Thanksgiving is over. Company is gone. Harrymania is over (for now). So it’s back to the normal routine.

For my regular blog readers, are you wondering what happened to November’s centerfold? Yeah. Me, too. My hubby developed a case of the lazies and tells me it’s going to be combined for November and December. I think that bites and I’m not giving up. I’ll keep you posted on who wins this match…

In the meantime, I was talking with a writer friend the other day about what motivates us to want to write a particular book. This is a lot of different things for a lot of different writers. For me, I can’t be too tired, of course. I LOVE having wonderfully scented candles. Right now, I’m burning vanilla and sandalwood. Yum!

But for me, it’s about the music. Like couples often come up with “their song”, I often do the same with my books. It’s odd, really. I find these songs in so many different places. They come from a lot of different genres. The one common theme is that some emotional note in the song draws me in. I’ll give you the 411 on the songs that have influenced me in the past (at least the ones I can recall) in reverse order of release:

GOOD TO BE BAD – “Enjoy the Silence” – Depeche Mode. It’s just such a Jack Cole sort of song. All he ever wanted, all he ever needed, there in his arms…just like the song says. He just has to figure out a way to hang on to her. Besides, it’s one of my all-time favorite songs. I HAD to use it.

STRIP SEARCH – “Behind These Hazel Eyes” – Kelly Clarkson. I discovered this song as I was finishing the book, and it really described how Nicki was feeling at that point in the story. “Here I am once again, I’m torn to pieces. Can’t deny it, Can’t pretend. Just thought you were the one.” Struck a deep chord with me while I was tangled in this book. Actually, this book had another song. While plotting, “Little China Girl” by David Bowie was helpful, too. This hero was the type to tell Nicki, “You shouldn’t mess with me. I’ll ruin everything you are…”

BOUND AND DETERMINED – “Love Sublime” – Vehkavaara & Piltch. The CD is supposed to provide sounds from a Mediterranean night…but most of these sounded Latin in flavor to me, which inspired me to write really hot and spicy. This particular song has a sexy yet poignant feel to it, which the plot called for as well. Very inspiring!

STRICTLY FORBIDDEN – “Desert Rose” – Sting. The entire sentiment of the song really embodied what Gavin was feeling for Kira. It was really instrumental in helping me open my mind to the idea.

STRICTLY SEDUCTION – “Marco Polo” – Loreena McKennitt. This mostly instrumental is exotic and somewhat Middle Eastern. While the motif isn’t English, the song is pure seduction, which is what this book was all about to me.

HIS REBEL BRIDE – “Don’t” – Yve. N. Adams. From the Message in a Bottle soundtrack. The woman singing this song was imploring the man in her life not to entice her because she was weak, and he embodied everything she wanted and thought she couldn’t afford. Perfectly described Maeve’s perspective about Kieran.

HIS STOLEN BRIDE – “Why Lady Why” – Alabama. Yes, it sounds odd to say I listened to a country song to write a Medieval, but the singer’s problem was exactly the same as Drake’s. Knowing he shouldn’t touch Averyl and being able to stop himself from doing it–two different things.

ONE WICKED NIGHT – “All I Wanna Do Is Make Love To You” – Heart. If you’ve read this book, you’ll realize the song was a huge inspiration to the plot. The book sort of plotted itself after hearing this and really thinking about it. Lucien and Serena thank the Wilson sisters.

Going forward, I’ve been looking for a plot for years to put with the song “The Weekend” by Steve Wariner. I think I’ve FINALLY found one! I’m still searching for one for Diamond Rio’s “Beautiful Mess” but I think I’m closing in on it.

Have songs that inspire you? Please share! Maybe they’ll help me cook up something really fun and wonderful.

Yes, I’ve been a bad, bad blogger lately. I know. I’ve neglected the whole thing in a woefully irresponsible way.

Blame it on Harry…Potter, that is.

As you know (unless you’ve been living under a rock), last Friday saw the release of Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Naturally, such a huge occurrence means that I have to stop everything I’m doing, buy the new PC video game (and try to figure it out–this one is odd) and watch all the previous HP films on DVD (a party to do so with all your HP-crazed friends is a must!). I also must read editorials, advance screening reports and reviews, etc. And as a responsible parent, I HAD to see it first to find out if it was appropriate for my daughter. But being the conscientious mother that I am, I attended a screening on opening day with my other HP-crazed friends and spouse. This eats up a lot of time!

It was a great film. What it lacked in the emotional poignancy Prisoner of Azkaban possessed (no time for that here…), GoF more than made up for in action. GoF was my favorite of the books so far. I would have liked to see then film about 10 minutes longer, just to stop and savor the reactions of Harry, Hermione and Ron to some of the most shocking events in HPdom to make film to date. But that’s my knee-jerk reaction after having seen the film once. I’m sure it will all sink in somewhere around the 10th viewing. *g*

Yes, I am obsessed.

So now that we’ve had both a new HP book and movie this year, I have no reason to anticipate another HP event until likely 2007. Order of the Phoenix is scheduled to reach the big screen in June of that year. Absolutely no word when we’ll get Rowling’s final book in the series, but 2007 is a decent guess at this point. Given all that, I have no reason to procrastinate writing…or keeping up my blog. I’ll be better from now on. I can’t blame it in Harry anymore.

I’ve ordered my copy from Amazon. Can’t wait to get it!

TAKE ME
Pocket Books
ISBN #1416509577
November 2005

http://www.BellaAndre.com

An appetite for sensual pleasures must never be denied…
Lily Ellis has curves–soft, beautiful curves. The kind of voluptuous body she fears Travis Carson, the man she’s always loved from afar, would never crave. But Lily is about to be proven wrong. Her sensual adventure begins when, despite her inhibitions, the demure San Francisco interior decorator agrees to model a plus-size dress for her fashion designer sister. Watching this sensual beauty move down the runway with mesmerizing power, Travis can’t believe it’s the same Lily he’s always known and always rejected. In a whirlwind of electric attraction, Lily is soon moaning Travis’s name in his bed, not just in her wild fantasies. But Lily is all too aware that she’s nothing like his past lovers…and now that she has him close at last, she’s praying Travis likes what he sees and feels. Determined to beat Travis at his own game by guarding her true feelings of love and lust, she spontaneously partners with him on a business deal that takes them all the way to Italy. In the seductive warmth of the Tuscan sun, Lily is about to unwrap her real self, and play a game of desire with the hot-blooded Travis. Will she be burned by an ecstasy that’s so all-consuming it has her seeing stars? Or will Travis open his heart to the sexy, exciting, and lasting love she has to offer?

Emma Holly, bestselling author: Oh, my! Bella Andre’s TAKE ME is wonderfully sexy–a big, fun fantasy with an euqally big heart. You’ll cheer these characters on as they find each other…and themselves!

Jaid Black, bestselling author: TAKE ME is emotionally charged and deliciously erotic. A must-read from cover to cover.

Patricia Green, Romance Reviews Today: A story with a woman who isn’t model perfect is a refreshing change in TAKE ME…Ms. Andre captures the beauty of Italy in such a way that it will leave one wishing to experience the warmth of the Tuscan sun…a delightfully engaging tale of erotic contemporary romance.

Susan White, JustEroticRomanceReviews: Take Me is a terrific book that I absolutely adored.

Angel, Romance Junkies: TAKE ME is an excellent book about a full figured woman… I love the fact that a plus size heroine gets the hero. Bella Andre has done an outstanding job creating a heroine who is not average and a hero who loves her just the way she is.

Tewanda H., bookseller: I am lucky enough to work at a bookstore that received an advanced reading copy of Take Me. I was unable to put the book down. IT IS WONDERFUL!!!! And I will be recommending it to customers, friends, and family. Lily is a wonderful heroine, that cannot help but touch your heart.

I’m deep in the writing process of my current book, which has no official title so I’m operating with the working title GOOD TO BE BAD, but it should be in a store near you in January 2007. (Is that the longest run-on sentence ever?) That is, if my editor doesn’t laugh the book out of her office the moment she starts to read it.

You see, I’m sure this is the Worst Dreck Ever.

Now, I freely admit that I feel this at some point in every book. And I admit that many writers feel this. It’s a common malady we all discuss amongst ourselves. But really… Jack still hasn’t forgiven me for “two-timing” him with Stefan last month, to talk about another story (which isn’t something I would start working on until 2007, so I had to get my notes down…). Morgan is clamming up, so it appears she’s not happy with me, either. Between Stefan, the cat continuing to chase my cursor across my computer screen, and having company for dang near a month, I’m not into the rhythm of the book as I’d like to be.

There are positives. It’s not due until April 1, so I have time. So far, the three people who have been reading it in draft have been enthusiastic, which does make me feel better. I’m about to get into the juicy part of the book, the part I’ve been dying to get into since I started. Yeah on that!

I think this weekend Morgan, Jack and I will have a meeting of the minds. I will soothe ruffled feathers, assure them they are my #1 priority at the moment. (Doesn’t it sound like I think I’m talking about real people? I promise, I’m not delusional or psychotic.) I will spend quality time with them and their story, make a large dent in chapter 7, and slide back into the writing groove.

I’ll get past this. I always do. Then come January/February, when I start working on STRANGER DANGER, I’ll think that book is the Worst Dreck Ever and look back fondly on GOOD TO BE BAD, maybe even consider it one of the books I’m most excited about. That’s the weird business of writing…

Recently, I started participating in a brand new blog called Virtual Book Bag. We’re just getting started, but already there’s a lot of fun folks on board who are writing lots of great books. Today, I’m going to post a title for your reading pleasure. Enjoy!

Author: Teresa Bodwell

http://www.tbodwell.com

Title: Loving Miranda
ISBN: 0-8217-7816-1
Publisher: Kensington, Zebra Historical Romance
Release: October 2005

Benjamin Lansing is on his way to paradise with a short detour to nowhere. His brother left some unfinished business when he died. Ben aims to set things right and get out. He has no intention of allowing a pretty little distraction like Miranda to keep him from his goal. Even if that spark of life in her eyes threatens to melt the layers of reserve he’s taken a lifetime to build . . .

Miranda Chase knows exactly what she wants–a settled life with a steady man who will treat her right. She has no time for a smooth talkin’ city slicker who makes her heart race like a wild stallion when he touches her. Only a fool would try to lasso and break a man like Ben. Or a woman reckless enough to follow her heart . . .

Reviews
“LOVING MIRANDA will bring a lump to your throat and tears to your eyes.” Betty Cox, NovelTalk Reviews

“Sweet and touching, yet as rugged as the wild west . . .”
Kathe Robin, Romantic Times BookClub

“Ms. Bodwell has created a riveting story in this sequel to Loving Mercy.” LA (Leanne Davis), Rendezvous