Happy New Year:)

I just wanted to take a minute to wish everyone as much success, love, and happiness as you can handle in the New Year. I truly hope that 2009 is kind to you and that many of your dreams come true.

So as I eat pizza, play Guitar Hero and plan to watch the ball drop, I wish you all the best. I know that's an overused expression, but not if you really mean it:) If you're going to wish something for someone, why not make it the best?

Economic woes and a bit of encouragement

News in general about the economy right now is to say the least, depressing. It seems to be particularly bad for the publishing industry. Considering that I'm a writer, that's really depressing. I would think that since people are having to cut out extras and that going to the movies is more expensive than reading a book, cut out the movies and read a book. It's a cheaper form of entertainment. I'm having to cut out extras too so I understand. I couldn't tell you the last time I went out for dinner and a movie. It's more like pay the light bill, and did they just repossess my trash can? (Long story)

Anyway, it can all get you down if you let it. It seems like at least once a week I hear about another large publisher laying off employees. People just aren't buying books. Although on the plus side, I have heard that ebook sales are rising. But the industry on the whole is taking a heavy hit.

For all my fellow authors out there, keep writing. Someone said to me the other day that if publishers are in such bad shape, then maybe they shouldn't submit their story. Maybe no one will want to take a chance on something new right now. I told them to submit it anyway. Don't ever question the value of your work. At a time like this, when things are so depressing, I read to escape. If I'm not working on my next book, I'm usually reading. Those words you put onto paper mean something to somebody. So, don't ever stop what you do ... even if you think no one wants to read it.

Editing and Insomnia

For once, I'm glad I can't sleep. I just got back Bitten for a final read through and I am enjoying this story so much. Since it's been several months since I finished it, I can read it now with fresh eyes. And I love it.

It's so easy to fall for the characters all over again. As you may have guessed from some of the excerpts, the main female character, Sandra, is involved with more than one vampire. One is a former Scottish patriot who fought alongside William Wallace. Another used to be a sword maker about a hundred years ago in England and the last ... is actually my favorite. He's a bit wicked, but I love him even more for it. I won't give away his history, but I will tell you that he's a historical figure that I have always been fascinated with.

I can only hope that everyone who reads the book falls in love with it the way I have. I'm not saying any of this to brag ... more to explain why I like to write and how much I have loved this book. A little bit of me goes into everything I write and I think this story got a slightly bigger portion than usual. I'll probably finish the entire edit tonight. I just can't stop myself.

A little of this and that

I finished the short story I was working on. It ended up being a novella. LOL I'm working on editing/polishing it. Then (while another pair of eyes looks that over) I'm going to start editing Diary of an Incubus. It's about time I got that one off to my publisher:)

That's what I'm up to ... but something else is on my mind tonight. Someone I care about wants very much to come home for Christmas. Only home is never as sweet as his memories. It's full of judgmental relatives and a small town who claims to miss him, but never really knew who he was. It just breaks my heart. I've always known who he is and I couldn't imagine it changing the way I feel. I know what it's like to be misunderstood, although for different reasons. Most people (around here) don't get me at all. With the exception of a few close friends and family members, many people think I'm nuts. Or a total pervert. Some even think I'm goth because I like to wear black. LOL Whatever.

It just hurts my heart to think of him, wanting to be here ... but not feeling welcome. We are related, I'll say that much so I know what he faces when he does visit. I look forward each time to getting to see him (even though visits are usually at least a year apart). I think of him as being like me, not fitting in. I relate to being out of place and I too long for acceptance. Even though I'm independent and as the saying goes I'm a "grown ass woman," you never stop wanting your family's approval. The need to connect to others never goes away. Sure, they usually end up hurting your feelings ... but that means you've still got feelings and that's a good thing.

So if you're reading this and you know I'm talking about you. You are loved, you are missed, and you are always welcome.

December Contest

To enter my December contest, simply post a comment answering the questions below. The winner gets a free pdf download of Object of My Affection, book two in the Lilith Mercury: Werewolf Hunter Series

The winner will be announced at the end of the month right here:)

Here are the questions.

1. What's your favorite kind of paranormal? (vamps, shifers (werewolves), ghosts, etc.)


2. Do you prefer romances (of any genre) to be slightly erotic or highly erotic?


3. What helps you decide whether or not to purchase a certain book? (cover art, already like the author, genre, or anything else)

Brain Dead Trailer

Brain Dead is up for a New Covey Trailer Award! Please be sure to cast your vote. (Starting midnight Dec. 8th)

New Covey Trailer awards

Bitten and Eden have cover art!

Bitten and Eden have cover art! How hot is this?! I couldn't be more thrilled with the way these turned out. Even the city of Eden in the background is exactly as I pictured it. Not to mention Viktor! And Nicholas (from Bitten) is perfect! (He's the one with the pointy goatee.)

Theme Days

I've decided to add theme days to the yahoo group in addition to the once a month promo. Authors, you don't have to offer a contest/prize or anything, but you are always welcome to if you like. Readers, I hope to see you there:)

MONDAYS - Paranormal (shifters, vamps, ghosts, etc.)

FRIDAYS - Science Fiction/Fantasy

**permission to forward granted and appreciated**

Enjoy!

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

The weather isn't quite frightful

But I still have a nice fire:) There was actually frost on the ground this morning. It's been a long time since I've seen that. I love cold weather. I just realized it had been a while since a posted an update on here. So, I figured I'd tell a little bit about what I've been up to.

I'm working on a new short story. So far this work is going to be highly erotic. The working title is Once in a Blue Moon. That is subject to change, of course, but so far so good. Naturally, it's about a hot motorcycle riding werewolf. LOL What did you expect?

I'm still looking for another job to fund my writing habit. It's a good thing I don't do coke or something really expensive. *snort* Not that lack of writing can't cause withdrawals. I always forget how good it feels to write when I take a few weeks or a few months off. As soon as I start on a new story it's like, "Holy crap, why did I take a break?" I try to take at least a month between stories though, just so I can clear my head and come up with fresh ideas. The best works to me are the ones I write after about three months off. That seems to be my magic number:)

Other than that, I've been playing some old video games. I mean really old. Not like Atari or anything, but still pretty old. LOL I've been playing Resident Evil, Code Veronica. What a pain in the ass. It's an interesting story, which is what keeps my interest. But it's HARD. If anyone knows how to beat the Tyrant (or crotch-a-saurus-rex as I've come to call him) please, let me know. I'm working on kicking his butt for the second time and I'm getting pounded like a cheap steak. If you've ever played the game, you'll probably get the crotch joke. There are so many unnecessary shots of this guys crotch that it just gets funny after a while. He's a big buff zombie/cyborg looking thing. Like I want to see a zombie's crotch. Ewww.

To end on a relaxing note, for those of you without a fireplace. I'll share mine:)

Michelle M. Pillow - Featured Author

Degrees of Passion by Michelle M. Pillow
Release: November 25, 2008

Publisher: Virgin Books/Random House
ISBN-10: 0352345004
ISBN-13: 978-0352345004

Buy / Preorder Link:
http://www.amazon.com/Degrees-Passion-Michelle-M-Pillow/dp/0352345004?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1210466136&sr=1-14


Blurb:

The second college student Sasha Matthews spotted Trevor Kingston she knew it was fate. He’s everything a girl could want—handsome, charming, rich. With student loans piling up and no clear idea what she wants to do with her future, he’s the best thing she has going. But, Mr. Perfect’s façade begins to crumble when she sees him photographed with another woman in the newspaper’s society pages. Breaking up with her high society boyfriend, a distraught Sasha finds comfort in the arms of moody, hard working Kevin Merchant whose cuteness is overshadowed by his know-it-all attitude. One drunken night of passion is hardly the start of a relationship and when Trevor wants her back the choice seems clear. In order to graduate Sasha must participate in an important internship. But, she’s paired with the very guy she’s swore never to see again. Forced to work alongside Kevin, long hours in the lab turn into tempting nights of seduction. Should she deny what’s between them and await the return of her ideal boyfriend, or will life teach her lessons this professional student never expected to learn?

Courage

I can just see the Cowardly Lion right now asking, "What do they got that I ain't got?" Well, you know the answer: Courage. I was thinking last night about how much courage it takes just to be yourself in this world. Especially in a place like I live, in the Deep South, in the middle of nowhere.

I admire people who have the guts to stand up and say, "This is who I am." No matter what it costs them. For example, when people say that a woman should get married, have a husband, a house with a white picket fence, 2.5 kids and a dog. It takes courage to say, "No, I'd rather have a woman and if we want to adopt we will." Or for a man to say, "I'd rather have another man and we're getting a cat!"

Any deviation from the norm is, for the most part, met with extreme prejudice. I knew this, but I truly didn't understand it until I started writing romance. And holy shit, I signed my name to it! Well, of course I did, I'm proud of what I do. I have been blessed with a creative talent and a means to use it. That's fantastic! So, I told a few people because I was so excited. Big mistake.

I think the main reason I'm having trouble finding a side job right now (which many are having to do) is because people have heard I write "porn" on the side. Give me a break. To me as long as the sex in the story matters and isn't just there for the sake of sex, then it isn't porn. I believe this no matter how explicitly it might be described.

Well, besides looking for a side job, I'm also seriously considering writing erotica. All of the books I've got coming out in the near future are racier than the first two I had published. Actually, everything after the first two is pretty erotic. This was done without conscious effort. I simply told the story and that's the way it turned out. But, I've been thinking about deliberately writing something racier, something with a more seductive storyline right from the start. Why? Well, because I like it and I want to. The next few books I've got coming out, Original Sin, and especially Bitten and Eden could all be considered erotica. (Especially Bitten)

I don't want to alienate my readers by writing under a different name. But I'm not sure how my small southern community is going to take the news. Because whether I tell them or not, they will know. You can have a cold, tell no one and two weeks later people you don't even know are asking you if you're feeling better. No joke.

The thing is, it's what I want to do and I don't feel I should have to hide that. The stories will still be paranormal in nature. Some will just be racier than others. So what? And it's all romance. Besides, I've already got traceyhkitts.com going fairly good. I don't want to have to start marketing a whole new name just because of what people might say about me writing some more erotic works.

If I have the guts to do this then I've got the answer to that question. "What do they got that I ain't got?" Nothing.

The point of no return, an excerpt from Original Sin

Original Sin is the fourth book in the Lilith Mercury: Werewolf Hunter Series by Tracey H. Kitts, Coming this December from New Concepts Publishing.

The day had started out beautiful, but on our way back storm clouds began to form. I touched Marco’s arm and sensed something different than I had expected. After what had happened with Peter, he was worried that I would be afraid of him now. Two men I had loved had now turned on me, one much more seriously than the other, and he was afraid I would expect the same thing from him. I pressed my face against his back to keep from crying, because I knew as I opened myself up more that Marco would have died the other day to save me. It was a price he went there willing to pay if he had to. He loved me without doubt, and I would never have to question his loyalty.

When we pulled back up, I made some tea and brought it out to where he sat on the porch. There are two white wicker chairs on the right side of my porch with a small matching table between. We sat there and talked and managed to just relax for a while. Believe it or not, The Big Bad Wolf likes blueberry tea.

As we sat there on the front porch talking, the storm was quickly approaching. So far, taking it slow was working for us. But as I looked at him I knew I had reached my limit. Marco was beyond a doubt the sexiest thing I’d ever seen. Alfred was handsome and well built. Dracula was enchanting with his near perfect, unearthly beauty. But Marco had a sexiness all his own to which they paled in comparison. Every thing about Marco was exactly as it should be. There was no part of him that did not appear as strong and masculine as the rest. My muscles began to tighten in response to his nearness, and I felt my fingers grip the wicker chair arm in response to the sensation. Marco must have seen me stiffen and misunderstood the reasoning behind it. He rose quickly. “I should go,” he said as he walked down the steps.

“Wait.” I grabbed his hand.

He looked dangerous as he glanced back at me. His eyes seemed to glow in the growing darkness. He had been so careful not to cross the line. Marco had been nothing if not patient with me, and the need he had managed to hide was now evident in his eyes. “Do you really want me to stay?” His rough sexy voice had already begun to deepen with the change. He was close to the bottom of the steps and I was near the middle. This made our height almost even. We both knew what would happen if he stayed. There was no point in pretending otherwise, not this time.

For information on the other books in the series please visit http://www.traceyhkitts.com/

Research and rambling

I just finished a book a few weeks ago so it's not like I haven't been busy. Still, I'm doing some research and looking for new ideas. I'm always looking for ideas and I've got plenty, just none that scream out to be written at the moment.

As much as I try to take longer breaks between novels, I need something to occupy my mind. Sometimes reading does that for me and other times it can't. Things are bad all over right now, economy wise and I won't lie and say it hasn't affected me and my family. Of course it has. I've only been writing professionally for a little over a year and it isn't my only job. I don't think there's any shame in admitting I have to do something else for a full income. After all, it takes time and effort to build an audience. I'm just grateful for the readers I have:) And I hope to attract the interest of more readers as I continue to hone my craft.

But like I said, things are down for me. No point in pretending they're not. I'm doing the best I can as I'm sure many others are. I've just learned that my other job, which makes up the other half of my income, is about to be eliminated. Needless to say, I'm not in a good mood.

I know I'm not the only person going through tough times right now, that's why I decided to write about it. I normally don't get into anything too personal on my blog. I don't share anything that doesn't have to do with writing or the occasional random thought. But, I don't think it's unprofessional to let people know that I'm a real person just like them. I've got real issues just like them. I don't just sit around and write and live a charmed, bon-bon filled life. (Not that anyone ever accused me of it, but you get my point.)

A lot of people are hurting right now and I'm one of them. Like I said, I need something to focus my mind and energy on and right now it's research. There's something else that keeps coming to mind and I'd like to share it with you. I have watched Rocky Balboa about six times. I even bought a copy of the movie, which is something I don't do a lot of anymore. If you haven't watched it, it's worth seeing, even if you don't like the Rocky films.

At one point in the movie he tells his son, "You ain't gonna believe this, but you used to fit right here. [taps on the inside of his hand] I'd hold you up and say to your mother, "this kid's gonna be the best kid in the world. This kid's gonna be somebody better than anybody I ever knew." And you grew up good and wonderful. It was great just watching you, every day was like a privilege.

Then the time come for you to be your own man and take on the world, and you did. But somewhere along the line, you changed. You stopped being you. You let people stick a finger in your face and tell you you're no good. And when things got hard, you started looking for something to blame, like a big shadow.

Let me tell you something you already know. The world ain't all sunshine and rainbows. It's a very mean and nasty place and I don't care how tough you are it will beat you to your knees and keep you there permanently if you let it. You, me, or nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain't about how hard ya hit. It's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That's how winning is done! Now if you know what you're worth then go out and get what you're worth. But ya gotta be willing to take the hits, and not pointing fingers saying you ain't where you wanna be because of him, or her, or anybody! Cowards do that and that ain't you! You're better than that! I'm always gonna love you no matter what. No matter what happens. You're my son and you're my blood. You're the best thing in my life. But until you start believing in yourself, ya ain't gonna have a life.

I cry just reading that again. I keep telling myself that it ain't about how many times I get hit. It's about how many times I can get hit and get back up. This is me, getting up again.

2 chances to win one or more free ebooks!

Be sure to stop by the New Concepts Blog for their latest contests. One is a scavenger hunt, which sounds like a lot of fun. There are several different prize packages for this one. The other is asking what you are drawn to in a book title. All you have to do to be entered is reply:)

Have fun!

http://www.newconceptspublishing.com/wordpress/

I wasn't aware that I wrote porn

You heard me. Which is strange to me since I wrote it ... right? I'm at a bit of a loss for words but I'm a writer so I'll get over that. The strangest thing happened to me yesterday and as I started my coffee early this morning and wondered what to blog about, I figured I might as well share.

Let me point out first that I'm not angry and this is not a post against anyone. I'm not going to mention names or tell any conversations that happened after the initial facts. This is just very, very strange and I can't help myself. Actually, I keep thinking about it and laughing.

Here's what happened. I realize that not everyone is going to like what I write. That's a hazard of the job, so be it. This isn't about that. My mom and I were in the car yesterday on our way to pick up my son from school and she started telling me this. One of our neighbors, whom my parents grew up with, was at my aunt's house. (Now, all of these people are my neighbors and some of them are my family which to me makes this even stranger.) My aunt had a copy of my first book, Red, on hand. So, they started talking about it. My aunt (God bless her) is very supportive of me which I greatly appreciate. She offered to let this neighbor borrow her copy of the book when he expressed interest. After all, he's known my parents for years, it might be neat to see what their kid writes, huh?

Well, I'll be honest and say I'm not sure of everything that happened between him leaving and him returning. Apparently his wife (who we've all known for years too) freaked out. She wouldn't let him even bring the book in the house. She snatched it out of his hands and took off back toward my aunt's house. (My aunt lives around the block.) This neighbor called to warn my aunt about the kind of mood his wife was in and that she was on her way. So, my cousin (God bless him too) met her at the door and accepted back the book.

That's weird enough, but get this. Throughout this entire incident she was waving the book around and screaming and I quote, "It's goddamned porn!" She kept repeating that her husband couldn't read the book because it's "goddamned porn." (It's okay to laugh at this point if you want, because I can't stop.)

First of all, anyone who knows how the rating system at NCP works will understand that the book is definitely not porn. And if you've read it I'm sure you'll also agree. It isn't even considered erotica. Which is also not porn, but some people have that definition confused as well.

Honestly, I can't pick my jaw up off the floor over this one. My parents, myself, and much of my family have known these people for years. She was one of the first people I told about my first contract while out riding my bike one day. I told her all about the book and she said she couldn't wait to read it, that she loves that sort of thing. WTF?

Like I said, I get that not everybody will like what I write and that's fine. I don't like everything I read either. I'm just at a loss here. I've been trying to figure out since yesterday what would cause a grown woman to behave this way. Especially a grown woman who reads (or has in the past) romance novels. Once again, a great big WTF? LOL

Anyway, this was so bizarre I couldn't resist sharing it with you guys:) Any thoughts ... or medication suggestions? LOL

Happy first day of November!

I hope everyone had a safe and fun Halloween. I had a stomach ache, so we stayed in and watched Goosebumps. LOL Not as bad as it sounds. I actually enjoy Goosebumps.

It's been a few days since I've been online. But in that time I finished the book I was working on and have done a lot of research. Plus, I've started on my TBR (to be read) pile again:) I'm going to take a few weeks to catch up on other things before polishing my manuscript and sending it to my publisher. I feel like my editing efforts always work out better that way.

Anywho, the book I just finished is called Diary of an Incubus. Here's my favorite paragraph.

He watched me for several minutes before saying anything else. I took the opportunity to observe him more closely too. I couldn’t help myself. He put his hands on my hips as we moved and I liked it. His touch was possessive, yet gentle. And the more I was near him, the more I wanted his hands on me. The top few buttons on his shirt were open and I moved my hand to touch that small expanse of flesh. I shuddered at the contact and so did he. Skin against skin, it was so wrong, so sinful to touch him. He was the monster underneath my bed and all I wanted to do was pull him under the covers with me. Every move, every smile, every subtle gesture spoke to me. And they all said, “I want to do bad things to you.”

Promo Op for fellow authors

I'm having a week long Halloween party on my yahoo group, Forbidden Fruit. All authors are welcome, contests are also welcome but not a necessity. You can talk about whatever you want, Halloween stuff, cooking, share excerpts, it doesn't matter. It's going on all week starting tomorrow (Oct. 26). Drop by whenever you can for as long as you'd like. I'll be in and out all week:)

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

*permission to forward granted and appreciated*

See you there,

Tracey
www.traceyhkitts.com

Belinda McBride - Featured Author

THK. Tell me about yourself. Anything you would like readers know about you.

Belinda: Well, to start, I’m a parent; I have two adult daughters, one is a Physician’s Assistant, the other is a private chef. I also have a niece that lives with me. She’s severely retarded and autistic, so taking care of KJ is really my full time job at this point in my life. Care giving is demanding, but on the upside, I have time and flexibility to write as much as I want!

I breed Siberian Huskies for show and mushing. I’m not as active in this hobby as I used to be, but still have a couple promising young show dogs. My other hobbies include travel, Chinese martial arts and Qi Gong, soap-making and gem collecting.

I’ve been a writer all my life, but a few years back, my life was growing increasingly stressful, and I began writing as a way to cope with everything that was building up inside. After a year of frantic, nearly non-stop writing, I began to organize my work and look into submitting to a publisher. My first two stories were finished and submitted on literally the same day. They were contracted to different publishers within two days of each other!

THK. Tell me about your current and upcoming releases. Please include a blurb and a link to where the book can be purchased.

Belinda: At Changeling Press, I’m working on two series, the Black Planet series, which is Sci Fi/cyber Punk, and the Imperative series, which is more of a fantasy series. I have two books coming up, one in October, the other in November. I’ve also got a novel coming at New Concepts Publishing. It’s an urban fantasy called Soul Keeper, about mythological creatures living in the modern world.

Here’s a blurb for Imperative: Always You:
In the future, we don’t choose our mates; Nature chooses for us. Nature doesn’t make mistakes. And if you don’t pay attention to Nature’s Imperative, you suffer.

She could always get under his skin. He could always send her spinning into fury. Marilyn and Neil aren’t like oil and water, they’re like dynamite and a match!

They say that Nature doesn’t make mistakes when she chooses a person’s perfect mate, but surely this time Nature wasn’t paying attention. Not only do these co-workers hate each other, Mari’s still in love with her ex-husband, and Neil? Well, Neil is gay.

Nature’s got some explaining to do.


THK. What genre do you write it? What drew you to write in that genre? If you mix genres tell us about that too.

Belinda: I tend to mix genres, you’ll find I write a lot of science fiction and fantasy, that can also include Cyber Punk and Urban Fantasy. I love mythology and legends, and tend to go to those sources for inspiration. Most of what I write is bi-racial or interracial because that’s my personal life experience. I am quite comfortable working with alternate lifestyles, some of my descendents (male and female) were polyamorous, so I grew up aware of that lifestyle.

THK. How many books have you written? How many have been published?

Belinda: Sheesh…at this moment, three novellas and a short are published at Changeling. Two novellas and a novel are under contract, and I’ve got one novel in revisions at a publisher, another novel submitted. I’ve got several novellas and shorts sitting on my hard drive, they just didn’t make the cut for me, so I’ll eventually return to them.

THK. What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?

Belinda: I multi-task, I’ve almost always got two or three projects open on my screen and I switch back and forth between composing on one, editing on another. I have a very busy mind.

THK. What is the hardest part of writing?

Belinda: For me, its patience. Right now, I’m struggling to not lose patience with a publisher that wants my story, but they’re dragging their feet. Some projects I can send away and forget about until I hear back, but others…well, its driving me crazy being stuck on someone else’s schedule.

THK. What do you read for fun when you’re not writing?

Belinda: Boy, I have several favorite authors, including Neil Gaiman, Marjorie Liu, JR Ward, Laurell Hamilton…the list goes on and on. I also read my fellow authors, its fun to compare notes and learn what’s going on in genres that I don’t really write in that much.

THK. Any words of encouragement for unpublished writers?

Belinda: I always have advice, and it changes from day to day! Today, I’d say my best advice is to write. So you have lots of great ideas, or you’ve finished and subbed that manuscript…well, keep writing. Don’t stay static or lose the writing habit. Don’t get dependent on your muse, writing is a discipline and a job, not just an art.

My book covers and buy links can be found at http://www.changelingpress.com/author.php?uid=115

You can learn more about Belinda and her books by clicking the following links.

Website: www.belindamcbride.com
Blog: www.belindam.blogspot.com
Email: belinda@belindamcbride.com
My Space: www.myspace.com/belindamcbride

Thanks for taking the time to be here Belinda:) I really enjoyed your answers.

Not just anyone can make a vampire tremble

The following is an excerpt of Brain Dead, by Tracey H. Kitts, available now from New Concepts Publishing.

She sighed and breathed in his cologne.

“From the moment you touched my hand last night you ceased to frighten me. I know this sounds crazy but I feel like I know you. You tell me now, Luis. Do you plan to hurt me? Am I wrong to trust you?”

“No,” he whispered.

“Then I am not naive.”

Luis bent to kiss her and she hesitated. Since the first time he’d smiled at her Jane had thought of little else besides how his sultry lips would feel pressed against her own, but there was something she wanted to make clear first.

“I’ve been hurt before, Luis. More than once. Don’t hurt me … my heart can’t take anymore.”

“Do not lose faith in all mankind, chéri over one who is less than a man,” he breathed against her lips.

Since Jane had never known another vampire, she’d never kissed one either and was not prepared for the sensation. His lips were soft and full. At first he kissed her tenderly, allowing her time to adjust to the almost hypnotic sensation of his touch. As Luis deepened the kiss Jane moaned, running her hands inside his coat. His shirt was silk and felt wonderful underneath her hands as she ran them up and down his back, savoring the feel of his body beneath the smooth fabric. It was almost like falling, without hitting the ground.

Jane ran her tongue across his teeth and felt his fangs before pulling away breathlessly.

“Is it always like that?” she asked.

“No,” he gasped. “It is always different with a vampire, but you too are a supernatural being.”

“So, that makes a difference?” she asked, placing a hand over her heart as if that motion would slow its pace.

“Oh, yes.”

“Wow.”

Luis had been propped against the chair since she released him and now stood and began to straighten his clothes. His hands trembled and Jane smiled.

“Is every woman capable of making a vampire tremble, or do I flatter myself to think that I’m special?” she teased silkily.

You can purchase a copy of Brain Dead here: http://www.newconceptspublishing.com/braindead.htm

To find out more about me and my books visit http://www.traceyhkitts.com/

http://www.myspace.com/traceyhkitts
http://traceyhkitts.blogspot.com/
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/forbidden_fruitisalwayssweeter/

Here's a chance to win a free ebook!

NCP has recently added a new blog! They're asking about your favorite vampire book. Just let them know what you liked and why and you could be a winner:)

Leave a comment today to be entered in their drawing!http://www.newconceptspublishing.com/wordpress/

Dream a little dream

I believe it was Freud who speculated that everyone in our dreams is a representation of some part of ourselves. I believe that writing and acting are a lot like that sometimes. For an actor, they get the chance for a little while to become the character they play. They get to see what they see, feel what they feel. Or in some cases, the character becomes the actor.

For me, writing is like that. In every book, to a certain extent, the main character gets to become me for a little while. The book I'm working on now (Diary of an Incubus, which I'm close to finishing) is the first time I've ever had a main character who isn't me. She started out as me, or so I thought. As a matter of fact, this novel began as therapy. But through the course of the book she has grown, changed, and developed into someone else.

I like her, that's not the problem. Really, there is no problem. It's just very interesting who I have become in this story ... or who has become me. At the moment I am a vampire, a very bad vampire and I'm enjoying it very much. I get to frighten people just because it turns me on. I get to flash fangs in a dark night club just to hear the heroine gasp ... and I like it. There's no telling what I'll do next, but it's so much more fun than being the hero.

Original Sin has a face!

How hot is this?! I positively squeeled (yes, squeeled) when I saw the cover art this morning. I had hoped to see Dracula on the cover of this one and I couldn't be more pleased. NCP does such a wonderful job with cover art.

Easy Chicken Marsala

This simple Italian dish will look like you went to a lot of trouble, but it's no fuss

When I'm not writing, I love to cook, especially Italian. It has nothing to do with loving wine, honestly. LOL I love the spices, the flavor and even the language of Italian. So bizarre that my ancestors are primarily from England and Scotland. Anyway, on to the recipe.

Chicken Marsala is one of my favorite dishes to eat and to cook. Although I say to use chicken here, it's honestly just as good with beef, which my husband prefers. At the end of this recipe you'll find wine recommendations for both. Chicken and beef in a white wine sauce made with Marsala are both very good and easy to make. I also like to add mushrooms to mine, but feel free to make it your own.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

4-med. skinless, boneless chicken breasts (or beef of your choice)
3-cups fresh mushrooms, halved or sliced thick
2-cloves garlic, minced
1 to 2-Tbs. sweet butter
⅓-cup chicken broth (or beef broth)
⅓-cup dry Marsala wine
⅓-cup Heavy Cream
Your choice of pasta or rice
2-tbsp snipped parsley (optional) Personally, I use the dried kind and it works just as well.

You can also add minced onions if you prefer.

Directions:

1. Rinse chicken, pat dry with paper towels.

2. In a 12-inch skillet cook mushrooms and garlic in 1-Tbs. butter over medium-high heat till tender, but not brown. Remove from skillet and reserve, keeping it warm.

3. If necessary, add another Tbs. of butter. Add chicken to skillet and sauté 10 to 12 minutes, turning once, or until tender and no pink remains. Remove from skillet; cover to keep warm.

4. Scrape skillet, leaving any bits and pieces. Carefully add chicken broth and Marsala wine to skillet. Cook, uncovered, 3 to 4 minutes or until liquid is reduced to 1/4-cup. Add cream slowly, stir into liquid and keep heating until just before boiling point.

5. Return chicken and vegetables to skillet. Cover and cook on medium heat until heated through. (about a minute or two)

6. Move chicken to a serving plate, then spoon warm vegetables and broth mixture over chicken. Serve and enjoy! Makes 4 servings.

Serving Suggestion: I love to serve this dish over pasta and sprinkle it with parsley.
Enjoy!

Here are some wine suggestions for this dish.

For chicken a good white wine is the best. I recommend the 2006 "Harslevelu." It's a sweet wine that is indigenous to Hungary and you can get a bottle for around $9.

If you prefer beef, a robust red wine really brings out the flavor of the meat. In my opinion you really can't beat a good Cabernet Sauvignon.

Man smuggles six lobsters in his pants!

LOL That's right, I really said some idiot had lobsters in his pants. I love bizzare news and when I came across this today I nearly snorted my coffee. Apparently a game warden arrested him when he noticed "odd bulges" in his pants. HA!

All six of the lobsters (which he had wrapped in newspaper) were still alive (OUCH!) and were released back into the ocean. According to the report, lobsters in the San Diego area do not have pincers. (Darn.) Still, how stupid can you be?

I swear I didn't make it up. LOL Here's a link to the article on MSNBC.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27139637/

Symposium has been cancelled

The Author Symposium that was supposed to take place this Saturday at Chipola College has been cancelled. I just wanted to be sure and let everyone know in case some of you were planning to attend. Thanks in advance if you were:) The event may possibly be rescheduled for next spring. I'll keep you posted if I am able to be there.

Diary of an Incubus

That's the book I'm working on right now and it has really taken off! I guess you could say it has wings, literally for one character. LOL

I am enjoying working on this story so much:) I always enjoy writing, but I haven't enjoyed a story this much since I wrote Eden (coming 2009 from NCP). I had a very interesting vampire show up out of nowhere. Now he wants to do "bad things" to the heroine and he's very vocal about it. Wouldn't mind doing a few bad things to him. LOL

Anyway, this story is coming along great. I should finish it sometime this month and have it polished and off to my publisher:)

I hope that everyone who reads them enjoys these stories as much as I enjoy writing them. Sure, I try to make them as entertaining as possible, but I also write the story that I'm feeling. I write what I feel needs to be there, what the story and the characters need to be told. I write what I would enjoy as a reader. Hopefully, I've found a lot of kindred spirits:)

Upcoming Events and More Pictures

For those close to Northwest Florida, here's where I'll be in the upcoming weeks.


October 9th 5:30-7:00 p.m. - I'll be at the Graceville Library. Myself and some other local authors will be there to introduce ourselves, talk about what we do and answer any questions you might have.


October 11th 9:oo a.m. - Noon - I'll be participating in an Author Symposium at Chipola College in Marianna, FL. I'll be giving two separate one hour lectures. I'm not sure of the exact time of the lectures, but here's what we'll be talking about.


Creative Writing - I will share writing exercises designed to help generate new ideas and work past writer's block.


Character Development - I'll pose a series of questions and concepts to help you get to know your characters on a more personal level or make up entirely new ones.


October 18th 9:00 a.m. - I'll be riding in the local Harvest Day Parade:)


I hope to see you there:)


Here are a few more pictures from my book signing in September.


Priscilla, Green Dude & Me

This is one of my favorites:)

We have lift off!

Here are the projected release dates for my upcoming books

Ebook Releases

Original Sin - Book Four in the Lilith Mercury: Werewolf Hunter Series - December 08

Bitten - February 09

Eden - April 09


Print Releases

Object of My Affection - Book Two, Werewolf Hunter Series - January 09

The Dread Moon - Book Three, Werewolf Hunter Series - March 09

More of the Werewolf Hunter Series is going to print!

I just saw the schedule and Object of My Affection and The Dread Moon are both going to print in 2009. I'm so excited!

Object is scheduled for January 2009 and The Dread Moon is scheduled for March 2009

WOOHOO!

Southern Writers

Blogger has been giving me fits. So, I haven't been on in over a week. But, in the meantime I came across an article about Southern Writers that I really loved. Being from the South myself, I found it to not only be true, but very insightful.

I used to work at a university where one of the professors taught a course about Southern Writers. Now that I officially am one sometimes I marvel at those who have taken similar steps before me ... and so close to home.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy the article too. It should help everyone to understand the Southern muse a little better:)

http://www.absolutewrite.com/fun/southern_writers.htm

911 Memorial

This picture and quote sums up everything I could hope to express about September 11th. That's actually the day I met my husband, seven years before the tragic events of 2001. We used to always say, "Hey, this is the day we met," and remember it. But now it is remembered for different reasons. On the same day our lives changed, years later others were changed for very different reasons.

This post is in loving memory of all those who have died and those who continue to fight so that we might be free. God Bless America.

Family Treasures by M.C. Bechum

At my book signing last Saturday I had the pleasure of meeting another local author. Here's a little bit about M.C. Bechum's latest book, Family Treasures.

Private investigator, Pete Masters attempts to solve the murder of a wealthy attorney. Throughout the course of the investigation, the decedent's family uncovers secrets that change their lives forever.

You can purchase a copy of Family Treasures here:

http://www.lulu.com/content/1323996

Front Page News!

The book signing made the front page of yesterday's Floridan. How cool is that? Here's a copy of the article:) I'm so excited!

An interview with Bade

Bade has been interviewed by Janet Lane Walters! Check out what he had to say and enjoy a few minutes with my favorite bad guy. Bade is such a guilty pleasure:)

http://wwweclecticwriter.blogspot.com/

On a side note, yesterday's book signing went really well! And it made the front page of this morning's Floridan:) I should have some pictures up in the next few days.

In the meantime, enjoy the interview and may Dracula visit your dreams. LOL

Book Signing Tomorrow

Don't forget my book signing tomorrow:) For those in the area (NW Florida or Lower Alabama) here's the address.

Chipola River Book & Tea
4402 Lafayette St.
Marianna, FL

See you there!

Brain Dead has just been released!

Jane Masters had no idea she was a necromancer … until she raised her dead boss. Luis Phillippe is the vampire responsible for the power mingled in her blood. When Luis reveals the details of her past life and the source of her power, her heart remembers him. But will she survive to love him this time?

http://www.newconceptspublishing.com/braindead.htm

And don't forget to check out the new book trailer for Brain Dead. I made it myself:)

Coming Soon

Here's what I've got coming up:) As soon as I know a projected release date, I'll post it here.

Brain Dead is scheduled for release any day now:)

Brain Dead
Jane Masters has no idea she’s a necromancer. Luis Phillippe is the vampire responsible for the power mingled in her blood. Though her love life improves dramatically after meeting Luis, Jane faces a more urgent situation than dating a vampire; her boss is a zombie and it might be her fault. As Luis reveals the details of her past life and the source of her power, they learn there’s a killer on the loose and Jane is next on the list. As for her newly discovered past with Luis, her heart remembers him. But will she survive to love him this time?


Original Sin, book four in the Lilith Mercury: Werewolf Hunter Series
The time has come for Lilith to make a decision about the wolf pack and its leader the super sexy wolf king, Marco Barak. Will she become his queen and help him lead the pack? And if she does, where does that leave her relationship with Dracula?


Bitten
Sandra Ashton is a witch who suddenly finds herself dating three vampires. So, what do you do when you’ve got three immortal beings professing their undying or is that undead love for you? You agree to what they like to call, “joint custody.”
With three sexy vampires at her beck and call … who wouldn’t want to be bitten?


Eden
Catrina’s world is turned upside down the moment she agrees to Viktor’s plan. Who even knew that Abraham Van Helsing had a younger brother? Not only that, but a brother who was turned by the King of Vampires and who held such obvious power. Now she must deal with the consequences of her actions and an attraction she can no longer deny. For in Eden ... not all paradise is lost.

I'm still standing

Better than I've ever been. (What, no one else thought of the next words to the song too?) I've been busy lately, despite my promise to take a break. You know how people say that even lovers need some time away from each other? Well, I think that even writers need some time away from writing.

Don't get me wrong, I crave it. Typing a new chapter is almost like a fix sometimes. It's my drug, my addiction and I love every minute of it. But, I've been taking on too much lately and I need to clear my palate, so to speak.

The last time I took a break, I took four months off and ended up writing the best book I've ever written after that. I've only taken a few days off and I'm already full of new ideas. LOL We'll see how long this break lasts.

I do have some good news to share. I've got a contract on three new books! One of which is, in my opinion, my best ever:) It's called Eden and it meant a lot to me. I can't explain it, the story flowed like the others never have. They all flow ... this was just different. I enjoyed it more than any other story and hopefully my readers will feel the same. It's for that purpose that the book is dedicated to my readers:)

I've also done another photo shoot with my official photographer and friend, Stacey. Some of you may recognize him from the werewolf hunter series. That's right, Dr. Richard Stacey is based on a real person and he makes a hell of a photographer when he's not busy being a physicist. LOL

Unfortunately, Marco is still only in my fantasies. Dracula is another story .....

Here are some of the shots we took. I think I'd make a good Punisher. What do you think?

Cognac Shrimp

Looking for something good that won't take a lot of time? I absolutely love this easy French recipe. I've always loved Italian, but lately I'm getting into French cuisine too:)

Enjoy!


Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:
• 1 shallot, chopped
• ½ cup dry white wine
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon heavy cream
• 12 tablespoons cold butter
• 1/16 teaspoon white pepper
• 5 tablespoons butter
• ¾ lb medium shrimp, rinsed and deveined
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons Cognac

Preparation:

To make Beurre Blanc:

Simmer the shallots, white wine, and lemon juice in a small saucepan over low-medium heat for 5-10 minutes, until the mixture is reduced to about 2 tablespoons. Add the cream and bring to just under a simmer. When the first few bubbles rise, turn the heat down very slightly and add the 12 tablespoons of butter, one tablespoon at a time, whisking constantly. Be sure to allow one pat of butter to melt completely before adding the next. Once the butter is fully incorporated, season the beurre blanc sauce with white pepper and set aside.

In a skillet over high heat, melt 5 tablespoons of butter, and then sauté shrimp, turning a few times until cooked through – about 3-4 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and season the shrimp with salt. Carefully add the Cognac(it may flame) and stir thoroughly. Spoon the warm beurre blanc sauce over the hot shrimp and serve.

Makes 2 servings.

Gratuitous Hot Photo

I absolutely love this picture and thought I'd share:) Aren't you glad I'm in a sharing mood? LOL This picture manages to combine two of my favorite things, Vodka and naked men. What can I say? That's pretty freakin' sweet.

Red is out in print!

The first book in my Werewolf Hunter Series has been a bestselling ebook and is now available in print. I can't even put into words how excited I am.

RED by Tracey H. Kitts (Futuristic/Paranormal Romance)
A Hunter from the planet Terra, the last thing Lilith Mercury needs is to find her way into Hunter-turned- Werewolf, Marco Barak's, bed, but she finds it harder and harder to resist the man she should only think of as an enemy. Sensuality: SENSUAL
http://www.newconceptspublishing.com/red.htm

Just click on the link above to purchase a copy. Cause I know you guys want to buy my book, right? Just be sure to select whether you want a download (ebook) or trade paperback (a book about the size of one of the Harry Potter books) instead.

You can read some excerpts of Red and the other books in the series on my website
http://www.traceyhkitts.com/

Oh, and forward this to all your friends:)

Red is coming to print this Wednesday!

THE FOLLOWING IS AN UNEDITED EXCERPT FROM RED, BOOK ONE IN THE LILITH MERCURY: WEREWOLF HUNTER SERIES BY TRACEY H. KITTS. AVAILABLE NOW FROM NEW CONCEPTS PUBLISHING


We went to a few places. Mostly, Kat drank a lot and watched me dance. I love to dance; it’s such an incredible stress reliever. There are some times when stress just calls for physical activity. I’d worked out so vigorously over the past few months that I’d lost ten pounds. But, I was sick of making my punching bag suffer defeat, or slicing and dicing my poor steel dummy in the training room. I needed to do something less violent to calm my nerves ... I needed to dance.

It was very late, or very early, depending on how you want to look at it, when we arrived at the last stop of the night. This club was unusual, to say the least. Three bold letters splashed above the door in massive blood colored brushstrokes said, Red. The moment I saw it, I knew this was the place from my dream, and somewhere inside, was the man I’d been dreaming about.

The inside of the place was dark, with occasional flashes of strobe lights illuminating a path through the crowd of sweaty gyrating bodies. When I say the music pumped, I’m not using a figure of speech. You could feel the rhythm in your chest, like a heartbeat. Like really good sex, the pounding music rattled your teeth. The whole room pulsated with an energy I couldn’t describe. It excited me.

In the time we were there, a variety of music was played and a variety of people were on the dance floor. Some who could dance, others so drunk they thought they could. Kat made her way over to what may have been a stage, but it looked more like an elevated part of the dance floor. She sat at a table there to enjoy watching some drunk guys trying to dance.

“Free entertainment,” she yelled, pointing at the staggering group.

I yelled back that I’d be at the bar for a while, and made my way back through the crowd. I sat on one of the tall leather barstools, and ordered a coke and rum.
Unfortunately for me, it took a great deal of alcohol to get me drunk and right then, I wanted nothing more than to lose myself in the wonderful haze of intoxication. I metabolize alcohol at such a fast rate that I can get a buzz, sit down to watch a movie, and be completely sober half way through. Kat saw my high metabolism as a gift from God, until I told her how fast I burned off alcohol.

“No one could ever take advantage of you,” she’d teased, looking scandalized.

I tried explaining to her there are ways of intoxicating the senses besides alcohol. She’d smirked and said, “Yeah, but I haven’t had sex that good in a while.” That wasn’t exactly what I’d meant, but I thought explaining would have been a waste of time.
I stayed at the bar for at least twenty minutes, eventually downing straight shots of rum. The whole time I was there, I sensed someone watching me. I put down my tenth empty shot glass and focused for a moment on the eyes that I could feel on my back. Even through the haze I’d managed to accomplish I knew a werewolf when I sensed one. My heart fluttered, my pulse quickened, and I was suddenly short of breath. It was almost like being aroused.

Someone leaned over me just as there was a brief pause in the music and whispered against my right ear, “Would you like to dance?” His scent was thrilling. He smelled clean, like soap mingled with aftershave, and underneath it all, there was the undeniable scent of a man. I turned enough to see Marco Barak.

“Hello, Red,” he smiled.

I wondered if he’d been waiting till I got drunk enough to accept his offer. I hesitated for a moment, just looking at him. I might have to kill this man one day. But that night, I wanted to dance. I took his hand and led him onto the dance floor through the crowd, and onto the raised platform in front of Kat’s table. We danced for what felt like hours. I suppose you could have called our dancing foreplay. I know many women consider dancing a metaphor for sex. If that’s true, then my God, this man danced well.

Time stood still as we moved together. The touch of his body against mine sent fire through my veins, like small jolts of electric sensuality. I was vaguely aware that Kat had taken out her camera and was snapping pictures between the flashing lights. The room seemed to freeze with each flash, giving me unforgettable mental images. Marco wore black leather pants and a matching shirt that felt smooth to the touch. We looked as if we’d dressed to match.

His hair that I remembered as a dusty blond had darkened into a brown over the years. Through the rain a few weeks ago, I couldn’t tell. After all, everything is darker when it’s wet. But, his eyes were the same deep chocolate brown I remembered. I noticed a light stubble on his chin, as if he’d forgotten to shave, and the beginnings of side burns. Have I mentioned how fond I am of men who look like they’ve been roughed up a little?

He pulled me close and asked, “What are you thinking?”

“That you’re a good dancer.” I paused, looking him up and down. “It’s difficult to find a man with such ... rhythm.” I looked into his dark eyes and saw a passion which could only be described as hunger.

“I was seriously considering asking you to leave with me,” he confessed.

“I was considering doing just that.”

He didn’t seem as surprised as I’d expected. “Are you here with someone?”

“A friend.”

“Are you attached to someone in any way?”

“Yes,” I lied. “Are you?”

“Yes, but I’m beginning to regret my choices,” he answered.

He pulled me near, as if to kiss me. Stopping just short of contact, he breathed against my lips, “Let’s get out of here.”

“Let me tell my friend I’m leaving. She’s really drunk and is going to need a cab,” I explained.

“Does she know me?” he asked.

“Yeah, she knows who you are.”

He paused, as if trying to figure out how to word his question. “I mean, does she know--”

“What you are?” I interrupted.

He nodded.

“Yes. She does,” I said simply.

“Will she tell on you?” he asked.

“No.”

Stepping down from the platform, I walked to Kathryn’s table and tried to explain that I was leaving with Marco. She was very drunk, and couldn’t seem to grasp what I was saying. I handed her some money. “You go back to the hotel, don’t take anyone with you, and lock the door. Understand?” She nodded, but still had a blank look on her face.

“But ... isn’t he--?”

“Yes,” I interrupted, “He is.”

She looked around me at Marco. It was obvious what she was thinking. She looked him up and down like he was on a buffet and she was starving. “Oh ... alright then.” I gave her a look that said this was not up for discussion. “How long will you be?” she asked.

I glanced back to Marco waiting patiently and let my eyes roam over all of the places I’d like to put my hands. “This might take a while,” I answered.

Red is the first book in my Lilith Mercury Werewolf Hunter Series. Available now at www.newconceptspublishing.com/red.htm.

Red will be available in print this Wednesday but is available now as an ebook.


Red - "She's torn between the man who saved her humanity and the onewho makes her want to embrace the beast."

http://www.traceyhkitts.com/- watch the trailer!

http://www.myspace.com/traceyhkitts
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/forbidden_fruitisalwayssweeter/ - check out my week long excerpt party!

How about a week long party?

In celebration of reaching 100 members and the upcoming print release of Red, I'd like to invite everyone to a week long party at my place:)

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

You can post excerpts, run contests, post any kind of promo you want. There is no limit to how much you can post or any rating restrictions. Just post a rating if it's reeeeaaaalllly dirty. That way I'll be sure to read it. LOL

Have fun, enjoy and let's party!

*permission to forward granted and appreciated*

I was on TV this morning:)

I was on the Ann Varnum Show this morning and I think it went well. The interview was taped a few weeks ago and was actually the first time I got to watch myself. All the other interviews I've done have been live and I didn't get to record them.

Anyway, other than looking like crap on camera, it was a blast. LOL Hopefully, I'll be able to transfer the video to my computer and put it on Youtube sometime soon:)

Insomnia and Stress

I would say it's a vicious cycle, but it's more like a vicious unicycle and I can't keep my balance. I've had 20 minutes sleep in the past 24 hours. By the time I finally get to sleep that will be 20 minutes sleep in the last 36 hours.

I won't get into all the details but I've got a lot of crap going on at the moment. Once that gets settled I plan to start working on my next book. I've got several ideas bouncing around in my sleep deprived mind at the moment and once I get some rest I'll see which one feels like the right direction to take.

I'm trying to decide between a re-write of what I think is a really good story I'd just like to add in a few more elements and give it an overall different feel yet maintain the same general plot. Or a completely new idea I've been toying with for a couple of months.

If I do the re-write, it will be my first. Normally I write the story I intend to write the first time. And though I feel the love story is one of the most compelling I've ever told, there are some other things that I feel would add to the story and therefore make it much more interesting beyond the main character's love life. Hmmm. Decisions, decisions.

There has been, through no fault of my own or my families or my publisher (it's not that kind of problem) unnecessary drama in my life lately. Like I said, I'm not going to get into it here or anywhere else. Just mentioning it at all helps me to cope. I try to the best of my ability to maintain professionalism and to speak of the details would be extremely unprofessional. But I am upset and writing about it, however indirectly, is therapy for me. LOL

Hopefully all will be well soon and I'll be back to doing what I love, writing something that I hope my readers and friends will enjoy.

S & M Barbie Gets Slammed

Sounds like something she'd like. LOL Personally, I don't see anything wrong with this doll. As a matter of fact, I like her outfit. But, I'll give you the link to the article and let you guys decide for yourselves.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,383642,00.html

What's particularly stupid about the whole thing to me is that the comic character the doll is based on has been around for a long time and you probably guessed it, she was wearing that outfit. What is it that set them off, the fishnets?

Personally, I have a problem with people who try to impose their own sense of self-righteous morality onto others. For the record, that only makes me resent them. I feel that you should never tell others what to think or feel or what to buy. If they don't like it then don't buy the doll.

What's the expression I'm looking for here ...... Have a Coke and a smile and shut up. LOL

I can't sleep so I'm talking about Batman?

Insomnia is a hell of a thing. I don't suffer from nightmares or delusions or stomach upset or any other numerous things I could imagine to keep me up. I feel fine, other than being so freaking sleepy. There is absolutely no reason for me to be up this damn early. None.

However, when one cannot sleep, one tends to find interesting things. Or maybe I'm just so tired that I think they're interesting. Anyway, I found this interesting thing because a friend of mine emailed it to me. It's an article about why Batman matters and I really enjoyed it. I also really enjoyed The Dark Knight. Don't worry, I'm not going to give anything away.

http://foxforum.blogs.foxnews.com/2008/07/21/why-batman-matters/

The article makes a good point. We are in need of a hero and it's about damn time that someone stepped up to the plate. I have long disagreed with the people who feel like there are no such things as heroes or that we as a society do not need them. Some people will argue that heroes make us feel bad about ourselves or that we aren't sheep so we don't need someone to follow, that we are our own leaders.

I don't think heroes are meant for any of those purposes. We all, myself included, need something greater than ourselves to aspire to. I will freely admit that I can see The Joker's point of view. Hell, that was my nickname way back when:) Now, don't panic. I'm not going to start wearing purple and killing people. Okay, so I already wear purple, but you get my point. Take this in context. My point is that my first response to many stressful situations is ... chaos for lack of a better word. My gut reaction is often not pleasant in the slightest. But if I give myself one moment, just a second or two to think about it I end up doing the right thing. Even or maybe especially when I don't want to.

Why? Because I think of my heroes both real life and in the comics and know that they would do the right thing. Knowing what they would do sometimes makes the right thing easier to spot. We need more people to help figure these right things out. Otherwise, I'll let you borrow my purple robe:)

Holy crap I need some sleep! LOL

Have you ever wanted to write a book?

I'll be teaching a class in September about How To Get Your Novel Started.

Have ideas but don't know where to start? This 4-week course will point you in the right direction. By week 4 you should have a working outline and be ready to start your novel.

Classes start Sept. 4 and will meet on Thursdays 6:30-8:00 p.m.

The course is $80 per person. To sign up for class please call 850-263-7876 between the hours of 5-7 p.m. and leave a message including your name and contact information. Or send an email to tracey h kitts @ yahoo.com with the subject line CLASS.

If you're in the Northwest Florida/Lower Alabama area and you'd like to write a book then this is the class for you.

See you there!

Upcoming Television Appearance

I'll be on the Ann Varnum show on Saturday, August 2. For those of you in the Wiregrass area that's channel 4. The show will air at 5:30 a.m. and again at 5:30 p.m. More details on Ann's show and the various times and stations can be found here.

http://www.wtvynews4.com/aboutus/headlines/11131.html

I'll post a reminder before the 2nd. Hopefully this will help me connect with a whole new audience:)

Mary Winter - Featured Author

THK. Tell me about yourself.

MW. I’m a life-long Iowan who knew even in junior high and high school that I wanted to write romance novels. I think I went from the middle grade books like the Saddle Club directly into Silhouette Desires and Harlequin Superromances, which I happen to consider my “guilty pleasure” reading. My dream in high-school was to work as a groom on a race horse farm and write romance novels. To that end, I have a half a degree in equine science. Then, I realized that at $5 an hour, I was probably the highest paid stable hand in America and I got a “real” job. I still aspired to write romance novels, and in December 2002, I was published.

THK. Tell me about your current and upcoming releases. Please include a blurb and a link to where the book can be purchased.

MW. My most recent release was “The Wrong Woman” from Noble Romance Publishing. This is a re-release of a previously published book.

Blurb: Laid off from her accounting job, Annie Gadbaum has to find a new source of income. Tired of the stuffy corporate life and ready to make some big changes, Annie takes a position as a bartender at a nightclub while she figures out what to do. She throws herself into her work, dressing the part and enjoying the party atmosphere more than she ever thought she would.Nightclub owner, Ridge Warrick, longs for a stable relationship with the kind of woman he can bring home to his mother. So why is he so attracted to the fiery-haired Annie? She's captivated him, but she's the wrong kind of girl.

Buy link: http://www.nobleromance.com/ItemDisplay.aspx?i=7

Coming up in July I have “Good Medicine” from my company, Pink Petal Books. This is a re-release of a book previously published as “Money Man.”

Buy Link: http://jupitergardens.com/product_info.php?cPath=47_48_49&products_id=884

Blurb: Sadie Grissom is still reeling from Devon Markier III purchasing the vet clinic where she works. The practice could have been hers if Sadie had been able to secure funding. She's torn between thankfulness at still having a job and trying to cope with the Devon's privileged upbringing and playboy lifestyle.

Devon bought the clinic to have a place away from his family to practice his veterinary work. The fact that the sexy Sadie came with the facility is a major bonus. He knows she sees him as her boss but he wants much more than a simple business relationship.

This hot doctor is going to prove to Sadie that love is the best medicine of all.

I also have a couple of books that will be released probably within the next couple of months, but I don’t have dates for them yet, so the best thing to do would be to check my website for updates.

THK. What genre do you write? What drew you to write in that genre? If you mix genres talk about that too.

MW. I’m a published erotic romance novelist. My books range from contemporaries to paranormals, fantasy, and futuristic. I also have a nonfiction book on Animal Reiki forthcoming from The Lotus Circle. I also am writing some sweet-sensual romances as well as fantasy novels. We’ll see what happens with those. *grin*

THK. How many books have you written? How many have been published?

MW. I honestly can’t tell you how many books I have written. I have over twenty published, with hopes for many more.

THK. What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?

MW. My ability to snatch one-two sentences in between doing other things. Those sentences really add up.

THK. What is the hardest part of writing?

MW. Saying that this book is a good as it’s going to get and sending it off into the world. I could fuss and worry over a project forever, but at some point you have to admit that it’s as polished as you (and your critique partners) can make it, and it needs to go find a home.

THK. What do you read for fun when you’re not writing?

MW. I read romance novels, science fiction, and fantasy.

THK. Any words of encouragement for unpublished writers?

MW. Keep trying. Don’t give up. And write the book that you want to write, not what you think the market wants or what is “hot.”

What a great interview and what great advice for unpublished writers. I couldn't agree more:)

You can find out more about Mary and her books here:

Website & Blog: http://www.marywinter.com/

newsletter: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marywinternews

chat loop: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/marywinterchat

myspace: http://myspace.com/mary_winter

WOOHOO!!!!

I just finished The Bleeding Heart! This is book six in my werewolf hunter series and I am thrilled! Of course, I'll hold onto it along with book five for a bit longer before submitting them to my publisher. But I'm so excited to have completed it in only three weeks:)

So much happens in this part of the series. How I finished it in three weeks is nothing short of an act of God. The story moves so fast in this edition, especially in Lilith's personal life that it will make your head spin. At least it did mine. LOL

I'm gonna go re-read the ending and maybe treat myself to a glass of wine:)

Reminiscing

That's what I've been doing this afternoon. I took yesterday off from writing, which is a rare thing for me. But, a blood vessel in my left eye wasn't too happy about my long hours staring at a computer screen. So, I took a day off.

Today I decided to relax and watch some television. I just so happened to come across Edward Scissorhands. I had forgotten why this was one of my favorite movies when I was younger. Hell, it's one of my favorites still. And it has nothing to do with Johnny Depp. Honestly.

I've always been drawn to a strange combination of man and beast ... and Edward fit that description perfectly. After all, I managed to romanticize Dracula and werewolves ... why not something else? The macabre has an appeal to me that I've never been able to explain. I've been called everything from sick to crazy over the years, but that didn't change any of my preferences.

Needless to say, I'm used to not fitting in. I'm used to being thought of as strange or nuts, or both. But at least now I get to do what I love. Maybe now, through my stories people can understand what I find so appealing about the man/monster combination ... even if they never understand me.

I think I'm going to write a little more now. Book 6 is coming along so well, I really can't leave it for more than a day.