Resolutions....

So yesterday Mysti asked if anyone had any resolutions. I do. I want to have a story pubbed. I mean really pubbed.

I've got two going (Well three). One's M/M, one's M/F with BDSM elements, and one (a set of four eventually) with Kealie.

M/M one is done...not polished and not edited enough to send anywhere, but it's done.

So that's my resolution. To get at least one story pubbed this year. It's a goal I've got anyway, so why not make it a resolution and something I can hypothetically achieve. (Don't want to toot my own horn or undercut myself...that's the best on the fence I can come up with.)

Stop back tomorrow for our First Hottie of the New Year. Oh, and the poll for Best Hottie of 2010 is coming very soon. Promise.

To Resolve or Not To Resolve?

I was hanging out on Jennifer Crusie's Facebook page yesterday, when I saw this status:

I've decided my New Year's Resolution: I resolve not to make any resolutions. That way if I don't improve, I'm not breaking any promises, and if I do improve, hey, BONUS.

And I got to thinking: do I want to make New Year's resolutions this year? And if so, what kind?

Do I want to lose weight? Write more? Hang with my family more? Clean the house better? Learn to speak a foreign language?

Or do I not set them because to do so frequently ends badly...

I'm still on the fence.

What about you? Are you making resolutions? And if so -- what are they?

Happy Hump Day!

I saw this and about fell over laughing. Yeah, I find it hysterical.

Happy Hump Day!!!

Christmas Eve!!!!!

Looks like my day happened to be Christmas Eve! Didja get your last minute shopping done? I did. Finally.

Here's my list: (Don't tell them yet!!)
A pair of purple thigh high boots for Kealie Girl. Goes with her fairy costume.

A whip for Mysti, so she can convince her CB to come out and play. (He's shy.)

Fur lined cuffs for Jenny Kat. She needed replacement ones.

The boys? I can't say in public but they were all VERY satisfied.

What would I like? A contract, of course. Would help if I bothered to sub something. (I'm getting there. "Permanent" is almost done.)

And as it says in the old story: Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!!!!

A Little Christmas Spirit

I love a little Christmas romance ... let me share some with you.

Love Actually:



Family Man:



Four Christmases:



Serendipity:



What are some of your favorite Christmas romances?

Happy Hump Day!!!!!

Make sure it's a tasty one!

Pretty Paper and Fancy Bows

I love wrapping presents, but I have a question. Do you shop for specific paper for specific people? Or are you one paper fits everyone?

I'm the first type. I have about 15 rolls of Christmas wrap. Gerard and Luke have a secret (well, not now) love of Batman. So they get Batman paper. Jeremy loves Scooby Doo. So he gets Scooby paper. The youngling? He gets Star Wars. Loves ole Darth Vader. Mom, she gets something with pretty birds or snowmen. You know, the sparkly, glittery kind. Except this year, because I fell down on the job--long story--I tend to give those I truly love presents with lots of bows. I don't put tons of ribbon cuz I'm good with whips and chains, but not knots. (not knots...heee heee). Dad gets something with tractors on them.

Oh, and yeah, I shop for the cats and the dogs. Sure. They love having Christmas socks and getting things. Who doesn't like getting things? I love giving, so it all works out.

One more thing: What do YOU want for Christmas? I don't have a very long list this year. I have the boys already. Have the pets. Have the youngling.

So what do I want? Something sparkly!!! Ruby, Garnet, or Sapphire and I'm good.

What about you?

Thursday Thirteen: Books!

Thirteen FABULOUS Books I've Read Recently:

1. Ashley Drake, Zombie Hunter by Dana Fredsti

My heart is STILL pounding after reading this one. I'm not usually into the zombie thing, but the author's warped sense of humor appealed to me when I read the excerpts, and I can't express how much I enjoyed this book.

2. The Search by Nora Roberts

I'm a sucker for good romances and dog stories, and this book combines them both along with a little mystery. It satisfied me on several levels.

3. The Vampire and the Virgin by Kerrelyn Sparks

Honestly, I like all the Kerrelyn Sparks books, but this one in particular really tickled my fancy. I enjoyed it from beginning to end. What's not to like about tortured heroes and strong women?

4. One Tough Marine by Paula Graves

Any time I want a decent suspense novel, I turn to Paula Graves. She's one of my fave romantic suspense authors. This book had a sexy marine in it, so is one of my faves.

5. Lessons for Teacher by Emma Jay
Holy WOW! This story had it all -- smoking hot sex scenes and a story with meat. If you want a quickie to really get the libido going and make your heart sigh, this is the one.

6. Rough Justice by KyAnn Waters

I really love a good menage story, and KyAnn Waters is one of my absolute favorite erotic romance authors -- mix the two together and what do you get? A fabulously hot, wildly romantic story. Oh yeah...

7. Soulless by Gail Carriger

I'm not a big fan of steampunk, but I really enjoyed this book more than I thought possible. Maybe because it included plenty of my fave paranormal critters as well? Regardless, I highly recommend it.

8. The Spurned Viscountess by Shelley Munro

I'm not usually one for historical romance, but Shelley Munro is one of my fave authors, so I gave it a shot. Thoroughly enjoyed it, and I bet you will, too!

9. Shadow of the Sheikh by Nina Bruhns

Oh WOW! This series is amazing! If you like paranormal romance, and wish there was something out there just a little different, then grab this book (and the one before it). Incredible!

10. Tall, Dark And Wolfish by Lydia Dare

Speaking of good paranormal romance, here's another series I love. Lydia Dare is one amazingly talented author... I can't get enough of her.

11. Surrender At Sea by Becca Dale

An eBook that tickled my funny bone, touched my heart and really got the blood pounding. What more could I ask for?

12. Banging the Superhero by Rebecca Royce

HA! I admit, this book's title is what made me pick it up -- but I wasn't sorry. Snarky humor, lots of heat and a solid plot really made it worth every penny.

13. Protect and Serve: Badge Bunny by Cynthia Sax

Short and SO fun! If you want a quickie to make you grin and heat you up from the inside out, this is the story for you.

What about you? What books can you recommend for me?

As an aside -- the post right below this one is one with a contest entry -- you can enter to win a $10 Amazon GC just by commenting. Plus, there are pictures of a hottie to enjoy :-)

Hump Day Hottie from Kendall Grace!

Hey folks, Kendall is visiting with us on her virtual tour for her sexy new book, "Come Undone"... and if you leave a comment, you just might win her giveaway of a $10 Amazon GC!! You can get more entries by visiting her other stops, so click on the banner to find out where she is and then leave a comment here and tell us what you think of her illustrated post.

And -- holy COW, how HOT is this blurb for "Come Undone"?

My sister became dependent on painkillers after a skiing accident left her leg broken in three places. I didn’t understand and, yes, I judged her. After all, we were talking about her will. No one was forcing those pills down her throat. It seemed very cut-and-dried to me back then. But I know differently now.

The first time Chase touched her, Jane finally understood addiction…understood the aching need, the keen want for more…more of his hands…his mouth…his tongue. His complete mastery over her body. She knew the suffocation of crushing anxiety as she waited for her next hit, the flash of terrific pain when it didn’t come.

Chase seems unwilling to give Jane what she needs; what she ultimately craves above all else. But addicts can’t think beyond the fix. They’ll resort to desperate measures to feed their need…even if they lose themselves in the process. Even if they come undone…

I figured someone who could write THAT hot would have a hottie to share... and she did. Take it away, Kendall!

Choosing my favorite hottie was an easy task. I have been a huge fan (lusted after) of Ian Somerhalder since the first time I laid eyes on him in “Lost”. Of course back then he was much more gentle and let that crazy Shannon walk all over him. To me he was cuddly and adorable. Flash forward a few years and cue teenage vampire angst gooey yumminess (aka “The Vampire Diaries”) and yowza! Kick that innocent Boone to the curb and make room for Damon. That evil edge only served to make him hotter, which if you had asked me when he was on “Lost”, I would have said was impossible. He couldn’t get any hotter. Somehow he managed to. Maybe it’s the thrill of knowing he could rip your throat out at any moment that adds the appeal, I’m not sure, but as an actor he effortlessly morphed into the sexiest damn thing I believe I’ve ever seen.



As a matter of fact, I recall watching the show and it was one of those great episodes where Ian takes his shirt off (can we get more of those, please?). I believe my words were something along the line of, “Oh good God Almighty.” I didn’t care that my husband was sitting right there. I cared even less when he complained about my blatant admiration. I merely shushed him and told him if he didn’t like it he could leave the room. Desperate times call for desperate measures…



And speaking of desperate, that leads me to the tone of my book, “Come Undone”. While this was written prior to The Damon Days, I really couldn’t conjure in my mind a more perfect image of my hero, both physically and emotionally, than Ian and the vampire he plays. While my hero, Chase, won’t feed on the heroine’s blood, he will feed on her insecurity—wrapping her up in desire so strong she can’t walk away from it, even though she knows she should. And like Ian’s vampire, Chase has deep-seated reasons for his behavior. And at the end of the day, it’s he who is truly vulnerable. A tortured hero… Is there really anything better?



OH YUM ... Kendall, thanks so much for sharing. He is definitely the kind of guy I could really take a bite out of.

Series? Seriously?

I'm running late again, today... but I'm here! And, I have a question. You don't have to answer, but it's something that I wonder about, as a writer. I know the answer for myself as a reader, but as a writer I'd love to know: How do you feel about book series (serieses?)?

Bear with me here. I know as a reader, I love to hang out with characters from previous books. I love to go back to the worlds that sucked me in the first, second or third times I visit the different worlds I read about. But that's me!

As an author, I love when a secondary character jumps up and down and hollers, "Look at me, look at me... I'm just dying for my own story!" I always want to go back to my worlds and revisit characters that spoke to me... As I"ve mentioned before, Megan and I have a series of books we're working on, and there are already a few characters' stories that we've mapped out, and we're excited to see them take shape. I think the problem we're running into (or maybe it's just me... lol, I am a bit obsessive) is that there are so many ideas we come up with, ideas that would be great to incorporate that it can be a bit overwhelming. What do we include? What would just be... minutiae? How much can be woven into a series of stories to keep you coming back, and how much "cliffhanger" would be too much to make you stop reading? Is it okay to have the immediate story resolved with the main characters of THAT book but still have some... mystery to keep you coming back for more in the next book? Help me out here... what would you love to see in a series?

Monday Morning Music Memories: Classic Christmas Songs

How can you resist?

What's your favorite Christmas song memory? Play along!

Who Do You Resemble?

My characters have been chatty. Oh man, have they been chatty. I fell asleep and dreamed about River and Tory. Not a bad dream. Quite nice in fact. Then in the grocery store, I happened to pass the magazine rack. Tory shouts out "Hey! They put me on a magazine cover!"

Well, ok.

River propped his head on my shoulder and sighed. "Yeah, that's a nice picture of him, too. But hey, did you see I was on TV?"

Um, no. I didn't see.

But this is how my characters let me know precisely what they look like. they shout when they see themselves. It's kinda nice, cuz then I can really see them. Then again, sometimes I feel like they push in whenever they want. Men.

How do you know what your characters look like? I'd love to know.

Surprise!

I love surprises... mostly. I'm not fond of "scary" surprises, like someone leaping out at me from behind a corner. And don't throw me a surprise birthday party -- I don't like feeling flustered AT ALL.

But, she wrapped gifts for me and put them under the tree, my daughter kept saying, "Don't peek!"

I never peek.

Part of the fun of Christmas is that anticipation... the build up... the, "Oooh... what's in that oddly shaped package?"

I'm also one of those people who carefully opens gifts. No tearing into the wrapping for me -- I've always been that way, even as a little kid. Used to drive my siblings BATTY because they'd have all their gifts open in a matter of a few heartbeats, and I'd take an hour to do mine.

I love that build-up. The little breaths of excitement as part of the package is revealed. The rattle as I shift it in my lap. The feel of its shape under my fingertips...

I find that I feel much the same way about writing sex.

I don't want my characters to see each other and then rip their clothes off and go at it. I want that build up. The tension. The little gasps of surprise at a small touch, the shivers of desire as the buttons on a shirt are slowly opened. The need pooling deep inside after a look of desperate craving.

Sometimes that makes it hard for me to write erotic romance, especially short erotic romance where there isn't a lot of time to have that kind of tension before the characters get to the act. It's one of the reasons why I've used masturbation scenes in both of my published stories (and probably will again). It adds sex (of a sort) to the story without taking away that underlying tension that my characters feel.

I'm actually toying with writing a hot mainstream story as my next piece instead for that reason... I'm on the fence, but I do wonder if a more mainstream story would ease that need to have my characters leap into the sack right away.

It's a thought.

What about you? Do you like surprises?

In other surprises, I got a very enthusiastic review for "Blue Light Special". It said, in part:

A totally amazing shorty with a sexy, hotter than Hell cop, a woman who wants him and some really REALLY hot sex scenes….okay fine only one actual penetration sex scene but plenty of foreplay and titillation. It ROCKED!!!! Do I recommend this hot, sexy short read? You bet your ass I do :) And it makes me want EVERYTHING by this author!!!! - Seriously Reviewed

It made me chuckle all day long.

Happy Hump Day!

MANLOVE!!!!

Got your attention? Good.

Kealie and I are indeed working hard on a story (a set, to be exact) and it's a little slow, but sheesh, that cross country trek takes a bit of time.

But since I can't just work on one thing at a time, I also have a manlove story I'm working on. Yup. River and Tory just won't leave me alone. Not really a huge problem. I'm rather fond of them, too.

But I gotta tell ya, without the boys for help, I'd be a little lost. True, love is love, no matter what the critter/person looks like, but (last time the boys checked) I'm not a guy. I've got all the right girlie parts (a little more in some places than others--that's life), so I know what a girl would like. But boys? Oy.

Good thing the boys are fountains of info. Good thing I have a wild imagination. :)

I don't have the slightest idea if the story will fly, but I'm having a great time chattering and dealing with River and Tory, so it's not a hardship to me.

But I've gotta go. Got to get back to writing. I've got a goal and I don't want to blow it.

er.....

bad pun....

Oh well. (I can hear Kealie snickering all the way over here.)

Ta!

Happy Hump Day!

What to do?

Megan and I have been working on something together. Something that we are truly excited about and it's something that will hopefully be a series (since we already have four books outlined and in the works...). I'm not sure how many of y'all are involved with a collaboration in your writing, but this is the first time for me. I've been a Crit Partner, and a sounding board... but a partner in the entire process? Nope, not really.

The first story we're working on is one that came from Megan's brain. She wrote the basics, the characters, where she wanted them to go and handed it off to me. This is how we decided to do it, and it's working rather well for us... at least I think so. Maybe we should ask Megan. Anyway, there have been times when I thought the storyline should go one way, and wasn't sure I was seeing that in her plot... so I asked. She said it was "fine... change away... it's yours too." Okay. But I get the feeling that Megan isn't sure it's going to come out as what she wrote, while I add to what she did give me and go from there, I'm trying to leave the core of the story and the same scenes and movements...just with MY flair added to Megans. Does that make sense?

The story is slowly coming along, and we burn up the wires across country as we IM back and forth and ask questions and make comments and try to move forward. I don't want to do something with her characters that I have to adopt a bit, that she didn't want to happen to them... I think I'm meaner than Megan is... maybe... hmm.

Does anyone else have suggestions... ideas... for working in a collaborative effort with another author you adore and admire? Tips? Or do you think what we're doing is good if it's working for us? And, aside from my slowness, it is working, I think. Let me know what y'all think! It's going to be awesome if we can ever get it finished.

Length or Girth

So technically I'm on vacation. The boys dragged me away - ok, it didn't take much - just sayin'. And you gotta admit, I got you snagged in with that post title. Don't lie. I know it did. (That was my point.)

All silliness aside, I wanted to pop on here and post a question. I'm in the midst (I'd like to say homestretch) of a short story and I keep wondering as I approach my anticipated word count (I plan to go over, but how much is up for debate), how short is too short?

I've read some stories that are say...6k that are fantastic. Sometimes it shocks me how darn much gets packed into 21 pgs. At the same time, I've read some 70k work that is equally fantastic. Again, a lot going into those 300 pgs, but what makes it better or not than the 6k one?

I ask this because my story is right about 5k at the moment. Not earth shattering, I know. (I said it's still under construction.) I'm a firm believer in the story will be the length its meant to be. You can probably make a 6k go on for 50k, but in the end is it worth it? I mean, did it just draw out the story for the sake of pages or was it really adding to the overall meat of the tale? I'll tell you, I've read some 60k stories I thought could've been pared down to 30k and it would've made the story better.

Which do you prefer or does it not matter as long as the story is tight? Short? Long? Good story make the length irrelevant?

I'm dying to know. Really.

Happy Thanksgiving!

To all our American friends who are celebrating today!



I'm thankful for all of you who follow us and comment and keep us company. We appreciate you!

I'm thankful for Kealie and Jenny and Megan -- who make the Menagerie a fun place to hang out. I'm so glad fate brought us together.

I'm thankful for my editor and the readers who've supported me.

What are you thankful for?

None is more impoverished than the one who has no gratitude. Gratitude is a currency that we can mint for ourselves, and spend without fear of bankruptcy. ~Fred De Witt Van Amburgh

Happy Hump Day!

So I wrote a free story. Sure did. It's over at Whipped Cream Reviews. Want to see the cover? Sure you do.

Like? I sure do. Read it. Tell me what you think. Come on. You know you want to. **Wriggling Brows**

Is it Hot In Here?

So ... I had a conversation the other day with a friend about what makes an erotic story "erotic" and not just "hot" but mainstream.

I'm not entirely certain I have the answer. Of course, when you toss in stuff that clearly hits the "erotic" button like BDSM, menage (or more!), etc., that's pretty easy, but when does a story with vanilla sex cross the line from hot to erotic?

Or maybe it's not the type of sex that decides it, but the frequency or how soon it happens? Obviously in an erotic romance, there must be consummation and it should occur pretty early in the story.

I recently read a short story of about 50 pages that promised me a hot menage. Cool! I love a good menage. I started reading... and twenty-two pages in there still hadn't been ANY sex. Not really even foreplay. I think there may have been one kiss. I was completely bored (partly because the story consisted of the hero trying to convince the heroine that it was okay if she wanted a menage, that he was all for it).

So ... it is how early the sex happens?

Maybe it's the words the author uses to describe various body parts? No purple prose allowed in erotic romance... you call a spade a spade, and sometimes the cruder the word the better. Heroes don't have swords they sheath, women don't have rosebuds at the tips of their breasts.

Is that what makes a story cross the line from "hot" mainstream romance to erotic?

I'm still not entirely certain and would sure love your input!

Thoughts?

Happy Hump Day!

Poking My Head In

Yes, I know. I have been seriously MIA lately. Other than the posting during Halloween, I've been... missing. I hope everyone can forgive me. My girls, Megan and Mysti have held it together, but I know they were worried for a bit there.

I won't bore you with the details, other than to say that there have been health issues, family issues and just life issues that cropped up. I'm hoping... praying... wishing... that all will be quiet now and I can actually get back to doing what I love. Writing, chatting, catching up with all my online friends.

I didn't get back on the wagon in time for NaNo this year, and a part of me is a bit upset by that. Even though I haven't won one yet, it was fun the last time I did it. I guess I could start now, but the month is already half over... and I just don't see it happening, lol. I'm barely getting back onto a writing schedule.

There are a couple of things I have in the works, and something that Megan and I are working on. We work well together, which is seriously helped along by the whole best friend, finish each other's sentences thing. We're both hoping that within the next few weeks we'll be far enough along, and happy enough with our progress to actually... talk about what we're doing. A whole new world will be opening up... we hope. So, stay tuned on that front.

So, how's everyone else doing? Did you miss me... or even notice I dropped off the face of the internet? What's something you're looking forward to? Anything? Anyone? I know, we can't catch up in one post... but hopefully, we'll at least start.

Inspy

Got your attention with that title didn't I? How could one of the MA girls possibly have anything to do with inspy? HA! never said what *kind* of inspy.

So I was out hunting...a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do. And I came across some tasty tidbits. The tidbits more than got the brain working. Hee hee. I'm so bad. So I thought I'd share a tidbit or two with you. You won't be displeased. **enter evil laugh***

So the pants could go a tick lower... I'm waiting....


Stop thinking...start doing!!!


Turn just a little towards the camera...the girls on the street have seen their fill...it's my turn--but the tat does earn you points. Turn!

Happy Veteran's Day

Happy Hump Day!

Monday Morning Music Memory: Fun Songs

One of the goofiest songs I remember from my teen years was this one. Do you remember it? Why don't you play along? Post your own fun song from your youth and let me know so I can come visit!

Let Us Interview You!

We Wild Women will be interviewing authors on this blog every Monday!

If you're interested in being interviewed on here on our blog, please feel free to send us an email -- we'll send you a list of questions to answer. We'll schedule you for a date once we receive your responses, and will try to accomodate your needs as much as we can.

What's a Girl to Do?

I'm stuck. Yup. Stuck. I have about sixteen story ideas floating around in my brain, but I need to...research a couple. Figures the boys are asleep (That's the bummer of vampires...not always available).

I'm neck-deep in a M/M story. River and Tory are literally crawling all over each other. Somehow, I don't think they mind...well, not yet. Perpetual foreplay can end up being a super PITA. (pardon the pun--or maybe not... ***enter evil laugh*** muwhahahahahahaa)

I've aslo got a vamp who is desperate to claim his mate, but she's not having any of it. She's too busy avoiding him. It's kinda funny to watch him chase and her sprint. I'll get them to settle soon. I hope.

What do you do when you've got the idea, but aren't positive of the mechanics? (Who DOESN"T like to practice? Yanno?) I'm all interested in what you have to say. Come on, give me your best!

Happy Hump Day!

Halloween Hottie: Jenny Style

In keeping with my "man in uniform" fetish, I bring you Officer Mike...and I sure would like to get him undercover!!