Excessica : Mad About Mirabelle by Amarinda Jones [9781609824624] - $5.99

Out now...

Excessica : Mad About Mirabelle by Amarinda Jones [9781609824624] - $5.99

Headbanging...

Do you know what’s so good about smacking your head into the desk? It’s so good when you stop. I am in website changing mode…step back and no one gets hurt. Ring me at your own peril.

Yes, isn’t the blog red? I seem to be on a red fetish at the moment as the new website – which is almost done – I had to step away from it as I was losing my mind – is also red. I like red almost as much as I like black. I like bold colours. Anyway, there it is…I changed the blog even though I said I wouldn’t but I blame it all on cover artist Lyn Taylor for making me this excellent banner. I also must apologize to her as I have driven her spare in the last day with requests to do this or that. She’s either a very nice person or on drugs as she has been terribly patient with me. Lyn is in another state so I can’t hear if she screams when she gets another email from me.



So, I have been stuffing around with the new website. I would like to say I have taken so long because I am a perfectionist but that would be an absolute big fat lie. I just have simply been changing my mind constantly as to what I want to do. But then, I’m a woman and that’s allowed. Eventually it will be up and running. No, make that tomorrow it will be up and running. I am due to annoy the crap out of the web hosting guys and I expect drama when I publish the thing but hey – again, the pain stops when you stop beating your head.

So, due to the red blog, I’ve had to quickly go through and change previous post colours as I favour red quite a bit and red on red is rather pointless and I suspect would piss people off. Will it stay red forever? Who knows? That’s one of the riddle of the sands mysteries.

As I type this I have a frigging mosquito buzzing around me. Clearly it does not know it is winter. It’s been bloody cold today and yes, I am a wuss when it comes to the cold. Most Brisbanites are. We refuse to believe it will get cold in the sub tropics and then when it does we’re all amazed. Yes, we’re simple, yet amazing attractive folk.
As for the mozzie, I attract them in droves. I believe it’s my blue blood. I wrote a scene in Mad About Mirabelle about mozzies that many people have written to tell me they identified or liked.t

Mad About Mirabelle - it's another click and buy moment...

“Not every one is as sweet and nice as you.” Flynn nuzzled the side of her neck.
“Ah, I hear flattery. What do you want?” Mirabelle had a fairly good idea. That ever ready cock of Flynn’s had not completely gone down after all this time. It was flaring up again and pulsating against her stomach.
“What do you think I want Miss Mirabelle?” Flynn dropped his pants and kicked them aside.
“Out here?” Even as she said the words trying to sound appalled and failing miserably, Mirabelle was instantly wet just thinking about fucking Flynn outside in the moonlight. Who would be up at this hour anyway?
“It’s nice and dark and peaceful and that grass looks awfully soft.”
Before Mirabelle had a chance to protest further she felt Flynn’s leg hook hers and she was tumbling slowly to the ground with Flynn following her down. Just as well she hadn’t gotten around to fixing the lawn mower. The grass was thick and spongy. There was an upside to having a mangy looking lawn. It was beddable.
“There are a million mosquitoes out here.” She could hear their whining drone already as they started to zero in on the chunky white flesh on offer.
“The odd mozzie bite won’t kill you.” Flynn slid in between her thighs and started pulling her leggings down.
“Mozzies love my flesh.” She generally avoided wandering around her backyard in the dark as she was a beacon for the little suckers.
“I understand how those mozzies feel. I have a deep devotion to your flesh as well.” Flynn had the leggings down and her shirt off before she could say another word.
“You have fast hands limo man.” She looked up at the star filled sky. Maybe this wasn’t such a bad idea. It was kind of romantic after all and she was already naked and very willing so…
“All the better to undress you with my dear.” Flynn ran his hands over the length of her body, stopping to rest on her breasts. The beauty of her pale skin in the moonlight made him suck in his breath in wonder. “You are so beautiful.” He kissed her deeply his tongue entwining with hers.
Mirabelle gave herself up to the moment. And there seemed to be quite a few of them with Flynn Curtis in her life. She was hot with desire and Flynn’s hard cock against her stomach promised a thrilling ride. Mirabelle pulled his head down to her breast and moaned as he sucked eagerly down on her nipple. Her legs lifted and locked instantly in their natural position around Flynn’s hips. Not even the drone of mozzies could turn her off.
“So I take it you’re not averse to a moonlight fuck?”
This man could pretty much fuck her anywhere, in whatever lighting and she would not complain. She just wanted him—pure and simple. Why fight it?

No, I am too pure to have sex under the stars. Yes, I have a bridge you can buy…it over looks Sydney Harbour. I will ask, because I can, where is the most interesting place you have made love or you would like to? Points will be awarded on inventiveness.

That’s it from me…a website beckons…

www.freewebs.com/amarindajones/ ….not for long…
Go ahead: Live with abandon. Be outrageous at any age. What are you saving your best self

Sex…what’s it all about?

Shades of Gray by Amarinda Jones is a fantastic vampire story that left me wanting more now! I enjoyed reading about all the characters, the setting, and the supernatural world Amarinda Jones has created. Temperance and Asher are great main characters. She is a strong woman who is more realistic than most heroines. She’s not super skinny, and she doesn’t go charging into danger without knowing what is going on. Asher is hot and sexy, and even though he is trying to change his vampirism, he is bad enough to make your mouth water. The secondary characters, Marlow and Sybylla, add perfectly to the story, and I can’t wait to read more about them. Amarinda Jones has written a story that is a must read for any vampire lover!

http://fallenangelreviews.com/2008/February/Ashley-ShadesOfGray.htm

SHADES OF GRAY is a wonderful paranormal, in which good fights evil. Amarinda Jones gives us great characters as heroes, and hot sex scenes. The story is a fast and interesting read, and has a little something for everyone. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series. http://www.theromancereaders
connection.com/reviews2/jonesamarinda1308.html

Sex…what’s it all about? Do you often wonder why people want to read about sex? Are they desperate, lonely or looking for a thrill? And what is normal sex when it comes to a romance book? Who exactly on the planet is normal? Put your hand up if you are. Why are there so many genres and grades of sex from sweet to taboo? Because there are so many different types of people in the world. Is the writing any better in a moderate sex book as compared to a book that pushes the sexual boundaries? I believe that some writers are better than others as some sales assistants, doctors, teachers etc are better than others - it doesn't mean either is good or bad.

Author Anny Cook www.annycook.blogspot.com discussed sex on her Saturday blog and she got me thinking about the whole debate over how much sex is too much sex when it comes to romance books. I do agree with Anny that sometimes romance is pushed aside in the pursuit of an orgasm. But I also know that some people consider romance can grow from great sex. It’s a conundrum isn’t it? It’s against my nature to be a fence sitter but I really don’t know what the answer is so I may just lean on the fence for a while and ponder and accept the differences. What do you think? Is there a genre you would not consider reading because of the ick factor? Or are you a fence leaner on this subject as well? Paraphrasing Lady Astor --I don't care what they do as long as they don't frighten the horses.

Fundamentally, this is what I think…people are odd…yes, I include myself in that statement. There is always going to be some element of sex in a romance book – whether it’s by inference or the actual, panting, shirt ripping, oh my god, what is taking him so long to put that condom on deed. Yes, there are some books out there that are just pure sex because that’s what people want to read. I’m not going to tsk tsk those authors for catering to readers who want ultra risky or taboo sex. I may never read them or write similar but someone will read them and someone will write them. That’s face it sex has been around since – depending on your beliefs - evolution or Adam and Eve. As for romance – it’s eternal and people will seek it in whatever form they can so what the hell - let ‘em.

Mae West --Is that a gun in your pocket, or are you just glad to see me?

Mad About Mirabelle is a delightful yet suspenseful story. The relationship between Flynn and Mirabelle keeps the reader hanging on every word wondering what will happen next. Mirabelle is unsure of Flynn's feelings for her and even questions her own. Flynn is sure of his feelings and tries to allay Mirabelle’s fears at every turn. The strange happenings have both of them trying to get to the bottom of the mystery. The chemistry between them is amazing, the sex is sizzling, and the mystery keeps the reader on the edge. Ms. Jones has done a very nice job, and I can't wait to read more by this talented author.

http://fallenangelreviews.com/2008/February/Dawnie-MadAboutMirabelle.htm

Check Anny out on www.annycook.blogspot.com – she talking about the joys of listening to the voices in your head as you write. Kelly is discussing some individual who may be a psycho or just very misunderstood (uh huh) on www.kkirch.blogspot.com

www.freewebs.com/amarindajones/
Go ahead: Live with abandon. Be outrageous at any age. What are you saving your best self for?

Friday at Chez Amarinda....

Mad About Mirabelle – review – Reviewer Top Pick

Wow once again Amarinda Jones brings two hot characters that will make you constantly reach for a cold glass of water. From the first chapter, the backseat limo wow. Not only was it interesting how the author brought these two together again but also it was fun to see how they try to survive when someone wants them dead. It was hilarious from the mosquitoes biting on their butts; houses exploding to finding a dead body. This book was a lot of fun to read. Mad About Mirabelle is definitely a great book to check out from Amarinda Jones. You will get suspense, hot passionate sex, and a treasure of money worth reading about.

http://www.nightowlromance.com/nightowlromance/reviews/Review.asp?ReviewId=1123

Dear Amarinda,
Here is your horoscope for Friday, January 11:

Look for intangible clues right now. The universe is urging you down a certain path, but don't expect neon signs. It's whispering in your ear, nudging you toward exciting possibilities. Open your ears -- something great is in the works.

Don’t you just hate it when your stars (Scorpio) are all mystical like this? What’s with the nudging and urging? And I have to open my ears? What path? Why can’t the clues be unmissable flaming arrow type clues? You know, the kind that scare the hell out of you but you get instantly. ‘Intangible ‘sucks. I’m happy to believe ‘something great is in the works’ but more specific information please. Why don’t they just say – Amarinda, the lotto win you have been expecting for years will happen tomorrow night?

Today I ….

I locked myself out of the house Yes - I was impressed by that as well. I was checking the mail and as I walked down the steps the door slammed behind me. Lovely. I did have keys in my hand but there were for the mailbox. That meant I had to use the spare hidden keys – cue dramatic Mission Impossible music. They are hidden in the most difficult place to get to purely because it’s the craziest place to hide them. Even if a burglar glanced for a second at where the keys were hidden I have a feeling he would think – “Nah, no one would be that stupid.” Au contraire, mon ami burglar. Not only could I, but I am. So I tramped around to the death defying place I had hidden them. Big sigh as I looked at the place. Degree of difficulty? Bloody hard mate. Anyway, I jumped, crawled, swore, tumbled and snatched the keys with 2 fingers as I hung suspended by my toenails. Of course once I had them, I had to open the child proof container (pukeable things), unwrap them from the multiple layers of protection, open the door and then do the whole thing in reverse. Indiana Jones eat your heart out. Yes, I could hide them somewhere less death defying but what adventure would there be in that?


‘Climbed up the steps of death today. What are they? They are 40 of the steepest steps on the planet. Maybe I exaggerate a tad when I say the planet…but when you climb them it feels like you are trying to climb up a vertical wall. They are just plain bloody horrible. I always get to the top, gasping for breath and think “I am never going to do that again.” Why did I do it? It’s in the pursuit of health, fitness and all things insane. Also at 5am on my morning power ramble my brain is not functioning properly and some things seem like a good idea at the time. Will I do it again tomorrow? Nah, but next week I’ll take another crack at them again. Am I wanting ‘buns of steel’ from this? Nope, the marshmallows ones I have now are not likely to change at this stage but this masochist exercise counteracts the bad things I plan to indulge in later.

Ethel called to advise she was sending me a box of stationery – re-writable CDs and fly drives – by company courier from her new job. “Please sign my name.” Excellent news as I use this stuff constantly. Her signature is dead easy to do. And yes, of course I pointed out how naughty she was using company merchandise like that and no, I would never forge anyone’s name…well, I mean I’m sure I would have had it occurred to me to say it at the time...

Kelly on www.kkirch.blogspot.com left us with…

"Then that makes Choltax--er, the ruler, not the planet--Zoltan's long lost brother." Shade slapped his forehead with understanding. Rinalda, being helpful, slapped it too. Rafe, seeing the pattern hauled off and palmed his twin's noggin, feeling proud of himself.

Emmeline rolled her eyes.

"Out of curiosity, what happens if a green-eyed female from the sixth dimension of the planet Choltax swallows a load of diamonds?" Rinalda asked Zoltan.

Huh??? That hurt my brain but Grasshopper likes to do that. I’m going with….

“That’s it. I’m out of here.” Emmeline knew she was wasting precious time. She turned to Zoltan. “Between you and the three Muppets here I’ve had more than enough.”

Zoltan’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully. “What about your share of the diamonds?”

“You know what - have them.” Four sets of eyes looked at her in amazement.

“Oh my god you’re dying.” Rafe was agog at her unexpected words.

“Can I have her peeler?” Rinalda asked quickly before anyone else could claim it.

Emmeline shook her head and turned from the group. Dumb as rocks. She wasn’t about to explain that she had bigger things on offer than a handful of puny diamonds. While she had been carousing with the natives they had told her about the Tourmaline Chalice. A pair of earrings,

her socks, her battery powered toothbrush and the pack of strawberry bubble gum from her pocket secured her the location of the sought after trophy. It was the stuff of legends. Men killed for it and women connived to get it. Emmeline wasn’t about to share it with this pack of dweebs.

“I’ll find you wherever you go, wife of mine,” Zoltan called out to her in a knowing tone.

Emmeline turned and smiled smugly. “You don’t have the ability to track me any more.”

“You haven’t!” Zoltan turned pale under his spray on tan.

“That’s right. I dug the tracking beacon out of the filling in my tooth.” She saw the alarm in his face. “I’m free of you forever.” She kissed the emerald transponder ring on her finger. “Take me to Peru,” she commanded. The chalice would be hers.

You just know Anny is going to have something bizarre happen in the next episode tomorrow on www.annycook.blogspot.com. She is also featuring what I suspect is a shape-shifting cat on her blog. Kelly either has the meaning of life, how to make peanut butter sandwiches or how to clog dance to Thriller on www.kkirch.blogspot.com. But don’t quote me, I could be wrong.

www.freewebs.com/amarindajones/
Go ahead: Live with abandon. Be outrageous at any age. What are you saving your best self for?

The start of a great year....

Seducing Celestine - Review – 5/5 and a reviewer top pick from Night Owl romance – thanks Melinda…

Wow talk about hot, scorching and oh yes those moonlight nights with Nick are super hot. Just in the first chapter with him crawling through the window with seduction in mind was wow. Amarinda Jones not only brings Australia to life but her men are wow. Yes I use that word so much but it describes her work so easily. Hot men, women who complete them in every way and action in every chapter you read. Not that kind of action but one where you wonder who in the world would be shooting Celestine and why they want her car. The story and passion come to life with her words and this is one author you don’t want to miss reading.
http://www.nightowlromance.com/nightowlromance/reviews/

Review.asp?ReviewId=1089

Today’s quote –
"Some of us are timid. We think we have something to lose so we don't try for that next hill." -- Maya Angelou

Go for the hill, stagger, get breathless but conquer that sucker --Amarinda

5am phone call on New Years Day...

M- Happy New Year! It’s Marlene! I wanted to wish you all the best, mate!
A – The same to you Marlene (I suspect Marlene was as pissed as a newt)
M- Guess what I’m doing today?
A – Ringing up completely strangers and wishing them well?
M – Oh shit
A – Have nice life Marlene.

Lucky for Marlene I rarely sleep past 4:30am – evil never sleeps…

Oh the pain of cleaning…

An acquaintance of mine announced her intention was to clean house today as it was a new year and she wanted to have a tidy home to start the new year. Oh yeah, me too – not. I don’t see how a new year is going to make any difference to my sloppy ways. And, to be honest, when I woke up this morning I felt no different to any other day. I don’t think it has to be a recognized calendar day to feel something special or begin something new. Any day can bring that. But in saying that, it’s only when I am falling over the chaos of my life to I actually think “Hmmm, I should de-clutterfy” Isn’t that a great word? De-clutterfy. I think I’ll write that into this current book. I have to keep my editor on her toes. Anyway, back to ritualistic cleaning. It’s not me. Quel surprise. So I did, for one split section look at the chaos around me and think maybe I should do something but in the words of Ethel I said “Oh hard.”

The thing is I have nothing against dust. I luckily have no allergies or asthmatic complaints so as far as I am concerned dust can do its thing and I’ll do mind. Besides when you think about it, dust is always with us. And here’s the thing, if you dust once you have to continuously dust because more builds up. It’s a vicious cycle trying to keep surfaces shiny and dust free. Now, if you dusted infrequently then you have less stress about shiny surfaces. Added to that, it would take many, many layers of dust to actually be a problem. And it’s not like you can trip over dust. How much dust is too much dust? Is this last weeks dust or last months? See? Too stressful. Do what I do - every so often I give every thing a flick over with a duster when it gets to the point when people can write their names in the dust. Alternatively, don’t invite people around who are prone to writing their names in the dust, then you can cut your dusting time dramatically. And if we all in the end go back to dust am I not just sticking to my roots by not dusting? Yep, how frigging philosophical is that?

I will, however, have to make an effort and clean up under my house. The houses in my part of the world are built on stumps. This is to allow breezes to flow through and to help if it floods. Anyway, the area under my house is elevated in such a way I can park the car and dump heaps of crap and half finished projects everywhere. But it does get to a stage down stairs that the blue tongue lizards, that use it as a run through from one garden to the other, get a tad pissed off with the obstacle course they have to run and they start hissing at me in reproach. So, I swear on a packet of Tim Tams, tomorrow I will clean up under the house. Lord knows what I will find. I actually wrote my under the house into Mad About Mirabelle – write what you know is my theory….

“Right, where to look,” Mirabelle murmured as she surveyed her messy kingdom. She had to think like a dodgy old woman. Dodgy she could do but old Mirabelle refused to consider. Her eyes roamed over her pack rat items. She had dozens of boxes full of assorted crap. Anything could be in those. There was an old jerry can with a hole in it—always handy—a torn kite—who knows why she kept that—stacks of empty tin cans collecting dust –they were so useful—a broken electric fan—one of her Mirabelle-can-fix-it phases—two large ugly blue vinyl suits, an ugly metal garbage bin and…what? Her eyes went back to the two large ugly blue vinyl suitcases? Hello…they did not belong to her.

See? Being messy is useful. Not surprisingly my car is in dire need of a vacuuming. I feel you really need to be in the mood to vacuum especially when you have a killer red vacuum cleaner thats like to sucks up anything in its path without fear or favour. So, there it is. Life at Chateau Amarinda can be a tad messy. My understanding is true creative genius thrives in chaos – and so do I.

Again, I have no idea what the zenfully calm Anny http://www.annycook.blogspot.com/ and the ever perky Kelly http://www.kkirch.blospot.com/ are up to. By the way, Kelly enjoys being called perky so please make sure you address all your comments on her blog to the ‘perky one’ to make her day. Please don’t tell I told you to do it, I want her to think it came spontaneously from your heart.

www.freewebs.com/amarindajones/
Go ahead: Live with abandon. Be outrageous at any age. What are you saving your best self for?
amarinda­_jones­@yahoo.com.au

When a reindeer is a moose...

Another Mad about Mirabelle moment…

“What are you doing here? This is a ladies’ change room.”
He pushed the curtain aside and stepped inside carrying a shopping bag with the department store logo on it.
“I wanted to see my lady.”
Okay that was sweet.
“What’s in the bag?’ The change cubicle seemed awfully small with Flynn Curtis suddenly in it.
Flynn tapped the bag lightly and smiled.
“Just something for later.” He dropped it on the floor and let his eyes roam Mirabelle’s scantily clad body.
Mirabelle stuck her head outside and looked around. No one was about. She ducked inside and pulled the curtain closed.
“You’re not supposed to be in here, limo man.” Mirabelle had a feeling Flynn did a lot of stuff he wasn’t supposed to. But then that’s what made him so wonderfully, wickedly different.
“Why not?”
“It’s a dressing room.”
Flynn moved in closer to Mirabelle.
“Okay so take off your bra and panties.”
Just the way he said it in that husky tone made Mirabelle hot all over.
“I said “dressing” not undressing room.”
“Strip.”

http://www.ellorascave.com/productpage.asp?ISBN=9781419912030


Oh Rudolph…

A- I have to tell you Rudolph you look nothing like your pictures. I wasn’t aware you smoked cigars.
R –I only do it when I drink, babe.
A – I see – is that how you got the red nose? Drinking…what is that in you hoof? A margarita?
R – Yeah and the nose is a fake. It’s plastic.
A- That’s so tacky
R – Its show business, babe. We use it to draw the punters in. They ‘ooh’ and ‘ahh’ over the cuteness of it. Talk about dumb.
A- So essentially your whole persona is a lie
R – Yeah and I’m actually a moose not a reindeer
A – What? You’re a moose?
R – Reindeer aren’t sexy. It’s all about the length of antler, babe – you know that.
A - Don’t you feel bad about misleading the public with this deception?
R – No because people want to believe a shiny, red nosed animal is relied on by the fat guy to pull a sleigh. They want to believe in magic. It’s all a load of crap but it keeps me in Tequila.
A – Is there nothing magical about you?
R – I can waggle my ears and I can write my name in the snow when I pee. Wanna’ watch?

A – Ah no…what about the other reindeer?
R – They’re just jealous. None of them have their name in a song. It’s not my problem if they can’t market themselves effectively.
A – So just what do you get out of this?
R- That I can’t discuss that, babe. I am bound by my contract to Santa Claus Inc. But I will say the ladies love me.
A – So does Christmas mean anything to you?
R – Hell yeah, the cuter I am the more money I make.
A – You’re a soulless bastard aren’t you?
R- Someone has to be, babe.
A - Are any of your intentions honourable?
R – I always buy a lady dinner before we get down to business…
A – On that pukeable note – anything you’d like to say to the innocent children who believe in Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer…I mean moose?
R – My new breakfast cereal – Rudolph Sugar Puffs is out now. Get your parents to buy it and they’ll get $1.99 off their next Tequila purchase at participating liquor stores.
A – Rudolph – you are a wanker
R – Here’s my number, babe – call me. I like feisty women

Tomorrow – the big man himself comes clean about his part in Christmas.

Speaking of all things Christmassy, I was walking through a shopping centre today and I saw Santa and a female elf -why are they always female, young and in short skirted costumes? Anyway they were walking towards me. The elf bimbette said to Santa – ‘the kids come up one at a time – they get a couple of minutes each with you. Nod and smile, the photo will be taken and then give them one of these.’ She handed him a big bag of something – probably lollies (candy). ‘Then get the kid off your knee and get the next one on.’ As I passed, Santa looked to me to be about twenty years old. The whole thing struck me as rather tacky but then that’s what people apparently want for Christmas.

This reminded me of when I used to work for a famous fast food chain after school and on the weekends when I was a teenager. I used to get stuck with doing the kids birthday parties. Was it because I was good with kids? No…hell no. It was because I could do a birthday party in forty-five minutes – presents, toys, games, food, ice-cream cake, sing, get them to pay, get out – and then get the next lot in. Sometimes happiness is manufactured on the production line.

Kelly has the blog serial on www.kkirch.blogspot.com. As for Anny, I’m not sure what she’ll have on www.annycook.blogspot.com as she has been busy making slippers…so check ‘em both out.

If you are thinking of entering our 12 Days of Romance comp – entries close on midnight 21st December. So you have time to enter if you haven’t had a chance to see email yet. See below for more details.

Good news – Tim Tams were on sale at the supermarket today
Bad news – does anyone know where my other red earring is?

www.freewebs.com/amarindajones/
Go ahead: Live with abandon. Be outrageous at any age. What are you saving your best self for?

The Wednesday Interview

Mad About Mirabelle – released today through Ellora's Cave! Let the pigeons loose!

Holy crap! Mirabelle Turner's new next door neighbor is the last man she expected to ever see again. It was one thing to have knee wobbling sex with this dark sexy stranger in the back of a limo but quite another to find him staying next door with his Aunt Lila. Can she resist the temptations of the boy next door?

Flynn Curtis is more then happy to tempt the delectable Mirabelle. He is mad about her. When his Aunt Lila's house mysteriously burns down he gladly accepts the reluctant Mirabelle's offer for he and his Aunt to move in with her. It is the start of all sorts of moves Flynn intends to make on his new neighbor.

Mirabelle is trapped by courtesy, lust and sudden realization that she is falling in love with Flynn. But does the person who burnt down Lila’s house have other plans for Mirabelle? And is Aunt Lila really the sweet old lady she seems? Can Flynn save the woman he is mad about?

The Wednesday Interview…

The last brilliant author of the year is the dazzling and talented Kelly Kirch – she made me say that. Her book Time For Love is released through Cerridwen Press on Feb 14, 2008. I know? How can we wait that long? So to check all Kelly Kirch sightings and machinations go to www.kkirch.blogspot.com

Time for Love – the Blurb…

Sarah Hanson opens her eyes to a darkly sexy man leaning over her and the strains of a waltz playing in the background. Further, she is no longer dozing in the taxi that escorts her from the job where she was just fired but inhaling the strong scent of beeswax and dressed in Regency era clothing.

Drake, Lord Hayworth, rake extraordinaire, is unable to reconcile his sudden attraction to the shelved miss who is meant to chaperone the daughter of a dear friend. Different from every other female he has known, he is keenly aware of the differences between her and his new fiancé--the young woman Sarah escorts.

As Sarah develops lasting relationships, she discovers the unconditional love of family and a passion for a man she is not meant to have, in a time she may not be able to keep. And for Drake, finding a pliable bride to marry so he can claim the last of his inheritance has become decidedly more difficult now that Sarah has turned his ordered life on its head.

The interview…

1. You have some sizzling sex scenes in your book. How hard is it to write sex and make it convincing? Yes, I do. It is completely difficult to write sex but to make it convincing? No, not really. If your plot calls for it, it’s because you’ve worked up to the stage where it flows naturally for the characters. If it’s forced, I’d say you have a chemistry problem with your hero and heroine or you are forcing the timing.

2. Romance and the condom. How hard do you find to slip it in or on when the action is hot between characters? A minor inconvenience but one that the edits will require. So I weigh the options. Do I want to fight the inevitable or slip on a slicker? It’s the post coital clean up I find icky.

3. Do you think romance just happens or do you make your characters work for it? I think chemistry just happens but romance, as a relationship takes work. If it didn’t there wouldn’t be a romantic plot.

4. What is it about your hero that makes him irresistible to women? He’s eye candy without recognizing it. He doesn’t know how devastating he is and he thinks the heroine is drop dead gorgeous no matter what she looks like or what she’s wearing. He goes weak-kneed for her, makes himself a fool for her, does ridiculous stunts to get her attention. It’s the kind of thing every regular woman wants to experience from a man who is beyond sexy.

5. Do you think readers want to escape or do they want to identify with a character? Oh I hope they want escape. I want escape and that’s what sparks the story. However, if they don’t identify with the character then the reader won’t stick around for the end to happen and the escape to be realized.

6. What do you think is the most important thing to remember when writing romance? The Happily Ever After. Don’t give me a story without the HEA, the joining of kindred souls through difficulty and humor. I won’t read it and I wouldn’t expect that from my audience either.

7. What are you working on now? I’m writing a Cerridwen book about an author who gets sucked into her own book as her characters are murdered one by one. She writes by the seat of her pants and never plots, like me. So she doesn’t know who the killer is, who is next, if she’ll return to reality and if she gets to keep the hero she falls in love with. Its working title is More Than Words. I’m having a lot of fun making fun of myself in this one.

The excerpt…

Sarah’s ears rang.
“Lady Billington?”
They had to be ringing. The stains of a waltz bloomed in her head. The last time she had heard something like that was when little Timmy Gustaffson had chased her in the playground and she’d run into an arching wooden swing.
Being fired felt kind of like that. The sick crack to the head of disbelief, the stomach-plummeting nausea…an arching wooden swing to her psyche.
“Lady Billington?”
Rich chocolate tones called her name. She peeked and quickly sealed that one eye back up.
Whoa! He’s hot! Maybe I should get fired more often. Love the hallucination.
“Sarah. Open your eyes.”
She did. He was lovely. “Yummy.” Oh crud! Did I just say that out loud?
Crystalline green eyes looked back at her curiously.
The angel of sex appeal bent deliciously near her. As sensation seeped back into her numb body, she also realized he held her slumped body against him. A steely arm wrapped supportively around her upper back and pressed her against the lapels of his coat. She decided his shoulder made a wonderful, albeit firm, pillow.
He smelled like heaven too. Male. Musky. And sandlewoody. She could sink into flavors like that.
“Oh, Sarah, you dropped your rose! Lord Hayworth, maybe you should take her onto the veranda while I pick this up. I should have waited until tomorrow after the festivities before I presented it to you, dear girl.”
She’d brought a woman into this fantasy? Sarah reopened her right eye. Reluctantly, she looked beyond the ebony haired vision. She had brought several other people apparently. She opened her other eye to take in the full scope. A dark-haired woman bent to collect the shards of a crystal rose and emerald stem that lay at Sarah’s feet.
Another woman, blonde and wearing a petulant frown tapped a cornflower-blue slipper. Two woolen clad male backs screened Sarah from the dancers on the floor. The crystal strains of an orchestra seeped past their guard and filled her head.
The sound system in this room is amazing. Sounds like they’re right here with me.
Sarah stood upright with Gorgeous Guy’s support.
“What is the matter with you? People are beginning to notice. Mother, make her collect herself. What if someone sees? I could be ruined.”
Fully supporting her own weight, Sarah faced the owner of the whinypitched complaint—the one with the petulant frown. The girl had to be upper-teens. She had platinum blonde hair and wide azure eyes. She was petite. Of course. She was Martha Mullen-esque, standing maybe five-two and all of a hundred pounds.
“Alexandra. Hush,” the brown-haired woman admonished. “Lord Hayworth, please.”
The beautiful man clasped Sarah’s hand to his arm. Another man followed behind, whisking her toward double French doors. She stared across the room. There was a live orchestra here? Where the heck am I?
Lord Hayworth tugged her back into motion and they gained the dark, cool safety of the veranda. Not nearly as crowded as the ballroom, Sarah was grateful for the claustrophobic relief. “You stay with her. I will be back with some lemonade.”
The other man smiled pleasantly at her before nodding to the cluster of women near the doors taking in the fresh air.
“Hi,” she said.
Confusion settled on his forehead. “Perhaps you should come to the bench and rest.” He led her to the bench, patting it. The solid thump of his hand on the stone slab seat reassured her of its reliability. She leaned back on the cool stone trying to still the cacophony of confusion swirling in her head.
Music floated out to them. A breeze ruffled the hairs on the nape of her neck. Candles burned brightly from every sconce in the room beyond. A couple waltzed past the open veranda doors. She wore an elaborate silver ball gown. He was dressed in peacock colors and a tall, stiff collar.
“Where am I?”
“At Grantham house attending their introduction ball for Miss Alexandra. You have been planning this with Lady Grantham for weeks. Don’t you remember?” The blond gentleman leaned toward her, concern written on every feature. His blue eyes shone with friendship and mild alarm.
Was she dreaming? Every sense tingled with accuracy. The cool gritty stone under her hands caught roughly at her gloves. The orchestra played sweet notes which floated on the same breeze that ruffled her skirts. Jasmine and candle wax warred for recognition. Never had a dream been more real.
Great! Getting fired has made me loopy.
She looked down at herself. She too was dressed in a ball gown. Navy colored slippers peeked from the hem of her navy satin dress. Sarah raised her hand touching the heavy pendant at her throat and higher to her elaborately piled hair. “Where am I?” Panic welled up inside her and settled about her breast bone.
“Is she all right?”
Sarah turned to the sound of Hayworth’s velvety voice.
“She seems to have forgotten she’s at the ball,” the fair-haired man said.
She didn’t know what was happening but she wasn’t about to show her hand either. “I’m fine. I just need to rest a minute. I must have hit my head harder than I thought. You know, temporary amnesia.”
“You hit your head?” Lord Hayworth asked.
“When I fainted?” she offered.
“Was there some other time I should have caught you?”
“Uh. No. Just this last time.” How come I sound English?
Lord Hayworth shook his head. “I think you’re right Lord Milstoke. She’s not well.”
She sipped the lemonade Hayworth handed her. Her eyes darted, trying to settle on something that made sense. None of it did. Her head throbbed. Lord Milstoke, the fair and Lord Hayworth, the sexy, were looking at her with marked concern.
“Perhaps you should go to your quarters,” Lord Hayworth suggested.
“And where would they be?” she asked.
Lord Hayworth and Lord Milstoke exchanged looks.
“I’ll have Elizabeth take you. I may be a common sight in the Grantham house but my escorting you to your rooms would cause raised eyebrows for which even my title won’t compensate.”
“Of course you have a reputation. How cliché.”
“Pardon?”
“Nothing. Don’t mind me. I’m just hallucinating. I got fired today.”
“You’ve been burned?” Milstoke asked in alarm.
“No. I was let go.”
“That’s impossible. I caught you myself. You never touched the ground.” Hayworth looked offended.
Sarah grinned. “Never mind. Take me to your leader. I need a nap.”
Lord Hayworth tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow. She turned back to Milstoke before entering the ballroom again. “Hey, if you see my cab driver, don’t tip him. I don’t appreciate the joke. It’s been a hard enough day as it is.”

www.kellykirch.com and www.kkirch.blogspot.com

The competition…

Okay, you’ve been waiting patiently for the last true love clue…here it is -

On the twelfth day of romance my true love gave to me…Twelve Tantalizing Tim Tams….what a man

So, you know your next step. Email all 12 answers to anny@annycook.com with 12 days of Romance in the subject line to win some great books. The competition closes midnight on 21st December. Good luck.

As always check out what Kelly is doing on www.kkirch/blogspot.com and Anny has the blog serial on www.annycook.blogspot.com

www.freewebs.com/amarindajones/
Go ahead: Live with abandon. Be outrageous at any age. What are you saving your best self for?

Darling or Diva?

Quote for the day - That which does not kill me makes me strong

Another Mad About Mirabelle moment….

….His eyes snapped open wide and he grinned in instant recognition. Yep it was definitely him. She would know that face anywhere. Same wavy black hair, scarred forehead and same wicked “let me do what I want to you eyes”. She could only hope he was gentleman enough not to explain to Lila that her neighbor had begged him to fuck her. Lila Standish made mouth watering homemade cookies and Mirabelle would hate to have her supply cut on a moral technicality.
Be cool, be calm and be collected. He’s just a man you had knee wobbling sex with. No big deal.

Released 19th December through Ellora’s Cave

The comp…

Only two people left to say what their true love gave to the. I’m one – who’s the other? Which one of us has the answer today?


Another Five Fantastic Reasons to buy an e-book this Christmas….

1. You won’t have to move house. What? Do you love books and can’t throw a book out but you are running out of space in your current home? Don’t move, buy e-books for you PC/laptop instead.

2. Last minute gift giving. Bugger! You forgot a gift for your cousin, twelves times removed, so go online, click, buy and email. Problem solved.

3. You will be able to eat chocolate as you read as you'll have a hand free as you don’t have to turn pages

4. Only want a short, quick satisfying read? Buy an Ellora's Cave quickie book or a novella. You don’t have to buy a full book and it’s cheaper – ker-ching.

5. Need to look busy at work? Have an e-book loaded onto you computer/laptop and be engrossed. Wow, Ms Jones is certainly working hard today. Just look at the concentration on her face. We need to pay her more.

And because e-books are so good for you, here are some great books to buy this Christmas because…

Because what happens in the elevator does not always stay in the elevator – Because I Can - Amarinda Jones - http://www.ellorascave.com/AuthorsBooks.asp?AuthorCode=AJon

When faced with yet another guaranteed bad day find a commanding stranger and do exactly as he says. My Last Dark Day – Barbara Huffert http://www.total-e-bound.com/product.asp?s=acbeyw74921&strParents=&CAT_ID=&P_ID=169

A race through time, connected only by their minds. Always On My Mind - Judith Rochelle - http://www.jasminejade.com/p-3724-always-on-my-mind.aspx?skinid=14

"A ghostly encounter in a Welsh town changed Sally Carter's life forever." Isabelle’s Diary – Anita Birt www.anitabirtstoryteller.blogspot.com

How far will a desperate man go to break a 300 year-old sidhe curse? SEDUCING THE STONES by Kathy Kulig
http://www.ellorascave.com/productpage.asp?ISBN=9781419913143&Page=Page1

What happens when the imaginary boyfriend you invented turns up in the flesh? Deal of a Lifetime – Barbara Huffert http://www.ellorascave.com/productpage.asp?ISBN=9781419909641

Click on the titles or links above and buy the book. Go on, you know you want to…be daring…. See how easy it is to shop on the Amarinda Blog?



What’s her story?

Mrs Claus – who exactly is she? A sweet homemaker content to stay at the North Pole and make cookies or a sharp business women pushing Santa onto world wide domination? I was fortunate enough to interview her.

A – Thanks for talking to me Mrs S.
Mrs S – A pleasure
A – Is it true the elves hate you?
Mrs S – Fucking little green men ….er…I mean what a challenging group of individuals they are.
A – They seem to be working under terrible conditions.
Mrs S – Hmmm…you spoke to one of them? Which one?
A – I can’t tell you but I want to know how important the elves are to Christmas
Mrs S – They are paramount! We cannot get by without them and they know it, the little bastards.
A – Sorry, what was that? I missed that last bit.
Mrs S – I was saying how they make great baskets.
A – Your husband Mr Claus is a busy man. How do you feel when he is away from home over Christmas?
Mrs S – He is a true man of the people, I would never stop him from carrying out the noble traditions of his calling.
A – I hear the police had to break up a noisy party here at your home last year on Christmas Eve two hours after your husband left on the Christmas run
Mrs S - Er, that was…er…
A – Apparently there were male strippers?
Mrs S – Um no, they were unfortunate men we were helping to clothe
A – Yes, I understand leopard print g-strings were big last year
Mrs S – No doubt you want to hear about Santa’s good deeds.
A – In a moment…is it true that before you met Mr Claus you were a Pole dancer at Swifty La Rue’s bar?
Mrs S - Santa adores handing out present to the little children as their happy faces make him so happy.
A – Let’s face it Mrs S you and Santa run an Elf sweat shop for profit
Mrs S – That’s a dirty lie! We barely break even! Oh wait, cut that bit out.
A – I think I have all I need. Anything you’d like to say to the boys and girls?
Mrs S – Just remember Santa knows when you’ve been naughty or nice.
A – Apparently, not with you though…


On the blog serial Kelly on www.kkirch.blospot.com left us with....

Instantly they were outside as she bobbed over his shoulder with each racing step he took down the path. "I--need--the--key," she gasped.
"I have the only key ye be needin' wench. Harrrrr!"
"Diff-ffrent--key,"
"Harrrr! Harrr! Haaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrk." A dark green loogie slapped the path in her line of sight. "Aye, that's better. Been havin' some sinus congestion lately."

I'm going with...

“Oh fuck, I’ve had enough of this,” Emmeline
muttered. There was only one person who could help her. When the pirate’s hand caressed her butt she screamed the name out. “Zoltan!”

In a puff of blue smoke he appeared. “Yes my love?” He was dressed as Santa Claus.

“Who the hell are you? The pirate looked at him menacingly.

No fake white beard could hide from Emmeline the darkly handsome man’s identity. “You were a donkey when I last I saw you.”

“I am never what I seem you know that, Em.” He tilted his head and looked at her hanging upside down. “You look like you need help.” He grinned.

“You think?”

“Unhand my wife, you villain!” Zoltan stood his ground and stared at the pirate.

“Or what?”

“Or this.” With a flick of his wrist he turned him into a frog. This was not a good thing to be so near the Gutted Frog Inn.

Emmeline fell heavily to the ground. “Jeeze, give a girl some warning.”

“I like to take you by surprise.” Zoltan helped her to her feet. “So what’s the scam?”

“A key and an ancient map.”

“Sounds boring. I have other plans for us.”

Us? “I don’t want to be naked with you.” She did dumb things when that happened.

“Chicken,” he massaged her hand within his. “I want to show you the true spirit of Christmas.”

Emmeline snorted. “I’m not interested in shopping or eating myself into a coma.”

“Come with me,” Zoltan implored. “Trust me.”

Where will Zoltan take her? Check out www.annycook.blogspot.com. tomorrow.


The comp...

Gee, so I don’t have the clue today nor have I had it on any other day so that must mean I have it tomorrow. So, have you collected all other eleven answers? You have one more until you can e-mail the final 12 to anny@annycook.com with 12 days of Romance in the subject line to win some great books. As you know there will be three lucky winners. The prizes –1st prize--6 books, 2nd prize--4 books, 3rd prize--2 books. To be fair, all books and prize winners will be drawn randomly. All answers must be received no later than the stroke of midnight 21st December (Northern hemisphere time). If you missed out on an answer don’t despair. Check through the blog and web sites listed below. Good luck

Anny Cook Winter Hearts
Sandra Cox Boji Stones
Bronwyn Green Ronan's Grail
Heather Hiestand Cards Never Lie
Barbara Huffert Deal of a Lifetime
Amarinda Jones Mad About Mirabelle
Kelly Kirch Time for Love
Cindy Spencer Pape Cowboy's Christmas Bride
Brynn Paulin Fallen
Jacquéline Roth Access Denied
KZ Snow Mrs. Claws
Lacey Thorn Earth Moves

www.freewebs.com/amarindajones/
Go ahead: Live with abandon. Be outrageous at any age. What are you saving your best self for?

Re-thinking Santa…

What do you think of the cover for Unbreakable? Is he lickable or what? I think we all know why she’s smiling and it’s got nothing to do with Tim Tams. Unbreakable is one of the Oh Yum! – older woman, younger man – series released in May 2008 through Ellora’s Cave.

The blurb…

India Blake needs to pass an ethics course to get a promotion at her job. The other students are twenty years younger than her and the course bores her to tears. The only thing that keeps her returning to class is the lecturer. He is sex on a stick. It’s a shame he’s too young for her.

Dashiel Lombard has had his eye on India since she joined his class. He knows the sexy red head isn’t the slightest bit interested in learning. But he has a thing or two he plans to teach her outside of the classroom. He has a proposition for her.

Total submission and giving into lust is one thing but falling in love with a younger man was the last thing India expected. Is this real or all part of the fantasy of being with Dash?


Seriously?

"He knows when you are sleeping he knows when you’re awake "– seriously, is it just me or is Santa Claus is Coming to Town a creepy-arsed song? How does he know if you are awake or not or what you’re doing in your bed? Is he peeping through a window or is he some demonic presence that is unseen in your bedroom? Can he see into your bathroom as well? Do I reeealllly want a present from peeping Santa’s hands?

"He knows when you’ve been bad or good so be good for goodness sake" - what sort of pressure is that? Is he a benevolent soul or a call centre team leader…I mean a Nazi task master that will reward you if you do things his way? Maybe Santa is a dom and he likes to make people submit to his will. And just what does he consider bad? And does he want you to be bad? Tell Santa what a naughty girl you’ve been this year and I’ll give you a body shaking orga…um…er…orange.

"Making a list of who’s been naughty or nice" …he has a list???? So while he’s peeping he writing about it? Who is he Big Brother?

"You better not cry you better not pout"… geeze, so you can’t express any emotion but happiness and goodness? What about fear when you see him peeking in the window? Is it politically correct to poke Santa in the eyes or kneecap him like you could any other intruder?

There is something very wrong when a bearded, ‘jolly’ fat man dressed in red who plays with reindeers is deciding who gets presents. And don’t get me started on Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer…


A Mad About Mirabelle moment….

“Do you want me?” Mirabelle did not want to beg the man…unless she really had to. Sex crazed or not she still had a few principles left. However the begging thing had turned out quite well in the limo.
“Miss Mirabelle I’d want you if I was gasping my last breath.” Flynn pulled her toward the door. “Come with me. I know where condoms be,” Flynn responded in his best pirate voice as he headed to the guest bedroom he was yet to use. He stopped suddenly at the sound of someone coming toward them. “Fuck! It’s Lila!” They were both naked. Flynn looked around wildly and pulled open the first door her saw.
“Ah, the old hide the naked people in the broom closet trick.” Mirabelle pushed a broom out of the way as he shut the door quickly on them. She giggled softly as she stumbled against the vacuum cleaner.

Do they clean stuff in the closet while they’re there? Check supplies or other stuff? Does what happens in the closet stay in the closet…hmmmm?

Released 19th December at Ellora’s Cave

Just finished reading –
Cherished Destinies – by Anny Cook -
http://www.ellorascave.com/AuthorsBooks.asp?AuthorCode=ACoo
Boji Stones – by Sandra Cox -
http://www.cerridwenpress.com/AuthorsBooks.asp?AuthorCode=SCox
Amarinda Rating for both: Frigging excellent

Anny has the thrilling what-could-possibly-happen-next instalment of the blog serial on www.annycook.blogspot.com. Kelly has either the meaning of life, the cost of fruit or the joys of collecting bottle tops on www.kkirch.blogspot.com. And check out http://www.totalebound.blogspot.com Dakota Rebel is talking dirty…such a shocker that…


Nope, I don’t have the clue today but someone
on the list below does – seek and ye shall find.

Do you want to win some fantastic holiday reading? Of course you do. If so come celebrate the Twelve days of Romance with 12 authors from Ellora's Cave, Wild Rose Press, Total-E-Bound and Cerridwen Press. Each day beginning December 8th and running through December 19th one of the twelve authors will tell what their "True love gave to them" on either their blog or website.Collect all twelve answers and e-mail them to anny@annycook.com with 12 days of Romance in the subject line to win some great books.

There will be three lucky winners. The prizes –1st prize--6 books, 2nd prize--4 books, 3rd prize--2 books. All books and prize winners will be drawn randomly

Anny Cook Winter Hearts
Sandra Cox Boji Stones
Bronwyn Green Ronan's Grail
Heather Hiestand Cards Never Lie
Barbara Huffert Deal of a Lifetime
Amarinda Jones Mad About Mirabelle
Kelly Kirch Time for Love
Cindy Spencer Pape Cowboy's Christmas Bride
Brynn Paulin Fallen
Jacquéline Roth Access Denied
KZ Snow Mrs. Claws
Lacey Thorn Earth Moves

All answers must be received no later than the stroke of midnight 21st December (Northern hemisphere time) or worlds collide and you don’t want to be responsible for that now do you?

www.freewebs.com/amarindajones/
Go ahead: Live with abandon. Be outrageous at any age. What are you saving your best self for?