Rachel Bailey's 2nd Desire release!!

Another gorgeous cover =)
This is Rachel Bailey's second 2010 release, coming out in Feb! And yet another book I can't wait to read!!

Backpacking Brother (Image 2)

These triangular shaped houses (near Lake Toba) are unique to the Batik people of Sumatra (Sumatera) which is an island in Indonesia. The Batik people are a minority religion with a mix of Catholic, Christian and Animist beliefs from mostly Dutch influences.
(more complicated than this, but the more you learn, the less you understand...)
Note: red rocket parked pride of place in foreground

Rachel Bailey: Silhouette Desire release!

Just had to showcase this gorgeous cover once more, Rachel Bailey's debut book "Claiming His Bought Bride," with a release date of Jan 2010. This is followed by a Feb release of "Blackmailed Brides Secret Child."
Just a couple of the many brilliant books Rachel will sure to release over the coming years!
Congrats Rach!!

Blood Chance

Blood Chance is a 11K or so vampire story I sent to Nocturne Bites some eight months ago. Happy to say they apparently love it and are ringing me tomorrow morning with more details! *But no contract as yet!*
At this point in time I'm really in my comfort zone writing shorter length stories, so to be able to write for two great publishers doing what I love would be a dream come true! Will post more news as I get it!!

Making time to read!

There's nothing like reading a wonderful book, curled up in bed, (going for the visuals here now) rain pattering on the tin roof, cat purring in my arms and husband *softly* snoring beside me (or should that be husband in my arms LOL)
Now that I've committed to write until I hit 45K with Believe, it leaves little time to read. Well, I'm usually up until way after midnight anyway, writing my stories, so I guess I'm left with little time to read either way! I've still managed to read a couple of recently released stories from some great mates of mine: Night's Cold Kiss by Tracey O'hara and I've almost finished Shadowfae by Erica Hayes. *sigh* It makes me realise why I love writing all over again =)

Believe

Believe!

This is the book that I'd very inaccurately stated (to my co-writer) would be finished by this christmas - 09! Of course, this was also before I was published by Ellora's Cave and I imagined having all this free time
Anyway, some how or another, I've been dillydallying around and getting nowhere fast with this particular story! So, I've set myself a very attainable goal - I want to reach 45K (50% done) by November 20th ie: before holiday. And before I get back onto track with my next Ellora's Cave paranormal, Ice Cold Lover. So, I'd better crack my knuckles and get a move on! Please, wish me luck!!

Kallie Revealed - Done & Done!

I'm pleased to say - finally - FINALLY!! My short story is just now winging its way through cyber space to my editor. Phew! This story would honestly have had to be the hardest one yet for me to get right. A short story (10K) leaves no room for error but glaring evidence of any mistakes.
I'll post any news of its release and a blurb as soon as I'm able (no doubt after a round or two of revisions from my editor lol!) - but I can say it's a contemporary about a stripper exploring her fantasy after facing a personal tragedy.

November: Quote

If you can't annoy somebody, there's little point in writing

~Kingsley Amis

Backpacking Brother (Image 1)

While I'm a stay-at-home mum with a life that revolves around my family and my writing - which I love - my brother has chosen life at the opposite side of the spectrum and has lived a very footloose and well travelled life where he's backpacked all over the world and chosen careers to suit his lifestyle. (White water rafting guide, master scuba diving instructor - to name a few)
I've decided to show a little of his travels each fortnight or so (with a picture or two) just out of interests sake - he's started travelling again, but this time solely relying on his 'red charger' a postie motorbike that is truly indestructable.

Picture 1:- On the island of Java, and in the background the spires of an Ancient Hindu temple complex - a tourist attraction currently having some areas rebuilt after being badly damaged in a recent earthquake. In the foreground, taking pride of place, is Steven's "red rocket." Java is now a Muslim island - the only Hindu dominated place in Indonesia is Bali.

First "Writing" Cheque

I have reason to finally...finally!!! celebrate today, after getting my very first cheque from my publisher for my debut book Stone-Cold Lover. It really is a series of 'firsts' as a writer, and this is yet another warm and fuzzy moment in my life (oh wait, is that the champers I'm feeling lol!) another milestone to remember =)
And a big thank you to all you readers who bought the book!

Book of the Month & October Reads!

Though I haven't read a whole lot of category books lately, India Grey is one author I discovered a little while ago and loved! This cover is Modern, but obviously I have the red covered 'sexy' book.

I loved all the elements of this book: revenge, betrayal and innocence all wrapped up in a beautifully written voice. (wow, does India have a way with words, just gorgeous!) The only gripe I had was the contrived accident the heroine Bella almost had - in a whole other country mind you! - with the hero's (Olivier) father.

October Reads:
Mercernaries: Angela Knight
Manaconda: Sherri L. King, Lora Leigh, Jaid Black
Remember Summer: Elizabeth Lowell
Needful Things: Stephen King

Corey Jay

At last!! Here's a picture of my gorgeous grandson (grandman) - Mr Corey Jay - Welcome to the world!!

What's in a Name??

About twelve months ago our cat, Shandy, (pictured) died from a snake bite, reducing our cat clan from four to three. Just recently we agreed to adopt another cat from my daughter's best friend who was moving out - and couldn't take 'Kayla' with her. As all our cats and some of our horses have been named after alcohol and the occasional motorbike (Shandy, Bundy, Ginnie, Yammie, Tequila, Sherry etc) - no one in the family liked the new cat's name... and even now she has yet to be called a 'real' name.
My husband took a liking to "Puss" and it stuck for a week. But then when this lovely newcomer took a liking to pooing on a different bathmat in the bathroom each day, we started to call her "Shitty Kitty" and it's really stuck. Now we were assured that Shitty Kitty mustn't be able to conceive as she'd 'did' it quite a bit with another cat they had who was an undesexed male - of course she's ready to drop a bundle of kittens any day now, going by her huge belly which will give us plenty of boozy names to consider once the kittens are born!
All this had me thinking about our hero and heroine names, and how they affect the way we see them in our minds. I can't imagine a Tall, Dark and Handsome hero having a name like Tiny or Peanut and a heroine a name like Apple or Sheila. It just wouldn't match the visual!
Anyone read a book with really bad (to your mind!) hero and/or heroine's names, latey!??

Guest Blogging

I'm guest blogging at Raine Delight's blog right now! She's asked me some interesting questions and geez that cover sure looks good LOL!!
Hope you can come visit me =)

http://authorrainedelight.com/2009/10/guest-author-day-with-mel-tescho/comment-page-1/#comment-1596

Baby Grandson!!

October the 13th has special meaning to me now, with the arrival of my very first Grandson: Corey Jay. Teagan and Jason are very proud parents, and I'm so happy for the both of them, he's a perfect little boy!

Happy Release day Erica!

Imagine a secret world veiled in fairy glamour and brimming with unearthly delights.

A city swarming with half-mad fairies, where thieving spriggans rob you blind, beautiful banshees mesmerise you with their song and big green trolls bust heads at nightclubs.

A subculture at war, lorded over by demons and factions of sadistic bloodsucking gangsters.

Seduction and oblivion consume you. Chaos reigns.

And once you're in, there's no escape...

Guest appearance

Just a reminder that I'll be a guest on Eleni's blog - Eleni-Fest, tomorrow ALL DAY! I'll be talking about my gargoyle hero and the call story for Stone-Cold Lover, my other WIP's for Ellora's Cave - and what it's like co-authoring with Kylie on our single title manuscript, Believe.
I'm also offering a chance to win a choice of either a free e-copy of Stone-Cold Lover, or a critique of a first chapter! My daughter will be choosing the best comment as a winner =)

Eleni-Fest - special guest Anna Hackett

Eleni has an amazing month of special guest authors this month. Her guest today is Anna Hackett of Nocturne Bites who speaks about short versus long length books and big versus small conferences! For a chance to win a free download of her latest nocturne bite, visit: http://eleni-konstantine.blogspot.com/2009/10/eleni-fest-anna-hackett-best-of-big-and.html

Rachel Bailey: Claiming His Bought Bride

Rachel Bailey is another favourite writer and someone I can truly call a friend. It's no secret she's fond of helping other non-published writers to achieve their dreams and I'm so delighted karma is rewarding her with this - I think - best ever Desire book cover! (and no doubt plenty of sales!!) Not bad for a debut book, Rach!!
Look out for this one in Jan 2o10, followed closely by "The Blackmailed Brides Secret Child" in Feb 2010.
For more information about her latest news and books visit:
http://www.rachelbailey.com/index.html

Quote - October

You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you. ~Ray Bradbury

Anna Hackett's, Taken by the South Wind

TAKEN BY THE SOUTH WIND by Anna Hackett

The deadly Tempest Winds have escaped. Now, four brothers gifted with the power of the winds must recapture the Venti Tempesta before they can unleash their evil on the world...

WindKeeper Dante Venti, Keeper of the South Wind, is in Rome on a mission to entrap the Southwest wind and its holder before it can infect humanity with the vice of pride. Dante already feels pride seducing him...but the real temptation is alluring assassin Samia Hassan.

Samia has been sent to kill Dante, but her body is irresistibly drawn to him, his power and presence enveloping her. And if she's not careful, she will be entrapped by Dante, body and soul...

TAKEN BY THE SOUTH WIND is now available at eharlequin.com and all major online booksellers.

www.annahackettbooks.com

Night Owl Top Pick and Fallen Angel Reviews

Night Owl have given Stone-Cold Lover a Top Pick Review of 4.5 stars! Whoo hoo! Thanks Samantha Ann! =)


And thanks so much MerryLee from Fallen Angel Review for giving Stone-Cold Lover a five angel review! Wow! I only hope I can keep the readers happy with my next story...