The first song is by John Legend--Save Room. The song has a mellow funky beat and Legend's voice is incredible. I know some of you might think I've been living under a rock not to have discovered him before this. But he is awesome. If you haven't heard this song, go right now and preview it on iTunes!

The other song that is really evocative for this story is by John Mayer--Slow Dancing in a Burning Room. This is a fire-fighter book so I picked it solely for the title but the jazzy guitar and smooth vocals from Mayer are so sublime that at first I wasn't listening to the lyrics. I had no idea that I'd picked a song that was so fitting for Liam.

Happy listening!

Kathy :)

Here are some romance reminders to let your Valentine know you are thinking of them.

Flirting

--this is one of the oldest forms of romance, start with a coy little smile, a gaze that's held longer than necessary or a gentle touch.

Compliments

--take a moment to tell your partner what you like best about them every day.

No Television

--during meal time prep leave the t.v. off and put on some music instead. (Need ideas? See More About the Book)

How are you?

--take a moment to ask this question every day.

Kathy :)

Kathy :)

.

Today is also the anniversary of the first date I had with my husband. We've been together for nineteen years. Time has flown by and it seems like only yesterday that I was getting ready to go out with him for the first time.

Kathy :)

Today I'm checking out a new restaurant called Isabella's. It's Italian and I have to say that it takes a little more to impress me at an Italian restaurant because my mom is a great Italian cook. But I'm looking forward to it.

What do you look forward too? I have two copies of The Ultimate Romantic Challenge for two different blog participants today.

Kathy :)

Last February you might recall I had a cover with the hero wearing a yellow smoking jacket a la Hugh Heffner. Which was to say the least a different look for my heroes!

I know when I'm buying a book I'm influenced in my decision by author name, buzz or word of mouth on the book and lastly by the cover. I have yet to buy a book based solely on the cover.

What about you? Do covers influence the books you buy?

Kathy :)

I'm participating in a book signing on February 10.

Here are the details:

Date: February 10th

Time: 3:00pm

Event Location:

Borders Books & Music #146

2403 S. Stemmons #100

Lewisville, TX 75067

972-459-2321

I'd love to see you there. I'll have a little something special for any Chatty Kathy reader who attends!

Kathy :)

I was born in Hialeah, Florida...never heard of it? It's a little suburb not too far from Miami and back when I was born the Miami Dolphins were the hottest thing in the NFL. And my parents were die-hard fans who'd bundled me up and take me to watch the games. My younger sister was born during the Dolphins undefeated season.

My allegiance to Miami has swayed a little over the last few years (not during the Dan Marino years!) as we've moved to Chicago and then recently to Dallas. I like to root for the home team.

I also just like to see teams that play well together. I'm torn between who to root for today. I'd been hoping that Peyton Manning, Tony Dungy and the Colts would make it to the SuperBowl and I was ecstatic when they did.

But I hadn't envisioned them playing the Bears with Urlacher and Lovie Smith. I mean I lived in Chi-Town so if I have any allegiance it should be to them.

I've been listening to the pundits for the last two weeks and trying to pick one team but whoever wins, I think I'll be happy, as long as it's a good game!

Kathy :)

I'm really looking forward to it. I love talking to other writers about the process of writing. There's something that is so natural about how everyone goes about it and at the same time so different.

I'm always looking for some way to make the process smoother or easier. To somehow find the magic that will ease me into my characters quicker but there is no magic trick to do that.

And I think that's a good thing because the best part of my writing day is when I've discovered something new about one of my characters!

Have a great weekend.

Kathy :)

It's also an exciting time for me as I'm putting the finishing touches on my upcoming Brava Sex With A Stranger.

I hope February brings you lots of friendship, romance and laughter!

Kathy

Here are the details:

Date: February 10th

Time: 3:00pm

Event Location:

Borders Books & Music #146

2403 S. Stemmons #100

Lewisville, TX 75067

972-459-2321

I'd love to see you there. I'll have a little something special for any Chatty Kathy reader who attends!

Kathy :)

That's exactly what my heroine wants the world to think of her. But she's struggling to break out of her rule-following good-girl persona. She is in Vegas and has met a dynamite hot guy (Liam O'Roarke). He's more than happy to be her stranger! But he is starting to fall for her even though they've both said it's just a vacation fling.

Here's a little sneak peak of the story...

He had on a pair of jeans and a button down shirt tails untucked. He was way taller than she was at least six-four and his blond hair was cut short above the ears. 'Thanks.'

'You're welcome. First fire?'

'Yes. Yours?'

'Ah, no. What's your name?'

'Jane. Jane Monte.'

His eyes lit up and she knew where he was going a second before he got there. 'No jokes. Please.'

'Sorry. I have an inappropriate sense of humor.'

'You do?'

He shrugged those big shoulders of his. 'So I've been told.'

'Well your actions make up for it I'm sure.'

'What other actions?'

'Saving people...saving me. I couldn't remember what to do when I got into the hallway.' She was rambling and hadn't meant to do that at all. 'So what are you doing in Vegas?'

'Vacationing. You?'

'Mixing pleasure with business.'

'Sounds interesting.'

'What does?'

'Your pleasure.'

She flushed. She rarely flirted with anyone and certainly not a man like Liam O'Roarke.

Kathy :)

which I'm very happy to say is finished and in New York.

Legends and Lies is going to be part of the Harlequin series set in the NASCAR world. Annie Jenner is a NASCAR photographer who is part of a legendary racing family. Her brother Dave Jenner is in a neck-and-neck race for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup against rival driver Tucker Aldridge. And guess who the hero is? Jared MacNeil is the team owner of Tucker's car.

I'm still half in the NASCAR world and with the Daytona 500 less than a month away I thought I'd celebrate that here on this blog with give-away of Pamela Britton's On the Edge.

To win all you have to do is be the first person to email me at kathy@katherinegarbera.com and mention Pamela's book.

Kathy :)

NOTE: We have a winner in this contest...Congrats, Maureen!!

Email me your resolution for a chance to win. Even if your resolution is not to have any!

Kathy :)

When I was growing up I longed to be an only child. Envied kids who got all of their parents attention and never had to share anything. But as an adult I relish my siblings. I love that we share a common past.

So today is all about Linda...my blonde sister (who's not really blonde!), the over achiever who always makes me feel like a slacker. My sweet little sister who still makes me feel like I know everything because I'm older than she is. And who always makes me smile.

Happy birthday, Linda!

Kathy :)

Since I'm Italian-American all of my holiday traditions involve food. So baking is a big deal to me. This year I had to bake by myself because my mom and sisters didn't move to Texas when I did--can't imagine why not!

But I did have fun and talked on the phone to all of them. Telling them what recipes worked for me and which ones didn't. The ones that I liked the best were some hazelnut crunch (which I got from foodnetwork) it's like peanute brittle but with hazelnuts--yum! And traditional sugar cookies.

Kathy :)

Sorry for such a long absence here but the book that I wrote for the upcoming Harlequin-NASCAR series Legend and Lies consumed a lot of my time.

I ordered some holiday mugs to say thank you to you. The first four readers who email me with their snail mail address will get a holiday mug along with some holiday coffee.

Happy Holidays!

Kathy

Good luck!

Kathy :)

My maternal grandmother had been born in Brooklyn and had grown up making trips into the City to see Broadway musicals and she passed that love on to my mother, my sisters and I.

This time I was lucky to catch a showing of THE DROWSY CHAPERONE. This musical is an homage to musicals of earlier time. Musicals that were really about the songs and the dancing more than about the story. They were fun and funny. And so is this musical.

I highly recommend it.

Kathy :)

I set it in Chicago because it suited the characters but also because I had a hankering to go back there. I wanted to explore the shops on Michigan Ave. Revisit my favorite eateries and just enjoy that big city with the Midwestern flair.

Do you have a city that you just can't resist revisiting?

Kathy :)

To celebrate Friday, I'm giving away five more copies of The Ultimate Romantic Challenge ARC. First come, first served!

Enjoy the weekend!

Kathy

She's my middle sister and we're only 18 months apart. But in my family we don't have those typical behavioral oldest, middle, youngest issues. We're all vastly different and to be honest I don't think any of suffer from any kind birth-order thing.

My wish for her today is that she has the best-day-ever. The kind of day were everything is just as she wishes it were. I hope she takes pleasure from being with her husband and daughter. That she enjoys the rendition of 'happy birthday' my family will sing to her on the phone. And that the coming year is a happy and fun one for her!

Kathy :)

My daughter and I were singing along on the way to school and talking about the characters. Sometimes I'm totally amazed at how smart my kids are. This morning was one of those times. My daughter was remarking on how different Elphaba and Glinda are in the play.

How they both view the world different and those differences make the conflict in the story really work. Then of course she broke down in giggles at the end of The Wizard and Me when she couldn't hold the note as long as Idina Menzel does.

The soundtrack for this musical is chock full of serious and funny songs. Songs that blend the poignant yearning and angst of the young with a touch of fun. It's a great musical. And the songs are really a lot of fun.

The soundtrack was perfect to start the day. Though I'm not a good singer I love to sing. It really revs me up and gets my creative juices flowing. As I was returning home I was listening and singing along to the 'love' song and realized that it perfectly summed up what was going on between the hero and heroine in my work in progress.

They have this one-moment-in-time vib going on because they are natural enemies. Getting them to their happily-ever-after is going to be so HARD! But so worth it!

Kathy :)

But what I love about their music is the evocative lyrics. The music is catchy and pop sound yet different from other sounds. The lyrics are emotional touching on things that are real to every life. Not singing about materialistic things but about emotional places.

Kathy :)

I've never been superstitious...well, I don't like to think I am. I try to never say out loud any of the worries I have for my kids. The things that keep me awake at night. I'd hate to stick something that negative out in the universe.

I do believe that I can positively influence my life and the lives of others around me just by thinking positively!

And I always say what goes around comes around. I like to believe that because I'm a nice person and follow the rules that other will be nice to me and I'll be reward for all that rule following.

Most of the time that's exactly what happens. And when it doesn't...well lets just say I don't have a voodoo doll made up of whoever didn't follow the rules and got ahead!

Are you superstitious?

Kathy :)

I also like that I can work at home and spend my days day-dreaming. It always makes me a little giddy when I make a sale and I think to myself I can't believe someone paid me for the stuff that was in my head. A story I just made up. It's such a good feeling deep inside.

Also writing is the one thing that's really just for me. I don't do it for anyone else and I can just be myself. I don't think of what everyone else will think or about being judged and found lacking when I'm writing. I just sit down and go wherever my story takes me.

Kathy :)

Kathy

Another thing that I really like about XM is the fact that I can listen to the 80s station and rediscover songs from youth. I love it. I'd forgotten how much I LOVE The Thomspson Twins and Culture Club.

Music really plays an important part in the soundtrack of my life. I wouldn't want to go back to high school but when I'm listening to the 80s station it puts me back in touch with that part of myself that was excited about life and saw infinite possibilities of what the future held.

Kathy :)

Have a great Thursday!

Kathy

I had the privilege of reading an early copy of a book that takes a look at schools in a really interesting way. Once your back-to-school chaos because routine take a look at Nancy Robards Thompson's Confessions of the Stratford Park PTA.

I hope you enjoy getting the kids back to school and Nancy's new book.

Kathy

Next up I'm pleased to announce that I'm going to be writing another O'Roarke family book for Brava. This one will feature her brother Liam and I promise it will be scorching hot!

I've saved the sad news for last...you may have seen the rumblings on the internet about the demise of the Silhouette Bombshell line. It's true, the line will cease publication in January 2007. I loved this line and all of the innovative books that were published in it. I'm sad to see it go but an so happy to have been a part of something so distinctive and different.

Kathy

My family is huge NASCAR fans and they enjoyed the movie as well. I'm pretty excited about a new project I'm working on. It's called Legends and Lies and will be part of the Harlequin/NASCAR series out next year. It's based on the things that I think are core values for NASCAR and for most of us. Family, friendship and loyalty. I can't wait to start writing the story.

Kathy :)

I'm not one of those people who makes friends easily. I don't really have a problem with this because I tend to make friends deeply. Seeing them every year at the National conference is so nice.

I talk on the phone to them all the time but just to see each other and talk non-stop for five days is something I can't describe.

Kathy :)

Here are some of my friends who were nominees in various categoires. Everyone looked so glamorous. The ceremony itself was really funny especially the part where they honored Susan Elizabeth Phillips with the Lifetime Achievement award.

Until next year...

It wasn't all fun and games in Atlanta, there was some work being done. I gave workshop with Nancy Robards Thompson go to Nancy's website on writing the synopsis.

The workshop was early on Thursday morning and the turn-out was fantastic. Nancy and I both write our synopses in such a different way that I think we covered every writing personality!

Thanks to everyone who attended our workshop! If you didn't attend it and live in the New Jersey area, I'll be attending go to the conference website.

If you weren't able to attend RWA's conference but would like a copy of the hand-out send me an email.

Kathy

Last year at RWA I met this very nice lady who I was going to be in an anthology with. We started talking and I knew we were kindred spirits. Of course, Kathy Love go to Kathy's website is the way cooler of the two of us.

She's a lot of fun to be with and writes these really funny paranormal books.

She's starting a new series in 2007 about weres--that sounds like it is going to be really good!

Kathy :)

We met early in the morning (yes those rumors of me being out until almost 2 the night before are true!) and drove to Flowery Branch in North Georgia.

We went for a two hour trail ride and there was a bit of excitement involving the Ultimate Action Adventure Girl. She was awesome when her horse jumped a log. I would have freaked out, but not her!

Here is a photo of the horseback riding gang.

The stable we went to is called Stonewood Stables go to Stonewood Stables and Deb our guide was excellent. I highly recommend it!

Kathy :)

I had a wonderful lunch with the editors and other authors of the Harlequin NASCAR series that will be out next year. My contribution will be in August 2007. We ate at Park 75 a very nice restaurant in the Four Seasons.

Every year at the conference publishers throw parties for their authors. This year the Harlequin party was held at the Ritz Carlton. The 'theme' was Putting on the Ritz and everyone looked really good!

We danced until 1 a.m. The DJ just kept spinning and I kept dancing until he stopped.

All and all it was a very fun trip but I'm glad to be back home!

I'm going to post some pictures of my adventures in Atlanta in the next few days!

Kathy :)

I also had some fun at Cafe Press creating some t-shirts and mugs with the Katherine Garbera logo. To which my husband said, what are you going to do with that stuff?

I don't know, but it was a fun way to waste time!

We're going to see the new Superman movie tonight. I really love comic-book characters because they play right into archetypes. Good vs evil--my favorite kind of plot. And the heroes are always so tortured. They have to stand alone because they've lost everyone.

I love that from a mean author standpoint. That kind of isolation gives an author a ton of material to mine!

Inspired by that kind of loss and isolation I've been torturing the heroine in my WIP by taking away just about everything she holds dear. Of course I'm going to reward her with finding her true love and happily-ever-after!

Kathy :)

So Mondays are always the start of an exciting week. A world of story possibilities when I get to indulge my muse after she's had the weekend off to refill the well!

This morning I woke up at three a.m. No you didn't read that wrong. My characters were bumping around in my head ready to make it to the page!

Do you like Mondays?

This isn't like other blogs if you want to participate here, please email your response to kg@katherinegarbera.com and I'll post it.

The first three people to email me their response will get a Vegas themed prize...one of my Vegas books--winners choice!

Kathy :)

Joyce

KG adds: I like Fridays too when I can look back and see all I've accomplished. The weekends always rock because everyone is home and we can hang together!

Kathy :)

I just got back from a weeklong trip to New York City. It was the first time my kids had ever been there. We had a great time seeing all the sites. I got to visit with some relatives that I don't get to see very often(hi, Linda, Annette, Michele and Michael!!!).

I had a very nice lunch with my Silhouette editor Natashya Wilson on the water near the Silhouette offices. I can't get the name of the pier right but I think it's Southport or something like that. We could see Brooklyn across the water. It was a really nice day!

I'm working on some new books for Desire that aren't connected but have a similiar theme. They are tentatively scheduled for next summer May, June and July. I'm pretty excited about these books!

A lot of you have written to ask if there will be any more books about the O'Roarkes (Andi's brothers from Body Heat) and as of right now, no. But I'm not ruling them out. I have a few ideas for them but nothing concrete.

I hope you are having an enjoyable summer!

Kathy :)

EXCLUSIVE is an action-packed thriller that never slows down from start to finish as the lead pair work on the rescue mission. What makes the tale is the locals who are not stereotyped especially a Suwan police officer. Katherine Garbera provides a tense adrenaline pumping thriller that never decelerates until the post game hugs.--- Harriet Klausner

Romantic Times gave EXCLUSIVE 4 stars and said...Exclusive is an on-the-edge-of-your-seat read. Garbera skillfully develops the story. Her characters continue to grow as the story evolves.

The story was different for me to write because I actually did some scenes in my bad guy's point of view. I'm so excited that the early reviews are positive!

Kathy :)

My kids have also got the entire dinner menu planned...my daughter is making chicken and pasta, my son a vegetable soup and I can't wait.

I hope that your mother's day is as nice as mine is! I got to celebrate last weekend with my own mom. We went to the Cheesecake Factory...hmm, there seems to be a theme with me...FOOD!

Kathy :)

Kathy :)

The first trip I made was to New Orleans. I was a little uncertain of how the city would be. I've been there before and had found memories of the bustling city. I stayed this time at the Monteleone in the French Quarter.

The Quarter wasn't damage too much by the hurricane last fall and looked much the same as it had before with one big exception...there were no crowded sidewalks. Stores were on limited hours and some were closed.

I walked right in to several restaurants that you would have had to beg to get a reservation for in the past. If you have been reluctant to go to The Big Easy, don't be. The city is open for business and needs the influx of tourism dollars. Even Cafe Du Monde wasn't crowded. Here is a picture of me, Beverly Brandt aka Jacey Ford and young-adult author Niki Burnham.

The city still has all it's charm and the locals are friendlier than ever, just very glad to see some new faces and to help you spend your money.

The second place I visited was very different from New Orleans...Boston! I had a lot of fun in Boston at the NEC Conference. What a great group of writers. I know that the south is famous for it's hospitality, but the ladies in the NEC chapter of RWA would give them a run for their money.

Thank you to everyone who attended my Writing the Selling Synopsis workshop and who stopped by the booksigning later to pick up an autographed copy of Body Heat!

The trips were fun and I'm glad a went but it's so nice to be home at last!

Kathy :)

So all day today I had the fun of celebrating with my friends who got the call and cheering up my friends who didn't. It was a very fun day that helps us--the romance writing community--celebrate the books we love so much.

I'd like to congratulate all Rita and Golden Heart (the unpublished division of the contest) finalists! But especially two of my buddies who made the cut. Beverly Brandt's Tiara Club is a finalist in Best Novel with Romantic Elements. go to Beverly's website. And T. Elliot Brown for her Golden Heart finalist Remembering How to Make Music.

Kathy :)

It's Jack Johnson's In Between Dreams. You might be familiar with his name because he wrote seven songs that they used in the Curious George movie.

What I liked about his CD was the acoustic sound and the lyrics. He sang about things that really mattered to him, and made them matter to me too. One song If I Could really touched me and I listened to it over and over again. I also really like Do You Remember because it made me think of the beginning of my relationship with my husband.

Here's a link to check out Jack Johnson go to Jack Johnson's website

Kathy :)

Kathy :)

I'm not sure that writing really has one. In the romance genre we have the RITA, in the mystery genre they have the HUGO and I think in sf/f they have the NEBULA.

But if I did win the RITA or another prestigious award what would I say. How would act? Would I try to be funny and pull it off as sometimes do? Or would I cry and be unable to speak?

Here are the people I'd like to thank...my husband and kids who are just the best support anyone could ever have if they are pursuing something in a creative field. My parents who from a very young age told me I could do anything. My writing buds who are always there no matter what is going on in their lives.

Who would you thank?

Kathy :)

Last Saturday was the first signing for Body Heat and His Wedding -Night Wager. I had a lot of fun hanging out with some fellow Dallas area authors.

I talked to some readers who were there and some of them said they didn't read romance. Most of them mentioned non-fiction titles and other genres like thriller or mystery-suspense as their usual reading choice.

Do you read outside the romance genre?

Kathy :)

Kathy :)

go to Tara Janzen's website.

Kathy :)

A lot of my authors have been posting pictures of their offices and after viewing some of the messy ones, I decided that mine wasn't so bad. Plus I just cleaned when I finished my working on my contribution to the Fall Desire continuity The Once-A-Mistress Wife. So below is a photo of my office and you can see my VW Beetle parked outside. Everyone who knows me says this car perfectly suits my personality!

Here's a site that lists a lot of different authors' offices -- go to The Cave.

Happy Friday! Kathy :)

I made him pay for that comment! But I would like to know your thoughts, what do you think of this cover, sexy and brooding or domineering?

Last October I took a trip to New York City with my writing pals Beverly Brandt and Nancy Robards Thompson.

We had a lot of fun eating in restaurants owned by our favorite Food Network chefs Mario Batali and Bobby Flay! We also were able to check out the Blue Man Group. This show totally rocked and here's a photo of us after the show. Beverly was worried about getting a blue-kiss so I was the brave one who stood next to the blue man!

Next Up is something fun for you to participate in. My latest series from Silhouette Desire is called What Happens in Vegas...so I want to know what you'd do in Vegas if you knew it would stay there and that there would be no consequences. I'm going to be running a little contest for the most exciting entry. Word length should be no longer than 150 words, please. I have a desktop casino for the winner as well as an autographed copy of Let It Ride, my book from Silhouette Desire that inspired me to write the series. Send your entries to me via the contest entry email to the right. This contest will run for six weeks, through February 21. I'll post the top three entries the next day and you all can vote for the winner, who I'll announce in the following site update in March!

My first book recommendation is by a friend of mine Nancy Robards Thompson. Her book is from Harlequin's new NEXT line. What Happens In Paris is the story of a woman at the crossroads of her life who with a child in college, finds her marriage over. She goes to Paris to pursue her secret dream of being a painter and finds more than art in a dreamy younger man! go to Nancy's website.

The second book I'm recommending is the latest by Lucy Monroe. If you've visited this page before you know I love her heroes and Willing definitely has that.

X and Y
by Coldplay
(posted 9.06.05)

I really love the evocative sound of ColdPlay's music. I like the lyrics of all the songs but especially Square One which reminds me that no matter how far ahead I feel I'm getting in my life be it with raising my kids, writing my books, I'm still always starting new each day. I love White Shadows too, it has this funky driving rhythm that plays behind the music that always makes me get up and dance in my office! I hope you'll enjoy this CD as much as I am!

Ready
by Lucy Monroe
(posted 9.06.05)

I can't believe I never read one of Lucy Monroe's books before I started writing for Kate Duffy at Kensington.  Her books capture a few of my favorite elements in romance--a strong alpha hero, a realistic heroine and a really sexy romance! This time I'm recommending Ready the first in a trilogy that Lucy is dong for Brava.  This book has a lot of suspense and a really good romance in it. The hero is a loner who's learned not to let anyone close and the heroine slips past his guard any way.

Fangs for the Memories
by Kathy Love
(posted 9.06.05)

Okay, I just met Kathy Love at the Romance Writers of America conference in Reno, NV. And I have to tell that she is a really funny, cool person! The title alone made me want to pick this book up. It’s a humorous vampire story. Funny and sexy at the same time.

Larger Than Life by Alison Kent
(posted 6.14.05)

Mick Savin is being poisoned by someone inside the white slave camp that he is working undercover in. He finally narrows it down to Neva Case...the very woman he's attracted too. This book is deeply sensual and very suspenseful. I really enjoyed this sexy read that takes us again into the SG-5 team. The heroine is very strong and likeable and the hero is one of my favorite kinds--wounded, tough and a really good lover! Check out my June - July Contest to win a copy of this book!

The Naked Truth by Amy J. Fetzer
(posted 6.14.05)

No one writes Marine heroes with the intensity and believability of Amy. I loved this book from the first page. The action is non-stop. Killan Moore got out of the Marines and into the private sector when his last mission went horribly wrong resulting in the death of one of his men. The woman he blames for that--he is now being sent to retrieve dead or alive. This story is straight-forward sexy and suspenseful. 

Stand Up
By Dave Matthews Band
(posted 5.12.05)

Anyone familiar with my website knows I love Dave Matthews so I'm sure it comes as no surprise that I'm highly recommending his latest CD Stand Up. The first single released off the new CD "American Baby" has been playing in Orlando for three weeks now, totally whetting my apetite for the new CD. The CD is packed with new tunes that incorporate what I love best about DMB--Dave's haunting lyrics that blend sensuality with human and insight, and musical riffs that really capture the feelingof the song. I was jazzed to read that Entertainment Weekly gave this new album an A! Check it out, I'm sure you'll love it too!

BONUS! I'm going to give away DMB stickers to any listeners who write in and tell me what they think about the latest CD.

Jungle Travel and Survival
By Dr. John Walden
(posted 4.12.05)

There is so much to say about this book that I conducted a whole interview with the author! Read my research interview with Dr. Walden related to my upcoming book The Amazon Strain, available May 2005.

I Spy
By Jacey Ford
(posted 3.08.05)

Jacey Ford has followed up the exciting Dangerous Curves with an all new adventure that's even more exciting and fun than the first. This book had me hooked from the first page to the last I Spy is a gripping novel that had me staying up all night to finish it!!!

Here's what I said about Dangerous Curves last July: I'm on a new kick-ass heroine kick and want to recommend Jacey Ford's first book Dangerous Curves.  This book had me hooked from the first page to the last.  I can't wait for the next installment I Spy to be released!!! 

THREE BRIDES FOR THREE BAD BOYS
by Lucy Monroe. Kensington Brava. March 2005. ISBN: 0-7582-0858-8
(posted 2.08.05)

This is a fun and sexy read. This book is actually three novellas in one edition. I hadn't read anything by Lucy before this but will definitely be reading more of her books in the future. These stories feature three brothers who are sexy as hell and to die for! 

TELL IT TO THE MARINES
By Amy Fetzer . Brava. January 2005. ISBN: 0-758-20808-1
(posted 1.11.05)

This book features three marines in different hot zones around the world. This was a sexy quick read and I enjoyed them a lot.

Also check out THE HUNTRESS
by Crystal Green. Silhouette Bombshell #28. ISBN: 0-373-51342-9
(posted 1.11.05)

This is her first release from Silhouette Bombshell and you shouldn't miss it. It’s a vampire hunter story and was chosen by RT as a Top Pick!

WITH VIOLETS
by Elizabeth Robards. Five Star Trade. ISBN: 1-410-40222-3
(posted 1.11.05)

Check out this historical book. With Violets is the fictionalized story of a romance between Edouard Manet and Berthe Morisot, two Impressionists painters. The book is fabulous!!!

MIND GAME
By Christine Feehan. Jove. August 2004. ISBN: 0-515-13809-6
(posted 10.12.04)

I loved this book!!! I can't say enough about it. Christine Feehan brings to the page all of my favorite elements in a romance novel. A strong sexy hero--Nicolas Trevane who is a dangerous warrior with enhanced abilities. A feisty heroine--Dahlia Le Blanc who doesn't need anyone to save her. And a fast-paced plot that grabs you from the first page and never lets go.

This book was super sexy and I read it in one setting. I can't wait for more books in this series.

Shadow Game the first book in the series where you meet the Ghost Walkers is excellent as well!

DREAM ON
By Beverly Brandt
(posted 3.01.04)

Beverly Brandt's latest release DREAM ON is such a fun read. It has all the elements I like in a romance novel--a sexy hero, a good plot and a happy ending. Bradley Nelson and Delphine Armstrong will have you laughing and falling in love along with them.

LIKE A HURRICANE, Silhouette Desire
By Roxanne St. Claire
(posted 3.01.04)

From the deliciously sexy opening to the end of the book Roxanne St.Claire takes the reader on a ride that is fun and emotionally satisfying.   I really enjoyed her debut book from Silhouette Desire LIKE A HURRICANE.

JANE PORTER
(posted 11.12.03)

THE LATIN LOVER'S SECRET CHILD, Harlequin Presents
By Jane Porter

This is the third in Jane's series called The Galvan Brides and I've enjoyed all of the books I've read so far. If you haven't read a Presents in a long time this is the book you should pick up. The hero is tall, dark, and sinfully handsome. The heroine is headstrong and has a deep emotional vulnerability. At the core of this story is a deep love that is meant to be. The story has strong Romeo and Juliet undertones as Lucio has to battle Ana's family to stay by her side.

If you are looking for a sexy, emotional read definitely pick up this title!!

LORI FOSTER
(posted 11.12.03)

SAY NO TO JOE? Zebra Kennsington
By Lori Foster

Okay, if you haven't discovered Lori Foster yet then you are missing out on something! SAY NO TO JOE? has all the elements that I love in a good romance. A strong element of suspense, a sexy hero, and a heroine is strong-willed and knows her own mind but is also very nurturing.
What I really like about Lori's books is that they have a strong male community. She shows us the bonds of friendship and family from the inside of her tough guy hero. He's the kind of bad ass most people would normally cross the street to avoid except that he oozes sex appeal and he is heart-breakingly kind to this family that he's sworn to protect. Even if protecting them means risking his prized bachelor status.

I loved this story--actually read it twice because it was so good!!

NELSON DEMILLE
(posted 11.12.03)

I was recently introduced to the writings of Nelson Demille. Some of you may be familiar with his work as one of his books THE GENERAL'S DAUGHTER was made into a movie starring John Travolta. I want to recommend UP COUNTRY which is his latest release.

I love books written in the male POV because they always give some new insight into men and the way they think. This book is no different. The main focus of the book is the suspense but there is a strong romance running through it. Danger lurks around every corner and the hero of the book Paul Brenner isn't sure he can trust, and that includes the woman he's falling in love with.

It was a really good story, I have to admit I hate not knowing the ending to suspense books so I read the last few chapters and then was able to relax and enjoy the ride. Demille does a really good job of developing the suspense while at the same time making you care about the stakes. It's not a far-fetched unbelievable plot but instead a very poignant and touching one.

Check out UP COUNTRY and let me know what you think. Also for more about the author go to www.nelsondemille.net.

DAVE MATTHEWS & JOHNNY DEPP
(posted 9.16.03)

This month I want to talk about my favorite singer Dave Matthews who has his first solo album hitting stores September 23. Click here to go to his website http://www.davematthews.com. I can't wait for the release of the CD and will be at the Virgin Mega Store bright and early on the 23rd!!

Music is a big part of my life and my writing. I have to listen to music while I work and I find that music adds a new dimension to my work.

I've always been a big fan of Johnny Depp but I have to say this summer he's rekindled my interest with two GREAT movies! First was Pirates of the Caribbean. Depp plays a pirate on a quest and he lets nothing stand in his way. Though he seems selfish and self-indulgent, his character has heart and he is a really good guy. He's funny, sexy and victorious--what more can you ask for in a pirate.

That's it for now. Check out Dave Matthews and let me know if you like his music!

ABOUT A BOY
by Nick Hornby
ISBN 1-57322-733-1
(posted 7.07.03)

ABOUT A BOY sheds some light on the male perspective in relationships. This is the third Nick Hornby book I've read and each one is more fascinating than the one before. His books are basically about relationships and how men come to terms with emotions that most women are raised to accept more comfortably. ABOUT A BOY is about two boys really--Will Freeman a 36 year old who lives off the royalties of a Christmas song his father wrote years before and Marcus a 12 year old. The story is at its heart the quest for acceptance and family. Though Will would deny that is what he is looking for, he fills his slots of time with frivolous things until he stumbles upon what he believe is the Nirvana of dating...single moms. They are so desperate for a man who will treat them right that Will feels he's found his niche so to speak.

What makes this book so good is the genuine emotion shown by both characters. Will doesn't want to care. Has made a lifetime of hiding but Marcus who needs someone to talk to, latches onto Will and won't let go. Will is forced out of his solitary life of self-indulgence by this young boy. The parallels between this story and the modern romance novel are numerous. In the romance genre we are writing relationship books that show a growth in our heroes from solitary lone wolf to a contributing part of the community and that's exactly what Hornby does in ABOUT A BOY.

I recently read an interview with Nick Hornby where he was questioned about the nature of his novels. He was asked if he minded having his novels labeled domestic. And he replied, "I read a lot of books by women and identified with them much more because I lived a domestic life - and most of us do - and that really wasn't reflected in any of the books written by men."

I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys watching a relationship unfold. I have to be honest and tell you I was introduced to Nick Hornby's work by my love of John Cussak. After seeing High Fidelity I wanted to read the book. And Hornby's work was so different than what I'd read before I was hooked.

Personally I love digging into the male mind and trying to figure out how they think. ABOUT A BOY is the perfect resource for this type of research.