The Parade Inside !

Here's two covers from my Passionate Pursuit series. And a blurb from Dangerous Pursuit. No. five in the series, Daunting Pursuit is being edited so I'm delighted with that. And here are some words of wisdom from a world famous artist. I love this thought. Words of wisdom indeed.

 

Joan Miro, one of the most celebrated artists in the modern world, had this marvelous sentiment on his 85^th birthday. In an interview with the Los Angeles Times and the New York Times, he urged reporters not be deceived by his demeanor.

Deprecating his fame, he said, “I live like a normal citizen. But there is a Catalan saying that the parade marches inside you. What happens is inside.”

 

The world knows that what happened inside him produced a lifetime of sometimes amusing, sometimes thoughtful, but always powerful abstract paintings that changed the world’s view of modern art. 

So what’s going on inside you? It doesn’t have to be earthshaking, but it IS important. Like a pebble dropped in a pond, the widening circles of your action might astonish you if you could only know. My personal philosophy is that every one you pass by can be affected by a smile on your face. So I’m a Pollyanna! I like being one.  

Naturally I have to include an excerpt from my latest release, Dangerous Pursuit. From the Passionate Pursuit series of eight books from Ellora’s Cave. This is mild erotica. 

“Nicki looked at the handsome face slowly descending to hers and knew she should run. Once she let him kiss her, she sensed she’d never escape. Not until he wanted her to go. Ordinarily that thought would have had her scooting out of his reach, trying to protect herself from the heartbreak that would come from loving Vale. Every woman who saw him wanted him. Why should he stay constant to one?

But his eyes were heavy with desire, and she’d never seen anything like their narrow-minded intent. Such beautiful eyes. He was about to kiss her with the passion she’d always longed for, and never expected to find.

She’d fought off groping hands as many nurses had, and she never let herself be alone with Pringly. He’d tried to take her to dinner in spite of the stricture against hospital staff dating. He’d tried to corner her in the hall, in the clean-up room after an operation, even in some of the patient’s private rooms. Always the ones who were too sick to be believed if they reported such an unlikely thing as a doctor raping a nurse. Finally, fearing for her virginity, she’d left the hospital. Although she liked nursing, she didn’t think she’d go back to it as a profession. Genealogy was fascinating, and a much safer occupation for a young woman.

Now she’d found the one man for her, even though her mind told her it was temporary. Vale would be hers only for a brief time, but perhaps she should taste love while she had the chance. Surely she’d never match the intensity of her feelings for Vale with any other man.

Her lips felt hot, her body throbbed in a manner that surely was indecent, but she couldn’t possibly turn her face away from his. Her lower body in particular pulsated as she felt his lower body pressing against hers.  More than anything else she wanted his kiss. His kiss that she knew would open a new world for her. And she craved whatever else he chose to show her. Anything he wanted she wanted. He’d leave her eventually, she realized that, although she strove to smother the thought. Perhaps she could somehow learn to be such a passionate lover he would stay with her for a glorious while.

She never thought she’d allowed herself to be so passive. But he’d become irresistible. His fantastic and alluring looks, his eyes that bored into her very soul and made her feel she was the most desirable woman in the world. Even the way he moved. Like some jungle creature sure of his power and narrowing in on his prey. But his manner did not seem that of an overbearing and arrogant male animal. She thought him above resorting to domination. Never ruthless. He seemed as anxious to please her as she was to please him.

She was completely confused but she no longer cared.” 

Available at Ellora’s Cave, Amazon and Barnes and Noble. And of course my website, www.jeanhartstewart.com

 

 

 

Guest Blog: Kim McNiel: I'm a "Pantser"!

Panster! I realize that I am a complete panster and it’s just something I have to accept.

I’ve tried several times to plan out my writing, made an outline and everything, only to have my characters not cooperate. My muse can be quite difficult sometimes and very determined. Even if I have something lined out sitting next to me, when I begin typing my brain and fingers deviate from any plans I have. Over time I finally dismissed even making an outline, it never works for me.

As I begin typing, the story tells itself. It kind of surprised me because normally during the other things in my life, I seem to have things somewhat planned and organized, but not when it comes to writing.

That is completely a fly by the seat of my pants, but it works for me.

BIO:
Kim McNiel is a good ole' country girl at heart. She was born and raised in a small Texas town called Spring. As the mother of three, she spent most of her adult life dedicated to raising her family. With her children almost grown, she decided to fulfill her dream of writing. Her best friend, told her "pen to paper sweetie, never give up, and never let anyone tell you that you CAN'T--" she heeded his advice and didn't. She writes contemporary and steamy romance and several memoir pieces on the back burner.

BLURB:
Caleb loves the ladies and can't keep his ego in his pants. With a new set of legs to wrap around him every two nights, he never thinks about what he'd do if Sarah caught him - until she does.

he repercussions are cataclysmic, giving him a second chance at life. Who is Caleb really? The ego or the man he professes to be? This playa plays to win.

SYNOPSIS:
Living a double life, Caleb is a hard-working and self-assured man, who doubles as an arrogant, cocky and womanizing prick. With his choices of women on a layaway plan, he’s never lonely.

Caleb believes he’s nailed the market on being the ultimate playa and never wonders what the consequences could be if Sarah, his live in, ever found out…until she does. When Sarah turns his life upside down, Caleb loses it and catastrophe follows not far behind.

When his world gets flipped right size up, he begins to realize the things that are really important to him. Although Caleb makes some ultimate sacrifices to save his pride, ego and relationship with Sarah, he still hides one very important secret.

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I have moved my computer back into my own bedroom again...

It's wonderful to have my own space again...

Without having to share it with a young adult male whose guitar, amp, dirty clothes, and the scent of dirty socks permeates the room. Sigh. A few months ago, just before the holidays, my grandson asked if he could come home (this was his home from the day he came home from the hospital in his mom's arms until he chose to see what the world was like outside). He spent time living with his dad, his dad's brother, and then his dad again...and found that the only place he had felt safe and loved was the one he had so eagerly left at age 16.

Over the past four years, I had moved my office into the bedroom he vacated. But having him move back in made that a very messy and crowded room. He needed his privacy in the evenings, and I was used to being on my computer in the evenings. I cannot seem to write in the daytime. LOL! So, when he returned to my house and moved back in, he agreed to share the room with my computer. The problem is, he never really had privacy if I needed to use it.

He got a job, works hard, and comes home stinky and filthy, covered in sawdust and grime. When he comes home, I vacate the room, shut down my computer, and leave him to his peace and quiet...but that means I cannot go in and write when the urge to put something on the computer strikes.

So it's much better this way...and maybe I will actually find the desire to write again.  Who knows?

Hugs!

Fran Lee     

RWA Membership...to Renew or Not to Renew

For those who don't know what RWA is, it stands for Romance Writers of America. I've been a member since 1994...and find myself wondering if I want to remain a member.


Which way should I go?

Can you publish without being a member? Yes.

Have I found them helpful in the past? Yes...but not the recent past.

Has any fan ever asked me if I'm a member at a book signing or anywhere else? No.

Their magazine is full of interesting articles...but I now have access to so many interesting articles on the Internet.

Their switch to forums/whatever they call the new system they use is somewhat confusing and annoying. I've dropped out of a group that used their system because I felt it was time consuming to "join" different themed forums/loops/whatever.

PAN. I'm a member. Got in before the decision to make it hard for ebook authors. 

Twice (with two chapters), people were removed as members...without the other members knowing why. When I asked for answers, they went unanswered. When I asked for help with one chapter seriously depleted by their actions, I got no response.

The past five years, I've paid my dues, only because I'd miss my local chapter. I stopped going to the big RWA conferences after the shabby way epubs were treated in 2007 (?). While RWA is improving in it's attitude toward epubs (and I think that's due to the advent of Carina Press - a Harlequin imprint), there's still a long way to go.

I'm annoyed that RWA can't create a category for erotic romance. The reason given to me? They couldn't come up with a definition of erotic romance. Lame excuse, and pitiful.

The Golden Heart Contest is a great contest. The RITA...more of a popularity contest...makes it difficult for epubs to enter since most have ebooks done first, and print versions published later. It's a matter of timing, and this makes it hard for epubs to even think about entering the RITA.

So many things to consider. More in the minus column than in the plus column.

In the end, I'll probably join for another year...because of my local chapter...hoping for better treatment/acceptance of epubs.

These are just my opinions. What do you think?
Photo: Flickr: massdistraction photostream

Mother's Day Retrospective

I'll admit to enough hedonism that I enjoy milking Mother's Day for all it's worth. I consider this a survival mechanism, since I live my life surrounded by men. Of course, since most of them are 20-somethings, my MD spoiling comes mainly from my husband, who made me breakfast in bed, then steak for dinner. I got haphazard "Happy Mother's Day" tossed in my general direction from the others, although the one who sometimes lives here though he's not biologically related DID take a moment to stand in front of me and say the words with sincerity. I thought that was a really nice touch.

This year is my first Mother's Day as a grandmother, and that's a special milestone. Unfortunately, I haven't seen my granddaughter in a while, and I did miss her. With my mother gone for several years now, and my m-i-l living across the country, we no longer have to bounce from one house to another. That's bittersweet, and I spend more of the day reflecting now than I did as a younger mom.Watching Facebook during my day of leisure, I watched friends grieve the loss of their mothers, grandmothers, or even a child--a devastating holiday in that case. Some folks whose mothers were dysfunctional find the idea of celebrating awkward or worse. Other women felt slighted, as aunts, stepmoms, foster parents, teachers, counselors, and other people who go out of their way to care for children who aren't even theirs by birth. As on commenter said, "Being a mother is genetic. Being a MOM is entirely by choice." I was forcibly reminded that for all my flip, princess-like behavior, a lot of people had a tough time yesterday. To them, I want to send hugs, and these belated greetings:

• If you've ever taught someone to read or ride a bike, or any other skill, Happy Mother's Day
• If you've ever held a crying child, your own or otherwise, Happy Mother's Day.
• If you've ever given a teenager advice that kept them from doing something stupid, Happy Mother's Day.
• If you're grieving a loss or never had a mother's love, Happy Mother's Day
• If you've ever held someone's hand while they waited for news, Happy Mother's Day.
• If you've ever sat up all night with someone sick or in tears,  Happy Mother's Day.If you've ever given up your portion of a meal, dessert or snack so someone else could have it, Happy Mother's Day.
• If you've ever skipped buying something for yourself so you could buy one for someone else, Happy Mother's Day.
• If you've ever scolded while choking back tears, Happy Mother's Day.
• If you've ever loved so fiercely that you would do anything for someone, Happy Mother's Day.

While I was lucky enough to be born into a  mostly-functional family (come on, no one's family is perfectly functional!), I'm also well aware of the concept of family by choice. (In fact the theme crops up in my books--a LOT) A lot of women were mentors to me along my life's journey, and I'm grateful for every one. That's the best thing about love--it doesn't worry about genetics, and there's always room for more.

Square Peg

I do a lot of things that seem a little out of the norm.  

None of it was planned really.  

I guess you could say I'm a real pantser, even in life.

I don't brew beer. There was a time I knew very little about it (like five years ago). Then, about five years ago, a couple of guys came to me with a six pack, a business plan and a proposal. Now, I have my own "persona" and well-known caricature ....

I never read romance novels. But someone put a book in my hand five years ago by a woman named Shayla Black (Wicked Ties. I will never forget it). And a whole new world of reading was opened to me. Don't get me wrong, I'm a Reader, big time. My parents used to half-joke that I would weed the garden with a book in my hand (I did). I write reviews of books actively on Goodreads. And I still prefer my "romance" tinged with realistic heat and more complex characters and plots.

The degree I earned in English Literature at the University of Louisville (Go Cards) implied that I read for days at a time for four years straight (Ok, four and a half, I had a very fun "lost semester" in there somewhere).  I can have conversations about Milton, Dante, Shakespeare, Moliere, Shaw, Blake, Austen, Bronte...the list is endless and somewhat boring. However, having come in to my own to a certain extent as an author I have a renewed respect for using many of the literary stalwarts as your guide through the minefields of "getting better."

I never dreamed of living overseas. When my spouse called me as I sat trying not to puke, coming to terms with a third, very accidental, pregnancy and said, "well I took the job in Japan," I had no clue I'd be embarking with my two and nearly three small children on a 7-year, 3-country stint as semi-professional ex-pat American. And I have channeled it accordingly.

Yet, here I sit, part owner of a successful microbrewery and beer bar, manager of staff, inventories and promotions, and asked to speak more and more about my "role as a woman in the beer industry."

I also have 20 books published now and can say that at least a few people have heard of me. And I have a shelf and head full of memories from Japan, England, Turkey and all the places we visited in between.

All of this came with a price, mind you. I no longer consider a tidy and perfectly clean house a priority like I once did. I am positive my kids can get very well fed via the delivery and carry out menus around Ann Arbor. I'm only half a believer in the power of small businesses--we only are as strong as we are willing to support one another and have been disappointed by a few in this town lately. My natural, very not-latent cynicism has been magnified a thousand fold by the eye-popping levels of professional jealousy and bizarre need for certain in the writing profession to thwart those of us merely attempting to make a living. As well as the level of ego that abides amongst even "fans" of certain famous writers and the lengths they will go to make sure "their writer" is always considered better than all others. 

Oh, and "small business owner-slash-semi-best-selling-author" implies a few things (sans the blood and gore I guess)

It's a bit of a jungle out here. But I will tell you whenever I get frustrated, unhappy, or hurt by what some folks say about me in public (or on the internet, if you consider that "public") I turn my full attention back to the brewery, which gives me a reality break, big time, moving among folks who are less concerned about tearing down the competition and more about making a great product and selling it. Oh, professional jealousy exists in the brewing industry to be sure, especially among the zillions of us scrabbling around at the bottom of the pan for scraps of drinker attention. 

And I will say without a doubt that the group affiliated with this particular blog: Romance Books 4 Us, is hands down the MOST supportive, LEAST judgmental or snarkily jealous of any I have yet encountered and for that I am ever grateful.

I like to think all these slightly less-than-normal choices I've made have allowed me to concoct stories and characters who defy the "norm" as well. There is room for it all, of course. And the plethora of authors who have gone before me are a mere testament to the fact. But as I approach 50 years old I  look back and say that I'm proud of the choices I've made, even the bad ones. And that calling my books "character driven fiction" as opposed to "romance" is probably a fairer representation of what I do. I love to experiment with styles and genres and have done the gamut of things available to me within "contemporary erotic romance." From menage, to man-love, to cougars, overt BDSM action and less obvious "themes," I do at times set these stories in less-obvious places....like breweries.

My life has been, in a couple of words, messy and complicated--less that some, more so than many. And that translates directly to how I craft my stories and the characters in them.

 I'm on the cusp of something new as I work my way through the final novel of my best selling Stewart Realty series. I'm dealing with clear and very challenging issues of addiction and how one young man's compulsions can destroy lives, no matter how many people keep trying to love him. It has opened up options in my own head as I write and I find myself doing different things with "love scenes" (hinting at them, talking about their aftermath as opposed to the nuts and bolts of the actual act for example) and with dialogue (using fewer "tags" and making it more direct and brutally real). It's been a real trip I tell you and it has me in its grip, especially as I miss one of my characters within it desperately but since I was the one who took that person away, I guess I must deal with the consequences.

Forgive the rambling but as I am very very deep in the writing cave I tend to wax philosophical, especially as I face down my own fears about how I plan to end this thing.

Take care and happy reading, writing, drinking, or whatever it is you do that brings you joy.

(And Happy Mom's Day to those celebrating. I am by writing for 5 hours, uninterrupted while my spouse carts our son up North to his May semester Zoology class in the field. Then by going to see my first and only book boyfriend: Jay Gatsby, on the big screen. I know it's gotten meh reviews but I don't care. I can't wait to see the spectacle the way I have always pictured it)

Feel free to leave an equally rambling comment about your inspirations as an author. Or, as a reader, which authors transport you the way Fitzgerald has always done for me. (and yeah, that book contains the Death of a Major Character too).

P.S. If you have not given my Stewart realty series a shot (and I know some of you have and I thank you) you can now get the first three books (a.k.a. The Jack & Sara Trilogy) in a cool "boxed set" book bundle.

Interview with Author, Carla Cassidy

I'm so happy to announce that I interviewed one of my favorite author's, and I consider her a dear friend.She's a very prolific author, and I have never read a bad book from her.Please welcome, Carla Cassidy.

Bio:
After a stint as a professional cheerleader and a singer/dancer in a touring show band, Carla sold her first book, a young adult romance in 1988. In 1991 she sold to Silhouette and since that time she’s written and sold over a hundred and forty books for publication.

Her work has earned her a Career Achievement award from Romantic Times Magazine, three Rita nominations and most recently her Harlequin Romantic Suspense, The Mercenary’s Perfect Mission is a finalist in the Readers Choice Awards.

Carla has written for Silhouette, Harlequin, Dorchester and NAL.

The only thing Carla likes better than reading a good book is to write one.

Carla, I read your April release, Scene of the Crime: Deadman's Bluff, from Harlequin and enjoyed it very much. This is an excellent story.

BLURB:
Buried Alive
FBI agent Seth Hawkins was on a mission to catch a serial killer. Yet his only lead had no memory of how she'd been abducted...or anything else about her identity. The only thing Tamara Jennings knew for sure was the undeniable attraction she felt for the strong, handsome man who saved her life. But as memories of her forgotten past return, would they lead her to the killer — and to a life she could share with Seth?

Now, we're ready to find out a bit about you, Carla.

Q: When did you start writing? Were you serious about your writing then?
A: I first started writing around 1980. At that time I was focused on bad poetry and even worse short stories. It wasn’t until around 1987 that I decided to try my hand writing an actual book. I sold my first book, a young adult, in 1988.

Q: Do you have a set time to write during the day?
A: I write all day every day. The computer goes on at the same time I pour myself my first cup of coffee and the computer doesn’t go off until I’m ready to go to bed. I take breaks to do the usual housework or whatever else needs to be done, but I spend at least eight hours with the butt in the chair and working on a project.

Q: What's your favorite genre to write or read?
A: Definitely romantic suspense. I love both writing and reading it.

Q: What's the hardest part of the story to write for you?
A: The love scenes. Maybe it’s because I’ve done so many and there’s only so many ways to write them or maybe it’s because after all the years of my marriage, I’m just tired!

Q: Who's your favorite author?
A: I have tons of authors I love to read, but Lisa Gardner is one of my very favorites!

Q: What do you do to relax?
A: I write, I sit on the back deck with my hubby and I love to go to casinos!

Q: There are times when life interferes with an author's writing. During those times are you still able to write?
A: I have a disabled daughter, have gone through breast cancer, hip surgery, a heart replacement valve surgery for my daughter’s partner, a fire that moved my son, daughter-in-law and two teenage girls in with us for nine months, and my daughter almost died when the lower half of her stomach perforated. Yes, there has been many reasons to take me away from the writing, but instead throughout everything I realized the writing was the one thing I could depend on. It became the world I could control when real life had been uncontrollable.So, yes, I write through good times and bad times. It’s my sanity.

Q: Was there ever anything you wanted to do besides be an author
A: My original goal was to be a dancer. I even went to a private college to major in dance, and then took off for New York City to become a Broadway star. Along the way instead of stardom, I found a husband.

Now, I'm going to throw in a couple of fun questions. We don't want to be too serious today. Wink!

Q: Do you have a bucket list of things you would like to do?
A: Sleep until noon, buy every piece of bling I see, wear high heels until the day I die. I’d like to laugh more often, make others feel good about themselves, do something charitable. I have no desire to sky dive or travel, no adventures on my bucket list…just a gentle, kind life with peace in my heart.

You have always been a sweet, gentle and caring soul, Carla.

Q: What is the most fun thing you've ever done?
A: Oh goodness, I don’t have a definite answer for this one. Sometimes my idea of fun is just laughing with my husband or dancing in my living room when nobody is home.

Q: If you had a chance to be anyone besides yourself who would it be?
A: On most days I kind of like being me, but I would like to be younger!

Q: If you wanted to escape your life where would you go and would you take anyone with you?
A: To be honest, I know escape isn’t possible, but peace is in my office all alone. My office is a sanctuary with scented candles and things I love surrounding me. I even bought a full size tree that has pink lights all over the branches because it feeds my soul on a dark and stormy night. My best escape is into the world of fiction and the lives of my characters. Face it, no real bucket list, no real plan for escape…I sound so boring!

Believe me, when I say she's not the least boring, folks.

You can find Carla at her website, http://carlacassidybooks.com and on Facebook.

Here is a blurb for Confessing to the Cowboy, a June release from Harlequin. It can be preordered at Amazon at this link.

BLURB:
The Price of Deadly Secrets…
Someone is killing waitresses at the Cowboy Café. Three women are dead, and Sheriff Cameron Evans means to find out why. But as he works to solve the case, the hunky sheriff must push beyond his feelings for the café's owner. There's a murderer on the loose. Passion has no place here.

For Mary Mathis, the crime is personal. Not only are the victims her employees, they may be a sign of something deeper. Eight years ago she came to Grady Gulch fleeing a violent past that has scarred her for life. Now she has to discover if that history is dooming the women who work for her. She already knows it has made new love impossible—no matter what she may secretly desire.

EXCERPT:
Sheriff Cameron Evans was tired of finding women dead in their beds. He stood in the doorway of Dorothy Blake's small bedroom and took in the tragic scene before him. It was definitely a bad start to a new week.

A light breeze fluttered the blue-flowered curtains hanging at the open window, blowing in the cold November early morning air.

Dorothy was clad in a pale pink nightgown and covered by a blue bedspread. Blood stained the spread around her neck but without that telltale sign it would appear that Dorothy slept peacefully. Her eyes were closed and her features showed no sign of stress.

Cameron tightened his hands into fists as two of his men wearing paper booties moved in to collect any evidence that might lead to a clue to the killer. He had little hope that they'd find anything. Two previous deaths in the same manner had yielded nothing. The murderer was smart and meticulous in his efficiency. Get in, slit the throat of a sleeping woman and then get out, leaving nothing behind for law enforcement to work with.

The window appeared to be intact, suggesting that it had been unlocked and had provided easy access. Cameron's frustration grew as he thought of the town hall meeting where he'd cautioned all women living alone to make sure their windows and doors were locked at all times. Apparently there had been some at the meeting who weren't paying attention.

"Where's the kid?" Cameron asked. He'd been told before he'd arrived on scene that the body had been discovered by a teenage kid.

"In the kitchen with the dog," Deputy Adam Benson said from behind Cameron. "He's pretty freaked out."

"I can imagine," Cameron replied. He moved past Adam and headed down the hallway to the kitchen. There was nothing more he could do in the bedroom. His team was well trained and the coroner stood by to move in after the crime-scene team had taken their photos and done their work. In the meantime he had to speak to Jeffrey Lawrence, the young man who had found Dorothy an hour earlier.

Dorothy's kitchen was painted a cheerful bright yellow, with white and yellow gingham curtains hanging at the window. Despite the day's chill the sunshine streamed into the windows with welcome heat that battled with the cold air drifting down the hallway from the bedroom.

Jeff Lawrence sat at the small, wooden kitchen table, his blue eyes red-rimmed as he hugged a wiggly, small furry mutt close to his chest.

"I can't get the picture of her out of my head," he said as he swallowed hard in an obvious effort not to cry. "It's like burned in my brain… all that blood and the smell."

"I'm sorry you had to experience that. What were you doing here so early in the morning?" Cameron took the seat opposite the young man at the table.

"It's my job…to walk Twinkie every morning before I go to school. I'm a senior and trying to save up some extra money for college." Twinkie whined at the sound of her name and licked the underside of Jeff's pointy chin.

"How long have you had this arrangement with Dorothy?"

"Since the beginning of summer. She and my mom are good friends and that's how I know…knew Dorothy." His eyes welled up with tears once again. "My mom is going to be so upset about all of this."

Cameron waited a minute for the kid to get himself back under control and then continued, "How did you enter the house this morning?"

"I have my own key. Sometimes Dorothy worked the night shift at the Cowboy Cafe and she'd sleep in late in the mornings. If she didn't answer when I knocked, then I used my key to come in and usually found Twinkie on the foot of her bed. Whenever Twinkie saw me she'd jump down and we'd go for our morning walk."

"Is that what happened this morning?"

Jeff's head bobbed like one of those big-headed dolls people put on their dashboards or desks. "Everything was the same as usual. I knocked on the door and when Dorothy didn't answer I went ahead and let myself in. I walked down the hallway to her bedroom and Twinkie was curled up at her feet, just like usual. But this morning Twinkie didn't jump off the bed when she saw me. She just whined and whined and I thought maybe she was hurt. So, I walked over to her and that's when I noticed the blood…and the smell. I didn't touch Dorothy, I knew she was dead. I just grabbed Twinkie and left the room and then called 911."

"You did the right thing," Cameron replied. There was no way Jeff was involved in the crime, at least not at the moment. The kid had the green cast of somebody on the verge of puking. He petted the dog as if the silky fur were the only thing holding him together.

"What's going to happen to Twinkie? Dorothy doesn't have any family, and I can't take her. We already have a big dog, Zeus, who would eat this little girl for lunch." Jeff looked distraught. "Twinkie is a great dog, friendly and well trained. I mean, I'm sorry about Dorothy, but you need to find a good home for Twinkie." Jeff looked at him pleadingly.

Great, Cameron thought. Not only did he have another murder to try to solve, he also had the faith of a softhearted kid depending on him to find a tragically orphaned mutt a good home.

"Gather up all her doggie stuff, and I'll see what I can do," Cameron said. "Then go home. We'll probably have more questions for you later, but right now I'd prefer you not talk to anyone about this crime except with your parents."

Jeff nodded and got up from the table. As he began to gather up all things Twinkie, Cameron went back down the hallway where he met the coroner, who told him what he already suspected.

Time of death was between one and three in the morning, cause of death was a quick, clean slice across the throat. Dorothy's hearing aids were on the night-stand. She'd never heard her screen being removed and the unlocked window sliding open. She'd never heard her killer's approach.

"It's just like the other two," Deputy Benson said. "Three women killed in their beds, their throats cut."

"And all three worked as waitresses at the Cowboy Cafe," Cameron added. He frowned, thinking of how this latest murder would affect Mary Mathis, the owner of the cafe.


Carla, thank you for letting me interview you for Romance Books '4' Us!

BACK TO THE SALT MINE - Ann's TravelBlog

We all know the cliche "back to the salt mines" means it's time to return to school, work or something unpleasant (like finishing the scene that's been so hard to write), by implying the speaker is a slave in a salt mine.

Yet the Wieliczka Salt Mine in southern Poland was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978 and proclaimed by Poland as a national monument in 1994.

A salt mine? 

Table salt is a commodity we take for granted these days. You can get it anywhere for a reasonable price, but that wasn't always true. In ancient times, it was quite precious, and until the industrial revolution, it was hard to come by. Roman soldiers were paid in salt, and as early as Roman times, being sent to work in the salt mine was tantamount to being sent into slavery with a very limited life expectancy.

So why would a salt mine end up on the list of World Heritage sites?

The Wieliczka Salt Mine

Four hundred and forty-three feet beneath the City of Wieliczka (population 20,000, in the metropolitan area of Karków, Poland), the Wieliczka Salt Mine has continuously extracted table salt from the time it was constructed in the 12^th century by a local duke. The salt mine was first mentioned in 1044 and didn't cease operations until 1992 (some sources say 1996 and 2007), due to heavy flooding. Regardless, it's one of the oldest and longest operating salt mines in existence and still produces brine. That's impressive! From the outside, the mine appears exceptionally well kept but ordinary, and on the interior, you will find the expected look and equipment of a salt mine.

 

This mine reaches depths of 1,075 feet and is over 178 miles long. The salt deposits formed here in the Miocene Epoch, some 13.6 million years ago. The rock is varying shades of gray in color resembling granite instead of the tiny white crystals we know and love.

Interesting, yes. But World Heritage Site quality? I don't know.

This Ain't Your Ordinary Salt Mine

The salt mine itself, while interesting and how housing a museum of the history of the salt mining industry, isn't what attracts over a million visitors a year. Over the centuries, tens of generations of miners not only extracted salt, but they also left behind them a record of their time there in awesome sculptures and architecture, all made of salt.

The tourists who visit have to descend 378 wooden steps to enter an unexpected and amazing world where they can take a 2 kilometer tour (some sources say 2 miles and 3.5 kilometers) of the mine corridors, sixteen lakes, twenty chapels (including the Cathedral), and incredible art works. There is an elevator to go up to the surface which rises at twelve feet per second, but to get in you have to walk down the stairs shown below.


The works of art and architecture in the mine weren't created by great artists under commission to some King, but by the workers themselves, from the middle ages to the present, by hacking rock from the walls and sculpting statues and reliefs in the salt rock which resembles unpolished granite. These chapels were places where the miners could capture a few moments of retreat to worship during their labors. There are twenty chapels, the largest and most magnificent, the Cathedral.

The Cathedral is astounding in terms of sheer size and the way in which the miners breathed their Catholic spirit into the cathedral and art works. It took 68 years to complete, and everything, even the lighting fixtures, are made of salt.

Interior of the Cathedral


    Structure of the Cathedral
    Photo by dgies on Flickr


Many of the scenes represent well-known stories from the Bible. Others represent other historical events and also the imagination of the miners.

One wall is dedicated to the 14^th century warrior Casimir the Great, shown below.
 

The origins of the mine are depicted in the Janowice Chamber. In medieval times, the Hungarian Princess Kinga, married Polish Prince Boleslaus the Chaste. When Mongols invaded Poland, Kinga went to her father asking that he help the Poles. In response, he gave her the sale mine of Maramaros, in Transylvania, where she threw her ring into the shaft.

No references explained why she did that. The story goes the ring was found in the first block of white sand dug in Wieliczka, which ultimately provided a third of the income to the Polish crown. Below a knight is returning the ring to Kinga.

The amazing salt chandeliers are not simply sculpted from salt, but by using a process which requires the salt rock to be dissolved. Then the impurities are extracted, and solution dried to achieve a glass-like finish. Even the floor, which looks like tiles, is made of salt.

 
Photo of Chandelier by Matthew.kowal on Wikimedia Commons


In the Spalone Chamber there are figures of the men who worked as the mine's "Pentinents". Before there was proper ventilation, these men worked were responsible for burning off the methane that accumulated in the ceilings of the mine's chambers.

They dressed in wet clothing and crawled along the floor of the mine with a long pole holding a lit torch at the end. It was a dangerous task and those workers were rewarded with extra bags of salt, which was an extremely valuable commodity in the Middle Ages.


Visitors who commented on the many articles and blogs, tag the Wieliczka Salt Mine as a "don't miss" travel destination. Now I see why it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and I can't wait to visit.

Resources
http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Europe/Poland/Wojewodztwo_Malopolskie/Krakow-490219/Things_To_Do-Krakow-Wieliczka_Salt_Mine-BR-1.html

http://www.kuriositas.com/2011/08/wieliczka-salt-mine-astounding.html

http://www.lindsayfincher.com/wieliczka-salt-mine-goin-deeper-underground.html

http://www.insidethetravellab.com/wieliczkas-salt-sculptures/

http://www.wieliczka-saltmine.com/visiting/pilgrims-route/wieliczka-chapels

http://twistedsifter.com/2013/04/wieliczka-salt-mine-polands-underground-salt-cathedral/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wieliczka_Salt_Mine

http://www.odditycentral.com/pics/wieliczka-salt-cathedral-polands-underground-wonder.html

http://www.examiner.com/article/the-underground-salt-cathedral-of-poland

http://www.worldheritagesite.org/sites/wieliczka.html

http://www.insidethetravellab.com/wieliczkas-salt-sculptures/
http://www.traditioninaction.org/HotTopics/c022ht_SaltMine.htm

Could it Get Any Hotter ...

... than an interview with Reese Colton, the hero of my vampire novel, SHADOWS OF FIRE (And yes, he's also a firefighter)? This sexy vampire arrived on the page as a complete surprise (who knew someone this dark, sexy and irresistible could also be an immortal?)

Nina: Welcome to RB4U, Reese. I know there are many readers who would love to meet you. I'm really glad you found some time to visit.

Reese: Nice to be here. I've been wondering why it's taken so long for you to invite me. *leans forward and whispers* You know all my secrets, you've delved into the deepest part of my psyche, don't you think it's time to share? *leans back with a satisfied smile*

Nina: *blushes* Yes, ah hem ,well, I didn't realize how anxious you were to bring everything to light.

Reese: Oh, aren't you the wordsmith? The whole vampire and daylight thing, I get it. Ha ha. Yes, fine, I'm an ancient vampire ... it's out there, big deal--

Nina: But Reese it is a big deal. It's part of your sex appeal. And I should have asked if it's too bright in here for you.

Reese: This space is very comfortable and you know daylight isn't a huge issue for me. I just can't be out in it for long periods of time.

Nina: Is that why you worked the night shift at the fire station?

Reese: It certainly does simplify things. But being part of RISEN, we've found it easier to do our undercover work at night.

Nina: Tell everyone about RISEN. This whole military operation is one of the things I found fascinating. How did you get involved with them anyway?

Reese: RISEN stands for Rogue Investigative Seizure and Elimination Network the acronym is meant to be funny, but what we do is deadly serious. You see, not all vampires live well with humans. You are rather delicate creatures *winks* Anyway, we find rogue vampires and bring them to justice--vampire justice. *shrugs* Not really a big deal.

Nina: Is that what brought you to the mountains of California? A rogue vampire?

Reese: We were called there by the man who saved my life over two centuries ago, Glenn Karr. He's mentored a lot of young vampires. He and Alexandra Flanagan manufactured and ran the blood wine out of the basement of the local tavern they ...

Nina: Still hard for you to talk about them isn't it?

Reese: Yeah, I shouldn't have mentioned Glenn and Alex. Memories of those fires still shake me up. *inhales deeply* Yeah, let's not talk about them. Where was I?

Nina: Telling me what brought you to South Kenton.

Reese: Right. The fires. Accidental fires were escalating. At first we found burned vampires and then humans. We suspected it was a vampire all along. We just didn't expect to find the answers we got. Really, I'm not a firefighter anymore. *flashes a trembling smile* I rebuilt the tavern and I'm running that. Don't you want to talk about that?

Nina: Sure. Tell us about the blood wine you mentioned.

Reese: *smile broadens* Well, I took the formula that Glenn and Alex had nearly perfected and made a few modifications with the pig blood and the chemical balance. Now I produce enough to support all the vamps in the mountains and the tribunal has opened up two more wineries on the west coast and we're looking at expanding down south using my new formula.

Nina: Congratulations I can see how proud you are of doing that. Is there anything else you want to tell my readers?

Reese: I suppose I should mention I did bring the vampire in South Kenton to justice as much as I hated how it all ended. On a happier note, should I mention the hot romance in the book?

Nina: *blushes profusely* My readers are very aware I write sexy stories. I think they'd already guessed that passion definitely sparks between you and Alex.

Reese: *runs a knuckle down Nina's cheek* You're too cute. I guess you enjoyed writing that part about me. *leans in close to Nina's ear* Though I would have enjoyed a few more opportunities to strut my stuff as they say.

Nina: *clears throat* Well, that's all the time I have today, Reese. I don't want to keep you from the tavern. Let me just remind readers they can find this book at most online retailers including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo and iTunes.

BLURB
A woman forced to live a life she didn’t choose …
Thirty years ago, a horrendous attack in the California mountains thrust chemistry student, ALEXANDRA FLANAGAN, into the secret world of vampires. Now, unable to stomach the thought of drinking blood from another person, she survives on a chemical blood wine. But there are some who secretly disapprove of her clandestine activities and will do anything to stop her.

A vampire of honor protecting humans …
Ancient vampire, REESE COLTON, is part of an elite military operation seeking out and eliminating rogue vampires. Undercover as a firefighter, he and his team have been called in to investigate the unusual number of fires covering up the murders of vampires living on Alex’s blood wine.

A murderer seeking revenge …
When chemistry ignites passion, Reese and Alex find themselves embroiled in an affair that catches them both unaware. With the number of fires escalating and evidence against Alex mounting, Reese isn’t sure whether to follow his heart or the clues as he seeks to find a murderer in the Shadows of Fire.

ALSO AVAILABLE IN AUDIO FORMAT (Read by Becca Battoe, narrator of the "FiftyShades" Trilogy) from Amazon and iTunes

Guest Blog: Sabrina York: The Thrill of Working Without a Net

I love romance. And I especially love writing erotic romance. It’s hard to believe I’ve only been a published author for a little over a year. Last April my first book, Adam’s Obsession, came out and since then, I have sold more than a dozen titles and garnered some pretty awesome reviews.

I was so gratified by the reader responses to my books, I wanted to do something to show my thanks, so I wrote a novella, self published it and put it up for free on Amazon to celebrate my anniversary and thank my readers.

Self publishing is a scary thing, much like walking on a high wire without a net…but it’s pretty exciting too and it allowed me to do some things with Rebound (such as give copies away with abandon) that I can’t always do with contracted books.

I think it’s important to push ourselves out of our comfort zones every once in a while. Yes. There are risks, but the rewards are worth the potential cost.

My biggest worry was that no one would buy the book.

I shouldn’t have bothered worrying.

First of all, worrying accomplishes nothing but the graying of the hair.

And trust me, I have enough gray hair as it is.

At some point in our careers we need to stop worrying and just wallow in the joy. Savor the thrill of creation. Of the ability to share whatever talents the world can absorb.

Secondly, the whole point of the exercise was to thank my readers. If even one person loved the book, it was worth all the effort. Rebound did make my readers happy. And people did buy the book. In droves. Imagine my delight when, on that day, Rebound shot up to #3 on the free erotica list (right next to Fifty Shades…)

And as a result, I am going to do it again. Yes, walk out on that thin wire…without a net. It is, I find, a little addictive. How funny that after we take a dare, it suddenly, somehow, becomes “old hat.”

I’m planning more books in the Tryst Island Series—following the romantic adventures of a group of friends sharing a vacation house on the fictional Trystacomseh Island in Washington State’s San Juan archipelago. There are nine more books coming. What would you like to see in this scorching erotic series?


BLURB:
Rebound- A Tryst Island Erotic Romance

Kristi Cross has had the hots for her friend, Cameron Jackson as long as she can remember, but she knows she’s not his type. She’s nothing like the women he dates. So when he suggests they play for a kiss over a game of Hearts, Kristi can’t resist. Even if she loses, she wins. Because she’s finally going to taste him.

Of course, one kiss can quickly become something altogether steamier, especially when both parties are on the rebound…


BIO:
Sabrina York, Her Royal Hotness, writes naked erotic fiction for fans who like it hot, hard and balls-to-the-wall, and erotic romance and fantasy for readers who prefer a slow burn to passion. An award winning author in multiple genres, Sabrina loves writing hot, humorous stories for smart and sexy readers.


Other Books by Sabrina York
Adam’s Obsession (Erotic Contemporary, Ellora’s Cave) 
Dark Fancy (Erotic Regency, Ellora’s Cave) 
Extreme Couponing (Erotic Contemporary, Ellora’s Cave)
Five Alarm Fire (Erotic Contemporary for the High Octane Heroes Anthology, Cleis Press)—coming soon 
Folly (Erotic Regency, Ellora’s Cave)
Lust Eternal (Erotic Fantasy, Ellora’s Cave) —coming soon 
Pushing Her Buttons (Erotic Contemporary, Ellora’s Cave)
Making Over Maris (Erotic Contemporary, Ellora’s Cave) —coming soon 
Man Hungry (Erotic Contemporary, Ellora’s Cave) 
Rebound: A Tryst Island Erotic Romance (Erotic Contemporary, Available on Amazon) 
Rising Green (Erotic Horror, Ellora’s Cave) 
Saving Charlotte (Erotic Contemporary for the Smokin' Hot Firemen Anthology, Cleis Press) 
Training Tess (Erotic Contemporary, Ellora’s Cave) 
Trickery (Erotic Contemporary with Magical Elements, Ellora’s Cave Hex Line) 
Tristan’s Temptation (Erotic Contemporary, Ellora’s Cave)

BIO:

Sabrina is an award winning author of erotic romance with nearly a dozen titles available, ranging from sweet & sexy erotic romance to BDSM to erotic horror. Connect with her on twitter @sabrina_york or http://www.facebook.com/sabrina.york.14. Check out her books, contest, blog and reviews on www.sabrinayork.com.