I’m blogging at Samhain

I’m blogging over at Samhain, about all those things we really shouldn’t love, but somehow we just do.

They’re not so PC (politically correct), but well, it’s hard not to love ‘em anyway.

Hop on over to the blog, and see if you love em too. If not, feel free to add something you shouldn’t love, but you do.

Jess

Eye candy

Valerie Tibbs posted this at the Cafe earlier. Specially for me. Just coz she knows Jason Lewis is my idea of perfect. So perfect, I based Connor Regan, the hunky blond hero from A Question of Trust on him.

I couldn’t resist adding this one for you all to drool over:

Yummmmmm!

(Thanx V)

Jess

Looking for a good metaphor?

LOL, Joy over at the Samhain Cafe just posted this hilarious list. She got it from Esther Rose, part of Lorelei
Jame’s gang. (Hey, I had to reference this. I’ve faced the wrath of Lorelei’s gang before – and trust me, things can get ugly pretty quickly with those unruly types. )

I tried to pick a favorite but couldn’t. They are all hilarious. Enjoy,

Jess

Every year, English teachers from across the country can submit
their collections of actual analogies and metaphors found in high school
essays. These excerpts are published each year to the amusement of
teachers across the country. Here are some winners…..

1. Her face was a perfect oval, like a circle that had its two sides
gently compressed by a Thigh Master.

2. His thoughts tumbled in his head, making and breaking alliances like
underpants in a dryer without Cling Free.

3. He spoke with the wisdom that can only come from experience, like a
guy who went blind because he looked at a solar eclipse without one of
those boxes with a pinhole in it and now goes around the country
speaking at high schools about the dangers of looking at a solar eclipse
without one of those boxes with a pinhole in it.

4. She grew on him like she was a colony of E. Coli, and he was
room-temperature Canadian beef.

5. She had a deep, throaty, genuine laugh, like that sound a dog makes
just before it throws up.

6. Her vocabulary was as bad as, like, whatever.

7. He was as tall as a six-foot, three-inch tree.

8. The revelation that his marriage of 30 years had disintegrated
because of his wife’s infidelity came as a rude shock, like a surcharge
at a formerly surcharge-free ATM machine.

9. The little boat gently drifted across the pond exactly the way a
bowling ball wouldn’t.

10. McBride fell 12 stories, hitting the pavement like a Hefty bag
filled with vegetable soup.

11. From the attic came an unearthly howl. The whole scene had an eerie,
surreal quality, like when you’re on vacation in another city and
Jeopardy comes on at 7:00 p. m. instead of 7:30.

12. Her hair glistened in the rain like a nose hair after a sneeze.

13. The hailstones leaped from the pavement, just like maggots when you
fry them in hot grease.

14. Long separated by cruel fate, the star-crossed lovers raced across
the grassy field toward each other like two freight trains, one having
left Cleveland at 6:36 p. m. traveling at 55 mph, the other from Topeka
at 4:19 p. m. at a speed of 35 mph.

15. They lived in a typical suburban neighborhood with picket fences
that resembled Nancy Kerrigan’s teeth.

16. John and Mary had never met. They were like two hummingbirds who had
also never met.

17. He fell for her like his heart was a mob informant, and she was the
East River.

18. Even in his last years, Granddad had a mind like a steel trap, only
one that had been left out so long, it had rusted shut.

19. Shots rang out, as shots are wont to do.

20. The plan was simple, like my brother-in-law Phil. But unlike Phil,
this plan just might work.

21. The young fighter had a hungry look, the kind you get from not
eating for a while.

22. He was as lame as a duck Not the metaphorical lame duck, either, but
a real duck that was actually lame, maybe from stepping on a land mine
or something.

23. The ballerina rose gracefully en Pointe and extended one slender leg
behind her, like a dog at a fire hydrant.

24. It was an American tradition, like fathers chasing kids around with
power tools.

25. He was deeply in love. When she spoke, he thought he heard bells, as
if she were a garbage truck backing up.

*ROFLMAO*

A cool new review for A Question of Trust

Yes, it’s true. Sandra from CK2 Kwips and Kritiques has reviewed A Question of Trust.

I’m thrilled about this, because it’s my first review at this site. Okay, and I’m thrilled because it’s a pretty awesome review.

This is what Sandra had to say:

“Jess Dee has taken a popular woman’s fantasy and put it into words. A Question of Trust is a very emotional read, fraught with highs and lows of hope and regret…
… A Question of Trust is a brilliant story that takes in the whole dynamics of a relationship, friendship, trust and most importantly that element of selflessness that only exists between the rarest of people. The ones who only wants the best for the most important people in their life even if it means having to give up the one you love. Ms. Dee is to be praised for her skill with the pen – a truly brilliant read.“

Okay, so Sandra didn’t highlight the last sentence. I did. But go on. Admit it. You would too if someone gave you such high praise.

Thank you, Sandra!

You can click here to read the whole review.

Jess

I love your blog award

So how cool is this? I was nominated not once, but twice for an “I love your blog award.” Thank you to Viv Arend and to Rhian Cahill.

Now, in order to participate, I have to send this award to seven other bloggers. Sound easy? It’s not. I swear. I tried!!! I went through all my links and I tried. But in the end 99% of the blogs I read have already been nominated.

Yes, it’s true. I am truly terrible at chain letters. I delete every one I get on my email, and now on my phone as well. (When did chain text messages start anyway?)

So what is a girl to do when:

a) She’s a chain letter link breaker to start off with? And

b) There are too few blogs to continue this award nomination?

Well, this girl has decided to thank Viv and Rhian for the nomination in the first place. She’s also posted the nomination to her blog, and she’s added Viv and Rhian’s links to her blog roll. And now she’s going to get herself another cup of tea, and hope no one points fingers at her for breaking yet another chain letter.

Jess

Maggie Nash’s Boys Down Under Contest Winner

Okay….drumroll…..

The winner of a copy of Boys Down Under…which was randomly selected from all those wonderful people who posted a comment …is…

MAUREEN!

So Maureen…please email me at maggienash@gmail.com and let me know what format you would like…

Maggie

Drool worthy cover art

Scott Carpenter has again wowed me with his brilliance. He created this incredibly sensual, absolutely gorgeous cover for Circle of Friends: Only Tyler. Yes, it’s true I almost demented him in the process. The poor man sent me five other covers before creating perfection. He probably never wants to hear my name again, but I’m blowing him millions of kisses anyway.

Okay, so maybe this image is a little on the large side, but isn’t it wonderful?

Only Tyler will be available on the 20th of January, 2009 from Samhain Publishing.

The Blurb:

Love…or friendship? Does she really have to choose?

Circle of Friends – Book 1

Katelyn Rosewood is facing a moral dilemma, one that’s six-foot-two, sexy as sin—and her fiancé’s best friend. Katie spent a lot of time getting over Tyler Bonnard, but now that he’s back in Sydney, he’s turning her carefully reconstructed world upside down.

Her relationship with Steve Sommers may be short on heat and desire, but after Tyler left her two years before, she’ll take security and solid friendship over wild passion any day. Except Tyler seems to have a good—if outrageous—explanation for why he’s returned.

After a tragic family secret tore him out of Katie’s life, Tyler is glad to be back with his two best friends. But one thing is out of place: Katie’s in the wrong man’s arms. And if her reaction to his return is any indication, she’s not quite over him. Which could mean hope for Tyler, heartbreak for Steve…

And another devastating loss for Katie, who must choose between the man to whom she’s committed her future, and the man who still holds her heart.

Warning: Keep a tissue or two handy while reading this book. While it does contain a few steamy love scenes, the rest of the story might just make you cry.

Jess

Spotlight on: Maggie Nash

Well, it’s the final day of the Boys Down Under author guest blogs. Today you’re in for a treat…Maggie Nash.

We all love Mags. Why? Well apart from the fact that she is an awesome author, she’s also the one who took us all under her wing and guided us through those tough writing times. If I had a question, I’d ask Mags. If I needed help…Mags. A shoulder to cry on or an ear to bend? You got it – Maggie.

Not only is she an extraordinary person, she has also single handedly initiated the Australian Romance Readers Convention. Without her, this exciting, groundbreaking conference, featuring hundreds of international and Aussie authors and readers would not be taking place in February.

To add to her wonderfulness, Mags will choose one reader who leaves a comment today to win a copy of Boys Down Under. So don’t be shy!!! Trust me – you want a copy of Boys Down Under.

I love her, and I’m sure you will too.

Heeeeere’s Maggie:

Maggie Nash:

Hi Jess!  Thanks so much for inviting me to chat at your blog today. It’s so exciting to have BOYS DOWN UNDER back on the published list. We had such fun when we were writing it ☺ I thought I might talk about a topic that is very dear to all of our hearts – reading romance!

I love romance and I’m proud of it!

You know before I became a romance writer I used to be a closet romance reader. There was no limit to the ends I would go to hide my secret addiction. I would read my treasured books in the privacy of my own bedroom. I would buy them from shops where no one I knew was likely to see me.  I even, and I am really embarrassed to admit, bought birthday cards and mothers day cards along with the books and pretended to by getting them as gifts. Can you believe that?  I was one sick puppy!

You know what it’s like.  Those looks of amusement accompanied by those superior attitudes.

“Oh, you’re reading one of those books are you?”

Then, the heated blush would appear out of nowhere.  My tongue would swell and dry at the same time and conveniently stick to the roof of my mouth.

“Ahh…yeth…well, no…ith’s a gift for my motttherrrr.”

Then came the knowing grin.

“Of course we all know those books are so degrading to women.  And the stories are all the same. You know they all follow a strict formula.  Anyone could knock one up on a weekend.”

Yeah right!

And so it went for so many years. Holding magazines up over the book I was reading in the train so no one would see the cover. Spending a fortune on greeting cards I didn’t need.

But one day all that changed. I decided to write one of my own.

I found kindred spirits. Hundreds upon hundreds of women (and men) worldwide who shared my passion.  They GOT me!

It was so amazing and such a relief to find out that I could converse about my favourite genre, or gorgeous hero in a safe environment where no one would show me scorn.  Yippee!

It was empowering. And with power, came courage.

As my writing became more serious and I started to think about getting published, I found that I wanted to let people know.

“What do you do for fun?” people would ask.

“I write fiction stories,” I would answer.

An interested gaze would follow. “Really? That’s great!  What sort of stories?”

This is when I would gulp, take a deep breath, and think to myself  – what the heck…”I, er…I write romance stories.”

I would then sit back and wait for the snarky remarks but guess what happened?

“You do?  That’s great.”

Then the person would move closer to me and whisper, “I love reading romances. They’re so relaxing aren’t they?”

And this was not an isolated response. Even the men I confessed my secret to were so very supportive. In fact one even asked me for help with his own romance novel.

Who would have thought?

These days I don’t hesitate at all.  I tell everyone who asks (and many who don’t ☺) – I write hot erotic novels, and steamy suspense.

And you know what? I’m proud of it!

Maggie Nash
www.maggienash.com
www.maggienash.blogspot.com
www.leagueofamazingwriters.com

And just in case you’ve forgotten what the Boys Down Under cover looks like…

Remember to leave a comment for your chance to win a copy of the anthology

Spotlight on: Kate Murphy

Please join me in welcoming Kate Murphy to my blog. Kate was one of the first writer friends I made, and I love her madly. Yes, she’s been rather quiet since Triskelion closed their doors, so it’s awesome to see one of her stories available again. Havoc Retreat is available in the Boys Down Under Anthology. Oh, and just in case you’ve forgotten what the cover looks like, I’ve attached it for you at the bottom of the post.

Jess

Kate Murphy:

Well I wanted Havoc Retreat to be a comedy of errors – everything that can go wrong – does. Anything planned is thrown out the window.

Havoc Retreat is set in current times and based in the Barrington Tops in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales, Australia. The Barrington Tops is Heritage listed and if you have a look at the pictures, you can see why. I tell you, it’s like walking into another world at the Barrington Tops. The air is so crisp and clean – I actually felt light headed for a short time. And the flora and fauna is just breathtaking – how could I not write a love story with this setting!
The characters, Katie and Matthew, are in their late 20s, and Matthew is looking for the perfect place to propose to Katie – but a rascal of a possum has other ideas! I do enjoy writing a romance with just that little bit of spice!
I had such a great time working with my fellow authors and have developed some great relationships.
Hope you enjoy the anthology just as much as we had working on it!

Havoc Retreat: An Excerpt

“Don’t walk too quickly for me, I’m not used to walking in this sort of stuff,” she called as Matthew walked ahead and out of her line of sight. The foliage seemed to shift back into place as Matthew passed, giving him the cloak of coverage.
“I’m just here,” he said in a frustrated tone.
Katie quickened her pace to reduce the gap between them. The tall trees prevented her from seeing anything other than foliage. Stray branches and shrubs with spiky prickles scraped and snagged against her pants.
“Slow down Matthew,” she snipped as she struggled to keep her balance on the narrow path. The added weight on her back didn’t assist with a smooth jog.
She rushed through the thick forest into a clearing but didn’t anticipate the path taking a steep decline. The toe of her boot caught under a stray root and the next thing she saw was the sky followed quickly by the dirt track.
Sky, trees, dirt. Sky, trees, dirt. Sky, trees, dirt.
She was sure a scream made its way from the pit of her stomach before the backpack and the force of landing knocked the breath from her lungs. She heard Matthew calling her name as the sky flashed by one more time before she landed on her side in thick shrub that cushioned her final stagger. She rolled across the bush onto her back as she caught her breath. She was taking a moment to register for any pain that panged through her body. She closed her eyes and forced her lungs to take in air.
Katie remained spread eagle as the sound of Matthew’s shoes crunching on the ground got louder.
“Katie! Are you okay? Talk to me.”
She slowly opened her eyes and wriggled to get off the shrub.
“I’m okay,” she said breathlessly. “Oh my God! I didn’t expect the ground to be so steep.”
She was on her feet when Matthew jogged to her side.
“And if you waited for me I wouldn’t have had to run, and I probably wouldn’t have fallen.”
Matthew flinched from the back of her hand hitting his upper arm before it returned to her stomach. A short pain pulsed through her shoulder, wrist, knees and left ankle.
“I was right there,” he said reaching his arms out to her as she started to rub and pull the clothing to reveal injured parts of her body.
“Bloody hell.” She stretched out her back and hobbled near her landing spot. “This back pack feels like its broken my back.”
“The pack must have been ripped open.”
“What?”
Katie didn’t need for him to answer; she could see the majority of the contents of her backpack were strewn down the hillside. Her pajama pants hung over a low shrub while the frying pan was further up the track.
“Oh fuck it all,” Katie sighed with a shake of her head. “Perfect. Just perfect.”

Kate Murphy

http://www.penscrolls.blogspot.com/

Spotlight on: Sarah Dickson

Well, it’s time to meet Sarah Dickson. Sarah has written a whole series of Paranormal romances which, unfortunately are no longer available. We’re all hoping she’ll get them back on the market now that the Triskelion debacle is well behind us. It’s really fantastic to see a Sarah Dickson story back on the market. And to give you a little preview of that story… Heeeeeeere’s Sarah!

Jess

Hi all

‘Hooked’ is set on a tropical island in northern Australia. I used to dive a lot in the past and always imagined what it would be like to be able to roam the sea without having to breathe. In other words, be a fish but shift back to human form to enjoy all the good stuff back on land.
That was how I came up with the idea of a shape shifter mermaid, Madeline. Here is an excerpt from my story in Boys Down Under.

HOOKED -  The Blurb:
When Luke meets Melinda on a diving trip, he is well and truly hooked, despite the lovely raven-haired beauty wanting only one night of passion.  Her problem is that shape-shifters don’t exist in the modern world, so how can she reveal her true identity without him running like mad in the opposite direction.

Story excerpt:
It was happy hour at the bar. Five nights at this dive resort and not a single man had taken Madeline’s fancy. Would she get lucky tonight? She certainly hoped so. Her libido was fast running out of patience.
Yeah, she could always use a toy, but where was the fun in that?
Newcomers milled around the bar, cradling drinks. Some of the younger men took to stools, leaned on their elbows and checked out the local talent. Others sat at nearby tables. Locals in search of earning a few extra dollars turned up the amplifiers as they jammed for the patrons, all but drowning out any chance of overhearing any conversations.
With at least thirty people here at any one time, couples formed and split up regularly. Aside from scuba diving, the most popular resort activity was sex.
Why not? They were on holidays. That was what she was doing here, looking for sex.
Most of the visitors who came to the small island came for both. An hour’s boat ride from the main resort, the island was a popular place for people to experience the reef diving just offshore, staying just for a day or two.
Dave, who owned the small island, poured another cocktail for a young woman. About fifty, with graying hair, his skin was ruddy due to his exposure to the sun. He inclined his head to Madeline and chuckled.
She smiled back, knowing full well he had seen her there every night for days.
Dave inclined his head to a man who stood on his own beyond the row of tables.
Oh my. She did a double take, unable to believe her luck. When did he turn up?
His profile in the subdued light showed a strong nose and jaw. Dark, wavy hair fell to just past his shoulders. His skin, while pale, didn’t detract from her perusal of him at all. The T-shirt and shorts he wore hugged his well-toned body very nicely. Her gaze returned to his face. He appeared to be soaking it all in, the air, the water and the general ambience. He leaned back against the post, closed his eyes and exhaled deeply.
He was definitely in relax mode.
Madeline made her way to the bar and sat on a free stool.
“What will it be?” Dave asked.
“The usual.” She tilted slightly on her seat to see if he was looking at her yet. “When did he come in?”

Sarah

You can find out more about Sarah on her website at

http://www.sarahdickson.com