Guilty Pleasures Monday – Galen Gering

We were working on the video trailer this weekend for SINS OF THE FLESH and when I was asked for suggestions about Mick’s look, I said to the producer – think Galen Gering.

So, this morning’s Guilty Pleasure is none other than hot soap opera hunk Galen Gering who plays Rafael Hernandez on DAYS OF OUR LIVES and used to be on PASSIONS. Be sure to check him out on DAYS!

Also, today is the last day for the RT Book Reviews SINS OF THE FLESH giveaway. For a chance to be one of 5 lucky winners of an autographed copy of SINS OF THE FLESH, a SINS T-shirt and lunch bag, please sign up for the contest by clicking here or following this link:

https://www.caridad.com/contest/rt-book-reviews-contest/

If you’re already a newsletter subscriber there’s no need to sign up. You’re automatically entered, one of the benefits of being a Caridaddict subscriber!

October 23, 2009July 8, 2019

Fun Friday Freebie Possibilities

You may remember that I did a Fun Friday a few weeks back with links to a mess of free e-book downloads (click here for that blog post as some of those freebies are still active!)

Leave a comment at my new blog at PowerfulLatinas.com for the chance to win a copy of DEVOTION CALLS, one of my earlier releases in THE CALLING Vampire novels. Just follow this link:
http://www.powerfullatinas.com/latina-leadership-lessons-our-love-affair-with-the-paranormal

Hurry before my RT Book Reviews Contest ends on October 26th. You could be one of 5 lucky winners of a SINS OF THE FLESH T-shirt, lunch bag and autographed copy of SINS OF THE FLESH. Just follow this link:
https://www.caridad.com/contest/rt-book-reviews-contest/

Hachette Book Group is running a Spine-Tingling Giveaway which includes SINS OF THE FLESH. Check out these various sites for a chance to enter the contest! Hurry the contest ends November 1.
http://fang-tasticbooks.blogspot.com/2009/10/5-spine-tingling-books-up-for-grabs.html#
http://www.hachettebookgroup.com/contests_index.aspx

Last, but definitely not least, did you know I’m a dangerous woman? To find out more about this group of amazing authors and have a chance to win some awesome prizes, come join the Danger Women Writing loop.

October 21, 2009May 9, 2017

Stronger Than Sin Research Part 2

This is a crazy time of year for me! I’m putting the finishing touches on STRONGER THAN SIN, the second book in the SINS series, while also visiting people to chat about SINS OF THE FLESH which will be released on October 27th! Less than a week away.

Be sure to check the calendar to the left of this blog post for the dates of my various online and in-person appearances. There are a tons of giveaways going on for SINS OF THE FLESH and you might be one of the lucky winners of a copy! Also check out the Contests page on the site for other contests that are currently in progress.

But back to STRONGER THAN SIN which I am absolutely loving. It’s about another genetically engineered patient – Jesse Bradford, a former pro football player. Once from the wrong side of the tracks, Jesse now owns a multi-million dollar home in Spring Lake (more on that town in another post).

The heroine – not spilling the name here so that I don’t spoil anything from SINS OF THE FLESH – is smart and strong, but introspective. I needed somewhere that she would feel safe and also very spiritual since she is a devout Catholic and very connected to family. After spending the summer wandering through the various shore towns, I knew the perfect place for her new home would be Ocean Grove.

If you haven’t had a chance to visit, you must do so during the summer. There is always something going on. Plus it’s a lovely landmark historical town filled with Victorian homes surrounded by carefully tended gardens. Main Avenue has an assortment of shops, galleries and restaurants you will totally enjoy. In addition, it’s just a walk over a footbridge or along the boardwalk to hit the renovated Asbury Park boardwalk and take in some of the sights there.

One of the more unique things about the town is the tent city that goes up every summer season. The tents date back to the revival meetings held in Ocean Grove. Today the tents are leased and occupied through the summer season. Here are some photos of the tents up for the season and some that have been closed for the winter.

Ocean Grove was the perfect place for my heroine and as the setting for some of the scenes in STRONGER THAN SIN which will be out in October 2010. So, I’m sharing some of the photos I took during my research and hope you will enjoy them!

If you can’t see the slideshow below, you can visit this link to see more pictures:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2037563&id=1130005412&l=6ac91988b1

October 15, 2009

The Home Stretch

stretch With only a few weeks left until the deadline to deliver my next book – STRONGER THAN SIN – the second book in the SINS series, I’m in the home stretch, racing toward the finish.

Just a little bit more work, some polishing and the book will be finished. Always a rewarding feeling, especially when I’m liking it as much as I am.

I always think of writing a novel much like running a race. Start off slow and get a solid foundation in the first few chapters. Start picking up speed, but keeping mindful of the pace and where I am with both the romance and suspense so that the synergy between the two is keeping things moving.

Not so easy at times, so there is an occasional stumble. There are other obligations to handle in my life, like work. My family, who always comes first. Writing obligations, like prepping everything necessary to promote SINS OF THE FLESH which will be out on shelves on October 27th! 😯

Woo hoo, but scary. My first single title paranormal romantic suspense (and isn’t that a mouthful of a description?).

I’ve waited a long time to see that happen, another kind of race. Building a career and trying to take it to the finish line for this race because inevitably, the time in the winner’s circle is short before you have to hit the track again. 😕

But if you think about it, life is a race also (and hopefully not a rat race!). I like to think of it as a race against myself and not others. Always striving to do something different and to improve. Reaching for personal bests.

How about you? How do you deal with your reaching your goals, whether it’s writing or something else? We’d like to hear your thoughts on this Thoughtful Thursday.

Also, while I’m at it, the winner for last Friday’s Favorite Hero contest is Kayla! If you could send your postal address to cpsromance at att dot net, I’ll get your prize out to you.

October 9, 2009May 14, 2017

Favorite Hero Friday

Today is a departure from our usual Fun Fridays, although I hope that it will still be fun for you!

My friends at eHarlequin asked me to blog about my favorite hero from THE CALLING Vampire Novels. Now I know most of you would expect for me to say my favorite hero is Ryder, but there’s a surprise dark horse that’s come out of the pack.

So join me over at eHarlequin to find out who is the mystery Favorite Hero and get into his brain.

If you leave a comment on either this blog or the eHarlequin blog by Midnight EST Saturday, October 10th, you’ll be eligible to win a SINS OF THE FLESH T-shirt!

Click here to visit My Favorite Hero or cut and paste this link: http://community.eharlequin.com/node/125987

September 23, 2009

SINS OF THE FLESH Casting Call

We’ve had interest from a couple of production companies for SINS OF THE FLESH and so for today’s Wicked Wednesday I’m having a casting call to see who you think would make a better Caterina Shaw, the heroine in the novel. To help you make a decision, here’s a little info about Caterina and a teaser – the inside cover copy!

Caterina Shaw is half-Irish/half-Mexican and a celebrated cellist. She’s been diagnosed with a brain tumor that has suddenly become more aggressive, making her lose her sight and be in constant pain. She goes to Wardwell Laboratories, a company renowned for gene research and engineering, for a radical gene therapy to slow the growth of the tumor. Unfortunately, the scientists use Caterina for a guinea pig, making her something more, and less, than human. Tall and lean, but womanly, Caterina has cerulean blue eyes and long wavy brown hair.

So check out this teaser and then let me know who you think would make the best Caterina.

*****

Her Touch — Innocent and Honest — Ripped Through His Body

… tightening Mick’s gut and creating an unexpected and unwanted reaction. She had brushed the tips of her fingers across his bruise. And from the tremble of her fingers, Caterina clearly had experienced something intense as well.

He rose from the chair and the motion brought him close to her. Too close. Her eyes were that intense dark blue once more, the pupils wide. The blush was even stronger across the high slashes of her cheekbones. She licked her lips.

Very human lips.

Very luscious womanly lips.

He dipped his head down, hesitating when he was about an inch away. Warning himself that if he took a
taste …

*****

Ready to decide? Is it Kate Beckinsale on the left, Evangeline Lilly on the right or the gorgeous cover model from the back cover of SINS OF THE FLESH? Or do you have someone else in mind for Caterina Shaw?

September 22, 2009September 22, 2009

Ripe Plantains and Behind the Scenes of SINS OF THE FLESH

Mexican Food Recipe When I was researching SINS OF THE FLESH, I wanted to make sure that I gave readers a taste of the characters in a variety of ways, including in the foods that they would eat. Since my research revealed a large Mexican population down the shore as well as in towns like Freehold, it seemed that my mercenary and ex-Army Ranger hero, Mick Carrera, would be Mexican.

And since I love books with foods/chefs (THE PERFECT MIX, SEX AND THE SOUTH BEACH CHICAS and MORE THAN A MISSION), it only seemed right that after Mick’s family had legally immigrated to the United States, they would succeed in their American Dream by opening a Mexican restaurant in one of the shore towns.

But Mexican food is more than tacos and burritos or the Tex-Mex dip recipe I gave you so long ago. I’ve been lucky to visit Mexico City, Tequila and Guadalajara on various occasions and sample the amazing dishes available in those cities (as well as the margaritas!).

But today’s Tuesday Tip comes courtesy of a visit that my daughter paid to a local Mexican restaurant in Philadelphia. She made the dish for us and it was delicious. Plus, it’s simple and incredibly tasty. What could be better? So here is today’s Tuesday Tip Recipe:

Ingredients:

ripe plantains (2) or 2 packages of Goya Frozen Ripe Plantains
sour cream
queso fresco
chopped chives

Directions:

1. Most stores carry plantains, but they must be ripe for this recipe. That means they should have a deep yellow/spotted black outer skin so they will be sweet. Getting them perfectly ripe can be hard, which is why I cheat and rely on the Goya Frozen Ripe Plantains. Always ripe, no peeling and lots of sweet.
2. If you’re using fresh plantains, peel them. Cut diagonally into ovalish slices. Alternative – open the Goya box.
3. Fry up the plantains, either in vegetable oil or butter. This is one time not to use virgin olive oil because it will overpower the sweetness factor. Cook until golden and caramelized.
4. Place the fried plantains on a slightly greased serving dish (They are so sugary, they will stick!).
5. Garnish with sour cream, some crumbled queso fresco (available in the dairy section) and the chopped chives.
6. Serve. This recipe will comfortably provide a side dish or appetizer for 4 to 5 people.

Hope you enjoyed today’s Behind the Scenes look and Tuesday Tip recipe!