What's in a Name?

In a word: Everything.

I know I really suck at naming my books. Every once in a while, a name will just come to me, like First Date. It was just... perfect. The title Rendezvous also drifted into my consciousness with little thought. I love the name. Rendezvous. It says everything I need to say in one word. A word full of nuance and character... and a word already used as a title.

So now I need to come up with a new title. I am figuratively-but it feels literal-banging my head against the wall here. And you know what? It doesn't kick the brain into overdrive much.

There is a lot of pressure in naming a book.


Let's skip beyond the little fact that you have to have a name before you can actually sign the contract. (Which you have to admit is an important little fact.)

The title is the first thing a potential reader sees. If it catches that reader's eye, it will draw him or her to your book. It is the hook to the blurbs reel. Or is it the bait to the blurbs hook?

I don't know, I don't even know why I'm using a fishing analogy. My mom used to take us fishing. I never had the heart to actually catch the little guys with their glassy eyes and gaping little mouths...

And that's neither here nor there and kinda exactly where I am naming this book.

Monday's Pick-me-up

Today I'm over at Rachel's

Rachel Leigh has been so kind as to have me as a guest on her blog today. Stop on by and find out how to keep the fires burning.

Monday's Pick-me-up

Are words necessary?

Good news

The best kind of good news! The Wilder Rose Press contracted Rendezvous! This means I get to work with one of my favorite editors again and... hey, I have a book contract! Whew! It's been a long, dry period, but I hear the pitter-patter of refreshing rain!

I don't think writers ever get tired of the words: "We'd like to offer you a contract."

Meanwhile, I'm still waiting to hear about Creative License, which should be soon, (I hope; I hope) and I'm hard at work on the sequel to First Date.

I'll keep you updated.

So what's new with you?

A Tuesday pick-me-up.

Sorry I'm late: Out of town guests, work, birthday parties, kids out of school... you get the idea. Without further delay.



Yup, I've used this guy before be he's such a wonderful pick me up, and I don't know about you, but I'm in a need of one, that I thought to use him again. : )

(And yes, I left that sentence ambigiuous on purpose) ; )

Would you, could you, in a chair?

When I was driving home from Utah late last year, right before After Hours released, my daughter and I were joking about what I should write next. We came up with an erotic story involving a dentist because at the time we thought it was hilarious.

You know when a story idea goes ping in your head? This one did even though it was a joke. When I got home, however, hell had been released so every thing went on the backburner.

Recently I finished a rough draft and was reviewing the ‘to be written’ pile trying to decide which project to tackle next. Even though it wasn't on this list, the dentist story kept popping up. ‘Write me! Write me!’


I told the damn story that it was a joke and no one would read an erotic story involving a dentist.

Then I pictured the dentist chair. The one that moves in some pretty interesting positions….? ? ?

....and so I gave it a few minutes of thought and mentioned it on Twitter just to see the reaction. After typing the tweet, my brain went from zero to gutter in less than 3 seconds.

Picture me, sitting alone in my room, giggling about variations of dentist’s ‘tools’ and how well they might possibly ‘drill’. Alternate meanings of ‘open wide’ and … yeah, you get the idea because, yes, I can channel my inner 12 year old boy with the best of them.

So I’m throwing it out to you readers. Would you read an erotic story involving a dentist, or would just the thought send you running?

Monday's Pick-me-up

In honor of the release of Eclipse:




Bella can have the pasty white vampire. I'll take the wolf-boys any day.

Book Review: EX APPEAL by Cari Quinn

Warning: Cari starts this book steamy and never backs down. Not for one scintillating moment.



When I begged for a preview of EX APPEAL by Cari Quinn, I did so because I really wanted to read it but I was also a little apprehensive. I knew before I opened my Sony that this new book had a lot to live up to. I loved FULL DISCLOSURE and EX APPEAL, while not exactly a sequel, takes place in the same world. It features Jenny, who used to date Alex from FULL DISCLOSURE, but now helps him run Hunk Du Jour and Jenny's long time boyfriend, Ty. I was really looking forward to seeing Holly and Alex again. But honestly? By page two I was 'Holly who?'

Jenny isn't so different from you or me. She's been in a long term relationship that's getting stale and she wants to spice it up. Ty responds by becoming even more distant. She does everything she can think of to get his attention and when it doesn't work, Jenny begins to think maybe he's just not interested in her any more.

Ty is wondering what happened the woman he fell in love with. She's changed her hair color, is sporting colored contacts and acting strange. He wonders if she's just bored with their relationship. Besides, it's not his fault he's so busy, he's trying to build a future for them.

Jenny and Ty finally throw in the towel but is it really over? You'll have to read the book.

Cari has a rare ability to characterize in very few words, to draw you into the characters' world until you become a cheerleader for the happy ever after... And the sex. The sex scenes are at times tender and sexy and at other sexy with flashes of humor. Seriously, this is a book to read with your significant other. But don't take my word for it, read EX APPEAL for yourself.

Oh, and I dare you to find a sexier library scene. ; )

Learn about Cari Quinn here and check out the book here.