Clive Owen and Henri Castelli

Well my desk is tidy and polished and looks very alien to me without all the dust and rubbish *cough* I mean important research notes scattered across it, but I thought I should make the effort since I'm flying off to conference tomorrow. Yay! I'm very excited in case you didn't guess!!

I'm also very happy as I don't have to cook dinner tonight. The kids have volunteered (no I really didn't twist their arms. Well, not much) as it's my birthday and I have turned twenty-nine. Again. but we won't talk about that anomaly!!

Tomorrow I'm scheduled to be interviewed over at the lovely Marianne Arkins blog, where among other things I'm talking about tomatoes and tattoos! OH! And I managed to sneak in a mention of the gorgeous Clive Owen (I know I'm flighty, what with my not-so-secret-obsession with the ridiculously beautiful Henri Castelli (who is a total dead ringer for my current hero, omg) )... where was I... anyway, would love to see you over there even though I won't be able to join in the fun as I'll be winging my way to Auckland!!

Djinn-tastic News!

Woot! I'm so excited! My very good friend and crit partner, Amanda Ashby, has just signed a three book deal with Puffin for her mid-grade series! Here's the scoop from Publisher's Marketplace:

Amanda Ashby's untitled middle-grade series about a girl who accidentally gets turned into a djinn (genie) the day before starting sixth grade and has to learn to deal with her new powers without her mom finding out, to Karen Chaplin at Puffin, in a three-book deal, by Jenny Bent at The Bent Agency (world English).

And all I can say is what fantastic timing since I only meet up with Amanda and Sara Hantz once a year at the New Zealand conference, so in just three more days we'll be able to party for real! Hooray!!

His Ship, Her Fantasy - Emma Lai

Please welcome my special guest today, the lovely Emma Lai, who's celebrating the release of her debut Faery Rose, His Ship, Her Fantasy, which is available from The Wild Rose Press!

Here's a little bit about Emma:

Emma has not always been a writer, but she has always been interested in relationships, not only between people, but also between countries. She has completed her studies for a Masters in International Relations and has plans to pursue a Doctorate.

She uses her writing as an outlet for the myriad of thoughts that crowd her overactive mind. In addition to Mates of the Guardians, a series of short stories focusing on a mysterious group of individuals on a quest to save the universe and their search for love, she is working on a contemporary romance book and a science fiction/fantasy book series. She also has more plans for the Guardians. However, there is no telling what else she will literally dream up.

Wow, Emma, Mates of the Guardians sounds an awesome concept. Can you tell us a little about the first short story in this series, His Ship, Her Fantasy?

His Ship, Her Fantasy is a short story (about 7500 words).

Blurb:

Ellie Woods is in love…with a ship. When an argument with the ship results in a bump on the head, she finds herself in the strong arms of Alastair. But, who is he, and where did he come from?

Alastair has loved Ellie from afar for years, but duty has kept him from revealing himself to her. When a grave threat reveals his true identity, he hopes that Ellie will choose reality over fantasy.

This blurb has intrigued me from the moment I first read it! How did the idea for the plot come about?

I had this scene stuck in my head of a woman arguing with her spaceship. I started with that and it evolved from there. It actually took a slightly different path then I originally pictured, but who am I to argue with my characters?

Very true! Our characters can be very stubborn, can't they!

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

After I finished the coursework for my Masters in International Relations in May 2008, I decided to take the month of June to relax. For me, relaxing means reading. I got to get caught up on the pile of books I’d been accumulating.

Sometime during all my reading, an idea started to form, and it just wouldn’t go away. I’d close my eyes at night and find myself in this whole other world. I decided the only way to get it out of my head was to put it on paper, and that was the beginning. It seemed once I opened the door it refused to be shut.

Suddenly all of these stories demanded to be told. I ended up with the beginnings of two books. My mother-in-law, who happens to be familiar with the publishing industry, came for a visit in July. She read what I wrote and encouraged me to start sending things out to work on getting publishing credentials.

I had to put writing on hold for a few months so that I could study for my comprehensives, but after I finished them at the beginning of November, I couldn’t resist the call of my characters. I ended up writing His Ship, Her Fantasy in two days. After having my trusty readers critique it and a few edits, I sent it off to The Wild Rose Press. They immediately requested the manuscript and within a month, we had completed edits and I had my first contract!

What an amazing sale story! As you know, we 're 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 a lot of books in all types of genres. I tend to fall in love with series. My current fantasy series is The Malazan Books of the Fallen by Steven Erikson. My current mystery series follows Pepper Martin and is written by Casey Daniels. For fantasy romance, I’m reading The Nine Kingdoms Series by Lynn Kurland. For time travel romance, I’m working on The Time Guardian Series by Skyhe Moncrief. I also like Regency, Victorian, and Western romances, and my list of authors is long.

I also watch a lot of movies. My favorites include Princess Bride, The Little Mermaid, Starship Troopers, The Lord of the Rings, Love Actually, and White Christmas.

Lots of my favourites in there too! Can you give us a teaser as to what you're working on now?

I’m still working on finishing my two original stories, which are a young adult fantasy and a contemporary romance. However, His Ship, Her Fantasy inspired a slew of other shorts. I’ve contracted the next short in the series, His Hope, Her Salvation, and have three other shorts that need to be finished. There is also a novella/novel inspired by the series that is in progress. I’ve also got a fairy tale, a paranormal, a contemporary, and a Regency time travel all started.

Lots more for us to look forward to! How can readers keep up with your writing and books?

Readers can find updates on my books at my website…http://www.emmalaiwrites.com. They can also see what I’m reading and thinking about by following my blog…http://emmalaiwrites.blogspot.com.

A Bit of Sinful Fun

I had to pass this one on because it's sooo much fun. My friend Anna Campbell is holding a contest today to give away her one and only copy of an ARC for her upcoming Regency, Captive of Sin. All she wants (!) is a little rhyme about your fave hero, over at the Romance Bandits

Only a week and a half until conference! I suppose I should start packing soon. Did I mention I've already pinched my daughter's tiara? Well the Saturday night dinner theme is Fantasy and I've always had a fantasy about being a princess!! I'm so delusional, it's sad really!

Kilt Worthy - Catherine Bybee

Today I'm very excited to welcome my lovely friend Catherine Bybee, who is celebrating the release of her debut story, Kilt Worthy, a Scarlet Rose from The Wild Rose Press!

Thanks for having me today, Christina.

You're very welcome, Catherine. Can you tell us a little about your book?

Yeah, I could, but then would you buy it? I mean, if I went on and on about how there’s this woman named Jane who has about as much self esteem as a piss-ant… okay, she has more self esteem then a piss-ant, but not much. If I went on and on and explained that on her way across town to capture a stellar picture to enhance her portfolio she stumbled on a hottie wearing a kilt and a smile who offered a wonderfully scandalous erotic night she tosses caution to the wind as says “What the F#@k!” and runs off with him. If I told you all that would you want to read more? Okay, watch my trailer and that will tell ya what you want to know.

You want a sample? (Christina: Yes please!) Geeze, Christina… you ask for sooo much! Grin

Excerpt:

Dragging my gaze up to his, I swear he could read my thoughts yet again. His cocky grin grew larger when my eyes traveled back down his hard torso and I saw a twitch beneath his kilt. A really big twitch.

I dug in my heels, shook my head and started to back away. “Maybe this is a mistake.”

His hand reached out and caressed my cheek, his eyes glued to mine. One more step back and the brick building stopped my retreat. Mr. Kilt leaned in. Heat, mixed with his strong male scent, surrounded my quivering body. His other hand came up and rested on the wall behind me.

Boxed in, I watched his lips move, his breath quicken and something that looked like concern stream from his eyes. Every nerve in my body called out, wanting his touch. I forgot about the alley as my attention narrowed to him and the rapidly shrinking space between us.

Phew! Steamy. How did the idea for the plot come about?

This is such an easy question. I was bored! Really bored, and I asked one of my CP’s to send me inspiration to write something. She sent a picture… this one ---- And said the words “Moment in Time”

I started writing and when I looked up, Kilt Worthy was born. Four days later, I sent it to Aithne to critique and within a week sent it to The Wild Rose Press.

Wow! I'm not surprised you were inspired!!! I love sale stories (ok I am just nosy!!) so can you tell us about your road to publication - and your call story?

Do you have a year? Seriously… this road is long and hard!

Okay… you read my above answer, right? When I’m bored I write. When I’m happy I write!

When I decided to submit my upcoming full-length novel, Binding Vows, I had a lot of waiting to do. Several revisions etc. In that time, I wrote six more books… no, make that seven. Kilt Worthy was number Seven. I subbed four of these books and WHAM… three contracts in eight days… the forth to follow one month later. One minute I thought I wasn’t talented and didn’t think I’d ever get published then WHAMO… contract after contract.

There is more to the story, of course, but hey… I’ve got three more books coming out this year. Gotta save something for later, right?

I totally remember when that happened, Catherine! It was crazy, but a great crazy. Do you write every day? Do you give yourself daily/weekly goals?

Yes, but not always in my books. If I’m not writing romance I’m writing blogs, tweeting, facebooking ( if that’s what you call it) looping. I write reviews for Affair de Coeur under an assumed name. LOL. ANOTHER ASSUMED NAME. So yeah, I write all the time.

Do I have writing goals? Yes and no. When a plot is thick in my head, I’m like a mad woman to get to my computer and get all my ideas down. If I’m in-between projects or waiting on edits or some such thing, I give myself some slack, or write something short. I do think writers need to write as much as possible. When I’m writing a full length novel I want to get down several K a week, otherwise I feel like I’m slacking.

Panster or plotter?

Pantser… but I’m trying the other side. I’m told that some of those big NY houses like a plot so I’m playing with plots. In the end, I’m a panster!

So what keeps you motivated when the writing gets tough?

Ohh, this is two questions really. When the publication road is hard, you push through and keep on truckin’. NEVER GIVE UP!

If the story isn’t working out the way you want it, then your characters are acting out of character. I suppose you have to be a writer to know what that means, but I’m not one to believe in ‘writers block’. Your CHARACTERS are blocked. They aren’t acting like themselves and the writer (me) is messing with their heads.

Is there any advice or light bulb moment you'd like to share about getting/being published?

Certainly when I received my first contract that moment occurred. But I don’t think it’s really hit me yet. At least not the publishing light bulb. Now, the writer light bulb went on during my quest for an agent. Those first couple of rejections bit big time, but then I received a request for a partial and a full and wow!!! I was jacked! Someone in the literary world wanted, WANTED, to read what I wrote. Needless to say, ultimately my book was rejected, but by then my confidence elevated and really had me stoked to do this whole publishing thing!

Do you have critique partners (CPs)? If so can you tell us how you met up and your process?

LOL. Do I have CP’s? Not only do I have CP’s but I also started up an entire loop dedicated to CP’s. And I help moderate over at Coffee Time Romance with their critique groups. I have two video blogs dedicated to this subject so feel free to stop by my youtube page and view them. http://www.youtube.com/user/CatherineBybee

Critique partners are a must have. I met Aithne Jarretta on myspace and then met Angel Martinez via my critique group. Then there is Kaye Manro and Nancy O’Berry who’ve also helped. There are others of course, but these ladies have seen entire manuscripts of mine and helped me in so many ways.

Ever writer, published or not, can help in some way. Even the greenest author will see something you didn’t.

That's so true, I'd be completely lost without my CPs! What are you working on now?

I’m working on two things… No, make that three. *can you say multitask?* I’m working on the third book in my time travel trilogy. I’m working on another erotic story titled “Batteries Not Included” I’ll let your mind consider the title and therefore content. LOL. And I’m trying that whole plotting thing for a new paranormal series I’d like to pitch to Harlequin. So, I’m busy. Ohhhh and my boys are out of school, so I’m “working” on not pulling my hair out until they are back in the school room. LOL

You can keep up with all my antics on the web all over cyberspace.

www.catherinebybee.com

http://thewildrosepress.com/wilderroses/index.php

https://twitter.com/catherinebybee

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1484747649&ref=profile

http://www.myspace.com/catherinebybee

http://catherinebybee.blogspot.com/

I’m also on Manic Readers, Goodreads, Amazon, Coffee Time Romance and more… Feel free to friend me, tweet me, tag me. LOL.

Thanks for having me here today, Christina. It’s fun to skip across cyberspace and visit the land Down Under!

Hot Summer Sale!

Even though I'm in the middle of winter. Not that I complain about it much. Well OK maybe I do...

Anyway!!

The Wild Rose Press are holding a Hot Summer Sale with 10% off all titles, including Foretaste of Forever (sale price $1.35) and Touch of the Demon (sale price $1.80). Bargain!!

And I am a happy bunny because there's no cricket tonight which means we get to watch some more episodes of BSG!!

I'm in the Menagerie!

Today I'm visiting with the lovely Kealie and ladies over at The Menagerie, where I'm chatting about drinking, thunderstorms and the last movie that made me cry (won't be going to see that one again, and I'm completely avoiding going to see My Sister's Keeper too!!!)

On Friday I was in Big W when I stumbled upon... ta da...Battlestar Galactica Season 4.5. OMG. I was so ridiculously excited I grabbed the DVD and might have squealed. Out loud. Thankfully my daughter was down the PC aisle so didn't have to disown me.

I couldn't wait till my husband got home so we could watch it because seriously, I've been gagging for this to come out so I could finally follow what was going on!! Anyway, can you believe it. He wanted to watch the cricket instead. Now, I know England is doing amazingly well, I've even been watching some of it (it has nothing to do with the hotness of certain players!) and yes it does make a huge change to actually watch a game where England isn't being ritualistically slaughtered by the Aussies!!! But still, we're talking about BSG here!

So I was secretly pleased when they had to abandon play on Saturday due to rain, since we ended up watching four episodes. *Happy Sigh*

I am very easy to please.

Single Father, Wife and Mother Wanted - Sharon Archer

Please welcome my special guest this week, another debut Down Under author, Sharon Archer whose Mills and Boon Medical Romance, Single Father, Wife and Mother Wanted, is about to hit the shelves!

Sharon is a qualified medical scientist who has swapped test tubes and microscope slides for a pencil and a word-processing package. As a child, when she wasn't horse riding, she lived with her nose in a book. She's always enjoyed writing but it didn't occur to her to try to do something with it until she saw a television interview with Valerie Parv. The idea of writing romance stories for Mills and Boon fired her imagination. Her writing “apprenticeship” lasted many years but in September of 2008, she got the “Call” from Mills and Boon. She's just had her third book accepted for the Medical Romance line.

You can visit her website at www.sharon-archer.com

Hi Christina, thank you for asking me to visit! I'm thrilled to be here! You said I could feel free to send a picture of a 'hottie' so I thought I'd offer this one of Gerard Butler that I found on http://www.hunkdujour.com/. I love his pensive expression in this photo and the little curl at the corner of his mouth.

Well, we’re always more than happy to have Gerard Butler visit!! Sharon, can you tell us a little about your book?

SINGLE FATHER: WIFE AND MOTHER WANTED is Matt and Caitlin's story. They meet at a motor vehicle accident – a truck towing a horse float has run off the road. In the float is a heavily pregnant mare. Small-animal vet, Caitlin, swings into action and, with Matt's help, she saves the new-born foal.

Caitlin is a life-long nomad whose heart yearns for somewhere to call home. She's travelling to a small town in western Victoria to look for her family's roots.

Matt, is the town's GP. After a disastrous marriage, he's got his hands full making a home for his son so the last thing he wants is to fall for Caitlin. But she captures, not only his heart but his son's as well.

Caitlin longs to fit in to the niche that seems to be made just for her. But before she can belong, she needs to reveal who she is and why she's really there.

Christina, I was going to cut and paste an excerpt here, but then I remembered that Mills and Boon UK has a whole chapter up online so I thought I'd suggest this link instead.

http://www.millsandboon.co.uk/books/Medical/single-father-wife-and-mother-wanted.htm

Ooh, great chapter! How did the idea for the plot come about?

The idea for this story developed out of a love for horses and genealogy – which sounds a bit bizarre for a medical romance, doesn't it! I live in country Victoria and I love The Grampians area so I made up a small town near there for my setting. My heroine's background actually grew out of my first ever manuscript – that manuscript was rejected but the idea of a heroine wanting to find her roots after the death of her father stayed with me. When I started the “what if” game, I got more and more excited about the possibilities. “What if” the heroine was a veterinarian? And “what if” she was put in the position of working with large animals when she'd always worked in a small-animal practice? And then what if... LOL

At the time, I was unpublished, so I could indulge myself and play around with the more unconventional idea of having a veterinarian as one of the protagonists in the story.

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

SINGLE FATHER: WIFE AND MOTHER WANTED took two years to travel from the slush pile to “The Call”. It went through three lots of revisions in that time. And I have to say it was the most marvellous experience to work with suggestions from an editor.

I've written six full manuscripts now. The first one was truly awful – apart from that idea about the heroine's background. Chronologically, SINGLE FATHER was the fourth story that I completed. The first three manuscripts plus a couple of partials got well-deserved rejections.

“The call” came at about 4.30pm after I'd been outside for much of the day burning off on our five-acre property to prepare for the summer bushfire season. I'd only just come indoors – if I had raked leaves for another five minutes, I wouldn't have caught the phone call! Anyway, the phone rang and it was the editor in the London office. It took a while for the reason for the phone call to sink in and once it did, I went completely rubbery. I think my side of the conversation was mostly “omigosh, omigosh, omigosh” I'm sure I made a great impression on Lucy!

It was a huge relief when she followed up with an email because as soon as I just hung up the phone, I was thinking... “did she really say what I think she said??!”

I love that sale story! Who or what inspires you and why?

Story ideas are everywhere – it's a case of being open to them and playing the “what if” game. Which sounds rather grand.... as though ideas must be swarming to get into my head! Sadly, this isn't true and I'm still learning to be more open to the “what if” game. But I'm enjoying the process.

Because I'm writing Medical Romance, I spend quite a bit of time researching and sometimes that inspires an idea for a scene. Often it will be for a completely different story line to the one I'm working on. There's nothing more tempting to a muse than something new. Still, some of those ideas.... you never know when they might be handy...

There was an interesting blog recently by Josie Metcalfe on the e-Harlequin Medical Authors Blog where she talked about a writing exercise that she uses. She randomly picks a newspaper article and then gives herself two minutes to work up a story line about it. It really resonated with me so I've decided to prod my muse more often and get it doing some stretching exercises.

I find going for a walk can get my thoughts flowing. Sitting on the back of the motorbike can really help me there too – I think my muse is a biker chick!

Where do you see yourself as a writer five years from now?

My writer wish list is...

--- that I'll still be writing for Mills & Boon

--- that I'll have heroes and heroines lining up to have their stories told

--- that I'll be a much much MUCH faster writer than I am now! And MUCH more disciplined!

--- and lastly, I'd really like to see myself perfecting the art of being a “hobo writer” so I could combine two things that I love – seeing new places and writing. We've just been travelling for three and a half months and I found fitting in manuscript time was a challenge. We stopped in Broome for three weeks so I could complete the revisions on my third manuscript. I'm pleased to say that the revisions got finished, I fell in love with Broome and I was reminded all over again why I fell in love with my husband. Without his patience and support, I'd have been tearing my hair out to try to do the work on the road.

Your trip sounds awesome. What's the best, and worst, things about writing for you?

The best thing about writing is the opportunity to indulge in day dreaming and to be able to call it working! What other job gives you that sort of permission!

The worst thing for me is starting a new manuscript – that 50,000 words still seems huge. I'm a tortoise with an over-active internal editor so I squeeze words out slowly. I'd love to be a hare with an internal editor who knows how to look the other way – but then I guess that would come with its own set of issues – I'd have to delete more words!

Which brings me to the second worst thing for me as a writer - having to push the delete button! That's painful for my tortoise! But revising and editing are such an important part of the polishing process.

Is there any advice or light bulb moment you'd like to share about getting/being published?

The first bit of advice stems from being a tortoise because I'd say don't be too impatient. Use the time while you're unpublished to learn, to make mistakes, to perfect writing craft, to try different things.

My second piece of advice comes from my time working with a Romance Writers of Australia scheme to help newer writers --- learn how to accept constructive criticism of your work. Often the feedback that makes us wince is the stuff that will help us move ahead with our writing. And adding to that, I think it's a great idea to put feedback aside and come back to it when you've got a bit of distance from your work.

Do you have critique partners (CPs)? If so can you tell us how you met up and your process?

Yes! Yes! YES!

(Christina: LOL, that’s a yes, then?)

It is! I have fabulous critique partners who are also very dear friends. They read my manuscripts and give me wonderful feedback . And I don't mean that they've told me what I want to hear.... they've accorded me the respect of telling me what I NEED to hear. It's always lovely to hear that someone thinks what you've written is marvellous – but it's pure gold to have someone tell you why a scene isn't working or that a character isn't behaving logically or that you need more emotion.

I met my writing CPs through Romance Writers of Australia. The RWA and RWNZ conferences are great places to talk to other romance writers and find out if you “click” with them. And of course, now, we have the terrific Critique Partner Scheme that Rachel set up with RWA and RWNZ.

I also have non-writing friends who have read and given me feedback and encouragement along my writing journey too – including my husband who was my only reader at the time I completed my second manuscript.

Lovely Blog Award

Sticking my head out of the revision cave, I want to give a big thank you to my two lovely friends, Helen Hardt and Susan Macatee, who awarded me the One Lovely Blog Award! It's so pretty!

I now have to send this award onto three other bloggers.

The rules are simple. Copy the award image above and choose three blogs you enjoy! Write a blog post to let everyone know who they are and why you enjoy them. Then let the lucky bloggers know you've chosen their blogs as "One Lovely Blog".

I'm going to send this award to my three CPs. Over the last month, and the last week especially, those girls have gone above and beyond! Seriously, they keep me sane (although my definition of sanity probably shouldn't be too closely examined, but moving on!!!)

Amanda Ashby

Sara Hantz

Pat Posner

Having the Billionaire's Baby - Sandra Hyatt

I'm very excited to welcome New Zealander Sandra Hyatt today, whose debut Silhouette Desire, Having the Billionaire's Baby, is out now in the US and hitting the Down Under shelves in August (just in time for conference!)

Hi Christina

Thanks for inviting me to blog with you.

Thanks for visiting, Sandra! Can you tell us a little about your book?

How did the idea for the plot come about?

I'm so excited that Having the Billionaire's Baby is finally out there on the shelves. It's the story of 'good' girl Callie, who's always played by the rules, but who, on the night of her ex-fiancés wedding, makes one impulsive 'bad' girl decision. Her actions that night land her in hot water with billionaire, Nick, who plays by his own rules, and her carefully ordered life is turned upside down.

The story went through some major incarnations. I first started writing it with a rancher hero who'd been a secondary character in an earlier (still in a box in my office) story, and it was set in New Mexico. Over time the hero changed to Nick, and the location changed to Australia and New Zealand. The only thing that stayed constant was the heroine's motivation – a 'good' girl, dealing with the unpredictability of life who makes one rash decision and then has to deal with the consequences.

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

Like the song, my road to publication was long and winding. I wrote for ten years before finally getting The Call. I'd tried my hand at different types of romance—sweet, suspense, paranormal—trying to see which I enjoyed the most and which my voice best fit. Over the years I'd had some contest successes, and many, many, many rejections, varying from straight out form rejections to some 'almost, but not quite' rejections. My last rejection before selling was on revisions on a full manuscript (and though by then I looked on rejections as a normal part of this business, I have to say, I'd really got my hopes up on that one, and it hurt).

Then I posted a comment on a blog being run by the Australian and New Zealand authors of a Desire continuity series called Diamonds Down Under. These wonderful authors had organized, as a prize for a random commenter, a full-manuscript critique by the then Desire editor, Melissa Jeglinski. I won that prize! I duly sent my manuscript off, and then—having no idea how long the critique would take—I pretty much forgot about it.

Just a little over a month later I was attending the Romance Writers of America national conference in San Francisco, and rooming with fabulous Desire author Tessa Radley. Tessa had left the room to send some emails from the hotel computers and suddenly came bursting back in, saying she'd been in contact with Diana Ventimiglia, and mentioned she was rooming with me, and that Diana wanted to call me.

Tessa was certain there could be only one reason that Diana wanted to speak to me. Me, I wasn't so sure. Surely it couldn't be the manuscript I'd sent off only five weeks earlier? That was way too soon. Happily, Tessa was right (she always is), I was wrong, and Diana bought Having the Billionaire's Baby. And now, one year later, it's a real live book, on real shelves (including cyber ones), in real shops, not just in my imagination.

That's an inspiring sale story and a good reminder to never give up, no matter how tough it gets. Do you write every day? Do you give yourself daily/weekly goals?

I write every week day, and most weekends. Sometimes, like these last few days, it's not new writing but working on edits on an earlier book (I've sold my second one to Desire too, due out in January).

I try to write a minimum of one thousand words a day. It's a very manageable target, but it's the consistency that quickly builds the totals up till I have a whole story.

Congrats on your second sale! Pantser or plotter?

By nature, definitely a pantser. Generally speaking, I start with two characters and other than the fact that there will be a happy ending, I have no idea how their story is going to play out until I write it. That's part of the fun for me.

And that used to be a fine way to work. But in the interests of not wasting a whole lot of time writing a book my editor may not want, I'm working at having enough of a plot to give her so that she can give me the go ahead on a story.

What keeps you motivated when the writing gets tough?

Deadlines have always helped me. Initially that was part of my reasoning for entering contests, it made me finish things, or start new things. And now I've have contractual deadlines.

The other thing I've learned about my process is that the writing always seems to get tough at around the one third and then two thirds point. Now that I've accepted this as normal for me, and not the demise of what I'd once thought was a fabulous idea, I can push through.

Is there any advice or light bulb moment you'd like to share about getting/being published?

If it's what you want, you have to believe in yourself, against the odds and even against the evidence.

Do you have critique partners (CPs)? If so can you tell us how you met up and your process?

I consider myself truly blessed in my CPs—Abby Gaines, Karina Bliss, and Tessa Radley. Their support, knowledge and friendship are hugely important to me. We first met at a Kara Writing course, run by Daphne de Jong and Robyn Donald. We clicked and stayed in contact and have grown together as friends and writers. Abby, Karina and Tessa all sold within a couple of months of each other back in '06. Once it was clear that I wasn't going to sell first, or second or even third I was sure I'd be a close fourth. It took me another two years. One of those little lessons life likes to teach me.

We don't have a set way of working together, but we get together regularly and try to help out as it's needed eg bouncing story ideas off one another, helping work out story tangles and plot holes etc. We each have different strengths and different ways of looking at things that we bring to the mix. But we all enjoy each others work.

Countdown to Conference!

I've just heard back from my wonderful agent on the novella, and she loves the erotic scenes (phew). I'm now working on some revisions which I'm very excited about, and have sent her a partial of another wip for her feedback.

I realised this afternoon that in four weeks and one day I'll be off to the New Zealand conference! I can not BELIEVE it was a whole year ago since the last one. It only seems like four or five months! Can't wait to catch up with everybody again and of course hang out in the real world with two of my CPs!

Opening Chapters & Awesome CPs!

Well I hope blogger has got over its hissy fit of the weekend! Thank you to everyone who hopped over to MySpace to read the interview with Susan.

I've just started a new book, and as always the first chapter is tying me up in knots. I'm never exactly sure when I should start. Usually it's too soon and I end up chopping heaps in the numerous read throughs, but lately I seem to have been starting too late in the story.

Anyway, I sent off the first two chapters to my CPs, knowing there was something a bit off, but unable to put my finger on it. Thankfully, as always, they came through like the sterling troopers they are and sent me back to the keyboard with strict instructions to up the angst factor!

Of course!!! That was it. I hadn't shown the tortured soul of my hero, even though it was all there but for some mad reason I had forgotten to pour it onto the page/screen. I don't know what I was thinking but I do know one thing. Thank god for the Witches!!!

Erin's Rebel - Susan Macatee

Today I'm interviewing the very lovely and patient Susan Macatee, whose time travel romance, Erin's Rebel, has just been released by The Wild Rose Press.

For some reason blogger keeps eating Susan's interview, no matter what I try!! So please hop over to my MySpace where the interview posted no problem at all!!

Vampires & Reality TV

I can't wait to get my hands on Amanda Grange's new book, Mr Darcy, Vampyre. I've heard from a Very Good Source this book is very gothic and right up my street, plus it's a Regency so what's not to love!

Amanda is holding a competition to win a signed copy over at her blog (for some reason I linked to it above, what can I say, I'm shattered!)





The other week my CP Amanda suggested I get my son The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. I had no idea what it was about until I picked it up in Big W. Here's the blurb:

Katniss is a 16-year-old girl living with her mother and younger sister in the poorest district of Panem, the remains of what used be the United States. Long ago the districts waged war on the Capitol and were defeated. As part of the surrender terms, each district agreed to send one boy and one girl to appear in an annual televised event called, "The Hunger Games." The terrain, rules, and level of audience participation may change but one thing is constant: kill or be killed. When her sister is chosen by lottery, Katniss steps up to go in her place.

It's a YA for ages 12 and up but I tell you what. I couldn't put this book down once I started it. And my 14 year old son couldn't stop talking about it. Love it when that happens!

Her Maine Man - Sylvie Kaye

Please welcome my special guest this week, Sylvie Kaye, whose latest release, Her Maine Man, is out today over at The Wild Rose Press!

Thanks for stopping by, Sylvie. Can you tell us a little about your book?

One weekend a year to bare your soul and your passion. He couldn’t believe the sweet deal she was offering. No commitment, just pure release.

A deathbed promise takes Jon from his consulting desk to a remote island in Maine, where he becomes entangled with one of the loose ends.

As one of the island’s first family and a target for scandal, Maddie longs to share her body and her secrets. The sexy, visiting consultant seems perfect for a clandestine, once-a-year affair—until once isn’t enough.

Although the story and the love scenes are steamy in places, they're also light-hearted and funny in places. My editor said the one love scene was the funniest she'd ever read.

How did the idea for the plot come about?

The concept came from the old movie, Same Time Next Year...but the next generation. And the setting came from a trip to Maine.

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

Oh, that was a long time ago. About ten years ago. I wrote short story called Never Dare A Cowboy for the Kensington Precious Gem line which they phased out not long afterward. I was on holdiay in Las Vegas when my husband called from home to tell me the editor from Kensington phoned and offered me a contract. I called back immediately and accepted. The rest of the vacation, even in Vegas, was a downer after that!! I couldn't wait to get home and watch the mail box for my contract.

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 favorite book is Sandra Brown's SLOW HEAT IN HEAVEN. The hero is to die for! I love everything she writes. I want to be her in my next life...lol!! Movies, I love the Big Chill. I think because of the music. It's from my era. I also like the holiday movie, Love Actually. Lots of happy endings in that one! It's a real, feel good movie. Movie heroes, I love Brad Pitt and Hugh Jackman and....well, I'll stop there. Too many men, too little time.

Love, Actually is one of my fave movies too. And as for Hugh Jackman, what's not to love?! Can you tell us what are you working on now?

I'm revising a story titled, Tantric Touch, which takes place in New Orleans. It has three interferring aunts, some Vood Doo, and lots of superstitions.

When a harried caretaker with no spare time hires a soulful builder who’s willing to take the time, he fixes more than she bargains for.

Jilly is a New Orleans daycare aide by day and by night an errand-running caretaker to the three quirky aunts who raised her.

Zack is a brawny carpenter who works for his father’s construction company. He’s attracted to Jilly but wants a deep, heart connection when it appears that all she has time for is a slam-bam-thank-you-man relationship. Through his Tantric touch he intends to win her trust and eventually her heart.

I'm also working on a story that's more mainstream, entitled, For the Greater Good of Mann. Mann is a fictional town and also a metphor for humanity. The story attempts to answer the age old question of Why we are here?

I have a short erotic story, Widow Reed, under consideration with the Scarlet Rose line at Wild Rose Press. Older woman, younger man, happy ending :-)

How can readers keep up with your writing and books?

My website is www.sylviekaye.com

Thanks Christina for your time and for the opportunity to tell your readers about myself!

Sylvie Slip under the covers with Sylvie Kaye
Banned in Texas ~Available The Wild Rose Press, Barnes&Noble, Amazon
Wrong Side of Love ~The Wild Rose Press
DEVIL IN COWBOY BOOTS ~Coming Aug. 29!
Contest and Excerpts at www.sylviekaye.com

Visit me at Whipped Cream!

I cleared out my desk drawers today and judging by the stuff I found I don't think they've been emptied since we bought it about eight years ago!!! Anyway I chucked all the rubbish and rearranged all my essentials *ahem*.

I'm being interviewed by the lovely ladies over at Whipped Cream today where I'm chatting about erotica and porn and the mysteries of tying a cherry stem with your tongue?! Then tomorrow I'll be on the Whipped Cream chat loop if anyone has any questions! There's a copy of Touch of the Demon up for grabs too.

Novella & Blurb

Oops not sure where this last week's gone. But I'm glad to say I finished my novella and sent that off to my CPs. I also spent a couple of hours hammering out a blurb. Why are those things so flaming hard to get right? For some reason I fare better with pen and paper when it comes to blurbs but it was a real struggle tonight.

I've also heard back from my agent on another project and am Very Excited that she thinks it not only has good bones but has potential to be an entire series! So at least I know what I'll be working on next week!

Monday Morning Blues

I don't know what's up with my Internet connection lately, but it's on a definite go-slow mission to see how far it can stretch my patience before I explode. It's not another virus (at least I'm pretty sure it's not) since the other computers in the house are also suffering.

Then I had major issues yesterday morning uploading a few minor tweaks to my webpage. A five minute job took me over an HOUR and let's just say the air was an interesting shade of purple. I'm not at all techie minded and it takes me forever to work out something which probably is glaringly obvious to most other people!!

Oh yes, and I can't find my glasses so am now peering through my old ones. On the up side I'm collecting my new ones tomorrow, and they are a lovely bright red pair (hopefully this means I won't keep losing them - ha ha yeah right!)

And we have severe weather warnings! Everything is flickering and the shutters are banging!!!

Conference Pitches

Conference time is rapidly approaching, which means readying pitches for appointments with agents and editors. I came across a couple of blog posts by my agent on this very thing, one over at Romancing the Blog where she talks about the best way to pitch to an agent, and also over at Hooked on Romance, where readers sent in their short pitches and Emmanuelle gave feedback on them. Interesting!

I have a Dream...

I have this little dream that some day one of my books will be turned into a movie (I realise I have yet to have a full length novel published, but this is my fantasy!!!) I know how long the odds are, even if a book piques a producer's interest it's no guarantee of anything... but! Still, it's a nice dream I think?

Well, I was thrilled to discover that this has recently happened to a lovely writing buddy! And for her debut novel at that!

Fox are going ahead with the adaptation of Phillipa Ashley's Decent Exposure, published by Little Black Dress, for their Lifetime channel. The location's been changed from the Lake District to the Rocky Mountains and retitled The Twelve Men of Christmas, and it's all very exciting!!!

Oh, and it also proves that these trillion to one shots can and do happen!!!

Congratulations, Phillipa!!!

And the Winner...

of Shelley's fabulous Make That Man Mine is

Kerri Williams Writer of romance!

Congratulation, Kerri!

Please contact Shelley at shelleymunro @ gmail dot com (no spaces, etc!)

I am an Official Tweeter!

Thank you to everyone who popped over and left Shelley a comment over the weekend! I'll be doing the draw later today and will post it up probably first thing Tuesday morning (down under time)

Well I finally succumbed to the dark side and joined Twitter. I still haven't worked out how to respond to people who reply to my tweets (does anyone know?) So I'm not ignoring you, I just can't figure out how to reply!!! Hopefully I'll get the hang of it soon!