Why I write romance.

I come from a family of irritating overachievers. My father (Dr. Dad) has a Ph.D. My older brother (Dr. Bro) has a PhD and two post-doctoral degrees. Dr. Sister had a PhD (of course) and full tenure at a prestigious private collage.

My Mom had a Master's degree. My step-mother has a Master's as well. 

I'm the black sheep. I stopped after two Master's degrees (BA and MA in history, specializing in international relationships between Safavid Persia and Europe, and a MS in Library and Information Science).

So what called me to fiction?

Yes, we have silly covers.

Especially to romance, the most denigrated of genres? And even worse, what drives me to write sexually explicit novels? It would be much more comfortable to write something respectable, like literary novels.

This is why.

Romance is the most important genre of all fiction.

Our covers might be silly, but they beat this bullshit.

In romance novels, a woman will have an adventure, be she a kick-ass, special-ops sort or a sheltered Regency debutant. She will not be sacrificed to further a man's story (Women in Refrigerators, anyone?) 

What about the loss of this fabulous character in Skyfall?

The world hinges on sexual politics. Romance is also the only genre that creates a new framework the most deadly of all adventures for women - that of an intimate relationship with a man.

Romance is the only genre where a woman will live all the way through the story and have an arc of her own. It is the only genre will the woman will win.

No other popular media takes on the fundamental fear of half of the world's population. It is a brave genre filled with brave characters and brave writers.
 

And that is why I write romance.

Curious: Auguste Rodin Exhibit

Curiosity is a huge part of caring for your emotional well-being. Cultivating an interest in the world keeps depression and anxiety at bay and gives you tools for dealing with stress.

Obviously, I need to walk my walk as well as talk my talk! So I went to the Auguste Rodin exhibit at the Portland Art Museum.

Detail of one of the Burghers of Calais

 Looking at the visual arts doesn't usually translate well into words, especially for an artist as physical as Rodin. Much of his work revolves around motion, turbulence, and character. 

The exhibit demonstrated his fascination with hands, balance,  pressure, and the human body. I'll step back and let the images speak for themselves!

Hand of God

Fallen Caryatid Carrying an Urn

Aphrodite

Angels

Blog Tour: Love Under Two Outcasts by Cara Covington

Girl, that coat rules!

Please welcome Cara Covington, author of Love Under Two Outcasts!


Cara will be awarding a $25 Bookstrand giftcard to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour, and a $10 Amazon or Barnes/Noble giftcard to a randomly drawn host.

Click here to win the $25 Bookstrand gift card- a Rafflecopter giveaway.

1. Tell us a little about yourself; your hometown, your age, anything cool!

I’m from a rural community in southern Ontario, Canada called Flamborough. I turned 60 on my last birthday. I’ve been married for 42 years to my High School sweetheart. We’re parents, grandparents of 6, and great-grandparents of 2. Cool? I think the fact that I had to retire from work when I had open heart surgery at the age of 48, and then went on to live my dream of becoming a published author is as cool as it gets. Some days, I have to pinch myself! 

2. How did you know you wanted to write?

I began to write when I was around 8 or 9. Picking up a pen was just something that came naturally to me. My father passed away when I was 7 and it wasn’t until much later that I learned that he, when he’d been younger, had always, always had a pad of paper and a pencil in his pocket, as he was a writer, too. In fact, I discovered not that many years ago, that my brother had a few of his poems and stories tucked away. So I guess you could say that for me, writing is in the blood.

3. What inspires you to write on those inevitable rough days?

I remind myself, on those rare days when I don’t feel like writing but I know I must, that there are readers waiting to read my next book. Just lately, I only have to turn my head to the left to see a picture—my street team sent me an enormous picture frame with their photos pasted inside it. All those beautiful smiling women who treasure my books! Can you imagine it? That’s reason enough for any writer to get back to work.

4. Tell me some of your current projects- Your works in progress, ideas, or any crazy, off the wall things.

 The Lusty Texas series began with two historical novels, set in Texas in the 1880s. The series then jumped to contemporary times, as the heroes and heroines, descendants of the characters in the historical novels, clamored to have their stories told. Some people would say that having a series that already expands beyond 24 books is crazy! My December 2014 release, Love Under Two Outcasts was book 24 in the series; the next one, A Very Lusty New Year, released January 23rd was the 25th book in the series. And as I am writing this in January, I can tell you that I am working on Love Under Two Extroverts, book 26, and I expect a late March release date for it.

5. What would you like people to know about your work?

I write erotic romantic fiction. Some, under my pen name Morgan Ashbury, but lately, as Cara Covington. My stories are entertainment, mostly—a place for readers to escape from their every day trials and tribulations. A place they can visit and bask in my ideal of small town life. Where your neighbors care about you, and where you soon find that you belong.Within the pages of a Lusty, Texas book, you may find a few hugs for your heart – that was the way one reader described my stories, and nothing has ever touched me as deeply as that.

6. This is a chance to meander or talk in greater depth if you like. Here you can talk about what hobbies you pursue, how you refresh your well of ideas, what you would recommend to other writers.

I’m afraid I don’t have any exciting hobbies; I’m limited, mobility-wise, but my husband and I have traveled a great deal throughout North America over the last few years. We’ve been on several cruises, as well as having visited some vastly different cities from New York to Dallas, Chicago to New Orleans, to Anaheim and Orlando and Daytona Beach.

I love to read, of course, and some of my favorite authors are also friends: Heather Rainier, D. B. Reynolds, Emma Wildes, and Kelley Armstrong to name a few. I also love to read Nora Roberts/J D Robb, Julie Garwood, Catherine Coulter, Barbara Delinsky and Linda Howard. I have 2 surviving children, 6 surviving grand-children and 2 great-grandchildren. Life in the Ashbury household can be very hectic. We have a cat who adopted us and has graciously allowed us to stay in the house, and a Morky dog who is most definitely a spoiled little fur baby.

My advice to my fellow authors: if you are not yet published, do not quit. If you want it bad enough, keep working at it and do not quit. Just write and write and write some more. Believe in yourself; make your craft excellent; and you will get published. If you are published, I have a word of advice for you, too—because I’m 60, you see, and feel entitled to give a bit of that prickly commodity now and again.

Please, remember that once you put it out there on the web, it is there, forever. So try to remember that whatever you do, your readers are watching you. Be the best you that you can be.

And now, Love Under Two Outcasts!

Charlotta Carmichael is mostly not ashamed of the way she paid for her college degree. Mostly. As an exotic dancer at a gentlemen’s club, she earned enough to get her degree in psychology. But sometimes the scorn she’s suffered in the past comes back to haunt her. She fears a similar reaction from Jesse and Barry Benedict. Will they still think she’s good enough for them if she tells them the truth?

Jesse and Barry know all about past mistakes and regret. Feeling like outcasts, they left their Montana home and headed to Lusty, hoping to make a new start. Once they understand that Charlotta is their soul mate, they confess their sins of the past—because they want their relationship to have a solid foundation.

As Jesse and Barry rush to save Charlotta from a stalker, they all soon learn that moving on is easier said than done—and requires a bigger leap of faith than they’d ever imagined.

Appetite whetted? Here's a teaser.

The sound of high heels on the marble floor echoed in the reception area. Jesse realized belatedly the feminine footsteps were coming their way.

“Gentlemen, I apologize for keeping you waiting.”

Jesse knew the voice from the two telephone conversations he’d had with the doctor. He looked up—and had the surreal sensation that in that instant, with that simple tilt of his head, his entire life had just changed. One quick glance over at Barry, and he knew his twin was experiencing his own personal epiphany.

Jesse got to his feet, his gaze taking in her piled high blonde hair, soft grey eyes, and the way her beige silk blouse and trim brown skirt displayed her made-for-sin body.

He met her gaze, pleased when he read in hers that he and his brother weren’t the only ones to get gob smacked with a flood of pheromones.

She’d extended her hand and Jesse wasted no time in clasping it in his. The zing of electricity shot straight to his groin, and it took supreme will to keep his wood from tenting his jeans.

“I’m Jesse. And you have no need to apologize, ma’am. We’re here at your service.” He saw the double entendre hit its mark and liked the humor he read in her eyes.

And then he appreciated her ability to give as well as she got, when she said, “Well in that case, please follow me to someplace a little more private.”

 

Website:http://www.morganashbury.com

Morgan’s books at Siren-Bookstrand:

http://www.bookstrand.com/morgan-ashbury

Cara’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cara-Covington/616302148428229

Blast from the Past: Playing with the Tarot

Back on December 12 of 2013, I did a cool blog post about creating my mission statement. And I liked this post so much, I thought I'd re-run it!

*****

 There is something about the winter season that makes me want to hermit up. I decided I might as well roll with it, so this morning, I did a  Tarot spread.

 My deck is the Visconti-Sforza deck, a 15th century deck, and one that I find the most beautiful.

I'm not a big Tarot chick - I find it a fun way to play with brainstorming, dream up psychological insights, and of course, work on archetypes. 

I found a spread called Create a Vision Statement in Barbara Moore's book, Tarot Spreads.
Super fun!

The spread looks like this: 

2     3

   1

4     5

Position One is who you are, Two is what you do, Three is how you do it, Four is who you do it for, and Five is the benefits to your clients/audience. 

And this is my very cool mission statement!

I discover and bring to life bold stories of adventure and passion for lovers and dreamers so we can create options for a better world. 

 *happy dances*

What is *your* mission statement?

(I drew the Eight of Wands, the Knight of Wands, the King of Wands, Two of Cups, and the Nine of Cups, if you are curious)l

Random, awesome pictures.

I was browsing the Wikipedia Commons website and found too many cool things.

The library at the Vienna University of Technology. I've been there. Quite frankly, those owls are the most awesome library decoration, ever.

Lake Bondus in Norway. Can't you just see the dragons lurking in the mist?

Keeping with the bad-ass owl theme.

Peter Paul Rubens and his first wife, Isabella Brandt. I think she looks like a trouble maker!

Tidbits from the Roman Forum.

Flowers on the mound.

 I've been putting off my blogging. I was going to get "serious" and write about my writing process.

But I wasn't ready to leave Italy behind! Back to Rome for an exploration of death and rebirth.

The mound to the right is the altar of the Temple of Caesar. Augustus began construction of the temple in 42 BC after Julius was assassinated. All that remains is the mound above.

Below is the entrance to the Umbilicus Urbis (Navel of the City). I found myself fascinated by the small, unassuming structure. It had been used as a reference point for center point of the city and was considered an entrance to the Underworld.

The sign at the Umbilicus Urbis.

Augustus Caesar as the Pontifex Maximus.

The remains of a colossus of Constantine.

The Roman emphasis on realism in their portraiture proves that you don't need to be a big, brawny guy to rule the world.

The statue from the Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus, originally built around 509 BC. Wow!

The only photograph of Florence you will ever need.

You cannot go to Florence without seeing Michelangelo's David. 

It's hard to describe how truly epic this sculpture is. No photograph can truly capture it's emotion and passion.

Except, maybe this one:

From the Women's Restroom at the Accademia.

Welcome to Florence, Italy!

Have some stairs.

Yes, it is true, Italy is full of stairs. Tall stairs, endless stairs, curving stairs, and marble stairs.

Fortunately, the views are worth all the stairs!

Our first stop in Florence was the Pallazo Medici Riccardi.

Euripedes.

Caracalla. You can really get a feel for how brutal he was.

This one was labeled Sovrano Ellenistico.

I really loved the expression on this guy. He is the Atleta Riccardi.

Meeting rooms with massive frescoes.

The world's coolest ostrich painting.

Viva Italy!

For the last two weeks, The Charming Man, the Flaming Chef, his husband Dr. Snickerdoodle, and I have been on vacation in...*drum roll*

Italy!

The Pantheon in Rome.

And it was cooler than even my deepest imagination.


We visited Florence, Rome, and Pompeii.

And over the next few weeks, I'm going to share some of the amazing photos we took there.

Like this one:

Fashion in Rome!

And this one, too.

Mosaics saved from the Baths of Caracalla

Let's go exploring the pleasures of this magical land!

Learning who you are.

I have had the honor and the pleasure of modeling with Michael Baxter, the genius of belly dance photography.

I never knew I had mystery inside.

Michael was gracious enough to experiment with me. The images he coaxed from me and his equipment showed me aspects of myself that I never knew existed.

If you asked me to describe myself, I would always say I was a little funny looking. I'm far from petite or graceful and - let's not mince words - overweight.

But Michael showed me a part of myself that was strong, passionate, and, yes, beautiful.  I learned a valuable lesson that day:

I no longer could justify my self-loathing.  

I wish everyone could have the experience of working with a gifted and empathic photographer. I wish you could discover the parts of yourself that you do not see.

The finished patio project (and a few random photos).

Alma's Ganache In A Cup.

 The deck is finished! After months of mud and building, we finally got some furnishings (thanks to Lowe's discount area and various thrift shops) and it is starting to look like the retreat I always wanted. But first, I tease you with some random pictures of Portland!

(cue evil laugh)

The empty cup is the remains of an Alma Chocolate's Ganache in a Cup. I was not about to stop to take a picture before I ate it.

Cherish Yesterday; Dream Tomorrow, Love Today.

 Outside of Alma's, I saw this wonderful sign sitting on the sidewalk.

I call this The Retreat.

 And now for the main event. :)

Candlesticks from Goodwill.

Perfect for dreaming and reading.

The Garden Gate

The Party Pavilion

Pretty lanterns light the way.

A vase from a friend's mother's estate sale.

Rain chains: elegant and relaxing.

Heroines and what they look like.

This past Christmas, I was thrilled to receive the complete Wonder Woman series, starring Lynda Carter. I could barely contain myself. Would the show hold up after thirty years? Would I still feel as strong and inspired as I did when I was in single digits?

The answer was a resounding YES. The show was full of women running, jumping, stopping bullets, and forcing airplanes to the ground. It made me feel fierce.

It was a wonderful revelation, for I had quit reading comics during the resurgence of comics in the 1990s. Rob Liefeld was the wonderchild of the medium. He and a slew of fans drew a bunch of women who looked like this:

Imagine page after page filled with women with no internal organs, horrifying wedgies, and thigh pouches. I kid you not. 

And being a feminist, I would point this trend out to my friends and they would tell me not to be so sensitive. So I quit, missing out on my tales of heroic women who could travel to the moon, turn invisible, stop rampaging monsters, and conquer their fears.

Imagine my joy when I discovered the current crop of feminists, both men and women who found these images tedious and tiring. They have retorted to the industry with wit, charm, and parodies that left me in stitches.

For your amusement and edification, I present a list of favorite links on how women are portrayed in popular media.

First, no discussion of comics is complete without Gail Simone's revolutionary Women in Refrigerators.

Now, in no particular order:

The Hawkeye Initiative:  A blog with Clint "Hawkeye" Barton being placed in the same provocative, female poses that are featured in superhero comics.

Escher Girls:  This is a blog to archive and showcase the prevalence of certain ways women are depicted in illustrated pop media, specifically how women are posed, drawn, distorted, and sexualized out of context, often in ridiculous, impossible or disturbing ways that sacrifice storytelling.

Author Jim Hines often parodies the cover art of science fiction/fantasy novels. You gotta love a guy who willingly puts himself in this position.

The aptly named Boobs Don't Work That Way.

The very necessary Racebending.com.

 The superfantastic CounterPunch section at Girl-Wonder.org. This section shows us just what comic book covers would look like if the heroes were as objectified as the women. Subtitled "Turning the tables on Frank Miller's depictions of women."


I hope these links and fun websites will make you want to write, draw, and create interesting art and strong characters.

"Excelsior!"

Dracula's Secret, Blood Wings #1
Dracula's Desires, Blood Wings #2
Dracula Unleashed, Blood Wings #3, to be released March 21, 2013