Lately, when I read a new book, it’s one and done. By that I mean one chapter or even one single page  and I’ve already come to the conclusion that the book is a DNF. Yeah, I know, there’s nothing new under the sun. But there are new ways to tell old familiar tales.

I am loving Wolf Hall, by Hilary Mantel, winner of the 2009 Man Booker Prize. This is the story of Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn as told through the eyes of their contemporary, and their very much doomed, Machiavelli, Thomas Cromwell. Ms. Mantel hooked me with her very first sentence:

“So now get up.”

Six hundred and four brilliant, shining pages, and I am savoring every single word.

As you know, you have until midnight Sunday, the 18th, to participate in both the Stuff Your Stockings Blog Hop and my own giveaway, so be sure to leave comments and your email contact.

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I’ll be in and out for the next few weeks.  I mean there are the holidays, there are the kids, and there’s my dad getting a new knee for Christmas so I’m heading up to help out next week.

In the meantime, you can get some killer books by following this (see the Stuff Your Stockings button on left) Blog Hop.  Here is the link.  Each author is running his/her own giveaway.  If you leave me a comment and an email contact, I’m giving away one print copy and one e-copy of Captured, my award-winning Science Fiction Romance.

Also, I’m running my own giveaway through the 18th as well.  Leave me a comment and you can win a tote containing one copy of each of my print books.  International readers can win a pdf copy of my entire backlist.  Unless of course you’d prefer the pdf copies.  Same thing – a comment telling me which you are entering, or both, and an email contact address.

Happy Holidays and good luck!

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That’s enough of the third person.  I actually feel very uncomfortable when people talk about themselves in the third person.

So.  How do I explain One Four All, my foray into the world of menage?  ‘Cuz I’d kind of like to explain it in third person.

My publisher called me.  She said this – “We like the way your write and we’d like to increase your sales.  Menage is very popular right now.  Would you consider writing a menage?”

Moi?  I’m like so one man one woman.  Like so one man one woman as in if my husband ever cheated on me I’d destroy him.  I’m vindictive that way.

“But it’s a fantasy,” she said.  “Just a fantasy.  We already know you can write fantasy.”

Hmmm.  “Well yes, I can do that.”  My brain is sort of fueled by fantasy.

I set myself some ground rules before I began One Four All.

1.  Futuristic science fiction setting.

2.  Damn good reason for one woman to take on three men.

3.  A kick ass heroine who could hold her own with three warriors.

4.  Protective men who wouldn’t kill each other over a woman because a. they are friends and colleagues and b. the pay off would be worth it.  As in…marrying into the royal family.

Lira Pakan, heir to the Throne of Zhinshu, has vanished. Her zealots gather along the border with the neighboring state of Khubuk, awaiting the outcome of her father’s pleas to the World Court.

Captain Tanner Kepp serves in the elite Special Forces of Khubuk. When the captain is ordered to choose two men to accompany him to Land’s End, an isolated compound on the maritime border between Khubuk and Zinshu, the last thing he expects to find is the missing princess. Captain Kepp, Arms Master Cer Watso and Sergeant Redda Till realize they must rescue her and avert all out war.

The princess, however, has other plans. These men can be more than her rescuers. According to the law of Zhinshu, she must choose three men as consorts. Her people say: “one to guard the right hand, one to guard the left hand, and one to guard the back, always.”

I’m actually working on a sequel involving Lira’s younger sister – One For Me.

You can buy One Four All here and here.

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Liz and Me

is about as close as I’ll ever come to writing a lesbian love story.

Here’s the super short blurb:

Alba is caught between the man she loves and the woman who loves her. She can’t please both and she can’t have both. Someone must lose and it breaks two hearts.

The story contains a core of truth, well more than a core.  I knew the fictional Liz.  She and I were inseparable.  We shared everything, including our terrible dysfunctional lives.  She loved me, but I couldn’t give her what she wanted and we had a falling out.

I swear I always thought we’d have time to make it up to each other, we’d be friends once again.  But she died before I had the chance to find her.  Liz died alone, oh gosh, ten years ago.  When I found out, I couldn’t catch my breath.  It was as if a piece of me had been ripped away.  Damn, it hurt!

Several days after Liz died, I saw her standing ahead of me in line at a train station.  It was her…I’d know her anywhere.  I pushed forward only to watch as she vanished before my eyes just before I could reach her.  Gave me solace and broke my heart at the same time.

So, if you’re interested, here’s where you can buy Liz and Me.

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I can’t believe I actually like these photos taken at the recent book signing – by a complete stranger.  I’m floored.  I usually look awful in photos.  You know, like the relative you want to edit out of the picture.  Seriously.  I’m so excited I’m posting them…plus I’m waiting for my husband and father to complete their movie lists.  That’s me in the maroon sweater.

From left to right – Super hot author Dee Brice, super sweet author Mary Martinez, super unique author Regan Taylor, and moi.  Check out the necklace, Secret Santa!

Thanks, Mary, for sending the photos.

Oh, I forgot one movie fave of mine – The Magnificent Seven, the American version of The Seven Samurai directed by Akira Kurosawa.  I had a crush on bald Yul Brenner for years.

As soon as I have a link, author Luxie Ryder will be posting her top 25 movie picks too!

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