Dangerously Sexy Stories By Evanne Lorraine

Dangerously Sexy Has A New Home!

2008-12-03T18:41:00.000-08:00

Please update your favorites and/or links to http://evannelorraine.com, because, I've got a gorgeous new website! You can see the new blog here

2008-11-04T13:40:00.000-08:00

I'm practicing with the Wordpress blog because that's the platform the new professionally designed (doesn't that sound grand?) site will use. Please join me here until the new site is launched.

Coming Soon from NCP

2008-11-04T06:00:00.001-08:00

For the first time, I have two titles on the coming soon page!

Dangerous Rescue, the second dangerous book, is a romantic supsense with a carnal rating.

Available November 19th!

No cover yet, but Dalila's Choice is on the schedule! This story is an erotic futeristic romance.

Here's the link for anyone who wants to peruse the page....

Miranda Lambert's Gunpowder and Lead

2008-11-03T10:26:00.000-08:00

Nothing to do with the current WIP, but it's the theme of a future project....

Sunday funnies

2008-11-02T06:30:00.000-08:00

Texas Chili Cook-off

(It’s a little long, but I’m making chili this weekend so I had to laugh--hope you enjoy it!)

Below are the notes are from three judges in a Chili Contest, two of the judges are contest veterans, the other is an inexperienced Chili taster named Frank, who was visiting from Springfield, IL.

Frank told us, “Recently, I was honored to be selected as a judge at a Chili Cook-off. The original person called in sick at the last moment and I happened to be standing there at the judge's table asking for directions to the Coors Light truck, when the call came in. I was assured by the other two judges (Native Texans) that the chili wouldn't be all that spicy, and besides, they told me I could have free beer during the tasting, so I accepted.”

Frank is Judge #3

Here are the scorecards from the event.

Chili A--Eddie's Maniac Monster Chili

Judge # 1 said, ‘A little too heavy on the tomato. Amusing kick.’

Judge # 2 said, ‘Nice, smooth tomato flavor. Very mild.’

Judge # 3 (Frank) said, ‘Holy crap, what the hell is this stuff? You could remove dried paint from your driveway. Took me two beers to put the flames out. I hope that's the worst one. These Texans are crazy.’

Chili B--Austin's Afterburner Chili

Judge # 1 said, ‘Smoky, with a hint of pork. Slight jalapeno tang.’

Judge # 2 said, ‘Exciting BBQ flavor, needs more peppers to be taken seriously.’

Judge # 3 said, ‘Keep this out of the reach of children. I'm not sure what I'm supposed to taste besides pain. I had to wave off two people, who wanted to give me the Heimlich maneuver. They had to rush in more beer when they saw the look on my face.’

Chili C--Ronny's Famous Burn Down the Barn Chili.

Judge # 1 said, ‘Excellent firehouse chili. Great kick. Needs more beans.’

Judge # 2 said, ‘A bean-less chili, a bit salty, but with good use of peppers.’

Judge # 3 said, ‘Call the EPA. I've located a uranium spill. My nose feels like I have been snorting Drano. Everyone knows the routine by now. Get me more beer before I ignite. The barmaid pounded me on the back, now my backbone is in the front part of my chest. I'm getting drunk from all of the beer.’

Chili D--Lisa's Legal Lip Remover

Judge # 1 said, ‘Meaty, strong chili. Cayenne peppers freshly ground, adding considerable kick. Very impressive.’

Judge # 2 said, ‘Chili using shredded beef, needed more tomato. Must admit the cayenne peppers make a strong statement.

Judge # 3 said, ‘My ears are ringing, sweat is pouring off my forehead and I can no longer focus my eyes. I farted and four people behind me needed paramedics. The contestant seemed offended when I told her that her chili had given me brain damage. Sally (the barmaid) saved my tongue from bleeding by pouring beer directly on it from the pitcher. I wonder if I'm burning my lips off. It really ticked me off that the other judges asked me to stop screaming. To hell with those rednecks.’

Chili E-- Pam's Very Vegetarian Variety

Judge # 1 said, ‘Thin, yet bold, vegetarian variety chili. Good balance of spices and peppers.’

Judge # 2 said, ‘The best yet. Aggressive use of peppers, onions, and garlic. Superb.’.

Judge # 3 said, ‘My intestines are now a straight pipe filled with gaseous, sulfuric flames. I crapped on myself when I farted and I'm worried it will eat through the chair. No one seems inclined to stand behind me except that Sally. Can't feel my lips anymore. I need to wipe my butt with a snow cone.’

Chili F--Carla's Screaming Sensation Chili

Judge # 1 said, ‘Mediocre chili with too much reliance on canned peppers.’

Judge # 2 said, ‘Ho hum, tastes as if the chef literally threw in a can of chili peppers at the last moment. *I should take note that I am worried about Judge # 3. He appears to be in a bit of distress as he is cursing uncontrollably.’

Judge # 3 said, ‘You could put a grenade in my mouth, pull the pin, and I wouldn't feel a thing. I've lost sight in one eye, and the world sounds like it is made of rushing water. My shirt is covered with chili, which slid unnoticed out of my mouth. My pants are full of lava to match my shirt. At least during the autopsy, they'll know what killed me. I've decided to stop breathing -- it's too painful. To heck with it; I'm not getting any oxygen anyway. If I need air, I'll just suck it in through the four-inch hole in my stomach.’

Chili G--Karen's Toenail Curling Chili

Judge # 1 said, ‘The perfect ending, this is a nice blend chili. Not too bold but spicy enough to declare its existence.’

Judge # 2 said, ‘This final entry is a good, balanced chili. Neither mild nor hot. Sorry to see that most of it was lost when Judge #3 farted, passed out, fell over and pulled the chili pot down on top of himself. Not sure if he's going to make it. Poor feller, wonder how he'd have reacted to really hot chili?’

Checkout the new blog

2008-11-01T14:57:00.000-07:00

You can find it here -- leave comment either here or there and let me know what you think.

Six sets of troublesome words

2008-11-01T06:30:00.000-07:00

First, a little background.

My father was an excellent speller and he always said, "If a man could spell every word in the English language correctly, I'd wonder why he'd wasted his life."

I would always smile and accept my less than perfect spelling as evidence a well-spent life. This worked well for me until I was hired by man, who spelled even better than my father. Furthermore, he viewed anyone, so slovenly and poorly educated, that made spelling errors as unfit for employment.

Naturally, I adored my shiny new boss and wanted to keep collecting paychecks. I became a diligent spell checker, stayed employed, and learned a ton of useful skills.

Despite all this energetic effort on my part there are still words that give me trouble--

affect/effect--affect is pure verb--effect can be either noun or verb--I still double check that I've got the one I meant.

callus/callous--thicken skin vs. heartless behavior, why is it we need two words? There are plenty of words that have more than one meaning....

flaunt/flout--show off vs. rebel I know I've read of people flaunting the rules, which simply adds to the confusion. If one can't trust copy editors to get things right....

lay/lie(set)/lie(fib)--technically three words but since two of them are spelled and pronounced exactly the same, only conjugating differently, I'm including them as a troublesome pair.

meretricious/meritorious--appear distinctive enough not to be confused, but again I've read them misused, often enough to always consult the dictionary.

Wreak/wreck--one wreaks havoc, but wrecks cars. English usage does not require either logic or consistency.

Please feel free to add your own bothersome words....

So many blogs, so little time

2008-10-31T17:34:00.000-07:00

Not only am I addicted to reading blogs, now I'm worried about my blog writing problem. It all starts out innocently, a blog here to talk about writing, another on myspace to keep in touch with my peeps, who hang out there, and then I want a fresh look so why not try out Wordpress?

Yeah, I started a new version of Dangerously Sexy here

Sheesh, I'm beginning to think I can't be trusted with a couple of days off....

Freaky Friday

2008-10-31T06:00:00.000-07:00

Just for the women a little something to brighten your Friday. And if you have time to browse there are more delights to be seen here enjoy the pics and let the kids have the candy. Happy Halloween!

Life in the secret garden

2008-10-30T06:00:00.001-07:00

Sweet Autumn Clematis, most of the year it's a plain green vine, but then along come October then I remember why I planted it.

Weird Wednesday Stuff

2008-10-29T06:30:00.000-07:00

Most people I meet have definite preferences when it comes to what they like for entertainment. A certain type of books, a particular class of music, and certain movies are their definite favorites.

Not me. I'm weird that way. I read across the spectrum of literature, children's stories, to literary fiction, skipping none of the sub-genres between those two. I listen to hip-hop/rap, rockabilly, and opera, plus a whole lot more. Movies, yeah you guessed it, I love all kinds, martial arts, to art house specials.

There are things I'm picky about--food is biggie.

So what are you weird about?

Debut Novel--Forever My Lady by Jeff Rivera

2008-10-28T06:00:00.001-07:00

Jeff Rivera's debut novel hits the book stores today! And just for Dangerously Sexy readers Jeff has stopped by to answer a few FAQ. He'll be giving away a copy to a lucky commenter so here's your chance to ask Jeff a question or drop your name into the virtual hat...

So Jeff, what does Forever My Lady really mean to to you as the creator?

To me Forever My Lady is more than a love story, it's a story that hopefully gives readers a glimpse into my life, what I've been through and the people that are close to me how they touched my life. It's a story about everlasting love and heartbreak but it's also about the feeling of longing for someone and wanting them to be who you want them to be even though very clearly they are who they are and will never change. So much went into this story.

How did you hook an agent?

I do everything out of the box. So, I sort of spammed the publishing world not even with a query letter just my excerpt and I was fortunate enough to have quite a few people respond to it. The right person came about at the right time. That's the way it always works.

Your book has been acclaimed by both critics and real readers. How does that feel?

It feels really good to be validated because as a writer, I know this being my first novel you're plagued with self-doubt. You start questioning your abilities. It's only when people give you feedback that you start realizing that "hey" maybe you have something worthy.

How did you keep your spirit intact when you were rejected?

I'm generally a positive person and I think one of things I did was stay away from negative people. There are some great writers out there who were mentors and supportive but there were also writers who (how can I put this best) were infected by what I call the bitter writer disease. These are writers that hang together sometimes in person, sometimes online and all they do is bitch and complain. Those type of people I learned to steer away from. There are too many positive people out there to focus on.

Did you have any input in the book's cover?

I really trust the people at Grand Central and I trust their judgment. I was shocked at the choice at first but I've come to really like it. It'll be interesting to see how people respond to the new cover.

Where cab we get our hands on a copy of Forever My Lady?

You can get a copy at: www.Amazon.com, www.JeffRivera.com or of course, bookstores everywhere. Don't forget to support the indie bookstores too!

Music Monday--Michael Buble's Lost

2008-10-27T06:30:00.000-07:00

More romantic music...

Sunday funnies

2008-10-26T06:30:00.000-07:00

One Sunday morning, people were in their pews talking while waiting for the service to start. Suddenly, Satan appeared at the front of the church. Everyone started screaming and running for the front entrance, trampling each other in their frantic effort to get away from the evil incarnate.

Soon everyone had exited the church. Except for one elderly gentleman who sat calmly in his pew without moving, seeming oblivious to the fact that God's ultimate enemy stood within striking distance.

Satan walked up to the old man and said, “Don't you know who I am?”

The man replied, “Yep, sure do.”

“Aren't you afraid of me?” Satan asked.

“Nope, sure ain't,” said the old man.

“Don't you realize I can kill you with a word?” the devil asked.

“Don't doubt it for a minute,” returned the man in an even tone.

“Did you know that I could cause you profound and horrifying agony for all eternity?”

“Yep,” the old man replied calmly.

“And you're still not afraid?” Satan asked.

“Nope,” said the man.

More than a little perturbed, Satan asked, “Well, why aren't you afraid of me?”

The man replied calmly, “Been married to your sister for 45 years.”

Six things I love about new stories

2008-10-25T06:30:00.001-07:00

1) Finding a tag line that intrigues, expanding that into a story concept--the first rough synopsis.

2) Building new characters,which is the endlessly fascinating process of constructing story people, listening to their voices, learning their secret dreams and fears.

3) Creating a new story world--more construction or, just as satisfying, revisiting and refurbishing a beloved setting

4) Plotting, the fun of weaving the different character's goals, motivations, and conflicts into a new, and hopefully entertaining, tale.

5) Catching the snippets of dialogue, jotting down new twists, and playing with possibilities

6) Organizing the story blocks into a new notebook, new documents, and a new spreadsheet for tracking production.

Of course, the cat sits in, contributing his opinion. So far he's not impressed, but then he is still reading....

Freaky Friday

2008-10-24T06:30:00.000-07:00

Last month, I read a book about what men want when it comes to sex. The author did her research well and the number of men who responded to her questionnaire was a more than adequate sample, from a statistical point of view.

If you're interested here's an Amazon link.

Fascinating reading, but maybe not as useful as what women want--particularly in a hero. Personally, I read a wide spectrum of romance and non-romance and there are several different hero flavors I enjoy. The dark tortured guy is definitely on my short list. And I've thought about why that is so appealing. It's a very romantic fantasy--the one woman who can heal his wounded heart.

Some of my all-time favorite romances are either loved or hated depending on the critics preferences. But, I'm thinking the real secret to selling the dark hero is the writer's skill. The star of Lord of Scoundrels, Sebastian Balister is a womanizer, arrogant, and unrepentant about his bad behavior (at least in the beginning). And yet this remains one of the best of loved romance novels of all time, due to the magic of Ms. Chase's skillful prose.

So tell me what are your favorite kind of heroes and, of course, why.

Life in the secret garden

2008-10-23T06:30:00.000-07:00

I replanted the deck boxes for fall/winter. This one is white pansies, scotch moss, and varigated Japanese sedge nicely echoing the change leaves of the birch. Underneath it all are fat tulip and hyacinth bulbs.

Weird Wednesday Stuff

2008-10-22T06:30:00.000-07:00

For your amusement here's a sampling of the absolutely worthless factoids I learned this week:

Some hummingbirds weigh less than a penny-- what I want to know is how'd they get those little things to stand on the scale?

No piece of square dry paper can be folded more than seven times in half--why would anyone want to fold square dry paper in half more than seven times?

Cat urine glows under a black light--this actually explains a great deal.

How about you, learn anything entertaining last week?

Teaser For Dalila's Choice coming soon!

2008-10-21T06:30:00.001-07:00

Unedited excerpt from Dalila's Choice coming sometime in 2009 from New Concepts Publishing.

Belle Amity Compound, Earth 2346 post apocalypse

“Wait child, I would speak to you before you depart,” Mother Marian called.

The petite elder hurried toward Dalila, with her deep blue cloak flapping like restless wings behind her.

Standing on the narrow ladder, which led into the passenger compartment, only Dalila’s head was still visible. She reversed direction, climbing to the outer deck, and then jumping lightly to the ground.

Mother Marian never spoke idly, so Dalila was eager to hear her words of wisdom.

When Dalila drew close, she was shocked by the leader’s appearance. Dark shadows rimmed her pale blue eyes. Smudges marred the normally pristine white collar of her long dress. Her familiar lined face seemed to have grown thinner in just the few days since she’d seen the holy woman.

Mother Marion headed the team of scientists, synthesizers, and magic-wielders, who had been working around the clock to ready her ship for the journey.

As Dalila bowed before the collective’s leader, she made the sign of the Goddess over her head, muttering a ritual blessing. Then the diminutive holy woman tugged her impatiently away from the vessel, which was already humming with an excitement that matched Dalila’s own.
She found a warm smile for the elder. “What is it, mother?”

“I fear for your safety, my child.”

Dalila’s smile faded. But, she spoke lightly. “I understand the hazards of space travel, Mother. Indeed, isn’t that why I was chosen? I am unfit for breeding and therefore expendable.”

Mother Marian peered up at her, fixing her with piercing blue eyes. The power of her gaze had not been dimmed by age. “You understand nothing, disciple. The stasis process is far from perfect. Our most recent tests have only a forty percent successful reanimation rate.”

“May the Goddess smile upon this mission,” Dalila murmured, doing her best to hide the fear that the holy woman’s word had fueled.

“Nothing more I can do about the craft. Listen well, my child. For I have scant time to teach you about the ways of warriors.”

“The old ones, who abandoned Earth?”

“Yes. Now, hold your questions and open your mind or you will arrive on Enyo as empty headed as the newest babe.” Mother Marian said, and then muttered under her breath, “Precious little good will you be at expressing warrior semen.”

Dalila was so shocked, she was certain she’d misunderstood. But a glance at the holy woman’s face convinced her that she’d heard correctly. A wild mixture of dread, fear, and excitement increased her tension.

She’d known she was on a sacred quest to gather the precious seeds of life for the sisterhood. But, this was the first anyone had mentioned harvesting sperm from warriors.

The men who’d fled ancient Earth were legendary figures of evil and aggression. Warriors only respected brute strength. The rumors of life on their new planet were tales used to frighten naughty children.

With a wrenching effort of will, she forced her mind to calm, listening intently to Mother Marian’s instructions.

“Some of the warrior factions of old Earth were blindly aggressive, this much is true. But there were also intelligent men who were both strong and honorable. Without the male scientists contributions we would not have a spacecraft to launch. The sisterhood has merely refined previous designs, adding features, and downsizing the craft.” The holy woman paced as she spoke. Soon she was moving so rapidly that her feet no longer connected with the ground.

“There is more, so much more, that you should know, but our time is short. Do not underestimate the men you seek. They were never the clumsy ogres of myth. It’s been more than two millennia since an Earth woman had congress with a Warrior. They may have learned a thing or two. Trust your instincts. They, along with your training, are your best weapons.”

“Yes, Mother,” she said, wishing there was time for even a few of the thousands of questions crowding her thoughts.

The elder beckoned her closer. She bowed, leaning nearer, and then the holy woman’s gnarled hands smoothed Dalila’s temples, forcing her eyes closed. A kaleidoscope of images poured from Mother Marion into Dalila’s mind, etching whole new banks of data faster than she could process any of it. The rate kept increasing until her conscious mind shut down-- unable to handle the information overload.

Her last coherent awareness was stunned disbelief at the image of a woman pleasuring a man’s sexual organs using her mouth.

Reverend Horton Heat--The Baddest of the Bad

2008-10-20T06:14:00.000-07:00

Just love this guy....

Sunday funnies

2008-10-19T06:30:00.000-07:00

A guy enters bar carrying an alligator.

He announces to the other patrons, "Here’s a deal for all of you. I'll open this alligator's mouth and place my genitals inside. The gator will close his mouth for one minute, then open it, and I'll remove my package unscathed. If it works, everyone buys me drinks for the rest of the evening."

The crowd enthusiastically agrees.

The guy drops his pants and puts his privates in the gator's mouth. Gator closes mouth. After a tense minute, the guy grabs a beer bottle and bangs the gator on the top of its head. The gator opens wide, and he removes his equipment unscathed.

Everyone buys him drinks.

Then he says: "I'll pay anyone $100 who's willing to give it a try."

After a while, a woman in the back of the bar raises her hand. "I'll give it a try, but only if you promise not to hit me on the head with the beer bottle."

Six things I hate about writing romance

2008-10-18T06:30:00.000-07:00

1) Working for myself (I'm not always reasonable)

2) No job security and no two week notices or severance pay

3) No co-workers, just me and my imaginary friends

4) No paid benefit package

5) Long production period--it takes me months to get through a first draft

6) Even longer waiting period to hear on a submission--yes once you're published the wait times decrease, but they're still a long ways from instant communication.

Despite it's allure as a dream job, writing romance has a few drawbacks, especially for someone who needs a regular paycheck. Yes, of course, there are those who make a handsome living from writing. But, it's a pretty select club.

Freaky Friday

2008-10-17T06:30:00.000-07:00

When it comes to reading about sex, normally I subscribe to the Mae West school of thinking. "Too much of good thing is...absolutely wonderful."

Recently, I read a book with a bit too much sex. Or perhaps it was the placement of the love scenes. The first half of the story had no sex, other than sexual tension. By the time the couple made love I was more than ready for it to happen. But, once the relationship had been consummated, the author poured it on. Another hundred plus pages of more of the same, and I got a little bored.

The writing was still excellent, but the sex, that was so exciting the first half dozen times, had become predictable. In real life a deepening tender lovemaking experience would never get old. But, here's another area where what is pleasing in fiction and what is pleasing in real life differ. In writing once all is well with the romantic couple, there's little to say worth reading.

In this particular tale, all that kept me turning the last hundred pages was the unresolved suspense. And the suspense plot was not the strongest part of the story.

In the vast and popular sub-genre of romantic suspense there is a wide range of suspense to romance ratio. The best selling titles include a small sub-plot romance, if any. I'm flexible about how much romance versus suspense is in a book. But, the few titles elevated to keeper status have a strong romance element.

If you read romantic suspense, how much romance do want in your thrillers?

Life in the secret garden

2008-10-16T06:30:00.000-07:00

Early morning in the front yard with the white asters (Cape Cod is the cultivator) spilling over the lawn. I love white flowers all year round. One of my favorite nurseries is White Flower Farm. But, there's something special about white winter flowers...

Weird Wednesday stuff

2008-10-15T09:00:00.000-07:00

It's silly to pretend we have four season in Seattle. We have two--rainy and not so rainy. Real heat and real cold are both anomalies, easily ignored and certainly not in need of ritual or celebration.

Despite the slight difference between rainy and less rainy, I love the changing of seasons. According to my internal calendar mid-October is the beginning of fall-winter, otherwise known as the rainy season. This is time to put the flannel sheets on the beds, change the sofa's cover to deeper jewel tones, redo the deck boxes with winter blooms, dig out sweaters, and change to the red dishes.

Dishes have an appeal that rivals books, although for practical reasons my dish ownership is severely limited. The realities of time, money, and space don't curb my enthusiasm. Different china patterns enchant me for no reason other than their intrinsic beauty. I don't need to actually eat off them to enjoy their presence. I could easily devote a room to tasteful built-in cabinetry designed to showcase a china collection.

But I live in the real world, so I don't collect anything, sadly not even leather bound first editions of the classics or the French impressionists.

Do you collect anything? If not constrained by practical considerations, what would you collect?

New Website and Blog Coming Soon

2008-10-14T06:30:00.000-07:00

The new web site will go live some time in the next couple of weeks. It will include a new look for the blog. I don't know what it will look like myself. But, I have faith that it will tasteful and dangerously sexy.

The designer for all this wonderfulness is Karen Rani. You can see examples of her work here

Originally, I'd envisioned just a blog upgrade. But, this is going to be better. The process of working with a visual medium specialist is exciting and challenging--making me think about specifically how to furnish a web home.

When it comes to creating stories, gardens and refurbishing the real life house I'm all about DIY, but when it comes to creating a website...I'd be waiting years if I insisted on doing it myself, plus I'd get no stories written in all those years of studying web design. By the time I acquired the skills, their usefulness would have been lost and forgotten. So, this is a brand new experience--a little like hiring a surrogate mother. The end product being a virtual home, which hopefully is much lower maintenance than a baby.

When it comes to web pages and blogs, which do you prefer--DIY or designer on call?

Music Monday

2008-10-13T06:30:00.000-07:00

For Sheila, she'll know why...

Sunday Funnies

2008-10-12T06:30:00.000-07:00

Saul is working in his store when he hears a booming voice from above. "Saul, sell your business."

He ignores it.

It goes on for days. "Saul, sell your business for $3 million."

After weeks of this, he relents and sells his store.

The voice says ‘Saul, go to Las Vegas."

He asks why.

"Saul, take the $3 million to Las Vegas."

He obeys, goes to a casino.

The voice says, "Saul , go to the blackjack table and put it down all on one hand."

He hesitates, but knows that he must. He’s dealt an 18. The dealer has a six showing.

"Saul, take a card."

"What? The dealer has--."

"Take a card!"

He tells the dealer to hit him. Saul gets an ace. Nineteen. He breathes easy.

"Saul, take another card."

"What?"

"Take another card!"

He asks for another card. It’s another ace. He has twenty.

"Saul, take another card," the voice commands.

"I have twenty! Saul shouts.

"Take another card," booms the voice.

"Hit me," Saul says.

He gets another ace. Twenty one.

The booming voice says, "Un-fucking-believable!"

Six things I love about writing romance

2008-10-11T06:30:00.000-07:00

1) I get paid to think about hot guys

2) Reading romance is a professional obligation

3) No commute

4) Low overhead

5) No dress code

6) Great working conditions

No wonder everyone wants to be a writer. It's darn near a perfect job. There are a couple of negatives. Back with that list next Saturday....

Freaky Friday

2008-10-10T06:30:00.000-07:00

Yep, you are in the right place. It’s Freaky Friday and time for a sex blog. But, today I’m going to get serious about it.

The only thing my stories have in common is a strong erotic element, it may not be the main story, but it’s always there. All of my heroes are tall, dark, and dangerously sexy. Every heroine has her own dangerously sexy side, perhaps one she has yet to discover.

Real life people are endlessly complicated and fascinating. Everyone who lives any time at all experiences pain, fear, loss, anger, and unfairness. Too often, the bumps and bruises life hands out make one wary of opening up to another person. Good sex is a lot more about emotional risk and a lot less about body parts. It requires trust, vulnerability, and sensitivity to another person’s feelings. When experience teaches that sex isn’t safe, reclaiming the right to an enjoyable intimate relationship is a daring journey, fraught with peril.

These are the stories I want to write. Books are a safe way for women to begin to explore their sensuality, which is just one of the reasons I write sexy stories.

Life in the secret garden

2008-10-09T06:30:00.000-07:00

Here's a closer look at the Mahonia japonica, which is one of my favorite things--especially this time of year. Red stems, blue berries, evergreen, with changing foilage, it really offers a lot in small package (about three by three feet. During Spring, when it blooms, the flowers aren't all that showy and there's no fragrance. But then, Spring has plenty of beauties competing for attention.

Weird Wednesday stuff

2008-10-08T06:30:00.000-07:00

It is what I don't know that always gets me in trouble. Self-evident, right? But, what I want to know is how do I get around it?

Research seems like a sensible solution to to all of life's thorny questions. It is no help when I don't know the right questions.

Last year I was busy upgrading the house. One of the big projects was restoring the upstairs flooring. It was a long, messy process, but it's over and the floor is gorgeous.

Before contracting the project, I investigated, finishes, costs, maintenance--in short everything I could think of--it never occurred to me the hardwood floors would require much more frequent cleaning.

They do.

I don't regret my choice, but it would've been nice to know. And I should have thought of it. I knew how much work it was to keep the other hard surface floors clean. Yet, it didn't dawn on me. I blamed traffic patterns and usage for the high maintenance nature of the kitchen, bathrooms, and entryway floors.

The thing is, carpet absorbs an incredible amount of dust--hard surfaces absorb none. Gleaming oak floors are lovely, those same floors covered in dust are not. Very similar to having a car with a really amazing paint job--it shows every speck of dirt.

So what have you learned the hard way?

Teaser for Dangerous Rescue

2008-10-07T06:30:00.001-07:00

For your entertainment, an unedited excerpt from Dangerous Rescue, coming soon from New Concepts Publishing. For a close up of the pretty cover go here

The motorcycle escorts peeled off as Regan exited the limo. Ian watched as she and her security guards--a pair of over-sized blonde jocks, whom he’d mentally, nicknamed dumb and dumber--entered the hotel lobby. He hung back, losing sight of the trio after a few seconds. Telling himself it was past time for him to leave.

An overly honed protective instinct impelled him get out of the SUV. Deciding he’d bluff it out if she spotted him, he rushed through the entrance. Rapidly scanning the room for Regan, he caught a glimpse of pink moving toward the elevators. Then a loaded-to-the-hilt luggage cart blocked his view.

Once he’d cleared the obstruction, the pink suit had vanished.

Ignoring the fear chilling the back of his neck, he dropped all pretense of being casual and sprinted for the elevators. The door to number five was almost closed. An extra burst of speed, and his long arm, kept it open. A jab of the call button reversed the direction of the mechanical doors.

His jaw hardened at the sight of Regan alone with an assistant manager, if he were naïve enough to believe the man’s breast pocket pin.

“Seven please.” Ian bared his teeth and pulled up the corners of his mouth in what he hoped looked like a friendly grin for the man standing next to the elevator’s control panel.

“Afternoon ma’am.” He nodded toward Regan.

Her eyes flickered over him so quickly he might have missed it if he hadn’t been glued on hers.

“Good afternoon sir, Mr. Hitman isn’t it?” Her voice retained the phony upper-class accent, her tone was low and even, giving no indication she was upset.

“No, ma’am. I’m afraid you’ve got me confused with someone else. Killzone’s the name.”

So she wasn’t running away with the assistant manager. Ian wondered what the hell had happened to dumb and dumber.

The suspected terrorist punched the button for seven without saying a word. The movement revealed an underarm bulge that hadn’t been visible earlier, ratcheting Ian’s tension even further. He had a gun of his own, but he never drew it unless he was prepared to use it.
He shuddered thinking of the damage a shooting match in the small steel cage could do. He wouldn’t chance it--not with Regan there. He could use his knife, but bloodstains were so hard to get out. He really liked the tie he had on, and the shirt was good--practically new.

He’d have to take him out the old-fashioned way.

He fumbled through his pockets giving an imitation of man looking for something. The elevator doors opened on the seventh floor.

“Damn plastic cards. They never work for me anyway.” Ian opened his wallet, and then extracted his gas card, dropping it into his jacket pocket, hopefully simulating a room key.

On his way out the elevator’s door, Ian deliberately stumbled, bumping into the man. Quickly, he slammed the phony assistant manager’s face into the elevator wall. He followed up with a locked two-handed blow to the back of his neck, putting the bad guy out of commission. He caught the guy’s limp body as he crumpled. While disarming him, and then extracting his wallet, Ian paused to flash Regan a reassuring grin.

The wallet held a high quality fake driver’s license, and a couple of twenties. Ian dropped the billfold and pocketed the gun.

“Killzone’s the name?” Regan arched a questioning eyebrow at him.

“Hey, it worked. It seemed like the simplest way to say message received, princess,” he defended his choice of code name.

“You’re such a guy.”

“You say that like it’s a bad thing. You wouldn’t happen to have cuffs?”

“No.”

“Damn. Me neither,” he admitted regretfully.

Ian stripped off his tie and bound the man’s wrists behind his back. “Good tie,” he muttered.

“I’ll buy you a new one.” The dry tone was vintage Regan, not a trace of princess. It made him grin.

“Thanks,” he said, inordinately pleased by her offer.

Regan reached for the penthouse button. Ian blocked her, shaking his head no. “There’s no way of knowing who’s waiting for us. We’re getting the hell out of here.”

He started to punch in the first floor, and then changed his mind, holding the door open button to keep them stopped. He scanned her prim suit. If they stepped into the lobby with her in that outfit she might as well be wearing a neon headpiece that flashed, Princess here--take me hostage.

“Can you do anything about the princess outfit?”

Regan raised an elegant eyebrow. “Not with the doors open.”

Ian released the button he’d been pressing. The elevator resumed its downward journey. He knew he should offer to turn away. But he wasn’t about to miss a free strip show, starring Regan.

“Get me his jacket,” she ordered.

Ian nudged the terrorist with his shoe. “Sure.”

Roy Orbison--Mean Woman

2008-10-06T06:30:00.000-07:00

An oldie but a goodie....

Sunday funnies

2008-10-05T06:30:00.000-07:00

Two Men are standing on Top of the Empire State Building looking out at the view.

A third man, a stranger, joins them.

The first man says to the second, "You know, Al, on a good day if a strong wind comes up, you can jump off the ledge here and the wind will hold you up."

Al says, "Get out here! That's a load of malarkey"

The first man says, "No, it's not. It's true. Let me show you"

And sure enough, a strong wind whips up, he jumps off the ledge, and is floating on the breeze, waving at the people inside.

He hops back in, and encourages the stranger to give it a try. The stranger is reluctant but, after a great deal of persuasiveness, decides to give it a go.

The stranger plummets to the ground and dies.

Al turns to his friend and says, "You know, Superman, you can be a real jerk".

Six reasons the third dangerous book isn't done

2008-10-04T06:30:00.001-07:00

1) The tasteful editor pointed out that the second dangerous book needed some revisions and they would like to release it this year (yea) so would I kindly get on the changes.

2) I'm finally getting a professional website (yea again) but, this requires time and thought and input from me. What no magic? The process is not over, but I'm really excited about doing it.

3) The weather has been lovely here, there are so many outdoor chores begging for attention that I've not yet planted the fall bulbs or re-done the deck boxes for winter or finished the front border expansion....

4) The house is not immaculate and that bothers me. Besides, I'm running out of clean undies.

5) My daughter's yard isn't done either. It seemed like a good idea at the time to volunteer to landscape for her and it is a great workout.

6) But, the most critical reason is my head can only live in one story at a time (see reason number one). What I'm going to do is put in rough place holder notes where the remaining scenes will bloom and count the first draft done. Then I will spend the next week polishing Dangerous Rescue.

Freakiy Friday

2008-10-03T06:30:00.001-07:00

I've been researching. Gotta keep keep it fresh as I mentioned here,

Here's what I've been learning, almost all fetishists are male.

Number one fetish--foot/shoe, they are closely related.

Number two fetish--lingerie, previously worn panties being the most common of the desired objects.

For a true fetishist, the object or body part is required for arousal and climax. To deny such a man his desired fetish is to deny him sex.

To a lesser degree, we all have specific preferences when it comes to desirable members of the opposite sex.

Go ahead and share what you look for in a man or a woman--I won't tell a soul.

Life in the secret garden

2008-10-02T06:30:00.000-07:00

No blooms today, just a corner of the garden that pleases me at the moment. The garden, like the rest of real life, is different every day. Carefully planned combinations can and do fail to peak at the right time. The weather seldom cooperates with my wishes. Dogs, moles, and various mysterious ailments all take a toll, and yet on any given day there are still spots of pure pleasure.

The blue powder puffs are dwarf blue fescues, which I transplanted last year. They pouted for months, but finally accepted their new location and perked up. The mahonia is a Japanese cultivator that seeds true, hooray! The greenery between the bronzed mahonia and the blue grass is combination of forget-me-nots, daisies, and columbines, all self-sowers that have been clipped back for winter.

Useless Trivia

2008-10-01T06:30:00.000-07:00

Perhaps not entirely useless, depending on how your mind works....

1) A squash ball moving at 150 kilometers per hour has the same impact of a .22 bullet. It's wonder more squash players aren't killed.

2) During the female orgasm, endorphins are released, which are powerful painkillers. So headaches are in fact a bad excuse not to have sex. But then, you already knew that sex was a very good thing.

3) Astronauts get taller when they are in space. I'm assuming this is zero-gravity by product, a different gravity pull presents so many interesting opportunities.

Please add your own bits of fact or fancy...I love trivia.

This Writing Business

2008-09-30T06:30:00.002-07:00

Recently, New Concepts Publishing updated their submission guidelines and included a pay scale. You can check it out here. Oddly, enough the data cheered me up, I'm doing better than average! Of course, by the very nature of accounting, all numbers reported are already out of date.

You can review most of the other romance publisher's on Karen Fox's Show Me The Money Report here

If you want to want to write for publication, it's very nice to get paid. But there are other considerations. If I'm not impressed with a publisher's titles then it's unlikely I'll fit in with their market.

For lots more information on the e-publishers check out Piers Anthony's Report here

I urge anyone wanting to sell their fiction to do your own research. Personally, I have always ordered several titles from any publisher I'd considered submitting to. No amount of research is going to give you the same kind of in depth information as real life experience.

All of the interactions I've had with New Concepts Publishing have been pleasant and professional. Under the terms of my contracts, I would be paid semi-annually. To my delight, I've received royalty statements and been paid quarterly. They've kindly provided thorough edits for my manuscripts. But, I'm just one author, your experience may be entirely different.

Feel free to add your kudos or complaints about publishers or whatever is on your mind....

Wicked Games --Chris Isaack

2008-09-29T06:30:00.000-07:00

The perfect song of the moment for Dangerous Secrets....

Sunday Funnies

2008-09-28T06:30:00.000-07:00

The Eleventh Husband

A young man married a beautiful woman who'd previously divorced ten husbands.

On their wedding night, she told her new husband,"Please be gentle; I'm still a virgin."

"What?" said the puzzled groom. "How can that be if you've been married ten times?"

"Well, husband #1 was a Sales Representative; he kept telling me how great it was going to be.

Husband #2 was in Software Services; he was never really sure how it was supposed to function, but he said he'd look into it and get back to me.

Husband #3 was from Field Services; he said everything checked out diagnostically but he just couldn't get the system up.

Husband #4 was in Telemarketing; even though he knew he had the order, he didn't know when he would be able to deliver.

Husband #5 was an Engineer; he understood the basic process but wanted three years to research, implement, and design a new state-of-the-art method.

Husband #6 was from Administration; he thought he knew how, but he wasn't sure whether it was his job or not.

Husband #7 was in Marketing. Although, he had a product, he was never sure how to position it.

Husband #8 was a psychiatrist, all he ever did was talk about it.

Husband #9 was a gynecologist,all he did was look.

Husband #10 was a stamp collector, all he ever did was..... God, I miss him!

But now that I've married you, I'm so excited."

"Wonderful," said the stunned new husband, "But,why?"

"You're with the government. This time I know I'm gonna get screwed!"

Six titles from the TBR shelves

2008-09-27T06:30:00.000-07:00

All books I'm looking forward to...

Menage by Emma Holly--I've loved everything I've read by her. Her books are sexy, fun, and original.

Dockside by Susan Wiggs--I adore her contemporary work, her historicals--er, not so much. But, that's just me.

Dark Lover by J.R. Ward--I'm the last person on the planet to discover this series but it's wonderful and I've only read one!

Regency Buck by Georgette Heyer--Amazing self-control on my part, there are Geogette Heyer regencies that I haven't read even once. In my opinion there are no equals to this woman.

Bad Luck and Trouble by Lee Child--Ah, the mighty Jack Reacher, it's great series--each one a cleverly plotted page turner.

Minx by Julia Quinn I'm working my way through her backlist, still completely charmed. Pity the woman doesn't write faster.

Keeping it fresh

2008-09-26T06:30:00.001-07:00

Since this is my freaky Friday blog, I'm thinking about sex--what else? And what makes a great sex scene, which is not totally unrelated to what makes for great sex.

The fact is no two people (or more if you're feeling adventurous) have ever has sex exactly the same way twice. What makes it memorable is the people involved. Romantic settings are very fine, but rose petals aren't going to make me care if I'm not invested in the participants. Same goes for elegant prose, clever analogies, and snappy dialogue.

Sex scenes are the acid test for characters. Like any other scene it needs to shine new light on your characters, move the story forward, and change the tension. Just like real life....

Life in the secret garden

2008-09-25T06:30:00.000-07:00

Autumn blooming cyclamens (cyclamen hederifolium) has lovely pleated varicolored leaves in spring and these enchanting blooms, starting late summer and carrying on into fall. If happy, they multiply, spreading into charming colonies.

More trivia

2008-09-24T06:30:00.000-07:00

Trivia sticks in my head long after sturdy facts have been misplaced. Here's more useless information for your entertainment.

Onomatopeia is the imitation of sounds in words, the formation or use of such words to represent the sound. For example, splat, meow, and buzz.

Employees value consistency in a boss more than any other trait. A supervisor practicing random kindness rates worse than the uniformly grouchy and demanding counterpart.

All change is stressful. As far as your body is concerned marriage and divorce are equally stressful situations. Yet, only negative factors are commonly recognized as stress factors.

Feel free to add your own bit of weirdness, it's Wednesday, why not?

Story choices

2008-09-23T06:30:00.001-07:00

I'm close-well,closer--to finishing the first draft of the third dangerous book. Actually, one of the reasons I'm close is I changed the goal.

Yeah, yeah, kind of cheating, but subsequent drafts always wind up with me adding words--lots of words. Probably because I leave out tons of stuff. Since I know what's happening, I gloss over lots of important parts when writing.

Letting the first pass steep for awhile allows me to look at it with fresh eyes and that makes for a much better written tale, which is why I tuck the raw first draft away for at least a couple of weeks.

Back to my original blog topic, as the end of the first draft looms, ideas about what to work on next, seep into my conscious mind. There's never a lack of stories to work on--I have a backlog of partials, many of which are still begging to be written. Yet, the current front runner for the next book is something entirely new. Because I had fun writing Dalila's Choice and it's a story world I want to revisit.

Nickelback--Next Contestant

2008-09-22T06:30:00.000-07:00

Love the kickass video--love the song.

Sunday funnies

2008-09-21T06:30:00.000-07:00

Top joke in Belgium...

Why do ducks have webbed feet?

To stamp out fires.

Why do elephants have flat feet?

To stamp out burning ducks

Six things I hate about me

2008-09-20T06:30:00.000-07:00

1)I'm fussy--it bothers me so you know it's bad. There was a movie moment where I saw the insanity of this kind of behavior. Sleeping with the Enemy Julie Roberts plays the victimized wife of a control freak. She's escaped from her abuser, and yet she finds herself adjusting the hand towels so that they hang just so... I do stuff like that all the time and no one is making me.

2)I hold a grudge--not attractive, I agree, but there you are. Getting over it is a concept I understand in theory--I just have a lot of trouble putting it into practice.

3)My enthusiasm way exceeds my stamina. I'm not sure which end of that equation needs to be changed. But I do know it's frustrating to want to do ten things for every one available time slot. At least, I'm never bored.

4)I'd love to be self-actualized. but reality is--I need validation, I crave it.

5)I have no idea how to disagree without being a total bitch about it.

6)I can't seem to remember to engage brain before opening my mouth. Seriously, I would like to have a carefully rehearsed script for every encounter to hell with spontanity.

Come on and confess anythng you don't like about yourself, you'll feel better.

Top Ten Female Sexual Fantasies

2008-09-19T06:30:00.000-07:00

1. Being forcefully seduced

2. Playing the male role, complete with a strap on penis, which they put to good use

3. Being pleasured by two mean simultaneously

4. Getting paid for sex

5. Having sex with another woman while her man watches the action

6. Being dominated by her male partner

7. Having an audience while engaging in sexual acts

8. Dominating their male partner

9. Group sex

10. Sex with a stranger

There is some crossover with the popular male fantasies outlined last week. Group sex, dominating the male partner, sex with a stranger, and penetrating the man anally fall into the common ground category.

Feel free to add fantasies of your own, but in real life please practice safe and consensual sex--it keeps everyone healthy.

Life in the secret garden

2008-09-18T06:30:00.000-07:00

Japanese Anemones, tall and graceful they sway with every breeze and multiply like bunnies. I have barely in control clumps in both pink and white here and there perpetually threatening to eradicate everything in their path, but so lovely I tolerate their pushy manners.

More weird trivia

2008-09-17T06:30:00.000-07:00

Three more personal oddities

1) I like most veggies, love a few, and truly detest turnips

2) I iron my jeans, sheets too--I don't starch them though

3) I hate walking into a dark room

Have you ever noticed that while your own little quirks are normal, and even endearing, other people have some real strange habits...?

Feel free to add your own eccentricities, I won't tell anyone.

Writing craft

2008-09-16T06:30:00.001-07:00

For me one of the appeals of writing as a career, is that there's always more to learn. Many successful writers have been generous with advice. One of my favorite erotic romance authors, Emma Holly has a wonderful reading list here in case you need suggestions.

One of my all time favorites is Debra Dixon's GMC Goal, Motivation, and Conflict. Being the obsessive creature I am, I have a shelf of essential and well thumbed writing craft books.

Is there a craft book that stands head and shoulders above the rest for you?

Missy Elliot--Lose Control

2008-09-15T06:30:00.000-07:00

This was my favorite from the Dangerous Surrender playlist...

Sunday funnies

2008-09-14T06:30:00.000-07:00

A man and a friend are playing golf one day at their local golf course. One of the guys is about to chip onto the green when he sees a long funeral procession on the road next to the course. He stops in mid-swing, takes off his golf cap, closes his eyes, and bows his head in prayer.

His friend says: “Wow, that is the most thoughtful and touching thing I have ever seen. You truly are a kind man.”

The man then replies: “Yeah, well we were married 35 years.”

Six things I love

2008-09-13T06:30:00.000-07:00

1) Lattes made with fresh ground coffee

2) A book that keeps me reading much too late because I can't put it down

3) Vol de Nuit, it's a fragrance by Guerlain--I love practically anything Guerlain, but this one is my all time favorite

4) Dancing, just about any kind, although ballroom is best

5) A Coach purse, I don't need Channel or Louis Vuitton, though there are some very nice bags out there. I'm perfectly satisfied with Coach

6) Fresh flowers, they are definitely not just for special occasions in my world

And one more thing seeing my book cover up over at Romancing the Blog

Top Ten Male Sexual Fantasies

2008-09-12T06:30:00.000-07:00

I actually combined a couple of different lists to come up with this one, the Brits reported one set of fantasies, the Aussies another, and the US a third combination. There may be even wider cultural differences, but I don't know enough of other languages to attempt that research.

IMHO, the biggest difference between male and female sexual fantasies is that women enjoy theirs as pure fantasy while men long for theirs to come true.

1. Being sexually dominated

2. Role playing sex

3. Penetrating his partner anally

4. Receiving oral sex

5. Sex with a stranger

6. Sex with an older woman

7. Being penetrated anally

8. Spanking, bondage, etc.

9. Sex with two or more women

10. Group sex

Most interesting to me are the overlapping fantasies, sex with a stranger, group sex, being penetrated anally, and of course dominating your big strong man.

Feel free to add your favorites....

Life in the secret garden

2008-09-11T06:30:00.000-07:00

Though the calendar says it's still summer, autumn is in the air even on the sunny days. The fall flowers know it's their turn.

Colchium Speciosus, aka Autumn crocus, are pictured here. Every fall they provide small pools of refreshing lavender when everything else seems to be rust, bronze or gold. These small wonder bulbs naturalize readily and demand nothing from the gardener other than space,decent drainage, and some sun. The only drawback is their ungainly spring foliage, with this in mind, I plant them mid-border. Siting them behind late winter and spring beauties, which camouflage the species awkward stage.

Weird stuff

2008-09-10T06:39:00.000-07:00

Sheila is always telling me, I should include more of my everyday life in my blogs because I come across as writing obsessed. Well, I am writing obsessed and it's hard for me to imagine anyone would be interested in my day to day life.

But, she's been right about things before. Very humbling stuff, knowing Shelia--she's bossy too.

I'm rambling, here's three things you didn't know about me.

My dog has a peanut butter habit. I'm handling it well. I think--I only buy her the cheap stuff.

I'm hooked on Old Bay seasoning. Yes, we are a complusive household. The other day I noticed the jar getting lighter and added it to the grocery list. There was none on the shelves. Irritated, but determined, I visited two additional supermarkets. No Old Bay. The internet offered a large economy jar for only ten bucks. Two pounds seems like a lot of seasoning. I hope it doesn't get stale.

I don't like clocks. What do they do for anyone? Nothing good.

Teaser for Pirate Rules

2008-09-09T09:39:00.000-07:00

Coming soon, I hope.

Pirate Rules

Her whole life, Zara has yearned for domination to release her passion. Ryder was born to dominate, a sex slave of his own is his kinkiest dream. Clearly, they’re made for each other, except he insists on having clear consent before their erotic game moves to the next level, while she needs all control stripped from her writhing, wanton body.

A game of Pirate and Captive is Zara’s fantasy come true, or a lethal gamble with her heart. When she asks about the rules, she learns her master only plays one-way--Pirate Rules.

For me the sales tools--cover letters, blurbs, and synopses take a lot more time and effort that I think they should.

So, what do you think? Does it make you want to read more? Does it say dangerously sexy?

Savage Garden--I Want You

2008-09-08T08:42:00.000-07:00

This is one of those songs that could launch a thousand love stories, at least in my mind. Just wanted to share it with you.

Sunday funnies

2008-09-07T08:07:00.000-07:00

A teacher gave her class of eleven year-olds an assignment: To get their parent to tell them a story with a moral at the end of it. The next day the kids came back and one by one began to tell their stories.

Ashley said, “My father's a farmer and we have a lot of egg-laying hens. One time we were taking our eggs to market in a basket on the front seat of the car when we hit a big bump in the road and all the eggs got broken.”

“What's the moral of that story?” asked the teacher.

“Don't put all your eggs in one basket!”

The teacher beamed. “Very good.”

Next little Sarah raised her hand. “My family farms too. But, we raise chickens for the meat market. One day we had a dozen eggs, but when they hatched we only got ten live chicks, and the moral to this story is, Don't count your chickens before they're hatched.”

“That was a fine story Sarah. Michael, do you have a story to share?”

“Yes. My daddy told me this story about my Auntie Karen. She was a flight engineer on a plane in the Gulf War and her plane got hit. She had to bail out over enemy territory and all she had was a bottle of whiskey, a machine gun and a machete.

She drank the whiskey on the way down so it wouldn't break, and then she landed right in the middle of one hundred enemy troops.

She killed seventy of them with the machine gun until she ran out of bullets. Then she killed twenty more with the machete until the blade broke. And then she killed the last ten with her bare hands.”

“Good heavens!” said the horrified teacher. “What kind of moral did your daddy tell you from that horrible story?”

“Stay the fuck away from Auntie Karen when she's been drinking.”

Six-pack Saturday

2008-09-06T10:30:00.000-07:00

You’ve seen those Thursday Thirteen blog lists right? I like them too! But, I’m a rebel. Instead of becoming another one of Thursday Thirteen crowd, I’m starting a Saturday six-pack.

To inaugurate this blog feature: six books I want to read again.

Shogun by James Clavell

Set in medieval Japan the story unfolds with plenty of political intrigue, brilliant characters, and a tragic love story. I can’t comment on the craft because I invariably get caught up in the story to the extent that the details of writing are irrelevant.

The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien

This prequel to LOTR is still my favorite. Bilbo Baggins was the first hobbit I was introduced to and his charms have never palled. Ostensibly, a children’s story, I discovered it as an adult and found it riveting.

Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame

Another beloved piece of children’s literature, the Wind in the Willows has an unforgettable animal cast. Still in print, one hundred years past its debut, the story is a beloved classic, which entirely merits its place in the hearts of readers.

Congo by Michael Crichton

A fast paced adventure with IMHO the best cast Mr. Crichton ever put together. He does occasionally lapse into lecture mode, but the gorilla treatment alone makes it worth rereading.

Mackenzie’s Mountain by Linda Howard

Wolf Mackenzie is to-die-for, the first category romance hero I fell in love with he’s paired perfectly with Mary Elizabeth Potter, a spinsterish school teacher with true grit. Ms. Howard has written lots of good stories this one remains my favorite.

Devil’s Bride by Stephanie Laurens

The inaugural Cynster novel is still the best. The story embodies what I like about regency romances. Dashing, aristocratic, and irresistible alpha hero matched with elegant, sophisticated woman of strong character, a credible suspense sub-plot, the glittering ballrooms of the ton, and a sensual love story.

So how about you, gotta a six-pack you want to share?

Location, location, location

2008-09-05T12:32:00.000-07:00

The other day I read a list of wildest sex locations over at Redlines and Deadlines.

Whenever I read this kind of list, I have to imagine the scene--moving motorcycles seem kind of restrictive to me. But, I get the appeal--being in the moment and unable to wait a second longer, makes me want to know more and that’s the point isn’t it? Same goes for the photo booth, the planes, and the sadly omitted trains.

I was surprised by the lack of water locales--except for under a waterfall, which sounded cold and rocky to me… Maybe I just haven’t been under the right waterfall or with the right guy….

What was very cool about this list, out of all the titles mentioned, I’d only read three. With a few mouse clicks that can be remedied.

So how about you? What is the best sex location you’ve read, imagined, or experienced? Don’t be shy--I won’t tell anyone.

Geeky thrills

2008-09-03T20:58:00.000-07:00

New Concepts Publishing has a coming soon page. Naturally, I subscribe to their newsletter. Put these two, semi-related facts together and you get me, checking the position of Dangerous Rescue. Sixteenth from the top, as of today.

It's looking like it will be released this year. But, I'm keeping my fingers crossed till it's official.

Virtual promotion

2008-08-30T10:56:00.000-07:00

Questions about the business side of writing crop up and I ponder the choices, usually wishing it would all go away. Since I don’t know the difference between an effective marketing move and a waste of time and money, I’d rather write or putter in the garden.

Lucky for me, the writer’s first job is to write. There are examples of clever promotion overcoming a lack of talent, but joining that group isn’t appealing.

Nevertheless, publishing is a business. Readers are the customers and writing is the product, simple enough. And yet, like any other commercial venture, without distribution, packaging, and promotion nothing happens.

Writers are encouraged and expected to take part in the promotion of their work. There is a ton of information and advice on how to build readership. Separating what works, specifically what would be effective for me, from the plethora of information is overwhelming.

I’m considering upgrading this blog to professionally designed site. Please tell me your thoughts, what brings you back to a blog--content, design, or a combination? Which are your favorite blogs and why? What would you like to see included in this blog?

If I’ve failed to include the right questions, please feel free to improvise. I promise to listen.

Romantic Times Review of Dangerous Surrender

2008-08-27T16:48:00.000-07:00

Quoting from the tasteful reviewer...

"Mystery, intrigue, and extortion set the scene in this riveting story. There's plenty of sexual tension between the main couple, and when they make love, they burn up the pages."

I'm so pleased...

Sold! Dangerously sexy explores new worlds

2008-08-22T13:49:00.000-07:00

Sold, earlier this week Dalila’s Choice, an erotic futuristic novella, to New Concepts Publishing.

Here’s the blurb--

Dalila Theron arrives in orbit around Enyo with orders to conquer the hostile warriors by any means necessary. But, warriors shoot first and ask no questions. Blasted out the sky, her damaged ship plunges into a stormy sea. Rescued by intimidating twin brothers, she is stranded on a remote island. Her weapon training, hand-to-hand combat skills, and sketchy mind control instructions didn’t prepare her for dealing with the overwhelmingly male warriors. In desperation, she wields a dangerous new weapon, sex appeal.

The attraction between the three of them is a two-edged blade, slicing her as deeply as it does the men. She’s instantly drawn to Kelvar, who saved her from drowning. His raw male instincts, strength, and honor fail to hide a tender heart. His twin, Dexon secured her damaged spacecraft, incurring serious injury. When she tends his wound, she awakens a potent desire. Now, she’s caught between two men. Their law demands she chose. She has only three days to decide. One twin will be her mate for life. The other will die. But, how can she choose between the two fierce warriors, when both have captured her heart?

The experience factor

2008-08-20T07:23:00.000-07:00

The longer I write, the easier writing gets. This is not an implication that writing is easy--just easier than it used to be. The change has been so gradual that I didn't notice it happening right away.

The adage about practice definitely applies. I write faster than I used to and the copy is cleaner. The drawback to this happy trend is that right along with becoming a better writer my standards rise.

Perhaps, if I live long enough I'll become one of those productive authors, who I'm so impressed with--the ones who knock out thirty thousand words in a week. And those words are well-crafted and entertainingly arranged.

Heck, slower is fine for me--say fifteen thousand words a week....

Writing Life

2008-08-16T11:24:00.000-07:00

I’m just creeping past the halfway point of the third dangerous book. By this point, I’m totally immersed in the story. The characters are as real as any of the 3D people I interact with--actually, they’re more real--because story people share their every thought and their deepest secrets. With them, there’s no holding back. I don’t find much of that in day-to-day life.

Then too, the characters lead a much more exciting life than I do. My job is simply to get everything that’s happening in my head etched onto the hard drive.

Before I began writing fiction, stories ran in my head for as long as I can remember. I didn’t record them. And I never finished them. In fact, if one cast played for too long, I deliberately replaced them with a new ensemble--worried that they might become too real.

Now, I complete every story I commit to writing and I work hard to portray the characters as authentically as possible.

Life is not only stranger than fiction--it is populated with incomprehensible natives. When people ask me where I get the ideas for the stories I write, I want to seem sane. Therefore, I try to say something sensible. But the fact is, I have no idea.

Trivia

2008-08-09T19:46:00.000-07:00

The other day a woman asked me about a necklace I was wearing (because I'm shy, I love ice breaker jewelry). In this instance the pendant was my Chinese horoscope animal, accompanied by some suitable fetishes.

She told me her birth year and asked if I knew what animal she was. Of course, I didn't. I know mine and few family members and that's it--though the horoscope is based on twelve so if you know a year for each animal then you can work out anybody's Chinese horoscope sign.

If you're too young for your birth year to be listed, you're too young to be reading this blog. There's no telling when I'll post something dangerously sexy.

Rat 1936 1948 1960 1972 1984
Ox 1937 1949 1961 1973 1985
Tiger 1938 1950 1962 1974 1986
Rabbit 1939 1951 1963 1975 1987
Dragon 1940 1952 1964 1976 1988
Snake 1941 1953 1965 1977 1989
Horse 1942 1954 1966 1978 1990
Sheep 1943 1955 1967 1979 1991
Monkey 1944 1956 1968 1980 1992
Rooster 1945 1957 1969 1981 1993
Dog 1946 1958 1970 1982 1994
Pig 1947 1959 1971 1983 1995

So do you know your Chinese sign? Do you care?

Garden Life

2008-08-09T12:09:00.001-07:00

August has been unrelentingly hot and humid, which is usual. But neverthless, makes the whole out of doors a sweaty experience, except in the early morning and early evening hours when I venture out to tend and water.

When I do brave the heat and saunter out the front door on even the most mundane chores, I pass by a Stargazer lily that wafts her seductive perfume and lifts my spirit before I scurry back into air conditioned comfort of the house.

Dangerous Rescue Coming Soon!

2008-08-02T12:00:00.000-07:00

Just got the cover, which makes it all seem more real...

Impatience

2008-07-26T18:51:00.000-07:00

Have I mentioned my impatience problem? Not lately? Oh good! The tasteful editors remain too busy to write. This time of year, I suspect they’re preoccupied with conference schedules, vacations, children home from school--in short--everything, except reading submissions.

Since I can’t change the reality of publishing, I’ve decided writing is the perfect career choice to cure me of the impatience flaw. Way too often, I race into projects without adequate planning. I could save myself hours upon hours of time by thinking through stories at the concept stage. Hint to self: if you can’t write an exciting synopsis then the idea isn’t ready to become a compelling story.

I long for feedback (another character weakness) to that end, I submit, enter contests--push to get more submissions out there… Not all of these activities are bad. However, they are counterproductive if I’m impatient and submit stories before they are the best I’m capable writing.

Rather than fretting about how many months it has been since I’ve sent off a particular submission, I should be working harder on the current story. Also, I should be rejoicing that I don’t have a deadline and can take the time I need to polish and revise.

I’ve noticed something else. It is hard sticking to one project for the months needed to write a book. Currently, I’m writing the first draft of the third dangerous book. While this is happening (way too slowly to suit me), other story ideas keep interrupting the flow.

If they really grab me then I stop and make notes before returning to work. All fine and good, except that this slows down progress. Seriously slows it down, because it takes time for me to get back into the special story world. In my case, all the good writing happens in a trance-like state when I live inside the story.

Do you work diligently on one thing at a time? Or do you have multiple projects in various stages of completion?

Garden Life

2008-07-21T08:26:00.000-07:00

One of the joys of summer are the hummingbirds, who arrive daily to service the flowers. Lucifer (crocosmia) is their hands down favorite. The bright red, nearly irridescent, blooms in the photograph belong to Lucifer. As a point of reference the fence posts are five footers.

Reading report

2008-07-19T19:51:00.000-07:00

Last week I attended my second meeting of the book group. The circle of readers had shrunk to seven women plus the gracious facilitator. This time I came prepared to discuss what I’d read the previous month, including specifics as to whether or not I liked the title and why.

I’ve had friends who read more than I do. By my own standards, I’m a moderate, but enthusiastic, reader, reading two or three books a week. I read for entertainment and education with a rough sixty/forty split with entertainment winning the larger share. The others attending the July meeting were all the two to three books a month variety of readers.

Since I’ve led a sheltered life, mostly hanging out with other romance writers, I’m easily shocked. But I was flabbergasted by the realization that none of my fellow members read romance. I read other genres, but I do favor romance both professionally and personally.

The tasteful members had read--literature, the latest Stephanie Meyer (which is young-adult-tender-paranormal romance an odd exception to the romance ban), mysteries both cozy and gritty, non-fiction, thrillers, women’s fiction, but very little romance--and definitely no erotica.

The book I discussed, which launched the liveliest discussion, was a mystery that I tossed aside during chapter two, because the author failed to engage me. This report launched an ardent defense of the writer in question. No one else had read this particular title. Eventually, the comments trickled in from quieter members, admitting they too had suffered disappointment from the same author.

If not for the gentle facilitator, I would’ve felt like a wildcat crouched in the center of a wolf pack. There was no violence. However, there were incidents of eye rolling and subversive mutterings as I reported on the month’s selections. I made no apologies for my preferences, or the romance genre, which is thriving and certainly doesn’t need me to defend it. Yet, I couldn’t help wondering, where were all the other romance readers?

Another thing surprised me, and attitude of censure toward publishing as a moneymaking sector of the economy. Presumably, real artists should be above such considerations. Perhaps, someday I’ll tell them what I do for a living.

Writing Life

2008-07-16T12:27:00.000-07:00

The lovely ladies on the New Concepts Publishing's Author email loop told me I'm on Amazon. What an unexpected bonus.

Garden Life

2008-07-14T09:32:00.000-07:00

Not a good photo, but since the blooms are well over my head it was either hold the camera aloft and hope for the best or get a ladder. And it was much too hot to drag around the ladder, which is why the wisteria, honeysuckle, and akebia all still need trimming. But, I digress.

This rose is the perfect illustration of my greatest weakness as a gardener. I'm too soft hearted with volunteers. It's an unidentified, possible unnamed seedling. When the baby rose leaves first appeared in the pink section of the west border, I was instantly smitten. A seedling rose? And not one of the species that commonly seeds itself about either. So I potted it up and awaited developments. After a couple of years the first blooms appeared,and I could see it was going to be another one of the big roses. Still, I was charmed--the healthy foilage, the wildflower form, but better, the long flowering period, the fresh rose scent. I repotted into a larger container and pondered where to plant. Then life got hectic and I didn't keep a good eye on the volunteer rose.

She planted herself, broke right through the plastic pot and sank her impressive roots into the soft ground in the holding area--very rich soil--where I used to grow sweetpeas. Perhaps, I could grow sweet peas up her bare ankles and knees--she has a pretty open growth habit and very sturdy legs.

It's been scorching hot by Seattle standards, i.e. in the low eighties--but the roses and Jasmine are very happy in the heat even though the gardener is melting.

A Graham Thomas bud nestled amid Sissyrinchium a very nice little perennial that has taken over far more than her share of the yellow bed, crowding out some lovely but less aggressive species.

This is Katie my biggest garden menace. She's generally a force of destruction without meaning to be--she feels strongly about sentry duty which has worn a path around the the garden. I'm undecided whether to concede defeat and gravel her trail or restrict her to a dog run or a compromise solution. In the meantime, there's the equivalent of a dirt bike track around the house.

Dangerous Rescue Excerpt

2008-07-13T08:14:00.000-07:00

Here's an unedited excerpt from Dangerous Rescue, coming soon from New Concepts Publishing. I'm cheating slightly, because Sam is a secondary character in this story. But, I'm currently working on his story--so I'm Sam-obsessed.

Sam stood, grinned agreeably, and then shook hands with the attractive couple from two doors down the beach before resuming his seat. He continued to play the dutiful, single son, making polite chitchat for another hour before making his excuses. He understood his mother’s strategy perfectly. Nevertheless, it had been effective. Melinda and Nick made a cute couple. He’d been uncomfortably aware of his status as the lone solo act in a paired-off world, as his mom had intended.

He was still thinking about it when he drove home an hour later. The problem was, he didn’t want to settle. He wanted what his parents had. He wanted the magic. In the meantime, he was still young and there were lots of playmates to enjoy before he made a permanent connection.

Speaking of which, he spotted a damsel in distress in his right front quadrant. Hard to tell about her coloring from this angle--but she had a great ass. The hood was up on her compact rental and she was stretched over the fender, examining the engine compartment, her upper-half hidden by the hood.

Sam didn’t know a lot about engines, but he could offer her a ride or the use of his cell phone and he was happy to lend emotional support. He liked to think he was the kind of guy who’d have stopped to help even if she’d been grandmotherly, but the cute butt and trim legs had caught his eye much faster than the raised hood.

Parking close behind her, he got out of his car and offered assistance. “Can I help?”

“Not unless you’re freakin’ magician,” she snapped and backed out from under the hood, blowing long brown bangs off her forehead with a frustrated whoosh of breath.

He grinned in appreciation because the top half matched her bottom and then some. “Sorry, ma’am I’m only a lowly passerby on the lonely highway of life.”

She laughed, wiped her greasy hand on a hankie, and then extended it to him. “Caroline Kennedy, and no, not that one. My grandmother was a big Jackie O fan, so my mom promised to name her first daughter Caroline.”

Pausing to eye him assessingly, she pushed the bangs away leaving a streak of dirt on her temple. Sam waited for her to make up her mind, doing his best to look harmless and friendly, which he was--basically.

“If you could give me a ride into Kingston, that would be so great,” she said appealingly. Her eyes widened and she touched her throat, leaving another dirty mark. He produced a clean handkerchief, and gently wiped her temple, her throat, and finally he cleaned her slender fingers. Moving slowly and touching only the soiled spots, he worked to keep her comfortable. But, at the same time, make her aware of him as a man. One, perhaps, not as entirely harmless as she’d first thought.

Nothing wrong with being a nice guy except, unless he pushed, women had a tendency to dismiss him as too young, too sweet, and not boyfriend material. A guy never got laid being too nice. He’d learned.

Now days, if he was interested then he stepped inside the woman’s comfort zone and let her take a second look at man who wasn’t too young or too nice or too harmless.

His interest level rose along with another part of his anatomy that responded favorable to the curvy Miss Not-That-Caroline-Kennedy. This close she smelled good and her skin was soft and moist. She sighed and leaned closer.

God, he loved women.

Giving her a slow grin, he made a counter offer. “I’d love to give you a ride to Kingston, but would you mind if we stopped by my place first?”

She blinked in hesitation.

To push the odds in his favor, he teased her. “You’re welcome to wait in the car if you’re uncomfortable entering my lair.”

“No, I mean that’s fine, I’d love to see your place. Do you live around here?”

“It’s right on our way,” he assured her, holding her eyes though he wanted to look elsewhere. He waited, knowing his patience would reap rewards. If it didn’t, that wasn’t a problem. There were always plenty of willing partners.

The abundance of lovely women in his life was the main reasons he resisted his mother’s hints. Exclusivity and commitment were for some time in his future when he found a truly special woman. He never doubted that would happen, but until it did--he saw no reason not to enjoy the variety on offer.

He held the car door for her, buckled her in, keeping his touches light and caring. Again, his restraint was rewarded as she sighed and moved nearer. Lingering, he caged her with his arms. “Do you need to call someone? You’re welcome to use my cell.”

“No--I mean--no thank you. I tried calling my girlfriend earlier but there was no answer. I’ll try again later.”

Her eyes drifted shut--her lips were less than inch from his. Sam stroked the side of her head, letting her silky hair tease his fingers. The pink tip of her tongue darted out to trace the outline of her smile. He followed the lascivious journey with his finger, and then she sucked it into her mouth.

When she’d finished, he framed her face and then pressed his lips to hers. She softened beneath the onslaught of his mouth, inviting him to deepen the kiss. Instead, he reluctantly pulled away, unwilling to start something he couldn’t finish.

“Hold tight to that idea, baby. We’re twenty minutes from my place,” he whispered while placing nibbling kisses up her neck and on the sweet spot behind her ear. She tasted so sweet--like a sun-ripened melon.

Five minutes from home, Caroline cried out. “Oh look, can we stop?”

“We’re almost to my place,” he said persuasively.

She coaxed. “It’s so pretty and I’m really thirsty.”

“As your wish is my command,” he said shrugging off his irritation. The bar had a nice view and a little more get-acquainted time would work in his favor. A drink or two never hurt either, he thought cynically.

“A glass of merlot and whatever the lady wants,” he instructed the bartender then excused himself to wash his hands. When he returned his glass of wine waited along with a dish of plantain chips. Caroline sipped from a tall frosty glass.

As he sat, he pressed his leg against hers. She covered his knee with her hand, and then slid it up his inner thigh.

“Very nice,” she whispered appreciatively.

Garden Life

2008-07-08T11:16:00.000-07:00

It's summer and the days string lazily together--perfect, mild, and bright. This morning I was all ambitious--I already have my word count for the day and have been outside consulting on the big hedge pruning with the wonderful Mr. Bill, who agreed to reshape it again this year.

I actually got outside before the sun faded all the color on the big deck to snap a picture of one of the annual boxes. These are the only annuals I grow and never the same from one year to the next but I'm delighted with this year's combination. The petunias, alysum, and heliotrope are wonderfully fragrant.

Garden Life

2008-07-06T10:45:00.000-07:00

By the way, I am working on the story--but it's summer and mild and a perfect day for mowing. However, before I can mow the backyard, I have to do something about rosa Sally Holmes, we hade a little rain the other day and she's fallen across the lawn path. At twelve foot plus, she's outgrown her supports--I'm thinking about bamboo and sturdy rope (mainly because I have lots of bamboo and rope) to contain her exuberance. The picure shows Sally's topknot.

Reading report

2008-07-03T08:16:00.000-07:00

My Lord and Spymaster by Joanna Bournes (Regency historical romance)

After reading The Spymaster’s Lady last year, I pre-ordered this book and it arrived on the day of its official release. There was a small concern that it might not be as wonderful or perhaps too derivative, all foolish worries.

Then there was a brief internal debate over whether to save it as a special treat or start reading right away. Life is short and uncertain--I opted to read immediately. Since opening the cover life has been much more difficult. It is only by telling myself that it makes the story last longer that I take care of the animals, tend the garden, work, and sleep.

The story is sheer magic, the characters believable, the plot riveting, and craft so excellent it’s transparent while being as effective as gravity. Just in case you don't have a copy handy I'll include a link.

Garden Life

2008-07-02T15:37:00.000-07:00

I've been outside toiling in the sun again, but there are compensations. Roses love the hot summer days.

Another mid-year delight, Graham Thomas, one of the David Austin roses. Lovely on the bush or in vase, a prolific bloomers with a very light fresh fragrance.

On the other end of the spectrum. This is a close up of the rosa Don Juan. It's really too sunny to capture colors well--in real life the blooms are dark almost black at the edges red, It has the most intense perfume of all the roses I grow.

Writing life

2008-07-02T12:41:00.000-07:00

After painful cutting, there are finally more new consectutive words than there are old non-consectutive ones. I've isolated the new version in a seperate document. For now I've retaining the old story, some of those scenes/fragments may work in the current manuscript but I'm not counting on it.

Writing sequentially works well for me, but sometimes I still find that I've started the tale in the wrong place. I hate it when that happens.

Garden life

2008-06-30T15:40:00.000-07:00

It's so hot here that I'm working in the airconditioned house and leaving the roses to cavort untended until the sun lowers. Since it's too scorching to venture out to take more pictures, I'll make do with shots I snapped earlier this month. This one is of the wisteria and a favorite tree peony. Both are sweetly fragrant.

A closer look at the tree peony blossoms.

Writing life

2008-06-29T07:37:00.000-07:00

Writing Fantasy

Here’s how I’d like writing fiction to be--

As easy as everyone who doesn’t do it thinks it is
As lucrative as everyone who doesn’t do it thinks it is

While I’m on the subject, I want to add to my wish list.

Every editor would have reasonable workloads and endless patience. These paragons would promptly review every submission, responding within a day or two--said response taking the form of an offer to contract the story. If the editors were unable to buy the manuscript, then they would respond, just as quickly, with kind, insightful, and detailed reasons for their decision to decline the opportunity.

Perhaps, I should include home visits by eager editors and agents desperate to acquire exciting manuscripts--no, my imagination isn’t quite that good.

In real life writing is nothing like the fantasy, more’s the pity.

Like aspiring sports superstars, wannabe pop idols, and the hopeful future movie stars there are thousand and thousands of would be writers, dreaming of writing best sellers or critically acclaimed poetry or enchanting fantasy or riveting thrillers or thrilling romances.

Most are doomed to failure. Most never make that necessary first step of actually writing the whole book--let alone submitting it. It takes courage, determination, talent, and hard work just to get a story written, polished, and sent off to an acquiring editor or agent. It takes more courage, patience, and dogged persistence to keep writing.

Real world editors are swamped by submissions. They have many other tasks (like editing) besides reviewing submissions. When they do have a chance to deal with incoming manuscripts, they look at those by authors they’ve already purchased from before tackling the slush pile.

What makes an editor interested in a story? Here’s the beginning of one tasteful editor’s simple wish list.

Professional submissions--business focused correspondence, work in the format they prefer, and every part of the package clean (no spelling or grammar issues)

Suitable--a manuscript that fits within the scope of their publisher’s guidelines

Entertaining--a story that shines, a strong voice, a fresh twist

Got all that going on? Then what are you waiting for?

More garden life

2008-06-27T14:18:00.001-07:00

Since this is a vitual garden experience, I'm posting last summer's snapshot of Jackmanii, not the showiest of clematis, but a handsome, reliable performer, which blooms July to September adding a nice contrast to rosa Don Juan as well as Buff beauty. I'm always torn between the greedy desire for new flora and the pleasure of well-love combinations. Jackmanii has held three prime places in the garden for more than a decade.

Garden Life

2008-06-26T08:30:00.001-07:00

June really is a grand time in the garden--here's a favorite purple haze corner Aliums, of course, some toadflax (more volunteers) rising lavendar, backed by the almost purple bronze fennel.

I'll tell you a secret, in real life I'm shy. I've been on garden tours and I found them exhausting. There have been no real life garden invasions in several years--but this virtual garden sharing is lovely.

Writing life

2008-06-25T19:41:00.000-07:00

Dangerous Rescue is on the New Concepts Publishing coming soon page!

Yes, I do know soon is a relative term. But, there might be another dangerous book out this year. Even if it's next year, I'm still thrilled with each step closer to release.

I've still got my fingers crossed that I'll get to announce another contract soon.

I am writing, but I keep removing as many words as I add. Some of them were good words too. The word meter is going to stay stuck for a week. And then it may have to move backwards.

More garden life

2008-06-25T07:54:00.000-07:00

One more rose, Brother Cadfael, one of the distinguished David Austin roses.

As much as I love the serenity of white flowers (or near white) I have can't resist the ultra-lavish pinks, murky near blacks, complex bronze--you see the problem.

Garden Life

2008-06-24T20:57:00.000-07:00

This time of year, modest daisies, all volunteers fill the frontyard border with cheery blooms.

June belongs to the roses, reminding me why I have so many of these pampered prima donas. This one is Buff Beauty, a hybrid musk on her own roots. She’s roughly nine feet high and darn near as wide. This view is from the tiny deck just off my office. Winding through the fragrant rose blooms is the handsome clematis Jackmanii.

Underneath Buff Beauty is a shady corner populated with astrantia major, “Shaggy” along with some volunteer centaureas, one of the dryopertis ferns , a forget-me-not or two, and some Lady’s Mantle, achilles molis. Mother Nature does a lot of gardening around here. But, I get credit for recognizing her genius and fostering the plantings.

Reading life

2008-06-22T08:44:00.000-07:00

I was going to entertain you with a whine about writing. However, I changed my mind. Last week, I ventured out into the big world and attended a reader’s circle. After all readers are the end user for a writer's work. Aside from any practical considerations, reading is one of my favorite things.

In this case, the phrase, reader’s circle refers to a small band of women, who get together once a month to discuss the books they’ve read recently. I’m familiar with the concept. But, this was my first chance to participate.

I’m so glad I went. This club has no reading assignments, which may be part of what makes it so lively. Titles discussed with humor, wit, and charm included:

Buddha: A Story of Enlightenment
The Celestine Prophecies
Nerds Like It Hot
Circle of Gold
Twilight
The Lizards Bite
The Other Boleyn Girl
The Number One Ladies Detective Agency
The Whole Truth
Theodore Roosevelt: A Life
Travels

There were others. Alas, I was too enthralled to take notes. Next month I want to be prepared to participate. To do so I need to keep track of what I read--not a big problem. I also need to be able to discuss the titles read--a much bigger deal.

Whether or not I like a particular book is perfectly clear--to me. However, I seldom bother with analyzing why. Let alone explaining it to someone else.

I’m reading and enjoying Sweet Surrender. But, when I attempt to analyze why I like this title or even this author, I fall back on very vague language. The author’s voice appeals to me. The fantasy entertains me. The characters are authentic and familiar. The story world is believable and yet far enough from my daily life to enchant. All true, but in all fairness to my fellow readers not enough content for anyone to make an informed decision about whether or not to shell out money for their own copy.

Here’s my reading for entertainment bottom-line requirements. The story must be well written and professionally edited. By this, I mean a minimum of mechanical errors, no glaring mistakes of fact, a coherent plot, believable motivation for characters actions, natural dialogue, and no ‘miracle’ solutions to conflicts. Beyond those minimal standards, I’m instantly plunged into the mushy area of personal taste.

For example, I love regency period romance. Georgette Heyer rates a whole shelf of keepers in my personal library. Carla Kelly’s romances always thrill me. As do Loretta Chase’s and a long list of other notable authors. On the other end of the spectrum, Lisa Kleypas, who writes best selling and Rita award winning regencies, fails to capture my fancy. Perhaps, I picked the wrong titles to try and she improved. Since I’ve tried her twice with the same dismal results, it is highly unlikely I’ll give her work a third try. There was nothing wrong with her writing or the editing, indeed she meets all the minimal requirements. Yet, her story choices yank me out of the special world of fiction and make my willing suspension of disbelief impossible.

Recently, I read a negative review of Joanna Bourne’s The Spymaster’s Lady. The story absolutely riveted me. As it did the vast majority of readers and reviewers. Difficult as it is for me to believe, there was at least one intelligent reader who wasn’t seduced by her prose.

The trouble, for the one negative reviewer I ran across, was the same thing that turned me off Ms. Kleypas’s books-- story choices made the willing suspension of disbelief impossible for that critic. In this instance, I don’t agree with the reader’s opinion. However, I recognize it is a matter of individual perception.

So here is my new challenge, write a brief review that summarizes the core story-- without spoilers and either endorse with specific reasons why or explain why the book in question failed to please this reader. Then repeat for each title read until the next meeting. Yikes! What was I thinking?

Garden Life

2008-06-18T17:39:00.000-07:00

Every morning around seven, I pour my first cup of coffee and check on the hummingbird crew.

Normally they work the swing shift, clocking in a little before seven in evening. Then they settle into work over the red garden.

Occasionally, a quality control inspector buzzes the window boxes mid-day. But, he’s not a regular.

This year for the first time, a lone male has shown up every morning for weeks.

This guy is as regular as if he were punching a time clock. He buzzes in and gets right down to business, servicing every blossom on the perennial fuchsia. To give you an idea of the scope of his work--the bit of solid grey to the right of the shrub is a six-foot cedar fence.

Writing Life

2008-06-17T10:48:00.000-07:00

So far today, I've resurrected one character from the dead and killed off another.

I Thought about updating the word meter because, I've added a few paragraphs here and there and improved lots of the others. But then, I decided to print it out and have a read through before I do any more improving. There's lots of revision still to go on the present set of words and no point in polishing what may be cut.

All of this makes me aware of my own writing process. Polishing as I write is second nature. This polishing is not to be confused with the final polishing that makes it ready for an editor's eyes. Rather a more a nudging closer to the story vision that exists in my head. All the while the tale remains very much a first draft.

After the original shaping of the story concept into a plots that holds together, which goes very slow--a week or two. Then the words pour fourth, until the last act when new insights lead to revising amid the flow--a decision that slows the writing back to creeping. All told, Sam's story is going to keep me busy all summer.

Then, I'm thinking back to the pirates.

Reading report

2008-06-15T09:06:00.000-07:00

I’ve been plotting and editing the Dangerous Secrets partial I’d written earlier. But, the planned first scene still didn’t feel right. Needing to get the opening right before I can tell the rest of the story effectively, I puttered around with commas and such. Then yesterday a new thought arrived. Rather than writing immediately, I decided to sleep on it. I still like it. So, now I’m good to work on the story.

In the meantime, I started reading Wild At Heart by Patricia Gaffney. Now, I can’t start writing until I finish reading the book. She’s a gifted writer. After reading one of her books, she moved instantly to autobuy status. In addition, I’m acquiring her entire backlist. The drawback to Patricia’s stories is simply that they must wait for my non-writing periods. Her story world fills my head too completely to allow room for my own to develop.

Reading Patricia Gaffney reminded me that Nora Roberts and I have something in common. We both love to read and we share many of the same favorite authors. She writes blurbs for Patricia and does Amazon reviews for her titles. Ms. Roberts gardens too. It is a small world.

Writing Life

2008-06-12T17:25:00.001-07:00

So yesterday I went through the previously written partial of the third Dangerous book and cut everything that didn't fit with the current vision for the story. It was raining and cold--a perfect day to slice out chunks of story. Lost three thousand words. It could have been worse. There's another two-three thousand that need moved, smoothed, or revised. Then I should have a nice tight opening act.

I've learned something from this story already...it's not a good idea to write even part of book three until book two is really really really done. Because, if there are changes to book two, those changes may well impact book three...

Today is lovely and sunny and I haven't written or even changed one word of the story, but it is alive in my head and that's a fine start. Tomorrow is another run around day. Perhaps on Saturday I'll get some quality computer time.

Writing Life

2008-06-09T17:22:00.000-07:00

So I'm working on Sam and one song keeps calling to me. Took me awhile to figure out the connection.

I'm slow like that sometimes....

It's Bill Wither's Use Me, Sam's playlist keeps growing....

When you break the rules and I'm smashing them with this story, then you better have a damn good reason.

Writing life

2008-06-09T10:46:00.000-07:00

Don't hold your breath waiting for the new progress meter to move, Sam's story is still forming. At this point how many of the twenty thousand already written words survive is uncertain.

However, I did send off the submission for the High Stakes anthology. Now the wait begins. I always hope for a miraculously fast response. Alas, that is not how publishing works.

Writing life

2008-06-08T09:13:00.000-07:00

The only thing that helps me endure the suspense of waiting to hear from the tasteful editor is writing other stories. Fortunately, I have lots of writing projects waiting for attention. It’s always hard to pick. However, the third Dangerous book is next.

Dangerous Secrets is the tentative title of Book three in the series. Sam Moreno, the man pictured above, is the hero. Worthy but, by far the darkest leading man I’ve attempted. I adore books with redeeming love themes. But, they’re challenging. Too dark, he’s not believable as a hero, or his redemption isn’t plausible. Not dark enough and the story loses its edge.

Just in case anyone missed the news, Dangerous Surrender released in December of last year as an ebook. Last month it came out in print.

Book two in the series, Dangerous Rescue was contracted last month. As soon as I get cover art and/or a release date I’ll let you know. Of course, there will be excerpts--after edits.

With the year half-over, I need to keep my fingers on the keyboard and my butt in the chair if I’m going to get the next Dangerous book, another novella, and a short story done this year. If I have any extra hours (hey, it could happen) there are several manuscripts in need of revision still loitering on the hard drive. One in particular calls to me. Okay, there are others.