Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Chatting this week!

Tomorrow, April 30th it’s my author day at TwoLips from 5pm until 8pm EST.
Stop by to chat, read excerpt and win a prize.
TwoLips


Friday, May 2nd, I’ll be chatting with CJ England and friends at her group. Come by to chat, enjoy excerpt, prizes and who knows what all. Warrior of the Past releases on Friday and I’ll share some juicy excerpts.

CJ England

Of course, as usual I'll blog at Nice n' Naughty on Friday.

Laura/LA Day

Celebration on Friday



Friday, I will be at CJ England's Yahoo group with a host of other authors.

Monday, April 28, 2008

My trip to the Dogwood Conference

I just returned from the Dogwood Writing Conference and I had a wonderful. It was hosted by the KYOWA chapter of RWA and they were friendly and gracious people. I plan to attend their event again next year.

The event took place at the lodge at Greenbo Lake State Resort Park, which is in eastern Kentucky. The park is beautiful and the lodge is very nice. The dogwoods and redbuds are in bloom making for spectacular scenery. I didn’t have a lot of time to explore so next year I may go down a day early.

My husband, daughter and niece made the trip with me and hung out in the park and neighboring area while I attended the workshops. Unfortunately, we didn’t arrive in time to attend the workshop Friday night but I did have time for a little socializing. I met some very friendly people and chatted before I headed back to my room.

My daughter is thirteen and my niece is fourteen with very active imaginations enhanced by just watching Prom Night. So when the power when out at out 10pm they were convinced a stalker had cut the power lines and was about to slaughter the guests. Of course, we played along and encouraged them to a point. Needless to say, I was awake until 1am. They have managed to embellish the story and have enjoyed telling their friends about their night of horror.

I didn’t get much sleep but Saturday was still very enjoyable. After breakfast, Christine Witthohn of Book Cents Literary Agency gave a workshop on query letters. It was very informative, as I hate writing query letters. Next, I attended Raelene Gorlinsky’s workshop on genre and sex. She had a great little sheet on words NOT to use to describe private parts. I don’t understand why she didn’t like–pulse-pounding swamp of love and cum or one-eyed purple-headed yogurt slinger! LOL You should see the list. If you don’t know Raelene, she is the publisher and editor of Ellora’s Cave and she is very witty and entertaining.

Authors, Pamela Cable, Cathie Shaffer and Maddie James also had workshops. I couldn’t attend them all but I especially wanted to attend Maddie’s. I spoken with Maddie online many times and I was thrilled to meet her and listen to her editing tips.

The panel of editors and agents critiqued one page from anonymous works in progress. I enjoyed this and I have to say they were right on the money as far as I could tell.

The workshops were fun but I have to say the best part was meeting new and interesting people. Hopefully, many of them will be in attendance next year.

Thursday, April 24, 2008

Dogwood Conference

What am I doing this weekend? I’m attending the Dogwood Writing Conference. See details below:

Join KYOWA members and fellow writers at the third annual Dogwood Writing Conference at beautiful Greenbo Lake State Resort Park located in eastern Kentucky.

Dates: April 25-26, 2008

Location: Greenup County Resort Park
965 Lodge Road (off KY Route 1)
Greenup, KY 41144-9517
Park Phone: 606-474-7324, 800-325-0083

Host Chapter: KYOWA (KY-OHIO-WV) 180
Contact Mary Shortridge
meshortridge228@gmail.com

Fee: $45.00 for non KYOWA members.
Includes Friday night Ice Cream Social/Program
Saturday Continental Breakfast, Luncheon,
and all workshops
We have a special nightly rate at the lodge of $71.96
for up to two people ($10/person over 2)
and a block of rooms for one or both nights.
Phone the park directly for reservations.
(Please note: KY Parks System bills your credit card
for the first night when you reserve your room. It will
be refunded if you cancel by the day before
your arrival.)




Enter
OUR PRESENTERS SO FAR:

PAMELA KING CABLE, Motivational Speaker, Author
New Release: Southern Fried Women
www.pamelacable.com
“When a speaker genuinely enjoys what she is doing as much as Pamela King Cable obviously enjoys speaking, there isn’t an audience in the world that isn’t swept up in the experience. I’ve been to all sorts of workshops, forums, and readings, but I’ve yet to see a crowd as captivated as they are at every single one of Pam’s presentations that I’ve attended. She literally becomes the words she has written and the characters she has created—it is a mesmerizing thing to behold.” Edmund R Schubert, Editor, Author


“Pamela Cable presented a program for our Sisters In Crime chapter … about Writing Conferences and Classes. Her presentation was informative, professional, and most enjoyable. Pamela's enthusiasm for the writing process is encouraging to the beginner writer as well as the more seasoned one. I recommend her highly as a public speaker…” Helen Goodman, Triad Chapter, Sisters In Crime


DR VIRGIL DAVIS, PhD, Reiki Master, 7th Degree Black Belt in
Karate
Dr Davis is a full professor of Psychology. He has published several
articles and co-authored the First and Second Editions of Understanding Psychology. He is the owner of Davis Karate Studio in Morehead, KY and and has worked extensively with disadvantaged and disabled young people, teaching the Karate discipline.

"Today's knowledge of human potential, as well as results in success motivation studies, provide solid evidence, if not unquestionable proof, that it is our thinking; the thoughts that we put in our minds (and allow to stay there), that determines whether we succeed or fail in reaching specific goals or in the performance of the majority of the activities in which we participate daily.

Think one way, and you attract the conditions which that type of thinking indicates. Think another way, and you attract an entirely different set of conditions. Conditions are created by thoughts much more than conditions create thoughts. It’s the simple law of attraction, a concept which has been recently discussed in detail by Rhonda Byrne in her popular book and DVD entitled 'The Secret'. "
from "The Secret: 'I Can't' Becomes Self-Fulfilling Prophesy" by Virgil Davis, 4/11/2007.


MADDIE JAMES, Author, Speaker

I’m often asked—why write romance novels? And the answer to that question is simple. What better a subject to write about than developing relationships between two people? About the pitfalls along the way? About falling in love? About happily-ever-after?
What could be better?
I hope when you read my stories that you laugh a little, cry a little, and can’t wait to read a little bit more. That’s the way I feel when I write my stories. I laugh and cry and I can’t wait to get to the end so I can get my story told. That’s what keeps me writing!
Current Releases: The Curse
Blue
Ladies of Legend: Finding Home (with Janet
Eaves, Magdalena Scott, Jan Scarborough)

www.maddiejames.com


OUR EDITORS AND AGENTS:

RAELELNE GORLINSKY, Editor
Ellora's Cave
Cerridwen Press

AMI RUSSELL, Editor
Wild Rose Press

CHRISTINE WITTHOHN, Agent
Book Cents Literacy Agency, LLC

Editors and agents will take pitch appointments on Saturday. However, there is a relaxed, informal atmosphere, especially Friday evening, and there will be unstructured time for all to meet and mix.




Testimonials

OUR SCHEDULE SO FAR:

FRIDAY, APRIL 25TH:
Dinner on your own. The lodge offers a full buffet, plus menu choices from 5:00-8:00 PM.

7:00 Workshop with Dr Virgil Davis
Basic self-defense for women followed by a question and
session in martial arts, psychology, Reiki, Chuck Norris
(Dr Davis worked with Mr Norris in martial arts training and
instruction)
8:00 (Or whenever) Ice Cream Social/Mixer as late as you wish.

Saturday:

8:00 Continental Breakfast (the Lodge has a breakfast buffet for
those with a more hearty appetite)

8:30 - 12:00 Workshops

12:00 Luncheon: Ami Russell from Wild Rose Press, Keynote

1:15 - 2:30 Open Critique: Participants should bring two pages of their WIP(s) for comments by a panel composed of our editors and agent.

2:45-5:00 Workshops

Thursday, April 17, 2008

TT #39

13 welcome signs that spring has sprung!

1. It's 55 degrees at 8:30 am
2. My hostas are sprouting everywhere.
3. The man next door is power washing his deck. (Something I need to do.)
4. Bunnies are out everywhere in the early morning. Must be mating season.
5. We've been grilling out at night which I love because there is less mess to clean up.
6. My daughter is strutting around in short shorts all the time. (Okay! I can't say this thrills me.)
7. The guy down the street mowed his grass yesterday without a shirt. (Sorry to say that didn't thrill me either.)
8. My dh emptied the lawn furniture and ornaments out of the garage last night.
9. My daughter has started asking when we will open the pool.
10. There is only 5 weeks left of school. (This doesn't thrill me except I won't have to get up early to get my daughter on the bus for school.)
11. It's the right temperature to open your windows. You don't need air or heat!
12. My dogs love to go outside in these temperatures. I think they'd stay out all day if I'd let them.
13. I have a tan. (I'll admit though that it's fake. I go to the tanning salon but you can't tell by looking.)

Hope you're enjoying spring weather where you are.


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

A Hottie for Inspiration



Things have been crazy lately between working on my house and yard and chatting it seems like I've had little time for writing. I needed inspiration to finish my current chapter and I thought I'd share. Hope this inspires ... something!

Thursday, April 10, 2008

TT #38

Thirteen HOT male athletes!
















The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Wednesday, April 09, 2008

Chatting at TwoLips

I’m chatting at TwoLips Reviews today with the Cobblestone Authors. I’ll be there on and off. It’s spring break this week and my lovely 13 year old daughter has plans for me to drive her here and there. If you get a chance, stop by and visit.

TwoLips

Sunday, April 06, 2008

Excerpt Satin Seduction

Satin Seduction by LA Day
Releasing July 11, 2008 from Ellora’s Cave

Excerpt:
He leaned forward. “You see an opportunity to meet a growing need?”

Damn. She wished he hadn’t mentioned a growing need. Her voice trembled as she continued, “A recent study says that fifty-one percent of American’s are overweight.”

Jake reached for a file on the edge of his desk. “Actually, the latest demographic is fifty-four percent but not all shapely women are overweight.”

That got her attention. “Are you already considering a new line?”

“I am. I’ve owned a majority of this company for six months now and in that time I’ve evaluated our strengths and weaknesses. I’m only thirty-five so I hope I’m not too old school to recognize a need for change.”

Nicole felt heat rise in her cheeks. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t insinuating you were old.”

“I’m not offended. I believe you are only a couple years younger.” He smirked. “I’m pleased that I have a designer with vision and initiative.”

“Thank you.” She replied quickly, on a deep breath. She could finally breathe. It was going better than she’d expected.

He fingered the corset she’d thrown on his desk. “This corset is a satin blend?”

“Satin-Lycra blend. It’s comfortable, yet controls,” she explained. “Comfort and control are important ingredients for a full-figured line.”

“What else have you designed, besides the thong, of course?”

“I have three panties, the Brazilian-cut, a hip-hugger, the thong and a brief.”

“No granny panties?” He winked.

“Never!” She pretended to gasp in horror. “Banish the thought. I’ve also finished designs for another corset, a bustier and some night clothes.”

“You’ve been busy. Have you had anyone model them?” His brows rose. “We need to test the comfort and control.”

Biting her lip, she hesitated. “We don’t have larger models. I made them in my size.”

Picking up the thong, his fingers traced the lacy edge. “You’ve modeled these?”

“I tried everything on to test the comfort and fit. Those don’t actually offer control but…” She hesitated.

“They’re sexy as hell.” His eyes ran over her and a shiver rode her spine. “Are you wearing one of your creations now?”

Nicole laughed nervously.

Jake grinned in a way that would wet any red-blooded woman’s panties. “You said you’d never charge me with harassment.”

She raised her chin. “I meant it.”

“What are you wearing?”

Her tongued felt glued to the top of her mouth and she swallowed. “I’m wearing a slimming corset with support for…”

“Support for large breasted women?” His gaze devoured her chest. She could almost believe he could see through her clothes.

“Yes.”

He crushed the thong in his hand. “What type of panty?”

“A ruffled Brazilian-cut,” she answered and was surprised how breathy her voice sounded.

“Damn,” he breathed the word as his eyes stripped her clothing from her body. “Can I talk you into modeling them for me?”

“Me? You want me to…?” She blinked at the thought.

“Yes.”

Nicole shifted under his intense gaze. “I’m not a model.”

“Did you model them in front of a mirror?”

“Well yes, I did.” But that was entirely different. There was no one there to see and no one to laugh if she looked ridiculous.

“Did you see how beautiful you looked?”

“I looked okay. I’ll never have a model’s figure but I looked fine.” She raised her chin.

“You say you want to celebrate full-figured women and that your line will compliment their figures. I believe you can but I don’t believe you do. For this to be a success you can’t doubt the line. You need to see and believe in the beauty of a full-figured woman.”

Blurb of Satin Seduction

Satin Seduction
By L.A. Day
Releasing July 11, 2008 from Ellora’s Cave.

Blurb:

Nicole James is a designer for Satin Seduction. Her dream is to create and produce a line of lingerie that flatters the figure of rubenesque females. As a full figured woman, she knows the trials of finding comfortable and flattering lingerie. She designs the line and takes her pitch and samples to Jake, the new owner of Satin Seduction. He seems approachable and he did inspire more than a few of her sexy designs. She knows she can’t compete with the thin, sexy models that grace the studio but she hopes her designs can compete with some of the best.

Jake Malone has wanted Nicole since he purchased Satin Seduction. When she comes to his office one afternoon to pitch a line of lingerie for full-figured females, he sees an opening. He’s interested in the line but more interested in her.

Nicole is hesitant to bare her rounded curves to her hottie boss but agrees to if he’ll strip to his briefs. While modeling her designs, their mutual attraction flares to life but Nicole knows better than to read anything into the encounter.

Making love with Nicole was more than he expected but still he feels her holding back. He knows the image she has of herself stands between them. He wants a future with Nicole so he must convince her that he finds her full-figure deliciously sexy.
How do you show a woman how beautiful you find them? Sometimes pictures speak louder than words especially naughty pictures. Cameras don’t lie and beauty is more than skin deep.

Posing for Jake’s pictures makes her nervous and most of the pictures are unbecoming at least to her critical eye. She isn’t sure what Jake’s motives are but his next stunt is a revelation. She horrified to realize Jake’s used a hidden camera to film them having sex. She’s even more stunned to see what it reveals. They weren’t having sex but making love and loves eyes soften every blemish.

Thursday, April 03, 2008

TT # 37

For Thursday Thirteen, I thought I’d list thirteen things about the awesome month- long contest the Midnight Seductions Authors are having.

1. Find rules and info here.
2. Find the daily questions here.
3. There are 30 prizes for the 30 days in April.
4. I post my question Friday April 4th.
5. I’m giving away a free download of an ebook.
6. There are many other downloads to be won.
7. You could win a Sex and Sass Goodie basket.
8. Maybe, you’d like to win Homemade Goat’s Milk soaps
9. A Mini Mary Kay Gift Set is another prize.
10. How about an Alaska Goodies Grab Bag?
11. A gift certificate from Cobblestone.
12. Naughty Lingerie!!
13. Also, a print book, gothic journal, floral bath accessory, gift basket, scented candles and a vial of gold flecks.

This contest is too much to pass up. So, start playing today!

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun!

View More Thursday Thirteen Participants

Tuesday, April 01, 2008

April Newsletter

L.A. Day's April newsletter has posted!
Go directly to my newsletter:

Newsletter

Check out the April contest info:
The Midnight Seductions Authors are having a month long contest. A prize is awarded every day to one lucky winner. Find details in newsletter and on my contest page. You must play to win!

Feral Intensity has a HOT new cover - check it out!

March Contest Winners

Winners of $5.00 Cobblestone gift Certificates are:

domricannessa

Vickyc77084b

Congrats to the winners!