Touch My Body

Okay, my brain has more plot ideas than my fingers can type at one time. So here's some more NaNo inspiration. Incidentally I'm over the 5K mark and hope to get closer to 10K this weekend.

In the men time enjoy these delectable specimens of eye candy.

May I take your hat, sir?

















Think he needs turn down service?

Oh yeah, I'm there. 

Until next time Indulge Your Inner Romantic!

Meet Josee Renard

What is the hardest thing for you to write?

I tend to get stuck in the same place every single time because of the way I write. I'm a complete fogwalker. I start with a sentence or a phrase and no idea of where the story is going. I take each day on faith. But when I get to the place where the story MUST turn to the end, that paragraph that will inevitably take me to a specific ending, I get stuck. Early on in my career, I used to get stuck for weeks and weeks at the exact same place because I didn't know WHY I was getting stuck there, but I've figured out how to get past it now. I just keep rewriting that one paragraph until it's right and I'm comfortable enough to move on. I might be stuck for a day, occasionally two, but that's way better than weeks and weeks :)

Where do you get your story ideas?

Story ideas are everywhere for me. Mostly it starts with a phrase or a sentence. I might overhear it on the bus, see it on a billboard, hear it on the radio or TV or spot it on some graffiti. They show up in my mind when I'm walking - I'll come up with a line (no relation to anything in particular) and I'll refine it as I walk until it's perfect. Those times are harder. I'm like one of those artists who use found materials - my found materials or sentences or phrases.

How do you stay motivated when the Muse is uncooperative?

I just keep writing. I treat myself to a new pair of shoes or I go for a walk or I re-read one of my favorite books. But because I generally have deadlines, I have to wrestle my muse - female, but named Prospero - into submission and, over the years, she's become more cooperative. Or maybe it's that I've figured out what she likes. Writing every day really helps. Being consistent (very difficult for me because of my schedule) helps. I can't always (often) do this but when I can, I feel her joy almost immediately.

Who is your ideal hero?

Almost any one of Suzanne Brockmann's Navy SEALS, though I'd say right now I'm leaning toward Crash Hawken from Hawken's Heart. Or Keanu Reeves' character in The Lake House. Or Aragorn (as played by Viggo Mortenson) in The Lord of the Rings.

What do you like to write about the most? The least?

I LOVE to write about characters, about relationships - it doesn't have to be a romantic relationship, I often (in my Kate Austin writing life) write about women who are good friends. I'm not much of a suspense writer because I'm not a plotter. So that is probably the toughest thing for me to write.

Tell the readers a little about yourself.

I'm two people (at least I often feel that way) because I write women's fiction under my real name - Kate Austin - and erotica as Josee Renard. It's an awkward relationship because I often forget who I am :) But both of us live in Vancouver, a block from the beach, which is a necessity for me because I love the ocean and spend a lot of time on the beach or walking on the Seawall. I'm a shopper - shoes, clothes, household things, groceries - and I'll shop for anything, anywhere, anytime. I love traveling, though as I get older, I want to go to one place and stay there for a while. My favorite places? Cities that you can walk and which have great art galleries - Paris, Amsterdam, New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Toronto, Florence. There are many more, but it'd be a very long list. I have, and treasure, my women friends. They have saved my sanity more times than can be counted.

As an author, do you take time to read? If so, what do you like to read and who is/are your favorite author/s?

I absolutely do take time to read. I'm an addict and read somewhere between 350-400 books a year. I actually take time to read to the detriment of a whole bunch of things - cleaning, writing, exercise. I'd rather read than almost anything.

I read (and re-read) almost anything - you have to when you read as much as I do. As you could tell from above, Suzanne Brockmann is at the top of my list. I love Nora Roberts' romantic suspense. I read a lot of literary fiction - Michael Ondaatje, Margaret Atwood, Raymond Carver. I try to read a little bit of poetry almost every day. I've just become delighted with a new author - Kylie Chan - who is writing a series called Dark Heavens. I've read the first two books and am waiting impatiently for the final book in the trilogy. I love Marjorie Liu, Jayne Ann Krentz. I read non-fiction, but for me that's more scattered. If it doesn't tell a good story, I tend to give up on it.

If you could live the life of one of your characters who would you be?

Hmmm, this is a tough one but I think I'd be Mercedes Jones - one of the three Gossip Queens in the series of three novels I wrote set on the Sunshine Coast (PS, these are Kate's books). I love her guts, I love the way she's so honest and open, and I love the fact that she finds the most unusual, and best, love at the end of the third book. It's a complete surprise and it's perfect.

The tag line on my blog is ‘Indulge Your Inner Romantic.’ What do you do to indulge?

Read, she says grinning. Shop. Travel. Go out to dinner or for a walk on the beach with my man. Buy beautiful lingerie and expensive perfume. Get my nails done or a manicure.

Blurb for Knocks Me Off My Feet available from Cobblestone Press on November 5th.

Jules has been drooling over Shea, the barista at the coffee shop around the corner, for months. But it’s way worse now that Shea has been away for six weeks. Even a weekend in Las Vegas and his incredibly detailed fantasies about their first naked encounter don’t help. What he doesn’t realize is that Shea has been crushing on him for just as long and when he gets back from Australia, he’s got plans for the two of them—naked, sexy, hot plans. 

Where I can be found:

Website: http://www.joseerenard.com/

Blogsite:  http://joseerenard.wordpress.com/

Email: joseerenard@yahoo.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Josee-Renard/163055307086304

Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/Josee_Renard

Where to buy: http://www.cobblestone-press.com/catalog/author/joseerenard.htm

New Cover New Story

I am so excited to show off the new cover of Still Moments' Christmas Anthology. Yours Truly is on the Naughty List.

I've never been so proud to be on Santa's Naughty List. The anthology will be released in December and I can't wait to read the other sexy stories. What better way to pass a cold winter's night than with a steamy read.

In other news. Josee Renard will be here tomorrow. So check back. I will be at Bookin It

Only three days into NaNo and my brain feels like mush. Oh well. At least I have some yummy to look at.

Hump Day NaNo Inspiration

Hi there.

Whew! Are you totally blogged out? Well there's no rest for the weary or wicked either. So a bit of business first.

Check me out. I've been interviewed by Paty Jager then if you're inclined please leave comment on my post over at BDSM Book Reviews The article was fun. And if that's not enough I'm at Ella Jade's 

Oh wait, that's not all. Did I mention I'm taking the NaNoWriMo again. NaNo is 50K in 30 days. A challenge anyone can take to see if they're disciplined enough to write a book in 30 days. Is it in you?
See the shiny badge I got last year. Oh yeah. That represents blood. sweat, tears. And I signed up for the pain again! LOL.

So in case you need a little inspiration here goes. He could be my bartender.

Perhaps he could provide a  few comforting words while pouring me a drink.

And of course Shemar is ALWAYS delish to drool over.

Suddenly I'm feeling a little sleepy. Think he'll mind if I keep him company?

And one more...Can I braid his hair.








Well that's it for Hump Day Inspiration. Hopefully you've got a little something to help you through NaNo or whatever rough patch you've hit. Happy Wednesday!

Meet Ann Mayburn

1-Tell the readers a little about yourself.

I’m a 35 yo mom of three boys under six, a daydreamer and a huge fan of strong women who endure the worst life has to offer and still come through with their dignity and sense of humor intact.

 I decided to start writing in June of '10 after the pre-mature birth of my third son. He was born at 31 weeks, nine weeks early, and it was a very rough delivery. I lost a great deal of blood and had some touch and go moments. While I was recovering from my c-section, without my baby, I had a lot of time to think. In my morphine pumped induced state, I considered all the things that I'd done and what I still wanted to do.

I'd had A LOT of fun in my life, and marrying my husband and having my children was a joy that I can never fully explain. One thing I'd wanted to do was write a book. I've always been a heavy reader, my husband used to moan at my monthly bills from the bookstore, and I have an over-active imagination. The trouble was focusing my ADD 'Oh look a squirrel, oh look a penny' self to sit down and write.

Basically, I stopped making excuses about why I couldn't do it, and sat down and DID it. I found that once I started, I couldn't stop. My muse went into overdrive and I have more ideas than I have hours in the day. I’ve been so fortunate to find myself surrounded by supportive publishers and fantastically helpful authors. The romance community has to be one of the most loving, gracious communities out there. 

2-As an author, do you take time to read? If so, what do you like to read and who is/are your favorite author/s?

My husband likes to joke that the only reason I write is so I can use my royalty checks to buy more books.-lol- I love to read, have since I first picked up ‘Tales of the Fourth Grade Nothing’ when I was ten and I haven’t stopped since, though my tastes have grown up a bit. ;) I like to read Stephen King, Laurel K Hamilton, Kim Harrison, Cherise Sinclair, Joey W. Hill, Mari Carr, Stacey Kennedy, and a ton of other authors. 

3-How do you stay motivated when the Muse is uncooperative?

I usually give myself some downtime with one of my hobbies. I've had about a bazillion hobbies and with the advent of the Internet it's gotten even worse. For example, right now I have a half finished crocheted baby blanket, the beginning of a Christmas cross stitched picture, a tackle box full of beads that I make jewelry from, and half painted letters for my kids toy box. Oh, and don't forget my latest hobby, making Romance Trading Cards for my books.

4-If you could go anywhere in the world on a romantic getaway, what would you do and where would you go?

Hmmm, that’s a tough one. I want to go so many places for so many different reasons. I’d have to say, if money wasn’t an issue, on an African safari. :) 

5-What is the hardest thing for you to write?

Fight scenes! I HATE having to make my characters say all kinds of mean and nasty things to each other...though writing the makeup sex scenes are quite fun. 

6-If you could live the life of one of your characters who would you be?

All of them?-lol- Honestly, I love each of my leading ladies for a different reason, just as I love each of my heroes for a different reason. I’d have to say being Lilly, from my new historical western romance ‘Wild Lilly’, would be great fun. She is an educated, strong, and yet naive young woman who has come to make her own way in the world during a time when most women lived in the gilded cage of Victorian Society. Add a heaping does of romance in the form of Paul McGregor, a dashing horse ranch owner, and the beauty of the Wild West and you have a story that will make you laugh and sigh. Oh, and blush, mustn’t forget the blushing. Even my historical western romances are steamy. ;)

7-The tag line on my blog is ‘Indulge Your Inner Romantic.’ What do you do to indulge?

As busy as I am, my indulgence is pretty simple. I LOVE to take a nap. A no kid interrupting, no husband waking me up to ask me where something is, no dog jumping on me leave me the heck alone naps. :D


And here's the blurb for Ann delicious new release.

Erotic Sci-Fi Romance with BDSM/Forced Seduction elements

Prince Devnar of Jensia is goaded into raiding the wrong space ship, springing a trap that captures him for use as a Royal pleasure slave, a Concubine, on Kyrimia. He vows  to do everything he can to escape and keep from forming a psychic bond with his captors that would render him absolutely and totally in love. This proves difficult to do when  the female Breaker assigned to turn him into a Concubine, Melania, is the epitome of his perfect woman.

Melania has been raised and trained to help reluctant and abused Novices to break through their personal blocks and attain the ultimate prize of becoming a Concubine.  When she is given Devnar to train, she finds herself in danger of doing the forbidden and falling in love with her Novice. This angry, scarred, and utterly seductive male tests her self-control like no other. 

Devnar and Melania find themselves at the heart of a galaxy wide political battle that will test a love that they must not acknowledge, and cannot live without, to its very limits.

Ann is Queen of the Castle to her wonderful husband and three sons in the 

mountains of   West Virginia. In her past lives she's been an Import Broker, a Communications Specialist,   a US Navy Civilian Contractor, a Bartender/Waitress, and an actor at the Michigan    Renaissance Festival. She also spent a summer touring with the Grateful Dead-though she will deny to her children that it ever happened.    From a young age she's been fascinated by myths and fairytales, and the romance that often was the center of the story. As Ann grew older and her hormones kicked in, she discovered trashy romance novels. Great at first, but she soon grew tired of the endless stories with a big wonderful emotional buildup to really short and crappy sex. Never a big fan of purple prose, throbbing spears of fleshy pleasure and wet honey pots make her giggle, she  sought out books that gave the sex scenes in the story just as much detail and  plot as everything else-without using cringe worthy euphemisms. This led her to the wonderful world of Erotic Romance, and she's never looked back. 

  Now Ann  spends her days trying to tune out cartoons playing in the background to get  into her 'sexy space' and has learned to type one handed while soothing a  cranky baby.

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