Okay, everyone—I’m still recovering from the awesome Romantic Times convention. Parties, costumes, friends—it was great. I hosted a bridal shower and talked a lot about my new blaze Night After Night…. That’s my story
about shared erotic dreams with the hot hunk next door. Don’t you hate it when that happens? Half the fun of that book was waiting for the moment when they finally confessed to each other about what they’d been dreaming. And then they realized that they’d been sharing that hotness! OMG, I love that book!

But I digress…this blog is going to be really simple. Tell me what you do to recover from exhaustion. What’s your recovery tool of choice? Mine is reading. So I’m off to read some Blaze books! Oh, and the winner will get a copy of Night After Night… by Kathy Lyons

 

 

There are some rare moments when the stars align, the muse cooperates, and the writing goes right. I was on a plane headed toward RWA’s national conference. I had just finished reading a Blaze book–one of Vicki Lewis Thompson’s, I think–and I started to doze. Now it wasn’t Vicki’s book that sent me off into dream land. No, I think it was her hero that had me closing my eyes and thinking about…well, that’s not imp

ortant. Anyway, about two minutes into my fantasy, another idea started scrolling before my closed eyes.

Shared dreams between hero and hero, night after night. Two strangers who share erotic dreams. What exactly would you say to the guy when you saw him in the morning? “Oh hi, studmuffin that I did amazing things with last night. My name’s Christy.” No, that wouldn’t be me. And what would he be thinking as he watched her pin up her hair in the hallway? And how long would it be until one of them confessed the truth?
Let’s just say, I was hooked. I saw Brenda Chin in the hotel lobby about 3 hours later and mentioned the idea to her. She said yes then and there. Woo hoo! It had just gone right! Sadly, the writing wasn’t quite as easy, but that’s typical. But when I turned it in, Brenda told me it was my best book to date. Big woo hoo! Nearly a year later, the book is coming out! Gorgeous cover, isn’t it?

Well, now it’s your turn. Tell me a story of when it went right for you. Doesn’t have to be writing. It could be anything. And the winner gets a copy of In Good Hands, my earlier blaze. Sorry, but you’ll have to buy Night After Night… My author copies aren’t with me at the moment.

You know how awkward it is to share erotic dreams with the stranger next door? Yeah, I hate it when that happens…not! Fortunately for Christy Baker he isn’t a stranger for long! I have to say, I had a fabulous time writing this book. Hot dream sex vignettes followed by getting to know you in the real world. And then, midway, we’re SHARING those dreams? Or should I say…we’re sharing THOSE dreams?

So…drum roll please for the cover and back cover copy! Plus a link for my webpage complete with buy links and excerpts!

 

 

He’s the man of her X-rated dreams…

Schoolteacher Christy Baker has just had a naughty dream. A hot, intense and fantastically sexy dream. The next morning, however, Christy learns that the delish stranger in her hot little nighttime romp isn’t some random guy — he’s her neighbor!

Lt. Jason White has been enjoying naughty dreams, too. In fact, they’re the exact same ones. Somehow, he and Christy are having mind-bending hot sex while they sleep! But dreams are mirrors into the soul — and Jason fears the mysterious bond he shares with a woman he hardly knows..no matter what the chemistry.

The only solution? To break the connection for good..by turning those haunting dreams into mind-blowing reality!

And there’s a signed copy of Taking Care of Business for one lucky commenter!

You all know that I adore Blaze. They’re fun, they’re sexy, and I just adore writing them. And, by the way, I’m really excited about my April release, Night After Night… Just got the cover and I love it! Sad for you, though, because that was a tease! I’m not going to show you the cover until next month. Bwahahahaha!

Now for the tell. For those of you who read my earlier blog about what to do about a lonely 11 year old cat? I made my decision. For Christmas, I got a new kitten. Her name is Ginger Snap and here’s a picture! A fluff ball with claws! Turns out, Ginger has two modes: psycho and dozing. Not asleep, just dozing. I just had to stop writing because she was going nuts trying to eat my feet. The older cat (named Tali) spent the first 2 weeks hissing at her, but I think last night they actually tried to play. Then again, it might have been that Ginger was playing, Tali was trying to kill. Hard to tell!

And now…the FREE BOOK! Yup, I’m offering the prequel novella to my new Bridal Favors series for free. ENJOY! Go to my website for all the information.  Here’s the back cover copy:

WILD CHILD – Lady Gwendolyn is playing with fire. She has a habit of wandering into illicit places with gentlemen just to see how well they kiss. It’s dangerous, but she can’t seem to stop herself and no one in her family is up to the task either.

THE QUIET ONE – Sir Edward Murray is the man who can tame her. He may be just a country baronet, in town for a spell then gone, but the vivacious Lady Gwen draws him as no other. So he devises a carefully plotted campaign to capture the lady as his own. But he never guesses the depth of the lady’s spirit or the power of her passion.

SECRETS! – Why is Lady Gwen risking herself and her reputation with her scandalous forays? When Edward uncovers the truth, he is caught in his own stratagems. She figures out his deceit and may never forgive him. Can Edward convince her that some things aren’t as wicked as they seem? And that love is the wildest ride of all?

Well, it’s just after Christmas but before New Years, so this is definitely the time when I feel fat, relaxed, and am trying NOT to join any family drama. Which means today’s blog is going to be really easy. (Apologies, btw, to people of other faiths. I have no idea how you celebrate the week before New Years, or if there is anything special going on beyond–hopefully–having time off)

 

During this week between Christmas and New Years, what is your favorite thing to do? Shopping is the fav of my kids. (Yes, I have girls. How did you guess?) Reading is my husband’s particular favorite next to watching sports. I love gabbing with my sisters and NOT getting assigned babysitting duties. (My sisters have LITTLE kids aged 9 month up to 6 years.) Much of my family loves games, games, and games. (Catan anyone?)

 

 

So…what’s your pick? One lucky commentor will get a copy of In Good Hands, by Kathy Lyons!

Hopefully you’re all recooperating from too much turkey and late night shopping. Let’s take an impromptu poll.

1. Turkey or ham?

2. Stuffing or dressing? (is there a difference?)

3. pumpkin or pecan?

4. early morning shopping or sleeping in?

5. Macy’s parade or Hallmark Christmas movies?

Everyone who does the quiz is entered to win a copy of In Good Hands!

I was going to do a blog about Halloween candy and that I don’t have kids at home anymore. (Sniff) Which means I can’t steal their candy anymore. (Waaahhhh!) But I’ve got a bigger dilemma on my hands.

For about 8 years, we’ve lived happily with two cats – a boy and a girl. Sadly, the boy is gone now. He went out one day (I have indoor/outdoor cats) and never came home. I’m pretty sure he’s never coming back. And yes, I have cried some big tears over that.

But now I’m left with a petite girl cat named Tali who may be small, but she’s quite the huntress. She’s 10 years old now (or is it 11?) And maybe she’s lonely without the other cat. She’s certainly been more loving and a whole lot more demanding. But I don’t know about introducing a new kitten into the house.

The primary problem is that I travel a LOT. So I can’t sit at home and make sure new kitty knows about litter boxes and the like. But on the other hand, Tali will probably be very lonely without us at home when we do travel. And of course, the worst case scenario is if the new kitty and the old one do NOT get along. OMG, that would be AWFUL!

So…give me advice, give me stories! Have you managed to introduce a new cat to an old one? Was it okay or a disaster? Tell me, tell me! I’m dreaming about new kittens almost every night. (Apparently, I want a new kitty). Anyway, one random commentor will get a copy of my newest blaze In Good Hands by Kathy Lyons.

It’s time for The Blaze Cover Smackdown! All three of my Kathy Lyons’ Blaze covers are just plain hawt. But which one do you think is the hawtest?

Vote for your favorite cover in the comments below, telling me why you picked that cover. I’ll pick one of you to win a signed Blaze novel!

I recently had the joy of exploring some of Europe with my daughter. She did a semester in Spain at the University of Salamanca and convinced me to join her at the end of it. We visited Barcelona and then London, and had the BEST TIME EVER! We laid out on the pristine Barcelona beach, wandered through a Gaudi house (fabulous!), and then in London saw THE LION KING (breathtaking) and visited Rigby & Peller, the corsettier of the Queen. In case you’re wondering, there was nothing–and I do mean NOTHING–about the bra I was wearing that was fitted correctly. In fact, my saleswoman at the end convinced me to throw it into the rubbish bin saying, “The item has served. Badly, but it has served, so we honor it as it passes.” Then she tossed it into the garbage…er rubbish. My daughter’s went in right behind mine.

In any event, it was a fabulous vacation, but then a horrible thing happened: we came home. OMG, I’m supposed to start working again? Really? Why? And excuse me, what do you mean no one comes into my room during the day and magically cleans for me?

I tried all sorts of excuses to delay the inevitable pile of work. I had jet lag and needed to catch up on my tv shows or the DVR would explode. I had to do laundry, see some of my friends, drink coffee and maybe think about exercising again. (My first racquetball match coming back was DISMAL!) But in the end, I ran out of excuses. Then I ran out of easy busy work. Then I ran into–quite literally–my calendar. It was on my desk, and I tripped over a pile of books and…well, okay I FELL on it.

And on it, marked in bright red, were my book deadlines. OMG, time to get back to work. Instead, I’ve written this blog. So help me out! How do you force yourself back into work mode? I’m not talking about an email here, a blog there. I mean serious, 4000 words a day WORKING. Any secret tips for getting back into the right mind frame? Cause I haven’t got it. Not yet, at least. There was a time I worked six days a week because I was that disciplined. Right now? I’m thinking about getting a mani/pedi.

Help me! And the best suggestion will win a copy of my latest blaze: IN GOOD HANDS by Kathy Lyons

My husband is out of town this week. This is a rare event. Usually, I am the one flying off to conferences and the like, but this time, I am at home feeding the cats as he goes off to do his job. No problem. I have plenty of work to do and I’m perfectly capable of surviving on my own for a week without him.

Or so I thought.

Here’s the problem: I work at home and set my own schedule. No, let me rephrase that. My children and my husband set my schedule and I just write according to the time allotted to me in their days. Except I’m empty nesting now (yeah!). And with my husband gone, I don’t have him waking me up in the morning as he bumps around getting his coffee, showering, etc. I don’t have him coming home and saying, what’s for dinner? Want to order pizza? (Answer: yes!) And even my cats don’t wake me up since we have an automatic feeder. (Yes, I’m THAT lazy).

So with my husband gone, NO ONE sets my schedule. I get up when I feel like it (and I rarely feel like it). I work when the mood strikes–later and later every day. And I forget to stop when I get going. Lunch at 4pm? Okay. Is it midnight already? I think I’ll get a snack.

I’ve gotten a ton of work done this week. (Finished my next Blaze!) But I am so off schedule that I don’t know what time it is, what DAY it is, or even what I’m supposed to be doing when. There is NO schedule at all, and it’s throwing me. I never actually STOP working, and I fear that could build into a problem. Frankly, the whole thing is just weird. I’ve never before been completely on my own with no responsibilities beyond I have a book due in X number of months. It’s freaking me out!

So now it’s your turn. Any advice? Or is the advice: go ahead and enjoy the freedom. And if I’m working at 2 am, then at least I’m working. One lucky commenter will win a copy of my latest blaze, In Good Hands, by Kathy Lyons.