Saturday, February 27, 2010

Review: The Prodigal Daughter by Lorie O'Clare


The Prodigal Daughter
Author:Lorie O'Clare
Erotic trade 328 pages
Author's website

Book desorption:
With a life full of regrets, Kathryn O'Brien has nothing left to lose when she receives a mysterious letter informing her of her mother's death. Believing her mother died years ago, Kathryn journeys to a small town to hear the reading of her mother's will. What she discovers is a life she never knew could exist and one she wants desperately, but someone may be as desperate to keep her from it
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Laurie's reivew
Rating 4/5
Sexual: Hot!

This book is out of print, but you can buy a disk on Lorie's website by giving a donation to her HEA program, please flow the link below if you would like to get this on disk.. Other wise if you can find this used please try this book it very good, I was so glad I can across one.
Link to get the disk

*Few spoilers*
This story is about, one daughter that lives in Arkansas Kari, she lives as a good girl with her mom. While the other daughter Kathryn lives on the very wild side in New York with her dad. The girls grew up with out knowing either exists until their mom passes in a car accident, she has a Will already made, so the girls has to come together for the reading. Here they find out their mom has several letters for them that has to be read in order, but only if one of the daughters Kathryn agrees to stay, this is where you’ll find a heartfelt story about their mom and the girls. In this story Kathryn the wild one finds love with Andy.

Friday, February 26, 2010

OUT OF BODY AND COURT OF ANGELS SPOTLIGHT - Stella Cameron

LAUNCHING MARCH 2010, COURT OF ANGELS
A SERIES OF PARANORMAL, ROMANTIC THRILLERS


Follow the Court of Angels is on Twitter 


Out of Body - March 2, 2010


Forced to witness unspeakable horrors...

Born of an ancient family of clairvoyants, Marley Millet finds that her psychic gift is both unsettling and incredibly dangerous. She never wants to "travel" again—but the choice is not hers to make.

After glimpsing the fates of two missing New Orleans jazz singers, Marley knows she has no choice and must speak up before more women disappear. Flinty cop-turned-writer Gray Fisher, who interviewed both chanteuses before they vanished, takes a special interest in Marley's incredible story—and in Marley.

Scouring the wild clubs of the French Quarter, Marley and Gray make an unlikely and uneasy team. But their determination is matched only by the heat between them...and the evil they have uncovered.


Out of Mind – March 30, 2010


Willow Millet longs to deny her family’s exceptional gifts—paranormal talents known to few, shared by even fewer. Benedict Fortune is one such—a connection that should have strengthened the undeniable bond between him and Willow. But her self-doubt has driven them apart.

Married instead to her business, Willow’s concierge we-can-do-anything service is thriving until it is hit by a string of bizarre and fatal accidents—every victim a client. Now her livelihood depends on two enigmatic socialites and their notoriously decadent parties. In this anything-goes atmosphere, Willow and Ben are thrown together again and their need for each other is as strong as ever, but they are challenged at every turn…

For dark forces are staking Willow—coveting her gift as a means of cheating death…and ruling New Orleans forever.


Out of Sight – April 27, 2010


Psychic master talent Sykes Millet can vanish at will, read minds and control others with hypnosis. What Sykes cannot do is escape his destiny—an ancient curse foretelling the misery his dark beauty may bring to everyone he loves.

Poppy Fortune knows all too well the burden of having paranormal talent. The supernatural world has fractured her entire family—now it’s keeping at bay the one man she wants more than life.

Driven by hatred for the Millets, a killing force has attacked New Orleans. The evil Embran race has no conscience and intends to terrorize the city into submission. Sykes and Poppy must set aside old distrust and use their bonded talents to save their families, themselves…and New Orleans.

."A confident and compulsively readable paranormal romantic suspense series. ... . Cameron compellingly develops the sexy, bold protagonists and Marley’s charming family as she strikes the perfect balance of action, sassy dialogue, and steamy love scenes ... just enough to leave readers wanting more." —Publishers Weekly (starred review)


Author Stella Cameron Short Bio:

Stella Cameron is the award-winning, New York Times, USA Today, Washington Post bestselling author of more than seventy novels and novellas. Stella has won the Romantic Times Career Achievement Award for Romantic Suspense and the Romantic Times best Romantic Suspense of the Year Award. She has been a RITA finalist, and is the recipient of the Pacific Northwest Writers' Association Achievement Award for distinguished professional achievement and for enhancing the stature of the Northwest literary community.


Romance Author Buzz will be giving away a copy of Out of Body with the contest ending March 31st. Let me know you’ve become a fan of Stella’s on Facebook .  Don't forget to leave your email so I can contact the winner.

Your Writing Soundtrack?


What's with the pic, you ask? I just googled "girl listening to music", and when I found that one I just had to share it. That's the subject of today's post. Music.

This is a new one for me. I've been listening to a lot of music while I'm revising my projects. Music with words, people, WORDS! Not just the Soundscapes Channel (tm) on my cable TV. ;)

When I'm drafting, lyrics usually distract me from the words that I want to fill an empty page with. Right now, none of my projects are in the drafting stage, and while revising my urban fantasy, I found myself listening to music I thought my MCs would like. This novel has four distinct pov characters, and music--instead of being distracting like it is while I'm drafting--actually helped me to bring out their personalities more.

This is a pretty recent phenomenon for me, though I did experiment with non-instrumental music while revising STRINGS, listening to a lot of Gogol Bordello and Nina Simone. A weird combination, I know, but it worked for me.

While writing my urban fantasy, each character had such a distinct personality that I got more out of a soundtrack I love but hadn't listened to in a long time--not since I put it on my phone, of course! I know, I am sooo hi-tech. It's the Shortbus Soundtrack, a movie by John Cameron Mitchell (of Hedwig and the Angry Inch fame. Adults, check Hedwig out if you like rock and roll and issues of identity all wrapped up in one glam package), which has so many great songs by artists I'd mostly never heard of before. It was the perfect compliment to my MC's various tastes in music.

Funny how I never appreciated music for helping me to create personality as well as mood, but it's definitely working.

Do you find this is true with your writing?

My current problem is figuring out what kind of music Evie likes. I'm not exactly sure. I've only just realized how important it is for me to know. But what kind of music does a 17 year old girl these days listen to? Especially one who's a little brainy and thinks she's boring, but with a stubborn streak. I don't know where to start. Any recommendations?

Thanks in advance!

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Part II: Black + White = Heartbreak!

Welcome back for a second installment on the fate of lovers Margo and Chuck! We left off with a cliff hanger of a story. Margo and Chuck. Lovers from different racial backgrounds, united in their deep and undying love for one another. Friends since childhood, these two lovers had to make a choice -- stay around their friends and families who demand they part ways, or stay together and leave everything and everyone they have ever known behind.


At the end of the sequential story in Girls' Love Stories #163 (November 1971), readers were ask to send in their version of the fate of Margo and Chuck for cash prizes. The above solicitation appeared in Girls' Love Stories #165 in January of 1972, letting readers know they could still enter into the contest.

As I mentioned in the first part of the Margo-Chuck saga, I don't have the issues that contain the readers' entries, issues #166 (February 1972) and #167 (March 1972). Lucky for us though, the ever so kind Gene Kehoe -- editor of It's A Fanzine, has #167 and was so very gracious to send me a scan of the contest page. As we move on to the second wave of fan endings, lets give a mighty round of applause for Gene!!! Hooray!!!


How do you feel about how it ended? Though I probably would have gone for a more thrilling and dramatic ending, I think DC did a nice job of acting as a catalyst for cultural change; even if it was just in the form of something so seemingly "frivolous" as a romance comic book!

HEART OF STONE - Jill Marie Landis and "Stitching a Series Together"

Join me in welcoming Jill Marie Landis where she talks about her March 2010 release of Heart and Stone and shares her writing experience.


Short Bio:
Jill Marie Landis is a seven time Romance Writers of America Finalist for the RITA Award in both Single Title Historical and Contemporary, she is a Golden Heart as well as a Rita Winner. In 2005, her hardcover novel, HEARTBREAK HOTEL, was chosen by the American Library Association’s Booklist Magazine as one of the Top Ten Romances of 2005, by Library Journal as one of the Top Five Best Romances of 2005, and by RWA as a Rita Finalist in the Single Title Contemporary.


Book Description:

Finally free to pursue her dreams, Laura Foster is trying hard not to fall in love. She knows that the Reverend Brand McCormick’s reputation would be shattered if her former life is discovered. But it’s not only Laura’s history that threatens to bring Brand down—it’s his own.

She had the darkest of pasts. And he had everything to lose by loving her. Laura Foster, free from the bondage of an unspeakable childhood, has struggled to make a new life for herself. Now the owner of an elegant boarding house in Glory, Texas, she is known as a wealthy, respectable widow. But Laura never forgets that she is always just one step ahead of her past. When Reverend Brand McCormick comes calling, Laura does all she can to discourage him as a suitor. She knows that if her past were discovered, Brand’s reputation would be ruined. But it’s not only Laura’s past that threatens to bring Brand down—it’s also his own. When a stranger in town threatens to reveal too many secrets, Laura is faced with a heartbreaking choice: Should she leave Glory forever and save Brand’s future? Or is it worth risking his name—and her heart—by telling him the truth?

BEHIND THE BOOK/ JILL MARIE’S WRITING EXPERIENCE:

I love this part of a quilt - when all of the fabric selections, pattern decisions, cutting, making of blocks, laying out of the top, the borders, all of it, starts to come together as you begin to sew the blocks into a TOP. For me, it's one of the best parts.....seeing everything that you've thought about, and worked on, coming together...” Natalie Barnes, Beyond the Reef

So began a recent email from a dear friend and quilt designer, Natalie Barnes. Over twenty years ago, Nat inspired me to begin quilting again and I like to think I inspired her to start a fledgling quilt pattern company, Beyond the Reef, which has grown by leaps and bounds ever since.

As I read her email, I noticed that her thoughts on how a quilt comes together are not unlike the experience of writing a novel. A writer’s initial ideas about characters—deciding who will people the pages of a book and finding just the right setting for them—is much like choosing the pattern and fabrics for a quilt.

In the case of historical novels, choosing the right the time period is like deciding on a quilt’s background fabric. Background fabric, borders, and the individual pieces for the patchwork blocks each play an integral part.

So it is with writing. Designing, cutting and fitting patchwork pieces together is like weaving a plot by fitting together scenes and chapters. In writing, the real magic takes place after the rough draft is finished and inspiration continues during the editing process. Somehow the story comes together the way a quilt does during the final stitching and binding until, at long last, it’s finally whole.

Just as a quilter will often pause to rummage through her stash of fabric hunting for just the right piece to compliment her quilt, so too does a writer search through her reference library until just the right snippet of information catches her eye.

While I was working on HEART OF STONE, (release date March, 2010) that special, inspirational piece of information came in the form of two words: Irish Channel.

HEART OF STONE is the first book of the Irish Angels series. It’s about a fallen woman named Laura Foster and is set in the fictional town of Glory, Texas, in 1874. The historical romance follows Laura through her trials and tribulations as she seeks redemption from a life of shame and finds love along the way.

Though primarily set in Texas, I opened the book in New Orleans in 1853 to give the readers a glimpse into Laura’s childhood. Before I started hunting for the perfect details to texture the setting, I had preconceived notions of the characteristics of New Orleans that most people share. I pictured the French Quarter with its brick buildings and balconies sporting decorative iron grille work. I saw secret gardens behind stucco walls, could almost smell the cafĂ© ‘a lait, taste the Creole cooking, picture duels under the oaks at dawn.

I planned for Laura to have been orphaned when both her parents died. She was from an impoverished family living with their aunt and uncle in a run down house somewhere in New Orleans. While searching for an exact location, I came across the history of the Irish Channel neighborhood where emigrants escaping the famine settled near the docks. Most were so poor they had no money to go any farther. Many sought work at the wharf.

Before that time I was completely unaware that New Orleans had, from its very beginning, a large Irish population. In fact, in the mid-1800’s, there were more people of Irish ancestry than any other group, even French, in the city. I later learned that Irish brigades fought for the Confederacy during the Civil War and that a wealthy Irishman donated the land for City Park where those duels under the oaks were fought.

From mostly rural backgrounds, impoverished Irish newcomers farmed themselves out as day laborers hired to dig canals around the city. It was work many slave owners refused to risk having their valuable “property” engage in. Too poor to escape the city when yellow fever hit in 1835, thousands of Irish died.

History and research provided the plot element that orphaned Laura Foster. When I added three sisters to her back story, HEART OF STONE suddenly became more than a tale of a fallen woman starting over in Texas. It was about a former Irish orphan from Louisiana searching for her long lost sisters.

I pictured where the girls had lived and the conditions they survived. Each of my Irish Angels would grow up to become determined, independent women who triumph over their very different upbringings and each definitely deserved a book of her own.

For me, that one small detail, the name of a neighborhood called the Irish Channel, stood out like a vibrant swatch of patchwork that repeats itself in a quilt. It was an unexpected find that echoes through four stories about four resilient women, the thread that ties the series together.

Jill Marie Landis is not only a quilter, but in her “spare time” she dances the hula, plays ukulele, raises orchids and tropical flowers in her Hawaiian garden and loves to read through research at the beach.
Thank you Jill Marie for spending time with us at Romance Author Buzz!

Jill’s website where you can find out more about the book, appearances, her blog etc.

BOOK GIVEAWAY: Jill Marie has offered to give away a copy of Heart of Stone. Please stop by her blog and post a comment about this interview and let me know you've posted. Also, remember to leave your email or we can't notify you if you've won. Contest ends March 31st.

OBS SPEAKS OUT: WHY WOMEN LOVE VAMPIRES

This OBS Speaks Out article was written by Anastasia Albom, a journalism student of OBS staff member Bertena.


Sasha Badreeva tells me, “Vampires are not real, but they are like a dream come true”. They may not be to everyone’s taste, but Vampires have got women, and fans like Sasha, in a frenzy. Despite these damned creatures of the night feasting on the blood of humans, many mortal women find them irresistible.

OBS SPEAKS OUT: WHY WOMEN LOVE VAMPIRES

How Do I Get My Book Published for Free?

It’s possibly the most common question I get by e-mail from my Blog viewers, “How do I publish my book for free?” My answer; it can be done.

The odds of being picked up by a traditional publisher are slim; especially for the first-time author. This is likely the reason more than 80 percent of books are self-published. Most of these new self-published authors spend much more money on their book publishing than necessary. Companies such as Authorhouse or Outskirts Press charge a minimum of $200.00 for their basic services. This amount excludes some of the most important services such as editing, layout, and cover design; all “over-priced” additional fees. I’ve spoken to some new authors who invested over $10,000.00 to publish their first book. If you look at these company Websites you will see this is not even close to the most expensive package they offer. Visiting these self-publishing Websites can make a new author believe it is necessary to spend this much to release a successful book-not true.

If you are looking to publish your first book, or if you overspent your budget on your first book and are looking for a better avenue for your next, there are some free self-publishing options available to you. But remember, there will always be those unavoidable “extras” with any book publishing project. You do not want to skimp on things like page layout, cover design, and editing, and editing, and editing!!! A poorly designed book will get poor reviews and most likely WILL NOT SELL!

In my book, A Book Inside, How to Write, Publish, and Sell Your Story, I cover the proper way to layout your pages as well as itemizing the necessary components for your particular book. I strongly suggest if this will be your first book project or you have minimal success with your first release, you order this book and do it the right way from the start. Everything needed from start to finish to complete your book the right way and publish a professional looking piece of literature is covered in the book as an easy-to-follow guide.

In reference to editing your manuscript, do not do-it-yourself unless you are at a minimum, an English major with a Master’s Degree. Even then, I previously read one manuscript self-edited by a writer with such a degree and found numerous typos which made the script hard to read.

If you must, and only if you must, follow these guidelines to get the best you can from your editing efforts;

*Use your spell check program.
*Read your script out loud at least 3 times looking for mistakes.
*Check for the same words repeated to closely and use Thesaurus to find other word options.
*Ask at least three non-bias friends to read your manuscript to help find your mistakes.
*Read it, read it, and read it more!

There are a few “truly” free book publishers available. Again, your book must be ready-to-publish before you attempt to submit to these sites. Otherwise, your final product may not present professionally at all. One of the best I’ve heard of (from authors who have used it) is Createspace.com by Amazon. It’s fairly easy and the only requirement is you must buy one of your own books. Your book is also listed on Amazon.com automatically and the ISBN is free.

Another with fair reviews by users is LuLu.com. However, with LuLu you still will need to submit your book to other bookseller sites such as Amazon.com unless you purchase their distribution package (no longer free).

Publish America will accept most manuscripts for publishing and will do the basic editing and cover design for you free. However, I caution you to accept their cover designs as most of the ones I’ve seen are horrific. You can design your own and submit it to them for approval.

In this post, I may be coming on as if book publishing is free and easy—it’s not. More than 90 percent of the books I used to review (quit because of this issue), were unprofessional, unedited, or just plain poorly written. Books such as these are not enjoyable to read. This may be why I feel so strongly about writers doing it correctly the first time. It’s your dream—don’t disappoint yourself. Be proud of your finished book! Learn the right process and professional way to write and publish your story before you leap in.




A Book Inside, How to Write, Publish, and Sell Your Story is available through Amazon.com and direct from the author at Authors Box Bookstore.

Work in Progress... Thursday?


I know, I know, I said I was going to spend February reading.

I did read Hush, Hush, and Evermore (and the Hunger Games and half of Catching Fire again), and I started a number of other books. I just haven't finished them yet. I even read a good chunk of Percy Jackson 4 yesterday on the streetcar. It's pretty good, just like the others, and the stakes are higher this time around.

The thing is, I just haven't been compelled to devour a book in a while. (Apparently, Suzanne Collins has ruined me for all other books. ;D )

Not to mention that I keep having these ideas, hearing these voices, thinking of plot revisions. First it was for my urban fantasy, which I just finished a third draft of.

Now it's EVANGELINE. Based on some recent feedback I was mulling over, last night I finally came up with a way to bring some of the elements into play earlier. It's going to be LEGEND... wait for it... DARY! LOL.

Most importantly, my passion for a story I was about to give up on has been rekindled. Which is a good thing, right? Eh, I don't really know anymore!


After I finished grad school, during which period I barely read for pleasure at all unless a new Harry Potter just came out, I promised myself all I'd do was read books. I went through a period where I rabidly caught up with series I loved or books I'd heard great things about. Then one day I had an idea. And I started writing. That idea didn't wind up going anywhere--not yet, anyway--but it got me back on the path. That's how I know I'm a writer. Though books were my first love, writing is my true love.

Sure, keeping yourself well-read is important, but if the muse strikes, is it more important to listen to her? I mean, this is why I started writing in the first place--yeah, I've read good books, but I've also read a lot that frustrated me or let me down in the end. I want my books to be someone's favorites someday. The kind of books that inspired others to become writers. Not that I want a fandom, or anything (although reading fan-fic would be kind of awesome). I just want to bring great stories to life and have others enjoy them. So I'm juggling three works in progress right now, hoping that one of them will be the first I share with the world.

Which is why my tbr pile comprises an entire shelf in a huge bookcase. Those stories aren't my "babies". I'll neglect them as long as I need to in order to care for my own. And when my babies start giving me headaches again, or I'm at a point where I can't work on any of them yet, my tbr pile won't have gone anywhere.

I made a promise to myself to read more books this year, but getting my novels ready to query has always been my first priority. And frankly, I find working on three works in progress to be less draining than investing hours in a book I wind up wanting to throw across the room.

What say you, world?

Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Fashion Files - Beauty on a Budget: Woollies

Winter isn't over yet, folks! Perhaps some chic and toasty winter fashions by Elizabeth will warm you up?!

"Beauty on a Budget"
by Elizabeth
Young Love #124 (March 1977)

Gena Showlater is coming to my bookstore!!

I know this is early to announce but I wanted to let my followers know this before old age sets in and I forget LOL.. Anyway I just found out Gena Showalter will be here on May 1st. WooHoo!! If you live close maybe you can stop in. My town is easy access and the book store is just right off the interstate. Here is the website you wont see it come up until late March/April but keep checking. I went to see Sherrilyn Kenyon last year, you don't have to buy a book but you need to be here early because you have to wait in line. While I on the subject Kenyon makes this stop here about once year:)
If I remember I will post this again sometime in April but this way you get to know early to make plans to come:)
Sherlocks Books

Review: Devl's Pact by Smamtha Curise


Devil's Pact
Author: Samantha Cruise
Erotic Trade Siren Publishing 481pgs

Book description:

DEVIL'S PACT [Erotic Western Romance/ Menage a Trois]: Epitome of pure evil, born without a heart, soul, or conscience...even his parents did not claim him. He is an outlaw who takes what he wants... The moment Devin Spawn stumbles upon the exquisite beauty bathing alone in a river, he wants her. Morality non-existent, yet he struggles to keep his distance. His sexual excesses and massive proportions would be too much for the tiny girl who appears more waifish and innocent than womanly. She is a widow with so much to give... The instant Megan Spawn feels his heated touch and potent sensuality, her flesh burns with wanton desires. It matters little he is the devilishly handsome outlaw known as the Devil's Spawn, the most feared, lethal gunslinger in the West-and her stepson. Together they risk everything in the devil's playground
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Laurie's Review
rating 4/5
Bring out the fan for this Hot book!

I will be doing two versions of this review one for goodreads the other for my blog. The blog will give you juicer details for the older people;)

**Warning label** .. You may not like this review, but I have to be truthful and with these erotic books sometime’s you find you have to describe sex to let other know what they are reading, if you cant handle sex don’t read this because I don’t want to read a complaint in the box below!!

My first western I didn’t know what to expect, but this was really good. Another m/f/m with a mĂ©nage. This book is kind of pricey, it has 481 pages so its heavy not only in weight but sex wises also. This is another favorite of mine and the rest of my female family. This book has a suspense, D/s, lots of anal, spanking, bondage and tons of hot sex. I will add it takes a while before the three get together but its worth the wait.

***Spoilers***
Let me start this off with this, Devin is not small in his man size the whore house calls him “the cannon” because he has a full 12 inches on him, yep! I said that right and Caleb is not much smaller, but what really done me in was Megan is just under 5 foot, so lets get your mind to working because she takes both of them at once! but again it’s a book so anything can happen.. Now that being said I feel a need to cover this part. Devin is Megan’s son but its not what you think, I don’t want to give the spoilers for this, but just keep reading it gets deep. I wanted to let you know because I almost quit reading when I read that. I can’t do family with family even if its step and it’s nothing like that.

Now a little about Megan, she has a few secrets one is she is in love with Devin the other I don’t want to give out it has to do with her marrying Devin’s father. Lets just say this is one wild ride all they way through the book.

Caleb is really nice he is the opposite of Devin he is sweet and totally in love with Megan.

Devin is one not to tango with period, Megan finds the out a few times the hard why I might add.

I would have given this 5 stars, but Megan did get on my nerves at times, here is one example, she caught Devin in the barn with this man hood stuck up some other woman’s ass and all she did was have a fight and throw him out of the bed. But I guess this comes with the D/s relationship, it just tends to get under my skin. Plus I have questions about Dildo being available in the wild west, I’m no expert maybe they were around then, but it was weird reading about them in this time period. With all the twist and turns added with great sex its well worth the read.

Tempting Fate Part II: Son of a Norn!


Do you knock on wood? Avoid walking under ladders? Do you have little rituals for luck?

I guess I'm a pretty superstitious person, because I do. And sometimes I think I even jinx myself. Like when I was talking about tempting fate the other day.

As if things weren't bad enough with this cold I wished upon myself (that just will NOT go away, ugh), I dropped a jar of peanut butter--plastic, 2.5 pounds, net weight--on my big toe. It immediately turned purple and it's literally howling in pain. What? You can't hear that? It's deafening, I tell you!

Obviously, I brought this insufferable toe pain upon myself by bemoaning my sickness on the interwebs, thereby poking a pointed stick, possibly covered in marshmallow goo, at Fate. How else would that jar of peanut butter have slipped right out of my hands and onto my toe? Is there a saint to pray for to keep from losing my toenail? Should I light some candles?

Are you superstitious? Do you believe in jinxes and self-fulfilling prophecies? I'd love to hear about it. (Lordhavemercy, I'm so out of it this morning I just spelled prophecies with an F. *insert eye-roll here*)

Anyone else battling Nyquil addiction, er, I mean, this staggering headcold, too? ;)

Waiting on Wedneday (13)

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine, and it is a way to show off the books you can't wait to be released!!

This week I chose:
"The Wide-Awake Princess"
by E.D. Baker
Bloomsbury USA Children's Books
Release Date: April 27, 2010

The following description is from Goodreads.com:


Top-selling author E. D. Baker delights fans with a brand new fairy tale world full of humor and charm.

In this new stand-alone fairy tale, Princess Annie is the younger sister to Gwen, the princess destined to be Sleeping Beauty. When Gwennie pricks her finger and the whole castle falls asleep, only Annie is awake, and only Annie—blessed (or cursed?) with being impervious to magic—can venture out beyond the rose-covered hedge for help. She must find Gwen’s true love to kiss her awake.
But who is her true love? The irritating Digby? The happy-go-lucky Prince Andreas, who is holding a contest to find his bride? The conniving Clarence, whose sinister motives couldn’t possibly spell true love? Joined by one of her father’s guards, Liam, who happened to be out of the castle when the sleeping spell struck, Annie travels through a fairy tale
land populated with characters both familiar and new as she tries to fix her sister and her family...and perhaps even find a true love of her own.


I love fairy tale retellings and this one looks like it has such an interesting concept!! I've been interested in reading this author's Frog Princess series ever since I found out that Disney's "The Princess and the Frog" was based on those books!

What are you waiting on this week??

One more week to enter my Giveaway for "The Wish Stealers!"!!

Review: Flat-Out Sexy by Erin McCathy


Flat-Out Sexy
Author:Erin McCarthy
Contemporary romance trade paperback 274pgs
Authors website

Book Description:
She met him at the racetrack...
...which was the last place Tamara Briggs wanted to find a man. Even a deeply intriguing, seductively sexy man like Elec Monroe. Tamara's a single mother now after losing her daredevil husband in an accident--and she's not about to get involved with another driver and put her kids, or herself, through that again. Besides, Elec's young enough to be her...younger brother.

Now things are moving a little too fast...
But he sure does get her heart racing. And after she's tricked into a blind date with him, Tamara gives in to her passion. Things screech to a halt, though, when he asks to meet her children. Whatever happened to wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am? Suddenly Tamara has to decide how big a risk she's willing to take to experience the thrilling, terrifying power of true love...
***************************************************************************

Laurie's review
rating 5/5
Sexual - Very Hot!
I really didn’t know what to expect this was my first contemporary romance and the book is about car racing. As soon as I started reading, it sucked me in by the time I was done I ended up finding this book nothing less then fanatic! I say, “this is one fast HOT sexy ride!”

Imagine going to a party with a guy that’s a dud for one plus he doesn’t even know how to give you a real orgasm and coming out with a younger guy that rocks your world. This is just what Tamara gets, but the thing is she doesn’t want a guy, especially one that is involved with car racing.
From the start one kiss between Tamara and Elec sparks fly and it one great fast ride all the way home.

I really liked Tamara she is older and has two kids, so you know she not in the best shape it takes her a while to get over her shyness, but Elec wins her by taking it slow and easy.

I loved Elec with him being younger, he has a hard ride trying to convince Tamara this is what he wants, but he is more then ready for the Challenge. There is a few speed bumps along the way for the both of them. This is one ride not to be missed.

The kids are great in this book they don’t get in the way in the storyline

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

New Magic Under Glass Cover

Still feeling under the weather, but I wanted to share this:


Magic Under Glass has a new cover. I'm just about to order it online!

Read more about the cover change here, here, and here.

What It's Like to Write for Mills and Boon - Natalia Anderson

Natalie Anderson writes for Mills and Boon Modern and Harlequin Presents and recently made it on the USA Today Best Seller List.  She writes "steamy" romances.

Here is her interview on a morning talk show.

Review: Defeat the Darkness by Alexis Morgan


Defeat the Darkness (book six in the Paladins of Darkness series)
Author: Alexis Morgan
Paranormal Romance paperback 348 pages
Authors website

Book description:
Hard-eyed and hard-bodied, Hunter Fitzsimon isn't what Tate Justice expected in a tenant for the apartment above her garage. Terse and intensely private, Hunter's mission is to protect a narrow stretch of the barrier between Earth and Kalithia against the Paladins' ruthless enemies -- a job that would be much easier without his sexy landlady nosing around. So when she follows Hunter into the woods late one night, he decides to teach Tate a lesson with a passionate kiss that brings her to her knees...and unexpectedly ignites red-hot desire deep in his soul. But the warrior's dark and dangerous world is no place for his fiery lover. Does possessing Tate mean turning his back on his brethren...or will Hunter forsake the woman of his dreams for the harsh duty he's always known?
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Laurie's review
Rating 3/5
Sexual references-Few pages of sex, its mild in sizzle

The book has a good start, then slows some but pick‘s up again. You get humor, action, mystery and, adventure, just not as much as the other books in this series. You do have more emotions in this one because of the relationship between Tate and Hunter. This book also misses the hot sex as the others. it’s a good quick read, but it just didn’t garb me and pulled me into the story as the rest.

I liked the setting in this book its back to Washington, Tate inherited a B&B form her uncle but she runs it as a coffee shop, and has quite a few regular costumers that are a pleasure to read about.

I really like Larem he is brought out more in this book, that made the whole book for me easier to read, I hope his book soon!


*spoilers*
Tate and Hunter has on again off again relationship, Tate dosen’t have a problem, she is strong and even stands up to Hunter when she see all the scars, and several other occasions, but Hunter on the other hand is different he has sex with Tate then stays way for days at a time this goes back in forth the whole book, it was almost to much of an emotional roller coaster for me. I felt sorry for Tate several time’s

Review: Colters' Woman by Maya Banks


Colters' Woman
Author; Maya Banks
Erotic Romance paperback 272 pages
Authors website

Book description:
Adam, Ethan and Ryan arent looking for women. Theyre looking for a woman. One woman to share their lives and their beds. They dont want a casual romp in the hay, they want the woman who will complete themand theyre losing hope of finding her. That is until Adam finds Holly lying in the snow just yards from their cabin. He knows shes different the minute he holds her in his arms. But before Adam gets his hopes up, he knows he has to gauge his brothers reactions. Soon its evident that shes the one. There are a few problems, howeverconvincing her she belongs with them and keeping her safe from the man who wants her dead. Warning, this title contains the following: explicit sex, graphic language, mnage a quatre, violence
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Laurie's review
Rating 5/5
Sizzling HOT sex!

This was my second m/f/m+m read. Again another favorite for my family of female's + one firend.
Who wouldn’t fall in love with three brothers that wanted to be devoted to your happiness in everyway. This is a great suspense story with loads of totally hot sizzling sex. The story starts off kind of cheesy, but between the men and the sex it well makes up for it.

* spoilers*
Adam, Ryan and Ethan is up front with what they want form Holly, it confuses her for a small time, but her attraction for the brothers makes her cave really quick, but she has a big problem, she is in need to get rid of, it’s her husband. This is where the adventure comes in getting rid of the husband maybe a harder task then they thought, but as they make that task more to reality they get a little something special added into the mix. There is no m/m in this book.

Check this out Maya is doing sequels to this book, I cant wait

Monday, February 22, 2010

I Failed at Love!

The Kiss -- an essential element of any romance. The Kiss is the moment when lovers embrace and shut out the rest of the world, lips press together and hearts beat in unison. The Kiss in romance comics often signifies resolution; so when a romance story that ends well is missing The Kiss, one takes notice.

Such is the case with "I Failed at Love!" from Our Love Story #18 (August 1972), written by Anne Spencer (nom de plume of Steve Englehart), penciled by Syd Shores and inked by Jack Abel. As you will see, it is a touching love story -- but the element of the kiss remains AWOL.


Our leading lady, Sandy works incredibly hard to provide for both herself and her younger brother, Carey. Not only does she take care of Carey (which could be a full-time job in itself), but she works and goes to night school. Love isn't on the docket for Sandy -- not with her schedule and ambition. That doesn't stop her though from wanting the excitement and comfort that romance brings. When she meets Jack, her tightly routinized world all but falls apart.



Lured in by his good looks and confident personality, Sandy goes on a date with Jack and has a blast dancing the night away. As we all know though, a night on the town sometimes comes with a price. The next morning Sandy oversleeps, is late for work, and is unprepared for class.


How can she break it to him though? It is all becoming too much to handle -- the James Brown concerts, the homework, the dishes! And oh yeah, that pesky little brother that keeps needing to be fed!


A superwoman Sandy is not. It all comes crashing down when after an all-night cram session she flunks the midterm. After receiving the devastating news she bumps into Jack and tells him she never wants to see him again.


How can she ever not see him again, though? She loves him for crying out loud! Luckily, Jack chases her back to her home and overhears her reveal the incredible pressure she has been under since starting to date him. Don't fret -- the ending is a happy one, just as so many romance comic book stories tend to be. Jack pops the question, and as stars twinkle in the background they -- HUG?!


This would have been an opportune moment for a kiss! He just asked her to marry him -- so why no kiss? One could argue that perhaps it is because Sandy's little brother bears witness, or maybe because she just put on some lip gloss. Or -- could it be because editorial wouldn't allow it?

This is not anything that I have conclusive proof of, but perhaps there was some contention with non-White characters kissing. I (and others -- Nick Caputo, KB of Out of This World) have come across numerous romance stories where African-American characters are depicted hugging rather than kissing, while their White counterparts smooch away. This is not to say that all stories involving African-American characters as protagonists are sans The Kiss, but enough to notice a pattern. Any theories on this? I seem to remember romance comic guru Michelle Nolan telling me once that romance comics sold incredibly well in Southern states. Perhaps that has something to do with it? Though "I Failed at Love!" is a well written and beautifully illustrated story, without The Kiss it is still sort of like ending a soaring sonata without a coda to designate the conclusion.

"Brava, Valentine"


"Brava, Valentine"
by Adriana Trigiani

Source: won in Goodreads First Reads contest from HarperCollins

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

My Review:

I was lucky enough to win this book in a Goodreads First Reads contest. I had heard great things about the first book in this series, and jumped at the chance to read the sequel. The book is a funny but heartfelt story of a young Italian American woman trying to find herself against the backdrop of her large overbearing family and the family custom shoe business.

Valentine and her grandmother had been partners in running the Angellini Shoe Company as well as roommates in the apartment above the business. So Valentine feels a major blow when Gram gets remarried and moves to Italy with her husband. Now Valentine can't hide behind her cozy life with Gram and also take a backseat as Gram runs the company. She has to step up and figure out what she wants from life and the business. Valentine is used to letting her family define who she is and what she does, and she doesn't make her own life for herself. When Gianluca, her grandmother's new stepson, makes his feelings known to her, she has the opportunity to step up and build her own life, not do what she's expected by her family. But will she try to make the change or will she keep to her steady, predictable pattern?

I loved all the vivid characters in Valentine's family and her friends June and Gabriel. These characters and Valentine's relationships with them were really what made me enjoy this book.

However, there were aspects of the novel that I didn't like. I really had trouble with the age difference between Valentine and her love interest, Gianluca-18 years!! She is 34 and he is 53. I'm not really a fan of this type of romance, but if that interests you, you will love this story! Another reason why the age difference didn't work for me is because Valentine is already admittedly immature. Then when she becomes infatuated with a 53 year old, it reinforces the idea that she wanted a father figure- someone else to take care of her and make her decisions for her.

There was a tone of melancholy throughout the book, especially in the last third, because the theme of cheating was prevalent. Three married couples deal with cheating in this book, and it started to get sad, especially because her father's affair was mentioned over and over as a hurdle for their family.


Main Characters: 3/5
Supporting Characters: 5/5

Setting: 4/5

Romance: 2/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Cover: 4/5

Writing: 4/5




Bottom Line:
The book is written very well, with great plotting and pacing, the characters are deep and developed. If you like books with a full cast of character, with real life struggles, then this is the book for you!!

Fourth Monday is Eye Candy and dessert day, Enjoy! both



During each month on the fourth Monday of the month, I will bring you Eye Candy to look at, plus to go with the scumsous looks, I bring you one of my favorite deserts recipes, so you can read and eat or look at the eye candy and eat whichever you choose.

For this Month of February, I bring you Chocolate Chip Bars, my dad and daughter loves these, they are really good hot with ice cream.

2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 1/2 teaspoons banking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
2 1/4 cup brown sugar
3 eggs
2 cups chocolate chips
1 cops of walnuts or pecans optional

1.Preheat 350, lightly grease 10x15 jelly roll pan. (I use parchment paper)
2.In large bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt set aside.
3.In another large bowl, combine melted butter and brown sugar, stirring until smooth. Allow the mixture to cool slightly, add eggs one at a time, beat well after each addition. Stir in the flour mixture, then the chocolate chips and nuts. Spread the batter into the prepared pan.
4.Bake the bars for 24 to 26 min.,until their top is shiny and golden.Don't over bake or the bars will be to dry. Remove and cool. This is where its best if you can have ice cream on top..

Enjoy and happy reading.

What are You Reading on Mondays (7)

What are You Reading on Mondays is a weekly event hosted by Sheila at One Person's Journey Through Books. It's a great way to show everyone what you are reading this week, and maybe what you just finished or are planning to read, too!

Books I finished reading last week:

"Brava, Valentine" by Adriana Trigiani
(review here)



"Lady of Scandal" by Tina Gabrielle



Currently reading:

"Proof by Seduction" by Courtney Milan



What are you reading this week??

Read Any Good Books Lately?


Here's the problem.

I've got all these great books at home waiting to be read, but I don't know which one to read first. So I offer to you my very first blog poll. (ta da! It's in my sidebar.)

I'm still fighting off stuffiness from this cold, so I haven't been doing much reading, and I know I should finish these books, but for some reason I've been straying back toward my urban fantasy. I think what's scaring me is that there are so many of them all of a sudden, when I hadn't been reading for a while. Now it's like they're ganging up on me, crowding around begging to be read first. So I figure if I tell them to get in line and wait their turn, they'll simmer down a little. But I need an outside opinion.

Tell me which book you think I should read first:

Soulless, Gail Carriger

Fire, Kristin Cashore

The Maze Runner, James Dashner

4th and 5th Percy Jackson Books, Rick Riorden

Just read Catching Fire again


Or tell me in the comments what you've been enjoying lately.

My poor, neglected books thank you in advance. ;)

I can't believe I joined Twitter!

Well after thinking about Twitter, I decited to join. I can't always promise I be on there all the time, but if I'm out and find a new book somewhere, I can twitter it. If your one of my firedns on goodreads you will notice I'm always coming up with a new book that's not out yet that because I'm always out looking every chance I get.

So, here is where you can find me

Sunday, February 21, 2010

Borrow my book Drawn into Darkness Tour


Author's website

Summary:
Serving a five-hundred-year sentence as a Soul Gatherer-one who battles demons for the souls of the dead-Lachlan MacGregor keeps his distance from humans. That is, until the lovely Rachel Lewis knocks on his door, begging for help.

As they struggle to rescue her daughter from the clutches of a powerful demon, Lachlan finds himself increasingly drawn to the artistic single mother. But when Death assigns him an unbearable task, he's left wondering who will provide more for his soul.
********************************************************************


Would you like to join the Borrow my book tour? This is how I would like to work my tour. The person the closest to me will get the book first, when you get it please let me know that you have it and you read ASAP when your done, pick the next person closest to you and mail it to them, agian when the next person gets the book contact me, so I know where its at and when your done pick the next person to send it to and so on...

**Rules**
1.you have to be a follower.
2.You have to pay for the postage to go to the next person.
3.If this is something you want to do please leave a comment and just your state's name, so I know where to stat and add your email so I can contact you.
4.The deadline to be signed up is March 3rd
5.USA residents only please

Cover Art: Hot Finish by Erin McCarthy




Suzanne Jefferson and Ryder Jefferson story!!, it seems like forever waiting.......
Cover looks really HOT!!

Summary:
Not all marriages last forever…

Suzanne Jefferson is broke, which is why she’s given up charity work for wedding planning. Fortunately, she has a high-profile client—and best of all, he’s paid in advance. There are just two teensy problems: The bride is a bona fide bridezilla, and Suzanne’s ex-husband is the best man. At least she thought he was her ex-husband…

But this one might...

Two years after their marriage fell apart, stock car race driver Ryder Jefferson still can’t stop thinking about Suzanne. Which is why he isn’t too upset that, due to a glitch, the two are still technically married. Now he’s imagining easing Suzanne’s woes by satisfying her needs in the bedroom. After all, that’s the one room they never argued in. Besides, with wedding bells ringing all around them, Ryder is wondering if—even though they’d quit the race a few laps too early—they can still come on strong with a big, romantic finish…

Author's website

Review: Blackmailed By Annmarie McKenna


Blackedmailed
Author:Annmarie McKenna
Erotic paperback 216
Authors website

Summary:
Brianna Wyatt may be a victim of her father's machinations, but one look is all it takes for Cole Masters and Tyler Cannon to offer her their own style of menage a trois blackmail.

Brianna Wyatt's father is blackmailing her into doing what he wants by threatening to send her brother to an institution. She would do anything to keep that from happening, including go along with his demented scheme of her getting pregnant by Cole Masters--a man who's been rumored to share a woman with his best friend, and who leaves Brianna's innocent senses in shambles.

Cole is sure he's about to be blackmailed-why else would a man whore his daughter? But there's something about her that neither Cole nor his best friend, Tyler Cannon, can deny. They want her, and don't hesitate for a second on making their own offer. Her brother's protection for her body.

When danger flirts with Brianna's life, there is nothing they won't do to keep her safe. Including listening to what their hearts are saying.

Warning: this title contains graphic language, hot, explicit sex, bondage, domination/submission and menage a trois and is not for the faint of heart!
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Laurie's review
rating 5/5
Sexual references-Sizzling hot sex

This was my first M/F/M read. I really liked it. It has some bondage, anal, spanking and public sex. It also has some humor, mystery, and excitement in the storyline. This book delivered a good amount of sex and storyline for an erotic read. I know the storyline is out there, but if we were back a few hundred year I could see this something that would happened, so It didn't bother me one bit. Remember its fiction.


Here is a little fact, I myself have read this book 3 times and it has went through 3 family members and one friend, each lady that read it loved the book.

I liked Brianna she will do anything for her brother to keep him safe. I liked Cole the first think he done was get a doctor to Brianna to try to keep her asthma under control. Tyler was great add for the trio he has the same caring for Brianna. Tyler even found Brianna's and Scottie's mother. A good quick easy read.

Saturday, February 20, 2010

In My Mailbox (14)

In My Mailbox is hosted by The Story Siren, and is a way for everyone to show off their new books for the week, including those bought, swapped, won, or received for review.

Contest Wins:

"Becoming Jane Eyre by " by Sheila Kohler


I won this in a contest from Laura at Laura's Reviews!! There are so many great new books about the Bronte Sisters out right now, and this one looks so good!! Check out Laura's site for a great Bronte Sisters challenge! Thanks, Laura!


Swapped:

"Shadow Kiss" by Richelle Mead



This is book #3 in the Vampire Academy series! I loved the first book in this series, but I haven't had a chance to read the rest of the books yet.


Bought:


"Time of My Life" by Allison Winn Scotch



I've been seeing a lot of reviews of this one lately, and it looks so interesting, I had to pick it up!! What if you could go back in time, 7 years in the past?? What would you do differently?? I can't wait to read this one :)

What did you receive in your mailbox this week??

*HEA* “Happily Ever After” “Home Emergency Assistance”



HEA is what we like to read, but sometime in life we dont see a HEA. Please check out what one wonderful author Lorie O'Clare is doing what she can about this. Below is a sneek peak, but please check out her website for full detals. Please help donate or spread the word! by sharing her website or this posting, so someone can have a HEA.

*From Lorie's website*
HEA is a fund raiser program I’ve started (along with my accountant to make sure I do it right) to help those who are facing foreclosure. Recently I’ve heard the stories from a few good friends, people who have always worked hard, who have good kids, and who have put their sweat and blood into their homes over the years to make it nice for them. Times are hard. The programs available for those facing losing their homes don’t work for everyone. Please keep reading to learn how you can help!
PLEASE CLICK here so you can see the rest and help. Thanks!

Little note if you use the share button below, please check the thumbnail to make sure that picute is not on the posing. thanks Laurie

Friday, February 19, 2010

Fundamentalist Secularism

This article started from my old post entitled "My Spiritual Journey" that I reposted in my FB a few days ago. A dear good friend commented jokingly, "what a spiritual snob you are..."
I responded, "I am absolutely not a spiritual snob. An intellectual snob, well, yes you can say that again!"
She replied, "Well, yes, first cognitive then affective ..."
Jokingly I asked her, "Spiritual snob is different from religious snob, isn't it? You know, in our country, there are abundant religious snobs who believe that they are 'ahlul jannah' and the rest are 'ahlun naar'."
However, since she tried to be careful -- offending people in the networking sites can be considered a crime in Indonesia recently, and no longer just a misdemeanor -- she continued discussing this topic via personal message, or more popularly known INBOX on FB. And she introduced me to a (for me) new term, "fundamentalist secular".
My curiosity on this term made me do googling. And ... here is the article I promised her to write.

Term 'fundamentalist secularism' comes from two terms, 'fundamentalism' and 'secularism'. I will start from giving definition of terms 'fundamentalism' and 'secularism.
Wikipedia encyclopedia defines 'fundamentalism' as a belief in a strict adherence to a set of basic principles (often religious in nature), sometimes as a reaction to perceived doctrinal compromises with modern social and political life. The term has been generalized to mean strong adherence to any set of beliefs in the face of criticism or unpopularity, but has by and large retained religious connotations.
Furthermore, Karen Armstrong defines fundamentalist movements as 'embattled forms of spirituality, which have emerged as a response to a perceived crisis" -- namely the fear that modernity will erode or even eradicate their faith and morality. This concern is shared mostly by Fundamentalist Christians, Jews, and Muslims.
Secularism, according to Wikipedia encyclopedia, is the concept that government or other entities should exist separately from religion and/or religious beliefs. In one sense, secularism may assert the right to be free from religious rule and teachings, and freedom from the government imposition of religion upon the people, within a state that is neutral on matters of belief, and gives no state privileges or subsidies to religions. In another sense, it refers to the view that human activities and decisions, especially political ones, should be based on evidence and fact unbiased by religious influence

So, what is fundamentalist secularism?

Tobias Jones, the author of “The Dark Heart of Italy”, in http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2007/jan/06/comment.religion stated that "Secular fundamentalists are the new totalitarians*". He cited an example of the hijab ban in French schools. The government doesn't give any space for their citizens to practice their religion freely. Another example cited by Jones was when the government considered the wearing of crucifix or a veil or a turban as offensive to other faiths.
It reminded me of a topic discussed when I was in college. In 1620 the early immigrants left England and sailed to North America, on the ship 'Mayflower'. In the 'newfoundland' they formed Plymouth Colony in Massachusetts. They did this because they could not practice the religions they adhered to freely in the home country. However, when they succeeded establishing a new 'country', they did the same thing: they forced the settlers to follow the religion of the chosen 'ruler'. When a group of people didn't accept the rule, they had to move to another area, or they would be hanged to death.
Does fundamentalist secularism only exist in the western countries?
I observe that this secularism thrives everywhere, including in Indonesia. Indonesian government is not a secular one. Indonesia is not a Muslim country either although it has MUI that obviously has interfered the citizens' lives by issuing some ‘useless’ fatwas, although some provincial governments have issued some 'unfriendly' (and sadly misogynist) Islamic (or other religious) bylaws. However, I guess there are abundant people (I know via internet) in Indonesia claiming themselves as secular, thinking that the government should separate itself from any religions' teachings, the government should respect citizens' freedom either to adhere a religion or not. Secular people -- I am one example -- do not mix their religious beliefs with their daily routine. They also believe that people must respect each other's religions, no judging that other people will go to hell only because -- let's say -- they are not praying five times a day (for Muslim) or not going to church (for Christians) etc.
Referring to my post "My Spiritual Journey" where the main theme is "there is no such chosen (or best) people (to go to heaven)", I recently have recognized that these secular people -- perhaps I am also included in this case -- start to ridiculously think themselves as the "best" one. They start to laugh at other people who adhere their religions rigidly, they consider people praying together to alleviate their sufferings as fool. They have lost their empathy. They no longer respect other people's faiths.
From some examples above, let me conclude the definition of ‘fundamentalist secularism’. It refers to the concept that government or other entities are separate from religion so rigidly or strictly that until a certain rank it eradicates the existence of religions, or more hostile it regards religions – and their adherents – evil.
As a secular Muslim, I want to end this article by citing one famous verse in Alquran, "lakum dinukum waliyadin" -> your religion is for you, my religion is for me. In a wider sense, it can be interpreted as “whatever faith (that I consider having broader sense than ‘religion’) you have, or even if you are agnostic, deist, nihilist, or atheist, keep remembering that difference is beautiful, respecting other people is necessary, being empathetic to other people is awesome.

Nana Podungge
-- the secular Muslim --
PBIS 12.12 190210

* (Totalitarianism = a form of government in which the state controls all phases of the people's lives. Totalitarianism allows only one party, headed by an absolute leader. He maintains his power over the party and the rest of the people by force and violence. Freedom of religion does not exist. => "The World Book Encyclopedia)

Review: Caught! by Lorie O'Clare


Caught! (book two in the Torrid love series)
Author: Lorie O'Clare
Erotic Paperback 282pgs.
Author's website

Summary:


Torrid Love - Caught! By Lorie O'Clare Book 2 in the Torrid Love series. Whoever said accountants were boring, had never met Jordan Hall. Tall, dark and handsome, his determined, relentless nature isn't confined to his professional life, as Roxanne Isley is finding out. The man is sexy as sin. Saying no just isn't an option. But as one of the most successful investment brokers in the country, Jordan has a reputation to uphold and his clients' investments to protect. So when money starts disappearing from client accounts and Roxanne finds herself a prime suspect, it is not a good time to start a torrid affair with her delicious boss. Jordan Hall knows he has finally found the woman of his dreams. She's a wild spitfire and taming her will be more fun than he can anticipate. But falling for her couldn't have happened at a worse time. With the race on to find a thief and protect his business and his name from public scandal, Jordan knows that the one person he can trust is Roxanne. But when theft turns to kidnapping and Roxanne is snatched from under his nose, Jordan will do anything to get his woman back.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Laurie's review
Rating 4 1/2 out of 5
This book is really good, just enough hot sex and storyline, so you don’t get bored of either one. This is one mystery where I could say, “it’s a sexy ride trying to figure out who did the crime” the whole way.

Jordan is 40 year’s old sexy and rich, he owns one of the top investments firms in the country, he is handsome every woman’s dream, but he has only one woman in mind that he wants to make his. You see Jordan wants a D/s relationship and he wants Roxanne his to surrender to him, But he has a lot to take care of before she even thinks about it, it’s a adventure of hot sex, traders, kidnapping, new friend and jail time for one along the way. Now, I just have to get the next book……
This series doesnt have to be read in order
1.The First Time
2.Caught!
3.After Dark

Tempting Fate


So I made it all the way through Mardi Gras without getting sick, only to succumb to a head cold yesterday. I must have tempted fate, bragging about how how I got my government mind control shot--er, I mean flu shot--which kept me healthy all winter long.

A few weeks ago (maybe it was just days, I don't recall when exactly. The sickness, she confuses me) Roni over at Fiction Groupie wrote a post about coincidences. Specifically, contrived coincidences.

Sure, coincidences happen in real life--that's why we say life is stranger than fiction. But just because something could possibly happen if all the stars aligned, it doesn't mean your reader is going to buy it.

I agree with her wholeheartedly about contrived coincidences that help your characters out. That just smacks of authorial intrusion and tip-toes into deus ex machina territory.

But what about "coincidences" that serve to keep your characters from their goals? Will you tolerate a coincidence with nasty results better than one that helps the protagonist?

Can people--and thus, characters--really "jinx" themselves by thinking they've almost reached their goal?

More importantly, can this device be overused just like the good coincidences to the point that they also feel contrived, too much like authorial intrusion?

I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Forewarned, I'm full up to my eyebrows with Sudafed and Emergen-c, so it might take me a while to respond. ;)

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

Do Books Outdate?

When you write your first novel or non-fiction work, is there any way to know for sure if the book will become outdated? Do authors even consider the possibility?
Gone With the Wind was released decades ago but remains a favorite and is truly a legend in the literary world. Yet an original and complete set of 1920 Britannia Encyclopedias are virtually worth nothing—why?

A well written fiction book should never outdate; a story is a story. But non-fiction writers beware, or should I say, “be aware.” Although history is history and will no longer change, many informational books suffer due to new science or technology. Even a family history book might be considered outdated once new family members are born into this world.

When and if your book outdates you can re-publish it with the same name as a new edition. Understand that with each new edition or format, you will need a new ISBN (International Standard Book Number). ISBN’s are assigned each time a book changes. If you create a recorded or CD version to sell, you will need a new ISBN. Any changes made to a published book with an original ISBN require a new number. FYI, printing additional copies with no changes at all, does not require a new ISBN.

There are few ways to get past the need for a new ISBN. When I wrote my latest non-fiction book, 100 Ways to Market Your Book for Free (or really cheap), I knew all along the book would outdate, and rapidly. I had to decide if I would be willing to re-write updated versions on a regular basis or come up with another solution—I did just that. I published the book as an e-book without an ISBN. Although this does limit my coverage in the book world, because I work directly with authors, I still get direct exposure through my Websites and Blogs. “My audience” is right here.

As an e-book, I can make changes to the text and update the content anytime the information in the book changes, i.e., Website links, new ideas, recommendations from the books readers. Then I simply re-publish the book with the same name. It’s not the traditional method of book publishing, but sometimes you need to think outside the box and do what works for your publication.

So when you are considering writing a non-fiction book, ask yourself these questions:

*Will the content or information in the book outdate?
*Will I need to re-publish the book with updated content in the future?
*Should I purchase a rack of ISBN’s (10-15) rather than just one?
*What is the most cost-effective and simplest way to produce the book based on the need to update the information?
*Should I make the book into a series (see post below at http://abookinside.blogspot.com/2010/01/are-you-considering-writing-book-series.html)?
Authors, please share your own insight in the comment section below.