Vixenwriter

Looking for something scorching hot to read? Check out Lisa Renee Jones’ newest release from Ellora’s Cave – Hurt So Good. I’ve never been disappointed in anything I’ve picked up with Lisa’s name on the cover.

Kelly Marshall is all work and no play, which has left her with only dreams—visions filled with erotic images. But fantasy becomes reality when she accompanies a friend to a trendy Manhattan bar and meets Mark—a man hot enough to fulfill all those nighttime fantasies.

After spending one incredible night with Mark, Kelly slips away without leaving a way for Mark to reach her.

Kelly’s erotic dreams continue—only now they feature Mark, a man who isn’t so easily dismissed. But soon she will face him again and this time Mark won’t allow her to escape because he plans to win one hot night after the next.

You know, I do love my husband so very much. He’s such a sweetie and so good to me and generally together and a great dad and he brings me home presents and all of that stuff that makes me smile to myself all day long. But once the man is asleep, that all goes out the window with the snoring. Grrr! I love him but the snoring makes me want to put a pillow over his face. And all of my children snore when they’re very tired too. Lovely.

On a brighter note, I got a FIVE star review for Second Chances at Ecataromance “Lauren Dane is and extremely talented and creative author. She has out done herself, with Second Chances. Second Chances is emotionally powerful. This story is sensually captivating, erotically pleasing but also deeply moving and emotional. It will spell bind you and endear you to its characters. If you, like me, love reading a story that is spine tingling with a shocking twist, and an ending that you could not ever imagine, then this book is a must read, you will NOT be disappointed.”

And Nannette at Joyfully Reviewed gave Triad an excellent review calling it “Explosive”: “This story has it all! There is action, drama, interesting characters, an electrifying story line and hot passionate sex. Best of all, Triad is a truly beautiful and sensual story. With Triad, Book 1 in the Witches Knot Series, Ms. Dane has written an explosive beginning to a truly enchanting series!”

Thanks, Di and Nannette!

Oh and writing – got an email from my editor, they’ve approved my series title as Cascadia Wolves but there’s a minor change to the title of the first book and it’s just “Enforcer” now instead of “the” Enforcer. Shrug. Okay, no big. Comparing the ease of this to the five month back and forth for the series title of my Charvez Witch books, this is cake and I’m quite happy.

And on the topic of Cascadia Wolves (wow, cool segue!), I’m getting into The Rebel or Rebel (although I may call it something else) now. I was talking to my husband about negotiations and as I was blathering about it all, an idea came to me about how the three characters would meet and who that third would be. At first I’d thought that one of Tracy’s men would be a vampire but the more I thought about it, the more I realized I’d have to write around it instead of being able to use it. So they’re all three werewolves (yes, I know, it makes me giggle too) but there’s a nice twist and the werewolf mafia is back in this one. Hee!

I know that some writers look down their nose at us pantsers (as in seat of the pants) but I like writing this way. I like the process as this living thing that can totally change. Yeah, it’s not as organized as thorough plotting, but it works for me.

Off to get some chai. I’m going to be talking about a friend’s book that you should all read in just a bit.

I know I know, I already talked about Brokeback Mountain when I heard about the movie a while back but really, how much can one talk about Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhall kissing until it gets old? I haven’t hit that point yet, I’ll let you know if it ever happens.

But okay, a different angle to the Brokeback Mountain issue is that my husband won two free passes to an advance screening and so my Pearl Jam buddy and I are totally going and I promise to give you all my review the day after.

My other friend kept referring to it as Bareback Mountain but I had to tell her that I think that is a different kind of gay cowboy movie. Heh.

The new weekly theme is going up today at the Writerbabes blog along with a new contest. Don’t forget to check it out.

More later on the next Cascadia Wolves book but I need to grab some more tea. I’ll leave you all to ruminate on Heath and Jake, smooching up a storm.

I just heard from my editor this morning and they’ve contacted Cascadia Wolves: The Enforcer! I’m really excited about this, I do so love this book and these characters and she says she *loved* it, which makes me grin because really, making my editor happy pleases me to no end.

I don’t have any info about release dates or anything at this point, I have to get the contract in and signed, etc. But I’ll continue to update as I go.

What a day yesterday! We took our family to my lovely friend, Christi’s house for the day. It was every bit as wonderful as I’d imagined it would be. Christi and her husband are warm hosts, their home is welcoming and comfortable (oh and also, looks like it should be in a magazine) and another old and dear friend was there too which was the icing.

Consumed some magnificent wine, ate yummy food, had great conversation with old friends and new. Christi showed my book to everyone who walked in the door, which made me laugh but was very sweet.

The kids were pretty well behaved. Before we left my husband lined them up and said, “okay, we are NOT going to be the Simpsons going over to the Flanders’!” and for the most part we weren’t. The four year old however, is like one of those little dogs that doesn’t realize he’s not a great dane and tried to be an alpha kid which led to some fights and a bit of separation from the other kids for a while. The baby spent her time being cute and swiping stuff off my plate and my oldest just played Sly Cooper all day.

It was a lovely day and it was a perfect reminder of just how fortunate I am in that my greatest reasons to be thankful are my friends and family (and some pie)

So I’m out of sugar. I could go to the market and get some but I’d have to wake the baby up, bundle her and my 4 year old up and me too and trudge up there in the dense fog and eh, I’d rather complain about it in the warmth of my house.

Writing. I am, I swear. I’m still editing WK, tweaking it and hopefully improving it. I’ve gotten into the next Cascadia Wolves book, The Rebel. This is Tracy’s story and she gets a menage. Why? Well, why not I say! Actually, this ties in some stuff I set up in The Enforcer. She gets a werewolf and a vampire. Because I’m all about sharing the love.

I made the mistake of watching television and caught part of this reality show about Danny Bonaduce. What is up with this show? I felt dirty after finally managing to change the channel. It’s worse than a normal trainwreck type of reality show. There’s some major trouble happening, substance abuse, physical and mental abuse, potential infidelity and confessed past infidelity. And all of this seems to be televised in their counseling sessions. It was disturbing and it makes me wonder about the ethics of a counselor who’d let all of that be on television. I’m all for the shaudenfraude of reality television but there are children involved here and real serious stuff like steroids and all sorts of major anger issues. Ick! Danny Partridge has big big issues.

Oh and I have won the Nigerian lottery and my penis can be larger so I can “Get the Chix!” Woo! Thank goodness for the internet. Rich and a big penis.

Sorry to those of you who don’t share my deep love of Missy Elliot, I’ve been listening to Under Construction while editing lately.

Anyway, what’s happening with me? Hmm. Oh the next question for my Threes Contest is up at my website on the “goodies” page.

The newsletter has gone out so don’t forget to get those entries in for the Good Stuff.

I got the books out to those of you who won copies of Triad so expect to be seeing them sometime soon.

I finished Nora’s, The Black Rose. I love that the heroine was in her late 40’s and she and Mitch had a lot of chemistry but it often felt in the beginning 100 pages that the connection between them wasn’t utilized enough. I do love the backstory of the ghost and I’ll definitely be picking up the last book next month.

I have something even better though in my TBR pile, an ARC of Blood of the Damned by Anya Bast. Cause it pays to know secrets about other authors so they send you their books before publication, LOL! I can’t wait to get started on it.

Still editing. I’m getting into the next Cascadia Wolves book, which I like very much. Just cooking along.

The Dogs of LA – Part I
I’ve started this one in my newsletter and my husband suggested I bring it over here to share and so I will (cause he’s smart that way). The Dogs of LA is a soap opera about Los Angeles and a big important family and the lives of its sons. Only the family are werewolves. Sort of like Dallas or Knots Landing with fur and better sex. So, without further ado…

Los Angeles – where rock stars stand in line at Starbucks with wanna
be actors and dog trainers. In the midst of the grit and glamour
people live their lives. They eat the best tacos in the country off
trucks in parking lots, banks get robbed, music videos get made and
kids go to elementary school.

And the Delacourte Clan rules. The biggest werewolf pack in the
United States is ruled with the iron fist of its Alpha, Marius
Delacourte. His sons are legion and include CEO’s, a tailor, an FBI
agent, a hoodlum, a chef and a musician.

Part I begins with Gabriel, the second oldest son and the musician
of the family…

Gabriel Delacourte looked out the smoky windows of the limousine. The lights of the marquees on Sunset were muted through the darkened tint but still bright enough to signal the vibrant energy of the long strip of clubs, businesses and restaurants. Humans packed the sidewalks.

Even though he was on his way to see the most magnificent looking female to ever walk the earth, he couldn’t help but admire the long legs and short skirts out there in the evening.

Soon they left the bright lights as they ascended into the hills overlooking the city. Petra’s drive was long and winding and she was standing in her large double doorway wearing a smirk and very little else.

“Pet.” Gabriel unfolded his long body as he stepped out of the limo.

“Gabriel. I do think I’ve insisted you not call me that. And I also think I told you not to bother to bring your mangy ass up here anymore.”

Petra Cassidy was easily six feet tall with caramel colored hair that fell to her waist. She should have seemed masculine at such height but there was an air of female seduction around her. Her
light green eyes were almond shaped, lips curved in a perpetual half smile. She was truly the most beautiful thing Gabriel had ever laid eyes on. And he’d seen her naked and sweaty, too.

Only now, her eyes sparked with fury and her arms crossed just under her breasts, thrusting them up out of the very low cut camisole she had on.

“You have to let me explain.” He kept his voice reasonable. He knew if he could get inside and explain, she’d forgive him.

“No. No, I don’t Gabriel. I’ll let you live, but only because the Alpha says I have to. But you can take that cocksure smile and that big dog swagger right back down that hill.”

“You spoke with my father?”

“Yes, yes I did. I did when you fell off the face of the earth for three weeks and didn’t call and I thought you’d been killed. Turns out you were just in Venice. Too bad you couldn’t be bothered to call. Now, get out of here before I forget my promise and rip you to shreds.” With that, she leveled a glare at him that froze his guts and spun, sauntering back into the house, slamming the door behind her.

“Shit.” Gabriel kicked the dirt and stalked up to the door. “Come on! Petra, let me explain!” he yelled as he pounded on the door.

But there was nothing except for after a few minutes, all of the exterior lights were turned off. Not that he needed them to see, but he realized then, the true depth of the hole he’d dug himself into.

My Smooch scene from A Touch of Fae won the Ecataromance Smooch of the Month! Thanks to everyone who voted for me. I’ll post the scene here later this weekend.

And my delightful husband unit suggested that I put up the soap opera that I’ve started writing in my newsletter here at the blog after I post it in the newsletter. And I think that’s a fine idea. So look for that too!

Woooot! I dodged the turkey bullet! So some of you already know this but there are few things in life that intimidate me and cooking turkey is one of them. I hate hate hate sticking my hand into the icky, frozen turkey cavity (and ugh, is that the grossest way to put it or what?) to pull out the bag of turkey innards. Shudder. I hate never knowing how much to buy, I hate the whole thawing process and how much time it takes to cook and the entire thermometer process too. I mean, WTF? But as I am the only one in my immediate family who likes ham, it’s turkey on Thanksgiving and I hate it. My mom always made it look so easy too, getting up at O Dark thirty to start cooking. She never looked daunted by the turkey innard grab. But my mom can lay a concrete sidewalk, sod and build a six feet high wooden fence without much consternation too. (and she toll paints, sheesh)

BUT, my lovely friend Christi has saved the day and allowed me to remain a coward for another year by inviting me and my motley band of monsters to her house for the day with some of our other friends. Yay~! I’m sure it’ll be lovely, she’s one of those people who has the perfect house for entertaining and is just an overall wonderful person with the cutest Texas accent ever. Plus, her son has a snake and a tarantula so my boys are in heaven.

Laguna Beach, my terrible crack TV addiction is over for the season. The final episode had to be one of the most anti-climactic episodes ever. In short, it was lame. Lots of weeping and hugging and moving to LA. And I just want to say, I grew up in LA and Laguna Beach is not like 19 hours away for god’s sake! It’s just up the road a bit and it’s not like these people live across the country but you’d have thought they were heading to Peru or something as they drove off, weeping in their seventy thousand dollar SUVs. No fights, no stupid attempts at wisdom by LC but wait, she’s getting her own show called, “The Hills.” Ugh. I am in pain at the thought. There is only one character less interesting on the show and that’s Big Face Dieter and because he’s LC’s guy BFF, I’m guessing we’ll have to seem him too.

Oh, gotta go, the baby is eating crayons. See what a superior vision of motherhood I am? Turkey phobic and a crayon eating enabler. Sigh.