I was chatting the other day with a friend of mine who is both an aspiring writer and a reviewer. We were discussing the fact some reviewers seem to like everything they read. My friend wondered if that was because they didn’t want to hurt an author’s feelings, or if the reviewer lacked a filter or simply wasn’t that discerning. I suspect more the former than the latter.

The conversation continued with another question: if there are reviewers out there who seem to like everything they read, does anyone ever listen to them? For that matter, does anyone really listen to reviews at all? Authors do. From a personal standpoint, we want people to like our work. We spend a lot of time crafting works with the idea of making people laugh and care and want more. But do readers really heed reviews? Do they read Romantic Times magazine the way we do? Do they visit the online review sites? Do they put stock in people like Mrs. Giggles? I’m insanely curious. Do you read reviews before buying books or buy what sounds interesting, regardless of if or how it was reviewed?

Thought I’d kill 2 birds with one…post. Today, I received the final copy for STRIP SEARCH’s new cover!

It’s WAY better than the first cover this book received back in 2006. In fact, I’m thinking he’s pretty hot, and I like the overall look. I bought a new bigger, widescreen monitor over the weekend, and it looks mighty sexy from here. Comments? Love to hear from y’all!

I’m very light on news this week–not uncommon with the holidays about to get underway. The lone bit of news to report is that I received and began reviewing the contract for my anthology with Maya Banks. My contribution to the anthology is tentatively titled HER FANTASY MEN. I am due to turn this novella in during the December 2009 timeframe. I’m told that, currently, this is scheduled for release in October 2010. I’m looking forward to sharing this with you all. It’s going to be great fun to write!

Since I’m a little light on news and some of the folks from my Wicked Writers (and readers) chat group asked, I’m going to post a few Thanksgiving recipes.

Grandmother’s cornbread stuffing – this is my great-grandmother’s recipe. I won’t eat anything else on Thanksgiving!
- Bake 1 pan of cornbread the night before and let cool. Cover with foil so it doesn’t dry out.
- Sautee 1 cup of chopped celery and 1 cup of chopped onion in butter until tender
- In a large bowl, crumble cornbread into fine pieces
- Add 1 package Pepperidge Farms cornbread dressing mix
- Add enough chicken broth to make the cornbread/dressing mixture mushy
- Add 2 raw eggs
- Add 1 tablepoon poultry seasoning
- Add 1 teaspoon salt
- Add sauteed onions and celery and mix well
Loosely stuff well-washed cavity of turkey with dressing and cook as usual.

RAH’s Pecan Pie
3 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 c. sugar
1 c. pecans, chopped
2 tbsp flour
dash of salt
1/2 c. butter
1 c. light corn syrup
Mix flour and sugar. Beat eggs slightly. Add butter, salt and sugar mixture, syrup, nuts and vanilla; mix well. Cook in 9 in. unbaked pie shell for 10 minutes at 375. Reduce to 350 for 50 minutes. Enjoy!

The BEST Sweet Potato Casserole ever! This is my mother-in-law’s recipe. I just LOVE it!
3 c. mashed sweet potatoes
1 c. white sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1/3 stick butter
1/2 cup evaporated milk
1 tsp butter and almond flavoring
2 eggs, beaten
Combine potatoes, sugar, salt, butter, milk, flavoring and eggs. Turn into greased baking dish.

Topping:
1 c. brown sugar
1/3 c. flour
1/3 stick butter
1 c. chopped pecans
Blend brown sugar, flour, butter and nuts. Bake 350 for 35 minutes.

Hope you’ll try some of these on your Thanksgiving table!

I owe you Sunday Newsday AND a Manly Monday. Sorry to fall behind again. Life is a never-ending merry-go-round these days. I don’t want to get off, but yikes, could we slow it down a bit?

Last week’s news is relatively light. TEMPT ME WITH DARKNESS has been nominated for best new paranormal world by Rhapsody romance book club. It’s a huge thrill! IF you are a Rhapsody member, you can vote here. PLEASE VOTE!! I don’t have the direct link, but hopefully you can find it from the home page.

Last Saturday, I went to Tulsa for a booksigning.

From left to right, that’s Michelle Bardsley, Jaci Burton, Chris (who assisted us at the store), me and Dakota Cassidy. We had a lovely time. Naughty Nikki drove up to Tulsa, and Wicked lady Greta joined us. Fun time!

I’m working my way through Doomsday Brethren book 3, POSSESS ME AT MIDNIGHT. I have lots of fun and twists up my sleeve. It’s due in January, so I need to get moving!

I expect to have some more news in the coming weeks about several items of interest, so stay tuned!

And now, what you’ve all been waiting for… Enjoy!

Um…Howdy! Have a great week! I’ll be back tomorrow the a new thinking-cap question.

Last weekend, I attended a retreat for my local Romance Writers’ of America chapter. One of my bunk mates was Jax Cassidy. If you’re not familiar with her, she’s one of the co-founders of the very popular site for writers, Romance Divas. She’s also great fun. Anyway, she’s got a new release, and I thought I’d share the details with you. I’m going to be checking it out!

Title: ART OF SENSUALITY
Author: Jax Cassidy
Publisher: Parker Publishing
ISBN: 978-1-6004-3044-2
Page Count: 250 pgs / print
Release Date: November 17, 2008

Purchase from B & N
Purchase from Amazon
 
Art was not only a passion of Machiko Barrett, but also a destiny…a way of life she has known since her talent was discovered at three years old. Caught in a turbulent storm of celebrity, scandal and corruption, she disappeared from the art world only to re-emerge fifteen years later as an au pair to the two young children of renowned Parisian gallery owners. Her sheltered existence is disrupted when she is lured back to her one true passion: painting.

While Machiko struggles to find her own identity through her art, she encounters Caleb Holden, a sexy, unpredictable and irresistible neighbor with a penchant for collecting art, and women. As he discovers the girl within the woman, the secrets of Machiko’s past return to haunt her, revealing scars she never knew existed. She must learn to conquer her fears and allow him into her heart or risk slipping back into a cold, lonely world that once held her spirit captive. Through Caleb’s determination to educate Machiko about trusting herself and her abilities, he opens her eyes to the art of sensuality, and awakens the woman buried deep inside the broken girl.
 
Author Bio:
Jax Cassidy is a multi-published author and has written under the pen name Cassidy Kent. She is Co-Founder of Romance Divas, an award winning romance writer’s website and discussion forum. In between skydiving for charity and campaigning against human trafficking, she enjoys the company of close friends and indulges her caffeine fix at the nearest cafe. An avid traveler and an adventurous spirit, Jax has drawn inspiration from her experiences and often blends the exotic mix of Eastern and Western lifestyles into her writing. When she isn’t locked up in her office penning her latest manuscript, Jax can be found creating abstract paintings for future art shows, or dividing her time between California, Texas, and Florida.
 
For more information on Jax, please visit her online at www.jaxcassidy.com or www.jaxadora.blogspot.com

Have a great weekend!

Happy Monday, everyone. This will be a quick drive by. Still recovering from from the fabulous retreat I had over the weekend. Allergies aside, it was an incredible experience.

But I’m barely above comatose.

I know, however, that you didn’t come here for me; you came here for him…

Intriguing face, hot abs… I’m suddenly inspired to write! Have a great week!

Gang, I know this was supposed to be Wednesday’s thought-provoking question. Sorry to be late. I’ve been running all week. I had a flu mist last Sunday, the evening I got my husband out of the hospital. I was tired and run-down. This should have been a signal, but I was there, the mist was ready, and I’ve had the flu for the last 3 years. I wasn’t going to get it again, dammit. Um…wrong. It’s thankfully not as bad as the case I had last year, but I don’t feel fabulous. I also spent a lot of time at the eyes doctor’s office yesterday only to be told that I am not a candidate for Lasic. Drat! I am committed to a writers’ retreat this weekend. I’m excited…but hoping I don’t get sicker. (Yes, that’s a word, at least today.)

I have a Feature Friday ready, but I’ll share it next Tuesday, after Sunday Newsday and Manly Monday. I hope that’s okay with y’all.

So, onto the question…

I’ve heard some readers say that they read books occasionally by cherished, favorite authors…and can tell that author “phoned it in”. How can you tell when an author has done that? Why do you think it happens? No naming names or anything, just curious how you perceive it from a reader’s point of view.

From a writer’s perspective, I can tell you some things that happen that may contribute to that perception that are largely out of the author’s control:

Sorry to combine topics. RAH (Romance Author Husband) is now out of the hospital and resting at home. He’s going to be okay, but after 4 days of being at the hospital, I’m wiped out. So forgive me if this is short.

Some good news this week:

For the week of October 25, DECADENT was the #4 “mover and shaker”  in Kindle books at Amazon.com, growing by 1025%! I’m so thrilled, and I appreciate everyone’s patience in waiting for my Berkley erotics to be released in e-book. I’m still hopeful that WICKED TIES will follow soon.

Speaking of DECADENT, after the success of WICKED TIES in Italy (as an Italian translation), they’ve just bought DECADENT and expect to release it next year. They are currently looking at further works from me, so fingers crossed.

The reprint of BOUND AND DETERMINED is now available for pre-order from Barnes & Noble. I love the new cover, so I’m really excited about this release.

And here’s a little dose of testosterone to perk you up on a Monday. Enjoy!

I’m suddenly wondering if my car needs new tires. *vbg*

Be sure to come back on Wednesday for another intriguing question about writing and the romance genre. Have a great week!