Arizona Beauty

Just a few pictures from AZ. The catus mountains are beautiful and although I've captured them on film, I have not in anyway captured the true beauty of this land.

Check back tomorrow as we start the Too Wicked To Kiss contest. :)

xoxoxo,

Vicki

Sneak Peak - Too Wicked To Kiss Giveaway

Next week I’ll be giving away a copy of Erica Ridley’s debut book Too Wicked To Kiss Don’t you love the cover!

Here’s the backcover blurb:

His Touch Holds Her Captive...
From the ravens circling its spires to the gargoyles adorning its roof, Blackberry Manor looms ominously over its rambling grounds. And behind its doors, amid the flickering shadows and secret passageways, danger lies in wait...

To His Every Dark Desire...
Evangeline Pemberton has been invited to a party at the sprawling estate of reclusive Gavin Lioncroft, who is rumored to have murdered his parents. Initially, Gavin's towering presence and brusque manner instill fear in Evangeline...until his rakish features and seductive attentions profoundly arouse her.

But when a guest is murdered, Evangeline is torn. Could the man to whom she is so powerfully drawn, also be a ruthless killer?

You can read an excerpt here

So, this is a little sneak peak for next week.

Happy Weekend Everyone,

Vicki

The Land of the Desert

No, I'm not talking about my writing, but the beautiful Arizona area. I'm visiting my daughter this week while Science Guy is home with the doggies.

It never fails to amaze me when I land and look around at the landscape of this area. The first time I flew out here I totally expected it to be a barren wasteland (yep, means the same thing). To my utter surprise it was and is beautiful.

There are tons of cactus of all different sizes and shapes, and many plants native to the area that are so cool. The sunsets are beautiful and while I love the sunsets over the water, the sun descending behind a mountain of cactus is pretty cool.

I guess the part that is the hardest for me is the scorpions out here. I'm not talking a few little ones (which by the way the little ones are more poisonous than the big ones), but they have them pretty much anywhere you go. I've not seen one and I'm hoping not to.

We've painted ceramics, went to the movies (Alice In Wonderland so did not impress me, very sad since I love Johnny Depp, but that's another blog in itself), and we're talking about going to get hot stone massages.

All in all it's been a great trip.

Next week I'm doing a book giveaway so make sure you check back.

xoxxo,
Vicki

GMC...do your books have it?

So here's my rant on this lovely Thursday....okay so it's not so lovely and it's supposed to rain, but I have to look at the bright side of something here. I've had a crappy week and it's heading downhill--not up.

Let's get started, shall we.

I was on a friends site last night and realized as I read some comments that there are published authors out there that have no idea what a GMC is. ARE U FREAKIN' KIDDING ME!!!

No I'm not--honestly!

For you non-writers, I expect you not to know. But so you do know, a GMC is: Goal, Motivation & Conflict.

IMO, what every book should have in it, no matter the genre.

As most of you know I'm writing paranormal and erotica. I still see no reason for each character not to have a GMC. This is just crazy. Now I will also admit that in the erotica genre this error happens more than most. Which is a catastrophic shame. More of a shame is I'm busting my butt to get it right and there are others out there that don't know or care. Nothing I can do. It is what it is, but it's my rant, so I ranted. :-P

We all read books for different reasons. Personally I want a HEA (Happy Ever After) even in erotic. I don't like sex for sex sake, and honestly it's boring. I want characters that are well rounded and have feelings, emotions, pain, suffering and all the stuff that makes them feel real to me.


I read almost every genre, but prefer romance in everything. I'm pretty well rounded in that aspect and before I ever took writing seriously, I think Vicki pounded in my head what a GMC was. We might not have known how to make it happen completely correctly - we do now - but the most important thing I can say is...IT'S IMPORTANT.

So I've told you what I like in books, tell me what you're looking for?


Hugs,

LKap

Say What You Feel....

Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. --Dr. Seuss

This quote was on one of my groups – Wicked Writers, to be exact. But it so fits me and who I am I couldn’t help but put it out there.

I’m one of those people who have little or no filter. I typically spew my thoughts out and cringe a bit afterward. But not typically. If I say it I mean it.

Now that doesn’t mean I have no couth. I live a professional life and I want to be published so yes I have a professional filter, but outside of that, when I am me and only me…hell no!

My version of the above is: If you don’t like what I have to say, don’t ask. Or better yet, don’t listen.

Does this cause me problems sometimes? Ummm…YEAH! Duh

But do you have to worry where you stand with me? NO!

I am honest to a fault. This is a great trait, and a bad trait all wrapped into one. But I’d rather tell someone the truth than a lie – which I don’t tolerate BTW.

So speak your mind, be considerate about it, but don’t hold it in – you get ulcers that way, and that is so not worth it when all you have to do is be you.

BTW...My friend, Shayla Balck, who you have all met here on the blog, released book 3 in her Wicked Lovers series, this week - Run don't walk to buy this. I got some sneek peek chapters on this and I can guarantee it's worth it.



Hugs
Laurie
LKap