Before I get to my Monday Booking It post, I want to do a congrats shout-out to Zoe!  Yay, Zoe!  Her story, A SAFER LIFE, was selected for inclusion in the Better Sex Erotic Fiction Contest.  Zoe has full details up on her blog (so definitely check it out). Now that she’s in the contest, Zoe needs votes to advance in the competition. So if you get a chance, please head over to the site and vote!  And congrats, again, Zoe!

Now…on to Booking It…

Years ago, I used to love going on searches for the “hard-to-find” books. I’d spend hours looking at the shelves in the used bookstores.  I had favorite authors that I wanted–you know, when you’re desperate to find the backlist books.  I wanted all the old Jayne Castle books. I wanted Diana Palmer’s initial releases. I wanted Anne Stuart’s early Harlequins. Ah…the hunt.

Today, hunting for the old keepers is a much easier endeavor. Generally, if I’m looking for one of those hard to find books, I’ll hop over to eBay and see what I can find.  Ebay has made the books much more accessible to me–a few keystrokes and I can generally find the books I want. But–

But sometimes I miss my old searches. They were fun, and, often, while I was searching for one book, I’d stumble across another book that seemed just as interesting.  The used bookstores in my area don’t carry the classics anymore. I think they just ran out of shelf space.  So when I go to those stores (and I still go often), I have to limit myself to books that are a few years old. (As opposed to 15+ years, LOL.)

Lucky for me, eBay doesn’t have a time limit–er, book publication limit?

But what about you?  Do you enjoy hunting for the older, keeper books? And what is the best book “prize” that you’ve ever found?

And thank you very to everyone who asked about my son! No fever today–sweet!–so I think he’s on the mend. I’m even going to try the ice cream temptation again soon.  🙂

So Christmas came early at my house. Well, kinda anyway.  My laptop died on me early Saturday morning. I knew its demise was coming–one of the hinges had broken off about two months ago so I had to prop the screen up, a good portion of the letters had worn away on the keypad, my buttons stuck, the battery would stay charged for all of 10 minutes…yep, I *knew* the end was coming. But I was sure trying to make the thing last longer! (I’d had that computer for just about 2 1/2 years.)

It didn’t last.

So, now, I’m typing on my brand spanking new Dell.  Thank you, Best Buy.   Now let’s just see how long this one lasts.

And in other news…the lovely Lauren Dane is running an awesome contest on her blog.  Lots of free books and fun! So check it out!

My son is sick so I have to run–oh, but I hate it when he’s sick. A two year old who is under the weather…poor baby.  When I can’t even tempt him with a vanilla ice cream cone, I know he’s feeling miserable.

I meant to post this sooner–sorry!

And a quick note–this is NOT the excerpt you need to read in order to answer the question from the SIN A LITTLE contest; that excerpt can be found here.  Instead, this is just an extra glimpse into the book.  So, here’s excerpt #2 from MIDNIGHT SINS. Hope you like it!

* * *

“Let me take you home.”

Her glare would probably have frozen a lesser man.  “I think I’d rather walk.”

Todd doubted that.  “It’s at least twenty miles, Cara, and it’s not like you’d be going through the safest neighborhoods.”

She huffed out a breath. “Don’t expect me to believe you’re worried about me.  I’m a killer, remember?  I seduce men, then murder them.  A walk on a seedy street should be nothing for me.”

Clamping down on his rising anger, Todd tightened his grip on her.  “I was following the evidence,” he said, “and if I hadn’t brought you in for questioning, I wouldn’t be a good cop, now would I?”

Her jaw remained stubbornly set.

“Look, I understand that you’re angry—”

One golden brow lifted.  “I don’t think ‘angry’ really covers my feelings here, detective.”

“Fine.  Furious.  Pissed.  Whatever.  But the fact remains that you need a ride home,” he dug into his pocket with his left hand, pulled out his keys, “and I’ve got a car ready.”

Her gaze dropped to his keys.  Her lips thinned. “Fine, but you’d better not ask me another damn question about the case during the ride, got it?”

Oh, yeah, he “got it.”  Todd smiled.  “Come on, my car’s around back.”

She stepped closer to him

He released his hold on her arm, and his hand rose, then brushed lightly across her cheek.  Damn but the woman’s skin was soft.

Cara stilled.

“And my name’s Todd,” he said quietly because she hadn’t said his first name yet, and he wanted her to say it.

Wanted to hear the name fall from those kiss-me lips.

Her lips firmed.  “Good for you, Todd.”  Then she stepped around him and marched toward the parking lot, giving him one stellar view of her firm ass.

Todd swallowed, then sent up a fast and furious prayer that he wasn’t about to fall for a killer.

Because he had very definite plans to get close to Cara.  He wanted her in his bed.  Had from the beginning. But he wasn’t going to be stupid enough to let down his guard with her.

He’d get her to trust him, to reveal all her secrets. And if he had to do so, he’d use those secrets.

He just hoped he wouldn’t have to hurt her.

Or that he wouldn’t find out that her perfect bedroom eyes belonged to a soulless killer.

Voting has kicked off in the RT American Title V competition.  I first learned about this competition a few years ago.  I really like the idea behind it. The finalists begin by showing the first lines from their books. Folks vote for the line they like the best, and writers then advance to the next round.  Since I’m a first line fanatic, this contest is so perfect for me.  🙂

And I’m really happy to say that my friend Edie Ramer (go, Edie!) made the finals this year with her story, DEAD PEOPLE.  You can read Edie’s first line–and all of the first lines from the contestants–here.  So go read some good lines, and vote!

There are less than two weeks until MIDNIGHT SINS hits the shelves.  Less than two weeks!  I can’t believe how quickly time has passed. It seems like I just turned this book in to the Magnificent M, and now–it’ll be on store shelves soon.

The fact that the book releases (IN TWO WEEKS!!!) means I’ll be doing more promo. I’ll be guest posting at other blogs and, of course, giving away books.  🙂  So stay tuned for that info!  I’ll also be posting a special excerpt from MIDNIGHT SINS…so if you want to know more about Todd, you won’t have long to wait!  Hmmm…I might just post that later today–or early tomorrow.

And, speaking of posting…I’m blogging over at The Bradford Bunch today.  Talking about finishing up my current WIP (woo-hoo!). If you get a chance, drop by.