Come one, come all to Writerspace tonight, where I will be dishing about On the Steamy Side and celebrating turning in the revisions on my next Recipe for Love novel, Just One Taste! Should be a scream--the Writerspace chats are always wild and crazy fun. Those ladies know how to party! I'll just have to do my best to keep up. ; )
There will be prizes and giveaways (including lots of books,) laughter and song, maybe a few dancing boys--we'll see how it goes. Bring a friend!
I'm back on the virtual road today, over at Writerspace talking about being a "plotter" vs. being a "pantser"--both in writing, and in the kitchen! Come tell me which you are and you could win a fabulous prize pack including a signed copy of On the Steamy Side, and a set of signature Recipe for Love spatulas and apron.
Also, today is a happy, happy day because I got not one but TWO fabulous new reviews for OtSS! This one from Reader to Reader made me giggle out loud, especially the last line. And this one, from Danielle at ALPHA Reader is just awesome and perceptive and thoughtful and smart. Check 'em out! Big thanks to both reviewers for taking the time to post their thoughts.
I'm at my own blog today, for once, but deep into my revisions, so this will have to be quick! I thought I'd do another post about things I can't get enough of right now...
Sweet Leaf Green Tea, with Mint & Honey I discovered this stuff while visiting my parents in Austin, TX. It's a local company, but available more and more places (although not in northern Ohio--sad!) I recently ordered a case from Amazon, that's how good it is. Lightly flavored, refreshing, not too cloyingly sweet--I'm going to be drinking these all summer long!
General Hospital I've been watching GH since high school, off and on, and I'm so on again right now, it's not even funny. Like all soaps, it goes in cycles of how gripping and amazing it is, and it's on a definite upswing. It's doing a great job of sucking me into stories about teen date abuse, one of my favorite characters in the hospital (I know, actual hospital scenes! Crazy) and a new couple that just knocks my socks off. Whenever Lulu and Dominic are on the screen, there's a 50% chance that I will be squealing at some point. I'd find it embarrassing, but whatever. I owned up to this GH addiction a long time ago, and I'm over being sheepish about it. I cherish my guilty pleasures.
And speaking of guilty pleasures...
My Chemical Romance I know what you're going to say. They're totally emo, they're all about teen angst, they write songs about vampires and death and stuff...but I can't help it. I am completely in love with their sound. I love the songs, the lyrics, the band members (did you know lead singer and songwriter Gerard Way has an award-winning comic series? He draws the album covers, too) the whole rebellious, pop-punk, tongue-in-cheek, over-the-top ethos of it all. Either 'Teenagers' or 'Welcome to the Black Parade' were what first sucked me in, but now it feels like I get obsessed with a new song every day. Right now it's 'I'm Not Okay.' I can't wait to see if this affects my writing at all--watch for the next trilogy to be extremely dramatic and grandiose, and people entirely by pale boys in wacky eye makeup.
At this rate, I'll never have time to post on my own personal blog again! I'm off again today, over at Single Titles trying to figure out what the infamous publishing term "high concept" really means. If you think you know, or want to hear what some smart industry pros had to say about it, please come join the discussion. I'm giving away a signed copy of On the Steamy Side to one lucky commenter!
What are some of your favorite romances that feature couples dealing with kids? I've thought of a few more since I wrote the original post, some really good ones, but no one has said them, yet! Come comment for a chance to win a signed copy of On the Steamy Side along with a signature Recipe for Love apron and spatula set...
Celebrity chef smackdown! If legendary bad boy chef Gordon Ramsay had to face off against Southern homestyle cook Paula Deen, who'd win? I'm over at Romance Junkies today talking about that, and discussing whether you'd rather try an exciting new dish or stick with an old favorite. Comment for a chance to win a signed copy of On the Steamy Side, a Tastebook full of recipes, and a gorgeous market tote!
I'm away from my home blog again today, over at Borders True Romance talking about the book that got me hooked on romance and the celebrity chefs I'd like to meet! Come share yours for a chance to win a very cool prize pack including a gorgeous canvas market tote, a Tastebook full of recipes, and signed copies of both Can't Stand the Heat and On the Steamy Side!
Coffee Time Romance, who gave On the Steamy Side a lovely four-coffee-cup review, invited me to guest blog today. I wrote about a fantastic meal I shared recently with some of the best friends (and the best pasta) a girl could ask for! Come on over and share your stories of food with friends in the comments area for a chance to win an autographed copy of On the Steamy Side, an environmentally friendly Farmer’s tote and a Tastebook full of fabulous recipes.
Since I was traveling yesterday, I didn't get the chance to post a link to the fun Q&A up at Romance Reviews Today. But I believe the contest for the giveaway is ongoing, so head on over and comment for a chance to win signed copies of both Can't Stand the Heat and On the Steamy Side!
And as for today's stop on my whirlwind blog tour, I'm over at Romancing the Book, answering some more questions and giving away a signed OtSS plus an adorable set of Recipe for Love apron and red rubber spatulas. Check it out! She made me cast the hypothetical movie version of On the Steamy Side, which was surprisingly hard. If you've got other stars you would've put in the roll, put your choices up on StoryCasting.com! I love that site.
Stinger and I are in Austin--he's here for SXSW interactive, and I'm here to visit my family. We went to Fonda San Miguel last night (I had the BEST duck enchiladas in poblano cream sauce) so we're already having a blast. : )
The pert, adorable Keri Ford asked me to help kick off her birthday celebrations with a Q&A about On the Steamy Side, and I showed up with signed books and gifts to give away to lucky commenters! So come on down and dish with us; you could win an apron and spatula set, or your very own copy of OtSS.
To celebrate the release of On the Steamy Side, I did a reading at a romance salon held monthly at a bar in the Village. I'd never attended before, either as a listener or a reader, so I really didn't know what to expect--but what I found there really exceeded any expectations I could've had. For a full account of the proceedings, check out my post on the Lady Jane's Salon site!
I'm home from my adventures in Florida and NYC! Had a wonderful, productive time with Kristen Painter and Roxanne St. Claire--we plotted about eight new projects, between us! And gave a workshop to the lovely STAR chapter, all about our process. And Manhattan was fun, as always--dinner at Lupa and Frankies Spuntino with Meg, a reading at Lady Jane's Salon, and a full day of stock signings all over town! Lady Jane's was an incredible experience; I wrote a little piece about it that should be going up over at the LJ blog soonish. I'll let you know when it's posted. I wrote it while nearly out of my head with a cold, so I don't actually remember it, but people have told me it's not bad or nonsensical, so yay!
The cold is still with me, but I'm medicated to the gills today so I can get some work done. And so I can fully appreciate the first flood of reviews of On the Steamy Side! Here's a quick roundup. Single Titles called me "mega-talented" (thanks, guys!) and OtSS a "thrill ride...leaving us eager for more."
Romance Readers Choice loved my "believably flawed" characters: "Whether the struggle is with family dynamics, abandonment, or sexuality the reader wishes for the success of each to overcome the complications of simply being human."
And Coffee Time Romance said "If you need a real feel-good, make your heart sing, and your body tingle kind of afternoon this is the perfect recipe for success."
I am unbelievably happy and thrilled by this support, and just by the simple idea that people are reading the book and enjoying it. What a high! Or maybe that's the Dayquil. ; )
Happy Release Day to me! My jaded celebrity chef and sassy Southern nanny are hereby unleashed upon an unsuspecting world. If you haven't pre-ordered your copy of On the Steamy Side, today you can run right out and buy it the old-fashioned way, in an actual bookstore. Fun! I can't wait to hear what you all think.
Reviews are already rolling in. My favorite for today? This one from Mom's Favorite Stuff. I got tingles reading it! The best bit is where she calls OtSS a "‘can’t-put-down-I’ll-read-while-I-cook-brush-my-teeth-and-fold-clothes’ kind of book." I admit, I flailed and squealed a little when I read that. I'm so excited about this book!
I grew up in Virginia, went to school in Philadelphia, spent five years in Manhattan, then moved to a teeny town in Ohio. Now I live in fabulous, funky, fun Austin, Texas, which is very inspiring...
Once an editor of romance novels, now I'm writing my own. My Recipe for Love series combines contemporary romance with my love of food, restaurants, and smokin' hot chefs!
