Telling Stories

Her Christmas Prince Now Available

2006-12-09T13:00:00.000-08:00

Looking for a hot Christmas read to take you away from the holiday hustle and bustle?

Then check my book out! You can purchase it for the cost of a latte at Silk's Vault.

Yay!

2006-12-15T07:47:00.000-08:00

It's out later today at Cobblestone Press.

Lily the Christmas fairy must teach a lonely doctor how to love again, so she makes him fall in love with her. Big mistake since she always leaves earth the day after Christmas. But how can she leave the sweet, sexy doctor when she’s fallen in love with him, too?

If you're looking for a sweet, funny and sexy holiday story to help you forget all of the holiday chaos this weekend, then this is it. So buy it! I'm beggin' ya! lol

While you're over at Cobblestone, check out the other holiday releases coming out today by Emma Petersen and Jennifer McKenzie.

Merry Freakin' Christmas!

2006-12-19T09:20:00.000-08:00

Oh my - look at this! I found him on Anne Rainey's website.

Isn't he hunkalicious? Merry Freakin' Christmas to us!

If you go to Anne's website, visit the photos page. There's a whole lotta man flesh there.

I'm Naughty

2007-01-09T16:20:00.000-08:00

Heh, you thought it would be something cool, right? Like I did something wicked and just so perverse I had to declare to the world that I'm naughty.

Sorry to disappoint, I'm just a naughty blogger. Can't seem to blog, don't know what to blog about. Just super busy writing my little life away, or cleaning house, or chasing children, or doing laundry.

How boooooring.

But that's okay. The writing is coming along so great, I'm feeling good! I hope this writing sprint lingers for a while. I need it!

So in the meanwhile, here's a naughty pic just for all of you. Maybe it'll give you a flash of inspiration...

Man Nipple

2007-01-11T14:09:00.000-08:00

You know I've lost my mind when I blog about man nipples. But I saw this pic when I was surfing for sexy pics (yeah, yeah, procrastinating, I know) and my first thought was, "Whoa, check out that man nipple!"

My second thought was, "Hey, I like her bra!"

See? I've lost my mind.

Just Call Me a Hermit

2007-01-13T08:53:00.000-08:00

See that little guy? I feel like him right now - I've turned into a complete hermit.

All I want to do is stay home. Even taking a jaunt to my favorite spot in the whole wide world (Target anyone?) doesn't appeal. What's wrong with me?

I get this way sometimes. Don't want to deal with people, don't want to deal with taking the kids with me (a complete nightmare), don't want to deal with traffic. Just let me stay home with my kids and my cats and my internet and I'm fine, thank you very much.

I also believe this has something to do with Christmas after effects. All that shopping, all that running around wore me out, made me sick of it. I went to the grocery store yesterday - it was HELL. I told my oldest, "I just wanna go home!" I sounded like a little kid.

But I did find some super cool Valentine's coffee mugs at Starbucks (I have so many gift cards for there it's ridiculous) so that was good. Of course, our pipes are frozen and I don't have any water to make coffee so...waaaah.

I'm Flirtin'!

2007-01-18T21:17:00.000-08:00

It's a flirtin' Friday kind of day. I'm talking about organizing my life. Exciting stuff.

For your enjoyment, a very sexy picture...

My Weekend

2007-01-22T07:47:00.000-08:00

So as part of my new swear to get organized mantra, I bought a desk Saturday at Target and put it together all by myself. It's actually a modular desk. You buy separate cubes, a desk top and then you link it together. It looks great! Now I need to switch over all my stuff.

This is strictly my writing desk, all business. No one will be allowed to touch it. So there!

In other great news, I got my first review for Fairies & Wishes from Jennifer at CK2S Kwips and Kritiques - 4.5 Klovers! Here's my favorite part:

Fairies & Wishes by Karen Erickson is an absolutely delightful romantic tale! Although billed as a Christmas story, it can be enjoyed any time of the year, as far as I am concerned. Erickson spins a whimsical story of love and wishes come true that could not be more magical if she had sprinkled it with Fairy Dust!

Oh, yeah, I liked this part too -

Once I finished Fairies & Wishes, I went to look for more of Karen Erickson’s work. If her other stories are as entertaining as this one, she will soon be on my auto-buy list!

This review totally made my Sunday! You can read the rest of it here.

Passionate Ink Contest and Marky Mark!

2007-01-23T09:39:00.000-08:00

Before I let you guys know about the Passionate Ink contest (which is a fantastic contest. The lovely Ms Shelli Stevens won last year and the lovely Ms Robin Rotham placed in it too) I just had to shout from the rooftops that freaking Marky Mark has been NOMINATED FOR AN OSCAR.

I love it.

Mark how I love thee. Let me count the ways.

Erotic romance contest for pubbed/unpubbed

Stroke of Midnight
Sponsored by: Passionate Ink Chapter of RWA
Entry fee$15 PI members/$25 Non-PI members
Deadline: February 3rd, 2007

Make the first 35 pages of your novel so compelling that an editor has to have more!

Five Sizzling Finalists in Four Categories:

Contemporary - novels with erotic elements that focus on the developing romantic relationship in a contemporary setting. Includes series and single-title length romances. Can also include elements of romantic suspense/intrigue.

Historical- novels with erotic elements that focus on the developingromantic relationship in a historical setting.

Futuristic/Fantasy/Sci-fi - novels with erotic elements that focus on the developing romantic relationship in any setting in the future, an alternate world/reality, or another planet. Includes elements such as elves/faerie, sword and sorcery, aliens, etc.

Paranormal/Time Travel - novels with erotic elements that focus on the developing romantic relationship in any setting that includes elements of time travel, angels, vampires, werewolves or other paranormal themes.

All entries must be at least 25,000 words in their completed form. No novellas accepted.

Judging and Prizes:

The top five finalists in each category will be ranked by the following industry professionals:

Contemporary: Sulay Hernandez, Kensington Historical: Allison Brandau, Berkley Futuristic/Fantasy/Sci-fi: Raelene Gorlinsky, Ellora’s Cave Paranormal/Time Travel: Rose Hilliard, St. Martin’s Press

Rules for Entry Eligibility:

Contest is open to all authors with unpublished, uncontracted full-length erotic romance manuscripts (at least 25,000 words) in the category they wish to enter.

Entry Deadline and Mailing:

February 3, 2007.

Email questions to Marie at strokeofmidnight @ passionateink.org. (without spaces)Enter online via the Online Stroke of Midnight Entry Form.
For more information please visit the Passionate Ink Webiste.
Web site: http://www.passionateink.org

Passionate Plume
Sponsored by: Passionate Ink Chapter of RWA
Entry fee$15 PI members/$25 Non-PI members
Deadline: February 3rd, 2007

The only published, all erotic romance award in RWA!

Five Sizzling Finalists in Five Categories:: Contemporary - novels with erotic elements that focus on the developing romantic relationship in a contemporary setting. Includes series and single-title length romances. Can also include elements of romantic suspense/intrigue.

Historical- Historical - novels with erotic elements that focus on the developing romantic relationship in a historical setting.

Futuristic/Fantasy/Sci-fi - novels with erotic elements that focus on the developing romantic relationship in any setting in the future, an alternate world/reality, or another planet. Includes elements such as elves/faerie, sword and sorcery, aliens, etc.

Paranormal/Time Travel - novels with erotic elements that focus on the developing romantic relationship in any setting that includes elements of time travel, angels, vampires, werewolves or other paranormal themes.

Novellas - novellas of 25,000 words or less with erotic elements that focus on the developing romantic relationship in any setting. All novels entered must be at least 25,000 words in length. Novellas are considered 12,000 to 25,000 words. All entries must be at least 25,000 words in their completed form. No novellas accepted.

Judging and Prizes:

Five finalists will be judged by multi-published authors and reviewers. The decisions of judges are final.

Email questions to Karen at Passionateplume @ passionateink. org.(without spaces)

Entries must be received by February 3rd, 2007.

For more information please visit the Passionate Ink Website.
Web site: http://www.passionateink.org

His Valentine

2007-01-24T10:23:00.000-08:00

Check out my cover for my book His Valentine which comes out February 10th at Silk's Vault Publishing.

Pretty sex-ay, don't you think?

I'm Sick

2007-01-30T10:15:00.000-08:00

And I feel like crap. This has hit me really hard and all I can think about as I sit here and write this post is how I want to go back to bed. So I think I'm gonna.

The entire house is sick so it's a wonderful place to be. Help!

Tomorrow or Thursday I'll share my cover for So Lucky, a book coming out in March. It's hawt. Super hawt. Hee hee.

Word Flirting Today

2007-02-02T10:45:00.000-08:00

I'm over at the Word Flirts blog talking about taking a break. Don't we all need a break?

Looks like this couple is going to take a niiiiiice break.

Four Years Ago Today...

2007-02-08T16:20:00.000-08:00

My baby girl was born. Right around the time I'm posting this, too. She tortured me all day long with labor, the naughty girl.

It's hard for me to believe that much time has passed. I haven't worked a full time job in four years! Unbelievable! My life has changed so much since that day. But it's a day I'll never forget.

Happy Fourth Birthday Baby Girl!

His Valentine Now Available!

2007-02-10T15:02:00.000-08:00

It's out - it's available! My Valentine's Day themed book His Valentine. Here's the blurb --

Valentine Harris is in love. The only problem is, Gavin Kingston has been her best friend since they were teenagers. No way can she tell him how she feels! It’ll ruin their friendship, and she’ll lose him for sure. Now they’re both reeling from recent breakups, so there can’t be any harm in a friendly dinner together on Valentine’s Day—can there?

You can purchase it here.

Please...

2007-02-16T07:47:00.000-08:00

Visit me at the Word Flirts today.

I'm talking about sex bay-bee.

Oh, and p.s. - You guys figured it out - they are Colby and Jack.

Oh the Madness

2007-03-12T08:21:00.000-07:00

So we had Daylight Savings Time start here on the worst possible day. My husband had to fly out for business, and had to leave the house at 4:15 in the morning. Which technically since the time changed is really 3:15. Arggggghhhh....

Luckily enough I didn't have to drive him all the way to the airport, which would've entailed dragging the children out of bed, etc. Not fun. I only had to drive him to the top of our road where he was picked up by a coworker who drove him to the airport.

Of course, I came home and was wide awake. So I read until six and finally fell asleep until the kids woke me up at eight. Which technically was really seven but you know what I mean.

Don't you hate it when the time changes? I wish I lived in Arizona - they don't do that crap. Oh wait, neither does Hawaii - I wished I lived in Hawaii. A few years ago I was there when Daylight Savings Time ended but it didn't matter. How cool is that?

Sigh - yet another reason to add to my long list as to why I should live in Hawaii.

If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

Do You Trust Your Characters?

2007-03-14T07:47:00.000-07:00

So I'm taking this workshop on voice at Access Romance, which the wonderful Sasha White is instructing. I'm totally stealing this from her week three topic which is about trusting your characters.

Whether you're a plotter or a pantster, have you ever been writing furiously and your characters do something totally unexpected? Something that made you sit back and go, "Whoa, where did that come from?" Have you just went with it, allowing them in a sense to take you where they want to go (trusting them) or have you deleted it, feeling like it's the wrong direction?

I've done both. I'm a total pantster - I don't plot much because I feel it stifles my creativity. Now, if I'm mid-point in a story and not sure which way to go next I will sit down with a notebook and pen (that's what works best for me) and write it out. Wait a minute I'm going off topic...

Anywho, I've had characters do or say something totally unexpected and I'm off. Off in another direction that's so exciting I can barely stand it. The story ended up being completely different than what I "sorta" planned but that's okay. It works. I listened to my characters, trusted them and let them show me what they wanted.

I've also had my characters get it wrong - at least to me. I've listened to them, went off in their preferred direction and realized halfway through I'm writing complete crap. As painful as we all know it is, I hit the delete button, got rid of the drivel they told me was perfect and started fresh.

Sometimes there's trusting your characters and then there's letting your characters run all over you.

I've also not listened to my characters, wrote what I wanted to write and realized that it was total crap too. Should've listened to them, I guess.

I sound like an out of control psycho who lets the "voices in her head" tell her how to write and I guess that's kinda true. But I have a feeling my fellow writers will understand.

Oh, man, I hope so.

This picture has nothing to do with any of this, I just thought it was funny.

Thursday Thirteen

2007-03-15T07:58:00.000-07:00

Thirteen Things I'm Lucky to Have in My Life

1. My husband
2. Oldest
3. Middle
4. Youngest (Ok, my 3 kids, I didn't want to lump them all together!)
5. My family
6. My friends (without them I'd go crazy)
7. My writing (without it I WOULD be crazy)
8. My health (though I really need to lose weight, really)
9. My house in the country (it's peaceful, for the most part)
10. Diet Coke (I'm addicted - glad it's there to fulfill my needs)
11. My eyesight (so I can read - and write - though does that fall under health?)
12. My car (I love my VW Passat!)
13. Chocolate (Enough said)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

Thursday Thirteen #2

2007-03-22T00:14:00.000-07:00

Thirteen Things Driving Me to Boycott American Idol

1. Sanjaya
2. Paula's drunken/weird behavior & and her jangling jewelry
3. Poor song choices (after six seasons I don't know why this still happens)
4. People being booted when they SHOULDN'T (don't get my started about last night)
5. Sanjaya
6. It's all fake - ALL OF IT
7. Ryan Seacrest and his teasing/drawing out of the results - aaah!
8. The blatant Coke promotion via the cups facing outwards at ALL TIMES
9. Sanjaya
10. Cheesy Ford commercials
11. When they all sing a la the Brady Bunch at the beginning - blech
12. Guest judges (oh just stop using them! Please!)
13. Sanjaya (Tell me why he's still there people!)

Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Spontaneous Cover!

2007-03-23T09:46:00.000-07:00

I received this cover in my inbox a few minutes ago. Doesn't it rock? The lovely Ann Cain did it - she's wonderful.

This book is a part of Samhain's Midsummer Night's Steam anthology, and Spontaneous will be released August 24th.

Here's the blurb:

Sophie Kincaid doesn’t want to be attracted to her boss but she is. Sick and tired of being used by men, she’s sworn off of them. But her hot and now slightly drunk boss just became too hard to resist.

His girlfriend dumped him and now Ian Grey is drowning his sorrows in alcohol, something he never does. Flirting with Sophie the sexy bartender inspires him to do even more things he’d never consider. Like have hot sex with her in the storage room.

They can’t deny their attraction for each other but Sophie’s afraid she doesn’t measure up. And what does Ian want from her anyway? She’ll have a naked good time figuring it out…

Mad Shopping

2007-03-26T08:00:00.000-07:00

So I took my oldest son out shopping Saturday for his birthday. Actually his birthday is today but you know, he's in school in all...

Anywho, he wanted a digital camera. He's always hogging ours and driving us crazy so his grandmas gave him money and we gave him money - and he got a super cool camera.

It's so super cool now I want it! It's tiny, it's a Sony, and it's 7.1 megapixels. It takes the best pictures! He's really been into photography lately so he went outside all weekend and took tons of photos. They turned out great. Mom is green with jealousy - she wants that camera.

Cos he's nice we also went to Pottery Barn, where I could've bought out the entire store for my house. They had so much beautiful stuff! I love to shop, it's an addiction, I know it and I get caught up in the frenzy. My brain starts overloading as I think, "I want that, that, that, THAT!" It's ridiculous.

So tell me - you like shopping or no? Live for it, love it or find it a complete pain in the butt?

Authors who Rock

2007-03-30T10:45:00.000-07:00

I'm in love with two authors (oh please I'm in love with a TON of authors but these are my two faves at this very moment).

First up is Jill Monroe. Her HQ Blaze book Hitting the Mark is fabulous, one of the best Blazes I've read in a while. Talk about sexual tension - yum yum. And her blog is fun to visit too.

She had a contest a while back and I entered, and I won! So now I have two gift certificates waiting to be spent, one at B&N (pffft, gone in an instant) and one at iTunes (need to think on this one). Whoo hoo, can't wait!

But really, go out and buy Hitting the Mark. It's fab. Really.

Okay, and I'm also in love with Jami Alden. Her Kensington Aphrodisia book A Taste of Honey - oh my gosh! I sat on the couch this morning, ignored my children and read the second novella (it's an anthology about three sexy brothers) in one sitting! It was awesome. I'm still glowing, like it happened to me or something (that Nick is dead sexy).

Sigh...I can only hope to write good enough books that make a reader sit and read it in one sitting. Make her sigh when she finishes it and wish she was the heroine. Damn, that's good stuff.

Add these books to your TBB list if you like them contemporary, hot and sexy!

Break Over

2007-04-10T09:40:00.000-07:00

Did everyone have a nice Easter? Ours was wonderful - we had great weather, we spent all of our time outside (which kept the house clean - yay!) and the kids had a blast. I'm sharing pics of my youngest munchkins on the Easter egg hunt. There were a lot of eggs to be found - it was like a blood bath fighting over them!

My life is hectic, trying to get my house in order, trying to get everything together before I go to the Romantic Times Convention in Houston. I'm so excited - but so overwhelmed! I need to make lists, lots of lists...

Visit Me

2007-04-13T08:16:00.000-07:00

Over at the Word Flirts today. I'm talking about staying original...

The pic is just for some weekend inspiration. Hee hee hee.

Back from Houston

2007-05-02T17:30:00.000-07:00

So yeah, I'm back and I believe I feel fully recovered. What a crazy time! I met some wonderful people, had more than a few good drinks and saw some crazy costumes! RT is definitely an experience, lemme tell ya.

I stole these pics from other people - some of my favorites. I took a few myself but I still need to load them onto the laptop! I'm so lame.

R.G. Alexander, me and Eden Bradley

Kate Douglas, Lena Austin, R.G., Feisty and me

In bed with Eden Bradley. Aren't you jealous? You should be!

Me and Feist as fairies. We're cute. She did my hair.

Eden Bradley, Kristen Painter and Feisty all about to feed on me. A bunch of Diva Vamps! Scary!

R.G., Jax Crane, Eden, Feisty and me at the Moulin Rogue night. I now have these pics out of order. This was the first night's party. My bad.