Talk Like a Pirate Fun for All

Avast Ye, my landlubber friends, today is Talk Like a Pirate Day, and I can't resist sharing a bit of pirate lore with you all.

I always enjoy looking up the history of women on the seas. Charlotte de Berry was one such pirate gal who was born in the 1600's. Stories vary, but most agree that she fell in love with a sailor and disguised herself as a lad to be with him at sea. The stories change after that, but he was murdered along the way, with her having to escape and flee for her life. What a woman won't do for love!

One of the most famous is Grace O’Malley, an Irish pirate. You can learn about her at the official website of Ireland’s Pirate Queen: http://www.graceomalley.com/

For some awesome steampunk pirate fun visit artist Annie Stegg's website where you can play her Dress Like a Pirate game, complete with tattoos you can change, cool accessories and plenty of bustiers and corsets to play with. http://www.anniestegg.com/polkadotpirate.php

Enjoy yourselves! ~Brenda

For the Love of Zombies

Zombies. Everyone wants to jump on the Zombie Bandwagon. I'm not sure why because when you jump on their wagon they will just eat you. Seriously. They like to eat flesh. But, many of us are fascinated by them. We can't seem to stay away, even though we read or watch something zombie related and then find ourselves making that "I may vomit" face and trying not to gag.

This week it was Zombie Week at Tor.com. I almost missed it, but clicked over their tonight just in time to catch the Zombie Round Table where they are asking authors of zombie related fiction "What is the Appeal of Zombie Fiction?". My favorite response is from S. G. Browne, Author of “Zombie Gigolo” who says in part:

They’re faster. Funnier. Sentient. Plus there’s this constant fascination with the inevitability of a zombie apocalypse. I mean, no one ever talks about the werewolf apocalypse. That would be ridiculous.

Head on over to Tor to read the rest of the Round Table responses here. I posted my opinion below:

I think zombies are the ultimate tool for black humor-- we laugh at their antics even as we cringe and want to vomit. It's great.

As I thought about zombies today I realized I've actually had quite a bit of zombie related posts in the last year. But even before that I was turning my oldest son into a zombie for Halloween:

How To Become a Zombie: I lightly hair sprayed his hair, then "wooshed" some baby powder onto it all over. Then I hair sprayed it again lightly. Wooshed the powder one more time, then hair sprayed again. On his make-up, we started out with white sponged on but it had dried and didn't work well. So, I grabbed some grey, dark green and black then splotched it on his face, neck and hands. I had black make-up in a stick and used that on his eyes and mouth. Then we wooshed powder all over him again, and gently dabbed it with tissue.

The very first short story my husband and I wrote together, An Affair to Dismember, is a zombie love story. It's offline right now, but I'm going to post it on the blog for Halloween.

So, what about those other Zombie posts?

My first post was about The Zombie Today show, which completed Season 1.
Read it here: http://moonsanity.blogspot.com/2009/10/zombie-today-show.html

I've also reviewed the following Zombie Themed books. Click on a title to read:
Beyond Exile by J.L. Bourne
Play Dead by Ryan Brown
Feed by Mira Grant

So, are you a zombie fan? Or would you rather the fad just disapppeared?

~Brenda

Interview With Rachel Vincent

Alpha, the sixth and final Shifters book by Rachel Vincent will be out October 1, 2010. This is one of my favorite shapeshifter series,and though I'm sad it's ending, I'm also excited to see what Rachel has come up for us in this final kick ass book. For those of you not familiar with the author or the series, below is a blurb in Faythe's words:

YOU’VE GOT TO HAVE FAYTHE…

The unscrupulous new Council chair has charged Jace, Marc, and me with trespassing, kidnapping, murder, and treason. Yeah, we’ve been busy. But now it’s time to take justice into our own hands. We must avenge my brother’s death and carve out the rot at the heart of the Council.

It’s not going to be easy, and loss seems unavoidable, but I have promised to protect my Pride, no matter what. With a target on my back and Marc at my side, I’m heading for a final showdown that can—that will—change everything forever.

Alpha is available in paperback and in digital format.


I was given the chance to interview Rachel for her Alpha Blog tour, which was such a fangirl moment for me. I hope you enjoy our chat.

Brenda: I've noticed that fans are VERY vocal about Marc and Jace. Does this play a part in how you look at things as you are writing, or did you have the ending of the series in your head all along?

Rachel: I love that people are so emotionally attached to the characters and so vehement about their “teams.” But no, that doesn’t affect anything I write. It couldn’t, because by the time readers get their hands on one book, I’ve already written at least the next in the series, and sometimes the next two. So, events they won’t see for another year are already set in stone.

Brenda: What was the hardest scene to write in the series (without giving a spoiler of course)?

Rachel: The hardest scenes for me are usually the ones I’m least emotionally invested in. The reverse of that is also usually true—the scenes people think would be the hardest (death scenes, breakup scenes, etc…) usually come the easiest for me. Dialogue flows very quickly for me when I’m writing an argument. Description flows very quickly for me when the setting is vivid. So the hardest things for me to write are usually the “Scooby Doo” scenes, as I call them. The big reveal. Those scenes during which all the pieces have to come together to show what’s happened, without resorting to ripping off rubber masks, either figurative or literal.
Oh, and fight scenes. Those are always hard. Particularly, the ambush scene at the beginning of Prey, and the final fight sequence at the end of Alpha.

Brenda: Do you have a hidden love of something that would surprise your readers, be it food, a special book, a hobby, etc?

Rachel: I’m a huge dork. Seriously. I love Rock Band, and wasabi peas, and Netflix instant downloads. I love B horror movies and tearjerkers equally. I like ponytail holders and jeans, and I almost NEVER carry a purse.

Brenda: I read your post on Deadline Dames about saying goodbye to the Shifters series, but noticed you mentioned a short story coming in the spring from Tor. Do you think that will be goodbye?

Rachel: Um… Probably. I’m willing to write more Shifters short stories if the opportunity arises, but so far, that’s the only one I’m contracted for.

Brenda: Is there one thing that you would NEVER put in a book, no matter what? (Either something too horrible or a pet peeve.)

Rachel: I doubt there’s anything too horrible (too gross, or scary, or gruesome) for me to write about. I actually come to urban fantasy by way of horror, not via romance, and though at this point I can’t imagine myself writing a full novel with no romance at all (nothing adds depth to a character like the possibility of finding and keeping real love), you’re probably never going to find a Rachel Vincent book that doesn’t have something creepy in it at the least, and outright gory/painful/uncomfortable at the most. I’ve had characters stabbed, beaten, gored, broken, raped, shot, kidnapped, disfigured, and cannibalized. Not necessarily in that order. I’ve discussed patricide, fratricide, infanticide, drug abuse, mental illness, and literal torture. So, no. Nothing’s off the table for me, but I will not put anything disturbing in a book just for the sake of shock value. That just doesn’t work. If it doesn’t propel the plot or explore character depth, it won’t go in the book.

However…I won’t write erotica. At this point in my career, I’m not comfortable writing more than one sex scene per book (in my adult series), and I can’t imagine I’d ever stray past an R rating and into X territory.

The "Alpha Bite" from Rachel:
"You don't have to marry an Alpha, Faythe. You're going to be an Alpha." -from pg. 62 of Alpha

About Rachel: A resident of San Antonio, Rachel Vincent has a BA in English and an overactive imagination, and consistently finds the latter to be more practical. She shares her office with two black cats (Kaci and Nyx) and her # 1 fan. Rachel is older than she looks—seriously—and younger than she feels, but remains convinced that for every day she spends writing, one more day will be added to her lifespan.

Where You Can Find Rachel:
Her Website: http://rachelvincent.com/
Her Blog: http://www.urbanfantasy.blogspot.com/
Click here for Rachel's Facebook Page
On Twitter: http://twitter.com/rachelkvincent

The Smart Chicks Kick It Tour
Rachel is participating in the Smart Chicks book signing tour. She'll be at the following locations to sign books and meet fans. If you're going to be attending one or more of the stops, check out these downloadable posters you can print and have signed by the authors at Melissa Marr's website: http://www.melissa-marr.com/_SCKI/

September 14th, 2010 7 PM @ B&N THE WOODLANDS, Houston, TX
Kelley Armstrong, Melissa Marr, Alyson Noel, Holly Black, Cassandra Clare, Kami Garcia & Rachel Vincent.

September 20th, 2010 6 PM @ VROMAN'S, Pasadena, CA
Melissa Marr, Alyson Noel, Kelley Armstrong, Rachel Caine, Melissa de la Cruz, Rachel Vincent, Margaret Stohl & Mary Pearson

September 21st, 2010 6 PM @ Encinitas County Library, San Diego, CA
Hosted by MYSTERIOUS GALAXY
Melissa Marr, Alyson Noel, Kelley Armstrong, Mary Pearson, Rachel Caine, Rachel Vincent, Carrie Ryan, Margaret Stohl & Kami Garcia.

~Brenda

My First Cowboy Romance

I met Sandy Sullivan at a chat for XOXO Publishing, where she said to me "Most of my books tend to deviate toward western or cowboys. Gotta love a man in tight Wranglers." I confessed to her that I had never read a cowboy romance, and a couple days later she generously offered to send me one of hers. I was a little hesitant because I've read mostly paranormal romance, but I had promised myself to broaden my horizons. Now, Sandy is a prolific author, and I had a really hard time choosing a book. I finally decided to go with Texas Lady, which sounded like a sweet and sexy historical romance. A gal has to go slowly into the world of horse riding, sexy cowboys.

I really enjoyed Texas Lady. It was a sweet story with a little mystery and adventure mixed in with the romance. I also found out after reading it, that it was Sandy's first novel. I must say from looking at her book page she seems to have gotten more bold and steamy in her other books:) I think Texas Lady is a wonderful romance for any age past 16 or so, and of course those of us who passed that age awhile ago.

I asked Sandy some questions about cowboy romance, figuring she wouldn't mind me picking her brain about one of her favorite topics.

Brenda: Why cowboys, Sandy? I know there are the tight Wranglers and all, but what else drew you to writing about cowboys?

Sandy: I've always been a lover of horses and westerns. I loved watching the old westerns on TV and men like John Wayne and others, seemed so sexy to me. The smells of horses, hay and barns are some of my favorite scents, too, so cowboys just kind of come along with those. The other thing about cowboys is they always seem so gentlemanly. You know, holding the door for you, pulling out your chair -- that kind of thing and I just think that's sexy as hell.

Brenda: Texas Lady had an old fashioned feel to it, but I noticed your Wilder Series looks pretty steamy and maybe not quite so old fashioned. Do you think a novice cowboy romance reader like myself could handle it?

Sandy: If you like erotic, then you could handle the Wilder family. It's very hot, but also has the sexy cowboys and a good old fashioned love story in there, too. Even my erotic romances are based around the love of two people, they just have really hot sex!

Brenda: I know you are working on a cowboy shapeshifter short story for a Halloween anthology. I must tell you I am bursting with excitement to read your take on shifters. How did it go? Do you like working with the paranormal aspect? Will we be seeing more supernatural goodness in boots and spurs?

Sandy: It was funny how this cowboy shifter came about from the chat on XOXO. The story is called Cat On The Prowl and the hero is a shifter, a mountain lion shifter, but he's also a cowboy and the first time the heroine sees him, he's in chaps. His name is Gabriel and her name is Suzanne or Suzi. I love paranormal and I may have to start a longer piece with a shifter. I've got so many irons in the fire right now, I don't really have time. Wild Wyoming Nights has quite a bit of paranormal in it though it's not shifters, it's ghosts.

Brenda: Do you remember the first cowboy romance you read yourself?

Sandy: I read several Louie Lamour stories, but I don't remember one specifically.

Brenda: I have to tell you that when I think of cowboys and romance I think of the musical Oklahoma. I've always loved it. What are some of your favorite Western movies?

Sandy: Anything John Wayne.

Brenda: Thank you so much for introducing me to cowboys in romance. I'm really looking forward to your shifter short story, so I don't have to keep having thoughts of Jeff from Texas Lady turning into a large, sexy wolf.

Sandy: I'll keep that in mind the next time I write a cowboy story. LOL I might just have to make my hero a wolf shifter. I do have two more cowboy pieces coming out in the next couple of months. Gotta Love A Cowboy is due out with Passion In Print in October and Hot Summer Love - Cowboy Style is due out with Whiskey Creek Press in November. Keep your eyes peeled to my website at http://www.romancestorytime.com/.

You can find Sandy's books, including Texas Lady, on her website at:http://www.romancestorytime.com/Books.html

Readers' First Romance Novels & Winner

For our The Devil Wears Plaid contest I asked readers:

What is the first romance you remember reading?

I was surprised we didn't get a few more comments on this, but the ones we did get were great. If the person has an active blog I've linked to it from their name. I've also linked to the book if it's not out of print. Thanks to everyone for the great comments! (Scroll, or read, down to the bottom for the random winner of the contest.)

Sullivan McPig said...
Hmm... I think that would be The Wolf and the Dove by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss. It was recommended to me by my grandmother and I've nver looked at her the same way after reading it.

Robin K said...
I think those would be the V.C. Andrews books I read as a tween.

Nancy said...
I would say Sense And Sensibility by Jane Austen.

Emily said...
The earliest title I can recall is Lion's Lady by Suzanne Barclay, although I'm sure there were titles before then.

Scorpio M. said...
My first romance was probably a YA romance from the Sweet Dreams line but I can't recall the title. My first adult romance was called Wild Wyoming Nights by Sylvie Sommerfield. It was an old-school bodice ripper, lol!

Martha Lawson said...
Sweet Savage Love by Rosemary Rogers!! Fell in love with romances and have been hooked ever since!

Giada M said...
I believe mi first was The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons, a really amazing book.

throuthehaze said...
The first romance I read was The Paper Marriage (Harlequin Historical, 524) by Bronwyn Williams.

k_sunshine1977 said...
it was A Ghostly Affair by Charlotte Maclay. I was looking for some good ghost stories at the library and saw the word "ghost" in the title, so iIchecked it out....and I haven't been the same since!

strange_candy_reviews said...
The first actual romance novel I read was a Mills & Boon, but I don't remember the title. My nana has always had them and I 'borrowed' one when I was about 12 I think.

SusiSunshine said...
The first romance I can remember...does YA count? If yes it was Ben Liebt Anna by Peter Härtling. we read it for school and it was super cute. Otherwise I would say Trudi Canavan's Age of the Five series.

Lu said...
Mmmm i think it was "Kringe in die Bos". Its in Afrikaans, but there is a English version as well. Beautiful story and one of my favourites! Here is more on it: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1174043.Kringe_in_n_bos

THE WINNER
The winner of The Devil Wears Plaid is Scorpio! I have emailed her and will forward her address to the publisher. Thanks for entering everyone:)

~Brenda

Review: Jane True is Back & Kicking Butt

Tracking the Tempest
Jane True #2
Author: Nicole Peeler
Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Orbit
Release Date: July 1, 2010
Available from Amazon

Summary: Valentine's Day is fast approaching, and Ryu - Jane's bloodsucking boyfriend - can't let a major holiday go by without getting all gratuitous. An overwhelming dose of boyfriend interference and a last-minute ticket to Boston later, and Jane's life is thrown off course.

Ryu's well-intentioned plans create mayhem, and Jane winds up embroiled in an investigation involving a spree of gruesome killings. All the evidence points towards another Halfling, much to Jane's surprise...

I bought Tracking the Tempest because I loved the first book in the series, and I knew Jane True was going to kick ass in the second installment. Nicole Peeler has created a character that is endearing, quirky, compassionate, and courageous. As I was reading about Jane's adventures, this quote came to mind:

Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear. ~Ambrose Redmoon

In many ways, Jane is not the typical heroine. She loves her small town and the roots she's put down there. Her friends and family mean everything to her. She doesn't feel trapped or as if she's missing something by living where she does...it's her comfort zone. In this book Jane finds out more about herself, her friends and her abilities. The author has a wonderful writing style that makes me feel like I'm being told a tale by a girlfriend as we sit over drinks and good food. I sit at the table with her and express my emotions at each turn of the plot:

"OMG she did NOT just do that!"
*snicker* "Oh, Jane...that minx"
"Wait, stop right there...I need another drink..."
"Oh my, he's wearing what?"
"Damn, I hate that obnoxious pervert!"
*sniff, sniff* "Umm..do you have a Kleenex?"

I think you get my meaning. I also love the author's choice of words in her writing. She has this incredible way of choosing the correct word for the situation, whether it's a cuss word, or something silly like "willy-nilly". Her choice of words made me smile throughout the entire book.
Tracking the Tempest is a fast paced book with ample sexiness, heart stopping action and a mystery to boot. One of my favorite parts of the book is a fun scene in a salon with Grizzie and Jane. Grizzie has a heart to heart with Jane about Ryu:

"If the person in his eyes is the person you want to be..then don't be scared."

It's a small scene that could easily be missed since it's in between the action and the romance, but it's amazing. Tracking the Tempest is full of subtle moments hidden between the kick ass ones. This is why the Jane True books will be keepers that will be read again and again.

TEASER WORDS

Valentine's Day
scorched hair
masses of chest hair
panic room
cooking barghest
naked satyr
trussed pig training
running away

You can find out more about Nicole Peeler and Jane at her website: http://www.nicolepeeler.com/

Nicole also blogs at The League of Reluctant Adults with a bunch of other cool authors, so check them out here: http://reluctantadults.blogspot.com/

The Jane True Series
One: Tempest Rising
Two: Tracking the Tempest
Three: Tempest’s Legacy (2011)
Four: Eye of the Tempest (2011)

Review & Interview with Dee Tenorio

Tempting the Enemy
Author: Dee Tenorio
Kindle Edition
File Size: 400 KB
Publisher: Carina Press
Realease: June 14, 2010
Available for the Kindle here.

Summary: Detective Pale Rysen, an Alpha, is determined to secretly rebuild the Wolf packs from the ashes of genocide. When a killer starts picking off young females looking for sanctuary, it's his job to protect them. Forced to work with a hated enemy, he fears his cover will be blown.

Jade-Scarlet's membership in the powerful Order of the Sibile has always been controversial. A half-wolf, Jade's unstable psychic powers are a disappointment to her mercenary handlers. So when the Oracle commands her to work with Pale, Jade must prove herself...even if it means challenging the enigmatic shifter.

I asked to review Tempting the Enemy and received a digital copy from the publisher. Dee Tenorio has created a world where shifters were hunted and murdered at one time, and still hide to protect their families. The Order of the Sibile are magic mercenaries with no mercy. Betrayal on any level usually means death. The society as a whole is full of political unrest and fear, which can only lead to rebellion and death. Pale and Jade must work together within the confines of her order and the law. This would be tough enough without shifter hormones wreaking havoc on both of them.

The author has given us a brooding, alpha shifter with the heart of a protector. He's an intelligent, strong leader that only held a slim hope of meeting a mate who could also be his partner. Jade is everything he doesn't want in a mate, yet he can't seem to stop following his instincts. Jade is a fascinating character that I loved from the beginning. She's been living a sheltered life with her order and has no experience in the real world. Her roommate Sage has been her only source of information when it comes to men, and life. I loved how her character had to learn about the world around her and her own strengths at the same time. While a part of her is withdrawn and shy, another part of her is driven to do what is right, regardless of pressure to do what she is told to do. Jade gives the reader some fun, light moments as she discovers things for the first time, such as hot chocolate and desire.

Tempting the Enemy is a fast paced paranormal romance with elements of urban fantasy and suspense. I loved the complex plot that kept me guessing the entire time. The romance between Jade and Pale starts out passionate but reluctant. As the book goes on, the author reaches into the reader's chest and rips their heart out. Thank goodness she gives us closure, or I would have been forced to smash my Kindle. Tempting the Enemy seriously has one of the most emotional, kick butt endings I have ever encountered.

If you enjoy paranormal romance, thrillers or urban fantasy you will want to read Tempting the Enemy.


INTERVIEW WITH DEE TENORIO

I emailed Dee with my questions as soon as I finished her book. I was hoping she'd have time allow me to pick her brain. She graciously returned her answers immediately, so I could share them with you.

Since I loved the book and the world so much, my first question has to be about its continuation. Do you think there will be more books to continue the story?

I'm really hoping so. I have several more stories to tell in the world of Resurrection and I'm currently working on what I hope to be the next installment. :) So keep your fingers crossed!

I noticed that you have written many other books, but none seem to be in this genre. What made you create such a unique world with such complex characters in the paranormal realm?
Well, I'm a mad fan of paranormal romances and I so wished I could write one. LOL, wishes really can come true. But the other truth is simply that the story came along and I couldn't say no. Really, I tried. I was afraid I'd get started and not be able to stop or that people would think it was dumb...but I simply couldn't stop. And I'm so happy I didn't.

Do you enjoy surprising your readers with twists and turns in the plot? How do you keep track of the details without letting too many hints slip before you want them to?

LOL, well, every author loves finding out that a reader is intrigued by the plot. I have to admit, my own process is like writing down the movie I see in my head. But I can't see the movie until I figure out the next step. So, for the plot, the details just stay in my head. For the little things, like who is who and what their eye colors are, lol, I make notes, to keep for reference. It's getting REALLY big now, though.

I read your bio and noticed you are a mom. How long have you been writing, and how the heck do you manage to do it with kids?

I'm totally a mom. :) I pretty much steal every word I can while babies climb on me or play at my feet or poke me in the eye. I play music to tune out "Blues Clues" and "Fresh Beats" and listen with one ear to it. :) And on those really special days, my awesome husband takes the kids out to buy me a few hours. If I get really desperate, I bribe my sister to visit for a few days to keep an eye on the troops while I go on a marathon. :) It's not easy, but it's totally worth it when a story comes together.

What the craziest thing you've done to a character (or made them do) in one of your books?

Hmmm, well that's a hard one. I've done some pretty crazy things to my characters. But I have to say, the craziest thing I've tried is a scene from the next book where in which Pale and Jade from "Tempting The Enemy" are sparring, lol. It's been cut, alas, but let's put it this way. Pale and Jade, sweaty and grappling. You can probably guess which one of them ends up thrown into a tree... LOL! (I'm really going to have to find a way to get that scene back into a story!)

For this current book, well, the crazy part is going to be getting the rough and tumble Tate through his story alive. :)

I loved Tempting the Enemy, and look forward to reading your other books. Thank you for taking the time to chat:)

Thanks much, Brenda, I had a great time with your questions!

To find out more about Dee's books visit her at her website: http://www.deetenorio.com/

~Brenda