Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Interview at Dawn's Reading Nook

Hey, everyone!  I wanted to pass on to those who may be interested, Dawn at Dawn's Reading Nook was very kind in having me over to her blog for an interview.  She asks me some great questions, and I had a wonderful time answering.  I also include a small sneak peek excerpt into my upcoming m/m vampire erotic romance novel, NATURAL INSTINCTS. 

She runs such a cool blog, with many author guests stopping by, it's always fun to see what she has going on there.  So if you'd like another little glimpse inside my author's mind, feel welcome to stop on over!  CLICK HERE to check it out, and thank you to everyone who comes by!

Monday, March 28, 2011

Weekly Inspiration - Jared Leto

So, in last week's Song of the Week post, I mentioned how in my younger years I had crushed on Jared Leto, and said how I should do a Weekly Inspiration post with him for old time's sake.  Well, guess what?  Here he is.  I thought now was a good time with just having talked about him and his band.

For those not familiar with him, Jared is an actor and the frontman of the band, Thirty Seconds To Mars, which he formed with his brother, Shannon, who plays the drums.  As far as his acting goes, he's been in a ton of movies.  Not even I've seen them all.  But I always think it's cool when a person can cross genres from acting to music or vice versa.  One thing about Jared is it's almost impossible to predict what look and style he'll be sporting from one minute to the next.  Clean shaven or scruffy, blond hair, brown hair, blue hair, long, short, and even that fabu pink mohawk in the "Closer to the Edge" video, he's always reinventing himself. 

To learn more about him, you can check out his website/blog, http://jaredleto.com/, his FACEBOOK, and TWITTER.  I think all his pages also have links for Thirty Seconds To Mars, and I included those in the Song of the Week spot for "Closer to the Edge."  And now, enjoy! 








Friday, March 25, 2011

Song of the Week - "Closer to the Edge" by Thirty Seconds To Mars

This week, I'm giving Thirty Seconds To Mars the Song of the Week spot with "Closer to the Edge".  You know, I have to admit, way back in the day before lead singer, Jared Leto, became the rock star he is now and his acting career was just taking off in the teen drama, My So Called Life, I had a huge crush on him. I guess I was about fourteen when that show was on, and honestly, he was the only reason I'd watch it.  I didn' like the rest of the show, but for him, I tolerated it and all its melodrama.  Ah, the crushes of youth.  Really, I should do a Weekly Inspiration post with him, for old time's sake ;-)

But I'm digressing.  On to the song!  "Closer to the Edge", is off their latest album, This is War.  I had a tough time deciding between this song, "Kings and Queens", "From Yesterday"...well, you get the point.  I had a hard time picking which song of theirs I wanted to put up.  I'll just have to give them another Song post down the road.  This video has a cinematic feel to it, as many of theirs do, and the concert footage is really fantastic.  To learn more about Thirty Seconds To Mars, here's their website/blog: http://thirtysecondstomars.thisisthehive.net/blog/, FACEBOOK, and TWITTER.

As usual, I claim no ownership to this video, music, song, images, or anything therein.  All belong to the rightful copyright holder(s).  Enjoy!

Monday, March 21, 2011

New Cover and Blurb: BLACK HEART DOWN

I'm just rolling in new cover art lately!  Not long ago, I shared the cover art and blurb for my upcoming m/m vampire novel, NATURAL INSTINCTS, and now I have the beautiful cover of my next m/m rock star novel, BLACK HEART DOWN, to share with you guys.  Woo hoo!  I'm so excited about this cover!  I just can't even begin to say how much I love it.  It's perfect for the mood and characters of the book.  My cover artist was once again the wonderful Lex Valentine, who is also a fantastic author in her own right.  If you want sexy, steamy reads, Lex can give those to you no problem.  Here's the link to her website for anyone who'd like to check out her books: http://www.lexvalentine.com/

I don't have a release date yet for BHD, but we're hoping for before summer, maybe around May-ish.  And now, ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to introduce you to singer Kyler Christenson and guitarist Robbie Russo from the rock band Black Heart Down!

BLURB:
For Robbie Russo, only one man has ever owned his heart, Kyler Christenson.  The years at each other’s sides never diminished his love for him, but with the rise to fame in their rock band, Black Heart Down, more than a few challenges hindered their relationship.  Now, he’s reached a crossroads, either he’ll have all of Kyler, or he’ll walk away from everything they’ve built together.

Kyler may be fearless on stage, but if there’s one thing to send his heart crashing down, it’s losing Robbie.  When Robbie delivers his ultimatum, Kyler’s willing to do what it takes for things work.  But change doesn’t happen quickly, and when he makes a terrible mistake, all their history together might not be enough to save their future.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Weekly Inspiration - Kissing Couples

So, I have to start off with an apology.  Again.  I'm sure some of you noticed I didn't get a song posted for the Song of the Week.  I've been really sick the past few days, and sitting up for any length of time made my head feel like it was going to explode, so I didn't get around to finding a song for everyone.  Sorry!  But, I'm feeling a little better now, and while I figured I might be given a pass on not getting a song up, I couldn't let you guys go without your Weekly Inspiration :-)

For this week, I thought I'd do something a little different.  So often I put up a specific model, actor, or musician, but I thought I'd do a theme this time around, kissing couples.  With being a romance author, one of the most important scenes I write is that first kiss, whether it's truly the couple's first kiss in their relationship, or the first time you as the reader has seen them kiss.  A lot more goes into it than just lip locking.  I consider it a very important thing, and I try very hard to set the right mood for the couple and have their emotions ready for that connection with each other. 

Since I do write so many kisses, I wanted to put up some pics of couples kissing or who look as though they're about to.  And I have to say more apologies in that I don't know the specific photographers, men in these shots, or where to give credit unless the pics already had the info on them.  Hope you all enjoy!













Monday, March 14, 2011

Weekly Inspiration - Ruben Cortada

Sorry, everyone, that I'm a little...okay, a lot late in getting any inspiration up this week.  I've been hard at work on edits for my vampire novel, NATURAL INSTINCTS.  But the good news is I got them finished!  Well, the first round, at least.  I've also been watching the news frequently, following what's happening in Japan.  Every time I think I can't get anymore saddened, they show an image that proves me wrong.  If anyone hasn't seen, just before this post, I wrote one called For Japan, where I put up links to some charities where you can donate to help the relief and rescue efforts.

And now, for this week's inspiration.  I'm present to you black-haired, green-eyed Cuban model, Ruben Cortada.  Though he was born in Cuba, if what I read is correct, then it was actually in Spain he struck success in the modeling world.  He's been all around the fashion circuit, has appeared in GQ, and just recently walked a show for Giorgio Armani.  And if you go to the website for Emidio Tucci, http://www.emidiotucci.es/, you'll see him leading their ads at this current moment.  As you can also see from the pics, he's a man of many hairstyles, with the mid-length being the more recent, the long hair his younger shots, and the very short in between.  Really, I think he pulls off each style very well.  And sorry, I tried, but couldn't find anything that seemed like an official website, Facebook, or Twitter for him, but there are tons more images of him around the Net for anyone who'd like to see more of him.  Enjoy!










Saturday, March 12, 2011

For Japan

As many of you around the world know, on March 11, 2011, a massive 8.9 earthquake which triggered a devastating tsunami, struck Japan.  The destruction is monumental.  I've been watching the news, absolutely heartbroken by the images I'm seeing.  I can't even imagine what people there are going through, having everything in their lives ripped from them.  And far worse than losing a home and material possessions, is the loss of family and friends, as thousands of people are missing.

I know the chances of my message reaching anyone in Japan is slim, but I have to say to everyone there, please know you're not alone.  Here in the United States and all around the world, people are thinking of you, ready to support you in all and every way, to share our love, care, strength, and resources with you.  I'm holding all of you close in my thoughts and heart, and hoping, so very much, for your health and safety.

The United States has launched efforts to support Japan, sending our military and supplies, and also many private humanitarian organizations are rushing to lend their aid.  If you're like me, you want to help too, so I thought I'd put up some resources for those who'd like to lend their support to Japan.   

The American Red Cross is already putting forth efforts in Japan to help.  As one of the most tireless organizations in the world when it comes to helping humanity, they deserve support at all times, but especially in times like now when they're putting out all their resources to help those in need.  To make a donation,  you can visit the Red Cross website: http://www.redcross.org/.  There, you can select specifically where you want your donation to go to, including the earthquake and tsunami victims in Japan.  You can also text 90999 to make a $10 donation, and this also goes to relief efforts in Japan.  CLICK HERE to learn more about that.

For me, whenever a disaster strikes, my first thought is for the children.  Save the Children is an organization that works specifically to aid the most vulnerable and precious members of human society, our children.  They're also collecting donations to help Japan and their children.  To learn more about Save the Children, here's their website: http://www.savethechildren.org/ and CLICK HERE for specifically about donating to the earthquake and tsunami victims.

Doctors Without Borders is another wonderful organization that strives to provide medical care during times of disaster and crisis, and they've already sent medical teams to Japan.  To learn more and about how to make a donation, please see their website: http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/

These are just a few non-profit humanitarian organizations that are currently hard at work with relief efforts in Japan.  There are many, many more.  By working together, we'll let the people of Japan know they're not alone, America and the world is here for them, and we'll help to rebuild Japan back to being the great nation it is.


Friday, March 11, 2011

Song of the Week - "Waiting for the End" by Linkin Park

I'm giving Linkin Park the Song of the Week spot this time around with "Waiting for the End".  This song is off their latest album A Thousand Suns, which came out in September 2010, and they actually should be releasing a new single, "Burning in the Skies" off it on March 21, 2011.  So they might end up getting a second Song of the Week spot :-)  I've enjoyed so much of their music over the years.  They really are a cool band with a sound wholly unique to them, and I think singer Chester Bennington has a fantastic voice.  If you'd like to learn more about them, here's their website http://www.linkinpark.com/, FACEBOOK, and TWITTER.

And of course, I do not own this video, music, lyrics, song, imagery, or anything therein.  All belongs to the rightful copyright holder(s).  Enjoy!


Monday, March 7, 2011

Weekly Inspiration - Garrett Neff

For your inspiration this week, I'm offering American model, Garrett Neff.  An established and highly successful model, he's worked for many top designers and labels, including being a main face for Calvin Klein.  He's also in the 2011 Pirelli calendar with one of our previous Weekly Inspiration guys, Baptiste Giabiconi.  With the shots of Garrett I'm putting up, the ones with the snake are by photographer Stefano Moro for a feature called "Temptation" in the March 2011 issue of bmm Magazine.  Garrett looks perfectly comfortable with that snake, and big applause to him for that.  I'll admit, at first I wasn't sure how I felt about it, since snakes tend to freak me out, though I'm fine with them if they keep their distance, but after looking at the shots some more, I have to say, there really is something sensual about the images.

I couldn't find a website for him, or anything that looked like an official Facebook or Twitter.  Sorry!  But if you're interested in learning more about him, a little searching will bring up plenty more info on him.  And now, enjoy!












Sunday, March 6, 2011

Cover Art and Blurb: NATURAL INSTINCTS

You've all heard me talk a lot about the m/m vampire erotic romance novel I've been working on, and now I'm very happy to unveil the cover and blurb for it.  I love this cover.  The Chicago skyline, the two guys embracing, I love it!  Really, really love it!  I can totally see the guy in back as my vampire, Titus, since he's more formal in his dress, and my human, Andreas, in front, as he's more casual.  Along with it being so very pretty, it's also special because my friend and fellow author, Lex Valentine, is the artist.  If you want some scorching hot reads with great characters, you have to check out Lex's books.  She's writes m/m, as well as m/f.  Here's her website for those who'd like to take a peek at her work: http://www.lexvalentine.com/

And now, ladies and gentlemen, it is my pleasure to introduce you to Andreas Nikandros and Titus Antonius Calidus in my upcoming m/m vampire novel, NATURAL INSTINCTS.

BLURB:
Andreas Nikandros has one focus, to kill the vampire he believes murdered his sister, and he knows with their greater strength, the surest way to kill a vampire is to become one.  As a zoologist, he's used to looking at the world from a natural standpoint, but when he sets out on a quest to find a vampire to Turn him, what he finds in Titus Antonius Calidus is the last thing he expected.  Titus has lived for over a thousand years, and in that time, has only ever given his heart to one man.  As they follow their natural instincts, they discover something truly worth living for, each other.

Coming soon to MLR Press

Thursday, March 3, 2011

Song of the Week - "Born This Way" by Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga with her brand new single, "Born This Way", gets the Song of the Week spot.  Ever since I heard this song a couple weeks ago, I've wanted to put it up here, but I thought I'd wait until the official video was released.  It's out now, but after watching it, I still opted to put up just the audio of the song since the video has a really long intro.  It's a mini-movie of Gaga in a futuristic setting giving birth with a whole storyline of...well, if you want to see it, the video is on YouTube and her Facebook.  It's very interesting and creative, but I know a lot of people just want to get to the music, so I'm going with that.  I really do LOVE this song and the message she's working to get across.  Hope you all will enjoy it, too!

For more on Lady Gaga, here's her official website: http://www.ladygaga.com/, her FACEBOOK, and TWITTER.  And of course, my don't sue me message; I do not own this song, lyrics, music, imagery, or anything therein, it all belongs to its rightful copyright holder(s).  And now without further ado, Lady Gaga with "Born This Way!"