Being Thankful for Movies,Couches, and Pillows

Today, while my family cooks everything from the turkey to the desert, I'm making catching up on some movies I should have already seem. Against All Odds (1984, Rachel Ward, Jeff Bridges) is first on my list.

I'm watching the end of it as I write this; I can't decide if I like this movie or not.

As an erotic romance writer, it has one flaw that is a deal breaker for me--people falling in love just because. Usually the just because is just because she's so beautiful or just because he's so handsome. Grr...that's so lame.

That said, this movie does have some scenes that almost make up for the annoyance of what to me is lazy writing that could have been resolved with an additional scene or two. And it has a tropical setting, which I absolutely love.

If you havn't seen it, sure, you should check it out--of the library--for free. I say free because that way if you too get annoyed by the Just Because factor you won't be annoyed that you paid to be annoyed.

Trying to remember if you've seen it already? Check out the trailer.

Next up is The Day of the Jackal (1973, Edward Fox). No sexy tropical beach settings and bare chest football players in this one. Just a crafty plot to kill the French president.

Check out trailer for that one.

I just put Day o the J in, and I can tell already I better pay attention--because if I don't, I'm going to be lost in about seven minutes. Fingers crossed that nothing will happen just because.

Wishing you and yours a peaceful and happy Thanksgiving.

MySpace ... Finally

I finally, finally made it to MySpace. It's a bit lonely there right now.

The page is a work in progress, but I'm hoping a couple people will stop by, say hi, and friend me.

Pretty please?

Isabelle's New MySpace

And the winner is..

Anita Birt, who gets a signed copy of ON THE RUN. Anita, email me at storyscribe@ctesc.net with your snail mail addy.

Time to help others

SOMETHING WE ALL SHOULD KNOW
Domestic violence should not happen to anybody. Ever. Period. But it does - and when it does, there is help. Maybe you have lived with abuse, maybe it happened just once; maybe you work or live next to someone who is being abused right now. In a 1995-1996 study conducted in the 50 States and the District of Columbia, nearly 25% of women and 7.6% of men were raped and/or physically assaulted by a current or former spouse, cohabiting partner, or dating partner/acquaintance at some time in their lifetime (based on survey of 16,000 participants, equally male and female). Approximately 1.3 million women and 835,000 men are physically assaulted by an intimate partner annually in the United States. In 2000, 1,247 women and 440 men were killed by an intimate partner. In recent years, an intimate partner killed approximately 33% of female murder victims and 4% of male murder victims. And so to all of these victims, many of whose story will never be told, I dedicate this book.

A SPECIAL PROJECT
To celebrate its second anniversary The Wild Rose Press and Editor-in-chief Rhonda Penders wanted a project that would give something back to the community. What could be better for a publisher than a book, and I was honored to be asked to write it. The result is ON THE RUN, a romantic suspense that focuses on domestic violence. The first check from sales of the book will go to the Victim’s Advocacy Office of the San Antonio Police Department, chosen because the most of the story takes place in San Antonio. You can help contribute to this fund by purchasing a copy of this book and passing the word along.
ON THE RUN
When Robin Fletcher saw her sister brutally murdered by her wealthy, abusive husband, she grabbed her five-year-old nephew and ran. Months late, living in Memphis with new names and a new life, their sense of security is shattered. First Andy is diagnosed with aplastic anemia. Then fate sends them directly into the path of the killer. Can Andy’s doctor who’s captured her heart protect her or will she again have to go ON THE RUN?
(Print available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million and Alibris)
(ebook available at http://www.thewildrosepress.com/)

Excerpt:
Taking the highway into Oregon might have been easier on her, but she was sure that was the first route C.D. would check. Instead, she cut east immediately into Idaho. Besides, evading C.D., she had a specific reason for coming this way. Tomorrow they’d get to Helena, where she had important business to take care of. Things that would help keep her and Bobby safe. Robin had only a vague idea of how long they’d been driving but it felt as if she’d been doing it forever. Her eyes were gritty from lack of sleep and her muscles rigid with tension. It didn’t help that she was constantly watching for some ca to run her off the road or but her off. She’d been lucky enough to find a couple of drive-through’s where she fueled up with coffee. Caffeine raced through her system like a wild horse, revving her up and making her edgy. She slid a glance at Bobby, wrapped in a blanket and buckled into his car seat. What a lucky thing he was sleeping so heavily. Still, she knew they needed to find a bed pretty soon. And food. Starvation wouldn’t be a pretty way to die. By the time they reached Kellogg, Idaho, she was more than ready to stop. She pulled gratefully into a motel whose sign blinked ‘Vacancy’ in big red letters. It was the most welcoming site Robin had seen in a long time. Nervously she left Bobby in the car while she registered, keeping one eye on the parking lot, terrified that any moment she’d hear the screeching of brakes and C.D. would leap out of his car. At last they were in their room at the back of the motel, well hidden from the street. She toted in her duffel bag and laptop, then tucked the little boy into bed. After that she treated herself to a shower. Tired as she was, she still needed to wash away the strain of driving nearly three hundred miles at night. All she wanted was to wash the fatigue from her muscles before she climbed into bed. But as the hot spray beat down on her physically and emotionally exhausted body, her control disintegrated and tears began to cascade down her cheeks. She was thankful that the drumming of the water against the tiles drowned out the huge gulping sobs that wracked her body, so Bobby couldn’t hear. She cried as she had never cried before in her life, tears of despair and grief. And self-condemnation, that she hadn’t been able to do anything to save her sister. She didn’t think that particular guilt would ever leave her. Jamie! Oh, Jamie! How did I let this happen to you? The water ran cold before the last shudder died from her body. She drew in a long breath and blew it out slowly. Her heart ached unbearably, but she had a responsibility now. A mission, and she would not fail, no matter what. Keep Bobby safe and away from C.D. Create a whole new life for the two of them. This would be her tribute to her sister.
Come visit me at http://www.judithrochelle.com/ or http://www.desireeholt.com/
Or www.myspace.com/judithdesiree

Historical research

It's Friday again! 4:10 pm. Where did the week go?

Searching for historical information is like diving into a great pool of fascinating facts where drowning in words is possible. In my book, A Very Difficult Man, I had to research several areas. Specifically the Crimean War. The cholera outbreak in London, England, 1854/55. The bride ships that brought young women from England to Victoria where men eagerly awaited to marry them. The powers-that-be wanted the women to civilize the men.

I wrote about Dr. John Snow in my personal blog, www.anitabirtstoryteller.blogspot.com He insisted that cholera was spread through contaminated water. His is a fascinating story. I haven't written about the bride ships yet. That's for another time.

Another of my historical romances, Isabelle's Story, A Cerridwen Press publication is set in the late nineteenth century. Because it takes place in an around Llandrindod Wells, it was easy to find the information I required. My husband and I visited that lovely old spa town several years ago and that's where I had the "ah ha" moment that started the story winding its way into my heart and eventually into a published story.

I have to run along. See you next time.

Anita
www.anitabirt.com

What He Really Means

I was talking to a guy friend of mine about how to make sure my male characters sound like real men, and our conversation turned into a discussion on coded speech—the stuff guys says to girls when they want to say something nice but don’t want to come across as a rude jerk who’s only interested in her body.

Here’s what he told me.

If a guy says:

that’s a pretty sweater

He means:

you have pretty breasts

If he says:

those are awesome boots/shoes

He means:

you have awesome legs

If he says:

those are great jeans

He means:

you have a great ass

Ok. That’s not the whole list. There were others including potential compliments including her jacket, blouse, skirt, turtleneck, tank top, khakis, gloves, hat, scarf—and others I’ve already forgotten.

I do remember though, when I asked him if there were any coded compliments about other things—other things being anything other than the woman’s body—and him drawing a complete blank. I prompted him with, you know, like maybe if they want to say something about her personality.

Again another blank.

Hmmm. I guess that coded speech does serve its purpose.

Winner of Down and Dirty

Congrats to Deirdre Durance who was picked out of my husband Stetson by one of my kittens as the winner of Down and Dirty. Thanks to everyone for all your great comments.

Do you want to get Down and Dirty?

My latest release from Total-e-bound, DOWN AND DIRTY, is out today. Check it out. (and gawd, do I love those Texas hunks.)



New to Texas, Krista North reluctantly let her friend drag her to hot, wealthy cowboy Clint Brody’s famous annual barbecue. When he found her in his family room trying to clean off a spilled drink, he convinced her taking a shower would be a better idea. With him. Krista thought it the most erotic shower she’d ever taken until Clint’s friend Shane made an appearance. Then things really got interesting.


EXCERPT:

Setting her hat on the bar, she slid behind it and turned on both faucets. Wetting her hands, she splashed water everywhere the drink had landed.
“I’ve got what people tell me is the biggest shower in the world. It would probably do a better job than that.”
The voice was rich as sin and warm as melted chocolate. Krista’s head snapped up, and she nearly melted into a puddle at what she saw. Six foot five of the most mouth-watering male she’d ever seen. Thick, curly black hair crowned a face that the word ‘rugged’ was made for. Lashes equally as dark shaded eyes of smoky silver. A thin cotton plaid shirt and soft jeans barely concealed the hard musculature of his body. Crisp dark hair peeked out where the shirt was open at the neck, and the rolled-up sleeves revealed arms with well defined muscles that didn’t come from any gym. As her eyes automatically swept over his body, they strayed to his crotch where an impressive bulge pushed against his fly.
“Would you like a closer look?” There was amusement in his tone.
Krista felt heat rise in her face. Was it possible for the floor to open and swallow her?

“Sorry. I’m just…” She wildly looked around for paper towels or a cloth or something to wipe herself with. Remembering the bandana, she pulled it out and began blotting herself.
“Here. Let me.”
He was so close to her now that she felt as if he surrounded her. The heat of him, the male scent, clogged her senses. A smart woman would probably move or push him away. Actually run from the room. Except her feet seemed glued to the floor. Here he was, right in front of her, the type man who starred in all her darkest fantasies. She wondered if he noticed her suddenly hardened nipples poking against the thin fabric of her top or the way she squeezed her legs together to still the throbbing that beat in her pussy like a jungle drum on adrenaline.
He took the bandana from her unresisting hand then gently wiped the places she’d splashed water on herself.

Check out this and other great books at http://www.total-e-bound.com/
Come visit me at http://www.desireeeholt.com/
www.myspace/com/judithdesiree

Writing a love story

It's Friday again and I almost forgot to write a piece for the Goddesses. Well, here I am bowed but not broken. WRITING A LOVE STORY. Or a play. Or an opera. We have a man and a woman who meet for the first time. What happens next is the key to the story. In very short terms, the essence is, "He wants." "She wants." And never the twain shall meet until the end of the book. Their wants conflict.

This bit of wisdom which you all know was plain to see in the opera I attended recently Thaiis. The monk (protagonist) visited an old friend in Alexandria and was horrified at the sinful behaviour of some of the inhabitants, especially a courtesan, Thaiis. He returns to his monastery and is given leave to return to the sinful city and persuade Thaiis to give up your way of life to live a Godly existence, preferably in a small cell in a convent. He eventually persuaded her to see the wickedness of her ways and escorted her to a convent. Their conflict energized the opera. The music was wonderful, especially The Meditation, played by a solo violinist and harpist.

However!!! When he got what he wanted, saved Thaiis, he realized he loved her and journeyed to the convent to rescue her. It was too late. She had found God and died. He was broken hearted and began to question his faith. He wants. She wants. Our books never ended tragically.

And so to my work in progress. "Marrying The Boss. He has to marry before his very ill father dies in order to save the family business from falling into the hands of his gambling addicted uncle. He wants a temporary wife But the woman he picks doesn't want to marry him, short or long term. She wants to stay single.

He wants. She wants. It plays over and over in fiction. And to end this little effort I am posting the covers of all five of my books. I like to see them all in one place now and again.

Thanks for stopping by,
Anita
www.anitabirt.com

Two hot new releases!!!

This is a big week for me and my alter ego, Desiree Holt. We're both very excited because we both have new releases. Desiree's first single author anthology, HOT WICKED AND WILD is just out from Elloras's Cave. Ya gotta read about the erotic adventures of Tracie and Pete.

BLURB:

It’s after hours and Tracie Hill has been having a bad day. Her boss had sold the investment company to a much larger corporation, a new boss with a reputation as a tyrant was arriving the next morning, and she tore her last pair of panty hose. As she’s stripping them off to toss in the trash, standing half naked in her office, she hears a deep voice making a comment and sees the most gorgeous man ever to cross her eyesight standing in her doorway. Then the power went out, locking them inside. It was a wild beginning for Tracie and sexy Pete Montgomery, but as they loved in together and he introduced her to the erotic delights of a BDSM relationship and the excitement of an occasional ménage, she learned what she’d been missing all these years. It wasn’t however, until she accompanied Pete to a secluded island in the Caribbean, to s house party where the theme was “anything goes” that she learned just how uninhibited she could be. And whether Pete would finally claim her as his forever, or move on to someone else.

http://www.ellorascave.com/

Book Three: Scent of Danger in Judith's Phoenix Agency series is out tomorrow, November 3, from The Lotus Circle.

BLURB:

Kelly Monroe was shocked when her dog, Xena, a Caucasian Ovcharka seemed to bond at once with Rick Latrobe, a partner in the high profile Phoenix Agency. Ovcharkas are known for linking with only their owners. But Xena is picking up Rick’s wave length, very much aware when an attempt is made on Rick’s life, and driving Kelly crazy with signals of danger regarding Rick’s current project, ferrying a shipment of arms to a private security cadre in Iraq. Rick is nearly killed when the shipment is stolen by terrorists who are hot in his trail. Only Kelly and Xena, coached by members of The Lotus Circle to expand the psychic link between the three of them—can keep him safe. As Rick scrambles to learn who’s behind the whole mess, the relationship he and Kelly have deepens. But Xena is the real star, not only signaling when danger is at hand but “sniffing” out the killers.
http://www.thelotuscircle.com/

And Book Two: Visions of Darkness, is just out in print. Look for it now at http://www.thelotuscircle.com/ and soon at Amazon, Barfnes&Noble, Borders and other online book stores.

BLURB:

Dan Romeo CEO of the mysterious Phoenix Agency, has just completed a dangerous mission and wants some down time. But when his friend Chase Carpenters calls with an emergency, how can he refuse him? Someone is threatening to steal Chase’s brand new high tech robot about to be unveiled and all he’s got is an anonymous tip. Art historian Mia Fleming has battled with her precognitive abilities all her life, often shunned by a skeptical public and even more skeptical police. But the visions relating to the robot are so vivid she can’t ignore them. When Dan tracks her down as the source of the anonymous note, he wonders if she’s the culprit or a conduit for a message? Things get complicated when the electricity between Dan and Mia ratchets up into high voltage and they find it’s not something they can ignore. Then bodies begin falling, Mia’s vision escalate in horror and intensity and the tension at Carpenter Techtronics is off the charts. When Mia is shot and almost killed, Dan and his team race to locate the real robot and find the killers before they can strike again.

And come visit us at http://www.desireeholt.com/, http://www.judithrochelle.com/ and www.myspace.com/judithdesiree