Fantastic Review for Forget Me Not

Google Alert brought me this early Santa gift!

4.5 Stars

"A chilling account of scary possibilities makes Ericka Scott’s Forget Me Not a haunting tale that you won‘t soon forget." ~ Elise

http://sensual.ecataromance.com/index.php?p=1330

Cover Art Christmas

I think I must be the luckiest author out there. I have been so blessed with totally excellent cover art.

This landed in my inbox this weekend and I couldn't be happier with it. It's for my upcoming release, The Lady is a Vamp, coming from Total E-bound in February. The cover was designed by Natalie Winters.

4-Cup Review of Forget Me Not

"This is an amazing story of love. Aaron Davies never gives up on finding his wife and his patience pays off. That kind of love is rare and wonderful to find. Ericka Scott verbalizes the loving emotion and conveys to the reader the anguish that Letitia and Aaron suffer. The story line is original and so believable as to be scary. I absolutely loved the author’s ability to convey a story with such emotional impact while using so few words." Delane, CoffeeTime Romance Reviews

To read the entire review, click here.

Thank you Delane for the lovely review of Forget Me Not. This is a story that's been haunting me for a long time and I was glad to be able to share it. Your praise made my day!

New Review for Breathless

"Breathless is an action packed love story. What starts off as hostility ends in heated passion. Breathless is a fantasy story that pulls you in from the first moment you start reading and makes you wish for more when you have finished Jason and Michael’s story. Breathless is a fast, easy, and engrossing story that I think all M/M fans will love."

Reviewed by Raine at Joyfully Reviewed.

Thanks Raine! I'm so glad you enjoyed Breathless.

To read the entire review, click here.

And the winners of the Scavenger Hunt are...

Kimberly Sutton ~ Leila Brown
Charlene Coyle ~ Selena Blake
Jen Hunt ~ Madison Chase
Michelle Bauer ~ Moira Rogers
Debra Guyette ~ Dani Harper
Jeanette Jackson ~ Kris Eton, Marie Rochelle
Cathy MacDonald ~ Eliza Gale
Lauren Murphy ~ Kelley Jamieson
Nakia Miller ~ Sable Grey
Deidre Durance ~ Cassandra Gold
Nicole Jackson ~ Ericka Scott
Kimmy Lane ~ Ava Rose Johnson
Natasha Brown ~ Tess Harrison, Lyric James
Tami Cullen ~ Deanna Lee
April Harvey ~ Yolanda Sfetsos
Tina Brunelle ~ Melanie Atkins
Caitlyn Hoy ~ Donna Grant

Congratulations!!

Reading Frenzy

I caught a cold over a week ago. It's sapped all my energy and enthusiasm for getting out and enjoying the fall weather (although I did hand out candy to all the ghouls and goblins in my neighborhood last night). What it has left me with is hunger. Oh, not for food or chocolate, but for the written word.

As a result, I feel like I'm in the midst of a reading frenzy. I dove into my to be read pile, and haven't come up for air yet.

So far, I've devoured Ghosts in the Mirror by Leslie Rule, then a couple of true crime novels by John Douglas (boy, and if that wouldn't get you in the mood for Halloween, I don't know what will!), then I slogged my way through The Iron Hunt by Marjorie Liu. It's the first book in the series, but although I loved the ending and the premise, it was a bit hard to read.

I picked up steam when I grabbed up An Ice Cold Grave by Charlaine Harris. OMG. I think this is the third in the series and she simply can't write them fast enough for me (hint, hint, Charlaine!).

I'm now munching on Why Mermaid's Sing by C.S. Harris (aka Candice Proctor) and wishing I didn't have to wait for the B&N delivery to get to the first book (I hate reading stuff out of order, but as this was a new to me author, I didn't realize it was a series. Well, CS Harris is now on my auto-buy list.

I'm also waiting for the new Ghostdusters Mystery, Devil May Ride, by Wendy Roberts. But it doesn't come out until December 2nd...So, Santa, if you're reading this, take a hint!! Although I don't know if I can wait until Christmas to read it!

I will, eventually, get back to writing. I got a bit stuck on my WIP. I needed to build sexual tension in this one scene and was having difficulty. However, after I saw Constantine three times this week (replayed on several different channels), I got some inspiration from Keanu (is anyone surprised?) and finally know what my characters need.

But, now I'm off to finish some laundry so that I can get back to Why Mermaids Sing.

In the meantime, if you have a few minutes this weekend, pop over to Whipped Cream and vote for the best book. The Werewolf Whisperer is in the running!

There's a bloggy carnival over at Bitten by Books with $3700 in prizes up for grabs!

Go ahead and enter...you know you want to!!

Sable Lit Review of Phone Calls from the Dead

I received a wonderful review for Phone Calls from the Dead from Sable Lit Reviews.

"Phone Calls from the Dead accomplishes a lot in only 80 pages. It is a very satisfying read with desire and suspense that leads you to care about the characters and their outcome. I liked Rosalie and her sister from the start and enjoyed witnessing Rosalie’s fight to become whole again."

To read the whole review, click here.

Guest Blogging and a contest

Eliza Gayle kindly asked me to guest blog. It's shapeshifter week at her DAMM (Demons and Magic Mixer) blog. I'm blogging about werewolves...fact or fiction. Did you know that there are current werewolf sightings here in the US? Come read about them...AND enter the contest to win your own copy of The Werewolf Whisperer.

Come on...you know you want to!

Leave Me Breathless...

I'm blogging over at the Midnight Moon Cafe tomorrow. Drop by and enter my contest. You might win your very own copy of Breathless!

Oh, and I'll be at Novelspot all week, blogging at Behind the Scenes, and talking about how I got from there to here. Interested? I hope so.

Over the past week, I've gotten two reviews for Breathless! The first was from Elisa Rolle. I quote her in saying ~ "And so if you are searching for a little short interesting and original story, this could be your choice" You can read the entire review at http://elisa-rolle.livejournal.com

Then, Matthew at Rainbow Reviews has this to say. "Breathless by Ericka Scott is a good paranormal story. While it is rather brief, the plot is complet and the few twists and turns are realistic. The writing is solid." You can read the entire review at http://rainbow-reviews.com/?p=638

To celebrate, I got enthused and worked on a promotional book trailer for Breathless. Hope you enjoy it!

Halloween Scavenger Hunt

1. To enter the contest you must download a copy of the form and fill it out (you can get a copy of the form on Main Street -- or, if you search my website and find the icon, click it to download a copy. Each author has the Cobblestone Scavenger Hunt graphic located on their website or blog. Once found please enter in the address of the webpage where the grapic is located.

2. Email completed form, along with name, email address, and mailing address to: thehunt2008@ymail.com

3. Uncompleted forms will not be eligible for prizes

4. Contest ends at midnight on Oct 30, 2008

5. All disputes will be decided by the Author Internet Promotions Director of Cobblestone Press.

6. Cobblestone Press Authors not elible to enter contest.

7. Winners will be drawn at random and notified of which prize they have won within the first two weeks of November.

List of Prizes:

Here is a list of Prizes....(More may be added!)

Sex Bomb Gift Bag

Celtic Journal & Goodie Gift Bag

2009 Calendar and Pen Set

Cobblestone Goodie Bag & Handmade Book Thong

Reader Appreciation Gift Bag

Vampire Oracle:Wisdom Download & Gift Bag

Going Down deck of cards

Download of backlist book & Goodie Gift BagDownload of first 3 Stormy Weather Books & Gift Bag

Handmade Book Thong & Plush Werewolf

Vampire Oracle:Rebirth Download & $10 Bath and Body Gift Certificate

Crystal Ball and Stand

Portrait of Seduction E-book and Crystal bookmark

Download of The Pleasure in His Bed & Dragon Diary Gift Set

$10 Starbucks Gift Card

Vampire Gift Pack

Download of Vampire Oracle: Sacrifice & Gift Bag

Purple Journal and Pen Set

Almond & Honey Soap, Candle, & Lotion Set

Happy October!

I don't know about you, but I love autumn and October is one of my favorite months of the year. Although the days are shorter, we finally get a break from the heat and all the spooky decorations and candy are offered up for sale at the stores. All this really puts me in the mood to start reading, writing, and thinking about things that go bump in the night.

To celebrate, I'm participating in two big Halloween contests. The first is hosted by the multi-talented Moira Rogers. My prize is a free download of Postcards from the Dead.





The second is a scavenger hunt hosted by Cobblestone Press -- my prize for that is a gorgeous crystal ball and stand. I'll post more details about the scavenger hunt this weekend!

Fantastic Review for Twilight's Embrace...

I'm in the midst of frantically packing for a week away from home, but checked my e-mail one last time. As a result, I just have to share a snippet of the fantastic review I just received from Coffeetime Romance reviewer, Cherokee.

"Twilight’s Embrace has outstanding vampires, sharp dialogue, and anticipation that thrills. Ericka Scott takes a motivating plot, lively characters and adds just the right amount of suspense to make this read electric, I want more."

To read the entire review, click here.

Stop the Presses!

OMG!

My husband started calling around today, inquiring about what our next step was going to be with our daughter's surgery. There seems to have been a 'massive' miscommunication.

Surgery is MONDAY! (Thankfully we found out prior to and not after the fact)...so, we are all reeling in shock and starting to get all our ducks in a row. Luckily much of the paperwork/blood work done for the last surgery is good for 30 days. So, they won't have to be redone. Whew!

We also managed to get a reservation in the same hotel I stayed in previously. So, I'll be familiar with the territory. I'm grateful for that.

So...back to your regularly scheduled activities...

Ahhhhhh-Chooooo

The sneeze...normally the sound of a cold, occasionally a symptom of a nasal allergy. I've been down with a cold and an allergy for the last week, talk about a double whammy.

But, on the subject of allergies, I'm thrilled to say that my daughter does NOT have an aspirin allergy! Yippeeee. She completed her challenge with no issues and her neurosurgeon has been notified of the results. Now...we're back to waiting for a date for surgery.

New Release ~ Forget Me Not

September 11, 2001 was a momentous day in history. It was also the day Letitia Davies lost her memory and began seeing ghosts. Despite the loving care of her husband, she never regained any memory of her past.

When he unexpectedly dies of cancer seven years later, Letitia travels back to Napa, California, to celebrate her birthday and plan out her future. There she encounters a sexy man who claims to be her real husband. Although her mind doesn’t remember him, her body does and his touch inflames passions she’d only dreamed of before.

In order to take her mind off her lust for the handsome stranger, Letitia investigates the death of a ghostly beauty. However, the series of clues she finds leads Letitia right back to her past and could either unlock her mind or destroy the only memories she has left.

Forget Me Not by Ericka Scott ~ Available from Total E-bound today!

Excerpt:

If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a hundred times. Ghosts are selfish.

I should know—I’ve been seeing them since a chunk of concrete tried to turn me into one on 9/11. Since then, numerous spirits have visited me, each one of them wanting me to take a message to a loved one, give comfort to a grieving family member or exact revenge on their killers.

But the one ghost I wanted to see never appeared.

Even now, I couldn’t have a solitary birthday celebration without a revenant interrupting. Thank God for cell phones, for I can now talk to the spirits without appearing like some crazy woman who talks to herself.

I flipped open my pink Razr and glared at the ghost sitting across from me. “Go away,” I demanded in a low voice.

The woman’s smile wavered, but she made no move to vacate the seat. My goodness, I could have been looking at my twin sister. Her hair was worn in a short, straightened bob the way Aaron had insisted I wear mine. Since his death, I’d just let it go back to its normal curly state. The resemblance was uncanny, although I noted our eyes were different colours. Hers were large and hazel, mine were as black as my hair. The only thing that marred her perfect café au lait complexion was the bullet hole in the middle of her forehead.

“I don’t have time for this conversation right now. I’m here to enjoy dinner and celebrate my birthday. Come back tomorrow, I’ll talk to you then.”

The woman’s eyes filled up with tears, but she did finally disappear. I suspected she hadn’t gone far.

Alone at last. I took a sip of my wine and looked up at the stars sparkling through the canopy of grapevines. Napa Valley was beautiful any time of the year, but I loved it most in the fall when the vines were fragrant and heavy with fruit.
It reminded me of the night Aaron first brought me here. Blinded by a sudden wash of tears, I fumbled for my wine glass, hoping no one noticed my distress.

“Hello, I hope I’m not interrupting?”

I shook my head, not trusting my voice to be able to push past the lump of emotion in my throat.

The man slid into the seat across from me. He was six feet of pure muscle and sex appeal in a pair of dark blue jeans and a white shirt. His blond hair was cut short and the ends tipped with gold, either from the sun or a very good stylist. When he flashed me a hundred-watt smile that reached right up to his sparkling brown eyes, I felt a flicker of something deep in my belly. Whoa, what was that? Desire? Nah… After my accident, that part of me had died. Hadn’t it?

“This is going to sound really strange,” the man began.

Hey, that was my line! The one I use when knocking on some strange woman’s door to tell her to look for her father’s will in the fake spinach package in the back of the freezer, or to tell a man that his wife hid their stock certificates in with her beloved Manolos. I looked up at him with interest.

The man’s smile had dropped to about forty watts, and he looked uncomfortable in his skin. Oh shit. I gave him a subtle nod to encourage him to go on, although there was a heavy weight pressing down on me and I could hardly take a full breath.

“I have a message from Aaron.”

No, this was not happening. I leaned across the table, hoping that my voice was as venomous as I felt. “Listen, I see ghosts too, all the time. I can assure you, if Aaron needed to get me a message, he could do it himself.”

With as much dignity as I could muster, I ripped my napkin off my lap and threw it onto the table. I stood up too fast and my chair clattered to the floor. Heads turned my way, and I could feel heat infuse my face. So much for a quiet dinner.

My heart was pounding in my ears, but as I whirled away, the man’s voice chased me.
“Do you remember the first time we came here?”

My fleeing steps faltered, but I didn’t stop. I couldn’t. Oh Aaron. My heart had never quite stopped hurting since he died, and now I thought it was going to break all over again. I walked and then ran until I got to my cottage. I slammed the door shut and leaned against it, my ragged breathing sounding loud in the quiet room.
For once I was annoyed there wasn’t a television in the cottage. I couldn’t turn on some mindless sitcom and let the drone of conversation drown out the man’s voice echoing in my head.

The first time we came here.

We? Had he been channelling Aaron? I thought back. Of course I remembered when. It was in late September 2001, after my ill-fated trip to New York. Aaron had brought me here to rest and recuperate, to hopefully regain the memories I had lost. But alas, my mind had been wiped clean on 9/11. Since then, I had given up any hope of regaining any recollection of my past. Despite that, just being here again caused something to tease the edges of my mind. I closed my eyes and sighed. As before, no matter how hard I tried, the only thing I felt was a deep sense of loss.

There was a soft knock, and a voice called, “Ms. Davies?”

I sighed, thinking it was the management coming to make sure I hadn’t gone off the deep end.

Imagine my surprise when I saw who it was. Him…again.

“I’m really sorry to disturb you.”

My first reaction was to slam the door in his face, but something odd happened to my body. Warmth suffused me from head to toe, my breasts tingled and desire coiled deep in my womb. It took all my restraint not to drag him inside and jump him. As my gaze travelled down his lean frame, I could picture the smattering of hair across his perfect chest, the gold nipple ring he wore on the left side, the barbed-wire tattoo on his right biceps and the treasure trail that led to a ...

Oh my! What sort of spell had he cast over me? Or had I suddenly developed x-ray vision?

Cover Art Christmas

Getting new cover art is like opening that brightly wrapped package on Christmas morning!

Here's the cover for my upcoming release from Cobblestone Press. Isn't it lovely? I think I'm in love!

Dan Skinner designed it...and it's left me....Breathless.

It's my Diva Day!

I'm blogging over at Divas of the Dark today. Come join me, if you dare...

Much Ado about Nothing....

Or...

A Really Expensive Dress Rehearsal.

We showed up at the hospital on time and ready for the day at 4:45. My daughter was upbeat and optimistic, albeit sleepy.

By 7:30, she was IV'd and valiumed and ready to go.

At 10:00, we got a call down in the waiting room asking if Ashley was allergic to aspirin. Um...haven't a clue. Since you aren't supposed to give children aspirin, I never have. She's had Tylenol and Motrin...but even at 14, no aspirin.

Well, seems she'd had an allergic reaction to something. Surgery was immediately stopped...The success of the bypass depends on her continuing to take aspirin after the surgery. So...since we don't know the answer to whether she is allergic to aspirin or not, we now start another round of testing with an immunologist . There is no simple test, no blood test for this common allergy. So, now we are once again in a holding pattern waiting for yet another insurance referral and an appointment.

Like jugglers with plates balanced precariously in the air, we watched as they one by one fell down and shattered. My daughter cried when she found out...we all did.

Insomnia...

Back when I used to work outside the home, I would have huge bouts of insomnia on Sunday nights as I mentally prepared myself for the week ahead. Well, it's 2:40 am, and I'm awake. This time it isn't work that's keeping the sand man away. Instead, it's my daughter's surgery, scheduled for 7:30, just a few short hours away. It doesn't help that we have to be at the hospital at 4:45 am! Or that my ex-husband flew in for the surgery.

I'm glad he did, for my daughter's sake. He hasn't played a very big role in her life since he left when she was two years old. It doesn't help that he lives, literally, across the country now. So, visits are limited to a few weeks in the summer and occasional holidays. But, on this momentous occasion, I don't want to share her.

But, I've tried to put myself in his shoes. That's what authors do, right? They look at things from other people's perspectives. And I'm being graceful and letting them have this time together. Although she's just a block away right now and I'll see her in just a few hours... anyway, you get the picture.

So, wish us luck and send lots of positive thoughts and prayers in our direction today if you get a chance. Thanks!

4.5 Blue Ribbons for The Werewolf Whisperer

Seems like everytime I open my inbox, I find a new review for one of my books.

4.5 Blue Ribbons from ladybirdrobi at Romance Junkies!


"THE WEREWOLF WHISPERER was a unique experience. Ms. Scott held my attention with gusto as I devoured this book, unveiling its mystery, discovering Jackson and Serena as they developed their new relationship. It spun a new twist on lycanthropy that is wholly unique and unseen anywhere before."

Another Review for The Vampire Oracle: Chalice!

I stumbled upon a review from GhostWriter Literary Reviews. Deanna gave my little story 4.5 Stars.

"It definitely gives a different twist to the life and loves of a vampire. Great Job!"

Click here to read the entire review.

4 Tombstones for The Vampire Oracle: Chalice

I received my first review for The Vampire Oracle: Chalice - it received 4 Tombstones from Jennifer at Bitten by Books.


"Laced with interesting character development, The Vampire Oracle: Chalice is an enjoyable twist on the detective short. Set in New York City and packing a quick punch with the two lovable leads, Chalice is a hot novella that begs for sequel tales."

Click here to read the entire review.

Review for The Werewolf Whisperer

The Werewolf Whisperer received 4.5 Tombstones from Rachel at Bitten By Books ~ Here's a little of what she had to say.

"Ms. Scott has put an interesting twist on lycanthropy with this must read summer thriller. I hope to see more of Eclipse and its hairy band of characters in the future." Bitten by Books

Click here to read the entire review.

Diva Day

I'm blogging at Divas of the Dark today! Hope to see you over there.

Vampires, and Werewolves, and Contests, Oh My!

Happy Monday -

Would you like to win a free download of The Vampire Oracle: Chalice and a lovely set of wineglasses? If so, bop on over to Coffeetime Romance  and answer some easy questions to win.

Or, if Werewolves are more your style, hop over to  Whipped Cream  at Long and Short Reviews . I'm in the spotlight there!  Each day I'll be giving away a werewolf necklace, and then, as a grand prize for the week, I'll give away a download of the book with a necklace and a tote bag of assorted goodies (bookmarks, pens, etc.).

Or enter both contests - you know you want to!!

In other news:

I was inteviewed at Wild On Books , so if you want to see the very glamorous me, bop on over and take a peek. I think I make a mah-velous Diva!

Also -  On August 6th, multi-published author Ericka Scott (that's ME!) will be blogging at Bitten by Books . She'll be talking about Dark Shadows -how to use  foreshadowing to enhance a story without giving away the ending.  Commenters will have a chance to win a free e-copy of The Werewolf Whisperer, her latest release from Phaze.

AND the interview that has left me shaking in my flip-flops. My first ever radio interview is tonight (gulp). I'll be interviewed by Lillian Cauldwell on PIVR (http://www.internetvoicesradio.com/), and then the interview will subsequently be available as a pod cast. Tune in and I'll be reading an excerpt from The Werewolf Whisperer and gibbering mindlessly (oh, I mean talking) about my writing and what new and exciting books will be released in the upcoming months.

And if you want to receive your own copy of Seductive Suspense, my newsletter -

Click to join

It's all about ME!

Well, despite NOT going to RWA today (sigh)...I did wake up to a nice surprise. My interview at Wild On Books is live. Stop by and learn a little more about me. Come on, you know you're curious.

It even features my "glamour" picture -- and I can guarantee I look like that every day! And if you believe that, I have some ocean front property I'd like to sell you too. LOL.

Receiving "The Call" & Conference Woes

I'm blogging at The Romance Studio today. Come commisserate with me!

Soldier by Dee Carney

Soldier by Dee Carney

Dee Carney (aka Morgan Sierra)

SOLDIER available now at Cobblestone Press

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES (Aug '08) and THE FALLEN (Coming Soon)

Website | Blog | Newsletter | Goodreads | MySpace

Valentine by Jamieson Wolf

Diva Day...

I'm over blogging at Divas of the Dark today!

Hitting the Hot Spot

I'm over Hitting the Hot Spot today. It's Total E-bound's first anniversary and there's a party going on!

Stay tuned all month to collect the letters! Total-E-Bound is having a blog contest! Find all of the birthday balloons pictures to win stacks of books!


Visit Hitting the Hot Spot blog each day from 1st to 30th of July, and collect the clues. On the 30th July we’ll pick three winners. The winners will each receive all three copies of the celebratory Lust Bites Anthologies comprising of 18 stories!


Details of the contest are here

Father of the Wolf by L. Shannon

L. Shannon
http://www.lshannon.net

Promise in Eden by Yolanda Sfestos

PROMISE IN EDEN by Yolanda Sfetsos





Yolanda Sfetsos
www.yolandasfetsos.com

Moonshine

Moonshine by Moira Rogers



On sale now! http://www.cobblestone-press.com/catalog/books/moonshine.htm

--
Moira Rogers
http://www.moirarogers.com

Bitten in the Bayou

About the Author
.......................
Bestselling author Selena Blake writes paranormal and contemporary romance for Cobblestone Press. Her series, Stormy Weather, will be available in 2008. Drop by her website to find out more about the handsome Deveraux men of Louisiana and for a free short story. Http://www.selena-blake.com

Video Tour

For the next couple of weeks, I'm going to be a lazy blogger. Oh, I'll be here most every day, but I'm going to be posting video trailers as part of a blog tour. My first guest is Moira Reid, author of The Vampire Oracle: Sunlight.


Sunlight by Moira Reid





Debra Moore aka Moira Reid
I'm a BRAVA finalist!
Pay Dirt, Cobblestone Press
Hawkes Abandon from Cobblestone Press
Paid in Full-Valentine Monologues, Cobblestone Press
Sunlight-The Vampire Oracle coming 9/08, Cobblestone Press
Seduction 101, Samhain Publishing
FREE EBOOK DOWNLOAD: http://www.readmoore.com/free_reads.htm
Please visit my website! http://www.readmoore.com
Join my yahoo group: EMAIL readmoore-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Divas of the Dark

I'm blogging at Divas of the Dark today!

The Vampire Oracle: Chalice Book Trailer

The Vampire Oracle: Chalice

Available now at Cobblestone Press

Reclusive vampire Sapphire McKenzie lives in her penthouse apartment with fortress-like security run by her AI computer, Van. She’s been hailed as the greatest armchair detective since Mycroft Holmes and has solved every case she’s ever been asked to investigate – and even some she hasn’t.

Her ex-lover, Drake Chastain, is a retired basketball star living off his fame and fortune until women he’s dated begin disappearing, then reappearing…dead.. With Drake framed for murder, Sapphire has to leave behind the safety of her home to save the man she loves…or die trying.

EXCERPT:

            Fighting back a swell of nausea, Sapphire watched the shadow under the door recede. Whoever had attacked her apparently wanted her alive, and not dead. She pressed a hand to her temple and shuddered when it came away sticky with blood. Or perhaps he just wanted her to die slowly. She hadn’t lost a lot of blood, but being unable to manufacture more of the precious life force put a crimp in her situation. She needed to feed.

She knew she had recovered from the blow to her head much faster than her attacker had anticipated. Then she’d hidden in her closet. Now, if she could just get him to open the door…

She rested her ear against the thick wooden panel, hoping to get a clue as to his location. Closing her eyes, she concentrated on picking up the tiniest of sounds, and was rewarded when she heard a flurry of noise. Running footsteps, a slamming door, and then…silence. Had her attacker been disturbed? Or had he just left her to die? She slowly twisted the door knob and pushed, but the door remained stubbornly closed.

It was insane. No doors in her penthouse locked of their own accord. Access to all rooms, heating, air-conditioning, and security—indeed, absolutely everything inside the apartment was controlled by her assistant, Van Helsing. She had always known people were not a good security risk. Someone downstairs had to have let the intruder onto her floor and disabled the alarm when the security system was breached. That’s why she’d created Van.

He was the perfect assistant, simply because he wasn’t human. Van was an artificially intelligent computer program she’d designed five years ago. No way would he ever turn against her. Perhaps he thought that by keeping her locked away, he was keeping her safe.

She raised her fists to start banging and shouting for help, when the small amount of light seeping under the door dimmed.

Damn it. The intruder hadn’t left after all.

Her first moan was unintentional. But the intruder paused, as if he were listening. So she moaned again.

“Come closer, you bastard, and open the door. I’ll give you a taste of pain,” she murmured under her breath. Then she moaned again, theatrically.

This time, she clearly heard someone approach the door.

She put her hand on the knob and felt it turn. Whoever was on the other side was strong; the door shuddered. But it obstinately stayed shut.

“Well then, don’t open, damn it.” A male voice cursed.

Sapphire went still. She knew that voice. Drake Chastain? If Drake had broken into her apartment and hit her on the head with a baseball bat, then he was surely responsible for the disappearances and deaths of all those other women. The world spun dizzily for a moment. But if he were responsible, then she was wrong about everything. In which case, being locked up was the safest place for her for the time being.

The door shuddered under her hand again.

“Oh, please,” Sapphire murmured. “Don’t open.”

To her surprise and chagrin, the door swung wide and sunlight flashed in, blinding her.

Although she couldn’t see, she did the only thing that came to mind. She lunged out, fangs bared, and prepared to dispense with her attacker before he killed her first.

A spitting wildcat was Drake’s only thought as he held the tall, thin redhead at arm’s length. Once again, he was glad for his height and long reach. A hurricane brewed in the depths of Sapphire’s sea-green eyes, and with each toss of her head a sinister hiss slid through her gleaming fangs. She kicked out at him with her long legs and managed to land a few blows dangerously close to his balls.

He didn’t want to risk her disabling him, so he tossed her into the middle of the bed.

“Damn it woman, I’m here to rescue you.”

He braced himself for impact when she pulled up into a crouch. She stared at him, her breath coming in harsh gasps. That’s when he saw blood and a fast-coloring bruise on the side of her beautiful face. Instinctively, he reached out to push her long curly hair aside and take a closer look at her injuries.

She flinched, as if she expected him to hit her.

“What happened?” he whispered. “You’re hurt.”

“As if you don’t know. You broke in and attacked me.”

“No, I didn’t. ” Drake shook his head. “Your apartment security had already been breached when I arrived. You can ask Chester; he’ll back me up.” Drake hoped so, anyway.

“Chester? Management fired him six months ago.”

“What? But—I –” Caught off guard, Drake motioned behind him, as if he could miraculously conjure up the doorman to substantiate his story. When he looked back at Sapphire, she was smiling. “What?”

“Nothing.”

It might have been nothing, but her smile changed her entire demeanor. To his relief, he realized she was no longer afraid of him.

“Well, if you didn’t break in, who did?”

“You didn’t see who attacked you?”

“Nope.” Sapphire shook her head, and then grimaced with pain. “I only heard the whoosh of air right before something hit me. I take it you didn’t see anyone, either?”

“I wasted the opportunity. When I first came in, I thought there might be someone in the kitchen, but I came to the bedroom instead. As soon as my back was turned, I heard someone running. Then the front door slammed.”

“You didn’t go after them?” Sapphire’s voice sounded odd, and Drake shot a sharp look in her direction.

“Are you okay?”

She raised her hand to her forehead, and before Drake could cross the room, she fell, hitting her head on the footboard of the bed.

He lifted her off the floor and placed her in the center of her bed. Then he ran a hand across the back of his neck. He recognized her symptoms and knew what she needed. Blood. She’d obviously lost just enough to make her weak. She’d need to feed…and soon.

His cock hardened as he looked at her. She was dressed for bed in a filmy white nightgown that showed off more than it hid from view. He could see her nipples through the fabric, and at the junction of her thighs was a mound of darkness he knew hid the pink lips of her sex. The soft curve of her breasts rose and fell with each breath she took. It had been over two years, but he could still remember the feel of their weight in his hands. He ached to touch her, to taste her. To fuck her. All he had to do was climb onto the bed with her. She needed him.

No. He shoved his hands into his pockets and turned away. She didn’t need him. She needed blood. Anyone’s blood. She had a stable of young studs on whom she fed regularly. It was also a given that her nightly feeding was probably accompanied by a generous dessert of sex. Yet the thought of her being with someone else, even if there were no feelings involved, sickened him.

She had left him. He was the one who had called her, sent flowers, and tried everything to win her back. But she had spurned all his efforts. So what made him think she’d want him now? Hell, just a few minutes ago, she’d seemed convinced he was the one who’d attacked her.

Yet…he glanced back over at her thin build, and his heart tugged painfully in his chest. He still loved her. It would only take one word from her, and he’d offer up his neck and his heart.

Sapphire stirred and moaned, her hand fluttering to her head. Then she opened her eyes and looked at him.

Hell, it didn’t even take a word.

Heat coiled up from her belly. She had wanted Drake for so long. It had taken every ounce of willpower she had not to call him. Now, he was here. She had to clench her hands in the bedspread to keep from leaping from the bed and tearing off his clothes. But this had to be something he wanted, too.

When a look of indecision flitted across his features, her heart shattered. She had caused him so much pain, of course he was going to just walk away. It would be so much easier for both of them if he did.

His eyes bore into hers before he turned toward the door. A whimper of pain and regret filled the air, and with a start, she realized it came from her. She closed her eyes and forced back the tears threatening to spill down her cheeks. Although it would break her heart if he left, she wasn’t going to let him see her cry.

A rough thud made her jump. She opened her eyes and blinked in surprise. Drake had shut the door and propped a chair under the knob to jam it shut.

He turned to her with a grin and a shrug. “The lock wouldn’t work.” Then he paused, as if suddenly realizing she’d thought he was going to leave. His grin widened, and he struck an erotic pose and waggled his eyebrows at her. From where he was standing, Sapphire had a perfect view of his front, and his back was reflected in the full-length mirror on her bedroom door. He blew her a kiss, and then slid his hand up and down his torso before unbuttoning one button on his shirt.

She started to get up, but he motioned for her to stay still. Then he undid another button and shifted his pose. Through his tight slacks, the muscles in his butt clenched.

Heat flamed between Sapphire’s thighs, and she ached for his cock as much as she hungered for his blood.

His hands hovered over the next button. But instead of slipping it through the material, he grasped the shirt and pulled it off over his head in one graceful movement. His chest and arm muscles rippled, but before she could get a good look at him, he turned his back, teasing her. He rocked his hips to music only he could hear, and she suddenly realized he was undoing his belt. She heard the rough rasp of his zipper and found she was holding her breath.

_____________
Copyright 2008 Ericka Scott

www.erickascott.com

Diva Day...

I'm over blogging at Divas of the Dark today.

The Vampire Oracle: Power

I'm doing a little cross promo for my fellow Oracle authors. Here's the blurb for Power ~ I know I've been buying all five stories the moment they hit the shelves.

The Vampire Oracle: Power
by
Ava Rose Johnson

A Vampire's Promise Lasts Forever...

Jourdain has spent years tracking the Elemental Ruby to Chicago. Desperate to destroy the danger it could cause, he will do anything to find it, even deceive.


Bryanne, the ruby’s owner, is fascinated by the stranger who rescued her from the hands of an attacker. Unaware of his motives, she responds to his sexual energy and welcomes him into her bed.


But when an enemy ups the stakes, Jourdain is forced to come clean. Should Bryanne trust Jourdain or run as fast as she can? One thing’s for sure, the wrong decision could mean death.


Read an Excerpt/Buy

Well...we have an update....sort of

After all the hoopla of waiting for my daughter's appointment with yet another neurosurgeon, we still don't have any concrete answers. Since this was only a "consult", I'm not sure I expected any. But I could always hope.

The next step is the angiogram to determine the specific treatment option for my daughter's bubble in her brain. Of course, we now have to "wait" (I really hate that word) for the insurance authorization for the procedure before we can proceed.

According to the doctor, we're looking at three possible scenerios, a coil, a clip, or a bypass. I'm praying for the first, would settle for the second, and don't want the third -- but we'll take it if that's the only option.

So, to take my mind off my troubles (kind of like hitting your finger with a hammer to take your mind off a stubbed toe) -- I sent out a handful of agent queries at the end of last week. The rejections have been coming in fast and furious.

PI's Cyber Tour welcomes Alexis Fleming!

PANDEMONIUM

The love doctor is in…but can he take a dose of his own medicine?
Pan, the Arcadian god of lust and magic, has had enough of his restricted existence hidden away on Arcadia. When Cupid, the Greek god of love, suggests he live on Earth, Pan decides to give it a go.

Pan establishes himself as the luuuuuv doctor and announcer for a nighttime romantic music slot with a local radio station. He plays his pan-pipes, enthralling all who listen. Cupid warns Pan that his days of playing fast and loose with women’s emotions are numbered. Sure enough, Pan meets Kris, the woman who takes him to task. The leather-wearing, Harley-riding, hard-ass psychologist has her own agenda, and it doesn’t include him. Before he knows what’s happening, she has turned the table on the god, and he’s smitten.

Kris is exactly the right medication, the perfect dose for the nomadic God of Lust, who has finally found a love of his own.
~~~

Who says Cupid has to confine himself to one day of the year?
PANDEMONIUM, co-authored with Lyn Cash, is the second story in the Sexy Mythconception series from Total-e-bound Publishing.


Publisher: Total-e-bound Publishing
Genre Lust Bites/Contemporary/Paranormal
ISBN# 978-1-906590-53-6

Buy link : http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?s=gov76b251776&strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=269

Excerpt: http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?s=gov76b251776&strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=269


Links:

Website : http://www.alexisfleming.net
Blog : http://www.alexisfleming.net/blog
My Space : http://www.myspace.com/alexisfleming
Yahoo Group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AlexisFlemingandFriends



ABOUT ALEXIS

Alexis Fleming is one of those strange people who live inside their mind. No, she doesn’t hear little voices... Well, she does, just not the type you're thinking of. Alexis’ world is peopled with interesting characters and exciting possibilities that come to life in each and every book she writes. Her first love has always been romance, whether on this world or the next. Hot, sizzling relationships with a dash of comedy and a few trials and tribulations thrown in to test her characters.

When she’s not tied to her computer creating sizzling stories to tempt her readers, she helps run a busy motel set on the edge of a national marine park in Australia. What better place to get inspiration for the tales she turns out? A glorious sunset over the ocean, dolphins playing almost in her front yard, suntanned bodies lazing on the sand... How could she not get caught up in the eroticism of that?


In which of your books is the heroine most like yourself?
I hate to admit it but I think there’s a little bit of me in every book I write. I guess it comes back to that ‘write what you know’ thing. I pull on situations I’ve been in or emotions I’ve experienced to flesh out my characters. Not consciously, but when I read over what I’ve written, I’m able to track it back to something that has happened in my life.

Then there’s the fact that most of my heroines are quirky, weird, irreverent, sassy-mouthed, fiercely loyal, and just plain crazy at times. Lol Guess you could say that’s me to a large degree.


Where do you get the inspiration for your stories?
I think inspiration is all around us if only we open ourselves up to it. Stud Finders Incorporated came into being because I walked into my friend’s house and saw a little black stud finder machine sitting on her kitchen bench. A Handyman’s Best tool was the result of a leak in my living room ceiling during a summer downpour. The simplest things can trigger a story.

Then there’s the dreams. Lol I often dream up story ideas. My husband has gotten used to me jumping out of bed in the middle of the night because I had a dream that just had to be written down.


Pantzer or Plotter?
I’m a little bit of both, I think. I usually have the beginning and the end of the book, a fair idea of my characters, and then I just sit down and write. Once I get to the end of chapter three I tend to stop and do some plotting, but even then, I can go off track. Sometimes the story just takes off and I have no choice but to go with it. Amazing what can come up when that happens.

What's your writing schedule like?
*groan* I have a shocking writing schedule. In my other life, I help run a busy 34 room motel situated on the edge of a national marine park in Australia. Running a motel can be pretty much a 24/7 job during the high tourist season and then I have to fit my writing in around that.

I get up at 5.30am, make a coffee, and then hit the computer until 7.30am when I start work in the motel. During the high season, I probably won’t get back to the computer until late in the day. Then I sit up until the early hours of the morning writing. Low season I get a bit more computer time during the day which is fantastic. Means I can sleep at night like normal people. lol

What does your writing space look like?
I am truly spoilt when it comes to my writing space. We have a three bedroom residence above reception and I’ve taken over one of the bedrooms for an office. Thank God it’s a big room, because it does tend to get cluttered at times. Two walls are filled with bookcases. What books don’t fit on the shelves get packed into cane baskets and lined up underneath the shelves. One end of the office is taken up with my desk and filing cabinets, and my jewelry-making worktable. Then there’s the wall-to-ceiling sliding glass doors that open out onto a balcony, and the two tub chairs placed strategically in front of the doors so I can see out over fabulous Jervis Bay. Nothing nicer when I need a break than sitting there watching the sea. Jervis Bay is a national marine park and if I’m really lucky, I can see the dolphins playing in the water just opposite my balcony.


What is the strangest thing anyone has said to you about your writing (if it has happened)?
Being accused of selling porn along with the bacon and eggs.
We had an old lady staying here, and once I’d been outed at the Motelier who wrote “dirty” books (the journalist’s words, not mine), my hubby started putting one of my bookmarks on the breakfasts trays before they went out. This old dear ate her breakfast, which I had cook with my loving hands, and then checked out. The next thing I knew, the police were coming to call. She’d reported me for selling porn. Lol The police officer about cracked it when he realized what it was all about. In fact, he wanted to buy a couple of my books for his wife.

What does your family think about you writing erotic romance?
I’m very fortunate in that my husband doesn’t have a problem with me writing erotic romance, although he does occasionally want to know where I got a certain idea from. My son doesn’t like his fiancée to read my books. He says it’s like having his mom in the bedroom with him. lol
My daughter is a published author in her own right, so is the most supportive of her mother because she knows what it’s like. And it’s way kewl to have someone there on the end of the phone when I want to discuss a scene. Freaks our partners out a bit though when we discuss sex scenes.

What do you wear while you're writing?
If I could, I’d probably slouch around all day in my nightie. Or alternatively, nothing but a sarong. Lol

Given that’s not possible because I might have to go down to answer the bell in reception at any moment, I’m usually in my work uniform of polo shirt and cargo pants. Sorry, no feather boas and diamonds for this writer.

Saturday Follies...(ramblings and a review)

It's my first full day without the boys. I cried when they all pulled out of the driveway last night after dinner.

Yesterday, between packing and preparing, I made it to the library and wrote the short synopsis and polished up my query letter for Siren Song. When I got home, I e-queried a few agents (I started with the ones who only wanted a query letter) and in record time, I got my first rejection (sigh). So, I started a database to keep track of all my agent submissions.

This morning, I fired up the computer at 6:30 am (I really am a morning person unless I'm forced to get up) began our weekly software updates. In between loading a service pack and a virus signature update, I typed up a bit of my synopsis.

Then, I checked my e-mail. What a lovely surprise! Another review for To Catch a Casanova. This one is from Willow Rayne at Dark Angel Reviews. My story got 4 Pixies and this is what Willow had to say:

"It had the perfect amount of passion, romance, and 'what ifs' to keep me engaged and eager to find out the ending. Ericka Scott is a wonderful author..."

Click here if you'd like to read the whole review. The link to To Catch a Casanova will go live on 1 July.

Now, I'm back to finishing up the synopsis and writing. Heck, with all the time on my hands, I may even get my newsletter out on time at the end of the month! Wooohooo!

It's Friday!

And I'm blogging over at Divas of the Dark!

Dark Diva Review for To Catch a Casanova

What a thrilling surprise to get 5 Delightful Divas in my e-mail today.

The Dark Divas reviewed To Catch a Casanova and here's a smidgen of what they had to say:

"Ericka Scott has written a sinfully sexy, delightful tale, that at times had me laughing and other times...well, it was hot!"

Click here if you'd like to read the whole review.

Hitting the Hot Spot

I'm Hitting the Hot Spot today, talking about making lemondade from the lemons life throws you. Stop by and find out how you can pick up a free short and sweet e-book!

Divas of the Dark

I'm over at Divas of the Dark talking about the longest day of the year, the summer solstice.

So, does that make me a Diva of the Light?

Book Promotion 101

How not to do it...

That Elusive Quest...

For love? For money? No...for the perfect website.

As you can see from my blog (and myspace, and a really bad instant change to my webpage), I'm updating my website...again. This could get really expensive if I didn't do it myself.

I'll be really egotistical, and assume that YOU, too, might want to build your own website using my method. Now, I'm sure there are easier ways these days (I've heard Wordpress is a breeze), but this is the way I know. So, I'm going to take you along on the ride.

Step One: HTML editor. I started my journey with NVu. This is a free HTML editor you can find at http://www.nvu.com (as with most free stuff, it has a few bugs). They have a new editor called KOMPOZER (which I haven't tried out yet) so what I illustrate here will be using NVu.

I'm not a computer geek, I'm just a really good "tweaker". I tried putting all the elements together in NVu and it was a disaster. I simply don't have the ability to compose an elegant site; however, I know what I like.

Step Two: - The Template So, I went out and looked at website templates (Warning! This stage can take a long time! So, make sure you budget accordingly).
There are lots of sites out there with templates (free and for purchase). Now, I know I'm going to make lots of changes, so I hate to buy one. But I'll list some of the sites I've looked in the past.

http://www.enchantingdesignz.com/ - if you write fantasy or love fairy/mermaid artwork, this is the site for you. The templates are reasonably priced and they also have some free ones you can download and use as is (or tweak).

http://www.csstemplateheaven.com/ - Dieter has some lovely classic, elegant, and artistic templates for sale. All of them are under $15. You can download them for free, but you don't get the PSD file (Free might be okay if you aren't planning on tweaking the layout much - for an example see www.pamskochinski.com)


Free templates: www.oswd.com (has over 2000 webtemplates, some are simple, some are simply stunning)

http://www.freecsstemplates.org/ : they also had a nice selection of templates.

I'm sure there are others, but these are the websites I select from.

Things to think about while selecting a templates is whether you want to use a header graphic (theirs or yours), a background graphic that stays fixed while the text floats (what size and shape is the graphic you want to use), and how much content you want/need. Do you want one, two, or three columns? The nice thing about free templates is that if you make a mistake, you haven't wasted any money.

So, your mission, if you chose to accept it, is to go out and select and download a template.

I'll talk about tweaking that template later this week.

Passionate Ink Cyber Tour welcomes Shelley Munro

Friends to lovers—it’s one of my favorite plot devices. I like reading Friends to Lovers stories and enjoy writing them. I love being able to jump straight into an intimate situation in the first few pages of a book. The characters are familiar with each other and have a history together. They might not realize they’re even attracted to each other until one pivotal moment that changes everything, or one of them might have developed feelings for the other over a period of time, agonizing about acting on them.

A relationship like this comes with problems: does the couple want this to be a one-time thing or do they want to play for keeps? What happens if the sex between them is so bad they destroy their friendship forever? Or what if one of the pair doesn’t feel the same way?

Yes, moving from friends to lovers is fraught with dilemmas for both parties.

In Lovers at Last Pearl and Justin are best friends. When Pearl’s current relationship fails, she seeks out Justin for comfort. Justin, who has wanted Pearl for a long time, decides it’s time to stake his claim.

Here’s the blurb:

Pearl’s master plan to catch a rich husband—results so far…A for effort, F for success.

Justin Collet wants way more than friendship from Pearl. He craves love, laughter and hot, down-and-dirty passion. A life partner. All he needs to do is convince Pearl.

A broken relationship, a few drinks and a string of pearls. Comforting Pearl takes a turn into carnal territory. Heat blossoms between them, fiery and consuming. Sweet kisses inflame and erotic whispers tempt. It’s all or nothing for Justin as he seduces Pearl into agreeing they’re lovers at last.


Where did you get the idea for your latest book?
Lovers at Last is part of Ellora’s Cave Gemstone series and is a pearl story. The pearls play a large part in the story and bring the hero and heroine together. I took one of my favorite plots, that of friends and lovers, added in the pearls and came up with a couple who knew each other well. The first scene popped into my head and the story came from there.

What makes a hero for you? Do you see them on the street, or are they simply in your head?
In short, my heroes come from my imagination rather than a real person. I have a liking for tall and dark heroes and usually start off with those two characteristics, although I have written a few blond heroes. Most of my heroes also seem to be on the alpha side and are heroic in the sense that they never abuse their position and bully those weaker than themselves.

What’s your writing schedule like?
I write full time and treat my writing like an office job, working set hours. I set myself a writing target for each day and also fit in promo and other writing related activities such as blogging, correspondence and maintaining my website. I think I work harder now than I ever used to!

What does your writing space look like?
In a word—messy! I do try to tidy up a little between books but while I’m writing I like to keep my reference books and notes, my dictionary and thesaurus close at hand. I also have a pile of promo related stuff on my desk and of course, I can’t get by without my calendar that lists my schedule for the month.

And the most important question: What’s your favorite snack or beverage while you’re hard at work?

I don’t usually snack or drink while writing, not when I’m in the zone. If I’m procrastinating I find myself making cups of tea all the time, but otherwise I’m write for several hours and make myself a cup of tea or coffee while I take a break.

Adventure into Romance
with Shelley Munro

Thanks Shelley! Below are some links to find out more about this talented author!


website: http://www.shelleymunro.com
blog: http://www.shelleymunro.com/blog
MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/shelleymunro
Dynamic Trio: http://www.dynamicthree.com
Danger Zone: http://www.dangerzoneauthors.com
Buy book: http://www.ellorascave.com/AuthorsBooks.asp?AuthorCode=SMu
Excerpt: http://www.shelleymunro.com/books/lovers-at-last

Divas of the Dark

I'm at Divas of the Dark today, blogging about Paraskavedekatriaphobia!

Blog Schedule

I'm out and about blogging in the upcoming months:

Every Friday, starting on Friday the 13th, you can find me at Divas of the Dark where I'll be blogging with some really esteemed ladies of the night: Cynthia Eden, Emma Petersen, Tawny Taylor, Yolanda Stefsos, T.J. Michaels, Eliza Gayle, Leila Brown, Cathy Clamp, C.T. Adams, and Sable Grey

On the 7th of each month, I'm over at RomErotica Writers

On the 24th of each month, I'm Hitting the Hot Spot

You can also find me blogging about vampires at The Vampire Oracle and
chatting about my adventures in writing at the Cobblestone Press Author Blog.

First Cover Art Assignment

Just posting this to get a url....

Needless to say, this is why I'm not a cover artist!

The Cobblestone Press Birthday Bash

Come on over to Main Street today through June 8th and help Cobblestone Press celebrate their second birthday! There's lots to do, Cover Art Madness (Sable's giving a hands-on course in creating cover art), Memory Lane, and lots of author contests!

The hand of God

Or in this case...the fist of God (almost literally).

I don't often blog about personal details of mine or my family's lives, but in this case....well, it's one of those stranger than fiction sagas that leave me in awe of how things work out. I do believe in karma and try to give more than I take. And although I believe in God, I, for one, don't believe that SHE meddles personally in people's lives. She created us, gave us free will, and left us to do the best we can. But this incident has left me wondering.

I have a 14 year old daughter who's been plagued by a variety of symptoms since she was little. Headaches, ADD, short-term memory loss (mostly about turning in her homework, hmmmm), odd shaped retinas, teenage angst (she's seeing a counselor and on medication), seeing shadows (is she paranormally sensitive?) and high blood pressure (also on medication). We've taken her to the Dr. to deal with all of them, especially the headaches which were timed for months and determined to have a 28 day cycle (and assumed to be related to her menses).

Then two weeks ago, one of our neighbors died suddenly. It was thought that he committed suicide. Well, it upset my daughter to the point where she excused herself from class one day to cry in the bathroom. Unfortunately, she didn't let her teacher know, so since she didn't make it to class, she was declared "truant" and sentenced to Saturday school.

That was this past Saturday. Concidently, a guy who had been teasing her was also in Saturday school. Throughout the morning, the teasing escalated into some name-calling, pushing, shoving, slapping, and finally a knock-out punch! My daughter (who was just as much to blame as she slapped him first) was taken to the hospital and given a CAT scan.

The diagnosis -- no issues from the fight AND a possible brain tumor. A craniopharyngioma. Scary shit. A brain stem cancer that's benign but malignant all the same breath. Wonderful!

My world slowed to a stop. Everything I thought was important is now so insignificant compared to this.

A trip to our Pediatrician yesterday resulted in an emergency MRI last night. Then, a call today -- the radiologist needed yet another diagnostic test as the MRI didn't quite agree with the CT scan. Okay. Not knowing what that meant, we rushed to the laboratory for blood work and then a three-hour wait for the machine as they had to work us into the already full schedule.

After the test was done, we rushed back to the Dr's office to discuss the findings. What a difference 20 minutes can make. The diagnosis is still scary (an old calcified anuerism in her right temporal lobe), but nothing compared to the original CT diagnosis of a brain stem cancer. We see a neurosurgeon tomorrow to discuss the options.

This explains soooo many of her symptoms, all treated by so many different doctors and never strung together to make a diagnosis strong enough to warranty a brain scan. Which leads me to wonder if we would have EVER found this without the fist fight -- until it was too late? I doubt it.

I feel like our family has been touched by the hand of God.

News and Reviews

News

I heard from my editor at Total E-bound that my submission, Forget Me Not, was accepted! It's tentatively scheduled for a September release. Squeeeee!

2 new reviews for my books.

The first is from Pam at Book Cravings: 5 Roses for Tinsel Time.
"Tinsel Time is a fun and fast paced adult Christmas fantasy with plenty of unexpected twists and turns to keep you guessing until the end."

The second is from Chamomile at Whipped Cream.

"Fool's Gold is an interesting saga of Native American forklore, treaure maps, and deception. Mixed in with dream visions nd missed opportunities made right, I found Mica and Rae's adventure to be an intriguing ride."

Lest We Forget

I want to say thank you to everyone in the Armed Services who gave their life and limbs to keep us free.


They went with songs to the battle, they were young.
Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,
They fell with their faces to the foe.
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them.

Today is a very bittersweet day for me. My father, who proudly served his country for 20 years in the Air Force and then another 20 years as a civil servant is losing his battle with Altzheimers. This devestating disease has robbed him of family and friends. Although he has forgotten, he will not BE forgotten. Love you Daddy!

Passionate Ink Cyber Tour welcomes Sharona Nelson

Sharona Nelson Cyber Tour

COVER ME by Sharona Nelson (http://www.sharonanelson.com)
Amber Quill Press
ISBN: 978-1-59279-664-9 (Electronic)
ISBN: 978-1-59279-691-5 (Paperback)
Buy/Read Excerpt

COVER ME—the story of a single mom, a single man, and a health insurance plan…

Single mom Sunny Montgomery survived a lousy childhood with hippie parents as well as a terrible marriage with the cheating Kirk Stanley (AKA Kirk the Jerk), so she figured she could deal with whatever life threw at her. In short order, however, Sunny loses her job, car, health insurance, and life’s savings.

What’s a single mother to do? Get married, of course—though not for love.

Sunny accepts a marriage-of-convenience offer from her landlord, Ben Hart, so that she and Libbie, her asthmatic daughter, will have health insurance. The only problem is, she’s falling in love with him—despite the fact she thinks he’s gay. And, while she sometimes craves more distance from the temptation known as Ben, heaven knows that good, affordable apartments in Boston are as rare as winters without snow.

Through it all, Sunny perseveres. Whether beset by estranged hippie parents, money troubles, a creepy new boss, an is-he-or-isn’t-he faux husband, or the Boston mob, Sunny sustains herself with her inner strength, her best friend Dulcie, odd-duck neighbor Ray, and lots of mac-and-cheese, hot dogs, and ice cream. Oddly enough, what Sunny's daughter, Libbie, wants—comfort food and plenty of SpongeBob SquarePants on the tube—aren't fundamentally different from what Sunny wants—happiness and love.

Sunny's struggles teach us that making lemonade from life's abundant supply of lemons isn’t too difficult, as long as we follow our hearts...

So Sharona - With which character do you identify most closely?

I partially identify with the heroine, Sunny, but also equally identify with her nutty hippie mother, Daphne (“Daffy”). Because both characters have elements of me in them, COVER ME was a pure hoot to write. I was very much a hippie chick for many, many years, and still hold a lot of the same political values. I also have a grown daughter, so I know how the mother would feel about the estrangement with her daughter. But, because I’ve also dealt with difficult parental relationships in my own life, I perfectly understand why Sunny might want to keep her mother and father at arms’ length, and why she might feel pissed off at them.


Where did you get the idea for your latest book?

A long time ago, I was living with the man who’s now my husband. We’d never felt any special impulse to tie the knot, but when my ex said he planned to remarry, that meant I’d lose my health insurance. So, my live-in of nearly ten years and I got married. Though we do love each other, we had some fun with the wedding, including putting the initials of the health plan on the arch over the bride and groom atop the ice cream cake (ice cream cake because my daughter doesn’t like regular cake.)

I told the complete story of my wedding to someone once, and they said, “You should write a story about someone who gets married for health insurance.” The idea appealed to me, and the inspiration for COVER ME was born.

I spent most of my adult life in the Boston area, so setting the story there was a no-brainer. By the way, the information about health insurance options for the unemployed was accurate when the book went to press. But now Massachusetts has a completely different system. (Just wanted Massachusetts readers to know that yes, I do the research, but the Commonwealth changed the game on me when it was too late to revise the manuscript!)


Do you have a favorite comfort food?
Like my heroine, Sunny, and her daughter, Libbie, I love most all comfort food: old-fashioned macaroni and cheese (not some low-fat imitation), ice cream, homemade soups, rice pudding with lots of cinnamon and raisins. I love pretty much anything chocolate, though peanut butter’s a close second, and I’ve been known to go ga-ga over a rich, cinnamon-y coffee cake, too.

And coffee—I love coffee (any anything mocha). I would drink it 24 hours a day if it didn’t destroy my sleep. Starbucks is on my speed dial.

What advice would you give to aspiring romance writers?
Write what you love, because if you become a hit, readers are going to want more books in the same subgenre. That’s one of the best reasons not to write to market in some genre you don’t enjoy—you might end up with a career in it.

I also suggest you take the time to school yourself on the basics of grammar and story construction. It’s rare for an editor to buy a story whose mechanics aren’t the best.

Also—as they say in “Galaxy Quest” (and what a wonderful, silly movie that is)—Never give up! Never surrender!

Don’t quit trying, no matter what.

Thanks Sharona...and on that note, I'm off to write!

Hitting the Hot Spot

I'm over at Total E-bound today Hitting the Hot Spot. Come on over and see if you think I have what it takes to be a diva.

Diva-licious Update

The Romance Studio Diva Contest Round 2~

Well, I made it to the second round. Thanks to everyone who voted for my excerpt!

Now, you'll be looking at my website. Just a little background...it's my own work. No, I'm not that much of a computer geek, I know just enough HTML to make me really dangerous. I took an open source template and began tweaking until I got it the way I liked it.

Then, I started on the graphic. I bought pictures from Stock Photo and set to work using Photoshop Elements. I'm really happy with the result...so much so that my blog and myspace are also coordinated to my website.

So, go take a look, hope you like it, and if you do ...VOTE. If you don't like mine, take a look at all the others, I'm sure there's one out there that deserves your vote.

New review for To Catch a Casanova

I just got a great review for To Catch a Casanova. I had tons of fun writing the story, and I'm so glad that someone enjoyed reading it.

"I had a pretty hard time reading through the tears of laughter, but if ever it was earned this is one of those times...It also seemed to be a journey of discovery in more ways than one, but the characters came across as real, the situation though hilarious at times, was also rather emotionally charged and oh, yeah, the sex (all of it) was hot!" - WitchGiggles of Alternative-Read.com

To read the whole review, click here.