Holding my feet to the fire

I've been working on this cool new book, Auntie Vamp, but I've been procrastinating. So thanks to prodding, I'm going to post my progress.

Unlike the Blood Wings series, this book is much more lighthearted - less politics, funnier, and is a straightforward coming of age erotic story.

It is the story of Holly Barros-Shepherd, a young woman attending the University of Washington,  majoring in international paranormal relations. (Ok, so I can't escape politics all the way).

I think Holly looks a little like this, but shyer. Not as confident as Ms. Hayek, but determined.  She's just turned 21, and will be finishing her BA during the summer. Her parents are perhaps, just a teensy tiny bit, overly protective of her.

Selma Hayek

Ever since she was seventeen, she's been engaged to "the former boy next door", Blaine Harrington. Blaine and his family used to be next door neighbors with the Shepherds, but his father made good in the '90s boom and moved them to expensive Mercer Island.

Yes, Blaine looks like young Brad Pitt. What is the point of writing erotica if you can't be inspired by pretty people? ;)

Unbeknownst to Holly, Blaine has fallen in love with another woman and is about to break up with her. 

Holly has an aunt, Celeste Barros, an influential and famous vampire. Celeste is very much inspired by Mae West. :)

She is bold, strong, and the head honcho for paranormal relations for the Northern hemisphere. And she takes her favorite niece, Holly, under her wing when Blaine breaks the girl's young heart.

As Celeste says,

“My dear. There are no cures for a broken heart. But the best bandages are copious amounts of champagne, ridiculously expensive shoes, and a procession of nubile men."      

Are we ready for this ride? ;)

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.

Joe Hill on Writing.

Last week, The Charming Man and I went to Powell's Book Store to see Joe Hill in person.

The Charming Man is a big fan of Mr. Hill's Locke and Key series of graphic novels.

Mr. Hill read from his latest novel, NOS4A2, answered questions, then signed for nearly two hours.



I took notes, and here are some wonderful things he said.

"Just sit down and write one great scene. It's best of you do it in one sitting. Don't think that you have to do two hundred more pages of this. Focus on your one great scene."

"I usually do about five to seven drafts." (What a relief! I get all wound up on how many drafts I write. Instead, I'm on target. Woot!)

"I'm surprised so many people come to these things; there are so many cat videos on the Internet."


I would like to point out that while Joe Hill is over 40, he looks about 25. I think writing horror must keep one young.

Thank you, Joe Hill!

Romantic Times are the best of times.

At the beginning of May, I attended the Romantic Times Reader Convention in Kansas City, MO. 

While I was there, I was so busy, I couldn't keep good notes, but I was able to take many photos!

Lori Sjoberg

Me, Lori Sjoberg, and Kim Foster

Fellow e-Kensington auther, Marina Miles.

More fun with eKensington authors!

Kensington had cookies with our covers!

Me at the E-book Expo.

The "before" picture of my table at the E-book Expo.

My "after" picture at the E-book Expo.

OMG I got Laura Kinsale's autograph!

Jade Lee, after I was eating a candy penis from Delilah Marvelle.

Kim Foster and her stash of goodies!

John Scalzi for The Charming Man!

The winner and champion!

The winner of my last Dragon necklace is....(insert drum roll)...

 



Kimba Caffeinated over at the Caffeinated Book Reviewer!

Blast from the Past.

Once more into the past - this post is from June 14, 2010.

Jennifer Crusie rocks my socks. 

 

For those who aren't familiar with the romance genre, a little back story.

Here's part of what Wikipedia says about Ms. Crusie:

Crusie was graduated from Wapakoneta High School, and then earned a bachelor's degree in Art Education from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio.^[1] She has two Master's degrees. For her first, from Wright State University in Professional Writing and Women's Literature,^[1] Crusie wrote a thesis on the role of women in mystery fiction.^[2] Her second master's degree is an MFA in Fiction from Ohio State University.^[1] She has also completed work towards a Ph.D. in feminist criticism and nineteenth century British and American literature at Ohio State University.

So we know we're dealing with a driven, intelligent woman who loves romance and who can discourse intelligently on the themes and motifs of romance fiction. On her website, Ms. Crusie discusses her writing process and analysis of genre fiction.


I have to recommend the below essay, if only cheer about someone mentioning V. Propp's and Claud Levi-Strauss' theories on literature and myth.

This Is Not Your Mother's Cinderella: The Romance Novel as Feminist Fairy Tale.