Zombie Contest & Happy Holiday!!!

It looks like 2009 is going to be the Year of the Zombie, and my fab CP Amanda is holding a contest to give away the very last arc of her awesome book, Zombie Queen of Newbury High. Just hop over and tell her your best zombie survival tip (because everyone has one, yes?!) There's still time to enter, the contest doesn't close until Sunday night!!

I also want to give a shout out to my friend Helen, who's just returned from the most incredible holiday EVER!!! Do pop over to her blog and read all about it. You won't be disappointed!!

Playing for Keeps - Devon Gray

Please welcome my special guest today, bestselling author Devon Gray, who writes for the Scarlet line of The Wild Rose Press. Devon's latest release is Playing for Keeps.

Over to you, Devon!

Can you tell us a little about your book?

Playing for Keeps is a story of reunited love and all the obstacles a couple must face to overcome their past to forge a future. Here is the blurb:

Pasts are best left behind, hidden deep in your memory—that is where I buried mine. The feel of his hands and mouth on my body, the height of sensuality I reached beneath his touch. I'd fought so hard to forget—how could just the sight of him bring it all back, forcing me to become lost in him?

Again.

Years before I had watched him, craved him—a guitarist in a band riding the wave to stardom—my brother's best friend. On the verge of womanhood, I never dared to reveal how I yearned. Until a cold New Year's Eve when I offered myself as the woman I'd become, bringing to fruition the deepest of wants. As that night turned, so did my life. Devastatingly so.

I never dreamed I'd become another of his one night stands.

Can pasts be exorcised if they come back to haunt you? And when a notorious playboy who broke your heart offers you his…how do you know if he's playing for keeps?



How did the idea for the plot come about?

I was asked to participate in an anthology with three other authors. Our assignment? Write a book based on the song “Same Old Lang Syne” by Dan Fogelberg. The end result is four stories of reunited love with the theme of New Year’s Eve woven through them. The other books in the anthology are: Sugar Shack by Paisley Scott, Blindfolded by Lust by April Vine and Stroke of Midnight by Ana Aragon. Each book is available now through The Wild Rose Press-The Wilder Roses, and they will be in a print anthology available for the 2009 holiday season.

I love sale stories (ok I am just nosy!!) so can you tell us about your road to publication - and your call story?

My first published book was Addicted. I was talking to a fellow author friend about the new project and she told me she had worked with an editor from the Scarlet line of the Wild Rose Press and thought my book would be something she would have an interest in. I sent her a query, and she requested the manuscript. Not too long after that I was offered a contract on Addicted. Two months later I was invited to participate in the anthology.

We are all about the love here, so please share your fave books, movies, TV shows or current fantasy squeeze (it's all in the line of research!)

I’m really into Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight series now. Obviously, they are outstanding books. I am reading the series for the second time now, and from a writer’s perspective, I am completely awed with the intricate plot (which progresses over 2500 pages in four books, one picking up where the previous left off) and the author’s talent of keeping the reader engrossed and surprised. My favorite Harlequin Blaze author is Sarah Mayberry. Her stories are very emotional and HOT! She also puts a humorous spin into her work—delivering some lines that make me laugh out loud. I am also a big fan of Judith McNaught—her historical and contemporary romances. As for movies, some of my favorites are Love Actually, Oceans 11, Titanic, and, of course, Twilight. I really don’t watch much tv…there are too many good books to read! As for a fantasy squeeze, it would have to be the hero in my current wip…

What are you working on now?

I have completed a category romance and am currently in the polishing stage. It is the story of a woman who escapes a painful divorce by relocating to rural Georgia to refurbish a dilapidated farmhouse. She is intent on throwing herself into the project and using the time and solitude to forget her past. It seems like the perfect plan…until her new neighbor walks through her door.

How can readers keep up with your writing and books?

Readers can visit me at www.authordevongray.com

               

Bad Enough - Lara Dien

Please welcome my special guest today, Scarlet Rose author Lara Dien, whose book, Bad Enough, was recently released by The Wild Rose Press.

Tell us a little about yourself, Lara!

About me, hmm? Mostly weird, maybe a little interesting . I live in Orlando, Florida—the not-so-Sunshine-State this summer! I am a voracious reader—I’ll at least try any genre or sub-genre, but my true loves are romantic suspense/romantic thrillers and erotic romance. I started reading at the tender age of two or so—although at that age, I was reading Dr. Seuss and the Berenstain Bears—romance came along much later! I have a couple of college degrees I don’t use, love the idea of travel, but somehow never get around to it, and I make a mean Cosmopolitan..... Aside from writing, I’m in marketing to pay the bills (for now LOL), I’m into ancient religions, mythology, and imagining possibilities. My favorite quote is Tommy Lee Jones’ line from Men in Black: imagine what you’ll know tomorrow. That pretty much sums me up—curious as the proverbial cat.

Can you tell us a little about your book Bad Enough?

Beside the fact that it has the world’s yummiest hero, Rafe Montero? I’m not biased, really! This is not the official blurb, btw—to me that’s like teaching from the handouts .

In Bad Enough, the heroine, Lindy Cooper, is a PI who’s gone to Costa Rica for a much-needed vacation. She’s just solved a big case, turning everyone’s lives upside down—especially hers. She dumps her fiancé, packs her bags, and goes off to spend a week exploring her ‘bad girl’ side.

Rafe follows her. They’ve been running and drinking buddies for several years and they’ve always had this underlying attraction that she-of-the-low-self-esteem wouldn’t have believed if he’d told her and he considered off-limits due to her boyfriend/fiancé. In Costa Rica, though, the heat definitely rises! Hot, hot sex (there’s a waterfall scene ) ratchets the relationship heat up, leaving them with only one real question—what happens when they get back home? Rafe likes bad girls, Lindy wants to be one...but just what does it take to be bad enough?

How did the idea for the plot come about?

You know, I don’t remember. Lindy appears in The Fortuneteller’s Lay (my first release) as a name character only—Miranda makes one reference to her. So I had this random thought about spinning off from that story and .... that was it. Somehow I ended up with this question of what might happen when a woman who’s spent her life living up to other people’s expectations might do once she decided she needed to live up to her own!

I love sale stories (ok I am just nosy!!) so can you tell us about your road to publication - and your call story?

Not nearly as exciting as you think! I’m still working on my first novel—YEARS in the making. Last year, as I was setting my writing goals for the year, in addition to “this year I will finish this book and I mean it!” I included a “check out e-publication” goal—kind of a throwaway goal. Not dismissing e-publishing, but it wasn’t something I’d really thought about—I was going to write romantic suspense and nothing else. And having read a few erotic romances online, I didn’t think I could write hot enough for the genre. Yeah. Underestimating myself just a bit, apparently! Anyway, another publisher was doing a call for submissions and I saw it, said, what the heck, I can probably write that! I wrote it, my guinea pig readers all came back with the same comment—this is hot!—and I submitted it. Got a ‘revise/resubmit’ request. Six months later, got the rejection.

Rhonda Penders, publisher of The Wild Rose Press gave a presentation at my RWA chapter around the same time. After talking to her, I was practically praying for a rejection. A week later, I’d submitted, got the contract offer a few weeks later...via email, not call....and that was it. I have an incredible editor who makes my pretty-good writing REALLY good, and my 3rd book, Hungarian Masquerade is on its way, too.

We are all about the love here, so please share your fave books, movies, TV shows or current fantasy squeeze (it's all in the line of research!)

Impossible! Did I mention the reading voraciously thing? I’ll mention some fav authors, though—and I’m very eclectic! Love Jane Austen, of course, and Georgette Heyer. GH was one of the early Regency Romance authors, although she also wrote contemporary (well, for her) mysteries...witty, funny....I still read Regencies today because of her. Romantic suspense: Karen Rose if you like intense; Roxanne St. Claire—a bit more romantic and less intense than KR; Terri Garey, paranormal; Rachel Gibson, Kelley St. John, Marianne Stillings...a dozen more. What they all have in common, mostly, is they’re compelling storytellers. I can’t buy KR’s latest on a weekday, because I’ll stay up all night to finish it. Erotic romance authors I love include the Wilder Rose authors (of course!), Bella Andre, who is wonderfully steamy and fully romantic...

What are you working on now?

In addition to Dreamwalk (my r/s), I’ve got three erotic romances that I’m about ready to query to my editor. They range in length from around 10,000 words (that’s about a 40-45 page story when all is said and done) to closer to 20,000. Understand these are working titles that will probably bear no resemblance to the final. Art of Seduction is set in an art museum in Italy. Dance with Me is erotic, but a little on the poignant side, as the heroine has just begun to think she can consider another relationship after the death of her husband...and goes to the dance studio where they took lessons....and there’s the dance teacher, who’d loved and wanted her secretly for years....; the last is Soldier Boy, which I hope will be good enough for the Cougar Club at The Wild Rose Press. The heroine falls for a soldier, despite her best plans, because he’s so young...only to realize he’s the best thing that ever happened to her, and age doesn’t mean a thing. And now that I’ve given away my plots, maybe you can help me petition my editor for a contract in a hurry?

How can readers keep up with your writing and books?

90% of the time, my life is insane, however, I do update my blog and website when I have a chance—or a new title on the way. I got woefully behind this summer, since I had two pending at the same time, but you can find me online at my website and blog .

Linkages

As some of you might have guessed, I'm very partial to my cover (!) My cover artist, Angela Anderson, has uploaded her cover designs here and they are all rather gorgeous.

The other day I was trawling the net and came across an informative post by the lovely Jane Porter on promo. It's not a recent one, but I found it fascinating to discover which types of promo Jane found the most cost effective. Well worth a read.

Finally, if anyone loves Nalini Singh's Psy/Changeling world, do hop over to her blog where she recently held a Q&A session. I didn't find out for sure who Hawke would end up with (and I've been hanging out for his story since he first appeared in Slave to Sensation!!) but I read nothing to change my mind on who she would be!!!

The Secret She Keeps - Jennifer Leeland

Please welcome my special guest today, Jennifer Leeland, who writes for the Scarlet line at The Wild Rose Press. Jennifer's most recent Scarlet release is The Secret She Keeps

Over to you, Jennifer!

Can you tell us a little about your book ?

"The Secrets She Keeps" is the second book in a series set in a small town on the California coast that began with "The Mask She Wears". I actually wrote most of it before "Mask" and the heroine, Tessa, was very clear in my mind. Zac was a little more difficult. Here's the blurb:

Tessa Aden has it all...a great job, good friends, and a fantastic boyfriend. She just has one problem, she's never had an orgasm during sex. When Zac misinterprets an Instant Message from a friend as a complaint about his technique in the bedroom, she'd rather let him walk away than admit her dark desires.

Fearing she wouldn't understand his dominant nature, Zac Shandler gave up the BDSM lifestyle to be a part of Tessa's vanilla life. Yet he seems to be losing her anyway. Will Zac put his heart on the line to claim Tessa's love and finally force her to reveal the secret she keeps?

How did the idea for the plot come about?

I was discussing a topic on my favorite forum, Romance Divas, about orgasms. If you get enough women together honestly talking about this subject, it's amazing what information is revealed. Several woman admitted to never having an orgasm. Then, Tessa spoke up and said, "So what? Neither have I." and the story went from there. One of the things about Tessa is she didn't talk about sex at all, which I think is more common than we think. Even in this day and age where sex is bandied about like cereal commercials, honest discussion about intimacy is completely lost. Tessa has to learn this lesson and Zac helps her open up.

I love sale stories (ok I am just nosy!!) so can you tell us about your road to publication - and your call story?

The Wild Rose Press was my first actual contract. When they first opened their doors, they had a contest and I entered. "Garden of Sin" was my first contract. I remember I called Crystal Jordan with shaking hands and had to read the thing over the phone. I didn't even know what was normal in a contract! But there was nothing to worry about and I signed it. After that things went pretty fast. I contracted two more erotic short stories and wrote like a fiend. Diana Carlile, my editor at The Scarlet Rose line is awesome and helped me every step of the way.

We are all about the love here, so please share your fave books, movies, TV shows or current fantasy squeeze (it's all in the line of research!)

Mmmm. I have so many. When I'm completely uninspired romantically, I watch "Pride and Prejudice" with Colin Firth. It always gives me that wonderful feeling. When I was writing "The Mask She Wears" and "The Secrets She Keeps", it was music that kept that mood going and I gathered a soundtrack that included Streams Of Passion, After Forever, Evanescence and Garbage. To recharge, I really like to read Joey W. Hill, a fabulous erotic author.

What are you working on now?

I have another series with a different publisher and I'm writing the third in that series. I've started the book that comes after "The Secret She Keeps" which is David Peters' story (finally). The next one may come as a surprise. I also have another pen name, Jennifer McKenzie, who has a series set in Alaska and I'm writing the third in THAT series. I try and keep pretty busy with the writing and the ideas come fast and furious.

How can readers keep up with your writing and books?

The best place is my blog "The Redneck Romance Writer" and my website

Seventh Circle - F.E. Heaton

Please welcome my special guest today, Felicity Heaton, who writes paranormal romance for Alinar Publishing

Dark, sensual and fast-paced, Seventh Circle is a story of forbidden love so strong that it will save the world.

Born with strange powers similar to a vampire's, Lilith has spent her life hunting demons for Section Seven. Now, on the very same night that she watches a vampire kill her best friend, she's faced with her worse nightmare.

A client who is not only attractive, but a vampire.

Lincoln, a powerful pure blood vampire, has a problem. The prophecy he's caught up in is coming to pass and his only chance of survival is relying on those he hates most–vampire hunters. It has been foretold that one will save him, a female hunter, and when he meets her, the attraction he feels is both instantaneous and forbidden.

Their mutual attraction becomes difficult to deny as they work to unravel the mystery of a contract between Lincoln's lord and the Devil. The barriers around their hearts fall, but is there only pain ahead of them? With Lincoln's life on the line, can Lilith find the strength to protect him and embrace a side of herself that she wished didn't exist? Can Lincoln overcome his fear in order to save Lilith even if it means parting from her forever? What price will they pay to be together?

Please tell us a little about yourself, Felicity!

I write romance ebooks in various genres as Felicity Heaton, including paranormal romance, romantic suspense, historical pirate romance, historical western romance, and contemporary romance. As F E Heaton, I write the Vampires Realm novels--vampire romance / dark urban fantasy ebooks. A writer of emotion and life, I always strive to touch a chord of familiarity in my readers and give them characters they can love and a read to remember.

Can you tell us a little about your book?

Seventh Circle is a story about Lincoln, the Chosen Son of the Vehemens bloodline whose Lord has made a pact with the Devil. Since this pact involves Lincoln's death, he's not about to let it happen. Told by three witches that a woman will save him, he goes in search of her. His only problem? It turns out that she's working for Section Seven, an elite vampire hunter organisation. Lilith can't believe her terrible luck when her first paying client turns out to be not only a vampire, but incredibly attractive. It's bad enough that she has to work with him, let alone the fact that no matter how much she tries, she can't deny the way he makes her feel. Both fighting their feelings for different reasons, they work together to unravel the mystery of the contract and find a way to stop the dreadful prophecy from coming to pass. If the Devil captures him, not only will Lincoln die, but all Hell will be unleashed unto the Earth! Lilith enters Lincoln's world when the realisation of her heritage and that those she loved have lied to her shatter her own world. As they fight the forces of Hell itself, Lilith fights to be strong enough to save Lincoln, the man who she has come to love.

How did the idea for the plot come about?

I'm never sure where the plots come from, but this one was influenced in a way by Dante's Inferno. I liked the idea of the circles of Hell, and the landscape, as well as the idea of angels gone bad, and the Devil being involved. I also wanted to explore the idea that a vampire might perhaps have a healthy fear of death and that it's only made worse because he's an immortal demon and knows that he's going to Hell when he dies. He's basically had a long time to think about death, and the longer he lives, the worse he fears it. I also like the idea of coupling a hero and heroine at odds. Lilith is headstrong, fiesty, and unlikely to let her moral code slip. Lincoln fights his feelings as much as she does, but he just can't help himself. The whole thing is made worse when he accidentally bonds with her!

I love sale stories (ok I am just nosy!!) so can you tell us about your road to publication - and your call story?

I've sold a few ebooks before, and normally it's an email that pops into your inbox and a momentary feeling of madness. It's always exciting when you sell a book. I'm yet to sell a book to a traditional publishing house though. That one is still to come. Right now I'm working on stories for sending out to agents... I'll keep you posted! I'm hoping for a juicy call story too.

We are all about the love here, so please share your fave books, movies, TV shows or current fantasy squeeze (it's all in the line of research!)

I grew up reading classic romance and gothic horror, and watching Hammer House of Horror movies. My favourite books are Jane Eyre, Persuasion, and North & South. Movie-wise, I love films and can't think of one single or even just a couple that I could call my favourite. It really depends on my mood. I enjoyed the Underworld films, the Nightwatch, X-men movies, and a slew of romantic comedies. I'm a sucker for them! TV shows I'm into right now are Heroes, as well as anime such as Ga-Rei Zero, Macross Frontier, Kuroshitsuji and Bleach. I love reading manga too, and playing my PS3, on which I'm playing Assassin's Creed and Devil May Cry 4 (I love Dante! Can I have his babies?). In terms of my fantasy squeezes, with so many heroes in my head it's hard to decide. It's got to be one of them, I'm afraid. Actually two. At the moment I'm planning two novels and I love the heroes in them--Julian and Taig. They're such different characters, but both incredibly strong and devoted to the woman they love.

What are you working on now?

A lot of editing! I've managed to accumulate a queue of books that need editing/second drafts. Mostly I'm working on a werewolf romance short called Embracing the Wolf, and the next Vampires Realm story, Winter's Kiss. I can't wait for Winter's Kiss to come out. It's such a contrast to Seventh Circle. Seventh Circle has a lot of twisting, dark plot working alongside the romance. Winter's Kiss is different because it's more romance driven. It's about the characters more than the plot. I think people will enjoy the change.

How can readers keep up with your writing and books?

Well, that's easy. They can check out my books at my websites -

http://www.felicityheaton.co.uk and http://www.vampiresrealm.com

As for keeping up with me, they can do that at my blog and Myspace I'm always there posting about something, whether it's what I've been writing or a teaser for a new book, or a cover, or just what I've been up to recently.

The Midnight Rose - April Vine

Please welcome my special guest this week, Scarlet Rose author April Vine whose debut Scarlet Rosette, The Midnight Rose, was released a couple of weeks ago by The Wild Rose Press. And April's second Scarlet Rose, Blindfolded by Lust, was released on Wednesday!

Over to you, April.

I’m South African by birth, wife to a wonderful husband, mother to two amazing boys, a slave to chocolate, devout to books, dangerous to my stove. I’m pretty normal during the day, I’d like to think, but come night I transform myself into Vine, April Vine, License to Erotize. Thanks to The Wild Rose Press – The Wilder Roses, my stories don’t self- destruct before they get read…at least once.

I love your bio! It always makes me smile. Can you tell us a little about your book, The Midnight Rose?

Firstly, thank you so much for having me, Christina, and again congratulations on all Foretaste of Forever’s success. It’s so well deserved.

The Midnight Rose is a short erotic story about boundaries. Ryan Redford is secret agent with the South African government. He’s gorgeous, tough as nails, there isn’t an organisation he can’t infiltrate, a criminal lord he can’t break, but there’s there one thing that scares the life out of him and she comes in the form of his best friend’s little sister, Leah Jenkins.

He goes out of his way to avoid her because he’s so afraid that he might break that code he shares with her brother, which puts her off limits. But then Leah takes matters into her own hands and there’s no place he can hide.

How did the idea for the plot come about?

In a roundabout way. I actually sent out something a bit milder and instead got asked by my wonderful editor to try out something for Scarlet. She recommended I read a few Scarlet’s to get a proper feel and I did. It had to be extra hot with a sizzling equal amount of conflict. There’s just something so nobly sexy about a man who resists his best friend’s little sister. And Leah Jenkins was created for that reason exactly, virgin on a rampage with a little help of course from a set of underwear called The Midnight Rose.

But what does a man like Ryan Redford do when he’s pushed too far? That’s what the plots about.

Poor Ryan! I'm sure he doesn't stand a chance!! As you know, I'm a sucker for sale stories so can you tell us about your road to publication - and your call story?

I grew up with romance. My mother was a Barbara Cartland fanatic; she has stacks and stacks of them. So my first romance was very tapered, very clean. Then someone at school passed me a Zebra Historical and even though I can’t remember the title I know I read it gaping, twice. So I figured then already I liked my books racy, my plots daring and my characters physical. I just didn’t know I could write one until my first attempt which was The Midnight Rose. I’m still blushing.

Anyway, I was making breakfast for my family on a Saturday morning when I opened my mail and found a contract inside. I calmly closed my computer and then restarted it. The contract was still there. I’ve never been able to cook a breakfast since then without burning it - it reawakens that unique feeling for me.

We are all about the love here, so please share your fave books, movies, TV shows or current fantasy squeeze (it's all in the line of research!)

Favorite books, too many to name, but I’ll read anything by Nora Roberts, Lori Foster, Jodi Picoult, Linda Howard, Jill Mansell, Marian Keyes. I love Robert Ludlum’s Jason Bourne series and Harry Potter. But the book that stays with me and probably will forever in a troublesome way is One hundred strokes of the brush by Melissa P, scary stuff.

You’ll always find a copy of my contract under my pillow and books by the wonderful Scarlet Rose writers steaming up my computer.

Movies, without a doubt any version of Pride and Prejudice.

TV shows, there’s only one, House, I love his crassness, even his limp is sexy. Half of the time I have no idea what he’s saying but it doesn’t matter because it’s just the way he says it, I think it’s an age thing with me. The only soapie I’ll follow is All my children and I think I’m way behind the rest of America. Bianca is finally going to learn the truth about baby Bess.

Now my fantasy squeeze has to be my husband. Firstly he knows I exist and secondly he loves me right back.

Aww! I love that. And I agree, my husband is my fantasy squeeze too! What are you working on now?

My WIP in progress is about a billionaire who wants my heroine’s virginity, well, just because it’s so novel to him.

I have a second story out with The Wilder Roses called Blindfolded by Lust. It’s part of an anthology based on Dan Fogelberg’s song ‘Same Old Lang Syne.” It consists of four authors, Ana Aragon, Devon Gray, Paisley Scott and myself, collectively known as the Scarlet Redhots.
Check out the interview Devon did with our talented editor, Jennifer Haley, to see how it all came about.

And be sure to check out Paisley’s Sugar Shack and Devon’s Playing for Keeps out already at The Wilder Roses.

How can readers keep up with your writing and books?

There’s my website:
My blog

MySpace

My publisher

Thanks again. Can’t wait for your next book.

Firefly Contest

I admit I came late into the Firefly world, mainly because when the episodes did finally hit our tv screens down here, they were all over the place which annoys me no end. When Serenity came out my husband mocked and said he'd rather eat nails than see something by the creator of Buffy (I paraphrase but you get the gist!)



One day he came home with a pile of DVDs including Serenity. I mocked back, and he of course denied ever saying it was rubbish before even watching it. And then he did actually watch it. And became totally and utterly addicted. Last year, he was watching it on average about twice a week (and I'm being conservative with the numbers here). It got to the stage where even I got fed up with seeing it on the telly - Nathan notwithstanding!!!



However, the point of this rant is this. I have still yet to watch the entire season of Firefly, although I'm hoping to get the DVD set this Christmas (for my husband, because I'm that much of a good wife. ha!) (yes, it really does have nothing to do with the fact Nathan gets nekkid in one of the episodes. Honestly. Would I lie to you?)



So if you fancy the chance of winning the Firefly season on Blu Ray DVD, hop on over to Amanda Ashby's blog where she is having a contest. All you have to do is leave a comment. It's that easy!!

Happy Thanksgiving on Thursday to everyone who celebrates. And please pop back on Friday when I'm interviewing new Scarlet Rosette author, the very lovely and funny April Vine!!

And I also want to give a big Thank You to Eleni for awarding me the I Love Your Blog Award! Thank you!!

Foretaste of Forever Review - 4 Klovers

Foretaste of Forever has just been reviewed by CK2S Kwips and Kritiques. The reviewer, Anne, said this in part:

FORETASTE OF FOREVER is a dark, almost disturbing book. In fact, the beginning had me concerned with the obsessive, almost fanatical nature of the relationship between Elyesha and Ben. But Christina Phillips knew exactly what she was doing as the book takes an unexpected and yet brilliant twist. I won’t spoil the details but suffice to say that the ending more than satisfied my earlier qualms about the tale as all the pieces fit perfectly together as the story unfolded.

The full review can be found here

I was shaking as I read this review. This is so exactly how I saw Elyesha and Ben's relationship.

I'm off to get a coffee for my nerves now!!!

Protecting Our Work & Hottest Guy Alive

Over the weekend, Kaye Manro had a very special guest blogger, Rhonda Dove, talking about copywrite and how to protect our 'thoughts, ideas and stories online', and discusses what tools are available to help prevent unauthorised pilfering. It's a very interesting discussion and well worth a read, although I admit I didn't fully understand everything! But thankfully my daughter appeared unfazed when I mentioned certain aspects to her, so I have my fingers crossed she'll be able to give me hand at putting some of these safety features into practice.



In other news, the lovely Nicola Marsh wanted to know who our personal sexiest man alive was. Phew, now that's a hard question!!!!!!!! After due thought and consideration I had no choice but to nominate a certain hot guy who shall remain nameless in this post. Nicola did, unsurprisingly I might add! agree he was a hottie and posted a pic of him.







Here is a random photo of some guy I totally pinched off Helen's blog. I think it's the Roman armor that does it for me!!!!

Strings Attached - Elisabeth Rose

Please welcome my special guest this week, Elisabeth Rose, who writes romantic comedy for The Wild Rose Press and whose latest book, Strings Attached, is available now!

Please tell us a little about yourself, Lis!

The wisdom is ‘write what you know’ so for me that means music and tai chi plus those myriad other life things a woman picks up after many decades as a wife and mother. I read constantly and have done since childhood. I was introduced to the delights of romance during summer holidays at my cousins—three girls. They had all Georgette Heyer’s books and I loved them.

Apart from two years in Europe I have lived all my life in Canberra, Australia’s capital.
I have two books out with Avalon Books and a third release in April. Find out more about me at my website

‘Strings Attached’ is my first book for The Wild Rose Press.

Can you tell us a little about your book, Strings Attached?

I write contemporary romance. Most of my stories have humour in them to some degree but this one is definitely a romantic comedy.

The first half is basically a road trip about four musicians including the violinist heroine Hannah, and two hangers-on – the hero, photographer Jack, and the irritating wife of the group leader -- travelling about country NSW on a concert tour which is disrupted by flooding. The second half is set in Sydney where Hannah and Jack, fighting a losing battle against intense physical attraction, attempt to get their act together. Not easy when their ambitions and life goals are precisely opposite and they’ve just spent the previous week annoying each other in the close confines of a car.

Strings Attached is a Champagne Rose, available now, and out in print in January 2009

How did the idea for the plot come about?

The initial idea came from a documentary on TV about The Australian String Quartet on a concert tour of the outback. They played outdoors in the desert, in shearing sheds etc
As a professional musician I’ve done several concert tours and the enforced closeness is great for stimulating emotions of all sorts eg the annoying people become more annoying, friends become closer, people fall in love. I also wanted to use a lot of funny anecdotes and situations I’d been told or experienced over the years so I stuck them all in, and laughed myself silly as I wrote! Just about every ridiculous happening in Strings Attached is based on a true story.

I love sale stories (ok I am just nosy!!) so can you tell us about your road to publication - and your call story?

My first sale was to Avalon Books. I’d had years of rejections but Avalon seemed to like my writing. They showed interest and then I didn’t hear anything for nearly a year. Very frustrating. They had a few editorial changes but to my queries I’d have an email saying, we like your story we’ll let you know. Finally they did. The Right Chord was accepted in 2006 and came out in April 2007.

Strings Attached did the rounds before being picked up by The Wild Rose Press. Most of the rejections were ‘good’ in that editors liked it thought it was funny etc but just not enough. I persisted because I love these two characters and knew they would find a home eventually. It’s unsuitable for my publisher Avalon because of the sex scene and the single title length.
I was delighted to get the confirmation email from The Wild Rose Press offering a contract. At last!!!

We are all about the love here, so please share your fave books, movies, TV shows or current fantasy squeeze (it's all in the line of research!)

I don’t have a favourite book that leaps to mind although I really like Jane Austen’s Emma, and Thomas Hardy’s The Mayor Of Casterbridge. My favourite series is Anthony Powell’s A Dance To The Music of Time. Depends how I feel what I like to read or watch.

I’m a sucker for Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers movies and The Philadelphia Story is fantastic. Love Cary Grant. Audrey Hepburn is gorgeous. More contemporary? Al Pacino and Paul Newman. More recently Johnny Depp, Clive Owen, Damien Lewis.


What are you working on now?

I’m working on an idea I had while attending my niece’s wedding. Her groom had two best men. They were three best mates, two of whom are now married but the third stated he was never getting himself tied down—he crews on a luxury yacht in the Mediterranean (True!!!!) The celebrant was wonderful, a young woman who absolutely adored the concept of marriage. . . Get my drift? Now how to get them together . . .

I also have a thriller on the go and a mystery. Both are ticking along slowly in between the romances. There’s also a paranormal idea I had years ago which I’d really like to develop one day.

How can readers keep up with your writing and books?

Go to my website

I also have a link to my blog there where I announce the latest developments in my writing life.
For the month of October I am the featured author on the Avalon website.

Thanks for the opportunity to talk about my books!
Best wishes and happy reading everyone
Elisabeth

I Love Your Blog Award!

The lovely Suz gave me this award on Friday (thank you, Suz!!) Since I've just drugged myself up to the eyeballs and dragged myself from my sick bed (it's not the flu, but doing its very best to pretend it is... sigh!) I thought I'd pass this award on to seven other bloggers I love visiting. Of course I love visiting a lot more than seven but them are the rules!!

Amanda Ashby - there's always something here to make me giggle, and let's be honest - where else would I learn so much about the secret habits of zombies?!

Sara Hantz - where I can unleash my inner teen. Not that my inner teen ever really went anywhere, but still!!

Pat Posner - I'm pretty sure Pat already has this award, but I don't think that matters - here's another one!!

Shelley Munro - There's always something happening over at Shelley's, along with the most fascinating links!!

Helen Hardt - aka Helen's Heroes, aka Yummy Hotties!!! What's not to love there?!

Kaye Manro - Kaye poses thought provoking questions, and also has medieval knights. A winning combination!!

Suzanne Brandyn - am I allowed to award you back? I think I am... consider yourself awarded!!

And don't forget to pop over to Free Book Friday Teens because this week Sara Hantz, author of The Second Virginity of Suzy Green is being featured. There are two autographed copies up for grabs and all you have to do is sign up for a chance to win one.

A Love Beyond Time - Alisha Paige

Please welcome my special guest this week, Alisha Paige, who writes for The Wild Rose Press and New Concepts Publishing. Alisha's book, A Love Beyond Time, was recently released by The Wild Rose Press as part of the Song of the Muses anthology.

Over to you, Alisha!

Can you tell us a little about your book, A Love Beyond Time?

This book gave me a unique challenge. I never plan or plot my books. I write by the seat of my pants and never would I have come up with the idea to write about a Greek muse but when my editor approached me with the idea, I was willing to go for it. I chose Clio, the muse of history because I’m fascinated with history. I was also thrilled to work with eight other authors in this series about the nine Greek muses. I’ve become quite close to many of them and so very thankful I was given this wonderful opportunity.

Here’s the blurb:

Cursed for mocking Aphrodite, the goddess of love, Clio, Muse of History and her lover are thrust back in time to the Salem Witch Trials and then the Italian Renaissance. Only love can save them both, but is their love strong enough against the one goddess who can end all love? Is their love A LOVE BEYOND TIME?

How did the idea for the plot come about?

I’m fascinated with The Salem Witch Trials and I wanted to write a time travel so I decided my muse would start out in Salem and travel back in time to one of my favorite time periods, the Italian Renaissance. I really had no idea where I’d go from there but I was required to give my editor a vague notion of where I was going. Being a pantster, I had to ask my editor a couple of times if the plot was okay, just to make sure I was on the right track.

I love sale stories (ok I am just nosy!!) so can you tell us about your road to publication - and your call story?

Well, I never received a call, but I did get that first email that left me staring open mouthed at my computer screen. These are the most beautiful words….How would you like to become a published author? I’ve told this story on my blog before so I’ll copy here.

When my editor sent me an email with a contract attached, I nearly choked on my morning coffee. I just knew it was a rejection. For some reason, I always thought my first sell would come via "the call". I actually skimmed the email because I knew it would be painful for me......and then she closed it with Congratulations! Huh? I reread the email slowly and nearly flipped out! No, I did flip out and called my husband who was working out of town. He's a steel worker......one of those guys who builds the framework of a building.......who walks high in the air on beams. He was in the air when I called and the wind was whipping around him, making it hard to hear. I called him over and over until he picked up. He said, "Honey, what is it? I'm in the air." I said, "Guess what?" He could hear it in my voice. He already knew. "You sold a book?" "Yes!" I answered. "Oh, honey. I'm so damned proud of you. So, how is my published author?" Siggggggghhhhhh, yes, I will be reliving that moment for years and years to come! What an amazing feeling.


We are all about the love here, so please share your fave books, movies, TV shows or current fantasy squeeze (it's all in the line of research!)

I read so many books. I can’t possibly pick a favorite, but a classic, Forever Amber by Kathleen Winsor stays with me still though it doesn’t have the traditional happy ever after I crave. And yes I was disappointed but her writing is sublime.

I just saw a great movie with Russell Crowe called A Good Year. I have fantasies about owning a vineyard in Tuscany so this movie catered to everything for me…my love for wine, romance and Crowe is oh so yummy. What a great movie, based on a novel by Peter Mayle about a businessman that inherits a French winery from his favorite uncle. The end was tied up so beautifully.

I rarely watch t.v. unless it’s the Biography channel. I’m fascinated by the lives of people and find that we all have so much in common. We all struggle, no matter who we are. We all have self doubt. We’re all human.

Fantasy squeeze…Clive Owen. All that stubble and that accent…need I say more?

What are you working on now?

Currently I'm working on another shapeshifter tale set in Circle City, Alaska and just finished a werewolf novella set in Montego Bay, Jamaica. I'm waiting to hear back from my publisher on this story as well as my were-lion tale set in Africa and the London countryside.

My fantasy romance, Hunting for Fireflies, will be available this year! I'm very excited about this book because it's also suitable for young adult.

My romantic urban paranormal thriller, Nocturnally Vexed, will also be available at the end of the year. This book is about a clan of hybrid creatures known as the Orgulocks, half shapeshifter/half vampire. King of the Orgulocks, Vex Savaker kicks off this series as detective for the Metropolitian Police, on the prowl for the modern day Jack the Ripper. Stay tuned for news of the other Orgulock brothers; Jet, Knight, Daze and Stone.

How can readers keep up with your writing and books?

You can find me at Alisha Paige. Make sure you enter my monthly contests. I also have a blog, two My Space pages and a Facebook page, all listed on my site. I also belong to Infinite World of Fantasy Authors, a fabulous group of speculative fiction authors. You can find us at http://www.iwofa.net/.


Thanks Alisha! ~Thanks for having me! I had a blast!

And the Winners are...

Here's Robbie with the update on her contest:

Okay!

Every response was just fantastic! So I've put all your names in a hat (a bowl, actually) and had Tabby draw two names out.:drum roll please:

The winners are Rebecca and Helen!!!

Please contact me at my website addy and let me know which book you'd like =)

And a great big fabulous WOOHOOOO for your no 1 spot, Christina!!!

Thanks for having me here, ladies =)It's been great fun!

Robbie

Forever My Lady - Jeff Rivera

Please welcome my special guest today, Jeff Rivera, whose first book, Forever My Lady, has recently been released by Grand Central.

Jeff, over to you!

Can you tell us a little about your book Forever My Lady?

Yes, I wrote Forever My Lady the screenplay when I was about 19 years old so that's over 10 years it's taken for it come this far. I believed in the story even after people kept rejecting it, to me it was something that needed to be told. That's what I would advise people if you really believe in something stick with it.

Dreams really do come true and that's one thing that I tell in Forever MyLady because it is Dio, the main characters dream to really become something. But everyone has given up on him, even his own mother but there's one special girl who believes in him and encourages him when everyone else says he's a lost cause. That is Jennifer and the two of them are instant soul mates who are there for each other throughout the years. Well, Dio gets himself into some trouble and lands in prison boot camp where he promises Jennifer he'll turn his life around and marry her when he gets out. But then he is finally released he discovers she's planning on marrying someone else.

How did the idea for the plot come about?

It came about originally because I had a friend who had come out of a gang and was trying to turn his life around for his lady. I then put in so many things I've been through personally

I love sale stories (ok I am just nosy!!) so can you tell us about your road to publication - and your call story?

Well, sure! I started out self-publishing my novel because I didn't want any more rejecting and I kept promoting my book online and every penny I made I'd put back into printing more copies and I built such a huge online following that it garnered the intereste of Grand Central and well, the rest is history.

We are all about the love here, so please share your fave books, movies, TV shows or current fantasy squeeze (it's all in the line of research!)

I'm all about love too which is why I love Nicholas Sparks books. He was a major influence for me when I was writing Forever My Lady. I was grateful enough to finally meet him this year and thanked him. I also love old episodes of In Living Color, Pushing Daisies, Boston Legal, and I have to admit I love watching VH1's New York Goes to Hollywood (can't get enough of it.)

What are you working on now?

I'm working on some really cool Young Adult books.

How can readers keep up with your writing and books?

They can visit my website: http://www.jeffrivera.com/ or they can go to Amazon.com and check out my latest books as well.

Pod, People!

On Friday I was completely thrilled to discover that Foretaste of Forever hit the #1 spot on The Wild Rose Press Bestseller list! Thank you to every one who helped make this dream a reality. It's a wonderful feeling and I certainly couldn't have got there without all your encouragement and support!

In other news, my fantastico CP, fellow witch Amanda, has a podcast interview up over at Free Book Friday!! Two signed copies of Amanda's amazing debut novel, You Had Me at Halo, are up for grabs and all you have to do is sign up here. Oh, but do listen to her podcast interview! Amanda has the most adorable Aussie accent!!!

Baby Bequest - Robyn Grady

Please welcome my special guest this week, Robyn Grady, who writes for both Mills & Boon Modern Heat and Silhouette Desire. Robyn is also giving away a copy of her two recent releases to two lucky people who comment - Baby Bequest (C says: I've just read this one and OMG the hero is to die for!!!) and Confessions of a Millionaire's Mistress!

Robbie, over to you!




Thanks so much for popping by today Robbie! Can you tell us a little about your book, Baby Bequest?

Thanks for the invite, Christina!! And congrats again on the release of Foretaste of Forever. I’m really looking forward to enjoying what promises to be a terrific read.

(Christina):Thank you!

My latest Desire, Baby Bequest (released in NA November, Aus/NZ December and UK January), features my favourite hero yet! Gage Cameron is the perfect alpha male. Strong in his convictions, honourable in every sense, and driven mad with want for a woman he can’t have. Twelve years ago, Gage, a penniless bad boy, fell in love with a rich man’s daughter. After being falsely accused of a crime, the heroine’s father paid Gage to leave the country, and his daughter Jenna alone. Convinced he wasn’t good enough for Jenna, Gage left.

In present time the heroine’s family are killed in a freak accident, and Jenna’s tiny niece is in the custody of her stepmother, a narcissist who doesn’t know the meaning of the word love. Jenna needs to gain custody of her niece. But when her former flame shows up - now a powerful multimillionaire and sexier than ever – Jenna must decide whether she can accept the terms, and dangers, of Gage’s drastic solution.

There are elements of suspense and a gorgeous German Shepherd called Shadow, as well as a beautiful baby girl who so deserves happiness.

Gage is one of my fave heroes too. How did the idea for the plot come about?

I wanted to create a hero who was one hundred percent noble. Alphas are leaders of the pack, but Baby Bequest’s alpha male is very much a lone wolf, and I play on that image, and mentality, throughout the story. I wanted a heroine who could admit she still feels deeply for the man who had apparently deserted her years before. And I wanted to give Gage a watertight reason for leaving the woman whom he loved, in fact, still loves enough to walk away a second time. He hadn’t banked on falling even harder for Jenna, as well as for this adorable baby. There are some light/playful moments, but basically this story is a ‘heart-ripper’, as one reader called it.


Well Robbie, as you know I love sale stories! Can you tell us about your road to publication - and your call story?

Ah, yes! My loooooong road to publication, lol. After leaving my TV job, I decided to follow my heart and write! That was 1999. Barbara Hannay had just sold. Jane Porter too. I was so excited and had no idea of the wild ride ahead of me. I joined Romance Writers of Australia and worked my way up from form rejections to personal rejections, to personal rejections with suggestions and requests for more, to emails and finally, in 2005, a phone call from a London editor who loved my latest manuscript for a new line, Modern Extra.

I remember stuttering and stammering on the phone and thinking, “This is it!” Unfortunately I “didn’t go far enough with the revisions”. I sent another manuscript to London and received another phone call. But I didn’t do those oh-so minor revisions right either. In 2006, I finalled in 13 US contests but I’d started to feel as though I would never break through and give this editor what she needed. I emailed another story to London and received a very long email with revisions that amounted to a complete rewrite.

I slaved over the rewrite for two tough weeks. Then, slightly out of my mind, I email queried a New York agent. To my amazement, the agent took me on and I sold to Desire the following month and to Modern Extra (now Modern Heat) in a two book deal the month later. Since that time, I’ve received 12 contracts (five from Modern Heat, 6 from Desire and one on line eharlequin read) and I’m still floating!


That sure was a rollercoaster ride, but so worth it in the end! We are all about the love here, so please share your fave books, movies, TV shows or current fantasy squeeze (it's all in the line of research!)

Favourite books…
The Time Traveller’s Wife (I could read that last page over and over)
Year of Wonderd
My Favorite Mistake
The Love Machine

Favourite movies…
Phantom of the Opera (sob!)
The Notebook (What a kiss!)
Stepmom (I cry every single time.)
Last of the Mohicans. (No better hero)300 (Because… Well, just watch it and you’ll see!)

TV shows…
I don’t watch tele really, other than Law and Order. I totally love Bobby Goran’s character in Criminal Intent. If I weren’t a writer, I’d want his job!






Fantasy squeeze…
Can’t go past Gerard Butler. Can you blame me??

Hmm, that Gerard is a very popular guy round here!! What are you working on now?

I’m currently working on my fifth Modern Heat, a reunited lovers story with a matchmaking twist. I wanted to create a completely irresistible bad boy. No wonder the working title is Devil in a Dark Blue Suit.

I love bad boy stories. How can readers keep up with your writing and books?

Come and visit my website! http://www.robyngrady.com/ My books are available on Amazon and the Harlequin and Mills & Boon sites. Please email if you’d like to comment on any of my stories. I’d love to hear from you

Two books to give away!

Question to win either Baby Bequest or Confessions of a Millionaire’s Mistress…

Tell us the name of your favourite romantic hero (book or film) and why.

The Long & Windy Road...Strewn with Big Rocks!!!

The lovely Eleni and Hannah invited me over to their Bootcampers Blog today to chat about my writer's journey, which has been a bit rocky at times, and that's putting it politely!!!

Find out what my personal mantra is... I'll give you a clue... it might be a line from Galaxy Quest!!!

More Good News

I'm giving a big shout out to my good friend, Helen Hardt, who tied for first place in The Wild Rose Press Got Wolf? contest! Helen's entry, Blood Wolf, will be published by the Black Rose line in an anthology in late summer 09. Congratulations, Helen!

This Friday I'm interviewing the lovely Robyn Grady, Desire and Modern Heat author. Robbie is giving away not one, but two of her new releases to two lucky poeple who comment on her post! Do drop by on Friday and say hi to her!! We'd love to hear from you.

Later today I'm being interviewed over at Jennifer's Random Musings. Jennifer has a fabulous blog with lots of wonderful book recommendations, interviews and reviews.

I'm also visiting Western Romance Author Paty Jager today!

Happy Guy Fawkes Night!

A New Contract!

Late last night I was offered a contract by The Wild Rose Press for my Scarlet Rosette, Touch of the Demon. I'm thrilled!!

So now I'm neck deep in revisions and trying to tackle the mysteries of formatting. I'd much rather the revisions since the formatting gives me palpitations but luckily Sara was on hand to... um... hold my hand through the process!!

Here's the blurb:

Dark angel Rafe travels back in time to destroy the woman who is fated to bring untold chaos to the cosmos. Instead he finds Celeste, a child of the Earth Goddess, who is sworn to protect the one Rafe seeks. He mistakes her for his quarry but an irresistible attraction prevents him from taking her soul. And although Celeste holds the one weapon able to banish Rafe from earth forever, she's unable to deny the overwhelming desire to possess this creature from hell. They come together in a frenzy of passion, each believing they are changing destiny by their actions but when the Earth Goddess appears they discover her plans are more far reaching than either had imagined.

It's Friday! It's Halloween! It's time for the WITCHES!!!

As some of you may know I'm in a crit group called The Witches (not sure why we call ourselves that. It's not as if we cackle whenever we get together!) We've known each other for several years, before any of us were published (except for Pat, who was already a multi-pubbed children's author when I first met her), so we've shared all the ups and downs and highs and lows along the way.

Anyway, to celebrate the release of Foretaste of Forever the darling witches are having parties over at their blogs, where they are revealing all sorts of things (and some of them ain't pretty). And so because it's Halloween, and it's Friday, and my heroine is a witch, we're holding a contest for the chance to win a download of my very first erotic romance novella.

All you have to do is pop over and leave a comment - for three chances comment at all three blogs!!! And Pat is hosting a Q&A session, so if there's anything you'd like to ask me hop over and leave your questions in her comment trail!

Amanda's Blog
Pat's Blog
Sara's Blog

MySpace Glitters

A Place of Healing - Jean Adams

Please welcome my special guest today, Jean Adams, whose Champagne Rose novel, A Place of Healing, has recently been released by The Wild Rose Press!

Jean is the founder of the Romance Writers of New Zealand. Please tell us a little about yourself, Jean!

RWNZ was founded in September 1990. Ten or so people met in the back bedroom of my house and shared what little we knew about romance writing. It was enough to judge the level of interest which was high. We decided on a meeting date and RWNZ was born. The first conference followed four years later, in June 1994. I'd never organised anything like a conference before so the whole experience was a learning curve for me. Some very special people attended, including Daphne Clare, Robyn Donald, Susan Napier, Rosalie Henagan and the wonderful Gloria Bevan. We were even honoured by a letter of good wishes from Essie Summers. Since those early days, RWNZ has gone from strength to strength and I'm sure it always will.

Can you tell us a little about your book, A Place of Healing?

Holly Spicer is a cop with a tortured soul, being responsible for the murder of her police partner. Now she wants revenge and plans to go away for month to a secluded beach in the Bay of Islands to get her head together and make her plans for vengeance. She'll go through with it -- even if it kills her.

But she doesn't bargain on sexy Adam Benedict, psychologist turned movie mega star, using all his old skills trying to keep her alive.

How did the idea for the plot come about?

LOL. It actually evolved over a period of years, in between writing other things. It was written and re-written several times until finally I'd had enough of it and submitted it to The Wild Rose Press who loved it.

I love sale stories (ok I am just nosy!!) so can you tell us about your road to publication - and your call story?

My road to publication has been a bit bumpy and Healing wasn't my first call story. In fact I didn't get "calls" at all. I got emails. Not as noisy (as in screaming down the phone) but equally as exciting.

We are all about the love here, so please share your fave books, movies, TV shows or current fantasy squeeze (it's all in the line of research!)

My favourite romance of all time is Flowers From the Storm by Laura Kinsale. And anything by our own Helen Kirkman. I have all her books, and in fact discovered the other day that I have two copies of one book. The movies I like aren't romances at all, but they have romantic themes in the adventure sense. Lawrence of Arabia, The Man of La Mancha, that kind of thing. TV? Let's not go there. There's nothing worth watching at all, except maybe for some of the programmes on UKTV.

What are you working on now?

I'm tossing up whether to send two further books that The Wild Rose Press has requested. I am also developing a trilogy set in ancient Egypt which I would like to get published one day but I have other priorities now. I run a very lucrative home-based business which is much more important. Never thought I'd ever say that, but there you go. And I get to travel to exotic places for fun. What more could there be.

How can readers keep up with your writing and books?

Just watch my sig line. Eventually it will change but I suspect not in the near future.

Discover My Darkest Secrets!!

Today I'm over at fellow Wild Rose Press Paranormal author, the lovely Alisha Paige's blog! Please pop over and find out my deepest darkest secrets! (It's quite possible Clive Owen might be mentioned...)

There's still time to enter my contest over at Shelley's blog, and also at The Dynamic Three for an additional chance.

On Friday (Halloween no less!!) my fellow Witches (aka as my CPs!) are grilling me in honor of my debut release. Please check out Pat Posner's blog today and find out what she has in store for me!!

My Heroine

Today I'm over at the lovely Shelley Munro's blog, where I'm talking about my heroine, Elyesha. Please stop by and leave a comment, as I'm holding a contest for one lucky person to win a download of Foretaste of Forever!

My Hero

The lovely Helen Hardt has posted an interview with me over at her blog, where I'm discussing my hero from Foretaste of Forever. Would love to see you over there!

Later this week my CPs, aka The Witches, are putting me under the spotlight, so that will be fun!!! More details to follow on that one.

The Day After the Night Before

Thank you everyone who popped by over the weekend, left comments or emailed me privately with congratulations. You all made my day extra special and completely unforgettable!

And thank you Kaye Manro, who hosted a party over at her blog on Friday. It was huge fun!

Tomorrow I'm visiting my friend's blog, Helen Hardt, where we'll be chatting about my hero from Foretaste of Forever. Please pop on over if you get the chance, we'd love to see you!

On Tuesday I'm over at Shelley Munro's blog, where I'll be explaining why I chose a witch as my heroine. Although in fact Elyesha was always a witch and I just had to discover that!!

I had a fabulous surprise when I switched on the computer this afternoon. My very first review from PNR (ParaNormal Romance Inklings & More) ! The reviewer, Melissa Conatser, said this in part:

This fast paced story had me sighing from the passion and love and nearly crying with sorrow for these two soul mates. I enjoyed Foretaste of Forever and look forward to reading more of Christina Phillips’ work.

As you can imagine, I was thrilled to bits! The entire review can be found here

And two minutes ago, Foretaste of Forever was at the #4 spot on The Wild Rose Press Bestseller List!



The gorgeous flowers and bubbly my darling hubby brought home on Friday, and my fluffy purple teddy from my eldest daughter!!

FORETASTE OF FOREVER - Release day - PARTY!!

Today is the release day of my debut book, Foretaste of Forever from The Wild Rose Press! I'm so excited! I've waited a long time for this, and now it's finally here it all feels surreal!

And I have my very first interview up!! Please pop over to the lovely Nell Dixon and check it out.

As soon as Foretaste is up on The Wilder Roses page, I'll link directly to it.

A witch's tale for Halloween...

Here's an adult rated excerpt:

Elyesha hooked her ankles around Ben’s waist as he strode through the castle’s crumbling entrance. For a fleeting moment, she wished it had retained its former glory, but her ancestors had allowed the magnificent stronghold to fall into ruins centuries ago.

Besides, it didn’t matter where she had Ben. So long as she had him. And soon – she would have him forever.

In the Great Hall, with its soaring arches and remnants of ancient grandeur in the carved four poster bed, he paused and she slowly slithered from his grasp. “What shall we do now?” she said, tilting her head to one side and allowing her long hair to tumble provocatively over her shoulder. She traced one finger over the hard ridge of his erection and hid a smile as Ben clenched his jaw.

“No suggestions?” She raised one eyebrow and trailed her finger over his groin and toward his chest. She didn’t know why he fought against her some nights. What did he hope to achieve? Sooner or later, she’d get her way and then he would see how foolish all his protestations had been. “Perhaps I’ll strip you naked,” she suggested, loosening the ties on his scarlet linen shirt.

He didn’t reply, except to give the merest grunt of a laugh. She tugged his open shirt from his britches and admired his perfectly sculpted chest, before sliding the shirt over his shoulders and along his finely muscled arms.

“Enjoying yourself?” There was a rasp to his voice, as if he tried to deny the rising desire between them.

She shot him an exasperated glance. “I intend to enjoy myself far more before this night’s over.” She tugged at the fastenings at his crotch, deliberately prolonging the procedure as she massaged his rigid shaft. Occasionally she found Ben’s inhuman self-control infuriating, but even that didn’t matter. Because, in the end, he always succumbed.

But sometimes, she wished for the early years. Before Ben had rebelled against their relationship. Before his misguided sense of honor had risen its unwelcome head and corroded their perfect world.

Impatiently she thrust the thought aside. She admired his honor, but had no intention of destroying what they had at its altar.

“So long as you’re enjoying yourself.” Ben’s sardonic comment penetrated her thoughts, and wet heat flared deep in her pussy at the look on his face. He was no longer rigid with self-control but lust, and his eyes glowed with rising desire. “I exist for your amusement, Elyesha.”

She ripped the last fastening free and dragged his pants down his muscled legs. “Never forget that.” Her voice was uneven, her heart hammering against her breast. How could he do this to her, after so many years? She had only to think of him to want him, had only to see him to desire him. And when he teased her, she knew in her heart she would willingly die for him.

If she was only given the chance.

He hauled her to her feet. “And now it’s your turn to entertain me.” There was no hint of reluctance in his eyes now. Only love. For her. She wrapped the knowledge around her heart and knew it wouldn’t be long before Ben made the final commitment to her.

Edited to Add:

Foretaste of Forever is now up on The Wilder Roses Site! OMG. I'm so excited I might burst!!!

MySpace Glitters

Blue Remembered Heels - Nell Dixon

Please welcome my special guest this week, award winning author Nell Dixon, who is here chatting about her new release, Blue Remembered Heels, published by Little Black Dress. Book link - Book Depository

Nell, please tell us a little about yourself.

I was born and continue to live in a small area of the UK known as the Black Country. Happily married to the same man for over twenty years, we have three beautiful daughters, a tank of tropical fish and a cactus called Spike. During the day I work for a disabilities charity in my local community.

In my spare time I enjoy travelling with my family in our touring caravan and exploring the countryside. I have a passion for cathedral architecture and historic buildings. I also enjoy walking, gardening and art.

Ever since I can remember I’ve loved stories and books, both reading and writing them. My first poem was published by a local paper when I was thirteen, since then I’ve had several poems published and was first runner up a few years ago in a national short story competition. I’ve also had several articles published in professional journals.

Writing romance remains my first love and I write the kinds of stories that I love to read. My publishers to date include: Little Black Dress, Samhain Publishing, Moonlit Romance, By Grace, D C Thompson, and Linden Romance. I am also proud to say that I was the winner of the RNA’s Romance Prize 2007 with my book Marrying Max.

Can you tell us a little about your book, Blue Remembered Heels?

Blue Remembered Heels is about a family of con artists, Charlie, the older sister, Abbey, the heroine, and Kip their younger brother. Their mother disappeared without trace when they were small and they make their living by scamming people. Then Abbey gets hit by lightning and can’t tell lies any more. A bit of a snag in her career especially when there’s a very hunky detective hot on her trail. It gets even more complicated when she starts to suffer other side effects from the lightning strike – flashbacks to her mother’s disappearance – and then their latest scam victim decides he wants his money back and he’s not asking nicely.

How did the idea for the plot come about?

The idea for the book came about after I read a newspaper article about someone who was hit by lightning and as he recovered he began to speak fluent French - a language he's never learned. The more I looked into the after effects of lightning strikes the more interesting it became. So Abbey was born, a conwoman who made her living by telling lies who suddenly could only tell the truth. In the book the lightning has one other unforseen effect too but I don't want to spoil the plot!

I love sale stories (ok I am just nosy!!) so can you tell us about your road to publication - and your call story?

I was so excited when I heard about Little Black Dress. The books sounded like just the kind of stories that I loved to read and write. Fast paced with humour, quirky situations and full of life, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on them. I read quite a few and I knew I had some great story ideas in my files that I thought would be perfect for my kind of writing. I went to the Romantic Novelist’s association conference shortly after I’d started writing Blue Remembered Heels and Cat Cobain, the editor for the line was taking pitches. I pitched my book even though it wasn't finished and she asked for a partial and told me to email it straight to her. A few weeks later she emailed me and asked to see the rest – I’d only completed ten chapters so I asked if she wanted to wait till it was finished or if she wanted to see the rough draft of what I’d got so far. She asked for the rough draft. I sent it on the Monday and she offered me a two book contract on the Friday based on the partial – wow! My second book is called Animal Instincts and will be out in March.

We are all about the love here, so please share your fave books, movies, TV shows or current fantasy squeeze (it's all in the line of research!)

Oh, this is so hard! I really don't watch many films or much TV.My all time favourite film that I can watch over and over again is Seven Brides for Seven Brothers - I love that film. I have dozens of favourite books, Pride and Prejudice of course, The House on the Strand by Daphne DuMaurier, Welcome to Temptation by Jenny Crusie, The Hound of Death by Agatha Christie and Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. Favourite fantasy squeeze is Bryan Adams, the Canadian singer.

What are you working on now?

At the moment I'm working on two books, One is called Crystal Clear and is about Crystal Therapy, fate and a heroine who thinks she knows what she wants from life but suddenly finds she may have everything all wrong.
My other project is a really challenging story that I've been wanting to write for a while and follows four different women.

How can readers keep up with your writing and books?

Visit my website or my blog or look for me on Face book or My Space.

E-Publishing Stats

For some ball park figures on how well various e-publishers are doing when it comes to selling erotic romance, EREC (Erotic Romance E-Publishing Companion) has some interesting data.

From one of my loops I was directed to a new blog, Crash and Burn, where the various pros and cons of e-publishing are discussed. The blog says it's for novices and newbies but I found the info there interesting, so will be keeping an eye to see what else is discussed over there.

Finally, advertising. What works, what doesn't? Hop over to Dear Author where the merits of cost per impression versus click ad campaigns are mentioned, along with how ads in romance magazines, banners and online reviews sway (or don't sway) readers into purchasing. It makes fascinating reading, and there are loads of great comments.

What do you think works in terms of online advertising for books, print or e-published?