Saturday, June 30, 2012

Galaxy Fest Day 2


Aliens, aliens, everywhere! It's not enough that you see aliens on signs and painted on buildings, not to mention people dressed up as aliens (although my favorite were those people wearing aluminum hats a la "Signs"). But even Coke machines bear familiar faces.


It was busier today, natch. The museum's staffers were wonderful. They even got their kids to help run errands, including asking the authors and vendors if they would like water, etc. This is the bottle I was handed. At the bottom of the lable it says, "Preferred by Aliens in All Galaxies."


Of course, once you reach downtown, the street lamps are aliens. And this is everyday, not just for the festival.

After the museum closes for the night, the festivities aren't over. There's still panel discussions, mostly about abductions and recent sightings. The city had an alien parade down Main Street. And, of course, you get to see things that are considered "par for the course".  I'm going to try to get some of those pics for tomorrow.

Friday, June 29, 2012

Galaxy Fest Day 1


The day started with a wonderful continental breakfast at the museum (note the alien bodies in tubes in the background). I have to admit this breakfast was a lot better than the continental served at my hotel.

After we schmoozed among ourselves, and others got to put their tables in order, the museum opened at 9 o'clock. Meanwhile, outside, Main Street has been closed off for six blocks. This has more impact than most people know, because the main highway through Roswell is Main Street, which means all traffic from Carlsbad to Albuquerque has to take a detour around Galaxy Fest. LOL! There are games, rides, food vendors, an open stage with bands playing all day long, and numerous other vendors like jewelry, T-shirts, and whatnot.


One of the neat vendors inside the museum was this guy with these incredible flying saucer sculptures. Photos don't do justice. These things light up and beep, and do all sorts of crazy things. Each one is unique and the creator is an electrician with a vivid imagination.

At 1:30, I did my presentation. It had initally been entitled "How to Make Love to an Alien". The Fest people changed it to "How to Love an Alien". The audience still got the PG version, and there was quite a bit of discussion afterwards. It was fun! I get to repeat the presentation on Monday afternoon.


One of our guests this year is Denise Crosby, aka Tasha Yar from Star Trek: the Next Generation. Please excuse her expression. I just caught her at a bad moment.

Traffic through the museum wasn't heavy, but that's because we were told to expect the biggest crowds on the weekend. So on my way home I stopped at Target and bought a nice firm pillow. I'm going to get lots of rest tonight so I can face tomorrow with energy!

Thursday, June 28, 2012

I Finally Arrived!


It was a 10-hr. drive that I broke into 2 days. The second day, today, was the most monotonous due to the flat terrain between here and Fort Stockton. But I've finally arrived in UFO territory! Once I signed in and got my pass, I went to check in at my hotel and to find a place to eat. Afterwards I went back to the museum after it had closed. Staff was setting up tables and getting ready. I unpacked my books and got my booth finished, as the festival begins at 9 o'clock tomorrow morning!



The Roswell newspaper and my pass. The city has its own UFO Fest, that runs in conjunction with the museum's.


I couldn't resist getting a picture of the Guest Author board. The museum used to be an old theater, so a lot of the advertising is in the huge glass windows where movie posters went.  Can you spot me?

A quick stop at a local grocery store for some candy (to put in the bowl at my table), and I'm ready to call it a day.

Wednesday, June 27, 2012

I'm On My Way!

For this coming weekend I'll be in Roswell, NM, to attend the UFO Galaxy Fest at the International UFO Museum there. I'll be there as both a guest author and speaker, and I'll be updating this blog with photos and newsy items from the festival.

Monday, June 25, 2012

Xavier Axelson is my Guest Author Tonight on "Other Worlds of Romance" on Blog Talk Radio

Xavier Axelson is my guest author tonight on "Other Worlds of Romance" on Blog Talk Radio! Come listen as he reads an excerpt from his erotic paranormal romance, Earthly Concerns, from Seventh Window Publications.

Show time is 11 pm et/10 pm ct/8 pm pt

Don't miss it!
* * *
Between love and loss, there is obligation…

It was a peaceful night when Barrett and his daughter were driving home… then something happened.  Something sinister.

Between shadow and light, there is uncertainty…

Now the only person Barrett can turn to for help is Anson, a man gifted with psychic abilities beyond reason. But Anson is also his ex-boyfriend, a man whose heart he’d already broken.

If you can see, you have to help.

As Anson delves deeper into the circumstances surrounding Barrett’s accident, he begins to realize that he’s not only in a race against time, but in a battle against his own broken heart and the terrifying understanding that whatever has taken Barrett’s child is a force of evil beyond anything either man has ever encountered.

And between decision and consequences, there are… Earthly Concerns

Sunday, June 24, 2012

Six on Sunday - X-TROLLER

Six paragraphs from X-TROLLER, an erotic sci-fi, futuristic, time travel, post-apocalyptic romance novel.
Now available from Whiskey Creek Press Torrid!
Also available at Amazon and All Romance eBooks.
* * *
1. Straightening up, she locked onto Eli’s face and stared at him eye-to-eye. “I’m from here, but from the future. The near future. Your future. And trust me, boys, if we don’t manage to stop these things now, you won’t live long enough to see it.”

2. Stepping away from the brick wall, Eli swung behind Dwan and aimed his weapon overhead to provide back-up. At the last split-second he saw the supposedly dead creature lying inches away reach up with a razored claw. In that particle of time, he knew that if he tried to fire at the mutant or at its claw, he could either miss or not stop it in time. Without thinking, Eli dropped his gun and grabbed the slimy, cold arm as its claw connected with the back of Dwan’s calf. Lifting his knee, he slammed the appendage over his thigh, breaking the claw into two pieces. Separated, the sickle-shaped claw stopped short of cleaving into her muscle. Eli threw down the broken leg in disgust and wiped the mucilage from his hands onto the backs of his jeans.

3. He watched as she mulled over his offer. Strangely, he found himself hoping she would accept. No, scratch that. He was sending her little mental vibes in a nonsensical attempt to persuade her via telepathy. For some reason he couldn’t quite understand, he needed her to stay with him tonight. Stay within seeing distance. Within breathing distance. Close enough to perhaps touch.

4. A few strands of hair were plastered to his glistening forehead. They splayed upward, feathering over and almost into his eyes. Dwan reached out to brush them away when Eli grabbed her by the wrist. The glitter in his eyes became a smoldering look. Before either of them could understand what was happening, she felt his thumb caress the skin above her pulse. Down, over the vein, then up into the palm. Slowly, provocatively, it tickled as it sent intense currents through her bloodstream and straight between her legs. She took a shaky breath, and his other arm pressed against her back and shoulders, trapping her. His eyes remained locked on hers, his gaze burning into hers.

5. He felt like he was being torn apart, and there wasn’t a damn thing he could do about it. Or do to prevent it. There was pain now, but there would be more pain to be felt in the future. If the pain he was suffering today because of what that creature had done to his arm wasn’t enough to cause him misery, knowing Dwan would have to leave him would be the final blow. He had been fighting his feelings ever since last night, but no amount of denial would negate the fact that he was falling in love with the warrior woman who worked so seamlessly beside him.


6. “I got less than two months to find the answer, Dwan.” He stopped and turned to stare at her. At her lovely face with tousled hair that fell onto her shoulders in a thick tangle and down around her perfect breasts. Suddenly his throat closed up on him again, along with a prickling warmth that rose into his face, into his eyes, and a tickling sensation that drifted into his nose. “And I’m losing you today,” he barely managed to whisper. “God knows how I’m going to survive that. But while you’re still here, we have to find the answer, or else we’re going to lose everything. Dammit, Dwan! I’m not going to my nonexistent grave without a fight! I’m not—” His voice gave out, leaving him unable to finish. A tear rolled onto his cheek. He clenched his teeth as he fought the desire to let it all out. Dwan flicked away the single teardrop with her thumb and leaned in close enough to kiss him.

Friday, June 22, 2012

Review: DEEP

~ Reviewed by Merrylee, TwoLips Reviews

Galactic Enforcer Lawn Bascomb finally stands on the threshold of accomplishing her dream, a dream she's dedicated her life working toward. She's about to depart Earth for guard post duty in Area 6Y, on the very fringes of the galaxy. She'll spend one year there, her ship anchored to a buoy as she watches for any and all threats to Earth. There's nothing she desires more than the precious solitude it will bring her. One whole year of it, with no one to stare at her or look away all too quickly from the awfulness of her facial deformity. Her only company will be Deep, the male AI installed in her Vogt ship.

Deep is one of only four experimental spaceships that incorporate distinctly different artificially enhanced intelligences created specifically for deep space duty.He's been waiting months for this time alone with Lawn. Able to project a holographic representation of himself, Deep is not only handsome and sexy, he's the very image of a man Lawn’s been fantasizing about ever since he smiled at her, despite her disfigurement. He quickly becomes so much more than her shipboard computer. He becomes her friend and then her lover, making her feel beautiful for the first time in her life.

When they're faced with certain death from a natural cataclysm that also threatens Earth, Deep knows he must save Lawn and Earth, even if the price is his own life. For Lawn, without Deep, her future isn't worth a plugged nickel. Or is it?

Deep by Linda Mooney deviates from all her other Sci-Fi romances I've read, and I've read quite a few. It tells the story of love found between an artificially intelligent spaceship and “his” flesh and blood female pilot. Through Ms. Mooney's skillful writing, it doesn't take the reader long to start viewing Deep as a sentient, emotional male being instead of merely a sexless thinking machine. Both Lawn and Deep are animated, believable, and sympathetic. I especially loved Deep and his emotional depth. He loves Lawn with all his “heart,” despite the horribly disfigured left side of her face.

Although the book did wring some tears from me – one of the tests a book must pass for me to give it anything above 4 kisses – I had a couple issues. Despite having a surprise ending that can be classified as HEA, I didn't find it a desirable ending, no matter how apropos it is, following as it does, in the wake of tragedy. I also finished the book with one burning question. How did Lawn's face become disfigured and what did it actually look like? Although Ms. Mooney goes to great lengths to elaborate on how her disfigured face affects her life and the way she views herself, her vague description of the actual injury, burn, or birth defect – or whatever it is – leaves a lot to be desired, which is a criticism I don't think I've ever had for a Mooney book. 

That said, if you love Ms. Mooney's Sci-Fi romances or you're looking for something a bit different in the genre, pick up Deep and see what you think of it.

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

A Child in the 50s, Part 4

Music either came from an AM radio station, or from records, 45s (seen above) or LPs (long-playing albums). You put the big spindle on the record player to fit the hole in the 45s (one song per side, one play-thru only), or you could put an adapter (see below) in the big hole. Otherwise if you left the big thick spindle off, you'd have the skinny spindle you'd need for the little hole in the LP.

Set the needle arm on the edge of the record. Once it played, the arm would automatically swing back, another record would drop down onto the turntable, on top of the other record, and the needle would set itself at the beginning edge again.

You could go a good 15 minutes of having listening pure enjoyment before you'd run out of records and either had to lift them up and re-stack them, or flip them over to listen to side B.

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

New Cover! Coming Soon - A FAERIE'S TALE


Coming Soon!

A FAERIE'S TALE
An erotic fantasy romance novel
Word Count: 53
K

"Mommy, tell me a story. A fairy story."

Jill has a very real fairy story to tell her daughter. Actually she has two: the one she recites at bedtime and the one that is the truth.

Once upon a time there was a faerie whose life was contained in the forest lands of northern Maine. But when unscrupulous loggers began to cut down the trees which were the lifeblood of her people, she was ordered to take human form and find a way to stop them by using human means.

Caine York worked for the US Forestry Service. The last thing he needed was a tree rights activist like Jill Lattimer tagging along. Yet as the days went by he found himself unable to resist the woman's uninhibited spirit.

Unfortunately, Jill was also finding herself falling in love with the forest ranger. The human forest ranger. A man her people would never allow her to be with once they found out.

She would soon find herself fighting to stay with the man who had captured her heart, just as Caine would struggle to have the woman he can not live without. Together they will fight to keep their beloved woods safe from deforestation, knowing that sooner or later one of them would have to lose everything they held dear.

Warning: Contains horrendous weather, big bad humans, lightning from a stick, sex with wings, explosions, drone surveillance, barefoot nymphs, gunfire, and one very recalcitrant child.

Monday, June 18, 2012

X-TROLLER - New Release and Giveaway Tonight on "Other Worlds of Romance" on Blog Talk Radio

Tonight on "Other Worlds of Romance" on Blog Talk Radio, I'm celebrating my newest release, X-TROLLER, an erotic time travelling, post-apocalyptic, futuristic, sci-fi romance novel, from Whiskey Creek Press Torrid. And one lucky listener will win an e-copy!

Show time is 11 pm et/ 10 pm ct/ 8 pm pt

You don't want to miss this!

Saturday, June 16, 2012

THANK YOU to the Creatures of the Nyght!

Last Saturday evening I had the distinct pleasure to be the guest author at the monthly bookclub meeting of the Creatures of the Nyght in Houston. (It was also a potluck supper, so you could really call it a night with "dinner and entertainment".)

By choice, they had read AEquana, my fantasy romance novel where the heroine is a mermaid and the hero is an ex-military Native American.
After we'd eaten, we discussed the book in detail, and I was asked numerous questions, which I had a blast answering.

But before that began, Nicole, my hostess, had made a crossword puzzle of the book! (Which gave me a great idea for future contests!) The winner of the puzzle got to pick her choice of one of my other books that I had brought to share and discuss. I also gifted everyone with a pen. In return, they gifted me with a card that everyone had signed, and an adorable mermaid mirror and a lovely mermaid necklace, both hand-crafted! (Both of which are now hanging in my office.)

Many, many thanks again to everyone there, for a wonderful gathering and discussion. And more importantly, for the morale boost. Last Saturday means more to me than you will ever know. You were fabulous hosts!

Bless you all!

Friday, June 15, 2012

New Release! X-TROLLER, an Erotic, Sci-Fi, Post-apocalyptic, Futuristic, Time Travel Romance Novel

Now Available!
X-TROLLER
An Erotic, Sci-Fi, Post-apocalyptic, Futuristic, Time Travel Romance Novel
From Whiskey Creek Press Torrid
Word Count: 61K

Scarred and weary, Dwan is ordered to go forty-seven years into the past in a last ditch effort to find the one man who can help her fight the monsters created decades ago by a company called Lambruchet. Monsters that have since devastated mankind and the world. 

Eli Voight has been battling the Lambruchet demons ever since the company had his father killed. As the first Troller, he’s made it his duty to bring down the creatures and find a way to permanently stop them. He’s skeptical of Dwan's claim that she’s from the future. But her skill is undeniable, and her presence becomes an all-consuming passion for the man who had pushed aside any thought of a personal life in his quest to drive the demons to extinction.  

Dwan never expected to fall and fall hard for the emotionally unapproachable soldier. Worse, she knew what kind of death lay ahead for Eli, which meant there could never be a future for them. 

Together, they must fight to take out the monstrosities, or else Earth as it is will cease to exist. And the Earth that could be, Dwan’s world, will only hold a future of horror and hopelessness.

Warning: Contains living nightmares, screwed DNA, impromptu dentistry, great beef stew (with real meat), deadly broom handles, a shave without a haircut, coded writing, and a future that gives mankind only two more decades to exist.

Thursday, June 14, 2012

A Child in the 50s, Part 3


You could hear the ice cream coming from a mile away. The incessant "Pop Goes the Weasel" tune it played must have driven the poor ice cream man insane by the end of the day.

There was a lazy susan sitting on a cart by the back door leading into the garage. Mom always put a dime there for me so that when I heard the music, I could go get a popsicle. Cherry. And if I broke it in half lengthwise, I could enjoy some of it now and save the rest of it for later.

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

A Child in the 50s, Part 2


Saturday nights, my parents would have my brother and I take an early bath and dress up in our pajamas. We'd then load into the car, complete with blankets and pillows in the back seat, and go to the drive-in. There was a swing set and whirl-a-gig right at the front, underneath the screen, where we'd go play until it was show time.

Daddy always hung the heavy metal speaker on the back seat window. That way it wouldn't blast directly into his ear, and we didn't mind the loud noise. He'd visit the Refreshments area in the back of the complex for popcorn and soft drinks before the first movie started (which was usually a double feature.)

There was always a cartoon at the beginning. Usually a Warner Brothers one. My brother and I would be able to watch the first movie before falling asleep (that's how I saw "Pillow Talk" with Rock Hudson and Doris Day). Sometimes we'd stay for the second movie, and sometimes we'd leave because often the second film was too adult for kids (I remember bits and pieces of the original "Psycho" that way.)

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

A Child in the 50s

I'm going to spend the rest of this month letting you know what it was like growing up in the 50s and early 60s.

Ahh, nostalgia.


The only week day show for kids was in the morning. I diligently woke up and tuned into The Treasure House and Captain Kangaroo to see if Bunny Rabbit would drop ping pong balls on him. To this day I can still hum the theme song.

Monday, June 11, 2012

Marsha Moore is my Guest Author Tonight on "Other Worlds of Romance" on Blog Talk Radio

Marsha Moore is my Guest Author Tonight on "Other Worlds of Romance" on Blog Talk Radio. She will be reading from her fantasy romances, Seeking a Scribe and Heritage Avenged.

***
Lyra McCauley is a writer and loves fantasy novels, but until she opens a selection from bookstore owner Cullen Drake, she has no idea he’s a wizard character who lives a double life inside that volume…or the story’s magic will compel her from the edge of depression to adventure, danger, and love. 
His gift to Lyra, the Book of Dragonspeir, was actually her copy, misplaced years ago. Lost in her pain following divorce and death, she fails to recognize him as her childhood playmate from the fantasyland. Friendship builds anew. Attraction sparks. But Lyra doubts whether a wizard is capable of love. She’s torn—should she protect her fragile heart or risk new love?

Opening the book’s cover, she confronts a quest: save Dragonspeir from destruction by the Black Dragon before he utilizes power of August’s red moon to expand his strength and overthrow the opposing Imperial Dragon. Lyra accepts the challenge, fearing Cullen will perish if evil wins. Along with magical animal guides, Cullen helps her through many perils, but ultimately Lyra must use her own power…and time is running out.

Friday, June 8, 2012

A Curious Propostion

I recently received a fan letter (Yay!) with a curious request. She told me how much she enjoyed my books she'd read, except "for the explicites and occassional expletives". And could I re-write and release them without those things (like the swear words and sex scenes) in order "so the books can be included in family libraries and
read by wider readers."

I told her I wasn't planning on doing such a thing, but I've also learned to never say never. But her question got me to thinking.

First of all, has anyone else ever been approached to rewrite their book to make it more palatable for younger readers?  If so, did you?

Second, I write Sensuous Romance. That means creating love between two people where having sex is an essential part of building that love. It would be very difficult to show the depth of love growing between the hero and heroine without the sex scenes - or, at least, that's my opinion.

At this time when publishers are asking writers to push the boundaries in terms of sex, etc., it was refreshing to get an email asking for less. Although I wonder if a snipped version would sell.

Monday, June 4, 2012

Helen Henderson Returns as My Guest Author Tonight on "Other Worlds of Romance" on Blog Talk Radio

Join us tonight on "Other Worlds of Romance" on Blog Talk Radio when Helen Henderson returns to read us an excerpt from her paranormal romance, Windmaster Legacy, from Burst Books.

Show time is 11 pm et/ 10 pm ct/ 8 pm pt
* * *
Ellspeth and the dark-haired archmage Lord Dal, escort his mother on a final journey to her ancestral lands. Their plans change when mercenaries under the control of a rogue mage attack. Dal's mother is severely wounded. Ellspeth is captured and her sole hope for escape is Nobyn, an untrained wizard going through the throes of awakening magic. However, Nobyn is Bashim's apprentice and under the mage's total control.

Dal must make an impossible decision whether to rescue Ellspeth, save his mother, or thwart Bashim's plans. More than who lives or dies is at stake.

Dal might be able to live with his responsibility for the death of a loved one, but could he survive killing the future of magic.

Sunday, June 3, 2012

3D Sidewalk Art From the Artist's Perspective


This makes me even more in awe of what the artist has to do in order to create the illusion.

Saturday, June 2, 2012

I Wish I Said Hello: a project devoted to Missed Connections


By Samantha Dalrymple.  "According to Wikipedia, a ‘missed connection’ is an occurrence where two or more people are unable to exchange contact information or the information that is exchanged is lost. This simple street art project called I Wish I Said Hello encourages everyone to rekindle their missed connection stories in the public space in the form of street art. The goal is not to be another platform for reconnection, rather, a celebration of everyday poetics, a physical mapping of a digital network, and a commentary on the role of technology in human communication. Have you ever had a missed connection? This would be great for you."

(Original post found here.)

Friday, June 1, 2012

The Pug Plop



If you have a pug, you've seen this for yourself. If you don't have a pug, this adorable video may make you want one.