I think I just wrote the cheesiest lines ever.   I really need a nice glass of Merlot to wash it down! That got me to thinking…sometimes, the book calls for a little cheese. If the mood is right: it’s dark, the characters are exposing their emotional fears and vulnerabilities to one another — that’s the time for them to break out the cheesy lines.

Sometimes they work and sometimes they don’t.

So my cheesy line? (Still not sure I’m going to keep it) Here it is totally out of context, except to sat that it’s said while making love:

“Do that again, baby. This time, with me.”

Now for fun, tell me YOUR cheesiest line. Something you read, something you heard…come on, don’t leave me hanging here feeling cheesy and ALONE!

Happy Monday All! This is the Release Week for THE BEAST WITHIN so I’m giving away two copies.  (See the end of the blog for details)

Publisher’s Weekly said about my novella in the anthology, REDEEMING THE WIZARD:

“…complex characterization and vivid descriptive imagery. The compelling romance between a woman trying to save her kidnapped grandmother and the reclusive wizard she blames for her parents’ death is worth the price of admission all by itself.”

Writing this novella was half wild fun and half insane frustration. Trying to work world-building and character development into a novella length is challenging! I started out half in love with Gage, but by the end of the book, Mira won my heart.  I really hope readers like it too.

THE BEAST WITHIN officially goes on sale tomorrow.

Now what do you have to do to enter the contest to win a copy? Answer this question:

Should MY Wizard (also known as my husband) get me a puppy?????

I’ll post the two winners on Thursday’s blog!

It hit 112 degrees yesterday…and when it did, my power went out.

For four and a half hours.

By the time Wizard got home from work,  may have been a little cranky.  But Wizard pulled out his generator (all good Wizards have them) and hooked up the fans and the refrigerator.

Then he ordered pizza.

On days like yesterday, Wizard Totally Rocks!

But dang it was frustrated. A little before noon, I ate a quick lunch then I made myself clean, got back to my computer and started work thinking, I have a big chunk of time…

And the power goes off.

Does the electric company just hate me?

P.S. Yes I know it wasn’t really the electric companies fault, but did I mention the HEAT and DEADLINE STRESS? Reasonable is not in my vocabulary right now.

I saw on a loop somewhere that a clever author came up with a generic book cover that readers could print off her website, then fold it to fit over their paperbacks so they wouldn’t be embarrassed to be “caught” reading a romance.

I can’t believe I didn’t book mark the site so I could show you!  I think it is clever of the author. She was being sensitive to some of her reader’s concerns without judging.  I’m good with that!

But that sparked a discussion about whether or not readers are embarrassed by racy or suggestive romance covers. We KNOW sexy covers sell the books, so this is really an interesting dynamic. People buy them because of the cover but don’t want to be caught reading them.  Interesting psychology there!

Some people were convinced that people will switch to electronic readers to avoid embarrassment. Hmm, maybe for erotic? I don’t know,  I think a select few might but most people have stronger reasons for choosing electronic readers.

For me, most of the time I really don’t care.  On an airplane, I take whatever book I’m reading or appeals to me.

What about you all? Are there instances where you get embarrassed if you’re “caught” reading a romance?

I’m over at MurderSheWrites today if anyone is interested.

My weekend was quiet–quieter than it’s been in a long time, which was nice. I sent a big chunk of my revised book off for an emergency consult to a good friend, and let me tell you, she is a genius.  She diagnosed the problems! I am so psyched! It’s so exactly what Key’s book, and Key himself, needed! I have a lot of work ahead of me in the next couple weeks, but I think it’ll be worth it.

Now let’s talk about Bailey Dog. I didn’t get to see him this weekend but my son sent me pics titled, “A Day in Bailey’s Life.”  He said he followed Bailey around to document what Bailey does all day.  Son’s conclusion: Bailey doesn’t do much.

A few of the pics:

Here Bailey is sad that no one wants to play with him.

He goes to the kitchen and waits.

Then he goes to the hallway and watches all three doors, hoping someone will play with him.

And I’ll stop with the pics now. My son sent me a total of eight pictures and I have two thoughts:

Thought number 1: Bailey, come to my house! I’ll play with you! Plus there are lizards to chase  in the back yard, AND my kitchen floor needs cleaning!

Thought Number 2:  Sons and I are Bailey Freaks and should find better things to do in our spare time!

So how was your weekend?

Hey guys, just a note to let you know I’m not blogging today–no worries, just doing some computer maintenence See you tomorrow!

Saturday we had to go to a funeral, but on the upside, we got to see a lot of family and friends. Sunday I worked. I am getting deep into the revisions now and just need to keep my butt in the chair and working.

Here’s the thing though, I’m having a craving.

A Serious Craving! And it’s not for appletinis! No this raving looks like this:

Chocolate Dipped Ice Cream cone!

I want one, or maybe three. Not sure if it’s the stress of revising this book and hoping I get it right (or the fact that my family needs to all get and stay well), but I really want that cone.

What about you all? How was your weekend, and what’s your current craving?