Vixenwriter

As promised - all the boy butter you can handle! I’m in the back row with the black dress on between the guy with the nipple ring (mmmmm) and the big pec dude with the big, er, smile. Megan is the one doing the devil horns and Anya is on the far left. Leigha is in the last row in the purple. She’s got James Dean AND the pirate which is why she’s grinning like a fool.

The Thunder from Down Under is worth every penny. We had a total blast!

I just love that word! Anyway, I’m exhausted. Spent the last four days in Las Vegas with my buddies Megan Hart and Anya Bast and Leigha Richards and we had an absolute blast. I got a lot of great ideas for books and my picture taken with The Thunder From Down Under - Megan says she’s going to scan hers and I’ll be sure to post one here. If you are in Vegas, you need to go. Pirates with nipple rings and James Dean, ooooh!

A recharge to my creative batteries if there ever was one! I edited and sketched out plot and talked writing in the breeze in a hot tub and drinking coronas. Sang and danced, listened to great Irish music at the Nine Irishmen pub in the New York New York (what a cool place!). Saw the cheeziest show ever “Bite” which had vampire teeth, bare breasts, a “vampire lord”, people hanging from ropes and magic (it was my comment that all they needed were vampire poodles jumping through flaming hoops). It was so bad it was good.

Anyway, here’s a picture of Megan Hart (who just signed a three book deal with Harlequin Spice) on your left and me on the right (not bad for 2 am huh?).

And one of Anya - who was the belle of the ball and we had to beat the men off (heh, not like that!) with a stick.

Notice how she looks great even when she’s goofing off? Sigh. If she wasn’t so marvelous I’d hate her.

And one just before we headed out for an afternoon of serious, studious pursuits. Because we were so not drinking and going to see male strippers or anything.

From Left to right - Lauren Dane, Anya Bast, Megan Hart and Leigha Richards (a Mav in training).

There are more pictures and I definitely have more to say about Vegas and our trip in general but I have work to do for now so I’ll be off and comment more later!

Just heard from Angel at Romance Junkies and she gives Sleight of Hand4 1/2 ribbons!

She says in part: “SLEIGHT OF HAND is a wonderful book full ofadventure and erotic romance. This is the first book that I have readfrom Whispers Publishing and I will certainly be on the lookout formore of their books in the future. Lissie is one tough cookie andstands up to Xander on every hand. Xander is dominant but also has asensitive side that will make readers melt. The love scenes betweenthis couple are steamy so keep some ice handy. Xander’s mother as thevillain accents the plot. Lauren Dane has penned a wonderful storythat readers are sure to enjoy. Her creative writing will certainlyhave you searching for more of her books.”

Hee! Thanks, Angel!

And in fabulous news, Megan Hart, my buddy Sparkles, has just signed a three book deal with Harlequin Spice! I can’t think of anyone more deserving of this deal, she’s an amazing writer who has worked her ass off for this. And I’ve read Dirty, the first book and I have to tell you all it’s incredible book.

I’m off to Vegas for a few days to write and relax with my girlfriends. Behave yourselves while I’m gone!

xoxoxox
Lauren

So I finished my partial and my synopsis for Sword and Crown last night. You see, I’m a pantser. I don’t use outlines, I just put fingers to keys and let my muse take over. So this was a challenge for me.

It worked out well I think. Not well enough for me to actually outline on a regular basis, LOL, but well enough that it’ll definitely aid me in completing the book and I may use it with novellas, which are a different ballgame from novels.

Now I will show it to Anya Bast, who’s story will be linked to mine by a common universe. Her heroine is my heroine’s sister. Then I’ll send it off to my editor and wait to hear back. As it’s not slated to come out until next year, the pressure isn’t as great, which is nice.

It’s nice when I finish something. Makes me feel all accomplished and everything!

I got a note from a reader yesterday and she asked me, ever so nicely, if I could talk about the hard stuff that writers deal with. No, not the horror of edits or deadlines but the things that make us neurotic and crazy and depressed. She’s actually quite sweet so wish granted.

Last week, I had a full manuscript request with an agent. This is a big deal. I very much want to be represented, I want to break and write for NY as well as continue with ebooks.

But alas, the agent, while liking me and my voice, did not like the book. Now, the thing is, writers are already neurotic people. We’re needy and while we talk a good game about being used to rejection, don’t let us fool you. Being rejected sucks. It does. It’s not a trade secret or anything. But being rejected with a book that’s close to your heart and when you feel on the verge of the next big step? That really sucks.

I tried not to let it bother me but I couldn’t. So I wallowed. My husband brought home brownies and poured me a shot and cracked a corona for me right when he walked in the door. I cried in my bed and wallowed and freaked that it would never happen.

But the next day, I got up and back up on the horse (with the aid of a very encouraging email from the agent). Cause it’s what we do. If we don’t, we’re damned. Damned and lost and we’d most certainly never make it then. Still sucks, but you move forward and try to toughen up because rejection will happen again. It is part and parcel of the deal.

So there you go, Gail. A little scary insight into the neuroses of this particular writer.

Got a release date for Giving Chase!! June 27!! Wheee! Samhain has their shit together and they’re very on the ball and I really appreciate that. I’ve updated my website and I’ll be putting an excerpt up soon.

Wrote about hooks and blurbs and covers at the Writer Babes blog earlier today. Check it out, respond if you feel the whim. It’s always good for authors to know what inspires readers to pick up books from authors they’ve never heard of or books they aren’t sure about.

I’m reading J. R. Ward’s vampires. Dark Lover. Clever, unique twist on a vampire tale. I like her universe very much. Love the uber dominant vampire who is bad to the bone. The names of the characters? Not so much. Wrath I can deal with, but Phury? Rhage? Thorment? It pulls me out of the richness of the landscape each time I come across it on the page. I’m hoping to get used to it soon. I really like the heroine as well.

Watched Mr. and Mrs. Smith the other night. Dude. First of all, I don’t usually have a thing for blond men. I like dark hair and eyes but what is it about Brad Pitt anyway? Each time I think, “eh, I could take him or leave him” I see him in something and he makes me all tingly in my naughty bits. Doesn’t hurt that Angela has the same effect. The movie wasn’t what I expected. I like that actually. I rarely get surprised by anything anymore. It wasn’t stellar, but I was entertained. Maybe it was just me, but those love scenes looked pretty real to me.

Now I’m babbling. I need to make lunch and get back to my galley edits. Have a good Sunday!

Lauren

So I got my print galley for A Touch of Fae. It’s interesting to go back a year later and have the chance to edit a bit again. I have to restrain myself from getting too involved or I’d change loads of stuff and they’d be annoyed with me. But your writing changes and improves over time and it’s hard not to tweak it within an inch of its life.

It’s nice though, to read it again and remember all the reasons why I like Em and Con so much and it’s good to get me back in a Fae state of mind for Threat of Darkness, Jayce’s book.

Battlestar Galactica’s season finale was last night and OMG! SQUEE from the geeky girl. It was so good, so unexpected. I loved it and I can’t wait for next season, which unfortunately won’t start until October. It definitely redeemed itself from a few less than stellar episodes this season last night.

Right now I’m working on two projects, one I’m nearly finished with, a partial of a fantasy themed novella for EC called Sword and Crown and the other, a werewolf book that I won’t talk about too much because I don’t want to jinx it.

I love to write fantasy. It’s really fun and different, something new to challenge myself with. I hope this one turns out the way I’d like it to!

Okay, off for now. Have a lovely Saturday, everyone!

xoxx
Lauren

As you know, since I’ve blogged it, I’m one of the seven launch authors for Whispers. Sleight of Hand released last week on opening day with the Tawny Stokes’, Hot Gossip . Tawny is the saucy alter ego of that minx, Vivi Anna. So I wanted you all to see a snippet of her novella because it’s really hot and a great read!

After a quick nap, a long shower, a slathering of cocoa butter and strategically placed perfume, Makayla sashayed into the hotel’s bar with a mission. She wore black leather pants with fashionably enhanced hips and a low cut sweater twin set that displayed more fashionably enhanced products like the triple click cleavage bra. God bless Victoria’s Secret.

Makayla quickly scanned the crowd but didn’t see Ethan. She took a stool at the bar and ordered a Pink Lady. As she took a sip, she stared at herself in the facing mirrored wall behind the counter. She ran a hand through her hair and fluffed it up. After trailing her tongue over her plump painted lips, she winked at herself. No man could resist her. She was a temptress, a seductress. An old star harlot like Brigitte Bardo. Ethan didn’t have a chance.

But what then? She’d entice him, flirt with him, ply him with drinks, and then what? She didn’t have a clue. She obviously didn’t think that far ahead. Would she actually step over the line of journalist ethics–yes, she had a line–and sleep with him for a story?

The moment she spotted Ethan in the mirror as he walked into the bar and sat down at a table, all the blood rushed from her head down to her crotch. He looked absolutely edible in his soft blue chambray shirt and tan Chinos. His hair was parted and slick to the side. It still looked wet as if he had just stepped out of the shower.

Makayla swallowed the saliva pooling in her mouth as she thought of him just stepping out of the stall, his body slick and wet, the fresh scent of soap on his hard flesh, and a sexy playful grin on his chiseled face.

She felt little quivers of desire in her thighs and a quickening of things in between. Yes, she might just cross that line.

Taking another sip of her drink, she tried to compose herself. She was a professional and this was her assignment. Ethan Devane was just a story and nothing more.

After flipping back her hair, she swung around on the barstool, crossing her legs seductively as she did. She pretended to scan the crowd, a look of boredom etched on her face. At least, she hoped it was boredom and not pent-up sexual frustration.

It was getting more and more difficult to reign in her lust with Ethan so near. He was like a pheromone nuclear bomb. No one within a twenty-mile radius was safe from the hormonal fall-out.

As her gaze moved over his table, she was caught in his piercing blue laser sighting. She felt her heart skip a beat as a smile slowly spread across his perfectly structured face. Those damn dimples winked at her again. She licked her lips, afraid that drool had escaped past them. His smile broadened as he probably thought her tongue made an appearance just for him. So what if he was right.

Makayla breathed deeply and pulled away from his entrancing stare to return her gaze safely back to her drink. She took another sip and turned back on her stool. Contact made. Now she would wait and see if he answered the call.

First of all, I write this as the new Pearl Jam single is playing. Worldwide Suicide available for FREE download at their website for their fans. Ahhh. I like it. No, I love it. Ed’s voice sounds marvelous and I’m digging the hook. Yes, up front I am a fan, a big fan and I’ll be buying the new CD when it drops on May 2. Sadly I won’t be doing any of the first tour dates on the East Coast in May though, le sigh, they need to give a girl a bit more notice.

In actual writing news (shocking!) I sent my contract off today for Sudden Desire. Why yes, a new title in less than two days. I am happy enough with it. Not as happy as I was with Unexpected but you can’t always get what you want and fer cripes’ sake, I just sold a book so I need to not complain (not that I will you see, but I know I should)

I got back to work on my fantasy themed, Sword and Crown last night. The ever wonderful Anya Bast and I are linking our stories, a first for me. This is for a tarot themed series Ellora’s Cave is doing next year. My book/novella is themed on the Queen of Swords. I’d felt really stuck but I cut some stuff and took some suggestions that Anya gave me and last night I moved around some text cut some backstory and it’s much smoother now. In any case, I’ve almost got enough to send my proposal to my editor, which will be a relief (to Anya too, I’d wager)

Thankful Thursday:

• Selling another book! There are days when I wonder if I can keep this up, if the successes before are a fluke and then something happens to let me know this is real and if I keep working I can do it long term. This makes me very happy and very very grateful.
• Great reviews for Sleight of Hand.
• A most wonderful husband who loves me and takes care of me and puts up with me when I’m editing.
• Happy and healthy kids
• Friends. I am the luckiest woman in the world in my friends.
• Snow. It’s snowing here today. It won’t stick or last but it’s so beautiful.
• Great books. I’ve read several excellent books recently (and blogged on them)
• Perhaps an agent
• The perfect little black dress
• Vegas

That’s it for now. A good list, if I do say so myself.

So the wonderfully clever bitches over at Smart Bitches Who Love Trashy Novels (a daily read) caught the completely asstastic words spoken by Bill Napoli, a republican senator from South Dakota in response to his idea of an exception to the anti abortion law just passed there. He says:

A real-life description to me would be a rape victim, brutally raped, savaged. The girl was a virgin. She was religious. She planned on saving her virginity until she was married. She was brutalized and raped, sodomized as bad as you can possibly make it, and is impregnated. I mean, that girl could be so messed up, physically and psychologically, that carrying that child could very well
threaten her life.

Because you know, if you’re raped, you are meaningless and a horrible slut unless you’re a virgin saving herself for marriage who goes to church.

Doesn’t matter where your feelings lie on the abortion issue here folks. This kind of statement sets women back a hundred years. It sets up the idea that women’s lives are more or less valuable when it comes to a brutal crime depending on the presence of a thin membrane of skin and church. This is utter bullshit and it makes my skin crawl to hear a member of the US Senate saying something like this.

So in response to these utterly misognyistic words, the bitches came up with a wonderful idea. Which is to pick up the strategy of Dan Savage (see his definition of Santorum) and create one just for Bill Napoli. Go and check it out…

By the way, today is International Women’s Day. It seems fitting to post this today.