Archive for October, 2006



Sunday, October 22nd, 2006
Gimme Sum!

First, for those of you looking for a continuation of Red Tigress’ Rough Rider, we’ll be putting up a special page for it so you can follow the story. I couldn’t keep up with once a week, so we’ll do it once a month. And it’ll be HOT so we’ll make sure we put up a warning! We’ll give you the date the story is available along with a link. All you have to do is read the story until you’re all hot and bothered, then tell us where you want the story to go and you’ll be automatically entered into the monthly Rough Rider contest. Prizes will change often so stay tuned.

Now about the title of this post - No I didn’t spell it wrong. My kids and I went out for our monthly splurge-n-glut this afternoon. We found this new restaurant called, yep you guessed it, GIMME SUM China Grill. It’s a wonderful, but far from typical Chinese restaurant.

I hate to admit it, but it took me a minute to realize what the name of the place was. I was too busy reading the ’sum’ part, thinking dim sum, gim sum, etc. Okay, so I was a bit slow today!

The food was excellent, the dessert was soooo good it was just wrong! Plus, the service was superior and the atmosphere was up and hip with just the right amount of tradition stirred in. If you have one in your neighborhood, you’ve gotta check it out.

Besides, doesn’t it sound like my kind of restaurant? Perhaps one of my new heroes has gotta say that in a story? “Girl, get over here and GIMME SUM!” While she tosses over her shoulder, “You want SUM? Come get SUM!” and saunters toward the door. Of course, she never makes it… and she doesn’t want to. My goodness!

Anyway, check out Gimme Sum here–> www.gimmesum.com

Saturday, October 21st, 2006
Glitches and To Do Lists and Junk, Oh My!

Today, I can’t post at my own messageboard at my own website. Yes, it keeps telling me my message looks like spam. No matter what I post. I’ve gone into the controls and can’t see that anything has changed or even how I’d go about fixing this. This was my fear with the phpbb software. So now I wait for someone to add me to the damned list at pbpbb so I can ask how to fix it.

And this blog template has been very cranky and our wonderful graphic designer, Janet from Novel Vision has gone above and beyond the call of duty trying to get all the browsers to see everything correctly. It’s looking good this morning and I hope it holds.

But this week, aside from multiple moments of extreme agitation, has been really productive. I finished my edits on Taking Chase and got them back to my editor and I finished the final polish edits on my partial and synopsis for my agent. And last night I got back to work on Threat of Darkness. I’m at 16K now, so I’m cooking and hoping to be finished by the end of the month. This will mark the beginning of a new series about the Fae so I’m excited about that. After that, well I’ll probably get working on Chased as it’s due in January.

I’m working with some other authors on an event at Babeland in March. Babeland is this really wonderful sex toy shop that carries books and videos. It’s run by women and a comfortable place to browse without feeling creepy or guilty. More when I get the details nailed down. It’s nice to be part of an event where the store wants you to be there instead of telling you you lack “shared core values.”

That’s about it for now. Oh and I’m running a contest all week. Commenters will be entered in a drawing to win an ARC of Tri Mates. I’ll choose someone at random this time next week.

Friday, October 20th, 2006
Come Talk to Us!

We’re going to be chatting over at The Romance Studio tomorrow, October 21 at 6 pm pacific/9 eastern! Please come on over and say hello. I’ll be giving away an ARC of my upcoming release, Tri Mates and I’m sure Shelley and TJ will too.

Friday, October 20th, 2006
Attack of the Killer Spam

Is it just me?

At the moment spam is being fired at me from all directions. At my normal address I have enticing emails offering me viagra - so many emails today that I’m wondering if they know something I don’t! The latest one that arrived a few minutes ago actually had pictures of the pills so I can now choose my favorite color. And bam…incoming….here’s another one. A lady in China wants me to invest. She apologizes for the curt tone of the email.

Over at my google account (google does a first rate job at isolating these splendid offers BTW, much better than my normal address) I’m received lots of emails in Chinese. I must admit - I’m curious as to what they say. How do you say viagra in Chinese?

And then there’s MySpace. I’ve received an enticing message to invite me to join a group called Blondes With Big Bottoms…lovely photo included.

What is the strangest spam message you’ve ever received? Do you receive spam messages on varied topics or does your inbox have a penis fixation (and associated problems!) like mine?

And the winner of a copy of either The Second Seduction or The Shadow - your choice is:

ladyvampire2u

Congratulations!! Email me at shelley munro @ gmail .com (no spaces) with your choice of book and snail mail address and I’ll get that in the mail.

Thursday, October 19th, 2006
Better Late Than…Than What? a/k/a The Winner Is…

In this case, I don’t think the saying, ‘Better late than never’ actually applies. Today is the day I announce the winner of the contest that’s been running since last Thursday. I was soooo busy at work today I had time to trade a couple of e-mails with Lauren then run around with my hair on fire all day.

I’m home now and finally have a chance to breathe…for a minute. After I post the winner of “Purple Passion’s Won $50,000,000″ contest I’ll be off to chase the kids around while my daughter tries to cook and my son tries to catch up on his homework and I try to catch up on my research of Egypt.

But I must admit, I think I’m sadistic because… I actually LOVE my ridiculously hectic life!

Okay, back to the point. The winner of TJ’s “Purple $50,000,000″ contest is….Marcia Colette!

Soooo, what did Marcia win? Marcia, you have your choice of ANY of the titles written by our illustrious Dynamic Trio! So, pick something from my, Lauren or Shelley’s e-books from any publisher and send the title and format preference to me at tj@tjmichaels.com !

Woohooo!!!!!!

NOTE - You have one week to claim your prize, so get movin’ chicklet :D

Wednesday, October 18th, 2006
Hear Ye! Hear Ye!

It’s promo Wednesday!

Most of you already know about that Wild Winter Quickie series coming in December from Ellora’s Cave, right? Well, check out this cover proof. Talk about hot, Hot, HOT!

The name of my Wild Winter Quickie is Gift Wrap:Optional - nothing like a holiday romp with a sexy vampire!

Tuesday, October 17th, 2006
Titilating Tuesday Greetings!

Hey everyone! It’s Titilating Tuesday at my messageboard and I’m putting up excerpts from some WIP and upcoming books. Come on by!

Let’s see, what else? Oh, I’m editing Taking Chase right now and it’s not too bad. Just fleshing out some stuff. I can’t wait for you all to meet Cassie. And for those of you who’ve met Shane in Giving Chase, he’s back only more mature and ready for love.

This is sort of what I imagine Shane to look like, only a bit more blond and with faded jeans and cowboy boots. Anyway, I’m trying to walk the line between writing him as who he is - an arrogant man who sometimes can be a jerk and an outright jerk. He’s a big character, complicated. Wounded. But he reins it in for Cassie. At the same time, it’s got to be believable. No guy like Shane is gonna paint a woman’s toenails and watch Terms of Endearment with her on a Friday night. Still, he’s not going to treat her like he treated Maggie. He’s rough around the edges and defensive, but for her, he works to be a better man.

I hope that shows in the final product!

And speaking of my Chase Brothers - my editor told me yesterday Chased will release in March and Making Chase in June! Hee!

How is everyone today anyway?

Monday, October 16th, 2006
Help - I’m Naked!


Because my author is clueless.

Here’s the scoop:

My name is Sarah Walsh. I’m a spy who works for a British Agency. I’m part of the aristocracy, and my author has me dressing in jeans and T-shirts, just like she does. Please! Thing is I have a weekend party coming up - a birthday party actually. Lots of important people are going to be there from government ministers to sports stars and lords and ladies. It’s taking place on a large country estate and on Saturday night there’s going to be a big party. Jeans and T-shirts aren’t going to cut it. And besides, there’s a couple of men there I’d like to impress, if you know what I mean. I need a posh designer dress, some killer shoes and maybe some jewelry.

That’s where you come in. I’d like you to help my author, for my sake. Please!! The dress has to be something I can kick butt in, and I need to hide a small gun because I’m also on a secret mission at this ball. The sooner my author gets help, the quicker you’ll get to read my story. My working title is Sex, Spies and Sapphires. Not bad, huh?

My author is offering a reward for information that will help outfit me. One lucky person will receive a print copy of one of Shelley’s Medallion Press releases (The Second Seduction or The Shadow). Post your dress, shoe and jewelry suggestions to the comments section. People who post specific websites will be in with an extra chance.

Please help by posting your suggestions. I don’t like being naked in public - private is a very different matter ;-)

Oh, yeah. I’ll be announcing the winner on Friday. Good luck!

Sunday, October 15th, 2006
Red Tigress’ Rough Rider - Pt. II

When we left our heroines, three bad boys stood in their doorway and Purple Passion was in a huff trying to figure out what to do with them…

Red Tigress rose slowly to her feet taking in our very naked trainees. The Rock, all golden brown perfection and heavily muscled. Clive Owen, lithe and slender with a five o’clock shadow and quirky grin that made him look like a complete rogue. Oded Fehr, the classic tall, dark and handsome with trim and cut pecs that made her fingers itch to play in the sprinkling of hair dusting his torso.

“Wow, they all look so yummy in their own distinctive ways,” Red purred.

“What do you mean, Red?” Purple asked, dialing Prime then cursing a blue streak when she got his voice mail. Purple growled, “Damned man! He knows we’re in a pickle here and he’s probably ignoring my call on purpose.” Meanwhile, Blue was nowhere to be seen.

“Where the hell did she go,” Purple asked, her brow furrowed as her eyes scanned the room for their comrade. “She was just here…?”

Here came Blue running down the hallway, her feet padding silently on the thick, impeccably clean, cream colored carpet. Her fingers held one of her favorite leather outfits. The itty bitty skirt was a beautiful turquoise color with a matching scrap of what was supposed to be a strapless top. Dragging behind her was a big gray tarp. Red Tigress fell backward onto the plush overstuffed loveseat laughing so hard her eyes watered. Whatever Blue was up to, it couldn’t possibly bode well for their trainee candidates. Not with a tarp involved.

“Woman, what in the world are you going to do with that?” Purple queried, eyes wide with wonder as Blue passed both her and Red and headed to the door in a beeline for our trainees.

“Blue?” Purple Passion and Red Tigress called after her in unison.

“Hush! I’m getting inspired here,” Blue crowed happily, unconcerned with the strange and questioning looks being passed her way by everyone in the room, including the drool-worthy candidates at the door.

Red stretched languidly on her couch, the ideas she had for the man-candy almost palpable as she said, “But you said you had edits to do and didn’t have time to train a new submissive for my next book. Purple and I can handle it, doll. Besides, Prime said one trainee. We’ll just pick one and…”

No way!” Blue laughed. “I’ve got a better idea. They’re already naked, so let’s take them outside to the edge of the lake, cover them in mud and bring them back inside for a wrestling match. The winner will begin his training by putting on this leather skirt and top and bring me breakfast in bed.”

“What!” Red shrieked. “Where did you get that wacky idea?”

“You know our new consultants, ALI, CATHY, LISA T. and JENNIFER L.? Well, I shot them a quick IM and they came up with this idea. I think it’s great!”

Red Tigress couldn’t have cared less. “Are you nuts? There’s no way any muddy man, no matter how gorgeous, is getting anywhere near my perfectly cleaned, cream colored carpet. No way! No how!”

But Blue was one step ahead of her. With a wicked gleam in her eyes, she said, “That’s what the tarp is for!”

Two hours later, The Rock and Clive Owen were sprawled out on the mud covered tarp breathing heavily as Oded Fehr stalked toward Blue Vixen. He kneeled down and kissed her feet.

“Now that was a real low blow, Oded. You shouldn’t have kicked them in the nuts like that,” Blue said sternly.

The side of his sexy mouth kicked up into a sexy smile. “The only fair fight is a won fight, mistress. Besides, The Rock would never have squeezed into that outfit. And Clive would have looked like a girl in it. So, what is my first duty, mistress?”
*************************************************************************************************** So, what’s in store for Oded?
a) He gets kicked out of the submissive program for fighting dirty and The Rock takes his place.
b) Blue sends him back to the lake to wash, after which he dons the skimpy blue leather outfit and bakes cinnamon rolls for her breakfast.
c) Blue instructs him to give Red Tigress and Purple Passion horsy-back rides around the living room without a saddle
d) Oded gives them all horsy back rides, then horsy FRONT rides!

Saturday, October 14th, 2006
Process

Yesterday in the comments to Shel’s entry about Friday the 13th I wrote that I wasn’t superstitious about most things except my writing. Sometimes there are projects that I can’t talk about because it seems like every time I do, I get blocked. So I don’t say anything for a while to see how it goes.

So there’s this book. Sigh. Every time I picked it up I’d either be blocked or on my way to a block. I actually started over about 20K words in and wrote a totally different heroine. Which worked to a point, part of what I was hung up on was that who she was was a major plot point but there were too many other plot points and she had ISSUES.

So the new heroine worked better and I tweaked some stuff but I got stuck again.

I realized the other night though that the stumbling block wasn’t the heroine so much, or rather not just the heroine, but the main plot point, which wasn’t, I don’t know, punchy enough, meaty enough, something like that.

So as I was sitting in bed, staring at the sky as deepened into night, it came to me. I wasn’t thinking right about the plot point. I had something as “the big bad” that wasn’t really, which is why I was hung up. And quite honestly, my fix came from my new heroine and I’ve written six thousand words in two days on it. Oh and it sort of turned into a menage, well not sort of, it is. I didn’t actually plan that part, I kept resisting that but it kept coming up and I gave in and a way to make it work came to me and Woot!

Threat of Darkness is a book that’s been with me since I finished A Touch of Fae at the end of 2004 but I didn’t have the time or the ideas until this year and it’s been rattling around, bugging and frustrating me ever since. But Jayce wanted his book and Aine wanted to be in it and Mei isn’t who I thought she would be originally but she’s someone I really love for Jayce and Card and I’m really excited about this! BTW, Card is, oh, he’s so yummy that I had to keep him in as Mei’s other man.

Sometimes the ideas just come to me and the process is straightforward and I just move through it in chunk after chunk and I finish and love it. Other times it’s like this. It’s all work but sometimes it’s easier - but it’s all gratifying once the lightbulb goes on.