Movie Phrase Friday

"You know what? You may have power now, but you're not God. You're a doorman, okay. You're a doorman. Doorman! Doorman!! Doorman!!! DOORMAN!"

A) WEDDING CRASHERS

B) OLD SCHOOL

C) KNOCKED UP

D) DODGEBALL

Email me at AnnLory@gmail.com by Monday morning with the correct answer and I'll enter you for a chance to win a $5 e-card from Amazon.

Best wishes and have a fabulous weekend.

Wednesday's Witty Words from Wise Women

"Dear,

Never forget one little point:
It's my business.
You just work here."

- Elizabeth Arden
(in a note to her husband)

In the Author Spotlight & Contest


Inez Kelley

CONTEST: Inez will be offering...one free download of winner’s choice of either JINXED or MYLA BY MOONLIGHT to a random poster. Make sure to leave your email address so Inez can contact you if you win.

AL: Hi Inez Thanks for being in the “Author Spotlight” this week.

Inez: HEY! Thanks for having me! I promise to clean up after myself.

AL: So, tell us what’s happening with you.

Inez: Well, I am currently recovering from Halloween and avoiding NANO. I avoid that like laundry. *shudder* My kids are clamoring for the Christmas tree to go up already. My twins are planning their birthday because turning six is a huge deal. We are dealing with the toothfairy visits and traipsing to my daughter’s basketball games. So basically just normal Mom stuff.

AL: You’ve had a couple new releases in the past few months. Want to tell us about them?

Inez: I’d love to. I’m like that annoying aunt who forces everyone to watch slides of her Yosemite trip. *Look, a jackass! No that is me on the donkey, but thanks!*

JINXED was my debut. It is a romcom and the reviews have been outstanding so far. I love to make people laugh and nothing thrills me more than to get an email from a reader saying I kept them up all night laughing and crying. Those make everything worth it.

Of course, I think it is funny but since humor is subjective, I held my breath after it was released. I have gotten some of the most amazing feedback! I got tweets from readers just saying ROLFMAO DOG TURD TURBAN! and OMG! Tampons and Szechuan pork!

Something I found incredible was that some people said the premise for JINXED was too farfetched. Both the hero and heroine are named Frances/Francis Sullivan. The confusion leads to all sorts of fun stuff. I have been contacted by several real couples in this same situation! I featured one on my website so yes, it does happen.

I held my breath again with MYLA BY MOONLIGHT. I’d had a successful launch of a comedy, but would readers accept me as a fantasy writer? Did I cross sub-genres too quickly? Nervous didn’t cover it! The response has been phenomenal. Every single email I have received about it says the story made them ache and cry, in a good way. The story lingers with people. I think that is high praise indeed.

What I did not expect was the amount of feedback asking for more! They want to stay in Myla and Taric’s world, to read more from that tale. Something about a non-human woman who longs for the love of a very human man touches readers. I do have to admit, the love Myla and Taric share is vast. It was breathtaking to write it! But I swore up one side and down the other I would never write a sequel.

Pass the salt, please, I am eating those words.

AL: Looking at your website, you’re a busy lady. What other works are you deep into?

Inez: As I said, I am deep into a second book in the fantasy world, this one based on Taric’s captain, Bryton. He is a bit more… how shall I say it, earthy, than Taric is. What do you expect from a body guard who kills and is willing to die for his Prince?

I am also playing with a romcom I had walked away from once. I didn’t leave it because I got bored. My computer did this funky crash thing and ate over half of it. I learned a lesson there. I am slowly reconstructing it and hope to see it completed next year.

On my funstuff page, I follow one couple in my Beauty and the Badge freebie series. Everyone seems to love Jace and Dayna! There are seven issues posted so far with the final installment set to come out in December (go read, FREE is good!)

I have my first erotic short ready to head out for submissions so I hope to be adding erotic writer to that list of Romcom and Fantasy author soon. I am also working on a Women’s fiction piece and a YA for my agent, aiming at New York and the big Houses.

AL: How do you decide upon your settings? What about the names of characters? Do you ever change either mid-stream into a story?

Inez: Nope. I am a bit different in that I see my stories in my head, like a private movie reel. Sometimes, there are hazy parts where I am not sure exactly what happens but for the most part, I know from ‘Once Upon a Time’ to ‘Happily Ever After’ before I write one word. It isn’t plotting so much as I just see it.

My characters come to me named and in full characterization, quirks, flaws and all. I am not really a writer but a medium for stories and tales to escape.

AL: What do you feel is the most important thing that a first-time author should know?

Inez: Most important? Hmm… Don’t stop. Finish one, polish it, walk away, write something else, go back to the first, edit and polish it again. Do that twice. When your second story is half done, the first might be ready. Distance is your friend. It gives you perspective.

AL: All right Inez, let your hair down and get comfortable. Sometimes people envision an author’s life as being really glamorous. I like to set them straight, so tell us what’s the most unglamorous thing you’ve done in the past week?

Inez: Scooped cat litter, cleaned the fridge, did laundry for three kids and discovered my darling child put half a peanut butter sandwich in his pillowcase…several days ago.

Ann: You’re the actress in a must see blockbuster movie that everyone’s been waiting all summer for. 1) What’s the movie about? 2) Who’s your character? 3) And who’s your leading man?

Inez:

An epic tale of love lost, battled for and refound.

I’d probably be the sarcastic colorful sidekick with all the cool lines

An unknown hottie with a voice to melt butter

AL: Fall is here! What’s your favorite part of the season?

Inez: Fall is my absolute favorite time of year. I love when it is cold enough to have a fire, wear thick sweats, eat homemade soups and bake!

AL: When you have time just for you (if only) what do you do?

Inez: I forget. It has been a while. I would probably pick read.

AL: Please share a favorite quote(s) with us.

Inez: "Once in awhile, right in the middle of an ordinary life, love gives us a fairy tale."
~ by Anonymous ~

AL: Thanks so much for sharing with joining us this week, Inez.

Inez: Thanks for having me!

AL: If you’d like to find out more about Inez please visit:

http://inezkelley.com/

FEATURED TITLE: MYLA by MOONLIGHT

Blurb:

Created at Prince Taric’s birth, Myla is a spell, an enchantment designed to appear and protect him when he needs it most. She has always been content to do her duty…until one night of forbidden passion leaves her longing to experience life—and love—as a mortal woman. Yet the risk is too great. Even if her blood runs as red as his, she can never give him the one thing he needs: a child.

Taric’s blessing—and his curse—is knowing the kingdom’s future depends on his producing an heir to continue the bloodline. His bond with Myla has always been that of protector and protected. When it suddenly becomes something much more, he unwittingly sentences his people to certain death.

An old enemy is plotting to destroy all he holds dear: his lands, his people, his father, and his lover. And this time, even if they fight tooth and blade, their shared magic may not be enough to save them…

Warning: This book contains a shape-shifting bodyguard, sizzling sex scenes, supernatural lilac mist, swordfighting and heartbreaking sacrifices. No jaguars were harmed in the writing of this story.

Excerpt:

“Would you cease to be prince if you had a choice?”

“It’s not a choice I was ever given. No, I like the role enough, have been taught from birth what’s required of me and don’t know any other way. I just wonder what being a prince in a time of quiet is like or will I always be a ruler in wartime?” He flung the blade of grass, now twisted and limp, far into the wind. “But enough war talk. Tell me about you.”

“Me?” Myla halted abruptly and he walked a pace ahead before turning to her. “You know all there is to know of me.”

Tall butter-yellow wildflowers danced in the breeze and he ran a skimming hand over the tops, stirring them further. A bright orange-and-black butterfly flitted about his head and he batted it away with a flick.

The play of colors around him—the shading of a single hue into a million dimensions—captivated her. Somewhere in her breast a fire grew, cast from those same brilliant tones from copper to cream. It warmed her from within like the sunbeams warmed her flesh. Taric was beautiful, golden among the yellow.

One delicate bloom plucked from a willowy stalk appeared before her eyes, held in a hand she longed to feel touch her once more. She took his offering with hesitant fingers.

“I know nothing about you, Myla. Well, I know you’re fierce and stronger than any man. You’re a beautiful woman or a massive cat. Strawberries and blackberries make you close your eyes in pleasure. If needed, you have and will kill to protect me.” His curious eyes searched her face for more. “But tell me about you. Do you dream, Myla? When you’re part of me, do you miss the sunshine? Are you ever apart from me without my knowing? Have you ever thought of me in any other way than a duty?”

Words locked in her throat and choked her. She existed for no reason other than to serve as his guardian. She knew everything about him yet nothing of what made him how he was. They were closer than two beings ever should be and yet separate and alone. Sadness touched her, a butterfly of rainbowed beauty drenched by a sudden rainfall. Steeling her face to hide her emotion, she cocked her head to the side.

“I do not dream within you. I accepted this duty and I stand guard. Sunshine touches your flesh and I know of its warmth through you. I am with you every minute, Taric, even if you do not behold me with your eyes.”

Something close to anger colored his face and he jumped in front of her, his chest brushing her breasts. Vehemence emanated from his body in sheets of blistering heat. No, not anger, something…close…burning…needing. “But have you ever thought about me as other than a prize to be protected?”

Myla didn’t have the ability to lie to him but strategic maneuvers could be employed. The wilting flower became a tool of distraction and she twirled it between her fingers. The spinning buttery color quivered with her fraud. “I do not allow those thoughts to linger in my mind.”

A dimple appeared above his jaw and the right side of his lip inched upward. “But you have felt…something for me other than protectiveness?”

Lips parted, she remained silent. For all the strength in her supernatural structure, she couldn’t break from his gaze. She saw herself reflected in pools of burnt umber, reminding her she belonged within him. Then the image was gone as he angled his head. His mouth pressed to hers, the burst of blackberry vivid and potent.

So this is how his kiss feels…like magic. Without thought, she mimicked his motion, tasting his lips and then allowing her tongue to touch and stroke his. Heat arced between them, a power she didn’t recognize but one that consumed her. He nibbled the lip he’d touched earlier, his fingers straying to her cheek, firm and gentle. A quiver grew from her marrow and spread, wracking her bones, and she trembled in sudden fear.

The pale yellow flower fell to the ground. Taric was her charge, her responsibility. She should not behave in this manner with him. Only the magnetic lure of his touch held her within this realm, halting her escape. He felt so…right. It was so wrong.

Taric shifted and tried to pull her closer, his arm around her waist, but she pushed away from him. “Do not. I should not have allowed that to happen. It can not happen again.”

“Why?”

The question threw her. Why? Because… She floundered, searching for why his touch should be forbidden, why she could not submit to the raging beat of her pulse, why she could not bask in the taste of his kiss. He was long past the age of manhood and could choose his own path. If he wanted a woman, he had the right to take her be she willing. Myla reluctantly admitted she was most willing to step into his kiss once more. But she was not a woman. Not really.

“I am not real, Taric. I am an enchantment, a spell designed for your protection, not your pleasure.”

Flushed color drained from his face at her breathless words.

“I bid you farewell, my charge.” She drew on every smidgeon of control not to zing back inside his mark. A tiny breath of lilac vapor swirled regretfully through the yellow blossoms before it too trickled into his body. Sorrow turned the last wisps to dark violet.

REMEMBER: Inez will be offering...one free download of winner’s choice of either JINXED or MYLA BY MOONLIGHT to a random poster. Make sure to leave your email address so Inez can contact you if you win.

ANCHORMAN

is the answer from last week's Movie Phrase Friday

Linda H.

Is the winner. She's the only one that got the question.

Congrats Linda!

Please make sure to check out Ed William's interview below. He is quite entertaining.

In the Author Spotlight

Ed Williams

AL: Hi Ed Thanks for being in the “Author Spotlight” this week.

Ed: I appreciate it more than a lifetime supply of Atomic Fireballs, Ann - thanks!

AL: So, tell us what’s happening with you.

Ed: I just recovered from a weekend spent at the IHOP last weekend with my two best friends, Ray and Hugh, collectively known as "The Brotherhood." This weekend I'm rotting out my eyes watching tons of college football on my new HDTV-ed set. The rest of the things I'm doin', Ann, I can't talk about as Tami says there's only a certain level of sin that can be inserted into an interview like this one, and she also noted you were nice. I respect that.

AL: You have a book coming out in November, ChristmaSin. Please tell us a bit about this story.

Ed: Ann, I grew up in Juliette, Georgia. Its one claim to fame is that it's the place where the movie "Fried Green Tomatoes" was filmed. When I was growing up there the official town census count was around 400, so it was one of those situations where everyone knew everyone else. Juliette had more than its share of very unique Christmas traditions, amongst them being the yearly cockfight that the men had about a week before Christmas. They'd all gamble on the fights, and a few would win enough money to buy Christmas for their families. And that was just one of our low-keyed Georgia traditions.

Over the past few years I've read a couple of Southern Christmas books, and the truth for me was that they were kinda surgary and too much like "The Waltons," which is nothing like I remembered Christmas. So, I decided to take a few real life things that happened in Juliette, blend them all together with a healthy amount of BS, and see if I could write a wild rural Southern Christmas story. "ChristmaSin'" is what resulted.

AL: What other works are you deep into?

Ed: None. I write strictly for fun, do a weekly article or two for Gather.com, that's pretty well it right now. Ellen Smith, the owner of Champagne Books, and I have talked a bit recently. We kinda have a deal between ourselves that if "ChristmaSin'" does well that I'll start another novel for her next year. We have the concept all worked out, I'll just have to get up off my heiny and do it!

AL: When did you know you had to be a writer?

Ed: Ann darlin', I don't have to be one, I just enjoy being one right now. I hated writing in school, I just had the flukey luck about ten or so years ago to have written a few stories about some wild antics I engaged in during my growing up years in Juliette. I happened to take one of them to a local writer's meeting and randomly got picked out of a crowd of about 70 - 75 people to read it. I was nervious beyond belief, but I got up there and read off this story about how my dad and I caught the choir leader at our local church parking down behind our house entwined with one of the ladies in the choir. After I read it, a lady approached me about my stories, and from that about a year later my first book came out. It was called, "Sex, Dead Dogs, and Me: The Juliette Journals," and it started about 5-6 years of travel, fun, sin, more fun, and more.

AL: What do you hope for your writing career in the next few years? Any goals that you have yet to obtain that you have set for yourself?

Ed: Ann, I've been fortunate as hell re my writings. "ChristmaSin'" is actually my third published book, SDDAM being the first and "Rough As A Cob: More From the Juliette Journals" being my second. I was also fortunate enough to be asked to submit a story called "Sally the Screamer" for the Southern humor anthology, "Southern Fried Farce." I'm kinda like the Forrest Gump of Literature, I've just happened to have written some things that have gotten out there just a bit. For right now, my goal is to do the best I can to sell some copies of "ChristmaSin'" so that Ellen and Tami will be happy. After that, we'll see what happens.

AL: All right Ed, it’s time to for us to call on your southern hospitality and find out some extra things about you. Being from the south, what’s your favorite comfort food?

Ed: A Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Blizzard from Dairy Queen. If I were going for a lethal injection and had only a coupla hours left to live, I'd ask for as many as they'd bring me, they're like heroin in a paper cup.

AL: What kind of music makes you want to get up and dance?

Ed: Ann, I like the kinda questions you ask! For me, Elvis, Jerry Lee Lewis, Hank Jr., Bachman-Turner Overdrive, Eddie Cochran, and Gordon Lightfoot make my soul dance, my knees freeze, and my heiny shiny!

AL: If you could have any car in the world; would it be a slow rider, or one that the wind has to hurry just to keep up with you?

Ed: I'd wish for something like the Space Shuttle on four wheels, I can't ride fast enough or go high enough. I really am an adrenaline junkie, I love riding the baddest thrill rides!

AL: So, now for the important questions. Sometimes people envision an author’s life as being really glamorous. I like to set them straight, so tell us what’s the most unglamorous thing you’ve done in the past week?

Ed: Ummmm, I opened my mouth to speak at a business meeting earlier this week in a room full of about 100 people and burped instead of saying my first word!

AL: Please share a favorite quote(s) with us.

Ed: "What's causin' all this?" - the Nature Boy Ric Flair.

AL: Thanks so much for sharing with joining us this week, Ed.

Ed: Ann, I appreciate this opportunity more than you know! Y'all please give "ChristmaSin'" a look, Ellen and Tami are nice ladies and I don't wanna let them down!

AL: If you’d like to find out more about Ed please visit:
 
www.edwilliams.com
www.champagnebooks.com
www.elwiii.gather.com
 
FEATURED TITLE: CHRISTMASIN
 
Blurb:
 
"The walk back into the house is a lot longer on account of toting this heavy-ass wood, and by the time we both get inside, we are hassling pretty hard. Ed Jr. turns, looks at us, laughs, and then tells us that he is going to recite an old Christmas poem for us that he’d heard many years ago. We know that it is going to be good, when he tells us to sort of listen out for Mama, and that if she happens to come into the room, mum’s the word. Once we all understand the ground rules, my dad clears his throat and recites this tender rhyme for us:

“Santa’s outfit is red and white, it’s all that he has, but it fits just right, his boots are black, his balls are blue, being cold all night does that to you.

He has a doll for Cindy, a dog for Fred, and a New Orleans woman, sittin’ in his sled.

He laughs so jolly, never sad nor whiny, now he’s off in his sleigh, to hone some Louisiana heiny.”

Excerpt:

(During the annual Christmas celebration at the Juliette Methodist Church, December 1972, as told by a 17 year old Ed Williams. We pick it up at this tender point...)

You total these two women up, Miss Evelyn and Miss Annie Bell, and you have two solid women who don’t back off from a whole lot. And they don’t regarding this megaton fart that Miss Simulah has just put out. Miss Evelyn gets the ball rolling when she whispers loudly, "My goodness, someone needs to change their eating habits, I think we’ve been graced with the after effects of someone who’s enjoyed a lunch of red hots and baked beans." That is a shot aimed right at Miss Simulah, cause everyone knows she loves those damn cheap ass red hot sausages (Ed Jr. said one time that she likes them because she never gets a helping of some true pink trouser sausage, but Mama came in before he could say much more about that) more than anyone around these here parts. Miss Simulah blushes a tad and looks away from Miss Evelyn, trying to act like she didn’t hear what she’d said, and that’s when she looks right into Miss Annie Bell’s face. You can tell it sort of shakes Miss Simulah up to be looking right at Miss Annie Bell, and it gets even worse when Miss Annie Bell whispers, "Simulah, we are in the House of the Lord, and what I’m about to say isn’t very Christian, but it needs to be said. I can put up with your body stink, even though I shouldn’t have to, but when you blend in the fruit of your ass with it, why, it’s just too damned much. You can either excuse yourself and go home, or else we can have a real set-too right here. I mean it. I’m not whiffing your ass pearls for the rest of this night, dearie."

It’s hard to believe that Miss Annie Bell just comes right out and says that, but she does, and Miss Simulah shoots up out of her seat like a rocket. She then bustles down her pew, walks down the aisle and leaves the church, whispering something to the ushers about leaving her stove on at home. All of our suspicions that Miss Simulah is the church stinker proved to be correct as all of the funk and farts clear up right after she leaves. Miss Annie Bell notices it, too, ‘cause she leans over to Miss Evelyn and says, "Eve, it may not have been the right thing to point out Simulah’s problem, but maybe it will cause her to stand a bit closer to the washrag tonight." Miss Annie Bell nods in agreement, and then their conversation ends as Reverend Malkinski calls the service to order.

I know ya’ll are expecting me to say that I am bored as all hell at the service, but it actually isn’t too bad. Reverend Malkinski talks about how the birth of Jesus was the single most important event in the history of mankind, and you can’t argue too much with that. He also talks about living a good life and about being a good example to your family and friends, and I guess I’m a fairly decent example of that while the sun’s up, but at sunset I sort of turn into something different. Maybe I’m a tad like the Lon Chaney, Jr./Wolfman situation, or the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde one. Rev Malkinski also talks about Christmas being a season for children, and that we should all do everything we possibly can to be good to them this time of year. He says if we do that they’ll grow up associating positive things with Christmas, Christ, and the meaning of the holiday. He then reminds us all that there were some really poor people out in the world, children who would get nothing for Christmas and who might not even have decent clothes to wear or food to put inside their stomachs. Situations like that makes my stomach knot up inside, because any man with two balls ought to be able to put some food on the table, and I can’t stand to think about any small child suffering. This isn’t masculine worth a shit to say, but it makes me cry down inside to my soul to think about any child hurting needlessly. Just the thought is wrenching, and it makes me want to kill an adult who would deliberately cause a child to suffer because that adult ought to be willing to do just about anything to help that child.

I have to make myself stop thinking anymore about that ‘cause I will bust out crying in church, so I make myself focus back on what Reverend Malkinski is saying. That isn’t the best idea in the world as the good Reverend is now telling us this lame ass story about a Christmas a few years back where he bought his wife some glass sculpture type things for their dining room table. Apparently, he liked the glass stuff, but Mrs. Malkinski obviously thought they looked like shit because she gave him some cock and bull story about how nice they were and then she told him she was going to sacrifice and donate them all to the Salvation Army so that some other less fortunate family could have a better Christmas. The whole crowd laughs pretty hard, Mrs. Malkinski blushes, and I whisper to Jenny that the Reverend Malkinski is a really good preacher. That he is, but the main reason I bring it up is so I can score some brownie points from Jenny for being so attentive during the sermon. Normally, during any sermon I’ll think about most anything other than God--women are typically my first choice, then football, and if those two fail to keep my attention I just run some good old Elvis tunes through my head. Elvis is really doing good these days, he’s doing some concerts out in Vegas and all, and there are rumors going around that he might head back out on the road again. I would give ten years of my life to be able to see him in person, but there’s no way in hell he’ll ever find his way to Juliette. Hell, if he found Macon it would truly be a blessing from God, although I wonder if God would consider blessings and rock and roll in His same thought process. I’ve gotta start thinking about something else, ‘cause God might use me as a cue ball in a pool game with the devil if He starts paying attention to all this crazy ass shit going on in my head.

Reverend Malkinski speaks a little more about Jesus and the Christmas season, and you can see all the small children in the congregation getting antsier and antsier. The reason for this is that each year our church draws names (kids only) and buys a gift for whosever name they pick. We have lots of kids in our church, so this year there is a big stack of gifts waiting for them up under the tree, and they’re ready to tear into them. When the tension gets so bad that it seems like the whole church needs to burp, Reverend Malkinski says, "Wait just a second! I think I hear what? Are there some reindeer outside? Why in the world would any reindeer be here tonight?"

All the kids start ooohhhing and ahhhing, and Reverend Malkinski walks over to a side door, opens it, and in walks ole Santa himself! Well, it’s not really Santa, but it does happen to be my Uncle Dog who’s sweating it out in the red and white suit. It’s really pretty easy to tell who it is given the cheap ass Christmas outfit that they have "Santy" wearing. The britches are about eight sizes too big, the belt is made of the cheapest vinyl imaginable and keeps sliding all over Santa’s gut, and the beard honestly looks like one of those thick old woven carpet rugs that you see on the floor in a doctor’s office. I did notice that Santy has some real rosy cheeks tonight, but I have a feeling I know the true reason for them.

Santy has his bag over one shoulder and a walking stick clutched in his other hand. As he walks over to the church Christmas tree he turns to lower his bag to the floor. When he does, it causes his other hand to come around and thwack his walking stick right into the tree. It’s a pretty solid shot, several ornaments are popped or knocked out into the crowd, and a couple of tree limbs are broken and left dangling off the tree. Santy slips up for a second and said "damn" right out loud, which causes almost everyone there to start laughing and buzzing around like a bunch of yard flies over at Winn Dixie. The Reverend Malkinski is trying to cover it all up by saying "darn" two or three times, but nobody is buying his feeble attempt at a dodge. Ed Jr. is tickled as all hell with the way Santy has just expressed himself, but he has to hold in his laughter as my mom is staring at him like a condemned man does the clock during his final hour. Of course, him not being able to laugh forces Brother and I to share his fate, as we both know that we would tote the red ass if we slip up and laugh out loud. That’s the worst thing to me about church, you have to hold stuff in sometimes when you‘d really just love to let it all out. We can’t do that, though, because Ed Jr. told me one time that, "If men could do anything they wanted, the world would be nothing but farts, jism, sass talk, and women whose legs were spread wider than the Grand Canyon." He’s pretty much hitting that one on the head, although we guys don‘t wanna admit it.

The laughter finally dies down, and Santy goes over and sits down on a big wooden chair and starts handing out presents. He reads off each child’s name, and then that particular child comes up and receives their present. Most of the kids who come up are shy. They just get their gifts from Santy and walk back to their parents. One little girl, however, is different. Her name is Samantha Griffin, and when her name is called out she walks up and takes her gift from Santa. Then, instead of shying away or running off, she looks up at him and says, "Santa, I love you and God loves you. I didn’t get anything for Christmas last year 'cause my daddy got the cancer and died. Thank you for being so good to me." If that isn‘t enough to tug at your heart, the little girl then holds her arms open for Santa to hug her. Santy does, and there aren’t too many dry eyes in the congregation while the two of them embrace. The little girl then steps back, waves at Santa, and returns to her seat. With all due respect to the Reverend Malkinski, little Samantha probably did more to remind everyone of what the true Christmas spirit is all about than anything else presented during this evening. And then some.

MOVIE PHRASE FRIDAY

Email me the correct answer at AnnLory@gmail.com to be entered for a chance to win a $5 online gift cert to Barnes and Noble. Best wishes to all!

"Sixty-Five percent of the time it works everytime."

A) Happy Gilmore
B) Bewitched
C) Zoolander
D) None of the above...so what's the movie?

Wednesday's Witty Words from Wise Women

The statistics on sanity are that one out of every four Americans is suffering from some form of mental illness. Think of your three best friends. If they are okay, then it's you.

- Rita Mae Brown

Better Off Dead

is the answer from last weeks Movie Phrase Friday

Congrats to Linda H.

She won a free download of her choice from my current releases!

Thanks to everyone who played.

Please make sure to check out Skylar Kade's interview and excerpt below.

In the Author Spotlight & Contest

Skylar Kade

CONTEST: There are actually two contests going on this week. First, Skylar will be choosing one commenter to receive a copy of Maison Domine at the end of this week. Second, the other Binding Ties Anthology authors and Skylar are running a contest that ends October 31st. The lucky winner will receive a beginner’s bondage kit. To join the contest, please sign up for our yahoo group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bindingties/

AL: Hi Skylar Thanks for being in the “Author Spotlight” this week.

Skylar: Thanks for having me, Ann!

AL: So, tell us what’s happening with you.

Skylar: I’m trying to get my Halloween costume finished! I’m going as a Freudian Slip. A little negligee, a little fabric transfer with Freud’s face, and voila! We’ll see how many friends at the Halloween party get the costume.

AL: What do you have for us on the shelves to read?

Skylar: My first novella, Maison Domine, just came out last month from Samhain Publishing. It’s an erotic BDSM story – my first, and hopefully not my last.

AL: When did you know you had to be a writer?

Skylar: Had I listened to the creative, less rational voices in my head, I would have known in elementary school. But I was so convinced a career and writing were mutually exclusive, so it took me far too long to realize I could both write and have a more conventional job.

AL: Who are some of your favorite authors?

Skylar: My god, there are too many to name. Some of my auto-buy authors are Lora Leigh, Christine Feehan, Jennifer Crusie, and Sherrilyn Kenyon. I also love everything by Carol Lynne and Lorelei James.

AL: What new works are you deep into?

Skylar: NaNoWriMo has me elbows deep in planning an erotic fantasy, which will be followed by the edits for my 2010 Parker Publishing novella that have been sitting on my desk for far too long.

AL: All right Skylar, let’s dig deep. What’s your favorite comfort food?

Skylar: I’ve got the most unsophisticated taste in food, so macaroni and cheese, French fries, and chocolate cake doughnuts are my guilty pleasures.

Ann: Can you describe yourself in 3 sentences or less?

Skylar: I revel in pushing boundaries and breaking rules almost as much as I love playing the good girl when not in Skylar Kade mode. The written word is my passion and my life, the thing that enriches my days and spices up my nights. And without my family and my puppies, I would be completely adrift.

AL: When you have time just for you (if only) what do you do?

Skylar: I’m on sensory overload all day: reading, writing, listening to music, watching my favorite shows… some inside and some by the pool under the California sun. “Relaxation” has never really been in my vocabulary.

AL: With the holidays around the corner what's your favorite tradition?

Skylar: Hanging Christmas lights in my house while listening to Christmas music. Come November 26th, I’m in full-on holiday mode, and there’s something about twinkling lights that always feels festive.

AL: Please share a favorite quote(s) with us.

Skylar: "When I'm good, I'm very good, but when I'm bad, I'm better. " — Mae West

It just seems to really encompass my naughty side, and I’ve always admired the attitude Mae West embodied.

AL: Thanks so much for sharing with joining us this week, Skylar.

Skylar: It’s been a pleasure. Thanks for a great interview!

AL: If you’d like to find out more about Skylar please visit:

www.skylarkade.com

FEATURED TITLE: MAISON DOMINE

Blurb:

Organic chemist Lara Brunner is at loose ends. Since childhood, her life has been focused on work and achieving success in her field. Only now, weeks away from her tenure review, she realizes she’s pushed herself too far. Casting about for a way to release her stress-crazed body from career tension, she visits a BDSM retreat, hoping a weekend of sexual submission will do the trick.

Inducting her into the lifestyle is her at-work nemesis—Jaxon Greene. But the sinful intent she encounters in Jaxon’s sexy eyes makes her heart race with desire…and fear. Gorgeous men like him don’t go for zaftig academics like her. Once the fantasy weekend is over and real life returns, he’ll forget all about her.

Jaxon is blindsided by his intense attraction to Lara. The more time he spends with her, the stronger their invisible bonds become. Bonds that are stronger and more permanent than any knot he can tie. He’s not normally into converting vanilla women to his lifestyle, but something makes him want to cast his inhibitions aside and claim her for his own.

First, though, he has to free her from preconceived notions of proper sex…and love.

Excerpt: 

Jax was glad Maison Domine had an opening for the weekend. He desperately needed to get away from life for a bit. He loved teaching, seeing his students grow to love a work of literature, or a movie, or seeing the flash of insight cross their faces. But, at the same time, he was overwhelmed by his obligations. His agent was making noises about him writing another book or working on another script. Greedy bastard.

When Kat mentioned there was a shy new submissive coming this weekend, and asked if he would show her the ropes, pun intended, Jax jumped at the chance. He loved introducing newbies to the BDSM world. It suited his purposes, as he had no interest in a full-time submissive. He still got to play, but there were no messy emotional entanglements to deal with. After the Jenny fiasco, that was the last thing he wanted.

Evidently this new woman had been referred by one of the regulars, and from what the regular had told Kat, she was total submissive material, but had trouble giving up control. Jax had been so eager to meet this new sub, he had barely thrown his weekend bag into his room before coming down to the meet and greet.

He stepped into the cozy game room, eyes searching for Kat. Finding her in a stunning red dress, as usual, he took two steps towards her before being distracted by coughing. Whoever it was sounded like she was ill or choking. Jaxon spun to see who was making the racket, and his eyes settled upon a lush figure with her back to him. She wore a bright red top, but it was the creamy expanse of skin exposed between her short black skirt and knee-high boots that tempted him most. Hoping to dash to her rescue, Jax reached the woman right after Katrina. She had stopped coughing, and he could hear a melodic voice arguing with Kat.

“I think I should go to my room, Kat. I’m obviously too tired to chew, much less meet a room full of people.” Jax could tell the woman was embarrassed by the attention.

“No, no, don’t be silly. Inhaled a piece of flaky dough, did you? I do it all the time.” Katrina looked over the woman’s shoulder at him. “Jax, would you grab a glass of water from the end of the table? Bring it over for Lara, and let me properly introduce you two.”

Jax saw the woman, Lara, tense when Kat called out to him. He guessed she didn’t want another person witnessing her supposedly embarrassing moment.

“Excuse me,” he started. “Would you like a glass of…” He couldn’t remember how to finish the sentence.

The woman was Lara Brunner, the uptight chemist he had to share a classroom with. But she wasn’t in a stuffy suit, and her hair wasn’t scraped back from her face. Instead, it fell in soft waves around her face, and her clothes. Wow.

“Dr. Brunner. How nice to see you again.” Jax knew his tone was less than enthusiastic, but he couldn’t bear to reveal how torn he was upon seeing her here, not to mention how very surprised he was to find she was into the scene.

“Jaxon, I mean, Professor Greene. I didn’t expect to see you here. Not that it’s not pleasant to see you, but it is surprising. Shit. First I choke, and then I stick my foot in my mouth. I’ll shut up now.” She flushed again prettily. How he wanted to put color there, to make her breath catch like it had when she was stumbling out her greeting. Except he wanted to do it while making her submit to him, and only him. It was something Jaxon hadn’t felt in years.

“Oh, great, you two have already met! Jax, this is our new submissive, the one I was hoping you could work with this weekend.” Kat grinned, obviously pleased with herself. Jaxon groaned silently. He had planned to say a brief hello and make small talk before hiding in his room for the weekend to avoid the torture of this temptingly unbound version of Lara Brunner.

Lara shook her head. “Kat, I’m sure Prof…I mean, Jaxon…has better things to do than baby-sit me this weekend. I’ll just sit back quietly. You know, watch and learn. No tutor, or trainer, required. Or maybe I’ll relax in my room and read one of the novels I brought. I don’t want to inconvenience anyone.”

Jaxon snorted. “Watching won’t give you a near-enough idea of what it is to submit, to completely give over control to someone you trust. It’s a high, as much of one as it is for a Dominant to be trusted to that extent. Besides, most of the scenes at Maison Domine are private. And it won’t be an inconvenience.” He’d be damned if anyone else would introduce her to this world. Although sex was not a mandatory part of any scene, play was always an incredibly intimate thing. The idea of another man touching her, playing with her, clawed at his insides.

He took a step towards her, the rest of the room fading into the background. Like a dance, she followed, moving backwards a pace. Step, step, shuffle, and he had her against the wall. Jax wanted to give her a quick demonstration of watching versus doing.

“What…what are you doing?” Lara’s tongue flicked out to moisten her bottom lip. Her lips had never looked more kissable. Not to mention, her fiery personality turned him on. She certainly wasn’t a weak-willed yes woman like other submissives he’d trained. All of his good intentions fled and he gave up on the teachable moment.

He pressed her up against the wall, and tilted her face to meet his gaze head on. “This is how it starts. I can see the signs…the flutter of your pulse right here.” His finger trailed from her chin down to her neck, and Lara released a barely suppressed shiver. “Your eyes dilating in anticipation, excitement, and a slight hint of fear. You are, after all, putting your body and mind completely in my hands. Giving up your tightly-held control.” He wrapped his hand ever so gently around her neck, putting enough pressure for her to walk the edge between certain safety and the gray space of what if most submissives thrived on.

"Who…do you think…you are?” she managed to whisper in between shorts gasps for breath. Jax knew she would be beautifully submissive. She walked the edge of pain, of fear, of arousal perfectly. A flash of panic from the loss of control made her blue eyes light up until they almost glowed with intensity.

“I’m your new Trainer. And you, Lara, are mine…for the weekend.”

REMEMBER: There are actually two contests going on this week. First, Skylar will be choosing one commenter to receive a copy of Maison Domine at the end of this week. Second, the other Binding Ties Anthology authors and Skylar are running a contest that ends October 31st. The lucky winner will receive a beginner’s bondage kit. To join the contest, please sign up for our yahoo group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bindingties/

MOVIE PHRASE FRIDAY

Same rules as before. Email me the right answer at AnnLory@gmail.com and you'll be entered to win an e-book of your choice out of my currently released work.

"In honor of our special guest I've created dinner mon 'du. First we have French Fries and French Dressing and French Bread and to drink...ta da...Peru."

A) Dumb and Dumber
B) Naked Gun
C) Sixteen Candles
D) Better Off Dead

Good Luck! You have until Monday morning.

Wednesday's Witty Words from Wise Women

Life is raw material. We are artisans. We can sculpt our existence into something beautiful, or debase it into ugliness. It's in our hands.

- Cathy Better

BABY MAMA has it!

Congrats Jody F. on winning the first Movie Phrase Friday.

Everyone, come back on Friday to see what quote is in store for you.

OH and don't forget to check out Crystal Kauffman's interview and excerpt below.
Some good stuff happening....

In the Author Spotlight & Contest

Crystal Kauffman

CONTEST: Crystal will be giving away a digital copy of Guardian’s Realm: The Collision, winner drawn randomly from all comments, and she will send a giveaway pen to anyone who emails me a mailing address. It’s a super cool, purple pen! Make sure to leave your email address on the comments for a chance to win.

AL: Hi Crystal Thanks for being in the “Author Spotlight” this week.

Crystal: Hi! Thanks so much for having me.

AL: So, tell us what’s happening with you.

Crystal: I’m attaching a picture I just took of my cat, Sherkahn. She’s fifteen years old and generally healthy, except for the fact she’s nearly blind. We think it’s because her pupils don’t react to light like they should anymore. She looks like this in all her photos. It’s so sad watching her walk around bumping into things. At least once a week she’ll have a big lump on her nose, or a fat lip. Have you ever seen a cat with a fat lip? We do our best to keep things out of her way, but still every step is carefully placed like she’s stepping over something. Still as much as I love her and try to take special care of her, I do let myself laugh at her pictures. Those eyes reflect flash bulbs like a demon cat.

AL: What sexy plots are you weaving?

Crystal: I’m putting the finishing touches on a historical novella about a forbidden love between an abused viscountess, and the stable master hired by her grandfather to “stud” her after she’s caught in a compromising situation with another woman. One of my favorite kinds of love stories is the unlikely romance between polar opposites, whether they’re different because of wealth, standing, or personality.

I’ve just started another vampire book now that isn’t related to my Guardian series. It’s about a modern day vampire prince (a handsome, very wealthy, almost-celebrity) who meets a plain Jane poor girl at an exclusive “blood party.” She wants nothing to do with him. But to him, she’s beautiful, with a rare blood type that makes her very sought after. This leads to plenty of danger for them both.

AL: When you write do you do a detailed outline before you get started or do you have the idea then just 'fly by the seat of your pants'? :-)

Crystal: Definitely a pantster. It comes back to haunt me sometimes, but most important is finding out first if I have passion for the story. I work out a storyboard as I’m writing, but I don’t think I’ll ever be the type of writer who starts with it. Beginning with page 1, the process of developing my characters is as much a journey of discovery as the story itself. It has to be fresh and new and exciting to me when I start.

AL: When did the vampire bug bite you?

Crystal: Vampires were tough for me. I was brought up on Bella Lugosi movies, so in my world vamps were creepy, dangerous, and evil. But when I wrote my first book in the Guardian Series, The Combat, there was something nagging at me. The character Fitch wouldn’t sit quietly in the background and accept that role. He wanted me to know he was a badass, but he had some heroic qualities as well. And when you really need him, he won’t let you down.

AL: What do you like best about writing? What is your least favorite thing?

Crystal: The whole process of discovery. I love learning about my characters and watching their world unfold. Of course, now that I’m published, the process of getting my books into the store is a lot of fun, too. Signing the contract, seeing the cover, talking with my editor; these are incredible experiences. I’d have to say edits are my least favorite part, but a necessary evil. : )

AL: All right Crystal, let’s get personal. What’s the best movie you've seen recently?

Crystal: the movie I most enjoyed recently was Blood and Chocolate, an independent film based on the YA novel by Annette Curtis. I loved the heroine’s character. It’s so rare the female protagonist is the werewolf, or “creature” in stories anymore, I thought it was a refreshing change. And I love a heroine who stands by her true love, even if he’s so, so wrong for her. There was a lot standing between these two, and it made the romance that much more powerful. Of course that’s not a new movie, but new movies have left me disappointed lately.

Right now I’m really into series; especially HBO series. I LOVE True Blood. Anna Paquin is my favorite cutie-pie no-bullshit serving waitress. I adore her! I wish I was her. : ) No, that’s not entirely true, because I have a real life hero for a husband and I wouldn’t trade him in for anything. We watch an episode of whatever current series we’re into every night at dinner. That may sound cold, but the truth is we talk more during the program... “oh my god, did you see that? What was he thinking? No way! I don’t believe it,” than we would if we didn’t have the tv on. It’s gotten so that I can’t eat in a silent dining room. “How was your day?” “Fine. How was yours?” Bleh.

I record Fringe, Flash Forward, Dollhouse and Lie to Me (and Venture Brothers) on my DVR. Right now we’re watching Dexter. Is there anything more deliciously twisted than this show? I love the way they bring me to the edge of my seat with worry that he’s going to get caught! And I absolutely love his potty-mouthed, ass-kicking sister. Deb Morgan rocks.

Ann: You have to ask a fictional character out on a date—who would you ask and what would you do together?

Crystal: it would definitely be Fitch, my bad-boy with a good-heart vampire in The Collision. First, he’d pick me up. And by that I mean, he’d bring out his wings and we’d fly into the night sky. There would be scrumptious gourmet food and delicious wine in his private penthouse (because my vampires eat food), and most importantly, rowdy sex all night.

AL: If your muse were to talk behind your back, what secrets would he/she tell?

Crystal: I can be a very, very naughty girl, and I have a vocabulary of four letter-and-mores that could make a sailor blush. Maybe that’s why I love Deb Morgan so much.

AL: Fall is here, what is your favorite part of the season? Fall leaves? Sweater weather? Football?

Crystal: I have to admit I hate fall and winter. Good thing I live in California, where they’re short and mild. If there’s anything to like about it, I’d have to say the crisp, clean air after a rain shower, and the vibrant sunrises and sunsets against turbulent clouds. Although I do love the sound of howling wind and driving rain (outside) when I’m snuggly warm (inside) in my comfy sweats and fuzzy slippers.

AL: Please share a favorite quote(s) with us.

Crystal: “Never give up, never surrender.” Galaxy Quest. Corny, but it’s the best advice you can ever give or receive.

AL: Thanks so much for sharing with joining us this week, Crystal.

Crystal: My pleasure!

AL: If you’d like to find out more about Crystal please visit:

http://www.crystalkauffman.com
http://trampyvamps.blogspot.com/

FEATURED TITLE: Guardian’s Realm: The Collision 

Blurb:
 
Accidentally cast through a magical portal to an enchanted prison with slave girl and a vampire fugitive, a Guardian warrior must come to terms with their situation, and the irrefutable past he shares with his vampire enemy.


Excerpt:

Fitch felt a moment's confusion as he flew into bright light, only because his thoughts were aimed at the scorching pain in his ankle as Boragnis's claw swiped him bone deep.

Then, almost calmly, he understood what had happened. Magic.

As quickly as it started, it was over.

They crashed down on a cold stone floor. The Guardian landed in a heap, and the girl tumbled away.

Fitch hit his shoulder hard and heard a crunch, but it was nothing compared to the pain in his ankle. He struggled into a sitting position and gripped his calf, afraid to look at the damage.

“Son of a bitch!”

He drew his pant leg up. The half-severed limb knit slowly before his eyes. His stomach rolled. Despite his healing abilities, it still hurt like hell.

He gritted his teeth as the pain faded in waves. Finally, the red curtain of agony faded from his vision. He glanced around, looking for new dangers. They appeared to have transported to a dark castle somewhere.

“No fucking way.”

Compared to the chaos in the Palace, the silence here echoed startlingly. Frigid cold bit at his hands and face.

This was a dead place.

He glanced at the blond Guardian sprawled a few feet away, then to the slave girl. Wriggling the sweetest ass he'd ever seen, she pushed to her hands and knees and looked around, apparently as confused as he was.

One of them was an ancient fae.

Holy shit. He'd thought they had all died out.

Fitch glanced between them. The girl? She was a golden nymph with impossible beauty, and she wasn't crying or screaming like most humans would be after being transported by magic.

Then again, she'd been a slave girl to an illegal vampire Palace. She'd seen and heard things that would even make him cringe. Experienced things that would make him cringe.

But why would an ancient fae be a vampire plaything? Unless she was some sort of bizarre sexual deviant, she would possess the power to escape the vampires.

No, it had to be the man. He also possessed an unusual, ethereal beauty. And more than likely, a fae would serve the Guardians.

Like most Guardian warriors, he wore protective leather pants. Très tacky. A clingy black T-shirt showed every ridge and hollow in his muscled chest beneath a tight-fitting jacket Fitch knew had specially tailored slits to allow his wings to expand.

“Where are we?” the girl asked.

Fitch caught his breath. Her voice was like silver bells, and the innocence in her gaze made him ripple with chills.

Daylight, Fitch thought. She reminds me of daylight, with that golden hair as brilliant as a ray of sunshine and eyes the color of the sky on a summer's day.

“I don't know.” He pulled his pant leg back over his boot as the pain faded to a dull throb. “You'll have to ask him. He brought us here.”

She glanced at the man on the floor. A silken fall of hair tumbled over her shoulder. She crawled to him and placed a hand on his shoulder.

“He's hurt.”

Fitch took a punch to the gut. Her tenderness was a foreign thing, so strange that he almost couldn't fathom it, and the wave of jealousy he felt watching her bestow it on the other was bewildering.

For eight hundred years, he'd been alone, daring to risk love only once, to disastrous results. Even simple friendships were too much anymore. Mortals died so quickly.

Fitch pushed to his feet, gritting his teeth against a shock of pain. It flared and drifted away. He tested weight on the ankle, then limped to a blackened hearth.

He summoned a burst of energy and threw a ball of fire into the decaying logs. The fire roared to life. Still the act felt embarrassingly weak compared to the power the fae Guardian had used to bring them here.

He glanced back at the girl. She wore nothing but a draping, diaphanous cloth designed to look like a Roman toga. As she bent over the unconscious man, her delectable little ass pointed at him. Fitch saw the dark golden hair between her legs and a tantalizing glimpse of pink nether flesh. The gown teased the eye, more sensual than if she were naked—which she practically was against cold like this.

Even her feet were bare. She must be freezing.

“Come to the fire. You'll catch your death.”

“What about him?” she asked without turning around.

“He'll be fine.”

“Boragnis hit him hard.”

He hit me hard too, but you don't see me whining about it, Fitch wanted to say. Instead, he grumbled under his breath and crossed the stone floor to the Guardian.

He knelt beside them. Had he not been crouched, the look she gave him with those watery blue eyes would have brought him to his knees. She possessed rare beauty he'd not seen matched in over eight hundred years.

Fitch took her gently by the jaw. She blinked but didn't resist. Wasn't it said the fae were a special breed who rejoiced in their sexuality and gave everything to their lovers?

No, she's 100 percent human, he realized by sensing her. Simply trained to be compliant by her vampire captors.

But a special human. It almost seemed electrical current ran into his fingers where he touched her.

He pulled his hand away. He didn't have time to be distracted by a beautiful human nymph. He'd been within reaching distance of the vampire demon he'd hunted through centuries, only to lose him in a blink of magic.

He slapped the Guardian. “Hey. Wake up.”

The girl clutched his wrist, igniting those strange quivery sensations all over again. “Gentle,” she scolded, but she smiled, and her eyes absolutely twinkled. “I could have done that.”

The Guardian's brow wrinkled, and he turned his head. A low moan rumbled deep in his chest. The sound rolled over Fitch, making him prickle from the top of his scalp to the soles of his feet with a strange tightening of his balls in between.

He sat back on his heels. Just what I need. Cast into obscurity with a blond Adonis and a golden slave girl.

The Guardian's eyes snapped open and blinked several times. They were as green as emeralds, which confirmed any doubts Fitch still had.

The man was an ancient fae.

They locked gazes, and Fitch would swear there was an audible click.

REMEMBER: Crystal will be giving away a digital copy of Guardian’s Realm: The Collision, winner drawn randomly from all comments, and she will send a giveaway pen to anyone who emails me a mailing address. It’s a super cool, purple pen! Make sure to leave your email address on the comments for a chance to win.