Archive for the ‘Friends’ Category

I haven’t been updating you guys like I should. I’ll try to blog much more. I envy Savannah, she’s such a great blogger. *smile* Okay, here we go. Let’s try and pack as much into this as possible

Books:

Tartan Surprise is out which I’m so excited about, next up is Discovering Passion, in August ’08, which is Lida’ story from A Fling in Vampiropolis. I’ll get the exact date to you as soon as I get it.

In June I subbed a total of five books, three to CP and two to Tease and on July 1st I subbed a book to a new pub. I’m hoping they like it. I was really nervous about query letter and synopsis. I can write a book but blurbs, synopsis and query letters stress me out. But hey, they’re a part of the process.

For the last month or so I’ve been either tired, working my ass off to finish a book or suffering from writer’s block. Up until now, I haven’t written anything for a week which frustrated me a lot. But I finally managed to work on a story that I’m aiming to finish by Friday of this coming week. So far I’ve got 8k+ on it. It’s a ghost story, I’ve never done a ghost story before so this is all new to me. I hope I get it right.

My aim is to finish several stories by the end of the summer and subbing to at least two to three more new pubs. I know, a lot of work but at the end of the day, it’s worth it. I’m also working on making my Free stories downloadable, not the Friday Flash series though, not until that’s done. That’s about it on the writing front

Lori Foster’s Get Together:

I had fun at this event. It was so nice meeting so many people and seeing some people I had me at RT. The highlight seeing my twin from another mother, Ce! We were good I swear *shoots look over at Dawn*. Tell them Ce, we were well behaved.

I have to say Hi to Lena, Liz (good to see you again), Joy (you are awesome), Maggie, Kelly, Bianca (B!), Jacki (as always, you are fabulous), Maya, Marty, Tuesday (I’ll call you I swear. You are behaving right? lol), Laura K., Kelley, Jackie, Sierra (Big Hugs), Teeka (Teeka!), Kate, Camille, Flash, Renee, Shiloh, Rhonda aka SandDaz (sorry for the awkwardness), Anya, Ali and Aneka. If I forgot you, I’m soooo sorry, please feel free to yell at me later.

I loved the conference and had so much fun. Ce, Tuesday we sooo have to do an antho together. *grin* Tuesday, stop looking at me like that, you know you want to0, mwhahahaha! I definitely want to go next year. I also want to go RT next year as well. Shar, Ce you ready for that? I know I left a lot out but I can’t really remember everything. *sigh*

Birthday:

Well, I turned 27 this year. Yeah! My birthday started early when the fabulous Crystal Green/Chris Marie Green (she’s going to be at Comic Con and the RWA conference, I soos wish I was going), sent me a signed copy of Midnight Reign. I was in absolute shock. She is so awesome. I got a Birthday Card from Savannah (Big Hugs, babes). A lovely bag of chips from Tilly , (yum). *Grin* And yesterday, although late, I got flowers from Shar. She told me to expect a few more things. Goodness!

I pretty much spent the day wading through email, promoing Tartan Surprise and doing the chat over at ARe. *Grin* That chat was so much fun! I want to do it again. I’ll try and arrange another one maybe this month or next. A special to Thank You to Shar for staying up late just to do the chat. Another special Thank You to everyone who stopped by and spent my Birthday with me.

My birthday was made all the more special by Jambrea who showed me the book review she did for A Fling in Vampiropolis for Joyfully Reviewed. I was so ecstatic by it. That really helped make my Birthday great.

I got an ice cream cake the next day: cookies and cream ice cream with Devil’s Food Cake. A real ice cream cake! One that isn’t ice cream in the shape of a cake. Man, I want another one. LOL

I know it sounds like a boring Birthday but it was good enough for me. I like the simplicity of it. Not too much expectation which I’m good with. I didn’t go see Wanted like I wanted too. It was opening weekend which would mean dealing with too many people. I am hoping to go to see either Batman: Dark Knight or Hellboy 2 or both. LOL

Movies and TV:

What else can I add? Hmmm . . . nothing more, I don’t think. I’m watching the Twilight Zone, absolutely brilliant. I can understand why they wanted to resurrect the series but, sorry if it doesn’t have Rod Serling, I really can’t bring myself to watch it. The Twilight Zone is classic, brilliant story telling.

Speaking of TV, is anyone watching In Plain Sight? I’m loving that show. I also can’t wait for Burn Notice, Psych and Eureka to come back. I’m starting to enjoy So, You Think You Can Dance and America’s Best Dance Crew.

I’ve seen the trailer they’re running for Heroes next season. I love the series but I was left feeling as if the show is lacking something. Maybe it was adding too many characters or the sudden character shift (Uh, Hiro what about Charlie?). I’m hoping this season makes up for what was missing last season.

I can’t wait for Chuck to come back on air, I love that show. And NCIS, noooo, you can’t do that! OMG! I can’t wait to see what they do with Lost, that finally was just, WOW! Okay, can’t think of any other shows and I think I’ve started babbling. LOL. Later’s guys.

Hugs all around,

Selena


P.S. So what shows are you guys looking forward to seeing this summer or this fall? What are you reading? Any questions for me? *Selena now wonders if she’s opened up a can of worms* I’ll answer them if I can.

Sorry there hasn’t been any updates and the comments had to be taken down due to spamming. But it’s okay, today was a great day, I got to spend it with one of my best friends Ro. We went to Bubba Gumps, enjoyed a great lunch and had an awesome waitress. . After that, we had Starbucks Peppermint White Mocha and then I had to go. But it’s the simple things of that made this day great. Spending time with friends is aways great. So, that despite doing something quite ordinary as eating lunch with friend, it was still fun. I didn’t get any writing done, but that’s okay. I’m currently working on an otter shifter story, you read right, an otter shifter story. LOL. And I also have to edit my Friday Flash story and the story that I want to post for Christmas for the Pink Chair Diaries, which has been growing by leaps and bounds with wonderful authors adding their name to our author roster. I’m so excited to see people wanting to join our little Free Story website. You can check out the blog here.

As for the Charity Raffle, we’re waiting on the website to be done and hoping to have it up before Christmas. We keep getting such wonderful donations. I’m still overwhelmed by how many people want to donate things to us. During lunch, Ro and I started talking about the next Raffle and what we wanted to do, this time with two charties that have already been decided. *Grin* I’ll ask Ro if I can tell you more. We’re in the planning stages as we want this to be different than the current one that’s about to start up. But, we did agree that the next Raffle will be in the Spring and that I’ve already come up with a really cool idea.

Also, I’m looking at starting up a contest to help promo The Pink Chair Diaries and it’s authors. This is still in the planning stages, but we’re looking to give away a cute pink travel tote with lots of really cool goodies from both authors of the site and non-authors who despite not writing for us were willing to let us include their promo items, which is wonderful. Like I’ve said, I’m always happy to promo authors. Oh, should I tell you guys who signed on to the Diaries? Sure, here goes the list in alphabetical order:

All Mine

Aurora Black

Dawn Montgomery

Emma Ray Garrett

Jade Buchanan

Kayelle Allen

Mary Winter

Michele Bardsley

Michelle Hasker

Sedonia Guillone

Stella and Audra Price

Tuesday Morrigan

Squee! Now, that’s a lot of talent right there. *Grin* Okay, gotta go. Have a Great Day guys!

Selena

Bio:

Aurora Black is a self-proclaimed “passionate woman of the world in an ingenue’s clothing,” who made her erotic literary debut in late 2006 with Phaze. She got her start at Literotica, where she learned the basics of the writing trade and gained the confidence she needed to turn professional.

An erotica writer by day and sultry jazz singer at night, Aurora uses her vivid imagination combined with glamorized life experiences as material for her works. Living in exotic Europe has made an everlasting impact on the Detroit-area native, and she writes to express the deepest (and sometimes darkest) parts of her soul along with her great love of the written word. Like her characters, she pursues her dreams with everything she has.

Aurora can be found at her website, “Who Is Aurora Black?” at http://www.whoisaurorablack.com/ and her blog, “Roses on Snow” at http://aurorablack.blogspot.com/

Cover Link for Potent Spirits:

http://a397.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/76/m_e4216169619df2513cd8d488d3fd8174.jpg

Buy Link for Potent Spirits:

http://www.king-cart.com/Phaze/product=Potent+Spirits+by+Aurora+Black

Potent Spirits Blurb:

The legendary story of “A Christmas Carol” has never been seen like this!

Quiet and shy Vivian Woods is in love with the devastatingly handsome Caleb Blackwell, a sexy fireman who sets her heart ablaze every night in her dreams, but she’s convinced that he doesn’t know she exists. She plans to spend another lonely Christmas at home, with thoughts of her secret love to keep warm.

Someone has other plans.

With the help of three hunky spirits, Vivian takes the most erotic and revealing journey of her life. Their sizzling touches on her skin teach her about the passionate, strong woman she really is inside… and a special someone’s true feelings. ‘Tis the season to make love.

Excerpt #1:

Her lower lip trembled from the lunacy of it all. “What do you want from me?”

His eyes were tender as he held out his hand for her to take.

“All I want is to take away the pain. Come with me.”

She could almost feel her mother’s presence beside her again, encouraging her.

*Go on, honey. Take a chance. Be happy. Live free and open your heart to love.*

Vivian placed a trembling hand in his own, and he gently lifted it to his lips. “You won’t regret this,” he murmured against her shivering skin. She remained silent as he wrapped his arm around her, leading her to the window. “Look outside, Vivian. What do you see?”

Her dark brown eyes darted over the scene below as she licked her dry lips.

“I see other apartment buildings, cars on the busy streets, falling snow.”

The spirit dropped his arm from her shoulders and stepped behind her, his eyes drinking in her beauty. He tenderly stroked her hair as she faced the window. With one hand he brushed away some of her wayward curls, leaning forward to graze his sensual lips against the sensitive nape of her neck.

His breath was warm against her ear, and her eyes fell shut from the sensation.

“Do you know what I see down there? I see people who have purpose in their lives, people who love and are loved in return. I see them racing through the icy wind and snow to get home, back to the warmth of their houses and the company of their loved ones.”

His hands trailed down her sides to cradle her hips, pulling her to him. She could feel him growing hard against her ass, and instinctively she pressed back. He let out a soft grunt, his breathing heavy as he slid his hands beneath her pajama top to cup her breasts. His husky voice seduced her as he resumed speaking.

“I can feel the grief and loneliness that you carry in your breast, Vivian. Such a heavy burden for a woman such as you. I sense that you’ve been burned badly in the past, and as a result you’ve abandoned your dreams and resigned yourself to the life of a hermit. It’s not too late to set things right.”

She reached behind her and traced his powerful thighs with her fingernails, entranced by the cords of muscle that quivered beneath her touch. He gave a wordless murmur of encouragement as his fingers deftly unfastened the buttons of her shirt and slid it off, exposing her breasts to the night’s chill. His calloused hands covered her aching nipples, and she whimpered in pleasure.

Vivian leaned forward and rested her forehead against the frosty glass as her earlier apprehension was replaced by lust for her visitor. Her breath came in pants, fogging the glass even further. With a great deal of effort, she managed to speak.

“I…I don’t usually do this with men I don’t know…”

His laughter was deep and rich as he gently pushed down her pajama bottoms and motioned for her to step out of them. She wore only a pair of lacy panties, but she wasn’t cold. On the contrary, she was downright hot.

The spirit embraced her from behind, his chest flush against her back as he cupped her mound through the thin barrier of lace. “If you must attach a name to me, call me Tobias. That was my name in life.”

She turned her head to the side, her eyes filled with wonder as she regarded her ghostly lover.

“What are your plans for me, Tobias?”

His soulful green eyes flashed in the darkness, his lips close to hers.

“I’ll show you, if you’ll allow me.”

Excerpt #2:

The last message began to play, and the sound of her recorded voice
filled the room. She had forgotten that she called earlier that evening.

“Hi, Caleb. This is Vivian. I was just calling to wish you a Merry
Christmas. So, um, Merry Christmas. Maybe I’ll see you around
sometime. Bye.”

She winced at how she’d sounded, glancing to see Caleb’s reaction.
He stood beside her, staring at the machine as it clicked off. His tawny
eyes softened, and he played the message again as he removed his belt
and unsnapped his jeans.

Behind her, Chris leaned forward and whispered in her ear. She
could feel his erection throbbing against her ass. She imagined his
wicked smile. “Now the fun begins, baby.”

Vivian’s mouth fell open as a half-naked Caleb strode into what
must have been his bedroom. She turned to Chris, who was watching her
with raw lust in his gaze. She felt warm all over from the lethal
combination of his look and the fact that her man was undressing just a
few feet away. And then it dawned on her that she was alone in the
apartment with not one, but two gorgeous men. Oh, the possibilities!

Her answering smile was positively feral. She trailed a hand down
his body and firmly gripped his cock, giving it a few pumps before
releasing it to walk toward the bedroom. “Shall we?”

Hi everyone,

Well, last night I finally got around to doing edits for my WIP Pixie and I’m so excited, I managed to get the story up to 40k. Forty Thousand Words!!! The most I’ve done so far. I’m so proud and pleased. I’m aiming for 45k and gradually working my up from there. Who knows next year I maybe up to 60k mark which would mean for me working on that project that my CP yelled at me about, for smooshing the ideas into one. LOL.

There will be no contest for November since I’m currently organizing the raffle, we’re still taking donations to the trunks. You can check out the blog here. I’m sooo excited about this raffle, so many lovely, wonderful, people have donated so much. I’m over the moon. If this thing goes well, I hope we get to do another one again next year. So, please cross your fingers that this does well. We should have a website up soon. Speaking of websites, check out the newly designed Selena Illyria Website, *grin* Ce, updated it and made it all fancy. lol.

I’m currently listening to Susie Suh’s self titled album and loving it (one of my favs), along with the new Megan McCauley (sooo talented). I plan on playing those two cds along with The Best of Fuel, Jonny Lang’s Wander this World and Long Time Coming and Slipknot Vol. 3 Subliminal Verses and trying to edit my WIP Runaway and do at least a thousand words for the second story in the Pixie series. I just keep coming up with ideas that turn into series, someone stop me. LOL. I’d like to have an idea and have be just a stand alone, that would be nice. LOL.

I finally, finally got to read Chirs Marie Green’s Vampire Babylon and I LOVED it! You rock Chris. . I’m currently trying to read Locked Rooms by Laurie R. King. I love the Mary Russell series, a really cool take on Sherlock Holmes. I’m just being a chatterbox aren’t I? LOL. Sorry about that, I may do a mini contest for a promo pack filled with author promo, not sure yet, maybe a delurking contest. *shrugs* I also have to finish up the Google Group to get it ready and what not, that should be by the end of the month depending on how engrossed I become with writing. I have so many ideas swirling in my head and it’s hard to figure out where to go. I have a plan but the best laid plans right? LOL. Anyway, have a Great Weekend guys. Hugs all around.

Oh, before I go, check out Aurora Black’s Interview that is up on my website right now. One of these days me and Ce will get around to doing another convo. lol. Ce is currently writing up a storm, you go sweets.

Selena

I’ve got a cold. Yeah, I know it’s summer, but I still get sick, which sucks. But it’s okay. I’m on book 3 of Harry Potter, only three more to go. For a second, I actually thought book 7 was coming out on Monday *shakes fist at bn.com&*. LOL. Almost threw off my reading schedule.

I’d like to send out a huge shout out to my friend, convo partner in crime and writing partner (I swear I’ll send you my part as soon as I can, lol) Celia Kyle for signing a contract with Liquid Silver, watch out for her y’all she’ll be big one day. Also Tuesday Morrigan has a new book out from Changeling Press. It’s called Fireman Sour, picked up my copy, not sure when I’ll get to read it, but I’ll make time. Here’s the link to check out the book. A quick shout out to Renee George, pleeeaasssseee can I have the yummy cover men (the ones with the purple and pink hair), I swear I’ll be nice to them. LOL. Shhh, Eve, I can have them. LOL.

I’m thinking of revamping my My Space page to make it look more like my website. Not sure, I like the sad violin girl on my page. I have to ask my web mistress extraordinaire if she can work some of her magic. *Selena crosses fingers* Okay, the weekend is here and it’s almost convo time, hide your children, grab some popcorn and please do throw out some suggestions to us for topics, can’t think of everything can we Ce? Oh, before I forget Marianne LaCroix also has a new book out it’s called The Gladiator, it looks good, I want to get a copy. I’ve been fascinated by Gladiators, but haven’t had the time or energy to look up info, but I have a story idea for one (Paranormal/ Sci fi). I have faaaarrrr too many ideas. LOL. Hey Samara, when does Bayou Heat come out? (Selena is so impatient for that book)

Now onto getting inked. I have an idea for a tattoo, it will go on my upper back. I know what I want to get, problem is I need some help. I’d like to get a Japanese War Fan. I want it open, with flames at the bottom, lotus blossoms, full moon in the middle and some Japanese Writing on it. I suck at drawing, lol. I used to be okay, I loved art class, *sigh*, it’s been too long. I don’t go into this lightly, I’ve thought about it, a lot. I know where (tattoo place) I want to get it at, (Shar knows) hehe. Problem is time, I’m detail oriented. I’d like to have it drawn out whether by me or someone else, but I want to make sure it looks the way I want it too, before I get it done.

Anyway, I’m supposed to be writing, but I’m procrastinating. I had an idea for a character (Rolf from Passionate Blackmail), only problem, I don’t speak German, damn. May not make him German, but I know he’s European. Why do characters have to be so damn complicated. Ugh, I want to smack him and tell him pick a damn place of origin, but then the men in the white coats would come get me. I hope they’re hot. LOL. But I can’t smack him, he’s not real. Oh, before I go, what do you guys think of my Meez character? She’s meditating right now. My friend says she looks like me. LOL. God, I hope not, otherwise I didn’t know my head was that BIG! LOL.

Selena

P.S. Why do I make friends that can get me into trouble? (Pam, I’m talking to you, um, both of you. LOL). Don’t forget about the contest going on. I know I keep pushing back the date, but it all works out cause the winners get more stuff. Whoo hoo, to more prizes. Hugs all around.

I’m not a big Birthday girl. The way I see, it’s my birthday and I’m a year older. But this year was great. My friends were wonderful, both my online friends and the friends I talk to on the phone. (Note to self, do not mention how much cake I’ve consumed to Shar).  I got myself a cake, didn’t have cake in it, but I forgive Friendly’s because the ice cream plus icing was yummy! I’ll get myself another cake maybe at Baskin Robbins just to make up for it. Hey! It’s my Birthday Week. LOL. The contest is going great, so many wonderful people have agreed to send me things to include in the prize packs and the way things are going, I’m gonna need a bigger box for the grand prize winner. Why does this make me think of Jaws or was it Jaws? You know where they say, ‘We’re going to need a bigger boat.’ It’s been so long since I’ve watched that movie and to be honest that movie terrified me and made me afraid to go into the ocean. And yet I watch Shark Week on the Discovery Channel and actually like sharks now. Still won’t watch the movie, well now that I’ve seen some behind the scenes stuff for the movie. Big white turd. LOL. Speaking of movies, I’m debating on whether or not to see Harry Potter in theaters, but I’ll wait to make my decision. I want to see Death at a Funeral, it looks funny.

Speaking of Harry Potter, I was watching Countdown with Keith Olbermann, I think it was on Monday and he had a great idea about how the 7th book ends. It fits perfectly and I never would have thought of it. If you don’t want to know, don’t watch it. If you do click here. Well that’s all I can think of to blog about for now. Hugs all around.

Selena

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Ain’t it pretty? I just adore it! This is the shirt I got from Ro’s Simply Simone Inc. launch party! All shirts are one of kind, unique, nothing like it! So get your butts over to their site and get em while their there!

Anyway, I’ve been feeling out of it lately, I haven’t written anything in almost four days. But I have so many ideas. I swear listening to 30 Seconds to Mars makes me want to write love scenes! Jared Leto is such a passionate singer. But on the contest front things are going great! So far I’ve gotten a lot of cool things to put into the prize pack . I’m scared and excited, this is the biggest contest I’ve ever done. I hope to do more things like this in the future, hopefully when I’m published. . Anyway, Hugs all around.

Selena

P.S. I’d like to do a Gay Pride Day on all my Blogs, any authors interested, leave a comment or contact me.

A friend of mine decided to launch a business. It was a T-Shirt business. Yesterday she and her sister had their official launch party for Simply Simone Inc. I had so much fun and it was great seeing how everyone reacted when they got the shirts they were given. But most of all it was great to see Ro and her sister, Arlinda, realize their dream of opening up their own business. Arlinda is very talented, she designs some wonderful, creative, flirtatious, cute and sassy shirts. Words don’t really describe how great these shirts are. I’m so proud to have been apart of something that means so much to my friend. So, to check out the site and the T-Shirts you can either go to:

http://www.simplysimoneinc.com/

or

http://simplysimone.blogspot.com/

Another bonus of going to the launch party was meeting Eve Vaughn (one day short people will rule the world! Mwhahahaha. Pffffttt), Paz Edwards and Shawna (from Eve’s loop and Marilyn Lee’s Loop). It was great to put faces to names and hang out with some amazing, wonderful, funny people. I had a great time.

All I can say is I wish, Ro, Arlinda, Eve and Paz great luck whether it be a T-Shirt business or writing and getting published. I’m so proud to have these wonderful people as my friends. I hope that we all get to hang out at RT although none of you are getting me drunk got it. I’m having one Bailey’s and behaving myself , f*** me pumps and all. LOL.

Uh, what f***me pumps you ask well, for my birthday one of my requests was a pair of really cute pumps. These are what they look like: Click Here

Uh, when did they come in black. Dammit now I’m going to have to get another pair! *Adds that color to her wish list* Moving on, what do you think? Too high? Well, the thing is I tried walking in them and what do you know, I can! LOL. Anyway, I think I may have my first free story. Once Missing You has been posted on the Pink Chair Diaries then I can possibly post the sequel with the lead male character’s brother as the lead. I got a lot done yesterday, almost 3,000 words and over ten pages! Whoo hoo!

Now about the Pink Chair Diaries so far we have three count em three amazing stories already posted Jet Mykles’ M/M story, Celia Kyle’s M/F story and Maura Anderson’s M/F story. All of them HOT, all them amazing, creative and sexy. All I can say is, it’s an honor to be apart of this project and be on the same site as these wonderful creative ladies. I just hope that my story will live up to what has been posted so far. *crosses fingers* Oh and I have to say it again, if you are an erotic romance author looking for someone to design your site please check out http://www.literalseduction.com/ . My friend, web mistress and writing partner (I roped her into writing a story with me) designs the sites. Eeehhh being surrounded by so much talent is sooo exciting and can make a girl nervous. I’ll deal with it.

The items from the authors has been coming in for the contest. I am so excited! I know, I know when is the contest? Well, I will probably make an announcement on my birthday for the rules and the deadline will be until the end of the month to give everyone a chance to enter and for all the promo items to arrive. I had to order boxes since there is so much to give away aaannnddd there will be more than one winner. I’m getting extras of things so more than one person can share in all the fun. . Okay guys, gotta go. Hugs all around.

Selena

P.S. As soon as I can get a picture, I’ll post one of the shirt I got from the party. .