October is Guest Blog Month

October brings fall weather with its cooler temperatures. October also brings the beginning of holiday season with Halloween. October also for the first time ever brings GUEST BLOG MONTH.

The Goddesses of Storytelling will be blogging with our usual brilliance. We will also be hosting authors of all genres and from all over the Internet.
Authors from Ellora's Cave
from Cerridwen Press and authors associated with Pump Up Your Book Promotion will be blogging here during the month of October.

So roll in the autumn leaves, put on your halloween mask, and come on over to Goddesses of Storytelling for some fun, exciting and definitely diverting blogs.


Charlene Leatherman, Prophecy of Vithan, available at Cerridwen Press
Defeating the villain, destroying the monster, delivering the hero and never breaking a nail.

70 Books

I got my first royalty check today. I was dreading the knowledge of how many books I sold. I figured that no one would like my book - after all it was not main stream romance. It was adventure. It had a strong woman who saved the day instead of a man. It had almost no sex. It did have romance. But I really figured that no one would like it. But guess what? I sold 70 books. The best thing is this: (1) I only bought one of the 70 and (2) I don't have 70 friends and family that would have bought the book. So that means that 70 STRANGERS BOUGHT MY BOOK. Isn't that cool?

70 strangers who in a small measure have become my friends. Thanks to all my new friends.

To see what the excitement is all about visit Cerridwen Press and check out my book

Prophecy of Vithan

Looking for the Bright Side

Sometimes bad crap happens. Today it happened to me. Completely out of the blue and very unexpected.

On the bright side, what happened has no serious long term impact on my family, friends, or self.

On the bright side, what happened won't stand in the way of my goals - personal or career.

On the bright side, what happened doesn't clash or interfere with my values or beliefs.

On the bright side, what happened will serve as a reminder of what it feels like to feel disappointed and violated, so I use that in a soon-to-be written story to make it more compelling and true to life.

Looking at it that way, I feel a bit better. Thanks for listening.

Is it real yet?

I was at a wedding a little over a week or so ago and ran into a bunch of people I hadn’t seen in a while. I’ve dabbled in so many careers over the years that they automatically ask me, “So, Cindy, what are you doing now?”

It still feels odd to say
“I’m a romance author.”

After all, it’s still new enough that the royalty checks aren’t exactly paying the bills yet. My wonderful husband, (yes that's him in the picture, and ignore my demonic red eyes--I usually have them camouflaged so I can pass amongst you unnoticed) however, has no such compunctions. I was utterly thrilled when he proudly told everyone exactly what I was up to now. He even gave my card with my website to a few folks I didn’t know very well. In his mind, it’s not a transition thing. I’m published. Therefore I’m an author. And aren’t I lucky that he’s willing to put up with a lean year or two to give me this chance?

Like most writers I have been known to experience those “what the heck am I doing?” moments. Like today when I realized I had signed up to blog and I sat wondering what on earth I had to say that anyone would want to read. I’m getting—just beginning to, but getting—the idea that people are willing to pay a few bucks to read my stories. That idea still astounds me, and in a way I hope it always will. But my stories are about cowboys or dragons or ghosts. I’m just an ordinary person. Every time I’m on a loop chat I’m still amazed that the “real” authors are talking to me. And some of them, amazingly enough, have actually read my books and liked them. That still makes me giddy.

I think a bit of my doubt stems from the fact that up until now, my books have been coming out in a slow trickle. One last December, another this spring, Dragon in the System in June and Beltaine Bargain, in August. Starting in October, though, things will be speeding up and I’m so excited I can hardly stand it. From then through March, it’s a steady stream. And just to shore up my faltering confidence, today my mother-in-law emailed, asking me to send up four copies of Crazy for the Cowboy for her cleaning lady’s book club. They’ve read the first book and can’t wait for more. How cool is that?

Wow. I guess maybe I am a REAL author after all!

Yesterday

Yesterday was Yom Kippur. I am not Jewish, but my son married a wonderful Jewish lady. They are Christians as am I. They, however, are Messanic Jews. This means that being Christians they still celebrate the Jewish holidays, traditions, and festivals.

Yesterday was Yom Kippur. I saw it on the calender. I had no idea what it was except something about the Jewish New Year.

In my New Year, there is dancing, and drinking, and fireworks, and resolutions and hubby and I watch old movies (circa 1930) and it happens in January.

I wanted to know what Yom Kippur was so I went to a wonderful Jewish informational website
www.chabad.org

After reading this I wondered if we all would be better off if we celebrated our new year in January with less drinking and more like Yom Kippur.

Here is what Chabad.org said about Yom Kippur:


Yom Kippur in a Nutshell

Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the year--the day on which we are closest to G‑d and to the quintessence of our own souls. It is the Day of Atonement -- "For on this day He will forgive you, to purify you, that you be cleansed from all your sins before G‑d" (Leviticus 16:30).
For twenty-six hours--from several minutes before sunset on Tishrei 9 to after nightfall on Tishrei 10--we "afflict our souls": we abstain from food and drink, do not wash or anoint our bodies, do not wear leather shoes, and abstain from marital relations.
Before Yom Kippur we perform the Kaparot atonement service; we request and receive honey cake, in acknowledgement that we are all recipients in G-d's world and in prayerful hope for a sweet and abundant year; eat a festive meal, immerse in a mikvah, and give extra charity. Late afternoon we eat the pre-fast meal, following which we bless our children, light a memorial candle as well as the holiday candles, and go to the synagogue for Kol Nidrei services.
In the course of Yom Kippur we hold five prayer services: Maariv, with its solemn Kol Nidrei service, on the eve of Yom Kippur; Shacharit--the morning prayer; Musaf, which includes a detailed account of the Yom Kippur Temple service; Minchah, which includes the reading of the Book of Jonah; and Ne'illah, the "closing of the gates" service at sunset. We say the Al Chet confession of sins eight times in the course of Yom Kippur, and recite Psalms every available moment.
The day is the most solemn of the year, yet an undertone of joy suffuses it: a joy that revels in the spirituality of the day and expresses the confidence that G-d will accept our repentance, forgive our sins, and seal our verdict for a year of life, health and happiness. When the closing Ne'illah service climaxes in the resounding cries of "Hear O Israel... G-d is one" and a single blast of the shofar, followed by the proclamation, "Next year in Jerusalem." Then joy erupts in song and dance (a Chabad custom is to sing the lively "Napoleon's March"), followed by the festive after-fast meal, making the evening after Yom Kippur a Yom Tov (festival) in its own right.

NaNoWriMo

I just received an email from NaNoWriMo. National Novel Writing Month. Sign up is October 1. They are making all sorts of nifty changes.

Last year I entered the NaNoWriMo. I was a supporter. They raised a lot of money for building libraries with Room to Read by donating 50% of their net proceeds from donations and merchandise sales so Room to Read can build libraries on their behalf giving thousands of kids in Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam the chance to fall in love with reading.

NaNoWriMo.org is where you can go in November and for one glorious, insane month attempt to write 50,000 words for a novel. You will have support, and you can buy cool stuff like the oversize coffee mug I bought that says Novelist Fuel.

I won last year along with hundreds, maybe thousands of others.

This year lots of changes are going to be made according to the email I received. You ought to drop by www.nanowrimo.org October 1st and join me and other novelists. See what changes are being made and see how you do writing a novel in 30 days.

Since I Blogged Last...

It's been an eventful month...

I'm now the mother of a teenager. Yes, my oldest turned 13 as has one of my daycare kidlets (I've had her since she was 18 months old, so she might as well be mine - lol!). It's bittersweet in terms of moving into young adulthood, but these are two of the sweetest, funniest, talented and creative kids I've ever met.

I'm co-teaching a class room wide literature circle in my son's eigth-grade class and I'm helping teach art in my other son's fourth grade class. I love both of these age groups - kids are absolutely amazing and I'm so lucky to be able to interact with entire classes like this.

I've gotten absolutely fabulous reviews for my latest release, Best Laid Plans (here are the links if you want to peek)
http://www.enchantingreviews.com/BestLaidPlans.html
http://www.romancejunkiesreviews.com/artman/publish/contemporary/Best_Laid_Plans.shtml
http://www.ecataromance.com/index.php?p=216
http://www.theromancereadersconnection.com/reviews2/greenbronwyn1907.html

I've also been offered a contract for my third Torrid Tarot story, Mystic Circle which will complete the story cycle that started with I Put a Spell on You and will continue in November with Ronan's Grail.

And...I have some other stellar writing news that I can't quite share yet, but I should be able to next month. Yeah...I know...I'm a tease. :)

And, to add to my excitement, I'm going to the Ren Faire this weekend with my awesome sister-in-law - we're leaving my brother and hubby with the kids and are going to cut loose and have a blast!

I hope everyone has an absolutely spectacular joy-filled weekend!

New Jersey Here I Come

I’ll be off to New Jersey next month for the New Jersey Romance Writers annual Put Your Heart in a Book Conference. I haven’t been to this conference before, but I’ve heard great things about it, so I’m excited. (!)

I’ve been to LoTs of conferences. Maybe more than I want to admit. But over the years I’ve learned a few things.

Know what to expect. Some excitement, some disappointment. No big deal. Rome wasn’t built in a day. Ditto a writing career.

Know what not to expect. See above.

Know what you’ll remember. Having an awesome time catching up with friends, meeting new people all over the place, and generally have a fast-forward good time.

Know what you won’t. When someone gives you a business card, write something on the back to remind yourself who/what/when/why. You think you’ll remember what you were talking about with Ms. Lunch Companion, but...

Know something about the place before you arrive. That way you’ ll be able to do at least one non-writing related thing, something you wouldn’t be able to do at home. Go to a museum, walk through a historic neighborhood, visit a park. You get the idea.

Last thing; let other people know you’re going.

New Jersey Romance Writer’s Conference Bookfair
Saturday, October 6 @ 4-5:30
Woodbridge Sheraton
515 Route One South, Iselin, NJ 08830

Phone (732) 634-3600

Rowan Trees

To add to my post yesterday, I have learned more about rowan trees. The information following is from Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable.

They were called "Wiggentree" in Westmoreland. It was greatly venerated by the DRUIDS and was formerly known as the "Witchen" because it was supposed to ward off WITCHES. "Rowan tree or reed, Put the witches to speed."

Many mountain-ash tree berries are said to demote a deficient harvest. In Aberdeenshire it was cutomary to make crosses of roan twigs on the eve of the INVENTION OF THE CROSS and to put them over doors and windows tow ard aoff witches and evil spirits."

Anita
www.anitabirt.com

My Celtic earrings.

My husband purchased my Celtic earrings when we were visiting Oban a few years ago. And the earrings reminded me of a story told by the bus driver as we toured around Mull on our first visit to the Scottish island.

He slowed the bus and pointed up a hill to the tumbled down ruins of a stone cottage. "A man died there," he said solemnly and proceeded to tell a story. The man worked on the roads. He had to clear away weeds and bushes from the roadside where a small rowan tree had taken root. He pulled up the tree and tossed it aside.

"Fairies live in rowan trees. If a rowan tree is cut down or ripped up by its roots the fairies escape into the world and will wreak vengeance on the person who dared to disturb them." The driver pulled into a layby to let a bus go past.

"Two weeks after the road worker killed the rowan tree a huge rock crashed down the hill, smashed into his cottage and killed him." The driver turned to his passengers and said. "Never cut down a rowan tree. It will bring you bad luck."

When our son and his family moved into their house in a town north of Toronto, there was a mountain ash tree growing in the corner of the back garden. Rowan trees and mountain ash trees are similar. I told Martin and Alana the story of the rowan tree and the fairies. They took the warning to heart and eighteen years on and counting the mountain ash tree remains in their garden.

My family has Celtic roots in Scotland and my husband's family, Celtic roots in Wales. So it's not a stretch for them to believe in fairies. As I do.

Anita
www.anitabirt.com

My life is on automated response

I spent a long time today trying to post this blog because I was having trouble with my Internet Service provider, and I discovered a very important fact - I am probably going to have a nervous breakdown if I have to go through one more automated response program to solve a problem. did you ever notice how man times you are asked for your telephone number? Like the stupid machine can't record it or remember it. Or how many ubttons you have to push on your phone and still want to know your name? Or the choices you're given to select don't fit the problem you need to solve? And I love that message - This call may be monitored to ensure quality of service. Exactly what service are they talking about? When I found myself yelling at a recorded voice for the tenth time today iIdecided this whole society has now structured itself so you can take care of every piece of personal business and never have to speak to a live person. And they call that an improvement?

Not one usually given to bitching, I have to say that I miss the good old days when you could dial a number, someone - a real person - answered, tou told them what youo wanted and they connected you with the person who could help you. Now they want you to fix the problem wiothout even talking to you.

So if you happen to be looking for me and wondering why you haven't heard from me lately, I'll be the person standing in my vloset banging my head against the wall and wishing for a live person to tell me to stop.

Need to talk to me? Push #1 for cursing, #2 for complaining, and #3 for throwing all automated response mechanisms in the trash.

How Rare and Unique Are You/ Am I?

I took a test at Blog Things this morning. The test was called "How Rare is Your Personality?" Why did I take the test, other than needing something to blog about? Well, I went to the doctor yesterday. I am healthy and even healthier than most - why, you ask ( if you cared about my health) Well, you see where normal people have one of this and two of that, I have double of that. (No I am not going to give gruesome details.)
I joked with the doctor about being a mutant - his shocked expression and attempt at telling me that so many in thousands had the same condition was amusing. I told him I write Sci-fi. the doctor agreed in that case "Mutant" sounded better.
This morning when I realized that A BLOG MUST BE WRITTEN I looked at Blog Things and found the HOW Rare test.
Not only am I a mutant, but I am rare.
Here are the results of my test:
***Your Personality is Very Rare (INTP)***
Your personality type is goofy, imaginative, relaxed, and brilliant.
Only about 4% of all people have your personality, including 2% of all women and 6% of all men
You are Introverted, Intuitive, Thinking, and Perceiving.

If you would like to know how are your personality is check out
How Rare Is Your Personality?http://www.blogthings.com/howrareisyourpersonalityquiz/

As far as the mutant thing, you're on your own.

Charlene Leatherman
Prophecy of Vithan available now at CerridwenPress
Defeat the Villain, Destroy the Monster, Deliver the Hero and Never Break A Nail

Boji Stones

The Boji Stones a story about a modern day woman with a centuries-old secret is released today at cerridwenpress. Here is an excerpt, hope you enjoy:His trembling fingers rested on the keyboard as he leaned toward the monitor, an uncontrollable twitch running through his misshapen body as he devoured the article with the greedy need of a child offered chocolate.'Legend has it that out of all the mortals on earth five women found favor with the gods—Sophia whose face was pitted and ravaged by pox,Zoe a young queen whose village was razed and plundered and she herself taken as slave,Pelagia who had the body of a woman and the mind of a child,Olympia a poor widow with children to feed,andHelen, who’d lost four children to the plague and begged the gods to spare her remaining child.Moved, the gods created five special amulets.To Sophia they gave an amulet forged with beauty and creativity.To Zoe an amulet forged with power.To Pelagia an amulet forged with knowledge.To Olympia an amulet forged with wealth.And for Helen they forged a copper amulet with a beautiful amethyst at its center. Two plain stones the size of small coins flanked the amethyst. The female stone smooth, the male stone’s texture rough. Then they fused the amulet with healing.Or so legend has it…'

September Reflections

One thing I enjoy about living where I do (Michigan) is the change of seasons. Now, I’d be perfectly happy to make summer two months longer and winter two months shorter, but I do love the transitions—both spring and autumn. We’re just now getting the first cool days, and as much as I love my summer uniform of shorts and flip-flops, I’m actually excited to be getting out a couple pairs of jeans and those cute ballet flats I bought last spring and haven’t worn since.

Maybe it stems from having spent too long in the academic world, but I tend to think of fall, rather than spring, as a time for fresh starts and new adventures. That crisp chill in the air makes me want to go for long walks after the lazy heat of summer. I stock up on notebooks and pens right alongside my kids. (Being a writer is a great excuse for buying office supplies!)

So now I’m hoping that the change of seasons works its magic on my writing. The end of summer was a real slow patch for me, between vacations, viruses and having the kids overrun the house. Now that the routine is back in place, I’m hoping the crisp autumn breezes bring a new breath of inspiration. And maybe a swift kick in the pants.

To honor those who honor us

Tomorrow is the sixth anniversary of one of the most horrific moments in the history of this country. We learned with shocking immediacy that we were not safe on this soil from the attack of terrorists, nor would we ever be until those who would attack us were defeated. I'm a Texan by marriage by definitely in my heart. My husband is a sixth generation Texan. And so, for us, the support of the battle for independence begins with the famous Battle of the Alamo, where men from many states and many countries gave up their lives so that Texas might be free. That same dedication to freedom can be seen in the men and women of our armed forces who have the same commitment to freedom. I think this is a good time to reflect on those men and women, who stand at alert at outposts in places we've never heard of. Who fight battles that will never be written about. Who give their all, including their lives, that we may be safe in our homes and our beds. There are those who would denigrate the efforts of this country to ensure our safety and the safety of those in other countries. But without these proud men and women the liberties guaranteed to us in the constitution wouldn't be worth the paper they're written on. There seems to be an explosion of authors lately whose heroes are Force Recon Marines, SEALS, Army Rangers, Delta Force team members, Special Ops team members. And so on. It is their way of honoring these people who fight for our freedom. I applaud them and hope that others of us, as writers, will also find ways to do the same thing.

Desire

It can take many shapes and forms and affect you in different ways. Lately I have a burning desire to do something crazy. To experience for one brief moment that euphoric feeling that comes with the heady sense of doing something you shouldn't. But I reign it in and channel it in other directions. Harnessing some call it. Yes, desire is many things to many people. Lately I am trying to live vicariously through the characters I create, to plunge into a world of passion, danger and carnal sex. As a newly divorced woman that is the closest I'm getting right now. LOL But it works for me. It is the escape that I need. Those breathless moments when I am riding a horse in the desert with a sheik on my trail, or chasing bad guys with a strong, sexy cop that is determined to make me his. Isn't that what we all want? Isn't that why we read and write as we do? For the sheer joy of those few moments spent as someone else.
My grandmother once told me as a rambunctious child that the greatest adventure I might ever take could be as close as opening the cover of a book. She was absolutely right. I've rarely been to any place exotic except in the stories that I read and most of my history has come from the stories that brought it to life for me. I only hope that there are those that can read one of my books and find those stolen moments as they become one of my characters. To me that is the mark of a fantastic author.
So what do you desire?

Lacey Thorn...Your world unlaced at www.lacythorn.com

Master Plots

I have a book that I bought from Writer's Digest Book Club. The book is titled 20 Master Plots and how to build them by Ronald B. Tobias. It takes the classic plots of literature and breaks them down and tells you how to build a story using the same type of plot.
My problem is this:
My characters never want to follow a simple plot line.
Take Moby Dick for instance:
It is considered a pursuit plot. According to Mr. Tobias "The pursuit plot is the lieterary version of hide-and-seek." "One person chases another."
So, you have three phases of the chase - the stakes of the race, the pure chase, and the resolution of the chase.
Simple, huh?
Not for my characters. Oh no. No simple chase for them. There has to be the chase, and a traitor, and a pseudo-traitor (you know - the one you think is the traitor but really isn't), and then we have a monster who chases the chaser and the hero who chases the heroine and cathches her but not before she catches the monster who was chasing her while she was chasing the thing that the chase is all about.

Well, you get the idea.
I was once told that I have a convoluted, devious, and totally insane mind.
If you read Prophecy of Vithan available with Cerridwen Press You will see my mind at work. My current wip Stone of Cruento is even more convoluted, devious and totally insane. However, there is one difference. Stone of Cruento is going to be hot hot hot. So it will probably be offered through Ellora's Cave.
Now, how would you characterize a simple pursuit plot with lots of sex? Hmmmmm,

September 6th

Drum roll please. Bagpipes skirl. Listen!

My contemporary romance, Isabelle's Diary, is here. For all you romance lovers my story has an unusual twist. Not strictly a paranormal story it does have a - what shall I say? A ghost.

Can a ghost appear in broad daylight? Can she sit at a table in a cafe in Llandrindod Wells, Wales and weep over a diary?

Sally Carter is the only person in the cafe who sees the weeping girl. The question of who the girl is, why she was weeping and why she disappeared without a trace intrigues Sally. That's the question that leads her to ask handsome Welsh historian, Dan Conway, for assistance.

During their search for answers Sally uncovers long buried family secrets.

I'll be posting a blurb and an excerpt on my web site to-day. http://www.anitabirt.com/

This is my second release from Cerridwen Press and I'm hoping for big things.

Anita

On News and Reviews

News: Lots of great news lately! If you read lacey Thorn's post below, you'll know we have a joint release, One Good Man, that was just accepted by Ellora's Cave. I got a great new cover for Djinni and the Geek, along with a release date: December 28, 2007! This is the sequel to Dragon in the System, featuring Eric's officemate David Garvaglia. Teach Me, my Torrid Tarot novel, will be out on March 14, just in time for my birthday. My Quickies, Between a Rock and a Hard-On, and Stone and Earth will be out in October and January, respectively. Whew! And Curses, my poor beleagured Triskekion book, will be re-released by the Wild Rose Press, in e-book AND PRINT in October of 2007! I'm so excited about that one I could scream.

Reviews: As an author, I know better than to take reviews seriously. Face it, a review is nothing more than one reader's opinion. Some reviewers even seem to take pleasure in being snarky. I suspect that a few of them have power issues...

So, that said, why do I hold my breath and quiver every time I see a link for a new review? Because like many writers, I'm as insecure as they come. Each time someone reads my work, I'm sitting there whimpering until I hear that they liked it, whether it's a reviewer, a friend, or even worse, my editor evaluating a new submission. So yeah, I was bouncing around the kitchen (I don't have an office) when our wonderful Ellora's Cave editor accepted One Good Man, my joint effort with the brilliant Lacey Thorn, earlier this week.

Other good news this week in the review quarter: Fallen Angels gave Beltaine Bargain my historical paranormal short story from Wild Rose Press, FIVE angels! Since this story was such a stretch for me, it was very nice to hear I hadn't fallen on my face. The reviewer started by saying "Beltaine Bargain is medieval romance at its best!" and ended with "There’s nothing not to like about Beltaine Bargain. I loved every minute of it!" I don't think it gets any better than that! (You can read the whole thing at http://www.fallenangelreviews.com/2007/August/Marlene-BeltaineBargain.htm ). My Book Cravings gave it FIVE roses and said ""Ms. Pape has written a great short story." (http://www.mybookcravings.com/robins_beltainebargain.htm ). Face it. This is what we write for, isn't it? To know that someone enjoyed our words and got a smile from our stories.

I love my new job!

Happy Labor Day, everyone

I was just sitting her banging away at my latest WIP and thinking, today is Labor Day, although for writers every day is labor day, as we struggle to turn out books that you'll love and keep dear to your heart. But I thought about Labor Day, what it is and what it means, and decided I'd share a little bit with you.
Labor Day has been celebrated on the first Monday in September in the United States since the 1880s. The form that the observance and celebration of Labor Day should take were outlined in the first proposal of the holiday — a street parade to exhibit to the public "the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations" of the community, followed by a festival for the recreation and amusement of the workers and their families. This became the pattern for the celebrations of Labor Day. Speeches by prominent men and women were introduced later, as more emphasis was placed upon the economic and civic significance of the holiday. Still later, by a resolution of the American Federation of Labor convention of 1909, the Sunday preceding Labor Day was adopted as Labor Sunday and dedicated to the spiritual and educational aspects of the labor movement.
An old custom eschewed wearing white after Labor Day. The custom is rooted in nothing more than popular fashion etiquette.[1] In actuality, the etiquette originally stated that white shoes were the taboo while white or "winter white" clothes were acceptable.[2] This custom is fading from popularity as it continues to be questioned and challenged, particularly by leaders in the fashion world. "Fashion magazines are jumping on this growing trend, calling people who 'dare' to wear white after Labor Day innovative, creative, and bold. Slowly but surely, white is beginning to break free from its box, and is becoming acceptable to wear whenever one pleases. This etiquette is comparable to the Canadian fashion rule against wearing green after Remembrance Day. In the world of western attire, it is similarly tradition to wear a straw cowboy hat until Labor Day. After Labor Day, the felt hat is worn until Memorial Day. "

So there you have it, what Labor Day is all about. Hope y'all are kicking bac k with barbecue and all the trimmings, and maybe even a big watermelon. Even my fellow authors and readers in other countries. comwe join in our celebration.

The New Duo of Ellora's Cave

It is finally official. Recently fellow author Cindy Spencer Pape and myself began a project together. We started the book with the general idea of basing it on an urban legend and thus our story One Good Man was born. It turned out more beautifully than either of us dreamed and was recently offered a contract with Ellora's Cave. We are ecstatic and wanted to share this news with our peers and fans. I'm posting a little teaser below that Cindy came up with. I'll shout from the rooftop as soon as I know a release date and all that!

The Phantom Hitchhiker:

One of the most enduring of all urban legends is the story of the phantom hitchhiker. Young or old, male or female, in need of help or just needing a ride, the legends vary. A helpful driver offers a ride and the passenger gives directions. When they arrive at the destination however, the driver discovers the passenger has vanished, sometimes leaving behind a piece of clothing or some other memento to mark his or her passing. A stormy night, a deserted country road, a blown tire, and a woman on the run from a killer. Is the handsome young Marine here to save her? Or is he just a figment of her imagination?






Lacey Thorn...slip in and unlace at www.lacythorn.com
His Bare Obsession, Bare Confessions , Bare Seduction & Earth Moves
and now available, Fanning Her Flames at www.ellorascave.com

I think Bronwyn is shy.

Okay guys - I just have to share this. I think it's the best review I've ever gotten. Enchanted Reviews gave Best Laid Plans 5 enchantments! I'll skip the sum-up, but check this out!!!!


Ms. Green does it again, but better than ever! 'Best Laid Plans' is astirring, appealing, comedic, sensual read. I loved it! I finished it in onesitting, and then went back to re-read some of my favorite parts a few dayslater. Ms. Green was able to take two highly sensitive subjects that willpush your emotions through the wringer and still have you squirming in yourseat with arousal. That is great story-telling at work!I felt compassion for both characters. Knowing Zander's past and his need toprotect, I especially felt for him. But I couldn't blame Tessa with herthoughts and actions of blocking Zander out either; with her past, it wasvery realistic. This makes the budding relationship between the two all themore gratifying. Zander's and Tessa's friends know they are right for eachother before either can admit their feelings, and keep pushing themtogether. They are the kind of friends everyone wishes they had. Everythingabout this book was great and I recommend you pick it up today!

If you want to know more about this author, we have an interview from August2007 posted on the website http://www.enchantingreviews.com/Bronwyn_Green.html
or you can stop by her website at www.bronwyngreen.com.

Blogging, Coffee, and Women

Funny thing about blogging. Women in general can get together at a cafe or in a front room and share a cup of coffee and talk for hours on end. Or put most women on a telephone and you might as well go fishing (if you are a man) cause that conversation will last until the sun comes up the next day. Put a woman writer in front of a computer and the words flow like butter over hot pancakes. However, put a woman in front of a computer and say the dreaded word "Blog" and suddenly the ideas stop, the words cease, fingers freeze, and no matter the haircolor of the woman she suddenly becomes (dare I say it) Dumb.
Now, I know many women who are very articulate when they blog - articulate, funny, clever and intelligent.
Maybe I should change that beginning paragraph to "Put me in front of a computer and say the dreaded word "Blog" and suddenly my ideas stop, my words cease, my fingers freeze, and I become Dumb. (of course I have an excuse - I'm blonde -- yes I can say that and you can't cause I am blond and have heard and memorized all most all of the dumb blond jokes - you know I might blog about that one day -- if I can remember)
Why is it people who write for a living have such a hard time writing something in a blog???
My main problem is that my real life is super boring. I am a caregiver and a writer and the local taxi for a town of only 150 people (I have one of the few working cars). My life consists of feeding tubes, changing briefs, sponge baths, fanciful writing on my novel, listening to drug addicts who need to get to court and people beg for a ride into town to buy groceries, and driving along 50 miles of freeway one way with nothing more interesting than sage brush and big trucks. I live in the middle of the desert 50 miles from everywhere. To get to a doctor or to a store is 50 miles.
I suppose I could blog about the lizard that sits all say long on our bathroom screen soaking up the cool air from the swamp cooler. Or the cat that sits all day in front of the fan. Or the chickens that sit all day under the porch where it is cooler. Or....well you get the point. Summer is 121 degrees with 50-75% humidity. Moving is a chore. Winter is cooler, sort of.
My point, writers write because they have a rich exciting life behind their eyes, not in front of them. I do not know of anyone who lives the life you see on tv who writes about it. There seems to be a divination between those that write and those that live it.
Well, I guess I just blogged about my life. But it would be easier if I had a bunch of women and some coffee to bounce my ideas off of. See you next time.