C. Margery Kempe's Blog: Lady Smut, page 225

Share Your Soul release and contest with the fabulous Rachel Carrington and Decadent Publishing.

Welcome to Nights of Passion

Share Your Soul is the first release in the Run Devil Run series. Run Devil Run, an L.A.-based rock band well known locally and beyond for their dynamic live performances, diverse musical talent, and humorous video antics has lent their faces, titles and lyrics as inspiration for a five-book series with Decadent Publishing. Readers who buy the books off the Decadent Publishing website will be able to get the corresponding song from the band for free, giving the reader a true multi-media experience. Books by popular authors Mari Freeman, Susan DiPlacido, Valerie Mann and Becca Dale will follow. To find out more about Run Devil Run and hear their music, check out their Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/RunDevilRun.

Share Your Soul by Rachel Carrington

Blurb:

On the fifth anniversary of my murder, I took action against inaction. I set out to find what I wanted the most—revenge. Others warned me that the whole project could be risky, but getting even with my killer husband seemed worth the danger. Turned out, I made an appointment with the Angel of Death. Perfect.

I've always had a weak spot for bad-boy, rocker types but Gabriel the bad-boy angel surpassed my fantasies. He looked like Bon Jovi in his long hair days, which destroyed my ability to concentrate. Plus, he claimed he could help me only if I trusted him. The last man I put my faith in shot a bullet through my heart. How the heck could I trust the Angel of Death?

So anyway, I told Gabriel that I needed retribution before I could move on. He granted me three days in a mortal body to gain closure. Great offer except for one thing—my dear husband had already been found not guilty so he couldn't be tried again. No hope of ever putting him behind bars…at least not for shooting me. I also had no idea where the loser had dumped my body. How was I supposed to get vengeance?

After that, things got really complicated. I had to find dirt on my jerk of a husband while placing my faith in the Angel of Death and ignoring the forbidden things he did to my phantom heart and loaner body. Yeah, the whole situation sounded weird to me, too, but what was a misplaced spirit to do except roll with it?

Except.

The man moved with the grace of a jungle cat, all muscle and strength. He waved toward a chair, the only invitation to sit.

I didn't know his name or much about him, but I did know I was in no hurry to leave. Those mesmerizing green eyes of his held my gaze, and I could swear he read my mind. Maybe he could. That brought a frown to my face. I didn't particularly care for the idea of him strolling through my brain at will, especially when I'd never been that good at controlling my thoughts.

"Who are you?" I blurted the question out before I could engage my brain. I'd always been guilty of speaking first and thinking later. Apparently, my death hadn't changed that.

"You mean you don't know?" He sat behind a black circular desk, folded his hands across the top. "Most people know a little about me before they requisition a meeting."

Starting to get nervous, I lifted a shoulder in a half-shrug. "I didn't think I'd ever need to come to see you."

"So why now then?"

"Aren't you going to tell me who you are?"

Author's website

Blog

Purchase

Decadent Publishing

Contest:

1 ebook copy of Share Your Soul by Rachel Carrington in PDF format, winners worldwide are eligible, deadline Jan. 31, 2011 at 11:59 p.m. PST. void where prohibited by law. To be entered say the word Soul in your comment.

Filed under: Decadent Publishing, Rachel Carrington, Run Devil Run series

Ask David: Questions You've Always Wanted to Ask A Vampire!

I'm Lily Snow.  The Online Pajama Party is scheduled for Saturday.  Be sure to join the fun.   Today we're departing from our usual paranormal advice column format to tread on dangerous but intriguing ground. This is your opportunity to ask David the questions you've always wanted to ask a vampire. We'll start with a few we've received from the readers.  Everyone here now is also invited to ask questions through the comment box. David will do his best to answer everyone.

Dear David,

Do you sparkle?

Devoted to You

David: I don't usually, but my eyes would certainly sparkle for you, my devoted one.

Dear David,

If you didn't have Laura, what kind of woman would turn you on?

Wondering

David: Well, Laura is blonde. Before I met her, I found brunettes to be lots of fun, especially if they were ticklish and enjoyed dancing. I love dancing. Tell me, Wondering, do you love dancing?

Lily: Okay, moving on. I have one. I've heard that all male vampires are terrible flirts and sleep around, is that true?

David: Ouch. Have you been talking to Laura? I won't comment on my male kindred, but I will say that I don't sleep around anymore.

Lily: So you only flirt now. Okay, let's see what other questions our readers have.

Dear David,

Are all vampires the same?  Why makes a vampire hot?

Lusting for Your Blood

David (chuckles):  Lusting, you're a very bad girl.  No, all vampires are as different as snowflakes.

Lily (mutters): Yes, you're definitely a flake.

David scowls at Lily.

David:  Bad, Lily, don't interrupt.  Now where were we, Luscious.

Lily:  That was Lusting.

David:  Right.  Lusting, every vampires is as different as every human is different.  What makes a vampire hot?  Blood.  Sexy dancing. See through lingerie.  Kissing and stroking his fangs with your tongue.  Warning:  Doing that is an invitation to sex so don't do that unless you mean it.  What makes a vampire the hottest would be if you were his lifemate!  If you touch a vampire and he's felt hot instead of cold, that's a strong indicator that he's your lifemate.  Everything with a lifemate is totally hot.

Lily:  I think I need some ice water now.  Readers, you are now invited to ask David questions.

–David Hilliard (from The Stormy Love Life of Laura Cordelais)

–Lily A. Snow

–Susan Hanniford Crowley

Filed under: Adventures of Lily A. Snow, Dear David, paranormal, paranormal romance, romance, romance novels, Susan Hanniford Crowley, vampire books, vampires

A comment on an interesting contest

If there's one thing in the writing world I, with a passion eschew, is contests. Having been a judge and having been judged I'm fully aware of the subjectiveness. But we won't go into that for I feel sure you know what I'm talking about.

Anyway, recently I found an interesting contest run through one of the organizations I belong to.

We don't submit a specified number of pages from an already written work. We have to submit an original work written specifically for the contest.

Now here's where the contest gets interesting. We are given a concept to follow. Not only do we have do we have to write within the specified guidelines but, we are given a word count. No less than 3,500 words and not more the 7,000.

Then there are a few submission guidelines besides the usual font and page layout. Words and/or phrases that we would normally put in italics are to be underlined.

There are no electronic submissions allowed. All six (6) copies have to be printed out with your contact information ONLY on the cover sheet of the first copy of the story. This is to allow for blind judging, making each entry equal to the next. Very fair.

The ten (10) winners will be in an anthology to be published next year along with a submission by Lee Childs, author of the Jack Reardon series.

Since I write Army mysteries mine features a CID Special Agent. Here's a small sample of my submission 'A Murderous Cover-up'.

As they pulled away Abdul-Qadir noticed a dark sedan take station about three car lengths behind. Turn for turn they were inexpertly tailed. As if the other driver wanted them to know. He informed his passenger of the other vehicles but was told not to worry. Once inside the mosque he said things would work themselves out.

Mohammed, by now a close friend to the imam had a reserved spot on the street, in front of the mosque. As they pulled to the curb, he watched as the car passed them. "No, I don't recognize them but there's no question, they're American. We both agree being following was no accident."

Abdul-Qadir grunted his agreement, then as the mystery car parked across and a few cars down from them, turned to Mohammed, "I don't like this."

Mohammed told his friend not to worry so much or pay the men any attention. Without another word he exited the car and entered the mosque.

After prayers Mohammed stopped to talk with the imam while Abdul-Qadir went to start the car. Dusk had started to fall as Mohammed headed for his car. As he reached for the passenger door handle a man in a dark suit clasped him firmly on the shoulder. Mohammed turned to view the intruder, immediately recognized as one of the men they'd spied earlier. A low threatening growl rumbled from deep in his throat. "What do you want?" he demanded.

The man, taller by a good head, leaned over, "The Senator isn't happy with you and is thinking of revoking the protection he's bestowed on you."

Mohammed looked up, a sly grin curled his lips up. "And what is the problem?"

"The murders. They've got to stop," calmly the man answered not suspecting his life might be in danger.

Mohammed heard his car start, then slipped his hand inside his jacket. In one well rehearsed motion withdrew his KA-BAR and drove it straight up under the man's ribs. With a twist of his wrist the weapon sliced through the man's heart. As quickly as the knife went in it slide back out, crumpling the man to the ground. With a shove from his foot, Mohammed rolled the man out of the way and entered his car. Before he'd finished closing the door Abdul-Qadir had the vehicle speeding away.

A reminder-

Next week in my usual Tuesday spot I'll be having my dear friend Mary Martinez as guest blogger. She will be discussing her latest mystery/suspense-Classic Murder-Mr. Romance. She is having a contest over the next few weeks with some nice prizes so don't forget to check in. That's next Tuesday, February 8, 2011.

Filed under: contest, Lindsay Downs, Mystery

Eat, Pray, Love… Why?

Okay, so I watched the movie Eat Pray Love and after seeing it, I have to say it made me want to read the book (because you usually hear the book is better) and I can all of a sudden understand why there was a bit of hype about this movie. I know, I'm late getting to the table but so what, it's never too late for self-discovery or revelation.

Anyway, as for many people, the subject of this movie resonated with me. I've never been divorced and truth be told, I haven't had tons of problems deciding how I want to live or whether I want kids. For now, I know what I want from life. I'm not lost but I've definitely faltered in my steps every now and then. We all do.

We all have dreams; we have to. Otherwise, why try to make it to the next day? Even the most destitute have hope for something more. Many of you who read this blog, dream of being an author and published. What would happen if you stopped dreaming that? If you stopped trying to achieve it? I know how I would feel. You'd look my name up in the dictionary and see a picture of a hypnotized zombie, lifeless, emotionless.

In that way, I feel many are able to identify themselves with the protagonist and author of Eat Pray Love, Liz Gilbert. There is a purpose to eating, praying and loving, more than just going through the motions. Many of us who are able and authors especially, do these things with much passion. It's innate for us to find enjoyment and balance in life. Think about it. How do you get writing done with husbands, kids, extended family dropping by, RWA chapters, other meetings, etc? And what would your life be without writing? Without all those other things you love?

Moral of the story is watch the movie or read the book if you haven't. It's a good story and may help you realize where your scale is beginning to tip.

Filed under: Toni Kelly, Writer's Life

Mason's Paranormal-Scope

I'm not qualified in any way to read neither stars nor planets. I do however; have practical advice for those of you that might encounter paranormal of some sort.

The week ahead for:

Aries

Best you settle items related to the higher realms in a pre-emptive fashion. Otherwise, it might come back to bite you literally.

Taurus

Another boost is on the way from the cosmos.

Gemini

A body sharing situation can be mutually satisfactory if you catch my drift. Wink!

Cancer

Stay home as much as possible the world isn't a safe place for you. It's filled with hellish ghouls.

Leo

You are imprisoned in your own consciousness.

Virgo

Heaven or hell? You can't decide where you'd rather be.

Libra

You are a Jedi knight.

Scorpio

You'll be suffering from detached head syndrome.

Sagittarius

You're riding the Milky Way be prepared for some wonderful highs and some moody lows.

Capricorn

Timing is the key and if efforts aren't paying off, maybe you are out of sync or not meeting the demands when requested too.

Aquarius

Find the Yin to your Yang in a friend and magic will happen.

Pisces

A mystic veil is obstructing your view of the world and you need the full picture to make a sound decision so reach beyond what you can see with your eyes.

Mason

a.c.Mason

Darkness ♀♂ Desires

www.acmason.com

Filed under: a.c. Mason, Mason's Paranormal-Scope

Make Me Laugh

"If you can make a girl laugh – you can make her do anything…"

– Marilyn Monroe

I'm a sucker for a guy who makes me laugh: hell, I'm a sucker for anyone who makes me laugh. Apparently I'm not that unusual; if you google studies demonstrating what women find attractive, you'll find that unlike men, it varies a lot. But an intelligent sense of humour always makes it on the list.

And why not? Life is much better on a day to day basis if you're with someone who has a sense of humour about the inevitable ups and downs of life. On those down days when you can't see the sunshine for the rain, you seek out those who will make you shine again. And it's got to be both intelligence and sense of humour, because without the intelligence you have a frat boy or class clown type (shudder).

Unfortunately, that's what all the films released by Hollywood seem to be geared toward. Maybe they'll stop that once they realise it's turning women off — and not just the films!

Romance heroes, too, often seem to lack that aspect. I must admit while others swoon over Mr. Darcy, I am completely a Tilney gal (that's why my hero in The Mangrove Legacy has the same last name). The hero of Northanger Abbey appeals to me because he's really funny. All of his dialogue runs playfully across the page, sparring with Catherine as they discover love. In romance novels, more often women get to be the funny ones, especially in contemporary stories. It's wonderful that women have that space to be funny and witty and smart (can you tell I'm going to be on the Humor in Romance panel at Authors After Dark?).

In "real" life women don't get to be funny as often, because they pay a heavy price: men are afraid of funny women. Intelligence doesn't fare much better: combine the two and you intimidate a lot of men. It's just the opposite for men: how many funny men have we seen with a bevvy of attractive women in his wake? Sad but true. It takes an extraordinary man to appreciate a funny woman. He's got to be confident and intelligent and probably funny, too. Here's to them all. I leave you with my most favourite funny man. My dreamboat, Peter Cook (with the likewise funny Alan Bennett, now a playwright).

Filed under: C. Margery Kempe, contemporary romance, erotic romance, Flirting, historical romance, Kit Marlowe, Writing Topics

Dear Vampire David: Please, Make Me A Werewolf!

Dear David,

My girlfriend is a big fan of a certain movie werewolf, and she loves dogs.  So I was thinking that I could take our relationship to the next level, if you made me a werewolf.  So when do we start?

Eager 

Dear Eager,

You don't want to be a werewolf.  It's not like in the movies.  Werewolves can't change at will unless they're several generations out.  They change at inconvenient times, have fleas, and smell when they get wet.  Seriously, you're thinking shapeshifter, and they are born that way.  Werewolves are made with a bite, and I wouldn't ask them if I were you. They tend to be irritable and lose their tempers easily.  They might forget the one bite and eat you instead.  Or rip you apart.  Believe me, you don't want to be a werewolf.

Want to get on the good side of your lady?  Write her a poem about her eyes.  Give her chocolates.  Pamper her.  Worship her with words and deeds.   Take her to buy the puppy of her choice. 

You don't need to be a werewolf to be lucky in love.  Or a vampire.  Be you.

David

Vampire David Hilliard

–Susan Hanniford Crowley

http://www.susanhannifordcrowley.com

Filed under: Dear David, romance, romance novels, Susan Hanniford Crowley, vampire books, vampires

What day of the week is it? Hodgepodge Friday.

I'm having one of them strange types of weeks with great highs and strange occurrences. I don't want to call them lows because that would be giving them more power than they actually have. I've done a million and one things. Let me give you a strange mix of the events.

Monday, my latest book came out. Happy dancing.

Tuesday, I get up early to go to a superhero meeting at work and break two toes running around the house. Oops. Aside from that all goes smashing.

Wednesday, calm waters on my front. Good news of the home front.

Thursday, dentist preps me for a crown. Yippy! I'm royal. Oops inside voice. I don't like dental work.

Friday, is going to be the best day yet.

Saturday, I'm meeting up with local writers. Yippy. Meanwhile, I'm editing, rewriting and critiquing. .

Sunday, I'm editing, rewriting and critiquing.

I'm out of here.

Mason

a.c.Mason

Darkness ♀♂ Desires

www.acmason.com

Filed under: a.c. Mason, Hodgepodge day!, Mason Friday

From Lily Snow in Boston

January 15, 2010

The conference was a mix of elves and steampunk women and gentlemen.  I have overworked myself as usual, I needed a moment to myself.  No matter how much fun something is, there are times when I must retreat to solitude to regroup.  This was one of those times.  I walked out the front doors of the hotel down Summer Street.  It was so brutally cold out that night that there weren't many people on the street. 

Actually I was almost deserted.  I continued my walk to clear my head down D Street.  That's when I saw a flash of fang around the dark corner of a building.  Another was coming up behind me.  I turned to catch his attack.  Throwing up my fists, the hand with the dragon ring Max gave me foremost.  He fell back into the shadows between buildings.

A vampire walked down the street toward me.  I recognized him from when I first met the vampires of Boston. 

"Hello, Herc."

"Hello, Lily Snow.  Why are you in our territory, alone and helpless?  The Arnhem Society doesn't take very good care of its ambassador."

I held up my hand with the ring and he took a step back.

"You know, Lily, I've always found you fascinating. "  He raised one hand and the other vampires lurking in the darkness disappeared.  "I thought you were Max's companion.  Why would he let you stray so far from home?"

"I do want I like."  I walked in the direction of the hotel.  He kept up by my side.

"I think he isn't worthy of you.  You need a man who is more adventurous.  Someone with the courage to turn you."  He moved closer and each time he did, I would thrust the ring at him and he would move back.

"You deserve more, Lily Snow.  You would make a great vampire."  Suddenly vampires encircled me.  I had forgotten the bone necklance Max gave me.  Taking a Thai kickboxer's stance, I prepared with fists out always turning to an enemy.  Each time one faced the ring, they leaped back but others closed in from behind.

Then David Hilliard stood in the center of this frightening circle with me.

"Arnhem Knight, you are not welcome in Boston."

"I know that.  Lily is here on personal business, and I am her bodyguard.  I'm here to protect you from Lily.  We do not wish her powers to further aggrevate the tensions between our two cities."

Herc and the others laughed.  "She has powers?"

David grabbed me around the waist and we were in the air.  Then we landed in front of the doors of my hotel.  The foorman said nothing, as we went into the lobby.

David kissed me on the cheek.  "I think it would be best if you stayed in the hotel, until you leave tomorrow.  And be sure to leave in daylight."

I hugged him.  "I will.  Thank you."

He walked out through the doors, and I went to the Masquerade.  A few times, I thought I saw vampires mixed in with the crowd.  I was probably mistaken.

–Lily A. Snow, Arnhem Society Ambassador and Historian

Susan Hanniford Crowley

Filed under: Adventures of Lily A. Snow, Characters, paranormal, paranormal romance, romance novels, Susan Hanniford Crowley, vampire books, vampires

Romance in the Villa

On the go again.  Spent this long weekend in beautiful Santa Monica, CA and wow was it great. I ate to my heart's content, walked a handful of miles and admired all the coastal front properties that will probably remain outside my purchasing capacity for quite a while to come. That last bit's a downer.

But, I did have the exquisite pleasure of visiting the beautiful and affordable (entrance is free so you only pay for parking) J. Paul Getty Villa. For those of you who don't know, J. Paul Getty was a billionaire oil producer and an avid art and antiquities collector. The Getty Villa is a result of his dream to have a replicated Villa dei Papiri, a private house in the ancient Roman city of Herculaneum. In AD 79, the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius covered all of Herculaneum, including the Villa, in an immensely thick layer of volcanic ash. Between 1950 and 1965, its remains were first excavated.

The Getty Villa, like Villa dei Papiri, was built on a steep slope and encompasses the true feel of an Etruscan villa. The Villa itself is stunning with several gardens, fountains and mosaics. The open courtyard theme and columns are common throughout and the herb garden reminds us how these villas were built to keep those living in them self-sufficient. The inside of the villa is full of statues, mosaics, jewelry, sarcophagi and paintings which transport you back in time.

There is a romance and charm that the villa creates even though you know the time in which these people lived wasn't always a walk in the park. Life never is, although we'd like to imagine it would be. Art captures the perfect and imperfect of life's expressions. So whether you're inspired to write the life of a little Roman boy who died far too young, or incorporate the unattainable Venus into one of your stories, the point is, art aspires to inspire. Find your inspiration and let go.

And speaking of writer's inspiration… I'd like to send a huge congrats to our very own a.c. Mason whose Aequitas II Punishment came out on the 17th of January. Book is available here.

Filed under: Toni Kelly, What inspires you?, Writer's Life