September 2nd, 2010
Counting down

Just 60 more days until the release of Wicked Highlander!

I’ve got a couple of contests that I’ll be putting together for the month of October. I’ll be doing the huge month long “Spread the Word” contest – a little different than before – but I’ll also be hosting a contest at the last half of October where you could win a replica sword!

Coming in the next few weeks will also be the book trailer for Wicked Highlander.

There’s a lot coming soon, so be ready. :)

hugs,
D

SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend
August 30th, 2010
Dark Sword Book Spot

The fabulous peeps at Book Candy Studios did a book spot for me. Take a look, then tell me what you think. :)



hugs,
D

SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend
August 25th, 2010
Guest Monica Burns

First off, I’d like to say thank you very much to Bella Donna for having me back on her blog to spotlight my newest release, Assassin’s Honor, which will be out in a few days. Like Donna, I write historicals, but I also write paranormals. One of the interesting things is that even in my paranormals, I can’t seem to get away from history. Case in point is my upcoming release, Assassin’s Heart. My Sicari heroes have their roots in ancient Rome, and in the book, I managed to blend my love for paranormals with history. I created a past life story line in Assassin’s Heart, which means I got to write scenes that take place in ancient Rome.

Everyone loves guys in kilts, and I’m of the opinion that the Romans passed along that kilt idea to the Scots. *grin* Like the Scots, my ancient Roman hero looks good with his strong, sinewy legs showing and his brawny arms bare beneath his maroon red cape. I don’t know about others, but I think perhaps what I love about men who wear kilts/skirts is their sheer ruggedness. There’s this dangerous edge to a man who wears a skirt. His ability to wear something other than pants says, “I’m a man, and I’m brave enough, strong enough, and tough enough.” Sort of like that old battery commercial where the guy puts the battery on his shoulder and dares you to knock it off. That kind of rough and ready alpha male who you just know is going to hell and back to fight for his woman. That’s the kind of hero I love to read about, and if he’s wearing a skirt then that’s all the better for me to scope out his legs, because I love a man’s legs.

When I wrote Assassin’s Heart, I had this brief snippet of writing that I’d done right at the initial stages of the Order of the Sicari series development. It was about an ancient Roman general and his wife. I wrote a really sexy scene, and I loved it, but I couldn’t use it in the first book. But when it came time to write Assassin’s Heart, I found the perfect spot for it when I realized the book was going to have two different story lines for the hero and heroine, one in the present and one in the past. I’m a firm believer in past lives and in a way, it’s really fitting for me to meld my love of the paranormal that I have with my love of history.

I’m really pleased with the way the story turned out. The past life story line isn’t just there to fill up space. It plays an integral part in the development and coming together of the hero and heroine in the present day story. There are also the additional characters that wind up being reincarnated that make it a little more interesting as well to see who was who and their role in the overall scheme of things. But suffice it to say, the hot, barelegged Romans in the past are still hot in the present. For me, writing this book was like getting my cake and eating it too!

So, why do you like men who wear skirts? Are you partial to just Scots or can a smooth-talking Italians convince you that love is universal?

**Drawing is open to residents in US and Canada. Void where prohibited. To ensure as many readers as possible have a chance to win a copy of the book, Monica awards only one book per reader, per household**


Assassin’s Heart by Monica Burns
Book 2 in The Order of the Sicari series
Berkley Sensation
ISBN – 978-0-425-23652-9

The truth of the soul
Lysander Condellarie never understood why he had telepathic and telekinetic powers until the night his Praetorian father tortured him and left him for dead. Now, the half-angelic, half-demonic face he sees in the mirror is a reminder of the monster he must keep hidden or face expulsion from the order of assassins know as the Sicari. But his dreams of Ancient Rome hint at a destiny he finds hard to accept, especially when it involves the woman he loves, but can never have.

The consequences of desire
A gifted healer in the Order, Phaedra DeLuca witnessed her mother’s murder when she was just a little girl. The haunting memory makes her loathe everything Praetorian. When she travels to Rome in search of an ancient artifact, she must work alongside a man who once cruelly rejected her love and healing touch. But her dreams of Ancient Rome tell of an irreversible and possibly dangerous future. For the distant past and present are about to collide–with the one man she is destined to love.

An award-winning author of erotic romance, Monica Burns penned her first short romance story at the age of nine when she selected the pseudonym she uses today. From the days when she hid her stories from her sisters to her first completed full-length manuscript, she always believed in her dream despite rejections and setbacks. A workaholic wife and mother, Monica believes it’s possible for the good guy to win if they work hard enough.
www.MonicaBurns.com

SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend
August 17th, 2010
What I’ve been up to

It’s almost back to school time. Just one more week for my kiddos and then the house is all mine again. Not that I’m going to look forward to getting up early and tugging them out of bed, of constantly telling them to hurry up and get dressed, then hurry up and eat, but the house will be mine. All mine. :-D

In the writing front, I’ve finished up a couple of proposals and I just need to tweak a third before it goes to my agent. In a few weeks I’ll begin on Logan’s story. He’s hiding much more than I originally thought he was, which is going to make his story that much better to write. And his heroine, Gwynn, well, I’m really going to enjoy getting to know her more. Together they are going to heat up the pages!

Meanwhile, I’m going to clean my office of some clutter. I’ve got boxes of promo (new Wicked Highlander promo, BTW), boxes of books, and just boxes all over. And the filing. I have a ton of filing and even more shredding that needs to be done. Hmm…I do have the kiddos for another week. :rubs hands together: Now I know what I can have them do! :)

hugs,
D

SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend
August 9th, 2010
Wicked Highlander contest

Want a chance to get your hands on an ARC (Advanced Readers Copy) of Wicked Highlander?

Then here’s your chance.

All you have to do to be entered is tell me something about the Dark Sword series or the Warriors that you like. You can enter as many times as you want.

Winner will be picked at random on Saturday, August 14th.

Good luck!

hugs,
D

SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend
August 2nd, 2010
It’s good to be home!

I had a truly wonderful time at the RWA conference in Orlando. The Literacy Signing on Wednesday night went great. There were over 500 authors signing and with over 3600 fans, $55,000 was raised for literacy in just two hours. Thanks to everyone who helped out!

One of the things I love about RWA is being able to catch up with friends. Every breakfast, lunch, and dinner was scheduled for just such occassions. Not to mention running into others at the bar or between workshops.

While I’m at RWA, I always get inspired to come home and write. Which is what I’m about to dive into this morning. Several ideas are jumbling around in my head, and I must get them on paper. I’ve got some good news, but I can’t share just quite yet.

Off to wash clothes and heard the kiddos while trying to write. lol.

hugs,
D

SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend
July 26th, 2010
RWA & Literacy Signing

Tomorrow I’m flying out to Orlando and the Swan & Dolphin Resorts in Disney World. This is one of those few times a year where authors and writers looking to be published get together. There are so many workshops its hard to decide which ones to go to. And lets not forget all the meetings, both business (editors and agents) and personal (those people I spend chatting with online).

It’s hectic, but a lot of fun. I always come away from RWA feeling energized about my writing. Plus its always good to get together with other writers who understand what it means to have people in our heads. lol.

One of the truly wonderful things about RWA is the Literacy Signing. Each year, in whatever city we visit, RWA holds a massive 500 author, two hour booksigning that is free to the public. Each year RWA raises thousands of dollars which are donated to ProLiteracy Worldwide. Since 1990 RWA has donated more than $600,000 to literacy charities.

If you live in or near Orlando, please think of coming. The 2010 “Readers for Life” Literacy Autographing takes place on Wednesday, July 28, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Walt Disney World® Dolphin Resort, Pacific Exhibit Hall. It is free and open to the public.

I’ll be there signing both Dangerous Highlander and Forbidden Highlander as well has having lots of goodies to hand out.

I hope to see you there!

hugs,
D

SocialTwist Tell-a-Friend