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Archive for January, 2010



Friday, January 15th, 2010
Awwww Yeah…. It’s Friday!

And I’m totally going to sleep in tomorrow! Or I hope to and may have to harm any child who bangs on my bedroom door before 8 am for anything less than fire, blood or choking (I know, my mothering staggers you all, doesn’t it?)

This weekend will be about sleep. About cleaning my house. Pushing to make lots and lots of words in INSIDE OUT and reading. I really want to read but I swear every single night this week something new has come up. School stuff, family stuff, house stuff. Just a lot of little stuff that demands my attention no matter how much Victoria Dahl tries to lure me back into Tumble Creek.

I might even see if I can charm my dude into heading out for a bookstore check/family lunch at Blue C Sushi, but it depends on just how much sushi lures me when I’d rather be home not dealing with crowds.

That’s it. I’m not very exciting right now unless you count hounding children to do homework and looking at window treatments.

Oh! For those of you who’d like to give donations toward disaster relief in Haiti:

The Red Cross
CARE
Doctors Without Borders
Oxfam (who have been in Haiti and lost one of their staff members there in the quake)

There are many more, but the ones above are all reputable and do good work.

Wednesday, January 13th, 2010
Writerly Wednesday

Is delayed a little because I’ve been rushing around all day and haven’t had a spare moment to actually write, LOL.

Today I’m over at Erotica Reading Challenge where the lovely ladies there have interviewed me! Come by and say hey.

Also found out COMING UNDONE is on the Bookscan list, Borders Trade Bestseller List and the Barnes and Noble Trade Bestseller list. I’m thrilled and very thankful to you all who’ve enabled me to hit these lists so thank you!!

Got my first look at the cover for INSIDE OUT yesterday and I can’t wait to show it to you all! Tony Mauro and the Berkley art department have done it again.

Speaking of INSIDE OUT – how about a sneaky peek?

INSIDE OUT by LAUREN DANE
Copyright 2010 Lauren Dane
All Rights Reserved, The Berkley Publishing Group
Releasing November 2010

“That’s a very good way to look at it. It’s quite an accomplishment to have done all this. What does your family think?”

“Oh well. They don’t really, we don’t talk about it much.”

She leaned forward, putting her mug down and turned to him more fully. He liked the way she firmly gave him her full attention. It was rare to see in most people, who generally only half listened while they texted or thought about television or whatever.

“Why is that? I’d imagine Ben would be over here helping you with stuff all the time.”

“He’s got a baby on the way. They’ve all got stuff going on. It’s just a house. Erin, Ben and Todd did a huge remodel not so long ago.”

She wore a sour look for a moment. “Erin hired people to do the renovation. Which is great, but not what you’re doing at all.” She motioned around the room. “This is special because you’re doing it all. I can’t imagine your family would see this as anything but fantastic.”

She pushed every single button he had. He shoved a hand through his hair, moving it back from his face. She disoriented him in some ways. He was Cope, the easygoing lady killer and here he was, sniffing after a woman who already had immense power to pull emotions from him in the most unexpected ways. Mainly because she saw he was more than Cope, the easygoing ladykiller.

“I need a haircut,” he mumbled.

She put a hand over his, sifting through his hair then herself, her fingers sure and firm against his scalp, bringing a groan of pleasure from him.

“No. I like it.” The statement was shy, but she meant it. He tipped his chin to see her face, as always, struck by how it appealed to him so deeply. “I mean,” she said, licking her lips, “if you don’t have to cut it for work or anything. It’s just, it suits you.”

“You do something to me, Ella,” he said, moving toward her slowly, not wanting to spook her, but needing to kiss her.

“Glad to know I’m not alone,” she said, her lips moving against his just as he made contact.

Her taste wended through him, opening doors he’d welded shut, some he hadn’t even known existed. Like a key.

Forcing himself to take his time, he moved enough to slowly unwind the scarf she wore around her neck loosely so he could put his lips there. When he did, when he finally pressed his mouth, slightly open, to the pale expanse of skin just behind her jaw, she took in air, letting it out as a soft sigh.

She was warm there, and, as he’d hoped, sensitive. She tilted he neck back to give him more access, her fingers gripped in the material of his sweater.

Slowly, drunk with her taste, his lips slid over the hollow of her throat and she stuttered a breath. It wasn’t until he licked over the freckles just below her collarbone that she uttered his name, softly, raggedly.

It was enough to challenge his control, enough to rip his defenses to shreds. Not enough, everything.

Monday, January 11th, 2010
Whew, Monday Again?

Hey folks! I’m over at Erotic Horizon talking about love letters/notes, complete with a sneaky peek snippet from INSIDE OUT…

Speaking of INSIDE OUT – I’m still writing away on it. Happy with my progress and where my people are in the story. This is always a good thing, LOL.

COMING UNDONE continues to receive some lovely reviews and thank you all who take the time to read the book much less write me notes and/or review it.

I’m off again, back to work to get my words in before I start doing all sorts of house stuff. Everyone have a very good Monday!

Friday, January 8th, 2010
Sneak Peek Excerpt: PHANTOM CORPS: INSATIABLE

INSATIABLE is set in my Federation world and it’s Daniel’s story. We meet Daniel in Relentless, he’s Abbie’s brother. INSATIABLE is the first in a mini-series called Phantom Corps, the name of the team of operatives Daniel has been part of since he was plucked out of lock up by Wilhelm Ellis (in charge of all branches of the Federation military corps). War is coming and tensions are heightened.

Desire is the most dangerous sensation of all.

With tensions between the Federation and Imperial ‘Verses rising, one woman may hold the key to victory. The dangerous mission to smuggle her out of Imperial Territory falls to Daniel Haws and his team, the ultra secret Phantom Corps. This elite squad of the Federation Military is the only one trusted and skilled enough to remove her from under the watchful eye of her father, the Supreme Commander of the Imperial ‘Verses.

Carina is used to wearing a mask. Her father and his men think her little more than a pretty prize to be won by a man more ruthless than the rest. When he announces his intention to marry her to one of his henchmen, a man known for his cruelty, Carina knows she has to move as soon as possible to get out. But getting secret information to the Federation has served her well for years and she appeals to them for help.

She expected rescue from a man who’d been her enemy. But she wasn’t prepared for just how intense her attraction to Daniel Haws would be. Born as adversaries into different ranks, and on the run for their lives, they now need each other to survive–by holding on to the only thing they have in common: a growing desire that is dangerous, irresistible, and insatiable…

PHANTOM CORPS: INSATIABLE by LAUREN DANE
Copyright 2010, Lauren Dane
All Rights Reserved, The Berkley Group
Releasing July 6!

Despite the summons she’d received from her father, Carina stared out the windows of her bedroom, looking down the long, steep line of the rampart and into the courtyard below. The late afternoon suns sent warmth over her face, even through the darkened glass. A warmth she didn’t feel inside. Inside she was cold. Always cold, alert, scheming, listening and keeping her mask firmly in place. The penalty for slipping was something she kept close to her heart every moment of every day.

Not many people were outside at this point of the day. The heat drove them into the shade of the arches and into the buildings. They’d congregate in the cafes and taverns until the first sunset and the heat wore away. The local taverns were raucous, filled with noise and laughter and the sharp scent of the spices used for the mulled wine. She’d always wanted to spend some time in one, but the best she got was observing from across a square or through the plasglass.

Over the years, she’d observed life far more often than she’d lived it. Observing was her one guilty pleasure.

A muted sort of yearning stole over her, as it always did, as she continued to stare at the scene below, wondering how they felt, if any of them felt normal or whole.

What she wanted so much was the space in her life when she didn’t have to pretend. Exhaustion at keeping up a false identity every waking moment had taken over her life in ways she hated, but couldn’t seem to stop. She searched her memories and realized she couldn’t remember a time when she didn’t constantly fear for her life.

She exhaled hard. It did no good to be morose and she didn’t have the luxury of it anyway. Feeling sorry for yourself never made a difference, it never made anything better. In truth, her life was far better than most, she needed to remember that.

Taking a deep breath, she sipped a glass of juice and continued to watch the scene below and mull over the changes. Earlier she’d been out, returning from the room where she taught sums to some of the local children. She stopped at a stall, one of her favorites where the couple brought in freshly farmed gourds and purri fruit. Today though, it had been bread. Her farmer couple had been gone and they all pretended not to notice the difference. That she went along with it had slashed through her heart. Every time something like that happened and no one spoke of it, it eroded their society even more. She was just as guilty as anyone else and it stuck to her like filth she could not rinse away.

Something inside her was broken. The fissures had widened and she wondered what it might be like to feel whole, tried to remember if she ever had and failed.

Friday, January 8th, 2010
TGIF!

Been a while since I’ve been so relieved to see a Friday, LOL. Release week in all its glory, house stuff, kids back to school and I’m tiiiired.

A few lovely things: Riley Merrick is hosting a contest to win a copy of COMING UNDONE!

Some lovely reviews: Also from Riley Merrick – This book hits the right note on every level — the sweet and scorching romance, the friendships (both male and female), the family dynamics (both blood and chosen), they’re all great. I even loved Rennie — I don’t generally like children in my romances, but Lauren Dane has mastered the art of the non-annoying child character. I also like that we get a glimpse into the progress of Erin, Todd, and Ben’s triad relationship, and that we get to know Adrian a little better too. I’m looking forward to his book, and I can’t help but wonder if he might be the one to finally tame Raven (if such a thing is possible)?

Limecello gives COMING UNDONE an A+ over at Good/Bad/Unread: I loved this book. Loved. If 2010 is anything like 2009, Coming Undone will be part of my top 10 reads of the year. This was a contemporary novel that hearkened back to why I started reading romances in the first place. A heavy focus on relationships, both romantic, and general interpersonal ones. Family, friends, community. Then of course there’s the love story. Fantastic. The moving of the hero and heroine towards each other, and falling in love. Heart wrenching scenes, and words that come alive. I found myself speaking out loud in response to certain scenes or situations – I couldn’t help commenting, I was that invested in the story.

Still working on Inside Out and liking my direction. Did actually read some this week so I’ll do a full booktalk post on Monday instead of Friday.

I’ve got a few posts milling around in my brain about heroines and heroes in general so hopefully I can get at least one out this weekend.

In any case – I might just be back later this morning with some excerpty goodness…

Tuesday, January 5th, 2010
Last Bit of Book/Nook Contesty Goodness

So here we are, 26 books and a Nook later – and it’s release day for me and for Anya so I think one last day of contesty goodness should be a nice way to ease back into life after the holidays, don’t you?

SO what I’m going to do is this – over the course of today, which is filled with all the stuff I needed to do last month but was too overwhelmed to finish until after the holidays – I’m going to give some books away on a totally random basis.

I would not be where I am without the support and friendship of my dear friends in this biz (and outside it too). So in appreciation and because I know these ladies are awesome writers I thought I’d toss some of their books your way.

What I’m giving away (and if I can remember, I’ll strikethrough when I announce a winner):

A copy of Anya Bast’s Wicked Enchantment
A copy of Megan Hart’s Switch
Ava Gray’s Skin Game
Jaci Burton’s Taken By Sin
and
A copy of COMING UNDONE

So – all you have to do is reply to this post – What are you looking forward to this year? It doesn’t have to be huge or complicated.

I plan to be done choosing winners by 5 pm or so pacific today… I’ll announce each winner just below here as I go!

WINNER #1: is comment #3 – ColleenFL – you win a copy of Anya’s Wicked Enchantment! EMAIL ME your mailing address and I’ll get it sent directly from Amazon to you!

WINNER #2 is comment #16 Dana – you win a copy of Jaci Burton’s, Taken By Sin! EMAIL ME your mailing address and I’ll get it sent directly from Amazon to you!

WINNER #3 is comment #9 – Melissa! Melissa, you win a copy of COMING UNDONE! EMAIL ME your mailing address and I’ll get it sent to you!

WINNER #4 is comment #62: Catherine Dunick! Catherine, you win a copy of Ava Gray’s Skin Game! Email me your mailing address and I’ll get it sent to you directly from Amazon!

The Final Winner is comment #28 – Deidre! Deidre, you’ve won a copy of Megan Hart’s Switch! Email me your mailing address and I’ll get it sent to you directly from Amazon!

WINNERS HAVE SEVEN DAYS TO CLAIM THEIR PRIZES

Tuesday, January 5th, 2010
GRAND PRIZE WINNER!

The grand prize winner in our Curl Up With a Book…And a Nook contest is: BELINDA B (bellie7 is the first part of your email)

Belinda, please contact either Lauren or Anya with your mailing address so that we can get your Nook to you.

Thank you to everyone who played along and entered. As always, I got lots of great answers to the daily questions with loads of book recommendations, too!

***PLEASE REMEMBER YOU MUST LIVE IN AN AREA THAT SUPPORTS NOOK TO WIN AND THAT YOU MUST CLAIM THE PRIZE WITHIN SEVEN DAYS***

Tuesday, January 5th, 2010
Daily Contest Winner #13

The last daily contest winner is comment #3: Tamsyn!

Email me your mailing address and I’ll get it to Anya. Congrats!

ALL WINNERS HAVE SEVEN DAYS TO CLAIM PRIZES.

Tuesday, January 5th, 2010
COMING UNDONE IS NOW AVAILABLE!!!

I’m so thrilled to announce that COMING UNDONE is now available in trade paperback or digital format!

COMING UNDONE
Berkley Heat
ISBN: 978-0425232705
Genre: Contemporary, Erotic Romance: Related to Laid Bare
Length: Novel

Barnes and Noble
Amazon
Books A Million
Also available in digital formats (from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, the sony ebook store) and Books on Board!

KEEPING IT TOGETHER

Brody Brown has always been responsible for others. After his parents’ death, he gave up a promising artistic career to care for his younger brother and sister. Now, with his siblings grown, Brody owns his own business, has a nice house, makes a nice living, and for the first time in years he’s on his own.

Elise Sorenson has come to Seattle with her young daughter to find peace. After years as a world-famous ballerina—(and just as many years in a marriage-gone-bad)—she’s looking for neither love nor attention. But she finds both in the handsome, honest man who befriends her with no strings attached.

More than friends, Brody and Elise discover in each other what they need—wild, physical passion without commitment. But it’ll take a shadow from Elise’s past to make them look beyond what they need—to what they truly desire.

I’m in a few places today if you should like to pop in and say hello (and just perhaps win a book):

BRODY is interviewed at Leontine’s place

Fatin has me talking about series

I’m over at Seductive Musings as well, guest blogging and I’m part of a week filled with great authors and book giveaways:

Monday, January 4th, 2010
Daily Winner #12!

The winner via random.org is: Comment #57 – Nastassia!

Nastassia, email me your mailing address and I’ll get it to Anya. Congratulations!

WINNERS HAVE SEVEN DAYS TO CLAIM THEIR PRIZES!