Promises Promises!

Today promise yourself that you will be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.
Sometimes, being the shy violets that we are, as authors, we find it easier to be supportive and congratulatory about someone else's wins - new contracts, promotional coups and other things then we tend to be about our own. Because we were told "brags a good bargain, but hold on is a lot better," or "Let someone else toot your horn." Well, that doesn't work when you have to go the 9 miles to promote your own books and be "out there" where people may criticize or even applaud what you do.

But--and here is the best part, what you give you get. So if you are enthusiastic about other people's success, feel that feeling, know that feeling and then claim some for yourself as well.

When Christopher Paolini first met publishing success with Eragon, I dissed him as-- oh sure his parents are publishers, authors, business people...he has an edge - maybe, but this home schooled little boy (15 when he wrote it) had just gotten his GED and was looking forward to college. Instead of heading off straight to college he decided to write a book.

Hubby just finished reading the first of the trilogy Eragon, and asked me if I would get the other two for him. He said he found no mistakes in the editing (where he found several in the Harry Potter books he just finished reading) and he said the kid writes a great story.

I must swallow my ill-placed envy or is it jealousy, and read the first of his books to see how he made and is still making news. His series is number 3 on the New York Times best seller list, still.

Anyway, be happy for those who've succeeded. Your turn can't be far away, actually good vibrations from you will make it happen sooner.
Try it - it couldn't hurt.
Cricket
http://www.cricket-sawyer.com

"I Think I Can, I Think I can!"

Challenge - Promise Yourself: To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best.

When you are facing hard times either financially, emotionally, or spiritually it isn't easy to think only the best for yourself or any one else - but sometimes just smiling will help lighten the burden you feel. And create untold good for you and those you care about.

You can work for the best outcome, you can work to do your best - that doesn't mean perfect that just means the best for where you are and what you CAN do right now. (like parents raising children...you only do what you can do with what you have, know and are.)

If you expect the best - to paraphrase Henry Ford - you can think you can or you can think you can't --either way your are proven right.

So, if you expect the best, throw your dreams toward the moon, even if you fail you'll wind up among the stars - if you aim, expect - the best! You'll have a better chance of getting something more then not shooting for the moon at all. You can do it, if you think you can. "Little Toot, I think I can, I think I can,...." Go for it!

Hope your New Year will be your BEST year ever
Cricket
http://www.cricket-sawyer.com

Where Have I Been?

Sometimes life gets in the way of the best laid plans of mice and men. Besides several new books coming out in the last couple months - I have a few more being released in the months ahead. Fury of Fire: A Woman Betrayed (book 3 in this series)(Crimson Moth Publishers) is due out in January, as is A Writer's Vehicle, Filbert Publishing is a book on the craft of writing. Watch for contests and blog tours associated with each.
However, today I would like you to concentrate on something else....
Its another challenge for you today:
Promise yourself to look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.

That may be a little difficult, you may have to keep checking yourself when you don't really see the bright side - but if you look really hard I bet you can find one.

Today, we have near blizzard conditions - blowing, drifting, at times near white outs - so the weather is a bit of a bear, but I have a warm and comfortable home. It's a good day to stay inside and write - or bake bread or any of the household chores that make my home a place I love to be.

I'm sure when you look around you have a bunch of sunny just under the veil of "your crabby" or someone else's crabby exterior. Make a smile your umbrella and your rain will all turn to sunshine and rainbows.
Try it!
You can email me your results if you like.
at cricket@cricket-sawyer.com
visit my website at http://www.cricket-sawyer.com

Psst Have you heard?

Psst… guess what I just heard?! SingleTitles. com got a facelift, can you believe it? You can search reviews by publisher, release month, even rating. They've got lots of book excerpts and author interviews. You can even win prizes. So write this down, bookmark it or whatever: http://www.singletitles.com Just stop by soon.
Cricket
http://www.cricket-sawyer.com

Trick or Treat...

Guaranteed! After you read your September fix in the form of Fury of Fire: A Woman Scorned - get ready for Halloween by picking up your copy of ZERO CEMETERY LANE

Nicole has stumbled upon the living history of the old rambling log business establishment that went from brothel, to organized crime retreat and everything in between. How does she separate Adam from her real world, or is he real. His love making is real - how? or is it? What about the escape from the .... Well, you'll have to read it to see. Just look at the awesome cover --- and imagine.

Watch for contests, launch party and more.
Cricket

New Contract - New Title - New Publisher

It's like the first -- for those who are authors they know - it never gets old. Every new contract is as wonderful as the first. It validates your credibility as an author, it gives you reason to believe in yourself once again. You can make paper airplanes out of all those rejection letters and send them winging off into the wild blue yonder. Okay, here's the scoop...
Crimson Moth (a new publisher) has accepted Fury of Fire: A Woman Scorned for publication in September 2009.
The cover art completed already by one of the best - for now I'll just call him "R"
You'll see why I want to keep him all for myself {grin}

Here's a blurb about the upcoming book - I'm looking for pre-publication reviewers- if you're interested please email me at cricket@cricket-sawyer.com.
Fury of Fire: A Woman Scorned

Jo-Ellen is finally stabilized and able to speak with Detective Sam Levine. Her ex-husband, Roy Pardena, now becomes a person of interest, with means motive, and opportunity. Conflicting stories develop about the other suspects now with Jo-Ellen's perspective added to the mix.

A visit with the alluring Candy Price opens new insights into the animosity and trouble brewing at Thunder Ride that Detective, Sam Levine, didn't know about before.

"The Piano Principle" Brad Yates

“The Piano Principle”

I read something to day that really brought home just how incredible we are as human beings. Brad Yates talked about an analogy between people and a grand piano. “I think human beings are like grand pianos—incredible creations capable of producing wonderful music.” I add or whatever good thing they dream of and work toward. Our self-talk can derail our dreams; uproot our fragile seedlings of beginnings before they get a chance to grow at all.

Think of some one you know and respect – your hero – be it Michelangelo or Bach, Beethoven, Natalie Goldberg, Kenny G, Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Jefferson, Ronald Regan, Suzanne Lieurance, Jack Canfield, Joe Vitale—whatever field they are in – Do you think they had a special break, or the luck of the draw?

Chances are they worked, faced defeat and rejection numerous times before they “won”. Joe Vitale was down and out, homeless, penniless, he's worth millions today. Not by luck, but through hard work and following his dream.

Not everyone can climb Mt. Everest, or design an Empire State building, Or be the thing someone else already is – I read a church billboard that said “Be Yourself—[the best you, you can be] — everyone else is already taken.” That is enough. That is what you should be. But, do not go to your grave with your music, your talent, still trapped inside you.

“Imagine a world where people felt free to share their grandest music…” Yates

What is your greatness? What if…? Think about it.
http://eroticpress.blogspot.com

A season to celebrate!

Drop on over to my website, click on the books link to see all the special bonuses you can get for buying one of my books from now until April 15, 2009. Guaranteed, you are sure to find something to please the most discriminating tastes.

Angeni has gone to print from Red Rose Publishing! Thank you Red Rose.
Shape shifters and paranormal transporting - multi-cultural entertainment. She a spider - he a wolf, she a singer, he a promoter--but nothing is quite as it seems and when this dynamic duo connect evil is bound to be on the run.

Lavender Lust and Spider Island are available (around June in print) from Bookstrand
Lavender Lust is more than black and white and Spider Island makes a person look at Stephen King's Dome in a whole new light. How could two authors have the same ideas - basically, at the same time. Mine was published long before his however {smile} and mine --is an island in Lake Superior, bound to chill your spine and thrill your need for a romantic suspenseful read.

And Dark Thunder and Valentine Express are available at Erotique Press.
Thunder is the noise, the lightening strike precedes - clairvoyance doesn't always protect its owner - and the raven-eyed warrior may be the devil in disguise.

Visit the website at http://www.cricket-sawyer.com click on the books link - hurry before this offer expires.

Changes

When you live in Northern Wisconsin you expect changes (winter/spring/winter) rain/snow/rain I love it.

When you are a writer you expect changes. Some publishers open doors others close theirs. One of my publishers will be closing their doors at the end of the month. I'm very sad to see Forbidden Publications going by way of the also rans.

Irish Whiskey - that just came out late last month with them and Inferno which was scheduled to release the 5th will not be released. Two others which were contracted by them will also be looking for a new home.

It's never ending this submission/rejection/acceptance route in this business. As an author one must have a calloused and turtle shell psyche, other wise I'm afraid we would all just give up.

But, you know what they say, "When the going gets tough, the tough get going." Time to pull up the bootstraps and dig in for yet another round.

Meantime you can still find Cricket releases on Erotique or Red Rose or Siren/Bookstrand--so come on up and see me some time! (Special Thanks to Mae West - "She Always Knew How" a bibliography by Charlotte Chandler (and Mae's verve.)

The Morning After {smile}

Did you see the post on the Erotique blog yesterday about the great ladies of the silver screen - Mae West being only one of them. Go there and see for yourself - Anabel defines a kiss using these stars - WTG Anabel. Erotique Press
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What do romance & passion mean to erotica authors? Romance? Passion?
Fervor, ardor, obsession, infatuation, excitement, enthusiasm, zeal, craze, delight, eagerness, devotion, dedication, all these words may appear somewhere in a romance authors repertoire.

Romance to different people probably means the same thing. A love story. That story may be complicated or enhanced by mystery, suspense, thriller, intrigue, adventure. It may be anything from the old fashioned sweet love affair between consenting adults. Or, for more modern tastes and reasons, it could be ménage trois or a same sex relationship. Anything is, tastefully, open to exploration. You can be sure it will be entertaining and the plot that carries the story will be well thought out and inclusive.

Passion can and does include many things. A desire to please, an ardor that grows from kiss to physical intimacy by degrees.

No, erotic romance is not all about sex. AND Yes, erotic romance is all about sex, but with a plot, a story that the sex fits into. – An erotic romance novel is a romance novel. A romance novel is no different from any other novel in its basic structure. It demands conflict; an arcing plot with subplots often woven in; well-developed protagonists and possibly antagonists, each with their own goals and motivations; and a setting your readers can visualize. These are all the fundamentals of any good story. The genre’s trademark is sexual tension/pressure. And because it is an erotic romance it also requires sex.

Passion can be how someone feels about their career. I have a passionate urge to create compelling fiction. My passion is writing. Or, it can mean the heat of the moment in a sexual encounter. Passion then, is in the mind of the beholder.

According to Alison Kent “…women make love because they are emotionally involved; men make love to determine if they want to become emotionally involved.”

Looking for passion – read any of the Erotique authors – be sure to bring a tall cool drink and maybe even a fan – or just a willing partner. {smile}
A valentine read is good no matter what time of year so why not pick up a short love story Valentine Express (http://www.erotiquepress.com/direct/buy-erp-cs-ve.htm )
awaits – and if you hurry you can get the Valentine Bundle
(http://www.cricket-sawyer.com ) on sale from the author Cricket Sawyer.

Nathan and Cyan - Valentine's Day Romance

What would my characters do on Valentine's Day?

Nathan and Cyan are an unusual couple. They went to fetch their property from across the country from their other lives only to wind up nearly picked up by a tornado.

They seem to get caught up in the most unlikely and passionate interchanges possible. Could a barn fire and subsequent rescue be a Valentine sortéé or would they prefer to find their passion explode on the dance floor of the set for Dirty Dancing?

I think a roller coaster ride could be in order. I would imagine Cyan would find that just dangerous enough to give her libido a kick in the wherever. Once you read the story, I’m sure you will wonder where Blue Interlude will take you next. Watch for it coming soon from Erotique.
Dark Thunder Buy link
http://www.erotiquepress.com/direct/buy-erp-cs-dt.htm
www.cricket-sawyer.com
http://cricketshearth.blogspot.com
www.cricketsawyerinfo.com
Valentine Express Buy Link
http://www.erotiquepress.com/direct/buy-erp-cs-ve.htm
Jeff’s words: Rule Number One: To be successful selling books, or anything for that matter, is to have a desire to succeed.

Rule Number Two: Go out and do it.

What to do on Valentine's Day?

1. Perfectly R mantic things to do on Valentine's Day
Go for a long walk. It doesn’t matter where you live there is something in the motion of a long walk that brings you closer together. Hold hands if you like, or not. You will find the silence or the quiet conversation as you walk will bring out thoughts you haven’t expressed, perhaps for a long time. The rhythm of footsteps is kin to meditation. Try it, you might like it.
http://www.cricket-sawyer.com

Erotic Romance, or Christian Romance, or...

Valentine’s Day is supposed to be for couples, but if you are a writer – why not give yourself a gift or ask your significant other to buy that in lieu of chocolates. Guaranteed these books will not add to your waist line. They just might give you some new ideas, for both writing and personal use. {grin} Below you will find some from my arsenal. I have shelves and shelves of how to books.

I was perusing my writing romance books for a writer’s group I founded and host once a month in my home. These writers are in various stages of discovering they want to write. Some haven’t decided what genre yet, some write sermons, or lesson plans and want to do more. Some are into genealogy and creative non-fiction, yet there are those who want to write mystery, suspense, plays, screen plays, Young Adult, Thriller and yes even romance. While most of these books would be appropriate for all of them. I think I would have to keep those below that deal with the erotic to myself. They are all full of good methods for writing however – so don’t shy away from a how to book just because it isn’t your genre.

I have found I learn from every manual I read.

How to Write Romance for the New Markets, by Kathryn Falk
Writing the Christian Romance by Gail Gaymer Martin
Writing Romances, A Handbook by the Romance Writers of America, Edited by Rita Gallagher, and Rita Clay Estrada
Writing a romance novel for Dummies by Leslie Wainger
The Easy Way to Write Romance, by Rob Parnell
The Complete Idiot’s Guide to: Getting Your Romance Published, by Julie Beard
The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Writing Erotic Romance, by Alison Kent
Secret Sexual Positions, Ancient Techniques for Modern Lover’s by Kenneth Ray Stubbs, Ph D
Extraordinary Sex Now, by Dr. Sandra R Scantling
The Bald-Headed Hermit and the Artichoke, an Erotic Thesaurus. By A.D. Peterkin. “Entertaining and very funny,” says Hustler Magazine.
Just so you know A. D. Peterkin is a Toronto psychiatrist and journalist. Kind of makes you wonder what beat he covers.
But if you are bored with the trite and over-used check this book out.
http://www.cricket-sawyer.com

Time Flies and Turtles Take One Step at a Time

Sometimes when you are in Turtle mode you get there, eventually mean time you may miss out on a whole lot... So,for today I'll be in time mode and fly over here to say - HEY!

Oh! Oh! Oh! Would you believe Blue Interlude is in edits -- it won't be long before you will get an eye full of Cyan and her blue-eyed hunk. Can you imagine getting stuck in a tornado in a root cellar in the middle of Oklahoma? If it was with a hunk to die for you wouldn't really mind would you? What if his Camaro wound up deposited in a tree by the same tornado? (shhh, I don't want to give it all away--but if you thought Darien was a dark knight in search of a love story- wait until you meet...Nathan {VEG}

========================
Did you get your VALENTINE BUNDLE YET? If not you better hurry Valentines Day is only two days away and I wouldn't want you to miss out. Here is the information again.

Extra, Extra – Special Valentine Bundle Sale
VALENTINE BUNDLE
In celebration of Valentine’s Day
From now until February 14, 2009

Buy either
Angeni from Red Rose Publishing OR Dark Thunder from Erotique Press

(Angeni –The e-book edition available now.
Dark Thunder is available in Print or e-book now.)

And as a Bonus from the author, Cricket Sawyer, receive:
1. Valentine Express (Erotique Download)

2. Hunks and Hero’s from the Valentine Express Booklet (PDF file)

3. Spaghetti Variations Cook Book (PDF file)

4. Angeni Book Marks (PDF printable file)

Send your proof of purchase to Cricket at cricket@cricket-sawyer.com and she will send you your bonus items. Hurry while all the items are still available. Do it Now while you are thinking of it before the offer disappears.

ANGENI Buy Link
http://redrosepublishing.com/bookstore/product_info.php?products_id=357

Angeni weaves her web to entangle evil in its own cocoon of destruction. Shape-shifter, singer, protector her life is in turmoil, is Kaus Borealis soul mate or an evil that won’t be trapped?


DARK THUNDER Buy link
http://www.erotiquepress.com/direct/buy-erp-cs-dt.htm


Dark edgy romance, a vulnerable woman plucked from a loveless marriage. Saved, she thinks, by her dark knight. The dark knight becomes a dark warrior with problems of his own. Sucked into a spiral of bizarre behavior and terrifying consequences, she soon realizes what her vulnerability has cost her. Is there a way out?

Nociception

Nociception

Any idea what that word means? I didn’t either when I first saw it in my morning reading. The Intellectual Devotional by David S. Kidder and Noah D Oppenheim.

Nociception is the perception of pain. Simple huh? It’s essential to human’s survival.
Children are born every so often that have, what is called, a congenital insensitivity to pain and anhydrosis (CIPA). These children seldom live past the age of twenty-five simply because they don’t feel pain. If they survive the stage of teething without biting off their own fingers or something worse, they still are not out of the woods. They don’t know when they’ve injured themselves or have an infection that is eating them up.

We should be thankful for the sensation of pain. Seems like an odd thing, but it is essential as you can see from this one example.

The brain has a pain matrix that sorts out the intensity, location, duration and type of pain. This matrix is called anterior cingulated cortex. The funny thing about this brain center is it doesn’t distinguish between physical pain and emotional pain. This matrix responds equally to a broken leg or a broken heart.

So then, if I follow this logic (there’s that word again) a person could die from a broken heart. I used this emotional context in my mystery suspense novel The Pink Lady Slipper. The mother of the protagonist died from extreme fear. Emotional reaction can be as deadly as actual physical harm. I researched if it was possible to die from extreme fear at this time. I found it was. Amazing!

If all that follows as true, then there is truth to the clichés “Act as if,” “Fake it until you make it,” See it, believe it, achieve it,” wouldn’t you say?

BUY NOW! The Pink Lady Slipper
by Billie A Williams
http://erotiquepress.com
http://erotiquepress.blogspot.com

When You Think Gothic....

What do you see? I think of pictures of KISS or The Bat Man's Cave or some other dark and scary thing -- Yet in the late 1100's and early 1200's it meant enlightenment. It meant the opening up to the sunlight and color,of churches and those structures meant to honor the rulers it meant letting in the light. They would build outer walls on huge pillars and enclose them but the windows were huge stain glass features to let in color and light.

It wasn't until the 18th century when in fiction Gothic became associated with grotesque and mysterious in literature.

It wasn't until the 1980's when music and dress were the dark Gothic - music such as Siouxie and the Banshees created an almost evil darkness that became associated with looking Goth in vogue with some.

What do you think when you think Gothic?

The book I'm reading The Intellectual Devotional by David S. Kidder & Noah D. Oppenheim and it certainly does spark your imagination, your curiosity and your wonder about what you believe and what is truth.
Dark Thunder Buy link
http://www.erotiquepress.com/direct/buy-erp-cs-dt.htm
www.cricket-sawyer.com
http://cricketshearth.blogspot.com
www.cricketsawyerinfo.com
Valentine Express Buy Link
http://www.erotiquepress.com/direct/buy-erp-cs-ve.htm

How One Author is Handling Fame, Fortune and … Cancer

How One Author is Handling Fame, Fortune and … Cancer

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Fire and Ice

Fire and Ice, by Julie Garwood became breakfast conversation this morning when I asked my husband to write book reviews for my blogs. He reads two, sometimes three books a week. He just finished Fire and Ice. by Julie Garwood. The way he explained it to me it is three stories woven into a cohesive whole which sounded very good.

He is an analytic reader. He noticed that there were 42 pages of one thread in the book. I wondered how he figured that out. He said there are 42 chapters, each chapter has a one page reference to wolves which is this particular thread.

I thought that was interesting. I'm reading The Maltese Falcon - and nearly missed how Sam Spade got drugged by one of the villains in the story--that would never happen to him. He reads fast, but he reads deep, always on the alert for clues. Amazing. Perhaps I will yet convince him to review this book and others for this blog.

He says he doesn't dare review my books (Cricket Sawyer writes Erotic Romantic Suspense usually with a paranormal bent to them) in case I would take something he said wrong. The idea of building a dog house in a hurry is not something he looks forward to. {grin}. For now, I'll let him get away with it.
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Something of interest:
Valentine Bundle Sale
You'll want to get in on this before it disappears...what is it? A chance to get some no cost downloads. All the details are at http://www.cricket-sawyer.com

"All men by nature desire to know"

Aristotle knows - curiosity is a natural thing. We want to know everything about everything. Aristotle believed philosophy should be studied in a precise order. Learning logic allows us to explain how facts about the world relate to each other. He actually developed the theory of syllogisms - you probably remember :

All men are mortal
Socrates is a man
Therefore, Socrates is mortal

That represents the sequence of logical thought.

After logic Aristotle says Science - or natural phenomena should be next and the final study should be practical philosophy which includes ethics and politics. Putting those two words in the same sentence seems a bit - well, like an oxymoron.
Ethics - combined as it should be with politics, does it ever? We can always hope.

Mean time Arie would make a good hero in my next novel perhaps - he was a very clear thinker - does that go with love? lust? or sex? Perhaps not. Does logic come into play in these circumstances? Perhaps not. Ethics? Politics? well maybe politics...
Some food for thought non-the-less.

www.cricket-sawyer.com
Valentine Express Buy Link
http://www.erotiquepress.com/direct/buy-erp-cs-ve.htm

Hey Hey Hey, Coming Soon...

Yippeee -- it will be in time for St. Patrick's Day. I just got my first edits back for Irish Whiskey - due out early March - March 5 to be exact. We have a rock star -- we have two very defective twins bent on having him for their very own -- we have a heroine with a very different idea about that...when they are away on a much needed R&R weekend - the twins show up with much evil on their minds. Be sure to check out what happens in this unfolding drama - Romantic Suspense will never be the same.
www.cricket-sawyer.com
www.cricketsawyerinfo.com
Any questions, want more info - want to know about the contest? send me an email at cricket at cricket-sawyer dot com - I'd love to hear from you.

K Celeste is here only one more day! Come Talk!

Advice for aspiring writers – Three words: Patience, Perseverance and Politeness.
The one word I would eliminate from the English Language is – ABUSE (in any form)
My family and friends are very supportive of my writing and have read everything I’ve written. They’re eager to offer suggestions and commentary and many times they have been spot on. Outsiders see things writers miss or don’t see in their own work.

19. What was the most usual way you came up with a story idea? What made you think, ‘hey, I could make that into a story?’

When my youngest son was ten, he became fascinated with Native American lore, particularly Cheyenne dog soldiers. We checked out everything from the library pertaining to the subject and I listened for hour upon hour about their customs, their beliefs and . . . their brutality, courage and honor. At some point, I figured, hey, I should put all those hours to good use and write a book about the Dog Soldiers, thus Where The Rain Is Made.

19. If you could spend an hour talking to anyone from any time in history, who
would it be? And Why?

Harper Lee. I’d pick her brain and find out just how in heck she created Jem, Scout and Atticus. What a marvelous writer. The first time I read To Kill A Mockingbird, I could feel my trousers scrape along that barbed fence, smell the hot, southern air and taste the prejudice. I knew then I would be a writer one day.

20. What is your all time favorite book?

Two, and they are entirely different. One I mentioned above and the other good old standby I read over and over is a romance from the 1980’s called Windflower by a husband and wife team called Laura London. So many times I’ve been reading that book in the middle of the night and laughing. Again, their scenes are so descriptive and I feel as though I’m there, digging out the sea water in the small skiff so I don’t drown. Today, their writing would probably not be acceptable – too much purple prose, but what an experience to read the way they write.

21. What advice would you give aspiring writers today?

Be patient, persevere and pay attention to everything in the market. Listen to your gut while you’re writing. Pretend the character is standing over your shoulder. Ask, would he really say that? Would she really do that? You’ll know the answer.

Thank you so much for having me. I really enjoyed it. From now until the end of February, I’m hosting a contest. Go to my web site and e-mail me the name of the heroine from Sojourn With A Stranger (subject of e-mail should say “Contest”). On March 1st, I’ll draw a winner for a free download of your choice.
I hope you enjoy my new releases.


Happy reading!
K. Celeste Bryan
kcelestebryan@aol.com
http://www.kcelestebryan.com
http://katskwipsandrants.blogspot.com/ (Kat’s Kwips and Rants Blog)
======================
It’s been great fun having you here these few short days. I hope you will plan on coming back often. Please be sure to visit as your new books are released. We’ll be waiting.
Thanks for your time and your wonderful answers to some hard questions.

www.cricket-sawyer.com

Celeste is Reading --What?

On my To-Be-Read list: The Serpent Prince and The Bookseller’s Daughter, then I’ll have to hit the Internet and see what else I can order. I generally read two books alternately and write in between.

(pssst…do you have a title she should read? Why not leave a comment on the blog and tell her what it is?)

Authors I like: Louise Burton, Julia Quinn, Jacquie D’Alessandro.

12. How do you write? Are you a pantser or a plotter? Is it your characters or your plot that influences you the most?

I’m a rather unconventional writer. I plan the story in my head for months, every scene, every conversation between the characters until I know them inside and out. I need to know how they would react to a situation, whether or not they would actually say what I write down. Then I begin a scene, and most often it’s not Chapter One, but ends up somewhere in the middle of the book. From there, I work backward or foreword if called for. I never outline and don’t use note cards. It just doesn’t work for me.

13. How do you choose your characters' names?

Telephone books, baby books, and from the credit roll at the end of movies. If I see a name that grabs me, I write it down in a file. Somehow, one of them will match my character to a tee.

14. Do you write with music playing? If so, is the music likely to be songs with lyrics or only instrumentals?

I like to write when it’s quiet. Music distracts me.

15. What is the coolest thing about being an author?

Working for myself and not having a boss to tell me, “Get back to work.” I love the freedom writing offers. If I want to walk through the flower garden or play with the dog for half an hour, who’s to tell me I can’t?

16. What has surprised you about being a published author?

That people e-mail me and tell me how much they loved one of my books. I still can’t get over this. I love my books, but hey, I’m a little biased, so I don’t expect other people to fall in love with the story or the characters. It’s so nice when they do.

17. What do you like to do when you aren't writing?

Read, sleep and garden. And then sleep some more.

18. What one thing do you like most about writing? Least?

Least: That one must be very disciplined and rigid in order to meet deadlines, keep promises and keep writing to make a living. It’s a never-ending cycle. And promoting is my least favorite. I think about all the hours I could be writing my next book.

I think that means you like the writing the most – and you prove that by how prolific you are. Tomorrow we’ll ask you for some advice we can use if we decide to follow your footsteps.
Happy reading!
K. Celeste Bryan
kcelestebryan@aol.com
http://www.kcelestebryan.com
http://katskwipsandrants.blogspot.com/ (Kat’s Kwips and Rants Blog)

We've only got Celeste here with us for one more day. Please get your questions to her quickly so that she will read them in time to answer them before she leaves. She is a very busy author and we are lucky to have the time to chat with her. So come speak up - Maybe I can convince her to let us read a chapter of one of her current books. Shout out if you like that idea. = )

Celeste Returns

I love writing about eras past when men were men and the women who loved them were strong and courageous. In a historical, the author can choose to write about any time and place in history and stretch her/his imagination when it comes to romance and love.
I began writing sensual historicals six years ago and gradually branched out to steamier, sexier novels. I write erotica for several publishers (under a secretive pen name –I have kids, you know) and will soon have my first M/M short story released by Phaze. Oh-oh, fasten your seatbelts!

As promised here is the word on her other recently released book:

Sojourn With A Stranger is a historical/paranormal. Raine Brinsley’s parents drowned at sea on their journey to Norfolk, VA. Destitute, she must seek employment and finds a position as a house servant at Stafford House. She soon discovers there’s a ghost on the loose in the manor, and she’d like to help her find the woman’s killer, but she’s too busy fending off advances from the Lord of the Manor.
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Now back to the questions for Celeste…
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7. What genre or sub-genre do you write? Why did you choose this genre?

Generally, I write historical romance (spicy or erotic) but somehow an element of paranormal worms its way into all my novels. I like the ingenuity of paranormal, the suspended belief concept. Anything can happen in a paranormal – ghosts, time-travel, shapeshifting, and let’s not forget vampires and werewolves.

8. What difficulty does writing this genre present?

For historical, your research must be very accurate. Readers are very astute and will call you on mistakes. My editor recently caught an oversight in my latest novel. I had referred to a book in the novel only to find out the book hadn’t been published until two years later. OOPS! Thank goodness for editors.

9. How much time do you devote to writing each day?

At least five hours, and then another three answering e-mails, promoting and marketing.

10. Tell us about your other works, books, stories, etc.

Presently, I’m working on a pirate historical and tossing around a Highland warrior novel. And there have been readers asking for a sequel to Where The Rain Is Made, my time-travel, shapeshifter book. Hmm, this is going to take some heavy plotting.

11. What are you working on now?

I also write under a pen name for Siren, Phaze, Ravenous and Noble Romance, so I always have at least three or four stories going at one time. Have to keep my publisher happy, you know.
Happy reading!
K. Celeste Bryan
kcelestebryan@aol.com
http://www.kcelestebryan.com
http://katskwipsandrants.blogspot.com/ (Kat’s Kwips and Rants Blog)

And if that wasn’t enough for you come back tomorrow and get the nitty gritty on what this lady reads in her “spare” (I use that word lightly) time. She may surprise you…

K. Celeste Bryan - Author of Where the Rain is Made

Today and for the next four days we will have as our special guest and featured author K. Celeste Bryan. She is a wealth of information and inspiration. So without further adieu lets find out about K. Celeste.

Where do you call home Celeste?

I live on a lake in Minnesota and love the outdoors (excluding winters). I’m an avid reader of historical and fantasy and write full-time. I have a penchant for soy candles, natural soaps and stationary of any color, type and size. My loveable furry companion goes by the name of Emma LaPounce and was rescued last year from the local animal shelter -- hours before they were about to put her down. Yes, my other penchant is for animals, particularly those who have been neglected and abandoned. And, oh yes, I have a super-penchant for my three children.

1. So, now that we know a little about you, what is your typical day like?

Most days, you’ll find me sitting at my computer praying my muse is in a creative mood. There’s a fat kitty on my lap and a big dog curled up at my feet, but I wouldn’t trade one minute of my writer’s life.

2. You have two books out right now. Tell us a little about them.

Thank you for asking.

Where The Rain Is Made is a time-travel, shapeshifter. Ethan Gray is a curator at a museum in his every day life, but in his other life he travels back in time to help his beloved People, the Cheyenne. When he kidnaps Francesca and her brother during a raid, he bites off a little more than he can chew, so to speak.

*Tomorrow we'll tell you about the other one {grin}*

3. When did you start to write and how long did it take you get published?

I have written in one form or another most of my adult life. I started researching histories of pioneers in America and then joined the US Web Historical Sketches site. I was fascinated by the stories about out industrious ancestors and soon, the “what ifs” surfaced and full-length novels took flight. I began writing historical fiction and then branched into romance.


4. How many stories did you finish before you were published?

I was very blessed to be accepted by a medium-sized publisher for my first book. When my contract ran out, I submitted some novels I’d been working on for two years, and they were accepted. I now write for New Concepts Publishing and The Wild Rose Press, wonderful publishers.


5. How did you break into publishing?

Oh, I knew nothing about it, but had written a story and my cousin asked me every day to read the next Chapter. When it was complete, she encouraged me to send it in. I had no idea where to send so I bought a copy of Writer’s Digest and sent it to several publishers. One didn’t take romance and the other bought it.

6. What inspired you to write romance?

When I realized how many women read romance. Romance accounts for a majority of the sales in the book industry. And, of course, I love writing about dashing heroes and sassy heroines.
Happy reading!
K. Celeste Bryan
kcelestebryan@aol.com
http://www.kcelestebryan.com
http://katskwipsandrants.blogspot.com/ (Kat’s Kwips and Rants Blog)

Come back tomorrow to find out more about K. Celeste Bryan – her other publishers – why she writes what she does and so much more….Secrets we’ll uncover for you!
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Auctioned Bride is live...

AUCTIONED BRIDE
Victoria Chapman

Erotic Romance: Contemporary, Interracial/Multicultural
ISBN: 978-1-60435-281-8
Cover Artist: Shirley Burnett
Editor: Lara Parker
Word Count: 60,870
Release Date: January 15, 2009


Who will win the battle and who is going to win the war?

When Kathy Adams finds herself alone in a deserted building during a hurricane, the last thing she expects is to run into a stranger in the dark. He turns out to be a Peruvian billionaire who takes one look at her in the glare of his flashlight, and decides to add her to his collection of pretty toys. He offers her a dream job on his private island in the Caribbean, and their seduction dance begins.

He is handsome, arrogant, and thinks that every woman has a price. And she's a girl who won't be bought. She wants the real thing—she wants love. Paul Andros doesn't know the meaning of the word.

Kathy is falling for him against her better judgment, every instinct telling her to run. She'd never met his type of man before. Exciting, volatile and always in control. He uses sex as a weapon to leave her weak at the knees.

After one of their many fights, he bids for her at a charity auction, and pays three million dollars to teach her a lesson. The farm girl from Iowa, and the Inca King from Peru wage their final battle on their wedding night and find love and passion strong enough to bridge their differences.

Can hate turn to love? Find out if the Auctioned Bride…

Chat With Cricket about Spider Island

The chat room is live see the icon on the top right? Come on in for your chance to win:
1.Shield earrings to protect you from the Islands powers
2. Cross stitch book marks as delicate as the spider's web
3. Unicorn - tiny but powerful to take you away from this Island of Amazons
4. a PDF of Valentine Express to make you dream of Love and Romance and better times
All you have to do is comment - and please be sure I have a way to contact you if you win.
Catch you later in the Chat room I hope.
Cricket

SPIDER ISLAND - Release Date January 13

Come join me in the chat room All Day January 13, 2009 Prizes awarded on the hour - sign in - if your name appears in that hour you are in the drawing for some nice prizes = )
SPIDER ISLAND
By Cricket Sawyer
ISBN; 1-60601-203-7
Publisher: Siren/BookStrand
Release Date: January 13, 2009

Chief Storm felt the fog seep into every crevice on the boat penetrating even the clothing he wore. It was thicker, heavier; more charged then anything he had ever encountered. Silence so loud it engulfed them; he couldn’t hear the water lapping at the boat. Even the men's voices a few feet away seemed inaudible, like the air canceled sound completely as they slipped slowly under the fog and were swallowed up by it.

It wasn't named Spider Island. It had, I thought, an enticing romantic sounding name. Maizley Ortiz, poetic--almost--But then...

There is no escape from the beautiful tropical island Maizely Ortiz in the middle of Lake Superior. It defies detection and Siren-like, lures men into her embrace. Lady Belize plans world domination with a superior race of women using captured male specimens as the sperm bank for her chosen women.

Searching for the World's Best Lover

Searching for the World's Best Lover


Contest sponsored by www.loveologyuniversity.com
The winner will be announced before Valentine’s Day, 2009 and get a $2,000 scholarship or $1,000 cash prize.

Inspired by Dr. Ava Cadell, Founder of Loveology University® says, “Our Valentine’s Day contest was propelled by the ever-growing demand from people who need to be coached in all matters of love, relationships and intimacy. Through Love U, an online College of Sexual Knowledge, anyone can learn how to enrich their relationships and become a great lover. Most people know ‘how’ to have sex, but being romantic and making love is a truly an art-form that can—and often needs to be--learned.”

Dr. Ava and Loveology University® are asking “Romantics” to submit a short entry essay on why they believe their lover is the “World’s Best Lover.” These entries can be completed for FREE at www.loveologyuniversity.com

Upon nominating your lover’s name, you will receive a FREE “Loveology Certificate” stating that he/she has been nominated for the World’s Best Lover – a perfect Valentine’s gift at no cost. PLUS you will receive a FREE e-Book entitled “52 Sizzling Sex Secrets.”
HOW TO ENTER: Nominate your partner by submitting a short entry essay on why you believe he/she qualifies as “The World’s Best Lover.” Your essay should be no more than 500 words.
DEADLINE: All entries must be submitted before Midnight, Pacific US Time on Friday, February 6th, 2009.
ELIGIBILITY: Contest eligibility is open to worldwide participants who are 18 years or older and may access the worldwide web.
CONTEST JUDGING: Beginning on February 7th, 2009 through February 12th, 2009, a panel of judges from Loveologyuniversity.com Faculty will select the winning Submission based on the judging criteria as follows: (a) 50% Uniqueness, (b) 25% Emotional inspiration and (c) 25% Seduction factor.
PRIZE: The winner will have the choice of a full scholarship for the Certified Loveologist® Love Coaching course at www.loveologyuniversity.com worth $2,000 or $1,000 cash, which will be awarded in the form of a check made payable to the winner. Prize cannot be assigned, transferred, or substituted.
WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT: The winner will be contacted by phone and e-mail. The winner’s name and the nominator’s essay will be on posted at www.loveologyuniversity.com on Friday, February 13th, 2009.

PUBLICITY: The winner and his/her partner may have the opportunity to join Dr. Ava in media publicity including but not limited to Internet, Radio and Television appearances.

VALENTINE’S DAY GIFT SUGGESTIONS: For single people who will be spending Valentine’s Day alone, Dr. Ava encourages them to give themselves the gift of knowledge and choose from the many different Certified Courses that Love U offers such as Communication, Love, Flirting, Dating and Kissing so that they can learn all the healthy ingredients; friendship, respect, trust, communication and passion—that will be required for their next great relationship.

For couples spending Valentine’s Day together, Dr. Ava recommends that each member submit their partner as the “World’s Best Lover,” contest and then purchase a “Loveology” Gift Certificate from the dozens of Certified Courses that Love U offers such as the Master Sexpert, Couples Enrichment, Intimacy, Foreplay and Tantric Sex so that they can enrich their relationship and expand their sexual horizon.

“Live to love, and feel more pleasure by incorporating Loveology into your daily life. That’s the advice I’d like to pass along to everyone,” says Dr. Ava.

FOR COMPLETE RULES, TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR “THE WORLD’S BEST LOVER” CONTEST GO TO WWW.LOVEOLOGYUNIVERSITY.COM AND CLICK ON THE CONTEST BANNER. For updates on the contest, visit www.worldsbestlover.blogspot.com

Valentine Bundle Sale

Extra, Extra – Special Valentine Bundle Sale
VALENTINE BUNDLE
In celebration of Valentine’s Day
From now until February 14, 2009

Buy either
Angeni from Red Rose Publishing OR Dark Thunder from Erotique Press

(Angeni The e-book edition available now.
Dark Thunder is available in Print or e-book now.)

And as a Bonus from the author, Cricket Sawyer, receive:
1. Valentine Express (Erotique Download)

2. Hunks and Hero’s from the Valentine Express Booklet (PDF file)

3. Spaghetti Variations Cook Book (PDF file)

4. Angeni Book Marks (PDF printable file)

Send your proof of purchase to Cricket at cricket@cricket-sawyer.com and she will send you your bonus items. Hurry while all the items are still available. Do it Now while you are thinking of it before the offer disappears.

ANGENI Buy Link
http://redrosepublishing.com/bookstore/product_info.php?products_id=357

Angeni weaves her web to entangle evil in its own cocoon of destruction. Shape-shifter, singer, protector her life is in turmoil, is Kaus Borealis soul mate or an evil that won’t be trapped?


DARK THUNDER Buy link
http://www.erotiquepress.com/direct/buy-erp-cs-dt.htm


Dark edgy romance, a vulnerable woman plucked from a loveless marriage. Saved, she thinks, by her dark knight. The dark knight becomes a dark warrior with problems of his own. Sucked into a spiral of bizarre behavior and terrifying consequences, she soon realizes what her vulnerability has cost her. Is there a way out?