From the Colorado Romance Writers's President:
The Heart of the Rockies Unpublished Writer's Contest deadline is tomorrow, 6/30/11. We are low in most categories. Please submit!!!
CONTEST FORMAT: 2011 Heart of the Rockies Contest
Sponsor: Colorado Romance Writers
Fee: $25 (CRW members) $30 (Non-members)
Deadline: June 30, 2011
Eligibility: Open to unpublished authors only
Entry: The first two chapters and a 1-5 page synopsis, 35 pages
total max. Save money on printing and postage! We are accepting
electronic submissions only!
Categories: Young adult, short contemporary, long contemporary, romantic suspense,
single title contemporary, historical, paranormal/time travel/futuristic/fantasy, inspirational,
and mainstream with romantic elements.
Judges: one published and one un-published author
Final Judges:
* Short Contemporary: Laura Barth, Associate Editor, Harlequin
* Long Contemporary: Charles Griemsman, Associate Editor, Harlequin
* Single Title: Stephany Evans, Agent, Fine Print Literary Agency
* Paranormal/Time Travel/Futuristic/Fantasy: Laura Bradford, The Bradford Literary Agency
* Historical: Sara Megibow, Associate Literary Agent, Nelson Literary Agency
* Romantic Suspense: Laura Baumbach, Editor, Passion in Print
* Inspirational Category: Julie Gwinn, Fiction Manager, B&H Publishing Group
* Young Adult: Megan Records, Associate Editor, Kensington Publishing
* Mainstream w/Romantic Elements: Kristin Sevick, TOR
FMI, entry form and rules, go to www.coloradoromancewriters.comhttp://www.coloradoromancewriters.com/ and select the Heart of the Rockies option from the Contests tab. You may also email the contest Coordinator Liz Pelletier at HOTRCoordinator@yahoo.com
[PERMISSION TO FORWARD IS GRANTED]
Jen Maitlen
2011 CRW President
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Monday, June 13, 2011
Writer with Sizzle: Miranda Stowe
Please welcome Miranda Stowe! Miranda would like to give away a free eBook copy of her sizzling story Caught in Heat. If you’d like to leave your email address in the comments, that would help her get a hold of you. Thanks!
About Miranda:
Miranda writes erotic romance of the contemporary, paranormal and suspense variety. She lives with her wonderful, Brad-Pitt-lookalike husband (hey, they're both blond-haired and blue-eyed) and adorable still-needs-to-learn-the-meaning-of-NO toddler daughter on their spacious corn-field-and-cow-pasture-front property in Kansas. Librarian by day and author by night, she is also published in YA and contemporary mainstream romance under a different pen name.
You can find her at:
Website & Blog : http://mirandastowe.blogspot.com/
GoodReads : http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4741738.Miranda_Stowe
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/people/Miranda-Stowe/100002055561651
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/mirandastowebks
Lia: Great to have you here, Miranda. Tell us about your latest release.
Miranda: Caught in Heat came out in May from Cobblestone Press. It’s the beginning of my paranormal novella series called Half-breed Shifters.
The title pretty much says it all. When shapeshifter, Riley, is about to fall into her first mating heat, she frantically searches for a shifter refuge that’ll drug her up without feeling the need for sex.
But…Shaw Griffin, a human shifter hunter who is determined to wipe out the entire shapeshifting species after a pack of wolves slaughtered his family, catches her in one of his traps. As you can image, he just can’t kill Riley when he checks his trap because he’s a bit too turned on by the gorgeous, naked woman begging him to sex her up.
The second book in the series (Dreams of Wolf) just sold to Cobblestone. And its title tells you all you need to know there too!
Lia: Now that’s a hot premise! What is your favorite thing about being a romance writer?
Miranda: The happily ever after.
Lia: I definitely agree. What does your heroine love most about your hero? Least?
Miranda: In Caught in Heat, Riley admires Shaw’s back-down-from-nothing attitude, not even an obviously stronger shapeshifter (he’s human). He doesn’t fear anything.
Least? Well, she doesn’t necessarily appreciate the fact he wants to kill her when they first meet. Kind of a buzz kill!
Lia: LOL! That’s understandable. Have you ever cried or laughed out loud while writing a scene?
Miranda: I have no idea why, but every time I read this one line I wrote in Dreams of Wolf, I just can’t stop myself from cracking a smile. When the heroine finds out the hero is also part deer, she makes him change into his stag side and when she sees him in all his antlered glory, she says, “You probably get this a lot, but…nice rack.”
Lia: Hilarious line! Made me smile too. Do you have a favorite writer you’ve read over and over?
Miranda: I can’t count the number of times I’ve read “London’s Perfect Scoundrel” by Suzanne Enoch. LOVE IT!
Lia: I’ll have to check it out. Where is the wildest place your characters have had sex?
Miranda: In a truck…while the hero is driving home from a funeral (in Taken by a Killer). Or there’s that scene (in Mile High Service) where the h/h get in on in an airplane bathroom on a commercial flight. Or are those places even considered wild? I dunno.
Lia: Oh yeah. I think so. Where can readers find your books?
Miranda:
Whispers Publishing, Cobblestone Press, LLC. Amazon, All Romance ebooks, Fictionwise, Mobipocket. And one is coming soon to Liquid Silver Books!
Caught in Heat Buy Link : http://www.cobblestone-press.com/catalog/books/caughtinheat.htm
Lia: Thanks for being a Writer with Sizzle, Miranda!
About Miranda:
Miranda writes erotic romance of the contemporary, paranormal and suspense variety. She lives with her wonderful, Brad-Pitt-lookalike husband (hey, they're both blond-haired and blue-eyed) and adorable still-needs-to-learn-the-meaning-of-NO toddler daughter on their spacious corn-field-and-cow-pasture-front property in Kansas. Librarian by day and author by night, she is also published in YA and contemporary mainstream romance under a different pen name.
You can find her at:
Website & Blog : http://mirandastowe.blogspot.com/
GoodReads : http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4741738.Miranda_Stowe
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/people/Miranda-Stowe/100002055561651
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/mirandastowebks
Lia: Great to have you here, Miranda. Tell us about your latest release.
The title pretty much says it all. When shapeshifter, Riley, is about to fall into her first mating heat, she frantically searches for a shifter refuge that’ll drug her up without feeling the need for sex.
But…Shaw Griffin, a human shifter hunter who is determined to wipe out the entire shapeshifting species after a pack of wolves slaughtered his family, catches her in one of his traps. As you can image, he just can’t kill Riley when he checks his trap because he’s a bit too turned on by the gorgeous, naked woman begging him to sex her up.
The second book in the series (Dreams of Wolf) just sold to Cobblestone. And its title tells you all you need to know there too!
Lia: Now that’s a hot premise! What is your favorite thing about being a romance writer?
Miranda: The happily ever after.
Lia: I definitely agree. What does your heroine love most about your hero? Least?
Miranda: In Caught in Heat, Riley admires Shaw’s back-down-from-nothing attitude, not even an obviously stronger shapeshifter (he’s human). He doesn’t fear anything.
Least? Well, she doesn’t necessarily appreciate the fact he wants to kill her when they first meet. Kind of a buzz kill!
Lia: LOL! That’s understandable. Have you ever cried or laughed out loud while writing a scene?
Miranda: I have no idea why, but every time I read this one line I wrote in Dreams of Wolf, I just can’t stop myself from cracking a smile. When the heroine finds out the hero is also part deer, she makes him change into his stag side and when she sees him in all his antlered glory, she says, “You probably get this a lot, but…nice rack.”
Lia: Hilarious line! Made me smile too. Do you have a favorite writer you’ve read over and over?
Miranda: I can’t count the number of times I’ve read “London’s Perfect Scoundrel” by Suzanne Enoch. LOVE IT!
Lia: I’ll have to check it out. Where is the wildest place your characters have had sex?
Miranda: In a truck…while the hero is driving home from a funeral (in Taken by a Killer). Or there’s that scene (in Mile High Service) where the h/h get in on in an airplane bathroom on a commercial flight. Or are those places even considered wild? I dunno.
Lia: Oh yeah. I think so. Where can readers find your books?
Miranda:
Whispers Publishing, Cobblestone Press, LLC. Amazon, All Romance ebooks, Fictionwise, Mobipocket. And one is coming soon to Liquid Silver Books!
Caught in Heat Buy Link : http://www.cobblestone-press.com/catalog/books/caughtinheat.htm
Lia: Thanks for being a Writer with Sizzle, Miranda!
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
My Self-publishing Venture...And a Sizzling Deal!
I've gained the rights back to two of my titles. Fatal Exposure and Off Limits. As I'm considering what to do with Fatal Exposure, a full length erotic romantic suspense, I've taken the big step of self-publishing Off Limits. So what does that mean?
For the reader, it simply means that Off Limits is now available with a new hot cover for the low price of 99 cents. It's available right now for your Kindle. And can also be purchased in various formats from Smashwords. In the near future, this erotic short story will be available from Barnes & Noble, Diesel, All Romance Ebooks, and many other online ebook vendors.
I'll have good news about the fate of Fatal Exposure soon, so be on the lookout for that, as well!
More about Off Limits:
Kara Reynolds has always been a law-abiding citizen, but when she’s forced to break into her ex's house to retrieve a treasured memento, she's caught off guard by his younger brother…who just happens to be a cop. And the star of Kara’s most forbidden fantasies.
Austin Bannon finally has Kara in his grasp. After ten years of trying to keep his hands off his brother's wife, he sees his chance to claim the woman he loves. And to show her that he’s all the man she’ll ever need.
Page count is about 26 pages if the ebook is printed out. Word count is about 9600 words.
I hope you'll enjoy the new low price and sizzling cover. So what do you think?
For the reader, it simply means that Off Limits is now available with a new hot cover for the low price of 99 cents. It's available right now for your Kindle. And can also be purchased in various formats from Smashwords. In the near future, this erotic short story will be available from Barnes & Noble, Diesel, All Romance Ebooks, and many other online ebook vendors.
I'll have good news about the fate of Fatal Exposure soon, so be on the lookout for that, as well!
More about Off Limits:
Kara Reynolds has always been a law-abiding citizen, but when she’s forced to break into her ex's house to retrieve a treasured memento, she's caught off guard by his younger brother…who just happens to be a cop. And the star of Kara’s most forbidden fantasies.
Austin Bannon finally has Kara in his grasp. After ten years of trying to keep his hands off his brother's wife, he sees his chance to claim the woman he loves. And to show her that he’s all the man she’ll ever need.
Page count is about 26 pages if the ebook is printed out. Word count is about 9600 words.
I hope you'll enjoy the new low price and sizzling cover. So what do you think?
Monday, April 25, 2011
Writer with Sizzle Interview: Lynne Roberts
Please welcome erotic romance author Lynne Roberts! Lynne would like to give away an e-book copy of her latest release HOOKING UP to one lucky commenter, so be sure to leave your email address in the comments section so she can reach you. (Winner announced on Wednesday!)
About Lynne:
Lynne Roberts wrote her first story out of frustration at the age of 11 because Gone with the Wind just couldn’t end with Rhett and Scarlett not together.
She’s a hopeless romantic and a sucker for a happily ever after.
She’s been writing professionally since 2005 and, after reading some very talented authors, attempted her first erotic romance in 2009.
A hopeless coffee-addict, when she’s not writing, editing or on Twitter—which isn’t often—you can find her with her fiancé, in the garden, reading or with her five children. Sometimes all of the above.
Lynne currently lives in sunny California. You can learn more about her on her website and blog. She’d love to hear from you.
http://lynneroberts.net/
http://lynneroberts.blogspot.com/
Lia: Great to have you here, Lynne! Tell us about your latest release.
Lynne: Hooking Up takes place entirely in a bar. It started as a single scene and evolved into one of my favorite stories ever!
Trisha is tired of tame, tired of predictable. After years playing the supporting role, she longs for a night of unrestrained sensuality—even if that means stepping out of her comfort zone and into the arms of a stranger.
Excerpt:
One corner of the blond’s mouth turned up as his gaze roamed her body. He was checking her out.
She smiled. Let him. Two could play at that game.
She imagined licking those full lips, dipping her tongue into his mouth. Would he taste sweet?
Tangy? He’d taste strange, different. She needed something different.
In her mind’s eye, she watched her hands sliding under his shirt to explore the smooth muscles of his chest, seeking down the sculpted abdomen to his cock. It would feel heavy and hot. Oh, God, how she missed the weight of an erect shaft in her hand, the texture of the satiny skin, the musky smell of man at his most primal. She missed the salty taste in her mouth and the feminine power of bringing a strong man to his knees as he orgasmed.
Lia: Wow! Definitely sizzling. What is your favorite thing about being a romance writer?
Lynne: Hearing from people who have enjoyed my books. As a writer, you lose a little perspective after you’ve gone over each word and comma a hundred times. ; ) It’s wonderful to know readers enjoy your work!
Lia: So true! Have you ever cried or laughed out loud while writing a scene?
Lynne: Yes!!! I’m editing a book now I last worked on about a year ago. I still cried! I firmly believe if you don’t cry, laugh, root for the HEA, your readers won’t either.
Lia: I think you’re absolutely right. Which scene in your book do you think will leave the reading squirming in their seat?
Lynne: The love scene in the bathroom. At least it leaves me squirming. : )
Lia: What’s your secret to writing a steamy scene?
Lynne: I write it straight through without stopping and then go back and edit.
Lia: Is there anything special you do to get in the mood before writing a scene?
Lynne: Depends on the scene. Sometimes I’ll listen to specific music that either inspired the scene or reminds me of the characters. Other times I’ll close my eyes and picture every detail in my head until it flows onto the page.
Lia: Do you have a favorite writer you’ve read over and over?
Lynne: I read CS Lewis and Tolkien every 5 years or so. I love everything Ilona Andrews or Patricia Briggs writes. I know, they’re all fantasy. *sigh* I blame that on the fact I’m working on a fantasy at the moment. I’m reading Cari Quinn now. Every time I read one of her books, I sit back in amazement. She makes it look so easy! Nalini Singh, Larissa Ione, Kresley Cole are a few of my favorite romance authors.
Lia: All wonderful authors! Have you ever lived out any of your scenes?
Lynne: No. ; ) My characters are quite a bit more adventurous than I am.
Lia: Sigh. Mine are too. LOL. Where do you get your inspiration?
Lynne: Walmart. No, kidding. Everywhere. I never know when it will strike. Writers should keep a pad and pen with them at all times.
Lia: Do you have any advice for the budding erotic romance writer?
Lynne: Read! It sounds simple, but it’s so important. The second thing I’d tell them is to finish the story. A bad story can be edited. A blank page can’t. Oh, I guess I’m full of advice today. Because I also think you should push your comfort zone just a little.
Lia: Great advice. Where is the wildest place your characters have had sex?
Lynne: My characters only have sex in wild places! I think the first time I wrote about sex in a bed was in Creative License and that came out early this year. Let’s see. A barn, stairwell, bathroom…take your pick. ; )
Lia: Love it! Have your characters ever been caught having sex in public? How did that go?
Lynne: As you can see by the previous question, they’ve all had sex in public, but they haven’t been caught. Come to think of it, that might be interesting.
Lia: Has anything in your real life ever inspired a scene for your book?
Lynne: Yes, but all mild things. My sisters had taken me out to dinner for my birthday a few years ago. Glenn’s first scene in Hooking Up was inspired by a man sitting at a bar staring into his drink as though it contained the answers to the world’s problems. Or at least his.
Lia: Thanks for a being a Writer with Sizzle, Lynne!
Where you can find Lynne's books:
http://store.samhainpublishing.com/creative-license-p-6257.html
http://www.thewildrosepress.com/wilderroses/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=90
About Lynne:
Lynne Roberts wrote her first story out of frustration at the age of 11 because Gone with the Wind just couldn’t end with Rhett and Scarlett not together.
She’s a hopeless romantic and a sucker for a happily ever after.
She’s been writing professionally since 2005 and, after reading some very talented authors, attempted her first erotic romance in 2009.
A hopeless coffee-addict, when she’s not writing, editing or on Twitter—which isn’t often—you can find her with her fiancé, in the garden, reading or with her five children. Sometimes all of the above.
Lynne currently lives in sunny California. You can learn more about her on her website and blog. She’d love to hear from you.
http://lynneroberts.net/
http://lynneroberts.blogspot.com/
Lia: Great to have you here, Lynne! Tell us about your latest release.
Lynne: Hooking Up takes place entirely in a bar. It started as a single scene and evolved into one of my favorite stories ever!
Excerpt:
One corner of the blond’s mouth turned up as his gaze roamed her body. He was checking her out.
She smiled. Let him. Two could play at that game.
She imagined licking those full lips, dipping her tongue into his mouth. Would he taste sweet?
Tangy? He’d taste strange, different. She needed something different.
In her mind’s eye, she watched her hands sliding under his shirt to explore the smooth muscles of his chest, seeking down the sculpted abdomen to his cock. It would feel heavy and hot. Oh, God, how she missed the weight of an erect shaft in her hand, the texture of the satiny skin, the musky smell of man at his most primal. She missed the salty taste in her mouth and the feminine power of bringing a strong man to his knees as he orgasmed.
Lia: Wow! Definitely sizzling. What is your favorite thing about being a romance writer?
Lynne: Hearing from people who have enjoyed my books. As a writer, you lose a little perspective after you’ve gone over each word and comma a hundred times. ; ) It’s wonderful to know readers enjoy your work!
Lia: So true! Have you ever cried or laughed out loud while writing a scene?
Lynne: Yes!!! I’m editing a book now I last worked on about a year ago. I still cried! I firmly believe if you don’t cry, laugh, root for the HEA, your readers won’t either.
Lia: I think you’re absolutely right. Which scene in your book do you think will leave the reading squirming in their seat?
Lynne: The love scene in the bathroom. At least it leaves me squirming. : )
Lia: What’s your secret to writing a steamy scene?
Lynne: I write it straight through without stopping and then go back and edit.
Lia: Is there anything special you do to get in the mood before writing a scene?
Lynne: Depends on the scene. Sometimes I’ll listen to specific music that either inspired the scene or reminds me of the characters. Other times I’ll close my eyes and picture every detail in my head until it flows onto the page.
Lia: Do you have a favorite writer you’ve read over and over?
Lynne: I read CS Lewis and Tolkien every 5 years or so. I love everything Ilona Andrews or Patricia Briggs writes. I know, they’re all fantasy. *sigh* I blame that on the fact I’m working on a fantasy at the moment. I’m reading Cari Quinn now. Every time I read one of her books, I sit back in amazement. She makes it look so easy! Nalini Singh, Larissa Ione, Kresley Cole are a few of my favorite romance authors.
Lia: All wonderful authors! Have you ever lived out any of your scenes?
Lynne: No. ; ) My characters are quite a bit more adventurous than I am.
Lia: Sigh. Mine are too. LOL. Where do you get your inspiration?
Lynne: Walmart. No, kidding. Everywhere. I never know when it will strike. Writers should keep a pad and pen with them at all times.
Lia: Do you have any advice for the budding erotic romance writer?
Lynne: Read! It sounds simple, but it’s so important. The second thing I’d tell them is to finish the story. A bad story can be edited. A blank page can’t. Oh, I guess I’m full of advice today. Because I also think you should push your comfort zone just a little.
Lia: Great advice. Where is the wildest place your characters have had sex?
Lynne: My characters only have sex in wild places! I think the first time I wrote about sex in a bed was in Creative License and that came out early this year. Let’s see. A barn, stairwell, bathroom…take your pick. ; )
Lia: Love it! Have your characters ever been caught having sex in public? How did that go?
Lynne: As you can see by the previous question, they’ve all had sex in public, but they haven’t been caught. Come to think of it, that might be interesting.
Lia: Has anything in your real life ever inspired a scene for your book?
Lynne: Yes, but all mild things. My sisters had taken me out to dinner for my birthday a few years ago. Glenn’s first scene in Hooking Up was inspired by a man sitting at a bar staring into his drink as though it contained the answers to the world’s problems. Or at least his.
Lia: Thanks for a being a Writer with Sizzle, Lynne!
Where you can find Lynne's books:
http://store.samhainpublishing.com/creative-license-p-6257.html
http://www.thewildrosepress.com/wilderroses/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=90
Monday, April 18, 2011
Writer with Sizzle Interview: Nana Malone!
Please welcome contemporary romance author Nana Malone!
About Nana:
Nana’s love of all things romance and adventure started with a tattered romantic suspense she borrowed from her cousin on a sultry summer afternoon in Ghana at a precocious thirteen. She’s been in love with kick butt heroines ever since. With her overactive imagination, and channeling her inner Buffy, it was only a matter a time before she started creating her own characters.
Waiting for her chance at a job as a ninja assassin, Nana, meantime works out her drama, passion and sass with fictional characters every bit as sassy and kick butt as she thinks she is. Though, until that ninja job comes through, you’ll find her acting out scenes for hubby and puppy while catching up on her favorite reality television shows in sunny San Diego.
Her debut novel GAME, SET, MATCH is available from The Wild Rose Press and Amazon.
Lia: Welcome, Nana! Please tell us about your latest release, Game, Set, Match.
Nana: Game, Set, Match is a contemporary romance set in Los Angeles. It’s a story of lost and reacquainted love. In a world of flash and not much substance, Jason is looking to find meaning in his life again, while Izzy is struggling to keep her family together while building her career. Both characters need to overcome their self doubt, trust barriers and the pains of the past to find their way back to each other.
Lia: Sounds great! Have you ever cried or laughed out loud while writing a scene?
Nana: Oh absolutely! The scene I laughed about most in this book was where Izzy sent a, erm, scandalous picture of herself to the wrong man. While I haven't done that before myself, I can just imagine. Holy red faced. I laughed the whole time I wrote it.
Lia: That’s hilarious! I bet she was mortified. Which scene do you think will leave the reading squirming in their seat?
Nana: Ha! I warn you now, I write hot. Not quite erotica, but everyone who reads GSM, should be running for their significant other. Start with the first love scene through the last.
Lia: Have your characters ever been caught having sex in public? How did that go?
Nana: Funny you should ask. Lol. Two characters in GSM do get busted, but they don't know it until later. In the book I'm writing right now, I have my main characters get caught. Don't want to spoil it for you, but you know how you get past that point of no return where you just can't stop... *flutter of eyelashes."
Lia: *Fanning* Yeah, I think I might know what you’re talking about. Wink-wink. Thanks so much for being here today, Nana!
Nana: Thank you so much for having me for this interview. I really enjoyed myself.
Other places to find Nana:
http://www.nanamalone.com/
http://www.thepopculturedivas.com/
Facebook
Twitter
About Nana:
Nana’s love of all things romance and adventure started with a tattered romantic suspense she borrowed from her cousin on a sultry summer afternoon in Ghana at a precocious thirteen. She’s been in love with kick butt heroines ever since. With her overactive imagination, and channeling her inner Buffy, it was only a matter a time before she started creating her own characters.
Waiting for her chance at a job as a ninja assassin, Nana, meantime works out her drama, passion and sass with fictional characters every bit as sassy and kick butt as she thinks she is. Though, until that ninja job comes through, you’ll find her acting out scenes for hubby and puppy while catching up on her favorite reality television shows in sunny San Diego.
Her debut novel GAME, SET, MATCH is available from The Wild Rose Press and Amazon.
Lia: Welcome, Nana! Please tell us about your latest release, Game, Set, Match.
Lia: Sounds great! Have you ever cried or laughed out loud while writing a scene?
Nana: Oh absolutely! The scene I laughed about most in this book was where Izzy sent a, erm, scandalous picture of herself to the wrong man. While I haven't done that before myself, I can just imagine. Holy red faced. I laughed the whole time I wrote it.
Lia: That’s hilarious! I bet she was mortified. Which scene do you think will leave the reading squirming in their seat?
Nana: Ha! I warn you now, I write hot. Not quite erotica, but everyone who reads GSM, should be running for their significant other. Start with the first love scene through the last.
Lia: Have your characters ever been caught having sex in public? How did that go?
Nana: Funny you should ask. Lol. Two characters in GSM do get busted, but they don't know it until later. In the book I'm writing right now, I have my main characters get caught. Don't want to spoil it for you, but you know how you get past that point of no return where you just can't stop... *flutter of eyelashes."
Lia: *Fanning* Yeah, I think I might know what you’re talking about. Wink-wink. Thanks so much for being here today, Nana!
Nana: Thank you so much for having me for this interview. I really enjoyed myself.
Other places to find Nana:
http://www.nanamalone.com/
http://www.thepopculturedivas.com/
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