Elisabeth Naughton

Winds of Change

2010-03-15T20:33:00.000-07:00

This is my last blog post here because....

MY BEAUTIFUL NEW WEBSITE IS LIVE!!!!

Check it out at www.elisabethnaughton.com. From now on I'll be blogging over there, so if you happen to have a link to this blog site on your own blog or webpage, please redirect it to www.elisabethnaughton.com/blog/

In addition, if you have a blog feed to this addy, please switch it over to the new address.

My first post is already up on the new site...and I'm giving away first chapter booklets of MARKED to anyone who comments there TODAY. There are still a few hours left (I'm on west coast time!) so hop over and tell me what you think of the new site!

Excerpt!

2010-03-13T00:00:00.000-08:00

Happy Saturday! I'm still having some computer issues - grrrrrrrr - and didn't have time to work them out this week so my blogging was nil. Right now I'm on the netbook so I can post this fabulous Saturday Snippet.

Today's topic is Black Moments. I admit, I'm a sucker a deep, dark, emotional black moment. I love them! The more emotional, the better!

This one comes from my May release, MARKED. It's not THE black moment(that would give too much away!), but it's the lead-in to it. I hope you enjoy!

***
Excerpted from: MARKED
ISBN: 978-0-505-52822-3
Release Date: April 27, 2010

Theron stared at the ceiling long after Acacia fell asleep. Gods, he liked this. Way too much. Her, here in his bed. Hidden away from the world. Warm and snug and his.

His. There was a word. The irony was like a knife to the stomach.

He rolled to his side so he could watch her sleep and knew they didn’t have long. The king had probably already called the rest of the Argonauts together. What he’d said in the king’s chambers—with Zander as a witness—would be considered treason. He fully expected one of his kin to come charging in at any moment and drag him away.

He could hear their discussion now. Cerek the peacemaker would convince the rest not to take action until the morning. They’d come at first dawn. Play to Theron’s sense of honor. If that didn’t work, Gryphon would crack a joke about getting the king good, in a lame attempt to lighten the mood. Zander wouldn’t care one way or the other— so long as what happened to Theron didn’t affect him. And Demetrius . . . yeah, Demetrius would be pushing to have Theron hanged.

Too late, Theron realized he’d never told his Argonauts how much he respected them. Though they served together, fought together, none of them were close. And as he looked down at Casey, sleeping on her stomach with both arms tucked under her, her face tipped his way and one of her legs intertwined with his, he realized he’d never even thought of his Argonauts as separate individuals before. To him, they’d always been nothing more than fighters in a war they’d all been trained for. But now?

Now it was as if his eyes had been opened.

He brushed a finger down Acacia’s cheek, watched her back rise and fall in deep sleep. Studied the way her lashes formed spiky crescent shapes on her pale cheeks. Her courage still awed him. Last night she’d been ready to take him on. There was no other female in the universe who would dare stand up to him when he was in one of his moods, but it hadn’t stopped her. She was fearless. And as selfless as he’d told the king. Everything he’d never wanted but now couldn’t imagine living without.

He’d known she was his from the first taste. Long before he’d ever slid deep inside her. If he’d been more in tune with his humanity, he would have recognized it the first time he’d kissed her back in her small house. But he hadn’t. Because he’d needed her to unlock that side of him he’d always repressed.

She was his curse. His soul mate. His life. And there wasn’t a damn thing he could do to keep her from dying.

His finger ran down her shoulder, over her back until he found the sheet covering her gorgeous ass. He gripped the cotton and pulled it down, then eased up on an elbow and looked at her marking.

Gods, it was fading. In a matter of days, it would be gone.

His chest squeezed tight, and though he wanted nothing more than to slide back inside her and wake her from the inside out, he knew he couldn’t. Shouldn’t. She needed to save her strength, not use it up pleasuring him.

One glance at the window told him the moon was setting and morning would be here soon. Careful, so as not to wake her, he pulled the covers up around her shoulders and headed for the shower. Her scent all over his body was distracting and arousing at the same time. As he lathered and rinsed under the hot spray, he told himself he was doing the right thing. The king had been correct on one count. Sometimes a great sacrifice is necessary.

He cut the water, grabbed a towel and dried his hair. After toweling off his legs, he pulled on new jeans, lifted the terry to his shoulders and froze.

Someone was outside on his porch.

Skata, he’d been wrong. They’d come for him already.

A deep male voice echoed through the closed doors. Followed by Acacia’s surprised and wary one.

His heart rate jerked.

No. He was wrong. They’d come for her.

***
Now check out these other fabulous Saturday Snippets!

Emma Petersen
Ashley Ladd
Lissa Matthews
TJ Micheals
McKenna Jeffries
Eliza Gayle
Mari Carr
Juliana Stone
Lauren Dane
Shelley Munro
Taige Crenshaw

2010-03-05T22:38:00.000-08:00

I'm back with Saturday snippets and today's topic is lost loves, which fits in perfectly with my August release, ENTWINED. So this is a piece from that.

Enjoy!

***
Excerpted from: ENTWINED
Eternal Guardians Book #2
Release Date: August 2010
ISBN: 978-0-505-52822-3

“Where do you want me?”

Callia turned away from the window without meeting Zander's eyes, dropped her arms and pointed toward the end of the king’s now-empty desk. “There. Sit.”

He crossed the floor silently in bare feet and eased a hip onto the end of the king’s long desk. He tested the piece of furniture for stability, and when he was sure it wasn’t going to collapse under his weight, scooted back until his legs were hanging over the edge and his bare feet dangled inches above the floor.

She didn’t say anything about the fact he wasn’t completely naked, and he wasn’t about to bring it up again. To distract himself, he stared down at his toes while she moved around the room. She pulled a small side table with her supplies next to her. Seconds later he felt her hand land on his back and couldn’t stop the way he arched in response. When she said, “Deep breath,” he forced himself to relax as she moved the stethoscope around, obviously listening to his lungs.

The metal against his skin was cold, but her fingers were warm and silky—too warm and silky. His blood was already heating just from being this close to her, and every time she brushed his skin, it set off tremors deep in his body. He focused on his breathing—on the steady in and out—in an attempt to stay calm. When she moved around to stand in front of him, repeating the order, he averted his eyes from her face and focused on the fitted white sweater she wore instead.

Her gasp brought his head up. “What happened to you?”

“Nothing. I’m fine.”

“That’s not nothing.” She focused on his shoulder as she looped the stethoscope around her neck, reached for her bag and came back with gauze and supplies.

“Leave it,” he said before she could touch him. “It’s just a flesh wound.”

She dabbed at the dried blood with a wad of gauze. “The muscle’s torn. You need this stitched closed before infection sets in.”

“It’s already healing.”

“I see that but—”

He grabbed her wrist, stilling her motion. A jolt ran through him at the connection, but he ignored it. The last thing he needed was her hands on his body more than was already necessary. “I said leave it.”

Her eyes slid from the wound to his face and held. And before he realized it, he was staring into eyes like a Caribbean sunset in the human world. Eyes he’d looked into countless times before as they’d made love. Eyes he’d dreamed about numerous times in the years since until he’d woken in a cold and aching sweat.

Thoughts vanished from his mind. The connection they’d had from the first sparked deep in his chest, burned in the bottom of his soul. Tempted him to reach for her and find out if she felt it, too. He couldn’t be the only one who remembered, could he? She had to feel something when she saw him. When she stood this close. When she touched him.

Thoughts, memories, feelings he’d kept buried for a long time pushed in as he stared into her gem-like eyes. A movie of their time together flickered in front of his face. And then when he got to the part where she betrayed him, that blaze went out. Leaving behind nothing but charred ash and ruins.

It didn’t matter what she felt. Their past was over and done with. The Fates had screwed him in more ways than one. There wasn’t anything about her now that could change what had happened back then.

He dropped her hand as quickly as he’d grabbed it. Then glanced back at her sweater. “Finish the exam.”

***
Now check out these other fabulous Saturday Snippets!

Leah Braemel
Emma Petersen
TJ Micheals
Ashley Ladd
Lissa Matthews
McKenna Jeffries
Shelli Stevens
Taige Crenshaw
Eliza Gayle
Mari Carr
ViviAna
Juliana Stone
Lauren Dane
Shelley Munro

Back!

2010-03-02T17:48:00.000-08:00

Oy...it's been a while since I've been here. Sorry! I have a good excuse.

Two weekends ago I went to an awesome weekend writers workshop and left my laptop at home. (And if you've never listened to Michael Hauge, and you're a writer, your really should find where he's speaking and go listen. The man is amazing.) My kids played on my laptop while I was gone and somehow downloaded a virus which has totally mucked up my system. After a week of trying to clean it up I have nearly everything working except for Google. And since blogger works off Google log-in info...yeah. I haven't been able to blog. Grrrrrrrrrr... Right now I'm on the netbook but hoping to get my regular laptop back up and running soon. (Oh please, oh please, oh please...)

Aside from working on pulling my eyebrows out over the computer issue, I've been working on TEMPTED (Eternal Guardians book 3). The book is going good and I'm loving the characters.

In other news, I got an A+ review today on STOLEN SEDUCTION from The Good The Bad & the Unread! I can't remember the last time I got an A+ on anything! My good friend (and fellow writer) Kristina McMorris has a way of keeping me firmly rooted in reality, however. When I told her about the review, she said, "...do you really think it's a healthy policy to award a PERFECT grade to any author? I mean, where does an author aspire to go from there? Basically, they're saying you just penned "The Sixth Sense" as one of your first books. And we all know what happened to THAT director since. All downhill from there." Ah, thank goodness for friends who know how to bring everything back into focus. LOL

So let's see...in other news...I have a few ARCs of MARKED left and I'm thinking of running a newsletter contest. If you haven't signed up for my newsletter...go do it soon!!! (The sign up form is on the bottom of the home page.) You just never know when I'm gonna start handing out ARCs!

Oh! And I almost forgot! Stay tuned because my new updated website is going to go live sometime this month! It's really really really really awesome (did I say really? Trust me. It's REALLY awesome.)

Hope you're all well.

Teaser

2010-02-19T10:02:00.001-08:00

An excerpt for my August release, ENTWINED, is up on my website!

Click here to read it!

And here's the official back cover copy:

ZANDER – The most feared of all the Eternal Guardians. It’s rumored he can’t be killed, and he always fights like he has nothing to lose. But as a descendant of the famed hero Achilles, he’s got to have a vulnerability...somewhere.

Forces of daemons are gathering and have broken through the barriers of the Underworld. Now more than ever the Eternal Guardians are needed to protect both their own realm and the humans’. Zander can’t afford to think about what might have been with the bewitching physician he once regarded as his soul mate. But with eternity stretching before him, he also can’t fathom spending his life without the one woman who makes him feel most alive. Perhaps he’s found his weakness, after all…

Tempted

2010-02-18T12:58:00.000-08:00

I'm hard at work on book three in my Eternal Guardians Series - TEMPTED. And I gotta have a theme song. Or something I can listen to that puts me in the mood. So far, this is it:

So powerful...

Safe Sex?

2010-02-16T17:26:00.000-08:00

I love Twitter. You just learn all kinds of things.

Today someone on Twitter posted this article from Mrs. Giggles about Things That Should Be Banned From Romance Novels. I'm not going to go through the whole list, but I will point out this part:

Safe sex - or why we protect ourselves during sex
If I see another author having her heroine tell the hero that it is okay if he sticks his pee-pee into her unchartered waters without a condom because she is on the Pill, I will scream. Please don't tell me that these authors honestly believe that safe sex is only to prevent pregnancy. Actually, I once had an angry email from an author that convinced me that this could indeed be the case for some authors, shudder. They genuinely believed that the Pill is a method of protection during sex. I'm going to say this in caps because I've been saying this for so long, I think it should be tattooed on the forehead of these authors:

DO NOT MENTION CONDOMS OR SAFE SEX IF YOU HAVE NO INTENTION OF HAVING YOUR CHARACTERS HAVE SAFE SEX. DON'T INSULT MY INTELLIGENCE WITH THAT "OH, I'M ON THE PILL, SO THROW AWAY THAT JOHNNY AND COME ON IN!" NONSENSE. WHEN IT COMES TO SAFE SEX IN FICTION, IT'S ALL OR NOTHING - PROTECTION OR NONE AT ALL.

Okay, so I get what she's saying. But. Let me ask this: name ONE romance novel you have read where the hero/heroine had safe (condom) sex and then later one or the other admitted they had an STD.

I can't think of one!

Let's get real. Safe sex in "Romance" novels is pretty much there to address the whole pregnancy issue. I can't think of a single romance novel I've read where the condom sex thing was really there to prevent one or the other from getting an STD. Romance novels are fiction. In a happily ever after fiction world, STDs don't exist. So this whole thing about the Pill vs condoms...doesn't even register for me.

Would I want to read a romance where one or the other has an STD? Ah, no. Because that's not a happily ever after moment for me. "Here, I love you, honey, but I have AIDS. We'll have an HEA until I die." (Sounds like a Nicholas Sparks book...which we all know is NOT romance.) So um, yeah. In romance novels, I really don't have a problem with this. Obviously, because my characters have had condom sex and non condom sex. I think a conversation between the main characters addressing the issue is important, but so long as both characters are on the same page and no one's taking advantage of the situation, I'm good with it.

Now one thing that DOES irritate me about the whole safe sex thing in romance novels is when the author makes a big deal about the characters having safe sex the first time they're together, then never mentions it again. I'm often left thinking, "Um, wait. Now they don't even think about it again? And no one's using a condom, and they aren't discussing if she can get pregnant. WTF???" If you're going to bring up the whole safe sex thing, then carry it through and at least have them discuss it later. If you don't want to even mention it, I'm fine there too, just so long as the author is consistent.

How about you? What's your take on the whole safe-sex issue in romance novels?

In Big Time Cover Love

2010-02-11T12:30:00.003-08:00

My August 2010 release, Book 2 in the Eternal Guardians Series:

What do you think?

Some Very Cool News

2010-02-08T19:03:00.000-08:00

I sold three more books in my Eternal Guardian Series! So release dates for the first five books in the series are as follows:

MARKED - May 2010
ENTWINED - August 2010
TEMPTED - February 2011
Book 4 (untitled) - August 2011
Book 5 (untitled) - February 2012

I'm thrilled I get to write more books in this series. I'm really enjoying it. Okay, off to do revisions on ENTWINED.

MARKED Winner(s)!!

2010-02-07T12:56:00.001-08:00

Okay, so I lied. I said I'd post the ARC winner of MARKED yesterday but didn't. I had a crazy busy day, so apologies.

BUT...because I'm feeling so generous (and got tons of work done yesterday), I decided to give away not one but TWO ARCs of MARKED!!!

Wendy (#7)

and

Dawn (#29)

email me at elisabeth@elisabethnaughton.com with your snail mail addys and I'll get your book(s) in the mail!!

If you didn't win, don't despair. Follow me on Twitter (if you aren't already) and pay attention because because I'll have more ARCs to giveaway there soon!

Thanks to all who entered and spread the word about MARKED. Keep talking up the book and series, please!

Coolness All Around

2010-02-04T09:28:00.000-08:00

This press release went out yesterday and I thought I'd share:

DorchesterPublishing

02/03/10 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Dorchester Announces Its New Pledge

Publisher Promises Fulfilling Reader Experience & Guarantees Satisfaction

New York, NY-Dorchester Publishing is proud to introduce its Publisher's Pledge program, a bold, new marketing initiative created to launch the careers of the next generation of genre superstars. A privately owned publisher of mass-market original fiction, Dorchester has a long, storied history of discovering the most exciting names in genre fiction, including Victoria Alexander, Christine Feehan, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Katie MacAlister and Lynsay Sands.

Next year marks the firm's 40th anniversary, which prompted the company to redouble its commitment to the discovery and nurturing of the needs of new authors, thus reinforcing its founding philosophy.

"Publisher's Pledge is a reaffirmation of the business model Dorchester has always prided itself on," stated Brooke Borneman, Director of Sales and Marketing. "Our strength has been identifying emerging voices and trends in the industry rather than chasing bestsellers. Our intent is to reestablish ourselves in the market as the publisher authors and agents turn to first to introduce new talent. Dorchester has proven countless times-through our innovative marketing, tireless dedication and willingness to take chances-that we are uniquely qualified for this special and vital niche. This program represents our commitment-our pledge, if you will-to everyone in the book publishing community."

Launching in April 2010, the Publisher's Pledge program will be supported by online and national print advertising; bookstore mailings; press release and ARC campaigns to media, reviewers, bloggers, retailers, libraries and consumers; lead features in bookseller, library and consumer e-newsletters; consumer contests and buzz campaigns through social networking sites; and a money-back guarantee for readers.

The first Publisher's Pledge title will be Barbara Monajem's Sunrise in a Garden of Love & Evil (April 2010), an erotically charged urban fantasy in the same vein as Charlaine Harris. Additional titles include Elisabeth Naughton's Marked (May 2010), a darkly sensual paranormal romance inspired by Greek mythology that will appeal to fans of Sherrilyn Kenyon; Christie Craig's Shut Up and Kiss Me (June 2010), a delightfully quirky romantic mystery that will appeal to fans of Janet Evanovich; and Erin Kellison's back-to-back debuts Shadow Bound (July 2010) and Shadow Fall (August 2010), the first two releases in a riveting post-apocalyptic series that fuses dark fantasy, science fiction, horror and romantic suspense.

Additional information about the books selected for Dorchester's Publisher's Pledge program will be available on www.dorchesterpub.com in March 2010.

***
Sweet, huh? Anytime I'm compared to Sherrilyn Kenyon, I'll take it. ;)

In other news...BookBinge gave STOLEN SEDUCTION an awesome review yesterday. Take a peek here.

And today I'm hosting the RomCom Forum. The topic is Getting Your Romance Fix. Hop over and say hi! I'm giving away books!

Also, the contest for an ARC of MARKED is still open through tomorrow. Winner announced on Saturday. Don't miss out on a chance to get a sneak peek at my new series. See post below on how to enter.

Who wants an ARC of MARKED????

2010-01-26T23:31:00.000-08:00

Today I received the BEST present: a gorgeous shipment of ARCs for MARKED! Since I'm in such a good mood, I thought I'd run a contest. So who wants an early read of book one in my new Eternal Guardians series? I've got two ARCs up for grabs.

Here's all you have to do to enter:

See this lovely widget?

Click the "share" link in the lower right hand corner. Post the widget on your blog, your website, your myspace page, your facebook page, etc. Every time you post it somewhere you're entered in the contest. Every time you post it to a static sidebar (on FB this is the "my stuff" box) you're entered 3 times. Post it, then come back here and give me the link in the comment section of this post. That's it! (If you want a smaller version of the widget, GO HERE.)

I'll keep the contest open for a week and announce the winners on Friday, February 5th.

Good luck!!

Here and There and Everywhere

2010-01-25T00:00:00.000-08:00

I'm in two places at once today.

I'm over at The Ruby Slippered Sisterhood talking about my twisted mind (and giving away a book!) and I'm also at the Bradford Bunch talking about the upcoming release of MARKED (and part of what has me uber-excited). Join me at one or both places!

Saturday Snippets Returns

2010-01-23T00:00:00.000-08:00

Now that my contest is done, I can get back to posting the Saturday Snippets! Today's topic is Mistaken Identity. And this excerpt comes from MARKED, book 1 in the Eternal Guardians Series - which releases April 27, 2010.

Enjoy!

***
Excerpted from MARKED
April 27, 2010
Dorchester
ISBN: 978-0-505-52822-3

She should have been shocked to see him again, but Casey was too numb to feel anything other than irritation at the interruption. “We’re closed early due to the
weather.”

“I—” Theron cleared his throat. “I’m looking for Acacia Simopolous.”

He didn’t even know he was looking for her? Wonderful. Her day was sooo getting better.

“You found her.” She refocused on her task and shoved a book on the shelf harder than it needed. “And for the record, the only person allowed to call me Acacia is my grandmother, who, thanks for reminding me, is dead. Now, if that takes care of the reason you’re here, you can head right back out the way you came in.”

He let out what sounded to her like a frustrated breath.

As if she cared.

“I’d like a few minutes to speak with you—”

She turned to flick a withering look his direction from above. “My friends call me Casey. Since you are neither a friend nor relative, you can call me Ms. Simopolous. Assuming, that is, you can remember my frickin’ name.”

When he continued to stare up at her with a befuddled expression, her last shred of patience broke. “Oh, for heaven’s sake. What the hell are you doing here, Theron? You made it perfectly clear the other night you didn’t want to have anything to do with me.”

“You remember that? I didn’t—”

“Trust me, buddy. I’d like nothing more than to forget I ever met you.”

“Acacia—”

She waved a hand and continued to roll right over him as the pressure in her chest intensified and every one of her worries hit full force like a Mack truck. “So there’s really no reason for you to be here now, is there? Just turn around and go, because I don’t want you to . . . be . . . here right . . .”

Oh, God. She was gonna lose it. The pressure built until it felt like a ten-ton bomb was sitting on her chest. Tears pushed at her eyes. She would not cry in front of this man. She wouldn’t give him a single reason to think it was about the way he’d treated her, because it wasn’t. It was about everything else. Everything Jill had just told her.

She climbed down off the ladder quickly and pressed a hand to her chest.

“Meli.” He advanced on her.

“Don’t!” She held up a hand to block him. There must have been enough panic in her voice to get through, because he stopped two steps away. She focused on taking several breaths, on clearing her head, and when she felt calmer, she opened her eyes and looked up.

His skin had healed so well, there were no remnants of the accident he’d been in. He was, she noticed now, just as rugged and dangerous and sexy as he’d seemed that night in XScream. The stubble on his jaw, the dark, silky hair brushed back from his face, the strong square chin and those deep-set black eyes. But he also looked tired. Worn. As if he carried the weight of something mighty heavy on his shoulders.

Well, that made two of them. And she didn’t have the time or energy to worry about what the hell was up with him.

“I asked you to leave. I’d appreciate it if you’d do at least one thing I asked.”

“Are you all right?”

Was she all right? What a joke. She wanted to scream, No, I’m not all right. I’m never going to be all right again, you idiot! But she knew it was useless and childish, and she had just enough self- respect left to keep from making a fool out of herself in front of him. She’d already done enough of that the other night, when she’d nearly gone to bed with a complete stranger.

“I’m fine,” she snapped, jerking her hand away before he could touch her. Why wasn’t he leaving?

He glanced around the store as if taking it all in. “How do you . . . ?” He gestured to the stacks of books. “I thought you worked at that club.”

Oh, that’s right. She’d not only almost gone to bed with this guy. She’d almost gone to bed with him after meeting him at a strip club. Yeah. She got the gold star for brains this time around.

“I do,” she huffed. “Part time. Not that it’s any of your business anyway.”

What could only be described as pity crept into his eyes. Pity that fueled her temper. “I’d really hoped I was wrong.”

Wrong? Oh, now he was gonna get it. “Look, buddy. I’m not completely sure what the heck is going on here, but—”

His spine stiffened. “I have something very important I need to talk to you about, Acacia.”

The clip to his voice stopped the argument on her lips. “What could you possibly have to talk to me about?” she asked hesitantly.

“Your father.”

Okay, she’d been wrong. Seeing him again wasn’t the biggest shock of her life. This virtual stranger had just dropped the f-bomb on her.

“My father?” she asked in stunned disbelief. “My father’s dead.”

“No, he’s not. He’s very much alive. At least for the moment.”

Casey eased back against the shelf and steadied her hand on a stack of books. Paperback novels pressed into her spine, but she barely felt them. For the first time since Jill had told her of the test results and the extra battery of tests they wanted to run, she wasn’t thinking of herself. “Wh-Where is he?”

“Far away. But he’s asked for you. He’s a man of great importance where I come from. There isn’t much time left.” Theron held out his hand. “If you come with me, I’ll take you to him.”

Casey looked from his strong hand up to his intense, midnight eyes and back again. He could take her to her father. To the man who’d known her mother. To the man who should have been the one to raise her and love her and take care of her. To the one who could put together the broken pieces of her family and answer all her questions about who she really was.

Slowly she extended her hand. Warmth and electricity zipped along her skin even before their palms met. She looked up, surprised, and that’s when she saw it. Just a flicker behind his hard eyes. A window into his thoughts. And what she saw there chilled her.

Lies.

She jerked her hand back before he could touch her, and closed her fingers into a fist. “Before I agree to anything, I want to know what’s going on. Who are you?”

A menacing chuckle came from the doorway. “A hero who’s about to die.”

***
Now check out these other fabulous Saturday Snippets!

McKenna Jeffries
Vivian Arend
Ashley Ladd
Shelley Munro
Taige Crenshaw
Mari Carr
Shelli Stevens

Regurgitated Plot?

2010-01-21T09:31:00.000-08:00

On Monday I went to see Avatar. I didn't see it in 3-d because 1) I'm cheap and 2) we took the kids and they never leave their glasses on (hence why I'm too cheap to pay for a 3-d movie for them). Maybe I missed something spectacular by only seeing it in 2-d -- I don't know -- but I do know this...I wasn't overly impressed.

My biases will show here. I had a hard time getting past the blue skin and the way the female lead hissed like a cat. And I had a REALLY hard time when the hero, human in an avatar body, started hissing like a cat. Huh? Hello...he's still human! I also thought the gung-ho military commander was over-the-top sterotypical (in a bad way) and that his motivations were really (and I mean really) weak. The movie was also way too long and way too predictable. But those were all minor annoyances compared to what really bugged me. No, what really bothered me was that I've watched this movie before.

Carrie Lofty sent me this short synopsis of the movie. I walked out of the theater thinking it reminded me too much of Dance With Wolves. But Carrie hit it spot on...this movie WAS Pocahontas, just done up with special effects.

Okay, I'm a writer. I realize that plots are reworked all the time. I know when you take a story down to its most basic elements, there are really only seven original plots:

Overcoming the monster
Rags to riches
The quest
Voyage and return
Comedy
Tragedy
Rebirth

I also know that all stories--books and movies--are simply variations on these seven original plots. But, come on. James Cameron, the movie god, couldn't give us anything more original than Pocahontas?

My dislikes aside, I guess in a way the success of this movie is really a plus for writers like me. If Avatar were a book, it would be shelved in sci-fi romance. It has all the elements of a single title romance: happy ending, bad guy gets it in the end, world is saved, hero finds true love, heroine teaches hero about what's most important in life. Those are the things *I* write about, and they're the things my fellow romance writers write about. I have a feeling if you asked James Cameron if Avatar is a romance, he'd probably say no, it's a sci-fi thriller. But you and I know the truth. And the next time someone bashes romance around me, I'll ask them if they enjoyed Avatar. Fodder for the romance genre is one thing I have to thank James Cameron for.

ARCs!!

2010-01-20T00:00:00.000-08:00

I heard from a reliable source (marketing guru at my pub house) that ARCs for MARKED went in the mail to me today. Which means...CONTEST!!!!

Stay tuned. I'm thinking I'll have something fun to give away by next week!

And since I'm teasing...I saw a sneak peek at my new website redesign yesterday and oh my gosh...it's full of AWESOMENESS. I can't wait to share it. It's scheduled to go live in early March. But just let me say...very very cool.

New Widget!

2010-01-19T00:00:00.000-08:00

You may have already seen the smaller version of this on my sidebar, but I'm super excited about this new countdown widget for my Eternal Guardians series:

Book One - MARKED - releases in less than 100 days!

If you want to add either of the widgets to your own blog, just click the share button at the bottom of the widget. And to learn more about the book and series, click "Excerpt" (I have the page up on my website). You can also pre-order your copy now from Amazon by clicking the pre-order button!

Okay, since we're chatting about the new book, now's the time for your input. I'm gearing up for the release of the new series and I'd like to know...what kind of contest would you like to see in April? More daily giveaways like I've done with the last two contests? More guest bloggers? Do you like to hear about other authors books or would you prefer a topic post instead? Now's your time to let me know what you think.

STOLEN SEDUCTION Contest Winners!!!

2010-01-18T19:21:00.001-08:00

Okay, here it is. The winners you've been waiting for!!

2nd place winner of all three Stolen books: STOLEN FURY, STOLEN HEAT & STOLEN SEDUCTION is...
Carrie Divine!

and the 1st place winner of the $100 Amazon gift card is...
Mary Fechter!

Ladies, I've sent you both an email. Congratulations and thank you SO much for passing the word about STOLEN SEDUCTION!

Big thanks to everyone who participated in my contests and shared the news about my release. Check back soon for details on the release contest I have planned for MARKED in April!

Winners!

2010-01-17T23:00:00.000-08:00

Thank you SO much to everyone who entered my contests for the release of STOLEN SEDUCTION. Here are the last two 30 Days of Treasure Hunting Winners!

Winner of Vonna Harper's TAMING THE COUGAR:
#9 - Terri C!

Winner of the Moody Muse's Starbucks Gift Card:
#5 - Fallon Hadley!

And stay tuned because I'll be announcing the BIG GRAND PRIZE winner of the $100 Amazon gift card sometime tomorrow!

30 Days of Treasure Hunting! - Bonus Day! - The Moody Muses!

2010-01-17T00:00:00.000-08:00

Today is the LAST day to enter for the $100 Amazon Gift Card. If you haven't entered yet...do it NOW!!! Grand prize winner will be announced tomorrow!

My very last guest isn't an author, but a group of authors who make up The Moody Muses.

The Moody Muses are four romance writers: Barbara Wallace, Cathryn Parry, Katy Cooper and Becca Wilder. They created the blog to help other writers cope with the ups and downs of writing life. Because let’s face it, Writing Isn’t Easy. Every day visitors are treated to insights – sometimes personal, sometimes positive but always thoughtful – about writing, the writing process and being a writer in general. By sharing their thoughts and experiences, the Muses hope other writers will realize they aren’t alone in fighting their own inner critics and battles, and that we’re all in this crazy creative world together.

The Moody Muses are donating a Starbucks Gift Card to one lucky commenter. Simply answer this question: What's the Moody Muse 2010 Challenge?

Demonica Winner!

2010-01-16T22:00:00.000-08:00

The winner of the first three Demonica books by Larissa Ione is:
#21 - Barbara E.

Congrats, Barbara! Email me at elisabeth@elisabethnaughton.com with your info and I'll get the books in the mail to you!!

And don't forget Larissa's 4th Demonica book - ECSTASY UNVEILED - releases on January 26th!

30 Days of Treasure Hunting! - DAY 30 - Vonna Harper!

2010-01-16T09:26:00.001-08:00

Two days left to enter...

My guest today is author Vonna Harper!!

Rumors that Vonna was born with a pencil behind her ear are exaggerated. Her mother would have remembered. She does recall being in about the third grade and staring fixated at a box of stationary. She had no interest in writing letters, just wanted to fill the white space. Her earliest success with pencil and paper featured comic books with the Lone Ranger's horse Silver as the hero.

Long story short, Vonna has been writing for so long she no longer (if she ever did) has any other marketable skill beyond rudimentary gardening and dog walking. One of the early erotica writers, she writes for both print and epublishers and fully embraces new publishing technology as long as she can keep her old workhorse of a computer.

Known for her capture/BDSM stories, Vonna wants to make it clear that her real life is nowhere near that exciting, unfortunately. But she dreams of being carted away by Tarzan as long as he's a believer in deodorant.

Vonna's latest release is WINTER OF THE BEAST:

Dio of the Puma clan is a skilled warrior and hunter. What he doesn’t feel prepared for is his new role as ruler of a clan with few women. Does he have the necessary leadership and compassion or will his need for sex dominate? Only the massive, mysterious Beast knows.

When her cruel husband casts her out, Tawia can no longer call herself a Falcon. Her future a frightening unknown, she heads into the wilderness as winter approaches. The Beast watches.

Captured by the enemy warrior, Tawia fights her body’s demands. Trust is as incomprehensible to her as the relationship between Dio and the great puma. But neither man nor beast are willing to set her free.

Today Vonna is giving away a signed copy of her Aphrodesia release, TAMING THE COUGAR, to one lucky commenter. Just answer this question: What's the name of my one Samhain book?

Winners!

2010-01-15T22:00:00.000-08:00

Here's this past week's winners!

Winner of Jess Granger's BEYOND THE RAIN:
#4 - Chelsea B.

Winner of Maureen McGowan's MAMMOTH BOOK OF TIME TRAVEL ROMANCE:
#6 - Kara

Winner of Susan Lyons SEX ON THE BEACH:
#10 - Mimi Barbour

Winner of CL Wilson's QUEEN OF SONG AND SOULS:
#7 - Katherine Lockhart

Winner of Angie Fox's A TALE OF TWO DEMON SLAYERS:
#14 - Jacabur1

Winner of Anna Campbell's book - choice of CLAIMING THE COURTESAN, UNTOUCHED, TEMPT THE DEVIL or CAPTIVE OF SIN.
#39 - Christine M.

Congrats to all the winners! Email me at elisabeth@elisabethnaughton.com with your email and snail mail addys so I can forward your info to the respective authors!

And don't forget I've extended the contests through Sunday so you have TWO MORE DAYS to enter for that $100 Amazon Gift Card!

30 Days of Treasure Hunting! - DAY 29 - NY Times Bestseller Larissa Ione!

2010-01-15T00:00:00.000-08:00

Three days left to enter...

My guest today is New York Times bestselling author Larissa Ione!!

Larissa Ione is the USA Today and New York Times bestselling author of the Demonica series. She also writes sexy contemporary romance stories for Samhain and Red Sage. Her alter ego, Sydney Croft (pen name with romantic suspense author Stephanie Tyler), writes erotic paranormal action-adventure.

An Air Force veteran, she has been a meteorologist, EMT, and professional dog trainer. She is now lucky enough to write full time while living a nomadic lifestyle with her U.S. Coast Guard husband, son, and an extremely high-maintenance cat.

When not writing, she can be found reading, playing RPG's on the computer, and watching re-runs of Star Trek, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Supernatural.

Larissa's upcoming release (January 26th!) is ECSTACY UNVEILED:

A Demon Enslaved…

Lore is a Seminus half-breed demon who has been forced to act as his dark master’s assassin. Now to earn his freedom and save his sister’s life, he must complete one last kill. Powerful and ruthless, he’ll stop at nothing to carry out this deadly mission.

An Angel Tempted…

Idess is an earthbound angel with a wild side sworn to protect the human Lore is targeting. She’s determined to thwart her wickedly handsome adversary by any means necessary—even if that means risking her vow of eternal chastity. But what begins as a simple seduction soon turns into a passion that leaves both angel and demon craving complete surrender.

Torn between duty and desire, Lore and Idess must join forces as they battle their attraction for each other. Because an enemy from the past is rising again—hellbent on vengeance and unthinkable destruction.

As a special treat, one lucky commenter today will win THE FIRST THREE DEMONICA BOOKS: PLEASURE UNBOUND, DESIRE UNCHAINED, and PASSION UNLEASHED. All you have to do is enter this question: Who is Larissa Ione's secret alter ego? (Hint: she shares her secret identity with author Stephanie Tyler).

30 Days of Treasure Hunting! - DAY 28 - Anna Campbell

2010-01-14T00:00:00.000-08:00

Four days left to enter...

My guest today is author Anna Campbell!!

Anna Campbell lives near the sea on the east coast of Australia. She writes Regency historicals for Avon and her most recent release is CAPTIVE OF SIN, chosen as one of the best 100 books of 2009 by Publishers Weekly. Anna has won numerous awards for her passionate, emotional books and was a double RITA finalist in 2008. Her third Regency noir TEMPT THE DEVIL has just been nominated in the Romantic Times 2009 Reviewers Choice Awards. Make sure you look for MY RECKLESS SURRENDER in June 2010!

Anna's recent release is CAPTIVE OF SIN:

He pledged his honor to keep her safe . . .

Returning home after tragedy, Sir Gideon Trevithick discovers a defiant beauty in danger. He’s dismayed to discover she’s heiress Charis Weston—and he can only protect her from her violent stepbrothers by wedding her himself! Now Gideon must hide his dark secrets from the bride he desires more with every heartbeat.

Anna is giving away the choice of one book from her backlist: either CLAIMING THE COURTESAN, UNTOUCHED, TEMPT THE DEVIL or CAPTIVE OF SIN. Simply answer this question: What is the name of the hero in her June 2010 release, MY RECKLESS SURRENDER?

Welcome, Anna!

***
Lights, Camera, Action…Romance?
Firstly, congratulations, Elisabeth, on the release of the third in your Stolen trilogy (hmm, that doesn’t sound quite right!), STOLEN SEDUCTION! I’ve been seeing so much buzz about these books around Bloglandia. You must be delighted. And thank you for inviting me to blog today and play in your great contest. Wow, what a wonderful selection of prizes!

I’m here to talk about CAPTIVE OF SIN which was a November release in the U.S. and has just come out in the Land Downunder in a gorgeous trade paperback edition that has me drooling. Actually a bit like the stolen trilogy comment, that doesn’t sound quite right!

CAPTIVE OF SIN is a classic marriage of convenience story. I’d never written one before although it’s a theme I always enjoy in romances – how could a girl brought up on Harlequin Mills and Boon say anything else? There are more marriage of convenience stories in Harlequins than there are conveniences in a toilet shop! I love how a MOC story forces the couple together, usually under one roof (plenty of opportunity for passion and conflict and mayhem). In a historical, given the difficulty of obtaining a divorce, they really did have to work out their problems or be stuck with that other person forever. How delicious!

The lovely folk at Avon Australia have put together a video of me talking about CAPTIVE OF SIN that they’re featuring on their site SCARLET PAGES and also on YouTube. My talented friend Amanda Bell played director and also interviewer, and her budgie got in on the act, if you listen closely. Check it out:

So what book makes you drool? Leave a comment to go into the draw to win your choice from my four books! Good luck!

30 Days of Treasure Hunting! - DAY 27 - NY Times Bestseller Angie Fox!

2010-01-13T00:00:00.000-08:00

Five days left to enter...

My guest today is New York Times bestselling author Angie Fox!

Angie Fox is a New York Times bestselling author who likes to write about biker witches, demon slayers and things that go bump in the night.

Angie’s upcoming release (January 26th!) is A TALE OF TWO DEMON SLAYERS:

Last month, I was a single preschool teacher whose greatest thrill consisted of color-coding my lesson plans. That was before I learned I was a slayer. Now, it's up to me to face curse-hurling imps, vengeful demons, and any other supernatural uglies that crop up. And, to top it off, a hunk of a shape-shifting griffin has invited me to Greece to meet his family.

But it's not all sun, sand, and ouzo. Someone has created a dark-magic version of me with my powers and my knowledge--and it wants to kill me and everyone I know. Of course, this evil twin doesn't have Grandma's gang of biker witches, a talking Jack Russell terrier, or an eccentric necromancer on its side. In the ultimate showdown for survival, may the best demon slayer win.

A Tale of Two Demon Slayers also features Lizzie’s talking dog, Pirate and a supernatural pet that he picks up a along the way (much to Lizzie’s dismay).

Lizzie: “You can’t have a pet. You are a pet!"

Pirate: “That’s why I know how to treat a pet. First rule – no Healthy Lite dog chow!”

Do you want a supernatural pet? Take the quiz: What Supernatural Pet is Right for You? Post your results below and enter to win a copy of A TALE OF TWO DEMON SLAYERS!

30 Days of Treasure Hunting! - DAY 26 - NY Times Bestselling Author C.L. Wilson!

2010-01-12T00:00:00.000-08:00

Six days left to enter...

My guest today is New York Times bestselling author C.L. Wilson!

C.L. Wilson is the USA Today and NY Times bestselling author of the Tairen Soul series, which combine epic fantasy and romance. She loves reading, writing, and torturing her characters mercilessly. When not working, she enjoys relaxing with her family in sunny Florida and daydreaming of a world where people exercise in their sleep and chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream is a fat burning food. (Hey – it could happen!)

C.L.'s latest release is QUEEN OF SONG AND SOULS:

The Tairen Soul series tells the story of Ellysetta Baristani and Rain Tairen Soul as they struggle to defeat the darkness threatening to consume their world, ensure the survival of the immortal Fey and the tairen (the great, winged fire-breathing cats of the Fading Lands – think gigantic jaguars with wings), and complete their truemate bond.

In the previous books, Ellysetta (who was raised as the adopted child of a mortal woodcarver and his wife) discovers that she is, in fact, a powerful immortal and the truemate of an infamous Fey king (Rain). She must struggle to accept the powerful magic that is her birthright and learn to control it. But as she becomes

In QUEEN, the first deadly battles of the new Mage Wars have been fought, and victory has been won at a terrible price. Though the last clutch of tairen kitlings has hatched from the egg, ensuring at least a hope for future generations of tairen, Rain and Ellysetta have been banished from the Fading Lands for wielding the forbidden magic. When they discover the High Mage of Eld has been building an army of mythic proportions and will soon unleash its evil might on the mortal kingdom of Celieria, Rain and Ellysetta race against time to rebuild the ancient alliances and prepare for the coming, cataclysmic battle. Meanwhile, the seeds of Elden evil planted in the court of Rain and Ellysetta’s Celierian allies are finally coming to fruition.

As the toll of an unfulfilled matebond and the torment of war begins tips Rain towards madness, Ellysetta knows if she cannot find a way to defeat the darkness growing inside her and complete the truemate bond, Rain will die and she will become the prophesied monster Vadim Maur uses to destroy the Fey and enslave the World.

Note: QUEEN was originally supposed to be the fourth and final book in the story, but at the last minute my editor and I realized I simply had too much story left to fit in a single book and we made the decision to cut QUEEN into two. I’m currently finishing the fifth book and will be announcing the official release date soon.

C.L's giving away a copy of QUEEN OF SONG AND SOULS today to one commenter. Today's question is a two-parter:

a. What was the original name of the manuscript that became LORD OF THE FADING LANDS and LADY OF LIGHT AND SHADOWS?

b. Name the five magics wielded by the Fey and the sixth, forbidden magic (English and Fey names J)

30 Days of Treasure Hunting! - DAY 25 - Susan Lyons!

2010-01-11T00:00:00.000-08:00

Less than a week left to enter...

My guest today is author Susan Lyons!

Award-winning author Susan Lyons writes sexy romance that’s passionate, heartwarming, and fun. She is published by Kensington Aphrodisia, Berkley Heat, Kensington Brava (as Susan Fox), Harlequin Spice Briefs, The Wild Rose Press, and Freya’s Bower. She has degrees in law and psychology and has had a variety of careers, but fiction writer is by far her favorite, giving her an outlet to demonstrate her belief in the power of love, friendship, and a sense of humor.

Susan's latest release in SEX ON THE BEACH:

An exotic wedding turns into an erotic escapade for three unlikely couples who find lust – and maybe even love on the white sands of Belize.

In “War of the Sexes,” wedding planner Sarah McCann learns that the groom’s best friend, Free Lafontaine, intends to save his pal from the mistake of marriage. It’s an all-out war between the sexes – a war that just might have two winners!

In “Sex With the Proper Stranger,” model Tamiko Sato comes to the wedding as arm-candy for the bride's deep-in-the-closet uncle, so what’s she to do when resort manager Ric Nuñez proves far too tempting? Is Ric the man who can heal her wounded heart?

In “Sexy Exes,” Giovanna Moncrieff and her ex, James, mix as well as Italian olive oil and English tonic water, so it’s embarrassing – and exciting! – to discover the flame of passion still burns. Is true love possible the second time around?

Today Susan is giving away a copy of the SEX ON THE BEACH. Simply answer this question: Where and when did Susan get the idea for her January release, Sex on the Beach? (Hint: no, she wasn’t in Belize!)

Welcome, Susan!

***
It’s fun for an author to set herself new challenges, though sometimes she doesn’t even realize she’s doing it. I’d never written a book with three interconnected novellas when I came up with the idea for Sex on the Beach. In the past I’d written either “pure” single titles (i.e., one heroine and one hero) or novellas that went into anthologies with other authors.

But when I decided I wanted to set a story around a destination wedding in Belize, it struck me that it would be fun to follow three separate romances, all taking place during the same week. Not only that, but to see each couple through the other couple’s eyes. To add to the fun, each couple would have an important reason for keeping their romance a secret. Are you getting the picture? The book was fun to write, but a real challenge when it came to keeping track of what was happening when, and who was observing what.

As an author, I enjoy writing different lengths of stories. With a novella, I can explore a smaller period of time or smaller issue. With a full-length book, I can go into more depth and have more subplots and secondary characters. In my life, both as a reader and as a writer, I enjoy reading both, depending what I’m in the mood for at the time.

How about you? What’s your preferred length of story and why?

Day 25?

2010-01-10T21:19:00.001-08:00

Nope, you didn't imagine it. There was no post today. My fault. I forgot to remind my guest author that today was her day and I completely forgot to check ahead of time to make sure I had her book info. So...since it was my bad, I'll put her post up next weekend.

(In my next life, I swear I'll be more organized...)

So...long story short...to be fair I'm keeping the BIG $100 Amazon gift card contest open through NEXT Sunday, the 17th. Winners will be posted by Monday, January 18th at the latest.

30 Days of Treasure Hunting! - DAY 24 - Maureen McGowan!

2010-01-09T00:00:00.000-08:00

We're coming in to the last week of the contest. There's still time to enter for that $100 Gift Card:

My guest today is author Maureen McGowan!

Maureen's writing has won or been nominated for several awards including the Golden Heart® and she was a finalist in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award competition in 2008. You can find out more about Maureen at www.maureenmcgowan.com.

Maureen's latest release in THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF TIME TRAVEL ROMANCE:

"Lost and Found" is included in the MAMMOTH BOOK OF TIME TRAVEL ROMANCE, an anthology of twenty short stories, many by USA Today bestselling, and RITA award winning authors. "Lost and Found" is a mash-up of The Time Traveller's Wife, Life on Mars and Groundhog Day. A man falls asleep in Central Park in 1968 and after that, no matter what he does, where he goes, whom he meets, he wakes up every morning in the same place, on the same date, but in a different year. Can a woman he encounters in 2009 finally stop his random jumps through time?

Today Maureen is giving away a copy of the MAMMOTH BOOK OF TIME TRAVEL ROMANCE. Simply answer this question: Name at least two things Maureen's passionate about (besides books and writing).

30 Days of Treasure Hunting! - DAY 23 - Jess Granger!

2010-01-08T08:26:00.001-08:00

There's still one week left to enter...

My guest today is author Jess Granger!

Jess Granger grew up in the middle of the San Joaquin valley in the dead center of California, close enough to visit "cool" too far out in the middle of nowhere to "be cool." She still loves home and her California farm girl upbringing. Now she lives all over the place as a military spouse. Currently she has landed in Ohio, but who knows what the future will bring. She lives with her hubby, two kids, two cats and an all-American mutt-dog named Jake. When not writing, Jess likes birdwatching, making beer, writing slightly naughty haiku and posting them on Twitter, and growing butterfly gardens.

Jess's upcoming release in May from Berkley Sensation is BEYOND THE SHADOWS:

A man of deception. A woman of justice. Can their fragile trust be strong enough to prevent a war?

Commander Yara knows perfect leadership requires perfect control and discipline. She has spent years living without the distraction of caring for anything—or anyone. It’s a sacrifice she’s willing to make. Yara has honed herself into the perfect heir to the Azralen throne, but a bloody coup could destroy everything she’s worked so hard for. She must return home to prevent war. Unfortunately the only ship available belongs to an Earthlen trader with no regard for authority—especially hers.

Cyn is a rebel, driven to protect those suffering at the hands of the Elite leaders of Azra. Using his alias to manipulate the lovely but icy commander onto his ship, he has to keep her from Azra long enough to ignite the revolution. But when he awakens a vibrant and feeling woman beneath that hard exterior, he gets more than he bargained for—love. He must find a way to convince Yara to join him, before they get caught in a web of deception that could tear their world apart.

Today Jess is giving away a signed copy of BEYOND THE RAIN. Simply answer this question: What is Tuz?

Welcome, Jess!

***
Some of my favorite characters in books are the pets. I've had a lot of fun creating fuzzy and sometimes robotic sidekicks for my main characters. Whether they're serving as comic relief, the heroes in their own right, or troublemakers, I love a good pet.

What are the most entertaining pet characters you've seen in a book?

Winners!

2010-01-07T21:31:00.001-08:00

Okay, there are a lot of them. Sorry I didn't post these sooner. I had a book due on Monday and I've been in catch up mode since then.

So without further adieu, here are the winners picked from random number generator:

Winner of Denise Agnew's Victoria's Secret Gift Card is:
#9 - Jennifer

Winner of Emily Bryan's A CHRISTMAS BALL:
#11 - Maureen

Winner of Paty Jager's A PERFECTLY GOOD NANNY:
#2 - Jane

Winner of MJ Fredrick's HOT SHOT:
#23 - Julie

Winner of Lexi Ryan's FLIRTING WITH FATE:
#3 - Leanne103

Winner of Hanna Rhys Barnes's Welsh Pewter Trinket Box:
#5 - Sue A.

Winner of Caroline Fyffe's WHERE THE WIND BLOWS:
#1 - Susan

Winner of Alix Rickloff's two-fer, LOST IN YOU and DANGEROUS AS SIN:
#20 - Mitzi H.

Winner of Shelli Stevens's PROTECTING PHOEBE or TAKE ME:
#1 - Cheryl McInnis

Winner of Barbara Monajem's $20 Amazon or Barnes & Noble Gift Card:
#21 - Spav

Congrats to all the winners! Email me at elisabeth@elisabethnaughton.com with your snail mail and email addys and I'll forward your info to the respective authors!

(No brain was injured in the random selection of these winners except mine. Man, it would be way easier if blogger numbered comments...)

30 Days of Treasure Hunting! - DAY 22 - Barbara Monajem!

2010-01-07T09:19:00.001-08:00

I swear I will post last week's winners tonight. In the meantime...

My guest today is author Barbara Monajem!

Barbara Monajem wrote her first story in third grade about apple tree gnomes. After dabbling in neighborhood musicals and teen melodrama, she published a middle-grade fantasy when her children were young. Now her kids are adults, and she writes paranormal and historical romance for grownups. She lives in Georgia with an ever-shifting population of relatives, friends, and feline strays.

Barbara's latest release is NOTORIOUS ELIZA:

Patrick needs a respectable new wife to be a mother for his daughter.

Notorious Eliza paints nudes to support her young son.

They should resist the attraction. (They don’t.)

They dare not fall in love. (They do.)

They must not marry… for one day Eliza’s most scandalous secret will surface and destroy them all...

Today Barbara is giving away a $20 gift certificate from Amazon or Barnes & Noble – your choice. Simply answer this question: What is the title of my paranormal romance that will be released in April?

Welcome, Barbara!

***
“Your English housewife must be of chaste thought…”

Whoa! Stop right there. The widowed heroine of Notorious Eliza, my historical short story from Harlequin this month, has most of the qualities of the ideal English housewife (as described in a little book published centuries ago from which the above quote was taken). She’s courageous, patient, witty, diligent, loyal, and so on…but definitely not chaste of thought.

Why? Well, it’s really, really hard to think chastely when you support yourself and your young son by painting nude courtesans. Eliza’s unchaste mind – as well as her artistic skills – make her the perfect choice to disguise the naughty murals on a country house’s ballroom walls.

And the perfect temptation for Patrick, the hero, who needs the murals painted over so he can find a respectable lady to be a mother for his daughter. Not that he’s having much luck in the wife hunt – all the women he finds are frivolous, selfish, heartless, boring… and, of course, virgins. He’s really not keen on starting from scratch.

Patrick wants one last fling with lusty, experienced Eliza. She yearns for just one passionate affair. And as long as Eliza’s darkest secret hangs over their heads, it can’t become anything more.

Question:

I write in two genres, historical and contemporary paranormal, and my writing styles for the two genres are very different. As a reader, is that a problem for you? Do you prefer it when a writer uses different pseudonyms for different genres, or doesn’t it matter?

30 Days of Treasure Hunting! - DAY 21 - Shelli Stevens!

2010-01-05T22:47:00.000-08:00

A few days left...

My guest today is author Shelli Stevens!

Shelli currently lives in the Pacific Northwest with her young daughter. She writes various genres of romance and is represented by literary agent Laura Bradford from the Bradford Literary Agency.

Shelli's latest release is PROTECTIN PHOEBE:

Phoebe’s work at Second Chances, a women’s shelter, has gone a long way toward her own healing after surviving an abusive relationship in college. She’s moved on in every sense—except when it comes to dating.

Everything changes when Craig visits the shelter. The hot, young cop sets her pulse racing in a way that makes her consider making a move—and moving him into her bed for a casual fling. The first step: ask him out. Subtly, of course.

Craig has been attracted to Phoebe for months, so he’s more than happy for the chance to get to know her better, in bed and out. His interest goes way beyond casual, but convincing her to think long term is going to take some time.

When it becomes clear her violent ex has come out of the woodwork, though, time is the one thing they don’t have…

Today Shelli's giving away your choice of either an ebook version PROTECTING PHOEBE or a print version of TAKE ME. Simply answer this question: What is the Bill Cosby quote I have on my site?

Welcome, Shelli!

***
What have you done?

So, if you found my Bill Cosby quote, he talks about pleasing people. For the most part. And I put it up there, because as an author, it can really apply to me.

Some days I'll be writing my book and I'll hesitate, thinking...hmm, this type of reader may not like this. Or, maybe a reviewer will shoot me down for this part. Or, what is this is not sexy enough for my readers? Too sexy? And often I have to remind myself of that quote and just write the book that's in my head and heart.

How about you? Are there any instances in your life where you can think about how you've tried to please everyone? Gah, it could be as simple as Thanksgiving dinner!

30 Days of Treasure Hunting! - DAY 20 - Alix Rickloff!

2010-01-05T00:00:00.000-08:00

There's still time to enter...

Today my guest is author Alix Rickloff!

In an attempt to combine her love of the Regency era with her weakness for great swashbuckling sword and sorcery fantasy, Alix Rickloff created a race of humans known as the Other whose bloodlines mingle and merge with those of the faery realm.

These men and women must traverse a knife-edge between the everyday world they inhabit and the shadowy realm of the Fey who make their cunning and sometimes treacherous presence known all too often.

Her awards include a final in the 2007 Golden Heart, while Romantic Times Magazine calls her writing, "compelling and original".

You can find her on the web at www.AlixRickloff.com.

Alix's latest release is DANGEROUS AS SIN:

In 1815 London, passion and duty, human and Other collide…

Morgan Bligh has honed her body and her magic into weapons, but she’s always lived by her heart. Yet to defeat a traitor whose unspeakable dark power threatens both her worlds, she must forget her feelings— because her partner in the hunt is wicked war hero Cameron Sinclair. He’s broken her heart once, and from the looks of him, he could do it again…

Cam Sinclair wants nothing more than to forget the horrors he’s lived through. He’s done his duty for king and country, turning himself into an assassin and an outcast in the process. Chasing after a sadistic murderer with a sultry Amazon who hates him seems unbearable. Yet though the beautiful Morgan chafes his every nerve and they’re both in constant danger, he can’t help but wonder if this second meeting is truly a second chance…

Alix is giving away a two-fer today! Copies of both LOST IN YOU and DANGEROUS AS SIN! Just answer this question: What was the name of Alix's first completed manuscript?

Welcome, Alix!

***
Hidden Gem or Fireplace Fodder?
Any reader who’s browsed author websites and read the short bios usually contained there, knows that most writers started at a young age. Scribblings on loose leaf paper, stapled together for the family’s enjoyment. Diaries and journals for the more organized. Perhaps even chapter books typed and printed out with color covers for the highly motivated perfectionists.

For most of us, those tales ended up in boxes with old report cards, school photos, and refrigerator artwork our parents saved through the years. Dusty. Forgotten. The writing bug faded along with our wish for a Christmas pony, Tiger Beat magazine, and Members Only jackets (you know you had one).

But some of us held to the dream. The stories kept coming. The characters kept talking. Empty notebooks filled with plot after plot as we found our voice and honed our craft. Stories we now pray never see the light of day. Cringe-inducing prose our younger self thought was the height of perfection. (Right up there with Austen and Dickens, surely!)

Were you infected by the writing bug? Any stories in your attic? Are they better off forgotten, or are they lost masterpieces just waiting for someone to discover their hidden genius?

Write and let me know!

30 Days of Treasure Hunting! - DAY 19 - Caroline Fyffe!

2010-01-04T00:00:00.000-08:00

Don't forget to enter...

Today my guest is author Caroline Fyffe!

As an equine photographer, Caroline has worked throughout the United States and in Germany. Long days in the middle of a horseshow arena have given her plenty of opportunity to dream up stories filled with love, heartbreak, joy, sorrow, triumph, and twisting-turning plots. Her feisty heroines and bold, hot-blooded heroes will charm you as they fall for each other in the darndest ways. Her love for horses and the old West inspired her debut book, Where The Wind Blows, which won Romance Writer's of America's prestigious Golden Heart Award under the title Chasing Jessie.

Caroline's latest release is WHERE THE WIND BLOWS:

Two hearts meant to be together;
One secret bound to rip them apart.

Chase Logan liked being a loner, a drifter, free and clear as amountain stream. But one look into Jessie Strong's sky blue eyes and in the span of a heartbeat, he found himself agreeing to be her husband-and a father!

Jessie Strong knew it was all pretend. And only temporary. Just until the adoption went through for three-year-old Sarah. But the longer Chase stayed, the less she could imagine a long, lonely Wyoming winter without him. Times may be tough-supplies short and danger just outside the doorstep-but with the strength of the pioneer spirit and the warm glow of love in their hearts, Chase and Jessie are determined to have a true family at last, no matter WHERE THE WIND BLOWS.

Today Caroline is giving away a copy of WHERE THE WIND BLOWS. Simply answer this question: What is the favored offering of a major secondary character in Where the Wind Blows?

Welcome, Caroline!

***
Now that Christmas is passed and the New Year just begun, it’s time to start thinking about this year’s holidays. LOL, do I hear a groan out there? Maybe shopping for the coming Christmas is the LAST thing on your minds right now; but it’s never too early to start collecting a bevy of good websites to use for next year. I think it’ll be very helpful if everyone shares their favorite site that they like to send gifts from, or from one they received. With so many out there it will be an enlightening adventure without opening the cover of a book….

My favorite site is Strawberry Hill Povitica. What is a povitica you ask? It’s an Eastern European dessert that is as pretty as it is tasty. AND, it doesn’t cost you and arm and a leg to gift one. Check it out at https://secure.povitica.com/flash/home.html#/home

What is your favorite site? I can’t wait to hear!

Pardon the Interruption...

2010-01-03T15:58:00.001-08:00

...but I need some help.

That's right. I'm gathering prizes. Would the following people PLEASE email me at elisabeth@elisabethnaughton.com?

I think it'll be worth your while:

Cathy M
Victoria
joder
robinky42

And just so you know, this relates to my New Years Day BIG book giveaway. The first place winner was Laney4 and she chose a copy of HARD TO HOLD by Stephanie Tyler (as it turns out, she won a copy of STOLEN FURY in Stephanie's contest at Writeminded last week! How cool is that?!)

The second place winner has already been contacted. The four people listed above have until tomorrow night at 9pm PST to contact me, otherwise I redraw names.

Now back to our regularly scheduled programming...ENTER Hanna's contest below!!!!

30 Days of Treasure Hunting! - DAY 18 - Hanna Rhys Barnes!

2010-01-03T09:30:00.001-08:00

There's still time to enter. Keep spreading the word...

My guest today is author Hanna Rhys Barnes!

Hanna Rhys Barnes is one of those people with an evenly balanced right and left brain. She has a BA in English, but recently finished her final year as a high school math teacher. She loves to cook and was a pastry chef in a former life.

A member of RWA’s national organization and of several local chapters, she currently lives and works in Portland, OR, but occasionally visits her retirement ranchette outside of Kingman, AZ. Hanna’s Debut Novel, Widow’s Peak, is currently available in print at, Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com and in both print and e-book formats at the Wild Rose Press. She is currently working on Book 2 in the series, Kissed By A Rose.

Hanna's recent release is: WIDOW'S PEAK:

When the love of your life is taken from you, memories keep you going. Widowed for eight years, Lady Amye De Barnard has poured her heart into making her domain prosperous and her people happy. But, when a handsome young man falls from her tree, what can a lady do but take him home, fix him up, and fall in love.

If you’re an assassin, you never think about love, unless you’ve disguised yourself as the Queen’s Troubadour. When Laine de la Vierre finds himself in the care of a beautiful older widow, for the first time he wants to stay in one place. Yet he knows if he does stay, those who hunt him will certainly find him and kill him. Can Laine risk everything for a chance at happiness? Or will he pass up the love of his life?

Welcome, Hanna!

***
Like Lady Amye Barnard, my heroine in Widow’s Peak, I am starting anew with a move. And in honor of my move I am giving away this beautiful Welsh Pewter Dragon Trinket box. Answer the following question:

I moved to Coupeville, WA. Where did Lady Amye move?

To be entered simply go to my website at www.hannarhys.com and read the excerpts on the Coming Soon page. One of them will give you the answer to the question. A winner will be drawn from those posting correct answers by midnight tonight.

Well, I’m going to unpack some more boxes. Good Luck! And have a happy and safe 2010.

30 Days of Treasure Hunting! - DAY 17 - Lexi Ryan!

2010-01-02T09:24:00.000-08:00

Less than two weeks left to enter!

Today my guest is author Lexi Ryan!

Lexi Ryan lives in the Midwest with her family. When she's not chasing after her young son or cheering on the Colts with her husband, Lexi enjoys losing herself in fun, sexy stories featuring mouthwatering men, smart women, and happily-ever-after. She loves to hear from readers.

Her latest release is FLIRTING WITH FATE:

Heat. Passion. Sex—precog Stiletto Girl Josie Bovard sees little else when she touches the charming and handsome Tanner Wiley. But she needs his help in her investigation, not in her bed. After discovering that her dead mother’s journal contains encrypted messages involving DNA manipulation, geneticists, and threats to non-Specials, Josie is determined to carry out her mother’s plan, but to be successful, she needs Tanner's help.

Special Intelligence Agency operative Tanner Wiley knows Josie is withholding information about her latest investigation. He agrees to help her, intent on filling in the blanks himself. What he discovers is a decades-old Ascendant scheme for control, and Josie’s outrageous plan of self-sacrifice. But what will they do when the answers they seek threaten to destroy life as they know it?

Lexi's giving away an electronic copy of FLIRTING WITH FATE to one person who can answer the following question:In FLIRTING WITH FATE, Josie Bovard makes a unique request of Tanner Wiley. What does she ask him for?

Welcome Lexi!

***
Reading the opening of a novel is like peeking inside a restaurant before sitting down for your meal.

What’s the ambience like? Will you dine by candlelight or by an over-size television? Does a melody from a string quartet float through the air, or the laughter of a rowdy party? Are the tables covered by crisp, white linen or littered with ketchup bottles and various containers of hot sauce? It’s not that one setting is better than the other, but these elements establish certain expectations.

As a reader, I look to the opening of a novel to learn the tone of the book and to get an idea of the protagonist’s personality and the author’s voice. As a writer, I want my readers to know from the first page what kind of book they can expect from me—sexy? funny? suspenseful? All three?

Because I’m a reader, I understand why introductions are so important. Because I’m a writer, I understand how hard it is to write a good one. Achieving that goal often requires several rewrites, not to mention gobs of frustration. For inspiration, I look to my favorite openings in novels. Now, for me, an “opening,” is more than the first line, but for the sake of space, I’ll share examples that achieve the above in one line (pretty much). In no particular order, here are five of my favorite openings:

1) It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife. - Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

2) Phoebe Somerville outraged everyone by bringing a French poodle and a Hungarian lover to her father’s funeral. –Susan Elizabeth Phillips, It Had to Be You

3) If you really want to hear about it, the first thing you'll probably want to know is where I was born, and what my lousy childhood was like, and how my parents were occupied and all before they had me, and all that David Copperfield kind of crap, but I don't feel like going into it, if you want to know the truth. - J. D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye

4) The first time I saw Dex Wilder, I was wearing a bed sheet and body glitter and serving hors d’oeuvres on the lawn in front of the world’s only full-scale replica of the Parthenon. - Bethany Michael’s, Nashville Heat

5) One hot August Thursday afternoon, Maddie Faraday reached under the front seat of her husband’s Cadillac and pulled out a pair of black lace bikini underpants. They weren’t hers. – Jennifer Crusie, Tell Me Lies

All of these lines manage to both set the tone for the book but also suck me into the story. (I should add that you could put just about any Jenny Crusie opening line in that list—if you want to see effective openings, she’s a good one to study.) I immediately want to know more about the characters and their situations.

What about you guys? Are openings important to you? What are some of your favorite openings?

Happy New Year!

2010-01-01T08:05:00.000-08:00

What's the best way to ring in the New Year? How about with some books! Today I think we'll make this easy. Simply tell me how you celebrated the dawn of 2010 to be entered. Winner gets the choice of the following:

STOLEN SEDUCTION
STOLEN HEAT
STOLEN FURY
HARD TO HOLD by Stephanie Tyler
THE DANGEROUS BOOK FOR DEMON SLAYERS by Angie Fox
SKIN GAME by AVA GRAY

30 Days of Treasure Hunting! - DAY 15 -MJ Fredrick!

2009-12-31T00:41:00.000-08:00

Two weeks left to enter. What are you waiting for????

My guest today is author MJ Fredrick!

A four-time Golden Heart finalist, MJ has been writing since elementary school. She has three novels from Samhain: Hot Shot, Beneath the Surface and Breaking Daylight, and two from The Wild Rose Press: Where There's Smoke and Don't Look Back. She loves helping her characters find their happily ever after!

MJ's newest release is BREAKING DAYLIGHT:

Sergeant Alex Shepard is all about getting the job done. That single-minded purpose helps him forget the fact he hates the jungle as he leads his Special Forces team in search of Honduran drug lord Santiago Saldana. His quarry eludes him, but the woman left behind in the compound is the next best thing. Saldana’s mistress—an American woman who clearly puts her own pleasure over right and wrong.

Isabella Canales has been Saldana’s prisoner for four long years. Worse, he’s taken away her most precious possession. Except Alex doesn’t believe a word of it. The clock is ticking, and she’s frantic to do anything to convince him to take her home. Even agree to serve as bait to draw Saldana out.

As they push through the tangled jungle dodging bullets and ambushes, Alex fights his growing respect for Isabella’s determination—and an attraction that’s impossible to resist, whatever she’s done. But Saldana never lets go of what’s his. And betrayal is his deadliest weapon…

MJ is giving away a copy of HOT SHOT to the person who can answer this question: Which of MJ's books won an Eppie?

Welcome, MJ!!

***
The dh likes Rescue Me. I watch with him, but it makes me uncomfortable. I told the dh it's because the characters aren't heroic. He countered with, "They save lives, don't they?"

Well, sure.

He continued by saying I just don't like to think of men who do heroic jobs as not having other heroic qualities. I went to bed thinking about this and realized that wasn't it.

The thing that bothers me is that the characters in Rescue Me don't do the right thing. Ever. If they have two choices, they make the wrong one. Every. Time.

Yes, heroes make wrong choices sometimes. But they correct it, or they make up for it, and maybe they had a compelling reason to make that choice in the first place. Those are the characters I find sympathetic, that I can root for.

In Breaking Daylight, my January 5 release, Alex can be an ass. He has a reason for his reaction to Bella, but he’s not a nice guy.

BUT, he does the right thing. He could make the wrong choices, or even make the right choices for the wrong reasons, but he makes the right choices for the right reasons, most of the time, and the more he’s around Bella, the more human he becomes.

What are heroic qualities for you?

30 Days of Treasure Hunting! - DAY 14 - Paty Jager!

2009-12-30T08:51:00.000-08:00

Click the widget to enter:

My guest today is author Paty Jager!

Wife, mother, grandmother, and the one who cleans pens and delivers the hay; award winning author Paty Jager has not only brought her husband of thirty years to maturity, but four children and over a hundred head of cattle and swine. She not only writes the western lifestyle, she lives it.

She has four historical western romance novels and one contemporary western, which won the 2008 Best Contemporary Romance EPPIE. To learn more about Paty, her books, and to enter her website contest go to www.patyjager.net.

Paty's latest release is MINER IN PETTICOATS:

Shouldering the burdens of his family and the mining community, Ethan Halsey devotes himself to providing for his brothers’ growing families. However, Aileen Miller, a widow, also looking out for her family’s interests, refuses to part with the land he needs. As they battle- one to push his dream to reality and the other to prove no man will hurt her again- their lives become enmeshed and their hearts collide.

Paty is giving away a copy of PERFECTLY GOOD NANNY, plus some other mystery goodies. Do be entered in her giveaway, simply answer this question: Which of Paty's covers features a wolf?

Welcome, Paty!

***
As you can see by the titles on my website, I have a problem deciding what I want to write. The main constant is they are all western themed stories, but I can't decide if I want to do historical, contemporary, or paranormal. Does it bother you to have an author skip around in genres? Or as long as the theme is the same are you okay with the different genres? If you had to pick historical, contemporary, or paranormal which would you prefer to read?

RELEASE DAY!!

2009-12-29T02:00:00.000-08:00

In case you haven't heard, I'm here spreading the news! STOLEN SEDUCTION officially releases today, which means you should be able to find it, well, everywhere!

A missing bronze holds the key to a decade’s-old murder. To prove her innocence, she’ll have to partner up with the sexy homicide detective who has the power to steal more than her freedom—if she’s not careful, he may just steal her heart…

STOLEN SEDUCTION
Book Three
Release Date: December 29, 2009
ISBN: 978-0-505-52795-0

The individual who collects all six statues and deciphers the code locked within will be awarded controlling interest in Roarke Resorts.

YOUR PARTICIPATION IN THIS ENDEAVOR IS A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH.

Hailey Roarke was never interested in her family’s fortune. That’s why she became a cop. But with her father and now her cousin dead, she’s suddenly on the wrong side of a police interrogation. The only way to clear her name is to solve the riddle before the real killer. Without getting killed herself.

Detective Shane Maxwell can’t deny the spark of lust he feels every time Hailey is near. But the woman is clearly hiding something. Trusting his gut—and the heat in her eyes—he joins her on an elaborate global treasure hunt staged by her late father. Caught between a sizzling seduction and a maniacal murderer, for Hailey and Shane the biggest reward of all will be making it out alive.

***
EXCERPT:
As the music shifted from nice days to life on the docks and Hailey lifted her fists again to jab at the bag, Shane pulled the gym’s main door open and stepped inside. Sweet female sweat and just a hint of the lilac scent he always associated with her drifted toward his nose.

She didn’t stop punching. Left hook, left, right again. And his blood warmed the closer he got. It wasn’t until he reached the stereo and flicked the power button that she stopped abruptly and whipped his way.

Surprise registered in her sapphire eyes first. Then distrust. And finally, disgust.
Okay, after their run-in earlier, he had that coming. But she’d purposely left him hanging, and he wanted answers.

She didn’t say anything, but her chest rose and fell as she drew deep breaths. A bead of sweat rolled down her bruised temple, over her jaw, down the long, slender column of neck, heading straight for her breasts. Like an idiot, he watched the droplet, his body temperature growing hotter by the minute as it slid downward.

And that’s when he saw the yellowing bruises. Faint traces of what she’d been through before. On her ribs, on her thighs, on the soft skin of her arms. Near a bandage by her shoulder.

“How’d you get in here?” she asked in a breathless tone before he got two steps closer to her on the blue mats that matched her eyes.

He forced his gaze away from her fading injuries, told himself she was fine, healthy, that whatever she’d endured, she’d survived. But the urge to cold-cock whoever had done this to her was hard to overcome. And Kauffman was seriously dead meat.
“Janitor.”

“Did you come to arrest me or are you just having trouble sleeping, Maxwell?”

Her voice pulled his brain away from extracting revenge, and he focused on her face. He wasn’t about to tell her didn’t sleep, not much anyway. And the look in her eye warned him her little work-out session hadn’t done much to cool-out her temper. “Should I arrest you?”

She glanced past him to the windows, then looked at his face again. “Who’s playing good cop tonight?”

“No one. I’m here alone.”

One elegant brow lifted. “Inspector Clouseau know you’re going renegade?”

The muscles around his eyes tightened with humor. “No, he doesn’t. He’d tear into me if he did.”

“Then why are you here?”

“’Cause I’m not done with you yet.”

Her eyes never left his as she lifted her hand to mop up the sweat on her forehead. “I already told you I’m not answering any more questions without my lawyer.”

“I’m not here officially, Hailey.” When she opened her mouth to protest, he added, “I saw the surveillance tapes. Trust me when I say, you need a friend right now. And I may be all you’ve got.”

Her eyes narrowed. “What do you want?”

“Answers. Unofficially,” he added before she could spout off anything else about her lawyer. “But mostly to help you.”

Those blue eyes of hers searched his face, and he could practically see the wheels turning in her mind. Along with a great big dose of I-don't-think-so.

“You want answers?” she said. “Unofficial?”

He nodded slowly, thinking she was capitulating way too quickly, but thankful he wasn’t going to have to pry it out of her.

“Fine. I’ll answer whatever question you’ve got. But you’ve got to take me down first. I take you down, I get to ask the questions.”

She wanted to spar? With him? Here? Now? He glanced around the mats, back at her, slicked with sweat, bruises not yet healed from her last run-in and juiced up on endorphins. Yeah, he wanted answers, but he wouldn’t hurt her to get them. “I don’t think that’s such a good—”

“Scared?”

The look of utter confidence across her face stopped him. “No, I just—”

She took a step back and held out her hands. “How bad do you want your answers, Maxwell? Gimme your best shot.”

He wasn’t going to actually do this, was he?

***

Today I'm over at Writeminded giving away books, so join me over there to enter for freebies. But before you leave, scroll down and enter for a chance to win Emily Bryan's A CHRISTMAS BALL!!

Happy Reading, all!

30 Days of Treasure Hunting! - DAY 13 - Emily Bryan!

2009-12-29T01:00:00.000-08:00

Today my guest is Emily Bryan!

Award-winning author Emily Bryan learned much of what she knows about writing from singing. A classically trained soprano, she gleaned the elements of storytelling while performing operatic roles. She describes her light-hearted stories as Gilbert & Sullivan . . . with sex!

Emily’s Distracting the Duchess received an RT Reviewers Choice, BookBuyers Best, and CORWA Award of Excellence nomination. Her Vexing the Viscount was a NightOwl Romance Reviewer Top Pick! Library Journal describes her novella in A Christmas Ball as “worthy of Shakespeare!” Her books have been translated into German, Dutch, Italian, Russian and Spanish. She regularly receives fan mail from around the globe. Emily Bryan and her husband have lived in nine different states, but she now makes her home in the heart of New England.

Emily's latest release is A CHRISTMAS BALL:

"Although the title of this anthology sounds terribly traditional, this diverse trio is anything but. From Emily Bryan's "My Lady Below Stairs," the story of a bastard servant girl called in to impersonate her missing aristocratic half-sister with results worthy of Shakespeare, to Ashley's "The Longest Night," in which a shapeshifting nobleman attempts to win the heart of the wary woman he loves while on the trail of a spy, to Alissa Johnson's "Traditions," the tale of an earl who sets out to woo one woman and falls for her intriguing companion instead, these light, entertaining romps are not typical holiday fare.

VERDICT: A unique anthology of Regency holiday novellas that are risqué and diverting, making for an intriguingly off-beat addition to the seasonal slate."

~ Library Journal

Emily is giving away a copy of A CHRISTMAS BALL to one lucky commenter today. To be entered into the drawing, simply answer this question: What is the title of Emily Bryan's next release?

Week 2 Winners!

2009-12-28T12:31:00.000-08:00

Here you go! If you are a winner, please send me your snail mail and email info at elisabeth@elisabethnaughton.com

Congrats to all the winners!!!

Winner of Christy Evan's hand-knitted fingerless gloves:
Jane!

Winner of Cynthia Eden's ETERNAL HUNTER:
limecello!

Winner of STOLEN FURY:
joder!

Winner of STOLEN HEAT:
Cybercliper!

Winner of Leanna Renee Hieber's THE DARKLY LUMINOUS FIGHT FOR PERSEPHONE PARKER:
RKCharron!

Winner of STOLEN SEDUCTION:
lifehappens!

Winner of Beth Williamson's THE REDEMPTION OF MICAH:
Robynl!

(Winners were picked by a random number generator.)

30 Days of Treasure Hunting! - DAY 12 - Denise Agnew!

2009-12-27T09:04:00.000-08:00

Enter, enter...

On the blog today is author Denise Agnew!

Suspenseful, erotic, edgy, thrilling, romantic, adventurous. All these words describe Denise A. Agnew’s award-winning novels. Romantic Times Book Review Magazine called her romantic suspense novels “top-notch” and her erotic romance PRIMORDIAL received a TOP PICK from Romantic Times Book Review Magazine. Denise’s record proves that with paranormal, time travel, romantic comedy, contemporary, historical, erotic romance, and romantic suspense novels under her belt, she enjoys writing about a diverse range of subjects. The fact she has lived in Colorado, Hawaii, and the United Kingdom has given her a lifetime of ideas. Her experiences with archaeology and archery have crept into her work, as well as numerous travels through the UK and Ireland. Denise lives in Arizona with her real life hero, her husband. Visit Denise’s website at www.deniseagnew.com

Denise's latest release is WITHIN HIS EMBRACE:

With her job gone and life plan wrecked, Leigh Strong takes a vacation from reality before she putting it all back together again. A shootout puts her in the sight of SWAT cop Craig MacGilvary, the man she is fiercely drawn to. She finds his strong and silent personality too uptight and decides he needs to live a little. She’s determined to discover if he’s really stoic, or if under all that starch burns a man of fire.

Leigh’s in-your-face style disturbs Craig’s desire for order, and the feral attraction he feels for her arouses a fierce need to protect. When her past and his catch up with them, and danger follows hot on their heels, the perils they’ll face apart and together will test all their resolve in both career and love.

Denise is giving away a Victoria's Secret Gift Card to one lucky commenter today. All you have to do to enter is answer this question: What color is Jake Sullivan's eyes in the book PRIVATE MANEUVERS?

Thanks so much for being here, Denise!

30 Days of Treasure Hunting! - DAY 11 - Beth Williamson!

2009-12-26T00:00:00.000-08:00

There's still time to enter...

Today my guest is author and Romantic Times Career Achievement award nominee Beth Williamson!

Beth has never been able to escape her imagination and it led her to the craft of writing romance novels. She’s passionate about purple, books, and her family (not to mention long cruises). She is compassionate, funny, a bit reserved at times, tenacious and a little quirky. Her cowboys and western romances speak of a bygone era, bringing her readers to an age where men were honest, hard and honkin’ built. For a change of pace, she also dives into some smokin’ hot contemporaries, bringing you heat, romance and snappy dialogue. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and two sons, and a whole cast of characters in her head.

Beth's latest release is The Stranger's Secret:

Sarah Spalding has learned to forge her own way and never to trust anyone - least of all a Yankee. But when her companion abandons her while on a train to Colorado, Sarah begrudgingly accepts the help of Whitman Kendrick - a Yankee, yes, but one with the most bewitching green eyes. Allowing Whit to be her traveling escort is one thing, taking him as a lover is another - even though she's tempted beyond reason...Whit Kendrick isn't quite sure what to make of the sharp-tongued, sassy woman sharing his train compartment. All he knows is that Sarah is refreshingly different from most women - and his urgent, primal attraction for her is unlike any he's experienced. Breaking down Sarah's wall of defense won't be easy. But Whit is determined to prove to Sarah that they're more alike than different - and loving each other is all they need.

Beth's giving away a copy of The Redemption of Micah to one lucky commenter today. To be entered into the drawing, find the answer to this question: What’s the family name in the series of 7 books that begins with The Bounty?

Welcome, Beth!

***
Dark Secrets or Embarrassing Truths
Many guest blog posts are about books, writing, heroes, heroines, etc. Today I’m going to step away from that (although I have a new release next Tuesday – yay!), and tell y’all some dark secrets… or embarrassing truths.

You know we go through life with a face we show the world. It might be a happy face, an angry face, a cynical face or perhaps even an apathetic face. I’d like to think I have an optimistic face, whether or not I have reason to be optimistic.

However, my life is not always rosy. I find myself in daily battles with my two teenage sons (13 and 17) and stand-offs with my DH (also an alpha who tends to have an opposite opinion from me). And then of course, there’s my battles with myself. Therein lies my dark secret.

My self-confidence sucks. *sigh* I’ve always struggled with it, since I was a kid really. It was lost in the shuffle of marriage, kids in my twenties, and then a job to stay afloat in the tough world of reality. I finally got a boost up with my first book publication, which promptly took a nose dive when I found out I sold 26 copies. LOL.

It’s a long hard road to believe in yourself, m’dears. I know that for a fact. I’ve been on the mountain of loose dirt for a long time. With each foot I climb up, I’ll slide back a bit. Hanging on gets really hard some days but with help from my friends and family, I continue to climb.

What?? You might be shocked to think I have little self-confidence, or you might be nodding your head in agreement, stuck in the same boat. I envy people who are so amazingly self-confident they can forge ahead and climb the mountain without any safety gear. I’m so wrapped up in harnesses, ropes and carabiners, I can feel the weight of them.

The announcement a few weeks ago that I had been nominated for a Career Achievement award in Erotic Romance by Romantic Times magazine simply blew me away (http://www.rtbookreviews.com/temp/RT.09.Nominees.pdf). I mean, my first thought was, did they maybe accidently nominate me? Really, me??? I don’t mind telling you I cried a little. It was as if I could see the top of the mountain, still not quite in reach, but achievable.

It’s a struggle to be optimistic when you find yourself doubting your own abilities, but I put on my optimistic face every day. What’s life without hoping and dreaming for something? That’s why we read and write romance right? I always hope, always dream, and always hang onto the slope. Someday I’m gonna reach the top.

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-25T14:14:00.000-08:00

I hope you're all having a fabulous holiday! In honor of Christmas, I've got a copy of my new release, STOLEN SEDUCTION, to give away! And this time there's no treasure hunt. (I'm making this easy!) Just tell me what your plans are for today and you're entered!!

Merry Christmas!

30 Days of Treasure Hunting! - DAY 9 - Leanna Renee Hieber!

2009-12-24T10:13:00.001-08:00

Keep Entering!

Today my guest is author Leanna Renee Hieber!

Award winning, bestselling author, actress and playwright Leanna Renee Hieber grew up in rural Ohio inventing ghost stories. She hit the fantasy fiction scene with her novella Dark Nest which won the 2009 Prism Award for excellence in Futuristic, Fantasy and Paranormal Romance. Her critically acclaimed debut novel, The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker is the first in her Strangely Beautiful series of ghostly, Gothic Victorian Fantasy novels published by Dorchester Publishing (Barnes & Noble Bestseller list). The book was named one of the Top Ten Books of 2009 by Beyond Her Book Publishers Weekly readers poll. The series continues April and October 2010.

A member of Actors Equity Association (AEA), the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA) and the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), Leanna works often in television. When not writing or on set, she loves a good Goth club, singing soprano in choir and adventuring about her adopted hometown of New York City, where she resides with her real-life hero and her beloved rescued lab rabbit Persebunny, Queen of the Undereverything.

Leanna Renee's recent release is The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker. And today she's giving away an autographed copy of the book and an autographed copy of Book 2 to one lucky commenter. All you have to do is answer this question: What is the title and release date of Book II in the Strangely Beautiful series?

Want to know more about The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker? Read on:

What fortune awaited sweet, timid Percy Parker at Athens Academy? Considering how few of Queen Victoria’s Londoners knew of it, the great Romanesque fortress was dreadfully imposing, and little could Percy guess what lay inside. She had never met the powerful and mysterious Professor Alexi Rychman, knew nothing of the growing shadow, the Ripper and other supernatural terrors against which his coterie stood guard. She knew simply that she was different, haunted, with her snow-white hair, pearlescent skin and uncanny gifts. But this arched stone doorway offered a portal to a new life, an education far from the convent—and an invitation to an intimate yet dangerous dance at the threshold of life and death…

Welcome Leanna Renee!

***
What are your "Strangely Beautiful" holiday traditions? What's something unique to your holiday season that might be out-of-the-box yet special? Any crazy family rites and rituals? Favourite, most blessed things about the holidays? I want to wish all of you a blessed Holiday Season and a prosperous 2010!

Please join me and the Strangely Beautiful series:
Twitter: www.twitter.com/leannarenee
Facebook: http://tinyurl.com/sbsfan
Blog: www.leannareneebooks.blogspot.com
Website: www.leannareneehieber.com

30 Days of Treasure Hunting! - DAY 8

2009-12-23T10:38:00.000-08:00

Keep the entries coming. Did I mention you could win a $100 Amazon gift card?!

So this whole treasure hunting thing is so fun, I've decided I want to play!!! I've got a copy of STOLEN FURY and STOLEN HEAT to give away - two prizes, for two winners! All you have to do is find the answer to this question...

Who are the main characters in the 3rd Stolen book - STOLEN SEDUCTION - which releases on 12.29.09 (and is, by the way, already available on Amazon!)

30 Days of Treasure Hunting! - DAY 7 - Cynthia Eden!

2009-12-22T00:00:00.000-08:00

Come on, enter. You know you want to...

Guess who my guest is today? That's right, the fabulous Cynthia Eden!

Cynthia Eden writes tales of paranormal romance and romantic suspense. In January of 2010, she will launch a new paranormal series—the Night Watch series—with the release of ETERNAL HUNTER. The Night Watch series focuses on a group of paranormal bounty hunters. In August of 2010, DEADLY FEAR, the first book in Cynthia’s Deadly new romantic suspense series, will be on store shelves. She is very excited about the publication of both series and is looking forward to a busy 2010! Visit Cynthia at www.cynthiaeden.com

Cynthia is giving away a copy of her new release - ETERNAL HUNTER - to one commenter today! But you have to find the answer to this question to enter: Who is the heroine in I'LL BE SLAYING YOU (book two of the Night Watch series)?

Wanna know more about ETERNAL HUNTER? Read on...

Cynthia Eden delves into the dark realms of the Others, where desires and dangerous games await the unsuspecting in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Assistant DA Erin Jerome has a secret. Make that two. One: She’s not entirely human–she’s Other, desperately trying to keep her supernatural strength under wraps. Two: she’s got a killer stalking her–an Other rogue set on “gifting” her bloody corpses, not to mention nights lying awake in terror. Small wonder she’s been having bad luck with men.

But the bounty hunter on her new case isn’t worried about any of that. Jude Donovan is a shapeshifter himself, and the new DA’s midnight hair and addictive scent tell him all he thinks he needs to know: She’s gorgeous, she’s definitely not human, and she’s bringing out the animal in him in a really good way. He might have to track a psychotic Other stalker through half of Louisiana. But he might also get the chance to watch Erin’s wild side come out and play.

Welcome, Cynthia!
***
The Gift of Books
Wow. It’s almost Christmas. So close that you can feel the excitement in the air. Kids are bursting with energy. Parents are baking cookies. Every time you turn on the television, you see a holiday special. Ah…it’s that most wonderful time of the year.

This year, there’s one thing I’m really going to be hoping Santa brings me. It’s the same gift I like every year. A book. (Who am I kidding? Books!) I love getting books for Christmas. Or book cards. Oh, sweet joy—book gift cards are the best.

When I get a book for Christmas, I know I’ve gotten a present I’ll enjoy. One that will let me relax. One that will let me escape from the real world for a few hours. The absolute perfect present for me.

And, hey, this year…one of my books is being released right after Christmas! ETERNAL HUNTER, the first book in my new paranormal bounty hunter series, will hit store shelves on December 29th. It’s like an awesome extra present for me. Book release days always give me a giddy rush!

What’s your favorite present? Or, what is it that you’re hoping to find waiting under your tree this year? I sure hope Santa brings you everything you want!!
(Elisabeth, thanks for having me over!!!)

Happy Holidays!

Cynthia Eden
www.cynthiaeden.com
HOTTER AFTER MIDNIGHT--mass market re-release 12/1/09
ETERNAL HUNTER--available 12/29/09 from Kensington Brava

Week 1 Winners!!

2009-12-21T21:00:00.000-08:00

Here are the winners for the first week of the contest (picked by random number generator)!

Day 1 winner of Cathryn Cade's Tyger, Tyger, Burning Bryght:
Laurel Newberry (minxlaurel)!

Day 2 winner of Vivi Anna's $25 Amazon gift card:
Pam P!

Day 3 winner of Genene Valleau's stocking full of goodies:
Sherry!

Day 4 winner of Helen Scott Taylor's The Pheonix Charm:
Heather Hiestand!

Day 5 winner of Avery Beck's For His Eyes Only:
Booklover1335!

Winners, please email me at elisabeth@elisabethnaughton.com with your contact info (snail mail and email addy) so I can forward your info to the respective authors.

Congrats to all the winners this week, big thanks to the fabulous authors who have participated so far, and good luck to everyone entering this week!!

(Christy Evans's contest from today is still open for a few more hours so scroll down and enter!)

30 Days of Treasure Hunting! - DAY 6 - Christy Evans!

2009-12-21T08:41:00.000-08:00

Today we have Berkley Prime Crime author Christy Evans on the blog!

In her secret identity as Christy Evans, Christina F. York writes mystery. She has other names for other genres, too. She blames it on being a Gemini - one persona is never enough for this girl! Born in Oregon, raised is LA, Chris now spends her days in an office with a breathtaking view of the Pacific Ocean. It's a tough job, but somebody has to do it. Married to fellow writer J. Steven York, she lives within a stone's throw of the rugged Oregon coastline. SINK TRAP is her first mystery, and her 10th published novel. You can reach Chris at www.yorkwriters.com, or on her mystery blog at http://christy-evans-mystery.blogspot.com/

Christy's most recent release is Sink Trap:

When Georgiana Neverall's hectic high-tech lifestyle goes down the drain, she dumps it all and heads back to Oregon and a change of career - she becomes an apprentice plumber. When she finds a distinctive brooch lodged in a drainpipe, she's convinced there's more to the problem than a stopped-up drain. Now it's up to this plumber's apprentice to flush out a killer.

Christy is giving away a pair of hand-knit fingerless gloves to one lucky commenter today. Just the thing to keep your hands warm while reading, typing, etc. To enter her drawing, simply answer this question: What is the title of the second book in the Lady Plumber mystery series, and when is it due out?

Welcome, Christy!

***
Can we talk? I’ll start!

When I sat down to write SINK TRAP, I knew a little bit about Georgiana Neverall. I knew she was an apprentice plumber, I knew she had a troublesome relationship with her mother, I knew she had owned a high-tech company and that it had ended badly.
What I didn’t know was that I was setting out to write about the changing roles of women in the workplace and the world – but I was.

Georgie is, for me, the epitome of the modern woman: smart, capable of taking care of herself, and not hampered by last-century notions of what roles are acceptable for women. By way of contrast, her mother Sandra embodied all those notions, yet was forced to break the conventions she cherished.

Sandra, raised in a small town where change comes slowly, truly believes in the mid-century model of stay-at-home-mom and devoted wife. Her daughter has a different worldview, and her determination to follow her own compass alternately irritates and baffles her mother.

For Sandra work is a practical necessity, but at the end of the day she still gets her greatest fulfillment from catering to the man in her life. Georgiana isn’t sure she wants a man in her life – bad experiences have made her cautious – but she derives immense satisfaction from her work.

That was one of the delights of writing this book and the two that follow: exploring the relationship between these two women, bound by blood and love, separated by the yawning chasm of expectations.

I am clearly a fan of strong, independent women. After writing two books in the ALIAS series featuring Syndey Bristow, one of the original “kick-ass” heroines, I find myself cheering for any heroine who can do “a man’s job” with style. (Or, like Ginger Rogers, backwards and in high heels.)

But I would love to know how readers feel. Do you like to read about a female character doing an unusual job? Or do you prefer your heroines a bit more on the traditional side? Is a non-traditional job an interesting character trait, or merely a distraction? Or does it even matter to the modern reader?

Your turn – tell me what you think!

30 Days of Treasure Hunting! - DAY 5 - Avery Beck!

2009-12-20T12:38:00.000-08:00

Enter, Enter!

Today's treasure hunting guest is author Avery Beck!

Two-time Golden Heart® finalist Avery Beck has crafted compelling fiction since age five, when she played school with her best friend and sent home a "teacher’s note" that got the poor girl in trouble.

It seems natural that her two passions, writing and studying relationships, have found an outlet in romance novels. She is fascinated with exploring the *something* that draws two people together, and she hopes to share with readers the humor, fun, drama, and best of all, joy of falling in love.

Avery writes short, sexy contemporaries and believes life is not complete without the pursuit of dreams and an intense roll in the hay...or wherever one feels inclined to roll.

Visit her at www.averybeck.com.

Avery's latest release is For His Eyes Only:

Beauty vs. power--a dangerous game with the heart as the prize...

Jacey Cass radiates confidence and sensuality just once a year, when she meets her rich and powerful lover for a night of anonymous sex. The rest of her calendar is filled with the daily struggle to survive. Her cashier job at Insomnia, Miami's hottest lingerie shop, doesn't go far toward college tuition, but she's determined to rise above her mother's freeloading legacy.

Alex Vaughn is one promotion away from realizing his life's ambition. For years he's been forced to stand by and watch his father systematically destroy the values that made Insomnia great. Now, with an expected vacancy in the summer catalog, he takes a chance. He's never formally met the fascinating woman he takes to bed every year, but he knows a marketable body when he sees one. The last thing he expects is for her to turn the opportunity down flat.

Jacey won't consider a handout--even from the man whose white-hot caress is the one bright spot of her life. Then a modeling competition's prize money lures her from behind the register and into the blinding spotlight, unaware of what the cost could be to her heart...

Avery is giving away an ebook version of For His Eyes Only. To be entered, go to her website and find the answer to this question: What month does my debut novel, Sexy by Design, release in paperback?

Please welcome Avery Beck!
***

Don't Open 'Til Christmas

As I write this blog, I’m preparing for a long day of Christmas shopping. I have two kids, family and friends to buy for, and usually I do most of it online and am long finished by the first week of December without any hassle. This year, November was exceptionally busy and I fell behind…therefore no online shopping, because everything wouldn’t ship in time…therefore I’ve no choice but to face the masses in brick-and-mortar stores.

The good news is, hubby and I get to drop the kiddos off at Grandma’s house and spend the day together. In this case, I don’t mind the crowds, lines, lack of inventory and parking spaces six miles out. Those things, along with the holiday decorations and music, add to my festive mood when I know I don’t have to fear any sudden explosive tantrums. The problem is, I have no idea what to buy for individuals who have everything they need, can buy anything they want, and probably won’t care for whatever I come up with to give them because we have completely different tastes.

And that’s just the adults.

It’s no fun to shop for people who all have more money and fewer children than me. There’s nothing I can buy for them that they can’t buy for themselves. There’s nothing I can dream up that they don’t already own. Whatever happened to putting an item on your wish list and hoping someone would be kind enough to purchase it for you? My husband, though I love him dearly, is terrible about this. He’ll mention something he wants, into my mental shopping list it will go, and then bam---he goes off and buys it. Over and over again, no matter how close it is to December---and then he expects I’ll come up with something new that will thrill him on Christmas morning. Hello? You took all my ideas already! Sigh.

Please tell me I’m not alone in this. Do you know anyone who is impossible to buy for? What kinds of gifts do you buy for them---and do they like what you pick out? With any luck, by the time you read this, I’ll have a closet full of shiny, wrapped gifts…and maybe some time to write again. Happy holidays!

30 Days of Treasure Hunting! - DAY 4 - Helen Scott Taylor!

2009-12-19T00:00:00.000-08:00

(Winners for the first few days will be announced on Sunday.)

Be sure you enter!

Today I'm thrilled to welcome author Helen Scott Taylor!

As a child, when Helen didn’t pay attention her teachers accused her of being away with the fairies. Things haven’t changed much! Only now, the fairies are tall and sexy and they live in her stories rather than just in her head. Helen resides in South Western England near Plymouth with her husband, two teenagers, two Shih Tzus, and a cat who rules the household with a velvet paw. With the rocky cliffs of the Atlantic to the south and the windswept expanse of Dartmoor to the west, she loves to walk in the countryside while she plots her stories. She believes deep within everyone there’s a little magic. Visit her website at www.helenscotttayolor.com

Helen's latest release is The Phoenix Charm (isn't this cover gorgeous?!):

He’s Pure Temptation.

Cordelia has sworn she’ll abstain from looking into Michael’s future—particularly when the image in the gilded smoke of her divination mirror shows him half naked. Yet she can’t resist watching the sexy rascal slowly running his hand down his ribs, over his abdomen, flicking open the button on his jeans with a little flourish like a magician performing a trick.

She’s Trying To Resist.

Respectable wise woman Cordelia restrains her secret water nymph sensuality with the Celtic symbols painted on her skin. But Michael’s powerful fairy glamour leaves her breathless, off balance, struggling for control. When Gwyn ap Nudd, the Welsh King of the Underworld, steals away Michael’s infant nephew, Cordelia must work with him to save the child. But how can she trust her instincts with Michael tempting her to explore the hidden elemental depths of her nature and insisting that she believe in the power of…The Phoenix Charm.

Today Helen is giving away a copy of The Phoenix Charm. To be entered into the drawing, find the answer to this question: What type of pet does the heroine Cordelia have. (Hint, check the first page of the excerpt.)

30 Days of Treasure Hunting! - DAY 3 - Genene Valleau!

2009-12-18T08:23:00.000-08:00

Still time to enter:

Welcome author Genene Valleau to the blog!

With twenty years experience working in social services, Genene Valleau usually writes dramatic stories of people who overcome traumatic events on their way to happily ever after. CHASING RAINBOWS, which will be published in A Valentine's Anthology in February 2010, is her first romantic comedy. Genene enjoyed this change of pace so much that another romantic comedy is in the works for 2011. She is also working on a series of nine books that return to drama, action and romance. Please visit her Web site at for her latest releases and contests.

Genene's upcoming release is Chasing Rainbows in the Valentine Anthology, which releases on Valentine's Day 2010:

CHASING RAINBOWS drops you into the world of a young woman who yearns for a “normal” family, but instead has an eccentric aunt, an inventive uncle, a mother who wears poodle skirts and a brother who wears pearls. However, none of her family can discourage the man who knew she would be his wife from the time her faux breasts fell on his spit-shined shoes.

Today Genene is giving away a a plush white Christmas stocking that contains an autographed copy of FEATHERS ON THE FLOOR, a white angel bear, and an angel ornament. All you have to do is answer this question: What are the names of Julia's Cabot's children in FEATHERS ON THE FLOOR?

Welcome, Genene!

***
Are Angels Real?

So far, I've written two holiday stories for publication: FEATHERS ON THE FLOOR, which has been described as a "feel-good Christmas story," and CHASING RAINBOWS, which will be released on Valentine's Day 2010. I enjoyed writing both of those holiday stories and yes, more holiday stories are being planned.

Since we are in the middle of the Christmas season, a blog post about FEATHERS ON THE FLOOR seemed appropriate. In that book, Julia Cabot's four-year-old twins firmly believe in angels, and wish for an angel for their mother, who arrives as sexy bodyguard Mitch Garrison. After the twins are kidnapped, celestial beings seem to guide the way to rescuing the children--just in time for a Christmas morning celebration.

What about in the lives of real people? Do angels visit people like you and me? From stories both online and in books, many people say yes, they have been visited by angels. These visits have been described in a variety of ways: as a voice sternly warning not to go into a certain store that the person later found out was being robbed, or hands taking over the steering wheel of a car to avoid an accident, or a ten-foot tall being in white robes standing between a person and danger. Whatever form they take, real-life people say angels have come to them in emergencies, in times of great sorrow or serious illness, or as reassurance that their deceased loved ones are doing fine.

Critics may explain these incidents as hallucinations or tricks of the light or label people who believe in angels as "crazy." However, stories of angel visits continue to accumulate every day.

My celestial experiences don't involve white-robed, golden-haired visitors. My experiences usually come as an inner voice that steers me in day-to-day situations. Oh yeah, and I see angels in the eyes of my herd of doggies who offer love, trust, forgiveness and sloppy kisses with great joy.

How about you? Do you believe in angels? Have you had an experience with angels you'd like to share?

30 Days of Treasure Hunting! - DAY 2 - Vivi Anna!

2009-12-17T00:00:00.000-08:00

Don't forget to enter my STOLEN SEDUCTION Release Contest!

And now I'm thrilled to welcome author Vivi Anna to the blog!

2008 Romantic Times Reviewer Choice Winner and Canadian author, Vivi Anna likes to burn up the pages with her unique brand of fantasy fiction. Whether it's in the Amazon jungle, an apocalyptic future, or the otherworld city of Necropolis, Vivi always writes fast paced action-adventure with strong independent women that can kick some butt, and dark delicious heroes to kill for.

Vivi Anna's current release is The Bewitching Hour, a Valorian Chronicles story

Witch Fiona Woodland hopes fate brought her and sexy crime scene investigator Hector Morales together at her cousin's wedding in the Otherworld city of Necropolis. In his arms she feels graceful and beautiful, and the promise of his kiss takes her breath away. Then everything around them starts going wrong, making Fiona think it's a sign their union isn't meant to be....

But the burning desire between Fiona and Hector cannot be refused. And before the night is out, Hector will show how he feels with a night of pleasure that will leave them both bewitched....

Today Vivi Anna is giving away a $25 Amazon Gift Card!!! To be entered into the drawing go to Vivi Anna's Website and find the answer to this question: What Vivi Anna book was just recently nominated for a RT Reviewer’s Choice Award? Be sure to leave the answer in the comment section of this post.

Welcome Vivi Anna!

***
This time of the year always has me pondering the last 12 months especially in the terms of books I’ve read. I really dived into YA this year and have found the most enjoyable books. Some of my top books ever I’ve found in the past year, a lot of them YA, some of them in UF. I also find I have been searching and looking for more of the same. Here are some of the types of books I’d love to see more of in 2010.

More romantic scifi – I really dig Ann Aguirre’s Sirantha Jax series and I’d love to see more of this type of book More dark UF – I really loved Caitlin Kittredge’s Steet Magic, it’s set in London and it’s really creepy and dark. More different UF – loved Norse Code by Greg van Eekhout, it was way different than what’s out there right now, I would love to see publishers take a chance on more of this type of book
More groundbreaking YA – some of my faves in this genre, Suzanne Collin’s Hunger Games and Catching Fire, Michael Grant’s Gone and Hunger.

What would you love to see more of in 2010? What were some of your fave story lines in 2009?

STOLEN SEDUCTION In Stock!

2009-12-16T10:14:00.001-08:00

Just a quick note...

Amazon has STOLEN SEDUCTION in stock early!! If you were hoping to get the book by Christmas, or were wanting to give the trilogy as a Christmas gift, now you can! Click the link to order before the 29th!

And now scroll down to see the 30 Days of Treasure Hunting Contest!!

30 Days of Treasure Hunting! - DAY 1 - Cathryn Cade

2009-12-16T00:00:00.000-08:00

Woohoo! In honor of the release of STOLEN SEDUCTION, I'm kicking off my 30 days of Treasure Hunting! Here's how this is going to work:

Each day for the next 30 days I'm going to spotlight a different author. There will be one question in the post that you have to find the answer to. Finding the answer is simple. You go to that author's website, find the answer, come back here and leave the answer in the comment section of that day's post. You're automatically entered into the drawing for that day's prize by leaving a comment - with the correct answer (don't forget to answer the question!) At the end of the day I'll pick a winner. Daily prizes include books, jewelry, trinkets...a whole host of things. It's that easy!!!

In addition, I'll be reminding you daily to enter my STOLEN SEDUCTION Release Contest (like I'm doing now). If you haven't entered yet...go do it!!! You could win a $100 Amazon gift card!

Okay, enough rules. Those bore me. On to the fun stuff!

Today's spotlight author is Cathryn Cade!

Cathryn Cade is a native Montanan, who now resides in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, two sons and (always) a golden retriever. She loves shopping, gallery hopping, boating, golf and enjoying the beautiful outdoors. She is a passionate reader and has been writing since she was old enough to understand that if a story did not end the way she liked, she could create her own.
Check out her website at www.cathryncade.com

Cathryn's latest release is Tyger, Tyger, Burning Bryght

Half -man, half-beast, untamable…except by the one woman born for him.

As a novice interpreter aboard the space ship Orion, Calla Fellura is in uncharted territory. Especially when it comes to figuring out how to approach the ship’s sexy navigator, who seems to have no shortage of willing women vying for his attention.

Tryon Jag is an alpha male tyger, one of the few who possess the instincts to guide a ship safely through the deadly Cattarus system. Handsome, wealthy, and of royal blood, Jag controls his universe—and most of the females in it—as easily as he navigates the Orion.

But when Jag unexpectedly undergoes his mating shift on board ship instead of safely on his home planet, he must have a woman or go mad with rage and lust. With an eco-saboteur somewhere aboard, there couldn’t be a worse time for him to lose his mind.

For the sake of duty, Calla forces herself into Jag’s lair. And finds herself blossoming into a true Tyger lily, a woman born to enchant a powerful beast.
The only woman who can save Jag—and the entire crew—from certain annihilation.

Welcome, Cathryn!

***
My favorite author quote is from O. Henry, who said, “Write what you like. There is no other rule.”

Whoa! Is that permission to write out my wildest, hottest fantasies, or what?? I'll tell you a secret - that's why I write. Ever since I was a little kid, I've lived a whole other life inside my head.

My Barbie and Ken dolls had incredible adventures - my mother's flower beds were enchanted forests, where Ken saved Barbie from the evil wizard, and where she let down her long hair to help him climb her sweet-pea-stake tower. And believe me, she had long hair, because I sheared off her classic blonde locks, and gave her auburn silk tresses that hung to her heels (stolen from an extra-tacky table cloth someone gave my mom). Barbie wore exotic princess dresses hand-made by her own seamstress. (with stitches half an inch long in places, and strange gaps in them. I wish I could show you a picture of one of them. You'd be struck speechless. At least until you stopped howling with laughter.)

Now that I'm grown up, Barbie has morphed into other heroines. Her adventures are just a teensy bit hotter than they used to be. Okay, waaaay hotter! After all, she's bendable now. I can also give her any color hair I want, without sticking pins in her little rubber head to hold it there.

Nowadays, she may need saving by her own Ken doll, but she can kick ass, too.
And sometimes that ass may be Ken's, if he needs it. After all, alpha males are incredibly sexy, but a girl has to hold her own, and in my perfect galaxy, they can and do!

Hope you'll join me there sometime soon. I'll leave the force fields down for you.

***
Cathryn's giving away a copy of Tyger, Tyger, Burning Bryght today. To enter, go to her website at www.cathryncade.com and find the answer to this question:

Which Cathryn Cade book was a No# 1 best seller?

Then come back here and paste the answer in the comment section.

Good luck!

STOLEN FURY on sale for $2.99!

2009-12-14T12:54:00.000-08:00

Looking for a great stocking stuffer? Check out Dorchester's Stocking Stuffer Sale where you can get STOLEN FURY for $2.99!

And be sure to check out all the other great books on sale!

It's Here! It's Here!

2009-12-01T13:32:00.000-08:00

The Release Contest for STOLEN SEDUCTION!!!

Rules, Regulations & All That Jazz...

Contest Part One: To enter the first part of the STOLEN SEDUCTION contest, all you have to do is spread the word about the release of the third Stolen book - which releases DECEMBER 29, 2009. It's simple. Use the widget I've created and copy the entire code, then paste it on your blog, website, MySpace, or Facebook page. Don't have any of those? No problem. Twitter about the release and contest. Write a review for one of my books and post it on Amazon. Email your friends and tell them about the book. Every time you spread the word, you're entered in the drawing!

Then, tell me in the above form exactly where you've blabbed about STOLEN SEDUCTION. Every time you talk up my book, it will count as one entry. So start chatting!

On January 15th, I’ll pick winners to receive the following prizes:

First place: $100 AMAZON gift card
Second place: Autographed copies of ALL THREE STOLEN BOOKS: STOLEN FURY, STOLEN HEAT & STOLEN SEDUCTION

Contest Part Two: Starting on December 16, go to my blog to win daily prizes. I have 30 days of fabulous guest authors who've agreed to help me with our very own treasure hunt. Check out the posts each day. When you see a prize you want, follow the directions for the treasure hunt and leave a comment for a chance to win that day's prize. It's that easy!!

Important note: You must be at least 18 years of age in order to enter any portion of the contest.

Any questions? Just email me with the form on my website. Put STOLEN SEDUCTION CONTEST QUESTION in the subject line.

GOOD LUCK!!!

The Better Sex Diet

2009-11-20T00:00:00.000-08:00

I saw this yesterday on the Today Show, and it was so interesting I thought I'd repost it here.

Food and sex are two of the strongest and most closely linked human desires.

"The satisfaction from eating a delicious meal and the satisfaction from having sex both activate pleasure receptors in the brain," says Audrey T. Cross, Ph. D., formerly a professor of nutrition at Columbia University's School of Public Health. "This explains why humans often associate eating with sex." And while the notion of aphrodisiacs is largely unfounded, there are certain foods that can energize you, trigger your libido, and give you stronger orgasms. Eat these foods regularly for a boost in the bedroom.

ENHANCE YOUR CHEMISTRY

Share a dark chocolate dessert
Of course, the act of devouring something gooey and decadent is incredibly sensual. But there's an even sweeter side to chocolate: According to research published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, a compound in dark chocolate called phenylethylamine releases the same endorphins triggered by sex and increases the feelings of attraction between two people. And indulging could pay off in bed: The Journal of Sexual Medicine reports that those who consume at least one cube of dark chocolate daily experience greater desire and better overall sexual function than those who don't partake.

Add a carnal condiment
A spicy meal can spice up your romance. Sauces, sides, and dressings made from chili peppers (such as hot sauce or salsa) contain the chemical capsaicin, whose effects mirror the signs of arousal (sweating, tingles, rapid heart rate, and flushed cheeks). And, according to WH advisor Yvonne K. Fulbright, Ph. D., people tend to credit their date with evoking those spine-tingling feelings.

Munch on a banana
Got pre-date jitters? Eat a banana a few hours before your rendezvous. This yellow superfruit helps release serotonin (the happy chemical) into your bloodstream, lifting your mood and calming your nervous system. And they have a sexy side effect: "Bananas contain potassium, a mineral that increases muscle strength, an element crucial to orgasm," says Lou Paget, author of "The Great Lover Playbook."

FUEL YOUR LIBIDO

Order sushi
Feast on salmon and mackerel — two fish high in omega-3 fatty acids that keep sex-hormone production humming along. And tuna is a good source of selenium (a mineral that beelines to your guy's testicles to help increase his sperm count). And don't forget the sides. "Ginger is a natural blood thinner, so it aids overall circulation, and edamame contains phytoestrogens, which help lubricate the vagina," Paget says.

Hit happy hour
Sure, red wine makes you feel warm and fuzzy, but its powers go way beyond that. It increases estrogen levels, and it contains resveratrol, an antioxidant that improves circulation during sex. And if you're single, alcohol makes you a better kisser: According to the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago, single guys prefer smooches that taste like alcohol (any kind will). Just hold yourself to one glass — being drunk isn't just unattractive; it's a libido killer.

Make breakfast sexy
On the scale of sensual foods, oatmeal may rank at the bottom, but it has a hidden talent — whole grains increase testosterone, which boosts your sex drive. Drizzle on some honey (it contains a mineral called boron, which has a libido-enhancing effect) and chase it with a cup of OJ — one study found that people who eat foods high in vitamin C report better moods and have more sex.

Linger over cappuccino
Order that post-dinner cup of joe. Coffee drinkers have higher libidos and hit the sheets more often than those who don't indulge, according to a study conducted by Southwestern University. And add real sugar. "Sugar releases serotonin, a neurotransmitter that provides a brief euphoric feeling," says Abby Aronowitz, Ph. D., author of "Your Final Diet."

Interesting, huh? Who knows if it works, but I could definitely stomach everything on that list. Except maybe the sushi. Blah!

Guest Blogging Here & There

2009-11-19T00:00:00.000-08:00

Forget the brouhaha between RWA and Harlequin. There's a bigger, more vicious war going on and it involves princesses. Go HERE to see what all the hubbub's about.

And since you're popping around...Today I'm guesting at both Novel Spaces and Fresh Fiction. Stop by and say hi and enter to win a book!

Proud to be a part of RWA today.

2009-11-18T15:19:00.000-08:00

Letter from the RWA President:

Dear Members,

Romance Writers of America was informed of the new venture between Harlequin Enterprises and ASI Solutions to form Harlequin Horizons, a vanity/subsidy press. Many of you have asked the organization to state its position regarding this new development. As a matter of policy, we do not endorse any publisher’s business model. Our mission is the advancement of the professional interests of career-focused romance writers.

One of your member benefits is the annual National Conference. RWA allocates select conference resources to non-subsidy/non-vanity presses that meet the eligibility requirements to obtain those resources. Eligible publishers are provided free meeting space for book signings, are given the opportunity to hold editor appointments, and are allowed to offer spotlights on their programs.

With the launch of Harlequin Horizons, Harlequin Enterprises no longer meets the requirements to be eligible for RWA-provided conference resources. This does not mean that Harlequin Enterprises cannot attend the conference. Like all non-eligible publishers, they are welcome to attend. However, as a non-eligible publisher, they would fund their own conference fees and they would not be provided with conference resources by RWA to publicize or promote the company or its imprints.

Sometimes the wind of change comes swiftly and unexpectedly, leaving an unsettled feeling. RWA takes its role as advocate for its members seriously. The Board is working diligently to address the impact of recent developments on all of RWA’s members.

We invite you to attend the annual conference on July 28 – 31, 2010 in Nashville, TN, as we celebrate 30 years of success with keynote speaker Nora Roberts, special luncheon speaker Jayne Ann Krentz, librarian speaker Sherrilyn Kenyon, and awards ceremony emcee Sabrina Jeffries. Please refer to the RWA Web site for conference registration information in late January 2010.

Looking forward to seeing you at the Gaylord Opryland!

Michelle Monkou
RWA President

Surprise!

2009-11-17T12:22:00.000-08:00

I love it when I'm surprised. My son is watching Cars right now (for probably the 10-thousandth time). I'll admit I never wanted to see this movie. Cars? Ack. I'm so not a NASCAR fan. But this movie is adorable and it has a great message about going after your dream, doing what's right, not holding a grudge and the meaning of true friendship. I've watched it several times myself and I never get tired of it. (And I also love that Lightning McQueen is a total smart alec!)

The surprise I'm looking forward to today? The DVD release of Star Trek. When this movie came out last year I had the same reaction I did to Cars. Ugh. I was never a Star Trek fan. I grew up with the original series though since my Dad was a huge Trekie. I think I've seen every episode at least three times. When I heard this new version with the original Star Trek characters was being released, I groaned. Then I heard a friend (who I trust) rave about it and I decided to give it a try. To my surprise I LOVED IT. My hubby was only lukewarm about the movie, so I think my love of the film has a lot to do with the fact I was subjected to the original series over and over (and over...) again. (I laughed through a lot of it because the references to the old series are so good.) But regardless, I'm on my way to the store to pick up my copy today. Can't wait to watch it again.

And in other surprising news, RT reviewed STOLEN SEDUCTION! Here's the Official review:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
This third installment in Naughton's Stolen series has plenty of twists, a number of intriguingly intertwined mysteries wrapped around a strong central romance and a charming secondary love story. The appearance of characters from Naughton's previous stories is an added delight.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Summary: The ludicrous terms of her father's will have police officer Hailey Roarke breaking into her cousin's house in search of a small bronze statue.

When her cousin turns up murdered, Detective Shane Maxwell is assigned the case. He's not an unfamiliar face. Shane and Hailey met the year before at his sister's wedding and the two almost had sex. Though Shane is not entirely certain that Hailey didn't kill her cousin, he finds himself putting his job in jeopardy to help her unravel the puzzle her father left and to prove her innocence. Along for the ride are various family members, which adds to the couple's growing tension. (LOVE SPELL, Jan., 320 pp., $6.99) HOT
—Susan Mobley, RT BOOKReviews, 4 Stars

2009-11-14T00:01:00.000-08:00

Hey all, sorry I've been MIA all week. I've been busily working on my deadline book. Getting close to the end. Thankfully!

If you're looking for something funny, check out my post yesterday at The Mid-Willamette Valley RWA blog. I wrote about my mental process and what I go through when I'm writing a book. The comments were great and it's nice to know I'm not the only one with angst.

Today's Saturday Snippet is black moments. I love black moments. This comes from STOLEN SEDUCTION. A little warning: It's only a tiny section of the scene because if I post the whole thing in it gives away too much. I hope you enjoy!

Excerpted from STOLEN SEDUCTION
Release Date: December 29, 2009
Dorchester

Shane hadn’t spoken a word to her on the boat ride back to Marathon. Hadn’t asked if she was okay or even looked her way. And Hailey tried not to read anything into that. Tried to tell herself she didn’t care whether he was worried about her mental health.

But it was hard. Especially when they climbed on the Roark Bombardier and she gave the pilot the coordinates from her father’s letter, found out they were heading to Jamaica, told Shane, and he still didn’t say a single word in response. Just strapped in and waited for takeoff with clenched jaw and eyes that seemed to look off into space.

Okay, he was ticked. Didn’t take a brainiac to figure that one out. She twiddled her thumbs while the plane gained momentum and they shot into the air. The second they were high enough, she flipped off her seatbelt and hit the galley for something to drink to settle her nerves.

She was pouring her second shot when Shane picked her up by the elbows and turned her around to face him. The bottle of bourbon slipped from her fingers and hit the counter with a crack. “What the hell are you—”

His mouth was over hers before the words were even past her lips, but she knew instinctively this wasn’t a gentle kiss. Wasn’t a loving kiss. Wasn’t even an I’m sorry for everything you’ve been through kiss. It was hard and wet and a little bit mean as his teeth sank into her bottom lip hard enough for a lick of pain to shoot though her skin. He didn’t give her a chance to say yes or no or anything in between, because he was yanking her off the floor and pushing her through the door into the private cabin and shoving her down to the mattress before she even realized they were moving.

He was pissed. She could feel the anger pumping off him in hot, rolling waves. Knew he was replaying what she’d done in that bunker and using it to punish her. And while her brain told her rough, angry sex was a really bad idea, especially after the way things had gone last night and this morning, her own adrenaline was still so high, she didn’t care.

Oh, God…

Bad, awful, really dangerous idea. So how come with him it felt so right?

***
Now check out these other fabulous Saturday Snippets!

Vivian Arend
Ashley Ladd
Jaci Burton
Taige Crenshaw
Shelley Munro
TJ Michaels
Juliana Stone
Eliza Gayle
McKenna Jeffries
Savannah Foley
Elisabeth Naughton
Moira Rogers

2009-11-07T09:01:00.000-08:00

Today's Saturday Snippet is all about weapons. I decided to pull something from MARKED for this one. I hope you enjoy!

***
Excerpted from MARKED
Release Date: May 2010
Dorchester

The air chilled, and the hair on the back of Theron’s neck stood up before he could question the child in-depth. Destiny forgotten, he edged toward the opening of the loft that looked down over the burned village. Then cursed long and low.

“Marissa,” Acacia said in a forceful voice, “Did Theron put you up to this?”

Theron moved as quickly and quietly as he could across the floor and grasped Acacia by the arm, pulling her up to his side. “We have a problem,” he said quietly into her ear.

She looked over with irritated eyes. “What now?”

“Three daemons. They look to be on patrol.” Acacia’s face went ashen. “My guess is they watch this area for stragglers in the hopes they may lead them to the colony.”

“Oh, shit,” she whispered.

“Acacia,” he said brusquely as he she trembled against him. “Stay with me.” Wide violet eyes met his, but there was fear there—lots of it—as she obviously remembered their last run in with Atalanta’s henchmen.

Dammit, this was what he’d been afraid of the moment she’d set out on this stupid quest. “I can handle the daemons. But you have to get Marissa to safety.”

She glanced right and left. “All three? You can’t…back at the store—”

“I can,” he said quickly. “At the store I was worried about you. Trust me. I know what I’m doing. But only if we work together.”

“Oh, God.” When she sagged against him, he knew he was losing her.

He tightened his arm around her waist, while listening intently to what was happening outside. The daemons were moving closer. He was running out of time. “You have to pull it together right now because I want to hear all the other reasons you’re not really attracted to me.”

She looked up, swallowed hard. And as their eyes met the connection they’d shared from the first flared deep in his soul. He knew she felt it too. Just as he knew if something happened to her here, he would never be the same.

She nodded once, twice, and pulled her courage up like a suit of armor. “I…I’m not attracted to you.” But she gripped his shirt at the chest and didn’t make any move to let go.

“Liar,” he whispered, just before dipping his head and taking her mouth.

The kiss was fast, and not nearly as deep as he wanted. But they didn’t have time for anything more.

He pulled the spiked dagger knife from his ankle, unsnapped the holster and attached it to her calf. Then he opened the weapon that was shaped like a bowie knife with menacing spikes sticking out of the underside of the handle. “Take this. Hold it here.” He positioned her fingers. “If any get past me, this won’t do you any good unless they get close. Swing like this. Away from your body.” He moved her arm to show her what he meant. “The spikes tear up the flesh and the blade does the rest. It won’t kill a daemon, but a good solid hit will incapacitate one long enough for you to get away.”

“Theron, I—”

“We don’t have time.” He shoved a penlight into her pocket, then grabbed Marissa and pushed her toward Casey. “Wait until you see me out front, then take the back ladder and head for the mountain across the stream. Try to find a cave or shelter to hide in. I’ll find you after.”

Shaking, Acacia slid the knife into its holster, lifted a frightened Marissa into her arms and cradled the child against her chest. “But how will you know where we are?”

He crossed the floor and stopped at the edge of the shadows, just out of sight of the daemons below, and took one last look at her. “I’ll always find you, Acacia. That is a promise.”

“Theron—”

He didn’t wait for her response. Instead he stepped off that second floor and landed against the cold earth one story down. All three daemons turned his direction with surprised, glowing green eyes.

“Hello, boys,” he said, reaching for his parazonium strapped to the small of his back. “You look a little lost. Let me direct you back to hell.”

***

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Anya Bast
Vivian Arend
Ashley Ladd
Leah Braemel
Jaci Burton
Taige Crenshaw
Shelley Munro
Sasha White
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TJ Michaels
Victoria Janssen

Clairvoyant?

2009-11-05T09:47:00.000-08:00

Unless you live under a rock, by now you know that the New York Yankees won the World Series last night. I'll admit to being a baseball fan, but not necessarily a Yankees fan. However, this year I was rooting for the Yankees and it was for a purely selfish reason.

This is a short excerpt from a scene from STOLEN SEDUCTION, which releases December 29, 2009. Let me preface this by saying my hero--Shane--is a HUGE Cubs fan. And this book was written well OVER a year ago:

***
Excerpted from STOLEN SEDUCTION
Release Date: 12.29.09
ISBN: 978-0-505-52795-0

Shane tugged the baseball cap lower over her face and frowned. “Couldn’t you have found a Cubs hat on that rack? Shit, I’d even settle for a Red Sox cap at this point.”

“You don’t like the Yankees? They’re like America’s team.”

He stopped in the middle of the sidewalk and stared at her like she had three eyeballs. “You’re sick, you know that?”

Hailey couldn’t help it. She laughed. “It’s only baseball, Maxwell.”

He slapped a hand against his heart. “Only baseball? Only baseball? That’s only my heart you’re ripping to shreds and throwing on the sidewalk.”

She rolled her eyes and kept walking. “Please tell me you aren’t one of those guys.”

“What guys?” he said, catching up.

“Those guys. The ones who don’t have a life from March to October because they’re either at the ball field or glued to their TVs. The ones who base their year on whether their team wins the pennant, then plot ways to murder their Yankee neighbors when the Yankees take the World Series. Again.”

“You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

She shook her head and bit her lip to keep from laughing. Dammit, she liked him. More with every passing hour.

***
As I told my editor this morning (she's a big Red Sox fan) I scare myself sometimes. I really do. I seriously should have put money on the Yankees to win the World Series.

Clever Man

2009-11-03T09:08:00.001-08:00

My birthday cake, courtesy of the DH. (And yeah, I know it's missing letters. But he gets points for trying.)

Okay, I have a confession to make...

2009-11-01T21:14:00.000-08:00

I am obsessed with this:

That, my dear friends, is exactly what you fear it is. The Lingerie Football League. And it is EXACTLY what you think it is. Scantily clad Playboy bunnies running around playing football. I blame Lisa for this new obsession. Because ever since she IM'd me and said, "Have you heard anything about the LFL?" I can't stop thinking about it.

First of all, the concept just blows me away. How in the name of Hades do they keep their uniforms on? Wait...that might be the point. But there are teams all over the country! This is a real thing. Do wives suspect THIS is where their hubbies are going when they say, "I'll be back in a few hours, honey. I'm going to the game with the guys."????

If I were a straight suspense writer, I'd be all over this. I could totally see an undercover mystery plot here. And if I wrote erotica, I would be TOTALLY all over this. But, alas, I don't write either. And though I am intrigued, I can't wrap my mind around an adventure plot involving the LFL. Maybe someone else will take the idea and run.

In the meantime, I'm sure I'll still continue to think about this one. It's like whenever they run specials about Hugh Hefner on E! I can't stand the guy, but I can't look away either.

And on that note...this is a pic of me and the DH from Halloween:

How was your Halloween? Did you dress up? And I have to know...did you already know about the LFL????

Monday, Monday

2009-10-26T09:40:00.000-07:00

Hey, all. Happy Monday!

I have the cold from hell so I'm playing the anti-social card the last few days. This thing is just hanging around and doesn't seem to be improving much. At this point I WISH it was the Swine Flu. Three days and then I'd be over it. But alas, no such luck.

Today I'm guest blogging at the new RomCom Blog, talking about series, sequels and Transformers 2. I'm also giving away a free book so stop by if you get the chance.

I'm also blogging over at Nobody Writes it Better about covers and how lucky I've been with mine. Stop by and join in the discussion about cover art preference.

Monsters, Free Books & Hawaii

2009-10-19T11:21:00.000-07:00

I know. Quite a hodge-podge of topics, eh?

First off, I'm guest blogging today over at Cynthia Eden's blog for her month of monsters, talking about monsters, what scares me and my new paranormal series - Eternal Guardians. Plus I'm giving away a free book.

So stop on over and leave me a comment to be entered into the drawing.

***
Secondly, I promised pictures of Hawaii, and no, I didn't forget. I've simply been overwhelmed with my deadline, so apologies for not getting these up sooner.

We had a fabulous time in Kauai. It was my first time to that particular island and I can totally see why people consider it paradise. Originally we were supposed to stay in a condo in Poipu (south, sunny side) but 10 days before our trip the rental agency called to inform me that the unit I'd rented had sold and they didn't have anything else available. You can imagine my shock - and stress. I scrambled at the last minute to find something that would work. Luckily, I did, and we ended up at the Waipouli Beach Resort in Kapa'a. (Located in the heart of the Coconut Coast, and now I know why.)

I hadn't wanted to be on the east side (due to the weather) but it turned out great. The resort was gorgeous, the pool was beautiful and the kids had a fabulous vacation. This was the first time any of them had been to Hawaii, so the fab pool and the great beach were a bonus. It did rain a few days in Kapa'a, but we were able to load up in the car and drive to the beaches in Poipu on those days and find some sun, so all in all it wasn't bad at all.

We didn't get to do a few things I wanted to do, like explore the northern beaches (the weather didn't cooperate) or sail the Napili Coast (the seas were a bit rough) or hike Waimea Canyon (we learned quickly on a hike to Secret Beach that the kids are not hikers in the least). But that was okay. We relaxed on the beach and hung out at the pool, and spending time with the kids was our goal for the trip, so we were happy.

***
And finally, now that I'm home my focus is trained on finishing the 2nd book in my Eternal Guardians series. It's due soon so I may be in and out. But don't forget to check back soon for deets on my upcoming contest. STOLEN SEDUCTION, the third Stolen book, releases December 29, 2009. It seems so far away, but really it's not. It's right around the corner!!

Drumroll...

2009-10-14T09:37:00.000-07:00

Hey all!

I'm back from vacation. Left sunny 85-90 degree weather and came home to rain, clouds and 50 degrees. Brrrrr!!! It's taking me a bit to get acclimated to the cold again!

I'll share more about my trip tomorrow, complete with pictures, but today I want to show you the new cover for MARKED (the first in my upcoming Eternal Guardians paranormal series)!!!! My editor sent me the final yesterday.

And here's the back cover blurb:

THERON – Dark haired, duty bound and deceptively deadly. He’s the leader of the Argonauts, an elite group of guardians that defends the immortal realm from threats of the Underworld.

From the moment he walked into the club, Casey knew this guy was different. Men like that just didn’t exist in real life—silky shoulder-length hair, chest impossibly broad, and a predatory manner that just screamed dark and dangerous. He was looking for something. Her.

She was the one. She had the mark. Casey had to die so his kind could live, and it was Theron’s duty to bring her in. But even as a 200-year-old descendent of Hercules, he wasn’t strong enough to resist the pull in her fathomless eyes, to tear himself away from the heat of her body.

As war with the Underworld nears, someone will have to make the ultimate sacrifice.

***
So...what do you think?

NOR Top Pick!

2009-10-06T23:42:00.001-07:00

Yes, I am on vacation. Go ahead, say it. "Elisabeth, what are you doing blogging while you're in Hawaii???" Yeah, okay, so normally I probably wouldn't, but I just got this review for STOLEN SEDUCTION and it was too good not to share...

Night Owl Romance Book Reviews
STOLEN SEDUCTION
by Elisabeth Naughton
Dorchester Love Spell
5 out of 5 stars

All Hailey Roarke wants is to be left alone by her family. She's not interested in the family fortune, which is why she became a cop and just wants to live her normal life without all the family drama. But when her dad dies and leaves her a mysterious message concerning hidden statues and deciphering a code, she can't help but get involved. Hailey goes to Chicago, where her multi-millionaire family is, to try to find out what her dad's message was about and why she got it. However, she soon finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation; her cousin is dead and all evidence points to her.

To make matter worse, Shane Maxwell, is the detective in charge. Hailey and Shane met months ago at a wedding and while they both went their separate ways, their attraction for each other never lessened and they never stopped thinking about each other. Now that they're in close proximity, the sparks are flying but there's something sinister going on that's bigger than they could ever imagine. Now, Shane and Hailey are smack in the middle of a global hunt started by her late father and they have to trust each other or they won't survive.

Stolen Seduction is the third in Naughton's Stolen series and in my opinion, the best yet! The chemistry between Hailey and Shane comes off the page and it's so steamy. Reading how they're slightly reticent about trusting each other at first but having to start was very enjoyable to read. The treasure hunt and finding out who was behind the murder kept me on the edge of my seat all along, I really wanted to find out who was orchestrating the murders and why. Stolen Seduction's a very fun, adventurous, and sexy book and I highly recommend it.

I think that made my day. And that's saying a lot considering my day was spent here:

Aloha!

2009-10-03T00:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Saturday! As you read this I'm on a plane, jetting off to Kauai for ten days with the family. It'll be a working vacation as I have a book due soon, but I'm looking forward to relaxing on the beach and soaking up some sun. I'll post pics when I get back. Though I may post some from Kauai while I'm there--will depend on the internet connection.

So today's Saturday Snippet is dialogue and I've pulled a piece from STOLEN SEDUCTION, which releases January 2010 (only a couple of months away!) I hope you enjoy this peek at Shane & Hailey.

Aloha!

***
Excerpted from STOLEN SEDUCTION
Copyright Elisabeth Naughton (January 2010)
Dorchester Love Spell
ISBN: 978-0-505-52795-0

“I hope black’s okay," Shane said. "I’m all out of milk.”

“That’s fine.”

Shane set the cookies on the coffee table and watched as Hailey brought his favorite Cubs mug to her full lips, sipped and smiled with a sexy little sigh that jacked up his hormones and supercharged his blood. She turned towards the family picture from Christmas. “I love how all the women are grinning and the men are scowling.”

He scratched the back of his head. “Stressful day. Holidays basically suck in the Maxwell household.”

She laughed again. Sipped. Moved down the wall to look at something else. He loved watching the way she moved, as smooth as a dancer with her long legs and slim frame, but with purpose and self-confidence. Suddenly she stopped, and her cobalt eyes grew wide. “Oh, my God. Is that…”

He set his mug down on the coffee table and walked up behind her, looking over her shoulder at the framed fifteen-year-old snapshot on his mantel. “Yeah, it is.

“No way.” She put her mug down and reached for the frame. “How the hell did you meet Jon Bon Jovi?”

“Funny story, actually. It was years ago, as evidenced by my baby face in that shot there. I was working patrol at the time and this guy comes flying down Lake Shore Drive just as my shift’s ending. I pull him over, read him the riot act, and turns out its Jon’s drummer. They’d just finished a concert at the United Center.”

“How fast was he going?”

“Ninety, ninety-five.”

“On Lake Shore Drive?”

“Yeah.” He shoved his hands into his pockets. “It’s like one in the morning, the streets are deserted, I’m convinced he’s blitzed. Turns out he wasn’t, just blowing off steam from the set. After a while I give him a warning, I’m too tired to deal with the paperwork anyway, and to say thanks he invites me to this party he’s going to. I wasn’t gonna go but…” He smiled, shrugged.

She flicked a look over her shoulder that was so damn sexy, he curled his fingers in his pockets to keep from reaching for her. “A warning? For ninety-five in the city?”

He shrugged again. “I plead insanity. I mean, it was Bon Jovi.”

Her grin was wide and awe-filled as she turned to trace her finger over the photo. “That is so cool.”

God, he loved the way she smiled. With her whole face, not just her plump, perfect lips. As he watched the shadows play across her features and toned body, he had a sudden urge to see her smile at him like that.

Not a good idea. Remember the last time you had that urge?

The little voice chanting in the back of his head brought reality back into sight, but he worked like hell to ignore it; was sick and tired of living his life by the push and pull of that voice even though he knew it was the only thing keeping him alive these days.

“Kinda ruined me,” he added, hoping to get her looking at him again as he moved dangerously close to her.

“Why?”

His smile returned when she shifted those glittering blue eyes his way once more, the ones that looked like the Caribbean on a cool day and reminded him of what he’d wanted to do with her in Puerto Rico. “I was like twenty-three when that happened. It was just after I’d joined the department. I thought that was normal. Imagine how shocked I’ve been that no other rock stars have been beating down my door, intent on dragging me off to their wacked-out parties.”

There it was, that sparkle in her eyes and that broad smile that showcased her tempting kiss-me lips. Only this time she was looking at him, not a piece of paper. “Wild night?”

“The wildest.”

His groin tightened at the way she was studying him, and he knew he was walking a thin tightrope with her here, now, like this. Not only had it been way too freakin’ long since he’d been with any woman, but she was the trigger that seemed to shut down his brain. Realizing that fact was part of the reason he’d walked away from her three months ago in Puerto Rico. An even bigger part of the reason he hadn’t dragged her upstairs to his hotel room after his sister’s wedding and stripped her out of that clingy black dress with his hands and teeth and toes like he’d wanted to do that whole damn day. And the only reason he hadn’t contacted her since.

Her eyes slid to his lips as he moved just a fraction of an inch closer. “I should probably go,” she said. But she didn’t move.

“You haven’t finished yet.”

“Finished what?” she asked, never once looking away from his mouth.

“Your coffee.”

“Oh. Right. That.” A hint of disappointment edged her words, and when she licked her lips in a suggestive move that made him visualize her mouth running down his bare chest and abdomen, all the blood in his head went due south.

He knew then, without a doubt, that she was feeling a little of the mind-numbing arousal he was. And hell if that didn’t jack him up more and shove the rational side of his brain to the wayside.

Don’t do it.

He rubbed his finger across her cheek and felt her tremor all the way in his feet. “I’ve got one question.”

“Just one?”

Her need-filled voice wasn’t helping. But before this went any further, he needed to know for sure. “Did you pick that bar at random, or did you know Players was my neighborhood hangout?”

“Lisa might have mentioned it. Once or twice.”

“I was afraid you’d say that.”

***
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Kelly Maher
Jody Wallace
Shelli Stevens
Michelle Pillow
Lauren Dane
Leah Braemel
Jaci Burton
McKenna Jeffries
Moira Rogers
Taige Crenshaw
Vivian Arend
Juliana Stone
Anya Bast
Lacey Savage
Shelley Munro
Sasha White
Ashley Ladd
Victoria Janssen
Eliza Gayle

New "Do"

2009-09-30T00:00:00.000-07:00

The new "do" wasn't exactly by choice. My hair has been falling out as a side effect from the STSS I had this summer. My doctor assures me I'm not going bald, but apparently that kind of stress on the body isn't good for hair. (Who knew?) So...bye bye long locks. Since my hair was thinning in sections (esp. underneath) I decided to go with a short bob.

What do you think?

This Is Fun...

2009-09-29T00:00:00.000-07:00

My DH is traveling on business this week and he texted me from San Francisco. He has a habit of popping into any bookstores he can find to see if my books are on the shelves. So he stopped in a shop in the SF airport and because he was crunched for time, instead of poking around he asked the clerk if they had any Elisabeth Naughton novels. The clerk rolled her eyes and said, "We ONLY carry famous authors. But if you want to look, what we have is over there."

He went to look, and this is what he found:

His text read: Look, you're officially a famous author!

LOL...pretty freakin' fun...

Powell's Pics

2009-09-27T21:43:00.001-07:00

My dear, sweet pal Lisa sent me some pictures from the Powell's book signing on the 18th.

The first thing you'll notice are the signs. And the fact I don't have one. This was my first group signing and I was dwarfed by book covers everywhere. I'm surprised you can see my face! (*Note to self: get a sign*)

That's me in there somewhere. Behind one of those monster book covers...

Look! There I am! I knew I'd been there... (Those Stolen book covers do look awesome, though, don't they?!)

I may not have had a sign, but I did have a kick-ass hat. Compliments of the lovely Lisa (again). (And yes, you can call me Dr. Jones for short.)

2009-09-26T12:52:00.000-07:00

One of these days I'll post this on time...

Today's Saturday Snippet is first paragraphs. So for fun I'm pasting in the first paragraphs from all three STOLEN books and the opening of MARKED, my new paranormal series. And you know what I discovered? I have a tendency to start in the heroine's POV. Who knew?

Enjoy!

Excerpted from STOLEN FURY
Copyright Elisabeth Naughton (January 2009)
Dorchester Love Spell
ISBN: 978-0-505-52793-6

The floor was still at least twenty feet below her.

Surrounded by utter blackness, Lisa Maxwell tipped her head so the cone light from her helmet could slide over the interior of the cave. Then wondered what the heck she’d gotten herself into.

***

Excerpted from STOLEN HEAT
Copyright Elisabeth Naughton (August 2009)
Dorchester Love Spell
ISBN: 978-0-505-52794-3

All things considered, she looked pretty good for a six year-old corpse.

Katherine Meyer checked her reflection in the bathroom mirror one last time and smoothed a few wild strands of hair back from her face. The black slacks and matching jacket were perfect, not one thing about them the slightest bit memorable. No one glancing her direction tonight would ever see anything other than the professional assistant she resembled, and that was precisely the way she wanted it. The less attention she drew, the safer everyone would be.

***

Excerpted from STOLEN SEDUCTION
Copyright Elisabeth Naughton (January 2010)
Dorchester Love Spell
ISBN: 978-0-505-52795-0

“You’re trying to get my ass kicked, aren’t you?”

Hailey Roarke smiled at the moody male voice echoing in her ear as she peered into the darkness. “Define trying,” she said into the mike attached to her turtleneck.

***

Excerpted from MARKED
Copyright Elisabeth Naughton (May 2010)
Dorchester Love Spell
ISBN: 0-505-52822-3

Some nights, a woman just wanted to bash her brain against a wall to keep from screaming. For Casey Simopolous, this was one of those nights.

“Yo, sistah. My tongue’s not getting any wetter over here by itself.” The blond frat-wannabe at the other end of her section threw his arms out wide with a could-you-be-more-stupid? look on his face. “We gonna get those drinks or what?” The two idiots seated next to him at the small circular table laughed and slapped him on the shoulder in a you-da-man move that made Casey grind her teeth together.

***
Now check out these other fabulous Saturday Snippets!

Kelly Maher
Jody Wallace
Shelli Stevens
Michelle Pillow
Lauren Dane
Leah Braemel
Jaci Burton
McKenna Jeffries
Moira Rogers
Taige Crenshaw
Vivian Arend
Juliana Stone
Anya Bast
Lacey Savage
Shelley Munro
Sasha White
Ashley Ladd

2009-09-19T10:20:00.000-07:00

Hey all...today is the Saturday Snippet again and the theme is the heroine doing some serious damage. This comes from STOLEN HEAT:

***
Excerpted from STOLEN HEAT
Copyright Elisabeth Naughton (August 2009)
Dorchester Love Spell
ISBN: 978-0-505-52794-3

A shadow in her rearview mirror caught her attention. Thoughts of Pete slipped to the back of Kat’s mind as her instincts jumped to alert. Slinking down in her seat, she reached up slowly and tipped the mirror so she had a better view behind her.

It was a man. Broad shoulders, long legs. Tall. Wearing a full-length dark coat. He glanced around the empty street several times before crossing the road and heading for the piranha’s building.

He stepped under a streetlight for a brief moment, then eased back into the shadows. But not before Kat saw his arm lift toward the sky. Metal glimmered in his hand. Seconds later, the light went out with a near silent pop.

But one second was all it took. In that moment he’d been in the light, Kat had a clear view of his face. Of his close-cropped hair. Of his beady eyes.

Busir.

The hair stood up on her arms, but she didn’t avert her eyes. Not even when he slinked into the shadows along the building and then stopped. Slowly, she reached for the backpack she’d set on the passenger seat, flipped it open and pawed around until she found her 9 mm. Her fingers closed over the cold metal with stunning force. Though she was expertly trained in how to use the firearm, a rush of adrenaline swept through her. Would she be able to take a life after all?

She wasn’t sure. If she did, it would put her on the same level as the men who had killed Sawil and Shannon.

She knew only one thing for certain: Busir and his goons had come for Pete just like she’d predicted. Her conscience wouldn’t let her sit back and do nothing.

After slipping the Beretta into the pocket of her jacket, she searched the backpack again for the small stun gun her self defense instructor had suggested she buy. She’d much rather use that if she could. Gripping it and an extra cartridge in her hand, she climbed out of the car, careful to stay low and silent.

A quick glance back confirmed Busir wasn’t alone. He’d brought a friend, though not the same one she’d seen at the auction. This one looked American. Kat inched her way around parked cars, well out of both their view, until she got to the alley. Once there, she kicked up her feet and ran down the wet pavement, made a trip around the block until she came up from the south behind their car.

She was breathing heavy as she ducked out of sight and moved close to the vehicle. Busir was still waiting in the shadows. His counterpart sat in the driver’s seat, awaiting his signal.

Long seconds passed while she waited. Her breathing slowed, but the adrenaline rush sent the blood pounding in her ears in time with her heart. She let instinct and years of training finally sink in, tried to block the self doubt on the fringes of her subconscious. Logic told her she couldn’t take out both men on her own, but she had surprise on her side. And she’d make the most of it.

Pete suddenly emerged from the lobby, head down and arms crossed over his chest. A frown cut across his face when he looked up to where the limo had been. One quick glance around, and then he turned toward the car. Tucking his chin against his chest, he headed up the street, oblivious to what was about to go down around him.

Perspiration dampened Kat’s skin. It nearly killed her, but she waited until she saw Busir make his move.

Then she made hers.

As Busir slinked out of the shadows and followed Pete up the sidewalk, Kat gripped the driver’s door and pulled. The man in the front seat jolted around to face her.

She was sure she’d never seen him before, but that didn’t stop her. She gripped the stun gun and hit him hard, right in the neck to avoid his coat. He jerked and yelped, but she held her ground and counted to four.

The man seized, then fell over on the front seat. He wasn’t unconscious, but he was incapacitated. At least for the time being.

And for a moment, Kat’s eyes widened at what she’d just done. Images flickered through her mind like a silent movie. The tomb. The sounds. The struggle. And running.

She closed her eyes tight and took large breaths to calm her nerves. But two was all she could afford. She opened her eyes, ready to find Pete. And that’s when she noticed the empty vial on the console. She reached around the man’s body and lifted the small glass container.

Lorazepam.

Oh, dear God.

***

Now check out these other great excerpts!

Jody Wallace
Jaci Burton
Ashley Ladd
Moira Rogers
Taige Crenshaw
Lauren Dane
Victoria Janssen
Vivian Arend
TJ Michaels
Juliana Stone
Lacey Savage
Eliza Gayle
Sasha White
Shelli Stevens
Shelley Munro

Guest Blogging & Signing Info

2009-09-18T12:29:00.001-07:00

Hey all!

Today I'm blogging over at the Mid-Willamette RWA blog about the Twilight Series (and some other fun stuff). Stop by and watch a hilarious movie trailer for New Moon. Seriously funny material there.

Also, just a last reminder that tonight is the Powell's 3rd Annual Romance Event. I'll be signing along with some other awesome romance authors:

Rose City Romance Group Signing
Join us in supporting local romance authors at our third annual Rose City Romance event! Meet these talented women, ask questions, and get books autographed in a casual setting. Featured authors include:

* Cathy Lamb (Almost Home)
* Delilah Marvelle (Lord of Pleasure)
* Minnette Meador (Edge of Honor)
* Jenna Bayley-Burke (Her Cinderella Complex)
* Meljean Brook (Demon Bound)
* Jean Johnson (The Sons of Destiny Series)
* Margaret Mallory (Knight of Desire)
* Gina Robinson (Spy Candy)
* Elisabeth Naughton (Stolen Heat)
* Hanna Rhys-Barnes (Widow's Peak)
* Lisa Hendrix (Immortal Outlaw, Immortal Warrior)

Friday, September 18th @ 7pm Powell's Books at Cedar Hills Crossing 3415 SW Cedar Hills Blvd. (800) 878-7323

If you're in the Portland area, I hope you stop by and say hi!

Ancient Treasures & Featured Author

2009-09-17T00:00:00.000-07:00

A friend sent this to me earlier in the week:

An ancient treasure comprising three figurines of Aphrodite, the goddess of love, which was buried for over 1,500 years, was uncovered during recent excavations in Israel. The hidden figurines were discovered when the researchers exposed a shop in the southeastern corner of the forum district of Sussita, which is the central area of the Roman city that was built in the second century BC, existed through the Roman and Byzantine periods and destroyed in the great earthquake of 749 AD. According to the researchers, it was clear that the followers had wished to hide the figurines, as they were found complete.

To read the whole article follow this link.

Pretty cool, huh? And sounds vaguely familiar. I love reading about lost treasures and the people who find them. Always inspires story ideas in my head. The other night I got sucked into a History Channel 6 part series called Clash of the Gods, which is all about The Odyssey and whether Homer's epic classic is based on real-world events. They've actually found evidence of war inside the walls of Troy and a ship at the bottom of the sea that corresponds to the time Odysseus would have sailed through that region on his voyage home. The wood, the construction methods all mirror those described in The Odyssey. Fascinating.

Something else that's fascinating is that I'm the featured author this month at The Novel Blog! Since I'm the first romance author they've featured, I'm very flattered to have been chosen. And the header graphic they put together just looks awesome. Stop by and check it out!

News

2009-09-16T13:07:00.000-07:00

Eek! It's Wednesday already? I swear the weeks are flying by.

Okay, so many things to talk about...

First of all, if you're in the area, stop by the 3rd Annual Rose City Romance Event this Friday, September 18th at 7pm. Here's the Powell's Blurb about the Event:

Rose City Romance Group Signing
Join us in supporting local romance authors at our third annual Rose City Romance event! Meet these talented women, ask questions, and get books autographed in a casual setting. Featured authors include:

* Cathy Lamb (Almost Home)
* Delilah Marvelle (Lord of Pleasure)
* Minnette Meador (Edge of Honor)
* Jenna Bayley-Burke (Her Cinderella Complex)
* Meljean Brook (Demon Bound)
* Jean Johnson (The Sons of Destiny Series)
* Margaret Mallory (Knight of Desire)
* Gina Robinson (Spy Candy)
* Elisabeth Naughton (Stolen Heat)
* Hanna Rhys-Barnes (Widow's Peak)
* Lisa Hendrix (Immortal Outlaw, Immortal Warrior)

Friday, September 18th @ 7pm Powell's Books at Cedar Hills Crossing 3415 SW Cedar Hills Blvd. (800) 878-7323

Secondly, my editor sent me the artwork for MARKED this morning, and though I can't share it yet (it's just artwork, no text) I CAN tease you and tell you that it is FABULOUS. I really, really love it. And can't wait to share it!! As soon as I can, I'll post it here. I did show it to my CP - who was instrumental in my writing the book in the first place, and she said, "Damn, girl. Who did you sleep with in the cover god pantheon?" I'm still chuckling over that one. Though I have to wonder myself. The cover gods have definitely blessed me.

And finally, last night after above CP and I were on IM brainstorming a scene in the WIP that had me tied up, I came across this video. I've seen it before - and you probably have too - but it's so funny I thought I'd post it here. I laughed so hard I cried. And don't we all need that once in a while? I hope you enjoy!

Birthday Greetings from Joe Cocker from Jared Pike on Vimeo.

2009-09-12T12:41:00.000-07:00

I always have these great intentions of posting early, then real life inevitably gets in the way and I'm left scrambling. Such is my life...

Last night we went bowling with friends (which, btw, I suck at) then out to dinner. Got home too late for me to post, then got up too late and found myself scrambling to get to the football field in time to watch Gremlin #2's team. And now it's already after noon. *sigh*

BUT...at least I didn't forget.

Today's Saturday Snippet is all about world building. So I thought I'd try something new and give you a sneak peek at my upcoming Eternal Guardians Series and the first book - MARKED (May 2010). I hope you enjoy!

***
Excerpted from MARKED
Copyright Elisabeth Naughton (May 2010)
Dorchester Love Spell
ISBN: 0-505-52822-3

Theron turned at the base of the grand staircase and headed for the king’s suite of rooms on the fourth floor of the castle. Enormous Grecian columns flanked the massive hallway. Plush furnishings, gilded mirrors, statuary and fresh flowers atop pedestals and marble tables filled the space around him as he moved. Wealth dripped from every trinket, from the velvet curtains at the enormous windows to the gold dusted doors he passed along his way.

The place so totally wasn’t him. His shoulders tightened with every step he took. How could the king or Isadora stand it? How in Hades would he manage living in this mausoleum? He could barely walk down the hall without feeling the overwhelming need to run for the nearest open door to freedom.

Just as he reached the end of the hall, the king’s door opened and Callia stepped out with her trusty bag in tow. He waited until she turned and saw him before speaking. “Callia.”

“Theron.” She tossed her dark hair over her shoulder and gave him the once-over. “I see the rumors about you were true. I smell lavender. Is there anything you’d like me to look at?”

Always the same Callia. Direct and to the point. There’d been a time—when he’d been young and foolish—when he’d been entranced by her startling beauty just like every other pubescent Argolēan, but that had quickly faded. There’d never been a love match between himself and Callia. He liked the gynaika he bedded to have a beating heart.

“No. I’m well enough.” Thanks to Casey.

He quickly pushed thoughts of the human out of his mind. “Tell me about Isadora. Her health concerns me.”

A worried look crossed Callia’s normally confident face. She cast a quick glance over her shoulder toward the king’s doorway then motioned for Theron to join her across the hallway, out of earshot.

“Yes,” she said when they reached the staggering windows overlooking the stone courtyard below. “Theron, I’m not sure how to tell you this but, there’s no other way to say it. Isadora’s dying.”

Her words should have elicited a reaction, but instead all Theron felt was…nothing.
No, that wasn’t entirely true. A tiny part of him was relieved. And that emotion angered him more than the misery he knew he should be feeling.

“You’re sure of this?” he asked. “How? She looks—”

“I’ve consulted every medical book I have, poured through the historical annals looking for something—anything—that’s remotely similar. None of the traditional healing methods have worked. Something is broken inside her, only I can’t figure out what. It’s like…”

“What?”

She frowned. “You’ll think I’m crazy.”

“Nothing could be crazier than knowing our kingdom is about to lose both its king and its heir. Don’t hold back from me, Callia. What?”

She let out a breath. “It’s almost like she’s losing that part of herself which is inherently Argolēan. Her immune system—which is normally strong—is the weakest I’ve ever seen. It’s almost like her human half is taking over.”

Theron glanced around the posh room but saw none of it. “Have you told anyone else this?

“No. You’re the only one. I mentioned her fading health to the king, but I don’t want to put more stress on him than is necessary. He hasn’t seen her since she was returned to the kingdom. I’m afraid her situation could push him over the edge.”

Theron glanced toward the cathedral window and the view of Tiyrns down the hill below. A bird flew over the parapet, swooped low into the courtyard and landed on the fountain’s edge. He followed the flap of its wings as the timeline he’d been ticking off in his mind jumped to light speed. He’d spent precious hours with Casey when he’d been needed here.

“How long?” he asked. “How long do you think she has left?”

“I’m not sure,” Callia said softly at his side. “Could be days. Weeks. Possibly longer. But one thing’s certain, Theron. She’s not strong enough to produce the heir the king so desperately wants from your union. A pregnancy would seal her death warrant.”

No, he’d been wrong. He did feel something. A shred of impending loss for Isadora. And a low, searing ache at the bottom of his heart for their race. This changed everything.

His gaze snapped to Callia. “This goes no farther. The Council cannot be told.”

“You’re the only one. As her future mate, it’s your burden to bring this to the Council of Elders when you see fit.”

He nodded, though it was a duty he didn’t particularly look forward to. He was a fighter, a soldier who commanded an elite band of guardians against those who would destroy their world if they could. He cared little of politics and status and the bickerings of the Council. If Isadora died without producing an heir—even if he did marry her—the Council would never allow him to become king. And the direction of the Argonauts would shift forever.

He looked toward the king’s bedroom door.

“Try not to stay longer than necessary,” Callia said. “He’s frail. And he needs his rest. If you have any other questions regarding the princess, come find me.”

Callia stepped around him, leaving him alone in the deserted grand hall. When she disappeared from sight, he rubbed a hand over his face, and fleetingly thought of Casey. Staying with her would have been a helluva lot easier and way more pleasurable than coming back to all this.

The king’s nurse rose from behind a large desk when he stepped into the outer sitting room. Theron waited while she checked to see if the king was up for a visitor.

When she returned, her lips were drawn down in a disapproving frown and lines creased the skin between her eyes. It was a look he’d seen often from her over the last few weeks. Not that he cared.

“Not long,” she said. “He needs his rest.”

He rapped on the bedroom door and waited. And told himself somehow he’d find a way to save Isadora. It was his duty, not only as the leader of the Argonauts, but as her future husband as well.

“Come in, son,” a weak voice called from the other side of the door. “I’ve been waiting for you.”

***
Now check out these other awesome excerpts!

Michelle Pillow
Kelly Maher
Mark Henry
Jody Wallace
Jaci Burton
Ashley Ladd
Moira Rogers
Taige Crenshaw
Lauren Dane
Victoria Janssen
Vivian Arend
TJ Michaels
Juliana Stone
Anya Bast
Lacey Savage
Eliza Gayle

A Little Good News

2009-09-10T10:39:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I found out that STOLEN FURY finaled in the Golden Leaf Contest for published authors! Not bad for the first published contest I've entered.

And today I'm blogging about vampires and werewolves at Nobody Writes It Better. Stop by and leave me a comment!

The Good & The Bad

2009-09-09T00:00:00.000-07:00

Over the weekend I rented Jason & The Argonauts. It's an older movie - ca. 2000 - about Jason's quest for the Golden Fleece. As I'm in the middle of my own Argonaut series right now, I'm heavily immersed in Greek mythology, so I was really looking forward to watching this movie.

Unfortunately, it wasn't as good as I'd hoped. It was long (over three hours) and dry, and the romance between Jason & Medea left me yawning. But it was an interesting portrayal of the quest and for research reasons, I'm glad I watched it.

Now, what I'm REALLY looking forward to is the new Clash of the Titans movie, which releases March 2010. Here's a brief synopsis:

In Clash of the Titans, the ultimate struggle for power pits men against kings and kings against gods. But the war between the gods themselves could destroy the world.

Born of a god but raised as a man, Perseus (Sam Worthington) is helpless to save his family from Hades (Ralph Fiennes), vengeful god of the underworld. With nothing left to lose, Perseus volunteers to lead a dangerous mission to defeat Hades before he can seize power from Zeus (Liam Neeson) and unleash hell on earth. Leading a daring band of warriors, Perseus sets off on a perilous journey deep into forbidden worlds. Battling unholy demons and fearsome beasts, he will only survive if he can accept his power as a god, defy his fate and create his own destiny.

This sounds like my kind of movie. And I'm pumped because it comes out just two months before the launch of my new Eternal Guardians series and the first book, MARKED. Hopefully it will have people talking about Greek mythology and pining for more.

What movies are you looking forward to?

BEST Week!

2009-09-08T11:54:00.000-07:00

This is my favorite week of the year. Back-to-school week. One Gremlin started school today, the other two go back tomorrow. Oh, don't get me wrong, I love my Gremlins dearly, but after an entire summer at home with me, they are more than ready to get back to school and I am more than ready for them to go. This summer especially has been a rough one since I was so sick and didn't really start to feel human again until August. The poor Gremlins have had a loooong boring summer filled with too many of mom's doctor appts and forced "rest and recovery". In fact, as I was telling the DH last night, I don't even really feel like we HAD a summer.

To close out the summer we spent the holiday weekend with friends at their cabin in the woods. The Gremlins got to go fishing and swimming and just had a great time. I relaxed sans my laptop and enjoyed my last weekend of freedom. From here on out I'm on a tight schedule as I work to finish my 2nd paranormal book which is due in early December.

So before I take off for the day and dive back into writing, I thought I'd share some great emails I got this weekend. This came from a reader and really made my day:

"Wow. What a ride [STOLEN FURY] was for me. For years I have read Nora Roberts, Kathleen Woodwiss, Anne Stuart and had about given up finding something of great quality romance to read anymore. By accident, I bought Stolen Fury for a beach read and I am blown away. Only now to find out there are two more. I am in heaven. Thank you so much. I [am] now one of your biggest fans. Will be sharing this book with several people."

This one is from Christine, in a comment she left on the blog here. I'm highlighting it because the post is down a ways and it was such a great comment, I thought it needed to be repeated:

"LOVE the back cover art that Leah made for MARKED. It looks fantastic!

Even better is that amazing book quote from Angie Fox! Sherrilyn Kenyon is one of the first paranormal romance authors that I fell in love with and Patricia Briggs is my favorite UF author (I just LOVE her Mercy Thompson series)---so Angie's describing something I'd absolutely love, I'm sure! Can't wait for May!"

Thanks so much, Christine. I'm so happy to hear you're looking forward to the Eternal Guardians Series. (BTW, I forwarded your comment to Angie and she was thrilled it resonated with you!)

And finally, this one came from Daniel Boucher, (www.thenovelblog.com) who wrote an article about me and my books that will be printed in the October edition of the Toronto Main Street Magazine. He wrote about his low expectations regarding romance, and how he felt after he read STOLEN FURY:

"When I finished, I can honestly say that I was taken aback by what I'd read. All my preconceived notions of what romance novels were about (I was thinking trashy) had been tossed out the window. Instead of "trash" what I read was a fast-paced-page-turner that held my attention throughout, with sex scenes that made even a grown man like me blush. The tension Elisabeth created with both the action and love scenes were hypnotizing to say the least."

When I have a link for the full article, I'll post it here, but in the meantime...isn't that a great quote? I just love it. Hearing from readers (and reviewers) has been a real high for me, and not something I thought I'd get so excited about. But it's very very cool when people contact you to tell you how much they love your characters, their world, and your books. So keep the comments coming! They definitely inspire me.

Okay...gotta get to work now. I've left my hero in a cold forest tracking the bad guys. How about the rest of you...are you loving this week as much as I am?

2009-09-05T09:36:00.000-07:00

Is it Saturday again? Wow. This week flew by and I didn't blog at all. I've been buried in page proofs for STOLEN SEDUCTION this week, but I'm happy to say they are done and off to my publisher. I'm feeling a little nostalgic today...this is the end of the STOLEN TRILOGY (at least for now) and I've really fallen for all of these guys. Especially Shane. Oy. What a guy.

Today's Saturday Snippet is an emotional fight scene. This is one happens to be both emotional and physical and it's from STOLEN SEDUCTION:

Excerpted from STOLEN SEDUCTION
Copyright Elisabeth Naughton (January 2010)
Dorchester Love Spell
ISBN: 978-0-505-52795-0

Hailey's eyes narrowed. “What do you want?”

“Answers. Unofficially,” Shane added before she could spout off anything else about her lawyer. “But mostly to help you.”

Those blue eyes of hers searched his face, and he could practically see the wheels turning in her mind. Along with a great big dose of I-don’t-think-so.

“You want answers?” she said. “Unofficial?”

He nodded slowly, thinking she was capitulating way too quickly, but thankful he wasn’t going to have to pry it out of her.

“Fine. I’ll answer whatever question you’ve got. But you’ve got to take me down first. I take you down, I get to ask the questions.”

She wanted to spar? With him? Here? Now? He glanced around the mats, back at her, slicked with sweat, bruises not yet healed from her last run-in and juiced up on endorphins. Yeah, he wanted answers, but he wouldn’t hurt her to get them. “I don’t think that’s such a good—”

“Scared?”

The look of utter confidence across her face stopped him. “No, I just—”

She took a step back and held out her hands. “How bad do you want your answers, Maxwell? Gimme your best shot.”

He wasn’t going to actually do this, was he?

The smug spark in her eye answered his question. Before he thought better of it, he was toeing off his shoes and sliding out of his jacket.

“The gun, too,” she said as he tossed his coat on the counter along the far wall. “I don’t want you to get shot again.”

He glanced back at her as he removed his shoulder harness and set his firearm on the counter as well, refusing to rub the scar on his shoulder where he’d been shot three months before when he’d gone looking for his sister in Florida. Hailey had been there then as well. In fact, if it weren’t for Hailey, he might not have survived.
He remembered the panic in her voice when she’d found him left for dead, and the way she’d said his name—the only time he ever remembered hearing her say his first name—how sweet and sexy it had sounded on her lips. How he’d wanted to hear her say it again. But she hadn’t. Not when she’d sat with him at the hospital telling him stupid jokes when he’d been getting stitched up or when she’d kept him company on the way back to Florida. Even after they’d hung out and danced most of the night at Lisa and Rafe’s wedding, weeks later, she hadn’t once called him by his first name again.

Which, in retrospect, was probably a good thing. What would he have done if she had? Just because she was the first person who’d made him feel something in almost a year, didn’t mean shit.

Except…he suddenly wanted to hear her say it. Needed to for reasons he couldn’t understand.

He walked back out on the mat, dressed in his jeans and T-shirt, watching as her eyes ran over him from head to toe. His blood warmed under that heated look, and he told himself if she wanted to play this game, he’d go along, but he wouldn’t hurt her. No answers were worth adding to her bruises.

“You’re looking a little overconfident there, Maxwell.”

“Only because I know you’ve got to be tired after your workout.”

Her eyes sparked. “I was only warming up. Show me what you’ve got.”

Neither of them moved. Just stared at each other. He felt like an idiot because he wasn’t about to flip her to her back and pin her to the mat. When it was clear they were at a standoff, he stepped toward her. “Look, Hailey—”

She had her hand around his wrist before he even saw her move. She was quick, and her pressure-point technique worked like a charm. As his wrist numbed and pain shot up his arm, she hooked her arm under his elbow, twisted his wrist around his back and slammed him into the mat, face first.

“That’s one for me,” she said, pressing his wrist into his back until his teeth knocked together from the pain. “Why did you walk away from me in Puerto Rico?”

“I didn’t—”

“Nice try.” She twisted his wrist up until he slapped his free hand against the mat to keep from screaming like a little girl.

“Alright! Goddammit. It was a crappy thing to do, okay?”

She let go of his wrist and stood quickly. “I know it was.”

He rolled to his back, wiggled his wrist to get the blood flowing again. Then sat up slowly and studied her across the mat.

Okay, this was a surprise. He’d known she was attracted to him, but he’d figured walking away from her after the wedding instead of after he slept with her would spare her some angst. Obviously he’d thought wrong. “I saved you from getting involved with me then. You should be thanking me instead of being pissed about it.”

“I am. Get up and let’s go again.”

That good ol’ instinct of his said he should do what he’d done back then and walk away from her now. But that irritating voice screaming, coward, forced him to his feet. And as he studied her carefully, he realized she’d led with her left. Come to think of it, when she’s been pounding the crap out of that bag, she’d been using her left hand as well. “Hailey, I really just want to talk to you about what happened at your cousin’s—”

“No talking. Give me your best move.”

He still wasn’t willing to fight her over this. He took a step forward to try to get her attention, and again she moved so fast he barely tracked it. One minute she was facing him, the next she was up close, her left arm sliding around his back, her torso twisting around and lowering so her hip hit him just beneath his center of gravity. Then all he felt was air as she threw him over her hip and he hit the mat with a resounding thud.

He groaned and rolled to his back. Okay, that one she hadn’t learned at the academy. And damn, she was stronger than she looked.

“That’s two for me, Maxwell.” She braced her hands on her knees and leaned down toward him with a self-satisfied expression. “Is that a habit of yours, going around leading women on, or are you just a prick?”

“Leading women on? Is that what you think I did?”

“Two for two. I’d say that’s exactly what you do. I think you like the power of it. I think you like seeing a woman get all worked up so you can drop her on her ass. Good fun, huh?”

Shit. “Hailey, I—”

“In case you forgot, I’m the one asking the questions. You’re the one getting your butt kicked.” She stepped back. “Go again.”

His blood pulsed as he pushed to his feet. Okay, he’d been wrong. She was ticked about what had happened in Puerto Rico and even more pissed about last night than he’d thought. Which meant only one thing—he’d gotten under her skin. Maybe as much as she’d gotten under his. That thought cooled him out a little. But his adrenaline surged when she charged out of nowhere, grabbed him by the shoulders, slid to the ground and kicked both legs out from under him.

He landed hard on his back, and this time saw stars. And oh, shit, there was something seriously wrong with him because he liked this. Liked having her hands on his body and loved being hurt by her.

She was on her feet before he could even catch his breath. But she was breathing hard. And she wasn’t quite as solid as she tried to appear. “Go home, Maxwell. I’ve got better things to do than toss you to the ground all night long. And as fun as this has been, I’m not interested anymore.”

She turned and got one step away before he kicked out, knocking her off balance. Her hands flew out in surprise, but before she hit the mat he was up, twisting around so he was at her front, going down with her so he took the brunt of the fall and she landed hard against his chest.

She immediately pushed off, but he rolled, pinning her beneath him. Her hands darted out, but he easily grabbed them and shackled them over her head. Then he hooked his feet around her legs so she couldn’t break free and kick him in the nuts as he stared down at her enraged face.

“Let me go,” she growled.

Each time she wiggled, it brought their hips into closer contact and sent more blood rushing to his groin. “Not a chance. I think a pin counts for three.”

“Go to hell.”

“I will. But not today. Question one. Are you sleeping with Billy Sullivan?”

***

Okay, here are some links for some other awesome excerpts!

Lauren Dane
Leah Braemel
Jaci Burton
McKenna Jeffries
Moira Rogers
Taige Crenshaw
Victoria Janssen
Vivian Arend
TJ Michaels
Juliana Stone
Anya Bast
Lacey Savage
Eliza Gayle

2009-08-29T11:20:00.000-07:00

Oy! I'm only a little late in posting this. Sorry!!! In my defense, I was out late last night listening to...

OMG, awesome AWESOME concert. We had such fun. I had no voice, couldn't sing along, but I could dance. And it was a total blast. Nickelback didn't sing the one song I LOVE from the new Dark Horse Album, so I've posted it in below. But they DID sing all my other favs, in addition to Highway to Hell (WOW is all I can say) and Friends in Low Places (hilarious!). Even the DH was rocking out with me.

Okay, now on to the post at hand. Today's Saturday Snippet is supposed to be something humorous. This is taken from STOLEN FURY (in case you haven't read it). One of my favorite scenes in the book.

Enjoy!

***
Excerpted from STOLEN FURY
Copyright Elisabeth Naughton (2009)
Dorchester Love Spell
ISBN: 978-0-505--52793-6

"God, you scared me.” Lisa pressed a hand against her heart. “Don’t do that.”

Rafe turned when she pushed past him into the apartment and dropped an armful of shopping bags on the leather couch in the middle of the room. She shrugged out of a winter white suede coat with fur trim he didn’t remember her leaving the apartment in earlier and tossed the garment over the back of a chair.

“Where the hell have you been?”

She looked up from the shopping bag she’d already started picking through. “Close the door. You’re letting in cold air.”

He blinked twice, unable to process her words. “What?”

“The door, Sullivan.”

When he didn’t respond, she frowned and stepped past him, closing it herself. “Winter. Cold air. Chicago. Ring a bell, Slick?” Shaking her head like he was a complete moron, she moved back to the bag.

Good God. The woman was a piece of work. He glanced down at his watch, a mixture of relief and confusion pumping through him. “You’ve been gone for five hours. You said you were shopping. What the hell happened?”

“If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were worried about me.” She lifted a white garment bag.

Worried about her? Damn right he was worried about her. After what had happened last night, they had no idea who was out there watching them. He’d been utterly stupid to let her walk out of the apartment alone, when any number of things could have happened to her. He’d realized that shortly after she’d left, and he’d been stressing about it since then.

“Don’t worry, Slick.” Her smart-assed voice dragged at his consciousness. “I didn’t run off and go after Tisiphone on my own. I know that’s all you were worried about.” She walked out of the room.

Oh, shit. The blood drained from his cheeks. That thought hadn’t even crossed his mind.

He tossed his jacket across the couch and followed her into Shane’s bedroom. She still hadn’t explained where she’d been, and he wasn’t letting it go just yet. Not until he had some answers.

He stopped in the doorway, slipped his hands into the front pockets of his jeans and tried to settle the nerves still churning in his stomach before he laid into her again. His eyes took a careful sweep of the room. Her garment bag lay across Shane’s unmade bed. She stood at the closet pushing hangers and jackets aside, searching for God only knows what.

She’d changed. She wasn’t wearing the same ripped sweater and dirty jeans she’d left in that morning. A long-sleeved black-and-white horizontal-striped blouse highlighted her curves, dipped low at her cleavage and accentuated the swell of her breasts. Snug black slacks molded to her muscular legs, hugged her hips and perfect behind. Shiny black boots with thin heels covered her feet, and light-catching
silver drops hung from her ears.

She looked chic and stylish, and not a bit like the woman who’d walked out of here earlier, although that one had sent his blood soaring even before this little transformation. This one made his jeans grow tight. Even her hair seemed different, all tousled and wild from the wind, like she’d just rolled out of bed, like she’d just had a lover’s fingers run through her silky locks.

He straightened and coughed. Five hours. She’d been gone five freakin’ hours. She’d better not have been off with some other guy. Not when his insides were tied in knots because of her. Not when he’d spent the last hour going out of his mind because he didn’t know where she was.

“There it is,” she said, pulling a tux from the closet.

“Where have you been?”

She looked up at him, green eyes sparkling in the artificial light. Stepping forward, she held the jacket against his chest. “Should fit. You and Shane are about the same size.”

Fit? What the hell was she talking about? “What’s going on?”

She laid the jacket on the bed next to the white garment bag. “You and I are going to a party.”

“A what?”

She pushed past him, and he stood slack-jawed while she sashayed out to the living area, grabbed a couple of shopping bags and returned. “A party, Slick. As in, you and I both get dressed up and hobnob with the rich and famous.” She stopped in the doorway next to him, pinched his cheek. “I know it’ll be a stretch, but I think we can clean you up.”

She smelled like a sexy, exotic flower, looked like every man’s wet dream, and at the moment she was talking in complete riddles. He didn’t want to go to some party he couldn’t care less about. He didn’t want to do anything but discover what she’d been up to while she’d been gone. And tossing her onto that mussed bed so he could find something for that smart mouth of hers to do instead of flip sarcastic comments his way was sounding better and better by the minute. He turned away, rubbed a hand down his face and tried to refocus.

Holy hell, he was losing it. He needed to get a grip. Fast.

“You find anything on the Landau Gallery?”

Landau Gallery. Right. That’s where he was supposed to be focused. He tried to remember what he’d found earlier in his research, tried to get images of her writhing beneath him out of his mind and glanced back at her, where she stood next to the bed, pulling items from the bag. “Specializes in rare sculpture. High-end clients.” If he wasn’t going to get lucky, he might as well get serious. “Your brother mention the assistant who was murdered last week?”

She stiffened. “Yes. What else?”

It was clear she thought the murder might be related to their predicament. A thread of guilt slithered through him as he watched the color drain from her cheeks. Guilt for bringing her into this, for putting her life on the line, all for a few bucks. He raked a hand through his hair. “Not much. Doesn’t sound like they have many leads on the investigation. But the woman was definitely working on a new collection, and rumor has it she was more than his assistant.”

She glanced up. “His lover?”

He shrugged. “Maybe. He hasn’t admitted to it, but that’s the word going around.”

“Alan Landau’s unveiling that new collection tonight. I get the impression this little party is a way to get the public’s focus off her murder and back on his gallery. I think it’s our best chance to get close to him, find out what he’s up to. Get inside his place.”

“How do you plan to get into this little soiree?”

“I have connections.” A smile curled her sensuous lips, highlighting her sparkling teeth. “Had my assistant back in San Francisco arrange for two tickets.”

That explained the tux. And the men’s white dress shirt she pulled out of the bag. “I had to guess on your size. Hopefully it fits.”

Wonderful. Just what he wanted to do with his evening. He stepped forward with a frown and reached for the garment she handed him. His fingers slid over hers, and electricity zinged up his arm at the simple touch.

She wasn’t his type. Not by a long shot. He liked his women a lot more agreeable and a lot less mouthy. So how come every time she got close, he had trouble thinking straight? The woman had little use for him, had made that perfectly clear by ditching his ass all day and going off on her own. And the fact that that didn’t even seem to bother her only made him more frustrated and more determined to prove her wrong.

When she looked up, her eyes held his for a brief moment, shimmering gems that seemed to soften as he looked at her, as if they could read his thoughts, as if…as if they wanted him to prove her wrong. Eyes—to his utter surprise—that tugged on something deep in his chest and made the aggravation he was feeling slip away inch by
inch.

Yes. Keep looking at me like that, querida.

Warmth pooled in his stomach, and he felt the overwhelming urge to pull her into his arms so he could find out if her skin was as soft as he imagined, so he could make her remember what it had been like between them in Italy.

She tugged her hand back and looked down before he was ready to break the contact. And just like that, whatever gentleness he’d seen flicker in her eyes faded behind her iron shield.

He glanced down and fingered the cold cotton in his hands. So much for that idea. He must have read her wrong. Just like every other time they’d been in the same room together.

She went back to pulling items from the bag. “I would have been back sooner, but I had to wait to pick up the invite. Then I had to find something to wear for tonight. It’s a zoo out there. Took longer than I thought it would.”

She picked up a bag at her feet and handed it to him—not, he noticed, in any way apologizing. “Here. I got you a few things while I was out. You can pay me back later.”

He opened the bag and peered inside. Disbelief knit his brow as he lifted a black thong and held it up by one finger. A paper tag hung from one side. His eyes narrowed on what was obviously not a piece of female lingerie. “This had better be for you.”

When she didn’t respond, his gaze snapped to her. Head down, she continued to paw through a shopping bag. “Lisa?”

She huffed and finally looked up. “I didn’t have a lot of time, and I didn’t feel like guessing about your style.” She pinned him with a look. “For heaven’s sake, it’s just underwear, Sullivan.”

“Real men don’t wear thongs. And I’m not wearing this.” He held it out to her. The scrap wouldn’t cover anything. Especially not anything he had. No doubt she’d bought it just to get under his skin. The woman wasn’t happy unless she was taking cheap shots at him.

“Fine.” She lifted one elegant brow. “Wear your day-old dirty Jockeys. Or go commando. Not my problem.”

“What the hell’s going on in here?”

Shane’s voice from the doorway made them both turn.

Great.

Tension worked its way back into Rafe’s shoulders. Lisa’s brother’s gaze darted from the thong in his hand to Lisa to the rumpled bed and back to Rafe, and there was no missing the back-off-mysister- you-sexual-predator warning in his dark eyes.

Fucking fantastic.

Rafe crumpled the thong and tossed it into the bag in front of him. This day was ranking up there as one of his finest.

“Sullivan’s going to borrow your tux,” Lisa said. “We’re headed to the Landau Gallery’s unveiling tonight.”

“No one’s going commando in my tux.” Shane’s scrutinizing gaze darted to Rafe again.
Lisa’s sarcastic smile followed.

Holy hell. Rafe pinched the bridge of his nose and blew out a long breath. Walking into that damn auditorium in Italy had been the biggest mistake of his life.

***
Now don't miss out on these other fabulous Saturday Snippets!!

Jody Wallace
Lauren Dane
McKenna Jeffries
Moira Rogers
Shelley Munro
Taige Crenshaw
Victoria Janssen
Vivian Arend
Leah Braemel
TJ Michaels
Shelli Stevens
Mark Henry
Shelley Munro
Kelly Maher
Juliana Stone
Michelle Rowen
Ashley Ladd

MARKED

2009-08-27T13:06:00.000-07:00

If you've ever been interested in learning how editors come up with back cover copy for books, head over to Romantic Reads today and check out the process. Editor Leah Hultenschmidt is taking readers through her process, and I have to admit, it's very interesting. On top of that, she's using my upcoming paranormal release - MARKED - (May, 2010) as her example. And I just LOVE what she came up with for the end result.

And if that weren't awesome enough...I just received a FABULOUS cover quote for MARKED:

"Treat yourself to the dark sensuality of Sherrilyn Kenyon and the intensity of Patricia Briggs. You won’t be able to put this book down. Naughton’s foray into paranormals is deep, dark and sexy as hell."
--New York Times Bestselling Author Angie Fox

Isn't that great??? I have a huge grin on my face today.

By the way, these are the postcards I had created to promo MARKED this summer at RWA. Since I obviously didn't make it to Washington DC for the conference, these didn't get out. There are elements to this I like, but this is in no way related to the cover of the book. It is, however, something I might be leaning toward as I think about my website redesign. (Haven't decided quite what I want yet, though.) As for the cover of MARKED, I can't wait to see what my publisher comes up with. It'll probably be another month or so before I get to see the cover art, but as soon as I can, I'll share it here.

Now back to work on the galleys for STOLEN SEDUCTION!

Surgery Update & New Releases

2009-08-26T14:48:00.000-07:00

Quick Note...I'm home after my surgery. All went well, though I can't talk for three days. It's torture, I tell you. At this point we wait to see if this helps re-awaken the paralyzed vocal cord or not. Time will tell.

In the meantime, since I missed yesterday, I want to give a big shout-out to Bradford Babes who had releases. Cynthia Eden's IN THE DARK in BELONG TO THE NIGHT hit shelves yesterday!!

Release Date: September 2009
Publisher: Kensington Brava
Genre: Paranormal Romantic Suspense
Length: Novella

Description:
FBI agent and leopard shifter Sadie James’ undead ex, Liam, still arouses her deepest desires, distracting her from tracking the brutal rogue shifter who is terrorizing Miami. By teaming up with Liam, Sadie has a better chance of solving the case, but as passion consumes them, she stands to lose more than just her heart.

EXCERPT
Her dead lover stood on the other side of the bar, rubbing his hand against the back of some long-legged redhead and looking very much alive.

Sadie James drew in a deep breath. Caught the scent of smoke. Expensive perfume. Sweat.

I went to that jerk’s funeral. Cried over his grave.

A grave he didn’t seem to be occupying.

She’d even taken flowers to the graveside.

The redhead laughed. Tossed back her head. The man turned, braced his hand against the wall behind her head and leaned in even closer to her.

Rage had Sadie’s back teeth grinding together.

She stalked across the bar, elbowing dancing men and women out of her way. Her fingers curled, and a hard fury tightened her body.

Two years. For two damn years she’d thought he was dead. While he was out there screwing redheads. Redheads who wore really trashy pink dresses.

He was bent over the woman now. His mouth poised over her throat.

Sadie was going to rip the bastard apart.

The redhead laughed. A high, tipsy giggle.

Sadie growled.

And even though she was still at least ten feet away, and the music blaring from the band jumping on stage was ear-splitting loud, Liam Sullivan stiffened. His dark head snapped up. He spun around, scanning the crowd.

His eyes, too damn blue and bright for a dead man, locked on her. She saw his stare widen and his lips began to curve into a smile—

A smile she’d knock off his still too-handsome face. “Liam.”

BOOK REVIEWS
“When you want action adventure, love lost and love found you want Belong to the Night. This novel will make you want more of the creatures that go bump in the night and the mates that love them.” Tina of TwoLips Reviews, 5 Lips and Recommended Read

“…great character development and well thought-out paranormal aspects…a really great read.” 4 Stars, Romantic Times, September 2009

“Each compulsively readable story is well-paced and filled with steamy, graphic sex. Laurenston’s characters shine with wit and depth, and Eden and Quinn deliver nonstop action.” Publishers Weekly

* * *

And don't miss Shelli Stevens' new story--HIS TO RECLAIM--in SEXY BEAST VII!!

Release Date: September 2009
Publisher: Kensington Aphrodisia
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Length: Novella

Five years ago Gemma gave her heart and soul to a fellow werejaguar only to have him disappear. Now Hunter has come back and kidnapped her on her wedding day in order to make her his again, and he will tempt, tease and taunt her body to the heights of hedonistic pleasure to get exactly what he wants…Big and bold, primal and powerful, these men have a seductive sensuality that no woman can resist.

EXCERPT
“Gemma!” The shrill scream pierced through the woods, filtering past the aged walls of the log cabin. “Oh my God! I can’t believe this. Gemma!”

The sound of feet pounding down the path mingled with the alarmed whimpers and short breaths of the approaching woman.

Gemma’s fingers clenched around the brush in her hand, her pulse quickening as she turned to face the door. Was it too much to hope that it was nothing more than the caterer having encountered a problem?

The door flung open, smashing into the wall. Her younger cousin Megan stepped into the room, eyes wild with panic.

“He’s really coming.”

They were just three words, but they were enough. The brush dropped from Gemma’s hand, and her body went numb with shock.

This was really happening…. No! The room spun and she gripped the vanity table to keep from falling to her knees. No. Was he insane?

“There’s no time.” Megan closed the door, hands shaking. “Shift and then run. Run fast. It’s the only way you can possibly escape him.”

“How far away is he?” Gemma’s voice came out remarkably calm as she fumbled to undo the buttons on her wedding dress.

The cold fear began to subside, and a hot burn of rage blazed through her. How dare he? After five years, how dare he?

Megan grabbed her arm and tugged her toward the door. “A mile. Maybe. And he’s not alone, Gemma. He’s brought friends. You must hurry! There’s no time to change out of your dress. Run, and I’ll find Jeffrey and tell him what’s happened.”

“My dress will be ruined during transition—”

Crash!

The door broke in half, and splinters of wood shot into the interior of the cabin like tiny missiles.

Heart in her throat, Gemma retreated, her body trembling as she stared at the man who now filled the doorway.

The man who’d just made good on the appallingly dark promise he’d made just days ago in an e-mail. She’d been half convinced it was a joke—someone toying with her heart—and had told Megan as much.

But it wasn’t a joke. The proof was standing in front of her eyes. Maybe a couple of years ago she would have wished for this, but not now. Dammit, not now!

Sweat clung to the hard muscles of Hunter’s nude body—it was clear he’d just shifted back to human form. A familiar heat crept through her body, and she hardened her jaw, refusing to acknowledge it. The same way she’d refused to acknowledge it for the last five years.

It was hard not to, though, with his dark hair and tan body. He was tall and broad, a mass of muscles and ridges.
Her gaze dropped, and her cheeks burned hot. She swallowed hard, unable to tear her gaze from his hard thighs and the thick cock that rested between them.

The blood raged through her veins, and she closed her eyes to count to ten. When she opened them again, her gaze was firmly back to his face, unwilling to let her eyes shift any lower than his shoulders this time, for that would be a guaranteed diversion from finding a way out of this situation.

Unfortunately, five years had done nothing but enhance Hunter’s raw sex appeal.

His eyes, burning like dark blue crystals, met hers. And like the devil come to collect his due, he advanced into the room, his face a mask of fierce determination.

Oh, God. She needed to act. Now. Swallowing against the thickness in her throat, Gemma glanced around the room, looking for anything that might be used as a weapon. She grabbed the chair from her vanity table and lifted it above her head with a grunt.

Hunter lunged forward and knocked it from her grasp, sending it crashing to the ground behind her. Before she could draw in a startled breath, he’d circled her wrists with one of his massive hands and pulled her body firmly against the rock hard wall of his chest.

“No!” She growled and lifted her knee to tag him in the groin, but he blocked the shot.

Instead, he pulled her tighter against him and forced his thigh between hers. His thick cock brushed her hip and she stilled, barely able to breathe as her heart slammed against her ribcage.

His soft laugh feathered warmth against her cheek. “You should have listened to your cousin, angel.” He leaned forward and said softly against her ear, “You should have run.”

Pictures! (Like I promised)

2009-08-24T10:33:00.001-07:00

These are from Friday night at the Powell's book club event.

Me signing books.

Me with raffle basket winner, Mary Oldham.

And this one is me with some of the Rose City Romance Authors.

So after Friday night's event I think I'm glad I'm having the vocal surgery. I talked more than I probably should have, but not more than any normal person. However, I was hating life later that night and the next day. My throat hurt, my voice sounded awful and the whole thing just reinforced my decision to get to the bottom of my vocal problem. I can't go through life with this voice--not if I ever plan to talk to anyone.

In other news...last night I had an epiphany on the wip! I don't plot books out ahead of time...I sort of write into the mist, as I call it. But last night the ending came to me, which is SUCH a relief because I've been starting to stress on how I'm going to work this one out. I love it when solutions just pop into my brain like magic.

I'll probably be off-line a good portion of tomorrow while I'm having my surgery, but I'll be back on Wed. to let you all know how it went. In the meantime...anyone have any good book recommendations for me? I think I may need something to read during my recovery tomorrow night. Since I'm book-less right now (I finished The Madness of Lord Ian MacKenzie and loved it) and have to go out today anyway to run a few errands, I feel a book store stop in my near future.

Seduction, Powells and Hawaii

2009-08-22T16:03:00.001-07:00

Check it out...STOLEN SEDUCTION is available for preorder on Amazon, complete with cover image and everything!

Last night was the Powell's Cheeky Pages book club meeting. (Isn't that title just great!) They read STOLEN FURY for their August book and invited me to come up and be part of the discussion. I have to say, I was a little nervous - all those people having read the book! - but it was very fun. Of course, everyone loved it (how could they not?! LOL) and there were some very nice comments that ranged from "This was better than the Nora Roberts book we read last month," to "This needs to be made into a movie, to "You totally stumped me with the villain."

And thanks to all who gave me SWAG suggestions! Since the book club read STOLEN FURY, I put together goodie bags for everyone that included 1st chapter sample books of STOLEN HEAT, bookmarks and chocolate. During the meeting we had a trivia session where I handed out prizes to winners, and at the end I raffled off a treasure hunt gift basket. My good friend Lisa took pictures, so when I get them from her, I'll post them here for you to see.

I also got some great feedback that will help with my upcoming paranormal series...mainly, readers suggested a glossary for non-English terms would be helpful and that they want a teaser preview for what's coming up in the next book in the series. I will, of course, mention these to my publisher, but final say on adding items like this is up to them, not me.

On September 18th I'll be back up at Powell's for their Fall Romance Event where many Pacific Northwest romance authors gather to sign books and conduct a Q&A session. If you're in the area, you should stop by and check it out. It's a fun event.

And before I forget, I have to mention the book I'm reading now. THE MADNESS of LORD IAN MACKENZIE. I've never really been a huge fan of historicals, but the premise for this book - a hero with aspergers autism - really intrigued me. And I'm so glad I picked it up. I am LOVING this book! Jennifer Ashley writes a to-die-for hero. If you like historicals (or even if you've never read one before) you should definitely give this one a try.

Now I must get back to the kitchen. Tomorrow we're hosting a big bbq and there's still lots to do. I haven't cooked this much since...well, I can't remember when! But it should be fun. We're doing a Hawaiian Luau bbq with lots of yummy food. It's definitely putting me in the mood to travel to the islands.

Aloha for now!