Category Archives: Giveaway

Faith and Love: Why We’re Still Here

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A visit with first time author and my grandma, Shirley Faith Touchstone.

Hello friends.  I hope this post finds you feeling something good in your bones, little or large, as long as it’s in there somewhere.  Mine are, quite frankly, bursting.  And it’s got everything to do with the fact that one of the stops on my recent 5,200 mile cross-country road trip was to my Grandma Shirley’s home in Van Buren, Arkansas…Where I got to hold her book, Why Am I Still Here?

 

 

We spent a few days together talking about how excited and busy she is at 77 years young to have seen this, her first book, to publication.  For anyone struggling with perseverance to stick with your dreams or anyone hurting from loss, Grandma and I hope this helps.

Grandma Shirley’s middle name is Faith and mine is Love.  We were born in November; two days shy of being exactly 40 years apart.  She was named after Shirley Temple and I love to drink them, and yes, we had moms who loved to style our hair with those signature curls.

We are both writers.

We share so many lovely things but as families do, we also have had to deal with tragedy together.  In November 2007, she lost her son—my dad, when he was killed on his motorcycle.  Six months later, we lost Grandpa when he took his own life.  But we were lucky.  Faith and love were there for our family and have seen us through to today—a great day to be here talking with you all about things that leave people wondering why in the world this stuff happens and what do we do afterwards?

Dad

Grandma and Grandpa

 

 What Grandma Shirley wants to share is that knowing you’re not the only one who has had to deal with loss and the worrisome questions and doubts that stem from it helps.  Her book, Why Am I Still Here?, is a collection of tragic yet triumphant stories from people like Helen, a 90-year old lady who suffered a minor stroke and had to leave her home of 60-plus years, who said to Grandma one day after church, “I don’t know why I’m still here.  I’m worthless.”   To which Grandma replied, “Helen, you are not worthless.  You have the most beautiful smile.  If you can’t do anything but smile at someone, you have brightened their day and that’s the purpose for your life right now.”  There are encouraging stories showing us exactly why those of us left behind need to go on.  I was honored to have contributed stories about my dad and grandpa to Grandma’s work.

Sometimes to get an answer to those worrisome questions, you have to take that leap of faith and bravely ask, “What now?”

After Dad and Grandpa died, Grandma wasn’t sure of her purpose so she asked God, “What now?”  When you pose a question like this, be prepared for the answer, whether it translates into the years of hard work it takes to produce a book or simply asks you to smile kindly at another.  Grandma’s has turned out to be this unexpected, amazing journey.

She’d been asked to lead a bible study for Legacy Heights, the unassisted seniors living center where she now lives, and wasn’t sure if she was up for it so soon after Grandpa’s passing.  But deep down, she knew Helen’s words, “Why am I still here”, were her answer.  Grandma agreed to do a one-time study program on that subject, putting together a few booklets to hand out.  That was in May of 2009.  By September of 2009, she had printed and given out over 500 booklets!  It was at that point when she asked her good friend, Anita Dowty, for help.  They knew in their hearts from seeing the response that this was supposed to be a full-fledged book.  Anita and Grandma were in it together all the way and have become like sisters, celebrating the book’s release by Believers Press, a division of Bethany Press, this past week!

Grandma and Anita

 

I can’t think of a better example of good coming from bad.

Before our visit was over and because she has inspired me to never give up on my dream of becoming published, I asked Grandma if she had anything to share with those of us who might be struggling to stick with writing.   She said, “Never give up on your passion.  I’m 77 and if I can do it at this age, so can you.  If you have a story to tell, stick with it.”  I agree with her, because somewhere out there is the person who is meant to read it someday and be touched by what you have to say.

Grandma and I are so very happy to be giving away a copy of her book to one lucky commenter today.  To find out more about Grandma Shirley and Anita, check out their website http://whyamistillhere.net/ Why Am I Still Here?  is currently available in both digital and print versions on Amazon.com, Barnes&Noble and wherever fine books are sold.

Always love,

Carlene Mermaid

 

 

RWA2012 – Workshops, BDSM, and Seriously!

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I am not a prude, I am not a prude, I swear I am not a prude, but…I am respectful of all genres, which means I don’t think I’ll write any BDSM anytime soon. I will admit, it would be a spanking new subject for me to explore, and one thing I learned at the fabulous talk at the Passionate Ink Party last night — you can’t fake writing BDSM–it will show:). The Passionate Ink’s RWA conference events are always excellent. They bring in expert guest speakers and in particular, this year, it was the cutting-edge topic (50 Shades of Grey Trilogy sold 20 percent of all books last month, if I remember the stat as stated).  So when The Darker Side of Pleasure author Eve Berlin (aka Eden Bradley, a self-proclaimed mid-list author who is getting better deals said Shades is leading a change in the industry that is very good for erotic romance writers), and an academic (forgive me I didn’t get her name in my notes) launched into their remarks it was one of the most informative, well-presented, sessions of the day. And oh, BDSM stands for Bondage, Discipline, Dominance, Submission, Sadism, Masochism (I didn’t know that).

And oh! Sylvia Day’s NYT Best Seller reportedly had a pre-order of 500,000 books – for Bared to You (number 4 on NY Times Bestseller list in paperback)..and check the best seller list for 1, 2, and 3, it’s still Grey. The Hunger Games and Twilight brought YA to the forefront – if you don’t think 50 Shades and Bared to You aren’t going to have a MAJOR impact on what is being bought by publishers, etc., think again:)…

Okay enough on how I ended the day, I started at 8:30 a.m. in Platinum Salon 2 (where I spent three hours:). The workshops were Deep POV, It’s Showtime (Show versus Tell), and Voice, all expertly presented IMHO. The next time you see me ask me about the red flag words — “when”, “as”, “tried to”, “sound of” and “wondered”. Janice Hardy was the presenter of “Its Showtime”, which was extra-fabulous!

Okay, I’ll announce the winner of  Alma Katsu’s The Taker book giveaway tomorrow.  In fact, let’s just do it again today – commenters will have a chance to win a copy of her first book of The Taker Trilogy! (I got hold of yet another copy:)!

So now take a moment to share your BDSM story – okay, just kidding:), but what do you think about the impact of 50 Shades on what publishers and editors will be looking to buy? Will the heat level in your romance novels go up a notch, or would you hint at a little bondage in your more erotic love scenes? Do tell…

More Than Magic Mike + The Soundtrack Giveaway!

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UPDATE 7/16: Congratulations to our winner of the Magic Mike Soundtrack—Keely!  Thank you everyone who swam by to join in on this eye-opening chat 😉  Hope to see you back real soon xoxo  Carlene Mermaid

SPOILER ALERT #1:  I would hate to spoil this movie for you–so go see it before you read this…what’s that?  Oh, you’ve already seen Magic Mike sixty times?  Yeah, I kind of thought you had that dazed look in your eye 😉

SPOILER ALERT #2:  The views expressed in this post are those of my “Sweet Sandy from Grease” movie-watching personality and not my “Black leather, bad girl Sandy” writing/reading side.

So.

Magic Mike.

Someday, when I’m all grown up, I hope to have the cajones to watch this movie without covering my eyes as if it was Freddy Kruger and his gyrating dance troupe on the big screen.  (How scary is that guy?  I still wimper at the rhyme, “One, two..”  That’s as far as I can go without crying!)  And blushing because I admit to peeking through my fingers…once or twice.  Freddy never made me blush, just vomit.  Channing though, he’s dreamy in a good way.  But no matter how intriguing it is to watch all that larger than life, ummm, stuff– I’m still thinking, “Guys, that’s your private business up there and should I really be having my own private moment, (okay, me and these other ninety women) with it??  No!  Okay, maybe.  But still, No.  Yes. No. Oh, the conflict!

So yes, one day, (I’m predicting this day will come on the DVD release date) I aspire to have that completely open-eyed ability because my aunt tells me there’s lots I missed.  But for now, I’d like to talk about what I couldn’t look away from–the underlying story.  At some point, the super sexy dancing scenes took the back seat and something deep and important, and sort of sad and intense, grabbed me by the heart.  It took a few minutes to put my finger on the familiar thrill but soon I realized, Magic Mike had a Less Than Zero feel to it for me.  I loved that movie.  Loved, loved, loved it.  And I think I sort of love Magic Mike now, too.  A movie I’ve only seen half of.  That says a lot for that half, don’t you think?

I know, I’m silly and maybe you don’t believe me with all that other stuff to appreciate, that I’d come away with a love for the story.  Actually, anyone who knows me probably isn’t surprised.  (Shirley Temples anyone?)  You’ve probably seen Magic Mike five gazillion times with your eyes wide open.  Remember, my movie watching persona aspires to be you someday.  (Ahem, when is that DVD release date?)

So what was it about Magic Mike that had me reminiscing over Less Than Zero?  Well, Julian was my first experience with a tortured soul on the big screen.  That forbidden dark world that sparkled on the outside (remember the party house with all the TV’s?) but in reality was just a big soul sucker.  The way you sometimes find out the hard way who your real friends are.  How heartbreakingly beautiful it is when they step up and love you for who you are and want to help.  And how sometimes, it’s just too late.  I’ve honestly never had those exact same feelings as with Less Than Zero until just now with Magic Mike.  In a way, it was even better with MM because the wakeup call has such better timing and is so well-earned yet not overdone.  And the way the characters’ backstories unfold so organically is beautiful.  I loved not knowing for sure what Joanna’s past was but being so intrigued by her reactions to her brother, Adam, and his new stripper friend.  Oh my gosh, and the crazy cool things Joanna and Mike say to each other.  Their conversations are so everyday yet interesting.  (I believe that is the magic and wonder of Mr. Tatum’s acting skills)  I learned a lot about story-telling from Magic Mike.  I love that.

And so even though I suffered from a serious bout of “Holy Guacamole, what am I doing peeking at his hmm-hmm?”, this is a movie I respect and the type of book I want to read/write.

So, what did you think?  Were you there in the theatre strictly for the man show?  Did you enjoy the story just as much?

Who was your favorite dancer?  Give me one good reason why you would answer any other name here besdies CHANNING TATUM!

When did “I Am Number Four” grow up into all that?

Well, hopefully my movie watching side will get with the program so my reading/writing side doesn’t have to glower at  Miss Goody Two-Shoes much longer.

Let’s take some time to talk about this film and these men that were so much more than zero.

For today’s giveaway, I’m picking one random commenter to receive the Magic Mike soundtrack either in MP3 or Audio CD format.  Good luck!

Winners Announced

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Thanks to everyone who stopped by the lagoon these last couple days! Beth and I had so much fun chatting with all of you, and I hope you had a good time, too.

The ten winners (chosen from a random number generator) are as follows:

Megan Connors
Laurie Sanchez
Cindy Skaggs
Mary Jo Burke
Stephanie Buchanan
Marnee Bailey
Orly Konig-Lopez
amber
Kimberly MacCarron
Tara Lynn Mosby

Congratulations to all of you!

Remember, even if you did not win, you should still feel free to query Beth.  Thanks again and best of luck in your writing careers! I can’t wait to read all of your books!

Directions from Beth on how to submit:
For anyone who would like to query, please feel free to do so by emailing me a query letter and the first five or so pages of your ms pasted into the body of an email. Please mention this blog. Send to bmiller(at)writershouse(dot)com.

For those who win the chance to send your partial, please send the first 3 chapters as an email attachment, in .doc or .docx format, double-spaced, along with your query, as well as a synopsis if you have one.

Win a Partial Request from Writers House: Agent Beth Miller Swims with the Mermaids

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I am thrilled to welcome the fabulous Beth Miller of Writers House to the lagoon today. And even more excited to tell you that Beth will be requesting a partial manuscript from ten lucky commenters. That’s right – I said TEN. No pitch necessary. All you have to do is leave a comment, and you’ll be entered into a drawing to receive a partial request from Beth.

Even if you have no need for representation, please feel free to say “hi” or ask Beth a question. (Just be sure to let me know you’re not interested in the drawing!) We would love to hear from you!

This contest ends Saturday, May 19, at 11:59 pm, EST. The ten lucky winners will be posted on Sunday, May 20.

Take it away, Beth!

1. There are stories of agents getting manuscripts shoved at them under the bathroom stall door. Has anything like that ever happened to you?

No, but I have definitely heard of that happening, especially at the larger conferences like RWA National. This is actually not a great way to approach agents! You don’t want to be remembered as “that lady who shoved papers at me under the bathroom stall door.” It’s a little creepy. We definitely prefer a face-to-face pitch or a query.

2. If your life story were turned into a movie (face it, “agent” is the perfect job for the lead in a romantic comedy), who would play you and the male lead?

Oh, if only my life was that interesting! May I request Gerard Butler for the male lead? Not sure how much of a role he’d have, to be honest, but it would be fun. And if so, can I play myself?

3. What is your guilty reading pleasure?

Lately, I’ve just been in love with YA fiction, so I’ve been reading more and more (and more) of it. My guilty reading pleasure is more of a confession that I re-read Anne Bishop’s BLACK JEWELS series about three times a year.

4. You have an unusual background for a literary agent. Can you tell us a little about that background and what made you decide to switch careers?

I have a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology (it started out as a Marine Biology degree, because I wanted to hug whales, but then I switched over in my junior year), and spent several years working in a research lab on Long Island. While I was there, I knew I wanted to go back to school (read: my folks were bugging me to get a Master’s) and I really didn’t want to go for a PhD; neither did I really want to stay in science.

I had always loved reading and writing, and had taken quite a few undergraduate literature classes, so I decided to go for a Master’s in Literature. While I was doing that degree, I was also doing some writing. All of that led me to join a local writers group, which in turn helped me find out about “how to get a job reading manuscripts, because that sounds awesome!” And that led me to the job listing for an assistant to Robin Rue at Writers House, and the rest, as they say, is history.

I have never looked back! Though I do try to go whale watching whenever I can…

5. What would your friends and family be surprised to learn about Beth Miller, the literary agent?

Well, I’m fairly certain my friends and family won’t be surprised by anything about me—I’m a pretty open book. Maybe you guys would be surprised to learn that I’ve been a certified scuba diver since I was 14 years old and absolutely love being immersed in a warm, tropical sea, surrounded by colorful fish and peace and quiet. Or that I used to be big-time into hair bands (Poison, Def Leppard, Motley Crue, Firehouse, etc.). If there was a long-haired, leather-pants-clad eyeliner-wearing dude shrieking into a microphone, I probably happily shrieked along to it. I also have a stuffed llama named Sebastian (obviously after Sebastian Bach, Hair Band Singer Extraordinaire).

6. What is your favorite part about being an agent? What is your least favorite part?

My favorite part is finding something fantastic in the submissions. My least favorite part is receiving a pass from an editor on a project that I love and then having to pass that along to the author. That never gets easier.

7. What makes a writer a good choice for you?

Other than that unputdownable manuscript, it’s the sense that the author has a promising career—with more than just this one manuscript. It’s also the sense that the author and I are in sync with what each of us brings to the table.

8. Chemistry is an important component in the author/agent relationship. Is there any possible way for you to judge that through a query letter?

I think that it’s possible to get a sense of the writer’s personality through his/her letter, but I think it’s more likely to get that sense from how that writer interacts via email, and especially by phone. I want to work with someone who wants to work with me, so that’s one thing I’m hoping to determine from those initial communications.

9. Do you have any thoughts on contests as a means of writers reaching out to agents? What value do you place on contest submissions?

I think contests can be a great way of getting some feedback, as well as getting the attention of the judging agents or editors. But we also know that the entries are generally just a few chapters. Most people really work on those first few chapters, but what about the rest of the manuscript? So if I’m judging a contest, and those few chapters are amazing, then I will most certainly want to see more, and we’d go from there. I also think that while there is certainly a value to having contest wins under your belt, it isn’t necessarily a determining factor for me when I evaluate a query. So that may have been a vague answer, but it’s one of those judgment calls. I’d suggest entering ones where you are guaranteed feedback, and not overdoing it. The costs can really add up!

10. Any advice you’d like to give to writers hoping to catch your attention?

I would say that you should do your research. There is so much info out there on the internet about how to write a query letter and what not to do when querying. Your query should be personalized (I don’t mean you should make reference to my love for Damon on The Vampire Diaries, but you should direct your letter to me (and not Dear Agent, etc.). You should give a concise summary of your story, and a little bit about you, including, of course, your publishing history, if you have one (which is not required if you don’t!).

Beyond that, just send me something fabulous! I am looking for new talent, for something that makes me stay up until my eyes cross from reading, or makes me watch my subway stop fly by out the window, or makes me ignore the world outside for days!

Thanks so much, Beth! It’s been an absolute pleasure having you here in the lagoon!

Beth Miller is a junior agent at Writers House, where she has worked with Robin Rue since 2007. She has the pleasure of working with a long list of talented and fabulous authors in a beautiful old brownstone with many, many steps.

In her other life, Beth was a DNA sequencing technician at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory on Long Island. She much prefers books to E. coli, and enjoys scuba diving and road trips in her spare time. She also has a fascination for all things Scottish (including, but not limited to, men in kilts).

Beth is looking for romance and YA, though she would be happy to look at an action-packed thriller (think Clive Cussler or Vince Flynn) or a fantasy (think Anne Bishop or Juliet Marillier). She does not represent inspirational or religious fiction.

Anniversary Prize Winners, new websites and 30 days!

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Hi Mer-friends! I want to thank all of you for participating in the Anniversary Celebration last week. it was an absolute blast and I will announce the prize winners in just a few . . .

For me, today marks the 30-day countdown to the publication of my debut novel, A NIGHT OF SOUTHERN COMFORT, with the Indulgence Line at Entangled Publishing. I am beyond excited and I know that if you like a hot, sexy, funny book with a delicious hero and brave heroine – this is the book for you!

Also, I am debuting my brand-new website today. My genius web designer, the wonderful Walter, just made my vision come to life. Stop on by, take a look around, sign up for my newsletter, and stayed tuned for more details on my book release! Here is the link:

 

Robin Covington Romance

And, finally . . .  the winners of our Anniversary celebration are:

Winner of “A Night of Southern Comfort”: Laura McComas

Winner of Enchanted prize pack: Vanessa Barneveld

Winner of Avery Flynn prize pack: Jennifer Bock

Winner of Fair Game by Susan Andrews: Kimberly Kincaid

Winner of $130 Visa gift card:  Jennifer Bock!

(many thanks to Randompicker.com for helping me run this contest)

Please email me at [email protected] to coordinate delivery of the prizes.

Fishy kisses,

Robin

Waterworld Mermaid Anniversary Celebration – The Grand Splashy Finale

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It’s our one-year anniversary! The Waterworld Mermaids have dyed the lagoon hot pink, added glitter and cranked up the dance music for our weeklong anniversary celebration. Each day we’ll be hosting a mermaid scavenger hunt. At the bottom of each day’s post you’ll find three questions about the mermaids who blogged that day, the answers to which can be found on this site. Answer the questions and be entered to win that day’s prize. Plus, on Friday we’ll be giving away a $130 Visa gift card. To increase your odds of winning the gift card, answer each day’s scavenger hunt questions. Every entry you make Monday through Thursday will give you an additional entry in the big Friday giveaway of a $130 gift card. So jump in the lagoon and get swimming with your lucky fin!

Have you had fun this week? We have had a blast hanging out in the lagoon meeting all of you and celebrating our awesome Mermaidey-ess!  For our last hurrah we are featuring our own little cheer – crafted by the lovely and talented Kerri Mermaid:

M – is for May 2011, when we started this group blog.

E – is for Each one of us. We all have our own personal styles and write different things. Some are published and and some are pre-published. We have sweet, steamy and silly Mermaids. Even with our differences, we’ve come together to celebrate each and every one of us.

R – is for Reads. In October we did free garden reads, showcasing our different styles and talents.

M – is for Mayhem. With a dynamic group of talented, out-spoken Mermaids, we’ve been known to get a little crazy from time-to-time.

A – is for Author Interviews. We love having writers visit our site and we’ve been so lucky to have some of the best around.

I – is for Inspiring. Thirteen strong and very different women have achieved great things.

D – is for our Devoted followers. Whether you’ve visited our lagoon once or every day, we appreciate every single one of you.

S – is for success. Success is measured differently by everyone. Many of us crave to be published. Some want to finish their WIP. Others want to make their families proud. No matter how, where or when, it’s safe to say that one area where we’ve all succeeded is here in the Mermaid Lagoon. We’ve come together to create a special, safe and magical place.

Job well done and Happy Anniversary, Waterworld Mermaids!

 Fishy kisses!
Two questions to answer today:
1. What contest did Kerri Mermaid win?
2. What is your favorite romance novel?
Hint: The answer to #1 can be found in Kerri’s profile.
Giveaway:
Thanks for joining us in the Waterworld Mermaid lagoon! Answer today’s questions in the comments below to be entered to win our big Friday giveaway of a $130 gift card. Only one entry per day. Be sure to leave your e-mail address in your comment. You can also go back through the previous posts and leave a comment (one per day!) and answers for the drawing. You have until 11:59 p.m. EST May 13 to leave your answers. Contest open to U.S. residents only.

Welcome to Fantasy Island! The Mermaid Celebration Continues…

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It’s our one-year anniversary! The Waterworld Mermaids have dyed the lagoon hot pink, added glitter and cranked up the dance music for our weeklong anniversary celebration. Each day we’ll be hosting a mermaid scavenger hunt. At the bottom of each day’s post you’ll find three questions about the mermaids who blogged that day, the answers to which can be found on this site. Answer the questions and be entered to win that day’s prize. Plus, on Friday we’ll be giving away a $130 Visa gift card. To increase your odds of winning the gift card, answer each day’s scavenger hunt questions. Every entry you make Monday through Thursday will give you an additional entry in the big Friday giveaway of a $130 gift card. So jump in the lagoon and get swimming with your lucky fin!

 

Susan: Flash back to 1975: me deep into Europe on $10 a Day, convinced I could make a trip like that and survive.  I even applied for a passport!  Sadly, without traveling companions, my dreams had to wait. Even though I insisted it was possible to go by myself, nobody was in favor of my wild proposals, and my always-vivid imagination kept me quite safely at home.  But I could dream…

Flash forward twenty-eight years, and I am on a plane to Paris.  At last!  Dear One is meeting me there, having flown in from a business trip in Singapore.  Imagine me exiting Customs and seeing him on the other side of the glass.  How romantic!  We celebrate our Silver Anniversary in the City of Light.  We see the Bastille Day fireworks at the Eiffel Tower.  We have dinner with friends.  Really!  In Paris!  We get slammin’ service and free drinks!  We walk twice around the Arc de Triomphe because we’re too drunk to find our street! (boy howdy, was Dear One perturbed over that!)

When I come home, I have been deeply entrenched in the French language for a week.  I have apparently talked in French in my sleep.  For a few moments after returning home, I can’t read English.  On a shopping trip with SweetPea, I start to cry.  Why?  Because there aren’t any sidewalk cafes in upstate New York that will let you sit down and order a glass of wine.  I’m back in America.  I’m stuck.

This is my fantasy:  Let me do it all again before I die.

Masha – my dream vacation was and still is a cruise through Europe. One of the stops along the way was the Island of Capri. So far, that has to be the most gorgeous place on earth.  I was only able to spend a day, but the views were magnificent.  Perched off the coast of Italy, its windy cliff roads are peppered with beautiful white villas capped with red clay roofs. The cobblestone streets weave around quaint stores, but it’s the Blue Grotto that is a taste of heaven. In my wild imagination, I take a rickety taxi all the way to the top, pick an out of the way café, nestled amidst bright azalea bushes, and stare down to the blue Mediterranean as I pluck out my latest novel.   I imagine my family is along for the ride (although the kids are older.. as cute as they are, toddlers and neckbreaking mountainside drops into the ocean don’t mix), but every day I get a few slices of time to do my own thing before joining them on whatever adventure they cook up for the day.  But alas, for now, it’s back to the grind.

Loni:  I’m in a cottage in the quaint lake front town of Petoskey, Michigan one of the towns I grew up in.  The cottage is vintage Victorian but not overly done.  There is a wide front porch with a bench swing painted white, two large oaks out front and the breeze is gently blowing  the sheer curtains into my Shabby-Chic, decorated bedroom.  I wake to a breakfast of fresh strawberries and cream with banana nut muffins and hot, English Breakfast tea and orange juice out on the back screened in porch facing the English-style gardens.

My day is spent with my beloved (who is catering to my every whim) checking out the local shops along the lake front.  There are antique stores and craft stores, local artisans selling their wares and even a farmer’s market.  We pick up a loaf of fresh bread, olive oil, some deli cheese, meats and fresh fruits to make a picnic along with a bottle of a semi-sweet wine that will compliment the small picnic.  We spread out a blanket on the rich green lawn of the local park in front of the Stafford’s Perry Hotel under a shade tree and enjoy just talking and feeding each other bits of cheese and grapes.

We would take a walk along the lake front and let the breeze off of Lake Michigan carry our cares away.  It would be perfect because the following day, he would take me to Mackinac Island via ferry where we would continue my fantasy vacation at the Grand Hotel where I would revel in sitting in a white whicker chair on the worlds largest front porch, taking in the view of gorgous Lake Huron/Lake Michigan, the Mackinac Bridge and the boats out on the water, while the scent of fresh lilacs waft around me.

That would be my fantasy vacation: to live the dream I’ve had since I was a little girl in northern Michigan.

1.  What is Loni’s publishing status?

2.  What is Susan’s sign?

3.  What superpower does Masha want to have?

 

Thanks for joining us in the Waterworld Mermaid lagoon! Leave a comment with the answers to the following three questions (hint: answers found in the mermaid profiles) and be entered to win today’s prize—a signed print copy of our very own Susan Andrews vintage 1987 Harlequin American release, Fair Game.  A mint condition, unread and very rare copy of her Golden Heart winning story!

 

Happy Anniversary Waterworld Mermaids – Yay, Yay, YA!

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It’s our one-year anniversary! The Waterworld Mermaids have dyed the lagoon hot pink, added glitter and cranked up the dance music for our weeklong anniversary celebration. Each day we’ll be hosting a mermaid scavenger hunt. At the bottom of each day’s post you’ll find three questions about the mermaids who blogged that day, the answers to which can be found on this site. Answer the questions and be entered to win that day’s prize. Plus, on Friday we’ll be giving away a $130 Visa gift card. To increase your odds of winning the gift card, answer each day’s scavenger hunt questions. Every entry you make Monday through Thursday will give you an additional entry in the big Friday giveaway of a $130 gift card. So jump in the lagoon and get swimming with your lucky fin!

Yay, Yay, YA!

Today is a very exciting day in the mermaid lagoon. Not only is it the second day of our week-long anniversary celebration, but it is the release day of ENCHANTED, the debut novel of our very own Alethea Kontis!

Have you kissed a lot of frogs on your search for true love?

Have you ever fallen in love with your best friend?

Have you kept a secret from a crush — for fear that he or she would see you differently if he or she knew the truth?

Have you ever wondered if fairy tales really do come true? And what the world would look like if they did, all at the very same time?

If you answered “yes” to any of the above questions, then you need to read ENCHANTED! And this is your chance to win your very own autographed copy! Because we are so excited about today’s giveaway, we are including a ceramic Frog King and exclusive YARWA swag as part of the prize.

 

 

* Alethea not included


Leave a comment with the answers to the following three questions (hint: answers found in the mermaid profiles) and be entered to win today’s giveaway and the grand prize – a $130 Visa gift card.
1. What year did Alethea hit the New York Times Bestseller List?
2. Name one of the coolest things Kim ever did.
3. What is the farthest place Pintip has traveled for a long weekend?

Thanks for joining us in the Waterworld Mermaid lagoon! Answer today’s questions in the comments below to be entered to win today’s prize and our big Friday giveaway of a $130 gift card. Only one entry per day. Be sure to leave your e-mail address in your comment. You have until 11:59 p.m. EST May 13 to leave your answers. Contest open to U.S. residents only.

Happy Anniversary Waterworld Mermaids – Party Time in the Lagoon!

Giveaway, , ,

It’s our one-year anniversary! The Waterworld Mermaids have dyed the lagoon hot pink, added glitter and cranked up the dance music for our weeklong anniversary celebration. Each day we’ll be hosting a mermaid scavenger hunt. At the bottom of each day’s post you’ll find three questions about the mermaids who blogged that day, the answers to which can be found on this site. Answer the questions and be entered to win that day’s prize. Plus, on Friday we’ll be giving away a $130 Visa gift card. To increase your odds of winning the gift card, answer each day’s scavenger hunt questions. Every entry you make Monday through Thursday will give you an additional entry in the big Friday giveaway of a $130 gift card. So jump in the lagoon and get swimming with your lucky fin!

Welcome to the kick-off post of the WWM Anniversary Celebration. We were asked by the other Mermaids to post together because we all write on the smexy side of things, love all kinds of naked man-flesh on book covers, and play most often at the naughty end of the lagoon. Yes, please!

So, we decided to have a little convo about our favorite smexy movies, music, and man flesh – you know the things that get our fins all tingly.

Robin:  So ladies, let’s take it all off . . .I mean kick it all off with our favorite smexy movie.  For me, it is “Love and Other Drugs”  with Jake Gyllenhall and Anne Hathaway. Now I loved hottie Jake prancing through most of the movie half naked and in bed but I confess that it was the dialogue that really dragged me into this film.  I love a couple who can get it on between the sheets and between the ears. Know what I mean?

Denny: Favorite sexy movie? Well, it’s usually a scene or two that brings the anticipated heat and in a film called “Something New” with Sanaa Latham and Simon Baker – there are a number of scenes that bring it, and what’s fun is the film is a classic romance structure but with a delightful twist and two very pretty people in the lead. And yeah, the heat was palatable:)…

Dana: So many choices, so little time… A sexy flick that sticks in my mind was “Head in the  Clouds” withCharlize Theron, Penelope Cruz, and Stuart Townsend. This sweeping saga set in 1930’s Europe is full of passion, betrayal and redemption. The love scenes were sweltering and the plot kept you engaged, with the characters making life altering choices at every turn.

Robin:  Let’s talk music.  I write with the music playing loud and one of the first things I do when I start a WIP is create a playlist on my iPod.  Favorite artists for creating a smexy mood are Matt Nathanson, Jake Owen, & Marc Broussard. Music really creates a mood for me and since I keep the sexual tension thrumming throughout my book it is a crucial aspect of my work.

Denny: Robin and I might blow the roof off if we wrote in the same house (lol!) because I play music LOUD when I write – but the music you will find me listening to crosses the spectrum from Stravinsky (I love him, especially when my antagonist is more than a bit on edge), and R&B, especially Janet Jackson (You Want This) works when my heroine is feeling her oats (sexy and in control). Also Adele, Meshell Ndegeocello, Sting…

Dana: I LOVE music! All kinds of music–from Classical to Country and R & B to Alternative, and everything in between. But not while I’m writing. I need quiet for my characters voices to come alive on the page.

Robin:  Okay, we’ve all heard the debate about naked man torsos on the covers of romance novels.  I am willing to go on the record and say that I am all for it. In fact, the only thing better than one naked man’s breasticles is many male breasticles!  What say you?

Denny: Mmmm…I’m torn on this one. Seriously, oddly enough. I do love my man candy, but sometimes the publishing houses get lazy, and we see a lot of repeats…then again, the best naked man torso of the year for me — cover of the Seal of My Dreams anthology.

Dana: I love my man candy as much as the next girl, but I think the prevalence of hot, half naked bodies on book covers in the romance genre often skews people’s opinions about the quality and content of the story between the pages. I prefer covers where faces are cast in profile or cut off altogether because I think some details are better when left to the imagination.

Thanks for helping us get the party started!

Fishy kisses from your friendly neighborhood mermaids!

Leave a comment with the answers to the following three questions (the answers can all be found on this blog) and be entered to win today’s giveaway and the grand prize – a $130 Visa gift card.

Today’s giveaway is a digital copy of Robin Covington’s debut sexy romance, A NIGHT OF SOUTHERN COMFORT, on June 15th!

1.  What contest did Robin win two years in a row?

2. Who did Denny date (just three dates:) who ended up winning two Oscars?

3. What’s the coolest thing Dana’s ever done?

Thanks for joining us in the Waterworld Mermaid lagoon! Answer today’s questions in the comments below to be entered to win today’s prize and in our big Friday giveaway of a $130 gift card. Only one entry per day. Be sure to leave your e-mail address in your comment. You have until 11:59 p.m. EST May 13 to leave your answers. Contest open to U.S. residents only.