Hi, everyone!  I hope you are enjoying a fabulous summer!!

This is a pretty busy summer for me. My latest paranormal romance, I’LL BE SLAYING YOU, released last week.

And on July 27, my first romantic suspense novel will be published by Grand Central!

I’m also gearing up for the Romance Writers of America National Conference (to be held in Orlando, from July 28-31).

It’s a busy time! But I love being busy.  I particularly love it when books keep me busy.

So in between preparing for my releases and doing my conference packing, I’m trying to sneak in a few reads.

Do you have some fun summer reading suggestions for me?

Update: Thanks so much for all of the comments! I loved reading the scary movie listing (and now I’ve got some ideas for DVD rentals this weekend).  I randomly picked a winner and the winner is…Diva Donna! Congrats, Donna! Please send an email to cynthia@cynthiaeden.com to claim your prize. Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! Hope you read lots of good books!

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Hi, everyone! Happy Cinco de Mayo!!

Summer is creeping ever closer, and for me, that means I’m getting very close to the release of my first romantic suspense novel. (Yay!) I’ve published what I think of as “paranormal suspense” before, but this time, I’ll go mainstream RS with the release of DEADLY FEAR.

And here’s the blurb for my story:

TWO BRILLIANT AGENTS

FBI Special Agent Monica Davenport has made a career out of profiling serial killers. But getting inside the twisted minds of the cruel and the sadistic has taken its toll: She’s walled herself off from the world. Yet Monica can’t ignore fellow agent Luke Dante, the only man who ever broke through her defenses.

ONE DREAM TEAM

Luke has the unique ability to put victims at ease…professionally, he and Monica made a perfect team. Now they’re reunited to catch a murderer who uses his victims’ deepest, darkest fears for sport - but their investigative skills aren’t enough. Luke and Monica will have to face the secrets from their past, the ones that terrify them the most, if they are to have a future together.

But can they catch a killer whose weapon is…DEADLY FEAR?

***

I thought I would share an excerpt with you today–and give one commenter a chance to win an autographed copy of DEADLY FEAR (a quick note regarding this free book–it will be shipped out as soon as I receive my author copies).  So if you’d like an autographed copy, just tell me the title of your favorite scary movie. Easy, right? I’m a scary movie addict and, yes, my love for those shows did help to inspire this book.

And here’s the excerpt:

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Cynthia Eden, Interview
By Michelle M. Pillow

Cynthia Eden is an award-winning author of paranormal romance and romantic suspense. She writes everything from vampire heroines to dragon shifter heroes, demons to succubae. She lives in the South, loves long, hot summers, and supernatural stories. Her latest paranormal romance releases, Eternal Hunter and Hotter After Midnight are available in all major bookstores.

* * * * *

Q: In your book, Hotter After Midnight, your heroine is a psychologist who primarily treats supernatural patients. What inspired you to create such a character?

Cynthia: I was inspired to create Dr. Emily Drake (my monster doctor) because a friend of mine is a psychologist and I’ve always been fascinated by her job. However, I wanted a paranormal slant on this story, so I decided that Dr. Drake would be psychic—and she’d mainly treat paranormals. When a paranormal crosses the line in my story and begins to kill humans, she’s the only one who can profile him.

Q: Why do you think readers, and society in general, are fascinated by the paranormal?

Cynthia: I think people like to believe there is more to this world than meets the eye. For centuries, people have been fascinated by the paranormal—the idea that something “more” may wait in the darkness intrigues us…even if it also makes us afraid sometimes!

Q: What are your favorite paranormal shows, movies and books?

Cynthia: I am a huge fan of Supernatural—I love seeing all the new paranormal characters that are introduced each week. And, of course, I’m also a diehard Buffy fan. Spike is one of my all-time favorite vampire anti-heroes. He blurred the line very nicely for the good guy/bad boy and like so many other folks out there, I found myself tuning in to see how he would develop—and to see if he’d get the girl.

Q: Do you believe in the supernatural? Or are you a skeptic?

Cynthia: I definitely believe in the supernatural. I think there is much more to this world than what we see every day. Psychic phenomenon, past life experiences, ghostly encounters—I think all of that (and more!) are certainly possible in our world.

Q: If given the chance, would you become a vampire?

Cynthia: No, while I do enjoy writing about vampires, the blood drinking would be a turn-off for me.

Q: How would you react if you came face to face with a ghost?

Cynthia: I’d try to communicate with the ghost. Yes, maybe I’ve watched too many Ghost Hunters episodes, but I’d want to try talking. The ghost would be there for a reason, right? What does he/she have to say?

Q: What does the future hold for your writing?

Cynthia: I’ve recently launched a new paranormal bounty hunter series for Kensington Brava. The first book in the series, ETERNAL HUNTER, released in January, and the second book, I’LL BE SLAYING YOU, will release in July of 2010. I’LL BE SLAYING YOU is a vamp story. It answers the question, “What happens when you become the thing you hate/fear the most?”

Thanks for joining us, Cynthia!

You can learn more about Cynthia and her books at her website, www.cynthiaeden.com. You can catch Eternal Hunter (1/2010) and the mass market re-release of Hotter After Midnight (12/2009) in bookstores now.

Interviewer Michelle M. Pillow is an award winning author. She writes in many romance fiction genres and can be found at www.michellepillow.com. Paranormal Underground Magazine’s website is here.

Hi, everyone! Hope you’re having a fabulous week. I just started work on a new story, and right now, I’m busily at work on a synopsis. Ah, the synopsis.

If you ask writers, you’ll generally find that they have some pretty strong reactions when they talk about synopsis writing. Some writers absolutely HATE to write a synopsis. And I mean hate with a deep, abiding passion. Other writers love the synopsis–they think it helps them to flesh out the book faster.

For me, I’m a middle of the road kind of gal. Don’t love it, don’t hate it–I just do it when I need to do it. So right now, I’m doing it. I’m writing a synopsis for a romantic suspense proposal that I want to send to the lovely Laura Bradford. I’m on page four of the synopsis (single spaced, that’s just the way I do the synopsis), and I’m lining up what I expect will be my major plot points. Wish me luck!!!

And if you’re a writer, what’s your feeling on the synopsis? Love it? Hate it? Feel meh?

Enjoy your day!

Cynthia Eden
www.cynthiaeden.com
I’LL BE SLAYING YOU–Available 6/29/10 from Kensington Brava
DEADLY FEAR–Available–Available 07/27/10 from Grand Central Publishing (Forever)

Ah, April Fool’s Day. The holiday that well, isn’t.  What are your plans? Are you gonna try to trick people? Because that can be so fun. The hubby is currently grumbling at me b/c of my April Fool fun that caused him to jump out of bed and go running this morning.

Such fun. 

But, on a totally non-joking topic, I have a new release in stores! IMMORTAL DANGER released yesterday.

Here’s the blurb for you:

BEING BULLET PROOF SUCKS—LITERALLY

Once, Maya Black was a kick-ass cop patrolling the streets of L.A. She still keeps the city safe, but nowadays her bad guys of choice include demons, werewolves, and assorted nocturnal scum. Something Maya knows a thing or two about. She’s a vampire—and not thrilled about it. Payback meet bitch.

Adam Brody hopes Maya is as dangerous as they say she is. He needs her to help rescue his niece Cammie from a ruthless band of vamps, and he’s willing to pay—in blood. Trusting her is another matter. Adam has never met a vampire who doesn’t lie. Then again, he’s never met anyone like Maya, who fills him with a desperate need that ignites into explosive, no-holds-barred encounters…

***

I really enjoyed writing this book–Maya is one of my favorite heroines. Tough, smart, and unable to take crap from anyone.  I love that! I decided that Maya’s motto is, “Once bitten, twice the bitch.”  That motto seems to fit her. 

Have a great April Fool’s Day! And, hey, if you’ve got any fun pranks that you’ve played (and that you now want to share with the rest of us), feel free to post!

First of all, the lovely Laura Bradford has crit for three chapters and a synopsis up for auction for the Jo Leigh auction! Check it out! I can say firsthand that Laura is wonderful with editorial and her eye has made all my books better.

I’ve also got something up for auction - all of my Chase Brothers books and all my Witches Knot books - all in print and all signed and personalized.

Fellow Bradford Buncher Cynthia Eden has a manuscript critique up for auction! ALSO autographed copies of Hotter After Midnight, When He Was Bad, Everlasting Bad Boys, Midnight Sins

Ann Aguirre offers up a mentoring opportunity: a full manuscript (romance / fantasy (which includes UF) / SF) critique and help with query letter for same manuscript, to be submitted to Ann within 6 months of auction. and ALSO - autographed copies of Grimspace and Wanderlust

Vivi Anna offers copies of HELL KAT and INFERNO

Denise Agnew offers a copy of Meant To Be

For those unfamiliar with the story - Jo Leigh - an author whose fabulous romances have made many a day better - lost her husband this year and the proceeds of the auction will go to paying the medical bills.

A full listing of the auction items can be viewed here

I am so happy to welcome New York Times best-selling author Angie Fox back to the Bunch! Angie is the author of the absolutely hilarious book, THE ACCIDENTAL DEMON SLAYER. This book is just…fun. Seriously. No other way to put it. And if you haven’t read it–you really, really should. Once you open this book, you’ll be laughing before you know it!

Welcome, Angie!!

Now, on to the guest post….

* * *

Real bikers don’t wear pink

And other lessons I learned on the road

It’s no secret I’m a bit of a girly girl. I like my silver jewelry, I own way too many purses and I can spot a nail salon from 100 yards. So it was a bit of a surprise, even to me, when I found myself calling up Harley bikers and asking if we could get together. Oh and if they could possibly bring their dogs?…

But hey, I’m a writer and research is part of the job. In this case, I’d set out to write a paranormal about a straight-laced preschool teacher turned demon slayer who has to run off with a gang of geriatric biker witches. Plus, my heroine has a smart-mouthed dog that, thanks to her new powers, can talk…and talk…and talk.

In order to get the real story on Harley riders (and their dogs) I went online and learned that there is a nationwide club of bikers who ride with their dogs. So my heroine could have her snow white Harley, and her Jack Russell Terrier too.

Of course I had to meet these hard riding dog lovers. Turns out, they were way more friendly than I’d ever imagined. They invited me into their homes, introduced me to their dogs and, like my heroine, the bikers hoisted me up on the back of a Harley, with a dog in tow.

Things I learned right off the bat:

• After an hour on a Harley, you’ll walk like John Wayne for a week
• Helmets hurt when they are worn backwards
• Dogs love riding motorcycles

Stone, the biker who spent the most time making sure I didn’t fall off his hog, showed me how to ride, invited me to some biker rallies (note to self: don’t wear pink next time), and helped make The Accidental Demon Slayer as real as it can be (for a book about a somewhat sheltered preschool teacher turned demon slayer).

So just when I thought I was writing fiction, it seemed my made-up characters from The Accidental Demon Slayer weren’t so imaginary after all. One of the bikers I met even has a wife who is a biker witch. I’m wondering if she, like my heroine’s biker witch grandma, wears a “kiss my asphalt” t-shirt and carries a carpet bag full of Smuckers jars filled with magic. Maybe I’ll find out on my next adventure.

To celebrate the release of The Accidental Demon Slayer, I’m giving away a copy to one lucky winner. Just take the What’s Your Biker Witch Name? quiz and leave a comment with your new biker alter ego.

Angie Fox

Hi, all! Hope you’re having a great Wednesday! I’m afraid this post will not be particularly deep and thoughtful (sorry, I suck!). I’m working on my copy-edits for MIDNIGHT SINS and I’m trying to finish ‘em up today.

I also have several story ideas that are clamoring in my head. I’ve gotten lost in my thoughts a few times this week because I’m trying to pick and choose among these stories, and that getting “lost”–it’s resulted in my husband having to call my name several times…and him asking if I’m listening to him, at all? (The answer: No, um, sorry.)

Since I’m not contributing a particularly earth-shattering post today, I thought I’d give away a prize. Want an autographed copy of HOTTER AFTER MIDNIGHT ? (That’s the first in my Midnight trilogy; MIDNIGHT SINS is the second installment…) Then just tell me your favorite horror movie of all time. (I’m looking for some weekend movies!) I’ll be back on Friday to pick a winner.

Thanks!

HUGE congrats to Denise Agnew who finaled in the Passionate Plume Contest! Go Denise! The book she finaled with was Male Call, the first book in her Hot Zone series available from Samhain. I read it and I LOVED it. Woot!

Her sexy letters are his only lifeline in his dangerous world…

Successful computer software engineer Eve Carmichael melts under yet another hotter than hot letter written by Reserve army soldier Sean O’Callahan. Yet Eve can’t take the thought of his life in danger overseas, and she resolves to get a sex life—and a life period. That means forgetting Sean before anything bad can happen to him. To celebrate her thirty-fifth birthday, Eve plans a trip to Male Call, a male review club. Still, she worries about Sean. She hasn’t received a letter from him in too many weeks. And oh, how she longs for those flirtatious, hot letters.

Sean finds Eve’s letters to be the only lifeline in his increasingly chaotic world. As their feelings grow hot and heavy, he can’t wait to return home and kindle that pure firepower.

When Eve receives a letter from Sean saying he’s been wounded, her fears are realized. But fate and a little mischievous planning by her friends will serve up the greatest surprise of all.

You can buy it here.

Other books in the series. Aren’t these some HOT covers? Wow!

You can buy them here, here, and the next one here- on sale May 20!

Here’s a new release from more Bradford Bunchers!

Behind closed doors, the real games begin…

Winning it big.

That’s the name of the game at Las Vegas’s Liege Hotel and Casino, where the hottest fantasies hinge on a roll of the dice…and the tantalizing knowledge that anything could happen before sunrise.

Cocktail waitress Carinna wants a man to tie her up, not tie her down. Little does she know that her most willing partner yet has something else planned for this fiery Latina bombshell.

Dahlia is a burlesque dancer with a brain for business and a bod for sin. Her latest admirer may be a sweet-talking Casanova, but despite what he thinks she’s not giving anything away free.

Meanwhile, Amy has the perfect plan to rob the Liege Casino blind…until the intimidating owner catches her red-handed. Now she knows she’s going to pay… with both pleasure and pain.

Professional shill Cassidy is ready to experience a breathless rendezvous with her “friend with benefits.” But when he proposes five delicious nights of sexy blackjack, the stakes have never been so high.

Can be purchased here or here.

And last, but certainly not least is Cynthia Eden’s new release! Woot!

In her sexy and suspenseful new novel, Cynthia Eden introduces readers to a seductive world where powerful night creatures ignite dark, dangerous hungers…

Dr. Emily Drake’s patients tend to be a little unusual. Instead of the typical therapist’s caseload of midlife crises and mother fixations, Emily treats vampires with blood phobias and sex-demons looking for meaningful relationships. But her gift for recognizing and healing the Other—those creatures of the night that most humans don’t even know exist—requires a few house rules. First: Never trust a shifter. Especially not one like Detective Colin Gyth whose gold-flecked eyes and predatory air make Emily realize how much she’s been longing to lose control…

Colin can’t believe the doctor he’s been assigned to work with on the Night Butcher murder investigation is the one person who could expose his true identity as a wolf shifter. Smart, sexy, and stubborn as hell, Emily brings out the alpha male in Colin, unleashing a wild, heady desire that takes them both over the edge.

But in the shadows, the Night Butcher waits…eager to spill Emily’s blood and taste her terror. And he’ll use any means to destroy her, including the one person she has grown to trust…

You can buy it here or here.

Well, I’m finally recovering from RT 2008. By this I mean I’ve unpacked my suitcase, paid some bills and organized (though not cleaned off my desk,) and started to get back into the swing of family life.  You know. Yelling at the kids, doing laundry, generally being the domestic diva I am.

I didn’t feel well at the convention, unfortunately, and I wasn’t alone. But even so, I came back energized, writing-wise. No, I didn’t come up with a brand-new, shiny, full-fledged idea the way I did last year when Lauren and I brainstormed Taking Care of Business while standing in line. (Though we did talk about a followup to that book!) But I did come home with inspiration and ideas for layering some themes into the edits for my current WIP, Switch. 

I finished SWITCH before I left for RT and had planned to let it sit for awhile while I worked on some other things, but while there my mind kept turning back to it. Switch hasn’t been an easy book for me for many reasons. For one, it took me a lot longer to write than usual, partly because I stopped a few times to work on other things and partly because I struggled with the writing of it. I was really glad to have finished the first draft because it meant I could take a break from it, so to discover when I got back from RT that I really wanted to dive back in was…suprising.

Here’s the thing: I take a lot of my work from my life — not things that have happened to me, necessarily, but feelings and emotions and situations that make me THINK about “what if.” I don’t live everything I write about (my goodness, who has time?) but I do…FEEL it. I do feel what I write. Sometimes I feel it first and hold onto that and use it. Sometimes during the writing I start to feel the work, instead, which is also interesting.

I’d had an inkling about what Switch was meant to be for a few months, and it was pretty far from what I’d first anticipated the book to be. In its first incarnation it was a story about dominance and submission, a woman who finds misplaced notes in her mailbox meant for an anonymous person being given increasingly erotic commands. She discovers she likes the content of the notes — craves it, in fact. But when she discovers who the notes are really for, everything changes and she becomes the note WRITER instead of the note receiver.

The book is still “about” that — it’s what happens, anyway. But somewhere along the way a minor, throwaway character became more important, and now he’s an irreplaceable part of the story. I didn’t expect that.

And somewhere, somehow, the book became about choices. The ones we make, good or bad, right or wrong, and how sometimes no matter how much you think you want something, in the end you don’t take it because not having it is better for you. Sometimes, as Paige, the heroine says, you walk away.

So now I have to finish entering all my receipts and put some laundry away and take a shower and have some breakfast, and then I need to crank up the iTunes and get lost in this world again. But you know what?

I feel it.

M

PS — I was so happy to hang with my lurvely agent the glorious Laura Bradford (or LB as I like to call her) and Lauren Dane, Anya Bast and Ann Aguirre and Vivi Anna, and we missed Cynthia! NEXT YEAR IN ORLANDO!!!!!!!!!!!

Some of my favorite photos –