The Winner!

CALLING ddo3!

You are the very lucky winner of Yasmine Galenorn's three signed books. Please contact me via cissy@writerspacemail.com

Congratulations, Stella

Reading the Crystal Ball...

I'll warn you now that this is a long blog, mostly because I'm fascinated with the subject matter. I'd love to know your thoughts, your predictions, and yes, your worries about the topic, too.

Do you wonder what the future will bring?
Do you ever angst over what your kids and grandkids will have to deal with, once we're done demolishing this planet? Sure, we won't be around to suffer the consequences, but most of us will leave behind family.
Or do you trust that along the way, we'll figure out the problems and resolve issues?

I'm continuing my Ultimate Fighter series, but the next one - MY MAN, MICHAEL, not out until Feb 09 - will take my hero into the future. So far, I'm having a lot of fun depicting my idea of what the future will bring. But that doesn't mean I'm skipping my research, and wow, is it incredible stuff!

Okay, so I'm already behind the times, because I have no idea how any of our modern-day gadgets work. I have no idea how the internet picks up and transfers data... everywhere!
I don't really understand my microwave or my DVR player, or video camera, or for that matter, the telephone! I use those things, but with no knowledge of how or why they work.

You can imagine how boggled I am by what the future will give us.

Did you know that already, Australian scientists claim to have "beamed up" a radio signal, ala Captain Kirk? Yup, it's true. They say they imbedded a radio signal into a laser beam, disintegrated the beam, and then teleported it, reassembled, from one part of their lab to another. The laser beam was destroyed in the teleportation process, but the radio signal survived.
First radio signals, then bodies.
It'll happen, count on it.

Did you know that there are kitchen units, all interconnected, voice activated and linked to the internet, that will prepare an entire meal with just a command? Imagine. You walk into your kitchen, say, "Beef roast, medium well. Broiled potatoes. Steamed broccoli."
The kitchen does the rest.
Conveyor belts carry the designated food to the appropriate cooking vessel, prepare it as requested, and announce its readiness.

All you have to do is serve!

Water is purified by UV light.
Dishwashers work without soap. (Washers & dryers too!)

And if you start to run out of a particular food, no worries. Micro chips imbedded in the appliances keep a running inventory. When you start to get low, the appliance will connect to the internet and order more from a local source.

Eventually, kitchens will be set up with outside access from your home, so whoever, or whatever, deliveries the groceries can store them directly inside without bothering you.

Cars will not only run on solar power, they'll alert us to oncoming traffic, and if necessary, commandeer the steering to avoid collisions.

They'll take up less space, and go much faster.
(I think they'll look pretty cool, too.)

New age vending machines are already underway. When you push a button to get your snack, your fingerprint is read and the appropriate amount is automatically deducted from your account.

Televisions are hidden within mirrors. You push a few buttons to reveal the set and another button turns on invisible loud speakers.
I actually saw this one at a Homerama exhibit.

Think fingerprinting will last forever? Nah.
Once, while researching police proceedures, I learned that junkies - who hold hot "pipes" filled with burning narcotics, can lose their fingerprints because they're burned off so often. The junkies, being under the influence, don't even feel the damage being done to their fingers.

So how will we overcome this problem? RFID - or Radio Frequency Identification.
Fascinating and somewhat scary stuff.
Check it out here: http://www.illuminati-news.com/RFID.htm
The gist is that some people feel we'll all eventually be "tagged" and logged into a super computer, making it easiest for big government - or maybe the computer - to control us. They'd know where we were, what we did, who we were with - pretty much everything.
Sound ridiculous?

Now that I'm *almost* 50, I have to say... anything is possible. I've seen a lot of stuff in my lifetime. I remember sci-fi movies that, at the time, seemed so far-fetched.
But now? Most of it has come to pass.

So tell me, what do you foresee in our futures?

What would you LIKE to see in our futures?
I think I've said this before, but you know, there are some nights when I'd really enjoy the George Jetson conveyor belt. He just stands on there and it goes about showering him, drying him, dressing him, bushing his teeth, and plopping him into bed. LOL.

I could get into that!
Now what about you? Who knows, maybe you'll come up with a futuristic idea that'll end up in my book!

Please note: I'm leaving tonight for a new UFC event (Ultimate fighting) and won't be home until Monday. I'm taking my laptop, but depending on my free time, I might not be able to reply as often. But I'll try! I just didn't want anyone to feel ignored if it takes me a little while to post. Be assured, I'll be reading each and every post! Thank you!

Hugs to all,

Sharing rare finds is one of my hobbies. Yasmine Galenorn fits my rare finds category perfectly, Please welcome her and enjoy discovering more about "the way she ticks!"

Cheers, Stella

Follow the Winding Road

When Stella asked me if I'd like to blog with the RWQ group today, I almost missed the chance because cyberspace gobbled her email to me. The spam filter never even got a chance to hijack it. And cyberspace also gobbled several other emails I was supposed to get. I'm blaming the aliens.

2008 has been a really intense year so far--very mixed. I turned 40-something last month and for my birthday--well, a week or so befoore my birthday--my editor called me and asked me if I was sitting doown. I was. She proceeded to tell me that Darkling--the third in my Otherworld Series--hit the NYT extended list. I tried tto scream in her ear but considering I was down with a horrendous cold, the best I could do was squeak.

Now, you have to understand, hitting ANY part of the NYT list has been one of my major goals for many, many years. Since long before I held my first contract in my hands. So it was like Christmas all over, only better.

I know the gals here on RWQ are old friends with the NYT list but I'm a newbie to the experience. And I can't imagine ever feeling blase about seeing my name there. Oh sure, the newness must wear off but still...I felt like I was in the running for the Oscars. Sure, oonly one person each week can take that #1 slot but the fact that I'd managed a place on what's a very limited roster had me walking on clouds for a week. But that moment--achieving that goal--waswas a long time coming in my life.

I've been writing since I was three. Before I could even print my name I was making up stories. Published my first poem when I was fifteen. First short story came a decade later, along with a slew of articles. Seven novels in the closet later, I finally did it.

In 1996, I sat in the car crying with relief and joy as I held my first contract for a nonfiction book. Eight nonfiction books later, I broke into the mystery realm. Eight mysteries (in two series) later, I managed to land my first urban fantasy on the shelves. When Witchling hit the USA Today list, I knew that I was right where I needed to be.

Ever since I was a little girl, I wanted to grow up and be a fantasy/SF author. My childhood was a flurry of Bradbury and Asimov, Heinlein and Pohl, Simak and Chalker, L'Engle and Clarke. Any book that remotely hinted of the extraordinary caught my eye. I lived for the future, for other worlds, other dimensions, other realms. As time went on, I discovered Anne McCaffrey, and Joan D. Vinge, and Ursula Le Guin. In ninth grade, I dove headfirst into Watership Down--my very favorite book. I considerr Watership Down to be epic fantasy. I never came up for air. That book stole my heart, held it captive, and I still cry every time I read the ending.

I skipped high school, went straight into college at age 15 and began to discover other authors outside of the Fan/SF realm. But my love for fantasy and SF never deserted me. And I swore--I knew it in my heart--I was meant to write books in that genre.

And now-- after seven novels in the closet that will never see thhe light of day, after nonfiction metaphysical, after paranormal mysteries, after chick lit mysteries, I'm finally writing a series I absolutely love. I'm living the dream I had since I was so very young.

Oh, the circumstances are different than I thought they'd be. And the route I took to get here was a winding on. But I've learned from everything and I use every bit of experience I've had in my work. The journey itself has been at times a nightmare, many times a dream. From leaving an abusive ex who turned me into a punching bag at the end, to living in a converted school bus on the back of five acres, to an unexpected whirlwind romance with my current husband...all these faerie tale liike adventures have made up who I am today. Cinderella lives, but she didn't wait for Prince Charming to take life in her own hands.

So now I write urban fantasy--the Otherworld Series. And I'm loving it. When people ask me to sum up what the books are about, I tell them--think Charlie's Angels meets Buffy meets Harry Pottter for adults. Think a group of misfits out to save the world, who are up against incredible odds, but they have to try.

Are they romance? Not really, though there's plenty of hot dragons and shapeshifters and relationships and sex. In my mind, the true relationship that weaves throughout the series is the one between the three sisters--their love and commitment to each other, to their family of friends, to doing what's right even when it's hard.

Ever wonder if the monsters under your bed are real....?

Meet the D'Artigo Sisters--three half human, half-Fae, wild and ssexy members of the OIA--the Otherworld Intelligence Agency. Camille,, a witch, Delilah, a werecat, and Menolly, an acrobat extraordinaire turned vampire, are sent Earthside to keep them out of trouble by their superiors, who consider the girls nothing but a bunch of bumbling half-breeds. But the girls soon find themselves smack in the middle of Demon-Central when Shadow Wing, the leader of the Subterranean Realms, decides to attempt a coup on both Earth and Otherworld.

From their home in a seedy suburb of Seattle, the sisters must use every ounce of erratic power they have to thwart the havoc about to unfold. Together with Camille's lust-crazed and not-quite-human boyfriends, an FBH (full-blood-human) detective named Chase Johnson who has a penchant for spicy beef tacos and wild women, a gorgeous hunk of dragon flesh named Smoky, Iris the house sprite, and Maggie--their baby calico gargoyle, they must use all of their collective talents to prevent the demons from taking over as the three sisters attempt to save two worlds, one monster at a time.

The books are first person, and rotate through the three sisters' points of view (Witchling is narrated by Camille, Changeling by Delilah, and Darkling is Menolly's story). Dragon Wytch--back to Camille's story--will be out on Ju July 1st. There will be at least nine books in the series.

To celebrate, I'm giving away a signed copy of the first three books to one winner here on the blog. Leave me a comment. Tell me what goals or dreams--big or small--you've accomplished in yourour life. Tell me one thing you've done that makes you proud of yourself. Or tell me what goal you're working toward--one that youu want with all your heart. I'll pick the winner randomly.

You never know whether you're going to succeed. Life offers no guarantees. But this, I can guarantee you: if you quit before you reach the end, you will most assuredly fail. When you try, you succeed--even iif the end result isn't what you thought it might be.

The joy is in the journey. The thrill of accomplishment comes at the end of a long, winding road. Let your passion shine through. Shake off those old goals and dreams--is there still something there you want to do? Don't wait for tomorrow--start today. Because today iis really all you ever have. Each day you wake up offers you another chance to follow your heart. There's no telling what's hiding around the corner, so make the most of it.

Yasmine Galenorn

ELIZABEH UNCOVERS COVERS

Last year, I talked about INNOCENT AS SIN and covers.

Well, interesting cover juju has hung in with the book. Here's the paperback cover:

Feel free to comment.

Attention all Kathryn Caskie prize-winning queens

This is just a quickie note to the winners of Kathryn Caskie's drawings: Deb (dfender), Sara L and Elyssa. Would y'all please email me your contact information at susan@susanandersen.com? Put Kathryn's name in the subject line so it won't get swallowed by my spam filter and I'll forward it to her so she can send your books and/or contact you regarding the critique. Thanks.

~Susan

Fresh meat! Er, that is, a guest in our abode.

Hey, y'all. Today we have a guest blogger. I'm not as yet personally familiar with Kathryn Caskie's books, but I love Regency historicals, so I'm penciling her in at the top of my Gotta Check It Out list. Kathryn is the USA Today Bestselling author of seven Regency-set historical romances. Her upcoming release for Avon Books, HOW TO PROPOSE TO A PRINCE, will be in stores next Tuesday (February 26th). She lives in Virginia in a 200 year old house with her family, including two neurotic Border Collies, a Chihuahua with a Napoleon complex and two cats inclined to ignore them all.

Please join me in welcoming her. Take it away, Kathy!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank you for inviting me to come blog on Running with Quills. You are all queens of romance in my book and I feel like a fan girl to be in your cyber presence.

Is it just an author thing, or when anyone meets a couple for the first time, does he or she feel compelled to ask "So, how did you two meet?"

I love to hear stories of how someone came to be with the love of his or her life. You'd be surprised, too, at the number of time some element of someone's first meeting made its way into my books. Sure, I make it a little more dramatic and fun, but the essence of someone's story is usually at its core.

That is, until I wrote the first chapter of my February 26th release for Avon Books, How to Propose to a Prince. Made it all up. I was convinced that there was no way on God's green earth this would happen in real life. The chapter is posted on my site KathrynCaskie.com so you can read it for yourself.

In my story, Elizabeth Royle, has had prophetic dreams her entire life--but only about half come true. But when the man she knows she will marry steps straight out of her dreams and into her life, she knows for certain they are destined to marry. Never mind that he is Prince Leopold, and is in London to woo Prince Charlotte. She knows Fate is on her side.

But, you know, the chapter hadn't been posted for two days before I received an email from a woman who read the excerpt and was startled by the similarities. She said that for years before she met her now husband, she had had dreams about meeting him. She knew what the man she would marry looked like, she even saw the house where they would one day live. And here is the kicker--it turned out, when they finally did meet, that he had been dreaming of her too. They have been married for decades now.

Kind of makes you think, doesn't it?

Tell us the story of how you and your significant other met. Then, tell us what you think. Is there a special someone out there meant for of each us?


Prizes are to be had for the best stories or observations (signed books for readers, or a critique of the first ten pages of the winners manuscript for aspiring authors--add AA to start of your post if you are interested in the critique, please.)

Jayne Asks: What Was Your Fifteen Minutes of Fame?

Jayne here again, filling in for Elizabeth Guest who is deep into her next book in the PHARAOH'S RISING series (personally, I can hardly wait. Great series).

Anyhow, as you no doubt know, they say everyone gets fifteen minutes of fame and I couldn't resist telling you that, yes, I got mine this past week. Okay, it was more like fifteen seconds, but I was thrilled. What's more, if you subscribe to Dictionary.com Word of the Day you may have seen my moment of glory. Yep, I was the Word of the Day on Friday, February 15. The word was "ennui" and one of the examples used was a line from my Amanda Quick title, WITH THIS RING. Folks, it really doesn't get much more exciting for an author. (What can I say? I don't get out a lot).

I have ALYSSA DAY (author of the terrific WARRIORS OF POSEIDON series: ATLANTIS RISING, ATLANTIS UNLEASHED, ATLANTIS AWAKENING) to thank for letting me know about my appearance on Word of the Day. We share the same agent, you see. She kindly notified him and he notified me. Thanks, again, Alyssa! If it hadn't been for you, I would have missed my moment altogether!!

By the way, I immediately cancelled my subscription to that other Word of the Day outfit and fired up a new subscription at Dictionary.com.

Well, that's my story of fame and glory. What's yours? Have you had your fifteen minutes of fame yet? Tell us about it!

Jayne Asks: What Are You Reading?

This is a busy and, yes, rather tense time for me. I've got two books on the New York Times Bestseller list (SIZZLE AND BURN and WHITE LIES both made it! Yippee!) and I'm just starting a new Amanda Quick. What's more, I've got another book coming out next month (the paperback edition of THE RIVER KNOWS) and a new AQ hardcover the following month so, yes, I'm a little frazzled. But even at times like this -- heck, especially at times like this -- I'm reading something that someone else wrote. Reading is my drug of choice, I guess. One of 'em, anyway. (Okay, I admit that nothing is quite as effective as a glass of good wine. Actually a glass of wine and a book is the perfect...well, never mind.)

Ahem. Where was I? Right. Reading as an anti-stress technique. Today I'm half way through one of Simon R. Green's novels of the Nightside. The title is PATHS NOT TAKEN. It features his engaging hero, John Taylor, a most extraordinary private detective, and Taylor's friend but not quite lover, Shotgun Suzie, the Nightside's toughest bounty hunter. And, no, it is not a romance but I'm enjoying it because the author writes with such wonderful romantic sensibilities. He knows what makes a real hero work, at least for me. Beyond that, he is one amazing worldbuilder. His world -- the Nightside -- is a dark, hidden world within London, a place where it is always three o'clock in the morning and morning never comes. It is a world where everything is for sale for the right price -- frequently your soul or someone else's. Green's descriptive powers are astonishing but the best thing about his writing is his hero's sense of humor. I mean, if you're serious about trying to save the world, you really must have a good sense of humor.

We've all got endless TBR (To Be Read) piles and we're all looking forward to the next title from a favorite author. But ultimately, at crunch time, we have to make choices. When we sit down to read, we select one book and push the others aside. Choices of that nature fascinate me.

So, what I want to know is, what are you reading right now? Today? Or, what book did you just finish? And why, out of all the books in that big TBR pile, did you choose that particular title?



Sincerely,

Jayne

YOWSAH!

Lori's book is # 2 on the NYT!!!

You're blazing, Sistah!

Winner announced - and little things that bug me

First - our winner announcement (which was also posted in the replies section of the Valentine's Day contest blog)

I did a random drawing by jotting down all the names on a slip of paper, tore them all apart, mixed them up, and then let my youngest son grab one.

The winner is: Jackietoo!
Yay Jackietoo!
If you'll email me your address, I'll share with the quills and we'll all get our gifts out to you.You can email me at lorilfoster@gmail.com

Next... my blog on the little things in life that bug me.
One thing in particular bothered me last night and I couldn't sleep.
Lights.
On everything!
I generate very little body heat, so I sleep with a dual heated blanket. Hubby can't stand the heat, so it only heats my side of the bed. But the dial has this super-glo little red light to tell me it's on! I have to put something over it, to block it.

The illumination on our clock is so bright, I swear you could land a plane with that sucker! I have to cover it up too, which means when I awaken, I need to pick up my watch to see what time it is. (It has a little button I push that lights it up.)

We use a sound machine, too. Ahhhh the soothing sound of rain... WITH A BIG FREAKIN BLUE LIGHT ON IT!

What is up with all the lights!? And why do they have to be so bright?
I sometimes feel like I'm sleeping in a disco with all the glaring colored lights.
Don't you think manufacturers would figure out that you use a heated blanket, and a sound machine, to SLEEP, and a light isn't conducive to sleep, right?
Course, I'm an insomniac anyway, and it's been a wee-bit of a crazy week, so I'm maybe nitpicking.

Still, going on the premise that it's all good to vent, here are some other things that drive me nuts:

Movie theaters that are so cold, it's like sitting in a meat locker is another of my complaints. I have to wear my coat AND my husband's to stay warm in there.

Recorded messages that call me. Grrrr....
I hate to pick up the phone only to get a recorded message from someone who wants me to wait until a LIVE person gets on the line.
No. I hang up.

Going to the grocery where there are umpteen checkouts, but only 2 are open, and each has a hundred people in them.

All the programs that want to constantly update on my computer! That one really bugs me.
I'll be writing, and up pops an "update reminder" for adobe or kodak or photoshop. If I want to update, can't I do it on my own, when it's convenient for me?

Okay, I'll stop now. But what bugs you?
What was your last gripe where you felt like having a hissy?
Who or what really ticked you off?

Come on, get off it your chest - we're an understanding crowd. It'll make you feel better, I'm sure.

My best to all of you!

Valentine's Day!

Hello all you romantics!

To celebrate this special day with you, the Quills are going to talk about romance, chocolate, wine, flowers, movies, and – you guessed it – books!

Some of our fine Quills are unable to be here today, so I’m posting information on their behalf. Others will pop in to contribute now that this blog is online.

Yesterday, my husband brought me home some beautiful tulips. Talk about romantic! And it wasn’t even Valentine’s Day yet! Can’t wait to see what he has for me on the big day.

I have adorable little boxes of chocolates for my sons and my daughter-in-law, and a big fun sucker for my grandson.

In keeping with the holiday, here are some questions for you.

Is there anyone you buy for?
Someone who buys for you?
What’s your favorite gift to receive for Valentine’s Day?
Your most romantic date?
Your absolute favorite romantic movie and book?

For me, I’ve always loved HONOR'S SPLENDOR, by Julie Garwood. The book is wonderful in so many ways, but when I think purely romantic, as in caring for each other, sharing and tender loving, that book wins hands down.
My favorite romantic movie is... Wow. I don’t see a lot of romantic movies. I yelled downstairs to ask my husband, and he laughed.
I said, “Surely I’ve seen a romantic movie, right?”
He replied, “You? I doubt it.”
Then we thought and thought – and finally (don’t laugh) settled on Terminator. That was romantic, right? He travelled through time to get to her (okay, basically just to knock her up because his son would go on to save the world, yada yada) but still, Michael Bein!? Oh yeah. Sexy – and I guess that’s as close to a romantic movie as I get on short notice.
NOTE: After writing this, my husband and I went out and we thought of more romantic movies!
Love Actually - LOVED IT!
Music and Lyrics By - Fabulous movie!
There. Now I feel more legitimate for Valentine's Day.

Stella Cameron said: Valentine cards are a weakness of mine. This year I went mad (more mad than usual) and sent one to those I knew would never expect such a thing from me. I even sent one to the "To be announced bump" in my cousin's tummy--in England. Claire and David are expecting their first baby and are thrilled enough to fire up enthusiasm in a major city--and they don't know if this will be a boy or a girl. I'll let you know when I do. An added piece of romance for these two; they got married on a tiny beach in Kauai, without formal plans, and showed up here in Washington State a few days later. We put together a family celebration (okay, so that means all of about ten people) and had a fabulous time.

Jerry has been nursing a watch along for about a year. Every night at midnight the alarm goes off. Now since it's a very high pitched noise he doesn't seem to notice but I do!!! Sooo, I have a big surprise for him, I found a watch that does everything but clean your teeth and since I bought it at Costco, I can also chortle about getting a bargain. I love bargains.

For me, being with Jerry is all the romance I need. How much more lucky and blessed can you be than to find your soul-mate in life? We love so many of the same things, including our children, grandchildren and beloved animals. Now don't think, "What syrupy, boring stuff!" When we fight, there is a definite blue haze in the air!

Lavyrl Spencer's MORNING GLORY captured me. I still see images from that story in my mind. Will is a true hero, strong, gentle, honorable. I've read many wonderfully romantic books but this stands out. Kathryn Belmont wrote a little book called NIGHT MUSIC and again, the images were lovely. Our own Elizabeth Guest writing as Suzanne Simmons Guntrum wrote THE GOLDEN RAINTREE and stole my heart. I could go on and on but that's enough.

My favorite movies?
The Remains of the Day - subtle, filled with longing but no happy ending.
Sleepless in Seattle - lonely voices in the night, oh, my. And a fabulous ending.
Ghost - romantic and sexy.
Pride and Prejudice - swoon.
Anything Jane Austen - more swooning.
Enough blathering from me! Love to each of you on Valentine's Day!

Elizabeth Lowell said: Hmmmm. Nalini Singh is a great romantic read for those with a paranormal yen. Newcomers should begin with SLAVE TO SENSATION, and then read on! That's what I'm doing.

Susan Andersen said: I haven't seen many movies this year but I sat through Hairspray with a big smile on my face and enjoyed The Golden Compass. A movie I want to see is Juno, but I never seem to have the time. Gonna have to do something about that.
On the book front I picked two very different types. One is BAD MONKEYS, which has one of the most unique premises I've ever read. The other is A WEDDING STORY, a classic romance I can read and reread and never get tired of it.

Jayne Anne Krentz said: "This is the perfect place to mention the book that really fired me up to write romance: Anne McCaffrey's RING OF FEAR. It was written way back in 1971 -- not one of her science fiction novels. It had horses, an unusual hero and boy, howdy was it politically incorrect. Loved it. I didn't start writing until several years later but when I did, you can bet that book was still there in my head, fueling my imagination. It is one of the few books on my keeper shelf. Thank you, Anne McCaffrey!!!!

Elizabeth Guest said: One of my favorite romance books and movies is Pride and Prejudice. My favorite version of the movie is the newest one with Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfayden.

As our Valentine gift to you, tonight I’ll randomly pick one poster from all those who replied, and she’ll win a special Valentine’s Day package from the Quills!

Prizes include these autographed books:
Key West by Stella Cameron, hard cover
Hard to Handle by Lori Foster
Servant: The Awakening by L.L. Foster
Coming Undone by Susan Andersen
Night Life by Elizabeth Guest
Always Time to Die by Elizabeth Lowell, hard cover

Good luck, and Happy Valentine’s Day to you!

Superquill Jayne Strikes Again!

Our very own Jayne Ann Krentz's SIZZLE AND BURN is #4 on the NYT list and #3 on the Washington Post list. I'm trying to be cool about this but, WAHOOOOO!

The AAAH Factor

Jane Austen's world, in reality and in fiction, may not have been very different, one from the other. It's true that Jane did not marry, but she had in impecable unserstanding of the courting ritual, the manners and the frequent romantic intrigues of the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries.

Last night I watched a new production of Persuasion. This evening the treat was Northanger Abbey and I would have continued with Mansfield Park had I not needed to do other things:)

What is "The AAH factor?"

Where Austen is concerned this phenomenon repeats . . . With the first deft strokes with which she paints her world, comes a great "aah." And the sensation is repeated on every page, or, in the case of movies, with each scene. The unfolding of the expected still manages to keep the reader/watcher in suspense. We allow, happily, Miss Austen to "lead us by the nose" through winding lanes dripping with rain, or dappled with sun, into spartan but still charming vicarages and about the houses of the impoverished gentry, the landed wealthy, and the titled aristocracy.

My greatest fascination is with the little twists I feel as the villain fibs, manipulates and manages to prey upon the sensibilities of honest and honorable people. Of course I've read all these stories a dozen times before and I know goodness always wins, but I still niggle away at myself until everything is safely delivered and exactly as it should be.

There is such an "Ah," when the hero strides onto the page/stage. We know him without being told his identitity. "The cut of his jib" is unmistakable. All other men pale by comparison and, in the end, it is his honor that declares him the winner of the prize: true love, the love of a selfless, endearing woman.

I can almost hear the yawns all this may get from those who are unfamiliar with Jane Austen. Pshaw, I say to you! Hurry up and correct this huge ommission from your experiences.

Now I'm left longing to write another historical novel. I'd like to get back to Mayfair Square, or Bath, or Scotland, Dorset or Cornwall, and dive into the Regency and Victorian times again with a story that would be a little scary, a little funny--and even a little naughty. Must almost be time to do that.

Cheers, Stella

Do you have a favorite Jane Austen novel?

LET US (POM-POM-POM) ENTERTAIN YOU:)

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 09, 2P.M.

MAPLE VALLEY LIBRARY

21844 SE 248TH STREET, MAPLE VALLEY, WASHINGTON

CHERRY ADAIR (THE MERCENARY)

ELIZABETH BOYLE (HIS MISTRESS BY MORNING)

STELLA CAMERON

(A COLD DAY IN HELL & A MARKED MAN)

ALEXIS MORGAN (REDEEMED IN DARKNESS

Celebrate Valentine's month with us at lovely Maple Valley Library.

Four really sweet and kind authors will gather to talk about their most recent releases:)

They're smart and entertaining, too.

*Refreshments!

*Door Prizes!

*Books available for purchase and signing from Baker Street Books of Black Diamond.

(Ask the authors about this wonderful book shop--and about the Black Diamond

Bakery, of course!)

We hope you'll join us for an entertaining afternoon.

Cherry, Elizabeth, Stella and Alexis

If the ski boot fits...

Sorry I haven't been around much lately. Last week was our annual ski trip and I ran around beforehand getting ready and have been chasing my tail ever since trying to catch up. I look forward to this trip every year--its four days of good friends (there are nine of us) good food (waaay too much junk food-- all that yummy stuff I ordinarily at least try to stay away from) and, of course, skiing.

We go to the Mazama Ranch House in the Methow Valley in northeastern Washington State, and at the best of times it's a six hour drive once you factor in stopping to eat, taking bathroom breaks and getting coffee. (And trust me, those last two are big factors. The standing joke is that the soulmate knows where every Starbucks is--and I know the location of every bathroom in the state). This year our area has been hit with record breaking snowfall and a pass that we usually take was closed due to a series of avalanches. So we took an alternate route and I won't bore you with what an ordeal that turned out to be. I will say, however, it took us ten hours to reach Mazama.

But like childbirth, I forgot the pain as soon as I got there. Because--I know, big surprise to those of you who know me--I'm a cross-country skiing fool.

(Here's my friend Martha and me in front of the ranch house. I'm betting she's lovin' this pic, because her shadow almost makes her look tall :)

This sport is my drug of choice. It's quiet and oh-so beautiful out on the trails. You use your own body rather than gravity to move, and that keeps you warm. But X-country also throws in some downhill action for the always fun cheap thrill.This year we mixed things up a little, too, which was fun. The ranch house is a ski-in/ski-out establishment. I love that, because you don't have to drive anywhere; you can simply throw on your skis and take off. But it also limits you to the 40 k of trails around you when there's 220 in the system. So instead of going shopping with the women after driving the guys up to Sun Mountain to do the ten mile series of trails down to Winthrop, I decided to ski with the men instead. The last mile and a half kicked my butt, but the rest was great, even my spectacular wipe-out on a U turn at the bottom of a longish hill, which resulted with me on my back with a gallon of snow up my shirt. Another day we took a long, partly riverside trail that I've only been on once. And we started from the opposite end. It was fun putting a different spin on the same old pattern and stepping out of my rut.

Give me a twenty degree sunny day with freshly groomed trails and a couple of friends to share it with and I'm a happy girl.

That's Martha's husband Gary. I loved the birch trees on this trail.

What makes you smile and feel at one with the world? Is it a person, a hobby or sport? Tell me. I love hearing about the things that give you all peace and happiness.

Sometimes Life Delivers a Left Hook...

Blurb: Harley “Hard to Handle” Handleman is another hunky fighter dude. Personal misfortunes have kept him from gaining a title belt, and now that he has another shot, he’s determined that nothing will get in his way.
Especially not a woman.
But then, Harley hadn’t counted on tangling with Anastasia “Stasia” Bradley.

Ann: Got an early copy of the book and gobbled it up.

Lori: Yay! Glad (or rather THRILLED) that you liked it.

Ann: My pleasure, believe me! But naturally, now I’ve got some questions. In Simon Says, the previous book in this series, Harley got hurt and couldn’t compete against Simon for the championship belt. Although this series isn’t really about the fighting, but rather the fighter outside of the ring, Hard to Handle picks up where Simon Says left off. I wondered what would happen – how you’d pit one hero against another for superiority.

Lori: Yeah – can’t do it. LOL. That’s why I had to work it out. Simon is still a champion, and Harley does eventually get his shot, but I couldn’t let the two of them duke it out. In real life, it happens all the time and the guys stay friends. But in a romance novel... well, you know, all the guys are champions!

Ann: Works for me, and for your books. The stories may be about fighters, but they’re NOT about fighting. They’re romance, pure and wonderful.

Lori: I hope so! I just like to use the backdrop of the fighting world because any athlete who can train as these guys do, and compete at the level they do, is a natural born Alpha. And I LUV me some Alphas. But Alpha does NOT mean jerk.
I think my heroes are controlling in their efforts to protect the heroines, and macho in the respect that they know what they can do, but they’re also nice and considerate and capable with all aspects of life. They’re not muscled up thugs.

Ann: Very true. Thugs make lousy heroes. Alpha males, coupled with strong females, make for sizzling love. Your males are to die for. Which reminds me—I enjoy seeing characters from your other books appear in your new one. For instance, in Hard to Handle, there was a scene with Dakota and a real jerk. She really…oops, don’t want to spoil it for everyone. But I sure grinned. Married life didn’t take off her edges.

Lori: Nope. Dakota is who she is – meaning she’s still giving Simon fits. But she gets along well with Anastasia, Harley’s new lady love.

Ann: Probably because they’re both so independent.

Lori: I’d have a hard time writing a “needy” woman. And can you imagine Harley with a woman who didn’t have a backbone? It’d never last. For me, that’s part of the fun – pitting two strong willed people together, and making them work out the kinks.

Ann: Speaking of secondary characters... now that Barber is so nicely settled with his own secondary romance, are you finished with the fight scene?

Lori: Not just yet. I have at least one more fight book I’ll write. In fact, it’s the next one I’m working on. But it’s going to be different for me. It’ll be a time travel of sorts, with Michael - better known as Mallot – going into the future. I’m looking forward to diving in! I can promise it’ll be fun.
But in the meantime... :::biting my nails:::: I hope readers enjoy Hard to Handle.

Ann: They will, Lori. Hard to Handle is impossible not to love. So everyone who is reading this, go out and nail down your copy of Lori’s latest treat. You’ll be smiling!



Lori: To anyone who reads the book, I'd love to know what you think, how this story compares to my other romances, both in this series, and in other series.

I'd also like to know what you like - and even what you dislike - about this series.
Are the fighters working for you?

Do tell!

Thanks everyone, and special thanks to Ann Maxwell / Elizabeth Lowell.
I really, really appreciate that you read the book, and did a recap for our site.

You're the best!

Jayne Goes Positive

Don't get me wrong, I love writing romantic-suspense. I think I was born to write it. It is the only kind of story that comes naturally to me. And I really love my Arcane Society series. SIZZLE AND BURN, Book 3, is out now. This week, the paperback edition of Book 2, WHITE LIES, will arrive in stores. I had a blast with these books because as the series develops I'm learning more and more about the Arcane world. No, I hadn't figured out all the details when I wrote the first book. I still don't know everything! I'm discovering the secrets of the Arcane community right along with you and it's great fun.

BUT, I watched Oprah the other day and I had a revelation: In my next incarnation, I'm coming back as a positive-thinking-self-help book author. I mean, it is obvious that is the real secret of success in the writing life. It is the best way to get on talk shows and to hit the top of all the bestseller lists. What's more, positive-thinking-self-help books are a lot like cookbooks. No matter how many titles appear, there always seems to be room for a new one. It is obviously impossible to saturate that market.

Now, what I really like about the positive-thinking-self-help genre is that anyone can write one of these suckers. After all, who among us does not feel ready, willing and eminently qualified to advise other people how to live their lives??? You want me to tell you how you're screwing up? No problemo. Just ask.

Let's face it, how hard is it to tell someone that they should think positive, or that they ought to surround themselves with people who radiate positive energy or that they must let go of negative thoughts and focus on the positive?

Yep, I can write one of those books. I realize, of course, that you need a hook for that genre and, boy howdy, have I got one. My working title is: The Real Secret; Pessimists Are Usually Right.

Got any better positive-thinking-self-help titles for me?

Sincerely,
Jayne

A timely, and not so timely, topic

It's 7:40 on Friday morning, and it just occured to me that it's my turn to blog. As I got my coffee together and toasted a cherry pop tart, I tried to come up with something really wonderful to blog about. I've been so impressed with my sister Quill's posts lately - boy they're good!
Unfortunately... my brain remained numb, churning over my to-do list for the day.

I looked out the kitchen window at the icy landscape. You see, we had a thick, freezing rain overnight so everything is coated in shiny ice. The radio is already announcing several wrecks. I just got back from Florida and lovely 70 degree weather - and then this! We're supposed to get snow on top of the ice, and then more sleet and freezing rain. I suspect it'll be nasty for a bit.

On my reader loop, we're all comparing nasty, snowy, freezing weather, and BEGGING for spring to get here - sunshine, flowers, birds and butterflies... So my timely subject is: what's happening weather-wise in your neck of the woods?
If you're a nice, balmy place, tell us about it!
If you're sharing the same icky weather that Ohio has, be careful.

My husband, who knows I'm not a cold weather friend, brought me home a beautiful and fragrant hyacinth flower. There are 5 blooms, and now my entire office smells of spring. I love it. I can't wait for milder breezes to nudge aside the cold, and for early spring flowers to start poking up from the earth.

But until then, I'm not about to let the nasty weather keep me inside - not when it comes to seeing movies. So that's my not-so-timely topic.

Will you brave the weather for something you want, like a trip to the theater? I tell you, after writing all week, I just really, really need a trip to the theater. The movies I've seen recently are:

Sweeny Todd, The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. I didn't like it. It was one of the movies that to me, seemed pointless. Very, very odd.

National Treasure, Book of Secrets. This one was surprisingly fun. I say surprisingly because I'm not a fan of Nick Cage. But it worked.

No Country for Old Men. GREAT movie... until that "What the heck?" ending. But still pretty good.

Cloverfield. LOVED it. It's been a long time since a "scary" movie had me jumping in my seat. I hope there's a sequel!

Rambo. Wow. One of my favorites, but I tell you, no horror movie anywhere has more gore than this one. I'm not sure an R rating was sufficient for the level of violence. The scary thing is, the violence is real for the setting. So very sad. An engrossing movie.

Enchanted. Saw it with my grandson and son, and it was just too adorable! Anyone with children should see it.

Game Plan. Again, very cute! And the Rock is just plain fun.

This Saturday we'll be home for a UFC event on Pay per view - yay! - but on Friday and Sunday we'll probably catch a flick. On our list of available "to see" movies are:

The Eye,
Untraceable,
and There Will Be Blood.

My #1 "can't wait to see" movie, though, is IRONMAN.
Check out the trailer: http://www.apple.com/trailers/paramount/ironman/large_trailer.html
It's not out until May - which is one more reason to anticipate spring!

So, what movies have you seen, or are anticipating?

And while we're chatting... wish me luck on the official release of HARD TO HANDLE, starting next week. New releases always bring me a lot of angst.

Stay warm, drive carefully, and keep smiling!
HUGS,

Lori