The writing thing....

So, I’ve been writing about vampires. Due to the great response from Shades of Gray and Marlow’s Curse, I am in the midst of another vamp book – adding the characters from those 2 books as secondary guests who wander into the latest chaos I have inflicted on my home town of Brisbane. Of course the thing is with books you can write ‘em but there is absolutely no promises that they will ever get published regardless how your last books went. It’s not like the saying of build it and they will come. It’s more like write it and hope someone does not think it sucks. I think writers forget that. I think we become complacent and make assumptions and - shock horror – start to believe our own publicity. No, of course I don't mean you or me....probably I mean everyone else....

To me writing is a job. It’s about creating a book that is entertaining and allows someone to drop their life for a couple of hours and wander into another world. There are heaps of writers around with stacks of books to choose from. Most of us are unknown and will probably always be. That’s okay. Just to take a dive into the shallow end of the writing pond is good. That someone wants to put money behind your book to publish is amazing. That a reader will put hard earned money down to take a chance on you is gobsmacking. And I think there are times that writers forget that as we all compete with one another for the market.

I know there are writers out there that will disagree with the subject of competition but we do compete and some are very scary, to the point of obsessive about it. That worries me. Yes, to a point writing is important, but when you become your publicity, you need to mentally slap yourself and start remembering who the hell you were before you went on this journey. Damn, I never thought I’d use that new age ‘journey’ word in a blog. Anyway…me? I’m Janet Davies. I got lucky when a book was accepted. Amarinda Jones was born out of that luck. I don’t forget that or who pushed and yelled at me along the way to work better and harder and smarter. There is nothing like a bunch of bright red edits across your latest work to bring you back to earth and remind you you’re not that good. And this could all fall apart tomorrow. Or it could get even better. It may stay the same. The thing is whatever you do in life we all know you have to remain grounded and be ever ready to pull your head in.

So, I guess what I am saying is – go out there are try your luck at anything – and I mean anything you believe in. Someone may tell you no – you suck or they may tell you yes, I think you’ll do. Make whatever you can out of the ‘think you’ll do’ statements and remember who you are and where you came from when your 15 minutes of fame happens.

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www.amarindajones.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/

AmarindaJonesNewsletter/

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

Pushing Fate....

I got a new cover today from the Cover Gods. I asked the head Cover God for permission to post it. I used ‘pretty please’ and the Cover God agreed. See? Pretty please does it every time and Cover Gods are benevolent. It’s for a book called Pushing Fate. It’s under my other name. Why? Very long story. But chopping it down for blog purposes…I started to write this story with different named characters aimed at another publisher. But after much thought I realized I was not happy with this other publisher – that happens – so I changed the characters and wrote this story that did not have continuous sex in it. Who thought I could do that? And yes it does have sex in it but I decided to aim it as Cerridwen Press, the sister of Ellora’s Cave. Yes, I write for both but predominantly EC. So that’s the condensed version of the story. It’s naturally more messy and angst ridden than that but it’s all too tiring for that on a Thursday. But I will add that I did swear some, stamped my feet a bit and slapped by forehead a lot giving myself a headache.

What is the book about? Hmmm…I wrote several blurbs at work recently and Pushing Fate was one. Well, what else is work time for? It’s not an approved blurb so don’t commit it to memory….

Ainslie Croft is a dreamer. The problem is her dreams aren’t pleasant. Ghosts haunt her asking for help. When she crashes into a dream where one man is running from her and another towards her, Ainslie knows her life is about to change forever. But can she overcome her emotional and physical scars to let anyone into her life?

Ramsay Balfour is a man on a mission. He has to find an evil necromancer and destroy his power. Ramsay also plans to seduce Ainslie back into the land of the living by teaching her how to love again.

On to other things…

I was asked today what I considered were my top 6 talents. Oh crap…I don’t know…can you answer that straight away without thinking? I gave –

1. The Vulcan hand salute
2. Walking really fast
3. My patented death stare when someone annoys me
4. The ability to remove a champagne cork without spilling any liquid
5. Touching my toes – actually the ground if I want to be a total smart arse.
6. Doing the splits. (No really, I can)

Okay so none of these went down really well because I was supposed to relate them back to where these particular talents would lead me in life. Hmmm…unless I have to deal with a Vulcan who walks fast and drinks champagne and likes a flexible woman who can give an
excellent cold stare, I’m not going to get anywhere much in life. Why do people persist in asking deep and meaningful questions about what you see as the purpose of your life? I don’t know what it is yet. Yes, I am 44 but I am still making it up as I go along. The direction meanders this way and that and I really blame it all on fate. This, by the way, is not an answer the asker wants to hear. I think you are supposed to say stuff like – I want to be a better person by working my guts out for the company, staying back late and not writing book blurbs at work or sneaking out early. Why do people need to know this stuff about you anyway? Why can’t they just pay you and let you be? It’s most annoying.

I got a really nice letter from a reader telling me how much they liked the characters in Shades of Gray and Marlow’s Curse. These are two, very non-typical vampire books where the

characters follow on from one book to another. The reader

asked was I going to write another follow on book with these characters. Yes, there will be only because I have had so many similar letters asking me the same thing – a good thing to happen to a writer. People particularly like Temperance – who is anything but temperate. She is part drama queen, part shy/good girl with the courage of a warrior and the finesse of an elephant. She is flawed and average and I think people identify with that. So, watch this space…Temperance, Asher, Sybylla and Marlow will make another appearance.

A Knock Three Times moment…released 18th July through Ellora’s Cave

“You said it, I suck at painting toes.” He hoisted up her shirt until her breasts were exposed. “But sucking can be good when it comes to some things, chère.” His mouth descended on one taut, pink nipple.
“You suck so well.” Montie struggled to pull the t-shirt off over her head. She did not want to lose contact with Ballantyne’s mouth but she did not want to be strangled by cotton knit. As she flung the t-shirt off she managed to roll

them both off the sofa and onto the carpet below. “Ouch,” she moaned as she hit the floor, her head cushioned by the bag of chips that split open on impact, sending the contents scattering. Montie was impressed that Ballantyne was so dedicated to his task that he did not lose suction for a moment however his elbow did slam down hard into the packet of Tim Tams crushing them. That was just wrong. “Um, Tyne.”
Ballantyne looked up from his task, his hands now busily removing her shorts.
“Yes, chère?” he pulled back from her and wrenched them down her legs.
“You’re crushing my Tim Tams.”
Ballantyne threw back his head and laughed.
“Well we can’t have that.” He stopped what he was doing and removed his elbow. He gently placed the Tim Tams on the sofa cushions then went back to his task.
“How chivalrous.” You had to love a man who had his priorities right.

**Tim Tams = heavenly chocolate cream biscuilts/cookies

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

Knackerdom...

So, the Unbreakable contest has closed. Thanks once again for the huge response. I think the koala t-shirt did it. There was a t-shirt with a possum on it but after my run-in with Mervina, possum, pest and bon vivant, I am off possums. Anyway…I have sent best friend Ethel a list of names and I expect a phone call shortly. As soon as the winner is notified by email and responds, I’ll bung the name on the blog. Due to the huge response for this contest, I will have another one shortly…watch this space.

I am knackered (bloody tired). I have spent the whole day renovating the laundry. Is it finished? No. It’s the whole Rome wasn’t built in a day thing…I think it took 2 days because they had to get the pizza ovens in. Anyway, the laundry is on its way to looking lovely. I tell myself that because otherwise I have spent all day wasting my time. The good thing is all that apricot paint has gone. Now, I personally have nothing against that coloured paint. It’s just that I am sick of looking at it. Years ago when I was extremely cash strapped, someone gave me 10 litres of apricot coloured paint free – yes – correct – a lot of
things got painted apricot. Anyway, while I was waiting for the men with the new shelves to arrive– yes I piked out (gave in) and decided I didn’t have time to make shelves besides pre-made Aussie built ones came in a lot cheap compared to Amarinda built ones. Anyway, where was I? Apricot paint – yes, so I decided to paint out all the apricot paint. Now, I have a lot of half cans of paint. No two rooms in my house are the same colour. It’s a mood thing. So now the laundry is half crimson and half teal. No, it’s not pukeable – it’s rather wild and I like it. I also hope the huge, tattooed delivery man and his mate like those colours too because the paint wasn’t quite dry when the shoved the shelves in and they left with a mix of teal and crimson on their backs. I was going to tell them but they looked awfully big and a tad beyond me, so I decided discretion being the better part of not getting into an argument with scary tattooed people, I would say nothing. Besides I think they thought I was odd anyway because when they arrive I was munching on a tomato and had just stuffed the whole thing into my mouth (yes, I do have a big mouth) in order to free my hands to do something and they looked at me kind of funny. Possibly I looked a tad odd with my cheeks full, not able to talk and giving hand signals as to where things should go...

Injuries sustained? One bruised finger and one split lip. Moral of the story, don’t hammer things and don’t pull things towards you or you’ll smack yourself in the face or lip in this case. But on the whole, other than being covered in paint, not much physical harm done to myself at all.

So, due to my state of knackerdom – okay, maybe it’s not a word – maybe it should be a word – it’s a short blog as I want to go collapse on the sofa like the big wuss I am. But never fear, Anny, Regina, Barbara, Sandra and the other good folk to the left on the blog list always have amazing things to say. Check ‘em out.

Marlow’s Curse - review

Stories by Amarinda Jones are always hot and steamy, yet also filled with amusing conversations to keep readers entertained all through the book. From the beginning of MARLOW”S CURSE to its conclusion, emotions are evident and they run the gamut from humorous to anguish to overwhelming desire. Though the plot started in the first book of this series, there is plenty of background in this story to inform readers of just what is happening and causes them to care about the hero and heroine. Marlow and Sybylla make an unusual couple, as he is a vampire and she is a witch. Ms. Jones throws numerous obstacles in the pathway to them finding any true happiness, and each one adds an interesting side to their personal stories. There is much going against these two from the beginning of their relationship, and they must look deep within themselves for answers before they can move forward. Although their longing for each other is off the scale and is depicted with fiery intimate moments, their deep caring for the welfare of the other is just as strong and is powerfully shown by their actions. The ruthless nature of Scar is vividly portrayed through his merciless deeds, making me want to see him receive a fitting punishment. MARLOW’S CURSE proves the power of love with fervent desires and tender compassion.

http://sensual.ecataromance.com/index.php?p=773

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

Not so pukeable Wednesday....

Marlow's Curse - review

Vampires, demons, Archangels, witches; what a mix to throw into a pot. Add in some selfless love, misunderstandings, hard-headedness and various other emotions as well as mind-blowing sex and it's a recipe for an outstanding read. I found the book fast-paced, the characters realistic and well rounded, and the encore performance of both Asher and the intemperate Temperance refreshing.
http://tjbook-list.blogspot.com/2008/05/review-marlows-curse-by-amarinda-jones.html

I was up early, as always, damn internal clock, and I was exercising – puke, spew – and I was watching an interview with Peter O’Toole. Robbie Williams was also there. It was an interview based on hell raisers and bad boys. They made no apologies for their lives. They made mistakes and they moved on. That’s how we should be. Seeing Peter O’Toole reminded me of a 1960’s movie called “How to Steal a Million”. Yes, I know it’s an old movie and people seem to refuse acknowledging movies made before 1980. How sad is that? Think of all the excellent movies missed. But their loss. "How to Steal A Million," to me, is a one of the quintessential quirky, romantic comedies and Peter O’Toole played the dashing, crazy hero perfectly. Where have the real hell raisers gone? It seems to me we are all too worried about perception and political correctness….shame.

Kevin Rudd – Aussie Prime Minister – people believe he looks a bit like Tin Tin - has been in the news. Well, you’d expect that. But in fact if was due to Kev’s butler. The Opposition Party is upset that he has an assistant who helps him when he travels. Well duh. How is this a drama that can overshadow hospital waiting lists or the drought? The man travels the country and the world constantly on behalf of Australia. He’s not a backpacker who can roll his duds into his swag and move on is he? This so amuses me in the hypocrisy of it. Recently when he was in the US with his wife meeting George, so called Aussie fashion experts were all pissed off that his wife Therese wasn’t dressed fashionably enough to meet the folks in the US and why did she not have the help of an assistant? A – I think she looked perfectly fine and Aussie women do not feel the need to compete with others because we know who
we are as women. B – Its apparently okay for a woman to have an assistant but for a man to have one is wasteful. Seem to say to me that a man only needs a couple of suits in a suit bag, his socks and jocks rolled into his shoes and his razor while a woman needs so much more help to look presentable in the eyes of fashionistas, who frankly, to me, look like coat hangers with shrouds over them. Just my opinion of course. Let people look like they want to for god sake.

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I got bitten on the back by a spider last week. Only a small one thankfully. It’s the price you may for having a lot of trees. Anyway it’s developed into this really itchy series of lumps. You know when you want to scratch but you know you can’t because you’ll make it worse so you do things like scratch around the area? I keep getting told ‘you’ll scar’. Please, what’s another one? Scars are proof of a life well lived or a least a reminder to watch for spiders going down your shirt. Anyway, it’s been a trying week. I’ve had to keep telling myself to stop scratching and only copious amounts of tea tree oil – fabulous for everything – has stopped me from ripping my skin apart. Some itches you scratch just get you in trouble don’t they?

A child killer died last night. She was a woman that watched as her mongrel husband raped a girl then they both tortured and killed her. Lower than pond scum. So she’s dead. Who cares? Not many people, me included. No, I don’t believe in forgiving and forgetting for crimes like this. She died without having the human dignity to let those who still suffered the loss of loved ones the knowledge of what she knew about them. Rot in hell I say.

Looooonnngg day at work. Ethel, best friend and I, probably made it worse because at the end of each email back and forth to each other we stated the time…"it's now 10:53am", "at the third hiccup it will be 11:06am", "fuck…is it only 11:13am??" Yes, you get the picture. We were slowly driving ourselves insane - not a difficult drive of course. I am a chronic clock watcher at work. My work day is divided by tea breaks and lunch and going home. I never look at the clock at home…funny about that. We also discussed our ongoing campaign to win money as we are both - quote - 'over work.' We buy tickets every week and are obsessed in winning money. Will having sudden wealth make us happy? Oh hell yes.

I foolishly did not buy petrol yesterday when everyone in Brisbane knows it's cheaper. I meant to but I got side tracked so I had to buy it today - on a Wednesday when only dimwits buy it as the price has shot up. Forehead slap. After filling up I wandered in to pay for it. The man behind the counter said, “You should have bought yesterday when it was 17c a litre cheaper.” Yes, I know. “Do you know what you would have saved?” No and don't tell me. He told me. I had to buy a chocolate to cope with the shock. I said why did he care as he got paid either way. “To educate people.” Thank you Mr Kotter.

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www.freewebs.com/amarindajones/

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

The Saturday waffle on...

I was reading posts over at the fascinating Random Thoughts blog by Barbara Huffert and I saw this horoscope thing and thought I’d try it out. On the whole I would say it’s correct for Scorpios…and no I’m not biased in any way towards me.

Marlow’s Curse review

Sometimes the sequel to a book falls short, sometimes it is as good as its predecessor and sometimes it exceeds its predecessor. Marlow’s Curse falls somewhere between as good as and exceeding Shades of Grey. Ms. Jones vampire mythology is added to with the fleshing out of the St. Michael’s witches and Demons, adding another layer to this alternate Australia.

Marlow’s Curse is filled with the same action and quick but unrushed pace as her previous novel, but does not rely on the reader having read the previous book to make the story engaging. Nor does it bore the reader with large amounts of boring back story to bring the new reader up to speed. Instead, Ms. Jones employs the tried and true method of giving the reader information from the previous book within the context of the story as needed. As a reader this is the method I prefer, I’m not subjected to pages of information that bog down the current story, yet given enough when needed to refresh the material in my mind.If you enjoyed Shades of Grey, you’ll enjoy Marlow’s Curse. If you’ve never read Shades of Grey you’ll still enjoy Marlow’s Curse. So, add it to your list!

http://www.simplyromancereviews.com/srrreviews/
marlowescurse.aspx

Saturday stuff....

I have a piece of furniture that I have been meaning to strip down and sand for the longest time. It’s circa 1930’s (all my furniture is old) and it’s what I would call a long, heavy (all my furniture is heavy) sideboard. In theory it should be in a dining room but I have it in the lounge room and the TV sits on it. It is painted white. I personally don’t like things painted white. To me, it’s just boring. So a couple of weeks ago I went and bought 2 litres of Shocking Rhubarb paint – it's dark pink - boarding on magenta. I tend to paint most things dark pink, red or purple. As much as I would have liked to strip it back to bare wood it would take forever and who has the time? Once I used to spend a great deal of time and effort renovating and I was good at it. Mind you I was taught by a master – my mother. But
now, with everything else, the renos have fallen by the wayside. So this morning I actually decided enough of the white and painted the side board. It looks fantastic to me but I know a few people when they visit will raise eyebrows - but will say nothing as they know I am not seeking approval from them. I love living alone and being able to paint things wild colours.

I have a friend who cries poor. You know what I mean…"Oh pity me I have no money to do anything so please feel sorry for me.” Bullshit. This is a woman who is traveling at the moment on a week’s holiday and spending a bucket load of money but cannot afford to pay her bills and tries to get sympathy from others. She tells pathetic stories of her desperation for money. Before I knew her I thought, that’s too bad. Having been there and done the skint thing I know how hard it was to come up with money to pay a bill when you have only $2 to your name. We’ve all been there. Dead broke sucks. But then I found out that she traveled extensively and spent money like it was going out of fashion. I pointed this out to her when she tried to give me her next sob story. “But I am so stressed over money I have to have some entertainment.” Huh? Pardon me but you’re an idiot and there is no way I am feeling sorry for you any more. It annoys me that there are genuinely poor people out there – you know the ones who are living on the bones of their arse – while others take off and spend money then tell you how they cannot afford food, clothes etc. Been there, done that and no, never had the money to travel due to stress. To those who cry poor and aren’t – you are pathetic but not in a sad way – more in a grow up and accept responsibility way, ya whiner.

I find changing and making beds dreary. Could be that I loathe all housework related activities or that one of my many jobs was as a chambermaid and I made so many beds it scarred me for life. Okay, probably a bit dramatic but maybe there’s a book in that – no wait – I’ve written it – Maid For Death. Anyway, bed making is boring and I never make my bed during the week. Why? I don’t want to. I leave it in a tangled mess and fling myself back into at night. No, I’m not a slob. I just prefer the chaos theory of life. Anyway, I made the bed eventually, after the bed making faeries refused to show – annoying little bastards. The sheets and pillow cases don’t match. I have lots of linen – I am my mother’s daughter – but matching it up is boring. I used to work with this gay guy called, er…Eric. Eric was fanatical about bed linen and he believed it should make a statement. He would spend thousands of dollars - I kid you not -on sheets and bed stuff. He was horrified that I never matched my linens up by colour and mood. Come on – the mood is I want to go to bed and any bloody sheet colour will do. People are funny aren’t they? Not you or I of course…

I have noticed this in the comments field of a couple of blogs. The name changes but the wording remains the same. Suspect? Oh hell yeah…

Hello. This post is likeable, and your blog is very interesting, congratulations :-). I will add in my blogroll =). If possible gives a last there on my blog, it is about the (insert name), I hope you enjoy. The address is insertname.blogspot.com.
A hug. www.blogger.com/insertname

Hmm…what load of shinola would they be selling I wonder?

Stuff for Sunday

I have a vague plan to go and buy a fridge tomorrow. I’m not big on plans – that’s why it’s vague. I mentioned to my father I would do that and maybe look at getting a digital camera. He said why the camera? What are you going to take photos of? I responded I did not know. So why get it? Yes, good point but the thing is my father would have asked Henry Ford what was the point of making a car when a horse got you where you wanted to go. My father admits he will never understand what he calls ‘dot-coms’.

Again, no idea where or what Anny and Kelly are up to but go check and maybe tell me.

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

Pukeable Monday

Don’t you just hate it when you wake up and realize its frigging Monday morning? Where the hell did the weekend go? I’m not a perky person at the best of times but Monday morning makes we want to puke. Why? Because I know there is another week trapped at work. And no, don’t give me that talk about ‘finding a job you love’ – it’s never going to happen. It’s crap. I believe I am at job 29 or 30 now and I reckon I have enough experience at different jobs to know that happiness is not for me when it comes to work. So you do what you have to do to get by don’t you.

So I asked authors Anny Cook and Kelly Kirch to come up with a blog challenge but they are too nice and sweet to get really mean and give me a hard challenge. How do I know these people again? These are the challenges they came up with…excuse me while I yawn…
- The history of rubber duckies and all its evolutions.
- history of sex in the romance novel... and should it still be called a romance if it has sex or should they ALL be called erotic.
- Five exciting things about Fort Wayne, Indiana

Yes, I do consider these women friends but they have no killer instinct. How disappointing. Rubber duckies? My opinion? They are rubber and yellow and they evolved in a yellow rubber duck factory. Next - sex in a romance novel…evolves in the writers mind and it can be both romantic and erotic and last time I checked sex was erotic…has it changed? It’s been a while. Fort Wayne…okay did you know that Fort Wayne and Amarinda are linked by 4 degrees of separation? No? How? Well…

1. The character of Frank Burns from Mash came from Fort Wayne
2. Mash was set in Korea
3. My father was in Korea with the Australian Army on peacekeeping
So Frank, Korea, my father and then me. And yes Fort Wayne tourism - I would love to see your city – bung me an invite and I’m there. See Kelly, it’s extra exciting just because of the link with me.

So, despite the fact I gave the Oh Get A Grip people a bloody good challenge, I have to give myself my own week long challenge – I’m calling it pissing me off by the alphabet…

Aardvark – no, I can’t say these creatures piss me off as they’re aren’t many of them running around oz…scrap this one

Anaesthetic – annoys me as I cannot say words with ‘th’ in them properly without great thought before hand – so this has instant piss off value

Ants – in particular green ants who sink their fangs into you and refuse to let go…little bastards

Apostrophes – forgetting to put the little buggers in a sentence

Audits – I never do anything right and I cut corners so audits are a pain as I have to think up extra special lies to cover my arse.

Baggy pants – the ones young blokes wear that are falling down and showing their undies – pull ‘em up - I don’t want to see ‘em.

Banks – that close at 4:30pm when working people are finishing or not finished work

Birthday snipers – people who go and do ‘surprise’ things on your birthday when you just want a quiet day. No, age is not at issue. It’s the falderal that only the birthday sniper enjoys.

Bongo drums – don’t play them around me as they annoy the crap out of me. I truly believe it requires only minimal natural rhythm to play any sort of drums and give people bongo drums and they are truly annoying. They go all Caribbean.

Cats – who scratch up my garden and kill the local wild life

Chauvinism – some men still don’t get that the world no longer revolves around them do they?

Ciao – pretentious people who say Ciao when they’re clearly not Italian and they are just doing it for effect. Stop it.

Clowns – evil little, smiling faced bastards who I know have an agenda

D, E and F tomorrow unless Anny and Kelly can come up with something worth being challenged over.

I ate a bag of chips for dinner…cripes it is Monday after all and it seemed wrong to cook. Besides I ate nothing else all day – bad Amarinda – so I figure the chip eating will even out somewhere…ah! Who am I kidding? They’re going straight to my thighs.

Marlow’s Curse Review….

I really enjoy good vampire stories, especially when they don’t follow a typical story line. Marlow’s Curse is a good story and defiantly has some unique aspects I’ve not seen in other vampire tales. Sybylla’s character is strong, intelligent, caring, and she will do anything to protect the man she loves including sending him away. The relationship between Sybylla and Marlow is sensual and sizzling when they are together and cold and clinical when they are apart. It is fun to watch them spar with each other. It was also fun to see Temperance and Asher again in this story, helping their friends. It would be great if there is another sequel with more of these interesting characters and their unusual lifestyles! If you are looking for a very sensual, yet unusual vampire tale, you will like this series.

http://manicreaders.com/index.cfm?disp=reviews&bookid=835

Remember to check out the good girls - Anny and Kelly - to see what is happening in their sunshiny worlds.

Never forgotten…RIP

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

Anonymous asks….

Anonymous asks….

Why do the reviewers feel the need to put a score on a review as if they were judging a contest?

A contest is judged by three or four judges, and the final score is an average of three or four. It's a fair way of doing it, since judging a book is so subjective.

I don't like paranormal and would never judge paranormals for fear of not being fair to the writer.

In my opinion, a reviewer should give an opinion but abstain from giving 4 cups, 3 angels or 5 flowers. A review is not a contest and certainly not an exam.

Signed anonymous author.

No, I’m not the ‘anonymous author’ as I have a genetic inability to do anything anonymously. I’m too mouthy as I am sure you are by now aware. However, I do understand why a comment like this would be sent to me to raise and asking for it to be anonymous. Authors are emotional creatures. Yes, I know who the author is and her name goes into the vault as I respect her right to privacy. However this is an interesting subject so I’m happy to take a tilt at it. I suspect Anonymous is not going to agree with the tack I take though…

About three or so years ago, before I contemplated doing the author gig, I decided to do some book reviewing for a while. The reason behind this was I wanted to see what the market was, who the publishers were and what the popular genres and the styles of writing were out there. I didn’t want to be like every other writer. I wanted to make sure my style was different as let’s face it no one wants to read a cookie cutter book. Anyway, I turned out to be invaluable experience. I found my current publisher through reviewing. I also read some truly amazing books and some really pukeable books – but that’s reviewing for you.

Why do the reviewers feel the need to put a score on a review as if they were judging a contest?

To be honest, as a writer, I don’t have a problem with scores. When it comes to books, like every thing else in life, one person’s opinion is always going to differ to another’s so I don’t stress out if I get a score of 3 when another gives me a score of 5. The first ever review I got the reviewer basically said in fine reviewer speak that the book sucked badly. My thoughts after reading this? Okay then…. she hated it and I moved on in life. The lowest score I ever got was a 2.5 out of 5 for Maid for Death. But it was just one grade – others gave it 5. Yet the most important thing was people bought and still buy the book. So what’s to get upset over? To me scores are just one individual view. I don’t see how you can get upset if you get scored a 3 when you think you should be a 5…no one is always going to get a 5. It’s excellent to have a high opinion of yourself but I believe when it comes to writing you also need to keep reality in check. Not everyone is going to love you and your book. People will go out of their way to tell you it sucked – and, to my mind, that’s not always a bad thing. You need to be aware of where you are going wrong. As for feeling the ‘need to put a score on a review’ – depends on the policy of the review site. Sort of similar to if Ellora’s Cave decides my book is erotic or sensuous. It’s their call.

Sure getting a low score on anything in life can be upsetting. Marlow’s Curse got released today. I had a quick look at my author copies to make sure my name was listed as Amarinda Jones and not Anuska Juarez and the dedication caught my eye – I forgot I wrote it…

Marlow’s Curse
Dedication

My father was in the Army. Like all army brats I traveled a lot and my schooling was affected. This is dedicated to the school official who told me at age thirteen I would never amount to much in life. Thank you. Its nit-wits like you that make me strive to prove you wrong.

See? People always tell you you suck – whatever…move on…prove ‘em wrong. ‘Got a bad review? So what, the next one will be better.

I don't like paranormal and would never judge paranormals for fear of not being fair to the writer.

When you are doing the review gig, you are asked what genres you like to read. When I was reviewing there was no point giving me the adventures of Timmy the wonder cat as he fights Venutians and falls in love with a transvestite elephant as its good bet I’m not going to be interested. There were times when I was reviewing that I got a book and read three chapters and I knew there was no way I could judge it fairly so I sent it back. That’s what 95% of reviewers do. Like any reader that is not interested in a story, reviewers are not going to forge on with it if they hate it.

In my opinion, a reviewer should give an opinion but abstain from giving 4 cups, 3 angels or 5 flowers. A review is not a contest and certainly not an exam.

Yeah but what about when you get the best number of symbols? Doesn’t that make you feel good? And, I don’t view writing as a competition. I’m not out to do better than say author Barbara Huffert or best author Sandra Cox. I’m pleased when they get 4 or 5 whatevers to my 3 thingamajigs. It’s only a contest if you make it one.

Okay – I know what you’re thinking – Amarinda’s sticking up for the reviewers. No, I don’t know them and I have no reason to – nor do I have any feeling one way or the other towards them. They read a book and form an opinion. I just think if the worst thing that happens to me is I get a 2.5 out of 5 on a book then I’m doing pretty good in life.

Contest winner…or should I say winners....

Thanks to all that entered. I did the random throw names into a hat thing and two names came out together. So, that good enough for me – who am I to query fate? The winners are Deborah and Lee – both have been notified by email. Stay tuned though…I’ll have another contest soon. Speaking of contests I was lurking at http://elyssaedwards.blogspot.com/ and I noticed there is an excellent prize on offer there – check it out.

Anny is talking about to blog or not to blog on www.annycook.blogspot.com while I have no idea what Kelly will be talking about on www.kkirch.blogspot.com – so check ‘em out

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

Marlow’s Curse - released today - let the pigeons loose!

The Legend of the St Michael Witches

If a St Michael witch be unwilling, great pain will afall ye. Your innards will twist and your manhood die. Seek no help as none will come.
If a St Michael witch be willing, true love and pleasure will be yours for an eternity as those who give themselves only in love will take no other.

Marlow’s Curse – the blurb.

Legend has it that if a St Michael witch is not willing no man can take her without suffering the consequences. Sybylla is the last St Michael witch. She knows that when a St Michael witch falls in love her lover becomes her weakness and the witch becomes his downfall. Sybylla will not allow her fate to destroy a man. But some men are hard to resist.

Marlow is not just any man. He is a vampire, cursed centuries ago to wander aimlessly through life believing he does not deserve more. When he meets Sybylla one moonlit night two lonely worlds collide. Marlow is aware of the legend but that doesn’t mean he is going to let a myth get in the way of deep enduring passion.

But Marlow is not the only one who wants Sybylla. A demon pursues her wanting vengeance and Scar will stop at nothing to make her pay. Will Sybylla sacrifice her own future happiness to vanquish the demon and save Marlow? Can a willing witch and a cursed vampire beat the odds?

Reasons to read about a vampire this Easter…

Vampires….

… to the best of my knowledge are non fattening
…love and adore all women regardless of size or PMS issues
…would never deny a woman chocolate as pleasure is the most important thing to them.
…are incorrigible romantics who will do anything for their women
…will kick down the gates of hell to save the woman they love
…and let’s face it – they are sex on a stick.

Please remember – anyone that comments on my blog today – say what you like – goes into the draw for one person to win a copy of Marlow’s Curse. Now, the only thing is, if I cannot contact
you through your Blogger ID or you leave no email address then you cannot win. So make sure you are contactable. Contest closes midnight Friday US EST. The winner will be notified by email and announced on Saturday’s blog. Good luck.

Yesterday at work someone announced they were quitting their job. No, it wasn’t me for a change. Anyway I was quite pleased with this as she had to leave. Why? She had the same shirt I did and she could not stay because of it. No, it wasn’t an embarrassment thing - it was more that I consider myself unique and will not dress as another does. I’m sure all you unique people understand that. She had to leave or give up that shirt. I’m a reasonable woman.

Work is odd. There is a lot of intrigue and bitching going on under the surface as happens in most offices. I really don’t care on the whole as I am there to get paid and go home. What does worry me is the alarming need these people have to hug and kiss each other hello and goodbye – or just because they can. I have never been in an office of kissing, hugging people. It’s actually quite pukeable. I have made it known that I'm a hug free and kiss free zone. I’m picky when it comes to that. I worked with best friends Ethel and Katie for ages. Ethel and I never hug – it’s always a handshake. It’s just the thing we do – mainly to do with knowing each other’s personal history. Whereas Katie insists on a hug whenever we meet – she does not accept my offer of a friendly punch on the arm. Okay, so that I can handle as I know these two people and it’s not a constant hugging thing. But am I just odd – wait let me rephrase that as the answer can only be yes – um - do you think it’s odd that workmates are all kissy face with each other on a constant daily basis? I feel like I have walked into some cutesy land, sugar plum fairly land and expect to hear "It’s a small world afterall…" being sung. Thank god there is that edge of bitchiness to keep it vaguely interesting.

I bought two of the heaviest dining room chairs. They weigh a ton. Why did I buy them? I liked them and I always buy impossibly awkward, difficult furniture. That’s my nature. Just getting them into the car and driving home was an adventure. The despatch bloke said “You’ll never do it, love.” Ha! Don’t ever tell me never as that only makes me more determined to do it. I did it even though I ripped off part of the rubber seal on the car getting them out. I then lugged them upstairs with much effort and bruised shins and banged them down near the table, making the floor shake at the weight of them. They do not match any of the other chairs or even any of the other furniture in the house and yes they look gothically odd but I’m not someone who worries about stuff like that. I also bought a heap of odd curtains that were marked at a quarter of the price. None of them match but they will be perfect in my bedroom as they are gauzy, gypsy type ones and they only have to suit me. The added bonus is I saved $200 so in theory I have a $200 credit that is like a gift for me to do whatever I want with it. That’s how the women in my family view shopping moments like these. So what are the best or weirdest or heaviest buys you have made of late?

"I am neither good, nor bad, neither angel nor devil, I am a man, I am a vampire." --Michael Romkey (I, Vampire)

“One thing vampire children have to be taught early on is, don't run with wooden stakes.” --Jack Handy

I have never met a vampire personally, but I don't know what might happen tomorrow-- Bela Lugosi

The dynamic duo of Anny and Kelly can be found spruiking on www.annycook.blogspot.com and www.kkirch.blogspot.com as always

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

Monday stuff...

Shades of Gray review

In a market packed with vampire novels, Amarinda Jones carves out a unique spot with Shades of Gray. She has created a world with a range of vampires from those reveling in death and sex to those trying to live a normal life. Toss in an illusion casting witch who’s in love with a vampire that isn’t quite ready to give up blood, an ancient enemy and hold on for the ride. While the novel starts like too many vampire erotic romances it quickly sheds its skin and becomes a completely absorbing story that carries you along for the ride.
As a reader I love vampire stories – but hold them to a high standard. The standard set by Marjorie M. Liu in A Taste of Crimson, by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro in the St. Germain Chronicles, and by Bram Stocker in Dracula. I’m pleased to find an author who takes the vampire mythos, spins it on its ear and creates a new and fascinating twist.
Shades of Gray is a must read for vampire lovers and a to be read for those that like a story where the sex is hot but the plot is strong.
http://www.simplyromancereviews.com/srrreviews/shadesofgray.aspx

Whew! I am relieved people like Shades of Gray. I will admit I was a little concerned as I know people who love the Vampire genre have high standards. So thanks to everyone who read Shades of Gray or reviewed it or sent me an email to tell me you liked it. I appreciate it.

Swift of Heart got a 4 and a half out of 5 from the Romantic Times. I haven’t been able to read the review yet but I appreciate the stars. Thanks RT.

Eerie Stuff

I was out walking this morning, as I do in the name of burning up calories to fit more in, when I felt someone was walking very close behind me. It was early morning, still a bit dark but I am not the shrinking violet sort, so I fisted the stick I carried and got ready to use it. I swung around to find no one there. Spooky. It felt like someone was there. I kept walking and I still felt the presence. Anyway, as me and the presence sauntered along, I told myself it was because I am writing a ghost book at the moment but I know stuff like this happens to people all the time.

No, I’m not about to get all mystical but it reminded me of a horrible time in my life several years ago (no sympathy, it’s not about that) when my brother drowned. My father and I stumbled to the river as you do looking for answers or something. The wind was blowing a gale and it was cold and miserable as you would expect on a horrible day in your life. I was dressed in something completely inappropriate as I always seem to be when these things happen in my life and my skirt was flying up all over the place. I looked behind me at the river bank. There was a man’s blue handkerchief spread out perfectly flat on the grass. It was not moving in the wind, despite everything else blowing away up and around it. It remained flat and still. I recognized it was my brothers. How? I had bought a bundle of these particularly ugly looking handkerchiefs just before he went into hospital. They were the only ones I could get on short notice and they had 'Good day’ written in the corner. Never seen them since. I walked over and looked at it. It occurred to me that this was a sign – maybe a farewell or maybe something to indicate he was at peace – who knows but it was important to me. Yes, I still have the handkerchief.

No, I’m not out to depress people. Things happen as they do for a reason - sometimes the reason sucks but that's life. So tell me, what eerie moments or signs have you have in your life? Have you felt someone near you but no one was there? Have you received a sign that only you would recognize? Or if you think it’s all a load of crap feel free to tell me. All opinions are welcomed.

From the Cover Gods…

Below is my excellent new cover for Anyone But You. Once again I pay homage to the Cover Gods at Ellora’s Cave – may champagne pour forth like water from your taps…hmm…that would be very nice. What’s Aynone But You about? Check out the – unedited -blurb below.

Verity Kane is normally a calm, efficient worker. Normally nothing upsets her. However in the last six months her patience has been tried dealing with her charming playboy boss, Mercardo Gentry. When she walks in on him having sex with a woman on his desk, she has had enough. It’s about time Mercardo learnt a lesson and she’s the woman to do it.

Mercardo Gentry fell in love with Verity Kane six months ago. He would like nothing more than to get to know her but the lady is most definitely not interested. Can he really be blamed for reading her private diary when he comes across it by accident? When he reads that her most intimate fantasies revolve around him, Mercardo decides to seduce Verity with her own thoughts.

Verity is amazed and aroused that the playboy understands her needs so well. But falling in love with a playboy is not something she counted on. Leaving her job is easy, forgetting Mercardo is impossible.

Make sure you visit Anny on www.annycook.blogspot.com and then swing buy and check out Kelly 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?

Slow Sunday….

So, I wish had something exciting to tell you but it’s been a slow old Sunday in the burbs of Brizzie. The highlight was finding my old Promptel (code name for crap phone company) 10 year, long service, framed certificate shoved under a box when I was having a manic chuck-out-useless-stuff moment. I find these manic chuck out phases very cathartic because everything that I have not used in the last year or so gets sent off to goodwill, so someone else will buy it and then not use it themselves for a year. Anyway, I looked at the certificate and thought why have I kept this? There is also a really ugly pendant with my name engraved on it that went with the certificate but Murphy, my big, snail riding cement garden gnome has that around his neck. I think it makes him look jaunty. He can carry off the ugliness of the pendant. So, the certificate – why did I keep it? Was it pride in knowing that the company thought enough of me to give me the certificate and the pendant? Yeah, right. Was it because it reminds me of the crap times endured there? No, one moves on. Was it the really nice frame it was in? Bingo. Did I hang it up on the wall
feeling all nostalgic? No Idon’t even hang my Bachelor of Arts degree up on the wall because it’s just bit of paper. When I set out to do that degree many moons ago I thought it would be important. It’s not – not to me. Yes, education is always worthwhile but in my opinion all the fancy-arsed degrees in the world don’t make you any better than anyone else.

I have to write a synopsis after I finish this blog. Why? Well the good news is I got offered a contract from my editor for Tantalizing Tilly. Bad news is I have to sit down and summarize the highlights of the book. Yeah, maybe it doesn’t sound hard but many writers have trouble putting the essence of the book into a short, encapsulated form. I’ll be honest, I suck at it. I can write 50,000 words but a synopsis requires much more effort. Not only to you have to make it brief, to the point and make it understandable, you have to make sure there are no typos in it. I am the queen of typos. My mind works faster than my fingers and the two have trouble keeping it together. I once had a typing instructor say that I
had a really ‘ugly typing style.’ This wounded me deeply – not. Like I gave a rats if I type ‘ugly.’ The point is it gets done. I emailed my editor and promised the synopsis will be typo free when she receives it. Possibly that email lacked credibility as there was a nice big typo in it. Oh dear…I swear on a wine bottle it will be typo free.

Today, I realized I had not combed my hair in three days. I have a tendency when I am in a rush to go somewhere or do something to scrape my shoulder length up into a half arsed knot thing on my head. It actually looks pretty good as it has that untamed, wild look about it. Only problem is it gets as knotty as hell and I curse myself for being such a slack arse and yet I’ll continue to do it because I can. So tell me, what things to you skip doing when you’re in a rush or are you all too neat and tidy?





All the devoted Aussie Armitage Army people know Robin Hood is on tonight at 7:30pm on the ABC in OZ. I have put a picture of Richard Armitage on for the troops. I speak to no one during this period as I will be ogling Sir Guy. Ring me and one of my Grandma Elsie’s Irish curses will spring forth from my lips and it will not be my fault if you turn into a pumpkin. Most people understand this potential curse thing and wait until 8:30 to ring. On the whole most people who know me are very well trained. It’s taken me years to get them to that stage.

My Last Dark Day – Barbara Huffert

I am not a big fan of submissive type books. I generally want to slap the hero for the macho crap he is going on with and tell the heroine to wake up to herself. That’s just my personality, so although I did want to slap the hero in My Last Dark Day, I actually found the story impressive. Why? It’s a very deeply emotional and complex book on so many levels. No, I’m not going to tell you why because you should go and buy this book and find out yourself. All I will say is I went from wondering what the hell was wrong with the heroine to liking her because of and despite her flaws. Well done B. Click on the cover to buy.

Author and honorary Aussie Sandra Cox – I am teaching her to speak the lingo - has a great new contest http://sandracox.blogspot.com/ - check it out and enter to win a great prize.

Anny is talking about how dragons have difficulty buying condoms to fit on www.annycook.blogspot.com while Kelly is discussing either man’s inhumanity to man or how to balance a pen on her nose 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?

Sunday once more...

Sex…what’s it all about in romance writing? Is it all that central to the plot when it comes to the relationship between the characters? I think we can all agree that the romance between the characters has to be the most important thing. If these are not people that you want to see get together then all the most imaginative, swinging from chandelier sex in the world is not going to make it happen. You have to believe they love each other even through she swears she can’t stand him or they are in peril as they fight the bad guy.

So, how much sex is too much sex? I have no idea. It depends on your own personal moral code. Some people consider any sex in a romance book pornographic while others like to read about the characters falling into bed - or wherever they have sex – together. I personally believe it depends on the style of writing. For example, in Honeysuckle author Anny Cook writes eye-popping sex. To me it’s funny, crazy and hot and it fits totally in with the story. While in Time For Love, author Kelly Kirch allows us a brief

glimpse of what is going to happen before she shuts the door on the characters moment together. That makes me want to read more as I want to know what the characters think the next day. In my own books, I try and write sex that is crazy, off-the wall and real. I personally don’t believe in writing soap opera perfect sex where the hero sweeps the perfectly formed heroine into his arms and over to the bed, where rose petals have been scattered and subtle candlelight highlights her porcelain skin. If you love that, then that’s great and I respect that. I just don’t believe sex is ever that perfect. Things happen that make you laugh.

So, what do you think? How much sex is too much sex? Do you cringe when you read it or do you smile and think I must try that out later tonight? Do you want the full blown fantasy of soap opera style sex or do you want real sex in your books? Feel free to comment.

Changing the subject completely…


I am completely pathetic at checking television guides as I don’t watch much television other then certain set programs. But today was different. Why? Because I knew the new series of Robin Hood was coming back to television. Why Robin Hood? It’s very historical. It marks a time in English history when the people were oppressed by cruel, greedy tyrants. Yes, I am a student of history. Okay and maybe, I really, really like to watch Richard Armitage who plays Sir Guy of Gisborne. Yes, it’s true, Sir Guy and Tim Tams are my weaknesses. I’ll admit I am quite pathetic over that man but I know I am not alone. There is a whole Armitage Army out there. So tonight I answer no phones or doorbells. I will be gazing wistfully at the dark and deadly sexy Sir Guy.

A big hello to fellow Steve Seagal aficionado Jane…the lucky woman got to watch a Steven marathon today. See? He really can save the world. Jane and I know the power of Steven.

I heard on the radio this morning that Aussies are more interested in saving money when they go to do the grocery shopping than worrying about the way something is packaged. Well duh. I totally understand what the environmentalists are saying. I get that they want less waste and therefore less impact on the environment but Mr, Mrs or Ms Citizen also has to think about their budget. It cannot be a shock that people will buy cheaper stuff in order to get by in life as opposed to analysing the packaging and buying more expensive stuff. That’s just the way life is. I also find the debate over plastic bags at supermarkets interesting. Yes, I have cloth bags that I use when I go shopping. I recycle and I compost stuff. What I don’t understand is if we get rid of plastic bags what do we put our rubbish in? One genius suggested
buying plastic bags to use for rubbish. Now, I ask you, doesn’t that defeat the purpose of less plastic bags if we go out and buy more to stop using the ones we shouldn’t be using now? Why manufacture more when they are the problem? I agree we are screwing up the planet but really unless someone can come up with a viable solution and not add to the problem shouldn’t we just continue to try to do our best and be careful?

Just quickly, I read the biggest load of racist crap on another blog today. Why would anyone print such rubbish for all to see? I know it takes all kinds to populate the world but you have to wonder what the grand plan was to have these idiots on the planet.

So, from sex to Robin Hood to saving the environment to idiots…that was my Sunday. Go check out Anny – www.annycook.blogspot.com and Kelly on www.kkirch.blogspot.com to see what they are thinking. I’m sure it will be memorable.

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