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Showing posts with label Anyone But You. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Anyone But You. Show all posts

Wednesday, 28 January 2009

The perfect man....


So, we were talking at work about what essential characteristics make up the perfect man and does the perfect man exist? And - as an author am I perpetuating a stereotype and therefore making woman want something they cannot have? My response is women aren’t that stupid and romance books equal fantasy and women are too smart to believe it’s anything but. The perfect man does not exist. It’s as simple as that. We can wish on a star for him to appear but that last time I checked, the world doesn’t work that way. Though, if the star wishing thing has changed then let me know.

Yes, yes. I can rabbit on about George Clooney and Hugh Jackman but they have flaws. I’m sure of it. George probably snores and Hugh most likely belches the alphabet after eating. I’m not sure of course but all men seem to have a fascination for belching…why is that? Anyway, my point is neither man is perfect. Sure they’re drop dead gorgeous to look at but like everyone, what’s under the surface is more important.

The same with romance novels, Anyone But You sold very well but the main response from readers was that Mercardo - the hero - started out as a playboy jerk and it was only through being with Verity that made him a better man. Women saw that. A pretty face and a hot body only turns your head for a moment - after that, women want more and they are prepared to work around the flaws to get it. I was glad readers were astute enough to see what a dipstick Mercardo was and could have continued to be without the influence of a strong woman.

So no, I’m not perpetuating the ‘perfect man’ myth because every man I write about is flawed and if you like the heroine de-flaws him. No different to real life. Women civilize men. It impossible for any man to be perfect and those who wait for Mr Right are going to be waiting a bloody long time. Better I think to go with Mr-very-close-to –being-right. You can work on him then. Think of it as a project. It can be fun. And no, that’s no 1950’s housewife ideal. That’s fact. Women want men but on their terms and they’re prepared to work until they get what they want. Why settle for less?

As for the existence of the perfect man – no – he’s like Yeti – occasionally glimpsed but basically just some guy dressing up in a hairy suit – probably belching and scratching his arse.

Men – fascinating creatures.

So are woman perfect? Yes. And no, I don’t have to justify it – we just are.


Okay – that’s it for today – I have 250 business cards to attached to the most luscious smelling organic candles…yes, it’s all happening at Chez Amarinda.


www.amarindajones.com
www.amarindajones.blogspot.com
Go Ahead : Live with abandon. Be outrageous at any age. What are you saving your best self for?

Friday, 5 December 2008

Penned Again…

That's right…Penned Again is released today at Elloras’s Cave. It’s the follow on to Anyone But You….and yes, there’s a contest…click on the cover to buy

The blurb….

The last man Arlo Ripley wants to see back in her life is her husband Penn. He never told her he was a demon. She only found out when it was too late. Now he’s back and trying to fuck her senseless into forgetting the past. Great sex is one thing but forgiveness another. Arlo’s not about to give up holding a grudge and no orgasm can make up for a lie.

Penn has made a bet with a fellow demon he can win his wife back. But much more is at stake. In order to free himself he needs his wife. Sex is the key. It brought them together once. To win Arlo he will play every dirty, little game he knows she loves. After all, his freedom is at stake.

The excerpt….

It was such a long time since Arlo Ripley had felt the closeness of another’s skin again hers. She curled against the warm, male body and gave herself up to the dream she was having. Her hand touched the hard, hair roughened chest and luxuriant heat radiated through her arm and down her body. It was heaven to touch him once more. She had missed him so much. Him? Penn? Her eyes snapped open in shock.
“You!” Arlo jerked her hand away as she looked at the naked man in her bed. There was just enough light to see the deep green eyes of Pendleton Ripley. He had not changed one whit. Same dark, wavy hair, kissable mouth and a body to collapse against in need and hunger. And he was naked. Whoa! Too many memories there. She rolled away as fast and as far away as she could.
“Hi honey, I’m home,” Penn murmured as he reached out and pulled his wife back against him.
“Holy fucking hell, what are you doing here?” Arlo struggled to break free from his hold. To do that, she had to touch him and he felt so good to her Penn-starved senses. Six months without touching him had been torture.
“I came to see you.”

“Oh piss off.” She slapped his chest in derision. Remember you hate him and he is a lying swine. Okay I can do this.
Penn’s finger gently traced the curve of her lips.
“I missed you, my beloved.”
Oh crap. Penn was using “beloved” in that deep, husky voice he knew turned her on. Arlo closed her legs together tightly.
He is back for a reason and that reason may not suit you. Be strong and don’t get sucked in again.
Arlo Ripley had endured six of the most horrible months of her life. It was like she was on a continual mood swing and it was all because of her husband—the demon. I married a demon. It still seemed bizarre to her. It was more like something out of a 1950s schlock black and white movie. But it had happened and it still irritated her no end that Penn had not told her the truth. Honesty was as important as love to Arlo. That he did not tell her everything smacked at her self-esteem. During their separation she had railed against him, the unfairness of it all and wondered if love was really worth the hassle. Sure, she was lonely without Penn but at least she knew where she stood.
“What do you want?” Though his cock pressing against her thigh was a very good indication of where his mind was at. It was so long since she’d had sex. The feel of that life force pushing against her made her remember the last, delicious time she had touched and tasted him. She still remembered the feeling of her eyes rolling into the back of her head as she came. Then Penn had gone and broken her heart. Bastard. Well not again.
“I’m naked, you’re naked—what do you think I want?” Penn smiled at her knowingly.
I think I really need you now and I hate myself for being so weak.
“I think you’ve run out of clean clothes and want me to do your washing.” Arlo always slept naked. She liked the sensual feel of the fine cotton sheets on her skin. However at that moment she wished she had on a granny nightdress as her bare skin so close to his was like holding a lit match to paper. Penn could make her hot with just one look and he looked mighty good to her famished senses. She ran her eyes over the length of his lean, strong body, stopping at the black, elaborate phoenix tattoo on his lower stomach. It had always turned her on. Her mouth watered. He still had the ability to take her breath away.

The contest…

Question: - What fantastic country does Amarinda Jones and Hugh Jackman – my next door neighbour - come from? Email the answer to amarinda_jones@yahoo.com.au. I will give away 2 copies of Penned Again to the first two correct answers drawn at random. The contest closed midnight Saturday 6th November (USA EST). Good luck.

www.amarindajones.com
www.amarindajones.blogspot.com
Go ahead: Live with abandon. Be outrageous at any age. What are you saving your best self for?

Thursday, 30 October 2008

Thursday once more….

Saw the doc today…I had two vital questions –

1. When can I have plonk?
2. When can I stop wearing these bloody stockings?

Quote – ‘you can return to your normal lifestyle.’ Woo hoo! But all kidding aside, this has served as a good reminder to me to be thankful for my normal good health and not to take it for granted. I am lucky.

I got another book contract the other day. That’s a good thing. It means someone does not think my writing sucks. Well, actually, I’m sure someone thinks my writing sucks but there are others who have faith in it. Faith verses sucking – I’ll take faith for two hundred points thanks, Bob.

Anyway, to a scribbler such as myself that means I continue on with the next book. There’s always a story somewhere churning in your brain or written on a notepad piled on pieces of paper with other stories. And I do have one that was coming along nicely and I looked at it this morning and thought – yes, I like it – but….hmmm…I don’t feel like dealing with you characters at the moment. I will. When I am ready to. I just felt the sudden need to jump from one book to another. I think that reflects my mood at the moment – all over the bloody place. So I started another vampire book. It follows on from Prince Vampire, who follows on from Marlow’s Curse and Shades of Gray – you know the whole this begat that thing. Moods – you gotta’ go with ‘em or they’re going to take you there regardless.

A work friend emailed me to see how I was and said ‘you’re probably not drinking enough coffee.’ I suspect she is right. It’s so much easier to have some expert make it and hand it to you. I pointed out to her that my breasts are probably safe from shrinkage at the moment. Did you see that news story last week about how three or more cups of caffeine make your boobs shrink? Load of crap of course but I like that idea. Less boobage to deal with is excellent. Anyway we went on to discuss other myths – when we were teenagers we had this dangerous belief that if we coated our legs in baby oil – some used olive oil – that it made out legs tan faster. Yeah right. All that meant was we had really sticky, greasy legs. I have never tanned in my life. I burn. I tend to avoid the sun. Probably why I like vampires.


Other myths that fascinate me are those lotions that guarantee – for 72.5% of women (translation those genetically disinclined to bloat and are freakishly unnaturally beautiful) that you will rid yourself of cellulite in 14 days. Yeah, I’ve tried it. I’m not in that percentile and even though I make myself walk an hour a day, the hail damage is still evident on my thighs. Yes, how attractive am I? I personally believe that we are all screwed up genetically in some way and whatever it is we are never going rid ourselves of the problem. So throwing money at it seems crazy. Buy chocolate instead and avoid looking at your thighs.


Anyone but Youreview – total credit for this book goes to my editor at Ellora’s Cave. I absolutely suck at formatting manuscripts. This one was a nightmare of epic proportions because somehow - and I have no idea how – I managed to have the letter ‘p’ at the end of hundreds of sentences. When I sent the ms in it wasn’t there but in editing it appeared. It drove my editor insane. So, once again I apologize to H and as always I am grateful beyond mere words. Thank you.

The review…

Amarinda Jones has created a story that is captivating. It has spicy sex and dramatic intrigue. There is so much going for this book that there are almost no words to describe how great it is. As an avid reader, this is the kind of book I enjoy reading. I can not wait to read whatever Amarinda Jones comes out with next.
http://sensual.ecataromance.com/index.php?p=1055

www.amarindajones.com
www.amarindajones.blogspot.com
Go ahead: Live with abandon. Be outrageous at any age. What are you saving your best self for?

Wednesday, 22 October 2008

Anyone But You….

Anyone But You – released today at Ellora’s Cave – click on the cover to buy.

I have to say I love this cover and it has been removed by others and replaced by me on various sites on a regular basis due to some authorities getting their knickers in a knot over 2 naked people. I bless the cover gods at Ellora’s Cave once more for their amazing talent and controversy is always good.

Now….what is Anyone But You about? As always, my books are based on a period of my life. This one? Have you ever met someone you have disliked intensely for all sorts of half arsed reasons and decided even if he was the only man alive on the planet you would rather sit in the dark and decline his offer to change your light bulb? But suddenly things change and sometimes someone so ‘terrible’ turns about to be anything but…. I knew a man like that a long time ago but that’s another story…

The book that follows this one is Penned Again. It’s due out December.

The blurb…

Verity Kane is normally a calm, efficient worker. Normally nothing upsets her. However in the last six months her patience has been tried dealing with her charming playboy boss, Mercardo Gentry. When she walks in on him having sex with a woman on his desk, she has had enough. It’s about time Mercardo learnt a lesson and she’s the woman to do it.

Mercardo Gentry fell in love with Verity Kane six months ago. He would like nothing more than to get to know her but the lady is most definitely not interested. Can he really be blamed for reading her private diary when he comes across it by accident? When he reads that her most intimate fantasies revolve around him, Mercardo decides to seduce Verity with her own thoughts.

Verity is amazed and aroused that the playboy understands her needs so well. But falling in love with a playboy is not something she counted on. Leaving her job is easy, forgetting Mercardo is impossible.

The excerpt


Ten minutes later, the office door opened and the latest girlfriend passed by Verity’s desk with a very satisfied look on her face.
“Fucking slut,” Verity mumbled under her breath. What was it with women like this? They were perfect in face and form and they never had a hair out of place after being shagged within an inch of their lives. Verity knew if positions were reversed she would be flushed and sweaty and she would probably not be able to find her shoes.
“Did you just swear, Lady Verity?” Mercardo asked mockingly as he came around the cubicle partition to stand beside her.

Verity bit her tongue. He knew she hated being teasingly called Lady Verity. She wasn’t that prim and proper. But then he was never going to know that. Verity intended to remain a functioning robot in his presence. A robot with thigh sweats and a rampantly beating heart but still a mechanical being who had the strength to resist this man. At least one woman had to dent his ego occasionally and she was that girl.
Verity looked up into his amused blue eyes. Mercardo always stood too close. But then he did that with everyone. He was a people person. Verity liked to keep people at a distance. Everyone had their place in her life and no one got close enough to intrude on her space. When he stood so up close and personal to her it gave her a head spin. It wasn’t unpleasant. It was like drinking too much wine and wanting to throw your inhibitions out the window. Verity started thinking all sorts of thoughts she was determined she would never have about him.
“No, of course I would not have sworn.” Verity pushed at her spectacles as they again slid down her nose. She only ever wore them when working on the computer at the office. “I have papers for you to sign.” That’s right, be calm and cool and do not allow him to fluster you. Though that was hard to do when tall, dark and handsome was standing beside you reeking of sin and sex.
“I am sorry if we alarmed you before.”
No you’re bloody not or you would have stopped doing it long ago.
“On page eight you need to sign twice.” This was business. What he did in his office stayed in his office. Verity often had trouble sitting in that closed room with him thinking about what and who he did in there. She handed him that papers.
“No response?” Mercardo murmured in amusement.
“About what?” When under pressure act dense was Verity’s motto.
Mercardo sat down on the edge of her desk and looked at her assessingly.
“Are you always so cool Lady Verity? Do you ever lose control?”
I would like to smack your smug handsome face and maybe realign your already crooked nose. How’s that for control?

An email from Amarinda mail…

I have a project I want you to run with us. It involves exportation of35,000 barrels of crude oil daily from Kirkuk, Iraq.If you are interested, email me via:
Mr. Yan.

Gee, I only have an average size sedan. I guess I could try and fit a barrel in to help out. How big do you reckon a barrel is? And Iraq? What is the distance from Australia to there? And its not the safest place in the world right now but for all that Mr Yanstrangely not an Iraqi name – sounds like he knows what he is talking about. I will consider this offer with the penis enhancement offers I have and treat them both with the respect they deserve. Why doesn’t someone offer me ice cream or chocolate? Maybe I’m already enhanced enough for those…

www.amarindajones.com
www.AmarindaJones.blogspot.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AmarindaJonesNewsletter/
Go ahead: Live with abandon. Be outrageous at any age. What are you saving your best self for?

Thursday, 9 October 2008

Atta’ girl Doreen…


Brisbane woman, Doreen, 65 took on 4 much younger, male car thieves when they intruded into her home. Click here for more. Doreen beat them – literally. Good for Doreen. I admire her for protecting what’s hers. No, I don’t recommend everyone does it. Would I? Hell yes. You make the mistake of coming into my house unannounced then you get what you deserve. But that’s me. Some people are more confident than others. Doreen certainly is. And it has nothing to do with age. I like that women are still strong and confident as they get older. Too often I read stories where women (and men) in their 60’s and 70’s or even 80’s are considered elderly. That term pisses me off. Why? Who is to judge who is elderly? I know 20 and 30 year olds who carry on like crotchety old hags who whine like they are at death’s door. But then they’re the sort that age badly. What is my point? We have to stop tagging people in certain categories based on perceptions. Just because you get older – you don’t get useless. There will always be the whiny exception but let them be just that. Don’t assume everyone is useless or past it because they have lived life.

I work with a 19 year old woman. I am 44. She often makes the mistake of trying to make me and others feel old. Stupid girl. She pays the price for her cutting remarks. She has learned much since tangling with me. I will not have her or anyone else treating her work mates as less because she has some skewed perception of age. Yeah, you’re right – she knows stuff all at 19. Who does? But I am teaching her not to underestimate any woman at any age as she will get a surprise. She has had a few with me and no doubt more are in store for her. Would I go back to being 19? Hell no. I am what I am and I like me.

Back to these dickheaded thieves. What sort of men are these? Real men do not steal. Real men have class and honor. Imagine being the mother or father of these creatures? How proud would you be? I’m glad Doreen taught ‘em a lesson. Probably the only one they have ever had. Atta’ girl Doreen.

Contest winners for Taking the Fall are – Michelle and Angela - thanks to all that entered. There will be another contest for Anyone but You released 22nd October through Ellora's Cave.

Micah Blue - review

This is a sexy romp that will make you laugh out loud. Micah is so much the classic woman in the fact that we are all afraid to fall in love and believe in the fairy tale. Ned is a wonderful hero determined that at the end of the day he will prevail. When these two come together it is one hot steamy scene after another and Ms. Jones keeps the reader hanging on just to see how it would end.
bookReviews/Micahblue.html

www.amarindajones.com
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AmarindaJonesNewsletter/
Go ahead: Live with abandon. Be outrageous at any age. What are you saving your best self for?

Tuesday, 13 May 2008

One step closer to the weekend...

Still only Tuesday.....f**k it!!


The power of acute observation is commonly called cynicism by those who have not got it--George Bernard Shaw

Well, I feel just terrible. I got my MasterCard bill and for the third consecutive month they have not charged me for about $400 worth of purchases. Golly…should I tell them or do you think it would embarrass them if I pointed out their mistake? It might make
them feel incompetent and then I would feel bad about hurting them. No, I won’t tell them. It’s for their own good. ‘Can’t have them doubting themselves and their ability to produce accurate bills. Yes, maybe somewhere down the track I’ll get hit with the charges but maybe not…I’ll let fate decide.

Reasons not to exercise…I was doing stomach crunches this morning – yes, how wrong is that? But I aspire to a flat stomach although I know it isn’t going to happen but hope always springs eternal and my delusions are grand. Anyway, I managed to pull a muscle in my shoulder and now I am in agony…I tell you – all exercise is wrong and as part of my campaign platform to run the world one day, see yesterday’s blog, I will abolish all thought or need for exercise and all women will be encouraged to aspire to be shaped like the ancient fertility figures – in fact they will get paid extra to do so….and showered with chocolate – yes that’s it.

I got a new mobile (cell) phone today. As part of the mobile plan I selected I got a new, free phone. It’s very whiz bang with all sorts of bells and whistles which to be honest are completely lost of me. I purely want to make and receives calls, collect messages and sms(text) friends. I don’t need cameras or music being
played or games or the internet and I always think people walking around with the headset thing in their ear look like they’re out of Star Trek. Besides who has time for gadgetry?

‘Agonized over whether to name 3-4 Ellora’s Cave books of mine, due to come out soon, under a series title all day at work. It wasted the day very nicely indeed. My wise, stoic editor – she with the dints in her head from slamming it on her desk as she edits my work - made the suggestion of the series name. Her suggestions are always good and I always take them on board seriously. When I set out to write Anyone But You, Penned Again and Tantalizing Tilly I had no plans to turn them into a series but characters from one book wandered into the next one and well, what can you do with them but write them a story because otherwise they’re just standing there and readers wonder what the hell they’re doing there. So, I asked the legendary Frogspond – a group of amazing writers that I know – what their thoughts were on a series name and should I have one. My very first, gut instinct was no. I always follow
that instinct but I thought I would see what others of the writing sorority thought. They all believed it a good idea – and most likely they are correct. However, after much discussion and thought, I reverted back to first instinct and decided on no series name. Isn’t it amazing how such a small thing can consume your time? If I had of been home doing personal stuff I would have sorted the matter out very quickly. But work time means time to waste so I let it drag on most of the day as any practised half-arsed worker does.

I also got my FLEs front line edits or final line edits or whatever they are called - for Unbreakable. This is the last check of your book before it goes to be published. As always, I got a slap on the wrist for speaking in Australian in my writing. The thing is being an Aussie for such a long time it’s hard to snap out of that habit and I’d like to point out that English is from England and not America. Okay – hissy fit had – I move on. There were not many things that needed to be changed and those that were questioned were to do with sex. Now, I don’t
know about you but having to deal with sex as soon as you walk in the door after a day at work is not easy. I’m so not in the mood – but I changed what I had to. I pointed out to my editor that ‘we’re really not normal people’ – and by this I mean analysing the specifics of sex….well, we’re probably not normal in other ways but I’ll restrict it to the writing sex thing for the moment. Let’s face it, normally sex just happens without all the specifics of whether he can really do this or that and what about a fresh condom and can she really bend that far over backwards without crippling herself? Imagine someone critiquing sex as you do it and maybe holding up score cards and that is sort of what a FLE does. But they are necessary to the whole process as they are the last line of defence to stopping you looking like a idiot when your book comes out.


As I write this, Mervina, the urban possum, is, I believe, putting together Scandinavia furniture under my house. She is making a hell of a racket and I keep thinking I have to trap her and let her be put out into the wild with the other possums but I also don’t think she would be good at camping out like they do. What to do? I guess I’ll have to keep jumping up and down on the floorboards to shut her up. Imagine having a normal life?

That’s it – Tuesday done and dusted. What fresh hell will Wednesday bring?

As always please check out the words of wisdom for
Anny and Kelly on their blogs as well as the intensely smart and attractive people listed on the left.

www.freewebs.com/amarindajones/
Go ahead: Live with abandon. Be outrageous at any age. What are you saving your best self for?

Saturday, 5 April 2008

The amazingness of nothing in particular…


Remember a couple of days ago that I mentioned a blog by someone called Zelda? She was the blogger who caused such a stir by saying e-book writers sucked. Okay – fine – give an opinion - I admire that. What I do not admire, and I believe is pathetic, is pulling the plug on a blog because people suddenly don’t like your opinions. Well, here in Oz, we would call that being a big sooky la-la. You should not give opinions if you cannot stand criticism. You have to know that is going to happen what you write the sort of flaming commentary Zelda did. What name is the next blog Zelda will use for the same tactic? I believe this was the second she pulled because people got upset at her…there probably have been more. Whatever…I expect the next one will be as credible as the last two due to the lack of commitment to stand by her words. Probably best you got out of the kitchen, dear.

Last Thursday, in the pursuit of trying to get a book finished I finally went to bed after midnight. I had nothing to eat and was so tired after work and writing that I fell asleep in my slip and hydraulic bra. I woke up this morning at 4am and felt like I was in a cage of satin and boning - added to that I was knackered. So, why do we push ourselves to do things? Is it ambition? Is it because writers have no lives when they are writing? Is it an obsession? Stuffed if I know. What obsession do you have that you will knacker yourself in the pursuit of doing it?

Someone told me I have an ‘artistic walk’ – huh? Not sure I like the sound of that. They said that I had a flamboyant way of moving…again, not sure that’s a good thing. Apparently it’s all in the way you move your hips…I’ve always thought so…and stop looking at my hips.

It’s feral Beryl…I heard on the radio that Naomi Campbell (model) got arrested because she spat on someone…charming - not. Spitting, is to me, is plain disgusting and to do so makes me view you lower than a snake’s belly. And for a woman to do it is even worse. Normally women have more sense…tacky, tacky, tacky Naomi.


Okay, there has been a lot of hoo-ha over the man that’s having a baby. Of course there had to be more to the story. Oprah had him on her show. He was a she and had a sex change. Now, I don’t care what people do – sex changes, whatever – do what you have to do to make you happy - but this is hardly the miracle of a man having a baby if the female organs remained in tact is it? Oh how we love sensationalism.

Speaking of babies….I was doing some edits for Anyone But You today and the first one was I had to remove the word ‘baby.’ Now, I was using the term as a one of endearment. This is forbidden as it conjures up visions of paedophilia. Now, I

think all paedophiles should basically be shot between the eyes – see I’m reasonable – and it annoys me that a simple word like ‘baby’ is no longer a simple word. Is honey or darling or sweetheart going to go the same way? Let’s face it, you cannot say ‘gay’ any more as it means other they being happy or bright. No, I am not against different lifestyles – see comment above – do what you have to do to be happy – that’s important – but honest to god can we leave the bloody language alone or accept that words can have other meanings without getting all political or silly about it?

I was watching the news this evening and some celebrity was engaged to another celebrity and people were trying to take photos and the reporter was rabbiting on about how exciting it was and I thought – huh? Why is this exciting? These are just two people who are no better or worst than anyone else so why are they being held up as some sort of miracle of love and engagement? Is it just my socialist upbringing of ‘Jack's as good as his master’ and I view everyone equally or are celebrities some magical beings I am unaware of? Please advise.


Also on the news is the hoo-ha over our Prime Minister Kevin Rudd saluting George W. What does that mean? Is he is awe of George? Does he recognize George as being better than him? Are all Aussies going to start saluting GW? Nope, it just means Kev, like all Aussies likes to take the piss ( have a joke) and it was just a lark to salute him across a crowded room.

I had a silly moment today….I did the laundry, hung it out on the line and then ignored it for several hours while I edited. I went down eventually to bring it in. I was momentarily shocked because none of my underwear was there. What? Who would be insane enough to nick my cotton knickers? Most strange. I mean come on, I love me but knicker worshipping is just not on. Anyway, after checking out all points of entry to the house – tighter than a fish’s arse I might add - I was perplexed. Did aliens steal my knickers? If so for what reason? Are cottontails big on planet Zork? Maybe they wear them as helmets. Anyway, I wandered into the laundry and looked in the machine. There they still were. Whew… I really do not have time to be having visitors from Zork requesting to see my underwear.

So, as you can see it’s been a shambolic day at Chez Amarinda ending with me sauntering to the local hole in the wall fisho for fish and chips in celebration of - well, nothing really but just because I could. What excitement at your place? Do tell.

Anny and Kelly are probably not discussing the possibility of stolen knickers but check them out anyway as they are always most odd yet enlightening.
I'll leave you with this cheery quote....

Have you ever been in love? Horrible isn't it? It makes you so vulnerable. It opens your chest and it opens up your heart and it means that someone can get inside you and mess you up. You build up all these defenses, you build up a whole suit of armor, so that nothing can hurt you, then one stupid person, no different from any other stupid person, wanders into your stupid life...You give them a piece of you. They didn't ask for it. They did something dumb one day, like kiss you or smile at you, and then your life isn't your own anymore. Love takes hostages. It gets inside you. It eats you out and leaves you crying in the darkness, so simple a phrase like 'maybe we should be just friends' turns into a glass splinter working its way into your heart. It hurts. Not just in the imagination. Not just in the mind. It's a soul-hurt, a real gets-inside-you-and-rips-you-apart pain. I hate love. -- Neil Gaiman
Gosh...how warm and fuzzy do we all feel now?

www.freewebs.com/amarindajones/
Go ahead: Live with abandon. Be outrageous at any age. What are you saving your best self for?

Monday, 10 March 2008

Monday stuff...


Shades of Gray review

In a market packed with vampire novels, Amarinda Jones carves out a unique spot with Shades of Gray. She has created a world with a range of vampires from those reveling in death and sex to those trying to live a normal life. Toss in an illusion casting witch who’s in love with a vampire that isn’t quite ready to give up blood, an ancient enemy and hold on for the ride. While the novel starts like too many vampire erotic romances it quickly sheds its skin and becomes a completely absorbing story that carries you along for the ride.
As a reader I love vampire stories – but hold them to a high standard. The standard set by Marjorie M. Liu in A Taste of Crimson, by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro in the St. Germain Chronicles, and by Bram Stocker in Dracula. I’m pleased to find an author who takes the vampire mythos, spins it on its ear and creates a new and fascinating twist.
Shades of Gray is a must read for vampire lovers and a to be read for those that like a story where the sex is hot but the plot is strong.
http://www.simplyromancereviews.com/srrreviews/shadesofgray.aspx

Whew! I am relieved people like Shades of Gray. I will admit I was a little concerned as I know people who love the Vampire genre have high standards. So thanks to everyone who read Shades of Gray or reviewed it or sent me an email to tell me you liked it. I appreciate it.

Swift of Heart got a 4 and a half out of 5 from the Romantic Times. I haven’t been able to read the review yet but I appreciate the stars. Thanks RT.

Eerie Stuff

I was out walking this morning, as I do in the name of burning up calories to fit more in, when I felt someone was walking very close behind me. It was early morning, still a bit dark but I am not the shrinking violet sort, so I fisted the stick I carried and got ready to use it. I swung around to find no one there. Spooky. It felt like someone was there. I kept walking and I still felt the presence. Anyway, as me and the presence sauntered along, I told myself it was because I am writing a ghost book at the moment but I know stuff like this happens to people all the time.

No, I’m not about to get all mystical but it reminded me of a horrible time in my life several years ago (no sympathy, it’s not about that) when my brother drowned. My father and I stumbled to the river as you do looking for answers or something. The wind was blowing a gale and it was cold and miserable as you would expect on a horrible day in your life. I was dressed in something completely inappropriate as I always seem to be when these things happen in my life and my skirt was flying up all over the place. I looked behind me at the river bank. There was a man’s blue handkerchief spread out perfectly flat on the grass. It was not moving in the wind, despite everything else blowing away up and around it. It remained flat and still. I recognized it was my brothers. How? I had bought a bundle of these particularly ugly looking handkerchiefs just before he went into hospital. They were the only ones I could get on short notice and they had 'Good day’ written in the corner. Never seen them since. I walked over and looked at it. It occurred to me that this was a sign – maybe a farewell or maybe something to indicate he was at peace – who knows but it was important to me. Yes, I still have the handkerchief.

No, I’m not out to depress people. Things happen as they do for a reason - sometimes the reason sucks but that's life. So tell me, what eerie moments or signs have you have in your life? Have you felt someone near you but no one was there? Have you received a sign that only you would recognize? Or if you think it’s all a load of crap feel free to tell me. All opinions are welcomed.

From the Cover Gods…

Below is my excellent new cover for Anyone But You. Once again I pay homage to the Cover Gods at Ellora’s Cave – may champagne pour forth like water from your taps…hmm…that would be very nice. What’s Aynone But You about? Check out the – unedited -blurb below.

Verity Kane is normally a calm, efficient worker. Normally nothing upsets her. However in the last six months her patience has been tried dealing with her charming playboy boss, Mercardo Gentry. When she walks in on him having sex with a woman on his desk, she has had enough. It’s about time Mercardo learnt a lesson and she’s the woman to do it.

Mercardo Gentry fell in love with Verity Kane six months ago. He would like nothing more than to get to know her but the lady is most definitely not interested. Can he really be blamed for reading her private diary when he comes across it by accident? When he reads that her most intimate fantasies revolve around him, Mercardo decides to seduce Verity with her own thoughts.

Verity is amazed and aroused that the playboy understands her needs so well. But falling in love with a playboy is not something she counted on. Leaving her job is easy, forgetting Mercardo is impossible.

Make sure you visit Anny on www.annycook.blogspot.com and then swing buy and check out Kelly on www.kkirch.blogspot.com.

www.freewebs.com/amarindajones/
Go ahead: Live with abandon. Be outrageous at any age. What are you saving your best self for?