Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Still Up to my Eyeballs

So yesterday was a bust, in so many ways. They never did the procedure due to the pregnancy, they didn't want to cause any issues. Which was okay with me, I had to wonder if it was safe to begin with.
INSTEAD I spent over two hours sitting in the office because my blood pressure was high. It wouldn't go down. I had to lie on my left side and be checked every 15 mins. Let me tell you my arms were aching after that. And seriously after the stress any one's blood pressure would be high. When I got home I felt deathly sick. Thankfully that is gone this morning.
So I'm on a restricted diet, no salt. Ha! Like that's going to be easy. Today I go for a bunch of blood work and an ultrasound. This was not how I planned my vacation. But better safe than sorry.
No edits were accomplished yesterday, but hopefully before I leave I'll get something done. Only two days to finish before the DH takes me away for the weekend. I'd like to have a stress free anniversary weekend! :)

Happy Tuesday!

Monday, December 28, 2009

Manic Monday

Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday. I must admit I'm happy it's over. It was crazy last week getting everything done. We were so unorganized this year it wasn't funny. Somehow it snuck up on us. lol We managed to get everyone done that needed to be by Christmas. Over the weekend we finished up family we'll see at the end of the week.
We also went to see Sherlock Holmes this weekend. It was a good movie and I was thankful for 2+ hours of peace and quiet!

I have a busy week ahead. I'm still on vacation, but under a few deadlines. Some self-imposed, some by editors. I finished writing Naughty Cupid this morning. Today after a small procedure I'll be in bed editing and hope to have it off to Noble Romance later in the day.
Tomorrow I'll start my revisions for Research Required. I'd like to have that back to my editor by the 1st. There are a few books I'd like to catch up on too.
We head off to NY to visit family on Friday. I'm looking forward to seeing the friends I missed at Thanksgiving. Oh and throw in our Anniversary on New Year's Eve...

Posts will likely be sporadic this week. Stay warm and Happy Monday!

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays

This is me on Christmas morning. I've been this way since I knew what Christmas and Santa were. My parents would sleep and I'd sneak out to the tree, stack all the presents in neat little piles for the three of us and wait. Like a good little child I'd check out all the cool stuff Santa brought, peek in my stocking, and anticipate what was wrapped.
As a new parent some twenty-two years ago I couldn't wait for my son to wake me up on Christmas morning all excited because Santa arrived while he was sleeping. That never happened! While most parents beg their kids for another hour - I always had to wake mine up. Not that they weren't excited about the holiday, they're just heavy sleepers. I'm hoping the grandbaby and new baby are different! LOL Either way I'll be up at the crack of dawn waiting!
This year I'm blessed with a house full of children again. Hope this holiday season finds you healthy, happy and full of many blessings!

Friday, December 18, 2009

Spread Thin

I feel like I'm being pulled in every direction! I have so much shopping to finish, luckily after today I'm on vacation. I told the DH the weekend is all about him and Christmas shopping. We need time away from the filled house!


I received a rejection for now with Research Required. It needs some revising. It seems I forgot to make my hero likable halfway through. She's right. I did forget to turn him around and make him lovable. I had the hot sex down! LOL


I'll be working on that Monday. I have too much other stuff to concentrate on now. I'm still finishing the last sex scene for Naughty Cupid due Jan 1.


My mom arrives Wednesday for a few a week of visiting and looking at places for her to move here.


Wishing everyone a Happy Friday and a terrific weekend!


BTW, Regina Carlysle has a new release today...check it out!




Book 4 in the High Plains Shifters series.

Blurb:
From the moment Cactus Mackey rescues Sara Farmer from outlaw wolves, he knows she belongs to him—and he’s more than ready to mess up some sheets with the sassy female. But she has secrets and wants to run. Infuriating woman! He might have to tie her to his bed but he’s not about to give up until she belongs to him, body and soul.

As danger chases her, Sara knows it’s a huge mistake to fall head over heels for the sexy lycan cowboy from Wolf Creek Ranch. A single touch from this shockingly seductive man melts her like butter under the hot Texas sun, and has her yearning for impossible things. The man is big trouble to her heart and running may no longer be an option.


Excerpt:


“Don’t let me go.”
Cactus went still at the whispered demand. The woman’s lips moved against his throat and just that simple touch had sensation rocketing through his body to settle in his cock. She’d been traumatized enough and he hated like hell that holding her this way made him hard enough to hammer nails but it couldn’t be helped. He’d been semi-erect since the moment he’d first clapped eyes on her. The instant attraction caught him off guard but then, was a man ever really prepared for the first moment he met the she-wolf who was destined to be his mate?
Probably not.
He settled his cheek against her tousled blonde curls and instinctively tightened his arm around her. Her name was Sara and he and others from the Wolf Creek Pack of Cloverfield, Texas had just saved her and her sister, along with Rayne Poteet, from a gang of rogue lycans. The sorry fucks made it their business to steal unmated she-wolves from the safety of their homes.
Except this woman, Sara, didn’t have a home.
Hell if she didn’t. Her home was with him.
“I won’t, darlin’. Not in this lifetime.”
Cactus sat in the backseat of the big duely double cab truck with his charge safely curled on his lap. He lifted his head from Sara’s hair and spoke over the roar of the engine. “How much longer until we’re home, Gabe?”
Cloverfield’s sheriff, who was driving them home, caught his eye in the rearview mirror. The big lycan was steering with one hand and holding Sara’s sister, Kate, close to his side. Cactus watched the big, gruff wolf’s hand stroke comfortingly over Kate’s body as she huddled against him. “About half an hour or so,” he murmured. “Almost there.”
Following behind them on the narrow stretch of twisted highway was a van full of the criminal lycans and their leader, Selena. Tonight full pack justice would be handed out to the lot of them. There would be little chance of escape for this bunch and the bloodthirsty half of his nature, his beast, would relish the chance to end their reign of terror.
Cactus returned his attention to the woman in his arms. Earlier, he’d lifted her up and carried her from the maze of old RVs and mobile homes where the captives had been held and settled her in the backseat of the truck. No one had questioned him but then, no one would dare. He wasn’t the kind of man who put up with interference from others. Cactus Mackey was a two-hundred-year-old lycan and old enough to handle his own affairs just fine. He settled back to look at the woman who he knew was his mate.
“How are you feeling?”
Her answering sigh almost broke his heart. She gave him a single look from eyes the color of Texas bluebonnets then closed them. Lowering her cheek to his chest, she settled her hand there too. Her fingers moved restlessly against his pecs and Cactus caught his breath. “I don’t know.”
“Don’t worry about it. We’ll get you home soon. I’ll tuck you in nice and tight and make sure you rest up.”
“Sounds nice,” she whispered. “Tell me your name.”
“Cactus. Cactus Mackey.”
Again, that little sigh. “Funny name.”
He smiled. “What’d you expect? I’m a Texan.”
Sara shifted in his lap and his cock tightened. Gods! She had to feel the damn thing prodding her sweet, nicely plump ass. His balls went hard. Fighting off the powerful urge to fuck her right here in front of the gods and everybody was suddenly the hardest challenge he’d ever faced. Literally. But Cactus wasn’t a man who took advantage of wounded creatures and Sara was wounded, for sure. Downright shocky. Whatever had possessed him to drag her into his lap that way? Damn it! She’d been hurt, traumatized and emotionally battered. He’d felt the trembling of her body and needed to comfort her so he didn’t think twice about pulling her into his lap. She’d needed to know he represented safety and that she and her sister would be cared for in this town he called home.
“I’m Sara Farmer.”
Cactus tightened his hold and breathed in her scent. It wrapped around him like a benediction. Mine. Mine. Mine. The words whispered through his mind and he wondered if she felt it too.
“You banged up a bit?”
“I was but I heal pretty quickly for being unmated.”
Among their kind unmated females were slower to heal injuries than a full-fledged lycan. Until she consummated things with her mate and finally released her wolf, it would be that way. He didn’t respond but glanced out the window of the truck and watched the miles of desert flash by as they motored their way deep into west Texas. Some might not find the country pretty but to him, the flat prairie with its buttes and plateaus was heaven. His kind had fought the Comanche and Apache Indians generations ago claiming the land as theirs. They’d built their homes, ranches and businesses with sweat and hard work and had won Texas independence from Mexico. Cactus had been one of many of Cloverfield’s lycans to fight side by side with others to build Texas into a force in this burgeoning country.
“She asleep?” The rumbling question came from Gabe and Cactus glanced down at his charge.
“Yeah.”
“So is Kate. Poor little thing.” The comment seemed strange coming from the burly lycan who wore an air of suppressed violence around him like an aura. “Figure we should take them to the ranch.”
Cactus swallowed the denial that rushed to his lips. He wanted Sara with him but knew Gabe was right about that. Quinn, their lupa and wife of their alpha, Joe McKinnon would take care of them for the time being until it was decided what was to be done with the kidnapped sisters. They needed the care that only a woman could offer. Gods knew, he didn’t know shit about that stuff. Both Sara and Kate had said they hadn’t been assaulted but maybe they didn’t want to speak the truth to a bunch of rough-looking men.
His belly knotted.
If any of those rogues had laid a finger on Sara there would be hell to pay. No doubt about it.
“So what do you think, Cactus?” Gabe prodded, catching his gaze once again in the rearview mirror.
Cactus nodded. “Yep, I reckon that would be best.”
Later he spotted the familiar landscape that included lines of fence that days before he’d been repairing along with Dusty, another Wolf Creek cowboy. The spread was huge, dominating most of the area around Cloverfield. The only ranch that came close belonged to Rayne’s dad, Angus Poteet, and these days he farmed windmills more than he raised cattle.
Almost home.
Huge limestone pillars rose up in the distance signaling their approach to the ranch. They sat on opposite sides of the entry road, like sentinels. Gabe took a left through the gates and satisfaction sank tender claws into his heart as he thought of his modest brick house where a nice hot shower and fresh coffee were waiting. He glanced down at the still sleeping Sara and wondered what she’d think of the home he’d built. Hell, who was he kidding? His decorating skills were sadly lacking. In fact, the last woman who’d been in his place admitted with a sniff that he decorated like a man.
Sara shifted on his lap and Cactus studied her features in repose. Her face was a neat, pretty little oval, her lips were full and her nose was small with an obstinate little tilt at the very end. If this had been a better time, he might’ve kissed her there or traced the line of barely visible freckles that marched across the bridge. He already knew she was soft and curvy since most of those lush curves were pressed intimately against his own body.
He wanted inside this woman so much he could practically taste it.
The truck pulled to a stop in front of the ranch house, a huge two-story limestone structure that had been built years before the battle of Texas Independence, and saw Quinn McKinnon and their housekeeper, Maria, standing on the porch. The pack’s lupa was a beautiful woman, tall, blonde and curvy enough to make a wolf’s mouth water. She was also intelligent and funny. Joe adored her and so did the pack. As she marched across the front yard toward them, he noted the look of worry on her face.
Just then, Sara blinked up at him.
“We’re home,” he said.
Little lines formed between her brows as she frowned. “Home?”
“My home. Yours too, I reckon.”
Her hands went to her face for a quick rub before she pushed her tangled hair back. She glanced out the window and Cactus felt the fine tremor that swept her body. Tenderly, he pulled the blanket closer around her and smiled. “It’ll be okay. Quinn has been waiting for you.”
“Quinn?”
“Your lupa.”
More alert, she looked frantically toward the front seat “Katie? Katie, are you okay?”
Silence fell. Finally Gabe spoke up. He’d stepped from the cab of the truck and was reaching in for Sara’s sister. “She’ll be okay. Don’t you worry. She’s just in shock.” He lifted her blanket-covered body and tucked her against him. “Figure she’ll talk when she’s ready.”
Cactus got out of the truck prepared to lift Sara into his arms but she drew back and looked at him. “I can walk.”
“Honey, you’re barefoot. I don’t want you to hurt yourself.”
“I’m fine.”
“No, you’re not.” He wasn’t about to stand there arguing so he lifted her up, despite her protests. Quinn and Maria began to fuss as they followed him and Gabe up the steps and into the house. The instant they were inside, Sara wiggled to get free. Reluctantly, Cactus set her on her dirty, bare feet grabbing her shoulder to steady her as she staggered a bit. When she’d regained her footing she raced across the room and went to her knees before her sister, whom Gabe had settled on a big leather sofa.
Sara reached for her hands and stared into her face. Cactus noted that despite a slight variation in the shades of blonde in their hair, the sisters were almost identical. For the first time in awhile, he felt a flash of alarm at the vacant expression on Katie’s face. Gabe stood nearby, a muscle working in his strong jaw.
“Kati-did, talk to me,” Sara encouraged. “You’ve been so strong. Don’t leave me now. Come on.”
Still Katie didn’t speak. She looked out on the world with a vacant stare and Cactus watched in horror as tears fell from Sara’s eyes to roll slowly down her cheeks. “It has all been too much, hasn’t it?” she whispered. “You’ve been so strong. I’ve been so proud of you. We handled the problem with Dad, didn’t we? We got away. You and me. We did it together. This other thing was nothing after that.” Sara choked and drew her sister into her arms. Turning her face into Katie’s hair, she whispered a savage command. “Stop it! Don’t go away! I mean it, Katalin!”
Questions coalesced in Cactus’ mind. What the fuck was going on? The urge to protect Sara and her sister held him in its grip and, for the first time in over a century, he felt utterly helpless. He hated it.
He stepped forward wanting to do something, wanting to discover what the hell she meant by her little speech but Quinn caught his gaze and shook her head. His lupa went to the pair and she gave Gabe a look.
“Cactus!” Gabe’s voice broke the spell.
Understanding, he gently drew Sara to her feet and pulled her against him as Gabe lifted Kate and followed Quinn and Maria up the stairs.
When they were alone, Sara stepped away and turned to face him. Waves of grief rolled from her to him. A tsunami of pain flashed through his system along with an unmistakable electrical charge that sizzled along his flesh.
“Gods!” She choked on the word as her hands went over her mouth. Tears pooled in her beautiful eyes and he couldn’t stand it another fucking minute. He went to her and cupped her face to press kisses on her forehead, her cheeks. Her salty tears dampened his lips and needing to comfort more than he needed his next breath, he settled his mouth on hers. She tasted of tragedy and passion and loss and Cactus drank each emotion, each fear as if he could draw them into himself and save her from feeling them. The blanket had fallen from her shoulders when she’d gone to comfort her sister and now she wore only an oversized tee shirt. Both women had been stolen from their beds so there was nothing unusual in that.
Cactus sent his tongue deep into her mouth, stroking the walls of her cheeks as he tasted her slowly. Drinking her gasping breath, he drew back to nip her bottom lip with his teeth. “You’re safe,” he whispered, shocked at the gruff sound of his own voice. “I won’t let anything happen to either of you. Trust me.”
“I do. I shouldn’t but I do. What is happening between us, Cactus?”
Bending, he pressed his mouth to the slender column of her throat as his hands took a journey over her back. Finally he answered her, his lips moving on her tender flesh. “You’re mine.”
“I am. At least, I think so. Gods! I shouldn’t be feeling this way after all that’s happened.”

Thursday, December 17, 2009

And the Winner Is...

Cindy Spencer Pape! Please contact me at: amberskyze at aol dot com to collect your prize!

Sorry I'm a day late posting the winner. Life has been crazy! My daughter got a job, so grandma is babysitting on top of working the day job. I'm cleaning up last minute things at work because I start my two week vacation tomorrow! YAY! Time to get caught up on reading, editing, shopping and all the Christmas stuff I've pushed aside.
Yesterday my younger daughter L and I baked cookies for the DH's Christmas party at work today. We may have eaten more than he took to work. Oh well. LOL
Having a house full again takes a lot of adjusting.
Today my son and I will go pick up the toy box for T and donate clothes to the Salvation Army. More baking is in order too. I swear one of these days I'll get out to buy something for the DH.
And I can't forget Survivor is on tonight. I'm looking forward to seeing what Russell will do.

Happy Thursday!

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

New Release Day - Body Shots


Today I'm celebrating my seventh release of the year by giving away a copy of my latest release - Body Shots. Find a blurb and excerpt below. And if you're so inclined you can purchase a copy today at: http://www.jasminejade.com/
Blurb:
Got Tequila?
Sierra does and Reed isn’t afraid to use it. He’s determined to do shots on every inch of her skin, but Sierra has insecurities preventing him from exploring intimate areas. Her insecurities won't stop her from lavishing his body with the heady liquor.
Ten years ago an accident tore Sierra Allen and Reed Walker apart. Now a chance encounter has them burning for each other. A bottle of liquor and a pool table has this duo ready to quench their thirsts with one night of Body Shots.
Will one night be enough to fan the flames of desire?

Excerpt:
Reed Walker leaned his massive frame against the wall. His leg bent, his boot-clad foot tapped against the wall to the rhythm of the bass drum. He stuffed his hands in his pockets, as his eyes gazed upon the singer crooning the soft rock ballad. She was gorgeous by every standard of the word. Long flowing black hair, dark mysterious eyes, her arms sleeved in tattoos. Dressed only in black leather pants and a matching leather bra, her rock-hard stomach revealed she worshiped the gym but Reed wasn’t here for the singer. She wasn’t his type any longer. Another time, another place maybe. Not tonight. Tonight, he was here for the owner of the bar.
Looking to make some extra cash doing something they loved, Reed and his fellow band mates decided to reunite after a ten year hiatus. Reed having always been the businessman of the group took on the task of going around to different bars and clubs to see if they were interested in adding his band Foul Play to the line up.
When he walked into Crimson Nights he thought he was walking into a dream. Never in his wildest imagination had he thought he’d come face to face with the only true love of his life—Sierra Allen.
The look on her face when he walked up to the bar and asked to speak to the owner was one of shock. Like seeing a ghost. And that’s how he felt. Oh, she’d cut off most of her long red hair but she couldn’t deny the scar on her right cheek. It had faded some over the years and she tried covering it with her hand most of the time they spoke but he knew it was her. She told him her name was Laura but Reed knew better. Those haunting green eyes couldn’t be mistaken.
He went along with her charade, though it killed him deep inside. She had run away from him after the car accident without so much as an explanation. The weeks he spent by her side, holding her while she cried over what she felt was a deformed face. The painful recovery from the shards of glass that cut her, when the windshield shattered. He stood by her side, loving her, wishing he could take away her pain. Wishing it was him who suffered instead of her, only to have her up and vanish when she was released from the hospital.
Now she was pretending she didn’t know him. It didn’t make sense. He’d let her go a long time ago but this time he wasn’t going to leave without finding out why. It was the least she could do. She owed him an explanation.
She shocked him when she agreed to let his band play. He fully expected a flat-out “no”. Why would she want his band playing there if she was hiding her identity? Was it a ploy to make him believe she was this Laura she pretended to be? Or was she feeling the connection too? If it was to prove her charade, she was sadly mistaken. Reed wasn’t stupid enough to be fooled by a haircut or name change.
Reed would wait until the night was done and the bar empty before he confronted her but he would and when he did, Sierra had some explaining to do.


Monday, December 14, 2009

I've Been Tagged

I've been tagged by good friend and fellow author Regina Carlysle. Find the answers to my questions below. Who am I tagging??? Fran Lee, Molly Daniels and Katalina Leon - have fun ladies.

1. What’s the last thing you wrote? What’s the first thing you wrote that you still have?

The last thing I wrote was Pretend with Me, the first book in my new series. The first thing I wrote was poetry as a teen.

2. Write poetry?

In high school. Boy was I pathetic! LOL

3. Angsty poetry?

Totally.

4. Favorite genre of writing?

Romance. Contemporary, BDSM and Chick Lit.

5. Most annoying character you’ve ever created?

None I can think of.

6. Best plot you’ve ever created?

Play with Me, Book Three of the Shea Manor series. The heroine went through lots of ups and downs, with a great sense of humor. Oh and we can’t forget the HOT sex.

7. Coolest plot twist you’ve ever created?

Research Required…just submitted to my editor

8. How often do you get writer’s block?

A few times a week! LOL

9. Write fan fiction?

Can’t say I have.

10. Do you type or write by hand?

I type but have sticky notes all over the place.

11. Do you save everything you write?

Absolutely!

12. Do you ever go back to an idea after you’ve abandoned it?

Most of the time. It’s rare that I don’t.

13. What’s your favorite thing you’ve ever written?

Shea Manor series.

14. What’s everyone else’s favorite story that you’ve written?

If any readers ever tell me, I’ll let you know! Biggest seller to date is Mistletoe Studs.

15. Ever written romance or angsty teen drama?

I’ve written a few teen dramas. Nothing published, as of yet. Romance, of course. I can’t imagine writing anything else.

16. What’s your favorite setting for your characters?

Upstate New York

17. How many writing projects are you working on right now?

Three. Under deadline for a Valentine’s Day short. Book Two of the Shea Manor series and a new cougar.

18. Have you ever won an award for your writing?

Not yet, but there’s always hope for the future. :)

19. What are your five favorite words?

Bitch. Shit. Fuck. Sweet. Awesome.

20. What character have you created that is most like yourself?

There’s a little bit of me in all my characters.

21. Where do you get ideas for your characters?

Music, Television and past experiences.

22. Do you ever write based on your dreams?

No. Most of my dreams are nightmares.

23. Do you favor happy endings?

Nothing else!

24. Are you concerned with spelling and grammar as you write?

No, that’s what editing is for. LOL

25. Does music help you write?

Not anymore. I used to only write to music, now it distracts me. I need total silence.

26. Quote something you’ve written. Whatever pops into your head.

“I’ll bet that tongue is outlawed in most states.” Bailey Johnston, Research Required.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

12 Days of Christmas at Noble Romance

Noble Romance Publishing is pleased to present:
The 12 Days of Christmas Sale!

Day One -- December 13, 2009 -- Receive 30% off all M/M, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transsexual books at Noble Romance Publishing.
**Usepromo code BRJFNM
Day Two -- December 14, 2009 -- Receive 30% off all Sci-Fi or Time Travel books at Noble Romance Publishing.
**Use promo code GFZLWT
Day Three -- December 15, 2009 -- Receive 30% off all Contemporary books at Noble Romance Publishing.
**Use promo code HHKLGG
Day Four -- December 16, 2009 -- Receive 30% off all Historical books at Noble Romance Publishing.
**Use promo code HLFXMS
Day Five -- December 17, 2009 -- Receive 30% off all Paranormal books at Noble Romance Publishing.
**Use promo code BCMXFP
Day Six -- December 18, 2009 -- Receive 30% off all BDSM/Ds books at Noble Romance Publishing.
**Use promo code WPDNRJ
Day Seven -- December 19, 2009 -- Receive 30% off all Vampire and Werewolf books at Noble Romance Publishing.
**Use promo code MNPNNT
Day Eight -- December 20, 2009 -- Receive 30% off all Fantasy/Fairies/Fairytale books at Noble Romance Publishing.
**Use promo code JKRWQQ
Day Nine -- December 21, 2009 -- Receive 30% off all Ménage books at Noble Romance Publishing.
**Use promo code CTKKPT
Day Ten -- December 22, 2009 -- Receive 30% off all Mystery/Suspense books at Noble Romance Publishing.
**Use promo code SZDWCH
Day Eleven -- December 23, 2009 -- Receive 30% off all Shape-shifter books at Noble Romance Publishing.
**Use promo code KNMWJL
Day Twelve -- December 24, 2009 -- Receive 30% off all Interracial books at Noble Romance Publishing.
**Use promo code JZPPHT
Please note: Sub-genres and themes listed are defined using the links on the left side of the Noble Romance Publishing home page at www.nobleromance.com. Some books may fall within more than one category, so if you miss a day, you may have more than one opportunity to buy the book of your choice.

**Must be a member of Noble Romance Publishing's newsletter mailing list in order to receive your discount. If you are not already a member, sign up now at www.nobleromance.com.

Thank you . . . and Happy Holidays!

Friday, December 11, 2009

I Did It - Finally

I submitted Research Required to my editor. I feel like this story has been sitting on my desk forever. It has been months. The good news was my editor said she'd get back to me "very" soon, definitely before the normal "eight" weeks. I'm hoping for an answer before the end of the year. It would certainly be a nice way to end 2009.

Today the temperatures are frigid, so I'll spend the day doing Christmas cards, wrapping and finishing the decorating.

Tomorrow I'll start editing book one in the Shea Manor series and writing up the proposal. Not sure where this series will land, but I'm sure it will find a good home.

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

The Giving Continues

I'm blogging over at Seven Sexy Scribes today - http://sevensexyscribes.blogspot.com/2009/12/deck-halls.html?zx=15652d11468a69f6
and I'm still in a giving mood. Stop by for your change to win a copy of Heat Waves.

Monday, December 7, 2009

Anniversary Contest Winner

Susan L is the winner of my anniversary contest. Please contact me: amberskyze@aol.com with your email address to collect your prize.

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Happy Anniversary to ME!


It's hard to believe that a year ago I was sitting in my sunroom watching television and the snow falling outside, when an email popped into my inbox. It was from Aspen Mountain Press. It was around eight pm and I had had a long day. I remember thinking "Great another rejection to end the day". With trepidation I opened the email, but was totally surprised to find a contract!

The rest of the evening was a whirlwind. I was contacted an hour later by my new editor who wanted to get working on the book ASAP. It was only 19 days til Christmas and they wanted to get the story out for the holidays.

It's funny, that first book was the one that needed the least editing. I still remember thinking "Wow, this whole process is a piece of cake". I've since learned it's not!



Today I'm sharing a tidbit from Mistletoe Studs, the story that started it all for me. With the holidays just around the corner, this story will warm you up on a cold winter's night!


Oh and for fun let's have a contest. I'll give one lucky commenter a copy of Mistletoe Studs in celebration of my ONE year anniversary!

Blurb:
Meg Trainor has one wish for Christmas every year: Two men who will fulfill all her fantasies. Santa's in a giving mood this year. Brothers and co-owners of Turquoise Toys, Brad and Shane Griffin will give her a Christmas she'll never forget.
Excerpt:
Meg couldn’t believe her eyes. These were not the toys she had imagined. She thought he was talking about children’s toys. These were not intended for children. These were adult toys in every sense of the word. There were floggers, paddles, butt plugs, ball gags, straps with dildos attached and handcuffs—all Turquoise, explaining the name. Meg wasn’t naive about the BDSM world. When she realized her desire to submit she wanted to know the who, what, where and why. She read everything she could about the subject. She knew enough about it to understand.
She’d even bought a few toys to experiment with. Like the ping pong paddle she’d purchased when she was curious to know what it felt like to be spanked. It wasn’t something she did regularly but when she was in the mood for a good orgasm she’d slap her cheeks a few times before using her favorite vibrator. She never had dated a man who was actually part of that world.
Brad was gay so he wouldn’t be offering. What a shame because she could see them having fun together!
Could he be carrying a bagful of goodies? Maybe Santa was going to be extra special to her this year.
Please Santa I’ve been a good girl all year long. Please tell me you sent Brad with something extra special for my stocking this year.
Halfway though the job, Meg decided it was time to go back to her stranger. He’d been out there long enough. By now, he knew she was aware of his secret.
Turning she ran smack into his broad chest again. “We really need to stop meeting like this.” Clearing her throat, she took a step back only to come against the copier. “I was just coming out to see you.”
He stepped closer, closing the small gap between them. “How are you doing?” His voice dripped with desire.
“Fantastic. Your copies are just about done.”
Damn she wished he’d step back. He was much too close. He turned her on.
“Are you sure?” He traced his finger along her cheek.
She gulped, her body overheating.
He bent closer, taking her lips. He kissed her slowly. She melted against him; her arms snaked around his neck. He touched her breast, causing a moan to escape her lips. His bulge brushed against her. He wanted her.
While he kissed her, his fingers unzipped the back of her dress then unsnapped her bra. He pushed the garments down around her waist, exposing her breasts.
His mouth covered her nipple, sucking until it puckered. God his mouth felt good. How long had it been since a man had his mouth on her? Too long. Lisa was right; she needed to get laid, but not by Kenny.
When Brad moved to the other breast she thought for sure she was going to crumble to the floor. Her hands gripped the edges of the copier to steady herself.
“I’m going to fuck you Meg, right now.

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Interview and Contest


http://lovesbooksandmore.blogspot.com I'm being interviewed over at Dawn's Reading Nook today. Stop by for your chance to win a free copy of my latest release Heat Waves!

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Queen of Avoidance

When it comes to editing a story I'll do just about anything ELSE. Like yesterday. I planned to edit a story that I should have completed in October. Instead, I wrapped Christmas gifts, cleaned, slept, you name it. What I didn't do was edit.
Today I set out to edit. Opened the folder with the story and immediately showered and went grocery shopping. Came home put everything away and my son woke up. Yay! I grabbed him and had him climb into the attic to get the Christmas decorations. Found everything I was looking for, except boxes to wrap clothes. This set me off in search of those boxes I just knew I had somewhere. I finally located them. Okay, time to edit.
I did sit down and edited all but the last chapter. Hopefully tonight after dinner I can finish and send it off to my editor. I'm still hoping for those last 2 contracts before the end of the year. But I have to submit "something" to get a contract. Funny how that works.
I'm also have to finish writing a short for a January 1st deadline. I'm about 3k away.

Tomorrow I have a new release from Aspen Mountain Press - Heat Waves! I'll post all the info tomorrow.
Time to cook dinner!

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Getting Started on Christmas

Today I'm wrapping gifts. I bought a ton of stuff for the grand baby T and I'm wrapping her stuff. Once the toy box arrives I'll fill it with the gifts to put under the tree - that I haven't put up yet! I'm hoping this weekend, but I have my local chapter's meeting and my MIL's b-day party.
The DH has to go into the office, so that will give me time to wrap a few things I've picked up for him too.
I need to get the DH to bring the decorations down from the attic so I can find those darn Christmas cards I bought last year. Time to get going on them too. December is always filled with so much to do.
I have the music cranked, ready to go. Maybe I'll grab a cup of coffee and rock out. Oh and I have tons of editing to do thanks to Nano. While I didn't reach the 50k mark I did manage 42,090.

If you haven't signed up for my newsletter, I'm giving away 3 ebooks and a gift card this month. But you have to be a member to win! Why not sign up today.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/authoramberskyze

Happy Hump Day!

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

They Got Me...URGH!!!

I’ve been pirated. I guess I should be happy it took nearly a year, but I'm not. It happened over the weekend. Thanks to the wonderful Google alerts I learned Mistletoe Studs and Splashing Good Time were stolen. Over the last year my heart has gone out to all my friends who had to experience this feeling of dread. As a writer I know how much of their blood, sweat and tears go into writing a book. To have it stolen by these f*cking a$$holes is just frustrating. Now it's my turn to experience it firsthand.
On a lighter note the DH and I enjoyed six days off. It was wonderful visiting with family and friends in NY. My mother and her desire to brag about her published daughter told my eighty-three year old grandfather about my books. His SO decided to Google me and although my mother had warned her it was racy, they were appalled. So much so my grandfather wanted to know when was the last time I read the Bible. Guess I know what I’ll be getting for Christmas! LOL
On our trip back we got a call informing us that my FIL was rushed to the hospital. They weren’t sure what was wrong with him. it’s not easy driving three hours worrying about a loved one. They were worried it could be a heart attack, stroke or his MS. Turns out it was only a kidney stone. I know I shouldn’t say “only” because I’m sure when he passes it he’ll know what any woman who has delivered a baby feels like. But it could’ve been worse.
Spent a great day with the granddaughter Saturday. Sunday we decorated the front yard. The people who live across the street hate when we decorate. They think we go overboard. I’ll have to post a pic soon. It’s really not that much. Yesterday we got to see a movie – 2012. I enjoyed it, but that’s all I’m going to say about it. :)
I can’t believe it’s December and Nano is over. While I didn’t reach my 50k goal I’m pleased with what I accomplished. I barely did any writing while away this time. Oh well.
Back to work today! Hope everyone has a wonderful Tuesday.