Thursday, January 29, 2009

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

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

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

Sunday, January 25, 2009

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

Saturday, January 24, 2009

"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

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

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.

Sunday, January 18, 2009

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)
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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

Saturday, January 17, 2009

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. = )

Friday, January 16, 2009

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…

Thursday, January 15, 2009

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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Wednesday, January 14, 2009

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…

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

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

Monday, January 12, 2009

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.

Friday, January 9, 2009

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

Thursday, January 8, 2009

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?