It’s true. He is my “better” half…

Have you ever had one of those weeks where everything you touched turned to crap? You know the type. Each day something new falls apart or some other trial rears its ugly head.

I just had one of those weeks. To quote the words of “my better half” –my week sucked out loud.

But then everything changed. Isn’t it amazing the difference a thoughtful action can make?

When I arrived home from work, Hubby told me, “Change clothes, we’re going out.”

I glanced down at my comfortable jeans and tee shirt, sucked in a weary breath and asked, “Why?”

“Because you need this and I said so,” he replied.

Hubby’s known for his to-the-point blunticity. It’s one of his more “endearing” qualities. I don’t bother arguing with him, I’m stubborn but I’m no match for his tenacity. However, I can’t give in without a bit of a fight –so I give him the trademark eye roll and exasperated sigh, then stomp off to change outfits.

He laughs. He knows round one is his.

Clothes changed, hair and make-up touched up. I slide into the car and ask, “Where are we going?”

He sounds like our six-year-old granddaughter when he grins and replies, “I’m not tellin’”

I give another eye roll accompanied with an irritated snort.

He chuckles and chalks up his win for round two.

We park at the end of a vaguely familiar street. I fix him with a narrow-eyed glare. “Are we going where I think we’re going? That spot’s just for anniversaries.”

His face lights up with a blinding smile. “You need this. Now, hurry up. We’re late for our reservations.”

We walk through the door of the empty restaurant. The maitre d’ smiles and nods at my husband as we enter. “Everything is just as you requested, sir.”

The smiling gentleman guides us through the candle lit dining room to a cozy elevated table in the corner. A dozen long-stemmed, blood red roses in a lovely crystal vase grace the center of the table.

I tear up. Hubby smiles and pats my hand as he slides into the booth beside me.

I don’t even mind that he just won the entire match.

Congratulations to the lucky winners!!!

Congratulations to Cathy M. She won the signed ARC of FATED from Rebecca Zanetti's blog.  Rebecca has already contacted her for more information regarding her prize.

and

Congratulations to Ruth for winning the digital copy of BEYOND A HIGHLAND WHISPER from Happily Ever After Thoughts blog.  If Ruth will go to my website at http://www.maevegreyson.com/ and use the contact button to let me know her email address, I'll get her copy to her right away!

Thank you both for taking the time to visit the posts and commenting on the blogs! Rebecca and I both hope you enjoy your new reads. :-)

Creating Memorable Characters with Jill James

It's the FINAL week of the month-long blog tour. Commenters this week are up for a weekly prize worth $40 and/or a Grand Prize worth over $50! Topic this week - Developing Unique Characters. My wonderful guest is contemporary and paranormal romance author, Jill James. Don't forget! The more blogs you hit and the more comments you make: the BETTER your chances to win!  Here's the rest of the stops on the tour:

Find me at http://www.ajbooks.blogspot.com/
Meet author AJ Nuest at http://amielouellen.wordpress.com/
Meet author Lynne Roberts at http://authorjenniferjakes.blogspot.com/
Meet author Amy Corwin at http://lynneroberts.blogspot.com/
Meet romantic suspense author Kat Duncan at http://amycorwin.blogspot.com/
Meet contemporary YA an adult romance author Linda Kage at http://www.jilljameswrites.com/
Meet paranormal, and historical romance author Caroline Clemmons at http://www.katduncan.net/writeabout
Meet historical and paranormal romance writer Lilly Gayle at http://lindakage.blogspot.com/
Meet Amie Louellen, author of fun and whimsical contemporary romance at http://carolineclemmons.blogspot.com/
Meet erotic western historical author Jennifer Jakes at http://www.lillygayleromance.blogspot.com/ 

And now...here's Jill! 

Memorable characters are a necessity for a memorable story. Think Gone with the Wind, and Scarlett and Rhett come instantly to mind. Think of the Harry Potter series and each of those children is a full-fleshed person.

When I start a story, I always begin with the hero and heroine. What they want in life and their flaws are what make them real to me.

Their wishes, their dreams, and their method of getting them are what make them memorable. What are they willing to do to get their fondest wish? What are they willing to give up reaching for their dreams?

Their flaws make them human, make them seem real. Will they step on people in their climb up the ladder of success? Are they willing to risk everything to get what they want? Is there a step they won’t take, a risk they aren’t willing to take? Are they strong or hardheaded? Are they smart or a smartass?

When I started Tempting Adam, I knew that Yvette Giardino would be a hard-hearted businesswoman, that she would do anything in the name of corporate raiding. But why she needed to do this; for the care of a loved one, is what made her real to me. Anyone can understand how far someone will go for his or her loved one. It is a universal need.

To me, that is what makes memorable characters.

Jill's latest release TEMPTING ADAM is available NOW:

They both want the same thing – St. Eden Studios.

Corporate raider Yvette Giardino intends to bring St. Eden Studios to its knees. It’s a job. One her grandmother’s health depends on. That Adam St. Eden will suffer isn’t personal. Until he awakens her sympathy and stirs her body in ways she can’t explain.


Adam wants one thing and one thing only – to protect the dream his grandfather began. But when the board demands he work with stunning Yvette, a woman he’d mistakenly indulged with in a little after-hours play, his world turns upside down. Missed meetings, unhappy clients, and nights of intense pleasure – he can blame one person. Yvette.


With his corporation crumbling around him, can Adam rise above the fallout and see his sexy temptress for what she really is – a victim of manipulation and a woman who desperately needs his love?

Excerpt:

Yvette pulled herself together with a jolt.

It’s a job. It’s a job.

She repeated the mantra in her head in an endless loop, gazing into deep, blue eyes. This close, she noticed the subtle lines near his eyes from his outdoor living. If he had grown up in Hollywood, he would have had a facelift or two by now, instead of the natural look he pulled off quite well.

Adam helped her rise, his warm hand cupping her elbow. A tingle shot from her arm, to her chest, and to regions much farther south. A sexual moan almost escaped her lips. Yvette shook her head to clear the mental images of her and him and the hotel room. It didn’t help. Memories of that night still had the power to stir her senses. They hit Yvette in a place she didn’t think existed—her emotions.

His eyes darkened to indigo, and he leaned nearer. His fresh, evergreen scent enveloped her. Her head swam, and she tilted on the heels of her shoes. She berated herself for her juvenile behavior, unable to believe the She-shark of business might have met her match. At least in the sexual arena.

Adam wrapped an arm around her shoulders, led her to the bench outside the door, and sat beside her. “I hope you’re doing okay. I would’ve found you a seat inside, but they were getting back to work. I didn’t want anything else to delay the work schedule.”

Disbelief flooded Yvette while she replayed what had just happened. She needed to get a grip on herself and this job. Adam was nice enough overall, and was great—make that fantastic—in bed.  However, he was no ruthless businessman and knew next to nothing about Hollywood. He wasn’t the first CEO she’d taken down, and he wouldn’t be the last.


It wasn’t personal.

Find out more about Jill and her books here:

Website: http://www.jilljameswrites.com
Blog: http://www.jilljameswrites.com/blog
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jill-James-author/172814579396783  
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/jill_james
Group Blog: http://www.trulymadlydeeplyromanceauthors.blogspot.com  

Tomorrow is the big day!

I'm thrilled to have Kensington Brava author, Rebecca Zanetti visit my cyber home. She's a pretty busy lady these days because her much anticipated release day is almost here. Tomorrow, FATED hits the shelves. You'll be able to get your hands on her fresh new twist to a sexy vampire read.

Poor Rebecca. She's kind of my guinea pig with this interview. I've never really done one before. But I figured it would be all right. You see...she's my AWESOME mentor in the Writing With the Stars Contest. Without Rebecca's great advice, guidance, and understanding, I would never have made it to the Final Round.  But enough about that - on to the interview:

Maeve:  Tomorrow's the big release day for FATED, Rebecca. How have you been holding up as you get closer to the big day?

Rebecca: Thanks so much for having me here today! I’m so excited for the release! A wonderful specialty wine and gourmet food store called the Gourmet Way has offered to throw a launching party with a wine tasting and several giveaways. The press will be there and a local radio station is doing an interview the day before. Though I need to get back to work afterwards. I’ve been really busy with guest blogging and promoting FATED, so I need to buckle down soon and work on HUNTED, which is book three in the series.

Maeve:  I love following a series. I'll look forward to collecting them all. Okay, Rebecca. You're not only a talented author for Kensington Brava but you're also a lawyer and a college professor. (The wife and mother roles are no less important but I'm trying to stay focused here.) How did a professional in what some would consider a quite somber field end up writing sizzling hot vampire romances?

Rebecca: Great question! (And thanks for all the kind words!) You know, the most successful lawyers and professors I know are the most creative. Linear, logical thinking needs some very creative tweaking to appeal to anyone listening to you, whether it’s a jury or a class full of college students. And to be honest, I’ve always been a bit on the fringe of anything sober…vampires are a good fit.

Maeve:  There's sometimes a certain stigma attached to the romance genre. I believe the term "trashy romance novels" is one phrase that tends to follow us around. Do you attempt to keep your roles separated for those who don't realize how much talent it takes to spin a delicious tale that entertains your readers?

Rebecca:  Nope, no way, not a bit and no how. I don’t feel the stigma. If it’s out there, I either don’t see it or subconsciously disregard it. I love romances. I’m fine with people who don’t. But this is what I write, and facts are facts. And yes, I’m sure my students will be giggling next month after reading FATED because hey, it’s a bit steamy. Though I bet they’ll buy book 2, CLAIMED, when it comes out in November. ;-) 

Maeve: A giggling student is a happy student. You're making their lives more pleasant. So, tell us...what triggers your plot bunnies to start wiggling their ears? Music? Art? People-watching?

Rebecca:  Yes. All of the above. I also live in my head a lot, and stuff percolates there. Sometimes I have to remind myself to get out of there and interact…but now at least people think…hey, she’s a writer. She can be eccentric. That’s better than people getting irritated because they think you’re not paying attention.

Maeve: I'm going to be sure my husband reads this. Now, he'll know "part" of the reasons why he's sometimes ignored.  Tell us a little bit about FATED. Everyone's anxious to hear more about your book.

Rebecca:  Like any romance, FATED is about two people falling in love and figuring out a way to stay together. It just so happens that one is a vampire and the other a single mother trying to protect her daughter from a multitude of dangerous destinies. Throw in a virus created to specifically harm the vampires, a whole lot of steamy sex and genuine emotion, and I think you have a fast paced, breathtaking read.

Maeve: FATED sounds like a MUST READ to me. Is there anything else you'd like to add? Do you have any words of wisdom or questions for your readers?

Rebecca:  I’ve been asked the magical formula for selling a book to NY from people who have great ideas for books. There isn’t a formula. But without question, the first thing you have to do is sit down and write until you have a finished book. There’s no way around that. Sure, classes and workshops and books are great in preparing you…but they’re also a way to put off writing because hey, you’re working on your writing career. If I could give anyone advice, it’d be to start WRITING now.

Maeve:  I think that's excellent advice, Rebecca and thank you so much for visiting my blog today. Now guess what, folks? Rebecca has agreed to give away a signed copy of FATED to one lucky commentor who correctly answers the following riddle:

Since Rebecca is my interview guinea pig today, I asked her if she likes carrots. She said yes but she liked this food item better.  It's green. It's often found in martini's. It's sometimes stuffed with pimentos and it's actually a fruit.  What does Rebecca like to gnosh on better than a carrot?

To learn more about Rebecca Zanetti - visit her website here:  http://rebeccazanetti.com/

For all you folks who love to shop online (like me!) here's a couple of links to find FATED:

http://www.amazon.com/Fated-Rebecca-Zanetti/dp/0758259239/ref=cm_lmf_tit_9_rsrsrs0

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Fated/Rebecca-Zanetti/e/9780758259233/?itm=1&USRI=rebecca+zanetti

Don't get caught up in the "what if" game

February 18, 2011. Friday. A BIG day for me. I’ll always remember it. You see, on this wonderful day in my little world, I became “real”. My paranormal romance with The Wild Rose Press, BEYOND A HIGHLAND WHISPER launched into the world. Yay! It is released!

*Happy Sigh*

And then I start playing the “what if” game. I hope most of you aren't like me. I hope you’re so self-assured that nothing ever shakes you. But if you're not, then you know exactly how the game goes.

A wicked little voice whispers in your ear and nibbles away at any amount of self-esteem you ever thought about having. The voice plows through your fields of imagination, sowing noxious, stinging weeds.

1. What if nobody buys my story?
2. What if somebody DOES buy my story but doesn't like it?
3. What if I don’t get any reviews?
4. What if I DO get reviews but they’re bad ones?
5. What if I don’t do enough promo?
6. What if I do so much promo everyone cringes when they see my name?

You get the idea. I honestly believe in a previous life, I was a little dog who raced in circles snapping at his own tail. What will I do if I ever catch it?

Luckily, my husband and two daughters are all accustomed to this behavior. They shake their heads, roll up a newspaper and swat me. “Snap out of it! Look at everything you’ve accomplished. When are you going to start believing in yourself?” You should hear them.  The way they harmonize this mantra is very impressive.

I tell them I'll probably always be this way. Childhood demons and old habits die hard. Besides. Believing in me is THEIR job. I'm lucky they do it so well.

And since they are so very supportive, for their sakes, I will do my best to stop playing the "what if" game. I'm going to trade up and don a new and improved "whatever will be...will be" mindset. 

So. If you’d like a wee taste of my new story, here’s a bit for you to enjoy:

Beyond a Highland Whisper excerpt:


However, tonight Latharn was different. He didn’t go any further then the hungry possession of her mouth or the desperate, crushing embrace. Nessa sensed he needed this night to be different. His body tensed beneath her touch, he restrained his caress as if he wanted her to reason rather than just shatter into mindless bliss.

He raised his head and gazed into her eyes. Nessa flinched at the depths of pain and frustration etched in his face. He struggled, trying to communicate, to connect with her deepest emotions without the use of words. He took his palm, flattened it against his heart then placed it upon her chest. His brows drawn together in a questioning frown, he tilted his head and waited for a sign that she understood.

Her lower lip quivered at the very obvious gesture. Nessa whispered and covered his hand with hers. “Are you telling me you love me?” Her whisper caught in her throat.

One corner of his mouth pulled up into a relieved smile as Latharn nodded and brushed his lips across hers. He took a deep breath as though steeling himself against his own deepest fears. He took her hand and repeated the heart touching gesture from her chest to his. Then he raised a brow and awaited her answer, anxiety filling his eyes.

A lone tear escaped down her cheek as Nessa stared at her hand splayed upon his broad chest. “You know I love you,” she murmured with a moan. “I just wish that you were real.”

He squeezed his eyes shut, pulling her into his arms to cradle her against his chest. Holding her close, he stroked her hair as she gave way to tears.

Enjoy your days, my friends, and remember - whatever will be...will be! :-)

Buy Links:
The Wild Rose Press: http://tiny.cc/l68th
Amazon: http://tiny.cc/55d9j

How to Wine and Dine a Mermaid!

Guess what folks? We’re in for a double treat today. Author Marsha A. Moore is not only giving us a glimpse of her great new release but she’s also sharing a tempting recipe. So, welcome Marsha to my little corner of cyberspace. I’m so glad you could be here today.


Thanks lots for having me on your blog today, Maeve! It’s one of my favorite places!

During the winter of 2008-9, I moved my mother from NW Ohio to Tampa. It didn’t take much to convince me to stay through the winter to help her get settled before I moved my own household the following summer. My first Florida winter inspired me to write my fantasy erotic romance book, Tears on a Tranquil Lake, which just released February 1st.

I was delighted to feel the tropical vibe seeping into the local atmosphere, and it inspired my writing. From my first visit to the Caribbean, I was hooked. I love the culture, the sway of steel drum bands, the colorful cottages, the turquoise waters, soft sand, sun, rum beverages, spine-chilling voodoo …and mouth-watering seafood dishes.

My heroine in Tears on a Tranquil Lake, a mermaid named Ciel, learns to appreciate a variety of different seaweeds and kelps, but also loves dining on shrimp. The pirate captain who attempts to woo her away from her merman, wines and dines her with candlelight dinners of gourmet-prepared fresh fish like amberjack. The pirate ship’s head galley cook, Dogbone, is certainly talented!

Recently, my husband and I enjoyed our first vacation in three years—a week in the Florida Keys. The move had kept us way too busy for vacations, so this was a real treat. We discovered a great fresh fish dive in Key Largo called The Fish House, which was recommended by a Florida travel magazine. The décor was 1970s tacky, but the fish was to die for. When we came home, we were thrilled to find our favorite recipe from that restaurant online, Fish Matecumbe. Then, my husband and I recreated the magic of our vacation in our own kitchen, which I’m happy to share today with you all. May it bring you a taste of the Keys, its warmth and happiness.

Fish Matecumbe

1/2 Spanish onion, chopped
1 (8-ounce) jar capers
5 shallots, peeled and chopped
5 tomatoes, chopped
1/4 cup chopped basil leaves
1/2 tablespoon salt
1/2 tablespoon ground black pepper
2 lemons, juiced
1 cup olive oil
8 individual Mahi Mahi fillets
Salt and pepper
Serving suggestion: rice

To a medium bowl, add all ingredients except fish and stir to thoroughly combine. Refrigerate until ready to use; it is best to let flavors blend for at least 1 hour in the refrigerator.

Preheat the broiler and position the oven rack so that it is at least 4 inches from the broiler, but no more than 6 inches.

Place fish fillets on a baking sheet and then season fish with salt and pepper. Place under the broiler and cook until done on 1 side. Watch carefully, as it may only take a couple minutes, depending on the thickness of your fish fillets and the proximity to the broiler. Remove from broiler and turn each fish over. Top each fillet with about 1/2 cup sauce. Return to the broiler and cook until fish is done on the other side and fully cooked through in the middle. If you are unsure about doneness, cut into the center of 1 fillet; it should be opaque. (You can cover up the cut with the sauce.) Serve with rice, if desired.

Recipe from The Fish House
Key Largo

I’d love to have more good fish recipes and so would Ciel! Please tell me about your favorites.

Tears on a Tranquil Lake

Blurb:

What a surprise for a young woman, to find herself suddenly transformed into a mermaid.

Ciel’s first thought – track down the merman who changed her and make him reverse his magic.

Unable to find him, survival in her new world becomes paramount. She eagerly accepts help from a dashing pirate captain who takes a fancy to her, lavishing her with finery. When her merman does show up, he competes for her affection. One look into his eyes makes her life more complex -- he is her soul mate.

Which man will she choose – pirate captain or merman? Which life – human or mermaid? Caribbean adventures and dangers chase Ciel as she searches for decisions and the key to her happiness.

Warning: This book contains Haitian vodou, sultry wenches, foul-mouthed scalliwag pirates, overindulgence of fine Caribbean rum, and amorous encounters on deserted beaches.

Excerpt:

On deck, a conga drummer joined the musicians from two nights ago, entertaining us with some lively salsa tunes. The deck hands sang and shouted, rhythmically pulling at the rigging on the halyards, raising and lowering sails that propelled the ship out of the Bay.

With so many distractions onboard I failed to pay attention to sights the ship passed. Only when a large rock formation came astern on the portside did I see Meris seated on its peak, level with the schooner’s deck. He looked regal with his muscular flipper draped across the rocks and his emerald green tail fin fanned out wide, glistening in the sunlight.

I held out an arm and he lifted his open palm up to me. I bent far over the gunwale, wanting desperately to bridge the short distance. Forgetting everything except my desire to be with him I leaned farther, somehow believing I could swim through the air to reach him.

“No, Ciel! Stop!” Meris shouted.

Immediately, arms grasped me tight at my waist and pulled me back behind the railing, and then I perceived the dangers below. I would have fallen perilously near the hull, or crashed upon rocks in the narrow passageway. I glanced behind to see Black Sam holding me.

“No, lass, ye can’t dive here.”

Undaunted, I turned my attention back to Meris, whose position passed away from me as the schooner progressed. I squirmed free from Sam, and moved aft as quickly as I could, using the gunwale for support. Our bond throbbed within my heart.

For more about Marsha follow these links:

Website
Blog
Twitter
Facebook
Goodreads
Publisher: http://museithotpublishing.com/
ISBN: 978-1-926931-29-6
Purchase Link

There can be only one...

There can be only one…No. I’m not talking about the Highlander movies –although I was a fan of both the movies and the TV series when it was still on. I’m referring to a much more personal “quest”. One I’ve been chasing since July 2010.

Wow. That sounds like forever-ago. And judging by the obstacles I've tackled over the past few months: WIP's, promoting, and networking…it was forever-ago.

I’m talking about the Kensington Brava / RT Book Reviews Writing with the Stars contest. Yep. You guessed it or may have already heard me yodeling from the woods in the tip of Kentucky.

ETERNITY’S MARK made it to the FINAL ROUND. Voting starts today and on February 27th, the round will end, the votes will be counted and it will all be over. Finally.

LOL! I hear many of you muttering Thank gawd! She’s finally going to be done with that persistent vote begging. Trust me, my friends; if you know me at all, you know that’s been the most difficult part of this contest.

And guess what? There’s a twist! Instead of two of us vying for that coveted brass ring –there was a tie for second place at the end of Round Four. So, I’ll be battling against not one talented author –but two.

We’re down to the wire and it’s almost over. Thanks to all of you. Thanks to your votes, comments, support, and most of all –your patience, ETERNITY’S MARK made it to this level. Whatever happens, I hope you all know how much your help has meant to me.

But now is not the time to rest. I need your help one more round. Please go to the link below and cast your vote for ETERNITY’S MARK. I must warn you, this round is the love scene…and yes, my entry is sizzling hot. It’s not erotic romance but it is explicit and I would definitely rate it somewhere in the gray area between PG-13 and R. If you’d prefer not to read such a love scene, I completely understand. Your friendship means more to me than a “vote”. That’s why I wanted you to know up front and not be surprised when you went to the link. Thanks again for all your help and support! Here’s the link to help me bring home the win:

http://www.rtbookreviews.com/content/writing-stars-vote-love-scene

There can be only one...