Adventures in Cooking

I think I mentioned in a previous post that our house is officially on the market! It's a bit scary but we've gotta sell if we ever want to move :) Our first showing is today and like an idiot I made huevos rancheros this morning and cooked it too long so they burned just a bit. Which of course, left a lasting odor in the kitchen. I opened the windows and aired out the house for about an hour before I left for work and by the time I left I couldn't smell anything, but I might have been immune to it by then. I am known in my family for being a 'super sniffer' so I'm really hoping the smell was gone. Either way, next time we have people coming to the house, I'm eating cereal before I leave.

This weekend I've got edits up the wazoo so I'll be in my cave and I doubt I'll come out to play :) Today my alter ego is blogging about rejection at Naughty Author Chicks so if you feel like it, stop by and say hello.

Have a great one everyone!!

Contest Season

I'm at Writers Gone Wild chatting about RWA contests. Come say hi :)

Another Weekend Over

Another weekend over! My friend is still in town but sadly she leaves later this afternoon. She's one of the few friends I don't mind staying longer than normal b/c she's self-entertaining if we're not doing something 24/7 and she's more like family anyway. Her hubby is in some sort of training right now and she hasn't talked to him a couple weeks (he's in the Marine Corps). It's one thing to be separated for weeks or months or a year, but the no communication thing definitely sucks. Then in October he's getting sent back to Afghanistan so we're planning a girls trip to Miami or The Keys around then.

In the early morning hours each day I actually got editing done even while she was here so I hope to have my latest manuscript to my editor at EC very soon. Then, I get to start on edits for the paranormal RS I recently sent to my agent. Of course I was hoping she'd love it and there would be minimal edits, but um, there are some plot things that need to be tweaked and ironed out. More than I expected, but after reviewing her notes, I'm excited to dive back into this story. I haven't looked at it in about a month so my eyes will be really fresh. Even though I dread edits, she's completely right and once I'm finished it'll be a heck of a lot stronger.

I think I've mentioned it before but I work w/ my family (my day job) and everyone is at a trade show this week except me so it's going to be blessedly quiet around here. I'll be working longer hours, but all the downtime is my free time to write so I'm looking forward to that.

What is everyone else doing this week?

Happy Friday!

One of my best friends is currently visiting and we're having the best time. She's one of those friends who's more like a sister than anything. And her name is Katie too so you just know she's super cool! The last couple times she's visited has been for weddings (mine and my sister's) so this time my sister and I are doing all local things with her. Tomorrow we're taking her to this little market/restaurant in the heart of downtown and Sunday we'll be hitting up the Farmer's Market (which I love). If it stops raining, we might even make it to the beach a day or two.

Obviously I'm happy my friend is here but her impending arrival pushed me to finish the manuscript I was working on. I've been trying to write the last little bit of the third story in my Ellora's Cave shifter series (under my pseudonym) so somehow, on Wednesday I knocked out 6K and officially typed THE END. It's been a long time since I've written that much in one sitting. It'd be awesome if I was that productive every day, but that much writing is a tad draining. Once she leaves I'll have to start working on edits, but I'm finished and can enjoy my time with her!

If you're interested in winning a copy of Miami Heat, my recent release from Loose Id, check out these two contests. Book Junkie is hosting a contest HERE and will pick a winner on January 26. I'm also a guest blogger at Fallen Angel reviews HERE and I'm giving away another copy.

Hope everyone has a safe, fun weekend!

New Author at Writers Gone Wild

Military suspense romance writer Kaylea Cross is one of the newest authors at Writers Gone Wild. She'll be blogging every other Wednesday so stop by and say hi to her! She's fabulous, I promise!

The Wolf's Mate: a Tale of the Holtlands by R. F. Long

The Wolf's Mate: a Tale of the Holtlands by R. F. Long. Released yesterday!

ISBN: 1-60504-702-3; 978-1-60504-702-7

"It’s well written, fast paced and filled with interesting and unique characters....The best part of the story is Jeren herself. I liked her in The Wolf’s Sister but in this release, she really grows and shines, as she turns into a confident and determined woman, willing to fight for her man. I’m very curious to see what happens to these two mates with the next and last release." - 4 Nymphs, Mystical Nymph, Literary Nymphs Reviews Only

Their love is a forbidden gift. Keeping it means a fight to the death…

A Tale of the Holtlands, Book 2

After escaping from her Holtlands home and her brother’s madness, Jeren looks forward to a new life with her beloved Shan and his people. She doesn’t expect the Fey’na to readily accept someone of her bloodline, but she’s determined to prove herself worthy. Then the jealous eyes of the beautiful sect mother, Ylandra, fall on Shan—handsome, strong, matchless among warriors—turning Jeren’s fragile new world upside down.

Shan wants nothing more than to be with Jeren, the courageous beauty who’s captured his heart. But their ancient enemy has attacked, and Ylandra cleverly uses an archaic oath to bind him to her service—fulltime. As he sets out on a suicide mission into the heart of enemy territory, he promises Jeren he’ll return—somehow—to claim her as his mate.

Jeren is left alone to make a place for herself among the elite Fey’na warriors, until a Holtlands envoy arrives bearing her ancestors’ sword. This magical artifact calls to the innate magic in her blood and forces her to make a terrible choice. She could lead the battle to free her people…but only if she forsakes Shan.

Warning: contains scary monsters, desperate acts, burning jealousy and the consummation of a timeless love.

Read An Excerpt Online

Buy now from MBaM

Miami Heat

My alter ego is having a release today!

Miami Heat by Savannah Stuart is now available from Loose Id.

Here's a brief blurb:
When Madison Dubois witnesses a terrible crime, she goes to the only place she knows she'll be safe, Detective Rafe Jackson's house. Rafe has been in love with Madison Dubois for longer than he cares to admit. Unfortunately for him, she views him as a big brother. When she shows up on his doorstep terrified for her life, he has no choice but to keep her safe. Undeniable sparks fly when they're forced to share a roof but unless he can keep her alive, their relationship might not have a chance to even start.

Click here for purchase info: http://alturl.com/8sba

Click here: http://alturl.com/ejnk or here: http://alturl.com/o2sd for CONTEST info. And feel free to re-tweet or blog the contest information!

Happy Tuesday everyone!

Monday Funday

Almost forgot my Monday post! Over the weekend I saw Leap Year and it was totally adorable. I'm a chick flick ho and I'm not afraid to admit it! I'm also addicted to a show called 24. I'm currently wearing my 'CTU Bauer' t-shirt in preparation for tonight's show. That's right. I've got the clothes to show what a supporter I am. See the picture on the left? I've got that t-shirt too. In case you didn't know I was a hard-core geek, you do now. There's just something about smexy Keifer Sutherland that makes me smile. Actually, it's not 'something', it's that adorable smile of his! It has the ability to make me melt. Sigh.


I have nothing of consequence to post today. I'm just actually glad the weekend is over and a new day is here! Can't believe I'm glad the weekend is over, but there it is. We officially put our house on the market and I was busy filling out all sorts of paperwork this weekend and I'm beat. Updates on that goodness will eventually follow, I promise :)


What did y'all do over the weekend?

Bring on the Weekend

Right now I'm inhaling the scent of some lovely hazelnut coffee and being very thankful it's almost the weekend. For the past couple weeks I've been sleeping in past seven and I blame it all on this insane Florida cold snap. I'm not complaining b/c it's been so much fun wearing 'real' winter clothes. I have this awesome knit hat I got in New York a couple years ago that I almost never get to wear so I've been sporting it every chance I get. Sadly, that time is coming to an end. Or maybe it's not so sad. For the first time since before the new year, I woke up at 5 which is very typical for me, and I've gotten a lot of writing done. Probably because I wasn't freezing and dying to stay under the covers.


This weekend I plan to write, naturally, and I'll finally be seeing Leap Year with my sister. We're having a girl night tonight and I'm so excited! I love hanging with my sister. She's one of my absolute favorite people on the planet. I'm also supposed to see a movie with my friend Jax later this weekend but I'm not sure which one. What can I say, I'm a movie junkie!


In case you're wondering about that smoking cover, my alter ego, Savannah Stuart, is having a release next Tuesday! If you want a chance to win a copy of Miami Heat or just spread some contest love, check out my post at Naughty Author Chicks for details.

Happy Monday!

Sadly the weekend is over! It was a good one, even if a bit cold. I'm actually digging this cold weather. Since I live in Florida I rarely get a chance to bust out my hats, coats, and smexy boots so it's been a nice change of pace. I'm also a week into my South Beach type diet (I hate that word, but there it is). I definitely cheated on Saturday (with some yummy chocolate tort), but since the 1st of the month I've been going strong and as of this morning I've lost five solid pounds. It annoys when people say that the first five pounds are 'water weight'. What the hell is water weight anyway? I think it's a made up term. I could tell he was thinking it b/c he's said it before, but my husband did not utter those words when I told him about my weight loss. Smart man :) Seriously, if my jeans fit better and the scale says five pounds are gone, calling it 'water weight' doesn't make my jeans look any less awesome ;) With the new year I'm trying to get back into shape which means more exercising and eating healthier. I hate the term diet b/c I'm making more of a long overdue lifestyle change. I'm also making an attempt to read more this year. Last year I got some pretty good reading done, but I want to take the time and enjoy myself more in 2010. My TBR pile is out of control so I've gotta do something about it!


I'm headed back to my cave to write, but before I do, don't forget that Christine of Erotic Romance Crush Junkies is hosting a contest giving away a bundle of three of my books from Ellora's Cave. I think I should also note that she's doing this all on her own. She contacted me for an interview after she'd started the contest, but the contest is all her and I thought it was really cool and sweet of her to do it! Even if you don't enter the contest, check out Christine's blog :)

Brush Strokes by Jax Cassidy

BRUSH STROKES by Jax Cassidy
Release date: January 10, 2010
Publisher: Amber Heat
ISBN-13: 978-1-60272-627-7 (Electronic)
*Heat warning: erotic, explicit sex scenes, language

For Sage, attending the Parisian sex club, Plaisirs Sombres, was the ultimate fantasy. So when the conservative gallery assistant is cloaked behind the velvet mask, she never expected to be the object of the club owner's desire. Spurred on by D.S. Gregoire's erotic and sensual brush strokes of the exclusive club, she gives into a brief liaison that leaves her breathless and wanting.

For Damien, known to the art world as D.S. Gregoire, his art has always been an adrenaline rush. But when an exotic and mysteriously uninhibited 'sex club virgin' enters his establishment, he is willing to break his club rules for another taste of the dark pleasures she brings him.


Author Bio:
Jax Cassidy followed her dreams to Paris, then Hollywood to pursue a film career but managed to fall in love with penning sexy romances and happy endings—finding Mr. Right was just an added bonus. She writes contemporary, paranormal, and multi-ethnic romances and is Co-Founder of Romance Divas, and award winning writer’s website and discussion forum. Jax is also known as one-half of the retired writing team of Cassidy Kent.

For more information on Jax, please visit her online at www.jaxcassidy.com or www.jaxadora.blogspot.com

Want to win some free books?

Just got back from my local RWA chapter meeting and I'm feeling rejuvenated and ready to write!

Before I hibernate in my cave I wanted to make a quick announcement that Erotic Romantic Crush Junkies is hosting a book giveaway of three of my releases from Ellora's Cave: Dangerous Deception, Everything to Lose, and Running From the Past (a 2009 Passionate Plume finalist). Check out my interview here. And, check out the giveaway post here. The winner will be announced February 1st so you've got all month to enter.

Oh, I almost forgot! I just got my cover for Worth the Risk (will be released under my alter ego) and I love it! Don't have a release date yet, but this cover made my weekend :) Tell me what you think....only if you like it!

Have a great weekend everyone!

Rejection

I'm at Writers Gone Wild today talking about dealing with rejection. Come share your thoughts.

Happy New Year

Happy New Year everyone! On Saturday I finally broke down and went to a walk-in clinic and discovered that the reason I've been feeling so crappy for the last week is because I have strep throat. The antibiotics are helping but my glands are still swollen and I'm really slow-moving. Oh well, I know I'll get better eventually and the extra sleep has been nice.

I saw Avatar over the weekend and it was amazing! I've been wanting to see it since it came out and I wish I'd seen it sooner. The year is 2154 and a paraplegic Marine is sent to this world called Pandora where a group of humanoid beings called the Na'vi live. They're blue, slender beings twice the size of humans and they're in touch with nature, the animals and every part of their planet. The humans can't breath the air on Pandora so they created 'Avatars', which are organically (I think) grown beings that look like the Na'vi. One human is connected to one Avatar and they control the body so they can venture outside. Jake Sully (the protagonist) starts out with one set of ideals, but throughout the movie, he undergoes some serious personal growth as he bonds with the natives. The military from Earth is sent in to basically exterminate the Na'vi so they can mine a precious metal on their planet when they realize they can't drive them out or give them something in return to leave. The humans want something so they think they can go in and just take it. While there was definitely an underlying political message, this story is as old as time. Someone with more weapons and firepower sees something they want and decide to take it. With the help of Jake and some other 'rogue' humans, they help the Na'vi fight the humans in an epic battle. Apart from the super-cool visual effects and the message, I love the way the Na'vi dealt with the humans at the end. I don't want to give away too much, so I'll just leave it at that. If you haven't seen this movie, you should :)