I Must Be Nuts

I must be nuts, because I gave my daughter twenty bucks to go pick us up some midnight showing tickets for X-Men Origins: Wolverine. I've been really looking forward to this, and my daughter has too. She's still in school, and I told her she has to go tomorrow, regardless of being tired. The price to pay for Wolverine. So she's resting up now. Smart kid. I'll fill you in tomorrow on my review of the movie. But I'm already leaning toward a 4+/5, just for casting Hugh, Liev and including one of my fav characters from the comics, Gambit.

A Chapter a Day...

A chapter a day... I'm striving to finish a 90K book in one month. A HUGE goal, I know, but with school coming to a close, I really need to finish this draft so I can get into edits. So far so good. 2 chapters done (and a prologue) in two days. Wish me luck...

New Cover! In Plain Sight

I have been waiting on pins and needles to see this cover, and I LOVE it.

In Plain Sight comes out in June from Samhain. It's a shapeshifter novella. I really fell in love with the hero, and the heroine took me by surprise. She was a minor secondary character in Rachel's Totem. She wasn't supposed to have her own book! Anyway, here's a blurb of In Plain Sight...

In a choice between fight or flight, love makes the final decision.

Cullen Whitefeather is Ac-taw –a fierce golden eagle shapeshifter. The ultimate predator, he doesn’t shy away from confrontation…unless it involves one tempting, smart-mouthed woman. The woman destined to be his mate. The woman who doesn’t even know he’s alive.

Sarah Duncan made one mistake years ago and hasn’t stopped paying for it since. Tired of the town’s treatment, she finally tells the truth about what really happened and pays a hard price. Her clan wants to silence her. Permanently.

Rescue comes from a completely unexpected source—Cullen, a man who can barely seem to string two sentences together. Yet his fierce protectiveness, compassion, and bewitching touch are worth more than a thousand words.

With Sarah so close, Cullen is losing his mind—and his heart. She says she wants to leave, and the raptors want her gone. But if there’s one thing Cullen’s good at, it’s a fight. And he’s not letting her go without one.

Warning: this book contains explicit sex, a woman done wrong, birds of prey, sexy men who can’t talk to women, and red hot lovin’ that’ll make you wish you could fly.

To read an excerpt, click here.

Lowcountry Romance Writers

A Shout Out to the LRWA, which met yesterday. I had a lovely time. Met some new people, hello Rachel and Michelle, and learned some new things from our speaker, Renee Ryan, an inspirational and historical writer. She gave a great lecture on layering to improve your writing.

LRWA meets in Summerville, SC once a month. They're about 30 miles from Charleston. There were also people from Savannah, Columbia and Augusta (me) there. If you're an apsiring writer or published author, I recommend this group. No one's a diva, there's good info passed along, and a really friendly atmosphere.

Horoscopes, anyone?

It's been a strenuous day, to say the least. I have a 19 year old that verges from genius to idiot in the span of an email, and a 3 year old who will be lucky to make it to 4 if he continues to argue CONSTANTLY with his crazed mother (that'd be me) about naps and playtime.

So to make this easy on myself, I thought I'd post some funny horoscopes I saw somewhere out there in the Ether. And trust me, this is just as good as the eleven other signs I'll eventually post.

TAURUS (4/20-5/20) You are practical and persistent You have a dogged determination and work like hell. Most people think you are stubborn and bullheaded. You are nothing but a communist.

Oh, and since I missed Jan-April, here you go...

AQUARIUS (1/20-2/10) You have an inventive mind and are inclined to be progressive. You lie a great deal. You make the same mistakes repeatedly because you are stupid. Everyone thinks you are a f*cking jerk.

PISCES (2/19-3/20) You have a vivid imagination and often think you are being followed by the FBI or CIA. You have minor influence on your friends and people resent you for flaunting your power. You lack confidence and are generally a stupid sack of sh*t.

ARIES (3/21-4/19) You are the pioneer type and think most people are dickheads. You are quick tempered, impatient and scornful of advice.You are a prick.

My little guy is a Taurus. Bullheaded doesn't even come close...sigh. The 19 year old is a Libra, and don't get me started on him. Talk about unbalanced...

Happy Friday, anyway!

No Touching??@@##$%!!!!

Can you imagine living in a society where you can't touch this guy, ever?

Come on over to Hitting the Hot Spot and read all about an incredibly insane policy one Virginia institution has put into place about no touching. First it's no touching, then it's no kissing. Talk about crazy.

The Pen Name

To Pseudonym or not to pseudonym, that is the question. Many authors do it for privacy. Some do it for safety reasons. Some readers will really hate your stuff, others will really love it. And hey, we've all read/seen Stephen King's Misery, right? Then there are the authors who can't tell others about their alter egos, for fear of losing their day jobs.

Many occupations have a morality clause in their contracts. Some banking and teaching positions mandate their employees adhere to strict conduct. And in the romance world, what one person considers romance another considers offensive material. Hence the pen name.

What do you think about writers that use one name to write all their books, no matter the genre? Personally, I prefer an author to shift names if they write in different genres. I remember the first time I read an Iris Johansen book that wasn't a romance, but a suspense with romantic elements. I felt like I'd been mislead. Same for the Julie Garwood books that turned from romance to suspense. That's not to say I don't like the authors' other books, but I bought them because I'd thought they were romances. Upon reading them later, after knowing what to expect, I could then enjoy them.

Right now, I write erotic romance in several genres. But when you pick up one of my books, you know that whether it's a futuristic, a paranormal or a contemporary, you'll be reading a "hot" story. I started out trying my hand at category romance (shocker) and recently revised and retooled an old story of mine that I still love. I'm going to shop it around... under a DIFFERENT name. Why? Because it's sexy, but it's not as hot as the books I currently write. And I don't want readers to be confused.

So my vote is for authors to use pen names. I don't wantto think I'm buying book X and get book Y. My two cents, for what it's worth.

New Cover! Circe's Recruits: Hale

I've been waiting what seems like forever to share this. It's the cover for Circe's Recruits: Hale, and I LOVE it. Thank you Anne Cain!

Another Great Review

Circe’s Recruits: Zack and Ace is a suspenseful, sexy story with a paranormal twist unlike anything out there. The twists and turns are captivating and intense. From page one the story traps the reader in a web of lies and intrigue plus sexy passion and heat. The characters are emotionally enthralling and their struggles with who and what they are makes their story all the more personal and amazing.

Zack and Ace are members of Circe’s Recruits. They are fighting to stop the production of new Circ’s, one’s who aren’t sane. The two men have also had to deal with their unique relationship for a few years now. When the mating heat strikes it must be appeased and normally that means that their typical just friends relationship takes a sexual turn. But now they have a new focus, Kelly. Both men have been lusting after Kelly since they first met, now they have a chance with her since she herself is like them. If they want a chance to be with Kelly, they will have to hash out their own complicated feelings for each other. But when Kelly is kidnapped by the labs they are fighting, they might lose their chance at happiness.

Marie Harte is a truly gifted author. Her story is intense and passionate with raw emotions and sensuality. The storyline is strong and vividly appealing. This is definitely a must read book in a fantastic series. This is definitely a must own author with a very gifted imagination.

Genre: paranormal
ISBN: 978-1-59632-245-5
Page Count: 139
Price: $5.99
Reviewer: Kimberley Spinney
Sensuality Rating: Sizzling
Star Rating: 4.5 Stars

New Review

A new review for Circe's Recruits: Derrick that I thought I'd share. It's a 5 cupper so I'm happy.

Sabrina Torrence joined Project Dawn while in the Navy, and she will see the project end no matter the cost. She was an unwilling participant in a government experiment that has gone horribly wrong. Derrick Packard is one of the few who have survived.

Derrick Packard is one of a small group of the remaining Circe’s who have banded together to put an end to the insanity. He sees Sabrina as the enemy when he can see past the red haze of lust.

The price of ending the project may be higher than Sabrina expected, though, because she has just discovered that she is one of the experiments. Derrick doesn’t understand his attraction to a human; she is human isn’t she? Sabrina is the answer which will get the group closer to ending the project than ever before. Derrick just has to be willing to make the sacrifice despite what his inner monster says.

The story was unusual in nature and fascinating for its differences. The love scenes were hot even when they were in monster form. Marie Harte has created a world that is very believable in the current technological environment. I love it when I can really imagine the author’s creation coming to life, even if it is scary. I look forward to reading the rest of the series.

Delane
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More

CIRCE’S RECRUITS: DERRICK
MARIE HARTE
ISBN# 9781596329010
March 2009
Loose ID
www.loose-id.net
E-Book
$6.99
124 Pages
Multicultural/Shape-shifter/Paranormal
Rating: 5 Cups

Creating Chemistry from Fictionwise

Creating Chemistry is now available from Fictionwise.

Rescued from a lab where she was Created, Anin has had to learn a lot in little time. There's a death sentence on her head, and she's been ordered not to interfere with her two self-designated protectors - by her protectors themselves. Designed to submit, Anin craves submission the way she craves air. If only her protectors would understand. The Fas brothers like her, but they don't seem to understand how very much she longs to call them "Master," both in and out of the bedroom.

Nu and Set Fas are Raggas, from a planet where the strongest in the System are born. At first they fear hurting Anin with their desires. But Set soon realizes that to give Anin what she needs is to accept what he wants, a true submissive. As he comes to know her, he senses that she might be the key to a true Ragga bonding, tying him, Nu and her together with a child. But Nu has been hurt before, and he refuses to allow Anin close enough to pierce his heart. It will take Set's skill and Anin's discovery of herself to help heal Nu's past hurts, and to defeat an old enemy bent on revenge.

Click here to read an excerpt
Click here to go to Fictionwise

Different is Good

Congratulate me. I didn't overindulge in chocolate, for once. The Easter Bunny didn't bring me too much to eat this year. Thank God. When it comes to chocolate, I'm like a goldfish that will eat itself to death. But I'm trying to eat healthier.

And I'm trying to write healthier too. For a long time, all I would read are romances. Hey, I like the genre, so sue me. But I recently ran into an occassion where I was without a romance. Horror! I was forced to read something else. And I mean forced. Bored and unable to leave my son napping alone while visiting relatives, I delved into my mother's stash. And guess what? I'm glad I did.

While I didn't really enjoy the depression hangover from Slammerkin, and I was hoping for more romance between the hero and heroin in a Carla Neggers suspense, and I'm not a big fan of first person, which James Patterson's Honeymoon was written in, I found it refreshing to read something new. With the focus not on romance, I read more literary prose and plot suspensions for what they were, and I learned something. Different is good.

Sound silly, but it's true. I'm the type that sticks to what she likes. Now I like to read, so that's a bonus. But it really is interesting to trade forms. I caught a small bit of The Glass Books of the Dreameaters, and another I just can't remember the title of, though I found it quite entertaining. A lot of these books are overflowing with prose and gum-star words (the kind I have to look up, and I know words), but I like to see how the author treats narrative and character all the same.

My two cents for the day. Read something different, just to shake things up.

Happy Easter

For those celebrating it, like myself, here's wishing you a very Happy Easter.

New Excerpt: HALE

I've been updating like a mad woman and working on edits for my final Circe's Recruits book. There's a brand new excerpt for Circe's Recruits: Hale, sitting on the Teaser page of my website. Check it out. Hale's in for some fun with his mate, or will that be, mates?

A Note to "GREG"

Today I spent most of my brief writing time going over some entries I volunteered to judge for Passionate Ink's, Stroke of Midnight contest. And it got me thinking. Passionate Ink is a romance writing chapter that I love. The contests help gear authors to be better, and in a genre like erotic romance, that's easier said than done. It's too easy for people who don't understand or read our work to label it "porn" or "smut." And yeah, I do take offense at that. I shouldn't, since that's a narrow-minded view of what I write, but I can't help myself.

Take a good friend of mine. We'll call him GREG (hey Craig, are you listening?) GREG is a terrific guy. He's kind-hearted, intelligent, and extremely well-read. He's in a fact a literary snot, one of those guys who loves the written word and a well-turned phrase almost more than he likes plot and character. I spent some time with him recently and perused his bookshelf. Taking a gander at a NY Times notable entitled Slammerkin, I found myself immersed in a fictional account of a real life murderess who was hung back in 1763. I read the whole thing. Wonderful prose, lively characters... and at the end, I wanted to shoot myself. So incredibly depressing. I couldn't get that darkness out of my head for hours on end afterward.

This is the type of fiction GREG loves. It moves you. Yeah, it moved me to want to bury my head under the covers and wish I hadn't read it on my vacation. Hello??? I read books that give me an HEA, a feel good sensation after I close the book's cover at "The End." And you know, sometimes I just want a fast moving plot and light-hearted fare. My Circe's Recruits aren't going to win a Pulitzer, but they're giving people entertainment. They're fast-paced and erotic, because my work is about fantasy. When I want a downer, I read the news. It's there wherever you look. Injustice, divorce, death. Why not a change of pace with some happily-ever-after and a man who always gives his woman an orgasm? Yeah, fiction, I know. But at least it leaves you wanting more.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not slamming Slammerkin (haha). It's a terrific book, but if I'd known what I was getting into before reading it, I might not have chosen to indulge in the book while on vacation, where I had intended to relax and enjoy myself. I do highly recommend the book, though. Especially if you want a realistic picture of life in 1700s England. Emma Donaghue, the author, thoroughly deserves her accolades for the book. I just wish it hadn't been so depressing. Then again, it chronicled a real-life accounting in which a woman got the shaft, and not in a good way. Go figure.

Remiss of Me

I really have not been posting lately, which of course, is obvious. Not sure why, but I hope today makes up for some of it.

A few recommended reads:
Sharon Page's The Club
Angela Knight's The Guardian
Watchmen the graphic novel

A few recommended movies:
Watchmen (read the novel because this movie inspired me)
Race to Witch Mountain (because the original was my fav as a kid)
Aliens vs Monsters (just to see BOB)
Body of Lies (DVD)
Pride and Glory (DVD)

I recently signed up for a trial Netflix account, so I'm making the most of it. The DVDs I saw were dramatic, well acted, and just plain entertaining. Plus, they both made me think, which I always like in a movie where things aren't blowing up.

I'm starting edits for Circe's Recruits: Hale, which should be released sometime next month through Loose Id. The series seems to be doing very well. Lots of great feedback from readers, terrific sales through Loose Id, and both Roane and now Zack&Ace have hit the #1 mark at Fictionwise/eBookwise.

Other than that, it's business as usual.

Cheers!

Marie