October Books

Three members of the Tampa Area Romance Authors have books coming out this month.


Brady's Revenge by L.W. Rogers -- western

Make Her Pay by Roxanne St. Claire -- romantic suspense

Noah's Ark by Debby Mayne -- inspirational

Great job, congratulations!! :)

Contest Season

It's that time again.

Time for the national RWA RITA and GOLDEN HEART contests. Beginning today RWA will be accepting applications for both contests.

The RITA is for books published in 2009. Please check the RWA website for rules and guidelines for there has been some changes this year.

The GOLDEN HEART is for unpublished writers who have a completed manuscript.

Just remember -- it's an honor just to be nominated! :)

www.rwanational.org

Slump

I'm still here. I'm simply in a major, full-blown, down and dirty, writing slump. My WIP is swirling through my head constantly... plot, conflict, characterization. All trouble with a capital T.

There is always something keeping me from just sitting down and writing. My WIP needs so much work it's paralyzing my creative muse.

What to do, where to go??


I visited Maine this summer and had the immense pleasure of kayaking on this tranquil, pristine lake. No sign of human life for miles around. (Well, except for my friends)

My idea of heaven!

With this idyllic image in my head I shall move forward and attempt to rediscover my creative flow and my story. All my characters are sitting around, sipping coffee, taking a break -- hoping I'll leave them alone.

Okay gang, wake up and prepare to be shoved back into conflict and strife! I'm back....

TARA September Releases

NEW THIS MONTH!

Hunt Her Down by Roxanne St. Claire

Romantic suspense

Darkness Rising by Elissa Wilds

Paranormal romance

Lucan by Susan Kearney

Paranormal romance


Christmas Homecoming by Debby Mayne

Inspirational romance

Congrats on the new books, ladies!! :)

Borders

Tampa Area Romance Authors

Why Vampires?

It seems everywhere you turn these days there are stories about vampires. HBO has produced a television series called True Blood featuring characters who live for darkness and the taste of the scarlet liquid. Last season there was a short-lived television show on one of the major networks called Moonlight, where the main character was a private investigator as well as a vampire.

I've never watched either show.

Author Anne Rice wrote the novel Interview with a Vampire which was a best seller, and went on to become a hit movie starring Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt and a very young Kirsten Dunst.

Again... never read the book, never saw the movie.

And one would have to be dead (or almost dead) or living in a coffin not to have heard of the Twilight series by Stephanie Meyer....Best selling books about teenage vampires that has gone on to become a popular film. Would it surprise you to learn I haven't read the books or seen the movie?

At this point, I think not.

And who could forget the widely popular daytime drama Dark Shadows which aired from 1966-1971, and featured one of the most renowned vampires, Barnabas Collins.


Today there are so many books featuring vampires it makes my head spin. Oh no, that would make me possessed by the devil!

It doesn't take a telepathic mind-reader, or a vampire, phantom, witch, or any other frightening other-worldly figure to know, I don't care for paranormal stories.

Recently, I asked my friend Annie, who devours vampire stories, what the attraction was for her and vampires?
Her answer: They're sexy.

Really?

Obviously many people agree, and it's wonderful for anyone writing and publishing in the vampire genre. Just some of the many authors who have written novels featuring vampires:

P.C Cast, Shannon Drake, Christine Feehan, Charlaine Harris, Sheila Holland, Ellen Schreiber, John Steakley, and Cecilia Tan.
And even Arthur Conan Doyle has written his share of vampire stories. Check out The Vampire Stories of Arthur Conan Doyle.


Something for everyone. Well.... except for me that is.

How about you? Are you someone who embraces the world of vampires and other paranormal phenomenon?
Or are you like me -- afraid of scary things that go bump in the night?

Critique Group Contest

Want to join a fun, challenging online critique group? Check out Lynnette Labelle's blog for all the details. We have an opening in our online critique group, Rumored Romantics.

If you're a romance writer looking for a critique group, here is a fabulous opportunity. There are five of us and we're in the market for one more.

Lynnette is hosting a contest for our new sixth member. Good luck. :)



Lynnettelabelle.blogspot.com

New Books for Summer

I CAN SEE YOU

by Karen Rose

SLIDING INTO HOME
by Joanne Rock

OUTCAST
by Joan Johnston

These are the latest books out by some of our fabulous TARA authors!! I'm looking forward to reading all three. :)
Congrats ladies.

Click onto Borders to order your copy today!