Toni Anderson's Blog: Toni Anderson, page 69

King Creosote.

Oh my gawd. Do you want to see where STORM WARNING is set? Check out the video for 'Coast on By' by King Creosote. How had I never heard of these guys before? Awesome.

Guest Author: Sandra Orchard

Today I want to welcome a lovely lady I met at the Writers' Police Academy this time last year...Sandra writes inspirational romantic suspense stories and her first book has just been released... [image error]

Who are you and what do you write? My name is Sandra Orchard and I write for Harlequin's Love Inspired Suspense line.
What's your favourite place in the world to visit? At the moment, my new grandbaby's home.  
Where do you write? I have an office devoted to writing filled with my favourite novels and writing craft book and lots of table space for spreading out notes. 
How long have you been published or is this your first sale? This is my first sale!
How long have you been writing? I started writing my first novel in the Fall of 2004.
What comes first—characters or the plot? Usually plot, but the second and third books in my Undercover Cops series star characters from the first so it's a little of both. 
Who's your favourite hero? I know you mean from a book or movie, but I've got to say that it's my husband. The first time I rode my daughter's new horse was bareback, and the horse was not impressed. She bucked once and again, and on the third buck, my feet cleared her withers and I was sailing through the air. My sweet hubby caught me before I hit the ground like the cowboy heroes romance readers swoon over. No kidding. 
What's your biggest dream? Well, it was to be traditionally published. I guess now it's time to dream even bigger.
If you were a millionaire would you still write? Yeah, I think I would. I enjoy the creative process, especially brainstorming ideas with my writers' group. And it's such an amazingly sweet feeling when the pieces of the story suddenly start fitting into place as the story unfolds. 
Cat or dog person? Definitely a dog person. Never mind that she ate the remote control as a pup, we still adore our sweet husky. [image error] Excerpt: from the middle of the first scene when the hero sees the heroine for the first time: 
Rick kneaded the muscles in the back of his neck. Here to nail Laud for the arson murder of two—maybe more—people, Rick couldn't afford to have an innocent get in his way. And that's exactly what would happen if this new PR person acted on Laud's suggestion. She'd become the face and voice of this project, and far too enticing a target for their saboteur. A beat-up green Impala crested the hill beyond the site."Here she comes now," Laud said, motioning toward the car. Rick's heart slammed into his aching ribs. He'd know that car—and its driver—anywhere. Ginny Bryson. The one person who could blow his cover wide open. She may not know what he really was, but she knew he was no construction foreman. Rick braced his hand on the nearest stud and razored a breath into his lungs. His ex-girlfriend couldn't have picked a worse time to careen back into his life. How was he supposed to keep her safe, this time?             She parked next to Laud's BMW, and the instant her sleek legs dropped into view below the driver's door, Rick's mouth went dry. The sight of her roused memories he'd been trying to forget for fifteen long months. The wind tousled her hair and reflexively, his fingers curled. He could almost feel the silky caress of her blond tresses. In those moments when he let her take over his thoughts, he could still breathe in her lavender scent and hear the sweet ring of her laughter. Laud tiptoed through the mud to greet his niece, and then led her across strips of plywood toward the building.Instinctively, Rick limped into the shadows, because the second Ginny looked past his new mustache and bristly hair, and recognized him, she'd rat him out to her Uncle Emile. The uncle she'd claimed to never see. Rick glanced skyward and prayed for a miracle. A lone backhoe loomed on the horizon, silhouetted against the steel gray sky, its tires caked in mud. Too bad the machine wasn't big enough to dig him out of this mess. The last thing he wanted to do was lie to Ginny. Again________________________________________________Learn more about Sandra and her books at...Blog: http://SandraOrchard.blogspot.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/SandraOrchardWebsite: www.SandraOrchard.com

My last two weeks in movies

I have been so busy writing blogs for November's upcoming release (and still have so many to write) that I have neglected my own blog. So apart from getting the kids back to school, doing soccer play-offs, and sorting out the after school stuff for the next 6 months I've been watching some movies. All in the name of research...
 Gripping docudrama from a tiny corner of the war in Afghanistan. Such bravery is humbling. I had to watch this adaptation twice. DD declared Darcy wasn't as good as 'our' Mr Darcy (that would be Colin Firth :)) but on second time through, the movie really grew on me. Trying to squeeze that much story into a movie was a difficult task and the scenery and costumes were gorgeous. I loved the chemistry between Darcy and Elizabeth. Very intense but understated.  And talking about squeezing a big story into movie sized bites we rewatched the LOTRs trilogy at DS's insistence.
 For my son's birthday we had to rewatch The Goonies (also my hubby's favourite movie).
  And, finally, I watched this documentary for research purposes. It's an interesting account of the political situation that created the Taliban, rather than any real information on what life was like under Taliban rule. 

Now we have hours and hours of Rugby World Cup 2011 to look forward to. We can legitimately support England, Scotland, Ireland and Canada. Plus, my maiden name is apparently derived from Welsh princes. This house must have a shot at winning, huh? Who's your team?

Guest Author: Anne Marie Becker

I'm so happy to welcome a wonderful debut author here today...

SERIOUS ABOUT SERIES
I've always enjoyed reading books that are created as part of a series.  If I'm going to immerse myself in a character's world, I like to hang out there a while and get to know everyone.  And then, of course, I want all those characters I've gotten to know to have their happy endings.  So when I started putting my own words to paper, I naturally leaned toward writing overarching plots and subplots that would support a series. 
On September 5th, my debut novel, ONLY FEAR, was released unto the world.  In this story, an organization that, until now, existed only in my mind comes to life for the first time.  SSAM, an acronym that stands for The Society for the Study of the Aberrant Mind, is a group of professionals with various specialties.  Its employees have career experience in everything from computer technology to personal security to profiling serial killers.  That's the beauty of a made-up private organization.  I can hire anyone I want.  And Damian Manchester, the group's founder, hires only the best.  He's dedicated to removing monsters from society.  After all, one of those monsters took his daughter from him years ago.  He's still hunting her killer, and he'll eventually catch the monster responsible.  He's that dedicated.  And I'm that dedicated to the series.  I'm looking forward to helping him find justice over the course of the series. [image error] My editor at Carina Press and I have decided to call this series "the Mindhunters."  That my publisher is as interested and invested in my characters' futures as I am is a wonderful feeling.  In ONLY FEAR, Ethan and Maggie find their happy ending.  My second book of the series is almost done, and I can't wait to start on the next one!
Toni, thank you for having me here today.  I'm thrilled to be your Carina sister! (You're welcome! Lovely to host you :)
Happy reading & writing, everyone,
Anne Marie ***BIO:Anne Marie has always been fascinated by people—inside and out—which led to degrees in Biology, Chemistry, Psychology, and Counseling.  As a games hostess at Sea World, tutor, waitress, personal and family counselor, and high school counselor, she has indulged her curiosity through sanctioned professions.  Now, as a stay-at-home mom of three young children, her passion for understanding the human race is satisfied by her roles as mother, wife, daughter, sister, and writer.  She writes to reclaim her sanity.
Anne Marie's manuscripts have won several awards, including the 2009 Golden Heart® for Best Romantic Suspense.  Her first novel, OnlyFear , is due out September 5, 2011 from Carina Press.
You can connect with her at:Website: www.AnneMarieBecker.comFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/AnneMarieBeckerAuthorTwitter:  https://twitter.com/#!/annemariebecker

Not Your Usual Suspects

NYUS is having an excerpt party this week, and at around 10 AM today there's a world exclusive :) An excerpt from EDGE OF SURVIVAL (coming November 21st from Carina Press). Comment for the chance to win a stack of ebooks.
Also, this is Romantic Suspense week at Carina Press and 20% off all RS titles including SEA OF SUSPICION and STORM WARNING.
Also also, they're offering a free novella by Marie Force. Awesome.

Assiniboine Park Zoo--Winnipeg

Yesterday, I took the kids to the local zoo. (Pictures below)
Assiniboine Park Zoo is going through major renovations right now and a whole bunch of exhibits are closed. They're building a new polar bear conservation centre (which is appropriate given we're in Manitoba). But they've already accomplished lots of excellent new things. They have new bird of prey displays and a butterfly exhibit (seasonal :)).
We saw the tiger being fed. The pictures aren't too graphic but he is eating a dead bunny. I was surrounded by all these little kids and I kept waiting for the screams when the guts were ripped out. DD couldn't watch after he popped off the bunny's head, so we moved on. I didn't hear any screams later though. Kids are so bloodthirsty :)
The zoo now has a buggy that runs around the place and gives old and young legs the occasional rest.
Usually when I go to the zoo I visit all the animals in my books. But the wolverine (EDGE OF SURVIVAL) was missing and although there was a lonely snow leopard, the Markhor weren't there. And no bears either. Weird. Here is a selection of what we did see...

 juvenile bald eagle

Great horned owl


Butterfly garden


The snow leopard was asleep


Look at this guy...
 Stellar's sea eagle.

I couldn't resist :)


sleepy red panda


Winnipeg's relationship to Winnie-the-Pooh

Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans

Look what we found in Sugar Mountain at the Forks. I tried rotten egg flavour and it was gross! No one has volunteered for the vomit flavoured one yet :) DS also found the perfect gift for his friends coming to his birthday party this weekend...
Yum! I bet you'll want to come, right?

Guest Author: Dee Tenorio

I'm delighted to welcome The wonderful Dee Tenorio to my blog. Yay, Dee! Who are you and what do you write? Hi, my name is Dee Tenorio. I write paranormal romantic suspense, romantic comedies and erotic contemporaries. (Yeah,that's not ever gonna fit on a nameplate)
What's your favourite place in the world to visit? My bed. I don't get to see it too often, but when I do, oh how I love it.
Where do you write? Where ever I can fit myself and my laptop or a notebook and pen. This includes my stairs, my bathroom, my closet and occasionally, my shower. :)
How long have you been published or is this your first sale? I've been published since 2006. :)
How long have you been writing? As long as I can remember. Though, sadly, those early stories were really more like soap opera episodes, lol.
What comes first—characters or the plot? It alternates, but usually, the characters. I gotta like these people in order to write them.
Do you write to music? Do you make soundtracks for you stories? If so, what was on the soundtrack for your latest release? I do, actually. Music helps put me in the right place faster. The soundtrack for "Deceiving The Protector" was "Falling Slowly" from the movie "Once", "Use Somebody" by Kings Of Leon & "If I Were A Boy" by The Backbeats. (Yeah, my characters had some angst.) 
What's your biggest dream? To write well enough to support my family. :)
If you were a millionaire would you still write? Absolutely. In fact, I'd probably write more—no more day job! :)
Cat or dog person? Dog. I love cats, but dogs melt my soul. :) Love em, love em, love em. :)
********************************* Latest Release:
The mate he never wanted may be the woman he can never have...
After a series of murders is discovered along the trail of the Shifter Underground, wolf soldier Jensen Tate is assigned to find and protect a missing stray. But Lia Crawford doesn't seem to want his protection. When she eludes his watch and returns with mysterious injuries, Tate knows she's hiding something. To discover her secrets, he'll have to win her trust...and get closer to the woman he thinks may be his mate.
Lia has reasons to keep her distance. The killer is haunting her steps, determined to claim her. He will come after them both if he sees how drawn she is to Tate, though it becomes increasingly difficult to deny her attraction to him. Protecting Tate is vital – but will her deception cost her his love?
Author: Dee TenorioGenre: Paranormal Romantic SuspenseHeat Level: sensualPublisher: Carina PressISBN: 978-142680-9205-9Price: 5.99Word Count: 88kRelease Date: August 15, 2011Author website address: www.deetenorio.comPublisher sale page: http://ebooks.carinapress.com/816F2940-CD76-45EA-8453-B77AC7C4D4E4/10/134/en/ContentDetails.htm?ID=E89FDB62-EDF3-42BB-85AD-0E6CB1EE555EExcerpt Page: http://www.deetenorio.com/DTPtrailer_excerpt.php#excerpt
"Deceiving The Protector" trailer:

If interested, here is the trailer for the first book--
"Tempting The Enemy" trailer:


Where to find out more about Dee online:Site: http://www.deetenorio.com Blog: http://www.deetenorio.com/Blog Twitter: http://twitter.com/DeeTenorioFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dee-Tenorio/112663472089725?v=app_4949752878&ref=sgmMySpace: http://www.myspace.com/deetenorioYouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/Deeliciousone
Thanks so much for visiting with me, Dee.

You say 'tomato' and I say 'tomato'

Biggest beefsteak I've ever grown. Just don't make me eat that sucker :) I don't eat tomatoes.

I forgot to put this here. Sorry :)

EDGE OF SURVIVAL (November 2011) Foreword by Brenda Novak
Dr. Cameran Young knew her assignment wouldn't be easy. As lead biologist on the Environment Impact Assessment team, her findings would determine the future of a large mining project in the northern Canadian bush. She expected rough conditions and hostile miners—but she didn't expect to find a dead body her first day on the job.
Former SAS Sergeant Daniel Fox forged a career as a helicopter pilot, working as far from the rest of the human race as possible. The thrill of flying makes his civilian life bearable, and he lives by his mantra: don't get involved. But when he's charged with transporting the biologist to her research vessel, he can't help but get involved in the murder investigation—and with Cameran, who awakens emotions he's desperate to suppress.
In the harsh and rugged wilderness, Daniel and Cameran must battle their intense and growing attraction while keeping ahead of a killer who will stop at nothing to silence her…
My heroine has diabetes and I'm donating 15% of my royalties to diabetes research.
And I just heard EDGE OF SURVIVAL will be made available as an audio book. Yay! Cover coming soon.