Thursday, August 31, 2006

Check out this deck of EC playing cards! Stay tuned to Silverpurr and the Maverick Author email loops to find out how to win some. :)

Friday, August 18, 2006

Blood of the Damned won a Reviewer's Choice award at Ecataromance in the sensual category.

"Christian Bale" made the presentation. Hee!

Monday, August 14, 2006

It's a question that I get a lot, as I'm sure most authors do.

I have wanted to be a writer since I was a little girl. The desire was born from my love of reading. I can remember going to the library and coming home with stacks and stacks of books that I would voraciously consume before going back for another stack.

One day, when I was about 8, my father asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up and I said, "A writer!". He told me that writers have to be very observant and be a student of human nature and of their surroundings. So I got a notebook and wrote down everything for a time, just like Harriet the Spy. At twelve or so I wrote my first "book"...well, my first attempt at a book, anyway. It was called The Barncat Chronicles and was, unsurprisingly, about the cats on my father's hobby farm.

At 22 I wrote my first full-length novel, a historical romance. It was doorstopper, weighing in at 120k, and I couldn't quuuuite keep the paranormal aspect out of it. It found an agent (miraculously), but never found a home. And rightly so, since I made just about every rookie writing mistake known to man in that book. I spent the next few years rewriting it and rewriting it...and rewriting it. That's how I learned to write the right way.

For awhile I gave up hope that I would ever succeed as a writer and put down my pen. I pursued degrees in English and Psychology and then went through a period of flirtation with several graduate degree progams, trying to find one that fit me.

In the meantime, 9/11 happened. My husband and I were in Belgium when it occurred. We were locked out of the country for a few days and were on one of the first planes allowed back into the U.S. We flew past NY, (modified route), into Dulles. Dulles was freaky and quiet. Armed guards led us through customs and to our next plane connection. There was little speaking. Do not pass go. Do not collect $100.

Ironically, on that plane ride back was when I decided to take up writing again. I still remember the conversation I had in my head about it. Can still remember gazing out the window as we passed NY while I had it. Why, I asked myself, when life was so uncertain, was I not doing the one thing I loved most? Because I was afraid to fail? Please. Life is far too short to let fear rule.

So, I wrote another book.

Just at the same time I found a graduate degree program that fit (hallelujah!), I sold my first book. Knowing I couldn't work full-time, attend grad school in the evenings AND write, I took a chance on a lifelong dream and chose writing. :)

I would love to know the stories of a few other bloggers, so I'm tagging...
Melany Logen (the both of them), Daisy Dexter Dobbs and Patrice Michelle. I'm also tagging any other authors who wants to take up the challenge. Leave me a link to your post, if you answer, please.

Saturday, August 05, 2006

I'm all listy listy at Writerspace now! Whee!! So...please join me on Wednesday, August 16th at 8pm (est) at Writerspace to chat about Edge of Sweetness.
And... I'll be participating in the Ellora's Cave Writerspace chat on August 18th at 8pm (est) also!

Please do come. I promise to give cool things away.

Reviewishness for Tempted by Two....

Look at the pretty!

Journal of an Avid Reader gives TBT a "B" and sez in part..."Tempted by Two by Anya Bast was a very good read. This is my fourth foray into her Ms. Bast's paranormal novels. If you enjoy novels where there are two hot heroes that are fated to be with one woman, then you would enjoy this novel...."

Joyfully Reviewed sez...It was 106 degrees outside while I was reading Tempted by Two by Anya Bast; and there was at least 120 degrees of heat steaming out of my laptop. Tempted by Two is that hot.

Romance Junkies gives TBT 5 Blue Ribbons and sez..."Anya Bast pens an amazing tale full of passion, trust, pure evil, and absolute binding love. TEMPTED BY TWO draws the reader into the story and doesn't let go until you've read every word. Miranda is a wonderful character whom I loved getting to know. She's witnessed the devastating results of domestic abuse and does everything in her power to help battered women. Marco and Theo are definitely alpha males - both are dominating and possessive, but in no way are they inclined toward any form of abuse. Convincing Miranda of that fact is going to be challenging. This book is delightfully enchanting with a few unexpected twists that will keep you guessing."

Caye Kim at JERR says... "Tempted by Two is a touching book exploring the evolution of love and trust after the survival of horrible violence. The development of the relationship between Marco, Theo, and Miranda touched me on a personal level as Ms. Bast shows that even dominant males can be infinitely tender and caring. The love and understanding shown by Marco and Theo for Miranda while working to overcome her fears tugs at your heart strings; while the hot, erotic sex shared by the three characters leaves you praying that your heart doesn't stop. Ms. Bast effortlessly showed that sex between loving partners could be both sensual and sizzling. For those of you that enjoy a good ménage between caring partners, this is the perfect book for you!"

Friday, August 04, 2006

My cat just brought me a horsefly. BLAAAAARG. He was SO proud of himself carrying around this big old, still buzzing horsefly in his mouth. BLAAAAAARG. He came and put down right in my lap. BLAAAAAAARG. It flew away. I screamed bloody murder. The dog just about peed herself. James came running. BLAAAAAAARG.

Horsefly is dead now.

Thursday, August 03, 2006

Many of us have been fortunate enough to meet and get to know author Camille Anthony over the years. Perhaps we know her as a colleague. Perhaps we've read her books.

Camille suffers Pulmonary Sarcoidosis, caused by exposure to asbestos while an employee of the State of California. Unfortunately she cannot get health insurance to help her with the costs of treating this disease because it's a preexisting condition and she's just shy of the income limits to obtain medicaid.

Camille is an intelligent, personable, lovely woman who is always ready with a helping hand.

She needs our help now.

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