Book Handling

After taking Miss eleven to the airport today and with hours to spare - it was only too easy to immerse ourselves in the bookshop there for a bit (if only Miss two hadn't decided enough was enough - a girl her age has other needs lol!). It was while we were browsing the YA section and I opened up a book and oohed and aahed about the first scene that Shannon (better known here as Miss eleven) gasped aloud and said, "Mum, don't fold the cover back like that!" that I realised how apparently slapdash I handle my books. To me, books are meant to be squished this way and that, held comfortably, become worn with repeated pickups (not that it happens to any of my books too much these days, I have too big a TBR pile to reread many of them) and have that 'loved' look about them.
It begs the question - what type of book handler are you?
Love to hear some thoughts and names =)

Books and Reading.

In the modern world of computers, iphones, playstations and everything inbetween, I was reminded of the simple pleasures in life while in the car driving to the video/dvd shop. My gorgeous daughter (Miss Eleven) brought her paranormal YA book with her and decided to read aloud the prologue and see what I thought of the book. It was so wonderfully perfect, listening to her read the opening scene anddriving along with the a/c on with everything quiet (even Miss Two in the back was listening quietly). Sometimes the simple act of turning the pages of a book is the most precious of all!
Speaking of books, I was in my local book exchange a few days ago and was pleasantly surprised to see a young man buying a handful of mills & boon romances, lifting the lid on a few of my own preconcieved ideas. It's such a great thing to see men buying and supporting the romance genre. Kudo's to them!!

Another Christmas gone

I can't believe 2009 is almost gone and 2010 just around the corner! Another Christmas come and gone and now little more than a memory (especially with all the champagne consumed). It was a day to reflect on the year and all that's happened (for me personally, I'll always remember 2009 as the year of publication) and wondering how on earth the kids have grown so fast, how the time seems to be getting quicker every year, and what the future will bring.
Hope everyone had a wonderful year and a great Christmas with many more to come!

Avatar

If you haven't already seen this movie - you have to go!! If anything has got my creative juices flowing again, this movie definately has! It far *far* exceeded my expectations, I was spellbound (along with my daughter). I'll most definately be buying this DVD as a keeper to watch over and over again. I just wish our cinema had given us the choice to watch in 3D...
10/10 - best movie I've seen yet.

Writing Update

Well the revisions for the Noc Bites story (Her Dark Lord) are done and sent off. I'm happy I found another 2 or 3K to add to the story, giving more depth to the hero, which is what my editor mostly wanted to increase the word count. Just a wait now to see if the edits are all A-okay (and make sense!! lol)
In the meantime I'm waiting to hear back about my Ellora's Cave short, Kallie Revealed - the contract should be all processed soon.
I also have Believe notes to untangle and decipher, and type out, setting up to a love scene which will may well be a bit controversial but I think tender and beautiful =)
Ice Cold Lover is waiting to be finished. Done most of this but want to finish it off in rough draft form so it's ready - hopefully, to go in January!
I've typed up a rough draft of either a free short for Ellora's Cave or perhaps a short story, depending on how it all comes together. (more about this later - but it'll be a 'cougar' type contemporary story ie: older woman, younger man). This story is the first I've ever had that was plotted from start to finish. (admittedly all in my head while lazing in the tub)
I have some ideas brewing for a werewolf story to submit to Nocturne Bites - or perhaps a shifter, not sure which direction I'll go yet (I'll blame Anna Hackett for making me indecisive on the werewolf/shapeshifter theme LOL!!) The heroine in this is emotionally scarred... sigh!
Lastly, Shadow Hunter, which I've had sitting around for so so long, featuring vampires and shapeshifters, is still lurking in my mind. So many directions this book could go with some adjustments - Nocturne asked to see it some time ago, so I may resubmit at some stage. or with some added sex scenes it could go to Ellora's. Then again, I think it could be a single title with some work...

Average Reviews

The last two book reviews on Stone-Cold Lover have made me realise how differently readers react to my book, how some really 'get' my writing and other's obviously don't. Of course as a writer it would be unrealistic to imagine 5 star plus ratings with every book - though it'd be nice! I'm just glad past writing comps with various positive and negative judges comments have seen me develop a thick skin, where I can shrug off comments - learn from them too - and get on with my writing.
Here's the latest reviews:

Bitten by Books

Cray Diamond has spent nearly a century with a curse that makes him turn to stone when the sun rises. With the curse comes a job of protection. He must protect a person until he is released and moves to the next person.

Loretta Shaw is a spoiled rich girl that pretty much gets whatever she wants by behaving outrageously. She has a body guard with her always.

For the last three years, Cray has been watching over Loretta. He has watched her sleep with man after man but has promised to protect her. Her father has hired him to protect Loretta and he takes the job seriously. Loretta has wanted Cray since she first met him, but Cray won’t sleep with his clients - ever. So to get back at Cray, Loretta sleeps with as many men as she can to get him out of her system.

Stone Cold Lover by Mel Tescho was a book that promised an interesting storyline but, in the end, failed to deliver. Loretta came across as a spoiled brat. Cray came across as a man that wanted to do right by her because of a promise to her father. I didn’t feel a connection between Cray and Loretta. I liked Cray because you understand him through the story and why he is what he is. You don’t get that chance with Loretta, and she just comes off as shallow.

http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=14028

Just Erotic Romance Reviews

3 1/2 stars

For over a hundred years Cray has been cursed to live as a Gargoyle, stone by day and shifting monster by night. He is compelled to protect. Over the years he has learned to not let his charges get too close. But for the last three years he has been forced to watch as Loretta chews through men, going from one bed to the next, as his body and mind burn for her. Loretta has been called the brat heiress; she always gets what she wants and what she wants is Cray.

Stone Cold Lover is a fun, fast paced, seductive read with characters that will endear themselves to the reader. I like how Loretta goes after what she wants and doesn't apologize for anything. Rather than come off as a knock off Paris Hilton, she is more of a strong, independent, sexual woman. She is a great match for Cray, who is just as determined and very much an alpha. I wish I has someone like him to come to my rescue. I was never really sure how a relationship between the two of them would work out until the end. The sex between the two of them was earthy and hot but it was also too short and rushed. Quickies are great, but there is a point where the author can take it too far. There are also a few aspects of the characters that are mentioned but go unexplained, leaving me thinking, “Huh? What the...how?” I think that if Ms. Teshco fleshed out these parts a little bit it would make a more cohesive overall storyline. In here the good balances out the bad making for an enjoyable read. In the end, I believe that most readers will find Stone Cold Lover to be an easy, uncomplicated read that is easy to get into and enjoy.

http://www.justeroticromancereviews.com/book-review.cfm?bookID=988434301&reviewID=6880&sNav=nav03-01

December Quote

A word is a bud attempting to become a twig. How can one not dream while writing? It is the pen which dreams. The blank page gives the right to dream.

~Gaston Bachelard

Official Title

It's now official, my coming Nocturne Bites story - which was once titled, Blood Chance, is now Her Dark Lord. Does have a certain mystery and intrigue about it, I must say! Will put up the cover the moment I have it!

Book Trailer

I finally have my Stone-Cold Lover book trailer up on YouTube. I did have a different song to go with the pictures and words, but had to change the audio... I'm a bit disappointed now with the soundtrack but will eventually go back and fix some things/add some things... All in all not too bad for my first effort. And just one more learning experience that took great chunks of time (g)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GT7Diw__gHo

Enjoying Christmas

The next few weeks are going to be frantic for me (and I dare say almost everyone) as I get my writing finished up for Nocturne Bites, my rough draft novella for Ellora's Cave and transfer all my handwritten notes for Believe, and in-between work on a book trailer for Stone-Cold Lover... then shopping for last minute gifts (ah, I have *one* under the tree), groceries which include ham, chicken, salad and fruit pudding... Then I fully intend to enjoy the weekend of Christmas, spending time with family, exchanging gifts, overeating and probably overdrinking...
Though I won't be playing carols or hymns, I hope this is the one time of the year I can forget about bills, (ah, yep) and recall why we're all so lucky to be here!

Books of the Month/s and November reads

I'm playing catch up after computer problems, so here are my *two* picks for November & December.

Erica Hayes debut novel Shadowfae - the first book in the shadowfae chronicles - was a brilliant read, the unwordly imagery vivid and almost jumping off the pages. A succubus heroine enslaved by a demon lord and an incubus hero suffering the same fate...are these lovers willing to sacrifice anything, including each other, for their freedom?

Tracey's debut book, Night's Cold Kiss, is a tension-filled journey through the eyes of heroine, Antoinette. Years after watching her mother die at the hands of a vampire, she burns with the need for revenge and becomes an elite venator trained to kill Necrodreniacs - vampires addicted to death highs. That she is attracted to Christian, her rescuer and a sexy vampire Aeternus who hunts Dreniacs too, fills her with rage.






November Reads:
Over the Edge: Suzanne Brockmann
The Rebel King: Melissa James
Hotter than Hell: Keri Arthur, Susan Krinard, L.A Banks, Marjorie M Lui

Website!!

Though it's still a work in progress, I finally have a website up and running! in-between getting my computer fixed with its many problems...
Check it out at www.melteshco.com
(and thanks Laurann for your tips!)

Finding a Balance

Obviously I love writing... I also love each of my manuscripts at any given moment, depending on which one is flowing and which one I've spent the most time on (or not). It's like having ten different children and loving them all but discovering you've spoiled one a little more than the others.
At the moment my Nocturne Bites novella is my priority as I have only a certain amount of time to get it polished and pretty, but I'm also discovering my very restless mind needs a break occasionally - and then I'll spend some of the day and a good portion of the night on another manuscript (currently Ice-Cold Lover).
Everyone works differently, but for me it's amazing how much more work I get done doing things this way, how much more exciting things are when you 'rediscover' them. Tomorrow and another two or three days at least I'll refocus on Blood Chance (Noc Bites working title) and then spend some quality time on Believe, which I have handwritten notes to transfer onto screen - and get to that elusive 45K mark!!

Holiday & New Moon

Had a weekend away at Rockhampton where hubby raced his gokart. I did lots of freehand writing for the single title story 'Believe' to hopefully reach my 45K mark, but mostly I explored the area where I intend to set a short story - perfect setting for something paranormal with the 6ft tall dead as dead grass and dry river beds. Anyway, the first night there two of my daughters and I went to see New moon. Shannon who is eleven and devours paranormal books, wasn't fussed at all. For her it was boring with too little action. Teagan who is nineteen and a hopeless romantic, loved it. So did I! There's something about werewolves (particularly in ah, human form LOL) that makes the old heart tick faster...
Rating for New Moon
Shannon: 6/10
Teagan: 9/10
Me: 8/10

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