Tansy: Hello! We’re Tansy and Jaffa, Bron’s Border Collie companions. She’s really busy with a deadline right now, so we thought we’d come and post in here for her. Being Border Collies, we’re smart enough to do that. Well, I am, anyway. [Whispering] My sister’s a blonde, in more ways than one.

Jaffa: Ooh, isn’t this a nice place! Look, there’s all these people! I’ll just roll onto my back so they can pat my tummy. Do you think any of them have treats?

Tansy: Anyway, we thought we’d talk today about dogs in fiction. Bron put a dog in her first book – a German Shepherd called Finn – and lots of readers loved him.

Jaffa: I don’t know why she hasn’t put us in a book.  I’m as gorgeous as Lassie, and when I run through the paddock, the wind blows my fur just like hers. We’re definitely cuter than a German Shepherd.

Tansy: Yes, we are. But let’s face it, we’d outshine the human characters, wouldn’t we?

Jaffa: If I was in a book, I’d want to be a Princess. With a proper silk satin cushion to curl up on. And somebody always there to rub my tummy. And people who feed me at the right time. And a big gorgeous furry dog – maybe one of those Huskies – to rescue me if there was trouble.

Tansy: If I was in a book, I’d be a kick-ass heroine. Or maybe that’s a bite-ass heroine, since I’m a dog. I’d be a spy, maybe a canine Jane Bond, or perhaps a Border Collie challenger to Inspector Rex. There’d be lots of racing around, chasing people, sniffing out clues, and stalking and rounding up the villains. And I’d save the hero, and he’d give me a really big bone.

Jaffa: Sounds like a lot of work to me. Although maybe a bone would be worth it.

Tansy: Psst – you know something? I had a look at the book she’s writing now – and there are dogs in it.

Jaffa: Us??

Tansy: No, they’re called Maggie and Roo. They rounded up some sheep. I’m not sure if they’re meant to be Border Collies or Kelpies, though.  Maybe we’re the inspiration for them.

Jaffa: Does the hero give a good tummy rub?

Tansy: Probably. He is the hero, after all. But she hasn’t written the tummy-rub scene yet, so I guess we’ll have to wait and see. Hey, do you think we should do a giveaway?

Jaffa: Give away what? A treat?

Tansy: No, they’re for us. But I think we should give away two copies of her book that’s got Finn in it. Maybe if readers tell us in the comments about their favourite fictional dog, and why that dog is a great character, we can draw two names from the comments to win the Finn book – although it’s called As Darkness Falls, not Finn’s Book. Now, I think she’s been sitting at that computer for too long. It must be time to take her for a walk.

Jaffa: Yes! Food time comes after our walk. Let’s go!

I’m Celebrating The New Year with a New Book–Breakfast in Bed is Out!

After a long wait, the third book in my Domestic Gods Series hit the shelves the reviews are rolling in. Here are a few of the reviews and quotes that have come my way:

“A fun and spicy story. Robin Kaye is a fresh new voice in romance fiction.”
~Susan Donovan, New York Times bestselling author of Ain’t Too Proud to Beg

“With snappy dialogue, complex characters, and an intricate web of relationships, Kaye has created an extended family that’s both honest and enjoyable.”
~Whitney Kate Sullivan, Romantic Times Magazine – 4-Star Review

“Robin Kaye’s books are vacations for the soul. Indulge yourself.”
~Maureen Child, USA Today bestselling author of Conquering King’s Heart

“Breakfast in Bed is a fun and sexy romp from beginning to end. The characters are ones you would love to call friend.  Author Robin Kaye has a knack for reaching right into the reader’s heart and giving them a story to match their deepest desires.  Becca and Rich are perfect for each other.  The chemistry leaps off the page whenever they are together. I laughed, I cried, and I cheered them on as they frolicked their way to a happily ever after.  Bravo, Ms Kaye!”
~Lettetia Elsasser,  Affair de Coeur 4 ½  Stars

“If you’re in the mood for a light breezy read with a happy ending, but enough twists and turns to make it interesting, don’t miss this book.”
~Bellas Novella

“Breakfast in Bed is another fascinating look at the Ronaldi family and their friends that provided me with hours of enjoyment. I can’t wait to see who the next god Ms. Kaye decides to grace with their own book.
~Hibiscus, Long and Short Reviews 4 ½ Books

Here’s an excerpt of Breakfast in Bed:

Rich followed her to the kitchen and leaned against the breakfast bar, staring at her as if he could see beneath her clothes. It was unnerving, and she reminded herself of all the reasons she didn’t like him.

“I know you don’t like me much.”

Becca took a cup from the cabinet. Ah, and he was a mind reader too.

“I don’t know why, but it doesn’t matter.”

“It doesn’t?” Wow, he was good. Not in that way, she reminded herself. And no, she wasn’t even that curious. She poured herself coffee.

He shook his head. “It might be a good thing.”

She looked up from the cup she was filling. “How can my not liking you be a good thing?”

“I need help, and I know it might come as a shock, but most women find me attractive. That would just complicate matters.”

“Color me surprised. Since you know I don’t like you, I suppose I can give up pretending that I do.”

He nodded and smiled a sinfully sexy smile that made her hormones do the cha-cha. She stepped out of the kitchen and picked up the sheets, blanket, and pillow she’d left for him in the living room, and returned them to the closet. Anything to get away from him. The man was a threat to her equilibrium. Unfortunately, he followed. “Okay, so since I don’t have to be nice, and you’re weirdly happy about that, why don’t you just leave?”

“I have a proposition for you.”

“No.”

“No?”

“That’s the answer to your proposition.”

“Don’t you even want to know what it is?”

“Not especially, but I will listen if you promise it will get you out my door sooner.”

He smiled again, and she rolled her eyes. She just wanted to be alone already. When it came down to it, she wasn’t much of a social person. She spent most of her time alone in her studio, and she was happy to do it. She didn’t need a man or company to keep her happy.

“Gina dumped me. She said I wasn’t relationship material because I don’t cook, clean, and do my own laundry. How hard can it be? I just need a trainer.”

“A trainer?”

“Yeah, like a domestic coach. Someone to show me the ropes. So I learn whatever I have to learn to make Gina think I’m not such a bad bet.” He might as well have asked her to streak through Times Square during rush hour.

Rich picks up the gauntlet and mayhem ensues. He soon discovers that he enjoys pissing Becca off, it becomes a hobby. Before long, he’s having so much fun hanging out with Becca, he’s almost forgotten why he started this whole thing in the first place–to get his girlfriend back in time to go to a charity benefit with his boss. When Rich meets with Gina to tell her he’d changed, he realizes that he doesn’t want her in the first place, the only one he wants Becca, who still doesn’t like him. It was a good thing he had a talent for wearing her down.

If you want a sneak peek at the first chapter of Breakfast in Bed, Romeo, Romeo, or Too Hot to Handle, they’re on my website at www.RobinKayeWrites.com along with the Domestic Gods Top Ten List, reviews, and a calendar of my blog tour. I’ll be giving away a copy of Breakfast in Bed to a lucky commenter with this and every blog through the month of January, so stop by and say hi for your chance to win.

Merry Christmas! Santa says the winner is…

Wait! Not so fast.

I have two more prezzies to add to our giveaway.

Our family was privileged to visit Peru this past summer so our lucky winner will also receive a hand-woven scarf from Chinchero, Peru and a Peruvian woven knapsack to hold all their new treasures.  Let me show you where we found one of these treasures.

We travelled to Chinchero, Peru, which is at an altitude 12,400 feet.  It’s a heady feeling being at the same level as the mountain tops.

We walked these streets of Chinchero. Then we were thrilled to watch these lovely ladies demonstrate how they washed and dyed the alpaca (baby llama) and sheep wool.

The weavers use local plants and insects to create colourful woven items. 

Although interesting, this isn’t why you dropped by today’s blog. You want to know who won the mother lode of treasures we’re giving away and you want to know now, right?  

First let’s give a big round of applause for all who participated in our Super Secret Santa Giveaway.

(Cue applause)

This holiday giveaway is our way of saying thank you for visiting our little sanctuary amongst the wide and woolly world of blogs. You folks rock!

The good new – despite his hectic schedule, Santa dropped by last night and delivered the name of our winner.  Hooray for Santa!

And the winner is…

(Cue the balloon drop on the winner)

Congratulations, Lisa Glidewell!!!  You’re our big winner!!!!!

Very shortly your mailbox will be overflowing with presents arriving from all over the place. It’s our way of giving you an ongoing Christmas chock full of gifts.

No matter how you spend this Christmas, we at www.nobodywritesitbetter.com wish everyone the very best for the holiday season. May the New Year bring you good fortune and much happiness.

Gail

Note: Today’s the last day to enter our Super Secret Santa Give-Away! Click here to learn how. The draw will be made late this afternoon, and Gail Fuller will announce the winner tomorrow.

Good luck to all who entered, and Merry Christmas!

And now for my post!

Anyone else decorate for Christmas with pets in mind? You know, no tinsel this year, because the kitten might eat it. Tie that tree to the rafters so the Saint Bernard’s tail doesn’t whack it to the ground!

Our pets are usually pretty good around Christmas. Our current cat, Keisha, a spirited tortoiseshell, uses the tree watering system as her personal water bowl just like her Siamese predecessor did, but so far she hasn’t knocked down the tree. The Christmas I was five, though, I remember waking up to a crash in the middle of the night a few days before Christmas (I can pinpoint my age because we only lived in the house in question for one Christmas). The tree my mother had so carefully decorated had come whipping down…courtesy of the cat. As an adult I’ve lived in fear of this happening again, but so far it hasn’t. That doesn’t stop me from imagining the possibilities, though.

And so, in memory of my old Siamese cat, Seiki, and with apologies to the descendants of Clement Clarke Moore, I offer my version of ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas:

…EXCEPT FOR THE CAT
by Cindy Procter-King

Was midnight before Christmas, when all through our shack
Not a creature was stirring…except for the cat.
The stockings were strung twenty feet in the air,
In vain hopes that The Fanged One wouldn’t discover them there.

The kidlets were snoozing all tucked in their beds,
While plans for stealing catnip danced in the fuzzy beast’s head.
And DH in his sweatpants, and I with the dog in my lap,
Had just flopped into bed after imbibing enough eggnog to induce a 12-hour nap.

When from the living room below there arose such a crash,
I flew out of bed and down the stairs like The Flash.
Tore around the corner and tripped over the Yule log,
Righted myself, but nearly threw up my eggnog.

For the tree I had so lovingly sprayed with canned snow
Now lay on the ground, broken ornaments strewn to and fro.
When, what to my widening eyes should appear,
But a miniature tiger, and eight alley cats to fear!

Our cat was their leader, so clever and quick,
I realized then he was up to his old tricks.
More rapid than mice, his feline minions they came,
While I screamed up the stairs to DH with no shame,

“The cat door! It you forgot to close!
Now every cat in the neighborhood is upon us!
They’re scratching the furniture! They’re climbing the walls!
How will we ever get rid of them all?”

DH made no sound; he was still up in bed,
Having drunk enough eggnog that he lay as if dead.
So, left alone with the wily beasts, I knew,
I had to save the Christmas tree—and all the toys, too.

And then, ears a-breaking, I heard the cats howl
As they pummeled the lights and the gifts while they scowled.
I swung my hands wildly and screeched just as loud,
“Get out of my house! Get away, get away, get away NOW!”

My cat arched his spine, from his head to his tail,
His fur was all matted with tinsel and hail.
His gift of catnip he had flung from the tree,
And he looked like a wild animal, eyes glittering with glee.

His nose—how it twitched! His cat cheeks, how hairy!
His jaw—how it gaped, his mouth red like a berry!
His sharp teeth were flashing like Wolverine’s claws,
The sight of which would give anyone pause.

A branch of the tree he now gripped in his teeth,
And of course he’d destroyed my new Christmas wreath!
He had a fat face and a full-of-food belly,
That swung as he yowled at me like I was his lackey!

He was high-strung and arrogant, a right nasty Siamese.
But I laughed as I gazed at him, to keep him well-pleased.
As he strutted toward me, his meows rang through my head,
Which quickly gave me to know that I had much to dread.

He hissed to his underlings, “Out of the house now!
My human will clean this mess, and no one will know!”
Then, sticking his tail straight up to space,
And giving a wail, to the warm bed he raced!

I know I’m his slave, so I sprang into action,
While away tore his minions before I could catch them.
As I heard him purring upstairs while DH snored with delight,
I thought, “Happy Christmas to all—no thanks to the cat, because I’ll be up all night!”

 A top secret message from Santa

Good morning 007 Friends:

 Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to help the folks at Nobody Write It Better celebrate the holiday season! 

One lucky visitor will receive a mailbox full of Secrt Santa gifts and goodies from the 007 authors.  Among the writers participating:

A copy of Dangerous as Sin by Alix Rickloff

A copy of According to Jane by Marilyn Brant

A copy of Borrowing Alex by Cindy Procter-King

A handmade bracelet from Theresa Ragan

A woven Peruvian knapsack from Gail Fuller

A totebag full of goodies from MJ Fredrick

An electronic copy of For His Eyes Only by Avery Beck

An anthology of time travel romance including a story from Maureen McGowan

Stolen Fury, Book 1 in the Stolen Triology by Elisabeth Naughton

A copy of Romeo, Romeo by Robin Kaye

A copy of Her Cinderella Season by Deb Marlowe

A copy of Where the Wind Blows by Caroline Fyffe

Some tea to sip while you enjoy all these great reads from Barbara Wallace

This is a terrific way to extend your holiday season – and get some great reading material.  For your chance to win, just email nobodywritesitbetter@yahoo.com and tell us the Super Secret Santa Code (Hint: It’s what Santa says when he laughs).  Gail Fuller will announce the lucky winner on Christmas Day!

 Good luck!  And Happy Holidays!

I’ve always been fascinated by the idea of time travel. The Time Traveler’s Wife is one of my favorite books from the last decade, and a lot of my teenaged fantasies involved me introducing a boy from the 50’s to the ways of the modern world. I blame that on Happy Days. But I never thought I’d attempt to write in that genre until I got the chance to contribute a short story for THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF TIME TRAVEL ROMANCE.

I love a good “modern girl falls for a Regency era Duke or Highland Warrior story” as much as the next gal, but I wanted to try something different. Something a little darker.

Around the time I got the chance to submit this story, I’d been watching Life on Mars on TV, and loved the idea of someone being trapped in the wrong time but no one believing them. And of course I loved the heartbreakingly romantic notion from The Time Traveler’s Wife of meeting someone you love when they’re not at the right age, and/or don’t remember you’ve already met.  I also concede that my story, in hindsight, has similarities to Groundhog Day, although I didn’t notice them until a beta reader pointed it out. (And other than the repeating date thing… well, not much similarity.)

But from somewhere in all that confluence of influences sprang the idea for “Lost and Found”, the story of Jake who, angry and upset at his father’s death and the whole world, takes a tab of acid in Central Park on April 17, 1967 and then proceeds to wake up every day in the same place, on the same date, in the same clothes, just in a different year, leaping forward and backward in time every day he wakes. By the time he meets the heroine Kara, for the second time in 2009, he has given up on the hope of ever ending his torturous leaps through time. But, of course, the story’s a romance, so it all turns out well in the end.

Today is the official release date for this anthology, which in addition to my story, includes 19 great authors’ stories, including Gwyn Cready who won the RITA® for best paranormal romance last year. I’m thrilled to have been included, even though they spelled my name “many more” on the cover. At least they got my initials correct. Actually, on this image of the cover, I’m not even there as “many more”, but it is on the actual book. I promise.

To celebrate my first ever release, I’m giving away a copy of THE MAMMOTH BOOK OF TIME TRAVEL ROMANCE to one random commenter! I’ll announce the winner this Saturday — to give everyone a few days to enter.

If you could travel through time, when would you most want to go?

The headlines have been buzzing about Tiger Woods fall from grace for days. Quite frankly, with the media frenzy I didn’t pay too much attention to it because that’s what the media does… latches on to something until the next copy-selling story comes along and then that particular celebrity’s disgrace is a distant memory.

It was when the other women came out of the woodwork that I finally started paying attention. And not in a good way. I paid attention in a sad, disheartened sort of way. Because you see, I think we give celebrities far too much focus on both their political opinions AND their personal lives.  I prefer fiction any day of the week.

What made me sad about this particular story was the relationship aspect. The happily ever after part of the story.

In a regency romance, readers love the rake; they love the redeeming part of the story. When a man — or a woman — (let’s be fair) violate their wedding vows, that’s not a romance, that’s a tragedy.

That’s also why I think so many women read romance, love romance. Because events like these do happen, and they are heart breaking, and lives are destroyed.

I want to believe that it is possible for two people to fall in love, to keep their promises and to live happily ever after.  And that in a nutshell is why I don’t pay overlong attention to the headlines, but I do read and write romance.

There’s a very famous romance author (now deceased) who wrote literally hundreds of romance novels during her lifetime.  Although she was beyond successful, I heard it said that all her heroines in her books were, well, her.

Right or wrong, when I heard that remark, I never picked up that author’s work, which may have done her — and me — an injustice. Still, I can’t imagine anything more boring than writing a protagonist based solely on me. What a dull book that would be.  The poor heroine would leave the hero’s passionate embrace, while saying, I’d love to chat and get to know you better, live happily ever after, but I have to get back to the keyboard.

My protagonists are far more interesting than me. To date, my female protagonists have been an Maricopa County assistant D.A., a Dallas anchor woman, a museum curator of a fictitious city, an Oklahoma landman, a transient ex-con and in my just finished novel, an Albuquerque public defender.

They may come from my psyche, but they’re far more adventurous, far smarter and unlike me, enjoy getting into all sorts of mischief. That’s the beauty of writing. I want to make up these characters and see where they take me.  And certainly when there’s heartbreak, I want it to be them, not me, because, as my Bond sisters can confirm, when you work with these characters day and night, their misfortune becomes your own.

How about you? If you’re a reader, what do you enjoy in an author’s characterization, and if you’re a writer, how close are you to the people you put down on your pages?

Do you have a view on soul mates? Are you destined to meet yours or do you think it’s a matter of luck?

I tend towards optimism and believe in fate whereas my sweetheart believes life is based on chance.  

My hubby says, “I don’t believe that love is fated. I could never have received a fate as good as the woman I got.”  

    Yes, folks, he’s a keeper!     

Some say meeting a soul mate, or any occurrence in life, is coincidence, and how we arrive at the point we are today is simply a series of random events.

Some might say that but not me. Sure, we make choices that affect our outcome, but rightly or wrongly I believe one’s life mate is prearranged.

Certain religions support the concept of a soul mate. There’s a Jewish belief that says forty days before a foetus is formed, heaven decrees which girl will marry which boy. Talk about divine intervention!

Perhaps I left myself more open to opportunities for meeting my love because I knew he’d eventually show up. Of course depending on your point of view you might interpret that as making my own luck.

One could write a Ph.D. thesis on the subject of destiny versus luck. Instead I’d rather take a mini poll. Which outlook do you prefer – destiny or luck?

Good fortune (or possibly Google) provided me with this sweet song about waiting for one’s soul mate.

watch?v=zcx9cZEqP1U

One lucky (dare I say fated? *G*) person who comments will receive Michael Bublé’s upbeat CD, Call Me Irresponsible. No, it’s not his latest. Hey, I don’t have that one yet. However I’m optimistic that with a few subtle hints, my dearest love will buy a copy for his ‘wife by chance’ someday soon.

The song says that diamonds are a girl’s best friend but I think her best friends are actually worth more than diamonds.  My best friends cheer me on, cheer me up, say cheers and I’m lucky to have them. Writing, like trying for any big life goal, can be a lonely and frustrating path at times, so I need my BFFs!

I’m very lucky that one of my best writing buddies is the very talented Keri Arthur, author of the Riley Jenson, Guardian, books, as well as many others.  I met Keri seven or so years ago when she was writing for Imajinn, a small press.  At the time, the paranormal boom hadn’t happened but she knew what she loved to write and stuck to her guns.  Amidst the chocolate eating, margarita drinking, sci fi TV ogling, critiquing, giggling, long plane trips and fun we’ve had since then it’s been wonderful to watch her career go from strength to strength (as well as pretty inspiring in terms of my personal writing goals to have a friend become a New York Times bestseller). And she’s remained the same lovely person she always was.  So here’s a glimpse into the (sometimes a little twisted-in-a-good-way if the number of times her books make me go “Ewwww” is any measure *g*) mind of one of my best friends.

You’re most famous for the Riley Jenson series – what’s up next for Riley?

Next up is Bound for Shadows, the 8^th book in the series, and one that finally starts providing answers. I’m betting there will be tears. <g>

Sadly for fans of Riley, this isn’t an open ended series,  so where are you taking your fans next?

After the final book–Moon Sworn–I’ll be writing an offshoot series that will feature Risa, Dia’s little girl. It’ll concentrate more on the Aedh and Reaper side of things, but there will still be lots of vampires, werewolves and shifters hanging about and causing problems.

What’s the attraction of writing paranormal & dark fantasy?

Basically, it’s being able to write about anything my weird imagination can come up with. And I love being able to write about kick-arse chicks who can look after themselves and who can give as good as they get–but who also aren’t afraid to admit when they need help.

Where do you get the inspiration for your worlds?

Did I mention my weird imagination?

You write series set in Australia and the USA….which is easier?

Australia, definitely. I find the words flow better, probably because I’m familiar with the settings. Even if I haven’t been to a particular place, it’s a lot easier for me to check an Australian setting than an American. Plus, we might both be English speaking countries, but the differences in the way we see things and what we call things is often quite astounding.

Who’s your favorite character to write?

If I didn’t love writing Riley, I wouldn’t have taken her to 9 books. She’s such a fun character to write. But right now, I’m loving writing Risa. She’s been trained by Riley, but she has a whole different set of skills and quirks.

You write gorgeous, hot, sexy heroes who often have a bit of a dark side…where do you find the inspiration for them?  Do you base them on real people at all?

Occasionally I’ll see an advertisement or a picture featuring a man that strikes me as being perfect for my hero, but more often than not, they come out of my imagination. I just find it easier that way. Although, I will admit to watching certain movies just to get inspiration. For instance, that end scene in Kiera Knightly’s Pride and Prejudice– how sexy is Matthew Macfadyen when he’s walking across that field, coat billowing behind him? Now, if that doesn’t give a writer inspiration, nothing will  J

What’s a typical day in the life of Keri Arthur?

A typical day is getting up about 6.30, eating breaky while reading emails, then off for an hour walk with the dogs. Then it’s gym for a couple of hours. After lunch, I settle down for the afternoon to write. I aim for 5 pages a day unless I’m on deadline, and then I’ll do whatever is needed to get the book done.

To finish, five fairly random questions –

Favorite word — tea
Favorite TV show –  Supernatural. Love the boys!
Favorite junk food — chocolate. Or French Vanilla Slices from the evil Kilmore bakery
Favorite book you’ve read this year — Lord of Scoundrels or Private Arrangements
Favorite thing to do other than write — It’d have to be a toss up between going to the gym (shocking, I know) or going for a drive on a warm summer day.

If you want to know more about Keri, check out her website which has all the skinny plus links to other places she frequents.

To celebrate the release of Bound to Shadows next week, Keri’s giving away a signed copy of Full Moon Rising (the first Riley Jenson book) to one lucky commentor.  Hopefully we can pry her away from her busy writing schedule to answer some comments too!

So tell us about a friend who inspires you or ask Keri a question and you might just get lucky!  NB as usual, Keri and I are on Aussie time, so we’ll be responding when we wake up!