Wednesday, October 31, 2007

Pillow Talk--N.J. Interview




Check out my interview over at Michelle Pillow's Blog.

I'm talking about life, writing, and my new release!

Eternal Brothers and November Newsletter!


HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

I'm so excited that ETERNAL BROTHERS, book 4 in the Dalakis Passion series is available today from Ellora’s Cave Publishing .

You'll finally find out who the mysterious Zane York is and if he is friend or foe of the Dalakis family. Check out the amazing cover the EC Art Department did.

In honor of today's new release, the November issue of the Awakening Desires Newsletter is now available. This months Newsletter winner is Lori (mctclover). Lori has won a print copy of Dalakis Embrace, which contains Harker's Journey and Lucian's Delight, books one and two of the Dalakis Passion series.

This months issue contains all the latest news and contest information, as well as an excerpt and all the usual features.

Check out the November interview with the talented Sally Painter.

As always, for more information on any of my books, check out my website .

Tuesday, October 30, 2007

New Print Book and Guest Blogging Today




NEW IN PRINT!

Check out Feral Fixation which contains my shape-shifter story Drakon's Treasure. It released yesterday from Ellora's Cave Publishing.

Isn't the cover just gorgeous!

I'm thrilled to be in an anthology with Jory, Mary, Myla and Delilah, and can't wait to get my copies. *g*

Also...

HALLOWEEN is in the air, and I'm blogging about vampires and my upcoming release ETERNAL BROTHERS over at Romance Readers at Heart Novel Thoughts & Book Talk.

Be sure and stop by today!

Monday, October 29, 2007

Rainy Days and Mondays...

Good morning and welcome to Monday!

It's raining here this morning, but I'm hopeful that this afternoon will clear away and be sunny. I hope you all had a great weekend. I know I did.

I did...nothing this weekend. LOL And it was wonderful to do it.

These past few weeks have been hectic. I've been doing the final edits for my upcoming release Eternal Brothers, as well as finishing my latest WIP. I'm happy to say that all the final touches have been put on Eternal Brothers and I just have to wait two more days until it is released.
And my latest work-in-progress has been shipped off to my editor. Now the waiting begins.

I'm taking a few days to relax, do some reading and think about the next book. I've already started some research. I know--I try and leave it alone, really I do, but I find myself being tugged back to my writing even when I'm trying to relax.

Right now, I'm planning on spending the next couple of days brainstorming and researching, and figure I'll start my new book on November 1st. That gives me the next few days to bask in the excitement of my new release.

Hope you're all ready to face another work week!

Friday, October 26, 2007

Miss Lonely Hearts

Love, larceny, and lies.

When is a love letter not a love letter? When it’s mail fraud. Or in this case, female fraud.

Jason Alexander is one angry Alaskan, and he’s out to get his woman; the letter-writing Lolita who’s running the Miss Lonely Hearts con game in his bailiwick. She’s taking lonely Alaskans for a roller-coaster ride and cashing in on love. When she hits the patrons of his bar The Last Resort, the retired gambler takes it personally and goes out for justice.

Cassandra Adams has just been dumped by ex-fiancĂ© number two. She’s fed up with Romance Roulette and ready to trade her rosy daydreams for hardheaded practicality. The logical solution? She’s going to search the classifieds for the mail-order marrying man she wants.
She thinks she’s found him in Jason, alias Alex Sanders. He thinks he’s hooked Miss Lonely Hearts. And the regulars at The Last Resort think it’s high time Jason got married, so they’re not about to clarify matters when they discover his mistake.


Together Jason and Cassandra will have to cut their way through the tangle of love, larceny and lies to unmask Miss Lonely Hearts and find a happy ending that’s a sure bet.

WARNING: This book contains hot, explicit sex between two people explained in graphic language.

Mistaken identity, misunderstandings, and downright lies are at the heart of this witty and heartwarming romantic comedy. Author Charlene Teglia peoples the small Alaskan town with an unforgettable cast of characters. One can only hope that there will be more books from this unique northern town.

Jason thinks he’s hooked a con artist and Cassandra believes she’s finally got a fiancĂ© who will make it to the altar. And when Cassandra and Jason finally meet—sparks fly! The sexual chemistry between the two is undeniable.

This is a fun book from start to finish. Filled with smart, witty banter, and hot, steamy sex, this book will make you laugh, but it will also tug at your heartstrings.

There is also a tie-in with Ms. Teglia’s Sirens series, which begs the question—when is the next book in that series due out?

Check out Miss Lonely Hearts from Samhain Publishing on October 30th!

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Readlines and Deadlines

The editors over at Ellora's Cave Publishing Inc. have started a blog about the perils of writing and editing. It's something that writers, aspiring writers and readers alike will enjoy.

Check out Readlines and Deadlines .

Tuesday, October 23, 2007

RT Review!

Romantic Times Book Reviews has given Three Swords, One Heart 4 stars!

Reviewer, Gail Pruszkowski says, "The arousing scenes in his m/f/m story will raise your temperature, and the romance will warm your heart. The sympathetic heroine and her two devoted lovers provide plenty of emotion, and the secondary characters, especially the bad guys, are convincing. You'll be captivated by a good plot with a touch of magic."

Thank you Gail, and thank you RT magazine!

Sunday, October 21, 2007

Scarlet Boa Contest!

The time has come for the first round of voting in The Scarlet Boa contest.

I actually entered for the first time this year. I'm #21 if you want to check out my entry.

You can check out all of this year's entries at Scarlet Boa contest and then visit Scarlet Boa Voting to cast your vote.

You can vote for this round until October 28th.

First round finalists will be posted on November 1st and second round voting will run from November 1st thru November 10th.

Guest Blogging Over at Amy's Thoughts Today

I'm guest blogging over at Amy Smith's Blog today, talking about Halloween and my upcoming release Eternal Brothers.

If you have time, drop by and check out Amy’s Thoughts today!

Saturday, October 20, 2007

CONTEST REMINDERS!

ETERNAL BROTHERS SNEAK PEEK CONTEST

Just a reminder for you all to check out the Eternal Brothers Sneak Peek Contest! To celebrate the upcoming release of Eternal Brothers: Book 4 Dalakis Passion vampire series, I'm giving away a download copy of the book.

Another lucky winner will receive a print copy of Dalakis Embrace, which contains Harker's Journey and Lucian's Delight, books 1 & 2 of the Dalakis Passion series.

That's two chances to win. Just go to my Website and click on the contests page for details!


NEWSLETTER CONTEST

If you're not already receiving Awakening Desires--the Newsletter of Romance Author N.J. Walters, then you're missing out on all the latest news, author interviews, excerpts and tons more! You're also missing out on a chance to win every month!

Each month, some lucky newsletter subscriber wins a prize. This month, the prize is a print copy of Dalakis Embrace--which contains the books Harker's Journey and Lucian's Delight, Books 1 & 2 of the Dalakis Passion vampire series.

All you have to do to be eligible to win is to go to Awakening Desires Newsletter to join.

I’m also one of the participating authors in the Raven Halloween Scavenger Hunt! There are tons of prizes to be won. Click on the link on my website for details on how you can enter and be a part of the Halloween fun! Or go to The Raven Happy Hour.


Thursday, October 18, 2007

Guest Blogging at the Samhain Publishing Blog!

I'm blogging over at the Samhain Publishing Blog after 3 PM EST this afternoon.

Stop by and check out my post--Tales of Terror and Delight!

Thursday Thirteen


Thirteen Paranormal Books and/or series that I enjoy!


1. The Drake Sisters series by Christine Feehan.

2. The Dark vampire series by Christine Feehan.

3. The Dark Hunters series by Sherrilyn Kenyon.

4. The Black Dagger Brotherhood by J.R. Ward

5. The Padadin series by Alexis Morgan.

6. Dream Man by Linda Howard

7. The Three Sisters Island series by Nora Roberts.

8. The Key Trilogy by Nora Roberts.

9. The Twilight series by Maggie Shayne.

10. Any of Laren Dane's werewolf series!

11. The Demon Hunters series by Jaci Burton.

12. The Nightwalkers by Jacquelyn Frank.

13. Now You See Her by Linda Howard.

This list is just the tip of the iceberg. There are so many fabulous paranormal series and authors out there now.

What's your favorite?

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!



Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!





Tuesday, October 16, 2007

Quote of the Week!

"If a book is not alive in the writer's mind, it is as dead as year-old horse-shit." ~Stephen King

Enough said!

Monday, October 15, 2007

The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe

'Tis the season of ghosts and goblins and things that go bump in the night. It only seems fitting to bring out some Edgar Allan Poe. One of his most famous poems is "The Raven." As it is a long poem, I've only included the first two stanzas and the last. It's well worth seeking out and reading the rest if you've never read it.

Enjoy!

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore--
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping at my chamber door.
"T'is some visiter," I muttered "tapping at my chamber door--
Only this and nothing more."

Ah, distincty I remember it was in the bleak December;
And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor.
Eagerly I wished the morrow;--vainly I had sought to borrow
From my books surcease of sorrow--sorrow for the lost Lenore--
For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels named Lenore--
Nameless here for everymore.

And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting
On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door'
And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming,
And the lamp-light o'er him streaming throws his shadow on the floor;
And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor
Shall be lifted--nevermore!

~Edgar Allan Poe

Saturday, October 13, 2007

Along for the Ride by Michelle Pillow


Blurb:

New York City police detective Megan Matthews is cursed with always being right. Her instincts are good, her deductive reasoning even better. She’s found her hard-headed way to be too much for most men, so she’s given up trying to find Mr. Right and has settled for arresting Mr. Wrong.

Easy on the eyes crime-scene photographer Ryan Lucas has had a crush on the sexy detective since he first took her photograph by accident at a crime scene. That picture became headline news, and she hasn’t talked to him since. He’s tried everything to get her attention, but when nothing works he’s left with only one option. But is blackmailing a cop into marriage really a good idea.

Along for the Ride is the second book in the Matthews Sisters series, which began with the book Bit by the Bug, but you can certainly read and enjoy it without having read the first book. I love the family dynamics in this book. It only goes to prove that sisters can be very scary people sometimes.

The characters are all people that could live next door or down the street. They are wonderfully quirky and have faults and problems like the rest of us. Both Megan and Ryan are less than perfect people who are just trying to figure out how to make relationships work. Their work relationship has been strained, hardly conducive to falling in love.

This book is a fun ride from start to finish.
Published by Virgin Books, you can check out this book when it hits the bookshelves on October 16th!

Friday, October 12, 2007

CONTEST REMINDERS!

ETERNAL BROTHERS SNEAK PEEK CONTEST

Just a reminder for you all to check out the Eternal Brothers Sneak Peek Contest! To celebrate the upcoming release of Eternal Brothers: Book 4 Dalakis Passion vampire series, I'm giving away a download copy of the book.

Another lucky winner will receive a print copy of Dalakis Embrace, which contains Harker's Journey and Lucian's Delight, books 1 & 2 of the Dalakis Passion series.

That's two chances to win. Just go to my Website and click on the contests page for details!

NEWSLETTER CONTEST

If you're not already receiving Awakening Desires--the Newsletter of Romance Author N.J. Walters, then you're missing out on all the latest news, author interviews, excerpts and tons more! You're also missing out on a chance to win every month!

Each month, some lucky newsletter subscriber wins a prize. This month, the prize is a print copy of Dalakis Embrace--which contains the books Harker's Journey and Lucian's Delight, Books 1 & 2 of the Dalakis Passion vampire series.

All you have to do to be eligible to win is to go to Awakening Desires Newsletter to join.

Thursday, October 11, 2007

Shop 'Til You Drop!

I've been pretty much awol this week because my sister is in town visiting. And man can that girl shop!!!!!

Not that I blame her. She lives in a rural community without many shopping options. But anyone who knows me knows that I am not fond of shopping!

Sure the bookstore, grocery store and thrift shops are fun, but other than that...let's just say that I buy multiples when I shop. If I find a top that I like, I buy at least four colors. Jeans...I buy several pairs. You get the idea.

My sister, on the other hand, was born to shop. She likes to go through every rack in a store and take a cart load of stuff to the dressing room to try on. What stumps me even further is that she actually enjoys the process! She loves trying on shoes and is thrilled with the two pairs of cute boots that she bought.

I know that many women love to shop, but I'm just not one of them. I love spending time with my sister, but it was ten hours of shopping on Tuesday and another six on Wednesday. Exhausting!

My sister and I are different, almost opposites in a lot of ways, but that's always made life interesting. We've never liked the same clothing, and growing up, we had very different tastes in boyfriends. She's a night owl, I'm a morning person. She's outgoing and I'm more reserved. I could go on and on. But in spite of all the differences, and maybe even because of them, we've always been close as sisters and that will never change.

Today was more laid back. We went to the museum and had lunch before heading out to a local farm so I could pick out my Halloween pumpkin. She's leaving Saturday and it will probably be next spring before I see her in person again. But we'll be burning up the phone lines every week between now and then!

Tuesday, October 09, 2007

Quote of the Week!

"Read, read, read. Read everything—trash, classics, good and bad, and see how they do it. Just like a carpenter who works as an apprentice and studies the most. Read! You'll absorb it. Then write. If it is good, you'll find out. If it's not, throw it out the window." ~William Faulkner

That's the best advice any writer can receive. Just Read!!!!!

Monday, October 08, 2007

Edits, Edits and House Keys, Oh My!

The past few days have been interesting, to say the least.

I received edits last Thursday night, so I dug in right away. These edits are for my longest book to date (109K) so I knew it was going to be a big job. Friday morning, I get Final Line Edits from my other publishing company. I have until Monday to get it all done because my sister is coming to visit.

At the crack of dawn on Friday morning, I'm at my computer working away. Just after eleven, I push away from my desk, groaning because I'm so stiff from sitting. I decided that I want to walk to the mall for lunch. I figured the fresh air and the walk would clear the cobwebs from my brain and loosen the stiff muscles. Plus, I could grab a bite for lunch and get back to work as soon as I got home.

Hubby and I set off. It's a fifteen minute walk, and we're there quickly. We have a wonderful lunch and hubby decides he's going to take himself to a movie, which is fine by me. I'm going to be working all afternoon.

I walk home at a brisk pace, eager to get back to work. At this point, I should mention that the apartment building where I live just got the security doors fixed after about six years of being broken. I get to the door of my apartment building, open my purse...NO KEYS!

That's impossible. I always have my keys. ALWAYS.

Now, you'd think I could just buzz the building superintendent and have him let me in my apartment. Did I mention that they fixed the front door of the building, but they didn't bother with the intercom system yet. The front door is locked but you can't buzz anyone from the porch. Plus, the superintendent who has worked there for 35 years quit and left the week before. I don't even know who is in charge at the moment.

So, I turn around and head back to the mall and the movie theatre. Luckily, hubby and I go to so many movies they know us there. The guy on the door tells me what theatre my hubby is in and lets me go in. The movie has started and it's one of those dark suspense films. I COULDN'T SEE A HAND IN FRONT OF MY FACE.

But hubby and I are predicatable and always sit in the same seats. I stumble into the theatre and slide into the chair next to my hubby, almost upending his drink in the process. He's shocked to say the least.

I get out my sorry tale, get his keys and stumble back out of the theatre and head home. By this time I'm sweating because it's a warm sunny day and I've made this stupid walk several times. But thankfully I get home with no further troubles and settle in to work. For some unknown reason, my keys are sitting on top of the stereo speaker in the living room. Go figure!

In spite of the drama, I finished the first round of edits on the really long book and the Final Line Edits for the other book. It's now Monday morning, and my sister should be here sometime this afternoon. All I have to do now is clean house! So, I'm off to scrub the toilet, dust, vacuum, and swiffer the place.

Hope you all have a wonderful Monday!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING to all the Canadians out there!

To everyone in the USA, have a wonderful Columbus Day holiday.

Friday, October 05, 2007

Contests!

The Eternal Brothers Sneak Peek Contest is now up and running on my website. I’m giving way two great prizes, so you have two chances to win. Go to my website and click on the “contests” page for details!

I’m also one of the participating authors in the Raven Halloween Scavenger Hunt! There are tons of prizes to be won. Click on the link on my website for details on how you can enter and be a part of the Halloween fun! Or go to The Raven Happy Hour.


Wednesday, October 03, 2007

Thursday Thirteen #21




Thirteen Books on the 100th most challenged books list from 1990-2000 as compiled by The American Library Association!

In honor of Banned Book Week, I wanted to highlight just a small few of the most challenged books!

1. Harry Potter (Series) by J.K. Rowling
2. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
3. The Color Purple by Alice Walker
4. Earth's Children (Series) by Jean M. Auel
5. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle
6. Go Ask Alice by Anonymous
7. The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
8. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
9. Beloved by Toni Morrison
10. The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton
11. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
12. Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
13. Carrie by Stephen King

And as a bonus--The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain

Links to other Thursday Thirteens!


Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!


Quote of the Week!

Because this is Banned Book Week, I thought it would be appropriate to have a couple of quotes which speak to this issue.

"Restriction on free thought and free speech is the most dangerous of all subversions. It is the one un-American act that could most easily defeat us."~William O. Douglas

"We all know that books burn, yet we have the greater knowledge that books cannot be killed by fire. People die, but books never die."~Franklin D. Roosevelt

Something to think about!

Pick up a book and read today! It's a democratic right that not everyone has.

Tuesday, October 02, 2007

NEWSLETTER IS NOW AVAILABLE!

The October issue of the Awakening Desires Newsletter is now available. If you're not already a member of the group, you can still join and read the October newsletter, as well as past issues.

This months issue contains all the latest news and contest information, as well as an excerpt and all the usual features. Check out October's interview with the talented, award-winning author Jaci Burton.

*Please Note: The November issue of the Awakening Desires Newsletter will be releasing a day early on October 31 in honor of the release of Eternal Brothers, book 4: Dalakis Passion vampire series. Some lucky newsletter subscriber will win a signed print copy of Dalakis Embrace, which includes Harker's Journey and Lucian's Delight, Books 1 & 2 of the Dalakis Passion series.*

As always, for more information on any of my books, check out my website .

Monday, October 01, 2007

Banned Book Week!

The week from September 29–October 6, 2007 is Banned Book Week!

As a writer, there is nothing more near and dear to my heart than the freedom to write and to read what I choose. I may not like every book out there, but I do believe in the freedom to choose.

Observed since 1982, Banned Books Week celebrates the freedom to read. The annual event reminds Americans, and others, not to take this precious freedom for granted.

Banned Books Week (BBW) celebrates the freedom to choose or the freedom to express one’s opinion even if that opinion might be considered unorthodox or unpopular and stresses the importance of ensuring the availability of those unorthodox or unpopular viewpoints to all who wish to read them. After all, intellectual freedom can exist only where these two essential conditions are met. As the Intellectual Freedom Manual (ALA, 7th edition) states:

“Intellectual freedom can exist only where two essential conditions are met: first, that all individuals have the right to hold any belief on any subject and to convey their ideas in any form they deem appropriate; and second, that society makes an equal commitment to the right of unrestricted access to information and ideas regardless of the communication medium used, the content of the work, and the viewpoints of both the author and receiver of information. Freedom to express oneself through a chosen mode of communication, including the Internet, becomes virtually meaningless if access to that information is not protected. Intellectual freedom implies a circle, and that circle is broken if either freedom of expression or access to ideas is stifled.”

Check out everything about Banned Books Week and be sure and raise your voice to stop the banning of books everywhere!