Category Archives: Denny S. Bryce

#RWA 13 National Conference in A.T.L – Day 1 (A Day Early:)!

July 16, 2013Conferences, Denny S. Bryce, mermaids, Writing2013 RWA, Atlanta, Kiss of DeathDenny S. Bryce

Reporting from Atlanta and the RWA 2013 National Conference – it’s Mermaid Denny! Here we go, people!

Okay, I was supposed to post yesterday, but after a long drive (started our Road Trip Saturday from DC to Greensboro, NC to Savannah, GA to Atlanta), we did dinner and went down! I did, however, take a couple of iconic shots (yes, I am labeling them as such), which you will see bunches of (I’m just betting) online. Those shots – the hotel lobby ceiling (space ship futuristic and wonderful) and the cool elevator promotions – last year’s signage inside the elevator has given way to a whole new bag of book/author promotion that I just LOVE (the marketing girl in me Salutes RWA for this very cool signage).

Even this early in the AM, I give you the unexpected:

I won’t be able to share these photos because CRAZY Instagram doesn’t give you access to your own photos after you’ve uploaded them to the magic Instagram portal. Oh, I found them on my phone! (Obviously since you’re looking at them. I had to go get coffee and now I’m better).

My website crashed (the Denny S. Bryce website, not this one, thank goodness). So far, it’s still visible, but I can’t post from it because the dashboard went bonkers. (Okay it’s 7:30 AM, and I’m trying to get this posted So I’m a little scattered here!)…

My First Day:

I’m up early to get some writing in, but also because I’m participating in the Kiss of Death (KOD) Conference, which kicks off this morning with a tour. It’s a bit hush-hush (or I just didn’t read the fine print, so I’ll share later). So today is all about KOD!

RWA Registration opens today, so later expect photos of the conference bag and all of the goodies. I’ve gone through my schedule for the week like six times to make certain I have it blocked the way I want it. Let’s see how close I stick to it.

Are you here? When do you arrive? What do you want to see?

(Gosh, I already feel breathless…:).

RWA Nationals Road Trip: Are You Prepared for Awesomeness!

July 9, 2013Denny S. Bryce, mermaids, Motivation, WritingAtlanta, Reporting, Road Trip, RWA Nationals, Savannah, travelDenny S. Bryce

I’m taking off for Atlanta this weekend to attend the RWA National Conference and I’m super excited. I’m going to spend a week with 2,000 other romance writers – sounds like heaven, right? In a hotel with an entire floor/lobby dedicated to mingling (okay, there is a really big bar at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis), and I guarantee I will be informed, inspired, surprised and exhausted within 30 minutes of checking in. And no, I’m not trying to make anyone who is not going jealous – but I’m excited and want to share.

Speaking of sharing, I volunteered (two years in a row:) to serve as the official Waterworld Mermaid reporter blogging LIVE daily from Hot-Lanta! But expect some of the other Mermaids to pop in, too. A bunch of us will be in town, and will either post here or on our own blogs – so stay tuned.

But I said ROAD TRIP in the headline – so yeah, I’m getting from here to there by jumping in my car and taking off on Saturday! Joining me is my long-time friend, writer, poet, singer Xio Axelrod, who will be attending her first RWA National Conference.

We plan to make stops in North Carolina (visiting my mom) and Savannah, GA (because it is one of the most beautiful cities in the USA and I haven’t been there in 10 years), with our arrival in Atlanta set for Monday.

If you’re traveling to RWA Nationals let us know if you’re packed:) – so I can be jealous – and if by chance, you too, are doing the ROAD TRIP thing. If you aren’t attending Nationals in 2013 – what would you like to read in the Waterworld Mermaids’ daily blog post? Although, if I’m reporting, you’re going to have to deal with my FRANTIC schedule (will share more about my first year as a PRO and a finalist in two contests, both to be announced in Atlanta!).

You may have noticed that every now and then throughout this post, I’ve felt like shouting (ie, the CAPS sprinkled throughout), but I am excited so a little shouting is a good thing, RIGHT!

COUNTDOWN TO ATLANTA! HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE.

Shiny Happy People (and it’s my Mom’s 79th Birthday!)

June 10, 2013Denny S. Bryce, mermaidsMom's Birthday, Mondays, organizational tools, RantDenny S. Bryce

This post is filled with sarcasm and bite (and a loving shout-out to my Mom:)…

On this rainy Monday morning, I’m wallowing in the dungeon of how much work can I get done in a week. I am up-to-my-brows in stuff and it’s not writing work. Yes, it happens to us all whether we are readers or writers, moms or dads, single or married, we get busy, and balancing busy is an art.

I wish I could do a better job of it myself, but since it is Monday, and I don’t like Mondays (except when my mom’s birthday falls on a Monday), I’ve decided to mock organized people whom I’ve dubbed:

Shiny Happy People.

When faced with the Evil Day Job they can be overheard saying that Monday is the best day of the week. SHP!

In a world that thrives on making sense I am ambiguity. (SQUIRREL ALERT!) I don’t know why I wrote that. But I’ll make up a character based on that line one day.

Those people who organize their recipes in a box with tabs, plot their books and follow the outline, and forget unfavorable reviews (or comments from contests) – Yes, they are SHPs.

People that wash dishes after every meal (ugh…) – OMG! Shiny Happy People.

People who fold and/or hang up clothes after (immediately after) the loud buzzer noise goes off on the dryer. Clothes still warm when they pull them out of the hole – yes, they, too, are SHPs.

People with Netflix “Suggestions for You” that are a blur of happy endings, animated fun and Real Housewives of Atlanta (which reminds me – I can’t wait for RWA Nationals in Atlanta! I love Atlanta and I’m looking forward to National’s this year – my first year with a PRO pin!).

Yes, this is a rant. And it’s all about Monday morning, but it’s also a celebration (yes, I will segue into this masterfully:)…

Today is my Mom’s 79th birthday. She is a sweetie of major proportions and I just wanted you to join me in wishing her a great day, a great month, and many great years to come.

I also wanted to share a recent photo of my gal.

She knows exactly why I am ranting. She heard about it all yesterday (well, especially on Friday), but she listens really well. That’s an art—listening, and paying attention without digging in too deep. Sometimes you’ve got to know when to dig too deep or and when to keep it on the surface. She knows.

Smooches Mommy:)! Happy Birthday Mother! (See photo of my mother and her hubby. They call each other “Bunny”…:) Photo taken by moi on April 10.

Now, a brief return to my rant.

Are you one of them – one of those Shiny Happy People (and that REM song from 1991–I really can’t stand it)?

Happy Monday to all!

MEMORIAL DAY RECIPES – HELP PLEASE! (AND GIVEAWAY!)

May 24, 2013Denny S. Bryce, Giveaway, mermaidsAmerican heroes, foodie romance, memorial day, recipes, soldiersDenny S. Bryce

As I sit in front of my computer, desperate to come up with an idea for my blog post today, I actually came up with three – as it is GIVEAWAY FRIDAY – and the weekend before MEMORIAL DAY – the first BIG pre-summer holiday, I want you to help me plan my menu for my Memorial Day Family Cookout – (the first in my new place, so it’s got to be a WINNER!)

To be eligible to have your name tossed into the prize winning hat, please share your FAVORITE foodie romance or sexy scene that involves food from one of your favorite romance novels, or even better, that romantic scene involving a soldier or other American fighting hero in honor of Memorial Day!

The winner will receive a $15 gift certificate from AMAZON – where you can buy more books written by your favorite foodie or military romance author!

So open those recipe books (and favorite foodie romances) and comment below.

Contemporary Romance and Primetime TV (My Excuse to Talk “New Girl”:)

May 15, 2013Denny S. Bryce, mermaids, WritingContemporary Romance, Jake Johnson, Jess, New Gril, Nick, reality tv, SCANDALDenny S. Bryce

(New Girl – Season 2 Finale – SPOILERS!)

The TV fangirl in me must speak out! This week two of my favorite shows are having (or had) their season finale, and I am excited, filled with apprehension (somewhat resolved by “New Girl’s” fantastically romantic ending – spoilers – STOP now!). And a bit frightened by what Sondra Rhimes has up her sleeves for this Thursday night’s SCANDAL season finale.

These two shows couldn’t be more opposite in their viewpoint on romance. And what’s über scary for me is that I am A-okay on either side of the romance fence the writers have constructed. I’ve talked about SCANDAL and whether or not a central ‘love’ story could be ‘written’ and allowed in the romance novel cyber book bin when one of the main characters is married and having an affair with the other main character (so, let’s not go there again:). Some of us like edgy, but…?!

New Girl, a sitcom about four just turned 30 roommates (or room-friends), is filled with what romance readers and writers look – great romance, conflict, and chemistry, a TV phrase that romance writers should use. We strive to show why two characters are attracted to each other, and watching TV shows where couples have ‘chemistry’ is visual (and sometimes hard to explain), but it’s there. (I tried to snag photos from the Internet that showed Nick and Jess in shades of chemistry:). But the show writers must also know their characters’ goals and motivation to take full advantage of that connection.

If you haven’t watched check out re-runs this summer or HULU for season one – but what is known to Internet fandom as NESS – Jess and Nick – the primary romantic journey in season two has ROCKED the socks of the hit show’s hardcore fandom (yes, I know this as fact – because I go to Tumblr where the true fans hang:).

What I really like about New Girl (besides the cute hotness of Jake Johnson) is that the show has taken a HUGE risk in the TV world by not extending the angst or the ‘will they or won’t they’ issue. Because yes, they have, and yes, they are going to try and make it work! (This just made me smile when that was the choice the writers made for the finale! And the show is only in season 2). Some shows will take 10 years for the clearly chemistry-packed, in love leads to commit (aka Friends, How I Met Your Mother, Bones), but I believe that REALITY TV has something to do with the shift in the TV viewers’ patience for ‘sex’ and ‘love’, and wanting it to take center stage sooner than later. New Girl is taking the curse of Moonlighting (1980’s show starring Bruce Willis) head on and I think they are going to win!

Happy Fan Girl – out!

Mermaid Blogoversary: Getting Our Freak On AKA Paranormal Day

May 9, 2013Avery Flynn, Denny S. Bryce, Loni Lynne, Susan AndrewsAvery Flynn

By Avery, Denny, Loni and Masha

Hey all! Thanks so much for hanging out with us during our blogoversary blowout week. There are 13 mermaids in the lagoon, so we broke the week’s posts into groups via genre – just like the tables were grouped by genre at the very first Washington Romance Writers retreat we all attended together. Cool, eh?

This year for our blogoversary, we’re telling tales (not pulling mermaid fishy tails) about some of our favorite memories from that first retreat. Be sure to check them all out and enter the Rafflecopter giveaway at the bottom of each day’s post to win a fantabulous prize pack that includes a $25 Amazon gift card, books, reader goodies, a mermaid nightie, a Waterworld Mermaids water bottle and fun stuff galore!

Avery:

One of my favorite memories of meeting a mermaid was meeting Kimberly MacCarron. There I was sitting quietly in a corner — OK, you know that’s a lie. So there I was chatting up a complete stranger before one of the workshops started. I stopped talking ever so briefly to suck in a breath when BAM! the woman next to me starts talking about the difficulties of making Persian rice. It was such a total non-sequiter and she talked with such passion, I knew we were destined to be friends. Either that or we’d have a who-can-talk-more battle to the death. That crazy woman with the waving hands and sarcastic tweak to her tone was none other than Kimberly MacCarron who to this day can talk me under a table without even breaking a sweat.

Denny:

My memories of my first WRW Retreat are sketchy. It was of course the weekend when I entered into the land of Mermaids, but I actually wasn’t in the mood to attend. I’d never been to the Retreat. I had tried to attend one or two times, but it was always sold out by the time I’d mailed in my registration. So, my critique partner Joy Daniels (Danielle:) said I had to go, so I signed up. I didn’t mingle much outside of the orientation for first-time members, but I do remember sitting near Mermaid Alethea. She was very chatty (and a little scary:)…she kept telling me I needed to write short stories. Every time I saw her she said ‘You should be writing short stories.” I didn’t ask her why. I just nodded and smiled.

The only other clear memory I have was sitting next to Sherrilyn Kenyon during lunch. I didn’t know who she was though. Sorry, but seriously, I didn’t. After a few minutes of chatting (we didn’t talk about writing either), I learned she was very nice, funny, and she talked a lot. I do recall saying to myself, “Self, if everyone at WRW is like her, this could be fun.”

Then someone stood up and said, now I’d like to introduce our keynote speaker, and the gal sitting next to me stood up, and I grinned, thinking, I bet everyone thinks I really know her.

Okay, that was a typical all about ‘me’ moment, but I can’t lie during the weeklong celebration of the Waterworld Memaids blog-anniversary, right?

Loni:

It was after the final session on Friday night, before everyone went their separate ways (some of us to the small bar at the hotel). I was walking down the corridor in between the dining area and the break-out rooms when someone said, “I could sure use a drink!”

I replied, “Me too. An Amaretto and Sprite would really hit the spot.”

The woman turned to me and said, “Really? I’ve never heard of that.”

“Well, let’s go see if they have some.”

The next thing I knew we were sitting at the bar with a drink and talking about our stories and our lives. Within minutes it was like we were old friends. Susan asked me about my book I was pitching (which is now my debut novel, Wanted: One Ghost) in the morning. I told her how nervous I was. It was my first time to pitch—ever!!

Needless to say, she was there for me the rest of the weekend. It was great! We exchanged emails and when I got home, excited to have had two full ms. from my pitches, I went to work on preparing them to send. Susan emailed me about the group forming of a bunch of virgin-WRW retreat ladies who were putting together a blog page—had never done one of those either. The rest they say, “Is history!”

Masha:

So there was this table. It was supposed to be inspirational. Inspirational writing, that is. Turns out, everyone at the table wrote everything but inspirational. A glitter infused chickie, who had more energy than two thousand fireflies in a small glass jar, decided to rename the table. It was no longer inspirational, but that’s what it turned into.

So there we were. A motly crew of writers. I listened as they told their stories, fascinated by the different journeys. I don’t usually feel comfortable crowds, even less so when forced to speak. But at this bouillonbase table, I felt comfortable, safe.

So there I was that night. At home. Because that’s what I do. Hellicopter around like a wordless specter. What I later found out were my soon-to-be sisters were hooting it up. Mermaid style. At a game of Jeopardy (or such). As usual, I missed out, but that’s okay. It was by choice.

A few days later I got an invite to join them in the sisterhood of mermaids. Me. The one who never says much. Who doesn’t participate with gusto. And is always more present in spirit than in person.

And for me, that’s how it began. They’ve put up with my missing deadlines, complaining, tardiness and continued hellicoptering. And they’ve done this without question, without recriminations and always with support and a hearty “we’ll be here.” And so I thank them.. again, from behind the computer screen, because that’s where I feel safe. The writer journey is a tough one, but these women make the road less lonely. Thank you.

Now it’s time to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway to win a fantabulous prize pack that includes a $25 Amazon gift card, books, reader goodies, a mermaid nightie, a Waterworld Mermaids water bottle and fun stuff galore!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Celebrating Spring in the Pond with a Two-Book Giveaway!

April 26, 2013Denny S. Bryce, GiveawayDarynda Jones, Emily March, FIRST GRAVE ON THE RIGHT, NYTimes Best Selling Author, Reflection PointDenny S. Bryce

by Denny S. Bryce

I recently returned from a city in the Midwest, which will go unnamed (Minneapolis) where there was six inches of snow on the ground from a recent storm the night before. I used to live in the Midwest (Chicago). In fact I was born in the Midwest (Cleveland), so you could say I know a lot about snow, and aside from Christmas week – I HATE SNOW. Sorry skiers, ice skaters (except I used to ice skate and love it), snow boarders, whatever, the time of year that makes me most happy is SPRING! And as I look out my window this morning, I decided the Friday giveaway here at Waterworld Mermaid land is all about celebrating Spring – so tell me about your favorite romance novel that made you smile because there was spring and there was love in the air and if you don’t have a story — make one up!

And oh, last weekend was BRILLIANT because I attended the wonderful WRW In the Company of Writers Retreat. So to share some of the joy (that felt like springtime with a thunder storm mixed in:) today’s Waterworld Mermaid GIVEAWAY features books by NYTimes Best Selling authors Emily March and Darynda Jones (whom I got to meet last weekend – and she was wonderful and her books are wonderful:)! So comment below for your chance at receiving a copy of First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones and Reflection Point by Emily March.

ROMANCE? What if the Hero is Married and in Love with Another Woman (the Heroine)…

April 8, 2013Denny S. Bryce, mermaids, Motivation, WritingContemporary Romance, Kerry Washington, Morality, SCANDAL, Tony GoldwynDenny S. Bryce

by Denny S. Bryce

I got up this morning to the sound of chirping birds, geese doing shout outs to other geese, and sunshine bouncing over my lake (okay, it’s the community’s lake, but since I live here now, it’s mine!), but my thoughts kept drifting to SCANDAL.

No, nothing about my personal life here (sadly) – I’m talking about a TV show. Yes, some of you may know my obsession with the ABC series (SCANDAL) from the mind of Sondra Rhimes starring Kerry Washington and Tony Goldwyn (yes, the actor who killed Patrick Swayze in Ghost).

Well, I’ve come to the conclusion that Sondra Rhimes reads romance novels. Hot, spicy, romance novels, but she reads them and then she twists them into decadent juicy unbelievable (but totally believable) melodrama. And yes, it’s over the top and if you enjoy situations that just don’t fit in the realm of reason but then kind of do, then the show is for you!

In a TV show about many relationships, SCANDAL’s primary one (Olivia and Fritz) is the most problematic – morality wise. The heroine’s lover and soul mate is MARRIED, and his wife although a dark and twisty child herself, is NOT the villain of the story.

So as a writer (or reader of romance) – what are your thoughts about a contemporary romance that pushes this particular envelope? I’m sure there have been fabulous romances written with infidelity as a storyline that work as a romance – tell me about them? Would you read it? Would you write it?

I know. How’d I get from SCANDAL to contemporary romance? Blame the chirping birds and the geese. Anyway, here goes my SCANDAL photo blitz (the real reason I wrote this post:). Because good romance and true love can be SCANDALOUS, and dark and twisty and pull at the strings of your heart, right?

A Librarian from Philly Swims with the Mermaids (And A Giveaway!)

February 22, 2013Denny S. Bryce, Giveaway, Interview, mermaidsbooklists, librarian, PhillyDenny S. Bryce

by Denny S. Bryce

I met Dena at one of my pop culture/fandom obsessions, a small but fabulous convention called Phauxcon, an annual gathering in October of fans of science fiction, romance, popular culture, Doctor Who and much more. Of course, after a few lively conversations, I invited Dena to hang at the Waterworld Mermaids pond and she said yes! She is a fan of Joss Whedon, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, romance, reading and more reading (more than 250 books a year). She knows a lot (in fact this is part 1, and you’ll see part 2 at the Denny S. Bryce blog next week!). And yes, she likes to share, so be prepared to be wow’d!

Denny asked Dena: Hey, how did you end up a librarian?

I became a librarian because both my parents are librarians, although I spent the first 21 years of my life running in the opposite direction. I have a drama degree but discovered quickly that while it was easy to get jobs in theatre, it was pretty hard to get paying jobs. Then one day at dinner with my parents, I was actually enjoying our conversation about libraries, and the next day I applied for grad school.

A few years later, I’m the Department Head of Philbrick Hall at the Central Branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia. My department houses the fiction, movie, graphic novel, and Teen collections. My specific collection responsibility is maintaining the Romance, Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror sections. A lot of what I do is keeping up to date on new releases and new trends in my collection area. I read about 250 books a year and spend a lot of time ordering books (both print and ebooks) for the collection. I also do a lot of reader’s advisory – recommending books to patrons. The internet is a huge help because I can use it to track down next books in series, find out when a favorite author is coming out with a new book, figure out the name of “that movie” starring “that guy”, and discover almost anything else I need in just a few seconds while my patron is standing at the desk. It’s amazing how often they think I’m magic… It’s also amazing how often I DON’T need to check online. My brain is stuffed full of book trivia that I don’t realize I have until I need to access it.I still wake up some mornings and giggle over the fact that I’m getting paid to do what I love.

Denny asked Dena: What is the most surprising trend you see at libraries or in the library industry?

This isn’t a surprising trend, but the rise of ebooks and other digital media affects the library hugely. Our ebook offerings have exploded over the past year or so, and not only local patrons are noticing. I’ve heard of a bookstore in Alabama telling their customers to get a Free Library of Philadelphia library card so they can borrow our ebooks. This then poses challenges to how we view and serve our community. We are a local organization, but we are all of a sudden becoming a national and even global presence. So how do we balance serving the people of Philadelphia with the demands of a wider community? I don’t think that this question has been truly answered yet.

There are other issues that are library specific in the ebook world. Lots of publishers don’t sell ebooks to libraries. There’s a huge issue in the library world right now surrounding publishers not wanting to allow libraries to lend their ebooks at all or limiting the number of times an ebook can be lent. For example HarperCollins only allows an ebook to be checked out 26 times before the library has to repurchase it. Some publishers quadruple the price of an ebook for libraries. And this is just the Big 6 publishers (if they sell to libraries at all). It’s also much harder to get self-published ebooks into the the library system. For example, my absolute favourite romance of 2013 was Courtney Milan’s A Kiss for Midwinter. It’s not available for me to purchase for the library at all, even though her previous books are available and circulate very well (I push her a lot). It’s a completely different delivery method – instead of just placing an order and having a book shipped to me, the author has to actively get their book in with one of the ebook library distributors (in our case Overdrive). I also fell in love with Gene Doucette’s Immortal series, which is published by The Writer’s Coffee Shop (who also first published 50 Shades of Grey) but their ebooks are not available via Overdrive. It’s so frustrating to have our hands tied and not be able to provide so much to our community. This article from Forbes outlines some of the basic arguments that are going on in the library and publishing world surrounding ebook distribution.

Denny asked Dena: What are fiction writers getting right, what are they getting wrong?

I think that fiction writers are getting far more creative with connecting with the community of readers and reaching their audience. There doesn’t seem to be the same reliance on publishers to do all the promotion for them. Authors are interacting with readers on a far more personal level via blogs, web pages, Twitter, and Facebook. When I couldn’t buy a self-published Courtney Milan ebook for my library (The Duchess War) I left a comment on Milan’s web page, she replied right away, and the next week the book was available in Overdrive (I’m still waiting for her latest to show up).

If they don’t have a traditional publisher, authors are getting far more savvy about self-publishing. It used to be that my knee-jerk reaction to anything self-published was that it was vanity press project and not worth my time to read or buy for the library. That’s definitely changing. Hugh Howey is an example of a very successful self-published author (and he’s now been picked up by Simon and Schuster). Courtney Milan and Sylvia Day moved into self-publishing. And there are different distribution models that are appearing and being successful as well.

Dena’s Top Pics for 2012:

Top romance books read in 2012: A Kiss for Midwinter by Courtney Milan, No Proper Lady by Isabel Cooper, A Lady Awakened by Cecilia Grant.

Pick one of Dena’s top picks in your comment below and if your name is drawn you will receive an e-copy of the book!

One last gift from Dena for today!

She creates booklists for the Free Library webpage. Go here, here and here, to visit Dena’s lists! Enjoy!

Thank you Dena for joining us in the Mermaid’s Pond!

Our Valentine Gift to you…A Collection of Heroes

February 14, 2013Alethea Kontis, Avery Flynn, Carlene Love Flores, Dana Rodgers, Denny S. Bryce, Diana Belchase, mermaids, Susan AndrewsValentine's Day Heroes, waterworld mermaidsCarlene

To celebrate Valentine’s Day this year, the Mermaids have assembled a hearty and handsome collection of heroes for all our fishy friends. Here at the lagoon, we celebrate diversity in writing, living and loving, something I was so pleased to see come through in this real life and fictional collection. We hope you enjoy.

From Alethea

In high school, I had a poster from the movie Sidekicks on my ceiling (among many others). I used to dream that Jonathan Brandis and I were great friends. When he committed suicide in 2003, I was wracked with irrational guilt. Maybe if I had written to him, or even attempted to reach out…maybe nothing. Maybe not. I’ll never know.

But as authors, we have the power to make people live forever.

Recently, our Man Wars Mermaids started posting pictures of their schoolgirl crushes, so I hunted down this picture of Jonathan. I was just starting notes for Beloved–I needed a different kind of hero for Friday Woodcutter, someone a little lost and a little angry and a little dark despite his fair coloring. In that moment, Tristan Swan sprang to life.

From Avery

Treasure hunter Jax Taylor is a Southern charmer with enough sex appeal to melt the polar ice caps. Brought together with ex-fiance Veronica Kwon by their dying mentor, the two agree to an uneasy partnership. Together they’ll climb a magic beanstalk to the cloud kingdom where they’ll find riches, zombies and passion. Meet Jax for yourself in Jax and the Beanstalk Zombies by Avery Flynn coming soon from Lyrical Press.

From Carlene

Ever wonder what it is in those great big heroic hearts of firefighters that sends them in to the station each day? Marcus is not only family but he’s a real-life hero and I’m so tickled he answered this for us. “I’ve always been one to jump at the chance to help people. Knowing I get to do what I love for a living with my Brothers and Sisters from my second family is a blessing!” He’s not just a hero, he’s a sweetie too. His beautiful wife, Erica, (sorry ladies, Marcus is taken) shared that Marcus once told her to take off for a week, no explanations given. I guess when your honey asks you to do this, you just nod your head yes. Good thing she did because it was a sweet Tenth Anniversary surprise vacation. Sigh….

From Dana

There is a lot of hero inspiration available in the world of romance writing but for this Valentine’s Day I’m celebrating the heroes of the armed forces. These men and women are real heroes. They spend months away from their loved ones when they deploy, often live in less than ideal conditions and have no choice where they spend their holidays. To me a real hero is someone willing to stand between the innocent and danger, and these folks definitely fit the bill. Thank you for your service and your sacrifice. Happy Valentine’s Day!

From Denny

Actor Jesse Williams inspires:)…good looks, sure, but those eyes, those eyes, even in black and white, his eyes shine through. He is the inspiration for my antagonist (hero) in my paranormal romantic thriller…the log-line…In post-apocalyptic Washington, DC, a vampire hunter ‘on-the-edge’, seeking revenge for her partner’s death, and a hot-headed homicide detective, looking for answers about his past, team up to investigate the murder of a high profile politician and discover a cult of assassins in a dark and twisty tale of lust, addiction, sacrifice and love. Happy Valentine’s Day.

From Diana

What may you ask is my husband’s feet doing in the midst of all these jaw-droppingly gorgeous guys. Well, the call to action was a half-dressed man, wasn’t it? My DH is my hero for so many reasons, but last year when my feet ached so badly I couldn’t walk another step in my heels, he took off his shoes in the metro (subway for you non-DC people) and gave them to me! For me that’s the most romantic thing in the world and I’ll love him forever for that … and so much more. Happy Valentine’s everyone!

From Susan

Alex Geerman is from Aruba, graduated from my hometown’s high school and worked as a trainer in a local gym until his mother sent his photo to a New York modeling agency. Now he travels world-wide on photo shoots, and has been featured on several romance covers. Do you want him on your next book? I do!

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY FROM THE WATERWORLD MERMAIDS