Thursday, November 29, 2007

Happy Anniversary Ellora's Cave




Happy 7th Anniversary to Ellora’s Cave Publishing !

As of this past Wednesday, November 28th, Ellora' s Cave Publishing has been publishing erotic romance for seven years old. I've been lucky enough to be a part of this company for the past three years, and have enjoyed every minute of it.

I wish you continued success in the years ahead!

Book-A-Day Giveaway!

I'm part of The Romance Studio Book-A-Day Giveaway today.

If you'd like a chance to win a download copy of The Return of Patrick O'Rourke, just stop by The Romance Studio and fill out the entry form.

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Sleigh Bells Ring...

Or is that the cha-ching of the cash registers in the stores that I hear.

Either way, the time has come to seriously start thinking about shopping for the holidays, if you haven't already started.

This past Friday was Black Friday--the day when most retailers finally make it into the "black" for the year. Yesterday was Cyber-Monday--the day most people scramble to online shop.

What do you do?

Personally, I'm not an online shopper and Black Friday isn't a factor where I live. I enjoy Christmas shopping, as long as I hit the stores early in the day before it gets too crazy. I'm also a big believer in the gift card! Some folks don't like them, but I do. It's not the same as giving money. The recipient has to use the card at the store. Plus, you have to know what stores that someone likes.

But even if you're not 100% certain at what store people on your list really like to shop, there are some standards that you can't go wrong with--coffee shops, restaurants, movies and bookstores. Who doesn't like to treat themselves to a coffee and some chocolate goodie, a great meal, a movie or a book or magazine?

Personally, I love to give and get gift cards, especially the ones for the movies and the bookstore. It's the right size and I don't have to worry about finding a place to put it in my apartment once the holiday season is over. And I'm honestly grateful for it, especially in January and February when I'm trying to pay the high heat bills. It's great to be able to whip out a gift card at the bookstore and treat myself.

Happy Shopping!

Saturday, November 24, 2007

Saturday Snippet

Thought you might like a sneak peek at Jackson's Jewel. This is book 5 in my Awakening Desires series from Ellora's Cave and will be released sometime in 2008. The first four books in the series are: Katie's Art of Seduction, Erin's Fancy, Capturing Carly and Craving Candy.

Here's an UNEDITED Excerpt from the book. Remember, this is subject to change. :-)

Excerpt: Jackson's Jewel
copyright 2007 N.J. Walters

“You did what?” Jackson Connors glared at his sister. She smiled at him, blithely ignoring his growing anger.

“I hired you a housekeeper.” Erin shook her head and threw her hands in the air. “Honestly, Jackson, this place is a disaster zone.”

He scrubbed his hand through his reddish-brown hair as he glanced around the kitchen. So there were dishes piled on the counter and in the sink. Yeah, the mail was strewn across the table, the beautiful hardwood floor that he’d stripped and refinished last winter was grungy and the garbage can definitely needed to be emptied. He winced at the mess. He didn’t even want to consider the state of the bathroom or his bedroom. He was just thankful that he’d put away his camera and his latest photos last night before he’d turned in for the evening. “I’ve been busy.”

That was certainly an understatement. He was running the family apple farm by himself now that both Erin and Nathan had married and moved out. Yes, he’d hire help when it came time to pick the apples, but for now he was doing almost all the work himself. It was August and that meant that the hay and alfalfa that he’d planted on the land he leased from Erin’s husband, Abel, had to be harvested and baled. He sold that to surrounding farms for extra cash.

Added to that, he also had another job that no one else knew about. Several years’ back he’d started taking pictures over the winter months to help pass some of the time when he wasn’t working. That hobby had grown into a passion. On a whim, he’d submitted a few of his photos to contests, and to his surprise, had won several. A gallery owner who’d wanted to feature some of his shots in his shop had approached him. At first Jackson had been skeptical, but he’d ultimately agreed to give it a try. His skepticism had turned to shock when he’d gotten his first check.

His hobby was now providing him with a savings account that was going to allow him to buy out his sister and bother’s share of the farm. Now that they had lives of their own, they didn’t need the farm. But he did. It was as much a part of him as the color of his hair or the sound of his voice. His goal was to secure it as his very own.

Erin’s features softened as she strolled over to him, wrapped her arms around his waist and hugged him tight. “I know.” She tilted her head up, her face serious. “That’s why you need some extra help around the house.” She stepped back and held up her hand before he could protest further. “It’s only temporary. Just until the end of the apple season. Think how nice it would be to come home to a clean house, a cooked meal and fresh sheets on the bed.”

It would be nice, but Jackson didn’t want some stranger in his home. “I don’t think so.”
“I already told her to come this morning.”

“Then you can wait here and tell her to leave.” He loved his sister, but there was no way he was having some stranger poking around his home while he wasn’t here.

“No.” She pursed her lips and got a stubborn expression on her face that he recognized all too well. He ignored it. He was more stubborn that she could ever hope to be. “You wait and tell her. I hired her in good faith.”

“I don’t have time for this foolishness.” Dumping the last of his coffee in the kitchen sink, he piled his mug alongside the rest of the dirty dishes. He’d get to them later today he promised himself. Ignoring his sister’s dark glare, he headed for the back door.

“I can’t help out here any longer, Jackson.”

He whirled, a sarcastic comment on his lips, but he swallowed it back. Now that she had her own home with her husband, he didn’t see her enough for his liking. Yes, he saw her practically every day, but it just wasn’t the same. Nothing was the same anymore.

Just a year ago all three of them had been living and working the farm. Nathan had worked it part-time as he was a deputy-sheriff with the town, but Erin had spent many hours working alongside him in the orchards while running her own blueberry farm. He missed the way things used to be.

“Look. I know you mean well.” He softened his tone. “But I really don’t want or need the help. I know you’re busy with your own farm and with Abel. Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.”

Tears shimmered in her eyes and he swore inwardly. Erin rarely cried, so this meant that she was really upset about this. Shit! He could feel his resolve weakening.

Thursday, November 22, 2007

Happy Thanksgiving and Guest Blogging!

Good morning and Happy Thanksgiving to Everyone! I hope you all have a wonderful day with family and friends. If you're travelling over the next few days, please be safe.

Today is my birthday, and I'm guest blogging about it over at the Ladies of the Club Blog. Stop by and check it out.

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

New Contest!

The holiday season is inching closer, and to celebrate, I'm giving away a PRINT copy of White Hot Holidays Volume 3, which features my Ellora's Cave Christmas Quickie, JESSAMYN'S CHRISTMAS GIFT.

If you'd like a chance to win, go to my website and click on the “contests” page for details!

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Interview at All Romance E-Books

I've been interviewed for the All Romance e-Book Newsletter Wildfire .

If you've got a moment or two, stop by and check it out!

Monday, November 19, 2007

Monday!

Good morning and welcome to Monday!

My computer is back home again, humming along beautifully, and waiting for me to go back to work. Thankfully, it wasn't to expensive a problem. The power source was gone, so they fixed it easily. Hubby picked it up and had it all hooked up for me again by Thursday evening.

I also didn't loose any information. Which reminds me...

Back up your information!

One of the reasons I wasn't really freaked out about my computer failure was that I had about 95% of my work backed up, including my work-in-progress. Never, ever leave your unpublished work on your hard drive with no backup.

I've seen too many people upset by the fact that they lost their work, pictures, etc...

Make that your Monday chore sometime today.

Have a great day!

Friday, November 16, 2007

Overtime, Under Him


Here's the cover for Overtime, Under Him, which is releasing on January 8th from Simon and Schuster, Inc.

Isn't it sexy?

The anthology includes my Ellora's Cave Quickie, Unmasking Kelly, as well as stories by both Susie Charles and Jan Springer.

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

Featured Memeber at TRS

For the month of November, I'm one of the featured authors over at The Romance Studio Blue Pages . If you have a moment, stop by and have a look!

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Holiday Shopping

On a chat group that I'm a member of someone asked if everyone was going Christmas shopping next Friday. *g*

I've actually been out shopping the past two days. I'm beat, but I'm almost finished.

I like to be almost finished by the time the Christmas season kicks into gear. That way I can be out among the shoppers, but I can relax and just enjoy it.

'Cause I do enjoy it. LOL

I worked in retail for about 20 years and my favorite day to work was Christmas Eve. Yes, it's crazy, but it's also fun. I even used to open the store early if I saw someone waiting outside. I worked 11 years in a privately owned business, so we had regular customers who would bring us cookies and treats on Christmas Eve. We'd also close at 4 o'clock sharp and all go home. It was fun and I do miss it since I left there over two years ago.

Now, I go out early to the mall on Christmas Eve, buy a cup of tea, sit and enjoy the energy.

Monday, November 12, 2007

Manic Monday!

What is it with me and technology this past week?

Lost the phone service for 24 hours between last Wednesday and Thursday night. Then yesterday, I went to turn on my computer to work for a while. Nothing. Nada. Zilch.

The green light came on, but there wasn't a gig out of my computer. Unplugged it, checked all the connections, and it finally came on after about six tries. I heard a sizzling sound and then the smell of burnt rubber. See me turn of computer real fast.

So this morning, my hubby is taking my computer into the computer repair shop and I'm crossing my fingers that it's just a burnt out on/off switch. Thankfully, I have my WIP on a CD and will be using hubby's computer until I get mine back. (Isn't he sweet.)

Anyway, whatever is in the air, I hope it clears soon. It's getting to the point where I'm almost afraid to touch any electronic appliance in the place. *g*

Welcome to Monday!

Friday, November 09, 2007

TGIF

Welcome to Friday!

I went 24 hours without my phone, and since I'm on dial-up, that meant no internet as well. It's amazing to realize how many hours I spend on the computer. Not being able to work on-line, I did a bunch of other things yesterday, including scrubbing my bathroom and floors.

LOL Such a glamorous life.

Today it's raining, but I'm off to a local Christmas Craft Fair. That's enough to cheer anyone up, especially me. Hubby and I will probably go out for lunch after.

Hope you all have a wonderful Friday!

Wednesday, November 07, 2007

Summersville Heat!





The wait is finally over--Summersville Heat is here!

This anthology contains the first two books in the Summersville Secrets series, Annabelle Lee and Heat Wave.

Annabelle Lee was my very first Ellora's Cave e-book, so I'm very excited about this one!

I just love the cover! Can't you just feel the HEAT?

You can check out Summersville Heat at the Ellora's Cave Print book store!

Tuesday, November 06, 2007

Jesse's Challenge by Nicole Austin


Jesse’s Challenge

A few stolen intimate moments shared with a nameless beauty present a challenge no cowboy can resist.

Book 3 of the Corralled Series

Jesse Powers feels like a fish out of water when he leaves the ranch and jumps feet first into the shark infested waters of big business wheelers and dealers. Homesickness rides the cowboy hard until a fiery uptown girl captures his interest and lassos his heart.

Kate Brooks has a plan she’s reluctant to deviate from. A strategy for climbing the ranks as a graphic artist and starting her own company. She certainly can’t afford to let her rigid control slip and give into the distraction presented by her hunky, peeping tom neighbor—no matter how great the temptation.


They both like to be in control, sharing only one common ground—sex. Kate’s willing to submit to the right man in the bedroom, and Jesse just may be that man. Chasing their dreams will put more than miles between these lovers. The gaping distance is filled with challenges and hurdles they’ll have to conquer to find true happiness.


Warning, this book contains lots of Yeehaw hot cowboy sex, including voyeurism and exhibitionism, told in contemporary, graphic language.

On her website the tag-line reads Nicole Austin—Author of Sizzling Erotic Romance, and boy does she live up to this billing in her latest book, Jesse’s Challenge. As always, Nicole Austin delivers a steamy book, with plenty of heart and emotion, that will thrill her readers and have them demanding more.

This is the third installment of the Corralled series, featuring the Shooting Star Ranch and the folks who call it home. This time, cowboy Jesse Powers has left the ranch to venture into the city and the world of business, where he first sees the alluring Kate Brooks.

This is not a book for the faint of heart. Kate and Jesse come together quickly and the sexual attraction between them is powerful. They push one another to their limits of sexual discovery. But is this enough to keep them together when it is time for Jesse to return to the ranch. Read the book to find out!

Available today from Samhain Publishing .

Saturday, November 03, 2007

New Cover!


I just got my shiny new cover for The Seduction of Shamus O'Rourke, which is releasing from Samahain Publishing on January 1, 2008.
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The talented Anne Cain did an amazing job with the cover. She's an incredible artist and very patient.
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Check out more about The Seduction of Shamus O’Rourke at Samhain Publishing.

Friday, November 02, 2007

Sunshine for a Vampire Review

Tara Renee at TwoLips Reviews gave the Ellora's Cavemen: Seasons of Seduction III anthology 4 1/2 kisses!

Here's what she had to say about Sunshine for a Vampire:

"NJ Walters has a wonderful talent for creating characters and situations that blend into terrific stories and Sunshine for a Vampire is the perfect example of that. The sex is hot and creative and the dialog is sparkling. I would have been happy if this story had never ended."

Thank you Tara Renee, and thank you to TwoLips Reviews!