Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Author recipe: Xinxim

Here is a recipe from Brazil - one of the locations mentioned in my novel For One Night Only. Apparently, it's the favourite dish of Pele (the legendary soccer player).

Ingredients
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 chopped onion
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
4 ripe tomatoes, diced
salt
3 lbs diced chicken meat
3 cups water
2 lbs raw peeled shrimp
1 lb roasted peanuts, chopped in a food processor
1/2 cup coconut milk
Directions
1Heat the oil in a large frypan, and cook the onion for 5 minutes to soften it.
2Add the parsley, green pepper, garlic, tomatoes and chicken.
3Stirfry for about 10 minutes over medium high heat, or until the chicken is cooked.
4Add the water, shrimps, peanuts and coconut milk.
5Simmer for another 15 minutes or until the sauce has thickened and looks creamy.
6Serve with steamed white rice and add pepper sauce if you wish.


Photobucket

Come over the prizes, the fun , has just begun


I's release day Check it out!
IT’S A PARTY AND YOU’RE INVITED!
RELEASE DAY PARTY FOR

Lavender Lust
By Cricket Sawyer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RFv1VugU1s

Release date: SEPTEMBER 30, 2008

Men from the Recreation League basketball team
Are dying one after the other. Each of them
Murdered. Each corpse has the serial killer’s
signature of a Purple feather. And fledgling
psychic Heather Highmark sees something no
one else can see…
Purple haze floats above each of the victims
A face appears in it—who is it? She needs
To find out, her life, her brother Roy or her
Lover Langdon Cruise could be the next
Victim of the Purple Feather Murderer.

It’s Time for a Party to celebrate!
Come join me at Cricket’s Hearth on Tuesday, September 30
All day – prizes galore, excerpts and more…
http://cricketshearth.blogspot.com

Order your copy of Lavender Lust from
Siren/Bookstrand (http://www.sirenbookstrand.com )and send me your receipt for a
Chance to win the grand prize of an uncut, lavender/ Amethyst stone
or a join in the festivities to win a Dream catcher key chain— or one of many other
Prizes to be given away. To see more of the prizes visit Cricket’s website
at http://www.cricket-sawyer.com
Then join the fun at the Hearth on September 30, 2008
http://www.cricketshearth.blogspot.com

Do the jigsaw puzzle of the cover —the fastest time will win a download copy of The Great White Bull—a paranormal erotic romantic suspense. You’ll find the jigsaw puzzles at
http://www.cricket-sawyer.com/PUZZLES.html
Send me your time for doing the Lavender Lust cover – you have a chance between midnight September 29 to midnight September 30 — I will take the fastest time from all players – if there is a tie I will draw a winner.

Author Recipe: Lindsay's Apple and Coriander Smoothie

Here's a very easy recipe to enjoy on a warm day, maybe while reading Flavia's Secret - print edition due out very soon! - or A Secret Treasure:

1 large cooking apple (Bramley or similar)
2 scoops vanilla icecream
2 scoops thick Greek yoghurt
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp finely ground coriander seed


Stew the apple and sugar with a little water, until soft. Blend with the icecream and yoghurt until smooth, then stir in the coriander seed at the last minute and serve. It's even better if left to cool in the fridge. The coriander lifts the apple and adds a peachy/peary taste of its own.


Buy the Flavia's Secret paperback at

Amazon.com
or
Barnes and Noble

or download both my books through Bookstrand here.

Monday, September 29, 2008

Winning Virgin Lust Just Released Moments Ago!

It’s Time to Introduce Two More Sabbats!



Image and video hosting by TinyPic

Sebastian and Gabriel Sabbat are two handsome rogues who share similar physical features and yet, they are uniquely different. Read Winning Virgin Lust and you will soon discover there’s a power struggle within the pages.

At Paranormal Romance Book Discussion (PNR), the readers and authors are discussing ‘safe’ paranormal romance. It’s turned into a very interesting thread and I’ve discovered several new authors since this topic posted.

I’ve thought a lot about the vampires created for the Winning Virgin series. The Winning Virgin novels revolve around two vampire families—the Spensers and the Sabbats. The Spensers represented the ‘safe’ paranormal stories but the bad guys (the Sabbat men) will carry the Spensers and those who love them into a darker realm of existence.

There’s a power struggle in the Winning Virgin books. The books cross over the safe boundaries and yet still incorporate the dark elements too. The Winning Virgin series will please those who look for the “safe paranormal” but will also captivate those who want the darker paranormal novels as well.


Since the Winning Virgin series is considered a steamy paranormal/urban fantasy (with ménage romance in the second and third books), I’d love to know your thoughts. What do you look for in your vampire-paranormal romances? Do you enjoy paranormal books that can give you a good mix of dark paranormal with just enough light-hearted appeal to guarantee a happy ending, or do you prefer one over the other?

I hope you enjoy a little of both because the Sabbats will take you on quite a journey. It starts today in Winning Virgin Lust. Gabriel and Sebastian Sabbat are two vampires who know what they want. They both realize how to get it and how to use their strengths to gain Constance's approval, a woman destined to love them both.

Blurb:


It's the morning after a sexual romp and Constance Spenser wakes up with more than a headache. Since she doesn't seem to know who she is or where she belongs, Sebastian Sabbat buys into the old adage of finders keepers and that's just his first mistake.


The Sabbats and the Spensers aren't friends and when two of their own join for unconventional purposes, the families aren't exactly pleased. Add in a little brotherly love and a threesome guarantees Constance will soon be tied to more than one Sabbat. Gabriel Sabbat will join his brother and Constance in a very accepted vampire ceremony, but when Darian Sabbat realizes Constance has her hooks in Sebastian and Gabriel, he makes a quick decision.


Darian knows he can’t trust his brothers now that Constance wants their undivided attention. In a bold move, he takes the initiative to secure the future of his family and he has a little insurance to ensure the Spensers never get in his way.

Copyright © 2008 Destiny Blaine

Winning Virgin Lust just released. It’s out now!

http://www.sirenpublishing.com/destinyblaine/wvlust.asp

Lee Silver's Secret Hot Fudge Sundae Recipe

OK, so it's not really secret, but it's always a favorite :) You'll need Hershey's Vanilla ice cream and chocolate syrup. The ingredients aren't all that important, but the quantities are critical. Add (2) scoops of Hershey's vanilla ice cream to a bowl. Cover those suckers with syrup until you can't see em and curl up by the fire with a just released paperback copy of The Twist :)

Every man should have to spend at least a month as a woman.
Debra Gaynor, ReviewYourBook

THE TWIST, BookStrand #1 Bestseller

***Available in Paperback & E-book***

The Twist by Lee Silver

*FIVE STARS* KaseysView

*4 1/2 HEARTS* The Romance Studio

*FOUR STARS* ReviewYourBook


($12.99 paperback) ($5.99 e-book)
15% OFF E-Book at Checkout


Genre: Romantic Suspense
Theme:
High Tech Metamorphosis
Length:
79,000 words


(Blurb)

Zane Tollison's wife is running through their cash faster than he can make it. A "Hail Mary" contract with Clearwater Tobacco arrives in the nick of time to keep his fledgling consulting firm afloat, and to unchain him once and for all from his narcissistic wife.

Beautiful, brilliant, and estranged Kathy Davis is desperate for a new beginning. The feisty post doc bio-geneticist jumps at an offer from Clearwater, pouring her soul into a development that will revolutionize the tobacco industry.


The two are unwittingly reeled into a convoluted plan to steal $12 million. Zane is changing into a carbon copy of Kathy, a pawn in a bizarre genetic metamorphosis, entangling Kathy in a sinewy web of seduction and deceit. Forging a bond that will set the course of their destiny, they fight to overpower the diabolic hold that has taken over their lives.

Lee


Lee Silver
"Romance with a Twist"
THE TWIST, BookStrand #1 Bestseller
www.LeeSilver.org









Sunday, September 28, 2008

Angelic Forecast ~ IV

Yes, Volcano penetrates me with his glowing, dark purple eyes, and I comply with yet another general angelic forecast ~ specifically for this coming week on Earth...


It’s been a rough week on the world stage with the cosmic dragon snarling and blazing his Changes, ones which will affect us all. Remember, dear ones, your safety and well-being depend on your own Higher Consciousness. The heavens wait to embrace you, and hold you in Love. That is where to place your confidence. Be well.

Angelic blessings from Volcano & Sedona...

Now, just for a grin...hopefully...

Top Ten Reasons NOT to read WHEN A GOOD ANGEL FALLS

10 ~ It’s Winter 2012, and the Nazerazzis are coming for you, especially if you’re a rebel, and even if you’re not.
9 ~ The constant asteroid showers are burning up enormous areas of Earth. Not to mention monstrous volcanoes are spewing ash around the globe.
8 ~ Lack of food and water in the North American Union, unless you give up your home and enter a FEMA work camp. Then only the chosen are allowed to live.
7 ~ The heroine is targeted by an elite group of assassin remote viewers.
6 ~ Lucifer’s top minions don’t like you.
5 ~ Reptoids and evil Ninjas and cave cannibals, oh, no!
4 ~ Loss of everyone and everything in your life.
3 ~ Psychic and secret weapons, good and bad.
2 ~ Manna-from-heaven strawberry shortcake with whipped cream, and you don’t get any.

And the Number One reason why....as David Letterman would say...

1. Guess what? Only a few short days to save Earth for humanity.

WHEN A GOOD ANGEL FALLS

Where angels fear to tread, 2012 Earth ~
Is a stranger on a superspeed motorcycle her savior from the brutal endtimes?

Blurb: Winter Solstice, December 21, 2012 – The end of the Mayan Calendar
What happens when a world weary, worn out incarnated angel, Sedona, who believes she is merely human has three choices after her old van breaks down? ...more

Author Discovery by Lindsay Townsend, author of FLAVIA’S SECRET and A SECRET TREASURE ~
http://sirenbookstrand.blogspot.com/2008/08/author-discovery-savanna-kougars-when.html

When a Good Angel Falls ~ adventure fantasy erotic romance ~ available from BookStrand ~
http://www.bookstrand.com/authors/savannakougar/wagaf.asp ~ http://www.bookstrand.com/
Kiss from Savanna Kougar...

~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance ~ http://savannakougar.com ~

Saturday, September 27, 2008

New Reviews for Jami Davenport


I just received a five-flag review for Who's Been Sleeping in My Bed? at Euro-Reviews:

Rich, handsome and sexy as hell, Jake Reynolds returns home to discover a real life Goldilocks in his own bed. He's got just the solution to take care of Harlee's needs. Overly made up, polyester clad Harlee Davis had no idea as to who's bed she was in. Running away from a nasty breakup, a ruined career and a cruel world, she sought refuge from the storm, and found more than just shelter.

When Harlee learns of Jake's plans to demolish the camp she's been entrusted with, she wages a crusade to stop this. A lot is riding on this for Jake, as he and his family stands to lose everything. Will the two stop battling long enough to realize that the only thing worth fighting for at this point, is their love?

"Quirky characters. Love and passion. Great plot. Great writing. Elements of a good book." --5 Flags, Aya29 (Euro-Reviews)

I also have new reviews at Book Cover Reviews:

The Dance

Is Mariah Baker really all that frigid like her ex-fiancé makes her out to be? She certainly does not think so, what else has the scumbag called her. Not that she cares what he has to say, she’s moving on with her life. Let’s see if she can discover her hidden wild side. She noticed a sexy Puerto Rican move in next door and she decides he’d make the perfect man for her plan. But little does she know he’s what she thinks he is. Although, Rico finds Mariah very attractive and causes his heart to dance when he discovers that she can train horses to dance. He also decides that she is the perfect person to keep his mind off his troublesome family that seems to want too much from him. Do you think the magic of the San Juan Islands can keep their fling from disappearing? Find out for yourself in Jami Davenport’s ‘The Dance’, Book 1 in her San Juan Islands series, and available now from Siren Publishing.

“Definitely a sizzling read from beginning to end, Jami delivers pure sexiness from San Juan.”-- Mark (Book Cover Reviews)

Who’s Been Sleeping in My Bed?

Jake Reynolds returns home from a long days work and discovers a beautiful blonde sleeping in his bed. Wondering how she ended up there and why she’s there to begin with he decides to investigate. She tells him she didn’t know it was his bed and she was only escaping from 2 storms: one brought on by nature and one from her messed up life. He then decides to hire her on as an assistant for his construction business and the next day, she gets right to cleaning up his office that looks as if it’s been hit by a tornado. But to his dismay, when his family discovers what kind of assistant he has hired, they begin to believe he might be going back to his bad boy ways even that is not what is going on. And when Harlee Davis finds out Jake plans to destroy the very camp that she swore to protect, she stops at nothing to put a halt to his plans. Can Harlee stop Jake’s plans before he puts them in action? Discover for yourself the exciting conclusion to Jami Davenport’s ‘Who’s Been Sleeping in My Bed’, book 2 in her San Juan Islands series and available now from Siren Publishing.

“Another captivating installment from Jami Davenport’s San Juan Islands series that will have you addicted until the climatic conclusion that will make you antsy for more.”-- Mark (Book Cover Reviews)

Five Fallen Angels for 'A Secret Treasure'

I've just spotted this review of A Secret Treasure by Kimber at Fallen Angel Reviews - five angels, no less!

"This is no armchair tourist account of Rhodes", she says. "It is clear Lindsay Townsend knows the island. She weaves her knowledge of history and setting into A Secret Treasure. Both Julio and Eve are unique, well crafted characters. Their courtship is natural and charming. The bad guy is deliciously bad. It is fortunate that A Secret Treasure is only 102 pages long as you’ll want to read it all in one sitting."

The full review is here.

It's Party Time - September 30 all day!


Hear ye! Hear ye! Cricket Sawyer - Lavender Lust - Bookstrand


IT’S A PARTY AND YOU’RE INVITED!
RELEASE DAY PARTY FOR

LAVENDER LUST

ISBN 1-60601-136-7
By Cricket Sawyer

Release date: SEPTEMBER 30, 2008

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RFv1VugU1s



Men from the Recreation League basketball team Are dying one after the other. Each of them Murdered. Each corpse has the serial killer’s signature of a Purple feather. And fledgling psychic Heather Highmark sees something no one else can see…
Purple haze floats above each of the victims A face appears in it—who is it? She needs To find out, her life, her brother Roy or her Lover Langdon Cruise could be the next Victim of the Purple Feather Murderer.

It’s Time for a Party to celebrate!
Come join me at Cricket’s Hearth on Tuesday, September 30
All day – prizes galore, excerpts and more…
http://cricketshearth.blogspot.com

Order your copy of Lavender Lust ISBN 1-60601-136-7 from
Siren/Bookstrand (http://www.sirenbookstrand.com )and send me your receipt for a Chance to win the grand prize of an uncut lavender/ Amethyst stone or a join in the festivities to win a Dream catcher key chain— or one of many other Prizes to be given away. To see more of the prizes visit

Cricket’s website at http://www.cricket-sawyer.com
Then join the fun at the Hearth on September 30, 2008
http://cricketshearth.blogspot.com

Do the jigsaw puzzle of the cover —the fastest time will win a download copy of The Great White Bull—a paranormal erotic romantic suspense. You’ll find the jigsaw puzzles at
http://www.cricket-sawyer.com/PUZZLES.html

send me your time for doing the Lavender Lust cover – you have a chance between midnight September 29 to midnight September 30 — I will take the fastest time from all players – if there is a tie I will draw a winner.

Zara's Bois 1,2,3 by Gracie C. McKeever

This week I subjected Gracie to some questions to each of her hot books from the Zara's Bois series.

1) What inspired you to write the book?
Zack and the Dark Shaft actually started an adult fairy tale (a twist on Jack and the Beanstalk) that had been solicited by the publisher after Nine Inches of Snow and the Ebony Princess turned out very successful. I started out with just “adult fairy tale with a m/m theme” and took the ball and ran with it from there.

2) Name the best sex scene in the work and explain what about itmakes it so hot.
I’m pretty partial to first sex scenes because of the newness and discovery process involved and the one in Zack and the Dark Shaft between Zack and Quincy in the bar on the bar was pretty hot.

3) If the book was a color—which color would it be and why.
Red for its vitality.

4) Which character do you most resemble and why?
Zara because she female; Quincy because he’s African American

5) Which character would you bed? (^_^)
Quincy. He’s hot.

1) What inspired you to write the book?
Zara’s story was unfinished and after Zack and the Dark Shaft she needed something to do to redeem herself. I liked the idea of a matchmaker/angel-who-had-to-earn-her-wings theme and had the perfect two guys in mind for her to help get together in Ingenue’s Choice.

2) Name the best sex scene in the work and explain what about it makes it so hot.
The scene where Keir chases Patryk through his apartment and pins him face-down on the futon.

3) If the book was a color—which color would it be and why.
Blue for the underlying melancholy that pervades the story and characters.

4) Which character do you most resemble and why?
Keir because he’s African American; Patryk because he’s shy

5) Which character would you bed? (^_^)
Keir, he’s cute and patient.

1) What inspired you to write the book?
After Ingenue’s Choice Zara’s story was unfinished and she still had more work to do, this time to make the most difficult match of all–for herself. I liked the idea of the matchmaker getting matched up in Bouncer’s Folly.

2) Name the best sex scene in the work and explain what about it makes it so hot.
The BDSM scene outside Zara’s when Ramsey binds Zara’s wrists with his belt and takes him against the wall.

3) If the book was a color—which color would it be and why.
Black for the dark threat of death hanging over Trevor/Zara in the story.

4) Which character do you most resemble and why?
Ramsey because he’s African American and responsible.

5) Which character would you bed? (^_^)
Ramsey. He’s protective and gorgeous.


Friday, September 26, 2008

The Soft Edge of Midnight **** 4 star RT review ****


THE SOFT EDGE OF MIDNIGHT
by Stella and Audra Price

RT Rating:
Category: EROTICA
Publisher: SIREN
Published: March 2008
Type: Erotic Romance (Paranormal)

Once again the Price sisters come up with a darkly original tale set in their Eververse world. With an assortment of shapeshifters, witches, demons and the fallen, it's a feast of supernatural characters. The romantic leads are an interesting pair of unicorn-shifters, but the demons take center stage with more personality, more plotlines and more sex.

Summary: When Illori escapes her demon captor she thinks she's the last unicorn-shifter left. She's resigned to being alone until she meets Karsten, a male unicorn who wants her for his mate. But before the couple can consummate their relationship, Lucifer sends his hunter Sammael to bring Illori back. Nybras wants Sammael's job, and after capturing Illori he thinks it's in the bag. But when Sammael joins forces with Karsten, all bets are off. (SIREN, Mar., 276 pp., $12.99)

Woo! we are so excited! and you can pick up the book for yourself HERE and HERE

Seek and Destroy - newest release from Allie K. Adams

SEEK AND DESTROY, the 2nd book in the NASSD Counter-terrorist Agency series, is now available!

David Snyder, one of NASSD's top super spies, was originally introduced in the 1st book in the series, AT ANY COST. He kept threatening to take over and only backed down once I promised him he'd get his own book. He gets his socks knocked off in SEEK AND DESTROY by ICE Agent Charis McKoy, the oldest of seven McKoy's who all demand their own story.

With this series you'll not only get a fast-paced action/adventure with sizzling romance, you'll also be guaranteed a satisfying Happily Ever After (HEA). When you finish reading one of the NASSD series books, you won't be saying goodbye to the main characters. They have recurring roles as secondary characters in the other books so you'll have the opportunity to get caught up with the happenings of their lives since the last time you read about them. It's like meeting up with an old friend.

SEEK AND DESTROY is a story of cyber-terrorism, and the scorching romance between the agents assigned to track down a madman. The release is HOT on the heels of AT ANY COST (available now). AT ANY COST has remained on the top five best seller list in print books since it came out back in July, 2008.

Don't miss the first bestselling NASSD romantic adventure!
AT ANY COST - Can rookie NASSD agent JT Turner prove to her idol, the well-respected, super sexy Dan Weber, she has what it takes to be one of the elite?
"This is one hot tamale of a book! I sat in front of my computer glued to the pages. This book is worth a five cup rating and then some. It is quite simply to die for! 5 Cups" —Coffee Time Romance.
"An action packed, keep you on the edge of your seat, adventure. I really enjoyed this story and recommend it to anyone who likes action with lots of sex. 5 Stars" —Just Erotic Romance Reviews.
"Everything you could possible want in an action/adventure is here. I really enjoyed At Any Cost and would be excited to read more stories about the NASSD Agency! 4.5 Pixies" —Dark Angel Reviews.
"Will keep you on the edge of your seat. If surprises, spine-tingling suspense, steam and desire are what you want, At Any Cost is the book for you. 4.5 Stars" —Ecataromance.
~Allie K. Adams

For One Night Only book trailer is being featured at Whipped Cream today!


Hope you enjoy it!


Photobucket

Luxie Ryder

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Wednesday's Words for September 24, 2008


Before I was privileged to spend my days at home writing essays and stories, I worked for more than twenty years in the field of accounting. So numbers and finance, to some small extent, are no strangers to me. That said, I don’t fully understand the financial crisis that has befallen the stock market this past week.

And I have to wonder what is worse: the actual crisis, or the government’s reaction to it.
I’m a simple woman, with a fairly simple view of most things. The lessons I learned in childhood, however, haven’t really helped me to understand life in this modern era. Because one of the most important lessons—if the amount of time my mother spent cramming it into my head is any measure—was that if you make a mess, you clean it up.

I don’t see that happening here.

These are large corporations run by those who have been considered among the most financially astute in the country; the companies they control are worth billions, and they themselves, I am quite certain, don’t eat tuna casserole. Whether through greed, or poor judgement, or both, these individuals have, by their actions, precipitated this crisis.

When ordinary folk began to lose their homes a few months back, everyone seemed to cry about it but there was no great call to arms. Now the portfolios of multi-millionaires are taking a hit, and something needs to be done!

Yes, I know it’s more complicated than that. But I believe in the concept of personal responsibility. I am where I am today as a direct result of every decision I have ever made, and so are you, and so are they.

How did this mess all start? Lenders giving mortgages to people who really never should have received them in the first place. That sounds harsh, I know, but it’s true. And this was done, not due to a wave of corporate altruism, but out of pure, unadulterated greed.

People whose cherished dream was home ownership were given a taste of that dream before they were truly ready for it, and then had it yanked away from them; so they are one group of victims of this corporate greed. The failure of so many mortgages in the face of the rising cost of living created more rising costs in credit, jacking rates up for many who were prior to this managing their bills; so they are another group of victims of the same corporate greed.

Now the federal government of the United States is going to bail out these greedy lenders using your tax dollars, thus making the American taxpayer the third group to have to pay as a result of that same corporate greed. And I’m not even going to mention that other group of pirates in businessmen’s clothing, the oil companies. They and those who make their fortunes in the oil speculation/futures market have driven the price of fuel so high that many people are going to be in very desperate straits this winter.

I suppose the thing that galls me the most, personally, is that the people who are crying for the Federal Government to step in and rescue them from the consequences of their own bad judgement are the same people who scream bloody murder if that same government even thinks about helping out the average citizen on Main Street by introducing regulations to control gouging at the pumps, and elsewhere.

I understand the concept of “laissez-faire” economics; but those people who believe in, espouse and practice this principle ought to learn another one: you can’t have it both ways.

Love,
Morgan
www.sirenpublishing.com/morganashbury
Coming October 2, 2008
The Song of the Sirens 1: The Seductress

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Angelic Forecast ~ III

Okay, the heavenly hero is giving me his stern look, arms folded for emphasis. So once, again, here is Volcano’s general angelic forecast ~ specifically for this coming week on Earth...

In this week of Changes on the world stage especially, and in your personal life, take a step back into a quiet place...a sanctuary within your home and the still place within your mind, to assess your next steps forward. For, how you proceed will ‘marry’ you to a certain destiny. Make it the best destiny for your life, and for others.


Angelic blessings from Volcano & Sedona...

WHEN A GOOD ANGEL FALLS

Where angels fear to tread, 2012 Earth ~

Is a stranger on a superspeed motorcycle her savior from the brutal endtimes?

Blurb: Winter Solstice, December 21, 2012 – The end of the Mayan Calendar
What happens when a world weary, worn out incarnated angel, Sedona, who believes she is merely human has three choices after her old van breaks down? ...more


Author Discovery by Lindsay Townsend, author of FLAVIA’S SECRET and A SECRET TREASURE ~
http://sirenbookstrand.blogspot.com/2008/08/author-discovery-savanna-kougars-when.html

When a Good Angel Falls ~ adventure fantasy erotic romance ~ available from BookStrand ~
http://www.bookstrand.com/authors/savannakougar/wagaf.asp ~ http://www.bookstrand.com/

Kiss from Savanna Kougar...

~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance ~ http://savannakougar.com ~

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Author Discovery: Anika Hamilton


This week I was looking for short and sweet and found Anika Hamilton's Dessert Box. Carmella and Sandra have built many passionate memories together and this Valentine's Day Sandra has asked her lover to relive them all in order to unlock her from box to enjoy chocolate covered treats.

Dessert Box is not about new found love but a ten year relationship spanning college years together, periods of experimentation and moments where they could not keep their hands off of each other even in formal settings. Anika's story is unique because it is about what happens *after* the "happily ever after".

The narrative is told from the more dominant Carmella's point of view so my only complaint to Ms. Hamilton is, "will there be a sequel where Carmella sets up a challenge for Sandra?" (^_^)

Dessert Box's elegant style is a perfect introduction to Hamilton's other work, Reclaiming Nicola, which is a short mxf romance.

Five questions to enjoy your feast;
Five answers to receive your treat;
Five pieces to create one tool;
Five components to achieve one goal;
Five reasons to set me free;
Five flavors of chocolate on me.




See everyone next Saturday!
Silapa Jarun
Keeping history hot...

4.5 Kisses for Rapture 1 from Two Lips Reviews!

“The Prosecutor’s Paramour is a superb prequel to Ms. Santiago’s The Wives’ Tales series. Readers will be sucked into a futuristic world where women are relegated to the role of second-class citizens. Evie proves herself a worthy adversary by keeping Zachary on his toes. Zachary’s many secrets are revealed to Evie in unexpected ways. I have a whole new appreciation for Ms. Santiago’s talent as she constantly kept this reader guessing, even though I knew the ultimate outcome!

Ms. McKeever is a new author to me and subsequently I’ve never read any of the previous installments of her Sisters of Emsharra series. I found this novella to be the hardest one to enjoy, struggling to juggle the back-story with the main and keeping the secondary characters straight in my mind. I found Michael’s conflict to be one that tore at my heart. I empathized with how he could feel anything positive, let alone love, for Xevera after his mother suffered so cruelly at the hands of one of her people. I admired Xevera’s spunk as she bravely faced all of Michael’s hatred.

Ms. Ashbury begins her new trilogy The Song of the Sirens with The Enchantress. Twyla and Nicholas are a great team, loving and working together. Twyla gives her complete trust to Nicholas, thinking he might be the perfect man for her. Nicholas reworks his initial perception about Twyla as he learns more about this amazing woman. I was intrigued with the sirens and wished more background had been incorporated into this story. Knowing Ms. Ashbury, the second and third installments of this promising series will give us this and more!

A Devil’s Bargain was an utter delight to read! Isabelle is everything Devon wishes he could have, but knows is beyond reach. Ms. Wildes turns up the sexual heat as Devon introduces the virginal Isabelle to all the delights of the flesh. Isabelle not only stirs Devon’s libido, but through her wonderful spirit, encourages him to care again. A Devil’s Bargain is one historical that I’ll repeatedly turn to to warm up a cold winter’s night!”

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Siren Publishing released Winning Virgin Love last Friday!


Siren Publishing released Winning Virgin Love last Friday!

Mondays and Fridays. Recently, I have so much to do on Mondays and Fridays that I’ve actually contemplated adding hours to each day.

I’m serious here. It can be done.

I’ve thought about combining Sunday with Monday and Thursday with Friday. Then, I could work straight through like there’s all the time in the world to accomplish what needs to be accomplished on these two days.

Ultimately, that’s the only excuse I have for missing out on the opportunity to tell you about the new release of Winning Virgin Love! It was a busy-busy day but that’s not a legitimate excuse. Blogging should, by all means, come first on release day!

We did chat a lot on Friday. There were two chats actually—one at Siren and one over at my loop. Some might even agree we never stopped chatting. My loop has been nonstop action since Friday which has been pretty neat because we’ve met a lot of new members over there too.

With all the chit-chat here lately, I shouldn’t be surprised that I woke up this morning and felt a shift in things. No, I’m not talking about a shift in weight where everything settled into my padded backside.

I’m talking about an ‘inner shift’—you know, change in mood. I ‘felt it’ in my bones, even though there's a lot to write, deadlines galore and a short time to get everything finished if I want to be ‘on-time’ (and who likes to be late or behind?). Anyway, this morning, I woke up drawing a blank.

My son came in my room early, just like he always does before he leaves for school and he said, “So, what are you going to do today?” This is the same question he will ask every morning and I generally give him the same answer—“Write. What are you going to do after school?”

Today, it was different.

He said, “So what are you going to do today?”

I said, “Hmmm…I don’t know.”

(And I realized my answer immediately tossed him a curve ball)

“What do you mean, you don’t know?” He asked with a frown.

I said, “I don’t know. For the first morning in a long time, I honestly don’t know. I can’t think of what I want to write because I can’t think of one thing I want to say today.”

He said, “Oh.”

(At this point he immediately jumped up and sprinted to the kitchen to find my husband)

And I hear him:

He said, “Dad, Mom is sick. I don’t know if it’s depression or the flu but she is sick.”

My husband said, “What’s wrong with her?”

(Not at all concerned, I might add)

He said, “I asked her what she was going to do today and she said, ‘she didn’t have anything to say’ today.”

My husband said, “Son, I’ve been married to your mother for 18 years. If she doesn’t have anything to say, she’s not only sick, she’s on her deathbed. Call 9-1-1.”

So, I’m motivated again. It didn't take much.

I’m going to start a new book today and write my husband into the plot. Unless he changes my mind before six o’clock tonight, I’ll have wild women chasing him through the prairie with tomahawks. Wait, he might like that. Never mind.

Actually, today I’m working on several different things and I can’t wait to tell you all about it. I just finished another edit on Winning Virgin Lust and it is coming soon to the new Ménage Amour Collection at Siren so that’s exciting. There’s news to note here too—I am T-totally in love with Gabriel Sabbat in Winning Virgin Lust.

For those of you who know me, Almonzo is ‘my hero’. He’s the sexy rogue in Winning Virgin Love and I pretty much tried to write him “perfectly flawless even with his flaws”. Now, I’m trying to do the same thing with Gabriel and I’ve decided to leave it alone—everyone will probably love him because he is simply bad-boy rotten. You’ll have to read Winning Virgin Lust to find out more.

Winning Virgin Love surprised me. It’s on the best seller list right now at Siren and ladies and gentleman, if you look at this best seller list, you’ll see why I’m not only honored to be on it but completely giddy. The list is packed with very talented Siren/BookStrand authors.

Today, vampires are going to the backburner though and the focus is going to be on athletes and cowboys. Yes, I’m back to that. After my husband’s little remark earlier, I’m going to churn out a hefty word count somewhere and then print out a few pages to leave at his dinner plate, along with that tomahawk. He’ll get the hint.

I’m really in the mood to write more about Gabriel. This alpha-male is hell-hot. When I first finished Winning Virgin Lust, I had to go ahead and write the first chapter of the next one because he more or less commanded it. Writers, you know what I’m talking about. Those imaginary friends of ours will often demand more of our attention than our teenagers.

I’ll resist the temptation to tell you more. I’ll wait to hear what you think about him in Winning Virgin Lust first (which is coming soon—did I tell you that?)

In the meantime, I really hope you’ll check out Winning Virgin Love. Tabitha (the heroine) is a little wishy-washy but everyone who reads her, really loves her spunk (even though her personality leaves her somewhat volatile). And then there’s Almonzo, love his heart, I wish this vampire would come to life in my world. Then, my husband would never have to worry about seeing me on my deathbed again—unless of course, Almonzo (or Gabriel) carried me there!

Oh, and by the way, I have a new promo pack full of excerpts from all of my books and novellas from Siren/BookStrand (RTF file) so if you’d like to receive it, check out my website and leave a comment at www.destinyblaine.com. Make sure to request it in your comment and include your email addy so I can send it to you! There are new excerpts for Winning Virgin Blood, Winning Virgin Love, A Matter Among Men, and Love, Lust and Scandal in Professional Football.

Also, while you’re there at the website, check out the link for the Australian Romance Readers Convention and check out the countdown to convention. I’m booked for the February convention and I was invited to sit on one of the author panels so that’s really neat.

I just found out I may ‘work’ on a casino-related article while I’m there too which means I may get to stay in Melbourne for a few extra days after the convention. If you’re a Melbourne resident, let me hear from you so you can tell me about the best book ‘dives’ in town.

Finally, I want to mention my recent purchases. Let’s see here, I just bought Lara Santiago’s Menagerie, Jenny Penn’s Patton’s Way, and Samantha Cruise’s Devil’s Pact. For those of you who don’t know, I have a HUGE file of TBR books and a very long TBB wish-list. This is what happens when you’re a Siren/BookStrand author!

I’m off to go write! There’s a lot of misbehaving left to do now that I’m rejuvenated. My husband truly knew exactly the right thing to say to get my creative juices flowing and he’s about to become my next hero!

Until next time,

Destiny
http://www.sirenpublishing.com/destinyblaine/
www.destinyblaine.com

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Wednesday's Words for September 17, 2008



It’s amazing the things I can come up with to fill my time when I’m supposed to be writing. And I really don’t understand that, because I love to write. I love everything about the process except for the days here and there where I’m restless, and maybe a bit lazy.

I’m participating in a writing challenge at the moment, and because I have to report my progress each day, I’ve been motivated a bit more than usual to crank out the words. I’ve actually done quite well, managing to write every day except one since the 8th of August.

Still and all, I end up frittering away more time each day than I should. I try to remind myself that every day is a precious gift, never to be received again; that each hour wasted is an hour lost forever. Most of the time, these are truths that I hold dear. But sometimes, I just shrug my shoulders in a mental, “oh well”, as I fool around doing everything but what I should.

While starting out with butt in chair and fingers on keyboard I have, in the last couple of weeks: paused to give myself a manicure; gained two levels in an online free bingo game; listened to music and in a some instances (now that I have the house completely to myself during the daylight hours) belted out a few songs, including a stunning rendition of Melissa Etheridge’s “I’m The Only One” ; performed various and sundry acts of housework (since once more the Housework Elves have by-passed my address); and walked around my living room, examining the leaves on the plant that is my daughter’s, and contemplating the plant-that-became-a-tree that is currently trying to take over the room.

I suppose the reason that this kind of malaise strikes me from time to time is that writing, for all of my love of it, really is hard work. Not just any words will do, you see. They have to be the right words.

I want to give you a definition of “the right words” but I’m not certain I can. With my words, I try to convey not just a thought, but a sense. Not just mood, but music. Words, when used well, can be brought together in such a way as to have a rhythm and a cadence that may be used to underscore the theme of the work itself. Filled with poetry, they will enchant.

The right words can show an attitude, or a prejudice, without ever uttering either of those two words. They can enrich a scene in such a way that the reader, no matter who that reader is, will find a candle of recognition lit within them. The best words obliterate the writer, giving life to the story as if it existed on its own.

I expect a great deal from myself, and a great deal from my words. I’d be the first to admit that yes, I am hard on myself. Of course I am. I never aim for perfection, but I do constantly strive for excellence.

Every once in a while, I achieve it.

And every once in a while, I fall flat on my face.

I suspect the days that turn out to be the most wasteful are the days I’m bereft of just the right words. Rather than peck away at the keys, transcribing sentence after sentence of nothing, I cast my attention elsewhere—for amusement or inspiration, depending on your point of view.

It’s not as if I’m consciously thinking about the scene I should be writing, either. Usually, I’m not. If I’m playing a game on line—and here I confess I am a member of Club Pogo—then I am focused on that game. I don’t feel like I’m letting my story “cook”; but often that is exactly what’s happening.

Then, once the game is won, or I become bored with it, I turn back to my story and usually can write at least some of what had escaped me before. Often, at this point, what is needed more than anything is a heavy dose of self discipline. Sometimes, that precious commodity is in short supply.

I’ve only once in recent memory awakened in the middle of the night with a “eureka” kind of moment. I was struggling to come up with a good first sentence for a new chapter, and had gone to bed frustrated. Then, about two in the morning, my eyes popped open, I was wide awake, and I had it!

Stealthily climbing out of bed, I went to my office, turned on the computer, and waited for the thing to boot. About ten seconds after I started to write, my beloved also got out of bed, came into the office and asked, “Did inspiration strike?”

“It did,” I replied, not taking my fingers from the keys. “Great!” he said. Then, since he was up anyway, he went into the next room and turned on the television, volume fairly high. This was before the arrival of the others, and before I bought him a set of wireless headphones. Inspiration immediately stalled, but I did have that first sentence.

If I fully understood this process of mine, I might make better use of my time. But there’s a part of me that worries that if I understand it too well, it just wouldn’t work anymore.

Love,
Morgan
www.sirenpublishing.com/morganashbury

Tuesday, September 16, 2008

Introduction

Well, I've meant to come out and introduce myself, but I've been so swamped I finally realized, ruh-roh, hadn't done it!

My name is Lesli Richardson, and my contemporary romantic novel, "Cross-Country Chaos" is under contract with BookStrand. It's not your typical romance novel. Kelly Alexander is a divorced mom of two boys. The younger, Denny, is eight and uses a wheelchair because he was born with spina bifida. In the process of getting him qualified for the Junior Nationals, she's introduced to handsome (and single) former Paralympian, Mart Rawlings. The question is, can Mart prove to Kelly that he's her Mr. Right and break through her wall of fear left over from a very nasty divorce to her cheating ex-husband?

It has love, romance, sled hockey, an ex-husband getting decked, and a cross-country trip drive from Florida to Washington state that would put any average person in the funny farm. What more could you ask? :)

As the mother of a wheelchair athlete, I wanted to write a book that would take the reader along for the ride and halfway through have them realize, "Hey, these are just REAL people like me." I've seen too many romance stories where the issue of disability is either treated in a "fluff" manner, or the writer flat-out got it wrong. (One book I won't name by a well-known writer kept referring to a man's everyday chair as a "racing" chair, proving they didn't do their research!) I wanted an accurate book that was also a fun read, proving that sometimes, the greatest disability is between a person's ears, not in their physical body.

I live in southwest Florida with my husband, son, and a houseful of misfit and neurotic animals. When I'm not writing I'm...well, I'm writing. *LOL* I'm lucky enough I'm able to pursue my passion for wordsmithing full-time now.

You can hunt me down and check out my other scribblings at: http://leslirichardson.blogspot.com or http://myspace.com/madmumbler and feel free to drop me an email.

Thanks!
Lesli.

Sunday, September 14, 2008

Angelic Forecast ~ II

Yes, once again, my heavenly hero, Volcano, has requested I continue providing his general angelic forecast ~ specifically, for this coming week. Another long breath, and here goes...

This is a week of perfect timing for some project or matter you’ve been working on to complete. Perhaps, one you’ve put your whole heart into, and now it’s time to step out and bring it to the world. Or, it’s time to make those arrangements which will bring it forth to everyone who will benefit.
As we care for all those who were in the path of Hurricane Ike, in the way we can, or we care for those who face the bad times in life, let us do it from our purest heart.


Angel blessings from Volcano & Sedona


WHEN A GOOD ANGEL FALLS

Where angels fear to tread, 2012 Earth ~

Is a stranger on a superspeed motorcycle her savior from the brutal endtimes?

Blurb: Winter Solstice, December 21, 2012 – The end of the Mayan Calendar
What happens when a world weary, worn out incarnated angel, Sedona, who believes she is merely human has three choices after her old van breaks down? ...more


Author Discovery by Lindsay Townsend, author of FLAVIA’S SECRET and A SECRET TREASURE ~
http://sirenbookstrand.blogspot.com/2008/08/author-discovery-savanna-kougars-when.html

When a Good Angel Falls ~ adventure fantasy erotic romance ~ available from BookStrand ~
http://www.bookstrand.com/authors/savannakougar/wagaf.asp ~ http://www.bookstrand.com/

Kiss from Savanna Kougar...
~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance ~
http://savannakougar.com

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Trip to San Francisco Chinatown

My mother and I took the Amtrak from Burbank California up north to San Jose and then to Menlo Park where we stayed for 2 days and 3 nights. During our trip we visited San Francisco's busy Chinatown. The ethnic enclave is a cross between a giant market on rolling hills and one of the best food courts in the gold rush state. Stopping on the sidewalk meant I risk getting trampled on by the mass of people rushing to have dim sum or do their Sunday morning groceries. Everywhere you turn there would be an old building, built after the 1906 earthquake, or a modern western style building with Chinese architectural accents. Only in C-town can you find a monastery built on top of a bank or a calligraphy shop across from a cell phone outlet. As I tried to stay afloat in the sea of people, I kept my cell phone on and snapped pics as I went. Please click on the video below to enjoy a selection of the photos (^_^).



If the player is not working just visit the youtube link.

While in C-town, I picked up 2 bags of dried chrysanthemum flowers at Ten Ren Tea to prepare an easy drink, sweetened preserved plums and we purchased a wok for my sister at the Wok Shop.

Before retrieving our car from the $12 parking spot we had lunch at The Stinking Rose in Little Italy.


Friday, September 12, 2008

Booksigning this Weekend!

Join me, Stella Price and a few other authors this weekend in Middletown NY at the Borders at the Crystal Run Galleria from 1-4 for a Romance Authors booksigning! We will be signing as many titles as they can get for us!

OOh and we will have goodies as well! So stop in and say Hi!

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Venture - Released today!


When I posted earlier today (around 7.30 EST) the "buy now" button hadn't been activated on the BookStrand site. It has now.

But the main reason for this new post is to thank my good friend Mark for introducing me to Sydney and showing me where Lydia lives. At the start of the story she has a cottage in a small town, called Avalon, up the coast from the city. It's an idyllic place: warm climate, quiet, long sandy beachs, and friendly people.

I've been back to Sydney since I finished Venture. Mark took me to a rock concert, from which I almost got ejected. Wasn't my fault. A drunk woman attached herself to me... Long story.

Anyhooo, hope you enjoy Venture.

Wednesday's Words for September 10, 2008



Yes, it’s September once more, which means summer is waning, the days are getting shorter, and the kids have gone back to school.

As you know, we have our daughter and grandson living with us. Our grandson has gone back to school—and so has our daughter. She’s beginning a year long course at the local community college, taking classes that will qualify her as a P.S.W. – Personal Support Worker. Here in Southern Ontario, school begins on the day after Labour Day. Tuesday morning, September 2nd, bright and early, off they went, the two of them.

You’re probably wondering why I wasn’t whooping it up last week in my essay, sharing with you all the joys of having my home to myself again each day.

There’s a simple reason for that. Mr. Ashbury had the week off.

Yes, he had the week off and we didn’t go away anywhere! Now, calm down. No, he isn’t ill. He just decided that he didn’t need to go away this time. He’s very defensive about this decision, at least in the face of the total and complete shock of the members of our family. He tells them it was my idea to stay home, but that just isn’t true. He has another week off in November, so you’ll have to stay tuned to find out if we’re going anywhere or not. The answer is anybody’s guess.

Mr. Ashbury has worked for the same company for thirty years, now. He’ll tell you, if you ask him, that he is very fortunate because he likes what he does. He works in the aggregate industry, and when the kids were little they used to tease him about having taken over Fred Flintstone’s job.

In his years at the quarry he’s been the guy who broke up huge dining-table sized chunks of limestone with a sledgehammer, and the guy who operated the enormous loaders. He’s also been the ‘go-to’ guy who knew how to fix anything that broke, and how to make new what wasn’t there. He began working for the company when it was a small, family owned operation. By the time it was bought out by a big multi-national corporation in 2003—and we were blessed that the former owner made as a condition of the sale that his people would keep their jobs—he could look at every piece of equipment and acknowledge with pride that he’d had a major hand in designing and building most of it.

Mr. Ashbury doesn’t have an engineering degree, but he knows his industry and knows what works. This fact has been acknowledged recently by the engineers who designed the new processing plant. They have had to come to him to ask him how to fix their ingenious design that didn’t do what the book said it was supposed to do. In the last few years, he’s had to deal with some new bosses who point at this mythical book and say, “this is how things are supposed to work”, and who are always amazed when things don’t work quite that way. My DH calls it “engineering fantasy meeting everyday reality”.

He works long hours in the summer months (when he is not on vacation, of course), Monday to Friday beginning at five-thirty in the morning, and getting off at five o’clock in the evening. Some days he stays two hours longer, when needed. And he often works six hours on Saturday as well.

Recently his employer had a representative of the company that administers their pension plan in to speak to them about how their plan works. This guest gave an example of how one could afford to retire at the age of sixty if one made certain selections as to the type of investment early on. DH advises that the man looked at him as if he was crazy when he asked, “What if I don’t want to retire until I’m seventy?”

I for one am glad he feels that way. You see, he’s been referring to me as “The Retired Person” for quite some time now. Our eldest pointed out to him (bless my first born!) that by referring to me as The retired person, he is in fact stating that there can be only one.

Yep, I’ve got that position all sewn up.

Love,
Morgan
www.sirenpublishing.com/morganashbury

Venture - Released today!

VENTURE tells the story of a super-smart woman who had been having a hard time finding the right guy. Then, at a conference in Sydney, she meets John. She considers him perfect but he seems wrapped up with his work. Undeterred and with her customary energy, she throws herself into the relationship. But in doing so, she finds she has to do more than simply fall in love. She has to risk her life, too.

Below is a quiz about Lydia. The first person to contact me with all five answers correct will win a dozen red roses. You'll need to read the book.

Bill Newman

QUIZ

1. What's the name of Lydia's best friend?

2. When Lydia meets John she thinks he's under surveillance. What is the military rank of the person shadowing him in Sydney?

3. Lydia does not like her father's second wife. What is Lydia's nickname for her?

4. Lydia is researching the side effects of an over-the-counter drug. What kind of drug?

5. When Lydia and John move house, which Sydney suburb do they choose?

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Lindsay Townsend's FLAVIA'S SECRET

Flavia’s Secret is a well-crafted love story that will have you on the edge of your seat one minute and breathless the next. Lindsay Townsend’s writing style is simply beautiful. A true pleasure to read.

Flavia is a slave with a secret that may very well cost her life. Marcus her new owner is a gorgeous half-Roman with a warrior’s body and a lover’s heart. I’m not ashamed to admit I fell head over heels for this hero, and I just might be willing to trade my freedom for a chance to fill Flavia’s shoes.

The Roman baths and the ancient marketplaces were so well-drawn they came alive for me. The setting was sensual and palpable. It’s impossible not to become absorbed in Flavia and Marcus’s world and to care deeply for them. The secondary characters were woven neatly into the plot, and the villain’s power and control was absolutely terrifying.

I literally could not put this book down and when I was finished, I didn’t want it to end. I’ll be reading everything Lindsay Townsend writes, and I think everyone else who picks up this book will do the same.

Wendi Darlin

My cover for "Mucho Caliente!"


Hi! This is my gorgeous new cover for my upcoming romantic comedy, "Mucho Caliente!", scheduled for release in November 2008. I would like to thank Tiffany(Silapa Jarun) for her help and patience in helping me post this cover, since it's been a team effort. Hey, Tiffany, look! I did it!
Lots of love,
Francesca Prescott

Sunday, September 7, 2008

Angelic Forecast

Since I have an author’s direct line of communication to my heavenly hero, Volcano, he’s asked me to provide his general angelic forecast for this week.
So, deep breath, here goes...


Whatever comes your way this upcoming week, face it with confidence. If you don’t quite possess a full measure of self-assurance just call on the Divine, or whatever belief you hold.
This will be a week of several changes on the world stage and possibly in your life. Remaining confident will gain you far more of a true advantage than you realize. If you have a special project follow it through, or push forward, despite any road blocks. Your rewards will arrive later.

Angel blessings from Volcano & Sedona

Where angels fear to tread, 2012 Earth ~
Is a stranger on a superspeed motorcycle her savior from the brutal endtimes?

Blurb: Winter Solstice, December 21, 2012 – The end of the Mayan Calendar
What happens when a world weary, worn out incarnated angel, Sedona, who believes she is merely human has three choices after her old van breaks down? ...more

When a Good Angel Falls
~ adventure fantasy erotic romance ~ available from BookStrand ~ http://www.bookstrand.com/authors/savannakougar/wagaf.asp ~ http://www.bookstrand.com/
Kiss from Savanna Kougar ~ Run on the Wild Side of Romance ~ http://savannakougar.com ~

Review of "A Secret Treasure," by Lindsay Townsend


Lindsay Townsend’s romantic suspense, A Secret Treasure, makes for a fascinating, entertaining and interesting read. The Greek island of Rhodes comes alive in Lindsay’s clear and classic prose, and the historical detail is folded in with an impressive light hand, ensuring that the storyline never falters. The romance between Eve and Julio has the freshness of times gone-by and the dialogue is sprinkled with distinctive English humor. The atmosphere throughout the book is both heartwarming and filled with suspense, reminding me of Franco Zeffirelli’s wonderful 1999 film, “Tea with Mussolini.” I thoroughly enjoyed “A Secret Treasure.” Stories like this are a breath of fresh air, and I look forward to reading more work by this talented writer.

Francesca Prescott

Review of "A Secret Treasure" by Lindsay Townsend

Lindsay Townsend’s romantic suspense, A Secret Treasure, makes for a fascinating, entertaining and interesting read. The Greek island of Rhodes comes alive in Lindsay’s clear and classic prose, and the historical detail is folded in with an impressive light hand, ensuring that the storyline never falters. The romance between Eve and Julio has the freshness of times gone-by and the dialogue is sprinkled with distinctive English humor. The atmosphere throughout the book is both heartwarming and filled with suspense, reminding me of Franco Zeffirelli’s wonderful 1999 film, “Tea with Mussolini.” I thoroughly enjoyed “A Secret Treasure.” Stories like this are a breath of fresh air, and I look forward to reading more work by this talented writer.

Francesca Prescott

4 Divas for Ingenue's Choice and The Wolf in the Mansion!

“All of the characters in Ingenue’s Choice are likable and realistically depicted. Keir and Patryck really come alive, due to the author’s skill at creating believable dialogue and interaction between them. The romantic tension between the two men is instantaneous, and builds to steaming and yet tender interactions. I rooted for them from the beginning. I also especially like the author’s warm and casual narrative style. The prose has a smooth and conversational feeling to it. It’s interesting to see, from Zara’s perspective, traits in these men that each overlooks in himself. They have the potential to enrich each other’s lives and just need a bit of help to let go of their baggage and move forward. In spite of the many paranormal elements in the book, the contemporary setting and the people inhabiting it are so well written that the reader won’t doubt anything that occurs. The appearance of the ghosts and angels is so seamless that the reader is never distracted from the main storyline: the romance between Keir and Patryck.” 4 Divas, Dark Diva Reviews. To read the full review, visit here: http://darkdivareviews.webs.com/glbt.htm

* * * *
The Wolf in the Mansion:

“McKeever writes short books that pack a punch in the beginning and do not stop squeezing your central nervous system like a vice grip until you’ve reached the last page . McKeever throws intriguing ingredients of Shakespeare, soap opera and genuine, old fashioned romance into every single page, blending the mixture into a satisfying meal.

She also has a welcome taste for explosive sex scenes that keep this a page turner… Gracie C. McKeever has produced another fine, evocative, erotic romantic thriller.” 4 Delightful Divas by A.J. Llewellyn. Dark Diva Reviews. To read the full review, visit here: http://darkdivareviews.webs.com/paranormal.htm

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Handmade Soap



The holidays are around the corner so if you are looking for a cute gift for friends and co-workers then I recommend homemade melt-n-pour soap. This craft is inexpensive and you can get the kids involved.

There are many ways of making soap but the easiest is the glycerin melt-n-pour (MP) which depends entirely on the quality of the base.
You can purchase soap base by the pound online or at craft stores. To choose the best base make sure the first ingredient is glycerin, with palm oil or other all natural products such as aloe vera. Good soap base also has a sweet taste and should not contain any animal products which is perfect for people seeking cruelty free beauty products.

Once you acquire a quality base then acquire molds online. If you want to make Christmas presents for a few people at a time then get a loaf mold or invest in a flexible silicone mold and a loaf cutter knife. Silicone molds are more expensive than plastic candy molds but more convenient to use and will last much longer. Generally, silicone molds will have more intricate designs.

Melt the chunks of glycerin in a double boiler and turn off the heat before adding essential oils, dyes or cosmetic glitter. Essential oils are the most expensive ingredient in soap making so do not add too much.

Overpowering scents should be used in moderation.

Some people set the microwave on low to melt the glycerin but I think cleaning up after spilled soap would be a hassle compared to the double boiler method.

Coat the soap mold with vaseline using a clothe or papertowel and pour in the liquid soap base. It's normal for air bubbles to form. While some people spray the bubbles with a mist of alcohol you can instead wait until the soap is thoroughly solid to “rub” the bubbles out with saran wrap.

Loaf soap allows you to embed soap curls, flower petals, herbs and toys just be sure that the soap has cooled enough for you to put in the pieces.
After gently popping out the soap or cutting slices of the loaf, preserve it in saran wrap and then cover in decorative handmade paper and twine to turn it into a gift.

Ideas
The “goldfish in a bag” soap is always popular and all you need are plastic goldfish or any other critter and clear soap base. You'll need very clear soap base which may be hard to find as all-natural coconut bases are a bit cloudy. If you can only find a cloudy base then simply add blue cosmetic grade dye to make it look like the fish is in water. Fun looking soap is a good way to encourage children to wash their hands however plastic toys can also be a choking hazard.

The best videos explaining the melt and pour process can be found here:
http://youtube.com/user/GoPlanetEarth



Friday, September 5, 2008

Venture - Sept 10

Only a few days to go to the release of the eagerly awaited Venture.

This classic girl-meets-boy story is set in an exotic locale against a background of industrial espionage.

On the release day I'll be having a quiz but you'll have to read the story to answer the questions. The first prize will be a dozen red roses, and dinner with me if you're ever in Ottawa (only women are eligible for the dinner).

In the meantime, and to whet your appetite, I have a free_read at:
http://www.bjnbooks.com/free_read

Bill Newman

Read all posts by Bill here.