It's Official!!

I'm a published author, y'all! *Snoopy Dance!!* It's some ungodly hour of the morning and I just received my author package for Soldier. If I do say so myself, it's gorgeous!! Sometime within the next two hours or so, it will actually be available for purchase on Cobblestone's web site.

Of course, tonight at the online release party starting at 8pm EST I'll be sure to give away a free copy. So set your clocks and be there!

Ok. I think I've just petered out. lol. Being excited takes a lot of energy. I will say that prior to the email, I was revising Dark Forest Nights for submission to another publisher. It was rejected earlier this month for er - let's say questionable content. I'm fixing that now and hopefully will send it out tomorrow or Saturday. I just need to add another 800 words.

But before I do that, let me gather my strength for just...one...more....

SNOOPY DANCE!!

New Blog Design

If you're viewing my actual blog right now, you had to have noticed the changes. I spent an insane amount of time today trying to find a new layout that I liked and that worked. Key word that: "worked". Anyhoo, here it is in all it's splendor and glory. I'm still trying to decide if I like it. I adore the layout. I hated that you used to have to scroll *all the way down* to find anything useful on my old blog. This one has everything laid out nice and neat off to the right. My biggest issue though is the actual design. Although it's pretty, it's so, well, bright. Even after four cups of coffee, I'm not this bright. If you remember my old blog, drop in and let me know what you think of this one.

In the meanwhile, I'll be looking for my shades.

Final Countdown to Soldier

Yep. We're in the home stretch! This Friday, April 11th, 2008, you can purchase my debut novella; Soldier will be released by Cobblestone Press in six days! I received the good news that they wanted it on Christmas day and not even six months later, dream turns into reality. How cool is that?

If you want to learn more about the story, come chat with me at Cobblestone Press this Friday at 8pm EST. Simply go to http://www.cobblestone-press.com/chat.html. Strong warning up front and the disclaimer is there before you enter: the content of the chat DOES become very adult in nature. Those who are faint of heart should not enter! (For example, I think last night was an all-time record. It took 35 minutes for someone (moi!) to mention the word c*ck. That usually happens within five minutes. lol.) I'll be giving away a free copy of Soldier that night and there is usually at least one other give away done.

And speaking of adult in nature, I've also sold Career Opportunities by Morgan Sierra to Cobblestone. It's an erotica for their Wicked line. I posted an unedited excerpt for it on this blog some time back, but if you want to see it again, go to my website under the Morgan Sierra page.

Yes - I'm slowly but surely getting there, folks!

Contest Winner!

Thanks to all who entered my March blog contest. Congratulations to Malice Blackheart for winning a Cobblestone Press gift certificate, a signed copy of the cover to Soldier (releasing April 11, 2008), and some adult goodies for a romantic evening at home. Malice, send an email to dee@deecarney.com with your email and snail mail addresses and I'll get those out to you! Stay tuned for future contests!

Keyboards On Fire!

When inspiration hits, I suppose that's exactly what happens. Your keyboard can suddenly explode under the fury of your fingers. Or...you could simply be reading a blog from two erotic romance authors, Moira Reed and Samara King.

While procrastinating my writing this weekend, I happened to spending some time IMing with Moira. She, in turn, used some of that conversation to post about voyages. Check it out. I sound cute. lol.

I've been a naughty blogger. I can't believe five days have passed since I've given any sort of an update. Well. Actually, I can. Sorry folks. Spring allergies are here and I'm miserable.

To make up for it, I'm going to announce the contest that my newsletter subscribers already know about. Oh? You didn't know already? Hmmm...perhaps you should register too.

As I was saying, since March is my birthday month, here's how it's gonna work...

All you have to do is visit my blog any time during the month of March and leave a comment. On March 31st, I will draw a name from the commentors. The lucky winner will receive a Cobblestone Press gift certificate, a signed copy of the cover to Soldier and some adult goodies *wink, wink* for a romantic evening at home. A second way to enter is have a friend sign up for my newsletter . I'll enter not only that person's name, but yours as a referral! Make certain they let me know you sent them! Also, I'll be guest blogging at Cobblestone Press on March 26th. Look for me! Because I'm cool that way, I'll even count comments left with that post towards my contest.

I can't remember who said it, but someone recently told me that she likes to write spicy scenes in public because it serves people who like to read over her shoulders right. How funny is that? Well, below is the excerpt I wrote for Primal 2: Origins while on the airplane Wednesday. And yes, the guy next to me stole not-so-sly glances at it as I was writing.

*****

“You’ve been given the capability to do so much more. It’s up to you.”

Bryce’s voice was full of the calm assurance Celeste had come to associate with him. His was the voice and reason and confidence that she could not find in herself. She wanted to listen to those words and absorb them into herself. A quick glance into the depths of his blue eyes sent a jolt of lighting through her. Celeste recognized something primal and certain there that her body responded to.

She needed space. Room to breathe. To think. With a step backwards, she murmured, “You and Ben. You’re both so different. I – I just don’t know.”

“What can I do to help?” Again that confidence. Celeste loved these moments of soft gentleness that peaked through his gruff exterior. Her heart picked up its pace.

She took another step backwards, realizing that he had again closed the gap between their bodies. She swallowed hard. “I don’t know Bryce. I just need some more time.”

“Time for what?” Another step brought Bryce closer. The air was heavy with the scent of his masculinity. Celeste found herself almost panting in her need to be rid of his aura clouding her senses.

“To choose,” she murmured. Another step, this one smaller than the last. Perhaps he wouldn’t notice the way she avoided his eyes.

“Choose?” Another step to close the gap. Damn he was good.

“Which one of you. I just can’t decide between the two of you.” She ran a hand through her hair and saw Bryce’s gaze follow the motion.

From behind her, came the soft sounds of Ben’s voice. “Who says you have to choose only one of us?”

Celeste’s head snapped up at his words, her breath caught in her throat. How could she have forgotten that he was there? Quiet as a thief in the fucking night, he was.

Wide-eyed, Celeste turned to Bryce for help. His eyes were hooded though, raw desire piercing through her. “No need to choose,” he said. “Love us both.”

His words startled Celeste into taking the last step away from him – the step that pressed her back against Ben. As Bryce closed the distance between their bodies again, she felt Ben’s cool lips come to rest on her neck, sparking an instant flame there. At the same moment, Bryce leaned forward and brought his mouth down on hers.

Celeste’s mind whirled at the sensation of both men as they touched her, each place singed by their lips. The longer their mouths lingered on her skin, the more fuel that she was thrown onto the conflagration.

Ben was peppering her bare neck and shoulders, his hands holding both sides of her waist. Bryce, true to his take charge personality, was running the tip of his tongue along her lips. Celeste released a small whimper, part in protest and part in longing, but made no move to stop either man.

Instead, her left hand sought where Ben gripped her waist with such possessiveness. The other arm wrapped around Bryce’s neck and pulled him closer.

God. What am I doing?

As if in answer to her unspoken question, Ben slid his calloused fingers over her hand, entwining his fingers with hers. He dragged her limp hand over the fly of his pants, grazing the erection filling the front.

Celeste didn’t know what it was – this evidence of his desire for her or it could have been the feel of Bryce’s thumb sliding over the swell of her breast – but whatever the cause, her mind finally rebelled. She pulled away from Bryce, eliciting a grunt of disapproval from him. Frantically, Celeste searched Bryce’s face.

“I can’t!” she cried.

As soon as the words left her mouth, Ben pulled himself away from her grasp. Fingers that no longer seemed under her control were itching to find him again.

There was a self-satisfied grin on Bryce’s face as if he had been waiting for her protest.

“Yes, you can – ” Bryce demanded. Despite the grim expression displayed on his face, his one-sided smile was seductive and as usual, confident.

“– and we will wait until the moment you agree too,” his brother finished for him.

Heart hammering in her chest, Celeste dared a glance at Ben. His face was as flushed as she knew hers must have been. She felt like her legs would collapse at any moment. The feeling that one or both of them might have caught her if she fell was the only thing that kept her upright.