Vixenwriter

Sent the next round of edits back to my editor for Sleight of Hand. I’m not a big novella writer but I can see doing another in this universe because I like the characters.

Yesterday, a friend told me she loved my heroines, which is really high praise. They’re not typical at all and so sometimes I find myself having to make explanations for them. They’ve got smart mouths a lot. Sarcasm is not something you see often in romance novels. But I can’t help it. I suppose it’s because my characters have a bit of me in them. I know, you’re all shocked to hear I’m sarcastic, and all. But I like that. I like that they carry a part of me.

I bring this up because there’s a scene in SOH where Lissie and Stryker are having a discussion and she looks back over her shoulder at him and says, “hardy har har” about something. My editor hates this but it’s totally something she’d say (Lissie that is). In another scene she’s thinking about him and uses “heh” at the end of her thought. My editor says that makes her sound weak, but it’s not that kind of heh, it’s the sex heh, you know the one.

Anyway, it’s always good to have to explain yourself to an editor, it makes you a better writer. Because if you can’t explain yourself, she’s right, LOL.

My most wonderful personal genius, Frauke, has designed a gorgeous newsletter template for me that mirrors my website and this blog. Far be it from me to eschew such loveliness for the plain text of yahoo.

SO! at my website, on the home page, you’ll see a new option to subscribe and I’ll mail it out to the same list, the same rules apply (as in I won’t share your email address with anyone or spam you with unwanted crap), only you’ll get a pretty newsletter that can be bulleted and bolded and underlined, with pictures and graphics.

Anyway, look for it starting with this month’s newsletter. All of my current subscribers are already subscribed. And remember, there’s a cool contest going on for all new subscribers of my newsletter as well as opportunities to enter in each month’s newsletter as well!

So SOH is releasing in seventeen days. Pretty cool huh? I’ve got an excerpt up at my website so check it out. I’ll also be doing a whole lot of chatting this month. I know, those of you who know me are totally shocked that I’ll be talking a lot. Cause I’m so shy and quiet. Snort.

Anyway, let’s see: I’ll be doing a Loose Id Author’s Chat at Romance Junkies at 6 pm pacific/9 eastern on Monday February 13.

Then I’m having a Love’s Hangover loop party at my loop on February 15 all day long. Come by for sneak peek excerpts, prizes and chat!

Rachel Carrington and I are hosting a Loop Party at Writer’s Red Room on Monday February 20.

Then I’ll be chatting with other EC authors (Ann Jacobs, Eve Lilas, Lauren Dane, NJ Walters, Patrice Michelle, and Sylvia Day) at Romance Divas at 6 pm pacific/9 eastern so please come on out!

And the montly EC Writerspace chat is on Monday February 27 at 5 pm pacific/8 eastern. This is always a fun chat with prizes and info on upcoming books from your favorite EC authors.

And on February 28, Sleight of Hand releases! I’ll be hanging out at my loop and at the Whispers reader loop for some launch day festivities.

Jaynie has taken up this topic at her blog before and I think it’s a topic worthy of discussion from several perspectives - Contests and prizes not being open to readers outside the US.

Here’s the deal: I like to run contests. They’re fun and they’re a way for me to say thank you to my readers. I don’t think of those readers as greedy for wanting to win stuff. Who doesn’t want to win free stuff for goodness’ sake?

The attitude of some authors who refuse to open contests to readers outside the US is not something I understand at all. In the first place, it’s not like I spend millions of dollars on contests all the time anyway. In the second place, the chances that folks from outside the US will win contests on such a regular basis that it somehow breaks my postage budget are next to nil.

But the most important part is that it says on my part: “I don’t give a crap about you if you don’t live in the US. You are nothing more than a promotional opportunity for me so if you don’t live in the US, you don’t count.” And uh, there’s no way I’d say that even if I did think it, which I don’t.

It seems terribly self destructive to treat readers poorly. After all where would we be without them? I like my readers and I like that I send packages to Puerto Rico and Canada and Germany and Australia. I like that those international readers make the effort to read my stuff.

Contests are fun. They say, “thanks for being a fan!” so when you say, US ONLY, you’re saying in effect that you don’t care about readers who aren’t convenient for you. Tsk.

Other voices on this issue: Alison Kent; PBW and Brenda Coulter (although I shouldn’t list her because she censors comments)

Finished the last bit of edits on the second Cascadia Wolves book, Tri Mates last night. After a blurb and a final lookover, I sent it to my editor. I’m always relieved when I hit send and a finished book goes off to find a home somewhere!

Here’s a blurb: Werewolves mate for life. For every wolf, there’s a mate out there. So Tracy Warden is thrilled when she discovers Nick Lawrence, the sexy Enforcer for another Pack is her mate.

But sometimes, lucky wolves get to double dip in the form of the extremely rare Tri Mate Bond. And so it is when Tracy discovers that her Anchor bond with National Pack Mediator, Gabe Murphy is far more.

Suddenly Tracy finds herself with two Alpha males whose hunger for her never seems to wane. But their bliss is marred by the heavy hand of Warren Pellini and the werewolf mafia and his reach goes very high up indeed.

Money laundering, kidnapping, assault and other general mayhem can’t mar the intensity of their bond but it sure can threaten their lives.

Let’s see… a new review for Second Chances from Novelspot: Maîtresse says in part, “Lauren Dane takes her readers on a ride. It’s not quite an emotional roller coaster but there are definite highs and lows with some impish BDSM scenes including rope bondage, piercing and spanking, to name a few. I’d just as soon not reduce this to a quick abstract, and just let you readers follow Rori’s path to finding how to be comfortable inside herself. A definite must read not only for BDSM aficionados, but also for all those other sadder but wiser girls who are hopeful of Second Chances.” Thank you!!

And a new review for Triad from Sensual Romance: Barb says in part, “I LOVED THIS STORY. Triad was the first thing I had read of Lauren Dane’s and I so cannot wait to read more from this talented author. Triad, is hot, sexy and has the paranormal elements I love with witches and vampires. It has nontraditional sexualities with menage, Lee, Alex and Aidan are very strong individuals as well and in this case three is much better then two.

I know fans of romantica will love Lauren Dane’s Triad as much as I did and be clamoring for more.” thanks, Barb!!

Lisa Renee Jones is doing a class later this month: “I am holding a class next month.. its all the things I learned from newbie to NYC contract and in between doing author promo. Which sites are worth advertising on. Will a conference help? Best use of advertising money. How to take your group from 300 like one of my promo clients to 800 now…and so on…lots of stuff. I have also invited some guests like web people, and some review sites to talk about the cheapest best ways to get your books promoted.

This is a one time deal.

Feb 20-24th for 2 hours each night. First hour will be lecture on line. Second guest speaker and questions. During that week I am taking one on one questions too.
Hope you will join me!

If you are interested email me offlist or go to my journal for a link to the class blog. I will do this on a EXCLUSIVE yahoo group that will only exist for now until the class and only have activity during the class week.
Lisarenjones@aol.com

www.authorsredroom.com
www.lisareneejones.com - journal has the class info”

On your left in the green is my lovely friend, Christi. I met her online going on nine years ago now when we were both pregnant. It’s amazing how friendships can form like that. She lived in Texas at the time and I’m lucky enough now to have her up here in my neck of the woods.

People used to say “IRL” for in real life or, “RL” friends versus online friends. But you know, this group of friends I have that I met around that time and I have been through a heck of a lot over the years. Births, deaths, marriages, divorces, layoffs, dream jobs, etc. And they are my friends. I’ve met most of them face to face, spoken to them on the phone and pretty much have daily contact with them and have for many years.

My best girlfriend is someone I met online. Two of my very closest buddies are people I met online. The internet can make the world smaller for really good reasons.

She made me her grandma’s hummingbird cake for my birthday with homemade cream cheese frosting. I’m lucky, I tell you!

Phew, she says, flopping down on the couch! Finished Tri Mates and got it out to my beta readers. I’m quite happy with where it ended. As I’m a seat of the pantser I had more than one moment of, “uh, where to now?” but as it always does, while engaged in some mindless chore (washing dishes, taking a shower, playing spider solitare, listening to endless Pokemon facts) it came to me and resoved itself each time.

It’s a good thing I finished when I did because the edits for Sleight of Hand came in and I’ll be doing those this weekend.

It was my birthday yesterday, I ate three pieces of chocolate cake and I don’t feel guilty. My husband is the best.

I’m thrilled to say that last night’s BSG was back on track for the first time in three weeks. Although, hello, can we just see Jamie Bamber’s ass? The almost Starbuck/Apollo sex makes me edgy. Cause while Kara’s body is lovely and all, seriously, we have not had gratuitious Lee nekkid in several episodes. No tiny towel! I want more, people. Feed me!

Off to play my round of Burnout Revenge. enjoy your saturday.

Triad placed sixth in the 2005 P&E poll for best romance novel. Pretty cool huh!