the Hades Helmet world and beyond that Tartan and *holds head* soooo many project. I still have to write the next Pixie book (there’s like 5 books in the series) anyway but something tugged at my mind now that the LRC Awards are over. Promo and the impact on authors in contests and sales.

I have questions for you wonderful, lovely, patient readers. Answer a few questions and you could win a mini cooler bag of goodies and books that I got at the Authors After Dark Con and chocolate!

So here goes:

1) How much promo is too much? Example: Seeing an author’s name and promo for the same book every day on every loop you belong to -vs- Seeing an author’s name once and promo for certain time period.

2) How do you hear about info about your fav author(s)? Website? Newsletter? Publisher site? Yahoo group? Facebook? My Space? Ning? Twitter?

3) How do you connect with your fav author(s)? On a blog? Website? Yahoo/Google Groupe? Facebook? My Space? Twitter?

4) Do you vote when your author is up for an award or best book? (If voting is allowed)

5) Do reviews sway whether or not you’ll buy a book?

6) If an author wins an award, does that make you want to check them out if you haven’t already done so?

7) Do you read reviews? What if the review was from a big name author?

8 ) Does a publisher’s reputation make you want to buy books from them?

9) How much does cover art play into you checking out a new author? How much does bad cover art pique your curiosity about a book? Does bad cover art cause you to turn away from the book? Do you prefer photo cover art or digital (Daz, Poser, etc.)?

10) Coupons: Do you love them? Use them or would you prefer a discount in the first week of sales?

11) Do you check out publisher days on Yahoo Loops? Do you attended publisher chats?

12) Do you wait to buy a book when it’s on sale?

13) Do you enter contests hoping to win books? Do you read the books you win?

14) Authors: Promo companies love em or hate em or are indifferent?

15) Do you enjoy “cyber signings”? Public “live” signings?

16) Do you follow, or paticipate in/with, blog tours?

Q. Today we’re going to be interviewing Lady Kett Almet, heroine of Mad, Bad & Dangerous. Hello, your ladyship.

A. Don’t call me Ladyship, you fucking moron.

Q. Er, okay. What would you prefer?

A. Kett. My name is Kett. Kett Almet.

Q. But isn’t your father Tyrnan of Emreland, the Earl of Nirya?

A. So they tell me. Look, he only got that title ‘cos he married a princess, and that happened when I was a teenager. So I don’t get a title.

Q. But your half-siblings do?

A. (Frosty look.)

Q. Okay then. Can you tell me a little about what you do for a living, your la…er, Kett?

A. I train dragons.

Q. To do what?

A. To not blow my head off, that’s what. To not eat me. To fly where I want them to.

Q. So you ride dragons?

A. (Barely patient look.) No, no one rides dragons. They fly at several hundred miles an hour. You have to be protected in a carefully constructed toughened leather cabin. Piloting them is very dangerous, difficult, and not a job for the faint-hearted. Or the sane.

Q. Which I guess describes you. Where do you live?

A. In a stone cabin in the mountains of the Northern Province.

Q. Cosy. Do you live there alone?

A. No, I live with Jarven. Before you ask, no, he’s not my boyfriend. He’s more of a…mentor. Big brother. Something like that.

Q. Do you have a boyfriend?

A. (Sighs.) No. I have a Bael.

Q. Er, what’s a Bael?

A. It’s a highly immature, feckless playboy Nasc who follows me around trying to convince me I’m his mate. Which I so am not. If I was going to be mated to anyone, which I’m not, then he wouldn’t be insane and sex-obsessed.

Q. Sex-obsessed?

A. (Pause) I guess that’s not his worst quality.

Q. Okay. Let’s stick to some standard questions.

Where were you 3 hours ago?

A. Hanging naked from the roof of a cave, my wrist bound to that of a totally naked man. Who’s actually pretty hot. Even if he is a feckless playboy.

Q. Have you ever eaten a crayon?

A. Quite probably. When I was first human (LONG story), I didn’t know what was food and what wasn’t. I’m pretty sure I once ate a roll of bandages.

Q. Is there anything pink within 10 feet of you?

A. Yes. The intimate organs of the man I’ve just woken up with.

Q. Are you wearing socks right now?

A. I’m not wearing anything right now.

Q. What’s the strangest talent you have?

A. I can take on any shape. Beat that.

Q. Are you hot?

A. No, actually, I’m bloody freezing.

Q. What was the last thing you had to drink?

A. I remember drinking beer at the Maharaja’s palace. Possibly, since then, I’ve drunk something with hallucinogens in it.

Q. When is the last time you ran?

A. About three hours ago, shortly after waking up in the cave.

Q. What’s the last sporting event you watched?

A. Does watching trainee knights run away from dragons count?

Q. What is your favorite animal?

A. Well, my sisters have a series of housepets they seem to fiind it amusing to name after me, but really I prefer dragons. We get on fairly well, even if they do try to turn me into a bonfire fairly often.

Q. Last person’s house you were in?

A. The Maharaja of Pradesh. He hired me to perform tricks for his daughter’s wedding. I personally think watching someone change her shape for twenty minutes is boring, but hey, he was paying me.

Q. Worst injury you’ve ever had?

A. Probably when the saber-toothed tiger ripped out my hamstring. Or possibly when I was shot–it didn’t hurt so much, but it did kill me. It’s s toss-up.

Q. Have you been in love?

A. No. Married, yes; love, no.

Q. What is your secret weapon to lure in the opposite sex?

A. I’m a shapeshifter. I can make any shape I want. Think about that.

Q. What are your plans for tonight?

A. I’m planning on finding some clothes, some food, the name of the guy next to me, and where the hell I am.

Q. Next trip you are going to take?

A. Home. I am damn well going home.

Q. Were you an honor roll student in school?

A. I was voted most likely to go to jail, go insane, or get killed. So far, I’ve fulfilled at least two of them, and I’m not at all sure about the third.

Q. What do you want to know about the future?

A. Whether it includes clothes. I’m bloody freezing.

Q. Are you wearing any perfume or cologne?

A. I’m wearing mud, sweat, and blood.

Q. Where is your best friend?

A. Jarven probably qualifies. I’ve known him since I was eight. I’d imagine he’s at home, probably throwing charcoal to the dragons. Lucky bastard.

Q. What are you listening to right now?

A. The forest, and the footsteps of something I’m reasonably sure wants to kill me.

Q. Do you collect anything?

A. Scars. Enemies. Prison records.

Q. Who is the biggest gossiper you know?

A. My stepmother. She’s sweet, but my gods she’s nosy.

Q. Last time you got stopped by a cop or pulled over?

A. About a week ago. Apparently public nudity is a crime these days.

Q. Last time you took a shower?

A. Sometime before I was abducted and strung up by my wrist, etc etc.

Q. What is your heritage?

A. My father is the son of an Anglish earl. He owns the whole of Emreland. My mother was a circus shapeshifter who died when I was young. Nobody knows anything more about her. I was raised in an orphanage. My father’s best friend turned out to be his sister; her lover Striker is a schoolmate who was isolated for a dozen years and went batshit crazy with power. The bastard is a great drinking partner, though.

Q. Are you rich?

A. There’s a fair amount in the bank, but I’ve got little use for it.

Q. What were you doing at 12AM last night?

A. Getting my wrist cut open in a ritual. Apparently.

Q. Is there one thing all of your love interests have had in common?

A. They’re all very bad for me.

Q. What was your childhood nickname?

A. I had about a hundred. ‘Mad Kett’ was about the nicest.

Q. How many drinks does it take before you get drunk?

A. Many. Many, many, many. Striker has this stuff that can make you comatose from one sip (he drinks it by the bottle; I’ve managed a whole shot before passing out). I suspect I may have drunk a bottle last night.


Mad, Bad and Dangerous by Cat Marsters OUT NOW at Ellora’s Cave!

http://www.jasminejade.com/ps-8185-50-mad-bad-dangerous.aspx

Blurb:
Once every ten years Orion is let down from the heavens to explore the mortal world below. On his last sojourn he encountered a woman unlike any he has ever known. Despite their passion and growing emotional connection he had to let her go. Now the time has come for another trip to the mortal plane and this time he wants to be with his woman, the gods be damned.

The question is after ten years and an abrupt good-bye will she still want him?

Buy Link:
http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-orionsstar-410166-140.html

Excerpt:
“Oh, powerful and almighty, Zeus, I beg a word please.” Artemis fought not to roll her eyes as another giggle erupted from the blonde on her father’s lap. A groan followed the laughter and Artemis had to keep from shouting at her father to stop playing with his current flavors of the week and listen to her but she was not a child and she did have manners. Sometimes. Artemis resisted the urge to grit her teeth as the fondling continued this time with his hand caressing the groin of one of his new male servants.
“That’s it,” Artemis muttered before she strode forward, yanked the blonde off of his lap and pushed the man away. “Both of you, out of the room now,” she growled.
She released the wrist of the woman and watched them scurry out of the room.
“Artie, that wasn’t very nice,” Zeus pouted. He picked up a goblet only to scowl. “I need more ambrosia. Where is that…oh, yes, you sent him away.”
The god glared at her and she glared right back. She didn’t request that he stop calling her that. Instead she let it pass. For now. “Father, I must insist that if you care at all for Hera’s, feelings you won’t do this.”
She waved her hand in the air trying to find the words.
“Do what? Enjoy myself?” He got up, leaned over the table and poured himself more ambrosia. Zeus sat back down and looked up at her. His bright blue eyes sparkled with untold mischief. Artemis shook her head. He will never learn. She sighed aloud.
“I didn’t come here to fight. I actually came here to ask a favor. I just don’t think you’d understand.”
Artemis turned to walk away when Zeus called out stopping her. “Don’t go Artie, come, come sit down next to me, tell me what is you think I won’t understand.”
She sighed and made her way around the table. The only seat next to him was one on a low stool. With great reluctance she sank down to find the seat hard and uncomfortable.
“Talk to me.” Zeus made a rolling motion with his hand as he took a sip from his goblet.
“Um, well, as you know father, I have a great fondness for Orion.”
“Yes, I know. What do you want me to do with him?” He peered at her with intense interest which caused her to squirm a bit.
“I would like to reward him with a second chance at life. I want you to send him back down to Earth.” She watched many emotions flit across his face before his features became serious.
“I can’t do that.” Zeus returned his focus to the banquet laid out on the table before him and began gathering food for his plate.
“What do you mean, can’t?” Artemis demanded.
“He’s a part of the sky, Artie. I can’t just pluck him down from the heavens and make him human again. People would notice. He’s a constellation now. Besides that he has two week vacation coming up. He gets those every ten years. Why can’t he just keep doing those?”
“I don’t think that’s enough for him. It’s torture for him to get a taste of a life he can’t truly have. You pluck people off the runways of Milan and street corners of New York. Olympus is now filled with mortals you’ve fancied and yet you can’t give one man another chance at life? You could always give him a new body, just take down his consciousness and put it in the new form,” Artemis pointed out.
“Well, Pygmalion, has just made up some new clay that he’s been dying to try out.” Zeus stroked his beard. “How about this, he takes his two week vacation and if he chooses to stay, he can.”
Artemis stood up. “Thank you father. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll send your, erm, company back to you.”

http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-orionsstar-410166-140.html

When Selena kindly invited me to her blog to talk about my latest release, Guitar Man, I began to look for ways to connect it to Valentine’s Day – something more than the obvious fact that it’s a romance! And I thought that, aside from his inconvenient possession by an evil spirit, my hero, Chris, would make a great Valentine’s Day partner – he’s fun, good-looking, sexy, would take you out for dinner, seduce you with romantic music and song…

I remembered my initial inspiration for Chris, a rather charming, blond, Irish busker I saw once in Italy, playing his guitar and singing outside a church. He had amazing blue eyes and a dazzling smile which he bestowed on all who caught his roving attention – including me. My story formed itself around him – or at least my idea of him which was pure imagination for I never even spoke to him!

I do know other musicians, though. In fact, I’ve lived with one for nearly twenty years, and inevitably bits of him crept into Chris too. I even dedicated the story to him – “my own Guitar Man” – who, apart from everything else, is the reason I can and do write. So here’s my day after Valentine’s Day toast.

To my real Guitar Man, a true, free spirit – musician, poet, photographer, computer geek, bon viveur and player of games – my friend and companion, the father of my children and the love of my life. My husband.
How’s that for romantic?

And here’s a little more romance, from Guitar Man, the book

Ellie’s a powerful psychic who can’t seem to hold onto her man. When she’s dumped at the altar—again—she swears off men and takes her wounded heart to Scotland, where she promptly runs into the best-ever one-night stand from her past, sexy, adventurous busker Chris.

Chris is as hot—and as good in bed—as he was when they first met. But something’s different now, something that changes him into a terrifying threat all her psychic abilities can’t overcome. Now it’s up to Ellie—free Chris from the evil possessing him, and claim him as her own.

Adjusting to the dark, I was sure I could make out relief in his eyes. Certainly, they began to smile again, along with his lips. “In that case, do you want to go out?”
I frowned. “Go out where?”
“You can choose,” he said dryly and I understood. Although the blood rushed through my body and into my neck and face, somewhere, I wanted to laugh.

“You mean like a date?”
“Dating, stepping out, courting, whatever…wynching, they say in Glasgow.”

“Wynching?” I repeated with a mixture of fascination and distaste.

“Don’t dodge the question.”
“I’m not,” I protested, not quite truthfully, for I had no idea what to answer, what I wanted to answer. “I’m just struggling to believe you are asking me out on a date. Considering our past…” No point in ignoring it. We’d had one wild, naughty time, no doubt far wilder and naughtier than if we had ever planned to see each other again.

“Well considering our past, it seems an even better idea.” His hand came up, touched my hair, my cheek, so lightly that I shivered. “Ellie, you were the best fuck I ever had, but I never knew you. I’d like to.”

Gasping, I caught at his hand, pressing it to my cheek without meaning to. “Was I really?” I whispered.

Silent laughter shook his shoulders. “By a mile. Come on, let’s do it properly, drinks, theatre, dinner…I’ll call you.”

I said breathlessly, “All right.”

My whole body burned. I didn’t really know why. Lust, certainly, but something else I thought might be embarrassment.

Chris smiled. “Kiss me good night, then.”

I lifted my face mutely, lips already parted. Relief and anticipation flooded me as he took me loosely into his arms and bent his head. God, I remembered his kisses, I remembered them so well and this afternoon seemed to have rekindled my short but intense addiction to them. Oh yes, this afternoon had been sweet…
And the morning terrifying. For a moment I froze with the memory, with the vision of Chris as he had been then, violent, crude, uncaring. Here, in the dark, how could I tell the real Chris from whatever demon possessed him? What if we were wrong and it wasn’t tied to the house at all? Would I be lucky enough to escape it a second time?

His eyes seemed to glitter as they came nearer. In fresh panic, I realized I didn’t actually know Chris very much better than I knew “it”. And yet I wanted his kiss, I wanted it so badly I’d risk the demon.

My lips actually trembled and then his warm mouth covered them, brushing, stroking, sinking. That’s how I know. No one kisses like Chris.

I opened for him, touched my tongue to his, felt its long, sliding caress as it twisted around mine. My arms crept around his neck, drawing him closer, remembering the feel of him. It was a long, sweet kiss, full of promise and building passion. Against my stomach, I felt his delicious hardening. His mouth pressed harder too, grew more demanding. His tongue plunged deeper and I was lost. I would have lain in the back seat of the Mini with him. I would have got down and dirty in the gravel. God yes, there was something about Chris!

But just as I moaned and began to writhe against him, he broke the kiss. Though his breathing was uneven, his arms loosened again, holding me only lightly as he touched his forehead to mine.

“Oh Ellie,” he breathed. “It was worth waiting a year for a kiss like that.”
Enchanted, I gave him another, sliding my fingers up through his soft, short hair to pull him closer. His arms tightened around me once more, his hand swept down my back and over my bottom, caressing while drawing me against his crotch. He leaned back against the car door. The feel of his bone-hard cock pressing into me, drove me wilder and as if he sensed it, the hand on my buttock shifted down my thigh, lifting it up and over his hip and I could feel his cock nestling against my soaking pussy. I moaned as his roving hand found its way under my skirt and to my naked leg, caressing up my thigh and inside my panties.

Dragging his mouth free of mine, he groaned, “I have this insane urge to lay you over the bonnet and push my cock right in there…” I gasped as his finger slid through my folds and unerringly found its way inside me for the second time that day. “I don’t care if they’re watching from the window.”
I said shakily, “Then why don’t you?”

VIvian Arend wanted to be Asimov when she grew up. Lexxie Couper wanted to be Stephen King. Somewhere along the way, they both decided to be naughtier than their idols. Much, much naughtier. How naughty can two authors be?

The Story of Vivian and Claiming Derryn….

Space, the final frontier. Into this universe steps a slightly shell-shocked Canadian. What do you mean I have to write a story where no one shifts into some other form? Frick! Drawing on way too many years of Star Trek, (and BTW, I was the one who dreamed up a sexy Spock. He was my boyfriend, damnit all…) and reading Asimov and Clarke under the covers late into the night, a new menace has risen to threaten the galaxy.

Something is rotten in the Space Institute Corp. One of her undercover ships has mutinied. The SIC Nottingham is an unlikely place to find our sexy heroes, but they are there–two of them–waiting to recover their lost heroine so they can save the universe from rogue government, rebels with explosive plots and small furry creatures gone wild. No, they do NOT shift. Pay attention.

Three lovers reunited, a run on the energy market and an evil relative who will make you glad you don’t have to go home for holidays with him. Warning, m/m/f love that is hot enough to cause global warming on any planet.

How many layers of deception are there in space?

Viv:

I’m very excited to be able to have Claiming Derryn available to you. This is my first futuristic novella, my first m/m/f, and my first release from Ellora’s Cave. Claiming Derryn is about three friends–and lovers during their days at the Space Institute–who were suddenly separated. Now rejoined in the midst of a rebel uprising, the lines between the good guys and the bad are extremely blurred. Surviving the situation is the goal, even as they find love. Oh, and if you’ve ever seen Star Trek’s ‘The Trouble with Tribbles’ you’ll understand when I say the ‘sharysa’ are my salute to Star Trek.

It’s a hot, wild ride through the galaxy. Be prepared for a passion that’s out of this world.

Snippet from Claiming Derryn:

They were pains in the ass. How had she put up with them for five years at the Institute? More importantly, how had she ever done without them? She had to guard her heart because there was no way she would to open herself up to the pain of being left alone, no matter what Trev said about loving her. They’d let her down once, they could do it again.

The best defense was offense.
“Take a walk outside, Davis, you’re so full of shit it stinks in here.”

Davis roared with laughter. He smirked at Trev, their elbows jostling together. “She’s obviously learned to relax her rigid sense of propriety a little.”
He really was impossible. “Go to hell.” She turned to look for a sign of which direction to go, anything to escape from here. From them.

“Tsk, tsk, is that anyway to talk to your new commanding officer?”
Melina froze. No way. She sucked in a breath of air and tried to stop the world from spinning. “You?”
Davis nodded. “Me.”
“No fucking way…”
“What? So I’m a little colorful and inventive in my leadership style. I think after you settle in you’ll enjoy working under me.” His eyes flashed dark, his gaze dropping to her breasts. “You’ll enjoy being under me again.”
Melina turned her back on him. Her heart pounded, panic not far away. Adjusting from being alone to having both men reenter her life in less than a day—it wasn’t happening. They pushed buttons she didn’t want to deal with. Trev appeared by her side, sympathy on his face. She wanted to deny the connection between them, ignore the desires rising as each minute passed. Only a whisper made it out. “I need to get back to the War Eagle. I can’t serve with a man who I’ve…that we’ve…”
“Lived with? Had sex with? Oh yeah, we were amazing together, Melina, admit it.” Trev moved closer, his intentional laziness gone, a dangerous spark that trickled heat through her core warning of his intent.

“Trev!” Melina stepped away.
He gave no quarter, circling her slowly in the hallway. To her right, Davis approached like a prowling beast. Trev chuckled, a warm molten sound that hit her in the belly and spread melting fingers through her. “We’ll just have to work at keeping the bedroom and the bridge separated. I was a little surprised myself, but Davis is an excellent captain.”

“I give great oral…direction.” Davis’ husky tones set a shiver down her spine.
She shook her head rapidly in denial. “How can I take orders from a man I’ve seen naked?”
“Naked and aroused.” Trev reminded her, capturing her from behind. He brushed aside her hair and nuzzled her neck. Memories rose of them surrounding her, wrapping her in their fire and desire and passion. Holy hell, she wanted this and dreaded it at the same time.

“Naked, aroused and mighty fine, admit it.” Davis stroked a finger down the placket of her shirt, and heat shot through her core with a rocket’s blaze.
“It’s never happening again,” she swore, clutching her fingers at her sides to stop from reaching for him.

“Never is a long, long time.” Davis stepped forward and claimed her lips in a kiss that ignited her soul. He drew their bodies together, his spicy male scent enveloping her as his hardness took possession of her softness. He forced his tongue past her teeth, pressing rough and fast, twining with her, consuming her. He dragged his fingers through her hair and pinned her between him and Trev, two solid barriers of scorching heat. When he finally released her lips, Melina gasped for air, clutching his uniform for stability. It had always been like that with Davis, a no-holds-barred attack.
Then he reached past her to where Trev suckled on her earlobe, exploring the sensitive tissue of her neck. Grasping the front of his shirt, Davis hauled Trev forward until he hung over Melina’s shoulder. Their mouths met and tongues explored, a kiss as deep and hard as the one Davis had bestowed on her moments earlier. Her pussy clenched as a rush of fluid flooded her body.
“Fuck, that’s hot.” Her heart pounded at the sight of the men together and the heat of passion rising from them, their rigid cocks pressing her on either side. She wanted this—wanted it more than her next breath. Screw the consequences, the backlash from her family and friends. Like any of them cared anymore. Watching the two men she’d always loved kissing for the first time in forever finally set her world back on the right trajectory.
They pulled apart slowly, Davis nipping at Trev’s lip before backing away. He grumbled low in his chest, caressing his thumb over lips swollen from his assault. “I missed you.” His gaze darted to meet Melina’s. “I’ve missed you so much. No more of this stinking talk about never. I want you both back where you belong—at my side and in my bed—and I’m not taking no for an answer.”

The Tale of Lexxie and Timeless Wrath…

Once upon a time there was this little Aussie writer with a very twisted imagination. One night, in a fit of insane inspiration, she wrote a novella called Deadly Sins: Anger. The novella a very dark, twisted, erotic and at times frightening tale was snapped up and published by an American publishing house. It won numerous awards and went totally unread by most of the world. This devastated the little Aussie writer to no end. Deadly Sins: Anger was a good book – a bloody good book. She sulked for many years until one day, she decided the world NEEDED to read the erotic tale of fated love and demonic forces. Plucking up more courage than she thought she had, the little Aussie writer regained publishing rights to her dark, sensual tale, reworked it considerably (including more sex, of course) and sent it to her editor at Ellora’s Cave. Her editor snapped it up immediately, and Deadly Sins: Anger was reborn as Timeless Wrath, a highly erotic novella that comes with the following publisher’s warning: Sex and violence abound in this terrifically intense tale; big-girl pants definitely required.

Anger is a powerful emotion. So is desire. And fear….

Lexxie:

There must be something seriously wrong with me. I love writing stories that are dark and twisted, quite disturbing and full of wild dangerous sex. Enter Timeless Wrath. I wrote Timeless Wrath years ago and it was previously released as a novella called Deadly Sins: Anger. It won numerous awards (including the JERR Silver Star Award) but remained unknown to the reading public. However Evron and Ricki’s tale DEMANDED to be heard and, after quite a lot of rewrites, my most erotic book to date comes to you from Ellora’s Cave.

Timeless Wrath has just about everything you’d expect in a Lexxie Couper book – lots of explosive sex, tormented heroes, lots of wild sex, a villain that’ll scare the pants right off you, lots of passionate sex and a love story fated by the Highest of Powers (oh, and lots of sex. Did I mention that?)

I should warn you though. Timeless Wrath isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s violent, at times scary and has been known to cause nightmares…and wicked, wet dreams

Both Claiming Derryn and Timeless Wrath are available now at Ellora’s Cave. Both contain more hot sex than you could imagine. Both will make hornier than you could believe. But be warned…

…Claiming Derryn will have you gazing longingly and lustfully at the stars every night… and Timeless Wrath will have you checking your closet for monsters…and your bed for a hunky Aussie hero.

Enjoy.

Hi there! Sylvia Shults here, the author of A Slightly Different Perfect. I’ve been asked to write a bit of a blog here, and my lovely hostess has been kind enough to invite me to write on any topic I choose. When she threw that out there, of course I was delighted. Any topic, hmm? Oh, the possibilities! And of course that got me to daydreaming, and of course THAT led to my blog post, which I’ve entitled “What Superpower Would I Want?”

If I could have any superpower in the world, I’d choose time travel. I wouldn’t want to change anything, I’d just like to go hang out. And the first time I’d go to would be back to the late eighties. There was so much great music on the radio then. I wouldn’t have to bother with picking out CDs, I’d just turn on the radio. I’d go visit myself in college, I’d arrange to meet myself at one of the weekend frat parties, and I’d try to convince myself that drinking half a gallon of RC cola and sloe gin is NOT a good idea. “I know, honey, it’ll make for a GREAT story when you get older, but you are going to hate yourself in the morning. And you’ll never, ever be able to drink sloe gin again. Ever.” I would also try to talk myself out of sleeping with That One Guy, the one who took my virginity and turned out to be a complete douche. I don’t know if it would work, but I would try my best to convince myself to wait just a couple of short weeks for the next one. “Trust me on this one, Self! Please!” (Okay, I guess there are a few things I’d try to change.) And of course my time machine would have to be my car. That way I could fill up with cheapo gas before I left the eighties to come back home. Yep, that would pretty much be the perfect first trip back in time.

I’ve always been drawn to humorous romance, the goofier the story, the better. I figured this story would be perfect for a fundraiser celebrating the heart and all its quirks. What better way to nurture the heart than to write a story about the goddess of Love? A Slightly Different Perfect is the story of a mousy fifth grade teacher, Trisha Gillespie, who gets turned into the goddess of love Aphrodite. In her new incarnation, she learns a valuable lesson about the price and the rewards of true love.

I’d be very pleased if you’d visit me at my website, www.sylviashults.com, or become a fan of my Facebook page, which I’ve called Sparkleheart. I hope you enjoy A Slightly Different Perfect, and I do appreciate your support of the American Heart Association. See, my mom’s got heart disease – she had a heart attack a couple of years ago and had to have a stent put in – so this really is a cause that I support for personal reasons. Enjoy the story, support the AHA, and Goddess bless.

Blurb:
Even immortals need a vacation now and then…

When Trisha Gillespie, mousy fifth-grade teacher, is chosen to take Aphrodite’s place on Mount Olympus, she thinks she is up to the task. Who wouldn’t want to be the goddess of love, beauty, and physical perfection? But then she does the unthinkable and falls for a mortal. Will the new goddess accept her fate knowing she’ll have to leaving love behind?

ABOUT THE 28 DAYS NOVELLAS
All proceeds from the sale of these shorts, which will be offered exclusively on AllRomance.com and OmniLit.com as individual eBooks, will be donated to the American Heart Association.

Buy Link:
http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-aslightlydifferentperfect-402493-143.html

Blurb:
Sometimes love hits you when you least expect it…

Exchange student Elia Gianni arrives at the Dayton airport ready to soak up everything American. When the young Italian was offered a placement with the Steele family, he knew he’d been given the chance of a lifetime. What he didn’t anticipate was the Steele’s blond, blue-eyed son, Rick.

The instant Rick sets eyes on the fantastic foreigner he falls head over heels. But the big, macho athlete was used to hiding his feelings and desperately wanting things he couldn’t have. Revealing the truth would change everything and throw his family into a tailspin.

Reality, however, becomes harder to deny when Rick is forced to share his bedroom with Elia. The summer immersion experience turns out to be more than anyone was prepared for as the two young men become lost in one another, sharing an exchange…of hearts.

ABOUT THE 28 DAYS NOVELLAS
All proceeds from the sale of these shorts, which will be offered exclusively on AllRomance.com and OmniLit.com as individual eBooks, will be donated to the American Heart Association.

Buy Link:
http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-exchangeofhearts-402478-144.html

I write Celtic/Romances about long swords, hot heroes, and warrior women and I’m calling all warriors at heart to join the battle against heart disease by reading a romance from All Romance Ebooks 28 days of Heart Campaign. One will be released each day of February so you can read all 28.

Mine will be released February 20th, TIMELESS VOYAGE. With the purchase of Timeless Voyage and any of the 28 Days of Heart Ebooks, all proceeds benefit the American Heart Association. As you read about the strong hearted warrior woman, Anwen, remember you are a warrior as well as your purchase helps AHA battle heart disease.

Love isn’t bound by the limits of time…

Off the mist shrouded coast of Ireland, a pagan lady-pirate, Anwen, captures the enemy, a Roman, Titus Rufius Kaeso. The Celtic warrior woman presses her hard iron dagger against Kaeso’s throat, but her arm does not obey the will to slay him. From time out of mind, memories of fated lovers, druids, and sacrifice, stay her hand. Kaeso is also captivated by dreams of the woman he loved in a previous life, the mirror image of Anwen. But in this lifetime they are foes, Roman and Celt. Can Anwen and Kaeso steer their timeless voyage to a happy destiny or will they be robbed of love once more?

http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-timelessvoyage-402751-157.html

Excerpt:

“I shall sing to you, Ovid’s poem, Amores.” In a tone muted with lust he recited, “‘Hair parted along her ivory neck.’”

Lifting one hand, he brushed his fingers down the back of her smooth neck in feathery strokes. Her skin was so warm and soft. Moving his hand to her face, he traced the outline of her lips. He pressed his lips against hers, gently covering her wet, warm mouth. As he slipped his fingers down her arm, he rested his other hand on her waist, drawing her close. Bodies pressed together, their feet moving in small rhythmic steps, they glided across the sand, dancing to the roar of rushing, white-foamed waves.

Bio:

Cornelia Amiri is the author of seven Celtic/Paranormal/Romance books: Queen of Kings, A Fine Cauldron of Fish, The Fox Prince, One Heart One Way, Danger Is Sweet, The Vixen Princess, and Druid Quest. She also has stories in three anthologies with L & L Dreamspell, Sleeping With the Undead, A Death in Texas, and Romance of My Dreams. Coming releases in 2010 are a Steampunk/Romance, As Timeless As Stone, a Celtic/Romance novel, Druid Bride, and a short in an anthology, Dreamspell Goddess. She lives in Houston Texas as does her son and granddaughter.

http://www.CelticRomanceQueen.com

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Tweet me @ http://twitter.com/CelticRomanzqEn

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What Makes Your Heart Beat?

My husband makes my heart beat. Smart heroes with a tender side. And genies. They’re powerful, captivating, and mysterious. Along with all those great traits and some mystical skills—which can actually be heart-stopping—genies have feelings, too. I write romance novels about genies and despite the paranormal aspect, genies get under your skin (literally) because they’re not afraid to show their emotions. The emotions aren’t always warm and fuzzy, or hot and titillating. They can be vengeful, angry and ferocious and, if well written, will get your blood rushing.

The novella I wrote for ARe’s 28 Days of Heart is called Angels & Genies and introduces genie Match Ramsey, who gets the blood rushing in teacher-turned-realtor Angeline Delaire. Match and his surfer-dude angel sidekick Miguel seek to block the entrance of evil jinni Iblis to the earthly realm. Angeline holds the key to the sought portal. The only hint I’ll give is—as any realtor will tell you—it’s all about location, location, location. But the real story is the conflict Angeline feels—about herself, her career, and Match. That’s where the emotion is. It’s also in the awareness Match increasingly feels that he’d do anything to help her.
This book, as well all the books being sold as part of ARe’s campaign, has an extra dose of emotion because of its intention…to help raise money and awareness of heart disease in women. So, check them out! You’ll be getting a healthy helping of intrigue, passion, and romance, plus you’ll be helping out. That’s where the heart is.

What makes your heart beat?

You can learn about K. F. Zuzulo, her books, and the romance of the jinn at her website, www.kfzuzulo.com.
Angels & Genies will be available from All Romance eBooks on February 24th.

Between Heaven & Earth Lies Temptation

Contractor Match Ramsey has 36 hours to find the portal between the earthly realm and Jinnistan, the land of the jinn from which he comes. He is a genie warrior charged with protecting humans from the trespass of the demon jinni, Iblis. Somewhere beneath his cliffside property lies the doorway. His focus is diverted by the entrancing and determined Angeline Delaire, a sexy realtor who has been directed to buy the property from him at any price.

Angeline is a woman with a fiery temper and independent spirit. She is conflicted by the directive of her client, Mateus Ring, a handsome tycoon who has infiltrated her dreams. Yet, it is Match who inflames Angeline.

She soon realizes that the lustful yearnings ripping through her body come from an evil source. She will have to find clarity between her desire for Match and the overwhelming craving for Mateus. One will redeem her, but the other could destroy her.

http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-angelsgenies-402492-140.html