N.J. Walters's Blog, page 210
February 1, 2013
February Newsletter now Available
The February 2013 issue of Awakening Desires—the Newsletter of Romance Author N.J. Walters—is now available.
Be sure to check out all the latest news, contests, my husband’s popular column—Confessions of a Romance Author’s Husband—an excerpt, and this month’s interview with NY Times/USA Today Bestselling Author Laurann Dohner.
As always, some lucky newsletter subscriber wins a prize. All you have to do to be eligible to win is go to Awakening Desires Newsletter and join. While you’re there, you can check out back issues of the newsletter.
Be sure to check out all the latest news, contests, my husband’s popular column—Confessions of a Romance Author’s Husband—an excerpt, and this month’s interview with NY Times/USA Today Bestselling Author Laurann Dohner.
As always, some lucky newsletter subscriber wins a prize. All you have to do to be eligible to win is go to Awakening Desires Newsletter and join. While you’re there, you can check out back issues of the newsletter. 
January 30, 2013
Valentine's Day Contest
Valentine's day is almost here and to celebrate I'm holding a contest! I'm giving away a PRINT copy of CANDY CARESSES.
This anthology contains 6 of the Ellora's Cave Valentine Vixens Quickies, including ANASTASIA'S STYLE, my story! It also contains stories by Desiree Holt, Lynn LaFleur, Nina Nash, Alison Paige and Christine McKay.
For details on how you can enter for a chance to win, just go to my WEBSITE and click on the "Contests" page.
This anthology contains 6 of the Ellora's Cave Valentine Vixens Quickies, including ANASTASIA'S STYLE, my story! It also contains stories by Desiree Holt, Lynn LaFleur, Nina Nash, Alison Paige and Christine McKay.
For details on how you can enter for a chance to win, just go to my WEBSITE and click on the "Contests" page.
January 29, 2013
Visiting Donna Gallagher's Blog Today
Hi, I'm over at DONNA GALLAGHER'S BLOG today. Be sure to check out the "On the Bench" interview she did with me. I'm answering questions about my writing and a whole bunch of other fun stuff.
January 28, 2013
Tuesday Teaser: Anastasia's Style
Since Valentine's Day is only a few weeks away, I thought I'd post a teaser from ANASTASIA'S STYLE, my EC Valentine Vixens Quickie.
TEASER:
“I hate Valentine’s Day,” Anastasia Style muttered as she contemplated the wisdom of kicking the flat tire she was glaring at. If she hadn’t been wearing her very expensive, incredibly sexy red high-heeled Manolo Blahniks, she might have attempted it. Sighing with frustration, she reached into the stylish leather handbag she’d just retrieved from her vehicle, rummaging around until she found her cell phone. Dialing her office, she glared at the offensive piece of rubber. Of all the days to get a flat. “Hi, Maryann.” She spoke calmly even though a part of her wanted to scream. Her normally composed assistant sounded flustered on the other end. Not good. But not surprising. Valentine’s Day was shaping up to be her second busiest time of the year. Only Christmas had been more frantic. As the owner and manger of Hassle-free Holidays, her holidays were anything but hassle-free. “I’ve got a slight problem.” She explained her situation to Maryann and paused while the other woman commiserated. “Call Manny’s Garage for me, will you?” Her family had been using Manny’s for as long as she’d been alive. “Tell him to take it back to the garage and I’ll pick it up later. I can’t afford to wait, so I’m going to call a cab.” She stared into the backseat of her normally reliable six-year-old Honda Civic and eyed the expensive bottle of Dom Perignon, the huge box of Godiva Chocolates and the extravagant arrangement of colorful carnations. The carnations didn’t quite fit with the other two items, but that wasn’t her concern. Whatever the client wanted, the client got. That was the mantra for her business. She glanced at her watch and groaned. This day was going from bad to worse. She had to make this delivery for a very last minute—but extremely lucrative—client and get to her lawyer’s office before five o’clock. She was signing her divorce papers today.
TEASER:
“I hate Valentine’s Day,” Anastasia Style muttered as she contemplated the wisdom of kicking the flat tire she was glaring at. If she hadn’t been wearing her very expensive, incredibly sexy red high-heeled Manolo Blahniks, she might have attempted it. Sighing with frustration, she reached into the stylish leather handbag she’d just retrieved from her vehicle, rummaging around until she found her cell phone. Dialing her office, she glared at the offensive piece of rubber. Of all the days to get a flat. “Hi, Maryann.” She spoke calmly even though a part of her wanted to scream. Her normally composed assistant sounded flustered on the other end. Not good. But not surprising. Valentine’s Day was shaping up to be her second busiest time of the year. Only Christmas had been more frantic. As the owner and manger of Hassle-free Holidays, her holidays were anything but hassle-free. “I’ve got a slight problem.” She explained her situation to Maryann and paused while the other woman commiserated. “Call Manny’s Garage for me, will you?” Her family had been using Manny’s for as long as she’d been alive. “Tell him to take it back to the garage and I’ll pick it up later. I can’t afford to wait, so I’m going to call a cab.” She stared into the backseat of her normally reliable six-year-old Honda Civic and eyed the expensive bottle of Dom Perignon, the huge box of Godiva Chocolates and the extravagant arrangement of colorful carnations. The carnations didn’t quite fit with the other two items, but that wasn’t her concern. Whatever the client wanted, the client got. That was the mantra for her business. She glanced at her watch and groaned. This day was going from bad to worse. She had to make this delivery for a very last minute—but extremely lucrative—client and get to her lawyer’s office before five o’clock. She was signing her divorce papers today.
January 27, 2013
Wintery World
Welcome to Sunday. Thought I'd share a few wintery pictures with you!
So this should give you an idea of how icy and cold it's been here the past week. This is the A & W up the road where hubby and I went out for breakfast on Tuesday. Hard to see in this picture, but there are a bunch of icicles hanging down the window.
We've also had lots of snow. This is the view from the A & W parking lot looking at the local Chapter's Bookstore that is next door. The snow is piling up!
So this should give you an idea of how icy and cold it's been here the past week. This is the A & W up the road where hubby and I went out for breakfast on Tuesday. Hard to see in this picture, but there are a bunch of icicles hanging down the window.
We've also had lots of snow. This is the view from the A & W parking lot looking at the local Chapter's Bookstore that is next door. The snow is piling up!
January 25, 2013
Feature Friday: Everything Old is New Again
I enjoy historical romance, so it should come as no surprise that I'm a big fan of Stephanie Laurens. I have all six original Cynster novels on my keeper shelf but haven't read them in years.
A few months ago, the Sony Reader Store had DEVIL'S BRIDE on sale for the amazing price of $0.99. How could I resist? I couldn't, and since then I've downloaded A RAKE'S VOW and Scandal's Bride, both on a limited-time sale. It seems everything old is new again. For those of you who have never read Stephanie Laurens, I highly recommend the Cynster series.
DEVIL'S BRIDE
The 1st Cynster Novel
First published 1998
Avon Romantic Treasure
When Devil, the most infamous member of the Cynster family, is caught in a compromising position with plucky governess Honoria Wetherby, he astonishes the entire ton by offering his hand in marriage. No one had dreamed this scandalous rake would so tamely take a bride. As society's mamas swooned at the loss of England's most eligible bachelor, Devil's infamous Cynster cousins began to place wagers on the wedding date.
But Honoria wasn't about to bend to society's demands and marry a man just because they'd been found together unchaperoned. No. She craved adventure. Solving the murder of a young Cynster cousin fit the bill for a while, but once the crime was solved, Honoria was set on seeing the world. But the scalding heat of her unsated desire for Devil soon had Honoria craving a very different sort of excitement. Could her passion for Devil cause her to embrace the enchanting peril of a lifelong adventure of the heart?
A RAKE'S VOW
The 2nd Cynster Novel
First published 1998
Avon Romantic Treasure
ISBN 0-380-79457-8
He vowed he'd never marry:
Vane Cynster always knew which way the wind was blowing, and it was headed in a marrying direction. The other Cynster men might not mind stepping up to the altar, but Vane never wanted to be leg-shackled to any woman, no matter how comely. Bellamy Hall seemed like the perfect place to temporarily hide from London's husband hunters. But when he encountered irresistilbe Patience Debbington, Vane realized he'd met his match and soon he had more than seduction on his mind.
She vowed no man would catch her:
Patience wasn't about to succumb to Vane's sensuous propositions. Yes, his kisses left her dizzy; his caresses made her melt; but he was arrogant, presumptuous...and, despite his protests, bound to be unfaithful, just like every other man. Patience had promised herself that she'd never become vulnerable to a broken heart. But was this one vow that was meant to be broken?
A few months ago, the Sony Reader Store had DEVIL'S BRIDE on sale for the amazing price of $0.99. How could I resist? I couldn't, and since then I've downloaded A RAKE'S VOW and Scandal's Bride, both on a limited-time sale. It seems everything old is new again. For those of you who have never read Stephanie Laurens, I highly recommend the Cynster series.
DEVIL'S BRIDE
The 1st Cynster Novel
First published 1998
Avon Romantic Treasure
When Devil, the most infamous member of the Cynster family, is caught in a compromising position with plucky governess Honoria Wetherby, he astonishes the entire ton by offering his hand in marriage. No one had dreamed this scandalous rake would so tamely take a bride. As society's mamas swooned at the loss of England's most eligible bachelor, Devil's infamous Cynster cousins began to place wagers on the wedding date.
But Honoria wasn't about to bend to society's demands and marry a man just because they'd been found together unchaperoned. No. She craved adventure. Solving the murder of a young Cynster cousin fit the bill for a while, but once the crime was solved, Honoria was set on seeing the world. But the scalding heat of her unsated desire for Devil soon had Honoria craving a very different sort of excitement. Could her passion for Devil cause her to embrace the enchanting peril of a lifelong adventure of the heart?
A RAKE'S VOW
The 2nd Cynster Novel
First published 1998
Avon Romantic Treasure
ISBN 0-380-79457-8
He vowed he'd never marry:
Vane Cynster always knew which way the wind was blowing, and it was headed in a marrying direction. The other Cynster men might not mind stepping up to the altar, but Vane never wanted to be leg-shackled to any woman, no matter how comely. Bellamy Hall seemed like the perfect place to temporarily hide from London's husband hunters. But when he encountered irresistilbe Patience Debbington, Vane realized he'd met his match and soon he had more than seduction on his mind.
She vowed no man would catch her:
Patience wasn't about to succumb to Vane's sensuous propositions. Yes, his kisses left her dizzy; his caresses made her melt; but he was arrogant, presumptuous...and, despite his protests, bound to be unfaithful, just like every other man. Patience had promised herself that she'd never become vulnerable to a broken heart. But was this one vow that was meant to be broken?
January 24, 2013
Vote for the CAPA Awards
The CAPA AWARDS are now open for voting. I'm thrilled and honored to have two of my books (Finding Chrissten and Quinn's Quest) nominated in the paranormal category. Be sure to go and vote for your favorite books and authors! VOTE HERE
January 23, 2013
Tuesday Teaser: Craving Candy
It's been a crazy week so far and I forgot the Tuesday Teaser yesterday. So here it is a day late. CRAVING CANDY is part of the Awakening Desires series, but can be read as a stand alone book.
TEASER:
“That’s a big sigh. Is there anything I can help you with?”
Candy glanced toward the voice and had to look up. Oh my! For the first time in her life, all ability to speak left her. The man standing next to her cocked his eyebrow, obviously waiting for her reply. Well, he’d have to wait a little longer. There was no way she could talk. It was taking all her concentration just to breathe.
Never had she been so instantly attracted to a man in her life. He was much taller than she was, and she was wearing high-heeled boots. But then again, she wasn’t very tall, so that wasn’t surprising. Massive—that was the first word that came to mind to describe him. His shoulders looked to be about a yard wide and his thick biceps strained the sleeves of the short-sleeved T-shirt he was wearing. Her fingers itched to touch them just to see if they were as hard as they looked.
His blond hair was cut short, but there was just enough for her to run her fingers through. Her hands curled into fists at her sides as she fought the impulse to just reach out and stroke it. His face wasn’t pretty. Instead it was compelling and tough, just like the rest of him. His nose looked as if it had been broken at least once, and his thin lips were set in a half-scowl as he continued to wait for her reply.
He was the kind of man you didn’t want to meet in a dark alley, the kind of man that made other men nervous. But Candy wasn’t the least bit afraid of him. For the first time in her life, she understood instant attraction. Everything feminine inside her was screaming out to jump this man’s bones.
TEASER:
“That’s a big sigh. Is there anything I can help you with?”
Candy glanced toward the voice and had to look up. Oh my! For the first time in her life, all ability to speak left her. The man standing next to her cocked his eyebrow, obviously waiting for her reply. Well, he’d have to wait a little longer. There was no way she could talk. It was taking all her concentration just to breathe.
Never had she been so instantly attracted to a man in her life. He was much taller than she was, and she was wearing high-heeled boots. But then again, she wasn’t very tall, so that wasn’t surprising. Massive—that was the first word that came to mind to describe him. His shoulders looked to be about a yard wide and his thick biceps strained the sleeves of the short-sleeved T-shirt he was wearing. Her fingers itched to touch them just to see if they were as hard as they looked.
His blond hair was cut short, but there was just enough for her to run her fingers through. Her hands curled into fists at her sides as she fought the impulse to just reach out and stroke it. His face wasn’t pretty. Instead it was compelling and tough, just like the rest of him. His nose looked as if it had been broken at least once, and his thin lips were set in a half-scowl as he continued to wait for her reply.
He was the kind of man you didn’t want to meet in a dark alley, the kind of man that made other men nervous. But Candy wasn’t the least bit afraid of him. For the first time in her life, she understood instant attraction. Everything feminine inside her was screaming out to jump this man’s bones.
January 21, 2013
I'm Doing...Stuff
Welcome to Monday! I've spent the past two and a half days doing stuff. You know what I mean...those odds and ends of paperwork that you put off until you really have no other choice. I've saved files to flash drives. (I have four that I save my writing to every day, but other writing-related files I'm not quite so vigilant.) I've cleared up end-of-year paperwork and gotten my files ready for 2013. There is quite a bit of paperwork to be done to close off one year and start another. In the midst of that, I finished the rough draft of a new book, printed off a hard copy and handed it off to my first reader (aka hubby) who will look at it as soon as he has time. It's a menage a trois featuring a pair of sexy cowboy brothers. And that's all I'll say about it for now. *g* I've also started the research for my next book, which will be for the Legacy series. All in all, it's been a busy, but productive, few days. Hope you're all having a wonderful Monday!
January 20, 2013
Ideas...Where Do They Come From?
Ideas...Where Do They Come From?
As an author, I think this is one of the most asked questions I get from readers. Want to know what I have to say on the subject? Check out my guest post over at Delilah Devlin's Blog.
As an author, I think this is one of the most asked questions I get from readers. Want to know what I have to say on the subject? Check out my guest post over at Delilah Devlin's Blog.
