It’s that time again – Release Day! Romance Diva extraordinaire, Crystal Jordan, has a new anthology out with Kensington Aphrodisia- Under the Covers. Her story is Naughty or Nice and it’s just in time for the holidays. Not to mention this cover is HOT!
Check it out:
“Naughty or Nice” in Under the Covers anthology, by Crystal Jordan
Dayna Sharp has the perfect job, the perfect man…the perfect life. So why is the prospect of marrying Mr. Wonderful so perfectly boring? It’s a question Dayna can’t shake when she brings her fiance home to meet her spectacularly un-boring family–and finds herself pursued by a bad-boy bearing gifts that could burn a hole in more than her Christmas stocking…
So my goals through the end of the year are all tied to this one WIP. A WIP that just. Won’t. Die. I’m not really a formal goals-making person (see post here), but I decided to play along anyway. Well, I think this is why my muse ran out to get some sugar and still hasn’t come back. Yet.
That’s okay. I’m not bitter. Why, you ask? Because I have a brand new shiny muse! In fact, multiple muses with a whole lot of hopping and shagging going on. I find that I’m getting hit with inspiration almost every day. And sometimes in the strangest places.
Here is a list of the thirteen things that have randomly inspired me over the past week…
Craigslist ad – if you follow me on Twitter, then you know I got a brilliant light bulb moment from spying an ad for a drag queen singing telegram. You’ll have to stay tuned to find out what the plot bunnies do with this one.
Fairy tales – more specifically, Beauty and the Beast meets Ugly Duckling. And yes, there’s a bunny furiously thinking up a storm in response to Samhain’s Red Hot Fairy Tales call.
Fever Blister/Cold Sore/Lip Funk/Fill-in-the-blank – Eww. Gross. I know. With my daughter’s first birthday party last Saturday, I had a lot of stressful things to think about (30 adults + 12 kids under the age of 10 = Carmex overdose). So yeah, one of those nasty little suckers popped up on my lip and got me thinking…
This image– Pictures say a thousand words, eh? How about 350, give or take?
Spiderman kazoo– After loading up with various useless—but surprisingly expensive—crap for party goody bags, I was hit with yet another story tickle. Spidey meets Barbarella???
Ballet flats – Mine stink. Like odor-eaters-stink. After dusting off a pair from last Fall season, it made me wonder…surely there’s a villain out there whose supernatural powers are based off a serious case of odorous feet. Death by feet funk has a nice ring to it, donchathink?
Water goal – In my effort to try and drink more water, another bunny hopped by as I sat and stared at my half-empty Nalgene bottle.
Halloween candy – Really Halloween-anything. All those ghosts, goblins, witches, vamps…what’s not to love?
Kanye West – Yes, even Kanye “Douchebag of the Year” West can inspire those little plot bunnies who think it would be hilarious if an equally-embarrassing interruption were to happen to the protagonist during an oh-so-important life-changing event.
Candy Apples – That bright, glossy, candy-coated apple I saw at the grocery store is the perfect signature shade for a heroine who’s as flirty as she is feisty.
Purell – Hand sanitizer inspired one of the quirky characteristics of my heroine in my current plot-storm.
Alec Mazo – Dancing With The Stars resident hottie. Just take away all that sequins, glitter, and that leggy wife of his.
Gena Showalter – That lady writes faster than anyone I know (not that I actually really know her, unless you count that time or two when I stalked her throughout RWA DC). She inspires me to no end. And her books kick ass.
So there you have it. What inspired you this week?
When Elaina Matthews ran into Sebastian Ramos at his grandmother’s house, she never expected it would lead to another night of wild sex. Or to a relationship.
Sebastian knows what he wants and that’s Elaina in his life and in his bed, forever. He moves full-steam ahead in getting her to agree to a relationship. But will his desire for Elaina overwhelm her and end their relationship before it really starts. And there is another problem on the horizon for the new couple – what will his family say when they discover he’s dating his brother’s ex?
It’s that time of year again. Summer’s over, the kiddies are back in school, the leaves are starting to turn a little less green and a little more crispy. We’re heading out of Summer and right into Fall. And what comes with the change in season? New episodes of your favorite shows and some much anticipated premieres.
Here are my top thirteen must-see shows:
1. So You Think You Can Dance – love, love, LOVE this show! It’s normally on during the summer, but new this year is a fall season that’s sure to have the twists, turns, and grande jetes we all know and love.
2. Vampire Diaries – This series is based on the books by LJ Smith and premiering on the CW tonight at 8pm. Joining the fangtabulous company of Edward/Bella/Jacob, Sookie/Bill/Eric, will be the Stefan/Elena/Damon threesome. Uh, hello? Hot boys, pointy fangs, Ian Somerhalder? What’s not to love?
3. Glee – They showed the pilot episode in May. Although really that seems like a century ago. So this Fall, people who already fell in love with the lovable glee club misfits will be chomping at the bit to see what shenanigans they run into next.
4. Fringe – X-Files meets Bones meets Lost. This show has it all. Super cool sci-fi mysteries, super hot FBI agents, super wacky Dr. Bishop (played by the uber talented John Noble) and oh-so-lovable Joshua Jackson – whose boyish charm still makes me go ‘Ahhhh’.
5. The Biggest Loser – I just got into this show two seasons ago. But something about the ugly duckling transformation through the blood, sweat, and tears of people who really want to make themselves healthy, never fails to bring a ‘Thatta girl!’ out of me.
6. Bones – David Boreanaz. ‘Nuf said. (And that Emily girl ain’t half-bad either.)
7. Criminal Minds – Who’s hiding in Hotch’s apartment? Is he about to be kidnapped? Maimed? Killed? Eek. Ike. Must. Wait. Until. 9/23.
8. Dancing With the Stars – I really just want to see Tom Delay in sequins.
9. Grey’s Anatomy – Meredith and Derek…married? Surely there’s going to be a few monkey wrenches for the newleyweds. George…dead? Izzie…alive? Let’s see how long it takes Alex to bolt for the door.
10. Flash Forward – This is a new show with a super cool premise. Everyone passes out at exactly the same time and see a glimpse of their future. I’m hoping the pilot is as good as the commercials make it look. Plus Joseph Fiennes is starring in this series and he is fiiiiinne.
11. Dollhouse – Joss Whedon. Yeah.
12. Eastwick – I’m keeping my fingers crossed that the show doesn’t butcher the greatness that is the Witches of Eastwick. Plus I love me some Lindsey Price.
13. FOOTBALL – Ok, my house goes a little nuts when it’s football season. When I was in labor with my daughter, I didn’t want to go to the hospital until the game was over (Cowboys vs. Eagles). It’s not just a sport. It’s a way of life.
So tell me…what shows are you dying to see this Fall?
Oh Wednesday, how I wish you were really Friday. But alas, you’re not. So sad. Although I guess I can’t complain too much. Hubs and I are gonna get our old school rock on when we pile into First Mariner Arena in Baltimore to see Journey in concert tonight (part of my bday gift to him for when he turned 30). I have to admit I’m not a die-hard fan or anything. But I wanted to do something fun for him other than our normal dinner out. It was a tough call since my alternative choice was getting tickets to see Sesame Street Live (which I found out we’re taking the baby girl to anyway). Se la vie. Journey today, Elmo on Saturday. What a life.
And as is typical for a Wednesday, here is the fab-o word of the day courtesy of Addictionary:
It’s Tuesday. You know what that means…releases, releases, releases! Check out these hot stories by Inez Kelley and Ciar Cullen!
Myla by Moonlight by Inez Kelley is now available from Samhain Publishing
Magic bites… and its name is Myla.
Created at Prince Taric’s birth, Myla is a spell, an enchantment designed to appear and protect him when he needs it most. She has always been content to do her duty…until one night of forbidden passion leaves her longing to experience life—and love—as a mortal woman. Yet the risk is too great. Even if her blood runs as red as his, she can never give him the one thing he needs: a child.
Taric’s blessing—and his curse—is knowing the kingdom’s future depends on his producing an heir to continue the bloodline. His bond with Myla has always been that of protector and protected. When it suddenly becomes something much more, he unwittingly sentences his people to certain death.
An old enemy is plotting to destroy all he holds dear: his lands, his people, his father, and his lover. And this time, even if they fight tooth and blade, their shared magic may not be enough to save them…
Love—it’s the real thing. And complicated as hell…
Archeologist Eliza Schneider assumes her meeting with an exotic stranger in the Egyptian desert was a heat-induced hallucination…until he materializes in New York. She has to give the tall, handsome Egyptian high marks for originality with his pick-up line: they’re fated to save the world together. The master/servant thing goes a long way toward sweeping her off her feet, but it’s easier to believe he’s just another in her long line of poor romantic choices.
Kasdeya, the Fifth Satan, waited eons for his Keeper to find her way to his tomb amongst the ancient ruins. He only has a limited time to convince Eliza that her role is critical to help defeat the loathsome Deumos, a female demon who has laid her claim to bearing his child—a child that will bring down mortals.
Trouble is, Eliza doesn’t even believe Kasdeya is real. If he can’t convince her he isn’t an illusion—and neither is their love—Deumos will win.
September brings with it some much anticipated releases. Give some love and check out these fab writers and fellow Romance Divas:
All Fired Up-Kristen Painter
Desire can heal the coldest heart—or burn it to ashes.
Alrik Gunn knows from bitter experience that change isn’t always for the better. From the woman who annihilated his Viking clan to the goddess who tricked him into centuries of slavery, betrayal has dogged his existence. The Goddess of Love is going to let him avenge his family, but for a price. As a Phoenix—a merchant of change—he must grant a human woman three chances to change her life.
When former Irish dancer Calleigh McCarthy tosses a carved-bird statue that belonged to her ex into a roaring bonfire, she unwittingly summons an honest-to-god Phoenix. A sexy, irresistible Viking who offers her an unbelievable bonus—three get-out-of-her-crappy-life-free cards. She’ll take it, even if it means guarding her cautious heart against the dark pain behind Alrik’s eyes.
Alrik has vowed never to let love sway him again, but Calleigh’s innocence and kindness throw him off balance. Yet even as his need for revenge fades and his love for her grows, he is bound to let her make her choices without interfering.
One wrongly chosen word, and any chance for happiness—for either of them—will go up in flames. Buy it here.
Cambria Dillon - YA Writer
