Celebrate Romance

Join me at the Celebrate Romance Conference in Portland, Oregon.

When: February 27th - March 1st
http://www.crspring.com/

Celebrate Romance (a.k.a. "CR") is a unique conference where romance readers and authors come together as equals to celebrate their love for the romance genre. Unlike many other conferences, this gathering has no other agenda but to support readers and their passion for romance novels.

CR keeps registration fees as low as possible. The event is run entirely by volunteers and is not designed to make a profit. Because of this, all attendees pay the same registration fee and participate in the same events. Whether this will be your first CR or your sixth, every penny spent is more than worth the memories you leave with.

Attending Authors:

Cathy Maxwell
Jane Porter
Rosemary Laurey aka Madeleine oh aka Georgia Evans
Isabo Kelly
Carolan Ivey
Judith Laik
Jacquie Rogers
Delilah Marvelle
Terry McLaughlin
Jenna Bayley-Burke
Delle Jacobs
Elizabeth Boyle
Lisa Hendrix
Lacy Danes
Jennie Lucas

Dreams & Desires 3

This is the third volume and I've had a story in each. All proceeds of this volume will go to St. Bernard's Battered Women's Shelter in New Orleans, just rebuilt this past year from Katrina. (The proceeds from the first edition go to a shelter in Florida, and from the second edition to a shelter in Los Angeles.)You can by the ebook directly from Freya's Bower or the print version from Amazon

DREAMS & DESIRES 3 features stories from (in alphabetical order of last name): Shobhan Bantwal, Marci Baun, Jenna Bayley-Burke, Mychael Black, Amanda Brice, M.E. Eillis, Gemma Halliday, Candace Havens, Babe King, Bonnie Kinsey, Adelle Laudan, Susan Lyons, Debbie Mumford, Kari Lee Townsend, Lois Winston, and Barbara Witek, with a foreword by Carol Anne Davis.

Free Books!

Harlequin is celebrating it’s 60th year with an amazing give-away. 16 books!

Go ahead, go and get your free books.

Here are the stories:

Harlequin American Romance, Once a Cowboy by Linda Warren

Harlequin Blaze, Slow Hands by Leslie Kelly

Harlequin Historical, His Lady Mistress by Elizabeth Rolls

Harlequin Intrigue, Crime Scene at Cardwell Ranch by B.J. Daniels

Harlequin Presents, Price of Passion by Susan Napier

Harlequin Romance, The Bride’s Baby by Liz Fielding

Harlequin Superromance, Snowbound by Janice Kay Johnson
Silhouette Desire, Baby Bonanza by Maureen Child

Silhouette Nocturne, Kiss Me Deadly by Michele Hauf

Silhouette Romantic Suspense, Stranded with a Spy by Merline Lovelace

Silhouette Special Edition, Dancing in the Moonlight by Raeanne Thayne
Love Inspired, A Very Special Delivery by Linda Goodnight

Love Inspired Historical, Homespun Bride by Jillian Hart

Love Inspired Suspense, Hide in Plain Sight by Marta Perry
Kimani Romance, Irresistible Forces by Brenda Jackson
Nascar, Speed Dating by Nancy Warren
And then just to put in a little plug of my own, simply because Ilove the community, Harlequin has a forum open to anyone. It a friendlyplace to hang out and meet other people who love to read. Stop on by!
Happy reading Everyone!

How Smart Are You?

The Tools Of Change (TOC) For Publishing conference wants to know...

Go ahead, tell them ::

"Smart Women Read eBooks"

Not sure what it means...

But it's the year of the ox.

Around here Chinese New Year means Potstickers. I'll try to get the kiddos to wear red...maybe make something with long noodles...wish we had some fireworks!

10th Annual Yoga Day

everyone...assume a position!

Thursday 13

THIRTEEN FUNNY PICS...WHICH ONE IS YOUR FAVORITE?

Sad News

Please join me in remembering a great icon of the community. The Pillsbury Doughboy died yesterday of a yeast infection and trauma complications from repeated pokes in the belly. He was 71.

Doughboy was buried in a lightly greased coffin. Dozens of celebrities turned out to pay their respects, including Mrs. Butterworth, Hungry Jack, the California Raisins, Betty Crocker, the Hostess Twinkies, and Captain Crunch. The grave site was piled high with flours.

Aunt Jemima delivered the eulogy and lovingly described Doughboy as a man who never knew how much he was kneaded. Doughboy rose quickly in show business, but his later life was filled with turnovers. He was not considered a very smart cookie, wasting much of his dough on half baked schemes. Despite being a little flaky at times, he still was a crusty old man and was considered a positive roll model for millions.

Doughboy is survived by his wife Play Dough, three children: John Dough, Jane Dough and Dosey Dough, plus they had one in the oven. He is also survived by his elderly father, Pop Tart.

The funeral was held at 3:50 for about 20 minutes.

Pink Heart Society

I'm at the PHS today...talking about my HBO obsession...

Charity Auction

Jan 19-26th

http://www.romanticinks.com/

Katy is a sixteen year old avid reader and aspiring author and illustrator who has won local awards for her artwork. Just before Christmas, Katy and her mother became homeless. They were evicted from their apartment and have been living in hotel rooms (when they've been lucky) or their car (when they've not been so lucky) since then. Katy has been blogging about life on the streets, and you can read all about how this incredibly sweet mother and daughter ended up in this situation here:

http://destinationanywherebuthere.blogspot.com/

As Katy states on her blog, "Homelessness has many faces. And sometimes it happens to have a computer." Both Katy and her mother seem to hav every positive outlooks, but it's clear they're in some real trouble.That's where this auction comes in. All proceeds will go toward helping Katy and her mother get back on their feet. This is a pair that are actively looking for ways to improve their situation, and just need a little push to help them get there. So, please bid generously and know that you're doing a wonderful thing to help two wonderful people.

It's Covered!

We've nailed down the edits, cover, and blurb for Compromising Positions!

“Compromising Positions” by Jenna Bayley-Burke
Genre: Contemporary Romance
ISBN: 978-1-60504-477-4

Length: Novel

Price: 5.50

Publication Date: March 24, 2009

Cover art by Scott Carpenter

Falling in love is the last thing on his busy agenda…but compromising positions can lead just about anywhere.

David Strong knows how to do a lot of things—run an international fitness company, finesse stock portfolios and stay out of emotional entanglements. That is, until he gets tangled up with Sophie Delfino and her Sensational Sex workout. He’s supposed to help her demonstrate Kama Sutra positions for her couples’ yoga class. The rigorous postures require more than just physical

control. And his co-instructor unexpectedly tests his control to the limit.

Sophie’s been fantasizing about David since her teens, but she never dreamed she’d actually be expected to run through her intimate desires—with an audience! The class is very professional, tame even—or it would be, if she’d been in any of the positions before. But she hasn’t—except in her wildest fantasies about David. Sophie knows she wants David in every way, and she’s flexible enough to use whatever she has to to get him.

David can’t afford any unexpected distractions. Besides the sensual positions he has to endure without embarrassing himself in public, there’s an embezzler stealing from his company. And then there’s Sophie—who is well on her way to stealing his well-guarded heart.

Warning: This is one exercise program you won’t need to consult your doctor before beginning…unless he’s hot and available for house calls. The Kama Sutra isn’t for the prudish or faint of heart, and neither is this story.

Making It Right...

For those of you who may not know, many authors were disqualified from the RITAs this year due to the phrase "mass-produced" being slippedinto the rules. That small phrase effectively eliminates all those whoare epubbed, but have a print book. There are other inequities in RWA that have yet to be addressed as well. Until now.

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/ChangeRWA/index.html

A good friend of mine, Kristen Painter (founder of Romance Divas and GH finalist in '05 & '07), has created the above petition in the hopes of changing these inequities for the better. She intends to present this petition and the garnered signatures at the general meeting in DC this year.

Go, sign, and then tell every writer/author you know. Pass it on to your friends, your other writing groups, your chapters, who ever you know that might be interested in seeing these changes occur.

Smooch of the Day

Her Cinderella Complex is the Smooch of the Day at eCataRomance today :)

...I used a part of the pool scene...

Funny Things Happen When You Google...

I found this review for For Kicks...it's nearly a year old and I'd never seen it! And...it's the best one it got, IMHO.

Opposites attract and it is fireworks from the moment they meet. Author Jenna Bayley-Burke has penned a fun look at love coming at you when you have other plans. - eCataRomance

**and then I found this one ::

The phone sex scene was one of the better ones I’ve read in a long time. - Cocktail Reviews

I love, love, love that scene. Had to tone it a bit in the edit, so I'm glad it still plays well :)

Check Me Out

...I'm blogging at The Pink Heart Society today about things writing has taught me.

While Surfing...

I was blog hopping and saw this quote that Marianne Arkins found ::

Nothing is so fatiguing as the eternal hanging on of an uncompleted task. ~William James

WOW. I can completely relate to this. Must finish the edits of Compromising Positions, TODAY!

Plus...she had this funny bit, which makes her my new bff. (I highlighted the two I've already managed to work into conversation today! ::

Once again, The Washington Post has published the winning submissions to
its yearly neologism contest, in which readers are asked to supply alternative
meanings for common words.

The winners are:

1. Coffee (n.), the person upon whom one coughs.

2. Flabbergasted (adj.), appalled over how much weight you have gained.

3 . Abdicate (v.), to give up all hope of ever having a flat stomach.

4. Esplanade (v.), to attempt an explanation while drunk.

5. Willy-nilly (adj.), impotent.

6. Negligent (adj.), describes a condition in which you absentmindedly answer the door in your nightgown.

7. Lymph (v.), to walk with a lisp.

8. Gargoyle (n), olive-flavored mouthwash.

9. Flatulence (n.) emergency vehicle that picks you up after you are run over by a steamroller.

10. Balderdash (n.), a rapidly receding hairline.

11. Testicle (n.), a humorous question on an exam.

12. Rectitude (n.), the formal, dignified bearing adopted by proctologists.

13. Pokemon (n), a Rastafarian proctologist.

14. Oyster (n.), a person who sprinkles his conversation with Yiddishisms.

15. Frisbeetarianism (n.), (back by popular demand): The belief that, when you die, your soul flies up onto the roof and gets stuck there.

16. Circumvent (n.), an opening in the front of boxer shorts worn by Jewish men.

January Events

2009 WIM Conference

http://www.cobblestone-mainstreet.com/ in the forums

Theme: Paranormal, Science Fiction, and Urban Fantasy Romance

January 9th, 10th, and 11th



Everything You Ever Needed to Know About Epublishing (and some things you didn’t know you should know)

by Angela James

Romance Divas Forums - Divas Workshops

January 13-15th



Why doesn’t epublishing offer advances? What are some of the pros and cons of publishing my manuscript via epublishing? How do I research publishers? Can I really make money in epublishing? What exactly is POD? Can you give me a snappy comeback for people who say that epublishing isn’t real publishing?



Epublishing has evolved and grown, especially in the last 5 years, but with growth comes pitfalls and problems, and trusting an epublisher with your baby might seem like a risky proposition. We’ll cover the basics of epublishing, from choosing an epublisher and contract details to methods of ebook and print distribution to reasons why you might not want to epublish your manuscript.



Bio:In 2005, Angela James joined Samhain Publishing, Ltd, a small press company focusing on digital publishing, as its executive editor, where she has played an instrumental role in building the company from the ground up. In her executive position at Samhain, Angela is responsible for managing the publisher’s editorial services division. Her responsibilities include the management of editorial staff, quality oversight, networking and marketing efforts at regional, national and international writing conferences to promote the electronic publishing industry as well as Samhain.



In addition to her administrative duties, Angela continues to edit more than 50 authors including national bestselling authors Lucy Monroe, Lilith Saintcrow and Deidre Knight.

JANUARY 16th and 17th, 2009

Come participate in a Romance Divas workshop with an in depth look at the way successful Erotic authors have created a story that's not only HOT but also meaningful. This workshop will be held in the Diva's Secrets Steamy section which requires special permission. Please contact an administrator HERE when you have created an account.

There are no requirements other than your statement that you are over 18. This is for readers and authors alike so come and join us.

JaNoWriMo

I have to do something. HubbaBubba took a week off and I didn't write a thing. Did get some research knocked out, and learned how to ski jump on the Wii, but no words on the page. So...I'm working on a JaNoWriMo until i hear back from the editor...and hoping the edits on Compromising Positions and Starting Over aren't too extensive!

Mission Accomplished :: 2008

released -
Dreams & Desires: A Collection of Romance Tales, Vol. 2
Her Cinderella Complex
For Kicks
Par For The Course
The Pocket Diet & Recipe Book: Perfect Portion Control That Works!

contracted -
short to New Love Stories Magazine : Culinary Magic
short to Dreams & Desires 3 anthology : Perfect Stranger
short to Phaze : Starting Over
novel to Samhain : Compromising Positions

submitted -
5 short stories
3 novels
3 partials

written -
1 novel
3 partials
1 short story

~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
OK...so I had a baby this year. I'm milking that excuse for all it's worth, since I didn't seem to write much, and as a writer, that's what I'm supposed to do. Next year I'll write much more.

Goals for 2009

>write and contract 3 category romances -- One Last Fling, The Marriage Promise, First Impressions
>write and contract 2 ST romances -- Driven To Distraction, If You Say So
>write 2 novellas
>write 3 short stories

Plan for 2009
JANUARY
finish drafting The Marriage Promise
edits of Compromising Positions (Samhain)
get thoughts and begin writing One Last Fling
edits of Starting Over (Phaze)
Alicia Rasley workshop at RCRW

FEBRUARY
revisions of The Marriage Promise
finish One Last Fling
submit If You Say So (Samhain)
Celebrate Romance conference

MARCH
Compromising Positions - ebook pimpage
RCRW elections
revions of One Last Fling
write short story