Happy New Year!!!!!

I hope all of your resolutions, dreams, and aspirations come true!!!

Busy, Busy

No status updates today (or the days before). We've been going nuts trying to reorganize the children's bedrooms and take down the Christmas decorations. It's a tedious task that always takes up more and more time each year.

I've begun thinking about the resolutions for 2010, and there are are ton of them! I'm going to make a list and try to see what I can't accomplish. Hope everyone is enjoying the final days of 2009. Let's all hope for a fresh start and a clean slate in the coming year.

I guess I'd better get back to it. I have several stories to review and my family bought a huge chunk of my TBR list (I've had a hankering to read the Gena Showalter Lords of the Underworld series, and now have the first three to start with) so I've got to hop to it. One of my resolutions is to return to writing, which means my reading time will be drastically scaled back. It's time to get off the rail and straddle the horse.

Edited thanks to Shelley LOL!

Happy Holidays!!

I wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas! I hope you have a wonderful time with your friends and family. Much love and happiness to you all!

Dead, Undead, or Somewhere in Between Update

Writing Status - Good
Mood - Relieved
Playing on stereo - Christmas Music

Some news about Dead, Undead or Somewhere in Between. The release date has been held back until February 7th, which is good news. The MS needed a bit of work and this will ensure the material is as shiny as possible.

Hope everyone is enjoying the Holiday! ;-)

Free Read! Today Only

Just wanted to share another free read being offered at All Romance E-Books. This is one I'm actually going to get! Sounds great!

Blurb:

Every woman needs a little danger in her life, but what’s perilous about a wildlife shoot in the beautiful Montana wilderness? Armed with only a camera, Lacey Weston treks through the rough terrain and captures more on film than she bargains for—the murder of another young woman.

Fearing for her life, Lacey flees the scene and stumbles straight into the path of a man who strongly resembles the murderer. Sheriff Danger Blackstone, with his piercing gray eyes and rugged physique, could be the man in her undeveloped pictures.

With nowhere else to run and hide, Lacey must decide if she dares to trust her life to the only person who can protect her, one whose apparent grudge against Anglo females makes him less than approachable—the very man she suspects of murder.

This suspenseful romance—packed with action, hard-bodied cowboys and long, hot nights—gives a whole new meaning to the Wild West.

Interested? CLICK HERE to redirect. Remember, it won't charge upon check out.

Merry Christmas everyone! ;-)

Banner

Writing Status - Err...
Mood - Got a killer migraine
Playing on ipod - The Blower's Daughter by Damien Rice

Whenever a normal person gets a migraine, they pop a pill and get rid of it. Not so much me. My headaches love to linger.

Anyhow, while I wait for the Ambien to knock me out, I figured I'd share the banner I created for future loops. I wanted something dark but intriguing. I hope this sends that kind of message.

What do you think?

New Story, Free Read, and a Whoopsie!

Writing Status - Got reviews to do today
Mood - Sleepy
Playing on stereo - Christmas Music

Your eyes are not deceiving you. There is a post missing. I realized yesterday that I'd written about a story that has not been released yet. Due to anonymity for my review site, I can't really do that until the book is available and I look like all the other happy readers in cyberspace. So...when the time comes, I'll share the information again.

The new story is coming along great...but I'm feeling guilty about Omega Mine and have decided to work on both at the same time. That is something I've never done before, so we'll see how it goes. Here's a snippet, in you're interested. It's another paranormal erotica, of course, but this time I'm exploring BDSM themes.

The excerpt is unedited. ;-)

She was ill.

The taint of sickness mingling with the aroma of charred steak and green peppers carried across the room from where Morgan Lakewood stood balancing a tray laden with food on her shoulder. Smiling and laughing with the diners at the table, she removed the orders plate by plate and placed them in front of family of four, chatting away as if she didn’t have a care in the world.

Studying her closely, he noted the telltale signs that indicated she was unwell. Her body was slimmer, once long blonde corkscrew curls trimmed close to her head. Tanned skin was now a ghostly shade of white, the bright green color of her irises subtly darker. The faded black wide-leg slacks and matching T-shirt with a business logo hung loosely – too loosely – from her lean frame.

Placing the now empty tray on her hip, she asked softly, “Anything else?”

He closed his eyes and basked in the cadence of her voice, raspy and sensual, her southern dialect slurring the vowels slightly. He could imagine how thick her accent would become after he placed her on the St. Andrew’s cross, cuffed her wrists and ankles, pressed kisses to her pulse points, and informed her of all the pleasures he had in
store–

Reopening his eyes, he stared across the room. The family nodded in response and she started walking in the direction of the kitchen directly behind his booth, oblivious to his presence. The moment he entered the steakhouse, he’d cloaked himself and claimed an empty space in the back of the restaurant, observing her.

If she saw him, he wasn’t certain how she would react.

As she approached, he admired her delicate features – heart shaped face, small upturned nose, plush lips, wide doe-like eyes. She was built like a gymnast – compact, athletic, and trim. Only now, the grace he recalled was gone, replaced by obvious fatigue as she trudged past his seat and vanished from view.

Anger came, an outrage aimed at what was versus what should have been. No slave of his would work in such a place, drenched in the stench of scorched meat and cheap beer. It was insulting to see her as a minion to mortals who didn’t appreciate her worth, clothed in cheap cotton and scuffed marked boots. Never would he allow his most revered servant to dress in anything but the finest materials. Skin was meant to be pampered, kept smooth and flawless until blushed by the bite of a whip or the caress of a flogger.

His testicles grew taut, cock growing hard as his penis engorged with blood.

Once upon a time he had felt Morgan Lakewood’s lush skin quivering beneath his palms, had listened to her soft cries and muted whimpers as she went to her knees before him at Hell’s Gates and yielded control as ordered by her master. When she gazed up at him with eyes the color of spring leaves, trembling beneath his touch, he knew he was doomed. Never had he longed for the possession of another, coveting what belonged to one of his own…

He shook his head clear of the memory.

None of that mattered now. Her bond with Gunner was absolved, the connection severed in the same instant his progeny did something foolish and found his head severed from his body as a consequence. The issue arose when he went to retrieve his prize the following evening, only to discover her gone.

As the maker of her master, Morgan never appeared before him upon Gunner’s passing as required. Instead, she vacated the premises of the compound in Miami, returned to her small hometown in Rainbow City, Alabama, and severed all ties with the enclave. One-year passed, then two, and still she didn’t return. When word spread, the Prince had been forced to visit him personally, demanding he lay claim to the female or hand her over to another.

The time of contemplation was over.

Morgan would have to choose the vampire she would serve, or one would be chosen for her. Human knowledge of their existence wasn’t taken lightly. The only reason she had been allowed such a lengthy reprieve was due his reputation. A younger, lesser-known vampire would have been called out directly for the infraction.

“I heard you, Charlie!” Morgan yelled just before the door opened and she walked past with another tray, presenting him with an unhindered view of her generous backside. Though slim, her hips still flared slightly, the globes of her ass rotating with each step.

As before, she greeted the table of patrons, smiled warmly, and placed the food before them. Wiping her hands on her apron, she asked if they needed anything more before she lowered her head and began the trek in his direction. Dissolving the cloak, he waited for her reaction.

Would she be shocked at his presence? Frightened? Their first meeting had consequently been their only meeting. Considering the nature of the introduction, she wasn’t likely to mistake him for someone else.

The instant she peered up, she froze, lips parting and eyes going wide. As she dropped the tray, and the bitter scent of fear suffused the air, he knew the answer to both questions.

*****

Lord Noire McFadden.

Time stood still when she gazed into the steely-grey eyes of the vampire who haunted her dreams. The angles of his face were as breathtaking as she recalled; the features, while perfect, also slightly rugged.

One moment, he was seated in the booth. The next, he was on a knee before her, capturing the tray before it made contact with the floor.

Her brain churned like thick oatmeal, logic and fear battling for control and making rational thought impossible. For a split-second, she considered running. Then, his hand encircled her wrist, the pad of his thumb brushing along the hammering pulse. The contact sent fire coursing through her blood and raw need raging throughout her body. Though she would have liked to think it was a natural reaction to what he was, or a testament to her celibacy since leaving the compound, she knew the truth.

Her body remembered his touch and hungered for more.

“Morgan!” Charlie’s loud bellow echoed from the kitchen, and her head jolted up, bringing her back to the present. Shocked out of her reverie, she attempted to pull her hand away, whimpering pitifully.

“Shh, mo chridhe,” Noire whispered in the husky Scottish brogue she remembered only so well, his grip unyielding. “Easy.”

P.S. For today only, you can download the story, The Object Of My Obession, for free at All Romance. It's an erotic menage. Click HERE if you're interested!

Melancholy

Writing Status - Doing a Review
Mood - See Above
Playing on ipod - nothing atm

Before I start the doom and gloom...happy hump day. I saw the gorgeous man above and simply had to share. I hope the rest of the week zooms by for everyone.

Today marks the time during Christmas when I get kinda moody and reflective. Due to some family strife, I don't communicate with certain members of the clan. Usually, it doesn't bother me, but near Christmastime...yeah, just not easy.

So if you don't see me around as much, I promise to make up for it after the holiday. Who knows. Maybe I'll get some writing done.

Birthday

Today, my youngest son turns five. Can you believe it??? He's five-years old! Time really does fly.

So, I'll be away from the PC on and off today. I promised he could choose his cake (he usually helps me bake, but he doesn't want to bake 'his' cake, he says) so we're off to the store as soon as the baby wakes.

Awesome Christmas Display!

My aunt sent me the picture above, along with the the text below:

"Good news is that I truly out did myself this year with my Christmas decorations. The bad news is that I had to take him down after 2 days. I had more people come screaming up to my house than ever.Great stories. But two things made me take it down.

First, the cops advised me that it would cause traffic accidents as they almost wrecked when they drove by.

Second, a 55 year old lady grabbed the 75 pound ladder almost killed herself putting it against my house and didn't realize it was fake until she climbed to the top (she was not happy). By the way, she was one of many people who attempted to do that. My yard couldn't take it either. I have more than a few tire tracks where people literally drove up my yard."

Too funny!!

Mother Nature

Writing Status - Don't Ask
Mood - More of the same
Playing on ipod - Beautiful Day by U2
.
The downpour last night was so bad, the creek in our backyard became the nile and destroyed our fence. The water level has went down in these images, but it was waist high this morning.
.
Got to love it.

Penance

Niteblade Horror and Fantasy magazine has my short story, Penance, up to read if you're interested:

http://www.niteblade.com/september-2009/?p=9

P.S. The protagonist is never "revealed", but if you read Dead, Undead, or Somewhere in Between...you just might be able to place her. *grin*

Dead, Undead, or Somewhere in Between

I'm almost afraid to post this, as epirates will undoubtedly see, but I suppose there's not help for it. I have a release date for Dead, Undead, or Somewhere in Between, my full length urban fantasy at Eternal Press: January 7th, 2010.

Here's the blurb:

One bad corpse can ruin your whole day. No one knows that better than Rhiannon Murphy.

She’s left behind the flash and sass of Miami for the no-nonsense groove of New York City, eager for a clean slate and a fresh start. A bartender by trade, a loud mouth by choice, and a necromancer by chance; she’s managed to keep her nifty talent hidden from those around her – until now.

The deliciously good-looking vampire Disco knows her secret, and when he strolls into her bar to solicit help investigating the mysterious disappearances of his kind from the city, she discovers he’s not the kind of person that appreciates the significance of the word no.

But in a world where vampires peddle their blood as the latest and greatest drug of choice, it’s only a matter of time before the next big thing hits the market. Someone or something is killing vampires to steal their hearts, and unlike Rhiannon, this isn’t their first stroll around the undead block.

Excerpt #1

I released an exaggerated sigh and lowered my head, dropping my guard just long enough for Disco to make his move. His cold hand grasped my arm and my chin jolted up.

“We need to talk.”

“Let go of me, Disco.” I would have attempted to yank free but I’d only embarrass myself. Vampires are strong, unbelievably strong, and his grip would be as unbreakable as steel.

“Only if you promise we can talk.” His blue eyes flashed, striking against his pale skin and golden blond hair. His face was smooth, his jaw strong and squared. With high cheekbones, a straight lean nose, and full lips, he would forever be a twenty-something looker frozen in time.

“Not here.” I glanced around. No one had noticed our little chat yet. I couldn’t afford to lose my job. Personal relations during office hours were a big no-no.

“Where?” His grip loosened and he studied me.

“After close, meet me outside, around the back.”

I waited until he let go before I turned and strode back to the bar. I returned to my spot, apologizing and pouring a free one for the unlucky schmuck with a purple thumb. Tonight was not going to be a good night, and it wasn’t even over yet.

I glared at the clock—12:58am. Wonderful.

I was on for another hour, and instead of making the gym for some quality muscle burn, I had a meeting with a guy who scared the piss out of me.

Excerpt #2

I took my time walking down Goose’s street. Brooklyn Heights was a nice area and relatively safe to wander alone. It was quiet now, with only a few people walking across the street. I unwittingly drifted into Never-Never-Land, combining thoughts about my past, present, and future. Things didn’t turn out the way I thought, and I wasn’t sure how I’d reached this point. Now I was here, I didn’t know what to do or expect.

I thought of Disco, and that wrenching sensation of being torn in two overwhelmed me—something that happened each time I pictured his face or those heavenly golden blue eyes. I had never been so conflicted in my life. Normally I knew exactly where I stood in situations, but not so much anymore. The black and white areas that governed my decisions just took on a huge middle ground of grey.

My daftness proved to be my undoing yet again. I thwacked into an older woman with her mixed breed ankle biter, our shoulders knocking each other off course. I took the “watch where the fuck you’re going” in stride, nodding and muttering a half-assed apology, eager to get downwind of the Icy Hot wafting from her body and into my nose.

I closed my eyes and groaned when I heard chuckling. Disco was gentleman enough to laugh out loud instead of startling the piss out of me, but it didn’t erase the fact he was laughing. Being humiliated always made me cranky.

“You do have a short attention span,” he teased.

I glanced up. He was waiting on the stairs, eyes sparkling in amusement. Dear God, would I always find ways to look like an asshole in his presence?

I was grateful I’d decided to make the extra effort with my appearance because he had too. He was dressed in black as usual, but in a different style, and without the trench coat. The shirt was a nice long sleeve button down, the collar open around his throat. He’d also left his honey-blond hair unkempt and I worried he might have read my mind that night when I’d thought about just how amazing it made him look.

“Laugh it up,” I sighed.

He was busy taking me in, starting at my feet and working his way up. He approved of my change of attire and wanted me to know it, taking his time and allowing his eyes to linger. I looked away, annoyed by my awkwardness.

“You look delectable.” He used his uncanny speed to close the distance between us. I gazed up into his eyes, utterly transfixed by the shifting colors. “I’m going to buy an entire wardrobe consisting of things just like this for you.”

How do you respond to a remark like that? I had no clue, and at the present moment, I didn’t care. His close proximity made me remember that heat I experienced on the couch in his foyer, and this time I couldn’t completely fault the blood. I was attracted to Disco whether I wanted to be or not, and he knew it. The smart thing to do would have been to back away, but I didn’t want to. That grey area expanded, melding black and white together until there was no concept of right or wrong.

The Edits Continue...

Writing Status - Second Round of Edits on Dead, Undead
Mood - Tired
Playing in ipod - Alabama Anthem by 63 Boyz

I took the above picture on Saturday. Since we live in the higher elevations, we get snow from time to time. Unfortunately, that also means during a freeze we get stuck on top of the mountain and can't travel.

As I work on Dead, Undead, or Somewhere in Between, I'm torn about what I'm going to write when all the edits are said and done. I've been putting serious writing off for months. I'm not sure why, but I think it's because I can't settle on one idea and see it to fruition. Hopefully I'll make up my mind soon and get to work.

I hope everyone has a fantastic Monday -- even though it's usually the worst day of the week.