Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Books and Reading.

In the modern world of computers, iphones, playstations and everything inbetween, I was reminded of the simple pleasures in life while in the car driving to the video/dvd shop. My gorgeous daughter (Miss Eleven) brought her paranormal YA book with her and decided to read aloud the prologue and see what I thought of the book. It was so wonderfully perfect, listening to her read the opening scene anddriving along with the a/c on with everything quiet (even Miss Two in the back was listening quietly). Sometimes the simple act of turning the pages of a book is the most precious of all!
Speaking of books, I was in my local book exchange a few days ago and was pleasantly surprised to see a young man buying a handful of mills & boon romances, lifting the lid on a few of my own preconcieved ideas. It's such a great thing to see men buying and supporting the romance genre. Kudo's to them!!

Saturday, December 26, 2009

Another Christmas gone

I can't believe 2009 is almost gone and 2010 just around the corner! Another Christmas come and gone and now little more than a memory (especially with all the champagne consumed). It was a day to reflect on the year and all that's happened (for me personally, I'll always remember 2009 as the year of publication) and wondering how on earth the kids have grown so fast, how the time seems to be getting quicker every year, and what the future will bring.
Hope everyone had a wonderful year and a great Christmas with many more to come!

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Avatar

If you haven't already seen this movie - you have to go!! If anything has got my creative juices flowing again, this movie definately has! It far *far* exceeded my expectations, I was spellbound (along with my daughter). I'll most definately be buying this DVD as a keeper to watch over and over again. I just wish our cinema had given us the choice to watch in 3D...
10/10 - best movie I've seen yet.

Monday, December 14, 2009

Writing Update


Well the revisions for the Noc Bites story (Her Dark Lord) are done and sent off. I'm happy I found another 2 or 3K to add to the story, giving more depth to the hero, which is what my editor mostly wanted to increase the word count. Just a wait now to see if the edits are all A-okay (and make sense!! lol)
In the meantime I'm waiting to hear back about my Ellora's Cave short, Kallie Revealed - the contract should be all processed soon.
I also have Believe notes to untangle and decipher, and type out, setting up to a love scene which will may well be a bit controversial but I think tender and beautiful =)
Ice Cold Lover is waiting to be finished. Done most of this but want to finish it off in rough draft form so it's ready - hopefully, to go in January!
I've typed up a rough draft of either a free short for Ellora's Cave or perhaps a short story, depending on how it all comes together. (more about this later - but it'll be a 'cougar' type contemporary story ie: older woman, younger man). This story is the first I've ever had that was plotted from start to finish. (admittedly all in my head while lazing in the tub)
I have some ideas brewing for a werewolf story to submit to Nocturne Bites - or perhaps a shifter, not sure which direction I'll go yet (I'll blame Anna Hackett for making me indecisive on the werewolf/shapeshifter theme LOL!!) The heroine in this is emotionally scarred... sigh!
Lastly, Shadow Hunter, which I've had sitting around for so so long, featuring vampires and shapeshifters, is still lurking in my mind. So many directions this book could go with some adjustments - Nocturne asked to see it some time ago, so I may resubmit at some stage. or with some added sex scenes it could go to Ellora's. Then again, I think it could be a single title with some work...

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Average Reviews

The last two book reviews on Stone-Cold Lover have made me realise how differently readers react to my book, how some really 'get' my writing and other's obviously don't. Of course as a writer it would be unrealistic to imagine 5 star plus ratings with every book - though it'd be nice! I'm just glad past writing comps with various positive and negative judges comments have seen me develop a thick skin, where I can shrug off comments - learn from them too - and get on with my writing.
Here's the latest reviews:

Bitten by Books
***

Cray Diamond has spent nearly a century with a curse that makes him turn to stone when the sun rises. With the curse comes a job of protection. He must protect a person until he is released and moves to the next person.

Loretta Shaw is a spoiled rich girl that pretty much gets whatever she wants by behaving outrageously. She has a body guard with her always.

For the last three years, Cray has been watching over Loretta. He has watched her sleep with man after man but has promised to protect her. Her father has hired him to protect Loretta and he takes the job seriously. Loretta has wanted Cray since she first met him, but Cray won’t sleep with his clients - ever. So to get back at Cray, Loretta sleeps with as many men as she can to get him out of her system.

Stone Cold Lover by Mel Tescho was a book that promised an interesting storyline but, in the end, failed to deliver. Loretta came across as a spoiled brat. Cray came across as a man that wanted to do right by her because of a promise to her father. I didn’t feel a connection between Cray and Loretta. I liked Cray because you understand him through the story and why he is what he is. You don’t get that chance with Loretta, and she just comes off as shallow.

http://bittenbybooks.com/?p=14028


Just Erotic Romance Reviews
3 1/2 stars

For over a hundred years Cray has been cursed to live as a Gargoyle, stone by day and shifting monster by night. He is compelled to protect. Over the years he has learned to not let his charges get too close. But for the last three years he has been forced to watch as Loretta chews through men, going from one bed to the next, as his body and mind burn for her. Loretta has been called the brat heiress; she always gets what she wants and what she wants is Cray.

Stone Cold Lover is a fun, fast paced, seductive read with characters that will endear themselves to the reader. I like how Loretta goes after what she wants and doesn't apologize for anything. Rather than come off as a knock off Paris Hilton, she is more of a strong, independent, sexual woman. She is a great match for Cray, who is just as determined and very much an alpha. I wish I has someone like him to come to my rescue. I was never really sure how a relationship between the two of them would work out until the end. The sex between the two of them was earthy and hot but it was also too short and rushed. Quickies are great, but there is a point where the author can take it too far. There are also a few aspects of the characters that are mentioned but go unexplained, leaving me thinking, “Huh? What the...how?” I think that if Ms. Teshco fleshed out these parts a little bit it would make a more cohesive overall storyline. In here the good balances out the bad making for an enjoyable read. In the end, I believe that most readers will find Stone Cold Lover to be an easy, uncomplicated read that is easy to get into and enjoy.

http://www.justeroticromancereviews.com/book-review.cfm?bookID=988434301&reviewID=6880&sNav=nav03-01

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

December Quote



A word is a bud attempting to become a twig. How can one not dream while writing? It is the pen which dreams. The blank page gives the right to dream.

~Gaston Bachelard

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Official Title


It's now official, my coming Nocturne Bites story - which was once titled, Blood Chance, is now Her Dark Lord. Does have a certain mystery and intrigue about it, I must say! Will put up the cover the moment I have it!

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Book Trailer

I finally have my Stone-Cold Lover book trailer up on YouTube. I did have a different song to go with the pictures and words, but had to change the audio... I'm a bit disappointed now with the soundtrack but will eventually go back and fix some things/add some things... All in all not too bad for my first effort. And just one more learning experience that took great chunks of time (g)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GT7Diw__gHo

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Enjoying Christmas


The next few weeks are going to be frantic for me (and I dare say almost everyone) as I get my writing finished up for Nocturne Bites, my rough draft novella for Ellora's Cave and transfer all my handwritten notes for Believe, and in-between work on a book trailer for Stone-Cold Lover... then shopping for last minute gifts (ah, I have *one* under the tree), groceries which include ham, chicken, salad and fruit pudding... Then I fully intend to enjoy the weekend of Christmas, spending time with family, exchanging gifts, overeating and probably overdrinking...
Though I won't be playing carols or hymns, I hope this is the one time of the year I can forget about bills, (ah, yep) and recall why we're all so lucky to be here!

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Books of the Month/s and November reads

I'm playing catch up after computer problems, so here are my *two* picks for November & December.

Erica Hayes debut novel Shadowfae - the first book in the shadowfae chronicles - was a brilliant read, the unwordly imagery vivid and almost jumping off the pages. A succubus heroine enslaved by a demon lord and an incubus hero suffering the same fate...are these lovers willing to sacrifice anything, including each other, for their freedom?



Tracey's debut book, Night's Cold Kiss, is a tension-filled journey through the eyes of heroine, Antoinette. Years after watching her mother die at the hands of a vampire, she burns with the need for revenge and becomes an elite venator trained to kill Necrodreniacs - vampires addicted to death highs. That she is attracted to Christian, her rescuer and a sexy vampire Aeternus who hunts Dreniacs too, fills her with rage.






November Reads:
Over the Edge: Suzanne Brockmann
The Rebel King: Melissa James
Hotter than Hell: Keri Arthur, Susan Krinard, L.A Banks, Marjorie M Lui

New Release coming soon! Winning Offer

  The third book of the Bachelor brothers of Sydney will be released at the end of this month! I hope you guys enjoy this novella, it's ...