First, I get to announce the winner of my weekend contest! Congratulations to Willa! (Comment #9). Willa, please email me (cynthia@cynthiaeden.com) to claim your prize. 🙂 And thank you to everyone for the comments! More contests will be coming, so stay tuned!

For today’s Booking It post, I want to talk horror. Ah, horror. I do love a good horror read. Actually, what I really like is horror romance, but I just don’t see that sub-genre enough. A few years back, when Silhouette launched the Silhouette Shadows line, there were some releases that I would definitely classify as horror romance. Loved them. But then the line folded. Sigh.

When I was a teen, I devoured Christopher Pike’s horror novels–and the guy had a great way of mixing horror with romantic elements. Maybe that’s where I first got my horror crush. The Pike novel that I remember the most? REMEMBER ME. The heroine was killed but she, um, lingered around to find her killer. Really enjoyed that one.

But, right now, I’d like to find some adult novels–horror romances. Anyone have a recommendation for me?

Want to win an autographed copy of MIDNIGHT SINS? Want to get the book long before you can buy it in stores? (Cause the book doesn’t officially release until Nov. 25, but you could win it now…)

Here’s the blurb so you’ll know just what you’re getting:

Cara Maloan doesn’t look like a monster. In fact, the gorgeous blond nightclub singer possesses heavenly attributes that make Atlanta detective Todd Brooks sure there’s a higher power somewhere. But a twisted killer is leaving a trail of bodies in seedy hotel rooms across town. The male victims show no wounds–it’s as if the life was simply drained from them. And right now, mysterious Cara is Todd’s only suspect.

Cara knows it’s foolish to be so drawn to a man who thinks she’s a murderer. She also knows Detective Brooks would find the truth even harder to swallow. Cara is one of the Others, a race of powerful, paranormal creatures who live among humans. Cara’s particular abilities make men putty in her hands–all except this rugged, sexy-as-hell detective. But now someone, or something, has singled Cara out for serious payback…

As uneasy trust gives way to mind-blowing desire, Cara and Todd will go head-to-head with a killer whose mission is deeply personal, and who’s determined to serve up revenge that’s hotter than hellfire, and just as deadly…

* * *

Sound like a story you might enjoy? Well, to win this early copy all you have to do is leave me a comment.  And I’ll even make the comment part super easy.   Just tell me your favorite old song.  Come on–that’s really easy.  I’ll be back on Monday to pick one commenter to win.

I’ll share my fav song.  The song that has been running non-stop through my head lately?  Stay by Shakespeare’s Sister.  Here’s the video, one of my all time guilty pleasures.  I love this video.  But, is it wrong that I find myself cheering for the crazy-eyed, glittery chick?

(Quick contest note:  I’ll be cross-posting this contest on MySpace.  I’ll combine the comments from MySpace and my personal blog and pick one winner.)

By the way, more contests will be coming soon–including the “Big” 🙂 one, Sin a Little, that will launch on November 1.

Have a great weekend!

Seriously?  It’s Friday?

I’ve been doing a lot of reading lately.  Books in my genre, books out of my genre.  And I’m having an absolute blast.  One of the books I recently read was WITCH HIGH.

Loved this book. Loved it.  This is an anthology, but, being the rebel I am, I didn’t read the stories in order.  🙂  I stared with Debra Dixon‘s “Coyote Run.”  This was a tease for me–I got an advanced copy of this story (ah, jealous?!).  Great characters.  A fast, driving plot that kept me hooked.  Witchy fun.  Fabulous, witchy fun.  LOL.    After this story, I had to rush out and buy the book.

I certainly wasn’t disappointed. In fact, I finished the book in one sitting.  Wonderful tales. Strong voices. A perfect Halloween read.

I have a stack of books waiting beside me. Books I can’t wait to open, but, I’ve got work to do first.  My copy-edits for IMMORTAL DANGER arrived and my weekend project is to finish them. (Magnificent M, I am gonna work hard, promise!).  It’s been about a year and a half since I wrote this story, so honestly, I’m a bit surprised as I’m reading. Kinda of the…oh, that happens next?   A good surprised, not bad.  This tale is about my female vamp heroine and my dragon shifter hero.  I really love my hero because, you know, dragons are hot.  🙂

So, I’ll be working on my copy-edits.  I want to mail them back early next week.  But, don’t worry, I won’t be quiet on the blog. In fact, I’ll be back bright and early tomorrow with a bit of contest fun. Get ready to de-lurk.  I’ve got promo copies of MIDNIGHT SINS and I’d love to give some away!

Enjoy your Friday night.  Max Payne is waiting on me. (Um, okay, he’s waiting and he’ll keep waiting until *after* I do fifty pages of copy-editing.)

When I talk about my writing, people often ask me about my plotting style. Specifically, folks like to know if I outline my book in advance or if I’m a pantster–developing the plot as I write, kinda by the seat of my pants.

Once upon a time, I was purely a pantster.  For my first two novels and my first four (I think) novellas, I just sat and wrote the story. No pre-planning. I went where the story took me.  Then, things started to change a bit.

I started to write out the first chapters of a story, then I would stop and plot the rest of the manuscript. I generally did this on my full-length stories.

But I’d still pants on my novellas.

I started a new novel a few weeks ago. Started it with the glimmer of an idea and I figured, heck, deadline is a while away–I’ll pants this one and see where the characters take me.

First three chapters–easy breezy.

But then, I wrote a scene. Didn’t like where it took me. Deleted it. (I hate deleting my writing. And I actually don’t delete it completely; I always save it as a “cut” scene–maybe I’ll release ’em on my website one day.)  After the delete, I realized I really, really wanted an outline to look at–I wanted one bad. But I had a trip to Georgia scheduled, for the Moonlight and Magnolias conference, so I knew the plotting would have to wait.

Um, it didn’t wait long. That Friday, I stayed awake and plotted out the first 200 pages of the book.  🙂

Last night, I finished on page 201 of the story.  Now I have two options:  plot or pantster it.  Guess which one I’m leaning toward?

I know some other writers like to drop by and chat…so tell me, ladies, am I the only one with a changing writing style?  Or has this happened to you, too?

I like to think that my writing adapts and changes with each book, but the plotting style, this is a big one for me.  Hmmm…maybe my obsessive nature is just taking over!

And, in other news…stay tuned to this blog!  I’m going to be giving away copies of MIDNIGHT SINS soon–and I’ll be launching a very big contest.  The contest should go live on November 1st, so have your Halloween fun, and then gear up for a little bit of sin.

A few things to get you in the Halloween mood:

First up, spell book how-to…

And do you want to be the first one on your block with a self-stirring cauldron?

Thirsty?  You should try a Pina Ghoulada.

Last, but not least…finger food.   Gross, yes, but good.

Got any Halloween tips for me?