First, I want to thank everyone who has emailed to check on me–please, don’t worry!  I am very safe. Right now, it’s looking like Mobile won’t get the brunt of Gustav. We are under a hurricane warning, but the forecasters are saying we will mostly just get some strong winds and rain.  I’ve got plenty of supplies so I’ll be fine.  🙂  But, really, thank you all for checking on me!

I got back from my trip to New Orleans yesterday.  I was having a wonderful time at the Heather Graham Writers for New Orleans event, but, unfortunately, the hotel closed around noon (due to an order from the mayor) and we all had to clear out of Dodge.  The staff members at the Hotel Monteleone were wonderful, and I found myself on the road and heading home within about twenty minutes.  And, by the way, the hotel is reputed to be haunted, but, unfortunately, I didn’t see the ghosts.  Maybe next time.

Friday night, we went to Muriel’s for a Victorian soiree.  I’ve been to New Orleans plenty of times in my life–so how is it that I’ve missed Muriel’s?  That place was awesome!  And I will definitely be heading back for another visit soon (um, once Gustav is gone!).  Muriel’s not only has a resident ghost–the place also has a seance room.  Too cool.  Heather Graham’s husband said that they hold seances once a month there. How can I get in on that fun?

But, in addition to all the ghosts, I also made some living friends, too.  🙂  One of the first ladies I talked with was the wonderful Barbara Vey from the Publisher’s Weekly Beyond Her Book blog.  Barbara had some of the best stories to tell!  She had me laughing throughout the night.  Here’s a pic of Barbara and I at checkout–and, yes, I will shamelessly admit that I stole this pic from her blog because I didn’t have my own photo of the two of us:

I was also met two fabulous ladies (Rhonda McKey and Josephine Templeton) from the Baton Rouge RWA Chapter.  Rhonda McKey recently finaled in both the Brava Contest and the Red Sage Contest.  The lady’s writing is smoking!  🙂  I expect to hear great things from Rhonda.  (Hey, you can read her Brava entry here–well, I tried to get the right link, but if it doesn’t pop up, you may have to scroll a bit because the entry is posted on the Brava forum.)  Josephine has a vampire novel out now from Whiskey Creek Press–it’s called FOREVER YOURS.  Ah, I do love vampire novels.

Here’s a photo of Barbara, Josephine, and Rhonda (taken at Muriel’s–hmmm…do you see any ghosts? Cuz…what is that white, blobby light between Barbara and Josephine?  A glitch from my digital camera or something more?):

While there wasn’t much time for me to chat with them (on account of Gustaz..Ah, Gustav!), I also visited with the phenomenal Kate Duffy of Kensington—and I had the chance to meet Kristin Mills-Noble, cover designer extraordinaire!  Kristin has designed all of my covers for Kensington. (Thank you,  Kristin!) And, for your viewing pleasure, here’s Kate and Kristin:

I really met so many great folks–James Goodman, Aleka Nakis, Cathy Maxwell–and a good dozen or two more.  Everyone was friendly and fun and I felt very welcome at the event. (And, yes, I would definitely attend again!)

Stay safe out there–especially if you are in Gustav’s path!

I’ll be attending the Heather Graham Writers for New Orleans Workshop this weekend.  I’ve been looking forward to this event for a while now, and I’m sure I will have a great time. I mean, come on, Friday night features a Victorian soiree with tarot and palm readers. Could that get anymore up my alley?  I can’t wait for my readings!!

On Sunday, I’ll be participating in the author booksigning at this event.  Here are the specific signing details (just in case anyone is in the New Orleans area and feels like dropping by):

When:  Sunday, August 31 from 11:30  a.m. until 2 p.m.

Where:  Hotel Monteleone, La Nouvelle West (214 Royal Street, New Orleans)

The bad boys are here. 🙂

Today is the official release date for the EVERLASTING BAD BOYS anthology.

From the back cover:

They’re bad boys–with that little something extra. Sexy, wild, out-of-this-world talents that can leave any woman feeling weak at the knees (among other body parts), they’re the ones to call when you want pleasure that lasts…and lasts…

“Can’t Get Enough” by Shelly Laurenston: Even for a dragon, Ailean the Wicked has a bad reputation. For 150 years he’s been renowned for his fighting prowess, but now he’s got a new conquest in mind–a gorgeous dragoness known as Shalin the Innocent. Ailean suspects she’s anything but. And while he’s saving her from her enemies, he plans to prove that, even in human form, a bad-boy dragon can show a girl a good time that’s truly off the scale…

“Spellbound” by Cynthia Eden: No witch in her right mind would summon an immortal soul-hunter to her aid, but Serena Tyme needs Luis D’Amil’s help to destroy the warlock who’s stalking her coven. And she’s willing to pay any price he names…especially when the tall, dark, sexy-as-hell assassin shows her he can work some sensual magic of his own…

“Turn Me On” by Noelle Mack: Finally, Beth Danforth has found a man who can flip her switch. That’s because supersexy Justin Watts, CEO of SpectraSign, is literally made of light. His dazzling, custom-built body can’t ever wear out. And talk about energy–Beth can’t get enough of the guy. The sex is electrifying. The love will never fade away…

* * *

I feel very lucky to be included in this anthology. I’ve always loved the “Bad Boy” anthologies from Brava, and, so when I had the opportunity to write my own Bad Boy story, I was thrilled.

I hope readers enjoy my contribution to the anthology. I sure had a great time creating Luis and Serena!

All weekend long, I waited for Tropical Storm Fay to hit my area.  I figured I’d lose power.  Maybe one of my pine trees would fall down–but, nothing. And then, I wake up today and we have flood warnings for the area.  I guess the rain bands just took their sweet time getting here.

So, today may be one of those nice days where I just sit inside and have an indoor picnic with Jack and we read and relax and watch the rain fall.  I do like wash-out days.  🙂

But, hey, I’ll get work done, too.  I’m still going through the draft of my latest paranormal romance (my white tiger bounty hunter–sorry, I don’t have a good working title for that yet).  I’ve added 15 pages so far, changed two big scenes, and killed a man.  (I kinda feel like Johnny…“I shot a man in Reno, just to watch him die…”) I hope to knock out another 50 pages of rewriting work today.  My goal is to have a *fairly* clean draft before I leave for New Orleans on Friday. Then, when I come back, I’ll do one more fast read and send my story off to my editor, the Magnificent M.

I’m blogging today over at Divas of the Dark.  EVERLASTING BAD BOYS releases tomorrow so I’m talking about the mix of excitement and fear/nervousness that I get with each release.

Hope your weather is better than mine!

Today, I’m guest posting with the Wicked Authors and I’m giving away a prize.  🙂

Hope you have a great Friday!