Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Klutz

Look the word up in the dictionary and you’ll find a picture of ME! The last few days we’ve been getting torrential rains here in RI. Being the good mother that I am I didn’t want my daughter walking home from the bus stop in this mess, so I picked her up. Pulled in to the driveway and we made a beeline for the house. My daughter made it to the front door with no issues, me not so lucky. She turns to find her mother sprawled flat on the ground. Well, half on the sidewalk, half on the cement stairs. Go ahead laugh I’m sure I looked funny and I can laugh now. But I’m sore. So freakin’ sore it’s hard to write. My right hand, arm and shoulder are killing me. I hurt my side too. No bruising on the right side, which took the brunt of the fall, but I have a nice bruise on my left arm. Needless to say, I’ve been hanging on the couch the last two days.
Even if I hadn’t hurt myself, my city, along with a few others, have been declared a state of emergency. They’re asking people to stay home if possible. The flooding is awful. My son’s friend couldn’t get to his house because his street was flooded, so we put him up for the night. A bunch of my friends are suffering wet basements. We’ve been lucky so far. The rain has finally stopped but that doesn’t mean the flooding is over.
People are being evacuated and power is being shut off for fear of fire. Watching the news is depressing. I can’t imagine being forced out of my home. They’ve been asking for volunteers to help with the animals. I know some folks who don’t have flood insurance and half their house is under water. Can you just see the fight with the insurance companies when all is said and done?
They say the sun will shine tomorrow. Hopefully all the people suffering will be okay.
Happy Wednesday and stay dry!

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

No Longer a Virgin

Conference Virgin that is. Yes, I attended my first writer’s conference this past weekend. The RWA-NEC conference. I’m a member of NEC and I must say there are a lot of EC authors! Friday my friend Donna and I arrived early. We met up with another friend for lunch. After we got settled in our rooms we registered.
The first workshop of the day was Brenda Novak. She spoke about emotion. This was a great two hour talk. The time flew by. During the Q&A someone asked if she was a plotter or pantser and her response struck a cord. She said she was a pantser. She said when she tries to write after plotting it feels forced because she feels in a lot of ways she’s already written the story. It was a light bulb moment for me.
I’m a self-proclaimed pantser, so this made sense to me. I like to let the characters explore and decide where they’re going. Looking back my rejected work has been plotted.
The food was to die for. At dinner my one friend H had the agent and editor sitting at our table laughing at her tales of drunken sluts in her books. This broke the ice for her agent appointment the next morning. She doesn’t really have drunken sluts in her books.
Dessert was a Q&A with Annette Blair. She is one of the sweetest women you’ll ever meet. I’ve known her for a little over three years and she continues to amaze me with her generosity and knowledge sharing.
The keynote speaker for breakfast was MaryJanice Davidson. OMFG, she is so funny. We laughed all through breakfast. Of course she received a standing ovation after her speech.
I attended a bunch of great workshops throughout the day including one given by fellow EC author Nina Pierce. She helped my friend H out with her workshop. H tends to write very long and Nina gave hints on how to write shorter.
There were free books and promo items galore. The conference ended with a book signing. I spent way too much, but that’s okay. That’s what it’s all about, right? Hopefully next year I’ll be sitting at one of the tables signing too.
I signed up for RomantiCon yesterday. Maybe I’ll have a print book for that conference. We’ll see.

Happy Tuesday.

Monday, March 29, 2010

Wiped Out

I want to report on the conference today but I’m so freakin’ tired it’s not funny, even though I slept twelve hours when I came home Saturday night. I didn’t take my laptop because I didn’t think I’d have time to surf the net and I didn’t. I came home to first edits for Pretend With Me, so that’s how I spent my Sunday night – after a long day of going from store to store with the DH looking for a new couch. Half the time I could have crashed on the furniture. One salesman said you can lay on it you know. I’m like, yeah, I know, but you don’t want me sleeping here. LOL

The dreary weather doesn't help today.

So I have a lot of catching up to do and I’ll be sure to report all the fun I had over the next few days.

Happy Monday!

Friday, March 26, 2010

And We're Off...

I’m happy to announce I signed another contract this week. My second M/M – Sliding Home has found a home at Aspen Mountain Press. It will be released on June 4th.

In a few short hours my friend will pick me up and we’re headed off to the NEC Conference. Hope everyone has a fun filled weekend. I know I plan to!

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Conference Virgin

As you can tell from the title I’m a conference virgin. I plan to pop that cherry so to speak this weekend. Tomorrow I’m heading out to the NEC RWA Imagination in Flight Conference. I’m excited. I signed up late because I wasn’t sure if my work schedule would allow me to attend. It turns out it did. I’m not pitching this time. I have a few full lengths that would be appropriate and I would like to pitch, but they aren’t fully edited.
Because you never know when you might find yourself in the elevator with an editor or agent, I am prepared “just in case”.
I’m looking forward to a weekend of hanging with friends and fellow authors. There are a lot of EC authors who belong to NEC. It will be nice to put faces to a few of the authors I don’t know but I talk with on different loops.
I’ve spent the last few days getting promo stuff together and getting the house prepared for mom to be gone for 2 days. Technically I’ll be home Saturday night, but still…
I’ll report next week on all the fun things I learned or experienced.
For now I’ve got a lot of things to do.
Happy Thursday!

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

This and That...

I’ve been down and out lately, having some minor health issues that seem to be getting better. I’m only writing in spurts and blowing off the blog. Hopefully that will change over the next few days.
For Christmas the DH gave me the Dragon Speaking Naturally software. I finally got around to installing it on my laptop today. I was very excited about using it. I’ll admit sometimes I’m lazy and figured speaking would be easier. I’m not so sure right now. You see you must dictate everything – period, comma, question mark, etc. Oh and new line.
The other downfall of this software is quotations or lack of. I can write a sentence and add the tag, he said/she said, but it won’t put it in quotations. Speed would be nice, but to sacrifice the other things will be a PIA when it comes time to edit.
I’ll try it for a few more days and see if it’s worth it.
In other news I signed a new contract last week for my new series – Freedom Fantasies. Book 1 – Pretend with Me will be the story of Paige and Jed.
Here’s a short blurb I threw together:
Freedom Fantasies is a place where women go to live out their ultimate fantasies.
Paige is tired of playing second fiddle to her husband’s best friend. When she tells her best friend she wants to have sex with a stranger, Kim knows exactly what to do.
Kim, owner of Freedom Fantasies, schedules a room and a hot stranger – actually Paige’s husband Jed.
Paige and Jed work on finding their way back to each other with a game of pretend. When they bring Tommy into the mix things get even better.
I’ve past the halfway mark of Book 2 so the goal is to have it submitted by month’s end.
Happy Tuesday!

Friday, March 19, 2010

Research Required - Available Today!

I'm excited to be celebrating another new release. Along with the fact that the sun is shining and the temperatures are going to be near 70 today!


Blurb:

Ethan’s on the run from the mob. He’s in for a surprise when he knocks on the door of his sister’s neighbor. The last thing he needs is a distraction like Bailey. She’s sexy and sassy and dressed in skimpy shorts—and he wants to take her where she stands.

Sex with a stranger? Bailey would never think of it. Ethan’s no stranger though, he’s her friend Jenna’s brother, so that makes him a friend too, right? Sex in the kitchen, sex in the bedroom, sex on the couch, it doesn’t matter. Bailey can’t get enough of this hot-blooded stranger.

Will Ethan’s past catch up to him and ruin any hopes for their future?






Word of caution - This contains X rated material. If you find offense please DO NOT continue reading!





Excerpt:





Confused. Bailey was thoroughly confused. They were having a good time. No, a great time and suddenly he shut down on her. What happened? It was like someone flipped a light switch. One minute they were laughing, enjoying each other, the next he was talking about working on her article. She didn’t want to think about her article right now. She wanted to feel his cock inside her. Filling her. Fuck the article. Fuck her deadline. That could wait. Sex couldn’t.
“I thought we could see if this is outlawed in a few states too,” she said, rubbing her hand along his hard penis.
“We’d better not,” he said, releasing her from his grip. He jumped off the bed as if the touch of her skin burned him.
“Ethan?” Bile rose in her throat. What had she done?
He threw his clothes on haphazardly.
Following his lead, she eased off the bed and gathered her clothes. She held them against her chest, fighting back the urge to cry. His rejection pained her.
“What the fuck is going on here?” she demanded. She wasn’t going to stand for him ignoring her any longer. She deserved an explanation for his sudden cold shoulder.
He turned and looked at her. The haunted look in his blue eyes caused her to suck in her breath. There was a deep pain. He was hiding something from her.
“Is there another woman you’re cheating on?” Bailey knew some men tended to feel guilty after cheating. Maybe that was what was wrong with him.
“No, Bailey. There’s no other woman.” He tried to embrace her.
“Back off. I want an explanation.”
“It’s not you, Bailey, I swear.”
God, if she had a nickel for every time she heard a guy use that line. Shit, she’d used it a few times herself.
“You have to believe me, Bailey.”
“I don’t have to believe shit. Get out of my apartment.”
“What?”
He looked completely shocked. What, did he think he could use her and get away with it? Fuck that. If he didn’t have the balls to tell her the truth, well fuck him.
“You heard me. Get the fuck out of my apartment and don’t come back.”
“But I thought you needed help with your article.”
“I don’t need your help. I’ll find someone else to answer my questions. Thanks for the good time, now get out.” And don’t let the door hit you in the ass on the way out, she wanted to add. She turned her back on him. She couldn’t stand to look at him any longer.
“Bailey.”
“Go,” she said through clenched teeth.
When she heard the door close she let out the sob that she’d swallowed. She threw herself on the bed and cried. She had no clue why, but she cried.
She spent the next hour lying on her bed naked and alone, trying to figure out what the hell just happened. It was like a nightmare. She’d let a complete stranger into her place. She’d had the most incredible sex she’d ever experienced and thrown him out. All in the matter of a few hours. What the hell was she going to say to Jenna? Surely Jenna was going to want to know why her brother wasn’t there waiting for her to return. She could tell her the truth, that her brother was a dog just like all the other guys out there, but then she’d have to admit that she’d had sex with Ethan and that would cause some serious issues with their friendship.
Oh shit. Men sucked.

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Happy St. Patrick's Day


I’m married to an Irishman, but on St. Patrick’s Day you wouldn’t know it. I have no Irish in me, though the DH may say…well, ummm, never mind. So anyway, I love corned beef and cabbage. Love to make it every year for St. Patrick’s Day. Nope the DH doesn’t like it. So now I don’t save it for once a year. When the DH goes away for business – the kids and I enjoy a corned beef and cabbage dinner.
I enjoy beer. Now I don’t drink often, but I do like it. They say Irishmen are lushes. Not mine. It’s a very rare occasion he’ll drink. He didn’t even drink at our wedding.
He may not fit all the Irishmen standards and he can be a bit odd at time – I love him just the way he is.
In other news –
A friend of mine was talking to an editor over at a publishing house I’m interested in writing for. This friend doesn’t write erotic or anything close, but she suggested I submit. Her editor friend gave me her personal email address. So yesterday I sent a query/letter of introduction and heard back in 5 mins! I swear that has to be a record.
While they didn’t offer a contract she did have a lot of nice things to say. The reason she couldn’t take what I was offering was because it was too short. She asked if I lengthened it to resubmit or if I had something longer send it her way. She liked my writing style.
I think the most amazing part of this was she recommended yet another publishing house and gave me a contact over there. She said to use her name when submitting. Two new opportunities have opened up for me all because of someone
I’m excited to submit something to the first editor, but have to finish my current wip and write one more book before I can start something for her. Though I couldn’t wait and I started a rough outline. I’ve been known to write two books at the same time, so maybe this will be one of those times.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

New Cover Art


I'm lacking for things to blog about this week. I've been sick and out of it. I do have cover art for Dante's Desire coming in Aug 2010. It's part of the Alluring Arts theme at EC. I just love Angelo. Not only is he sexy, he fits perfectly for the hero. Dante isn't as buff as Angelo, but that's okay too.

And don't forget I have a new release Friday - Research Required from Ellora's Cave http://www.jasminejade.com/

Monday, March 15, 2010

I'm Back!

At least semi. I’ve been down with a small illness. Hoping to be back fully before the week is over. I did some writing over the weekend. I got some editing done too. The weather sucked big time. Rain pounded the house most of Saturday. The people behind us have a tent they use as a make-shift garage where the husband has been busy rebuilding a car.
Well yesterday morning I woke to find his tent upside down in our yard. A few pickets on our fence are broken and our dogs let that tent know it entered the wrong yard, by marking their territory! LOL
The good news is I won’t have to look at that eyesore for a few days, because they had to take it apart to get it out of our yard. I’m sure he’ll have it back up before long though.
Time for the dreaded day job. Happy Monday! :o)

Friday, March 12, 2010

Feel Like Quitting

Have you ever had one of those weeks when you just want to throw in the towel? That’s the way I’ve felt this week. Rejection number two came in yesterday. For another 7k short. I kinda expected this as it’s been with the publishing house since Sept 09 with no word. This one the BDSM was too basic. I realize it is the opinion of one editor, but two rejections in one week stings! No matter what the reason. I’m just glad I had a productive day before the rejection came in.
Now I’m just waiting for number three! LOL They say things come in three’s right?
I’ve been tagged for a third time. See there’s that three thingy again. I planned to post it today, but not feeling it. I’m still licking my wounds.
Off to do some writing. I can’t REALLY throw in the towel. I’m a writer after all. It’s in my blood.
Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Hiding

I’ve been tagged – twice! I’ll post mine eventually – once! Currently I’m busy finishing a few projects so my writing schedule isn’t so hectic. My one editor has two books in her possession and I’m working on another story so I can send the final two of the series. Which means more editing for Amber. I know in the past I’ve said how much I despise editing, but lately I’m finding it’s bearable. Maybe because my writing is improving and there’s less to edit? I’m not sure. That’s the problem with pansters, at least for me, I never know how good or bad the story will be when I hit the editing stage. Sometimes I’m pleasantly surprised and sometimes, well…
In other news I seemed to hit a brick wall with writing lately, but this morning I managed to add 2k to my current wip. It felt good to be back. Ideas starting flowing and I’m thinking about the next scene – always a plus!
There’s so much to get done before the nice weather settles in. Once summer rolls around I don’t get much done. So before May I’d like to edit and submit two books I wrote during Nano in 2007 and 2008. This in between two wips that need to be written.
I’m thinking Carina Press for one and maybe the other will go out to agents. Both are romantic comedies. I don’t see them working for any of my current publishers.
Also my TBR pile is growing by leaps and bounds. I can’t remember the last book I read. That’s sad. I really need to sit down with a good book.
Well off to edit and work.
Happy Thursday!

Monday, March 8, 2010

Rejection and AOL Suck

Actually this rejection didn’t suck as much as I thought it would. My editor said the characters were under developed. I don’t know she’s probably right. It’s a short 7k, so they probably are. I’ll look at it sometime in the future when I have more time. I’m sure if I add to it and further develop the characters I can submit it to another editor. I’m not sure I was really “feeling” the story at the time. I wrote it during a dark period in my life. Oh well…
Now AOL on the other hand is driving me nuts. Seems if you have urls in your email they don’t want to deliver them. So, I’ve missed NUMEROUS emails – some very important. Like the rejection. :O) Who knows what else I’ve missed. I hope they get their shit together soon or I’ll be moving to a new email.
In other news…with the help of some good friends I’ve narrowed down the titles for my new series. My editor likes one in particular but I’m having reservations about it. We’ll see. The editing for Sliding Home is done. Now I have to write the synopsis and send that in. only one book left to edit.
Time to get writing. Happy Monday everyone!

Friday, March 5, 2010

Long Week

I’m so glad its Friday. This week seemed to drag on and on. I did get a lot accomplished though. Book one of my Shea Manor series, Pretend With Me is off to my editor. Only problem is I have to rename the series. I need something more romantic or BDSMish. So today I get to think up names to submit.
I’ve begun adding to book two not sure of a name for this one either. I’ll be editing 3, Play With Me so it’s ready when I submitted 2. Also on the editing block is Sliding Home a M/M contemporary. I hope to have this one off to my editor before the weekend is over.
Though I can’t show it just yet, I received my cover art for Dante’s Desire yesterday. I must say Syneca did a great job. It’s part of the Arts Theme and I have Angelo on the cover. Mmmm, what a hottie. He’s so close to what I envisioned my hero in this story. Dante isn’t as chiseled as Angelo.
This weekend is supposed to be beautiful, with temps in the 50s and lots of sun. After all the rain and dreariness we’ve had this will be refreshing. I will be getting outside for some sun! Think Spring!!!!!!!!
Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Thursday, March 4, 2010

Never a Dull Moment

Yup..That’s my house. Yesterday morning two of the dogs got into a battle over a bone. At first it appeared they both came out of it unscathed, but as the day wore on I realized the chocolate lab lost. He was bleeding from what I thought was his leg. He kept licking his leg for hours. Finally the blood became thick and heavy and was all over his face. Not good.
DH and son took him to the vet. His tongue was split in one place and punctured in another. They had to keep him for a few hours because they had to knock him out. This is my baby our first dog. He needs his momma or at the very least one of his brothers. Even though he’s the alpha dog, he’s a momma’s boy. :o)
DH went back to pick him up last night and he was crying. Broke the hubby’s heart. He’s never been away from home for this long without a family member or one of his brothers. So glad I wasn’t there. It would’ve broken my heart too.

Let’s hope today is quieter.

In other news….

The Romance Studio has just posted an outstanding review for my contemporary erotic romance novella Heat Waves and gave the book FOUR HEARTS. In part, Ammie, the reviewer said,
"...There were a few times when their conversations got quite graphic. But this is a book for adults so I was not offended or in any way by it. Their personalities were also well written and matched their actions. The plot flowed nicely throughout the book. There are a few snags in the perfect relationship building between Nina and Ty, which makes it more interesting to read. I like this book, and think it is perfect for someone looking for a hot, steamy romance."

For the whole review, check it out at http://theromancestudio.com/reviews/reviews/heatwavesskyze.htm

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Dizzy - Not Just In My Head

So I’ve been in bed the last three days, not really sure what was wrong with me. The only symptom I had was dizziness. I’d get up and the room would spin. Mind you I get motion sickness very easily. I thought I had vertigo. I’ve had it twice in the past, but this time it was stronger. A friend asked me if I had my medications changed recently and I quickly jumped and said no.
This morning when I was going threw a pile of papers on my desk I found paperwork for my prescription company who I’m fighting with to get my acid reflux medicine changed back to my original stuff. Nothing I take works except Protonix. Then the bells went off. I’ve been taking the Nexium they sent until I get other script. I did some research and sure enough dizziness is a side effect/allergic reaction to Nexium. BINGO!
I placed a call to my doctor who told me to stop taking immediately…well duh! Now I must suffer until the stupid prescription company my insurance decided to use sends me the other script. I detest these mail order drug companies. But nothing I can do about it I have to have my meds. I’m at their mercy.
In other news I received a three star review from The Pen and Muse to read it go here:
http://www.thepenmuse.com/

Happy Hump Day!

Monday, March 1, 2010

Research Required


I'm very excited about my newest cover. Research Required will be available from http://www.jasminejade.com/ on March 19th! Woo Hoo!
Blurb:
Ethan’s on the run from the mob. He’s in for a surprise when he knocks on the door of his sister’s neighbor. The last thing he needs is a distraction like Bailey. She’s sexy and sassy and dressed in skimpy shorts. He wants to take her where she stands.

Sex with a stranger? Bailey would never think of it. Ethan’s no stranger though. He’s her friend Jenna’s brother, so that makes him a friend too, right? Sex in the kitchen, sex in the bedroom, sex on the couch, it doesn’t matter. Bailey can’t get enough of this hot-blooded stranger.

Will Ethan’s past catch up to him and ruin any hopes for their future?
Excerpt:
“What’s your name?” she demanded.
“Ethan.” He smiled revealing dimples.
Bailey melted under his intense smile.
“I’m sorry, Ethan. I don’t know who you are or what your business with Jenna is, but I’m not going to give out any information about her to some stranger. For all I know you could be some rapist or something.” In fact hadn’t she just read somewhere there was a guy going around posing as a cable guy raping innocent woman. Fear knotted in the pit of her stomach. “I have to go.”
She kicked his foot, hoping he’d move it, but it didn’t budge.
“I’m Jenna’s brother. I’m not going to rape anyone.” He reached behind him and Bailey screamed.
“Whoa! What are you screaming for?” He pulled out his wallet.
“I thought you— I…” What could she say? She thought he might be reaching for a gun or a knife to hurt her with?
“Look,” he said, removing his driver’s license.
It read his name. Ethan King. Same last name as Jenna.
“Okay so you aren’t a murderer, but if Jenna was expecting you why didn’t she leave you a key or something?”
“I don’t know. I’m worried because it’s not like her to be late.”
“Ha! You don’t know your sister too well.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Jenna will be late to her own funeral. She can’t seem to arrive on time for anything.”
“Are we still talking about the same Jenna? Because my sister has been punctual since the day she was born. Our mother jokes about how she even came on her due date and not a minute late.”
Bailey couldn’t help but laugh. He was funny and cute and oh-so-sexy.
Just then Kyle decided to make his arrival.
“Got your pizza, Bailey. Sausage and peppers on one side, pepperoni on the other.”
She could see Ethan looking at her quizzically.
“What? I couldn’t decide what I wanted, so I ordered both.”
“Options. I love options.”
That twinkle in his eye didn’t go undetected. He was flirting with her.
“Thanks Kyle.” She handed him the twenty. “Keep the change.”
“Enjoy the pizza.” He bounced away happy with his tip.
“I’m going to eat my pizza before it gets cold. So if you’ll excuse me.”
“Look, before you go. I’ve traveled twenty-three hours in my cramped little car to get here. I’ve been outside Jenna’s door for another hour and I could use a soft chair to sit on.” His stomach growled.
She was under a tight deadline. She didn’t have time to make small talk with this stranger or share pizza. She had to dive back into her article while she ate. Then a thought hit her.
“I’ll feed you if you’ll answer a few questions for me. I’m working on an article for women. What men find appealing and what they don’t like.”
“I’m your go-to guy. I have a lot of experience in that field.”
Bailey hesitated. “Are you a player?” Because the last thing she needed was a player’s advice for her article.
His stomach growled again.
“Oh just come in,” she relented. She couldn’t leave Jenna’s brother on the doorstep waiting for her to come home, but if he was a player then he wouldn’t work for the article. She needed someone sincere. Someone honest.
She felt his eyes on her as she walked to the coffee table. Her skimpy shorts rode up her ass revealing she wore no panties. He must love the view she was giving him, no matter how unintentional.
“Can I offer you a beer or soda or something?” She placed the pizza on the table and turned practically bumping into his hard chest.
He was close. Dangerously close. If Bailey moved her head forward just a hair their lips would touch and she could find out what those sexy lips tasted like.
As if reading her mind he inched closer, reaching out to graze her lips.
Bailey licked the spot where his lips had met hers. She stood there mesmerized. She wanted more. She needed more. Her pussy lips swelled at the mere touch of his lips. She felt the electricity of his touch run through her down to the tip of her big toe.
Also the latest edition of my monthly newsletter is available. Sign up over to the right if you'd like to read my latest news.