Ex Appeal's Cover!

I'm very excited to share this with all of you, because I LOVE this cover. I'm so thrilled I was able to choose the picture to represent Jenny and Ty and hopefully it does them justice.

Here's Ex Appeal's finalized blurb: 

As the webmistress for one of the Northeast’s hottest dating sites, Hunk Du Jour, Jenny Talbot is no stranger to reading the applications of potential clients. But when the latest application that crosses her inbox belongs to Ty Randall,  the guy she broke up with a mere twenty-seven days ago, she does a double take. Reading what Ty wants in bed not only gets Jenny hot, it also makes her rethink ending their relationship. All she longed for was a little more spice in the bedroom—okay, a lot more—but he let her go without an argument. Faced with the possibility that Ty may really be moving on, getting her ex back becomes more appealing than ever. But will revealing exactly what she needs allow Jenny to finally experience ultimate pleasure or will she drive away the man she loves for good?

We're working on edits now and I'll be sure to let everyone know when I have a release date.  

So what do you think? Do you like the cover too?

Since I know you're dying to find out more about me...

In lieu of a real post, I figured I'd do one of some of my favorite things. Kind of a meme about my two favorite subjects - books and music - to give anyone who cares an insight into my head. (Feel free to run away while you can...)

Favorite All-Time Writer: Nora Roberts 

I know, terribly original. But I discovered her 20 years ago, so I was ahead of the curve on this one. ;) If there was ever an author that inspired me to become a writer, it's Nora. I've reread certain books of hers so much they've literally fallen off the bindings. She's as close to comfort mac & cheese for me as any author I've come across.

New Favorite Writer: Jeaniene Frost

I've read Halfway To The Grave four times. Yes, four. Jeaniene's the only author to join Nora on my favorite writer's shelf in twenty years.

Favorite Erotic Romance Writer: Mari Carr

I love her work. She's the first ebook author that became a "must buy" for me on her release days, and much like Nora inspired me to write, Mari's work helped encourage me to give erotic romance writing a try.

Favorite New-To-Me Writer: Selena Robins

I picked up What A Girl Wants last week on a whim from Samhain, because the author had posted some excerpts I enjoyed. I was, quite simply, blown away. Her writing is fun, romantic and sexy and has so many more levels than you expect when you start reading. What A Girl Wants is going on my keeper shelf.

Favorite Singer: Gary Allan (pictured)
He's got a voice that could make a phone listing sound sexy. He has such richness to his vocals and he's my go-to-guy when I need inspiration for a sexy hero. Actually, Sterling in my current WIP, Giving It Up, is based on Gary a bit. I needed a hot, bit different than the norm cowboy...and Gary fits that to a T.

Favorite Group: Fleetwood Mac

Adore them. Lindsey Buckingham and a guitar...c'mon, swoon worthy, right? Five minutes of guitar licks is as sexy as it gets to me.

All-Time Favorite Group: The Eagles

I'm a sucker for a story song and the Eagles are masters at composing those. I know the lyrics to most of their songs and could probably sing backup for them on tour.

That's it for now...anyone who'd like to share some of their favorites in the comments, I'd love to hear them!

New contract!

For those who follow me on Twitter, I mentioned this a few weeks ago, but I never officially announced it on my blog. I recently sold my first novella, Personal Research, to Ellora's Cave! I'm very excited to be writing for them, especially since I seem to be spending quite a bit of money buying books from their bookstore! We'll be starting edits soon, but in the meantime, I wanted to leave you with the tentative, unedited blurb for PR and the picture that perfectly fits my hero, Nunzio. 

Briefs are Elena Thomas’s life, whether they’re legal at her day job or on the men in the erotic novels she writes. She’s just fine with saving her imagination for her books until temptation appears in the form of Nunzio, the smokin’ computer maintenance guy. Thanks to the scorching scene he discovered shooting out of the printer, she’s not sure if he wants her because she’s inventive or because he thinks she’s desperate. That doesn’t stop her from taking advantage of the servicing he’s offering. Up on her desk. On the copier. And oh yeah, in her boss’s chair.

Nunzio's shocked to learn Elena’s wall-hugging persona hides a wildcat of a woman with delicious fantasies and an enticing wit. She's exactly what he's been looking for in an adventurous lover—and girlfriend. He knows she enjoys their sexual research. Now he just has to convince her that sizzling sex is only the opening chapter of their blazing hot romance. 

Also, I'm at Kaily Hart's blog on Monday April 12th, helping her kick off her awesome Just Published feature. We'd love to see you!

Welcome Rhiannon, from Dead, Undead or Somewhere in Between

Today I'm interviewing Rhiannon, heroine of Dead, Undead or Somewhere in Between by the amazing J.A. Saare. Rhiannon's not exactly nice to me, but then again, I'm not used to hearing from folks who "see dead people" unless I'm watching The Sixth Sense.

1) So you're like a necromancer. I've also heard you work in a strip club. Is a necromancer some kind of fancy stripper?

Is that a serious question, or are you fucking with me?  I see dead people, but I don’t shake my tits and ass while I’m doing it.

2) Okay, so you don't actually strip. Excuse me for thinking logically. Whatever. So how did you start working there?

Have you ever been to a bar in the Bronx? No? Well, it’s one hell of a way to get your start. Before I got a job at the BP, I was over at Dilligan’s Pub. They trained me in the school of bar, showed me the ropes, and gave me a good idea of what I was getting into. It wasn’t a bad gig, with the exception of assholes who liked to cop a feel here and there, which was how I wound up being hired and fired on the same night.

It was fall, during football season -- which let me tell you, sucks ass. I was at the bar, filling a pitcher of Bud, when a drunken louse decided to reach over and pinch my ass.  I gave him the customary warning, but it was obvious once wasn’t enough. The final time he got a got a handful, I snagged the fucker by the hair and buried his face into one of the endless bowls of peanuts at the bar. In retrospect, I should have let it slide.  He was three-sheets to the wind and coasting on empty, but it was a bad night with shitty customers. My boss fired me on the spot.

As I was leaving, I was approached by a man I’d seen come into the joint an hour before.  He said his name was Hector, he worked in a club that required employees being able to defend themselves, and asked if I was interested in working the bar.  I said yes, he said great, and voila, fired and hired.

3) Is it true you have a fetish for leather? Is that part of your strip club training? How's that working out for you?

A fetish for leather?

Okay, listen, I get it.  I work in a strip club.  I serve drinks to men that enjoy a T&A display.  I’m used to the implication that I must like to get my kink on.  Really, I do.  But you can stop making everything sexual?  What are you?  One of those women who write smutty romance novels?

No, absolutely not. Because that would be shameful. *cough*

4) Since you said a necromancer's NOT a stripper, what's the big deal? I mean, I'm a writer and I push pencils around a desk. You don't see me getting my own freaking series, now do ya?

You can blame Jaime herself for that shit.  She’s the one who thinks the things that happen to me should be shared.  She finds it adventurous and funny, which I suppose makes sense. I mean, she changes shitty diapers all day.  Where’s the excitement in that?

Personally, I think having our lives written out on paper is fucking weird.  Not to mention, she’s the gatekeeper.  Could you imagine? Having a housewife, mom, and breeder holding the keys to your future?  Yeah, it sucks like THAT.

How would you like it if people read about your sex life, Cari?  Does that sound like something you’d enjoy?

5) You sure do have a lot of laws. Are you involved with law enforcement in some capacity? Like really, really involved? *wink* If not, who else rocks your socks? Surely a girl so...agile can't still be single.

Since common sense seems to be dwindling in the human gene pool, I’d say that my laws should be enforced.  Idiocy shouldn’t be tolerated, not in any capacity.

As for my love life… I think in light of Jaime’s big mouth, which tells plenty, I’ll keep mine shut.

6) I've heard you try to solve crimes against man and nature. Did you read a lot of Nancy Drew books growing up? Or are you just naturally a crime stalker?

Nancy fucking Drew?

I’m not even going to justify that with an answer.

7) And for lucky number 7...really, one book wasn't enough? Do you honestly have more to say in The Renfield Syndrome? I thought you were pretty much a smitten kitten and had your life all tidy, then whoomp, there it is, slam dunk ending. So what's next? You gonna preach some more laws and prance around in those trashy boots?

Jaime is a cruel bitch, isn’t she? Just when things calm down and I think, “your journey to insane shit stops here,” she tosses my ass to the fucking curb.

It’s all good.  I have a few tricks up my sleeve…or my trashy shit kicking boots, if you will.

Rhiannon may not always talk pretty, but she certainly kicks ass! Big thanks to Rhiannon's awesome creator, J.A. Saare, for uh, facilitating our conversation today. ;)

Like what you've read here? Then pick up the bestselling Kindle novel Dead, Undead or Somewhere in Between. I loved it and I'm anxiously awaiting the sequel, The Renfield Syndrome.

The fear of getting what you want...

That title seems like a misnomer, doesn't it? But it's so true. Not that I've gotten all I want yet - not by a long shot - but it's still a damn scary thing to set small, incremental goals and then to start seeing them come to fruition. I know there will be bumps and ruts in the road, and that's okay. I knew when I signed on for this business that it wouldn't be smooth sailing all the time, and I'm ready to face that. Or at least I hope I'm ready. But the further I go, the more I wonder if I'm in over my head. Will I be able to handle the course I've set? What if I've bitten off more than I can chew? (And yes, my goal in this blog is to use as many cliches as possible - take that, Tara! ;)) My excitement always seems to be buried beneath panic. Before I get excited about good news, I start trying to think my way through any possible complications. I don't know if that's my way of managing my expectations in case something goes wrong, but for today, I'm going to try to be happy about the good and let the rest take care of itself. It always does anyway.

How do you handle the possibility of getting what you want, whether it's in your personal or professional life? Do you always look for the potential problems before you let yourself be happy, or is that just me?

Also...please stop back on Monday, April 5th, when I'm interviewing the AWESOME JA Saare's heroine Rhiannon Murphy, necromancer and all-around kickass chick from Dead, Undead or Somewhere in Between! Rhiannon puts me in my place a few times, I have to say. ;)