The Dynamic Trio - Blog

This was in my e-mailbox on Sunday and it made my freaking day. I asked the reader if it was okay to put it up on the webiste, so here goes. Oh, by the way, this reader won my book from a contest hosted by the Erotic Romance Writers group. The RAWK!

“Date: Sun, August 03, 2008 2:27 pm
To: “TJ Michaels”

Hi,

I just wanted to let you know that I read Carinian’s Seeker last night. I could not put it down until it was finished. OMG! This story is awesome. I have never read a story about an interracial couple and I have never read one where the heroine was at least 36 yers old. I reallllllly needed to broaden my horizons when it comes to my reading tastes and this story was the perfect start.

Bix is the ultimate alpha hero vampire and Carin was a smart, sassy, kick-ass heroine. I can’t forget the scorching sex scenes. I almost forgot the reasons for my five year celibacy. (LOL) This is an amazing book and I will definitely order Serati’s Flame and Hatsept Heat ASAP!

Have great week.

Tara ”

The book she was talking about is the first book in the Vampire Council of Ethics. If you haven’t read it yet, please do and be sure to let me know what you think. If you have read it, then pick up the latest book, HATSEPT HEAT. Woohoo! I just love it when someone likes my writing!

I’m blogging over at the Samhain Publishing weblog to celebrate the new release of Serati’s Flame in PRINT! Squeeeeee!

Skip on over the Samhain and pay me a visit ;D

TJ

This week has been crazy! I finished Cascadia Wolves: Fated last night! Wheeee! What Happens in Vegas has now released and has been sighted in stores and reviews are starting to show up online. Check my blog for a few contests!

Okay in the days following the release here are some reviews:

and  Tez  thought Stripped was too romancy and didn’t like my characters but she did like Kit and Anya’s story. (Yes, it is romance, fyi in case anyone wonders!) 

I have two interesting news items from New Zealand for you today. I know there’s lots of talk on the Internet re authors complaining about reviews and reviewers complaining about authors comments about reviews. It seems we’re quite well-behaved as a group compared to the restaurant owners in Auckland. Several top Auckland restaurants were given bad grades in a recent review by Metro. They struck back in an ad with a recipe for “Preparation of Metro Food Critic Testicles”.

Readers were encouraged to take a “very sharp knife, slice through the sort of skinnie muscley stuff that you find surrounding each of the Metro Food Critic Testicles (there should be two testicles, they can be hard to find)”.

And the Metro Food Critic’s comment - The testicles should be served with a side of “Sour Grapes”. You can read the full article here.

The other item of interest, or at least I found it fascinating, was the thawing out of the 490 kg squid at TePapa museum in Wellington. The colossal squid was caught in the Antarctic waters of the Ross Sea in 2007 and was frozen to preserve it. There’s been all sorts of discussion about defrosting the squid, since it’s not as easy as thawing out a packet of sausages. Here’s the photo gallery showing shots of the squid and you can also check out the webcam showing live action of the defrosting.

In writing news, I’ve received a wonderful review for Fancy Free with a Five Angel rating and also a Recommended Read award. Rachel C from Fallen Angel Reviews said, “Ms. Munro gives us hot sex scenes that have your blood heating and your palms sweating. But that’s not all you get with Fancy Free, you also get laughter, emotion and suspense. Ms. Munro has you guessing the whole time, and with the curiosity of what might happen next riding you, you can’t help but turn the pages until you reach the end. This is the second book by Ms. Munro I’ve read and it certainly won’t be the last. Fancy Free offers everything—steamy sex, at times slap stick laughter, nail biting suspense and of course let’s not forget the cast of supporting characters; they alone are worth the price on the cover. Don’t miss this great read.” You can find the entire review here.

And finally, are you a Cold Play fan? From Tuesday 12.15 UK time they’re giving away a free download of their new song - Violet Hill. Here’s the link.

First before we get to the funny stuff, let’s get the writer stuff out of the way. I submitted my first contemporary to my editor and am shaking in my books. Contemporary romance didn’t seem to flow from my fingers to the keyboard like paranormal does, but I got this idea in my head and had to put it to paper. So, we’ll see…

Second, SHELLEY GOT A KICK-A$$ REVIEW on FANCY FREE from Ellora’s Cave. In fact, it’s been Joyfully Recommended. Visit Joyfully Reviewed to read the review.

Now, for the Idiot Sightings:

Beware, They Walk Among Us! (This was at the Ford dealership in Canton , Mississippi) When my husband and I arrived at an automobile dealership to pick up our car, we were told the keys had been locked in it. We went to the service department and found a mechanic working feverishly to unlock the drivers side door. As I watched from the passenger side, I instinctively tried the
door handle and discovered that it was unlocked. ‘Hey,’ I announced to the technician, ‘its open!’ His reply, ‘I know. I already got that side.’

They Walk Among Us!

I walked into a Starbucks with a buy-one-get- one-free coupon for a Grande Latte. I handed it to the girl and she looked over at a little chalkboard that said ‘buy one-get one free.’ ‘They’re already buy-one- get-one-free, ‘ she said, ’so I guess they’re both free’. She handed me my free Lattes and I walked out the door.

They Walk Among Us!

One day I was walking down the beach with some Friends when one of them shouted, ‘Look at that dead bird!’ Someone looked up at the sky and said, ‘Where?’

They Walk Among Us!

While looking at a house, my brother asked the real estate agent which direction was north because, he explained, he didn’t want the sun waking him up every morning. She asked, ‘Does the sun rise in the North?’ When my brother explained that the sun rises in the East, and has for sometime, she shook her head and said, ‘Oh I don’t keep up with all that stuff.’

They Walk Among Us!!

I used to work in technical support for a 24/7 call center. One day I got a call from an individual who asked what hours the call center was open. I told him, ‘The number you dialed is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.’ He responded, ‘Is that Eastern or Pacific time?’ Wanting to end the call quickly, I said, ‘Uh, Pacific.’

They Walk Among Us!

My sister has a lifesaving tool in her car designed to cut through a seat belt if she gets trapped. She keeps it in the trunk.

They Walk Among Us!

My friends and I were on a beer run and noticed that the cases were discounted 10%. Since it was a big party, we bought 2 cases. The cashier multiplied 2 times 10% and gave us a 20% discount.

They Walk Among Us!

I couldn’t find my luggage at the airport baggage area, so I went to the lost luggage office and told the woman there that my bags never showed up. She smiled and told me not to worry because she was a trained professional and I was in good hands. ‘Now,’ she asked me, has your plane arrived yet?’

They Walk Among Us!

While working at a pizza parlor I observed a man ordering a small pizza to go. He appeared to be alone and the cook asked him if he would like it cut into 4 pieces or 6. He thought about it for some time before responding. ‘Just cut it into 4 pieces; I don’t think I’m hungry enough to eat 6 pieces.’

I just finished two books that BLEW MY SOCKS OFF! Of course, Lauren’s WOLF UNBOUND rocked my world! Now, let’s be real - I don’t typically do books with domination in them. But this book has changed my mind! It was so tastefully done, and in terms and words that, while I’ve never actually heard them before, made it clear that the couple was SO totally knowledgeable, comfortable and into what they were doing. No humiliation, no jacked up behaviour. It was fabulous. Okay, now I’m rambling…sorry ’bout that. Then throw in all the suspense and BAMMO! You’ve got a hell of a book! It wrapped up nicely and left the door open for the next one…which I’m already dying to read.

And finally, I had a chance to read NJ Walter’s DALAKIS PASSION: ETERNAL BROTHERS. Just like with Lauren’s Cascadia Wolves series, I’ve read every single one of NJ’s DALAKIS books. Now, THIS book took me for a frickin’ ride! All the characters from the previous books make an appearance and brought some twists and turns with them that flipped me out. I totally didn’t see ‘em coming.

I was so NOT motivated to write anything over the holiday break, so I read to clear my head. And I’m glad I did! It was a blast.

I got an early review of Wolf Unbound! Chrissy Dionne at Romance Junkies gives it a five blue ribbon review:

WOLF UNBOUND is the latest in Lauren Dane’s CASCADIA WOLVES series. This story is full of all of the passion, emotional angst and wolfie wonders you could possibly want in a fantastic storyline. I adored Tegan’s kick-butt attitude. There’s no doubt she’s more than capable of taking care of herself - but she has a whole pack more than willing to go to battle for her if Ben ever hurts her - in any way. One of my favorite things about this series is how each story builds on the last one and you feel like part of the family. If you haven’t yet experienced a Lauren Dane book then you’re missing out!

That’s a nice thing to see in my inbox. I haven’t had a Cascadia Wolves book out in over a year so I hope there’s a nice bit of anticipation for it. I’m quite proud of the book too, of it and of Standoff as well (the last book in the series arc). These books started out as something relatively simple but they turned out to be more complicated and seriously fun to write and plot as a whole rather than just one book and then another. It was fun to think in terms of a four book arc and now that I’ve done it, I’ll try it again in the future.

In other news, I’m about 1/3 of the way through with my revisions on Undercover and relieved the book isn’t turning out to be utterly awful and in need of a big overhaul.

One of the authors I’ve admired since before I started writing has agreed to blurb Undercover. I’m so thrilled about that because she’s just fabulous.

I also am in possession of ARCs. Sasha White’s Wicked and Jaci Burton’s Riding Wild. I’ve had Ann Aguirre’s Grimspace for a few months now and cripes it’s so damned good. I need to do like a week of ARC reviews at my blog because there’s a lot coming out. Megan Hart’s Tempted is out in just two weeks and of course it’s fabulous - I re-read the ending the other day and it made me cry. Anya Bast’s Witch Blood is out in March and it’s sooo good, IMO, even better than Witch Fire. A really good winter for books I must say! The ARC thing is like probably one of my favorite things about being an author. FWIW, I do still buy copies of the books because I like to support my favorite authors and also, I want them to do well. I often give away those extra copies in contests as well (so keep an eye out and check out my Lauren blog for my latest contest, ahem)

Okay, I need to make some tea as, no surprise, I’m freezing.

Yesterday we had a FERAL FASCINATION list mom day on the Ellora’s Cave reader’s loop, and I had a WHAT’S COOKIN’ list mom day on the Samhain Cafe where we shared LOTs of recipes just in time for the beginning of the holiday season. It was so much FUN!

If you want some good recipes and you’re a member of the Samhain Cafe Yahoo group, run over to the loop and get them. They’re all fabulously delicious.

We also announced the beginning of the HOLIDAY HOTTIE contest hosted right here by the Dynamic Trio. We’ve got almost TWENTY, yes twenty, authors playing along with us, so be sure to check the blog for details on Sunday, November 18th. Or get a sneak peek of some of the details on both the Ellora’s Cave and Samhain Yahoo groups *hint hint*

Well, since I posted a hint to the group readers, I should probably post one here, too…but all I’ll say is that you’ll need to check the Dynamic Trio’s blog page for author wish hints when we tell ya to, then post your guesses to the HOLIDAY HOTTITE e-mail address at hh@tjmichaels.com telling us what you think the author wants for the holidays.

All the rest of the details, rules and stuff will be posted both here and in the newsletter coming up.

Oh, and TJ On A Tangent newsletter subscribers get the details early *wink*

Have a fabulous Thursday!

TJ

I was getting nervous there for a bit because I hadn’t seen ANY reviews for my August releases. And considering that SERATI’S FLAME was done so early and sent out months ago for reviews, sistah was really starting to trip!

Well, in spite of another headache from hell, new reviews showed up and made it all better - ’cause THEY KICK ASS!

The first review for Egyptian Voyage came in and it kicks major booty! It’s so good it makes me want to kiss feet upon demand! You can visit Ecataromance Sensual or visit the Egyptian Voyage page by clicking my Bookshelf link to see available titles and their reviews. Woohoo! Uh-huh! Go, TJ! *tj dancing around her office…badly*

AND

Serati’s Flame, Vampire Council of Ethics Book 2 received an Oooo-Weee review and FIVE HEARTS from The Romance Studio. They said, “I, for one, am eagerly looking forward to Ms. Michael next wildly, thrilling book within the Vampire Council of Ethics series.” 5 Hearts, Sensuality Rating: Explicit @ The Romance Studio.

Can’t get any better than that…well, unless it’s 6′ 3″, 220 lbs of muscles and legs like Clive Owen!

There was a BIG blog mess going on last week when a reviewer who has a reputation for being fair-minded, basically ripped an author a new one. It de-escalated, or rather went down in flames, from there. The bottom line was the reviewer read an Ellora’s Cave book, absolutely hated it, and proceeded to tear it to pieces. Now, I don’t have a problem with the “tear-it-to-pieces” part of the discussion. If you spent your money on a book that royally sucked, say what you want about it. If you believe the editor should have caught a number of basic technical elements, fine.

BUT many of the responders sunk to the low point of calling names while remaining anonymous. Now that’s just plain nonsense. Not to mention the firestorm that followed probably resulted in the author making a killing on sales, rather than squashing what the reviewer felt was awful writing in general.

So, I’d like to have a frank discussion about the bottom line of last week’s shit storm sweepstakes - the quality of books being published today. And just be real with me - do you feel that the books you’ve purchased lately were worth the money you paid for it? If not, why not? If so, why?

While Karen’s current blog is focused on EC, I’m interested in them all, whether from Ellora’s Cave, Samhain, Loose Id, Changeling, the New York pubs, or whoever.

We’re not giving any brownie points here, so don’t gush all over a book or pub that you really didn’t feel all that hot about. But don’t rip one that was done well. Got me?

As a writer, I can say that most of us are readers first. So, if you’re an author, talk to me from a reader’s point of view. What makes you buy a book? Or are you on book buying hiatus because you aren’t finding anything that blows your skirt up?

Do you think reviewers are fair? Or do you think most of them just paint a happy face on most books they review whether the book was good or not?

Warning: I don’t care if you use names, or if you respond anonymously. It’s all about being straight up and finding out what you really think about the industry right now. BUT ANY PERSONAL FLAMING/NAME CALLING WILL BE DELETED. PERIOD.

So…whaddup?

TJ