RWA Conference! & Eye-Candy!!!

Off to the Australian Romance Writers conference first thing in the morning - can't wait! I'm taking my camera and will try to remember to actually take some photos!!

I'm very relieved that I finally finished my current book. I had hoped to finish it last weekend, but apparently my hero and heroine had other ideas. Not that I'm complaining since I love how it all tied up but talk about leaving it until the last possible second!

Anyway, before I go and unpack my case (again) just to check that I remembered to pack everything in the first place, I will leave you with some yummy eye-candy. Enjoy!!

FORBIDDEN Contest at The Mystic Castle

Do you have any burning questions you'd like to ask me? The Mystic Castle is holding a great contest where you could win a signed copy of FORBIDDEN - here's the scoop from their webpage:

"Here is how this newsletter works. Three weeks before the release date we will open a Take Five post on our website where we invite you to ask the author a question. The period to ask questions will be limited to two weeks only.

The FIVE best questions will be selected and answered in our newsletter by the author. In addition those five people who asked the question will be entered into a draw, where you have a 1 in 5 chance of winning a signed book by the author. The other four people will receive a small prize as well (bookmark, signed cover flat etc). Winners will be announced in the newsletter."

My two weeks for taking questions runs from 9th to 23rd August. It's up and running now and I would love to see you over there!!!

Awakened by a Kiss ~ Release Day!

How gorgeous is this cover!

Lila DiPasqua, fellow Berkley and debut author, is celebrating the release of the first book in her Fiery Tales series, and I am soo looking forward to getting my hands on it! Awakened by a Kiss is the steamy retelling of three classic fairy tales:

Sleeping Beau: Five years ago, the notorious rake, Adrien d’Aspe, Marquis de Beaulain, was awakened by a sensuous kiss—and experienced a night of raw ecstasy that was branded into his memory. Years later, he spots his mysterious seductress—and this time, he has no intention of letting her go…

Little Red Writing: Nicolas de Savignac, Comte de Lambelle, has been assigned by the King to uncover the secret identity of the author writing scandalous stories about powerful courtiers. He never expected his investigation would lead to his grandmother's house, or to a ravishing woman who would stir his deepest hunger…

Bewitching in Boots: Elisabeth de Roussel, daughter of the King, is accustomed to getting what she wants—and she wants Tristan de Tiersonnier, Comte de Saint-Marcel, an ex-commander of the King’s private Guard. A recent injury has forced Tristan to leave his distinguished position, but Elisabeth is determined to make him see he's every bit the man he once was—and more than man enough for her..

You can read an Excerpt here!

Almost there. But not quite...

OK I just want to give a big *squee* to fellow Aussie, the hugely talented Kylie Griffin who won the Paranormal Golden Heart on Saturday in Orlando! Yay, go Kylie!! So very well deserved! I'm still happy dancing for you :-)

Writing update: Just hit 90k on the current book today - am sooo close to the end I can see it! But not quite there yet :-) At this rate I'll make 100k by Friday (I realise I've just jinxed myself by saying that out loud!) and will have no option but to make sure everything's tied up. And I do have a lot to tie up (and I'm not completely sure how everything does tie up, but since I had the same worries with both Forbidden and Captive, I'm hoping it's just a part of my crazy process and not a real problem!!)

I received confirmation of my workshops for the Oz conference over the weekend (Next Week!!!) and it's all looking fabulous. Now I just need to work out what I'm wearing and start the packing!!

RT ~ 4 Star Review for FORBIDDEN!

I'm so excited - Romantic Times gave Forbidden a 4 star review! Much squealing ensued between my CPs and me and plenty of wine will be consumed at the Oz conference in a couple of weeks in celebration!!!

Here's a snippet of the review: "Set in the time of the Roman Empire, Phillips’ wonderful story of the romance between a Roman soldier and a Celt is more than entertaining"

My current book is racing towards the end now, and I was so totally in the zone this morning it was a real wrench to break off for lunch. And then of course I never managed to get back into it, what with Real Life intruding and all that!!!

Three Over Par

Big shout out to Cathryn Brunet, whose steamy novella, Three Over Par, hits the shelves today with Carina Press! Congratulations, Cathryn. And when I say steamy, I mean it - read the first chapter here (and according to Cathryn, she was only just warming up in Chapter One!)

Here's the blurb:

Wild, hot, addictive sex…

After seeing one too many patients die regretting the things they haven't done, nurse Lucy Seymour realizes she's been making the same mistake. So when Robbie, the sexy golf instructor, makes his move, she responds with uninhibited passion, telling him there's nothing she won't try. Long sessions of foreplay lead to thrills and fantasy fulfillment…until Lucy sees Daniel, the greenkeeper, watching them. Watching her. And then Daniel does more than just watch…he joins them.

Can it lead to love?

Lucy might be exploring all of her secret fantasies, but her reality is that she's a one-man woman…and for her, that man is Daniel. But what does Daniel really want? Lucy or the fantasy?

I have several writer friends who have been contracted by Carina Press, and another book I can't wait to get my hands on is by my friend Shelley Munro. Her historical, Gothic mystery, The Spurned Viscountess, is due for release from Carina Press on 20th September. I love Gothics!

394

I've always had a secret passion for Alan Rickman (his Sheriff of Nottingham is priceless!!!) and let's face it, there aren't many blokes who could make Severus Snape (greasy hair and all) sexy!!! But his voice slays me every time. Here he is, making the number 394 sound deliciously decadent!!!!

Enjoy.... I know I did...

20k to the finish line

I've just hit 73k on my current book which means I have about 20k to finish. However, there's still a long way to go before my hero and heroine get their happy-ever-after and I'm not convinced they'll make it within that word limit! I also want to finish before the RWAus conference in four weeks time (which means I need to finish in three weeks time) so I don't need to worry about it while I'm in Sydney.

And speaking of Sydney, I am sooo excited about the conference. I've not been to an Australian one before so it's going to be all new for me, plus a fabulous chance to meet up with on-line friends in the real world. I'm taking my camera and there will be photos!!!

Character, Desire & Conflict

Here's a great blog post by fab UF author Keri Arthur, on a recent Art of Romantic Comedy workshop she attended with Michael Hauge and Steve Kaplan. Although the workshop focused on romcom and screenplay, the advice is relevant across genres and states all stories are based on a simple foundation that consists of three basic elements - character, desire and conflict.

It's a great post, and part two is next week!

Necessary Agent

This link, for an article on Poets & Writers, was posted on one of my writer's loops today, and I had to pass it on. It's a behind-the scenes look at what a good literary agent can do for their clients during the period after the contract is signed but before the book is published.

It's a long article - five pages - but I was riveted. I think it's well worth the time to read if anyone has an agent already, is searching for an agent or might be agent hunting in the future. I even think it's a great read for anyone not interested in signing with an agent at all, just to see what other kind of things agents do aside from negotiate the contract itself. Plus it's a good reminder of just how awesome editors are too!

Historical Bits & Pieces

I've been thinking for a while I should put some kind of background info or glossary on my website as a brief outline for the world of Forbidden and Captive. I made a start the other night, and it's up under Historical Bits & Pieces. I'll be adding to it whenever I get a free moment, and will include tidbits that relate to Morwyn's story in book two (which starts six months after Carys and Maximus's story ends).

Speaking of free moments, I need more of them to try and make a dent in my tbr pile!!! I keep finding fabulous books over at Lovin' Me Some Romance and The Season for Romance which is very good news for me but not such great news for my battered credit card!!!

How Authors Handle Reviews

Just saw this YouTube over at Pub Rants... hahaha... made me laugh!!!

Congrats, Cari!

Congratulations to Cari Quinn, a lovely friend I met over at The Wild Rose Press a couple of years ago! Today Cari's second novella from TWRP is released ~ Ex Appeal, book 2 in her Hunk de Jour series.

And here's the blurb!

As the webmistress for one of the Northeast’s hottest dating sites, Hunk Du Jour, Jenny Talbot is no stranger to reading the applications of potential clients. But when the latest application that crosses her inbox belongs to Ty Randall, the guy she broke up with a mere twenty-seven days ago, she does a double take. Reading what Ty wants in bed not only gets Jenny hot, it also makes her rethink ending their relationship. All she longed for was a little more spice in the bedroom—okay, a lot more—but he let her go without an argument. Faced with the possibility that Ty may really be moving on, getting her ex back becomes more appealing than ever. But will revealing exactly what she needs allow Jenny to finally experience ultimate pleasure or will she drive away the man she loves for good?

Earth's Children #6

OMG! I'm so excited! I discovered last night, over at Lisa Loves Books, that the sixth and final Earth's Children novel by Jean M Auel, The Land of Painted Caves, is due for release in March 2011!

I was a teenager when my (future) father-in-law recommended I read Clan of the Cave Bear, the first book in the series about Ayla who lives in prehistoric times. It took another 15 years before I managed to persuade my (by now!) husband to read the books, and more recently my youngest daughter became hooked too. I can't believe it's been eight years already since book 5 hit the shelves. Then again, I'm pretty stunned it's been over thirty years since the first book was published!!!

Destination: Pleasure!

Huge congratulations to my lovely friend, April Vine, whose book Intrigue in India is out today with The Wild Rose Press!

It's part of the Destination Pleasure Series and is set in the city of Delhi. Here's the blurb:


“All you have to do is disguise yourself, pretend to be me, go to India and meet the man I’m supposed to marry. By the time he realizes you’re not me, I’ll have already eloped…”

After a break up with her boyfriend, Haley Kent agrees to her best friend, Anjali’s madcap plan, hoping mystical India will help her find inner peace. Instead Anjali’s arranged future husband turns out to be a gorgeous Indian God with a touch that scorches.

Rajeev Yuvaraj refuses to be outsmarted by the sexy, blonde, blue-eyed American and devises his own retribution. A bride is what he expected and a bride is what he would get even if it meant handcuffing Haley to his wrist during the marriage ceremony.

But when Haley discovers the true nature of his secret scheme, can Rajeev seduce her back into his arms again?

Fun in the Fur

And another week passes!!! I have no idea where the time goes. I did, however, finally manage to finish the love scene that I'd been struggling with for the last two weeks. When I say struggling, it was more that my hero and heroine were enjoying themselves so much it took a while for them to actually hit the furs. And now they've had their fun I'm going to shatter their world (because that's the kind of nice person I am!!!)

I also spent some time tidying up my website (yet again) but I think I've finally cracked it. There really should be a FrontPage for Dummies because it's taken me forever to work out how to use all the various functions!

CAPTIVE ~ Cover Revealed

And here it is!!! It's very different from the Forbidden cover! The awesome Marketing dept have decided to brand my Roman/Druid series as "Forbidden" - and I do love how that's tucked into the bottom left hand corner!!

I've always loved dark, gothic covers and stories, and although I imagined the cover to Captive would be similar in style and tone to Forbidden (which I think probably most people know by know how much I totally love!!!), the more I look at this cover, the more I realise how completely it captures the tone of the book.

The hero, Bren, is a dark, tortured soul (I love him so much) and that stormy background is perfect for him.

I also think it's slightly worrying just how much I adore that font!!!

I'd love to know - what do you think of this cover?

Heat in the Outback

My very good friend Suzanne Brandyn has her latest book released today from Eternal Press ~ Heat in the Outback. Look at that gorgeous cover! Aren't the colours truly fabulous?

Happy Launch Day, Suz! (And happy birthday - what a great pressie!!!)

Here's the blurb:

The soaring temperature in the Outback is not the only heat Sarah Munro faces when she returns home for her father’s funeral. She wants to settle his affairs, sell the family’s homestead, Munro Cattle Station, and return to Sydney, and her fiancé, as quickly as possible. Sarah doesn’t want anyone to find out what she’d done in the past. She wants to close this chapter of her life for good. Then there will never be a reason to return to this dusty one horse town. She is wrong!

Ethan Wade, her first love is at the homestead. Ethan claims he owns half of Munro Station. Sarah wants him out! As they try to settle their differences, a raging attraction ignites.

Will Sarah and Ethan find each other again as their past explodes before them?

Journey to Publication

Fabulous Nocturne Bites and Ellora's Cave author Mel Teshco has an interview up with me over on her blog, where I'm chatting about my (very long!!!) journey to publication. Love to see you over there!

Update & FORBIDDEN Excerpt

I'm a third of the way into my current project at 32k and my warrior hero and his magical heroine have just realised they're falling in love - not that they've admitted it to each other yet. Heh. I'm gearing up to throw some big spiky rocks at them because that's the kind of nice writer I am!

I've just uploaded the first chapter of FORBIDDEN onto my website, if you fancy a peek. It is a little spicy - Maximus and Carys, unlike my current couple, had no intention of waiting a week before they locked lips!