Special July Contests!

We’re having not one, but two Jersey Shore Sin Hunter Summer Goody contests during the month of July!

Come down the shore with me for Christmas in July with my wonderful friends at Fresh Fiction.

From July 5 to July 26th you can enter the Jersey Shore SIN HUNTER Summer Goody contest to win a $25 B&N Gift Card, Autographed copy of SINS OF THE FLESH and SIN HUNTER Summer Goody bag which includes a STRONGER THAN SIN T-shirt & Tote bag, Jesse Bradford Rubber Football Ducky, Bath & Body Works Shower Gel, Mini-Beach Ball and Candy! Just click here for the contest or cut and paste this link in your browser: http://freshfiction.com/contest.php?id=2675

Join the fun at the Summer Beach Party with my amazing friends at Writerspace!

Register now for the July 18th event and a chance to win an assortment of prizes! If you’re lucky, you might win my prize which is:

Autographed ARC of STRONGER THAN SIN & SIN HUNTER Summer Goody bag which includes a STRONGER THAN SIN T-shirt & Tote bag, Jesse Bradford Rubber Football Ducky, Bath & Body Works Shower Gel, Mini-Beach Ball and Candy.

Click here to enter the 2010 Summer Beach Party Contest or cut and paste this link into your browser:
http://www.writerspace.com/beach/


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Thoughts on Absolute Power, Good and Evil. . .

I’m going to be doing some quest blogging and one of the things on my mind for the guest blog has been “Why are paranormals still so popular? What is that keeps on pulling readers back for more?”

For me it’s about the eternal struggle of good and evil and what happens when someone has immense power. You know that whole, absolute power corrupts absolutely. I guess it’s why the Founding Fathers developed a unique system of checks and balances on the various branches of government and why the press needs to be free of government interference.

But I digress…

Imagine absolute power. Would you use it for good or evil? Is anything ever absolutely good or evil?

Whenever I sit down to write a book, that’s one of the first questions that I ask myself about each and every one of the characters. I’m much more intrigued by people who aren’t perfect and yet choose to use their power in the right way.

What about you? What keeps you coming back to the paranormal genre? I’d like to know so that I can include your thoughts in the blog I’m going to write!

Fun Friday – Interview with Cathy Clamp and CT Adams

I am so excited to have with me on this Fun Friday USA Today Bestselling Authors Cathy Clamp and CT Adams writing as Cat Adams. I had the opportunity to interview Cathy and CT at the RT BookReviews Convention and they were kind enough to give me a behind the scenes look at their novel BLOOD SONG. BLOOD SONG is their June 2010 release from Tor Books and the first book in their new Blood Singers series. It sounds like a winner which is definitely going on my summer TBR pile!

If you cannot see the video below, you can also click here for the Cathy Clamp and CT Adams interview or cut and paste this link into your browser:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btTBLKHgwAY

Hope you all have a safe and happy weekend! See you on Guilty Pleasures Monday!

Thoughtful Thursday – Summer is Here!

We seem to have shot straight from winter to summer in New York City, going from nights in the thirties to days in the eighties overnight.

But I’m not complaining because I am so not a winter girl. I live for the spring and summer months because I love being outdoors. Whether it’s working in the garden or taking long walks along the beach, there is something about being closer to nature that energizes me.

I took this photo a couple of weeks ago during one of those walks. It’s of a huge kite that was flying in Belmar, New Jersey during a weekend kite festival.

That’s another thing I love about being down the shore. There is always something going on and its usually within walking distance! What could be better?

How about you? What is your favorite season and why do you like it?

Boats entering Shark River Inlet
This is a photo of boats entering the Shark River Inlet located between Avon-by-the-Sea and Belmar

Also, if you’d like some thoughts on how to deal with a day job and a writing career, take a moment to visit with me at the Savvy Authors blog!

Wicked Wednesday – TEMPTATION CALLS

TEMPTATION CALLS by Caridad PineiroThis Wicked Wednesday is a blast from the past, but one of my favorites – TEMPTATION CALLS. It’s also the story that launched several other novels, namely, DEVOTION CALLS, BLOOD CALLS and FURY CALLS. All the characters in those novels first appeared in TEMPTATION CALLS.

TEMPTATION CALLS is the story of Samantha Turner, the child of a former slave and store owner, who has suffered unspeakable violence at the hands of men and of the vampire who turned her. Because of that, Samantha is devoting her undead life to helping women escape from domestic violence.

Samantha also knows Ryder Latimer from her past life and there are some scenes in the novel where you find out what is the connection between her and Ryder. I won’t spill those secrets, however.

There are many special things for me about this book. The first is the relationship which develops with Samantha and NYPD Detective Peter Daly. Although Peter is used to violence, he is a gentle man who will demonstrate to Samantha that not all men hurt women. The second is that this book began to populate THE CALLING vampire series with unique characters and also introduced to the bar competing with Ryder’s club — The Blood Bank. Lots of action takes place in The Blood Bank mainly because it is the favorite hangout for many of the vampires in New York City. Last, but not least, we learn more about Ryder’s history and how he got to be a vampire. That history will be one that surprises you!

Today’s excerpt is the opening scene in the novel where you first meet Samantha and also, Ricardo — the santero from DEVOTION CALLS. I hope you enjoy the scene and today’s Wicked Wednesday!

If you cannot see the excerpt below, you can click on this link or cut and paste this link into your browser:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/32368336/Temptation-Calls-by-Caridad-Pineiro-THE-CALLING-Vampire-Novels

If you’re pressed for time, use the download option to read it later or on your mobile device!

Temptation Calls by Caridad Pineiro – THE CALLING Vampire Novels

Fun Friday – Flash Opera!

Thanks to my buddy Karin for this Friday’s inspiration and video!

As noted on Youtube, “On Saturday, April 24th, the Opera Company of Philadelphia teamed up with the Reading Terminal Market Italian Festival for a large-scale “Flash Opera” event! Over 30 members of the Opera Company of Philadelphia Chorus and principal cast members of LA TRAVIATA performed the famed “Brindisi” in the aisles of Reading Terminal Market, entertaining hundreds of Philadelphians, and proving that the perfect accompaniment for all things Italian is a little Verdi! The Opera Company sincerely thanks members of the Opera Company of Philadelphia Chorus and cast for generously volunteering their time and talents… BRAVI TUTTI!! LA TRAVIATA runs from May 7 – 16 at the Academy of Music. For tickets/info: 215-893-1018 / 215-893-1018 or go to operaphila.org.”

I can only imagine the shock and amusement as people were eating their cheesesteaks or sticky buns from the Amish!

If you can’t see the video below, you can click here to see the Flash Opera Singing Event by the Philadelphia Opera Company or cut and paste this link into your browser:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zmwRitYO3w

Hope you all have a safe and wonderful weekend.