Monday, February 28, 2011

Guest Blogger: Sara Reinke

Sara Reinke's here today talking about her book, Dark Passages. Now being a fellow paranormal author, I was thrilled to host her. Welcome Sara!! I wanted to know lots and lots of things, but let's start with this: why paranormal? What's the draw of the vampire?
Hi, Wendi! Thanks so much for this opportunity to meet your readers. When I was a kid, I always had my nose stuck in a book—and usually it was one about ghosts, monsters, aliens or other supernatural phenomena. If the show had been around back then, my teachers probably would have told you I’d grow up to be like Fox Mulder from TV’s The X-Files.

I’m older now, a little more skeptical, in many ways more like Dana Scully, Mulder’s practical-minded partner on the show. I love researching the history, science, technology and logic behind things; considering ideas or theories that might explain the seemingly unexplainable.

Since I like to write paranormal romance, these dual components of my nature are often in conflict with each other. Take my Brethren Series, for example. I love the idea of vampires. I think their long-running appeal comes from the fact they’re blood-thirsty and predatory, yet somehow seductive and sensual.

A vampire is usually portrayed as stealing into his victim’s room under the cover of darkness, when she’s at her most vulnerable—asleep in bed. Despite this intrusion, he’s able to make her feel at ease, mesmerizing her into submission. By drinking her blood, penetrating her with his fangs, pressing his mouth against her throat, he’s intimate with her in a way that’s primitive, almost sexual.

I also think another part of the appeal of vampires is that although some are portrayed as living hundreds, even thousands of years, they retain a youthful appearance and stamina. Who wouldn’t want to look and feel like they’re twenty-something their entire lives? (And who wouldn’t want to have a lover with that kind of energy, lol?)

All that being said, the standard mythology behind them—they can’t be exposed to sunlight, see their reflection in a mirror, touch or be touched by holy water or other sanctified objects—has never made much sense to me. In order to make the Brethren work logically enough to write about them, I had to come up with my own mythos; in essence, I had to reinvent the vampire.

For me, that was part of the fun in writing The Brethren Series; it provided the perfect complement of both sides of my creative mind—Mulder’s “I want to believe” philosophy and Scully’s “I want to explain.” It’s taking the supernatural and hypothesizing about how it might be possible; trying to put some normalcy into the paranormal.

I’m pretty pleased with the results. The Brethren, for all of their wealth and powers, are basically as flawed as the rest of us; as motivated by guilt, greed, lust, love—you name it. Though they strive to live apart from humans whenever possible, they’re more like us than they’re willing to admit or accept. And therein lies the story.

I see on your site you love ferrets. Why ferrets?
I can’t take credit for the ferret love, LOL. The ferret button on my site is to support one of my closest friends, Devyn Quinn—also one of the most amazing paranormal authors I’ve ever read (www.devynquinn.com). She’s also the founder of Texico Ferret Rescue (www.texicoferretrescue.org), a non-profit organization dedicated to the rescue and rehoming of domesticated ferrets in New Mexico and the Texas panhandle region.

There are tons of organizations across the U.S. that do the same for dogs and cats, and the reasons for having to give up a pet are many and varied. Devyn’s an animal-lover by nature, and she began taking in ferrets from pet-owners in her area who were either unable or unwilling to care for them anymore. Before long, as word spread around to veterinarians and pet stores, she found herself being asked to take on more and more. Texico Ferret Rescue was her solution. Through TFR, she assists in adopting ferrets to new homes, locating temporary “foster” homes for ferrets in need, and providing safe, comfortable living arrangements for ferrets who because of age or illness are unsuitable for adoption.

If you could be one of your characters, who would it be and why?
Karen from Dark Passages, of course—because she gets to see Tristan naked. ;)

Want an blurb? Here you go!
Tristan Morin is a vampire on a mission: to not fall in love with Karen Pierce. To do so would prove that humans and Brethren were meant to be physically and emotionally bound to each other -- something he, as a full-blooded Brethren, refuses to believe. It would be so much easier if Karen wasn't beautiful. And if there wasn't something about her that draws him like a moth to a flame, damn near impossible to resist.

Karen has always felt an inexplicable attraction to Tristan. More than just the fact he's strikingly handsome, it's as if being with him is something natural, comfortable and right. But soon a brash choice on his part leaves her heartbroken and confused, and a sadistic new enemy will put their tentative love -- and their lives -- to the ultimate test.


Whetted your whistle? Sure I did. Here's an excerpt:
Karen remembered another reason the name Davenant was known to her. “They’re the ones who tried to murder your family, aren’t they?” she asked, and Naima nodded.

“In 1812, they burned our great house to the ground, yes. Their objective was to kill everyone inside.”

But you’d already escaped, Karen thought. Augustus Noble found out what the Davenants had planned, and he warned Michel, helped the family to escape. The Davenants didn’t know, didn’t realize it, not at first, anyway.

“Probably not until last night,” Naima agreed, because unlike most other Brethren, she kept her mind wide open nearly all of the time, making her privy to the thoughts of just about anyone within her immediate vicinity.

“Jean Luc Davenant attacked us,” she continued. “He doesn’t possess the telekinesis of one who has fed from another Brethren, but he’s still physically very powerful. We fended him off, drove him away, but Michel thinks he’ll be back. And that he won’t be alone this time.”

“What will they do?” Karen asked. “The Davenants, I mean. When they find out the Morins are still alive?”

Allistair Davenant had been the worst among them, right? she thought. He was their Elder, the one who hated Augustus.

“I imagine they’ll try to kill us again,” Naima replied grimly. “They hated Michel, too, just as much as—if not more than—Augustus. And Allistair was far from the worst. There were seven Davenant brothers, each just as dangerous—and as deadly—as the last.”

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Sara Reinke Stops by Tomorrow!


Sara Reinke stops by tomorrow with her new book, Dark Passages.



Here's the blurb:
Tristan Morin is a vampire on a mission: to not fall in love with Karen Pierce. To do so would prove that humans and Brethren were meant to be physically and emotionally bound to each other -- something he, as a full-blooded Brethren, refuses to believe. It would be so much easier if Karen wasn't beautiful. And if there wasn't something about her that draws him like a moth to a flame, damn near impossible to resist.

Karen has always felt an inexplicable attraction to Tristan. More than just the fact he's strikingly handsome, it's as if being with him is something natural, comfortable and right. But soon a brash choice on his part leaves her heartbroken and confused, and a sadistic new enemy will put their newfound love -- and their lives -- to the ultimate test.

Come back tomorrow and comment. You could win a signed copy of Dark Hunger and Dark Thirst, as well as a download of Dark Passage. You know you want to! :)

Saturday, February 26, 2011

News!! I'm So Excited and I Just Can't Hide It!

News!! If you've read my blog for any length of time, then you'd know I've always got a couple (fifteen) irons in the fire. I can't help it. I like being busy. I've also been sitting on this news for about a week. I wanted to conclude the tour before I unleased the news!

So what is this news?


I turned in the sub for Please Remember Me and a sub entitled What Might Have Been. I am happy to say, both titles have been contracted by Total-E-Bound Publishing. I am thrilled. Please Remember Me is near and dear to my heart because I got to incorporate one of my dearly departed friends, a woman named Judi, into the story. She passed away a couple of years ago, but my experiences as her friend helped shape the story. Also, What Might Have Been
is special because it's how I'd envision going back to GHS for the fifteen year reunion. Hey, a girl can dream that she's got a sexy cover model to serve as arm candy.


The blog tour for Careless Whisper has just concluded and I have to say, based on the feedback, I'm feeling really great about the story and I'm psyched to start the story to follow it Heart Like Mine.

I'm hoping to finish and submit my race-themed story very soon. I love my racing and I love romance novels, so to be able to synthesize the two is awesome for me.

Friday, February 25, 2011

Last Day of the Tour ~ I'm at Isabel Roman's!


The last day of the tour...Sob...It's been a blast. I've loved every moment. Loved it so much, I'm ready to run with the next story after Careless Whisper. But we're talking about today. Ahh...today. I'm at Isabel Roman's blog. Come on. Last chance to throw your name in the hat for the contest!! You could win a copy of Careless Whisper or another book in my backlist. Join me. I've had a lot of fun, so why stop now?

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Chatting with Nancy at My Odd Little World!


I'm over chatting with Nancy about Careless Whisper over at her blog My Odd Little World. Now I gotta tell ya, she asked some pretty tough questions. So if you want to know more about me than I'd realized saying, you need to stop over. And hey, you could win a copy of Careless Whisper. See you there!

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Hanging Out With Lila Munro today!!


I'm hanging out over with Lila Munro today. I'm talking about...you guessed it, Careless Whisper and my essay is about ghosts. Sure! Come on and join us. It's gonna be a blast!!

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

Over at Beyond Romance and Eye Candy!!!








I'm hanging out with Lisabet Sarai and talking about Careless Whisper. Want to join us? Sure you do! Come on....we're waiting.










And because I wanted to....left over release day squees...Eye Candy!!!

Monday, February 21, 2011

Startin' With Me


My Free Read at Whipped Cream! Read it and let me know what you think!

Over at Sue Perkins' Blog!


I'm over at Sue Perkins' blog today talking about Careless Whisper. Come on and join me. We'll have a blast!!

It's Release Day!!!!



Careless Whisper officially releases today!! Come on and get your copy. And while you're at it, join me on the tour! You could win prizes!!

SQUEEEE!!!!!

Friday, February 18, 2011

Hanging Out at the Book of Secrets!!!


I'm hanging out at the Book of Secrets Blog today. Want to join me? It'll be a lot of fun!!!

Comment! You could win a copy of Careless Whisper! Come on. I'll be lonely if you don't.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

I'm hanging with Jojo Today!!!



I'm hanging out over at Jojo's Book Corner today! Come on over and join me. You could win a copy of Careless Whisper. What have you got to lose?

Can't wait to chatter with you!

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Tour Continues at Denyse Bridger's Place!


Want to come along for the Careless Whisper Tour? Sure you do! I'm hanging out with Denyse Bridger today. Join us. Every comment gets you entered to win a copy of Careless Whisper. Plus, I'd love to chatter with you!

See you there!!!

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

Tasty Tuesday and Guest Blogging at Getting Naughty Between the Stacks!


Careless Whisper Blog Tour Day 2 takes me to Getting Naughty Between the Stacks. Want to come along? You know you do! Come on!









And enjoy the scenery.



Ain't he purty? I so need to give him a story.

Monday, February 14, 2011

The Tour Starts Over at Book Junkie!!



Howdy all! I'm over at Book Junkie. I'm posting a Tasty Tuesday tomorrow, cuz I can't NOT.


Want to visit at Book Junkie with me? You know you do!!! I'll be waiting!


And Don't Forget to Check out These Awesome Authors: Megan Slayer, Kealie Shay, Menagerie Authors, Jessica Jarman, Devon Rhodes, Ashley Ladd, Linda McMaken, Cheryl Dragon, Marianne Arkins, Anne Rainey, KA Mitchell, Mychael Black, and Jenika Snow!

Sunday, February 13, 2011

The Tour Starts Tomorrow!!!


The Tour starts tomorrow! Are you ready? I am!
Want to win a copy of Careless Whisper or another book in my back list? then comment. The more you comment, the better your chances are of winning.

Follow me! The tour's only going for 2 weeks.
Where will I be tomorrow? At Book Junkie! Come on, you know you want to come along. :)
It'll be a blast!

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Valentine's Blog Party!!!

Want to win a Nook Color? Maybe $150 gift card to Amazon? Then come on over to the party! I'm blogging with a whole bunch of my dearest friends over at the Whipped Cream Guest Blog and the Goddess Fish Party Pavilion. Come on. Comment. You could win!


It's going to be a blast. See you there!

Friday, February 11, 2011

Chiczofrenia Stops Here TODAY!!


Laina Turner stops by today to talk about her new book, Chiczofrenia. Now, if you want to follow her tour, click here. You could win one of four $40 Visa Gift Cards. So come on! Comment!!!

I got to sit down with her and here's what she had to say about this book with the crazy title.

In the world of business, work/life balance is a buzz word. It seems so simple. Like it’s just a balance of two simple things. Work and life encompass so many different facets of your life and what you have to be to yourself and to others. It’s not a wonder most of the women I know are always in pursuit of this elusive work/life balance because it’s so freakin’ hard to find, if it even exists.
I believe you can have a good work/life relationship but sometimes the balance part throws me. Though it’s just a word so maybe I’m being too literal. When a woman has a full plate what often happens is we let go of what we should do for ourselves to stay mentally, physically, and emotionally fit.

Why? Because we feel guilty for taking care of ourselves first. We’re supposed to be the caregiver and put everyone else’s needs first, but we must make ourselves a priority and not feel guilty about it and still get everything done. My ex used to say “If mommy’s nothappy no one’s happy” and it’s true. If we can’t be the best version of ourselves how can we take good care of others?

By definition, balance would be a division of some proportion that makes up a whole.
When I talk about this in seminars I get asked a lot if work/life balance needs to actually be a fifty-fifty proposition. I say no. I mean how many things in life get split evenly? Life isn’t a teeter-totter. It’s more about where we each feel comfortable with where we spend our time. Most of us may not have much of a problem with that aspect as a standalone concept, but where we can run into trouble is comparing ourselves to others. How your neighbor spends her time is not how you should measure how to spend your time. Everyone is different and you don’t want to constantly compare yourself to someone else or measure your ability to balance, or how you balance, on how someone else does. You are your own person. You’re not that other person. I struggle with balance, mainly because I’m greedy, and I want to do it all. I try to figure out how I can do it all, but there are only so many hours in a day.

Life is too short, and I have so many things I want to accomplish before I’m dead that I don’t want to let any opportunity pass me by. It can make the frantic pace worth it but can also make you question your sanity sometimes and with that your mental, emotional, and physical health.

You are important! Remember that and show it.


Want the blurb for the book? Here it is!!!
Chiczofrenic is the term for the woman who is purposeful and intentional in how
crazy her life may be. The goal with this book is to recognize many women drive
themselves crazy, intentionally, by trying to be all they can. I firmly believe we
can have it all. A great relationship, being a great mom, keeping a good house (if
that’s important to you), being a career woman, following your dreams, working out, eating right, and many more. Women seem to have the knack for how to manage it all and not go crazy. Women seem to always take on more and more…and are successful at it.

Women have tried forever to pretend they fit in the norm even when the norm wasn’t what they wanted. I want women to embrace that more - without caring what anyone thinks. Learn to laugh at your own craziness and be cool at the same time. Be the strong individual you want to be while looking like a million bucks.

Being a woman is difficult and is a constant evolution and journey of self discovery. It’s not always an easy journey and through the process you realize everyone has her own issues. Her own brand of crazy, which is my own kind of normal. Crazy but embracing it.


You know you want an excerpt. I've got one...right here!

We all know there’s crazy and there’s holy crap crazy. While we may all have our holy crap crazy moments, hopefully, most of us average out to moderately crazy. I like the phrase crazy is an art form because to me it’s about embracing individuality even if it’s outside the norm and others might think it’s nuts. Like everything else in life, you need to excel at your individuality.
You need to feel confident. Look at women like Madonna and Cher. They’ve led colorful lives because they didn’t conform to “normal” by others’ definition. They embrace who they truly are, their “normal.” It has pissed people off or made others question their values or morality, but who cares? Cher and Madonna have the right to be how they want without others judging them. And so do we.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Thank You Thursday

I got some great reviews from not only a magazine, but also a reader. Now, I love getting feedback, but this reader was so excited about Tangled Up she contacted me. Yeah, made me beam. Then I got this gem in my email and yeah, I'm still happy dancing.

"I knew I would love Tangled Up. It drew me in.
My emotions varied from pissed off to amused to amazed. Mindy seeing Arran and Sav in town as a couple and she was still wearing is ring?! Sav hating Mindy at one point yet he was the reason Arran left her! Sav automatically assuming Mindy betrayed them. Oh yeah , Mindy MOVED out so Sav could move in This limbo that she lived in for so long. Yeah , I still want to kick Arran in the balls a bit. I always love books that get me involved and yours certainly do that. :-)"


This is a review from Queer Magazine Online:
"Tangled Up includes scenes of lust so hot you need a cold shower, and with strong characters and punchy dialogue, this is a must read for anyone who enjoys m/m/f ménage stories. Written in a contemporary style, I'd also recommend it to anyone who enjoys drama and romance."


I'm really happy and I hope the rest of the readers are, too. What do you think?

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

What the? Wednesday ~ My Post Day!!!

I'm hanging out over at Coffee Time Romance. I'm giving away a copy of my latest release Tangled Up . I looking to just plain have fun and talk about books.Come join me!!

Monday, February 7, 2011

Monday Moans

I've got this secret...there's this woman I'm infatuated with. Have been for years. Seventeen to be exact. I can't get her out of my mind. I've never even kissed her, but damn...those legs, those eyes, and then there's her smile. I know she knows I exist, but isn't that a kick in the ass...she's not at all interested in me.

Oh, Wendi just informed me I should tell you who the hell I am. **Shrugs** The name's Tanner Connolly. I own my own construction business, Connolly Inc. We got the job to demolish the Mason Senior High School. Pity since it's a pretty building, all swirlys and flowers and stuff. But, it's falling apart. There's this awesome auditorium inside--box seats lining the room and a killer balcony. Actually, yeah, it's a killer since the floor is weak in spots and missing in others. I used to sit and watch all those boring musicals the drama kids put on just so I could see her.

Wondering who the 'her' in question is? Macy Shibley. She sat behind me in English class. Listened to my endless reasons why she NEEDED to listen to Pearl Jam and how football was the lifeblood of every man. Ok, so I was a jock. It happens. But I loved spending time with Mace. Granted we only ever spent time alone when football season wasn't in season and when the assholes I hung out with were busy doing whatever it was they did with their girlfriends. Hey, I never said I had the coolest friends.

Except Mace. She managed to stay in my brain for seventeen years now. But the fifteen year reunion is coming up. It's my chance to make the honey haired vixen mine.

If she'll have me. Yeah, I"m still working on my game plan.

Thoughts? Suggestions? I'm open to any advice.

~ ~

And Don't Forget to Check out These Awesome Authors: Megan Slayer, Kealie Shay, Menagerie Authors, Jessica Jarman, Devon Rhodes, Ashley Ladd, Linda McMaken, Cheryl Dragon, Marianne Arkins, Anne Rainey, KA Mitchell, Mychael Black, and Jenika Snow!

Friday, February 4, 2011

Friday Flirts

Today I thought I'd talk about a couple places I'll be and be seen.

Tomorrow I thought I'd pop into the M/M group Chat on Goodreads. See the button below for info.

As of today, my interview is up on Coffee Time Romance. Click here to check it out.


Want to Chat with me? I'll be one of the featured authors on the Coffee Time Forums. Here's the link to mine. I'll be there February 9th.

Maybe you wanted to meet me? That's happening, too! I'm teaming up with a good friend and fellow author Deb Alferio, and doing a book signing at the Borders Books and More in Sandusky, Ohio from 2-4 on February 12th.

Still not enough Wendi?

There's more!

February 12th I'll be super busy because I'm taking part in the Whipped Cream/Goddess Fish Valentine's Blog Party. You could win a Nook Color! Want to visit? I'd love it. Click here to get more info.


And starting Valentine's Day, my blog tour for Careless Whisper starts. Click the cover banner to get more info.

Whew...that's a lot. But hey, I can't wait. Join me!

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

What the? Wednesday ~ Duh to Me...

I've been knee-deep in edits and revisions as of late. Sometimes it seems like I can't get away from editing. I had one person say to me, well, if you wrote it right the first time, then you wouldn't have to edit.

Ah, to be young.

Trust me. I'd love to just write it correctly the first time and get it done with. I mean, we all want to have the right idea, right?

But then again, we'd all be perfect and that would be uncivilized...I mean, boring.

Which is what brings me to the "duh" moment. I was working with a CP who I swear has a LOT of patience with me and she kept saying all these fantastic craft terms. I mean writing craft. Like, "this is their 'dance' moment."

I'll be the first to admit, I write and go with my guts. Sure, I edit, but I've never sat down and taken a writing craft class. I wrote what seemed like countless lesson plans and more than too many research papers. I know the mechanics of writings. But let me tell you. Writing a romance novel or short story is NOTHING like writing a research paper. Think you know the mechanics? That's half the battle. Got a great idea? Fine, but if you don't have the tools to refine it, then you've got a rough, but cool idea.

Now, I'm not completely foolish, but when she mentioned what I relayed above, I was dumbstruck. I mean, sheesh. I thought I knew this stuff. I had no idea.

Duh, to me.

I'm still learning. Trust me. I'm not the most learned author and I'm willing to sponge whatever info I can to make my work better.

See? We're all not perfect and that's fine as long as we're willing to grow and learn. I am.