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Friday, 10 October 2008

Passionate Spirits…

I am away until Sunday – however, I wanted to post the new release of Passionate Spirits by Trinidad West. It’s out now at Ellora’s Cave. This book really intrigues me as it’s not just the standard – wham, m’am, thank you m’am book. Oh yeah – it has wild, hot sex like all of Trinidad’s other books but it also has the something more than makes you stop and think – what if? I love books like that. I highly recommend Passionate Spirits for all women, and men, of passion. Buy it and you will not regret it. And yes, - as always click on the cover to buy.

Passionate Spirits – Trinidad West

The blurb…

Iris Cooper is in a slump. She’s out of work and she hasn’t had so much as a date in ages. She doesn’t expect a weekend at an old farmhouse hunting through generations worth of dusty family papers to fix either situation but at least it will get her out of her freezing apartment for a couple of days. She hasn’t reckoned on sexy sculptor Mathew Hall, though—or the ghost of his great-grandmother, who’s determined to find a woman for him.

With the ghost sending her vivid, sexy dreams and Mathew sending her temperature soaring, it’s hard for Iris to remember about the job she was sent to do. And when Mathew asks her to pose nude for him, work is the last thing on her mind.


The excerpt…

Iris knocked on the door frame and peeked in. This room looked like it might once have been a screened-in sleeping porch but the screens had been replaced with windows that filled the room with daylight, even on such a gloomy day. Iris stepped inside. Mathew was not here but she guessed that this was where he spent his days. Blocks of wood from shoebox size to steamer-trunk size lined one wall of the room, but what drew her attention were the figures on the work table in the center of the room.
Scattered among a variety of woodworking tools, Mathew’s creations stood and sat and reclined, beautifully rendered carved women, whose finishes caught the fading light and seemed to glow with a magical aura. Their tiny faces were perfect, their limbs graceful, their proportions utterly lifelike, and not a one had a stitch of clothing on. One of them was lying on her stomach with her legs bent up and crossed at the ankles and her chin propped on her hands. Another, a work in progress, sat with her legs curled up underneath her and a book open on her lap. She was gazing into the distance and the expression on her face looked dreamy and sad. Iris ran her finger down the figure’s back. The wood felt warm and alive. She bent down to look more closely at the unfinished hands holding the book. The completed fingers were so perfect and lifelike, she would not have been surprised to see a hangnail on one of the them.
“Do you like them?”
Iris straightened up so fast she got dizzy.
“That one’s a commission. For a book collector’s library.”
He moved out of the shadows of the doorway and crossed the room to stand next to Iris.
“Do you think her breasts are too pert?”
“Pert?” Iris repeated stupidly. She tried to look critically at the woman’s breasts. They were the kind of breasts Iris had always wanted—full but perky—probably a physical impossibility, at least past the age of twenty. Gravity would never allow it.
“They’re perfect,” Iris said, hoping fervently that she wasn’t blushing, or worse yet, gazing too enviously at the carved breasts.
“That’s what worries me,” Mathew said, rubbing his chin. “I don’t want them to be too perfect.”
“Maybe idealized would be a better word,” Iris suggested.
Mathew glanced at her.
Oh, God, please don’t look at my breasts. She resisted the temptation to cross her arms to hide them. Nobody would ever accuse Iris’ breasts of being perky. On good days she rather liked them but today gravity and a past-its-prime bra were doing nothing for them. She reminded herself to buy new bras as soon as she had money again.
“Anyway,” she said, trying to shake off the thought of breasts, “I should get going before it gets dark. I hate driving in the rain at night.”
“That actually won’t be a problem.”
“What do you mean?”
“I was just out in the barn and I walked a little way down the road with Daisy. You might make it out but you’ll probably just end up getting stuck in the mud if you try.” He gave her an apologetic smile. “I should have thought to check sooner but I got caught up,” he said with a glance at the half-carved statue.
“With the breasts. Understandable. So I’m stuck here?”
“It’ll save you driving back in the morning. I’ll bring you down another box from the attic before it gets dark so you can keep working.”
“That would be great.” Iris forced a smile. She supposed it might be a potentially very romantic situation—lonely woman, handsome recluse, dark stormy night. She glanced around the room at the carvings. Unfortunately she was not the right lonely woman for this particular handsome recluse. He was obviously interested in lithe, long legs and gravity-defying breasts. At least it would probably be better than another night shivering in her cold apartment.

Back Sunday – be good or be fast and have an alibi ready.

www.amarindajones.com
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Go ahead: Live with abandon. Be outrageous at any age. What are you saving your best self for?

Thursday, 9 October 2008

Atta’ girl Doreen…


Brisbane woman, Doreen, 65 took on 4 much younger, male car thieves when they intruded into her home. Click here for more. Doreen beat them – literally. Good for Doreen. I admire her for protecting what’s hers. No, I don’t recommend everyone does it. Would I? Hell yes. You make the mistake of coming into my house unannounced then you get what you deserve. But that’s me. Some people are more confident than others. Doreen certainly is. And it has nothing to do with age. I like that women are still strong and confident as they get older. Too often I read stories where women (and men) in their 60’s and 70’s or even 80’s are considered elderly. That term pisses me off. Why? Who is to judge who is elderly? I know 20 and 30 year olds who carry on like crotchety old hags who whine like they are at death’s door. But then they’re the sort that age badly. What is my point? We have to stop tagging people in certain categories based on perceptions. Just because you get older – you don’t get useless. There will always be the whiny exception but let them be just that. Don’t assume everyone is useless or past it because they have lived life.

I work with a 19 year old woman. I am 44. She often makes the mistake of trying to make me and others feel old. Stupid girl. She pays the price for her cutting remarks. She has learned much since tangling with me. I will not have her or anyone else treating her work mates as less because she has some skewed perception of age. Yeah, you’re right – she knows stuff all at 19. Who does? But I am teaching her not to underestimate any woman at any age as she will get a surprise. She has had a few with me and no doubt more are in store for her. Would I go back to being 19? Hell no. I am what I am and I like me.

Back to these dickheaded thieves. What sort of men are these? Real men do not steal. Real men have class and honor. Imagine being the mother or father of these creatures? How proud would you be? I’m glad Doreen taught ‘em a lesson. Probably the only one they have ever had. Atta’ girl Doreen.

Contest winners for Taking the Fall are – Michelle and Angela - thanks to all that entered. There will be another contest for Anyone but You released 22nd October through Ellora's Cave.

Micah Blue - review

This is a sexy romp that will make you laugh out loud. Micah is so much the classic woman in the fact that we are all afraid to fall in love and believe in the fairy tale. Ned is a wonderful hero determined that at the end of the day he will prevail. When these two come together it is one hot steamy scene after another and Ms. Jones keeps the reader hanging on just to see how it would end.
bookReviews/Micahblue.html

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Go ahead: Live with abandon. Be outrageous at any age. What are you saving your best self for?

Wednesday, 8 October 2008

errr.....

Knackered - utterly so...you know the feeling...so I will not blither on as per normal. I'll blither tomorrow. Remember there is a contest - scroll down to yesterday's blog with the answers....

The contest....

I am going to give away two copies of the Taking the Fall. As always those who belong to my newsletter – check here – are automatically entered into the normal monthly random prize draw (this month is Tim Tams) but as always feel free to enter. The prize now on the blog – two people win a copy of Taking the Fall.

The question – very, very hard as always – the two men Jontie falls is love with are special. What’s so special about them? As soon as you know email me at Amarinda_jones@yahoo.com.au with the answer. The first two correct answers randomly drawn will win. Entries close at midnight Wednesday 8th October (EST USA). Good luck.
*****************************************************

Halloween Special - this sounds good...check it out

Buy an autographed copy of THE LAST CELTIC WITCH, THE CELTIC WITCH & THE SOCERER and HEART OF A WARLOCK (new!) and receive a witch’s broom pen, candle, CD and loads of other goodies wrapped especially for Halloween.

The Celtic witch series is a historical, paranormal romance with erotic elements. With romance, intrigue, lust, betrayal, it follows the enchanted lives of witches, warlocks, and one sexy sorcerer. (Warning: These books are very HOT)

“As charming and magical as Celtic legend itself, a truly enjoyable read and wonderful debut!”
-Heather Graham, NY Times Bestselling Author.

“
I found it refreshing, exciting, breathtaking, and a light read which I really enjoyed. Buy, borrow, check out a copy, cozy up on a couch, or in bed, and enjoy it. You’re in for a treat!!” 5 STARS *****
-Sagekatt, Pagan Pages Magazine

For more links to ebooks and Lyn Armstrong's latest novels, click here or go to
www.myspace.com/readlynarmstrong or www.LynArmstrong.com

The Last Celtic Witch $12.99 + p/hThe Celtic Witch & the Sorcerer $12.99 + p/hHeart of a Warlock $12.99 + p/h Two books of your choice + free goodies $25.98 + p/hThree complete Celtic series books + free goodies $38.97 + p/h To purchase, use email: lynettearmstrong@hotmail.com via paypal or email Lyn on the same address.

www.amarindajones.com
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Go ahead: Live with abandon. Be outrageous at any age. What are you saving your best self for?

Tuesday, 7 October 2008

Taking the Fall....

Taking the Fall is released today at Resplendence Publishing. Let the pigeons loose!
What’s it about? Ménage romance with heaven and hell…

The blurb…

Jontie Rhodes holds the fate of the future in her hands. The only problem is she doesn't know it. When she attends a friend’s wedding she has one thought in mind. She needs a man. It has been so long since anyone has touched her in passion.

Two men want Jontie. An angel and a demon both know she has a decision to make that can affect the lives of many. They each have a plan to subtly watch her and influence her to suit their own purposes. However what starts out as manipulation soon turns into love.

Jontie is caught between heaven and hell and she is enjoying every hot, sexy moment of it.

The Excerpt…

At the Kline-Pakowski wedding, two men stood watching the one woman. Their eyes were fixed on the curvaceous, slightly tipsy brunette who danced and laughed with the other guests.
“You cannot have her,” the dark man said as he came to stand beside the other whose gaze never left the lady in question.
“What is it you want, angel?” The tall man with the ash blond ponytail spared him a glance, not surprised to see him.
“She is not for you, James.” The angel’s tone was most adamant. “You are a demon. She is too pure for you.”
“It is not for you to tell me anything, Saint Gilbert of the anally righteous. We both know I am beyond your limited powers. If I want her, I will have her.”
Gilbert’s hands curled into fists. “You cannot always take what you want.”
“And yet you are here for the same reason.” James assessed him with cynical amusement. “You plan to manipulate her as well. You are no better than me, angel.”
“I do not have to justify myself to you, hell hound.”
James threw back his head and laughed. “Is that the best you can do? I have been called much worse.” His eyes locked again on the woman. “She is fascinating isn’t she?”
“Yes, most beautiful.” Gilbert swallowed hard, trying to focus on maintaining control.
James reached out and snagged a glass of white wine from a waiter passing by. “And she does not have a clue of her destiny.”
“I cannot allow you to use that against her.”
“Must you angels always assume those from hell are after something?”
“Historical evidence proves that your brethren only want what is best for themselves.”
“As do you holier-than-thou types.” James downed the contents of his glass in two long swallows. “You cannot tell me that who she is does not interest you, Saint Gilbert.” He reached over and grabbed two more glasses, offering one to the angel at his side.
Gilbert declined his offer. “She is the reason I am here.”
“You knew I was coming for her.”
“Yes.” That was a fact, and they both knew it. They were enemies who would do whatever they had to in order to get their own way.
“So do we allow her to save him or not?” James downed his second glass.

The follow on book to this – The Fall Girl - Tosh’s story - is due out in January.

Okay – yes – you are right. I am going to give away a copy of the book. Am I predicable or what? Okay then – I’ll give away two instead. As always those who belong to my newsletter – check here – are automatically entered into the normal monthly random prize draw (this month is Tim Tams) but as always feel free to enter. The prize now on the blog – two people win a copy of Taking the Fall.
The question – very, very hard as always – the two men Jontie falls is love with are special. What’s so special about them? As soon as you know email me at Amarinda_jones@yahoo.com.au with the answer. The first two correct answers randomly drawn will win. Entries close at midnight Wednesday 8th October (EST USA). Good luck.

I just came back from having my hair done. I went for intense red and vivid purple foils(streaks). Why? Why not? Not much to tell you. I am being very goodly at the moment and not eating crap or drinking plonk – as much as I want to – because I can’t. Well I can but I would be very pukeable afterwards. But all will be right in my world when they suck my gallbladder out through my belly button on October 24th. I know – I thought the surgeon was taking the piss – er, pulling my leg (American translation) too. But I saw the pictures and that’s what they do. I have asked them while they’re there to feel free to suck and tuck. I have also made a sacred wow. Come October 31st I will go back to my evil ways.
I can hardly wait. Being good sucks.

www.amarindajones.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AmarindaJonesNewsletter/
Go ahead: Live with abandon. Be outrageous at any age. What are you saving your best self for?

Monday, 6 October 2008

About time…

"It's about representing people of all different sizes and all different looks and ensuring people know that it's OK not to (be skinny)," she said.
Under the code, magazines and advertisements would be forced to disclose whether a model's image had been digitally enhanced.
"We know so often that when we see images that people are aspiring to look like, they have been altered and enhanced," she said.
"We need to have a transparent system where people realise the models in those pictures don't look like that themselves and disclosing when there's been altered or enhanced images."


Click here for more.

Australia is looking at introducing a code of conduct when it comes to the portrayal of women in magazines. What does that mean? Basically they are trying to rid the perception that to be thin is to be beautiful. I think we all know that is a load of crap. We also know that most magazine photographs are air brushed to make someone look thinner or less wrinkled or in some cases endow them with was more cleavage. I have never understood this. Yes, I suppose you could say that these magazines are selling dreams of what people aspire to be. You could say that and I would have to vehemently disagree with you. They are selling false reality to the insecure and making money from it. Wankers. I have always believed that no one should measure themselves against another let alone the media’s perception of beauty. That is just wrong and in some cases tragic. If thats the dream then I would rather snore my way through it.

I refuse to be bullied into thinking that I may be so flawed that I must use the new wonder cream – Tibetan Yak Spit – or that to look beautiful in the eyes of the man I love that I must be impossibly thin. Am I flawed? You betcha I am and everyone else on the planet is as well – hence the air brushing of pictures. I hope this code of conduct works. I hope the next generation of women grow up not to worry about having to fit some insane, unrealistic perception of beauty. Do I think this code will work? No. Because there will always be some influential dickhead out there willing to work around the code and trade on weakness. How do we stop people like this other than using a cattle prod? By refusing to fall for the crap they espouse, by judging someone by the look in their eye and the strength of their words and by telling these dipsticks that their thoughts are ugly and there is not enough cream or air brushing in the work to fix that.
www.amarindajones.com
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Go ahead: Live with abandon. Be outrageous at any age. What are you saving your best self for?

Sunday, 5 October 2008

I don’t understand…..

…if babies are deemed in some quarters to be forbidden in romance/erotic romance how come books about the handsome, rich, playboy doctor getting the beautiful, impoverished, angel of mercy nurse preggers sell? In fact – they have always sold which is odd when you think how women have evolved with the times. And tell me why is it the surgeon is always a man and the nurse has to be the woman? Why isn’t it the other way around? Don’t get me wrong – these novels are very well written and they have a huge audience. I just wonder why we still have this need to show men as the dominate ones in a relationship – that they have the power and the woman just ends up pregnant, has the baby in secret until he finds out – or he knows she is preggers and demands she marry him. Yes, very honourable but does that really happen?

And you are absolutely right vampires, demons and the like also don’t necessarily exist – added to that....I have completely lost the point of my blog…and that was…er…yes – how come these I-shagged-the-heart-surgeon-head-slap-why-did-I-not-use-a-condom-because-he-could-have-been-with-anyone-and-now-I-will-nobly-go-off-and-have-the-baby-alone -until-he finds-me-and-we-marry-stories sell so well when romance writers are told not to write babies in or to write them out? Why am I rambling about this? Well, firstly because I can but secondly I got this magazine from an association I will not be associating myself with any more – but hey, it was a tax deduction – and they had all these new releases listed – all preggers inspired romance. ‘Seems rather conflicting to me if babies supposedly do not sell. Also – why in god’s name are the hospital staff not using some sort of contraceptive or are babies romantic?….
I don’t understand…

NB…I am worried about the man’s hands in the comic cover above. I think his idea of to have and to hold would get him 20 to life in prison.

I believe that the moment is near when by a procedure of active paranoiac thought, it will be possible to systematize confusion and contribute to the total discrediting of the world of reality – Salvador Dali.

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Go ahead: Live with abandon. Be outrageous at any age. What are you saving your best self

Saturday, 4 October 2008

As night falls…

…in old Brizzie town, I just sent off my latest work to my editor. There is a great satisfaction in doing this. Why? Because it’s done and I can stop thinking about things my vampires would do and not do. But like anyone – writer or not – it’s good to have accomplished something and to be able to move on. Will I get a contract? Who knows? It’s a game of wait and see and no writer should ever expect one. That’s crazy talk man. I believe if you think you will always get a contract then you’re going to fall on your arse one day when you don’t.

Writer rule number one – have a thick skin.
Writer rule number two – expect nothing.
Writer rule number three – keep cellulite on arse to soften falls.

Whew – lucky rule number three is easy for me.


So, now I leave you with a brand new release from hot, new Ellora’s Cave author Kit Catlyn. The book – When Night Falls. Doesn’t that just conquer up all sorts of delicious images? It’s about a shapeshifter. Now, I have read this book. What I love about it is its so soulful and romantic while providing a heat that makes you gasp at the intensity and sigh with the passion of the characters. Not many books can do that but Kit Catlyn has achieved that. I didn’t regret buying it and neither will you. So click on the cover and enjoy.

When Night Falls by Kit Catlyn – out now at Ellora’s Cave.

The blurb…

A virile stranger strides into Taylor Cautrell's dreams and makes passionate love to her. Shortly after the dreams begin, Taylor rescues an injured wolf. The erotic dreams increase in intensity. The black wolf lies at her hearth during the day but disappears at night. Taylor doesn't believe in shapeshifters, but she's beginning to wonder if her black-haired, nighttime lover is a wolf. With each passing day, her passion for her wolf and for her nocturnal lover grows.
But Taylor's life is about to be shattered when she is stalked by the most deadly predator of all — man.

The excerpt…

Last night the dream came again, more haunting, more intense than any of its predecessors.
Her lover came to her. His eyes glittered gold, his hair black and luxuriant fell to his shoulders. He drew her nightshirt over her head, tossed it to the floor then took her hand. Together, they walked to a place deep in the forest.
Instead of the snows of winter, the warm scents of summer filled her nostrils. Wolves, with eyes that glittered amber like her lover’s, circled the two of them. The predators sat on their haunches, their tongues hanging out the sides of their mouths watching.
His cool thin lips closed over hers and instantly warmed. His tongue teased the deep wet cavern of her mouth. Her breath caught in her throat and her body arched against his.
Her fingers trailed down his lean, muscled body, feeling each rib and hard ab then lowered to circle the throbbing flesh pressed against her stomach. She marveled at the velvet texture of his cock as it quivered and jumped in her hands.
With a low growl, he tore his lips from hers, nipping kisses down to her small firm breast. Her arms fell limp to her sides as she dangled, boneless over his arm, her hair hanging down behind her. She gasped with pleasure as his moist tongue circled her nipple then his lips suctioned it into his mouth.
Her stomach muscles jumped as his hand slid down her stomach and cupped the soft wet mound between her legs. Bending on one knee, he lowered her to the ground.
She shifted, restless, as an occasional pine needle bit into her back. Her core throbbed with desire. She stared up into those strange glittering eyes. He held her gaze as he plunged into her. His engorged shaft moved in and out of her wet center, driving deeper and deeper in a rhythmic motion ’til the stars burst in the heavens and the wolves howled in unison to her cry of release.

….and it gets even better from there….


For the happiest life, rigorously plan your days, leave your nights open to chance. ~Mignon McLaughlin, The Second Neurotic's Notebook, 1966

www.amarindajones.com
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Go ahead: Live with abandon. Be outrageous at any age. What are you saving your best self for?