I just moved.

After twenty-eight years in the same house, I played gardener and transplanted myself - new house, new city, new state. But after yanking up my roots, I had to bag them and let them rest awhile before sinking them into new soil; the house I'm renting in Norman, Oklahoma isn't vacant yet.

So I sit at a desk that isn't mine next to a bed that isn't mine in the hotel room where me and three cats have been keeping each other company for six weeks. There's still two weeks to go before our sentence is up, but by the time you read this, my cats will have a back yard again and a hall to chase each other down. I'll have a garden to dig in, my own bed to sleep in, and a real kitchen to cook in. But as I write this, that's all in the future. My present is this temporary room.

In a Zen sense, every place we find ourselves is temporary, and we truly do wake to a new world every morning . . . or with every breath. In a brain-science sense, however, we are wired to take comfort from the familiar. Novelty might trigger our pleasure centers, but only in small doses. Too much sends us into stress city. That new pair of shoes you just bought? Maybe they're in a hot new color, but chances are that if you always wear heels, that's what these are, too. Same if you always wear flats or athletic shoes or whatever. We rarely seek the truly novel.

Sometimes, though, we don't have to do any seeking. Sometimes the universe dumps a whole shitload of change on our heads. Sometimes those changes just keep coming.

In the past year, former homicide cop and current FBI agent Lily Yu has been hit with a mate bond, fallen in love, gone to hell and back, and gotten engaged. She's been shot, jumped by demons, nearly swallowed by an undying Chimea, and she's learned a lot about the werewolf clan her fiancé belongs to . . . and the one he's in charge of. She's killed. She's had someone die for her. She's due for some quiet time.

That's hard to find with a war on. A war most people don't know about.

Three thousand years ago, give or take a couple centuries, all of the realms were at war. Lupi call it the Great War, and it would make either of our World Wars looks like a playground scuffle. Earth got off fairly lightly in that conflict. Civilization might have been set back a millennia or so, but the planet itself didn't take much damage. Other realms weren't so lucky. Some don't exist anymore. That's what can happen when Old Ones go to war with each other.

The good news is that the good guys, the ones who want us to determine our own destinies, won that fight. The bad news is that they had to lock themselves out of the realms in order to keep the other side out.

Some people just don't know when to quit. That can be a good thing. Lupi, for example?and please, they'd rather you called them lupi, not werewolves--don't have much quit in them. Created by the Old One they call the Lady to oppose an Old One who wanted to remake humanity in her own image, they have never considered the war over. Three thousand years may be a long lull in the action, but war doesn't end until your enemy is dead or permanently subjugated . . . and Old Ones can't die. But perseverance can be a bad thing, too. That other Old One, the one the lupi call the Great Enemy? She hasn't quit, either. And she's found a way to be active in our world once more.

His name is Robert Friar.

The cover of MORTAL TIES shows Lily in a graveyard. Try to ignore what she looks like; the cover artist never seems to get her right. But the setting works. That's where Mortal Ties opens, with Lily visiting the grave of a woman she killed just over a year ago. She, in turn, is visited . . . by the last person she expects to see.

Turns out our final resting places aren't all that final. Or restful.

In MORTAL TIES, Lily and her lupi fiancé, Rule Turner, have to track down a stolen magical prototype that discharges a dangerous form of mind magic. And it looks like whoever stole the device didn’t learn about it by accident. There’s a traitor in their midst. Lily and Rule have to find the traitor, the thief, and the prototype. One job proves easy when the thief calls them--and his identity rocks Rule’s world.

As they race to recover their missing property, they find Robert Friar’s sticky footprints all over the place. Robert Friar - killer, madman, and acolyte of the Old One the lupi are at war with - an Old One whose power is almost as vast as her ambition to rock the entireworld.

www.eileenwilks.com

In the interest of full disclosure, this is a blog that appeared in an earlier incarnation on Access Romance in 2007 that I updated for Writerspace. I still love my book club and wanted to share this with you in case you haven’t tried one…

I joined a book club five years ago. I’d love it even if we didn’t read any books since it provides a night of vino and chat with friends. But the extracurricular reading has been really fun too, especially since I’ve read less books since becoming an author.

Seems counterintuitive doesn’t it? Write more = Read less? Unfortunately, when you only have so much time where your brain can process words in a day, you end up using your word ration on books that need to be written rather than books you’d like to read.

But book club has helped me to make time for reading. There’s something about the social obligation of it—like working out with a friend—that makes me feel accountable for each month’s book. And of course, reading is no chore for me! I really love those hours spent with a book, and book club helps me to feel like they’re more justified. If you don’t have a book club nearby –or don’t have the time for regular meetings- I recommend signing up for Goodreads if you haven’t already. When you tell the system what books you love best, it tells you what other books you might like. It’s like having great reader friends at hand to share their recommendations.

In my book club, we talk about many aspects of our book of the month at our meetings. The characters’ choices and backstories, the surprises in the plot, the resonant meaning we found in the work as applied to our own lives. And once the conversation devolves into the personal, I know the real meat of our book talk has concluded. But much of the fun—and the wine—has only just begun.

What about you? Have you ever belonged to a book club? What kinds of books did you read and how did you enjoy the experience? Join Joanne on the boards this week to discuss book clubs and one random poster will win a signed copy of Joanne’s new Blaze, FULL SURRENDER.

www.joannerock.com

If, like me, you’re an ardent fan of Elmore Leonard’s novels, you’re sure to enjoy the television series titled Justified.

I consider this one of the most aptly named programs ever, for anyone who carves out the time from their busy schedule to watch this show on a regular basis is sure to find that effort . . . well, you guessed it, justified.

Quirkily believable characters spouting memorable lines in interesting story lines, many of which will seem familiar to Leonard fans, are the order of the day. Lead character, Raylan Givens, played by a fascinatingly laid back, though always potentially dangerous (at least to criminals) Timothy Olyphant, was introduced in two of Leonard’s novels, Pronto (1993) and Riding the Rap (1995), and one novella, Fire in the Hole (upon which Justified is based), which was published in When the Women Come Out to Dance (2002), a collection of Leonard’s stories.

A number of pivotal scenes from episodes in the television show’s first season were directly lifted from those earlier published works. However, these scenes, and Raylan’s personal life, have been changed a bit for television as well. As a result, they end up feeling more like recognized old friends than rehashed stories, which adds to the reading viewers’—those who first met Raylan through the books mentioned above—interest.

Do bear in mind that if you abhor violence or watching folks who haven’t found a way to always live up to their full potential as human beings, this might not be the series for you. However, if you’re a fan of Leonard’s books, I think you’ll love the television show as well.

Even more good news: the first couple of seasons are now available on DVD, so if you haven’t seen the series yet, it’s not too late to watch it from the beginning. And while you’re at it, why not read a Leonard novel or two as well?

We all work so hard these days, it only makes sense to spoil ourselves with prime entertainment when we get the chance.

Go ahead, read . . . watch, you’ll be absolutely Justified to do so!

ARE YOU A FAN OF ELMORE LEONARD’S NOVELS? EVER SEEN THE TELEVISION SHOW, JUSTIFIED? OR DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE QUIRKY AUTHOR WHOSE WORK YOU’D LIKE TO SEE TURNED INTO A TV PROGRAM? IF YOU ANSWERED “YES” TO ANY OF THE ABOVE—OR EVEN IF YOU DIDN’T—PLEASE CHIME IN AND TELL US WHAT YOU THINK. SOMEONE WHO LEAVES A COMMENT WILL RECEIVE A FREE COPY OF JAYCIE CASH’S DEBUT NOVEL, MRS. GOODFELLER; WHICH HAS A FAIR NUMBER OF QUIRKY CHARACTERS OF ITS OWN!

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Jaycie Cash blogs on a regular basis for Writerspace.com. Her debut novel, Mrs. Goodfeller, is available through most major e-Book outlets, including Amazon and Barnes and Noble. She’d love for you to like her Facebook Author page.

TEMPTATION’S EDGE was released this month and I'm so excited! First, of course, is my hero, Connor Galloway. *girlish sigh*...A solid wall of pure Irish muscle with an accent and a wicked streak a mile wide. He's my ultimate Dom. Commanding, but with a sense of humor and a tender side once he falls for the right woman-and Mischa is the right woman. It takes him a while to realize it, and even longer for Mischa to accept that she's falling for him. Personally, I don't know how any woman could fight the urge to fall for Connor, but Mischa is a tough cookie.

Have you read Fifty Shades of Grey? I'm sure you've heard of it-there's so much buzz! I think it’s wonderful that erotic fiction-and especially BDSM erotica like my 'Edge' books- is being brought to the mainstream reader-and in many cases, people who normally never read at all. My books are getting a nice bit of buzz, too. My Eden Bradley novel THE DARK GARDEN is going back to print and will be available in Target stores in September, and my ‘Edge’ books are gaining some acclaim, too-I’m being sent to the Czech Republic in October to do a promotional tour for the translation of the first in this series, PLEASURE’S EDGE, which is incredibly exciting! If you happen to be in Prague or Bratislava in the fall, Ihope you'll stop by one of my appearances. : )

Let's take a peek at TEMPTATION’S EDGE!

What happens when you let yourself fall…

Mischa Kennon isn’t one to take it lying down, at least not until she meets sexy Connor Galloway , a green-eyed Irishman with an air of authority she finds hard to resist. While performing duties as maid of honor to her best friend, Mischa indulges in a casual relationship with Connor. She’s surprised by the thrill of his dominance, and lusts for more feisty battles before surrender.

…over the edge

It’s all fun and games in the BDSM Pleasure Dome Club, until Mischa realizes Connor could master her heart.

…and into temptation?

If she gives in to desire, will it be too much to handle, or will it open her to a kind of love she never thought possible?

EXCERPT:

Mischa Kennon was a perfectionist. In her work as a tattoo artist. As an author of the short erotic stories she’d had published. In the maintenance of her platinum blonde hair, which she wore in long, polished waves around her shoulders, and red lacquered nails, which she kept short to accommodate her work. Her San Francisco apartment was as immaculate as the tattoo shop she owned, Thirteen Roses. She worked hard, played harder. And she was never, ever late. Which made the delay in her flight to Seattle for her best friend’s engagement party particularly frustrating.

Finally she was there. The cab pulled up in front of the restaurant—she’d already dropped her luggage at Dylan’s apartment, where she would be staying—and she paid the driver and stepped onto the rainy sidewalk in front of Wild Ginger. She swung open the door and moved into the warm interior. She’d been there before when she’d visited Dylan and met her fiancé, Alec. It was their favorite restaurant and the perfect place for the party to celebrate their upcoming wedding, in only a few weeks. Mischa took in a breath as she nodded at the hostess and moved through the busy Thai fusion restaurant toward the back room, where they held private parties.

She was happy for her friend, although the whole marriage thing wasn’t for her, personally. She was the independent type. Well, so was Dylan, but she and Alec had something special.

“Honey, you made it!” Dylan’s smile was brilliant as she rose from the long table and came to wrap her arms around Mischa in a cloud of the spicy vanilla scent she always wore.

“I’m so sorry I’m late, honey,” Mischa apologized. “The damn weather.”

“I know. It’s our fault for wanting to get married this fall, but we just couldn’t wait, and we really want to be married by Thanksgiving.”

“Look at you—you have that bridal glow,” she told Dylan, holding her friend at arm’s length. It was true. Her gray eyes shone, as lustrous as her long, curling red hair. “Or maybe you and Alec had some alone time before the party?” she teased with a wink.

Dylan grinned as her fiancé came up behind them. Alec Walker was a wall of a man, well over six feet tall, with the breadth of a linebacker.

“Maybe we did,” he said, laughing as he leaned in to kiss Mischa’s cheek. “How are you?”

“Fine, thanks. Just glad to be here.”

“Dylan mentioned you have a possible business proposal to investigate while you’re here?” Alec helped her off with her rain-spattered coat.

Mischa nodded, patted her hair into place. “Thanks, Alec. Yes, another tattoo artist I know may want to open a new shop in Seattle, so I thought I’d look into it while I’m here to help with the wedding plans.”

Dylan squeezed her hand. “I can’t believe I get to have you for two whole weeks. You’re sure it’s not an inconvenience? Your shop will be all right?”

“I wouldn’t dream of letting you do this whole wedding alone. And Billy is the best shop manager I could ask for. Which is why I can even consider expanding here. I figure I can work half time in both places. Which means I’ll get to see more of you. But we can talk about that later—tonight is all about you two.”

“And we’ve left you standing here after your long trip. Come on and say hi to everyone.”

Dylan grabbed her hand and they moved toward the table, where Dylan’s friend Kara, whom Mischa had met on previous visits, was just getting out of her chair. Kara reached to give her a quick hug.

“So nice to see you. Do you remember Dante?”

Kara’s boyfriend shook her hand. Dante was as tall as Alec, but leaner, with dark hair and eyes that were a sparkling golden brown. He hovered over Kara as protectively as Alec did with Dylan.

Mischa wondered if that unusual protective thing was something that was a natural part of the fact that both men were dominants. She’d played with that a bit herself—the domination and submission dynamic. She’d even been to a few BDSM clubs. Not that she required kink. But it was fun when she was with a guy who was into it. She’d never been able to give herself over to it completely, though. Certainly not the way Dylan and Kara must have, to be in relationships with dominant men. Not that she’d be in a relationship, period. But it was lovely to see people who were so happy. The glow these two pairs were giving off was almost enough to make her think about it…for a moment or two, anyway.

“Mischa, you have to meet our fabulous baker.”

She turned—and caught herself pulling in a long breath as her eyes met a stunning gaze that was a shimmering sea-green shot through with amber. He was looking at her, staring at her from beneath dark brows. He had a rugged face. A generous mouth that looked stern until he smiled at her. Then it was all flawless white teeth and frank sensuality. It took her a moment to realize she had to tilt her head back to really see him—he stood taller than even Alec, had shoulders just as broad. She felt a small stirring in her veins, a fluttering in her stomach.

“You’re their baker?”

He laughed, a rich, booming sounds. “Lord, no. I’m Connor.”

His deep tone was laced with a distinctly Irish accent.

God, she loved a man with an accent. It really made her swoon. Hell, she’d been swooning since the moment she’d laid eyes on him.

“Connor Galloway, Mischa Kennon. Connor is a friend of Alec’s. He’ll be in the wedding party. And I seriously doubt Connor can boil water, never mind bake. He burned the hot dogs the last time the guys went camping.”

“Hey, I learned to microwave mac and cheese at my mother’s knee,” he protested, his brogue a low, rolling thunder that made her belly stir with need.

Down, girl.

Dylan laughed, putting Mischa’s hand into that of a petite, smiling blonde woman. “This is our baker—and friend—Lucie.”

“Hi, Mischa. I’ve heard so much about you.”

“Mischa?” Dylan gave her a nudge with her elbow, making her realize she was still focused on Connor.

Get it together.

She turned and smiled. “It’s great to meet you, Lucie. Do we know what kind of cake they want yet?”

The blonde’s smile widened into a grin. “We’re doing cupcakes. Wait until you see what I have in mind. We’re having a tasting session on Wednesday.”

“I’ll look forward to it.”

Sugar was one of her favorite things. She wasn’t a dieting girl—she loved food too much—and she was comfortable with her curves. But even the idea of a cupcake tasting couldn’t distract her from the towering presence of Connor Galloway as Dylan led her around the table, introducing her to their friends.

He wasn’t exactly following them, yet she had the sense that he was watching her from under those dark brows. Whenever she’d glance up for a moment—which she did more often than she’d like to admit to—she found his gaze on her. No matter where he was in the room, leaning over the table, talking to various people. That gaze was dark. Penetrating. She wasn’t sure what it was he wanted, but it was clear he wanted something. It was more than desire—that she recognized easily enough. She was no wallflower. She welcomed desire, from the right man. Knew exactly how to deal with it. She felt his desire. But there was something else…some sort of deeper curiosity that commanded her attention.

Ah, that must be it. He must be another dominant. But where that air of command elicited a bantering response from her when it came to most of the toppy men she’d come into contact with, Connor’s direct searching gaze made her feel…warm all over. A sort of odd, melting sensation. As though her knees were actually weak.

Don’t be silly.

He was just a man. A dominant man. But many a dominant man had met his match in her. She wasn’t about to be taken down by the admittedly scorchingly sexy Connor Galloway.

Lord, he was sexy.

Copyright 2012 Eve Berlin

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CONTEST! Today I’ll give away a PDF of the first ‘Edge’ books, PLEASURE’S EDGE, and a copy of my e-book short TEMPT ME TWICE. To be entered to win, visit my websites, then come back and tell me the names of any two of my heroes (because it’s all about the heroes, isn’t it? *G*). I’ll announce a winner here in the comments section tonight. Meanwhile, if you’d like to know more about my books-or about me-visit my websites: EveBerlin.com, EdenBradley.com or my awesome group blog Smutketeers.com.

Eve/Eden : )