Vixenwriter

I’m just Postin’ Patty today. But I forgot to say that I will be at the first ever Samhain Author’s Day at the Sahmain Cafe tomorrow! The most wonderful Charli Teglia and I are holding down the noon eastern/9 am pacific hour but the day will be filled with much goodness so hang out!

Here’s the schedule - all times are eastern
9:00am Tilly Greene/N J Walters
10:00am Barbara Sheridan/Silvia Violet
11:00am Mackenzie McKade/Vicki Gaia
12 noon Lauren Dane/Charlene Teglia
1:00pm Kim Rees/Sasha White
2:00pm Jennie Andrus/Patricia Parkinson
3:00pm Maya Banks/Beth Williamson
4:00pm Bobbie Cole/Alexis Fleming
5:00pm Ally Blue/Ellen Fisher
6:00pm Annmarie McKenna/Tia Bangs
7:00pm Arianna Hart/Ingela Hyatt
8:00pm Bianca D’Arc/Anne Whitfield
9:00pm Elisa Adams/Meg Allison

Oh and a public service annoucement - have you ever used one of those “magic eraser” things? Dude, they are a tool of satan. They cannot work as well as they do. What are they? I LOVE them. They are the best thing to hit my cleaning arsenal since cloth diapers (which are just perfect for most every cleaning job)

Oh! Well apparently my blog is up in a poll for May Blog of the Month at Fallen Angel Reviews. If you’d like to throw your vote my way, that would be lovely. However, there are also three other very fine blogs in the running including Alison Kent’s, which is one of my favorites.

So Stella Cameron sort of talks about the difference between erotica and literary porn at the Running With Quills blog. It is my general impression that she’s knocking erotica/romantica but I’m not entirely sure and I read the darned thing three times. It sort of meanders.

But this paragraph is what gives me the perception - “And I’ll stoutly announce that while one story of pornography/erotica (Why don’t we drop “erotica” which is meant to soften the idea of pornography? Be proud of whatever skill you practice.)–anyway, I’ll argue that there will always be different levels of brilliance in any art form, but an ass is an ass . . . isn’t it?”

Uh, why don’t I call my books something they aren’t because you think I write porn? I am proud of the skills I practice. But creating porn isn’t one of them.

As to the point of the entry, I could totally be misreading it, but I enjoy the discussion, the thinking over this stuff, nonetheless.

BUT, the comments are definitely interesting and worth a read. I know I’ve talked about this before (several times). But I suppose it sort of ties in with the review stuff - it’s in the eye of the reader. To me, the difference between erotica and porn is quite obvious (although I have no beef with porn other than most of it being stupid, plotless and poorly made (Comstock Films being the BIG exception, their films are marvelous).

Anyway, I must say that I love Elizabeth Lowell now even more than I did before, which is hard to do because I think she’s fabulous.

Oh! The new Pearl Jam is so excellent I’ve just been listening to it over and over and over. Seriously, now I do love this band with all my little fangirl heart but this record is the best since No Code. As a unit, everything comes together so well. I can’t wait to see them live again (July 22nd, wooo!)

And the new Tool is amazing as well. Even better through headphones (as Tool always is, you miss so much through your stereo speakers). It hasn’t been since Sleater Kinney’s, The Woods came out that I’ve been so excited about new music.

I’m annoyed with Top Chef for their last cut. I won’t spoil it for those who haven’t seen it but man, they sent the wrong person home.

I took my middle child to get kindergarten registration paperwork yesterday. All this time I’ve been so excited about this but I did have a bittersweet moment when I realized that he was nearly five and it felt like I just gave birth to him last week. He’s so grown up. And then I got over it and thought, “Woo! Only three more years until she’s ready!” because I’m mother of the year, people.

I bought hello kitty tennis shoes for my daughter yesterday too. Because I can! (bwah!). I waited through the Star Wars and Spider Man and now I finally get to Hello Kitty and I’m going to let myself wallow in it, because I can only take so much gummy worm action and booger humor.

There’s a pretty interesting discussion of reviews going on in the Review thread below. You aren’t obligated to discuss of course but a lot of different points have come up and I thought it was too good to just hide in the comments.

Well, as interesting as the world of bizarre celebrity behavior and reality television is, I got back to writing last night. I’d had a bit of a block from stress and just I think being generally fried with the completion of several big projects. I panicked at first but my very wise husband said, “don’t let this not be a joyful thing. Just relax, read and watch tv and it’ll come back.”

And it did. Last night I got back to Sword and Crown, which I opened every day for the past week and a half and just stared at, unable to connect with Rhea at all. But last night I was able to see through her eyes again and I got some good work done. Whew!

This is good of course as I have a June 1 deadline for the whole manuscript and they named the series “Torrid Tarot” and are designing covers for the stories already contracted (that would be me). I can’t wait to see what they come up with. The Queen of Swords is such a great card!

While having this mini vacation I finished several books in my TBR pile:

Micah by LKH - here’s the thing, it got a 2 from Mrs. Giggles and I think that’s grossly unfair. Not because it was that wondeful of a book but it wasn’t a 2. It wasn’t a bad book, not really. It’s just that I get tired of Anita never growing. I do however like her men a lot and think they should all be MY harem.

Don’t Look Down by Jenny Crusie and Bob Mayer - I wrote a review of it a week back or so here. I liked it!

I re-read Lover Eternal by JR Ward. I have kinder feelings than I did the first time around. I really love JR Ward’s worldbuilding. I love the heroes (except for the hip hop speak, which grates - I don’t want to hear a 400 year old warrior vamp say “true dat” not ever). Some folks said they didn’t feel the chemistry between Mary and Rhage, I saw it. I like Rhage. I am REALLY looking forward to the next book because Zhadist and Bella had chemistry enough for twelve city blocks. And okay, so I have a weak spot for tortured heroes. I know some people have said she’s ripping off Kenyon but I don’t agree. Yes, there are similarities but you know what? Sherrilyn Kenyon is sort of the queen of paranormal romance fiction. It’s impossible not to have some similarities but truly, I think Ward did her own work. However, Mary drove me nuts! Everyone else, I dug.

Urban Shaman by CE Murphy - I quickly read this book last June but I re-read it this week and now I have to get the next one. Because it’s a wonderful book and rich in detail and imagery and a truly amazing heroine. If you haven’t read it yet, you should.

Movie wise - I finally saw the Village. It was entertaining. I know people like to hate on Shamalan but I was seriously creeped out and as I’m apparently the only person on planet earth that didn’t know the twist, it did catch me by surprise. A nice Saturday afternoon movie.

I also caught up on all the past episodes of Top Chef that I missed. I love that show and I heard they have a second season planned! Yay!!

So this weekend it’s author photos and family pictures (dang, I have to do my roots today!) More writing, time with the family and brunch with several of my girlfriends that I haven’t seen in ages!

So I have a deep love for the Red Sonja books and comics. I think she’s marvelous. Strong, smart, fearless and totally sexy.

Look at her!
I mean, sure, she’s easy on the eyes but damn, look at that blades! The gloves - she’s not just a piece of fluff to stand next to Arnold. She’s a warrior in her own right and I LOVE that.

I have this on my desktop as I write Goddess With A Blade. Rowan isn’t Red Sonja, but she’s got those qualities that make me love both of them.

So when my friend John sent me a link to this fabulous article about Red Sonja in Sequential Tart, I knew I’d have to share it with all of you, too. Because it rocks and I love ST.

Happy Reading!

So you know all those great reviews I’ve been getting? Yeah, nice huh? And so, as an author, when I get a lot of really great reviews in a row, I begin to wait because I know the bad one is lurking out there.

And today I saw it. Cringe. See, the thing is, there’s no point in being hurt by it, even when it gives away key plot points (spoilers) and various other things I don’t consider all that accurate a picture of what the book actually says and does. (BTW, I edited this sentence to be more clear)

So okay, I get that not everyone is going to like my books, that’s life and it keeps you grounded. And unlike some authors, I won’t say that all reviews should be nice because romance authors are too sweet and fragile to take one in the crotch. Sucks that not everyone loves me, because they totally should, damnit!

(And I’m not saying this is a terrible awful review, btw. It’s a bad review, no doubt.)

I hate it when I want to talk smack and I come here to do it and then I remember that I’m not supposed to. Sigh. So in the interests of trying to remember that I’m somewhat of a public figure and I’m supposed to be all circumspect and shit, I’ll be somewhat veiled and try to say it without saying it. Sigh.

I see stuff happen and I’m incredulous. I mean, fer cripes’ sake, people, get that stick out of your butt and deal! If you don’t like sex in books, don’t read books with sex in them. But why does that seem like such an impossible thing for folks to learn?

But instead, it seems like they read it two extra times, just to be good and sure they’re offended and then they cry and rail about THE CHILDREN and THE FUTURE OF ROMANCE because the pornographers are all out to drag it down into their disgusting smutty little world. (by the way, we have candy and Jude Law down here so there)

And people, lemme tell you a few things - first, ain’t no one gonna take romance where romance readers don’t want to go. Romance readers seem to like some spice with their sweet. And those that don’t still have fourteen shelves full of stuff that closes the bedroom door. This is not a threat. This is the market.

Second - sex is not disgusting and immoral and contrary to romance. I don’t know what kind of sex these folks are having but even when my characters are having really naughty sex, they’re still having romance. Sex is wonderful and beautiful and FUN. Yes, that’s right, FUN. Jeebus, it’s more fun than a bike ride on a Sunday afternoon. More fun that shopping for shoes. And a great way to connect with your romantic partner.

However if you have a problem with the description of graphic sex scenes in your romances, please refer to the “don’t read them” portion above.

Third - sharing the market with something does not make that thing your enemy. Get over it.

Fourth - stop it. Just let there be an erotic/sensual category in the Ritas for goodness’ sake. And stop reading steamy romances if you are one who hates the books and thinks they aren’t romance. That’s not fair and you aren’t doing your job as a judge. (oh, did I say that out loud?)

Different strokes people. That’s what makes the world go round. Things that ring my bell won’t necessarily be your cuppa. And that’s fine. Because there are readers who like what I write and readers who like what you write. But don’t you dare start speaking in sweeping generalizations that minimize what I do and by extrapolation, who my readers are. My readers are wonderful people who love romance. It’s too easy for some to forget that the reader is what fuels romance as a genre. Stop insulting them and be happy with yourselves.

First, Five Kisses From Karen at Romance Divas - I love it so much when people get what I’m trying to do, makes me think I did it right! Thank you, Karen!! - “Enforcer is a sizzling hot erotic romance from Lauren Dane. The story is fast paced and well told, bringing a skillful balance of danger and desire to life. Lauren Dane has created a smoking hot hero with Lex, one that lovers of paranormal romance will be drooling over long after finishing the story. Her heroine is likeably flawed, believably strong, and every bit a passionate match for Lex as they sizzle their way from cover to cover.

The Cacadia Pack stories are off to a fantastic start with this tale. I’ll be eagerly waiting for their stories to continue in future books.”

4 1/2 Stars from Keely at Ecataromance for Enforcer. This one is such a great review, it’s impossible to just find a bit to put up because she’s woven a recap with something about my writing too. That’s great and so rare in reviews. So thank you, Keely! Here’s a bit from the end of the review - “Ms. Dane’s story line sweeps me along at a perfect pace and keeps me glued to the pages. (So much so that I was up until the wee hours of the morning on a work night!) While I am glued to the pages, she treats me to bone meltingly decadent love scenes that are in danger of catching my curtains on fire! Ms. Dane has a wonderful knack for creating male characters that you want to hug and smack up-side the head at the same time; just like the real thing. I have high hopes that this is book one in a long series.