Monthly Archives: May 2012

In Teach Me To Forget , I put my heroine in a motor home.  When I conceived the book (I carried this baby for a long time, folks) I had a memory of the first time we rented a motor home to go to the dog shows in Lompoc, CA.  It was a class “C” which means built on a van base with a compartment over the driver section.  We slept in that compartment and the dogs stayed down below (well most of the time anyway!)  As we settled in that cozy spot,  I thought how good it felt to be snuggled together. It would only need some rain falling on the roof so close above our heads to give it that last nudge toward super romantic.  Not likely to have rain in Lompoc in July.  But very possible to have rain in the remote areas north of San Francisco.  And I had a pivotal scene for a future book embedded in my mental files.

After several years of renting, we bought a used Class “C.”  When it’s not hauling us to dog shows it makes a great guest room.  I’m packing it now for the Saluki National. A lot of good memories were made in this vehicle, and there will be a lot more to come.

And then the question comes up:  with my decades of life with Salukis, why does Bethany share her life with an Irish Setter?  Hmmm, good point.  I could say it’s because I’ve always loved those gorgeous red dogs, even though Salukis have been my passion for so long.  I could say it was a conscious decision due to name recognition of Irish Setter as opposed to the more rare Saluki.  Actually, I liked Bethany too much to subject her to life with a sneaky thieving Saluki.  Okay, not really.

The best answer I can come up with is an Irish Setter is the right breed of dog for Bethany.  Baron is a beloved clown with no desire to be anything but Bethany’s best friend.  He’s not much of a hunter or guard dog, but when it comes to Bethany’s safety, Baron is the hero of the moment.

EXCERPT:

In all honesty, she had to admit it was as much her fault as Baron’s. True, she’d slipped when the setter, fast on the heels of a slow rabbit, had tumbled into a ditch, yelping piteously as he lost his footing. But it had been her own idiotic impulse, born of a long denied desire, that encouraged her to climb the tree in the first place. Branches set close together and a convenient vine had aided and abetted in her juvenile whim. The same branches and vine served to trap her foot and score her hands deeply when she attempted to scramble out of the tree with more enthusiasm than thought.

They wouldn’t have wandered to an unknown section of the woods if her mind had been on where she was going rather than what had happened the night before. She’d left early that morning, too embarrassed to face Jonathan. The walk and her thoughts, after a night of too much thinking and not enough sleep, had brought her nothing but the realization that she could not continue to stay in J. Phillip Merritt’s house. Not and maintain control over her emotions and her life. If she started within the next few hours, she could be halfway to San Francisco before the evening.

***

Jonathan does rescue Bethany from the tree, and their relationship is able to grow as they learn to trust enough to reveal themselves to each other.   Teach Me To Forget is available as an e-book or paperback.

from Black Opal Books

from Amazon

from Barnes & Noble

Sometimes life can be pretty overwhelming.  It’s felt that way for me a few times lately, and I’ve had to remind myself to break down the big scary jobs into smaller bites.  I need to be getting ready for the Saluki National, plus continue with catching up on a year’s worth of house cleaning, not to mention working on my next book.  But I can’t do it all at once and often end up doing none of it.

So many choices.  Should I do the dishes??

Put away the folded laundry?

Send off a blog to Liv Rancourt?  Okay, that one was easy, since it was already  mostly written thanks to a post from my late husband’s cousin.  Liv’s awesome blog  After you read through my ramblings on how our romance books are perceived, check out Liv’s Team Sophia.  What a wonderful thing you’re doing, Liv.

My muse is giving me the finger, so writing doesn’t seem to be in the cards.  Maybe later.

I hit the “press this” WordPress button at the bottom of Kristen’s blog.  Bear with me, I’m learning!

The Comfort Zone is for Pets, Not Professionals.

I’ve been following Kristen Lamb’s wonderful blog on the writing business.  I would say I want to be Kristen when I grow up, but I can’t wait that long!!

One of the responders said they were going to “reblog” Kristen’s writing.  ARRGGHH something else to learn!  In the meantime, here’s the link. It is worth your time to check this out, if you are any sort of an artist.

http://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/2012/05/23/the-comfort-zone-is-for-pets-not-professionals/#comment-31076

Oh, and I gave in to my drug of choie craving (caffeine) and I’m feeling MUCH better now (my nod to Taxi, does anyone remember that show???)

I miss caffeine. I miss feeling the magic elixir fill my body with happiness.  The Atkins plan advises against caffeine, especially during the initial phases but I gotta tell you, I don’t think that should apply to everyone.  Especially since I’ve written so little since I stepped away from my go juice!

I have managed to do some plotting and some scenes on what I’m calling “Seasons, for lack of a better title.”  And since “Teach Me To Forget” came out last week, I’ve been writing some blogs.  As a matter of fact, I’ll talking about TMTF on Romcon May 21.  Even better, “My Killer My Love” is up today, and there’s a chance to win a copy of your very own!

Maybe I need to do some shopping before I try to write again!

Happy Mother’s Day, everyone.  We’re taking a walk on the wild side with the cats of J.D. Revezzo.  Proceeds from this collection of short stories will go to several cat sanctuaries.  How cool is that?  Then there’s a very tempting dessert to tempt us.  Welcome, J.D!

***

Throughout history, the ability to shapeshift has been looked upon as a madness, or worse, a curse. Many stories exist in mythology of gods taking on other forms—for instance, Zeus was known to take any form he pleased, to lay with his chosen human lovers.

In the Orient, many gods and spirits took the shapes of animals, from cats, to foxes to the Tanuki with his big—ahem, well, you can look that one up for yourself.  Tanuki

Probably the first shapeshifters of whom stories were told, the Egyptian gods took the forms of Hawks (Horus), Jackals (Set), cats (Bast) and lions (Sekhmet) and many other animals besides.

In other countries, a witch’s cat was thought to be a shapeshifting demon, helping a witch with her nefarious deeds. The cat has retained that reputation ever since. Wily and suspicious she watches the poor, unsuspecting rat with a careful eye, and hides herself well in the underbrush to pounce on her prey. Even the witch herself—according to the Malleus Maleficarum, the 16^th century witchfinder’s go-to manual—had the ability to turn into a cat.

Is it any wonder people can be so suspicious of the winking feline’s inner deviltry?

The question of the cat’s penchant for change and mischief informs many of the tales inside Dark Things I: Cat Crimes. Herein there are murderous felines, mischief makers, and even some, like in my story “What Sekhmet Keeps” cursed cats looking for redemption.

How about a little peek into the dark?

Dark Things II: Cat Crimes

A collection of tales featuring feline mayhem, murder and dastardly deeds. Vampire cats. Scoundrel cats. Daring cats. Killer cats. Cats you don’t want in your worst nightmares and cats you might want on your side against evil. Authors include Mary V. Welk, Patty G. Henderson, Patricia Harrington, Jim Silvestri, Ken Goldman, Shanna Germain, Anna Sykora and dozens more. Intro by Robert W. Walker. All proceeds from sales go to several cat sanctuaries across the USA. Enjoy over twenty-one “cat tales” and support a cat charity!

And for my story:

“What Sekhmet Keeps”

by J.D. Revezzo

Betrayed by a false lover, cat shifter priestess Onfalia Mau lost her lioness soul and freedom to her lover’s treachery and Sekhmet’s wrath. Now, after three thousand years, Donquar has returned with one thing in mind: to steal the goddess’s scepter. Onfalia knows that to do so means to unleash Sekhmet’s unholy, bloody Slaughter on the world and she’ll stop at nothing to foil Donquar’s plans.

I hope you’ll check it out, and enjoy these fabulous stories!

All proceeds from the sale of our anthology will go to Cat House on The Kings, a no-kill cat sanctuary in California.

Their URL http://www.cathouseonthekings.com/

Buy links for the anthology:

In Kindle and paperback at Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/DARK-THINGS-II-Crimes-ebook/dp/B006O15YBE/ref=tmm_kin_title_0/185-0297248-1137456?ie=UTF8&m=AG56TWVU5XWC2

And in Epub at Lulu.

http://www.lulu.com/shop/compiled-by-patty-g-henderson/dark-things-ii-cat-crimes/ebook/product-18787458.html

About J.D. Revezzo:

J.D. Revezzo has long been in love with writing, a love built by devouring everything from the Arthurian legends, to the works of Michael Moorcock, and the classics. Her short fiction has been published in Dark Things II: Cat Crimes, The Scribing Ibis, Eternal Haunted Summer, Twisted Dreams Magazine and Luna Station Quarterly.

You can learn more about her works at: Her site: http://harshadpassion.wordpress.com/

or if you wish, follow her on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/JD-Revezzo/233193150037011

Or on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/juliannewrites/

And now, at Mona’s request, how about something tasty? This is a favorite around our house, though I’m sure you probably would be wise not to let your cats get into it.

Peanut Butter Pie.

Ingredients

3 Oz Cream Cheese

1 cup powdered sugar

½ cup peanut butter

4 Oz Cool Whip

¼ cup Milk

Mix all ingredients together and pour into a graham cracker crust (Oh, yes. Go ahead and fill the crust up higher than I did here.)

Chill for three hours.

You can dust a little extra powdered sugar on top if you so choose. I hope you enjoy it!

Thank you for having me, Mona, and hosting this little peek into our book Dark Things II: Cat Crimes!

***

Great having you here, thanks to you and the other authors for helping our lovely felines.

Amazon jumped the gun by a few days, and put Teach Me To Forget out on May 9.  Actually it showed up on line May 10, but who’s quibbling.  Black Opal Books Release  is May 12.  My favorite bottle store was able to order Black Opal wine for me, so we’re all set for a release party.

Except this weekend is the Rio Grande and Coronado KC shows, which ties up my doggy friends. I’d intended to be in Colorado lure coursing so the idea of a release party never got off the ground.  However the weather for Colorado predicts rain followed by, you guessed it, more rain.  So I’ll be staying home, and the actual party will have to be later.

In the meantime:

When we were in Southern California, Cinco de Mayo was a big deal.  Some people called it Mexico’s Fourth of July.  Tom (husband) used to point out it was just an excuse to have a big party, since May 5th was only significant as a single battle won, and September 16 was the really significant date.  Since September 16 was also his birthday, he might have had a vested interest in which day was more important!

Living out away from towns, sports bars, and community gatherings, these days are as quiet as any other.  Which is good.  This sort of celebration calls for nachos made with canned cheese (a particular weakness of mine!) so I’d best abstain.  Although nachos made with Chicharrones are pretty darned good as well as low carb.

Today’s recipe is more of a “try this” tip.  Green beans, kale, and okra are super yummy crunchy treats when roasted in olive oil, or when deep fried without batter.  Seriously!  I’ve tried chicken that way, not so much.  But a light coating of beaten egg and crushed chicharrones is darned close to “real” fried chicken.

So, about that shameless self promotion I promised you.  Okay, I promised myself I’d be doing some more promotion, how’s that?  My next book, Teach Me To Forget, has a release date in one week.  Yep, May 12 is the debut.  Unfortunately, or fortunately depending on the point of view, I’ll be in Colorado lure coursing.  That’s letting my ‘lukis chase plastic bags.  Doesn’t sound like much until you’ve seen them run.

The book, Teach Me To Forget, is up on Black Opal Books for preorder now, and should be on Amazon sometime this next week.  It’s not related to My Killer My Love in any obvious fashion, though one of the reviewers did point out I was writing about another wounded heroine and reserved hero.  Hmmm, I guess that’s right, since I like to write about people overcoming adversity in some form.  Years ago, someone pointed out (about a never to see the light of day book) “She’s gorgeous, and has her dream job.  He’s handsome and rich.  Who cares what happens to them.”  The quote has been cleaned up for general distribution.  Although the gorgeous woman/rich handsome man formula does work for a lot of readers, it just doesn’t come out of my head and through my fingers.  Strange.

Prologue for Teach Me To Forget:

Summer 2000:

It was a storybook wedding. The elite of the world’s beautiful people crowded the groom’s yacht, cruising off the south French coast. The groom’s austere face was only slightly lined, the gray at his temples adding a distinguished air. His still trim body was clothed by the establishment which had enjoyed the patronage of every male in his family since his great-grandfather. Although he conversed urbanely with his guests, his possessive gaze never left his bride.

Framed in the lens of the ever-clicking camera, the bride had the lithe slenderness seen only in the very young and healthy. Delicate curves hinted at the woman she would one day become. Her short dark hair was gamine cut by the stylist who had created the look. Her make-up had been applied by the hands of the genius whose company had taken three generations of women from beautiful to gorgeous. Her lavish bouquet was of rare miniature white orchids, picked deep in the rain forests of South America and flown in for this ceremony. The lace for her veil had been created by devout hands in a convent which had produced lacework of this gossamer perfection for centuries.

The veil was secured by a pearl crown once belonging to a medieval princess. It framed a delicate, serious face dominated by enormous, hazy green eyes and a lush, slightly trembling mouth, and billowed down to hand made, four inch spike heels. By tradition the full length veil attested to the purity of the bride, leaving no doubt in the mind of anyone attending that day that this was, indeed, a virgin bride. The diaphanous covering enhanced her bridal outfit, personally designed by the hand of the dresser to royalty. Brilliant fire opals had been meticulously applied to the hand sewn, French cut white bikini.

One of my personal favorite lines: “I thought if I kept my mouth full of biscuits, there wouldn’t be room for my foot.”

And Lex Valentine did another fabulous trailer for me:

I have often stated I believe a book is about the words.  The characters, their reaction to events, how they relate to each other means far more to me than how I read about them.  I realize this isn’t the same for everyone, but shouldn’t our lives be about variety?

How we read has a direct effect on the huge publishing industry, as does what we read.  Kristen Lamb has stated this so clearly, and it’s a MUST READ not only for writers but also for we people who follow AKC.  Adapt or die, Darwin at its finest.  Yes, it’s long, and the comments keep pouring in.  But I haven’t found a better overview of our profession.

Kristen has written several books on making social media work for us, including We Are Not Alone

Enjoy.  Tomorrow I’m going to get into some shameless self promotion.  Release day is coming soon

http://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/