OOTB Spotlight: Once Upon Stilettos

When we left Katie Chandler at the end of Enchanted, Inc., she had helped her new employers, Magic, Spells, and Illusions, Inc. defeat Phelan Idris, a rogue wizard intent on stealing spells. By her side, and leading the battle, was hunky wizard Owen. Katie and Owen are still fighting their attraction to each other in Shanna Swendson’s hilarious and charming sequel Once Upon Stilettos, but first they have to track down a corporate spy before the company dissolves into paranoia. Then at the worst possible time, Katie's immunity to magic goes on the blink. At least she's having better luck in her social life, with men falling at her feet everywhere she goes. Has she really become that irresistible, or is it the new red shoes she felt compelled to buy? Polish your fairy wings, put on your magic shoes, click your heels three times, and join Shanna Swendson for a romantic romp amidst fairies, goblins, wizards and gargoyles.

I bought Once Upon Stilettos on Wednesday (as Tuesday was rainy and yucky, and I try not to drive in rain and yuck any more than necessary, i. e., work). I also picked up Four and Twenty Blackbirds by Cherie Priest and Animal Instincts by Gena Showalter.

Thank goodness I get paid on Monday because there are 2 more books on my To Buy list: I Did (But I Wouldn't Now) by Cara Lockwood and Midnight Secrets by Jennifer St. Giles. (I want Liz Allison's A Girls Guide to NASCAR but I'm holding out a slim hope that I'll win a free copy. I never win anything so I should just go ahead and put it on my To Buy list.) Thank goodness for that Borders 30% off coupon too!!

Wenworth Miller is My T. V. Boyfriend

I swear, I love Prison Break. I really liked the show before its hiatus but now, I am thoroughly hooked. Not convinced? I offer 3 words: Michael, Linc, T-Bag. (I love to hate T-Bag.) Still not convinced?

Well, my pictures aren't showing up (thanks Blogger!) but trust me when I say you have gotta watch this show!! Monday nights at 8 pm on Fox.

Cut That Hair Right Outta Your Face

There is nothing like the feeling of a new haircut. Okay, I take that back, but new haircuts feel damn good (at least until the 'growing out' phase which is a whole 'nother blog topic).

My last haircut was in December. I normally ask the stylist to part it down the middle and give me a blunt cut. I wasn't too impressed with my last haircut which I should technically call a trim although my previous haircut before that had been a year earlier (clear as mud??). Anyway, I decided to do something different with my hair this time around. What did I go for? Reese Witherspoon from Sweet Home Alabama.

Now, I'm in no way as cute as Reese, nor is my hair as thick as hers. Then again, I don't have professional stylists lounging around my house just waiting (waiting) to make me look good. (I'd settle for a maid waiting to make my house look good; life with a toddler just doesn't leave time for actual pretty, girly-ness, (or house cleaning) but again, other blog topics.)

Overall, I'm pretty pleased with the cut despite the hair products the stylist gooped on me. I haven't used hair spray regularly since 1993!

Let's hope I can maintain it, or at least give maintaining the old college try!!

Fangirl Squeal

Every now and then, my inner fangirl comes out and squeals. Right now, I'm squealing over Liz Alison.

You may not know this about me but I love NASCAR. Actually, I'll amend that statement - I used to be obsessed with NASCAR. I blame the stupid boy I dated in high school (not that he was stupid because he loved NASCAR; he was stupid in general). While my dad and brother were Dale Earnhardt fans, Ex-Boyfriend was a Davey Allison fan. Since I didn't like Earnhardt, I cheered for Davey Allison.

Those years were what I consider the golden years of NASCAR; were my father alive, he'd argue with me, I'm sure. That's okay -- he, my brother, Earnhardt, Alan Kulwicki and Davey Allison are probably discussing racing right now, and lovin' every minute of it. I won't blather on about my theories here since, well, I know a lot about NASCAR and racing. My brother and I even plotted a NASCAR book which I will one day actually write instead of dreaming about.

{Back to the squealing and away from the depressing thoughts}

So imagine my squeals when I remember Liz's book The Girls' Guide to NASCAR is to be released May 1st! And that Liz will be co-authoring 3 Harlequin NASCAR series books to be released in 2007!! And that Liz has a blog!!!

Arm Twisting Works!!

Since Mel Francis and Jaci Burton (and Diana P) are twisting my arm (and 'cause I can't keep it from sequealing it all over the place) -- I sold!

Both of my super secret pen names to Forbidden Publications. One is a futuristic, one is erotic. (I know, the girl who can't write sex scenes suddenly can!)

I am beyond excited!!! Now I've just got to keep on writing...and sell something else!!!

Trends

Literary agent Kristin Nelson gives a 'heads up' from her NYC editor meetings as to what's hot right now. If you guessed erotica and urban fantasy, you're right!

Watching trends in the writing world is interesting. When I first because serious with writing last May, paranormals were all the rage. Not to say they're dying out, but apprently publishers aren't snatching them up as they once were (so says blog gossip). The same goes for chick lit. Writing trends, like fashion trends, come in cycles. While erotica is hot right now, will it be in 5 years? *shrugs* Who's to say. Right now, I'm going to write what my Muse feels like writing (which could be obsessed vampires, brooding aliens, regretful Southern co-eds, band geeks, dirt track hotties, nooners, crazy Southern grannies, or any other idea floating around in my wee little brain).

Does that mean something I'm writing may never sell? Of course. Would I be crushed if that happened? Can I get a 'hell yeah?' But that's the business part of this world. While rejection is a hard pill to swallow, it's a necessary evil. I have a dream agency (doesn't everyone?) -- if the dream agency rejects me, well, I'll be devestated for a few days. I may even cry about it. But in the bottom of my heart (the part that's not breaking from rejection), I know I've got to get back on the horse and continue to write. I'm determined to succeed, and that determination (though sometimes rattled by Writer ADD) will be with me for the long haul.

You Take The Good, You Take The Bad....

The Good:
* sent partial of sci-fi romance/suspense to e-publisher
* sent novella to e-publishers

The Bad:
* gotta finish sci-fi romance/suspense 'cause I re-read it, and it's crap
* fingernail biting and chocolate munching begins

Other than that, I'm peachy!!

OOTB Spotlight: Parallel Attraction

This, my friends, is one book you absolutely must get. If you don't believe me on any other book I recommend, I'll forgive you if you buy Parallel Attraction.

It has been years since exiled alien king Jared Bennett thought of anything other than his people's fight for freedom. Now his rebel force has the one weapon that can turn the tide against their enemy: the key to the secrets of time. Victory has never been closer-but one woman has the power to change everything.

Kelsey Wells can't deny that there is something unearthly about her fierce attraction to Jared Bennett. His revelations about alien wars and time travel can't possibly be fact-yet with every seductive touch, every searing kiss, Kelsey circles closer to the truth: that although Jared is exactly what he says, he hasn't told her everything. And when the future crashes into the present, Kelsey must decide if his deception will cost them the love that should have been their destiny.

I have been waiting (w-a-i-t-i-n-g, I say) for this book since Deidre announced the sale. I'm squealing right now just thinking about it! (On the inside, natch, since I'm at work.) And Parallel Heat....oh, it's just too good!!

Last Chance Available

What happens when a Tarot readers meets a skeptical cowboy? A wild ride.

Susan Pell escaped from a nasty relationship and found peace living alone (if you don't count the two match-making ghosts who are the original owners). Just when she decides to enter the dating pool again, in walks Max Lancaster, a sexy cowboy who happens to be her neighbor. Max has been given a free reading in the hopes that Susan will be able to predict his future. The attraction between them is instant, but his obvious disgust with her profession makes Susan want to have her way with him then strangle him for being such a close-minded fool. No matter that the ghosts say he's the one, Susan's not buying it. Avoiding him doesn't help, nor does dating someone else. When Susan vows to forget him, fate (with a little help from the ghosts) take matters into their own hands.

A wonderful novella I had the pleasure of editing for Kit Wylde. Available now at Freya's Bower.