Warped Wicked Wanton Wild

'Commercial' The Phoenix Rebellion

2006-10-29T17:17:00.000-08:00

I thought I'd take a moment to share a 'commercial' I created for The Phoenix Rebellion. I hope you enjoy.

New Contest and Winners

2006-10-01T09:23:00.000-07:00

For the months of August and September, I ran a contest to win a beautiful, top quality, never been used, fresh-as-a-Daisy Phoenix COFFEE MUG!

Woohoooo!

And today I've drawn the winner.

The winner is Sheila Emanis of Houston, Texas!

*and the crowd goes wild!*

For the month of October, I will be posting trivia questions - and from the correct answers, the winner will receive a free download of Lightning Strikes Twice - My November release as Katelyn Hughes.

Enjoy!

Gail

Happy Birthday!!!

2006-10-01T09:16:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday (2 days late) to YOU
Happy Birthday (sorry I forgot) To YOU
Happy BIIIIRTTTTHHH DAY her Jaycee Claaaaaaa---aaark

HAAAAAPPPYYYYY Birthday to yoooOOOOUUUUU!

New Cover!

2006-09-19T16:51:00.000-07:00

Sorry I've been silent for a bit... things have been a bit crazy around here the last couple of weeks. I went away for a few days, and then we had a sudden death in the family.

But, after the morose feel of my last posting, I want to be more upbeat in this one! :-)

I've received the cover art for my November releasee under the name Katelyn Hughes - titled Lightning Strikes Twice. This is my premier release as Katelyn Hughes, and I hope it goes well.

I will be giving away an ARC of the book shortly, so if you're not already signed up - join my Yahoo group to get the details.

On the writing front, still working on the Garrison: Freedom book... haven't made much progress.

That's all for now!

Gail

New Reviews!

2006-08-27T16:57:00.000-07:00

What an exciting day!

Today, I received the new 'print release' cover for The Phoenix Rebellion Book I: Rising Up. No print release date yet... but this is definitely a move in the right direction. (Blogger isn't letting me load any pictures at the moment... still workign on it)

I also received three GREAT reviews for three different books in the series...

The Phoenix Rebellion, Book II: Outcasts is the second book in the series. The characters are well-developed and the reader can practically feel the intensity that surrounds them as they seek to find peace in their lives again. I liked the way Michael suddenly transformed from a young boy to a man, as situations began to develop around him and his family... Ms. Delaney has once again created a fabulous book that takes a thrilling ride into a world that only wishes their freedom. This terrific science fiction tale is remarkably written and incredibly detailed. Be prepared to be captivated by another excellent winner by Ms. Delaney.

Rating: 5 Angels
Fallen Angel Reviews

The Phoenix Rebellion: Gaining Ground is a story that practically jumps from the pages. I can’t recall reading such a great futuristic romance of this nature in a good while. Reading about the struggle of the men and women trying to survive in this story was incredible. The characters are like everyday people with doubts and flaws that the reader cannot but help to identify with the individuals... Ms. Delaney pens stories that captivate and takes the reader to a whole new world of adventure. I absolutely love her flare of writing. She fashions in-depth characters that remain with the reader, and this story is no exception. Grab some Kleenex and get ready for an exhilarating read one won’t soon forget, this book rates a deserving five angels and a Recommended Read.

Rating: 5 Angels and Recommended Read
Fallen Angel Reviews

The Phoenix Rebellion Book IV: End Game is the final installment of the series. I have to admit I wanted to flip immediately to the last page and see the outcome, but I said no, absolutely not. The intense wait was hard but worth every single page. I fell in love with all of the characters, and as I waited on the edge of my seat, I could visualize myself exploring everything, right along with them. The peril and the chaos were like a huge adrenaline rush that just kept going...With her flair of writing this series, she makes the tales believable in every shape and form. I almost hated to say good-bye to the series; then again, they left such a wonderful impression, that they will stay long with me. Every one of these books are grand and astonishing in itself. Loaded in non-stop action and intrigue around every corner, this story satisfies. Ms. Delaney makes all the characters and the story feel as if the reader is part of the family, and when united, it gives a peaceful feeling of going home.

Rating: 5 Angels
Fallen Angel Reviews

What is sexy?

2006-08-24T17:10:00.000-07:00

I've seen several discussions as of late about just what makes a hero sexy. Is it always the amazing Adonis good looks? Is it the bulging biceps and flawless hair? Is it the bigger than life hero?

For me, not so much.

I like my men to be heroes... but not always in the typical sense. Sometimes, they're unwilling heroes. They don't set out to be that way, but when faced with the choice, they choose the righteous path. They're what my dad called 'good men'. Not perfect... but good.

I try to write my heroes the same way. Sometimes, they start out as absolute jerks (aka Benjamin Roth in Precious Things), sometimes, they're wounded souls (Donovan Greer in Watch Over Me), and sometimes, they're cads (Raylor Strike in my upcoming release The Garrison: Freedom). I've had true-blue dyed in the wool heroes (Jace Quinn of The Phoenix Rebellion Book III: Gaining Ground), and men who - despite themselves - are heroes (Nick Tanner of The Phoenix Rebellion Book I: Rising Up).

So, no matter how they start out... or where their stories take them... there are a few characteristics I like my heroes to possess.

1. Intelligence - No, they don't have to be geniuses or Academics... but they can think on their feet, they don't get tricked by the obvious, and they can solve a problem with their brain as much as their brawn.

2. A sense of humor - Sometimes, they're the joker. Sometimes, they're the dry comedien that you really have to pay attention to in order to catch the joke. Sometimes, it slips right by you while the person beside you laughs their head off. They can be serious, or they can be care free, but they can laugh once in awhile.

3. Presence - They don't walk into a room unnoticed. It's not because they're so gorgeous, or they're so loud. They just fill up the space around them.

4. Loyalty - Sounds like a good quality for a dog, I know. Loyalty is the best word I could think of and yet it doesn't quite cover what I mean. When they love you, they love you with everything in them. They don't do it half way. They either do or they don't. They fight for what they believe in. Fiercely. In the 'Deadly' series by the Warped One - Jaycee Clark, all of her Kinncaid Men make a promise to the women they love "This I protect". I always loved that. Three words sums up exactly what I mean.

And what don't I like in heroes?

1. The consumate Alpha Male - They irritate me more than anything else. They usually come across and pig-headed, strong willed and deaf. Not literally deaf- okay, Benjamin was deaf - but I mean, they don't listen. They want what they want when they want it and everyone else be damned. They're never wrong, even when they're proven so. And their idea is always the ONLY way. Bleck!

2. The perfect male specimen - He's tall, built like a tank, with golden skin, a bare chest, piercing eyes and a perfectly chisled jaw.... and I'm bored already. I actually prefer a lankier hero... yeah, probably tall... I like tall... but he's not muscle bound. And he's probably not perfect. Or the 'typical' gorgeous. I find both Christopher Eccleston and David Tennant very attractive men... and there are a lot of women who wouldn't agree.

Right now, I'm working on a sci fi romance titled The Garrison: Freedom. It's the fifth in a continuity series with Triskelion Publishing. Sorry... not much more info than that right now as I haven't posted anything to my site yet. But that hero, Raylor Strike, starts out as being almost un-likeable. He's a thief, a mercenary and a liar. Not very likeable, right? But when he finds out his actions directly led to abuse on the heroine, Zarah Minoux, it tears him up. And that is when his true self is revealed... and everything I like in a hero comes forward.

Stay tuned for more information on The Garrison: Freedom and Raylor Strike.

Gail

The Dream Now Available from Cerridwen Press

2006-08-19T07:09:00.000-07:00

ISBN #1-4199-0692-5

The Dream By Jaycee Clark

Sometimes life teaches a woman that she must learn to stand on her own against adversity, even when she knows there are others who will stand with her.

The eccentric Jason Claymere, Marquis of Ravensworth, is looking for a wife. Since he doesn't believe in love, any wife should do. But the current offerings—innocents and frightened young fillies—cringe at his scarred countenance, and widows simply cannot be trusted. Hardened from the years spent in war, he has no real use for society's strictures.

Emily Smith, a young American widow, leaves battered memories behind as she searches for her mother and her maternal family in England. What she finds instead is danger and a handsome marquis who saves her life. However, Emily will never trust another man—to be at the mercy of any man ever again is unacceptable.

While these two waltz around pride and deeply imbedded fears, someone rages as he plots revenge. Jason and Emily must learn to trust each other before both their pasts rip them apart forever.

Read an excerpt
Genre : Romance - Historical
Book Length: Super Plus Novel

Happy, Happy Bi-rthday BABY

2006-08-02T16:13:00.000-07:00

Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday dear sexy-cool-amazing-beautiful-Wicked-One
Happy Birthday to yooooooouuuuuu

The Phoenix Rebellion Book IV: End Game NOW AVAILABLE

2006-08-01T16:47:00.000-07:00

The Phoenix Rebellion Book IV: End Game AVAILABLE TODAY

The final installment in The Phoenix Rebellion series (not the last in the Phoenix Universe, just this series) is available for purchase in electronic format TODAY.

Click here to buy

Blurb:

Nick Tanner set out months ago to find the Umani, and now, he's on his way home, but nothing is the same. Not by a long shot.

Michael has struggled to find his place in his new world. He still questions his past, his present and his future.

He has found a kind of love like no other - a father's love.

But Jacqueline wants more from him. She wants to understand the haunting shadows behind his eyes... wants to understand the scars that mark his body. As the battle comes to a crescendo, can he give himself this one gift?

Excerpt:

Jackie felt the touch on her cheek just as the heavy tendrils of forced sleep let her conscious mind go. The touch was gentle, familiar and she hummed softly as she forced her eyes open. Michael sat on the edge of her bed, his brown eyes studying her. She took half a second to glance around and acknowledged that she wasn’t in the same room they had brought her to first. This was more like a bedroom, the bed she laid in wider and softer than an exam table.

“Hey, handsome,” she mumbled past chalky, dry lips. She ran her tongue over them, but the inside of her mouth was like cotton and it did no good.

Michael retrieved a cup from the table beside the bed, turning the straw to face her as he held it to her lips. Jackie sighed in pleasure as the cold water washed away the sticky paste in her mouth and cooled her parched throat. The rush of cold spread out from her chest into her limbs. When she pulled back, Michael set the cup on the table, his gaze only shifting away from her long enough to put it down.

Her eyelids were heavy and her thoughts not quite clear. Rolling her eyes, Jackie pulled her arm free of the blankets and ran her hand over her forehead. “I don’t know what the hell was in that cocktail you shot me up with, but damn. I don’t feel a thing.”

He smiled, just the slightest touch of a curve to his lips, but enough to pop twin dimples on each side of his mouth. His thumb skimmed over the fresh bandage on her arm, and she felt the warmth of his hands through the fabric. His fingers curled around her upper arm, supporting it gently. “That’s good.”

Jackie attempted a laugh, but she couldn’t seem to gather enough energy to get that far. It came out more like a muffled chuckle. A slight twinge shot up her back and she winced, sucking in a breath. Michael laid his hand on her stomach, and even through the thickness of the blanket covering her, she felt the weight of his touch.

“Describe the pain.” Deep furrows dug into his brow, his eyes shifting over her.

“Nothing compared to what it was,” she said, releasing her breath.

“Tell me. It will help me.”

His voice was so strained, so heavy, she couldn’t argue. Jackie shifted experimentally, trying to get more comfortable without re-awakening the monster in her back. The pang didn’t take her breath away, she braced herself for it soon enough. “Tight,” she answered, wishing the synapses in her brain would fire with more zing. “The pain is duller, but still there.”

“What was it before?”

She snatched her breath, barely managing to swallow the groan when he slid his hand beneath the blankets… and beneath her shirt over her side. He slipped his hand between her back and the mattress, leaning slightly over her. His expression was schooled as he obviously focused on what he felt and not the reaction it had on her.

“Burning,” she managed to say without her voice skipping, a fact that amazed her with the fuzzy mush in her head. “Searing.” He pulled back the blanket, both his large hands now spanning her sides as he carefully worked his fingers into her muscles. “Really, really bad. Michael, you’re killing me here…”

His hands stilled and he looked up. “Does it hurt?”

Jackie drew in a long breath. “Hurt? No. Nope. Not at all.”

His thumb skimmed over her stomach and she closed her eyes. Weren’t those drugs supposed to numb her sensations? Kill feeling? Her skin was alive, tingling and begging for more. Maybe it was because she hadn’t seen him in months… maybe it was because a man hadn’t touched her oh, so very long… maybe… God, maybe it was because he had the most amazing hands!

Upcoming Releases

2006-07-24T18:11:00.000-07:00

So, this is what my release schedule looks like (right now) over the next year or so.

The Phoenix Rebellion Book IV: End Game
November 2006
Gail R. Delaney

Nick Tanner set out months ago to find the Umani, and now, he's on his way home, but nothing is the same. Not by a long shot.

Michael has struggled to find his place in his new world. He still questions his past and his place. He has found a kind of love like no other - a father's love.

But Jacqueline wants more from him. She wants to understand the haunting shadows behind his eyes... wants to understand the scars that mark his body. As the battle comes to a crescendo, can he give himself this one gift?

Precious Things - The Re-Release
December 2006
Katelyn Hughes

From a young age Benjamin Prescott Roth shut himself off from everyone, determined to be his own man. His deafness, and his father’s rejection, drove him in everything he accomplished. For the first time in his life, he is letting someone else in. Jewell Kincaid is feisty, strong willed and beautiful – his perfect match.

Then his world is torn apart when his sister, the only other person he has ever loved, is killed and it nearly destroys him. Through it all, Jewell remains by his side. To give strength when his is gone. To heal his heart.

The Garrison:Freedom
May 2007
Gail R. Delaney

Fifth and final book in the 'Garrison' series availabe through Triskelion Publishing. More details to follow.

Good Morning, Beautiful - Re-Release of Tender Hearts
June 2007
Katelyn Hughes

For two sultry Hawaiian nights Erin and BIlly found a connection in each other. She never intended to see him again, wanting to live with the sweet memory of the way he loved her. But Erin must go to him, and tell him of their baby.

He’s been down this road before, and it nearly killed him. He should be angry with Erin for leaving, for disrupting his life, but despite himself, he is drawn to her as intensely as that night in Maui. Even as the walls between them crumble, and they find more than just the attraction that brought them together, their entire world is blown apart.

Touch - A Novella
September 2007

"I want to see you again."

The simple statement, said on the heels of his deep laughter, stole Lani Pryce's breath and stopped her heart cold.

But she couldn't let him see more. If he spent time with her, he would see the truth and it was just better this way… better to hold on to one perfect evening.

She can't imagine that Drew could want to be with her. She doesn't see her beauty, her spark, her life… but Drew does.

Two novels, Double Jeopardy and Gray Clouds, will be scheduled when they are complete.

:-)

Gail

No One Faint or Anything

2006-07-23T16:23:00.000-07:00

Yeah, I'm back. I am really really bad at keeping up with this, but I'm going to put in an honest effort to keep up. I've been swamped in deadlines for the last few months... that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it.

The last book in the Phoenix series has been submitted, and will be released next month. I face this final release with both pride and remorse. I hate to let go of these characters, I love them so much. But, I've always said I intended to keep going with the Phoenix concept, so I won't have to let go completely... just take a break.

I made the decision a few months ago to split my identity between two names... one for science fiction/futuristic which will remain Gail R. Delaney... and one for my contemporary works - both suspense and otherwise - under the name Katelyn Hughes. My first official release as Katelyn will be this November with a manuscript titled "Lightning Strikes Twice".

In light of this decision, I have also revamped my websites to better represent each site. My original site, for Gail R. Delaney, will focus on the science fiction. The new site can be found at http://www.katelynhughes.com

I'm not going to dump a whole bunch of information on you in one post... and will attempt to get back up on speed over the next few weeks.

Talk to you soon! (Promise)

Gail

What Reviewers are Saying About Angel Eyes

2006-07-12T15:12:00.000-07:00

Thank you, reviewers, for taking the time to read and share what you thought of ANGEL EYES! ~ Hugs, Jaycee

Praise for Angel Eyes

Recommended Read – Five Angels
“Angel Eyes is absolutely fantastic! She keeps readers on the edge of their seats throughout the book and her antagonists should definitely be feared.”~ Reviewed by: Jaymi for Fallen Angel Reviews

* * * *
“Jaycee Clark's ANGEL EYES is a keep-you-on-the-edge-of-your-seat suspenseful romance that sent shivers down my spine. With her compelling storyline and engaging characters, Jaycee Clark's ANGEL EYES is unforgettable.” ~ Sinclair Reid of
Romance Reviews Today

* * * *
“Angel Eyes is a spine tingling and extremely suspenseful novel. Ms. Clark’s story will keep you riveted to the pages.” ~ Reviewed by Susan Tam for The Road to Romance
* * * *
“Jaycee Clark writes romantic suspense extremely well. Her blend of twisted villains, steamy sex and tender romantic moments thrill me every time I read one of her books.” Reviewed by Nanette of Joyfully Reviewed
* * * *
4 hearts
“Ms. Clark has written a truly suspenseful tale. Reader’s who enjoy a writer who gives credit to their intelligence will definitely enjoy ANGEL EYES.” ~ Reviewed by Lil for Love Romances
5 crowns
“To be honest, I have been reading a lot of suspense stories but Angel Eyes is one of the best! It’s suspense with a capital S. If you like suspense, do yourself a big favour and read Angel Eyes.” ~ Reviewed by Annick of Euro Reviews

I am....aaahhhhhlliiiiiiveeeeeee

2006-07-12T14:05:00.000-07:00

What to blog about. I could rant and bitch all day, but really, that would gain very little. It's a sad fact I so suck at keeping up with this blogging thing (or anything anymore for that matter).

What am I doing? What have I been up to? Well, I realize that I haven't posted in ...jeeze, two and a half months. Flog me, tar and feather me--whatever. I'm doing good to meet dealines these days, but I'll attempt to be a better blogger.

Let's see, Angel Eyes was released back in April. I've since done the edits for print and it should be out next month I believe! (yeah). Also heard that THE DREAM is finally, yes that's right, FINALLY going to be out in August. I'm both excited and nervous over that one.

I've finished a novella for the TALONS Anthology with several other Samhain authors. I believe that will be out in October. I'm currently scrambling to meet a deadline for another antho with NCP and the characters are being too dang difficult. One would think with all the stress, they could be nice, my muse, Nyx (the witch) could let the inspiration flow. I'd be very appreciative.
I've also played with a couple of other genres, trying to branch out--those are under another name and I'm having fun with it, even though it's very challenging for me. We'll see how that goes.

For those interested, my PLAN is that after I finish the next three small projects I must get done, I'll launch into .... drumroll please... can anyone guess? No? No takers? Fine, I guess I'll just have to save that secret. But I'll give you a clue. The title begins with Deadly. ;)
Have a great day everyone. Hoping your week finds you all well and happy.
Best,
Jaycee

New Release - Spellbound: Say You're Mine

2006-07-04T09:06:00.000-07:00

The first book in my new Spellbound series about a family of witches/ warlocks running the family P.I. business is now available.

http://www.samhainpublishing.com/sayyouremine.shtml

Spellbound: Say You’re Mine

There are two things Violet Calder knows. Magic. And that cops and witches don’t mix. Fantasizing about the sexy detective doesn’t help matters, not when her own clumsiness lands her in the middle of Reece Prescott’s undercover assignment.

Forced to pretend the gorgeous Violet is his girlfriend is one more nail in his coffin as far as Reece is concerned. From day one the Calder family has been a pain in his backside, and that doesn’t look like it’s about to change. But keeping his mind on bringing down a drug dealer gets increasingly difficult with Violet so close.

Knowing she has to tread carefully to protect her family, Violet begins to fear that not even magic will save her from falling for the one man she shouldn’t.

For a teaser and extended read, please visit my website – http://www.sydneysomers.com

Checking in from RTCon!

2006-05-19T13:10:00.000-07:00

Jaycee and Syd... we miss you! Next year, you better believe the four of us are going together!

Here's a picture of me and Gail-ail-ail on our way to the Ellora's Cave Fantasy Party on Wednesday night. There were delicious cover models everywhere!

I got sick yesterday, though, and spent the entire day in our room pukin' my guts up. BLAHR. Hopefully the Faery Ball tonight will be a better night.

Free to be me...

2006-05-12T17:07:00.000-07:00

It's been a really long time since I just relaxed. We go to the beach and we have a good time, but I'm always thinking about the things I'm NOT doing while we're there.

I've been in a weird funk for the last few days, trying to juggle everything under the sun and still stay sane. Romantic Times Convention is coming up fast and Gail and I are both giggling like little girls over Barbie Dolls. This is so exciting!

But it's hard to get excited JUST yet, as my fiance is leaving for the desert for 123 days tomorrow. Just two days before we leave for RTCon, Todditchka is walking out of my life for what seems like forever, but is -- in fact -- only four short months.

123 days. One Hundred Twenty Three Days.

Wow. Now THAT seems like a long time.

In an effort to relax and just get the kinks out, we took the kids to the park. I'd forgotten how nice it is to just sit outside and be me. For some reason, sitting on the swing was like releasing so many of the worries I've had burried deep inside me for the last few months.

For the first time in months, I felt free to be me!

The Joys of a Sugar High

2006-04-17T08:34:00.000-07:00

Duct tape anyone? Yes, I do get that desperate when my 2 & 4 year old spend the day eating chocolate and candy non-stop. LOL And when someone wasn't giving them some yesterday, they were sneaking it. They're both way too crafty for their own good.

So now after being stuffed full of turkey courtesy of the in-laws, I'm ready to get back to my demons. My last scene was rather hot and heavy so I should be about ready for a good fight scene and maybe a dead body to shake things up. LOL

The sound of love

2006-04-10T14:45:00.000-07:00

When was the last time you spoke to someone and 'heard' love in their voice?

For me, it was today and it was my dad.

My mom passed away almost eleven years ago, and in that time, my dad has had one relationship. It started shortly after my mother died, and she was a woman he was introduced to because she was a widow and the thought was she could commisurate with him.

It ended a few years ago.

My dad called me a couple weeks ago, and as soon as I got on the phone I knew he had something to say. Finally, after all the 'how are you's he said "I'm calling to tell you I have a girlfriend".

He then spent the next few minutes telling me about her. I had heard of her before... they had flirted a few times in the past. She was, in fact, the woman who made my wedding cake. She's 16 years younger than my dad... but... I don't blink at that since my dad was 18 years younger than my mother. :-)

Today, I called him... and the happiness I heard in his voice brought tears to my eyes. He told me "She brought me back to life" and "I think this is it, honey. I think I'm in love".

I'm so happy for him! I have yet to meet her because my dad lives a few hours away. But as soon as I finish this book and my weekends are freer, we're all going to visit him. He's so anxious for us to meet her and insists we'll all love her.

It made my day to hear that kind of joy in his voice. He'd talk about her and then laugh... that deep down "I'm so happy I can't think straight" kind of laugh. He's talking about holidays and everything. It's wonderful!

I just wanted to share what made me smile today.

Gail

Stuffed.

2006-04-05T13:01:00.000-07:00

Gail-ail-ail.... are you excited about RT Con???? I am!!

I have spent the last week collecting promo gear and printing DVD covers. This weekend will be CD Labels and disk burning. I'm in a FASCINATING psychology class this term so I actually LIKE my homework lately, which is good because I feel like I am leading three different lives.

I don't know how a bigamist does it, to be quite frank.

In any case, things are going like mad here.. hoping to move on the new MS here soon. My fiance leaves for the desert in another month. I'll need something to keep my preoccupied.

News! News! News!

I'll Do Anything has received a FIVE STAR review from Fallen Angel Reviews!! Thank you Jaymi!! That is so awesome.

Also, I'll be working on an OFFICIAL Warped, Wicked, Wanton, & Wild website. Hopefully we can go LIVE! on that before summer.

Have a great one!

Watchtowers: Earth is out!

2006-03-15T16:04:00.000-08:00

Book Four in the Watchtowers Series

Shania Blackfoot always knew she was different and has spent her life respecting and using her gifts to help others. Facing an ancient sorcerer determined to destroy the earth she treasures was never supposed to be part of the plan. Neither was falling for the man sent to find her.

From the beginning, Thane Denton knew his attraction to the last Watchtower was going to be a problem. Unlike the others, he knows he can’t be her elemental soul mate. But that doesn’t stop him from craving her. He believed his only purpose was to bring the Watchtowers together, an outsider looking in. When he's literally brought to his knees during an earthquake and memories from a past he’s spent the last five hundred years trying to uncover start to surface, Thane has to wonder just what part he and his new found abilities have to play.

When past and present collide, the love they try to deny will be tested. But will it be strong enough to withstand centuries of hatred and betrayal and give them the courage to bring the Watchtowers together for the final confrontation with Amidurah? If they fail, their lives and the world as they know it will be lost.

Check out my website for more details - http://www.sydneysomers.com

Never Give All the Heart

2006-03-03T11:24:00.000-08:00

Never give all the heart, for love
Will hardly seem worth thinking of
To passionate women if it seem
Certain, and they never dream
That it fades out from kiss to kiss;
For everything that's lovely is
But a brief dreamy kind delight.
O never give the heart outright,
For they, for all the smooth lips can say,
Have given their hearts up to the play.
And who could play it well enough
If deaf and dumb and blind with love?
He that made this knows all the cost,
For he gave all his heart and lost.

---By Willaim Butler Yeats

It's March, who else would I be reading?
Current Album: The Cheiftans : Tears of Stone

Blessings upon you and yours.
Jaycee

When the bug bites

2006-03-01T07:53:00.000-08:00

The new story bug I mean. When it sinks its teeth right in and all you can think about is bringing the scenes in your head to life. Nothing can perk a writer up when they were struggling with a dry spell than a great idea for a story that gets you so excited, you find your thougths drfting to it all day long, even when your doing (ug) laundry.

Last weekend I was alone in the house with no ideas. Today I'd kill for a quiet house to really fall into this story, but the best I can hope for is as many hours as I can snatch at night time, if the DH doesn't mind me ignoring him tonight. As long as I can dig up a beer for him and make sure he can find the remote, I might be in the clear. LOL

Promotions, Emotions, Devotions

2006-02-24T19:13:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day, no matter what Jaycee says, has always had an anticipatory sense for me. Will this be the year that my significant other gets it right? What magical *something* will happen for me today?

The day always winds up being just a regular day, like any other day, and I am usually grossly disappointed. As if I blocked the sore feelings and disappointment from previous years. Perhaps it's my naivete speaking here but I always wanted just ONE guy to get it right.

This year was no different and I think I've finally learned my lesson that Valentine's Day is just a day. I think in this, Jaycee is right.

Happy Valentine's Day... now F* off.

However, this Valentine's Day I made my own magic. 2PM on February 14th, 2006, I officially became a published author. My book, I'll Do Anything, came out a month early!!

I waivered between excitement and frantic panic attacks because I was so unprepared. I thought I'd have a month to get ready.. to promote and throw a big contest and print up cute little bookmarks. I'll take what I can get, though, because I made a dream come true this year. I hit a long time goal of being published before I turn 30... It took dedication and committment and a lot of hours cramped over the keyboard hammering out crap that eventually got deleted or patting myself on the back for finally getting it right.

It's Friday.. more than a week later and I've finally gotten my BIG contest, I'll Do Anything for Lingerie is off and running.

Happy Friday....
Chrystal

Perception

2006-02-24T11:15:00.000-08:00

Once upon a time there was a yoyo.

I thought I was the hand.

I've realized I'm just the old yoyo.

At least it's Friday.

Jaycee

Today's Musician: Jack Johnson

Valentine's Day

2006-02-13T10:01:00.000-08:00

Valentine's Day

Valentines. Who in their right mind invented this commercialized holiday? Wait, I know, if you visit historychannel.com, you can read all about the varying legends surrounding this holiday. Personally I like the version #2, which was based on the pagan holiday for Lupercalia, secret meetings, blood, lottery wives. I mean, really it's the more interesting, don't you think? http://www.historychannel.com/exhibits/valentine/?page=history1

So I'm wondering, if Bah-humbug has become the anti-thesis of Merry Christmas, what is the polar opposite of "Happy Valentine's Day?" F* off? lol Well, that's my idea anyway, but that's just me and my warped mind, so who the hell knows.
Jaycee

Oh! Oh! PRESENTS!!!

2006-02-06T07:28:00.000-08:00

Gail-ail-ail has this saying in her MSN messenger... something like: "Behind every great writer is a husband doing laundry."

Between school and work and the kids, it's almost impossible to get everything done in a day. If it weren't for Todd, my fiance, I'd probably never have clean laundry. But he doesn't stop there... Oh no.

My amazing love has completely taken over the household chores. Laundry, dishes, mopping floors, keeping the kids in check. Everything. I had no idea what a neat freak he was until we moved in together.

I asked him yesterday if there was anything he learned about me that he didn't know before. His answer:

"You're easier to live with than you think."

I mean, really... how much more perfect can he get???

Not to mention that when I come home from work and have to spend a few hours doing homework every night, he makes the kids dinner and keeps them out of my room so I don't get interrupted a hundred times. He comes in to check on me and brings me a drink or brings me dinner if I'm stuck on something really tough and can't get away. I am always afraid that he will get bored or start to resent how hard it is to live with someone who has so much going on all the time. When I told him that, he said:

"I don't want to be God's Gift to Women. I want to be God's Gift to YOU."

Can you hear the collective sigh that just went around the room?

He's mine. You can't have him.

New Review for Watchtowers: Fire

2006-02-05T14:43:00.000-08:00

"Sydney Somers has done it again in the third book of the Watchtowers series, Watchtowers: Fire. Not only does she have a way of capturing the reader with her writing, but she keeps the reader enthralled from beginning to ending with her nerve-wracking, intricately laid plots. Opal is the quintessential loner; tough, aggressive, and determined to always have control. And Kaban is a hero that needs to be experienced to be appreciated and savored. If you love a steamy, sexy, sci-fi to make your day a little brighter, then look no further."
4 1/2 Flowers from Angel at A Romance Review

Reviews like this never fail to deliver a fantastic high!

Friday's Thought

2006-01-27T12:43:00.000-08:00

Another Friday, thank goodness. I really hate Mondays, but today I feel like I actually accomplished something. If you can count fixing this myspace account the way I think I want it as something. Then again, I'll probably change it next week. But for now, I feel like I've done something.

Writing is going well, I suppose. Deadlines are biting at my heels and I know next week they'll be biting me in the ass. Woowwhhhoooo. Yes, i love to be stressed out. You should see me. I don't need shoulder pads--I have knots the size of gooseggs in my shoulders. OH well, at least no ulcers,right?

This morning I was grabbing a coffee at my local haunt when I spied an acquaintence and her sister. We were talking about dieting, calories, all the sinful goodies in the coffeeshop and our nil-to-nothing will power against such goodies, no matter the calories. Well, one sister claimed she was doing good until the other sister decided on this decatant pecan glaze pastry and offered to share. Which brought up my philosophical thought for the day:

We're taught to share, to be kind, to give others food. However, we're also taught not to tempt. Soooo if your best friend or sister is dieting and you, out of the goodness of your heart share the delicious death by chocolate cake, or the Italian lemon cheese cake, or the pecan glazed pastry with them, is it bad? I mean you tempted them from their path, didn't you? Silently relishing in the fact that they too are swallowing those sinful calories. So is it a good thing to share in such cases? Or not?

Personally, if I have a box of Godiva chocolates, my sister, best friend, or any other friend, better just think again. Cause, dieting or not, those babies are MINE!

And I hope you all have a WONDERFUL weekend!
Jaycee
www.jayceeclark.com

The Phoenix Rebellion Book I: Rising Up Available NOW

2006-01-16T06:36:00.000-08:00

The Phoenix Rebellion Book I: Rising Up is available NOW for purchase!

Blurb:

The year is 2050, and we share our world with The Areth; to some our salvation, our brethren and our ancestors, to others; our oppressors and our enemy. They look like us, talk like us, but those of The Phoenix Rebellion believe they are not us. Phoenix is dedicated to revealing the truth and returning Earth to its rightful inhabitants. Humans.

Colonel Nick Tanner doesn’t care what the Areth do. He hasn’t cared in a long time. He lost his wife and son to the supposed superior medicine of the Areth. And whether he has proof of it or not, he figures the Areth are behind Caitlin Montgomery walking out of his life eight years ago. So, he lives on his lake and lets the rest of the World rot.

Until Caitlin shows up on his dock, intrudes on his seclusion and destroys his apathy. His son, the boy he was told died twenty-five years ago, is alive and needs him. Now… Nick cares. And if he ever finds the ones responsible for taking his son… they’ll pay. If he has to give his life to make things right, he will. Phoenix has a new soldier.

Reviews:

Futuristic science fiction at its best, The Phoenix Rebellion Book 1: Rising Up leaves the reader on the edge of their seating waiting impatiently for more. I loved this unexpectedly intriguing book because it captivated my imagination and then left me begging for more... Ms. Delaney has captured the essence of a romance that gives the reader everything they are looking for in a book, gripping suspense, villains, heroes and heroines and love that exists even years later. I loved this book from the first word to the last and I will be waiting for the release of the next book in this series, even if it is impatiently.

Sheryl - Ecataromance
Rating: 5 Stars!

Lovers of the science fiction romance genre rejoice! There is a new voice on the scene and RISING UP by Ms. Delaney has to be the best in this genre that this reviewer has ever had the pleasure of reading!...RISING UP will whet your appetite with dynamic characters and a premise that so plausible that it might cause the reader to stop and seriously consider the possibility of it actually occurring. This reader is hooked indeed and waiting rather impatiently for Book 2: OUTCASTS to also be released.

Shaiha - Suite Magazine (February edition)
Rating: 5 Hearts!

Excerpt:

Nick reclined backwards in his chair, scrubbing his face with his palms. His foot bumped the leg of the kitchen table and the personal access computer that sat open in front of him shook with the force. With a frustrated groan, he lowered his hands and crossed his arms over his stomach keeping his slouched position.

The small monitor glowed with the video Caitlin had brought him. Nick had programmed it to magnify and loop over the same thirty-second strip, focusing again and again on Michael’s face as he first spoke to the doctor then turned and looked into the camera.

Again and again.

Michael.

It was unsettling and almost bizarre. Looking at Michael was like looking at himself, the resemblance was so close. There was no denying they were kin. But his son… the thought choked him and made his eyes ache. Nick rested his head on the high back of the chair, the heels of his hands pressed against his eye sockets until spots of light flashed in the darkness.

He heard the door open, and her soft footsteps approaching across the living room accompanied by the clicking of Dog’s toenails, and sensed her presence in the doorway of the kitchen. But Nick didn’t move.

“I don’t have all the answers, but I’ll tell you what I can,” she finally said, her voice soft and rough.

“How do you know he’s my son?”

“The people that gave me this information were able to access his medical and personal records. He was born March 14th, 2026 in Richmond, Virginia.”

Nick’s throat closed in, and he swallowed painfully, lowering his hands to look at her. She stood with her shoulder leaned against the doorjamb, her arms crossed and her elbows grasped in her hands. The breeze outside had mused her short, blonde hair leaving it in soft curls around her cheeks and chin. He saw the glimpse of cobalt blue earrings through the curls, setting off the color of her eyes.

“The records list his paternal contributor to be Captain Nicholas Michael Tanner. “The PPT slides kept in Michael’s medical files were compared to your own in your military records. Your DNA match. You are his father. And his maternal contributor is an Areth scientist named Kathleen.” Her voice cracked as she spoke, and her words split through his head like a spike.

Nick shot out of the chair with such force it fell backwards, bouncing off the edge of the sink before it hit the floor. “Kathleen wasn’t… she died giving birth to our son,” he shouted. His stomach twisted, and he curled his fists, forcing himself to tamp down the rage. “My wife was not Areth,” he forced out through clenched teeth.

Caitlin’s eyes glistened bright with unshed tears, but she didn’t look away from him. He watched as she swallowed, pressing her lips together, before she spoke. “I’m sorry, Nick. She was. And as far as we know, she isn’t dead.”

His heart pounded in his ears and he couldn’t think. Nick pressed his wrists against his temples, trying to push back the chaos. He needed air, and headed for the door. Outside, he drew oxygen in through his nose and gripped one of the porch posts to keep himself upright. She followed, but kept a safe distance back to stand in the doorway.

“Where is he?”

“An Alliance facility outside of Santa Fe, New Mexico.”

“What kind of facility?”

“Genetics research.”

Pain shot down the side of his neck as he ground his teeth together. “How long has he been there?”

Caitlin stepped onto the porch beside him, her hand resting on the post below his own, but not touching him. She leaned into it, her cheek close to the wood. When she looked into his eyes, his gut clenched in a vicious amalgamation of hate and pleasure that just added to the burning fury.

“Twenty-two years.”

Nick’s knees could no longer hold up his weight, and it felt as if a bus had driven straight into his gut. He dropped into a crouch, letting his back brace against the porch railing. With his elbows on his bent knees, he pressed his thumbs to his forehead and closed his eyes. His chest hurt, and Nick wondered if this was what a heart attack felt like as spots of light danced in his vision and his temples throbbed.

He squeezed his eyes closed until they ached, and felt the hot tears he wished he could deny escape to run down his cheeks. Nick swallowed, struggling to push back the images that wouldn’t leave his mind. Kathleen… her body still and ashen… lying on the stainless steel table, her face turned away from him. The tiny body, blue and cold, that the doctors had kept hidden from him. He remembered falling to his knees and screaming at anyone who could hear to save them, bring them back.

“I don’t―” He tried to pull air into his chest, but it hurt so much he could barely gasp. “I don’t understand why. Why would they take my son? ”

Caitlin knelt beside him, tears running down her cheeks, and he couldn’t look into her face. Couldn’t take seeing the gentleness and compassion. Not now. Because he wanted it.

“My son…” he choked again.

“I don’t know,” she whispered, her voice cracking. “I don’t know, Nicky.”

She reached up and touched his hair, smoothing her hand back from his temple, and something tore apart inside him. It ripped through him with a vengeance, stealing the last weak grip he had on control. Nick grabbed hold of Caitlin and hauled her to him in a rough embrace–she wrapped her arms around his head and shoulders and cradled him against her breast.

Purchase in ebook format at Triskelion Publishing.

Tied Down

2006-01-12T06:07:00.000-08:00

I'm exhausted. And Math Sucks.

My free spirit has been squashed by the smothering effects of quadratic equations and parabolas. I was a good student in high school. I took honors classes and had a 3.8 GPA. But I had to take remedial math because I have a learning disability. I have numeric dyslexia. It's a chore just to balance my checkbook. Thank God for Quicken!

I have so much to do and I'm so bogged down with math that when I finally do come up for air, I've got a crushing headache that makes me worthless for anything else.

Four more weeks... Four more weeks... Four more weeks...

A New Year begins

2006-01-01T07:35:00.000-08:00

And I'm keeping things simple as far as resolutions go.

1. Make my husband and kids laugh as often as possible.
2. Do something active ten minutes a day, even if its just a game of tag with the boys.
3. Make each book I write better than the last.
4. Read More.

Here's to hoping the KISS philosophy gets the job done.

:)
Syd

With you a Mewwy Chrith-math...

2005-12-24T23:06:00.000-08:00

I'm so excited.... it's Zero Hour and Santa has come! My kids are all nestled in their beds and their sweet little dreams are of the morning to come.

Despite the rough year we have finally left behind, my babies had one final note for Santa before bedtime. Beside the cookie plate is a red, green and silver lettered note that reads:

Dear Santa,
We don't care if you can't bring anything on our list.
We still BELIEVE!
Love, Haley, Jorden and Julie

I thank God every day for special moments like this.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

I must be insane

2005-12-17T15:30:00.000-08:00

Nine days until Christmas... and a Saturday no less... I decide THIS is the weekend I'll take the kids shopping!

OMG!

First... we had to go to the girl scout store so Kaitlyn could redeem her Cookie 'dough' and buy her cadet uniform.

It took me an hour and a half to FIND the store! If her dough didn't expire on the 22nd, and it was over $50 towards the cost of the uniform etc, I would have probably forgotten the whole thing and moved on. But I was stubborn and FOUND it! Finally!

Then... we head to the mall. We part FIVE lots from the nearest door! Then we hike it to the mall.

Now, the ONLY reason I risked the mall is because we go there EVERY year to get coffee mugs with the kids pictures on them for my father. He's gotten one every year since Kaitlyn was 3 months old. Course, now he gets TWO.

Anyway... we get to the mall.

They aren't DOING the mugs this year! The Kiosk is GONE!

So, we grab some pretzels for lunch and hike back out.

Did I mention... the Girl Scout store is in Bedfor... 45 minutes from home... The Mall is in Salem... 25 minutes back in the other direction... then we go to Plaistow... 30 minutes on the OTHER side of our house...

Get to CVS to pick up a prescription. They have no record that I called it in. Twenty minutes THERE!

Then we go to a $1-2-3 store. Cheap presents from the kids, basically.

No major disasters there except they would only take cash. So, I had to borrow money from KAITLYN to have enough ready cash. I never carry cash.

Then the LAST store, Glory Hallelujah and Praise you, Jesus!

And miracle of miracles, we FINISH all the gift buying there.
I left my house at 9:40am... got home at 4:30!

I hate shopping. I despise it with a passion born from the deepest crevices of my soul. And after today, my hatred is purer and deeper than EVER!

Gail R Delaney

Ho! Ho! Ho!

2005-12-15T13:26:00.000-08:00

School is done! School is done! Yay!

Better yet, I got the car chalk off of my windows! DOUBLE YAY! Not bad... two months later! lol

This is a picture of my friend Gannon's dogs. Bailey, Jackson & Chloe are precious little pugs that Gannon loves more than life itself. He calls them his "stooges" but he says it with love and affection. Haha..

Going for the last of our Christmas shopping tonight. Gah! I Love to say that! Todd's presents should be here any day. I can't wait to see his face when he opens them! I need to get my mom something but I Have no idea where to start. My dad was easy. Anything from The Boeing Store is a huge hit!

My WWWW partners in crime all exchanged frantic "I'm so behind!" emails last night so I suspect we'll be exchanging Post-Christmas cookies and presents. These girls are so awesome.. I'd celebrate Christmas in July with them!

Just 10 days 'til Christmas!

Romantic Times Convention

2005-12-15T13:10:00.000-08:00

The Romantic Times Convention is going to be a BLAST!! May 16 - 21, Gail Delaney and I will be road tripping down to Jacksonville, FL, for 5 jam-packed days full of parties, workshops, and fun!

The brochure is online now and can be downloaded for free. If you're planning on attending, see you there!

New Review for Phoenix!

2005-12-14T18:50:00.000-08:00

I received another early review for Phoenix!

EcataRomance had this to say…

Futuristic science fiction at its best, The Phoenix Rebellion Book 1: Rising Up leaves the reader on the edge of their seating waiting impatiently for more. I loved this unexpectedly intriguing book because it captivated my imagination and then left me begging for more. The storyline was fantastic and the characters really came to life and then exceeded all my expectations. I loved the relationship between Nick and CJ, of their past intimacy that ended in heartache and then of how they found each other again and then were able to repair their relationship to become a family. I loved Nick for his ability to love the son he never knew he had, of how he was capable of showing his son the love that had been denied both of them. Ms. Delaney has captured the essence of a romance that gives the reader everything they are looking for in a book, gripping suspense, villains, heroes and heroines and love that exists even years later. I loved this book from the first word to the last and I will be waiting for the release of the next book in this series, even if it is impatiently.

Rating: 5 stars!
Woohoo!

A Haiku for You

2005-12-14T10:22:00.000-08:00

the restless wicked

edgy, sleepless, aching strife

close my eyes and breathe

Car chalk, laundry and other miscellaneous things...

2005-12-13T21:46:00.000-08:00

Have you ever have one of those days where you are totally motivated do stuff? You know, like get caught up on the laundry or finally clean out your car or trek down to the post office and mail out those packages and Christmas cards. I had one of those days today. Unfortunately, I also had the stomach flu. God only knows where that motivation came from. Probably the fact that I had to stay home all day and realized it was the first time in weeks that I was home, could drive and had totally FREE time. I was just "incapacitated" -- to put it delicately.

I need a vacation day. Just one day to do everything I want to do and get it out of the way so I can stop feeling so behind all the time. I mean, hell... if I could just clean the car chalk off the back windows of my Explorer I'd feel like I conquered a mountain! I saw a picture yesterday from early September just a week after I'd put the chalk on there and I realized how long I'd had it there. OMG.. how lazy do I look every day pulling into work with that on my windows???

If you see a red Explorer 'round town that says "Raiders Rock! Jorden #8" on the back, you know it's me.

I'm Such a Girl, and a Blonde One at That

2005-12-09T11:10:00.000-08:00

What exactly does a rotar do anyway? In terms of wheels/brakes/driving? I haven't a clue. But apprently I've royally f*ed mine up. I kept telling hubby the expidition was making a funny noise, no warning lights came on and no one said anything about brake pads when I did the service thing a few weeks ago. I'm "into the metal" as one man told my husband who showed up when I called and did the... "Yeah, something about replacing rotars or something." He freaked.

Now I think "into the metal" sounds cool. But this is apperantly not a good thing. No, I'm really not blonde, okay, so I'm kinda blonde. But this is cars, not a crime scene or a fictional crime scene or on a more every day around my house--child scene. Let's face it, I'm just not a mechanically inclined person. Mechanics are like... geometry. I could do matrixes in algebra and loved them, not sure why everyone else got confused. But give me an algorith or Pathagorim's theory (at least I think maybe that was his name--sorry Mr. Gary), and I can't think my way out of a damn box. So geometry and mechanics just sort of go together in the 'things I just don't get' category.

Sadly, I'm thinking I should maybe do a book where the heroine works in a garage? I might learn something more useful than different ways to kill a person. Oh wait, this is me, I'd devise new plot scenarios with villains due to my surroundings. BUT I might also learn more about my cars and lingo that sounds cool. Yeah, so anyway, hubby is none to pleased with me. The wonderful guys at Larry's Lube got a kick out of me and my mother's upset because I can't drive her to my brother's tonight for a thing tomorrow. *sigh* Oh well, at least the bills are paid and it's getting warmer.

Have a good oneJaycee *who'd have to get a manual out to change a tire*

Banged up and Laid Up

2005-11-25T20:30:00.000-08:00

Checking in... been crazy busy.

Back in July I busted my ankle. Let's just say that I will never live this story down but it all started with a poptart. This past month, after wearing the Robocop boot and several weeks of physical therapy it's been determined that I needed surgery to get better.

So now I'm wrapped to the knee in gauze and doin' jes' fine on lortabs. OMG.. If I skip a dose I'm in agony.

What this has forced me to do, however, is slow down and take time out for myself. I've been able to focus on my schoolwork and I finally have all my edits back for I'LL DO ANYTHING. My deadline is December 31st so I'm going to be a busy girl finishing two classes and my edits before the end of the year. All this around Christmas.

Can I just say that I am not looking forward to shopping for three little ones on crutches?? LOL

Tender Hearts has been RELEASED

2005-11-05T18:00:00.000-08:00

After what has felt like FOREVER... Tender Hearts is out and now available for purchase!

Of the three books

I am releasing through Wings, I have to say Tender Hearts is probably the one I'm most proud of. Ironically, during the writing process, it was the one I hated writing the most.

Just ask any of the other ladies on this wonderful blog list.

Probably because there are so many parts of this story that hit so close to home for me. Writing about Billy and Erin's heartache - dealing with the premature birth of their daughter - was a forced therapy for me. In the end, it was very cathartic, but during the process I hated writing every word because it forced me to remember and face every dark moment and every terrifying fear that threatened to tear me apart all those weeks following my own son's birth.

Even now, I can't read certain scenes in the book without crying - and I mean crying. Not just sniffling alittle... not just getting misty-eyed... I mean sobbing like a little girl! :-)

So, to that end... I'm very proud of this book. I hope it moves my readers as much as it moved me to write it.

If you'd like to read an excerpt, follow this link. It's okay... it's not a rip-your-heart-out-and-make-you-cry-like-a-little-girl scene. :-)

Gail aka The Wanton One

These are the Days of our Lives

2005-11-01T17:45:00.000-08:00

Still plugging away with school-work, house-work, book-work, kid-work, and work-work. About the only thing I'm not "working" at is the boyfriend. That's a different kind of "work." haha..

Edits are coming down from my editor for I'LL DO ANYTHING which comes out in March from Triskelion. I've got to do the author worksheet to get the cover stuff started. So much to do. So little time.

I once attended a seminar that divided people into four different groups. The group I fell in, the Initiator, was so right on the money for my personality type it was scary. The scenario was that each group was given a project to complete in 10 minutes. My particular personality group would get the project done but would run around screaming "I'm so stressed! I'm so stressed!"

Um.. yeah.

I'm so stressed!

So right on the money. ::sighs::

Cover Art for Dance With Me... looking to the future

2005-10-30T19:08:00.000-08:00

I received my cover art for Dance With Me today. This is my third, and for the time being as near as I can tell, final release with Wings ePress in July of 2006.

My original concept had been much more detailed... with a rendition of Jesse's cabin and the lot with the barn and everything... but this is much simpler and understated... and I like it. This is a simple shot of Katahdin Mountain where the story takes place... simple colors... simple lines... nothing frou frou... no clutch covers ( I hate clutch covers )...

Overall, I'm very happy. Probably my most favorite cover I've had designed by Wings.

Now, I just get to wait another nine months for the book's release. :-)

Gail aka The Wanton One

I'm getting STOKED already!

2005-10-23T12:45:00.000-07:00

It's only October and I'm already SOOOO excited about the Romantic Times convention next year!

First... I've never been to one, but I hear they are SOOOO fun!

Second... I'll be able to meet my new editor and other authors with Triskelion while I'm there.

Third... I'll have several books out by then and actually have something to talk about.

But most of all... CHRYSTAL IS GOING, TOO!

We'll be Wicked and Wanton together!

*shaking booty in excitement!*

I can't wait!

Gail aka The Wanton One

The things we do for love...

2005-10-15T22:05:00.000-07:00

So anyone who knows me knows that I'm a total Princess at heart. That's right. Princess with a Capital "P"..

Though my boyfriend adores this about me, he's determined to make me as self-sufficient as possible. This often includes forays under the hood of my SUV where he smears what he calls "The Official Warpaint" on my face (aka something really stinky and greasy) or fishing. I have tried many times to explain to him that: a) I don't eat fish; and b) There is a reason I pay people to change my oil and do all manner of greasy things under my hood.

I mean.. c'mon. Ew.

However, we do these things together because he's absolutely gorgeous and I love doing anything and everything with him. Even if it means I have to listen to the crunch of live bait being speared through with a hook. ::all over body shudder::

Tonight was one such night. We went fishing and I cuddled up in a blanket and read my book to him while he fished. After I was finished, he made me hold the pole while he packed up our stuff to get read to leave. Wouldn't you know we got the first bite all night while I'M holding the pole??

So I caught my first fish. A catfish, I think. We tossed him back because the Gulf just got over some pretty vicious Red Tide. I have to admit, it was pretty cool. I can't say fishing would be my first choice of all time favorite things to do but I could definitely do it again.

In the meantime, I'll just enjoy my fish the old fashioned way.

In the tank.. hehe..

Hallelujah! The partials are done!

2005-10-10T18:26:00.000-07:00

For anyone that knows me... that truly knows my writing style... they know that I am a total and utter pantser. I don't plot... I just... go with it. I know how a book starts... I know how I want it to end (happily ever after usually...), but the journey I take to get there is just as much a surprise to me as anyone else.

Miraculously, it has apparently worked out well to this point.

Enter The Phoenix Rebellion.

Until my dying day, I will be forever thankful to Jaycee for nudging, poking and prodding me into submission until I finally decided to give a futuristic romance a try. I absolutely love it. But... by the very nature of the beast... a four book series... I was forced to do more 'planning' than usual.

At first... my planning consisted of a list of characters and one or two paragraphs on each book. What the romantic plot would be.. the sub plot... and the overall story arc. I was happy with that.

Then I sold the series to Triskelion. WOOOHOOO! And Gail N, my ExecEd, wanted me to give her the first three chapters of each book in the series.

*blinking*

What? But... but... how can I write what happens in the beginning of three when I haven' t written the end of two???? And BOOK FOUR? Good lord, that was so far down the pike, I had barely really thought about it... other than 'And everything gets wrapped up'.

But I have to say... I'm soooo glad I did the partials. And if I should ever choose to do another series (pssst... I love writing series... I love writing futuristics... there's a real good possibility I'll be doing this again...) I'm going to do the partials whether I'm asked to or not. They forced me to think ahead... and I discovered holes I never knew I had... and probably wouldn't have known about until I stepped in one, broke my ankle, and was too far into the next book to fix it.

All this comes around to a point... really. I FINISHED THE PARTIALS TONIGHT!

*doing happy dance*

So, now I can go back and work on The Phoenix Rebellion Book II: Outcasts in full earnest. I'm very excited. Of course, right now I'm just tired and may go to bed. Either way, it's a good day...

Gail aka Wanton

Finally

2005-10-06T07:34:00.000-07:00

I'm here!

Can't let the other girls have all the fun. Took me long enough to get here I know. What can I say, I suck at blogging. Sucked at keeping a diary when I was a teenager too. I'd like to think it was because of that saying "good girls keep the diaries, the bad girls never have the time", but I'm pretty sure that wasn't the case. A touch geekish, I certainly didn't lead the "wild" life, but I'm making up for it now. And seeing as how I didn't have any big romance to speak of much less write about until I met my high school sweet heart a.k.a my husband a.k.a the pain in the pass lol, I didn't have a lot to write about. Again, making up for that.

Bet you didn't think you were gonna have to read my whole life history when you started reading this post did you? Well since I have a captive audience *snort* let me start at the beginning. Once upon a time there was a girl who loved to write. How's that for an opening twist?

Where was I? Oh yeah, love to write. I started writing my first romance novel when I was sixteen with a plot a bunch of friends sailing around the south pacific and having a sociopath in their midst. It bit the dust when I hit chapter eight and couldn't figure out what would come next. Although the story itself will never be heard from again, the setting was used in the first book I wrote, which hope to see published next year after some serious editing.

I kind of got away from writing for a bit, then the summer I moved in with my boyfriend (a.k.a husband/pain in the ass) I started to get serious. I had the first couple chapters of my first romantic suspense written and that was it. Didn't know what to do with it, didn't have a clue where to send it when I was done. So then I did what any good writer does now, I got online and surfed the net like crazy. Upteen writing articles and submission guidelines later I had some idea of how the process went, but I still had no idea how good my writing was. I need to find someone (not family) to read it, somone who could tell me if it sucked as badly as I feared it did. After not being able to find a critique group that was taking new members or worked with new writers, I started my own.

Which is how I met my www counterparts. These ladies are the best thing that ever happened to my writing and the best support system in the world. Not only that, they are so dear to my heart I often wonder if they realize how much they mean to me.

But enough of the mushy stuff. LOL

Two books and a small pile of rejections later (I was too scared to sub anywhere half the time) I decided to try something a bit different, a bit hotter (blame the warped one, or thank her lol). Low and behold I found my place in the writing world. New Concepts Publishing released my first two books (short novellas). But being still a suspense writer at heart I found a home at Triskelion Publishing for my recent release, Trust Me. Which actually ended up being my third Triskelion release. But then I'd need a whole other post to talk about my favorite editor and her plans. LOL

You'll find some suspense in most of my books. Something about a strong heroine in jeopardy always gets my muse going. Plus, a bit of humor, a touch of sarcasm *snort*, and as much passion and action I can squeeze in there.

Have I rambled on long enough? I could go on about writing around two very active little boys and a husband who couldn't find the remote if his life depended on it. Then again, I think both those subjects would require multiple posts.

Later!

Character attachment - Breaking up will be a killer

2005-10-06T07:28:00.000-07:00

The Wild One has come!

I am killing time (and killing work hours when I should be upstairs...) until this weekend. I'm anxious to get some solid writing time in. My characters have really grabbed hold of me and are NOT letting go this time.

I swear, when this series is over, I'm going to cry like a wee little baby. I've been sad at the end of books, because as you create characters in the course of 80-90k words, you get attached.

With The Phoenix Rebellion I'm more than attached. I live, breathe, and dream these people. I know them all so well. I'm sure other writers have experienced this phenomenon before, but I've never felt it to this extreme.

Over at my 'other' blog Ultimate Manuscript Avoidance Mode I'm posting mini-bios of each character in the series... one every few days. So, if you're interested in learning about the 'cast' of individuals who make up my new world... check it out.

But anyway... I'm off to work again... make it look like I'm working hard, not hardly working. LOL

Gail - aka - Wanton

Mondays

2005-10-03T10:40:00.000-07:00

I really don't like Mondays. They're just NOT my favorite days, ya know? I don't want to get out of bed and the battle of convincing kids that school really IS fun seems lost so I pull the 'Do you really want to grow up in ignorance?' angle. For some reason, that seems to work.

What's new with me. Well, I'm older. That's right. I had a birthday last week. The milestone of 29. Personally, I'm not certain why this is a milestone to some people. Many people never seem to move beyond 29. Me? Heck no. I want to go all the way to 90! Next year is the BIG THREE-OH. I plan to have one heck of a party. Not sure why many get so depressed over getting older. Would they rather the alternative? NOt getting older? I mean, really, there is only one way for that to happen and it's not really pretty, I don't think. Dead or older? I'll go with older thank you. If I have a few squint lines (yes that's what I call them, thank you very much) it only adds character to my facial features. I mean I don't want to look like Joan Crawford *shudder* Someone stop that woman from the botox and lift treatment before she freezes.

Then there was the golf club incident. Two young boys, too close together and disaster was bound to happen. Thankfully, we have no fractured orbs, strained optical muscles or any other damage other than a shiner. The four year old thought X-Rays were REALLY cool! Great. Glad someone is finding true enjoyment out of this experience. I think they gave me a few more grey hairs.

And onto other topics. Like what? Hmmmm...that's a good question. Oh, my Mom and her sisters returned from the European Ya-Ya trip. They had a blast and mom brought me BOOKS. Is she great or what? I now have plenty of research material to set a book in several countries or German cities. :) And speaking of research, the current WIP, another suspense is moving right along. :) Thank goodness. I'm needing a dead body though. I think the plot is slowing down. lol. We'll see.That wraps it up for me.

Hope everyone had a great weekend and may your week be sprinkled with smiles. :)Hugs,Jaycee

Too bad I don't write historicals

2005-10-02T12:47:00.000-07:00

I had the funnest experience this weekend... well, some aspects were fun. Some... not so much. I spent the night with my "Tiger Cub" son on a decommissioned WWII battleship. I would have taken a whole slew of pictures... but my batteries died... DANG IT!

But this ship was amazing. It was fascinating to walk around and see things restored to just how they had been then. Down to the Captain's quarters and the Chief Petty Officer's dining hall.

I know now why soldiers were in such good shape. It was those dang stairs! They aren't stairs... yet they aren't ladders, either. They're something in between and you get a work out just getting to deck 1 for chow!

So... the fun and not so fun

Walking around a retired WWII Navy Battleship and seeing all kinds of cool stuff...

Fun....

Being the ONLY mother to go?

Not so fun...

Also being able to walk through a decommissioned submarine, PT boat AND a Russian Battleship?

Fun...

Sleeping on a 'berth' of canvas and rope stacked 4 high in a room with 60 other individuals of the opposite sex? (Wouldn't be half bad if they were all buff, hunky military men... um... not! Did have one ex-Navy Seal, though!)

Not so fun...

Listening to stories about the ship and going way way way down into the decks so far my son was 'freaked out'

Fun!

Having him come down sick last night while we were there...

Not so fun...

Listen to him say at least two dozen times "This is the best day of my entire life!"

FUN!

Having to go up a deck and walk the length of the ship to get to the only ladies room...

Not so fun!

Hear my son say "I want to go in the Air Force like Jack!" (That's my boy! and for those who don't know... he's referring to Colonel Jack O'Neill, Air Force - Stargate SG-1 - our favorite show in the Delaney household)

Cool!

I love that time period... the 40's... WWII. If I were a historical writer, that is the period I would write in. And now... I could write about life on a battleship with at least SOME sense of accuracy.
It's such a romantic period... Men going off to war... the women left behind to love them. I would not write the weather-beaten and cliched "wounded soldier and nurse" story - were I to write one. But I'm sure that if forced into it, I could come up with something.

So... if anyone reading this BLOG wants to write a book set in the WWII era... and you happen to want some hands on "I've been in one of those..." background... let me know. :-)

Gail

a-MUSE-d

2005-09-29T14:23:00.000-07:00

I'm trying -- I swear -- to write. Everytime I sit in front of the computer I'm taunted with ideas and plot twists and thoughts of finally finishing Take It Off (book #2 for me..). Poor Gillie and Preston, they have been waiting on me so patiently.

It's been almost a year since I sat down to write. November last year, if I recall correctly. My God. The past year has been insane, between the divorce and the move back to Florida, a new relationship, a new career, and enrolling in college... Who has time to write?

But honestly, my muse, Bitch, won't leave me alone. She is back again. This time a red-hot redhead with a total bone to pick with me. I have one more week off of school. I am 3/4 the way through Take It Off. If I can just get some quiet time (which I should since this is Daddy's weekend!) I can make some major progress.

Look at her. Would YOU want to mess with her??? I didn't think so.

The Initiator

2005-09-27T12:26:00.000-07:00

I recently went to a seminar titled Conflict Management for Women. Right away, the instructor tells us that the course title is a misnomer and that it used to simply be Conflict Management taught in a mixed group. However, the women would sit on one side and the men on the other and the two would glare at each other throughout the course.

Needless to say, they separated it into Conflict Management for Women and Conflict Management for Men. Who knew all of these passive people would be so aggressive in such a setting?

In any case, about the only interesting thing I took from it was a personality type exercise we did toward the end. We had to take this quiz and do some math to come up with how our personality scaled on this grid. I, being me, came out extreme in one quadrant. Apparently, the closer you are to the axis of the four personality types the more likely you are to get along with others. I failed Kindergarten, what can I say? I don't play well with others. LOL

My personality type is the Initiator. Initiators are the most creative in any group. They are fast paced individuals who rarely do things willingly unless they can find the fun in it. We live and die by the What's In It For Me syndrome.

I always knew I was a spoiled brat.

The one thing that had me dying laughing about all of this is the example she used about how each of the four personalities would solve a problem if given only ten minutes. Initiators will definitely get the problem solved but they will walk around telling EVERYONE how stressed they are about it.

"Ohmigod! I'm so stressed! I'm so stressed!"

If you know me personally, you're laughing your ass off and falling off your chair right now.

Plotting, Blogging and Webbing...My Inner Nerd

2005-09-26T11:22:00.000-07:00

Well, I see the other W ladies have been busy. Contracts, wonderful emails, reviews out the wazoo! This life is great. I mean really. Where else can we...all right, *I*...plan the imminent demise of someone who's just on my sh*t list? I have entire worlds going on in my head. Another whole family... or two. Really, a shrink would have a field day with us.

I think I might be getting better at this blog thing. I just type whatever is in my head, which might not always be a good thing, but there it is. YOu wanna know, I might tell you. Then again, you didn't actually ask, so here it is anyway.

I've also rediscovered my inner nerd. Okay, besides the fact I love doing research for my books, that's reading, but now... Now I've realized I can create my own website and it looks really good. I messed around with one for a friend and am rather impressed with myself. Perhaps I should stop writing and start charging authors to create websites for outrageous sums of money. Then again, maybe I'll just write about a chick that does that and is stalked by a serial killer. :)

Have a great day! Laugh just for the hell of it, people will stop and ponder---see if they don't.

Jaycee

Review for my November 2005 release... TENDER HEARTS

2005-09-24T16:21:00.000-07:00

I received this review today from THE ROMANCE STUDIO for my November Contemporary Romance release titled Tender Hearts.

I'll cut out the synopsis part... :-) ... and go right for the good stuff!

"I'm a sap for a great story, I'll freely confess and this one is just perfect. The Culver family being so warm and caring is just the right thing for a young woman really having almost no one at all interested in her well- being. The wonderful way she is able to finally rekindle a sense of truly belonging somewhere and to someone, with this family. A tissue warning: the hospital scenes are just wonderfully written, so emotionally compelling, so make sure a few tissues are at hand. And last, but not least, the possibility that Billy's brothers might have stories in the making have my eyes glued to the authors website. A wonderful story for all romance readers."

Rating: 5 Hearts!

Reviewer: Glenda K. Baeurle

Wooohoooo! I'm very stoked! This is my first official review!

To read more about Tender Hearts, go to www.gaildelaney.com

"No Thanks."

2005-09-22T14:22:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe that almost two months ago I received "the call" --- er, "the email."

You have to think that it's not as fun for an editor to give the good news over an email as it is over the phone. If I were an editor, I would toy with my newest charge just a little.

You know how it is when you see that email titled "Re: Your Submission" and you realize this is the answer you've been waiting for. Your palms sweat, your heart picks up and just before you click on it, the urge to run into the bathroom and throw up first is looming dangerously in the back of your subconscience. You quickly get over that as you rapidly scan the email for the keywords:

"...happy
offer...
...contract"

If you don't see them, you stem your disappointment and re-read the whole thing in its entirety, hoping the editor at least had the decency to offer a handful of words in encouragement or constructive criticism. I mean, honestly, I think I would have been grateful for "this sucks" instead of "No Thanks." And yes, I really did get that response once.

That one was totally sent to The Rejection Collection. I swear on a stack of pancakes covered in cinnamon and maple syrup that when I replied to his rude remark, his assistant told me he actually thought he was being nice by including "thanks."

I am pretty lucky right now because the ladies at Triskelion are amazing! Super sweet, very professional and as excited about every new milestone as I am.

Now if I can only keep up with the email, I'd be golden. ::sighs::

Holy CRAP!

2005-09-21T19:10:00.000-07:00

I have been saying that a LOT this week... seems to be my new catch phrase. :-)

So, I sent my latest manuscript to Triskelion Publishing on Sunday night... The Phoenix Rebellion Book I: Rising Up is a futuristic/suspense/action/adventure/romance (according to my editor).

Anyway... Monday night, she tells me (I'm ad libing to keep from putting the WHOLE conversation in verbatim) "I haven't read it all yet, but I WANT it!"

Holy Crap!

Then... she wants to schedule and contract the rest of the series...

Holy Crap!

Then... she is releasing the first book in January...

Holy CRAP!

And, she wants the books two months apart...

HOLY CRAP!

Which, when it all comes down to brass tacks... I shouldn't be sitting here writing HOLY CRAP time and time again... I should be writing book two. Which I have to have done by December.

HOLY CRAP!

Gail

Serious Applicants Only Need Apply

2005-09-21T14:17:00.000-07:00

I need a personal assistant. Someone to keep track of my calendar, beat me over the head with "You MUST do this NOW!" and other little things I just never have time to even think about. You know, like paint my toenails and do my laundry.

My job title at work is Workflow Coordinator. Basically I'm supposed to be the organizational hub of our department. It's insane to think that I am so together at work but when I come home, it's like a bomb went off and mass chaos everywhere.

I'm a single mother of three kids. That's right, three. When I was pregnant with my youngest, I got a lot of smart-assed remarks like "Don't you all know what causes that yet?"

Um. Yeah. We just like to do it. A lot.

Now, raising them on my own I'm a little skeptical if it was totally worth it. Haha. Kidding. Totally Kidding. No. Really. I am. ::pops a pink happy pill::

They are great kids. Honest, they are. I just live in a constant tornado of "Momma!" and "Moooooooooom-meeeeeeeeeee" and "MOTHER!" (The last from my ten year old 'tween queen upon a most aggravating and embarrassing statement about her developing breasts to a neighbor friend.)

The whole point of this being that I must get organized! Between the kids, working full time, going to college part-time, writing, a new boyfriend (hubba, hubba.. man, I'd forgotten how time consuming they are!) and an impending release date and not even a website built, I have no idea where all of my time goes.

Since I can't seem to find anybody that wants to take care of life's little mundane details for me (Hey, I know what you're thinking... "I'll take the boyfriend!" But backoff, sister!) ... I guess I'll just settle for my iPaq.

For Real? For Really, REAL?

2005-09-19T13:17:00.000-07:00

Okay. So I have to admit that I am finally starting to get excited about this book deal. It's taken about two solid months of digging out of the deep recesses of my chaotic world and realize that:

"Yes, Chrystal. You are going to be published in less than six months."

OMG!

Can we all just scream and jump up and down right now?

I'm the Wicked One, in case you hadn't figured it out by process of elimination. The things I'll just drop in the middle of a totally mild conversation would make your eyes pop. I don't mean to do it. Really, I don't. It's just that I have this itty bitty impulse control problem that frequently breaks the synapsis between my brain and my mouth and I say things that probably shouldn't be said. Not Out Loud at any rate.

This might be why these ladies like my style. When you hit a point in your life when you just don't care what people think anymore, it's a little liberating.

Of course that usually doesn't happen until you're about 75 years old wearing fuschia polyester hot pants, a rhinestone tiara and smoking a cigar right out in broad daylight for anybody to see. ::gasp::

Warped Is As Warped Does

2005-09-19T09:56:00.000-07:00

Yes, I, creator of villains and heinous crimes am known as Warped. I'm not sure how or why I got stuck with this name. Surely a more twisted name could have been thought up, but it stuck. So that's me. I write romantic suspense mostly, unless I'm playing with historicals or paranormals, but even those must have dead bodies in them. :) I can't do a plot without some...darkness. Ya know? It ADDS to the interest of the story. And creating villains is a blast.

I can only wish I could make you cry like Gail, or make you laugh like Chrys or make you want to jump your significant other's bones, but alas, I'll just be content with scaring the hell out of you and be done with it.

Bwwaaahahahahahahahahahahaha

Jaycee

I am the Wanton One

2005-09-17T15:12:00.000-07:00

Wanton... yup, that'd be me. But, wanton in a good way. Wanton like "mischievous" and "lustful, sinful", not wanton like "merciless, unhumane".

I'm nice... honest.

Okay... actually... let me rethink this definition.

I suppose your definiton of wanton in reference to me would depend on your perspective. If you're a character in one of my books, then you may very well view me as merciless and inhumane. I tend to put my 'people' through the wringer. Just ask Sydney, Jaycee or Chrystal... they'll tell you. I'm bad... very, very bad.

Actually, when offering a critique on my most recent manuscript, I think Jaycee used the term heartless witch. Doesn't that just say it all?

So... what to say about myself. Um, I just finished another book... should have a release date soon (I hope)... and by what I hear, it's the most merciless, inhumane book yet. Although, I think the terms emotionally moving were used... but you get what I mean.

I love these girls... Sydney... Jaycee... Chrystal... Dems my Peeps. I wouldn't be where I am today without them (Where am I, exactly?) LOL

Okay, so I'm in a bit of an odd mood this evening... I've been editing all day long. My eyes are crossing. So, I'm taking a wee bitty break to post here. Don't mind me.

Anyway... back to edit land.

Gail aka Wanton

The Girls

2005-09-15T21:50:00.000-07:00

It's difficult to say how long we've all known each other. I remember when I met Gail when we were paired up randomly by an AOL writers group and we've been like sisters ever since.

I recall only vaguely that Sydney was a college student when she joined Critique Partners and the first time I talked to her I was amazed to learn that she wrote her stories in longhand because she never had time to sit in front of a computer. I think she still does this. Crazy girl.

Jaycee.. Now Jaycee is one of those people you feel like you've known forever. I couldn't tell you how long I've known Jaycee only that she has one of the most complicated and astounding minds I've ever met. Honest to God, she scares me sometimes how much she keeps hidden in the dark recesses of her brain.

We're warped, wicked, wanton and wild. We've grown together as women, as authors and as close to sisters as four people who have never met each other in person can get.

I love these girls!

PS.. I'm supposed to be doing my homework and I'm procrastinating.. but at least I'm being productive about it! Damn it.