Happy New Years from Missy Lyons!

Happy New Year's everyone!

It's time to end the year 2011, whether we are ready or not--and I am ready!!

I am finding myself looking back over the year and evaluating what I did well and what didn't work. I think 2011 kicked my butt and then turned around and did it again. My husband lost his eye this year and my babygirl underwent a her first surgery. My priorities changed and I began to deal with what was most important to me--family. I stopped writing for the first half of the year and then took it up again in Summer and Fall and I think my word count for the year ended up being around 80,000 words. Not bad for putting my writing on a back burner. It's been quite a ride. Now I can't wait for this year to end so I can take the reins back to my life and get this horse and pony show started. lol

In 2012 I already have two releases scheduled and plans to use my time more wisely. I have a few friends that have already written down a list of the books they plan to write. Me? I'm not so organized, but I will be writing.

What are your plans for the New Year?

Lots of love to you all and I hope all your hopes and dreams come true for 2012! Happy New Years!

Missy Lyons www.missylyons.com

Tonight I plan to break out the bubbly and celebrate until I can't party anymore and then I'll be sleeping it off tomorrow just like this guy. lol Enjoy your New Year's y'all!

So you want to be a writer?

I think everyone has a story in their heart. Something they may have waited all their life to find the time to get down on paper. I've talked to many of these people at conferences and events like my booksignings where they ask my advice. It's the same every time and I have to wonder why they choose not to just sit down and do it.

My advice is the same every time. I have three simple rules to becoming a writer.

1. Read.

Don't think it comes easy. You need to study the books you read. The plot, the grammar, the spelling, and the style it's written in, but not just the obvious things. Look at the best sellers and try to figure out why people are hooked on those books. You need to understand what people want to read and study other books in the genre you wish to write.

2. Write--but more importantly Re-write.

Your book will never get written if you don't sit down and write it. Make time to pound on the keyboard and try to keep your writing time sacred, but when you finally finish that story don't stop there. Now the hard part is editing and rewriting your story to make it a great story.

3. Look for opportunities to publish what you write.

It does you no good to write and then bury your work in a closet. You need to try to put your work out where the general public can see it. Whether you get paid for what you write or not is not important (yet). This will enable you to get feedback and see what you need to improve to begin living your dream.

Being paid as a professional writer.


So, that's my basic advice. Whether you choose to follow it or not is another story, but becoming a writer is simple. You can do it too.

Lots of Love,
Missy Lyons
Author of Magic, Seduction, and Fantasy
www.missylyons.com

Author of ONE ONE TOUCH ONE GLANCE at Freya's Bower

Available at:

http://www.freyasbower.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=19&products_id=265

Free Read by Missy Lyons

Do you subscribe to All Romance ebooks newsletter? You should! There is tons of free stuff in there, contests, new releases and a free read every Friday. Missy Lyons story 'Till Death Do Us Part' will be featured in it October 22 for Halloween.



If you miss out, or don't sign up in time--don't worry! Missy Lyons will feature it in her newsletter that month too. Sign up here:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Missy_Lyons_Newsletter/

Thanks and I hope you can enjoy it!
Missy Lyons
www.missylyons.com

Edge of Sanity, new ebook release!

Freya's Bower has taken the chapter book Edge of Sanity and put it all together into one ebook, for one low price!

Detective Jake Gilford is skeptical when he hears Joss Wheeler say she believes her newly inherited house is haunted. He's a man of facts and hard evidence, and ghosts aren't on his radar screen. He's also a man, and Joss is a beautiful, if somewhat nutty, woman. Won over by her charms, he promises to stay and help her unravel the mystery of the house--or whatever else she has that might need unraveling...

Rating: Tangy
Book Length: Category Novel
Genre: Paranormal/Contemporary/Interracial
Price: $4.99

Excerpt:

He pressed his mouth against hers. "I want to make love with you," he murmured, their lips touching.

She wrapped one leg around his butt, pulling his denim-covered erection closer to her core. "I want that, too. More than anything."

He lifted her from the floor, and carried her to his room. At the edge of his bed, he set her down. "Here we are." He deftly unbuttoned her blouse, and his mouth followed the trail his fingers left. He had no trouble freeing her breasts from the white bra this time. As soon as they bobbed loose, he sucked a puckering, air-chilled nipple into his mouth. "Mmm," he moaned softly. "Ever since that first taste of you, I've been dying for another."

She chuckled deep in her throat. "Still sticking with the story that crab and beer are your favorites?"

Jake laved his tongue over her nipple and watched it peak. "Oh, no. Not a chance. I have a new favorite flavor, right here."

She arched her back, sighed as he moved to her other breast. "That feels fantastic."

"Yes it does," he teased. Both nipples were now taut nubs. He rolled the first between his thumb and forefinger, nibbling the second until she squirmed.

"You don't know what you're doing to me!"

Jake smirked. "Oh, I think I do. I've only just begun. I intend to drive you absolutely crazy." Before the words were out, he regretted them. If he could have retracted them he would have, but it was too late. They hung in the air, and he exchanged glances with Joss. "I'm sorry—"

"Don't worry about it. I don't feel so crazy anymore. You've helped me get over that. Shall we see what else you can help me with?"

Relieved, he grinned wickedly. "Oh yeah. I have a few ideas."

Copyright (C) 2009 Jamie Hill

Reviews:

"a wonderful story that sucks you in from the very first page...I can hardly wait to read book 2..."

4 Lips from Alisha
Reviewer for Two Lips Reviews

"This first installment is a treasure... From the first page to the last, Edge of Sanity, Book 1 had me glued to the pages..."

Rose
Reviewer for Romance At Heart

"With Jake and Jocelyn's relationship just beginning, I'm eager to find out just who or what is making those ghastly noises, and if their relationship lasts the distance."

4 Champagne Flutes from Sangria
Reviewer for Cocktail Reviews

Buy Now!

Contest!

Hi everybody!
I wanted to let you all know that I'm running a contest at my Textyladies blog; it's very easy to enter. All you need to do is either buy a copy of my newest release with Freya's Bower, Puppy Love, or blog my contest on one of your sites. You can send me an email letting me know you've bought the book, or leave me a link to your blog at Textyladies in comments. That's it!

You can find more information and the list of prizes by clicking here.

Please help me spread the word! :)

~Jane E. Jones

***

Puppy Love got a great review (4.5 out of 5) from Night Owl Romance reviewer Diana Coyle, which follows:

"I found this to be such a charming tale that Ms. Jones wrote. The author tells the story of how two people, who were next door neighbors, didn’t hit it off very well from their first encounter together.

Sarah loves her dog, Casper Salt, very much and wants nothing to happen to him. Seeing how Michael took so well to the dog the first time he saw him and even picked him up to pet him, Sarah becomes neurotically overprotective of her precious dog. Unfortunately though, it was not as protective as she should have been because now Casper Salt is missing. Without even putting some serious thought into where the dog might be, Sarah immediately accuses Michael of stealing her beloved four legged friend.

If matters weren’t bad enough this far, when Michael leaves his house one night, Sarah sets out on a mission to break into his house to find and rescue Casper Salt. Little does she know the crazy kind of chaos she is going to cause by acting out her foolish scheme.

Ms. Jones did a wonderful job of entertaining me with Sarah’s wild antics. I immediately fell in love with Michael and felt terrible when Sarah accused him of being the dognapper just because he got along so well with Casper Salt. The author sprinkled humor throughout her story that made me laugh out loud. I thoroughly enjoyed this lighthearted story and I would definitely recommend it for others to read. Ms. Jones' story will not disappoint you!"

Buy Puppy Love

My Website

ebooks are here to stay

At a recent small conference, I was talking about all my books, including my Freya's Bower electronic book. Folks there couldn't quite imagine an electronic book. I was shocked! Luckily I'd brought along my ebook reader which I passed around the workshop.

The market for ebooks is growing, but it was somewhat surprising in this day and age to run into a group of folks that had never heard of them. Some had heard about the Kindle concept, but that was as far as it got. I don't think I made any new converts though, as these were the kind of people who love to hold a book in their hands.

Change is hard for some people, impossible for others. Don't you other electronic authors just want to shout from the mountain tops that we are here to stay?

Maggie Toussaint
Seeing Red at Freya's Bower
a contemporary romance set at a Bed and Breakfast
www..maggietoussaint.com

The Eagle At Midnight by Ava James

The Eagle at Midnight

Genre: Fantasy/Contemporary/Gods/GoddessesRating: TangyBook Length: Short StoryPrice: $2.99

http://www.freyasbower.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=8&products_id=144&zenid=ce1d762394d3984ab17b629e8ab0222d

For Deryn Philips' life has hit a record low. After losing her parents in a car crash, she follows their last request and takes a trip to Wales. But this is no ordinary trip, and there is more to her new mysterious male friend than she can believe. Then again, if you are in a medieval castle in a foreign country, what's wrong with meeting a knight in shinning Armani?


Excerpt:
The tour group milled around on the lower floors and the castle grounds out of
consideration to the group members of an advanced age. Craving solitude, Deryn
decided to see the view from one of the towers. The gaggle of widows departed,
and she turned back to the gravel paths in the inner bailey. Each path led to a
different tower.
“So which tower is it going to be? Black, Chamberlain, Eagle, or Queen?”
“I suggest Eagle’s Tower,” a male’s voice recommended from behind her.
The smooth timbre and Welsh accent generated tingles down her spine.
Turning around, Deryn met stunning cerulean eyes set in chiseled features,
paired with heart-stopping good looks. Hot didn’t even begin to cover the essence
of this man. Her jaw slackened at the sight. Raw desire shot down her body. Her
eyes wide, she drank him in inch by tailored inch. He wore his light grey suit with
confidence, and his honey locks, pulled back from his face into a short ponytail,
brushed the collar of his black shirt. A seductive grin crept across his sensual lips,
and a sigh almost escaped Deryn’s lips.
Holy David Beckham! This man could be his long lost, even hotter brother. His
tawny skin, muscular frame, and blond locks were a triple threat. It was too
much…. He was too much.
“I….” I want you…. No, too forward. Damn, what was I saying?

Ava James
http://avajames.weebly.com/
http://www.avajamesromance.blogspot.com/

Join me at Coffee with Oly LIVE tomorrow at 4pm EST!

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Olympias/2008/12/07/Coffee-with-Oly-Author-Adrianne-Brennan

Oly will be interviewing me on her pagan blog talk radio about my latest releases, upcoming works, and more!

Join us at 4pm EST/2pm CST.



Love & Magic,
-A

Blood of the Dark Moon, Book 1 of the Dark Moon series, is available now!

Blood of the Dark Moon, Book 1 of the Dark Moon series, has been newly re-released by Freya's Bower!



ISBN: 978-1-935013-51-8
Genre: Vampire/Paranormal
Rating: Tangy
Book Length: Plus Novel
Price: $5.95

Originally published through Aphrodite's Apples Press, it went out of print when the publisher closed. Blood of the Dark Moon made the top five for Best Horror in the Preeditor and Editor's Polls of 2007, and was #1 bestseller at Aphrodite's Apples until its closing. It has been featured in Pretty/Scary, Geek Girls Online, and Realms of Fantasy Magazine.

Freya's Bower is its new publisher, and it is once again available! Mark your calendars and get some vampire erotic romance with a dash of occult intrigue in time for the holidays!

This book earned a WHOLE Bottle of Champagne review from Cocktail Reviews! Here's a quote: "Blood of the Dark Moon is a well-written, wonderful tale of intrigue, vampirism, love, tragedy, a thickening plot, and fast-paced action. I LOVED this book and was a little lost when it ended! Encore! Encore!" To read more of the review, go here: http://cocktailreviews.wordpress.com/2008/11/24/blood-of-the-dark-moon-freyas-bower/

For more reviews of this book from both readers and reviewers, go here: http://www.adriannebrennan.com/reviews.html

This book has been nominated by REC for Best Erotic Romance - Paranormal: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Romance_erotica_connection/surveys?id=12835874

Available for purchase from Freya's Bower: http://www.freyasbower.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=17&products_id=143

Blurb:

Amanda, graduate student and devoted follower of the Greek god Apollo, is intrigued when she meets Jesse, a handsome young scholar who shares her love of both the classics and the occult. He quickly sparks her interest--and ignites a dark flame of passion between them. Together, they embark on a shadowy path that leads Amanda straight into Jesse's scintillating underworld of vampires, magick, and secret societies.

Little does Amanda know she is about to fulfill a legacy that began over thirty years ago and ended in tragedy. Can she learn the truth about her identity in time to help those whom she has grown to care about, and find happiness in her new life with Jesse?

Blood of the Dark Moon combines the classic eroticism of vampires with a touch of modern sensual romance and occult intrigue.

To read more about this release and others in the Dark Moon series, go here: http://www.adriannebrennan.com/books.html




Love & Magic,
-A

First Review of THE WAGONMASTER

Wilga at Cocktail reviews has awarded THE WAGONMASTER a whole bottle of champagne + one flute, a rating reserved for the best reads!

She calls THE WAGONMASTER "an exceptional novel" and says, "I can’t praise this book enough. Astounding."

Read the entire review here.

THE WAGONMASTER is available today Freya's Bower!

Nita
www.nitawick.com

Bitch Muse

Oh, so you think you have a difficult muse? Hehehehe...go meet mine over at Four Strong Women. She wields a bullwhip.

Four Strong Women

Vote for my FB sex scene

I sometimes write as J. Emberglass. My Bedevilled series is full of hot sex, dark humor, the paranormal, and incorporates het and m/m. I'd appreciate it if you'd follow the link and check out my hottest sex scene enty. If you enjoy it, please vote for it. But be careful. The content will make your panties burst into flames!

http://msaendlessromancecontest.blogspot.com/2008/11/j-emberglassbedevilled-book-iii.html

Here's the voting link: http://midnightseductionsauthors.wordpress.com/vote-in-contest/

THE WAGONMASTER

Coming November 25th!

Medical school taught Dr. Adelaide Jennings that there is no cure for her father's consumption. Determined to reach him in Oregon before the disease claims him, Addie will risk anything. Even her own life.

Joshua Reynolds escorts people along the arduous and dangerous Oregon Trail. He cannot force the members of the train to allow an unwed woman to join them. But the foolish doctor is determined to make the journey, even if she has to go alone. To protect the willful young woman, Josh agrees to marry Addie in name only. Together, they embark on a journey that tests their mettle, challenges their beliefs, and inflames their senses...but will they be able to resist the temptation to make their marriage a real one?

Excerpt:

“Damnation, woman! What happened?”

Tears threatened, but she clenched her jaw and answered, “I’ve stepped on something.”

He squatted beside her and grasped the foot she held off the ground. Addie placed her hands on his shoulders to steady herself. “I’m pretty sure it’s still in there. Can you remove it?” The initial shock of the injury began to recede, but she still couldn’t seem to catch her breath. His rough hand slid down her bare calf to cup her heel.

“That’s some splinter you got there. Hold still.”

Hold still? How could she possibly move? She tilted her head back and sucked in a strangled breath. The man’s hands sent a new kind of shiver through her.

He pulled the offending sliver of wood from the tender sole of her foot. “There.” His voice sounded strained, and she looked down into his dark brown eyes. The look they held both frightened and intrigued her. Her heart leapt as his hand glided back up her calf. He stood slowly, his hand continuing higher over her thinly covered thigh and hip. His palm settled in the small of her back. Her eyes never left his. She simply couldn’t look away.

“Woman, I warned you not to tempt me again.” He pressed her against his hard, warm body. She tried to speak, but her voice just wouldn’t work.

Any attempt to talk would have been futile anyway. His head lowered, and his lips slammed down on hers. This was no tender kiss like the one before. Her senses spun with the intensity of it. The pressure eased ever so slightly, and his tongue touched the seam of her lips. She stiffened at the unfamiliar act, and Reynolds’ fingers tangled in her hair and gave a sharp yank.

Addie gasped, allowing that sinful tongue to sneak into her mouth. And all thought vanished. She moaned, surrendering to the passion that gripped her. He answered with a groan. The sound sent a wave of heat through her. His tongue caressed hers, and she melted, seemingly boneless into his arms, the sensation exquisite. Never had she imagined such pleasure. His hands slid down her back to grasp her hips and pull them against his. The hard ridge of his arousal nudged her belly, but she couldn’t push him away. She had no desire to do so. She wanted to remain right here in his arms, pressed against his incredibly fascinating body. She wanted….

Visit my web site at www.nitawick.com for another excerpt! Sign up for my newsletter for a chance to win a copy!

Nita
www.nitawick.com

Featured Author at Simply Romance Reviews!

I'm pleased to announce I've been selected as the November Featured Author at Simply Romance Reviews. Julie at SRR put together a lovely page for me and I can't thank her enough. Please check it out here!

Have a great week!

~ Jamie

Blood and Mint Chocolates received a GREAT first review!

Mike Gleason, a reviewer of fiction and non-fiction pagan and occult books gave Blood and Mint Chocolates a great review!

Quick quote: "...the writing is excellent, the plotting is superb, and the erotica is top-flight. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I think you will as well."

You can read more what he has to say about my upcoming release here: http://adriannebrennan.com/bamc_gleason_review.html

For more information about this upcoming novella from Freya's Bower, go here: http://www.adriannebrennan.com/bamc.html

Love & Magic,

-A

If you haven't already, will you take a moment to read my story Moonlight Invitation and at least a couple of the other shorties and place your vote? My entry is at the following link and it's under 600 words.

http://playgroundmystique.wordpress.com/2008/10/09/entry-3-moonlight-invitation-by-faith-bicknell-brown/ (voting link below)

If you'd like to read all the stories, the Contest Entries link is posted on the 10/28 entry.

If you enjoy Moonlight Invitation, I'd appreciate your vote. Voting is here: http://playgroundmystique.wordpress.com/2008/10/25/462/

Winner is drawn on Halloween, I believe.

Jamie Hill's October News

Good morning everyone! My October newsletter is now available and chock-full of news and interesting tidbits.

There's big news this month about a new venture I'm involved with, Custom Erotica Fantasies. Yeah, it's just as sexy as it sounds. Please check it out!

The final part of the free read Snowbound is included, I hope you've enjoyed this erotic, unusual tale!

I have another easy contest this month, this one concerning my new paranormal changeling release co-authored with Jude Mason. To find out more, read the newsie!

If you don't receive the newsletter in your email, you can find it in the files section at

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Jamie_Hill_Newsletter/


Have a great weekend!

Time to introduce myself

I thought I would take a moment to introduce myself for a moment. I was just accepted into the Freya's Bower family. My name is Missy Lyons and I have been writing romance and erotica for several years now. I started out writing sweet romances, and really enjoyed doing that, but the publishers seemed to want it hotter, so I catered to them.

I heard about a call for a sweet romance anthology and had a story swimming around in my head for years now--just waiting to be written. So I couldn't resist taking the opportunity to try for it. I have always been impressed with Freya's bower and the group of authors I know work here are people I look up to. I loved the Dreams and Desires anthology which was put out for a really good cause.

Wounded Hearts was written to help honor our fallen in the September 11 tragedy. I may not have ever come out and actually said how the father died, but I pictured him as losing his life saving others in the fire, and this story is about how his family honored his memory and yet still had to move on. The healing, that came afterwards and the pain and suffering.

I look forward to being here, and meeting everyone. Eventually I will tell you more about my story in One Touch, One Glance, as the anthology gets closer to publication.

Take care,
Missy
www.missylyons.com

Seeing Red wins best book

I'm all a-twitter, if that's even a word. Long and Short Reviews just notified me that Seeing Red won their contest for Best Book of the Week. I blogged about their outstanding review earlier this week.

Be sure and check out Seeing Red at my website. I have the reviews posted, an excerpt, and the buy links. Click on over http://www.maggietoussaint.com/

Maggie Toussaint

romance.danger.mystery

http://www.maggietoussaint.com/

LASR reviewed SEEING RED

I'm very happy to announce a new review for SEEING RED. Gloxinia at Long and Short Reviews said "This is a great story that you won't want to put down and I recommend it to anyone wanting a sweet, nongraphic romance." For the full review: http://www.longandshortreviews.com/LASR/0708/SeeingRed-MT.htm

Happy Summer!

Maggie Toussaint

http://www.maggietoussaint.com/

Buy Seeing Red at Freya's Bower and at Fictionwise