Thursday, April 24, 2008

Visit Liz Jasper this weekend at the LA Times Festival of Books


Hi all,


I'll be signing my EPPIE Award winning mystery UNDERDEAD this Saturday, April 26, from 2-4 at the LA Times Festival of Books. Look for me in the Sisters In Crime booth. (Booth 355, next to Royce Hall.) If you're in town, please stop by and say hi!


Here's the back cover blurb for UNDERDEAD:


Science teacher Jo Gartner thinks teaching geology to hormonal pre-teens is deadly... until she is bitten by an inept vampire and becomes UNDERDEAD--all the problems of being a vampire, none of the perks.

When she finds a body on her classroom floor with teeth marks in his neck, she must figure out "whodunit" before her Underdead secret gets out. But she's running out of time. The detective in charge of the case is dogging her every move, her vampire traits are evolving in new and embarrassing ways, and someone wants Jo dead...the traditional way!


“UNDERDEAD is certainly not your typical vampire story, it’s better…. I guarantee UNDERDEAD will have you laughing out loud, while keeping you in suspense right up until the end.”~~ Two Lips Reviews


I won't be looking forward to the sunburn I'll probably get, but I am looking forward to seeing some CP fans there. : )


Cheers,

Liz



Not undead, merely...UNDERDEAD


Posted by Liz Jasper :: Link :: 10:05 AM :: 0 Comments

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Tuesday, April 22, 2008

Save the trees - Read e-books

It's Earth Day in Canada. I think it's a world wide event and here's a chance to encourage readers to purchase our books. My theme: SAVE THE TREES - READ E-BOOKS

If we all lighten our footprints on our precious planet we might make a difference. How to do it? When you go grocery shopping take your own bags. Refuse plastic bags. I have cloth bags from various RWA conferences and two I purchased from "green" agencies. I shop at a smallish supermarket and receive three cents off my purchases for each cloth bag used.

If I had a dog I'd probably have a problem. I don't know the law where you live but dog owners in Canada have to pick up the poop and dispose of it properly in the garbage. Every dog owner I know saves little plastic bags to scoop up the poop. And so they should. If you have every had the misfortune to step in a smelly pile, you know how horrible that is.

May I suggest we promote our books as not only wonderful reads but as environmentally friendly.

Listen up Al Gore. Promote e-books. Save the planet one book at a time. Imagine the impact that would have! Mind boggling. What do you think?

About me. Check my web site: www.anitabirt.com for information about my romance novels published by Cerridwen Press.


Posted by Anita Birt :: Link :: 11:18 AM :: 1 Comments



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Sunday, April 20, 2008

RT: I survived



Yep, I survived my first RT convention.

Overall impression?

Useful as a networking tool, to meet fellow authors and put faces to names. Also interesting to interact with readers and get their impressions about plots, books, etc. And of course, I came up with some plot ideas for murdering assorted famous people while in crowds ... sorry, that's just how my mind works.

I was surprised there were so few workshops -- or perhaps I was just overscheduled and couldn't get to them. But I didn't come away with a lot of information from workshops (but I did come away with inforamation from fellow authors, so perhaps it's still a win-win?)

The parties: they are all I've heard about and more -- costumes, cover models, glitz. In some cases it was very cool, in others it was a bit over the top.

The hotel staff tried hard to accomodate us, but somewhere the planning broke down, woefully so -- meals not served until late (or not at all), LONG elevator waits, construction debris in the hallways ... I'd like to go back a year from now and see what it looks like. I suspect it'll be a beautiful hotel. It sure wasn't beautiful this year.

I'm glad they had it in a city that had shopping and food within easy walking distance. That was a big bonus, especially for me since I used to live in Pittsburgh and spent a few hours re-acquainting myself with old familiar haunts.

I was disappointed there wasn't some 25-year retrospective about the conference. This was the anniversary, but except for some photo montages, there wasn't much to give us a sense of the past.

I was also disappointed that I didn't get a chance to really chat with other authors about promo, sales, etc. Somehow the right time never came up. Oh well.

Will I go again? You bet, but next time I'll probably wait until it's a bit more convenient (ie., somewhere I can drive). Flying is such a hassle any more and the plane we had was the tiniest I've ever seen. I managed to squeeze into my seat okay, but my 6-4 husband had a time of it.

I have to tell you, the quietness of my home office is a lovely thing after 5 days of constant conversation.


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Friday, April 18, 2008

Series Finale Available NOW!

Ontarian Chronicles 3: City of Tears
by Cyndi Friberg


Commander Lyrik cet Barrel must determine if the genetically engineered, cyberneticly enhanced woman is too dangerous to live. His immediate and passionate attraction to the subject of his study isn’t making his assignment any easier. She might be the biggest threat Ontariese has ever faced or an invaluable ally in the conflict awaiting them.

Saebin is battling for control over the neuro-stimulators and munitions implants that have changed her into a ruthless assassin. She has never known kindness and doesn’t trust the virile male she encounters as she awakens from stasis. He stirs desires she doesn’t understand and longings she can’t ignore. He insists she’s been rescued not captured by an enemy. But Saebin has never known anything but captivity.
Website / Exclusive Web Excerpt (R rated!) / Buy the Book

An Excerpt From: CITY OF TEARS (PG rated)
Copyright © CYNDI FRIBERG, 2008
All Rights Reserved, Ellora's Cave Publishing, Inc.


Blazing pain sliced into Saebin’s brain and shot down her spine. She screamed, jerking away from the source of the agony.

“You told me she was in stasis!” A deep male voice intensified the pain.

“She is in stasis. I tried to disengage her main sensor ring. It triggered some sort of discharge.”

Dread doused the fire sizzling across Saebin’s nerve endings. Why was her handler here? The Center had been liberated. Dr. Hydran was dead.

Saebin forced her body to relax. Assess the situation; inventory your surroundings. The rhythmic beeping of sensors cut through the roaring in her ears. She was restrained facedown on a flat surface, likely a treatment table.

“Is she conscious or not?” the man snapped.

“Her brain waves have intensified but she’s had mental spikes before. It was a sensor anomaly, nothing more.” Her handler had been at Hydran’s side as Saebin was tortured and trained, methodically subdued until only D-159 remained. “Damn it. Something is going on. Her heartbeat is erratic.”

Saebin concentrated on her breathing and stabilized her pulse. In, out, slow and steady. All thoughts receded except one. Escape. She must escape.

“If she’s stockpiled enough energy to bring herself out of stasis, we need Lyrik now.”

“Are you sure?” Her handler moved closer to the table, her voice hushed and urgent. “You’ve only seen a hint of her true potential. Do you want your son exposed to—”

“He’s immune to Mystic energy and all the abilities it generates.” He paused. Saebin detected a soft click then three staccato beeps. “Lyrik, report to Lab A in Detention Center Three. And move your ass, boy—this is important.” Three slightly lower beeps ended the transmission. “Besides, the Rodytes arrive tomorrow. We need Lyrik otherwise occupied.”

“I’ll have a medical team monitor her stats until your son arrives. She can’t be allowed to see me. There’s no telling how she’d react.”

“Are you going to decrease the sedative or just wait and see what happens?”

“The levels I’ve been pumping into her would have killed any normal person. I can’t believe she’d just wake up on her own.”

Ignoring the pain ricocheting through her body, Saebin opened her eyes. Her handler was not going to slink away into the shadows. And neither was this man. She gathered Mystic energy, visualizing her next move as the pressure built. Her skin tingled. Her heartbeat raced.

“Get out!” her handler screamed.

Saebin launched an energy pulse and pushed to her hands and knees. Her stiff muscles protested with violent spasms. Her handler was half a step behind the man as they bolted for the door. No! Closing her hand into a tight fist, Saebin discharged an energy stream. It fell short, sizzling against the floor in a useless shower of sparks.

Alarms shrilled and lights flashed. Saebin leapt down from the table, groaning as her knees buckled. Why was she so weak? How long had she been in stasis?

A flurry of activity drew her attention to the transparent panels across the lab. Five armed guards rushed down the corridor. Pushing back to her feet, she rolled her shoulders and flexed her hands. Her knuckle conduits had been capped. No wonder the shot missed her handler. Aiming at the floor, she forced energy out through the thin tube implanted in her middle knuckle. The stream was tiny at first. Then pressure gathered behind the blockage and pushed it out, drilling a hole in the floor.

After clearing her other knuckle, she turned her attention to the doorway. What sort of leader ran for cover while his men rushed forward to fight? The man spoke with authority yet his actions revealed his cowardice.

The doors parted and two men advanced, one crouching as the other aimed his weapon over the first man’s head. Nice formation. Saebin dropped them both with a pulse of energy.

“Shit!”

She heard the curse from somewhere beyond the doorway as the unconscious guards were dragged out of the way. Her vision blurred and static hissed along her sensory inputs. Widening her stance, she dragged air into her burning lungs. A couple knuckle shots and two blackout bursts shouldn’t have drained her this badly.

The guards tried a new formation. One man crouched while two stood behind him. Not very creative, but it would have been effective on an ordinary enemy. She shook her head and they fell into an untidy heap, only one getting off a shot.

“You’re making quite a mess.”

A tall, blond man stepped over the fallen soldiers and joined her in the lab. She aimed her right hand at the middle of his chest, her eyes narrowed and assessing. Supple, dark brown pants hugged his lean hips before disappearing into black boots. A bright green shirt perfectly matched the emerald flash of his eyes. She swallowed hard as her gaze moved over his striking features. Her breathing hitched and her nipples hardened before her armor sent a calming pulse to counteract his effect on her anatomy.

You are D-159, an emotionless warrior. You cannot notice the breadth of his shoulders or the intensity of his gaze.

This had to be Lyrik. Only someone immune to Mystic energy would possess such a swagger. He’d just watched five of his comrades fall! If she weren’t so depleted, she’d test the strength of his immunity. Instead she raised her other hand and widened her eyes as if she’d just sent a pulse his way.

“State your objective.” She kept her voice even and mechanical.

“I’m not the one attacking people, sweetheart. What has you so pissed off?” She wasn’t fooled by his nonchalance. He was stalking her, his gaze ever watchful.

Her energy level was building slowly. She could feel strength returning to her legs. Still, she needed time and information before she made her next move. Reinforcing her role with a deep breath, she looked into his eyes. “What is my objective?”

Enjoy!
Cyndi

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Thursday, April 17, 2008

Weird days and character ideas

Yesterday was a very weird day. I honestly wonder what drives people sometimes. Guess that’s why I’m an author. Yesterday I had a mother who’s kid is in my son’s class follow me around the grocery store and then rush to the checkout so she could get behind me only to start small talk with me. Now, recently this woman really upset me by talking to my child in a way that wasn’t acceptable and I had to go to the principal with the situation. I’m the kind of person that usually gets along well with others and I either like someone or I don’t – but I don’t put on airs or pretend to like someone if decide that they’re not someone that I want to be friends with. Well, to say she had pushed me over the brink was an understatement so I just told her I didn’t have anything to talk to her about, I was not going to be her friend and the woman flipped out. LOL I was shocked. I ended up putting her in her place when she started taking junk about my son right in front of him. It was unbelievable. So, I guess a character in one of my next books will be a whacked out Mom who harasses people in a grocery store but then that would be giving a little more importance to her than she deserves. So, what about you? Have you had a weird day that turned into a character idea? Or had someone that you just wanted to ignore that wouldn’t go away?

Smiles,

Melissa Alvarez/Ariana Dupre
Talgorian Prophecy On Sale Now
http://melissaa.com , http://aspsychichaven.com

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Wednesday, April 16, 2008

New multi-author contest!

MOTHER'S DAY Contest

It's that time of year where mothers are revered. We want you to at least get flowers for Mother's Day! Twelve artists are going the extra step to celebrate for our readers. All you need do to be in the pot to win one of the 21 fabulous prizes, plus be eligible for the Grand Prize, is to visit each of the 12 websites and locate the 12 bouquets of flowers left for entrants to find. The bouquet will be the same on each website. Visit the following websites to locate the bouquets:

www.jcortipetska.com
www.donnamichaelsauthor.com
www.bycorinda.com
www.bessmcbride.com
www.heatherhiestand.com
www.phyllismariecampbell.com
www.aklanier.com
www.skhyemoncrief.com
www.skypurington.com
www.nitawick.com
www.kyannwaters.com


Make a list of each author's page where you locate the bouquet. Send the list to happyendings2007@aol.com by midnight CST on Mother's Day.

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Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Finding Sarah and The Lories

This morning, I just found out that one of my novels, Finding Sarah took second place in the Romantic Suspense category of The Lories.
Read more about Finding Sarah on my website, including excerpts and buy links. Finding Sarah is available both in digital and print. Here's a quick blurb:

Being robbed at gunpoint wasn't part of Sarah Tucker's business plan. Neither was falling in love with the detective who arrived to solve the case.

For police detective Randy Detweiler, a routine robbery investigation turns into the biggest challenge of his career when he falls in love with the victim and ends up having to save more than her business.

It's a great time to order, because in just a few short weeks, Hidden Fire, the sequel, will be coming out from Cerridwen Press. Here's a bit of the blurb:

Returning from a stint as part of a task force on violent crime, Randy Detweiler is eager to reunite with Sarah Tucker in Pine Hills, but she's having second thoughts about their relationship. Can she deal with a cop who gets called away at a moment's notice, especially one who won't talk about his job?



Terry Odell
www.terryodell.com
http://terryodell.blogspot.com/

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Posted by Terry Odell :: Link :: 3:51 AM :: 2 Comments



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Sunday, April 13, 2008

Hello from Cyndi Friberg

My fourth book releases on Thursday, so if figured it was about time to introduce myself. My real name is Cyndi Friberg, but I also write erotic romance as Aubrey Ross. I'm going to try and stay focused on my Cyndi titles here. CITY OF TEARS is the third book in my sci-fi, action/adventure saga. Here's the blurb:

Commander Lyrik cet Barrel must determine if the genetically engineered, cybernetically enhanced woman is too dangerous to live. His immediate and passionate attraction to the subject of his study isn’t making his assignment any easier. She might be the biggest threat Ontariese has ever faced or an invaluable ally in the conflict awaiting them.

Saebin is battling for control over the neuro-stimulators and munitions implants that have changed her into a ruthless assassin. She has never known kindness and doesn’t trust the virile male she encounters as she awakens from stasis. He stirs desires she doesn’t understand and longings she can’t ignore. He insists she’s been rescued not captured by an enemy. But Saebin has never known anything but captivity.

I'll post an excerpt later in the week.

Enjoy what's left of the weekend!

Cyndi


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Posted by Cyndi Friberg :: Link :: 7:13 PM :: 0 Comments

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Friday, April 11, 2008

Sequels, Spinoffs or Spoilers

I'm a guest at Jenyfer Matthew's blog today. I'm talking about writing series. What's the difference between a sequel and a spinoff. How do you feel about reading books out of order? What do you think about spoilers? As an author, writing connected books presents another set of challenges.

Hope you'll pop over and say hello. And while you're browsing, pop by my blog and website, too.

Terry Odell

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Thursday, April 10, 2008

The California hills

As I've mentioned before the fires this spring devastated the hills around us. For a while there were only blackened shrubs and trees, with huge black areas surrounding them. Then the wildflowers started coming. First came the California poppies, a brilliant orange, along with a purple ground gentian. This week the hills are alive with wild mustard, which is a blaze of citron yellow. Scattered here and there are spectacular yucca plants, which send up three feet spikes of large white bell-like flowers all along the spikes. Some larger trees are making a slight comeback, but most are not. However, I find it so heartening to watch nature do her best...which in this case is pretty darned good.
My spirits apperciated the jolt. My computer crashed last week and I've spent most of my time trying to replace what I lost. Yes, I know, I didn't back up enough. I'm a reformed character, I swear. Also got news my sixth Druid book, Druid Triumphant, will come out a month earlier than planned, on May 15th, so I'd better start doing some PR for that one.....No matter what, life is exciting and wonderful.....Jean

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Tuesday, April 08, 2008

Tuesday Ten

Ten things you do when it’s your day to blog and you haven’t a clue what to write about:

1. Surf the web—You never know what kind of inspiration might be out there. What kind of gossip or idiocy have the Smart Bitches dug up today? If I’m lucky they’re doing the cover snark thing.

2. Play Solitaire. There’s this great Solitaire program called GoodSol that has hundreds of varieties. My favorite is Spider.

3. Check email. Obsessively. Me compulsive? Not much.

4. Check to see if your books are on Amazon and have they gotten any new reviews?

5. Clean up a few things on the desk. Wow, where’d that bill come from and how did I manage to forget it was due six weeks ago?

6. Text Twist on Yahoo Games. Hey, I’m improving my vocabulary!

7. I really need another cup of coffee.

8. I think I hear the mailman.

9. The most recent book by one of my favorite authors is sitting on top of the TBR pile, whispering my name.

10. Gotta work on the book in progress. Well, what do you know? There is an up side.

-- Karen McCullough

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Baby Pic Contest: Tuesday's Child

Baby Pic Contest: Tuesday’s Child

Ever wonder what authors: Amarinda Jones, Anny Cook, Kelly Kirch, Mona Risk, Brynn Paul, Bronwyn Green or Sandra Cox looked like as a child? Stop by sandracox.blogspot.com and see if you can put a name with the face. Leave a comment and you will automatically be placed in a random drawing for a book download. This contest will be running all week. A random drawing of the day’s comments will be held each day this week. If you have an opportunity, stop by and see if you recognize Tuesday’s Child.

Please leave an email address, with your comment or a way to contact you, in case you’re the winner!

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Monday, April 07, 2008

Authors' Baby Pics Contest

MONDAY'S CHILD

Ever wonder what authors: Amarinda Jones, Anny Cook, Kelly Kirch, Mona Risk, Brynn Paul, Bronwyn Green or Sandra Cox looked like as a child? Stop by sandracox.blogspot.com and see if you can put a name with the face. Leave a comment and you will automatically be placed in a random drawing for a book download. This contest will be running all week. A random drawing of the day’s comments will be held each day this week. Stop by today and see Monday’s Child.

Please leave an email address or a way to contact you, in case you’re the winner!

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Posted by Sandra Cox :: Link :: 4:17 PM :: 0 Comments

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Saturday, April 05, 2008

RING AROUND THE MOON


Excerpt from Ring Around The Moon, a time travel romance by Anita Birt

Startled awake, not sure where she was or what she’d been dreaming, Beth rubbed sleep from her eyes.

Elizabeth, my love.”

The man stood at the gate, his hand on the latch. He opened the gate and entered the garden.

Fear jolted Beth awake. She grabbed the poker, jumped up and pointed it at him. “Don’t you come any closer. I’m calling the police.”

She yanked the phone from her pocket and punched in 9-1-1. Nothing.

Panicky, her heart racing, she tried again.

Ring, dammit!

He stopped in his tracks. “What troubles you, Elizabeth? I mean you no harm.”

Beth kept her eyes fixed on him and walked stiff-legged to the porch. Daylight made her brave. She tensed her arm ready to throw the poker at him if he came a step closer.

“What do you want?” she demanded.

“Do you not know me?”

“Know you?” Beth shook her head. Although slightly disheveled, with a few days growth of beard he had the aristocratic good looks of a Jane Austen hero, the movie variety. She’d have remembered him all right but his face and his English accent didn’t ring any memory bells.

“I never thought to see you again, Elizabeth.”

Beth frowned. “I don’t know who you are or why you keep calling me, Elizabeth. I want you to go away and leave me alone.”

“Will you speak with me if I stay where I am?”

Safe inside the porch and close to the door, Beth nodded. There was something oddly appealing about him. He looked more tired than evil.

“Okay, tell me what you’re doing here, and don’t try anything funny. You scared me half to death last night.”

“Forgive me, my dear. Coming upon you was a shock. You fainted and I carried you into the cottage and put you to bed.”

His smile would have melted a heart of stone. Beth’s heart remained icily intact. “You put me to bed?” That was the last thing she expected to hear. She leaned against the door to steady her shaky knees.

“That I did and kissed you goodnight.”

She stuck the cell phone in her pocket, planted her hand firmly on her hip and glared at him. She no longer feared the stranger and was angry enough to spit nails.

“What gave you the right to kiss me? You came sneaking around in the dark. You made me faint. When I was unconscious you took advantage of me. That’s sexual harassment where I come from. I could press charges.”

“Why do you accuse me of harassment? It has been weeks since I held you in my arms. I could not resist. You have changed so little, except for your hair. You have cut it short, and your manner of speaking is not as I remember.”

His gaze swept over her. “Your clothing is most peculiar. You should not bare your legs in public. What were you thinking to appear outdoors in such disarray? Has your maid lost her wits? I saw no sign of her last night. Surely you are not staying here without servants.”

He rubbed his temples and thrust his fingers through his black hair. “My head is aching and I find it difficult to think clearly. My world has gone awry. Who built this cottage on my land without my permission? Mere days ago all that remained of our home were smoldering ruins.”

He paused. “I cannot speak of it.”

The man was insane, an escapee from a psychiatric hospital. Beth wasn’t going to argue with him about her unseemly clothes. He might be dangerous. Why did he think he knew her, and why did he call her Elizabeth?

“Who are you?” she asked in a firm voice.

He frowned and moved towards her, then stopped. “Alan Tremaine and you are my Elizabeth. How can you not remember me?

“Tremaine?” Beth almost choked on the word. The egg lady had mentioned the name. She felt behind her for the doorknob ready for a hasty retreat if he came closer.

“Alan James Tremaine. You and I were married in our village church on an August day much like this one.”

“Married?” Beth stammered. He was definitely a nut case. If he threatened her she’d press zero on the phone and get help that way, but he was keeping his distance. Maybe she could talk him into leaving and then call the police.

A look of intense sadness crossed his face. “I never thought to see you again and you have forgotten me.”

Although he wasn’t making sense, his melancholy voice thawed some of the ice in Beth’s heart. “How can I be your Elizabeth? I don’t know you.”

She beckoned him to come closer. If he saw her clearly, he’d realize his mistake, apologize and leave.

As he approached, Beth felt the tiny flicker of life in her womb. Her baby! She dropped the poker and instinctively rested her hand on her stomach.

“Our babe knows me.” Alan Tremaine smiled, all trace of sadness gone from his face.

Beth thought she might faint again. Either she was crazy or they both were or she was dreaming and last night had never happened. Weak at the knees she staggered over to the bench and sat down hoping to wake up in the sunshine. Alone

“Are you feeling ill, my love?” He sat beside her and clasped her hand.

“I’m fine.” She didn’t feel fine at all, she felt weird. Strung out. His world had gone awry. Hers had gone haywire. How did he know she was pregnant? Not with his child for sure.

She turned towards him and gazed into his black-lashed dark brown eyes. She didn’t know him, had never seen him until last night yet felt compelled to hear him out. She racked her brain trying to figure him out.

Had she met him in the past and forgotten? No way. She would have remembered Alan Tremaine and his English accent. He had a powerful presence, not threatening, just a great looking guy who’d slipped a few gears. With his mane of black shoulder-length hair, high cheekbones, square jaw and straight nose, he had the smoldering good looks of a cover model. Rakish.



Posted by Anita Birt :: Link :: 11:41 AM :: 1 Comments



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Thursday, April 03, 2008

Rose Quartz


Excerpt from Rose Quartz

“What’s wrong, Bella?” He straightened, alert.

She smiled. “Nothing, sugar.”

He grabbed her hand and for the first time noticed the dark stains on the brown shirt. He pushed up her wide, bell-shaped sleeve. The raw and oozing scrape ran up her arm.

“Dammit, Bella.”

“It’s no big deal, sugar.” She tried to pull back her hand but he wouldn’t let go.

“The hell it’s not. Got any iodine?”

She sighed, causing her magnificent breasts to rise and fall. “No, but I’ve got some antibiotic cream in the bathroom.”

He stood back and motioned with his hand. “After you.”

“You’re a stubborn man, Hank McHenry.”

“I could say the same about you.”

“Hmm,” was all she said as she walked out of the kitchen, the cat at her heels.

He followed her to the bathroom, trying to ignore the sway of her hips.

She sat down on the stool and pointed toward the medicine cabinet.

His gaze swept the bathroom, a pretty little room as feminine as its owner. Pristine white walls had apricot and yellow rosebuds painted on them. Fluffy large apricot towels hung on a dainty rack.

He opened the drawer, scanned the cabinet and pulled out a tube of ointment. “Do you have a washcloth you don’t mind getting a bit bloodied?”

She pointed toward a wicker basket overflowing with pastel washcloths and towels.

He picked one up at random and ran it under warm water. “Push up that sleeve, would you?” She complied and he gently washed her arm.

His head bent over her, he dabbed gently.

“You’re a good man, Hank McHenry,” she said quietly.

Her warm breath tickled his ear and sped up his heart rate.

The dabbing became a gentle stroking. “What kind of men are you used to, Bella?”

“Hard-edged, hungry men, sugar.”

For just a moment, his grip on her warm skin tightened. As the cat growled, his tail swishing, he forced himself to let go.

Picking up the tube of antibiotic ointment, he squirted it liberally on his fingers then gently rubbed it on her shoulder and arm.

He turned his head. Her lush lips were a breath away, moist and beckoning. She looked at him from heavy lids, her eyes as mysterious and deep as the ocean. He leaned closer.

The buzzer sounded loud and insistent from the foyer.

He drew back, willing his fingers not to tremble.

Unhurried, she stood up and pushed down her sleeve. “Thank you.” She headed for the foyer, her carriage as graceful and regal as a queen’s. The cat shadowed her like a witch’s familiar.

He waited a moment, fighting for control. He stared in the mirror. The man looking back at him was raw-boned and weathered with a head full of red hair turning gray. He planted his hands on the cool marble sink, leaned his head against the mirror and closed his eyes. What are you doing, McHenry? She is way out of your league.

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Tuesday, April 01, 2008

April Foolery

In honor of the day, here's a piece I wrote for RWA's online publication, eNotes. In my monthly column "Writer's Notes," I look at various aspects of the writer's life, and in this particular article, which I originally wrote a few years ago, I was musing about how some of the ingenious hoaxes that come out on April 1 should inspire anyone, writer or not:

APRIL FOOLERY
by Eilis Flynn

Now, I'm not much of a hoaxer myself, but I enjoy April Fool's Day. The day is rife with possibility, and I know it's inspired others to play some memorable tricks -- and if that doesn't inspire us as writers, what can? The day can relieve the tension of writing -- and you KNOW those times, when the plot doesn't twist and turn the way you really, really need it to. The tricks played on this day can turn out to be treats for your writing! It's also a day that can be likened to Halloween, in that you can't necessarily trust what you see or hear. In short, it's an entire day based on fiction. You never know what's going to happen -- and that's something we would really like to use in our own work.

Intrigued? Take a gander. For starters, here's a look at the 100 greatest April Fool's Day tricks of all time. You might have heard of some of these, others not; what you have to admit is that at least some of them will make you laugh. I laughed, and I have no sense of humor! The Swiss spaghetti trees ... Sidd Finch ... the Taco Liberty Bell ... And who knows? Some of these may work very well somewhere in your plotting.

http://www.museumofhoaxes.com/hoax/aprilfool/

Have I piqued your curiosity? Do you want to find out more about the day of fools? Glad you asked. April Fool's Day has serious origins ... or so we're told. One source posits that it came about from the adoption of a new calendar. This site has its own file of hoaxes, a history of the Gregorian calendar (vs. the Julian, but some of you may already be familiar with that subject), and more. Kidding ... or not? See for yourself. Consider how this can work for you.

http://www.infoplease.com/spot/aprilfools1.html

Here's a site that may be a little more trustworthy. What you'll find is that there are all sorts of different origin stories for April Fool's Day, and while some may be more credible than others, you have to admit they're all entertaining -- and they're all food for thought. And don't forget what Mark Twain said:

The first of April is the day we remember what we are the other 364 days of the year.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/April_Fool's_Day

Have I whetted your appetite? Want to try a few jokes, tricks, or hoaxes yourself on friends and loved ones (or not-so-loved ones, but make sure you're nowhere in sight if you execute 'em on these folks), or your characters, beloved or blackguard? Bless the children, because kids really know the value of a good practical joke. Put food coloring in the victim's milk! Super-glue coins (or dollar bills) to a sidewalk! Get some friends together and stare and point up at the sky!

http://www.kidzworld.com/site/p593.htm

And of course, chances are you won't be reading this until after April Fool's Day. In that case, pull a prank anyway -- when your victims won't expect it. Go! Enjoy! And take a few notes on how a twist or prank could work into your latest plot!

Copyright 2005 Eilis Flynn

 
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Posted by EilisFlynn :: Link :: 2:07 PM :: 0 Comments

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