January 2017

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Sunday, January 29, 2017

WeWriWa: You Got the Power! PRINCE OF POWER up for PreOrder!


Finally! The book I started over a year ago, and had to put on the shelf to let another go first. The book I couldn’t WAIT to get back to and now hate to leave. Finally finished and up for pre-order. Part of me wants to hang on, crying, NO! Just one more read through, one more chance to enjoy and add scenes. But snippets of dialogue are starting to whisper from Book 3, and I know it’s time to let go and move to something new. A feeling hero, Colin Terriot shares in this peek at PRINCE OF POWER, “House of Terriot” Book 2.


She doesn’t love you . . . she’s using you. 

Colin knew she didn’t, knew she was, and that truth ate through him viciously. Maybe he was pushing too hard, too fast, in everything, with Mia, with this situation between their clans, with his fierce denial that everything was fine, that he was fine, because he knew it wasn’t, that he wasn’t. 

Maybe he should just go home, get stronger, get well, get over it! 

Going back to their mountain wasn't going to improve his miserable existence, where he'd be reminded on a daily basis with the respectful murmurs of "my prince" hiding who the hell knew what: Mockery, deception, treason? To drink and debauch his days and nights into nothingness, waking up alone. Tahoe offered less than the nothing he already had with its reminders of his hollow title, his shallow soul, his grief and regrets. Here, at least there was a challenge, a task, a chance to rise, not only above his clan's doubts but above his own. 

He'd been given a second chance. Would he squander it the way he had all that had come before it?




Obsessed with an enemy - the only female to ever walk away from him . . .

Colin . . . Prince in the House of Terriot

Brawny, cynical negotiator for his clan, Colin Terriot sees a move to New Orleans as an escape from a painful past and his reputation as a legendary lover. What he didn't expect was to fall hard for a rival spy, the female who tricked and betrayed him by leaving his bed for his brother's. Now, he now must work with her, up close and personal, as the envoy for her clan. Things are about to heat up.

Determined to have him - even if having him means losing all . . .

Mia . . . Strong-willed Guedry heir

Denied her rightful legacy, Mia Guedry plans to stake her claim over the bodies of those who killed her family. But best laid plans fall before her desire for the one male she can't resist, the one who will never trust her once burned by her necessary deceptions. Saving her Terriot prince from plans already in motion may cost more than her inheritance . . . the price could be her life.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Sigh. Okay, time to get over it and on with it. Release day is February 27, so promo stuff will allow me to savor this story juuuuuust a bit longer as PRINCE OF FOOLS moves to the front burner.

Happy Weekend and Happy Writing!




Weekend Writing Warriors is a weekly hop for everyone who loves to write! Share an 8 to 10 sentence snippet of your writing on Sunday. Visit other participants on the list and read, critique, and comment on their 8sunday posts.


Spread the word, share the love, warriors - Hashtag #8sunday.

Sunday, January 22, 2017

WeWriWa: In This Corner . . . the Release Date for PRINCE OF POWER!


I needed something to perk me up and get me going this cold, dreary January morning, and coffee wasn’t cutting it. So how ‘bout this excerpt from PRINCE OF POWER as I enter the final round of line edits toward a February 27, 2017 RELEASE DATE! That’s just five weeks away and I’ve got to get this second book in my “House of Terriot” shape-shifter paranormal series into lean, mean, fighting weight. Cue the Rocky theme . . .

Dull, early-morning light filtered down through a slant of dingy windows overhead, sending swirls of dust motes drifting about the lone figure punishing the heavy bag, lending a grainy, old-film quality of stark relief to fiercely defined muscles, bunching, flexing, gliding in a shadow play of near-poetic movement. 

She’d wanted to make sure he was all right, that’s all, and obviously, he was . . . so, she should leave before he noticed her, but Colin Terriot, gorgeous, cut, the perfect solid, sexy male, held Mia entranced. 

The rhythmic thud of the gloves drew her appreciation to caress glistening flesh stretched taut and tempting over a purposefully honed physique, not that of a sleek, dark Porsche like most Guedry males, but a Land Rover, built to conquer with force, to withstand harsh elements and still provide an enviable ride over the roughest terrain in a journey not about comfort and speed, but rather the dangerous thrill. Drawstring shorts rode his hips, hugging nicely-rounded butt and sturdy thighs. She’d never thought of thighs as particularly erotic, but his had her imaging herself trapped between their compression. 

The handsome Terriot unbalanced her. Today, Mia needed to recover it. 
She hadn’t made a sound but suddenly he tensed, aware of her, turning, gloved fists raised as if expecting a fight that she’d happily provide. 

“What’d that bag ever do to you?” 

He drawled low and gruff, “It got in my way.”


Whew, I’m all warmed up and out of breath and ready to face my next challenger – back cover copy and pre-order status. Those should be ready for the next round on the 29th! Ding-ding. In this corner, the champion, weighing in at . . . seriously, that’s TMI. But here’s another look at Colin, PRINCE OF POWER to provide the necessary workout.


Happy Sunday and Happy Writing my WeWriWa and reader pals!!



Weekend Writing Warriors is a weekly hop for everyone who loves to write! Share an 8 to 10 sentence snippet of your writing on Sunday. Visit other participants on the list and read, critique, and comment on their 8sunday posts.


Spread the word, share the love, warriors - Hashtag #8sunday.

Sunday, January 15, 2017

WeWriWa: Who’s Got Your Back?

When times get tough, who ya gonna call? Who can you trust to be there, to tell it like it is whether you want to hear it or not? You listen because you know it’s the truth, and even a truth that hurts is better than a lie that does you no good.

PRINCE OF POWER, my next release in the “House of Terriot” shapeshifter foursome is filled with friends found in the strangest places, as hero Colin Terriot discovers when the first person he thinks to turn to for advice is a life-long sworn enemy of his clan, straight shooter, Silas MacCreedy. Here's the excerpt:


“And I should believe you, why?”

“I’m in love with Mia Guedry and want to be with her for the rest of my life.” There, he’d said it out loud. When Silas just stared at him, Colin growled, “Dude, do I look like that’s something I’d come up with to be funny?”

MacCreedy closed his mouth with an audible click then shook off his surprise to ask, “And how’s that going to play with your family?”

“It won’t, so I’m buying that place I’m living in and staying here in New Orleans. Now you know why I’m so interested in unifying our people, so there’ll be no outsiders, just all of us paddling as best we can to stay above water.”

“And what does she think about this?”

That was the real question, the one he was afraid to ask. “I’ll have to get back to you on that.”


The best friends, oddly enough, aren’t those who share everything in common, because it’s the differences that bring value to the party. This weekend, I’m hosting my critique group of six awesome 20+ year friends (the 7th, two of us are visiting in Arizona in March!). Seriously?! Has it been that long? We came together over a love of writing and stay together from an almost familial bond. Here we are, plotting, gabbing and hydrating.


Today, I’m lauding their talents and achievements: Artist, graphic designer and writer, Patricia Lazarus, is my cover artist extraordinaire (I happily flaunt her work on my latest, PRINCE OF HONOR!); Connie Smith, DDS is working on a dynamite memoir so while she finishes, I’ll exalt her sister Carrie, a talented suspense author; Dana Corbit Nussio just made a move from inspirational to series contemporaries featuring law enforcement; Victoria Craven writes a series of mystical medieval paranormals; Loralee (Lora Lee) Lillibridge pens both hunky cowboy contemporaries and cozy mysteries; and, Laurie (Carroll) Kuna masters historical and magical paranormals. In sunnier weather is Elizabeth Alsobrooks just finishing up the latest in her Illuminati series. Here are some available works from my crew. Check them out. Laurie’s book goes on sale tomorrow for on $0.99 and is filled with fabulous humor!
















Back to writing the back cover copy for PRINCE OF POWER. Happy writing!!



Weekend Writing Warriors is a weekly hop for everyone who loves to write! Share an 8 to 10 sentence snippet of your writing on Sunday. Visit other participants on the list and read, critique, and comment on their Sunday posts.

Spread the word, share the love, warriors - Hashtag #8sunday.

Sunday, January 08, 2017

WeWriWa: A Game of Preternatural Cat and Mouse


Almost a year ago, I shared an excerpt from MIDNIGHT GAMBLE as it was rereleased with its shiny new cover, in e-format for the first time, as well as trade paperback along with the rest of my “Touched by Midnight” vampire romance series. A proud moment, to see a treasured book resurrected and well received. It’s back again, this time discounted to only $0.99 (!) until January 15, so it’s only fitting that I dig up another sneak peek to toast the new year along with this sleek, dangerous couple about to meet in a deadly dance for the tango of their unnatural lives.


Eduard moved closer to the glass, unaware of his own gravitational response, his fingertips pressing to the cool surface between them as if it were the only barrier keeping them apart. 

He watched her, mesmerized by the way she crossed the crowded room, a smooth ripple of motion disturbing nothing in her wake as if she moved through a world separate from theirs. 

He’d forgotten to continue his pretended breathing as a stillness settled over him, a deep, preternatural calm that could go on undisturbed as centuries swirled by unnoticed. Time, which had lost all meaning within the realm of his existence, ceased altogether as she came up to the glass. There, she stopped, and stared through eyes as green and precious as that valuable Korean porcelain. 

Of course, she couldn’t see him, just a coincidence that she appeared to meet his stare with an unwavering, all-knowing directness. And then she lifted her hand. 

He thought at first, she would touch her tousled crop of hair to rearrange some errant strand as she looked into her own reflection, but she reached out toward the glass, instead, her own fingertips finding his, matching their spread upon the opaque mirror. 

Gasping, he pulled his hand back as if he’d felt her touch at the same moment, hers drew away as if sensing the contact had been broken. 

He was breathing now in quick agitated snatches though he required no air to sustain him.


MIDNIGHT GAMBLE has everything I love to read - History (it takes place during the Roaring ’20s!), the paranormal (Vampires!), darkness and danger (she’s a hunter about to play into his deadly game), suspense (a past mystery unfolds to claim a new generation), and, of course, romance (the irresistible, seductive kind). The research was almost as much fun as the writing, especially the chase scene through Coney Island after hours. If you haven’t already partaken, enjoy the nibble and perhaps, take a bite . . .



I must apologize for not visiting everyone last week. After germ-rich family outings with the grandson during his five-day visit, I succumbed to a nasty case of conjunctivitis (They’re not kidding when they call it Pink Eye! I looked like a Killer Bunny horror movie!) that made it painful to do a lot of screen time, and have been really icky sicky all this week. Thank goodness it was an attorney/client free week at work since I was very contagious. Finally, the plague ship has sailed and I can’t wait to see what’s happening with everyone in this brand new year!!

Happy Writing, fellow warriors!




Weekend Writing Warriors is a weekly hop for everyone who loves to write! Share an 8 to 10 sentence snippet of your writing on Sunday. Visit other participants on the list and read, critique, and comment on their 8sunday posts.


Spread the word, share the love, warriors - Hashtag #8sunday.

Wednesday, January 04, 2017

IWSG: Rules? We Don't Need No Stinkin' Rules!


Rules are made to be broken, right? Well, not when you're on the playground in elementary school. Probably not sitting at your desk in your first job or at a red light. Not when your doctor tells you to lay off the sugars and hit the treadmill. But do we still break them? You bet we do. Testing rules is how we expand our horizons, learn our limits, and tap into our creative (and moral!) compasses. If everyone followed the rules, 90% of what I have on my Kindle waiting to be read would never have been published. I never would have been published. I broke the first rule of writing fiction - You need an agent.

Over the years I've had several agents who've negotiated nice deals for me. Did they get my first six novels published? No. I did that on my own before even testing the agent waters. My first agent built off my rapport with my editor but never got me anything I hadn't already negotiated. Agent 2 got me kicked up a level at my current historical publisher, followed my leads to get me into contemporary and paranormal markets, and moved me to a new historical publisher just as the midlist market began to crumble. At that point, we amicably parted, and I broke another rule by leaving NY to go with a small press who let me bend another sacred convention by publishing the next six books in my vampire romance series after the first three were long out of print. Still on my own, I networked with my old contemporary editor and got back in the door in NY with an intrigue series before breaking the biggest rule of all by saying no to a wonderful offer because it came with conditions opposite what I 'd planned for the first book in paranormal series I'd started (it had a continuing hero/heroine and you didn't do that in romance!) - a series I discussed with another former editor who loved my idea and suggested I get an agent to do the deal. I retained Agent 3 at the same conference. With great Publisher's Weekly reviews (including starred!), the series extended to 10 books until e-books brought down the Big 6 and I was told the paranormal genre was dead. Rather than hang on by my fingernails by trying genres that weren't a good fit, I decided to go agentless once more to explore self-publishing.

Since then, I've self-pubbed 3 books, with three more to go, got the rights back to most of my backlist, sold 7 of them to another well established small press for rereleases, and am starting to go through those old historicals to get them out there again. A 30 year/60 book career from breaking that first rule. Did I make all the right choices? No, far from it. For the most part, I followed the guidelines until coming up against a rule that just wasn't in my best professional and creative interest, and I was willing to accept the consequences (most of them unknown) of those actions by saying no.

Everyone doesn't play by or prosper from the same set of rules. Don't be reckless just for the sake of being a rebel. Take the time to be sure before you aim to misbehave. Be a chance taker and a rule bender along this uncertain path to publication in this New Year!

Happy Writing!

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time.

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!


Twitter hashtag is #IWSG 

IWSG awesome co-hosts for the January 4th posting will be Eva @ Lillicasplace, Crystal Collier, Sheena-kay Graham, Chemist Ken, LG Keltner, and Heather Gardner!

Sunday, January 01, 2017

WeWriWa: Playing with Fire


Fireworks burn beautiful and bright, but if you try to grab onto them, you’re gonna get hurt. Sometimes even when you KNOW better, you just can’t stop yourself from something that’s a bad, bad idea. That’s where my shape-shifter hero, Colin Terriot finds himself in PRINCE OF POWER, Book 2 in my “House of Terriot” foursome, getting ready for release in Feb/March.

“I’m with you.”

What the hell did that mean?

Angry, agitated and so stupidly hopeful he could have slapped himself, Colin nursed his third mug of coffee out on his quiet patio. Was it some new game, some way to toy with him and his brother, to tease them up into the self-destructive frenzy that had blown through his quiet rooms like a hurricane the night before?

What had happened to him here in the Big Easy? Nothing had been easy, that’s for damned sure! He’d refused to let anyone get close to him after those he’d loved were torn away, unwilling to suffer that again, but then he’d fallen hard for Cale’s grand ideals, he’d let Turow’s new mate cuddle up to a warm fuzzy part of him that made him uncomfortable as all hell, he’d looked forward to the often-irritating company of his siblings, and he’d drunk the Kool-Aid in the whole Unite the Clans business. He could accept those things with a shrug and reluctant smile, but Mia . . . she didn’t demand small concessions. She’d set fire to his world! 

Was it passion or arson?

Poor Colin. He’s gonna get burned! As you listen to the first song on my PoP playlist, PRINCE OF POWER is on its way to a final line edit to start the New Year.


Consider those mistakes that burnt you in 2016 where your writing is concerned, and what you’re resolved to do to keep them from repeating. Are they choices you’ve learned from or will you end up making them again, hoping for a better outcome? Mine, is waiting too long to put promo plans in motion on my last title, so that’s where I’ll spend this first day of 2017, getting this one ready to burst on the book scene!

If you’d like to start 2017 with a BANG (or a bite!), MIDNIGHT GAMBLE from my “Touched by Midnight” vampire series is on SALE for only $.99 until 1-15-17! It’s set during the Roaring ‘20s in New York with one of my favorite gutsy heroines, daywalking vampire Frederica Lavoy and features lots of “old” favorites. A great place to begin the series if you haven’t sunk your teeth into it yet.



Wishing you a 2017 that starts off with a bang and continues to glitter brightly all year long!!




Weekend Writing Warriors is a weekly hop for everyone who loves to write! Share an 8 to 10 sentence snippet of your writing on Sunday. Visit other participants on the list and read, critique, and comment on their Sunday posts.


Spread the word, share the love, warriors - Hashtag #8sunday.