The Dynamic Trio - Blog

I can now announce all the details! Wheee!

Okay so Megan Hart and I just sold our jointly authored contemporary erotic romance, Taking Care of Business (formerly Risky Business) to Black Lace! It’ll release in the UK in October 08 and here in the US two months later.

This is the story of two women, Leah and Katherine, who are friends attending a conference together - each woman’s story will be told in alternating chapters. Originally we’d planned it as two separate novellas but it’ll be a single novel now.

Working with Megan is hilarious and also, we work well together. We have very different voices and our stories are also VERY different, but we share the same attitudes about writing and work so it’s just like the rest of our frienship, only with a book. Our editor, Adam Nevill really gets the stories, and erotica in general, which is fabulous so I’m so looking forward to this.

It emphasizes to me how much a part of my every day life the creative process should be. This idea was born at the RT convention. I mean here I am in a line of about two hundred people and I’m there with my friends and Megan and I just started riffing off each other. If it hadn’t been for my fabulous agent who I sat next to at that party (the wild west vampire one) who listened to me chatter on and on about the idea and my character, I don’t know if it would have gone the next step. Then we came back from RT and in our daily IM, Megan and I started talking about the idea more in depth and then you know, partials are written, my agent pitched the idea last month and bingo. BTW, it’s not always this easy, the book was first pitched back in May and then months later we realized it wasn’t going anywhere and tried a new tack and bingo, that one worked.

Writing can be really solitary. Writers live in their heads a lot but we need other people too. I’d never considered co-authoring a project before, not seriously but this book was so organic and so much fun, it just worked out that way.

I’m just so thankful for the people in my life who share my passion for writing and creating!

My birthday bash continues at my blog. Today Lorelei James is discussing Office Parties. She’s also giving away two downloads so come along and make a comment.

Tomorrow, Shelli Stevens is talking about crushes. She’s also giving away a download. Come and tell all about your crushes or those who had crushes on you.

And on the home front I’m not feeling very happy today. I’m waddling around looking a little like a duck with a limp because I’ve hurt my back. Not a happy camper. To offset that, I have sold another story to Ellora’s Cave. Price of Love is a Ruby Jewel of the Nile Quickie. It’s a feline shifter story and it will release in July 2008.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Anne Cain is a genious! She’s created the most awesome TEASER book cover for me for Hatsept Heat. I wanted something I could use to promote the book until I received the official cover for it since the release date isn’t until July (which actually isn’t that far away - what, seven months?). Anyway, I just LOVE this teaser book cover.

This is Book 3 in the V.C.O.E. series (juicy excerpts over on my website) and is Kenoe’s story. Check it out!

Also, if you haven’t played Holiday Hotties yet, move it! The contest is winding up tomorrow night at midnight and we’ll be announcing the winners of the Grand Prize (spa basket) next Wednesday at both the Ellora’s Cave and Samhain Cafe reader’s loops on Yahoo Groups ;D

(Click to see the fullsized graphic)

Since she could pick up a pencil, Belle Taylor has used lists and charts to map out her life. When she achieves a goal, she marks it off her to do list. Simple. But now, just steps away from her corner-office, name-on-the-letterhead goal, she realizes that the life she thought she wanted may come at too high a price.

Exhausted, she retreats home for Christmas vacation to rethink her life, complete with all-new lists. What she hadn’t expected is Rafe Bettencourt, her brother’s best friend, the man who she thought only saw her as a pesky younger sister. But when he kisses her under the mistletoe, Belle finds herself with a whole new set of goals to balance with what she thought she always wanted.

Rafe knows Belle is trying to figure out what to do with her life. He also knows he’s done loving her from afar, and he’s not beneath making it as hard as possible for her to choose to return to San Francisco.

Because Rafe can make to-do lists too—and his plan is to seduce Belle back home where she belongs. At his side. And in his bed.

I seem to have collected a Christmas jinx. I’m not sure how or why but every year something goes wrong with a household appliance. The washing machine seems to be a common theme.

A couple of years ago the washing machine broke down on 23 December. I went through the local yellow pages to find a serviceman to come to my house and fix it. I rang and asked politely if they could fix my machine. They all laughed at me. I mean really laughed at me as if I was telling a good joke. I reached the last serviceman on my list, blurted out my request and waited for the inevitable laughter. My mouth dropped open when it didn’t come. “Yes, I can come tomorrow. What sort of machine do you have?”

Honestly when he arrived I almost hugged him after having visions of piles of dirty laundry overtaking the house. It was a minor repair and my machine was chugging along happily an hour later. Whenever my washing machine or dishwasher breaks down, that’s the man I call. He’s earned a loyal customer since he gives prompt service.

Last year it was the plumbing at our rental property. It sprang a leak the day before Christmas - a big leak. I knew a plumber lived in our street since I’d seen his signpainted van. I rang him up. He said he was busy and I could tell he was going to say no. I started burbling and told him I’d seen his van because I lived in his street and walked past everyday. “Oh,” he said. “The people with the dog. You said the job is local? I could probably take a look when I get home.”

Yes! I wanted to kiss the plumber as well but refrained and gave a dog a big cuddle instead. After all, she was the one who had unknowingly won the plumber over. Instead he was paid promptly and received a few beers for Christmas. He has also become our plumber of choice.

This year it’s the washing machine again. It’s old now so we decided to buy a new one, however it’s a couple of weeks to go until Christmas. I’m nervously watching my appliances and mentally pleading with them to stay the distance.

Do you have a jinx like this? Which appliance would you most hate to break down over the holiday period?

First off, the final round of wish hints is up on the D3 News page, along with new excerpts. The contest is over Friday the 14th at midnight, so if you haven’t played yet, get your booty in gear. The winner will be announced on Wednesday, Dec. 19th during my 1/2 List Mom day at the Samhain Cafe.

Second, I’m so totally excited that the final chapter in the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy is available on DVD!

My son has seen the movie already. He and his dad went to the theater to go see it. My daughter and I missed it so you can imagine how happy we were to learn it was coming to DVD on December 4th. I must also admit that I don’t care in the least whether the story is really good or not. I want swashbuckling, ass kicking, yeehaw, Jack Sparrow fun! And I’m SURE this movie will deliver.

I’m going to get the Pirates of the Caribbean - At World’s End (Two-Disc Collector’s Edition)from Amazon. They also have a special going where you can buy Pirates 3 with Harry Potter 5 together. Maybe I’ll do that instead?

If you’ve seen it, what did you think? But no spoilers!

TJ

I’ve had a busy and exciting week. Firstly I have a new release at Ellora’s Cave. Last Wish is finally out! It’s so exciting to have a new book out - it certainly feels like it has been a while.

I’ve also sold a new book to Ellora’s Cave. Price of Love is part of the Jewel of the Nile series and will be out in July 2008. It’s a feline shapeshifter book. Got to love those felines!

Over at my blog I’ve had lots of fun with my guest bloggers. I hope you’ve had a chance to come over and say hello.

And finally, on the Christmas front, I’m still not very organized. I’m getting there and after reading NJ Walter’s post about Holiday Madness, I’m not stressing - just enjoying the small stuff.

How has your week been?

Two Men I’d Love to Date if I Were Single (and they were single):

1. Gerard Butler
2. Clive Owen

I Am Wearing Right Now…

1. jeans
2. black sweater

Two Things I Would Want in a Relationship:

1. connection
2. fabulous sexual chemistry

Two of My Favorite Things to do:

1. Writing
2. Naked stuff with my dude

Two Things I Want Very Badly At the Moment:

1. a big sale to a NY publisher
2. Lunch

Two things I did recently:

1. worked on edits
2. helped my daughter build spongebob from legos

Two things I ate today:

1. Coffee
2. toast with strawberry jam

Two people I most recently talked to:

1. Husband
2. Megan

Two things I’m doing tomorrow:

1. Writing
2. Dealing with Laundry

2 longest car rides:

1. Seattle to San Diego
2. Frankfurt to Prague

Two Favorite Holidays:

1. Christmas
2. My birthday

Two Favorite Beverages:

1. Coffee
2. Tea

Two Things about me, things you may not have known:

1. Children’s advocacy is one of my greatest passions. Nothing gets me more het up than people harming children (be they people or goverments or whatever)
2. I can actually be quite shy

Two places I have lived:

1. Los Angeles
2. Seattle

Two of my Favorite Foods:

1. Green Curry
2. Cupcakes

Two Places I’d rather be right now:

1. On a sunny, warm beach with my dude, a fruity drink in my hand.
2. In my bed, snuggled up with my husband sleeping.

4 people I think will respond:
1. Megan Hart
2. Anya Bast
3. Rhian
4. Amelia June

Dare ya!
Now, here’s what you’re supposed to do…copy this and put your own answers in place of mine and post it to your blog!

Oh my email makes me smile. First, a nice girl, Judee is her name, assures me she’s sad because she has so many lovely pictures of herself to share with me if only I’d email her back! Isn’t that nice?

Another fine young man has graduated from business school and wishes to be my personal assistant! And guess what? He’s also recently come into a huge amount of money and if I just help him by sending him the exact amount in US dollars, he’ll transfer it back to me. What a good boy. His mother must be proud.

Cornell has something exciting to tell me about these pills he took that enlarged his genitalia! Now he’s a total rock star in bed and he can do the same for me and my very small penis.

The real stuff though - awesome with sprinkles. Thanks so much to every one of who who takes the time to write me about my books, I appreciate it so much and it truly makes my day.

I also get books and funny pictures and delete the loop flotsam that makes me wonder why people don’t seem to get the idea that just because we write erotic romance doesn’t mean we shouldn’t remember that not all subjects are appropriate at any old time (and some, my darlings, some - NEVER).

By the way, I’m at 73K words in Battlefront. SQUEEEE!

Tempest tagged me for this meme.

Two Men I’d Love to Date if I Were Single (and they were single):

1. Sean Bean
2. Ritchie McCaw (All Black captain)

I Am Wearing Right Now…

1. shorts
2. A T-shirt from North Pole, Alaska. (Yep, I really visited there)

Two Things I Would Want in a Relationship:

1. laughter
2. hot sex

Two of My Favorite Things to do:

1. reading
2. cycling - (I can’t believe I’m writing this. Two years ago I would have laughed hysterically at the thought)

Two Things I Want Very Badly At the Moment:

1. a big sale to a NY publisher
2. breakfast

Two things I did recently:

1. walked the dog
2. rang my hubby to say good morning since he stared work REALLY early

Two things I ate today:

1. a glass of water
2. nothing else yet - see “things I want badly” above

Two people I most recently talked to:

1. Husband
2. Father

Two things I’m doing tomorrow:

1. Going for coffee
2. Writing

2 longest car rides:

1. from London to Kathmandu
2. from Harare to London - I suppose a truck counts

Two Favorite Holidays:

1. Christmas
2. Auckland Anniversary day - cause it’s summer and usually warm.

Two Favorite Beverages:

1. Coffee
2. Wine

Two Things about me, things you may not have known:

1. I get cabin fever if I stay inside for too long and just have to go outside and exercise.
2. I’m passionate about wildlife and preserving their habitats. Currently VERY grumpy about Japan’s whaling fleet currently heading off to hunt whales in the Southern Ocean. They don’t need that many whales for scientific research!!

Two places I have lived:

1. New Zealand
2. London

Two of my Favorite Foods:

1. pasta
2. a big bowl of vegetable soup

Two Places I’d rather be right now:

1. Cruising around Hawaii with hubby.
2. At a cafe, having someone make breakfast for me.

4 people I think will respond:
1. TJ Michaels
2. Lauren Dane
3. Christina Phillips
4. Lillian Feisty

Dare ya!
Now, here’s what you’re supposed to do…copy this and put your own answers in place of mine and post it to your blog!