Vixenwriter: A Seduction In Words

MOVIN!

2006-08-29T13:53:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! My blog is now housed at my website so please come on over to see me at
http://www.laurendane.com/blog and if you've been kind enough to have me linked, I'd love you forever if you put my new url in!

Writerspace!

2006-08-28T16:32:00.000-07:00

Whoops, I forgot to blog that tonight I'll be at the monthly Ellora's Cave Author Chat at Writerspace at 5 pm pacific/8 eastern! Don't miss it.

Ch-ch-changes!

2006-08-27T17:32:00.000-07:00

I've got some cool new stuff for my blog and website in the works. Or, I should say my incredible webgoddess Frauke has some cool new stuff in the works.

I've become so frustrated with yahoo loops over the last year or so. The message delivery only works about 40% of the time within a ten minute period, sometimes (and much more often lately) not until a day or two later if at all. It bounces addresses randomly. Worse, it always seems to happen during a list celebration of some kind and messages come out of order, prize posts don't go up, people can't enter contests because they don't get the messages on time - it's just ridiculously frustrating.

So after seeing some folks move to bulletin boards through their websites successfully, I've decided to try out php bulletin boards at mine. Only I'm a technological doofus and I know I'd mess it up so I threw myself on Frauke's mercy and she's going to install it when whe gets my wordpress blog up.

Another frustration has been the increasing amount of time it takes to do daily blogging around outages, etc. So Angie the Magnificent (aka my editor) convinced me that wordpress was a great option to load it through my website and have more control.

Again, the goddess Frauke has taken pity on me and is helping me (and after all the hassle it's been dealing with moving from windows servers to linux servers - why don't they just say that wordpress won't work with windows servers?) and sql database insanity, I think it all may be in place by the early part of the week.

I'll make an annoucement here with all the corresponding re-directs, etc when it's ready to go!

c'est tout bon

Matrix...

2006-08-26T15:27:00.000-07:00

I go for months or even longer without watching some of my favorite movies and then I binge. So I watched all three Matrix movies over the last few days and I'd forgotten how much I loved them. Happy sigh.

'K, now I'm going to wax all fangirl about the movies so feel free to move on, LOL!

I love the duality in the Matrix movies, the lush quality of fantasy versus the stark reality. Still, there's something so beautiful about the scene where Link's wife is running around the dock with the other woman with the rocket launcher trying to take out the main digging machine. The concentration, knowing you're totally going to die but doing it anyway because why die a coward? Why not take them out if you can?

And the commander of the APU corps as they are on the docks as swarms of sentinels come in - amazing. I love that.

The Oracle, love it! The very first time Neo goes back into the Matrix when they're all dressed to the nines - gorgeous and then tragic. There's always that edge in the movies.

And Smith. Agent Smith is one of my favorite movie villains of all time. So complicated and totally batshit crazy! I love a crazy villain! The interrogation scene with they've got Morpheous in the agent headquarters and they come in with the helicopter? Fabulous! What imagination!

No small amount of tragedy in the movies though, I like that too. There are several points, usually between Neo and Trinity that I get weepy.

And speaking of Trinity - that moment in the first movie when she's just jumped from one building to the other, being chased by agents - she's on her back at the bottom of the stairwell and she's telling herself, "get up, Trinity, get up, Trinity" it's sort of one of my little mantras. I love her character! When she goes into the club and meets Monica Belluci (and oh my god, honestly, I adore her, what a completely beautiful woman Belluci is!) that little moment when Bellucci wants to kiss Neo, oh that was good! And when Neo saved her life! And at the end, when she tells Neo what she was going to say to him the first time he saved her life? *weeps* Motorcycle Trinity, helicopter Trinity, soft Trinity in a dress - she's a wonderful heroine.

Jada Pinkett as Niobe is fab too! That scene on the freeway with her and Ghost? Loved it! And when she's piloting the Hammer back to Zion in revolutions and the sentinels are all over the ship and she's just totally kicking ass with Morpheus at her side.

And who doesn't love Morpheus? What a great metaphorical character he is. This is a man who's gained legendary status and he's so humble in that strength. He believes in Neo even when Neo doesn't. Even at the end, he believes - puts aside his status and his pride and pours that belief into Neo. That's strength wielded wisely. As opposed to Locke, who can't believe in anything and now he's empty and bitter and holds on to Niobe as a way to get back at Morpheus but he doesn't truly get Niobe the way Morpheus does. Morpheus inspires because while he owns his power, he doesn't misuse it.

There are so many wonderful meta themes in the movies. I'm always in awe of the way all the important things in the universe are layered into the movies with such a deft touch. And yeah, sometimes a heavy hand, but still, if I can create characters that are half as vivid as Mifune on that damned dock, I'll count myself fortunate indeed.

All Will Be Revealed...

2006-08-25T10:20:00.000-07:00

A lot of times people ask writers about where they get their inspiration. Some authors have excellent answers that are complex and fascinating about process.

Me? Led Zeppelin. I'm not joking.

Music is a huge part of my creative process. I make jewelry listening to music, I cook listening to music and I definitely write and edit listening to music.

But as I was going through all my projects and notes, trying to put them in some sort of order of importance so I would not go insane and feel so stressed I just keeled over, I found a little three sentence word document. A kernel of a book.

And I began to think on it and the characters began to introduce themselves to me. But it wasn't until Monday when I was coming back from taking my 2 year old to her Well Baby Visit that it all clicked.

Why?

Here's where Led Zeppelin comes in. Kasmir came on the radio. Now I lurve me some Led Zeppelin. I love that bawdy mix of blues and 70's rock. I love the over the top references to the Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit and I love those hokey videos/mini movies they made.

So Kasmir came on and there's that opening. Now if you haven't ever heard Kasmir, go and download it from itunes or Amazon or something. Everyone should hear it. It's a great song. Slow, methodical, it's got this great sort of eastern flair (hence Kasmir). And the lyrics start.

Oh let the sun beat down upon my face, stars to fill my dream I am a traveler of both time and space, to be where I have been To sit with elders of the gentle race, this world has seldom seen They talk of days for which they sit and wait and all will be revealed

Talk and song from tongues of lilting grace, whose sounds caress my ear But not a word I heard could I relate, the story was quite clear

And there it was. Celtic Triangle was born, it had a title (with some wonderful help from my husband the following day) and my metastory fell into place and I finished my rough outline last night. I should thank Plant and Page in my dedication. Oh and my babysitter who first introduced me to Led Zeppelin when I was nine.

Ahhh, Parenting...

2006-08-24T15:58:00.000-07:00

Right now the boys are running around the house with pillow cases safety pinned to their shirts and "flying" Of course I had to give the cautionary, "You can't REALLY fly. Do you both understand that? Repeat what I just said." because my sons, while loveable, tend to attract danger and injury.

We went to the new elementary school yesterday for the open house. New schools rock. They have a computer lab in the library with new computers that were donated by a local corporation. At my oldest's last school they had like 486s. Shameful. I do hope that school got some new computers too, it had the lowest number of computers per student in the entire district. The boys have a computer at home but most of the kids at their old school didn't.

My oldest met his 3rd grade teacher. He seemed very nice and it struck me how he is now moving into real school. They have desks in rows versus tables. Kiddo #1 said, "I've never had a teacher who was a Mister before." LOL, the dude was amused too. I was amused because the guy looked just like the lead singer of the Presidents of the United States.

He was also impressed that the library was just a few doors down, the bathrooms next door and the playground literally just outside. "All the things I like best!"

Middle Kid was most impressed by the fact that his kindy class had a bathroom in it.

Of course by tour's end, Ms. Terrible Two was throwing a huge fit and trying to toss herself out of my arms and if I put her down she laid on the asphalt. Sigh. That was just apparently part and parcel of my day yesterday.

Contest for Samhain!

2006-08-23T17:57:00.000-07:00

My Bookstore and More is Back and Better Than Before

Lots of give-aways this week to celebrate our coming back online better than before!

All Ebooks are 10% off through Monday, August 28 to celebrate being back online and better than ever.

All Trade PRINT books are ON SALE too! 10% off cover price plus FREE Shipping!

Daily prizes plus, a Grand Prize to be awarded on Samhain, November 1st!
From now until September 30, 2006, every purchase** will count toward a drawing for an ebook reader!
The winner may choose between an eBookwise, a Palm Tungsten E2, or an HP IPAQ rx1950!

Today's prize is an autographed copy of Rosemary Laurey's Be Mine Forever
To win, be the first person* to read and post a review for one of these titles

A Sixpence in Her Shoe by Liz Andrews
Love's Evolution by Ally Blue
A Carnal Agreement by Silvia Violet
Not Quite Dead by Sela Carson

*Reviews for review sites don't count, individual reviews only! You can be a reviewer, but your review can't belong to a review site.Thanks!

** Remember to enter the drawing without making a purchase by sending a postcard with your name, address, phone number, email address, and how you heard about MBaM to this address: My Bookstore and More 2932 Ross Clark Circle #384 Dothan AL 36301 All postcards must be received by October 31st, winner will be announced on November 1st, 2006

Wednesday Griping

2006-08-23T13:20:00.000-07:00

So I started off the day pretty well. My kids were mostly well behaved and my husband looked handsome and smelled good as he headed off to work. He called me a few minutes later with an idea he had about a title connundrum I'm experiencing and it was really good and cascaded into something I'd already been thinking on.

And then. Okay, I'm trying to be circumspect. Because this is a public blog and all but honestly, I get so frustrated by some things.

Firstly, a bookseller for any RWA approved conference who won't order books from an RWA approved publisher but who wants me to bring them myself and then take 40% from me? After treating me like crap? Oh, I don't think so. For the record, if I'm going to an RWA conference of any kind I don't think it's too much to ask that the bookseller be willing to order books from RWA approved publishers. Especially when I know for a fact that two of my readers went into the very bookstore chain and ordered copies of A Touch of Fae from them and it arrived. They have to use Ingrams or Baker and Taylor but they do for other titles too. So uh, thanks but no thanks. This only further deteriorates my opinion on this particular bookseller.

Edited to add - Have you ever read Kafka? Or watched the old Newhart show? You know, there's one rational person watching insanity and she tries to be rational and use a rational worldview but the system keeps on applying rules that are just insane? Okay, so this day keeps on getting worse and more Kafkaesque. When someone applies a rule and you say, "oh, but that doesn't apply because your facts are totally incorrect" and then they repeat the same incorrect info and shrug - that shit drives me up a wall. Why? Why do people repeat the same damned thing over and over when it's wrong? And then instead of just saying, "yes, it's wrong but I can't help you" which at least would be honest, they just say it again, like somehow that makes it correct.

Secondly, is it too much to ask that employees for a business actually do their jobs? Even just like, oh forty percent of the time? If you say, think answering emails is above your station in life, could you please answer your voicemail as a compromise? Because if you aren't at your desk all the time, one has to leave a message. But if you don't answer your phone, reply to your email or deal with repeated emails, it's sort of impossible for me to get my problem taken care of. Do you see my connundrum? Good, so glad we could have this little chat.

Tuesday News!

2006-08-22T11:36:00.000-07:00

Let's see -

If you haven't gone over to Cobblestone and picked up Crystal Jordan's Full Swing, why not? It's a short, it's under 4 bucks and it's really good. So go on, you'll thank me.

It's release day at Samhain! And a good day indeed. Mandy Roth, Meg Allison, Lorelai James, Brenda Williamson and Emelia Elias all have books out! Go check out the homepage for the blurbs and buylinks.

I got a signed cover flat for Lacy Danes' upcoming Aphrodesia book What She Craves. Because Lacy is a sweetie. It's gorgeous and if you're in the Seattle area, she's having an author event at Third Place Books on Saturday the 26th! Check out her blog for all the relevant details.

I'm at the EC board today (link in the post below) and having a great time posting some fabulous excerpts. Of course the problem is that I want to buy everything I read. Well, that's not a problem really but my husband will hide the debit card one of these days!

There was a great article in the Detroit Free Press about erotic romance and my agent was quoted! Go Laura!

Oh and I've gotten a few notes recently about the font on my website being hard to read. I've adjusted it larger so hopefully it's better now. Please let me know if you continue to have problems!

Joyfully Reviewed is having a very long, totally fabulous One Year Anniversary party at their loop. I've had a blast. There are theme days and prizes and loads of excerpts and chat. Check em out! I love Joyfully Reviewed, it's a great site and it's always so nice to have another review site that writes comprehensive reviews and explains what about the book worked and didn't.

I think that's it for now. I'm over at EC if you want to come and wave hello!

Powerful Paranormal Women List Mom Day!!

2006-08-21T19:02:00.000-07:00

Don't forget that Anya and I are going to be hosting the "Powerful Paranormal Women" day at the EC Readerboard tomorrow, August 22nd!

We'll have some great excerpts, chances to win great prizes, it's going to be fabulous! So come on by! I'll be rolling in at about 9 am eastern/6 pacific!

Release Date Moved Up for Taking Chase!

2006-08-20T07:56:00.000-07:00

My most fabulous editor, Angie has informed me that the release date for Taking Chase has been moved from January 30, 2007 to November 21! Yay!

I'm Teh HOTT!

2006-08-19T12:34:00.000-07:00

So I pop on over to Kate Rothwell's blog, because I love to read her and she's got this marvelous post up inspired by this hilarious one, in response to this eye goggling, seriously wackadoo chick whose blog is full of ads but who tells us all she's way too good for the rest of us.

So, inspired by Kate's clever little meme idea, I thought I'd play too! I'm going to list all the reasons why I am the shit, teh hawt, and frankly, way too good for 43.8 percent of men without jobs who live in their mother's basement.

1. I've had three children. This means while they have taken years off my life, they will provide a decent workforce as they grow older. They also probably have kidneys they can donate if I need one.

2. I know loads of words for different genetalia, which is good for about ten minutes of amusement on your part.

3. I know how to make food items look like novel things to try and entice children into eating healthy. How can you turn down a celery stick with peanut butter and raisins that is "ants on a log?"

4. I've taught two sons how to pee sitting down. This makes me a superhero.

5. I know how to use a phone and computer, these are things Cleopatra could not do. I am so much hotter than Cleopatra was.

6. My stretch marks are better than yours.

7. I know lots of ways to describe oral sex with a vampire.

8. I've seen Anya Bast take tequila shots and you haven't.

9. I can eat a whole can of sour cream and onion pringles.

10. I know the words to about 93.2% of Pearl Jam's song catalog, including their rarities. Yes, I am a freak but I draw the line at looking around town for the band members (although I've ridden in an elevator with Ed at my old job and didn't even stalk him so I have self control, bitches)

11. I snickered when Jackie there talked about her libido. Let's see if she can get it regular with three kids. I can. Therefore I am hotter than Jackie. Even if I am old, clearly my time management and libido are better than hers so nanny nanny boo boo.

12. I've been with my husband for 2o years. He's seen me as a high breasted, big haired 18 year old and a slightly graying (hey baby, love that feria cardinal red!) 38 year old who can nurse a baby, write a novel and make ants on a log. Hands down that makes me sexier and more desirable than Jackie any day of the week.

13. I know the words to Silly Hat and most other Barney songs and I am not afraid to break em out to stop a tantrum on a road trip.

I may be old and not as thin as the percentages Jackie there gives, I'm not actually single or looking either, but I am still way too good for Jackie who will never be able to make a celery stick look so good or sneak a jar of pureed veggies into macaroni and cheese to trick her kids into getting their vegetables. I am way more devious.

12 Sharp

2006-08-18T10:16:00.000-07:00

Twelve Sharp by Janet Evanovich

First let me start by saying how much I love librarians. I adore them. I've never met a librarian who wasn't fabulous. When I was on vacation, my hold on Twelve Sharp came up and of course I lost my place because I didn't pick it up in two days (a good rule for books with lots of holds). So when I saw that I'd missed it and looked to see NINE hundred holds (I'm not exaggerating) I was bummed and figured I'd have to wait a month or two to buy it or go to the end of the line and get it next year when my hold came up.

Anyway, my husband told the librarian my tale of woe and she told him to have me call her and she'd put me back near the top. I called and she did and yesterday I picked it up and I finished it last night.

I love the Stephanie Plum books. I love that Stephanie is a woman who has issues and a messed up but wonderful family and a sense of community and who is just a mess on several levels. Evanovich has created a really complex and wonderful world with her Plum books and I know I'll always laugh out loud at least three times when I pick one up. I've been hooked since I picked up One For The Money.

So last year when 11 On Top came out in hardback, I rushed out and bought it and ended up profoundly disappointed. I thought it seemed rushed and there was a lot of fertile ground for expansion but she didn't. And many wasted opportunities with Ranger that seemed more frustrating than tantalizing. There were some great moments (the scene with the dogs had me laughing for days) but overall, it felt like it got cut off halfway through the story.

I worried that 11 was the end of the Plum series.

But I was wrong and I'm relieved.

In 12 Sharp, Evanovich has brought Stephanie back to her former glory and given us a great mystery and a story I really loved. This isn't a review site really so I'll skip the synopsis of the plot. You can get that and the first chapter at Janet Evanovich's website.

But this is a Rangercentric book. Dreamy sigh. Up front, I like the bad boy. I like the dark and mysterious bad boy even more. I'm a Ranger girl so a whole book about him and his past? Yum.

Quick dialog, no dragging moments. Nice tension about the mystery. Stephanie is still messed up but she doesn't do anything that made me scratch my head in annoyance. We get lots of Grandma Mazur and Lula and the funeral home has new owners. Morelli is there in his hot and sexy glory although I wish Janet wouldn't close the door on the sex scenes! I don't need the full monty (okay, I'd like the full monty but I can live without it) but I've loved it when she's given details in the past. It adds something to the story and helps me understand why she'd stay with Morelli when Ranger is so yummy and lurky ready to pounce.

I thoroughly enjoyed 12 Sharp and I highly recommend it!

Anyway, I also have Kitty and the Midnight Hour and Kitty Goes to Washington in my TBR stack. When I finish Threat of Darkness I'll read them both.

Talk to Me! (oh and TJ too!)

2006-08-17T09:36:00.000-07:00

Hey folks, TJ Michaels and I are going to be chatting at TRS at 6pm pacific/9 pm eastern tonight, Thursday, August 17th!
http://www.theromancestudio.com/trs_chat.htm

We'll be chatting about our current and upcoming books from Samhain and Ellora's Cave and just hanging out and having fun.

Anyway, come by. We'll give stuff away and talk about upcoming books!

Lauren

WINNERS~

2006-08-16T13:28:00.000-07:00

The winners of my blog contest (reader's choice of a download of any of my available titles) is:

Cherie J
and
Lass

Please send me an email (laurendane @ laurendane. com - no spaces) with your title and format preference.

Congratulations!

More Crafty Stuff and A Congrats to Anya Bast!

2006-08-16T09:34:00.000-07:00

Firstly, congratulations to Anya, her Edge of Sweetness is out today from Ellora's Cave! It's a BDSM themed quickie that I was fortunate enough to get to read early and I loved it. So go buy it already!

The rest will be all writerly. I don't normally write about craft here but I notice I have a bit this week. I don't know why but it just occurred to me and I thought I'd put it up...

I got seven thousand words written on Threat of Darkness in the last two days, pretty good especially as I'd been feeling a bit of that mid book slump. I'm past it now and it got me thinking on how writers deal with periods in every book when you just don't want to write it anymore.

To ramble a bit, I finally had the time to sit down and read this month's RWR. I read "the letter" before I left on vacation and that was enough for then. Now I don't read it cover to cover and think of it as the "romance bible" but I do usually find one or two useful things in every issue. So I saw an interview with Nora Roberts inside and I read it (and I talk about it a few entries ago)

I know some people love to hate Nora Roberts. I'm not one of them. I may not love every single one of her books (and god knows she's got a million of them and some of them are my favorite romances evar!) but I admire her as a writer. Her ability to sit down and do the work. You don't have a career like hers without some serious balls and committment and I like that.

Anyway, her main thing throughout the interview was "sit your ass down and do the work." And I have to agree with that. There are a million reasons not to be able to get work done every day. Your kids are needing you, your partner needs you, you have laundry to do, you have a day job (kids or not), you don't feel well, you're tired, you want to watch TV - whatever, they're all compelling reasons.

I hit that place in every book. Every book. Some books more than once. I. Just. Don't. Want. To. I can't get in touch with my characters. I hit a wall in the action. I go from 3K every night to 20 or 50 words. I start thinking about other books. If I get this way in the middle of a sex scene it's even worse because I can't write around a sex scene, I have to finish it and each sex scene should mean something and it really gets me.

Anyway, generally, I just push through. I make myself push past it and write. Even if it's just 20 words. Sometimes I'll go back and do an over read and edit through to where I'm stuck. This helps most often actually because I feel like I'm back in the whole of the book rather than going scene by scene as it tends to happen to me these days because I'm editing multiple books and writing too and I have to lay things aside and pick them up later which leads to a sort of disconnect fromthe whole of the project.

Anyway, I'm past it for now. This particular book has had two such places for me. I did put it aside two months ago to write Taking Chase which helped but when I picked it up again, the same slump was there and I just sort of wrote around it. Last night I punched through it and dealt with it and I'm hoping to be done with the "I don't wannas" with this book.

Anyway, I suppose that Nora is right. This is a job. It's the best damned job I've ever had and I want to keep it. And writing is so fun and interesting but sometimes it can be tedious too. You've got to work past the tedious to find the fun again.

2006-08-15T10:39:00.000-07:00

My desktop is back home. Happy sigh. Still *rolls eyes* when my husband went to pick it up, turns out they hadn't backed up the data from the fried hard drive. And I'm all, "What? If they didn't back the data, what have they been doing with the computer all this time?" So the desktop came home and we have to wait, yet more time, for the data, which I continue to hope they can save.

Anyway, I was able to update my website and I can do all the things I needed to but could not on the old, slow Mac we were using in my desktop's place. My laptop served me well through the difficulties thank goodness and now I can continue to share back and forth between my lappy and the desktop. Yay!

My poor, sweet husband had his first day back at work in a few weeks yesterday, got the computer, found it wasn't backed like it was supposed to be, came home to a very frazzled wife who had HAD IT with the kids, one of whom was sick for part of the day and still dealt with putting all the programs back on the desktop. He rocks and I am very lucky.

I have no idea what to make for dinner tonight.

I know! I am so darned glamorous! I need to mop the kitchen floor. I HATE mopping. I want a scoomba to do it for me.

I opened up my laptop late last night and was not into writing. But I have this little rule and I must do it, at least for thirty minutes every day unless I'm on a vacation. Anyway, I ended up writing the beginning of Dangerous Beauty - Minx and Connor's book instead of working on Threat of Darkness. I had to get it down because it had been taking over my brain yelling at me. So it's down and hopefully I can finish up TOD now that I've given in a bit to my muse.

Oh and I finally read the interview with Nora Roberts in RWR. I don't read RWR from cover to cover like a lot of people do. It's not that compelling to me, I flip through it and find a few things I like and put it aside. It came before I left on vacation and so I hadn't read the interview.

I love Nora Roberts. Why? Because she does not pull punches. I loved her advice, which was, in a nutshell, "work your ass off and keep doing it." There was no, "my way is the only way and if you don't do it my way you will never succeed." There was no, "your books are evil/dirty/bad/wrong" It was just a woman talking about her own writing and her own path and I dig that. I like how she's all, "do it and stop whining about why you can't!"

She's not selling magic beans (write a best selling romance in 30 days ring any bells?), she's not calling on some magical process (unless the storytelling itself is magic, again, yeah!), she's just saying, "It's a job, the best job evar, stop bitching and get your butt in the seat"

Okay, enough babbling for now. Have a lovely Tuesday and remember, it's release day at Samhain! Get on over and see what Liz, Ally, Sela and Silvia have to offer you!

Monday Writerly

2006-08-14T10:18:00.000-07:00

Finished with my last edits of Taking Chase last night. I got comments back from beta which always helps mightily. Anyway, I find that I really like writing romantic suspense because it enables me to create emotionally complex characters working out their shit. And I like the mystery aspect as well. Anyway, it was fun to write and according to beta, I made them cry more than once, hee! This book's heroine is a domestic violence survivor on the run from a homicidal ex husband. She lands in the small town that the other book is set in and the sheriff from the last book is who she ends up with. Only after a lot of struggle and they're both very hot headed and so it's complicated because she doesn't trust herself or anyone else and he's got his own baggage. Anyway, I think I did justice to both of them. We'll see what my editor thinks.

And so I got back to Threat of Darkness last night after I finished up with TC. And woot! I'd been sort of stuck before so I put it aside and it's in the zone now. Yay! I feel like I have a better handle on Mei's character now for some reason. The muse is an odd thing but it just goes to show that sometimes you need to listen when she wants you to put something aside. So I'm already halfway finished with it from before (and as I read it over, it was something I was really happy with so that's good) and I'm hoping to finish up by the end of the month or early September. It's nice to do something paranormal after writing a few contemps in a row. The variety is really good for my creativity, keeps me sharper and interested.

The longer I do this, the more interesting I find the whole process of being a writer. Because it's not just about the writing of the books. I know many authors wish that were the case, but it isn't. There's writing and then revising and editing, submitting. And submitting is different if you're sending your manuscript to a new publisher or an already established relationship. It's WAY easier for me to submit to EC and Samhain because I know what to expect and I know how to write for each. A new publisher is different, each publisher has its own rules and formats. And now that I have an agent, that's a different process as well. She's going to look things over and suggest revisions too. And of course you're writing differently if you're doing a proposal, which involves a detailed synopsis and a partial, or a full manuscript.

And then you deal with waiting. This is what I suck at. I HATE waiting. I'd rather hear a no back right away than wait months. I hate it. At my established publishers, the wait is not nearly as long as my stuff waits in NY. I try not to think about NY once something goes there but I fail. Refer back to the " I HATE waiting" sentence above.

Once you hear back and it's a yes, you deal with edits. Again, with EC, my editor and I have a good relationship and some good timelines set up. I have a rough idea when to expect things from her and I know in most cases it'll be two rounds of edits and then off to final. With Samhain, things are a bit newer, I've only gone through the process once so we'll see what happens this time.

If the submission is a no, you have to decide what to do from there. Do you submit elsewhere? Start something else? Revise? Thrice United, a the next Witches Knot book that should be out late this year or early next from EC, started out as Witches Knot and my EC editor didn't think it was romance enough. My agent didn't like the sheer number of characters. So I revised it and resubmitted it a year after first subbing it and my EC editor LOVED it. Sometimes your books need a cooling off before you can make them into something else. Sometimes you can't bear to change them at all and they become "trunk books" that you hope you can sell at some time in the future. Enforcer was originally a proposal for an EC anthology. It didnt' get chosen but my editor loved the idea and told me I should make it into a novel. I did some eight months later and it turned into a completely different direction and it's probably one of my favorite titles. Sleight of Hand was an idea for a very short story that ended up a novella at Whispersl

And then it's all final and line edits and releases and promotion. And I am a firm believer that promotion is important. But I often find that a lot of promotion out there is ineffectual or outright annoying. Honestly, I'm a reader too and I hate it when an author I never see except on a release day comes and drive by promos one of the lists and is off again. Readers are not a commodity! Show them the respect they deserve. For goodness sake, get to know them, talk to them! Don't shove your book at them and run off.

There are chats, which I started off wary of but I really enjoy. And author days and that sort of thing. I do ads in RT and other places but I prefer the personal touch and one on one with readers. I like to hear what they like and don't like, what they want to see more and less of. It may or may not affect what I write, but I'm interested anyway.

And then you write again. LOL. Usually, I'm writing, editing and in promotion mode for two or three books at once. It keeps me busy and I can't complain about that at all!!

CONTEST!!!

2006-08-13T17:40:00.000-07:00

Okay, I realize that with vacation and computer woes I haven't done any contests in a while!

So, for a dowload of reader's choice of my available titles - I want you to respond - TO THIS POST (so i can keep track easily) to this question:

Who is your favorite Lauren Dane hero or heroine and why?

I'll choose TWO winners from the posters on Wednesday the 16th at noon my time.

Good luck!

Lauren

2006-08-13T10:42:00.000-07:00

Today my middle kiddo is five. Wow. People always tell you when you're growing up that time will move by quickly once you're an adult and they're so right. Only you don't know it then, which is kind of sad. I was telling him his birth story last night, a tradition round here on birthday eve, and he *got* it for the first time. Last year he sort of looked around and asked about his cake, LOL. This time he was like, "Really? The doctor had purple tie dye clothes on?" He's starting kindergarten in three weeks. My baby will be two in four days and my oldest nine in three months. Time does fly and every minute, even those in which my kids are tying themselves to bookcases and running, is precious.

Weepy mommy moment over now, LOL.

I finished Taking Chase yesterday! Woooot! I'm editing it now and it's out for beta so Angie the magnificent should be getting it soon. It's an interesting process, writing a book. You write it bit by bit and have an idea of what it is but it's not until you finish up and read it as one solid thing that you truly see it. Sometimes you have to shore things up and other times it's better than you thought it would be. Usually, I find myself in the middle. I have to say that I really love this book and the characters.

Now it's back to my paranormal universe!

ramblings

2006-08-11T19:07:00.000-07:00

I am sooooo close to being done with Taking Chase I can taste it. I always hit this point at the end of every book when I feel simultaneously anxious to be done and a bit sad it's over. I'll be sending it out to beta by the end of the weekend and getting it to Angie the magnificent shortly thereafter.

Then I've been really thinking about whether to finish up Threat of Darkness (Jayce's book) or to write Minx and Connor's book (Deadly Beautiful is my working title). I'm halfway finished with TOD, which makes it the better choice but I can't get the opening of DB out of my head. We'll see when I finish up with Taking Chase.

I was reading a magazine earlier where a reader wrote in to complain that all reviews should have a warning if the book is in first person and called for people to write publishers to demand an end to all first person books. Now, I haven't written a first person book but there are several I quite enjoy. It seems to me that it's akin to writing to demand no blonde heroines or no horses in books - you read what you like and realize that there are people out there who like what you don't (heroines who scream every time they orgasm for instance). I can't get worked up over it, I just don't read what I don't like. But I've found over my years reading, that if a story is well told, it doesn't matter what POV is used or if there are horses or race cars or screaming heroines even. It's a bit disturbing as I realize I'm sort of mellowing in my uh, not middle age.

Today, two of my three children gave me the "what the HELL possessed you to do that?" moments. Firstly, my five year old tied a scarf around himself and then to a bookshelf and ran. Yes. Ran. CRASH!!! I run into the room and he's still trying to run, like one of those hyper little dogs and I'm yelling at him to stop before he hurts himself and I see that one of my favorite Japanese containers has broken into pieces and it had the roses that my dad gave me when I had my first child in them and my grandmother's rosary and they were everywhere and I'm so pissed off and scared that he's hurt himself and he's STILL running and I'm trying to hold out the 2 year old with a foot and grabbing the other by his shirt and trying to untie the damned scarf as I'm gritting my teeth and crying. Ugh!

And then my two year old walks up, naked as a jaybird and hands me something. Yes, ladies and gents, the contents of the pull up she'd taken off. Sigh. I look up at my husband who's figured out what it was she's just handed me and I rush to dispose of the package and hold the child at arms length and toss her into the bath tub.

Honestly! Turds and scarves and I don't know what the hell the 9 year old has up his sleeve but I shudder to think.

Back!

2006-08-10T13:50:00.000-07:00

I'm back from a solo vacation with my husband to Las Vegas (and oh was it wonderful!) and some family road tripping which was fun but I'm done with being in my car with my kids for anything over 45 minutes for the next little while. I love them but they drive me nuts when they're in enclosed spaces.

My computer is now being fixed (or I hope it is) and I'm sitting here on an old Mac. I am not a Mac person. I'm not disparaging Macs, they are just not my cup of tea. Plus all my books and excerpts are on my desktop so I can't do anything here just yet. Sigh.

My most wonderful agent gave me a few ARCs to read on a new line that I'm quite excited to submit to. I had lunch with her on Sunday and it was really cool to put a face to the voice and emails. I do so love my agent and so it was nice to meet her face to face and discover she's just as wonderful in person as she is on the phone and online.

I did get some reading done on vacation. Some of it was really good and left me quite satisfied. On the other hand, I have to admit that I hate stupid heroines and people who ALWAYS scream when they come. Seriously, it's too much. Plus, in one book, the screaming orgasmic heroine always said the hero's name with an exclamation point. What's up with that? I can't imagine knowing this woman. I don't want to. Sure, sometimes it's pretty darned hot when you come and occasionally you may scream. Screaming each time seems a bit of overkill as well as cringeworthy.

Back to my glamorous life, I need to change a diaper.

Ramblings on Writing

2006-08-05T20:46:00.000-07:00

Generally, I hate rules. I know, how messed up is that when I'm a lawyer? But I digress (not uncommon, I know). I don't buy into the "rules" about romance writing except for the HEA and basic punctuation stuff (and I am sort of a fascist about certain things like when people automatically put apostrophes in every word with an "S" at the end, WTF? There's plural and plural possessive, LEARN THE DIFFERENCE) Whooops, that was a tangent.

Okay, back on track - So essentially I write the book that comes to me how it comes to me. I didn't even know it was like some uber sin to kill off a character until I did it (and I'm not saying which book for those who haven't read it). But you know what? Readers love that book, even if I make them cry (and he had to die, I swear).

And I write in multiple POV too. I can't tell you how many other authors have clapped a hand over their hearts and gasped at me that I'll never sell a book and how much readers hate multiple POV books. And I know there are readers who don't like multiple POV books. Just as there are readers who don't like erotic romance or who don't like inspirational romance or whatever - you read what you like and that's unavoidable and frankly, if I tried to write something everyone would love, how boring would that book be?

As a reader, I have my likes and I buy accordingly, but POV isn't something I find jarring or distracting if it's done well - so if you tell me a great story in 3rd person, go on with your bad self, or first or in multiple - the key is, tell it well. Tell it organically because if you are obsessed with the rules it shows. It bogs the story down and it becomes about form instead of substance. If you hate multiple POV don't write it, if you hate to write erotic, don't do it. Write your own story your own way.

Anyway, I do my thing and it seems like I've got folks who like it and I've sold 13 books so far which seems pretty darned good in my judgment. I write what I like and I'm darned lucky that people seem to like what I write (and there are exceptions, LOL).

I don't outline unless I'm working on proposal either. I do pants it, I admit. As my mother would say, I'm a free spirit, I can't help it. A free spirited control freak, which does not make me an easy person to be married to, LOL.

But I am superstitious. I don't want to be, but I am. I have this new book I'm fleshing out, my husband and I are actually doing a bit of collaboration on the plotting and I'm really excited about it. But I won't give details until I have a title and I'm further along. I can't work until I get a title. It drives me insane!

This is all pretty pointless but I simply can't think about Jan Butler anymore and so I thought, hey, Lauren, wouldn't it be cool if you like, talked about, oh I don't know, writing?

Review O Rama!

2006-08-04T20:50:00.000-07:00

Let's see, I've been terrible since my computer died about putting my new reviews up (oh and my ftp is all wonky on my laptop and I had to beg the ever marvelous Frauke for help, which she gave, to update my website)

Today I learned that Sudden Desire got an RR and FIVE angels from FAR! Jen says in part: A little wild and absolutely wonderful! Ms. Dane shows herself to be a very talented writer with this piece. All authors have the daunting task of creating likeable and substantive characters, and Ms. Dane successfully accomplished this feat in 43 pages, which I find truly admirable. I felt proud of Tess for standing up for herself and not settling for less than she deserved, and no matter how apparent Trevor’s flaws were, he proved to be an irresistible hero! With its touches of humor and a few blisteringly hot scenes, Sudden Desire was a complete pleasure. In fact, I think this is one of the better short stories I’ve read in a while.

Novelspot gives Sudden Desire an 8 and Elizabeth says in part: Sudden Desire is a fantastic novella that will surely tempt you – as it has me – to read more of Lauren Dane's tales, and with choice aplenty that should not be a hard thing to accomplish. I already have a few tales picked out. Sudden Desire is stunningly sensual from the get go, and the pace is kept up right throughout the story. Rest assured, the sex is very detailed, and slightly adventurous in terms of locations, but no taboo acts are engaged in.

Suz at Ecataromance gives Sudden Desire four stars and says in part: Ms Dane has a rare flair for showing the true emotions of her characters. With the desire between this unlikely couple slowly simmering, you will simply be unable to resist reading on for the fireworks. Although short and sweet, WARNING, Sudden Desire is too hot to handle!

Cynthia at A Romance Review gives Sudden Desire Four Roses and says in part: Sudden Desire perfectly blended eroticism with humor. There’s nothing like a smart-aleck heroine to move the action and dialogue of a story. Lauren’s version of the office romance will make you grin long after you have finished the book.

Erotic Escapades gives Giving Chase Four Tattoos and Ophelia says in part: Giving Chase by Lauren Dane has many plot twists and turns to keep the reader guessing what will happen next. Maggie’s character has had very little love and affection in her life. She is not used to the boisterous and outgoing Chase clan. They open many emotional doors that she never knew existed. Kyle is an easygoing man comfortable with his good looks and uncomplicated lifestyle. His immediate lustful reaction to Maggie overloads his senses until he can think of little else. I was particularly impressed by Ms. Dane’s use of the vivid secondary characters which helped embellish the book. (...)

Giving Chase is a delightful story that I will pull out to read again and again. I hope Ms. Dane continues this series about the Chase brothers. They all sound so yummy.

Candy at Coffeetime Romance gives Giving Chase four cups and says in part: Kyle and Maggie are two excellent characters that bring absolute enjoyment and scorching, explosive passion to every page. Ms. Dane definitely has a winner with this story. I hope that this author will bestow more books upon us about the rest of the Chase brothers, especially the emotionally wounded Shane. I definitely believe everybody should make time for this book. This story was a pure delight.

Cynthia at A Romance Review gives Enforcer four roses and says in part: Cascadia Wolves: Enforcer , the first book in Lauren Dane’s new werewolf series. A feisty heroine and her forceful but sweet alpha male lover drive this clever engaging sexy romance filled with equally compelling secondary characters. Very well plotted with quick droll dialogue.

Contessa at The Romance Studio gives Sleight of Hand Four and A Half Hearts and says in part: Sleight of Hand by Lauren Dane is a thrilling romance story that is sure to set your blood on fire. From start to finish I was caught up in the dynamics of this exciting book. Both Lissie and Xander were very headstrong characters that did not believe in giving up on what they believed in. They were constantly butting heads, which made this novel a highly erotic and interesting read. The sexual encounters between Lissie and Xander were scorching hot and intensely passionate to say the least. I recommend this enjoyable read to all vampire lovers!

Oh yeah...Vengeance Due

2006-08-03T20:23:00.000-07:00

So Witches Knot Book Three: Vengeance Due, released yesterday from Ellora's Cave!

Blurb: Simone Charvez admits she’s high maintenance, but she’s also more than the pretty piece of fluff everyone seems to take her for. When Kael Gardener walks into her shop, tattoos, piercings and bad boy attitude she knows she’s in for trouble. For Kael, the news that not all vampires are like the monsters that slaughtered his entire family is nearly as hard to take as his all encompassing attraction to a witch with a family that includes one.

Simone fights to get Kael to let his guard down and love her and Kael fights to keep his emotional distance from a woman he’s sure he has nothing to offer to. All of this as they race to find and kill the Oathbreakers who threaten not just all of New Orleans but Simone’s very soul.

Checkin In From Vegas!

2006-08-03T15:24:00.000-07:00

Me, this morning, wet hair and no makeup, taking five thousand vitamins that my husband forces on me every day, LOL. I had two hundred emails, sigh.

We had breakfast and then walked down to the Fashion Show Mall (which in true LV fashion looks two blocks but is like five miles) but it wasn't as hot as it was yesterday and we had a lovely walk. And they had a Borders which had Touch of Fae on the shelves and I signed it and left bookmarks too. They had Annalee's book and two of Anya's which was very nice to see. Even a Samhain title and the manager told me to come back the next time I was in town to sign more. A very good trip indeed.

Couples massage yesterday? Heaven. I love the spa services here.

We had gelato yesterday and then a late lunch at Sensei and I have to say it was the most satisfying dining experience I've ever had. I had the Tai (not my spelling) red snapper with rice flakes on the outside for crunch on a bed of pad thai veggies with a green curry froth (and I was dubious about froth on food but goddamn it was good). Deeeelicious. The man had the mushroom risotto with halibut and it was to die for too. But to start we had red chili naan and lobster and shrimp rolls served on an ice block ever so minimalistically cut to hold them and keep them cold. Honestly, I can't even describe how good it was.

Then off to see Lewis Black. Excellent seats, third row although I hate the four people to a table thing they had. He was on, I laughed a lot.

Las Vegas, sigh. Seriously, I know that what happens here is supposed to stay here but can someone please tell the woman with the spandex super mini that it's not made to look like it's going to snap off and hit someone in the eye at any moment? I love that women are not self consious about their body size, that's a wonderful thing, but not every outfit is made for every woman. Mini skirts are fine, just wear one that FITS. And polyester rubbed together over and over as someone walks in this heat is bound to cause an industrial accident. Men, okay, sir, please, please either wear a belt or get smaller pants, I don't want to see your hairy ass. Nor do I think sandals with black socks and white bermuda shorts is a postive choice.

I need to corner someone later on today to have them snap a few pics of me and the dude. We got some at Benihana the other night but I don't have a scanner here. Anyway, we're having a great time! I miss everyone and hope you all are doing well and behaving!

Winner!

2006-08-01T06:42:00.000-07:00

The winner of a pdf advance copy of Vengeance Due is...

AvidR! Email me at laurendane @ comcast. net (no spaces) and I'll get your copy to you!

Congratulations and than you everyone for your really great answers!

Wanna Win?

2006-07-29T22:07:00.000-07:00

I've got a PDF copy of Vengeance Due here (my dead hard drive ate the author copies in other formats and I'm not at home to beg Martha to send me other ones).

So I'm going to choose a winner from the commenters to this entry between now (July 29 to Monday July 31 at noon pacific/3 eastern)

Let's see- to make it interesting - do you like paranormals? If so why and do you have a favorite? If not, what genre is your fave?

Yikes!

2006-07-26T19:27:00.000-07:00

My computer died yesterday. Totally dead, as in couldn't even manage to throw the blue screen of death at me. Sigh. So the lucky guys at the computer store are looking at it (cringes at the thought of something they might see) and I so hope that it's somethng that didn't kill all of my stuff (downloads, WIP, etc)

Anyway, I'm going to have less access than usual (the occasional wireless trip to Starbucks, etc) until I get it back so if I'm not around as much, it's because of that!

Crazy Train...

2006-07-24T13:10:00.000-07:00

I've resisted joining the RWA for a few years now but finally sucked it up and joined a few months back. I can't say my life has changed drastically but I joined Passionate Ink and do now receive my copy of the RWR monthly. I've heard this is like the bible of the industry but I can't really say I've found it to be true. It hasn't been noxious though until this most recent issue.

An issue in which Jan Butler writes a letter extolling the dangers of the homosexual agenda (cue to scary DUH DUH DUHH! music) in the romance genre. Kate Rothwell, who is marvelous on a hundred different levels first addressed this Saturday in her blog. (Smart Bitches, Sybil and Karen S have also now posted about this letter oh and Selah too - if you see it elsewhere let me know and I'll add to the list). This makes me seriously mad.

I'm going to put the bulk of her letter here because Kate posted it at her blog and I don't want to have to type the whole darned thing myself:

. . romance isn't about just any "two people" celebrating "love in its many forms." Organizations such as the Man-Boy Love Association would certainly refer to themselves as celebrating love "two people" (or more) finding love in one of its many forms" . . . while they actively promote pedophilia.

Think RWA can't go down that slipper slope? Think again. Under our present definition, we cannot exclude such "love stories" under the category of "romance". We, as a culture, seem to have forgotten how to say "enough is enough," but RWA can--indeed, must--do better than that. . . .

And, please, spare us the arguments about "censorship" and "inclusiveness." Preference for "one man, one woman" stories represents what RWA has always claimed is romance's target demographic: college-educated, married, middle-class, monogamous, and moral. . . .Only in recent years has a vocal (translate: shrill) minority tried to drive RWA's focus off that path, under the guise of "broadening its horizons." But refusing to define romance according to the parameters it has held for centuries doesn't "broaden" anything . . . it only starts us down the aforementioned slope, and once we're in that slide, heaven help us.

There's an old saying, "Go home with the one who brought you here." What brought romance fiction to its present level of success is a collection of decades' worth of one-man, one-woman relationships stories, in all their richness, variety, and power. RWA should be the first to endorse that, rather than attempting to placate fringe groups trying to impose their standards upon the rest of us. If anyone's in danger of being "censored" here, it's believers in "what comes naturally": one-man, one-woman romance. We in RWA owe it to ourselves not to let that happen. Jan W. Butler

I'm a college educated, married, middle class moral person and I love to read and write romances with MM contact and with menages or more just as much as I love to read romances with just a man and a woman. The key isn't about which parts go where, but about the connection between the characters. I don't care if Jan doesn't like my books. The simple solution is for her not to read them (although she totally thinks about them, a lot apparently).

But that's not what she wants. She wants to be sure that the books I write can't be bought and can't be called romance because while talking about us imposing standards on her, she's busily advocating that very same thing. Only I'm not trying to stop her from writing and reading what she likes and I can't say the same about her. Just leave me alone to write my books Jan, I promise we don't have to be BFF and braid each others hair now that we're both in the RWA.

Oh and Ms. Butler has the right to say she thinks what I write is immoral and evil and bad for western civilization. She's even entitled to spout hateful, inaccurate rhethoric about gays being pedophiles, the kind of rhetoric that gets gays and lesbians attacked daily. She does not have the right, however, to shut me down. Now that I pay dues, I plan to be even more vocal on this issue.

Just to be clear, using facts and all - NAMBLA is no more representative of gays as a whole as the creepy guy who dresses like Santa to molest the neighborhood children is representative of the heterosexual community. That's just the kind of hateful and lazy lack of decent argument that I'd expect from someone with Ms. Butler's position. Pedophiles are overwhelmingly heterosexual (like in the high 90%). The consistent attempts to try and demonize gays and lesbians with damaging misinformation that they're somehow out to rape our children is irresponsible and hateful and the worst kind of rumormongering. It gets people killed. It has people lose jobs and apartments. And it's not true.

It's my RWA too now. And I'm not going anywhere Ms. Butler. My readers aren't either. Those women and men you've just referred to as uneducated, immoral, gay lovin sluts probably wouldn't be flattered by that. Although I'm totally a gay lovin feminist left winger, so clearly I'm already in your "groups who need to stop making me think of boysmut that makes my naughty parts tingly" list anyway.

Ms. Butler, honey, you need a hug. I'm serious. You need to stop worrying so much about everyone else's heart and mind and worry for your own. It's a big genre, I can always braid Megan Hart's hair.

Holy Wow! Giving Chase Gets a Gold Star Award

2006-07-23T14:06:00.000-07:00

I'm stunned and beyond thrilled! I was in Eastern Washington to see a concert (in 116 degree weather, man did that suck. More about the whole awful experience later) and I knew the JERR mag came out today and had a review for Giving Chase in it. I saw it in the "reviews in this issue" promo they did last week. My cover was up in the promo and I said to my husband, "wouldn't be cool if it gets a great review and like a silver star," just jokingly but I knew it probably got a good review because the other time my cover was in the promo I got a five star review for Second Chances. Anyway, it came today and when I returned from the hell that is The Gorge (which I shall never return to, even if it is Pearl Jam), I went to look and WOWOWOWOW!!

KayleeMarie Walker said in part:

"When you read a Lauren Dane book, you know to expect the best and that's exactly what she delivers with Giving Chase, the first installment in the new Chase Brothers series. This wonderful erotic romantic suspense is enthralling and literally begs not to be put down once you've picked it up. The storyline is emotionally charged and the character development is evident throughout." (...)

"I'd have to say that this is one of my favorite Ms. Dane books to-date and I have no problem recommending it. Giving Chase is definitely deserving of a Gold Star Award!"

What a nice thing to come home to!

Tagged by that Minx Anne...

2006-07-22T09:05:00.000-07:00

When did you start blogging and why? October of 2004. I started out just wanting to sort of mark my journey as a writer.

What don’t you talk about? I'm an incredibly opinionated person (I know! Shocked aren't you?) and I'm very passionate about certain political issues. I generally don't talk about most of them here. Or religion.

Are you and your blogging persona the same person? Pretty much, yes. I'm more blunt in person when people can see my face and hear my tone of voice. But it's pretty much what you see is what you get.

How do you use blogging to build friendships? I've met a lot of people online and some of those people are folks I consider to be very good friends. It's like anything else, you meet people and get to know them. Some are fun and I chat from time to time, others I talk to several times a week.

How would you describe your writing style? My blogging style? Uh, I'm sort of like one of those crazy assed jello salads my grandma's friends brought to church socials - usually it all works together but sometimes there's weird shit in there like raisins or shredded carrot. (Just as a totally unrelated side note - Once, my father-in-law's wife (a very unpleasant woman) served jello with spaghetti noodles in it, I'm not kidding and neither was she. )

Who shall I tag?
Anya
Megan
Lori
Shelli
Lacy
Shelley

Oh! And...

2006-07-21T11:16:00.000-07:00

I'm going to be having a List Mom day at the EC Reader Chat on Tuesday July 25 - Powerful Paranormal Women - to celebrate the upcoming release of Witches Knot Book Three: Vengeance Due on August 2! I'll be manning the board from 8 - 1 pm pacific/11 - 4 eastern!

Simone Charvez admits she’s high maintenance, but she’s also more than the pretty piece of fluff everyone seems to take her for. When Kael Gardener walks into her shop, tattoos, piercings and bad boy attitude she knows she’s in for trouble. For Kael, the news that not all vampires are like the monsters that slaughtered his entire family is nearly as hard to take as his all encompassing attraction to a witch with a family that includes one.

Simone fights to get Kael to let his guard down and love her and Kael fights to keep his emotional distance from a woman he’s sure he has nothing to offer to. All of this as they race to find and kill the Oathbreakers who threaten not just all of New Orleans but Simone’s very soul.

I'm pretty excited about this one, it's the first new Witches Knot book to be released in a year!

Anyway, I'll have great excerpts and sneak peeks from upcoming books and other fabulous EC authors like: BJ McCall, Tawny Taylor, TJ Michaels, Shelley Munro, Jory Strong, Rod Casteel, Katherine Kingston, Cynthia Williams and Anya Bast. So Save the Date! July 25 from 11 - 4 eastern time/ 8 to 1 pacific!

Blech!

2006-07-21T08:31:00.000-07:00

I don't claim to not be opinionated. I have strong beliefs about a lot of things, most of which I try to keep off this blog but one thing, as a writer, I won't be silent on is censorship and this strange compulsion by certain groups to attack what they haven't even seen, read or heard.

From this month's Details magazine comes this little factoid:

ZERO: The number of the 4,211 complaint emails the FCC received about an episode of CBS' Without A Trace that were sent by people who had actually seen the show. The messages came via the Parents TelevisionCouncil and the American Family Association in response to a brief "teen orgy" scene. (The FCC has sought to fine hte show $3.3 million for indecency).

You know there are several things that bug me about this - firstly the glaring fact that none of these people saw the show they're complaining about but are complaining about it. WTF is that all about?

Secondly, if the people who actually SAW the show didn't complain, not a one, where's the problem? Doesn't that mean that the show is in its correct time and place?

If our society gives in to this terrorism, and it is terrorism when bands of people who have no first hand knowlege or even offense at something will get together and complain about something they never even saw to censor things for the rest of us - if we give in, we're losing the very thing that makes us special.

I didn't see the show. I don't know if it had a teen orgy scene in it. I highly doubt it, but again, I didn't see it. But neither did a single one of those 4200 people who may get the show fined over 3 million bucks.

There's something really wrong with that.

Thankful Thursday

2006-07-20T13:32:00.000-07:00

I usually do this at my loop but I thought it might be nice to bring it over here from time to time.

1. A release date for Reluctant (9/27)

2. A release date for Tri Mates (11/08)

3. Nearly done with Taking Chase! (1/30/07)

4. Pearl Jam in two more days!!!!

5. My vacation with my husband is quickly approaching, yay!

6. Wonderful reviews of my books

7. Great friends

8. Continued ability to come up with new ideas

9. Being down to just one kid has given me some really nice quiet
time with my husband!

10. My sons having a great time with their grandparents

11. My husband, who is seriously the most wonderful man in the world
and my very best friend.

12. Cupcakes, sigh.

Release Dates!

2006-07-19T17:57:00.000-07:00

COMING SEPTEMBER 27 TO ELLORA'S CAVE!

Layla Warden had a ten year plan and it sure as heck didn’t include a mate. She had her flashy car and her corner office and all was right with the world until Sid Rosario sat down at her table and turned her life upside down.

Sparks fly right off as the two werewolves flirt over dinner and it’s no surprise to either of them when they end up back at his hotel room, naked and sweaty. But what is a surprise is that Sid is her mate and they don’t figure it out until the bond is sealed.

Angry and off balance, Layla asks Sid for some time to think and he gives her a day and a half to get herself straight. Any longer than that and the lack of the anchor of the tri-bond, the stabilizing third bond for a werewolf female, will begin to take its toll on the female mate’s sanity.

Layla, driven by confusion and fear, heads out of contact while a frantic Sid looks for her. What comes next helps a reluctant wolf find her way to acceptance

COMING NOVEMBER 8 TO ELLORA'S CAVE!!

Werewolves mate for life. For every wolf, there’s a mate out there. So Tracy Warden is thrilled when she discovers Nick Lawrence, the sexy Enforcer for another Pack is her mate.

But sometimes, lucky wolves get to double dip in the form of the extremely rare Tri Mate Bond. And so it is when Tracy discovers that her Anchor bond with National Pack Mediator, Gabe Murphy is far more.

Suddenly Tracy finds herself with two Alpha males whose hunger for her never seems to wane. But their bliss is marred by the heavy hand of Warren Pellini and the werewolf mafia and his reach goes very high up indeed.

Money laundering, kidnapping, assault and other general mayhem can’t mar the intensity of their bond but it sure can threaten their lives.

Maverick Day July 20 At Ecataromance!

2006-07-19T12:28:00.000-07:00

Anya, Megan and I will all be at Ecataromance tomorrow, July 20, so come and join us!

I'm sure it'll be the usual hijinks, prizes, excerpts, all sorts of fun.

Condoms In Contemporaries

2006-07-18T08:02:00.000-07:00

I'm having a really interesting discussion with several authors at Romance Divas about condom use in contemporary erotic romance.

My personal belief as an author and also as a reader is that it's something that should be included in contemporaries, if not, an explanation of why not should be there.

Now you don't have to put in a big thing every sex scene, just something that lets the reader know even once at the beginning of the book, that condoms are being used is enough. In Giving Chase there's a point when Kyle and Maggie have been together for many months and they're living together and both have been tested for STDs that they stop using condoms and I mention that.

I know it's fiction but with contemporararies there are real life rules that IMO, shouldn't be ignored. I can't have my heroine swallow poison and not get sick or eat a nail either. For me, AIDS and STDs are a big enough tragedy in real life I'd feel irresponsible not to have condoms in my books.

Some folks feel like it takes away from the fantasy to use condoms and that writing in condoms is giving in to some kind of pressure to be responsible for readers' choices.

In paranormals, I'm freed of this, I can explain away STDs and pregnancy, which is why they're so much fun, but contemporaries are grounded in a certain level of reality that I find inescapable. I think this is especially the case with my erotics.

what do you all think?

Monday Again

2006-07-17T09:51:00.000-07:00

This weekend just flew by! I got soooo much writing done on Saturday, my best writing day ever, 9500 words done on Taking Chase! I'm now 45K words - about 20K left go to although this one might edge toward 70K.

Had lunch yesterday with another Romance Diva, Lacy Danes and it was a blast. It's nice to have folks in the area that are also writers and moms - she's got FOUR books coming out from Aprodesia between April of next year and the end of 2008 and she told me about them - historical paranormals! I can't wait to read them.

Let's see, whate else? Hmm, oh, I'll be at Novelspotters tomorrow with the Samhellions chit chatting. My time is noon eastern/9 am pacific. I may post a sneaky peek of Taking Chase. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Novelspotters/

Megan, Anya and I are holding court over at the Ecatareader chat all day on Thursday! http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CataNetwork-Readers/ Come by, hang out, chat, win stuff, read excerpts. The usual.

Oh and on June 25th I'm having a LM Day at EC to celebrate the upcoming release of Vengeance Due! I'll be there from 8 am pacific/11 eastern until 1 pacific/4 eastern. Please come and join me! I'm also doing another day on August 14 all day for part II!

Saturday I'm going to see Pearl Jam, oh yes I am! Woooooot! Then out and about getting ready for family vacation and solo vacation time and then back home! whew!

Anyone do anything fun this weekend?

Lauren

2006-07-15T17:09:00.000-07:00

Is it wrong of me to be amused that one of the search terms that brought someone here was "ass whore?"

If so, I don't want to be right. Cause really, I'm snickering now. The "sister seduction" search last week was creepy enough, but "ass whore" ahh, comedy gold.

Saturday And It's All Good

2006-07-15T12:17:00.000-07:00

Taking Chase:

35,000 / 65,000
(53.8%)

So I finished writing the first big sex scene for Cassie and Shane and well, it led into another one inside the house, in front of the mirrored doors in his closet. I think sex is done for now and there's some more revelation coming up soon.

Vengeance Due is coming out August 2! The cover is up on the EC coming soon page! Yay. I love that point, it begins to feel real when your cover shows up on the site. I'm going to have a big List Mom Party on August 15 (as I'll be on vacation with my husband on the 2nd) and in the days approaching the 2nd, look for some fun contests at my loop, website and here.

My print galley for Giving Chase arrived yesterday. I need to look it over this weekend and turn it around. Chrissy is on the ball! I don't know when the woman gets any time to sleep.

Oh, and just a tad of "nanny nanny boo boo" I've been fortunate enough to have critted Megan Hart's three books for Spice. I just finished the last chapter of the last book, Perfect, yesterday. People, the women kicks ass. I've loved Megan's writing for a while now, but she really hits it out of the ball park with these books. When they hit the stores next year, be sure to run out and snap them up. The first one comes out in January - Dirty, and the cover is just gorgeous and the writing is amazing.

And more on the fabulous writing front, I've also been critting Anya Bast's, Witch Fire, her first Berkley book and boys and girls - it's amazing too. Jack, whooo! Is Jack ever hot. It's good stuff and I've only seen two chapters so far. I'm addicted. This is a summer release for 07 so don't forget. Oh, that's all right, I'll remind you.

Okay, my marvelous husband is home from a very long business trip so I'm off. Have a great Saturday!!

TGIF

2006-07-14T17:17:00.000-07:00

D'you know how some people cannot say anything positive to save their lives? Ugh. I know someone like this. She's not someone I'd say was a friend but I swear that the only comments she ever makes to me are negative. I won't hear a peep for months and then she'll swoop in to deliver some odd backhanded compliment - on my author pictures she made a comment about how she liked more makeup in pictures and some other stuff that was basically a burn but I was like, "ooookay, well thanks then" and then, okay, I love shoes. If you've read my books you'll probably know that I love lingerie and shoes. I'm a shoe whore, I admit it. So anyway, I posted pictures of my newest shoes because I'm sick that way and she made this odd comment aboud how they looked great with pants but she wouldn't buy them because the strap took away from the long leg effect.

Now, I'm not Miss Manners or anything, but I do understand some basic rules about posting to people when they put up pictures of something shiny they just bought. If you think something is ugly, you just don't comment. Unless you're a good friend and you can IM your friend and find some way of telling her the shorts make her ass look gigantic or the dress is slutty, whatever. But you don't make critical comments to someone you don't really know. It's not about you and frankly, I don't care what you would buy, they're my shoes, I bought them.

LOL, god, I'm bitchy.

On to something nicer. The ever so wonderful Ciar has a really fun thing at her blog and I am totally going to rip it off and use it here, because I think it's wonderful (and it's her idea, I want to give her full credit here)

SHOW YOUR LOVE - Essentially the gist is this: Is there someone(s) that deserves your thanks, your love or a kind word for something they've done for you? A crit partner, agent, editor, friend, spouse? If so, lay it on me. Tell them here and let them know.

Woot! 4 1/2 Kisses for Giving Chase

2006-07-13T18:47:00.000-07:00

Loribelle at Romance Divas gives Giving Chase 4 1/2 kisses and says in part: As usual Lauren Dane delivers an entertaining, fast-paced, and hot story in an emotionally charged tale of two people coming together not just for steamy sex, but friendship and respect. Maggie is sweetly independent and really comes into her own, and Kyle is more than willing to go along for the ride. The rest of the Chase family is fantastic. I'm already addicted to this series!

Thank you, Loribelle!

Writerly Stuff

2006-07-13T11:33:00.000-07:00

I don't often talk about craft type stuff but today I'm gonna... This may be of no interest to anyone but I'm writing it anyway. Just a warning up front...

I'm writing the first major sex scene between Cassie and Shane in Taking Chase. This is a very difficult scene to write. Not because I don't like to write sex, I do. But because of who these people are.

Cassie was in an abusive relationship for four years, the last two of which involved serious physical control/abuse and some forced sex/rape. She finally left and divorced him but after the divorce was final he found her and shattered the bones in several of her fingers with a hammer (she was a vascular surgeon) and then with the broken handle, stabbed her fourteen times in the back and neck, nearly killing her.

This was all a year before you meet her and there's been a coma, major hospital time, the loss of her career, a trial and he skipped bail between the judgment and sentencing. So essentially he's out there and she's on the run.

ANYWAY, so it's been a year and she's been sort of seeing Shane for about two months, seriously for a few weeks and they're going to have sex. There's been a sexual interlude between them once before, and she trusts him but her issues are still there - A) she hasn't told him about the last attack and she's ashamed of the scars and doesn't want him to see them; and B) she was married to a man who had pretty much devastated her self esteem to the point where she has body image issues.

There'll be a "reveal" about the last attack in a few more scenes but he can't see the scars just yet, which sort of plays into the whole hesitancy on her part of him seeing her.

So they're outside at night, in a garden in the moonlight and she's still got a camisole on. I'm going to have her keep it on. It buttons down the front so he'll open it that way and see her breasts. I'm taking it slow, writing the scene bit by bit because while she's broken, I don't want her to be irreparably so. She's a survivor. It's just a different way to write sex for me because my heroes generally tend to be, uh, big dominant men. And he's a very big man but he's being gentle for her.

There's a line here, this scene is one of those sex scenes that is way more than just hot sex but a big moment of revelation for both people. He's been a casual sex man and she's anything but casual. He's going to realize many things in this scene, probably more than she will.

Anyway, this is today's writing challenge. I like this kind of thing because not all books are the same, not all women feel the same comfort level with their bodies and with sex and some people have wounds in their past that make them approach intimacy differently.

Hump Day Hello!

2006-07-12T14:04:00.000-07:00

Hey Campers! So my house went from six people to two this morning when my parents left with my boys. I miss them already. Goodness is my house quiet. Moo is napping now and I don't know if it's been so quiet in this house during the day in a very long time. I was surprised by how sad I was when they drove away. I couldn't shout, "I love you" after I told them and smooched them into the car because I didn't want them to see me cry as they drove away. But once inside I let it go. Sheesh, I'm excited for them to go but still, it's hard to see my babies leave, even for just a little while.

Anya's Tempted By Two released from Ellora's Cave today! If you don't have it yet, you should!

I also saw that Bachelor #4 from the fabulous Megan Hart has been tearing up the reviews lately. Congrats, Sparkles.

It's cold and rainy here today. Odd summer this year but thank goodness not a whole lot of really hot days. I hate the heat!

I'm about at the halfway point for Taking Chase. I didn't get much done last night. The boys were bouncing off the walls excited about leaving with my parents and Moo split her lip open when she fell holding the lid to a sticker container that she stole from her brothers so she was clingy. I'm expecting a long nap today because of that.

Anyway, Cassie and Shane are going to really have sex for the first time but he won't see the scars on her back yet. I'm trying to figure out how to do that in a believable way. She's got issues about her body anyway so she may leave her camisole on. They're outside as it is, I think there may be some lovely action on a blanket under the moon. Heh.

I have a stack of books three feet high that I need to read. Sigh. They call to me! I read one really fun Blaze (romantic suspense by Jo Leigh called Closer) and another fun and hot one by Alison Kent (Kiss and Makeup) - basically, I love both Leigh and Kent's books and those are most of the Blazes I read. I tried a new author but I was not impressed. There are a few others that I quite enjoy - Isabel Sharpe is one. Some others are on my TBR list but I've read them in other lines and liked them too. I'm working on an outline for a romantic suspense Blaze. I think I can do the voice well, we'll see after I finish Taking Chase and Battlefront.

Tuesday Morning At The Galley of the Damned

2006-07-11T14:06:00.000-07:00

This morning I spent nearly two hours at the Department of Licensing to get a new driver's license. My two year old got into my wallet and while I managed to track down all of my credit cards, etc, I could not find my license.

So I head down there first thing because the website said their busy times were afternoons. I walk in and it's standing room only. I get #30 and it's on #14. But there are also numbers in the 200's and the 600's.

I wanted to plot and I had a book and a pad but it was too chaotic. Plus, people talk to me. Doesn't matter where I am or what I'm doing, people talk to me. I don't know why, I'm really not that nice a person. Still, I had a conversation with a weepy mom with her 16 year old getting her driver's license, an elderly woman who complained about "foreigners" but was otherwise delightful and two men who kept making small talk about how long it was taking. Sigh. One was nice enough, one of those people who talks to everyone, the other shut up after I made sure to show my wedding ring a few times as I sat there.

I understand that it wasn't the fault of the employees there. I really wanted to turn around and smack the crap out of the guy behind me who kept yelling, "Our tax dollars at work!" over and over like he had a tic or something. I mean, yeah, I was frustrated, but I can't imagine what it's like to have to work at the DOL, I'm not gonna add to their misery. And so I just gave up hope as I sat there, just glad my kids weren't with me.

I envision hell as the DOL.

Anyway, the new picture looks better than the old one taken about two years ago when I was eight months pregnant and a giant ball of pissed off, sweaty pregnant woman.

Oh and Anya Bast's Tempted By Two releases tomorrow from Ellora's Cave. Don't miss it!

Monday!

2006-07-10T19:02:00.000-07:00

Yeah, Monday again. I thought I'd have more time today but Ms. M stole my driver's license and I must go and deal with a replacement, my middle kiddo has an eye infection and I had to pick up medication for my oldest who is going to his grandparents for several weeks. So I'm running around and dealing with stuff and doing laundry and not getting as much writing done as I'd like although I am consistently putting out 3K words a day, which is very nice.

I got two more excellent reviews of Sudden Desire today!

4 1/2 stars from Contessa at Romance Junkies: Lauren Dane has crafted a magnificent and highly erotic summer-time fun read with SUDDEN DESIRE. My attention was instantly absorbed from the start with Tess's explosive and much deserved actions towards Trevor. Here is a woman after my own heart. A person can only be pushed so far before she/he comes out fighting. I can certainly say that I would not have taken that much attitude for as long as Tess did. Trevor needed to be knocked down a peg or two. But, what surprised me the most was how much my attitude changed toward Trevor once he turned on his charm - no wonder he was so popular with the ladies. The sexual encounters between Tess and Trevor were scorching-hot and deliciously passionate. SUDDEN DESIRE is a great, short novel to enjoy on a hot summer night.

And 4 cups from Susan at Coffeetime Romance: Ms. Dane is one of my favorite authors and this terrific story is another example of why I enjoy her work so much. The characters are fascinating and easily believable. I like a good strong heroine and Tess is definitely that. I recommend Sudden Desire to anyone who likes a good solid story with plenty of smoking hot sex.

Not a bad way to start the week, eh?

Okay, I think I'll be done with Taking Chase by the end of the month! Yay! Then on to Battlefront, which I hope to have done by the end of August and then it's on to some stuff I'm working on for NY - a romantic suspense I'm targeting at Blaze and something I may target at the new Nocturne line. Cause I'm just gonna keep hitting until someone bites!

How was everyone's weekend?

Lauren

New Reviews for Sudden Desire!

2006-07-09T09:19:00.000-07:00

Today's Issue of the JERR newsletter had two new reviews for Sudden Desire!

Kirra Pierce gives it 4 stars and an H! And says in part: Trevor starts out a little, okay, a lot, clueless when it comes to Tess, but once he notices her, things heat up quickly. I have to love a woman who could look into the purely gorgeous male face of a guy she’s had a major crush on and still tell him to shove it. Tess has backbone! (...) For a fun summer read, I recommend some Sudden Desire.

And KayleeMarie Walker gives it 4 1/2 stars and an H and says in part: Lauren Dane proves once again that she has a way with words with her short story, Sudden Desire. This quick contemporary erotic romance has good pacing throughout and while the plot may not be what one might consider original, it is certainly sexy entertainment at its best. It’s a pleasure to read because the characters are refreshingly lifelike when it comes to their emotions and faults.

Thank you Kirra and KayleeMarie!

Release Date and Stuff

2006-07-08T13:04:00.000-07:00

Just learned that the release date for Taking Chase is January 30! It seems like a ways away but really it's not. Essentially I've got a book coming out every 4 - 6 weeks between now and February of next year. Not too shabby.

Yadda Yadda Yadda Blah Blah Blah

2006-07-07T16:05:00.000-07:00

I've now broken 20K words in Taking Chase. Tonight I'll write a big emotional scene between Cassie and Shane - and that'll lead in to some other emotional stuff for Cassie. The middle of the book is a big emotional obstacle course for her but she'll survive. She's a survivor.

This book is about a woman who was nearly killed by her ex husband. I used to work with domestic violence survivors and their children as a legal advocate at a shelter. I wanted to write a woman at some point that encompassed the best parts of some of my old clients. Strong, scared perhaps but they never lost hope. This story isn't about her being a victim of DV, but her being a survivor. She's moving on and now she has to learn to trust. And it's hard - especially when the man is big and bad and wants to protect people like Shane Chase. This is an issue. They both need to learn a lot.

I cheated and stayed up extra late the last two nights to finish Fistful of Charms. I'm not sorry. I LOVED it. I'll do a review of it later on. My parents are here and things are insanely busy.

I hope everyone is planning on a great weekend.

Reviews!!

2006-07-06T14:08:00.000-07:00

Two new marvelous reviews for Giving Chase that I'd like to share with you!

The first one is from I Just Finished Reading - and it's so wonderful I don't think I can do it justice by blurbing it.

"Giving Chase has everything. Romance, suspense, character growth, family, hot beautiful sex, good friendships. Watching the love bloom out of friendship between Kyle and Maggie was lovely. Maggie's inner strength grew and her character blossomed under Kyle's love and caring. She learned how to stand up for herself - not only to stand up to her stalker, but to her family as well."

There's more, it's a wonderful review and I'm just thrilled with it. Thank you sooo much Lori.

And this one is from Gail at Amazon!

"Dane does it again, weaving a tale of a spunky, independent, strong woman with a fractured past. The leading women in her books always represent how, no matter what your past, you can overcome, and through it all, still deserve love and passion. It isn't hard to fall in love with the men in Dane's books either. Beyond being beautiful, the level of adoration and abandon they display in their love is breathtaking."

"Giving Chase will take you to the edge, bring you down and ramp you right back up again. Although the sexual content comes far later than expected, that is part of the enticement and anticipation. This is a book that feeds the Lauren Dane addict."

Thank you Gail!

Samhain Reader Appreciation Week!

2006-07-06T14:05:00.000-07:00

(I'll be there on Monday and Friday and a stint on Saturday too! I'll be giving away fun stuff and doing some excerpts so please stop in!! Samhain has some amazing authors in all sorts of genres and the next week will be a great opportunity to find some new favorites!)

Join Samhain Publishing and its authors as we celebrate Reader Appreciation Week July 10th through July 16th. Be prepared to add to your wish list as authors share excerpts from a variety of genres including romance, fantasy and suspense. Come to chat, come to win one (or two) of the MANY prizes being offered throughout the week, come to chat with your favorite authors and make new friends.

Monday through Friday, authors will pop in to the Samhain Cafe throughout the day to chat, share excerpts and blurbs from their books and post contests. Each day is dedicated to specific genres of fiction/romance.

Monday July 10th - Suspense/Mystery/Thriller

Tuesday July 11th - Fantasy/Sci-Fi-Futuristic

Wednesday July 12th - Paranormal

Thursday July 13th - Historical/Western

Friday July 14th - Contemporary/Chick Lit/Comedy

Saturday July 15th and Sunday July 16th , Two authors every hour will share blurbs, prizes and excerpts. The party starts at 9 eastern and goes until 9pm Saturday and Sunday so be prepared for non-stop action on these days!

You can sign up for the fun at www.samhaincafe@yahoogroups.com This event will take place on the Samhain Cafe, not the chatroom, so be prepared for a high volume of emails. You can choose to go digest, no mail or special notices and read and participate directly from the board, if you are someone who doesn't like a large number of emails to come through your inbox.

We look forward to seeing everyone and helping us celebrate the fabulousness that is our raders!

Danse Macabre

2006-07-05T10:02:00.000-07:00

this is a spoiler heavy post so I'll try and make it the same color as the background so you'll have to highlight the spoilery bits if you so choose...

I did not hate this book. I enjoyed it actually and thought it head and shoulders above Incubus Dreams on many levels. I do get sick of hearing people bitch about LKH. It’s like it’s become a pastime to cast around and look for reasons to be offended by her books. Seriously, life is too short to purposely cast around looking to be offended. The market is filled with paranormal books of all kinds to read if LKH isn't flipping your switch anymore.

Okay, onto the review (first the positives and then the negatives): First and foremost, Anita is actually growing and learning as a person. She admits when she’s wrong! LKH fleshes out Jean Claude a lot more as well as Nathaniel and even Asher.

Yes, Asher is still a bit pissy in the book but LKH actually gives him a reason for it, character motivation! Which is very nice and has been absent in the last two or three books. Richard is even not a stupid, whining ass in DM. He says a lot of things that make sense and even Anita realizes this.

There’s also evidence that she’s been edited this time out as well. Her ideas are much more fleshed out and there aren’t as many story threads dangling.

This is not a mystery really. It’s pretty much a diary of two days in Anita’s life. As such it’s more “we ate ice cream, we had sex, we slept, we knifed some people, we wrapped Meng Die in a cross wrapped coffin, we had sex” etc. In that way, it’s fine but it’s not that compelling.

The sex is written FAR better than it was in ID. There’s generally a reason for (most of) it and it’s almost all with people you know. I think LKH likes to write sex and that’s fine, she needs to work on it a bit harder though. She tends to overuse phrases (although I didn’t notice her using spill once). This is a common thing, I do it too. But my editor will call me on it and make me fix it. I don’t know if her editor told her and she ignored it or what.

Clearly LKH likes dominant men. And hey, good, cause I do too and I write them as heroes a lot as well. This is nothing new or unusual, authors do this all the time.(spoiler ahead:) Nathaniel ordering Anita to suck his cock was pretty fucking hot. So sue me.

OH and there’s BOYSMUT! YAY! (more spoilers ahead) Jean Claude has anal sex in a threeway with Anita and another man when they feed the ardeur. And it works. It was however, not Asher, which annoys me. I’m not sure why LKH did it that way, perhaps it made it easier for Anita. There was a bit of self reflection on Anita’s part about JC and Asher, which I appreciated and I’m hoping to see a real threesome in a future book, heh.

I’d give this book a 6 of 10 where I gave ID a 3.5. It’s a much better book although it’s not nearly as good as Blue Moon.

Now onto my problems with this book – story holes. Not so much like in ID where there was a set up for a mystery and you heard nothing until the end and it was solved like an afterthought, but stuff that I could not see the purpose at all for.

There’s a mermaid/siren with some odd incestual stuff which squicked me and frankly, I didn’t even see why it was included. It took page space from the Mother of All Darkness storyline which actually IS interesting and I wanted to know more but she didn’t give much.

The Auggie storyline was pointless except to provide the boysecks scene. As such I was fine with it but I didn’t think LKH did enough with it. He provides some backstory about The Mother of All Darkness but not enough to warrant his presence.

There’s also a vampire dance troop thing that is utterly senseless. It was interesting for the moment and everything (and gave her another reason to have a three way in the car with Jason and Nathaniel). It brought some dream sequence thing with the Mother but again, there wasn’t enough story to warrant their presence.

I used to love Damian. But Damian has become the Anita Blake version of Kenny. “You’re killing Damian!” “Feed or you’ll drain Damian!” He’s a shadow and he calms her down, big whoop.

Not even a glimpse of Jamil. I was hoping she’d fuck him because he’s hot. Not enough wolves although we do get a lot of lions for some reason.

Oh and the pregnancy thing. Here’s the deal, I don’t buy books with pregnancy in the title unless it’s Erin McCarthy. I don’t mind pregnant characters or even babies but if it’s going to be used in a book, do it. It was so clearly a gimmick here that it was teethgrindingly annoying. I thought Richard’s response was really good though and there was some great back and forth dialog between Richard and Micah that made me laugh. “Stop being so perfect!” Exactly. I won’t tell you the outcome, though.

Oh and fuck, I believe Anita will soon be God’s intern. She’s now got three animals in her system, a few animals to call, some vampires, a new triumvirate with Nathaniel and Damian and (spoiler ahead) she was almost the “Regina” to the “Rex” of a werelion pride. Everyone wants to fuck her. All women are jealous of her. It’s just annoying. And pointless.

Which brings me to my biggest annoyance with what the series has grown into. They’re pointless books now. We’ve got so many characters that she’s left the ones you really care about by the wayside. Each book she gives us 20 new ones. What about Edward? What about Shang Da and Jamil and Sophie? Belle Morte? They’re all shadows now and we’ve got these new people who are all about Anita. No one seems to be a strong enough character in the books now, they’re all about Anita 24/7.

The strength of the mysteries has faded and she’s lost focus on anyone but Anita’s pussy. And Anita’s pussy is boring.

Books This Week!

2006-07-04T15:00:00.000-07:00

Today is release day at Samhain! The ever wonderful NJ Walters releases a new chapter in the Jamesville series, The Way Home! I LOOOOOVVVVEEE NJ's books. It joins the TBR pile that I plan to devour when I finish Taking Chase. Shelley Laurenston re-releases an expanded version of Pack Challenge and Sydney Somers releases, Say You're Mine. All excellent books!!

Tomorrow at Ellora's Cave - Kate Pearce has a futuristic that I've been waiting for for a while, Planet Male and Mackenzie McKade's, The Charade. Kimberly Kaye Terry, Marianne LaCroix, and Tracey Cooper-Posey also have releases that look really good!

Thursday at Cerridwen Sharon Horton's, My Shadow, My Love releases (contemporary romance). (If you haven't read Sharon's stuff, you should)

Coming up on the 12th of July, Anya Bast's Tempted by Two comes out. And this one is really, really hot. I don't have to wait because I have a copy that has been taunting me but if I take a peek I won't be able to put it down. I love Anya's books, if you haven't checked her out yet, you should.

Monday Stuff

2006-07-03T15:22:00.000-07:00

It's Monday again! But it's not nearly as hot as yesterday which is nice. The boys are out back playing in the sprinkler and Ms. Thang is here in the house with me and my mom. My parents have been spoiling my kids totally rotten, which is fun to watch, LOL. Course it won't be fun to deal with later but that's what grandparents are for.

Went to Ben and Jerry's yesterday and had key lime pie ice cream. Oh yes I did. And it was delicious! But I only had about half of it because Moo ate the rest with a big grin on her face.

I have all these great books to read but I need to finish edits first! I'm nearly done with Reluctant edits and then I'll get to finishing up Taking Chase and then back to Battlefront. My EC editor says I'll be getting edits on Thrice Bound soon too, yay!

I just want to nap all day, sigh. Not gonna happen I don't think, LOL.

Junk and Stuff

2006-07-02T11:23:00.000-07:00

Let's see... I went out to dinner with my husband last night and it was quite lovely. I got to wear my new black stilettos with the scary pointy heels with my 50's style black dress. And it was just the two of us, we had drinks and browsed through the bookstore afterwards drinking a chai tea latte and seeing that A Touch of Fae will be arriving at that Borders "within 3 - 5 days" which made me very happy. We rarely have time alone and it was just wonderful. Happy sigh.

Went out and did errands with my mom and the boys during the afternoon. God, my kids can be such monsters! Especially the 4 year old. He's just got so much damned energy, he's not maliciously bad, but he's just wild. He's got a sweet heart and he's a snuggler and a lover but man, does that kid wear on my last nerve sometimes. I think my dad believes I'm having a nervous breakdown. I don't think he realizes that my entire day is made up of me trying to keep 3 wild people from killing each other and themselves. I'm like, "hell, I barely even yelled today!" Luckily they love their grandparents who adore them which is good for everyone.

This afternoon we'll all take a walk up to the new Ben and Jerry's Scoop shop they put in at the shopping center. Yes, that's right, my life is now taunted by the presence of a Starbucks and a freaking Ben and Jerry's within a fifteen minute walk of my house. Damned ice cream anyway, why do you have to be so delicious!

Got my final turned in for Tri Mates with the blurb. I hope to see a release day soon. Now I'm working on edits for Reluctant and then it's a quick look at my proposal for GWAB and back to Taking Chase and Battlefront.

Oh and I bought the new Kim Harrison yesterday, along with the new Jo Leigh Blaze and the new LKH. I'll write up Danse Macabre later on in the week. Got the new Dixie Chicks and have been listening a lot to it and She Wants Revenge which my husband brought home late last week.

SO, all in all, a good few days! And you?

Reviews For Giving Chase!

2006-06-30T10:59:00.000-07:00

Five Ribbons from Chrissy at Romance Junkies! I absolutely love Lauren Dane’s GIVING CHASE! While Kyle and Maggie’s relationship is a joy to read about, it’s really Maggie’s developing self-esteem and the way she finally stands up for herself that had me eagerly devouring the pages. The way she tells off her mother and sister is simply delightful and I wanted to applaud her. The entire Chase family is a marked contrast to Maggie’s dysfunctional family but their acceptance quickly wins her over. All the Chase boys are drool worthy and I can’t wait to see what happens next in this promising series. Ms. Dane’s GIVING CHASE is sure to be a hit with readers everywhere. It’s definitely a book you’ll want to add to your keeper shelf.

And Five Angels from Tewanda at Fallen Angel Reviews! Lauren Dane’s Giving Chase is an exhilarating ride from the first word. Maggie and Kyle are a wonderful couple that complement each other perfectly. While Maggie and Kyle are very passionate, friendship and respect are the cornerstone of their relationship. The mix of romance and mystery is perfect as Maggie and Kyle work together to insure their budding relationship. I enjoyed how Maggie had to confront both her attacker and her family in order to realize just how strong she is emotionally and mentally. The entire Chase family are wonderful characters that I hope to see again.

Waiting - The Hardest Part Of Being A Writer

2006-06-30T08:21:00.000-07:00

So you know, I'm probably one of the least patient people in the universe. I hate waiting and I hate it even more when there's nothing I can do about it.

A big part of the process of writing is waiting. You write a manuscript and before you finish you think that's the hardest thing. But you polish it and send it to crit partners and you wait. While you wait you begin to think what you've written is the biggest steaming pile of doo in the universe.

But you hear back and people dig it. They have suggestions, some you take, some you don't. And then you send it to editors. Now this is agonizing. You try to tell yourself to just pretend the manuscript doesn't exist, to forget about it and move on. But you can't, LOL. So you pretend to be well adjusted about it meanwhile checking your email every thirty minutes and every time the phone rings you send out a mini hope/prayer/wish that it's good news about the book.

Okay and then you hear back and it's good news and then you wait for the contract to arrive and be approved and then you wait for edits and then you wait for second round edits and then you wait for the FLE and then you wait for release and then you wait to get reader feedback and reviews and then you wait to see how it sells.

And then you do it again with another book and another.

This process is similar with agents and then when your agent subs your stuff to NY.

I used to think having an agent would be good because it took away part of the pressure. And it does. It becomes her job to think about new markets (although I still do of course) and she get the pitch together and she subs it and she keeps an eye on who has what and for how long.

But now I'm totally out of the process altogether. Which is harder than waiting when I'm in control. Because so little about writing, once the manuscript leaves my possession, is about anything I can control.

And my agent is wonderful, she keeps me updated on what's happening. If I email her she writes me back promptly. She's unfailingly supportive and has been a great advocate of my books but still, I wish I could do something to make the process move quicker! I wish I could just do A and then it would all play out the way I want it to. But I can't. We've done our part and now it's wait and see time. Sigh.

I like to think this is all a great learning process. That I'm learning patience and a zen attitude about it. But I'm such a liar! I am not learning patience, I'm learning how to disguise what a neurotic freak I am, which I suppose is something, after all.

Oh! Chat Tonight

2006-06-29T17:35:00.000-07:00

All us Mavs will be at Novel Talk at 6 pm pacific/9 pm eastern! Come and join us. It's always a good time, LOL.

Taking Chase Blurb

2006-06-29T12:59:00.000-07:00

Here's the working blurb for Taking Chase, the next Chase Brothers book that I contracted this week.

Cassie Gambol is on the run. In what seems like another lifetime, her ex-husband nearly ended her life and effectively ended a successful career as a vascular surgeon. But even though the justice system found him guilty of attempted murder, he fled while awaiting sentencing and Carly Sunderland became Cassie Gambol.

Fleeing Los Angeles, she heads to small and off the map Petal, Georgia to start her life again.

Shane Chase, a man who's held himself away from commitment since his fiancée dumped him several years before knows the beautiful newcomer is hiding something. He’s wildly attracted to her strength and her underlying vulnerability as well.

But the last thing Cassie wants is another big, overwhelming man who wants to control her life. A battle begins between Shane, who knows what he wants and Cassie who does everything she can tries to keep a distance between herself and the very handsome sheriff.

But Cassie’s ex is back and he wants her dead.

Happy Hump Day Campers!

2006-06-28T13:28:00.000-07:00

Hey all!

How's your Wednesday so far? Mine is busy. Got my first round edits back for Reluctant and my final edits on Tri Mates (it goes to final turn in when I'm finished which means a release date, woo!) and the FLE edits on Vengeance Due. So my EC editor has been a very busy woman! And now I'll be, LOL.

Oh and there's the little matter of finishing up Taking Chase now too. Okay, okay, I can do busy. It's my normal state of being and it's better to be busy than waiting around for stuff to do.

And my parents will be here on Friday so I'm cleaning around three grumpy children that I was dumb enough to give kool aid to. Yeah.

They moved the date of RT back a week due to the grand prix being the week they'd planned it for previously. I can't wait, it's going to be so much fun! I'm so excited to meet Renee and Joy and several other folks who'll be there in 07! I hope you can make it and be sure to me me know so I'll be on the look out for you! Megan, Anya and I will be there in Maverick force so watch out, Houston.

I'm so excited about Giving Chase being out at last! Please let me know what you think about it when you've finished.

Have a good day, folks and congrats to Jan Springer whose book, Sinderella, released today from Ellora's Cave. Looks like another winner from Jan!

New Contract, Contest Winners

2006-06-27T17:32:00.000-07:00

I heard back from my editor today and Taking Chase, the next installment in the Chase Brothers series, is now contracted! Wooot! Joy said at my loop, "I love your editor." And I totally agree. Thank you, Angie.

And the winners of the Giving Chase Contest are: (winners, contact me to arrange for delivery of your prizes within 14 days, please!)

For the Website Contest:

The Grand Prize Winner of a download of Giving Chase and a Samhain GC is Shannon Wheelan!

Second and Third Prize winners of DLs of Giving Chase are: Purrpurrkoshkamb and Jennifer Lindsey

The winner of my loop contest of a DL of Giving Chase and some nifty TOF gear: Barb!

The winner of my blog contest of a DL of Giving Chase and a pair of handmade earrings is: Nonny!

Congratulations to all the winners!

Giving Chase Is Now Available!

2006-06-27T07:53:00.000-07:00

Woooooot!! Giving Chase is now available for sale from Samhain Publishing! I'm so thrilled, this one is my first romantic suspense as well as my first release from Samhain so I'm doubly excited!

I hope you enjoy reading about Kyle and Maggie!

Blurb: Some small towns grow really good looking men! This is the case with the four Chase brothers. The home grown hotties are on the wishlist of every single woman in town and Maggie Wright is no exception.

Maggie has finally had it with the men she’s been dating but a spilled plate of chili cheese fries drops Shane Chase right into her lap. The sheriff is hot stuff but was burned by a former fiancée and is quite happy to play the field.

After Shane’s skittishness sends him out the door, Maggie realizes that Kyle Chase has had his eye on her from the start. Now that Shane has messed up, Kyle has no intention of letting anything stop him from wooing her right into his bed.

Despite Maggie’s happiness and growing love with Kyle, a dark shadow threatens everything—she’s got a stalker and he’s not happy at all. In the end, Maggie will need her wits, strength and the love of her man to get her out alive.

Monday Update!

2006-06-26T09:16:00.000-07:00

I added a new page at my website that lists my books by genre for those who may be interested! It also lists things like whether the book is a menage, if there's MM interaction, if there are vampires, etc.

I'm chatting tonight at 5 pacific/8 eastern at Writerspace for the montly Ellora's Cave Author chat. It's always a really fun hour!

And tomorrow, I'll be at Novelspotters from the 9 - 10 am hour/noon - 1 pm eastern time to talk about Giving Chase, my romantic suspense novel that releases tomorrow from Samhain!

Just A Note

2006-06-25T09:56:00.000-07:00

To all of my friends in those areas of the country being hit with scary and crazy weather, I'm thinking of you and I hope everyone gets through it all right. Please check in when you can to let me know you're all right!

Saturday Afternoon

2006-06-24T15:33:00.000-07:00

It's hot today but there's a lovely breeze for now, which makes it so much nicer. My wonderful husband is now in the backyard putting up the cool shade canopy I said I wanted. Because he's just that good to me. Hee! I love hanging out outside on a summer evening when the kids are all running around.

My parents are visiting us soon and the kids are so very excited. It'll be nice to see them. My dad is getting ready to retire and I hope they move up here when they do. My children adore them and it'll be great to have them closer as the kids grow up instead of a few states away.

My oldest son's little friend calls our house six times a day. They talk about Pokemon incessantly. Did I mention that school just ended Thursday? LOL, I don't think I was on the phone at 8 more than, "hey Frances, wanna come over to my house? Great!" Click. Ah the times are a changing. He has kids in his class who already have cell phones. *I* don't even have a cell phone! Jeebus, makes me feel 900 years old.

I have a confession to make, I watched three episodes of Girls Next Door. I could not tear my eyes away. I pray these women are faking being stupid because if not, wow. In any case. it's car wreck awful. Like these women have a 9 pm curfew awful, LOL. Utterly fascinating, LOL.

Once again, "the woman" is reviewing paranormals even after she's told us all how much she hates the genre. Why, oh why, do people do this? Why do people review books from genres they hate? And this is not a blog, where hey, do whatever you want, it's a romance readers forum and she's the host. There's a huge difference. Drives me fucking nuts. I wouldn't review westerns or inspirationals because they aren't my thing (even though I did love Lonesome Dove and there've been some western themed romances I've enjoyed - Elizabeth Lowell being an exception to many of my rules). I don't understand it, it's like a holy mission for her or something.

I'm now beset by that late summer afternoon lethargy, warm and drowsy. Mmmm.

2006-06-24T09:29:00.000-07:00

I took off word verification (cause I hate it) but had to put the damned thing back on this morning due to the spam pruning I had to do. Sigh.

Dude...

2006-06-23T16:35:00.000-07:00

Is this not just a breathtaking cover? I am in total love with this cover and Syneca is just, sigh, the best. it's my new favorite with Enforcer a close second. I LOVE the fonts and the poses of the people and Holly, she's so hot!

AND - on top of this marvelous cover and the RR for Giving Chase - I now have a release date for Vengeance Due (book Three of the Witches Knot series) - August 2nd! Happy Dancing all around.

Sigh, it's a good day, people!

Woot! Giving Chase is A Recommended Read!

2006-06-23T15:10:00.000-07:00

I got this email yesterday but I've been rushing around today and didn't notice it until just now! Thank you Joyfully Reviewed and Melissa for making Giving Chase a Recommended Read!!

Oh! And an early review for Giving Chase!

2006-06-22T16:18:00.000-07:00

The most wonderful Melissa at Joyfully Reviewed has this to say about Giving Chase: I’ve long been a fan of Lauren Dane, grabbing whatever she writes as quickly as I can. In my opinion Giving Chase has to be the absolute best book she has ever written. Maggie is heroine who is spunky and independent while Kyle is just the kind of to-die-for hero that I love to read about. Lauren Dane has crafted not only the sensuous passion between them, but also the deepening emotional bonds, in such a way that I became enthralled. Add to this the knowledge that each of Kyle’s three yummy brothers are slated to have books of their own and Giving Chase is a book should be on the top every romance lovers list.

Cool, huh! Thank you, Melissa.

Excerpt O Rama and KNOCK IT OFF

2006-06-22T15:38:00.000-07:00

I just spent the better part of my day sparring with Yahoo and hosting the Excerpt O Rama day at the EC Reader Board.

Dude, that was really a lot of fun. We had a shitload of excerpts and prizes and it kept hopping even when yahoo wouldn't let me on the damned board for several hours so I had to post blind.

In August we're doing a De-lurk day and we hope to do other things to get more folks to the board and posting, authors and readers both. I have to say I was bowled over by the level of participation from authors who sent me excerpts and donated prizes.

And well, EC readers are just the best. How can I complain about people who spend their days goofin off and hanging out for LM days?

I want to say all of this because well, it's true but also to point out that this is the kind of thing that's the norm. Not fights, not a divide, but this fun and celebration.

Here's the KNOCK IT OFF PORTION OF OUR PROGRAM:

Knock it off. That is all. This can't go anywhere postive for any of us. Just stop it now before sides start forming and it goes wrong for everyone, readers and authors alike.

Oh! Cover Goodness

2006-06-21T15:29:00.000-07:00

If you check my sidebar to your left you'll see the cover for Reluctant, my quickie in the Autumn Animalia series. It'll be out in September sometime.

Reluctant is a prequel. The story of when Layla (Lex and Cade's sister from Enforcer) meets and bonds with her mate Sid. She's not a happy camper.

Blurby Bit: Layla Warden had a ten year plan and it sure as heck didn’t include a mate. She had her flashy car and her corner office and all was right with the world until Sid Rosario sat down at her table and turned her life upside down.

Sparks fly right off as the two werewolves flirt over dinner and it’s no surprise to either of them when they end up back at his hotel room, naked and sweaty. But what is a surprise is that Sid is her mate and they don’t figure it out until the bond is sealed.

Angry and off balance, Layla asks Sid for some time to think and he gives her a day and a half to get herself straight. Any longer than that and the lack of the anchor of the tri-bond, the stabilizing third bond for a werewolf female, will begin to take its toll on the female mate’s sanity.

Layla, driven by confusion and fear, heads out of contact while a frantic Sid looks for her. What comes next helps a reluctant wolf find her way to acceptance

Chatty Lauren

2006-06-21T09:15:00.000-07:00

I had one of those dolls, or rather, a very cheap knockoff version of her. My sister got one too. I used to think it was lame that we had to have the same presents but now that I have kids of my own, I see why.

ANYWAY, I'll be chatting tonight at Novel Talk with some of the most wonderful Night Whispers Authors at 6 pm pacific/9 eastern so please drop by and say hello.

And Now A Post About Books

2006-06-20T11:26:00.000-07:00

Okay so I finished A Breath of Snow and Ashes this last weekend (I mentioned that below) and as always when I read Gabaldon, I go back to pick up Voyager to at least re-read the scene where Claire walks into Jamie's print shop after being gone for twenty years.

Because as memorable scenes go, it's one of the big ones for me. It's like the wedding night scene in Outlander - it's so well written and unexpected on many levels that you can see the depth of the chemistry and connection between these two people.

Claire thinks about how she wants to run her fingers through his hair to feel his skull after all that time has passed, she sees the bump on his nose and knows it's been broken at some point. It's those little details that make the scene so powerful.

And when they come together the first time when she comes back, it's hesitant and shy as well as needy and passionate. I love that.

What memorable scenes to you return to over and over?

Opinions and the Fake Reader/Author Divide

2006-06-20T10:02:00.000-07:00

I'm probably going to be sorry for this but I'd like to talk about the perceived "reader/author" divide a little bit.

First and up front - I love my readers. I do and they know it and I do my level best to show them how much I appreciate their support of me and my work. I know that without them I'd be writing books for my hard drive instead of getting them published.

That said, simply because I write books instead of putting tires on cars or practicing law or making shoes in a factory does not mean I've signed on to not have opinions. Sorry, I'm opinionated. I have feelings and opinions and sometimes I share them and sometimes I start to share them and delete my response because along with my feelings I'm also somewhat of a public figure and so I need to be aware of that.

God, I don't even know what the hell that sentence means. See what happens when I try to walk a middle line and not offend anyone?

Okay fuckit, here's the thing - we all have opinions and yes, we know what they say about opinions, right? The expression of an opinion does not, simply by its expression, make me any more bitchy or poorly behaved than anyone else. I'm already a bitch, that comes with the opinionated part. But my having feelings doesn't make me bitchy. How I express my opinion is another thing entirely and that's the crux of the issue that gets missed so often. (For instance, see the difference between Lydia Joyce expressing her opinion at AAR and a certain other person - one is opinion, the other is opinion expressed in a manner destined to get people upset)

I don't like it when people think that because I write books, I have no right to have feelings. See, that's an opinion. I don't like it when they talk the worst kind of hateful stuff about authors as if we're merely laptops with arms. See, another opinion. You see, I'm not an animatronic person placed on earth to serve you. (if I was, I could eat all the chocolate and pringles I wanted and my ass would fit into my jeans. Oh and I wouldn't have those evil stretch marks).

And I'm not talking about Karen S, let's say that explicitly right now. I happen to like Karen and her ability to laugh at herself as well as other people. I have my own opinions of the flap at her blog but it's not even a thing and I'm not going there - enough people have spoken about it.

Frankly, I don't think there is an author/reader divide at all. I think there are some authors and some readers who get into it - to extrapolate that out to all of us is irresponsible. I love my readers, you can go to my loop and ask em if you like, or you can read this blog, shrug. I appreciate them and their support. And most of all, I respect them. And it appears they respect me too, which means a lot to me.

I'm looking out on the loops and blogs and I'm not seeing it. I see trouble spots but I'm not seeing a "divide" at all. I see some people who thrive on drama and shit stirring (on both sides) but for the most part, the rest of us are doing our own thing and getting along quite well and it pisses me off to have a few people trying to stir people up and make a problem when there is none simply to amuse themselves or get attention.

Not everyone is going to like you. That sucks of course, LOL, as everyone should love me and erect shrines to me with cupcakes and Pearl Jam CDs. But I'm as flawed as anyone else, hell, moreso because I'm neurotic as well as opinionated. I've got opinions folks and sometimes I'm gonna share em. If you want to share yours, it's only fair I share mine. Not that I will all the time you see, but I hold that right just in case something pushes my buttons and my husband can't talk me down.

Okay, I'm out.

Monday

2006-06-19T10:01:00.000-07:00

Hello everyone! I just sent off my final edits for Vengeance Due and I hope, most fervently, to get a release date this week sometime!

I've decided to finish Battlefront, I got some really good work done on it last night, too! I'm just about ready to write the first big sex scene between Sera and Brandt - woot!

How is everyone? Did you all have a good weekend? Mine was tiring but good. The kids wore me out but they did sleep really well last night, LOL. It's my oldest's last week of school (yikes!)so I'm trying to enjoy the relative calm before the storm.

Finished Breath of Snow and Ashes on Saturday. Yep, made me cry. Twice

June Newsletter Now Sent!

2006-06-17T16:19:00.000-07:00

I've just hit sent on the June issue of Vixenwriter. I hope you all enjoy it! This month there's an excerpt from Giving Chase, some contests and fun news and info. If you aren't receiving Vixenwriter yet, you can go here and sign up. It's a once a month mailing and I don't use your address for anything else.

Just an FYI - each month I get several "undeliverable" messages due to yahoo accounts being over quota. If it happens with the same address three months in a row, I remove the name from my list. So check those yahoo accounts!

Saturday Greetings

2006-06-17T09:50:00.000-07:00

Threat of Darkness

25,000 / 65,000
(38.5%)

I was bleary eyed when I put my laptop away last night. I'm just about ready to write a battle scene and a big reveal.

But - I keep finding myself wandering around in Threat of Darkness. It's making me wonder if I'm meant to write it right now. It could be I'm tired and it's near the middle of the book stuff but I'd been really going well and now it's all fits and starts. I'm going to think about it today. I have other books to write so that's not an issue. I'm going to look through my project list and see if I feel motivated to start or finish something else. I have several things lined up so I'm not wanting for ideas and projects but I do really love this story so I need to really think on it to be sure I'm not just giving in too easy. Of course, I put aside Enforcer like this and it turned out to be such a wonderful experience and a very easy write once I was ready to pick it up again. My muse can be very bitchy and bossy but she's usually right.

My husband is off this morning at the Walk for Life with his co-workers. One of our friends will push her mother who is in the last stages of cancer, in her wheelchair. Made me call my mother and tell her I love her. And eat fruit.

But I have to make my own coffee (yes, I'm ridiculously pampered, he makes me a latte every morning). I totally suck at making coffee.

I did receive this lovely and flattering review of Enforcer from Euroreviews - FIVE flags from Holly (Thank you very much!) and she says in part: The Enforcer kept me enthralled throughout. With a well written plot, plenty of action, LOTS of heat, and the smart ass comments of Nina, this is an absolute gem of a book. I’m also thrilled to say that it is only the first in her series Cascadia Wolves. The sequels will be auto buys for me and I may have to do a bit of shopping on Ms. Dane’s backlist.

New Review for Enforcer

2006-06-16T09:36:00.000-07:00

Danny at Love Romances gives Enforcer FIVE hearts! It's a really wonderful review and she says in part: Ms. Dane created with the world of the Cascadian Wolf Pack a really fascinating place. The Cascadian pack hierarchy is really interesting, because there are two different Alphas leading the pack, Cade, the real leader of the pack and his brother Lex, the Enforcer and the hero of this book.

Lex is a wonderful hero; he is very dominant, but in the same way also very protective of his mate Nina as well as his pack. And she really needs his protection, because she does not always puts her own security first. He hasn’t an easy life with Nina, because both of them are stubborn as hell, but that is one of the reasons, why this story is so much fun.

ENFORCER is the fantastic start of a new series and this reviewer looks forward to read many more books about the Cascadians

Thank you, Danny!

We won't even go into the less than flattering reviews of Sudden Desire except to say I need some chocolate, LOL.

TGIF

2006-06-16T08:35:00.000-07:00

Whew! This week has seemed about nine days long. Thank goodness it's nearly over.

I sent off my proposal for Taking Chase to my editor at Samhain so that's one more thing off my to do list (and as I was polishing it up last night I realized just how much I really love this series and this town!) Taking Chase will also be romantic suspense and it's Shane's story.

Then I worked on my revisions for the proposal for Goddess With a Blade for my agent and finished that up. I'm working on the last bits on the synopsis this morning so I can go into the weekend with one thing on my plate - finishing Threat of Darkness!

Course, I'm expecting the second round edits for Vengeance Due on Sunday but those should be minor and I'll deal with them right away and get them back so I can get a release date.

Father's Day is Sunday and so I'm planning a huge breakfast for my husband who's just a great dad.

It's raining here again, sigh. Last year it was 90 degrees. I love the northwest, you never quite know what you're gonna get, LOL.

How is everyone today?

Titilating Thursday!

2006-06-15T08:53:00.000-07:00

First off, this whole week the Night Whispers are blogging about first sales - check it out. We're doing a contest to win a download based on a random draw of commenters, head on over and see what we've got happening!

Working, working, working. It's all good. I wrote on TOD and worked on my outline for Taking Chase too.

The cranky toddler strikes again, she would NOT go to sleep, sigh. So I blearily worked on stuff that didn't require a lot of fine touch (like the actual writing) and did outline stuff. I don't hate the process as much as I used to, which I suppose is a plus.

Updated my website and now Vengeance Due has its own page with an excerpt. I've been promised second round edits by this Sunday so if I buckle down and turn them around ASAP I hope to be able to announce a release date by mid next week or so.

Primed To Pounce

2006-06-14T13:31:00.000-07:00

Woo! Primed to Pounce is finally out! I have it now in my TBR pile but check out the link to see the marvelous cover and here's a blurb:

Astin Pharmaceutical and Biotech has its share of mad scientists. Delaine must get the goods on the crackpot who is using his scientific genius to create his own personal harem. During her investigation, she meets a man who would give Adonis a run for his money. After a messy divorce, Delaine is in no hurry to love anytime soon, but her spirit guide, a sleek, black mountain lion, is convinced he’s their mate.

When Justin lays eyes on Delaine, he’s dying to get next to her. There’s one problem—he’s seen her walking around a secret part of the Astin facility that she had no clearance to enter. Is she in league with the corrupt scientist he’s tailing? Or is she a mole who could blow his case, or worse, his cover?

When Delaine discovers the man she’s taken a chance on is undercover, a decision must be made. Should she kick his butt for not being honest about his undercover status while working her case? Or should she simply shoot him for sleeping with her best friend?

I've been waiting for this one for a while now! Congrats, TJ!

Hump Day Greetings!

2006-06-14T08:42:00.000-07:00

Last night I pushed myself to work on Threat of Darkness and I'm glad I did. There was just a little bump I had to get past and now I'm cooking again. Right now Jayce and Con have found Mei in a field of lavender on Lopez Island up here in the Northwest. Mei is pissed off, LOL.

I sincerely hope Yahoo is going to behave today after being very naughty this last week. I need to look into forum board software to load into my website and move my loop over there. It's a PITA when the messages don't get delivered for up to two days or they're out of order. I suppose the problem is that Yahoo mails out messages and message boards don't so I don't know if that makes it less easy for folks to participate or not.

Speaking of naughty, it looks like Blogger is back to behaving this week (fingers crossed).

Giving Chase releases in less than two weeks now! Wooot!

I Would Just Like To Point Out

2006-06-12T16:28:00.000-07:00

That the My Little Ponies wear swimsuits. Sparkleworks and Ranbow Dash are the only ones with the modesty to wear one piece suits. Pinkie Pie uses sunscreen.

This is where your life ends up when you have a 2 year old daughter. It's My Little Ponies and Pokemon. Sigh.

This is Me For The Next Several Months

2006-06-12T13:16:00.000-07:00

June:

Giving Chase – releases from Samhain June 27
Finish up Threat of Darkness and get it to my editor at EC
Finish up revisions on GWAB proposal
Second round edits on Vengeance Due and Tri Mates

July:
Hopefully see Vengeance Due released
Finish Taking Chase and get it to my editor at Samhain
Reluctant Edits
Hopefully hear back on whether or not Threat of Darkness has been contracted

August:
Take a week’s long break from writing and the computer
Hopefully see Tri Mates released
Hopefully see first round edits on Thrice United
Start next project – I have to decide between Battlefront, the next Cascadia Wolves book or a Charvez universe book

September:
Reluctant releases as part of Autumn Animalia series at EC
Finish book I started in August and get it to my editor

October:
Edits on various books in the system – Sword and Crown, Taking Chase
I hope to see Thrice Bound out late this month

November:
Open as of yet, I’d like to see Threat of Darkness out by the end of the year and Taking Chase too, but I don’t know what the Samhain schedule will be like.

December:
Open! Hopefully editing stuff for next year

Most of this could change if I sell to NY which would give me a different set of projects to work on.

A Touch of Fae is Available at Amazon!

2006-06-11T08:36:00.000-07:00

I love watching the distribution chain work! First it showed up in the warehouse, then at the EC print store and now at Amazon! Yay! If you read A Touch of Fae and you liked it, I'd really appreciate it if you'd stop by Amazon and leave a review!

And it's sunny today. Yeah! So far, so good and it's not even 9 am yet.

Agendas

2006-06-11T07:25:00.000-07:00

I received several notes Friday from readers, all but one about my new release, Sudden Desire (and all complimentary, thank you!).

But one was from a reader who was upset that she'd read I'd written a menage book with more sexual contact between the men. Her beef was that "Triad was great. It had the girl as the focus and the boys were clearly straight." and that if I write books where boyparts (my words not hers) touch, it would be making the men gay. There was some other stuff about agendas but that's not really part of this post.

And I thought long and hard about how to respond. Because hey, she's a reader, she has a right to her opinion of my books. She has a right to like certain kinds of books and to dislike other kinds of books. And I do have straight M/F books (more of those than menages) and books like Triad, where the sex is MFM (although in Triad there is a clear attraction between the two men). In the book she referenced, Thrice United, it's still MFM most of the time but there is sexual contact between the two men. They're all together in a relationship, bound in a magical sense as well as a romantic one. While Holly is the center of their attentions, there's attraction between Nate and Rhett. (BTW, there's MM boylovin in Vengeance Due and Tri Mates too although TM is MFM and Vengeance Due is a straight M/F romance and the MMF scene is between Lee, Alex and Aidan from Triad)

In the end, I decided to say what I feel, which is that romance is romance. Love is love. Sometimes it's between a man and a woman, sometimes its a man and two women or two men and a woman or two men or two women - whatever. The issue isn't the combination of pink parts to throbbing parts. The issue is connection. And so, for me as an author, I'm not going to shy away from MM scenes because I'm worried it may make my characters look gay. They're bisexual, clearly. But in a bed, between the people, it's about love and connection and depth of emotion and I'm hoping that the average reader isn't thinking about sexual orientation at all.

And you know, okay so I'm gonna talk about agendas here after all - I'm going to write about people I care about. I want to write three dimensional characters who are interesting. Some are gay, some are straight, some are bi - my hope is that they're all just people you want to read about. My agenda is that I plan to keep being bold when I can. My agenda is to not write any romance, ever, where the woman is a whiny, stupid twit who waits to be saved because she's a girl and the hero is a man. She might wait to be saved because he's got the expertise and she doesn't, but she's not going to be a handwringer and she's not going to be called a whore by a character called Alpha but who is really just an asshole.

I'm sorry that I can't appeal to everyone. I'd love it if everyone thought my books were peachy keen. But if I had to do that at the expense of writing the characters who want to be written, I'm not interested. My hope is that when you read one of my books you see a group of people on a journey together. The combination of body parts is something I hope is interesting and well written, but something less important than who they are to each other.

Saturdaylicious!

2006-06-10T13:50:00.000-07:00

I'm going on a "date" with my nearly 5 year old son later this afternoon. He's sad because he wasn't invited to a birthday party that his brother's at right now. Poor sweetie. So we're going to grab pizza, just the two of us, when dad and brother get home. I asked him if he wanted his brother to come along and he thought about it for a while and then said, "No. I don't think so. I want it to just be our date, momma."

I didn't write a single word last night. I read and went to sleep early and my lovely husband let me sleep in today even. So tonight it's my plan to finish my Tri Mates edits and then work on Threat of Darkness while processing some stuff about my revisions for GWAB that my agent sent (I need to flesh out a battle scene) so being in the paranormal world will be helpful and I did promise to get TOD to my editor by the end of June so I need to get moving! I'd gotten caught up in Taking Chase but I need to finish this other stuff and then finish it up.

I've gotten some really wonderful reader feedback on Sudden Desire, which is always really nice to hear!

I updated my website and added the first chapter of Triad to the Triad page. I'll do the same for A Touch of Fae in the fall. I put Thrice United on the coming soon page along with Reluctant. I saw the cover for the Autumn Animalia series. Two words: biceps tattoo.

Discussion Board Mafia

2006-06-09T14:46:00.000-07:00

Damn it! I wrote this long rant about the discussion board mafia and the hostility toward any difference of opinion in this country and blogger ate it! Perhaps it was a sign, LOL

In any case, I am sick and tired of weak willed bullies who can't handle that other people don't have the same opinion that they do so they flip out and do everything to silence and stifle it. Suck it up. That's democracy. Don't like it, don't read it. Debate it with some intelligence and civility why don't you?

And honest to goodness, people, if someone doesn't like your favorite author, please don't turn into the freaking mob and jump on anyone who expresses a different viewpoint about a book. It's really offensive and you know, I'm a writer, I like free expression. Counter it with another opinion but stop with the boot stomping on the book boards!

I like Diana Gabaldon. Do you know how many people hate her? Sheesh, if I'd listened to them, I'd never have picked up one of her books, LOL. And I'd have missed out on some of the best books I've read in the last decade. If you don't, that's okay. She's not for everyone. See! And yet, I am still able to enjoy her books.

If someone doesn't like Jane Doe and you do, good on ya! But do not ask for an opinion on why the person didn't like it and when they give you one (free of nastiness and specific and pretty close to all the other criticism I've heard of this book) don't turn on the person and savage her while simultaneously acting like you're somehow superior in your intolerance. You look like an asshat. A petty, whiny asshat who is so insecure in her own opinions she cannot bear to hear anyone else's if they differ. Especially when you are brutal in your constant derogatory comments about other books (even those you haven't read)

It makes the boards unpleasant for all of us when some Jawbreaker-esque/Heathers clique ruins any attempt at actual discussion that is more than "this is great!"

Freedom of expression - it's what's for dinner. Get some.

Sudden Desire is Now Available!

2006-06-09T08:53:00.000-07:00

Sudden Desire is now available at Ellora's Cave!

Pay no attention to the odd thing he's doing with his hand! I do love Tess, she's a great heroine who won't settle for second place. And Trevor starts out an arrogant ass but he's got a heart in there. He just needs to get on the stick before he loses her.

It's a quickie - 12K words, and a contemporary. Click the cover for an excerpt! A nice Friday afternoon read. Heh.

List Mom Day!

2006-06-08T18:58:00.000-07:00

Don't forget, I'm having a LM Day tomorrow, Friday June 9 to celebrate the release of Sudden Desire! I'll be there from 8 am to noon pacific time. There'll be excerpts from various Fun In the Sun authors and prizes too! Just show up to the Ellora's Cave Readerchat Board (not a chat room but a message board).

A Touch of Fae Now Available In Print!

2006-06-08T09:24:00.000-07:00

A Touch of Fae is now available in print! Checked this morning to see it was up and for sale at the EC print book store!!

I can't wait to see it on the shelves too! I do love Em and Con!

Thrice United...

2006-06-07T17:01:00.000-07:00

So I think we've decided on a name for the 4th Witches Knot book - Thrice United. I couldn't use Thrice Bound because bound is for BDSM titles only. Anyway, I'm happy with it.

Here's the blurb:

Alone and facing a lifetime of unanswered questions, Holly Daniels sets out on a journey of personal and emotional exploration that causes her to take a deep and unflinching look at herself and the people in her life. Her mother has died recently and Holly wants to know who her family is. She wants to know why they tossed a fifteen year old pregnant girl out without a care. Wants to know who she is and what these powers she has but has been forbidden to use mean. She wants to know who is out to hurt her and why. And she wants to know why on earth two hotter than hot vampires are insisting she’s their mate and professing their love, protection and companionship to her. Nate and Rhett work to get Holly to accept their bond and let them into her heart. The questions that have plagued Holly her whole life take her from Seattle to New Orleans in a quest for answers.

The Charvez witches lost one of their own over two decades ago, never knowing why or where she went. Finding Holly after all this time brings them great joy, even as they all work to figure out why her mother left and who exactly is trying to harm her now.

A Touch Of Fae

2006-06-06T14:45:00.000-07:00

It's finally in print! Yayayayayyyyy! Right now it's at the print warehouse, and within a few weeks it'll show up on the EC print book site and then at Amazon and then at Waldenbooks and Borders and those indie bookstores that carry EC books.

This is sort of funny timing because I've heard from readers and also from two bookstores that they could not get copies of Triad because it showed as out of print. I contacted Kelly at Jasmine Jade (and folks, Kelly kicks butt on several levels but she consistently returns correspondence in a timely manner and that's rare these days). Anyway, Kelly wrote me back to tell me that my first print run sold out and that they'd ordered another one. How freaking cool is it that Triad sold out its first print run? Wooot!

So anyway, I hope to see A Touch of Fae on shelves mid summer, sitting next to Triad.

I've ordered some copies for myself so I'll be doing some fun contests very soon and also mailing those copies out to people who've won in the past and have been waiting ever so patiently.

It's lovely news!

Got my edits back on Tri Mates and Giving Chase has gone to the FLE. Things are moving, yay!

The Winner!

2006-06-06T07:57:00.000-07:00

The winner of the Sudden Desire blog contest is: Crystal! My son picked your name out of a hat this morning so you're the winner! Please send me your format preference and I'll send it your way today!

Cover Snark and a Contest

2006-06-05T15:09:00.000-07:00

So my cover, or rather the cover for the Fun In The Sun series of which my quickie, Sudden Desire, is a part - is being snarked. This is making me giggle, oh and peek at Bam and Smart Bitches to see if it's there.

You know you want to read Sudden Desire anyway. And say, "despite the cover, which made me want to say, I can't believe that tiny dot in the sky isn't butter, Lauren Dane's, Sudden Desire is a fun, sexy read and I loved it!" C'mon, you know you want to (or, is it that I want you to?) Anyway, it's available on Friday and in the post down below from Sunday I give the specifics on where and when to go.

And if you're still reading, I'm doing a contest. Tomorrow when I mange to drag my ass to the computer (7:30 am pacific or so), I'll do a random drawing of the folks who comment on this entry, the winner will receive a download of Sudden Desire.

Enter, you know you wanna...

Crockpots and Movies

2006-06-04T14:53:00.000-07:00

What did people do before crockpots I'd like to know. I love my crockpot. Okay so I'm not really that swell of a housewife. In fact I totally suck but I think my husband keeps me around because of the kids and he likes my boobs. Still, using the crockpot makes me feel so accomplished. It's the way the house smells, all savory and yummy. Like a woman who is good at this stuff lives in my house. And it's easy, I love easy. Two of my favorite things to make are beef stew, and I can make some quick bisquik biscuits to go with (bisquik is another useful thing that makes me happy) and green chile chicken which has like four ingredients and I can use frozen chicken in the recipe so I don't even need to worry about thawing anything.

I watched Aeon Flux today on DVD. I really enjoyed it. I know people panned it but I quite liked it. It wasn't as amazing as the animated show on MTV (which is where I first got my love of the character) but I thought it was well done.

Also caught Wallace and Grommit and the Curse of the Wererabbit with the kiddos. Very cute and wholesome and loads of inside adult jokes that made me laugh. My sons thought it was the ultimate in hilarity. Win Win.

Other than finishing edits and getting back to Threat of Darkness, it's been a lazy day today. Hope everyone is enjoying the weekend.

Friday LM Day Details!

2006-06-04T07:09:00.000-07:00

Details on Friday's LM Day: It's a mini celebration from 8 am to noon pacific time. There'll be excerpts from various Fun In the Sun authors and prizes too! Just show up to the Ellora's Cave Readerchat Board (not a chat room but a message board). It's fun and free!

Saturday Greetings

2006-06-03T17:05:00.000-07:00

It was supposed to rain today but it didn't. So we went to the lawn and garden store and picked up stuff for the yard and then I planted flowers with the kids and my husband dealt with hornet nests after we'd come inside for popsicles.

I got some pretty groundcover and a new lavender bush to replace the one that got strangled out by my peony and forsythia but I haven't planted them out front yet because the soil is rocky and it sucks and I need to have more energy. Tomorrow I think.

(what? You thought it was all menages and werewolves around here?)

Worked on edits for Vengeance Due which I hope to have finished tonight so I can get them back to my editor who is supposed to get me edits on Tri Mates.

Got a lovely Five angel review for Enforcer from FAR (the second one for Enforcer, so thank you FAR and Jessica!). Jessica says in part: Enforcer offers readers an action-packed plot, tantalizing passion, emotional struggles, and an unknown dangerous element in the middle of it all. Lex is an enforcer, a pure alpha male when it comes to his desire to have what he wants, with a tenderhearted side that few have the opportunity to see; a wonderful character that I immediately loved. Nina is a strong-willed woman used to cleaning up after her brother who also wants a life to be proud of. She is believable and had me smiling more than once at the antics she leashed out to those around her. Both characters are riddled with pride and are a perfect match for each other. The secondary character of Cade, the alpha leader, gives readers another opportunity to love Lex and Nina and even tries to claim a piece of their heart. Cade succeeded in the quest where this reader is concerned. I can only hope that Lauren Dane revisits the Cascadia Wolves with a tale for Cade. Enforcer is a wonderful werewolf story that readers can not go wrong with: it is definitely worth taking the time to read. 5 Angels!

I just realized Sudden Desire is releasing this Friday! Wow, so soon! I'm having a party at EC that day from 8 to noon pacific time so don't miss it!

I'm off, it's Saturday night family movie time. We're watching Wallace and Grommit and having pizza!

Support A Great Community!

2006-06-02T14:10:00.000-07:00

I started out calling the post "Divas? Where My Girls At?" but when I saw it posted I felt like a tool.

There are great sites for romance readers and author loops that are specific to publishing houses but there aren't a whole lot of sites that encompass the amazing breadth that Romance Divas does.

Need a crit partner? Want to talk about the jerk who cut you off on your commute? Want to brag about a great review? Talk about your WIP? Put up a scene and have people read it and help you make it better? Find out what new books, movies, TV shows and CDs you should give a try? Romance Divas has all this and more and it's truly an invaluable community for romance authors of all levels.

That it's a community supported (financially and work wise) by volunteers shows what a labor of love it is. But hey, love don't pay the rent. And so if you'd like to support the Divas through advertising, purchasing merchandise or a donation - please do so because they are worth it!