I was going to try to do a new blog entry today, but instead, I'm just sending up a cyber-prayer for all the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
 

A new post up at Slay Your Demons on the perils of trying to engage in commerce in a small town. I don't have it nearly as bad in my relatively small town, but I can definitely empathize! (Like the local coffee shop for which the hours posted on the door seem more like a goal than a statement as to when business will occur there!)

Check it out!
 

A new post up at Slay Your Demons on the perils of trying to engage in commerce in a small town. I don't have it nearly as bad in my relatively small town, but I can definitely empathize! (Like the local coffee shop for which the hours posted on the door seem more like a goal than a statement as to when business will occur there!)

Check it out!
 

I'm pleased to host Jaci Burton on the Out of the Blogosphere tour today. Jaci's most recent release is "Garden of Eden" featured in Ellora's Cavemen: Legendary Tails II.



Dr. Eden Mason has spent the past hundred years orbiting the Earth in stasis. Since a nuclear war destroyed everything, she and the other inhabitants of the space pods are the only survivors of the global meltdown.

One special passenger has joined them-Adam-an alien sent to recreate what was once a thriving, beautiful planet. But Adam needs Eden to fulfill his goal, in a way she never expected.

Adam has loved Eden since he first came to Earth, but her father refused to allow him to meet her. Instead, the brilliant scientist kept Adam secluded while they engineered a way to save some of Earth's inhabitants before the inevitable destruction. Now Adam can touch Eden, taste her, love her like he's always wanted to, at the same time fulfilling his duty to revitalize the planet.

His love for her is energizing and Eden begins to hope that life on new Earth will be a lush garden of sensual pleasures. But Adam's not telling her everything that will happen, and his secret may end up destroying them both.

ABOUT JACI BURTON
Jaci Burton was born and raised in Missouri but now lives on an acre-and-a-half in Oklahoma with her husband Charlie. Jaci loves to write about passionate relationships with sometimes stormy outcomes but always a happily ever after. She’s a sucker for romance and a happy ending!

REVIEWS
“Jaci Burton does it again! What an amazingly hot and steamy story!” -- Fallen Angel Reviews

“Garden of Eden by Jaci Burton is a yummy little taste of fantastic science-fiction romance with beautiful balance. – eCataRomance

“Garden of Eden has a very interesting plotline. Ms. Burton gives us a very imaginative not to mention fun way for Adam to get his energy to re-create a new world. Adam and Eden are well developed characters even for a short story, and the emotional bond that develops between them is very moving and believable. With steamy sex scenes a plotline with twists and turns this one was an enjoyable read." – Cupids Library Reviews

 

Hey! I'm touring on the Girlfriends Cyber Circuit this week! And, because I'm totally psyched, I have to start with a shout out about LISTNESS! Demon's been the #1 bestseller on Barnes & Noble's SciFi/Fantasy trade list for SEVEN WEEKS!! Yay! Whoo Hoo!

Anyhoo, you can read about the book and my insightful (ahem) answer to some of the girls' questions (and my "I'd rather slay demons than date these guys" list) at these blogs:

Kathleen O'Reilly

Alison Pace

Gayle Brandeis

Megan Crane

E. Lockhart (This one has the boyfriend list)

http://www.tamarasilerjones.com/blog/index.html
 

Robin Owens has a wonderful series going, and the most recent book, HEART CHOICE came out last month! If you missed it, race to your store! And if you're not familiar with the series, check it out below!



From the backcover:

Tracker Straif Blackthorn has returned to Druida City after his last rescue mission, intending to repair his home and resume the noble duties he abandoned at seventeen, when he lost his family to disease. He's futilely searched Celta for a cure.

But he may be too late! A secret enemy schemes to claim his title, his lands, and destroy the woman he loves. As an interior designer Mitchella Clover dreamt of someone saying "no expense spared."
Unfortunately it's a wildly attractive GreatLord who offers her the chance of a lifetime - to restore an ancient showplace.

She knows she can never give Straif what he truly wants, but can she resist him? The job isn't easy. Both the sentient Residence and Straif's new snobbish Fam cat have remodeling ideas, and Mitchella's ward instantly dislikes Straif.

Everyone's back! Characters from HeartMate, Heart Thief and Heart Duel appear to help renovate the Residence, solve the mystery, give advice on the perfect duel - or meddle. And the first baby of the next generation is born...

Wanna read an excerpt? Click here: http://www.robindowens.com/images/HeartChoiceWebsite.pdf

ABOUT ROBIN D. OWENS
Robin D. Owens has been seriously writing longer than she cares to recall, but is very happy with how her writing career is proceeding. She was named the Writer of the Year by Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers in 2004, and 2003 Writer of the Year by the Denver Area Science Fiction Association. Robin has been the librarian, contest co-chair, and President of Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers. She has given seminars at Pikes Peak Writers Conference, the Colorado Gold Writers Conference, and Romance Writers of America as well as other groups.

REVIEWS
“Character driven story, brilliant dialogue...Terrific writing with a very realistic and sensual romance, make HEART CHOICE a fantastic read” -- Jani Brooks, Romance Reviews Today

"Dara Joy fans, rejoice! Robin Owens has created a unique world of her own…fun and sexy." -- Anne Avery

To learn more, visit Robin's website at http://www.robindowens.com
 

Slay Your Demons New post up at Slay Your Demons! This one on Mommy Guilt. And oh, how I identify ...
 

I went over to Amazon, of course, so I could link to my blog and immediately ordered a copy of Shaking Her Assets. I can't wait for it to get here -- after reading all about it from Renee and Robin, I'm amazed I haven't already read it because it's totally up my alley. Read on, and see if you don't think this book sounds fabulous! (And two authors writing one book. That impresses me right there, LOL!)

(And, yes, I adore the cover. Check it out:

New York women just got a heroine to call their own.
Shaking Her Assets
by Robin Epstein and Renée Kaplan

Meet Rachel Chambers, New York City copywriter, collector of vintage compacts, and self-proclaimed eBay-addict. For the second time in less than a month, Rachel finds herself standing on the street, holding a collection of her personal effects, trying to catch a cab at rush hour. Only this time, instead of juggling a box of coffee mugs and pilfered office supplies, her big paper shopping bag overflows with the remnants of her now defunct two-year relationship.

With no job, no boyfriend, and no back-up plan, Rachel has no choice but to reinvent herself. Instead of getting a conventional new job, she starts her own company—sort of. Rachel and her best friend Ben conjure up a business idea as a complete joke, and it unexpectedly starts to take off. But it's a risky stealth effort, with lots of improvising, a dose of guerrilla marketing, and copious amounts of total bluffing.

Meanwhile, Rachel’s been temping, and when the art director at her temp job gets wind of her romantic and entrepreneurial misadventures, he turns her into a comic book superhero, illustrating her hilarious escapades. Suddenly Rachel is taking New York by storm, remorselessly tossing aside losers and nay-sayers in her never-ending quest for success—and before long, Rachel's man-eating comic alter-ego has got her believing that she just might be able to pull this off in real life…but maybe without the cone-shaped bra.

Hailed by Alison Pace, author of IF ANDY WARHOL HAD A GIRLFRIEND, as "A funny, heartwarming page-turner for the entrepreneur in us all," SHAKING HER ASSETS gives New York women a superhero to call their own.

# # #

SHAKING HER ASSETS is the first novel by Robin Epstein and Renée Kaplan. Robin Epstein received her MFA from Columbia University. She has worked on sitcoms starring Joan Cusack ("What About Joan," ABC), Al Franken ("Lateline," NBC) and sold an original pilot to the Oxygen network. She is a contributor to NPR’s This American Life and is currently scripting a video game for Atari called Tycoon City: New York.

Renée Kaplan was a writer and editor for the New York Observer, before transitioning into television journalism, first as a producer for the "Charlie Rose Show" on PBS, and most recently for "60 Minutes II." Today she is a freelance television producer and writer.

 

I was poking around on Amazon and just discovered that The Manolo Matrix is available for pre-order (considering I returned the copyedits to the publisher this morning, I always find this pre-order thing a little weird!)

I'm happy to report that I loved the book when I re-read it yesterday, and I think (hope!) that everyone who enjoyed THE GIVENCHY CODE will love this 2nd book in the trilogy. Here's the backcover copy if you're curious:

The USA Today bestselling author of The Givenchy Code, Julie Kenner reloads for her second novel of high-heeled thrills as another woman gets pulled into a mysterious world of extreme gaming where she must play or die.

THE MANOLO MATRIX

Aspiring actress Jennifer Martin knows all about games—the games girls play to get a guy; the games actresses play to land a part; and the good old game of credit-card roulette. (How else is a girl supposed to afford her shoes?) But she never expected to be playing a game with life-or-death consequences. Unable to successfully score an acting gig, she has, instead, been cast in the role of reluctant bodyguard to a real-life assassin’s target—a dashing FBI agent of all people!—and must embark with him upon a scavenger hunt across Manhattan in search of the ultimate prize: survival. Before this, Jen’s definition of fighting dirty has been elbowing her way to the front of the line at a Manolo sample sale. Now, if she wants to stay alive, she’s going to have to learn a few new uses for her stilettos . . . and they ain’t pretty.

Fast, flirty, and full of great footwear, The Manolo Matrix is another electrifying adventure in this breakout series for fashionistas who love a perfectly appointed mystery.

“Kenner[‘s] sharp sense of wit is the perfect accessory for this chic blend of chick lit and thriller.”—Booklist on The Givenchy Code

I'll post an excerpt to the website in the next month or so!

Happy reading,
J


 

Slay Your Demons Check it out!
 

Here's a nice article featuring Mary Janice Davidson's UNDEAD AND UNAPPRECIATED and my CARPE DEMON. Yay!! MARTA SALIJ: Bright wit flows in incisive chick-lit And let me just yell and scream in joy: I just heard from my publisher that CARPE DEMON has topped (i.e., #1) the Barnes & Noble SF Trade bestseller list for six weeks running, now!!
 

I just love Rebecca York's books, and although I haven't yet read Beyond Control (one of the many downsides of deadlines!), I'm thrilled to be "hosting" Rebecca on her blog tour because I am certain this book rocks. It certainly sounds fab from the description. Read on!!



BEYOND CONTROL, by Rebecca York, tells the story of telepaths who discover and develop their powers only when they sexually link with another of their kind.
Jordan Walker and Lindsay Fleming meet at a Washington, D. C., cocktail party. When they touch, they experience an electric moment of psychic awareness. As they explore the unique bond forming between them, they discover that the more intimate their contact, the more their psychic powers develop.
As with York’s Moon books, Lindsay and Jordan must work out their personal relationship against a background of danger and suspense after they stumble onto his murder cover-up at a secret biological weapons lab. At the same time, two other telepaths who want all the psychic goodies for themselves set out to wipe Jordan and Lindsay from the face of the earth.
Rebecca York says that, "Publishers wouldn’t touch a story with this unique blend of suspense and sensuality 15 years ago. But the characters and the plot wouldn’t let me go, so I held onto them until the time was right."

Check out these great reviews, too:

REVIEWS

WOW! This was certainly one very hot, steamy, mind boggling and exciting suspense thriller. . . an absolutely riveting tale of suspense . . . with well-developed characters, stunning sensuality and some clever twists. A truly dynamite read! --Romance Designs

BEYOND CONTROL . . . plays out on two interwoven levels. The storyline is action-packed from the opening sequence at Maple Creek and never slows down until the lead couple learns what happened there. The tale also contains a delightful romance between Jordan and Lindsay that starts off with A Strangers in the Night encounter . . . and plays out on physical and paranormal planes. .. . a strong suspense-laden romantic tale. --Harriet Klausner

You can read more at http://www.rebeccayork.com or read an excerpt at http://mywebpages.comcast.net/glick/sneak-p21.htm
 

If you haven't already heard, author Marianne Mancusi returned from the RWA National Conference to find her home burned to the ground, the result of a lightening strike. Personally, that's one of my alltime biggest fears, and it's sparked me to do some personal organization this past week (like putting important papers and things elsewhere, and making sure book backups are not in my home!).

Marianne didn't have renters insurance, which means she's starting again from scratch. I can't even imagine. There are a lot of ways you can help, including heading over to Literary Chicks, where they've organized a huge auction to benefit Marianne.

If auctions aren't your thing, but you'd like to help, send me an email, and I can forward Marianne's PO Box address your way.
 

The quote's from Jennifer Wiener, and it's all about the new book from the incredibly talented Karin Gillespie, and which continues her awesome Bottom Dollar Girls series!A Dollar Short : The Bottom Dollar Girls Go Hollywood



“Never a dull moment…. this fast-paced screamer of a romance begs a giggle, if not a guffaw. —Booklist



It isn’t every day a movie star steals your husband. Former beauty queen Chiffon Butrell faces that dilemma when her husband Lonnie wins a trip to Hollywood. Lonnie meets mega movie star, Janie Lynn Lauren—known as Jay-Li to her elite circle- and leaves Chiffon behind in Cayboo Creek, S.C., with three kids and no money.

Chiffon’s manages to lose her temper and her job in quick succession—only to discover that Lonnie’s paycheck from the Nutra-Sweet plant has been forwarded to a California address. With three kids to feed, Chiffon comes up more than a dollar short.

Her good friends, the Bottom Dollar Girls, try their best to pitch in. But there are too few hands to lend, what with Elizabeth and her husband Timothy expecting their first baby any day, and the rest of the Bottom Dollar Girls knee-deep in their secret—and possibly scandalous--plan to raise money for the Cayboo Creek Senior Center.

When a slick of Wesson Oil at the Winn Dixie gets the better of Chiffon’s ankle, there’s just one thing to be done—call on estranged older sister Chenille, who hails from Bible Grove, S.C. A prissy, fussy spinster prone to dressing her dog Walter in matching plaid “mother-son” outfits, Chenille is everything Chiffon detests.

Chiffon's little house is soon overrun with buzzing paparazzi, and the tabloids are having a field day with the starlet's affair with a down-home country boy. Jay-Li declares war when she appears on national television to assassinate Chiffon’s character and to declare her intentions for Lonnie by wearing a t-shirt that says, “Chiffon, Be Gone!” Things get ugly in a hurry in the battle of wills between the mother of three and the world’s greatest movie star.

Through all their trials, the Grace girls find solace in the centerpiece of the series, the Bottom Dollar Emporium. Whether it's the straightforward advice of eighty-five year old Attalee, or the helpful ministrations of Elizabeth, the women of the Bottom Dollar stick together.

Not to be missed, A DOLLAR SHORT (Simon and Schuster, August 2005) sparkles with energy and wit, as well as the compelling story of emotional loss and the strength to endure. It is a hilarious saga of loss, sisterhood, and the will to survive in small town Cayboo Creek, South Carolina.

And here's a bit about Karin:

Before coming a novelist, Karin Gillespie was a special education teacher at an inner-city school and an editor of a regional parenting magazine. She’s also a bi-monthly columnist for the Augusta Chronicle.

Her first novel Bet Your Bottom Dollar is in the process of being optioned by James Woods for film.

She travels the Southeast with three other Southern authors, and they call themselves the Dixie Divas.

For the release of A Dollar Short: The Bottom Dollar Girls Go Hollywood, Karin will be embarking on the “Take Back the Tiara Tour” which will feature a red carpet, dime-store tiaras, and an essay contest for women.

Click here for an excerpt.

Click here for Karin's tour schedule (35 cities!!)

A Dollar Short has been chosen as a featured alternative for Doubleday and Literary Guild book clubs.

Learn more at Karin's website, http://www.karingillespie.com
 

Check out this anthology, which sounds just awesome, especially fellow Out Of The Blogosphere-ian's novella, Moon Magnetism. The Anthology is Star Quality and it's got some other awesome authors, too!



Ivy Kendall dreads the full moon. For generations, women in her family have been extremely magnetic on that day—which was fine fifty years ago but not in the age of hard drives and cell phones. That’s why the hotel manager has resisted the technological improvements her boss wants her to implement. Now, the sexy, dynamic Blake Hawthorne is coming to insist on the upgrades in person. Shoot, he’ll probably fire her. Being around Blake makes her body go as haywire as a full moon, maybe even more. And as long as she’s going to be out of a job soon, there’s no reason not to use a little of that magnetism to her advantage, luring him into an elevator where the only electricity that will work is the kind they generate themselves…

Sounds cool, huh? And you can read an excerpt here.

Lucy's a fabulous and prolific author (she makes me feel like a slacker, LOL!): Award winning author Lucy Monroe sold her first book in September of 2002. Since then she has sold more than 30 books to three publishers and hit national bestsellers lists in the US and England. Her highly charged, sensual stories touch on the realities of life while giving the reader a fantasy story not easily forgotten. Whether it's a passionate Harlequin Presents, a sexy single title for Kensington or a steamy historical or paranormal for Berkley, Lucy's books transport her readers to a special place where the heart rules and love conquers all.


REVIEWS
"Monroe creates a sassy heroine and gives her a delectable rogue to help solve her unusual dilemma." 4 Stars - Romantic Times
"Their [Blake & Ivy in Moon Magnetism] dialog is priceless and will keep the reader smiling throughout this wonderful tale." Reader to Reader Reviews
"Star Quality is a delightfully funny read. The common full-moon theme is pulled together masterfully by three "quality stars" of the romance genre." - Sensual Romance Reviews

Visit Lucy at her website at http://www.lucymonroe.com