Tawny Taylor's Blog, page 14

Five Fab Email Newsletters Worth Reading

1. The Stir Daily Ten (a daily newsletter featuring ten general interest articles) The Stir Daily Ten [thestiremail@cafemom.com]

 

2. Decorating – BHG.com (a weekly newsletter featuring short home decorating/interior design articles) Decorating – BHG.com [decorate@email.bhg.com]

 

3. Kristen Lamb's blog (a daily newsletter for writers, featuring short articles about writing/publishing) http://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/

 

4. Metro Parent Publishing (a weekly newsletter featuring a calendar of events/activities for families with children. Metro Parent Publishing [metroparent@metroparent.ccsend.com]

 

5. HGTV Inspiration (a weekly newsletter featuring short, useful home decorating/interior design tips. HGTV Inspiration [inspiration@newsletters.hgtv.com]

Related Posts Win $100 Gift Card! Hello everyone! My book, DARKEST FIRE, officially releases March 29--in exactly 11 days. I need to create some buzz. This is where the gift card comes in. I'm holding a contest and the grand prize is a $100 GIFT CARD from Amazon, B&N OR Borders (winner's choice). Five randomly selected...... My Top 10 Erotic Romance Keepers For kicks, I thought I'd list the top ten erotic romance books on my keeper shelf. They are in no particular order, because I couldn't/can't rank them. They're all great! And, for the most part, they're all older titles--the first books in series. By the way, I could easily pick...... News Release: Barnes and Noble announces PubIt! self-publishing platform NEW YORK, May 19, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Barnes & Noble, Inc. /quotes/comstock/13*!bks/quotes/nls/bks (BKS 19.77, +0.27, +1.38%) , the world's largest bookseller, is extending its deep and longstanding tradition of supporting authors and publishers with PubIt! by Barnes & Noble, an easy and lucrative way for independent publishers and self-publishing...... Hot Short Read--The Efficiency Expert by Portia Da Costa Still stinging from a stringent management review at her workplace, office girl Susie encounters the very last man she wants to meet when she hits her favorite bar to relax and unwind. Gorgeous Noah Stevens is the ruthless company troubleshooter who's been making her life hell for the past...... Ebook Fling Did you know there's a LEGAL way to swap, borrow and/or lend ebooks? Check out this site: http://ebookfling.com. It's free to join. But...(important service announcement here)...it ISN'T always free to borrow a book. (You did know there would be a but in there somewhere, right?) How it works (from the...... Related Websites So You Want to Be a Blogger The following is part of Frugal Dad's weekly series, "So You Want to Be a Blogger?" which chronicles the development and optimization of a blog's lifecycle. To celebrate a couple upcoming statistical milestones (100 subscribers and 10,000 unique visitors) here at Frugal Dad I thought I would kick off the...... Weekly Roundup - Frugal News Edition Beginning with today's post I'm shifting my weekly roundups from Saturdays to Fridays.  My traffic is typically better on Fridays, and I'd like to draw some of that attention to the wonderful posts and bloggers I discover throughout the week.  Selfishly, I'd also like to take Friday nights off, and...... Weekly Roundup for 8.22.10 - Obama's Wrecking the Economy Edition [ad#Google Adsense - Large Rectangle] I read a number of great articles this week, and I would like to share them with you. But first let me announce that the Yakezie Personal Finance network that I'm a part of, now has at least 6 "member posts" on the  official website....... What Is the Very best Way to begin a Blog for Profit? (A Beginner's Guide to Building a Lucrative Blog) What Is the Very best Way to begin a Blog for Profit? (A Beginner's Guide to Building a Lucrative Blog) What Is the Very best Way to begin a Blog for Profit? (A Beginner's Guide to Building a Lucrative Blog) Free Online Articles Directory Why Submit Articles? Top Authors...... Weekly Roundup: No Frills Edition I'm short on time this week, so no extra frills in this week's roundup. I did manage to collect a number of good links to share. Hope you will agree...enjoy! The Frugal Roundup Financial Independence is More Than Just a Number. So true. Many people think $1 million represents freedom, but......

5 Reasons why I wish I could be HGTV’d by Robert and Courtney Novogratz

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First, a confession: I am an HGTV addict. That channel is always playing in my office/den. Practically 24/7. But there is one show that I eagerly await every week–Home by Novogratz. I am just floored by the designs showcased in that show. If only I could by HGTV’d by them. What a dream that would be!

What is it about this show in particular that makes me eagerly await the next episode?

1. The crisp, fresh color schemes

When I look at their rooms, I see a lot of bright colors teamed with clean, pure white. Orange. Green. Blue. Pink. At the moment, with the many stresses our family is currently facing, those are the combinations I crave. They make me feel light and carefree and happy. I need that right now.

2. Their use of huge, bold graphics

Many of the Novogratz’s rooms feature huge, oversized murals, bold geometric wallpapers, and/or interesting, achievable wall treatments. There’s always a WOW moment. In particular, I love their use of family photos in either wallpapers or murals. What a way to make a space personal.

3. Their keen ability to mix old with new and make it work

Their rooms don’t look like all the pieces were purchased at the same store, at the same time. And yet, they all share a common feature that makes them fit within the overall design. I try to do this, out of necessity. Am I as successful? No way! But I keep trying.

4. Their cheap chic, anyone can do this approach to design

Taping off sections of a wall, painting stripes and then using stencils to write out a simple message…the average do-it-yourselfer like me can handle that.

 

5. Their willingness to take risks–such as building an inside slide in a client’s basement or painting a bedroom’s ceiling with chalkboard paint and then paying an artist to draw a gorgeous winged deer over the bed. Again, WOW.

When I watch do-it-yourself shows on TV, I want to be inspired. I want to see something I haven’t seen somewhere else. I always get that when I watch their show (and no, I’m NOT being paid to endorse their HGTV program). HGTV, if you happen to stumble upon this little blog, please keep shows like this one coming!

 

Related Posts Excerpt: Girl Enslaved [/caption] Jamie Purdue has her vacation all planned out. She’s going to watch movies on Lifetime and do a few odd jobs around her parents’ place. Little does she know that Brad and Logan, two gorgeous acquaintances with to-die-for bodies, have other plans for her. And none of those plans...... BIG week! Yes, I have been woefully neglectful of this blog. But there is a good reason for it. This is how it always goes. I have a book due October 1st (Blood of Eden). So, of course my publisher has also sent copy edits for my next release, Darkest Fire, also...... Five Fab Email Newsletters Worth Reading 1. The Stir Daily Ten (a daily newsletter featuring ten general interest articles) The Stir Daily Ten [thestiremail@cafemom.com]   2. Decorating - BHG.com (a weekly newsletter featuring short home decorating/interior design articles) Decorating - BHG.com [decorate@email.bhg.com]   3. Kristen Lamb’s blog (a daily newsletter for writers, featuring short articles...... The Cheapskate's Guide to Promoting Ebooks Recently, a newly published author posted a question about  promoting her ebook on one of my fave writing forums, Romance Divas. I could tell from her post that she was completely overwhelmed and intimidated by the prospect of promoting her upcoming release. Making matters worse, her publisher asked her to...... Private Games (three hot stories in one) Now FREE! Private Games (Three stories in one!) (Read Excerpt) E-mail this product to a friend Who would have thought a simple board game could change your life. Three women learn it can when they toss the dice, face a challenge or two, and win…love, laughter, and hot, hot sex. Playing...... Related Websites This One's for Realtors® - Or the Ups and Downs of Selling Your Home As most of you know, I put my house on the market a few weeks ago. I have lived here for almost 12 years, so this is a happy/sad occasion. Happy: I can downsize to something that suits my needs better, now that my daughters are starting to move away....... Weve Observed A Lot Of Extremely Bright People, Thinking They Could Make A Killing By Getting Smart And For Sure, Ones Own Methods Have A Lot Of Efforts Put In Them Yet They Lose. Invest your forex pair with all tendency and not in opposition to it. Bear in mind that forex currency trading or perhaps a is definitely high-risk as usually you cant only win without making losses. There is various education and learning on basic trading approaches offered on the internet, start...... Late Workout Today I woke up today with the desire to workout. But I didn't right away. Instead I went over to a friends house and helped him move a 250 pound big screen television from his upstairs game room to his downstairs living room. After a few minute and a lot of...... 1950’s TV Shows Memorabilia -> Television Memorabilia -> 1950-1959 Were you a child of the 1950’s? If so, chances are you remember the 1950’s tv shows that set the tone for our entertainment today. These shows were much loved and back in an era when choices were limited to three channels, the audience...... Holiday Prep This time next week, Thanksgiving will be over and done. I am not trying to rush the process, but I am wanting to remind you to enjoy the whole holiday, however it unfolds, which may include the cleaning, the grocery store, and the prepping, or packing up to go somewhere.......

5 Reasons why I wish I could be HGTV'd by Robert and Courtney Novogratz

[image error]

 

First, a confession: I am an HGTV addict. That channel is always playing in my office/den. Practically 24/7. But there is one show that I eagerly await every week–Home by Novogratz. I am just floored by the designs showcased in that show. If only I could by HGTV'd by them. What a dream that would be!

What is it about this show in particular that makes me eagerly await the next episode?

1. The crisp, fresh color schemes

When I look at their rooms, I see a lot of bright colors teamed with clean, pure white. Orange. Green. Blue. Pink. At the moment, with the many stresses our family is currently facing, those are the combinations I crave. They make me feel light and carefree and happy. I need that right now.

2. Their use of huge, bold graphics

Many of the Novogratz's rooms feature huge, oversized murals, bold geometric wallpapers, and/or interesting, achievable wall treatments. There's always a WOW moment. In particular, I love their use of family photos in either wallpapers or murals. What a way to make a space personal.

3. Their keen ability to mix old with new and make it work

Their rooms don't look like all the pieces were purchased at the same store, at the same time. And yet, they all share a common feature that makes them fit within the overall design. I try to do this, out of necessity. Am I as successful? No way! But I keep trying.

4. Their cheap chic, anyone can do this approach to design

Taping off sections of a wall, painting stripes and then using stencils to write out a simple message…the average do-it-yourselfer like me can handle that.

 

5. Their willingness to take risks–such as building an inside slide in a client's basement or painting a bedroom's ceiling with chalkboard paint and then paying an artist to draw a gorgeous winged deer over the bed. Again, WOW.

When I watch do-it-yourself shows on TV, I want to be inspired. I want to see something I haven't seen somewhere else. I always get that when I watch their show (and no, I'm NOT being paid to endorse their HGTV program). HGTV, if you happen to stumble upon this little blog, please keep shows like this one coming!

 

Praying for a happy ending…

…for this sweet kitten, sealed in a bag and left to die on the banks of the Rouge River in Detroit.

The kitten, only 4 weeks old, is having problems eating due to its young age. The Michigan Humane Society is offering a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible:

This incident is currently being investigated by the Michigan Humane Society Cruelty Investigation Department. A $2,500 reward is offered for anyone with information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual(s) responsible. Anyone with any information is asked to call the Michigan Humane Society's Cruelty Investigation Hotline at (313) 872-3401. Callers may remain anonymous.

My hope is that River's future is much brighter than his past, and that he has the chance to experience the more honorable side of humankind–the loving, caring, self-sacrificing parts of people that make them human.

Related Posts Sharing some info: Grant for young unpublished writers Grant For Talented Youth We would like to announce the official launch of the C.A.Milson Award For Talented Youth. The first Grant by C.A.Milson will see three talented youth receive funding which can be used to help with research costs, purchase equipment or help with financial aid. "I see people...... Blurby goodness It took me all day yesterday, but I have FINALLY come up with a blurb for Lust's Temptation that I'm happy with. I'm hoping the folks at Ellora's Cave, and, more importantly, my readers agree! Lust's Temptation Tawny Taylor Book Two in the Masters of Sin series. Troi and Amun—one...... Reminder: The Some Like It Hot Writing Contest Reminder: week 1 of my free writing contest is just around the corner! I'm offering some great prizes. Scroll down for details. ~Some Like It Hot~ Writing Contest Starting October 25th, 2010, I will be hosting a writing contest! The final judge is an editor from Ellora's Cave. The Prizes?...... Announcing...The Some Like it Hot Writing Contest (2)! ~Some Like It Hot~ Writing Contest (2) Starting October 25th, 2010, I will be hosting a writing contest! The final judge is an editor from Ellora's Cave. The Prizes? Read on! All SubGenres of erotic romance accepted, including: ~Contemporary~Fantasy~Futuristic~ Shapeshifter/Vampire~BDSM~ *You may submit one chapter--not to exceed 5000 words. Stories...... Only Two More Days! I haven't had a new ebook release in ages. So I am extremely excited about the release of Lust's Temptation this week. This book took me months to write, and I feel it is as romantic as it is erotic. I hope you all agree! You can get a little...... Related Websites Laguna Seca Golf Course, Monterey, CA Laguna Seca is located in Monterey, CA Phone: (831) 373-3701 Website: http://www.lagunasecagolf.com/sites/c... Course History: This course first opened in 1970 and was designed by Robert Trent Jones. It was instantly one of the most popular courses in the area and it is easy to see why. By combining great...... Save Time, Money and Space in Over 80 Ways If you're looking for handy gadgets, tools and various items that can save you time, money or space (or all three!) this list of more than 80 top products is just what you need. Everyone's got saving money on their minds these days. Some of us are always looking to...... Multilevel Marketing Fuel Additive A few months ago my neighbor and his dad came over to talk to me for a few minutes. They told me about a great new product to help improve gas mileage. They showed me a small 2-oz. bottle of a product called EnviroMax Plus, which I thought was a...... Snap Fitness Snap Fitness 24-7 is a workout facility chain that continues to push an alternate to many of the big membership gyms found in each city. Focusing more on the individual, Snap Fitness allows members to workout where they want, when they want, as memberships give access to each and every...... Obama Ends Ban on Stem Cell Research President Obama lifted restrictions on funding for human embryonic stem cell research this morning and issued a presidential memorandum aimed at insulating scientific decisions across the federal government from political influence. Obama took care to emphasize that the order would not "open the door" to allow human cloning, which he......

Ebook Fling

Did you know there's a LEGAL way to swap, borrow and/or lend ebooks? Check out this site: http://ebookfling.com. It's free to join.

But...(important service announcement here)…it ISN'T always free to borrow a book. (You did know there would be a but in there somewhere, right?)

How it works (from the ebookfling.com website):

With 14-day lending now available on tens of thousands of Nook and Kindle books, eBook Fling makes it possible for readers across America to borrow and share their ebooks. Lend an ebook, earn a credit, and borrow any other for free! It's 100% safe with the book returned in 14 days guaranteed. Here's how it works:

Step 1: LIST. Got ebooks? List them up for grabs.

Any Kindle or Nook books you own can be listed. Your collection is what makes up our collection.

Step 2: LEND. Email your book if requested.

Send your book along to the requesting borrower and earn credits for each successful fling. But don't send your e-reader!

Step 3: BORROW. Snatch up any ebook you'd like!

Spend 1 credit and choose any ebook from thousands to borrow. No credits? It's just $2.99 to borrow. Cheap, right? We prefer thrifty.

Step 4: READ. Enjoy a 14-day fling with your book!

Download to your Mac or PC, KindleTM or NookTM device, or your iPad&tm;, iPhone&tm;, Blackberry&tm;, or Android&tm; smartphone. Afterward, the book disappears and is automatically returned to the original owner. Simple.

My thoughts: If you're the kind who buys books written by NYT and/or USA Today bestselling authors, and aren't all that fond of their books' price tags, that $2.99 price looks mighty good. However, there are many thousands of books available on Kindle and Nook that are priced below that. I've bought and read a great many of them. And I have yet to be disappointed.

A few questions you may wish to explore before joining a lending/sharing type of service like this:

1. Isn't lending limited to once per owner, for a period of 14 days?

2. How many books are included in the Nook/Kindle lending programs?

3. At one point, it was necessary for the borrower to have the owner's credit card number to open a shared Nook book. I'm going to assume that issue has been resolved.

4. How does this lending/sharing service compare to others?

It's your choice. Borrow a $9.99 ebook by a NYT bestseller.  Or buy a $.99 novel by an unknown. But at least with eBook Fling, you know have a new option.

Related Posts Borders' new ebook store For those who aren't on a Borders email mailing list, Borders just opened their new ebook store and they're offering a free ebook to those who register and open a new account. Among the apps they are offering: iPhone/iPod Touch, PC/mac, Android and Blackberry. You can download them HERE. For...... Writing Conference: NJRW Put Your Heart in a Book Join us at the 2010 NJRW Put Your Heart In A Book Conference! Boost your Creativity and your Career! October 22-23, 2010 Renaissance Woodbridge Hotel, Iselin, NJ Registration begins June 15th! Sharon Sala: Keynote Speaker Robyn Carr: Luncheon Speaker Leanne Banks: Special Presentation (* For first 100 registrants) Bob Mayer:...... The Cheapskate's Guide to Promoting Ebooks Recently, a newly published author posted a question about  promoting her ebook on one of my fave writing forums, Romance Divas. I could tell from her post that she was completely overwhelmed and intimidated by the prospect of promoting her upcoming release. Making matters worse, her publisher asked her to...... From The Wall Street Journal: Ebooks Rewrite Bookselling On Friday, May 21, the Wall Street Journal published this fascinating article, talking about Barnes and Noble's attempts at adjusting its business model to help it survive a future where ebooks comprise a large fraction of book sales. Personally, as a Nook owner (and lover), I'm hoping they are successful...... Available Now! I'm bringing to life to my popular Passion Unbound series by publishing them via Kindle/Nook/Smashwords. At this point, the first book, Wild Knights, is available at Smashwords only. Kindle and Nook are coming in the next few days. Check out the cover! Isn't it gorgeous? Blurb: Secretary Maggie Dunning loves...... Related Websites Steelhead Fishing Essentials (Book & DVD) User Reviews Send this to a friend Steelhead Fishing Essentials (Book & DVD) Manufacturer: Frank Amato Publications, Inc. Customer Rating: List Price: $29.95 Sale Price: $19.25 Availibility: Usually ships in 24 hours Free Shipping Available Buy Now Product Description Steelhead are elusive; even the most experienced anglers will go...... Get Advertising Revenue From Prosper I've been lending money on Prosper.com for nearly a year now. I've been getting a pretty decent rate of return, despite having had a couple of borrowers default. I've also made over $200 from referrals fees! Whenever anyone signs up using the referral link and funds atleast $50, we both...... Winners of The Fire Lord's Lover We had an explosion of questions and comments on Kathryne Kennedy's guest blog about the hero of her latest release The Fire Lord's Lover. Be sure to head over to Top 10 Reasons You Will Fall in Love with General Dominic Raikes from The Fire Lord's Lover and take...... How To Make Money Online Effortlessly There are periods when we get into financial trouble and must meet our day to day bills as soon as possible. Being on the internet in today's world , lessens the worry somewhat because we can now earn a reasonable income online without any major problems. All these techniques are...... How Many Books Do You Read in a Month? I heard that most people don't read more than 10 books in a year. I can't imagine reading so few books. What do you do with your time? Watch more TV? I read on average about 15 books a month, which means by the end of January I've read......

Ah, those Loveswept novels…

Am I the only one who remembers them? Fabulous reads. And they're back, though not quite the same. You won't be buying them at your local grocery story.

From the AP (New York):

A romance imprint that helped started the careers of such writers as Janet Evanovich and Tami Hoag is being revived.

The Random House Publishing Group announced Wednesday that Loveswept will be back in business this summer as a digital-only imprint after a 12-year hiatus.

Read the rest of the article HERE.

Related Posts Writing Conference: NJRW Put Your Heart in a Book Join us at the 2010 NJRW Put Your Heart In A Book Conference! Boost your Creativity and your Career! October 22-23, 2010 Renaissance Woodbridge Hotel, Iselin, NJ Registration begins June 15th! Sharon Sala: Keynote Speaker Robyn Carr: Luncheon Speaker Leanne Banks: Special Presentation (* For first 100 registrants) Bob Mayer:...... Announcing...The Some Like it Hot Writing Contest (2)! ~Some Like It Hot~ Writing Contest (2) Starting October 25th, 2010, I will be hosting a writing contest! The final judge is an editor from Ellora's Cave. The Prizes? Read on! All SubGenres of erotic romance accepted, including: ~Contemporary~Fantasy~Futuristic~ Shapeshifter/Vampire~BDSM~ *You may submit one chapter--not to exceed 5000 words. Stories...... News Release: Barnes and Noble announces PubIt! self-publishing platform NEW YORK, May 19, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Barnes & Noble, Inc. /quotes/comstock/13*!bks/quotes/nls/bks (BKS 19.77, +0.27, +1.38%) , the world's largest bookseller, is extending its deep and longstanding tradition of supporting authors and publishers with PubIt! by Barnes & Noble, an easy and lucrative way for independent publishers and self-publishing...... Unique Book Promotion Ideas While reading one of my fave blogs, I stumbled upon a link to This Article on www.nypost.com. An author named Jennifer Belle hired 40 actresses to sit in public places (within NYC)  and laugh out loud while reading her book. It's a very creative idea, and in at least one...... Erotic ebooks releasing June 27-July 3, 2010 Ellora's Cave Escape the Night, Desiree Holt Forsaken Desire, Aubrey Ross Carnal Ecstasy, Lissa Matthews Mate Hunger, Marisa Chenery Melting Iron, Laurann Dohner Picture This, Kaily Hart Lassoing Lara, N.J. Walters Beast of Caledonia, Kate Poole Special Delivery, V.J. Devereaux Second Act, Barbara Huffert Samhain Publishing Heat it Up, Elle...... Related Websites Great Time to Buy a House If you've been renting for the past few years or a first time home buyer, that's great.  You've saved yourself a hundred grand!  Now's your chance to jump into the market and buy a house.  Here's how I look at it.  A house that was $250,000 a year ago might...... 50 Tips For Marketing Your Online Business - Experts Advice Just we thought of collecting some of the greatest articles about online business marketing. We hope this page will be a resource center which contains the best articles in the Internet. Business Marketing Tips - This is an index of marketing tips, ideas and more resources related to business marketing...... 'Meth and Rednecks' - a powerfully dangerous combination aimed at Americas' Change Domestic terrorism activities grow after vote, expert says BY ROBERT MEDLEY- Published: November 13, 2008  (newsok.com) An uprising in white supremacist activities in the state appears to be inspired by the recent presidential election, an expert on domestic terrorism said Wednesday. Featured Video Hate group propaganda on the Rise after...... Tennis Preview: Roger Federer withdraws from Japan Open and the Shanghai Masters In what is perhaps a shocking move to some, and not shocking at all to others, Roger Federer has announced that he is pulling out of the Japan Open and the Shanghai Masters. Roger Federer recently withdrew himself from both the Japan Open as well as the Shanghai ATP Masters...... Barbie Dream House Dolls-and-Bears -> Barbie-Vintage-Pre-1973 -> Structures-and-Furniture The first Barbie Dream House was introduced in 1960, and could fold up into a small box that was easily carried around by a little girl. Ponytail Barbie, the Barbie whose hair was pulled back into a ponytail with short bangs in front, wanted nothing......

A New Anthology/Collection: Plays Well With Others

Do you love hot erotic books? How does three books for the price of one sound?

Check this out:

Three bestselling erotica authors join together to bring you a trio of hot stories in a sizzling anthology of sex! Selena Kitt's "The Real Mother Goose" takes you on a wild fantasy ride of delicious BDSM pleasure in a setting that defies the imagination. In Carl East's "Hell's Gate," Courtney's psychic cleansing of an old house awakens not just a demon, but her own sexual appetite as well. And finally, Tawny Taylor's "Claim Me" is a thrill ride of passion, intrigue, romance and dark, erotic hunger. This triad of tales is sure to bring you hours of reading pleasure, because these three authors play very well together!

Click for Nook Sample

Click for Kindle Sample

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Cover Pretty!

I just received a very pleasant surprise in my mailbox yesterday.  A bundle of cover flats for Blood of Eden.

First, can I just say…SQUEEEEEEEE!!!

Okay, not that I have that out of my system, I'll post a copy. Note: the typeface is gold foil. It's not scanning very well. It looks FABULOUS in real life.

Now, before I post the back cover copy…if you had to guess what genre this book is, what would you say?

 

 

Ready to find out if you're right?

 

 

This mind-blowing new series introduces Sloan Skye, an ambitious intern at the FBI's paranormal unit, where the usual rules of crime fighting don't apply…

Sloan has a sky-high IQ, a chaotic personal life, and a dream: to work for the FBI. Her goal is within reach until an error lands her with the FBI's ugly stepchild: the new Paranormal Behavioral Analysis Unit. She'll get to profile criminals, but the pool of suspects is a little more…diverse. Yet even as Sloan tackles her first case–a string of victims, all with puncture wounds to the neck–she can't silence her inner para-skeptic.

To catch the killer she'll have to think like one. That means casting aside her doubts, and dealing with the bizarre nightmares that started with the job. But the strangeness is only beginning, as Sloan pieces together the shocking truth about a case that's more personal than she ever would have guessed.

How did the cover do? Does it quickly, clearly identify the book's genre and tone? I'd love to hear your thoughts/feedback. Now, keep in mind, this is a cover for a PAPERBACK, not an ebook. The rules are a little different, as I've come to find out.

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New Free E-newsletter for ebook readers

How would you like to receive a free e-newsletter featuring fab ebooks priced under $3.00? Interested? If you are, check out this site. Registering is free, quick and painless. http://www.doubleedgepress.com/Endependent-Publishers-Coalition.html

I'm curious to see how this goes. I know I receive dozens of marketing emails a day. I tend to delete without reading these days. What about you?

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Guest Blogger: Wynter Daniels talks about the Creativity Well

The Creativity Well

Where do ideas come from? For many creative people, they do their best work when under tremendous stress. Misery breeds brilliance for some. For me, I work best in times peace and calm in my life. But that is not to say that in times of trouble, I haven't done work I am proud of—I have.

Like many writers, I have periods when the ideas just refuse to flow. That's when I turn to creativity crutches—books and other sources that spark ideas. Is that cheating? Not at all. I'm not stealing someone else's premise or characters. These creativity aids merely stimulate my imagination.

My first go-to book when the words aren't flowing is Debra Dixon's Goal, Motivation and Conflict. This must have book for fiction writers usually help me focus more on my characters and that helps with developing their stories.

Next on my list is Stephen King's On Writing. I like to reread parts of this book as inspiration. Learning about Stephen King's journey is always thought-provoking.

Although the binding is cracking and many of the pages are dog-eared, I still turn to Please Understand Me – Character and Temperament Types by David Keirsey and Marilyn Bates for inspiration on creating believable characters.

Another great source to stimulate the creative juices is back issues of Romance Writer's Report, the magazine of the Romance Writers of America. Numerous articles on plotting and creativity can be found in the pages. I always save my old RWRs and when that spring cleaning bug bites me, I go through each issue and tear out any articles I like. I save them in a file box for later use.

Last but not least, the media provides great fodder to get me thinking about new plots. All I have to do is pick up a newspaper or an issue of People Magazine and read about hard luck stories or heroic tales. I never know which article will do it for me, but invariably, one will.

For my romantic suspense, Protective Custody, the thing that stoked my imagination was merely a holiday. It was Halloween and I was setting up our annual creepy display. I glanced across the street to a neighbor's house. They always do a haunted house theme, like we do. The husband had dressed up as the grim reaper and he swung his plastic axe at his wife's head. If I didn't know his axe was fake, I'd have thought he'd really intended to behead her.

That got me thinking about the James Stewart, Grace Kelly movie, Rear Window. How frustrating would it be to witness a crime from a distance then have no one believe you? That kernel led to a novel.

Protective Custody – Available from Carina Press

Witness to a murder, but no one will believe her…

Shocked by the brutal crime she witnesses through the window of her small office, Megan Jackson calls the police and is devastated when they question the truth of her story. With no body and no evidence of a crime, she's written off as a nutcase.

Megan suspects the killer saw her face. Terrified, she calls the only person she can trust—her ex-boyfriend and former police officer, Will McCoy.

Despite a devastating breakup, Will jumps at the chance to help the woman who broke his heart. When the killer ramps up the stakes, Will is forced to take her into hiding—where the passion they once shared reignites, deeper and hotter than ever. But can Will keep Megan alive long enough to win back her heart?

Wynter Daniels lives in Central Florida with her husband of more than twenty years and their two nearly grown children. They are all the slaves of two very demanding cats. After careers in marketing and the salon industry, Wynter's wicked prose begged to be set free. She writes for several publishers including Carina Press, Ellora's Cave and Loose Id. Join her Facebook fan page HERE and her Yahoo! Group HERE. She loves to hear from readers, but only if it's good.

Find Wynter on the web at http://www.wynterdaniels.com/

Visit her blog at http://wynterdaniels.blogspot.com/

 

Text Copyright © 2011 by Wynter Daniels

Cover Copyright © 2011 by Harlequin Enterprises Limited

Permission to reproduce text granted by Harlequin Books S.A. Cover Art used by arrangement with Harlequin Enterprises Limited. All rights reserved. ® and ™ are trademarks owned by Harlequin Enterprises Limited or its affiliated companies, used under license.

 

 

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