~ Seven Sexy Scribes ~

What do you think?

2012-01-28T00:01:00.001-07:00

Do you like my new cover for Dictated by Fate?

I just couldn't resist this cover shot...for a number of reasons. First, Jimmy Thomas is a hottie...and the female model looks exactly like I envisioned my red-headed heroine to look...and finally, although you can't really see it now, the delish dark-haired devil was showing his naughty bits in the unretouched photo.

OMG! So sexy! Of course, it is neatly hidden now, but when I first started working on the cover, imagine my delight when I noticed that his tumescence was readily visible to my bulging eyes! I will never look at another Jimmy Thomas cover without thinking about this one. I wonder if he knew...LOL!

Ah, yes...there is just something to be said for making one's own covers...sigh...

Fran Lee

http://www.franleeromance.com

Happy Thursday

2012-01-26T00:30:00.000-07:00

Yesterday my second grand daughter, Michaela, came into the world!!! She's six pounds five ounces, nineteen inches long, and from what I hear over the telephone, she has quite the set of lungs! Thank goodness for cell phone cameras and emailed videos (my son and d-i-l live across the country from us.)

I'm beginning a new-to-me writing project which I'm very excited about. Resplendence Publishing has re-contracted my Carnal Reunions anthology short story, Training Randi, as a novella/novel length book. Miranda and Jeff are two of my favorite characters, and being able to delve further into their relationship is going to be great fun!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Tessie

Hugo is a Marvel!

2012-01-25T08:42:00.000-07:00

My family and I went to see Martin Scorsese’s “Hugo” in real 3D this weekend, and I thought it was an exceptional movie.

This film is so much more than it’s timid advertising campaign would lead you to believe. I found it to be a stunning emotional experience with a beautiful message underneath that we all have purpose. Hugo is filled with beautifully illustrated metaphors for life, one after another. There are far too many to name in this blog, but one of my favorites was the opening scene where an orphan boy is looking down on the city of Paris at night, from a clock tower and sees Paris as giant clockwork ticking away on itself. He has many missing pieces in his life and he’s obsessed with collecting stolen or discarded gears and springs and fixing things. He’s especially obsessed with an elegant silver automaton, a mechanical man he believes can write.

(This slightly longer trailer at least hints at the movie's true content.)

Hugo spends his days above a train station hiding from the orphan catchers in the clock towers. He keeps the clocks running and sees the world as a great machine of intermeshing gears. Scorsese allows us to watch the characters in the train station from above and it quickly becomes evident everyone here is a gear that is not quite fitting into the gears around them. True connections between characters are not being made because important pieces are missing or broken.

(Yep, Martin deserves another prize for this beauty!)

I loved the sheer beauty of this movie and I’m afraid to spoil its many surprises. The deeper story is about the great fantasy filmmaker George Melies. With “Hugo” Martin Scorsese has created a redemptive Valentine to Melies and creative filmmakers everywhere.

The electronic 3D goggles I wore to watch the film were a bit heavy on the bridge of my nose, but they made viewing the movie in 3D a smooth as silk experience. Scorsese created sets and planned scenes specifically to create the ultimate real 3D experience and I must say Hugo thrilled me. If you see it, please try to see it in real 3D. You’ll be awed.

XXOO Kat

Sorry for being MIA

2012-01-24T12:35:00.000-07:00

Buy Link: http://www.loose-id.com/I-Wanna-Sext-U-Up.aspx

I've been crazy busy, filling out questions for interviews, looking for places to blog and basically do some promo for I Wanna Sext U Up. I also sent a proposal to my editor for a new book. Eagerly awaiting either a rejection or contract. We all know I'm hoping for the contract. Hahahaha
I'm always terrible when it comes to self promoting and I vowed to change that this year. So in my spare time (what's that! LOL) that's what I'm doing. I've forgotten a few things along the way, this blog is one of them and I'm sorry to my fellow bloggers.
I promise to make a better effort at blogging going forward.

Amber

Candy for your thoughts on Valentine's Day?

2012-01-23T00:55:00.001-07:00

Remember those tiny hearts with the words on them?

Got one for you.

BE MINE. And a story to go with!

Feb. 3 from Decadent Publishing along with my Sassy7 pals!

Why shouldn’t an eligible man like Jason Sherwood plan a Valentine’s Day merger with a woman whose elegant body melted at his touch last year on February fourteenth? A mysterious woman who disappeared like a wraith. A vibrant creature who came apart in his arms like only the right woman does for the right man.

But Mara Richardson left Jason for a good reason…and after a year of looking for her, he still doesn’t know why. But he has to learn. Has to get her naked, wild for him again. Give her those little sugary candies that say, Be Mine, and show her that, despite only hours with her last year, he needs her to be his. Forever.

A sharp knock at the door had her jumping. She glanced at her watch. Two o’clock. Time enough to listen, dicker and still catch her plane. Mr. Capitol Communications better have a swell counter-offer or we’re both dead meat.

She swung open the door. “Hello, Mister–“

Her throat closed. Her heart pounded. Her nipples beaded reminiscent of that night when that savage hungry mouth had shaped them and sucked them. Her pussy gushed, memories consumed her of how this man had used those firm lips to lick her clit and give her the best screaming orgasm of her entire life.

“Sherwood, Mara. Jason Sherwood,” said the incomparable creature outside her door. His blue eyes wore an appealing apologetic look. His mouth tried for a smile but couldn’t quite make it. He was nervous. He was apprehensive. He was so very damn good looking. And he was determined to come in. “May I?” He nodded toward the conference room. “I brought some things. Hungry? I am.”

She stepped backward. For a former press aide who ate journalists for breakfast and a media trainer who taught people how to tick off talking points like time bombs, she was for once in her lonely life utterly speechless.

And the only thing she cared to do was look at him. Absorb him into her skin. Treasure him.

His sea blue eyes. His sun-kissed hair. Wet from snow. His pink cheeks. Chapped from the icy wind. His comforting height. Five, maybe six inches taller than she. And stepping right up to her, drinking in her confusion and her delight at his sudden appearance, growing confident now. Grinning down at her.

“Hi, baby,” he whispered, one big fist sinking into her chignon and destroying it. “I missed you something fierce. Let me kiss you. Now that I’ve found you, I’m not letting you go until we know so much about each other, you’ll either hate me or never leave me again.”

New Year New Editor

2012-01-17T23:18:00.000-07:00

Thank you Mary M!

I’m the sort of author editors were invented for. No doubt about it, I need a good editor. So it came with sadness earlier this week that I received an email from my editor Mary Moran that after eight years of service at Ellora’s Cave, she will be moving on to other ventures.

Mary was a huge help to me. She edited six of my Ellora’s Cave books, and they were tough books to edit. We tackled Latin in the ancient world and Voodoo in the Bayou. One book needed to be taken completely apart and put back together, but it was worth it because it ended up being a far better book. I learned a lot from Mary and I’m grateful I had the experience of working with her. We never met face to face but I sincerely hope our paths cross again, somehow, someday.

Mary if you ever drop by and read this, I want to say thank you for your patience, input and assistance. It meant so much to me.

I have since been reassigned to April Chapman and I’m delighted to be offered the opportunity to work with her. I already know I’m going to love her. Now I need to finish some stories for Ellora’s Cave so we can work together. Fear not I write slowly but I am working. I already have a few spin-offs, which are well underway.

2012 has already offered me so many changes it’s a bit dizzying. My day job has gone nuts, which I’m very grateful for. No complaints there, I need the work. It’s just tough to keep up with everything.

How is your new year going?

XXOO Kat

Short shorts! Can you do 'em?

2012-01-16T00:01:00.018-07:00

Oh be still my heart: to write a short story and have it be a complete piece of fiction!
Can you?
I did.
And when you read it, hopefully you will think I did well.
BE MINE is a bit of 5000 words. Coming soon from DECADENT PUBLISHING and a request for the girls in the TOYS-4-US gang of 7 from that publisher! The stories, all 7, debut for Valentine's Day.

But on to the challenge!
We were to fulfill the requirements of a short story with LOTS OF HOT HOT HOT sex in 5K. Pant, pant.
Not easy.
Sure. You can write a scorcher of a sex scene, but that ain't good fiction. EVER.
I came up with a story line that I loved: a man who had a plan to meet the woman he had adored LAST year on Valentine's Day.
The 7 of us decided that the stories would be set in Georgetown in Washington, D.C. and that every one of the heroes or heroines had to walk into Valentino's gourmet wine and food shop in a blizzard!

Ever try to write a short short? With or without your buddies? For a series? The demand is growing.
So here's your challenge!
Give us a one-liner, then sit down and see if you can do it in 5 K or less! Let us know!

Is it Saturday already?

2012-01-14T00:01:00.001-07:00

Did anyone get one of these for Christmas?

No?

Sigh...me neither. But one can always hope. Okayyyy...so back to the business of my January SWAG giveaway....

Sadly, I cannot seem to give free stuff away. Of course, this is not a reflection on the Swag...I warned everyone that I would only give one notice. But people stopped sending in entries about five days before the giveaway ended. I guess that says something for continuous, relentless spam attacks...they seem to get people's notice more than refusing to spam. Sigh. But I still refuse to repeat posts over and over on my loops. And was so hoping to get rid of all that stuff I accumulated...

Ah well...I did manage to get rid of a lot of it. Gave away 2012 wall calendars, books, mugs, tote bags, T-shirts, pens, key chains, notebooks, and you name it. I hope those of you who entered are enjoying your prizes.

Hope you all have a nice weekend.

Hugs,

Fran Lee

http://www.franleeromance.com

Sur le Point! or Your Pointing Sir!

2012-01-10T23:31:00.000-07:00

Whoops!

Look closely, is that what I think I see? Is there a tiny tear in the upper left hand corner of that cloth backdrop?

This picture showed up in yesterday’s email titled “New on the job?”

I’m all for cultural enrichment and I think it’s wonderful when a ballet company is brave enough to actually include some nuts and a big thick nutcracker in the Nutcracker Suite.

That poor guy must hate knowing his, ahem… Personal moment is zipping around the world. Sorry dude, I had to share.

In other news, there is no news. I have so many good things going on, and I can’t talk about any of them yet. It’s just killing me! lol

All I can say is 2012 has brought more positive changes my way in the past 11 days than the last months of 2011 combined. I’m going to go with the changes!

XXOO Kat

Happy New Year!

2012-01-10T03:56:00.003-07:00

Okay, so for 2012 I decided I would spend more time at my desk and try to be more productive. I have one word for my progress/process – discombobulated. I’m finding it hard to get used to this new routine. I’m not really sure why either.

Honestly I should be sitting at my desk…I have a day job. They might get mad if I’m not doing it. But I’m not looking at my two work laptops. I’m concentrating on the desktop. I’ve decided to take a magazine writing class, which started yesterday. Although I’ve been doing this type of writing for years, I felt like I was in a rut. I needed to shake things up, so hopefully this will help.

I don’t like to make resolutions because I’m such a procrastinator that I know I’d fail. So I make a few goals and pray for the best. This year my only “true” goal is to complete the full length contemporary romance I’m writing in time for the RWA NEC Conference in April. I’ve scheduled two agent appointments and would like to pitch this book. And hey, if they don’t want it there’s always self-publishing. I watch my friends in amazement at how much money they’re making and how many books they’re selling.

I have to say since self-publishing my two Christmas stories I’ve sold more in the 3 weeks than I did in the 3 years they were at Aspen Mountain. Well, what I was told I sold. Something tells me I sold more.

So please bear with me as I adjust to my new routine. I also want to promote more. I’m hoping to get my newsletter up and running by the 15^th. I’ll be giving away a ton of swag to those interested.

Did you make any resolutions or goals for 2012? Please share them with us!

Could I be any more scattered??

2012-01-05T00:30:00.000-07:00

* Conflict, either internal or external is madatory in romance novels. I love the hero and heroine in my WIP but they, and the story, are currently in a conflict-free zone!!

* Do people watch Judge Judy before they go on her show? Why would anyone show up unprepared?

* If I'm replacing the windows in my house to increase energy efficiency and decrease outside noise, why would a sales person waste my time by pushing a single pane product with a low Energy Rating as a viable cost-saving alternative?

* I don't want to send or receive text messages, and refuse to believe my life is lacking because of it.

* Our new dog baby Butch, a Chihuahua mix, "screams" with excitement each time my hubby enters the house, but only barks, jumps and tail wags when my daughter or myself comes home. Our feelings are hurt. :)

* Next week we celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary.

* Why is it getting harder to come up with new things to make for dinner?

* New Year's Resolution: FOCUS

Have a great weekend everyone!
Tessie
www.tessiebradford.com

2012 Off To A Great Start!

2012-01-03T11:45:00.000-07:00

So far this has been a great week. I started my 2012 celebration a bit early. In the late afternoon of Dec 31^st, I wrote the final lines on two WIPs I had started this fall. I really wanted to finish those WIPs by the end of the year and it felt so good to reach that goal. One story is a paranormal and came in at 66k and one is a very romantic contemporary that rolled in at 47k. Both need to be proofed and polished but I was really happy to end the year by completing those 1^st drafts.

I’m reading the new Ellora’s Cave anthology “Something Wicked This Way Comes Volume 1” and loving it! I’m reading the stories in order and I can promise you, so far this anthology is good! It’s a perfect sampling of six very talented and diverse Ellora’s Cave authors. I highly recommend this anthology to anyone who enjoys erotic-romance, variety and short fiction.

Buy Link: http://www.jasminejade.com/p-9698-something-wicked-this-way-comes-volume-1.aspx

My husband and I are celebrating our wedding anniversary today. Our first wedding ceremony took place way back when, at dawn, on top of a seaside pyramid in the Yucatan.

We planned to marry in a Spanish colonial cathedral on New Year’s Day, but that plan went terribly wrong. Several days later, with no bath in two days, wearing Levi’s and boots and smelling of monkeys (don’t ask why…) we got married on top of a pyramid instead.

Later, that day I was treated to an all day smelly, subterranean tromp through twisting limestone caves to look at bats. As we were scrambling around in the semi-darkness, I was so scared I was going to lose my new wedding ring in bat guano. Fun honeymoon, huh? Do I trust my husband to plan important events? No. Do I still love him? Yes, absolutely!

We are celebrating tonight by setting the alarm for 3 am and going out to watch the Quadrantid meteor shower together with a thermos of coffee. It’s supposed to be a great meteor display with a few “earthgrazers” to light up the sky and add a little color and excitement to a cold, dark pre-dawn sky. If you live on the East Coast and wake –up early, you could be treated to 60-70 meteors an hour—lucky you!

I hope this year is off to a good start for you.

XXOO Kat

Resolutions? I got 'em.

2012-01-02T00:04:00.001-07:00

An Italian man, wealthy, who cooks!

For 2012, I am into FUN and $$$.

To ensure the laughs and my fat wallet, I promise myself to:

1. GO AFTER PIRATES more often. WEEKLY.

Hey, all these people are ripping me off to the tune of thousands of $$$. What if I came to their house and did that??? Besides, Congress--those folks who haven't done anything but dither all year but collected their $150,000 salaries--are debating Our Anti-Piracy Bill like it was an attack on business. SAY WHA? Yep. Google and their buddies are fighting this bill, saying it would "criminalize" their business. NEWS FLASH: Pirates have already criminalized it. Google needs to step back, THINK and get a new way to make a buck, not off my back!

2. ADVERTISE more.

Yeah. It costs. But people, time or money? I am only one people, have only a bit of time and some money (esp. if I kill these pirates, I'll have more)!

3. Love FACEBOOK and TWITTER more. This stuff really works to get the old name out there.

Color me happy.

4. Stop cruising the net. 'nuf said.

5. Invite all of you to come to my blog to post! Often! Any time!

6. Go to the gym 3x a week.

I need it.

My office chair is wunderbar, but it does not ensure my a$$ is any skinnier.

7. My last Res. This I am offering a saying to you for your consideration as one of your resolutions. This one, I used as a kid when things were tough. And they often were, especially at holiday time.

What is it?

One I wish some of the HOUSEWIVES of X-city, the Kardiasians (sp.?) and Snooki, and all her generation would use, cuz they give me HIVES with their narcissism!

Don't criticize and Don't complain.

Use facts only.

And the pix at the top?

Shameless Self-promo.

My very first EC release about a lovely widow and a smokin' hot Italian stud.

My Sweet.

Mia Dolce! Go here for author page for all my EC books: www.jasminejade.com/m-560-cerise-deland.aspx

Come join in my New Year's Day Party!

2011-12-31T00:01:00.034-07:00

It's time to clear out my excess SWAG items...

Which include 13-month wall calendars, shopping totes, glossy notebooks, coffee mugs, key chains, print books, T-shirts, and much more! Come on over to my blog on January 1, 2012, and read the contest rules. Then enter to win dozens of prizes. Everyone who enters and follows the rules will win something!

The New Year is a time of cleaning out the old and starting the new...and I really need the space in my closet, since I have stacks of boxes filled with SWAG! Please help me out!

I sincerely hope that your New Year will be healthy, happy, and prosperous...and filled with love and enjoyment.

Hugs!

Fran Lee

http://franleesromanceblog.blogspot.com

Review for Seduced by Blood

2011-12-29T00:30:00.000-07:00

Taylor Tryst has crafted a story that hits the ground runningand never lets up. Seduced by Blood is intense, exciting and extremely hot! Taylorhas a unique vision of vampires, who they are and what makes them ‘tick’, whichI found to be fresh and intriguing.

The h/h, Nevada and Gunner, are well-developed, believablecharacters who I immediately understood, liked, and rooted for. A key thirdcharacter, Braden, is also fascinating – and I have it on good authority thathe will have his own story soon!!!

I highly recommend Seduced by Blood. It will definitely warm youup a cold winter day! Check it out on Amazon.com.

Wishing everyone a healthy, happy, prosperous and peaceful2012~

Tessie

www.tessiebradford.com

Happy Almost New Year!

2011-12-28T00:12:00.000-07:00

I love the week after Christmas it’s such a peaceful time to look back on the year and think ahead to the new one. I don’t really make New Year’s resolutions but I do set goals— realistic goals I can honor. One of those goals is to get a few of my WIPs out the door and published and I’m almost ready to do that.

I also plan to take another pen name for a few short novels I’ve written in another genre. I’m really looking forward to branching out and trying something a little different. I also hope to do more collaborative projects with other authors because I’m finding it a great way to work.

By the way the new Ellora’s Cave anthology “Something Wicked This Way Comes Volume 1” is available today. I can’t wait to buy it and read it! I have a short story in Volume 2. I don’t yet have a release date for V2 but I’m sure it will be soon.

Its a certainty that 2012 will be the year you see and hear about the Mayan calendar so often you might wish for the world to end… but don’t. The picture above is not the Mayan calendar its the Aztec calendar. It’s a whole different culture separated from the classical Mayan dynasty by several hundred years. The confusion about the calendars says it all-most people don’t know what they’re looking at much less worrying about.

Note to everyone: This is not the end of the world.

The good news is December 21, 2012 marks the end of the 13^th bak’tun --that’s all. No doubt the end of a 26,000-year cycle is a big event but it’s not the end of the world. It’s the end of the Mayan long count cycle and the cycle starts again. The Mayans did abandon scrolls that mark time beyond the 13th bak’tun, so clearly they expected the world to continue past December 21, 2012, but they didn’t have the opportunity, perhaps due to war, famine or cultural collapse, to carve those dates in stone. Had things been easier for the Mayans, they might have left us a longer calendar.

So let’s embrace 2012 as the year we got back on our feet and not the year we dreaded the end of the world.

I wish everyone a very Happy New Year.

XXOO Kat

I Wanna Sext U Up

2011-12-27T05:14:00.001-07:00

Today I'm celebrating my 3rd release with Loose Id. I'm also holding a few giveaways. You can enter to win a copy of I Wanna Sext U Up here:

Bronwyn Green's Blog

Sweet n Sexy Divas

Tina Donahue's Blog

Blurb:

Tool belt…check. Rope…check. Lube…check. Violet Wand…Check.

Beckett Manning, the host of Room Makeovers is ready to give Riley Anderson more than a remodeled kitchen. He’s about to bring her to the edge of ecstasy and back. Whether it’s hot sex in the bathtub or Riley hog-tied to the bed, he’s determined to show this brazen beauty how sexually desired she is.

A simple text leads to a case of mistaken communication and before long Riley finds herself tied to her bed and being driven to distraction. Beckett knows how to tease and torture every inch of her skin. He also knows his way around an orgasm, which keeps Riley wanting more.

Excerpt:

It’s over, Riley. U r just no good in bed. Boring in fact. I moved my things out earlier.

Riley Anderson read the text for the hundredth time. She’d kept it to remind her of the asshole she’d spent too many years with. The words served as a reminder of her anger and resentment for the jerk who hadn’t had the decency to break up with her face-to-face. No, he had to do it over text.

“Aaargh!” Riley raised the sledgehammer again. She brought the hammer down on the kitchen cabinet with every ounce of strength her arms possessed. “This is for you, dirtbag.” She sent the iron head crashing into another wooden door. “Not good in bed? Why, because I didn’t get off on choking you until you almost passed out?”

Aside from the last year of their relationship when Terry wanted to explore darker sexual activities, Riley had believed they had a great thing going. She thought for sure he would be the man she’d marry. When she’d bought the house, it was with the intention that someday Terry would be her husband and they’d fill the spare bedrooms with children. How wrong she’d been.

The hammer smashed into the wood door of the overhead cabinet.

“Because passing out wasn’t fun? Fuck you, Terry.”

She repeatedly pounded away at the cabinets until she’d destroyed them all. “That’ll fix your ass, Terry.”

She stood back and assessed the damage. She’d managed to tear apart the kitchen in less than an hour. Her arms were sore from the weight of the tiny wrecking ball, but that didn’t matter. She’d accomplished something her ex had only promised her for the last year of their relationship. She’d started the renovation of the kitchen.

Now that Terry had been gone for nine months, she’d do it on her own. She didn’t need him to remodel. Riley was a smart woman. They’d watched the home-improvement channels so much during their relationship, she felt secure enough to do the job alone. She’d be her own fix-it handywoman.

“Guess I’d better go to the home-improvement store and get a move on this.” She leaned the wooden handle of the hammer against the cracked wood of the cabinet and wiped her hands together.

Satisfaction filled her soul.

Riley retrieved her purse and keys from the Formica countertop and headed out the door, one destination in mind. The local chain home repair store.

The ride to the store was a blur. Her only thoughts were what steps she’d need to take to get the work done. She’d have to put in new cabinets. She wanted new appliances. Stainless steel. Granite countertops were a must. Those Formica ones just wouldn’t cut it any longer.

She pulled into a parking spot and turned off the car.

“Time to buy a new kitchen.”

Confidence radiated from her as she stepped into the large store. She felt proud. She had a project to do while she was on vacation. It’d likely take her longer than the week, but it would be a start.

“Excuse me.”

Riley turned to see if the man behind the sexy baritone was talking to her. She was surprised to see a gorgeous man holding a microphone walking toward her, a cameraman following closely behind him.

“Yes,” she whispered. Dear God, please don’t be from the news. The last thing I need is to be on the local news looking disheveled.

“Hi, I’m Beckett Manning. I’m from Room Makeovers. Are you remodeling any rooms in your house today?”

Holy shit! Riley’s jaw must have fallen to the floor. She’d seen the show a couple of times. Beckett looked ten times hotter in person. When she decided it was time to change the eighties-style kitchen, she’d begun watching all those makeover shows on the cable channel. Terry had watched with her, promising they’d do the kitchen soon. Soon never came. The only thing Terry had managed to do was cheat on her with some bimbo. Years of promises vanished out the window along with Terry’s things.

Holiday Pick-me-Ups! Got any?

2011-12-26T00:30:00.029-07:00

My fave~The Coca Cola Version!

Santa get the drop on you?
Today, we're done, right? Done in...or just DONE.
In this hectic time each year, I try to put in a few things for moi that include time to R&R.
(And btw, did I tell you that within a 20 day period at our house, we have Christmas, Wedding Anniversary, New Year's, Birthday 1 and yes, Birthday 2?)
We NEED to chill.
My fave way?
A massage. Okay, so the $$$ is tight, but half an hour of an upper body rub is just my style and my budget.
Another is...SOUP.
Home made vegetable. Easy. Buy it all. Good stock. Saute the garlic and onions, chop up all stuff, throw it in the pot. Good for getting the love handles to feel less globular.
A trip to the gym. One. Twenty minutes. No hour long circuit, thanks. Just the good stuff. Once is enuf, cuz I'm already pooped.
And for the house?
No dusting. Just clean the kitchen, yeah, floors, too. All that other stuff can WAIT.
In January, I'll have my wind back. Plus it may snow, right? (okay, so. not so much in Texas. But I can dream, can't it? Use the excuse.)
How are you good to yourself during this season?

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-24T01:43:00.000-07:00

Have Yourself A Very Merry Christmas...

May All Your Days Be Bright...

Don't forget that I will be drawing the winner(s) of my new release contest tonight at midnight...so if you have not yet entered, do so now.

May you enjoy the holiday and have a marvelous day!

Blessings to you and yours...

Fran Lee

Focusing on the Positive!

2011-12-22T00:30:00.000-07:00

I apologize for being awol recently. A ton of stuff has been going on in my world; some wonderful, some God-awful. I now choose to focus on the wonderful!

My family has been blessed with a new addition. In early November, our Animal Control Officer asked for my family's help with a starving, beaten, terrified Chihuahua mix who even the rescues thought was most likely beyond saving. We met him and knew he was meant to be with us. My hubby, daughter and I spent every moment we could working with him at the shelter.
Butch, 16 pounds of lovey goodness, came home the night before Thanksgiving. We are big dog people. Our Maggie and Rex are 85 and 65 pounds and they were a bit confused as to what the hell we'd brought into the house, but within a couple of days, everyone was getting along just fine!
We think Butch's mix is part cat (he sits on the front windowsill to look outside), part squirrel (he sits up on his back feet with his nose in the air), part gerbil (he nibbles on anything fabric), and part jumping bean (he leaps from the floor to our shoulders when he wants to be held)!!
His physical wounds are healed and his fear reactions are diminishing every day. He is a true character who makes us all smile and laugh and we know how incredibly lucky we are to have him in our life.

I'm very excited to announce that Getting Down To Business releases March 14, 2012!

Emily's Destiny received a 5/5 star review!
http://www.mizlovelovesbooks.com/2011/12/emilys-destiny-by-tessie-bradford.html

I wish everyone a very, very Merry Christmas!

Tessie
www.tessiebradford.com

Happy Holidays!

2011-12-20T19:36:00.000-07:00

This is the original Saint Nicholas.

Today marks the Winter Solstice. The longest night of the year has past and we are now heading back into the light. (Hurray!) Last night was the beginning of Hanukkah and the festival of lights. I’m not Jewish, but I have a lot of Jewish friends and extended family and when Hanukkah comes around I hang around waiting for some kind soul to toss me a piping hot, homemade, delicious, crispy, golden-brown potato latke. Potato latkes and a visit with loved ones on a cold night is something wonderful.

This Christmas week, I want to share some of my favorite Christmas lore with you. Much of this is already familiar but I love thinking about it this time of year.

Did you know the custom of ornately decorating Christmas trees is fairly new? It was an old German custom that really took off in Victorian times when Queen Victoria married the German Prince Albert and starting decorating Christmas trees for him.

The first Victorian Christmas trees were fairly simple. Candles, glass balls and tinsel prevailed. Back then tinsel was a luxury reserved only for families who could afford to decorate with and dispose of precious metal. Later, foil-wrapped nuts, candied fruits, small toys and angel or star shaped cookies crept onto the trees. Soon after that Victorian ladies were creating highly embellished tasseled and beaded needlepoint ornaments for their family Christmas trees.

Do you know why we kiss under the mistletoe? I’m sure you do, but I’ll risk repeating myself. It’s a legend connected to an old Scandinavian myth. The beautiful hero-god Balder was killed by an arrow made of mistletoe. His mother the Norse Goddess Frigga was so distraught, she wept over the mistletoe until it bloomed with white berries in the heart of winter-a miracle. Her love and compassion brought Balder back to life. In gratitude for this miracle she promised to kiss and bless all who stood under the mistletoe.

Did you know the original Saint Nicholas was a wealthy, Turkish, only child orphaned by the plague in 300 AD? He became a priest at the very young age of 17, and began to give his wealth away to the poor, especially children. He was rumored to surprise people by tossing bags of gold coins down the chimney or lobbing coins through open windows hoping they would fall in the stocking hung in front of the fireplace to dry… Sound familiar?

He later became a Catholic Bishop and also a saint. This is why some early artwork depicts Saint Nicholas dressed in flowing Papal robes and miter. He was also strongly associated with the Catholic Church and when the Protestant Reformation came to England “Saint Nic” went underground. A new “Gift-Giver” and Father Christmas figure arose, but this Gift-Giver wore a suit of breeches and tunic not unlike the long beloved “Green-Man” of Celtic mythology.

The Green Man went from this...

To this.

The familiar name “Santa Claus” is actually an American corruption of the Dutch name for Father Christmas, which was “Sinterklaas”.

This season, no matter what faith you are, and regardless of how you may or may not celebrate the winter holidays, be conscious of the fact we are passing through history together and adding to the richness of the human story. The harshness of winter is a wonderful time to share our love and light with each other.

Merry Christmas and happy winter holidays to all.

XXOO Kat

Uncertainly Yours released yesterday...

2011-12-17T00:20:00.000-07:00

Thanks to those of you who went over to purchase yesterday...I do appreciate your enjoyment of my books. The contest to win a free copy will run over at my blog through midnight Christmas Eve.

I know that I do not always jump into the blog and leave comments, but I do visit, and buy books that sound luscious to me. I am certain that I don't do my fair share of leaving comments, but I just purchased and downloaded two dozen marvelous books from your posts...so rest assured that I see and heed your posts, dear friends. :)

It has been a very stressful month...lots of stuff happening and loads of things that had to be done. So forgive me for not coming around more often...and I wish everyone a wonderful weekend. Don't spend too much money on shopping...

Hugs!

Fran Lee

Parade of Lights, wall of sound.

2011-12-14T00:28:00.000-07:00

Harbor Parade of Lights

There are only ten more days until Christmas Eve and only six until Hanukah starts. Kwanza begins December 26^th and so does Boxing Day… December is going fast!

I live near a harbor and a favorite holiday tradition in our town that often travels up the coastline, is the “Parade of Lights”.

Boat owners of all types decorate their sea-going vessels and themselves with lights and Santa costumes, and circle the harbor after dark.

It’s really beautiful and always draws a large crowd both on the shore and on the water.

There’s always a flotilla of kayakers who brave the cold and decorate their kayaks with hundreds of colored glow sticks and wear wetsuits and Santa hats.

There are fishing trawlers polished clean and covered in colored lights, tug boats, harbor patrol boats, an old-fashioned paddle wheel riverboat, sailboats, a few luxury yachts and lots of little electric boats that look like a miniature versions of the boat in the Humphrey Bogart, Katharine Hepburn classic “The African Queen”.

That’s the sort of boat my brother in law has. He loads it with LED lights so the bigger boats will see us at night and not run us over. We cruise around the harbor shouting and waving at everyone else that is shouting and waving at us. It’s always cold on the water but good food, wine and music is involved and it’s so much fun.

Of course lots of people prefer to watch the parade from the warmth of a restaurant or seaside duplex but I love being on the water. The boat is small so we all take turns. This year I got lucky and went last with my stepbrother who is an excellent songwriter and a friend who is a sound engineer.

The subject of box sets and remastered albums came up and I was in heaven. I love classic rock and wish I had a little musical talent, but I don’t. I can only listen in awe.

This Christmas if you have a rock’n rolla in your life and a little extra cash here are a few suggestions.

U2 Achtung Baby 20^th anniversary box set edition. First of all, I can’t believe twenty years have past! Second this is still one of my favorite albums of all time. I recently listened to it all the way through and it’s still moody, dark and gorgeous. In my opinion its U2’s masterpiece.

Second, The Rolling Stones classic “Some Girls” is turning thirty and enjoying a box set released that includes lots of pervious unreleased material and many new takes on the songs you know. The “cover girls” on the front have been redesigned and but are still hilarious.

Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here” 5 disc box set of unreleased material. Wow.

Peter Gabriel’s amazingly iconic album of the 1980’s “So” is turning 25! It too will enjoy a special re-release early in 2012.

Last but not least, this is the gossip I heard on the boat… Bob Dylan is very busy, expect more from him later this year, and a box set of The Doors LA Woman recordings and unreleased material will be available in January.

I love the Doors and I can’t wait for this one. I heard there’s a recording of Jim’s voice saying, “Why don’t we try a thunder (sound) effect at the beginning of “Riders on the Storm”?

(Why not indeed! What a good idea Jimbo…)

XXOO Kat

Celebrate the Holiday with a Christmas Spanking

2011-12-13T02:59:00.000-07:00

I have a Christmas special up on Kindle and B&N – Get Unwrapped for only .99!

I have to thank Jackman for this beautiful cover! :o)

Blurb:

Meg Trainor has one wish for Christmas every year: Two men who will fulfill all her fantasies.

Santa's in a giving mood this year.

Brothers and co-owners of Turquoise Toys, Brad and Shane Griffin will give her a Christmas she'll never forget.

Research! My SANTA, CUTIE heroine made my day!

2011-12-12T00:06:00.000-07:00

The most fun I have ever had researching a book was for SANTA, CUTIE's heroine, Susanna Corrigan. Yes. I had to travel. Ouuie. I had to party, dine, gamble, stay in fab.u.lous suite and ask questions of people.

What does Susanna do?

She is a costume designer for a Shakespearean Festival, but she was first a warder for the mimes at a Las Vegas resort.

For her new job at the Festival, she must be artful in rendering vibrant clothing which can be discarded quickly for changes, yet be accurate to time, place AND conflict and character for The Bard's plays.

I came across her in...of all places...Las Vegas where I knew she initially served as the warder for mimes in a famous resort hotel in Sin City. Perhaps you recognize these places?

What does a costume designer do?

She creates the entire look, feel, drama, and accurate look that the director wishes to convey for the play. And a head costume designer for a Shakespearean production company must understand not only how to sew, how to measure and fit, but how to create the aura of what the director sees for the play and each character. The costume designer is in this case, also a bit of a historian, if in fact, the director is producing the play in the Elizabethan era attire.

The designer usually has all the costumes finished on paper by October for a summer season run. THEN, the job of the draper and the seamstresses commences. The draper is the one who measures the actors for their wardrobes and he/she has as her assistants, the seamstresses, milliners, armorers and yes, wigmakers, as their helpers.

A huge production.

I loved every minute of this research. And while, I get to tell the most of it here, and not in the story, I am tickled to pass along a bit of what I learned.

My kids call these stories: Mom's Useless Facts or, now that they are older and more appreciative of such facts, Mom's Dinner Conversation!

THANKS to all who have put SANTA, CUTIE on ARe's bestseller list at #2!

Uncertainly Yours will be released December 16, 2011

2011-12-10T00:01:00.047-07:00

Uncertainly Yours

Fran Lee

I am running a contest to win a free copy of my new release over at my blog, so feel free to enter. The rules for the contest are simple...simply leave a comment on my blog telling me which Fran Lee book is your favorite, (or if you have never read one of my books, tell me that LOL) and make sure you leave at least your first name and your e-mail address (unless we have a long term friendship and I know you well) because on December 24th, at midnight, my grandson will draw the winning name from all entries...and if your name and e-mail aren't readily visible, your entry may end up being replaced by another entry with all the info requested.

Sigh.

Please don't assume that your Google or Yahoo profile has enough info about you to let me know the needed stuff. Many of you make those profiles private, and your winning entry is then gently tipped into the "going going gone" bin, and another lucky winner is drawn. Also, some of my dear pals have changed e-mail addresses or have altered their Google/Yahoo screen names, and I don't recognize them. So if you have already entered, but didn't give the correct info to receive your prize (since everyone who enters will win a prize of some kind) please go back on over and correct your entry. (Don't worry Amber...even though your AOL profile is hidden when I clicked your profile, you were wise enough to sign your name on the comment!) Thanks for that!

So I hope everyone goes over to enter now, because I absolutely will NOT spam all my loops and groups and blogs with continuous reminders. One notice is all you get, so don't delay. As I mentioned, every entrant wins something. (If you have already received a pdf copy of A Christmas Carol from me in past Christmas contests, let me know so I can send you a classic adventure instead.)

So go for it...enjoy...and I will see you next Saturday with my special Christmas post.

Hugs!

Fran Lee

http://www.franleeromance.com

2011-12-08T00:30:00.000-07:00

I'm off visiting today!!

Come on over to www.amberskyze.blogspot.com

Have a fantastic weekend~

Tessie
www.tessiebradford.com

The last word on NaNo 2011

2011-12-07T08:26:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe the first week of December just zipped past! Where did it go?

Last month’s NaNo project went great. I enjoyed the experience very much. I was aiming for a mini-NaNo of 30k, but the story I was working on ran away with me. My WIP is currently at 45k and I’m going to wrap it up at 50k in a couple of days.

It’s true I didn’t follow the actual NaNo format, nor did I work as hard as some of you did, but this is lightening fast progress for a slowpoke writer like me. It was good for me to just write without judgment and constant going backward to make endless revisions, which I tend to bog me down…

I couldn’t do that with NaNo. I had to just keep pushing the basic plot forward. Added to all this, November had daily challenges and many distractions from the day job that had to be juggled into the mix. It was good for me to know that despite what was going on during the day, I could sit down and write something of significance that quickly built into a story, if I would just get out of my own way and allow it to happen.

In fact NaNo was such a positive experience I’d recommend it to any aspiring writer. I wish I’d done it sooner. NaNo may have taught me some habits and skills that I hope will carry forward and become a regular part of my writer’s toolkit. It was well worth it if only for that. The other plus is, I was doing this project with Amber Skyze and soon we get to swap WIPs and enjoy what the other wrote. That will be the icing on the cake for me.

XXOO Kat

PS. It’s my baby brother’s birthday today. Happy birthday Mark, I love you! Mark’s retired Navy, served mostly in the Asian Pacific and it’s ironic his birthday is also the anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Mutli-Author Book Signing!

2011-12-06T01:39:00.000-07:00

I'm so excited to be joining two wonderful authors!

Multi-author book signing 12/11 with free basket and wrap!

12 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Well Read Books (next to Subway): Route 125, Plaistow, NH

603-819-5116

Come and Meet: Amber Skyze, Dalton Diaz, & Ashlyn Chase

SANTA, CUTIE, I want a MAN in my stocking!

2011-12-05T00:01:00.007-07:00

Tomorrow, my newest little bit of holiday cheer appears! SANTA, CUTIE comes from my love of the song, SANTA, BABY, an earthy tidbit of fun that leaves me smiling.
One lyric that zips in my head?
"Think of all the fun I've missed,
Think of all the fellas that I haven't kissed..."
Of course, the singer is talking about loving Santa and making a lush long list of goodies she'd like to have from him.
In SANTA, CUTIE, I give my heroine her present from Santa–a man in her stocking. Snort.
As Gil Santana, the hero, says to her, "Not just in your stocking, babe!"
Tomorrow!
From Decadent Publishing!
And if you'd like MORE MORE MORE, do buy the entire holiday antho, MADAME EVE's 1NIGHT STAND HOLIDAY ANTHOLOGY.
gorgeous cover, oui?

2011-12-01T00:30:00.000-07:00

We have a special guest today! Please help me welcome Taylor Tryst!

Seduced by Blood

By Taylor Tryst

Blurb:

Nevada Ortiz was an up-and-coming Los Angeles Police Officeruntil a chance encounter with a would-be carjacker changes the course of herlife. The six and a half foot assailant is dripping with weapons, his preternaturalblue eyes drilling into hers, his bite changing everything. Her body’s reactionto his blood, a seduction within itself, goes hand and hand with raw,animalistic sex.

Nothing is as it seems, and everything is in peril,including her life.

Gunner Slade is a vampire with secrets of his own, a soldierwho can walk in the sun, a dose of Sangre allowing he and vampires like himselfto blend in among humans, until he puts everything on the line for a woman hecan no longer exist without.

Nevada is the first human with immunity to a vampire bite,and requires the blood of two vampires to sustain her.

Not in his nature to share, Gunner Slade might be immortal,but he’s in hell just the same.

Excerpt:

Nevada was pinned beneath the weight of his massive body,and gasped for air, unable to do anything but stare into the night sky. Theworld spun wildly around her, time slowed, skewing and jarring and thenstopping altogether, as if everything and everyone but the two of them hadceased to exist.

His mouth was locked onto her neck, the warmth of his lipsand quick sweep of his tongue erotic, the feel of her body being crushedbetween his muscular frame and the hard ground beneath her making her writheagainst him.

He was ravenous in his hunger, and her blood spilled intohis eager mouth like water gushing from an open tap. There was neither fear norpain, the immediate agony of his bite replaced by mind-melding pleasure sointense it was visceral.

Nevada closed her eyes, the suction from his mouth pullingagainst her vein and sending heat pulsing through her core, working her pussylike probing fingers that delved deep and soaked her panties with wet heat. Shereached up to break contact, to push him away, but her body was responding on alevel she couldn’t control. Instead of shoving against him, she pressed herflattened palms against his powerful back and pulled him closer, hooking oneleg around his thigh.

She couldn’t get close enough.

His body was magnificent and she gasped, tears filling hereyes and spilling over, running down her cheeks. This physical desire was sodesperate, so out of sync with her mind she couldn’t comprehend it.

She wanted him to split her apart as he entered the tightvault of her pussy, plunging deeper and deeper with each thrust of his tight,round ass. Her empty vagina clenched like a fist at the mere thought of fuckinghim.

“Yes,” Nevada moaned, meaning to scream out the word butmanaging only a throaty whisper. She held on and buried her face against hisshoulder, reveling in his wild scent, a mixture of wind and salt from the oceanair and an earthy spice that melded together to create a powerful aphrodisiac.

Her body craved more.

She craved more.

She licked her lips, thinking that he tasted…delicious. Shegroaned and pulled his torn leather jacket aside, wanting desperately to runher mouth over his bare flesh.

*****

Thanks for having me as a blog guest, Tessie. It’sexhilarating to step back into the publishing world after such a long hiatus.After the death of my sister, and an incredibly long episode of writers block,I had to wonder if I would walk away from writing all together.

But, I learned a lot about myself during those many months.

I cave under pressure, my muse abandoning me. Or hell, maybeshe’s just a stubborn bitch, I don’t know, but she needs the freedom to becreative and obviously has intimacy issues. lol

Seriously, though, a dear friend and fellow author, BarbaraHuffert had me ask myself the most basic and simple question. When had writingstopped being fun?

She reminded me to write for myself. To please myself andnot worry about all the other stuff that comes with writing. She reminded me tofocus on the characters and telling the story. To let it happen, and damn it,to have fun.

I worked on Seduced by Blood for two years, as well as manysmaller projects. I just kept jumping from WIP to WIP. Seduced was a huge,70,000 words plus novel and I’d still be editing it to this day if I allowed myself.lol

I wrote a Christmas story that was ultimately rejected by Ellora’sCave, but I always knew in the back of my mind that I wanted to go “Indie” withSeduced. I felt that if I was ever going to take that chance of going out on myown, it had to be with my vamp book.

Honestly, it’s relatively terrifying. Stepping out therewithout a publisher standing in front of you is as scary as hell, but as frighteningas it is, it’s also exhilarating.

It’s not for the weak of heart, however.

The best part, however, is seeing your royalties and salesor lack thereof, in real time and not having to wait for a royalty statement inthe mail, a month after the fact. Setting your own price, putting your books onsale, having much more creative control over your covers, it’s extremely empowering.Addicting, really.

Of course, I found an editor. I’m not conceited enough tothink my work is anywhere near perfect enough for me to just write it and tossit out there. Seduced was such a huge project and I’d worked on it so long thatI pretty much lost all perspective. I definitely needed the extra set of eyesand the editorial hand.

The story itself came from my deep love of all thingsvampire.

Nevada Ortiz, an LAPD officer is my favorite heroine. She’sfearless yet vulnerable. She was a blast to write. Gunner Slade, my hero, is ofcourse the man/vampire of my dreams! lol

The second the two meet, everything that happens after thatpoint is inevitable. Gunner is placed in a situation where he has to make adecision in either letting Nevada die or turning her, except nothing is as easyas it seems.

I’m beginning Braden’s story. He’s Gunner’s commander andhis blood is needed to help keep Nevada alive. He’s in agony, walking on theskirts of their relationship, wanting something he’d never known he’d needed.

If you’d like to win Seduced by Blood, please leave aquestion or comment and the winner will win either Seduced by Blood orsomething from my backlist.

Thank you very much for allowing me to guest on your blog,Tessie.

Taylor

Thanks for being here, Taylor!

Tessie

www.tessiebradford.com

Time to re-open a "Nice Package"

2011-11-29T22:58:00.000-07:00

Today I’m posting a little retro book promo for a book of mine that was released a bit late during last Christmas’ season, and didn’t get the attention it might have enjoyed with an earlier release date.

"Nice Package" came out last December 21st (?) and it's a story I remain very proud of.

It actually takes place the day after Christmas. Cora and Jim treat themselves to a little BDSM tinged adventure in a luxurious lodge, under mysterious circumstances... By the time they head home their lives have changed greatly for the better.

I included a little fetish of mine in this story-the prolonged tease, which includes intense arousal without release until it becomes an explosive mind-altering experience, using only your natural brain chemistry for an endorphin rush. Never tried it? Don't know what I'm talking about? Read the story and find out...lol

Blurb: Christmas chaos is over at the Emersons' house, but the real holiday fun is just beginning when Jim presents Cora with a big, beautiful gift box she's forbidden to open.

What's in the crimson mystery box?

Cora finds out, slowly, over a twenty-four-hour period. The box contains tantalizing toys, temptations, tricky games, and an invitation to an erotic adventure at a mountain lodge that will refresh their marriage and bond them as lovers. If Cora can endure one hellaciously prolonged tease, she's really going to enjoy getting a nice package.

Reader Advisory: Novel contains a scene that includes light f/f interaction.

Watch the Youtube video here:

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

Miz Loves Books rated "Nice Package" "Hot Stuff, #1 Top Pick and says, "The sexual tension breathes fire..." "It's like looking at the Sun."

You can read the complete review here:

http://www.mizlovelovesbooks.com/2011/01/nice-package-by-katalina-leon.html

Or better yet, buy “Nice Package” here:

http://www.jasminejade.com/p-8909-nice-package.aspx

I want to give a shout out to Tessie Bradford who’s spicy new Gem “Emily’s Destiny” is available today from Resplendence Press. It’s a really good read! Please check it out.

This is the link to Resplendence Press’ Home page:

http://www.resplendencepublishing.com/1.html

XXOO Kat

PS. I got my Christmas lights, and a several pure red floral wreaths up yesterday. I love seeing them.

My Attempt at Self-Publishing

2011-11-29T03:52:00.000-07:00

I'm taking my Aspen Mountain books to self-publishing. I've just about completed edits for Wild Lickins which is now Wild in Paradise. I'm making some changes, nothing huge, but enough. I love this cover and send out special thanks to Valerie Tibbs. She designed the first cover for this novella and so I asked her to design the new one. She did a fantastic job capturing exactly what I wanted.
I'm hoping to have this M/M story up on Amazon by Friday. I'll be offering it for .99 for the first week and then $1.49 after.

Next week I'll try to share my experience with self-publishing!

Cheers,
Amber

SOUL MATE? Got one? Get one! by Jane Rochester

2011-11-28T00:01:00.005-07:00

Yum, yum cover, no?
SOUL MATE is one of the raving great stories of 1Night Stands at Decadent Publishing, this is Jane Rochester's first book!
APPLAUSE for a new author!
And since vampires are a thing of daily, sunny delight, here is Jane's for you.
What is it?
After her friend buys her a date from Madame Evangeline’s 1Night Stand service, Nora isn’t sure she can go through with it. Especially when she sees her date walk in. He’s way out of her league in more ways than just looks.

Angus MacInnes knows his time as Enforcer of his vampire clan is slowly driving him mad. When his brother sent him on a date, he assumed it would be a bust from the beginning. He didn’t expect to find the one woman he’s been hoping would appear for the last few centuries.

But can a vampire Enforcer smooth his rough edges enough to convince Nora that they’re Soul Mates.

Buy Link: http://www.decadentpublishing.com/product_info.php?products_id=375&osCsid=hivk6ohi7luvairc2n60d5a6q3

Special Guest Liz Crowe!

2011-11-25T09:33:00.000-07:00

Liz Crowe's latest release, "Specific Gravity".

Seven Sexy Scribes is honored this hectic Black Friday to have Liz Crowe as our guest. Liz has a knack for mixing business will pleasure, and that business is often the brewery business. I love these stories. The heroines live real lives and cope with real men in the workplace. We all knew beer and guys went great together, but what about beer and smart, sassy businesswomen? These brave heroines kick-ass in bed and in business and take do take prisoners. If you enjoy the idea of finding love in the work place you've got to check out the "Brewing Passions" series.

XXOO Kat

Liz:

Thanks for having me ladies! I’m a huge fan of the “what if” moment in fiction. Frankly, it’s what has inspired every single published works (and some still hanging around waiting for the right publisher). Here are a few of my favorites…

What If:

the man you keep making eye contact with across a crowded restaurant gave you a nod, and you got up, made your way to the back hall only to find him there waiting for you....

the guy you just told "no" at the door, when he tried to get you to leave AT&T and rejoin the Comcast fold, the one with the most amazing deep blue eyes and husky voice stopped in your driveway while you watched his attractive rear view, turned, came back to the door and...

that guy who hands you your coffee each morning, who seems to manage every day to brush your fingers with his just enough to give you chills is sitting down the bar from you one night, alone....

the man you have been showing houses to for months, whose emails and texts (all about houses) are borderline flirts, who opens doors and pulls out chairs at all those showings and lunches you've shared, shows up at one of your Open Houses with a bouquet of flowers, a bottle of wine and kisses you before you can protest....

(insert couple photo here)

your husband of twenty years rents a convertible for the weekend, fills it with your favorite picnic food and a cooler of craft beer and a blanket then drives you to a beach house and makes you scream with delight all weekend long....

the guy you've been dating a few months surprises you with strawberries and whipped cream...that you have to lick off his body....

the "date" you and your spouse of many years goes in is with another couple, and you end up in their hot tub, with the other man's lips on yours, and her fingers between your legs, while your husband watches....

the colleague you've been flirting with for months, when you aren't fighting over contracts and sales targets, is working late with you one night, and you give in to his need, and yours, right in the office hallway....

your kids' soccer coach, the one you've been admiring for a year, asks for a private conference, and fucks you silly behind the door of his office....

at a formal dinner, the amazingly hot man next to you keeps trailing his fingers along your bare shoulder, down your arm, and finally rests his hand on your thigh, exposed by a slit in your silk dress, and as you shift up in the chair you feel his fingertip on your....

the man who runs the company that is your biggest competitor, using cutthroat tactics to stay number one in your industry, meets you at a conference, buys you a drink and confesses he's wanted to kiss you since the first time he ever met you...

Specific Gravity is the last of the Brewing Passion series that includes:

The Rookie (the story that started it all)

XXXMas Ale (The Winter Street Brewing Company KNOWS how to throw a party)

The Tap Room (The Choose Your Romance Novel)

It is available TODAY at www.breathlesspress.com

Liz blogs at www.brewingpassion.com

And for her beer biz at www.a2beerwench.com

On Facebook as Liz Crowe

And twitter as beerwencha2

Thank you Liz, keep brewing up those steamy stories!

I wish everyone a wonderful post holiday weekend.

XXOO Kat

2011-11-24T06:58:00.001-07:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

I wish everyone a safe and joyous holiday!

Tessie

www.tessiebradfor.com

Be Thankful For Odd things

2011-11-22T23:36:00.000-07:00

I love Thanksgiving. It’s such a beautiful holiday. I know it has its critics and its politically incorrect roots. I know many of us already eat too much, and many of us don’t have nearly enough. I know many of us don’t have loving families or friends to spend the day with and I know that must hurt.

Thanksgiving is still a great holiday. When we say what we are Thankful for, the easy things quickly come to the surface, as they should. Our families, loved ones, home, our jobs, health, our veterans, our religious and spiritual values, and of course the beautifully prepared meal usually fill the top of the list of things to be thankful for.

Before the hectic holiday season starts in earnest, may I challenge you to spend a quiet moment asking yourself what you are truly thankful for—within?

For instance, if you are a creative person, please give yourself credit for that and silently say, “I am thankful for my creativity, I can find limitless solutions.”

If you are able to forgive others, please take credit for that. Say, “I am thankful I am a forgiving person, my heart and the people around me feel lighter because of it.”

If you are persistent, be thankful and say, “I may not be the best or the first but I’m persistent, and I always reach my goal.”

See what I’m getting at? You can even go further and thank your lungs for fueling the fire, your immune system for protecting you, your skeleton for holding you up etc… There’s an endless list of things to be thankful for. So many little things work quietly within our lives like unsung heroes.

Remember women are the keystones of the household and the greater community. When we identify and tap into our strengths, those qualities thrive, and that’s what I want for all of you this season. I want you to thrive, and have lots to be thankful for in the coming year.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone, I’m very thankful you visited Seven Sexy Scribes.

XXOO Kat

PS. The dual NaNo project with Amber Skyze is going great! I love her story and I’m always thrilled when she sends new pages to read. My story is almost 33k and it’s sweeping along. So far, so good.

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-22T08:56:00.000-07:00

I want to wish all my friends and readers a Happy Thanksgiving. I'm thankful for all of you! :o)

BTW, a nice reader who took advantage of my 5 for 5 wrote a nice review you can check out here!

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/237813041

Reflections on heroes, bound up in...our expectations?

2011-11-21T10:23:00.000-07:00

I crave a hero who has principles, direction, desire and persistence. Those who come to me full-blown as men who have made their marks in business or other, and have little to do other than conquer the woman of their choice seem...meh.
Yet, I seem to find so many these days between the pages of fiction.
I want a man who needs to achieve something other than...well, taking a woman to bed.
Why do I see so many men in erotic fiction who seem to have nothing else going on but desire?
Are they all bound up in our own expectations of intense, erotic coupling that we have no need to see them with sensitivities, flaws and the ability to change and adapt to their chosen mates?
Do you see this? Or am I just in the middle of a bad patch where hopping into bed ain't all there is?

Coming November 30th

2011-11-17T00:30:00.000-07:00

Blurb:

Emily’s been keeping her two alpha malemates at arm’s length, fearing that with their traditional changeling values,they will try to curb her independent, free-spirited nature. She loves themboth with all of her heart, but takes off to Europe when they press their suit.After a whole bunch of soul-searching, Emily’s home, ready to embrace life withher men.

Colby and Darrin have never doubted thatEmily is their destined mate. They’ve played by her rules for a very long timein an effort to prove their love. The game is about to change.

Spoiler Alert: Emily's Destiny is a "shifter" story in which no actual shifting takes place!

First of all, my characters are 'changelings', which means they can take the form of any living creature. Why? Because that seems really cool to me! You could fly, run, climb or swim depending on the situation. What about actually being the eavesdropping bug on the wall?? There is narrative regarding Emily, Colby and Darrin taking different forms, but the reader never sees it.

What I wanted to explore, in a very short book, was the dynamic of a non-human threesome!! Colin is a force to be reckoned with; commanding, powerful and animalistic is the most yummy ways. Darrin is equally as powerful but not quite as alpha, definitely more layed back and playful. Emily is modern, a wee-bit more human, and, gasp, a virgin!

Did I have big fun writing this story? Yes, yes I did!

Have a fantastic weekend~

Tessie

www.tessiebradford.com

Tessie Bradford's "Sensations"

2011-11-15T23:11:00.000-07:00

Hot off the e-press and I do mean Hot...
Tessie Brandford's "Sensations" is sensational.

I just finished reading Tessie Bradford’s newest romance from Resplendence Publishing, “Sensations” and I loved it!

Here’s the blurb:

Vivian Walcourt is completely out of her conservative element when she finds herself at an ultra-exclusive adult club. Her free-spirited best friend may think she’s in love with one of the owners, but Vivian doesn’t believe in whirlwind courtships.

Paul Landis never imagined the woman who has haunted his dreams for years would walk into his club with his best friend’s fiancé. More beautiful than ever, unattached, and worked into a heightened state of horny by the evenings entertainment, he sweeps her away to experience the very special pleasures found behind the closed doors of Sensations.

“Sensations” has a lot to offer. It’s daring, adventurous, romantic and damn kinky as well. It’s about two people Vivian Walcourt and Paul Landis who have been co-workers in the past, felt the heat, but never acted on the mutual attraction, due to Vivian’s long-over, unhappy marriage holding them apart. They meet again several years later under surprising circumstances, and now both are free to explore the feelings that have been lurking below the surface for a very long time.

Vivian starts off as the skeptical voice of reason almost chaperoning her best friend through a risky looking love match that just seems too good to be true. Against her better judgment Vivian visits the very exclusive, high-end pleasure club named “Sensations” to see the goods for herself, and also sees gorgeous Paul Landis tending bar.

Paul immediately recognizes a second chance to be with Vivian and wastes no time, he’s all over it. There’s a lot of sparks, flirting, exotic drinks and a very erotic floorshow. Before she knows what hit her, Vivian is asking herself what else the club has to offer, and gentleman that he is, Paul is more than willing to show her…

This is where it gets good. Vivian gets to live out her naughtiest fantasies with a man she has always desired and a whole room chock-full of kinky toys and contraptions for the expert Paul to initiate her into the wild world of BDSM. As if that’s not enough Sensations is also a luxury hotel with gourmet meal room service.

(Sign me up! I’m checking Priceline right now to see if I can get reservations.)

Paul and Vivian soon discover they are perfectly matched sexually, but also good friends with a great deal of respect for the other. As their hot weekend continues Vivian is left with many unsettling questions about what her future with Paul might be. Is this just fun or can this be forever?

Come on, you knew there would be some issues to solve and there are, but a growing sense of comfort with Paul leaves Vivian very confused about her whirlwind-romances-are-just-an-illusion stance.

I loved how Tessie kept the story hot and the scenes rolling while adding little insights about the character’s lives beyond the walls of the club. Paul and Vivian felt like real people to me, and that added greatly to my enjoyment of the story.

I do have a favorite adults-only scene in the Voyeur room with exhibitionistic sex in front of another couple including a hunky bouncer named Len. You gotta check out Len.

My conclusion is “Sensations” will cause you feel all sorts of sensations. This is a fun fast read that is very satisfying.

XXOO Kat

Tessie Bradford’s “Sensations”

Resplendence Publishing

Here’s the buy link: http://www.resplendencepublishing.com/m8/387-201-119-451-5--sensations-by-tessie-bradford.html

5 Books - Five Bucks!

2011-11-15T01:29:00.001-07:00

You heard me. 5 Books for $5

Taking the lead from another Aspen Mountain author who Sandra Hicks refuses to answer I’m offering my books to anyone who want to purchase them for a steal.

Tired of not being paid for my work. Tired of the publisher who is in BREACH of her contracts I’m doing something about it. I’m selling my works for a limited time.

From November 15th-20th you can buy any 5 of the following titles for $5.

How do you score? Make a PayPal payment to amberskyze@gmail.com, send me the receipt and I’ll forward you PDF copies of five books of your choice.

Your email should read AMP Books. In your email list the 5 you want. Easy as 1-2-3! :o)

Heat Waves – M/F

Ever wonder about the face behind the voice of a radio DJ?

Nina Walters has. She can't get enough of disc jockey Ty's sexy baritone. He has her masturbating to his voice daily. When he challenges his listeners to a contest Nina can't resist the challenge, the opportunity and will use every advantage she has or can find.

Ty is offering a dream date, with him, to one lucky winner. He's positive no one will guess the answer correctly. So, when Nina does he's floored. Being a man of his word, he goes through with the date. Sparks fly, but secrets linger. Will their heat for one another be enough to ride the waves of deception?

Mistletoe Studs – M/F/M

Meg Trainor has one wish for Christmas every year: Two men who will fulfill all her fantasies.

Santa's in a giving mood this year.

Brothers and co-owners of Turquoise Toys, Brad and Shane Griffin will give her a Christmas she'll never forget.

Wild Lickins – M/M

Sam has secretly loved Ethan for as long as he could remember. Ethan can’t see beyond his love for their Ice Cream Shoppe Wild Lickins. To escape his desires for his best friend and business partner, Sam takes off for an overdue vacation. Coral Reef, an all male resort, promises a week of sex, sun and relaxation. It’s the perfect combination to help Sam clear his mind. What it doesn’t prepare Sam for is Jim.

Can a stranger help Sam forget about his lust for Ethan? Or is there more to the distraction than meets the eye?

Sliding Home – M/M

Alex loves baseball and when the majors come knocking on his door he’s thrilled. The only thing missing from his life is a partner to share it with. Alex longs to be with his best friend, Rick. He’s loved Rick since he realized he was gay.

An evening of celebration turns to a night of pleasure between Rick and Alex. The next day Rick is confused with his feelings toward Alex.

Will Rick give in to his desires or will he let Alex walk out of his life forever?

Naughty St. Nick – M/F

Nick has fought his attraction to Emily since the summer. Work and other commitments have kept him from pursuing a relationship. Christmas is upon them and Nick finds he has free time on his hands. He devices a little plan to get her sexy body prepared for what he hopes will be a night of passion she’ll never forget.

Someone is sending Emily erotic toys. The naughty notes attached are charging her dormant body to life with promises of red hot sex. She’s not sure who her secret Santa is, but if he’s truly following the Twelve Days of Christmas she’s about to find out.

Will Emily succumb to this Naughty St. Nick?

One Tasty Night – M/F

Taylor Jax has a secret. She fantasizes about seducing longtime friend Shane Griffin. Only problem, he’s eight years her junior – too young in her mind.

During a game of truth or dare her secret is exposed. Challenged by her best friends, Taylor must go into an adult toy store and buy all the accessories needed to live out her fantasy.With another night of truth or dare looming, Taylor makes a bold move. Before her friends can dare her, she plans a full-fledged seduction.

Shane has loved Taylor for as long as he can remember. She enters his store in disguise, prompting him to tease her. To his surprise she agrees to have dinner with him. And when she propositions him he wonders - will one night be enough?

Talk Dirty to Topaz – M/F

Interior Designer Teagan Topaz doesn’t believe in love, after finding her fiancé in bed doing the nasty with another woman. Nine long months later Teagan finds herself sexually frustrated, due to a recent surge of explicit sex phone calls on her business line.

Frank Black needs Teagan’s expertise to put the finishing touches on a room in his house, but he fantasizes about tying her up and ravishing her.

Will Teagan be able to resist the designs Frank has for her?

Marilyn Monroe's infamous gown, its fate and A LONG TIME COMIN'!

2011-11-14T00:05:00.005-07:00

Like so many of my talented author friends, I try to make people live in my stories. Now, true, screen icon Marilyn Monroe is gone, sadly, but her legend in many things lives on.
In A LONG TIME COMIN', my heroine Cait Hagerty owns a vintage clothing shop on the River Walk in San Antonio. (Trust me, this area is no low rent district! So she must earn BUCKS, baby, BUCKS!) Now Cait has in her shop has the only copy of the gown ever made for Marilyn Monroe when she sang Happy Birthday to JFK in 1962.
(THIS copy is fiction.)
But this line of thinking gave me a few ideas on my heroine's personality.
Who is Cait?
A woman who likes old dresses. Okay.
But she also is rather traditional in other aspects.
She is a calm, reserved business woman who knows how to navigate the world. She understands her lover's challenges and copes with them. Perhaps better than he does!
So owning a vintage clothing store also got me a plus: I could talk about Cait's figure. Always a great idea when writing erotic romance! I could write also about the absolutely out of this world gown. WHICH incidentally, Marilyn had to be sewn into the night--the only night--she wore it when she sang Happy Birthday to John F. Kennedy at Madison Square Garden.
Only weeks before she died of an overdose.
The other thing you need to know about vintage clothes, this dress and their value?
MM's dress is a good example. In 1999, this dress sold at Christies' auction house for... ready? $1,267,500.00
Lots of dinero.
To see this lovely creation, go here: http://www.marilynmonroecollection.com/Lot55.htm
And to see Marilyn sing Happy Birthday to JFK, go to YOUTUBE here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4SLSlSmW74
CIAO, my lovelies!
Find A LONG TIME COMIN' at Amazon, ARe and Smashwords for 99 cents!

What Do I Listen To?

2011-11-10T04:03:00.000-07:00

Thanks, Kat, for giving me a subject to blog about!! Inher post yesterday, she asked what songs a person might select to go with thenew vibrator that syncs with a music playing device. I offered “Loves My Cock”by Jackyl. This was her response:

“Tessie,I insist you blog about what's on your iPod. You're such a nice lady butfrankly I suspect you have a lot of nasty hot-ass heavy metal melting yourmusic files... lol Go Rockers!”

Get ready to laugh, everyone – I don’t have an iPod,MP3 player, or any other such high-tech device. I listen to music in the car,or on my stereo/cd player through giant headphones that cover my entire ears. Andalthough I don’t use it often due to sound quality, I still have a workingturntable and record albums!!

Now the “nasty hot-ass heavy metal” is dead on (so isthe ‘nice lady’ if I’m having a good day)!! I’ve been a head banger sincebefore the term existed. I listen to most genres of music, but loudhard-driving heavy beats, raunchy lyrics and potentially riot inducing messageshave always been my favorites. It completely weirds people out since Idefinitely don’t look the part! Kinda like the whole being an Erotic RomanceAuthor thing. The other day I scared the crap out of a co-worker when I startedmy car with the windows down and M&M blasted through the parking lot!

Going to concerts is one of my favorite recreationalactivities. There are certain groups or individuals I see every chance I get,but I also really enjoy discovering newer acts. My brother is my concert buddy,and nowadays the first thing we have to do is scope out people older than usbefore we can settle in and get our freak on. At shows like KISS, Motley Crew, Aerosmith,Tesla, Poison and Metallica, it’s not a problem. But it takes a minute longerat shows like Good Charlotte, Linkin Park, Marilyn Manson, BuckCherry and RageAgainst the Machine.

In closing, please allow me to again mention Jackyl.They haven’t had a new CD in a while but still occasionally tour. A lot of people are unfamiliar with them, butif you like southern rock, I highly recommend checking out their stuff. A bandthat uses a chainsaw as an instrument, discharges weapons on stage, and usesthe word jizz in a song should not be missed!!!! I’ve seen them 13 times inconcert. Many years ago, after seeing them for the first time, I wrote a veryeloquent fan letter that garnered me a back stage pass for life!!

Have a great weekend!

Tessie

www.tessiebradford.com

Dancing In The Sheets

2011-11-08T23:33:00.002-07:00

My sister told me there’s a new vibrator being offered from Adam and Eve.com that can be plugged into an iPod or MP3 players, so the user can enjoy the soundtrack of their choice with a matching vibration while they get off.

Good idea? Maybe. I hate to think what might happen with the wrong tunes, grating rhythms or somber tempos getting mixed up with what happens naturally when women with vivid imaginations get a little quality time with their vibrators. What if somebody messed with your music files and lined up Ethel Merman’s greatest hits to play at a crucial moment or a dour tuba solo? It could happen.

Discreet use of a buzzing vibrator in a busy household is often challenging enough. I’m not sure I can handle a private soundtrack playing loudly or worse getting caught wearing ear buds that prevent me from hearing someone politely knocking and then flinging open the bedroom door... It could happen.

I went to the Adam and Eve site and saw an eyeful of inventive, interesting and bizarre sex toys. I did not however see the magical, musical, iPod vibrator my sister mentioned. Perhaps it’s still in the R& D stage and not yet ready to send us dancing in the sheets?

I did start thinking about what music I would choose to accompany me on the musical vibrator. Just for the titles and lyrics alone I’d have to start with Johnny Cash’s “Burning Ring Of Fire”, Tom Jones “What’s New Pussycat?” and Nine Inch Nails “Closer”, but I know there are thousands of other pun song titles out there.

What songs would you put on your vibrating iPod if such amazing devices exist?

XXOO Kat

Boring Blog!

2011-11-08T03:03:00.002-07:00

It’s four in the morning and I’m trying to think up a topic for today’s blog and realized I have nothing. Nada. Zilch. LOL

I can tell you I’m writing. Since the first of the month I’ve written about 5k. It feels good and the story is really taking shape in my mind. This is my first attempt at writing paranormal and a shape shifter so I hope I don’t disappoint anyone. :o)

I’m having a good time. I’m jealous of my writing partner too. All I can tell you is she’s going to blow you away with her book. I wake up every morning anticipating what she’s added. Katalina will not disappoint any of her readers.

They’re calling for high 60s today in New England. I’m going to enjoy the warm weather, because it will likely snow tomorrow.

Happy Tuesday

Coming November 30th

2011-11-03T10:08:00.000-06:00

And here is the cover for my second November release!!

BLURB:

Colby and Darrin have never doubted thatEmily is their destined mate. They’ve played by her rules for a very long timein an effort to prove their love. The game is about to change.

I know I should be focusing on Sensations coming out next week Wednesday (11/9), but I'm really excited about this one, too!!

Have a great weekend~

Tessie

www.tessiebradford.com

Nano is Go!

2011-11-01T23:25:00.000-06:00

Happy All Saints and All Soul's Day!

Yesterday was the first day of NaNo and I have to boast Amber and I are off to a good start. It was a bit intimidating when Monday morning rolled around and I was still very unclear about basic details of our shared project. The kinds of things I haven’t even thought to discuss with Amber were suddenly priority one. I needed to know details such as what time of year it was or the age of our heroines and so on. I was still waiting for inspiration to hit when Amber emailed me her first 800 words, and they were good…

It was time to light a fire under me and start the pot boiling! With Amber’s help I jumped in by late-morning and didn’t stop until I had to pick my son up at school. The story started to flow and actually surprised me from page to page with where it wanted to go. It felt good to write this way. Five pages (2.2k) appeared effortlessly, which was such a relief. This summer I had days when I felt damn lucky to write a full page.

Now, most of the story is firmly playing in my head. I feel confident I have enough material to make this an interesting novella and I have Amber to thank for that. She’s a great person to brainstorm with and I always feel safe sharing even my worst ideas with her.

Writing can be lonely. It’s easy to doubt yourself or run out of steam. I’m finding it’s really wonderful to share the creative space with a partner. I’m enjoying the experience of writing as a team and I can’t wait to share the results with all of you.

So far so good. I feel like I cleared the first tough hurdle of just getting a new project moving.

XXOO Kat

NaNo Challenge

2011-11-01T03:39:00.000-06:00

Today is the start of NaNo. In the past four years I’ve gone into the challenge with guns blazing. I’ve also managed to finish three books over 50k. Where are those three books? Sitting in the drawer of my desk. I’ve never edited them and subbed them to anyone. It’s sad really. Actually that’s a lie. I did edit the first thirty pages of one and subbed to my editor to see if it was worth finishing the edits. The book was written in 1st person and while she loved the premise she said it needed a lot of editing. I gave up on it. I did attempt to change it to 3rd person, but that fell by the wayside.
Here’s the thing…I loved the premise too. That’s why I wrote it in the first place.
This year I’m going in with my guns half-blazing. LOL I plan to complete a book, but one of only 20-25k. I don’t have time for stress and trying to reach a 50k goal would stress me out. This is also the first paranormal book I’ve ever written.
Someday I’ll go back to one of those full length novels and edit it, but for now I’m happy with my writing life. It works for me.
How about you? Will you be taking the NaNo Challenge?

Tomorrow, tomorrow, we'll love you tomorrow. It's only a day awwwwwway!

2011-10-31T00:09:00.010-06:00

Seems Like The Perfect Time For....

2011-10-27T15:32:00.000-06:00

A little bite of my vampire story!!

BLURB:

Sandy’sperception of reality is taking one serious ass-kicking. Two stunninglyhandsome vampires come to her aide, boldly announce she is their blood mate andsend her soaring on waves of orgasmic delight with every touch. It’s a lot fora gal to process in two days!

Tony andRick weren’t looking for a third, but when the spunky, courageous, sexy-as-hellhuman woman needs blood, their bodies and souls instantly recognize Sandy astheir perfect match. Now they just need to convince her to embrace all they haveto offer.

EXCERPT
The Lady's Not A Vamp
Copyright Tessie Bradford, 2010

Sandy rubbed her eyes and rolled over to face the backof the couch. The first thing to register was the lack of a headache and asettled stomach. The next was her pebbled nipples and the gentle pulsing of herclit. Images of a gorgeous man coming to her rescue, bringing her home,promising to make her feel better floated through her mind. Wow, what a dream!She stretched her legs and snuggled her hip more deeply into the cushions. Shethought she heard a quiet groan from somewhere across the room, but that wasimpossible, she lived alone. A tiny itch caused her to rub her ass cheek slowlyas she delighted in finally feeling like her old self again.

“Oh come on, give a guy a break.”

Sandy jerked around so fast she had to brace her armon the floor to keep from tumbling flat on her face. After fumbling around toregain a sitting position, she stared at Rick, who sat across the room.

“I thought you were a dream.”

“Nope, I’m very real, but thanks for the compliment.”His smile lit up his face. “Are you feeling better?”

“As a matter of fact, yes, I am. How can that be?”

“Sandy, what I’m about to say is going to sound crazy,but please try and hear me out, okay?” He laid his hands on the arms of therecliner and slowly crossed his legs. It was obvious he was trying to affect acasual pose, which immediately caused her concern.

“I’m listening,” she replied hesitantly.

“The man you danced with at the bar isn’t human.”

Wow, at least he’d warned her first. Sandy quicklyscanned the room, disappointed to see her purse with her cell phone inside,over by the front door. It would be quite impossible to get past Rick fromwhere she was sitting. Humoring him for the moment seemed the best course ofaction while trying to figure out a plan B. “May I ask what he is then?”

“A vampire and a law breaker, but I promise hewill be brought to justice.”

Sandy briefly studied Rick’s expression, so calmbut also serious, then did the only thing that came to mind. She burst outlaughing. Of course the most beautiful, compassionate man she’d ever had thepleasure of meeting was as nutty as a fruitcake!

“A criminal vampire as opposed to the modelcitizen kind, huh? Leave it to me to attract a bad one. Is his crime dancing meto the point of illness?”

“He took your blood without permission.”

Sandy ran both her hands along her neck. “Withoutleaving any teeth marks too. I appreciate that.”

“He healed them, of course.”

“Riiight.” She nodded her head in agreement andslowly stood. “This is certainly a very plausible explanation for me notfeeling well. Thanks for clearing everything up. I suppose I should call thepolice and make a full report?”

“I am the police.”

And it keeps getting better, she thought,desperately choking back another round of giggles.

“Then I leave the situation in your capable hands.Be sure and let me know how it all turns out, okay?” She took a few steps andmotioned toward the front door.

“We most certainly will.”

Sandy audibly gasped at the man now standing inthe kitchen doorway. Shockingly, he actually fit her idea of what a vampiremight look like. Long, jet-black, perfectly straight hair hung loose over hisshoulders to fall below his armpits. His full-length leather coat hung open,revealing a black shirt stretched tight across his chest and worn blue jeansriding low on his hips, clinging to his muscular thighs. Even from across theroom, she was mesmerized by his ice-blue eyes and sharp facial features. Whenhe winked at her rakishly, a shiver of lust skittered along her skin. He lookedbad and oh so good all at the same time.

“Who the hell are you?”

“Cassandra Morley, meet Tony DeLucia, my partner.”

Have a great weekend and HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!
Tessie
www.tessiebradford.com

Seems Like The Perfect Time For...

2011-10-27T10:23:00.000-06:00

A little bite of my vampire story!!

BLURB:

Sandy’s perception of reality is taking one serious ass-kicking.

Two stunningly handsome vampires come to her aide, boldly announce she is their blood mate and send her soaring on waves of orgasmic delight with every touch. It’s a lot for a gal to process in two days!

Tony and Rick weren’t looking for a third, but when the spunky, courageous, sexy-as-hell human woman needs blood, their bodies and souls instantly recognize Sandy as their perfect match. Now they just need to convince her to embrace all they have to offer.

EXCERPT

The Lady's Not A Vamp

Copyright Tessie Bradford, 2010

Sandy rubbed her eyes and rolled over to face the back of the couch. The first thing to register was the lack of a headache and a settled stomach. The next was her pebbled nipples and the gentle pulsing of her clit. Images of a gorgeous man coming to her rescue, bringing her home, promising to make her feel better floated through her mind. Wow, what a dream!

She stretched her legs and snuggled her hip more deeply into the cushions. She thought she heard a quiet groan from somewhere across the room, but that was impossible, she lived alone. A tiny itch caused her to rub her ass cheek slowly as she delighted in finally feeling like her old self again.

“Oh come on, give a guy a break.”

Sandy jerked around so fast she had to brace her arm on the floor to keep from tumbling flat on her face. After fumbling around to regain a sitting position, she stared at Rick, who sat across the room.

“I thought you were a dream.”

“Nope, I’m very real, but thanks for the compliment.” His smile lit up his face. “Are you feeling better?”

“As a matter of fact, yes, I am. How can that be?”

“Sandy, what I’m about to say is going to sound crazy, but please try and hear me out, okay?” He laid his hands on the arms of the recliner and slowly crossed his legs. It was obvious he was trying to affect a casual pose, which immediately caused her concern.

“I’m listening,” she replied hesitantly.
“The man you danced with at the bar isn’t human.”

Wow, at least he’d warned her first. Sandy quickly scanned the room, disappointed to see her purse with her cell phone inside, over by the front door. It would be quite impossible to get past Rick from where she was sitting. Humoring him for the moment seemed the best course of action while trying to figure out

a plan B. “May I ask what he is then?”

“A vampire and a law breaker, but I promise he will be brought to justice.”

Sandy briefly studied Rick’s expression, so calm but also serious, then did the only thing that came to mind. She burst out laughing. Of course the most beautiful, compassionate man she’d ever had the pleasure of meeting was as nutty as a fruitcake!

“A criminal vampire as opposed to the model citizen kind, huh? Leave it to me to attract a bad one. Is his crime dancing me to the point of illness?”

“He took your blood without permission.”
Sandy ran both her hands along her neck. “Without leaving any teeth marks too. I appreciate that.”

“He healed them, of course.”

“Riiight.” She nodded her head in agreement and slowly stood. “This is certainly a very plausible explanation for me not feeling well. Thanks for clearing everything up. I suppose I should call the police and make a full report?”

“I am the police.”

And it keeps getting better, she thought, desperately choking back another round of giggles.
“Then I leave the situation in your capable hands. Be sure and let me know how it all turns out, okay?”

She took a few steps and motioned toward the front door.

“We most certainly will.”

Sandy audibly gasped at the man now standing in the kitchen doorway. Shockingly, he actually fit her idea of what a vampire might look like. Long, jet-black, perfectly straight hair hung loose over his shoulders to fall below his armpits. His full-length leather coat hung open, revealing a black shirt stretched tight across his chest and worn blue jeans riding low on his hips, clinging to his muscular thighs. Even from across the room, she was mesmerized by his ice-blue eyes and sharp facial features. When he winked at her rakishly, a shiver of lust skittered along her skin. He looked bad and oh so good all at the same time.

“Who the hell are you?”

“Cassandra Morley, meet Tony DeLucia, my partner.”

Have a great weekend

and HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!

Tessie
www.tessiebradford.com

scheduled

3:32:00 PM

by Tessie Bradford

Delete

Nano is like a sleek rocket car dipped in personal lubricant...

2011-10-25T11:49:00.000-06:00

Warning: this is your brain on Nano! Being fast isn't always smart. Be cautious and practice sound judgement before you hit the afterburner.

I’m having one of those weeks that offers so much. I have to be choosy about where I spend my energy and time when I really just want to run away and get lost in a corn maze!

Its fall break from school and I have kids at my house all day and sometimes all night for so-called slumber parties, which are just squealing, retina burning game marathons that hold me at the threshold of REM sleep.

We have zombie movies, pizza and popcorn on hand in case they wander out of the room seeking entertainment—or a snack of human brains!

I’m also planning a mini-Nano challenge for the month of November. You know Nano, it’s the sprint to the finish line, uber self-discipline, take no prisoners, make-mine-a-double-shot-espresso, balls to the walls, puffed-up sense of accomplish challenge where writers complete a 50k manuscript in 30 days.

I’m not exactly doing that.

I know myself too well. I’ll drive myself nuts, get coffeed-up and flame out 1/3 of the way from the finish line. I’m taking a shorter, softer approach to Nano. I’m aiming for a single short story of about 20k and I’m going for quality over quantity. I’m going to try a couple of new things, a slightly different “writing voice”, and a writing partner.

As I mentioned in last week’s blog I’m really looking forward to collaborating with the very talented and lovely Amber Skyze. I’m going to spend the next few days doing a little plotting and planning so the first story rolls on greased wheels like a sleek turbo jet rocket car, dipped in personal lubricant and strapped to the railroad tracks.

I wish! We shall see… Actually, I’m really excited about this. I’m excited about the collaborating part—not so much the greased turbo rocket car. That fantasy will have to wait.

Have you ever done Nano, or challenged yourself with a writing goal? If you have I’d love to hear about your experience.

XXOO Kat

Lots to choose from!

2011-10-24T00:07:00.003-06:00

Is it Saturday already?

2011-10-22T15:42:00.000-06:00

Usually I'm not so good in the mornings...

So please bear with me here. I have a question to ask all my friends...it's important, so listen up. You could win a free book. Since the end of year holiday season is already upon us, I want to know what YOUR favorite holiday is. Leave a comment telling what it is, then send me an e-mail explaining. If I like your explanation, I will toss your name into the hat for a copy of Nothing but Sex. If I don't? Well, I'll still toss you into the hat, but I'll fold your entry up into a tiny scrap of paper so you won't be as easy to find. LOL!

Seriously, I am totally into the holidays. Not because of all the hype and the commercial junk...but because of the depth of meaning most of them carry for me. I want to know what your favorite holiday is, and I would love to hear about your family or personal traditions.

If you want to leave the full explanation here to share with everyone, great...just send me an e-mail telling me you entered on the blog. fran.lee.romance@gmail.com

The contest will run until next Saturday...then I will let you all know the winner.

Hugs!

Fran Lee

http://www.franleeromance.com

Doing The Happy Dance!!

2011-10-20T00:01:00.009-06:00

Isn't this beautiful!!!???
Once again, Resplendence Publishing has blessed me with a cover that far surpasses what I'd pictured in my mind while filling out the cover art request form! I have no idea how they do it, but I love 'em for it!!!

Sensations releases on November 9th.

Blurb:

Vivian Walcourt is completely out of her conservative, sheltered element when she finds herself at an ultra-exclusive adult club. Her free spirited best friend may think she’s in love with one of the owners, but Vivian doesn’t believe in whirlwind courtships.

Paul Landis never imagined the woman who has haunted his dreams for years would walk into his club with his partner’s fiancé. More beautiful than ever, unattached, and worked into a heightened state of horny by the evening’s entertainment, he sweeps her away to experience the very special pleasures found behind the closed doors of Sensations.

Have a fantastic weekend!

Tessie

www.tessiebradford.com

Celebrating a finished WIP

2011-10-18T19:24:00.000-06:00

(I posted this video just because its such an interesting scene. It’s perfect for the Halloween season and I love the soundtrack to Frances Ford Coppola’s, Dracula.)

October’s been a busy month and I can’t believe how fast it’s flying by.

Monday night I finished writing a 90-page romance that I started working on the first week of September with the intention of writing a 24 page Quickie…

The plan changed as I wrote, the characters immediately took me in some surprising directions. From one day to the next I had no idea where they would take me. I just had to have faith they would lead the way, and type. The story quickly morphed into something that really surprised me. It’s a little different from the content I usually write. It’s more sensual romance than erotic romance. I didn’t do that by design the character’s time period and personal ethics demanded realistic behavior.

I enjoyed writing this way and I wanted to challenge myself. There’s a contemporary romance with an affair from the past embedded within it and a switch between first and third person POV. This story has ancestor ghosts, a strong sense of fate and a journey of souls across seventy years of history to the present. Its actually two romances in one with a happy ending for the contemporary couple.

I know this is self-serving to say, but I blubbered as I wrote this story because bits and pieces of it felt so real. Having this set of characters speak to me and share personal things, felt like a privilege. Finishing the story and pulling away from the creation phase was a bit sad. My mind is scattered today. I’m really hoping this type of character connection happens again.

Aside from all my WIPs that need to be finished, I have a new project to jump into and I know it will be fun. Its something I’ve wanted to try for a long time—co-authoring. The lovely Amber Skyze and I are going to collaborate on a set of short stories. She came up with an idea I loved and several big synchronicities quickly followed that pointed the way for me to say, “Yes” to this project in a big way. I’m looking forward to clearing the decks and making way for this collaboration. Amber is a good influence on me, not only does she have great ideas, I’m also hoping her speed and excellent work ethic rubs off on me! (I’m so slow…lol)

XXOO Kat

Got toys? November 1 is your day!

2011-10-17T00:04:00.008-06:00

Am I Becoming a Cougar? Nah....

2011-10-15T02:16:00.001-06:00

Mmmmm..well....maybe....

I have discovered a marked preference for younger men...probably because the men my age are all too doddering and elderly to even know what to do with a female. LOL! And younger men seem to find me...like I am a younger-guy-magnet or something. Now, don't get me wrong...I certainly don't mind having younger men drooling after me. I just wish these younger men were not all on Facebook, and all of them weren't looking for a hot romance author thinking she is some sort of love goddess or somethin'...

Sheesh! Tonight I had a 27 year old from Nairobi asking me if he come see me when he visits the US later this year. NO! NOT! No frickin' way, kid...I can handle a guy maybe 20 years my junior...but one less than half my age is just out of the question. BTW...what was the question? I tend to ramble. Oh! Yeah! Younger men.

I even changed my Facebook photo from the one I had taken at age 19 (because I figured I'd had about enough of these babes-in-arms asking if I was married and if I was lookin')...and I put on one that I took that night, making faces into my mirror for just the right expression. No makeup. Hair stick straight. Bifocals firmly plastered over my face. But did that deter the little snips?

No. They seemed to like me older than younger. No accounting for taste, I suppose. I have to give them credit...they have guts to start schmoozing up to a woman old enough to be their mom...or their grandmom. Anyway, after totally discouraging the great majority of them, I just stopped bothering to answer them, and started deleting them from my friends list on Facebook. Figured that would stop the little buggers.

Nope. At a recent romance convention, I found myself once again having to dodge, bob, and weave. And this guy was up close and personal. LOL! Of course, I just let him play and then told him to go jump in a lake. The more I think back, I should've dragged the littler bugger upstairs for a go-round, but I didn't. I am a lady, after all. Not a tart. (I heard that...)

Anyway, despite my timidity and aversion to getting involved with guys half my age, I finally decided...what the heck? Don't knock it if you haven't tried it. I found that I will certainly never knock it again.

Anyway, I still don't think I have achieved full cougar status. But I'm workin' on it.

Oh...you have no idea what a cougar is? Well, read my book, Nothing but Sex. That ought to explain it.

You have a wonderful day!

Hugs!

Fran Lee

http://www.franleeromance.com

I Don't Always Hate To Shop

2011-10-13T00:01:00.004-06:00

Went shopping last night with my daughter. First we went to Toys R Us. My granddaughter turns 3 the end of this month, and is the only wee one on our Christmas list. I refuse to enter a toy store after mid-October, so we were shopping for both occasions.

The moment we walked through the door, my 22 year old WAS a 3 year old!! She squealed, had to pick up and touch everything that caught her eye, and when I disagreed with a selection, she whined! In her excitement, she knocked things off at least three shelves and she begged for her own set of Squinkies and Barbie hair extensions. By the time we got to the checkout we were laughing hysterically.

We left there and walked down to Halloween USA to get a new decoration for our front door. When we walked in, I immediately picked up a creepy hanging skeleton, then I scurried over to the various severed body parts. She disagreed with my selection, and I whined! We moved on to the makeup section and I wanted to buy new bloody slash prosthetics and she reminded me that my co-workers forbade me to gross them out at this year's Halloween Luncheon, and I whined!! We were again laughing so hard by the time we got to the checkout that people were staring.

We had a riot!!

Have a great weekend everyone~

Tessie

www.tessiebradford.com

Would Shakespeare by any other name smell as sweet?

2011-10-11T23:13:00.000-06:00

It’s autumn and that means your local movie theater is shoveling Oscar bait into the churning waters of entertainment to see who bites.

The Oscar race officially gets down and dirty Christmas day with each major studio releasing some sort of somber prestige film to bring us down on what should be a joyful day. Several years ago we had five—count them five Nazi-Holocaust themed films to choose from on Christmas day at our local multiplex. I’m not making a political statement here but maybe that’s too many Nazis in our Christmas stockings? Spreading the serious movies out a little during the year is probably a better idea.

Take a deep breath. This year we get Shakespeare. This autumn several major studios are testing the waters a wee bit early with tried and true Oscar bait—Shakespearian material played by respected actors. I’m fully on board with this idea and two new movies slated to open soon look very interesting.

The first movie is a modern day adaptation of Shakespeare’s political tragedy “Coriolanus” directed by and starring Ralph Fiennes, due for limited release December 2. A bearded and beefy Gerard Butler also stars as Fiennes’ nemesis Tullus (now do I have your attention?)

The movie was filmed on location in Serbia and Fiennes has reportedly stayed true to Shakespearian language and storylines yet successfully transformed a tale of ancient Rome into a present day military tragedy. As you’ll see in the movie trailer, Fiennes looks a lot like Voldemort with a nose but he’s so intelligent and talented I’m going to overlook that shortcoming.

In case you’re interested in this kind of stuff, and I always am, the trailer music is by Groove Addicts-the Beast at the Door.

The second movie is “Anonymous” which puts forth the perennial theory that William Shakespeare was a fraud and didn’t author any of “Shakespeare’s” plays or sonnets.

This time the new suspect is the 17^th Earl of Oxford. The Earl is dragged into the spotlight as the true author of the world’s most famous plays. A soulful eyed Rhys Ifans plays the part of the mature Earl of Oxford and gorgeous Jamie Campbell Bower plays the dashing, young Earl. Gifted Shakespearian actor and professional Shakespeare-basher Sir Derek Jacobi provides the prologue.

“Anonymous” looks like a big, rich historical dessert fashioned along the lines of “Amadeus”. The cast, costumes and setting are stunning. If you go to the website the original movie soundtrack is one of the most pleasing I’ve heard in a long while (the haunting music in the movie trailer is performed by Radiohead-“Everything in its Place”.)

“Anonymous” is due in theaters October 28^th and I can’t wait to see it. Regardless of where you stand on the authorship of Shakespeare’s plays there’s certainly something here to spark your interest or encourage debate. This movie looks like a great adult day out with a long discussion afterward over a cup of coffee or a beer.

Vanessa Redgrave stars in both films. She must be the new Shakespearian go-to-girl.

This is the link to the “Anonymous” website its full of interesting and very interactive stuff:

http://www.anonymous-movie.com/site/

XXOO Kat

PS. I hope you caught a glimpse of last night's big, beautiful harvest moon.

Ignorance is Bliss - Sometimes

2011-10-11T10:37:00.000-06:00

For the last year I’ve been dealing with well, a high risk pregnancy, a new baby and other stuff. During that time one of my publishers fell apart and I was oblivious. Now I’m not one to bad mouth a publisher, but enough is enough.
Aspen Mountain Press has failed to provide me with royalty statements for the last year. I’ve received exactly 2 checks since October 2010 and both were under $15 for seven books. I’m sorry, but even if my books weren’t selling on their site, they are on the third party vendor sites.
As of today most of the third party sites have taken down books from Aspen Mountain and their home site seems to be unavailable due to maintenance. Yeah right. I’m hoping this is the demise of them so I can finally get my rights back and self-publish my seven books.
I have made several attempts to contact the publisher via, email, phone, snail mail and certified letters. Said publisher has ignored all attempts.
So this blog today is to request that if any readers want to purchase my Aspen Mountain books – PLEASE DON’T. Wait until the end of the year and you’ll be able to get them for cheaper when I self-publish them!
The moral of this story is to stay current with your publishers and make sure you’re getting statements and the money owed. I wish I wasn’t so oblivious and discovered this far too late in the game. Maybe I wouldn’t be battling to get my rights back.

Need 7 Sassy Tails? TALES?

2011-10-10T00:12:00.015-06:00

What happens when 7 women get together for wine and giggles...and a sex toy party?
YOU get stories at 99 cents from a group who did just that!
To the left is my story, A LONG TIME COMIN' about a woman who is not going to wait any longer for her man to decide the time is right NOW for them to make love--or part forever.

Win a PRINT book or e-book of your choice! Oktoberfest is here!

2011-10-08T00:01:00.025-06:00

Want to win one of my print books?

(Or would you prefer one of my e-books?)

Check out my blog and you could win your choice of any one of my books. It's heading for the holiday season, and I am feeling particularly giveaway-minded. LOL!

Just got back from a week at Romanticon, and I had so much fun, I just had to share...so if you don't have a particular print book of mine, and want to enter the contest, please do. All entrants will win a prize...unfortunately, there is only one print book available.

The contest is easy. And it ends at midnight on Halloween...so get going and have fun!

Hugs!

Fran

Lets Talk Scary Movies

2011-10-06T00:01:00.001-06:00

I realize that with DVDs, On Demand, DVRs, Netflix etc, one can watch almost any movie at any time, but I positively love the plethora of shiver inducing films and programs on my cable channels during the month of October. Bring on the vamps, ghosts, witches, zombies, monsters and slashers!!

Being prone to nightmares at any time of year, it’s extremely weird that I enjoy watching scary stuff, but I do. With my heart pounding, a pillow clutched at the ready to cover my eyes, and the little voice in my head screaming, “turn the channel”, I can be glued to the TV for hours.

Watching in the comfort of my own home allows the experience to be interactive. Along with gasping, flinching, and crying out in surprise, I’m able to shout out, offering my much needed advice to the players on the screen; “Don’t go in there.”, “Run!”, “Oh, you did not just leave the knife on the kitchen counter.”, “Seriously, in the basement without a flashlight?”!!!!

Horror films have the highest amount of too-stupid-to live characters of any genre, don’t they? I guess it makes sense, though. Slashers would be out of a job if there weren’t vacuous young adults cavorting together in all states of undress while not paying attention to creepy shit going on around them! Zombies are slow movers; it really helps them when people wander into the cemeteries at night. Werewolves appreciate lovers taking long walks under the full moon, and evil spirits rely on amateurs whipping out the Ouija board!

Here are some of my favorite movies:

Dracula – the Frank Langella version. He can suck anything of mine he wants to!
Rob Zombie’s remake of Halloween.
The Exorcist
Night of the Living Dead – the original.
Rawhead Rex - rarely plays on TV but well worth a rent.
The Blair Witch Project – full of stupid, but the last two minutes still freak me out hard.
Pumpkinhead
The Shining
Aliens
The Sixth Sense
The Amityville Horror
Poltergeist
Predator

And here are some I cannot watch again or never finished watching:

Pet Cemetery
A Nightmare on Elm Street – all installments!
Saw – all installments!
The Cell

What movies cause you to sleep with the lights on??

Have a great weekend~

Tessie

www.tessiebradford.com

George Harrison "Living in the Material World"

2011-10-04T22:47:00.000-06:00

If you have HBO lucky you! I don’t have HBO, I cancelled it a while ago because I was watching so little television and the movies HBO offered just weren’t my thing. I thought it wasn’t smart to pay for something I wasn’t using. But as soon as I turned my back HBO popped up with gems like “Game Of Thrones” and now this clincher Martin Scorsese’s documentary on the life of George Harrison “Living in the Material World”, which premiers tonight. Dear god, why did I cancel HBO!

I love George Harrison. Since the time I was little bitty girl he was my favorite Beatle. There was something very earthy and soulful about George’s face. All the Beatles have amazingly expressive faces. Paul McCartney’s brows floated upward in almost impossibly surprised arches, but George’s eyes pulled downward and his heavy brows seemed to reflect an older more serious soul that clearly felt the weight of the world and I was attracted to that.

I have two older sisters, ten and sixteen years older than me. By the time I was old enough to notice, their Beatle worship was well under way. My sister Christy had a little shrine in her corner of the “girls’ bedroom” where she lit candles and incense, chanted, mediated with prayer beads and drove our parents nuts. The central altarpiece of the shrine was a black and white poster of George Harrison riding a horse through the woods. I loved staring at the poster. I had a favorite book filled with N C Wyeth illustrations that I also loved looking at, and I remember thinking George Harrison was a mythical person, like the medieval knights N C Wyeth illustrated. I’m not sure when I put it together that Harrison was also the man singing and playing guitar.

“Living in the Material World” looks like it’s going to be something special. Martin Scorsese’s rock documentaries are wonderful. “No Direction Home” about Bob Dylan and “Shine a Light,” about the Rolling Stones, are must see documentaries for any fan of rock and roll. “Living in the Material World” was made with the full cooperation and blessing of Harrison’s widow Olivia, who also wrote the excellent coffee table size biography “Living in the Material World”. (Ssshh… My husband who’s a big George Harrison fan doesn’t read this blog, so please don’t tell him I just bought the last copy of “Living in the Material World” at our local Barnes & Noble and hid it for Christmas.)

Harrison’s son Dhani (who looks eerily like his dad) said the documentary was emotionally hard to watch because it felt like seeing his father’s life flash before his eyes, including the most painful moments. He suggests viewers “Plan on making an evening of it and don’t plan on going out afterward.” I’m sure it’s good advice to anyone who’s emotionally invested in George Harrison.

Part one of “Living in the Material World” premieres tonight on HBO. Enjoy.

This is the link to the official website of “Living in the Material World”

http://www.georgeharrison.com/

Do you have a favorite George Harrison or Beatle song, or a favorite Beatle memory?

XXOO Kat

October

2011-10-04T05:12:00.001-06:00

Yesterday on my blog I talked about cutting ties. In life sometimes we have to cycle things much like the seasons. October is in full swing now and while I’ll miss the summer I do enjoy a lot of things about this month.
The fall foliage in New England is just gorgeous. The brilliant colors of the leaves before they fall; reds, gold, and orange brings awe to me every year. October brings hot apple cider, doughnuts, apple picking and let’s not forget Halloween.
Up until eight years ago every October my mom, aunt, cousin and our kids would go apple picking every year. Watching the kids climb ladders or reach with little hands for the precious fruit was always rewarding as a mother. They’d pick out their pumpkins on the way out, not before going on a hay ride, ride the ponies and visit the haunted house. The orchard we went to every year had hundreds of vendors and the adults would come home with lots of goodies.
Then there’s Halloween. The DH decorates the outside of the house and has creepy stuff to scare the kids when they arrive for their treats. There have been a few years where some kids went running back to their parents without their treats.
That’s what I like about October. How about you?

The Girl with Laryngitis, the Wave and the Smile!

2011-10-03T00:17:00.008-06:00

Who? Me. As you read this today, I wing my way home with Desiree Holt, Allie Standifer, and Brenna Zinn, all on same plane from Romanticon, EC's annual conference.

Yes, I was the one who waved and smiled, but did not talk. Couldn't. A WILD case of sinus and laryngitis (brought home from Barcelona and Sorrento?) shut my mouth. (And my doc set me up with STUFF so that, no, I was not contagious. Just mute!)

Maybe a good thing!!!!

At left?

The Boqueria off Las Rambla in central Barcelona! Jamon, anyone? Iberico ham, cured to a melt-in-your mouth savory delight.

Expensive? As you can see from the signs, ABsolutely!

2011-09-29T00:01:00.000-06:00

The Dedication/Acknowledgement page at the front of a book is a meaningful way to recognize those who have played a part in the creative process. Due to its importance, I then must stress about it!

I’d like to thank the Academy, all the regular people, my sixth grade teacher, the Creator, my soul mate, whoever invented the internet… When I write the dedication for a book, the last thing I want to sound like is an award recipient who needs to be cut off by the musical ‘hook’ due to nonsensical rambling!!

There’s also the issue of being repetitive – I have a relatively small circle of friends and family. My hubby is more than content with the number of shout outs he’s received. Certain people have actually turned down the opportunity to be a dedicatee!?!! One of my books has no dedication due to the fact that writing it was delaying the project, and I’ve even dedicated one to myself!

I kind of like the ones with code; initials, abbreviations, inside jokes or references nobody understands, but I can’t do that too often or readers will just think I’m crazy.

Dedication
For my daughter, who suggested I blog about writing dedications.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Tessie

www.tessiebradford.com

A Season of Shifting Gears

2011-09-27T14:10:00.000-06:00

If you’re like me you’re probably working double time these days in all areas of your life and perhaps not seeing the results you expected. Is that happening to you? It’s certainly happening to me. I’ve fallen into the valley of diminishing returns and now must build a staircase and climb out.

This week I forced myself to look at my day-to-day and even hour-to-hour habits to see where I can plug a few energy leaks.

Exhibit A: I eat sensibly and work out often, yet yesterday a friend whom I’ve not seen at the gym in two years leaned close and whispered, “are you pregnant again?” This guy is a good observer with the keen eyes of an ex-cop and yet he did the stupid thing, he asked a woman if she was pregnant… I had to admit something painful. Two years ago I was pregnant, the baby made it almost five months but I lost it. I’m an older mom and I know that was my last baby. The same weekend I was miscarrying, my mother-in-law, whom I loved dearly, called to say she was terminally ill (she died five-weeks later). I was on autopilot after that for many months.

For some reason the weight I gained just won’t leave because I’m hanging on to it. It really didn’t bother me, in fact it was a comfort but I clearly saw through my friend’s eyes that I needed to let the emotional weight go regardless of what happens to my real weight. I had my revenge. I dragged my friend into his first yoga class and was gratified to see him sweating so hard his hair stuck to his scalp. That will teach him to ask a chubby woman if she’s pregnant…

Exhibit B: There’s a harsh irony in this next point. This week at my husband’s request and for the first time, I actually logged the hours I spent reading and answering emails on the loops, writing blogs or visiting other blogs and commenting. Guess what? I logged 15+ hours, and last week was a “light” week. I often spend more time on this stuff. 15 hours is a part time job. I realized that at the slow rate I work those 15 hours would be better-spent writing or giving a few quality hours back to my family.

Exhibit C: Last Thursday I attended a special Autumnal Equinox yoga class that began with a breathing mediation on our inner fire and mentally stoking that fire to a roaring blaze. The instructor then asked us to toss anything into the fire that we couldn’t bear to carry any longer. What followed was a killer-hard extremely physical class that left everyone drenched with sweat and a few people in (cathartic) tears. Holding a few of the more difficult poses with my limbs trembling, the instructor would walk past and say, “If I asked you to stay in this position all day what would you give up?”

It was a great question to ask. What was weighing me down? The first thing that popped into my head was “Emotional scar tissue”. I had to let it go. The second thing was “Unrealistic expectations”. Believe it or not that one was more difficult to let go because unrealistic expectations are so strongly connected to hopes, fantasies and goals, which are all wonderful things except for the “unrealistic” part… Surprisingly, real responsibilities felt featherlight because I knew they were necessary. It was only the unnecessary burdens that caused drag.

This week has left me with a new manifesto to stop wasting my limited energy and time and find ways to reclaim a little progress in my life and push forward. These are challenging times and it’s a safe bet they aren’t close to being finished with us. I can sense another big wave of adjustments on the near horizon.

In this season of harvest, unburdening and shifting gears, I dare you to be honest and comment about a draining or unnecessary thing you are willing to let go of.

XXOO Kat

Getting It Done!!

2011-09-22T00:01:00.000-06:00

As you read this today, I am sequestered in my writer's cave, ignoring family, friends and the outside world in general - deep, deep, (did I mention deep?) in edits for Emily's Destiny! I'm beyond thrilled at the recent news that it will release November 30th!!

I've had the priveledge of working with a number of editors during my career. I count on and appreciate their input and expertise, and have learned a great deal from each and every one of them.

When I turned in Emily's Destiny, I, of course, loved it, but knew deep down it still needed that ever-elusive 'something' to take it to the next level. (So did my beloved critque partner, and I appreciate her not getting annoyed with me for having an itchy 'send' finger.)

Luckily, once again, I find myself working with an editor willing to take the time to teach, mentor, and encourage me to be a better author.

Edits are rarely easy, and I always set near impossible completion deadlines -this time I allowed myself only one week, tomorrow is D-day - but I am seriously inspired/excited/dedicated to giving Emily the destiny she deserves!

Enjoy a fantastic weekend, everyone!

Tessie

www.tessiebradford.com

Autumnal Equinox and International World Peace Day

2011-09-20T22:58:00.000-06:00

Friday September 23^rd marks the actual autumnal equinox and official first day of fall but it’s cool and foggy today, and I’m used to celebrating the autumnal equinox on the 21^st of the September, so that’s what I’m going to blog about.

Autumn is my favorite season. I live in an agricultural county our neighborhood is surrounded by orchards and farms. Autumn means a break in the heat, sprawling pumpkin patches, overflowing farmers’ markets and a lot of visual beauty.

It also signals the time to start slowing down and getting readjusted to the coming time change and darker days. I use autumn as a time to draw my energy inward and take stock of the year’s unfinished business. This is the time I plan ahead always with the hope of finishing the year on a high note.

I’m celebrating today by hanging a double string of orange Halloween lights on my fireplace mantle and adding a few small pumpkins and candles. Tonight, I’ll make a pot of turkey vegetable stew that has nine different kinds of veggies from the local farmers in our area. I love seeing the vibrate colors together in the soup pot. Hopefully we’ll have our first fire in the fireplace in many months.

In my mind the equinoxes are always special but the autumnal equinox is my favorite because it signals a time to set fresh goals and plant a new harvest of the creative kind that can be worked toward during the winter months. It’s also time to change my work schedule, enjoy the little things fall has to offer and just be grateful for what I have.

By the way today is International Peace Day. I know it sounds cliché but peace begins within. Take a moment today to celebrate something wonderful you’ve accomplished or something special that makes you—you, and take that confident, beautiful feeling into the world and let everyone you meet today catch a draft of that sweetness. Let’s love ourselves and be a little bit kinder to each other.

Do you celebrate the autumn equinox, or have something you enjoy about the changing seasons?

XXOO Kat

Amber's Goings On

2011-09-20T02:11:00.001-06:00

I’ve wanted to share writing related blogs with everyone, but I can’t seem to stream sentences together these days. I am in edits for my book I Wanna Sext U Up. No release date yet, but that’s because my editor isn’t sure how long it will take me to get them done. :o)
I really like this book. It’s about Do-It-Yourself reality show. Beckett and Riley will makeover a kitchen and he’ll help her makeover her stale sex life!
I have been thinking about writing – A LOT. One of my publishers had a call out for stories on Coming Out. There’s an idea brewing in my head. Another publisher has a call out for Legal Briefs. Both stories will be M/M. I haven’t written a M/M in ages, but having ideas is a GREAT thing for me. Maybe, just maybe once the edits are done I’ll start a new book. Wouldn’t that be nice?
Happy Tuesday!

Ack! Bam! Crash! Another Friday!

2011-09-16T12:21:00.003-06:00

So, coming very soon, Is It Spicy?

No, not romance, but a great title for erotica, don't you think? It's a fun short story.

More as soon as I have the time, which is also in 'short' supply right now.

I'm getting better and finding and using covers from internet freebies - remember ladies, it takes time to find exactly what you want and you might have to do some cutting. Definitely a learning process but well worth the effort.

Have a wonderful weekend! Julia

I Love A Challenge, I Think!

2011-09-15T00:01:00.001-06:00

Are you a plotter or panster? Do you get up with the roosters or stay up with the vampires? Does music put you in the mood, a TV show or movie, or do you require complete silence? Which comes first, your characters or their story? An author’s creative process is as unique as the stories they craft.

When asked about my writing process, ‘linear’ is always my first response. I cannot skip around in a story. If I get stuck on something, I ponder, walk away, stare at the sentence I wrote two hours before, re-read all preceding text, watch the fish in the tank next to my desk, start a new file, and in extreme cases, go do some dreaded house chore. It is not uncommon for a WIP to remain stalled for days, or sadly more, until I figure out whatever I need to figure out.

After thoroughly enjoying challenging myself to write Matt’s Return, and Emily’s Destiny, both short, short stories, last week I started feeling the urge to write something a bit longer. I re-visited a couple of stalled WIP’s, but nothing piqued my interest.

Then, as is definitely a giant part of my creative process, I had a dream, and knew what I was writing next! – the prequel to Sensations (releasing November 9th from Resplendence)! I awoke excited and energized to write Carol and Colin’s story. I’d already given a glimpse into the characters, their whirlwind courtship, and hinted at a potential Dom/sub thing going on; hallelujah, bring on my next book!! The first three pages flowed effortlessly.

You all know where this is going, right??? ‘Pre’, i.e. ‘before’, oh crapsticks!!!

I’ve now re-read Chapter One of Sensations ad-nausea. Why did I have Carol describe her and Colin’s first meeting with such an interesting combination of detail and mystery? Okay, she’s “free-spirited”, but why is he “exactly” the type of man she needs? Why did I state more than once that their courtship happened over exactly six weeks, and why in the hell didn’t Carol call her out-of-town best friend during this whirlwind courtship?? What exactly did Colin “whip out” that first night?? I meant it to be double entendre goodness, but now….

Apparently, another challenge looms!!!!!!

Oh, by the way, on Monday, September 19th, I have an interview posting at

http://www.bookwenches.com/

Please stop by!!

Have a great weekend!
Tessie
http://www.tessiebradford.com/

Rest In Peace Andy Whitfield

2011-09-13T18:54:00.001-06:00

Today’s blog is brief. I’d like to formally take the opportunity to say good-bye to Andy Whitfield who died of non-Hodgkins lymphoma last Sunday at the age of 39.

For a couple of years I’ve had a picture pinned up in my studio of Andy Whitfield in his “Spartacus Blood and Sand” leathers. I think he was gorgeous. My son who was nine when I put the picture up, and was far too young to be watching the graphically violent show on Starz network, looked at the photo and said, “That man has beautiful eyes. He looks kind.”

I thought that was a funny way to describe Spartacus but Andy Whitfield did have kind, beautiful eyes and maybe that’s why he made such a good Spartacus. He came across as a highly capable but reluctant killer.

I’m saddened because constant reports were shared in the media, even as recently as late July’s Comic Con in San Diego that Andy was doing better. Obviously that wasn’t true and it’s our loss.

Lucy Lawless (Xena Warrior Princess and Spartacus Blood and Sand co-star) is quoted as saying:

"Obviously, Andy Whitfield left an indelible mark on all of us in the 'Spartacus' family. He was a gentle man who never said a bad word about anyone, a gifted photographer, engineer (no really!) and a brilliant actor. Andy's incandescent film presence made men want to be him and women want to marry him. Andy's two babies will always know that their Daddy cherished them and their mother, Vashti, above all things. How lucky we were to have him grace all our lives. Godspeed, Andy!"

Well said Ms. Lawless.

XXOO Kat

Fawning all over the place

2011-09-12T00:01:00.009-06:00

No more than a day old!

I try to tend my garden. Herbs. A few roses. One day awhile ago, here in parched Texas, I went out in the noonday sun to pick a few herbs for salad for dinner. I nearly stepped on one of these! He was nestled up against one of the rocks with which we surround our herb and flower garden and then fence it off. Mama must have thought this a safe place to leave Baby. Fine. Great idea, Mom. Except that you should have told me!
Since our buddy Prince passed away the day after Easter, we have been visited more and more by Mama Deer, her Baby/ies and Brother, Sister, et al.
Here are 2 of the better shots I was able to get!

Cuddled up to the herb garden

Happy Monday!

Never Forget

2011-09-08T00:01:00.000-06:00

I forget a lot of things; names, what I was looking for when I walk into a room, a funny anecdote during a conversation, putting gas in my car that has a broken gas gage! Dates, on the other hand, stick in my mind like glue; birth, death, anniversary, appointments, deadlines, and events -past, present and upcoming.

The morning of September 11, 2001, I was at my desk at work, talking to my Mom on the phone. Mom was excited that her best friend was on her way over for coffee and a nice long visit, I was worrying about my daughter's afternoon orthodontist appointment because we were finding out how much longer she had to wear an expansion bridge. A co-worker came running into the office, saying we had to turn on a radio, and get the TV from the lounge. I told Mom I'd call her back.

The numerous new programs, and re-playings of those made right after the tragedy, are both difficult to watch, and impossible for me to turn away from. Everything changed that day.

We as a nation, as a global community, as humans, must remember.

Tessie

Barnes and not so Noble...

2011-09-06T23:09:00.000-06:00

The Borders bookstore in our county is gone and we have to deal with that reality, but now something has gone awry with the marketing department at Barnes and Noble…

In the middle of last month, during what I think of as the dog days of August, the peak of summer reading, when we all want to collapse in a cool corner with a good book, our local Barnes and Noble bookstore decided to completely gut their romance department.

Barnes and Noble did a lot of other uncalled for things in their store that bode ill for future business, but I’ll stick to the romance section because it hits close to home.

First of all, I couldn’t find it. The romance section had been moved into a dark corner at the every end of a large, two-story store with escalators running up and down the middle of it. Not only was the romance section sparsely stocked—it was less than half its previous size. Many popular publishers, including the one I write for were conspicuously missing. Not a single title from their press was represented on the shelves. Management told me many popular imprints were not being stocked. What’s going on?

I thought romance accounted for a huge percentage of book sales? Has this changed? Not only had the romance section been greatly diminished it was being hobbled as well. Many of the books were stacked on shelves five and six layers high. I could barely see the full titles of books on the top shelf and reaching up to them was out of the question. I’m a tiny person. My fingertips could tap the top shelf, but I couldn’t reach the books. In general the female population is smaller than the males but guess what? No ladder in this section—none.

There was an anchored ladder in the men’s sport section. It was thoughtfully placed there so naturally tall guys could safely reach the books they wanted… What’s up with that? Do they expect the women to climb the shelves like lemurs?

I politely brought this problem to management’s attention and they said it was a Barnes and Noble “corporate decision” to place the smallest paperback novels up very, very high where only basketball players could reach them. One manager promised to place a ladder in the romance section. I went back a week later, no surprises—no ladder. That day I saw a woman in high heels trying to bat a romance novel off the top shelf with the sleeve of her sweater. She was very motivated, hopping up and down and in danger of twisting an ankle, but at least she was trying to get a book. I don’t know if she got the book she wanted or if she simply settled for the first book she knocked off the shelf…

The treatment Barnes and Noble has shown its female customers is thoughtless to say the least, and bad business on top of it all. I’m almost inclined to believe Barnes and Noble wants their romance reading customers to go away. Placing product out of reach is a crumby and insulting business model. It’s a ridiculous and extremely alienating “corporate decision” to inflict on customers. Especially us vertically challenged gals who have to go searching for tall people in the store willing to hand us our “My Secret Blood Oath Sweet Savage Barbarian Rebel Prince Werewolf”.

I don’t want a stranger reading that title aloud to me in the store and leering at the cover—I really don’t.

Shame on you Barnes and Noble, I left the store empty handed because I got tired of asking for assistance every time I wanted to glance at a book.

Did the Barnes and Noble bookstore near you monkey around with the romance section?

XXOO Kat

Jumping Ship

2011-09-06T01:13:00.001-06:00

As you all know I’m taking a break from writing. In all reality I haven’t written since April or May, aside from 5k to finish a contracted book.
In addition to reading I’ve got a new addiction – the Investigation Discovery channel. I love this channel. I especially like the show Deadly Women. These women and their crimes fascinate me. What makes their brain tick? What makes them snap enough to take a life or in some cases multiple lives?
I also like to watch Aphrodite Jones. She writes about some intense killers.
So where am I going with all this? I’ve found the desire to write True Crime books. I really want to write about crazy women or men. I want to step out of my comfort zone and take on something totally new and challenging.
Don’t get me wrong I’m not some crazed person. I just find twisted people fascinating. I personally could never harm anyone and in all reality if I wanted to get away with murder I probably could have in my first marriage. ;)
Anyway I’m going to start researching and see if I can find some interesting subjects to write about.
I’ll keep you posted.

Oh and a special Happy Birthday to my oldest daughter, Brittany! Love ya honey.

Until Next Tuesday!

Biology? Plumbing? What's your sub-genre?

2011-09-05T00:01:00.015-06:00

My Regency!

Regency, medieval, contemporary Texas! Loving all these periods, I also write them! The challenge to change my voice has never been one.
While I attribute that to my undergrad and grad studies and my extensive world travels, I also attribute my ability to shift to my childhood when reading was an inexpensive way to pass my summertime. I was an only child, you see, and so I found great comfort in the offerings of my local library! But in addition and to my mother's dismay, I loved reading her nursing books. And to my father's confusion, I liked reading his plumber's journals.
Say what?
Yes. And to this day, I understand human biology and medical practices better than a lot of lay people. (I am also very healthy so thank god, I do not need to use much of what I know!) But as you might now gather, I understand all too readily what might be wrong with heating systems, cooling ones and regular water pipes. (Here in parched Texas, we have problems with the land so dry that the underground pipes shift, bend and crack. The water wells break down. The air in the system groans and moans. Okay, enuf, you say!)

But now you know that Cerise not only understands physiology, biology and got great grades in Chemisty too, but she is a good plumber.

None of that fine knowledge is in any of my books, but now that I mention it....

Am I Becoming a Cougar? Nah....

2011-09-03T00:01:00.031-06:00

Coming Soon.....

I am noticing that younger men seem to be greatly attracted to older women who write erotic romance. Is it because we aren't afraid to express our sexuality? Do they think we are teasing them when we fail to blush at some outrageous innuendo? Does writing hot romance suddenly place this large, blinking red sign across our forehead that reads "Here I am...drool over me!"?

Now, don't get me wrong. I truly enjoy flirting with younger guys. But when someone indicates they would like to take the flirt to a more personal level, I freeze frame! Now, I am not normally considered "drool-worthy" by any means. And at my age, I have issues about getting down and dirty with a man 20 years my junior. But it sure is fun to flirt....

Maybe if I could drop 50 pounds...and get liposuction...and a face lift... and maybe a tummy tuck ( a BIG one!), I would feel less nervous about changing from a fun flirt to a "get-up-close-and-dirty-down" with some young hottie. Of course, a man 20 years my junior is certainly not "young"...LOL! But he is waaaay younger than me.

Does this conversation make me a Cougar? Or does it simply make me a wishful-thinking, dirty-minded old fart?

Either way, it certainly adds spice to stories and books...so I am going off to write again!

Hugs!

Fran Lee

http://www.franleeromance.com

Yikes! I am so busy!

2011-09-02T15:23:00.002-06:00

Two new books up on Amazon and another coming soon.

Links: Liz and Me

My Everything

Thanks for your patience! Sorry, gotta run! Love to all, Julia