Title: Danger, Word Games!
Link out: Click here
Description: Bestseller on Red Rose Publishing
Date: 2009-02-01

Well, the drought has broken… my first review is in!

I’ve been waiting (holding my breath, lol) because it’s a scary thing… part of you wants it desperately, another part doesn’t because it might just be awful (and it is my “baby” after all!) and have gone from impatient to relieved to anxious to…

Getting the email was one of those “gulp” moments. It took ages and another strong cuppa to pluck up the courage, but the results were worth it. 5 Stars is wonderful, and I’m loving it.

Judah

This last week I finished writing my first ménage a trois. That might not sound like much of an accomplishment, but a ménage is not a form of erotic romance I thought I’d ever write. So, from a novice’s point of view, this is what I learned writing my first sexier-than-sexy romance with more than two people in bed at once.

Don’t be nervous. A ménage a trois or quattre is really an erotic romance living large. In the books I’ve read, there were hardly any positions in the ménage that I hadn’t written into a regular erotic romance. I did need to plan the sex scenes themselves a little more carefully to make sure everyone got equal time (*g*), but that wasn’t as difficult as I thought it might be.

Make sure there’s still a story. Even though ménages tend to be more about the sex and a bit less about romance, there still needs to be a story behind the sex—just as in any romance. My work is character driven rather than plot driven, so my main concern was making sure the heroes and heroine seemed real and fully dimensional. I hope I accomplished that.

Don’t be afraid to make the story sexy. I’ve been writing erotic romance for a few years now, but my books often aren’t overly sexy. I mean, there are times when reviewers haven’t even mentioned the sex in their reviews. But I don’t think that will be the case with this story. I unabashedly poured on the sex. Frankly, for readers who enjoy manages, I think it’s what they expect.

Have fun. Just because there are more people in the bedroom arena doesn’t mean I didn’t have fun with my story. It’s romance—what’s not to have fun with?

The biggest thing I discovered about writing a ménage was in #1: don’t be afraid to jump in and give it a try. The story hasn’t been accepted by a publisher yet so I have no editorial opinion, and no one has read it—except DH—so I have no input as to whether I captured the spirit of a ménage. I’m submitting it in good spirits, though.

As always, the opinion of the readers is what counts the most, so once I meet the requirements of the publisher and editor and then hear comments from a few reviewers, it’ll be up to you, the readers to decide if I hit the mark. I hope I meet (or exceed) your expectations and that you like my newest contribution to your erotic romance collection.
Dee S Knight and Anne Krist

Title: When Three’s Not A Crowd
Description: Writing my first menage
Date: 2009-01-19

Hey there! As a writer of romance, I often stop and wonder about my readers…

I write because I love people – I love the small things that mark us as individuals, the layers and complexities of which we are composed, and which shape our reactions and responses, our likes and dislikes, and our wants and needs. This fascination goes into my books and my characters, with each story being a journey of discovery as I learn about and savour the relationship with these “new friends”.

The same applies to my readers. I often think about the people who read my books – who are they, what do they do for a living, what attracts them to the romance genre… The list of questions is endless! It intrigues me that there are a whole bunch of people out there that I don’t know, yet who know me (at least through my work). I’d love to have the opportunity to get to know them…

Today’s blog is an invitation to readers out there. You can find me in Cyberspace at the links below – feel free to pop across to any (or all) and join up with me so that together we can start a whole new journey of discovery…

http://www.authorsden.com/visit/author.asp?authorid=97794
http://morganmandelbooks.ning.com/profile/JudahRaine
http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/1771423
http://myspace.com (judahraine with blog)
(judahraine)
http://judahraine.blogspot.com”

I’m also now on Twitter – judaraine.

I really hope I see you there!
Have a great day,
Judah

I’m all for progress, and IT progress in particular. I love having “the world at my fingertips”. I love that I’ve made a whole bunch of new friends – something that wouldn’t have been possible without FRED (my laptop). I love being able to go on line and email, or join a chat, even share some news with people on the other side of the world. Just the other day I posted to my MySpace page, and there was a little note that said: “Date posted: Tomorrow.” So yes, it’s kind of wild being able to post something a day ahead in a literal moment!

But all this has its downside. I was online the other evening and was Skyped by some unknown young lady. My guess from the photo was that she had to be someone under 16 years old. The message was brief: “I was in the directory and saw your name. You look interesting. Would you like to see my profile?”

Not my usual correspondence, and the brain seized up for a moment. I skyped back, something stupid to the effect that I was surprised by the message. She returned with: “It’s easy. Just go to (some “love” website or the other). It’s free. Just log in and look for me to see my profile and pictures).

I didn’t hear anything back after I very firmly told her I thanks but no thanks, but the incident lingers with a really nasty after-taste. Then last night I had another similar incident from a completley different girl. Needless to say I ended the chat there and then.

Now I’m all for “different strokes for different folks” and a great believer in people having freedom to make their own choices. What does appall me is that these young people are out there, trawling cyberspace with dangerous bait. I don’t imagine for a minute that every person they try is going to cut them off and not pursue the conversation.

As a mom, who’s raised a daughter and two step-sons and been involved in the lives of countless young people through youth groups, etc. I cannot help being distressed – I’ve been around a while and know the kind of predators there are out there.

I know it’s “not my problem”. I also know that I cannot change the world, or the people in it. But right now I feel a need to reach out – maybe, just maybe, one of those young people will read this and something will strike a note….

The message is simple: Don’t do this. You don’t know who’s on the other end or where it will lead. You may think you’re in control, are invincible and immortal, but these people have been around a lot longer than you. There are other ways – safe, fun, enjoyable -to fill the empty spaces that you obviously have. Think before you hit that “send” button – it might just save your life.

Jude

The past, with its dark and tragic secrets that won’t give release? Or the future, with its promise of love, hope and sweet freedom?

Will Josie find a way out of the darkness and the courage to do what she has to do? Will Cade find a way to reach beyond the barriers to the woman he knows is trapped within?

To find out, read Still Running – now available from Siren-Bookstrand at http://www.bookstrand.com/product-stillrunning-13915-330.html

And don’t forget that the “reader review” contest is “Still Running” till the end of January. Just email me your one or two line comment on the book, together with your purchase confirmation. Every comment will be posted on my website, and every 10th person will get an ebook from the Siren-Bookstrand line-up absolutely free. If you’re a winner, you simply have a look on the Bookstrand webpage and pick your book, and I’ll make sure you get it in a hurry.

Here’s my author spotlight and a little “teaser” to whet the appetite:

Author Spotlight:

“Still Running is about real people and real “stuff”, and how life itself sometimes comes to our rescue and conspires to make us face things. I like Josie – she’s tough and gutsy and has integrity. This is her story, and it’s about pain and joy, but mostly it’s about love, and the power it has to heal and set free.” ~ Judah

Just a snippet…

“There are some things we don’t get over,” she said, the words sounding familiar, like a litany, or a lament. “We get through them, if we’re lucky. But they leave us numb, like a part of us is dead forever.”
“That’s how you feel? You must really have loved him.” He found himself fighting a turmoil of anger and jealousy and resentment that would make things a lot worse if he didn’t get it under control.
Josie shrugged, keeping her face averted so that he couldn’t look into her eyes.
“I play for keeps. All or nothing. That’s who I am, with no fuzzy grey bits in between. I wanted the all, even believed in it, but now I’m left with the nothing.”
“Maybe you think that. Maybe you even believe it. But I know it’s not true. Because all I have to do is this…” He ran the lightest feather-touch down her cheek and neck and she shivered, her skin goose bumping in response. “That’s not numb. And whatever part of you may feel dead right now, it’s because you’re afraid to live, to let go, to actually reach out and grab what life has to offer.”
Josie didn’t respond. Pale, like a sad reflection of what he knew was there somewhere, she simply stood in silence.
“I’m not giving up, Josie Tate. I have no idea right now what the hell I’m going to do. But I’m not going to let you lock yourself away in this cold, sad place. You’re worth more, you deserve more, and I’m going to find a way to make you see that if it’s the last thing I do.”

Enjoy! I hope I hear from you soon…

Jude

www.judahraine.com
Judah Raine: Still Running (Released Tuesday 16 December) and Coming Soon: The Look and A Thick Black Line

For a Free Read – The Neverending Story at my RomanticSynonymous blog. Don’t miss out! http://judahraine.blogspot.com/

My River

One of the “life-lessons” have had the opportunity to learn is the difference between happiness and contentment. Happiness, I’ve found, is a state of mind – usually temporary, definitely extraordinary, a moment-happening that regrettably passes.

Contentment, on the other hand, is a state of being. I have it way up to on my “secrets-to-life” list and, together with my sense of humour, is one of the things I hang on to for all I’m worth!

I’ve learned (the hard way) to find contentment in the little things – the things that money can’t buy and no-one can take away unless you let them. One of those things is “my” river…

It’s not huge as rivers go. Not spactacular either, though it’s really pretty and peaceful and, thankfully, preserved as-is. It runs along the bottom border of my property and I have a little “pedestrian gate” in my fence so I can access it any time I like.

But, in the few months I have been living here, it has become a sweetly familiar friend. It sings me to sleep at night, washing away the stress of the day and soothing my thoughts. It sings me awake with a gentle, whimsical song, so that my first thought is quiet and good. Most of all, it burbles and hums it’s own particular melody throughout the day.

I have a tiny little “Writing Room” with huge sliding doors that open up to let the world in, and I can hear my river’s sweet flowing cadence as I write. It settles me, helps me focus and shut out the “other” things that want to intrude on this precious time, and it gives me inspiration.

It’s really not a big thing at all, my river, and costs me nothing. But it is there, and I am here, and it reminds me constantly that real inspiration can often only be found in the little things…

Jude

How fantabulous it is to find the thing in life that most makes you content – over and above finding love and romance and those special moments that make life extraordinary, of course.

Writing is that for me – a place I can go, separate from the stress (and drudgery!) of day to day where I am the creator of my little writing universe. It’s an odd thing just how much fun being with my characters can be…

In my writing world they exist, react, communicate, feel pain and laughter, and most of all love. Like good friends, I can’t wait to spend time with them, and I love how sometimes they do or say something totally unexpected so that I have a new thread or new possibility to explore.

Most of all, being able to sit and let all that is in me soak onto the (cyber)page is a rare and wonderful gift…

Title: Keta Diablo Guest
Link out: Click here
Description: Guest blogging today Romance Write up. Check out my interview with heroine, Kira Barton, from Dust and Moonlight
Date: 2009-02-05