Enough research?

Today I wanted to talk about research. How much is too much research? Where does one stop?

I have to admit, that I am one of those writers who wants to know everything. I grew up in a family where reading was valued and knowledge was encouraged. One of my first memories is of my mother reading, sitting up against the headboard of her bed with a book open in her lap.

If I want to know about something, I tend to find a book and read about it. Then I go bug anyone I know who might possibly have some small knowledge about the subject. It has caused many of my family and friends to roll their eyes when they see me coming with my notebook and pen. But, they are more than willing to sit down and answer questions until their throat goes hoarse (or in the case of my friends, their fingers go numb from typing emails).

The problem that I run into as of late (okay, really my whole life), is when to stop. I want to know as much as I possibly can about the subject that I am writing about... but when do I stop and just write and hope that I got it right?

Case in point, I am not Wiccan, but one of the characters in my head has told me that she is. I am luck in that I have a friend who is Wiccan and for the price of lunch I can plumb the depths of her brain for all the information I want. I also have several books on the subject and probably at least one large notebook full of notes from both the books and my friend. But I find that I am a bit afraid to start writing that part of her story as I don't feel that I've gotten all the information I can. Does anyone else find they straddle this line of research versus just writing? Any suggestions? Because, right now, I'm going a bit crazy trying to convince myself that it's okay to write it and fix any wrong information later.

PROMO OP: Guest Blogging

We Wild Women will be hosting a guest blogger on this blog each Monday, beginning soon!

If you're interested in being a guest on our blog, please feel free to choose a couple of open dates (in case your first choice is taken) and send us an email with your dates and a subject, if you know one.

The only thing we ask is that the post is actually about something. It can be about nearly anything at all, we're not terrifically picky, but ... we'd like it to have a subject.

Friday Procrastination: G

Sorry for being AWOL last week, but it was truly the week from hell. It took me FOREVER to get Blogger to cooperate while I was doing Thursday Thirteen. I was so frustrated; I think maybe I blocked Friday Procrastination out of my head. Anyway, here I am, back again, with a new way to help you waste time :-)

This week's fun is brought to you by the letter




Guess the Google was created by Grant Robinson (isn't that a strong, sexy name for a character? I may have to steal it.) WARNING: THIS GAME IS ADDICTIVE Below is my score... let me know what you get :-)

If Kealie Can Do It...

... I didn't remember what day it was either! Must be a crazy week at the zoo, er, Menagerie *G*.

I have a free erotic short story that will run TOMORROW (Thursday the 25th) at the Whipped Cream Reviews website. The link will be on their story page (right now it's Kealie's story, which is good, too!!) - here.

I was glad they folks there liked it, as I was a little disheartened today. It seems as though the publishing house I was writing my short story for (over there on the sidebar) may not be interested in it because it's about a married couple. And they may not consider it a romance, per se.

So, I have decisions to make (though I may still submit there, and give them the chance to say no):

Do I -

1. Make them not married?
2. Make the story edgier to fit another publishing house or, along those lines make it longer to fit somewhere else?
3. Toss it into the computer's recycle bin.

Decisions, decisions....

But, at least SOMEONE likes my writing! So, after you go look (on Thursday!), I'd love to hear what you think.

Shameless...

Self Promotion is the phrase of the day!

I am running VERY late today, and I sat here staring at the screen trying to figure out what I should blog about. Since nothing else came to me... y'all get my shameless self-promotion. :-)

Another one of my short stories went up this last Thursday at Whipped Cream and I've had some good responses to it. What do you think? Can I hack it, or should I just give up now? LOL

Go take a look (it's a free read) and let me know what you think... since I can't think of anything else to blog about today (it's been one of those weeks).

Thursday Thirteen: Libations

I'm in a thirsty mood, so I thought I would share some of my favorite drinks and their recipes... enjoy them with your partner and make some wonderful music together ;-) Recipes from The Webtender


1. Bloody Mary
Ingredients:
1 1/2 oz Vodka
3 oz Tomato juice
1 dash Lemon juice
1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
2-3 drops Tabasco sauce
1 wedge Lime
Mixing instructions:
Shake all ingredients (except lime wedge) with ice and strain into an old-fashioned glass over ice cubes. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add the wedge of lime and serve.








2. Tequila Sunrise
Ingredients:
2 measures Tequila
Orange juice
2 dashes Grenadine
Mixing instructions:
Pour tequila in a highball glass with ice, and top with orange juice. Stir. Add grenadine by tilting glass and pouring grenadine down side by flipping the bottle vertically very quickly. The grenadine should go straight to the bottom and then rise up slowly through the drink. Garnish stirrer, straw and cherry-orange.








3.Margarita
Ingredients:
1 1/2 oz Tequila
1/2 oz Triple sec
1 oz Lime juice
Salt
Mixing instructions:
Rub rim of cocktail glass with lime juice, dip rim in salt. Shake all ingredients with ice, strain into the salt-rimmed glass, and serve.








4. Mudslide
Ingredients:
2 oz Vodka
2 oz Kahlua
2 oz Bailey's irish cream
Mixing instructions:
Mix with cracked ice in a shaker. Serve in a chilled highball glass








5. Long Island Iced Tea
Ingredients:
1/2 oz Vodka
1/2 oz Tequila
1/2 oz Light rum
1/2 oz Gin
1 dash Coca-Cola
Twist of Lemon peel (or lime)
Mixing instructions:
Mix all contents in a highball glass and sitr gently. Add dash of Coca-Cola for the coloring and garnish with lemon or lime twist.








6. Tom Collins
Ingredients:
2 oz Gin
1 oz Lemon juice
1 tsp superfine Sugar
3 oz Club soda
1 Maraschino cherry
1 Orange slice
Mixing instructions:
In a shaker half-filled with ice cubes, combine the gin, lemon juice, and sugar. Shake well. Strain into a collins glass alomst filled with ice cubes. Add the club soda. Stir and garnish with the cherry and the orange slice.








7. Daiquiri
Ingredients:
1 1/2 oz Light rum
Juice of 1/2 Lime
1 tsp Powdered sugar
Mixing instructions:
Shake all ingredients with ice, strain into a cocktail glass, and serve.








8. Sloe Gin Fizz
Ingredients:
1 1/2 oz Sloe gin (DeKuyper)
1 tsp Lemon juice
Ice cubes
Fill with Soda water
Mixing instructions:
Pour sloe gin and lemon juice over ice in glass. Fill with soda. Garnish with cucumber stick or lemon peel.







9. Singapore Sling
Ingredients:
1/2 oz Cherry brandy
1/2 oz Grenadine
1 oz Gin
2 oz Sweet and sour
Carbonated water
1 Cherry
Mixing instructions:
Pour grenadine, gin, and sweet and sour into a collins glass over ice cubes and stir well. Fill with carbonated water and top with cherry brandy. Add the cherry on top and serve








10. Amaretto Sour
Ingredients:
1 1/2 oz Amaretto
3 oz Sour mix
Mixing instructions:
Shake and strain. Garnish with a cherry and an orange slice.(NOTE: I like mine with a splash of orange juice)









11. Pina Colada
Ingredients:
3 oz Light rum
3 tblsp Coconut milk
3 tblsp Pineapple, Crushed
Mixing instructions:
Put all ingredients into an electric blender with 2 cups of crushed ice. Blend at a high speed for a short length of time. Strain into a collins glass and serve with a straw.









12. Fuzzy Navel
Ingredients:
1 1/2 oz Peach schnapps
Orange juice to taste
Mixing instructions:
Pour peach schnapps into ice filled collins glass. Fill with orange juice and stir to combine.









13. Irish Coffee
Ingredients:
1 1/2 oz Irish whiskey
1 tsp Brown sugar (Demerara)
6 oz hot Coffee
Heavy cream
Mixing instructions:
Combine whiskey, sugar and coffee in mug and stir to dissolve. Float cold cream gently on top. Do not mix.

Six Step Program

I want my erotic stories to see the light of day. I love writing, but I want to share it with the public. And the simple fact is: there's only one thing to do.

I have to embark on the Six Step Program.

1. I have to write.

Yeah, I know... sounds pretty basic. But, honestly, some days (okay, MOST days) it's harder than it sounds. It's easy to get distracted and there are times when housework never looked so good (write a page or scrub the toilet?). So, yeah... write. Regularly.

2. Finish something.

Again, obvious... but the lure of a new story is a bit like those first, exciting dates with a special someone. Titillating. Sexy. Fun. A voyage of discovery. Those new ideas call and beg and flirt. Writing a story from beginning to end can be a chore... work... and not always fun. But, if I want to get it published it needs "The End".

3. Don't edit to death.

Editing = good. Never finishing the edits = bad. Nothing is never completely perfect. We can tinker and putter and correct and polish something to death. The "it's not ready" syndrome is a guarantee of failure. Eventually you have to proclaim something Good Enough.

4. Submit.

You can't win if you don't play! Gotta get it out there and run the risk of rejection. Which leads me to...

5. KEEP Submitting.

If someone doesn't like what I've written, I need to send it somewhere else. Again, and again and again. If they give me constructive criticism, then I can edit (if I choose), but I need to keep submitting. To quote that amazingly funny movie, Galaxy Quest -- "Never give up, never surrender!"

6. Lather, Rinse, Repeat.

Start at step one and do it all over again. And, it's good to be at different steps on different stories ALL AT THE SAME TIME. I can be submitting one, starting another and editing a third. That's okay. As long as I FINISH THEM.

So... where am I in this Six Step Program? I have one story nearly done. I'm at the climax (in more ways than one ::wiggles eyebrows::) and should be ready for the edit (but not to death) step soon. As soon as I get there? I'm starting something new.

Wish me luck.

It's All About Fair Play

I have been keeping a secret. And I did a pretty good job... but I just can't do it anymore! Okay, it wasn't necessarily a secret, but I kept it as one anyway.

Whipped Cream, the erotic half of The Long And Short of It Reviews ezine will be publishing another one of my short stories this week. I'm pretty excited about it. If you want a quick, hot, FREE read then head on over to Whipped Cream on Thursday and check out my story, Turn About's Fair Play. Let me know what you think.

Now, y'all know that I am a thoroughly visual kind of girl. Just about every inspiration of mine is from something I've seen... a picture, a gesture, the look on a person's face... so it should come as no surprise for you that my inspiration for this short story was a picture. Do you wanna see it? Of course you do!



Tell me that doesn't inspire YOU!

I don't have the direct link, as it won't go up until Thursday, but there will be a link to it from the front door of the site. I hope you like it...like I said, Let me know.

Welcome, Guest Blogger: Paige Tyler!

Before I talk about my release from Whiskey Creek Press Torrid, a hot paranormal erotic romance called Animal Attraction, I have to say thank you to the Menagerie Authors, Kealie, Jenny, and Mysti for asking me to guest blog! I'm so flattered!

Now onto Animal Attraction! When I first read that Whiskey Creek Press Torrid was coming out with a new line of books called the Men of Alaska Series, I totally knew I had to write a book for it. I mean, what's more exciting than a hot, hunky, outdoorsy hero, right?!

I played around with a lot of different storylines, but I kept coming back to the idea of werewolves. Wolves just seemed to fit so well into the Alaskan theme, so I decided to go for it. Once I did a little bit of research on Fairbanks, the story just started to write itself.

I thought it would be more fun for my heroine to be a skeptic, so I made her a reluctant reporter for a paranormal magazine. I figured that would lead to lots of amusing interaction with the hunky hero, who just happens to be a werewolf, of course! Take a look at the blurb and excerpt below, and you'll see exactly what I'm talking about.

To all the paranormal romance fans out there, I hope you really enjoy the read, and to Kealie, Jenny, and Mysti, once again, thanks a million for asking me to guest blog!


Animal Attraction

by Paige Tyler
Blurb:

Frustrated when none of the real newspapers will hire her as a reporter, Eliza Bradley takes the only job she can get – at a paranormal magazine. Her first assignment takes her to Fairbanks , Alaska to investigate the possibility that a werewolf has killed two local hikers.

She forgets about the story, however, when she meets Hunter McCall, a local college professor and an expert on wolves. The man is an absolute hunk, and she finds herself spending more time in his bed than worrying about werewolves. That is, until Eliza finds out that Hunter isn’t just an animal in the sack, he’s an animal out of it, too - of the werewolf variety! Talk about a complicated relationship!

But Eliza can’t dwell on Hunter’s little shapeshifting issues. There’s another werewolf out there with a taste for human blood, and she and Hunter are the only ones who can stop him.


Excerpt:

“Anything else I can get for you folks?” the waitress asked.

Eliza glanced down at the table before looking up at the waitress again. “Ketchup?”

The woman nodded. “There’s a bottle on the table right behind you, sugar. Enjoy your dinner.”

Eliza had expected the woman to bring her a new bottle of ketchup, or at least grab the one off the other table for them, like waitresses in most restaurants would usually do. Maybe it was a diner thing, Eliza thought. Or an Alaska thing. Either way,
it seemed she would be going to get her own bottle of ketchup.

Taking her napkin off her lap and placing it on the table, Eliza pushed back her chair and got to her feet. When the waitress had told her that there was a bottle of ketchup on the table behind theirs, she had naturally assumed it was unoccupied, so she was surprised to see a man sitting there. And not just the average, run-of-the-mill guy she’d expect to find in a diner either, but a mouth-watering specimen of a man. Her breath caught as she found herself stopping right there in the middle of the diner to stare at him She had read in Cosmo once that there was something different about Alaskan men, that living in the great white north made them more masculine and sexy. Staring at the man seated at the table, she could well believe it.

Thank goodness he was intent on whatever he was reading on the laptop in front of him, because he would surely think she was a freak standing there staring at him with her mouth hanging open. But good heavens, with that thick, dark hair, chiseled, hair-roughened jaw, and wide, sensual mouth, how could any woman not be mesmerized?

Abruptly realizing how idiotic she must look just standing there, Eliza finally forced her feet to move. As she neared his table, the man looked up from his laptop and she felt her breath hitch as his gaze met hers. She’d never seen eyes like his before. Not quite brown, but not really hazel, either, the only way she could think to describe them was gold. And the sexiest pair of eyes she’d ever seen. The heat from them mesmerized her, pulling her into their
depths, and suddenly she found it very hard to breathe.

When he lifted a brow in question, she finally managed to break out of her trance. “I, um, was wondering if I could steal your ketchup,” Eliza stammered, her face coloring. “We don’t have any,” she added, glancing back at her table.

The man followed the direction of her gaze, his gold eyes settling on the photographer for a moment before he gave her a smile. “Sure.”

Picking up the bottle, he held it out to her. As she reached for it, her fingers brushed his and she almost gasped as the most amazing sensation swept through her. It was like she’d just gotten completely and thoroughly kissed. Her knees felt weak and there was a delicious little flutter in her tummy that left her breathless.

It was then that she realized she hadn’t actually taken the bottle of ketchup yet. She was just standing there touching him like a dufus. She tried to cover her bizarre behavior by grabbing the bottle, but all she did was almost knock it out of his hand. They both fumbled with the thing for a moment before she finally gained control of it.

Could she be any more lame? She could already feel the heat rushing to her face.

“I think your boyfriend’s waiting for the ketchup,” he said when she continued to just stand there.

Eliza’s brow furrowed in confusion at the word “boyfriend,” but then she realized he must be referring to the photographer. She forced her attention away from the pleasant warmth that still swirled between her thighs and gave him a smile. “Oh, you mean Andy. He’s not my boyfriend. We just work together.”

One eyebrow rose. “Really.”

Oh God. Did he think she was trying to come on to him? Crap, she really needed to go back to her table before she did something else to embarrass herself. But she couldn’t seem to make her feet move. She had a crazy urge to reach out and touch him again to see if that same sexual spark would happen. Resisting the impulse, she instead reached up to tuck her long, dark hair behind her ear. “But you’re right. He is probably waiting for the ketchup.”

Giving the man another smile, she forced her-self to turn and walk back to her table. Halfway there, however, she couldn’t resist glancing over her shoulder to take one more look at him. He was regarding her with those incredible golden eyes of his, and her pulse fluttered wildly at the intensity in his gaze.

What was going on with her? She’d never experienced anything like this in her life. She had to get control of herself. Giving him one more look over her shoulder, she turned and stumbled back to her seat in a daze, clutching the bottle of ketchup in her hand.

Across from her, Andy lifted a brow as if to ask, what the hell is wrong with you? When she didn’t say anything he prompted, “You just going to sit there and hold that all night or can I use the ketchup?”

She blinked. “What? Oh, yeah. Sorry,” she mumbled, handing it to him.

Eliza watched as the photographer dumped ketchup on his onion rings, and then began to dig into his meal. She knew she should be doing the same, but she couldn’t stop thinking about what had just happened. Her heart was still racing as if she’d just come back from a run. Or had just gotten done having some really great sex. Good heavens, and all of that was from a mere brush of the fingers. She couldn’t keep herself from wondering what it would have been like if he really had kissed her.

It was a long time before Eliza could focus on her food, and by then, she realized she wasn’t really hungry anymore, at least not for food anyway.


Animal Attraction is available from Whiskey Creek Press Torrid!

For more of my sexy erotic fiction, visit my website at http://www.paigetylertheauthor.com

And to get the scoop on all my new releases, as well as what I'm currently working on, just email me at paigetyler@paigetylertheauthor.com with "add me to your mailing list" in the subject line!

Oh, and by the way, I'm already working on the sequel to Animal Attraction, so keep checking my website for details!

*hugs*
Paige

"Stories so hot, they'll make your cheeks blush!"

Trailer for "Animal Attraction" by Paige Tyler

Animal Attraction by Paige Tyler

Releasing September 15th.

Frustrated when none of the real newspapers will hire her as a reporter, Eliza Bradley takes the only job she can get – at a paranormal magazine. Her first assignment takes her to Fairbanks , Alaska to investigate the possibility that a werewolf has killed two local hikers.

She forgets about the story, however, when she meets Hunter McCall, a local college professor and an expert on wolves. The man is an absolute hunk, and she finds herself spending more time in his bed than worrying about werewolves. That is, until Eliza finds out that Hunter isn’t just an animal in the sack, he’s an animal out of it, too - of the werewolf variety! Talk about a complicated relationship!

But Eliza can’t dwell on Hunter’s little shapeshifting issues. There’s another werewolf out there with a taste for human blood, and she and Hunter are the only ones who can stop him.

****************************

Want to see your book trailer here? Go here to find out how!

Procrastination Friday: F

Today's Procrastination Friday is brought to you by the letter...





The Game: Flipped Out
The Rules: Match the pairs... it's not as easy as it looks.
The Challenge: Beat my score-- 88598
Click on the box below to go to the game.

Thursday Thirteen #12 ~ Pickup Lines

Hi all, today, I'm feeling a bit... silly. So, keep that in mind as you read my thirteen this week. I live in a "party" town, where the fun never stops and the party goes pretty much 24/7. Las Vegas is full of bars and nightclubs... and both are always full of men trying to catch your eye. The cheeky ones... er, brave ones take a chance and approach. Sometimes with a cheesy pick-up line.

Now, I personally adore pick-up lines, and before I was married I was known to give a guy a chance simply because his pick-up line made me groan, laugh or think. As a matter-of-fact... I collect the silly things. I have a very large collection, so you understand how difficult it was for me to pick only 13. LOL

So, without further talking on my part, here is my list: Thirteen Pick-up Lines that I like for one reason or another:

1. "If I follow you home will you keep me?" (Cute, admit it.)

2. "You must be a high-jumper, because you make my bar rise." (*snicker*)

3. "Does this rag smell like chloroform to you?" (Creepy but... well, funny)

4. "Want to play Army? I'll lie down and you can blow the hell out of me!" (Come on... you know you'd laugh at least a little bit.)

5. "Are you as beautiful on the inside as you are on the outside?" (Aww... how sweet. Nope, I refuse to read more into that one, despite the gutter I live in.)

6. "Hi, I just wanted to give you the satisfaction of turning me down; go ahead say no." (I'd talk to him if for no other reason than to prop up that confidence...which I'm sure is the point. lol)

7. You say "I bet you $20 I can kiss you without using my lips." She says, "Bet's on." You kiss her then say, "I lost." (Hmm... sneaky and maybe even a bit charming. Depends on how he kisses.)

8. "Baby, I'm an American Express lover. You shouldn't go home without me. (Rather creative... I guess.)

9. (With hands on shoulders)"Oh, those are shoulder blades, I thought they were wings." (A much cuter version of "Are you an angel?")

10. "Wanna go out for a pizza and a f**k? What... you don't like pizza? (Admit it, it made you blink.)

11. "All those curves, and me with no brakes." (Most women might think he was calling her fat... not me. LOL)

12. "I have had a really bad day and it always makes me feel better to see a pretty girl smile. So, would you smile for me?" (Flattery will get ya, just about every time.)

13. "Do you know the difference between a hamburger and a blow job? No! D'ya wanna do lunch?" (Groan)

So, that's it. Ever heard any of them? Do you have one that never fails to make you laugh/groan/shake your head?

Mysti's Meme: Six Things....

Here are the rules:

Link the person who tagged you. (That would be...no one)
Mention the rules in your blog. (Done)
Tell about 6 unspectacular quirks of yours. (only six?)
Tag 6 bloggers by linking them. (consider yourself tagged)
Leave a comment on each of the tagged blogger's blogs letting them know they've been tagged. (You comment first, and then I'll visit... how is that for a deal?)

Okay, time for me to spill my guts.

1. When I was pregnant, I would have killed for two things: salt and vinegar potato chips and hot dogs. Considering I seldom eat meat, the hot dog thing in particular was very odd. Even now, though, there are times when my DH will be cooking hot dogs and I HAVE TO HAVE ONE or die!

2. When I make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, the peanut butter MUST reach to the edges of the bread or it makes me a little loopy. You people who just smear a little in the middle of your bread, tell me this: how do you live with yourselves??

3. I hate the (non)word -- Snuck. Dear heavens, please, please, please do NOT use this word anywhere in my vicinity. Due to it's common use, it's now listed as an alternative in the dictionary (Bad, bad Webster's caving in to peer pressure), but the past tense of sneak is sneaked. Period.

4. I read the ends of books first. Yes, really. I'm sure I've horrified a great many of you, but that's just how I am. Why bother spending precious time reading if I'm going to be disappointed? Hmmm??? When I go on a trip, I always know what my final destination is. Doesn't ruin the ride there.

5. I eat all my food at room temperature whenever possible. I've even been known to pop a salad into the microwave for 10 or 15 seconds just so it isn't so cold, or add ice to my soup. I have super-sensitive teeth, so anything too hot or cold sends shooting pain into my brain like thousands of tiny daggers. And, yes, I ask for stuff made this way at restaurants, too, when possible. Or, I'll just let my food sit for a bit to either cool off or warm up while I talk with whomever I'm breaking bread.

6. I won't answer the phone if I don't know who is calling. Even before caller ID (which I LOVE), I screened my calls.

And a bonus, because I mis-numbered the first time: I despise channel-surfing. My DH and I seldom watch TV together because he hops all over the place. Even if he's really and truly watching a show, he'll channel flip during commercials which drives me batty because we'll miss a few seconds of the show we were watching... OR... he'll find a show I'd rather watch, and totally get into for about two minutes and then he'll surf away from it! ACK!!!!

What about you? What odd quirks do you have? C'mon... share, kay? And let me know you have in the comments so I can come to your blog and point and laugh.

*G*

Feeling A Little Bit Country

So, no meme... no procrastination... LOL. Just me, and what's on my mind right now.

I was sitting here listening to my music as I contemplated what I wanted to blog about today when one of my favorite songs came on. One I hadn't listened to in a long time. Now, I will warn y'all... I have some serious country roots... I mean, Mom is from Montana, Father from Louisiana... it's inevitable some days.

Anyway, the song is by Little Big Town and it's called "Bring It On Home", and every single time I hear it I smile and sing along (and some days I get a bit weepy... don't laugh). The chorus goes, "When your long day is over, And you can barely drag your feet, The weight of the world is on your shoulders, I know what you need, Bring it on home to me". Here, you can see all the lyrics here. The harmony is amazing between these two men and two women. It has a slow and steady beat that never fails to inspire me to go find my hubby to just... love on him. :-)

It gets me thinking, isn't that what we all want? Someone to come home to, someone that we can lay our head in their lap at the end of a vicious day and have them soothe away the ache. Someone who is our "safe harbor" in the crazy world. I know there are people out there who will deny it (I used to be one of them... they can't lie to me), but every single one of us wants acceptance. That one person who understands us, even when we aren't making much sense to ourselves, much less to everyone else.

As writers and readers of Romance, no matter what genre, that is what we are looking for isn't it? That connection to what is intangible for those who are still searching and yet open to the possibilities. That reminder to those of us who have it to not forget how precious it is. So, that was my inspiration for the day. Just thought I'd share with y'all. ;-p

Yeah, yeah, I know... very nostalgic of me. You'll soon learn, if you haven't already, I really love music and how it compares to my life or the lives of those around me. (You ever want to know more about me and my Southern roots just listen to this same group's song "Boondocks"...)

Welcome Guest Blogger: Paige Tyler!

Before I get to Protective Custody, I wanted to thank Kealie, JennyKat, and Mysti for asking me to guest blog! I'm totally flattered!

I'm thrilled to announce that I have hot, new, contemporary romance out from Liquid Silver Books called Protective Custody! If you like books about guys that come with their own handcuffs, then you'll love this sexy story!

If you're familiar with my other books, then it's probably no surprise that I love to write about strong, sexy, alpha males, and Gray Beckham, the hero in Protective Custody is about as strong, sexy and alpha as they come!

Check out the synopsis and excerpt below to get an idea of what Protective Custody is all about. It has romance, adventure, humor, and obviously, lots of hot, steamy sex! I think you're going to love it!

Enjoy!


Protective Custody by Paige Tyler

Synopsis:

Paisley McCoy is a sexy reporter who writes about the San Francisco club scene for a local magazine. Having a dad on the force has led to one hard and fast rule – she doesn’t date cops. She likes her men sensitive and intellectual, two qualities in short supply in any cop she’s ever met. But now she’s stuck with this standard-issue cop – aggressive, opinionated, and sure he’s always right. In short, the complete opposite of the kind of man she usually goes for.

Gray Beckham is a no-nonsense cop who's peeved about being taken off a major burglary investigation to babysit the captain’s bratty daughter, even if she is gorgeous. To make it even more annoying, she acts like the whole thing is a joke and insists she doesn’t need his protection. And while she might be sexy as hell, there’s no way he’s going anywhere near the captain’s daughter.

Despite their differences, though, Paisley and Gray can’t deny the chemistry between them. But as that connection turns into romance, they find out that the stalker is a far greater threat than they had originally thought. And that if he can’t have her, no one will.

Excerpt:

They spoke little on the ride to her apartment. Once they got there, Gray told her to wait in the entryway while he took a look around. It seemed like overkill to her, but she didn’t argue. However, she didn’t stay where he’d told her to, either. Instead, she went into the kitchen to open her mail. That earned her a dark scowl from Gray when he came out of the bedroom several minutes later. Paisley pretended not to notice.

“I’ve been on a stakeout for a couple of days,” he said after declaring the apartment clear. “Do you mind if I use your shower?”

She glanced up from the Victoria's Secret catalog she had been flipping through. “No, go ahead.”

“Thanks.” He picked up his overnight bag from the floor where he’d left it. “I won’t be long. Keep the door locked and don’t open it to anyone.”

Yeah, yeah. She went back to flipping through the catalog, only to pause when she heard the shower turn on a few minutes later. She had looked for a way to give Gray the slip ever since they’d walked out of the police station, and she decided she wasn’t going to get a better opportunity than right then. While she had to admit she really didn’t mind having the hunky inspector around, she hated being told what to do, especially by her father. Time to exercise her independence.

Tossing the catalog on the counter, Paisley hurried out of the kitchen and into her bedroom. Knowing she wouldn’t have enough time to do more than pack a few things before Gray came out, she decided to forget about the basics and instead, just grab a dress and a pair of high heels to wear that night. Everything else she could borrow from whichever friend she stayed with. At least until it was safe to come back to her place. By safe, she meant when there wasn’t some cop hanging around it.

Shoving the dress into an evening purse, Paisley picked up her shoes in her free hand and darted from the room. She had barely made it past the bathroom when the door opened.

“Where the hell do you think you’re going?” Gray demanded from behind her.

Paisley stopped in her tracks at the commanding tone in his voice. Crap! She had hoped to slip out before Gray finished taking his shower. It just wasn’t fair that guys could clean up so fast.

Squaring her shoulders, she whirled around to face him. And blinked. Though he had put on jeans, he hadn’t bothered with a shirt, and all she could do was stare at him in feminine appreciation. She had known he was built, but she hadn’t realized just how well. Broad shoulders, a chiseled chest, and rock-hard abs. Daaaaammmm! He had a body that just wouldn’t quit.
Gray crossed his arms over his chest. “Well?” he prompted when she said nothing.

Paisley tore her gaze from his perfectly sculpted arms to look up at him. She hadn’t realized he was so tall. Even in heels, she was still almost a head shorter than he was. She lifted her chin. “Out.”

His golden brown eyes narrowed. “Not without me, you’re not.”

She let out a sigh. “Look. Like I told you before, this isn’t going to work. I’m going to stay with some friends until this whole thing blows over. You can just tell my dad that I gave you the slip. He won’t hold it against you.”

“I don’t think so.”

She clenched her jaw. “I wasn’t asking for your permission, Inspector. I’m leaving and you can’t stop me.”

With that, Paisley whirled around and started for the door. She didn’t even make it halfway before Gray caught her arm and turned her back around.

“You’re not going anywhere.”

She glared up at him. “Oh, really?” she countered. “And just how are you going to stop me? Handcuff me to the bed?”

Her words hung in the air between them for a long moment before his mouth finally quirked.

“Though I’ll admit that’s tempting,” he said, “I have something more effective in mind.”

Before she could ask what he meant by that, Gray led her over to the couch. What was he going to do, sit her down and lecture her?

To her surprise, Gray didn’t sit her down at all, but instead took a seat himself. Totally perplexed, she was just about to ask what he was doing when a tug on her arm sent her sprawling over his knee. She had no choice but to drop the purse and shoes so she could put her hands on the floor to keep herself balanced.

For a moment, Paisley was so stunned she just lay there. She recovered quickly enough though, and when she did, she immediately tried to push herself upright. But a strong hand on her back held her firmly in place. Furious at being manhandled, she glared at him over her shoulder.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” she demanded.

He returned her glower with one of his own. “Teaching you a lesson.”

Paisley opened her mouth to retort, only to let out a startled little gasp when she felt him smack her upturned bottom. He did not just spank her!


Protective Custody is available today, September 8th from Liquid Silver Books!

For more of my sexy erotic fiction, visit my website at http://www.paigetylerauthor.com/

And to get the scoop on all my new releases, as well as to keep up on what I'm currently working on, sign up to receive my newsletter. Just email me at paigetyler@paigetylertheuthor.com with "add me to your mailing list" in the subject line!

*hugs*
Paige

"Stories so hot, they'll make your cheeks blush!"

Trailer for "Protective Custody" by Paige Tyler

Protective Custody by Paige Tyler

Paisley McCoy is a sexy reporter who writes about the San Francisco club scene for a local magazine. Having a dad on the force has led to one hard and fast rule – she doesn’t date cops. She likes her men sensitive and intellectual, two qualities in short supply in any cop she’s ever met. But now she’s stuck with this standard-issue cop – aggressive, opinionated, and sure he’s always right. In short, the complete opposite of the kind of man she usually goes for.

Gray Beckham is a no-nonsense cop who's peeved about being taken off a major burglary investigation to babysit the captain’s bratty daughter, even if she is gorgeous. To make it even more annoying, she acts like the whole thing is a joke and insists she doesn’t need his protection. And while she might be sexy as hell, there’s no way he’s going anywhere near the captain’s daughter.

Despite their differences, though, Paisley and Gray can’t deny the chemistry between them. But as that connection turns into romance, they find out that the stalker is a far greater threat than they had originally thought. And that if he can’t have her, no one will.

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Procrastination Friday: E

Today's Procrastination Friday is brought to you by the letter:


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I do so enjoy the Bloons :-) And... this is a challenge. I made it up to level 18. Who can go past that? Leave a comment and let me know how far you made it.

TT #11 -Thirteen Books I Loved as a Kid

In no particular order, other than as they come to mind!

13. "A Wrinkle in Time" by Madeline L'Engle

I read all the books in the series... still have the set, in fact, but loved this one the most. What an amazing, well-written, mind-bending book. I learned the difference between 1, 2 and 3 dimensions in a clearly drawn out way. I still pull it out to read now and then.

12. "Black Beauty" by Anna Sewell

I love, Love, LOVE this book. Once when I was young, I was sick and in bed for a few days and I read this book over and over and over. I counted and still remember -- fourteen times! And, I still cried everytime Ginger died, and every time poor Beauty was forced to do something horrid or when he fell to his knees.

11. "The Dark is Rising" by Susan Cooper

What a disappointment the movie for this was!! It was absolutely horrendous. Blech. This book is amazing. The storyline is incredible. And there was no reason to rewrite 99% of it. I love this entire series (though "Over Sea, Under Stone" is fairly weak, IMHO) and still have my childhood copies to reread again and again.

10. "The Dragonriders of Pern" by Anne McCaffrey

Another series I read again and again. I own them all, up through "The Masterharper of Pern" ... I've been very disappointed in the books she has co-written with her son, and I really don't like the ones he's written alone. But the initial books in the series? A complete joy. I even had a friend draw me a life-sized fire lizard that I glued to cardboard and carried around with me! *G*

9. "Justin Morgan Had A Horse" by Marguerite Henry

I was a horse freak growing up... had one of my own, of course! Morgans have always been my favorite breed, so reading (and loving) this book about the first Morgan who could run faster and pull heavier loads than any other horse was a book I returned to over and over. And, yes, I still have my copy!

8. "Man O'War" by Walter Farley

This book offered such great insight into the world of horse racing! I learned how all foals turn 1 year old on January first, regardless of when their actual birthdate is, how horses are handicapped and more. And every time I read it, I get angry at the details behind the one race Man O'War lost. He was an amazing animal.

7. "The Nancy Drew Series" by Carolyn Keene

When I was young, every time I'd visit my dad he would buy me a new book. And for several years, I always chose a Nancy Drew novel. I still own most of them, and think they're great stories that really don't age. My DD is reading them now.

6. "The Chronicles of Narnia" by C.S. Lewis

A magic wardrobe, witches, talking animals, a grand lion... what more could anyone ask for?

5. "Ride the River" by Louis L'Amour

I loved all the Sackett novels, but this one held a special place in my heart because it was about a GIRL!!! What a great story... and she was a wonderful heroine -- strong, smart, capable. And she came with some pretty amazing relatives. I still have this entire series, and this book will always be the one I read twice as often.

4. "The Hobbit" by J.R.R. Tolkien

I read this book for a fourth grade book report, and still remember my teacher questioning whether I had actually read it or not. Most kids were doing "The Mouse and the Motorcycle" or something, so I suppose it was understandable. I still this this book is the easiest and most enjoyable read of the series.

3. "The Prydain Chronicles" by Lloyd Alexander

This book made me fall in love for the first time. I dreamed I was Eilonwy and fantasized about Taran. **sigh** My DD reads this series over and over, but at her age prefers the humor of Fflewdyr Fflam and Gurgi.

2. "The Black Stallion" series by Walter Farley

I couldn't choose just one... I loved (and still love) them all. The movies? Not so much... but, ahhhh the books. Makes me want to read them again. Right now.

1. "Watership Down" by Richard Adams

This book not only introduced me to a whole new world -- that of rabbits -- but an entirely new language that included words like tharn and hrududu and silflay. This book still stands up today.

What about you? What are some of the books you remember from your childhood?

Mysti's Meme #1

Okay... for the next few weeks I'll be posting Mysti's Meme's so that I can use the majority of my writing juice to finish my story (FBOB). And then polish my story. And submit my story. So, please bear with me... and if you want to play, too, I'd love it! Just leave me a comment and I'll come visit.

Let's begin...

What are you reading right now?

"Dark Highland Fire" by Kendra Leigh Castle.

Longest book you’ve ever read:

"The Stand" by Stephen King... I think. I don't really pay attention to length, but I recall that it was pretty amazingly long. Good... really good... but long. Didn't love the mini-series, though Gary Sinise was perfect in his role. But seriously... Molly Ringwald? Please...

Strangest title of a book that you’ve read:

Dunno... that's tough. How about: From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler? That's pretty odd.

Stupidest ending of a book you’ve read:

Is it good that I can't think of one? I can think of endings that really pissed me off, but not any that were just plain stupid.

Which literary character have you related to the most?

Margaret, in "Are You There God, It's Me, Margaret."

*G*

Do you prefer fiction or nonfiction?

I read both, but for different reasons. Fiction is for fun, Non-Fiction is for edification.

Did you have a series of children’s/young adult books that you once enjoyed?

LOTS!!! The Prydain Chronicles, The Earthsea Trilogy, The Dark Is Rising, The Chronicles of Narnia, Nancy Drew.... should I stop?

Can you enjoy reading the source book after seeing the screen adaptation?

Not really. I do prefer to read the book first, and can't think of a movie I've seen (based on a book) that I went and read the book after.

Have you ever read a novelization of a movie or TV show?

Nope. Never had the desire to.

Book that "turned you on" the most, erotically speaking:

Um... considering my genre of choice, I don't think I can choose just one. Sorry.

Is there a real-life person that you’ve read more than one book about?

Nope. I've read lots of biographies and auto-biographies, but can't think of anyone I've read more than one book about.

Book that everyone’s read but you:

"Pride and Prejudice" -- seen the movie though, does that count? And, as noted earlier, I don't tend to read the book after I've seen the movie. Bad me. I've been told I can't be a romance writer and not have read that particular book. I haven't read "Wuthering Heights" or "Gone with the Wind" (nor seen that movie), either. Sue me.

Favorite "classic" writer/novelist:

William Shakespeare... man, could he write! And, so clever... I <3 Bill.

Favorite contemporary novelist (let's say 1950s on):

Jenny Crusie. Nora Roberts. Daisy Dexter Dobbs.

Favorite short story writer:

I don't think I could name a short story writer if you covered me in honey and strapped me to an ant hill.

Favorite columnist/journalistic writer:

See above, re: short story writers

Favorite poet:

Generally, I dislike poetry. I'm not deep enough to understand it. Maybe Browning? Or... hey... here's a good poem:

I THINK that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.

I've heard the author of that particular poem regrets writing it, however.

Favorite guilty pleasure book or series:

Guilty pleasure? No such thing!!!

Favorite book by written by a famous actor or musician:

Don't have a clue. Don't know if I've ever read one...

Author whose work you once enjoyed but no longer do:

Karin Slaughter. Kill off the hero? Um... no... not if you want me to keep reading. Sorry.

Favorite comics/graphic fiction author:

Wendy and Richard Pini for their "Elfquest" series. I don't even know if they still do it, but I was a rabid fan back in the 80s.

Did you read this? Then -- TAG!! You're it!

*G*

You Write What?

What is so wrong with what we do?

I've been pondering this question quite a bit lately. What is so bloody wrong with being a Romance author/reader?

A friend of mine (You know who you are) recently spoke of this and I've been thinking about it, off and on, ever since. A Romance Writer gets a bad rap, and we get painted with the smut brush for writing... trash. For some reason Romance is not considered a respectable fiction genre to write. I don't understand the reasoning behind this opinion. What is better than the give and take of a couple as they find their way in the world together? To me there is nothing more beautiful than a couple in love, whether they are made up of a man and a woman, two women, or two men... Or any other combination thereof. There is still the romance, the give and take and compromise and the utter romance of getting to know someone so intimately. Are these critical people unaware that Romance sells? Why when Romance sales are astronomical does no one seem to want to admit that they read them? So, who IS reading them? How do they explain that at a recent book signing I attended there were over 300 people in attendance? Shouldn't they get a clue that we're not going to agree with them, so stop harping on us about it.


Now, as Erotic Romance writers we face an even nastier stigma. We not only write "smut", we write "Pornographic Smut". Again, I ask, what is so wrong with what we do? I personally enjoy romance, and sex (much to my hubby's delight) and I am very comfortable in my sexuality (see hubby's previous response). Maybe it was the way I was raised, but I don't see what is so wrong with that. That being said, I don't really see me telling my inlaws what I write anytime soon. They're not bad people, just... conservative.

And while I love them dearly, I don't think they'd take it all that well. I refuse to let someone make me feel dirty because I'm comfortable with sex and everything THAT entails.

So, what do you think? Why do Romance writers, and more specifically, Erotic Romance writers get such a bad rap?

So, that's mini-rant today. I love what I do, it makes me smile and keeps me busy between ... well, life stuff. So, I dare them to come at me... I'll come right back at em with guns blazing. Yes, yes, a little militant, but I just spent the weekend with people who turned their noses up to Romance novels in any form and it got my Irish up.